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 4
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REV: GEORGE P. BERGEN.
Rev. George P. Bergen, son of David C. Bergen, and in the seventh generation from Hans H. Bergen, of Bergen, Norway, was born January 1, 1820, and married Mary E. Bentley, of Albany, New York.
Mr. Bergen graduated at Center College, and studied divinity at Princeton. He was first settled for a number of years at Spring- dale, near Cincinnati, and then accepted an appointment in the field of Domestic Missions at Omaha, Nebraska.
After remaining two years, his health failing, he returned to Ohio, and accepted the call of this church, beginning his labors here, August 22, 1859.
His pastorate expired the first Sunday in June, 1863, when he re- moved to Iowa.
"These were years of great polit- ical excitement; nevertheless the church had a steady growth under his ministry."-DR. KALB.
For further data concerning Mr. Bergen, see address "The Pastors" by Dr. Fuller.
His children were Paul David Bergen, born here July 19, 1860, (See MRS. GEORGE P. BERGEN. chapter, "Those who have gone into the Ministry and Mission Field,") and George Bentley Bergen, born liere June 11, 1862.
REV. GEORGE P. BERGEN.
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OUR PASTORS.
DR. GEORGE LEWIS KALB.
George Lewis, second son of George W. and Margaret Clay- baugh Kalb, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, September 12, 1829, in the bounds of the Truro Presbyterian church. From his seventh year, for eight terms, he attended the country schools of his neighborhood, studied Latin a year with his pastor, and, after one term in the Preparatory Department, entered the Freshman class of Miami University in the fall of 1844. He had, however, but three years of college, as ill health in the summer and fall of 1845 compelled him to remain at home one year; but, by studying alone, he was able to enter the Junior class on examination in the fall of 1846. In his Senior year, with others, he removed to Center College, Danville, Kentucky, and graduated thence June 30, 1848.
He had united with the Truro church in March, 1843, and was dedicated by his parents to the ministry. But, not feeling much vocation in that direction, in the fall of 1848 he accepted an invi- tation to teach the Greek and Latin classes in the Chillicothe Academy, then under the charge of Wm. T. Findley, D. D. Here he taught and read law 'till August, 1849; but being turned towards the ministry by a musical friend, he entered the A. R. P. Semin- ary at Oxford, Ohio, that fall, and had the benefit of the teaching of the learned Dr. Claybaugh. In 1850, the Cincinnati Seminary, under Drs. Hoge, Rice and Lord, being opened, he entered it and graduated from it in March, 1852. Meanwhile, he had been licensed by the Presbytery of Columbus in April, 1851, and preach- ed four months during vacation at mission points in Pickaway and Ross counties. He also preached six months during his last Semi- inary term at Cheviot, Ohio. After graduation, he supplied his native church, of Truro, seven months. In October, 1852, on invitation, he began work in the O. S. Presbyterian church of Circleville, Ohio, where he was ordained pastor, May 31, 1853. Here he continued as pastor or supply 'till September 6, 1863. September 13, 1863, he began work in the Presbyterian church, of Bellefontaine, where he was installed pastor in April, 1864. Here he continued thirty-five years and one month, the pastorate clos- ing on his resignation and by order of Presbytery, October 2, 1898. By the same action of Presbytery he was made Pastor Emeritus.
From these forty-seven and a half years of nearly continuous service of the church, seven months must be subtracted; four of service in the field as chaplain of the 90th O. V. I., and three of
REV. GEORGE LEWIS KALB, D. D.
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OUR PASTORS.
ill health in 1866, when the church kindly gave him leave of absence and money to travel with.
November 30, 1853, he was united in marriage with Mary E., daughter of George R. and Margaret Cook Bigham, of Hamilton, Ohio. To them six children have been born; three daughters and three sons. The youngest, a son, died in infancy. The rest are living and married, and to them fourteen children have been born, two of whom have died.
MARY E. KALB.
In 1872 Dr. Kalb received the degree of A. M. from Wittenberg college, and in 1875 that of D. D. from Wooster University.
