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 93

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 93
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 93

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).

During this pastorate the house of worship was re- moved, enlarged aud repaired. The work was com- pleted in the fall of 1865, and immediately afterwards the church invited Mr. Safford to become its installed pastor with an increase of three hundred dollars in salary. Mr. Safford accepted the call, but seems to have continued in the pastoral relation only about a year.

When the house of worship was originally built, it seems that the pews were sold with the understand- ing that the buyers became permanent owners. This arrangement was a source, afterwards, of much in- convenience to the society. The owners were not all induced to give their pews up again to the society until some time in 1868.

After the departure of Pastor Safford in 1866, the Rev. S. B. Sherrill was called, and was acting pastor from December, 1867, until some time in 1823, a period of nearly six years. The successor of Mr. Sherrill was the Rev. J. W. White, whose letter ac- cepting the call of the church is dated February 28, 1874. Mr. White's labors did not begin until some time after this acceptance, and closed near the end of 1878, continuing with the church a little more than four years. Within two months after Mr. White's resignation, the church called Rev. S. W. Meek, who was installed in the pastoral office by the council on

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

February 11, 1829, having begun his labors with the church on the 1st of Jannary, previous.

The church has been blessed at various times in its history by revivals. In the year 1854, during the pastorate of Rev. A. D. Barber, thirty-seven were received into membership of the church. In I859, twenty-two were added to the church. Again, in 1861, the church was visited by a revival which re- sulted in the addition of twenty to the membership. In the year 1865, during the labors of Mr. Safford, seventeen were received into membership; and in 1820, under Mr. Sherrill's labors, twenty-three connected themselves with the church. In 1873, the year that Mr. Sherrill closed his labors, forty-five names were added to the roll.

One pleasant feature in the records of this church is the frequency with which the word "unanimously" occurs in describing the passage of important resolu- tions and the calling of ministers.

In common with Congregational churches in gen- eral, the only creed recognized by this church as having any binding authority upon the consciences of its members is the Bible. But as a convenient state- ment of its understanding of the Bible on the great foundation doctrines of christianity, it has adopted, and places in the hands of its members and inquirers, what is known as the Ohio Congregational Manual.

The church has a uniform record of sterling ortho- doxy from the beginning.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,

of Bellevue, was formed in the year 1839. The first class was composed of James Anderson, his wife, Betsey, and daughter, Melissa; Alvin Anderson, his wife, Harriet, and daughter, Adaline; and - Mann and daughter. Meetings were held at this time in the stone school house, standing on the site at present occupied by the school building, near the Episcopal church. In about 1845, this church erected a sub- stantial brick edifice, at a cost of some five thousand dollars. This building is at present owned by the German Lutheran society. After organization, how- ever, the church fitted up a room in the second story of the warehouse standing where the Richards and Egle block now stands, and this was occupied until the building of the church as before stated.

The present elegant church edifice was completed during the summer of 1868, and was dedicated by Bishop Simpson on August 17, of that year, and cost, including real estate and parsonage, some thirty thousand dollars. Among the largest contributors to the erection of the church are: Messrs. Anderson, Higbee, Williams, Dole, Adams and Huffman. The first resident minister was Rev. Oliver Burgess, who remained two years. Father Anderson gives from memory, the following names of ministers who have preached to this church in Bellevue: Wilson, Camp, Pierce, Hill, Cooper, Fast, Start, Fant, Pounds, Breakfield, Thompson, Worden, Spafford, Morrow and Cables.

In 1852, when the ministers' "historical record" begins, the church reported a membership of two hundred and twelve, and three hundred scholars in attendance at Sabbath school. Rev. Samuel Beatty, pastor. September 18, 1852, it was formally organ- ized as a station, with the following board of stewards: H. R. Adams, Alvin Anderson, Jesse Haskell, W. W. Stilson, J. B. Higbee, Orrin Dole and Barney Campbell. Its leaders were Jesse Haskell, B. Camp- bell, O. Dole, David Williams and W. Curtiss. Superintendent of Sabbath school, W. W. Stilson. 1853-William M. Spafford, pastor. He was suc- ceeded in 1854 by Rev. Wesley J. Wells. The following are the pastors from that time until the present, (1879): 1855-John A. Mudge; 1857-Wm. Richards; 1859-Asbury B. Castle; 1861-Daniel Stratton; 1862-Simon P. Jacobs; 1863-Elmore Y. Warner; 1865-Garretson A. Hughes; 1868-Elmore Y. Warner: 1871-Elvero Pearsons. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Searles. T. C. Warner suceeeded him, remained three years, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Pepper, who is the present pastor, and was appointed at the Wellington conference, in 1879. The present membership is one hundred and eighty; average attendance at Sunday school, one hundred and ninety; R. Carpenter, superintendent. The stewards of the church are: Thomas Gardner, Horace Place, A. Anderson, John Grimes, R. H. Boyer, William L. Hilbish, John Limbach, Jacob Decker and Conrad Linck. J. B. Higbee, A. Anderson, E. L. Dole, H. R. Adams, Jacob Decker, J. C. Sheffield, Adam Williams and S. Patterson, trustees; Enoch Heal, W. L. Hilbish, John Limbach and S. Patterson, class leaders.

