USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 53
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Among the earliest preachers in this territory may be mentioned the Rev. Messrs. Reuben Smith and Frederick Reasor, both Baptists; E. B. Mann, a Universalist; Richard Lane and John and Jacob Wright, of the Christian or Dis-
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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.
ciple church; Ashabel Wells and Reed, of the Presbyterian; Hester of the Methodist Episcopal; and Glenn, of the Lutheran denomination. These pioneers of Christianity all succeeded in organizing societies and building up churches in this township, but many of them have since dis- appeared. While the religion of a few took root, grew, and flourished, others flourished for a time and then died; and quite a number of old grave- yards now alone mark the spot where once stood a prosperous church.
SCHRADERS CHAPEL.
Very early in the present century the Method- ists erected what was long known as Schrader's chapel, on Indian creek; and in the northwest- ern part of the township the same denomination erected what was known as Roberts chapel. The New-lights erected near the line of Lafay- ette township a church since known as Mt. Eden, and yet standing. The Baptists erected two churches, one on Indian creek, and the other about one and a half miles west of the site of the village of Greenville. Of all these churches, it has not been ascertained which was first erected. All were built very early in the present century, and most of them have rotted down and disap- peared. All were log structures.
The pioneer Amos Davis gave the land upon which Schraders chapel was erected. The old church was built of rough logs, and stood on the bank of the creek near where the Indian camp was anciently located-the same camp near which Sullivan, before mentioned, was killed. Among the earliest members of this church were John and Amos Davis, with their wives; Isaac and Jacob Miller, and their families; John Taylor, John Roberts, and John McKown, and their families. As long since as 1830 this church was going to decay, and it disappeared entirely many years ago. Even the spot upon which it stood is overgrown with grass. Most of its first members have long been sleeping beneath the little grassy knolls in the little churchyard, among whose leaning and silent stones, black- ened by the hand of time, the wind sings a requiem to their departed spirits.
ROBERTS CHAPEL.
The other ancient Methodist church, Roberts chapel, in the northwestern part of the township, must have disappeared thirty or forty years ago;
and here, too, the only mark for the spot is the silent tombstones of the once healthy and happy throng that gathered beneath its roof to listen to religious teaching, as understood and preached by that good old Methodist, the Rev. Mr. Hes- ter. This gentleman preached many years in both these churches. These two Methodist so- cieties were organized and kept up by the pioneers until others were organized, and the buildings erected in the towns of Galena and Greenville, to which churches most of the living members repaired.
THE BAPTIST CHURCHES.
In a very early day many of the pioneers of the township belonged to what was known as "Hard-shell" Baptists; and two organizations of this denomination sprang up here and flourished for some years. The Crooks, Reasors, Ran- soms, Ellises, Brocks, and others were connected with these churches. Two church edifices were erected-both of hewed logs-one in the ex- treme western part of the township, and the other on Little Indian creek, near where the old Vincennes road crosses it. The land on which the latter church stands was originally owned by Phillip Engleman, who probably donated the lot for the building, and was himself an early and influential member. There were a number of families of Englemans in this neighborhood, who supported the church. This building has also long since decayed and disappeared, the grave- yard alone marking the spot.
The same may be said of that formerly existing in the western part of the township. It, too, has long since disappeared, and the members, if any are yet living, belong to other churches or to none. A grave-yard also marks the spot where this church stood, the land belonging at present to Alexander Hedden. Stephen Hed- den entered this land, and probably was instru- mental in erecting the church. Dates as long ago as 1812 appear on the blackened tomb- stones.
THE MORMON CHURCH.
