History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 34

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870

USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 34

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).

In the spring of 1851 Rev. Richard Graham a missionary of the Miami Presbytery, was call- ed to the pulpit and continued as pastor until the time of his death, September 29, 1851.

Rev. Thomas Elcock preached from Au-

Digitized by Google

. 1

1 1

295

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

gust 28, 1852 (once each month) until April 9, 1853, when he was elected the first regular pas- tor and installed as such, the congregation promising to pay him $250 annually. His pas- torate continued until 1861, a period of nine years and a prosperous one throughout.

In June, 1861 Rev. Soloman Cook took charge of the church as stated supply until the 26th of November, 1862, when Rev. John W. Allen took charge and preached until 1864. In July, 1866, Rev. Frederick R. Wortring began his pastorate, which continued two years. Ou June 24, 1869, Rev. William M. Claybaugh was elected pastor and served acceptably until December 4, 1871. On April 22, 1872, Rev. Brainard T. DeWitt was elected and his minis- tration continued until March 21, 1874. His immediate successor was Rev. Eugene P. Dun- lap, who was elected in April, 1874, and served for one year.

On May 9, 1875, Rev. John V. Stockton began his labors in this church and on Sep- tember 30, 1875, Lima Presbytery ordaine.l him and installed him as pastor of the Van Wert church. He remained in charge until July, 1881, when he resigned to accept a call to the Third Presbyterian Church, of Fort Wayne.

In April, 1882, Rev. David Street was re- ceived from the Cleveland Presbytery and was installed April 27, 1882. He continued in charge for two years.

In November. 1884, Rev. J. A. Bower was received from the Indianapolis Presbytery and installed as pastor. In 1886 he resigned. On June 7. 1887, Rev. E. W. Work, a licentiate of the Athens Presbytery was received and ac- cepted a call. He was ordained and installed and continued until November 1, 1890, when he resigned to accept a professorship in Woos- ter University.

came to the church at Van Wert and com- menced his pastorate. He was regularly in- stalled January 1, 1891, and has continued until the present time.

At the organization of the church, Joseph Hattery was chosen the first ruling elder and was the only one until August 21, 1851, when John Q. Adams and Isaac Tolan were elected additional elders. These three continued to serve until 1855. The death of Mr. Hattery and the removal of Messrs. Adams and Tolan to the West caused vacancies which were filled by the election of Andrew Conn and Evan W. Jones, on January 19, 1856. On January 23, 1860, the church elected Henry Robinson, James K. Scott, Thaddeus S. Gilliland and Oli- ver P. Clark.

On November 23, 1879 on account of the increase in the membership and the enlarge- ment of the interests of the church, it was deemed to be to the best interests of the church to increase the number of elders to eight. and Dr. William N. Longsworth, Dr. John Glenn, Moses H. McCoy and John D. Erwin were elected and ordained. On July 5, 1883, Elder James Calhoun was received by letter from the Presbyterian Church of Connellsville, Penn- sylvania, and was invited to become a member of the session.

On November 15. 1885, John Capper. an elder from the Harrison church, having been received as a member of the church was re- ceived and enrolled as a member of the session.

The next elders elected (we have not the ex- act date but it was sometime in July, 1887) were : Dr. C. A. Murray, Prof. D. R. Boyd and John J. Humphreys. The first Thursday in April, 1899. Thomas J. Jones. W. B. Jones and Vinton L. Passler were elected elders.

On September 7, 1891. Vinton L. Passler On November 1. 1890, Rev. J. A. Gordon I was granted a letter on his removal to Boston.

Digitized by Google

296

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

Dr. John Glenn removed to Chicago. On Sep- tember 11, 1890, the death of Elder Henry Robinson was reported to the session. On December 16, 1893. Elder John D. Ervine died. On November 9. 1894, Elder : homas J. Jones died.

On February 10. 1895. Edward K. Ream, William Ervine, John E. Bernard and Hy. Da- vies were chosen elders. Davies declined or- dination. On June 27, 1895, the death of El- der William Ervine was reported to the ses- sion. On April 5. 1900, L. C. Morgan was elected an elder. and on April 4. 1901. James R. McIlvain. Elder Charles A. Murray's death was reported to session March 1. 1900. Elder John E. Bernard moved. Elder John Capper died October 20, 1903. * * *

On the 22nd day of August, 1851, James Gordon Gilliland, George S. Crafts and Evan WV. Jones were elected deacons and ordained on September 7, 1851. Messrs. Gilliland and Crafts held the office until their deaths; Mr. Jones until 1856 when he was elected elder.

