CHAPTER XXX.

RELIGIOUS HISTORY.

THE Rev. Joseph Badger was an early missionary on the Western Reserve. After laboring there for a time he connected himself with the Synod of Pittsburgh, and in 1805 made a tour as far west as Michigan. June 14, he crossed the Sandusky River, swimming his horse by the side of a canoe. Here he speaks of meeting the Rev. James Hughes, and confer-ring with the Indian chief about preaching. He found a temporary home with Mrs. Whittaker, about three miles below Lower Sandusky. On his way back from Michigan he was at Lower Sandusky July 26, and preached to the Indians.

In 1806, May 13, he ran into Sandusky Bay in a boat of three tons burden, which he had himself built. That night, he quaintly says, "there being no fuel on shore, we had patience for supper." Next day he arrived at Mrs. Whittaker's.

At Lower Sandusky he found the Indians gathered together attending to their prophet, who was pointing out several of their women to be killed as witches. He got Crane, the chief, to 'stop the prophet and wait for an interpreter. His diary is not very full, but the impression left on the reader's mind is that he succeeded in saving the women from death. Here an Indian named Eunouqu, but called by the whites Barnett, was converted. Mr. Badger often afterward speaks of him as a stead-fast and honest Christian.

At Lower Sandusky Mr. Badger and Mr. Hughes not only preached to the Indians, but they used to take their own

* Rev. Doctor E. Bushnell. horses and help them plow and draw logs and rails for building. In this work he was opposed by some traders and government officers, but by persuading the Indians to avoid the use of strong drink he broke up the traders and they went off.

In September, 1809, there were rumors of a war with England. Mr. Badger appointed a meeting for the Indians in Lower Sandusky, at which he made an address dissuading them from taking any part in the war if it should come.

The labors of this missionary were of varied character. He speaks of making his own boat, of making a plow for Mrs. Whittaker, to replace one that had been broken, and the following are characteristic extracts from his journal :

Spent part of the week hoeing in the garden, digging for water, writing letters, and administering to the sick.

Friday: rode to the upper town, and preached a short lecture to the black people. Bled three women.

Monday: returned home and spent most of the week in administering to the sick; made a last and a pair of shoes.

Mr. Badger died in 1847, at Perrysburg, in the ninetieth year of his age. A few years ago the members of the Presbyterian synod made a contribution of money to place a stone at his grave.

Mr. Badger's labors were largely for the benefit of the Indians. It was only after a long interval that a Presbyterian church was organized here. Before this took place religious worship had been occasionally had here after the forms of this church. This worship had been conducted, and the Lord's Supper administered,

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by the Rev. James Robinson, a clergyman from Southern Ohio. These services were held in a log schoolhouse, which stood upon or near the site now occupied by the high school building. No organization was effected until Saturday, November 30, 1833, when Rev. Messrs. Enoch Conger, Xenophon Betts, and Ellery Bascom met with those interested to form a church. This meeting was held in the court-house, the building which, remodeled, is now the dwelling of the pastor of the Lutheran church.

Twenty-two persons joined in constituting the church. All but two had been members of churches in other places, and most of them had regular letters of dismission.

The ministers who formed the church were all members of the Presbytery of Huron. At the next stated meeting of the Presbytery, April 8, 1834, the formation of the church was reported, and it was received under the care of the body.

One of these ministers, Rev. E. Bascom, became the first ministerial servant of the church. He was graduated at Western Reserve College, 1830, a member of its first class. He had studied theology at Princeton, and was ordained by the Huron Presbytery, October 8, 1833. At last accounts he was still living in Wisconsin.

David Camp and William C. Otis were chosen elders, and were ordained in the evening after the organization. Mr. Camp was the father of Mrs. Jacob Stahl.

For some time the Sunday services were held in the courthouse, or in a stone schoolhouse near the present high school building. Prayer meetings were held at the house of the minister. His house has been enlarged, and is now the residence of Dr. Failing, on Justice street, between the park and State street. After leaving the courthouse the congregation, for some time, used a small building which stood on Front street, a few rods north of the post office, which has given place to business edifices.

The church was incorporated by act of the Legislature of Ohio, under date of March 4, 1836. But no meetings of the body as thus incorporated are recorded until January 7, 1841. From that time the annual meeting in January has never failed. The annual meeting of January 1, 1842, is recorded as held "in their meeting-house." At this meeting the trustees were directed to complete a lease with Isaac Prior for his house, as a place of public worship. That house was erected by Mr. Prior on purpose for the use of the church, and the church continued to use it rent free, till the completion of an edifice. It is still standing, used as a dwelling, on the south side of State street, next door to the marble shop, east of the bridge.

At a meeting held in April, 1844, it was resolved expedient to make an effort to build a house of worship. The trustees were directed to immediately purchase a lot on the northwest corner of Main and Garrison streets. This was done, and the location has ever since been occupied. In May (1844) a building committee was appointed. The house was erected, and was dedicated January 1, 1847. It was forty-five by sixty feet, was the first house built by the congregation, and was used until the last Sabbath of March, 1869. In January, 1852, it was resolved to undertake the building of a lecture room. Such room was built in the rear of the church, and was used as long as the church itself.

In January, 1869, the trustees were instructed to raise, if possible, a subscription of twenty-five thousand dollars, and if successful to proceed to the erection of a more commodious edifice, having first re-moved both the old edifices. The effort

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succeeded, and the house now occupied was built, the congregation meanwhile worshiping ten months in "Birchard hall. The basement rooms were first occupied January 30, 1870. The completed edifice was dedicated on Sunday, the 28th day of April, 1870, without debt, having cost nearly forty thousand dollars. The congregation has occupied this location nearly thirty years.

The church has elected seventeen elders, two of whom declined to serve. The first two, as already stated, were David Camp and William C. Otis. March 31, 1838, Ezra Williams and John Tindall were elected. The latter appears never to have been ordained or to have served. In November, 1841, Samuel Hafford was elected. In November, 1833, Samuel Clark, Samuel Crowell, and Dr. Franklin Williams were elected. Mr. Crowell declined to serve, and Chauncey J. Pettibone was chosen. In January, 1848, George Wall was elected. In April, 1849, J. B. G. Downs; in January, 1852–53 Joseph T. Moss and Thomas Gillmon; and in February, 1856, Dr. T. Stillwell and R. W. R. McLellan were chosen, and April 30, 1869, C. R. McCulloch and I. M. Keeler.

In regard to the ministers who have served the church, the records, whether of the church or the session, do not make it clear, in all cases, when they came or when they went. There have been ten ministers. Three have been regularly installed pastors, viz.: Rev. Ferris Fitch, May 16, 1839, dismissed May 8, 1844; Rev. Flavel S. White, installed October 20, 1847, dismissed June 29, 1852; and Rev. Ebenezer Bushnell, installed May 12, 1857, still in office (October, 1881 ). The church has been in existence for forty-eight years. These three pastors have ministered thirty-four and a half of those years. The remaining thirteen and one-half years have been divided between vacancies andseven stated supplies. Messrs. E. Bascom, E. Conger, H. A. Reed, and John McCutchen preceded the pastorate of Mr. Fitch. Between Mr. Fitch and Mr. White, was Rev. F. T. Backus. After Mr. White came Rev. H. A. Rossiter and Rev. F. Hendricks.

The records give no clue to the date of the organization of the Sunday-school. The most prominent name among the earlier superintendents is that of C. J. Pettibone, though he alternated with J. B. G. Downs, I)r. B. F. Williams, and C. R. McCulloch. For about twenty-five years C. R. McCulloch has been superintendent.

