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 40

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 40
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 40

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 1867-8, the people living in the village, separated from the church, and became a new and distinct con- gregation, being at first called New St. Peter's Church, but afterwards St. Paul's. Forty families remained with the old church. The separation took place during the pastorate of Father Magenhanse, who was succeeded by Father Kuhn, both churches being under his charge, also under charge of his suc- cessor Rev. Dechant. From the year 1872, each con- gregation had its own pastor. Rev. Drolshagen suc- ceeded Rev. Dechant, and remained in charge of the old church until 18:3, at which time Rev. G. Peter took charge of the pastorate, and remained until October, 1875, when Rev. Peter Kolopp, the present pastor, succeeded him. The present congregation numbers about thirty families.

In 1859-60, the English speaking portion of the congregation separated from the old church, and under Father Punchell, formed St. Mary's Church on Milan street. In 1864-5, those of the congregation who lived at Milan, left, and attended services at St. Peter's.

1851-LUTHERAN.

This church was organized June 29, 1851, the con- gregation at that time consisting of sixty-four voting members, under the pastorate of Rev. Vincens Klein. The lot was donated by A. J. Dewalt, and is located on Prospect street, east side, north of League street. The congregation commenced to build in 1852, and in 1854 completed a substantial brick church, at a cost of two thousand two hundred dollars. At a later period dissensions arose among the members of the congregation, which so reduced it in numbers that in 1874 there were but five voting members. In that year Rev. A. C. Ulrich, the present pastor, came to the church. In 1876 a parsonage was built at a cost of eight hundred and fifty dollars. Under his minis- trations the church was destined to recover much that had been lost, and in 1879 the number of voting members was twenty-seven and the total number of confirmed members, ninety-eight. The congregation comprises (1879) one hundred and forty children and

adults. Sunday school is held regularly, under the superintendency of Wm. Himberger, and has from thirty-five to forty members. The church belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran joint synod of Ohio and adjacent States.

1859-ST. MARY'S (CATHOLIC).

St. Mary's church was built about the year 1859 under the supervision of Rev. Mr. Pontial, its first pastor, who was of French parentage. He died in 1860, before its completion, and was succeeded by Rev. John Quinn who finished the building, and con- tinued in charge of the pastorate some four years. He in turn was succeeded by Rev. T. P. Thorpe, who offi- ciated as its pastor four years. At the organization of the church about thirty families of that faith, compris- ing some one hundred and twenty persons, belonged to the congregation. In 1869 the congregation num- bered four hundred, and in 1879 about five hundred persons. The cost of the church was some twelve thousand dollars, the funds for the building of which were raised in part by subscription, part by festivals, and a part from the church fund. The parochial residence, a two story brick building, costing three thousand dollars, was erected in 1863, under the su- pervision of Rev. John Quinn, the pastor in charge at that time. The present pastor is Rev. T. F. Halley, who has been in charge over eleven years.

A substantial school house was erected on the church property in 1865, by Rev. T. P. Thorpe. Its cost was four thousand dollars. At its organization the school had an attendance of about eighty, but as time passed and the congregation increased in num- bers it was found necessary to erect another building to accommodate all. A site consisting of four lots on the corner of League and State streets was secured, and a school house built, costing, inclusive of all, about eight thousand dollars. The funds for building the school house and purchasing the lots were obtained in the same manner as for building the church. This church is also possessed of two lots on Milan street, which are valued at eight hundred dollars.

1864 .- ADVENT CHRISTIAN .*

The commencement of this church was in the au- tumn of 1842, by a mutual assembling together of persons from the various churches, and others in the town and vicinity, interested in the doctrine of the speedy personal coming of Christ, for worship, and more particularly to examine the Bible upon this sub- ject. It was not the design then, or for a length of time thereafter, to organize another religions denomi- nation; but as they advanced in knowledge of Bible testimony, they became more and more confirmed in its truthfulness, and as the churches refused to exam- ine the subject, or tolerate its introduction into their meetings, they were driven to this alternative, or abandon the doctrine. This was the true cause of its organization.

*Prepared by Prudden Alling, Esq .. two weeks before his death.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Amongst the persons who took a prominent part in the meetings of that and the two succeeding years, the following may be mentioned, then residing in Norwalk and Bronson, viz: James D. Knapp, Prud- den Alling and family, Simeon B. Sturges, Era Clark and family, Abel Herrick and family, John Covell and family, Edmund Mead and wife, Paul G. Smith, Nathan L. Thayer and wife. Daniel Boon, Ager B. Hoyt and wife, Ira Curtiss and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Boss. In later years others from the various churches and by conversions from the outside world, became interested in this and kindred doctrines of the Bible peculiar to this people, and united with them in wor- ship. Their distinctive doctrines are these:

1. They believe in the personal coming and reign of Christ on the earth during the millennium, as taught in the twentieth chapter of Revelation.