On July 31, 1854, Oliver P. Clark and Henry Robinson were elected deacons. Mr. Robinson was ordained as such October 3, 1854. Mr. Clark had been previously ordained

In 1866 Moses H. McCoy, James L. Price and L. M. Cary were elected and ordained.

In 1869 M. F. Richey, Dr. William N. Longsworth and Nathaniel Hattery were elect- ed and ordained.

In 1874 J. J. Humphreys and A. A. Giffin were elected deacons. After this the church chose trustees.

On November 9, 1879, a board of trus- tees was constituted, consisting of six persons to be divided into three classes and to serve as follows John A. Conn, and I. H. Eldridge, for three years; H. Kemper and Walter L.

Scott, for two years; James Montgomery and O. D. Swartout, for one year.

Here there is an omission in the records of about four or five years.

Recommencing with the year 1886, the fol- lowing have been elected and served as trustees :

T. S. Gilliland, from 1886 to 1889; W. B. Jones, from 1886 to 1889: J. J. Humphreys, from 1887 to 1890: J. R. McIlvain. from 1887 to 1890: A. M. Bouton, from 1888 to 1891 ; E. K. Ream, from 1888 to 1891 : J. W. Evans, from 1889 to 1895: N. L. Williams, from 1889 to 1895: A. J. Clymer, from 1889 to 1901 : Henry Davies, from 1890 to 1902 : \V. M. Fla- harty, from 1890 to 1902: J. P. Reed, from 1890 to 1906; W. L. Scott, from 1891 to 1894: J. E. Bernard. from 1891 to 1894: W. H. Hei- stand, from 1891 to 1906; D. H. Morgan, from 1894 to 1900; L. R. Bonewitz, from 1894 to 1906; R. J. Cavett, from 1895 to 1904; J. F. Sidle, from 1895 to 1904: H. P. McDonald. from 1900 to 1906; H. Kemper, from 1901 to 1906; J. O. Roberts, from 1904 to 1906.

The First Presbyterian congregation was organized in the old Court House. When the Methodists were building their church, the Presbyterians contributed to the fund for that purpose, and when the church was built they shared with the Methodists the use of the church when they were able to secure a min- ister.

In 1853 the congregation decided to erect a building for themselves for a place of wor- ship. They purchased a lot on the south side of Main street and west side of Harrison street, on which they erected a neat frame building at the cost of $3,000, which structure was occu- pied by them until 1872. when the congrega- tion made arrangements for the erection of

Digitized by Google

297

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

their church edifice on the corner of South Washington and West Crawford streets.

The new building was commenced in the spring of 1873. The building committee con- sisted of Dr. W. N. Longsworth, James L. Price, M. H. McCoy, Nathaniel Hattery, John A. Conn and T. S. Gilliland. The contract was let to E. W. Wilson, architect and builder. The erection of the building was prosecuted with vigor and in December, 1873, the lower room was occupied for holding church services and Sabbath-school. The old church on East Main street was sold to the German Evangelical con- gregation.

In 1877 the building committee again re- sumed their labors and the church was finished, the whole expense, including lot, being $14,000. *

Rev. Thomas Elcock was born and raised on a farm in York County, Pennsylvania. After he became of age, he decided to study for the ministry, and as there were only elementary schools for three months in the winter in his neighborhood he sold his horse and went to Lafayette College to get an education. At the close of the college year, he would sometimes walk home in three days, a distance of 120 miles, and return again the next year the same way. Once he and a companion took a pleas- sure trip on foot a distance of 80 miles at a total expense of 25 cents. At Lafayette Col- lege, where he graduated in 1841, after six years of study, he was associated with young men like Noah Porter, afterward president of Yale; and Dr. W. F. Green, the famous He- braist of Princeton.

Mr. Elcock's theological course of three years was taken at Princeton under the instruc- tion of her "Big Four"-Addison Alexander, Samuel Miller and Archibald and Charles Hodge-those great theologians whose gen- ius and piety have influenced every part of the

world. He was licensed to preach in 1843 at the age of 32 and spent the remainder of his life in the active service of the ministry.

During the last year in the theological school at Princeton, Mr. Elcock preached regu- larly to the colored people in their church there, and was ever a warm friend of freedom and the colored race.

Graduating in 1844, he turned toward the great West. His father had died and left him some means, so journeying by canal boat, stage coach and river he made his way to Ohio, and preached for six months at Ravenna.

He was ordained and installed pastor of Covington, Gettysburg and Mount Jefferson in 1845, often preaching in the woods at the last named point. The country was at that time full of chills and fever, the traveling mostly on horseback and the distance the pastor had to travel was great.

