History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 25

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 559

USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches > Part 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

At the fourth quarterly meeting held in Eaton, July 18, 1831, the church was in all probability formally dedi- cated, which had been commenced in 1828, and nearly finished.

The expediency of building a parsonage at Eaton for the residence of the family of the circuit preacher, was first taken up at a quarterly meeting in 1831, and it be- ing thought advisable the preacher was authorized to col- lect money for the building of said parsonage. He sub- sequently collected from three hundred and seventy-five to four hundred dollars, and purchased a lot for thirty dollars, on which was not long after erected the first house which served as a Methodist parsonage in Eaton, and one which has ever since been in use as a residence.

By 1830 the Methodist church of Eaton numbered sixty- eight members as follows: William D. Stephens, Mary Stephens, Margaret Albright, Daniel Black, Elizabeth Black, Hannah Jamison, Juliet Jamison, Zadock Tomlin-

Digitized by Google

MRS DANIE

RISTMAN

THE

RES. OF DANIEL CH

- Digitized by Google

EAD.

DANIEL CHRISTMAN

NY, WASHINGTON TP. PREBLE CO.O.

Digitized by

Google

Digitized by

105

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

son, Ann Tomlinson, Eliza Tomlinson, Jane Van Sickel, Margaret Stephens, Lucy A. Stephens, Sarah Dexter, Ber- thena Stephens, Joel Nation, Elizabeth Nation, Philip Acton, Benjamin Lockwood, Mary Lockwood, Philip Nation, Hester Acton, Eleanor Acton, Peter Long- necker, Nancy Longnecker, Lucinda Longnecker, War- ren McCabe, Elizabeth McCabe, Viletta McCabe, Pleas- ant Jennings, Jacob Sheets, Nancy Sheets, Hiram Oram, Jane Oram, William Campbell, sr., William Campbell, jr., Ebe Campbell, Catharine Briant, Sarah Sheets, Patsey Foster, Comfort Hopkins, Robert Adams, Ceves Frum, Sarah Kilkenny, John Niccum, Jereta Niccum, Cortland, Niccum, Elizabeth Small, Esther Banning, Charlotte Van Zant, Joseph Stephens, Sarah Adams, William Morris, Jemima Westhoven, Eliza Westhoven, Mary J. Snyder, Samuel Trait, James Tingle, John Love, Sarah Love.

In 1832 the Ohio conference recognizing the zeal of the society, separated it from the Greenville circuit, and it was thenceforward known as the Eaton circuit.

About 1838, the necessity of a new church more centrally located in the village engaged the attention of the ministry and laity, and while some were opposed to the measure, the majority warmly favored the building project. Finally James Kilkenny paid five hundred dollars to Cornelius V. Banta for the two lots on which the church was afterwards erected. On February 1815, the following persons were appointed a board of trustees for the erection of a meeting house on Main street : Samuel P. Wilson, Jacob Chambers, Jonas Albright. James Kilkenny, William Sallee, John V. Campbell and Daniel Black. At a meeting held in December, 1839, a subcription paper was made up, and the sum of two thousand two hundred dollars subscribed toward building. With this encouraging stait the project was advanced swiftly toward realization. The contract for building was let to James Albert, Preston Smith and Christopher Wysong, one year and nine months being allowed for its fulfillment. The building was commenced and when the walls had reach about half the height intended, Mr. Wysong, failing in business and withdrawing from the firm of contractors, his place was taken by R. Y. Lanier. From this time on for several months the stringency of finances throughout the country retarded the progress of the work. The old frame church was sold for two hundred dollars to Benjamin Lockwood, who in pay. ment made the seats for the new. Notwithstanding the many difficulties with which the society had to contend, the building progressed and on Sunday, September 25, 1842, it was dedicated. The sermon on that occasion was preached by James B. Finley, one of the pioneers of western Methodism, whose remains now lie in Mound Hill cemetry. Over one hundred and ninety persons made subcriptions on that day, and the total amount realized was one thousand and seventy-four dollars. From this time onward the church was in constant use until the summer of 1871. On Sunday, the twenty-first of May, it was used for the last time, the new church, the present handsome house of worship being dedicated on the following Sunday. The dedicatory services at the new church were held upon a bright May morning,

