History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 109

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 109

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The Sabbath-school, organized in 1842, has been maintained ever since, cach year only serving to renew and increase its vigor and vitality. It is now under the superintendence of Samuel Gamble. Of the houses of worship it may be said, the old court-house was first used; in 1835 a frame building, now occupied by the German Lutherans, was erected at a cost of about $700. This was followed in 1854 by the building now used, which was erected at a cost of $10,000. Altogether the church has enjoyed temporal prosperity and growth from the period of its or- ganization up to the present. It has never suffered any decimation through dissensions, and can fully realize the meaning of the Psalmist when he exclaimed : " Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for breth- ren to dwell together in unity."

First Regular Baptist Church.

At a meeting of the Miami Union Baptist Association, held with the Fletcher Church in Aug. 1869, the attention of that body was called to Sidney by W. M. Whitaker, who had recently settled in the place.

On the 13th of the following Nov. E. M. Thresher and G. N. Bierce, of Dayton, visited Sidney as a missionary committee of the association. They, together with W. M. Whitaker, visited every Baptist family known in the town. On the evening of that day prayer meeting was held at the house of Mary Whitman, and on Sabbath morning a meeting of like character was held at the home of Elizabeth Fletcher On Sabbath afternoon a Bible-class (out of which a Sabbath-school afterward grew) was organized at the home of John Grey. It was agreed to meet every Sabbath for the study of the Scriptures, and on every Thursday evening for prayer and conference. Thus foundations were laid for a society.

After Dec. 1, 1869, preaching was frequently supplied by the ministers of the association, who voluntarily took turns in paying us these much needed visits.

At this time the meetings were held in what was then, and is still known as, Union Hall. On Thursday evening, Jan. 27, 1870, a small company of members of different Baptist churches met at the home of Mrs. Mary Whitman. The result of that meeting was the organization of what has since been known as the First Regular Baptist Church of Sidney, Ohio.

The names of the seven original members are as follows: W. M. Whitaker, Mary Whitaker, John Grey, Anna Perrin, A. S. Moore, John Holverstolt, and Callie Holverstolt. At this meeting was adopted a church covenant, and also what is generally known as the New Hamp- shire Articles of Faith. At a subsequent meeting suitable officers were elected.

On the 20th of May, 1870, a council convened with us, by which the society was recognized as a regularly organized Baptist church. On that occasion the sermon was preached by Dr. J. R. Banners, now editor of the Baptist Review.

On Oct. 1, 1870, Rev. A. Snyder became the first pastor of the church,

preaching one-half of the time. But this arrangement did not long con- tinne. On account of declining health the pastor offered his resignation, so that on Feb. 7, 1871, the little society was again without a pastor.

In June, 1870, the little Bible-class alluded to above had assumed the proportions of a Sunday-school, and, under the pastorate of Bro. Snyder, the school was quite largely attended. But after the pastor's resigna- tion it declined, and finally a brief suspension. But those most interested in the work felt ill at ease so long as nothing was being done in this im- portant department of the Lord's work.

About this time help came through J. Dann, of the Methodist Church, who agreed to aid in reopening the school. This was June 18, 1871, since which time there has been no suspension.

On Feb. 4, 1872, having been without a pastor for just one year, a call was extended to Rev. T. J. Shepherd of Clyde, Ohio. This call was accepted, and he entered the pastorate March 1, 1872. Up to this time there was no permanent house for worship. After occupying Union Hall for one year, the lecture-room of the German M. E. Church was secured for a few months. But with the coming of Bro. Shepherd a new energy was infused among the brethren, and they began to look about them for a church home of their own. It was ascertained that the old M. E. Church property could be bought. On the 25th of March a committee was appointed to purchase the property, and on April 20th the first payment was made, and a deed was executed in favor of the trustees by J. W. Carey, who was the owner of the property at that time. The amount paid for the property was $1700. The contract called for five hundred dollars to be paid in cash, and the balance in five annual pay- ments with eight per cent. interest.

The financial ability of the church was very weak at this time. The entire membership was only fifteen, and the only male members were Deacons W. M. Whitaker and J. Grey. But, led by an efficient pastor, and aided by numerous friends, the little church bore herself nobly.

During the first year of Bro. Shepherd's pastorate almost $1200 were raised for different purposes and from various sources, and year after year the payments on the church property were met until the debt was cancelled.

On May 1, 1876, after laboring four years and two months Bro. Shep- herd closed his labors, and the church was without a pastor for eight months, when on Jan. 28, 1877, Rev. J. C. Tuttle, of Bellefontaine, accepted a call, and served for six months, when they were again left pastorless for eighteen months. During this interval preaching was enjoyed only occasionally, by visiting brethren.

