USA > Ohio > Auglaize County > History of western Ohio and Auglaize County, with illustrations and biographical sketches of pioneers and prominent public men > Part 50
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In 1860, B. S. McFarland was elected principal, and Miss Martha Crowell and Miss Osia Brown, assistants.
It appears on the record that the Board was unfortunate in the selection of principals, from 1861 to 1865. Rev. W. C. Barnett was employed for a period of nine months in the fall of 1865, and was succeeded by Benjamin Bear, who served for one year.
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In 1866 the schools were reorganized under the Akron Law, and on the first Monday of the following April the following gentlemen were elected members of the board: G. W. Andrews, C. P. Davis, Dr. Edward Myer, S. R. Mott, Jr., Jonathan Eldridge, and M. Mouch.
In order to accommodate the increased number of pupils and to properly inaugurate the school, the new Board found it neces- sary to build an additon of two rooms to the school building, twenty-four feet in width by thirtyfeet in length. The addition was made at a cost of $1, 175.
The superintendent, Leonard Alleman, elected in 1867, proved to be incompetent, and was dismissed before the close of the year."
Mr. Alleman was succeeded by the following gentlemen, who have supervised the schools since 1867 :
C. W. Williamson, from 1868 to 1879.
William Hoover, from 1879 to 1881.
J. L. Carson, from 1881 to 1887.
C. W. Williamson, from 1887 to 1899.
H. H. Helter, from 1899 to the present time (1905).
The Third Ward school building was erected in 1875 at a cost of $28,000.
The Second Ward school building was erected in 1889 at a cost of $12,000.
CHURCHES.
ST. PAUL'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
A few members of this church without any particular organi- zation erected a church in 1848, and two years later effected a permanent organization, and adopted a constitution. The members under this organization were as follows: John H. Fisher, Laulus Kratt, Heinrich Miller, Johann Miller, Johann C. Schubert, Chris- tian Vossler, Wilhelm Taeusch, Adam Englehaupt, Frederick Eversmann, Frederick Schlenker, Frederick Speith, Geo. Gutte- kunst, Gotlieb Machetanz, Frederick Kohler, Manford Warren, J. H. Hassenaeur, Christian Koch, Frederick Geyer, and J. F. Kratz. Rev. During was pastor in charge, serving until 1855. The board of trustees consisted of J. H. Fisher and Adam Engelhaupt. From 1855 to 1863 Rev. Heinrich Koenig served as pastor, and from the latter date until 1867, Rev. J. Sutter served in this capacity. Prior to 1868 the ministers were supplied by the synod, but at this
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period the church, largely of a union character, divided; the Re- formed members, of whom we write, organizing independently of any synod, under the present title of "The German Evangelical St. Paul's Church." This is the foundation of the present church, while the other branch will be found elsewhere, treated under St. Mark's Lutheran Church.
In 1868, a committee was appointed to secure a new church site, and in May of the same year Rev. Heinisch took charge of the congregation.
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ST. PAUL'S GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
In April, 1869, it was determined to build a church, and a committee, consisting of J. H. Timmermeister, Wm. Taeusch, and Charles Wintzer, was appointed on subscriptions. The committee on building consisted of J. H. Timmermeister, Wm. Heinrich, and H. Miller. The first action was the erection of a parsonage the same year. In September, 1870, Rev. Rentzsch was elected pastor, and the following year the old building was sold, and a new one erected at a cost of $1,350. In 1873, Rev. Adolph Thomas was elected pastor, and two years later was succeeded by Ullrich Thomas, who was succeeded in 1876 by Rev. Zeinecke. In Septem- ber, 1878, Rev. Burkhardt took charge of the congregation, and
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served fourteen years. In 1892, Rev. L. Alperman, formerly a missionary in South Africa, accepted a call from the church, and served as pastor until his death, which occurred February 18th, 1898. Rev. Alperman was succeeded by Rev. Richard Stave, August, 1898, a talented and popular young minister, who re- signed in 1900 to accept a call from Baltimore, Maryland. Rev. Stave was succeeded by Rev. Carl Fritsch, who served until No- vember, 1902, when he resigned to accept a call from Meystown, Illinois. The church was remodeled during his pastorate, at a cost of $1903. Services were held in the auditorium of the new court house during the remodeling of the church. Rev. A. Hils, now presiding, was elected in 1903. In September, 1876, the church united with the Protestant Synod of the West, with which it is still associated. The present constitution was adopted June Ioth, 1877, and properly recorded.