Many of the members of this church have joined it by letter from other churches, and many others have come in on profession of their faith. There have been times of unusual accessions. In July, 1837, five persons were received by letter, and forty on profession. Of these, some afterwards became prominent members and officers. In April, 1843, eight were received on profession. Between January, 1845, and July 4. of the same year, twenty-eight were received on profession and eight by letter. In May, 1850, sixteen were added; in May, 1859, thirty-two; in May, 1865, seven; in May, 1866, eight; in May, 1867, seven; and in March, 1872, eleven were added. In the first four months of 1873 twenty-five were received on profession. These members are a key to the fact that the church has enjoyed not a few seasons of special revival, while in the meantime accessions have been made more gradually.

During the first half of the church's history statistics were very sparingly put on the books. The first gives the number of members in 1846 as 123, but no "funds raised" are recorded. Since 1854 the statistics have been regularly recorded. In 1852 the number of members is given as 103; in 1855, 109; in 1856, 114. The highest number ever reported in the annual report is 199.

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In April, 1876, it was 193. The neglect to record statistics prevents one knowing what the church has given for benevolent purposes.

In the ordinary course of things this church has caused the preaching of more than five thousand sermons, and held two thousand five hundred prayer meetings, and two thousand two hundred and fifty sessions of the Sunday-school.

Could the town afford to do without this and other churches?

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.*

The parish of St. Paul's, Fremont, does not possess a very lengthy history, yet that history includes facts of interest which should be recorded, and .thus preserved from oblivion, and handed down for the information of future generations.

It was upon a conviction of the value of religious influences to a community, and a desire to establish here the services of the Protestant Episcopal church, that this parish was organized, in the year 1842, under the name of St. Paul's church, Lower Sandusky.

The population of the town was then below two thousand. Many who were then leading spirits of the place have now passed away from the stage of action. The majority of the men who united in forming this parochial organization were not professors of religion, but they acted, no doubt, under a sense of duty to themselves and families and a desire to advance the interests of the town.

The first meeting for the purpose of organizing a religious society according to the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal church, was held at the courthouse on Wednesday, the 15th day of January, 1812. The articles of association then and there adopted were signed by twenty-eight citizens. At a meeting

* Rev R T Chittenden

held January 25, 1842, Messrs. D. E. Field and William C. Otis were chosen wardens, and John P. Haynes, A. Coles, John R. Pease, A. B. Taylor and N. B. Eddy, vestrymen of the new parish.

The average attendance at Sunday morning services is from eighty to one hundred.

The following occurs in the record of the first meeting of the vestry, February 5, 1842 :

Ordered that the secretary be directed to write to Rev. James O'Kill, assuring him that the sum of one hundred dollars may be raised for him to officiate as pastor of this church once a month for the space of one year, or at that rate, the arrangement, however, subject to be put an end to by the vestry of this church, so soon as a permanent pastor can be secured.

Resolved, That the Secretary write to the Rev. Bishop Mcllvaine, requesting him to furnish this church with a pastor so soon as possible.

In accordance with this resolution, the Rev. Mr. O'Kill came from Norwalk and held service a few times. It is said that a few of the earlier services were held in the building then occupied by the Methodist society, on the southwest corner of Arch and Garrison streets. The abilities of Mr. O'Kill are highly praised by those who knew him. He was a man of brilliant talents. In November, 1842, the Rev. William Fagg was invited to the charge of the parish at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum. This, as we are informed, was Mr. Fagg's first parish. After serving the congregation one year he left on account of ill-health. Mr. Fagg died a number of years ago in the South. There is a record of one marriage and five burials by Mr. Fagg, but no record of any baptism or of anyone presented for confirmation during his rectorship. William C. Otis and D. E. Field held the offices of warden, and D. E. Field was chosen delegate to the diocesan convention.

The meetings at this time were held in

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the old stone school-house, a small building which stood on the present site of the high school building. Subsequently the meetings of the congregation were held in the court house.

In 1843–44 the members of the congregation erected a handsome and commodious church edifice—of brick with stone trimmings—on the lot on the northwest corner of Main and Court streets. A small portion of the subscriptions for the work promised labor, teaming and materials the balance money. The building was sixty by forty-two feet, with Gothic windows and a handsome steeple in which hung a sweet-toned bell, from the manufactory at Troy, New York. This bell, not being of sufficient size and weight for the expected new tower, was sold a few years ago, and now serves to give fire-alarms in case of a threatened conflagration. The church was heated with stoves, from which long smoke-pipes extended through the building, entering the rear wall on each side of the chimney. The number of slips was fifty-two. A pulpit of Gothic design, and a heavy gallery for the organ and choir at the east end, completed the interior equipment. A small room in the rear, lighted by one north window, served as a vestry-room, and was also used for the instruction of the infant class. The interior of the wood-work was of an oaken-brown color. The location of the church is quite central, and the building at the time of its erection was, probably, with hardly an exception, the best and most tasteful church edifice in the county. The building being completed, the pews were appraised and offered for sale (six being reserved), the purchase money to apply on the subscription of the purchaser. Only seventeen are marked sold in the record of proceedings. If no more were disposed of it may be conjectured that it was because the pews were to be subject to assessment for debts of the church, as well as the support of the minister. The cost of the new building exceeded the amount raised by subscription. At the close of the year 1844 a debt of one thousand three hundred and eighty-three dollars and six cents yet remained, being money advanced in equal amounts by six gentlemen, over and above their subscriptions for the erection of the church.

Some two years afterward an average of about sixty-three dollars was paid to each of these gentlemen on the above indebtedness, and they afterwards generously gave up their claims, still amounting to about one thousand two hundred dollars. The names of these gentlemen are: R. P. Buckland, John R. Pease, N. B. Eddy, John M. Smith, A. Coles, and A. W. Cutter. In 1844 the pews were ordered to be sold for the support of a minister. Rev. Humphrey Hollis having been elected rector, entered upon his duties on the 15th day of July, 1844, and continued in charge until the 10th day of August, 1846, at a salary of five hundred dollars per annum. The first baptism on record in the parish is that of Caroline Elizabeth Eddy, at the residence of her parents, on Thursday, August 29, 1844. Date of birth, April 13, 1842. Sponsors, the parents, Azariah and Harriet M. Eddy, and Mrs. John P. Haynes. Clergyman officiating, Rev. H. Hollis.

On the 14th of November, 1845, fifteen persons were confirmed by Bishop McIlvaine— presented by Mr. Hollis. During these two years the baptisms numbered eleven. Rev. Mr. Hollis died not long since in Ashtabula county, this State.

We find on record under date of November 1, 1845, a formal request ad-dressed to the bishop of the diocese, asking him to consecrate the new church, thereby separating it from all unhallowed,

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worldly and common uses, and solemnly dedicating it to the worship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, according to the pro-visions of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America.

We have also a copy of the sentence of consecration signed by Charles P. McIlvaine, bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, under date of November 14, 1845.

The parish now entered upon a new era, having the advantage of a new and pleasant house of worship.

On the 15th of August, 1846, the Rev. Oliver Taylor entered upon his duties as rector, and resigned July 1, 1847. During his ministry the baptisms were six, and one confirmed. In the clergy list of 1875 Mr. Taylor is recorded as a resident of Pontiac, Michigan. During these three years the wardens of the church were William C. Otis, senior warden; A. W. Cutter and A. Coles successively, junior wardens.

The Rev. H. P. Powers entered upon the charge of St. Paul's church in September, 1848, and remained with some interruptions, until August 9, 1851. About this time the name of the town was changed from Lower Sandusky to Fremont. The change was desirable from the fact that the name Sandusky was attached to a number of towns, townships and streams in this part of the State. During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Powers there were twenty-four baptisms and six persons presented for confirmation; there were four marriages and five burials. Wardens, A. Coles, A. J. Dickinson and Dr. J. W. Wilson ; R. P. Buckland, J. W. Wilson, and H. Everett, delegates to the diocesan convention.

