The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 89

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

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With this closes the chapter of pioneer sketches. A few more families e nown to have come to this township during this early period, such as the orzes, Oldfathers and Cottermans, but nothing more has been learned of them e writer than their names. To the pioneers of this valley is owing a great b and hence their memory should be gratefully cherished. The people who esent live in the Twin Valley have many reasons to be thankful to a kind dence, who has cast their lot in so favorable an age and such a pleasant

CHURCHES.

The people who settled in German Township between the years 1804 and 1 were, with few exceptions, Lutherans and German Reformed, who erected la is known as "union churches," and worshiped in the same building. eous to 1809, there was no regularly organized congregation in German nship, but there had been preaching and other pastoral work performed siting ministers. In the year 1809, the Lutherans and Reformed organ- dthemselves into an association, purchased ground for a building and yard from Philip Gunckel, who, together with William Emerick. Leonard 1) and Jacob Weaver, were chosen by the members of both congregations Building Committee, the Trustees of the property being Casper Stoever l'eter Recher, to whom the ground was deeded in trust for both churches. graveyard was open to all religious creeds, but a suicide or a criminal 1 not find burial there. The articles of union were signed July 30, 1809. l' following members of both congregations :

asper Stoever, Sr., Philip Gunckel, Peter Recher, Conrad Eisele, Jacob u, Leonard Stump, William Emerick, Jacob Schwank. Michael Emerick, uStoever, George Boyer, George Gener, Frederick Stoever, Jonathan Lind- 1, William Emerick, Jr., Christopher Emerick, John Gunckel, John Em- | Martin Shuey, Henry Holler. Michael Gunckel. Casper Stoever, Jr.

he church was a log structure, was finished in 1810 at a cost of $500, and Q few yards to the southwest of the present Lutheran Church. During ist few years, the congregations were ministered to by no regular pastors, 1815 the Reformed people called to their pastorate the Rev. Thomas n'rs, and about the same time the Lutherans were supplied with a minister I person of the Rev. John Casper Dill. From that date to the present. ithcongregations have been regularly served by pastors of their own creed "ol joice. This union between these two churches continued for about twen years, each using the building every alternate Sabbath, but the audience was ¡ways the same, the Lutherans attending the Reformed services, and the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Reformed the Lutheran. In the course of time, this log building erected 1810 became too small, and in 1818 Judge Gunckel undertook to erect, at own expense. a large and commodious brick structure at the west end of ket street, of which he sold one-half to each denomination, to be used by tl as a church. It was not finished until 1828, and in that year both abando the old log structure for the more roomy and modern one, which stood ne on the same site as the present Reformed Church. In the year 1830, a 1 understanding occurred between Judge Gunckel and the Lutheran congre tion, and the latter abandoned this church, went back to their old plac worship, and soon thereafter erected a new building. By this act, the congregations were finally separated so far as worship was concerned, but t still held the one acre of ground purchased of Judge Gunckel as common pi erty, and this joint ownership continued up to the year 1879, when an ag ment was reached by which the Lutherans became sole owners of this grou

The Reformed Church of Germantown. - This congregation was organ about the year 1809. Previous to this time, however, there had been di services conducted in private houses throughout this whole valley. The guage then. and for many years thereafter, used, was the German. Am the early Reformed ministers who thus labored here are found the name Jacob Christman and John Jacob La Rose. The former came to Ohio f North Carolina, some authorities say as early as 1803, while others cla later period as the time of his arrival. There are certificates of baptism ex signed by him which bear the date of 1806, so that it appears he must : come to this State in or before this year. He resided in Clear Creek To ship, Warren County, Ohio, and is reputed to have been the first German formed minister in this part of the State. He died in 1810, aged sixty years. The Rev. La Rose having settled in Miami Township, close to "H Station," a ske ch of him will be found in the history of that township.

