HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 325 In its account of this historic flood the Register says : "On Thursday (7th) the backwaters from Rachel began to appear on the cross streets and to submerge the lower end of West Ironton. On Friday the tide backed up over the culverts and invaded some of the stores. A continuous sheet of water held West Ironton in its cold grasp. The inhabitants of the one-story houses had long ago fled and all others had taken themselves to the second stories. The Court House, engine houses and all vacant rooms were filled with the unfortunates that had fled from desolated homes. By Friday night Rachel reached the farther gutters of Third Street and began creeping on Hayward's floor. All the store rooms along Center from Third to Fourth had been abandoned. At 8 o'clock Friday night the tide was within a foot of the mark of 1883. On Saturday it began to creep over Second Street. "Saturday (February 9th) was a day of great alarm. The flood had gone beyond the 1883 mark and was still advancing. The rain added to the sorrowful scene. The water swept up Second Street as far as Lambert's foundry and on the cross streets below town the waters of Rachel and the river were meeting. In the afternoon the waves lapped the door-sill of the Sheridan House, and on Lawrence a swift current started through the street. The flood had reached the door-sills of nearly all the stores on the west side of Second Street. The only cross street passable was Railroad. The military was out for the protection of property, but no vandalism seemed imminent." The newspaper account goes on to say that at dusk of Saturday boats were everywhere plying along Third Street, the approach to the post-office having been cut off at that time. A soup house had been opened for the relief of tired, chilled and often homeless sufferers, and before Sunday the water had closed every business house in the city except the First National Bank. Then people commenced to abandon their houses on Fourth Street, although not a few hung around the second stories looking for the waters to abate. By Sunday afternoon the river had reached to the show windows on Second Street and the goods went up higher and higher. Water was two feet deep in the Second National Bank and the boarders in the Ironton House were driven to the second story in a body. It was raining Sunday night and the rise continued. Monday was a busy day for boat building, the favorite landing place of the water craft being Railroad and Fifth streets. Various awnings in the business district commenced to get soaked on Monday. All the mill yards were under water from four to eight feet and piles of lumber and hundreds of nail kegs were floating around. By Tuesday, the 12th, the water had reached a height of eighty-one inches above that of 1883, and from that time oh commenced to recede. The Belfont Mill at Ironton, all the merchants, and Means, Kyle and Company, at Hanging Rock, were heavy losers. It is estimated that altogether the 1884 flood caused a damage to the people of Ironton and vicinity amounting to nearly two hundred thousand dollars. The flood of March, 1913, was even more destructive, causing damage to sections of West Ironton, Hanging Rock, Coal Grove, Chesapeake, 326 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION Proctorsville, Millersport and Athalia estimated at $1,500,000. Warnings of the coming trouble had been given for a week before March 29th, and both the Scioto and Ohio left their banks. The most damage was done in the district below Storms Creek. The high-water mark was reached March 31, 1913, which was 67 feet 10 inches above the average river level and 14 1/2 inches above the flood of 1884. No lives were lost as a direct result of the fury of the flood, although several lives are known to have been sacrificed from exposure. VILLAGE OF COAL GROVE Outside of Ironton the largest center of population in Lawrence Comity is the Village of Coal Grove, four miles to the southeast. Its population increased from 506 in 1890 to 1,759 in 1910. Its main reliance is placed on the status of the Yellow Poplar Lumber Company, which, when working up to its- average capacity, employs several hundred men. Its yards, mills and other buildings at Coal Grove cover fifty acres of ground and the output of lumber has been about forty million feet annually. The company draws its supplies from the country along the Big Sandy above Elkhorn City, Kentucky ; in other words, above the "Breaks" of the Sandy through the Cumberland Mountains. It is the heaviest owner of yellow poplar and oak stumpage in that region. The poplar has been almost cleared from the lands of the company, but its large stock on hand is being disposed of, and its oak timber is being manufactured into flooring and other finished forms. Plain and quarter-sawed oak, chestnut and basswood are also among its stock. Coal Grove, originally considered the center of promising coal deposits, is a village which is strung along the plant of the Yellow Poplar Lumber Company, and outside of that industry comprises half a dozen or more stores and business houses. It has a well-conducted, up-to-date school —a union establishment under the superintendency of F. E. Melvin. OLD HANGING ROCK The old village of Hanging Rock is three miles to the northwest of Ironton, and since the shutting down of the furnaces has been on the decline, as to population and general progress. It has lost nearly two hundred people since 1890, when it had a population of 846. Two stores represent its business. The union village school is under the superintendency of Gleason Grimes. SOUTH POINT VILLAGE South Point Village lies partly in Fayette and partly in Perry townships, and has remained about stationary for the past thirty years. It has three or four stores, the main settlement being along the Ohio River nearly opposite Catlettsburg, Kentucky. It is ten miles southeast of Ironton. HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 327 THE OLD COUNTY SEAT Burlington, the old county seat, four miles east of South Point, is little more than a cluster of dilapidated buildings. PROCTORVILLE, CHESAPEAKE AND ATHALIA In the southeastern part of the county are three incorporated villages, which have a fair trade drawn from the prosperous adjacent country. The oldest of these is Proctorville, still quite a shipping point on the Ohio River, with a population of nearly six hundred and a village school under L. C. Martin. Chesapeake, also in Union Township, is about the same size. The other incorporated village is Athalia, in the eastern part of Rome Township, with a population of perhaps two hundred and fifty people. CHAPTER VI IRONTON CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES BAPTISTS THE RELIGIOUS PIONEERS-THE 1854 CHURCH BUILT—THE METHODISTS ORGANIZE-SPENCER CHAPEL-THE NEW CHURCH-WESLEY CHURCH FORMED- CHAPEL DEDICATED-COMMENCEMENT OF ENGLISH SERVICES-WESTERN CHARGE BECOMES WESLEY CHAPEL-THE CONSOLIDATED FIRST. M. E. CHURCH- THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-A SEASON OF TRIAL-ST. LAWRENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH-CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-IMMANUEL M. E. CHURCH-ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH-FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-THE GERMAN LUTHERANS - OT HER RELIGIOUS BODIES - HOSPITALS - LAWRENCE LODGE No. 198, F. AND A. M.