Bishop Mcllvaine visited the parish during the vacancy that followed and ad-ministered baptism to five children.

The Rev. H. T. Hiester entered upon the charge of St. Paul's church in June, 1852, and resigned on Easter Monday, 1856. During his stay in Fremont the baptisms were 19; presented for confirmation 7; marriages 4; burials 17. Soon after leaving here Mr. Heister took charge of St. Andrew's church, Farm Ridge, Illinois, where he still remains. Mr. Hiester was evidently very much respected by the people, who regarded him as "a true Christian and faithful minister."

We find that in April, 1853, H. E. Clark and M. A. Elder were appointed a committee to raise funds to pay the debt on the melodeon. In those days the congregation turned around and faced the choir in the gallery during the singing. At one time the bass viol and flute were played by two gentlemen in the choir as an accompaniment to the hymns and chants. More than twenty-five years ago a pipe organ was purchased in the city of New York, having been used for a short time by a congregation there. This instrument was cleaned and repaired several times, and served a useful purpose until 1881, when it was replaced by a fine, large organ of superior quality. After a vacancy of a few months the Rev. R. L. Chittenden, of Columbus, Ohio, entered upon the charge of the parish, remaining eight months, when he re-signed in consequence of ill health. He administered baptism once to six persons, all members of one family, and officiated at four burials.

The second service at that. time was in the afternoon instead of the evening. During the vacancy which followed Mr. Chittenden's stay here three persons were confirmed. The Rev. W. H. Cooper, of Tiffin, supplied the church with Sunday afternoon services for some time. Rev. William Fulton assumed charge in August, 1857, and held the rector-ship until October, 1859, a period of two years and two

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months. Mr. Fulton is spoken of as an able preacher. During his pastorate the baptisms were fifteen, and fourteen persons were presented for confirmation. Marriages, six. Burials twelve.

During the eight years preceding October, 1859, the following persons held the office of warden : James W. Wilson and Dr. Coles, senior wardens; A. J. Dickinson, Daniel Cooper, Charles Trowbridge, and John Flaugher were in succession junior wardens. The names of delegates to conventions during the same period are James W. Wilson, Daniel Capper, and John Flaugher.

The church building had now been in use for fourteen years, and the bare walls had, no doubt, become somewhat discolored by time and smoke. An artist was accordingly procured who should adorn the walls with fresco painting. After a number of days the doors of the church were opened, and the members of the congregation were admitted to view the work. For some cause the work fell far below their hopes and expectations. It was lacking in taste and adaptation, and to say the least, the interior of the church was not improved. The parish was now vacant for more than a year. During the interval the Rev. Lyman N. Freeman visited Fremont and administered baptism to four children.

The Rev. Alanson Phelps, of Painesville, Ohio, commenced services as rector of the church, on the first Sunday in December, 1860, and remained in charge just five years. During his rectorate there were : baptisms, thirty-six ; presented for confirmation, twenty-four; marriages, nine; burials, twenty-three.

Dr. J. W. Wilson and John Flaugher held the office of warden, and Messrs. Wilson, Flaugher, William St. Clair and E. W. Amsden were delegates to the diocesan convention.

Gas was introduced into the church in the year 1861. A donation of prayer-books was made to the church by the New York Bible and Common Prayer-Book Society. The gift was very thankfully received, as is proved by the resolution of the vestry regarding it. Special pains were taken to attract children to the Sunday-school, and it became unusually large.

During a part of the year 1865, Mr. Phelps held only one service on Sunday on account of ill health, and in November he resigned the charge from the same cause. The vestry accepted his resignation with expressions of regret and good-will.

During the residence of Mr. Phelps here, some preliminary steps were taken looking to the enlargement and improvement of the church edifice.

The Rev. George H. Jenks now accepted a call to the rectorship, but resigned within a week. This sudden change in his plans was caused by the receipt of a message from friends in California, re-questing him to come to that State. The Rev. Charles H. Young, of Tiffin, Ohio, assumed charge of the church in January, 1866, retaining it for over four years, or until April 1, 187o. Under Mr. Young's ministry the baptisms were forty-two, and seventeen persons were presented for confirmation. Marriages, sixteen ; burials, twenty. Wardens, Dr. Dillon and John Flaugher. Delegates, Messrs. Wilson Flaugher, George H. Rice, E. S. Thomas, and John Weaver.

Mr. Young's ministry was marked by an event which, it is believed, stands alone in the whole history of the church in Fremont. He induced a worthy and intelligent young man, a communicant of the church, to begin his studies at Gambier with a view of preparation for the ministry. Frank M. Quig might have done good work in the cause of Christ, but the Lord

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of the harvest ordered otherwise. His health failed, and he came home to die. After languishing for several months, he departed this life in October, 1870, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope. Who among the youth of this church will take up and carry forward the work which he began.

The Rev. Mr. Young is now in charge of St. John's Church, Worthington, and Christ Church, Clinton, in the Diocese of Southern Ohio.

During the brief vacancy which followed Mr. Young's removal, the Rev. C. S. Doolitell, of Mansfield, Ohio, held Sunday services. In June, 1870, the Rev. R. L. Chittenden (the writer) took charge of the parish the second time, and remained until succeeded by Rev. D. W. Coxe, in 1879. In 1872–73 the church building was enlarged, and the interior entirely reconstructed, at a cost, including furnace, carpets and other improvements, of some eight thousand dollars. The plan includes a handsome tower and spire to be added at some time in the future. The leading features of the improvement are, an addition of fourteen feet in the length of the building, giving room for fourteen additional pews, a handsome recess, chancel, vestry and organ room, an ample cellar for the furnace and fuel, the removal of the gallery, a tasteful pulpit, lecture and communion-table, and stained glass windows. Handsome chandeliers have since been added by the young ladies, who are now organized as a Church aid society. We also have the promise of an appropriate baptismal font. The chancel window is the gift of Rev. Mr. Phelps, a former rector, and is a memorial of a deceased daughter. Mr. Phelps now resides with his family in a very pleasant home in Painesville, the scene of his earlier labors, and occasionally looks in upon us. The first chancel window having been broken by a hail storm, the windows are now all protected by wire netting. These improvements occupied about one year, during which time the courtroom was used for our services and Sunday-school.

I have said little of the part taken by the lady members in the work of the church. Their efforts have been constant and very helpful. I recall the names of four who were valued helpers and have been removed by death, viz : Mrs. D. E. Capper, Mrs. Susan A. Everett, Mrs. Priscilla Brown, and Mrs. Josephine A. Dougherty.

LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

In the third and fourth decades of the present century (1820-1830), Lutherans from Pennsylvania and Germany began to emigrate to Sandusky county, and to the town of Lower Sandusky. They were visited at very long intervals by the missionaries Stanch, from Western Pennsylvania, J. Krauss and Rev. Charles Henkel, from Somerset, Ohio.

In 1836 a highly esteemed and pious pastor by the name of Adolph A. Konrad, located at Tiffin, Ohio. The Lutherans of this vicinity, hearing of his settlement there, applied to him for his services as pastor among them. Although he had charge of nine preaching places, in Seneca and Wyandot counties, he saw the need of the Lutherans here, and so consented to visit them once every four weeks. But the labors and exposures of such a field proved to be too much for the good man, and being of a frail constitution, he died at Tiffin, March 23, 1841. After his death, Rev. J. J. Beilharz, from Seneca county, New York, was called to the pastorate, and in the autumn of 1841, moved with his family to Tiffin, Ohio, from which place he served this congregation and also that four miles west of this city. The sainted Konrad having promised the little flocks in this vicinity to send them

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Henry Lang as their future pastor, as soon as he should leave the theological seminary at Columbus, Ohio, his promise was complied with by the proper authorities of the synod, and in July, 1843, he was installed as their future pastor. The congregation being very small and poor, was glad to obtain permission to worship in the schoolhouses of the town. For nearly two years the congregation worshiped in the Howland street schoolhouse.

