History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 68

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 68

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).

The following historical sketch of the First German Reformed Church of Akron was furnished for this work by the Pastor, Rev. J. Dahlmann. The First German Reformed Church of Akron, Summit Co., Ohio, had its origin in and was the continuation of the German Evan- gelical Protestant congregation which was or- ganized about 1842, and worshiped in the stone church on North High street near the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal. The building still stands, but is now turned into a dwelling honse. The Lutheran element separated from

376

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

the congregation in 1852 and organized a con- gregation of their own. The Reformed element remained and continued their organization until the year 1855, when it united with the German Reformed Church of Akron and be- came identified with it. Before the two con- gregations united their interests, the latter had already purchased the frame church building of the Baptists on the northwest corner of Broadway and East Center streets. After uniting their interests, they mutually assumed the responsibility to cancel the debt which still rested on the church property. Divine services were held in the English and German languages on alternate Sundays by Rev. L. C. Edmonds, a young minister of talent and en- ergy.

The English portion of the congregation did not possess sufficient activity to go forward energetically. After Rev. L. C. Edmonds had resigned, the German portion, not wishing to be long without a Pastor, called Rev. John F. Engelbach, of the German Reformed Church in the United States as their minister. They had undertaken much and were successful. Under the pastorate of Rev. J. F. Engelbach, the German portion of the congregation-the En- glish portion merely existing in name-obtain - ed a charter, and was incorporated on the 27th day of April, 1857, as the First German Re- formed Church of Akron, Summit Co., Ohio.

The following are some of the original mem- bers : John Heintz, Philip Heintz, Louis Koch, Joh. Kling, Peter Brecht, Carl Schwing, J. Jacob Grether, George Billau, Jacob Grether, George Grether, Michael Grether, Friedrick Gessler, George Angne, Cart Nähr, Joh. Brobt, Nicolaus Fuchs, Adam Schaaf, Joh. Schaab, Joh. Fink, William Fink, Conrad Fink, Jacob Steigner, Christoph Baumgartel, Joh. Hätter- ich, Christoph Oberholz, Conrad Zettel, Gott- fried Stegner, Andreas Koch, Joh. Gush and Friedrick Haushalter, etc.

The First German Reformed Church con- tinued to worship in the house of God which they owned conjointly with the English portion or the German Reformed Church of Akron, Ohio, until the fall of 1858, when the former bought the latter out and obtained full posses- sion of the church property which they still hold.

Rev. J. F. Engelbach labored faithfully for the welfare of the congregation, and resigned

near the end of the year 1860. They were for some time without a Pastor.

Rev. Robert Koehler, formerly of Mount Eaton, Ohio, took charge of the congregation in April, 1861, and entered as Chaplain of volunteers in the United States service in Au- gust, 1864. Very little progress was made dur- ing his pastorate, and this was that the con- gregation was separated from other congrega- tions and became a charge itself.

Mr. J. D. Leemann, an educated school- teacher, preached over two years to the con- gregation, and established a parochial school in the German language on the northwest corner of South High and East Center streets. This school flourished for some time, and with its discontinuance his labors came to a close, especially when the consistory and the congre- gation forbid him to preach any longer for them.

Rev. John Baumgartner, an educated minis- ter, from Canton Berne, Switzerland, who had been Pastor for some time of a Reformed con- gregation in Pittsburgh, Penn., was chosen as Pastor. He entered upon his labors in the fall of 1866, and continued until September 18, 1870. During his pastorate, a new constitu- tion for the congregation was drawn up and accepted, and an attempt made to sever the connection of the congregation with the Re- formed Church in the United States which was not successful.

Rev. Christoph Schiller, from Limaville, Ohio, was by the congregation unanimously elected as Pastor on October 16, 1870, and entered upon his duties on November 27, 1870. He was successful in rescuing the congregation from ruin and enervate it to new life. It began to live again and became conscious of its duty as a Christian congregation. Under his labors, the congregation increased in membership and activity, and purchased and enlarged the par- sonage next to the church on East Center street. In the summer of 1876 he resigned, and moved to Toledo, Ohio.

Rev. Julius Herold, of Charleston, Ind., was his successor by unanimous election, and en- tered upon the pastorate in July, 1876. He was active, and caused the church edifice to be remodeled inside, and the purchasing of over seven acres of land on the west end of the city, north of Market street, for a burial-place, which was dedicated in August, 1880, for that purpose. After having resigned his pastorate

A. B. Story

377

CITY OF AKRON.

in August, he continued his labors until No- vember 14, 1880.

