Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 18

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189

USA > Ohio > Hancock County > Findlay > Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens > Part 18

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).

DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA.

The Daughters of America is a purely patriotic benevolent organization of native born Americans, existing for the protection of Americans and American institutions and the promulgation of a spirit of patriotism throughout the length and breadth of our country. Love of country and the protec- tion of its institutions is the platform on which it stands. Its objects are to maintain

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and promote the interests of Americans and shield them from the depressing effects of foreign competition. To assist Americans in obtaining employment. To encourage Americans in Business. To establish a sick and Funeral Fund. To maintain the public school system in the United States of America and to prevent sectarian interfer- ence therewith and uphold the reading of the Holy Bible therein. To oppose sec- tarian interference with State and National affairs. To assist in advancing the objects of the Jr. O. U. A. M.

Golden Rod Council No. 34. Daughters of America was instituted at Findlay, Ohio, in 1895, with twenty-nine charter members, as follows: L. E. Kennedy, Nelia B. Ken- nedy, C. R. Cameron, Donella. Greenly, C. M. Ball, Mrs. J. S. Ball, Mrs. R. W. Bennet, A. T. Spitler, Mary Spitler, Clara Crall, Eliza Fellabaum, O. S. Ball, Lizzie Gibson, L. Walters, Sallie Keefer, J. C. Folk, S. S. Folk, Eva Ball, Bertha M. Ball, Mrs. H. M. Feefer, Lou Doll, S. A. Gressley, Julia A. Moyer, Lissa Loyd, J. A. Loyd, Katie O. Carpenter, Viola Stump, Julia Saltsgaver, A. M. Wilbur. The following are the pres- ent officers : J. O. C., Louisa Merick ; A. J. P. C., Dora Yerger; C., Kate Carpenter; A. C., Kate Arnold; V. C., Anna Teal; A. V. C., Anna Barnhart; R. S., Ida Fletcher; F. S., Mary Aksam; Treas., Eliza Deihl- man; Com., Margurite Binley; Ward., Mabel Werts; I. S., Mayme Shelden ; O. S., L. E. Kennedy ; Trustees, D. S. Davis, Mrs. Margaret E. Fassett, L. E. Kennedy; Pianist, Lillian Pease; Deputy, Ida Fletcher; Rep., Dora Yerger; Capt., Irene Thomas.

THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

The First Post.

The first Grand Army Post in Hancock County, and among the first in northwestern Ohio, was organized in Findlay in 1866. It began with a membership of about fifty. The records of that post have been lost and no exact dates can be given. From the memory of some of those who were charter members we learn that among its members were: James A. Bope, Fred Worsley, M. B. Walker, Edwin Parker, Thomas Scott, William Vance, Samuel C. Moore, Samuel Huber, Jacob Huber, C. P. Vail, Albert Parker, E. T. Dụnn, John C. Martin, Theo- dore Totten, James Wilson, William Did- way, Lafayette Kring, E. P. Sterner, Jacob Gassman, J. H. Goodwin, Martin L. Dutt- wiler, Frank Biggs, William Biggs, John Adams, Christ Galloway, William Hallo- well, William DeHaven and William O'Harra.

Its commanders were the following per- sons in the order named: James A. Bope, William Vance, E. T. Dunn, M. B. Walker. This post surrendered its charter soon after the spring election in 1871.

STOKER POST.

In the early spring of 1881 a number of old soldiers concluded to organize a Grand Army Post and avoid the rocks upon which the former post had been wrecked.

On the 7th day of April, 1881, a meeting of the Union soldiers of the Civil War was called and they assembled in what was the Armory-rear of the second story of the Wheeler building, on the ground now occu- pied by the Jones Block, corner of Main

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and Crawford streets. The following ex- James Wilson, Jan. 9, '84 to Jan. 14, '85; soldiers signed the roll as charter members : William Mungen, J. M. Huber, J. A. Kim- mell, C. P. Vail, Thomas B. Scott, J. A. Coons, J. W. Whitehurst, M. L. Duttwiler, R. F. Pollock, H. H. Metzler, M. L. Tisdale, Elisha Edwards, R. Timmerman, E. Parker, Joseph Gutzweiler, J. W. Davidson, S. Howard, C. E. Galloway, Rufus Fellers, L. H. Perry, David Joy, J. W. Davis, William Biggs, John Adams, T. C. Wertz, J. C. Cummins, J. M. Cherry, John Peet and William Didway.