2. At the beginning of which period the righteous dead will be raised, the living saints changed from mortal to immortality, and will reign with Christ during the thousand years.

3. They now believe the intermediate state be- tween death and the resurection of both the righteous and the wicked, is that of unconsciousness.

4. They believe, as the wicked do not lay hold of Christ as their life-giver, and neglect to seek for im- mortality, they fail of that attribute, and consequently will be raised up at the end of the one thousand years to a mortal life, and will fall under the power of the second death, being the wages of sin, which will be an extinction of being, and eternal in its results.

5. Some believe that as all the family of man that have " died in Adam" will be raised up in the resur- reetion to another life, that all who have lived and died in unavoidable ignorance of a saving knowledge of God's plan of salvation, in this or previous dispen- sations, will then have the opportunity of hearing of Him who died for all and tasted death for every man, and'of accepting or rejecting Christ for themselves; then their due time for hearing of Him will have come.

6. The belief in or the rejection of these doctrines or any part of them, is not made a test of fellowship. Their only test is Christian character.

7. Their ereed is simply this: "We, whose names are hereto attached, do hereby associate ourselves to- gether as the Church of Christ in Norwalk and vicin- ity, and agree to take the Bible as our only rule of faith and practice." This was adopted January 18, 1863.

8. They practice immersion, after believing, alone as baptism.

9. They organized themselves into a body eorpo- rate August 3, 1864.

After perfecting an organization they purchased from M. A. Dunton the building and lot formerly owned by the Methodist church, on Seminary street, for eight hundred dollars. A part of the lot was af- terwards sold to T. R. Strong for one hundred and

twenty-five dollars. The building was repaired and seated at a cost of about three hundred dollars, and was occupied as a house of worship until the winter of 1872-73, when it was found so illy adapted to their wants that it was resolved to make an effort to rebuild. A subscription was circulated, and about one thousand four hundred dollars obtained. It was thereupon re- solved to rebuild or remodel the whole structure ex- eept the frame. The following building committee was appointed for that purpose, and were instructed not to run the church into debt, viz: Simeon F. Rog- ers, David C. Jefferson, James D. Knapp, Orange Seaman and Hiram Dillingham. The building was duly finished, and was dedicated by Elder Frank Burr, of Chicago, on the 29th of June, 1873. It has been used as then furnished to the present time, as a heuse of worship. There is one peculiararity in its heating arrangement worthy of notice, which is this: It has a tight basement, with two large stoves placed in the south side, and with pipes running through its entire length under the two outside rows of seats, with two or more registers in each seat, opened at will, for the rise of the heat. This plan is found to work ad- mirably for warming the feet and heating the building. In addition to this there are two long box tubes set under the back seat and covered with wires, placed even with the floor, each about twelve by twenty inches in size, and extending down to near the bottom of the basement, which creates a downward draft for the cold air. This keeps up a constant eirculation and prevents a fetid atmosphere, as is often experi- eneed in the ordinary mode of heating churches and other buildings. The experiment has proved a suc- eess worthy the attention of other churches ereeting similar edifices.

From the beginning up to the present time its his- tory has been more variable than is usually witnessed in other denominations, caused in part by the peeu- liarity of their doctrines, and partly from this other faet, that with them were associated members from nearly every other denomination in the land, all tinc- tured, more or less, with their earlier educational biases. Since 1842 their meetings have been kept up in town or vieinity, on Sunday, and usually prayer meetings onee a week. A part of this time they were favored with ministering brethren, who were formerly members of the orthodox denominations, viz: Presby- terian, Congregational, Baptist, Freewill Baptist, Methodist and others, amongst whom may be men- tioned Elders Charles Fitch, J. B. Cook, Thomas Carlton, N. M. Needham, J. M. Judson, L. P. Jud- son, Butler Morley, Mr. Boggs, Frank Burr, Cyrus Mendenhall, Mr. Surgerson and D. T. Call, their present minister. Also, Dr. G. W. Stetson, who was with them some years, and Jonas Wardell. Their irregular ministry was always a hindrance, both in the advancement of the church in members and spiritu- ality. Their members have varied from twenty up to one hundred or more. Their present membership is about sixty, embracing some living at a distance.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

1867-CONGREGATIONAL.

