200 - DARKE COUNTY house of Judge Rush (Prophetstown) in 1811. Greenville early became the strategic center of the various competing denominations. Here many of the first churches were established and from this point proceeded to establish missions in various parts of the county and encourage their development. On October 15, 1833, it seems that Solomon Riffle and wife deeded to William Martin, John Swisher, Alexander Craig, David Potter and John N. Parcell, trustees in trust, lot No. 23, on the south side of Third street, between Broadway and Walnut street, where the Hunt house now stands, "for the use and benefit of the first Christian church that might be organized in the town of Greenville for the purpose of erecting thereon a meeting house." A low brick edifice with sidewalls about eight feet high and two front doors opening into separate iasles, and a floor on a level with the ground, was erected here about 1836. Services, no doubt, were held here with more or less regularity, until on January 3. 1841, the Christian church was properly organized by Elders Elijah Williamson, John B. Robertson, Hallet Barber and Elisha Ashley. On July 31, 1841 it voted to become a member of the Eastern Bluffton conference. The charter members, who signed the original declaration of principles were: Elijah Williamson, Charlotty Williamson, James R. Brandon, Anna Brandon, Alexander Brandon, Thomas Brandon, Rhoda Brandon, Lucretia Brandon, Mary Scribner and Ruhannah Shannon. From the time of the organization the membership increased in seven months from ten to eighty-eight. The following elders served as pastors up to August, 1841: J. B. Robertson, N. Barber, D. Purviance, L. Purviance, E. Ashley, I. Guston and E. W. Williamson; John Stevenson and John Van Meter were appointed deacons. August 18, 1846, Elder Williamson was chosen pastor for one year. In April, 1848, the enterprise of erecting a new meeting house was launched as the original structure was considered unsafe. In 1850 the church procured a quitclaim deed from Solomon Riffle and wife at a cost of $24.00, so as to authorize the trustees to sell the property. It seems that John Vanmeter proposed to pay them $105.00 for the lot and to donate a strip of ground fronting on the west side of Walnut street, between Third and Fourth streets, for the site of a new church building. This ex--change was effected and a substantial brick structure thirty-six by fifty feet with two front doors and black walnut wood- DARKE COUNTY - 201 work was soon erected. In 1853 the church, by request, was dismissed from the Bluffton conference and applied for admission to the Miami conference. Elder Purviance preached about one year. Rev. James Elliott was pastor in 1850, Elder J. W. Marvin was pastor in 1853 and ended his work September 1, 1854, H. K. McConnell was called as pastor May 25, 1856, resigned August 14, 1860, and was re-elected September 11, 1860. In 1857 there were sixty-one additions, and on August 25, 1859, there were one hundred and fourteen members. Mn the interval from 1861 to 1868 it appears that no regular pastorate was maintained. During these years there was occasional but not continuous preaching. As a consequence the members became somewhat scattered although the church did not disband, nor cease to have its regular trustees. In 1868 Jonathan Gilbert, Joseph Willis and George Ullery were trustees, religious services were restored and a pastor supplied for a while in the person of I. S. Palmer, whose pastorate closed April 28, 1868. T. M. McWhinney and D. K. McConnell both occupied the pulpit for probably eighteen months each. The church record for April 6, 1874, reads as follows: "Mt was thought not more than six or eight members could be relied on to engage in the work of the church immediately though many more would join in the work as soon as it advanced." Among the active and faithful workers during this period of depression were James Markwith, Henry Tillman, Mrs. Tillman, Martha Ford, E. S. Reed, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. D. H. R. Jobes and Harvey Howard. These were times of testing, but the handful of members called Elder I. T. Lynn to the pastorate in June, 1874. He served a few months and was succeeded by Elder Sample. From January 16, 1875, to July, 1876, there was no regular pastor, but the church was repaired at this time and rededicated on the fourth Sunday in July, 1876, by Rev. N. Summerbell, assisted by Elder McCulla. The former was called as pastor to serve one year from October, 1876, but, being called to Dayton to assume the editorship of the "Herald of Gospel Liberty," he was succeeded by Elder C. W. Choate, a young student, who served acceptably until September, 1878. During his pastorate the church debt was nearly paid off, the membership increased to seventy-eight (of whom fifty-one had joined since the rededication), a fair Sabbath school built up, regular prayer meetings, services maintained and preaching services held twice a month. Elder William A. Gross was called to succeed Choate. He first 202 - DARKE COUNTY preached half of the time, but in 1880 was engaged to preach three Sundays in the month for the conference year for five hundred dollars. Rev. Gross served until 1882, and was succeeded by Elder Furniss, who served a few months. Rev. C. 'W. Garoutte was called to the pastorate in the winter of 188384 and served until the fail of 1900. During his pastorate a great revival took place, the church increased in numbers and the work was carried on with zeal. The congregation was outgrowing the building on Walnut street and it soon became apparent that a new edifice was needed to meet the requirements of the membership. Accordingly on April 4, 1887, a building committee was appointed consisting of the following members: Samuel Ullery, W. E. Moore, Samuel Ludy and David Beanblossom. A large new lot was purchased for $4,000.00 on the south side of West Fifth street just off of Broadway and the work of erecting the new church was soon begun with Mr. Beanblossom as contractor. The structure. when completed, cost about $7.000.00 and was at that time probably the largest and best church structure in the town. C. A. Beck succeeded Garoutte in the pastorate and was in turn succeeded by T. A. Brandon; C. W. Hoeffer served from September, 1895, to 1896. G. W. Shane commenced a short pastorate in January, 1897, and was soon succeeded by W. A. Gross. Dissatisfaction and dissension arose during this period suceeding the erection of the new church, with the result that the membership and interest decreased greatly. Under the preaching of S. G. Palmer, H. A. Smith, Omer Thomas, E. A. Watkins, P. H. Fleming and W. D. Samuels, the church has again been revived and has now one of the largest congregations and most prosperous Sunday schools in the city. In April, 1904, Mrs. Frank McWhinney purchased for and donated to the church, a newly-built two story frame house on East Fifth street between Walnut and Ash streets for a parsonage. The church has been remodeled and redecorated twice in late years, in order to accommodate the growing Sunday school, and provide a better auditorium. The enrollment on the church record at this time is 438, which the Sunday School shows 677 members at the close of 1913. Rev. J. J. Douglass is pastor of the church and J. A. Cottrell is superintendent of the Sunday School and the church is in a prosperous condition. The Christian denomination, partly because of its free and informal mode of worship, its simple DARKE COUNTY - 203 statement of belief, its claim that the Bible alone is its creed, and its easy educational requirements for admission to the ministry, appealed to the pioneers "who sought freedom from restraint, and independence of thought and action, and deliverance from formal customs." Thus it became established in the villages and rural districts at an early date, where it is today in a thriving condition, and exerting a powerful influence for righteousness. Probably, for the same reason, this denomination has never become very strongly entrenched in the cities, as witness the neighboring city of Dayton, where but one small congregation existed until within the last few years. In Darke county, it has today good sized congregations at Versailles, Ansonia, Hollansburg, Beamsville, Coletown, Woodington, Dawn, Teegarden (northwest of Woodington), besides active churches at Stelvideo, Brock, Walnut Grove (Willow Dell), The Beach, North Star, Sugar Grove (one and one-half miles east of Rossburg). Methodist. The Methodist Episcopal Church, which originated in England in the latter part of the eighteenth century, and grew rapidly under the preaching of the Wesleys and Whitfield, early become an active and powerful factor in the evangelization of the Ohio valley. At the time of the settlement at Marietta it was in the strong vigor of its youth, and its zealous and aggressive preachers soon established themselves in the earliest communities of pioneers and eagerly braved the dangers and hardships of riding the circuits between the settlements. The story of their early privations and experiences would make many volumes of interesting reading, and the results of their labors are readily seen today in the prosperous churches which everywhere greet the traveler in the Ohio valley, and in the large and influential educational institutions in the states formed out of the old northwest territory. The great revival, which originated largely among the Calvinistic settlers of Kentucky, and which was fostered by Presbyterian clergymen, soon affected the Methodist church, which was drawn almost bodily into it. This revival was characterized by some of the most remarkable physical phenomena known in the history of Christendom. Great outdoor meetings were held in various localities for periods of a week or more which were attended by multitudes from near and 204 - DARKE COUNTY far. Strong men, as well as women and children, were greatly affected and manifested their agitation by jerking, dancing, failing, singing from their breasts and in other remarkable ways. The Methodist church readily accepted and incorporated the camp meeting and the revival, and adapted itself to the needs and conditions of pioneer life. It is said that Methodist sermons were preached in Greenville as early as 1812. Rev. John Brown preached in the county in 1817. About 1818 it became a point in the Eaton circuit, which included Camden, and Eaton, in Preble county; Greenville and Hiller's (four miles west) in Darke county; Covington, in Miami county; and Union, Concord and Germantown, in Montgomery county, besides parts of Wayne and Randolph counties, in Indiana. At this time, it is said, there was not a :Methodist in Greenville. John P. Durbin, who was the first preacher, held services in the house of Abraham Scribner, who, though favorable to the Unitarian doctrine, tendered his friendship and hospitality to the followers of Wesley. "Many manifested a deep interest in the new doctrine, as it was called, but Durbin had preached here only a short time when limits of the circuit were lessened and regular preaching was discontinued at Greenville by the Methodists until the year 1832, though during this interval sermons were occasionally preached in the court house, dwelling houses and such other buildings as could be procured for that purpose." Rev. Durbin became one of the most prominent preachers in the early history of the church. About 1818 the Methodists erected the first meeting house of the county in Washington township, just across the Greenville township line, about four miles west of Greenville, and a half mile south of the Winchester pike. It was carefully and substantially constructed of hewed logs, and, no doubt, had the typical clapboard roof, puncheon floor, rough hoard pulpit and slab seats. It was still used on funeral occasions as late as 1880, but has since been torn down. Many of the pioneers of Washington and Greenville townships lie buried in the adjoining cemetery. This pioneer house of worship was dedicated by Rev. Durbin and during early days was visited by the following presiding elders: Alexander Cummins, John Strange, John Collins, J. B. Finley, John F. Wright, William H. Raper and William B. Christie. The "Hiller and Livergood Class," the first formed in the county, DARKE COUNTY - 205 was organized at this church in 1818. Today, except for the neglected burial ground, the passerby would not suspect that a church was ever located here. The Methodist churches of Darke county ought to secure and mark this site with an appropriate tablet or memorial for the instruction and inspiration of coming generations. "In 1833 William Oliver, living about six miles north of Greenville, formed the second Methodist class in Darke county, which comprised the following members: Mrs. M. H. Turpen and daughter, Emeline, Mrs. L. R. Brownell, Mr. and Mrs. William Barrett (nee Maria Turpen) and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Birely. Francis Timmons and Ira Chase were the circuit preachers at this time and Greenville became the leading point on the "Greenville circuit" which, at times, comprised from ten to sixteen preaching places. A class was also formed at Greenville in 1833. Much opposition was experienced by the Methodists at this time, as they were looked upon by some as fanatics and hypocrites, their meetings were disturbed and their ministers attacked. Jesse Prior was on the circuit in 1834. Under his ministry Dr. J. M. P. Baskerville, Lovina Houp, Hiram Bell, Jane and Lemuel Rush and Eliza McGinnis were added to the church in the county. Steps for the building of the first M. F. Church in Greenville were taken this year. The work was begun in 1835 and completed in 1836. In this year the Greenville charge was admitted to the Ohio conference, Stephen F. Conry and Adam Miller being on the circuit. The location of this church, it is said, was determined in this way: Isaac Jay, a Quaker, identified himself with the Methodists, and determined to buy the northwest half of lot No. 5 on the east side of Sycamore between Third and Fourth streets, in Greenville, and upon it to erect a suitable building, claiming that he was moved to do this as the outcome of a dream in which he saw sheep surrounded by wolves make a successful stand on this site, which was then a thicket of thorn bushes. He purchased this plot February 22, 1835, of Hiram and John C. Potter for forty dollars. The building erected here was a low frame, which cost about $600.00, Isaac Jay, William Oliver, Christopher Martin, William Folkerth, William W. Jordan, Jacob Chenoweth and Hiram Bell being the building committee. When the building was completed there .remained a debt of seventy dollars, which was liquidated by each member of the 206 - DARKE COUNTY above committee paving ten dollars. D. D. Davidson and Martin Wolf were on the circuit in 1836. Following the