The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 2, Part 4

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1410

USA > Ohio > Clinton County > The history of Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 2 > Part 4

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).

CHURCHES.

Many of the early settlers of Wilmington and vicinity were of the Baptist persuasion, and soun formed themselves into a society, and, until the building of a meeting-house, held services in each other's dwellings, and subsequently in the court house. From Dr. A. Jones we learn that this denomination was the first to erect a house of worship in the village. This was about the year 1817. The building was of brick, in size about 20x30 feet, and stood on Co- lumbus street, near the junction of that street with the Prairie road. The ground on which it was built was given to the society by Isaiah Morris. The church edifice is described as being similar to the one now used by the Pres- byterians. The records of this church cannot be found; hence, only what can be gathered from the recollections of the oldest citizens can be given. From Dr. Jones we learn that the following-named families were among the early members: The Strickles, Wilsons, Mills, Hughes, McManis, Gaddis, Rannells, Lewis, Rigdons, McGees, Morris, Crihfields and Howes. The Rev. Amos Wil-

*We have seen a copy of " The Scholar's Arithmetic, or Federal Accountant," which is now in the possession of Dr. D. B. Mory, of Wilmington, and was the property of Platt B. Mory in 1819. Its author was Daniel Adams, M. B., and the book was printed at Keene, N. H., in 1814.

502

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

son was Pastor of the church for many years, who, it is said, had a massive brain, with strong will power, but was devoid of artificial adornments. He fre- quently preached from the text, "Philip and the eunuch went down into the water," which seemed to bo a favorite one. In 1828 or 1829, when the doc- trines of Alexander Campbell were being preached, the greater part of the membership became fascinated with it, and the old Baptist Church of Wil- mington became virtually a church after that doctrine, only a few members re- fusing to stay. Thus ended the old Baptist Church, and from it came the Christian Church of Wilmington.

First Baptist Church .- This church was organized at a meeting held Aug- ust 6, 1853. Delegates from the following churches were present: Cæsar's Creek, Jonah's Run, Port William, Spring Valley, Washington, Cedarville, Centerville and Cowan's Creek. The original membership comprised the fol- lowing named: James S. Hoblett, Joseph K. Sparks, Robert Wood, William Williams, James Phillips, J. C. C. Dowden, Sterling Bartlett, Rhoda Morris, Mary Hoblett, Mary Wood, Elizabeth Darbyshire, Olive Bartlett and Hannah Griffith. The first Board of Trustees consisted of Jamos S. Hoblett, J. K. Sparks, Robert Wood and William Williams. Elder S. Marshall was the first Pastor of the church. At a meeting of the Trustoos held September 13, 1853, it was agreed to advertise for sealed proposals for building a meeting- house. The edifice now occupied by this society was the result of this move- ment, yet it has since undergone several changes. The dedicatory serv- ices took place on the last Sabbath in July, 1854. The building is a neat, one-story structure, built of brick, and in size is about 66x44 feet. In front is a square tower extending a short distance above the roof, which was added in 1865, at a cost of about $1,500. In 1871, the church was remodeled, and it now presents a very handsome appearance. Across the rear end of the audi- torium is a gallery, which, with the ceiling, were constructed by William Cleveland. The ceiling is quite handsomely finished. The pews and pulpit are from Richmond, Ind., and of excellent workmanship and finish. The pa- . pering of the walls in fresco by Morton & Co., of Cincinnati, is in excellent style, and the stained glass windows set the room off in good colors. The floor is well carpeted, and the room is a very comfortable one in which to as- semble for worship. It is lighted by gas and heated by hot air. The im- provements of 1871 cost about $4,000. The re-opening of the church took place on Sabbath, June 4, 1871; sermon by Dr. Jeffrey, of Cincinnati, who preached from the following words: " Who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works." Found in the 2d chapter of Titus and 14th verse.

The ministers who have served the church as pastors are given below:

Rev. S. Marshall, August 6, 1853, to February 11, 1854; Rev. J. N. Chap- man, April 8, 1854, to May 12, 1855; Rev. B. B. Bedell, October 8, 1856, to December 9, 1866; Rev. B. G. Siegfried, December 9, 1866, to May 31, 1868; Rev. A. E. Anderson, February 13, 1869, to -, 1869; Rev. W. Kidder, July 9, 1870, to February 26, 1871; Rev. B. G. Siegfried, June 4, 1871, to June 23, 1872; Rev. B. H. Gardner, January 10, 1873, to June 7, 1873; Rev. W. E. Prichard, October 1, 1874, to May 10, 1876; Rev. B. G. Siegfried, May 8, 1878, to 1881; Rov. A. K. Sargent, September 3, 1881; present membership about one hundred; present Board of Trustees, Dr. G. M. Ireland, Jesse H. Woods, W. J. Struble.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- The history of this organization in Wil- mington begins with the year 1814, at which time the village belonged to White Oak Circuit, Miami district. It was subsequently assigned to Cincin- nati Circuit, to Milford, Lebanon, etc., and, in 1849, was detached from Wil-

