USA > Ohio > Champaign County > The history of Champaign county, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory etc > Part 39
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
The educational advantages of Urbana University have been more fully appreciated, it would appear, by those living at a distance and coming here
350
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
.
hundreds of miles to reside for a number of years, in obtaining an education, than by the youth of the immediate vicinity, of whom but few have availed them- selves of the course more than for a few terms of irregular study. In the cat- alogue of 1878, we find the names of students from the States of Illinois, In- diana, Michigan, Iowa, New York, Kentucky, Kansas and Maine, and, also, the names of those in previous years from Norway, Sweden and Canada, and, also, from other States of the Union.
The terms of tuition, which are somewhat high, although only abont half the rates of the larger Eastern colleges, make it difficult for the college to com- pete with the free instruction offered by the State University, but the policy of the Board has been to offer only first-rate instruction and to charge for it accordingly, as necessity requires, believing that those parents and young men who are in search of a thorough education will not make "cheapness " of tuition the only consideration in their choosing. At the same time, by the judicious granting of free scholarships to worthy applicants, the board desires to make the course at Urbana University available to every earnest student who shall seek an education here and is able to provide for his living expenses.
THE CHURCHES.
It may be thought that too much space has been given to what in the begin- ning was intended to be only a sketch of the county. But the origin and prog- ress of the religious sects of the country are closely identified with the devel- opment of the country. Religion, equally with trade and politics, occupies the attention of every community, and the men who were conspicuous in the early settlement of the country have been equally faithful and earnest members of some branch of the Christian church. It is in the purpose of these sketches to give not only the formation and early growth of the various churches which have formed societies in Champaign County, but also to note the marked changes which may have taken place. The early settlers were distinguished for their hospitality and kindly consideration for others. Poverty, sickness and want were incentives to considerate help. The hardships and deprivations which many families endured, make us wonder at the pertinacity with which they maintained their ground. We are surprised to hear that there should be want when game was abundant, but it must be recollected that many of them had no. fire-arms, or, having them, were unskilled in their use. Common dangers and common wants did away with all minor questions. The preacher of the Gos- pel, whatever his particular belief, was a religious teacher, and, as such, received a common consideration.
As the country increased in population and sects increased in number, the lines of demarkation began to be drawn. It was the instinctive teaching that sectarian divisions could be maintained in no other way. Before twenty-five years had elapsed, dogmatic theology entered largely into the pulpit discourses. Dogmatism was met with dogma, and Scripture quoted in proof that he who doubted was damned. The step was easy and rapid to censorious criticism. Harsh epithets and false statements were freely given and returned. It was sacrilege for one not to the "manor born " to be permitted to preach in another church than his own, and, if by any chance this happened, the preacher for the day took occasion to deliver a doctrinal sermon, with sharp thrusts at the here- sies of his hearers, to be returned, with good usury, when the opportunity oc- curred. "Stand aside, for I am holier than thou," was the logical summing
351
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
up of the whole matter. The fact is, none of this class had any practical knowledge of the thirteenth chapter of Corinthians, and very little of the Ser- mon on the Mount. Unfortunately, the want of a generous recognition of the freedom of opinion transfused itself throughout the congregations. No one seemed to be willing to let another go to heaven or the other place, except after the mode prescribed by his own faitn. This censorious judgment was not con- fined to any one denomination ; it was a common failing. No one questions the integrity and honesty of purpose of these men and sects. It was simply in- herited bigotry-a zeal without knowledge.
The latter half of the period since sectarianism asserted itself has revolu- tionized the acrimony of religious opinion. A little leaven of the old lump still occasionally asserts itself; but, with a single exception, the representatives of all meet on the same platform and extend to others the charity each asks for himself.
With respect to the multiplication of churches, material changes are very naturally being discussed. The most cursory observer cannot but have noticed the number of sects and the conflicting ideas which divide church-going people. This may not be wondered at when dogmatic theology ruled the hour, and each separate sect was endeavoring to pre-occupy the field. But, at a time when the essential features of Christianity are accepted by all, that the shadow of a difference should induce so many to drag along a precarious exist- ence when consolidation would be the equivalent of life and vigor, is not so plain. Nor is the thoughtful man any the less puzzled when he sees a field already pre-occupied, with facilities amply sufficient to give religious instruction to every man, woman and child in the community-to see some distant mission- ary society resolve such a place to be one of the " waste places of Zion," and forthwith erect another " tabernacle," and thereby condemn the "faithful few " found there to a heavy burden and a meager religious pabulum from an illy supported preacher, and by the act cripple, to that extent, the established so- cieties. We have a vague notion that the future will condemn the act as lacking in worldly wisdom, as well as in religious sympathy.