—LAGRANGE CHAPTER No. 68, R. A. M.— OHIO COUNCIL No. 92, R. AND S. M. IRONTON COMMANDERY No. 45, K. T.—MASONIC TEMPLE-I. O. O. F. LODGES-THE REBEKAHS -GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS- THE I. O. O. F. TEMPLE-PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES-KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS-OTHER SECRET AND BENEVOLENT BODIES. The City of Ironton, in its social, benevolent and religious activities, has always fixed a high standard and, in the essentials, not deviated from it. Ohio, as a state, is noteworthy for its morality and high-mindedness ; Southern Ohio is not exceeded in these respects by any other section of the commonwealth, and Ironton by no other community in the region under survey. BAPTISTS THE RELIGIOUS PIONEERS The Baptists were the pioneers in church matters, holding services at and near the mouth of Storms Creek nearly forty years before the Town of Ironton was platted and over twenty years before the Presbyterians organized near Pine Grove Furnace. They so long held the local field as a denomination that an extended account of the First Baptist Church is presented from the pen of Mrs. K. V. Henry, representing one of the oldest and most prominent of the families which have so long supported the organization which now stands for a membership of over four hundred and many good works. "In the year 1811," she says, "Rev. John Lee, relative of the famous General Robert Lee, came from Virginia with his family, a wife and five daughters, and bought a farm near the mouth of Storms creek. He, - 328 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 329 with other Baptists who had settled on farms along the river in the community, cut logs and built a large log church house on the river side of the road near the present Storms creek bridge. Rev. Lee, assisted by Rev. Eli Bennett and Rev. John Kelley, organized a church in this log house in 1812, calling it the Storms Creek Baptist Church. They chose Rev. Lee for pastor, who served until his death, 1839) The following is a partial list of the charter members : Rev. John Lee and wife, Peter Lionbarger and wife, John K. Smith and wife, Brice Henry and wife, Morris Henry and wife, Joseph Brammer and wife, Isaac Henry, Sarah Henry, Jesse Sherman, Mary Kelley, James Henry, Jr., John Lionbarger, Pehmie Golden, James Kelley and wife, George Neff and wife, James Henry and wife, Martha Yingling. "At the first meeting of the Ohio Association, herd at Tigert's Creek, Ky., Aug. 18, 1821, the church numbered 36 members. In the early history of the church, Revs. Felix Ellison and Wm. Fuston rendered excellent service in many ways, especially along missionary lines. "Just one hundred years ago this Sept. 7th (1914), Luther Rice, who had accompanied Adoniram Judson to the foreign field, returned and preached in this church in his effort to raise funds for the support of Judson. He found a ready response, many of the members giving liberally, Rev. John Lee alone giving $100, which in that day was a princely sum. "About 1820, the banks of the river washed away to such an extent that the log church had to, be abandoned, and a frame church was built just across the road and the church reorganized with about 33 members. Around the old church was a grave yard, which also washed away, and many of the bodies were removed to Woodland. In 1839, Rev. J. M. Kelley was licensed to preach and in 1840 he was ordained and chosen pastor of the church. He was married the same year by Rev. John Kelley to Sarah Ann Baccus, who still survives him at the age of ninety-two. In the early days of the church they were very strict in discipline. They brought members before the church who failed to contribute to the support of the church, and if any two members had the slightest. trouble or the smallest offense or grievance, or the slightest intoxication of a member, they were brought before the church and required to make it right, before they could sit at the Lord's table. THE 1854 CHURCH BUILT "In 1854 the present brick church was erected, corner of Fifth and Vernon Streets, and reorganized with 156 members, the name being changed to the 'First Baptist Church' of Ironton, Ohio, with Rev. J. M. Kelley as pastor. In 1851 he had been chosen moderator of the Ohio Association and was re-elected to that office until his death. During his life he traveled many, many miles to preach in the country churches. "The beginning of the Bible School was a union school held in the first school house erected in Ironton. When other churches built houses of worship they all started Bible Schools and the First Baptist church 330 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION organized their school in 1847 or 1848. During all these years, so far as can be ascertained, there has gone out from the First Baptist church but one young man into the ministry, namely, Rev. Jas. M. Kelley. One young woman has gone to the foreign field as a missionary, namely, Mrs. Mary Wolfe Lewis, in October, .1902, who is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. T. Wolfe. She is now engaged in missionary work in China. " This church claims the honor of being instrumental in establishing the Lorain St. Church. In 1902 a Bible School was organized in the school house and in 1903 the church house was built and dedicated and the church organized with about twelve members, choosing Rev. T. F. Carey as their pastor. Mr. Jas. T. Wolfe always manifested a great interest in the Bible School and church and did much to promote the enterprise. " The following is a list of the regular pastors who have served the church. A number of supplies have filled in between : In 1812, Rev. John Lee ; 1840, Rev. J. M. Kelley ; 1855, Rev. Geo. E. Leonard, who afterward served the State Convention as Secretary for so long; 1860, Rev. G. W. Gates ; 1864, Rev. Joseph Sharp ; 1865, Rev. B. F. Ashley, a man of rare gifts. He had associated with him some laymen strong and true ; such men as D. Phillips, W. D. Henry, D. K. Burket, deacons, and others, with E. Bixby, church clerk. It was during his pastorate that the auditorium was finished and dedicated. "In 1870 came Rev. G. W. Taylor; 1871, Rev. P. P. Kennedy. It was not until in this period of the church's history, 1872, that the church voted to have the organ used in public worship. In 1877 Rev. J. A. Kirkpatrick ; 1879, Rev. W. W. Whitcomb ; 1881, Rev. H. A. Summeral ; 1884, Rev. T. C. Probert ; 1887, Rev. J. H. Roberts ; 1888, Rev. 