History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 75

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 75

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

At Lower Sandusky he found the Ind- ians gathered together attending to their prophet, who was pointing out several of their women to be killed as witches. He got Crane, the chief, to stop the prophet and wait for an interpreter. His diary is not very full, but the impression left on the reader's mind is that he succeeded in sav- ing the women from death. Here an Ind- ian named Eunouqu, but called by the whites Barnett, was converted. Mr. Badger often afterward speaks of him as a stead- fast and honest Christian.

At Lower Sandusky Mr. Badger and Mr. Hughes not only preached to the Ind- ians, but they used to take their own

horses and help them plow and draw logs and rails for building. In this work he was opposed by some traders and government officers, but by persuading the Indians to avoid the use of strong drink he broke up the traders and they went off.

In September, 1809, there were rumors of a war with England. Mr. Badger ap- pointed a meeting for the Indians in Lower Sandusky, at which he made an address dissuading them from taking any part in the war if it should come.

The labors of this missionary were of varied character. He speaks of making his own boat, of making a plow for Mrs. Whittaker, to replace one that had been broken, and the following are character- istic extracts from his journal :

Spent part of the week hoeing in the garden, dig- ging for water, writing letters, and administering to the sick.

Friday: rode to the upper town, and preached a short lecture to the black people. Bled three wo- men.

Monday: returned home and spent most of the week in administering to the sick; made a last and a pair of shoes.

Mr. Badger died in 1847, at Perrys- burg, in the ninetieth year of his age. A few years ago the members of the Presby- terian synod made a contribution of money to place a stone at his grave.

Mr. Badger's labors were largely for the benefit of the Indians. It was only after a long interval that a Presbyterian church was organized here. Before this took place religious worship had been occasion- ally had here after the forms of this church. This worship had been conduct- ed, and the Lord's Supper administered,

* Rev Doctor E Bushnell

485

186

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

by the Rev. James Robinson, a clergyman from Southern Ohio. These services were held in a log school-house, which stood upon or near the site now occupied by the high school building. No organi- zation was effected until Saturday, Novem- ber 30, 1833, when Rev. Messrs. Enoch Conger, Xenophon Betts, and Ellery Bas- com met with those interested to form a church. This meeting was held in the court house, the building which, remod- eled, is now the dwelling of the pastor of the Lutheran church.

Twenty-two persons joined in constitu- ting the church. All but two had been members of churches in other places, and most of them had regular letters of dis- mission.

The ministers who formed the church were all members of the Presbytery of Huron. At the next stated meeting of the Presbytery, April 8, 1834, the forma- tion of the church was reported, and it was received under the care of the body.

One of these ministers, Rev. E. Bas- com, became the first ministerial servant of the church. He was graduated at Western Reserve College, 1830, a mem- ber of its first class. He had studied theology at Princeton, and was ordained by the Huron Presbytery, October 8, 1833. At last accounts he was still living in Wisconsin.

David Camp and William C. Otis were chosen elders, and were ordained in the evening after the organization. Mr. Camp was the father of Mrs. Jacob Stahl.

For some time the Sunday services were held in the court-house, or in a stone school-house near the present high school building. Prayer meetings were held at the house of the minister. His house has been enlarged, and is now the resi- dence of Dr. Failing, on Justice street, between the park and State street. After leaving the court-house the congregation,

for some time, used a small building which stood on Front street, a few rods north of the post office, which has given place to business edifices.

The church was incorporated by act of the Legislature of Ohio, under date of March 4, 1836. But no meetings of the body as thus incorporated are recorded until January 7, 1841. From that time the annual meeting in January has never failed. The annual meeting of January I, 1842, is recorded as held "in their meeting-house." At this meeting the trustees were directed to complete a lease with Isaac Prior for his house, as a place of public worship. That house was erected by Mr. Prior on purpose for the use of the church, and the church con- tinued to use it rent free, till the comple- tion of an edifice. It is still standing, used as a dwelling, on the south side of State street, next door to the marble shop, east of the bridge.

At a meeting held in April, 1844, it was resolved expedient to make an effort to build a house of worship. The trustees were directe ' to immediately purchase a lot on the northwest corner of Main and Garrison streets. This was done, and the location has ever since been occupied. In May (1844) a building committee was ap- pointed. The house was erected, and was dedicated January 10, 1847. It was forty- five by sixty feet, was the first house built by the congregation, and was used until the last Sabbath of March, 1869. In Jan- uary, 1852, it was resolved to undertake the building of a lecture room. Such room was built in the rear of the church. and was used as long as the church itself.

