USA > Ohio > History of the Upper Ohio Valley, with family history and biographical sketches, a statement of its resources, industrial growth and commercial advantages, Vol. II pt 2 > Part 3
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The Methodist Protestant church, situated on Fifth street, below Market, in Steubenville, was organized in 1830, under the leadership of Rev. George Brown, when ninety-three members withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal church. The original building put up by this congregation was torn down in 1853, and the present one erected. This church, at present, has a membership of 354. and a Sunday -school of 250 scholars and teachers. Rev. S.1. Fisher is the present pastor.
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The first class of the Methodist Protestant church, at Toronto, was organized in 1851. Joseph Hamilton was the first pastor. In 1853 a church building was erected, and at the present time the membership of the Toronto Methodist Protestant church is 300, with a Sunday- school numbering 300. William Hastings is the present pastor.
The Methodist Protestant church, at Empire, has a membership of 144, and a Sunday-school of 148 scholars and teachers. S. T. Allen is present pastor.
The Smithfield Methodist Episcopal church numbers the largest congregation of this denomination in the county, being 359, and has a Sunday-school attendance of over 200. S. S. Fisher is the present pastor.
In the country there are ten Methodist Protestant churches, five pastoral charges and ten Sunday-schools.
The Catholic Church .- The early history of the Catholic church in Jefferson county does not begin with the time when her membership became so numerous here that public services were held, a church edifice built and a resident pastor ministered to the spiritual wants of his people. Long before this Catholic church was making steady progress in this county, even before the opening of the present cen- tury, several prominent Catholics were found in the vicinity of Steu- benville. Amongst these will be remembered Mr. Tiernan, who was a farmer, and whose two sons, Michael and John, were afterward merchants in Steubenville. There was also a wealthy and refined family named Sullivan, owning a large farm across the river in Vir- ginia. One of the family was Dr. Sullivan, who practiced medicine in Steubenville. Also Mr. John Rodgers, who came to this place about 1792, and built a powder mill on Cross creek before the war of 1812. He also erected at that early day a lumber mill and flouring- mill on Cross creek, and shipped his flour to New Orleans in flat- boats to find a market. He was regarded as a man of great ability and enterprise. His name was as good as a bond amongst the busi- ness men of the West and South. Though born in Ireland he con- versed with his Pennsylvania German customers in their own tongue. and was besides a fine Latin scholar. Two of his children are Mrs. Davis, of Clinton street, and Mrs. McGuire, whose daughter is Mrs. Capt. McCann, corner of Seventh and Logan streets, Steuben- ville. Mr. McGuire and Mr. John Brady, whose farm is at the head of Market street, were also early settlers. There was also a Mrs. But- ler, Old Mammy Butler she was called, who lived on North street. and a Mr. Fanning, who was a cabinet-maker. These, with many others whose names are forgotten, were all in Steubenville and vicinity. They fondly clung to the old faith of their fathers, and taught the same to their children and grandchildren. AAnd thus the Catholic church was gradually gaining ground long before a building. surmounted by a cross, made its appearance. As an instance of the devotedness of these early settlers to their holy faith, some would go to Pittsburgh to receive holy communion, and John Tiernan, then in business in Steubenville, wrote and had printed a little book in de-
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fense of the Catholic faith, and in reply to some local agitation against Catholicity at that time.
The spark of living faith was kept alive by the visits of the good old Catholic missionary priests from Pittsburgh. The first of these was Rev. Father O'Brien, and he was succeeded by Rev. Father McGuire. These good priests visited these scattered members of their flock down the Ohio from house to house, baptized the children, joined the young people in marriage, offered the holy sacrifice of the mass, presented the gospel, instructed the rising generation, visited the sick and buried the dead. A few yet living remember them well, and how the glad news would pass from house to house when the good father came amongst them. This continued until about the year 1830. Steubenville by this time was getting to be a lively river town, and its manufacturing industries attracted skilled workmen from the east, many of whom were Catholics. Rev. Father McGrady, an Irish priest of great talent and energy, then residing in Hanover, Columbiana county, had by this time taken charge of Steubenville as a missionary, and seeing the congregation in Steubenville growing rapidly he laid the foundation of St. Pius church, the first Catholic church in Jefferson county, in 1832. The church was a small brick building. and occupied the site of the present St. Peter's Catholic church, corner Fourth and Logan streets, Steubenville. Good old Mr. McGuire deserves special mention for the active part he took in raising funds for the new church, which though small, was then a great undertaking. Rev. Father McGrady attended his charge in Steubenville every two weeks till March, 1835, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Father James Conlan. About this time (1835) there were (besides the families already mentioned) the following Catholic fam- ilies residing in the town of Steubenville: Mr. Patrick Duffy, Mr. James McLuinness, Mr. O'Neill, Mr. Owen Connelly, Mr. 1. McCarty, Mr. John Smith and Mr. Owesney.