The membership on roll at present amounts to two hundred. The officers at present are as follows: Rev. A. Hils, official President ; Wm. Kayser, Secretary: John Taeusch, Treasurer ; Andrew Smith and J. C. Moell, Elders; Louis Schneider, G. H. Stroh, and J. H. Burk. Deacons.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
(From the Church Record.)
"The undersigned members of the Presbytery of Sidney, Ohio, appointed to visit Wapakoneta and organize a church in that place, if the way be open, met with the people of that town and vicinity on Saturday the 23d day of September, 1854. A sermon was preached by the Rev. W. C. Hollyday, (in the old Lutheran church that stood on the corner of Logan and Main streets), after which the following persons presented certificates of church membership, viz: Wm. Shell, John Musser, Rachel Musser (his wife). Louise Musser, Sarah Musser, Sylvia Bishop and Margaret Walkup. The following persons were examined for membership, viz: James Bishop. John E. Mitchell, Harriet Mitchell. Jane Ann Howe, and Jane S. Kelly. Whereupon it was resolved to proceed immediately to the election of one ruling elder. This being done, resulted in the election of Wm. Shell. Mr. Shell having declared his willingness to accept the office, and your com- mittee having satisfactory evidence that he is now an elder in the Presbyterian church, proceeded immediately to his installation.
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It was agreed that the church be called the First Presbyterian Church of Wapakoneta.
The congregation was then dismissed with the benediction.
MILO TEMPLETON, W. C. HOLLYDAY."
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
There were no regular services at Wapakoneta until August 22d, 1859, when a committee of the Presbytery of Sidney met the congregation of Wapakoneta in the old Lutheran church. At that meeting the services of Rev. G. W. Hillman were secured, at a salary of $200 for one-third of his time. Rev. Hillman was succeeded in 1861 by Rev. Wm. M. Galbreth, who served until 1863. Through the enterprise and energy of Rev. Galbreth the present church edifice was erected in 1861-2. The building com-
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mittee consisted of James Harper, A. H. Trimble and J. B. Craig. The contract for laying the foundation and building the walls was awarded to David Hawkey, and the carpenter work to Wm. Craft and Henry Nichols. The first services in the new church were held in the fall of 1863.
The following pastors have served since 1863: Rev. J. M. Drake, to March 18th, 1865; Rev. W. H. Honnell, half time, to. 1866; Rev. T. H. Long, to Sept., 1867; preaching by ministers from surrounding churches from 1867 to 1869; Rev. D. W. Coo- per, half time, from 1869 to 1872; Rev. W. E. Hill, to 1876; preaching by ministers from surrounding churches from 1876 to- 1877; Rev. D. W. Cooper, from 1877 to 1880; Rev. C. E. Ted- ford, to 1884; Rev. A. N. Robertson, one year on half time ; Rev. H. W. Clark, a student from Lane Seminary, one year; Rev. E. D. Van Dyke, to 1889; Rev. C. D. Hoover, from 1889 to 1897; Rev. J. O. Pierce, to 1899; Rev. D. Ira Lambert, to 1902; Rev. John R. Loyd, now (1903) pastor in charge.
The church membership at the present time (1903) is 125. Sabbath school enrollment, 75.
The church officers are as follows: Pastor, Rev. John R. Loyd; Treasurer, D. J. Davis; Elders, J. L. Carson, A. L. Whiteman, F. A. Musser, J. M. Greenslade. Trustees, James Wilson, Jr., Samuel Craig, Wm. Myers, Mrs. D. J. Davis, and Mrs. Thomas McWilliams.
ST. MARK'S LUTHERAN CHURCH.
(From the Church Record.)
"In the year of our Lord, 1865, an organization was effected by a number of persons, who had seceded from the General Synod. (New Measure Lutheran) church of Wapakoneta; not indeed, because of confessional but of political differences and partisan spirit.