Whilst hus pastoral work was performed during the earliest years of settlement of the Twin Valley among the Reformed. it was not until 1815 the congregation in Germantown enjoyed the ministrations of a regularly tled pastor. In this year, they called the Rev. Thomas Winters, who was in the State of Maryland in the year 1778. His parents were native Gern who immigrated to the colonies and found a home in Maryland, that color religious liberty founded by the Calverts, a noble Catholic family of Eng Mr. Winters came to Ohio in 1809 and located in Greene County, where h some preaching, but served no regular charge, having no organized cong tion under his care. From Greene he moved to Montgomery County, and for awhile in the vicinity of Dayton, and soon after this was called to the torate of the Germantown charge. He had received license to preach the pel from the Rev. Otterbein, who is generally regarded as the founder o United Brethren denomination, but, inasmuch as the constitution of the mantown congregation required its pastor to be a regularly ordained mir and a member of the Reformed Synod, he was obliged to seek ordivation apply for membership in this body, and for this purpose had to repair to I sylvania. He was licensed to preach by the said synod, whilst conven Eastern Pennsylvania, in the year 1815, and was ordained by the same ho 1819, during its convention in this year at Lancaster, Penn. Pastor W took charge of the Germantown Church in the fall of 1815, but. like a ministers of his day in this Western country, served a large field. He prei in Germantown, and in the Slifer Church in Montgomery County, at Creek in Warren County, at West Alexandria and Lewisburg in Preble Cc and at Beaver Creek in Greene County, his labors extending over four cou and his parishioners were scattered over all this vast space of territory.

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

I ances over which he had to travel to reach his preaching-points were very gat, sometimes forty and fifty miles removed from one another, and his trav- lg was all done on horseback. By reason of these facts, the labors of Mr. Waters were very arduous, and left him but little leisure for reading and tly; but, notwithstanding these disadvantages, he acquired a large stock of u wledge and became a well-informed theologian. He was a man of tact and rid practical sense, had made human nature a study, and had acquired the nof influencing and controlling men. He also had the natural gift of Jan- gige, did not lack for words, and clothed his thoughts in graceful and digni- tie phrase. By means of these gifts and acquirements, he proved himself a n't efficient and successful pastor, and sustained himself with credit in all his cgregations. He served the same field with acceptance until his retirement rn his ministerial duties in 1840, which, of itself. is proof of his ability, for unan of inferior talent can do this. He was equally proficient in the Ger- w: and English languages, and preached acceptably in either. Though ag- missive in his pastoral work, yet he was a man of a most pacific turn of mind I conciliatory temper, who would much rather suffer wrong than do wrong. Aregards his character and life, he enjoyed the utmost confidence of not only h members of his own parish, but of all others with whom he was brought n contact, and exemplified in his own life the doctrines and precepts which we aught to others. Mr. Winters became preceptor to some four or five young n|, who qualified themselves, under his care and direction, for the pastoral rok, among whom were his two sons, David and Thomas. After his retire- ut on account of old age and infirmities, he spent the last years of his life at h home of his daughter, in West Alexandria, Preble Co., Ohio, where he died nhe year 1863, at the age of eighty-five years. His remains were brought to ton and interred in Woodland Cemetery. Mr. Winters was the father of ken children. two of whom, David and Thomas, entered the Reformed min- st. They are both still living, and active in their calling. The former elles in Dayton; has now passed the allotted time of man's existence, but hvs the health of body and vigor of mind of & man in the prime of life. He -ti preaches with acceptance, his thoughts are clear and forcible, and his man- veof speaking animated and impressive. He has been honored with the de- T of D. D., of which honor he is eminently deserving. Valentine, another o also residing in Dayton, is a banker, a man of wealth and excellent busi capacity. He began life from an humble st rt, but, by habits of industry. o.iety and honesty, and by close application to his business. he has raised i self to one of the first positions in society.

The Rev. Thomas Winters' successor in office was the Rev. George Long. ( after the coming of this gentleman, he began the introduction of new usures into the church service, such as prayer meetings, etc., which some of people looked upon as dangerous innovations, whilst others favored them, h cansing a division of sentiment that finally led to a split in the congre- abn. One Sunday, at the close of his services, he made use of the follow- n, language. Said he: " If I am not permitted to hold prayer meetings in hechurch, I will hold them in private houses: and if I am not permitted to o them in private houses, I will go out into the fields and hold them there." "lse words only added fuel to the slumbering fire, for when, at the close of ha service. he walked away from the church, the doors were locked, never gin to be opened to him. Those who sympathized with him when excluded ro the church withdrew from the congregation, organized for themselves and a new church, with the Rev. Long as their pastor, in which position he ftated for about six years. The same trouble spread to the congregations nje country, and for many years was a source of much trouble to the Re-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

formed Church. The old portion of the Germantown congregation contint worshiping in the old building, and was served by neighboring ministers. ] church erected by the Rev. Long was burnt down the last year of his minist and he was succeeded by the Rev. Thomas H. Winters, a son of Father Thor Winters, who failed in doing much for the congregation, and left after a y or two. The building was rebuilt whilst Rev. Winters had charge, but congregation was unable to pay for it, and it was sold to private parties. members scattered among other churches, some returning to the old cougre tion, but the majority joined the Methodist and United Brethren denominatic and thus ended the existence of the Long congregation. The building afterward used by different sects as a preaching-place, but has at last come an inglorious end, being now used as a whisky and tobacco warehouse.

