History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 39

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 39
USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 39

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).

Mr. Butt'a reputation as an artist is excellent and wide-spread, and bis work extends to every State in the Union. His studio is tastefully arranged and decorated, and is familiarly known throughout the county. lle makes the production of large pictures a specialty, and is ably seconded in his business by a competent corps of three or four employés which he keeps constantly at work. His establishment is an honor to the town, and has become a prominent place of resort. Mr. Butt also keepa on hand a fine assortment of artists' goods and materials. His success has been very gratifying.

It ia proper, in this connection, to state that Mr. Butt enlisted in the Union army, in 1862. lle was commissioned first lieutenant of his company, and remained until disabled by sickness, when he wus sent to the hospital and soon after discharged.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

CHURCHES.

1821-PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.

Early in the year 1818 the first public religious services in the township were held at the log house of Platt Benedict and consisted of reading the service of the Protestant Episcopal Church and a sermon, by a layman. After that, and on the completion of the new court house (now Central hotel on Whittlesey avenue), those services were kept up with more or less regularity for some years. In a letter written by Mrs. Ruth Boalt, wife of Capt. John Boalt and mother of Charles L. Boalt, to her daughter, in Watertown, N. Y., and dated June 12, 1820, she says:

"We have no minister with us, but I have the pleasure to inform you that this society meets at the court house every Sabbath and reads the church ser- vice and a sermon. Lester read the sermon last Sabbath."

On January 20, 1821, a number of persons of Nor- walk and vicinity, calling themselves members and friends of the Protestant Episcopal church, met at Norwalk village. Platt Benedict was appointed chair- man and William Gardiner elected clerk. The fol- lowing named persons were then enrolled as members or friends of the church: Platt Benedict, Luke Keeler. Amos Woodward, William Gardiner, Ami Keeler, William Woodward, Gurdon Woodward, David Gibbs, Moses Sowers, John Keeler, John Boalt, Samuel Sparrow, Asa Sandford, Henry Hurlbut, E. Lane, William Gallup, and Enos Gilbert, eleven in all. Of that number, Ami Keeler is the only survivor.

At that meeting it was voted to organize the parish of St. Paul's Church, Norwalk, and to adopt the con- stitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, and the following officers were elected: Amos Woodward, senior warden; Luke Keeler, junior warden ; Ebenezer Lane, clerk, and Platt Benedict, John Keeler, John Boalt, Ebenezer Lane, and Asa Sanford, vestrymen. As no clergyman was then to be had, Platt Benedict, John Boalt, Amos Woodward, Samuel Sparrow and Ebenezer Lane were chosen as lay readers.

The occasion of this meeting was the visit of the Rev. Mr. Searle, an Episcopal minister, who, on the next day, January 21, 1820, performed divine service, (the first in Norwalk) and also administered the rite of infant baptism to Louisa Williams, Theodore Wil- liams, William Gallup and Eben Lane. These were also the first baptisms in Norwalk. On the next day he baptized one adult, Henry Hurlbut, and also the children of Captain John Boalt, as follows: Amanda, Clarissa and Martha.

From that time on to 1826 meetings and lay read- ings were kept up and at long intervals the Rev. Mr. Searle made other visits and administered many bap- tisms.

In Angust, 1826, Rev. C. P. Bronson was engaged to officiate for such portion of his time as funds could be raised to pay him for. In 1828 efforts were made

to raise means with which to build a church, and Mr. Bronson was sent east to solicit assistance. The re- sult was that on his return he reported the collection of donations amounting to one thousand three hun- dred and thirty-one dollars and twenty-five cents, but did not offer to pay over the funds and never did. This unfortunate affair discouraged the enterprise. Bronson's connection with the church was severed in 1829 and no minister was employed until 1833, when Rev. John P. Bausman took charge at a salary of $400 per year for two-thirds of his time. He remained only one year. Then a Mr. Eaton officiated as a lay reader,-services still being held in the court house- and the congregation was called together by Ami Keeler blowing a tin horn.

In 1835 Rev. E. Punderson took charge and re- mained about four years.

At the time the first effort, already mentioned, was made to raise funds to build a church edifice, in 1828, the site of the present church and burying ground (four acres) was purchased in the name of St. Paul's Church from White, Tweedy and Hoyt for sixty-one dollars. The deed is recorded July 12, 1828, in vol- ume five of deeds at page six hundred and ten.