This Church was organized in the court house at Nor- walk, December 19, 1867. For several months pre- vious, preaching services, sustained by those of Con- gregational preferences, had been held in the court house on Sunday afternoons, under the ministrations of Rev. A. S. Walsh. The church was organized with fifty-four members. These were mostly drawn from the Congregational Church of Bronson township, which was thereby disbanded. A number of them, however, were Congregationalists of Norwalk, who had until then united with no church in that place, and a very few were members of other churches but of congregational antecedents or preferences, who now availed themselves of this opportunity of becoming identified with that denomination.

Soon after the organization, the court house being no longer at their command, the Congregationalists were very cordially invited by the Protestant Episco- pal Church to occupy its house of worship. The offer was gladly accepted, and services were held there Sunday afternoons until spring, when it was found more convenient to return to the court house, now once more available, which was used from this time until October, 1869, from which time, until the com- pletion of the new church, the Baptist Church was occupied by invitation.

In April, 1868, the lot on which the church now stands was purchased. It was occupied at the time by an old hotel called the Gauff House, which was under lease, and did not pass into the hands of the church for a considerable time. When it did, the prayer meetings, which had been held at the resi- dences of Mrs. Henry Brown, Mrs. Hoyt, and in rooms rented by the church on Seminary street, were removed thither. The Sunday school was also first organized in the old hotel, and, when that building was removed to make room for the church, it was held by invitation in the Baptist Church till a place was made for it in the new building. The church as it now stands was completed early in 1871, and was dedicated February 2d of that year. It has proven a pleasant home to those who have occupied it, but they have not yet forgotten the courtesies received from sister churches, when they were yet pilgrims and strangers on the earth.

The first superintendent of the Sunday school was Mr. Charles Seger. The first deacons of the church were James Rowcliff, John Hagaman and Frederick Upson. The first trustees were Henry Brown, James Rowcliff, Thomas Hagaman, C. W. Manahan and N. HI. Pebbles. The first pastor after Mr. Walsh was Rev. C. E. Wright, and his successors have been Rev. J. W. Cracraft, D.D., and Rev. J. W. Cowan. The present membership is about two hundred and thirty. The Sunday school is under the superintendency of Mr. Frank B. Foster, and has a membership of about one hundred and thirty-five. The cost of the church lot was four thousand dollars: the cost of the church building, twelve thousand dollars.

1868-ST. PAUL'S. (CATHOLIC.)

The German Catholic inhabitants of Norwalk, be- longed, until the year 1868, to St. Peter's church, on West Main street, but as their number increased they wished to have a church nearer the centre of the beautiful village of Norwalk. They therefore bought two lots on Hester street, on which they built a school house, the first story being used for school and teacher's dwelling, and the second for church pur- poses. Rev. Father A. Magenhann superintended in buying the lots and building the house. The rev- erend father, after a time of hard work, was trans- ferred to Mansfield the 1st of September, 1869. Rev. J. Kuhn was his successor, and was followed on August 20, 1871, by Rev. Father M. Dechant. The purchase of lots on Hester street had been a great loss to the congregation, on account of their unfavorable sit- uation, and so it happened that pastor and congrega- tion came to an understanding to buy a more favora- ble location. Their choice was the property belonging to W. O. Parker, consisting of lots forty and forty- one on Main street. A committee was appointed to buy said lots, which they did for seven thousand dollars, which was a high price for the poor congre- gation to pay, but was cheap on account of the beauty and good location, for the greater part. of the mem- bers of St. Paul's live on the neighboring streets. Previous to this, there was no priest's house, but now Father Dechaut removed into the house on the new purchase, formerly occupied by W. O. Parker. On the 10th of December, 1873, Father Dechaut was transferred to St. Alphons' church, Peru, four miles southwest from Norwalk, and Rev. A. Eilert was his successor.

A few months before the generous bankruptey com- menced, wages were cut down and money became scarce, but thanks to the general sacrifices of its members, the debts, amounting to nearly eight thousand dollars, were very rapidly reduced. At the same time, the cemetery, bought a few years pre- viously by Father Kuhn, and situated on South West street, was improved. In August, 1875, a comfort- able dwelling house for the teacher, was built, at a cost of one thousand four hundred dollars. On Septem- ber 1, 1876, that unpleasant place on Hester street was sold for five thousand dollars. During the same month a large, new school house was commenced on the lately purchased property, and was so far finished at Christmas that divine service was held in the first story, and in the second story school could be held. The cost of the new edifice, including the bell, pipe organ for the church part, and other improvements, amounted to ten thousand dollars.

The number of members of St. Paul's has, within eleven years, more than doubled, increasing from fifty to one hundred and thirty families. To two school classes a third one had to be added in the fall of 1848, about one hundred and eighty children at- tending them.

