History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 80

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 80

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).

" Soon after Shelby was laid out, in 1834. it became apparent that a more commodious schoolhouse was necessary than that located

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

upon the 'west road.' Accordingly, in 1835, Jay Smiley, Esq., granted a free lease of ground on the corner of North and Gamble streets, on the spot where the residence of J. J. Smiley now stands, for a schoolhouse, and a frame building was erected thereon. The building is still standing, having been sold within the past few years to Mr. John Schmidt, who now resides in it, on the east side of West street. Into this building, when completed, were moved the desks and five-legged benches formerly in the old one.

" The desks were arranged around the walls on the inside in true primitive style. In this ' new ' schoolhouse first appeared a tin-plate stove, in- stead of the more primitive fire-place. That particular stove was cast at the 'Mary Ann Furnace,' wherever that was.

"Time in this, as in many other things, made constant warfare on things of the past, and soon the old-fashioned slab seats and desks gave way to the more modern desks and seats combined. Finally, a blackboard, a ten-days wonder in its time, came into vogue, and for a long time it was thought a wonderful feat to walk up to that, work a 'sum' and demon- strate the same upon it.

" From that still comparatively early date to the year 1850, but little improvement was no- ticeable in the schools. About that time, the question of taxation of property in support of public schools was agitated. The Legislature, during the years 1851-52-53, passed the Ohio free-school law, considered by many eminent educators the best in the Union, dating from May 3, 1853.

" After the building of the Mansfield, Sandus- ky & Newark railroad through Shelby in 1846, East Shelby began to contest for supremacy over the west side, a new schoolhouse became necessary, and was accordingly erected in 1849 on the site now occupied by the Christian Church, near the corner of Broadway and Depot streets.

" In 1855, the town had grown to such an extent that two new schoolhouses were made necessary, and the buildings now used for pri- mary and secondary school purposes were erected at a cost of about $1,400 each, and the older schoolhouses were disposed of for other purposes.

"Another ten years rolled around, and in 1864, a central or high-school building became a necessity. Gen. Eli Wilson offered to sell the site for that purpose, on which, since that date, has been erected the new brick edifice.

"Following the erection of this, came grading of the schools, Excelsior having been early written upon the banner of Shelby educators. Though imperfect at first, this finally culminated in the present admirable system adopted in 1869, the Board being then composed of Hiram Marvin, S. S. Bloom and George W. Billow, who passed the following resolution :

"' Any scholar completing the course of study prescribed shall be entitled to a certificate of graduation,' since which time, a number of Shelby pupils have secured the honor of grad- uates of the Shelby High School.

"The enumeration of youth in Shelby be- tween the ages of five and twenty-one years, rose from 304 in 1857, to 523 in 1864. In 1874, it had increased to 615.

" At present, there are ten teachers and one superintendent, and about five hundred pupils in daily attendance in the schools of Shelby. At an election held March 22, 1880, the Board of Education was increased in number from three to six members.

"The final improvement in the system of Shelby schools was the erection of the large brick edifice which now stands out in bold re- lief among the many handsome buildings which grace the streets of Shelby.

"On June 26, 1872, while Messrs. E. S. Close, Hiram Marvin and N. H. Loose composed the Board of Education, a proposition was sub- mitted a second time, after having once before

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

failed of adoption, to erect a union school building, at a cost not to exceed $25.000.

" Preparations were immediately made, and the work on the building commenced about October 1, 1874, and it was finally completed about January 1, 1876.

"The building is 82 feet S inches long, 67 feet deep, and the walls are 42 feet 8 inches high, above the ground. A recess at each side, the same width as the hall in the center, per- mits light and ventilation at three sides of every room. It has two gable ends to the front, and one at each side, giving it quite an imposing appearance, its size being considered.

"The roof is of Vermont slate, surmounted by a fine belfry.

"The building has four large schoolrooms below, 15 feet in height, and on the second floor, west side. is the grand assembly-room. 17 feet high in the clear, occupying the whole west side of the building, capable of seating about 600 per- sons.

SHELBY HIGH SCHOOL.

"On the east side of the high-school room, superior to many college rooms, also occupying nearly the whole east side, a recita- tion-room, and Superintendent's room, only, taken from it.

" The building is plainly but substantially built. The base, 8 feet in the clear, is built of cut stone, on which rests the substantial brick wall, nearly 35 feet high. It is warmed by two furnaces, placed in the basement, where are also several nicely paved play-rooms. Each schoolroom is well ventilated, and heated by several registers in each, while abundant light flows in at three sides of each room from numerous windows. Each also has a wash and cloak room attached. The rooms are seated

with improved seats, blackboards all around each room, of the most substantial kind.