Besides being School Examiner for forty-five years, he was a member of the Board of Education, of Bellefon taine, eighteen years, and Clerk of the Board seventeen years and also a mem- ber of the Board of Trustees, of Woos- ter University, twelve years; and he has fitted many for college by private instruction. He believes that a minis- ter may interest himself in the work of education, as he ought not to do in any other pursuit apart from his sacred calling.
3 DR. GEORGE LEWIS KALB.
By one who has been closely connected with him during almost his en- tire ministry here.
Dr. Kalb has spent of his life more than the days of a genera- tion with his church in Bellefontaine, and his service of this church has been so faithful and so able that only at his own sincere and earnest request was he permitted to resign his charge at near- ly three score and ten, and was then continued by the unanimous wish of the church as Pastor Emeritus.
He has been zealous for the welfare of Zion, a devoted servant of the Master, a good shepherd of his flock, a man of sincerity, a son of God who ever grieved for his wayward brothers, and a ten- der comforter of the sorrowing. As a preacher he has been
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
instant in season and out of season, in presenting the sincere milk of the Word, striving to show himself approved of the Master.
A hard student, he searched out the hidden things of the Word, and every sermon was full of instruction and food for thought. His studious habits and analytical mind made him a Bible exegete who had few peers, and those who sat down at his table always knew that every text he served would develop hid- den treasure and delightful surprises.
Faithfulness, studiousness, sincerity, humility and devotion to the Master have been the strongest characteristics of his life. Many years he has sown the Word of Truth and the Master has gathered the harvest in hundreds of souls that now belong to the church triumphant, and in a membership that is now three times in number those that greeted him when he came to Bellefontaine a stranger, in 1863.
Outside the church Dr. Kalb has been an honored citizen,' who has given his aid and encouragement to all good measures, and has taken upon himself many burdens for the public good. First before all a servant of Christ, yet he has rendered to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and has always been an intelligent observer of public events, an earnest seeker after the public good, and a man who righteously respected the rights of his fellow men.
Born in a christian land, reared by christian parents, educated under christian influences he has exemplified the best results of christian teaching and example, and has lived to point and lead his fellow men away from the sorrows and darkness of a sinful world to a better life.
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THIRTY-FIVE YEARS.
"Thirty-five years of pastor's life, Who may their secret tell; The hopes, the fears, the joys, the griefs, Which in their memory dwell.
"Thirty-five years he's sowed and prayed In this his chosen field. The harvest morn alone will show What fold his labors yield.
"Thirty-five years the babes he blessed, Sprinkling each angel brow. Bear here the cross, or there the crown, Life brings her workers now.
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OUR PASTORS.
"Thirty-five years-yon white stones tell How oft a tear he's shed O'er those who battled by his side, Now with the silent dead.
"Thirty-five years the youth he taught, With ever watching care, Have shown in many a contest won, The guidings of his prayer.
"We cannot tell what word or look May stir the soul within. We may not guess what gentle tone Will win the heart from sin.
""Tis ours to sow, though cold the sky, And sterile be the soil; Not for the sheaves the Master pays, But for his servant's toil.
"The pastor's words some mother now In hope may sow again; And future years will proudly show How waves the golden grain.
"The purblind world may never know From whence the seed corn came. The reapers on her prairies broad Ne'er hear our pastor's name.
"God knows the sower and his toil, He knows from whence the seed. His memory keepeth all the score, His love will bring the meed.
"Brother, amid old Logan's hills, Still sow the precious grain. The Master's eye will watch its growth; Will bring the sun and rain.
"The sun is westing and the day Grows gray amid thy hair. Fear not, the God who watched the past Will guide thy foot with care.
"Not for earth's riches hast thou wrought, Nor for his servile breath. Thy Master's word comes cheering still- Be faithful unto death."
REV. GEORGE EWING DAVIES.
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OUR PASTORS.
REV. GEORGE EWING DAVIES.
George E. Davies, son of John R. and H. Catherine Davies, was born September 10, 1868, at Princeton, Kansas.
