The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 76

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

About 1866, a movement was made toward the erection of a new church building, and materials for it were gathered on the ground in the fall of 1867. The corner-stone was laid July 31, 1868, and the building was dedicated Sun- day, March 20, 1870, at which time were present Revs. James Smith, John W. Drake and A. E. Thomson, former pastor, and W. G. March, pastor then in charge. The structure is built of brick, is 45x70 feet in dimensions, sur- mounted by a tower, and stands near the northwest corner of Center and West streets. The dedicatory sermon was delivered by Mr. Thomson, and the

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

prayer by Mr. Drake. The entire cost of the building, including fixtures, was about $12,000. When this church was organized, it was connected with Colum- bus Presbytery, but in 1835 it became a part of Marion Presbytery, when the latter was constituted, and still retains that connection. Mr. Allen. as stated. was its first pastor. Succeeding him came Rev. Benjamin Dolbear, from the spring of 1831 to that of 1834. During 1834 and 1835, Revs. Benjamin W. Higby, J. W. Lawton and -- Sampson were here at different times, and in 1835, Rev. James Peregrin, a native of Wales, entered upon the work. In 1837, he removed to Indiana, where he died in 1862. a member of the Madison Pres- bytery. For several years after he left, the church at Marysville was without a pastor, although Rev. William D. Smith was here in January. 1838. It is not shown that he was ever installed as pastor. He was from Washington Coun- ty, Penn., and began his labors in the ministerial field in 1831. He was for some time engaged in missionary work among the Indians west of Missouri. In August, 1841, he became a resident of Springfield, Ohio, and in Septem- ber, 1845, he accepted a professorship in Anderson's Collegiate Institute, at New Albany, Ind., to which city he removed; his death occurred there Octo-

ber 2. 1848. In the fall of 1838, this church had forty-eight members en- rolled: twenty had been dismissed since its organization to join other churches, and six had died. Rev. James Smith came to Marysville in the fall of 1841,

and preached here as supply and pastor about ten years, his relation being dissolved in the spring of 1851. During a portion of this time. he supplied Corinth Church, about six miles north of Marysville, and also conducted an academy in the latter place. He was also a native of Washington County, Penn., and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Washington, Penn., in 1829. He died at Marysville. June 2, 1874. Rev. John W. Drake first visited the place in October, 1851, commenced preaching regularly on the first Sab- bath in 1852, and was ordained and installed October 7. 1852. His pasto- ral relation was dissolved April 7, 1858. He died April 19, 1875, at Bluffton, Ind. Soon after his departure from Marysville, he was succeeded by Rev. J. K. Kost, who became stated supply, a position he filled until January. 1860, when he resigned. Rev. Albert E. Thomson was his successor, coming in May, 1860, and beginning his labors as stated supply on the 26th of July fol- lowing. He was installed as pastor in September, 1861, his charge including the churches at Marysville and Milford. In 1865. he became Superintendent of the Marysville schools, and resigned his Milford pastorate. In February, 1867, he left Marysville and removed to Galion, Ohio, but went in October, 1874, to Rushville, Ind., where he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church and was also subsequently chosen superintendent of common schools in Rush County. His successor at Marysville was Rev. William G. March, whose labors began here in the early part of 1868. He continued as pastor thirteen years, and resigned in the spring of 1881. The next pastor is the present incumbent. Rev. Will- iam A. Ferguson, who came December 18, 1881, and was installed as pastor, May 11, 1882. The following persons have served as Ruling Elders in this church since its organization: Stephen McLain. Eri Strong, ordained at organization; Dr. Ira Wood. ordained May 16, 1830; John R. McLain, ordained, and James L. Ward, installed, August 1, 1835; William Richey, Jr., Silas G. Strong. ordained August 7, 1836; James H. Gill, installed March 1, 1838; Cyprian Lee, ordained. William Cratty, installed, January, 1843; Thomas Brown, ordained, Alexander Stirratt, installed, April 5, 1850; Cyrus A. Phelps, James W. Robinson, Stephen Win- get, ordained November 17, 1855; Alvin Thompson, Leonidas Piper, ordained December 31, 1871. Messrs. Brown, Robinson, Thompson and Piper are the present Elders. The trustees are Robert Robinson, D. F. McKitrick and Sa- lem W. Pearse. The memberhip on the 14th of December, 1882, was 187, at

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

which time the Sunday school had a memberhip of about 190. A. H. Beight- ler was then Superintendent of the latter. W. L. Curry, present Superintend- ent. The school has a good library. During Mr. Ferguson's pastorate, about $1,800 have been expended on the church property in repairs and im- provements.