In 1834 another effort was made to provide a build- ing and proved so far successful that the larger part of the present structure was erected at a cost of two thousand and twenty dollars. It was completed in 1835 and was consecrated by Bishop MeIlvaine, June 26,1836.

In 1837 the original organ (now rebuilt) was pur- chased of A. Backus, Esq., of Troy, N. Y., at a cost of six hundred and sixty dollars.

In 1839, Rev. Ansou Clark, of Medina, took charge until September, 1840, when, on account of ill-health, he severed his connection as pastor, and went south, but returned and took charge agam in February, 1841, only to remain until June of the same year.

November 1, 1841, Rev. J. J. Okill, of New York, took charge, but resigned November 14, 1842.

December 18, 1842, Rev. Alvan Guion took charge at a salary of three hundred and seventy-five dollars, but "if the vestry found it inconvenient to pay that amount, he was to accept three hundred and fifty dollars." He resigned May 2, 1844.

September 30, 1844, Rev. Sabin Hongh, of Mic- higan, took charge at a salary of four hundred dollars per year, and house rent free.

About May 1, 1846, he resigned, because "he believed several of the leading doctrines of the church were at great variance from the principles of eternal truth."

April 7, 1842, Rev. Edward Winthrop, of Marietta, was called and took charge at a salary of five hundred dollars, remaining until a disease of the throat con- strained him to resign in 1854.

June 26, 1854, Rev. George Watson, of Oswego, New York, was called and took charge at a salary of eight hundred dollars, and remained until June 27, 1864. He was followed by Rev. Henry Tullidge on

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HISTORY OF IIURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

March 25, 1865, who resigned April 22, 1867. Rev. William Newton took charge May 8, 1867, and re- signed June 26, 1870. Rev. H. H. Morrell took charge October 1, 1870, and resigned April 6, 1874; and the Rev. R. B. Balcom, the present incumbent, took charge July 15. 1824.

Benedict Chapel was erected in 1863-4, at a cost of abont four thousand dollars, of which amount Platt Benedict contributed about one thousand and five hundred dollars,-hence its name.

In 1868, a bell was purchased and placed in the tower, at a cost of abont four hundred dollars.

1823-METHODIST EPISCOPAL.

In the year 1818, Rev. Alfred Brunson, who is yet living, was appointed to the Huron circuit, of which New Haven was the most southerly appointment, and which, on an irregular path, reached to Venice, a few miles west of the city of Sandusky, thence easterly through the township of Perkins to the mouth of Black River, embracing twenty-four appointments which are reached by two hundred miles of travel. . One of these twenty-four appointments was at Hanson Reeds, about two miles south of Norwalk, and this was the first Methodist preaching in the vicinity of Norwalk. At the same place, the first Methodist Sunday school was organized in 1823. During this year True Pat- ter and James McIntyre were appointed circuit preachers of Huron Circuit, and a preaching place was established in Norwalk with a class of seven members, which had increased in the following year to thirteen. Hanson Reed, Lester Clark, Job T. Rey- nolds, John Laylin, Charles Laylin (for many years a local minister), Daniel Stratton, Jabez Clark, Perry Beckwith, James Wilson, Armon Roscoe, A. Powers, Prudence Inman, Thomas Holmes, Ollie Clark and Jane Buchanan, were its members.

The book of the recording steward shows that these faithful ministers received for their services the sum of fifty dollars, of which sum Norwalk contributed about ten dollars. The pay was, no doubt. thank- fully received, but it is not supposed that any of it was used in speculation. In the years 1826 and 1827 Shadrach Ruark and Adam Poe supplied the work and shared the hospitalities of the pioneers. The follow- ing entry occurs in the official record of the year 1826:

"August 21st, 1826 .- This day paid to Bro. S. Ruark, seventy-two cents, the same being the money received at a collection made at a meeting in Nor- walk, yesterday. M. KELLOGG. Circuit Steward."

In the year 1829, John Hazzard and Cyrus S. Car- penter were appointed preachers, and on the 24th of November. 1829, a lot was purchased of E. Whittle- sey & Co., near the east end of Seminary street, and soon after a church was built. In 1845, the church and parsonage were sold for debt, but the church was redeemed the following year ; the parsonage, in the mean time, was consumed by fire. In 1843, Norwalk was separated from the rest of the circuit and placed under the pastoral care of Edward MeClure, but the

following year it was strengthened by the addition of Milan, which arrangement lasted but a few years, when Norwalk became self supporting. On the 25th day of December, 1853, the society, at the call of the pastor, Rev. J. A. Mudge, met and appointed a board of trustees. The trustees immediately organized and took possession of lot No. 12, corner of Benedict avenne and Main street, dedicated by E. Whittlesey, Esq., acting, in fact, as trustee for himself and others, to the building of a "meeting house." A subscription was commenced January 4th, 1854. and on the 26th day of October, 1856, the church, an ex- cellent one for its time, was dedicated by Dr. Edward Thompson.