"The contract was originally let to Messrs. Woodward & Son for $22,999, but a few ex- tras run it up to $24,173.69. The furnaces, seats, bell, etc., brought up the cost to $26,082.16.

" It was dedicated with imposing ceremonies, January 17, 1876, and was occupied the next day. One of the speakers upon that occasion said, that now the foundation had been laid for substantial progress in schools for the next quarter of a century, and splendid results might be expected. The buildings, he claimed, exemplified the character of the community- plain, practical, substantial, built more for use than or- nament-honestly erected, no rings tolerated, the people getting just what they had contracted for.

" Mr. H. M. Dick volun- teered to act as architect and superintendent of con- DOL struction free of charge, and to him is the village no little indebted for the substantial manner in which it was erected, as well as to Messrs. Hiram Marvin, Thomas Marvin and Rev. N. H. Loose, who then composed the Board."

The first "meeting-house" in Shelby and Sharon Townships was the old log Methodist, located on Jay Smiley's land within the present limits of Shelby ; and the first preacher was the well-known Harry O. Sheldon. Russell Bigelow was also one of the earliest preachers here. These two men went about all over this section of the State establishing churches and preaching to the pioneers whenever and wher- ever they could get two, three or more together.

A few of the original members of this class were A. V. Courtright, James Courtright, Mr.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Tabor, Tobias DuBoyce, Treat Orton, Charles Post, Jay Smiley, Isaac Hanley, M. Chapin, Joseph Curran and some others.

Mr. Smiley donated ground and was influ- ential in erecting the church. This building was erected about 1820, and answered the pur- pose until 1842, when the present frame building was erected, on the corner of Gamble and North streets. The present Pastor is Dr. A. Nelson, and the membership about two hundred.

A Sunday school was organized about 1834, by Charles Post, who was the first Superintend- ent. This school has been continued ever since, and at present the attendance is about one hun- dred and fifty. Dr. J. M. Ballard is Superin- tendent.

Up to 1854, this class belonged to what was known as the " Plymouth Cirenit ;" after that, it became part of "Shelby Circuit," consisting of Shelby, Pleasant Grove and Mount Pleasant. In 1863, it became a station.

The Presbyterian Church of Shelby is located on South Broadway. It had its origin at Tay- lor's Corners in Jackson Township, and was among the first organizations in that part of the county. The first meetings of this society were held about the year 1822 or 1823, at the cabin of Mr. Smith. Five persons beside Mr. Smith attended this meeting ; these were Mr. Camp, John Kerr, John M. MeClintock, Mr. Cummins and Aaron Rambo. These petitioned the Presbytery for an organization, which was granted. This little society heard preaching occasionally at the cabins of its members, but was not regularly organized until 1831. At that date, they met in the Methodist log church at Shelby, and were organized by Rev. G. Wolff. About this time, or a little later, they erected a log church on John Kerr's farm, but for some reason did not ocenpy it, and in 1834 erected a frame church near the site of the present build- ing. They were unable to finish this church immediately, and held their meetings and or- ganized their Sunday school some time before

the building was inclosed. In 1835, Moses Louthan, Calvin Clark (yet living), and Jesse Kerr (who died about a year ago), were added to the church.

Their ministers, after Wolff, were Rev. Will- am Mathews, in 1834; Nathaniel Cobb, 1836 ; Robert Lee, 1837. From 1838 to 1841, they were only occasionally supplied. Luther Dodd came to them in 1841, dividing his time for six years between this and the church at Rome, and giving his entire time to this church for three years more. Mr. Dodd went away in 1851, after which the pulpit was supplied oeca- sionally by John M. Ferris, Luke Dorland and William McMillen, a licentiate, until 1856, when the Rev. J. A. Marquis was regularly called, remaining two years. Following Mr. Marquis, came R. R. Moore, in 1858, remaining until 1864. In 1865, Rev. J. K. Kost took charge, and was followed in 1859 by W. W. Anderson. Mr. Anderson was followed in 1877 by the present minister, Rev. J. W. Thompson.

The Sunday school was organized in 1834. Calvin Clark was the first Superintendent. This school has been continued until the present time, and now has a membership of one hun- dred and twenty, while the church membership is about one hundred and ten.

The third religious society in Sharon Town- ship, and the first outside of the town of Shelby, was the Evangelical Lutheran, at present lo- cated on Section 11, two and a half miles west of Shelby.