the twenty-eight, and the commodious auditorium was completely filled. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. J. W. Wiley. After the conclusion of his discourse, Charles F. Brooke, treasurer of the board of trustees, presented a report showing the financial condi- tion of the church, viz : that the receipts, principally from subscriptions, had been twenty thousand three hundred and forty dollars and thirty-six cents, and the disbursments a trifle over that amount. The total in- debtedness was shown to be over six thousand dollars, and it was stated that for two thousand dollars additional the trustees thought they could complete the church. Dr. Wiley then proceeded to lift the subscription and in a short time the entire eight thousand dollars needed was subscribed. The sum which it was thought would be sufficient to wholly complete the church, viz : twenty- eight thousand dollars proved inadequate and when it was finally finished the cost including interest on bor- rowed money amounted to about forty-five thousand dollars. But the expenditure of this large sum secured for the Eaton society a house of worship which was fully adequate to all of their then present and pros- pective wants. No town of its size in the whole country possesses a more commodious or handsome church edi- fice.

Following is a list of the Presiding elders and preach- ers of the Eaton Methodist Episcopal church, from the time of organization down to the present, except some of the earliest already given :

1824-John Strange, presiding elder; J. Murray, S. Colvin, preachers.

1828-James B. Finley, presiding elder; Samuel Shaw and James Huffman, preachers.

1829 -- John F. Wright, presiding elder; Joseph Rei- der, preacher.

1830-Greenbury R. Jones, presiding elder; John A. Baughman, preacher.

1831-Same presiding elder; J. G. Bruce, John A. Baughman, preachers.

1832-James B. Finley, presiding elder; Stephen H. Holland and John A. Baughman, preachers.

1833-Thomas A. Morris, presiding elder; William Sutton and Daniel Poe, preachers.

1834-William B. Christie, presiding elder; Charles W. Swain and David Warnock, preachers.

1835-James Quinn, presiding elder; C. W. Swain and Francis A. Timmons, preachers.

1836-James B. Finley, presiding elder; J. A. Reeder and S. T. Conrey, preachers.

1837-James B. Finley, presiding elder; David Smith and J. A. Reeder, preachers.

1838-James B. Finley, presiding elder; A. B. Stroud and Andrew Irwin, preachers.

1839-George W. Walker, presiding elder; A. B. Stroud and W. R. Davis, preachers.

1840-George W. Walker, presiding elder; A. B. Stroud and Andrew Irwin, preachers.

1841-James B. Finley, presiding elder; Joseph Mc- Dowell, William O'Connor, and Joseph A. Bruner, preachers.

Digitized by Google

106

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

1842-James B. Finley, presiding elder; Joseph Mc Dowell and Asbury Lowrey, preachers.

1843-James B. Finley, presiding elder ; P. A. Much- ner and S. F. Conrey, preachers.

1844-William H. Roper, presiding elder; George W. Maley and Moses S. Smith, preachers.

1845-William H. Roper, presiding elder; William Rutledge and William I. Lee, preachers.

1846-William H. Roper, presiding elder; William Langard and William Rutledge, preachers.

1847-George W. Walker, presiding elder; W. R. Da- vis and James E. Wilson, preachers.

1848-George W. Walker, presiding elder; W. R. Da- vis and A. W. Musgrove, preachers.

1849-George W. Walker, presiding elder; P. A. Muchner and A. W. Musgrove, preachers.

1850-George W. Walker, presiding elder; Levi White and D. A. Dryden, preachers.

1851-Charles Elliott, presiding elder; Levi White and Willinm S. Haynes, preachers.

1852-William Herr, presiding elder; Isaac Neff, and S. T. Creighton, preachers.