'M. Roberts ; 1889, Rev. Noah Harper ; 1894, Rev. E. V. Pierce. It was during Rev. Pierce 's pastorate the auditorium was remodeled and dedi- cated, with many pleasing features, he being assisted by Rev. J. M. Kelley and others. In 1900 Rev. Henry Brandt was chosen ; 1907, Rev. V. L. Stonell ; 1908, Rev. U. S. Knox ; 1909, Rev. S. E. Davies. In this pastorate the present parsonage was purchased ; 1914, Rev. Chas. E. Griffin. It was during this last year that the greatest ingathering to the membership has occurred in the history of the church, namely, 174. Of this number 135 came in after the union meeting conducted by Dr. W. E. Biederwolf. The first Sunday in June 81 new members received the hand of fellowship, which was an inspiring sight. "On the 26th day of June, 1914, the lightning struck the steeple of the church, tearing away the large copper ball, which had stood the storms for sixty years. This ball was made in the tin shop of Duke & Kingsbury in 1854 ; when finished it was proudly carried to the church by two young men, Charles Kingsbury and Elbert Duke. "Forty years the Baptists were the only religious body in what is now the city of Ironton. Many have been the struggles, anxieties and tears, and today we have entered into the labors of those who have gone before." HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 331 THE METHODISTS ORGANIZE The Methodists organized a class in 1850, the year following the founding of the Town of Ironton. This gradually developed into the Spencer Methodist Church. In 1872 forty members withdrew from the parent organization to join the charge known as Wesley Chapel, and in June, 1913, the Spencer and Wesley churches were united as the First Methodist Episcopal. Church of Ironton. Rev. John C. Maddy, junior preacher of the Hanging Rock circuit, delivered the first sermon and conducted services for the assembled Methodists, in February, 1850, at a residence on Fourth Street between Center and Railroad. Two weeks later Rev. T. T. Holliday, considered the first local preacher, organized a class of seven members at the same place ; they were Ebenezer Corwin and wife, Shepard and Sarah Gillen, Burdine and Mary Blake and Mary Murray. Shortly afterward the class met at a brick house on Front Street below the Sheridan House and later held services in the new schoolhouse on Fourth Street. There they continued to worship until 1851, when old Spencer Chapel was erected. SPENCER CHAPEL In the fall of 1851 subscriptions for the erection of a church had been raised amounting to over two thousand dollars. The site was selected by John Peters and donated by the Ohio Iron and Coal Company, and the basement of the chapel was occupied before cold weather set in. When Rev. W. C. Hand, the first pastor of Spencer Chapel, assumed charge he found ninety members awaiting him. The charge assumed its name from R. 0. Spencer, then the presiding elder. Besides Mr. Hand there were Daniel Young, local elder ; Thomas Murdock, local preacher, and Burdine Blake, exhorter. In the summer of 1852 the audience room was completed and dedicated. THE NEW CHURCH Spencer Chapel was repeatedly repaired to meet the demands of a growing congregation and was the home of an earnest body of worshipers for more than forty-one years. The new Spencer M. E. Church, corner of Fifth and Center streets, was dedicated May 7, 1893. The successive pastors of Spencer Church have been as follows : William C. Hand, 1851-52, who died in Ironton, May 11, 1861; Joseph H. Creighton, 1852-53, 1867-68 ; James T. Given, 1854-55, who died in Columbus, in 1872 ; Barzillai N. Spahr, 1856-57, who died in Columbus in 1890 ; C. A. Van Anda, 1858-59 ; Ancel Brooks, 1860 ; H. K. Foster, 1861; A. C. Kelly, 1862-63 ; Levi Hall, 1864-66 ; J. E. Moore, 1869-70; James Mitchell, 1871-73 ; James M. Weir, 1874-76 ; Joseph E. Williams, 1877-78 ; James H. Gardner, 1879-81; Jerome B. Bradley, 1882-83 ; James Hill, 1884-86 ; Frank S. Davis, 1887-89 ; W. V. Dick, 1889-95 ; 332 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION George H. Geyer, 1895-97 ; Charles E. Chandler, 1897-99 ; Homer J. Smith, 1899-1904 ; R. F. Bishop, 1904-05 ; Herbert Scott, 1905-07 ; A. M. Mann, 1907-09 ; Leroy B. Sparks, 1909-11; B. D. Evans, 1911—. WESLEY CHURCH FORMED Wesley Church originated in a class of Welsh Methodists formed in the spring of 1852 and composed of Evans M. Davis (leader), Mary Davis, John Pritchard, Mary Pritchard, David Pritchard; Margaret Pritchard, Mary Lloyd, J. L. Richards, Mary Morgan, Mary Richards, Thomas Richards, and Mary and William Price. In the following winter application was made to the Ohio Iron and Coal Company for a church site, and a lot was donated by that corporation on the corner of Fifth and Vesuvius streets. Soon afterward,. on recommendation of Robert 0. Spencer, presiding elder, subscription papers were circulated and a sufficient sum realized to warrant the erection of a house of worship. CHAPEL DEDICATED Rev. John Ellis of Cincinnati accepted the first call to preach, the first meeting 'being held in a room over the Olive Machine Shops, corner of Lecount and Lawrence streets. A board of trustees was appointed to take charge of the 'newly acquired property and Wesley Chapel was dedicated in August, 1853. Rev. John Ellis continued as pastor until 1856 and Rev. Thomas Thomas occupied the pulpit from that year until 1859. COMMENCEMENT OF ENGLISH SERVICES Up to the latter year services had been held in the Welsh language, but many of the members of that nationality having moved away services in English were conducted from 1859. Rev. J. P. Lacroix was the first English-speaking pastor, and in January, 1861, the first quarterly conference of what was known as the Western Charge was held in Wesley Chapel. Rev. George H. Middleton had charge of the congregation in connection with the Hanging Rock Circuit, following Mr. Lacroix, and Rev. R. H. Miller served in 1863-64. WESTERN CHARGE BECOMES WESLEY CHAPEL In 1865 Western Charge became independent and assumed its familiar name of Wesley Chapel. At that time Rev. H. L. Whitehead was in charge and the membership of the church was nearly one hundreds. In March, 1869, under the pastorate of Rev. S. C. Frampton, the new Wesley Church was dedicated, but the auditorium was not thrown open for services until 1872. The parsonage was erected in 1896-98. As pastors following Mr. Frampton were A. B. Lee, 1872-74 ; John HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 333 E. Sowers, 1874-75 ; William Porter, 1875 ; T. G. Dickinson, 1875-77 ; J. S. Postle, 1877-80 ; John E. Rudisill, 1883-86 ; George W. Burns, 1886-88 ; R. D. Morgan, 1888-92.; W. W. Trout, 1892-93 ; L. B. Sparks, 1893-96 ; T. B. White, 1896-98 ; Isaac Crook, 1898-1902 ; B. F. Jackson, 1902-05 ; L. A. Patterson, 1905-07 ; C. A. Bowen, 1907-09 ; T. R. Watson, 1909-12 ; J. W. Blair, 1912—. THE CONSOLIDATED