History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 50

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 50

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Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, MIus- kingum Lodge, No. 144, was organized in April. 1896. It meets the first and third Sun- days of each month.

International Association of Bricklayers, No. 20, was organized in October. 1897. It meetes every Thursday.

American Flint Glass Workers' Union. No. 40, was organized October 15. 1898. It meets on the first and third Saturdays of each month ..

Retail Clerks International Protective As- sociation, No. 398, was organized March 22, 1899. It meets on the second and fourth Fri- days of each month.

Laborers' International Protective Union, No. 8336, was chartered May 5. 1899. It meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

The Marietta Improvement Society was organized in the spring of 1898, its object be- ing to encourage such improvements as tend to promote the health and beauty of the place.

The Marietta Band was organized about 1884. The number of pieces has varied from time to time and at present it has 21, being the best musical organization in Southeastern Ohio. The history of the Marietta Orchestra is identical with that of the band as most of members belong to both organizations.

Marietta Guards, O. N. G., were mustered into the State Guards on April 19. 1900, as Company B of the Seventh Separate Battal- ion, with 65 men.

The Board of Trade was the leading spirit to advocate many of the various improvements that have been put in operation within the past decade. It has also been the means of locating several manufacturing plants here and of keeping some firms that thought of leaving Marietta. In its membership today are found about 175 names, many of whom are among our most progressive citizens and from the start it has had the influence of Marietta's best brain workers. J. H. Grafton was its first president and B. F. Strecker, the first secre- tary.

CHAPTER XIV.

HISTORY OF THE CHURCHES.

REPORT TO THE MINISTERIAL TRUSTEES-BAPTIST CHURCHES-ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH-THE CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH-THE CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCH-CON- GREGATIONAL CHURCHES-ST. LUKE'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH-ST. LUKE'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH-METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHES-THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH-THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-THE FIRST UNITARIAN SOCIETY IN MARIETTA-THE UNIVER- SALIST SOCIETY -- THE FIRST UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.

REPORT TO THE MINISTERIAL TRUSTEES.

The following report presented to the "Ministerial Trustees," of Marietta township ( Dr. George O. Hildreth, J. P. Ward and W.A. Patterson ) October 7, 1901, shows the number of church members over 12 years of age who reside within the township. In the distribution of the "Ministerial Fund," members who do not reside in the township are, according to law, not to be counted.

The total amount distributed in 1901 was $728.70-about 15 cents for each member.

No.

St. Mary's Catholic 1,005

St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran 470 St. Paul's German Evangelical 237

Gilman Avenue Methodist Episcopal 317

First Methodist Episcopal 496

German Methodist Episcopal 154 -

Sand Hill Methodist Episcopal 04

Wesleyan Methodist 73

African Methodist Episcopal 27

First Baptist 440

Valley Baptist 58

Little Muskingum Baptist 44

First Congregational 304

Harmar Congregational 182

Little Muskingum Congregational 37

Second Congregational (no returns. )

First Presbyterian 267

Beech Grove Presbyterian 10

Central Christian 102

Church of Christ ( Harmar ) 89

United Brethren (no returns. )

Unitarian 89

Mount Gilead United Brethren (no returns.)

St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal 174

Church of Christ-Mile Run 189

Total 4.858

BAPTIST CHURCHIES.

The First Baptist Church of Marietta

Was organized on the 5th day of September, 1818, under the name of "The First Baptist Church in Marietta Township." The first rec- ord on the Church Book reads thus: "On Sat- urday, the 5th day of September. A. D. 1818. we. Ephraim Emerson, William Churchill, John Thorniley, Bain Posey and Mary Case, met in the easterly part of Marietta, and formed ourselves into a church by subscribing to the following articles of Faith and Covenant."

Then follow articles and covenant, signed with the above five names present at the first

No.

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meeting, together with Simon Merwin, Phebe Merwin and Anna Burnham, who became members in October following. Then follow the rules of the order, and the next record is on the day following. September 6:

"On the Lord's Day, September 6th, 1818, we received the right hand of fellowship of the. Baptist Church of Christ in Parkersburgh. Va., at which time Elder MeAboy preached and broke bread to the church."