The Congregational Church .- The following appears in the manual of the Congregational Church of Marysville, published in 1877: "This church was organized thirty-seven years ago as a New School Presbyterian Church, but with the utmost harmony it became a Congregational Church twelve years ago, i. e., in 1864. During all its history, it has been active and enterprising. Es- pecially have the women of this church been workers for the cause. A spirit of harmony has marked the life of the church. Efforts to save perishing sin- ners have been frequent. Protracted meetings have often been held with gra- cious ingatherings into the fold of Christ. From the very first the Wednes- day prayer meeting has been sustained and well attended. All the pastors

of this church have labored earnestly to promote the cause of pure and unde- filed religion in this community, and are remembered with respect and affec- tion. The following is a list of the pastors, in their order, and the length of their pastorates: Rev. W. H. Rodgers, three years; Rev. Henry Shields. three years; Rev. E. J. Moore, one year; Rev. Henry Bushnell, five years; Rev. J. Evarts Weed, two years; Rev. Walter Mitchell, twelve years; Rev. P. G. Buchanan, two years; Rev. M. K. Pasco, one year and a half; Rev. W. E. Lin-

coln, two years and nine montlıs. John Guthrie, John F. Eaton, William Lee, E. H. Beardsley, S. A. Cherry, A. Morey, J. H. Shearer, O. M. Scott, F. Wood, T. Liggett and J. W. Starr have worthily filled the office of Deacon."

Rev. W. A. James succeeded Mr. Lincoln as pastor, and remained about three years. His successor is Rev. Homer Thrall, the present pastor, who came in December, 1879. The officers of the church in December, 1882, were: Deacons -- J. H. Shearer, Templeton Liggett, S. A. Cherry, William Lee; Clerk -William Lee; Treasurer-Templeton Liggett; Trustees-Samuel W. Dolbear, Dr. R. P. Anderson, J. H. Shearer, A. S. Chapman, O. M. Scott. The member- ship at the same time was about 135, while the Sunday school, of which John A. Brown was Superintendent, was over 100. A good library is possessed by the school. Materials for a church building were placed on the ground at the northeast corner of West and South streets, in July, 1871, and the build- ing was raised that year, the corner-stone being laid on the 31st of August. Rev. M. K. Pasco, the pastor, and Rev. W. G. March, pastor of the Presby- terian Church, conducted the exercises. The lecture room was dedicated on Sunday, August 4, 1872, and the building proper March 14, 1878, being at the time nearly completed. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. R. G. Hutchins, of Columbus, Ohio. The parsonage, located in the rear of the church, was completed in 1881. In 1882, an iron fence was built around the lot, and a new bell, weighing 1,000 pounds, was hung in the tower in Decem- ber of the same year. The parsonage cost something over $1,500, and was paid for from the proceeds of the "Buckeye Cook Book," which was compiled by a committee of the ladies of Marysville. The value of the entire property of the church is about $12,000, which is nearly the actual cost.

African Methodist Episcopal Church .- This society was organized in 1879, with eleven members, by Rev. Nathaniel Mitchell, of Portsmouth, Ohio, who became pastor and so continued until October, 1882. He was sent from here to Lebanon, Ohio, and Rev. J. W. Jackson was transferred from that place to Marysville, being the present pastor of this church. Ground was purchased on North street, of Samuel Amrine, and the present brick house of worship owned by the society was erected upon it in 1879-80, being dedicated on the

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

1st of February in the latter year, by Bishop Wyman of Baltimore, Md. Sufficient funds were raised at the time to pay an indebtedness of over $300. The entire cost of the church property has been about $1,500. The member- ship, December 13. 1882, was about thirty. Services are held three times each Sunday, and the Sunday school also has a regular session. The latter is in a prosperous condition.

Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (Roman Catholic) .- In this parish are in- cluded about forty families, whose pastor is Rev. Father A. D. Dexter, the incumbent since January 1, 1882. The frame church of this congregation, lo- cated on Water street, near the railroad station, was built in the summer of 1866, and dedicated on the 20th of September in that year. It is 30x40 feet in dimensions. (A more extended sketch of this church was promised, but has failed to make its appearance.)

German Lutheran Church .- The promised historical account of this church has not been forthcoming, and but little can be given concerning it. December 20, 1875, the " St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church of Marysville, Ohio," was incorporated; officers were elected and the organization completed. November 9, 1878; the "Evangelical Lutheran German Trinity Church" was incorporated, with Oldest G. Zwerner, J. Asman, Jacob Hauser, Sebastian Im- loff, as Elders, and G. Scheiderer, C. Muhlenbruch and Philip Ruprecht, Trustees. These societies have been consolidated, and have erected a fine new brick church, of which the corner-stone was laid August 13, 1882. The so- ciety previously worshiped in a small brick church on South Main street.