Thomas H. Winters was here during the years 1846-47. The Rev. S. mon K. Denius was now called to the pastorate of the Reformed Church, ¿ his selection proved to be a fortunate event for these people. Mr. Denius : a man of great amiability, and of a kind and conciliatory disposition. He ' the very man qualified to pour oil upon the troubled waters and cause the toration of peace and harmony. Since the time of his ministry, the congre tion has enjoyed uninterrupted peace, has made steady advancement, is at pi ent a united body and in a prosperous condition. After Rev. Denius, wh ministry continued for about half a dozen years, the succession of ministers this congregation is as follows: John Kercher, 1852-56; Aaron Wan 1857-62; George W. Willard, 1862-66; H. C. Comfort, 1866-67; J. B. S maker, 1867-68; Joseph H. Apple, 1869-73; Charles W. Good, 1873- Peter C. Prugh, 1876 to the present time, who is a worthy gentleman and efficient pastor. This congregation is now worshiping in its third chul The first was the log structure erected as a union church in 1810; the sect was the building erected by Judge Gunckel, and which they occupied fi 1828 to 1866, in which year it was taken down and the present building erec in its place, partly on new ground. It remained unfinished until 1979, congregation using the basement room as a place of worship; but in that y the audience room was finished and furnished, and the church was dedica during the summer of the same year. It is a commodious edifice. and spe well for the congregation and pastors who labored in the erection of this be tiful house of divine worship.

The Erangelical Lutheran Church. - This congregation datos its ori back to the year 1809, and at the time of its organization it used the Gerr exclusively in its public worship. Its members were, without a single exd tion, either native Germans or their descendants, and most of them came f. Berks County, Penn. Among the ministers of this faith who were here p to the year 1814 appear the names of Paul Henkel, Markert, Forster, Mau Simon. The former was the father of Andrew Henkel, and lived and labc mainly in Virginia, and was one of the most remarkable men of his age in missionary field. In what year lie visited this point is not known at prese Of Markert nothing is known but the name, and the same can be said of I ster. Mau was a native of Pennsylvania; had been a Revolutionary sold lived many years in the Twin Valley, and finally died here. He was a so what eccentric man, with a limited education, changing his church relat several times, but died a member of the Lutheran denomination. And Simon officiated as pastor for the churches in German and Miami Townsh for a number of years-probably np to the year 1812. He resided in Mi Township, in the neighborhood of the Gebhart Church, settling there as e: as 1808. Greatly lacking the gift of language, he was not very popular successful, and, abandoning the ministry, he turned his attention to the p tice of medicine, removed to Indiana, and there closed his life.

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

After Mr. Simon left, the congregation remained without a pastor for seral years, but in the year 1814 they extended a call to the Rev. John Cas- ne Dill, who took charge in the fall of 1815, and may be said to have been the h, regular pastor of the Lutheran Church at Germantown.