Ephraim Emerson and William Churchill were the first deacons-chosen October 3d, 1818.

For a number of years the membership was scattered over a good deal of territory, along the Ohio on both sides, along the Muskingums, &c., from Newport to Cat's Creek ; and. as the church had no house of worship, its meetings were held in the houses of members. "in the school house at the mouth of the Little Mus- kingum." "in the school house up the Little Muskingum;" "in the meeting house below the mouth of the Little Muskingum," at Lower and Upper Newport, "in the Dye Settlement," and at Cat's Creek.

In Marietta for some time there were few members ; and, though a center of territory. no meeting was held here for several years after the constitution of the church.

The first record of a church meeting in town is dated May 24. 1823. Caleb Emerson and wife and others having become members. After that, meetings were quite frequent in town, generally for sonse time, at the house of C. Emerson.

In the meantime, and subsequently, the membership continued to increase in all the branches, and the several branches were ac- quiring sufficient strength and numbers for separate and distinct churches.

The first pastor, as we have seen, was Rev. James Me Aboy, who began his labors for the church with its first origin-preached the first sermon, and administered the first communion. During his connection with the church there were frequent accessions, by letter and by baptism; and the number of members was greatly increased. He was the pastor for seven years. On the 19th of November. 1825. he

tendered his resignation, which was accepted with expressions of gratitude and affection, through a committee of the church.

At the same meeting an invitation was giv- en to Rev. Jeremiah Bule, who had already been laboring successfully within the territory occupied by the church, to assume the pastoral charge. He accepted the call and sustained the relation until his death. He was a man of fervent spirit, devoted indefatigably to his work; and his labors were greatly blessed in each branch of the church, as well as in other places where he preached, on both sides of the Ohio. During his ministry the church was in an almost continual state of revival. He was pastor for about six years, and died on the 4th of September, 1831, in Danvers, Massachu- setts, his native place, whither he had gone on account of his waning health.

Soon after this sad event, Rev. Alfred Dana was chosen pastor. He served for about two years, during which period quite a num- ber were added to the church.

The name of Rev. Allen Darrow appears first in the minutes, under date of January, 18, 1834. He took up his residence in Marietta, and commenced preaching here regularly. On the 22d of February, following the last date, it was "Resolved. That it was expedient to hold! church meetings here [ in Marietta] as a branch of the Marietta Church. once in every month."

Rev. Mr. Darrow. having accepted the pas- toral charge, applied himself to the interest of the church with characteristic energy and activity. At first the meetings were held "in the old," and "in the new Court House." "in the Library Hall." &c. But a building com- mittee was, soon after, appointed, and meas- ures taken to erect a house of worship. And by the persevering efforts of the pastor, the house on Church street was finished. and opened for worship in April, 1836. That house the church occupied until it was destroyed by fire in 1855. The present edifice on Putnam street, which was already in process of erec- tion when the other was burned, was occupied in the same year.

Rev. Mr. Darrow resigned at the annual meeting. December 30, 1837, when the New-

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port Church was constituted, and took charge of that church. His faithful labors at Mari- etta, at Newport, and throughout the wide field, were owned by the Master. Large ac- cessions, especially at Newport, were made to the membership.

During the year 1837 letters of dismission to members applying were voted for forming out of the membership three new churches, Little Muskingum, Newport, and one in Wood County, Virginia. The Cat's Creek branch had been dismissed, on application, to form the Adams Church, in 1832.

Rev. Hiram Gear, the next pastor, was chosen by the church in January, 1838. From that time the church enjoyed regular preach- ing every Lord's Day. Under his faithful la- bors and judicious conduct, the church pros- pered, and was increased in numbers and in- fluence, and was instructed and confirmed in the doctrines of the Gospel. No minister was ever more beloved by his people; and by his kind temper, his friendly manner and his Christian deportment in all his intercourse, he won the favor of all the citizens. He died on the 20th of February, 1843. A monument standing in the cemetery, erected by the citi- zens, testifies to their regard for him.

He was succeeded by Rev. Eber Crane. who ministered faithfully to the church a lit- tle over a year, and resigned August 7. 1844.

