USA > Ohio > The plan of union: or a history of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches of the Western Reserve; with biographical sketches of the early missionaries > Part 5
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- sequence of "the entire prostration" of Mr. Coe's health. In addition to the great amount of labor demanded in his own parish, the surrounding towns, destitute of ministers, frequent- ly called on the Kinsman minister to assist them, and in this way his toils were increased beyond his capabilities of endurance.
As an example of the services performed by the early min- isters, Mr. Coe relates the following ; " At one time a revival had commenced, under my occasional labors, in Andover, 15 miles north of my charge, and also in Vienna, 15 miles south- west. I visited both of these places each week for several weeks in succession ; spent two days at a time in each place, preached from two to four sermons, visited families, conversed with inquirers and those who had indulged a hope, and then went home to serve my own people on the Sabbath as well as I could. A goodly number in each place were hopefully born into the Kingdom of Christ, as the fruit of this labor; but I never fully recovered from the exhausting toil."
It became necessary for him to discard all sedentary habits and travel. From 1830 to 1833 he prosecuted an agency in behalf of the Western Reserve College. At the latter date he entered upon his agency in behalf of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. Several years before this Mr. Coe had taken a deep interest in that Society, and occasionally forwarded small collections to the Trustees. Dur- ing the first year of his agency he succeeded in raising some- thing over two thousand dollars. The amount gradually increased under his earnest pleas 'until September, 1850, at which time Mr. Coe made his last report, which showed that something over seven thousand dollars had been collected
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during the year; and notwithstanding all the adverse influences brought to bear against this Society, the later reports made, show that it is still increasing in favor with God and man.
Increasing infirmities compelled Mr. Coe to resign his agency in 1850. He now resides at Hudson, enjoying the consciousness of having toiled faithfully and long in the best of causes. As a pastor, a Trustee of Western Reserve College, and an agent of the American Board, he has been enabled to ac- complish much for the building up of the Redeemer's Kingdom.
Mrs. Coe, a sister of Rev. Dr. Eddy, after sharing faithful- ly the toils and trials of a missionary's, a pastor's, and an agent's wife; and rearing a large family of daughters, two of whom are now the wives of minister's; still lives in illustra- tion of Psalm xcii : 13, 14. Although they had no sons, the once poor students at Western Reserve College, are many, who have occasion long and affectionately to remember " Father and Mother Coe. "
REV. SIMEON WOODRUFF.
About the tenth of July, 1813, Rev. Simeon Woodruff reached the Western Reserve as a missionary of the Connecti- cut Society. The following sketch of Mr. Woodruff's life and labors, is mostly taken from an obituary, published in the Ohio Observer, of October 16, 1839 :
"Rev. Simeon Woodruff was born in Litchfield, South Farms, Conn., July 26, 1782. His circumstances in child- hood and youth are unknown to the writer of this notice.
" His studies preparatory to entering College, were pursued at the academy in his native town." He graduated at Yale
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College in 1809 ; and left the Andover Theological Seminary in 1812, as a Licentiate. "While at Andover he was an as- sociate with Samuel J. Mills, Gordon Hall, James Richards, and others who were pioneers among the young men of this land in the Foreign Missionary enterprise, and his mind be- came deeply imbued with a similar spirit. During this period he became a member of that society of young men, formed at Williams College, in which a pledge was given that members would devote themselves to the missionary cause among the heathen, if Providence should indicate that to be the path of duty. For some time, Mr. Woodruff expected to spend his days on heathen ground ; but soon after commencing preach- ing, in 1812, he relinquished that object and turned his at- tention to the new and destitute settlements of the west. For a young man of promising talents to devote himself to a mis- sion as far west as the State of Ohio, was then regarded by many in New England, as an enterprise involving as great sac- rifice, as it is now for a young man of similar talents to go to the Sandwich Islands, the empire of China, or the Zulus of Africa. In compliance with the request of the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, Mr. Woodruff was or- dained as an evangelist at Washington, Connecticut, on the 21st of April, 1813." He had been "appointed to the field of New Connecticut," and on the 10th of May, set out on horseback for his destination. He arrived at Mr. Badger's cabin, in Austinburg, on the 9th of July ; preached his first sermon, in Ohio, on the following Sabbath, at Mentor, and on Wednesday following, reached the house of Rev. Mr. Seward, at Aurora, Portage Co. From his journal is taken the follow-