In the northeastern part of the township, on the road from Greenville to Scottsville, and near the line of Lafayette township, stands an ancient hewed log building that is now-strange as it may seem-occupied by a church calling itself the "Latter Day Saints;" in other words, in this
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blessed land of religious liberty, a Mormon church. It is a remarkable fact that this particular church seems to be almost indigenous to the soil of Greenville township. It is not the relic of a great Mormon community established in the wil- derness; but the seed was dropped here compar- atively few years ago, and the soil seemed to con- tain the elements of vigorous growth and devel- opment. That the ways of the Salt Lake Mor- mons are here practiced and carried out fully is not pretended; but the doctrines of the Mormon church are here actually preached and listened to by an apparently intelligent audience, and by some are adopted as the foundation of their re- ligious faith.
As to the old log building in which these "Latter Day Saints" worship, it was in use for some time by a denomination once generally known as "Campbellites," but which, after the death of its founder, Alexander Campbell, was more generally known as "Disciple." These people, however, seem a little hard to please in the way of a name, and for several years past have called themselves "Christians." The latter name will probably please the community equally as well as the other two, if those who take the name upon themselves make themselves worthy of it.
This building was among the first erected in the township. It is on land now owned by Mr. · C. Emmons, and has quite an interesting history. It is called Mt. Eden. The New-lights were the builders of it, but they did not survive the ravages of time, like the monument they erected to the memory of their departed denominational life, and after flourishing a few years they dısap- peared. The Christians used it until they erected their present church, known as Chapel Hill; then the old log church was abandoned. This was during the Rebellion, when almost everything was abandoned except the concerns of the war. The old church stood silent and deserted, with the winds of summer and winter moaning around its gables, its logs settling into mother earth, and seemed as if its days of usefulness on earth were ended, until there came into the neighborhood a man named Blair, one of the "Latter Day Saints" and a preacher of their peculiar doctrines. Blair seized upon the old church. It did not seem to belong to anybody in particular, nor in general; and although Mr. Blair was at first
looked upon with some suspicion, and his audi- ences were not large, he succeeded, by dint of perseverance, bad grammar, and a smooth tongue, in establishing the present church. It so hap- pens that in that neighborhood are several fami- lies (all belonging to the same stock) of Scotts; hence the little village of Scottsville, which, however, is not within the limits of Greenville township. The Scotts are very clever, nice peo- ple, but some of them may be called a little ec- centric, and in this eccentricity is found the ground in which the seed of this Mormon church took root and grew. The Scotts are members of this church, as are also some other people. It may be difficult and even unneces- sary to explain the reasons each individual mem- ber might give for his or her connection with this society; but it is presumed that each is satisfied that he or she has found the true re- ligion, the only religion that will guarantee beyond any reasonable doubt the possession of true hap- piness and everlasting life in the world to come.
These people are no doubt honest in their be- lief; but the firm belief in this peculiar doctrine leads to some eccentricities among the members, to use no harsher term. As an instance: One of the female members at one time became im- pressed with the idea that she had received a revelation to the effect that she was forever to re- main in the house; in no case during her life was she to cross the threshold into the sunlight of heaven. Now, for a practical farmer, with half a dozen cows to milk, and butter and cheese to make, and numerous other out-of-door chores that farmers' wives are expected to look after, this revelation might have been embarrassing to the husband. But not so with this gentleman; he had adopted this peculiar religion with as much intensity as his wife, and was apparently satisfied to allow her plenty of religious freedom and remain in the house. It is fortunate for the children of this family that the father did not also receive a revelation to remain in the house, as it is not likely that the fields would have tilled themselves, and the family larder might have be- come uncomfortably empty. This lady, it is said, ·did not cross the threshold of her house for about one and one-half years. In consequence of her long seclusion, some people in the vicinity of Greenville -- painfully practical people-con- cluded to visit the deluded female in a body and
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ascertain what her aversion was to out-door exer- cise. Some of them were impressed with the idea that foul means were being used to compel the woman to remain in the house; but these were soon undeceived. They approached the house to the number of forty or more, and were met by the husband, who strongly protested against their entering his house. He even stern- ly forbade their entrance; and, when he found they were determined, he invoked the assistance of heaven, and declared that the first man who crossed the threshold should drop dead; that he would call down the vengeance of heaven upon them, and that fire from heaven would surely destroy them if they entered his house. His daughter, a young lady, also came out and made frantic appeals to them not to come into the dwelling. This opposition, however, only made the party more determined. They entered the house, and found the woman lying on the bed. She appeared to be well enough, with the excep- tion of being possessed with this strange infatua- tion. She could give no reason for her conduct, except that she had received a divine revelation that required her to remain during her lifetime in the house. This family subsequently sold out and removed to the West; but returned again after a time, and it is presumed that in these re- movals the infatuated lady was compelled to give up her intense desire for seclusion.