Rev. Jacob Dahlmann, D. D., of Philadelphia, Penn., succeeded him on the 9th of December, 1880. He was born in Barmen, Rhein Prussia, and emigrated with his parents to the United States in 1848, and entered upon his studies for the Christian ministry in Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Penn., in 1855. After graduating in honor in 1860, he pursued his theological studies at the seminary of the German Reformed Church at Mercersburg, Penn., under Dr. Philip Schaff and others. There was a call extended to him, in 1862, to go to Philadelphia, Penn., and organize the Emanuel's German Reformed Church in West Philadelphia, to which he responded, and, after laboring nearly nineteen years in his first charge, having built a large and beautiful church and parsonage, he accepted a call from this congregation for the purpose of leaving the general church work, which became too burdensome for him, to other hands. Having served the Reformed Church, especially the German portion thereof, in the East in various ways, he continues to be Assistant Stated Clerk of the General Synod of said church, and it is hoped that his pastorate will, his life being spared, be of long duration and crowned with great success.

The church edifice, on the northwest corner of Broadway and East Center streets, was erected more than forty years ago, by the Bap- tist congregation. It is a frame building, massive in timbers, 40x60 feet, with four large pillars in front, and a steeple, in which Summit County placed a bell more than twenty-five years ago for the purpose of announcing the time for the convening of the court, and until lately to give the alarm for fire.

The congregation has 420 communicants and 280 unconfirmed members. The Pastor is Rev. Jacob Dallmann, D. D .; the Elders, John Kling and John George Eberhard; the Dea- cons are Henry Schmiedel, Charles Brodt, Louis Müller and Peter Kulin. These form the consistory of the congregation, and constitute at the same time the Board of Trustees.

The Sunday school of the congregation was organized by Mr. John Heintz, in 1857, with 20 to 30 scholars, and who continued to be Superintendent until 1862, when the school had increased to 50 and more scholars. Elder

John Kling and others held the office of Superintendent of the Sunday school. Elder John George Eberhard was, during the last ten years or more, on or off Superintendent until lately, when the Pastor, Rev. Jacob Dahlmann, D. D., became (ex officio) Superintendent of the Sunday school. The Sunday school is held every Sunday morning from 9 to 10:30 o'clock. There are 150 children on the roll, and 130 or more in regular attendance in the summer and 110 in the winter.

Grace Reformed Church has been in exist- ence in Akron for a third of a century. The following historical sketch is by Rev. Emil P. Herbruck, its present Pastor : Grace Reformed Congregation was organized on the 5th of March, 1853, by Rev. N. Gehr, Missionary of the German Reformed Church in the United States. At a meeting held in the old Univer- salist Church on High street, a constitution was adopted, and signed by the following per- sons : John Weimer, Catharine Weimer, Thomas Moore, Susanna Moore, William Heil, Esther Heil, Philip Kremer, Henry Rinehart, Sophia Rinehart and Magdalena Kremff. Rev. N. Gehr was elected Pastor, and served the con- gregation about one year. He was followed by Revs. P. J. Spangler, L. Edmonds, J. Schlasser, J. F. Helm, William McCaughey, W. H. H. Snyder, S. S. Miller, J. M. Mickley and I. E. Graff, in pastorates ranging from one to three years in length. In May, 1868, Rev. Edward Herbruck accepted a call to the charge, and under his direction it enjoyed a greater measure of prosperity than at any pre- vious time. He labored in the congregation successfully for four years, though having almost unsurmountable difficulties to over- come. Rev. M. Laucks became his successor, and served for about two years. In April, 1876, Rev. Emil P. Herbruck assumed the pastorship, and has discharged its duties ever since.

The first edifice was bought at second-hand from the Congregational Church in Middle- bury, and moved piece-meal to the present lot on Broadway, where it was in constant use by the congregation for eighteen years. In 1881, it became apparent that a new building was necessary to meet the growing demands of the church. Accordingly, on the third Sunday in April, the corner-stone of the present structure was laid. It is built of brick, with stone

378

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

dressing, and is 52x80 fect in dimensions. The auditorium is amphitheatrical in shape, and, in connection with a quarter gallery, has a seat- ing capacity of about five hundred. The com- modious basement is arranged for the Sunday school, with class-rooms of semicircular form. The building is neat and attractive, furnished with the modern conveniences, and cost $15,000.

The present membership of the church is 270, and is constantly increasing. The officers for the year 1881 are: Elders, John Weimer and Frank Bolander; Deacons, John Kritz, Isaac Kittenger, Jacob Baus and A. F. Hun- sicker.

