USA > Ohio > Logan County > Bellefontaine > History of the First Presbyterian Church of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and addresses delivered at the celebration of the thirty-fifth anniversary of the pastorate of the Reverend George L. Kalb, D.D > Part 3
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23
SKETCH OF THE CHURCH.
speak a word for the nonprofessing members of this congregation and for those in other denominations who assisted in the support of this church in its early days. The names are found on the church record of many who were members in sister churches, who helped also in the support of this church, and there are those in our congregation whose names are on the trustees' books and should be on the church roll.
After Dr. Kalb's resignation, September 18, 1898, which was accepted with regret, the pulpit was supplied for several months by different ministers.
At a congregational meeting held on Sabbath, January 15, 1899, it was voted to call Rev. George E. Davies, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, to be pastor of this people. The call was accepted and on April 23, 1899, Rev. Mr. Davies was installed, many of this congregation witnessing an installation for the first time.
We look back upon the past, and what a sea of memory crowds upon us; what a congregation of departed faces; what struggles have been endured before victory came. The church has been the glory of this land for more than a hundred years. It was her energy that purchased civil and religious liberty. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. May he still prosper us so that to those who look from 1928 this may be a day of small things.
24
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
ABSTRACT OF THE REPORTS
OF THIS CHURCH TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA, FROM 1829 TO 1899, INCLUSIVE.
Minister
Year.
Added on ex-
Added on cer-
tificate.
Net total of
members.
Adults
Infants.
S. S. members
Missions
Foreign
Missions
Congre-
gational
Other
Purposes
Jos. Stevenson
1829
I
31
32
Do.
IS30
3
7
32
7
Do.
1831
I3
IO
54
Do.
1832
27
79
26
$6
Do.
1833
N
22
99
U
$122
29
Do.
1834
0
IOI
7
60
28
Do.
1835
Do.
1836
36
Do.
1837
H
24
64
7
23
4
Do.
1838
7
68
Do.
1840
I6
A
I
IO
R. H. Hollyday*
1841
N
76
2
18
Do ..
1844
13
9
66
N
I3
5
2
Geo. A. Gregg
I845
5
74
IO
4
$28
2
Do
1846
N
NW
76
12
3
Do
1848
N
OC
83
1
14
0
I3
45
Do
1849
00
7
84
I
21
80
50
N
Do.
1850
6
14
I02
1
I2
13
34
N
Do.
1851
II
14
II5
6
3
30
27
$286
241
Do.
1853
0, 00
ÑO COF
140
I
N
46
30
905
63
Do.
1857
77
I7
242
22
I2
I30
I7
1,050
I27
Do.
1858
I3
258
+
15
140
20
1,159
96
Vacant
1859
II
246
II
150
30
19
995
68
Geo. P. Bergen. Do.
1861
7
238
I3
175
47
1,070
61
Do.
I862
II
15
258
12
150
8
869
IOI
Do. .
1863
II
243
N
7
125
20
13
9II
I4I
Geo. L. Kalb.
1864
0
220
15
175
31
37
807
159
Do.
1865
I3
12
245
5
18
I30
46
71
1,350
587
Do.
1866
19
18
249
N
150
78
32
1,109
220
Do.
1867
39
I7
274
II
7
100
56
33
1,439
242
Do.
1868
6
7
261
1
5
I73
65
I19
4,483
135
Do.
I869
7
5
247
H
12
190
59
93
4,668
243
Do.
1870
8
20
245
N
II
150
37
59
7,189
179-
Do.
1871
6
5
256
2
H
165
37
37
5,253
III
Do.
1872
A
6
230
1
+
150
38
62
2,069
122
Do.
1873
00
A
232
4
0
I55
I60
37
2,460
106
Do.
1874
15
5
234
N
N
153
I54
170
3,590
103
Do.
1875
6
0
240
+
9
150
164
125
4,053
III
00
14
136
158
6
60
286
241
Raffensperger
1855
22
169
I60
15
I30
36
1,274
218
Do.
1856
3
00 00 oreo
231
IO
80
20
447
172
Jos. Stevenson .. Do.
