History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 63

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 63

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Rev. A. Weier, of the Lutheran Church, died in 1828. The first organization of this congre- gation was effected about the years 1812 or 1813. Among the first appear the names of Simon Essing, Jacob Becher, a Mr. Kraft, Jacob Rapp, Jacob Bucher, Jacob Rex, George De- walt, Philip Dewalt, John Coleman, George Schneider, John Leininger and Jacob Kitzmiller. After Weier, Rev. Prof. William Schmidt had charge of the Evangelical Lutheran congrega- tion, commencing his ministrations in the latter part of the year 1828. During his connection the Joint Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and adjoining States started the project of a Theological Seminary, and made Prof. Schmidt the Theological Professor. llis first class was organized in Canton, in 1830. The seminary was finally located in Columbus, Ohio, and, in 1831. the Professor removed with his class to this place, and for several years and to the time of his death, in 1839. he filled the position ably and to the entire satisfaction of the Synod. While residing in Canton, he united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Buckius, a daughter of John Buckius, who had emigrated with his family to Canton some years before from Alexandria, Va. It may be an interesting reminiscence here to say that John Buckius was the last man to look upon the face of George Washington. first Presi- dent of the United States. Mr. Buckius was, at the time of Washington's death, a tinner in Alexandria, and sealed the lead casket which contained his mortal remains before they were laid away to rest at Mount Vernon. Three daughters of Prof. Selmmidt yet survive. The oldest is the wife of Prof. Worley, in Canton ;

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CANTON TOWNSHIP.

the second the wife of Rev. M. B. Lenker, Ly- kens, Penn. ; and the youngest the wife of Rev. Prof. E. Schmidt, of Capital University, Colum- bus, Ohio. The theological department of this university is the same commenced in Canton. over fifty years ago. Pastors following Rev. Prof. Schmidt were Rev. J. J. Fast, in 1831, or there- abouts ; Cadiz, Yaley, Melsheimer, JJ. D. Nune- macher ; Fast again ; G. J. Bruegle, from 1862 to 1866; J. C. Schulz, from 1866 to 1870 ; then J. J. Fast again provisionally until 1872 ; on the Sth of September, 1872. Rev. A. H. Feld- mann, took charge, and has served the congre- gation ever since. The present number of communicants is about three hundred. Rev. Mr. Feldmann also supplies the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation at Osnaburg every two weeks. At this time regular services are held in both the English and German languages. In 1852, the Reformed Congregation withdrew and erected a brick church on the west part of the premises, leaving the old church in posses- sion of the Lutherans. They occupied it until 1868. when it was taken down, and the present new church erected. a handsome brick structure, with two spires of unequal height on the north- east and southeast corners, with two large double door entrances in front, and one at the side for the Sunday-school. The church proper is a large hall nearly fifty feet high, frescoed, car- peted and contains pews capable of seating six hundred persons, although, with a little prepara- tion, room can be made for one thousand : rose windows panel the sides, and gas chandeliers near the ceiling. under bright reflectors, illumi- nate the evening services. A commodions pul- pit in the "west" accommodates the sacred desk. In the rear of this are two small rooms for the ministers, and still further back is a lecture-room, provided with a blackboard for illustrating Scriptural lessons, while texts plenti- fully bedeck the walls. A " winding stairs " leads up to the second story. where is found the organ loft, and west still are a number of class-rooms used for Sunday-school purposes. The entire building is heated by means of two immense furnaces.

About the year 1837, a number of members of the German Lutheran congregation, desirous of securing services in the English language. more particularly for their children, and the majority being unwilling to grant them this privilege in the old church. they organized

under Pastor J. J. Fast, deceased. The follow- ing history of the English Evangelical Lutheran Church, prepared a few years ago by a promi- nent member, will present the facts in a clear and concise manner :

