History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 99

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 99
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 99

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 1832 Jesse Pryor was the missionary. Wm. H. Raper was the presiding elder. Up to this date no record of the missions have been found, and the report. thus far, is made up from the statements of those yet living. The work was then called ". St. Mary's Mission. Mumee Jis. triet, Ohio Conference." That year a society was formed at or near the mouth of Twelve-Mile Creek, in a log school-house. consisting of Israel Forbes and wife, Samuel Hanson and wife, Joseph Riler and wife, and George Parrot, who was the leader. Mother Rider still lives in the same vicinity, and George Parrot has removed to Iowa, This. it is be- lieved, was the first class formed in what is now Mercer County. But this earnest and faithful man, Pryor, was zealous in his labors, and the first year formed a class in the vicinity of what is now called Bethel. This society consisted of twenty-four members, namely: Abel Wright. Nancy Wright, James Wright. Sarab Wright. Wealthy Wright, Lawrence Wright, George Shepherd, Elmer Shepherd, Margaret Shepherd, James Watts, Charity Watts, Jonathan E. Dutton, Elizabeth Dutton. James Smith, Sarah Smith, Christena Smith, George Parrot, Nancy Parrot. Samuel Parrot, Jemima Parrot, Geo. Wilson, and Sarah Wilson. Of this number all but one or two are now dead. Abel Wright was the first leader and James Wright exhorter.

In 1933 James Finley and John Alexander were the missionaries. The first quarterly conference for that year was hebl on the 19th a J 20th of October, Wm. H. Raper presiding elder. The years in this his- tory mean the conference year and not the calendar year, hence !! commenced in the fall of 1843 and continued until the fall of last. and so of all the years in this history.

In 1834, Phdip Warcham was the missionary and L. B. Gurley was the presiding eller ; but whether the work covered all the territory and preaching-places it did at the beginning, does not appear from any records, and there is no certain report of the finances of those times ; but, judging from the times a few years later, of which the writer bas personal knowledge, the support of the missionary mostly came from the Missionary Society of the church,

In 1835, John O. Conway came as missionary, and L. B. Gurley was yet the pre-iding elder. Mr. Gurley was a good man, and died in full hope of a future reward.

In 1896, Isaac Bennett and Joseph Santhey were sent on the work, and John Jones was the presiding older. At this time there was a division of the work. the northern part being assigned elsewhere. for the mission was in a duferent district, with a dnfreut elder than formerly.

In the year 1:37, Jonathan Hudson and John F. Langman came as missionaries. Mr. Langman was an Englishman. At the close of that year a camp meeting was held at Twelve-Mile Creek, near Me Benj. Roebuck's. At this meeting there were a number of conversions and accessions to the church. There was a large amount of rowdyist shown, such as hooting. gobbling like turkeys, etc. But this noise came from a class to whom Christianity is an eye-sore, and which conduct would not be tolerated at this day and age.

In I-3%, George Armstrong was the missionary, and Elmer Youman the presiding elder. The work at this time included the following ap- pointments; St. Mary's, Mercer, Shane-ville, Harper's, Wiltshire, Van Wert, Sugar Ridge. Toaluron's Pring's, Gordon's, Duck Creek, Man. don, Eight Mile (now Bethel), and Roebuck's, and was called St. Mary- Mission, Michigan Conference. Girenberry Vinson was placed b Elmer Yocum to assist Mr. Armstrong in the work. The class al

311-376 ch

HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Celina was organized in that year, or at the beginning of the year 1839, by Mesers. Armstrong and Vinwon, and consisted of the following mem- bere, viz, Eben Foster and wife, Jane Foster. William Allen and wife. Mrs. McMahon, Christian Maurer and wife, Levi Dibble and wife, and Ira Faster and wife, with Mr. Fra Foster as class leader.

In 1839, Martin Welch and Liberty Prentice were the missionaries, with Elmer Youma as presiding elder. The work was then called St. Mary's Mission, Mount Vernon District, Michigan Conference. That year another camp meeting was held at Twelve Mile, near the residence of Benjamin Roebuck, at which the disturbers were again present in force; but the Lord's people had now become a power, and would not tolerate rowdyisin. But then this species of annoyance was more or less ram- pant for years after.

In that year the old Bethel Church was built, which was, I believe, the first Methodist Episcopal church built in what is now Mercer County. The first church building in Celina was commenced the same year, under the labors of George Armstrong. It appears that at this time there was a division in the work, and Celina was included in what was then called Recovery Mission, Bellefontaine District, Northern Ohio Conference. W. S. Morrow was the presiding elder.