During the administration of Father Conlan quite a number of German Catholics were added to the rising congregation, including the families of Mr. John Bord, Mr. John Nath and Mr. Parola, in IS37. Also the Baslers, Kellers and Mr. Standley, lately deceased. In fact, by this time the congregation was so numerous that it is im- possible to give names. Rev. Father James Conlan, like his prede- cessor, resided in Hanover and Steubenville every two weeks alternately for ten years, till he was succeeded by Rev. James F. Kearney, in March, 1845.
Rev. Father Kearney was the first resident pastor of Steubenville. and held divine services every Sunday in the little brick church of St. Pius, erected by Father McGrady, in 1832. He remained in charge until October, 18448. when he was succeeded by the Rev. Father ('Farrell, who was pastor till August 1, 1850, when on his removal from Steubenville, Father Kearney again looked after the congrega- tion till December of the same year, when Archbishop Purcell appointed Rev. Emanuel Thienpont, pastor of St. Pius church, Steu- benville, December, 1850. Father Thienpont was a native of Belgium,
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a man of great industry and administrative ability, and taken alto- gether, as good a specimen of the old missionary priests as could be found in the last half century. Taking advantage of the favorable circumstances afforded by numerous public works connected with the building of the Pan Handle railroad then through Steubenville, he took down the little church of St. Pius and erected on its site in 1853. the present large edifice known as St. Peter's church. A piece of land was purchased west of the city and a cemetery was opened there. Father Thienpont continued to ably manage the affairs of the church until 1865, when he was given an easier charge on account of his ad- vancing years. He died 1873, on the mission in Logan. W. T. Bige- low succeeded him, but his life work was cut short by the small pox in 1871, which he contracted while acting a hero's part in administer- ing to the sick. Father Tuomey was then in charge, but he soon followed Father Bigelow to the grave, dying in 1873. Rev. Father J. A. Murray had charge up to 1876, then Rev. H. B. Dues for a short time. After him came Rev. B. Wisman in 1877. His health began to fail and Rev. M. M. A. Ilartnedy took charge February 28, 1879.
Besides St. Peter's church in Steubenville, there is another Catholic church in the southern part of the city. This is the Holy Name church dedicated July 20, 1885, and in charge of Rev. J. Hartley. The Catholic church has churches at other different points in the county. namely: Hammondsville, Irondale, Toronto, Mingo, and other smaller missions. Both the churches at Steubenville have graded schools under the charge of the sisters of charity, and the general supervis- ion of Rev. M. M. A. Hartnedy. Rev. Hartnedy also established St. Peter's high school in IS79, which has graduated fifty scholars, and where all the higher branches of a liberal education are taught. The high school has increased in membership every year. About five years ago a new site was chosen for a Catholic cemetery and was duly dedicated as such, being now called Mt. Calvary cemetery. Under Rev. Hartnedy's charge, St. Peter's has undergone much improve- ment. The entire front of the church was remodeled, and now it presents an elegant appearance. In ISSS, on the site of the pastor's residence, he caused to be erected an elegant two-story stone build- ing now called " The Deanery." This building is probably the finest of its kind in Ohio.
The United Presbyterian church, Steubenville, was organized in 1810, and is among the oldest in the city. It was originally connected with the Associate Reformed church, one of the bodies which, by union in 1858, formed the United Presbyterian church. The first pastor was Rev. George Buchanan. Ile began his labors here in the fall of ISto, was ordained and installed as pastor, June 4. 1St, and continued in his charge of the congregation until his death, which took place on the 14th of October, 1855, at the age of about seventy- two. Mr. Buchanan was a zealous and faithful minister of Christ. Ilis personal character was such as to command the respect and con- fidence of all. Ilis labors were abundant, and can only be appreci- ated by those who are acquainted with the trials of a pioneer life.