FIRST M. E. CHURCH At the time of the union of the two churches in June, 1913, Spencer Church numbered 493 members and Wesley 380. Until the first week in October services were conducted jointly by the respective pastors, Rev. B. D. Evans and Rev. J. W. Blair, but at the meeting of the annual conference at Chillicothe at that time the merging of the two churches was harmoniously arranged under the pastorate of Mr. Evans. The membership of the First Methodist Church, under his ministry, is 1,050, representing perhaps the strongest religious body in Ironton. THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The First Presbyterian Church is in its sixty-sixth year, being the third religious body to be created in Ironton. It was founded in the summer of 1850, soon after the organization of the Methodist class. The first pastor was Rev. Joseph Chester, under whose ministration the original church was built on the corner of Fifth and Railroad streets. The church was formally organized July 27, 1850, with fourteen members, by Rev. Augustus Bardwell, Rev. Lysander Kelsey and Elder B. T. Miles, of Wheelersburg, and was received under care of the Presbytery of Scioto on the first Tuesday of the following September. The society first worshiped in the pioneer schoolhouse, corner of Fourth and Center streets, but on November 25, 1852 (Thanksgiving), its original church edifice was erected, as stated. A decided expansion of membership and corresponding demands for better and larger quarters resulted, in the fall of 1873, in the complete remodeling of the building. While the most active of the work was progressing the congregation occupied Spencer Methodist Chapel, whenever available. But the society was entering upon a season of trial. A SEASON OF TRIAL The spire of the first church had been completed in 1865, when the town clock was installed. It is thought that the operations attending the improvements in 1873 weakened the foundation of the tower ; at all events, it was pronounced unsafe and taken down. After expending $25,000 upon the work of general construction, the tower was restored and the audience room opened in 1882. Since then the property has been repeatedly improved and the First Presbyterian Church is one of 334 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION the most stately landmarks in the city. Since the organization of the society 400 members have been enrolled ; present membership, 270. Rev. Joseph Chester served the church from July, 1850, to January, 1860 ; T. S. Reeve came in February, 1860 ; H. Calhoun in February, 1871; E. S. Robinson in February, 1886 ; E. E. Moran in November, 1887 ; Lewis O. Richmond in December, 1900 ; George E. Jackson in September, 1908 ; Lewis E. Lee in September, 1909 ; E. B. Townsend in February, 1913. ST. LAWRENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH The first Catholic church organized in Ironton was the St. Lawrence, its home being a massive edifice, with a lofty spire, on the corner of Seventh and Center streets. The parish was founded in 1853 by Rev. Richard Gilmour, afterward bishop of Cleveland, who was pastor from that year until 1857. The church building was then a little temporary shack which has long since disappeared. Father Gilmour was succeeded by Father O'Higgins, who served until 1859 ; then came Father 0 'Donoghue, from 1859 to 1870 ; Fathers Constantine and McKiernan for about a year ; Father Reilly, 1872-75 ; Father O'Brien, 1876 ; Father Brie, 1876 to 1889 ; and Dr. James H. Cotter from that year to the present time. The first St. Lawrence church stood on the corner of Center and Seventh, streets from 1854 to 1891, when the large edifice still in service was occupied. It was three years in the building, and is constructed of brick with blue stone trimmings. After the completion of the new St. Lawrence the old church did service for some years as Gilmour Hall, named in honor of its builder, the first pastor of the charge. It was demolished about 1910 to make way for the parochial school. The rectory, adjoining the church, was built some ten years ago. Within the parish of St. Lawrence, which has been in charge of Doctor Cotter for more than a quarter of a century, are 860 souls. CHRIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH Christ Episcopal Church was organized as a parish in May, 1854, the meeting for that purpose being held in the Methodist Church. G. W. Jackson was chairman and C. B. Egerton, secretary of the gathering, and J. Allen Richey and Mr. Jackson were chosen as senior and junior wardens. A small frame church was erected on the corner of Park Avenue and Fifth Street. The corner stone of a new modern church was laid in November, 1896, the handsome structure now in use being completed in 1898. In 1901 the mission in West Ironton was established by Christ Church. Rev. W. C. French was succeeded by Rev. Sylvester Nash, in December, 1859, who served until February, 1860. Rev. Henry B. Blackaller assumed the charge in April; 1864 ; Rev. A. R. Kieffer in May, 1872 ; Rev. Hosea W. Jones in December, 1875, and Rev. W. W. Lovejoy HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 335 and Rev. David W. May followed within the succeeding two or three years. Rev. Claude A. Quirell and Rev. Theodore A. Waterman held short pastorates and were followed by Rev. W. H. Goodison, who was the incumbent from 1890 to 1893. On May 1st of the latter year Rev. W. H. Hampton assumed charge of Christ Church parish and has continued in that relation. The little frame church, which was the original meeting house, is affectionately attached to the structure in which the parishioners have worshford since 1898, and is used fbr Sunday school and other auxiliary purposes. The present number of communicants is 266. IMMANUEL M. E. CHURCH The largest church outside the central districts of Ironton is the Immanuel Methodist Episcopal. To reach its source one must go back to what was known as the Furnace Mission, formed in 1860. It was officially designated as the Lawrence Furnace Circuit and embraced in its territory the following plants : Lawrence, Pine Grove, Jackson, Mount Vernon, Center, Clinton,. Hanging Rock, Monroe, Washington and Etna.. Meetings and services were held irregularly among the furnace workers and their families, and when most of the plants ceased to operate many of the old members moved to Ironton and in 1873 organized the German M. E. Church. The first edifice of the German Methodists was erected on Fifth Street near Washington, but in 1884 a site was purchased on the corner of Fifth and Monroe streets and a substantial and tasteful church erected. Gradually, with the absorption of the younger generations, the services in German came to seem illogical—especially after 1896, when quite a number were received from English-speaking churches. At the quarterly conference in 1905, therefore, it was voted that all services should be in English. In the following year improvements of a substantial kind were made in the church construction and accommodations ; but in 1908 the society was left without a pastor. Then Rev. Patrick Henry was called to the pastorate, and in October, 1909, the organization was transferred from the German Central M. E. Conference to the Ohio Conference of the M. E. Church, since which it has been known as Immanuel. Mr. Henry was succeeded by Rev. J. S. Postle, who died in service September 26, 1909 ; Rev. W. S. Needham assumed the pastorate in December, 1910, and Rev. L. A. Patterson, the present incumbent, came to the charge in September, 1913. The membership of Immanuel M. E. Church is now nearly three hundred and fifty. ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH Among the first settlers of Ironton were a number of Catholics. These soon united and formed a parish. They were of different nationalities. Those speaking English were at first the larger number and consequently the pastor was an English-speaking priest. 336 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION On the 13th of December, 1863, a number of German Catholics met and decided to call a meeting to consider means for getting a priest, at least occasionally, who could speak their language and to whom they could make themselves better understood. This meeting was held on December 20th and was attended by about twenty fathers of families. They organized and decided to send a committee to Cincinnati to the Most Rev. Archbishop Purcell, under whose jurisdiction this part of Ohio then was, to place their need of a German-speaking priest before him. A collection sufficient to pay the traveling expenses of the committee was taken up. To show their earnestness a subscription was also taken up amounting to $466. On the 27th of December of the same year the committee reported that the archbishop had promised to send a German-speaking priest from time to time and that he had given his permission and even urged them to build a church for themselves. On the same day the German Catholics organized as a parish and elected their officers; after having drawn up a constitution for themselves John F. Goldcamp was elected president ; Christian Hasenauer, secretary, and John Wanner, treasurer, and, together with these, Frank Buhr, Frank Sieber and Peter Stich as committeemen. Unanimously they agreed to build a church immediately. A committee was also appointed to seek for a suitable place to build the church, and on the 29th it reported favorably upon three lots between Second and Third streets, in what was then the extreme east end of the town. The report was accepted and it was decided to immediately purchase the lots. It was also decided at this meeting to build a frame church about 50 feet long, 32 feet wide and 18 feet clear on the inside, with a small tower. The three lots were purchased on the 31st of December for $450. On the 17th of January, 1864, John Wanner was employed as superintendent of the construction of the church. Soon afterward it was decided to purchase thirteen other lots in the immediate neighborhood of the church property and to sell them as far as possible to German-speaking Catholics. This was immediately done and the profits went toward the building of the church. Mathias Hall constructed the church, and on the 21st of September, 1864, it was completed and dedicated, and in October, 1865, the parochial school was opened. Rev. L. J. Schreiber and Rev. P. J. Weisenberger attended the parish and held services from time to time. In November of 1866 Rev. G. H. Ahrens was appointed as the first permanent pastor of St. Joseph's, and in December, 1867, was succeeded by Rev. H. Fischer. In November, 1868, it was decided to build a parish residence, and a part of the present house was built. The congregation had rapidly increased so that the first church was too small, so in Father Fischer 's administration an addition was built, making the church longer and making it cruciform. Father Fischer was succeeded by Rev. J. B. Gambier on February 15, 1874. In April, 1878, he was transferred and Rev. A. Weber was appointed pastor. Father Weber worked energetically for the good of HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 337 his people until the 6th of August, 1883, when he resigned the parish and returned to Germany, his fatherland. Before leaving he had the pleasure of seeing the brick school building completed, which is still occupied. Rev. W. F. Boden succeeded Father Weber. The enlarged church was already too small, so at a meeting which Bishop Watterson himself attended it was decided to build a new church. Two lots on the corners of Adams and Second and Adams and Third streets were bought and the erection of the new building was begun. On April 19, 1887, the corner stone was laid. Construction of the church proceeded slowly on account of various difficulties that arose. Before the church was completed Father Boden resigned and Rev. J. B. Schmitt succeeded him in January, 1889. Father Schmitt completed the new church, and on Thanksgiving day, November 28, 1889, it was dedicated by Right Reverend Bishop Watterson, assisted by many of the neighboring priests. Father Schmitt also enlarged and improved the parish residence. In August of 1899 Father Schmitt was transferred to Dresden, Ohio, and Rev. George Montag took his place in Ironton. Father Montag improved the old church and turned it into what is now Columbia Hall. Unfortunately he was called by death, dying November 14, 1902, at St. Francis Hospital, Columbus, and being buried from the cathedral. On December 4, 1902, Rev. John J. Schneider, the present pastor, came to Ironton. In 1903, as a preparation for a new school building and in order to give the children a larger playground, the remainder of the square of ground was bought at the cost of $6,000, so that now the parish possesses an entire city square. In 1913 the flood reached the height of fifty-four inches in the church, and the entire floor was raised by the waters. Scarcely had the waters receded when the carpenters were already at work. Before the middle of October new brick and cement pillars had replaced the wooden ones under the floor ; all the damage was repaired ; the entire interior renovated ; the walls frescoed, and new lighting and heating systems installed. The congregation numbers 208 families or 1,086 souls, and the church has many active auxiliaries. There are 212 children enrolled in the school, which has been under the care of the Sisters of St. Francis of Rochester (Minn.) since 1879. FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The First Congregational Church was organized in 1873 and its elegant building, corner of Sixth and Vernon streets, was completed in 1875 at a cost of nearly $70,000. It is one of the strongest religious bodies in Ironton and is under the pastorate of Rev. W. C. Shafer. THE GERMAN LUTHERANS The German Lutherans are