The earliest meetings of this society were held in the cabin of Mr. Hocksmith, about the year 1830. In May, 1832, the church was or- ganized by Rev. F. J. Ruth, who is yet living and preaching. During the same year, the society erected a log church, which stood until 1856, when the present frame building was erected at a cost of $2,000.

Mr. Ruth continued to preach for this con- gregation nineteen years, and was followed by Revs. D. Sprecher, D. Summers, A. R. Brown,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

J. F. Shearer, D. I. Foust, and D. Summers, the present Pastor, in the order named.

The principal original members were Mr. Hoeksmith. John Snyder, Jonas Rex, . John Dull, Daniel Garnhart and Daniel Bloom.

The present membership is about one hun- dred and twenty-five.

A Sunday school was organized about 1845, which is still continned, and is healthy and active. S. F. Eckes is the present Superin- tendent.

The first Evangelical Lutheran Church of Shelby was established nearly thirty years after the Myer's church, and both are, at present, under the pastoral care of Rev. D. Summers.

This church is located on the east side of North Broadway, and was organized January 31, 1860, by Rev. A. R. Brown. The first members of this organization were S. S. Bloom, John Hershiser, Sr., Abraham Bushey, Cor- nelius Fox, John Souder. Jacob Fletcher, Sam- uel Hershiser, Henry Bistline, John Hershiser, Jr., Elizabeth Bistline, Sarah Hershiser, Susan B. Martin, and Christina Bombaugh.

These members were mostly withdrawn from the society at Loudon. They organized and held services in the German Reformed Church, at Shelby, until 1867, when they erected the present building at a cost of $6,000.

The Pastors have been A. R. Brown, D. Summers, J. F. Shearer, D. I. Foust, and D. Summers for a second time. The present mem- bership of this church is 112.

The Sunday school was organized about 1863, and now has an average attendance of seventy- five or eighty members. S. S. Bloom has gen- erally been Superintendent.

A Universalist Church was erected in Shelby in 1847. The principal members were Lemuel M- Raymond, Edwin Raymond, H. B. Gailord, Stephen Marvin, Levi Bargaheiser and A. B. Minerly. The ministers were Rev. George R. Brown and Rev. Smead. This organization was kept up about twenty years.

The present United Brethren Church of Shel- by, located on Washington street, was erected about 1857, and organized some years before by the Revs. Berry and Barlow.

The first members were Chas. Longe, Samnel Light, Geo. Longnecker, Amos Crall, David Crall and wife, Isaac Urich, Elijah Jones and others.

The ministers who followed those above men- tioned were Gideon Hoover; D. W. Downey. William Mathews, Rev. Long, Rev. Bender, O. H. Ramsey, Thomas Downey and Rev. O. H. Brake, the present minister.

The membership of this church is, at present. about one hundred.

The organization of the Sunday school was coeval with that of the church, and now con- tains about ninety members.

The Church of Christ (Disciple) of Shelby, is located on Broadway, and was organized in September, 1858, by Elder Benjamin Lockhart. Before this, however, meetings had been held in the house of "Father Alleman."

The present church building was erected about the time the organization was effected, at a cost of about $1,600.

The first members of this society were Dr. C. McMillen and wife, and Jacob Cline and wife. These four individuals soon succeeded in get- ting thirty-one names, with which the organiza- tion was effected.

The ministers after Lockhart were .Elder Stannard, Israel Belton, Henry Reeves, J. S. Hughes, C. W. Loose, E. A. Bosworth, John W. Lowe, J. S. Lowe, S. E. Spencer, L. R. Gault and the present minister, A. Burns. The present membership is 105.

The year following the erection of the church. a Sunday school was organized. Dr. C. Mc- Millen was the first Superintendent. It yet con- tinnes in a prosperous and healthy condition. with a membership of about seventy-five. Will- iam Paul is present Superintendent.

The Sacred Heart of Jesus, Catholic Church. located on Section 20, about two miles west of

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Vernon Station, is one of the oldest in the county. It was organized as early as 1823 by Father Henni, at present Archbishop of Mil- waukee, Wis.

The first members of this organization were Matthias Ulmcheider, Joseph Kurtzman, Joseph Wensinger, Heinrich Dollinger, John Ritshlin, Theobald Singer, Carl Sutter, Mr. Heitsman, Mr. Richerd, Sebastian Scheibley, Gottleib Schnble, John Brodmann, Joseph Miller, Morris Keller, Mr. Ebner, Mr. Hinsky, Frederick Christen, Nicholas Bieglin and John Bom- gardner.