At a meeting of the society, held on Feb. 28, 1878, a call was extended to Perry W. Longfellow of Jamestown, Ohio. This call was accepted, but on account of protracted illness the pastor did not enter the field until Jan. 3, 1879. He served until June, 1882.

Oct. 1, 1882, Rev. E. B. Smith accepted a call, and is the present pastor. The present membership is forty-seven, with a Sabbath-school of eighty scholars and teachers. The present deacons are W. M. Whit- aker and R. R. Blue. Trustees, W. M. Whitaker, Jos. Herbert, and W. A. McAdoo.

Holy Angels' Catholic Church, Sidney, Ohio.

The history of this congregation is but a repetition of others that have formed themselves in America. In the year 1848 only a small number of Catholics resided in Sidney, but they formed themselves into a society. Poor and few as they were, they were obliged to assemble in a private dwelling-house and there hold their religious services. In . 1850 Rev. Thomas Shehan ministered to these few; he was succeeded by Rev. John Quinlan, the lately deceased Bishop of Mobile, Alabama, who then resided at Piqua, but looked after, and cared for, the spiritual wants of the Catholics of Sidney. About this time a frame building, which had served as a cooper's shop, was purchased and soon converted into a place of worship. It was here where the small band of Catholics assembled to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. Although humble and poorly furnished as this house of worship was, yet the then few members prided themselves in having their own church building. But this quiet and pleasantness was to be only of short duration, for in. the year 1855 this was blown up with powder and stone, totally wrecking it. This again was a terrible stroke for the few members, but they felt determined that they must have a place to hold their religious service, but what could they do? For almost three years were services held in different halls of the town. The mission was during these years attended to by the then resident priests of Piqua, Fathers Hemstegger and Ken- nedy. In 1856 a subscription list was opened, and the site upon which the present church stands was purchased by Messrs. Mathias Wagner, Peter Wagner, and John Smith, trustees of the congregation, and the building of the church was at once begun, and in 1858 it was ready for service. Fathers Andrew, C.P.P.S. and Jacobs, C.P.P.S. were attending this mission at that time.

At this time the few Catholics began to consider the necessity of a school in which to instruct their children; but to or with what to do this was a problem difficult to solve. They knew that unless their chil- dren were reared up in their religion the future congregation would be neither increasing in number nor zeal. To solve this difficulty, a parti-

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tion was run across the west end of the church from north to south, which gave a room 23 by 50 feet, and here the school was opened with an attendance of twenty children. The mission was in charge of (from 1860-1862) Revs. N. Thisse, Hennyberry, and Prendergast, who resided at Wapakoneta. Rev. Florentine D'Arcy succeeded in 1862, and was the first resident priest in Sidney ; he set to work and had the church finished as it now stands. It became necessary to remodel the partition and also to get other school localities. Many perplexing questions pre- sented themselves. At last it was resolved to fit up an old frame build- ing which stood on the west end of the church lot; work was commenced, and in a few days it was all ready, a good, large and comfortable room, with thirty-two pupils in attendance. In 1865 Rev. Florentine D'Arcy was succeeded by Rev. William D'Arcy as pastor of the congregation, and he in 1866 by Rev. William O'Rourke, who remained only a short time. In 1867 Rev. John D. Kress became pastor and remained three years. In 1870 Rev. William Sidley took charge of the congregation, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Rowecamp, and in March, 1875, Rev. Francis M. Quatinan became the rector of Holy Angels' Church. At this time the church consisted of 110 families, and the pupils on the school roll numbered 95. He at once went to work with an iron will, by calling a meeting of the congregation, which was getting able to stand alone, he explaining his plans, infusing courage to all, he com- menced by enlarging the gallery in the church and having the building to undergo a thorough renovation.

In January, 1876, a subscription list was started for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of another school building, and in a few weeks the old frame school-house was removed to make place for the present building. In September of the same year it was opened, with 112 pupils. The cost of the building was $4756; the outside walls measure 40 by 60 with cupola and cross: two stories high, with base- ments ; contains four school-rooms, a library-room and entry, halls in both stories. At this date there are 185 names on the roll for the year 1883. It is a well-graded school, the course ten years-comprising six years primary, two intermediate, two years higher studies. There is also a department of music connected with the school in which instru- mental and vocal lessons are taught; this department is taught in the Sisters' residence. The rector of the church is ex-officio director of the school. All the branches of the school are taught by the Sisters of Charity from Cedar Grove, near Cincinnati. There are at present five Sisters engaged in teaching. The school is supported by a small monthly fee for tuition, by collections and donations from the members of the church ; those parents who on account of obvious reasons cannot con- tribute towards maintaining the school, no charge is made.

