USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 19
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"Resolved, that it is expedient for the friends of the Protestant Episco- pal church in this place to organize themselves into a society and become a body corporate and politic; therefore,
"Resolved, that we, inhabitants of Mount Vernon and its vicinity here assembled under the provisions of an act of the Legislature of the state of Ohio, passed February 5. A. D. 1819, for the purpose of incorporating relig- ious societies and regulating the same, do agree to, and hereby do, associate ourselves as a society by the name and title of Union Church, to make pro- vision for the due celebration and proper performance of divine worship, ac- cording to the rites and usages of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, and to transact all kinds of secular and conventional business pertaining to the parish, as we are authorized to transact, according to the above mentioned act, and the constitution and canons of said church, as adopted by the diocese of Ohio; also that of the general convention of said Protestant Episcopal church in the United States; therefore,
"We, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge and declare ourselves friends of said Episcopal church, and our desire to support it, do unite ourselves as a society or congregation by the name above written, and for the purposes a foresaid.
(Signed) "C. P. Bronson, Samuel Mott, Hosmer Curtis, J. N. Burr, Benjamin S. Brown, James S. Banning, John Clements, John Clements. Jr., Samuel Sparrow. John W. Russell, Ebenezer Alling, John Sherman and H. B. Curtis "
The first signature. C. P. Bronson, is that of the acting resident rector, as the Rev. Mr Bronson in his report to the convention held at Gambier, Sep- tember 9-1I, 1829, refers to his work, as follows: "That he officiated one- half of the time in St. Paul's church, Norwalk, until Easter Monday, at which
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time, with the advice and consent of the Bishop, he removed to Mount Ver- non. The prospects of this parish are encouraging, and, the Lord willing, re- newed exertion will be made the ensuing year to erect a church, which it is expected. will be accomplished. In this parish Mr. Bronson has preached or procured preaching by exchange equal to once a week since Easter Monday."
The first parish meeting was held at the office of B. S. Brown, Esq., September 7, 1829. At this meeting the following officers were elected : John Clements. warden ; Samuel Sparrow, Daniel S. Norton, Jesse B. Thomas, Henry B. Curtis, vestrymen. John Clements was elected a delegate to the diocesan convention to be held at Gambier on the 9th of September following.
At the convention the Rev. Mr. Bronson in the list of clergy is indi- cated as "residing in Mt. Vernon." In the list of parishes, Zanesville, Mt. Vernon and Norwalk have indicated as their minister, the Rev. C. P. Bronson.
At a meeting of the members of the church February 2, 1830, a resolution was adopted "declaring it expedient to proceed to the erection of a building for the accommodation of the congregation as a place of worship." Prior to the erection of a church edifice the congregation worshiped in the old Presby- terian church, the old court house, and then in a small frame school house that stood on West Vine street. The lot upon which the church now stands was purchased in March. 1830, of James Newell for two hundred dollars, and on May 6th following the corner-stone of the first Episcopal church was laid by Bishop Chase, who on the same day united in marriage Dr. Jonathan N. Burr and Miss Eliza Ann Thomas, the first marriage recorded in the parish history.
On February 4th, 1830, the Legislature of the state of Ohio passed an act incorporating "the wardens and vestrymen of the parish of Union church, Mt. Vernon, Ohio."
The name of the Rev. Mr. Bronson is not mentioned in the parish record after the month of March, 1830.
At a vestry meeting August 17, 1831. the name of Union church was changed to that of St. Paul's, and the Rev. William Sparrow, a professor in Kenyon College, was "appointed rector of St. Paul's church."
The Rt. Rev. Charles P. McIlvaine, D. D., successor of Bishop Chase, consecrated the first church building, a frame structure, on the second Sunday in September, 1833.
The Rev. William Sparrow, who at this time was vice-president and Milnor professor of divinity in the Theological Seminary and Kenyon College, Gambier, resigned in February, 1834, on account of ill health, and the same month the Rev. Anson B. Hard, of the diocese of Vermont, was called as rector, and came to the parish the latter part of August following.