In January, 1869, the trustees were in- structed to raise, if possible, a subscription of twenty-five thousand dollars, and if suc- cessful to proceed to the erection of a more commodious edifice, having first re- moved both the old edifices. The effort

487

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

succeeded, and the house now occupied was built, the congregation meanwhile worshiping ten months in Birchard hall. The basement rooms were first occupied January 30, 1870. The completed edi- fice was dedicated on Sunday, the 28th day of April, 1870, without debt, having cost nearly forty thousand dollars. The congregation has occupied this location nearly thirty years.

The church has elected seventeen elders, two of whom declined to serve. The first two, as already stated, were David Camp and William C. Otis. March 31, 1838, Ezra Williams and John Tindall were elected. The latter appears never to have been ordained or to have served. In No- vember, 1841, Samuel Hafford was elected. In November, 1833, Samuel Clark, Sam- uel Crowell, and Dr. Franklin Williams were elected. Mr. Crowell declined to serve, and Chauncey J. Pettibone was chosen. In January, 1848, George Wall was elected. In April, 1849, J. B. G. Downs; in January, 1852-53 Joseph T. Moss and Thomas Gillmon ; and in Feb- ruary, 1856, Dr. T. Stillwell and R. W. R. McLellan were chosen, and April 30, 1869, C. R. McCulloch and I. M. Keeler.

In regard to the ministers who have served the church, the records, whether of the church or the session, do not make it clear, in all cases, when they came or when they went. There have been ten minis. ters. Three have been regularly installed pastors, viz .: Rev. Ferris Fitch, May 16, 1839, dismissed May 8, 1844; Rev. Fla- vel S. White, installed October 20, 1847, dismissed June 29, 1852 ; and Rev. Eben- ezer Bushnell, installed May 12. 1857, still in office (October, 1881). The church has been in existence for forty-eight years. These three pastors have ministered thir- ty-four and a half of those years. The remaining thirteen and one-half years have been divided between vacancies and

seven stated supplies. Messrs. E. Bas- com, E. Conger, H. A. Reed, and John Mccutchen preceded the pastorate of Mr. Fitch. Between Mr. Fitch and Mr. White, was Rev. F. T. Backus. After Mr. White came Rev. H. A. Rossiter and Rev. F. Hendricks.

The records give no clue to the date of the organization of the Sunday-school. The most prominent name among the earlier superintendents is that of C. J. Pet- tibone, though he alternated with J. B. G. Downs, Dr. B. F. Williams, and C. R. Mc- Culloch. For about twenty-five years C. R. McCulloch has been superintendent.

Many of the members of this church have joined it by letter from other churches, and many others have come in on profes- sion of their faith. There have been times of unusual accessions. In July, 1837, five persons were received by letter, and forty on profession. Of these, some afterwards became prominent members and officers. In April, 1843, eight were received on profession. Between January, 1845, and July 4. of the same year, twen- ty-eight were received on profession and eight by letter. In May, 1850, sixteen were added; in May, 1859, thirty-two; in May, 1865, seven; in May, 1866, eight; in May, 1867, seven; and in March, 1872, eleven wereadded. In the first four months of 1873 twenty-five were received on profession. These members are a key to the fact that the church has enjoyed not a few seasons of special revival, while in the meantime ac- cessions have been made more gradually.

During the first half of the church's his- tory statistics were very sparingly put on the books. The first gives the number of mem- bers in 1846 as 123, but no "funds raised" are recorded. Since 1854 the statistics have been regularly recorded. In 1852 the num- ber of members is given as 103 ; in 1855, 109, in 1856, 114. The highest number ever reported in the annual report is 199.

488

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

In April, 1876, it was 193. The neglect to record statistics prevents one knowing what the church has given for benevolent purposes.

In the ordinary course of things this church has caused the preaching of more than five thousand sermons, and held two thousand five hundred prayer meetings, and two thousand two hundred and fifty sessions of the Sunday-school.

Could the town afford to do without this and other churches ?

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH .*

The parish of St. Paul's, Fremont, does not possess a very lengthy history, yet that history includes facts of interest which should be recorded, and thus preserved from oblivion, and handed down for the information of future generations.

