History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 108

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427

USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 108

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New York Spoke Works.

These works were started early in 1883 under the firm name of Crane & McMahon, James O'Neil, general manager. Mr. O'Neil has charge of the Sidney branch works, in which about thirty men are employed. The Company labors to make the best spokes in use, of second-growth white-oak. The machinery is of the most perfect and complete patterns, and lumber is taken from the wharf, and after passing through the fac- tory is turned out in first-class finished spokes. About 2500 spokes are daily turned out, being of different kinds according to orders. The Com- pany also ships wagon material to New York in large quantities. Their business in all its branches is rapidly growing, and although among the infant establishments of Sidney, it promises to become an important factor in the future of the town.

Limekiln.

The lime burning industry of W. A. Hall & Co. was started about 1869, and has been in successful operation ever since. The stone is quarried about a mile from the kiln, and transported by canal. The

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quarry is the property of the Lime Company, and comprises about three and a half acres. The capacity of the kiln is about 175 bushels per day, and the quality of the lime is equal to that produced anywhere in the State. The company also owns its own boats for canal transportation of stone to the kiln and lime to the market.

Plow Works.

The plow factory of W. M. Toy was established in 1848 in the shop now occupied by George Robbins as a blacksmith shop. About twelve years later the business was moved to the Kingseed shop, but five years thereafter the proprietor moved to a farm, abandoning his old business. Not finding farming very agreeable, he returned to town and built two shops for the manufacture of plows, on North Main Street, where he worked two years. He then began working for the Slusser Sulky Plow Co., and remained in this position until the company dissolved. He then went into partnership with Mr. Haslup, under the firm name of Haslup & Toy, for the manufacture of plows. An accident, resulting in the crippling of Mr. Haslup's arm, caused him to retire from the busi- ness. In 1878 Mr. Toy moved to the south end of Main Street, where he continued the manufacture of plows under the firm name of W. M. Toy & Co., his son standing at the head of the firm. In 1881 this son bought the whole business and machinery, and has since conducted the business at a rate of manufacture of from 250 to 300 plows annually.

Collar and Fly- Net Factory.

This establishment was founded in 1879 by Samuel Chism, and opera- tions commenced in June of the same year. The building is 50 by 36 ft. and two storied. About twenty-three hands are employed in the manu- facture of every description of horse-collars and fly-nets, which find a market in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. In February, 1881, Cornelius Bausman entered into partnership with Mr. Chism, when the firm became Chism & Bausman. Factory in West North Street, at crossing of D. & M. Railroad.

SCHOOLS.

Prior to the 2d day of January, 1857, all the schools of Sidney were taught in private houses or churches in different parts of the town, ex- cept one that was taught in a log house erected on the school lot given by the proprietor of the town (Mr. Sterrett). They were supported by private subscription, with the exception of a small fund from the State and a fund arising from the rent of a farm donated to the Sidney schools by Wm. Covill in 1843. There was no system of graded schools until after the erection of the present Union School Building in 1856. In 1855 the Board of Education of the School District determined to take steps toward the erection of a Union School Building. Accordingly it was ordered that the Clerk of the Board should give the requisite notice to the voters of Sidney and the territory thereto annexed for school purposes, to assemble at the court-house and vote upon a proposition to levy a tax of twelve thousand dollars, payable in three annual instal- ments, commencing in 1856, and to issue corporation bonds therefor, bearing seven per cent. interest, for the purpose of building a school- house in said village and buying the necessary grounds upon which to erect it. It was also stipulated in the notice through the public prints that if the school tax should carry, the qualified voters of the district should have the right of voting on the location of the school building. Accordingly, as per notice, a vote was taken on the 30th day of April, 1855; the result of the vote was 134 in favor of school tax and 79 against. There was a great strife in the selection of the site. A number of propositions were made by different persons in different parts of the town, and it was some length of time before a site was selected: finally, lot No. 106 and the west half of lot 105 were selected and purchased from Birch & Peebles at a cost of about $2100. The east half of lot 105 had been given to the town by its proprietor for school purposes. Upon these lots a brick building, 90 by 64 feet and three stories high (beside basement) was erected at a cost of about $18,000. The build- ing was not ready for occupancy until the 1st of January, 1857. At the completion of the building only eight rooms (four in the first and four in the second story) were fitted for school-rooms; the third story was used as a hall for several years. As soon as necessity demanded, the third story was divided into four rooms, making in all twelve rooms. In the year 1828 Wm. Covill came from England to the United States, and for a few years stopped in the State of New York, but prior to 1840 he came to Shelby County, O., and bought the northeast quarter of sec- tion 26, in Clinton Township. Some time prior to his death (which occurred in July, 1843), he bequeathed to the common schools of the town of Sidney this piece of land, which the Board of Education ac- cepted, and gave a lease of the same for ninety-nine years. The fund arising from the lease of said land has, since that time, been used in the maintenance of the schools in the town of Sidney.