numerous in Ironton and commenced to organize as early as 1854, although their first church was not ready for Vol. 1-22 338 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION occupancy until 1862, at which time Rev. K. Koeberlain was pastor. The flourishing society, known as the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, under Rev. P. Langendorff, has a substantial house of worship corner of Sixth and Center, erected in 1903. OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES The colored people commenced to organize religiously in 1857, when they formed the African M. E. Church. Soon afterward the Baptists formed a society (the Tried Stone Baptist Church) and the bulk of the colored population in Ironton is divided between these denominations. Among other minor religious bodies-all doing good in their respective fields are the German Reformed, South Fourth Street and Vernon ; Pine Street M. E., corner of Fourth ; Central Christian, corner of Fifth and Quincy, and United Brethren, South Fourth, corner of Jones. HOSPITALS Although by no means religious institutions, the hospitals of Ironton are doing a useful and beneficent work which cannot be overlooked. The Deaconess Hospital occupies a fine site on Quincy Street between Fourth and Fifth. Its full title is the Charles S. Gray Deaconess Hospital and it was founded by Col. George S. Gray in memory of his son, Lieut. Charles Sedgwick Gray, who died September 3, 1898, while in military service during the Spanish-American war. The other institution in this class is the Keller Hospital on South Fifth near Vernon, which is conducted under the superintendency of Dr. William F. Marting. LAWRENCE LODGE, No. 198, F. AND A. M. The first secret and benevolent body to organize in Ironton was Lawrence Lodge No. 198, F. and A. M. It was instituted at Hanging Rock, October 18, 1850, and moved to Ironton not long afterward. The past masters are as follows : Stephen Daniels, 1850 ; Geo. W. Reddick, 1851; E. F. Gillen, 1852, 1867 ; Henry C. Rogers, 1853 ; N. K. Moxley, 1854, 1855, 1863, 1854, 1869 ; John P. Merrill, 1856, 1859, 1860 ; Jos. L. Barber, 1857 ; Wm. M. Bolles, 1858 ; Dan W. Voglesong, 1861, 1871, 1874 ; W. W. Johnson, 1862 ; R. Mather, 1865, 1866, 1868, 1870, 1873, 1896 ; E. Lawton, 1872 ; B. F. Ellsberry, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878, 1879, 1880 ; Geo. Lampman, 1881; John K. Hastings, 1882, 1883 ; Geo. W. Keye, 1884, 1885, 1886 ; John Charlton, 1887 ; Wm. H. Owrey, 1888 ; Robt. F. Darling, 1889 ; C. G. Gray, 1890 ; D. L. Ogg, 1891; R. B. Miller, 1892 ; H. D. McKnight, 1893 ; R. L. Gray, 1894 ; James Bull, 1895 ; Jas. N. Dupuy, 1897, 1898 ; E. J. Bird, 1899 ; H. B. Justice, 1900 ; T. T. Johnson, 1901; T. W. Price, 1902 ; L. K. Cooper, 1903 ; G. W. Nance, 1904 ; C. B. Egerton, 1905 ; John E. Lowe, 1906 ; E. 0. Irish, 1907 ; F. A. Ross, 1908 ; F. W. Ehrlich, 1909, HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 339 1910; E. L. Lambert, 1911; R. Dustin McKnight, 1912 ; M. W. Russell, 1913. The present officers of Lawrence Lodge are : E. F. Myers, worshipful master ; C. S. Ginn, senior warden ; E. E. Stewart, junior warden ; C. B. Edgerton, treasurer ; M. W. Russell, secretary. It has a membership of 240. LAGRANGE CHAPTER No. 68, R. A. M. LaGrange Chapter No. 68, R. A. M., was chartered October 20, 1856. Past high priests : N. K. Moxley, J. L. Barber, D. W. Voglesong, C. B. Egerton, Edward Lawton, B. F. Ellsberry, John Charlton, Jona Morris, R. H. Ellis, James Bull, James N. Dupuy, Frank A. Dupuy, E. J. Bird, Joseph A. Turley, Thomas W. Price, T. T. Johnson, Fred W. Ehrich, L. F. Selb, James D. Foster, George W. Keye, John F. Verigan and E. L. Lambert. The chapter has a membership of 220, with the following officers : R. D. McKnight, H. P. ; George Berg, king ; A. C. Robinson, scribe ; F. W. Ehrlich, C. H. ; M. W. Russell, P. S. ; C. B. Egerton, Treas. ; E. L. Lambert, secretary. OHIO COUNCIL No. 92, R. AND S. M. Ohio Council No. 92, R. and S. M., was chartered October 3, 1905, and its last thrice illustrious masters are J. D. Foster, Thomas W. Price, W. H. Hampton and R. Dustin McKnight. J. T. Verigan is the present thrice illustrious master of the council. IRONTON COMMANDERY No. 45, K. T. Ironton Commandery No. 45, K. T., was chartered August 29, 1888, and its past eminent commanders have been J. F. Austin, E. J. Bird. James Bull, L. K. Cooper, Silas Clake, A. M. Collett, James N. Dupuy, R. F. Darling, B. F. Ellsberry, Charles B. Egerton, James D. Foster, C. G. Gray, R. L. Gray, W. H. Hampton, George W. Keye, L. E. Marting, Valentine Newman, Joseph A. Simon, J. F. Verigan and E. G. Barnett. George J. Berg is the present eminent commander, the commandery having 107 members. MASONIC TEMPLE The Masonic Temple in which the bodies mentioned meet was completed in 1882. The building is one of the most substantial in the city, the first floor being devoted to business houses, the second to a hall of amusement and the third and fourth to the various uses of the Masonic fraternity. I. O. O. F. LODGES The first organization to be formed by the Odd Fellows was Ironton Lodge No. 198, which dates from 1852. Iron City Lodge No. 452 was 340 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION instituted July 30, 1870, and the Ohio Valley Lodge No. 836 at the same time. Harmon Lodge No. 8,36 was a reorganization effected in July, 1899, with E. E. Corn as N. G. ; George W. Nance, V. G. ; John D. Roberts, Sec. ; Goerge H. Davies, F. Sec. ; W. H. Grimshaw, treasurer. The present membership numbers 240, and the officers are as follows : William Muche, N. G. George Shepherd, V. G. ; J. D. Roberts, R. Sec. ; George H. Davis, F. Sec. ; W. H. Hayes, Treas. Messrs. Roberts and Davies are 'the veterans of the officials. THE REBEKAHS There are two Rebekah lodges identified with the Odd Fellowship of Ironton—Zera Lodge No. 103, instituted in July, 1875, and Cypress No. 300, instituted in May, 1890. The former is the stronger of the two, having a present membership of nearly one hundred and thirty. The only charter members living are Mrs. Lida Thomas, who filled the office of financial secretary for twelve years, and Mrs. Martha Roberds Abrams. Present officers : Mrs. Mattie Ballard, N. G. ; Mrs. Flota Willis, V. G. ; Miss Jessie Neal, P. G. ; Mrs. Sue B. Arthers, R. Sec. ; Margaret M. Schweickart, F. Sec. ; Mrs. Eliza Long, Treas. Miss Schweickart has entered her seventh year in her present office. GRAND UNITED ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS There are also ,several organizations of colored people in Ironton, embraced under the title of Grand United Order of Odd Fellows. The headquarters of that order is Centennial Hall. THE I. O. O. F. TEMPLE The regular I. O. O. F. Temple, corner of Fourth and Center streets, is a graceful, 'well-built three-story structure, and was completed in 1892 at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars. PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES The patriotic societies which developed from Civil war issues are Dick Lambert Post, G. A. R., organized in 1870, the Woman's Relief Corps No. 115, founded in 1886, and the Will Winters Camp No. 86, Sons of Veterans, formed the same year as the women's auxiliary. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS The Improved Order of Red Men was organized in 1870, and in the following year the Knights of Pythias entered the field. The Knights have several well-sustained bodies—Myrtle Lodge No. 27, organized in 1871; Arnold Division No. 23, founded in 1883, and Ironton Lodge No. 441, established in 1890. HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 341 OTHER SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES The Ancient Order of Hibernians was instituted in Ironton in September, 1873, and meet in a hall of their own at Third and Railroad streets. There is a good Royal Arcanum Council, organized in March, 1880, and in May, 1888, Persian Conclave No. 4 of the Seven Wise Men (Heptasophs) was organized. Both the Elks and the Maccabees have, strong organizations. The former, Ironton Lodge No. 177, have cheerful club rooms over the Citizens National Bank, and have been founded since 1890. The Knights of the Maccabees, Ironton Tent No. 193, were organized in March, 1894, and have well-sustained societies, while the Ladies of the Maccabees are represented by Ironton Hive No. 352. The Eagles have an active aerie (Ironton No. 895) and the Moose are in the field with "Howdy Pap" No. 1,517. There are doubtless other lodges and societies worthy of special mention, but the main purpose of the author has been accomplished in presenting the main features of the founding and progress of the bodies best known to an American community. PART IV JACKSON COUNTY CHAPTER I THE WORKS OF NATURE GENERAL PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION-SALT CREEK VALLEY-THE BLACK FORK OF SYMMES-FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE VALLEYS. The history of Jackson County divides naturally into well defined periods. First, there was the period of Indian occupancy terminated in 1795 by the surrender of its territory to the National Government by the treaty of Greeneville negotiated by Gen. Anthony Wayne. Then came the period of Squatter Sovereignty from 1795 to 1803, when the Ohio government took possession of the Scioto Salt Works. The third period continued from 1803 to 1826, when the salt works were abandoned and the school lands were sold. The salt boilers reigned then, and shaped the organization of the new county and the laying out of the county seat town of Jackson. They lacked in administrative capacity, and the county has suffered to this day on account of their shortcoming. Then came a period of ten years from 1826 to 1836 when the county had its new birth: The townships were divided into sub-districts, schoolhouses were erected, Sunday schools and churches were organized, and community life began. Toward the close of this period, the Welsh immigration began, which revolutionized the county in another generation. Then came the period of industrial awakening from 1836 to 1853. The first iron furnace was built in 1836: The exporting of coal for the use of the smiths of Chillicothe and surrounding towns was undertaken which brought the people into contact with the outside world. W. Williams Mather, the state geologist, came to live in the county in 1838. A second furnace was built on Little Raccoon in 1848, which exported its product down the stream in flood time, and then the first railroad entered the county near Samsonville late in 1852. The next period, from 1853 to 18V, is equally well defined. It was the period of the iron industry, with the war as an intermission which, on account of the great demand created for iron, was a boon to the industry rather than a detriment. The coal period began in 1873, and much industrial expansion followed until 1907. By that year the most valuable coal deposits had been exhausted, and the county began to feel the first effects of the rural exodus which had robbed the rural districts of the young, the brainiest and the brawniest and the bonniest. A period of picking up loose ends has set in. Many are turning to the study of orchards, and scientific farming methods are gradually changing the outward aspect of the county. The - 345 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 347 people of the towns are adapting themselves to the conditions produced by the inevitable competition of the great industrial centers, and new hopes are dawning. GENERAL PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Jackson County is an upland country, lying at the head of the waters. When the great lake was formed by the Cincinnati dam at the close of the glacial period, and its waters rolled over all Southern Ohio, the high ground of Jackson County was an island. Some of the primitive men of that period may have survived upon this island when their fellows perished elsewhere, for food was plentiful on account of the wild animals which had sought high levels to escape drowning. The survival of some rude mounds on the highest levels lends color to this theory. The highest points in the county reach an elevation of about 1,070 feet, and a large area of ridge and hill land lies above 850 feet. The lowest areas are narrow valleys where the various streams flow out of the county. The loftiest hills are in Washington and Jackson townships, with a few points in Liberty reaching 1,000 feet. The greatest area of lowland is the old pre-glacial valley which enters the county near Centerville on the southeastern boundary and runs diagonally toward the center of the county at Jackson. Then it sweeps to the southwest and passes out of the county near Beaver. Parts of this valley bear different names. Flatwoods in Madison, the Hickory Flats of Jefferson and Franklin, and the Glades of Scioto. SALT CREEK VALLEY Salt Creek occupies the valley in portions of Franklin and in Lick, and Buckeye Creek in Liberty. Connected with it are a number of small prairies which doubtless were once connecting valleys, but deposits of clay during the glacial period cut them off, which converted them into ponds. In the course .of ages they were filled by sediment and became prairies. Two or three of these ponds survived until the whites settled in the country and drained them. It is evident that the pre-glacial river which flowed in this valley was a stream of some magnitude, perhaps 100 yards wide, judging from the deposit of quicksand now lying in the lowest level eroded in the mother rock, from which the City of Jackson secures its water supply. Its headwaters in the present Valley of the Ohio were cut off during the glacial period. Its flow was cut off at the southwest at the same time, and the Salt Lick Lake, of which the Indians had a tradition, was formed thereby. At the close of the glacial period the flood water from this lake cut the Salt Creek gorge northwest of Jackson, which drained the lake. This gorge and its branches form one of the most romantic districts in Ohio, and it was here that J. W. Powell learned his first lessons about erosion, which proved of such value to him in after life, when he took up the study of the Canyon of the Colorado, which won him an international reputation. 