History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878

USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 83
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 83

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 property was declared to belong to the " Society of the Most Precious Blood" : Convent of Maria Stein; Convent of Hummel- garden and Seminary at Carthagevia, Mercer County, Ohio, aml Convent Egypt; Convent at Minster; house and church at Wapakoneta, Au- glaize County, Ohio, and Couvent at Glandorf and Maria Camp, in Put- nam County, Ohio ; Convent at New Riegel; Thompson and Maria Stein, in Seneca County, Ohio; Convent at Mary's Home, in Jay County, Ind.

Ang. 27, 1872. Revs. Trangor, Wittmer, and Francis Neigsch were elected priests of the Society.

Aug. 27, 1873. Rev. Thomas Eisenning and Rev. Rudolph Abrederis were elected priests, with full active and passive voice.

"Nov. 12, 1874. Convent Maria Stein Society met. Revs. John Fred- erick Schack, Joseph Uphaus, Theobald Zehach, and Marion Beatus Guenther were made priests of the Society, with full active and passive voice. Former officers continued.

November 18, 1874. Members of the Society assembled. Right Rev. Joseph Dwenger, Bishop of Fort Wayne, presiding. The following Rev. gentlemen were elected by ballot (members present, Rev. Ansemah Kunk- ler, Schelbost, Drees, and Diekerman, the Board of Directors) : Rev. Cassenas Lieberger and George Pleisch, priests with full active and passive voice.

A. Kunkler was elected Procurator and II. Drees Secretary.

January 27, 1875. Convent Maria Steen, Mercer County, Ohio. The Priests of the Society met and adopted a motion that all the officers elected at the foregoing meeting shall be considered as the Board of Directors for one year, viz. : Rev. B. Austerman President; V. R. Rev. Andrew Kunkler Procurator; Rev. Alois Schelbert, Henry Drees, and Bernard Derkerman.

August 11, 1875. Directors were re-elected.

. November 16, 1875. This Association entered into an agreement with Peter Bauer that he, the said Bauer, will deliver to the Society all his personal property, at about $675 in notes, and his household furniture, and they in consideration thereof, are to keep and maintain him and his wife as long as they live. Signed by Alois Scheller [SEAL]. Peter Bauer [SEAL].

Witnesses, Frank. Beckman. Nicholas Schweller.

June 1, 1876. Convent at Egypt. Clemens Roesner and Ignatius Selb were declared full members and priests of the Society of the Precious Blood, with full active and passive voice. The former Directors re- elected to their respective offices to meet at the call of the President.

We shall now give the history of all the Catholic churches, with date of their organization, location, cost of building, and situation.

Catholic Churches in Mercer County, Ohio.

Name.

Locality.

Cost.

Memulera.

Pastor.

: Year.

1. St. Johns

St. Johny

85000 375 Rev. Michael Graf

1:37

2. St. Henrys

St. Henry

7000 375

Felix Graf

1:39

3. St. Josephs

21 m. from Recovery

6009 235

Alvi- Mahn

1-38

4. St. Mary's

Philothea

7000 175

Casper Schweiler

5. St. Rosa

'St. Rosa

6000 160)

Francis Bucchel

6. St. Mary

C'opella Trie

6000 1×0.

Sebastian Gauthier

1~10

7. St. Francis

Near Cranberry Prai-

5000 160

Ignatin . Sel

8. St. Alvis

Carthagenia

7500 130

Godfrey Schlachter

1-36

9. St. Anthony > m. N. of Recovery

7000 110

Conrad Solmenter

1×11

10. St. Trinity

Coldwater

1600 250

Throbaki si hoch

11. St. Sebastian Near Chickasaw

1000 250

Erhard Glueck

1-32

12. Ft. Pauls

6 m. W. of st. Henry

1000 130

Paut Holster

13. St. Peters

4000 150

Peter hip homurach 1-59

14. St. Bernard Burkattsville

1200 125

Alvi Malmo -

15. St. Marys

C'elena

7000 400. " Th. Wattuce

16. St. Wendelu. W. of St. Henry.

1200

: 150%

2×1000;

St. Johns Church was established six mites west of Minster in the year 1837. The first church erected was built of logs, which was small in size, but suited to the wants of the people. Among the early pioneers were John Reichert, Henry Kramer, Bernhard Backe, Leisten Schneider, Gast, Hinders, Elking. Goecke, Buchler, and Moeller. The congregation and population increasing, a good brick church has been erected at a cost of about $3000, which has been twice enlarged. Its present size is 50 by 100 feet. It has a fine organ, and the number of communicants is 375. Present pastor, Rev. Michael Graf.