(13)
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In 1836 the church, finished in 1833. was declared to be unsafe, and Co- lumbus Delano. George Browning and Timothy W. Rogers were appointed to take into consideration the possibilities of building a new one. After con- siderable delay it was decided by the congregation to take down the old church and place a new building on the same site, but changing its front to High . street instead of Gay, as the first was built. May 30, 1836, the sum of four thousand dollars having been subscribed for building a new church, and a plan, presented by C. P. Buckingham, having been adopted, the rebuilding be- gan. In the latter part of 1837, the new church was so far completed as to enable the congregation to worship in the basement. The building was finished in the spring of 1839 and duly consecrated by Bishop McIlvaine, July 21, 1839. The new building, when completely finished and furnished, cost the congregation twelve thousand dollars. Rev. Mr. Hard resigned the rector- ship July 23. 1839, leaving a membership of ninety-seven at the close of his ministry. The Rev. William Halsey succeeded Mr. Hard, but resigned May 12, 1841.
At a meeting of the vestry held June 5. 1841, a call was extended the Rev. Joseph Muencher, D. D., a professor in the theological seminary at Gambier. and on the 4th of July he began his work as rector. Dr. Muencher was an accomplished musician. and mainly through his efforts an organ costing six hundred dollars was placed in the church. During the year 1853 a schism occurred in the church. A number of members withdrew and formed them- selves into a new organization under the name of Christ church. Subsequently the schism was healed and the seceders were received back into the fold. Dr. Muencher was one of the charter members, and the first eminent commander of Clinton Commandery, Knights Templar, from 1843 to 1852.
During the rectorship of Dr. Muencher the parish suffered loss by death of some of its most prominent members, among whom were John Sherman, 1841 ; John Ridgely, M. D., 1843; Mrs. Mary P. Buckingham, 1844; Timothy W. Rogers. 1845: Rebecca Thomas, 1851, whose name stands first on the communion list of the parish; Marcus W. Stamp, M. D., 1852, of whom the clerk's record says, "a communicant of the church of great moral worth;" Hon. Jesse B. Thomas. 1853, one of the active members of the parish, "dis- tinguished as a judge, and as a member of the United States Senate." Dr. Muencher resigned his charge of the parish February 13, 1855.
The Rev. J. Rice Taylor was called to succeed Dr. Muencher. It was during his ministry that a great impetus was given to the Sunday school work. The work became more and more prosperous until St. Paul's Sunday school, under its superintendent, Columbus Delano, stood in the front rank of
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those west of the mountains. August 29. 1859, Columbus Delano made a proposition to present a rectory to the parish, providing the debt due James E. Woodbridge, being the balance due on the building of the church, was paid. Mr. Woodbridge offered to relinquish his claim of one thousand seven hundred eighty-seven dollars and ninety-two cents provided the sum of one thousand dollars should be paid him. These propositions were accepted, all claims paid and the rectory secured.
Mr. Taylor resigned August 30, 1859, and was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Bonte, who. having been appointed chaplain of the Forty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, resigned the rectorship January 26, 1862. During this year James Huntsberry died, the church lost "a consistent and devoted member," and the city "an exemplary and upright citizen."
In August, 1862, the Rev. George B. Reece accepted a call to the parish. On the death of Milo Abernethy, by his will he left a legacy of five hundred dollars. This money was used in enlarging and improving the rectory. Mr. Reece resigned October 23, 1865. Although without a rector, the year 1866 witnessed some great changes. The organ was taken down and a melodeon substituted. The four stoves were removed and a heating plant arranged in the basement.
In January, 1867, Rev. Robert B. Peet became rector of the parish. Dur- ing this year the melodeon lost favor and was replaced by a new organ costing one thousand eight hundred dollars which Dr. Muencher purchased at Boston for the parish. In 1868 the stained glass windows were added at a cost of over six hundred dollars. Mr. Peet resigned the rectorship February 20, 1871. In this year Mrs. Eliza Russell died. From the earliest history of the parish she had been an active and devoted member.