In the fall of 1860 Gideon Wright (an early settler of Shelby County) gave to the Sidney school district (by verbal will) five hundred dollars, with the expressed desire that the principal should be safely invested, and the interest arising from the same should be used by said district

for tuition purposes. The condition of said donation was, that the schools were to grant to the descendants of said Wright one perpetual scholarship in the Union Schools of said district. This donation was accepted, and the clerk was ordered to issue a certificate of scholarship in favor of the heirs of Gideon Wright. The above five hundred dollars were invested in United States bond No. 9427, bearing six per cent. in- terest.

The first superintendent employed in the schools was Joseph Shaw, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, at a salary of $800 a year. The schools were opened on the second day of January, 1857. The following are the names of the first corps of teachers: Mathematical Department, J. S. Driscoll. Sixth Department, Miss Harriet H. Chapin. Fifth Depart- ment, Miss Louisa Knox. Fourth Department, Miss Mary A. Nettle- ton. Third Department, Miss Charlotte Swan. Second Department, Miss Martha A. Crowell. Primary Department, Miss Arnett.

Prof. Shaw was superintendent until the beginning of 1859, when he resigned, and Ira W. Allen completed the school year. In 1859 W. H. Schuyler was elected at a salary of $75 per month. He filled the posi- tion two years. In 1862 Benjamin S. McFarland filled the position at $65 per month. In 1863 the board secured the services of S. S. Taylor and wife, of Joliet, Ill., at $100 per month. In 1864 they paid S. S. Taylor $720 for his services (his wife not teaching). N. L. Hanson filled the position during 1865, '66, and '67. He received $1000 per year. W. C. Catlin was superintendent in 1868 at $1000 a year. In 1869 J. M. Allen was elected at $1200 per year, but resigned before com- mencing the school, and H. T. Wheeler, of Springfield, O., was elected, but resigned rather than go before the local board of examiners. J. D. Critchfield, of Mt. Vernon, was tendered the position, which he accepted. He served but a few weeks, and resigned, when A. S. Moore, of Piqua, filled the vacancy for the remainder of the year. Prof. J. C. Harper was superintendent for 1870 at a salary of $1500 per year. In 1871 George Turner filled the position at $1200. In 1872 R. E. Page was secured at $1200. He also served the following year at $140 per month. He was succeeded by A. B. Cole, who held the position until 1877, when Van B. Baker was elected, and served until 1880, when the present superintend- ent (J. N. Bearnes) was elected.

At the present time there are 800 scholars enrolled, with an average attendance of 675. There are sixteen schools in all. Twelve in the High School building, two in the South Main Street Primary, one in' the North Main Street Primary, and one colored school. There are seventeen teachers employed, beside the superintendent and teachers in penmanship, drawing, and music. The school year consists of thirty- six' weeks.

The Catholics also have a school with 185 scholars enrolled, the his- tory of which will be found incorporated in the history of the Catholic Church.

CHURCHES. History of the M. E. Church in Sidney.

The history of Methodism in Sidney begins with the year 1825, at which time the first Methodist sermon was preached in the house of Joel Frankenberger, by the Rev. Levi White. Under his pastorate a class was organized, consisting of Joel Frankenberger and wife, George Poole and wife, John Bryan and wife, Mother McVay and Father De- freese.

Sidney was then a part of Bellefontaine circuit, which extended from Sidney to Bellefontaine, thence to West Liberty and Westville, includ- ing all the intervening territory. At the time of the organization of the church in Sidney, Rev. David Young, whose name is as sweet in- cense to the memories of those who knew him, was the presiding elder.

There was no meeting house in Sidney until 1831, and the services during the six years preceding that time were held in the house of Joel Frankenberger in the winter, and in the summer under the wide spread- ing branches of a large elm tree that grew on the river bank just below the present bridge. Here protracted meetings were held, and under the mighty influence of primitive preaching and singing souls were converted and the church strengthened.

