USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > Salem in Columbiana County > History of Salem and the immediate vicinity : Columbiana County, Ohio > Part 6
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From that time there is no record of any services of this church till Thomas Read came to Salem from Philadelphia, intending to make his home here.
In January, 1859, Miss Anna Read, who was con- nected with the Episcopal church, being on a visit to her friends and relatives in Salem, learned that there was no church of that order here; whereupon
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
she expressed a desire to have one established. On inquiry, she found one family besides her brother's of that faith. On Sunday, January 9th, they met (four in number) at the house of Stephen W. Whit- ney, which house is now a portion of No. 17 West Dry street. There, one of them, read the service of the church. After this they met regularly at the same house, till a room in Street's block, on Broad- way, was engaged for the use of the church. On the 24th of February the first regular service was held, Rev. A. M. McMurray officiating. He then resided in Boardman, Mahoning county, Ohio.
A few days afterwards, Rev. De Witt Byllesby, of Pittsburgh, was in Salem, and he preached on two successive evenings. On the 13th of March Rev. Mr. Cummings, for the first time, administered the com- munion, and, at the same time, baptized six children. On the next day the parish was organized, and named "The Church of Our Saviour." A vestry was elected consisting of Thomas Read, S. W. Whitney, Samuel D. Hawley, Allan Boyle, E. Smith, Robert and E. Turner.
Notice of the organization was thereupon sent to Bishop McIlvaine, of the diocese of Ohio, who, on the 9th of April, following, visited Salem and held service in the Town hall, and, at the same time, con- firmed eight persons. About this time, a Sabbath school was organized. In accordance with the bish- op's advice, a minister was called.
Lay-services continued to be held regularly until a convention was held, which Rev. Hollis happened to attend. Arrangements were thereupon consumi- mated for engaging his services as rector. He remained with the church about fifteen months. He
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THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
was succeeded by Rev. H. H. Morrell. He officiated once a month for half a year. In December, 1862, Rev. A. T. McMurphy accepted a call to the church. He then had four churches in charge, but he agreed to give this church two services a month. A little more than a year afterwards, his services were engaged for half of the time. He remained with the church several years.
The congregations, heretofore, met for services in rooms on Broadway, then owned by Zadok Street, and in a building belonging to Joshua J. Boone, on Main street, where the Hogan block now is.
The number of communicants increased, wherefore a lot on East Green street was purchased, and, a school house that had belonged to Calvin Moore, was removed to this place and refitted for church ser- vice. This house was used for services until the sub- stantial stone edifice, on Main street, was finished. This was built in 1888 and 1889. The corner stone was laid on the 23rd of October, 1888. Rev. Cyrus L. Bates, of Cleveland, then gave an excellent address. standing on the foundation work of the building.
The late William Mullins, of Allegheny city, Pa., and his daughter, the wife of Mr. Thos. H. Bakewell, contributed a large part of the funds for building and furnishing the church now in use.
Rev. Ephraim Watt was then rector, and he ren- dered himself very popular in the city. He left this parish in September, 1891. Then Rev. C. L. Pinder came: After two years he was succeeded by Rev. F. E. McManus, who remained till February, 1898. Soon after his departure Rev. E. L. Wells came.
Besides the vestrymen named at the organization of this church the following persons have served in
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
that capacity. Wm. Keen, Louis Brereton, T. H. Bakewell, Robert G. Curtis, Dr. E. Y. Hogan, Chas. L. Steiner, Wm. H. Read, B. P. Van Kirk, Wm. L. Leming, Frederic J. Mullins, J. P. Hogan, Geo. C. S. Southworth, John R. Bustard, and Wm. Bunting.
In the Sunday school Louis Brereton and W. H. Read have rendered service as superintendents; and, as teachers, Mrs. F. J. Mullins, Mrs. Southworth, Miss E. Grisselle, Miss Maude Ambler, E. T. Steiner, and W. H. Read.
The principal choristers have been, W. R. Read, Geo. W. Howell, Mrs. Cora Barckhoff, Miss Esther H. Boone, Miss Mary H. Hannay, Mrs. Ellen Mayer- hofer, Miss Mabel Garrigues, and Miss Eva Deming.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Previous to the year 1850 there were few Catholics in Salem. There was a great prejudice againt them, and they were much scandalized. With few excep- tions, those here were foreigners, and laborers by employment. The building of the railroad brought many more to this place.