Extensive repairs and changes were made under the pastorate of Rev. A. Palmer in 1862, and a sermon was preached at the re-opening by Bishop Kingsley.

A number of the presiding elders of the district, and preachers of Norwalk, have risen to eminence in the church. In early days, Russel Biglow was pre- siding elder. Those who heard him, never forget the most remarkable man, as a minister, of his day. With eloquence like a flame of fire, and pathos, piety and energy, that none could stand unmoved before, his praise filled the land ; but he died in 1834, when only forty-two years of age. L. B. Gurley was the poet preacher. Dr. Edward Thompson, brilliant as a writer and very able as a preacher, afterwards a Bishop, is well remembered in this place. W. L. Harris, with fine executive ability, once a minister here, is the business Bishop of the church, and few churches have, taking the whole list together, ever been more faithfully or ably served. The present membership of the church is three hundred and fifteen, with a very flourishing Sunday school of over two hundred scholars.

Since 1830, the church has been served by the follow- ing ministers: 1830, J. Janes, J. Ragan ; 1831, E. Chase, A. Minear ; 1832, A. Minear, C. S. Carpen- ter ; 1833, H. O. Sheldon, E. Thompson ; 1834, J. Wheeler, E. C. Gavitt ; 1835, L. Hill, J. M. Gos- horn, D. Burns; 1836, L. Hill, Thomas Barkdull; 1837, Hiram Shaffer, J. M. Goshorn; 1838, T. Dunn, W. C. Hnestis ; 1839, W. J. Wells, C. Saw- yer ; 1840, T. Dnnn. W. R. Disbro : 1841, Davul Gray, W. R. Disbro ; 1842, J. McMahon, T. Cooper; 1843, E. McClure : 1844, Thomas Barkdull, W. C. Pierce ; 1845, Joseph Jones, W. C. Pierce : 1846, H. S. Bradley, L. S. Johnson ; 1842, W. L. Harris ; 1848, M. Rowley : 1850, E. S. Grumley : 1851, Jesse Durbin ; 1852, Thomas J. Gard : 1853, J. A. Mndge; 1855-6, E. R. Jewitt : 185%, C. L. Foote : 1858, S. Mower ; 1860, W. H. Seeley ; 1862, J. A. Mndge ; 1864, Thomas Barkdull ; 1865, T. Hartley ; 1866, A. R. Palmer : 1869, T. F. Hildreth : 1822, F. M. Searles : 1845, E. Persons ; 1878, J. S. Brondwell.

1830-FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.

This church was organized on the 11th of February. 1830, by Rev. Messrs. A. H. Betts. Daniel W.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Lathrop and John Beach. It consisted of nine mem- bers-five males and four females. It was organ- ized as a Congregational church, and taken under the care of the Presbytery of Huron. Rev. John Beach was the stated supply of this in connection with the church in Peru, sustained in part by the Home Mis- * sionary Society. He remained here untill some time in 1831, when he removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan. The church was then supplied once in two weeks by Rev. E. Barber, who was the principal of the Huron Institute at Milan. His successor was Rev. Chapin R. Clark who commenced his labors in September, 1833, and continued them one year.

Rev. Stephen Saunders, of Milan, formerly a much esteemed pastor of a church in Salem, New York, afterwards supplied for a few months, until feeble health prevented his further labors. He died in the early part of the year 1835.

In the spring of 1835, the organization of the church was changed from Congregational to Pres- byterian, and on March 7, 1836, an act of incorpora- tion was obtained, giving the society a legal existence under the name of the First Presbyterian Church and congregation of Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio.

In March, 1835, on the suggestion of Rev. Mr. Judson, of Milan, an invitation was sent by the church to the Rev. Alfred Newton, of Connecticut, to visit them, with a view of being employed as pastor should there be mutual satisfaction. Having previ- ously determined to make the west his field of labor, he was the more ready to receive the proposition with favor; and accordingly complied with the invitation. He commenced his labors here on the first Sunday in July, 1835. The church, then, was not only small in members, but weak in pecuniary resources. The whole taxable property of its members and supporters, according to the duplicate of that year, did not ex- ceed ten thousand dollars. Aid had been received yearly from the Home Missionary Society, but when Mr. Newton came, the church became at once self- sustaining, and has always remained so.