It was upon a conviction of the value of religious influences to a community, and a desire to establish here the services of the Protestant Episcopal church, that this parish was organized, in the year 1842, under the name of St. Paul's church, Lower Sandusky.

The population of the town was then below two thousand. Many who were then leading spirits of the place have now passed away from the stage of action. The majority of the men who united in form- ing this parochial organization were not professors of religion, but they acted, no doubt, under a sense of duty to them- selves and families and a desire to advance the interests of the town.

The first meeting for the purpose of or- ganizing a religious society according to the constitution and canons of the Pro- testant Episcopal church, was held at the court-house on Wednesday, the 15th day of January, 1812. The articles of associ- ation then and there adopted were signed by twenty-eight citizens. At a meeting

held January 25, 1842, Messrs. D. E. Field and William C. Otis were chosen wardens, and John P. Haynes, A. Coles, John R. Pease, A. B. Taylor and N. B. Eddy, vestrymen of the new parish.

The average attendance at Sunday morning services is from eighty to one hundred.

The following occurs in the record of the first meeting of the vestry, February 5, 1842 :

Ordered that the secretary be directed to write to Rev. James O'Kill, assuring him that the sum of one hundred dollars may be raised for him to officiate as pastor of this church once a month for the space of one year, or at that rate, the arrangement, how- ever, subject to be put an end to by the vestry of this church, so soon as a permanent pastor can be se- cured.

Resolved, That the Secretary write to the Rev. Bishop McIlvaine, requesting him to furnish this church with a pastor so soon as possible.

In accordance with this resolution, the Rev. Mr. O'Kill came from Norwalk and held service a few times. It is said that a few of the earlier services were held in the bullding then occupied by the Meth- odist society, on the southwest corner of Arch and Garrison streets. The abilities of Mr. O'Kill are highly praised by those who knew him. He was a man of bril- liant talents. In November, 1842, the Rev. William Fagg was invited to the charge of the parish at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum. This, as we are informed, was Mr. Fagg's first parish. After serving the congregation one year he left on account of ill-health. Mr. Fagg died a number of years ago in the South. There is a record of one marriage and five burials by Mr. Fagg, but no record of any baptism or of anyone presented for confirmation during his rectorship. Wil- liam C. Otis and D. E. Field held the offices of warden, and D. E. Field was chosen delegate to the diocesan conven- tion.

The meetings at this time were held in

*Rev. R. L. Chittenden.

489

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

the old stone school-house, a small build- ing which stood on the present site of the high school building. Subsequently the meetings of the congregation were held in the court house.

In 1843-44 the members of the congre- gation erected a handsome and commodi- ous church edifice-of brick with stone . trimmings-on the lot on the northwest corner of Main and Court streets. A small portion of the subscriptions for the work promised labor, teaming and ma- terials-the balance money. The build- ing was sixty by forty-two feet, with Gothic windows and a handsome steeple in which hung a sweet-toned bell, from the manufactory at Troy, New York. This bell, not being of sufficient size and weight for the expected new tower, was sold a few years ago, and now serves to give fire- alarms in case of a threatened conflagra- tion. The church was heated with stoves, from which long smoke-pipes extended through the building, entering the rear wall on each side of the chimney. The number of slips was fifty-two. A pulpit of Gothic design, and a heavy gallery for the organ and choir at the east end, com- pleted the interior equipment. A small room in the rear, lighted by one north window, served as a vestry-room, and was also used for the instruction of the infant class. The interior of the wood-work was of an oaken-brown color. The location of the church is quite central, and the building at the time of its erection was, probably, with hardly an exception, the best and most tasteful church edifice in the county. The building being com- pleted, the pews were appraised and offered for sale (six being reserved), the purchase money to apply on the subscrip- tion of the purchaser. Only seventeen are marked sold in the record of proceed- ings. If no more were disposed of it may be conjectured that it was because the

pews were to be subject to assessment for debts of the church, as well as the support of the minister. The cost of the new building exceeded the amount raised by subscription. At the close of the year 1844 a debt of one thousand three hun- dred and eighty-three dollars and six cents yet remained, being money advanced in equal amounts by six gentlemen, over and above their subscriptions for the erection of the church.

