USA > Ohio > Madison County > The history of Madison County, Ohio > Part 62
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The African Methodist Episcopal Church of London .- The organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of London dates from 1860. About this year Rev. Edward Davis came to the village and organized a class at the residence of Edward Mumford, which consisted of a membership of three, namely: Martha Betts, Wealthy Roberts and Mary J. Nickens. These names were presented to the Ohio Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and from this time regular services of this body have been held in London. The Rev. Mr. Davis served the people as pastor for about three years, during which time the class progressed and many additions were made to it. From the organization of the society until 1872, preaching was con- ducted in private residences and in Smith's Hall. The ministers officiating as pastors of the church during this period and in the order named, are as follows: Revs. Edward Davis, Mr. White, Edward Wright, Mr. Holcomb, Mr. Walker, Jesse Divine, Mr. Robinson and Mr. Whitfield. In 1872, under the pastorate of Mr. Whitfield, the society purchased the church property formerly occupied by the Catholic congregation, for $1.800. Services have since been conducted in this building until in August, 1882, when on the 19th of that month the roof, having become old and decayed, fell in, which rendered the building unfit for occupancy. This building has since been torn down, and there is now in proc- ess of construction, on the same site, a neat, one-story brick structure, 32×50 feet, with an 18 foot ceiling. The building is to have a large tower in the cen- ter front which is to be sixty feet in height, and is to be supplied with a bell weighing 675 pounds.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
The Rev. William Whitfield was succeeded by Rev. Burton Lewis ; and he by Rev. Edward Taylor. Mr. Taylor's successor was Rev. Moses Wilson, who was followed by Rev. Watson Artis. the present pastor of the church. The membership is now one hundred. The local preachers of the church are Ed- ward Mumford and Hilman Hurd, the former being a class-leader. Thomas Pleasant, Robert Verine, William Lowry and Edward Mumford are Stewards. The Board of Trustees is Edward Mumford, S. B. Norris, Thomas Pleasant, Robert Verine. Addison Tarry, Noah Hodge and Elias Lowry.
A Sabbath school is conducted by the church, which was organized a few years subsequent to the formation of the society. Connected with the church are the Missionary Society and a Church Aid Society, the object of the former being to provide means for the support of superannuated ministers and bishops of the conference, and both home and foreign missions ; and the object of the latter being to provide means for church educational purposes and for the gen eral support and advancement of the people in morals and religion.
The First Baptist Church of London (colored) .- This church was organized on the fourth Lord's Day of February, 1866, by Elder George Dardis with the following-named members : John Cain, Samuel JJohn- ston, Harry Townsend, Levi Taylor, Samuel and William Lewis, Alfred Henrys, Henry White, Lemuel Lewis, David Cain, Isaac Jenkins, George H. Hill, Precilla Carter, Julia Rammah, Laura Cain, Eliza Taylor, Nancy Win- tersmith, Alice Mack, Josephine Roberts. Mary Butler, Francis Whales, Lucy Lewis, Julia Andrews, Jennie Robinson, R. Meredith, A. D. Meredith, Elizabeth Wright, and Henry A. Johnson. A frame house was purchased by these mem- bers, together with lot, of Michael Carroll, situated on Fourth street, for $1,000 : and the same was occupied by the society as a place of worship until the build- ing of their present brick structure. In the spring of 1876, preparations for the new building were begun, and July 16 the corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies, conducted by Silver Urn Lodge, No. 29, of Free and Accepted Masons. Visiting lodges of the same order from neighboring places were in attendance, and music for the occasion was furnished by the Columbus Barrack's Band. In the morning, services were held in the court house, Rev. James Poindexter, of Columbus, preaching ; and in the afternoon the same minister delivered an address in the Presbyterian Church, after which the pro- cession formed, and marched to the church, where the ceremonies were per- formed in an impressive manner. The building. a one-story brick, located on Fourth street near Water, was completed in 1881. costing about $2,500. The present pastor of the church is Elder William Balay. Membership, fifty two.