The Sunday school was organized in 1853, and has been kept up ever since, though with a somewhat fluctuating attendance. It is at present in a flourishing condition, having an average attendance of 175. The school is well conducted by its Superintendent, G. F. Eber- hard.

The German Zion's Lutheran Church* was organized on the 6th day of August, 1854, by the Rev. P. J. Buehl. The original members were J. Beyruther, N. Henke, Ch. Baum- gaertel, J. Grad, D. Steinhagen, J. Rogler, J. Bauernfeind, E. Seidel, J. Dietz, W. Gerdts, H. Wishmeier, Mrs. W. Beck, Ch. Schmidt, L. Strobel, W. Strobel, A. Voss, N. Oellrich, G. Kling, J. Feuchter, I. Frank, G. Proehl, C. Kroeger, Mrs. Kaiser, J. Harter, G. Beck, J. Miller, W. Schroeder, P. Bibricher, E. Ditles, W. Hageman, J. Bernitt, D. Lamparter, J. Stein, C. Reinhard, S. Schmidt, G. Miller, J. Wolf, J. Brod, G. Goetz, J. Bitsch, Mrs. Sorrik, Ch. Nehr, J. Reibly, Mr. Schneider, G. Tents, Mrs. Shönefield, Mr. Dresler. In 1855, the so- ciety purchased a church edifice for their own from the Disciples, a building which was the pioneer house of worship in Akron, having been erected in 1834-35, by the Congregation- alists, on a portion of the present court house grounds. Rev. Buehl having accepted a call to the Lutheran Church at Massillon, Rev. G. Th. Gotsch was called as his successor in 1864, who served the congregation until 1872, when the present Pastor, Rev. H. W. Lothmann, was called, and took charge of the congregation. On account of the rapidly growing member- ship, a larger structure as a place of worship became a necessity, and, on the 16th day of

* By Rev. H. W. Lothmann.

September, 1877, the present building, costing $16,000, was solemnly dedicated to the serv- ices of the triune God. It is situated at the corner of High and Quarry streets, and covers a space 50x100 fcet, with a spire 150 feet high; it has a seating capacity of about five hundred people, and is built of brick. The congrega- tion at present consists of about one hundred and fifty families with 450 communicants. A school containing 130 scholars, is connected with the church, in which the children are taught both the German and English lan- guages, Mr. F. Strieter acting as teacher. The school is held in the old church building, which was removed to the rear of the lot back of the new church edifice. The present officers of the church are as follows: George Haas, Treasurer; F. Manthey, W. Wiese and W. Woeller, Trustees ; Ch. Baumann, H. Dietz and F. Kunz, Vestrymen.

St. Bernard Catholic Church* (German) was organized in 1861. In that year, the few Ger- man families decmed it proper to form a sepa- rate congregation, and for this purpose gathered in the cooper-shop of George Roth, on Green street. The number of families then were twenty-three, and they resolved to separate from St. Vincent De Paul's Church, to which they had belonged up to that time. A church was formed under the title of St. Bernard Catholic Church. The lot on the northeast corner of Center and Broadway was purchased. where the present building of the society stands. Rev. Father Loure, of St. Peter's Church, Cleveland, attended the little flock for some time, and, in 1862, the corner-stone of the new church was laid by Very Rev. Father Loure. In June, 1862, Rev. Louis Shiele was appointed the first regular Pastor of the con- gregation, and remained one year. In Jan- ary, 1863, they took possession of their new building, and, in July, of the same year, Rev. Peter Donnerhoffe succeeded Father Louis Shiele, and, on the 19th of July, 1866, Rev. Father Donnerhoffe was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Broun, the present Pastor.

In 1865, the residence of the Pastor was purchased, at a cost of about $2,200 .; in 1866, the cemetery was purchased for $2,500; in 1867, the schoolhouse was built at a cost of $1,400; in 1868, the church was renovated throughout, and stained-glass windows put in,

* By Rev. J. B. Broun.

379

CITY OF AKRON.

at a cost of $1,150; in 1870, two bells were bought, at a cost of $1,350; in 1872, the organ was purchased, costing $1,260; in 1874, some improvements were made at a cost of $1,200 ; in 1877, the tower on the church was built, at a cost of $2,600 ; the church frescoed at a cost of $400 more, and a large bell bought at $946, and other improvements at a cost of $200. In 1880, an addition was built to the church at a cost of $12,000. The present strength of the church is about three hundred families, with some four hundred attendants at the Sunday school. At the school, conducted under charge of the Church, the attendance is about two hundred and eighty children.