The M. E. Church .- The early records of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Urbana have been destroyed or lost, so that it is impossible to ascertain the names of those who organized the first society of Methodists in the then village. John Reynolds, John C. Pearson, John Goddard, Joseph White, Martin Hitt, Joseph Reppart, Samuel Hitt, William Sampson, Frederick Ambrose, Moses B. Corwin, Jonathan Chaplin, Henry Weaver and others were long identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church in this locality, and either were active participants in the organization of the new society, or early participants in the work. But in all new countries where religious denominations are wanting, the entire community are apt to become active co-workers, both by aid and personal attendance at meetings for public worship, to strengthen the efforts of others.
Urbana was originally part of Mad River Circuit, and the name of the town first appears in the " General Minutes of the Methodist Episcopal Church," in 1833; Urbana then being the chief point simply of a very large circuit, with Revs. R. Brandriff and O. Johnson as preachers. They were followed, in 1834, by George W. Walker and Michael Marlay. In 1835, Joshua Boucher and A. Morrow were appointed to the circuit, William H. Raper being then the Pre- siding Elder. In 1837, Urbana was made a "station," and Joshua Boucher appointed Pastor. He was succeeded by a long line of able and prominent ministers, including such men as J. L. Grover, William B. Christie, A. M.
352
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
Lorraine, Asa B. Stroud, Cyrus Brooks, Michael Marlay, I. S. Inskip, Gran- ville Moody, J. T. Mitchell, M. Dustin, W. Herr, W. H. Sutherland, C. W. Sears and others whose names are not now recalled.
No data are obtainable concerning the first and second church edifice built in the town, reference to which is made on another page.
The present First Methodist Episcopal Church building was erected in 1836, and very largely through the efforts and liberality of the late John Reynolds, who might with propriety be called one of the early " merchant princes " of Ohio. The original subscription paper is still preserved. It is in the hand- writing of Mr. Reynolds, who heads it with $500 as his own subscription. He is followed by John C. Pearson, with $200. Then follow, with smaller sums, John Goddard, William Sampson, Matthis & Wooley, R. Murdock, William C. Keller, Carter & Mosgrove, Joseph White, John Kiger, Daniel S. Bell, David Ogden, James Hunter, John Hamilton, David Sweet, Berry & Hovey, S. T. Hovey, Harry Marsh, David Vance, Henry Weaver, T. S. Hitt, W. H. Fyffe, A. and W. Patrick, O. T. Cundiff, E. B. Cavalier, W. and D. McDonald, F. M. Wright, P. B. Ross, A. F. Vance, Glenn & McDonald and many others. One peculiarity of the subscription list is, that a considerable number agreed to pay the amounts subscribed in lumber or work.
In 1855, the Second Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, with Rev. J. F. Chalfant, as Pastor. At that time the First Church reported a membership of 235, and the Second, 197, making a total of 432.
In 1879, the Second Church completed their new edifice on the corner of Main and Market streets, at a cost of about $25,000. In the same year, the First Church was refitted and refurnished at an expense of nearly $5,000. In that year, the membership of the First Church was 480, and that of Grace Church 310.
We are indebted to Rev. John F. Marley, present Pastor of the First Church, son of Rev. Michael Marley, who was Pastor in 1834-35, and afterward, for many of the foregoing facts.
The First Presbyterian Church .- General reference has been made to this church on another page. Like all religious societies of that day, in order to be self-sustaining as far as possible, the boundaries were made to take in a wide extent of territory, Buck Creek and Urbana constituting one society.