At the quarterly conference, held at Bellefontaine November 10, 1827, while James B. Findlay was presiding elder and Joshua Boucher pastor, a committee, consisting of Joel Frankenberger, George Poole, and John Hollingshead, were appointed to inquire into the practicability of build- ing a meeting house in Sidney. This committee did not make a report until January 31, 1829, when they announced that they had purchased a lot on which to build a church. This lot is the one on which the Bap- tist church now stands, and cost $16, and was paid for by the commit- tee together with Mr. Persinger, each paying $4. On this lot a small church was erected in 1831. This house was built "without money and without price," some furnishing material, while others did the work.

The second Methodist Church edifice in Sidney is the one owned and used by the Baptist congregation of this place. It was erected in 1838, and dedicated by the Rev. Edward Gehon, who has since become promi- nent in the Church South. Rev. David Warnock and Rev. William Sutton were then preachers on the circuit. In 1834 the Bellefontaine

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JUDGE Hugh Thompson SHELBY Co. OHIO.

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

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circuit was divided, and Sidney circuit formed. Sidney remained the centre of Sidney circuit until 1843, when it was made a station, and Rev. David Warnock was returned as the first stationed preacher of this church. In 1867 the present church edifice was erected under the supervision of the Rev. W. J. Wells, but was not completed until 1874, under the management of Rev. J. Wykes. It was dedicated by Rev. Bishop R. S. Foster August 11, 1874. Sidney held its first quarterly conference on the 19th of April, 1823, while John W. Clark and James W. Findlay were preachers on the circuit. Sidney has three times been the seat of the annual conference; first in 1847, when Bishop Janes presided; the second time in 1874, when Bishop Andrews presided ; the third time in 1882, when Bishop Warren was the presiding bishop.

From 1825 to 1880 forty-five preachers have been appointed to the Sidney charge, whose names we will give in chronological order, though some of them have served the charge the second time: Levi White, George Gatch, Thomas Beacham, Joshua Boucher, John W. Clark, James W. Findlay, Thomas Simms, William M. Sullivan, William Mor- row, John Stewart, Peter Sharp, Daniel D. Davidson, James Smith, W. C. Clark, George W. Walker, David Kempler, Wilson Smith, Silas Chase, L. P. Miller, David Warnock, Madison Hausley, Samuel Lynch, George Taylor, L. W. James, Jacob A. Brown, William M. Spafford, M. L. Starr, Elmer Yocum, W. G. Wells, Joseph Wykes, William Lunt, Lemuel Herbert, S. H. Alderman, L. C. Webster, Jacob Holms, C. W. Ketcham, J. W. Alderman, J. L. Bates, Franklin Mariott, Gershom Lease, T. C. Reade, Oliver Kennedy, and Louis M. Albright, who is the present pastor, May, 1880.

Sidney has been favored with the preaching of the following presiding மின் = க்கூ elders, in the following order: David Young, John Collins, James B. Findlay, John F. Wright, William H. Raper, Robert O. Spencer, Wil- liam S. Morrow, Samuel P. Shaw, Wesley Brock, H. M. Shaffer, J. S. Kalb, Alexander Harmount, Joseph Ayers, Joseph Wykes, Wesley G. Waters, and S. L. Roberts.

In one half century Sidney has sent out from its number fourteen preachers, viz., Isaac Hunt, Joseph Park, George M. Bond, George W. Taylor, P. G. Goode, John H. Bruce, A. C. Shaw, David Bulle, N. B. C. Love, H. Maltbie, A. Clawson, D. Rhinehart, Elanson Barber, and Levi Moore.

The original church consisted of eight members; it now numbers about three hundred.

The semi-centennial of Methodism in Sidney was held in the M. E. Church November 26, 27, and 28, 1875, when the Rev. T. C. Reade was pastor. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. David Rhinehart. On Saturday, November 27th, at 2 o'clock P. M., the Rev. J. R. Colgan preached, after which a tea party followed. One hundred and twenty- five of the congregation and visitors sat down at the social repast to- gether. This was followed by toasts and responses from laymen and ministers. Wesley G. Waters preached on Sunday, and T. C. Reade read a short historical sketch of Methodism in Sidney.