A prosperous Sabbath school has been conducted by the members of the society ever since its organization. This numbers at present about ninety scholars, officered as follows : Superintendent, Mrs. C. D. Rayburn ; Assistant Superintendent, Miss Lizzie Fisher ; Secretary, James II. Cain ; Treasurer, Mrs. D. J. Milton ; Librarian, Charles Hunt.
THE LONDON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
In January, 1880, the above-named association was organized by about a dozen of the young ladies of London, who proposed to raise the necessary amount of money to provide books for the library and to meet other expenses necessary to the opening of and carrying on of the institution, by subscription. Membership tickets were sold at $1 each, entitling the holder to the use of books for one year. Several years prior to this, a similar association, known as the Underwood Library Association, was organized, but existed, we believe, only in name, and for the support of which $300 had been raised but not used. A meeting of the old association was held and the $300 was appropriated to the new association (some arrangement of consolidation of the two associations
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
having been made). The first officers were: Miss Lizzie Maxey. President; Miss Jennie Burnley, Vice President; Miss Mattie L. Henry, Corresponding Secretary; Miss Helen Crabb, Recording Secretary; Miss Emma Richmon, Assistant Secretary; Miss Minnie Wilson. Treasurer; Miss Mary Warner, Li- brarian; Miss Sarah Wood, Assistant Librarian. The library was opened in Butf Block, February 22. 1880, and has since been maintained. It comprises nearly 500 volumes, consisting of biography, fiction history, juveniles, poetry and miscellany.
During the past twenty-five years, several library associations and read- ing rooms and lyceums have been organized in London, but none became per- inanent institutions. Among them may be mentioned the Young Men's Li- brary Association, organized September 25, 1856, under the following officers: President, R. A. Harrison; Vice President, Dr. Toland Jones; Secretary, D. Warner; Treasurer, James Melain. In the fall of 1857, this became a lyceum, and the meetings from November 26 were held with open doors and free for all.
Another London library association and reading room was organized at the Presbyterian Church on the 7th of Jannary, 1868, with R M. Hanson in the Chair, and Otway Watson, Secretary. The permanent officers were: R. A.
Harrison, President; J. H. Curd. Vice President; Otway Watson, Treasurer; M. M. Thomas, Secretary; R. M. Hanson. Corresponding Secretary. A room over Davidsou & Smith's drug store, on Main street, was secured as the quarters of the association. The room was opened to the public about the middle of March of that year, and the first lecture of a course inaugurated was delivered at To- land Hall, February 24, 1868. The library then contained nearly three hundred volumes, one hundred and three of which were donated by Rev. C. W.Finley, and eighty-four by Hon. R. A. Harrison.
On the 7th of February, 1874, a London lyceum elub was organized, with a membership of ten young men, with the following officers: W. H. MeKinnon, President; E. J. Myers, Vice President; A. C. Watson. Corresponding Secre- tary; Il. Hubbard, Treasurer: A. C. Watson, L. S. Dungan and M. M. Thomas, Executive Committee. The first lecture of the course was delivered by John B. Gough, in the Methodist Episcopal Church. March 13, 1874.
SOCIETIES.
Chandler Lodge. No. 18%, F. d. A. M., was chartered May 8, 1846. At the great fire which occurred in London February 2, 1854, the charter of the lodge, its records, and all effects were destroyed, hence we are unable to give the names of the charter members and the first officers. It was at the time of the fire in a prosperous condition. A re-issue of the charter was granted October 18, 1854, and the first officers installed thereafter were: John Dungan, W. M .; F. L. Downing, S. W .; A. R. Phifer, J. W .; J. F. Free- man, Secretary; A. Toland, Treasurer; D. Haskell, S. D .; L. M. Dunn. J. D .; J. Q. Lotspeich, Tiler. At the time the fire occurred. the lodge met in a hall in a building which stood on the present site of the one in which is the Chandler book store on Main street. Meetings later were held in the building on the northeast corner of High and Main streets. From here they removed to To- land Block about the year 1856. In 1867, the hall they were occupying was enlarged and beautifully finished and furnished, until now it will compare favorably with almost any lodge-room in the State. The present membership of the lodge, 104. Present officers: O. P. Crabb, W. M .; R. H. MeCloud. S. W .; J. Swetland, J. W .; M. W. Dungan, Treasurer; I. G. Peetrey, Secretary; Jacob March, S. D .; J. C. Bridgeman, J. D .; Samuel Creamer, Tiler.
