(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 200 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Gray, Hugh Miller, Alexander Gillaspie, Jethro Ivens, John Willberry, Thomas Potter and John Potter. These men were the early settlers of Marion township. In 1834 Samuel T. Grant was commissioned as a justice of the peace for the township. Among the first Germans to settle in the township were Mathias Gast, Arnold Clune, Fred. Elking, D. Hinders, Henry Lochtefeld, H. G. Schrage, Henry Overman, Andrew Harman, Bernard Wehrkamp, Henry Hulskamp, Dietrich Kremer, George Leugers, Henry Hogedorn and the. Schwietermann. family, and still later in the township's history were John Brackman, Bernard and Henry Grieshop, Gerhard Westgerdes, Bernard Pukenbrock, Anthony Rentz, Frederick Niekamp, Henry and Bernard Bertke, Lorenz Schunck, John and Fred. Fleck and the Hierholzer, Cron and Stelzer families. This township from the earliest history has always been represented at the Court House in Celina. Mathias Gast was an early commissioner of the county; H. H. Pulskamp served as county treasurer from this township and also as probate judge of the county; Bernard Wehrkamp from Carthagena was infirmary director; and Joseph Hinders, formerly of Marion, served as sheriff two terms. CHICKASAW. This, the only incorporated village in Marion township, lies in the northern part and is a station on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway. It was laid out in July, 1838, by John Nutter and James Brooks. Little progress was made, however, in the development of the place until the early '80's. Chickasaw was incorporated as a village in 189o. The following are the present village officials: Mayor, H. S. Shaffer; clerk, Joseph Dorsten; treasurer, Joseph Haufelder; marshal, William Cron. Chickasaw has two brick school buildings, each one story high. The village Board of Education is constituted as follows: John P. Hartings, John Eyink, August Rent; Casper Clune and Dr. H. G. Rawers. The Church of the Most Precious Blood is located here. Henry Gast, Jacob Link and Rawers & Tekamp have general stores. Frederick Gast deals in groceries and notions; Meinerding & Grieshop, in hardware; H. S. Shaffer, in building materials, B. A. Spoltman, in harness; and Gerhard Schroeder, in monuments. Joseph Dorsten is engaged in blacksmithing, William Cron, in the manufacture of wagons, and Frederick Max, in conducting a sawmill. Another manufacturing concern of the place is the Union Handle Company. Chickasaw has had a hotel for the last 25 years or more. Dr. H. G. Rawers is the town's only physician. ST. JOHNS Was laid out in 1838 by John and Christian Stelzer, the plat being recorded AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 203 on September 24th. In April, 1851, an addition to St.' Johns on the west was laid out by Archbishop John B. Purcell. St. John's Church is located here. John Listenschneider, John Stellar and John Thomas settled on the site of St. Johns in 1833. By reason of the fact that the first settlers were all named John the settlement was given the name of St. Johns. The town formerly had considerable business, but since the completion of the railroad through. Marion township the business of St. Johns has been gradually transferred to MARIA STEIN, A station on the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway, less than a half mile west from St. Johns. This town has a population of about 500 or 600 but is not an incorporated village. The most important manufacturing concern of this town is the New Spreader Company, manufacturers of manure spreaders, of which company Henry Synck is manager and Benjamin Oppenheim, secretary. The company has a very complete plant, including foundry, pattern shop, wood-working machinery,, electric light plant, etc., and employs 25 men. John Link conducts the Maria Stein Machine Shop, where boilers and engines are repaired and wagons are manufactured and repaired. Other important industries of the town are the Davidson butter tub factory, the, grain elevator of Henry Kramer, who also deals in hardware and groceries and the Moeller Lumber Company, Louis Moeller, manager, which company deals in lumber and building material. Henry Goecke conducts an undertaking business, manufactures brick and deals in furniture. Dr. Alois J. Willke is the town's physician. Located a short distance northeast of the town is the large convent of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. A little over a mile west of Maria Stein is the settlement known as ST. ROSA. This place was laid out by Archbishop John B. Purcell in June, 1854, the plat being recorded on the 29th of the month. It was laid out as Rose Garden and known both by this name and by St. Rosa, which was the post-office name. St. Rosa's Catholic Church is located here. Less than two miles west of St. Rosa is the town of CASSELLA, Which was laid out under the name of Marysville in 1860. Cassella later became the name of the postoffice and the town is now generally known by the latter name. It has a population of about 100. St. Mary's Catholic Church is located here. There are two general stores situated at Cassella, 204 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY conducted by Mrs. Magdalena Cron and Joseph Hierholzer; a blacksmith shop and wagon repairing establishment conducted by Frank Feltz; and an agricultural implement depot, conducted by Hierholzer & Feltz. CARTHAGENA Is located in the northwest corner of the township and is a settlement of perhaps 100 people. The town was laid out by Charles Moore in December, 1840. Here was formerly located the Emlen Institute, established by Augustus Wattles, of Connecticut, as an educational institution for the colored people. The property was later bought by a Catholic order, the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, which established St. Charles Seminary for the education of young men for the Catholic priesthood. This is the motherhouse of the American Province of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood. St. Aloysius' Catholic Church is also located at Carthagena. The colored people are growing less in numbers every year, but they still support a church near Carthagena and had a school until a few years ago. The lands once owned by them have been bought by German people and but few colored residents now remain in the township. For many years it was their custom to hold a great jubilee on the first day of August of each year. Carthagena does not command much trade from the surrounding country, as the towns of Coldwater, St. Henry and Chickasaw are too near. It has, however, a general store owned by Anton Link and a carriage arid agricultural implement store conducted by Joseph Hartke. SEBASTIAN Is a small town located a little over a mile north of Chickasaw. It has one church, St. Sebastian's, and a grocery. FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP This township is bordered on the north by the Grand Reservoir, forming a very irregular boundary; it is bounded on the east by Auglaize County, on the south by Marion township and on the west by Butler township. It is six miles long from east to west, has an average width from north to south of about three and a half miles and contains about 22 square miles. The township was organized December 7, 1841, and the first election was held December 24, 1841. At the settlement two small bands of Indians occupied a part of this territory. They were known as the Big and Little Chickasaws and from them two streams of the township took their names. These Indians were peaceably disposed and never gave any trouble or alarm to the settlers. The people of this township are a thrifty lot of farmers, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 205 it being one of the best farming districts of the county. Corn, wheat, oats and all the grains are grown in abundance. The township has always been represented on the Mercer County fair board. The present township officials are as follows: Trustees—J. J. Ulrich, Hy. Filling and Henry Ronnebaum; clerk, A. C. Long; treasurer, John Harrison; justices of the peaceWalter N. Monroe and John W. Harrison. The population of the township was 1,015 in 1880, 1,240 in 1890 and 1,320 in 1900. In an early day when the Grand Reservoir was abundant with fish, and wild ducks and geese were plentiful, the principal vocation of the people that lived on the south bank of the reservoir was fishing and shipping ducks, geese and fish. A great many of the best farmers in the township paid for their farms and homes with fish caught from the reservoir. In the good fishing season it was no uncommon occurrence to see from 25 to 100 teams a day come here to get fish, which in those days sold for a good price. After this resource of wealth was exhausted, another gold mine was struck in Franklin township—gas and oil were discovered, and more wells were drilled here than in any other township of the county. It proved to be more of a gas field than an oil field, and many large gas-wells were put down. So great was the supply that companies were organized and the towns in this section of the country were supplied from this field. Two pipe-lines supplied Celina, Greenville, Piqua, Dayton, Springfield and all nearby towns. The era of natural gas was, however, not long-lived, and the people went back to coal and wood. The large towns are yet supplied, but from a different gas field. Celina is now supplied with gas from a field-east of Columbus, some 140 miles distant. PIONEERS. Among the first settlers of the township were Stephen Sprague, Abraham and John Miller and the Lacey, Beauchamp and Johnson families. The Botkin family settled on Chickasaw Creek in 1829; there were two brothers, Charles and William. Peter Circle came here about 1835. William B. Winter, William Ballinger, Henry B. Bennett, Isaac Brandon, William P. Long, Isaac W. Preston, Thomas McGee, Singleton Buxton, Jacob Selby, Barney Dabbelt, Henry Dammeyer and the Burdges and Trims were all pioneers of Franklin township. Isaac Ellis, who died several years ago, was an early settler of the township and was the fur buyer for all this section of the country. Samuel C. Hyler, 88 years of age, is the oldest resident of Franklin township; he has lived here since 1854. CHURCHES. All the churches of Franklin township are located at Montezuma and 206 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY are three in number : United Brethren, Methodist Episcopal and Church of Christ. There is also a Catholic mission located here, of which Rev. Cosmas Seeberger, C. PP. S., is pastor pro tem. The Montezuma class of the United Brethren Church was organized in 1845 by Rev. R. Gillen. Among the first members were : Elizabeth Buxton, Mary Taylor and William Beauchamp and wife. Until the first church building was erected, about 1862, services were, held at the homes of the various members. The present church building was erected at Montezuma in 1879 at a cost of about $2,000, being dedicated by Bishop Weaver on the first Sunday in June of that year. The following pastors have served this church since Rev. R. Gillen : Revs. John Slife, A. Shingledecker, Michael Johnston, J. M. Lea, Lewis S. Farber, Elias Counsellor, Wentz and Heistand, D. W. Abbott, J. Ogle, Nicodemus, William Miller, R. W. Wilgus, Thomas Coats-, R. G. Montgomery, Reuben Moore, P. C. Bechdolt, E. G. Stoller, I). A. Boyd, S. M. Leidy, L. C. Reed, J. F. Miller, C. T. Betts, W. K Amsbaugh, J. N. Holins, Joseph Kirk and J. P. Hight, who also serves the Mount Zion class in Center township, the Old-town class in Jefferson township and the Burnt Wood class in' Butler township. The membership of the Montezuma class is 79 and the Sunday-school has an average attendance of 65. The Montezuma Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at a very early clay, but for different reasons was at one time abandoned. The organization was revived in 188o by Rev. Lyman E. Prentiss, of Celina. A frame church was built and furnished at a cost of a little more than $2,000, being dedicated by Rev. Belt on May 7, 1882. The church now has a membership of 70 with an average Sunday-school attendance of 75. The church property is valued at $1,500. The following pastors have served this church since 1882: Revs. W. G. Wesselius, 1882-83; James G. Day, 1884-85; E. T. Daily, 1888-89; John F. Naugle, 1890; W. J. Hagerman, I891-92; B.W.Day, 1893 ; Charles McCord, 1894-95; C. B. Kramer, 1896-97; J.- J. Richards, 1898-99; J. M. Longsworth, 1900'; F. M. Houser, 1901-02; J. S. Bell, 1903-04; A. H. Weaver, 1905-06; and C. M. Baker, the present pastor, who also has charge of Center Chapel and Copp's Chapel in Center township and the Coldwater Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. J. A. Persinger is pastor of the Church of Christ at Montezuma. There is a Sunday-school in connection with this church. MONTEZUMA Is situated in the northwest part of Franklin township on Beaver Creek and Lake Mercer. It was laid out in 1835, the plat being recorded on March 12th. 