In 1840, A. B. Wambaugh preached in this locality, which was then called St. Marys Cirenit ; but I cannot now tell who preached on Re- covery Mission during the years of 1-40 and 1841.

In Is41. Jacob A. Brown was assigned to St. Marys Circuit, which included Bethel, Mercer, Mendon, Tomlinson's, Roebuck's, and other places, and was then a three weeks' cireuit. This year there was a won- derful revival of religion all over this part of the country, especially at St. Marys and Mendon. The Holy Spirit was manifest among the peo- ple, and it was not uncommon to hear shouting. Prayer meetings and class meetings were well attended. and many were added to the church. The protracted meeting at Mendon that year was truly a success. Many united with the Lord's people, some of whom have gone to their reward, while some yet remain with us, living witnesses of the power of God among men.

In 1842, Edward Williams and Jas. J. McNab were the ministers, and Wm. S. Morrow was the presiding elder. The work was then called St. Marys Circuit, Recovery Mission.

In 1843, Samuel Beaty and Amos Wilson were the ministers, but it 'appears Mr. Wilson only remained two quarters, for at the second quar- terly mecting Ft. Recovery was again struck off, and Celina Mission was formed ; but we fit no record after this for several years, or until Is46, but know that Samuel Beaty and Amos Wilson were on the work when Celina Circuit was formed S. P. Shane was at that time presiding elder. This was then known as Celina Circuit, Sidney District. After Wilson was removed, Alexander Harmount was placed in his stead, with Mr. Beaty, the remainder of the year.

In 1844, C. H. Owens and James M. Barr were sent to Celina Circuit, which then included all the northern part of Mercer County. But I have found no records of these times, and it may be that there are mis- takes in names and dates, for it seems from the foregoing that many changes were made.

In 1845. we understand. St. Marys was included in Celina Circuit, and Charles Thomas was the minister at St. Marys.

During the Conference year of 1947. the work was called St. Marys Circuit and Willshire Mission, and Charles B. Brandebery and Elisha Hook were the preachers. The work then included all the north part of Mercer County ; St. Marys, in Auglaize County ; and Willshire, in Van Wert County, and was a four weeks' eirenit, with ten appointments, as follows : Celina, St. Marys, Neptune, Bethel, Mendoa, Tomlinson's, Twelve Mile, Mercer, Shanesville, and Willshuire, In 1848, Samuel L. Yourtee was sent to the circuit. with Wiltshire, Shanesville, Mercer, and Tomlinson appointments ent off and attached to Van Wert Circuit. Yourte did not till all the appointments, for Neptune was entirely with- out a minister, and the north part of the county was only partly sup- plied, the preacher putting in the most of his time in St. Mary's and Celina. Wesley Brock was then the presiding eller.

In 1819. Samuel B. Guibeson was the preacher, and was returned in 1-50, in which year the parsonage in St. Marys was built, and a gracious revival of religion was general all over the work.

In 1>51, the work was still a mission, aud Ralph Wilcox was the mis- sionary. He was a faithful and devout preacher, but failed to build up the waste places of Zion. Wesley Brock was presiding efter.

In Isse, Joseph Wyles was sent to the work, which was then called St. Marys Mission, with Hiram Shaffer as presiding eller. Rev. Wykes was an Englishman, a good preacher and pastor, and much good was done on the work.

In 1$53, St. Marys was made a station and Colina Cireuit was formed. Gershan Lease was sent as minister. And here it may be proper to define the difference between a mission and a circuit. A mission menus a work where the minister receives a part of bis support from the Mis- sionary Society of the church, sluch was raised in the obler and more wealthy portion of the country. At first it amounted to $200, and then less and has bom time to time, as seemed necessary, until the work was considered able to support its preacher, and then it was called a circuit. So

we see that at this time the Missionary Fund ceased, and Colina Circuit was expected to support its own minister. But in 1×54 we find that Rey Wesley Brock was the minister, and the amount paid being insufficient, Mr. Brock. aside from his pastoral duties, taught school and worked at farming. Hiram M. Shaffer was then the presiding eller.

In 1855, George O. MePherson was sent to Celiva Cirenit. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and there was a general awakeing on the subject of religion, although the good people of Celina had to worship in the court-house. A camp-meeting was held that year near the Bethel Church. H. M. Shaffer was then presiding eller.

In 1856, Rev. George O. MePherson was returned, a second church was built in Celina, and a second enmp meeting was held near Bethel, although enemies of the church tried to burn down the tents a few days before the time appointed for holding the meeting. Elnathan C. Gavitt was at that time the presiding elder.