erection of this building thirty-seven members were added to the church. In 1837 Jesse Prior again followed the circuit. A revival of religious enthusiasm became manifest in public and private life and the church prospered. Eli Truitt was on the circuit in 1838 and Edward Williams in 1839. In 1840-1841 Wm. Morrow and Jas. McNabb were on the circuit which had been reduced on the account of increasing population to the limits of the county. Their labors resulted in the conversion of some three hundred persons, and the addition of a like number to the church. Many incidents of the power of the spirit were witnessed (luring the revival. In 1840 the Greenville church was transferred to the North Ohio Conference. In 1842 and 1843 Samuel M. Beatty and Eliakin Zimmerman labored on the circuit. Jacob Brown and Cadwallader )wens labored in 1844; G. S. Phillips with C. Coleman in 1845; and with C. B. Brandeburg in 1846: Jos. Wykes and I. R. Roseberry in 1847-48; Alexander Hammond in 1849-50. The first M. E. parsonage, on West Fourth street, was purchased in 1848. David Rutledge and Gershom Lease had charge of the circuit in 1851 and it was determined to erect a larger meeting house as soon as practicable. Jacob Burkholder and Franklin Mariott labored on the circuit in 1852 and 1853. In 1852 the little frame church was sold to Wm. J. Birely for $50. Subscriptions were taken for the purpose of building a new brick church at an estimated cost of $5,000. About $2,000 was subscribed at this time, only part of which was paid when work was commenced. Backwardness in paying subscriptions retarded the work. The trustees were compelled to borrow $1,500 to complete the work, and mortgaged the property for that amount. This debt lingered and embarrassed the congregation for ten years, when it was assumed by members of conference in the fall of 1862. The mortgage was not canceled, however, until 1865. Franklin Mariott and Loring C. Webster were ministers in 1853; W. W. Winters and Patrick G. Good in 1854-55; Oliver Kennedy, L. C. Webster and P. B. Lewis preached on the circuit in 1856; W. J. Peck and John T. Bowers in 1858; during which year the congregation at Greenville was visited by one of the most powerful revivals it had witnessed previous to this time, and a large number were added to the church. The church DARKE COUNTY - 207 was transferred from the Ohio to the Central Ohio Conference in 1856. Isaac Newton and P. B. Lewis labored as ministers in 1858-59. In 1860 Greenville was made a station with one appointment at Coletown. Jas. W. Alderman served this charge in 1860; Jacob Feghtby in 1861-62; Fielding L. Harper 1863; during whose short pastorate the appointment at Cole-town was discontinued. Chas. Reynold, 1864; Henry E. Pilcher, 1865; during this year the old parsonage was sold for $800, and another on lot No. 1, of the same street, purchased for $2,500. Rev. L. C. Webster was the pastor in 1866 and 1867. The parsonage purchased in 1866 was exchanged for one on part of lot No. 2, the trustees receiving $100 in addition to same. Amos Wilson served the charge in 1868-70; H. J. Bradley came in the fall of 1870 and served one year. During his administration the Sabbath school had an attendance of over two hundred and at one time had 341 members. Rev. A. Berry was pastor from 1871-74. During Rev. Berry's pastorate a movement was started to remodel the church building. A contract was entered into with Robison & Fryberger to remodel the church for $2,916, making the Sunday school room separate from the main auditorium, and raising the roof five feet. Rev. A. J. Fish served from 1874 to 1877. During his pastorate the remodeling was completed and the church redecorated with a large new bell in the tower donated by Wm. Allen. Rev. L. M. Albright was pastor from 1877 to 1879, and succeeded after much Iabor in paying off the debt due on the last improvement. Rev. J. A. Ferguson served from 1879 to 1882 and was suceeded by J. L. Rushbridge, during whose pastorate the parsonage was enlarged, remodeled and enclosed with brick, and the church building remodeled by removing the partition, erecting a large gallery with enclosed rooms beneath for separate Sunday school classes and repairing the building in a suitable manner. Rev. David Bowers succeeded Rev. Rushbridge in 1884. This charge was attached to the Cincinnati Conference in 1886 and Rev. J. W. Cassatt became the pastor. The parsonage was now provided with heavy furniture. A protracted meeting was held in the early part of 1887 during which scores were added to the church. Most of the latter became earnest, efficient workers and have proved a tower of strength to the church. Rev. Cassatt served until June, 1891, his be- 208 - DARKE COUNTY ing the longest, and one of the most efficient pastorates to that date. On account of age and declining health, he withdrew from the ministry, and passed his remaining days in Greenville, where he expired, greatly beloved by the community. On the evening of June, 16th, 1895, the city of Greenville was visited by the largest conflagration ever occurring in its history. The fire seemed to be of incendiary origin and began in a stable belonging to Mrs. Winner, about the middle of the alley running from Broadway to Sycamore street, between Third and Fourth streets. The flames spread rapidly to the rooms of Dr. Wm. Matchett, the Mozart Hall, the Huddle Block on Fourth street and the M. E. church. The latter soon became a sea of flames, the roof yielded to the fire fiend, fell and the interior became a caldron of flame; the tower, serving as the chimney to a furnace, was soon an area of white flame; the hell, yielding to the intense heat, was soon burned from its moorings, and being partially melted fell with a crash. After the fire was subdued nothing but the bare walls remained to mark the spot where the devoted members of this congregation had met so often for praise and devotion. The pulpit, stand, organ and a few books were all that were saved from the general ruin. Perhaps nothing better could illustrate the undaunted faith and zeal of this congregation than what happened immediately. "The official board met on the following morning, communications of sympathy and a desire to assist us in our time of need were freely tendered us by the Presbyterian, Lutheran and other churches, which were received in the spirit in which they were tendered. The Board resolved at once to build a new church, but to locate it on lot No. 4, if the same could be purchased on favorable terms. Those terms were at once secured, a coinmittee appointed to secure the insurance ($2,500.00) from the fire insurance company; a subscription list was at once circulated, a respectable amount secured, and a contract en-, tered into for a new church. The work progressed rapidly and on April 21, 1896, the cornerstone of the new edifice was placed in position. Work was pushed rapidly and the building was dedicated on Sunday, Feb. 20, 1897. Dr. J. F. Marly, of Springfield, Dr. C. H. Payne of New York, and Dr. D. H. Moore of Cincinnati, were present and participated in the ceremonies of the occasion. The sermon by Dr. Payne was DARKE COUNTY - 209 said to have been one of the finest ever heard in Greenville. During the forenoon services it was announced that the building and grounds had cost $27,025.10 and that all had been paid except $7,020. Dr. Payne succeeded in raising a little over $9,000, putting the church completely out of debt and having a surplus of nearly $2,000. The new structure is one of the largest and finest churches in Darke county. It is built of pressed brick with slate roof and stained glass windows. Besides a large and well fitted basement, it has a finely appointed auditorium with a seating capacity of about 600, a large Sunday school with separate class rooms, balcony and assembly room, which may readily be thrown together, besides a Board room. The large church auditorium is nicely furnished with pews, body brussels carpet and a large pipe organ, and has beautiful art glass windows. It is lighted by electricity and heated with a furnace. In the tower hangs a peal of three bells, a bequest of Mrs. Sophia Koop, placed in 1907. Rev. Conger, who had been largely instrumental in building and financing the new church, finished his seven years' pastorate in September, 1901 and was succeeded by Alpheus B. Austin, who served aceptably until September, 1904. Calvin W. Elliott served from this time until September, 1906, and was followed by Charles H. Haynes, who served four months. A. L. Brokaw served from January, 1907, until the summer of 1910, and was suceeded by Charles Clifford Peale, who remained three years. The present pastor, Merrick E. Ketcham, was assigned this charge in 1913 by the West Ohio Conference, which had just been formed by the consolidation of the Cincinnati and Central Ohio Conferences. The following persons have acted as superintendent since 1859; George H. Martz, 1859 to 1870; Henry A. Webb, 1870 to 1874; Jacob T. Martz, 1874 to 1884; Win. B. Hough, 1884 to 1894; Ammon J. Mider, 1894 to 1897; Geo. W. Rosser, 1897. to 1899; W. B. Hough, 1899 to 1900; Chas. M. Davenport. 1900 to _____. At the Rally Day services, Sunday, October 30, 1910, all of these superintendents were present and took an active part in the exercises. The present church officials are: Recording secretary, John H. Martz; financial secretary, Chas. M. Davenport; treasurer, R. R. Winters; treasurer-secretary benevolences, (14) 210 - DARKE COUNTY Frank H. Jobes; organist, Miss Lottie Leas; chief usher, Z. T. Dorman; janitor, C. Stubbs. Trustees: President, John Whiteley; John H. Martz, Geo. W. Mace, J. L. Selby, W. A. Newby, R. T. Humphreys, S. C. Reigle, C. M. Davenport, A. G. Keighley. Stewards: Jas J. Martz, A. J. Mider, Edward Martin, Enoch Westerfield, Geo. F. Taylor, Geo. W. Rosser, Frank H. Jobes, J. A. Folkerth, E. D. Irwin, F. U. SchreeI, Floyd Kerwood. Superintendent of Sunday school, Chas. M. Davenport; president of Epworth League, Floyd Kerwood; superintendent of Junior League, Miss Hazel Folkerth; president of Home and Foreign Missionary Society, Mrs. M. E. Ketcham: president of Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. Ed Mong. This church now has a membership of 530 and the enrollment in the Sunday school is 428. The current expenses of the church for the year 1913 were $2,295.00 and the amount contributed for missions, $1,636.00, making the total budget for the year $3,931.00. Probably no other church in Greenville has exercised a more steady and powerful influence for good than the First Methodist Episcopal. With its present large membership and excellent equipment ir promises to continue in the forefront of local denominations for many years. Other congregations of this denomination are located at the following points: Versailles, Arcanum, Ansonia, Pittsburg, Gettysburg, Rossburg, Lifihtsviile, Gordon, Webster, Jaysville, Fort Jefferson, Shook's Chapel (Wabash township), the German M. E. church, Greenville, O., which was organized in 1852, under the pastorate of Rev. Wm. Floerke, erected a frame church building on Ash street near Water street in 1855 and a parsonage on Water street in 1857. Sunday school and preaching services have been conducted here with regularity since its organization but, owing to the fact that the present generation of members all speak English fluently, it is generally recognized that this congregation will discontinue or merge with the First M. E. church within a few years. The Presbyterian Church. About 1818 Greenville and vicinity became a missionary field for the Presbyterian church. Nicholas Pittenger and John Ross are credited with holding meetings here at this DARKE COUNTY - 211 period. In that year Rev. Shannon, who had served as chaplain in one of Harrison's Kentucky regiments, preached at the residence of Wm. Martin. A Presbyterian society was formed as early as Feb. 14, 1821, at which time the following persons signed a call for the formation of a corporate body: L. Bascom, James Craig, William L. Wilson, John Craig, William McKhann, Jesse McGinnis, John Armstrong, John Devor, Benjamin Murphy, David Fisher, John McFarland, William Clark, John Beers, Robert Hood, James Buchanan, Heman L. Aiken, Stephen Perrine, William Martin, David Irwin, James Devor, A. Scribner, Easton Norris, James Stevenson (senior and junior), H. McCune, George I. Msham, Erastus Putnam, John Miller, William Lipe, Thomas Stokely, Charles Steward, George W. Hight and John Briggs. Agreeably to legal notice, the above-named met at the house of Linus Bascom on March 10, 1821, and elected Easton Norris, clerk, and for trustees, Benjamin Murphy, William Martin and Linus Bascom, and they also placed the organization on record as the "Greenville Presbyterian Society." September 9, 1825, a congregation collected at the house of Benjamin Murphy for the purpose of being organized into a church. The Rev. John Ross officiated, and, having concluded religious exercises, he set apart Benjamin Murphy and Linus Bascom as elders, and Robert Robinson was re-elected as elder. John Ross commenced preaching in 1825 and remained with the congregation till 1831. In 1833, the society, at a called meeting, detached a portion of their number living in Adams township to form the Mount Pleasant church, now the Gettysburg Presbyterian, whose first pastor was Rev. Isaac Ogden. The society at Greenville did not have regular preaching for some time previous to October, 1841, when Alexander Gulick was installed pastor, and divided his time between the two societies named, remaining two years. November 31, 1844, Rev. Badeau was engaged, and served four years. May 12, 1849, Rev. John A. Weeks commenced preaching, and was succeeded in 1853 by Rev. R. M. McCullough, who was pastor but one year. Rev. Orlando Clark was secured for the year 1857. Two years later D. B. Wycoff served six months, previous to departure for India as a missionary. In June, 1860, Rev. C. B. H. Martin became pastor, and served a year acceotably. Next came John W. Drake, from 1862 to August, 1864. This denomination worshipped in the court house until 212 - DARKE COUNTY 1850, when a substantial brick structure with four immense pillars on the front facade was begun on lot No. 10, on the north side of Fourth street, between Broadway and Walnut streets. This structure was not completed until about 1852. It served the congregation until late in the eighties, when a new building was determined upon. On account of an unfortunate division in the main Presbyterian body in 1837, dissension prevailed for many years, which resulted in the establishment of competing churches in various localities. As a result of this divsion a Second or "New School" Presbyterian church was organized in Greenville, June 21, 1843. A small but substantial frame house of worship was erected on the south side of East Fourth street, a short distance west