About the year 1837, a portion of the English- speaking members of the Lutheran Church being desirous of having occasional services in the English language, and being frustrated in this by the Ger- man members, withdrew from the congregation and formed a new organization under the pastoral charge of Rev. John J. Fast. They were joined by several members of the German Reformed Church, who were also desirous of attending worship in the En- glish language, and, soon afterward, the organiza- tion was incorporated as the " Evangelical Congrega- tion of Canton, Ohio." Although always served by Lutheran ministers, it had no direct connection with any Synod until some years afterward. The town hall. in the old market house, which formerly stood on the north side of the public square (now the en- gine honse at the corner of Eighth and Poplar streets), was engaged for their purposes, and was used as a place of worship until 1842 or 18-13. After serving the congregation for a year or more, Mr. Fast removed to Cincinnati, but after three or four years' absenec returned, and again took charge of the congregation -they meanwhile being without a Pas- tor. In 1840 or 1841, an arrangement was made with the Trustees of the Canton Male Seminary (now forming a part of the West U'nion School building), by which the congregation, in consideration of $1,000 paid into the building fund of the seminary, were to be permitted to occupy the main hall on the first floor of that institution as a place of worship. until the room would be needed "for educational pur- poses," when it was to be surrendered and the con gregation was to receive back the money so paid into the building fund.

After the erection of the Seminary buildings, the congregation fitted up its room with pulpit and pews, and at once look possession of its new sanctuary. In 1812, the Rev. Mr. Wadsworth, who had just graduated from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg. Denn., came to Canton in search of a charge. After preaching a few times for the congre- gation, at majority of members favored a change of ministers, and accordingly gave Mr. Wadsworth a "call." Some of the members being dissatisfied with the action of the majority, temporarily with- drew from the congregation, and for a time attended the Presbyterian and other churches, Mr. Wads- worth remained about one year, when a bronchial affection compelled him to cease preaching. Rev. Dr. Hamilton was next employed by the congrega tion, and he continued to serve it until 1815, when it was found necessary, on account of the distance at which the Doctor lived from Canton, his other en- gagements, and the difficulty in holding services at a time to suit the various members, to engage a mini -- ter who would reside in Canton and devote his eu- tire attention to the congregation. A "call" was accordingly extended to Rev. A. J. Karn, which was accepted, and Mr. Karn remained Pastor for about

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IHISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

four years. During his incumbency, the congrega- tion Hourished. and most of the members who had withdrawn when Mr. Wadsworth became Pastor, re- turned. Mr. K. was succeeded by Rev. L. Rizer, who continued two years, and after him came Rev. B II. Bittle for one year. About this time, the sub- jeet of a new church building was first mooted, and Rev. S. A. Mealy, who then resided in Canton, to aid in erecting one preached to the congregation for a time without compensation, but his health failing. R.v. W. P. Ruthrauff, of Shellsburg, Penn., was next employed, and during his pastorate of seven years, the church edifice now occupied by the con- gregation was erected.

The members of the congregation who had come into it from the German Reformed Church being now all dead. the name of the organization was about this tine (that is, during Mr. Ruthrauff's in- (mibeney). changed to " Evangelical Lutheran Con- gregation, " and it was attached to Pittsburgh Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. This Synod- iral connection produced several protests from other Synods of the church. The congregation was within the bounds of the Joint Synod of Ohio, to which the German Church at the east end of town belongs. and also within the bounds of the East Synod of Ohio, which is attached to the General Synod of the church. The Joint Synod is independent of the Gen- eral Synod. The lines of the Pittsburgh Synod did not at that time extend into Ohio, but Mr. Ruthrauff being a member of that Synod, the congregation voted to go into it also, and being received by the Synod. it remained in connection with it until 1863, when it withdrew and united with the East Ohio Synod, where it still remains.

Mr. Ruthrauff was followed by Rev. D. Garver, who remained about three years. While Mr. Gar- ver was Pastor, the steeple of the church was blown down by a high wind, and the erection of a new one and other necessary repairs, cost the congregation a considerable sum of money. For several months after Mr. Garver's withdrawal the congregation was without a Pastor, being temporarily served by Rev. I. A. Kunkleman and others, In 1863. Rev. G. F. Stelling took charge of the congregation and re- mained one year. Next came Rev. John W. Goodlin, who continued four years and was succeeded in 1869 by Rev. L. M. Kubus, the present Pastor, whose term of service has been longer than that of any of his predecessors. Of all the ministers who have reg- ularly served this congregation only four are now living-Revs. Hamilton, Stelling. Goodlin and Kuhns.

