The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 70

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1081

USA > Ohio > Warren County > The History of Warren County, Ohio > Part 70

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Mr. Cozad spent money very liberally in putting up buildings and improv- ing the place, hoping to make a permanent manufacturing town, but his hopes were not fully realized, as evidenced by the many tenantless houses. There are now in the village two stores and one shoe shop.

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Wm. Jackson

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Murdoch, situated on the Murdoch pike, in the midst of a well improved and finely cultivated farming district, owes its importance mostly to the fact of its being for a long time the home of Prof. James E. Murdoch, from whom it derived its name. The following comprise the extent of the village, to wit : Cottage of Prof. Murdoch, now occupied by the writer of this sketch ; the res- idence of John Spence, Sr. ; the residence of Ellen Walker, widow of the late W. H. Walker ; the Presbyterian Church and parsonage; store by Alexander Robb, and a neat, pretty schoolhouse just completed.

MAINEVILLE.

Maineville, the only incorporated village in the township, is situated near its center. The first permanent settlers were from the State of Maine, and it dates back to the year 1815; but previous to that period, about 1802, one John Wilson cleared off quite a good-sized patch of ground near where Benjamin Tuft's house now stands. Wilson also, about the same time, cleared a small field just west of William Burton's house. In a short time, he abandoned these clearings and a dense growth of hickory and other forest trees grew up, and, by the time permanent settlers came, these clearings were almost an impene- trable thicket. The first house built in Maineville was a log one, and stood near where H. L. Clinton's residence is now located. It was built by a man named Carr. Carr was a blacksmith, and carried on his trade in this building. He gave his attention mostly to making axes. Carr's axes became quite famous throughout the settlement. As we have already stated, the first permanent set- tlement was in 1815. In that year, Moses Dudley, with his family, moved from Maine and settled where Capt. Whitten afterward lived. He owned some two hundred acres of land on the south side of the present pike. Dudley built the first frame house in the village. He died in 1842, and was buried in the cemetery east of the village.

Dr. John Cottle came from Maine in the year 1818, and settled where Mrs. Smitzer now lives. The Doctor was the first graduate of a medical college to practice in the township. Some idea of the extent of his practice may be gathered from the fact that at an early day his nearest competitor on the west was Dr. Noble, at Sycamore Creek, and on the north Dr. Montague, at Deer- field, and on the south none nearer than Goshen; while, on the east, he rode beyond Clarksville and Wilmington, and for a long time he kept an extra horse at Clarksville for use in that section. Cottle was not only a good physician, but a skillful surgeon. The writer remembers well, when a small boy, of the ( Id Doctor and his son Lucius coming to his father's and removing, with the knife, a cancer from the breast of his mother. The operation was a complete success, as it never afterward gave her any trouble. Cottle built the first brick house in Maineville, and probably the first in the township. This was in 1821. The house still remains in good preservation, and is owned, and, as before stated, occupied by Mrs. Smitzer. In 1822, Elder Benjamin Tufts, with his family, moved from Maine, and settled where Benjamin Tufts now lives. These were but the forerunners of many other immigrants from that far-distant Eastern State. The village was for a long time called Yankeetown, but was afterward changed to Maineville. Among the early industries was a wagon- maker's shop, Josiah Greely and Robert Blackstone proprietors. There was also at one time a foundry located here, at which engines and many other articles were turned out, but after some time the shops were closed, the cost of shipping ore, etc., being too great.

The village was incorporated in the year 1850. The first election for vil- lage officers was held April 25, 1850, and resulted in the election of Silas Dudley for Mayor.

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The following is the succession of Mayors: Silas Dudley, O. M. Kilburn. O. O. Morrill, J. W. Perryman, H. Eastman, T. D. Gilman, J. C. Redman. D. Babbit, Charles Ford and P. D. Cottle.

The year 1850 will be remembered by many as being the cholera year, and this village, seemingly protected by its isolation from the large cities, was never- theless destined to undergo the devastation and horrors of that fearful plague of the Orient in all its intensity. Death reigned in almost every house: terror seized hold upon the stoutest hearts, and it was with difficulty that the dead were buried. Many of the best citizens were its victims. In a radius of twu miles more than fifty persons died in a short space of time. Among the busi- ness men who died were Nathan Butterworth and Sherman Knowlton, mer. chants.