1843
2
46
75
1
00
5
Do
1847
N
68
+
15
II
Do.
1839
00 00
12
8
Vacant
1854
30
14
500
100
Do
1852
I860
4
NN
NO
*Assistant Pastor.
Bap- tisms.
Funds.
amination.
Home
1842
6
25
ABSTRACT OF THE REPORTS.
ABSTRACT OF THE REPORTS .- CONTINUED.
Minister.
Year.
Added on ex-
amination.
tificate.
Net total of
members.
Adults.
Infants.
S. S. members
Home
Missions
Foreign
Missions
Congre-
gational.
Other
Purposes
Geo L. Kalb.
1876
32
14
265
IO
I74
$66
$141
$2,115
376
Do.
1877
IO
II
270
7
175
50
103
2,025
191
Do.
1878
IO
I3
27I
275
5
5
175
96
192
4,309
383
Do.
1881
6
00
5
279
3
6
202
I42
217
2,035
184
Do.
1883
I3
I6
297
3
14
202
I26
294
1,850
196
Do.
1884
5
7
292
1
6
202
201
260
1,891
16I
Do
1885
I
18
293
5
182
I37
261
2,816
296
Do
1886
48
I3
340
14
7
200
178
278
2,310
236
Do.
1887
6
IO
327
A
6
249
170
315
2,182
232
Do.
1888
IO
00
331
4
II
265
219
373
2, 144
514
Do.
1889
5
V
330
N
IO
265
234
361
2,399
275
Do.
1890
37
IO
346
II
264
260
421
2,514
189
Do.
1891
7
II
353
H
IO
212
310
376
2,318
337
Do
1892
5
3
341
N
7
207
236
246
2,368
262
Do.
1893
7
I7
331
N
12
214
351
420
2,866
Do.
1895
19
II
375
7
N
251
335
459
2,509
221
Do
1896
4
23
390
3
5
270
193
380
2,559
501
Do
1897
I2
20
404
+
00
219
160
350
2,404
328
Do.
1898
89
42
495
27
+
249
I21
338
2,493
348
Do
1899
O
19
515
4
6
245
143
332
2,896
332
Totals
802
750
236
504
5,852
8,329
108,973
10,512
Do
1879
I3
I55
5, 103
282
Do.
1880
4
pour
278
N
3
175
II6
251
1,887
140
Do
Do.
1894
30
21
368
II
7
214
293
399
2,512
250
Total since 1852. .
$133,666
2956
150
70
177
2,246
175
16
275
Added on cer-
Bap- tisms.
Funds.
Prior to 1852 the funds were not reported.
3
156
86
1882
26
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
BOOKS OF RECORD
OF THIS CHURCH THAT ARE STILL PRESERVED.
First treasurer's book, 1825 to 1842.
Building Committee, erection of the first church building in 1827.
Clerk of Session records, First, 1828-42.
Second, 1842-45. Third, 1845-56.
Fourth, 1856-84. Fifth, 1884-93. Sixth, 1893 to date.
Rolls of members, First, begun by Rev. Mr. Raffensperger in 1854-66. Second, begun by Rev. Dr. Kalb in 1866-81. Third, begun by Rev. Dr. Kalb in 1881-99. Fourth, begun by Rev. Mr. Davies in 1899. Clerk of congregation records, First, 1832-70.
Second, 1870 to date.
Various Sabbath school and society books.
27
SEATING OF THE CHURGH.
THE SEATING OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 1829 TO 1836.
5
4
3
2
1
High Pulpit.
16
24
125
43]
23
26
7
22
27
42
8
21
28
41
9
20
29
40
10
19
30
39
11
18
31
38
12
17
32
37
13
16
33
36
14
15
34
35
No. of Pew. Renter.
I. "Set apart for Minister."
2. Thos. A. Whiteas.
3. James Brown.
4. Henry Secrist.
5. Moses & Jas. Marquis.
6. John Robb.
7. David Robb.
8. James Ryers.
9. Wm. Cook.
IO. Wm. Marquis,
II James Grimes.
No. of Pew. Renter.
