History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 76

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The revival gave great strength to the circuit, and at the conference held in 1828, J. Hill and A. Billings were appointed. They remained on the work but one year, and B. Cooper and William Sprague were appointed to succeed them at the conference of 1829. Rev. Russell Bigelow was presiding elder. Nothing special occurred during the year, and in 1830 they were succeeded by Rev. Eline Day and Rev. E. C. Gavitt. At the end of the first year Mr. Gavitt was removed, he being a young man. He is still living, a member of the Central Ohio conference, and doing effective work.

In 1831 Mr. Day was returned with the Rev. E. B. Chase for his colleague. Mr. Day remained in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church for a few years, became disaffected and joined the United Brethren, remained with them a while, and in his old age asked the privilege of returning to the church of his youth. He was received back and recognized as a local elder.

In 1832, Mr. Day and Mr. Chase having closed their pastorate, Rev. Elmore Yocum and Rev. J. Martin were appointed to the circuit. Mr. Yocum continued to travel several years in Ohio, and was transferred to Wisconsin, where he has

continued to labor on districts and in the best appointments of his conference. He has been more than once, I think, honored by his brethren with a seat in the general conference. No man has a warmer heart, or has been more beloved by the people with whom he has labored than Elmore Yocum. In the year 1833 Rev. C. Goddard, with the Rev. J. B. Austin as assistant, were appointed. They were both removed at the end of the first year, and in the fall of 1834 Rev. William Sullivan and Rev. John T. Kellom were appointed. The community this fall was greatly afflicted with cholera. Mr. Kellom says in a letter to the writer:

On my way to Lower Sandusky I was stopped by a kind friend, some three miles above the town, and informed that there were but three living persons in the place. I staid with him over night, and the next morning rode to town and found Mr. Birchard, Judge Hulburd, and Dr. Rawson. All the others had fled from the cholera. Some were tenting on a camp-ground on Father Bowlus' farm, and some had fled to other places. After stopping a while, I went over to what is now Clyde, and then returned and assisted in burying some of the dead.

In consequence of the prevalence of cholera, Mr. Kellom received but fifty six dollars for his year's service.

Rev. J. Kinnear and Rev. J. H. Pitzel were appointed to the circuit in 1835. They remained one year, and were followed, in 1836, by Rev. Leonard Hill and Rev. Wesley J. Wells. Mr. Hill remained two years and had for his colleague the second year Rev. Osborn Mennett. Father Hill continued to travel as an itinerant preacher for several years, took a superannuated relation to the conference, returned to Fremont, where he spent the evening of his life, and died in great peace, April 13, 1869, in the eightieth year of his age, honored and beloved by all who knew, him. Mr. Wells continued to travel till 1868. He now holds a superannuated relation to the Central Ohio conference, and is engaged in busi-

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ness in Toledo, Ohio. In 1838 Rev. Peter Sharp was appointed to the circuit, with Rev. B. Blanchard as assistant. Mr. Sharp's health was poor, and he insisted on the work being divided and he allowed to remain all the time in town that he could attend to the work. The presiding elder accordingly consented to the arrangement, and Lower Sandusky was organized into a station. Peter Sharp was eccentric, and there are many amusing anecdotes told about him, one of which is here related:

At one of the conferences a good brother was arraigned for heresy. The conference heard the case and pronounced him guilty. The bishop said: "Brethren, you have convicted this brother of heresy; what do you propose to do with him?" This was a stunner, for the church has no law to punish heretics. In the midst of embarrassment, Peter gravely arose in his place on the conference floor and said: "Mr. President, I move we proceed at once to burn him."

Mr. Sharp was succeeded, in 1839, by Rev. Wesley Brock. Mr. Brock was the homeliest man I ever saw. He remained here but one year-continued to hold important positions in his conference for a number of years. Finally took a superanuated relation and moved on his farm in Mercer county, Ohio, where he became guilty of a shameful crime, for which he was expelled from his conference in 1859. He died a few years afterward, dishonored and forsaken. I never knew a man for whom I felt so deeply as I did for Wesley Brock.