The Rev. William Thompson was called, as rector, April 26, 1872. Death removed Judge Rollin C. Hurd February 12, 1874, a distinguished jurist, "a consistent Christian, large-hearted in benevolence and charity."
In 1875 a movement to repair the church building and effect some changes was inaugurated, and three thousand dollars subscribed. The repairs and additions were a recess chancel, a vestment and vestry room at the northeast corner of the church and the transfer of the organ from the gallery in the rear to the chancel end of the church.
The Rev. Albert B. Putnam assumed the rectorate November 1, 1885. During this year Henry B. Curtis, a member of the first vestry chosen in 1829, died. During the early part of 1886 the initiative was taken to establish a "bov choir," which was soon carried out, with James Kaye, of Gambier, as choir master. The beginning of the year 1879 found the church with a debt of one thousand three hundred and sixty dollars. Miss Emma Bridge paid this
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debt on condition that the vestry paint the exterior of the church and build a substantial fence around the church yard. The present iron fence with the brown stone corner and gate posts were the result of this consideration. No- vember 27. 1880. Christian Peterman died. He had been junior warden for many years in association with Dr. Burr as senior warden and a devoted worker with Henry C. Taft and others in the Sunday school.
Dr. John W. Russell died March 22, 1887. His association with the church covered the entire history of the parish to this time.
A fire occurred in the church January 25. 1889, by the gas igniting ever- green trimmings. Insurance received, five hundred and seventy-four dollars. This necessitated improvements. The new seats were placed in the church as a memorial to Mrs. Zorada Keimes, who had bequeathed the church five hun- dred dollars, the church was refrescoed, the vestibule entrance built with money raised by the women of the parish, choir stalls placed in the chancel and other improvements, altogether costing three thousand dollars. The "St. Paul window." in center of the sanctuary wall, was given by the children as a memorial of their father, Chambers Ash.
Upon the resignation of Mr. Putnam, April 30, 1889, the Rev. Professor Hosea W. Jones D. D., of Bexley Hall, Gambier, was called, but replied, "that he could not at present accept the permanent rectorship, but desired to continue the present pleasant arrangements until further notice." He had been supplying Sunday service, while continuing his work at Gambier. This was acceptable to the vestry. Finally an official call was tendered Dr. Jones February 1, 1890, and he became rector, removing to Mount Vernon while continuing some of his classes at Gambier. September 7, 1889, Dr. Jonathan N. Burr, a charter member and one of the stanchest members throughout the entire history of the church, died in his ninetieth year.
A parish reception to the Rt. Rev. W. A. Leonard, D. D., third bishop of Ohio, was held at the home of H. L. Curtis. November 1. 1889. The large iron flower vase in the churchyard was a gift of Charles Cooper in 1890. On account of extra work being assigned him at Bexley Hall, Dr. Jones resigned November 1. 1891, and returned to Gambier.
Rev. George F. Smythe, D. D., was called as rector December 5, 1891. The rectory was old and inadequate. Dr. Jones had not lived in it, and Dr. Smythe rented a house. A fund of seven hundred dollars for some years had been accumulating known as "the chapel fund." As early as February, 1892, the vestry took official action looking toward the erection of a new rectory.
August 29, 1892. the parish came into possession of $1,000, a bequest of William Franklin Baldwin, by whose will it might be applied to several pur- poses. The vestry elected that it should be toward a parish chapel to be known as the "Baldwin Memorial Chapel."
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Under date of October 29, 1892, Columbus Delano, in behalf of himself and wife, addressed a communication to St. Paul's vestry to erect on the rec- tory site a new house not exceeding three thousand dollars, if the vestry, or some other party, would agree to erect a suitable chapel for which there was on hand now as part payment two thousand dollars, these buildings to be erected by October 1, 1893. There is not space here to follow the minutiae of these negotiations, but the results were, a new rectory, a memorial to Mr. and Mrs Delano, and a lot purchased opposite the church on High street and a commodious and beautiful parish house erected thereon. In the front of the parish house is the little gem of a chapel memorial to "William Franklin Baldwin, vestryman and choirmaster." The completed parish house property cost about eight thousand dollars. Both buildings bear the date of 1894 upon corner-stones. Columbus Delano entered into rest October 23, 1896. Dr. Smythe resigned April 20, 1899.