12. Chas. Porter.
20. Joshua Robb, Jr.
21. Thos. Coen.
22. Robt. Moore.
23. Robt. Smith.
25. John W. Marquis. 26. Joshua Robb. 27. Raphael Moore. 28. John Marquis.
29. John Nelson.
30. Isaac Morrison.
31. Thos. Marquis.
36. John Gunn.
No. of Pew. Renter.
37. Dr. A. H. Lord.
38. Miss Eliza Reed.
39. Thos. McCoid.
40 Thos. M. Stevenson.
41. Stephen Giffin.
42. Abraham Scott, John McCracken.
43. Robert Patterson.
44. Moses Wellman.
45. Wm. Reader.
46. Matthew Wood.
47. Saml. Jameson.
48. Rev. Joseph Stevenson.
48
47
46
45
44
28
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
The foregoing is a plan of the seats in the old South Main street church. The rent, established November 22, 1830, was as follows :-
Double pews, ten dollars per year. There were four, each having a door and seats on three sides. Long pews seven dollars and other pews five dollars per year.
"To give choice agreeably to the amount of subscription paid for the building of the house. After the subscribers are accommo- dated then those who have not paid anything to the Building of the house can be accommodated. Those who do not wish to pay five dollars per annum may have Pews set apart for them."
CONTRIBUTORS
TO THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ACCORDING TO THE FIRST TREASUR- ER'S BOOK, WHICH GIVES DATES AND AMOUNTS PRIOR TO 1840.
DATES BELOW REFER TO THE YEARS IN WHICH
CONTRIBUTIONS WERE MADE.
Robert Patterson, elder, treasurer, merchant, came in 1824; 1825-40.
Noah Z. McColloch, associate judge of the Common Pleas court; 1825-28.
Joseph Black, farmer, 6 miles west from town; 1825-29.
Henry H. McPherson, farmer, lived near site of the present infirmary. One of the first settlers, came in 1811; 1825-29.
Thomas A. Whiteas, brick mason, one mile north of town; 1825-31.
John Turner, farmer, lived 6 miles west, before 1818; 1825-29.
John Parish, lived 6 miles west, before 1818; 1825-29.
Jeremiah Whiteas, son of Thomas A., blacksmith; 1827-28.
Raphael Moore, farmer, 7 miles southwest, came in 1807; 1825-40.
Mary Moore, farmer, 7 miles southwest, came in 1807; 1825-37.
Samuel Moore, cabinet maker and farmer, 7 miles southwest, came in 1807; 1825-40.
Robert Moore, farmer, 7 miles southwest, came in 1807; 1825-40.
George Krouscup, Sr., township clerk 1817, county auditor; 1826-29.
29
CONTRIBUTORS.
Samuel Newell, first county clerk, county treasurer, came to this township, in 1806; 1827-29.
Jacob R. Hall, large land holder, died unmarried, in Michi- gan, 1830.
Stephen Giffin, carpenter and school teacher, here early; 1827-33.
Robert Smith, came before 1811, organized the first Presby- terian church in this county, elder, was associate judge Common Pleas court; 1826-34.
John W. Marquis, farmer, elder, came here about 1826; 1828- 40.
John Hemphill, Sr., carpenter, afterwards a farmer; 1828-29. John Coulter, tanner, removed to Huntsville; 1828-32.
Jackson McClure, cabinet maker, came in 1827, died here; 1828-30.
Thomas Coen, carpenter, came here very early; 1829-30.
Joshua Robb, associate judge of Common Pleas court, elder; 1828-33.
Matthew Wood, farmer near Rushcreek lake, 1831.
Henry Secrist, farmer near West Liberty, came here in 1816; 1828-40.
Jane Shields, Presbyterian meetings held at her house prior to 1824. Widow, married Thomas Scott, here about 1808; 1829.
Samuel Scott, blacksmith, came here in 1811, from County Wexford, Ireland; 1829.
Richard A. Canby, merchant and lawyer, died, aged 90, in Illinois; 1830-40.
John Martin, farmer, Io miles west; 1829-31.