1853-William Herr, presiding elder ; C. W. Swain, and N. Callender, preachers.

1854-This year Eaton church was made a regular charge and given a residue and preacher. Up to this time it had been a station and visited by the circuit preachers. William Herr was presiding elder and L. F. Van Cleve, preacher.

1855-Michael Morley, presiding elder; L. F. Van Cleve, preacher.

1856-Michael Morley, presiding elder; William Smith, preacher.

1857-Michael Morley, presiding elder; William H. Fyffe, preacher.

1858-Michael Morley, presiding elder; M. Kauffman, preacher.

1859-James F. Chalfant, presiding elder; W. J. Ells- worth, preacher.

1860-James F. Chalfant, presiding elder; J. W. Weakley, preacher.

1861-James F. Chalfant, presiding elder; J. W. Weakley, preacher.

1862-William H. Lawder, presiding elder; L. D. Clayton, preacher.

1863-A. Lowrey, presiding elder; L. D. Clayton, preacher.

1864-W. H. Sutherland, presiding elder; William S. Hartley, preacher.

1865-William H. Sutherland, presiding elder ; Thomas J. Harris, preacher.

1866-Same.

1867-M. Dustie, presiding elder; A. Meharry, preacher.

1868-M. Dustie, presiding elder; A. Meharry, preacher.

1869-Same.

1870-Same.

1871-John W. Weakley, presiding elder; J. W. Cas- satt, preacher.

1872-A. Lowrey, presiding elder; J. W. Cassatt, preacher.

1873-Same.

1874-C. W. Ketcham, presiding elder; John F. Mor- ley, preacher.

1875-C. W. Ketcham, presiding elder; Thomas Col- lett, preacher.

1876-Same.

1877-C. W. Ketcham, presiding elder; T. S. Cowden, preacher.

1878-William Runyon, presiding elder; T. S. Cowden, preacher.

1879-Same.

The present number of church members is three hun- dred and forty.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .*

No records of the planting of the Presbyterian church in Eaton are to be found; and most of the facts herein stated have been collected by the present pastor in inter- views with Judge Curry, Mrs. Margaret Kline and others. It seems that the earliest Presbyterian congregations were assembled in shops (Thomas Morgan's is mentioned), in private houses, and in the court house. Afterwards meetings were held in the public church, near the banks of Seven Mile creek. The names of the ministers who preached occasionally cannot all be mentioned. Rev. Peter Monfort and Rev. Alexander Porter are remem- bered. Mr. Britch, an Englishman, who afterwards met with a tragical death in a western State, by freezing, preached a while. Rev. Nicholas Pittinger, one of the pioneers of Presbyterianism in Highland county, came to Preble at an early day, built a framed church near New Paris called Beulah, and preached occasionally at Eaton. After Mr. Pittenger's time the Rev. John M. Crabb preached at the New Lexington church, and also at Eaton. The Rev. T. E. Hughes, of Sommerville, sometimes preached and held communion here, but during what years cannot be definitely stated. Rev. Peter Golliday was ordained in Eaton and was minister several years. R. Irwin was here a short time.

The Rev. J. C. Mitchell preached here a number of years, and then went to Virginia to settle up his father's estate. During his absence of about a year, the Rev. R. M. Badeau supplied his place, perhaps in 1849. Mr. Mitchell, on his return from Virginia, resuming his place. The Rev. John Marqvis was his successor, and remained for a year or two. From about 1855 to 1860 Rev. H. W. Taylor was the pastor. He was called to Franklin, Ohio, and was succeeded here by the Rev. G. H. Webster, who was installed pastor, and remained as such from 1860 to 1865. Rev. G. M. Haid followed him, and remained in charge for about one year-1866. Rev. F. L. Lenour was pastor for about three years, closing his labors in 1870. Rev. J. W. Scott supplied the pulpit during 1871. In February, 1872, the Rev. John Haight began to preach, and continued until the summer of 1873. Rev. W. W. Colniery supplied the

* The facts of this church history were mainly collected by the Rev. Andrew J. Reynolds, and presented by him in a centennial sermon, July 2, 1876.