The Rev. William E. Hull, the present rector, was called to the parish September 1, 1899. In 1901, the organ was rebuilt and improved at a cost of nine hundred dollars. Afterward the stained glass windows were rebuilt. The parish house debt was liquidated in 1903. The interior improvements of the church, fresco, hard wood floor, carpet runners, electric light plant, new furnaces and chancel wood work, costing about one thousand five hundred dollars, occurred in 1895, and the exterior painting and repairs of church oc- curred in 1909.
Four memorial tablets adorn the walls of the church to the memory of Rev. Joseph Muencher, D. D., Dr. John W. Russell, Columbus Delano and John S. Ringwalt. A tablet to the memory of the deceased members of the Women's Auxiliary Missionary Society is placed on the wall of the Baldwin Memorial chapel in the parish house, largely through the leadership of Mrs. Eliza Cooper, a devoted member of the auxiliary from its organization. Help- ing witnesses of those gone on before are memorial funds, Timothy W. Rog- ers, one hundred dollars ; Miss Belle Rogers, one hundred dollars; Henry L. Curtis, five hundred dollars ; Denis Quaid, five hundred dollars ; Mrs. Mary Banning, in behalf of her mother, Mrs. Eliza Prentiss Curtis, one hundred dollars.
Limited space prevents the specific mention of many devoted adherents of St. Paul's, and of many concerted efforts and accomplishments of the noble women who have done so much toward making St. Paul's what it is today, one of the strong and efficient parishes of the diocese of Ohio.
CHAPTER XV.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
The day was when any secret civic society was not popular with the masses, but, thanks be to reason and intelligence, that day has forever past. The best, truest and greatest characters known to history have had their affiliations with some one of the numerous secret organizations of their day and generation. The years of eternity alone can reveal the amount of good accomplished in character-building, charity and benevolence manifested and higher standards of living, by the existence of such fraternal organizations as the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and kindred orders, whose only aim is to do good and befriend all mankind.
MASONRY IN KNOX COUNTY.
Masonry has a history in Knox county dating back more than a century. Mount Zion Lodge No. 9, Free and Accepted Masons, was granted a char- ter January 8, 1810, by the grand lodge of Ohio in session at Chillicothe, upon the petition of Samuel H. Smith, Nathaniel W. Little, Richard Fishback, William Little, Alexander Enos, Jr., Ichabod Nye and Thomas Brown. The dispensation was granted really in 1809 and the lodge located at the village of Clinton and the number given to it was 7, but on account of some needless delays matters ran along until in January, 1810, when the number was changed to 9 and the charter granted full and complete. The lodge had its home in Clinton until 1815, when it was changed to Mount Vernon. The first officers were : Samuel H. Smith, worshipful master; Alfred Manning, senior warden ; Ichabod Nye, junior warden ; Samuel Nye, treasurer ; Oliver Strong, secretary ; William F. Roberts, senior deacon; James Miller, junior deacon; William Bartlett and Peter Wolfe, stewards, and Richard Fishback, . tyler. The first representative to the grand lodge from this lodge was Samuel H. Smith. The first Masonic funeral was that of Richard Fishback, a mer- chant of Clinton, May 23, 1814. The first celebration of the day of John the Baptist took place June 24. 1813. The first meeting of the lodge after re- moving to Mt. Vernon was April 5, 1817. in the old court house. The first Masonic funeral after removing to Mt. Vernon was that of Andrew M. Rob-
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erts, April 18, 1819, the discourse being rendered by Rev. Thomas Rigdon, from the words, "Be ye also ready."