'Morris Kelly came to the county in 1850; at a later date he engaged AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 207 in business as a storekeeper at Montezuma. A. J. Platt was for many years a merchant here. Jimmy Johnson at one time owned and operated a gristmill at Montezuma and also distilled whiskey. Montezuma was incorporated as a village in 1894 and its first mayor was William A. Lacey and its second, George Preston. The present village officials are as follows : Mayor, William Cochran; clerk, J. J. Ulrich; treasurer, W. L. Hoel; marshal, Jacob Hod; Council—L. E. Springer, Cornelius Franks, I. N. Stump, William Roush, G. H. Preston and A. C. Long. William A. Lacey is postmaster. The population of the village was 210 in 1890 and 317 in 1900. The boys and girls of the pioneer days in the vicinity of Montezuma obtained the rudiments of an education in an old, round-log building, known to the inhabitants of this section as the "Wolves' Den." It was located half a mile south of Montezuma. The first school building erected in the village was located in the south part of town and was 12 by 14 feet in size. It was a frame structure; its interior furnishings—seats and desks—were very crude and plain. As the school increased in size new buildings were erected, all of which were one-story, frame structures. After two such buildings had been built and outlived their usefulness, the present frame schoolhouse was erected. It had two rooms at first; in 1895 it was remodeled and another story added. As the building stands at present, it is a two-story, frame schoolhouse with four ro0ms. Four teachers are employed... 'the superintendent of the village schools is R. G. Clark. The Montezuma Special School District was organized in September, 1895. The Board of Education, as at present constituted, is as follows: D. S. Monroe, S. J. Carter, J. J. Beauchamp, G. H. Preston and J. F. Monroe. The town has a sawmill, conducted by C. P. Heavlin; the blacksmith shop of William Boze; the grocery, meat market and restaurant of A. C. Long; and the general stores of Barney Rohler and W. L. Hoel. Cloid Tobin is the proprietor of a barber shop. Dr. L. T. Arthur is the town's resident physician. CHAPTER VIII EARLY HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH' By Rev. Timothy Hankins. In 1828, Robert Finley, after having served the Presbyterian Church 25 years, and the Methodist Church about the same length of time, came to St. Marys (then in Mercer County), he being then. on the superannuated list. It does not appear that he came by the authority of the church or voluntarily, but he was seeking "the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Here he found a few who had not lost their religion by emigrating, among whom were the families of Cuthbert Vinson and that of H. Major. In the year 1829 a camp-meeting was held at St. Marys, at which there were a number of conversions, and the little society was greatly encouraged and built up. Brother Finley was assisted at this camp-meeting by William H. Raper and John P. Wright. He then extended his mission westward to Twelve-Mile Creek, Shane's Prairie and Willshire. In 1830 Abraham Millice was sent to do missionary work. He was succeeded by James B. Austin and John Wood. Then another camp-meeting was held, which was conducted by Robert Finley, James B. Finley and James W. Finley, after which the work was greatly extended. St. Marys mission included Shane's Prairie, Mercer County; Willshire and Sugar Ridge, Van Wert County ; Kalida, Putnam County, and contained all there was of Methodism in the territories of Mercer, Van Wert, Putnam, Allen and Auglaize counties. In the fall of 1831 Joseph Hill and a Mr. Frey came as missionaries. The work then began to assume a more systematic form. A four weeks' circuit was formed, which included all the counties above named Some of the appointments were a day's journey distant, and the minister was compelled to carry subsistence for himself and horse with him. In 1832 Jesse Pryor was the missionary, William H. Raper, the pre- * From "History of Van Wert and Mercer Counties," AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 209 siding elder. Up to this date no record of the missions has been found, and the report, thus far, is made up from the statements of those yet living. The work was then called "St. Marys Mission, Maumee District, Ohio Conference." That year a society was formed at or near the mouth of Twelve-Mile Creek, in a log schoolhouse, consisting of Israel Forbes and wife, Samuel Hanson and wife, Joseph Rider and wife, and George Parrott, who was the leader. Mother Rider still lives in the same vicinity, and George Parrott has removed to Iowa. This, it is believed, was the first class formed in what is now Mercer County. But this earnest and faithful man, Pryor, was zealous in his labors, and the first year formed a class in the vicinity of what is now called Bethel. This society consisted of 22 members, namely : Abel Wright, Nancy Wright, James Wright, Sarah Wright, Wealthy Wright, Lawrence Wright, George Shepherd, Elmer Shepherd, Margaret Shepherd, James Watts, Charity Watts, Jonathan. E. Dutton, Elizabeth Dutton, James Smith, Sarah Smith, Christena Smith, George Parrott, Nancy Parrott, Samuel Parrott, Jemima Parrott, George Wilson and Sarah Wilson. Of this number, all but one or two are now dead. Abel Wright was the first leader and James Wright, exhorter. In 1833 James Finley and John Alexander were the missionaries. The first quarterly conference for that year was held on the 19th and loth of October, William H. Raper, presiding elder. The years in this history mean the conference year and not the calendar year, hence 1833 commenced in the fall of 1833 and continued until the fall of 1834, land so of all the years in this history. In 1834 Philip Wareham was the missionary and L. B. Gurley was the presiding elder; but whether the work covered all the territory and preaching-places it did at the beginning, does not appear from any records, and there is no certain report of the finances of those times; but, judging from the times a few years later, of which the writer has personal knowledge, the support of the missionary mostly came from the missionary society of the church. In 1835 John O. Conway came as a missionary, and L. B. Gurley was yet the presiding elder. Mr. Gurley was a good man, and died in full hope of a future reward. In 1836 Isaac Bennett and Joseph Santby were sent on the work, and John Jones was the presiding elder. At this time there was a division of the work, the northern part being assigned elsewhere, for the mission was in a different district, with a different elder than formerly. In the year 1837 Jonathan Hudson and John F. Langman came as missionaries. Mr. Langman was an Englishman. At the close of that year a camp-meeting was held at Twelve-Mile Creek, near Benjamin Roebuck's. At this meeting there were a number of conversions and accessions to the 210 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY church. There was a large amount of rowdyism shown, such as hooting gobbling like turkeys, etc. But this noise came from a class to whom Christianity is an eye-sore, and which conduct would not be tolerated at this da and age. In 1838 George Armstrong was the missionary, and Elmer Yocum th presiding elder. The work included the following appointments : St. Mary Mercer, Shanesville, Harper's, Wiltshire, Van Wert, Sugar Ridge, Tomlinson's, Pring's, Goefford's, Duck Creek, Mendon, Eight-Mile (now Bethel and Roebuck's, and was called "St. Marys Mission, Michigan Conference. Greenbury Vinson was placed by Elmer Locum to assist Mr. Armstrong the work. The class at Celina was organized in that year, or at the beginning of the year 1839, by Messrs. Armstrong and Vinson and consisted of the fol lowing members, viz. : Eben Foster and wife, Jane Foster, William Allen an wife, Mrs. McMahon, Christian Maurer and wife, Levi Dibble and wife, an Ira Foster and wife, with Ira Foster as class leader. In 1839 Martin Welch and Liberty Prentice were the missionaries, wit Elmer Yocum as presiding elder. The work was then called "St. Mary Mission, Mount Vernon District, Michigan Conference." That year another camp-meeting was held at Twelve-Mile Creek, near the residence of Benjamin Roebuck, at which the disturbers were again present in force; but the Lord' people had now become a power, and would not tolerate rowdyism. But this species of annoyance was more or less rampant for years after. In that year the old Bethel Church was built, which was, I believe, th first Methodist Episcopal Church built in what is now Mercer County. Th first church building in Celina was commenced the same year, under the labor of George Armstrong. It appears that at this time there was a division the work, and Celina was included in what was called the "Recovery Mission Bellefontaine District, Northern Ohio Conference." W. S. Morrow wa the presiding elder. In 1840 A. B. Wambaugh preached in this locality, which was the called St. Marys circuit; but I cannot now tell who preached on Recove mission during the years of 1840 and 1841. In 1841 Jacob A. Brown was assigned to the St. Marys circuit, whi included Bethel, Mercer, Mendon, Tomlinson's, Roebuck's and other place and was then a three-weeks' circuit. This year there was a wonderful reviv of religion all over this part of the country, especially at St. Marys and Men don. The Holy Spirit was manifest among the people, and it was not un common to hear shouting. Prayer-meetings and class-meetings were we attended, and many were added to the church. The protracted meeting a Mendon that year was truly a success. Many united with the Lord's people, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 213 some of whom have gone to their reward, while some yet remain with Us, living witnesses of the power of God among men. In 1842 Edward Williams and James J. McNab were the ministers, and William S. Morrow was the presiding elder. The work was then called "St. Marys Circuit, Recovery Mission." In 1843 Samuel Beatty and Amos Wilson were the ministers, but it appears Mr. Wilson only remained two quarters, for at tie second quarterly meeting Fort Recovery was again struck off, and the Celina mission was formed; but we find no record after this for several years, or until 1846, but know that Samuel Beatty and Amos Wilson were on the, work when the Celina circuit was formed. S. P. Shane was at that time presiding elder. This was then known as "Celina Circuit, Sidney District." After Wilson was removed, Alexander Harmount was placed in his stead, with Mr. Beatty, the remainder of the year. In 1844 C. H. Owens and James M. Barr were sent to the Celina circuit, which then included all the northern part of Mercer County. But I have found no records of these times, and it may be there are mistakes in names and dates, for it seems from the foregoing that many changes were made. In 1845, we understand, St. Marys was included in the Celina circuit and Charles Thomas was the minister at St. Marys. During the conference year of 1847, the work was called "St. Marys Circuit and Willshire Mission," and Charles Brandebery and Elisha Hook were the preachers. The work then included all the north part of Mercer County; St. Marys in Auglaize County; and Willshire in Van Wert County, and was a four-weeks' circuit, with 10 appointments, as follows : Celina, St. Marys, Neptune, Bethel, Mendon, Tomlinson's, Twelve-Mile Creek, Mercer, Shanesville and Willshire. In 1848 Samuel L. Yourtee was sent to the circuit, with Willshire, Shanesville, Mercer and Tomlinson's appointments cut off and attached to the Van Wert circuit. Yourtee did not fill all the appointments, for Neptune was entirely without a minister; and the north part- of the county was only partly supplied, the preacher putting in lost of his time in St. Marys and Celina. Wesley Brock was then the presiding elder. In 1849 Samuel B. Guiberson was the preacher, and was returned in 1850, in which year the parsonage in St. Marys was built, and a gracious revival of religion was general all over the work. In 1851 the work was still a mission, and Ralph Wilcox was the missionary. He was a faithful and devout preacher, but failed to build up the waste places of Zion. Wesley Brock was presiding elder. In 1852 Joseph Wykes was sent to the work, which was then called St. Marys mission, with Hiram Shaffer as presiding elder. Mr. Wykes was an 214 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Englishman, a good preacher and pastor, and much good was done on the work. In 1853 St. Marys was made a station and the Celina circuit was formed. Gersham Lease was sent as minister. And here it may be proper to define the difference between a mission and a circuit. A Mission means a work where the minister receives a part of his support from the missionary society of the church, which was raised in the older and more Wealthy portion of the country. At first it amounted to $200, and then less and less from time to time, as seemed necessary, until the work was considered able to support its preacher, and then it was called a circuit. So we see that at this time the missionary fund ceased, and the Celina circuit 'was expected to support its own minister. But in 1854 we find that Rev. Wesley Brock was the minister, and the amount paid being insufficient, Mr. Brock, aside from his pastoral duties, taught school and worked at farming. Hiram M. Shaffer was then the presiding elder. In 1855 George 0. McPherson was sent to the Celina circuit. He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and there .was a general awakening on the subject of religion, although the good people of Celina had to worship in the Court Douse. A camp-meeting was held that year near the Bethel Church. H. M. Shaffer was then presiding elder. In 1856 Rev. George 0. McPherson was returned, a second church was built in Celina, and a second camp-meeting was held near Bethel, although enemies of the church tried to burn down the tents a few days before the time appointed for holding the meeting. Elnathan C. Gavitt was at that time presiding elder. It appears that in 1848 the work was divided, and the northwest part of Mercer County, including Mercer, Shanesville, Willshire, and some other appointments was formed into a mission, with Rev. Elisha Hook as minister. In 1849 Lafayette Ward and Reuben D. Oldfield Were the preachers on this mission. In 1850 Reuben D. Oldfield was returned as AK nister in charge, and J. K. Ward as junior.' Wesley Brock was the presiding elder. In 1851 Samuel B. Guiberson and Jacob F. Burkholder were the ministers. In 1852, Nathan Taylor and Gersham Lease were the ministers, and Hiram Shaffer was the presiding elder. In 1853 Nathan Taylor Was returned, and Francis Duvall was the junior minister. This part of the. work was attached to the Willshire circuit, part of the time to Van Wert, arid finally to what was called the Black Creek mission, and in 1858 was again included in the Celina circuit, as we shall see further on. In 1854 the ministers on this part of the work were J. Fribley and N. B. C. Love. In 1855 N. B. C. Love was the minister, and John Priddy, junior. In 1856 John Price and D. P. Darling were the ministers; Elnathan C. Gavitt, presiding elder. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 215 In 1857 George 0. McPherson and E. G. Longsworth were on this mission. That year a society was formed at Black Creek, or *hat is now known as Fountain Chapel. The first society numbered 14, to-wit : Charles Ward and wife, A. Cole and wife, Moses Stover and wife, Robert McKissick and wife, Samuel Loree and wife, Anna Allison, Basil Durango, Peter Martz and Charles Ward, Sr. Samuel Loree was the leader. In 1858 this mission was attached to the Celina circuit, and Samuel Boggs and Joshua Smith were the preachers. There was a Methodist society organized at Skeel's Cross, Roads in 1854, by J. Wykes, consisting of seven members, namely : Joshua Lee and wife, C. Skeels and wife, Calista Way, Amos Lee and Samantha Lee. Brother Amos Lee was licensed to exhort in February,. 1856, and licensed to preach in July, 1857, and afterwards traveled the Celina circuit for two years as the junior preacher under the elder. In 1859 James F. Mounts and Amos Lee were on the Celina circuit ; and in 1860, Lemuel Herbert and James F. Mounts were the ministers, and H. M. Shaffer was presiding elder. In 1861 and 1862 Philip A. Brown and Caleb Hill were the ministers. In 1863 David Bull and A. J. Frisbee were on the work; and in 1864, David Bull and Amos Lee were the ministers, and Franklin Merritt was the presiding elder. In 1865 Enos G. Longsworth and Harrison Maltbie were preachers on the Celina circuit, and Franklin Merritt was presiding elder. It may be proper here to give the date and names of the first society in Mendon. The society was formed in 1836, under the labors of. Isaac Bennett and Joseph Santley, and was composed of the following persons : Jacob Panabaker and wife, Mary Panabaker, Amos Barber and wife, a Mr, Bailey and wife, Mr. Porter and wife, Barney Forbes and daug er, Jonathan E. Dutton and wife, Joseph Rider and wife, Elizabeth Parrott, Adam Panabaker, the local preacher, Louisa Rider and Lucinda Baker. Jacob Panabaker was the leader. These, it is believed, are all dead now, excepting. Mother Panabaker, Mother Rider and Lucinda Baker (now Lucinda Protzman). In regard to the south part of the county I have said but little, because I have found no record as yet from which to draw the necessary information. It has not been connected with Celina, as the north part of the county has been, in reference to this matter, being a part 0f the time in another district, as well as in another mission or circuit. And now I wish to say that I have found it very difficult to get the proper dates for this history, on account of the manner in which the changes have been made from time to time. Consequently I may have made some mistakes in names and dates, as there are but few of the old residents living now from whom accurate information can be obtained. But I have done my best under existing circumstances. CHAPTER IX ROMAN CATHOLIC INSTITUTIONS AND CHURCHES The first Catholic settlement in this- section of Ohio was established, as early as 1830, in what is now Auglaize County, by a Catholic priest named Stallo, who gave it the name of Stallotown. The same year, however, the name was changed to Minster. In 1832 Father Hortsman came to Minster as priest and built the first church building, a large log structure, 4o by 6o feet in dimensions and 16 logs high. Services at this chapel were attended by the Catholic people within a radius of 15 miles. From this year we may date the introduction of Catholicism in Mercer County, for not only did residents of this county attend the chapel at Minster, but missionary services were also conducted in the southern townships of Mercer County by priests from Minster, New Bremen and St. Marys. The Catholic churches of Mercer County are to-day almost without exception in a very flourishing condition, which 'fact speaks volumes in praise of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, who have built them up. As the history of the churches is so intimately connected with that of the Congregation 'of the Most Precious Blood, we shall give a history of the society and its institutions, closing the chapter with the history of each church and mention of the leading parochial schools. For the history of the congregation and of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary-, as well as for other data relating to the churches, we are indebted to Rev. Paulinus Trost, C. PP. S., rector of St. Charles Seminary. Certain statistics, chiefly relating to the size of the congregations and the officers of the institutions, we have obtained from the Official Catholic Directory of 1906, which statistics we have verified and brought down to date as much as has been possible. We wish also to acknowledge the assistance we have received from the pastors of the churches, who have responded most willingly to our requests. for the recent history of their parishes. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 217 ORIGIN OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD. In the Catholic Church there have risen from time to time men women who have made one or the other of the tasks imposed upon the church a special object of their lives. Thus some would gather around themselves men or women, to nurse the sick; others to dispense charity; others to educate the young; others to preach missions, etc. Suc associations of men or women are called orders, and according to the special work to which they devote themselves are termed charitable orders, preaching orders, teaching orders, etc. To those of later origin, however, the title of "Congregation" has been given. The exercises practiced by the members of such a congregation consist, besides the general devotions prescribed by the church, of another, namely : A special devotion to one of the mysteries of the faith. From this special devotion the congregation as a rule receives its name. Thus the initials "C. PP. S." signify the name "Congregatio Pretiossissimi Sanguinis," i. e., "Congregation of the Most Precious Blood," because its members venerate in a special manner the Blood of Christ by which we are redeemed. Moreover, in order to make this treasure of redemption most fruitful, the congregation has made it its special object to excite and spread the devotion to the Most Precious Blood of Christ, by conducting missions and various other religious exercises. Besides this noble work, the priests of the congregation perform the duties of pastors in parishes (at least in the United States), act as spiritual directors in convents or as chaplains in hospitals, and conduct colleges for the education of boys—certainly a,- wide field wherein a rich harvest may be gained for the Precious Brood. The congregation was founded by a zealous priest of Rome, Gaspare del Bufalo, an Italian by birth, who died in the odor of sanctity, December 28, 1838. After returning to Rome from a four-years' banishment, which he had suffered because he refused to swear allegiance to Napoleon, the usurper of Rome, and, after having resigned his canonry at the Church of San Marco, Rome, Blessed Gaspare, for such he has been publicly declared by the Church (on the 18th of December, 1904), laid the foundation stone for his momentous undertaking, August is, 1815. Rev. Francis de Sales Brunner, a Swiss priest, who had enlisted the small band of zealous priests one year after the death of its founder, introduced the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood into America., Father Brunner was born in Switzerland in the year 1795. After having absolved his studies, he was ordained priest and shortly afterwards entered the Benedictine Monastery at Maria Stein, Switzerland. Here he was promoted to a professor's chair and did some mission work. Determined, how- 218 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY ever, to devote himself entirely to mission work, Father Brunner went to Rome, where he affiliated himself with the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood in the year 1838. After a few years stay in Rome, he returned to Switzerland, where he educated eight young men for his co-laborers. With them he set out for America, September 29, 1843, upon the invitation of Archbishop John B. Purcell of Cincinnati, in order to assume the care of the German Catholics who were under the Archbishop's jurisdiction in Northern and Eastern Ohio. Among the young priests who accompanied him were Revs. John Van den Broek and John Wittmer. The little band made St. Alphonse (near Newark) the center of their work and from there carried their labors to many other places, such as Dayton, Cleveland, Toledo and other towns along the western boundary of Ohio to Union City. In the course of time Father Brunner undertook several trips across the Atlantic in the service of his community. He died in Europe in 1859. The congregation multiplied rapidly. At present it numbers 105 priests, some of whom are engaged in parish work in Ohio, Indiana and Missouri; some giving missions, and some conducting a college at Rensselaer, Indiana. A SHORT HISTORY OF ST. CHARLES BORROMEO SEMINARY. Owing to the rapid growth of the community, a place had to be selected and suitable buildings erected for the education of the members who were to serve as missionaries. Rev. Joseph Dwenger, C. PP. S., who later on became Bishop of Fort Wayne, Indiana, found the desired location at Carthagena, Mercer County, where, in 1861, he purchased the old industrial school for colored people, known as Emlen Institute. Rev. Joseph Dwenger was born at Minster, Ohio, in the year 1837. After his father's death, his mother moved to Cincinnati where Joseph received his first instructions in the parochial school of Holy Trinity parish. When the family after some years returned to Mercer County, the mother of young Dwenger fell a victim to the cholera, in 1849. Rev. Andrew Kunkler, C. PP. S., then pastor of Minster, to whom Joseph applied, gave him further instructions and later on placed him with the Fathers of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood at Maria Stein, Ohio, where he completed his classical education. Going thence to Mt. St. Mary's of the West, to complete his theological studies, Joseph was ordained priest in the year 1859. It was about one year after his ordination that Father Dwenger started St. Charles Borromeo Seminary; he held the rectorship of the same until the year 1863. In 1871 he became Bishop of Fort. Wayne as the successor of Rt. Rev: Luers. He died at Fort Wayne January 23, 1893. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 221 Rev. Bernard .Dickman, C. PP. S., succeeded Father Dwenger as rector of the seminary in 1863. In the same year Father Dickman established the parish at Celina, w here he built the first Catholic Church. Failing health necessitated this zealous priest to resign his rectorship in 1866. Having, however, recuperated his health, Father Dickman assumed charge of St. Joseph's College, Humboldt County, California. He remained in this position until 1874, when, returning to Ohio, he was employed in parish and mission work partly in Ohio and partly in Missouri. He died as pastor of the Church of Mary, Help of Christians, at Fort Recovery, Ohio, in 1906. Upon the resignation of Father Dickman, Rev. Henry Drees, C. PP. S., assumed the duties of rector of St. Charles Seminary. Father Drees is a native of Oldenburg, Germany, whence he emigrated with his parents, who settled near Minster, Ohio, in 1836. In 1858 he entered the congregation and was ordained priest in 1861. His first appointment was to St. Mary's parish at Cassella. During his rectorship, 1866-80, he built the present seminary building proper, 44 by 94 feet in dimensions, three stories high, and at the same time erected St. Aloysius' Church at Carthagena. Here, it must be mentioned various improvements had been made before his time and different parts had been added to the original building by his predecessors. Father Drees held his office as rector of the seminary until 1880 when he was elected by his fellow-priests, provincial of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, an office he held for 18 years, having been elected three consecutive times. Father Drees is still active and in good health. He resides at present at the Maria Stein Convent, where he acts as spiritual director for the Sisters of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood. Rev. Godfrey Schlachter, C. PP. S., succeeded Father Drees as rector of the seminary. Before joining the congregation, Father Schlachter resided with his parents, who were natives of Baden, Germany, at one time near Cleveland and later near Wendelin, Ohio. Having completed his theological course under Rev. Anthony Guggenberger, C. PP. S. (later a Jesuit and eminent historian), young Schlachter was ordained by Rt. Rev. Joseph S. Alemany, Archbishop of San Francisco, in June, 1876. He was rector of the seminary from 1880 to 1883. Like Rev. Henry Drees, Father Schlachter is still engaged in the mission field, wherein he has become very renowned. He makes his home at the Fort Wayne mission house, the property of the congregation. After him, Rev. Theopistus Wittmer, C. PP. S., became rector. Father Wittmer, when a mere boy, emigrated with his parents from Switzerland. The family settled near Egypt, Auglaize County, Ohio. In 1864 he was ad- 222 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY mitted into the community, and, having finished his studies at St. Charles Seminary, was ordained priest in 1872. Before his promotion to the rectorship, Father Wittmer had charge of St. Peter's parish, Winamac, Indiana, 1873 to 1876, and Celina, 1876 to 1883. Father Wittmer held the rectorship until 1896, when he was transferred to Glandorf, Ohio, and was succeeded by Very Rev. Boniface Russ, at present provincial superior of the American division of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood. He is a native of Minster, Ohio, and was transferred to Carthagena after having charge of St. Joseph's, Wapakoneta, Ohio. Under him, ground was broken for the large pond (3oo by 300 feet and about 12 feet deep), that is one of the beauties of Carthagena. When a year and half later the confidence of the fathers called him to assume the provincial office, he appointed as his successor Rev. Joseph Uphaus, C. PP. S., a native of Glandorf, who after another year and a half was appointed pastor of Thompson, where he died March 26, 1906. The next rector appointed was Rev. August Seifert, C. PP. S., a native of New Riegel, Ohio. He had been rector of St. Joseph's College from the time that that institution of learning had been founded (1892) and returned again to the same institution in the same capacity in the fall of 1902, after a two-years' successful administration of St. Charles Seminary. Under him the new graveyard was laid out and the beautiful memorial stone cross as well as the stations, was erected, through the liberal contributions of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood. He also was the ingenious designer and constructor of the beautiful Lourdes' Grotto: Father Seifert's successor was Rev. Benedict Boebner, C. PP. S., a native of Wendelin, Mercer County, who, after faithfully managing the incumbent affairs for two years, was promoted to the more strenuous and desirable occupation of preaching and conducting missions, retreats and other devotional exercises for the laity and the religious communities. He was succeeded by the present rector, Rev. Paulinus Trost, C. PP. S., a native of Baden, Germany, who has made this country his home since 1876, when he was a young man of 20 years. He had devoted his youth to the art of painting under the direction of his father. Being ordained. in May, 1885, after a four-years' activity in the ministry he was sent by his superiors to the Royal Academy of Arts, Munich, Bavaria, to acquire efficiency in the modern technique of painting. After three years attendance at that brilliant school of arts, he returned and was then active in St. Joseph's College at Rensselaer, Indiana. In 1904 he was appointed to his present position- Under his supervision was erected (1905-06) the spacious new chapel,- with Sisters' convent adjoining the south elevation of the building. The chapel is 128 feet long, with AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 223 a width of 85 feet in the transept. The length of the east side of the building is 183 feet. This beautiful Romanesque chapel in basilica style is certainly a credit to the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, and an ornament to the seminary environs. The exquisitely artistic windows, especially the two large transept group pictures, are admired by all. This new building is the first part of the planned new seminary, forming about one-third of the whole, which will in course of time emerge, as we hope, from the plans on paper into effective reality. INSTITUTIONS OF THE FATHERS OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD. Motherhouse of the American Province of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, and St. Charles Seminary, at Carthagena : Very Rev. Boniface Russ, C. PP. S., provincial; Rev. Paulinus Trost, C. PP. S., rector ; Revs. Ulrich Mueller, C. PP. S., Didacus A. Brackman, C. PP. S. and Julian Mayes, C. PP. S., professors; Revs. Cosmas Seeberger, C. PP. S., and P. Kuhnmuench, C. PP. S.; 22 students, all members of the community, and 23 lay brothers. * * * Novitiate of the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, a mile and a half northeast of Burkettsville: Rev. Joseph Heitz, C. PP. S., master of novices; Revs. Andrew Stiefvater, C. PP. S., Philip Rist, C. PP. S., Hubert Seiferle, C. PP. S., Alphonse Laux, C. PP. S., and Ambrose Dowd, C. PP. S.; 17 novices and 27 brothers. INSTITUTIONS OF THE SISTERS OF THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD. Convent of Mary, Help of Christians, a mile and a quarter northeast of Maria Stein—Motherhouse of the Sisters of the Most Precious Blood : Mother M. Josephine Roetsch, general superior; Sisters in the house, 88; Sisters in the community, 551; novices, 34; postulants, 23. This convent was established in 1844 by Sisters of the Most Precious Blood from Loewenberg, Canton Graubuenden, Switzerland. The Sisters conduct establishments in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and in the dioceses of Cleveland, Columbus, Fort Wayne, Kansas City, Nashville, St. Joseph, Sioux City and. Tucson. In the main the Sisters devote themselves to teaching. They also engage in manual labor, manufacturing ornamental work for churches, and in literary and scientific studies. Connected with the Motherhouse is a normal school, in which novices are thoroughly trained. Rev. Henry Drees; C. PP. S., is chaplain of the convent chapel. Gruenwald, Convent of Mary, Mother of God, half a mile south of Cassella : Sister M. Veronica, superior; 60 Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. Rev. Casper Schedler, C. PP. S., is chaplain of the convent chapel. 224 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Convent of Assumption at Carthagena : Sister M. Cleova, superior; 12 Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. Near St. Henry was formerly located Himmelgarten, Convent of Mary, Mother of God. This was given up and the property sold some years ago. CHURCHES. St. John's Church at St. Johns in Marion township is one of the largest as well as one of the oldest Catholic congregations of Mercer County. It was established here by priests from Minster in 1837, the first church erected being a small structure built of logs. Not many years afterward, the population of the parish having been largely augmented, a good brick church was erected at a cost of about $8,000, which was subsequently enlarged so that at the time it was replaced with the present structure it was a building 50 by 100 feet in dimensions. The present edifice was built in 1888 at a cost of $40,145 complete. Rev. Thomas Eisenring, C. PP. S., commenced the work by taking subscriptions, and Rev. Martin Dentinger, C. PP. S., completed the church. It is one of the handsomest church edifices of the county. A fine, brick priest's residence was built in 1906 on church land east of the church building by Rev. J. Otto Missler, C. PP. S., who is the present pastor. The congregation numbers 140 families. St. Rosa's Church at St. Rosa, in Marion township, was established in 1837. A log church was built the following year. Regular services were first held about 1845, when Rev. L. Navarron, a French priest, with Rev. John Wittmer and other priests belonging to the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, visited the church alternately and performed divine services. Under the supervision of Rev. Andrew Kunkler, C. PP. S., the present church was built at a cost of $6,000, being dedicated in June, 1854. It is a brick structure, 42 by 75 feet in dimensions. On November 24, 1894, the congregation celebrated the 50th year or "Golden Jubilee" of its foundation. The present parsonage, a pressed-brick building, was erected in 1905, at a cost of $4,700, the work being done under the supervision of the present pastor, Rev. Liberat Schupp, C. PP. S. It has all the modern improvements found in a building of this nature and is lighted by acetylene gas. The congregation has a membership of 67 families. The following priests, all members of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, have had charge of the congregation since it was founded in 1844: Rev. L'Navarron, from 1844 to 1845; Rev. John Van den Broek, 1845 to 1846; Rev. John Wittmer, 1846 to 1848; Rev. Fred. Brenner, 1848 to 1849; Rev. Sebastian Gauter, Andrew Kunkler, A. Herbatritt and Peter Wilhelmy, who were pastors of the church from 1849 to 1856, inclusive; Rev. Nic. Gales, 1857 to 1861 ; Rev. Bernard AND REPRESENTATIVE 'CITIZENS - 225 Austerman, who began his pastorate in 1861 and was succeeded by Rev. Paul Reuter; Rev. Peter Haberthur became pastor in 1866; Rev. A. Kramer, in 1875; Rev. Erhard Gluck, in 1876; Rev. Francis Buchel, in 1879; Rev. Casper Schedler, in 1892; Rev. Henry Drees, in 1893; Rev. Aloys Malin, in 1898; Rev. Casper Schedler, in 1905, being succeeded in that year by the present pastor, Rev. Liberat Schupp. St. Joseph's Church is situated in Recovery township at St. Joseph, about two and a half miles northeast of Fort Recovery. This church is one of the oldest Catholic churches in the county. It was organized in 1838, the first church structure being a log cabin built in that year. The first priest was Rev. John Herzog. Among the earliest members were John Dull and John Weiss and the Kramer, Goecke and Busch families. In 1861 a brick building, 45 by 85 feet in dimensions, was built at a cost of $6,000, which church continues to be used at the present time. A new steeple or tower was added to the church in 1903, duting the pastorate of Rev. Seraphim Kunkel, C. PP. S. A priest's residence was built in 1906 of brick veneer at a cost of about $3,000, under the direction of the present pastor, Rev. Theodosius H. Brackman, C. PP. S., who assumed charge of the parish on November I, 1905. Following are given the names of some of the priests who have served this church during recent years, all being members of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood: Revs. Aloys Malin, August Seifert, J. Otto Missler, Jacon Marti, Peter Scherak, Louis Hefele, Seraphim Kunkel and the present pastor, Theodisus H. Brackman. The church has a membership of 49 families. St. Henry's Church at St. Henry, Granville township.—The early history of St. Henry's congregation dates back into the late '30's, when there were but few scattered families throughout the southern part of Mercer County. The earliest members were the Hulsman, Hemmelgarn, Romer, Weinart, Wendeln and Bruns families. The first priest was Father Bartels. The first house of worship, built in 1840, was a frame structure and was used until 1854. In 1853-54 the congregation, at a cost of about $7,000, built a brick structure, 48 by 100 feet in dimensions, on the site of the present parish house. It was built under the supervision of Rev. John Van den Broek and was dedicated by Archbishop John B. Purcell in 1854. In 1895 steps were taken to erect a new church to accommodate the large congregation. The new edifice which was dedicated on July 25, 1897, is a large, handsome building, constructed of brick, trimmed with Bedford stone. It is in the form of a Latin cross, measuring 167 feet 6 inches in length and 88 feet wide at the transept, and in architecture is true Gothic. The ceiling is vaulted and is supported by 12 Bedford stone columns, each 226 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUN30 20 inches in diameter and 3o feet high. From the floor of the nave to the apex of the vault is 62 feet. The tower is 203 feet above the street level and contains the largest chime of bells in this part of the State, consisting of the old bells and three new ones, in all aggregating 6,600 pounds. The tower also contains an Angelus chime clock, whose 12-foot dials are 110 feet above the street level. The cornice work, including the gutters and spouting, is of copper. The church will seat 1,100 and the gallery, where additional seats may be placed, will increase the seating capacity. The basement is finished off as a large assembly room for parish society meetings. The furnishings of the church are handsome and appropriate and in keeping with the architectural details of the building. The statuary, stations of the cross and memorial art windows were imported. The artistic painting and frescoing of the interior of the -church were done with exquisite taste. St. Henry's' Church is considered by many competent judges to be the most costly church in Northwestern Ohio, $100,000 having been expended to date on the church and the beautiful memorial windows. In its construction the church took one and a half million bricks, which is said to be more than has been used in the construction of any other building in the county. In 1901 a commodious and beautiful parish house was erected on the site of the old brick church at a cost of $10,000. Both the church and the parish house are lighted by acetylene gas and heated by a system of steam and hot water. The ch1,100 debt and has over I,Ioo1,100 communicants, representing about 250 families. Rev. Dominic Shunk; C. PP. S., is pastor. St. Anthony's Church at Padua in Washington township.