William Kirkwood, farmer 6 miles southwest, came to Lake township in 1804; 183C-40.
David Robb, U. S. Commissioner to remove the Lewistown Indians; 1830-34.
Thomas M. Stevenson, elder, farmer, 2 miles north; 1831-40. James Byers, farmer, 2 miles north; 1831-40.
William Robb, son of John Robb, removed to Pennsylvania ; 1831-33.
John Marquis, father of Governor Wm. V. Marquis; 1831-33.
John Gunn, surveyor, land agent, proprietor of Gunn's tavern in 1805, Chairman of one the first congregational meetings of this church; 1825-33.
Isaac S. Gardner, merchant; 1830-37.
30
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
Abraham Scott, farmer, about 4 miles north of town, came in 1822; 1831-32.
Moses Wellman, farmer, 2 miles northwest; 1831-33.
James Brown, of West Liberty, settled in this section before 18II; 1832-40.
William Reader, farmer, 3 miles east; 1831-39.
A. H. Lord, physician, came from Urbana in 1823; 1832-40.
Moses Marquis, farmer, saw mill, 2 miles southeast; 1832-33. Joseph Marquis, farmer, saw mill, 2 miles southeast; 1832-33. John Robb, farmer, 2 miles east; 1832-33.
Josiah Moore, farmer and tanner, 2 miles north, elder; 1832- 40.
James Marquis, farmer near Middleburg; 1832-37.
William Cook, carpenter and farmer, 2 miles east; 1832-33.
William Marquis, farmer; 1832-33.
James Grimes, farmer, uncle of John Grimes; 1832-33.
John Nelson, farmer, 2 miles northeast; 1832-36.
Isaac Morrison, farmer, northeast; 1832-40.
Thomas Marquis, farmer, 3 miles northwest, elder; 1832-33.
Robert McCoid, farmer, 3 miles east; 1832-33.
John McCracken, farmer, 5 miles southwest, elder; 1832-41.
James D. Campbell, hatter, elder, died in Kennedy, Texas; 1832-40.
Joseph Clark, farmer, one mile north, brother of Rev. Thomas B. Clark; 1832-33.
John Wilson, carpenter, 1839-40.
John H. Lamb, blacksmith, wagon maker, 2 miles north; 1832-40.
Thomas McCoid, farmer, clerk, etc .; 1836-40.
John Smith, farmer, 8 miles south, (Brother of Judge Robt. S.) came about 1811; 1836-37.
John Ash, farmer, 6 miles southwest; 1836-39.
H. B. Strother, published first paper here; 1836-40.
Henry Taylor, farmer, 2 miles southeast; 1836-40.
Charles Porter, carpenter, died here; 1836-40.
Peter Leister, proprietor Leister hotel, South Main street, 1836-41.
B. W. Comly, farmer, 1836-40.
William V. Morrison, farmer; 1836-41.
David Patterson, elder, merchant; 1836-41.
James C. McKee, farmer, southwest of town; 1836-38.
31
CONTRIBUTORS.
James Kerr, farmer, 3 miles northeast, elder; 1836-40.
William Kerr, farmer, one mile north; 1836-40.
John Kerr, farmer, 3 miles northeast; 1836-40.
Henry Miller, merchant. 1836-40.
Joseph Moore, farmer, 2 miles southwest, father of Josiah M,; 1836-40.
William Kerr, Jr., farmer, north of town: 1836-40.
Richard Moore, blacksmith, Union township; 1836-38.
James Irwin, farmer, one mile northwest; 1837-40.
John Faris, farmer, 3 miles northeast, elder; 1837-41.
L. P. Burton, owned the stage line to Columbus, started first Sabbath school at Zanesfield 1838; 1838-40.
Robert S, Gardner, merchant, brother of Isaac S. Gardner; 1838-40.
SOME SUBSCRIBERS, 1825-26-27.
Joseph Gordon, a noted mail carrier and guide in the war of 1812, later probably erected first building in Bellefontaine on Boyd's corner; 1825.
Job Davis; 1825.
David Askern, farmer, Miami township; 1825.
Rev. Solomon McColloch; 1825.