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For nearly thirty years from the time of his settlement he served as pastor of two other congregations besides that in Steubenville - Yel- low Creek, in the same county, twenty miles distant, and Hermon's Creek (now called Paris), in Washington county, Penn. In 1838 he gave up these two congregations and concentrated his labors in Steu- benville. From an early period, in addition to his pastoral work, he conducted a classical school, and was the educator, in part, at least, of many who have attained distinction, among whom may be named the late Hon. E. M. Stanton. "He rests from his labors, and his works do follow him." The membership of the congregation was at first very small, only twenty-six names appearing on the joint call of the three churches above named for Mr. Buchanan, and of these twenty-six some few were only adherents and not communicants. It grew steadily, however. There is no certain information as to the membership at or before the death of Mr. Buchanan. but a few years after his death it numbered 180. During the course of its history many of the best and most influential citizens of Steubenville have been connected with it. Few of the older members now survive. Less than forty of those whose names are now upon the roll were re- ceived during Mr. Buchanan's life. The membership at present is about 220. The long pastorate of Mr. Buchanan has been followed by several shorter ones. Rev. J. K. Andrews was pastor from Janu- ary, 1857, until October, 1863; Rev. J. W. Clokey, from July, 1864, until December, 1868; Rev. T. J. Kennedy, from January, 1870, until April, 1873; Rev. S. J. Stewart, from February, 1874, until February, IS ;;; Rev. William S. Owens, from 1877 to 1887; Rev. W. R. Harshaw, from ISS7, until 1889, when he severed his connection with the church, since which time there has been no pastor. The first place of worship was the old court house. Here the congregation assembled until about 1815. From that time for nearly two years, services were held in a two-story building, used as a school-house, on Fourth street, cast side, between Washington and North, the site of which is now occu- pied by the Christian church. The first building owned by the con- gregation was erected, as nearly as can now be ascertained in IS17. It stood on the same lot, in the rear of the present edifice, fronting on North street.
In 1838 a one-story building was erected on the present site. In 1850 this building was remodeled and made two stories high. This building was torn down in 1882, and the present handsome church erected in the same year, and was dedicated January 1, 1883. The membership of the church at this time is 222.
The oldest United Presbyterian church in the county is Piney Fork, in Smithfield township. The first preaching here was in 1Soo. The first pastor was Rev. Alexander Calderhead, a Scotch minister of the Associate Reform church. He preached here until his death in 1812. Soon after Calderhead's death, Rev. John Walker commenced preach- ing to the church. December, 1821, Rev. Thomas Hanna accepted a call in connection with Cadiz. He was pastor until 1835, when Rev. Joseph Cloky took charge. In 1840, Mr. Cloky and congregation
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connected themselves with the Steubenville Associate Reformed Pres- bytery. In 1842, Rev. Cloky quitted his charge. The congregation then had no pastor until 1856, when Rev. William Lorimer became pastor. He was released from his charge in the spring of 1859. In May, 1860, Rev. J. M. Jamison became pastor, and still continues in charge.
They at first preached in the woods. They built a tent between two trees and covered it with clapboards, and the congregation sat on logs and poles arranged for seats. They afterward built a cabin to be used in winter. In 1824, they built a hewed log house 60x30. In 1838, they built the present house, a brick building, 69x30. Its mem- bership in 1889, was eighty-six.
Another early church of this denomination is the United Presby- terian church of Richmond. The original society from which this has sprung, was organized by Rev. Alex. Calderhead, in 1805, at the house of Col. John Andrews, on the northeast quarter of section 6, town- ship 10, range 3. John Collins, John Johnson and John Walker were ordained ruling elders. A tent six feet long, five feet wide and seven feet high, of clapboards, was erected in 1806, on the farm of James McLain, and moved on a sled, from place to place, to suit the con- venience of the preacher or the congregation. In 1811, Rev. George Buchanan became pastor, and in 1816, a hewn log meeting house 24x28, called " Union church," was erected on the lands of David Andrews. Rev. Buchanan was succeeded in 1831, by Rev. Hugh Parks, under whose auspices a new church was built at Richmond in 1836. This was replaced by the present building, in 1851. Rev. Parks was suc- ceeded by Rev. William Lorimer, in 1838, and he remained pastor until 1858. Rev. J. 11. Peacock was pastor from 1859 until 1871. From that time, the Rev. J. B. Borland has been pastor. The present membership is about ninety.