In this year, Col. James Ford came from Maine and settled here, succeed. ing Butterworth & Knowlton in the mercantile business. Col. Ford proved himself to be a public-spirited and enterprising citizen, possessed of excel. lent business capacities. He carried on the merchandising business with marked success up to the time of his death, which occurred in the spring of 1865. At the time of the Colonel's arrival, and for some time afterward, the citizens of Maineville were making strenuous efforts to induce the Government to establish a post office in the village, but without success. Finally Ford took hold of the matter, and having a personal acquaintance with some of the lead- ing officials at Washington, succeeded in bringing about the desired result. and a post office was established in 1854, Ford receiving the appointment of Postmaster, a position which he continued to hold, notwithstanding the administrative changes, until his death. In this connection it will not be invidious to mention the name of Sullivan Stevens, although still living. Ste- vens has been closely identified with the commercial interests of the place for nearly a third of a century. During these long years of business relations with the people, he has never failed to command their entire confidence and esteem.

MAINEVILLE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

Charles Ford, dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes and hardware. John Cottle, dealer in groceries and meats.

S. F. Stevens & Son, dealers in dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, drugs and hardware.

Nye & Kellar, harness makers.

J. C. Redman, Justice of the Peace and Township Clerk.

Owen S. Higgins, blacksmith.

S. G. Tufts & Son, wagonmaker and undertaking.

Benton Johnson, boot and shoemaker.

Dr. Cook, druggist.

L. A. Cottle, physician and surgeon.

B. F. Ludlum, physician.

Harry Eastman, farmer and commercial traveler.

William Burton, builder and money-lender.

The present population of the village is about three hundred.

THE CHURCHES.

The forms of religion that prevailed largely among the early settlers, were Presbyterian and Methodist. The former had its center in the southern part of the township, among the settlers from Pennsylvania. The latter had two strongholds within the township, one at Zoar, and the other in the Hill settle- ment, in the southwestern part of the township.

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CHURCH AT ZOAR.

This was the pioneer Methodist organization in the township. The Mountses and Ludlums were prominent among the early, active and influential members. The first church building was a log one, and stood on the same spot where the present one now stands, and was built about the year 1820. Pre- vious to this time, class-meetings were held at private houses, and the Method- ists and Presbyterians united in occasional services at Mounts' Station. The church continued to enjoy a good degree of prosperity, and in 1837 the log building was replaced by the present one. In the winter of 1843-44, a most remarkable revival took place in this church. The meetings were under the ministration of Rev. Smith and Fife, two ministers possessing unrivaled powers as revivalists. The religious excitement attending these meetings, was very great and more than two hundred were converted. This period marked the time of the church's greatest prosperity at Zoar. The establishment of an organization at Maineville, a few years later, gradually drew the interest in that direction, and the members are now comparatively few.

I have already stated that the Methodists had, at an early day, another stronghold in the township, in the Hill neighborhood. At a very early date, several families of Hills-all relatives-settled in this locality. They were earnest and active Methodists. and noted for their wonderful powers of spirit- ual song. They proceeded at once to organize class meetings, going from house to house, and engaging in exhortation, song and praise to God. Some years later, this point became a regular preaching place on the Circuit, and for many years the old log schoolhouse, a few hundred yards west of the Hill Grave- yard, was used for public worship. The walls of this primitive building often resounded to the fiery eloquence and pleadings of many of the grand old preachers of early days; many were the revivals that took place within its por- tals; many weary and troubled souls found rest and quiet around its rude alters; but time has wrought great changes. The old building long since (1854) yield- ed to the force of the storm king, and the material of which it was built, became scattered far and wide. The congregations that were wont to assemble there have, too, like the building, yielded to the process of disintegration; some have moved away, some have sought other places to worship, while many, very many, have crossed the river, we trust, to enter into that House not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens, whose builder and maker is God.