The post was instituted by Colonel Lowenthal, S. M. O., of Toledo, Thursday evening, April 7th, 1881. On motion of Capt. John Adams the organization was named Stoker Post in honor of Cyrus and David Stoker, brothers, and late members of Company. F, Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who were both killed in the battle of Stone River in January, 1862.

After some remarks by the comrades the following officers were elected: Post Com- mander, Martin L. Detweiller; Senior Vice Commander, R. F. Pollock; Junior Vice Commander, H. H. Metzler; Adjutant, J. M. Beelman; Quartermaster, C. E. Gallo- way; Surgeon, J. A. Kimmell; Chaplain, William Mungen; Officer of the Day, L. H. Perry ; Officer of the Guard, William Biggs : Sergeant Major, T. C. Wertz; Quarter- master Sergeant, Rufus Fellers; Aid-de- camp, John Adams; Assistant Inspector, William Didway.

The following is a list of commanders from the organization to the present time : M. L. Dutweiler, April 7, '81 to Jan. 9, '82; M. L. Dutweiler, Jan. 9, '82 to Jan. 10, '83: H. H. Metzler, Jan. 10, '83 to Jan. 9, '84;

James Wilson, Jan. 14, '85 to Jan. 13, '86; George L. Arnold, Jan. 13, '98 to Jan. 12, '87; U. H. Grable, Jan. 12, '87 to Jan. II, '88; James A. Bope, Jan. II, '88 to Jan. 5, '89; J. A. Thomas, Jan. 5, '89 to Jan. 8, '90; W. J. Morrison, Jan. 8, '90 to Jan. 9, '91 ; W. J. Morrison, Jan. 9, '91 to Jan. 6, '92; N. M. Adams, Jan. 6, '90 to Jan. 4, '93; Theodore Totten, Jan. 4, '93 to Jan. 3, '94; J. T. Bolton, Jan. 3, '94 to Jan. 9, '95; Solomon Funk, Jan. 9, '95 to Jan. 1, '96; B. L. Byal, Jan. I, '96 to Jan. 6, '97; C. C. Clark, Jan. 6, '97 to Jan. 12, '98; M. D. Hewitt, Jan. 12, '98 to Jan. II, '99; W. H. Werner, Jan. 11, '99 to Jan. 3, 1900; W. G. Bond, Jan. 3, 1900 to Jan. 2, '01 ; J. P. Woods, Jan. 2, 'OI to Jan. I, '02; M. L. Tisdale, Jan. I, '02 to Jan. 7, '03; E. T. Dunn, Jan. 7, '03 to Jan. 14, '04; E. T. Dunn, Jan. 14, '04 to Jan. 11, '05; T. T. Dunn, Jan. 11, '05 to Jan. 10, '06; E. T. Dunn, Jan. '06 to Jan. 2, '07; E. T. Dunn, Jan. 2, '07 to Jan. '08; I. B. Arnold, Jan. '08 to Jan. '09; E. T. Dunn, Jan. 'og to Jan. '10.

The membership at this date (Aug 6, '09), is two hunderd and nine. The Post is well attended and is in flourishing condi- tion. The most notable event in the history of the Post was the securing and holding of the department encampment in 1900. A detailed account of this may be found on the Post records. It was by far the best ar- ranged, best equipped, best managed and most satisfactory department encampment held in Ohio to that date.

THE W. C. T. U.