Adoniram Royal Arch Chapter, No. 73, was chartered October 18, 1856, on petition of the following-named companions: John Melvin, O. P. Crabb. David Haskell, Thomas J. Stutson, Toland JJones, Israel Fisler, Jeriah
RUSSEL B. CONVERSE,
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
Swetland, Robert Alkire, William McClintick and B. H. Moore. The first of- ficers of the chapter were David Haskell, H. P .; John Melvin, K .; O. P. Crabb, S .; William McClintiek, C. of H .; B. H. Moore, P. S .; J. Swetland, R. A. C .; Robert Alkire, G. M. Third V .; Israel Fisler, G. M. Second V .; Toland Jones, G. M. First V. The present membership of the chapter is ninety; present of- ficers: O. P. Crabb, H. P .; D. Haskell, K .; J. Swetland, S .; Daniel T. Fox, C. of H .; R. H. McCloud, R. A. C .; J. B. Sprague, P. S .; I. G. Peetrey, Sec- retary; M. W. Dungan, G. M. Third V .; A. P. Hewitt, G. M. Second V .; Job J. Clark, G. M. First V .; S. Creamer, Guard.
London Council, No. 41, Royal and Select Masters, was organized un- dler a charter from the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Ohio, on peti- tion of the following named : Harford Toland, John C. Sothoron, Levi March, Oliver P. Crabb, William H. Chandler, Sr., John C. Coblentz, Jacob March, George H. Rowland, S. Creamer and M. M. Hutchinson, bearing date October 13, 1866. The first officers were Harford Toland, T. I. G. M .; John C. Sotho- ron, D. L. G. M .; Levi March, P. C. W .; O. P. Crabb, C. of G .; William H. Chandler, Sr., Treasurer; John C. Coblentz, Receiver; Jacob March, Sentinel. The present membership is thirty-nine, with the following officers : J. Swet- land, T. I. G. M .; O. P. Crabb, D. I. G. M .; JJacob March, P. C. W .; J. B. Sprague, C. of G .; P. Speasmaker, Treasurer; I. G. Peetrey, Receiver; S. Creamer, Sentinel.
Silver Urn Lodge, No. 29, F. & A. M. (Colored), was chartered June 23, 1869. The charter members were James Cain, Edward Mumford, George White, Robert Cain, John L. Cain, A. Thomas and Thomas Pleasant, and the olfices following were filled by them in the respective order given: W. M., S. W., J. W., Treasurer, Secretary, S. D., J. D., Tiler. The present member- ship is nineteen, officered as followers: G. M. Phonosdall, W. M .; William Stew- ard, S. W .; William Lowry, J. W .; Green Roberts, Treasurer; 4. Burns, Secre- tary; Elias Lowry, S. D .; A. Thomas, J. D .; B. Artis, Tiler. The lodge has for a number of years held its meetings in Speasmaker's Hall on Main street.
Madison Lodge, No. 70, 1. 0. 0. F .- This Lodge was instituted September 18, 1846, by special deputy Jolm Brough, with the following charter members: A. A. Hume, John Jones, Thomas Fellows, John A. Skinner, II. Carter, W. H. Holmes, N. D. Morgan, J. Cheney, David Armstrong and James MeLain. On the day of institution the following first officers were elected and installed: JJohn A. Skinner, N. G .; David Armstrong, V. G .; A. A. Hume, Recording Secretary; John Jones, Private Secretary; James Mcbain, Treasurer. The lodge first inet in a hall in a building that stood where Cartzdafner's store now is, on Main street, and there continued to meet until burned out by the great fire of 1854. They then met in a hall over Speasmaker's hardware store, and in 1870 removed to their present quarters. in the hall of Knights of Pythias, in Union Block, on Main street. The membership is now 122. The present officers are A. J. Blue, N. G; Charles Jones, V. G .; E. T. Bethard, Recording Secretary; L. H. Miller, Private Secretary; S. H. Cartzdafner, Treasurer. The lodge is in a prosperous condition. The stock and funds on hand amount to over $3.500.