St. Henrys Church was built in 1839, when the Catholics first bought Jand in this locality, and is established at the town of St. Henry, which was located in 1837 by Henry Roemer. The building is 48 by 100 feet, and cost about $7000. The earliest members were the families of Huels- manns, Hemmelgarten, and Frank Roemer, Weinart, Wendel, and Bruns. The first priest was Rev. Bartels. The present church was built under the supervision of Rev. Vanden Brock, and dedicated by Archbishop Purcell in 1854. Number of communicants, 375. Present pastor, Rev. Felix Graf.

St. Josephs Church is situated two and a half miles from Recovery, and was organized in 1838. The first church was a log cabin, built that year. The first priest was Rev. John Herzog, and the earliest members were John Dull, John Weiss, and the families of Messrs. Kramer, Goecke, and Bruscher. The present church is a brick building, 45 by s5 feet, and cost $6000; was finished in 1861. Many members live in Recovery. Number of communicants, 235. Present pastor, Rev. Alois Malin. Congregation in a prosperous condition.

St. Marys Church was established at Philothea on Sept. 6, 1851, by H. Weiner, H. Wendeln, HI. Zumalde, Frederick Albers, II. Spoltman, F. Saalman, H. Phelman, and H. Lenartz. Mr. H. Weiner gave 40 acres of land for church and school purposes, for which he received $100, and in 1852 a small log church was built. On July 11, 1871, one of the finest churches in Northern Ohio was built and dedicated; was built under the supervision of Rev. James Marte, is a brick building, 45 by 85 feet, and cost $7000. The church has a tower. of which four bells chime the praises of God. The number of communicants are 175. Present pastor, Rev. Casper Schedler, C. P. P. S.

St. Rosa Church was established in 1837, and in due time a log church was built in 1838. The regular services were first held about 1845, when Father Navairon, a French priest, with Res. John Witt- mer and other priests belonging to the C. P. P. S., visited the church alternately, and performed divine services. The first trustees were Messrs. Rohdierks, Nichting, Bassehans Piefer, Hagadorus, Lochtefelt. and Soarge. The present church was built at a cost of $6000, under the supervision of Rev. Kunkler, and dedicated June 19, 1854. Its size is 42 by 75 feet, and built of brick. It has a fine $800 organ, with a mem- bership of 160. Present pastor, Rev. Francis Bucihel, C. P. P. S.

St. Marys Church is built at Copella, and has a history since 1840. Among its earliest members was John Hess. A small frame church was erected in 1842, and in 1862 the present edifice; is'a brick church, 43 by 78 feet, costing $6000; was dedicated by Bishop Rosecrantz. Mesers. Martin Hierholzer, Bernard Wehrkamp, John Cron, and B. Schaeffer were the building committee. The number of communicants, 180. Rev. Peter Haberthur being pastor at the time when the church was erecte.l. Present pastor, Rev. Sebastian Ganther, C. P. P. S.

St. Francis Church is situated near and inchules Cranberry Prairie. This church was organized through the efforts of Christopher and Jacob Schunck and Henry Hemmelgarten. The church was built in 1960 of brick, 38 by 65 feet, at a cost of $5000, and possesses the finest vost- ments of any congregation in the county, and are made of the richest and rarest materials. The church membership is 166. Present pastor, Ignatius Selb, C. P. P. S.