of Walnut street, on the present site of the Lutheran church. Rev. Franklin Putnam was one of the early pastors in this church. He was succeeded by Rev. T. P. Kumler, under whose preaching the congregation increased in numbers and erected a substantial brick building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Fourth streets. Here they continued to worship under the pastorates of Revs. Jamison, Lyman and L. E. Jones until the spring of 1865, at which time the official bodies of the old school and the new school churches, after due deliberation, agreed to unite into one organization, and to call a pastor. Dr. Thomas of the First church, Dayton, Ohio, representing the old school, and Rev. L. E. Jones, pastor of the Second church at Greenville, representing the new school, were authorized by their respective Presbyteries to form a union of the two bodies in Greenville, which union was consummated on the first Sunday in May, 1865, by unanimous vote of both congregations. On May 8, an election of trustees was held which resulted in the choice of James B. Avery, A. Gaskill, M. Creager, Stephen Baird, Charles Tate and David B. John to constitute the Board. The united church called Rev. H. A. Newell, a man of attractive personality, and a fine speaker as its first pastor, under whose ministry it revived and made great progress. The Second church building was used as a place of worship for a few months after the union, but was afterward sold, as it was feared that the title to the property of the Old School church would revert to the heirs of the donor, who gave it as a site for the erection of the house of worship. Rev. Newell served the united church until 1868, and was succeeded by John S. DARKE COUNTY - 213 Gourlay, who served until March 26, 1871. J. C. Eastman came as a temporary supply in the spring of 1872 and remained until 1880. The contract for the present structure was given in 1889 to Z. Benfeldt, of Richmond, Ind., for $14,989, and it was expected that the additional expense for furniture, furnace, glass, etc. would bring the total up to $17,000.00. The plans and specifications were furnished by John A. Hosacoster, and called for a structure 84 feet deep, with a vestibule under the central tower, opening into the reception room, the primary class room, the main Sunday school room and the auditorium. The Sabbath school rooms occupy the eastern part of the building, and consist of a lecture or assembly room 28x32 feet, and six class rooms, opening by movable partitions into' it. This department is separated from the church auditorium by roller blinds, which are readily raised, throwing all into one audience room. The auditorium is on the west side of the building and has a seating capacity of about 450 with a gallery on the east, seating about 125. The pulpit is in the northwest corner with a large pipe organ immediately back of it. The pastor's study adjoins the pulpit in the rear. The auditorium is nicely furnished with body brussels carpet, and adjustable seats, is beautifully frescoed, lighted with stained glass windows and heated and ventilated by a modern plant. The high ceiling with exposed beams adds to the beauty and harmony of the whole. The building committee was: Henry St. Clair, J. H. Martin and Alex. Kerr. Rev. J. P. Hutchinson was pastor at this time. The pastors since 1880 were: Jas. Crawford, 1880-1887; J. P. Hutchinson, 1887 1890; C. E. Tedford, 1890-1894; W. C. Helt, 1894-1897; W. L. Swan, 1898-1903; J. R. Jones, 1903-1908; C. C. McKinney, 1908. Elders or Sessions: M. M. Pierson, clerk; B. F. Metcalf, M. G. Demorest, B. T. Hughes, W. L. Reece, E. M. Welker, W. M. Limbert, W. D. Craig, J. J. Matthews. Trustees: M. W. Westerfield, president; Gales Helm, clerk; Chas. J. Herr, C. C. Pitts, C. R. Leftwich and D. L. Gaskill. Treasurer, J. G. Reid. Women's Missionary Society: Mrs. M. W. Limbert, president; Mrs. A. B. Craig, vice-president; Mrs. M. G. Demorest, secretary; Mrs. I. M. Pierson, treasurer. 214 - DARKE COUNTY The church now has an enrollment of about 385, with 240 in the Sunday school. The annual budget for all purposes for the last fiscal year was about $4,000.00. St. Paul's Episcopal Church. St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal church dates from the year 1832. In that year Rev. Alva Guion, recently located at Piqua, visited Greenville to address the people on the importance of sustaining a Sunday school, and of establishing a library of religious books for children. This was done, although at this time there was not an Episcopalian in the village. Mn the spring of 1833, Rev. Guion, on a visit, was pleased to find a convert in the person of Mrs. Eliza A. Briggs. In 1835, an article of association was drawn up and circulated in Greenville, twelve persons subscribed their names to it, and in 1836, nine more were added, and the next spring the number increased to twenty-five. The following is a copy of the article, and of the names attached, May 29, 1837: "We whose names are herewith affixed, do hereby associate ourselves together under the name of the Parish of St. Paul's church. John and Eliza A. Briggs, W. B. and Mary A. Beall, Jane E. Ross, Evaline Dorsey, Margaret Kilbourne, Daniel R. and Ann B. Davis, Margaret Baird, Joseph Ross, Thomas F. Kilbourne, Stephen Perrine, W. M. Wilson, Eliza Duncan, Elisha Dawes, Hiram Potter, Francis Waring, William M. Crane, William McKhann, A. L. Northrop, John Wharry, H. Arnold, H. D. Williams and Chloe Herkeiner." Pursuant to canonical notice, members assembled May 29, 1837, at the dwelling of Dr. John Briggs, to organize a parish, and the following names were elected to the vestry: John Briggs, W. B. Beall, Thomas F. Kilbourne, Joseph Ross and A. L. Northrop. A building committee was chosen January 13; 1840, which consisted of William M. Wilson, W. B. Beall and Hiram. Potter. In due time, the building was erected. completed and properly furnished. The original building was a small frame located on the northeast corner of Third and Walnut streets with front on the latter street. It was built in 1840 at a cost of some $600.00 and served the congregation until 1879 or 1880, when it was remodeled into a larger and more suitable frame structure facing on Third street. Mrs. E. Briggs and Eva-line Dorsey superintended the Sabbath school from 1832 to DARKE COUNTY - 215 1853, and B. Hubbard from about that time until 1851. As in many other churches to a few zealous women must be given a large share of the credit for establishing and nourishing the infant congregation. Mrs. Dr. Briggs was the leader of a coterie of workers and to her energy, tact and perseverance, aided by her daughters, Mrs. Knox, Mrs. Workman and Mrs. Black, together with Mrs. Beall, Mrs. Dawes, Miss Evaline Dorsey and others was due the building up of the early church. The fairs, suppers and entertainments planned and executed by this band along in the forties are referred to as enjoyable and remarkable occasions. The Sunday school was reorganized in 1874 by Mr. Henry A. Webb. At that time it had but twelve members. Under his direction it grew in numbers and efficiency until today it is known as one of the live schools of the city. Mr. Webb, although now past ninety years of age, is still the nominal superintendent, having served nearly forty years. In recent years he has been ably assisted by Mr. Frank S. Gordon and Judge Jas. B. Kolp. The Episcopal church is not relatively strong in Ohio and seems to thrive best in the cities. It was a common practice among Protestant churches for years to decry its formal mode of worship but in recent years these same sects are gradually introducing some of the sane practices and the future of the Episcopal church in the more populous centers seems secure. Up to March, 1868, forty-three persons had been confirmed. The church in Greenville made but slow growth until recently as shown by the fact that in 1880 the membership was only about forty. Under Rev. Chas. H. Lee's pastorate a large and very desirable lot was purchased on the southeast corner of Broadway and Water street. A building committee was appointed comprising the following named persons: J. C. Turpen, Frank S. Gordon, A. C. Robeson. The cornerstone was laid with appropriate Masonic ceremonies under Grand Master Wm. Belt, and the new edifice onsecrated in May, 1906, by Bishop Vincent. This structure is built of rough faced limestone on a concrete foundation, and cost about $20,000.00. It is Gothic in style with high pitched slate roof, buttresses, pointed arch windows, substantial corner tower and is arranged inside to suit the mode of worship practiced in this church. A wing extends on the southeast side which is used for parish house 216 - DARKE COUNTY and Sunday school room. It is one of the best furnished churches in the city, and in exterior appearance has no peer. The present rector is Rev. Chas. H. Gross, who has served since 1906. Under his pastorate the church has made a substantial growth in membership, is well organized, has made good progress in paying off the debt incurred in building the new church, and is now recognized as one of the strong churches of the county. The church now has 225 communicant members and the Sunday school 117 members. The annual financial budget is about $2,500.00. The vestry is composed of the following persons: Henry A. Webb, senior warden; J. C. Turpen, junior warden; E. A. Grubbs, F. S. Gordon, Jas. B. Kolp, A. C. Robeson, D. Robeson, D. W. Bowman, H. C. Helm, Conrad Kipp, Joseph Menke, Jacob Menke, G. A. Katzenberger. The Greenville church is the only one of this denomination in Darke county. The following rectors have served St. Paul's Episcopal church since its organization: Rev. Alvah Guion, missionary, 1833, became rector on establishment of parish in 1837; Rev. Norman Badger, 1838-1841; Rev. J. J. O'Kill, 1841-1844; Rev. D. W. Tolford, 1844-1848; Rev. Wm. Miller, 1848-1852; Rev. Mr. Wiggins, 1852-1855; Rev. Mr. Whittinter, 18551857; Rev. Daniel E. Brown, 1857-1860; Rev. J. N. Lee, 18601862; Rev. Mr. McElroy, 1865-1867; Rev. Mr. Butler (died 30 days after arrival), 1867; Rev. Richard Wainwright, 18711875; Rev. Geo. B. Sturgis, 1875-1877; Rev. D. W. Cox, 18771881; Rev. Lewis Brown, 1882-1883; Rev. J. H. Logie, 18831885; Rev. Christian M. Young, 1887-1888; Rev. John W. Sykes, 1888-1895; Rev. J. P. Tyler, 1895-1896;. Rev. Chas. H. Lee, 1897-1906; Rev. Chas. H. Gross, 1906-. Baptist Church. In the early days of Ohio history the three denominations having the greatest number of adherents among the settlers were the Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist. We have noticed how the former two got an early start in Darke county and are not surprised to learn that the Beptists likewise sought to get a footing here. John Childers and John Wintermuth were pioneer preachers of that denomination in Greenville and vicinity, where they held services at long intervals, beginning in 1819 to 1820. Childers is credited with DARKE COUNTY - 217 preaching the first sermon delivered in Richland township, and mention is made of a Baptist church in Versailles in early days. An early writer tells an interesting anecdote about one of these early preachers, as follows: Elder John Wintermuth was an old school Baptist, and had organized several churches in the county, with a tolerable number of members. He was an excellent man of great piety for the times and country in which he lived, and though in comparison with many others was a very poor preacher, that is, he could not speak fluently, being no orator, but his great learning in the scriptures, and excellent character, carried great weight among the people, and through a long time he did much good. He lived and died on his farm about five miles northeast of Greenville, in the year 1846. He had some peculiarities. It is recollected of being said of him that on one occasion he was called to marry a couple, about ten miles from his home. He answered the call, married the couple, and on his taking leave of them to go home the young married man handed him a bill of paper money folded up, which the reverend gentleman without looking at stuck into his vest pocket, mounted his horse and rode home. He then thought he would look at it and show his wife the dollar, which was the usual fee (dollars were scarce in those days), but great was his surprise when he unfolded the bill, he saw that instead of a dollar, it was a ten-dollar bill. Filed with mortification, and chagrined at his carelessness and lack of thought in not looking at the money he immediately saddled his horse, rode back, found the young man, presented him the hill, and began making the best apology he could, when the young man said: "I need no apology, there is no mistake, I intended to give you that bill and did not look for any change. He mounted his horse again and rode back home. Mn those days there were few church buildings in the county, meetings were held at private houses and in the green woods. Many preachers from a distance of various denominations visited and preached to the people in various parts of the county. An old school Baptist church was organized in Greenville in early days, and, it seems, worshipped in a log meeting house on the rear of lot No. 32 on Elm street in the rear of the new Catholic church. Seymour Craig was one of the early preachers in this church, where he held occasional services along the forties. Rev. Cottrell served the congregation 218 - DARKE COUNTY for a while. Herman Rush, a brother of Isaac Rush, and member of one of the pioneer families, preached in this church in the fifties. The congregation was very small, being comprised largely of the Rush, Potter and Bishop families. The Baptists and the United Brethren, it is said, built a union church here about 1856, which they were unable to continue. The building was sold to George H. Martz and J. W. Legg. who opened up a "select" school here for pupils who wanted to take advanced studies not included in the curriculum of the grade schools maintained by the city. This school was the forerunner of the high school. These early Baptists belonged to the old order, and were commonly called "Hardshells." They believed in predestination, were opposed to foreign missionaries, and on the whole, seemed to be opposed to advanced education and progression. About the middle of the nineteenth century, or before, a split occurred in this body, and those who were opposed to predestination and believed in missions formed a new denomination, called the Missionary or New Order Baptists. As a result the Old Order decreased rapidly in numbers and influence, and are now almost extinct, while the New Order made rapid strides and are today one of the strongest religious bodies in the United States. The Hardshells disappeared from Darke county at an early date. The first Missionary or Regular Baptist church in Darke county was established at Gordon, and the