USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievemen, Vol. I > Part 29
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"On last Sabbath forenoon the exercises of rededicating the Reformed church on Fifth street took place. At the al- lotted hour, people began gathering in, and after the house was filled to its fullest capacity, the exercises began with an anthem by the choir. The opening address, in English, was made by the former pastor, Rev. J. Klingler, giving the rise and progress of the congregation. Then followed rededica- tory services in the German by the pastor, Rev. E. D. Miller, and a rededicatory sermon by Rev. Dr. Rust, of Tiffin."
The church membership at the present time is 236; Sun- day school membership, 335; Christian Endeavor member- ship, 43; Ladies' Aid and Missionary Society, 87. Rev. B. E. Lenkaemper is the present pastor.
Emanuel Reformed church in Pitt township, which is served by the same pastor, is situated five and one-half miles southeast of Upper Sandusky, and has a membership of 142; Sunday school, 175.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, Upper San- dusky, Ohio. In the latter fifties a number of Lutheran fam- ilies in and about Upper Sandusky organized a Sunday school and Bible class and met at the homes of the various members for Bible study and edification. After some months arrange-
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ments were made to hold regular meetings in the old church building on Walker street which afterwards was the meeting house of the A. M. E. church. In this building the small band of Lutherans had the privilege of organizing a congregation which was served from time to time by travelling mission- aries. About 1861 Rev. Allard came to the congregation as regular stationed pastor and served the congregation for three years. He was succeeded in office by Rev. J. Schladermundt, whose term of office was two years and whose successor, V. Klein, also remained that length of time. In 1867 Rev. C. Wernle was called as pastor and served this congregation in connection with the Lutheran church at Carey. Under his leadership the church enjoyed a healthy growth. The church on the corner of Bigelow and Main streets was then erected. The Lutheran Joint Synod of Ohio at that time was seeking a location for an orphanage of which Rev. Wernle was chief champion, and Upper Sandusky lacked but one vote of being the place selected. When the home was founded at Richmond, Indiana, Rev. Wernle was called as Father. Rev. W. F. Helle was his successor, coming here in 1873. His term of office lasted twenty-three years. His work was a blessing to the church and community. Many are the hearts that are yet thankful for his beneficent ministrations. The church was re- modeled during the pastorate of Rev. P. Langendorff. The English language from this time on became more and more the medium of worship. After Rev. Langendorff accepted a call to Woodville in 1904 Rev. Jos. Sittler took charge of the work and left a record of good things accomplished. His successor, Rev. C. F. Betz, came to the congregation in November, 1909. Since his pastorate the Sunday school has greatly increased its enrollment, many non-resident members have been placed with Lutheran churches at their new homes, a goodly number of adults have been received into the church. Last year the congregation purchased an organ costing two thousand dollars. The congregation of a small number of devoted wor- shippers has increased to a membership of 350 despite the fact that many members have gone to the cities. Among the early records are the names of August Biebigheiser, Philip Tracht, Caspar Veith, C. F. Veith, John Kraus, John Naas, Christian Engel, Herman Paesler, Louis Glosser, Jacob Hehr, Fred Ritter, William Marbraff, August Mueller and others. Mrs. Nicholas Halbedel is one of the oldest members.
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In May, 1877, at a meeting held in Beery's hall, the asso- ciation known as "The Universalist Church of Upper San- dusky" was organized with a membership of fifty-three. A church edifice was erected in the fall of 1877, but it was not fully completed and dedicated until May 13, 1883. Although the building only cost $5,000, it is a very pretty brick structure, neat and attractive. It is situated on West Wyandot avenue. The Universalists have no organization there at the present time, and the building is occupied by the Christian Scientists.
The Episcopal church. Trinity Episcopal Mission was or- ganized November 28, 1889. It was organized under the Rev. William M. Brown, who was then rector of Grace church, Galion, Ohio. The Rev. Brown was the rector, was archdeacon of this diocese, and was afterward made bishop of Arkansas. About two years ago he resigned that office, retired from active work, and returned to his home in Galion.