Forty acres of land, where the church stands, was entered, and the three first above named selected as Trustees, to whom this land was deeded.

A log church was erected in 1836 ; before its erection, meetings were occasionally held at the log cabins of the members.

In 1852, the present substantial and com- modions brick church was erected, costing about $2.600. This building would have cost much more than this, had not much of the material and labor been gratintously furnished. It is about 45x75 feet in size.

A beautiful cemetery is attached, and also a fine brick parsonage, costing about $2,000. The inside of the church is nicely finished ; the four altars costing about $1,200, and the organ $1,200. The church was erected during the ministry of the Rev. Peter Creusch. The min- isters have been too numerous to receive men- tion here. Father Henni was followed by Father Tchenhens. C. S. R., a celebrated missionary. The present Pastor is Rev. D. Zinsmayer, who entered upon his duties in 1877. The church is very strong numerically and financially, be- ing located in what is known as the " German Settlement," a settlement of thrifty, well-to-do farmers, living many of them in substantial brick houses, with well-cultivated and very rich farms. The land is generally level and soil deep.

About one hundred families are at present connected with the church, seven of whom are Irish, three French and the remainder Germans.

In 1838, a school was established by Father Tchenhens, the first teacher being Jacob Alex. At present the school is conducted by three Sisters as teachers, from the Franciscan Con- vent of Tiffin, Ohio, with an attendance of eighty pupils.

The Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, of Shelby, was organized in 1864, by Rev. H. D. Best. The preliminary meetings of this so- ciety were held in the dwelling of W. E. Klees. The church was erected by Father Kuhn, and cost about $800. Father Kuhn was succeeded by Fathers Abel, Pitts, Gerardin, Euler, Zinz- mayer, Schmitz and Murphy. The present Pastor is F. J. Oberly. Fifty-six families con- stitute the present membership. The school was organized in 1877 by the present Pastor. There is now an average attendance of forty- three children.

The Reformed Church of Shelby is located on Church street. In 1851, Rev. Joseph B. Thompson was Pastor of the Reformed congre- gations in the vicinity of Shelby. He held evening services once in four weeks in the M. E. Church. January 19, 1852, the first meeting to take measures for the erection of a church was held in the Exchange Hotel, William Hawk being chosen President, and Jacob Kuhn Secre- tary. William Hawk and John Strock were chosen Trustees, and they, with J. H. Hershiser and John Bauchman, were constituted the Build- ing Committee.

The organization was effected with thirty- seven members ; Moses Crum and Samnel Nazor being elected Elders, and Jacob Kuhn Deacon. The day after the corner-stone was laid, Rev. J. B. Thompson resigned, and Rev. J. C. Klar supplied the congregation from June to the end of the year 1852. Rev. Adam Stump occasionally preached during the va- cancy.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

The church was dedicated in 1853, Rev. E. V. Gerhart and M. Stern officiating.

The following were subsequent Pastors of the church : Rev. H. Willard, from April 1, 1854, to April 1, 1857; Rev. H. Hess, until 1859 ; Rev. F. C. Edmonds, nine months. A vacancy of one year and three months occurred. Rev. D. W. Kelly became Pastor April 1, 1861, continuing two years. During this time the bell was procured. A vacancy of four months followed. Rev. N. H. Loose took charge August 1, 1863, and continued fourteen years, ending August 1, 1877. During his ministry, about $1,500 were expended in improving the build- ing. The interior was frescoed and painted, a new pulpit erected, organ procured, etc., and 151 members added to the church. Mr. Loose also served at the same time the Reformed con- gregations at London and Ganges, to which there were added, respectively. fifty and forty- three members. He also officiated at 174 funerals, solemnized 188 marriages, and preached 2.000 sermons.

Rev. C.W. Good followed Mr. Loose, begin- ning August 19, 1877, and continuing two years and one month. Mr. George Bowman has been chorister of the choir for sixteen years. At present, April, 1880, the congregation num- bers about one hundred and twenty-five, and has a hopeful future. Rev. O. E. Lake is Pastor.

The Sunday school numbers about ninety members, with F. Dennis as Superintendent.

A history of the press of Shelby is. so far as success is concerned, but a repetition of that of Mansfield and other places in the county, and fully establishes the fact that establishing a newspaper is a most precarious business. Success comes only through numerous failures, and those who finally succeed must fully earn and deserve their success.