The Woman's Christian Temperance Union is the outgrowth of the "Women's Crusade," a remarkable uprising of the

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women against the liquor traffic, which be- gan in Hillsboro, Ohio, Dec. 23, 1873, and spread throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania. The methods of the movement were the holding of prayer-meetings in the churches, from which went forth "Praying Bands" to the saloons, where they read the Bible, sang hymns and prayed. In Hancock County Mrs. S. A. Strother lead the band of women who met in the old Methodist Church and marched down the street singing hymns and even entering the saloons, kneeling in prayer on the sawdust covered floors. In some instances the saloon-keepers agreed to close their places of business and poured out their stock of liquor.

The organization resulting from the Cru- sade was first known as the Ladies' Tem- perance League of Hancock County. The first president of the League was Mrs. M. C. Whitely; the first chairman, Mrs. S. A. Strother; first corresponding secretary, Mrs. Chas. E. Niles; recording secretary, Mrs. Squire Carlin; treasurer, Mrs. Caroline Gage. Mrs. Jones, wife of the Methodist minister, was the first president of the Find- lay League. The first local "Women's Christian Temperance Union" was founded in Fredonia, N. Y., in Dec. 1873. The first State Union was founded in Ohio in 1874.

Since that time the organization has spread until today the White Ribbon en- circles the globe in fifty-two countries and its influence has been widely felt in legis- latures and in elections in which prohibitory laws have been voted upon. Notably the grand victory of the Temperance forces at the polls on November 16, 1908, in which the county gave the grand majority of nearly 2,000 votes in favor of decency and

public morality, was due in large measure to the ceaseless and untiring labors of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

In 1898 the Women's Christian Temper- ance Union published a paper which was called "The Union," this contained much interesting temperance news, and was ably edited. At that time Mrs. S. A. Strother was President of the Hancock County Union and was instrumental in bringing many noted speakers to Findlay, among whom were Francis Murphy, of pledge-signing fame, Miss Francis Willard, Miss Yeomans, Mrs. Mary Woodbridge's Mattie Mcclellan Brown, Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, Mrs. Tathrop, Mary Hunt, author of Scientific Temperance Instruction in the Schools. Gov. St. John, John G. Wooley, John B. Gough, and others. The meetings were then held in the old Court House on Sunday afternoons and were largely attended by both men and women, among the early mem- bers were the following: Mrs. M. C. Whit- ley, Mrs. Sarah Strother, Mrs. Charles Niles, Mrs. M. Y. Detwiler, Mrs. M. B. Porch, Mrs. Cordelia Spathe, Mrs. S. H. Darst, Mrs. Phil Morrison, Mrs. Rice, Mrs. Hill, Mrs. J. W. Danelson, Mrs. Julia Rock- well, Mrs. Delilah Robinson, Mrs. Mary Robinson, Mrs. William Vance, Miss Mary Reddick, Mrs. John Meeks, Mrs. E. Barnd, Mrs. R. Sheets, Mrs. G. G. Mosher and Miss Jenie Sours.

A loyal Temperance Legion had been or- ganized by Mrs. Julia Rockwell and held their meetings in the old White Corner.

Among the things done by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union was the ob- taining of a ten o'clock closing ordinance, a curfew law, a law against obscene pictures

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on bill boards, etc. The establishment of a reading room, etc.

About fifteen years ago a Rescue Home, called The Door of Hope, was established on West Front St. This was closed not long after through lack of interest and lack of funds.

In those early years the Woman's Chris- tian Temperance Union was not the popu- lar organization that it is today, but the noble women labored in their efforts to up- lift and better humanity, undeterred by the slights and insults which they not infre- quently received.

There are forty-four distinct departments of work connected with the organization, which is thoroughly systematized, the same principle and methods generally prevailing from the local to the World's Union, a de- partment of Peace and Inter-national Arbi- tration, co-operates with all the other peace societies of the world. There is also a de- partment of Mercy, which opposes vivisec- tion and inculcates kindness to all sentient beings. The requisites for admission to the Union are payment of annual dues and sign- ing of the pledge.

