Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 19

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 19

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).

In 1829 Adam Poe, a presiding elder from the Wyandot Mission at Upper Sandusky, came one Saturday evening, to the little vil- lage called Ft. Findlay and announced that he . would preach the next morning in the school house. The villagers came to hear him. Other missionaries came from Upper Sandusky and in three years a separate mission was estab- lished, with seventeen members, seven of whom were named Baker. By 1836 Fort Findlay had become the center of Findlay circuit with Rev. H. Whitman, preacher in charge, and Rev. G. W. Breckenridge, assistant. A church was built on East Main Cross Street, at a cost of $700.00, and later, a parsonage on the same lot. In 1850, at its own request, the society was made a station, and Rev. W. S. Lunt ap- pointed pastor. During this year a new brick structure was built on the north end of the lot now occupied by the present structure, but on account of a deficiency in the foundation, the walls cracked and it was considered unsafe. The membership increased so rapidly that in ten years an agitation began for the erection of an adequate building.

In spite of mercenary hindrances, because of the war, $1,500.00 was subscribed, and in 1866, under Rev. J. W. Wykes, pastor, the corner stone of the third building was laid. Funds increased marvelously till at its comple- tion, while Rev. Isaac Newton was pastor, Findlay boasted of a very fine building valued

Under the administration of the Rev. C. R. Havighurst, who remained with the congre- gation for a period of eight years-the longest in the history of the church-the new and beautiful edifice was built and dedicated De- cember 7, 1902, at a cost of about $75,000.00. The structure is of Craig sandstone, and is one of the most attractive and impressive church buildings in the conference. Under the suggestion and management of the present pas- tor, Rev. G. B. Wiltsie, the first Sunday in June, 1909, was devoted to the celebration of the eightieth anniversary of Methodism in Findlay. All the former pastors living were invited, many of whom gladly returned and noted with interest the splendid prospe .. ty of the church, both financially and spiritually.

Prior to 1850 the church was served by mis- sionaries and circuit preachers, since then the following have been pastors :

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FIRST M. E. CHURCH, FINDLAY

CHURCH OF GOD. FINDLAY

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FINDLAY

CATHOLIC CHURCH, FINDLAY

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W. S. Lunt, J. A. Kellum, G. Gray, J. S. Holmes, T. Parker, L. B. Gurley, G. Lease, J. S. Kalb, J. Wykes, Isaac Newton, O. Kennedy, Wm. Jones, I. R. Henderson, P. P. Pope, J. F. Davies, E. D. Whitlock, W. A. Yingling, S. L. Beiler, A. J. Fish, L. E. Prentiss, C. R. Havighurst, J. M. Avann, W. G. Waters, H. C. C. Jamisen, C. O. Crist, G. B. Wiltsie

The present number of communicants of this church is about 775, and the enrollment of the Sabbath school is about 900.

HOWARD METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF FINDLAY. .

The development of Findlay in "Boom days" led to the building of the Howard Church. Methodism had been established in Findlay for half a century when the growth both of the city and of the First Methodist Church made a new church seem advisable. Under the pastorate of Dr. A. J. Fish at the First Church the first steps were taken by se- curing two lots in Cherry Street near Clinton, which were held while money was raised for the building The corner stone was laid in De- cember, 1887, and the building was soon en- closed. The church was dedicated July 16, 1888, by Dr. J. W. Hamilton of Boston, now a bishop in the Methodist Church. The follow- ing pastors have served the church: Dr. H. C. Jameson, '88; Dr. N. B. C. Love, '89, '90, '91; Dr. C. W. Taneyhill, '92, '93; Rev. S. L. Boy- ers, '94, '95; Rev. J. W. Holland, '96; Rev. M. C. Howley, '97, '98, '99; Rev. Peter Biggs, 1900, '01, '02; Rev. J. Baumgardner, '03 to '07; Dr. Merrick E. Ketchem, '09, present pastor.