His grandfather, James Davies, of Welch ancestry, was wide- ly known as a Presbyterian minister in Central Illinois. His mother was of Scotch-Irish descent and a relative of Robert Morris, of Rev- olutionary fame.
Mr. Davies attended Princeton schools until he entered Baker University in 1884. Teaching and studying alternately he finished the classical course there in 1891, editing, while there, the college weekly, "Baker Beacon."
He did post graduate work in sociology for one year at Lake Forest University, and entered McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago, in the fall of 1891, graduating in 1894.
MRS. MABELLE A. DAVIES.
His vacations were spent in Sunday-School Mission work in Western Minnesota and South Dakota, and in supplying the Presbyterian church at Granville, Illinois.
On graduation from the Sem- inary he accepted a call from Beth- any Presbyterian church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, then recently organized, having only about sixty menibers. His ministry there ter- minated March 1, 1899, the church having quadrupled its membership and erected a handsome, modern edifice.
He was installed as pastor of this church April 23, 1899. Mr. Davies married September 12, 1894, Miss Mabelle A. Currie, of Currie, Minnesota. Children :- Katherine C., John A. V. and Paul Ewing Davies.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
THE ELDERS.
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor."
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JOSHUA ROBB.
Joshua Robb was born in Fayette county, Pa., about the year 1786. Was married in Washington county, Pa., to Mary, daugh- ter of Rev. Thomas Marquis, August 27, 1807, and between 1812 and 1815 he came to Ohio and located in Guernsey county, from where he moved to Logan county before 1828. Here he and liis wife joined the First Pres- byterian church of Bellefon- taine, by certificate from the Presbyterian church at Cross Creek Village, Pa., in 1828. He was elected one of our first three elders, and the first superintendent of the Sun- day-school. In 1836 he be- came an elder of the Second church.
About 1849 or 1850 he removed to Zanesfield, where he assisted in organizing the Presbyterian church, of that place, on January 11, 1851, consisting of thirty-three members, at which time he was again elected an elder; but in 1852 he moved to JOSHUA ROBB. Lima, Allen county, Ohio, and identified himself with the Presbyterian church of that place, and was subsequently chosen an elder there, serving that church in that capacity till his death on January 26, 1865.
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THE ELDERS.
JOHN WILSON MARQUIS.
John Wilson Marquis, son of James and Mary Vance Marquis, was born about 1780, probably in Washington county, Pa.
He married Susannah, daughter of Rev. Thomas Marquis, his first cousin, in Washington county, Pa., about 1810. He came to Bellefontaine about 1826. Mr. Marquis purchased a farm situ- ated about 2 miles southeast of Bellefontaine, now owned by Luther Park, where he resided during his subsequent life. He was an original member and elder and continued as such until his death in December, 1856. He was a little deaf, and while walking on the railroad track north of Bellefontaine, was struck by a train and killed. Mrs. Marquis died September 5, 1846.
Their children were :- Jane, married Henry Taylor; John and James, who died young.
ROBERT PATTERSON.
Robert Patterson, the second son of Rev. James Patterson, a Presbyterian minister, and Elizabeth Whiteside, was born in Ballee, County Down, Ireland, January 6, 1789. He arrived in the United States July 3, 18II. In October of the same year, settled in Licking coun- ty, Ohio, and was a founder and original el- der of the Presbyterian church of Mary Ann, Licking county, and was there united in marriage to Eliza S. Moore, April I, 1819. They removed to Bellefontaine, Ohio, in September, 1824. There being no Presbyter- ian church here at that time, he and his good wife brought their letters ROBERT PATTERSON. from the church in Licking county, and united with the church at Cherokee, where they were members until the organization of the Presbyterian church at Bellefontaine, in 1828, at which time
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
Mr. Patterson was made a ruling elder. Several of the early records of the church were written by him as clerk of the Session. He was a prominent merchant and business man. Was presi- dent of the Bellefontaine & Delaware R. R.