In January, 1876, a lot north of the church grounds was purchased, and in the summer of 1880 the old frame building which had stood there for years was removed, and the present brick dwelling erected and occu- pied by the Sisters of Charity. The cost of the building alone amounted to over $3000.

The seating capacity of the church is about 400 on the main floor, and the galleries will seat 150. The church building is 80 by 50 feet, 35 feet high, with a tower of 110 feet, which contains a peal of three bells.

There are belonging to this church 610 communicants-160 families, and over 800 souls, counting men, women, and children. During 1882 there were 23 burials and 29 baptisms.

Societies .- Branch No. 215 Catholic Knights of America. Sacred Heart Married Ladies' Sodality. Immaculate Conception Sodality for Young Ladies. St. Aloysius' Sodality for Boys. Children of Mary Society for Girls. Society of the Holy Childhood for Children, and orphan society for support of diocesan orphan asylum.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Temperance Lodge No. 73

of Free and Accepted Masons was instituted at Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, March 3, 1825. The officers of the R. W. Grand Lodge, who granted the charter, were W. W. Irwin, Grand Master; David R. Miller, Deputy Grand Master; Samuel Wheeler, Grand Senior Warden; G. R. Fitzgerald, Grand Junior Warden; A. McDonald, Grand Secretary.

The petitioners were Dr. William Fielding, Robert Blakely, John Lenox, James Wells, Elisha Williams, John Blakely, James DePuy, John McCorkle, Abraham Kensinger, and Lemuel Loughrey. William Fielding was installed Worshipful Master; Robert Blakely, Senior War- den; and John Lenox, Junior Warden. It was named Temperance Lodge, after the first cardinal virtue of a mason, which teaches every brother to place a due restraint upon his passions and his appetites.

The following brethren have filled the office of Worshipful Master. We give the date of their election and term of service: William Field- ing, 1825-'28; Thomas E. English, 1829-'30; Wm. Fielding, 1831-'51; Wm. V. Cowan, 1852-'53; Wm. Fielding, 1854-'58; Wm. V. Cowan, 1859-'61; Wm. Fielding, 1862-'64; Irwin Nutt, 1865-'66; G. C. Ander- son, 1867-'74; Hartman Miller, 1875-'76; H. W. Thompson, 1877-'78; John E. Barnard, 1878-'80; David Oldham, 1881-'83.

The present officers of the lodge are David Oldham, W. M .; John M. Nutt, S. W .; H. W. Thompson, T .; J. E. Mccullough, S. D .; Abe Ilerz- stain, T .; James S. Crozier, J. W .; J. S. Read, G .; Wm. Crozier, J. D.

The lodge holds regular meetings on - Thursday of each month on or before the full moon.

Temperance Lodge No. 73 celebrated its fiftieth anniversary at Sidney Jan. 10, 1875. The attendance from the neighboring lodges amounted to four hundred brethren. Brother A. L. Mckinney, of Troy, made the address. He was followed by Dr. Keifer, of Troy. After these speeches the brethren were invited to a magnificent banquet at the Odd Fellows Hall. Toasts and speeches followed the banquet.

The impromptu speakers were Rev. T. C. Reade, Brothers John E. Cummins, Robert McMurray, A. B. Cole, N. R. Burress, and A. L. Mckinley.

The first lodge was held in the old hotel kept by Brother Hail- man, and now occupied and owned by Mr. Wagner on the north side of Poplar Street next to Messrs. Zinn & Hoover's store. The second was in the Union Hotel, on the south side of Poplar Street between Ohio and West streets, near the stone bridge, when an article of agreement was entered into between James Blair and the lodge for six years from September, 1845. The third lodge room was in R. L. Fry's building. on the southeast corner of Main and Poplar streets, which the lodge has occupied since 1855.

On account of the antimasonic excitement consequent on the death of William Morgan, the lodge suspended their labors in 1835, to be resumed at the call of the Worshipful Master. God in his Providence spared the life of their beloved Worshipful Master, William Fielding, to call the craft in 1845 to resume labor, and from that time forward the princi- ples and tenets of the masonic order have been cultivated and promoted in Sidney and the surrounding country. We desire also to state in this connection that Brother W. Fielding had the honor of presiding as Worshipful Master for a period of twenty-seven years, to which may be added the nine years of the suspension of the lodge, making in all thirty-four years. During its suspension Bro. Fielding was de facto the Worshipful Master. We may state that the lodge never surrendered its charter, and the R. W. Grand Lodge of Ohio, at a meeting held in October, 1845, heard all the facts of the case from Brother Fielding, who was present, and they unanimously passed a resolution for Lodge 73 to resume their labors, as the charter had never been suspended, and during these nine years the brethren had carried out the principles of the order, being compelled by circumstances over which they had no control to suspend their labors.