St. Alvis Church is near Carthagena, and was established about 1834 by the settlement of Catholics and the purchase of land from the colorent people. In 1860 a grave-yard was purchased and a school organized. Since then the Catholics have worshipped in the chapel attached to the Theological Seminary. The membership increasing in 1875. plans for a new church, of brick, 45 by S5 feet, with a solid tower of two-feet walls from the ground, at a cost of $7500, were made under the supervision of Rev. Henry Drees. In May, 1977, the corner stone was laid and blessed,

312

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

and through the indefatigable evertions of Father Henry the church was dedicated June 30, 1878. Among the active and energetic men of this church, who constituted the building committee, were Philip Frey, Fred- erick Horsthoofd, and Peter Kurth. The church was assisted by large subscriptions from other towns and congregations. Number of commu- nicants, 150. Present priest, Rev. Godfrey Schlachfer.

St. Anthony's Church is eight miles north of Recovery, and was estab- lished principally through the devoted efforts of Anton Schmett and Anthony Wiggeman. The first church was a small log church, and built in 1841, and the present church in 1878 by the praiseworthy exer- tions of Father Wilhelmj. C. P. P. S --- is brick, 45 by $5 feet-at a cost of $7000. Number of communicants, 140. Present pastor, Rev. Conrad Schneider, C. P. P.S.

St. Trinity Church was located in Cold Water in 1868. Three ardent Catholics, Messrs. H. Kallmeier; H. Baese, and Joseph Pohl, having de- termined to erect a church, called upon Rev. JJohn Vanden Broek for his advice. The site was selected and the ground donated upon which the church now stands. The founders named it St. Trinity, to perpetuate the fact that the plan originated with three members. In I868 the work began with six members in the congregation, viz., Messrs. Kallmeier, Polit, Bukemeier, Goettemaeller, Fisher, and Tekamp. Shortly after the church met with a severe loss in the death of Mr. Rose, a devout Christian man. In 1870 the church was completed. It is a frame build- ing. 35 by 60 feet, and cost $1900, and is now under the pastoral care of Rev. Father Theobold Schock, C. P. P. S. Number of communicants, 250.

St. Sebastian Church is near Chickasaw, four miles north of St. Johns, and numbers 250 communicants, and was formerly a part of St. Johns and St. Rosa congregations, and was established by permis ... on of the bishop in 1852. The pioneers of the church were Adam Gerlach, John Will, and B. Frohning. The first church was built in 1853, and served the purposes until the present church was erected in 1878, finished in 1879, and dedicated in October, 1879. It is the finest church in all Mercer County, of brick, 45 by 85 feet ; solid tower of brick, two-feet walls from the bottom ; under the supervision of Revs. P. Ruchumuench and B. Russ, assisted by the manly efforts of building committee, composed of Messrs. Fred. Viekanys, T. Mestemaker, Hubert Dabbett, and Gerhard Schwietermann. Cost of church, $8000. Present pastor, Erhard Glueck, C. P. P. S.

St. Wendeln Church is four miles south of St. Henry, and was estab- lished in 1867. A handsome church of brick, 35 by 65 feet, was soon afterwards built, superintended by Rev. Paul Reister, C. P. P. S., assisted by active members of the congregation, viz., J. Breidenstein, John and Henry Esser, and others. Communicants, 150.

St. Pauls Church is four miles southwest of St. Henry, and was built in 1874. The church is a frame, 45 by 30 feet ; cost of building, $1000. Communicants, about 130. Present pastor, Rev. Paul Reister, C. P. P. S.

St. Peters Church and congregation was organized in Is59, having been formerly part of St. Josephs. In above-named year a brick church, 35 by 65 feet, was erected under the direction of Rev. John Vanden Brock, at a cost of about $4000. Leading members, acting as building committee and sympathizers of congregation, were, among others, Messrs. Heithards, William Wendeln, Trautmann, and Schoenlein. The congregation is at present in a flourishing, healthy condition, under the pastorship of Rev. Peter Kuchmuench, C. P. P. S. Number of commu- nicants. 150.