It appears that in 1849 the work was divided, and the northwest part of Mercer County, including Mercer, Shanesville, Wilshire, and some other appointments were formed into a Mission, with Rev. Elisba Hook as mini-ter.

In 1819, Lafayette Ward and Reuben D. Oldfield were the preachers on this mission.

In 1850, Reuben D. Oldfield was returned as minister in charge, and J. K. Ward as junior. Wesley Brock was the presiding elder.

In 1851, Samuel B. Guibeson and Jacob F. Burkholder were the ministers.

In 1852, Nathan Taylor and Gersham Lease were the ministers, and Hiram Shaffer was the presiding elder.

In 1853, Nathan Taylor was returned, and Francis Duvall was the junior minister. This part of the work was attached to Willshire Cir- enit, part of the time to Van Wert, and finally to what was called Black Creek Mission, and in 1858 was again included in Celina Circuit, as we shall see farther on.

In 1954 the ministers on this part of the work were J. Fribley and N. B. C. Love.

In 1855, N. B. C. Love was the minister, and John Priddy, junior.

In 1856, John Price and D. P. Darling were the ministers, Elnathan C. Gavitt, presiding elder.

In 1837, George O. MePherson and E. G. Longsworth were on this mission. That year a society was formed at Black Creek. or what is now known as Fountain Chapel. The first society numbered fourteen. to wit : Chas. Ward and wife. A. Cole and wife, Moses Stover and wife, Robert MeKissick and wife, Samuel Loree and wite, Anna Allison. Basil Dorango, Peter Martz, and Charles Ward, Sr. Samuel Loree was the leader.

In Is5% this mission was attached to Celina Circuit, and Samuel Boggs and Joshua Smith were the preachers. There was a Methodist society organized at Skeels' Cross Roads in 1854, by J. Wykes, consit- ing of seven members, namely : Joshua Lee and wife, C. Skeels sud wife, Calista Way, Amos Lee, and Samantha Lee. Brother Amos Lee was licensed to exhort in February. 1556, and licensed to preach in July, 1857, and afterwards travelled Celina Circuit for two years as the junior preacher under the eller.

In 1859, J. F. Mounts and Amos Lee were on Celina Circuit; and in 1860. Lemuel Herbert and Jas. F. Mounts were the ministers, and HI. M. Shaffer was presiding eller.

In 1861 and 1862, Philip A. Prown and Caleb Hill were ministers.

In 1863. David Bulle and A. J. Frisby were on the work ; and in 1-64. David Bulle and Amos Lee were the ministers, and Franklin Mariot was the presiding eller.

In 1865, Enos G. Longsworth and Harrison Malthee were preachers on the Celina Circuit, and F. Y. Marlot was presiding elder.

It may be proper here to give the date and names of the first society in Mendon. The society was formed in 1936, under the labora of Isaac Bennett and Joseph Santley, and was composed of the following per- sons: Jacob Panabaker and wife. Mary Panabaker, Amos Barber and wife, a Mr. Baily and wife, Mr. Porter and wife, Barney Forhe's and daughter, Jonathan E. Dutton and wife. Joseph Rider and wife, Eliza- beth Parrott, Adam Panabaker, the local preacher, Louisa Gider, and Lucinda Baker. Jacob Panabaker was the leader. These, it is believed, are all deut now, excepting Mother Panabaker, Mother Rider, Lueurla Baker, now Lucinda Protaman.

In regard to the south part of Mercer County I have said but little. because I have found no record as yet from which to draw the necessary information. It has not been connected with Celina, as the north part of the county has been, in reference to this matter, being a part of the time in another district, as well as in another mission or circuit.

And now I wish to say that I have found it very difficult to get the proper dates for this history, on account of the manner in which the changes have been made from time to time. Consequently I may have made some mistakes in names and dates, as there are but few of the old residents living Bow from whom accurate information can be obtained. But I have done my best under existing circumstances. *

. A brief sketch of the different church organizations can be found in commes tion with the history of the townstup in which they are located.

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

Centre Chapel, MI. E. Church.

In 1813. at the residence of Enos Hays, of Centre Township, the Rev. David Gray organized a society, with ten members, viz : Enoy Hays and wife, Rhoda Newcomb, Daniel Martin, Alanson Hays and wife, Charles Smart and wife, and Luther Newcomb and wife, with Enos Hays acting as leader and steward. Shortly after the church was organized. I. T. Lewis and wife. B. P. Layland and wife, and Mrs. Jane Parker connected themselves with the society, and thus raised their mem- bership to fifteen in number. They held their service at Mr. Enos Hays' house for several years, or until the erection of a log school-house in 1847. one-half mile south of where their church building is now located in Centre Township. They then changed their place of meeting from Mr. Hays' residence to the fog school house, where they held their meet- ing for a few years, or until the frame school-house was erected at Hays Cross Roads, in which they met and worshipped for many years.