Among its ministers may be mentioned James Hughes and David Merrill. With the pastorate of Mr. Merrill two societies were organized, one called the Buck Creek Presbyterian Church, and the other the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana. In the Urbana branch ministered Rev. C. McGill, Edward Raffensperger, L. D. Long, John Woods, James A. P. McGaw, and others. At Buck Creek, Rev. Hugh Price, - Melloy, T. B. Cross and W. F. Claybaugh. These two churches have pursued the even tenor of their way with little "flurry," save during the schism into " old and new school," the pastors for the most part serving acceptably until the opening of a more profitable field, or a conjecture of an end of their usefulness. The name of Mr. Raffensperger sug- gests an episode that terminated his pastorate quite suddenly. He was young, inexperienced, just from college, and believed to possess more than ordinary pulpit abilities. Part of the contract between him and the church was that the salary should be paid promptly, quarterly. On one occasion, pay-day fell on a Saturday, and the Treasurer happened to be absent. Next day, the congrega- tion assembled as usual, and no preacher made his appearance. One of the session, after some time had elapsed, made a call at the "study," which is in
MARTIN NITCHMAN MAD RIVER TP
MR$ CATHERINE NITCHMAN. MAD RIVER TP
357
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
the same building, and found the reverend gentleman very quietly entertaining himself with a book. Surprise, inquiry and explanation rapidly followed, when the committeman returned to the audience-room and reported cause of absence. A few minutes sufficed for some one in the congregation to move that the relation between that church and its Pastor be at once dissolved, which was carried without a dissenting voice, and no after explanations were of any avail. The reasonable supposition is that he went to his next charge a wiser man.
The ministerial relation between J. A. P. McGaw and this church was closed in July, 1880, Dr. McGaw accepting a call from the Central Church of Rock Island, Ill. The membership numbers 329, and the church sustains a large and flourishing Sunday school, with fine library, Woman's Missionary Society, and the usual benevolent offices of the church.
* Lutheran Church .- This congregation was organized by Rev. Ezra Keller, D. D., assisted by Rev. Adam Helwig, in 1846. The corner-stone of the present edifice was laid in May, 1851. The society was incorporated as an Evangelical Lutheran Church, connected with the General Synod of the United States, which connection it has always retained. The pastors have been in the following order : Adam Helwig, A. M. Swath, Daniel Shindler, N. B. Little, J. D. Severinghaus, A. J. Imhoff, E. D. Smith, A. J. Kissell, E. W. Sanders and A. J. Imhoff.
This church has had times of prosperity and great discouragement. The first years brought considerable success, but, during the years of 1858-59, the membership was greatly reduced by deaths and removals, and, in 1862. came the resignation of Mr. Severinghaus. Disorganization was prevented through the trusteeship of Messrs. E. B. Gaumer, J. F. Rettberg, and others. In 1867, the Board of Home Missions appointed Rev. A. J. Imhoff, D. D., Missionary Pastor, who, on the 1st of April of that year, reorganized the con- gregation. Thirty-four of the former members were then living in the county, but, by reason of old age and distance from the church, a number never became members of the reorganized congregation. The new beginning was small, but was at once increased by persons who had moved into the town during the time the church was closed. At the end of two years the pastor withdrew from the support of the Missionary Board. Regular services have been sustained and attended by a constant increase in numbers and development for good. The membership numbers over a hundred, and the Sunday school about a hundred and forty. It has a weekly prayer meeting, and a Women's Missionary Society, and is in hearty sympathy with the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, and its religious and reformatory work.
Church of. the Epiphany .- This denomination was organized into a society in 1847, under the rectorship of Rev. Charles B. Stout, and the active sup- port of Dr. Adam Mosgrove, Samuel H. Robinson, Abram Robertson, T. M. Gwynne, W. F. Slater and others, who purchased the lot on the corner of Scioto and Kenton streets, then the residence of John McCord, and under their aus- pices. a house for worship was erected in 1849. This church, from the begin- ning, has been small in numbers, and necessarily drew heavily on the liberality of its members for its maintenance. The deaths of several of its prominent and efficient members in successive years, together with the financial embarrass- ment of the country, which unavoidably pressed heavily on all public enter- prises, have interrupted the regular maintenance of a clergyman, and the present indications are that, without extraneous assistance, the society will hardly be able to maintain a separate and independent existence.
I
358
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
The United Presbyterian Church .- This society was organized in the fall of 1844 by Rev. J. S. McCracken. James Dallas, Andrew McBeth and Miles C. Beatty were elected Ruling Elders, and constituted the session. Rev. Thomas Palmer was first Pastor in 1845, who died Feb. 15, 1847, and was suc- ceeded by L. H. Long in 1849, and by J. B. Findley in 1853. In 1856, the congregation was without a stated pastor, and continued so until 1861, though services were held by Revs. David Payne, T. C. McCaghn and Thomas Brown. W. S. Morhead preached for one year, but declined a permanent pastorate to labor as a missionary in Italy. In December, 1862, T. P. Dysart accepted a call, and died at the end of two years' service. He was succeeded by Rev. H. H. Thompson in April, 1865, who still remains the faithful, earnest and able Pastor of perhaps the smallest church in the city.