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ing memorandum of his first interview with Messrs. Seward and Coe :
"Bro. Seward was not at home when I first came. In a short time he returned with his newly married wife, an amia- ble and pleasant young lady, daughter of Esquire Wright, of Talmadge. Mr. Coe, a missionary lately arrived, was with them. We had indeed a pleasant interview. It was truly grateful to find a brother and fellow-laborer in this great wil- derness. Bro. Seward has been quite affected several times. He remarked with tears in his eyes -'I rejoice to see you here, but knowing your youth and the difficulties of your work, I rejoice with trembling.' "
" On the 25th of the same month, Mr. Woodruff ' preached in Esquire Wright's barn, in Talmadge,' and soon after re- ceived a unanimous call from the church in Talmadge, to settle over them as pastor. ' Never before,' says he, 'did I witness such earnest desire for the enjoyment of the Gospel ministry.' The terms of the call give us some insight into the state of ministerial relations at that time. The proposition was for a settlement for 'one half of the time at present, and after five years, the whole of the time, unless otherwise decided by a majority of two thirds. Salary two hundred dollars (for half the time,) to be paid in provision.' To which the good man appends-' Is it my duty to accept, or is it not? Will the Lord direct ?' "
At a subsequent time the society voted " to raise the salary, after ten years, to five hundred dollars ?" And again the doubting candidate inquired -" What shallI do ? Will the Lord direct ? "
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of place are to be added, we can conceive that there were op- portunities enough for self-denial and the trial both of the missionary's faith, and of his constitution. Hence we are not surprised to find him failing at the age of fifty-six. But what must be the burden which, in a case like this, settles down upon the surviving partner ? Amongst strangers, in the wild regions of the far west, with nine children, of which the two youngest were twins under four years of age; with no other means of support than a piece of land, upon which but little cultivation had been as yet effected ; in a region where schools and churches existed only in embryo, if at all ; in such a place and circumstances, to have the husband and father sud- denly cut down, is certainly a most trying event.
Such was the lot of Mrs. Woodruff and family. Into the details of the long, hard years that followed, we cannot enter. Industry, economy, resolute energy and perseverance, and above all, an inflexible faith in God, these, and nothing else, can carry a family successfully through such years. And it is due to Mrs. Woodruff and her children to state that she succeeded in rearing them respectably, educating them comfortably, and securing for them thorough religious instruction ; and had the satisfaction of seeing them all taking a reputable position in society. The oldest son, Simeon, recently deceased, shared manfully the labor and expense of supporting the family, and had his reward in the gratitude and affection of appreciative brothers and sisters, and the prayers and blessings of a godly and now sainted mother. Three sons and four daughters still survive.
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The remains of Mr. Woodruff rest in the solitary field at Bainbridge, Michigan, where his labors closed.
Mrs. Woodruff remained in that State until the summer of 1848, when she removed to Ashland, Ohio, where her weary, though cheerful, pilgrimage ended, August 22, 1853. " And so he giveth his beloved sleep."
Those who have read "Sunny Side," need only to have known Mrs. Woodruff, to have been assured that the character of Mrs. Edwards, as there delineated, is a most truthful por- trait of at least one minister's wife, out of New England ; and higher eulogy than this can not easily be pronounced upon the wife of a missionary. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors and their works do follow them."
REV. WILLIAM HANFORD.
Another faithful and efficient pioneer was added to the Re- serve Mission in 1813, in the person of Rev. William Hanford.