organization is still in existence. S. M. Brower was the first preacher who conducted Baptist services in the Union church at this place about 1860. On Saturday, August 10, 1867, a number of brethren and sisters of the Baptist faith from the Gordon. Middletown, Caesar's Creek and Centerville churches met at the Union church four miles north of Greenville, and after prayer and exhortation, by Elder W. R. Thomas, organized into council by appointing Elder Thomas, moderator, and William Hicks, secretary. At this meeting a "Baptist Church of Chirst" was organized and called the "Regular Baptist church of Greenville." Jeremiah, John and Peter Deardoff were elected deacons. Jeremiah, John and Peter Deardoff, Thompson L. Bishop and Wm. Hicks were appointed a committee to procure a house of worship in Greenville. The charter members of the society were: Jeremiah, John and Peter Deardoff, Wm. Hicks, Jas. Deardoff, Wm. Deardoff, Henry Collet, Thompson L. Bishop, Mary John, Hannah A. DARKE COUNTY - 219 Hicks, Debbie Deardoff, _____ Deardoff, Sarah Collet, Sarah Deardoff, Maria Bishop, Cynthia A. Bishop. Elder Thomas was called as the first pastor. First meetings were held in private residences and at the court house. In 1868 the Christian church was rented and became the place of meeting. About this time the church became a member of the Mad River Association. Services were also hold at times in the Union meeting house. From 1872 to 1874 meetings were held in the Evangelical church. In early days Elder Thomas was engaged to preach on one Saturday and the Sabbath following for $150.00 per year. $100.00 being furnished by the congregation and $50.00 by the Missionary Board of the Mad River Association. Many hardships were experienced in these days. Sickness in the family of Elder Thomas special meetings in other charges, the late arrival of trains, and extreme cold often prevented or interfered with regular meetings. The membership increased slowly and some members were expelled for misconduct. Elder Thomas served until 1874, when Elder James Simpson accepted a call, and served until 1878. St. Paul's Reformed church was rented for monthly meetings on Saturdays and on Sunday afternoons in 1875, and services were held here until Jan., 1881. The church was without a regular pastor from March, 1878, to October, 1880, when Elder B. J. George of Urbana, was called. Services were then resumed in the Evangelical church on the first and third Sabbaths of each month. A lot was purchased on the southwest corner of Wayne avenue and Cypress street for $500.00 in the spring of 1881 and a frame church building about 32x48 feet was erected thereon during the summer, at a cost of some thirteen hundred dollars. The dedication of this church took place on the first Sabbath in November, 1881. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Fisher of Piqua, Ohio, in the morning, to a crowded congregation. A Sunday school was organized in the afternon, with T. L. Bishop as superintendent, and the evening sermon was delivered by Rev. T. P. Childs of Troy, Ohio. Rev. George served until the third Sunday in Sept., 1882. Elder Childs served the church at intervals until Jan., 1883, when Rev. J. L. Wyley was sent by the Ohio Baptist convention and was called to fill the pulpit one year, the state convention furnishing three hundred dollars per year toward his salary. In 1883 the church was dismissed from the Mad River Association by request, and was admitted to the Day- 220 - DARKE COUNTY ton Association. Evangelistic services were held in Feb., 1886, by Rev. Palmer, which greatly revived the church and resulted in several additions. Rev. Wyley finished his pastorate in April, 1886. There was no regular pastor until July, 1887, when Rev. Sherwood Fison preached his first sermon. He served until' Jan., 1890. During his pastorate of two and one-half years the church grew in numbers and organization. Rev. J. H. Smith entered on his ministry in the summer of 1891 and continued as pastor until October 1, 1892. B. Y. P. U. organized in Dec., 1892. Rev. J. E. Lee accepted call in Oct., 1893, served until Oct., 1895. Pulpit vacant until May, 1897, when Rev. T. P. James accepted call. During his pastorate of nearly five years the church made substantial progress, several members were added, a new lot was purchased on the northeast corner of Washington avenue and Devor street for $1,600.00, and the church was moved. A substantial frame parsonage was built on Devor street adjoining the church about 1904. The following pastors have served the congregation since the moving of the church to Washington avenue: W. L. Lemon, January, 1902, to October, 1902; E. M. Kessler, November, 1903, to July, 1905; E. L. Clevenger, October, 1904, to September, 1905; B. J. George, March, 1906, to October 1906; L. E. Smith, January, 1907, to July, 1908; Frederick Fisher, November, 1908, to April, 1911; T. J. Hall, November, 1911, to November 1912; William Pieffer, November, 1912, to _____. The present membership of the church is about 100 and the Sunday school enrollment about. 80. John A. Miller succeeded T. L. Bishop as superintendent of Sunday school. A. B. Maurer served as superintendent of the Sunday school from 1887 to 1908. C. O. Howell has served since 1911. Trustees: W. G. Bishop, treasurer; A. R. Guthridge, clerk; C. O. Howell, A. J. Klinger, A. J. Miller, G. A. Beam. The church is well organized, has an excellent site on which it is expected that a substantial church and Sunday school building will be built at no very distant day, and has exhibited a vitality and perseverance which promises to make it one of the strong congregations of the city. DARKE COUNTY - 221 The Catholic Church. On account of the fact that the earliest settlers in Darke county were almost exclusively of native American stock the Catholic church did not become established here until a few French families settled in the northeastern section about the year 1836. At first they fanned the flame of faith and devotion in their own private homes and met at stated times for the public reading of the scriptures, and the recitation of mass prayers. This sufficed for but a short time when the zealous pioneer missionary, Father Louis Navarron, a priest from the French domains of Canada, came into their midst to minister to their spiritual wants. Shortly after his appearance the rude log hut inhabited by Joseph Smith, on the present site of Frenchtown, was used as a temporary chapel for about a year by the dozen families who had recently come into this neighborhood. Later the home of Mr. Marchal, some three miles eastward, was used. About this time other small colonies of Frenchmen settled at Russia, some six miles east, just across the line in Shelby county, and at Versailles. Neither of these communities was Iarge enough to maintain a resident pastor, so they agreed that all three should share the burden. It was then resolved to erect a church which would be of easy access to all. A committee chosen from each community examined various suggested sites and finnally agreed to erect a house of worship where the present St. Valberts cemetery is located, some two miles north of the present site of Versailles. Here a log church was soon erected and in the spring of 1838 the first services were held within its rude walls. Daily mass was still said at French-town, but the Sunday services for Russia, Versailles and Frenchtown were held at St. Valberts, in the French language. A church was finished at Frenchtown in 1848, and one in Russia about this time, and St. Valberts lost some of its early popularity. On Easter Sunday, 1849, it is said, the great Archbishop Purcell preached in the English tongue, using the stump of a great oak as a pulpit. The devoted, saintly and faithful pastor Navarron served this parish until the above year. Desirous of having their church nearer their homes the Catholics of Versailles bought an old Baptist meeting house in 1864, and remodeled it for their first chapel, leaving St. Valberts at last as a burial site. The further history of the Frenchtown and Versailles 222 - DARKE COUNTY churches, as well as that of those established in more recent years at Delvin and Osgood, will be found in the history of those villages under the proper township heads, and we will now consider briefly the story of the founding of St. Mary's church at the county seat. The members o the Catholic church, who were the first to come to the central part of the county, settled on farms along the Versailles pike about two miles from the city of Greenville. They built a small log church on a tract of land donated for the use of a cemetery by Mr. Caron on the east side of the pike in the northwest quarter of section 19, range 3 east, Greenville township. The priests of the neighboring cities of Springfield, Dayton, Piqua and Minster- occasionally visited then and held services for them. When the city of Greenville grew in population, several Catholic families came here, and religious services were at times held in one or other of the private homes. Among the first families re- called were the Carons,. the Kuntzs, the O'Briens and the Lynchs. This was in 1854 and the succeeding years. In the year 1863 their number had so far increased that they decided to have a church in the city and to secure a resident pastor. Accordingly, they bought a small brick church situated on Elm street betwen Third and Fourth streets, which had formerly been used by the U. B. congregation. This structure was enlarged, remodeled, and dedicated by Archbishop Purcell in the summer of 1863. About the same time they purchased the vacant lot on the northeast corner of Third and Elm streets, on which they erected a parson age under the administration of the first pastor, the Rev. Charles F. Schellhamer. To accommodate the growing number of members this church building was in 1871 or 1872 enlarged under the direction of Rev. John F. Kalenburg, their second pastor. In a few years after the vacant lot on the southeast corner of Third and Elm streets and adjoining the church was also secured. During the subsequent years the congregation prospered and became established on a firm basis. The members felt that they were in condition to support a parochial school for the better instruction of their children in religion and morality. Consequently, in 1888 a substantial school building on the lot adjoining the parsonage, and a new parish house on the opposite lot were erected at the cost of some $5,000. In September of the same year DARKE COUNTY - 223 the school was opened under the charge of the sisters of charity of Cincinnati, Ohio. In the year 1899 it was found that the old church building was in need of extensive repairs. Upon deliberation it was determined to erect a new edifice on the southeast corner of Third and Elm streets. In the same year active preparations were begun, and in June of 1900 the cornerstone was blessed and set in position. Thereupon, thanks to the united efforts of the parish members and the generous help of several citizens of Greenville, the work of building could be successfully prosecuted and completed in the following years of 1901 and 1902. The solemn dedication of the new church took place on the 19th of October, 1902. This stately pile of gray brick with its two large towers, its mellow chimes, its stained glass windows, its interior decorations and furnishings cost about $26,000.00 and is a worthy monument to the zeal and devotion of the Catholic families of the county seat. Mr. Dennis Dewyr, one of the parishioners, was the contractor. Since then, though the membership has somewhat decreased, owing to the demise of some older members and the removal to different localities, the congregation still continues in an active and prosperous condition. Rev. J. H. Brummer has been the faithful resident pastor since 1882, and, as above noted, the new school, parsonage and church have all been erected during his pastorate. The United Brethren in Christ. The denomination known as the Church of the United Brethren in Christ was founded by Philip William Otterbein, a German-American preacher, in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Mn doctrine it is Arminian and evangelical, and in polity it is much like that of the Methodist Episcopal church. Numerically it stood ninth in the denominational families of the U. S. in 1912, having some three hundred and twenty thousand members in the two affiliated bodies. Like the Reformed church it is strong in Pennsylvania and is well represented in the upper Miami valley, having a large publishing house and a vigorous theological seminary at Dayton, Ohio. Besides this denomination has recently purchased the large and valuable Shaker community farm in Warren county with the view of establishing thereon a home for the aged. 224 - DARKE COUNTY Although it now stands second in the number of churches in Darke county, it seems to have appeared on this field comparatively late. The oldest churches mentioned are in the southern part of the county, the Ithaca church having been founded about 1830; Otterbein about 1840; Castine, about 1849; Abbotsville, about 1850 and Caylor's Chapel (Van Buran township) about 1868. Zion Chapel near Weaver's is one of the oldest crurches. A United Brethren society was organized in Greenville a few years before the war and built a brick church on Vine street between Third and Fourth streets. This building was afterward sold and finally purchased by the Catholics, who remodeled and improved it in 1863 as noted elsewhere. The history of the present church dates from August 22, 1883, when Rev. H. A. Secrist was appointed pastor of the Greenville Mission by the Miami Conference with stations at Greenville, Hillgrove, Coletown and Abbotsville. Rex'. Secrist preached his first sermon on Sunday, Sept. 16. 1883, in the Evangelical church on the southeast corner of Fourth and Ash streets. His text in the morning was Psalm 84:1, "How amiable are thy tabernacles, 0 Lord of hosts." His evening text was Hebrews 10:9. At first services in Greenville were held twice a month. Class was organized on October 14. 