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Before there was any parish organization in Belle- vue, the Rev. Ephraim Punderson officiated from the year 1842 to that of 1847; but not until April, 1851, was the parish duly organized by Rev. Dr. Bronson. Messrs. T. G. Amsden and John Grimes were chosen wardens; Messrs. F. A. Chapman, G. Woodward and G. W. Sheffield, vestrymen; and, on September 10, 1851, this parish was received into connection with the Protestant Episcopal Church.

In the spring of 1852, Rev. R. K. Nash was chosen rector and the church building was begun and enclosed. Mr. Nash having resigned in 1854, the building re- mained unfinished. In the spring of 1857, an effort was made to open the church, and a rector was called. Rev. M. Hamilton took charge of the church on the first Sunday in July, 1857.

Improvements were made in the church building, an old debt paid off, and the church was consecrated by Bishop Bedell, in January, 1861.

The lot and buildings cost about three thousand five hundred dollars. In July, 1869, the parish be- came self-supporting, and the following year repairs and improvements were made, at a cost of one thou- sand four hundred dollars.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

The first Sunday school was organized by the Rev. M. Hamilton in 1857, and continued with increasing prosperity under his care.

A marked improvement in this church is now in contemplation. The walls are to be frescoed, a recess chancel and a memorial window are soon to beantify the church.

The present officers are: Geo. W. Sheffield, senior warden; Roger Greenslade, junior warden; Abishai Woodward, Amos Woodward, E. J. Sheffield, W. J. Heal and James H. Greenslade, vestrymen.

ST. PAUL'S REFORMED CHURCH.

The members of St. Paul's Reformed Church origm- ally worshiped at the Free Chapel, a few miles west of Bellevue. Some, a goodly number, were also members of the Zion's Church, in Thompson town- ship, Seneca county. In February, 1862, Rev. Eli Keller commenced to preach in Bellevue. Services were held in the old school building, owned by Mr. George Weickart, afterwards in the old Methodist Episcopal Church, then again in the old school house. At this time, a weekly prayer meeting was well sus- tained, and a Sunday school organized. August 16, 1862, at a meeting held at the chapel, it was resolved that a church should be built in, or near, Bellevue, and measures taken to select a site and procure building funds. The corner stone of the church was laid on the 19th of June, 1864. On the 19th of June, 1865, the church was dedicated: sermons by Rev. M. Kieffer, D. D., and Rev. H. Rust, D. D. The cere- monies of laying the corner stone were performed by Rev. E. Keller, the pastor.

Some time in the fall of 1865, the St. Paul's Re- formed Congregation was organized by the election of a consistory of elders and deacons. Since 1865, the following persons served respectively as elders, deacons and trustees, viz: Jacob Bunn, Levi Korner, D. S. Arnold, John Hilbish, H. Kimmel, Isaac Kern, elders; John Bunn, David Hoch, Moses Miller, Joseph Zieber, John Bowman, Aaron Walters, Wm. Knauss, John Deck, Benjamin Bunn, W. C. Smith, Wilham Aigler and J. Ferdinand Smith, deacons; David Hoch, Harrison Wilt, Elias Schmidt, Henry Stetler, John Deck, Aaron Walters, Jacob Aigler and Fred- erick Smith, trustees, The Sunday school was organ- ized in the old Weick irt school house; superintendent, a Mr. Albert. Since 1865, Mr. John Hilbish has been the superintendent, with the exception of one year, when Rev. J. H. Derr officiated as head of the school.