503

UNION TOWNSHIP.

mington Circuit and made a station. The early ministers of the denomination had wide circuits over which to travel, and their congregations were never large. In 1814, Rev. Samuel Parker was Presiding Elder of the district, and William Burke and David Sharpe were preachers on the circuit, which extended from some distance north of Wilmington (which was one of its appointments), southward to the Ohio River. Following came Rev. John Sale, Presiding Elder, and R. W. Finley, J. Oglesby and J. Waterman, A. Cummins and R. Bigelow, A. Goddard, William Finley, preachers. In 1817, Moses Crume was appointed Presiding Elder, and Samuel Brown and Francis Landrum, preach- ers. In 1819, John Sale, Presiding Elder, B. Westlake and H. Brown, preachers. In 1821, J. B. Finley, Presiding Elder, J. C. Brooke and T. S. Helt, preachers. In 1823, John Helt, Presiding Elder, B. Lawrence, N. Walk- er, E. Wells, N. B. Griffith, preachers. In 1825, G. R. Jones, Presiding El- der, John Sale, preacher (Wilmington Circuit), followed by A. F. Baxter, John P. Taylor, R. Brandreth, G. W. Maley, James Quinn, J. M. Goshorn. Between this time and 1835, J. B. Finley and Thomas A. Morris were Presid- ing Elders, and William D. Barrett, J. Martin, C. W. Swain, J. W. Clark and R. Cheney, preachers. In 1835, William B. Christie, Presiding Elder, F. Butler, Z. Wharton, preachers, followed by James Quinn, Presiding Elder, I. A. Reeder and J. Alexander, preachers; also J. B. Finley, Prosiding Elder, James Laws, S. H. Holland, Werter R. Davis and S. F. Conroy, preachers. In 1839-40, G. W. Walker, Presiding Elder, James Quinn, J. W. Steele, preachers, followed -by Z. Conrell, Presiding Elder, and J. M. Howland, E. B. Chase, J. M. Ellsworth, Martin Wolf, L. P. Miller, I. N. Marks, William Parish, D. W. C. Johnston, J. J. Hill, O. L. Williams, J. W. Kelly, E. G. Meredith, James F. Challant and Stephen Merrell, preachers. In 1848, J. F. Wright, Presiding Elder, A. W. Tibbitts, W. B. Jackson, preachers. In 1849, Cyrus Brooks, Presiding Elder, J. W. Fowble, preacher at Wilmington station. In 1850, J. F. Conrey, pastor; 1851, W. I. Ellsworth, Presiding El- der, J. F. Conrey, pastor; 1852, W. S. Morrow, pastor; 1853-54, C. H. Law- ton, pastor; 1855, G. W. Walker, Presiding Elder, T. Collett, pastor. July 31, 1856, Rev. G. W. Walker died at Wilmington, at the house of J. P. Brin- dle, having come here to attend Quarterly Meeting. He was fifty-two years of age, and was in the thirtieth year of his ministry. He was succeeded by G. C. Crum as Presiding Elder. In 1857, Dr. H. Baker was pastor, and J. W. Cassatt in 1858; 1859, M. Kauffman, Presiding Elder, T. S. Dunn, pastor; 1860-61, S. A. Brewster, pastor; entered the army in 1861 as Chaplain in the Fortieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and G. H. Dart was appointed to the pas- orate, and served through 1862; 1863, M. Dustin, Presiding Elder, A. Me- harry, pastor; latter re-appointed in 1864-1865. M. Dustin was Presiding Elder in 1865-66, and S. D. Clayton was appointed to the Wilmington pastor- ite in 1866. Sylvester Weeks, pastor in 1868; H. M. Keck, 1869; A. U. Beall, 1870; William Runyan, 1871-73; Lafayette F. Van Cleve, 1874-75; James P. Porter, 1876-78; Charles Ferguson, 1879-81; John H. Lease, September, 881. The Presiding Elders have been James Kendall, 1866 to 1870; Samuel ). Clayton, 1870 to 1874; and Lafayette F. Van Cleve since 1878.

