USA > Ohio > Summit County > Twinsburg > Twinsburg, Ohio, 1817-1917, Part I History, Part II Genealogies > Part 8
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MEMBERSHIP AND REVIVALS. During Rev. Samuel Bissell's pastorate of seven years and seven months he received 141 members, 85 of them joining in 1831 and 1834. From 1822 to 1843 the number received each year was as follows: 13, 3, 5, 0, 3, 0, 17, 9, 3, 36, 11, 12, 46, 5, 13, 3, 14, 3, 21, 1, 3, 8, total 229. When the churches united in 1843 there were 128 members. The reported membership by half decades since 1855 has been: 1855, 126; 1860, 106; 1865, 68; 1870, 98; 1875, 71; 1880, 105; 1885, 106; 1890, 134; 1895, 175; 1900, 150; 1905, 128; 1910, 120; 1915, 150. In The Ohio Observer for September 28, 1833, Rev. Samuel Bissell reports a recent and powerful revival in Twinsburg. For seven days four or five hours were spent each day in united prayer, and sixteen sermons preached. Sunrise
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prayer meetings were held. There were about fifty con- versions. April 1, 1877, when Mr. Post was pastor, forty- one united, thirty-six on confession. Union services were held in 1865-6 and twenty joined the Congregational church. In 1913 twenty-nine joined, all but seven on confession, and nearly all from the Sunday School, largely a result of Decision Day.
CHURCH PROPERTY. "The First Congregational So- ciety of Twinsburg" was incorporated by the state legislature December 27, 1830, more than eight years after the church was organized. The charter gives the above name but in its records it is almost always spoken of as "The Corporation." It and its officers have to do solely with the temporal affairs of the church. Joint meetings of the church and corporation are "The Society," so called in the records of those meetings. Its province has been to call and dismiss pastors, and, until recently, to provide for the salary. Three efforts to follow the usual custom of our churches now and have but one organization, the incorporated church, have been un- successful.
The first building used was a log schoolhouse built on the square in 1822 and used for school, town house and church. Timber was brought for a two story building, school below and church above, but a town meeting voted that no public building should be put on the square. Yet it was finally built there, one story high, was twice moved and then torn down.
A Congregational church and school building combined was built in 1831 and occupied January 18, 1832, the money for it, $700, being raised by Rev. Samuel Bissell. Later it was used for a town hall and still stands on the east side of the park. It was built by volunteer labor, some quarrying stone, some laying them, others hewing timber, framing it, etc. It was 60 ft. by 30 and was used by the church until the present building was erected.
After the churches reunited in 1843 the feeling in- creasingly prevailed that there should be a new house of worship. Between March 19, 1846, and September 20, 1847, there were seven votes of acceptance of different sites-the Hankston place, the Scott place, the present location, the site of the present Methodist church, the Alexander place,
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the public square, and again and finally the present location, bought of Zeno Parmelee for $200. Lewis Alling, Justus T. Herrick and John W. Dodge were the building committee. The upper part was to be used for religious meetings only. The $3300 raised by selling pews paid for the building with a small surplus. Forty slips were sold in advance September 27, 1847, and the rest later, 72 pews in all. There were four at each end of the present platform space. They sold at from $10 to $100 each, totalling $3300 and averaging about $47.
The following persons bought pews: south side, Huldah Wilcox, Justus T. Herrick (2 pews), Chauncey Lane, Jared Atwater (2 pews), Elisha Lane, Benjamin Oviatt, Dan Parmelee, Daniel Richardson, Zeno Parmelee, George G. Dodge (2), Frederick Stanley, James T. Herrick, William Porter, Albert A. Atwater, Dan W. Richardson, Hanford White, Jonathan E. Herrick, Lewis Alling, John G. Stevens, George Stanley, Charles F. Stanley, David Bissell, Joel R. Parmelee, William W. Southworth, Philetus Smith, Alma- rine B. Tinker, Isaac Hanks, Samuel Bissell (4), John Odell, John Smith; north side, Arba Porter, John G. Stevens, Agnes Smith, Augustus W. Herrick (2), Zeno Parmelee, Luman Lane (2), John W. Dodge (2), Samuel W. Herrick (2), James Hill, Israel Cannon, Hector Taylor, John F. Clarke, Ethan Alling (3) Julius Lane, Orrin Tooker, James Henry, Cephas Bissell, Lorenzo Riley, Elisha L. Parks, Richard T. Smith, S. A. Andrews, Nathaniel Wilcox, George D. Harris, Mrs. Thomas, Samuel H. Hull, Samuel Bissell (4). Mr. Bissell had four on each side, at the rear, for the use of his pupils.