In 1840 Rev. A. Campbell was appointed to the station. This was unfortunate for the charge. Mr. Campbell was of a despondent turn of mind, which grew upon him, and before the close of the year the poor man lost the balance of his mind and went crazy. What became

of him I do not know. With the misfortune of Mr. Campbell the station became discouraged, and failed to sustain itself. It was accordingly again united with the outlying appointments, and in 1841 Thomas Thompson and Rev. Darius Dodge were appointed. Father Thomp- son is still living, a member of the North Ohio conference, and, I believe, in the religious world, no man has sustained a better character through a long and useful ministry than he. Darius Dodge became ambitious to be rich, took a supernumerary relation to the conference, went to Illinois, and commenced the practice of medicine, became guilty of an offence that disgraced himself and the church. He is no longer a member of the conference, and so far as I know is out of the church. Thompson and Dodge remained on the circuit but one year, and in 1842 the Rev. Samuel P. Shaw was appointed to circuit, with Rev. Mr. Grutnley as junior preacher. Mr. Shaw remained on the circuit for one year, and the Rev. Hibbard P. Ward was his colleague the second year. Mr. Shaw afterwards held a super- annuated relation to the North Ohio con- ference, and lived alone on his farm in Crawford county, Ohio. He became wealthy, and endowed a university in the South named after himself.

Hibbard P. Ward died of cholera while stationed at Sandusky City. He led his prayer meeting in the evening, and before morning he was dead. His last words were, "Gliding sweetly." He was a young man of fine talent, of great goodness of heart, and of much promise to the church. He and William Cooper, and a young Presbyterian minister, all died in Sandusky City of cholera, and are buried side by side in the cemetery at that place.

Messrs. Shaw and Ward were succeeded, in 1844, by Rev. W. C. Huestis and Rev. Joseph F. Kenedy. Mr. Huestis remained

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two years, and Rev. S. Fairchilds was his assistant the second year. Mr. Kennedy continued in the work of the ministry until 1872, when he took a nominal appointment, fell into a state of despondency, and put an end to his existence by a pistol shot. He was a sad illustration of the use of opium, and of disappointed ambition.

In 1846 Rev. Joseph Jones and the Rev. Jacob T. Caples were appointed to the circuit. In 1847 Mr. Caples was removed and Mr. Jones was returned, and a young man by the name of Wait assisted him. At the close of Mr. Jones' legal term in 1848, Rev. J. Reese and Rev. J. Elliott were the preachers. Mr. Reese died on the 4th of the following February, and Elliott was entrusted with the charge of the circuit. He was followed in 1849 by Rev. S. M. Beatty, with Stillman George for a supply. During Mr. Beatty's first year on the work Lower Sandusky was favored with an extensive revival which greatly strengthened the charge, and at the close of his first year the circuit was again divided, and Fremont was organized into a charge by itself; to which Mr. Beatty returned in 1850.

He was followed in 1851 by Rev. Dorcas Dodge, and in 1852-53 Rev. W. J. Wells was again appointed to the charge, and at the close of his pastorate in 1854, Rev. W. H. Seeler succeeded him. He remained but one year, and was followed in 1855 by Rev. L. A. Pounds, and he in 1856-57 by Rev. Jacob T. Caples. One year after, Mr. Caples left Fremont. In 1869, at the conference held in Fremont, he was appointed by Bishop Morris, presiding elder on the Findlay district. He served the district with great acceptability and usefulness until near the close of the first year, when he was suddenly stricken down by acute brain trouble, and died in Findlay, Ohio-Brother

Caples was a young man of wonderful preaching powers. At the expiration of Mr. Caples' term in 1858 Rev. Charles. G. Ferris was appointed. At the close of that conference year the Central Ohio conference held its annual session in. Fremont in 1859. The conference was, hospitably entertained by the citizens, the members of other churches, and. those who were not connected with any church, generously assisting. The conference adjourned with grateful feelings to ward the people for their kind and hos- pitable entertainment. At this conference. Mr. Ferris was removed and Rev. W. S. Lunt was appointed. He remained for the two conference years. No pastor ever enjoyed more fully the confidence and affection of the charge than did Mr. Lunt. He has been for some time broken down in health, and sustains a superannuated relation to the Central Ohio conference. He resides in Fostoria, and enjoys the confidence and affection of the people. He closed his legal term of service on the charge in 1861, and Rev. Simeon Alderman was appointed to succeed him. He. remained but one year, and in 1862 Rev., E. R. Morrison was appointed. Mr. Morrison was of an unfortunate mental organism. During his ministry here there were marked indications of mental aberration: He afterwards became entirely incapacitated, from this difficulty, for work. At present he holds a superannuated relation to the North Ohio conference, and resides with his helpless family among his friends, somewhere in the West, an object of profound sympathy. In many respects he was a man of fine intellect. At the end of his first year in Fremont it was thought best to remove him, and in 1863 Rev. Amos Wilson was appointed to succeed him. The general conference, of 1860 had changed the rule relating to the term of pastorate to three instead of Two