The successful editor must certainly be qual- ified to appreciate the following sentiment of John Marston :

"Through danger, safety comes-through trouble, rest."

So far as can be ascertained, the first paper in Shelby was issued by C. R. Brown, in 1858, and was called the Pioneer. It circulated freely and successfully at first, but soon adjourned sine die. The next paper was the Enterprise, issued in 1862 by Mr. Kenton, who was. in 1875, con- nected with the Marysville Democrat. This paper had a circulation of 300, and was in existence about a year. The Enterprise was purchased, in 1863, by Mr. S. S. Bloom, who in connection with Mr. Baltzley, of the Plymouthi Advertiser, contemplated publishing the Express, but political differences arising, owing to the excitement engendered by the war, a dissolu- tion of partnership occurred before the first number was issued. The Express was contin- ned about one year.

During the next three years, Mr. Glover and Mr. Bloom issued " occasionally " a paper called the Gazette, which was continued until 1867, when the Shelby Chronicle made its appearance, published by Messrs. Young & Hill. This paper continued until October 12. 1868, when it was purchased by S. S. Bloom, and merged into the Shelby Independent News. The first year, the circulation of this paper reached nearly six hundred. and it seemed fairly on the road to permanent success. It was edited by Mr. Bloom and published by J. G. Hill for a period of six years.

In the meantime, in 1868, Mr. T. H. Barkdull began the publication of the Gazette, and continued it about four years, Shelby hav- ing the benefit of two papers during these years.

The Independent News was continued until 1876, when the Shelby Times, a Republican paper, made its appearance, under the editorial management of Mr. J. G. Hill. Mr. Bloom thereupon hauled down the " Independent "

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

part of his paper and issued the present Dem- ocratie sheet, called the News.

The News still continues in a prosperous and healthy condition, under the editorial manage- ment of Mr. Bloom, with his son, W. P. Bloom, as publisher.

The Times came into existence December 2. 1876, and yet continues under the editorial and business management of Mr. J. G. Hill. Its subscription list has continued to increase, and it is hoped and believed that it is on the road to permanent success.

The Mutual Fire Underwriters' Association, of Shelby, was incorporated February 2, 1880, and is therefore at the threshold of its career.

The Board of Trustees are Dr. W. R. Bricker, President ; Erastus S. Close, Vice President ; Henry Wentz, Jr., Secretary ; W. A. Shaw, Treasurer ; D. I. Foust, General Agent ; T. H. Wiggins, Abraham Bushey, F. A. Du Bois and D. L. Cockley.

The Executive Committee is D. I. Foust, Henry Wentz, Jr., and D. S. Close.

From the well-known ability, as business men, of the above-named gentlemen, and their financial and social standing, it is fair to pre- sume that success will attend this enterprise. Dr. Bricker is an old resident and President of the First National Bank of Shelby. He was for some years connected with the Buckeye Mutual Fire Insurance Company, of Shelby, as Director and Treasurer. Mr. Close has been, for several years, connected with the railroads passing through Shelby, as agent; and Mr. Wentz has hitherto been engaged in the insur- ance business.

W. A. Shaw and D. L. Cockley are successful business men and merchants, engaged respect- ively in the jewelry and hardware trade.

Mr. Foust is a minister of the Lutheran Church, but for a few years previous to the

establishment of this Company, was in the em- ploy of the Buckeye Mutual.

Mr. Wiggins is an old resident and successful attorney, and Dr. Du Bois a Director in the First National Bank, and a lumber dealer.

The distinctive features of this Association are :

1. A guarantee fund of $10,000 is secured, any or all of which is payable in thirty days from date of notice to pay losses.

2. The National Board rate, as adopted after the Chicago fire, is the basis of rates for this Company.

3. Premium notes, amounting to three-fifths of such rate, are taken from members. Seventy per cent of said notes is collected in five an- nual installments, each five years in advance. If a member has paid more than the actual cost of insurance, in any five years, the excess is placed to his credit as part of the surplus of the Association. The interest, at 6 per cent per annum, on such surplus will, in a few years, pay the losses and expenses of the Association, when the members will cease to pay any assess- ment.

4. Each member pays cash in advance, for himself and not for another.

5. The law under which the Association is incorporated authorizes it to insure its members against loss by fire and other casualties. Hence they include losses by fire, lightning, and acci- dent to plate-glass windows and doors.

6. Every member knows how much and when to pay each year ; hence dissatisfaction on account of unexpected, heavy assessments, is entirely avoided.

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968