SCHOOLS.

In 1876, an article upon the schools of Marysville was prepared by F. Wood, Superintendent, and the preparation is here given as written and pub- lished in a volume entitled "Historical Sketches, Ohio, Public Schools," in the same year:

" The history of education in Marysville, for the first thirty years after its settlement, is not a matter of record. There are people living in this com- munity, however, who have been residents from a date as early as the settle- ment of the place.

" The first cabin within the present boundaries of Marysville was built in 1818, by Jonathan Summers, a Quaker. The town was laid out in 1819, by Samuel Culbertson. and made the county seat in 1822. It cannot be ascer- tained that any public arrangement was made for schools till about 1825. The early settlers, however, appreciating the necessity of education. united in sustaining private schools almost from the settlement of the place. Mr. Silas G. Strong had an active part in the location of the county seat at Marysville, and was an efficient public officer for a series of years. In 1822 or 1823, Mrs. Strong, his wife, taught a school in her own home, of some ten or twelve scholars, and was compensated by the parents of her pupils, though it cannot be ascertained that there was a fixed rate of tuition. Mr. Christopher Stiner, now living near Marysville, was one of her pupils. Mrs. Strong's was the first school in the place. She taught only the elementary branches, using a variety of books, such as were in possession of the families from which her scholars came. It is supposed that at this time there were some twelve or fif- teen families within two miles of Marysville. The first court house was built in 1822, and in it most of the schools were held until 1831. Occasionally pri- vate schools were taught in dwelling houses happening to be unoccupied at the time. Mrs. Strong, it is confidently affirmed, taught one or more terms in the court house after it was built. It is thought that Mr. Peyton B. Smith was the first male teacher, and that he taught in 1825. Mr. Clement Twiford

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

taught his first school in Marysville in 1826, and continued to teach, at differ- ent times, for five or six years. Mr. George Snodgrass, now living in Marys- ville, taught a school in 1828 in a log cabin in the east part of town. In the winter of 1830-31, Mr. Taber Randall, now a resident of the town, and for several terms Clerk of the Court, taught in the court house, receiving $14 per month, and paying 873 cents per week for full board at the hotel. The same building (the American) is still used for a public house, and the present Su- perintendent of the school paid $5.50 per week for board there in 1868. In the winter of 1831-32, Mr. Robert Andrew taught, commencing the school in the court house in September, and in October going into the new frame school house in the southeast part of the village, then just completed, being the first building erected in the place for school purposes. Hon. William C. Lawrence, for a number of years, until his death in 1846, a prominent law- yer in the county, assisted by his brother John, taught during the winter of 1832-33, having, it is thought, some seventy-five scholars, and receiving in compensation $100 for a term of three months.

" In the winter of 1834-35, the number of scholars had so increased that it was decided to employ two teachers. Mr B. F. Kelsey taught in the schoolhouse, and Miss Marietta Kimball in a log cabin in the west part of town. After this time, it was usual to employ two teachers one of the terms in the year. Among the teachers were Rev. James H. Gill, Heman Ferris, John F. Kinney (now Judge Kinney, of Nebraska). Miss Eliza Ewing, Miss Martha Jane Thompson (now Mrs. Judge Woods, late of Marysville, but at present living at Minneapolis, Minn.), Miss Clarinda Westbrook, before 1840. Miss Mary Irwin and Miss Susan Pollock also taught at an early day. In the winter of 1838-39, there were three public schools-Mr. Kelsey in the school- house, Miss Thompson in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, Miss Westbrook in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the win- ter of 1839-40, Mr. Charles Sanders taught in the basement of the Presbyte- rian Church, his school numbering nearly 100 scholars. He introduced the spelling book already published by himself, and afterward published a series of readers which had a wide circulation. In the winter of 1842-43, three men were employed to teach the schools, now embracing 200 or more pupils- Messrs. B. F. Kelsey, Levi Lyons and James Henderson. From 1840, and perhaps sooner, there began to be felt a need of better facilities for obtaining an education than the common schools afforded. In the summer of 1843, Miss Caroline S. Humphrey opened the first high school taught in Marysville. In two or three instances a class in some of the higher branches had been formed in the public schools, but Miss Humphrey's was the first in which the principal object was to teach those branches. Rev. James Smith, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, instructed individuals, in his own study, in the lan- guages and other branches, preparatory for college. In 1844, receiving some assistance from individuals, Mr. Smith erected a building for academic pur- poses. A school of a higher grade than had ever been taught in the county was opened in it, in the autumn of 1844, in charge of Mr. James A. Stirratt. Hon. James W. Robinson, of this place, and Rev. Mr. Perkins, who recently died at Delaware, went through the preparatory studies, and a year and a half of college studies, under Mr. Smith's instruction and that of Mr. Stirratt, in the academy, and entered Jefferson College, at Cannonsburg, Penn., in the spring of 1846.