The following personal sketch of Dr. Kulins. now the Pastor of the English Lutheran Church. and second to Rev. P. Herbruck the longest resident minister in the city, will be of interest to his many friends here and elsewhere :

Mr. Kuhns is a native of Western Pennsylvania. educated at Wittenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. which institution conferred upon him the title of Doctor of Divinity in 1826. He entered the minis- try in the spring of 1852. and his first charge was at Freeport and Leechsburg, Penn., within a few miles

of where he was born, and he preached there for four- teen years, in a neighborhood where his father was founder of the church, and he confirmed. It is very seldom that a young man can so long and favorably serve a congregation at his own home, which goes greatly to disprove the old adage " that a prophet is not honored in his own country." In the spring of 1866, he took charge of a Lutheran Church at Belle- fontaine, Ohio, where he remained until 1869, when he was called here, thus making eleven years of pas- torate in Canton, and now being the second oldest minister in the city. He has a pleasant countenance. and numbers among his friends members of every church in the city, besides being on a friendly foot- ing with all the clergy, which, sad to say. cannot be said of ministers in every community. The com- municants number 210. Since he came here, he has received 180 members, but many removals have taken place. He has baptized eighty-seven chil- dren ; married eighty-one couples ; but upon con- sulting some old yellow musty records, which we have found in most ministerial sanctums, could not give correct burial figures, as he officiated at many funerals outside of his regular congregation.

Trinity Second Reformed Church was organ- ized out of the German Reformed congrega- tion in 1870, with nineteen members. J. B. Shoemaker, of Lancaster, Peun., was first Pas- tor. E. llerbruck took charge of the congre- gation in May, 1873. When he took charge of the congregation the membership was thirty- five, and now numbers 160. At the beginning of his pastorate there was a heavy debt, which is not yet all paid. Church cost $8,000 ; pews free ; seats 350. lle has officiated at the fol- lowing : Baptisms, 174: marriages, seventy- four ; deaths, fifty-three. A few months ago, Rev. E. Horbruck resigned his position and re- moved to Tittin. to take the editorial chair of the German Reformed Messenger, the English organ of this church in the West.

The Roman Catholic Church-Was represent- ed in the quite early settlement of Canton. John Shorh, who came to Canton as early as 1807, with his wife and three children, was the first resident Catholic in the place. Soon after the war of 1812, other Catholic families came to town, and to different parts of the County ; of the families settling in this neighborhood were Andrew Meyers, Stephen Shorb, George Ilossofross. the Pirrong brothers, Joseph Trout, Adam Rider. Cassily, Owen Grimes, Martin Zimmerman, John Gillig, Floom, and McCor- mick. As early as 1818, before this portion of the State belonged to a diocese, the Dominican Fathers, who had been sent West as mission- aries, held occasional services at Mr. Shorb's

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house, on the locality still occupied by his de- scendants. The missionaries came about twice a year, and when the weather permitted the services were held in a grove in front of the house. The time of the meeting was made known in good time in advance, and parties from a great distance. in Stark and adjoining counties, were sure to be present. Catholic de- votion to the services of the Church is proverb- ial, and worthy of closer imitation by members of other communions. The first Catholic sery- iee, in Ohio, was at Gallipolis, in 1793 ; the second in Perry County, in 1812 ; and the third in Shorb's Grove. Canton, in 1816. As the people came from great distances, as much as thirty and forty miles to attend these meetings, though bringing their own provisions with them, it was often a difficult matter to provide lodging places for them. Mr. Shorb was a zealous worker in the cause of his religion, and it was his ambition to have a church in Canton. In his visits to Baltimore and other parts of the country numerously inhabited by Catholics, he made it a part ot his business to get contribu- tions to the accomplishment of this end. When sufficient means for a start had been collected, he generously donated a site for the new church upon his own grounds, and gave his personal attention to the construction of the church thereon. The building, commenced in 1823, and finished the following year, was a structure 40 by 90 feet, a section of the East part being par- titioned off for family use. Mr. Shorb was fatally injured at the raising of the building, by a rafter falling from the hands of a work- man and striking him on the head ; he died the following day. lamented not only by his family and his church, but also by the entire commu- nity. who knew his personal worth as an upright man, desirous of promoting, by every means in his power, the best interests of the town of Canton.