Some two years afterward an average of about sixty-three dollars was paid to each of these gentlemen on the above indebted- ness, and they afterwards generously gave up their claims, still amounting to about one thousand two hundred dollars. The names of these gentlemen are: R. P. Buckland, John R. Pease, N. B. Eddy, John M. Smith, A. Coles, and A. W. Cut- ter. In 1844 the pews were ordered to be sold for the support of a minister. Rev. Humphrey Hollis having been elect- ed rector, entered upon his duties on the 15th day of July, 1844, and continued in charge until the 10th day of August, 1846, at a salary of five hundred dollars per an- num. The first baptism on record in the parish is that of Caroline Elizabeth Eddy, at the residence of her parents, on Thurs- day, August 29, 1844. Date of birth, April 13, 1842. Sponsors, the parents, Azariah and Harriet M. Eddy, and Mrs. John P. Haynes. Clergyman officiating, Rev. H. Hollis.

On the 14th of November, 1845, fifteen persons were confirmed by Bishop McIl- vaine-presented by Mr. Hollis. During these two years the baptisms numbered eleven. Rev. Mr. Hollis died not long since in Ashtabula county, this State.

We find on record under date of No- vember 1, 1845, a formal request ad- dressed to the bishop of the diocese, ask- ing him to consecrate the new church, thereby separating it from all unhallowed,

490

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

worldly and common uses, and solemnly dedicating it to the worship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, according to the pro- visions of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America.

We have also a copy of the sentence of consecration signed by Charles P. Mc- Ilvaine, bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, under date of November 14, 1845.

The parish now entered upon a new era, having the advantage of a new and pleasant house of worship.

On the 15th of August, 1846, the Rev. Oliver Taylor entered upon his duties as rector, and resigned July 1, 1847. Dur- ing his ministry the baptisms were six, and one confirmed. In the clergy list of 1875 Mr. Taylor is recorded as a resident of Pontiac, Michigan. During these three years the wardens of the church were Wil- liam C. Otis, senior warden; A. W. Cut- ter and A. Coles successively, junior war- dens.

The Rev. H. P. Powers entered upon the charge of St. Paul's church in Sep- tember, 1848, and remained with some interruptions, until August 9, 1851. About this time the name of the town was changed from Lower Sandusky to Fre- mont. The change was desirable from the fact that the name Sandusky was attached to a number of towns, townships and streams in this part of the State. During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Powers there were twenty-four baptisms and six persons presented for confirmation ; there were four marriages and five burials. Wardens, A. Coles, A. J. Dickinson and Dr. J. W. Wilson ; R. P. Buckland, J. W. Wilson, and H. Everett, delegates to the diocesan convention.

Bishop McIlvaine visited the parish during the vacancy that followed and ad- ministered baptism to five children.

The Rev. H. T. Hiester entered upon

the charge of St. Paul's church in June, 1852, and resigned on Easter Monday, 1856. During his stay in Fremont the baptisms were 19; presented for confirma- tion 7; marriages 4; burials 17. Soon after leaving here Mr. Heister took charge of St. Andrew's church, Farm Ridge, Illinois, where he still remains. Mr. Hiester was evidently very much re- spected by the people, who regarded him as "a true Christian and faithful minister."

We find that in April, 1853, H. E. Clark and M. A. Elder were appointed a committee to raise funds to pay the debt on the melodeon. In those days the con- gregation turned around and faced the choir in the gallery during the singing. At one time the bass viol and flute were played by two gentlemen in the choir as an accompaniment to the hymns and chants. More than twenty-five years ago a pipe organ was purchased in the city of New York, having been used for a short time by a congregation there. This instrument was cleaned and repaired several times, and served a useful purpose until 1881, when it was replaced by a fine, large organ of superior quality. After a vacancy of a few months the Rev. R. L. Chittenden, of Columbus, Ohio, entered upon .he charge of the par- ish, remaining eight months, when he re- signed in consequence of ill health. He administered baptism once to six persons, all members of one family, and officiated at four burials.

The second service at that time was in the afternoon instead of the evening. Dur- ing the vacancy which followed Mr. Chit- tenden's stay here three persons were con- firmed. The Rev. W. H. Cooper, of Tiffin, supplied the church with Sunday afternoon services for some time. Rev. William Fulton assumed charge in August, 1857, and held the rectorship until October, 1859, a period of two years and two

491

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

months. Mr. Fulton is spoken of as an able preacher. During his pastorate the baptisms were fifteen, and fourteen persons were presented for confirmation. Mar- riages, six. Burials twelve.

