History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 58

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

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In October, 1814, Mr. Porter, having accepted the call, came to his new pastoral charge at Hopewell, and settled with his family on the farm in section sixteen, now occupied by Alexander Orr. In the following July he was solemnly installed by Rev. John Steele. Shortly afterwards the congregation was much enlarged by emi- grations from Mr. Porter's old parish, in South Carolina, and six members were added to the session who had been elders of the church in South Carolina. In 1816 the congregations of Hamilton and Concord having the prospect of a pastor, Mr. Porter discontinued his labors among them and devoted all of his time to Hopewell, which continued to increase in numbers and influence. In 1833 Mr. Porter was attacked by a severe sickness, and it was thought that his days were about numbered, and he resigned his charge, though he rallied and lived three years after his resignation. In 1834 presbytery granted the petition for the moderation of the call, which was accepted by Rev. A. Bower in October, 1834, and on the third Wednesday of December, of the same year, he was installed as pastor by Rev. David McDill, D. D. The congregation soon became too large for the house, and also too large for the pastoral care of one minister. Consequently, in the spring of 1834, arrangements were made for the building of a meeting-house at Fair Haven,

and in the following summer a church was built there, and in the fall a petition was presented to presbytery that the portion of the congregation of Hopewell, con- tiguous to Fair Haven, be struck off from the main church, and, if considered expedient, to grant the moderation of a call for a pastor. This petition was granted and the history of the Fair Haven church tells the rest.

John Pinkerton had been session clerk until this time, when he joined the new church at Fair Haven, and John Caldwell was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by his removal. Owing to difficulties that arose in the congregation the pastor, Rev. A. Bower, resigned in June, 1837. The church was supplied until September 19, by Rev. S. W. McCracken, who was installed pastor on the last Tuesday of December, 1839. It was just prior to this time that a number of the congregation, living near Oxford, joined the United Presbyterian church at that place. Mr. McCracken labored for twenty years, during which time the congregation gradu- ally increased, and although another swarm left the. hive to form the Unity church at College Corner in the winter of 1849-50, and a very considerable number emigrated to the west, the church was as strong, numerically, at the close of the pastor's labors, as it was at the begin- ning. He died September 10, 1859, loved and lamented by all. August 7, 1860, Rev. J. McHatten was called, and soon afterwards installed.

As has already been stated the Morning Sun congrega- tion became a separate organization of the United Pres- byterian church, and on December 28, 1877, one hundred and one of the members of Hopewell were dis- missed to that church.

In October, 1877, Rev. J. C. Campbell, the present pastor, began his labors among the people of Hopewell. The church, at present, is in a flourishing condition. The records show that since the establishment of the church there have been eight hundred and sixty-four baptisms and one hundred and forty-two deaths in the Hopewell church proper. There have been fifty ruling elders, as follows: Alexander Hamilton, William Mc- Gaw, John Pressly, John Patterson, Ebenezer Elliott, James Boyse, David McQuiston, Nathaniel Brown, John Foster, Andrew McQuiston, John Pinkerton, John Giles, William Gilmore, John Douglas, Samuel McDill, James Brown, sr., John Caldwell, Thomas Pinkerton, David Robertson, William McCaw, Archibald McDill, James Brown, jr., Hugh McDill, David McDill, John Ramsey, George Ramsey, Andrew Hamilton, John McDill, John Buck, Robert Marshall, Robert Simpson, Richard Sloan, Hugh McQuiston, James McCracken, James Davidson, John Simpson, Hugh Elliott, Thomas Buck, Samuel B. McQuiston, William Caskey, Hugh Ramsey, James A. Brown, William Bell, and A. B. Rock. The Sabbath school has about one hundred scholars, with James A. Brown superintendent.

A remarkable coincidence is the fact that the first of the original members of Hopewell, who was called away by death, was Thomas McDill, and that the last of these first members was his wife, who died in 1867, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-five years.

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THE FAIR HAVEN CHURCH.

As soon as that portion of the Hopewell congregation living in the vicinity of Fair Haven had been stricken off, the petition to moderate a call had been granted by presbytery, a call was made out and moderated by Rev. Alexander Porter, and accepted by Rev. Jeremiah Mor- row, son of ex-Governor Morrow. He was installed in the following spring. The congregation consisted of about fifty families, and the new church immediately com- menced its career of prosperity. The following were the first elders of the church :

John and Thomas Pinkerton, John Foster, William MaGaw, and William McCaw. The present elders are William MaGaw, Morton Gordon, William A. Pinkerton, David Ramsey, William Simpson, and Robert Beckett. Mr. Morrow preached seven or eight years, and was obliged to resign on account of failing health. He died soon afterwards in Chillicothe.