Some time between 1853 and 1855, Rev. William O'Connor visited Salem and held service in the house of Michael Derrick. This was the beginning of their church; and now, we see to what size it has grown. Since that time they have been visited, and had ser- vice by Revs. Striker, Welsh, Prendergast and others; all of whom resided at Dungannon. Then Rev. Mulcahy, a professor in the Louisville college. visited and conducted services.
In 1868 Rev. E. W. J. Lindersmith, who then had charge of churches in Alliance and Leetonia, took charge of the Salem mission. He held services once a month in the houses of Catholic people, and four
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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
times a year in the Town hall. This he continued till 1880. During his time the lots on East Main street were purchased for $800.
In 1880 Rev. C. Treiber was sent to Salem as resident pastor. For one year he continued here, holding services in the Town hall; and making prep- arations for building a house of worship. This seemed a difficult task, as there were only twenty-five families to render help. Through his untiring work and the hearty co-operation of his little flock, a house of worship adequate for the purpose was built.
On the 28th of November, 1886, the church was dedicated by Rt. Rev. R. Gilmour, bishop of the Cleveland diocese. One of the Salem papers, in giv- ing an account of the dedication, said that the bishop was much pleased with the appearance of things in Salem, and the prospect for the church. In the even- ing after the dedication of the church, the bishop gave a lecture in Concert hall to a large assembly, many of whom were not Catholics. His address received good attention, and was the means of dis- pelling much of the prejudice that prevailed against the church. Rev. C. Treiber was a liberal minded man, and, by his kindness to all classes of people, he gained many friends in this place.
The congregations, and members increased so that it became necessary to enlarge the structure. An addition was then made which included a sanctuary and two sacristies. While this work was progress- ing Rev. Treiber was transferred to another charge. He was succeeded by Rev. S. Finucan, who completed the work of enlarging the church. Owing to ill health he was obliged to resign and seek a milder climate.
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ยท HISTORY OF SALEM.
Rev. F. Senner came next and continued with the church till September 15th, 1897, when he was'trans- ferred to Louisville, Stark county, Ohio. Under his prudent and careful management the entire indebted- ness of the church was paid and some other valuable addition procured.
In 1891 a parsonage adjoining the church was built at a cost of $1200. This was highly creditable to the church, considering the time of its being organized, and the fact of its having but few wealthy members. Only one other church in the city has a parsonage.
Rev. F. Senner was succeeded by Rev. G. C. Schoeneman, the present incumbent. During his short time the interior of the church has been remod- elled, the walls have been frescoed and the floors covered with carpets and mats, giving it a handsome appearance inside. The members come from about one hundred families. With all things duly consid- ered, Saint Paul's church appears now to be in a fair and prosperous way.
.
G
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, E. GREEN STREET.
CHAPTER IX.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY CONCLUDED. - THE PRES- BYTERIAN CHURCH.
+ BY. EV. Clement Vallandigham may be regarded as the pioneer Presbyterian minister in Columbiana county. He came to Lisbon in the year 1807, and soon afterwards was installed as pastor of the church in that place. He entered on the work of his mission with great zeal. He labored in several parts of the county, and finally extended his work to Salem. It is not known when and where his first preaching in the place was. John Campbell and his family were the foremost to give him enter- tainment and help in the place. Isaac Wilson also merits similar mention ; likewise Nathaniel Mc- Cracken, living about three miles south east of the town.
It was in the year 1830 that the first Presbyterian house of worship was erected in Salem. Some years elasped before it was completed. Meetings were there held before the house was plastered, and the congregation sat on rude benches. After a few years the house was finished, furnished with pews which had doors, and the rent of each one marked on it. This house was used for about eighteen years ; then it was sold, removed and turned into a dwelling house. Then, in its place, the grand edifice now occupied, was built.
The Presbytery of New Lisbon occasionally sent supplies to Salem; Rev. C. Vallandigham being the principal one. In 1832 a petition was sent to the
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
Presbytery, asking for an organization in this place. This was, at first, opposed by the pastors at Can- field and Lisbon. This may seem strange to us. Were they fearful that a church here could not be sustained? Salem was then a stronghold of the Friends, and the Baptists and Methodists were gain- ing significance.