We now retrace our steps to June 24, 1826, when the lodge met for a twofold purpose, viz., the consecration of the Masonic Hall and the in- stallation of officers. The lodge was opened in the court-house by Past Grand Master John Snow. The fraternity formed a procession, and marched to the lodge room, when the hall was consecrated and officers installed according to ancient usage. After these imposing ceremonies the brethren and the visiting brethren and officers reformed and marched to Mr. Blake's hotel, where the ladies and brethren partook of a sumptu- ous dinner prepared by the committee. Toasts were read and responded to. Brother John Johnston, Indian agent of Piqua, being prevented by indisposition from attending, sent the following sentiment: " May the glorious immortal principles of Freemasonry ever continue in active operation to the latest posterity !"

The lodge immediately thereafter passed the following resolution :-

Resolved, That Brother James DePuy be appointed to communicate to our worthy Brother John Johnston, the brotherly and sympathetic feeling of this lodge on account of his privation, and to return him our sincere thanks for his active aid in forwarding some of the necessary preparations for this solemn occasion.

The lodge, on January 28, 1847, passed the following preamble and resolutions :-

Whereas, Our beloved institution has recently been assailed in this place by the enemies of our most ancient order in the most unjust and cruel manner: And

Whereas, Those assailants were most ably and successfully met, and completely overwhelmed by the ability and eloquence displayed in the defence of our venerable fraternity by our worthy Brother William Fielding; therefore

Resolved, unanimously, that the thanks of this lodge be tendered to the Worshipful Master Brother Fielding, for the ability, zeal, and elo- quence displayed by him in successfully defending the masonic institu- tion against the repeated, violent, and, as we sincerely believe, perfectly unjustifiable attacks of the enemies of our order.

Brother Fielding took an active and efficient part in acquiring a full and perfect knowledge of masonry, its origin, and its principles. To understand one particular part of the order he wrote a letter to the cele- brated Rev. Brother George Oliver, of England-the learned Masonic historian-whose name is familiar to every brother. From him he re- ceived an answer, with his views. This autograph letter Temperance Lodge 73 directed to be framed to adorn the hall of the lodge and pre- serve its sentiments, as well as hand down the names of Brothers Field- ing and Oliver. We give it in full :-

"COSSEWICK VICARAGE, England, March 29, 1840. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER:

In answer to your enquiry whether I am able to give you instructions on Symbolic-Red-and-Black Masonry, together with all the Lectures

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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.

"technically correct" in the 33d of the Rite Anciens, I am sorry to confess altho' many years ago I was tolerably au fait at them, yet when I inform you that I am nearly seventy years of age, and that it is thirty years since I occupied the chair of a lodge, chapter, or consistory, you will not wonder that much of the technical lectures has escaped my recollection. It is probable that with some trouble I might succeed in recovering a considerable portion of them, but other pursuits will scarcely leave me sufficient leisure for the purpose.

Besides even in symbolic masonry our lodges are not uniform in their system of lecturing. It is true our Grand Lodge imposed a series of lecturing at the great reunion in 1813, but they are not in general use, nor do I see how they can be, for some portion of them are scarcely orthodox. Many lodges, therefore, prefer the old formula which was introduced by Brother Preston about the latter end of the last century- in fact our lodges not only differ in working but also in recognition.

In Scotland the systemn varies considerably from ours. They have no rough or perfect ashler-nor any allusion to the Masonic Ladder, or to Faith, Hope, and Charity. They have no deacons, and their mode of opening and closing a lodge is different.

. In like manner the Irish lectures offer many varieties, and with respect to the higher degrees the discrepancies are still more multifarious. To name only a single instance. The degree called "Kadosh" assumes many anomalous forms. As originally constituted at Lyons in 1763, it was for overturning both civic and ecclesiastical government, at least so I am informed, for I have not seen a copy of the Petit Elu, as it was first called. It was afterwards converted by the Jesuitical Chapter, or College of Clermont, into a degree, where the candidate was taught to imprecate vengeance on all the opponents of the Templars. This was the original degree of Kadosh in the Rite Anciens; but for many years in France Kadosh has been changed into a philosophical and very stupid degree, with nothing of the old Kadosh but the secrets. The Kadosh of Baron Hunde is the same as was practised in London before 1782, which I suspect is the ladder of seven steps alluded to in the certificate for- merly given to Knights Templar by the Grand Conclave of England.