The first Episcopal services that were held in Upper San- dusky, were held in the Universalist church. There were no communicants here at that time, May 16, 1888. Afterward there were found Mrs. Anna H. Williams, Mrs. Allice Sterritt, Mrs. A. E. S. Close and Mrs. Thomas Plumb, the last named, a member of the Church of England. The first baptismal serv- ice was held on Easter, April 21, 1889, in the Universalist church, when Miss Maude Young was presented for baptism. The first confirmation class was presented by the Rev. Wil- liam M. Brown, to the Rt. Rev. Leigton Coleman, bishop of Delaware in the Universalist church, May 9, 1889. Mrs. E. D. Bare was the first person confirmed. The chapel was built during the year 1890. It was blessed and opened for divine service by the Rt. Rev. William A. Leonard, bishop of Ohio. This mission flourished for a while and dwindled down un- til for several years there were only two little girls to active service and keep the church alive, Miss Mary Mathews and Miss Jane Hare.
Then it began to grow again about the year 1908 under the Rev. Edwin J. Owin of Fostoria, and the members were scat- tered again.
The Rev. Therlow Washburn Null of Fostoria is the pres- ent rector. Services are held once a week now and this mis- sion is the smallest in Northern Ohio. Maj. John Dudley Sears gave ground for the church, his wife being an active
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member. The money for building was raised by subscription; cost about $1,800.
HISTORY OF ST. PETER'S PARISH, DIOCESE OF TOLEDO, OHIO, FROM ITS BEGINNING UP TO JANUARY 1, 1913
Wyandot county and Upper Sandusky, its county seat, are rich in historical lore concerning their aboriginal inhabi- tants, the Wyandotte tribe of Indians. Nowhere else in North- ern Ohio are so many landmarks left to indicate what the habits and characteristics of these Indians were, so that even now, thriving, hustling Upper Sandusky, with its $250,000 courthouse, fine business blocks and beautiful residences, is known as the "Indian Village." But the narrow limits of a parish sketch will not permit a more detailed account of the early history of Upper Sandusky. Suffice it to say, that the reservation of the Wyandotte tribe, which forms the present site of Upper Sandusky, was bought by the United States government in 1843, its former owners then removing to the far West. Two years later, the county of Wyandotte (now Wyandot) was formed and in 1848 the town of Upper San- dusky was incorporated.
The Sanguinist father, Peter A. Capeder, was the first priest to visit the few Catholic settlers in the town. He did so in 1847, and ministered to their spiritual wants for a short while. The holy sacrifice was offered for the first time in a public hall over Ayer's restaurant. Later on, and until 1857, mass was celebrated in the residence of John Gaa, who, in April of that year, donated for a church and school site, a lot on Guthrie street, then in the outskirts of the town. The founda- tion of a brick church, 30x50 feet, was commenced on August 19, 1857, and the cornerstone was blessed on the 15th of Sep- tember following. The Rev. Nicholas Gales, C. PP. S. was then in charge of the mission. In a few months the church was ready for use; it cost about $2,000. It was a plain build- ing, without any architectural pretense, but served its sacred purpose for twenty-three years.
Upper Sandusky was attended from New Riegel as a mis- sion until 1865, by the following Sanguinists: The Revs. P. A. Capeder, J. Van Den Brock, N. Gales, F. Gluck, P. Henne- berry, A. Reichert, E. Ruff, M. Kreusch, A. Laux, C. Frensch and H. Drees.
Father Henneberry bought the present well-kept ceme- tery, covering about five acres.
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The Rev. Bernard A. Quinn was the first resident pastor from July to October, 1865. His successors were the follow- ing priests: The Revs. G. A. Spierings, from October, 1865 to April, 1867; Joseph Reinhardt, to February 22, 1868, when he was killed by the cars, while on his way to Bucyrus, one of his missions; A. Gerardin, to November, 1868; G. Peter, to March, 1873; C. Braschler, to November, 1888, Rev. Aloysius Huthmacher, to July 7, 1905, and since then the present pas- tor, the Rev. John R. Forrer.
During the pastorate of Father Peter, the congregation far outgrew its small church. He forsaw the need of a much larger church for the proper accommodation of its steadily increasing flock. Hence to provide more spacious quarters. he bought in March, 1869, three lots at the corner of Findlay and Eighth street-in the most desirable part of the town. The purchase price was $3,000. Father Peter had the dwelling on one of the lots, fronting on Eighth street, fitted up for his residence, and took possession of it in April of the same year. The former pastoral residence was then rented until 1875, when the property was sold.