In 1846 Mr. Elcock found that good thing from the Lord-a good wife, talented and con- secrated, who helped and cheered him greatly for years until her death.

He accepted a call to the Van Wert and Delphos churches and moved to Delphos from Covington in 1853 and began his life in this region.

While living in Delphos, the village had a scourage of cholera, which swept away many lives. During the epidemic Mr. Elcock and his wife were unsparing and unselfish in the as- sistance they gave to the plague-stricken peo- ple.

In 1855 he removed to Van Wert, where he had already been preaching one half his time. Soon afterward, he purchased the home where he spent the remainder of his life. He built the first church for the Presbyterians here and was their pastor for a period of nine years continuously after the erection of the new house of worship. In the long period following until

Digitized by Google

298

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

he was called to his final reward, he was ever active in the church and in all things pertain- ing to it. In addition to his arduous minister- ial duties, which he never neglected, he filled the office of worthy chaplain for 25 fall terms in the lodge of the Sons of Temperance.

He died as he had lived. at peace with all the world, in cherful hope for the future and without a struggle. The gates were opener and the spirit passed beyond, leaving behind a memory that is a life lesson to every man who knew him. After having spent the evening with a neighbor, Mr. Elcock returned to his home and sat in a chair to rest after the walk. When his daughter went to him to assist him in re- moving his overcoat as was her custom, she found that death had claimed her aged and beloved parent.

Rev. Thomas Elcock celebrated his 94th birthday anniversary and Monday, October 16, IGO5, in his usual health and vigor, that be- spoke for him many more years of life, and yet ere midweek he had passed over the river, dy- ing on October 18th.

The old text, "By their fruits shall ye know them," applies as well to educational in- stitutions as to any other. Among those to whom Washington and Jefferson College al- ways pointed with pride, as furnishing the evi- dence of the character of her training, was Rev. John W. Allen, D. D. He was born February I, 1837, in Belmont County, Ohio. His par- ents were William and Jane (Workman) Allen of sturdy Presbyterian stock. A farmer's son spending his early years on a farm, he was giv- en the strong, healthy development that lies at the foundation of an active, useful life. Early in his life his attention turned toward the Gos- pel ministry, and with this in view he began his educational career. His academic studies were pursued in Miller Academy in Guernsey

County, Ohio, which instituton he entered in the year 1855. Here his course of study was finished with honor to himself. He then en- tered the sophomore class of Washington and Jefferson College in 1857 and was graduated in the class of 1860. Immediately after his graduation, he entered the Western Theological Seminary, where he remained two years. The third year of his theological course was spent in the Seminary of the Northwest. where he finished his theological studies in 1863. After leaving the seminary, he was called to the pas- torate of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert. Ohio, where he was ordained to the Gos- pel ministry and installed as pastor by the Lima Presbytery. During this pastorate. in the year 1864, he was married to Roxana Purmort. He continued in his first church, laboring with great fidelity and success, until ill health re- sulting from a malarious climate compelled his resignation.

Removing to Minnesota, he served one year as stated supply for the church at Lake City. Subsequently he removed to Kirkwood, Illinois, where he spent two years as stated supply.

The deep affection and high esteem with which Dr. Allen is still remembered by his for- mer parishioners bear witness to the fidelity and acceptableness of his labors among them.

In the spring of 1868 he removed to Kansas City, where for a short time he supplied the First Presbyterian Church of that city. While thus engaged, he was elected by his presbytery to be the Presbyterian missionary of the Osage (now Kansas City) Presbytery. His efficency and success in discharging the duties of his new office drew to him the attention of the Synod of Missouri, as the man best qualified for the important office of synodical missionary. He was unanimously elected superintendent of missions by the synod in 1873. The duties of his office necessitated his removal to St. Louis,

Digitized by Google

Digitized by

Google

OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VAN WERT Now St. Peter's Church

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VAN WERT

FIRST M. E. CHURCH, VAN WERT

ST. MARK'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, VAN WERT

Digitized by Google

30I

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

where he for years resided. At the time of his election the mission work of the synod, owing to ecclesiastical divisions which had hitherto prevailed, was in an enfeebled and unorganized condition, but under his wise leadership it soon put on new strength and activity. His wisdom and fidelity in his labors soon won for him the confidence of his brethren in the ministry and for eight successive years he was unanimously reelected to his office.