The above instance is given simply to show to what extremes people are sometimes led by their faith in a so-called religious doctrine. Other instances could be cited in connection with this church, but the above is one of the most promi- nent.
It is said the members of this church now number less than fifty, and that it is on the de- cline, at they have had no preaching there for several years. It is hard to destroy such institu- tions, when they once get root in a soil that is in the least inclined to perpetuate them. The only thing that will do it is the common school. The continual hammering of this grand American in- stitution is continually crushing such errors everywhere, and it will eventually kill Mormon- ism in all the land, when once allowed to reach it ; all other agencies having so far failed.
ST. JOHNS LUTHERAN CHURCH.
Among the oldest churches in this part of the
county is the St. Johns Lutheran church, as it is called, located on Richland creek, near the southern line of the township. A Lutheran organization was erected here prior to 1820, among the organizers being the following named pioneers : Mordecai Collins, wife and children ; Jacob Summers and family, Jacob Engleman and family, Jacob Yenawine, John Engleman, Jacob Buckhart, Phelix Blankbeker, Phillip Bierley, and the Martin and Zimmerman fami- lies. Rev. Glenn was their minister. He was a stern old Christian, but a man of a good deal more courage than prudence. When John Morgan made his raid through here, he hap- pened to march past the door of the old clergy- man. The latter was so incensed that he could not or did not restrain his passions. He stood in his door and raved and stormed at the rebel raiders, and, upon some slight provocation, took down his gun and shot one of them. This very indiscreet and it would seem, under the circum- stances, almost criminal act brought upon the old Unionist the vengeance of Morgan's command. No sooner had he shot the soldier than he was himself shot in his own door, and instantly killed. Not only this, but the rebels burned his house and barn, and destroyed and carried off all that was valuable on the premises. Glenn had been a preacher in this old Lutheran church a good many years, but the organization that he was mainly instrumental in forming and building up, went to pieces long before his death. The Lutherans erected the church, which is yet stand- ing, about 1820.
About this time a Universalist preacher by the name of E. B. Mann, a speaker of much eloquence and persistence, came into the coun- try and preached wherever he could get an audi- ence. Mr. Mann made trouble in this Lutheran church. He preached through this section of country twenty years or more, and used to travel about in a one-horse wagon. He was a very good man, much respected, and came near con- verting the entire community in the neighbor- hood of the old Lutheran church to his way of thinking. It was about 1840, during the pas- torate of Rev. Mr. Hinkle in this church, that the society was divided, many of the members, including the pastor himself, adopting the doc- trine of universal salvation. Mr. Hinkle became a Universalist preacher, and finally nearly the
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whole church went over to Universalism. The Lutheran organization at least was broken up.
The old church was now, for some years, used by all denominations, and various churches held their meetings here; but it was principally used by the Universalists, until that denomination also began to dwindle away-its master spirit having departed for other fields of labor.
About 1855 the United Brethren organized a church here. This society was made up, in part at least, by Joseph Summers, wife, and children, Jacob Stearns, John Utz and family, David Mo- sier, his wife, and some of his children. Those who are living of these families are yet members. This organization holds meetings occasionally in the old church, but it is not a strong society.