MAINEVILLE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

The first regular church organization of the Methodists at this place was in 1842, the Dudleys and Tufts, taking a prominent part in the movement. Previous to this time, they had class-meetings and religious gatherings at private houses, and occasional preaching. At the time of the organization, they had no church building, but the Baptist brethren kindly allowed them the use of their house until they could erect one of their own. The new organi- zation at once enjoyed a season of great prosperity. Revival meetings were held under the leadership of Smith, Fife and others, and large accessions were made to the church. In 1844, they erected a commodious brick building of their own. The church has continued with varied success to the present time. It is the only Methodist organization, with the exception of Zoar, in the township. The total number of members now is about one hundred. The Rev. Baughman, Rev. Bishop Soule, Rev. George Maley and Rev. James B. Finley preached here at different times. This society supports a flourishing Sabbath school.

MAINEVILLE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized by Elder Moses Dudley, Henry Greely and others as early as 1822 or 1823. It was called Salt Spring Church. For a

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number of years they worshiped in a schoolhouse east of Maineville, and not far from the Maineville Graveyard. About 1830, they built the present brick building. For a number of years this society enjoyed a good degree of success: but of late years, the membership has from various causes diminished. How. ever, it still supports a regular minister, and a good class of Sabbath school scholars, and is in a quiet way doing much good.

Elder Moses Dudley was the first pastor of this church. Among those who preached from the pulpit in early times may be mentioned the names of Marca: Kilburn, Black Isaac, Richard Simonton and John Dudley, the latter a New- Light.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, HOPKINSVILLE.

Information concerning the early organization and progress of this church. is of a very meager character, owing to the fact that the minute-book was lost by burning some few years ago. The society was organized as a branch of the Sycamore Associate Reformed Church, on the west side of the Little Miami Rev. David McDill is believed to have been the first preacher; he probably preached at Hopkinsville occasionally, as early as 1820. The church was organized soon after this. About 1827, William Hopkins was elected a Ruling Elder. The ministers who have served the congregation are as follows: Rev. John Graham, Rev. Peter Monfort, Rev. Henry Allen, Rev. Robert K. Camp- bell from 1856 to 1866, Rev. H. Y. Leiper 1868 to 1869, Rev. James H Elliot 1870 to 1880. Rev. S. A. Buck is the present pastor. The present num- ber of members is about twenty-six. A good and efficient Sabbath school has been kept up for many years.

BETHEL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This was the first religious organization in the township, and the varied relations of this church to the people in general have been so widespread and long continued, and its influence in giving character to society so potent for good, that its history is so interwoven with the history of the township, as to be inseparable. In view of these well-known facts, the writer feels that in giving a somewhat detailed history of the church, no apology is due.

About the close of the last century. Samuel Walker, of Franklin County, Penn., purchased ( as already stated in the account of the early settlement of the township ) a large tract of land in the southern part of the town- ship, upon which, not long after, four of his children, viz., Esther Spence, Mar garet Spence, Samuel Walker and Sarah Martin, settled for the purpose of mak ing homes for themselves and their children. These families brought with them the seeds of Presbyterianism, which, with many discouragements, prayers and self-denials, they planted in the wilds of what was then known as the Miami country.

These, in connection with a few other families, formed the nucleus out of which was organized the Bethel Church. These fathers and mothers under- went many hardships in their efforts to give to their children the religious institutions which they now enjoy, but they met their trials with patience and courage, toiled in hope, prayed in faith, and their labors were blessed. The church was not organized for about twelve years after the first settlement of these pioneer families. During this time, they enjoyed occasional preaching by several faithful ministers. The Rev. Robert B. Dobbins, a member of the Presbytery of Washington, which was then a part of the Synod of Kentucky. and located chiefly between the Scioto and the Miamis, visited the Bethel neighborhood about twice a year, preaching and administering the ordinance of baptism to the children of such as held certificates of standing in the churches from which they had removed. Other ministers also occasionally preached in

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the neighborhood, both before and after the organization of the church, among whom may be mentioned. Revs. Nicholas Petinger, Father Boyd, Crothers, Monfort, Reuben Frame, James and William Dickey At last the long desired time arrived when a church was to be organized, and this little band were to be gathered in closer union, and strengthened by the bands of outward ecclesi- astical organization.