Mr. Hanford was born at Norwalk, Connecticut, in 1787. He graduated at Yale College in 1808; and studied Theology at Andover Massachusetts, leaving the Seminary in September 1813. In October of the same year, at the request of the Missionary Society of Connecticut, he was ordained as an Evan- gelist, at North Stamford Connecticut, and a few days after- ward set out upon a journey to the Connecticut Reserve, to which mission he had been previously appointed. He reached the Reserve December 3d, and spent the "first Sabbath at Poland ; preached during the following week at Boardman and
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Canfield, and spent the second Sabbath at the latter place. Thence, took a missionary tour through Portage and Trumbull Counties ; returned and preached at Canfield, Boardman and Poland, as regular stations, until the following June." In June, 1814, he "took a missionary tour through the southern and western parts of the State, visiting Steubenville, Marietta, Chilicothe, Cincinnati, Hamilton, Dayton, Columbus, Gran- ville, Newark, Zanesville, Coshocton, Canton, and other towns on the route, preaching in all these places, and becoming ac- quainted with almost every minister in the State." Return- ing to Canfield and Boardman, Mr. Hanford preached regularly in these places a part of the time, being paid by the people of these churches, performing missionary service in destitute fields the rest of the time, until the close of 1814. " Some hope- ful conversions occurred at Canfield, and a number were received into the church," during his ministry in that place. In Jan- uary 1815, he received an invitation to preach at Hudson, and in the course of the spring received calls for settlement from the church in Hudson, from the church in Burton, and also from that in Painesville. The call from Hudson was finally ac- cepted, and Mr. Hanford was installed over the Congregational Church and Society in that place, on the 17th of August, 1815. The installation sermon was preached by Rev. G. H. Cowles, from 1 Thessalonians 2: 4.
It was, however, understood that Mr. Hanford should still preach as an itinerant missionary one half of the time, so long as he should regard it to be his duty ; and this he did " until the meeting-house in Hudson was completed." After that he spent nearly the whole time at Hudson. As a missionary, Mr.
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Hanford " assisted in forming twenty churches, amongst which may be mentioned the first Presbyterian church in Cleveland, the Congregational churches in Strongsville, Brecksville, Rich- field, Medina, Brunswick, Atwater, Ellsworth, Johnston, &c."
The relation between Mr. Hanford and the Hudson church, was most happy and useful : and continued until the seventh of September, 1831, when, at Mr. Hanford's earnest solicitation, he was dismissed, in order to accept a call from the church at. Windham, Portage County. The infirm health of Mr. Han- ford, rendering him, in his own opinion, incapable of discharg- ing the duties devolving upon him at Hudson, was the ground of his removal. During the sixteen years of his ministry the church in Hudson had been increased by the addition of one hundred and twenty members; the bond of affection between pastor and people had become very strong; and a separation was of course painful, as is indicated by the fact that " not a single individual in the Congregation voted" in favor of the dismissal.
Mr. Hanford was installed pastor of the church at Windham on the 12th of October 1831, and retained that connection nine years. Here also the church increased under his minis- trations " from seventy-five to one hundred and seventy mem- bers, besides deaths and dismissions." Increasing infirmity again necessitated his removal " from a second beloved people." His complaint was a severe pressure of blood upon the brain, which prevented that mental exercise necessary for sermonising, and compelled him for a awhile entirely to abandon the minis- try. A year's relaxation and exclusion from all public services so far removed the complaint, that upon receiving an invitation
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to supply the pulpit in Talmadge, Mr. Hanford consented to do so, on the condition that they should as soon as possible call some other minister to become their Pastor. He supplied them, in all, about a year and a half; and afterward rendered a simliar service for the church in Middlebury, while destitute of a pastor ; for a short time he also preached at Northfield ; but in each instance entire physical prostration was the conse- quence. Mr. Hanford still preaches occasionally, though with difficulty. He continued to discharge the duties of Stated Clerk for the Presbytery of Portage, and also for the Western Re- serve Synod until their last meetings; having filled these offices ever since the organization of those bodies, the former in 1818, and the latter in 1825. He has also acted as " Secre- tary of the Home Missionary Board on the Reserve, from its organization, in 1826, to its close, in 1852, with the exception of a short interval between 1832 and 1834.
Mr. Hanford's leading characteristics are fervent piety and inflexible integrity ; a sound judgment and straight-forward business talent. His preaching is clear and practical, and his prayers peculiarly impressive. A pleasant illustration of this is contained in an anecdote narrated to the writer by a lady who attended a protracted meeting in Springfield, shortly after Mr. Hanford came to the Reserve, in which he took a part. "During the reading of the first hymn a small and youthful looking person ascended the stand and took his sea with the ministers. 'What is that boy going up there for?' whispered one lady to another. The hymn being sung he arose and led the prayer, in his peculiarly earnest, distinct and impressive manner. When about half through, the same lady
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again twitched the shawl of the other, saying, in a low tone, ' bless me, how the boy prays.'"