Rev. John Casper Dill was born in Wertheim, in the Grand Duchy of B.en, Germany, February 2, 1758. and his parents were worthy members of ub Evangelical Lutheran Church, and well to do in the affairs of this world. .Ton Casper received a thorough literary and scientific education, his collegiate corse being taken at the then noted University of Giessen, in Hesse, at that time )} of the best of Germany's institutions. In 1790, he embarked at Amsterdam othe United States, whither an elder brother had preceded him, and landed itBaltimore, Md., September 4 of that year, and, a few weeks subsequently, o ed his brother in Philadelphia, where he was engaged in mercantile pur- Here he remained for some time, but in 1792 his brother fell a victim The yellow fever, and for the following ten years our subject's residence and ctpation are not now known, but it is thought that a portion of that time was rit in preparation for the ministry. On the 16th of June, 1802, he was or- lated a minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church by the Synod of Penn- rania. convened at Reading, in that State. At the time of his ordination, .ad charge of several congregations, and no doubt had been preaching for e years as a licentiate. During his residence in Pennsylvania, he married u Maria Seiberling, of Northampton County. As previously stated. Mr. Di came to Germantown in the fall of 1815, and in his day occupied the most r tier position among Lutheran pastors, his mission extending over a vast e'on of this portion of Ohio and Indiana. Mr. Dill preached at from six to volaces, but his main congregations were at Germantown and Miamisburg, n he may be justly called the father of Lutheranism in and around these ots. The first church he preached in at Germantown was the log structure ried in 1810. He was an accomplished scholar and theologian, a close and gal thinker, a refined and chaste writer, well read in ancient and modern lasies, and as a speaker, clear, practical and impressive. He was connected ri the Synod of Pennsylvania until the organization of the Ohio Synod in S3, at which he was present, and thus became one of its founders, subse- uitly holding different official positions in this body. Rev. Dill lived and ie a poor man, being possessed of but an humble dwelling, with a few acres f round surrounding it, and when he died, in August, 1824, he left his fam- vittle else than God's blessing. His wife survived him many years, but the mins of both now rest side by side in the Germantown Cemetery. After the teh of Mr. Dill. the Germantown congregation were unable to secure a pas- Mantil 1826, in which year they secured the services of the Rev. Andrew Ickel, of Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio, whose paternal ancestor in this country " the Rev. Gerhart Henkel, a native of Germany, who came to this land at n arly period and located in Germantown, Penn. This was in the year 1740, n he died soon after his arrival, and is said too have been the first settled aor of the Lutheran Church in Philadelphia and Germantown, Penn. The onand grandson of Gerhart Henkel, from whom, in direct line, Andrew de- v his descent, were Justice and Jacob. the latter being the father of the le Paul Henkel, already referred to on a previous page. Paul Henkel was 0| in North Carolina December 15, 1754, and served in the Revolutionary a subsequently becoming a Lutheran minister, to which his life was ever ft ward devoted. Five of his sons became Lutheran ministers under his care .n instruction, viz., Ambrose, Philip, David, Charles and Andrew, the latter fyhom, for more than forty years, was pastor of the Lutheran Church in (Hehantown, Ohio. He was born in New Market, Va., October 21, 1790, and

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

grew up under the careful training of his pious parents. He learned the of printing under the direction of his brother Ambrose, but after a short ; prenticeship, began the study of theology under the supervision and instr tion of his father and his brother Philip. He was licensed to preach the G pel by the Synod of Pennsylvania in the year 1811, and shortly afterward ca on a visit to Ohio in company with his brother Ambrose, traveling the ent distance on horseback. In 1812, Mr. Henkel came to Ohio to remain, taki charge of congregations and preaching-points in Perry, Muskingum, Morg and adjoining counties, his field of labor extending over probably ten counti spending fourteen years in this field, during which time he resided in Somers Ohio. In 1815, he married Miss Margaret Trout. daughter of George & Margaret Trout, of Somerset, Ohio. In September, 1818, he was one of 1 chief movers in the organization of the Synod of Ohio, but was not ordail until 1823 or 1824, remaining a licentiate up to that time.

During his residence in Somerset, Mr. Henkel trained a number of yor men for the ministry. and labored hard to build up his church. laying a de and solid foundation that subsequent religious storms failed to effect.

In the year 1826, Mr. Henkel received a call from the Germantown c. gregation and vicinity, which he accepted. entering upon his duties in the 1 of that year, and here he spent the remainder of his life. Up to this per the services had been conducted in German, but there had been a growing mand for services conducted in the English language as well, and this I Henkel, who was proficient in both tongues, hastened to comply with by int ducing English services into all of the churches under his charge. A few ye after his arrival in Germantown, a new brick edifice was built, which was garded as one of the best churches in this part of the country. Like most the pioneer preachers. Mr. Henkel engaged in other pursuits outside of pastoral calling. for the purpose of winning a more comfortable livelihood i) his salary as a minister afforded him; and thus, coming in contact with classes, he became extensively known and appreciated as a zealous advocate important enterprises and public improvements. He was also a leading me ber of the Masonic fraternity, and did much in establishing and organz lodges. But it was in the field of controversial debate, in defense of his chul and her teachings, that he attained the greatest distinction. vanquishing opponents who had the temerity to offer him the gauge of battle.