During the pastorate of Rev. S. L. Boyers the debt on the building was paid off. During the pastorate of Rev. J. Baumgardner a par- sonage was secured adjoining the church. The

church had a steady growth and at the present time (1909) has 350 members with a Sunday School of about 300 enrollment. The Ep- worth League has some 75 members. The membership is loyal and earnest in service and the church is accomplishing splendid results.

THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, FINDLAY.

The First Church of Christ at Findlay was organized December 14, 1884, by W. J. Lhamon then of Kenton. Previous to this U. M. Browder, M. Riddle, Alanson Wilcox, W. J. Lhamon and perhaps others preached occasional sermons. W. J. Lhamon held a meeting of several days in December, 1884, which resulted in the organization of the church. The Nineteenth District of the Ohio Christian Missionary Society helped to bear the expenses of the meeting. The following were the charter members of the new church: A. A. Dillinger, Katharine Brogee, Henry C. Lanning, Agness Shank, Hannah Ross, Mary E. McFarland, Lizzie Pendleton, Elizabeth Henry, Rhoda Lan- ning, Mary A. Shank, Lavina Hartman, Fannie Dillinger, Ella Shank, May Shank, Orpha L. Humason, Margaret Thomas, Cordeli Shank, Kate M. Kagy, Sophia Kib- ler, Susan Powell, Lavina Shank, John C. Shank, John S. McFarland, Metta Phifer, Hannah Corwin, Sophrona Bacher, Adaline D'Brant, Henry Shank, Jr. The first meet- ings were held in the German Reform Church on East Main Cross Street. In 1887 a substantial brick veneer building was erected at the corner of North Main and Fillmore Streets. It seats four hundred. A frame structure for Sunday use has since been added. The house was dedicated in October, 1887, by F. M. Rains, secretary of

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the Foreign Christian Missionary Society. been received into the church the past At the organization the following persons twenty months. E. C. Taylor is chairman of the official board. Dr. E. C. Miller is superintendent of the Sunday School. were made a committee of management till officers could be chosen : Henry C. Lanning, Henry Shank, Jr., A. A. Dillinger, Kate The Official Board is composed of Dr. E. C. Miller, T. M. Sherman, G. N. Abbott, John Mullen, Elders; E. C. Taylor, P. S. Latchaw, H. C. Miley, J. W. Irwin, W. E. Deitzel, J. Z. Chase, G. R. Miller, F. L. Powell, Deacons. M. Kagy, Hannah Ross, and Orpha Huma- son. The first two or three years the church had no resident pastor but was ministered to occasionally by W. J. Lhamon of Kenton, Dr. S. M. Cook, then of Bays, and others. J. T. H. Stewart was the first settled min- ister. The house was built during his min- UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. istry. The church has had twelve resident The Church of the United Brethren in Christ, which is the oldest denomination of purely American origin, began its existence about 1768, when Rev. Martin Boehm was preaching to a large congregation assembled in Isaac Long's barn in Lancaster County, Pa. He preached with great power, and Rev. William Otterbein being in the con- gregation, greatly delighted, stepped for- ward at the conclusion of the sermon, and embracing Boehm, exclaimed: "Wir sind brueder,"-"We are brethren," which gave rise to the name of the denomination. The work grew, converts were organized into classes, finally the church was organized forming this new denomination with its first formal Conference in Rev. William Otter- bein's parsonage, in Baltimore, in 1789. Its government is much like the government of the United States of America. Its ecclesias- tical bodies are General, Annual and Quar- terly Conferences. pastors, J. T. H. Stewart, 1887 to July 29, 1888; A. B. Moore, August 5, 1888 to July I, 1889; T. A. Cooper, July 14, 1889 to July 5, 1891; B. J. Sawyer, October 6, 1891 to February 2, 1892; P. J. Rice, June 1, 1892 to December 24, 1893; Eugene Brooks, Jan- uary I, 1894 to September 1, 1896; G. W. Weimer, October 6, 1896 to October I, 1897; J. W. Adams, November 1, 1897 to November 1, 1898; A. M. Growden, January I, 1899 to April 15, 1903; J. F. Stone, July 12, 1903 to July 12, 1904; C. H. Bass, Oc- tober 1, 1904 to October 1, 1907; and the present incumbent, John Mullen, whose min- istry began November 10, 1907. The church has made splendid progress. Hundreds have been added to the membership but owing to the unsettled condition of our city's population in the past there have been heavy losses by removal. The present member- ship is four hundred and fifty. The Sunday School enrolls about four hundred. The As to the history of the local church of The United Brethren in Christ, the records accessible are very meager. Prior to 1854, religious services were occasionally held by United Brethren people, in a little brick schoolhouse on West Front Street. The Y. P. S. C. E. has sixty members and the Christian Women's Board of Missions Auxiliary nearly fifty. The church supports a missionary, D. O. Cunnigham, in India. One hundred and sixty-four members have