Encampment of Patriarchs, No. 126, I. O. O. F. - A charter was granted May 4. 1870, to B. F. Clark, A. L. Brown, M. L. Bryan. JJohn Jones, S. Creamer, S. H. Cartzdafner, G. W. Darety and -, and their successors duly and legally elected to be held at London. The institution of the Encamp- ment took place June 22, 1870, and was officered as follows : John Jones. C. P .; B. F. Clark, H. P .; A. L. Brown, S. W .; G. W. Darety. JJ. W .; M. L. Bryant, S .; S. II. Cartzdafner. Treasurer. It has now a membership of forty-four with the following-named officers: E. T. Bethard, C. P .; Charles Jones. HI. P .; C. L. Turner. S. W .; C. E. Holt, J. W .; William Wandby, S .; JJohn Jones, Tiler.
T
588
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
Mystic Lodge No. 36, Knights of Pythias, was instituted November 2, 1871, by Grand Chancellor Haines, of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The following is a list of the charter members, the officers of the first term being indicated by the appropriate initials following their names. It will be observed that this organization was under the old ritual and the old official titles are used : J. Swetland, V. P .; A. L. Brown, W. C .; William H. Carter, W. V. C .; L. S. Dungan, W. R. and C. S .; Frank Shaw, W. F. S .; Job J. Clark, W. B .; C. O. Kennedy, W. G .; O. J. Greenleaf, W. I. S .; Alfred Taylor, W. O. S. Other members were Rev. C. W. Finley, William Turner, William F. Davidson and James McLanghlin. The order occupied the old Odd Fellows Hall in the third story of Mr. Phil Speasmaker's building on Main street until March 14, 1872, when quarters were taken in the Guilchel Hall on Main street in connection with the Improved Order of Redmen, then just instituted. The meetings were here con- tinued until May 8, 1873, when they moved into rooms fitted up by them in Boyd's new block, known as " Union Block," on the corner of Main and High streets, which hall they continue to occupy at present. The following is a list of all the Past Chancellors made by this lodge in the order of their seniority : J. Swetland, Frank Shaw, Job J. Clark, L. S. Dungan, A. L. Brown, W. H. Carter, O. J. Greenleaf, J. R. Atchison, D. S. Bird, John D. Maddux, James Freeman, Carl Stewart, John B. Garrard, W. F. Davidson. William Bierbongh. E. S. Vent, P. H. Acton, W. W. Oberdier, James M. MeDonald, John C. Hagy, B. F. Johnson, L. II. Headley.
During the existence of the lodge, they have made 115 Knights, of which the following named are now deceased : B. F. Bierbough, W. H. Carter, J. G. Dungan, C. W. Finley, R. G. Garrard, A. P. King, A. L. McDonald, D. E. McMillen, L. Nufel, T. P. Sanford.
Officers in December, 1882-William Bierbough, P. C .; A. Swetland, C. C .; A. Sager, V. C .; James M. McDonald, P .; S. Maddux. K. R. S .; J. B. Garrard. M. F .; E. S. Vent, M. and E .; J. C. Hagy, M. at A .; J. M. Davidson, I. G .; D. Bend, O. G .; D. S. Bird, D. D. G. C.