They then erected their present church building, which was completed and dedicated in April, 1575. The Rev. J. T. Mounts preached the deliestory sermon to a large audience. The building is located in Centre Township, on the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section twenty-eight (or, we might say, at Hays Cross Roads).

It is a frame structure, 46 x 35 feet, and was erected at a cost of about $1800, which amount was raised by subscription among the members and others living in the neighborhood,

The church.now numbers about fifty members, and is divided into two classes with M. M. Newcomb leader of Class No. 1, and J. B. Newcomb leader of Class No. 2.

The stewards are B. W. Greene and David Howick. The trustees are M. M. Newcomb, J. B. Newcomb, Stephen Howick, John E. Yocum, A. W. Tracy. Benj. P. Layland, and David Howick. The names of the ministers prior to 1865 are mentioned in the general history of the M. E. Church of Mercer County, and since that time the names of some of the ministers are as follows: Miller, Longeworth. Parmer, MeKeen, Roush, Biges, Herbert, Bowers, Shouttz, Clemmons, and some others whose names have not been ascertained.

Copps Chapel, M. E Church,

was organized in 1951, at the residence of Jacob Coppe, Centre Town- ship. by the Rev. Wilcox, with seven members, namely, Jacob Coppa and wife, Gilbert Sinift and wife, Mrs. Ezekiel Hitchens, Mrs. Horace Loomis, and Mrs. Cain, with Jacob Copps their leader and steward. Their regular place of meeting was at Mr. Copps' residence for several months, or until they could get leave from the school board to hold their meetings in the Copps school-house. Then they met and beid services in the school-house until the erection of their present church, which is a frame building. 46 x 32 feet, located on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of section seven. It was erected at a cost of about $1800, and dedicated in July. 1973, by Rev. Wilcox. In this building the society has since met and worshipped.

During the second year of the society's existence, Geo. W. Wagner and wife, Samuel Brookhart and wife, Enoch Johnston sud wife. Lewiy Johnston and wife, and Matilda Johnston united with the church ; and a few years later, John Johnston and wife, David Johnston and wife, and Daniel Brookhart and wife, thus increasing their membership to twenty-two in number. At this writing they have about thirty mem- bers in their church.

The present officers are J. Weast, leader; Jacob Brookhart and Geo. Rickets, stewards; and J. Weast, William Thomas, Jacob Brookhart, and George W. Waguer are the trustees.

This society belongs to the same circuit as the Centre Chapel M. E. Church Society, and the names of some of its ministers can be seen in the history of that church.

Neptune M. E. Church Society

was organized in 1875 by the Rev. Timothy Hankins, with thirteen members, They held their meetings in the Baptist Church until Isso, when they changed their place of meeting from the Baptist Church to the building created by The Church of God, in which they have since met. Their membership is about the same now as when organized, with Henry Garwick leader and Michael Garwick steward.

Church of God at Beary Bethel.

This society was organized in 1853 by Elder Cump, with ten mom- bers, viz., Christian Beary and wife, Benjamin Beary and wife, Daniel Boongher and wife, Jesse Gile and wife, and Joseph Good and wife.

They held their meetings in the Bougher school house for several years, or until in 1940, when they erected their present frame church edifice, 50 by 40 feet, at a cost of abant soun. The building is located on the southwest corner of section 19, Centre Township. Mercer County, in which the society has since met and worshipped. They have been Very prosperous, and although losing a great many of their members 39

by death, and removals from the neighborhood, they still have a mem- bership of about thirty good working members.

The first officers of the church were Jesse Gile eller, and Benjamin Beary dencon. The present officers are John Gile and Valentine Rough elders, and Daniel Beougher and Benjamin Beougher, deacon. The Dames of the ministers are as follows : Elders Camp, Hickernett, Dob- son, Bolton, Surill, Waruer, Oliver, Mowen, Gaskell. Bellman, Stiner, Poling, Neil, and MeNut, who remained with them three years; then Elder Bellman returned, and has been their pastor the past year. At this writing the society i, repairing and painting their church, building, which adds greatly to its general appearance, and to the comfort of its members and others who meet with them.

The Church of God at Fairview.