1883, with nine members, as follows: J. M. Klefeker and wife Sarah; Samuel Klefeker and wife Lucy; Mr. and Mrs. Worshing; Mrs. Sarah Guy, Mrs. Hannah Felton and Mrs. Sarah Fuller. The first superintendent of its Sunday school was J. A. Gruver. A great revival was held. in the Evangelical church in February and March, 1884, as a result of which one hundred and twenty-eight conversions were reported, and one hundred persons united with the church. With such an impetus the church went forward with rapid strides, as shown by the fact that a lot was purchased on the southwest corner of Wayne avenue and Devor street in the new section of the growing city, and the erection of a good sized brick church edifice begun in July, 1884. This church building was finished in the spring of 1885, and dedicated on July 12, 1885, by Bishop Jonathan Weaver, D.D. The site was well chosen, as it is now located at a strategic point in reference to the new south side of the city. The cost of the building and grounds was about six thousand dollars. The building committee was Henderson Albright, Daniel Reasoner, J. M. Klefeker, J. A. Gruver, DARKE COUNTY - 225 and N. G. Karns. A substantial frame parsonage was erected on the lot adjoining the rear of the church during the pastorate of Rev. Klinefelter in 1900. The church property has been considerably improved from time to time and a pipe organ added to the equipment,- the gift of Mr. George Hartzell, a lumber merchant of Greenville and active worker in the church at that time. The church now has an enrollment of about three hundred, including several substantial farmers from the immediate neighborhood of Greenville. The trustees in January, 1914, were: Chas. Minnich, W. D. Brumbaugh, O. E. Young, Alvin Pierce and J. Joseph O'Brien. Treasurer, Jacob Young. A very efficient and active Sunday school is held in connection with the church, of which Mr. Oscar Vannoy is the superintendent. The enrollment in this organization is 212 (Jan., 1914). The number of organized classes, six. The president of the Ladies' Aid Society is Mrs. Margaret Snell; of the Woman's Missionary Association, Mrs. J. H. Vance; of the Y. P. S. C. E., Miss Beryl Stephens. The latter organization was the first Christian Endeavor Society organized in the county and has had a continuous history since its establishment, Oct. 18, 1887. It was first organized as a Young People's Society in 1884. J. B. Long is president of the Otterbein Brotherhood. The pastors who have served this church to date are: H. A. Secrist. Sept., 1883-1885.; S. W. McCorkle, Sept., 1885-July, 1887; G. P. Macklin, Sept., 1887-1889; W. L. Byers, 18881889; G. P. Macklin, 1890-1891; J. W. Kilbourn, 1891-1894; E. W. Bowers, 1894-1895; W. J. Pruner, 1895-1897; H. H. Klinefelter, 1897-1901 ; F. G. Grigsby, 1901-1906; E. C. Petry, 1906-1907; J. M. Replogle, 1907-1910; G. W. Self and H. F. White, 1910-1911 ; D. R. Wilson, 1911-1913; W. M. VanSickle, 1913—. This denomination now has nineteen churches in the county, making it first in the number of stations. A late report shows the following charges, pastors and preaching stations: Rossburg Charge, C. Flack, pastor, including Rossburg, Heistand, New Weston, Rose Hill and Zion churches; Savona Charge, F. H. Linville, pastor, including Mt. Zion (near Weaver's Station), Caylor Chapel (north of Arcanum), Abbotsville and Savona; Waterhouse Charge, M. Stein, pastor, including Waterhouse, Pleasant Grove and Hillgrove church- (15) 226 - DARKE COUNTY es; New Madison charge, including New Madison and Yankeetown; besides separate stations at Greenville, Union City, Arcanum, Ithaca and Castine. The above data indicate that this is one of the most active denominations in the county and bids fair to exercise a strong and salutary influence for many years. St. Paul's Lutheran Church. (Courtesy Mrs. Hildegarde K. Schopp.) About the year 1850 a small number of Lutherans in Greenville, O., all Germans, feeling the need of religious worship in the town, called a meeting at the home of Gottfried Brombacher on Walnut street, where the Rev. Reichardt, who was preaching in this part of the state for the Lutheran church at that time, conducted the services. Subsequent meetings were held at the home of William Boeger on Fourth street and others. These meetings continued and as there was need of administering the holy sacraments, this handful of Lutherans decided to organize and did so as "The Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's congregation of Greenville, O." Among the charter members were: William Boeger, Gottfried Brombacher, Lewis Foutz, Wm. Hiddeson, John Herter, Wm. 011metzer and Frederic Reinhart, Sr. Others of early membership were: Christian Gerstner, John Weitbrecht, Chas. Hiddeson, Bernard Renz, Henry Klemine. As the homes became inadequate to accommodate the people, the old court house on public square was used for the meetings. Eventually the frame building situated on the site of the present church on East Fourth street, and used by the Presbyterians as their church, was purchased from them, and there the German Lutherans worshipped for forty years. The Presbyterians taking their church bell with them and the Lutherans being too poor to purchase one, caused the removal of the little belfry and thus the plain white, unassuming frame structure had to serve as a church until in 1889 the congregation secured in the person of Rev. E. E. Ortlepp a man who set about at once to prepare for a new church building. The Rev. A. Reichardt and Rev. J. Lehnert preached for the congregation until in 1859 Rev. John Lautenschlaeger was called, and most efficiently and faithfully served the congregation for ten years, when he was relieved by Rev. K. Koeberlin, who was pastor up to the time of his death, which oc- DARKE COUNTY - 227 curred in 1876. He was followed by Rev. John Hinderer, who also served until his death in the year 1881. His successor was Rev. Wm. Funkey, who served the congregation four years, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Gettle, who also served four years, as did Rev. B. Lederer three years. During the pastorate of Rev. John Lautenschlaeger a Sunday school and the Ladies' Aid Society were organized, the latter in 1864. For many years Mr. John Baus was the faithful superintendent of the Sunday school, whilst the work of the Ladies' Aid Society has been far-reaching. On December 20, 1891, the congregation dedicated the first and only church they ever built, on the site of the old frame structure occupied for forty years. The cost of the building was about $7,500.00, which sum included the bell. Through the generosity of one of its members, Mr. Daniel Henne, Sr., the congregation has never carried any debts. Six years later, on June, 20, a splendid pipe organ of the Moeller firm of Hagerstown, Md., was installed. Also furnishings of white San Diego mahogany in the chancel, namely: pulpit, baptismal font, and a memorial altar and crucifix were added. The walls were beautifully frescoed. All this represented an outlay of $3,500.00. The congregation next bought an additional lot adjoining the church in the rear at an expense of $1,900. In 1900 a general restoration of the church building took place and besides a modern steam furnace, a slate roof, and other necessary improvements there were added two memorial electric candelabra right and left of the altar, four oil paintings on the walls being the work of an artist in Wisconsin, and floors and walls were covered at great expense in a tasteful manner. A door paneled in cut glass leads from the modest exterior to the interior. Beautiful electric light effects about the altar, and its niche, were a donation as were the electric light chandeliers; $5,400.00 was expended for these improvements, making of the interior of St. Paul's Lutheran church a beautiful place of worship. The congregation, though not a large one, is active, and under the guidance of its beloved and able pastor, Dr. E. E. Ortlepp, has been singularly blessed. As early as 1883 occasional English services were held, and as the ranks of the German members are being thinned out by the hand of time, the work is being conducted mostly in English, services in German being held only every two weeks. There is, however, still a choir which can sing in the 228 - DARKE COUNTY German language, having been organized in the eighties by Mrs. Wm. Furkey and at present conducted by Mr. `'arm. Kurz. Mrs. Anne Lecklider has been organist at St. Paul's for many years, as was her father before her in early days. The Sunday school is altogether English, and has for a number of years had a woman superintendent in Miss Amelia Koeberlin. The Luther League, a society of young people, organized in 1893 by Rev. Ortlepp, who is also its president, does valiant work for the church, and is in a flourishing condition. Mission work has no special organization, there being only a children's mission band at present. Mrs. Minnie Buechy is president of the Ladies' Aid Society, and the following are the names of church officials in 1913: Elders, Andrew Renz, William Schaefer, M. H. Miller; trustees, Wm. Kurz, Oscar Gross, Henry Leas: deacons. James Schwartz, Fred Steffen, Albert Suter. The congregation with its societies raised for congregational and beneficent purposes during the year 1913 the sum of two thousand one hundred and fifty-three dollars ($2,153), and it hopes to be an influence for moral good that cannot be reckoned in dollars and cents in the future. Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church. One of the most remarkable rural congregations in the county is the Evangelical Lutheran St. John's church, situated about two and one-half miles north of Greenville on the Versailles pike. The early history of the German people of Darke county is closely interwoven with the history of this church. About 1838 or 1839 German immigrants began to settle in this neighborhood. Being poor in this world's goods some took up lands that had been passed over or rejected by the earlier settlers and others purchased partly improved lands at $12.00 to $16.00 per acre. They were accustomed to hard manual labor in the Fatherland, however, and took up the task of reclamation with brave hearts and the stoic determination characteristic of the typical German stock. Many obstacles were encountered, and hardships, exposure and sacrifice experienced in the early years, but time wrought marvelous changes and today this section is one of the best farming communities in the county. A visitor writing of this section in 1890, said: "We passed a beautiful church and parsonage of the very latest pattern, with its DARKE COUNTY - 229 fine painted fences and beautiful lawn well kept. Going up a slight ascent we came in full view of the Lutheran settlement as far as the eye could reach. We saw one of the grandest parts of Darke county. The improvements are very fine, the houses fit to adorn Avondale or Clifton. The tobacco sheds and barns were of the very latest pattern and well painted. This part is very thickly settled, the most of the farms being about forty to eighty acres, under a very high state of cultivation." During the early years of the settlement the people worshipped at Wakefield, then known as Clapboardtown, just north of the present site of the children's home. Emigrants kept coming and in a few years there were enough families to establish a more conveniently located church, where they might worship according to the dictates of their consciences. Accordingly a congregation was organized in 1851 by the following persons: John G. Deubner, Ferdinand Prashun, Frederick Meier, Frederick Dohme, Christian Kruckenburg, Ferdinand Krueckeberg, Henry Koester, George Ruess, Frederick Krueckeberg and George Martz. In 1852 the first church was erected of logs and furnished with split plank pews. It was a rude, plain structure, but as the historian says, "This old, log church was the place of worship for the Lutherans until 1876, and though it was a rude tabernacle, visited by a plain, unpretentious people, it was the house of God, and the place where He recorded His name, and the worshippers were happy in it and loved to meet and greet each other after the trials and tribulations o'. a week of hard labor; they felt God's nearness." Revs. Paul Heit, Gotthilf Reichert and Joseph Lehner were the first pastors, each serving two years. They were succeeded by Rev. J. Lautenschlager and Rev. C. H. Althoff, each of whom served eleven years. During the period of their pastorates the church had a slow but steady and substantial growth and the time came when a new edifice was needed to accommodate the overflowing congregation. Accordingly, in 1876, under the pastorate of Rev. Althoff, a beautiful structure was erected, which stands today as a monument to the thrift, zeal and devotion of these people. This building is fronted by a tower one hundred feet in height, has a beautifully decorated interior, a large altar-niche, wits two beautiful high altars, two sacristies and side pulpit and organ loft with a fine pipe organ. Rev. C. H. Mayer was called to suc- 230 - DARKE COUNTY ceed Rev. Althoff in 1880, and served until his death in 1904 —a period of twenty-four years. He was a well beloved pastor, acceptable to his people, fond of the things they cherished and his demise was sincerely mourned by them. During his pastorate the church increased greatly in membership, the old church debt was paid off, a beautiful and substantial parsonage and a parochial school built beside the church, and many improvements made about the site. Rev. W. F. Benzin succeeded pastor Mayer in June, 1904, and served acceptably until the fall of 1911, and was succeeded in November, 1911, by Rev. August W. Zell, the present faithful pastor. Among the membership have been enrolled many of the best known German families, including such names as Beisner, Brand, Duebner, Dismeir, Dohse, Glander, Glase, Grewe, Grote, Hollscher, Hiddeson, Hoffman, Hupe, Klopfer, Knick, Koester, Krueckeberg, Meier, Mergler, Peters, Pfitzer, Prasuhn, Requarth, Roebke, Roesser, Sander, Schafer, Schwier, Schnell, Strotner. The members of the church council are: Rev. Zell, chairman; elders, Frank Baldschun, Sr., Christ Kester; deacons, Wm. Beisner, Wm. Schaffer; trustees, John Schaffer, Harmon Hupe, Henry Brand, John Kruckeberg, Louis Dohse. The pastor is the superintendent of the Sunday school in which there are six teachers, three classes being taught in English and three in German. A young people's meeting is held in which all the young people participate. The communicant members number about 220, and the baptized some 300. The morning services are now conducted in the German language and the evening in English. This church belongs to the Joint Synod of Ohio. Other churches belonging to this synod are located at Arcanum, Ansonia, Pittsburg and Ithaca besides Grace Lutheran church. This latter church is located on the corner of Water and Boston streets in Greenville, and was built in 1909, under the pastorate of Rev. Benzin, who was then also serving St. John's church, at a cost of some three thousand dollars. The present elders are Wm. Grote and Henry Schake; the deacons, Henry Dismeier and Carl Dininger; trustees, John Meier, Harley Dininger, Henry Dismeier, Walter Stahl and Wm. Stevefis. Rev. Paul Schillinger was pastor from the fall of 1910 to fall of 1913. Rev. Edgar Ebert, a graduate of Capitol University. Columbus, Ohio, began his pastorate on DARKE COUNTY - 231 Easter, 1914. There is a Ladies' Aid Society in this congregation, of which Mrs. Frank Stauffer is president. There are about eighty-five communicants and about 130 baptized members. This church