The church was dedicated in November, 1848, Rev. J. Hopkins of Chagrin Falls preaching the sermon from Ps. 122: I. It was printed in pamphlet form.
It was voted to inclose the church with a fence with two gates in front. In August, 1908, the church was redecorated and painted inside. Cost, $245. One year, 1856-7, the steeple blew off and was repaired at an expense of $210. In 1913 about $1600 or more was spent in reconstructing the basement, putting in water, closets, a kitchen, etc., two large rooms being arranged with folding doors between. The next year an asbestos roof was put on and the interior
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repapered, repainted and recarpeted. The repairs in two years were nearly as much as the original cost of the church.
The horse sheds were built and owned by individuals in 1859. Numbering from the north they were owned by George Stanley, Joel R. Parmelee, William Wilcox, Julius Lane, Lorenzo Riley, Albert Atwater, Luman Lane, Justus T. Herrick, Blodgett Bissell and Lewis Parks.
The parsonage was willed to the church, with three acres of land, in 1865, by Mrs. Huldah Alling, widow of Lewis Alling. It was valued at $2,000, and its use at once added to the pastor's salary. The study was built in 1870 at a cost of $353.
The society lot of 25 acres southeast of the village was donated in 1832 by W. W. Woolsey. It has generally brought an income of $40.
Mrs. Lorenzo Riley made a bequest that brings $40 yearly to the corporation, and also a bequest of $200 the interest of which is to be used in buying books for the S. S. library. $250 was received from the estate of Fanny Bissell.
In 1863 lot 94 in the cemetery was bought for a min- isterial burying lot.
In 1895 Mrs. Lorenzo Riley gave the town clock at an expense of $350.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. May 5, 1851, it was voted to dispense ordinarily with agents for benevolent societies. Later the word ordinarily was struck out.
March 7, 1858, the choir that sings under Mr. Fessenden and the one that sings under H. Herrick were invited by vote of the church to sing together, Mr. Fessenden to take charge for six months.
November 7, 1856, it was voted to sustain prayer meet- ings in the school houses.
March 15, 1877, a motion to return to the old custom of having communion in the afternoon was lost.
September 22, 1887, it was voted to have a roll call the second Tuesday in October. It became an annual event for many years.
October 12, 1895, it was voted that the clock run by sun time. In 1907 standard time was adopted, and eastern time in 1914.
The schedule of benevolences adopted in 1865 contained
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six causes for which, as a denomination, we do not give now.
In 1856 Ethan Alling asked if he could commune with the church. The question was referred to a committee. He was not a member of any church, there being none in the vicinity with whose doctrines he was in full agreement. He was Calvinistic, a Baptist as to baptism, but did not regard the mode as essential, had been immersed. The committee reported that "in the judgment of charity he was a Chris- tian," but later Presbytery advised that he unite with some church whose views harmonized with his, and that then the church at Twinsburg extend to him the privilege of com- muning.
During Mr. Bissell's pastorate the people stood during the prayer and sat during the singing. In the new church they rose during the singing and faced the gallery, where the singers were.