Yellow Creek United Presbyterian Church .-- The first preacher of the Associate Presbyterian denomination who preached in the vicinity, was Rev. E. N. Scroggs, in the year 1814. Rev. John Walker and Dr. Ramsey also preached at times. The congregation was organized under an act of the legislature in 1820, Rev. E. N. Scroggs officiating. Amongst the first members were Henry Crabs and wife, Anna; Ham- ilton Walker and wife, Mary; William Kelley and wife, Christiana; Matthew Barr and wife, Margaret; Samuel Dorrance and wife, Mary; John Jordan and wife, Mary Ann; Thomas George and wife, Jane; John Kean and wife, Mary, and Sarah Story. Thomas George and Ilenry Crabs were elected ruling elders. The first preaching was done in the house of Thomas George; next in a tent, and 1828 a brick building was put up, 30x40; afterward enlarged to 30x60. In 1858 a frame building 40x60, was erected, which is still occupied by the con- gregation. The succession of ministers is as follows: Rev. E. N. Scroggs and Dr. Ramsey; Rev. John Donaldson, twelve years; Rev. James Patterson, eighteen years; Rev. John Easton, one year; Rev. T. Simp- son, from December 25. 1856, to September 12, 1861; Rev. James Golden, from April 4, 1863, to April 1, 1869; Rev. H. Y. Leeper,
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from January, 1870, to the present. The congregation at the present time numbers 134 members. 1930232
Other United Presbyterian churches in the county are the Toronto United Presbyterian church, established in 1869, which now has a fine building and a membership of about fifty. The Knoxville United Presbyterian church organized in 1837, by Rev. Samuel Taggart and John Donaldson, with a membership of seventeen. Its membership now is about 200 and it erected in 1875, its present church edifice. The Grant Hill United Presbyterian church, organized in 1866, in which year the church was built. It is situated in Brush Creek township, and has a membership of sixty-eight. Rev. S. W. Clark preached the first sermon in this church.
The first Congregational church of Steubenville. was organized in 1875, with a membership of forty. Rev. H. M. Tenney was first called to the pastorate of it, and he served as such until ISSo. Then W. F. Blackman was pastor until 1885. Then Daniel Bradley up to May. 1888. Since then Rev. C. W. Carroll has been pastor, and the church has made a steady growth. For the first years of its existence the church held services in the old Philharmonic hall. on North Fourth street, then in the second story of the Odd Fellows building, now occupied by the Y. M. C. A. In 1883, the church purchased ground and erected an elegant church structure on Washington street. The church lately had erected in the alcove in the rear of the pastor's desk, one of the finest pipe organs in eastern Ohio. The member- ship at present is 200.
There are two German churches in the city of Steubenville. They are both of the German Lutheran denomination. One is on Fifth street near Market, and the other on the corner of Third and South. The Fifth street building was erected about 1862. Rev. George Pfuhe was the first minister. About ISSo, some points of difference arising between different members, a part of the congregation with- drew and formed a new church organization and purchased the Third and South street property. The Fifth street congregation seems to be the strongest, although the church was considerably weakened by the split.
At Salem there is the St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran church, which is the first of this denomination organized in the county. It was or- ganized 1814. by Rev. John Rhinehart. The present house of wor- ship was built in 18to in Salem village, the former place was about one mile east of the village. The present membership is about seventy-five. The following are the Disciple churches of the county:
Disciples Church of Smithfield .- This church was started on Salt Run. about 1831, under the labors of Thomas Campbell. It was re- moved to Smithfield in 1836. The first elders were William Scott, Joshua Carle and John Cramlet, of whom Joshua Carle is now the only one living. The first deacon was David Carson. Alexander Campbell preached here occasionally for a number of years. Elder Young. of Wellsburg, was among the first who preached for the con- gregation; also Jonas Hartzell, Dr. George Lucy and Harrison Jones.
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The first meetings were held in the school-house, but in 1838, a good, comfortable brick building was erected, costing over $1,000. This house is still occupied by the congregation. There are at present about sixty members, with regular preaching once a month. As there is no baptistry in the church, the ordinance of baptism is generally attended to in McIntyre's creek, some two miles distant from the church. In 1867 a Sunday-school was organized, with James P. Hopkins as superintendent. This school is still in progress.