At the beginning of the year which closed September 8, 1880, there was a debt of $3300 on the church, which had encumbered and impaired its energies for many years. The pastor, L. M. Albright, by personal solicitation, succeeded in raising the whole amount needed to pay the debt. The subscriptions were at once converted into money or negotia- ble interest bearing notes .. The notes were sold, and the money applied on the debt, and the last dollar of the indebtedness wiped out.

At the Annual Conference of 1880 Rev. L. M. Albright was appointed presiding elder of Lima District, and Rev. P. P. Pope succeeded to the pastorate of Sidney charge. A jubilee of thanksgiving service on ac- count of the liquidation of the debt on the church was held September 19, 1880, conducted by L. M. Albright, and participated in by Rev. David Bulle, Judge Conklin, and others. At the close of the service the following resolution was offered by L. M. Albright, and unanimously adopted :-

Resolved, That it is the sense of this congregation that no debt shall ever be made on church or parsonage property, and that the trustees be requested to indorse this resolution, and record it in their books.

During the years 1880 and 1881, under the pastorate of Rev. P. P. Pope, though resting from the payment of its heavy debt, which paid in negotiable notes the close of the year previous was yet to be paid by the members individually, added improvements to the amount of $525, in- cluding a stone pavement and a bell weighing 1526 pounds, one hundred dollars of this sum being a legacy left for that purpose by the late Irwin Nutt. During the second year additional improvements to the amount of $750 were made in ventilation, painting, new carpets, frescoing, water privileges, etc., and for the first time in twenty-five years the financial report at each quarterly meeting conference showed a balance in the treasury after the quarter's expenses were paid.

The twenty-seventh session of the Central Ohio Annual Conference was held in Sidney September, 1882, Bishop Henry W. Warren presid- ing. Rev. Joseph Ayers was returned to the Bellefontaine district, and Daniel G. Strong, after ten years on the Pacific coast, was, by special request, transferred to this conference, and stationed at Sidney. He entered upon his work Sunday after conference, and up to this date, January, 1883, reports an aggregate increase of 57, and a total member- ship of 421.

Presbyterian Church.

The Presbyterian Church in Sidney had its beginning in 1820, or per- haps 1821. Then the first missionary effort was made to establish preaching. In a year or two an organization was effected, which for some reason had a brief existence. The first permanent organization was in the month of September, 1825. Through the efforts of the Rev. Joseph Stevenson, a little band of people was gathered together in the old court-house, standing where stands now the house of L. C. Barkdull, and formed into a church called the Presbyterian Church of Sidney. That old court-house is used now as a blacksmith shop, by George L. Robbins, standing on the bank of the canal, immediately west of the place where it stood sixty years ago.

The church originally consisted of eight members : Dr. William Field- ing and his wife Elizabeth, John Fergus and his wife Margaret, William McClintock and his wife Sarah, James Forsythe, and Sarah Graham.

Of these eight Mrs. Elizabeth Fielding alone survives. William Field- ing and James Forsythe were the first ruling elders. Preaching statedly was furnished by the Rev. Joseph Stevenson for a few years, and then by the Rev. Sayers Gaylay. Uniting with the church at an early period in its history were Joseph Cummins and his wife, Samuel Mccullough and his wife, Hugh Wilson and his wife, Allen Wills and his wife. În the year 1833 the little congregation built its first house of worship, costing the round sum of $900; the house standing on the rear of the lot on which the new house now stands. In this little structure the people worshipped for thirteen years. The house still stands on the same street north of the railroad, doing service for the " Steel Scraper Company."

During the year 1834 the Rev. Samuel Cleland became a stated supply to the church, which position he filled for five years. After him minis- terial services were rendered for longer or shorter periods by the Rev. J. T. Hendricks, the Rev. - Greer, the Rev. - Hare, and the Rev. - Bonar.

In 1842, on the 9th day of March, the church extended a call to the Rev. W. B. Spense, who was then preaching in Troy, which call he ac- cepted, and labored as the first regularly installed pastor of the church for twenty-two years. Brother Spense still lives with his estimable wife, enjoying a happy old age in his home near Sidney.

In 1845 the congregation resolved to build a larger and better house of worship; and the brick church which stood for more than thirty years was the result of their effort.

After the resignation of the Rev. W. B. Spense the Rev. Daniel Bridge was called, and accepted the pastorate of the church, preaching for nine months, when, owing to ill health, he resigned the charge, and with that the ministry, and engaged in other work.