In the College of La Rouge there is a Philosophical Kadosh, or Grand Elu Chevalier de L'Aigle blance et noir, and another in that of Peyroc. The twenty-seventh degree of Misraim is called Kadosh Prince de la Mort. Sometimes Kadosh is given as a separate order, and then it is composed of three steps or degrees : 1. Illustrious Knight of the Temple. 2. Knight of the Black Eagle. 3. Grand Elected. The Kadosh in Hol- land is totally different, and is rather a religious degree. It consists of three steps, the last being honorary and without secret. This is tradi- tionally said to have been carried to the Cape of Good Hope by a Scotch- man, and brought from thence to Amsterdam.

Under these circumstances I am afraid you will find great difficulty in rendering the various lectures in every system of Freemasonry to any degree of uniformity, nor are you likely to succeed in finding any person who will be able to devote sufficient time and attention to the task of collating all the various modes of working, so as to form one consistent and uniform course of lectures which may invest Freemasonry with the dignity of a progressive science. I think there is not a man in England at the present time who would be both able and willing to accomplish this great undertaking satisfactorily.

Indeed we look to you (Americans) as our authority for the working of the thirty-three degrees of the Rite Anciens, and accepted as our Supreme Council derives its existence from the United States, altho' I received and conferred the degrees many years ago, and del vered a series of lectures upon them, which differ essentially from those now in use. If, however, I can be of any assistance to you on particular points I shall be most happy.

My masonic works may, any of them, be had of Brother James Her- ring, of New York, and also Brother C. W. Moore, of Boston.

Believe me to be ever, Sir, your faithful brother,

W. FIELDING, ESQ.

GEORGE OLIVER.

Sidney Chapter, No. 130,

received a Dispensation March 11, 1871, and the Charter was granted October 2, 1872.

The following Companions were the officers of the M. E. Grand Chap- ter: C. F. Kieffer, Grand High Priest; Reuben C. Lemon, Deputy Grand High Priest; I. P. Hovey, G. King; James W. Underhill, G. Scribe ; James Nesbitt, Grand Secretary.

The first officers of Sidney Chapter, No. 130, were, Eli B. Honnell, High Priest ; John G. Stephenson, King; Thomas A. Dutton, Scribe. The charter members were, Companions John G. Stephenson, Thomas Dutton, J. R. Kendall, B. C. Epler, Jos. Wykes, W. H. Mitchell, Richard D. Bell, S. Verdier, and Alexander Green.

The present officers of Sidney Chapter, 130, are: H. W. Thompson, H. P .; M. Pepper, S .; D. Oldham, P. S .; R. M. Zuver, G. M. 3 V .; J. M. Nutt, G. M. I V .; J. S. Crozier, K .; R. R. Blue, C. H .; W. M. Johnston, R. A. C .; T. F. Wilkinson, G. M. 2 V .; A. Miller, G; James S. Read, Secretary.

The regular meetings are held in the Masonic Hall on Thursday after full moon of each month.

I. 0. 0. F.

Sidney Lodge, No. 60 .- This lodge was organized in 1846, and has since that time not only maintained its organization, but also gave evi- dence of continued prosperity and usefulness. The initial steps of its establishment will appear by the following entry, taken from the lodge records :-

"Odd Fellows' Hall, Sidney, March 10, 1846 : Bros. J. Hailman, W. M. Ross, T. M. Carey, E. Pretzman, A. G. Wilder, M. Thompson, R. Rodgers, members of the I. O. O. F., residing in Sidney, being desirous of establishing a lodge in Sidney, and having petitioned the Grand Lodge of Ohio for a charter for the same, said charter was granted, and P. G. I. Kelly, of Piqua Lodge No. 8, was duly appointed with full powers to carry said charter into effect. Accordingly, a number of brothers from Springfield, Troy, and Piqua Lodges met the petitioners at the Masonic Hall for the purpose of instituting Sidney Lodge, No. 60. Bro. I. M. Kills, of Springfield Lodge, was called to the Noble Grand's chair; Bro. Webb, of Piqua Lodge, was appointed treasurer; Bro. Tullis, of Troy Lodge, secretary ; Bro. Marlay, of Troy Lodge, guardian ; and Bro. Powers, of Troy Lodge, marshal.

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History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 109

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

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