In 1843 the congregation purchased of the county commissioners, the old courthouse and the two lots on which it and the old jail stood, for the sum of eight hundred and ten dollars. Eleven years elapsed before this property was paid for, None but God knows the anxiety experienced while this debt was hanging over the congregation. But then, what joy when the last installment was paid off ! The membership was small, and, as already stated, poor; money was scarce, farmers receiving store-pay for their produce instead of money. The struggle to pay off this debt, small as the sum may at present seem to have been, was greater than the burden of the erection of the new church edifice, that being by no means insignificant.

In 1842 the congregation was incorporated by an act of the Legislature, under the name of the Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed St. John's Congregation. By a unanimous vote of the congregation this name was changed, January 1, 1853, to the name Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Congregation, only two active members being German Reformed, and their families being Lutheran. Judge Otis, of the court of common pleas, granted this petition for change of name in 1856.

For fifteen years the congregation worshipped in the old courthouse, which had become quite a respectable place of worship after the necessary changes and repairs were completed. Here gradually the flock grew larger, and it needed a larger fold.

At a meeting of the congregation held October 31, 1857 (anniversary of the Reformation,) it was resolved "to erect a new and more suitable church building." A lot was purchased of Miss Jennie Grant, corner Court and Clover sheets, for the sum of four hundred dollars, November 10, 1857 (Luther^'s birthday); the plan for the church was adopted (seventy-six by forty-six). June r, 1858, work was begun; June 25 (anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession), the cornerstone was laid; and October 31, 1861, the church was dedicated as a house of divine worship. April 11, 1870, a bell weighing two thousand five hundred pounds was hung in the tower. The tower having as yet no spire, Mr. A. Foster was employed to erect one, after a plan drawn by Mr. J. C. Johnson. This spire was dedicated on the pastor's fifty-fifth birthday, November 28, 1873, being Thanksgiving Day, and also the pastor's thirtieth jubilee as pastor of this congregation. On that occasion, among other statements the following was made : Baptisms, 2,300; confirmed, 1,005; communicants, 15,000; marriages, 680; burials, 810; sermons preached, about 5,000. These figures include all his congregations, however.

As stated above, the congregation consisted, in 1843, of forty communicants. It now numbers about six hundred. The congregation, though numerous, is not wealthy, as the impression seems to be in the community. It possesses a number of well-to-do citizens and farmers, but the greater number are yet struggling for an existence. The growth of the congregation has been gradual, but healthy. The labors be-

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stowed upon it have been blessed, and not been in vain. But the changes since 1843 have been great indeed. The pioneers have nearly all passed away.

But to return. In 1865 the old courthouse, having become greatly dilapidated, the congregation determined to renovate the same thoroughly. At an expense of one thousand six hundred dollars it was changed into a comfortable parsonage. Since 1845 the pastor occupied the three lower rooms, which were formerly occupied by the county auditor, clerk of the court, and county treasurer, as offices. The frame of this building is an immense one, some of the timbers in it measuring fourteen inches square. In 1822 it was erected, in the vicinity of the Pease property, when the commissioners determined to remove it to the present spot. Judge Knapp told the writer of this repeatedly, that in the removal of this frame twenty-five yoke of oxen were used, all pulling at the same time. And this seems likely, judging from the ponderous structure, and the want of convenient implements, such as are now used for the removal of buildings. Since 1845 the pastor of the Lutheran congregation occupied this house as a parsonage. Here all his children were born, save one. From this house were conveyed the remains of his wife, three children, a son-in-law, and a little granddaughter, to their restingplace in Oakwood cemetery. Joys and sorrows exchanged places repeatedly within its walls.

The old county jail stood a few feet south of the old courthouse, and it was used as a stable. It was here where Sperry, of Green Spring, who had killed his wife, and who had been sentenced to be hanged, committed suicide in 1842. Our lamented friend Birchard once asked the pastor if he was not afraid of spooks, coining home late and putting away his horse in the old jail. The reply was thathe did not suffer himself to be scared by evil spirits, when Mr. Birchard said : "What! not afraid of spooks in the old jail, where Sperry killed himself? It is a capital place for spooks, sir, a capital place." This old jail, used as such until the prison under the present courthouse was prepared to receive evil-doers, was taken down in 1865, when eight men worked industriously for three days to level it with the ground, the logs of which it was built being two feet square. The foundation still remains, but the spot where it stood has become an inviting one, forming part of the pastor's flower garden. It is no longer a "capital place for spooks." But if that spot could speak, what a sad history it would relate of the persons imprisoned above it. But the flowers that grow there annually seem to say: "Cast the mantle of charity upon all their sins."

On festival occasions our church proves to be too small for us, and the church officers have been seriously talking of an enlargement.

The church council consists of the pastor (being chairman by virtue of his office), three trustees, two deacons, and a treasurer.

Since 1845 a Sunday-school has been sustained by the congregation, At first it numbered twenty—thirty children, now upward of two hundred. For a number of years Mr. Jacob Tschumy has acted as superintendent with efficiency. He is assisted by twenty-five teachers, all of whom were former scholars of the Sunday-school, and are confirmed members of the church. Catechetical instruction is given by the pastor each Sunday before the close of the Sunday-school, in which the children and teachers participate.

Our history may seem monotonous, but to the congregation and the pastor it seems varied enough. Every year brought forth new labors, trials, and conflicts; every year

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brought with it new mercies, rewards and victories.

Both the German, and English languages are used in conducting the services of the church. This makes the labors of the pastor greater than they would be if only one language could be made to answer the purpose. But the greater part of the congregation being European Germans, the German language is indispensable. The younger members, speaking the English better than the German, would prefer to have the English language used exclusively.

May God safely conduct us to that land, where but one language is spoken—the language of Zion.

We conclude this sketch with a brief mention of the faithful pastor of the church. He has all this time been emphatically a worker. He came to Fremont young and poor in this world's goods, and took charge of a congregation as young and poor as himself. Thirty-eight years spent in incessant application to self-improvement and in discharge of his pastoral duties, have at last borne abundant fruit. Often laboring against adverse circumstances, which would have discouraged other men, he was always at his post. In addition to his pastoral duties, he has exercised a large and beneficial influence in the public schools by the faithful discharge of his duty as a member of the city board of education. He has preached and taught his congregation weekly in two languages, and his incessant work has evoked, from almost nothing, a large congregation, a comfortable parsonage, and a church edifice worth about twenty-five thousand dollars, which is an honor and an ornament to the city. His influence now, through his congregation, is widespread and efficient for good. Without detracting from the merits of any man, it may be pertinently asked, of all citizens, who has labored so many years and so faithfully, to uphold and extend morality and religion, as the subject of this notice?

*THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

In 1819, Rev. J. Montgomery, Indian agent at Fort Seneca, and a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, came to Lower Sandusky and preached the first Methodist sermon ever preached in this place. He continued to preach here at stated intervals until 1820, when, so far as he had authority, he organized himself, wife, and daughter into a class. This organization, though well intended by him, was evidently more in assumption than in reality. It was, however, the nucleus of a church. A letter from Montgomery's daughter, Mrs. Sallie Tryham, now living in Tiffin, Ohio, to the writer, says: "At the first communion service the communicants were the above mentioned three persons with the addition of a local preacher from Springfield, Ohio, named Moses Hinkle."

In March, 1822, the Bowlus family emigrated from Maryland and settled in Lower Sandusky. Of this family Jacob Bowlus, wife and four sisters, and brother-in-law, Thomas White, were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. These were the first members so far as can be ascertained, of the Methodist Episcopal church, that settled either in Lower Sandusky, or what is now included in the territory of Sandusky county.