Digitized by Google

107

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

pulpit in 1874. In February, 1875, the present pastor, Rev. Andrew J. Reynolds, began his work in the society. Mr. Reynolds was born in Cincinnati in 1831, July 14th; graduated at Woodward college in 1851; entered the theological seminary at New Albany, Indiana, in 1852, and Princeton in 1853, from which he graduated in 1855. He received the honorary degree of A. M. from Miami university in 1860. Previous to coming to Ea- ton Mr. Reynolds had occupied a number of pulpits in the limits of the Cincinnati, Chillicothe, Columbus and Dayton presbyteries. He was one of the Christian commission at Chattanooga in 1863, and also in front of Petersburgh.

The present house of worship was built in 1824, or the following year. Mrs. Mary Hawkins, in her will, left a legacy of one thousand dollars, which, in 1866, was applied to making repairs in the church building, rendering it more comfortable and pleasant.

In the winter of 1846-47, Rev. N. L. Rice delivered a series of sermons, which resulted in the conversion of about twenty persons, among whom were Judge Curry, Elizabeth Gardner, Mrs. William Kline, Mrs. Ann Gil- more, Mrs. Julia M. Foos, Robert Miller and Mrs. Maria Smith.

Following is a list of the elders of the church, with the dates of their ordination: Abner Dooley, ordained June 28, 1829; Joseph Wasson, ordained June 28, 1829; Isaac Westerfield, ordained August 17, 1830; James L. Ward, ordained November 27, 1836; Jacob Westerfield, ordained November 27, 1836; Joseph Patton, ordained September 9, 1838; Daniel Walker, ordained September 9, 1838; Kobert Davidson, ordained May 12, 1844; William Curry, ordained June 27, 1850; John D. Miller, ordained May 6, 1863; James Golliday, ordained May 6, 1863; Robert E. Pryor, ordained March 16, 1867; Robert Miller, George Kline, J. J. Robinson.

Following is a list of the deacons: Isaac Westerfield, June 28, 1829; Peter Aten, June 28, 1829; Daniel Walker, June 28, 1829; William Curry May 6, 1863; R. E. Pryor, March 16, 1867; J. J. Robinson, A. E. Hub- bard, William H. Orot.

The church has now about eighty members, and is officered as follows: Elders, Robert Miller, George Kline, John B. Munger; deacons, J. J. Robinson, A. E. Hub- bard, W. C. M. Brookins, Jacob Brisigman; treasurer, J. J. Robinson.

The Sunday-school connected with the Presbyterian church was organized March 25, 1844, with the following officers: Superintendents, R. G. D. McKemy and Julia D. Paramore; treasurer, secretary and librarian, John A. McKemy. There were sixty scholars at the time of or- ganization. The present superintendent is N. G. Griffis. Those who occupied this office after Mr. McKemy were Daniel Walker and William Curry.

CHURCH OF CHRIST (DISCIPLES).

The church of Christ, or Disciples, was organized in Eaton about the year 1830, but owing to the loss of the old church books, it is impossible to give the exact date. For the same reason and because, also, of the death of

nearly all the original members, it is impossible to give the names of the early ministers or the times at which they were here. Among them, however, may be named Benjamin Franklin, then a young man, and S. K. Hous- hour.

The meetings were held in the old public church, and also, often at the houses of members, many of whom were farmers living in the adjoining country. The Christian church had previously had an existence here, but some of its members now entered the new organiza- tion, although the old one still continued to hold meet- ings.

The Disciples continued in a fair state of prosperity from the time they were organized, and about the year 1846 the public church having become dilapidated, they resolved to build an edifice of their own, and accordingly purchased a lot on the southeast corner of Barron and Sommers streets, of Alexander Mitchell, but deeming the amount of ground insufficient, they afterward pur- chased three feet more of Lovina Mitchell, granting her the privelege of joining walls, a grant which afterward en- tailed a vexatious lawsuit upon the church. Up to this time Henry Monfort had been the principal resident preacher, although meetings were very frequently held by others, usually lasting on those occasions several days at a time.