In 1844, Mr. Henkel removed to Goshen. Ind., but in 1847 returned Germantown: yet during his absence, the Rev. Abraham Reck, who was w was known as a New-Measure Lutheran preacher. labored in this field. 1etiri however, upon the return of Mr. Henkel. During the period that Mr. Her had charge of the Germantown congregation, he resided a year or two in I isburg, Ohio, but the troubles experienced by his church through all these yer and the dissensions existing in it. even up to this date, is history foreign this short sketch. Mr. Henkel enjoys the honor of having been one of founders of the first Synod in Ohio, as also of, the first theological semin? The institution out of which have grown Capitol University and the J. Synods, Theological Seminary, was established under his leadership and throw his influence. In personal appearance, Mr. Henkel was tall. straight and ex as an Indian, his step firm and his bearing dignified. He was a man of 1 resolution and wonderful tenacity of convictions, never shrinking from an o avowal or defense of his views and principles. He was of a kind and forg ing nature, always exceedingly lenient and forbearing toward the frailties erring humanity. vet in his Lutheranism, Masonry and Democracy, he was immovable as a rock. As a friend, companion or pastor, he was genial affable, but in his public ministrations, he was always serious, earnest and

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

vit. Mrs. Henkel died June 1, 1866, and about this time Mr. Henkel began tfeel old age creeping on apace, and his son-in-law, Rev. J. L. Stirewalt, was cled as an assistant in 1865, their charge at that time consisting of German- tvn, Farmersville and Slifer's congregations. In August, 1868, Mr. Henkel i'rried Mrs. Elizabeth Schwartzel, with whom he lived about two years in added life. Just two weeks before he died, he moved to Farmersville, where Ipassed away April 23, 1870, in his eightieth year, triumphant in his faith al calm to the last moment. His remains were interred in Germantown, where I had labored so many years, loved, honored and respected.

Mr. Henkel was the father of eleven children, seven of whom are still liv- i. He labored in the ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Ohio fly-eight years, forty-four of which were spent in his second and last charge, al during his labors in this last field, he performed 1,003 baptisms, 877 con- finations, 495 marriages, and officiated at 683 funerals. The death of Pastor Enkel left his associate sole incumbent of the Germantown charge, but soon aerward a division was made, resulting in the formation of two pastorates. t Farmersville and Slifer congregations forming one, and the Germantown t" other, the latter retaining the Rev. J. L. Stirewalt as their pastor. He w; the second son of the Rev. John and Hannah Stirewalt, and was born in Viynesboro, Augusta Co., Va., April 12, 1832. His mother was a sister of the Fr. Andrew Henkel, and he therefore came of a long line of Lutheran minis- tes on his mother's side. His father died when our subject was quite young, loving three sons to the care of the widowed mother, with a dying wish ex- pssed to her that they should be consecrated to the work of the Gosp. I min- isy. Their educational facilities being limited, stheir good mother became tlir teacher, and she lived to see all inducted into the sacred calling of their fther: yea, more; she lived to see them all laid in the peaceful grave, and, on after, was laid beside her son, Julius L., and her brother, Andrew, in the Germantown Cemetery, this event occurring in May, 1874.

In the years 1845-47, Julius L. was employed as a dry goods clerk in Vnchester, Va., and from 1848-49, he attended school at the New Market A demy in the same State. He first began the study of medicine, then turned n attention to law, but this was also abandoned by him, and he then decided anter upon the study of theology. He went to Columbus, Ohio, where he slot the years 1851-52 in the college and seminary of the Joint Synod, but. a health failing, he left Columbus in 1853 and returned to New Market, Va .. were he completed his theological studies under the direction of his uncles, R. Ambrose Henke! and Jacob Stirewalt. In 1854, he was ordained a Deacon the Tennessee Synod, and became an assistant to his uncle. On the 10th of tember. 1854, he was married to Vandalena, daughter of the Rev. Andrew Hikel, of Germantown, Ohio, and soon after was elected Principal of the New M'ket Female Seminary for one year, his wife assisting him in teaching. Is, together with his duties in the ministerial field, proved too laborious for u feeble constitution, and he accordingly resigned his principalship. In 185, he accepted a call from Wayne County, Ind., where he entered upon a pere of labor more congenial to his tastes, and better adapted to the exercise is gifts. In 1856, he was fully ordained to the ministry, and in 1858 suc- 'uled his brother Paul in the Lima charge, the latter having been removed leath. After a year's labor at this point, failing health compelled him to regn, and he then accepted an agency in the Southern States for the Lutheran Stidard, during which time he was a regular contributor to its columns. I's change not proving beneficial to his health, he resigned the agency and reled to his mother's farm in Virginia. Soon afterward, the rebellion broke o1 and. living amidst the scenes of constant conflict between the armies,

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 89

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214