In the fall of the same year Joel Strahn with his family, emigrated from Perry county, Ohio, and settled on what is now known as the Hafford farm, three miles up the river from Fremont. Mr. Strahn and his wife were members of the church before they emigrated to this place.

Very soon after Mr. Strahn's arrival Rev. James Montgomery proceeded regularly to

*Rev. A. Skinner and H. R. Adams.

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organize the first class of the Methodist Episcopal church ever formed in Lower Sandusky, with eleven members, namely : Jacob Bowlus, Sarah Bowlus, Margaret Bowlus, Susan Bowlus, Elizabeth Bowlus, Sophia Bowlus, Thomas L. Hawkins, Thomas White, Joel Strahn, Sarah Strahn, and Nancy Halloway. Joel Strahn was appointed leader. Shortly after the organization their number was increased by the addition of Rebecca Pryor, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Tyler. Of these fourteen none are now living but Jacob Bowlus, who still lingers among the men of another generaion, the honored patriarch of the Methodist Episcopal church in Sandusky county. His connection with the church has never been broken for a day, and he has always enjoyed not only the respect but the confidence and love of his brethren and the community. Joel Strahn 'moved to Illinois after he had been here some ten years, and died in 1864.

Rev. James McIntyre, a local preacher living in Huron county, visited Lower Sandusky occasionally and preached in 1822. He subsequently joined the Ohio conference; travelled a few years and retired. The date of his death is not known to the writer.

Rev. James Montgomery was ordained by Bishop Asbury, at Lebanon, Ohio. He was a local preacher thirty years, and died at Fort Seneca in 1830. His funeral was preached by Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, at that time travelling the Lower Sandusky circuit. Methodism and religion, not only in Fremont but in the surrounding country, owes him a debt of lasting gratitude. He preached the gospel to the scattered communities in the country where no church in its regular organized capacity had found its way among the people. By him and his early associates in this irregular work the word of life was carried to the sparsely settled communities, and the wayfor a more regularly organized ministry prepared.

From the best evidence at my disposal, it appears that John and Nathan Walker, two men of the same name, were appointed to the Huron circuit in the fall of 1822, and that Lower Sandusky was supplied by them. In the fall of 1823, William Swazy, presiding elder on Lancaster district, employed Benija Boardman, a local preacher living in Huron county, as a missionary to organize a circuit up and down the Sandusky River, and from the adjacent settlements, with Lower Sandusky for headquarters. Mr. Boardman seems to have been a man of fair talents, and blessed with a good degree of energy and fidelity to his work. The enterprise was a success, and the close of that conference year the Lower Sandusky circuit was organized by the Ohio conference, placed upon the ministers, and the Rev. E. H. Fields, a young man who had recently been received into the conference, appointed, with Rev. James McMahon as presiding elder. This is the first recognition of Lower Sandusky circuit we have. What the extent of the territory or number of appointments it embraced I do not know. There were ninety-seven members in all the circuit. Mr. Fields remained on the circuit but one year, it then being the practice of the church not to return young men the second year unless there was something in the circumstances to require it. Rev. J. W. Clarke was appointed to succeed Mr. Field in the fall of 1825. Mr. Clarke remained but one year. What his future history was is not known.

In the fall of 1826 Rev. Arza Brown was appointed to the circuit. He remained two years. The members of the church and those that were interestedly associated with it who are still living have a distinct recollection of Mr. Brown. During his pastorate Lower Sandusky was

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 497

blessed with a powerful and extensive revival, perhaps, considering the number of population, the most remarkable religious awakening the place was ever favored with. This revival and ingathering Into the church was a matter of great encouragement to the little struggling society, that had become well nigh discouraged in consequence of the hardships and privations of a new country. I am informed by Mrs. Sallie Ingham, a daughter of Rev. James Montgomery, that Mr. Brown died in Chicago in 1870. How long he continued in the ministry, or what his occupation was after he left it, is not known.

The revival gave great strength to the circuit, and at the conference held in 1828, J. Hill and A. Billings were appointed. They remained on the work but one year, and B. Cooper and William Sprague were appointed to succeed them at the conference of 1829. Rev. Russell Bigelow was presiding elder. Nothing special occurred during the year, and in 1830 they were succeeded by Rev. Eline Day and Rev. E. C. Gavitt. At the end of the first year Mr. Gavitt was removed, he being a young man. He is still living, a member of the Central Ohio conference, and doing effective work.

In 1831 Mr. Day was returned with the Rev. E. B. Chase for his colleague. Mr. Day remained in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church for a few years, became disaffected and joined the United Brethren, remained with them a while, and in his old age asked the privilege of returning to the church of his youth. He was received back and recognized as a local elder.

In 1832, Mr. Day and Mr. Chase having closed their pastorate, Rev. Elmore Yocum and Rev. J. Martin were appointed to the circuit. Mr. Yocum continued to travel several years in Ohio, and was transferred to Wisconsin, where he hascontinued to labor on districts and in the best appointments of his conference. He has been more than once, I think, honored by his brethren with a seat in the general conference. No man has a warmer heart, or has been more beloved by the people with whom he has labored than Elmore Yocum. In the year 1833 Rev. C. Goddard, with the Rev. J. B. Austin as assistant, were appointed. They were both removed at the end of the first year, and in the fall of 1834 Rev. William Sullivan and Rev. John T. Kellom were appointed. The community this fall was greatly afflicted with cholera. Mr. Kellom says in a letter to the writer :

On my way to Lower Sandusky I was stopped by a kind friend, some three miles above the town, and informed that there were but three living persons in the place. I staid with him over night, and the next morning rode to town and found Mr. Birchard, Judge Hulburd, and Dr. Rawson. All the others had fled from the cholera. Some were tenting on a campground on Father Bowlus' farm, and some had fled to other places. After stopping a while, I went over to what is now Clyde, and then returned and assisted in burying some of the dead.

In consequence of the prevalence of cholera, Mr. Kellom received but fifty six dollars for his year's service.

Rev. J. Kinnear and Rev. J. H. Pitzel were appointed to the circuit in 1835. They remained one year, and were followed, in 1836, by Rev. Leonard Hill and Rev. Wesley J. Wells. Mr. Hill remained two years and had for his colleague the second year Rev. Osborn Mennett. Father Hill continued to travel as an itinerant preacher for several years, took a superannuated relation to the conference, returned to Fremont, where he spent the evening of his life, and died in great peace, April 13, 1869, in the eightieth year of his age, honored and beloved by all who knew him. Mr. Wells continued to travel till 1868. He now holds a superannuated relation to the Central Ohio conference, and is engaged in busi-

498 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

ness in Toledo, Ohio. In 1838 Rev. Peter Sharp was appointed to the circuit, with Rev. B. Blanchard as assistant. Mr. Sharp's health was poor, and he insisted on the work being divided and he allowed to remain all the time in town that he could attend to the work. The presiding elder accordingly consented to the arrangement, and Lower Sandusky was organized into a station. Peter Sharp was eccentric, and there are many amusing anecdotes told about him, one of which is here related :

At one of the conferences a good brother was arraigned for heresy. The conference heard the case and pronounced him guilty. The bishop said: "Brethren, you have convicted this brother of heresy; what do you propose to do with him?" This was a stunner, for the church has no law to punish heretics. In the midst of embarrassment, Peter gravely arose in his place on the. conference floor and said : "Mr. President, I move we proceed at once to burn him."

Mr. Sharp was succeeded, in 1839, by Rev. Wesley Brock. Mr. Brock was the homeliest man I ever saw. He remained here but one year—continued to hold important positions in his conference for a number of years. Finally took a superanuated relation and moved on his farm in Mercer county, Ohio, where he became guilty of a shameful crime, for which he was expelled from his conference in 1859. He died a few years afterward, dishonored and forsaken. I never knew a man for whom I felt so deeply as I did for Wesley Brock.