"Following is a verbatim copy of that, which the march of time and the ravaging moths did not destroy, and which was. taken from the corner stone in a crumbled condition.
"St. Mark's Lutheran Church was organized Apr. 2d, (Sab- bath) 1865.
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DEDICATION.
"We, the members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Wapa- koneta, having been forcibly ejected from the original Lutheran Church of this place, by the unchristian and intolerable spirit of a portion of the members, and having a disposition to dictate, our feeling compels us to decide such matter for our- selves, - in order to a more perfect union and purer Christian fellowship, appealing to God for the purity of our motives, trust- ing to Him for success, have organized under the above title and name, and being without a suitable place of worship, have met on this 22nd day of April, A. D., 1865, in the court house, in con- vention with our friends and fellow citizens, to decide upon measures to secure means to build a 'House for God,' Therefore,
Resolved, that with a zeal commensurate with the justice of our cause, we will not cease till the work is complete, Amen.
W. C. BARNETT, Pastor.
N. B. - For names of organizers and contributors see Au- glaize County Democrat."
"The above mentioned organization was of short duration. They began, but never completed the building for which the cor- ner stone was laid on the 26th day of August, 1865, by Rev. W. C. Barnett, assisted by Rev. C. Steck, of Hamilton, Ohio. Here we drop the curtain, to hide that which was and is no more.
"Sic transit gloria mundi.
"In the year of our Lord 1868, the founders of the present flourishing Evangelical Lutheran congregation purchased, fin- ished and consecrated this house to the worship of the triune God, at the cost of about $2,100.
"This congregation was organized on the 19th day of Janu- ary, 1868. The nucleus for this new enterprise came from what was once known as the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, served for many years by the Rev. H. Koenig, and was succeeded by Rev. G. Sutter. Doctrinal differences having arisen in the old St. Paul's Church, a large number of the conservative type of Luth- erans withdrew. Rev. W F Lehmann, of sacred memory, was invited to aid in the organization. Under his efficient guidance and counsel, a constitution, approved by the Evangelical Joint Synod of Ohio, and adjacent States, was read, adopted and sub-
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scribed to by the following members: C. Hoffman, Christian Heisler, Ludwig Piehl, Charles Melching, J. G. Wisener, Henry Freitag, C. Wolf, C. Naumberg, Adam Knaerr, Henry Frech, Christian Schnell, Henry Buerbach, H. Ruck, George Ruck, Ben- jamin Zisenis, Zach. Meag, L. Wisener, Julia Prieser, O. Melloss, August Franke, August Johnson, W. F. Schwertfeger, Anna Roth, J. C. Hassenier, Jacob Schneider, George Fisher, L. Koch, Christian Fisher, and John Fisher.
"The new congregation was called the Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church. But as the church was so generally known by the original name, the present congregation by resolution, Aug. Ioth, 1890, changed back to St. Mark's.
"The first regular pastor was Rev. E. Buchholtz, who served two years, and under whose supervision the church edifice was completed and dedicated. The second pastor was Rev. F. Wendt, who remained pastor of the congregation until May, 1877. The third pastor was Rev. C. Benzin, who served until the summer of 1883, when the congregation again became vacant.
"At a congregational meeting held August 26th, 1883, the following significant resolution was offered and carried by a unanimous vote, to-wit :
"Resolved, That we find it necessary in view of the growing up generation to supply this congregation with a minister, who shall be capable of preaching his sermons both in the German and English languages; and that he shall preach both German and English as necessity requires.
"In compliance with this resolution a unanimous call was extended to and accepted by Rev. G. Schmogrow, of Doylestown, Ohio, whose pastoral labors began January Ist, 1884, and termi- nated in June, 1900. He was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Frischkorn, who served as pastor from April, 1901, to October, 1902. Rev. Frischkorn was succeeded by Rev. E. J. E. Kuhlman in November, 1902, and who is now ( 1903) pastor in charge.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Immediately upon the settlement of Wapakoneta, the Meth- odists formed a class, and in 1834, erected a frame church building on lot No. 65, on Mechanic's street. Mr. James Elliott, the most influential member, contributed most of the means for the con-
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struction of the building. The lot on which the old church was erected was donated by ----- Perrine, of Dayton, Ohio.