The lodge held its meetings in the court house and old brick school house which stood on Mulberry street until 1880, when it was torn down. In the autumn of 1818. a joint school building and lodge room was started to be constructed. It was not a large affair, but served well for the times in which it was erected. The lodge room was on the second floor and cost about one hundred and seventy-nine dollars, all told; it was built of brick and stood as just mentioned until torn down in 1880 to make place for the Brown resi- dence. Finally, in 1872, the lodge leased rooms in the National Bank block of Columbus Delano for a term of sixteen years, at two hundred and forty dollars per year. Then the lease was extended five years longer at one hundred and sixty dollars per year. In the autumn of 1887 the lodge purchased the present Temple building, then known as the Kremlin block, with other prop- erty later. Other changes came in the building until today the lodge enjoys, with other Masonic societies, the commodious building in which they now assemble. It was formally dedicated April 21, 1892. The furniture and in- terior fixtures are among the best in the state. Over four hundred names are enrolled as either resident or non-resident members.
MASONRY AT FREDERICKTOWN.
Thrall lodge No. 170, at the town of Fredericktown, first worked under dispensation January 9, 1848, and under charter from October, 1849. Its first members were as follows: Benjamin J. Lewis, Israel Underwood, Will- iam McK. Amsdon, Delano Dexter, John Garrison, Thomas Trahern, H. M. Shafer, Jesse L. Holley, Truman Strong, Abner Ayers, B. H. Taylor and Benjamin F. Smith. Morris Sharpe was the first member installed. In 1880 this lodge had a membership of sixty-seven and its present membership is one hundred and eight, with officers as follows: F. B. Levering, worshipful master : W. H. Eastman, M. D., senior warden; C. F. Fink, junior warden; J. N. Braddock, treasurer; E. V. Ackerman, M. D., secretary ; L. B. Acker- man, chaplain; S. Cocanour, tyler.
The past masters have been : B. I. Lewis, 1848-9; B. F. Smith, 1850-52; G. W. Woodcock, 1853-54 ; C. P. Hill, 1855-65, inclusive ; Levi Hiple, 1866-7; C. P. Hill, 1868-69 ; A. Keller, 1870; C. P. Hill, 1871-72: G. A. Kraft, 1873; C. P. Hill, 1874; N. J. McGrew, 1875 ; Ed. Burson, 1876; A. L. Beers, 1877 ; C. P. Hill. 1878; N. J. McGrew, 1879-80-81 ; L. B. Ackerman, 1882-83 ; G A. Kraft, 1884; C. P. Hill, 1885 ; P. Mengert, 1886-7-8; W. H. Boyd, 1889-90; C. W. Smith, 1891 ; P. Mengert, 1892 ; W. W. Pennell, M. D., 1893; W. H.
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Boyd. 1894: C. W. Smith. 1895-6: P. Mengert, 1897; W. W. Pennell, M. D., 1898-1900: A. C. Huddle, 1901-02: J. N. Braddock, 1903-04: E. V. Acker- man, M. D., 1905-06: L. J. Duke, 1907-08; F. B. Levering, 1910.
DANVILLE MASONRY.
A Masonic lodge was instituted at this point, known as Antioch No. 286, October 23. 1856, with charter members as follows: Dr. John White, Wait Whitney, U. B. Kinsey, Isaiah Hieth, S. W. Corner, Zachariah Hibbets, John Biggs. Daniel Hess, B. S. Church, A. S. Church, Miner Hildreth, Solomon W. Sapp. B. Casteel, C. W. Page. Henry Hibbetts was the first to be made a Mason at this point, while the lodge was still working under dispensation in 1856. Up to 1881 fifteen deaths had occurred from this lodge and it seems to have surrendered its charter.
The present lodge at Danville is known as Danville Lodge No. 456, whose charter was granted October 14, 1888, and its present membership is ninety-six. with officers as follows: H. E. Whitney, worshipful master ; O. Hunter, senior warden : W. C. Burris, junior warden: C. P. Rice, treasurer ; C. T. Motz, secretary; F. M. Weirrich, senior deacon; Dana Snow, junior deacon : A. J. Black, tyler : M. M. Ryan, chaplain. The past masters here are : Andrew J. Workman, Cheyney V. Burris, Clinton M. Rice and George W. Snow.