In 1840 Rev. A. Campbell was appointed to the station. This was unfortunate for the charge. Mr. Campbell was of a despondent turn of mind, which grew upon him, and before the close of the year the poor man lost the balance of his mind and went crazy. What became. of him I do not know. With the misfortune of Mr. Campbell the station became discouraged, and failed to sustain itself. It was accordingly again united with the outlying appointments, and in 1841 Thomas Thompson and Rev. Darius Dodge were appointed. Father Thompson is still living, a member of the North Ohio conference, and, I believe, in the religious world, no man has sustained a better character through a long and useful ministry than he. Darius Dodge became ambitious to be rich, took a supernumerary relation to the conference, went to Illinois, and commenced the practice of medicine, became guilty of an offence that disgraced himself and the church. He is no longer a member of the conference, and so far as I know is out of the church. Thompson and Dodge remained on the circuit but one year, and in 1842 the Rev. Samuel P. Shaw was appointed to circuit, with Rev. Mr. Grumley as junior preacher. Mr. Shaw remained on the circuit for one year, and the Rev. Hibbard P. Ward was his colleague the second year. Mr. Shaw afterwards held a superannuated relation to the North Ohio conference, and lived alone on his farm in Crawford county, Ohio. He became wealthy, and endowed a university in the South named after himself.

Hibbard P. Ward died of cholera while stationed at Sandusky City. He led his prayer meeting in the evening, and before morning he was dead. His last words were, "Gliding sweetly." He was a young man of fine talent, of great goodness of heart, and of much promise to the church. He and William Cooper, and a young Presbyterian minister, all died in Sandusky City of cholera, and are buried side by side in the cemetery at that place.

Messrs. Shaw and Ward were succeeded, in 1844, by Rev. W. C. Huestis and Rev. Joseph F. Kennedy. Mr. Huestis remained

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two years, and Rev. S. Fairchilds was his assistant the second year. Mr. Kennedy continued in the work of the ministry until 1872, when he took a nominal appointment, fell into a state of despondency, and put an end to his existence by a pistol shot. He was a sad illustration of the use of opium, and of disappointed ambition.

In 1846 Rev. Joseph Jones and the Rev. Jacob T. Caples were appointed to the circuit. In 1847 Mr. Caples was removed and Mr. Jones was returned, and a young man by the name of Wait assisted him. At the close of Mr. Jones' legal term in 1848, Rev. J. Reese and Rev. J. Elliott were the preachers. Mr. Reese died on the 4th of the following February, and Elliott was entrusted with the charge of the circuit. He was followed in 1849 by Rev. S. M. Beatty, with Stillman George for a supply. During Mr. Beatty's first year on the work Lower Sandusky was favored with an extensive revival which greatly strengthened the charge, and at the close of his first year the circuit was again divided, and Fremont was organized into a charge by itself, to which Mr. Beatty returned m 185o.

He was followed in 1851 by Rev. Dorcas Dodge, and in 1852–53 Rev. W. J. Wells was again appointed to the charge, and at the close of his pastorate in 1854, Rev. W. H. Seeler succeeded him. He remained but one year, and was followed in 1855 by Rev. L. A. Pounds, and he in 1856–57 by Rev. Jacob T. Caples. One year after, Mr. Caples left Fremont. In 1869, at the conference held in Fremont, he was appointed by Bishop Morris presiding elder on the Findlay district. He served the district with great acceptability and usefulness until near the close of the first year, when he was suddenly stricken down by acute brain trouble, and died in Findlay, Ohio. Brother Caples was a young man of wonderful preaching powers. At the expiration of I Mr. Caples' term m r858 Rev. Charles G. Ferris was appointed. At the close of that conference year the Central Ohio conference held its annual session in Fremont in 1859. The conference was hospitably entertained by the citizens, the members of other churches, and those who were not connected with any church, generously assisting. The conference adjourned with grateful feelings toward the people for their kind and hospitable entertainment. At this conference Mr. Ferris was removed and Rev. W. S. Lunt was appointed. He remained for the two conference years. No pastor ever enjoyed more fully the confidence and affection of the charge than did Mr. Lunt. He has been for some time broken down in health, and sustains a superannuated relation to the Central Ohio conference. He resides in Fostoria, and enjoys the confidence and affection of the people. He closed his legal term of service on the charge in 1861, and Rev. Simeon Alderman was appointed to succeed him. He remained but one year, and in 1862 Rev. E. R. Morrison was appointed. Mr. Morrison was of an unfortunate mental organism. During his ministry here there were marked indications of mental aberration. He afterwards became entirely incapacitated, from this difficulty, for work. At present he holds a superannuated relation to the North Ohio conference, and resides with his helpless family among his friends, somewhere in the West, an object of profound sympathy. In many respects he was a man of fine intellect. At the end of his first year in Fremont it was thought best to remove him, and in 1863 Rev. Amos Wilson was appointed to succeed him. The general conference of 186o had changed the rule relating to the term of pastorate to three instead of two

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years, and Mr. Wilson remained the full legal term. He was followed in 1866 by Rev. Joseph Wykes, who remained two years. He was followed in 1869 by Rev. G. W. Collier. Mr. Collier resigned his charge during the year to accept the agency of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and Rev. A. Wheeler, of the North Ohio conference, was employed by the presiding elder to fill the balance of the conference year. In 1869 Rev. F. Merriott was appointed to the work. He remained two years, and was succeeded in 1871 by Rev. W. W. Winter. At the close of his first year he was appointed presiding elder in the Findlay district, and Rev. Gershom Lease was appointed to the charge. He was reappointed in 1873 and also in 1874. Rev. Mr. Wilson became pastor of the church in 1878, and retired in October, 1881.

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

This church is one which seems to have been formed to carry the gospel to the poor. It has been doing good work in this county for many years, and many souls have been saved through the earnest, self-sacrificing labors of its missionaries. All through the county the church buildings of this denomination are found, there being one in almost every township. Revivals are of frequent occurrence, and though the preachers are usually itinerants, the church keeps about its work of doing good, and receives the support of a large portion of the intelligent farmers of the county. The present number of church edifices in the county is fifteen; the entire membership seven hundred and seventy.

The first organization of the church in this county was effected in 183o. Since that date the progress of the association has been highly gratifying to those who have its interests at heart.

The society in Fremont was organizedin 1860 or about that date. In 1862 Revs. Shireman and D. Strohman purchased a lot, and an unpretentious but comfortable church building was erected. During the first ten years the congregation was composed almost exclusively of Germans, and the services conducted in their language. But in 187o Rev. A. Vandersoll commenced holding services, in which English alone was used. Since that time the church has been quite prosperous. Its present membership is seventy.

In the formation of the societies of the Evangelical church in Sandusky county, the itinerant preachers were men who hesitated at no hardship which they met in the discharge of duty. They travelled chiefly on horseback, and with hymn-book and Bible and wardrobe packed in a valise or saddle-bags met their engagements, and fulfilled their appointments, through snow and rain and mud. Often their services were at first held in private houses, log cabins and even barns along the circuit. Rank and style and wealth were all ignored, while there was an enthusiasm in the service of "The Master" that never fainted or flagged. In diffusing the religion of Jesus through the early settlements and carrying the gospel into remote places, in the woods and over the prairies, the Evangelical church has done a great and noble work for religion and civilization, and is still prosecuting its work with zeal and success.

THE REFORMED CHURCH.* .

The earliest record we find relating to the Reformed church of Fremont is dated November 5, 1857, at a meeting of the male members at the house of the Rev. J. Heller, where the following resolutions were passed:

1. Resolved, That we organize ourselves into a German Reformed congregation, and place ourselves under the care of Tiffin classes of the synod of the

* Robert Lucas, clerk.