The house in. which the congregation worships was built in 1846, and occu- pies a lot on West Market street, below Grace Church. The probability is that at no distant day this branch or section of the U. P. organization will merge in. the First Presbyterian.
The Howard Weaver Mission .- This association is under the control of no sect, but is managed and directed by persons attached to the various religious denominations of the city, and, without a formulated creed, accepts the Script- ures as the word of God, and a rule of faith and practice. The Mission was organized as a Sabbath school in 1867, which was held in different places until 1875, when Mr. Lemuel Weaver built and donated to the society the brick house in the northern section of the city, now occupied by the Mission for school, temperance meetings and religious services. The building was opened on Christmas, 1875, when the " Mission Association " was organized, and the deed for the building executed by Mr. Weaver, and delivered to the Trustees, Milo G. Williams, C. F. Colwell and David H. Hovey. This neat little build- ing is a fitting memorial of Howard Weaver, son of Mr. Lemuel Weaver, one of the earliest laborers in the city in missionary work among the destitute, and one of the founders of the Mission Sunday school. He died of consumption in 1874, aged about twenty-three years. The school and Mission have been in charge of Josiah Talbott, General Superintendent, under whose faithful serv- ices much good has been done, and multitudes have here received religious instruction who could not be induced to attend or enter other houses of worship.
The Baptist Church .- This organization in Urbana resulted from the action of a State society, organized for missionary purposes. In the early settlement of the State, the Baptists had confined their efforts to the establishment of churches in the rural districts. The country was reasonably well supplied, while the towns were overlooked. By the missionary society, which had for its object the building-up of societies in places that had been neglected, Urbana was believed to present a good field, and thither Rev. Enos French was sent in 1840. Until the necessary preliminary arrangements could be made, services were held in the court-room, and, in the meantime, by act of the Legislature, the society was incorporated with the usual rights and powers, Samuel V. Baldwin being named in the charter as one of the Trustees. Under the efficient labors of Elder French, the site was secured, and the erection of the present church edifice, on the south side of Court street, between Main and Walnut, begun. Mr. French's health failed, and he was succeeded by Elder Gorman. Mr. Gorman was a man of untiring energy. He not only was unwearied in his efforts to raise money to build the house, but with his own hands prepared mortar, and carried the hod and brick to the mason. Through his efforts the house was built and
359
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
dedicated, and the church prospered. He was succeeded again by Elder French. In 1852, came Elder Williams, who died that fall. After whom, came Elders Bryant, Agenbroad and Bonham, the latter in 1858, Elder Tuttle in 1863, Taylor in 1868, Clark in 1870, Harriman in 1872 and Stone in 1878. The Baptist Church, in this locality, has been fortunate in its selection of ministers. Most of them were men of more than ordinary ability and learning, and Revs. Albert Tuttle and George E. Harriman ranked with the ablest pastors of the city. The former had a love for his fishing-rod and gun, and was supposed not to be in perfect harmony with his congregation on certain questions of their own. The connection was dissolved, and he went to Minnesota. Rev. George Harriman was a ripe scholar, whose pulpit efforts showed thought and culture. To him, more than to any other one man, is due the credit of building up a demand for a higher order of literary excellence among the lyceum-going people of the city, and of the suppression of the hoodlum and the rough by the intro- duction of entertainments which shut off their attendance, or elevated their standard of amusements. In 1874, the society was weakened by the erection of a church at Hickory Grove, which drew heavily on the resources of the Urbana society. The latter, at no time strong in wealth or numbers, has met heavy pecuniary liabilities, and successfully prosecuted its work, yet the erection of a house of worship, which unavoidably draws on the territory and resources of the other, while it may not close the doors, must nevertheless cripple its usefulness. At this present writing, the pastorate of Rev. E. C. Stone, in con- nection with this organization, is dissolved, and the society are making efforts to supply the vacancy. The church has a flourishing Sunday school, and takes an active interest in the missionary and other benevolent enterprises of the day.