was formed by English members of St. John's and Emmanuel's (Dininger) congregations who desired to have a church in Greenville where the services could be held exclusively in the English language. The Sunday school has about fifty members, in four classes. The pastor is the superintendent. Old Order German Baptist Brethren. This body is one of three now comprising what is commonly known as the Dunkers, or Dunkards, a name derived from the German word, "Tunken," meaning to baptize, or more specifically "to dip." This body arose in Germany at the beginning of the eighteenth century and its followers were driven from that country by persecution between the years of 1719 and 1729. They fled to America where they expected to be accorded the privilege of worshipping God according to the dictates of their own conscience, and settled in eastern Pennsylvania. Here they encountered many obstacles incident to pioneer life on the border and suffered severe hardship and exposure during the early Indian Wars and the Revolution. Progress was necessarily slow, but we note signs of growth in the organization of their first Sabbath school in 1738, their first annual conference in 1742, and the printing of the first German bible in America in 1748. Mn these pioneer days meetings were evidently held in the homes of the members, as the first meeting house mentioned was built in Franklin county, Pa., in 1798. They believe in baptism by triune forward immersion, oppose war and litigation, resemble the Society of Friends in requiring extreme plainness of language and dress, and practice feet washing and the kiss of charity. They are temperate, industrious. economical and thrifty and insist on the payment of financial obligations. As the natural consequence of their exemplary manner of living they have prospered wherever they have settled, and commanded the respect of their neighbors. As large numbers of the early emigrants to the Miami valley came from Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland, there were among them a goodly number of German Baptists. Jacob Miller, who settled near Dayton in 1800, is credited with 232 - DARKE COUNTY being the first brother of this order to establish himself west of the Miami river. He raised an exemplary family of three daughters and nine sons, three of the latter becoming able ministers, and was in this respect the forerunner of a host of brethren who, by industry, morality, frugality and tenacity of purpose, have made numerous prosperous settlements and clotted the valley with their homes and meeting houses. As the result of a progressive movement in the church a division was caused in 1881, and all the meeting houses and property went to the New Order. The Old Order now has the following meeting houses in Darke county, all built since the separation above mentioned: Union City District—Jackson township, three miles east of Union City on Wenrick pike; Pleasant Grove, German township, one mile east of Palestine; Oak Grove, Adams township, two miles north of Gettysburg; Miller's Grove, Franklin township, two miles south of the village of Painter Creek; Fourman Meeting House, two miles east and two north of Arcanum. Besides these a number of members living in the neighborhood of Castine attend Price Creek Meeting House, two miles south of Castine in Preble county. The Church of the Brethren. At the conference held in Des Moines, Mowa, in 1908, the conservative branch of the German Baptists who had been separated from the Old Order in 1881, as before noted, changed her name to "The Church of the Brethren." This body is numerically strong in Darke county and has a thriving church and home for the dependent children and old folks at Greenville, besides several rural congregations. The following very interesting and instructive sketch, prepared by Levi Minnich, of Franklin township, the vice-chairman of the General Sunday School Board of this body, gives a brief history of this organization and shows its present status in Darke county and elsewhere. What is said in this article about the Brethren church in Darke county prior to 1881 applies likewise to the Old Order. "Probably the first member of the Church of the Brethren locating in Darke county was Wm. K. Marquis, of French parentage. He came from Virginia and settled near the present site of Union City in 1821. Soon thereafter others followed and in 1833 the little band of pioneers elected John Crumrine and Wm. K. Marquis as their first ministers. Fred- DARKE COUNTY - 233 erick Roe and John Zumbrum were the first deacons. Religious servics were held in the homes of the members. In 1851 a more definite organization was effected and christened `'The Greenville Creek Church." This body consisted of about seventy members. There are at present six church houses and four congregations in this territory. About the year 1833 members of the church of the Brethren from Pennsylvania began to settle in Franklin and Monroe townships and formed what has ever since been known as the Ludlow congregation. This includes four church houses; one near Painter Creek village, one at Pittsburg, one at Red River and one at Georgetown in Miami county. Among the first members of this church were Jacob Stauffer and wife, Barbara Brandt, Sallie Finfrock, David Kinsey and wife, Frederick Holsopple and wife, David Mishler and wife. At this time there were seventeen members living in the above townships. "Philip Younce was the first minister to conduct religious services in this part of the county. He lived about five miles southeast of West Milton, nearly twenty miles distant, and made his visit on horseback every eight weeks. Services were held in the homes of the people, except in midsummer, when a well shaded spot in the forest was selected. At the time of one of these appointments Painter Creek had risen to abnormal size. A friend of Rev. Younce living east of the creek, desiring to spare the veteran minister this long journey, sent a messenger the day previous to inform him he could not cross the raging stream. The elder, who was aIready en route, hesitated a moment, and then replied, `My horse can swim, and I shall try and reach my appointment.' On he went and sure enough the faithful horse did take him safely through the deep water full of floating logs, and his appointment was filled according to previous announcement. "In 1850 the young men of this community, having a desire for greater social and educational development, erected through subscription for material and labor, a building made of logs one mile east of the village of Painter creek on the farm owned by Samuel Beane. This was first used only for singing schools and debates, but soon after its use was also tendered the church in which to hold religious services. A few years later the building was given wholly to the church. and thus it became the first church building in this part of Darke county. With such ministers as Philip and John 234 - DARKE COUNTY Younce, David Mishler, Abraham Younce, Eli Swank, Henry Jones, Frederick Stauffer, Absolem Hyer and other consecrated leaders, Ludlow church grew in influence and numbers until it reached a membership of four hundred. For a third of a century its membership has remained about the same. Within this time even a greater number of members removed from its borders and became pioneer settlers in the west and northwest. Believing that with less territory and more concentrated effort a church organization can accomplish more efficient work, Ludlow district in December, 1913, decided to divide itself into two congregations with Painter creek and Red river comprising one congregation and Pittsburg and Georgetown the other. In German township there were early organizations of this church, likewise in Adams township, where the early settlers organized a congregation known as the Upper Stillwater congregation. This also included a part of Miami county. The first church house built for this congregation was in the autumn of 1844 and the spring of 1845, about one mile north of Bradford, on the :Miami county side. The ground was donated by Jacob Bashore and John Beanblossom. The ministers were Eld. Michael Etter, John Brumbaugh and John Cable. Deacons, Daniel Morgan, Isaac Hoover, David Minnich and Adam Brandt. Later Oakland congregation in Darke county and Covington and Newton congregations in Miami county were formed from this territory. In 1868 the first church building was taken down and the present large and substantial building erected. In 1908 this building was remodeled so as to provide better Sunday school facilities. Amongst other ministers who were leaders in this congregation were Joseph Risser, S. S. Mohler, John Hershey, Adam Helman, Emanuel Hoover and Wm. Boogs. Ministers having the work in charge at present are Eld. J. C. Bright, Eld. ;J. M. Stover, Devolt Crowel, S. D. Royer, S. E. Porter and John Eikenberry. The Oakland congregation is mostly in Adams township and has a membership of 184. Its ministers are Eld. John Christian, Henry Smith and Elmer Ikey. There are nearly 100 members of the church of the Brethren living in Bradford. An effort is being made at present to raise sufficient subscription to erect a church building there. DARKE COUNTY - 235 There are at present twelve church houses located in Darke county at the following places: Beech Grove, Castine, Greenville, Jordan, North Star, Oakland, Painter Creek, Pittsburg, Poplar Grove, Pleasant Valley, Red River and West Branch. Union City and Upper Stillwater congregations are partly in Darke county. The church membership of Darke county is about 1,200, and the number of ministers twenty-three. These are largely of Pennsylvania and Virginia parentage. There are organized churches in 38 of the states of the Union with a membership of about 100,000. The Gospel Messenger is the official organ of the church, and is published weekly at Elgin, Illinois. In recent years the church has greatly increased its activity in missions, Sunday school work, education and temperance. Each of these departments has a general board. Under the supervision of the General Mission Board, foreign missions have ben established in Denmark, Sweden, India and China, with other fields under consideration. The Missionary Visitor is the official paper published monthly at Elgin, Illinois. Under the supervision of the Educational Board there are nine denominational schools located as follows: Juniata College, Huntingdon, Pa.; Blue Ridge College, New Windsor, Md.; Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, Va.; Daleville College, Daleville, Va.; Manchester College, North Manchester, Id.; Mt. Morris College, Mt. Morris, Ill.; Bethany Bible School, Chicago, Ill.; McPherson College, McPherson, Kan.; Palmers College, Lordsburg, Cal. Under the supervision of the General Sunday School Board with headquarters at Elgin, Ill., there has been effected a more thorough organization of the Sunday schools of the church. I. B. Trout is secretary of the board, and is editor-in-chief of the various Sunday school publications of the church. The enrollment of the Sunday school exceeds her membership. Ever since the organization of the church she has stood against the open saloon and the manufacture of intoxicating liquor. She believes in the simplicity of life as found in the teaching of Christ in the New Testament. She represents a people who, as little children (Luke 18:17), accept the word of the new testament as a message from heaven (Heb. 1:1, 2), and teach it in full (2 Tim. 4:1, 2; Matt. 28:20). Who baptize believers by triune immersion (Matt. 28:19) 236 - DARKE COUNTY with a forward action (Rom. 6:5), and for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), and lay hands on those baptized, asking upon them the gift of God's spirit (Acts 19:5, 6). Who follow the command and example of washing one another's feet (John 13:4, 17). Who take the Lord's Supper at night (John 13:20), at one and the same time, tarrying one for another (1 Cor. 11:33, 34). Who greet one another with a holy kiss (Acts 20:37; Rom. 16:16). Who take the Communion at night, after supper, as did the Lord (Mark 14:17, 23). Who teach all the doctrines of Christ, peace (Heb. 12:14). love (1 Cor. 13), unity (Eph. 4), both faith and works (James 2:17, 20). Who labor for nonconformity to the world in its vain and wicked customs (Rom. 12:2). Who advocate nonswearing (Matt. 5:34, 37), anti-secretism (2 Cor. 6:14, 17), opposition to war (John 18:36), doing good unto all men (Matt. 5:44, 46). Who anoint and lay hands on the sick (James 5:14, 151. Who give the Bread of Life, the message of the common salvation, unto all men without money or price (Matt. 10:8). The Church of the Brethren in Greenville. In our sketch of the Brethren church it has been noted that its early meeting houses were established in the rural communities. On account of their plain manner of living and industrious habits these people devote most of their energies to the cultivation of the soil. However, on account of advancing age, a number of the brethren retired from active life on the farm and settled in the county seat, during the latter years, of the nineteenth century. Being accustomed to the regular worship of God these devout people commenced to hold services in the house of Mr. Hardman on the northwest corner of Pine street and Central avenue about the year 1889, under the preaching of Elder Henry Baker. The Mission Board of the Southern District of Ohio soon perceived the importance of establishing a church in Greenville, and lent encouragement and financial aid to this enterprise. With its assistance it was then decided to erect a house of worship in the near future. Services were then held in the city ball, a lot was purchased on the east side of Central avenue be- DARKE COUNTY - 237 tween Walker and Pine streets, and the erection of a church commenced. This building was pushed to completion and dedicated in January, 1901. It was a substantial brick structure with pointed slate roof 38x60 feet in size, and was the first church located in the rapidly growing section of the city south of the Pennsylvania railway. At this time a society of twenty-four members was organized, among whom were the following: Henry Beck and wife, I. K. Hollinger and wife, David Marker and wife, John Marker and wife, George Puterbaugh, Sr., and wife, David Hollinger and wife, Mrs. Daisy Hollinger, Mrs. Catharine Hopkins, Mrs. Susie Michael, Mrs. Marg. Murphy and daughter Laura. The society grew in numbers and influence and in 1911 the original church structure was enlarged and remodeled, the roof being raised about ten feet, a tower added in front, three Sunday school rooms attached to the east end and a gallery constructed, giving the property a value conservatively estimated at $7,000.00. Special emphasis has been placed on the work of the Sunday school with the result that it now has an enrollment of about two hundred and fifty members. George D. Puterbaugh was superintendent of this department for several years and was recently succeeded by Allen Weimer. The school is well organized, has seven separate class rooms, besides the main assembly room, and supports a teachers' training class. The young people support a flourishing Christian Workers' Society of which Chas. Forror is president. The women of the church maintain a strong auxiliary organization, nown as the Ladies' Aid Society, of which Mrs. David Hollinger is the head. The official board is constituted as follows: Elders, Abraham Brumbaugh, Granville Minnich, A. W. Weimer; deacons, Henry Beck, George Puterbaugh, Sr., Elam Forror, Geo. D. Puterbaugh, Jr., I. N. Royer, Vincent Halliday, Henry Hovatter, Chas. Fryman and Chas. Forror. Rev. David Hollinger has been pastor of this congregation most of the time since its organization, freely giving of his time and talents to the work of the ministry without financial remuneration at his own request. The church now has about 170 members and on account of the need of a central church of this denomination in Darke county, the character of its membership and its strategic location, promises to grow steadily in numbers and influence. 