In 1836, and again in 1837, Mr. Newton was un- animously invited to become the pastor of the church, but each time declined, wishing, before he became permanently settled, to see the issue of efforts which were then being made for the erection of a house of worship.

Services were held in the academy until its destruc- tion by fire in February, 1836. Another place of worship was soon extemporized in the attic of a brick block on West Main street. It was an unfinished roon, with naked rafters and walls. Unplaned boards without backs were the seats for the audience, and the pulpit was constructed of tea chests and dry goods boxes. With theee primitive appointments, the church continued to hold its meetings on the Sab- bath from February to June, when the old court house was secured.

This was the place of meeting for more than a year. Meanwhile the society was taking vigorous measures

to secure a building of its own. In 1837 a lot was procured and work begun. The church was finished about the first of July, 1838, at a cost of about ten thousand dollars, including lot and organ. It was dedicated on the 24th of July. On the same day, also, Mr. Newton was installed pastor by the pres- bytery.

The church worshiped in the building that was then dedicated for more than thirty years, but it was at length felt to be inadequate to their necessities. In 1867, a movement began in the congregation to secure a new house of worship. With various hindrances and discouragements, this was prosecuted until the completion, in 1870, of the present sanctuary, at a cost, with the lot, of about twenty-five thousand dol- lars. It was dedicated on the last Sabbath of July, 1870, with a debt of about five thousand dollars rest- ing upon it. This proved to be a heavy burden upon the society. In January, 1878, a vigorous attempt was made to reduce it, and by the 1st of May, 1879, the last dollar had been paid, so that now the church is entirely free from debt. On the day of dedication Dr. Newton laid aside the official care of the church, which he had borne faithfully for thirty-five years.

In an historical discourse from which much of the preceding facts have been gathered, preached by Dr. Newton on concluding the twenty-fifth year of his ministry in the church, June 24, 1860, he was able to report that since the organization of the church the membership had increased from nine to one hundred and fifty, and that more than sixty thousand dollars had been contributed for religious and educational purposes at home and abroad. Since then the annual contributions have increased rather than diminished.

Dr. Newton, after his resignation, continued with the church, as pastor emeritus, until his death, which occurred the 31st of December, 1878. The funeral services were held in the church, on the second day of January, 1879. His presence was sadly missed, not in the church only, to which he had given the best years of his life, but throughout the hole com- munity, which knew him only to esteem hiz. for his many christian virtues. He rests from his bors, but his works follow him.

When Dr. Newton resigned the pastoral office, Rev. Henry H. Rice was unanimously elected to succeed him. He remained with the church for four years, resigning in the fall of 1874, and was soon after called to the Westminster church of Sacramento. For nearly a year the church was without a pastor. In the summer of 1875, Rev. James D. Williamson, the pres- ent pastor, was invited to supply the pulpit for a year. Afterwards he was invited to accept the office of pas- tor, and was installed October 3, 1876.

The church numbers at present two hundred and twenty-five members.

The Sabbath school was organized in 1835, and has always enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity. It has had but two superintendents since its organization, Messrs. C. L. Latimer and N. S. C. Perkins. The

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

former was superintendent till his removal to Cleve- land in 1862, and the latter has held the position ever since. The school numbers about two hundred teachers and scholars.

Through much self-denial, the church has done its work, attained its present strength and secured its commodious and well appointed house of worship. If its growth has not been rapid, it has been constant, and the present condition of the church warrants the belief that the record of the future will be as good, at least, as that of the past.

1835-FIRST BAPTIST.

The first settlers of Huron county were of New Eng- land origin, and as soon as a home was established in the wilderness, and the immediate needs of the body supplied, their thoughts turned naturally to those spiritual blessings for which the soul longs, and they provided for their wants by the speedy organization of churches. Among these, several, holding Baptist sentiments, met September 20, 1818, and after con- sultation, constituted a church to be designated the Baptist Church of Ridgefield,. Its constituent mem- bers were Asahel Morse, Lemuel Raymond, Francis H. Johnson and Clarissa Ann Morse. Others soon joined them by letter, and at the close of the first year their numbers had increased to twenty members, all living in what are now Huron and Erie counties. Their cen- tral place of meeting was in Ridgefield, in a school house on the ridge road, midway between Norwalk and Monroeville, but, as the members were widely scattered, meetings were held for sixteen years at different places, from Bloomingville, on the north, to Fairfield south, and from Norwalk to Bellevue. Itinerant pastors were expected to fill each appoint- ment once a month. Success attended their labors and many were added to the church.