On the 16th of October, 1844. Rev. Ira Corwin was called to the pastoral charge. He labored successfully with the church for over eight years. During the whole period the church was edified, and at peace, and enjoyed a good degree of spiritual prosperity, and was steadily increased in its numbers. His resig- nation was reluctantly accepted; not until a committee had asked him to withdraw it, De- cember 8, 1832. Under his pastorate a Young People's meeting was organized, which has existed ever since. It is now in the form of a Christian Endeavor Society.

about two years, when he thought proper to resign.

Rev. L. G. Leonard entered upon the pas- torate in September, 1855. Tokens of re- freshing attended immediately upon his min- istration : and during the following winter oc- curred the great revival of 1856, the greatest the church had ever enjoyed, and, indeed, that Marietta had ever witnessed. Its influence was felt all through the community ; converts were multiplied : and the blessed results will be seen, in their full extent, only in eternity. By his devotion and faithfulness to his charge, he gained the hearts of all his people; and by his gentleness and affability of a Christian spirit, he won the confidence and esteem of "those without." He sustained his relation to the church for nearly eight years, and resigned on the 15th of May, 1863.

During his pastorate the church enjoyed uninterrupted prosperity. Some of its most efficient members were brought in: and the membership was more than doubled; and the church took a new position, with greatly in- creased influence in the community.

Rev. 1. N. Carman became pastor in 1864. He remained with the church until 1868, when he resigned on account of ill health. Mr. Car- man was a very successful pastor and a preach- er of much ability. His ministry was one full of good fruits. He was highly esteemed by the community, as well as by the church.

Rev. J. D. Griebel succeeded in a brief ministry of a little over a year.

Rev. Marsena Stone, D. D., began his pas- torate December 1, 1860, and continued with the church for four years. Dr. Stone was an able man. As a preacher he was logical and clear to a marked degree. In 1873 he resigned to enter upon the work of "Freedman Educa- tion" in training ministers.

Rev. J. W. Riddle became pastor in 1874. In February of that year he was ordained by a council called by the church. Under his ministry of five years there were many acces- sions to the church.

In the next September the church obtained the services of Rev. J. P. Agenbroad. He was ordained by a council called by the Marietta Church, and held his first pastorate here. He , by a church council in March, 1879. He be- preached with acceptance to the church for

Rev. George R. Gear, D. D., was ordained gan to supply the church in the fall of 1878,

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but did not formally enter upon the pastorate until May 1, 1879. His pastorate was over a church in which his whole life had been spent. He continued for upward of 20 years. There were many seasons of notable revivals. There were 235 accessions by baptism during the pastorate. Some SI,Soo was spent in church repairs. Dr. Gear closed his pastorate July 1, 1899.

Rev. L. Kirtley, D. D., became pastor in November, 1899, and still occupies that posi- tion. His pastorate has been eminently suc- cessful. The congregations are large, and the membership of the church has increased by bap- tism and by letter, until now it numbers con- siderably over 500, Recently there has been erected a fine chapel in Norwood, at an ex- pense of some $2.500.

Out of the five members who constituted the first church have grown six churches, and the original five constituent members have in- creased more than one hundred fold in the Marietta Church alone.

The Baptist Chapel at Norwvocd.

On Sunday, July 27, 1902, the new Bap- tist Chapel in Norwood was formal'y dedi- cated under the auspices of the mother church. of which Rev. L. Kirtley is pastor. The com- pletion of the building, which Sunday's serv- ice signalized, is the outcome of the zeal of the Norwood Bible School.

The new chapel is located on the corner of Poplar and Oakwood avenues, is brick ve- neered, 35 by 50 feet in size and will seat 350 people. The furnishings are in light wood, and the ceilings of steel, the interior of the building being light and cheerful and exceed- ingly tasteful. It can be divided into two rooms, for Sunday-school use, the larger of the two being made 35 feet square, while the sndaller room is to be used for the primary de- partment.