Among the earlier members of the organization here were Henry Monfort and wife, Abner Dunlap and wife, John Quinn and wife, Jacob Fall and wife, Asa Clawson and wife, George Thompson and wife, Martin M. Beble, Andrew Fall, and others. The new church edifice was built about the year 1848, but was not entirely com- pleted until about the time of the cholera, in 1849. This scourge desolated the town during the months of July and August of that year, Eaton losing by death nearly one-tenth of all of its inhabitants by it. The church edi- fice was turned into a hospital and used as such when needed as long as the pestilence continued. The church lost by death some of its most efficient members, among them Henry Monfort and wife. After the cholera had abated the building was refitted and prepared for public worship, but the membership was further depleted about this time, or shortly after, by the removal of several of its most prominent members, leaving it in a crippled con- dition. The building, together with the lot, had cost about two thousand two hundred dollars, and there was still a debt of about five hundred dollars hanging over it. This debt was afterwards paid, principally by Abner Dunlap, George Thompson, and John Quinn. Dr. J. P. Brookins and wife located in Eaton about this time and became active and efficient members of the church. Preachers were employed regularly during the next few years, among others, Elder John R. Frame, Elder Z. Brown, and Elder Enos Adamson, while occasional meet- ings were held by the more noted ministers of the church. But the crippled financial condition of the congregation prevented its flourishing as it should, and no doubt would otherwise have done; and the unfortunate permis- sion given to Lovina Mitchell and her assigns to join walls and extend the wall above the roof of the church,

Digitized by Google

108

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

resulted in a permanent injury to the latter and culmi- nated in a lawsuit with Dr. W. H. H. B. Minor, in which, although the church was finally successful, the loss was greater than the gain. From that time on preaching was only had occasionally, although the meet- ings were kept up until about 1872, when the age and infirmity of the only remaining elder, John Quinn, com- pelled him to cease activity. After his death, and that of his wife, both of which events occurred in February, 1873, no services of this church were held in this house. In the meantime the Christian church had been re-organized and for a number of years, by the permission of the Dis- ciples, its meetings were held regularly in this house at such times as it was not used by its owners, until they built an edifice of their own. The Universalists also used the building until it was sold in the fall of 1873. After the death of Elder Quinn, the membership having been reduced to about half a dozen, the trustees determined to sell the building, especially as the roof seemed to be bad, past remedying, and was by some even thought to be un- safe. They accordingly petitioned the court of common pleas, and in August, 1873, the lot and building were sold for three thousand eight hundred and fifty dollars. This money, after payment of costs, was allowed to accu- mulate, so that in the beginning of the year 1879 it amounted, after the payment of taxes, to about the sum of five thousand dollars. In the meantime Dr. J. P. Brookins and wife and Sarah Quinn had died, and the membership was reduced to four persons, to-wit: Abner Dunlap and wife, Sarah Thompson, and Tabitha Collins. Mr. Dunlap being the only surviving acting trustee.

In February and March of 1879 Elder T. D. Garvin, of Columbus, Ohio, a traveling Evangelist, employed under the direction of the missionary board of the church, came to Eaton and held a series of meetings for about one month, in the Universalist church, a very neat and substantial edifice, which they had erected, and the use of which they not only kindly donated, but took care of during the entire series of meetings. This series of sermons, or lectures, for most of them partook largely of the nature of the latter, uniformly attracted crowded audiences, and was pronounced by many the ablest series ever delivered in Eaton. On the thirteenth of March, 1879, the church was re-organized with a membership of twenty-nine persons. Abner Dunlap was continued as one of the trustees, while R. W. Quinn was elected in the place of Jacob E. Krug, who had resigned, and W. L. Scott in that of J. P. Brookins, deceased. At a sub- sequent meeting the organization was more fully carried forward by the appointment of Noah Shirkey, W. B. Dunlap, and R. W. Quinn, as deacons, since which time no further changes have been made. In the spring of 1879 the church purchased a lot on the west side of Barron street, about one-third of a square from the old building, and in the summer and fall of that year erected thereon one of the neatest and most convenient church edifices in Preble county. Second in Eaton only to the Methodist church in size, it in some respects exceeds even it in convenience. It is thirty-six feet wide, by seventy-one in length (including the tower), is