Central Lodge, No. 1842, Knights of Honor, was granted a charter September 29, 1879, by the Supreme Lodge of the Knights of Honor. Those making ap- plications for the same were J. C. Bridgeman, D S. Bird. William H. Carter. J. J. Clark, F. A. Candler. Jomm Duddy, J. N. Davidson, W. F. Evans, Leon- ard Eastman, Walter C. Henry, Charles Jones. W. R. Lotspeich. M. M. Melvin, Frank R. Neff. W. R. Park, William Richardson, Dr. A. J. Strain, J. F. Smith and Erwin F. Willis. The lodge was instituted January 25, 1879, by J. B. King, D. D. G. D .; and the first officers were: J. J. Clark, D. G. D .; Noah Thomas, P. D .; William R. Lotspeich, D, Charles Jones, V. D .: F. M. Candler, Assistant V. P .; Erwin F. Willis, R .; J. W. Mackinnon, F. R .; Nelson Baker. Treasurer; J. C. Bridgeman, Chaplain: Frank Neff. Guide: M. M. Melvin. Guard: Dennis Bird, Sentinel; Dr A. J. Strain. Medical Examiner; Trustees, J. C. Bridgeman, Noah Thomas and Frank R. Noff. The meetings of the lodge are held at the hall of the Knights of Pythias. Present membership, twenty-two. Officers: J. J Clark, D G. D ; F. R. Neff. D .; B. JJudy. V. D .; W. H. Ellsworth, Assistant V. D .; W. R. Lotspeich. R ; J. W. Mackinnon, Financial R .; John Duddy. Treasurer; J. C. Bridgeman. Chaplain; M. Candler, Guide; J. J. Clark. Guard; J. N. Da- vidson. Sentinel: Trustees, C. Jones, N. Baker and Dr. A. J. Strain.
London Council, No. 79. American Legion of Honor, was chartered May 19, 1880, and the council organized January 28. 1880. The charter members were Preston Adair, M. A. Blangher, J. J. Clark, O. P. Crabb, P. C. Cowling, J. S. Crain, M. W. Dungan, O. J. Greenleaf. J. T. Houston, William JJones, John Kinney, J. M. Lohr. J. E. Lotspeich. W. R. Lotspeich, J. W. Mackinnon, J. D. Maddux. Jacob March. I. G Peetrey, James Rayburn. E. J. Robinson, Philip Speasmaker. T. S. Strickland, Jeriah Swetland. M. M. Thomas, T. D. Turner, E.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
R. Watts, Erwin F. Willis. The first officers were: J. Swetland, Commander; Thomas D. Turner, V. Com .; Erwin F. Willis, P. Com .; J. W. MacKin- non, Orator; J. E. Lotspeich, Secretary; J. D. Maddux, Collector; I. G. Pee- trey, Treasurer; E. R. Watts, Chaplain; Jacob March, Guide; James Rayburn. W .; M. A. Blaugher, Sentinel; J. T. Houston, Med. Ex .; Trustees, P Adair. O. P. Crabb, J. T. Houston. The council meets in the Knights of Pythias Hall. The present membership is thirty-five. Officers: I. G. Peetrey, Commander; Jacob March, V. Com .; J. W. Mackinnon, Orator; J. E. Lotspeich. Secre- tary; E. J. Robison, Collector; E. R. Watts, Treasurer; W. R. Lotspeich, Chap- lain, E. S. Vent, G .; J. W. Dixon, W .; D. S. Bird, Sentinel.
Lyon Post, No. 121, Grand Army of the Republic, was constituted August 9. 1881. by the Department of Ohio Grand Army of the Republic at Toledo, with the following charter members: Toland Jones, William A. Neil, R. R. Cow- ling, T. Haley, James C. Peck, Jacob March, George W. Wilson, I. G. Peetrey, M. W. Dungan, J. M. Taylor, H. H. Johnson, H. II. Harper. Charles E. Skeels, George E. Ross, D. A. Moore, L. H. Miller, T. W. Miller, A. H. Underwood. The following officers were duly elected and installed: George W. Wilson, Commander; Isaac G. Peetrey, S. V. Com .; M. W. Dungan, J. V. Com .; T. HIaley, Adjt .; Jacob March, Q. M .; T. W. Miller, Chaplain; membership, thirty.
Juniatta Tribe, No. 62, Improved Order of Red Men, was instituted at Lon- don February 7, 1872, by Grand Sachem George B. Means, with eighty charter members. The first officers were Jeriah Swetland, Sachem; O. P. Crabb, Senior Sagamore; George H. Rowland, Junior Sagamore; Quinn Clark, Chief of Rec- ords; Isaac G. Peetrey, Keeper of Wampum; Rev. C. W. Finley, Prophet. This order is now defunct.
THE WOMAN'S ANTI-LIQUOR CRUSADE.