Daniel Jones and Levi Sheppard were among the most active of the early nembers of this church, Mr. Jones being one of the number forming the first lass. The first house of worship used by this society was a building for- herly used as a grist-mill operated by horse-power. It was fitted up for the se of the congregation in 1818, and was used for several years. In 1833, a rick chapel was built, which was then the largest and best of its kind in this ortion of Ohio. Among those who were then members were Levi Sheppard, Bebee Treusdell, Charles Russell, William E. Ashcraft and Elizabeth Kelly.

504

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

Mr. Sheppard was the mason who laid the walls, and Mr. Russell finished the carpenter work. In July, 1865, this building was demolished. and its mate- rials used in the construction of a new church -- that which is now (1882) in uso -on an adjoining lot. The foundation of the new structure was begun on the same day with the work of tearing down the old chapel, and the corner- stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies July 27, 1865, the services being conducted by Rev. Dr. Wiley, editor of the Ladies' Repository. The building. was dedicated by Bishop Clark July 29, 1866, up to which time it had cost $12,600. The lecture-room was finished first and the building was not finally completed until February 12, 1871. Its total cost was about $18,000. The society became incorporated in 1824, under a general law authorizing the step, and, on the 29th of March in that year, seven Trustees of "The Method- ist Episcopal Church in Wilmington," as it was named, were elected as fol- lows: William Millikan, Thomas Gaskill, Daniel Jones, Israel Johns, Levi Shep- pard, Abraham Dever and Henry Wolary.

Society of Friends .- The first church of this society in Wilmington was established about the year 1824, with a large and prosperous membership. In 1825, they built a small, one-story brick church on West Main street where they worshiped about three years. In 1826, Elias Hicks, after whom a branch of the society is now named, paid a visit to the church at Wilmington, remaining with them a few days. In 1828, a division of the church took place, one faction calling themselves Orthodox Friends, and the other adopting the name of Hicksites. The latter being the most numerous, retained possession of the church building. The Orthodox branch attended meetings at Dover and Center Meeting-Houses until 1839, when they purchased a small, round-topped, octagon-shaped brick building, formerly used as a district schoolhouse. In 1854, they sold the octagon-shaped building, and took possession of the old church, then held by the Hicksitos, who had discontinued their meetings. Aftor repairing and renovating the old church, they occupied it as a place of worship until 1870, when they purchased the building now occupied by them, on the corner of Locust and Mulberry streets. This building was erected and for many years used as a public school building. After leaving the old church, it was again taken by the Hicksites, who have since continued to hold their. meetings there. In the fall of 1879, another division of the Orthodox branch took place, the members adhering to the old doctrine calling themselves "old line " Friends, while the others were called "progressive." Friends. The for- mer retained possession of the church, in which they have since continued to hold meetings. The "progressive " Friends worshiped at the residence of Cornelius Douglass, on North South street, for a time, after which they pur- chased the lot where the church now stands, of Mr. Douglass, and built there- on the church they now occupy, which is a small, one-story frame building. There are now in Wilmington about four hundred members of the society.

First Presbyterian Church. - This church was organized in 1825, with the following members, viz .: William Walter and wife, Isaac Collett, Samuel Mil- ler, William Bloom, John Langhead, Thomas Hibben, Charles P. Gallaher and Caleb Smith. Services were held at private houses for some time, when the society procured the Baptist Church, in which they worshiped until 1829, when the present church was erected. David Monfort organized the society, and served as minister for the congregation for two or three years. He was succeeded by William Worrell, who was the pastor for a few months; but, be- " ing in bad health, he was taken sick and died before the expiration of a year. His place was filled by Joseph Irwin, and subsequently by C. A. Hoyt. From 1850 until within a year, the congregation was' without a regular pastor, the pulpit being supplied from time to time by ministers sent from Presbytery.

104

505

UNION TOWNSHIP.

On December 13, 1881, Rev. J. Straus was called and became the regular pas- tor of the church, which now has a membership of about fifty-six. In 1882, the church erected a two-story frame parsonage of seven rooms, upon the church lot, at a cost of $1,800.