In 1863, the society determined to build a larger and a more commodious building. Dr. C. Berlin was appointed to go to Day- ton, and, if possible secure an exchange of lot No. 65 for lot 66 on the same street. The exchange was secured, and the church was erected the next year at a cost of $1,700.
In 1829, Rev. Robert Finley, father of Rev. James B. Finley,
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
organized classes at Celina, Shane's Crossing, Wilshire, St. Mary's and Ft. Amanda. These classes constituted what was called Ce- lina Mission Circuit. When the class was organized at Wapa- koneta in 1833, it was attached to the Celina circuit. The class at its organization consisted of the following members: James Elliott and family, Robert Mccullough and wife, Joseph Milner and wife, Abraham Alspaugh and wife, Martin Barr, and Mr. Gray.
The following is a complete list of the ministers who have preached here since 1833 :
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1833, Rev. John Alexander. The first quarterly conference for that year was held at Lima, October 19th and 20th. Rev. W. H. Raper, presiding elder.
1834, Rev. P. Warham, missionary, and Rev. L. Guerney, presiding elder.
1835, Rev. John O. Conoway, missionary.
1836, Rev. Isaac Bennett and Rev. John Stanley, and Rev. Jaynes, presiding elder.
1838, Rev. Geo. Armstrong, missionary, and Rev. Elmer Yokum, presiding elder. At this date the mission circuit included the following fifteen classes, viz: Van Wert, Wilshire, Shanes- ville, Mercer, Mendon, Harpers, Bethel, Eight Mile, Sugar Ridge, Tomlinson, Spriggs, Buck Creek, Guilford, St. Mary's, and Wapa- koneta.
In 1839, that portion of the mission including the classes of St. Mary's, Ft. Amanda, and Wapakoneta, was attached to the Michigan conference. In that year Rev. Martin Welsh, and Rev. Liberty Prentice were the missionaries, and Rev. Elmer Yocum, presiding elder.
The following missionaries preached at Wapakoneta from 1840 to 1853. No record of presiding elders: 1840, Rev. A. B. Wambaugh; 1841, Rev. W. A. Bacon; 1842, Rev. Edward Wil- liams and Rev. James W. McNaab; 1843, Rev. Samuel Beatty and Rev. Amos Wilson; 1844-5, Rev. Alexander Harmount and Rev. C. Owens; 1846, Rev. John R. Jewett and Rev. James McBarr; 1847, Rev. C. B. Brandenburg and Rev. Elisha Hock ; 1848, Rev. Samuel L. Yourtee; 1849, Rev. Jacob S. Albright ; 1850, Rev. Wm. Hodson; 1851-2, Rev. Reuben D. Oldfield ; 1853, Rev. J. F. Burkholder; 1854, Rev. Gersham Lease and Rev. Nathan S. Morris; 1855-6, Rev. Patrick G. Goode; 1857, Rev. Harrison Maltbie and Rev. Deverick P. Darling ; 1858, Rev. Rich- ard Lawrence; 1859-60, Rev. - Webster and Rev.
Ray; 1861, Rev. - Ray and Rev. H. M. Shafer, presiding elder; 1862-3, Rev. Leroy A. Belt; 1864, Rev. Adam C. Barnes ; 1865-6, Rev. I. N. Kalb; 1867-8, Rev. Charles H. Zimmerman ; 1869, Rev. Crozier; 1870, Rev. David J. Whiting; 1871, Rev. - Hoadley; 1872, Rev. Jesse Carr; 1873-4, Rev. Wes- ley Spurgeon Ray ; 1875-6, Rev. J. Jameson ; 1877-8, Rev. Scott; 1879, Rev. W. J. Hunter; 1880, Rev. R. R. Bryan; 1881, Rev. L. H. Lindsay; 1882-4, Rev. M. M. Figley ; (membership 82
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in 1885); 1885, Rev. J. H. Cater; 1886 to 1891, Rev. D. F. Helms ; 1891, Rev. Dwight R. Cook; 1892-6, Rev. W. H. Leather- man ; 1896-1900, Rev. C. W. Taneyhill; 1900, Rev. J. C. Roberts, now (1903) pastor in charge.