St. Barnards Church is five miles due south of St. Henry ; was estab- lished in 1875. In same year a frame church, 35 by 60 feet, was erected ; cost, $1700. First regular divine service was conducted therein in 1876 by Rev. Alvis Malin. The little plain where the church stands is called Burkettsville. The prospects of the congregation are good, tracts of land in the hands of speculators, etc., being in the market for sale. Present number of families, 25 ; communicants, 125. Leading members, by whose laudable efforts the church was created, were Messis. Theodore Hemmelgarten, Tos. Nardenbroek, and Johu Baergerding, etc.

All the churches are free of debt.

Celina Church .- The first Catholic resident in Celina was Owen Cial- lagher. He was alone in his religion until 1$60, when Daniel Mahomey settled in 1861, and C. Ganner, Joseph Biggs, and John Hess in 1862.

In 1×64, the first Catholic service ever helt in Celina was performed at the house of Joseph Zenders, Father Dickman presiding.

The first organization as a society took place at that time, and from this time services were held every two weeks. The society was in- created by the membership of Christopher, Jacob, and Peter Schunck. The congregation increasing, and the Catholics of the adjoining neigh- borhood desiring to attend service in Celina, the county town of Van Wert County, resolved to erect a house of worship, and on Aug. 3. 1564, the corner stone was laid by Archbishop Purcell. A large procession of citizens, composed of Catholics and Protestants, under the command of Col. Abner Davis, in full uniform. met the Archbishop. He conducted the ceremonies, assisted by Rev. Dwenger, Rev. Drees, Rev. Dickman, and Rev. Vanden Brouck.

The building being completed Dec. 8, 1965, was dedicated by Rev. Father Dwenger, commissioned for the purpose by Archbishop Purcell. It cost $7000. To this an addition has been made in ISTS. The church was originally 40 by 60 feet, but it has been increased, and is now 40 by 95 feet, built of brick. The congregation numbers 130 families, with 400 communicants. A small school-house has been erected, at a cost of $1200, 35 by 40 feet, under the care of Father Wittmer. assisted by two sisters of C. P. P. S., having 90 scholars under their care. The building committee were Messrs. Jacob Gerlach, Jacob Kreusch, Joseph Reidhardt, and Jacob Schunck. An organ has been presented to the church. Father Wittmer is first resident priest, and possesses a liberal Christian spirit, and is a man of high mental culture.

RAILROADS.

Three railroads enter the county, while two cross its area; the one from east to southwest, and the other from northeast to south. The Lake Erie and Western enters Jefferson Township from Auglaize County, passes through Celina, crosses Butler Township by Coldwater and Phi- lothea, cuts off a corner of Granville Township, and running through Recovery Township, passes St. Josephs and Fort Recovery, then extend- ing westward through Indiana and Illinois. Its extension from St. Marys to Celina was celebrated by the citizens of this section, on July 4, 1878. On this occasion the meeting was held at Celina, the Declara- tion of Independence was read by C. M. LeBlond, Esq., an oration de- livered by Judge Mckenzie, of Lima, and voluntary addresses by H. F. MeKenney, of Piqua, and Judge Phelps, of St. Marys. The road is now in fair condition, and handles an enormous trade. Employes at Celina, J. M. Davidson, agent, R. M. Amsden, operator, and Mark Wil- liams, clerk.

Toledo, Delphos, and Burlington .- This road is an extension of the system of narrow-gauge roads which converge at Delphos and Tolelo. The extension originally had Delphos and Shanes Crossing as termini, but in 1881 the line was extended by Mendon, Mercer, Oregon, Celina, Montezuma, Chickasaw, and on to Payton, thus affording a direct line from the latter place to Toledo. In 1872 the whole lines of narrow- gauge roads, extending from Toledo to St. Louis, and from Tolelo to Dayton, with branches, were consolidated into one system, and the name changed to the St. Louis Narrow-Gauge System.

Van Wert, Celina, and State Line .- This road, originally constructed as a narrow-gauge between Van Wert and Shanesville, was changed in 1881 to a standard gange, and the line extended north from Van Wert to Paulding.