The first priest in charge of the church here was John A. Hill, a nephew of Lord Hill, of England. lle commanded a regiment at the battle of Waterloo. He was married soon after this, when both he and his wife became con- verted to the Roman Catholic religion. Mu- tually impressed afterward with the idea that they must devote the balance of their lives to the service of the church, they agreed to sep- arate, she entering a convent in Italy. and he an institution of learning. to quality himself

for the priesthood. After completing a course of study, he was sent to America, and served as a missionary for several years. He came to Canton in 1824, where he continued his labors successfully until death called him home from his earthly labors and usefulness. He was buried September 3, 1828, at his own request, under the eaves of the church, but later his re- mains were removed to Somerset, Perry Co .. Ohio. Father Hill was loved by his flock and highly esteemed in the community. He was a lover of children, and, without respect to de- nominational distinctions, was generally beloved by the children of the town. He was a man of a strong social turn of mind, enjoyed a game of chess, and, it is said. he would occasionally try his skill with William Raynolds, Dr. Sim- mons and William Christmas, the prominent chess players of Canton at that time. For sev- eral years after his death, the church was with- out a regular Pastor. Fathers Miles, Martin and others officiated at intervals. From 1830 to 1834. Rev. John M. Henni was in charge of St. John's. During his pastorate, in 1832, Bishop Fenwick, of Cincinnati, after attending a jubilee in Canton, was taken with cholera on his way home in the stage, and died near Woos- ter. Ohio. Rev. J. S. Alemany followed Rev. Ilenni in this pastorate. Rev. lenni afterward became Archbishop of the diocese of Milwau- kee, and Rev. Alemany the Archbishop of the diocese of San Francisco. The St. John's Church was twice enlarged to meet the growing necessities of the congregation. For about ten years after Rev. Alemany's time, pastoral changes were frequent. In 1844. about twenty- five families left the English Church, and under Rev. II. Lahr organized a German Catholic Church, under the name of St Peter's, and measures were at once taken for the erection of a German church edifice. Among the later Pastors of St. John's Church were Fathers Do- herty, Lindersmith and Bartolett. During the pastorate of the latter, a new church was built, one of the finest in the city. at a great sacrifice of labor on the part of the Pastor, and sym- pathetic efforts and co-operation on the part of the people of his charge. This congregation has steadily increased, and now numbers not far from two hundred families. We conclude this notice of the Catholic Church in Canton by a brief history of St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church.

HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.

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As stated above, this congregation was founded in 1844 by Rev. H. Lahr, who died in Cincinnati a few years ago. The membership at that time was about thirty-five families, who had separated from old St. John's Church, which was too small to contain all its members. In- der the worthy pastorate of Rev. F. M. Boff and J. B. Uhlman, the number of members increased rapidly, so that in the year 1865, when Rev. Arnould, the present Pastor, took charge of the congregation it numbered 206 families. In 1874. the old church building being considered too small, the Pastor called a meeting of the congregation, at which it was decided to erect a large church edifice, the cost of which was not to exceed the sum of $80,000, at the same time a building committee was formed with Rev. V. Arnould as President ; Joseph Biechele, Treasurer : William Dannemiller, Secretary ; Joseph Schott and George Gonder, Advisers ; all active, energetic men. The plan was made at once by H. Engelbert, of New York, in the Gothic style. In September, 1874, the founda- tion was built, and in June, 1875, the corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies by Right Rev. Bishop Fitzgerald, of Little Rock, Ark., the Bishop of Cleveland being then ab- sent on account of ill health. The building measures 164x74 feet. The ornamental plas- tering or stucco work was done by Carroll & Nolan, a Cleveland firm of great experience and ability ; the wood work was under the direction of Stephen Wagner, of Canton, a very consci- entious and skillful mechanic ; the whole under the immediate superintendence of the reverend Pastor. The building is one of the finest in the State. The school children number 280. and are instructed by four teachers. The Sun- day school is attended by 300. During his pastorate, the clergyman has baptized 1,495 ; married 195 couples : buried 198 persons.

much of the success of Catholicism in this city is mainly attributable.