HANCOCK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

On the 30th day of August, 1851, a number of farmers and friends of agriculture congre- gated at the Court House and after discussing the project of organizing a society, adjourned until the first Saturday in October, at which time an organization was effected. The first fair was held on October 15, 1852, on rented grounds north of the river, on what was known as the Brunner brickyard.

On February 9, 1859, eight acres of land in East Findlay lying in the northeast corner of

Blanchard Street and Blanchard Road, was purchased of J. H. Williamson for the consid- eration of $800. The first fair on the new ground was held Oct. 5, 6, and 7, 1859.

May 20, 1868, the old fair ground was sold to Samuel Hoxter for $1,750 and a new site purchased of Timothy Russell and John Pow- ell for $3,000. This new location was situ- ated on South Main Street about one mile south of Sandusky Street and comprised of 29.40 acres.

The first fair was held on the newly pur- chased grounds Oct. 1, 2 and 3, 1868.

On the IIth day of June, 1890, the county commissioners sold the beautiful grove on South Main Street to O. A. Ballard. A. H. Balsley, Geo. Cusac, F. H. Clessner, Adam Fulhart and Lemuel McManness for $26,500. These beautiful grounds, comprising a portion of the east half of the southeast quarter and part of the west half of the southeast quarter of Sec. 24, Township one North, Range 10 east, was one of the most beautiful in the State and on these grounds the Agricultural Society had many fairs successful, both finan- cially and socially. But $26,500 was a tempt- ing morsel to the county and the same was accordingly sold.

July 6, 1891, the county commissioners pur- chased the north part of the northeast quarter of Sec. 36, Township I north, Range 10 east, of J. G. Hull for $10,500. This tract is sit- uated about one mile farther south than the old grounds and consists of a large farm of 70 acres having sold 6.30 acres August 31, 1891 to Theodore Gibson for $925.57.

After the new fair grounds were paid for, the balance of the sale money was used in im- proving the grounds and not only was the amount, $15,925.57, used in improvements, but

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one-fourth of a mill of a blanket tax was lev- ied over the entire county in 1893 to help re- plenish the funds of the agricultural society; besides the county commissioners set aside va- rious amounts at divers times from the dog fund to help along the good cause.

From the time of taking possession of the new grounds in 1891 the society have held a fair annually with general good success in their exhibitions of live stock, grains, fruits and veg- etables, implements and buggies and carriages, poultry, and produce of the farm and garden in general, together with articles of domestic manufacture and merchandise.

A good race track was constructed and the speeding was a source of enjoyment to many of our citizens. Large crowds met from all parts of the county and exchanged business views and social courtesies, thus affording an opportunity to our farmers to not only become better acquainted with each other but to im- prove their knowledge of the ancient and hon-

orable vocation of farming and stock-raising, and while it afforded them and their families a day of outing and annual picnic, as it were, they were vastly profited and pleasantly enter- tained.

The last exhibit-that of 1909-was consid- ered the best on the present grounds, both in attendance and display of articles, and the board will be able to. pay all their premiums with a balance remaining in the treasury, not- withstanding more money was expended in pre- miums than was ever before paid out in any previous fair held in Hancock County.

The present officers of the Association are: President, Marion Bell; vice-president, Theo- dore Powell; treasurer, J. M. Reed; secretary, R. V. Kennedy. The bounding success of this year's fair was owing to the indomitable energy of the above mentioned gentlemen, and especially to the incessant care and labor of the secretary, Mr. Kennedy.

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CHAPTER XIII.

CHURCH HISTORY.

The Pioneer Preacher-Hardships Endured-Small Salaries-Progress of the Various De- nominations in Hancock County-Churches of Findlay and Hancock County.

When the first circuit rider lifted up his voice in this region, exhorting all to "flee from the wrath to come," this region was still a wilder- ness. The sweet and sacred story of the cross was told and re-told beneath the sturdy oaks of the forest, and the four-footed denizens of the wild paused and listened to the first hymns that soared heavenward from the lips of the little band of worshippers. The scented groves of that day were truly "God's first temples."