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following trustees, Henry Hartman, Nimrod Bright, Joel Pendleton, Jesse Wheeler and J. T. Crites, raised funds by subscription, and early in 1854, Lot 78, corner of West and Crawford Streets, was purchased and a brick church was completed in 1855, under the direction of Rev. Chester Briggs, pastor. This property was sold in 1887, and a lot was purchased on the corner of West Hardin and South Cory Streets, where the present church edifice was erected and first occupied in 1889 under the pastoral care of Rev. G. L. Bender with the following Board of Trustees: D. R. Stoker, R. C. Bennett, L. C. Clark, G. A. Carpenter and Isaac Hershey.

The following ministers served the church beginning with the year 1854:

Reverends Chester Briggs, Michael Long, William Mathers, Case, - Dunn, the things whereby we may edify one an- other.

Percy Moore, John French, Alvin Rose, Reuben French, William Glancy, T. J. Har- baugh, T. D. Ingle, James Long, M. Shest- ler, A. W. Holden, G. P. Macklin, E. A. Starkey, J. Kirk, Isaac Crouse, S. H. Rade- baugh, 1885-87; G. L. Bender, 1887-90; E. B. Maurer, 1890-91; P. N. Gardner, 1891- 92; J. H. Arnold, 1892-96; C. N. Crabbs, 1896-99; C. B. Fletcher, 1899-01; A. M. Smith, 1901-04; J. W. Lilly, 1904-05; A. W. Ballinger, H. H. Rangeler, 1905-06; O. F. Laughbaum, 1906-09.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FINDLAY.

This church was organized December 21, 1830, the following being the charter mem- bers: William Taylor, Margaret Taylor, Phoebe Henderson, Asa Lake, Mrs. Chloe Lake, Ebenezer Wilson, William Cowan, Sarah Cowan, Mary Gibson, Wilson Vance

and Sarah Vance. A part of the minutes of the first meeting are worthy of a place in this sketch. The following resolutions were then offered and unanimously adopted :

First, In order to obtain and enjoy Chris- tian fellowship and communion and to en- joy the means of grace, and to have the Word and ordinances of the Gospel admin- istered in a regular and orderly manner for our spiritual nourishment and gowth in grace and for the general promotion and advancement of the cause of the Redeemer.

Secondly, Resolved: That we unite as a Church of the Lord Jesus Christ in connec- tion with the Presbyterian Church of the General Assembly, mutually engaging to be subject to one another in the Lord, to walk together according to the Gospel, and to study the things that make for peace and

At the same meeting William Cowan and Ebenezer Wilson were elected Ruling Elders. This was the first Presbyterian Church organized in this part of Ohio. The first home of worship was erected in 1836 at the corner of East Crawford and Me- chanic Streets and used for twenty-one years. The next building was erected in 1857 at the corner of South Main and East Hardin Streets (now a part of the Donnell Block) and was dedicated December 27th of the same year.

