History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 77

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 77

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).

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 confer- ence 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 Alder- man was appointed to succeed him. He remained but one year, and in 1862 Rev. E. R. Morrison was appointed. Mr. Mor- rison was of an unfortunate mental organ- ism. During his ministry here there were marked indications of mental aberration. He afterwards became entirely incapaci- tated, from this difficulty, for work. At present he holds a superannuated relation to the North Ohio conference, and re- sides 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 suc- ceed him. The general conference of [860 had changed the rule relating to the term of pastorate to three instead of two

500

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

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 presid- ing 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 build- ings of this denomination are found, there being one in almost every township. Re- vivals are of frequent occurrence, and though the preachers are usually itiner- ants, 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 num- ber of church edifices in the county is fifteen ; the entire membership seven hun- dred 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 pur- chased a lot, and an unpretentious but comfortable church building was erected. During the first ten years the congregation was composed almost exclusively of Ger- mans, and the services conducted in their language. But in 1876 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 hesi- tated 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 "The Master" that never fainted or flagged. In diffusing the relig- ion 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:

I. 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.

501

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

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, elders; 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 Ist of February, 1862, a joint meeting of the Salem (or Four-mile house) congregation and the Fremont congrega- tion 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 per- sons 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 in- terest, 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 Mas- ter'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 as- sisting 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 offi- ciating during 1871 are: Rev. R. Good, C. G. A. Hulhorst, J. M. Kendig, A. Zort-

502

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

man, 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 or- dained as regular pastor, serving very ac- ceptably 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 con- gregation at the Four-mile church, was di- vided into two separate charges; the Four-mile church and Lindsay congrega- tions to constitute a charge, to be known as the Lindsay charge, and the Fremont con- gregation 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 ex- tended to Rev. J. I. Swander, of Tiffin, Ohio, who is expected to become the reg- ular 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 De- troit, Mr. Gabriel Richard, a French mis- sionary 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 tenden- cies, 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 Tscheu- hens, 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 Fre- mont, in Jackson township, and Mr. Hunt- zinger, 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 Jo- sephus Projectus Macheboeuf. The for- mer became bishop of the Cleveland dio cese 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.

503

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

came larger they were obliged to look for a suitable place wherein to hold their ser- vices, 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 confirma- tion, and on the same evening lectured in the court-house. In the year 1842 Mr. Rodolphus Dickinson donated to the Cath- olic 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 Nightin- gale ; 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 Ger- man 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 dol- lars, 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 Mul- ler, William Horn, etc.

Father Mullen's successor was Father

Moos, who at present is in Sandusky. On the 21st day of September, 1862, Father Bauer took charge of the congre- gation, and has been here ever since. Soon another lot near the church was bought from Mrs. Moore for nine hun- dred 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 hun- dred and fifty, while the entire congrega- tion embraces about one hundred and eighty families.

ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY.

This society was first introduced by Father Mullen, who himself acted as pres- ident, 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,

504

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

A GREAT SUNDAY-SCHOOL GATHERING.

August 18, 1867, was a memorable Sunday-school day in Fremont. The county Sunday-school society at a meet- ing held in May, resolved upon a gen- eral 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.

There were in procession., by actual count, more than four thousand people, besides the crowds who came in from the different townships, and interested spectators from town who filled the grove. The proces- sion was under the direction of C. R. Mc- Culloch and several assistants. It was five miles long and contained four hun- dred and nineteen wagons packed with happy children and drawn by four, six, eight, and ten horse teams, many of them handsomely decorated. Several of the wagons were filled with girls beautifully dressed in white. It was a refreshing spectacle to see these passing wagons bear- ing their beautiful and precious burdens to a day's meeting of enjoyment and en- couragement. Many of the wagons con- tained fifty or sixty children, and in one there were as many as eighty-six.

Every school had made an elaborate effort to excel in beauty and tastefulness of emblem and decoration. The day was pleasant, and when eight thousand voices joined in chorus, the grove rang with swelling melody. Rev. J. B. Thomp- son made the opening prayer, and Dr. Stilwell interested the children with a speech. Other speeches were made by Professors J. Tuckerman and W. W. Ross, and Rev. Mr. Inglf.

A feature of the meeting was the dis- play of banners borne in the procession. The Green Spring school carried a banner painted by General McPherson at the age of seventeen, when he was a teacher in

the first school organized in that place. This much-prized banner was used in a wide awake procession and afterwards laid aside and forgotten until found a few days before this convention. Another banner was carried by a Clyde school, for which it was painted in 1851, by McPherson while home from West Point on a vacation. The device is a child leading a lion, and has under it the fol- lowing text: "They shall not hurt nor de- stroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord."

A third banner possessing historic interest was borne by one of the Clyde schools. It was presented to Captain Chapman, on entering the Mexican war, by the ladies of Tiffin, and brought home by him after victorious peace. The interest- ing horse which General McPherson rode on the fatal 22d of July, 1864, was an object of interest in the procession.