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German Reformed church of Ohio and adjacent States, to be known as the First German Reformed church of Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio.

2. Resolved, That we elect a consistory to consist of three elders and three deacons who, together with the pastor in charge, shall be the directors of the organization.

The following persons were then appointed : E. B. Buchman, Michael Binkley, N. Naaman, elders; Frederick Tschumy, John Melhaupt, H. Zweler, deacons, who were regularly inducted into office on the 9th day of November, 1857, in the Union church at a regular meeting of the congregation.

Recorded above May 31, 1858.

JACOB SNYDER, Recorder,

Per Charles Atkinson, Deputy.

On the 1st of February, 1862, a joint meeting of the Salem (or Four-mile house) congregation and the Fremont congregation was held at the Reformed church in Fremont, and the two congregations united under name of one charge. The following persons were elected as trustees to serve a term of three years: Fremont church, Daniel Karshner, D. Koons, Peter Bauman; Salem, or Four-mile church, A. Hensel, Peter King, William Rearick; J. J. Siebert was elected treasurer, George B. Heller clerk. Up to this time Rev. J. Heller was the regular pastor. In 1863 Rev. J. B. Thompson accepted a call and became the pastor, with the following persons in the consistory: John Dull, Peter Bauman, and John Younkman, elders; D. Karshner, William Shrader, and Daniel Koons, deacons of the Fremont church. In 1865 we find the consistory made up of the following members: David Brohm and J. Younkman, elders; Robert Lucas and William Shrader, deacons. The church membership at this time numbered about eighty. Upon the resignation of Rev. J. B. Thompson a call was extended to Rev. James Seibert, which was accepted by him, he entering upon his duties as pastor April 9, 1868. Upon his entering the charge he found several impediments in the way which were quite embarrassing, the greatest one the burden of debt thatthe charge was carrying on the church property in Fremont, no money having been paid on the debt for some years, and interest accumulating. He set to work to pay the debt by having the members give their notes, payable in five years, with interest, providing enough could be raised to cancel the debt; if not, none was to be collected. But by hard, untiring labor, he at last had enough to cancel the debt. He was universally liked by his people—plain, unassuming, conscientious, and upright; not a brilliant orator, but one whose whole mission seemed to be to be about his Master's work. By his industry and systematic course of life he not only relieved the church of the burden of debt it was under, but awakened a spiritual interest also, that was manifest in the Sunday school, prayer meeting and church. Being naturally fond of music he did much to encourage the younger members in that branch, often meeting with them during the week for practice. In the fall of 1870, while assisting a brother minister in Henry county, he returned feeling quite unwell, and was soon confined to his bed with typhoid fever, from which he never recovered. He died November 13, 1870. His remains were taken to Galion, his former home, for burial, a large number of his members attending the funeral. Some weeks after a funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Williard, of Tiffin, Ohio, in the church at Fremont.

In 1869, at a meeting of the general synod held in Philadelphia, the name of the society, or church, was changed from the German Reformed to the Reformed Church in the United States. After the death of Rev. James Seibert, the charge was supplied by ministers and students from the theological seminary at Tiffin for over a year. The names of those officiating during 1871 are: Rev. R. Good, C. G. A. Hulhorst, J. M. Kendig, A. Zort-

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man, and others. In 1872 S. J. Bacher, a theological student, of Tiffin, took charge of the congregation, and, upon completing his course of studies, was ordained as regular pastor, serving very acceptably till 1875, when failing health obliged him to resign, much to the regret of his people. Rev. Jesse Richards served the charge till 188o, when his resignation was accepted, to take place June 1, 1881. At a special meeting of the Tiffin classes, held at the Four-mile church, September 13, 1881, the Fremont charge, which consisted of the Fremont congregation and the congregation at the Four-mile church, was divided into two separate charges; the Four-mile church and Lindsay congregations to constitute a charge, to be known as the Lindsay charge, and the Fremont congregation and the congregation southeast of the city (known as the Mourey church) to form a distinct charge, to be known as the Fremont charge. A call has been extended to Rev. J. I. Swander, of Tiffin, Ohio, who is expected to become the regular pastor as soon as the way is clear.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.*

Within the earliest period of Fremont's existence, Canadian Catholics had settled in and around Fremont, but years passed by ere their earnest desire for a Catholic priest was gratified; until, shortly after the arrival of the Beaugrand family from Detroit, Mr. Gabriel Richard, a French missionary and an old acquaintance of the Beaugrand family, and who had married Mr. Beaugrand and Miss Chabert, made his appearance in Fremont. This priest came to America on the 26th of June, 1792, where, in the far West, his apostolic services covered a territory of fifty-five thousand four hundred and nine square miles, until in 1832 he died in Detroit, at

* Written by Helen Furst ; translated from the Courier.

the age of sixty-eight years. He it was, who, in the Northwest, published the first Catholic extracts out of the Holy Bible, and distributed them among the people. In the year 1809 he published a paper called, "Essay du Michigan," for which publication, however, on account of its altogether too strong Catholic tendencies, he was imprisoned for some time. Rev. Richard, who had come here on a visit, soon left, and the settlers again were left without a priest. Irish Catholics began to arrive, and also a young German Catholic by the name of John Christian, a joiner by trade, and during the years 1835, 1836, 1837, and 1838 our settlement was strongly enlarged by families coming from Buffalo. Among the first was the family of Jacob Andres, and in the fall of the same year came Joseph Baumgartner. The next year, 1836, brought Mr. Jacob Gabel and his sons, John and Michael. In the following year came Mr. Joseph Huntzinger and several other families. About the year 1839 came Father Tscheuhens, from Tiffin, on a visit, and services were held in Beaugrand's house, which was on the side of and near the river. From that time on our settlers were visited alternately by Catholic priests from Tiffin and other neighboring places. Also, Mr. Gabel, who lived four miles out of Fremont, in Jackson township, and Mr. Huntzinger, willingly gave the use of their houses for the purpose of holding services. Among those priests who from time to time visited our town we only mention two, namely: Amadeus Rappe and Josephus Projectus Macheboeuf. The former became bishop of the Cleveland diocese in October, 1847, resigned in August, 1870, and died in September, 1877. The latter became bishop in part. infid. of Epiphamia for the apostolic vicariat of Colorado, in August, 1868, which position he still holds. As the congregation be-

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came larger they were obliged to look for a suitable place wherein to hold their services, and gladly accepted the kind offer of Mr. Pease, to use his smith-shop on the east side of the river. In this building Mr. Balthasar Keefer was married by Father Macheboeuf, in 1840.

Here also was held the first high mass in Fremont, by Father Martin Henni, who, in 1844, become bishop of Milwaukee, and in 1875 archbishop of the same place, where he died last year. Soon after Archbishop Purcell, from Cincinnati, officiated here in the holy sacrament of confirmation, and on the same evening lectured in the courthouse. In the year 1842 Mr. Rodolphus Dickinson donated to the Catholic congregation a lot, where now stands the present St. Ann's church, on State street, which was built at that time. The first stationed priest was Father Nightingale; his successors were Carobaine, Welsh, Rose and Mullen. From 1842 to 1857, Canadians, Irish and Germans formed one congregation. In 1857 Father Franz Xavier Wenninger, a Jesuit missionary, came to Fremont, and seeing that the German element was the predominant factor, induced them to build a church of their own. Thereupon they bought a lot of General Buckland for eight hundred dollars, situated on the corner of Croghan and Clover streets, and upon it erected the present St. Joseph's church. Among the members, at that time, we are able only to mention the following: Michael and Jacob Gebel, Ambrose Ochs, Joseph and John Stuber, George Greiner, Philip Gottron, George Rimmelobacher, John Gompert, L. Haberstroh, Charles Oltine, Casper Rust, J. Swartz, John Buchmann, Anthon and John Reineck, Franz Geibel, sr., John Haaser, jr., Anthon Hochenedel, Paul Gaurus, Anton Young, Adam Muller, William Horn, etc.