238 - DARKE COUNTY The Brethren's Home. In the year 1902 the Brethren churches of the southern district of Ohio secured a charter to erect a home for dependent orphan children and the old people under their care. After a careful inspection of eligible locations for the proposed benevolent institution, the locating committee chose a beautiful site on the east bluff of the Mud creek valley, just south of Oakview addition to the city of Greenville. The central location of Greenville, and its exceptional railroad facilities were determining factors in the decision of the committee. This site comprises forty acres of fertile prairie and upland, formerly known as the Rush farm, lying between the Fort Jefferson pike and the Pennsylvania railway, and commands a fine view of the country to the south and west. On account of proximity to Greenville and its natural advantage this site was well chosen and reflects credit upon the wisdom of its purchasers. Here two substantial pressed brick buildings encircled with wide porches were erected at an approximate cost of $25,000.00, and dedicated in July, 1903, with appropriate exercises. The buildings are two stories in height with cemented basements under the entire structure, are 35x70 feet in size, and are equipped with electricity, city water, sanitary sewers, natural gas pipes and a good heating plant. The north building was constructed for the use of the old folks, and has a hallway running east and west entirely through its length. On the right side of this hall, downstairs, are located the superintendent's office, four bedrooms and a sewing room. On the left side are located the old peoples' sitting room, dining room, kitchen, pantry and store room. Upstairs there are six rooms on each side for bedrooms. At the west end are toilet rooms, and lavatories, with hot and cold water. The south building is located about seventy-five feet from its companion, with which it is now connected by a brick building erected for a laundry and furnace house. Like the northern building it is intersected by longitudinal hallways downstairs and up. On the north side of this hall downstairs are located the rooms for the governess, and little girls, children's toilet room, a large dining room and kitchen for the accommodation of the superintendent's family, the help and the children. On the south side of the hall are DARKE COUNTY - 239 located a large sitting room, chapel, boys' room, and dairy and supply room equipped with cream-separator, refrigerator, etc. Upstairs are located the women's hospital, the men's hospital and four bedrooms. Twenty-nine adults, ranging in age from 55 to 87 years, were admitted during the first year. No children were admitted until 1905, when eleven came. Since its establishment the following persons have served as superintendent: A. G. Snowberger, about six months; E. P. Longenecker, one year; Joseph Brant, one year; M. N. Rensbarger, three years; Granville W. Minnich, the present efficient incumbent, has served continuously since 1909. The lawns in front of the buildings have been nicely graded and planted with trees which, in time, will add greatly to the pleasing and home-like appearance of the grounds. The average number of inmates has been about thirty. At present there are twenty-six adults and six children in the home. The location of this institution in Darke county indicates that the Brethren church is strong and influential here and is growing in prestige and good works. It also adds one to the high class benevolent institutions located in the county, and tends to attract and bind together the members of a church valued highly for their contribution to the social, moral and religious affairs of our people. First Evangelical Church. On account of the goodly proportion of German emigrants to Greenville and vicinity about 1830 to 1850 three different denominations were early established in Greenville, viz., the Evangelical, German M. E. and Lutheran. Although the former denomination has lost its distinctive German character in late years, it was established by Germans, as shown by the records and the names of the early families who supported it. Among these were the RenschIers, Koenigs, Lutzs, Kecks and Schwartzs. The first services were held in private homes by visiting ministers from Dayton, Cincinnati and neighboring places. Although a small class, was formed as early as 1842, the membership increased slowly, and did not erect a house of worship until 1858, when a substantial brick church building was erected on the southeast corner of Fourth and Ash streets, where the congregation has continued to worship ever since. The early growth of the church was quite slow 240 - DARKE COUNTY as indicated by the fact that but twenty-eight members were reported in 1880, at which time regular preaching services were held only once in two weeks. Under the pastorate of Rev. Geo. D. Eastes in 1911, the church was remodeled at a cost of about $4,000.00. At this time a Sunday school room was added, the basement enlarged, the auditorium decorated and refurnished and other improvements made. Plans have recently been adopted whereby the society, by action of the annual conference, expect to build a new parsonage on the present site adjoining the church, in the near future. The trustees in 1913 were: Mrvin Smith, president; C. M. Dunn, secretary; Henry Flurkey, treasurer; Anna Flurkey, president Young Peoples' Alliance; Mr. Frank Slade, superintendent of Sunday school. The enrollment in the Sunday school in 1913 was about 140, and the church membership about 100. The present zealous pastor is Rev. Ernest R. Roop, who is entering on the third year of his pastorate. This church is exceptionally well located and in a position to serve a large number of people in the eastern central section of the city. The Universalist Church. As suggested by its title, this denomination stands for the universal fatherhood of God, the brotherhood of all mankind, and the ultimate harmony of all souls with God. Its members accept the Bible as containing a revelation of the character of God and of the duty, interest and final destination of mankind, and believe that God is revealed in Christ by the Holy Spirit. Both modes of baptism are practiced. The local congregation is independent in the management of its affairs. This denomination became established in the New England states over a hundred years ago. Although it has never attained a large membership it has exercised considerable influence on the religious thought of the Protestant denominations since its organization. From the meager records extant it appears that the first Universalist society in the county was organized in New Madison in 1859 with thirty-one members under the preaching of Henry Gifford. A large lot was purchased of John B. Schriber on the south side of the village in June, 1859, for $75.00 and subscriptions were received for a building. A substantial frame structure about forty by fifty feet in size was soon erected and dedicated in January, 1860. Here the denomination has maintained DARKE COUNTY - 241 an organization ever since, placing special emphasis on Sunday school work, and is now probably stronger than at any other point in the county. Under the pastorate of the late J. A. Stoner and wife, of Eaton, Ohio, a beautiful modern brick church building was erected in 1903 at a cost of some $8,000.00. This church now has a membership of over one hundred, a large active and well organized Sunday school, a junior Young Peoples' Christian Union and a Ladies' Aid Society. The second Universalist church in the county was organized at Palestine by Rev. Elihu Moore, a noted theologian and protagonist of the faith, with ten members, on June 18, 1868. Meetings were first held in the old Palestine school-house but in a few years a substantial frame church building was erected at a probable cost of $3,000.00 on a fine lot situated on the north side of the village, which had been given by Mrs. Viola Kester. Harvey L. Hill, George Kester and M. M. Jeffries were the first deacons, and Harrod Mills the first clerk. This church has had as pastors some of the strongest Universalist preachers in this part of the field, including such men as S. P. Carlton, Thomas Guthrie, John Blackford, J. P. MacLean, John Richardson, Lotta D. Crosley, J. A. Stoner and wife, and the present pastor, O. G. Colegrove. Associations and other important meetings have been held here and this church might, with propriety, be called the mother of the Greenville church. At present it has a membership of seventy-five, a "Front Line" Sunday school and an active Ladies' Aid Society. About the years 1891 and 1892 occasional Universalist services were held in the opera house in Greenville by Rev. S. P. Carlton and Rev. J. P. MacLean. Considerable interest developed which resulted in the organization of the "First Universalist Church," at a meeting held in the city hall, on Thursday evening, January 26, 1893, at which the following named persons entered themselves on the roll as members: I. O. Sinks, William P. Espy, I. N. Eakins, T. J. Dowlar, Charles M. Kates, A. N. Van Dyke, A. P. Sawyer, Mrs. Nina Emerson, Mrs. Retta Ketring, Mrs. Jane Eakins, Mrs. Harriet K. Dowlar, Mrs. Belle L. Kates, Mrs. America Sinks, Mrs. L. A. Eidson, Mrs. A. P. Sawyer, Mrs. A. E. Shepherd, Mrs. Sarah C. Wilson, Mrs. Amanda Miller and Miss Rettie Sinks. Rev. MacLean was called to the pastorate in February and the opera house was soon rented as a place for holding ser- (16) 242 - DARKE COUNTY vices. Meetings were held here on the first and third Sundays of each month for over two years. In the meantime the society decided to secure a lot and erect a church building. Various sites were considered but before a decision was made Mr. and Mrs. Martin V. Emerson purchased the southwest part of lot 139 on the north side of East Filth street near Broadway early in 1895 and donated the front portion for the use of the church. An active canvass .for a church building fund was now made with the result that the corner stone of the new building was laid on Sunday afternoon, July 7, 1895, in the presence of a large concourse of people. The services were participated in by Rev. L. E. Jones, Presbyterian; Rev. W. E. Ludwick, Reformed; Rev. J. P. Tyler, Episcopalian, besides the pastor, and were quite impressive. The structure erected was of brick and cost about $3,500.00. Rev. MacLean served this congregation about four years and was succeeded by John Richardson, who served about two years. Lotta D. Crosley came about 1900 and served some three years. Thomas S. Guthrie followed with a three-year pastorate. Leon P. and Martha Jones acted as joint pastors from 1906 to 1908, and were followed by E. H. Barrett. Rev. and Mrs. O. G. Colegrove began their pastorate in October, 1910, and are still serving acceptably in that capacity, preaching here on the first and third Sundays of each month. B. M. McCabe is moderator; Mrs. Lola Aukerman, clerk: Mrs. Mary Horn, treasurer. The trustees are: L. C. Aukerman, B. M. McCabe, Robert Davidson, J. E. Rush and T. E. Owens. This church maintains a "Front Line" Sunday school, an active Y. P. C. U. and a Woman's Universalist Missionary Alliance. The Reformed Church. The Reformed church in the United States is an off-shoot o` one of the oldest Protestant Christian bodies having a continuous history since its organization, being contemporaneous with the Lutheran church. It arose out of the Reformation in Switzerland, but soon became planted in Germany, especially in the Palatinate, where it secured control of Heidelberg University and exerted a powerful influence during the reformation. As a symbol of faith it adopted the Heidelberg catechism in 1563. In policy it is Presbyterial as the Presbyterian church is Reformed in doctrine. Therefore, these two churches are closely related and have been kept apart DARKE COUNTY - 243 chiefly by difference oi language and tradition. However, these influences have grown less with time and the two communions are now negotiating a union. The local governing body in this denomination is called a consistory; the district body a classis; a group of classes, a synod; the highest body, a general synod. The first Synod organized in the United States was among the German settlers of eastern Pennsylvania in 1743. Here this denomination largely became entrenched and from this center has followed the Pennsylvania emigrants to Ohio and other states. It places great stress on the educational method in implanting religion, has an educated ministry and a strong denominational consciousness. It now has over 300,000 members in the United States and maintains important schools and missions in Japan and China. Its principal educational institutons in Ohio are Heidelberg University, at Tiffin, and Central Theological Seminary at Dayton. It is well represented in the latter city and in the upper Miami valley, but did not get a footing in Darke county until about the middle of the nineteenth century. The records of 1853 show at least four congregations in this county, viz.: Zion (near Baker's Store), St. John's in German township, Beamsville and Gettysburg. At a meeting of the joint consistories held in Beamsville, August 6, 1853, Jesse Prugh was president; John L. Darner, secretary; Philip Hartzell and Jesse Prugh, delegates to Synod and Classis. Rev. J. Vogt, Rev. John Stuck and Rev. William McCaughey were prominent early ministers in this denomination. Besides the above mentioned churches congregations were established in the course of a few years, largely under their influence, at Beech Grove (on Ithaca pike) ; New Madison, Mt. Pleasant (at