built of brick in the most substantial manner, with a slate roof and iron cornice, so as in a great measure to protect it from fire without. It is heated by a furnace in the cellar, and contains a baptistry, together with the necessary dressing rooms, so that immersion (which is the only mode of baptism practiced by the church) can be performed within the building itselt, in full view of the congregation, and in a manner calculated to guard against that levity which is too apt to characterize an audience when assembled in the open air on such occa- sions. The entire cost of the building, including the furniture and lot, was about six thousand dollars; all of which has been provided for. In addition to this the "ladies social" of the church has completed the same at a cost of about two hundred dollars.

The building was completed during the years of 1879 and 1880, and was dedicated in a sermon by Elder T. D. Garvin, on March 14th, of the latter year, precisely one year and a day from the re-organization of the church. Several persons were added to the church at this and subsequent meetings, so that the membership now num- bers about fifty, and the organization is in a very healthy and efficient condition, with an excellent Sunday-school, a "ladies social" connected with the church, and all going forward in harmony.

THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

The early history of Universalism in this locality is somewhat obscure. There being no records to which reference can be had, tradition and the memory of indi- viduals are the only sources of information. It is believed that Hon. Samuel Tizzard was the first pro- nounced Universalist here. He came to this village, as stated in another place, in the year 1820. He being an earnest, zealous, and well informed advocate of the peculiar doctrines of the denomination, it was not very long until he found, here and there, a few congenial spirits of like faith. It is doubtful if there was ever a preacher of that faith in the county before the year 1825. About that time Rev. Jonathan Kidwell, of Union county, Indiana, first made his appearance here, and created a wonderful excitement by preaching the doctrine of universal salvation from sin. He was probably the first preacher of that faith in the county-at least the first that is remembered. After several irregular visits here, he was engaged to make regular monthly visits which were continued some two or three years. Mean- time, other clergymen of the denomination made occa- sional missionary calls, preaching more or less acceptably to the limited congregations gathered on short notice. Among these the Rev. Daniel St. John, of Brookville, Indiana, is remembered; also Rev. D. Parker and Rev. Mr. Dodge.

During this time (probably in the year 1826 or begin- ning of 1827,) there came to this place a clergyman who had been preaching for the Methodist denomination, in the interior of Indiana, by the name of Daniel Hawley, and gave notice that he would deliver a discourse upon the subject of the future destiny of the human race. He was entirely unknown here, nor did he know any one, or

Digitized by Google

109

HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

know that there were any here who entertained views similar to his own. His first sermon was delivered to a good audience, and at once put him en rapport with the little flock of believers here. Being wholly unsettled- without home or employment-and finding sympathy and congeniality here, he at once concluded to remain, and seek employment as a school-teacher. He accord- ingly sent back to Indiana for his wife and child, and soon secured employment as teacher of a writing school. He continued to preach occasionally, here and at other points in the county, for several months, pursuing the business of teaching, and gaining the confidence and esteem of all who made his acquaintance. After the lapse of some months, Mr. Hawley left here to visit some point on the Miami,-Franklin or Middletown, perhaps-in the pursuit of some enterprise not now remembered, and was never afterwards seen or heard of by any one of his acquaintances here. It was not known that he ever arrived at the place he started to go to, nor was it ever known what became of him.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 25

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers Publication date: Publisher: Number of Pages: 559

Author: H. Z. Williams & Brothers
Publication date:
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 559