Mr. Hanford and his pleasant companion still live in Tal- madge, managing their own domestic affairs, and enjoying a peaceful and happy old age. Mrs. Hanford was Amelia Wright, daughter of Elizur Wright Esq. of Talmadge, and sister to Rev. Mrs. Seward. Neither Mr. Seward nor Mr. Hanford have ever had any children. But many venerate and love them as their spiritual parents. Long may they yet live to enjoy the esteem, affection and reverence of those who share the fruits of their faithful labors.
REV. LUTHER HUMPHREY.
Rev. Luther Humphrey was born at Canton, Connecticut, in 1783.
" He had passed the age of twenty-four when he commenced fitting for College," and graduated at Middlebury in 1813. He studied Theology a short time with Rev. Andrew Gates, was licensed to preach in 1814. and on the 16th of March, 1815, was ordained as an Evangelist, at Canton, his native town, with reference to a mission in the west. The following August he reached the Reserve with a commission from the Connecti- cut Missionary Society. He soon commenced preaching in Burton and Claridon, Geauga County ; and in October 1815 was installed over the Church and Congregation embraced in these two townships, still spending a part of his time, however, as a missionary in different parts of the County.
Mr. Humphrey was dismissed from his charge at Burton, the 27th of November 1828. He then preached two years at
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Conneaut, Ashtabula County, and after that removed to Ed- wardsburgh, Michigan, where he remaind several years, preach- ing as occasion offered in various places to the people of that destitute region. Here at length death deprived him of the partner of hislife. Having no children, his situation after the death of Mrs. Humphrey was necessarily one of great loneli- ness. It is, therefore, gratifying to know that within a few years he returned to Ohio, married the widow of Rev. Joseph Treat, and now, with that execllent lady, lives at Windham, Portage County, and still occasionally, according to his ability, at the age of seventy, labors in his Master's vineyard.
REV. JOSEPH TREAT.
The following sketch of Rev. J. Treat, was published in the Observer, shortly after his death, probably by the Rev. J. Seward.
The Rev. Joseph Treat, who died at Windham, Portage Co, O., on the 9th of May 1841, aged 57 years and 5 months, was born at New Milford, Conn., Dec. 10th, 1783. His constitu- tion was naturally feeble, and several times during his childhood he was brought near to the grave by sickness. In his youth he was not addicted to vice or immorality, but even then ab- horred flagrant transgression. At about the age of 20 he first became deeply and permanently convicted of sin; experi- enced a change of views and affections, and indulged a hope of an interest in the atoning merits of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This change of mind led him to a change of occupation. Having been designed for a farmer, he now turned his atten- tion to the Christian Ministry, as that calling in which he 7
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could do the most good, and at the same time gratify the de- sires of his heart, now thirsting for knowledge and longing for the salvation of mankind. Difficulties seemed to hedge up his way, but after praying much for divine direction he deliberate- ly came to the conclusion to commence a course of preparation for the gospel ministry, and went to Cornwall, where he be- gan the study of Latin, on the 11th December, 1804, being then just 21 years of age. He had not then made a public profession of religion, as it was not the fault of those days to hurry young converts into the church without time for previ- ous trial. He joined the church in 1805. He entered the freshman class in Yale College, Sept. 9th, 1806, and graduated Sept. 12th, 1810. On the 21st Sept., the same month in which he graduated, he commenced the study of theology with the Rev. Ebenezer Porter, of Washington, Ct., who was afterwards connected with the Theological Institution at Andover, first as Professor and then as President. Mr. Treat was licensed to preach at Washington, Conn., Oct. 15th, 1811, in the 28th year of his age, and was ordained as an Evangelist at Wood- bury, May 25th, 1814. After spending some time as a mis- sionary in the northern part of Pennsylvania, he left his na- tive state in June 1816 as a Missionary to Ohio. On the 7th of the next January he, for the first time, visited Windham. On the 16th of June, 1817, the church and society of that place presented him a call to become their pastor and spiritual teach- er: and he was installed by the Grand River Presbytery on the 24th of Sept. following. He continued pastor of that church about 10 years : and Oct. 4th, 1827, was regularly dis- missed by the Presbytery of Portage, receiving this testimony
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at the time of his dismission ; that he had faithfully preached to them the Gospel. During his Pastoral connection with the church at Windham he labored about half the time as a Mis- sionary, among the destitute and dispersed churches on the Reserve.