The revenues, during the past five years, amounted

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

to twenty-six thousand dollars, of which eleven thousand dollars were paid on debts, the balance be- ing used for current expenses. As there is reason to hope that times are getting better, the people will try as soon as possible to pay all outstanding debts. As soon as this is accomplished they contemplate build- ing a magnificent church on the corner of Main and Wooster streets.

At the present time (spring of 1829), the Sunday school contains two hundred and fifty members.

1869-UNIVERSALIST.

On December 1, 1867, religious services were com- menced by Rev. Mr. Canfield, of Peru, who preached in the court house Sunday evenings for one year. The first of the year 1868, Whittlesey Hall was secured for the purpose of holding services, and a Sunday school was organized with four pupils and four teachers. At the close of this year the hall of the Sons of Temperance was rented and fitted up for church purposes. Sunday school was held in the morning and preaching in the evening. In the month of January of this year (1869) a church was organized with twenty-seven members. In 1872 the present church edifice on West Main street, a beauti- ful structure, with all the modern conveniences, was dedicated December 8. The building cost, complete, with the grounds, twenty thousand dollars. In building the church liberal assistance was obtained from friends of the cause outside of the church and congregation; outside, indeed, of the township. Two members of the Peru church, R. Eaton and Freddus Simmons contributed each one thousand to the ten thousand which it had been resolved should be raised before commencing the work of building. Others who may be considered "outsiders," although friends of the cause, were liberal donors. Mr. W. A. Mack and F. Sears, of Norwalk, were among the most liberal contributors, both being members of the church; the former having, in addition to his sub- scription to the building fund, donated, at the cost of two thousand dollars, the fine pipe organ now used. At the time of the dedication of the church, Decem- 8, 1872, there was a debt of some six thousand dollars resting on the building. Over four thousand dollars of this debt was raised at that time. Mr. J. H. Buchtel, of Akron, was present at the dedication, and contributed five hundred dollars of the sum. Many others also gave liberally of their means toward extinguishing the debt. A few years later an effort was made by the friends of the church, assisted by Revs. Canfield and Wilson, to raise the balance of the debt, which proved successful, and the church is now free from debt.

Since its organization, the church has had three settled pastors-Rev. I. L. Canfield, who for a year or two after its inception preached one-half of the time in Peru in the morning, and in Norwalk in the afternoon. Hle finally removed to Norwalk, and con- tinued as pastor of the congregation some three

years, preaching on Sundays both morning and after- noon. Rev. E. Hathaway was then employed, and remained about three years, when he resigned, and the present pastor, Rev. C. S. Vincent was called to the charge.

The church has met with steady prosperity from its organization, until at the present time, 1879, it has a membership of one hundred and ten, with a Sunday-school of one hundred pupils, and owns its property clear of debt, supporting preaching services every Sunday.

1869-WARREN CHAPEL.

In the fall of 1869 a class-meeting was instituted among the colored people of Norwalk by Mr. Ray Harvey, who received a license as a local preacher, and held meetings about six months, when work was commenced on a house of worship. After the frame was raised a severe storm of wind removed it from the foundation and caused some additional expense to that contemplated in building. The church was completed in 1869, and was dedicated in the spring of 1870. After its dedication it was reorganized, and, dissensions arising, Mr. Harvey withdrew from the connection. At its reorganization it was incor- porated as Warren Chapel of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It has had regular services each Sunday since its formation, part of the time by local preachers, and part of the time by the missionary who has charge of this, and the missions of Sandusky and Fremont. It has at present a membership of about twenty-four, and a Sunday school of twenty members. Rev. George Stevens is the present mis- sionary. The chapel is situated on Cline street, and cost about one thousand dollars.

BUSINESS IN 1879.

The following is believed to be a correct showing of the number and different kinds of business now being prosecuted in Norwalk:

DRY GOODS .- Manahan, Taber & Co., (C. W. Manahan, B C. Taber, and H. C. Johnson,) corner of Main street and Whittlesey avenue. H. E. Smith & Co., (H. E. Smith, W. A. Poyer) East Main. F. D. Taylor, corner Main and Railroad avenue. Wooster & Patrick (H. M Wooster, M. C. Patrick) corner Main and Railroad avenue. C. E. Marsh & Co .. (C. E. Marsh, S. B. Pease) corner Main and Whittlesey avenue. Theo- dore Williams, West Main.

GENTS' CLOTHING AND FURNISHING GOODS .- Manahan, Taber & Co., corner Main and Whittlesey ave. William Suhr, W. Main. Reming & Gandolf, E. Main. G. Jacobson, W. Main. E. Peters & Son, W. Main. E. Windecker, E. Main. William Schaefer, Milan street.