SINGERS. Mrs. James H. Kelsey and her sister, Philena White, were the main treble singers in the first years. After Zeno Parmelee came in 1824 he led the singing for about twenty years. Other leaders have been Josiah Redfield, Richard R. Redfield, Sylvester Southworth, Mr. Root, Joel R. Parmelee, John W. Fessenden many years, Elisha E. Herrick many years, Luther H. Nichols, Hosmer C. Lane, Frank C. Lane, Arthur Dunscomb, Mrs. Walter S. Lister. Mr. Fessenden had as well trained a choir as any church could furnish in the musical conventions then in vogue.
SUNDAY SCHOOL. There was no Sunday School until sometime after Rev. Samuel Bissell came in 1828. The following list of those who have served as superintendents is probably incomplete: Dea. Nathaniel Wilcox, John Dodge, Joel R. Parmelee, Clark Stevens, Mr. Shepherd, father of Rev. Mr. Palmer's wife, Daniel W. Richardson, Jr., Dea. George Stanley, Charles Lane, O. O. Kelsey, Chauncey B. Lane, Orville C. Clark, Luther H. Nichols, A. B. Hawkins, Adelbert A. Dodge, Frank C. Lane, George B. Walton, Wallace Chamberlin, George Wall, Charles E. Riley, Fred J. Bissell, Ray O. Bissell, Earl S. Kerr, P. P. Evans, and perhaps others.
THE WOMAN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY was organized in August, 1875, with two members, Fannie Wilcox and Frances Parmelee. Records began to be kept March 3, 1876, when
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there were ten members and it had become auxiliary to the W. B. M. I. September 13, 1877, Miss Frances Parmelee went as a missionary to Japan. In April, 1891, it combined the home with the foreign work and became auxiliary also to the Ohio W. H. M. U. The whole amount of money raised has been about $2100. Miss Sabra Bates has been secretary fifteen, and treasurer thirteen years, thus serving twenty- eight years in all. The society has had the following presi- dents: Mrs. J. T. Herrick, 1877-9, Miss Fannie Wilcox, 1879-80, 1883-4, 1886-7, Mrs. William Elliston, 1880-3, 1887-9, 1898-9, Miss Frances Parmelee, 1884-5, Mrs. J. W. Fessenden, 1885-6, 1889-90, Mrs. C. H. Lemmon, 1890-2, Miss Helen Dodge, 1892-8, Mrs. Joseph Wolfe, 1899-1902, Mrs. Arthur T. Reed, 1902-5, Mrs. W. R. Blackmer, 1905-08, Miss Sabra Dodge, 1908-16.
THE YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETY OF CHRISTIAN EN- DEAVOR was organized early in 1887, after the revival meetings of that winter. The membership was soon 129, from the three churches and Sunday Schools. When the Epworth League was organized the number was smaller. Until 1889 meetings were held on Tuesday evenings. A Junior society was organized in 1895. The following persons have served as president: Fremont A. Nichols, Charles E. Riley, Carl W. Hempstead, Luther H. Nichols, Mary Stanley, Eliza Reed, Frank Lane, Mrs. Seth Hanchett, Clarence Wright, A. W. Elliott, Sophronia Clark, Hosmer C. Lane, Hattie E. Lane, Elodie McManus, Gustave Scholz, Hattie Crouse, Nellie Crouse, Mrs. E. B. Crouse, Edna Lane, Mrs. Carrie Smith, Lynn Chamberlin, George Walton, Florence McManus, Gertrude Doan, Elodah Holt, Arthur Dunscomb, Mildred Dunscomb, Earl S. Kerr, Corinne Evans, and perhaps others.