D. M. Workman, hotel on west side of South Main street; 1825.
Joel Smith, one of the first settlers; 1825.
John Macolmson, farmer, Union township; 1826.
John Schooler; 1826-27.
Benj. Schooler; 1826.
'Zane McColloch; 1826.
Daniel McCoy, lived northeast of town as early as 1810, was a brother-in-law of Rev. Thomas Marquis; 1826.
James M. Reed, came here in 1812, farmer, McArthur town- ship; 1826.
REV. JOSEPH STEVENSON.
32
33
OUR PASTORS.
OUR PASTORS.
How beauteous are thy feet Who stand on Zion's Hill; Who bring salvation on their tongues, And words of peace reveal.
REV. JOSEPH STEVENSON.
BY REV. JOSEPH H. STEVENSON, D. D.
HE Rev. Joseph Stevenson was born March 25th, 1779, in Hagerstown, Maryland. When he was five years old his mother was left a widow with nine children. Judge Janies Edgar, who became his stepfather, was a pious man of high standing in church and state, and had much to do with shaping the youth's character. In Joseph's personal memorandum, writ- ten in his seventy-sixth year, he recorded: "In 1794 I was bound an apprentice to Malcom McComb, and removed seventy miles from my friends and their religious influence, where there was much sin and little appearance of religion." But he was graciously pre- served from evil, and was regarded by all his acquaintances as a pious youth, though personally he was pained and humbled by the consciousness of his own unworthiness.
In 1800 he began business for himself and was greatly prosper- ed. He listened often to the preaching of the Rev. Thomas Hughes, but not until severe affliction came upon him in 1802, was he led "With unspeakable joy to fix his affections upon Christ" and almost immediately dismissed his men, closed his business, and began preparations for the ministry.
In 1804, August 21. he married Sarah Marquis, daughter of Rev. Thomas Marquis, under whose direction he studied theology.
He was licensed to preach, October 15, 1808, and was ordain- ed in June of the next year. He assumed charge of the churches of "Three Ridges" and "The Forks of Wheeling" in 1808. In 1812 each church desired the whole time of a pastor and Rev. Mr. Steven- son accepted the call to the Three Ridges (West Alexander.) During this pastorate he made various missionary tours in the ser- vice of the Washington County Bible Society and also for the
34
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
Synod of Pittsburg, establishing and revisiting a mission among the Ottawa Indians in the region now known as northern Ohio. In 1825 he concluded to leave the Church of Three Ridges "for their own good," but with great sorrow, for the love of his peo- ple was very strong. Immediately he moved to Logan county, Ohio, where he owned twelve hundred acres of land. He built a house a mile and a half north of the spot on which the Bellefon- taine court house stands and from this center went forth a "vol- untary missionary" throughout Logan and adjacent counties, in all of which there was not a Presbyterian minister and but few members. During the first two years he organized the churches of Sidney and Stony Creek. In 1828 he organized the first Pres- byterian church, of Bellefon- taine, with thirty members. He gave one-half of his time to Bellefontaine, one-fourth to Stony Creek, and the rest to Cherokee.
MRS. SARAH STEVENSON.
In 1844, because of his wife's failing health and his own, he resigned from his Bellefontaine charge and retired from the care of his farm. July 25th, 1849, his wife died.
Rev. Mr Stevenson was not content with his gift of one- tentlı, though his yearly income was only $250 during his wife's life, and he increased the Lord's portion to one-fifth.
In his seventy-sixth year he canvassed Logan county for the Bible Society. He delivered 47 addresses, formed 17 auxiliaries, distributed 1,200 Bibles, and col- lected over $400 for the society. March 25, 1861 he made the fol- lowing record: "The last year has been one of great mercy. My life in a great measure useless, has been spared, while many in the prime of life have been called home." After a happy and peaceful life in the midst of devoted children he died, February 24, 1865.
35
OUR PASTORS.
REV. ROBERT H. HOLLYDAY, D. D.