He died at Findlay, Ohio, September 8, 1867, in his 79th year, at the home of his son-in-law, Rev. R. H. Hollyday, while on a visit there with his children. His remains were brought here and buried in the Bellefontaine cemetery.
THOMAS MARQUIS.
Thomas Marquis was born in Frederick county, Va., October 2, 1767; was married in Frederick county to Miss Joanna Hoge, Janu- ary II, 1790, and died in Montgomery county, Ohio, October 19, 1851.
He moved from Frederick county, Va., to Cross Creek Village, Washington county, Pa., where he was elder in the Presbyterian church. Thence he moved to Crab Apple, Belmont county, Ohio, where he was an elder. Thence to Martinsburgh, Knox county, Ohio, where he was an elder. Thence in 1832 to Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he was an elder of the First Presbyterian church from April 22, 1833, to April, 1836, and of the Second Presbyterian church from April, 1836 to 1850.
Mrs. Joanna died April 26, 1860, aged 87.
JOHN MCCRACKEN.
John McCracken, son of Robert, (born in May, 1765, ) and Margaret, daughter of Wm. McClellan, of Adams County, Pa., and grandaughter of William, of Colerain, Ireland, was born in 1789, in Gettysburg, Penn. He married, April 14, 1814, Ann Waugh.
Mr. McCracken came to Bellefontaine in 1833, from Muskin- gum county, Ohio.
He united with this church April 20, 1833, by letter from Salt Creek (Ohio) Presbyterian church, of which he had been an elder.
He was ordained an elder April 22, 1836. He removed in the spring of 1842 to the West Liberty church, and died in West Lib- erty, September 1, 1855, aged 66.
His children were :- Margaret Kesia, married Samuel Hover; David Waugh, married Sarah C. Hover; Jane Eliza, married James Kerr; Robert, married Sarah C. Irwin; Sarah A., married
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THE ELDERS.
David W. Lyon; Milton M., married Mary Jane Seegar; Martha Ellen, married Wm. Hubbard; Mary Ann, married Thos. L. Kerr; and Nancy.
JAMES KERR.
James Kerr, son of James Kerr, (see Kerr family genealogy,) was born near Gettysburg, Pa., November, 1778, where he grew to manhood and whence he moved, with his father and family, to Harrison county, Ohio, in the spring of 1850.
He joined the Presbyterian church early in life, and in about the year 1830 was elected a ruling elder in the Beech Spring Presbyterian church.
In the spring of 1836 he, with his family, removed to a farm near Bellefontaine, Ohio, and was soon after, August 22, 1836, made a ruling elder in this church, and served with faith and zeal until his death, August 30th, 1846, aged 67.
DAVID PATTERSON.
David £ Patterson and wife, Eleanor McCracken, daughter of Robert and Mar- garet (McClellan) McCrack- en, were born at Gettysburg, Pa .; belonged to the Presby- terian church called Marsh Creek church, near Gettys- burg. They were married October 27, 1818. They came to Ohio in 1819 and settled near Zanesville. He remained there until he came to Bellefontaine in the year 1824, where he resided un- til the year 1841, when he went to Oxford, Ohio,
He lived in Conners- ville, Indiana, and was an DAVID PATTERSON. elder of the Presbyterian church there several years before his return to Logan county in 1851.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
He first united with this church in 1835; was ordained elder August 22, 1836. He died May 16, 1871, aged 75.
Mrs. Eleanor died here December 8, 1870, aged 79 years.
Children :- Margaret J., married Mathew W. Pollock; Eliza Ann, married Rev. Nathan R. Johnston; Augusta, married John C. Davis; Robert McC., married Eleanor Royster; Mary M., married Alex. B. Irving; John W .; married Martha Wren.
ABRAHAM BOYD.