THE CONGREGATIONAL DIME SOCIETY was organized February 10, 1869, its object being "the repairing of the interior of the church." In 1916 its name was changed to "The Woman's Association of the Congregational Church." The whole amount raised to date has been about $5000, an average of about $160 per year. The following persons have served as president: Mrs. E. L. Parks, Mrs. E. P. Sharp, Mrs. L. Riley, Mrs. Lucia Hawkins, Mrs. Nelson Dodge (5 yrs.), Mrs. Erastus Daniels, Mrs. C. E. Wilcox, Miss
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Nellie Dodge, Mrs. Albert Hawkins, Mrs. Harrison Dun- shee, Mrs. J. T. Herrick, Mrs. William Haynes, Mrs. Mary Lewis, Mrs. E. B. Crouse, Mrs. W. W. Chamberlain, Mrs. L. H. Nichols, Mrs. H. W. Cannon, Mrs. Newton Herrick, Mrs. Magdalena Crouse, Mrs. D. N. McElroy, Mrs. E. M. Otto, Mrs. John O. Baldwin, Mrs. Frank Twerell, Mrs. Oretta Riley (5 yrs.).
JANITORS. Among those who have served as janitors were "Tone," a colored boy, William Bissell, a student, Elisha Lane for years, Zeno Parmelee, Joseph N. Higley, the first one to receive pay, Joel P. Garzee, janitor and usher, Dea. Crouse, Edward B. Crouse, John Baldwin.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH BY MRS. S. H. CRANKSHAW
The first available records of Twinsburg tell us the early settlers were in the habit of holding religious services. Sometimes they were held in the upper part of the grist mill, but usually in some home. They were conducted, possibly, by a missionary, a preacher from some neighboring town, occasionally by a Methodist circuit rider, but more usually by Lewis Alling or Asa Upson of this place. Since a large majority of the early settlers came from Connecticut, we would naturally expect to find many Congregationalists, fewer Methodists, and a goodly number with membership in other churches. Notwithstanding their several church relationships back in the East, after braving the common dangers of the wilderness, they were glad to come together for the worship of a common Heavenly Father.
In 1822, a log schoolhouse was built on the square. It was used as schoolhouse, townhouse and church, and here the circuit preachers on their rounds often proclaimed the Gospel. It appears that in the late twenties it became increasingly difficult to make satisfactory arrangements regarding the use of the schoolhouse for Methodist services, and as a result of this difficulty, until the erection of the first church, the Methodists worshipped in private homes; most usually at the home of Solomon Upson, who lived on the farm now occupied by W. H. Chambers, on the Cleve- land road.
As to the formal organization of the Twinsburg Meth- odist Episcopal church, the first steps were taken in the
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spring of 1821, by the formation of a Methodist class at the home of Asa Upson, whose house stood directly west of where Guy Herrick now lives. It is very probable the class was organized under the presiding eldership of Wm. Swayze, and possibly Rev. Ira Eddy was on the circuit, although nothing definite can be learned. When this class was formed Twinsburg became a part of the Cuyahoga Circuit "which embraced the whole region watered by the Cuyahoga River, whose name it bears," and which was formed in 1818. The Ohio Conference, of which this circuit was a part, was composed of two districts, five circuits, and had two pre- siding elders, and eight preachers. In 1824 the General Conference formed the Pittsburg Conference. Another change was made in 1836, when the Erie Conference was formed from the northeastern portion of Ohio, and the northwestern portion of Pennsylvania. Again in 1875 a change was made, and the East Ohio Conference was formed embracing that part of Ohio which lies to the east of the Cuyahoga River, and from Lake Erie to the Ohio River. This arrangement continued until 1912, when the East Ohio and North Ohio Conferences were consolidated, form- ing the North-East Ohio Conference which embraces ten districts, with more than 500 regular appointments and 25 special appointments, with 865 churches and 152,000 mem- bers, and possessing property valued at $9,193,000.00. When compared with the Conference of 1818, we see the wisdom of our forefathers in establishing churches in eastern Ohio.
Until 1828, the circuit to which Twinsburg belonged was in the Ohio District. At this time a new District, Canton, was formed. In 1832 it was changed and called Warren District, and in 1834, Ravenna, and continued thus for many years, when it was changed to the Akron District. Twinsburg was in the latter till the fall of 1912, when it was transferred to the Cleveland District. It is now in the Akron District having been transferred there at the last conference (1916).