CENTERBURG MASONRY.
Bloomfield Lodge No. 422, at Centerburg, was instituted in October, 1868. and now has a membership of one hundred and thirteen, with officers as follows : J. Van Horn, worshipful master; R. B. Ramey, senior warden : J. T. Best. junior warden; L. M. Bell, treasurer: S. Robert Best, secretary ; F. C. Bishop, senior deacon : H. B. Ramey, junior deacon; A. W. Brown, tyler.
The following shows all past masters of this lodge, in the order in which they have served : C. S. Pyle, E. B. Cook, A. J. Roberts, O. C. Chase, Lester Gloyd A. J. Roberts, E. B. Cook, Lester Gloyd, John Throckmorton, W. C. Bradfield. A. J. Roberts. Lester Gloyd, G. W. Jones, C. A. Sprague, A. T. Borden, Daniel Paul, B. C. Smith, E. B. Cook, Dr. W. O. Phillips. B. D. Austin, J M. Huddleston, L. M. Bell, Dr. S. R. Best, Fred C. Bishop, D. C. Oberholtzer. E. E. Kile. J. Van Horn. This Masonic lodge was first located in Bloomfield township in territory now within Morrow county. hence its name "Bloomfield." It was at the village of Sparta. It was moved to Center-
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burg in 1890, since which time it has grown rapidly. In 1897 the lodge room, with all its contents, was burned, and a new charter was granted it. They first occupied their present hall in 1911.
Those petitioners whose names appear on the charter are as follows : C. S. Pyle, worshipful master ; E. B. Cook, senior warden; A. J. Roberts, junior warden; H P. Ashley, Miller Ashley, Henry Blinn, L. Cohan, C. Gunsaulus, F. G. McFaden, Leonard Murry and J. H. Osborne. All of these brethren are now deceased.
Ohio Lodge No. 199, at Bladensburg, Knox county, was chartered in 1851, and in September, 1911, had a membership of one hundred and eleven. Its present ( 1911) officers are : Eli Briggs, worshipful master ; M. C. Cum- mins, senior warden; T. J. Hess, junior warden; Timothy Morningstar, sen- ior deacon: Robert Melick, junior deacon; D. K. Blystone, treasurer; W. B. Mosholder, secretary.
CLINTON CHAPTER NO. 26, ROYAL ARCH MASONS.
The charter for this order of Masonry was granted May 12, 1843, and is located at Mount Vernon. The first officers were : J. N. Burr, eminent high priest ; B. F. Smith, king : James Huntsberry, scribe ; Columbus Delano, prin- cipal sojourner : S. W. Burr, secretary ; James Huntsberry, treasurer ; B. H. Taylor, captain of host; S. W. Burr, royal arch captain; A. Corbin, A. C. Rowland and J. Garrison, masters of veils ; Joseph Muenscher, chaplain.
The present membership of this chapter is two hundred and seventy-one, and its present officers are: George E. Beeney, high priest ; Jed S. Montis, king: L. E Rawlinson, scribe; Russell J. Ash, captain of host; Lyle T. Cromley, principal sojourner ; Gail O. Cooksey, royal arch captain ; E. V. Ack- erman, grand master third veil; C. N. Williams, grand master second veil; Charles E. Ayers, grand master first veil; William P. Welshmyer, treasurer ; Samuel H. Peterman, secretary : Charles P. Gregory, guard.
KINSMAN COUNCIL NO. 76, ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS.
This order of Masonry. located at Mount Vernon, was chartered Septem- ber 27, 1892, and now enjoys a membership of two hundred and thirteen, with the following officers in charge: Leonard E. Rawlinson, thrice illus- trious master ; William M. Brickner, deputy illustrious master ; Russell J. Ash, principal conductor of work: Michael Garber, captain of guard; Charles E. Avers, conductor of candidate ; John C. Levering, steward; Charles C. Iams, treasurer; S. H. Peterman, recorder; Frank McGugin, sentinel.
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