On the 9th day of September, 1814, the Rev. Robert B. Dobbins preached, and after the sermon proceeded to organize the church in the usual way. The minutes, which record the matter, read thus: "The congregation of Bethel (after sermon) proceeded to the election of Ruling Elders. The votes were cast up, and it appeared that Colen Spence and Robert Shields were duly elected." On the next day these two brethren were solemnly set apart to the office to which they had been chosen by the congregation, and immediately thereafter held a meeting at which ten persons were received into the church -- Rev. R. B. Dobbins, Moderator -- eight upon certificate, and two upon examina- tion. Their names are as follows: Isaac Spence and Esther his wife, Martha Shields, Margaret Spence, James Anderson and Martha his wife, William Wasson and Agnes his wife; and on examination, William Spence and Rebecca his wife. This little band constituted Bethel Church at its organiza- tion sixty-seven years ago. These brethren who were elected to the eldership served the church faithfully during the remainder of their lives, often riding on horseback forty and fifty miles to attend the meeting of Presbytery.

The little church for several years had no house of worship, but held their meetings, in the winter season, in a log schoolhouse near the present Bethel Graveyard, and in the summer season in the groves. To them, the groves. were indeed God's first temples. It might be pleasant to linger among these memories of the past, and notice every feature in the growth of the church, but space will not admit of it. We pass over several years, burdened, doubt- less, with many trials of faith, and come to the year 1823. This year marked an epoch in the history of the church. In this year, it was determined to erect a house in which to worship God. It was not a costly structure, but answered its end, and was adapted if not to the wants, at least to the circum- stances of those concerned. It was built of logs, hewn from the forests in the immediate vicinity. The seats were made mostly of puncheons, and of course without any backs. In the center of the room was a capacious hearth, but no chimney; none was needed, for on the hearth was built a fire of charcoal, which made no smoke, and the materials of which could also be drawn from the near forest. The building stood near where the parsonage now stands. The church continued to grow in numbers each year marking new accessions.

The people worshiped in this house till the year 1839. Up to this time the minutes of the session record a great number of judicial cases. This Is owing largely, no doubt, to the condition and habits of society at that time. The most frequent charge is " the too free use of spirituous liquors." In these early days the baleful influence of intemperance was felt in every relation of life, not only in the evils of intoxication, but in the kindred evils which always accompany it. It is not to be wondered at that the church session experienced great difficulties in this direction, when we reflect that whisky was a principal guest at every gathering, and had a place upon every side-board. But happily, as the preaching of the word and the means of grace increased, we find the evils of intemperance abating from the church. On the Sabbath when there was no preaching, religious services were held under direction of the session, which were called Society meetings, at which some one was appointed to read a sermon from some approved author, prayers were made and hymns sung. Thus the little band struggled along through the darkness and discourage-

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ments incidental to all churches at an early day. Goshen was also a preaching place in connection with Bethel Church, and continued this relation until 1833. when a petition was presented asking for the organization of a church in that place. The records show that at this time the session was composed of the following members : Rev. S. G. Gaines, Moderator, Z. Owen, J. Oliver, R. B. McKinnie, T. Dickey, S. W. Spence, Geo. Shields, Rob't Shields, Wm. Thack. er, J. B. Spence and Benjamin Erwin. The session met May 30th. 1833, at which quite a number received their certificates with a view of uniting with the Goshen organization, and the little church of Bethel, never too strong, became two bands. This church was not discouraged, however, and in the year 1839 undertook the work of building a new house of worship of more substantial character and better adapted to their wants. The log building was 24x36 feet. the one proposed was to be of brick, 40x50 feet, and was in due time completed We copy from the report of the the treasurer the names of those contrib- uting to the building fund, varying in amount from $1 to $85. James Walker. George Shields. Benj. Erwin, R. Dobbin Shields, William Schuyler. Samuel B. Walker, John Shields, Samuel W. Spence, John McClave, William Ramsey. Eli Mckinney. Bennet Simonton, Joseph Clinton, William Newel James Hall, John Abernathy, John Spence, Sr., Thomas Monce, Andrew New. el, David Morgan, Thomas Dickey, Robert Shields, James B. Spence. William Shields, John Gillis, Joseph Gillis, A. J. Walker, William Co- burn, Andrew W. Spence, William B. Spence, Daniel Quinby, Mrs. Janetta Eve- land, Peter Eveland. Francis Hopkinson, Estate of William Spence, Dec .. Isaac Spence, Sr., James Spence. Peter Schuyler, James Martin, William Swank. John Spence, Sr., Isaac Spence. Jr., and Colon Spence.