A circuit in those early days meant, perhaps, its extreme points were 100 miles apart, or so large that it would take six weeks to cover it. Usually each circuit had two preachers, a senior and a junior. The former would oversee the work of the circuit, and the latter would assist him. It meant much
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work for these men, as for instance, nine times to preach in one week, and each time at a different place, without the modern conveniences in travel. The records show that since the formation of the class, Twinsburg has been associated on a circuit with Hudson, Streetsboro, Northfield, Fish Creek, Bainbridge, Brandywine, Dacos Corners, Butlers, Aurora, Solon, Macedonia, and Glen Willow, excepting the years 1871-'72, 1874-'79, 1894-1900, when it was a station, as it has been since 1909.
The first Methodist church in Twinsburg was built in 1831 on the northwest corner of the public square, possibly about 40 feet south of where E. J. McCreery's store now stands. This building was used as a church only 18 years, but during that time many souls were saved and much good accomplished. The building, when it was replaced by a new one was purchased by Harvey McFarland and removed to his lot. He afterwards sold it to James Hill who moved it to the northwest of his house, or about where L. H. Ben- nett's house now stands. In 1871 or '72, Mr. Hill sold it to Henry Lusk who moved it across the street to the rear of his lot where it has since been used as a barn.
When the need of a larger building became imperative the Methodist Society bought land of John and Betsey Clark. It was "deeded December 8, 1847, to Thaddeus Carter, James Roach, Nelson Upson, Simon Gould, Aaron Post, William Clark, Robert Cochrane, Henry Bennett, and Avery P. Clark, as Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church Society, and their successors in office." The con- sideration was $175.00. On this land the church now in use was built in 1848, Fred Bunnell and William Clark being the contractors. It was dedicated in January, 1849. Rev. A. Hall was pastor at the time and Rev. John C. Ayres was Presiding Elder. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. Day of Newburgh. Revs. J. C. Ayres and John Bain assisted in the service. The cost of the church, which was $3000.00, was met by subscription.
The church has undergone many repairs, and many changes have been made. Of the latter, one of the most noticeable was in the first year of Rev. D. Rowland's pastor- ate, (1876) when the high narrow pulpit, and the seats in the southwest corner were removed, the rostrum built out, and a
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new pulpit and chairs procured. In the large room below, a partition was erected, dividing it into two rooms. In the one, with the necessary furnishings, a comfortable room resulted where prayer meetings, socials, etc., could be held. Kitchen furnishings occupied the other. At a later date (1889), $700.00 was spent upon the interior of the church. It was given a thorough renovation, the rostrum was ex- tended into the southeast corner; eight memorial windows replaced the old ones. Six of them were gifts from the chil- dren of sainted fathers and mothers whose former relation to the church has ever been held in sacred memory. The names of these departed members were: Mrs. Eliza Alling, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Herrick, Mr. and Mrs. T. A. Carter, Mr. and Mrs. William Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Cochrane, Mrs. S. E. Booth, Mrs. Betsey (Carver) Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Adin Post, Ezra Clark. In 1895 the cushions for the pews, at a cost of $200, were purchased. Other amounts were expended from year to year as necessity demanded. In 1903 the coal-oil lamps gave way for the more satisfactory lights from the generation of gasoline. The past year electric lights have been installed.
The men who, after careful consideration, formed the rules of the church as given in the Discipline of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, showed wisdom in advising to "build churches plain and decent, and with free seats." When the new church was completed the members and friends of the church selected their pews, and in all these years they have been recognized as "his" or "her" family pew.
The Good Book says, "A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast." Our forefathers accepted the truth of this statement, and in October, 1858, erected sheds at the rear of the church where their oxen, or horses, and wagons would be protected from heat or storm while the owners enjoyed the privileges of the sanctuary. The sheds are still in use.