MILLINERS' AND LADIES' GOODS .- S. C. Kinsley, E. Main. Mrs. S. G. Brown, E. Main. Mrs. Sherman, W. Main. Mrs. Robbins, W. Main. Mrs. E. Roth, E. Main. Mrs. Demorest, W. Seminary, Mrs. Mann, W. Seminary. Mrs. Pritchard, Whittlesey avenue. Louisa Smith Whit- tlesey avenue. Judson & Webster, Whittlesey avenue. Miss B. Coe, Whittlesey avenue. Mrs. Snyder, Whittlesey Avenue.

BOOTS AND SHOES .- Husted Bros., S. M. Fuller, C. Ohlemacher, J. A McMillan, Oscar Townsend, James Seeley, William Moshier, George Staf- ford, E. Main. D. E. Cole, W. Main. Thomas Agus, Benedict avenue. J Kavanaugh, Whittlesey avenue. M. Suydam, Railroad avenue. Wil- liam Ashboalt & Son, Fisher & Bloxam, Seminary street.

JEWELERS. -- Samuel Wilkinson O. G. Carter, C. L. Merry, C. L. Mat- thews. East Main.

GROCERS .- Moore & Co., John Cheney, E. Main. W. C. Huyck, J. A. Jones, Benedict avenue J .; A. Rynn. G: Fergel, State street.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

J. Haut, William Indlekofer, Milan street. C. H. Hoyt, Mitchell & Rowland, A. D. Harley, H. F. Barton, W. Main. T. King, P. Com- stock, C. H. Wines & Co., J. P. Link, C. F. Butler & Co., C. R. Bost- wick, J. E. Lutts, Boss & Eastman, E. Main.

DRUGS .- T. S. Wooster, W. O. Abbott & Sons, Wooster & Patrick, E. Main. D. D. Benedict, W. R. Little & Son, H. T. Barton, W. Main.

HATTERS .- J. Miller, W. O. Abbott, E. Main.

MEATS .- Wheaton & Hoyt, M. Blatz, H. Troendle, C. Mullholland, E. Main. Honsinger & Newman, Seaton Bros., W. Main. William H. Sny- der, Benedict avenue.

CONFECTIONERY, CIGARS AND TOBACCO .- H. C. Morris, M. Holderman, G. T. Brady, E. Main. C. Chisholm, W. Main.

FURNITURE. - House & Arnold, Hund & Kiefer, F W. Boalt. E. Main. William Schafer & Bros., W. Maiu.

HARDWARE, STOVES AND TINWARE .- F. A. Powers, George Lambkins, Wooster & Patrick. D. Higgins. E. Main. W. R. Little & Son, C. W. Manahan, Martin & Carabin, W. Maiu.

AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS .- J. A. Nichols, Benedict avenue.

PRODUCE AND COMMISSION .- W. A. Poyer, E. Main; grain warehouse aud elevator on railroad. Bowen & Tuttle, E. Maiu; grain warehouse and elevator on railroad. A. Kribbs, Wooster street, green fruits, pota- toes, etc. J. Cheeney, E. Main, butter. eggs, dried fruits, etc. E. D. Jordan, W. Seminary, grain and feed.

LIVERY AND SALE STABLES .- E H. Draper, Seminary st. R. M. Pant- lind, Railroad avenue; the first established in Northern Ohio. C. Morgan, railroad avenue. J. M. Harkness, E. Main. M. Graves, Hester street.

BARBERS .- J. S. Minot, C. Maiberger, George McGee, H. Mulhaupt, E. Maiu. M. Vancamp, Benedict avenue. J. Hawkins, W. Main.

HOTELS .- St. Charles, Charles Stratton, proprietor, W. Main street. Central, Gus. Rose, proprietor, Whittlesey avenue. Cottage, Silas Hill, proprietor. Railroad avenue. Bush House, J. W. Bush, proprietor, S. Hester street.

MARBLE DEALERS .- R. R. King, Huron st. J. T. Davis, E. Main st. DOCTORS .- E. C. Morril. T. Gill, A. N. Read, J. B. Ford, B. Babcock, J. R. Whitwood, A. L. Osborn, S. W. Green, J. L. Babcock, T. E. Pray. DENTISTS .- A. Terry, S. P. Hildreth, M. G. Furlong, J. W. Peasley. SALOONS .- A. Riester, Louis Webber, P. Ludwig, S. Stultz, P. Troeudle. J. Miller, N . Bachman, F. Becher, J. Fezenger, F. Casper, A. Brobst, E, Roth, J. Fitz, H. Mullhaupt, J. W. Lee.

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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 40

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