In 1888 the parsonage was built at a cost of $1,500.
The present membership in the church is 275.
The enrollment in the Sabbath-school is 75.
ENGLISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
The organization of this church was effected on Christmas day, 1857, at a meeting held in the old M. E. church in Wapa- koneta. The members present at the organization were: Geo. Rench. Joshua Shawber, John Shawber, Geo. H. Dapper, Cath- arine Rench, Rebecca Shawber, Rachel Shawber, Catharine W. Hills, Catharine Kuhn, and Malinda Elliott.
Rev. A. F. Hills became the first pastor, and the first board of officers was formed by the election of Joshua Shawber and Geo. H. Dapper, elders, and John Shawber and Geo. Rench, deacons. In April, 1859, a committee on building was appointed, consisting of Joshua Shawber, J. H. Seibert, and John Shawber. Imme- diate steps were taken toward the erection of a church. The fol- lowing June the pastor, Rev. A. F. Hills, was removed by death. He had organized the congregation and labored with it during its weakness, and his loss was severely felt. During the infancy of the church, Mr. John Shawber, by his untiring devotion, con- tributed largely to the advancement of the cause. He contrib- uted freely of his means, and his home became the home of the ministers.
The first sermon was preached in the new building, January 28th, 1860, by Rev. W. H. Wynn. On the 3Ist of the same month the church was formally dedicated by Rev. W. F. Conrad, of Springfield, Ohio. He was assisted in the exercises by Rev. W. H. Wynn and Rev. J. W. Goodlin. The building and ground had cost $3,000, and on this occasion $816 was raised, which was suf- ficient to liquidate the whole building debt.
Rev. J. W. Goodlin took charge of the church April Ist, 1860, serving as pastor the following eight months, and was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Barnett, April Ist, 1861, who retained the pastorate until March, 1865. The following July Rev. D. W. Smith entered the field, and after serving as supply during the summer, accepted
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a call to the pastorate, in which capacity he labored until April, 1872, when he resigned to accept a call to Mansfield, Ohio. He was succeeded the same month by Rev. S. Ernsberger, who served
Dunlt 1853
It's Evangelical Lutheran Church. Built 1892
until April, 1877, when he resigned to accept a call to Lucas, Ohio. The following June Rev. D. A. Kuhn became pastor, and served in that capacity until April Ist, 1881. He was succeeded by Rev. A. E. Wagoner, who resigned May Ist, 1884. Rev. Wagoner was succeeded by Rev. Geo. M. Grau, D. D., who served until
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· Oct. 1885. Rev. Miller served from April, 1886 to 1890, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel S. Adams, who served until Sep- tember, 1897. Rev. Adams was succeeded by Rev. W. P. Range- ler, who resigned his pastorate December 9th, 1900. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. Jacob Henry Culler, D. D., the present pastor (1903) in charge.
The old church edifice erected in 1857, stood on the corner of Blackhoof and Mechanic streets until 1892, when a larger build- ing was considered necessary. In that year the present handsome pressed brick building was erected, at an estimated cost of $20,000, and was dedicated April, 1903.
The church membership at the present time (1903) is 250.
The Sabbath school enrollment is 140.
The church officers are as follows:
Rev. Jacob Henry Culler, D. D., pastor.
Elders - Thomas Elliott and Lewis Wisener.
Deacons - W. J. McMurray, Isaiah Brokaw and S. L. Dap- . per.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1890, having a membership of eighteen at that time. Immediately following the organization a church building was erected on McMurray street at a cost of $1,000.
The following pastors have served since the society was or- ganized : 1890, Rev. J. D. Lusk; 1891, Rev. E. Counseler ; 1892, Rev. J. W. Lake; 1893, Rev. E. Counseler ; 1894, Rev. T. Coats ; 1895, Rev. W. E. Bay ; 1896, Rev. J. V. Cline; 1897-8, Rev. C. A. Alexander ; 1899, Rev. W. Wilgus; 1900, Rev. A. H. Ballinger ; 1901, Rev. E. Baldue ; 1902, Rev. . Easterbrook.