The corner stone of our present church home was laid September 25, 1900, and the completed edifice was dedicated to the service of God, September 29, 1901.

The following is a list of pastors and the term of office: Rev. Peter Monfort, 1830- 1833; Rev. Thomas Clark, 1833-1834; Rev.

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Peter Monfort, 1834-1835; Rev. George Van Eman, 1835-1841; Rev. Simon Peck, 1841-1842; Rev. R. H. Holliday, 1842-1854; Rev. John A. Meeks, 1855-1865; Rev. J. M. Cross, 1865-1869; Rev. A. B. Fields, 1869- 1872; Rev. Eba'n Muse, 1872-1875; Rev. R. R. Sutherland, 1876-1881; Rev. John C. Watt, 1881-1885; Rev. Joshua R. Mitchell, 1885-1898; Rev. John Montgomery, 1899- 1906; Rev. Lester S. Boyce, 1907 --.

The following is a list of the elders and date of election: William Cowan, Decem- ber, 1830; Ebenezer Wilson, December, 1830; Samuel Moorhead, November, 1835; John Ewing, November, 1835; William Taylor, August, 1837; Frederick Hender- son, August, 1837; John Burns, August, 1837; Paul Sours, November, 1844; Milton Gray, October, 1865; Emanuel Miller, October, 1865; Phillip D. Bigelow, 1866; Joseph S. Patterson, 1866; W. A. Ward, December, 1868; Presley N. Lyle, April, 1870; Isaac Davis, April, 1870; Henry Byal, April, 1870; Jesse Guise, April, 1870; George L. Arnold, January, 1886; John Shuck, Jan- uary, 1886; Robert M. Abbott, December, 1888; John Q. Codding, December, 1888; David B. Cratty, December, 1888; Charles H. Lambie, November, 1897; Silas E. Hurin, November, 1897; William H. Loy, June, 1905; Jeston Warner, June, 1905.

Present Organization : Pastor, Rev. Lester S. Boyce, The Manse, 203 East San- dusky St.

Elders: Joseph S. Patterson, George L. Arnold, John Schuck, John Q. Codding, Clerk, David B. Cratty, Silas E. Hurin, Wil- liam L. Loy, Jeston D. Warner.

Board of Trustees: George L. Arnold, Charles W. Patterson, Leonard C. Glessner,

William S. Bish, Harmon McEowen, Ephraim H. Adams.

Financial Secretary, Harmon McEowen. Congregational Clerk, Ross Wetherald. Treasurer, William H. Loy. Choir Leader, Harrold A. Wakefield. Organist, Edna V. Bigelow. Sexton, Jonathan J. Miller, 115 West Lincoln St. Church membership, 510. Sunday School enrollment, 327.

FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, FINDLAY.

This congregation is the result of Home Missionary effort by the denomination at large. The first steps toward the organiza- tion of a United Presbyterian Church in this place were taken by Rev. J. C. Roe, of Ken- ton, O. The organization was effected March 31, 1890. Of the charter members only one remains in the present membership of the church, Miss Elizabeth Allison. In all a large number of members have been received. Losses by death and removal leave the present roll of members at about one hundred.

The congregation possesses valuable church property located on the corner of West Sandusky and West Streets. The lecture room, fully equipped with class rooms for Sabbath school work, was erected soon after the congregation was organized. The auditorium, a beautiful structure made of cement blocks, was completed in 1908. The property includes a commodious and modern parsonage, occupied as the pastor's residence. The parsonage stands on the same lot with the church building. The property is located in an attractive part of the city and is free of debt. The congrega- tion embraces the full complement of sub-

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sidiary organizations and carries on many activities. Special attention is given to Sab- bath School work, and every effort is put forth to maintain a school of the highest efficiency.