During the eight years preceding Oc- tober, 1859, the following persons held the office of warden: James W. Wilson · and Dr. Coles, senior wardens; A. J. Dickinson, Daniel Cooper, Charles Trow- bridge, and John Flaugher were in suc- cession junior wardens. The names of delegates to conventions during the same period are James W. Wilson, Daniel Cap- per, and John Flaugher.

The church building had now been in use for fourteen years, and the bare walls had, no doubt, become somewhat discol- ored by time and smoke. An artist was accordingly procured who should adorn the walls with fresco painting. After a number of days the doors of the church were opened, and the members of the con- gregation were admitted to view the work. For some cause the work fell far below ther hopes and expectations. It was lack- ing in taste and adaptation, and to say the least, the interior of the church was not improved. The parish was now vacant for more than a year. During the interval the Rev. Lyman N. Freeman visited Fre- mont and administered baptism to four children.

The Rev. Alanson Phelps, of Paines- ville, Ohio, commenced services as rector of the church, on the first Sunday in De- cember, 1860, and remained in charge just five years. During his rectorate there were : baptisms, thirty-six ; presented for confirmation, twenty-four ; marriages, nine; burials, twenty-three.

Dr. J. W. Wilson and John Flaugher held the office of warden, and Messrs. Wilson, Flaugher, William St. Clair and E. W. Amsden were delegates to the diocesan convention.

Gas was introduced into the church in the year 1861. A donation of prayer-books was made to the church by the New York Bible and Common Prayer-Book Society. The gift was very thankfully received, as is proved by the resolution of the vestry regarding it. Special pains were taken to attract children to the Sunday-school, and it became unusually large.

During a part of the year 1865, Mr. Phelps held only one service on Sunday on account of ill health, and in November he resigned the charge from the same cause. The vestry accepted his resigna- tion with expressions of regret and good- will.

During the residence of Mr. Phelps here, some preliminary steps were taken looking to the enlargement and improve- ment of the church edifice.

The Rev. George H. Jenks now accept- ed a call to the rectorship, but resigned within a week. This sudden change in his plans was caused by the receipt of a message from friends in California, re- questing him to come to that State. The Rev. Charles H. Young, of Tiffin, Ohio, assumed charge of the church in January, 1866, retaining it for over four years, or until April 1, 1870. Under Mr. Young's ministry the baptisms were forty-two, and seventeen persons were presented for con- firmation. Marriages, sixteen ; burials, twenty. Wardens, Dr. Dillon and John Flaugher. Delegates, Messrs. Wilson Flaugher, George H. Rice, E. S. Thomas, and John Weaver.

Mr. Young's ministry was marked by an event which, it is believed, stands alone in the whole history of the church in Fre- mont. He induced a worthy and intelli- gent young man, a communicant of the church, to begin his studies at Gambier with a view of preparation for the ministry. Frank M. Quig might have done good work in the cause of Christ, but the Lord

492

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

of the harvest ordered otherwise. His health failed, and he came home to die. After languishing for several months, he departed this life in October, 1870, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope. Who among the youth of this church will take up and carry forward the work which he began.

The Rev. Mr. Young is now in charge of St. John's Church, Worthington, and Christ Church, Clinton, in the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

During the brief vacancy which fol- lowed Mr. Young's removal, the Rev. C. S. Doolitell, of Mansfield, Ohio, held Sunday services. In June, 1870, the Rev. R. L. Chittenden (the writer) took charge of the parish the second time, and remained until succeeded by Rev. D. W. Coxe, in 1879. In 1872-73 the church building was enlarged, and the interior en- tirely reconstructed, at a cost, including furnace, carpets and other improvements, of some eight thousand dollars. The plan includes a handsome tower and spire to be added at some time in the future. The leading features of the improvement are, an addition of fourteen feet in the length of the building, giving room for fourteen additional pews, a handsome recess, chancel, vestry and organ room, an ample cellar for the furnace and fuel, the removal of the gallery, a tasteful pulpit, lecture and communion-table, and stained glass win- dows. Handsome chandeliers have since been added by the young ladies, who are now organized as a Church aid society. We also have the promise of an appro- priate baptismal font. The chancel win- dow is the gift of Rev. Mr. Phelps, a former rector, and is a memorial of a de- ceased daughter. Mr. Phelps now resides with his family in a very pleasant home in Painesville, the scene of his earlier labors, and occasionally looks in upon us. The first chancel window having been broken

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

History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 75

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040