The petition was, however, granted; and on the 3rd day of November, 1832, twenty persons, who had expressed a desire to be organized as a Presbyterian church assembled, the most of whom had certificates of dismission from the churches at Canfield and Lisbon. Rev. C. Vallandigham had charge of the meeting, he being assigned for this purpose. After a sermon and other devotional exercises, the church was constituted, consisting of the following persons:
Hugh Stewart, Reuel Wright, George Echrich, Nathaniel McCracken, John Martin, James Wilson, Terah Jones, John Wilson, Wmn. Martin, Hugh Mar- tin, Agnes Stewart, Agnes Wilson, Mary Echrich, Elizabeth McCracken, Martha T. Martin, Rebecca P. Campbell, Martha Wilson, Ann Jane Martin, Eliza- beth Wright, and Martin.
James Wilson, Nathaniel McCracken, and Hugh Stewart were chosen elders. Since that time Hugh Martin, Terah Jones, Christian Bowman, Robert G. Woods, William Wilson, Richard Gardner, Dr. J. M. Kuhn, Reuben McMillan, Israel Travis, Henry M. Osborne, Asa W. Allen, Jr., Wm. C. Hutcheson, John Doutt, Charles H. Harris, Wmn. McCracken, Hiram Taylor, Robert Trimble, Mason Beaumont, and G. A. Bayerd have officiatedas elders. The church, as first constituted, was represented in New Lisbon Presbytery. After the union of the Old and New
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THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
school parties, a new arrangement was made, by which the south part of New Lisbon Presbytery was annexed to that of Steubenville, and the north part and a part of Trumbull formed Mahoning Presbytery.
This church has a fair Sabbath school record. No one in the city has done better service in the church interest. It was first held in John Campbell's shop. When Rev. J. Coon opened his academy in this place, it got a good impulse from some of his students, especially David Hine, R. McMillan and R. W. Smith. Since which time Dr. Kuhn, Calvin Brainerd, R. A. Kirk, Rush Taggart, R. S. Layng, Myron E. Hard, W. H. Maurer, W. H. Moulton, Mason Beaumont, and H. A. Kilborne, have been superintendents. A.s teachers, good service has been rendered by Miss Mary Waterworth, Mrs. Mary Forehope, Mrs. Anna B. Gilbert, Mrs. Arrison, Mrs. Boyle, Messrs. Geo. Cooper, G. A. Bayerd, Frank Bower, and some others. The attendance now averages about three hundred.
"The Rev. Clement Vallandigham labored with this church, and at Lisbon, until his death in 1839. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. McCombs, who gave part of his time to the Canfield church, and resided in Salem the last three years of his ministry. In the spring of 1852, on account of ill health, he gave up the charge, having ministered unto the congregation eleven years. He was succeeded in the autumn of 1852 by Rev. J. S. Grimes, D.D., who remained five years, and was succeeded by Rev. A. B. Maxwell, who remained as pastor thirteen years."*
His pastorate was the longest and one of the best
*Rev. H. B. Fry.
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
of any pastor in the city. He was held in high esti- mation by all who knew him.
Some time in the pastorate of Rev. W. McCombs Rev. Jacob Coon came to Salem and opened an acad- emy in the house now occupied by Wm. Morris. This institution and his abode in the place was some help to the Presbyterian church. He sometimes preached in this church, and in certain ones out of the town.
In March, 1859, the first movement for building a new church edifice was made. Rev. Maxwell was then pastor. After severe trials on behalf of the church it was completed at a cost of about $10, 000. The plan of it was drawn by Mr. Blackburn, an arch- itect, of Cleveland. It was finished and dedicated December 22nd, 1861. The dedication sermon was by Prof. Wilson, of Allegheny city, Pa. Since which time additions have been made consisting of a room for Sunday schools, prayer meetings, and social enter- tainments. So that now it is the most commodious and complete edifice for worship in the city. The membership is about three hundred and eighty.
Rev. H. B. Fry came to this church as supply in November, 1870, and, in the next May, he was installed as pastor. He was succeeded by Rev. W. D. Sexton who had a fair pastorate of a few years. He was a remarkably good Bible reader. Not all ministers read the sacred book with less affectation than he. Naturalness should characterize all kinds of reading in whatever place it may be done.
Rev. Decosta Pomerene came next. He was a young man and was nearly blind; but he had a thor- ough education, and his mental and intellectual powers were brighter than many of those who have good eyesight. His pastorate was short. He was killed
A. THOMAS.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, S. LUNDY STREET.
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THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
in a railroad collision at Harrisburg, Pa. Rev. B. F. Boyle, the present incumbent, came to Salem in March, 1891. His former charge was at Irwin, Westmoreland county, Pa.
THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
" A number of people in the village of Salem, and vicinity, who were interested in the doctrines of the Lutheran church, met in September, 1877, under the preaching of Rev. William B. Roller, from Green, Mahoning county, Ohio. Services were held regu- larly on the Sabbath until January 6th, 1878, when a church was organized, consisting of twenty persons, and the Rev. Wm. B. Roller called to be their pastor. Services were held in the Episcopal church edifice. The society had then forty members."
The foregoing account was published in the county history. This organization appears not to have been permanent. Some time in 1886, Rev. Michael Binder, a native German, came to Salem and commenced preaching to people of the Lutheran persuasion; the most of whom were Germans. He labored with them a few years, in a ministerial capacity, and then left them. Rev. Abraham Miller, of Georgetown, came next; and then Revs. Behm, and Gallenkamp, of New York.
Some time in 1895 Rev. Mr. Schmidt, of Youngs- town, commenced preaching here, and remained about a year. During which time he organized the Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran church. After him came Rev. Mr. Knoblauch. He remained over a year, and, in this time, raised money and got a house of worship built. The corner-stone of it was laid on the 20th of June, 1897. Addresses were then given in English by Rev. Myers, of Canton, and, in German,
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
by Rev. E. T. Butz, Sr. The house was finished so as to be ready for dedication and services in the fol- lowing winter.
On the 16th of January, 1898, the house was dedi- cated, and, at the same time, Rev. E. T. Butz, Jr., was installed, as pastor. Preaching is mostly in German. On each alternate Sunday, the service is in English. There are now about sixty-five members. And a Sunday school is kept up under the supervision of Charles Vogel. Alfred Klose is assistant superin- tendent. There is, in this church, a young people's society, and, a ladies' society.
THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH.
The colored people are mostly inclined to be reli- gious, and hence like the services of the church. But too often white people have so much prejudice against them that while they are not wilfully debarred from sanctuaries controlled by white people, they feel too much embarrassed to enjoy the services therein. Their sense and judgment then prompts them to keep away from places where they are unwelcome. Hence, when they can do so, they prefer to have houses of worship for their own color. In Salem they have been able to have churches for their race.
Some time in the sixties they effected an organiza- tion under the leadership of Rev. Armstrong, of Alliance. They had a meeting place on Dry street. On the decline of the second Baptist church they got possession of the house used by that party. In it they held meetings till they built the A. M. E. Z. church, at the corner of Howard and High streets. This was done in 1870, and mainly by the exertion of Rev. J. Cox. Rev. Jehu Holiday was one of their most efficient ministers. He was raised near Salem,
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THE CHURCH OF GOD.
and is now a bishop. Rev. Win. Hopkins is, at this time, their pastor. They sustain a Sunday school, and appear to be progressing in a fair way.
Other pastors that they have had were Revs. Gross, Pettigrew, Asbury, Bell, Sampson, Thomson, and Russell. Hannah Fogg, of the Friends' church, gave them good help for awhile, as Sunday school superintendent.
Some time after their organization there was a separation, and another church formed. This was, perhaps, the result of caprice, or, some kind of disa- greement. This party is called Bethel, and has a small house of worship on East-High street. Rev. Green is the pastor.
THE CHURCH OF GOD.
A house of worship for a denomination known by this name was erected about the year 1888. It stands in the western part of the city, at the fork of the North Benton and Damascus roads. The house is a neat frame building, and was built mainly at the expense of the late John Barber, who was one of the most prominent members. Before this house was erected, services were held from house to house among those who were inclined to embrace the spe- cific doctrines of this denomination.
Rev. J. M. Stevenson first preached the doctrines of this church in this place. Besides him Rev. J. P. Weethe and some others have preached their doc- trines here. They now have services only occasion- ally, and keep up a Sunday school. Their membership is but small in number.
They profess to take the Bible just as it is for their standard of belief and practice, and they con- sider that no other discipline is needed. Some people
1
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
facetiously call them "Soul-sleepers," from their belief that the soul remains in its earthly tenement, or somewhere in this sublunary world till the general judgment of all mankind for their lives and deeds while in this state of being.
Only a few people in Salem and in Goshen town- ship have accepted the peculiar tenets of this church.
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.