Father Peter, unable to commence the church, was obliged to resign his pastoral charge, because of illness. He was suc- ceeded in March, 1873, by the Rev. Charles Braschler, to whom fell the task of building the much-needed church for which plans were drawn at once and approved by Bishop Gilmour. With less than $600 on hand, Father Braschler commenced the foundation in the fall of 1873, and on August 2, 1874, the cornerstone was blessed by the Rev. E. Hannin, as the bishop's delegate. Owing, however, to the financial panic of 1873, Father Braschler found it very difficult to raise the required means for continuing the building as rapidly as he had hoped; hence its progress was very slow. He and his people struggled along with the burdensome debt, at times almost disheartened. Finally in April, 1879, the church was in condition to be used, even though its interior was far from finished. The church was dedicated to St. Peter the Apostle, by Bishop Gilmour on Sunday, October 17 of the same year, and has been in use ever since. Its dimensions are 60x140 feet. It faces Eighth street and extends along Findlay street. The architecture is Roman-Ionic, and the interior is hand- somely ornamented with stucco work. The beautiful stained glass windows were all donated. With its furnishings the
ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, UPPER SANDUSKY
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church cost about $30,000 and though there are many more expensive churches in the diocese of Toledo, few excel it in architectural effect or beauty of finish .. In 1885 Father Braschler erected a neat brick pastoral residence, next to the church, at a cost of about $3,000.
On May 30, 1887, the beautiful spire, 200 feet in height, was struck by lightning during a heavy storm, the massive structure falling to the ground totally ruined. The insurance companies paid only a part of the loss, and not until after much pressure was brought to bear on them. The spire was not rebuilt, but, instead, the tower on which it stood was put in good repair and it is in that condition at present.
Father Braschler was succeeded in November, 1888, by Rev. Aloysius Huthmacher. He found a debt of only $8,000 on the church property-an eloquent evidence of the generosity of the people and the prudent financial manage- ment of Father Braschler.
In 1891 Father Huthmacher designed and secured two Gothic side altars, in harmony with the interior of the church. They were donated. An artistic array of statuary (nearly all donated) was also placed in position, thus add- ing much to the beauty of the church.
The present splendid main altar of Gothic design, also a donation from a parishioner, was designed by Father Huthmacher, and built in 1892, and in December, 1900, a fine set of stations was erected. During 1901 the church was most beautifully frescoed and otherwise embellished at the cost of $2,150, and now St. Peter's church, for its size and cost, ranks second to few churches in the diocese.
The first school was organized shortly after the first. church was erected. The building was a small and very plain frame structure and for many years stood on the old church lot. Until 1890 the school was taught by lay teachers. The out-of-the-way location, however, made it very objec- tionable to the children, many of whom had to go a long distance to attend school. To obviate this difficulty Father Huthmacher purchased an excellent piece of property, diag- onally opposite the church. It was deeded on March 6, 1897, and cost $3,800. The large brick residence on the acre of ground purchased was remodeled into three class rooms and a part of the building was reserved as a home for the four Dominican Sisters, in charge since 1898.
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In the year 1904 a substantial addition was built to the neat but somewhat small parochial residence. The added improvements including a hot water and lighting system, cost $2,860.
On July 7, 1905, the noble hearted and zealous Father Huthmacher, after a most eventful and fruitful career, in recognition of his great abilities was entrusted with the im- portant charge of St. Mary's congregation, Massillon, Ohio, and was succeeded by the present pastor, the Rev. John R. Forrer; but man proposes and God disposes. The Rev. Aloysius Huthmacher left St. Peter's congregation, broken down in health and died within eight days after his depar- ture from the Indian village. On Saturday, July 15, 1905, the community was shocked by the sad news that Father Huthmacher had died. His mortal remains arrived here on Sunday afternoon, July 16, and lay in state in St. Peter's church until the day of burial which took place on July 18, 1905. The great outpouring of people, irrespective of their religious beliefs, who reviewed the remains and at- tended the funeral, showed the high respect in which Father Huthmacher was held and how he had endeared himself to the citizens of Upper Sandusky. He was a public-spirited citizen and took a deep interest in the civic affairs of the city.
His mortal remains were laid to rest in St. Peter's cem- etery.