The society was organized at the residence of Jesse Keyser some time during the fall of 1566 by Elder Small, with about twelve or fifteen members. They met and held their services in Mr. Keyser's house for several months, or about one year. In the spring of 1867 they began the erection of a frame building. 46 by 30 feet, which was completed at a cost of about 8800, and dedicated in the fall of 1867 by Ehier J. W. Awkerman. The building is located on the northwest quarter of section 17, in Centre Township, where they have since met and worshipped. From Elder Warner's labors among them up to this time, the same pastors preached to this society that were at the Church of God at Beary Bethel.

The Church of God at Neptune.

In 1869, there being quite a number of persons in the neighborhood of Neptune who had formerly been members of different church organ- izations, but were then without a home in a church society, Eller D. S. Warner, a minister in the Church of God, was called upon to preach in Neptune, the services being held in the Baptist Church building ; and after a series of meetings for four weeks, held by Elder Warner, assisted by Elder J. M. Cassell, this church society was organized by Elder War- ner, with forty-three members, some being new converts, and the reminder old members of other churches. They continued to hold their meetings in the Baptist Church for several years, or until May 25, Ists, when their present building was completed and detreated by Elder J. W. Awker- man, in wluch they have since met and worshipped. Their builling is a frame structure, 44 by 30 feet, and was erected at a cost of about $1000. The present membership is about forty members in good standing in the church.

When the society was organized A. J. Fast was elected ruling eller. with D. F. Doty his assistant, and Edward Kelly was cho-en deacon. The present officers are: Ruling Elders, A. J. Fast and Oliver Gratis; Deacons. D. F. Doty and JJohn Allen ; Trustees, A. J. Fast, John Put- ton, and Henry Fast; Clerk, Aaron J. Bair. This society, the society at Fairview, and the society at Beary Bethel all belong to the same Conference, and the same elders have preached to the three congrega- tions since the organization of the last-named society at Neptune.

Mount Gilead Baptist Church at Neptune.

In 1860 Rev. Blodget organized this society, with about thirty-live members, They held their meetings in the Baptist Church near Timothy Hankins', in the northern part of C'entre Township, for about one year, or until 1961, when they erected their present frame building in Nep- tune, 40 by 30 feet, which was completed and dedicated in the fall of that year by the Rev. Frazie, in which they have since met and held their services.

The names of some of their ministers are as follows: Revs. W. Thomas, Drury. Manning, Graham, Gregg, and some others whose names cannot be ascertained.

The Mt. Zion United Brethren Church.

In September, 1850, Rev. James Lav organized this society in the " school-house on the banks of Twelve-mile Creek, with eight members. viz., Michael Harner and wife, James Harner and wife, Lewis Bolton and wife, and Sylvester Rider and wife.

They held their meetings in the school-house above mentioned about fifteen years, Then in 1965 they erected a hewed log church building near the centre of section S, in Centre Township, which has since served them for church purposes. The membership numbers forty, with John Kiler their leader and James Horner steward. This society and the Oldtown United Brethren Church belong to the same conference, and the same ministers have preached to both societies, the names of whom can be seen in the sketch of the Old-town Society.

The Oldtown United Brethren Church.

In the Oldtown schoolhouse, March 20, 1837, this church society way organized by the Revs. William McKee and C. B. Whitley, wath thirteen members, viz., Wesley Copelautet and wife, John Emerson and

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HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.

wife and their two daughters (Mary and Clara Emerson), Margaret Kumpf. Aquilla Allen, Caroline Kampf, Sarah E. Allen, Jane Bu-huell, John Taylor, and Calvin Simmons. They held their meetings in the Old town school-honse for several years. Then, in 1861, they moved to the Hays school-house, in Centre Township, remained about three years, when they removed to the Lininger school house, in which they remained until the completion of their present church building in 1-50; in this they have since hold their services. The building is a frame structure, erected at a cost of about $800. and is located on section 34, Jefferson Township, near the line of Centre Township, with the majority of its members residents of Centre Township. Their present membership is about eighty in mimber.

The first officers of the church were Wesley Copeland leader and John Emerson steward. The present officers are David Springer leader and Wesley Copeland steward.

The names of some of their ministers are Revs. McKee. Whitley, Lea, Hendricks, Wrigley, D. K. Bender, Parks, Abe Miller, Freisinger, Kendle, Wm. Miller, Mahan, Heiston, Hoblen, D. F. Thomas, Beeber, T. Heiston, Wentz, Coats, Bay, Cost, Skanek, J. Lutteral, and Abbot. W. A. Kendle is their present pastor.

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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 99

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