The following ministers have served the congregation in the capacity of stated sup- ply: J. P. Sharp, '90-'93; J. F. McKnight, '95-'97; George Whiteside, '97-'01; J. J. Thompson, '02-'04; J. R. Greene, '04-'08; F. E. Dean, in charge of the congregation since July 1, 1908.

The following ruling elders compose the session of the church : J. A. McCall, Robert W. Stewart, W. A. Crawford, B. E. Fox, D. M. McLane.

The congregation worshipped for a time in the old Congregational Church. And a few of the Congregationalists, when their work was abandoned, came into the United Presbyterian Church, and the latter church now enjoys the use of the pipe organ be- longing to the Congregationalists. At the present writing the number of communi- cants on the membership list is 77, and the enrollment of the Sabbath School is 95. Rev. T. E. Dean is serving as the present pastor.

CANNONSBURG UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

This congregation was organized as an Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1850. It became a United Presbyterian Church in 1858, when the union between the Associate and the Associate Reformed Churches took place. During its earlier his- tory this congregation was numerically strong and prosperous; but like many other country churches its membership has been greatly de- pleted by death and removal. On its roll it has counted many of the staunchest citizens of the community. Many of these worthy families have found homes elsewhere; but the few who still remain are loyal to the church; and it bids fair to be an influence for good for many years to come.

The following ministers have served the con- gregation as pastors : J. R. Bonner, '50-'59; James Rodgers, '62-'68; J. C. Bingham, '69- '71 ; Wait Wright, '76-'81 ; J. E. Kerr, '82-84; R. H. Boyd, '84-'87; J. D. Palmer, 1900-01. F. E. Dean, a pastor in Findlay, has had charge of the congregation since July 1, 1908. The members of session are Archie Hanna, Albert Hanna, Harvey Williamson and William Will- iamson.

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CHAPTER XIV.

ALLEN, AMANDA AND BLANCHARD TOWNSHIPS.

ALLEN TOWNSHIP.

This township, containing 15,360 acres, holds a central position in the northern line of townships and was the last to be organized in the county. It was formed of territory taken from the townships of Cass and Portage, and was named in honor of Ethan Allen of Revo- lutionary fame. It is bounded north by Wood County, east by Cass Township, south .by Findlay, and west by Portage Township. The Bellefontaine and Perrysburg State Road runs directly through the center of the township, north and south, this being the oldest road in the county.

On the 3rd day of June, 1850, the Commis- sioners of the county, "Ordered that a new township be erected of the following territory, and called Allen Township; said territory of Allen to be composed of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, 32, of Township 2 (Cass) north, Range II east, and Sections I, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35 and 36 in Township 2 (Portage) north, Range 10, east.

It was also "ordered that there be legal no- tice posted up in the new township of Allen, for the election of the following named officers for said township, to-wit: three trustees, one clerk, one treasurer and one assessor."

The timber in this township was of the val- uable hard wood varieties, such as poplar, wal- nut, ash, oak, sugar, beech and sugar maple. Poplar was very plentiful in the south part of the township, and was so valuable a timber for building purposes that after the building of frame houses was begun, it soon became ex- hausted.

The soil in the south part of the township is in part what might be called a sandy clay. In parts, however, it is almost all clay, whilst elsewhere it is entirely sand. On the north side of the township, between the ridge and Wood County line, it is a black loam, composed mostly of vegetable matter. But all parts of the township are easily tilled and are very pro- ductive.

The middle branch of the Portage River passes through this township, and is the most considerable stream in this part of the county, and which has water the year around. It passes out of the township near the northwest corner. There are no other runs or creeks in the township, yet the surface of the land is suf- ficiently undulating to furnish all the necessary outlets for drainage.