In the spring of 1845 Rev. John Reynolds became pastor, but he died in about a year, and was the first person buried in the Fair Haven cemetery.

June 20, 1847, Rev. John Y. Schouller, a graduate of the Alleghany Theological seminary, took charge of the church, and still continues in this his first and only pas- torate.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The organization of the Fair Haven Methodist Epis- copal church was effected at a comparatively recent date. For a number of years before any house of worship was erected by this society, its members held class meetings in the neighborhood. A few years after the organization of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven, a building was put up by the citizens of the place and vi- cinity to be used for public purposes. The members of the Methodist Episcopal church, as was their right, held services in their house from time to time, and to-day they hold undisputed possession of the building, and have a thriving though comparatively small society. United with the Sugar Valley church, the Fair Haven Meth- odist Episcopal church is strengthened, and is influential for much good.

FRIENDS' MEETING HOUSE.

Like the United Presbyterians and Covenanters, the colony of Friends emigrating from New Jersey to Ohio, and finally to Israel township, brought their religion with them, and together with the first dwelling house was the house of the Lord erected. The church is situated in the extreme northeast corner of section twelve. The first building was of frame, and was erected in 1821. The second, of brick, was put up about 1850. The society was organized with a goodly number of members, and for many years the congregation was. large. Of late years, owing to repeated emigrations of members to the west, and the death of many of the old and influential members, the congregation has been diminished consid- erably. The peculiar institutions of the Friends discour- age the employment of regular ministers, and in general their meetings have been conducted by their own mem- bers. However, they occasionally have a regular sermon,

and among the earliest preachers who labored to firmly found their church, are found John Stubbs and Samuel Edgerton. In 1827 there was a division among the Soci- ety of Friends at large, and the two parties were known as Orthodox, and Hicksites, after Elias Hicks, the founder of the new party. The Israel township congregation joined the ranks of the Hicksites. The oldest member of the church is Mrs. Sarah Brown, widow of the late John Brown. She is undoubtedly the oldest woman in the township, having been born in Trenton, New Jersey, June 29, 1786. She is now in her ninety-fifth year. Her par- ents were Presbyterians, but after her emigration to Ohio she went with her husband into the Friends' society. Many of the old members of the church are buried in the graveyard adjoining the church.

THE BEECH-WOOD BIBLE SOCIETY

was organized about the year 1820, under the leadership of Rev. Gavin . McMillan. Among the first members were: Rev. Gavin McMillian, president; Ebenezer Elli- ott, librarian; James Elliott, corresponding secretary ; Squire John Caldwell, recording secretary and treasurer. It is an undenominational society, and since its organiza tion, has contributed large sums to the bible cause, and is now in the first ranks.

It might not be uninteresting to name in this connec- tion, the ministers who have arisen in Israel township. The following is the list: David McDill, James Worth, John Pinkerton, John Reynolds, Martin Bennett, An- drew Foster, John Milligan, James Brown, James Orr, David McDill, John M. Graham, Ebenezer Elliott, Samuel Ramsey, E. C. Simpson, Samuel McGaw, Na- thaniel Weed, William Boyse, John Reynolds, James Porter, John McDill, William M. Graham, Mitchell Brown, Nathan McDill, James H. Ramsey, James B. Foster, Samuel Pinkerton, John N. Pressly, R. C. Hamil- ton and Samuel Buck, in all twenty nine.

SCHOOLS.

Always intelligent, the people of Israel township be- lieved in education, and they have never neglected an opportunity to get wisdom. The first settlement of the township had its school-house. The earliest one, in the memory of the oldest inhabitants, was situated about one half a mile east of Morning Sun, on the farm now occupied by Robert Joe Brown. This house was put up prior to the year 1809.

David McDill, who afterwards became such an eminent preacher, was probably the first teacher.

Samuel P., son of John Pressly, was among the first teachers of this school. He graduated at a South Caro- lina college; taught a few years there; taught some in Ohio, but was compelled to seek the south in search of health. He died on the way back to the home of his childhood.

About 1809 Thomas Gamble taught a school on the farm now owned by Samuel Ridenour in section twenty- nine. Both these schools were afterwards supplanted by district schools, which are in the immediate vicinity.