Robert H. Hollyday, was born in Ross county, Ohio, September Ist, 1815, a son of John and Eleanor Hollyday. He grew up in and became a member of South Salen Presbyterian church in early life, under the ministry of Rev James H Dickey. He graduated at Miami University in 1838. He was taken under the care of the Presbytery of Chillicothe in the fall of the same year as a candidate for the ministry. He pursued his theological studies under the direction of the Rev. Samuel Crothers, D. D., pastor of the Presbyterian church in Greenfield, Ohio, and the Rev. Hugh S. Fullerton, pastor of the church at South Salem, Ohio, He was licensed by the Presbytery of Chillicothe, Septem- ber 9th, 1840. In the Spring of 1840, Mr. Hollyday met Rev. Joseph Stevenson, of Bellefontaine, at a meeting of the Ohio Anti- Slavery Society at Massillon, Ohio.
After Mr. Hollyday was licensed in the fall of 1840, he came to a meeting of the Synod of Cincinnati, at Dayton, during the month of October. Here he met and renewed his acquaintance with Rev. Joseph Stevenson, resulting in Mr. Hollyday accepting the invitation of Mr. Stevenson to accompany hini to his home at Bellefontaine. This he did, calling on their way on the Rev. David Merrill, pastor of the Presbyterian church in Urbana, and spend- ing the night, the next day stopping at West Liberty, where Mr. Stevenson was anxious that a Presbyterian church should be organ- ized, and then calling again at the home of Robert Patterson, Esq., one of the leading elders of the First Presbyterian church in Belle- fontaine The following Sabbath Mr. Hollyday preached in the First Presbyterian church, and it was arranged that for the next six months he should preach for the church each alternate Sabbath, the other half of his time to be spent at Stony Creek church and in the West Liberty appointment. During this time Mr. Holly- day made his home with the family of Robert Patterson. It was during this six months that the old square church building was transferred to the Second Presbyterian church, and the First church for a time used the old court house for their services, and there Mr. Hollyday preached during the remainder of his time with the church. After the close of the six months supply by Mr. Hollyday, his entire time was given to the Stony Creek church. and the mission work in West Liberty. This work was successful to such a degree that a church was organized, which afterwards
1139167
REV. ROBERT H. HOLLYDAY.
36
37
OUR PASTORS.
extended a call to Mr. Hollyday, and he was ordained and in- stalled by the Presbytery of Sidney.
On January 11th, 1842, Rev. Mr. Hollyday and Miss Lydia Anne Patterson were united in marriage, Rev. Joseph Stevenson offi-
ciating. Miss Patterson was, and had been for a length of time before, a member of the First Presbyterian church of Bellefontaine. In Novem- ber, 1842, Rev. Mr. Hollyday having resigned the pastorate of the church in West Liberty, accepted an invi- tation of the First Presbyterian church of Findlay, Ohio, and removed to Findlay. In the spring of 1843 he was installed as pastor, a relation which continued until the spring of 1854. Rev. Mr. Hollyday has con- tinued his residence in Findlay from the fall of 1842 to the present time, nearly 57 years, with the exception of MRS. LYDIA A. HOLLYDAY. six years, from the spring of 1858 to the spring of 1864, during which time he was pastor of Rockhill church, with a regular appointment in Bellaire, and the church in Upper Sandusky, returning to Findlay in the spring of 1864.
Rev. Mr. Hollyday is now in his 85th year, having spent about 50 years in the regular work of the ministry, and 13 different churches and fields of labor have shared in his ministerial efforts.
In 1893 the degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by his Alma Mater, Miami University.
3
REV. GEORGE A. GREGG.
George A. Gregg was born October 18, 1808, near Knoxville, Tenn., and died in Bellefontaine, O., January 18, 1854.
He was a graduate of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio; also a graduate of the Theological Seminary there.
In 1842 he accepted a call to St. Marys, Ohio, remaining there until the spring of 1844, when he was called to Bellefontaine, where he remained as pastor of the First Presbyterian church un- til his death.
38
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
He was ordained in the fall of 1844 in the little brick church on South Main street, Bellefontaine.
See address, "The Pastors."
"He is remembered for his faithfulness and self-denying labors."-DR. KALB.