Northern Railroad is a consolidation of the following railroads, viz .: 1. Toledo and Maurice Railroad. 2. Toledo and Grand Rapids Railroad. 3. Toledo, Delphos, and Indianapolis Railroad. 4. Delphos and Kokomo Railroad. 5. Delphos, Blutton, and Franklin Railroad. 6. Toledo. Frankford, and St. Louis Railroad. 7. Toledo, Cincinnati, and St. Louis. X. Dayton, Covington, and Toledo Railroad. 9. ( monats and Northern Railroad. 10. Dayton and South Eastern Railroad.

The length of the continued road is seven hundred miles, and the gauge is three feet.

By a new device, called the " Ramsey Transfer," the products of the mercantile, manufacturing, and farming interests can be placed in the cars, and without change can be carried to Eastern cities, thereby saving a large amount to the shipper.

٠٠

313

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

This is the first narrow-gange that is so constructed for these com- mercial purposes, and is the longest in the world, and has thus far proved eminently successful. So great has been the passenger and freight in- crease, that the demands of the several counties through which the road passes require the officers to take energetic measures to accomplish these ends. Toledo, the late terminus of the railroad, is destined to become a city of the greatest importance.

INCIDENTS.

The following bill of lading is recorded in the Deed Book of Mercer County; and we place it upon our pages to show how goods were shipped -- prices, etc.

UNITED STATES LINE.

Received, New York, July 7, 1837, the following articles of merchan- dise, in apparent good order, viz .: Ten boxes of goods and two chests, T. II. Delaneter, Piqua, Ohio, care of J. G. Leet, Portsmouth, Ohio, , which we agree to forward as follows: By the Albany tow boats and United States line to Buffalo-by steam on the Lake to Cleveland (the risks and dangers of the lake, of fire at all places of storage or tranship- ment, and breaking of looking-glasses, excepted,) at $2.71 per 100 lbs. Dry goods $3.17 per 100 lbs.

D. NORTHROP, Agent.

Tragedy of Mary Arabella Secaur, and Lynching of the Murderers- (Contributed.)

Mary Arabella Secaur was murdered by Alexander McLeod, and Absalom and Jacob Kimmel, on Sunday, June 23, 1872, which tragical event happened during the period Thornton Spriggs was Sheriff of Mercer County.

Before entering into the detail of the circumstances attending the case, we desire to state that, on the Saturday night prior to that eventful Sabbath, this little girl, aged but - years, had a fearful dream, which she communicated to the family,-a dream which certainly indicated that her guardian angel had visited her to warn her of approaching danger,- danger wherein she saw herself attacked by ruffians and cruelly mur- dered ! The presence of kindly faces and warm-hearted relatives dis- pelled the impressions made upon her mind by the dream, and her accus- tomed cheerfulness returned. Had the warning been heeded, the horrible death she suffered would have been averted, and she alive, to gladden the hearts of her relatives and friends.

Mary Arabella Secanr, however, young as she was, faltered not in the discharge of her Sabbath day's duties. She went to her Sabbath-school at Liberty church, and, after its close, to the services in the church. When its services were closed, many persons started from church with her on the same road,-now and then the roads diverging, and neighbors separated with the usual good-bye. When about one mile from home she was left alone to pursue her journey-a journey in which she would realize the truthfulness of her dream, and the terrible fate which awaited her.

Unconscious that only a few rods intervened between her and the fatal ambuscade, and still she advances! Where now is the kindly monitor ? Will it yet sound the note of warning, and impress upon her mind a sense of the danger ahead, and cause her to turn back and escape ? No, no, it is too late, the die is cast! Mary Arabella Secanr is in too close proximity to the infernal fiends, who have stealthily watched her coming. A moment later and she is seized upon by these devils in human shape. She is overpowered by brute force and dragged into a dense thicket near by, where these damned villains can accomplish their hellish purpose, unmolested by human agency, and unseen by human eye.

U'nheeding her appeals and eutreaties these fiends, MeLeod and the Kimmels, accomplish their deliberately-formed purpose,-aye, formed in the church of the living God,-and Mary Arabella Secaur, the joy of the family circle, and in broad daylight, within sight of her own home, as well as the home of her grandfather, was forcibly outraged and mur- dered! Her dead body was left by the accursed villains entirely naked, and left by them to be mangled and destroyed by animals less ferocious than the inhuman beasts who had committed the devilish deed !