During the summer of 1906 a substantial and neat but sorely needed Sister's residence was erected, equipped with all the modern improvements, at a cost of $3,000.
During the year 1908 St. Peter's Catholic cemetery was extensively improved. A new and beautiful priests' mound was built, destined to be the burial place for the deceased pastors of St. Peter's congregation. The remains of the late Father Huthmacher and of Father Reinhardt were taken up and buried on this beautiful mound. During the same year a cast-iron-bronze crucifixion group, a work of art, im- ported from France by Benziger Brothers, Cincinnati, Ohio, was erected on the mound. The group cost $600 and is resting on a base built of Bedford blue stone. The base cost nearly $400. New and beautiful avenues were laid out and a fine entrance gate erected. The total cost of improve- ments on said cemetery during the year 1908 amounted to
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$2,000 and the new cemetery is now an object of pride for the members of St. Peter's congregation.
During the year 1912 a magnificent, powerful, two-manual pipe organ, one of the finest in Northwestern Ohio, con- sisting of twenty-two speaking stops, and costing $4,500, was installed and blessed on June 10, 1912. On said occasion an organ recital was given by Caspar Koch of Carnegie In- stitute, Pittsburgh, Pa. The audience which filled the church to overflowing, was amazed at the majesty, beauty and power of the organ tone. Nearly $3,000 had been subscribed for this grand instrument by the generous parishioners.
The workmanship and material throughout is of a high order. The organ was built by A. J. Schantz's Sons, Or- ville, Ohio.
The parish is composed of about one hundred and twenty German and twenty-five Irish families and is a model in every respect.
CAREY
The town of Carey is second in size in the county, and de- rived its name from Judge John Carey, who at its founding was president of the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Rail- road, upon which it was situated.
Carey was laid out by R. M. Shuler and W. M. Buell in 1843, these gentlemen owning the land upon which it is sit- uated. The town is pleasantly located in the northwestern part of the county, ten miles from Upper Sandusky.
It will be seen that the town of Carey was laid out two years previous to the organization of Wyandot county, and this fact, after all that has been said in regard to the general development of the county in previous chapters, is sufficient evidence to most readers, no doubt, that the territory of the vicinity in which Carey is located was exceedingly wild and uncultivated at the period of its history above referred to.
In the same year in which the town was founded, John Houck made the initial step in the way of architecture by erecting a frame building on Findlay (or Main) street, where he engaged in hotel-keeping, the first business of the kind, or of any kind, done in the town.
The pioneer merchant of Carey was W. M. Buell, who erected a frame store room one story high, 22x80 feet in size,
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in 1843, and began business in the sale of general merchandise, with a stock valued at $10,000.
The erection of this building was followed in quick succes- sion by those of Aaron Welsh, Peter Kenan, Mr. Cody, Mich- ael Grussell, D. Straw, Curtis Berry, Shumaker, McDowell and others, the exact dates of their erection being unknown.
R. W. Reed, McD. M. Carey and H. J. Starr established the next business house in Carey, the firm being known as Reed, Carey & Co. Their stock consisted of general merchan- dise, valued at $6,000 to $8,000. The third business house which sprang up in the then promising village was established by Jones Park ; the fourth by McDowell & Baker, and the fifth by John E. James, all dealing in general merchandise.
In the fall of 1845, David Straw established a small gro- cery store in Carey with a capital of less than $50.
Among the first teachers were Juliette Searles, A. W. Brinkerhoff, Miss Labaree, Mr. Thompson, J. N. Free ("the immortal"), James and Mary Foster, Albert Myers and Mr. Brundridge.
The old Carey Mills was erected by Enos and William Wonder in 1844. Except the Old Indian Mill near Upper Sandusky, it was the oldest mill in the county. The Carey Mills were established in 1845, the building having been erected for a warehouse. It was one of the first structures in the town and underwent many changes. In 1867 it was con- verted into a flouring mill, and named the "Carey Mills."
NATURAL ADVANTAGES OF CAREY
By Homer Thrall
Carey, like most cities of its class, is a "country town." It is the center of a farming community and is dependent upon the agricultural resources of the surrounding country for its growth and prosperity. It is especially fortunate in this re- spect. The farming lands which are tributary to it are di- versified. South, southeast and southwest the lands are of the character common to this section of Ohio, productive, well watered and drained. North and northwest are lands of an- other character, called "ridge lands," elevated and in some seasons producing better crops than those above mentioned.