The ministers of the Presbyterian denomina- tion, on missionary tours through this part of the country, first made their appearance in Can- ton about the year 1809, though previous to that time there were some families in town of that persuasion. Itinerant ministers of differ- ent denominations had worshiped in favorable weather in Michael Reed's barn, about a mile from town. In the winter season and bad weather, services were held in private houses until the erection of the first court house, corner of Third and Market streets. The first minister of whom there is any definite account was Rev. Joshua Beer. He lived in Springfield, now in Summit County, but he seems to have labored in Canton. at stated periods, until 1815. There is an entry of a marriage in the records of Stark County. solemnized by him December 18, 1811. To a certificate of a still later date, he signs himself Joshua Beer, V. D. M., Presbyterian Church, Canton. From this fact. it is tolerably certain that an organization existed at a very early date ; but as no records are known to be in existence, but little can be said about it. From 1817 to 1819, Rev. James Adams officiated quite frequently, and there are several marriages solemnized by him on record. The names of some of the other ministers visiting here in the early days were Mathews, Vallandigham (father of Clement L. Vallandigham, a Demo- cratie legislator and congressman a few years back, a man of great personal power, of pleasing address, and of great importance to his party) and Cleland. In the absence of a regular set- tled Pastor and fixed services, the church did not at first attain very marked success. In 1820, Rev. James McClean took charge of it, and found it in a very weak condition. He began his labors in the old brick court house, erected a few years before his coming. John Harris, esteemed a good singer, led the singing. In his second sermon, Mr. McClean spoke of the " utility and importance of Sunday schools." This discourse so impressed his congregation that a meeting was called at the court house the following Thursday evening to consider the matter. It was there resolved to establish a Sunday school, and a committee was appointed met for the first time in the court house on De- cember 2, 1820, and was the first Sunday school

This congregation now numbers about 300 families, and is still under the charge of Rev. Father Arnould, a faithful Pastor, and a whole- souled, genial, Christian gentleman. St. John's is at this time under the charge of Rev. Father McGuire, a man of rare taste and culture, and the congregation seems to be flourishing under his pastorate. It is worthy of note that the priests in charge of the Canton Catholic Churches have, as a rule, been men of more , to complete such an organization. This school than ordinary ability, some of them attaining high positions in the church, and to this fact

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CANTON TOWNSHIP.

in the county. It had, in the start. fifty-six scholars. Rev. McClean continued to preach during the winter and summer following ; but

spent a considerable portion of his time in visit-

ing destitute localities in the surrounding coun- try. Up to the time of Mr. McClean's advent in Canton, no records of the church seem to have been kept. In the minute book of the session, the following entry appears : Mr. Me- Clean, not finding any records of a regularly organized congregation, a meeting was called and held on the 13th of September, 1821, and proceeded to the election of three Elders. viz.,

Samuel Coulter, James Latimer and Robert

office, were ordained and installed on the 27th Latimer. These brethren. having accepted the

of September, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered on the following Sab-

bath, Mr. McClean being assisted by Rov. A.

Hanna, of Fredericksburg. The membership at

that time was twenty-seven. Mr. McClean con-

tinued his services until the spring of 1822, and six new members were added to the church.

He left the field because of the non-payment of his salary. As the Trustees, Robert Latimer, George Dunbar and James Gaff, Sr .. were un- able to collect the subscriptions, they were sued by the minister. and, confessing judgment by

stylish appearance. For more than three years, glishman by birth, and was a man of quite a their own pockets. Mr. MeClean was an En- default, had to make good the amount from

who had charges not far distant. In October, James Adams, James Snodgrass and A. Hanna. but occasional services were given by Revs. the new congregation was without a Pastor ;

1825. J. B. Morrow. a licentiate of the Presby-

tery of Winchester, Va., was engaged.

After a

formal call, he was ordained and installed by

when the ordination sermon and charge to the the Presbytery of Richland on June 21, 1826,

new minister were given respectively by Rev.

during the time of his charge there were seventy- continued as Pastor until December. 1830, and Snodgrass, of Pigeon Run. Rev. Mr. Morrow James Rowland, of Mansfield, and Rey. James

six additions by profession and letter, and losses

by dismissal, death and suspension of fifty, leav-

ing at his retirement a membership of fifty-six.

an old library register of 1829. it appears that Morrow's connection with the church. From The Sunday school was maintained during Mr.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 63

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060