—The pioneer priests of the congregation of the Most Precious Blood, founded by Blessed Gaspare del Bufalo in Italy in 1815, and introduced into this country in the year 1844 by Rev. Francis Salesius Brunner, C. PP. S., were the first to administer to the spiritual wants of the few scattered Catholics in this territory, now known as St. Anthony's parish. The first priest, Rev. Joseph Albrecht, C. PP. S., came from St. Joseph's parish, in Recovery township, Mercer County, and held divine services in the house of John Stelzer, in Indiana, and in the houses of Henry Wickelman and Anton Schnett, situated near the present St. Anthony's Church. A movement for the erection of a log church was first started in the fall o 1852 by the following men: Heinrich Schroer, Heinrich Wickelman, John Stelzer, John Weichel, Vinzenz Stark, John Driller, Louis Wickelman, Anton Schnett, Ignatz Rauh and Heinrich Fortmann. The timber was hewn and the log church was built by these pioneers themselves, who pledged themselves, moreover, to contribute $4 each—in those days a large sum indeed, when there was no market at all for farm AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 227 produce unless at a great distance. The little congregation was soon increased by the following members: Heinrich Brinkman, Heinrich Huttenbrock, Y. M. Huttenbrock, Bernard Dennes, Theodore Middendorf, George John, Peter Obringer, Anton Schurman, Franz Wigand, Louis Greying, Felix Sell, Franz Langenhorst, Sebastian Krieg, Paul Wehrkamp, and Gerhard Homan. The parish was in charge of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood under Father Joseph Albrecht, who visited the place about once a month. During his absence the people went to St. Peter's Church, about six miles east. In the baptismal record, which was started in 1853, we find the names also of Rev. Mathias Kreusch, C. PP. S., and Rev. Willibald Willy, C. PP. S. Rev. Sebastian Gauter succeeded Father Albrecht and was pastor from 1855 to 186o. During this time, Fathers John Wittmer, Engelbert Ruff and Rochus Schuly conducted services at intervals. The last named became the regular pastor from 1860 to 1863. The next three years, namely, until 1866, Rev. Engelbert Ruff, C. PP. S., had charge of the place. It was during his pastorate that the congregation enjoyed half service every Sunday. The books show nothing of importance all this time, except the usual record of haptisms, marriages and burials. Father Ruff was succeeded by Rev. Peter Wilhelmy, C. PP. S., whose term of office, 14 years, was the longest of any pastor in the history of the parish. The very limited space of the log church could no longer accommodate the growing congregation, so that steps were taken to build the present brick church. As early as 1873 stone was hauled from New Bremen, Ohio, and brick were made on the place of the new church, to be erected about one-fourth mile south of the old site: the land, originally tw0 acres, was donated by Gerhard Homan. Preparations went on slowly, as the material had to be hauled over mud roads, at a distance of about 20 miles. Mr. De Curtains was the architect of the new church, which was about 44 by 80 feet in dimensions, and Mr. Van Oss, of Minster. Ohio, was the builder. The new edifice was completed in 1875, but was really finished and plastered in 1879. In this year the high altar was purchased for $600 from J. Schr0eder. By the frequent signing of their names in the baptismal register, it must be inferred that Revs. Jacob Ringele, C. PP. S., and A. Capeder, C. PP. S., acted at times as pastor of St. Anthony's. Rev. Ignatius Seib, C. PP. S., succeeded Father Wilhelmy, but remained hardly a year, until 1881. From this time until 1882 we find Rev. Conrad Schneider, C. PP. S., who obtained the privilege to binate, and erected also the way of the cross. Rev. Franz Michel, C. PP. S., came next and stayed until 1884, when 228 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Rev. Ferdinand Walser, C. PP. S., stepped in. Father Walser provided the first mission in the parish, conducted by a Redemptorist Father. He started also the St. Anthony's Young Men's Society, which has since become defunct. Father Walser obtained one acre of land from Henry Mai, on which he built a compartment house to be used by pastor and teacher. But before Father Walser could carry out his design of residing permanently at St. Anthony, he was removed by his superior and succeeded by Rev. Cosmas Maria Seeberger, C. PP. S., who remained 12 years, until 1898, attending to the place from Mary's Home Convent as did his predecessors up to the time of Father Wilhelmy, inclusively. Father Seeberger established the arch-confraternities of the Holy Rosary, Precious Blood and the Apostolate of Prayer, or the devotion of the Nine Fridays. Failing in health, Father Seeberger was replaced by Rev. Felix Graf, C. PP. S., who had charge of the parish not quite one year. In August, 1899, Rev. Maximilian F. Walz, C. PP. S., was appointed pastor of St. Anthony's Church. The people at this time were willing and generous enough to have the church remodeled and enlarged. Accordingly, in the spring of 1900 a sacristy with cloistral aisle, a brick tower from the ground up, to replace the foresteeple, were added to the church. A new roof and flooring were also necessary. The church was frescoed for the first time and further embellished by stained glass windows. The Christian Mothers' Society was established canonically in 1902. The year following, a pipe organ was installed in the church at an expense of $1,150, and an iron fence placed around the premises, costing with Page fence,. $536.30. Gerhard Homan, Sr., donated in this year, half an acre for additional cemetery ground adjoining the old one. In 1903 the parish celebrated its golden jubilee, one pioneer member being present, Henry Schroer. Cement walks were laid around the church in 1904. The year 1905 witnessed the erection of both a residence for the pastor and a new schoolhouse. The former cost $3,500, and the latter, $1,200. The total land of the parish now comprises three and a half acres. The total value of all the church property belonging to St. Anthony's parish at this time (1906) is about $24,000. The congregation numbers 74 families. On August 9, 1906, Father Walz was transferred to Rome City, Indiana, and Rev. Charles H. Notheis, C. PP. S., a .classmate of Father Walz, took hold of the reins of the parish as resident pastor.. St. Mary's Church at Cassella, Marion township, dates from about 1847, when the first services for Catholic people were rendered here by some of the pioneer Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, who came to the settlement on certain Sundays in order to provide religious services and instruction for the settlers of the Catholic faith. A plot of ground was secured, on which was AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 229 erected a small frame building, which served as a church until a new brick church edifice, 43 by 78 feet in dimensions, was erected at a cost of $6,000, under the pastorate of Rev. Peter Haberthur, C. PP. S. This building was dedicated in August, 1862, by Bishop Sylvester Rosecrans, D. D. Martin Hierholzer, Bernard Wehrkamp, John Cron and R. Schaeffer constituted the building committee. This church was destroyed by fire in 1889 and was at once rebuilt under the pastorate of Rev. Martin Dentinger, C. PP. S., at a cost of $16,000. A fine pastoral residence, built of brick, was erected in 1905 at a cost of $6,000, during the pastorate of Rev. Charles M. Romer, C. PP. S. Fifty-four families constitute the membership of the church. The financial and spiritual affairs of St. Mary's congregation are in excellent condition. This can be said of nearly all the Catholic churches of Mercer County, which fact speaks well for the Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, wh0 have built up all these churches. Since 1876 the following priests, all members of the Congregation of. the Most Precious Blood, have had charge : Rev. Sebastian Gauter, who served until 1886, when he was followed by Rev. Theobald Schoch, who was succeeded in 1887. by Rev. Martin Dentinger. Father Dentinger was pastor until 189o, when he was followed by Rev. Charles Meyer, who served until 1893. Very Rev. Henry Drees, Provincial of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, attended for one year, until 1895, when Rev. Anselm Schmidt succeeded him. Rev. Philip Rist became pastor in 1897 and continued until 1902 when the present pastor, Rev. Charles M.- Romer, took charge. St. Mary's Church at Philothea, Butler township, was established on September 6, 1851, by H. Weiner, H. Wendeln, H. Zumalde, Frederick Albers, H. Spoltman, F. Saalman, H. Phelman and Henry Lennartz. Forty acres of land for church and school purposes were purchased of H. Weiner for $100 and in the following year a small log church was built. This church was used until 1871, when on July 11th the present church edifice, 45 by 85 feet in dimensions and costing $7,000 was dedicated. The church was built under the supervision of Rev. James Marti, C. PP. S. A chime of bells was placed in the church tower. A frame priest's residence was built in 1905 at a cost of about $4,500. Since 1880 St. Mary's Church has had the following pastors, all members of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood: Revs. Casper Schedler, Francis Buchel, Alphonse Laux, Bernard Russ, John Nageleisen, Peter Kuhnmuench, Willibald Schliemers, George Fleisch, George Hindelang, Xavier Mielinger, Edmund Lohmiller, Greg0ry Jussel, "Philemon Notheis, Ignatius Rauh and. Erhard Fritz, the present pastor. The church has a membership of 55. families. 230 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY St. Sebastian's Church is located at Sebastian in the northern part of Marion township. It was formerly a part of St. John's and St. Rosa's congregations and was established by permission of the Bishop in 1852. The pioneers of this congregation were Adam Gerlach, John Will and B. Frohning. The first church edifice, built in 1853, served the congregation until a brick church was built in 1878-79, being dedicated in October of the latter year. It was erected under the supervision of Revs. Peter Kuhnmuench, C. PP. S., and Boniface Russ, C. PP. S., and was at the time considered the finest church building in all Mercer County. It was 45 by 85 feet in dimensions and cost $8,000. This church served the people as a place of worship until it was destroyed by fire January 12, 1903. A new brick church edifice, 52 by 113 feet in dimensions, was erected on the site 0f the former church the same year, under the supervision of Rev. Seraphim Kunkler, C. PP. S. A brick parsonage was built in 1905 at a cost of about $4,000. The congregation consists of 48 families. Dating from the construction of the second church, the following priests have served as pastors of St. Rosa's Church: Revs. Peter Kuhnmuench, Boniface Russ, Erhard Gluck, Albert Voag, Eugene Grimm, Charles Meyer, Leopold Linder, John Nageleisen, Gregory Jussel, Ferdinand Walzer, Anthony Dick, Seraphim Kunkler and Henry J. Winner, who has had charge of the church since August 23, 1906. All of the priests above named have been members of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood with the exception of the present pastor. St. Aloysius' Church, which is located near Carthagena, in Marion township, was established about 1856, when the settlement of Catholics here made a purchase of land from the colored people. In 1860 a site for a graveyard was purchased and a school organized. The congregation was organized by Rev. Aloys Schelbert, C. PP. S. For some years the services were held for this congregation in the chapel attached to St. Charles Seminary. In 1875, the membership having increased to the point where a church building was needed, plans for a brick structure, 45 by 