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years, and Mr. Wilson remained the full legal term. He was followed in 1866 by Rev. Joseph Wykes, who remained two years. He was followed in 1869 by Rev. G. W. Collier. Mr. Collier resigned his charge during the year to accept the agency of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and Rev. A. Wheeler, of the North Ohio conference, was employed by the presiding elder to fill the balance of the con- ference year. In 1869 Rev. F. Merriott was appointed to the work. He remained two years, and was succeeded in 1871 by Rev. W. W. Winter. At the close of his first year he was appointed presiding elder in the Findlay district, and Rev. Gershom Lease was appointed to the charge. He was reappointed in 1873 and also in 1874. Rev. Mr. Wilson became pastor of the church in 1878, and retired in October, 1881.

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

This church is one which seems to have been formed to carry the gospel to the poor. It has been doing good work in this county for many years, and many souls have been saved through the earnest, self-sacrificing labors of its missionaries. All through the county the church buildings of this denomination are found, there being one in almost every township. Revivals are of frequent occurrence, and though preachers are usually itinerants, the church keeps about its work of doing good, and receives the support of a large portion of the intelligent farmers of the county. The present number of church edifices in the county is fifteen; the entire membership seven hundred and seventy.

The first organization of the church in this county was effected in 1830. Since that date the progress of the association has been highly gratifying to those who have its interests at heart.

The society in Fremont was organized

in 1860 or about that date. In 1862 Revs. Shireman and D. Strohman purchased a lot, and an unpretentious but comfortable church building was erected. During the first ten years the congregation was composed almost exclusively of Germans, and the services conducted in their language. But in 1870 Rev. A. Vandersoll commenced holding services, in which English alone was used. Since that time the church has been quite prosperous. Its present membership is seventy.

In the formation of the societies of the Evangelical church in Sandusky county, the itinerant preachers were men who hesitated at no hardship which they met in the discharge of duty. They travelled chiefly on horseback, and with hymn-book and Bible and wardrobe packed in a valise or saddle- bags met their engagements, and fulfilled their appointments, through snow and rain and mud. Often their services were at first held in private houses, log cabins and even barns along the circuit. Rank and style and wealth were all ignored, while there was an enthusiasm in the service of "The Master" that never fainted or flagged. In diffusing the religion of Jesus through the early settlements and carrying the gospel into remote places, in the woods and over the prairies, the Evangelical church has done a great and noble work for religion and civilization, and is still prosecuting its work with zeal and success.

THE REFORMED CHURCH .*

The earliest record we find relating to the Reformed church of Fremont is dated November 5, 1857, at a meeting of the male members at the house of the Rev. J. Heller, where the following resolutions were passed:

Resolved, That we organize ourselves into a German Reformed congregation, and place ourselves under the care of Tiffin classes of the synod of the

* Robert Lucas, clerk.

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German Reformed church of Ohio and adjacent States, to be known as the First German Reformed church of Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio.

2. Resolved, That we elect a consistory to consist of three elders and three deacons who, together with the pastor in charge, shall be the directors of the or- ganization.

The following persons were then appointed: E. B. Buchman, Michael Binkley, N. Naaman, elder,; Frederick Tschumy, John Melhaupt, H. Zweler, deacons, who were regularly inducted into office on the 9th day of November, 1857, in the Union church at a regular meeting of the congregation.

Recorded above May 31, 1858.

JACOB SNYDER, Recorder,

Per Charles Atkinson, Deputy.