intersection of Nashville pike and Greenville township pike), Bethel (on Bethel pike about one mile southwest of Woodington) ; Hillgrove; East Zion (two miles east of Greenville on Gettysburg pike), also at Bradford and Arcanum. Rev. Reuben Good and Rev. Jacob M. LeFever were also early preachers in various charges. Zion's congregation withdrew from the original charge in 1856, and the Beamsville and Creager (New Harrison) churches became attached to the Dallas charge in 1862. By this time the leaders in the denomination had awakened to the importance of establishing a mission in the county seat as a strategic center of the church's activity. Accordingly 244 - DARKE COUNTY the Old School Presbyterian church was secured and in September, 1864, Rev. T. P. Bucher of Dayton, preached here to a large congregation. This meeting was followed by others conducted by Rev. William McCaughey and Rev. A. Wanner, and on September 19, 1864, a society was organized at the home of Mrs. Clara Bartling on East Main street with the following members: Philip Hartzell and wife, Mrs. Clara Bartling, Solomon Creager, Mrs. E. E. Baer and Mrs. Margaret Webb. Rev. William McCaughey was called as the first pastor. In the spring of 1866 a building committee was appointed and in October of that year the old Christian church on Walnut street was rented for six months. In 1869 the Old School Presbyterian church building on the northwest corner of Fourth and Broadway was purchased for $4,000.00. This seems to have been a premature venture as most of the purchase money had been borrowed and in February, 1870, this property was sold at auction. Previous to this the lot on the southwest corner of Third and Vine streets had been purchased from John Harper. This also was disposed of and on May 30, 1870, some forty-five feet by seventy feet off the rear of lot 29 on the west side of Sycamore street between Third and Fourth streets was purchased for $1,000.00. An active canvass for funds was soon commenced and the building of a church edifice pushed. In 1872 the new building was completed at a cost of some $5,400.00, and the Rev. David Winters of Dayton and others assisted the pastor in the dedicatory services. The building was constructed of brick on a stone foundation, with tower, pitched roof, buttresses and pointed art glass windows in the Gothic style of architecture, was frescoed, carpeted and neatly furnished, making it probably the best appointed church in the town at that time. On February 16, 1873, the first communion was observed in this church. Rev. McCaughey served this church for a period of ten years, preaching his farewell sermon on September 6, 1874. He was succeeded by Rev. R. B. Reichard who served from December, 1874, till July, 1876. Other pastors were Rev. Jesse Steiner, spring of 1876 to the fall of 1877; Rev. Samuel Mease, 1880 and 1881; Rev. G. H. Sonder, 1882 and 1883; Rev. J. C. Beade, 1883 to 1886; Rev. J. M. Kessler, July, 1886, to February, 1887; Rev. William E. Ludwick, April, 1887, to June, 1898; Rev. William H. Shults, November, 1898, to spring of 1900; Rev. J. Wolbach, December, 1900, to October, 1901. During this period of the church's existence many difficul- DARKE COUNTY - 245 ties were encountered and its growth and progress were comparatively slow until the pastorate of Rev. W. E. Ludwick, when the church made considerable gain financially and numerically. Rev. Joseph Pierce Alden, a graduate of Ursinus School of Theology, was called to the pastorate and in July, 1902, came to the church. He is still filling that position in a very acceptable manner. During his incumbency the membership has increased, the organization of the church and Sunday school has been greatly strengthened and a feeling of harmony and co-operation has prevailed. In June, 1910, the west half of lot No. 37 on the northeast corner of Third and Sycamore streets was purchased for six thousand dollars. A good eight room parsonage with modern improvements is situated on the rear of this lot, facing on Sycamore street. Lot No. 28 on the southeast corner of Third and Sycamore streets, was purchased from Miss McCaughey in May, 1914, for S8,250 and with a $5,000.00 gift set aside by Mr. Jacob Newbaurer in memory of his wife, Emma, recently deceased, who was a devoted member of the congregation, as a nucleus, it is proposed to commence the erection of a modern and convenient church and Sunday school on this site this year, it being the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of the church. The building committee appointed for hhis purpose, comprises the following members: C. M. White, E. T. Wagner, F. E. Wilson, H. P. Hartzell, Chalmer Brown, Mrs. W. W. Teegarden and Gertrude Ditman. The present members of the Consistory are: Rev. J. P. Alden, president; Elders S. C. Vantilburg, L. S. Brown and C. M. White; Deacons, C. O'Brien, Jesse Bruss and F. E. Wilson (clerk) ; church treasurer, Gertrude Ditman. President of the Ladies Aid Society, Mrs. E. T. Wagner. President of the Woman's Missionary Society, Mrs: J. E. Turner. President of the Y. P. S. C. E., Omer Brodrick. The present church membership is 158. The Sunday school has an enrollment of about 150 members and has been largely instrumental in building up the church and strengthening its finances. It is graded according to modern standards, and has also three regularly organized classes, a cradle roll, a home department, a missionary and a temperance superintendent. Jesse Bruss is superintendent 246 - DARKE COUNTY of the school; Elsie Black, secretary; Paul Warner, treasurer and Myrtle Slonaker, missionary superintendent. There are now (1914) congregations at East Zion (two and one-half miles east of Greenville), West Zion (near Baker's), Hill Grove and Beech Grove (three and one-half miles west of Arcanum), under the pastorate of Rev. Scott V. Rohrbaugh of Greenville. There is also a church at Arcanum. Like other denominations, the Reformed church attempted to plant congregations in ill-advised localities, with the result that these have been discontinued after a short history of struggle and sacrifice. Among these were the congregations at Beamsville, Pikeville, St.. John's, Mt. Pleasant, Bethel and New Madison. An effort is now being made to retrieve these losses by a stronger and more efficient organization of the remaining rural churches. By a careful survey and canvass of the field of the East Zion. church this congregation has been reorganized and strengthened and is attempting to solve some of the pressing problems which now confront the rural churches, here and elsewhere, and threaten their existence. These problems have arisen largely on account of the moving of the land owners, to the county seat, and their sons to the cities, leaving the affairs of the church to disinterested tenants, and also to the ill-advised competition of various denominations endeavoring to plant churches where they are not needed. These facts are being carefully considered by various denominations which are now advocating co-operation instead of competition, and are striving to meet the changed conditions of rural life. The Church of Christ. This denomination, sometimes called Disciples, at others Campbellites, and in the west known as Christian, challenged the attention of the Christian world about one hundred years ago under the preaching of Alexander Campbell, who had originally been a Presbyterian, as a protest against sectarianism and the extreme doctrines of Calvinism. The church has no regularly formulated or written creed, except the Bible, but requires of candidates for admission a statement of belief in Jesus Christ and Him crucified as a personal and all sufficient Savior. Baptism by immersion is also required and the members partake of the sacrament of the Lord's Supper frequently. DARKE COUNTY - 247 The local church was organized early in 1898 when services were held in the city hall. Among the charter members were Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Payne, Mr. and Mrs. Milo ,Smith, Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Beanblossom, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Batten, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Hindsley, Mr. and Mrs. S. Victor and daughter Elsie, Mrs. Morton and sons Forest, Walter and Earnest, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. B. Dively and daughter Lou, Mrs. Geo. W. McClellan, Emma Deardoff, Sarah Martin, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Harnish. Rev. P. O. Updike, who had been sent by the State Missionary Board, organized this church and became its first pastor, serving about two years. A lot was purchased September 9, 1898, on the south side of East Main street, between Ludlow and Locust streets, and a substantial brick church erected thereon and dedicated Sunday, January 1, 1899. The pastors who have served this church since Updike were: W. B. Slater, A. T. Shaw, William Hough, A. Baker, Clarence Baker, Gerry Cook, W. A. McCartney, Adam Adcock, Rev. Hill and Charles W. Perry. The present membership is about seventy-five. The superintendent of the Sunday school is Bon Logan. The trustees in 1913 were: J. W. Browder, president; F. M. Payne, clerk; William M. Wenger, Nelson Batten, Aaron Kerst, Samuel Harnish. Elder, J. A. Deweese. Deacons: W. M. Wenger, J. H. Hoover, Perry Stonerock, Albert Batten. Other churches—Carnahan (on the Winchester pike, one and one-half miles west of Sharpeye). The original Carnahan church was built by John Carnahan, a farmer and preacher of the Campbellite faith, who settled in the neighborhood about 1830. It was built of logs and was located about one-fourth of a mile west of the present structure, which was erected in 1867. Palestine, Burkettsville, Yorkshire. The Mennonite Church. One of the latest denominations to enter the Darke county field was the Mennonite, and as a consequence its doctrines and customs are not as well known here as are those of other sects. This body is an outgrowth of the Anabaptist movement which followed the Reformation and now numbers in its various branches about a quarter of a million adherents of whom 248 - DARKE COUNTY some 55,000 are in the United States, being mostly located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Virginia. They hold to the cardinal Protestant doctrines, but are opposed to taking oaths, to military service, to theological learning and to infant-baptism, and practice simplicity in life and worship. The local church governs itself. The Greenville church was organized by Rev. D. Brenneman, the presiding elder, in February, 1900, as the outgrowth of a mission which had been held for three or four years previous on South Broadway. Among the charter members were, Robert Wright and wife, Curtis Swabb and wife and Wesley Gorsuch. Rev. F. C. Rudy was the first pastor. A neat brick church was built on the southeast corner of Warren and Hall street, convenient to the residents of the east end of the city. Several pastors have served this church for brief periods since its establishment, among whom were William Huffman, J. J. Hostetter, H. F. Beck and the present incumbent, Clarence F. Moore. The present church enrollment is about seventy, and the membership of the Sunday school about. one hundred. S. D. Hinegardner is the superintendent of the latter organization. There is another church of the Mennonite Brethren in Christ which holds services in the Union church at the Beech, a few miles south of Gettysburg. Other Denominations. Besides these more or less well established denominations, there are representatives of the Christian Alliance, the Holiness Sect, Christian Science, and the Old Order River Brethren (sometimes called Yorkers). The latter live in a well defined community between Horatio and Bradford, where they commenced to settle at an early date. They are the most conservative in practice of all the various denominations, living a simple, primitive life, and having no church building. Among the early families of this sect were the Etters and Boyers. At present there are only about fifteen families in the county. The colored people also have two churches in their settlement in western German township near the state line. County Sunday School Association. The first recorded Sunday school in the history of Darke county was organized early in 1834 at the home of Abraham Scribner, later called "Scribner's White House," on West Main DARKE COUNTY - 249 street. Eleven persons enrolled representing three or four denominations. Several accessions were soon made and within three years the number of members had increased to probably one hundred and seventy-five. About this time separate denominations began to organize their own schools and the school was disbanded. William Barrett, a Methodist, was the first superintendent; Herman Searles, a Congregationalist, was the first secretary; and the Presbyterian and Episcopalians were also represented in the teaching force, which included such workers as Mrs. Bell, Mrs. Sexton, Mrs. Briggs, Mrs. Barrett and Miss Evaline Dorsey. As noted in the separate church sketches, each denomination later strove to develop a denominational consciousness. This condition continued until about 1870 when some of the most enthusiastic Sunday school workers saw the propriety of holding.annual conventions and promoting co-operation among the schools of the county, regardless of denominational affiliation. W. J. Birely was president; J. R. Robinson, secretary; and William McCaughey, H. S. Bradley, J. L. Gourlay, J. T. Martz, J. T. Lecklider, John H. Martin, Rev. Wainwright, John Clark and P. H. Davis prominent workers in 1871. Conventions were held at Versailles and Arcanum during that year. Much enthusiasm prevailed for awhile but the organization finally discontinued. Darke county was reorganized February 11, 1882, by S. E. Kumler, of Dayton, Ohio, and held its first convention at Greenville, May 18-19, 1882. The Rev. William McCaughey was the first president, and H. K. Frank the first secretary. The interest lapsed until 1885, when W. B. Hough became president, no convention being held in 1883-4. During the Hough administration from 1885-88, there was an awakening and several townships were organized. L. F. Limbert, of Greenville, was district secretary in 1888-9. In 1890, Superintendent John S. Royer, of the Gettysburg public schools, came upon the scene and organized all the townships in the county, except Adams, which had not lapsed, and York, which had but one school in it, but he and James Stewart organized York in 1894. This enthusiastic worker drove all over the county in the summer of 1890, enduring exposure and hardships, paying his own expenses and receiving no pay for services. In 1893 he organized eleven counties in southern Ohio, under the direction of Marion Lawrence, and that made Ohio a banner state. In 1910 Mr. Royer reached the climax in bringing Darke