John Gardner made the first entry of land, in this township, on the 25th day of August, 1826, it being the west half of the northeast

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quarter of Section 13. On the first day of June, 1829, Nathan Frakes entered the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, afterwards the Samuel Spitler farm. In De- cember, 1828, Major Bright entered the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 36, and a year later, George C. Collins, of Ham- ilton County, entered the east half of the north- east quarter of Section 36. These entries were followed in 1832 by others, made by Henry Barnel, George Ensminger, Elias Bryan, Wil- liam Wilkes, Christian Ensperger, and others. In 1826 or 1827 the first settlement was made by Nathan Frakes and one Miller, west of Van Buren, on the Sam. Spitler farm, and by Mil- ler on the farm now owned by J. Kempher. In 1827 came John Trout, Elias S. Bryan and John Burman came, and they were followed by Christian Barnel, who came from Perry county, and located on the Spitler farm, Frakes having purchased and removed to what is now the Infirmary farm. John Barnel, son of Christian, came in the following year, and re- mained here during his entire life. He, too, moved to the Spitler farm, and his father, with his family, moved to Findlay.

Then came Charles Baker, of Fairfield, the Ensmingers of Wayne, Hugh and John Gil- christ, Jos. Howard and others. All of these families settled around or near the site of the present town of Van Buren.

In 1833 the first election was held in the township, at which time both of the townships of Cass and Portage voted. But eleven votes were cast. The first election held in the present township, was in 1850, in accordance with the order before recited.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1836, on the farm later owned by I. W. Whetstone. It was of the round log, clapboard roof, huge

chimney variety. There are now six school houses in the township, all of which have passed through the transition stage from log and frame to the more substantial brick struc- ture.

The first church was built at Van Buren by the Presbyterians, Rev. George Van Emon, pastor. Among the first members were Sam- uel Huntington, John Leader, some of the Moreheads of Portage Township, and the Campbells, of Wood County. This organiza- tion still exists. There are now three church buildings in the township, one Baptist, one Presbyterian, and one United Brethren, all lo- cated in the town of Van Buren.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1855, and Henry Roder and wife, Samuel Kagy and E. Smith were some of the first members. Pre- vious to the building of the church, services were held at the house of Henry Rader, and as a branch of the Findlay Church.

The first marriages were those of a Mr. Bee- son and a Miss Trout; and Francis Rumor and Miss Ensminger. The first death was that of a child of John Trout.

John Burman built a mill on the creek east of Van Buren, at an early day, which was the first built in the township. But as it was pro- pelled by water, and during a great portion of the year the water was so low in the creek, as not to furnish power, the mill was not of much benefit to the early settlers, who had to patron- ize the Teatsworth horse-mill at Findlay, or go to Perrysburg, or to Sandusky City for flour or meal.

Every community has its tragedies and a most distressing event of this kind occurred at a very early day, in the settlement of this town- ship. John Gilchrist and his little son, a boy of twelve years of age, and his brother, Hugh

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Gilchrist, were out at night hunting raccoons. When about a mile and a half northwest of Van Buren, on the McMurry farm, a 'coon was treed, and it became necessary to cut the tree down in order to get it. Before it fell, John took his son in the direction the tree was to fall, and to a distance that he thought would be out of reach of the falling tree. When it fell, however, it struck another, which in fall- ing killed the boy outright, and broke the thigh of the father. Hugh was unable to move them without help, which he was some time in pro- curing. He then took his brother to his home, where he died two days after, leaving a wife and five small children. They were very poor, but were assisted by the good neighbors.

The "Wild Cat Thicket," which extended through this township, was in early days so densely covered with an undergrowth, as to be hardly passable, and although game was plenty elsewhere, it could not get through this thicket. The timber or brush was then quite small. Only a few large trees were standing. Mr. Barnd killed forty-five deer the second year that he was in the township, besides large numbers of smaller game, yet he did not consider himself a hunter, as he had his farm to attend to.

The first frame building erected in the town- ship, was the Presbyterian Church, which was built by John Kelley. The first brick building was that of John Trout, on the south of the town of Van Buren. Old Johnny Appleseeds was through this part of the country, and planted a number of apple trees in this town- ship.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 19

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

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