On the 1st of February, 1862, a joint meeting of the Salem (or Four-mile house) congregation and the Fremont congregation was held at the Reformed church in Fremont, and the two congregations united under name of one charge. The following persons were elected as trustees to serve a term of three years: Fremont church, Daniel Karshner, D. Koons, Peter Bauman; Salem, or Four-mile church, A. Hensel, Peter King, William Rearick; J. J. Siebert was elected treasurer, George B. Heller clerk. Up to this time Rev. J. Heller was the regular pastor. In 1863 Rev. J. B. Thompson accepted a call and became the pastor, with the following persons in the consistory: John Dull, Peter Bauman, and John Younkman, elders; D. Karshner, William Shrader, and Daniel Koons, deacons of the Fremont church. In 1865 we find the consistory made up of the following members: David Brohm and J. Younkman, elders; Robert Lucas and William Shrader, deacons. The church membership at this time numbered about eighty. Upon the resignation of Rev. J. B. Thompson a call was extended to Rev. James Seibert, which was accepted by him, he entering upon his duties as pastor April 9, 1868. Upon his entering the charge he found several impediments in the way which were quite embarrassing, the greatest one the burden of debt that

the charge was carrying on the church property in Fremont, no money having been paid on the debt for some years, and interest accumulating. He set to work to pay the debt by having the members give their notes, payable in five years, with interest, providing enough could be raised to cancel the debt; if not, none was to be collected. But by hard, untiring labor, he at last had enough to cancel the debt. He was universally liked by his people-plain, unassuming, conscientious, and upright; not a brilliant orator, but one whose whole mission seemed to be to be about his Master's work. By his industry and systematic course of life he not only relieved the church of the burden of debt it was under, but awakened a spiritual interest also, that was manifest in the Sunday school, prayer meeting and church. Being naturally fond of music he did much to encourage the younger members in that branch, often meeting with them during the week for practice. In the fall of 1870, while assisting a brother minister in Henry county, he returned feeling quite unwell, and was soon confined to his bed with typhoid fever, from which he never recovered. He died November 13, 1870. His remains were taken to Galion, his former home, for burial, a large number of his members attending the funeral. Some weeks after a funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Williard, of Tiffin, Ohio, in the church at Fremont.

In 1869, at a meeting of the general synod held in Philadelphia, the name of the society, or church, was changed from the German Reformed to the Reformed Church in the United States. After the death of Rev. James Seibert, the charge was supplied by ministers and students from the theological seminary at Tiffin for over a year. The names of those officiating during 1871 are: Rev. R. Good, C. G. A. Hulhorst, J. M. Kendig, A. Zortman,

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and others. In 1872 S. J. Bacher, a theological student, of Tiffin, took charge of the congregation, and, upon completing his course of studies, was ordained as regular pastor, serving very acceptably till 1875, when failing health obliged him to resign, much to the regret of his people. Rev. Jesse Richards served the charge till 1880, when his resignation was accepted, to take place June 1, 1881. At a special meeting of the Tiffin classes, held at the Four-mile church, September 13, 1881, the Fremont charge, which consisted of the Fremont congregation and the congregation at the Four-mile church, was divided into two separate charges; the Four-mile church and Lindsay congregations to constitute a charge, to be known as the Lindsay charge, and the Fremont congregation and the congregation southeast of the city (known as the Mourey church) to form a distinct charge, to be known as the Fremont charge. A call has been extended to Rev. J. I. Swander, of Tiffin, Ohio, who is expected to become the regular pastor as soon as the way is clear.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES .*

Within the earliest period of Fremont's existence, Canadian Catholics had settled in and around Fremont, but years passed by ere their earnest desire for a Catholic priest was gratified; until, shortly after the arrival of the Beaugrand family from Detroit, Mr. Gabriel Richard, a French missionary and an old acquaintance of the Beaugrand family, and who had married Mr. Beaugrand and Miss Chabert, made his appearance in Fremont. This priest came to America on the 26th of June, 1792, where, in the far West, his apostolic services covered a territory of fifty-five thousand four hundred and nine square miles, until in 1832 he died in Detroit, at