The initial steps of the movement in London toward organizing a raid against the liquor dealers were taken at a meeting held in the Methodist Epis- copal Church Jannary 18, 1874, which received an impetus at a meeting held in the Presbyterian Church on the following evening. The result was the preparation of the following petition :
" We, the undersigned citizens of London, Ohio, and vicinity, desiring the good of our community, and interested in the welfare of our friends and chil- dren, knowing the use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage to be injurious to all concerned-the buyer and seller-pledging ourselves to its discontinuance hereafter, do kindly but earnestly ask you to unite with ns in this purpose. Accompanying this petition are pledges which our representatives will present, setting forth our desires. We assure you that it is with the kindest feeling we petition yon."
This pledge was circulated throughout the town, and in less than one week was signed by over one thousand citizens, of every class and condition. On the 19th of the month, committees of ladies, selected from among the best citizens, waited upon the proprietors of the several drug stores in London, and presented, for their signature, a pledge to the effect that they would sell no in- toxicating liquors, save for purely medicinal or mechanical purposes. This was readily signed by all the druggists. Two days later, committees of ladies, two of each, waited upon every person in the town who was engaged in the liquor traffic, with a pledge that they would discontinue the business at once and forever. But one of the twenty dealers, we believe, signed the pledge, though a good feeling prevailed between the committee-women and the saloon- ists. On the 2Sth of the same month, a deputation of ladies, to the number of between thirty and forty, called at several places where liquor was sold, and engaged in singing and praying for a short time. The exercises were uninter rupted by any unbecoming conduct on the part of the liquor dealers or other dersons.
590
HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY.
Prayer-meetings were held at the Presbyterian Church from 9 to 10 o'clock each morning, which were attended by all classes of citizens, many of the business men closing their business houses for the purpose. Prayer-meetings were also held each evening at the Methodist and Presbyterian Churches alternating, which were largely attended. Every day ladies assembled at the Presbyterian Church and proceeded from thence to the several saloons, where, after soliciting the proprietor to sign their pledge, and his refusal to do so, they would engage in singing and praying. Sometimes the ladies were refused ad- mission to the house, so they gathered on the pavement in front and conducted their services. During the week closing February 7, two saloonists suc- cumbed to the pressure and gave up. By the close of the following week, the novelty was somewhat worn away and the excitement considerably diminished. Still, there was manifested on the part of those engaged in the warfare a settled determination to continue the contest until the enemy was routed. The ladies still continued their daily administrations of song and prayer before the prin- cipal saloons, but their numbers were somewhat lessened. During this period, another means of bringing about the desired end was inaugurated. A sub- scription paper had been circulated asking material aid to be used in prosecut- ing persons unlawfully engaged in the traffic, and for defraying expenses in- cident to the temperance movement. For this purpose over $20,000 was sub- scribed, the sums given by any one person, ranging from $10 to $2,000. Feb- ruary 11, the London Temperance Association, composed of all who had subscribed to the temperance fund, was formed, and the Executive Committee instructed to draw on the fund for expenses in carrying out the laws. Next, the ladies divided their forces into small squads and took their stations in front of the saloons at 7 o'clock in the morning and continued until about 10 o'clock in the evening, relief parties being regularly sent out. On the 17th, the tabernacle first made its appearance on the streets ; this consisted of a large box-shaped contrivance with comfortable seats for half a dozen persons, inclosed with oil-cloth curtains and mounted on small wooden wheels for the purpose of being easily transferred from one point to another. February 13, the Town Council passed an ordinance prohibiting the sale of beer and ale within the corporate limits of London. This, of course, was done under the pressure of the temperance excitement. On the following Tuesday evening, another saloonist rolled his casks out and emptied their contents ground ward.
Friday, February 20, 1874, was pretty generally observed as a day of fast, the business houses were about all closed, and many of the citizens attended the services at the several churches. During the fourth and fifth weeks, the ladies were, for the first time, molested and indecently treated. On one occa- sion, eggs and other missiles were hurled at them; on another, beer slops were thrown on them, and the third witnessed the removal of one of the tabernacles from its position of attack, whereby one man was knocked down and another injured. About this time, another saloonist gave way, selling out and sending off his liquors, left the town. After the difficulty attending the use of the tabernacle, those vehicles were discarded, but the policy of sending out daily skirmishers was still kept np.
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