One of the first, if not the first minister to enter the forest of Ohio was Charles Frederick Post, a Moravian missionary, a calm, simple- hearted and intrepid man. He was sent into Ohio after the defeat of Braddock to preach the gospel, as well as to win the Indians over to the cause of the English; and he zealously did both. He was assisted in his labors by the celebrated Heckenwelder, and afterward by David Zeisberger, another devoted servant of God, and the three founded the town of Gnad- enhutten, which was afterward destroyed by a lot of fanatical white settlers and its Indian converts massacred.

It was not until after the close of the Revo- lutionary War that the tide of pioneer preach- ing reached the real valley of the Ohio. It

swept northward from Kentucky, headed by the good, old itinerant, who rode from settle- ment to settlement with Bible and saddlebags, preaching wherever he could find a congrega- tion. He did as much to civilize the wilder- ness as those who wielded the axe and built towns where naught but the unbroken forest had been.

Strong and powerful men were the back- woods preachers and their mentality was equal to their physical strength. They knew no fear, but set up the altar of the Most High God in the most remote localities, undaunted by ad- verse circumstances and surrounded by dan- gers seen and unseen. For the ministry of the church of the wilderness assumed the po- sition and responsibility of their calling under the confident belief that each man of them was specially called and sent forth by the Holy Spirit of peace and power as the ambassador of Christ.

The office of the backwoods preacher was no sinecure. His field of labor was the world. His salary rarely exceeded seventy dollars per year. Nothing more was allowed a man with a wife than without one, for it was understood by those of the old church that a preacher had

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no business with a wife and that he was a great deal better without. They came to the wilder- ness to face perils, want, weariness, unkind- ness, cold and hunger. The bare earth in win- ter and summer was three-fourths of the time their bed, a saddle their pillow and the sky their coverlet.

They studied the hymnbook nearly as de- votedly and constantly as the Bible, and with these two they had an arsenal from which they could bring forth weapons adapted to every emergency. When some obstreperous sinner disturbed their meetings they strode down from the backwoods pulpit and ejected the offender by main force, after which the sermon was re- sumed as if nothing had happened.

These pioneer men of God not only knew the Bible, but they knew other books as well. Young and Milton were their intimate com- panions. Miltonic descriptions of perdition abounded in their discourses, and the judg- ment, with all the solemn array of the Last Assize was vividly depicted by them. Their rather topographical descriptions of the good and bad worlds were received with favor by their audiences. The earnest and strenuous lives of the settlers, beset with necessities and filled with the struggle to supply them, de- manded strong religious nourishment, and these simple-hearted, firmly believing crusad- ers of the wilderness were just the men to give it to them.

Between these heroic men of different de- nominations there was for some time much antagonism. Thy were too earnest to make light of even the least jot or tittle of their re- spective creeds, and their earnestness resulted in much pugnacious rivalry. They were great controversialists and there was a resounding din about Baptism and Pedo-Baptism, Free

Grace and Predestination, Falling from Grace, and the Perseverance of the saints; but at no time did the pioneer preachers forget the holi- ness of their mission.

The true worth of the pioneer preacher can- not be computed. He did a great work among the early settlements through all this region. He builded up little congregations which in time grew into strong, light-spreading churches. He visited the sick, comforted the mourner, prayed with the dying, and often read the burial service to the howl of the pred- atory wolf. He appeared as an angel of light to the little family around the pioneer hearth. And when his sacred work was ended he "folded the drapery of his couch around him" and, secure in the great reward which was to be his, bowed to the will of God and passed from the stage of action.

While now nearly every denomination and sect have representatives in Hancock County, in the early days, they were principally Meth- odist, Presbyterian, Baptist and Lutheran. Now all of the different denominations, both in town and country, have comfortable and in most in- stances even beautiful houses of worship, far different from the hewed log meeting houses of former days. Even the churches in the small towns and country have their accessory and auxiliary societies and are fully up to the times in all that pertains to the conduct of a well regulated society.