This society was first organized in 1868. Previous to that time there were but few societies of the kind in the state of Ohio. Its object is thus stated in the constitution: "The object of this Association shall be the mutual improvement of its members in their spiritual, moral and social condition, and the advance- ment of the work of home evangelization." For active membership a person needs to be a member in good standing in some evangelical church. And, for associate membership, any man of good moral char- acter may be a member.
Religious services have been held by this society on almost every Sunday afternoon. Rooms were engaged for its use, in which its library was kept, and its meetings held. In 1895, the brick block, at corner of Garfield avenue and East Main street was built, mainly for its accommodation. The chief part of this building is intended for the use of this society. There it has a commodious reading room, furnished with the Salem, Cleveland and Pittsburgh daily papers, a large number of monthly magazines of var- ious character, some of the principal weeklies of different religious denominations, and a library of some valuable religious, scientific, and historical works. This building also contains a commodious
THE YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION. 99
room for religious meetings and lectures, a gymna- sium, bath rooms, and office and parlors.
The library and periodicals here kept afford a very rational and interesting place of entertainment for strangers, or any persons of leisure. For these pur- poses there is no better place in this city, and no charge is made therefor. The annual report, says : "The Association aims to do all that is possible for the spiritual welfare of men, and is successful just in proportion as Christian men make use of the opportunity offered to influence men to lead Christian lives. The great need of the Salem Association is for young men who have consecrated their lives to God's service, and who will grasp the opportunity offered in the Association, for service."
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CHAPTER X.
THE PRINTING PRESS.
RINTING, in Salem, was first done in a log house, that stood on or near the place where A. M. Carr's new store house has
been built. Joseph Shreve was then the popular and successful teacher of the Friends' school, and his brother Thomas was studying medicine with Dr. Stanton; both of them were literary characters, friendly to the dissemination of knowledge, and advocates of the printing press. They came from Pennsylvania, and had some knowledge of Robert Fee, who, in Brownsville, in that state, published The Western Register. In this, he appears to have made a failure, and was then induced by the Shreves, to come to this place and start a paper. In the latter part of March, 1825, he issued the first number of The Salem Gazette and Public Advertiser.
Robert Fee was a practical printer, and possessed some editorial tact; but he had domestic trouble from which he sought relief, at times, in the intoxicating cup, which, in turn, aggravated the cause. A file of these papers was preserved by one of the oldest inhabitants. It was an interesting relic of the times and gave some idea of what the town then was. The Pittsburgh Gazette appears to have been the most important exchange, as more articles were credited to it than any other paper.
An extensive account of La Fayette's visit to west- ern Pennsylvania, some amusing articles, accounts of horrid murders, advertisements of rewards for the
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THE PRINTING PRESS.
arrest of criminals, and some of the occurrences of the times were the prominent items. Joseph Shreve gave some articles on grammar; and he wrote a short account of the appearance of a comet, that he thought would appear again in the early part of 1829.
Some marriage notices were published; the parties to which have most likely passed away; and, with them, according to a custom then, and during some subsequent years prevailing, some pithy epigrams were given, such as:
" Till Hymen brought his love delighted hour, There dwelt no joy in Eden's rosy bower ! The world was sad-the garden was a wild, And man, the hermit sighed-till woman smiled."*
" Oh! what's a table richly spread, Without a woman at its head."
*
"May heaven crown their bliss with joys, And fill their arms with girls and boys."
Wmn. Beans married Sarah E. Greenfield, on which event some genius perpetrated this:
"If fate shall to their wishes yield, And fate to true love leans, Time may bestow on this Greenfield A lovely crop of Beans."
A rustic swain, named Harry, married a Miss Smart, and this followed:
"Come on, ye awkward crew, Don't let the chance depart ; Your courage, now renew, Since Harry's got Smart."
*From Campbell's Pleasures of Hope.
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HISTORY OF SALEM.
Some persons, in and about the town, had the germs of literary genius, which were manifested in articles written for this paper. Some poetical spar- ring was waged for two or three months by persons who signed themselves "Pope, " "Polydius, " "Burns" and one who gave his real name. "Pope" appears to have criticised the literary taste of "Polydius" in some of his productions. To which he replied, and "Pope" gave a rejoinder. Others joined in the fray, and, after some articles were published by each of them, the editor gave notice that they must "ter- minate the war. " Although "Polydius " had "caught a Tartar" in "Pope, " he declared he would not yield if the contest "should it last a whole year." The following is a specimen of his doggerel. Alluding to "Pope, " he says:
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