Christian Church .-- The Church of Christ at this place is an offshoot from the Regular Baptist Church, which worshiped on the south side of Columbus, between Walnut and Lincoln streets. The separation occurred in 1828 or 1829, and altnost the entire membership went with this sect. For a time, serv- ices were continued in the old church; but, inasmuch as the ground upon which the house stood was donated for the use of the Baptist Church, other- wise to revert to the donor, they removed the material to a lot on Mulberry street, between Columbus and Locust streets, and there built a one-story brick church, which building they occupied until the erection of the present beauti- ful church edifice. The house on Mulberry street was built about the year 1833 or 1834. The records of the church are very incomplete, and the pioneer preachers are not named. The first pastor of the church of whom there is any record is Rev. Thomas J. Melish, who assumed the pastorate in 1851. The membership at this time was 105. We are told, however, that preceding the year just mentioned, and, in fact, about the time of the church's organization, more credit should be given the memory of Rev. George McManis than any other man, for to him is the church indebted for the spirit of truth and right- eousness in this locality. Among those who have labored for the church may be mentioned Revs. Aylett Rains, William Pinkerton, E. H. Hawley, and those grand old pioneers of the reformation, Walter Scott and D. S. Burnett. Later pastors have been Rev. S. H. Bingaman, 1874-75; Rev. W. S. Tingley, 1876; Rev. A. A. Knight, 1877, 1878 and 1879; Rev. Carroll Ghent, 1880- 81; and Rev. C. J. Bartholomew, the present incumbent. The present church officers are: Elder-C. D. Hughes; Deacons-Dr. N. H. Sidwell, F. M. Moore, William Bentley, Wilson McFarland, John Carroll and Jerome Penn. The church edifice now occupied by this congregation is located on the corner of South and Columbus streets. It is an imposing structure, one story high, with a basement built of brick, with freestone trimmings. The basement was completed in the spring of 1874, and first occupied in May of that year. The main auditorium remained in an unfinished state for more than five years, and was completed and formally dedicated Sunday, April 16, 1882, by the Rev. Isaac Errett D. D., of Cincinnati. The building cost $10,000. On one cor- ner of the front of the building is a large tower surmounted by a tall spire. The bell of the old church was suspended in the tower, but inat- tention was paid to the iron fastenings, and, on a Sunday in January, 1875, while the sexton was ringing it for Sunday school, the bell broke loose and fell to the pavement, breaking it into pieces. In the following June, the new bell was received and suspended. Its weight is 714 pounds, and, with hang- ing attachments, is about 1,000 pounds.

African Methodist Episcopal Church .- The African M. E. Church was or- ganized in 1833, by Wiley Runnels, of Cincinnati, at the house of William Brown, on the corner of South and Sugartree streets. Among the members at that time were John Thompson, David Ladd and wife, Abraham Henson and wife, Mary Bosworth, William Brown and wife, James Wheeler and wife, and Willis Crane and wife. The meetings were held at private houses until 1838, when a log church was built on Lincoln street, which served them until 1852, when the present church building was erected. It is a one-story. brick building, capable of seating about three hundred people, and cost $800. Among the preachers who have ministered to this church were Revs. Wells, Steward, Epps, Wadkins and William J. Johnston, the latter being the

WELLTETA

الــ

506

HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.

present incumbent of the pastorate. In 1879-80, $980 were expended in re- modeling and improving the church building, and in May, 1880, it was dedi- cated by Rev. E. Cumberland, of Greenfield, Ohio, and Rev. Dr. Mortimer, of Cincinnati, Ohio, the latter conducting the afternoon services, which were the principal ones. A collection of $150 was taken up after the services ended to go toward liquidating the church debt. The society now numbers 120 · members.

Zion Baptist Church (colored) .- This church was organized on the third Saturday of October, 1854, at the residence of Jacob Emmons, in the south- eastern part of the town, by Elder R. Bowes and Elder Roberds, of Xenia, and Rev. Moreton. The original members were Jacob Emmons and Nancy, his wife, and Mrs. Webster. Services were held at the house of Mr. Emmons for six or eight years, when they rented a house of the Wesleyan Methodists, where they worshiped some time, after which they returned to Mr. Emmons' house. They then rented a round-topped house, formerly occupied by the Friends, after which they worshiped in the colored schoolhouse, remaining in the latter until they built the present brick church, four years ago. Mr. Emmons served the congregation as Pastor for about eleven years. He was followed by Henry Davis, of Kentucky, William Rickman, Asa Pratt, Elder Gee and Elder Charles Clark, the latter being the present Pastor. The ground upon which their church was built was purchased of Robert Wickersham. The cost of the church was about $1, 400. There are now 114 members.

Previous to the organization of this church, the members of the Old- School Baptist Church used to meet and have occasional services at private houses, but no regular church organization was effected.

The Catholic Church .*- In speaking of the history of Catholicism in Clin- ton County, it seems to be the prevailing impression that the Catholic Church dates its history from the time the first public services were held; but this is a mistake. About the year 1807, James Trimble, John Burk and Edward Powers, with their families, settled near the present village of Cuba. All

were natives of Ireland, and members of the Catholic Church, who left their i native land on account of persecution, to seek an asylum where liberty of con- science prevailed. In the humble log cabins of these exiles, family worship - was held and prayers offered to the Most High, and from this dates the history of Catholicism in Clinton County, as Christ has promised, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." The names of the heads of these families may be found in the list of patriots who assembled at the monthly musters from the beginning of the Indian war until the close of the war of 1812, to learn the art of handling the musket, and prepare for the defense of their country. How long these families re- mained in Clinton is not now known, but all left the county at an early day. James Trimble was a man of good education, and a school-teacher, while the balance were tillers of the soil.