In the year 1872, July 1, Rev. Eli Keller resigned the pastorate, having served the people for a period of eleven years. He was succeeded by Rev. Joshua H. Derr, on the 1st of December, 1872. His pas- torate continued for four and a half years, closing his services June 3, 1877. During this pastorate the congregation suffered serious damage in their church edifice by a severe storm, which took off avout one- third of the roof and also broke down the gable end

to the square. This much injured the ceiling and the interior in general. A cost of about one thou- sand dollars restored and much improved the now beautiful and commodious church.

The congregation owns the cemetery adjoining the church, and a large and comfortable parsonage. The present pastor, Rev. N. H. Loose, took charge of the congregation, August 1, 1877. The interests of the church are prosperous and encouraging.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organ- ized January 7, 1866, under the laws of the State of Ohio, The directors were Adam Zehner, Christian Engel and Philip Biebricher. The trustees were Jacob Beiler, Charles Beiler and John Weis. Rev. Jacob Dornberer was instrumental in its organization and remained its pastor three years, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. C. Buechler, who has remained as pastor ten years. At its organization there were thirty-nine members. The present membership is about forty-five. They also have a prosperous Sunday school of some seventy members, under the superin- tendence of David Meyers. Soon after the organiza- tion of the church, the present building was pur- chased from the Methodist society for two thousand dollars. Since that time some six or seven hundred dollars have been expended in refitting and repairing it.

SALEM EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

This church was organized in Bellevue under the ministration of Rev. L. W. Hankey, in the summer of 1875. The congregation purchased the building formerly occupied by the Baptists, for three thousand dollars. They then expended six or eight hundred dollars in repairing and refitting it. At first, and until the spring of 1879, the church was a mission. The last spring it was cut loose from missionary aid, and is now self supporting. The present membership is seventy-five. Thirty-one accessions were made dur- ing the last year. The church has had four pastors: Rev. L. W. Hankey; S. B. Spring, who remained eight months; G. W. Meisee, who remained one year, and Rev. D. C. Eckerman, the present pastor, who has been in charge a little more than two years. There is connected with the church a Sunday school of seventy three members, of which the pastor is su- perintendent. Regnlar services of the church are held twice each Sunday. The church government is. very similar to that of the Methodist Episcopal, but there are some differences on minor points.

CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. (ROMAN CATHOLIC. )

About 1852, Rev. James Vincent Conlin, stationed at Sandusky, established a mission in Bellevue, and held services some three or four years, when Rev. Punshell, of Norwalk, came, and then for a short time Father Boff officiated. Father Tighe, of San- dusky, came, and bought, from J. B. Higbee, the

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building they now occupy as a church, and perfected an organization. The first resident priest was Rev. James Monaghan, who remained some seven or eight years. While in charge, he bought a house of Rev. Mr. Flagler, for the use of the priest. Father Ma- hony came next and remained some five years. He purchased ground for burial purposes, and built a school house. Father Mears next came: he bought a house and lot on the corner of Center and Broad streets, with the intention of building a church. He remained about three years and was succeeded by Father Bowles, who also remained three years. The church was then attended by Father Rudolph, of Clyde, for about three months, when the present priest, Father Molloy, came, and has officiated for three years. The congregation comprises about one hundred and ten families. The church still owns the lot bought by Father Mears, and at one time it owned the lot on which stands the present union school building.

HISTORY OF THE BELLEVUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. *

It is greatly to be regretted that the records of the early history of the Bellevue schools have been lost. The data for the following article have been furnished by some of the older citizens, and are as correct as can be obtained outside of the school records. The first building that was used for school purposes was a little log house that stood on the Herl property, just west of Mr. John Baker's residence. Here a school was opened in the fall of 1827, by a gentleman named Harris, from Milan. In the following year (1828), Miss Clemence A. Follett, (now Mrs. Frederick Chap- man), taught school in the same building. In those days the village was known as Amsden's corners, and consisted of the Exchange Hotel, a frame building just east of it, a double log house, where Mr. Green- slade's store stands; the houses now occupied by Dr. Harris and Mr. John Ries, and a few scattered log huts. The scholars came to Miss Follett's school from the country for miles around, walking to school along the " trails" of the woods, and bringing their dinners with them. In this school the girls spent half an hour each day in learning to sew. It was a pleasant little school, and Mrs. Chapman still recalls with delight the days she passed as teacher in the log school house. In the following year, 1829, Miss Julia Follett taught in the same log school house.