the age of sixty-eight years. He it was, who, in the Northwest, published the first Catholic extracts out of the Holy Bible, and distributed them among the people. In the year 1809 he published a paper called, "Essay du Michigan," for which publication, however, on account of its altogether too strong Catholic tendencies, he was imprisoned for some time. Rev. Richard, who had come here on a visit, soon left, and the settlers again were left without a priest. Irish Catholics began to arrive, and also a young German Catholic by the name of John Christian, a joiner by trade, and during the years 1835, 1836, 1837, and 1838 our settlement was strongly enlarged by families coming from Buffalo. Among the first was the family of Jacob Andres, and in the fall of the same year came Joseph Baumgartner. The next year, 1836, brought Mr. Jacob Gabel and his sons, John and Michael. In the following year came. Mr. Joseph Huntzinger and several other families. About the year 1839 came Father Tscheuhens, from Tiffin, on a visit, and services were held in Beaugrand's house, which was on the side of and near the river. From that time on our settlers were visited alternately by Catholic priests from Tiffin and other neighboring places. Also, Mr. Gabel, who lived four miles out of Fremont, in Jackson township, and Mr. Huntzinger, willingly gave the use of their houses for the purpose of holding services. Among those priests who from time to time visited our town we only mention two, namely: Amadeus Rappe and Josephus Projectus Macheboeuf. The former became bishop of the Cleveland diocese in October, 1847, resigned in August, 1870, and died in September, 1877. The latter became bishop in part. infid. of Epiphamia for the apostolic vicariat of Colorado, in August, 1868, which position he still holds. As the congregation be-

* Written by Helen Furst; translated from the Courier.

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came larger they were obliged to look for a suitable place wherein to hold their services, and gladly accepted the kind offer of Mr. Pease, to use his smith-shop on the east side of the river. In this building Mr. Balthasar Keefer was married by Father Macheboeuf, in 1840.

Here also was held the first high mass in Fremont, by Father Martin Henni, who, in 1844, become bishop of Milwaukee, and in 1875 archbishop of the same place, where he died last year. Soon after Arch-bishop Purcell, from Cincinnati, officiated here in the holy sacrament of confirmation, and on the same evening lectured in the court- house. In the year 1842 Mr. Rodolphus Dickinson donated to the Catholic congregation a lot, where now stands the present St. Ann's church, on State street, which was built at that time. The first stationed priest was Father Nightingale; his successors were Carobaine, Welsh, Rose and Mullen. From 1842 to 1857, Canadians, Irish and Germans formed one congregation. In 1857 Father Franz Xavier Wenninger, a Jesuit missionary, came to Fremont, and seeing that the German element was the predominant factor, induced them to build a church of their own. Thereupon they bought a lot of General Buckland for eight hundred dollars, situated on the corner of Croghan and Clover streets, and upon it erected the present St. Joseph's church. Among the members, at that time, we are able only to mention the following: Michael and Jacob Gebel, Ambrose Ochs, Joseph and John Stuber, George Greiner, Philip Gottron, George Rimmelobacher, John Gompert, L. Haberstroh, Charles Oltine, Casper Rust, J. Swartz, John Buchmann, Anthon and John Reineck, Franz Geibel, sr., John Haaser, jr., Anthon Hochenedel, Paul Gaurus, Anton Young, Adam Muller, William Horn, etc.

Father Mullen's successor was Father

Moos, who at present is in Sandusky. On the Zest day of September, 1862, Father Bauer took charge of the congregation, and has been here ever since. Soon another lot near the church was bought from Mrs. Moore for nine hundred and fifty dollars, whereupon the old school-house was erected, and in 1865 was built the present residence of Father Bauer.

In 1870 it became necessary to enlarge the Catholic schools. The sisters, who soon became teachers in place of hitherto employed teachers, had to give up part of their dwelling for school purposes, until in 1878 it became absolutely necessary to build a new school-house. The lot, where at present the new school-house stands, was bought from Mrs. James Wilson, for four thousand dollars, and upon it was built the present elegant school-house. The schools are in a flourishing condition, and aside from the common elementary branches, some higher sciences are taught; also drawing is taught, and the girls are .instructed in fancy needlework. The number of scholars at present is two hundred and fifty, while the entire congregation embraces about one hundred and eighty families.

ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY.

This society was first introduced by Father Mullen, who himself acted as president, and Jacob Gabel, sr., acted as vice-president. This society was reorganized in 1866 and 1867 by Father Bauer, who at first became president, but after his resignation Mr. Joseph Stuber took his place. At present Mr. Franz Giebel, sr., is president; Mr. John Horn, vice-president; Mr. Fred Buchmann, treasurer; and Mr. John Rectenwald, secretary. The beautiful Munich flag is carried by John Weber at extraordinary occasions,

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A GREAT SUNDAY-SCHOOL GATHERING.

August 18, 1867, was a memorable Sunday-school day in Fremont. The county Sunday-school society at a meeting held in May, resolved upon a general meeting and picnic of all Sunday-school workers and scholars in the county. Circulars were addressed to every school in the county. How well they responded a report of the meeting will show.

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History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 76

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