The next Catholics to locate in this county were Thomas and Arthur Mc- Cann, also natives of Ireland. In the summer of 1811, they opened a pottery on South street, in Wilmington, and, for many years, did a large business, as nearly all of the early pioneers used their ware, which was very beautifully and skillfully made. They remained about seven years, and, during the war of 1812, were prominent in upholding the patriot cause against English op- pression. They took a leading part in celebrating the victory of Gen. Jackson over the English at New Orleans, in 1815, which celebration was held in a grove on the present site of the West House. That many other persons pro- fessing "the faith of the fathers " came to Clinton County during its early

* Prepared by R. O. Brown.

1408903

A. King

coeporE

Selve

N. 6. King

511

UNION TOWNSHIP.

history there can be little doubt; but we have no authenticated record of any until the coming of Patrick Denver, Patrick Dolan, William Rankin, and two brothers named Clement, the latter of whom were natives of France, and the first three of Ireland. All have left descendants, some of whom yet adhere to the church. Matthew Rombach, a native of Germany, came some years after- ward, and is yet a communicant of the Wilmington Church.

The first mass celebrated in Clinton County was at the house of Michael Devany, of Wilmington, by the'Rev. Thomas Blake, in August, 1852. Father Blake was born and educated in Ireland; came to Cincinnati about 1850, and was soon afterward ordained. He was stationed at Xenia, and was brought from Corwin Station, where he was holding divine service, by Michael Devany, / Timothy Coakley and Patrick Creedon. Ten persons were present at- this mass, viz., Michael Devany, wife and daughter, Timothy Coakley, Patrick Creedon, Jeremiah Coakley and wife, and Catharine Knaughton, and two young men whose names are now forgotten. At the second service celebrated in the same house a month later, eleven persons were present. For about two years mass was regularly held once a month in the houses of Michael Devany and Jeremiah Coakley; but at the end of this time, the Catholics had so increased that Father Blake found it necessary to rent Clinton Hall to accommodate his growing congregation. Thus things remained under Father Blake's charge, . with an occasional visit from Rev. Philip Foley and Rev. Cornelius Daly, un- til October, 1862, when he was relieved of the care of the Wilmington congre- gation.

Rev. John B. O'Donoghue was appointed to succeed Father Blake, and has ever since ministered to the spiritual wants of this church. Father O'Donoghue was born in the County Clare, Ireland, and there studied classics and humanities. In 1848, he came to Cincinnati, where he studied theology, and was ordained in 1853, by the Most Rev. John B. Purcell. He first went to Fayetteville, Brown Co., Ohio, where he was assistant Pastor for three years, having charge of the congregations of Hillsboro, Greenfield, Loveland and Mil- ford. At the end of this time, he removed his residence to Hillsboro, where he remained two years, and then removed to Milford, taking charge of the Catholics of Milford, Loveland, Morrow and Lebanon, and subsequently of Washington Court House and Wilmington. In 1868, he removed to Morrow, his present place of residence, and now has charge of Morrow, Lebanon and . Wilmington. Since his ordination to the priesthood, Father O'Donoghue has built or acquired churches at Greenfield, Loveland, Milford, Morrow, Wilming- ton and Washington Court House, beside the pastoral residence at Hillsboro, and other church property elsewhere.7

In the spring of 1863, Father O'Donoghue partially contracted for the old nursery lot in the southwest part of Wilmington, upon which to erect a church. Services were still being held in Clinton Hall, which was subsequently vacated for Preston's Hall, which the church, was allowed the use of rent free. This lot did not suit the congregation, and it was changed for the one upon which the church now stands. This lot cost $1,300, and was paid for in full ere the erection of the building. Ground was broken June 6, 1866, and the corner- stone laid by the Right Rev. Sylvester H. Rosecrans, Bishop of Columbus, June 24, of that year, a large concourse of people being present to witness the ceremonies. The building was soon completed and ready for divine services, which have since been regularly held therein. It was not, however, dedicated until October 5, 1870, by the Most Rev. John B. Purcell, Archbishop of Cin- cinnati, receiving the name of St. Columbkille.

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 Clinton County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; history of the Northwest territory, Volume 2, Part 4

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers Number of Pages: 1410

Author: Durant, Pliny A. ed; Beers (W.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : W. H. Beers
Number of Pages: 1410