Section sixteen, in accordance with the law, was leased, the money to be used for educational purposes. The

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original lessees were Rev. Alexander Porter, James Fos- ter, Adam Solladay, Hugh Leslie and John Foster.

March 7, 1825, the township was divided into eight school districts.

During the prosperity of Miami university at Oxford, many of the young men of Israel township went there, and received a liberal education. Preparation for the freshman and sophomore classes was made at

THE MORNING SUN ACADEMY,

which, as near as can be ascertained, was established about 1850. Several years before this, Rev. John Mc- Cracken, while teaching in the district school on the same lot whereon the academy was afterwards built, taught ambitious students some of the more advanced branches, and gave them a classical taste. He was fol- lowed by Rev. James Brown, who, in turn, was succeeded by Samuel Elliott.

In a short time, through the efforts of Mr. Elliott and others, the organization of a stock company was effected, and about four thousand two hundred dollars contributed for the establishment of a classical academy in Morning Sun. The house, two-story and commodious brick, was soon put up, the brick having been made on the farm of Hugh Elliott. Samuel Elliott, after teaching about ten years, was compelled to resign on account of poor health. At this time the attendance was about fifty. After Mr. Elliott the teachers have been: Rev. John Wilson, Rev. J. A. Reynolds, William Sloan, James S. Wilson, John Marshall, R. J. Miller, O. V. Stewart, T. H. Wiley, Homer Sheely and R. E. Sloan. For about two years the academy has been closed. Edward Paxton, a gradu- ate of Monmouth college, is now attempting to resusci- tate it.

THE FAIR HAVEN LODGE,

No. 425, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted at Fair Haven in 1870. Though not strong in membership, it is in a prosperous condition, with hopes of increase. The officers of the lodge are: James H. Douglas, N. G .; Thomas Newton, V. G .; Robert C. McMillan, recording secretary ; Philip Murray, permanent secretary, and John M. Ramsey, treasurer. There are at present thirty-four members of the Fair Haven lodge.

GRAVEYARDS.

In this as in most townships, the first burials were lonely, near the scene of death. A number of the earli- est settlers were buried on the farms they settled. The first resident buried in the township was the little daugh- ter of Dr. John Ramsey. She died about 1807, and was buried near the family residence. About this time a man by the name of Baird, a stranger in the neighbor- hood, was killed in the woods just north of William Ramsey's house, in section twenty-two, on the farm now owned by Nathan Ramsey, where the orchard now stands. His was probably the second burial in the township. There was a small burial place on the hill north of the south part of Fair Haven. Here among others were buried Joseph Caldwell and members of his family, and some of the McDivitts.

HOPEWELL CEMETERY

was the first public burying ground in Israel township. As one family circle after another came within the con- fines of the township, each one, sooner or later, found its central and dearest spot in this country church-yard- the church, life's fountain; the yard, death's treasury, and scarcely a step between. Than this God's first acre, there is none other in the township so rich with precious dust. Throughout the township are the cheerful results of pioneer work, but there are no individual monuments to the sturdy workers, save in the graveyard, where

"Each in his narrow cell forever laid,

The rude forefathers of the township sleep."

The first tree felled where Hopewell cemetery now stands, yielded to the axe of Thomas McDill, sr., about the year 1812-13, and the first man who was buried there was none other than Mr. McDill. He went into the War of 1812, and returned with impaired health, and soon after died, thus becoming the pioneer of the silent city. June 13, 1813, he was buried, aged thirty- seven. He and his wife Mary, were among the original members of Hopewell church. He was the first member called away by death, and strange to say, his wife, who died August 2, 1872, at the advanced age of ninety-seven years, was the last survivor of the original members. A plain block of marble in the center of the graveyard marks their last resting place. Around them lie more than a thousand. Most of the graves are marked, though a few have sunk almost out of sight, and entirely out of memory. Though there are quite a number of lowly grass-grown headstones, indicative of children's graves, it is noticeable that most of the dead lived out the full measure of their days, and entered the graveyard in the winter of life.