85 feet in dimensions, with a solid tower from the ground with walls two feet thick, were made under the supervision of the pastor, Rev. Henry Drees, C. PP. S. The corner-stone was laid and blessed in May, 1877, and through the indefatigable exertions of Father Drees the church was dedicated June 30, 1878, by Very Rev. Bernard Austerman, Provincial of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood. Among the active and energetic men of this congregation, who constituted the building committee, were: Philip Frey, Frederick Forsthoefel and Peter Knoth. Large subscriptions from other towns and congregations aided in the erection of this church, which cost $7,500. In the summer of 1905 extensive alterations were completed, which resulted in the complete remodeling of the old AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 231 church, of which nothing now remains but the tower and three walls. An addition was built to the church, the sanctuary was enlarged, the basement excavated and a steam heating plant installed. The church was further adorned and beautified by very artistic windows. At the present time the church property is valued at $20,000. Rev. Gregory Jussel was rector during the period when these changes were made. The congregation of St. Aloysius' Church consists of 66 families. All the pastors have been members of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood. The first pastor, Rev. Aloys Schelbert, served until 1865. John Van den Broek was next in charge and was followed by Rev. Anthony Guggenberger and he by Rev. Mathias Kenk, who served until 1870. Rev. Henry Drees then became pastor and continued until 1880, when he was followed by Rev. Godfrey Schlachter. The next pastor, Rev. Wittmer, was succeeded in 1895 by Rev. William Russ and he by Rev. Philip Hartmann in 1897. The following have since served : Revs. Boniface Russ, Henry Drees, Felix Graf, Stephen Weigand, Gregory Jussel, who took charge of the church in 1900 and served until November 1, 1905, when he was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. Julian Mayer. The priests have always resided at the near-by St. Charles Seminary. St. Wendelin's Church is located at Wendelin on the western line of Granville township, four miles west of St. Henry. The congregation was organized in 1856 and at that time consisted of eight families. The first church building, a frame structure, was dedicated in 1856. In 1867 a handsome brick church, 35 by 65 feet in dimensions, was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Paul Reuter, C. PP. S. In 1897 a 20-foot addition was built, so that the dimensions of the present church are 35 by 85 feet. In 1905 a frame parsonage was built at a cost of $3,500, since which time the congregation has had a resident pastor. The congregation has a membership of 54 families; Rev. Jeromie Ueber, C. PP. S., is pastor. St. Peter's Church, which is an off-shoot of St. Joseph's Church, is situated in Recovery township, about two and a half miles northwest of St. JOseph's Church. The corner-stone of the first church edifice was laid October 6, 1858, by Archbishop John B. Purcell of Cincinnati. It was a brick structure, 35 by 65 feet in dimensions, and was erected under the direction of Rev. John Van den Broek, C. PP. S., at a cost of about $4,000. The first services in this church were held January t, 1860, by Rev. Sebastian Gauter, C. PP. S. During the pastorate of Rev. Philemon Notheis, C. PP. S., it was decided to erect a new church. The corner-stone was laid May 24, 1904, and the church was dedicated on October 8, 1905, by His Grace, Archbishop 232 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY Henry Moeller of Cincinnati. This is a brick structure, 46 by 100 by feet in dimensions. The church has a membership of 5o :families. All the priests that have had charge of this congregation have been members of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood. Rev. R. Schnely was succeeded by Rev. Peter Wilhelmy, who was pastor from 1868 to 1876. Rev. Aloys Malin served from 1876 to 1879; Rev. Peter Kuhnmuench, 1879 to 1882; 'Rev. Isidore Hengartner, 1882 to 1886; Rev. Henry Drees, 1886 to 1889; Rev. Willibald Schliemers, 1889 to 1894; Rev. Fred. Baumgartner, 1894 to 1896; Rev. Alphonse Miller, 1895 to 1897; Rev. Gregory Jussel, 1897 to 191900Rev. Philemon Notheis, 1900 to 1906; and Rev. Robert Mayer, who has served since September 6, 1906. St. Francis' Church, at the settlement of Cranberry Prairie in Granville township, was organized in 1858 through the efforts of ChChristophernd Jacob Schunck and Henry Hemmelgarn. A brick church edifice was built in 1860, 38 by 65 feet in dimensions, at a cost of about $5,000 and this building continued to be used until the present church was erected. The following priests, all Fathers of the Most Precious Blood, have been in chargeof the congregation since 1860, when the first pastor, Rev. Paul Reutter, took up the work: Revs. Erhard Gluck, R. Schnely, Jacob Marty, Nigsch, Sebastian Gauter, Frank BiBuche Ignatius Selb, Peter Wilhelmy, Meinrad Lennartz, Charles Zang, Anselm Schmidt, Eugene Grimm, -Conrad Schneider, Charles Notheis, who served from 1893 to 1898; Cosmas Seeberger, from 1898 to 1903; and Edmund John Lohmiller, who has served since 1903. For some years past, the pastors of St. Francis' congregation have resided at St. Charles Seminary, some three miles distant, as there is no parsonage at Cranberry Prairie. During Father Seeberger's pastorate a two-acre plot of ground opposite the old church and cemetery was purchased, on which was erected a frame building, as a residence for the organist and sexton. Soon after Father Lohmiller took charge, he secured, in 1904, the erection of a brick school building, 36 by 50 feet in dimensions, and 3o30eet high, with a tower. This structure was built by A. De Curtains and is equipped with a steam heating plant. The building has a basement and is roofed with tile. It is one of the handsomest and best appointed school buildings in the county. In the same year plans for a new church were made by William P. Ginther, an architect at Akron, Ohio. The foundation for this edifice was laid in the all of 1904, the corner-stone laid May 14, 1905, and the building was completed in 1906, being dedicated with impressive and solemn ceremonies on Sunday, September 30th, by Very Rev. Boniface Russ, Provincial C. PP. S. It is a beautiful edifice and is a credit alike to the Congregation and to its able and popular pastor. It is Gothic in style of architecture, 100 iob54 feet in ground dimensions and 112 AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 233 feet high to the top of the tower, built of brick and with a slate roof. A basement is under the whole of the church, and the foundation walls are taken up to a height of six feet above ground in courses of Bedford stone. The church is equipped with a steam-heating system and is tastefully furnished within with new pews, confessional, communion railing, etc. The tower has three bells. N. A. Ley, an able contractor, of Minster, Ohio, built the church. The congregation has a membership of 52 families. Church of the Immaculate Concepti0n of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Celina.—The first Catholic resident in Celina was Owen Gallagher, who was alone in his religion until 1860. Daniel Mahoney settled here in 1861 and Celestine Gamier, Joseph Briggs, and John Hess, in 1862 The first Catholic service ever held in Celina was performed at the housA of Joseph Zenders in 1864, Rev. Bernard Dickman, C. PP. S., presiding, at which time the organization took place. From this time services were held every two weeks. The society was soon increased by the membership of Christopher, Jacob and Peter Schunck. The congregation increasing, and the Catholics of the adjoining neighborhood desiring to attend service in Celina, it was decided to erect a house of worship, and on August 3, 1864, the- corner-stone was laid by Archbishop John B. Purcell, of Cincinnati. A large procession of citizens, composed of both Catholics and Protestants, under the command of Col. Abner Davis, in full uniform, met the Archbishop. He conducted the ceremonies, assisted by Revs. Joseph Dwenger, Henry Drees, Bernard Dickman and John Van den Brock, all Fathers of the Most Precious Blood. Upon its completion, the building was dedicated December 8, 1865, by Father Dwenger, commissioned for the purpose by Archbishop Purcell. It cost $7,000, was built of brick and 'was 40 by 60 feet in size. An addition, made in 1878, increased the length of the church to 95 feet. This church continued to serve the congregation for a period of a little over 20 years from the time it was enlarged. It finally became entirely to0 small for the large and growing congregation and steps were taken to build a larger and more imposing church edifice. The building was begun in 1900 and progressed so far that on Sunday, May 12, 1901, the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies, at which time there was an immense concourse of people present, representing all sections of this part of Ohio. His Grace, Most Rev. Henry Moeller, Coadjutor Archbishop of Cincinnati, was present and conducted the ceremonies. The architects of this magnificent brick and stone church building were the De Curtains of Lima, Ohio, formerly of Carthagena, Mercer County. The contract for the building to be put under roof was let to John Burkhart, of Findlay, Ohio, the price paid him being $43,6o0. The total cost of the structure with the interior furnishings 234 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY was $85,000. The church was dedicated June 7, 1903, with imposing ceremonies. Great credit is due Rev. George Hindelang, C. PP. S., who had charge of the building of the church from the commencement to the finish and is the present pastor, as well as to other leading members of the congregation who might be named for their untiring w0rk and zeal in behalf of the Church of the Immaculate Conception, namely : Christopher Schunck, C. D. Hierholzer, William Cron, William J. Maehlman, Henry Lennartz, H. J. McKirnan, Joseph Schmitt, J. A. Romer, W. H. Anthony, John E. Hamburger, Charles A. Kloeb, J. B. Pulskamp, Henry Pulskamp, as well as many others whom we cannot mention because of lack of space. The ladies of the church should also be remembered for the zeal and earnestness which they manifested in securing such a magnificent edifice. Mesdames Hierholzer, Schmitt, Dugan, Schunck, Desch, Gast, Kenney, Pulskamp and many others contributed of time and money for the success of the church. The church building is pronounced the finest in Northwestern Ohio and stands as a shining monument to the enterprise of the Catholic congregation at Celina. The congregation consists of 180 families. Rev. Bernard Dickman, C. PP. S., was the first pastor of the church, serving from 1864 to 1869. He was followed by Rev. Mathias Kenk, C. PP. S., who was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. Th. Wittmer, who continued in charge of the church until 1883, when he became rector of St. Charles Seminary at Carthagena, where he remained from 1883 to 1897; he is at present pastor of the church at Glandorf, Ohio. Rev. Godfrey Schlachter, C. PP. S., who is now on mission work, followed Father Wittmer in 1883 and was himself succeeded in 1886 by Rev. Andrew Gietel, C. PP. S., who served until 1890. Rev. William Russ, C. PP. S., was pastor from 1890 to 1894; Rev. Philip Hartman, from 1894 to 1897; and Rev. Dominic Schunck, from 1897 to 1899. Rev. George Hindelang, C. PP. S., the present pastor, came here in 18q9 from Clinton, Missouri. Holy Trinity Church at Coldwater, Butler township, dates its origin from the year 1868. Three ardent Catholics—H. Kallmeier, H. Baese and Joseph Pohl—having determined that a Catholic Church should be erected it Coldwater, called upon Rev. John Van den Brock, C. PP. S., for his advice. The site was selected and the lot on which the church now stands was deeded by Tom Buxon for the consideration of $1. The work of erecting a frame church building, 30 by 60 feet in dimensions, was begun in 1868, when there were six heads of families in the congregation, viz. : Messrs, Kallmeier, Birkmeyer, Gottemoller, Fisher and Tekamp. The church was built at a cost of $1,900 and was dedicated by Most Rev. John B. Purcell, D. D., Arch-bishop of Cincinnati. The first baptism in the church was that of Anna Birk- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 237 meyer, on July 1, 1869. The first marriage was solemnized by Rev. Henry Drees, C. PP. S., on November 21, 1872, the bride and groom being Alphonse and Anna Sunderhaus. The first death to occur was that of Teresa Tobes, who passed away at the age of one year on September 14, 1869. As the years went by the congregation increased in size and the original frame church became too small, which resulted in the building of an addition on the northern end in 1886. In 1896 extensive preparations were made for building a new church, as it was seen that it was absolutely necessary that more commodious quarters be obtained. On Sunday, June 5, 1898, the corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies by Rev. Francis M. Quatman, of Sidney, Ohio. The following year the edifice was finished, being dedicated on October 8, 1869, by