The family supposed Mary had stopped at her grandfather's, and neither family was alarmed until Monday afternoon, when diligent inquiry and search were made, and at four o'clock of that day they found the dead body of their beloved daughter. It had been horribly mangled ! A lot of hogs had been tearing and eating it ! The head was separated from the body, and the body was found in several pieces! Her clothing was also found near by, and recognized by her friends.

Coronor Hunton being notified of the murder, empanelled a jury, and, after examination of the remains by Drs. Miller, Touvelle, Parrot, Jones, and Brandon, of Celina, they decided that it was a most heinous and . diabolical outrage, and that a cruel murder had been perpetrated.

The murder startled and terrified the whole community. The people en masse determined that the guilty perpetrators should be brought to justice, and each and all went to work in earnest to solve the mystery.

Two young men, named Alexander McLeod and Andrew J. Kimmel, were peddlers of tinware from Fort Wayne, and had been stopping at the house of Henry Kimmel. From the very first, suspicion rested upon MeLeod and the two Kimmel boys, Absalom and Jacob. These three bad been seen in close consultation at church an hour or tro before the crime was committed ; and, to aid in solving the mystery, some few remembered the fact of McLeod and Absalom Kimmel leaving the church before the congregation was dismissed. Their conduet in church bad attracted many people, and the conviction in the minds of all was that these men had committed the murder. This conviction was strength- ened by the fact that all three had left for the West early on Monday morning.

Believing these facts to be conclusive, Thornton Spriggs, sheriff of Mercer County, appointed the following deputies-D. T. Spriggs, Wil- liam Johnston, and William Moore-who started for the arrest and cap- ture of the supposed criminals. To the credit of Sheriff Spriggs be it stated, that in all the annals of criminal jurisprudence never was a case carried into effect with such rare good judgment, which he accomplished so successfully by his boldness and celerity.

Sheriff Spriggs and his deputies overtook MeLeod and A. J. Kimmel, the supposed criminals, at Fort Wayne, on Friday, June 28, and brought them to Celina. Absalom, George, and Jacob Kimmel were arrested the same day. On Saturday, June 29, A. J. Kiminel turned State's evidence, and filed an affidavit charging Alexander McLeod, Absalom, Jacob, and George Kimmel with the murder.

On Sunday, June 30, Justices Snyder, Alexander, and Lacey sat as an examining court, for a preliminary examination. The State was rep- resented by Messrs. Cowan, Le Blond, Day, Godfrey, and the prosecuting attorney.

Messrs. Callen, Loughridge, Albery, and Wharton on behalf of the de- fendants.

After hearing all the testimony, the evidence was conclusive against Alexander MeLeod and Absalom and Jacob Kimmel, by direct proof- blood upon their garments, and other satisfactory evidence, implicating these three.

July 5, Absalom Kimmel confessed that he and McLeod were both guilty, and gave some of the details of the crime, which so exasperated the people in the court-room that they demanded that Judge Lynch should preside ; but better judgment silenced the people for a season.

On the morning of July 8, as early as 4 o'clock, the people, by ones and twos and in squads, commenced to arrive in the quiet town of Celina. By 10 o'clock the streets were crowded. Perfect order was observed and established, yet the law-abiding citizens feared that the law was to be violated. At 12 o'clock a body of two hundred horsemen rode into the town and proceeded directly to the jail, followed by an immense crowd of people. Arriving at the jail they found the doors locked and barred, and Sheriff Spriggs and his guards refused them admission, and urged them to let the law take its course. This had no effect. The sheriff and his assistants were seized and secured; the keys found, and the doors to the cells opened; and the people, to vindicate outraged justice, seized the terrified and cowering prisoners. They were hustled out of prison. and dumped into a wagon, which was immediately surrounded by horse- .men, who started rapidly for the country, followed and cheered by the surging and excited crowd.

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History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 83

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton Number of Pages: 878

Author: Sutton, R., & Co., Wapakoneta, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Wapakoneta, Ohio : R. Sutton
Number of Pages: 878