Approaching from the east, the first group of graves is that of a number of ministers of the Gospel. The first inscription is "To the memory of the Rev. John Steele, died January 11, 1837, aged sixty-four. A preacher mighty in the Scriptures, a scribe well instructed in the law." His monument almost touches one "Sacred to the memory of Rev. Alexander Porter, died march 29, 1836, aged sixty-six years. Born in 1770, in South Carolina, received the rudiments of a classical education in the south, and finished at Dickinson college, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Licensed to preach the Gospel of the grace of God in the Associate Reformed church, Octo- ber 18, 1796; ordained in 1797, and labored in the Lord's vineyard nearly forty years." Near by, Rev. James B. Foster, who died February 27, 1873, though dead, yet speaks from his tomb-stone, "We shall rise again." Mr. Foster was born in Israel township, and became a United Presbyterian minister, afterwards join- ing the Presbyterian church. His last charge was at Cumminsville, near Cincinnati. Just beyond is the grave of Rev. Samuel W. McCracken, who died September 18, 1859, aged fifty-nine. Mr. Porter and Mr. Mc- Cracken were faithful pastors of Hopewell church. Mr. Steele presided at the installation of Father Porter, and it was at his earnest wish that he was buried beside Mr. Porter, whom he especially esteemed. Mrs. Porter died

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in 1850, aged eighty-two, and Mrs. McCracken died in --- , they rest beside their husbands. A hurried review of the various inscriptions shows that the following promi- nent settlers are here buried: William Ramsey died 1838, aged ninety-one, and wife, Martha, 1842, aged seventy-one; David McQuiston, jr., 1870, sixty-eight; John Caldwell, 1838, forty-seven; William Gilmore, 1837, forty; Robert Gilmore, 1839, fifty-three; Hugh Ramsey, 1865, eighty-six; William Douglas, 1854, eighty-five ; Samuel McDill, 1851, eighty-five; Thomas McDill, 1813, thirty-seven; David McQuiston, sr., 1823, eighty-eight; Hugh McQuiston, sr., 1845, eighty; Richard. Sloan, 1848, eighty; Samuel Hamilton, 1822, forty-nine; David Bonner, 1844, seventy-five; John Pinkerton, 1852, eighty-four; John Patterson, 1857, seventy-five; James Brown, sr., 1834, fifty-five; James Paxton, sr., 1830, forty-eight; William McCreary, 1822, forty-seven ; Will- iam MaGaw, 1836, eighty-six; John Buck, 1871, eighty- six; William Buck, 1857, sixty nine; John McClanahan, 1860, eighty-five; George Simpson, 1859, eighty-four; David Boyse, 1827, sixty-four; David Gary, 1840, seven- ty-one; Robert Boyse, 1820, forty; James Marshall, sr., 1861, eighty-five; John Marshall, 1828, fifty-five; Eben- ezer Elliott, 1849, seventy-eight; Ralph Brown, 1880, eighty-three; Alexander Waugh, 1840, seventy; John Douglas, 1840, sixty-four; William Pinkerton, 1848, fifty-four; George Pinkerton., 1854, fifty-one; Andrew McQuiston, 1821, sixty; James Boyse, 1842, seventy- three; Henry Bell, 1851, sixty-two; David Robertson, 1879, eighty-three; Rebecca Whilman, 1877, ninety-one; Thomas Harper, 1814, seventy-three; James Brown, 1824, fifty-five; Samuel Paxton, 1854, seventy-six ; George R. Brown, 1845, seventy-one; John Milligan, 1823, forty- four; and Samuel Bell, 1867, aged eighty-six.

It is estimated that more than a thousand people are buried in this place. The original ground comprised about an acre of land, but recently the cemetery was formally handed over to the township trustees, who have enlarged it, and otherwise improved it. Hopewell cem- etery has for many years been the principal burying- ground in the township.

THE COVENANTER GRAVEYARD

which surrounded the old church in section twenty-five, was one of the earliest burying-grounds, and in it are buried many of the first settlers. This was the sacred ground of the Covenanters, as Hopewell is of the United Presbyterians. Here, too, is their preacher buried; and here, too, sleep the ancestors of many of the township. At present, however, the burying-ground is but little used. The tombstones tell best who were the fathers of the church, which stood near by. The following is a partial list of those buried in this cemetery, though there are very many graves marked only with unhewn headstones: Rev. Gavin McMillan, born in Antrim county, Ireland, February, 1787, died in January, 1867, aged eighty years, and in the fortieth year of his ministry; Rev. Samuel · Robinson, born in Ireland in 1783, and died in 1845; Matthew McClurken, 1847, ninety; John Robinson, 1850, eighty-five; Archibald Johnston, 1828, sixty-three ;

Alexander McMillan, 1820, fifty; William Milligan, 1839, sixty-four; John Wright, 1854, sixty-six; William Ramsey, 1861, eighty-four; John McClure, 1837, eighty; William Taylor, 1836, eighty-nine; John K. Steele, 1836, eighty-two; Robert Douglas, 1853, aged fifty-six, and . many others. The earliest recorded death is that of Nancy Wright, who died February 20, 1819, aged twenty- one.