In 1839 trustees were appointed to raise subscriptions for the erection of a parsonage. A lot was purchased of Ethan Alling for $100. The deed was given July 8, 1841, to T. A. Carter, James Roach and William Clark, as trustees. The records tell us "a house 28 feet long, 22 feet wide, 14 foot posts, and a barn 22 feet long, 16 feet wide, 14 foot
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posts" were built. Three or four years later a wing was added to the east of the house. The upright is still in use and in a fair state of preservation. In 1883-4 the trustees thought to repair the wing, but finding it past repairing, concluded to tear it down and build a new one containing a dining-room, kitchen and pantry. The cost was about $250. A good porch was later built to the front of the upright, which added to the looks, and comfort of the home. Electric lights have been installed also in the parsonage this year (1916).
One of the most chacteristic features of early Meth- odism, was the "class." The work of the old class leaders has for many years been performed, more and more, by the pastors. Probably this is well, yet the loss to the church of those stalwart men, who had in their souls a deep feeling of personal responsibility for the spiritual well-being of their fellow members, has not been inconsiderable. Some of the class leaders remembered by those now living are: "Uncle" William Clark (as he was familiarly called) and T. A.Carter. After the death of the latter George W. Dresser held the position.
A few instances are given in the records of young men who wished to take up the work of the ministry, and who, when the Quarterly Conference (now called District Con- ference) of this circuit was held at Twinsburg, were licensed to preach. Nelson Henry (of Bainbridge) and John Akin were licensed July 4, 1831, and Henry Chamberlain in 1843. Avery Proctor Clark who came to this place when a young man, received his license in 1838. He afterward became a successful doctor of medicine and followed that vocation as long as able. L. W. Ely, also from Bainbridge, was licensed in 1840. He afterward served twice as pastor of this charge, 1854-6, and 1874-6. Hiram W. Carter, son of T. A. Carter, was given a license in 1864. He later became a successful physician at Cuyahoga Falls, O. Alanson Mills was also classed as a licensed preacher or exhorter. Carl W. Hemp- stead, second son of John T. Hempstead, received his license from the Methodist Conference, but later entered the Congregational ministry, and is now pastor at Riceville, Iowa. Charles Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Jones, is another young man to go out from Twinsburg to preach.
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He has an appointment to the Methodist church at South Hamilton, Mass. Mr. and Mrs. John C. Blackman, whose membership is with this church, but who, at present, reside in Montana, have a son, J. C. Blackman, in the Congrega- tional ministry.
The members of the Official Board consist of the Stewards, Trustees, Traveling and Local Preachers, the Superintendent of the Sunday School, the President of the Epworth League, and the President of the Ladies Aid Society. When organized, it is the duty of the Board to devise, and carry into effect, suitable plans for providing for the finances of the church, and discharge such other duties as may, from time to time be committed to it. Of the many who have held important positions on the official board, we will mention only a few: Wm. Clark, T. A. Carter, Jona- than E. Herrick, Wm. Parks, Harvey McFarland, George Dresser, Joseph Greenlese, Robert Cochrane, Frank Wright, Thomas Cochrane, Joseph B. Carter, John T. Hempstead, Robert B. Chamberlain. The present members of the board are: Stewards, A. W. Elliott, Mrs. F. T. Twerell, Mrs. E. J. McCreery, V. R. Hempstead, Mrs. W. E. Twerell, and M. E. Culhan, Recording Steward; Trustees, A. W. Elliott, W. H. Boose, S. H. Crankshaw, C. A. Cannon, V. R. Hempstead.
It would be difficult to imagine just how the present generation would submit itself to the disciplinary measures of the older days. Primarily, these measures were adopted for the real good of the society, but of course, it was not always easy to differentiate between the essentials and non- essentials in those exercises intended to promote spiritual growth. Not only members, but class leaders, and occa- sionally even pastors allowed themselves to be led away by matters of form rather than of spirit, as appears in the following incident, during the pastorate of Allen Fouts, 1851-2. He ruled to have the men and women sit on opposite sides of the church as in the old church. A prom- inent member of that day did not favor the proposition, and would not vote for it. He was threatened to be "churched," which meant to be eventually turned out of the church. His reply was, "All right, but I'll join again every six months the rest of my life." The question was finally dropped.
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