The present membership of the church (1903) is 40.
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
Little or nothing is known of Catholicity in Auglaize county, Ohio, previous to 1831. The names of Catholics are prominent in history as among the first settlers, in fact, the town of Minster, in the southwestern part of Auglaize, was founded by Mr. F. J. Stallo, a Catholic, and was for some time called after him.
During the year 1831 Prof. Horstman, physician and priest, came from Glandorf, Germany, and located at Glandorf, Putnam
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county, Ohio, from which point he visited many different points in several adjacent counties in search of Catholics. It seems that he arranged to visit Minster regularly once each month, and while on these trips came to Wapakoneta, celebrating the first masses in the homes of the pioneer Catholics. The Catholic residents
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH.
were but few in number at that time. These years were com- paratively ignorant times, when prejudice was strong and it re- quired an effort that the present generation can hardly appreciate to keep the light of faith burning in the hearts of the people.
Nothing but the most indomitable courage, perseverance and love of God and their church could have brought them out tri- umphant over the obstacles that rose in the way of every step.
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Little do people today realize the hardships and labor en- countered by the traveling missionaries of these early days in their effort to spread the light of the Gospel to those in darkness, and that they might minister to the spiritual wants of the few faithful ones gathered together in small bands in the homes which are now vanished through decay.
Among the Catholic families of 1834 we may mention the Kellers, Seiferts, Kiningers, Sabins, Landkammers, Goetzes, Schmidts, Wersts, Moslers and Weimerts.
In 1833, the first church at Petersburg was built of logs and dedicated to the honor of S. S. Peter and Paul. The Catholics of Wapakoneta attended services in this log cabin church and it was not until 1839 that a frame church was erected on the corner of Pearl and Blackhoof streets in Wapakoneta, to which an addition was afterward built. This church seems to have been attended from Petersburg. During 1850 a neat little church had been built at Petersburg, and our baptismal records show that Revs. Win- ands, Schafroth and Muckerheide attended Wapakoneta for some time. These were followed during 1850 and 1851 by Revs. Andrew Kunkler, C. P. P. S., H. Herzog, Aloysius Schelbert, C. P. P. S., Nicholas Vinlands and Father Viands.
Rev. Father Muckerheide again attended Wapakoneta from 1855 to 1857.
The importance of religious instructions had not been over- looked by our zealous Catholic forefathers, and a school was founded during 1853, classes being held in various homes until some years later, when a frame building, opposite the present site of the church, was secured for school purposes. In the same year (1853) it was decided to erect a brick church 80 by 125 feet in size. The contracts for its building were never fulfilled and after years and years of litigation the congregation sustained a very heavy loss and were still without a place to worship.
Rev. Andrew Herbstrit, C. P. P. S., came to Wapakoneta in the early part of 1857, and was, practically, the first resident priest of the parish. Under his pastorate and guidance the pres- ent church building was erected, the disappointed congregation having liberally responded to his earnest appeal for subscriptions and by their assistance in every other way possible. The edifice was completed and dedicated to the honor of St. Joseph in 1858.
Four bells, aggregating two tons in weight, were purchased
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for $1,700 cash, and in 1869 a two-story school was erected at a cost of $4,000. A very beautiful and substantial pipe organ was installed at a cost of $2,000 in 1879.
St. Joseph's church has been attended regularly since 1857, by the priests of the Precious Blood from Carthagenia, Mercer county. Among these may be mentioned Father Engelbert Ruf, who, we are pleased to state, is still alive at the good old age of 94 years. Besides Father Ruf, Revs. Jos. Dwenger, '64 to '66, Xavier Griesmayer, '64 to '66, and '69 to '72, Christ French, '66 to '69, Nicholas Graf, '72 to '75, Francis Nigsch, '75 to '81, Con- rad Schneider, '81 to '88, Fr. J. Schalk, '88 to '92, Bonifacius Russ, '92 to '97, and the present pastor, Rev. Wm. Russ, who has remained since 1897.
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