From about 1832 until 1842 (as nearly as can be learned from the records) the church was supplied in connection with Goshen by Rev. L. G. Gaines, who was known as a pioneer church builder, he being instrument- al in the erection of a number of church buildings. His immediate successor was the Rev. A. H. Rodgers, whose name appears first on the minutes of ses- sion of May 28, 1842; he continued to serve the church until December 3, 1843. when his name disappears and is followed by the Rev. S. J. Miller. who preached until 1847. For the next two years, we find the names of Edward Kemper and Slack as supplies. These were followed by Rev. P. Rees. who supplied the church from February 1849, until September 1850, when the Rev. James Connelly took charge of the church and continued to serve nntil 1852; he was succeeded by Rev. James Coe, who preached for the churches of Bethel and Goshen (as his predecessors had done) until the latter part of 1853. Two other ministers' names appear from this date to 1856, viz., Revs. McCombes and Caldwell. The records do not show whether they were regular supplies or preached only occasionally ; probably the latter.

In the year 1856 an important action was taken by the congregation, the first of the kind of which there seems to be any record in the minutes of the session. That action was embodied in the following resolution by the congregation :

Resolved, That we now proceed to elect a pastor.

A vote was then taken and the result was that Rev. J. M. Drake was unanimously chosen. This pastorate continued through two years, when the church again fell back into the stated supply system and employed the Rer. D. Kingery, who we believe was the first minister that was employed for all his time at this place. Rev. Kingery continued to serve the church until the autumn of 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. I. J. Cushman, whose pastor- ate continued for more than twenty years, and was only terminated by his death, which occurred in August, 1881. Of this long and faithfal pastorate.

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much of interest might be said, suffice here to say that in Mr. Cushman's death the whole community recognized the loss of an able minister and an up- right and consistent Christian in every relation of life. January 1, 1882, the Rev. George M. Maxwell accepted the pastorate of the church and began his labors.

As early as 1867, it became apparent that it would soon be necessary to re- build the church. About this time, Prof. James E. Murdoch, whose benevo- lence and generosity are widely known, made a proposition to the church, that if they would rebuild he would raise and contribute a sum equal to half the cost of rebuilding. This proposition was accepted April 14, 1870, commit- tees were appointed to solicit subscriptions; building committees were also ap- pointed; subscriptions were secured from the congregation and community to the amount of about $2,525. This, with Prof. Murdoch's generous pro- posal, made a building fund of $5,000. Nothing more was done, however, until April 15, 1872, when the building committee were directed to pro- ceed with their work. On the first Monday in May, the work of removing the old building was begun, and in the fall of the same year the new house was completed. The cost of the building, exclusive of the material of the old one, was $4,518.56, and including the same, $5,178.

Within its walls were gathered, on the 2d day of December, 1880, a large assemblage of the people ; the occasion was the celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Rev. I. J. Cushman's pastorate. The old and the young were there. Those that still walked in the ways of the world, as well as the professed followers of Christ, were there, the former drawn thither by their admiration and profound respect for him who in his every day contact with the world, followed faithfully that line of conduct which he so ably and ear- nestly advocated in the pulpit, the latter by those mysterious chords of love and confidence that bind God's followers to a faithful leader.

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The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 70

Author: W. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1081

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1081