About 1868 the Presbyterians organized a so- ciety in the southern part of the township, call- ing themselves, after the old church, the St. Johns Presbyterian church, and have since held their meetings here. The Rev. Phillip Bevan, a Welshman, was instrumental in organizing this Presbyterian society, the original members of which were Madison Martin and family, Sarah Martin and daughter, Augustus Engleman, John Smith, wife, and son, J. B. Kepley, T. J. Wil- liams, Phillip Martin and wife, and perhaps a few others. Other members have been added from time to time, and the church is in a pros- perous condition.
A union Sabbath-school has usually been conducted at this church, but there is none at present.
Through all the changes and vicissitudes in human affairs the old church still stands little changed, though somewhat the worse in appear- ance for the ravages of time.
THE UNION CHURCH.
In addition to the above-mentioned United Brethren society, there is another in this town- ship, which worships in what is known as the old Union church, now located on section Eight, on land owned by Mr. T. Hobson.
Some fifty years ago or more a school-house was erected at the cross-roads here, in which building this United Brethren society was organ- ized. It was never a strong church, but kept its meetings going pretty regularly. Other denom- inations also occasionally occupied the old school-house for religious purposes, and the
place seemed to be rather a center of religious interest. About the end of the war the people of the district took a notion to have a new school-house, and donated to the United Breth- ren organization the old school-house. Mr. T. Hobson generously donated a lot upon the op- posite side of the road from the school-house site, and the old building was moved across to the lot, where it underwent some repairs and ad- ditions, and was remodeled into a church. The people generally assisted in the expense and labor of construction, and although the United Brethren hold the deed to the property, it is yet considered a Union church, and open to all re- ligious societies. Mr. Hobson, before men- tioned, and his family, were original members and strong supporters of this church. Among its first members were also William Williams and wife, and Joseph Summers and wife. The so- ciety was probably organized by Rev. Henry Bonebrake, a very excellent gentleman who lived in the neighborhood and preached for the so- ciety occasionally. Other ministers who occu- pied the pulpit at different times were the Rev. Messrs. Chittenden, Jacob Abbot, and Isaac Heistand.
The church has not prospered lately, and ap- pears to be on the decline. The preaching is not regular. A lively Sabbath-school was main- tained there for several years, but it has gone down.
METHODIST CHURCHES.
About 1830, or before, the Methodists in and around the village of Greenville and Galena be- gan agitating the erection of churches in these places. At this time the two old log buildings, Schrader's and Robert's chapels, were beginning to decay, and both were a little too far for the members in the towns. They, therefore, in the course of time, obtained sufficient subscriptions from the people of the vicinity, and erected the two buildings now standing. The Methodist church of Greenville was organized about 1830, and for several years held its meetings in the old school-house. John McKown and family were probably the nucleus of this church. Mr. Mc- Kown was a staunch old Methodist, and gave freely of his means to promote its interests. He gave the lot upon which the present building was erected about 1838, and also gave his labor and money toward its erection freely. The or-
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ganization was first effected at his house, and meetings were held there occasionally. The church has met with rather indifferent success in its career, and at the present time is in an un- desirable condition. The membership is about sixty or seventy, and there is said to be much dis- sension and division among them. Regular preaching is, however, maintained, and the Sab- bath-school is kept up.
The origin of this Sabbath-school, as well as that of all others in the town, dates back to 1838, when that estimable lady, Mrs. Henry Fisk, or- ganized the first Sabbath-school in Greenville. It was formed at the house of the Rev. Henry Fisk, a Presbyterian minister. The building is yet standing, and is occupied by Dr. Davis. This, of course, was a union Sabbath-school, and was maintained during several years. The first Sabbath-school of the Methodist church was organized in 1843 by Joseph W. Gale. William .Thompson was the first superintendent.
The first building erected by the Methodists in Galena was a brick, but it was so poorly built that it was taken away in a few years and the present frame erected. The building now stand- ing was put up about forty-five years ago or more. Probably the first members of this church, or at least among the first, were Jacob Swartz and family, Joseph Ashby and family, and the King family, consisting of Elias, John, Isaac, and William. Among the early ministers were the Rev. Messrs. Reuter, Rutledge, and Ray. The latter was probably the first minister, and assisted in the church organization.