Like all things else in this life, the Norwood Bible School had a beginning. This begin- ning assumed tangible form November IT. 1900, and has now passed into history, which if chronicled in detail would read something

like this: "On Sunday afternoon, Novenber II. A. 1. 1900, a company of seventy-four persons met in what is known as the Fulton- burg school house in the easterly end of the city of Marietta, Ohio, for the purpose of or- ganizing a Bible school. Some of these were earnest Christian men and women from the First Baptist Church in the city; others were representatives from the homes in the immedi- ate vicinity of the school house. Harry Cogs- well was chosen superintendent; H. D. Bab- son, assistant superintendent : Miss Enna Wil- son, secretary: Miss Elizabeth Johnson, super- intendent of the primary department; Miss Bernice Mason was put in charge of the junior department, and of the music : and after a few Sundays Enoch Johnson was secured as teach- er of the Bible class. Great interest was mani- fested in the school and the attendance in- creased until on Sunday afternoon, December 9. the school numbered 115."

SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF THE MARIETTA ASSOCIATION TROM 1825 TO 1900. ( By George R. Gear, D. D.)

There is always a great interest clustering about the beginnings of any institution that has been to humanity a source of blessing. The beginning of our national life: the beginning of our Constitution : the beginning of the set- tlement of the great Northwest-we all know how deep is the interest we feel in such events. As Baptist churches, associates together in what is known as Marietta Association, we feel a deep interest in the beginning of our associational history. Having come to the 75th year of our age, it is fitting to glance backward and inquire of the past.

It was in the delightful month of June, 1825, that delegates from six Baptist churches met with the Bristol Church in Morgan Coun- ty to consider the matter of forming a Baptist Association. What church was it that prop- osed that meeting? Who were the men and women who took the initiative in the matter ?

These questions we cannot answer. Much of interesting history is unwritten. We see clearly effects, but cannot always discern the canses. That there was an association formed

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

at Bristol we know, and the names of the seven churches that constituted the union have come down to us. They were: Zanesville, Mari- etta, Cambridge, Brookfield. Bristol, Salt Creek, and Salem township ( now Adamsville ). These churches were young in years. The old- est was Salt Creek, a child of 13 years. Mari- etta was seven years old: Zanesville, four : Cambridge, two: Brookfield, one. The seven were also weak in numbers. Their combined membership was only 350. But they were strong in faith, and strong in purpose. They were not confined in their sympathies, and not content to be shut up

in themselves. They sought fellowship

in the work of the Lord. Nor were they content to have that fellowship confined . merely to associational bounds. When the As- sociation was less than one year old, a- call came for a State gathering of Baptists at Zanesville, at which the Ohio Baptist Conven- tion was organized. At that first meeting three of the new churches were present by delegates. and a fourth. Marietta, had a delegate ap- pointed, who failed to be present only because the day of meeting was mistaken. So practic- ally four of these young churches became con- stituent members of the new missionary organ- ization. The horizon of responsibility was no narrow one.

Attending the Associations was no easy matter in those carly days. The world had no knowledge of such a thing as railroads. On the Ohio there were a few steamboats, but none on the Muskingum, for it was not then a navigable stream. Roads were rough, and out of the beaten lines of travel scarcely more than openings through the woods. Much of the country was a wilderness. Delegates usually canve on horseback. Some who were not fa- vored enough to own a horse, and, too poor to hire one, walked, sometimes 50 miles, so eager were they to attend the Association. Those were days when men were not afraid to make sac- rifices to be present at the annual gathering. A little more of like interest upon the part of the members of our churches of to-day would much increase the interest in our associational meetings.

The new Association formed at Bristol was called Meigs Creek. This name was given it because Meigs Creek, which rises in the upper part of Morgan County, and empties into the Muskingum near Beverly, was nearly a central line between the churches. Bristol Church was on Meigs Creek. For 46 years the name con- tinned. Like most names it survived many years after it ceased to have any appropriate- ness. In 1871 the name was changed to Ma- rietta, which it has borne ever since.

There were five ministers present at the or- , ganization of the Association: George Sedg- wick, William Sedgwick, William, Spencer, William Rees and Jeremiah Dale. Long since they all passed to the General Association above. The last one died in 1871. At the 50th anniversary held with the New Harmony Church there was but one survivor of the con- stituent members-Deacon David Greer, of Brookfield.