In 1880 he resigned his position to accept that of superintendent of the work of the Board of Publication in the Southwest. The adminis- trative ability which he showed as superin- tendent of missions was conspicuously mani- fested in his new work and he had the satisfac- tion of seeing it grow from small beginnings to large proportions. The position which he oc- cupied and his accurate knowledge of the field led him to see and urge the expendiency of es- talfishing a religious newspaper in the interests of the Southwest. Accordingly he began the publication of the monthly known as the St. Louis Evangelist, of which he was the editor, carrying on this work in connection with that of the Board of Publication. The success of the effort led to the formation of a company to publish the St. Louis Evangelist Weekly. Dr. Allen was chosen treasurer of the new company and publisher of the paper. Subsequently the name was changed to that of The Mid-Conti- nent, and about the time of his death this was merged into The Herald and Presbyter.

His manifold and laborious duties did not limit the labors of Dr. Allen. No one in the Presbytery did more active or efficient work in evangelization than he. He preached almost ever Sabbath, and was the recognized leader in the mission work of the Presbyterian Church in the city of St. Louis. As secretary of the Home Mission Committee, the case of the mis-

sion stations and pastorless churches fell largely upon him. He was also secretary and one of the managers of the St. Louis Bible Society. In 1875 he was elected moderator of the Synod of Missouri and in 1879 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the University of Wooster. Dr. Allen was an earnest and scriptural preacher, pleasing and forceful in his delivery and was always heard with pleasure and profit. His genial and unselfish disposition won him a host of friends, and his wisdom and well-balanced judgment made him a leader in counsel among his brethren.

He and his wife had no children of their own but minor children of relatives have been educated by them, and an adopted daughter received every educational advantage and grew into womanhood in their happy home. Dr. Allen's duties were those of organizer and superintendent in the work of the church and in this field he displayed signal ability and his work will long abide as a memorial to his faith- ful, wise and selfsacrificing labors. * *

Rev. Eugene P. Dunlap, having decided to enter the missionary field, wanted to spend one more year in this country to complete his medi- cal studies. He accordingly agreed to supply the pulpit for the First Presbyterian Church at Van Wert for one year. It was with sorrow that the church parted with him. In 1875 he sailed for Siam, where he has since labored. He is a member of the Siam Presbytery and is accomplishing a great work.

On May 9, 1875, Rev. John V. Stockton began his labors in the Van Wert church and on September 30, 1875, was ordained and in- stalled pastor of the church. He remained in charge until July, 1881, when he resigned to

Digitized by Google

302

HISTORY OF VAN WERT COUNTY

accept a call to the Third Presbyterian Church of Fort Wayne. Shortly after moving to Fort wayne, he and his family were afflicted with diphtheria that affected his voice to such an extent that he was compelled to give up his charge and rest for a few years; in fact he never fully recovered from the effects of the disease. He was later located at Mercer, Pennsylvania, where he preached for a number of years and became deservedly popular in his home city, as well as in the presbytery and synod. His health failing he removed to Pittsburg that he might the better educate his sons. After suffering for a number of years, he and his wife went to California in hopes that the climate might be beneficial to his health, but the disease had too strong a hold and he died there in 1905. He was a man of great ability and left the impress of his devoted life upon every community in which he lived. *

On June 7, 1887, Rev. E. W. Work ac- cepted a call and was ordained and installed pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Van Wert, and remained until November 1, 1890, when he resigned to accept a professorship in the University of Wooster. He was afterward called to the Third Presbyterian Church of Dayton, of which he was pastor for several years until the health of his family required a change of climate, when he went to Berkeley, California, where he was pastor for a number of years. The health of his family not improv- ing, he finally resigned and accepted a call to a church at Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he is now stationed. He is a man of great ability and untiring energy. He is devoted to his work wherever he is situated and wonder- fully successful and a good organizer, being always able to enlist his members in the work of the church.

THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The Court House was used by this denom- ination as their first place of worship.

The enterprise of erecting a church was in- augurated in the year 1845 under the pastorate of Rev. John Graham. A subscription to the church fund was liberal and lot No. 20 on North Jefferson street was purchased from Walter Buckingham for $50. The original trustees were Abel R. Strother, Abraham Zim- merman, Theophilus W. King. Samuel S. Brown and James M. Young, who officiated in that capacity for many years.