The Akron Hebrew congregation dates its organization back to the year 1865. On the 2d of April of that year, the following named gentlemen met and formed themselves into a society, to be known as the Akron Hebrew As- sociation, the object of the association to be the establishment of a school and synagogue, for the promotion of the educational, moral and re- ligious interests of the Jewish community. The charter members were Michael Joseph, Theo. Rice, J. L. Joseph, S. B. Hopfman, Simon Jo- seph, H. W. Moss, Isaac Levi, S. M. Ziesel, Moses Joseph, Herman F. Hahn, J. N. Leopold, D. Leopold, Louis Calish, Caufman Koch and Jacob Koch. The first Jewish residents in Akron were Mr. Isaac Levi and Mr. Caufman Koch, who were engaged in business in Akron as early as the year 1845, when Akron was a mere village. Mr. S. B. Hopfman came to Akron in the year 1851; Mr. H. Moss in the year 1856 ; Mr. Michael Joseph in the year 1864, and thus the Jewish population gradually increased, until at the present writing (March, 1881), it numbers 175 souls, while the books of the congregation show a membership of 30. Owing to the fact that the congregation has never called upon the community at large for pecuniary assistance, a policy to which, until now. it has strictly adhered, its financial strength has been slow but steady, and constant in its development. For four years after its founda- tion, the congregation found itself unable to provide a permanent place of worship ; but had to content itself with the establishment of a school for instruction in German, Hebrew, Jew- ish history and religion ; holding religious serv- ice only on special occasions, and on holidays. In the fall of the year 1869. the congregation

rented a hall and fitted up a synagogue and school on the third floor in Allen's Block, which it occupied for five years, when the steady in- crease in membership made the rooms inade- quate, and its financial prosperity enabled it to secure more commodious quarters. In the meanwhile, the Congregation had purchased " burial grounds " adjoining the Akron Rural Cemetery ; but, the " grounds " being unsuit- able, they were exchanged, October 15, 1871, for a large section in the southeast corner of the Akron Rural Cemetery, the congregation paying the cemetery association the additional sum of $1,000. The new synagogue and school- room, which were located in Clark's building, were dedicated on the 26th of October, 1874. Besides supporting a school and synagogue, employing a regular teacher and minister, and purchasing burial grounds, the congregation responded freely to appeals to its benevolence, contributing in the year 1868, $477 to the newly-established Jewish Orphan Asylum in Cleveland, and, sending in November, 1871, $198, raised by voluntary subscription, to the sufferers by the Chicago fire. In the year 1880, the increased membership, and the additional number of pupils, compelled the Congregation to seek new accommodations. and the third floor of the newly-erected Barber Block was leased for a term of five years. Over a thousand dol- lars were expended in fitting up the synagogue and school-room, which were dedicated to di- vine worship on the 23d of July, 1880, and which will compare favorably with the temples of many much larger congregations. As an adjunet to the congregation, the ladies organized a society called " Der Schweslerbund," which has been in existence for over thirteen years, and which has nobly assisted in promoting the great objects of the congregation. During the sixteen years of its existence, the executive power of the congregation has been in the hands of the following nine Presidents : Isaac Levi, Moses Joseph (two terms), H. F. Hahn. S. B. Hopfman (two terms), Isidor Colin, George Ma- rienthal, and the present presiding officer, Ben- jamin Desenberg. The first minister was the Rev. N. Hirsch, succeeded in regular order by Rev. N. L. Holstein, Rev. J. Jesselson, Rev. A. Suhler, Rev. A. Schreier, Rev. A. Burgheim and the present minister Rabbi S. M. Fleischman. This is the history of the Akron Hebrew Con- gregation from the days of its inauguration to

380

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY.

the present time. Its prosperous condition in- dicates a bright future, and it is hoped that when the congregation is again compelled to remove from its present location, it will dedi- cate a temple built by its own money on its own property .- [ Written by Rabbi S. M. Fleisch- man for this work.]

Calvary Church, of the Evangelical Associa- tion of Akron, was organized in 1866, by Rev. H. F. S. Sichley, of the Bristol Circuit. To the Rev. L. W. Hankey, the Pastor, we are indebted for the following facts pertaining to this church : Calvary Church was organized with the follow- ing members : Benjamin Stahl (leader), Cath- arine Stahl, Henry Nicholas, Catharine Nicho- las, Samuel Nicholas, Leah Nicholas, Joseph Nicholas, Martha Nicholas, Louisa Cook, Nancy Henninger, W. W. Farnsworth, Margaret Farns- worth and John and Eliza Shaffer. In 1867, it was determined by Conference that Akron should be made a Mission, under the charge of Rev. Mr. Sichley. There was no preaching, however, in the early part of the the year, on account of being unable to obtain a suitable building. A church was commenced during the year and the basement completed, and dedicated in October, 1867, by Rev. John Stull, Presiding Elder. The dedicatory sermon was preached by him, on the 6th of October. During the winter of 1867-68, the main audience-room of the church was finished, and dedicated to the service of God May 3, 1868, by Rev. Joseph Long, Bishop. The building, which is a substantial frame, cost about $4,000, outside of considerable work and material, which was contributed by individual members. It has been remodeled and improved since it was originally built, and is now a hand- some and commodious church edifice, located in South Akron.