348 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION Charles Whittlesey, appointed topographer of the Geological Survey of Ohio in 1837, spent several weeks in Jackson County and wrote the following description of this gorge : "Between Strong's mill and Jackson village, sand rock bluffs with mural fronts rise alternately on each bank from the edge of the water. The remainder of its course presents a topography similar to the middle fork ; the knobs, however, are less elevated above its bed, showing cliffs of sandstone occasionally near the top. At the bridge, two miles southwest of Richmond, high water mark appears to be fifteen feet from low water mark, and at a bridge near the mouth of Middle Fork the inhabitants put the highest flood at twenty feet. The width of the South Fork at Jackson is 35 links, at the bridge spoken of 60. Middle Fork is 54 links wide where it branches, and 90 at its mouth. The knobs in the northern and eastern part of the county produce pine timber on their northern and western slopes, from the peak two-thirds of the way down. The other portions are covered with handsome oaks." Davis Mackley, who was editor of the Standard until his death in 1887, loved to visit this gorge, and he wrote thus in November, 1862: "I remarked that the scenery along these cliffs of sandstone could not be surpassed. A perpendicular wall would rise to a distance of two or three hundred feet. On the top of this was scrubby oak, the leaves of which were of every shade of color, from orange to crimson and scarlet. Mixed with these were laurels, pines and cedars, clothed in dark green, and poplars of a bright saffron color. Under these great stone ledges the water had scooped out caves, where were pools of water filled with fishes." THE BLACK FORK OF SYMMES There are geological and climatic conditions which produce the most brilliant autumnal tints in the world at the headwaters of the various streams in this county. The leaves of the oaks cling to the trees all winter long in the extensive furnace clearings of the Hanging Rock district, hence the name Red Brush which attached to the region until the clearings were cut up into farms. The pioneers found it difficult to enter the country because the hill streams were too narrow for boating and the valleys were so narrow and crooked and deep and produced such a dense and luxurious growth as to make passage impossible. Davis Mack-ley has described one of them in his notes : " The Black Fork of Symmes is an ugly stream, but the sandstone along the creek makes some curious, if not fine, scenery. This has been the most crooked stream that I ever saw. It winds its way among the hills of sandstone running toward every point of the compass. In some places it runs due south for half a mile, then turns around a sharp point of sandstone and runs north about the same distance, making a narrow ridge of that length, and if the point be cut through it would not be more than two hundred yards across. The creek has been impinging upon the sandstone for ages, and in every year straightening its course. Formerly the beaver would run a dam across from one point to the other and thus raise the water so that it would cover a great extent of the low HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 349 ground. Then the water would break over the point with a tremendous current and cut down the channel until a new course would be formed, leaving a portion of the point away out in the bottom looking like a great mound and covered with such trees and shrubs as grow upon the upland. Where the water pitched over the rock and struck below it cut a great excavation which would become an extensive pond." FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE VALLEYS This description, although homely phrased, is a fairly correct picture of the eroded valleys which have given this county so much picturesque scenery. The plateau between the Ohio, Scioto and Hockhocking has been furrowed and gullied by many small streams. Little Raccoon and Symmes drain Milton, Bloomfield and Madison townships on the east ; Salt Creek drains the central and northwestern townships; while Pine Creek, Buck Lick and Brushy Fork drain the southern and western townships. The scenery along Buck Lick is much like that on Salt Creek, and Little Raccoon runs between high forested ridges. The narrowness and crookedness of these little valleys furnished the conditions that suited the beaver, and they multiplied and built many dams in the county, which established slack water ponds much like the millponds of the whites. In fact, a number of mill sites were selected with reference to the ancient beaver dams. The beaver ponds were fringed with borders of blue flags, which in season vied with the blue of the sky. Many vines flung themselves all over the low growth in the valleys and on the foothills, such as clematis and the various grapes, trumpet vines, which made a tangle-wood in which the wild game found refuge until late in the '40s, and which delayed the early and rapid settlement of the county. In addition to the trees already named, there were giant chestnuts on the hills and larger plain trees in the valleys, with occasional elms of the same magnitude on the prairies. The flats grew hickory. Black walnut and beeches abounded on clay banks. The undergrowth of hazels, plums, crabapples, hawthorns, pawpaws, persimmons, sassafras, together with the grapes, including the large fox grape, and various wild berries, service, dew, black, raspberries supplied wild men and beasts with food, and even the white pioneers never wanted with such a profusion of provisions in the woods. The abundance of food and the existence of the salt licks attracted all the game in the forest, buffalo, bear, elk, deer and the smaller animals, and there were wild turkeys, grouse, quail, pigeons, geese, ducks and great flocks of minor birds. The turkeys were easily caught in pens built of small logs or rails and covered with the same. There was entrance left through a trench on one side large enough to admit a turkey. Grain was scattered in the woods and along the trench into the pen. The foolish birds would enter the pen one after another, and once inside it never occurred to them to stoop and escape through the trench by which they had entered, but with heads erect they sought escape above, and were readily caught. Pigeons were very plentiful when the whites entered the county, and there were several roosts near the salt licks. The largest,