Most Rev. William Henry Elder, D. D., Archbishop of Cincinnati. Holy Trinity Church is one of the most magnificent houses of worship in this section of the country. Its high, sharply-pointed arches and clustered drop columns denote the Gothic order of architecture. It is built of pressed brick with blue Bedford stone trimmings. The building is 140 feet long by 54 feet wide, the width at transept being 66 feet. There are tw0 towers, the taller of which is 145 feet high, while the other is 85 feet in height. The church is roofed with slate and fitted with copper cornice and gutters. The groinribs of the vaulted ceiling terminate in drop columns, which contribute a richness of effect and finish, which is one of the finest features of the church. The late John R. De Curtains was the architect and his successors, the De Curtains Sons, the contractors and builders. The church was built during the pastorate of Rev. Lawrence Shirack, C. PP. S., who personally superintended its erection. The building committee consisted of John Hambert, John Hagerman, John Birkmeyer, John Stukenborg, John B. Albers and Herman Knappschaeffer. Rev. Henry Drees, C. PP. S., was pastor from 1868 to November, 1880; Rev. Theobald Schoch, C. PP. S., 1880 to 1885; Rev. Paulinus Trost, C. PP. S., 1885 to 1888; Rev. Alphonse Grussi, C. PP. S., 1888 to 1890; Rev. Philip Hartman, C. PP. S., 1890 to 1895; and Rev. George Hindelang, C. PP. S., 1895 to 1897. Rev. Lawrence Shirack, C. PP. S., commenced his pastorate in 1897 and served (luring the erection of the church building. Rev. Const. Vogelmann, C. PP. S., who followed Father Shirack, was succeeded by Rev. J. Schopp, who is the present pastor. The congregation now consists of 116 families. St. Paul's Church is located at Sharpsburg, in Gibson township. The frame church building, 45 by 30 feet in dimensions, erected in 1874 at a cost ,of $1,000, was replaced in 1888 by a brick structure, 45 by 95 feet in dimen- 238 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY sions at a cost of $14,000. This was during the pastorate of Rev. William Russ, C. PP. S. In 1905 a pastoral residence of brick veneer was built by, Rev. Henry Goldschmidt, C. PP. S., pastor of the church, at a total cost of $4,633. The congregation consists of 65 families. The pastors of St. Paul's Church, all of whom have been members of the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood, have been the following: Rev. Paul Reuter, 1868-70; Rev. Mathias Kenk, 1870-72; Rev. Sebastian Gauter, 1872-73; Rev. Rudolph Albrederic, 1873-77; Rev. John Frericks, 1877-80; Rev. Paul Reuter, a few months in 1880; Rev. Joseph Heitz, 1881-82; Rev. August Seifert, a few months in 1882; Rev. William Russ, 1882-90; Rev. John Frericks, 1890-91; Rev. Ignatius Rauh, 1891-93; Rev. Philip Rist, 1894-97; Rev. Joseph Sailer, 1897-98 ; Rev. Raymud Vernimont, 1898-99; and Rev. Henry Goldschmidt, the present pastor, who took charge in 1899. St. Bernard's Church at Burkettsville, in Granville township, was established in 1875. In the same year a frame church, 35 by 60 feet in dimensions, was erected at a cost of $1,700. A 40-foot addition was made to this church in the year 1902 at a cost of $2,500 and at the same time the church received new windows of stained glass, new pews, etc., at a cost of $600, all of these improvements being completed by the present pastor, Rev. D. A. W. Schweitzer, C. PP. S. A brick pastoral residence was completed on November 1, 1906, at a cost of $5,000, also during the pastorate of, Father Schweitzer. The first regular religious services were conducted in the church in 1876 by Rev. Aloys Malin, C. PP. S., who served in 1876 and 1877, being succeeded in the latter year by Rev. John Van den Broek, C. PP. S., who was followed in the same year by Rev. Rudolph Albrederic, C. PP. S., and he by Rev. John Frericks, C. PP. S., who served from 1877 to 1879. Rev. Paul Reuter, C. PP. S., served from 1879 to 1882; Rev. William Russ, C. PP. S., 1882 to 1890; Rev. John Frericks, C. PP. S., 1890 to 1891 ; Rev. Ignatius Rauh, C. PP. S., 1891 to 1893; Rev. Emilius Steinach, C. PP. S., 1893 to 1895; Revs. Joseph Heitz, C. PP. S., and Norbert Groth, C. PP. S., who served short periods in 1895; Rev. Joseph Heitz, C. PP. S., who served from 1895 to 1896; Rev. Joseph Sailer, C. PP. S., 1896 to 1897; Rev. Anselm Schmid, C. PP. S., 1897; Rev. Charles Notheis, C. PP. S., 1897 to 1898; Rev. Joseph Heitz, C. PP. S., 1898 to 1899; Rev. Hugo Lear, C. PP. S., a short period in 1899; Rev. Joseph Heitz, C. PP. S., 1899 to 1901; Rev. Charles M. Romer, C. PP. S., 1901 to 1902 ; and Rev. D. A. W. Schweitzer, C. PP. S., the present pastor, who has served since 1902. The congregation comprises 70 families. Church of Mary, Help of Christians, Fort Recovery.---On July 12, 1881, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 239 the Congregation of the Most Precious Blood purchased of the heirs of Dr. Milligan a tract of 4o acres at Fort Recovery, the consideration being $7,500. The church was organized in 1882, in which year a frame church building was erected, at a cost of $1,500. under the supervision of the first pastor, Rev. August Seifert, C. PP. S., who is at present rector of St. Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Indiana. The priest's residence for a short time was the Dr. Milligan family residence, which is now used by the Sisters. The old schoolhouse was then bought and used for a priest's house until 1885, when a brick one containing II rooms, was built at a cost of $3,000. The old frame church lasted until 1902, when the present Gothic, brick church was built at a cost of about $16,000, being dedicated on August 15, 1902. It is certainly a credit to the congregation and to Rev. Bernard Dickman, C. PP. S., who labored enthusiastically in behalf of the work and who served the congregation until his death in 1906. He was succeeded by Rev. Raphael Schmaus, C. PP. S., who is the present pastor. Rev. Louis Hefele, C. PP. S., preceded Father Dickman and Rev. Martin Dentinger, Father Hefele. The congregation is made up of 77 families. The Church of the Most Precious Blood at Chickasaw, Marion township, is the youngest Catholic Church in Mercer County. The church edifice was built in 1897 and was at first used as a chapel for week-day services. The present parish was formerly a part of the mother parish of St. Sebastian. It was formally separated from St. Sebastian's in 1903 and its history as a distinct and separate parish dates from this year. The first pastor appointed to this parish by Archbishop Moeller, of Cincinnati, was Rev. Anthony C. Tabke, who has continued in charge since 1903. In this year an addition was built to the old chapel at a cost of $4,000 and in the following year a brick parsonage was erected as a cost of about $4,000. The congregation consists of 70 families. For some years past a mission has been conducted at Montezuma in Franklin township and was formerly in charge of the priest of the Holy Angels' Church at Sidney, Ohio. The Church of Our Lady of Guadaloupe has recently been formed here and Rev. Cosmas Seeberger has been placed in charge as pastor pro tem. PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS. The first parochial school at Celina was erected about 1876 by Rev. Th. Wittmer, C. PP. S. A building, 36 by 40 feet in dimensions and two stories high, which at a later date became the parsonage, was erected on the corner of Walnut and Wayne streets. Sister Mary Missler was the first principal, 240 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY assisted by a Sister teacher. The school prospered and grew and in 1888 Rev. Andrew Gietel, C. PP. S., built the present, tw0-story, brick schoolhouse, where about 300 children now receive their education. The teaching force now consists of eight Sisters 0f the Most Precious Blood. Sister M. Georgina is directrix. The parochial school at Fort Recovery has an enrollment of 38 boys and 45 girls. It is taught by two Sisters of the M0st Precious Blood. Sister M. Lidwina is directrix. The parochial school at Maria Stein has about 200 pupils enrolled. The directrix is Sister M. Rosalia. The school is taught by two lay teachers and two Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. The parochial school at Burkettsville has 42 boys enrolled and 4o girls. Sister M. Michaela is directrix. The teaching force consists of two Sisters of the Most Precious Blood. The pupils of the parochial scho0l at St. Henry number 212. This school is also taught by Sisters of the M0st Precious Blood. CHAPTER. X THE BENCH AND BAR OF MERCER COUNTY TILE COURTS OF COMMON PLEAS. Regarding these courts, the constitution contained the following provision (Article 3, Section 3) : "The several Courts of Common Pleas shall consist of a President and Associate Judges. The State shall be divided, by law, into three circuits; there shall be appointed in each circuit a President of the Courts, who, during his continuance in office, shall reside therein. There shall be appointed in each county not more than three nor less than two Associate Judges, who, during their continuance in office, shall reside therein. The President and Associate Judges in their respective counties, any three of whom shall be a quorum, shall compose the Court of Common Pleas." The Judges under this provision of the first constitution were elected by the General Assembly, and under the subsequent acts of that body were as follows: 1824—John T. Greaves, Nathaniel Low. and James Walcutt; 1825 —Joseph Greer and Thomas Scott; 1826—John Manning; 1827—William B. Hedges; 1830—John Armstrong; 1832—Joseph Greer ; 1833—John Manning; 1834—Stacey Taylor; 1836—Robert Linzee; 1837—Allen V. Medbury; 1839—David Hays; 1842-43—Robert Linzee; 1844—Allen V. Medbury; 1845—John M. Parks; 1846—Justin Hamilton and David Simpson; 1848—William McDaniel ; and 1849—George W. Raudabaugh. The constitution of 1857 provided for the election of judges by the people and divided the State into judicial districts. Mercer County is in the Third Judicial District. The districts are subdivided into First, Second and Third sub-divisions. The Third District, First Sub-division, as constituted at present, is composed of the following counties: Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, Shelby and Van Wert. From 1851 to 1879 the Third Judicial District, Second Sub-Division, was composed of the following counties : Mercer, Van Wert, Put- 242 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY nam, Paulding, Defiance, Williams, Henry and Fulton. The following have served as judges from 1852 to the present time : Benjamin F. Metcalf, Lima, from February, 1852, to February, 1857. Benjamin F. Metcalf, Lima, from November, 1858, to his death in March, 1865. O. W. Rose, Van Wert (vice Metcalf), from March, 1865, to November, 1865. James Mackenzie, Lima, from November, 1865, to February, 1879. Ed. M. Phelps, St. Marys, from May, 1869, to February, 1879. Charles M. Hughes, Lima, from February, 1879, to February, 1889. James H. Day, Celina, from February 9, 1880, to September, 1892 when he resigned to go on the circuit bench. John E. Richie, Lima, from February, 1889, to February, 1899. Stephen A. Armstrong, Celina, from January, 1889, to the present time, his term expiring on the second Monday in January, 1909. Hiram C. Glenn, Van Wert (vice Day), from October, 1892 to December, 1892. William T. Mooney, St. Marys, from December, 1892, to February, 1901, when he resigned to accept a position on the circuit bench. W. H. Cunningham, Lima, from February, 1899, to his death in 1906. William D. Davis, Sidney (vice Mooney), from February, 1901, to November, 1903. Hugh T. Mathers, Sidney, from November, 1903, to present time, his term expiring February 8, 1910. George Quale, Lima (vice Cunningham), from his appointment in 1906 to the present time. The Third Judicial Circuit is composed of 16 counties : Mercer, Van Wert, Paulding, Defiance, Henry, Putnam, Allen, Auglaize, Hancock, Hardin, Logan, Union, Seneca, Marion, Wyandot and Crawford. The first election of circuit judges was held in October, 1884, and the first sitting of the several circuit courts was fixed for the 9th day of February, 1885. The judges are elected in alternate years, one judge in each circuit, for a term of six years. The following have served on this bench: Thomas J. Beer, Bucyrus, from February 9, 1885, to February 8, 1893. John J. Moore, Ottawa, from February 9, 1885, to February 8, 1895. Henry W. Seney, Kenton, from February 9, 1885, to his resignation, September 7, 1896. James H. Day, Celina, from February 9, 1893, to February 8, 1905. James L. Price, Lima, from February 9, 1895, to February 8, 1901. John K. Rohn, Tiffin (vice Seney), from September 8, 1896, to November 16, 1896. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 243 Ebenezer Finley, Bucyrus (vice Rohn), from November 17, 1896, to February 8, 1897. Caleb H. Norris, Marion, from February 9, 1897, to the present time, his term expiring February 8, 1909. William T. Mooney, St. Marys, from February 9, 1901, t0 his death, November 29, 1904. Edward Vollwrath, Bucyrus (vice Mooney), from November 29, 1904, to November, 1905. Silas E. Hurin,, Findley, from February 9, 1905, to the present time, his term expiring February 8, 1911. Michael Donnelly, Napoleon, from November, 1905, to the present time, his term expiring February 8, 1912. * * * Among the attorneys resident in Mercer County, who practiced their profession here for any considerable period, we are able to recall the following who have died or moved elsewhere: James Watson Riley, Cyrenius Elliott, Francis C. LeBlond, Zenus Hameo, Thomas J. Godfrey, William L. Blocher, W. E. Baker, George W. Alfred, Newel L. Hibbard, Daniel J. Callen, John W. Steel, Jacob Broadwell, John P. Protzman, Alfred J. Hodder, Charles J. Brotherton, J. W. Conklin, James G. Loughridge, Keepers Alberry, Hiram Murlin, -- Lowry, C. H. Hornbeck, Charles M. LeBlond, Archelaus D. Marsh, W. W. TouVelle, Byron M. ClenDening, J. T. Kenney, Richard S. Raudabaugh, C. S. Mouck, C. W. Cowan, Frank G. Robinson and A. W. Fishbaugh. Of the above, James Watson Riley was one of the founders of the town of Celina; the leading facts of his life are given in Chapter III of this work. Sketches of Hon. Francis C. LeBlond, Hon. Archelaus D. Marsh and Hon. Thomas J. Godfrey appear in the biographical department of this work. The last named was the oldest member of the bar at his death, which took place November 30, 1906. The county owes Mr. Godfrey a deep debt of gratitude for his efforts in behalf of the public schools. James G. Loughridge, at one time a leading member of the Mercer County bar, but now deceased, was born in Washington township, Mercer County, Ohio, December 29, 1839. He was a son of William C. Loughridge, one of the pioneers of Mercer County, and was educated in the common schools of Fort Recovery, St. Marys and Celina. At about the age of 17 years, he began teaching school and taught a term two miles west of Macedon, and afterward at Macedon. He also taught one term at Montezuma, and then went to California, via New York and the Isthmus of Panama, landing August 17, 1863. He remained in California about 20 months, II months 244 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY of which time he was bookkeeper for the St. Nicholas Hotel in Marysville and agent of the Marysville & Downieville stage line, with his headquarters at Marysville. After that he taught school at Comptonville, Yuba County, near the summit of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, 18 miles from Downieville. He then returned East, stopping at San Francisco, and coming home by way of the Nicaragua route, landing at New York in 1865. Mr. Loughridge read law in the office of Hon. Thomas J. Godfrey at Celina for about 18 months, and in 1866 went to Cincinnati, where he entered the law office of Hon. Bellamy Storer, where he read law and at the same time attended lectures at the law school of the Cincinnati College, being graduated from this institution April 17, 1867. On the same day he was admitted to the bar by judge Jacob Brinkerhoof, of the Supreme Court of Ohio. After being admitted to the bar, he formed a partnership with John R. Perdue, and engaged in practice at Portland, Jay County, Indiana. Remaining there about one year, he then located at Celina, October 29, 1869, and for about six months afterward was in partnership with John P. Protzman. He then formed a partnership with Daniel J. Callen, the firm name. being Callen & Loughridge. This partnership was in existence about six years. In 1876 he removed to Independence, Kansas, where he practiced law and ran a hotel, which was known as the Independence House. There he remained a little less than three years, when he returned to Celina, arriving there February 14, 1879. Soon after his return to Celina, he formed a partnership with Wilson Conklin, which lasted about three months. He then formed a partnership with Francis C. and Charles M. LeBlond, the firm being known as LeBlond, LeBlond & Loughridge. This firm continued, until October, 1888, when Charles Al. LeBlond withdrew and removed to Cleveland, Ohio. The firm then was Le-Blond & Loughridge, and so continued until June 19, 1891, when John M. Schlosser became a member thereof, and the firm name became LeBlond, Loughridge & Schlosser, which continued for a period of time. The next partnership formed was with L. L. Taylor, which continued until his death in the month of January, 1902. Frank G. Robinson, residing at Rockford, was at one time a member of the Mercer County bar. He was born and raised in Rockford and was educated in the village schools. Graduating from a law college, he was admitted to the bar and commenced the practice of the law in his native village, at the same time turning his attention to the banking business. He removed from Rockford some time ago. A. W. Fishbaugh is a native of Mercer County. He obtained a preliminary education in the public schools and taught for a number of years, after AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 245 which he entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, and completed the civil engineering course at that institution. Mr. Fishbaugh completed the course in the Cincinnati Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1894, but never engaged in the active practice of the law. He was elected county surveyor of Mercer County and served in that capacity two terms or six years. Mr. Fishbaugh is still following his chosen profession, being now the chief engineer of the Fort Wayne & Springfield Railway Company. PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE BAR. The following are members of the Mercer County bar at the present time, although all are not in active practice: Hon. James H. Day, Hon. Stephen A. Armstrong, Hon. C. G. 0. Miller, Hon. Charles S. Younger, John W. De Ford, Clarence E. Marsh, John M. Schlosser, John G. Romer, Edgar J. Brookhart, of Celina ; E. E. Jackson, of Rockford; and John A. Hunter, of Fort Recovery, whose sketches appear in the biographical department of this volume; and the following, whose sketches appear herewith :— Israel F. Raudabaugh, one of the older members of the Mercer County bar, was born in 1844, and was educated partly in Celina, but is a graduate of Mount Union College, Stark County, Ohio. He commenced active life as a school teacher and taught three years in Center County, Pennsylvania. He Was superintendent of the normal schools, at Berlin, Meyersdale and Somerset. He studied law under Collum & Kimball, and was admitted to the practice in Somerset County, Pennsylvania. Mr. Raudabaugh returned to Mercer County, and superintended the schools in Celina in 1871-72, and at Fort Recovery, in 1872-73. He was elected county surveyor, which office he held for three years, and settled permanently in Celina in t872. Mr. Raudabaugh and Stephen A. Armstrong entered into partnership in the law business, which continued for some time; on the dissolution of the firm, each member continued in the practice, but Mr. Raudabaugh besides practicing law is engaged extensively in farming, and for a number of years has turned his attention to the oil business. He has been very successful in this line and has owned and operated some of the best leases that were ever developed in this territory. He is a lawyer of fine literary attainments, and is well versed in the law, but being engaged in the milling business and other pursuits, is not at present diligently following his chosen profession. S. S. Scranton, a member of the Celina bar, was born at Fort Recovery, Mercer County, Ohio, April 23, 1848. At the age of one year he removed with his parents to a farm three miles south of Fort Recovery, where he 246 - HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY attended the schools that were afforded the children of that time, receiving a good common-school education. When grown to manhood he attended an academy of learning at Greenville, Ohio, and then began teaching school. After teaching a number of terms, he concluded to go t0 the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio—this was in the summer of 1867. He then resumed teaching until 1872, when he came to Celina and began to read law in the office of Hon. Thomas J. Godfrey. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar at Kenton, Ohio, and formed a partnership with J. W. Conklin, of Sidney, Ohio, which lasted for about one year. Since that time he has never been in partnership in the law. He was elected recorder of the county in 1879, and served six years in that office and at the expiration of his office he resumed the practice; in about two years he was elected to the office of probate judge of the county, and after serving six years in that office he again commenced the practice of the law, in which he has continued up to this time. Hon. Robert L. Mattingly, oldest son of Dr. Robert Mattingly and his wife, Mary (Howard) Mattingly, late of Francesville, Indiana, was born at Martinsburg, Washington County, Indiana, February 10, 1849. His earlier education was acquired in the public and subscription schools of Pulaski County. At an early age he entered the railroad service and filled various responsible offices, in the accounting departments, during a period of 10 or more years. For a short time he taught School, and in 1876-77 was editor and proprietor of The Hoosier Wave, a Republican paper of Pulaski County. He .was admitted to the Circuit Courts of Indiana in 1877. After some practice he entered the Central Law School of Indianapolis (law department of Butler University), and graduated with the class of 1879-80. During his attendance at law school, he was associated with Hon. M. B. Williams and engaged in practice in so far as his studies permitted. After graduating, he returned to Pulaski County and formed a partnership with Hon. Geo. Burson, at Winamac. Mr. Burson's election to the circuit. bench later on terminated the partnership. He then was associated with Judge H. Burns (a law writer of note in Indiana), whose appointment on the U. S. Coast Survey by President Cleveland led to an aband0nment of that field. On the 9th of April, 1885, Mr. Mattingly opened an office in Celina, and with the interruption of one term as city solicitor, and something less than a year as probate judge, he has been actively engaged in the general practice of the law. His clientage has been of a high and lucrative class that has recognized his ability as a lawyer and integrity as a man. He is well known to the members of the bar throughout Northwest Ohio. John Wesley Loree, a leading attorney at the Celina bar, was reared AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 249 his father's farm in Black Creek township, Mercer County, Ohio, where he was born July 18, 1853. He received his education in part in the old log school house of that day, attended school at Celina and spent four years at Mount Union College in Stark County. He read law in the office of LeBlond & Day, of Celina, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Ohio, at Columbus, April 5, 1881. A few days afterward he formed a partnership with Hon. Archelaus D. Marsh, which partnership continued for a period of 22 years, during which time the firm were engaged in nearly all of the important cases tried at the courts of the district, the law firm being recognized as one of the ablest at the Celina bar. Mr. Loree was always a close and hard-working student and prepared his cases for trial with such care that he felt assured if a case was lost that he had done all that could be done on his part to win a victory. He is recognized by the bar and bench as one of the leading lawyers not only of his own county but throughout the entire judicial district, his practice extending to the other counties of the district, as well as to the Supreme Court of Ohio. John W. Loree by his straightforward and manly course is honored and esteemed by not only the members of the profession but by the citizens generally. He was appointed county school examiner of Mercer County, August 16, 1879. In 188o he served out the unexpired term of C. L. Clippinger as superintendent of the Celina union schools, and in 1892 he was nominated by the Democracy in his Congressional district as a candidate for presidential elector. In 1893 he was elected city solicitor of the village of Celina. At present he is a member of the Board of Education, Celina. Patrick E. Kenney was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, December 11, 1854, and while yet a young child removed with his parents to Adams County, Indiana, where he received an education such as was given 'in those days by the old-time Hoosier schoolmaster in the primitive, little, log scho0lhouse. The task seemed prodigious,' but having been accustomed to toil and difficulties, he did not hesitate to encounter them in the role of student. He first attended the Ohio Normal University, at Ada, Ohio, and later the normal school at Valparaiso, Indiana. He afterward taught school 0ne year in Indiana, and three years in Mercer County, Ohio. In March, 1885, he began reading law in the office of LeBlond, LeBlond & Loughridge, of Celina, and on July 9, 1887, was admitted to the bar. He immediately began the active practice of his profession, continuing until the present time. On April 16, 1890, he formed a partnership with Robert L. Mattingly, the firm being Mattingly & Kenney. After a time this association of business interests was dissolved and later on he and John G. Romer formed a law partnership, but in the course of time this was dissolved, and each one had an office alone. Mr.