As early as 1832, the Methodists began to hold regular meetings in the county, and this denomination is still in the ascendancy as to numbers and influence. The first church in Hancock County was organized at the home of John Dukes in Blanchard Township, and a church built in 1831, which is still known as "The Duke's Church." The first preacher in

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Hancock County was James Gilruth, who came to Findlay in 1822. Next in order was the Presbyterian Church, the first preacher of which was the Rev. Barr, who came in 1829, and organized a bible society, with Wilson Vance, Edwin S. Jones and John C. Wickham as directors.

The Lutheran Church was the third to per- manently locate in this county, beginning reg- ular services in 1839, but not having perma- nent organization until 1846.

St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church was organized in 1851, and built a small frame church on the corner of West Hardin and Cory Streets, although occasional services had been held here since 1840. Late in 1866 the build- ing, together with the parish school building adjoining, burned down, and, as the member- ship had increased largely, more ground was needed. Louis Adams, then one of our most substantial citizens, kindly donated the pres- ent site on West Main Cross Street, together with half the cost of the sweet sounding bell now in the tower of the church building.

The present building was completed in 1867, though it has been much improved and en- larged since then. The parochial schools are located just west of the church and consist of a very permanent building of six rooms and a large hall occupying the entire third story, where entertainments are often given. These schools are presided over by a competent corps of Sister teachers. The Roman Catholic church in Findlay is the only one in Hancock County.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church, was organized in 1858, and built their church edifice on West Front Street, which they first occupied about 1863. They have a very flour- ishing society of our best German citizens, which has been largely increased by the stren-

uous effort of the present pastor, the Rev. Wil- liam G. Dressler.

The United Brethren Church of Findlay was organized in 1853. They erected a small brick building on West Crawford Street, in 1855, but have been prosperous, and at pres- ent occupy a modern edifice on West Hardin Street.

The First Baptist Church was organized in 1857, but did not build a church until about 1888-9; there were no services held for sev- eral years; they now have a comfortable build- ing on East Lima Street.

The Trinity Episcopal Church was organ- ized in 1881, and at once built a handsome though moderate structure on West Hardin Street opposite the United Brethren Church.

The Church of Christ, better known as Dis- ciples, organized in 1884 and built a very com- modious structure on corner of North Main and Filmore Streets. They have a large mem- bership and are very lively workers in the cause in which they place their faith.

The Evangelical Association was organized in 1870, with Rev. E. B. Crouse in charge, and a brick building erected on East Sandusky Street. Later a split occurring in the general church, extended to Findlay, and caused the building of another church on West Sandusky Street. The dispute seemed to be between two of the most prominent elders of the society and extended down to the membership.

The Church of God have had organizations in the county since 1848, but they did not grow very strong numerically until quite a late date. getting their main impetus from the location of their college here in 1881, which greatly in- creased the interest in that organization. The First Church of God on West Front Street is a strong organization, and they have a very

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commodious as well as handsome building. The at $33,000.00, a great part of the debt of College church meets in the chapel of the col- lege and is usually presided over by the presi- dent of the college or some of the faculty. which was paid during the pastorate of Rev. P. P. Pope. The church now entered upon a time of great prosperity. After the extension The Third M. E. Church, in the Reck Ad- dition, was dedicated on July 22nd, 1889. of the time limit from two to three years, four pastors remained the full three years each. When Rev. A. J. Fish was pastor, came the FIRST M. E. CHURCH. natural gas boom which increased the popula- tion of the town from five to eighteen thous- and. A great number of Methodist families came to Findlay at this period, the outcome of which was the establishment and building of the Howard M. E. Church on Cherry Street at a cost of about $8,000.00. Also a lot was purchased by the First M. E. Church on West Sandusky Street, and a commodious parsonage was built. In 1900 a fire occurred in the First M. E. Church building, rendering it untenable and the congregation decided to take it down and rebuild.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 18

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1189

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189