On the Ist day of October, 1866, the present pastor, the Rev. R. McCaslin, came to this church, where he has been laboring, with little interruption, ever since.

A few years ago a move was made to build, not a larger, but a better house of worship. With unity and zeal and liberality the work was undertaken, and the present house, complete in all its parts, a model of beauty and convenience, costing twenty-five thousand dollars, crowns the people's efforts.

United Presbyterian.

Although services were held at Sidney under the direction of this denomination prior to 1829, that year must be taken as the foundation date of the Sidney congregation. During this year Rev. John Reynolds was sent here as a half-time supply by the First Associate Reformed Presbytery of Ohio. In October of the same year he organized a con- gregation of twelve members. The last survivor of the organization membership was Mrs. Abigail, who died Feb. 12, 1879. The first ruling elders were Mr. Rob't W. Stephenson and Mr. Samuel Gamble, the latter having held the same office in the Associated Reformed congregation of Xenia, Ohio. During the first few years the congregation only had occasional preaching, but in October, 1834, Rev. James Porter was ap- pointed stated supply for Piqua and Sidney, one-fourth of his time being given to the latter place. After two years' labors in this field the pastor was called elsewhere, and the congregation was again dependent upon occasional supplies until October, 1837. In this year the congregation extended a call to Rev. Samuel Sturgeon, who accepted and entered at once upon his labors. He remained until 1840, and saw the membership of the congregation increase to seventy. In March, 1841, Rev. C. T. .McCaughan was appointed stated supply, and in the following June ac- cepted a call to the pastorate, entering upon his pastoral duties July 10th. During his labors, which continued until the close of the year 1857, he received one hundred and two into church membership on profession, and sixty-three by certificate. Eleven adults and one hundred and thirty- seven children were baptized. Thirty members died, fifty-one were dis- missed by certificate, and four were suspended. Prayer-meetings and a Sabbath-school were organized, and the building now occupied erected. The sixteen years' ministry of Rev. McCaughan was attended by great congregational growth and development. On May 25, 1858, the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches was consummated,

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and from this time the Sidney congregation ( Associate Reformed) took the name of the United Presbyterian Church of Sidney.

A call was afterward extended to Rev. J. G. Armstrong, and he was ordained and installed Nov. 15, 1859. During his ministry of nearly four years the congregation gained thirty-three members. Rev. Arm- strong was released to take charge of the First U. P. Church at St. Louis, and subsequently withdrew from the U. P. ministry to enter that of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. On the 31st of July. 1864, Rev. M. M. Gibson, a licentiate of Philadelphia Presbytery, was installed as the successor of Rev. Armstrong. During his labors the congregation enjoyed an accession of thirty-three members. In 1866 the Assembly saw fit to transfer Rev. Gibson to the mission field at San Francisco, where his subsequent labors were heralded with great praise by the whole church. On November 19, 1867, Rev. J. W. Bain was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation. He was a preacher of great force, and gave promise of adding new life to the con- gregation; but at the end of about a year he was released to take charge of the U. P. congregation at New Castle, Pa. He was subsequently transferred to the Mission Church of Chicago, and finally to Hamilton, Ohio. He was soon succeeded at Sidney by Rev. J. A. Bailey, who be- gan his labors on the first Sabbath of February, 1869, and was installed pastor on the 15th of the following June. He remained with the con- gregation until May 16, 1876, when he was released, at his own request, to accept the pastorate of the U. P. Church at Wellsville, Ohio. During his labors in Sidney about ninety persons were admitted into church membership, and a young people's prayer-meeting was organized. On April 2, 1878, Rev. R. J. Miller was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation, in which capacity he labored until December, 1880. He was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Wilson on the Ist of January, 1882, who served until October of the same year, when failing health admonished him to ask his release. He was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Sharp on June 1, 1883; who is pastor at this writing. The present membership of the congre- gation is 152. The ruling elders are, Andrew Ritchey, J. C. Fry, J. T. Cunningham, R. Ewing, H. Wilson, and A. Leach. Deacons, H. Wil- son, Andrew McClean, David Ritchey, George Hutchinson, and J. T. Fry. Trustees, J. T. Fry. M. Bonner, and D. Ritchey.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 108

Author: R. Sutton & Co. Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Number of Pages: 427

Author: R. Sutton & Co.
Publication date: 1883
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 427