The following Pastors have been called to the charge since organization : Revs. Jesse Lerch, A. Swartz, H. E. Strauch, A. E. Dreis- bach, S. S. Condo, A. Vandersoll, and the pres- ent Pastor, Rev. L. W. Hankey. The member- ship at this time is two hundred and twenty- seven.

The Sunday school of this church was organ- ized on the 27th of October, 1867, and num- bered at the time about forty scholars. It has continued since without interruption, and, at the present time, is in a very flourishing state, with a general attendance of 240 scholars, un- der the superintendence of W. S. Youts.

The English Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Akron, Ohio, was organ- ized in the spring of 1870. The pioneer work which resulted in this organization was per- formed by Rev. W. A. Passavant, D. D., of Pitts- burgh, and Rev. S. Laird, now of Philadelphia, Penn. There were about thirty members at the time of its organization. The first regular Pas- tor of the congregation was Rev. U. P. Ruth- rauff, now deceased. It was during his minis- try that the fine gothic church on Prospect street was built and the parsonage purchased, at a cost of about $45,000. The church, though not yet completed in its towers and Sunday school arrangements, was consecrated in June, 1872. Rev. W. P. Ruthrauff soon after resigned the charge and was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Fahs, the present Pastor, who took charge of the congregation in October, 1872. The con- gregation now numbers about one hundred and ninety-five communicant members.

The Sunday school was organized soon after the organization of the congregation, and num- bers about one hundred and twenty-five schol- ars, with an average attendance of about one hundred. Mr. R. N. Kratz is the Superintend- dent .- [ Written by Rev. J. F. Fahs. ]

The Church of Christ of Middlebury, or the Sixth Ward of Akron, is of recent organiza- tion. The facts for the following sketch of it were furnished by the Pastor, Elder T. D. But- ler : The Church of Christ, Middlebury, Sum- mit County, Ohio, was organized March 30, 1875, with eighty members, and the following officers : H. J. White, A. Brown, M. Jewett, El- ders ; F. W. Inman, G. F. Kent, T. H. Botsford and Richard Whitmore, Trustees ; G. F. Kent and T. H. Botsford, Deacons ; S. C. Inman, Clerk, and Almon Brown, Treasurer. The membership of the church at present is eighty- five. The first Pastor was Elder H. J. White. He has been followed by Elders F. M. Green, R. G. White, J. W. James, W. H. Rogers (in the order named), and by the present Pastor, Elder T. D. Butler. The church building is quite a model of architectural beauty, and was erected in 1878, at a cost of about $6,000.

The Sunday school of this church was or- ganized during the summer of 1875, and is in a flourishing condition, with an average attend- ance of abcut eighty children, under the super- intendence of C. J. Robinson.

CITY OF AKRON.

381

CHAPTER XI .*

CITY OF AKRON-EDUCATIONAL HISTORY-THE EARLY SCHOOLS-PERFECTION OF THE COMMON SCHOOLS-BUCHTEL COLLEGE-PRESIDENT AND FACULTY-ENDOWMENT, ETC.

Precepts and rules are repulsive to a child, but happy illustra- tions winneth him .- Tupper.

TN a history of Akron, its common schools and educational facilities occupy a prom- inent place. The following historical sketch of the schools of the city was written by Judge C. Bryan, and is so full and complete that we in- corporate it almost bodily in this work. It is as follows : " In 1846, there were within the in- corporated limits of the village of Akron, 690 children between the ages of four and sixteen years. Of this number, there was an average attendance at the public and other schools the year through of not more than 375. During the summer of 1846, one of the district schools was taught in the back room of a dwelling house. Another was taught in an uncouth, in- convenient and uncomfortable building, gratu- itously furnished by Capt. Howe, for the use of the district. There were private schools, but these were taught in rooms temporarily hired, and unsuited for the purpose in many respects. Reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic and gram- mar were more or less attended to in the pri- vate and public schools ; but of the above num- ber, there were, as estimated, 200 who did not at- tend school at all, who ought to have been re- ceiving the benefits of good school instruction.

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 Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 68

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104