The contract for the erection of a frame church was awarded to James H. Long, which included not only its erection but the fur- nishing of the material. During the winter of 1846-47 the timber was hauled upon the ground and in the summer of 1847 Mr. Long commenced the work, but peculiar circumstances compelled him to abandon it. Abraham Zimmerman undertook to finish the frame work, while Darius and Joseph Evers put on the roof, inclosed the building and laid the floors. The building was not plastered, but was seated with rough boards to accommodate the congregation, while neither pulpit nor tower graced the church. In this condition it was used for several years as a house of worship by all denominations. The plastering was not finished until 1852. when measures were taken to have the rough boards exchanged for better furniture. To the accom- plishment of this object, Rev. Nathan H. Tay- lor devoted the energies of both body and mind, he having been sent to fill the pulpit. Through the days of the week, besides attending to pastoral duties he assisted in cutting and haul- ing to the sawmill the walnut logs from which the seats were sawed. In 1850, the timber be-

Digitized by

Google

303

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

ing well seasoned. measures were taken to raise the necessary funds and in 1854 the church was finished.

To perpetuate the principal actors and the respective parts taken, we add their names as an encouragement to others to act likewise under similar circumstances. Rev. Nathan H. . Taylor was the principal architect and erected the pulpit and altar; the seats were made by J. W. Penn. Joseph Evers and Morgan Mu- maugh, and the cupola was built by Darius Evers and Samuel Latimore. The bell was placed in the tower on May 4, 1854.

The following ministers have filled the pul- pit as pastors : 1845-46, Rev. John Graham; 1846-47, Rev. John S. Kalb; 1847-48, Rev. James Albright : 1848-49, Rev. A. Harmount; 1850-51, Rev. William Guiberson and Rev. Jacob Burkholder; 1851-52, Rev. Reuben D. Oldfield and John K. Ford: 1852-53, Rev. Nathan H. Taylor, Rev. John Graham and Rev. Gersham Lease; 1853-54, Rev. Nathan H. Taylor and Rev. J. Duvall: 1854-55. Rev. Joseph Fribley and Rev. N. B. C. Love (the conference in 1855 made Van Wert a station) ; 1856-57, Rev. John Graham; 1858, Rev. A. Hollington (the conference in 1858 united Van Wert and Delphos with two ministers) ; 1858-59, Rev. William A. Baker and Rev. E. G. Longsworth; 1859-60, Rev. William A. Baker and Rev. J. N. Priddy ; 1860-61, Rev. F. Merritt and Rev. J. N. Priddy ; 1861-62, Rev. J. F. Mounts and Rev. L. A. 'Belt; 1862- 63, Rev. J. F. Mounts and Rev. A. B. Web- ster: 1863-64, Rev. A. L. Nickerson and Rev. A. B. Webster (the conference in 1864 changed Van Wert to a station ) ; 1864-67, Rev. Oilver Kennedy; 1867-68. Rev. George Mather : 1868-69, Rev. H. E. Pilcher (his ap- pointment supplied by Rev. J. F. Mounts) ; 1869-71, Rev. William Jones : 1871-72, Rev.

A. Harmount; 1872-73, Jacob Halderman; 1873-75, Rev. Oliver Kennedy; 1876-77, Rev. William Jones; 1877-79, Rev. J. R. Hender- son; 1879-82, Rev. A. J. Fish; 1883-85, Rev. William Lance; 1886-88, Rev. Clark Craw- ford; 1889-91, Rev. James H. Fitzwater; 1892-94, Rev. J. M. Avann; 1895, Rev. L. M. Albright; 1896-98, Rev. A. J. Fish; 1899-1902, Rev. P. P. Pope, 1903-06, Rev. M. M. Figley.

Work commenced on the First Methodist Episcopal Church in the spring of 1876. The pastor at that time was Rev. Oliver Kennedy. The corner-stone of the new church was laid July 25, 1877, Rev. William Jones then being pastor. The board of trustees was constituted as follows: J. M. C. Marble, president, Levi F. Zimmerman, secretary; J. S. Brumback, treasurer ; J. S. Zook, T. J. DeMoss, D. Casto and Hiram C. Glenn. Dr. Adam N. Krout, E. Laukart, J. M. C. Marble, J. S. Zook and T. J. DeMoss were the building committee, and T. J. Tolan & Son, of Fort Wayne, the architects. The corner-stone was laid with appropriate exercises and in it was placed a copper box in which were deposited the following articles : Holy Bible; Methodist Hymn Book; copies of the county papers; names of all subscribers to the new church to that date, 672 in all; a writ- ten document by the mayor of the town, con- taining the names Of the founders of the town, when laid out, when incorporated, and names of present officers and population; the Im- proved Order of Red Men deposited a copy of their by-laws, list of first officers elected, also of present officers, and a copy of the proceed- ings of Grand Council held in May. 1877; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows de- posited a certified list of members in good standing, a copy of the constitution and by-laws and names of present officers ; the Free Masons deposited a roll containing an ac-

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 Van Wert County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 34

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 870

Author: Thaddeus S. Gilliland
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 870