Abrahamn Boyd was born in Allegheny county, Pa., within the limits of Bull Creek church, May 4, 1810. His people moved to Trumbull county, Ohio, when he was four years old. About the first of March, 1837, he came to Allen county, and was married to Maria B. Hover, March 9th, of the same year. He went to Bellefontaine in 1842 to nurse his wife's mother, Mrs. Ezekiel Hover, and soon after her death, about 1844, came back to his farm in Shawnee township, Allen county, Ohio, where he now resides, having sur- vived his entire family, ex- cepting a son and daughter and one brother. He was an elder of this church from No- vember 24, 1842, until his return to Allen county. He is now a ruling elder in the Presbyterian church of South Main street, Lima, and is a regular attendant on the Sab- bath morning service and ABRAHAM BOYD. Sunday-school.
Maria Belinda Hover was born in Duck Creek, Trumbull county, Ohio. She came to the Shawnee Village, Allen county, May 1, 1833; was married to Abrahamı Boyd, March 9, 1837, and died April 25, 1875.
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THE ELDERS.
Their daughter, Sallie C., born on the farm where she now lives, February 3, 1845, was married March 12, 1868, to J. H. Berry- man.
JOHN FARIS.
John Faris, born in 1805, came to Bellefontaine from Wheel- ing, Virginia, i11 1836. He united with this church by letter from the Forks of Wheeling church January 13, 1837. He was a ruling elder in the First Presbyter- ian church of Bellefontaine, from November 23, 1842, until his death. He died at his residence in Logan county, Ohio, on the 23rd day of Oc- tober, 1862, in the 57th year of his life. He was accustom- ed to say that his allotment was all he could wish; it sel- dom falls to the lot of man to die so serenely.
Mr. Faris was a farmer. He married, first, Ann, · daughter of Arthur Mor- JOHN FARIS. rison, who died February 2, 1837, aged 26 years. He married, second, Martha, daughter of William Yates, who died February 20, 1884, aged 72.
Their children were :- Grazella, Harvey R., Mary Elizabeth, Samuel L., Salmon C., William D., Jno. Stewart, James A., An- drew Lowrie.
JAMES D. CAMPBELL.
James D. Campbell, elder of the First Presbyterian church, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, in 1803. Immigrated to Bellefontaine when quite a young man. He was converted and joined the Presbyterian church. Was married to Miss Rhoda Calendar, of Bellefontaine, in 1832. Moved to Texas in 1859, where he was an earnest worker during the remain-
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
der of his life. He held the office of elder in the Presby- terian church here until his removal in May, 1859, and later at Helena and Escondida, Texas, and was Sunday-school superintend- ent for many years.
He raised a family of four girls and four boys, five of whom are still living and married, and have large families.
He died December 22, 1875, near Kennedy, Texas,
Mrs. Campbell still re- sides in Kennedy, Texas.
JAMES D. CAMPBELL.
EZRA BENNETT.
Ezra Bennett, son of Timothy Bennett, was born March 13, 1812, in Cumber- land county, New Jersey. Left fatherless, at the age of 14, he learned the trade of cabinet maker and worked in Cincinnati. During the year of 1828, he was in busi- ness in Springfield and New Vienna, Ohio. United with the Presbyterian church at Springfield, August 30, 1828.
He married Mary A. Bryant, July 10, 1834, at New Vienna, Ohio. He was made elder in Xenia, Ohic, in 1841. He read law and com- menced its practice in Belle - EZRA BENNETT. fontaine in 1845. Was made elder in this church November 28, 1846. Was elected Prosecutor
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THE ELDERS.
and Probate Judge of Logan county in 1852. In 1863 he engaged in the undertaking business in Bellefontaine, at the corner of De- troit street and Columbus avenue; built ' Bennett Block," and later added furniture to his business.
He died August 22, 1889. At the time of death he was the oldest elder in Bellefontaine, and had served this church in that capacity nearly forty-three years, a longer time than any other elder.
THOMAS MARQUIS STEVENSON.
Thomas Marquis Stevenson, the eldest son of Rev. Joseph Stevenson, the first pastor of this church, and Sarah Marquis, daughter of Rev. Thomas Marquis, was born in West Alexander, Pa., in 1807.
In his 19th year he came with his father to Bellefon- taine and assisted in building the old Stevenson home- stead, and in "clearing" the farm.