Besides these is the "prairie." This is an area commene- ing in the north part of the corporation and extending in the
POSTMASTERS OF CAREY, FROM 1865 TO THE PRESENT TIME, IN ORDER FROM LEFT TO RIGHT
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shape of a horseshoe, five miles to the northwest. The area contains 2,700 acres. It is "muck" land. Twenty years ago it was considered as hardly worth its taxes. The best located portions of it sold for scarcely twenty dollars an acre. It was looked upon as a waste tract of land and a liability rather than an asset. The late W. C. Johnson, coming here from the eastern part of the state, discovered its value as onion and celery land. He purchased a portion of it and commenced its development. The development has gone forward since then. It has been partially drained and now about one-third of it is under cultivation. An average of 200 car loads of onions a year are shipped from here. The cultivated portions are worth $125 and upwards an acre. It requires no gift of proph- ecy to see that in the future it will all be developed and di- vided into small farms supporting a large population. It gives employment to many now. It produces other crops be- sides onions. One of the prize acres of corn in a recent con- test was raised on muck land. It is all tributary to Carey. It is a present and future asset.
RAILROAD FACILITIES
Carey has little to desire in addition to its present facili- ties for communicating with the world and transporting its productions to the markets of the world. It has practically four railroads. The Hocking Valley road running north and south is perhaps the most important north and south road in the country. Four passenger trains each way run between Columbus and Toledo. The C., C., C. & St. L. or Big Four road runs through the city. Three passenger trains each way run between Cincinnati and Detroit and two each way between Springfield and Sandusky. Three trains a day each way be- tween Carey and Findlay run over a branch of this road and two trains a day each way run over the Northern Ohio Rail- road between Akron and Delphos. All of these trains stop in Carey for the accommodation of passengers. There are many freight trains on these roads and there is much trans- ferring of passengers and freight at this point. There has been talk at times of an electric road through Carey but the proposed enterprises have not been pushed locally with much energy because the need has not been acutely felt. At some
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time in the future electric lines will be built through Carey, mainly because the location of the city invites the roads.
PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS
Carey is unique in one respect. There has been much dis- cussion as to whether municipal ownership of public utilities can be made successful. In a neighboring city that subject is being overhauled. One newspaper which is opposed to it has given many instances where it has proved a failure. Carey is an example of the successful ownership and management of public utilities. The city has had an experience with mu- nicipal ownership extending through nineteen years. In 1894 a water works system was installed. Bonds of the city were issued and the plant erected under the management of the city officials. In 1897 the city installed electric lights com- bining the plant with the water works. Bonds were issued to pay for this. The bonds for the water works were $28,000 and for the electric lights $10,000. Additions and repairs have increased the cost until there is an investment of $75,- 000. The bonds and additional expense have been paid ex- cept that there is $10,000 worth of the bonds yet outstanding. The bonds and additions and running expenses have been paid out of the profits of the plant, except $10,000 paid by levies out of the city treasury. The plant has on hand a fund of $4,000 and in July will collect a large sum and could pay off most of the outstanding bonds before they mature if the hold- ers did not prefer the bonds to the money. So the plant repre- senting an investment of $75,000 has practically been paid for out of the profits, except $10,000.
The power house and stand pipe are located three-quar- ters of a mile west of the business center on ground sixty feet higher than the business center. The gravity or standpipe pressure is sixty pounds and the power pressure 200 pounds. Thus we have the most adequate fire protection. The water is pumped from wells and is pure. Samples of it have been analyzed by experts at Columbus and pro- nounced by them to be free from disease germs. There has been only a case or two of typhoid fever in Carey since the water works were installed. There is an abundant supply of water so that customers are seldom limited in their use of it. It is cool and refreshing and pleasant to the taste so
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that many consumers prefer it for drinking purposes to ice water. There is no more valuable asset than a good water supply. Soon Carey will have one of the best of supplies and ยท have it free of indebtedness and the cost practically paid for out of the profits of the plant. In the controversy over mu- nicipal ownership, score Carey as being in favor of it. The management of the plant has been kept out of politics. The efficient manager, A. J. Frederick, is reelected year after year without opposition and without considering his politics.
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