The following schools were represented by delegations: Fremont Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopal, Methodist Mission, Clyde Methodist and Baptist; Butternut Union, South Ridge Baptist, Townsend Centre, Green Spring Union, North Riley Union, Galestown Union, Mt. Lebanon United Brethren, Ballville Union, Ma- ple Union, Centre Union, Wolf Creek Chapel, Tawa United Brethren, Shiloh Union, Eden Chapel Union, Rollers- ville Union, Hessville Reformed, Mad- ison Union, Jackson Sunday-school, Mus- kallonge Union, West Fremont Union, Rice Union, Fostoria, Mill Grove. The whole number present connected with the membership of these schools was four thousand seven hundred and fifty-four.

COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

It is a striking fact in the history of Sandusky county that old institutions, both business establishments and chari- table societies, were seriously retarded in their operations by_financial embarrass-

505

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

ment. The Sandusky county Bible So- ciety was no exception to the rule, yet general poverty throughout the county made its labor especially valuable. There are rigid necessities of life which must be supplied, but books, even the Bible, do not belong to that catalogue. People must eat and have the wherewithal to be clothed first of all things, and, as was seen in a previous chapter, Sandusky county pioneers were scantily supplied even in those necessities. But an association of good people, esteeming the Bible, if not a vital at least a moral necessity, at an early period of our history engaged with spirit and earnestness in the praiseworthy enter- prise of supplying to the needy and desti- tute a copy of the Holy Scriptures.

The Sandusky county auxiliary of the American Bible Society was organized May 24, 1830, at Lower Sandusky, and was officially recognized by the Continen- tal Association on the 2d of the following December. An installment of books, con- sisting of two hundred and fifty Bibles, and six hundred Testaments, besides a number of Bibles and Testaments sent as speci- mens, was ordered from the American Bible Society the following spring. The work was then formally inaugurated.

By January 1, 1832, every township, and probably every family in the county, had been visited and supplied. The good work, however, was not kept up with that constant and watchful zeal which should at- tend every educational and reformatory movement. Nothing worthy of mention was effected from January 1832, till July 1835. During this period a flood of im- migrants had been pouring into the coun- ty, most of them poor, and some of them wholly destitute. Duty made vigorous work imperative, and the society resolved upon the utmost exertion. A debt, how- ever, to the general society remained un- paid, and nothing effective could be ac-

complished without assistance. A dona- tion of fifty German Bibles and one hun- dred and fifty Testaments was received and a credit purchase made of one hundred and fifty English Bibles and thirteen hun- dred and fifty Testaments. The finances of the society prevented general free dis- tribution of books and the poverty of new- comers and pioneers prevented their sale. This attempt to resupply the county was practically a failure. In the language of the record, "from this time until February 15, 1840, the society languished."

At this latter date a reorganization was effected and a better feeling seemed to exist among the members, and more de- termination to carry out the objects of the association. Forty new members were added. There were received at this time from the parent society donations in Bibles and Testaments to the amount of two hundred and forty-three dollars, and by purchase books to the amount of two hundred and eighty-eight dollars. The society was yet embarrassed by debt and sought voluntarv contributions. The so- ciety was active and efficient from this time on. The county was thoroughly canvassed, the poor sought out and sup- plied, and those in better circumstances induced to become members and contrib- ute funds. It was emphatically a hoine missionary organization, and many homes have not yet forgotten timely favor and assistance. Meetings have been held an- nually for the last forty years. On account of changes in population it is necessary to be constantly watchful in order to carry out the design of the society. In 1862, two thousand six hundred and nine fami- lies were visited. Two hundred and nine were found without any part of the Scrip- tures in their dwellings-one family out of every twelve visited. One hundred and seventy-five of the destitute were supplied. Most of the recipients of the society's

506

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

charity "seemed to receive the gift of God with heartfelt gratitude. Among the des- titute families some had lived ten years without a Bible, having been overlooked, probably, in the previous supply." A few instances are on record which go to show the spirit in which the society's charity was received. One said: "I have been want- ing to get a Bible for a long time. I am poor and have to live by hard labor. I

give you a thousand thanks." Another said. "I thank you kindly for this Bible. I will read it myself, and will also read it to my family." With tears in her eyes a poor wife said: "I have often wanted a Bible, but my husband would never buy one. I have kept house ten years. Oh, how I prize this Bible!" It is more diffi- cult to receive with disinterested thankful- ness than it is to give out of the fullness of the heart. It is certainly a subject of congratulation that the society's efforts of charity were received with gratitude and brightened and gladdened spirits depressed by penury. The secretary's report of 1863 says: "There has been something to en- courage the society in giving the Word of Life to the destitute in the liberality with which many have responded to the solici- tations of the agent. A poor widow being called upon said: 'I rejoice to have the good work go on. I have but two cents; I give them freely, and would rejoice to give more if I had it.'"

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 77

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