In 1832, twenty-nine were dismissed to form the first Baptist Church in Fairfield.

In January, 1835, a vote was passed locating per- manently in Norwalk, and the name changed to "The First Baptist Church of Norwalk." They numbered at that time sixty-three members. Soon after this, members were dismissed to constitute churches in Bronson, Peru, Monroeville and Bellevue. Until this time they had met in school-houses, private houses and barns, but at the same meeting at which they voted to locate in Norwalk, they took measures to erect a house of worship, and appointed P. G. Smith, Theodore Baker, Timothy Baker, David Webb and Moses Kimball, trustees, to obtain a char- ter, purchase a lot and raise the necessary funds. The result of this action was the purchase of their present location, and the erection of a brick edifice, forty by sixty feet, at a cost of about four thousand dollars, which was dedicated June 26, 1836, by Rev. E. Tucker, of Buffalo. This house was occu- pied for worship just forty years, until July, 1876, when it was removed to give place to a larger and more elegant building.

The first settled pastorate of the church was made in 1821, and, recognizing the obligation to su stain constantly the preaching of the Word, they have since then had a succession of faithful laborers, whose efforts have been accompanied by the Divine blessing.

The Sabbath school interest early claimed attention, and a school was opened in 1820, and sustained for several seasons, in which the elementary branches of the English language were taught, in addition to in- structions in Bible truths. Then the members united with others in union Sabbath schools, until the first church was dedicated, when a church school was or- ganized, and has continued its work to the present time, without interruption, It numbers now two hundred. During these years, five hundred. and forty persons have been baptised into the fellowship of the church. In 1878 it numbered two hundred and fifty-seven. The whole number admitted to its membership is twelve hundred and eighteen. It has always been in full and hearty accord with all the benevolent and evangelizing activities of the age, and by an earnest co-operation with other organizations seeking the same object still endeavors to perform its part in bringing human hearts and lives into harmony with the Divine Law, and the perfect life of the great teacher, Christ.

1840-ST. PETER'S (CATHOLIC.)

St. Peter's Church was formed in 1840-1, by Rev. Freigang, with a congregation of about thirty families. In 1850, there were about eighty families, and in 1860, nearly one hundred and fifty. The church building was erected in 1840-1, at a cost of about seven hundred dollars, the land for its use being donated by Mr. Whyler who gave it in trust to James Meyers. In 1842-3, the building, proving too small for the accommodation of the congregation, was en- larged. The attendants of this church at this time came from Monroeville, Milan and the country sur- rounding Norwalk. Since its organization it has seen many changes, owing to the rapid growth and settlement of the country which was the cause of many of its members withdrawing and forming new churches.

In 1841-2, and until 1843, Rev. Mathew Alicks, a Redemptorist, was pastor, and finished the church begun by Rev. Freigang. In 1843, Rev. Frank Aloysius Bruner, a Passionist father, ministered to the church, and in 1844, Rev. Machboeuf, from Sandusky and Tiffin, attended it. The same year, 1844, a deed of the church property was given to Bishop Purcell, by Jos. Meyer. From 1845 until 1851, the congregation was alternately attended by Rev. Machboenf and the Passionist fathers from Thompson, Ohio. From 1851 to 1853, it was at- tended by Rev. Charles Evrard. In 1853, Rev. Nicholas Roupp came to the charge, and remained one year, after which the church was closed for thirteen months. In 1855, a mission was given by Bishop Rappe and Father Luhr. Three months afterwards,

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Father Punchell arrived and remained, residing in the house belonging to St. Peter's, but attending St. Mary's until his death in 1860.

The dedication of the church took place in June, 1846, by Bishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, Rev. Mach- boenf, Peter Anton, John Wittmer and others being present. Rev. Manclerc attended old St. Peter's until about August, 1860, boarding at a private house near the church, while the parsonage was occupied by Rev. Punchell. From September, 1860, until August, 1861, Rev. Dolweck was in charge; and from Septem- ber, 1861, until October, 1865, Rev. X. Obermiller, with Rev. Dambach as assistant, was in charge.

A school house was built in 1858 and 1859, at a cost of about one thousand dollars. First attendance was about seventy-five to one hundred. The present at- tendance is about thirty-five.

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History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers, Part 39

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726