Mr. John Hancock was very energetic in rais- ing funds to erect the present church, and was a leading and influential member. Mr. Clark Ramb did the carpenter work on the building. This church is in a more prosperous condition than the one at Greenville, and the Sabbath- school is also in a flourishing condition. It
seems, however, as if Methodism had seen its best days in this vicinity. There is no longer the same active interest taken as formerly; the old-fashioned revivals in this church, that once stirred the hearts of people with wonderful power, appears to have passed away for all time, or, if they are occasionally held, they no longer possess the attraction and power of the old days.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.
The first of these in the township was organ-
ized in 1833, in the village of Greenville. At that time there were living in and near the vil- lage thirteen persons who had been members of this church in other places before coming to this new country, and the question of organizing their church was agitated. They held frequent meetings for prayer and conference in the houses of the members. The names of these persons were Cyrus Bradford and wife, Robert Scott and wife, R. C. Smith and wife, Martin Crim and wife, Jesse Crim and wife, and three others whose names cannot be recalled. The church was finally organized, and meetings were held for several years in the old school-house. The Rev. Richard Lane was their first minister, and continued preaching to the society twelve or fifteen years. He was well liked by the congre- gation, and was considered an able man.
The present church, and the only one ever erected by this society, was built about 1840-45. It is a frame and cost about $1,600. Two gen- tlemen by the name of Little, from Clarke county, Indiana, preached to this congregation several years, and under good management it became one of the most flourishing churches in this part of the county, having at the height of its prosperity more than one hundred members. This church is not so strong now, and seems also, like the rest, to be rather on the decline. A good Sunday-school has for many years been maintained in connection with this church, and is yet in a prosperous condition.
The other Christian church in this township is located about two miles northeast of Green- ville, on the road to Scottsville, and stands on land now owned by Mr. Frederick Goss. It is a frame building, standing upon a hill, and is known as the Chapel Hill church. The build- ing cost about $1,000. This church has been mentioned as having been organized at the old Mount Eden church, now occupied by the Latter- day Saints.
The original and influential members of this organization were different families of Gosses- Frederick, James, and Calvin, with their imme- diate families. Some others in the neighborhood were also connected with it, among whom were Reason Scott and family, Dallas Brown and family, the Millers, and others. The member- ship must have reached at one time about one hundred, and is probably nearly as strong at
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present. The Sunday-school is kept up only during the summer.
THE PRESBYTERIAN. CHURCH.
This society was organized in Greenville in March, 1843, by the Rev. Benjamin Nice, a Yankee. The founders of the church in this place seem to have been a family of Loughmil- lers, some of whom are yet residents of that region. John Loughmiller came to this place with a large family, from Tennessee, in 1829. The family were Presbyterians, and much de- voted to their religion. The old gentleman (said one of the sons) had made a solemn vow that if the Lord would bring him and his family safely to the free soil of Ohio, he would do something here for his honor and glory. It was in fulfil- ment of this pledge that John Loughmiller, almost without aid except from his sons, built the present Presbyterian church of Greenville. The old gentleman was a carpenter, and did nearly all of this kind of work on the building. Finan- cially he was assisted by contributions of a few dollars from those interested in church matters; but he paid most of the expense out of his own pocket.
The Rev. Messrs. Reed and Ashabel Wells were the first Presbyterian ministers through this part of the country, and the first meetings of this society were held in the old school-house and in the Methodist church. The Loughmillers who were members of this church were John, Jacob, William, Joseph, A. R. (now a merchant in Greenville), Christina, and Matilda. Mary Kepler and Lydia Porter were also among the first members. The building, a frame, erected in 1849, is yet standing, and cost about $1,300.
This church, like most others in the township, seems also to be on the decline, the membership being at present only eighteen.
The Sabbath-school is very well sustained. It was first organized about 1850. Mr. A. R. Loughmiller has been superintendent for the last thirty years.
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