The Christian church in Steubenville traces its origin back to Alex- ander Campbell who, among his early labors, founded a congregation in Steubenville. The first authentic records of the society are dated 1841, when the small brick church on Dock street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, was built. This was occupied by them for thirty years, when the church purchased the Second Presbyterian church building on Fourth, north of Washington. This is the building now occupied by the Christian church. The early trials of this church were severe, but hard, energetic Christian work has given it perma- nency, and it now numbers a membership of over 225. Rev. A. E. Bosworth is the present pastor. Connected with the church is a bap- tistry back of the pulpit, where the ordinance of baptism can be ad- ministed in full view of the congregation.
At Brilliant there is a prosperous church of the Christian denomin- ation, which erected a fine church building in 1889. Its membership is over 150. At Toronto a society is formed for the erection of a church of this denomination, but no final steps have yet been taken.
Christian Church at New Somerset .-- This church was first organ- ized September 19, 1840, by Elder John Jackman, with the following members: Joseph Marshall and wife, Matthias Swickard and wife, G. H. Puntious and wife, Daniel Householder and wife, John Bill- man and wife, Hannah Zeatherbery, Jennet McGee, Emily Coffman and Mary Householder. The first church officers were Joseph Mar- shall, G. H. Puntious and Matthias Swickard, elders, and Daniel Householder, deacon. In June, 1841, Peter Householder was elected deacon. The first regular preacher employed was Charles E. Van Vorhis, for $37.50 for one-fourth of his time. He was succeeded by the following ministers or elders: John Jackman, Mahlon Martin, Eli Regal, Cornelius Finney, Thomas Dyal, J. M. Thomas, J. D. White, Mason Terry, J. A. Wilson, Robert Atherton, D. O. Thomas, A. Skid- man, M. P. Hayden and others, who held protracted meetings for the church. The first church was built in 1841, of brick, 28x40 feet. The present membership is 100. The present pastor is J. W. Kemp. Of the charter members but two are living, Matthias Swickard and Mary Ilouschokler.
At Unionport, in this county, there is a Disciple church with a fair membership.
Mount Moriah - Regular Baptist .--- This is the oldest regular Bap- tist church in Jefferson county. It was first organized at Steuben- ville, May 17, 1812. Daniel Woodward was chosen clerk, and Rev. Samuel Yateman was called to be its minister, which call he cheer-
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fully accepted. In the "Declaration of Principles" set forth by these early pioneers, we quote:
"ART. 15. . We believe that pride is forbidden in the Scriptures, and that it is the duty of all the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus to adorn themselves in modest apparel as people professing godliness. "ART. 16. We believe that the principle and practice of slave- holding is an abhorrent sin in the sight of God, and very inhuman to man; we therefore refuse to commune with slaveholders at the Lord's table, and with any that will commune with them."
After a lapse of two years, we find this record: "The church hav- ing thought proper to remove their meetings of business from Steuben- ville, met at the house of Mordecai Cole, near Cross creek, in Wayne township, Jefferson county, on the 5th day of March, IS14." This was near where Unionport now is. Their meetings appear to have been held at private houses for some years, and, though the country was new and sparsely settled, and all were busy in clearing away the forests and opening up homes, they were not unmindful of their reli- gious duties, but promptly attended all their meetings, many travel- ing from three to sixteen miles. The last record we have of this church is September 20, 1817:
"Church met at the house of Peter Hesser, when, after preaching. Thomas White and Zachariah Prichard presented letters from the Thumb Run church of Faquier county, Va., and were recieved into fellowship."
About this time the scattered members of this church appear to have united with the regular Baptist church at Hopedale, Harrison county, about seven miles from the neighborhood where these mem- bers lived, where they continued to attend worship until 1823, when, on account of the distance they had to travel, they petitioned to be set off to themselves again. They were regularly constituted a new church, by the name of Pine Run church, and a new hewed building was erected the same year and solemnly dedicated. The first sermon preached in it was by Elijah Stone, who was the first regular pastor. The next pastor was Rev. Hipsley, then followed by John Long, Thomas W. Greer, Solomon Sells, George Jones, George Wharton, George C. Sedgwick,
Squibb, Washington Glass.
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