"A good school, having the confidence and support of the community, was sustained in the academy most of the time from 1844 till the autumn of 1862. Mr. Smith taught himself much of the time, and all the time held the control of the school. James A. Stirratt taught the first school in the building.

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Abraham W. Wood, assisted by Miss Herbert, the last. The following per- sons, besides Mr. Smith and those just named, taught in the building, though the order in which they came cannot be given, nor is it certain that the list is complete: William H. Horner, James W. Robinson, Chester H. Perkins, M. Thompson, J. Slocum, Miss Buss, Miss Ward, Miss Jennie Coe and Miss Mary Coe. No individual has been identified with the interests of education in this community longer than Mr. Smith, or done more to elevate its standard. At the adoption of the present school law, in 1849, he was put upon the board of examiners, and retained there until nearly the time of his death.

" The number of scholars in town had so increased that, to answer an im- perative necessity, in 1847, two brick schoolhouses were erected in opposite parts of the town, each of two rooms. For fifteen years these, with the acad- emy, afforded the school accommodations for the youth of Marysville. Two or three or four teachers in the public schools were employed, as financial and other controlling circumstances seemed to decide. Up to 1849, thirty years from the settlement of the town, there seems to have been about the general average facilities, appreciation and improvement of educational advantages. The ' law for the better regulation of public schools in cities, towns, etc.,' passed by the Ohio Legislature in February, 1849, became a new and active stimu- lus in the minds of the community. They proceeded promptly to organize and work under the new system. The complete organization, which seems, from the records, to have been very harmonious, was as follows: Directors- Otway Curry, President; P. B. Cole, Secretary; Jacob Bouser, Treasurer; W. W. Woods, J. W. Cherry and Henry Shedd. Examiners-James Smith, Charles W. B. Allison, * and Cornelius S. Hamilton. Under date of December 14, 1849, is the following entry:

Whereupon, the board agree to employ the following teachers for twelve weeks each, five days to the week, commencing December 17, 1849, on the following terms, to wit :

Cornelius S. Hamilton, per term. $66 00 Jackson C. Doughty, per term. 66 00 Miss Laura Johnson, per term. 36 00 Mrs. William E. Lee, per term. 36 00

Which terms and conditions we respectively agree to ; and we further agree to discharge our duties as such teachers respectively, according to the best of our ability.

C. S. HAMILTON, J. C. DOUGHTY, A. M. LEE, ALMIRA L. JOHNSON.

DECEMBER 17, 1849.

On motion, Mr. Curry was appointed a committee to ascertain and report, to the next meeting of the board, a series of books to be used in this district. On motion,

Resolved, That Messrs. Doughty and Hamilton furnish their school rooms with blackboards, and charge the same to the board ; and that Mr. Bouser furnish a blackboard for Miss Johnson's room, at the cost of the district.

JANUARY 14, 1850.

Board met, pursuant to a call of the President. Present, all the members. On motion, the following books were adopted for the use of the common schools in the town of Marysville, to wit :

Wickham's Lessons, twenty-four large cards ; Sanders' Primer ; Holbrook's Primary Drawing Book ; McGuffey's Readers ; Thompson's First Lessons in Arithmetic ; Primary School Song Book ; Webster's Elementary Spelling Book ; Mitchell's Primary Geography ; Colburn's Mental Arithmetic ; Ray's Arithmetic, Part III ; Mitchell's Intermediate Geog- raphy ; Wells' Elementary Grammar ; Winchester's Series of Writing Books ; Mason's Juvenile Task. Resolved, That the board hold stated meetings every two weeks, begin- ning January 25. Adjourned until January 25, 1850.

P. B. COLE, Secretary.

" The Board of Education made their first annual report to a meeting of the voters of School District No. 1, Paris Township, Union County, held at the court house November 30, 1850. An abstract of the report is as follows :

*This name is given Allen in Prof. Wood's article.

PARIS TOWNSHIP.