He married Susan M. Dewitt, the youngest daughter of Zach- aria Price Dewitt, October, 1833. Susan M. Gregg died April 20, 1896, aged 83. Their children are as follows:
Harriett Gregg, born July 4, 1835, married Jamies Akey; resi- dence, New Haven, Ind.
Elizabeth Gregg, born January 17, 1838; married William Mackey; residence, Pleasanton, Kan.
Marshall Gregg. born June 30, 1840; married; residence, South Dakota.
Maria Caroline Gregg, born November 19, 1842; married John Willson; residence, Hebron, Porter county, Ind.
George Dewitt Gregg, born September 2, 1844; inarried; resi- . dence, Hebron, Ind.
William S. Gregg, born March 31, 1847; single; residence, Hebron, Ind.
Mary Alniedia Gregg, born February 29, 1850; married John Sigler; residence, DeMott, Jasper county, Ind.
REV. EDWIN B. RAFFENSPERGER, D. D. BY MRS. ANNA F. RAFFENSPERGER.
Edwin B. Raffensperger, son of Daniel and Mary Bowman Raffensperger, was born in East Berlin, Adamns county, Pa., Janu- uary 20, 1824. Removed to Springfield, Ohio, in 1836. United with the First Presbyterian church of Springfield in 1841. Spent two years preparing for college at the high school, under the in- struction of Rev. Chandler Robbins. Entered the Freshmen class in Princeton, N. J., August, 1845. Was graduated in the class of
1849. Entered the Theological Seminary at Princeton the same year and was graduated in the class of 1852. Was licensed by the Presbytery of Carlisle, June, 1851. Was called to the First Presby- terian church of Urbana, Ohio, October, 1852; installed as pastor, May, 1853. Released from the pastorate, October, 1854. During his pastorate a new church edifice was built and dedicated, which was occupied by the church until 1895.
REV. EDWIN B. RAFFENSPERGER, D. D.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
Mr. Raffensperger was married to Anna Frances Whiting, of Johnson, Vermont, at Urbana, November 16, 1854, by Rev. Wil- liam Cox.
November 6, 1854, he was invited to the charge of the First Presbyterian church of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Was installed pastor, July 13, 1855. His services continued in Bellefontaine until April, 1859.
He became pastor-elect of the First Presbyterian church of Toledo, Ohio, April, 1859; resigned in September, 1868. He then spent a year in Chambersburg, Pa., in labors for Wilson college. Was called as pastor to the Westminster Presbyterian church of Cleveland, Ohio, April, 1870; resigned April, 1873. At once invited to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian church of Cumberland, Maryland. He was installed October, 1873, and resigned October, 1877. Was engaged in editorial work in Philadelphia the next four years. In October. 1881, he took charge of the First Presbyterian church of Marion, Ohio; closed his services there in June, 1884. Com- menced his labors with the First Presbyterian church of Muncy, Pa., July, 1884. Translation to the " Gen- eral Assembly and Church of the First Born," May 1, 1885.
In September, 1861, having been MRS. A. F. RAFFENSPERGER. granted leave of absence by this church in Toledo, he entered the army as chaplain of the 14th O. V. I., under the command of Col. James B. Steedman. He re- mained with the army until late in the fall of 1862, when he re- turned to Toledo very low with fever. In January, 1863, he resigned his chaplaincy by advice of his physician and resumed his ministerial labors.
He was for many years one of the trustees of Wooster Univer- sity, having been one of its most enthusiastic founders. He was also a trustee of the Chicago Theological Seminary for several years.
The honorary degrees of A. B. and A. M. were bestowed by Princeton College, and that of D. D. by Heidleberg College.
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OUR PASTORS.
Dr. Raffensperger was an earnest worker in the Master's Vine- yard. That he was an able preacher, there are many still living, to testify. That he was successful in winning souls to Christ many on earth and in heaven will bear record. His passion for souls never left him, and in his dying hours he prayed by name for several persons whom he longed to see brought to Christ. His death was a fitting end of his active life. "Thy will be done," thrice repeated, were his last words.
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