In September, 1828, he was married to Miss Judith Hover, daughter of an elder in the church of Cherokee, (now Huntsville. ) He built the house and cleared the farm now occupied by his youngest son, David M. Stevenson, and here rais- ed a large family, and made his home until the last year of his life.
Although living an ex- emplary christian life, and maintaining, from the earl- THOMAS MARQUIS STEVENSON. iest recollection of his children, a family altar whose wor- ship, morning and evening, always included the reading of the Bible, singing and prayer, Mr. Stevenson did not unite with the church until his daughter, Sarah, was twelve or thirteen years
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
of age, about 1842-3, when they were received together. It was his custom to read the scriptures "in course" in family worship, and in this way the entire volume was read through several times; once with Scott's "Comments" and "Practical Observations." It was impossible for his family to grow up in ignorance of what the Bible contained, and very naturally they all came into the church early in life.
It is a high testimonial to his christian character and standing that Mr. Stevenson was not many years a communicant before he was made an elder, November 28, 1846. Wise in counsel, excellent in judgment, prudent in speech and blameless in life, "a liberal conservative," he added strength to the Session, and in him the heart of his pastor "safely trusted."
He frequently represented the Session of this church in the Presbytery and Synod, and in 1865 was a commissioner to the General Assembly from the Presbytery of Sidney.
After being identified with this congregation from his infancy, as a member of the church for more than forty years, and having served in the Session under every pastor, except his father, Mr. Stevenson died December 23rd, 1883, in the 77th year of his life, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. L. A. Silver, at Topeka, Kansas.
ROBERT HENDERSON.
Mr. Robert Henderson was born in Pennsylvania, June 8, 1812. He moved with his father, when still a little boy, to Jeffer- son county, Ohio, where he lived on a farm until he was married to Margarett McDewitt, September 15, 1836; they moved to Utica, Ohio, on a farm. He was elder there of the Presbyterian church for five or six years.
He moved to Bellefontaine in 1846, where he was immediately, November 26, 1846, elected elder of the Presbyterian church, serv- ing until his death, July 8, 1851, aged 39 years and one month.
He died leaving a wife and three children, two of whom are still living :- Sarah J., now Mrs. David Anderson, of Kewanee, Illinois, and Mrs. J. G. Walker.
WILLIAM GRABIEL KENNEDY.
William Grabiel Kennedy, fifth son of Joseph and Ann Ken- nedy, was born near Cumberland, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1810.
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THE ELDERS.
When he was young his parents moved to Milford Center, Union county, Ohio, where he was raised. He left there for Dayton, where he lived some time, then moved near Springfield, Ohio, and thence to Bellefontaine in 1837. Was made elder of the Presby- terian church November 26th, 1857.
WILLIAM GRABIEL KENNEDY.
He married Mary Edwards Patterson January 17th, 1839, and died March 5th, 1862. He was a merchant and prominent busi- ness man of Bellefontaine for twenty years.
S. W. FULLER.
S. W. Fuller, son of Seth and Hannah (daughter of Colonel Fisher, of Mass.) Fuller, was born January 25, 1814, in Athens
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH HISTORY.
county, Ohio. Was a member of what was called the Sabbath- school 79 years ago, taught by his father with possibly some ad- ditional help. His father died a few months later during the year 1821. His mother survived him about three years when she died, and in the interval between their deaths, two brothers, younger than himself, were called away. He found a home with an uncle, by marriage, in Washington county, near Parkersburg, now West Virginia. He remained there on the farm until his majority. Shortly afterwards he commenced reading medicine in the office of Dr. John Latton, in Marietta, Ohio, where he spent two years and a half going through the ordinary text books and doing con- siderable reading outside. During his stay in Marietta, in 1836 lie united with the Congregational church of that city. He attend- ed medical lectures in Cincinnati during the winter of 1837-8, and began practice in West Liberty, Ohio, during the summer of 1838, but did not get a diploma for some years afterward, and then from another col- lege, the former having brok- en down.
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