Schools taught thirty-six weeks, or three quarters. First quarter,

four schools, two male and two female teachers, average daily attendance. 146

Second quarter, three schools, three female teachers, average daily attendance .. 105

Third quarter, three schools, three female teachers, average daily 70

attendance

Scholars in the district .. 270

Resources for school purposes the last year :

Collected on duplicate for schoolhouse purposes $ 99 05

Collected on duplicate for tuition 113 28

State School Fund received. 93 89

Tax levied by County Commissioners 107 84

Tax levied by the Board. 269 00

Total $683 06

"A legally called public meeting of the citizens of District No. 1, Paris Township, was held March 4, 1851. to consider the adoption of the Union School system; but it was not carried. The second annual report of the board. in December, 1851, gives the number of scholars, 310; money received for school purposes, $439.40. In November, 1852, the scholars were graded by examination, according to advancement, and a set of rules for the government of the schools, drafted by Messrs. Hamilton and Curry, were unaminously adopted by the board. They were ten in number, and to the purpose. In 1852-53, several public meetings, harmonious, so far as the records show, were held to consider the matter of a new schoolhouse; and a resolution was carried to purchase certain designated lots and raise the money to pay for them, but for some reason, not recorded, it was not done. It appears that the schools went on with no great variation until 1860. Some of the years, the more ad- vanced scholars, by examinations, were put in charge of one teacher, and des- ignated ' the high school.' In 1858, the subject of a new schoolhouse and the Union School system was again agitated, and, after due consideration, carried. Under date of December 24, 1858, is the following:

" 'Resolved, by the legal voters of School District No. 1, Paris Township, Union County, Ohio, in general meeting assembled, That it is expedient and necessary to erect a new schoolhouse for said district; and that $10,000 raised for that purpose, $2,000 in the year 1859, and $2,000 in each of the four suc- ceeding years.'

"A site, about two and one-half acres, was purchased of Adam Wolford, and, after the usual preliminaries, on the 10th of January, 1861, of twelve proposals to build the house, that of H. Rice and J. Fleck, of Marys- ville, was accepted, for $7,754, and $340 for extra stone work. After visiting houses reputed to be the best, inspecting and carefully considering the various plans, at the suggestion of the State School Commissioner, the Board adopted what has proved to be a good one. The house is a substantial brick edifice, 60x80 feet, two stories, with a well-proportioned steeple, in which is a fine-toned bell of about 500 pounds weight. Besides halls, closets, etc., there are four school rooms on the lower floor and three on the upper, all affording comfortable ac- commodations for about 300 scholars. After considerable delay, the house was completed, and opened in October, 1862, just thirty-one years after the first schoolhouse in Marysville was built and occupied. Mr. A. W. Wood, who had been teaching in the academy about a year and a half, was put in charge as Superintendent at $50 per month and the tuition which he received from scholars attending the school who were not residents of the district. The academy was given up at this time, so there was no school in the county except the public schools.

" The Board of Education, at the organization of the Union School were: P. B. Cole, C. S. Hamilton, J. Cassil, D. D. Welsh, W. H. Robb, and J. H.

HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Ryan. The Board of Teachers: A. W. Wood, Superintendent and Principal of Highest Department; Miss Mollie Johnson, First Assistant Highest De- partment; Miss Mattie A. Robinson, Second Assistant Highest Department; Miss Jennie Coe, teacher in Intermediate Department; Miss Louise M. South- wick, teacher in Second Primary Department; Miss Sarah Jane Barbour, teacher in First Primary Department. The female teachers each received $20 per month. The enumeration of scholars in October, 1862, was 343. The school opened with about 200, who were divided into four departments. An excellent set of rules and regulations for the government of the schools was adopted by the Board, who fully sustained the teachers in their execution. An important rule was the closing of the door against tardiness. It did much in establishing the habit of punctuality, and was favorably received by nearly all the patrons of the school. In March, 1863, five months after the organiza- tion of the Union School, A. W. Wood left, and Franklin Wood, of Massachu- setts, took his position for the same compensation. The following are the names of Superintendents, terms of service and compensation: A. W. Wood, from October, 1862, to March, 1863, $50 per month and tuition of non-resident pupils; F. Wood, from March, 1863, to June, 1865, compensation as above, with $20 per month added last year; Rev. A. E. Thomson, from September, 1866. to December, 1866, with the same compensation; L. Piper, from January, 1867, to June, 1867, with same compensation: Franklin Wood, from June 1867, to the present time [1876] with an annual salary of $1,200. Miss Sarah Jane Barbour had charge of the First Primary Department from the organiza- tion of the school in October, 1862, till June, 1873, eleven years. Miss Mary E. Pierce held the position of First Assistant, for the last three years Prin- cipal in the highest department, embracing the High School and advanced Grammar grade, from September, 1870, till June, 1875. In 1866, the wages of female teachers was raised to $30 per month, and has since been raised to $40. The Principal of the highest department, however, receives [1876] an annual salary of $500."

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 76

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254