The Urbana Society of the New Church .- The New Church is a body of Christians holding to the religious doctrines set forth in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, a learned and pious Swede who lived from 1688 to 1772. The distinguishing features of the faith of this denomination are the following : I. That the Lord Jesus Christ, instead of being one of three Divine Person- ages, is Himself the one and only God, and that the Divine Trinity is not a trinity of persons, but of divine attributes ; the Father being the term used in Scripture to denote the Divine Love ; the Son, the Divine Wisdom or Word, and the Holy Spirit, the Divine Proceeding or Operation, and that this trinity resides in the Lord Jesus Christ like the trinity of soul, body and operation in man. II. That the Bible or Word of God is Divine truth, revealed to man in a three distinct planes of meaning, there being within or beneath the literal sense a spiritual and a celestial sense, and that these different senses are connected by a divine law of correspondence, according to which each thing in nature corresponds to something in mind, all nature being but a reflection of a mental or spiritual world, and the whole natural or literal sense of the Bible being but an outward symbol or parable of the inner meaning, which relates entirely to the soul of man and its world. III. That to redeem the world, God came into the world and took upon himself a human nature, and made it divine, even the Lord Jesus Christ, and that in so doing he combatted and subdued the powers of hell, and released mankind from their spiritual bondage, and made it possible for man to freely choose the way of life, and thus to be saved by living a life according to the commandments; and that in this divine humanity He is ever nigh to aid and succor all who trust and pray to Him. IV. That we are immortal spirits clothed with natural bodies, which at death we shall leave forever. We shall then enter the spiritual world in a real human form and substantial spiritual
360
HISTORY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.
body, and shall be judged by our life on earth ; if it has been good, we shall live forever as angels in heaven ; but if evil, we shall seek an abode with those who are wicked like ourselves. V. That the second coming of the Lord is a coming "not in person but in spirit," by revealing the "spiritual or inner sense" of His holy Word, whereby He has commenced a new outpouring of light and of love through His church into the minds of men ; that this spiritual sense of the Bible constitutes the doctrines of the new and lasting Christianity promised to the church under the figure of the holy city, New Jerusalem, seen by John the Revelator, descending out of heaven from God (Rev., xxi) (hence the New Church is often called the " Church of the New Jerusalem ") ; and, finally, that the way to the attainment of this spiritual sense is found in the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg, a human instrument divinely raised up as were the sacred writers of old-for the communicating of a new dispensation of divine truth to the world.
The history of the society of the New Church (sometimes called " Sweden- borgian " ) in Urbana, is of peculiar interest, from the fact that it can be traced back very distinctly and directly to the very origin of the New Church in America, as will appear from the following facts of personal history :
In the year 1784, Mr. James Glen came from London, England, to Phila- delphia, bringing some volumes of Swedenborg's works with him, and he lectured in that city on the subject of the New Church, being the first avowed advocate of these doctrines in America. Leaving this country, he left behind him a num- ber of these volumes, which afterward fell into the hands of Mr. Francis Bailey, of Philadelphia, a printer, who, with his wife and a Miss Hettie Barclay, became warm recipients of the doctrines. Mr. Bailey issued from the press the first volume of the New Church writings printed in America, and Miss Barclay was instrumental in forming a New Church Society in Bedford Penn., where she went to reside with her brother, in 1789. Some time prior to 1826, Mr. Thomas Gwynne came with his family to reside in Urbana. He was formerly of Cumberland, Md .; had there married Jane Murdoch, whose brother, Robert S. Murdoch, also came to Urbana to live, engaging with Mr. Gwynne in busi- ness. The brothers, John and William M. Murdoch, also subsequently came to live in Urbana. Mr. Gwynne was a New Church man, " having received the doctrines through Mr. Josiah Espy, of Bedford, Penn.," where, as we have seen, a New Church Society had grown up as the result of the interest and zeal of Miss Hettie Barclay. A nephew of Miss Hettie Barclay, Mr. Josiah Barclay, became the husband of Isabella Murdoch, a sister of John, Robert and William M. Murdoch, who also came to reside in Urbana, and another sister, Miss Maria Murdoch, was the wife of Josiah Espy, who subsequently resided in Columbus, Ohio, the father of Mr. Henry P. Espy, of Urbana. In 1826, Mr. John H. James came to Urbana from Cincinnati, and took up his residence in Urbana. His wife, Mrs. Abby James, was a daughter of Mr. Francis Bailey, of Phila- delphia, mentioned above. Mrs. James' three sisters, Margaret, Lydia and Ellen Bailey, subsequently, from the year 1833, made their home with Mrs. James, in Urbana, and formed a conspicuous part of the little group of believers in those early days of the New Church in Urbana. In May, 1828, John Murdoch and his sister, Mrs. Isabella Barclay, came here to reside, and added to the number. In 1835, Mr. David Gwynne and family returned for perma- nent residence here. Mr. Richard R. McNemar, a receiver of the doctrines, had also settled here in 1833. The little circle of believers in the "Heavenly Doctrines of the New Jerusalem " were visited by ministers and missionaries of
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.