The new Association grew rapidly in its earlier years. New churches were added near- ly every year, and the boundaries of the As- sociation were considerably enlarged. Woods- field and Coshocton were among the new churches. In 10 years the original seven churches had become 30, and the membership had increased from 350 to 1,502. The field so widened that in 1839 a division was made and the Wills Creek Association-now

Cambridge-was formed. The number of churches was then 39. and 19 of them were dismissed to form the new Association. Oth- er divisions came later, and churches were dis- missed to Coshocton and Zanesville associa- tions. Our Association bounds have so nar- rowed that now we have no churches in Mor- gan or Muskingum counties, where formerly some of the best churches were found.

The Association originally met on Satur- day and continned over the following Monday. Sunday was the great day. Great crowds gathered from every quarter. There was preaching morning. afternoon and evening. Certain evils, however, grew up in connection with the Sunday services, such as led, in 1865, to a change of time. Ever since the nteetings "have been near the middle of the week. -

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The total number of churches that have been connected with the Association from its beginning up to the present time is 89. Many of them have been dismissed to other asso- ciations. Several of the number have ceased to exist. One of these is the Bristol Church, where the organization meeting was held. Some of the dead churches have had but a brief life: for example, Belpre reported but one year. We have never gained any perma- nent foothold in that part of Washington Coun. ty west of the Muskingum River. At one time there were churches reporting at Wesley. Watertown and Belpre, but all of them seemed to have a feeble life. We have but one small church in the extreme western part of the coun- ty. Little Hocking, organized a few years ago. Within the last 25 years Beverly, Bethesda. Corinth, Cow Run and Hockingport have be- come extinct. We know not all the canses that have brought about this loss. Doubtless in some cases it is due to the decay of the com- mmunities, or to the shifting of population. In some cases the church was organized unwisely. Be the cause what it may, it is always a sad thing to be compelled to furl our Baptist flag where once it has waved. Expansion, and not contraction, is the true order of church lite.

It would be impossible in the limits as- signed to this paper to give anything like a his- tory of the individual churches. Some of them, such as Marietta, Zanesville and MeCon- nellsville, because larger in numbers and stronger financially, and centers of influence, have occupied more prominent parts in asso- ciational life. Marietta furnished an efficient moderator in the person of Judge T. W. Ewart, who held that office for a quarter of a century. MeConnellsville for nearly an equal period gave us a treasurer in the person of Charles H. Barker. Both of these men have rested from their labors, Brother Barker having survived until January, 1899. Mari- etta is now the only city church in the Associ- ·ation. It has been a mother of churches, seven others having sprung from it. It is growing in numbers and in influence, and in spiritual power, under its faithful and efficient pastor. Dr. L. Kirtley.

The present number of churches on our associational roll is 28, with a membership of about 1,900.

Sunday-schools were early encouraged. In 1827 a circular letter was written by Rev. Will- iam Sedgwick. It contains these words : "The great utility of Sunday-schools very few at the present day doubt. The sweet showers of descending grace on so many Sunday- schools proclaim the approbation of Heaven. We sincerely hope that all will take great pains in forwarding their introduction into every neighborhood." In 1834 the churches were called upon to report their Sunday-school work. Next year Marietta reported 10 schools with 400 scholars. Reports, however, were at first imperfect and incomplete, and were not embodied in the table of statistics until 1843- It was felt that some organization was needed to arouse more general interest in the work. In 1857 a Sabbath School Convention was or- ganized at Zanesville. For many years the convention met the day before the Association. In 1874 the plan of making the Bible school work a department of the work of the Associ- tion was adopted. That plan has continued ever since.

There were many efficient Sunday-school workers in those early days. . \ prince among them was T. W. Ewart, who for 40 years was superintendent of the Marietta Sunday-school. He visited the different churches and neigh- borhoods, and helped in organizing many new schools. He was full of enthusiasm and ener- gy and was a very efficient talker on Sunday- school topics.

Sunday-school Institutes have been one way of stirring up interest, and promoting greater efficiency in the work. These Institutes have been conducted by a Sunday-school Board ap- pointed by the Association. They have been in the past very helpful. At many of these In- stitutes very efficient aid was given by the State Missionary Secretary, Charles Rhoads. appointed by the Publication Society.

Marietta Association has always had an active interest in every form of mission work. I have already alluded to the fact that when · the Association was less than a year old a ma-

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 50

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490