He was actively and usefully employed until within a few days of his death ; and is to be remembered as one of the most efficient of the early ministers of this region.
His excellent lady has, within a few years, married the Rev. L. Humphrey, and still resides at Windham. Two sons and two daughters of Mr. Treat, one the wife of a minister upon the Reserve, still survive.
REV. CALEB PITKIN.
Rev. Mr. Pitkin was born in 1781, at New Hartford, Ct. He graduated from Yale College in 1806; studied theology with Rev. Asahel Hooker, of Goshen, and was settled as a pastor several years at Millford, Ct.
He came to the Reserve in 1816, and was settled 'as pastor of the church at Charlestown, April 22, 1818. Here he la- bored efficiently until Jan. 7th, 1826; when he resigned his charge to enter upon an agency in behalf of the W. R. College; with which he has always been connected.
After entering upon this agency Mr. Pitkin removed to Hudson, where he has ever since continued to reside. The agency was prosecuted many years; and both in this capacity and as a trustee, and principal adviser and manager in all the pecuniary and general interests of the College, Mr. P. has ever been one of the principal functionaries. Until within a few
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years, although much occupied with the affais of the College, and the management of a farm, he continued to preach gen- erally upon the Sabbath to some of the weaker churches, in the vicinity of Hudson.
Although a New England man, Mr. Pitkin has always been one of the strongest advocates and adherents of the W. R. Synod, and the peculiar ecclesiasticism built up under the plan of union. Active, resolute, persevering, politic, and con- servative, though for many years not a pastor, his influenee upon the general interests of the church and religious and educational institutions of the Reserve has been decided and extensive.
Within a few years past, Mr. Pitkin's eyes have failed, so as to prevent his engaging in pulpit services.
He and his aged partner however both enjoy a " green old age," and he is still at the meetings of his Presbytery and Synod, one of the few survivors of the generation of ministers now fast passing away. Mr. P. has one son in the ministry, Rev. C. J. Pitkin; another son, a lawyer, lives at Hudson, upon the old homestead, to cheer the declining years of the parents. Mrs. Vrooman, deceased, late missionary to China, was an adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pitkin.
Here we may take leave of those venerable and godly men, who planted Christian Churches through this wilderness, and by whose agency the Gospel kept pace with the settlement and cultivation of the country.
They were laborious, self-denying, patient, persevering mis- sionaries, seeking and finding their reward in the work they were called to do for their Lord. The future will appreciate and honor their memory.
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Amid all kinds of discouragement they continued planting and watering the little churches in the wilderness ; until the time arrived for collecting them into ecclesiastical bodies. No Presbytery nor association was formed until the year 1814; when the number of churches already organized was about thirty.
The ecclesiasticism of the Reserve has been the subject of so much discussion, that I shall present it as a distinct part of this work. This first part shall be concluded with some sta- tistical tables, giving the strength of the churches at different dates. Perhaps the most valuable items in this book are the tables and notes furnished by Rev. A. R. Clark, now of Wel- lington; presenting a complete view of all the churches and ministers, up to Nov. 1835. In the notes I have omitted Mr. Clark's notice of those ministers, of whom sketches are given in the preceeding pages, since in several instances there would be only a repetion of the same statements.
COMPLETE LIST OF THE PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGREGATIONAL MINISTERS AND CHURCHES IN THE WESTERN RESERVE, NORTHERN OHIO.
FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTRY TO NOVEMBER 1, 1835. BY REV. ANSEL R. CLARK, HUDSON, OHIO.
EXPLANATION. Those persons with p. after their names, were settled as pastors ; those with s. s. preached as " stated supplies"; a - in column of when graduated, shows that the person did not receive a degree; and a - in column of where graduated, shows that he did not receive a college education. No supplies less than six months, either the whole or a part of the time, are noticed in this schedule.
Towns and Churches in Ashtabula Co.
For- ma- tion
Ministers.
Place of Nativity.
Born.
Where Graduated
When
Grad.
Where studied Theology.
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