The next school, of which we can find any record, was taught in the "old stone school house," that stood on West Main street where the brick school house now stands. The land was donated by Chap- man and Amsden, and the building was probably built by the Chapmans-Nathaniel and Frederick-Dr. L. G. Harkness and Mr. Thomas G. Amsden, as we find these names are closely associated with the early ed- ucational interests of the town as well as with its bus- iness and social interests. The "stone school house" was built about 1832. In the fall of 1835, Mr. J. B.

Higbee commenced to teach in this building, and taught two years. Mr. Higbee seems to have been a successful teacher; at least he was not "carried out " by the boys, which misfortune did happen to the gen- tleman who preceded him. We are unable to learn who succeeded Mr. Higbee, but the building still con- tinned to be used for school purposes until the "old brick school house " was built, after which the " stone school house" was unoccupied for several years. For some years before the "old brick " was built, the in- creasing number of pupils compelled the directors to rent rooms in different parts of the town to be used for school rooms.

At one time a school was taught in a frame build- ing that stood on the site now occupied by Mr. P. Biebricher's grocery store. The building was origin- ally built for a warehouse by Mr. James Bell. It was afterwards moved, and the upper rooms used for school rooms during the week days, and by the Methodist society for services on Sunday. About the same time Miss Town, now Mrs. Kent, of Toledo, taught a very successful private schools for girls, on Monroe street, in the house now occupied by Mr. James Purcell.

In 1845 the number of scholars had increased to such an extent that the school directors saw the ne- cessity of providing better accommodations than those afforded by the stone school house and rented rooms, so they purchased of Chapman, Amsden and Hark- ness the lot on which, the same year, they built the "old brick " school house. The contract for erecting the building was let to Mr. A. Leiter. It was at first intended to build only a one story building, but while in process of erection Mr. J. M. Lawrence offered to raise it to a two story building, providing the upper rooms could be used for the Baptist society. His proposition was accepted, the directors, at the same time, reserving the privilege of buying the upper part when the growth of the school required it. The building was used as a district school until 1851, when the present system of union schools was organized in accordance with the law of 1849.

The first superintendent of the union schools was Rev. Mr. Waldo, an eccentric, old gentleman. He wore a wig which, of course, furnished endless sport to his pupils. He was also in the habit of lecturing his scholars every morning before beginning the day's work.

During Waldo's administration in the year 1851-2, Miss Gardner was assistant superintendent, and the two lower grades were taught by two sisters, Mrs. Covil and Miss Wilkinson. Mr. Waldo was succeeded in the fall of 1852, by Mr. Harvey Holton who is well and favorably remembered by many of our citi- zens. Mr. Holton was superintendent several years, and was a successful teacher. His assistant in the high school was Miss Celestia Gould, now Mrs. Spencer Boise. Mr. Holton was succeeded by Mr. Jerome Drury who taught two years, from the fall of 1855 to the spring of 1857. He was succeeded by Mr. Edward Bradley who was superintendent for one

*By J. M. Greenslade, Superintendent.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

year in 1857-8. In the fall of 1858, the Hubbard Brothers came to Bellevue, and secured positions in our schools, Dwight Hubbard as superintendent, and E. B. Hubbard as teacher in the stone school house. Mr. Dwight Hubbard held his position one yearand one term from the fall of 1858, to December, 1859. His place was supplied during the remainder of the school year, by Mr. Henry Bramwell for the second term, and Dr. Cornell for the third term. The last superintendent in the old brick school house was Mr. Ellis who held the position from the fall of 1860 to the spring of 1862. After the high school building was built, the old brick school house was sold, and has since been used as a tenement house.

In 1850, the "old stone" school house, which had been unoccupied for several years, was refitted and continued to be used for school purposes until re- placed by the present brick building. During these years several teachers were employed; among others was Mrs. Eliza Cook, who taught in the stone school house two years, in 1856 and '57, until her marriage with Mr. David Williams in the fall of 1857.

In the same building, Mr. E. B. Hubbard, who is now a prominent druggist of Tiffin, taught three years, from the fall of 1858 to the spring of 1861. Mr. Hubbard is remembered as a very successful teacher, and still keeps up his interest in educational matters, being at present president of the board of education of Tiffin, Ohio.

The German school was first started as a private enterprise in 1860, and was held in the house now used as a residence by Mr. John Warren. The first German teacher that taught here was Mr. Ludwick, who is considered as the best German teacher that we have ever had. The German school was partially united with the union schools in 1860, but received for a year or two only fifty dollars from the public funds. Mr. Ludwick was followed by Mr. Cobelli, who taught the German school after it was moved to the "old stone" school house. Mr. Menges suc- ceeded Mr. Cobelli, and taught for several years, and was a successful teacher. Mr. Menges was followed by Mr. Rabe, and Mr. Rabe by Mr. Beck, who re- signed in October, 1875. Mrs. Beck was employed as assistant in the German department at the same time. Her place is filled by Miss Bessie Radford, who has had charge of the English branches in the German department since October, 1875.