THE FAIR HAVEN CEMETERY

is situated on the hill on the east bank of Four Mile creek, a short distance from Fair Haven. This cemetery was not opened until 1846. The first burial was that of Rev. John Reynolds, pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Fair Haven. Since then many of the residents of Fair Haven and vicinity have passed away, and been buried on the hill. However, most of the earlier settlers are buried at Hopewell. The cemetery has a good situ- ation, but is not easily accessible. There has long been a talk of making a more convenient entrance.

THE FRIENDS' BURYING-GROUND

adjoins their meeting-house in section twelve, and in it are buried nearly all of the New Jersey settlers, who be- longed to the Friends' society. It is now impossible to ascertain the first burial. A large number of the graves are nameless. Burials still take place in it. It is used now as a general burying-ground, and others besides the Friends here find their last resting place.

THE KINGERY BURYING-GROUND

is situated in section thirty-two, on the farm upon which Joseph Kingery settled. It has always been used as a private cemetery, and almost exclusively by the Kingery family. Here is buried Joseph Kingery, the first settler, his son Abraham, and others of the early residents of that section of the country.

MILLS.

William Ramsey, who emigrated in 1806, was the first millwright in the township.

The first mill he constructed was what is known as a "corn cracker." It was built on the stream that runs past John Sloan's. It was constructed somehow thus: A dam was made by felling a tree across the stream, thus affording a waterfall; a buckeye log was then pivoted to an upright support so that it worked vertically; in the lighter end of this beam a trough-like cavity was scouped out for the reception of the water, so that the weight of the water would overcome the weight of the other end, to which an inverted wedge was attached by means of a pin and ring. As soon as the water-trough approached the ground, the water would run out, and the heavier end come down with considerable force, crushing the corn in a mortar made of a hollow stump. It was a slow but sure way of grinding.

About 1811, Peter Ridenour built a grist-mill on the west branch of Four Mile, often called Ridenour's creek. Afterwards he had a saw-mill in connection with it. Joseph Ridenour, a brother of Peter, afterwards built a mill further up the creek, but it did not do well.

Jonathan Ridenour ran a grist-mill west of Fair Haven for a short time.

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HISTORY OF PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

Soon after this, William Ramsey built the grist-mill now known as McDill's mill. He traded it to Mr. Mc- Dill for the farm on which his son, John Ramsey, now lives.

Dr. Sloan built a mill just west of this, soon afterwards. Both mills are still running.

Alexander Gray owns the mill near Fair Haven. It was built by Peter Coon, and remodelled by William Ramsey.

There are but two stationary saw-mills in the township now, one at Fair Haven and the other at Morning Sun.

For many years there have been no distilleries in Israel township, and a saloon is not tolerated.

In early times almost every farm was provided with a still, and it would be well nigh impossible to name the first distillers or to locate the stills.

VILLAGES.

There are but two villages wholly situated in Israel township, Fair Haven and Morning Sun, the one in sec- tion nine, and the other in section twenty-six. Fair Haven, the principal town in the township, was laid out in 1832 by Jonathan Caldwell, and the place was re- corded April 20th, of that same year. There were origi- nally thirty-two lots. It has since become a thriving village of two hundred inhabitants. Captain Bonny of Hamilton, called the village Fair Haven, because of its lovely situation in the Four Mile valley, in the midst of one of the richest agricultural regions in the township. The Caldwell residence was the first house. About the time that the town was laid out Jonathan Caldwell built the first tavern in the southwest part of town. At this time the travel between Richmond, Indiana, and Cincin- uati was very extensive. Often in those early times did forty or fifty teamsters stop at the little log tavern. A store was soon put up near it by Captain Bonny, of Ox- ford. The present store is kept by J. C. Henry. The post office was established December 28, 1833, with Richard Sloan, jr., postmaster. Since then the postmas- ters have been Hiram Evans, Charles Pierce, James Caldwell, T. P. Simmons, I. N. Sliver, John Scott, and the present incumbent, J. C. Henry.

. Charles Pierce and son have a broom factory; Joseph Brown runs a saw-mill, and has a tile factory; Dr. J. M. Logan and A. M. Howe are the practicing physicians; Dr. Gilmore resides in the village, but does not practice, on account of poor health. There is a daily hack to and from Hamilton and Richmond, making communication with these cities easy. There are two churches, the United Presbyterian and Methodist.

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History of Preble County, Ohio, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Part 58

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

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