Mr. Jacob Frenz succeeded Mr. Beck in Novem- ber, 1875, and retained his position nearly three years. His successor, Mr. Henry Ebertshauser, is the present principal of the German department. The German schools occupy the two lower rooms of the school building on West Main street. The classes recite alternately in English and German branches during the day.

The high school building was erected in 1861, al- though it was not ready for use until the fall of 1862. The contract was so poorly filled that the contractor was obliged to put on the second roof within a year,

and before the board of education would accept the building. Mr. Edward Bradley was the superintend- ent at the opening of the high school building in the fall of 1862. Mrs. Bradley taught at the same time in a lower grade, and, also, during the following year. Mr. Bradley was superintendent one year in the high school building. After him came, Mr. Highland, from September, 1863, to June, 1864; Mr. J. B. Love- land, from September, 1864, to June, 1867; Mr. Avery, from September, 1867, to June, 1868; Mr. Loveland, from from September, 1868, to June, 1869; Mr. L. C. Laylin, from September, 1869, to June, 1875; Mr. E. E. Phillips, from September, 1875, to June, 1877; Mr. J. M. Greenslade, from Septem- ber, 1877 to the present time. The assistant super- intendents, since the occupation of the high school building, have been: Miss Stella Sumner, from Sep- tember, 1862, to June, 1864; Miss L. M. Bates, from September, 1864, to December, 1875-a little more than eleven years; Miss L. E. Boalt, from December, 1875, to June, 1876; Mrs. Phillips, from September, 1876. to June, 1877; Mr. T. A. Thayer, from Sep- tember, 1877, to June, 1878; Mr. D. Ross Boyd, from September, 1828, to the present time. In the lower grades we find that Miss Julia Moore, now Mrs. Julia Merry, taught from the fall of 1862 to Decem- ber, 1866. Miss Lydia Haskell taught in different grades about two years. Miss L. M. Bates has charge of the A and B grammar grades. Mrs. E. H. Wood has taught in different grades since 1869, with two intermissions-one of four years, and the other of one year. She now has charge of the C and D grammar grades. Miss Jennie Howard has taught in our schools since 1844, and now has the Intermediate de- partment. Miss Julia Merry has been connected, as teacher, with the schools since 1868, and has charge of the A primary grade. Miss Jennie Moore has had the charge of the B primary since 1875. The Bellevue schools now occupy two buildings-the high school building and the brick school building on West Main street, which was built in 1871, and en- larged in 1875. These buildings are not large enough to accommodate the number of pupils so that the bourd of education will this year enlarge the high school building, which will even then afford only tem- porary relief. The schools which started with four departments in 1852, will next year have nine, and most of these having two grades.

Among those that deserve mention for long and faith- ful service as school directors, are Mr. William McKim, Mr. David Moore, Dr. J. W. Goodson, Mr. A. Leiter, Mr. William Lieber and Mr. John Wise. The present board of education is comprised of the following members: Mr. David Moore, Mr. Henry Weber, Mr. E. J. Sheffield, Mr. Joseph Sherck, Mr. W. W. Williams and Mr. W. E. Greene.

For several years previous to 1877, the course of study which had been prepared for the schools, had been disregarded altogether, as not being suited to the wants of the schools. The result was that the

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teachers and scholars worked at a disadvantage; and their efforts were ill-directed, or entirely wasted. The evil effects of this lack of system were especially noticeable in the high school, where the scholars pur- sned such studies as were agreeable, without any re- gard to previous training, or the relation of the differ- ent studies to each other. The board of education recognizing the value and necessity of systematic work in our schools, at a meeting held on the 29th of July, 1812, adopted the present course of study; and rules and regulations of the Bellevne public schools, and ordered them to be published. The schools are at present in excellent condition. In the lower grades, the aim is to give thorough instruction in the common branches. In the high school, all of the studies are pursued that are commonly found in a good high school course. Especial attention is paid to the languages and the natural sciences. Through the liberality of the board of education, the superin- tendent has been able, during the last two years, to accumulate considerable apparatus and supplies for the illustration of the natural sciences.

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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 93

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