Father Mullen's successor was Father Moos, who at present is in Sandusky. On the 21st day of September, 1862, Father Bauer took charge of the congregation, and has been here ever since. Soon another lot near the church was bought from Mrs. Moore for nine hundred and fifty dollars, whereupon the old schoolhouse was erected, and in 1865 was built the present residence of Father Bauer.

In 1870 it became necessary to enlarge the Catholic schools. The sisters, who soon became teachers in place of hitherto employed teachers, had to give up part of their dwelling for school purposes, until in 1878 it became absolutely necessary to build a new schoolhouse. The lot, where at present the new schoolhouse stands, was bought from Mrs. James Wilson, for four thousand dollars, and upon it was built the present elegant schoolhouse. The schools are in a flourishing condition, and aside from the common elementary branches, some higher sciences are taught; also drawing is taught, and the girls are instructed in fancy needlework. The number of scholars at present is two hundred and fifty, while the entire congregation embraces about one hundred and eighty families.

ST. JOSEPH'S SOCIETY.

This society was first introduced by Father Mullen, who himself acted as president, and Jacob Gabel, sr., acted as vice-president. This society was reorganized in 1866 and 1867 by Father Bauer, who at first became president, but after his resignation Mr. Joseph Stuber took his place. At present Mr. Franz Giebel, sr., is president; Mr. John Horn, vice-president; Mr. Fred Buchmann, treasurer; and Mr. John Rectenwald, secretary. The beautiful Munich flag is carried by John Weber at extraordinary occasions.

504 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

A GREAT SUNDAY-SCHOOL GATHERING.

August 18, 1867, was a memorable Sunday-school day in Fremont. The county Sunday-school society at a meeting held in May, resolved upon a general meeting and picnic of all Sunday-school workers and scholars in the county. Circulars were addressed to every school in the county. How well they responded a report of the meeting will show.

There were in procession, by actual count, more than four thousand people, besides the crowds who came in from the different townships, and interested spectators from town who filled the grove. The procession was under the direction of C. R. McCulloch and several assistants. It was five miles long and contained four hundred and nineteen wagons packed with happy children and drawn by four, six, eight, and ten horse teams, many of them handsomely decorated. Several of the wagons were filled with girls beautifully dressed in white. It was a refreshing spectacle to see these passing wagons hearing their beautiful and precious burdens to a day's meeting of enjoyment and encouragement. Many of the wagons contained fifty or sixty children, and in one there were as many as eighty-six.

Every school had made an elaborate effort to excel in beauty and tastefulness of emblem and decoration. The day was pleasant, and when eight thousand voices joined in chorus, the grove rang with swelling melody. Rev. J. B. Thompson made the opening prayer, and Dr. Stilwell interested the children with a speech. Other speeches were made by Professors J. Tuckerman and W. W. Ross, and Rev. Mr. Inglf.

A feature of the meeting was the display of banners borne in the procession. The Green Spring school carried a banner painted by General McPherson at the age of seventeen, when he was a teacher inthe first school organized in that place. This much-prized banner was used in a wide-awake procession and afterwards laid aside and forgotten until found a few days before this convention. Another banner was carried by a Clyde school, for which it was painted in 1851, by McPherson while home from West Point on a vacation. The device is a child leading a lion, and has under it the following text: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord."

A third banner possessing historic interest was borne by one of the Clyde schools. It was presented to Captain Chapman, on entering the Mexican war, by the ladies of Tiffin, and brought home by him after victorious peace. The interesting horse which General McPherson rode on the fatal 22d of July, 1864, was an object of interest in the procession.

The following schools were represented by delegations: Fremont Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopal, Methodist Mission, Clyde Methodist and Baptist; Butternut Union, South Ridge Baptist, Townsend Centre, Green Spring Union, North Riley Union, Galestown Union, Mt. Lebanon United Brethren, Ballville Union, Maple Union, Centre Union, Wolf Creek Chapel, Tawa United Brethren, Shiloh Union, Eden Chapel Union, Rollersville Union, Hessville Reformed, Madison Union, Jackson Sunday-school, Muskallonge Union, West Fremont Union, Rice Union, Fostoria, Mill Grove. The whole number present connected with the membership of these schools was four thousand seven hundred and fifty-four.

COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

It is a striking fact in the history of Sandusky county that old institutions, both business establishments and charitable societies, were seriously retarded in their operations by _financial embarrass-

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ment. The Sandusky county Bible Society was no exception to the rule, yet general poverty throughout the county made its labor especially valuable. There are rigid necessities of life which must be supplied, but books, even the Bible, do not belong to that catalogue. People must eat and have the wherewithal to be clothed first of all things, and, as was seen in a previous chapter, Sandusky county pioneers were scantily supplied even in those necessities. But an association of good people, esteeming the Bible, if not a vital at least a moral necessity, at an early period of our history engaged with spirit and earnestness in the praiseworthy enterprise of supplying to the needy and destitute a copy of the Holy Scriptures.

The Sandusky county auxiliary of the American Bible Society was organized May 24, 1830, at Lower Sandusky, and was officially recognized by the Continental Association on the 2d of the following December. An installment of books, consisting of two hundred and fifty Bibles, and six hundred Testaments, besides a number of Bibles and Testaments sent as specimens, was ordered from the American Bible Society the following spring. The work was then formally inaugurated.

By January 1, 1832, every township, and probably every family in the county, had been visited and supplied. The good work, however, was not kept up with that constant and watchful zeal which should attend every educational and reformatory movement. Nothing worthy of mention was effected from January 1832, till July 1835. During this period a flood of immigrants had been pouring into the county, most of them poor, and some of them wholly destitute. Duty made vigorous work imperative, and the society resolved upon the utmost exertion. A debt, however, to the general society remained unpaid, and nothing effective could be accomplished without assistance. A donation of fifty German Bibles and one hundred and fifty Testaments was received and a credit purchase made of one hundred and fifty English Bibles and thirteen hundred and fifty Testaments. The finances of the society prevented general free distribution of books and the poverty of newcomers and pioneers prevented their sale. This attempt to resupply the county was practically a failure. In the language of the record, "from this time until February 15, 1840, the society languished."

At this latter date a reorganization was effected and a better feeling seemed to exist among the members, and more determination to carry out the objects of the association. Forty new members were added. There were received at this time from the parent society donations in Bibles and Testaments to the amount of two hundred and forty-three dollars, and by purchase books to the amount of two hundred and eighty-eight dollars. The society was yet embarrassed by debt and sought voluntary contributions. The society was active and efficient from this time on. The county was thoroughly canvassed, the poor sought out and supplied, and those in better circumstances induced to become members and contribute funds. It was emphatically a home missionary organization, and many homes have not yet forgotten timely favor and assistance. Meetings have been held annually for the last forty years. On account of changes in population it is necessary to be constantly watchful in order to carry out the design of the society. in 1862, two thousand six hundred and nine families were visited. Two hundred and nine were found without any part of the Scriptures in their dwellings—one family out of every twelve visited. One hundred and seventy-five of the destitute were supplied. Most of the recipients of the society's

506 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

charity "seemed to receive the gift of God with heartfelt gratitude. Among the destitute families some had lived ten years without a Bible, having been overlooked, probably, in the previous supply." A few instances are on record which go to show the spirit in which the society's charity was received. One said: "I have been wanting to get a Bible for a long time. I am poor and have to live by hard labor. I give you a thousand thanks." Another said. "I thank you kindly for this Bible. I will read it myself, and will also read it to my family." With tears in her eyes a poor wife said: "I have often wanted a Bible, but my husband would never buy one. I have kept house ten years. Oh, how I prize this Bible!" It is more difficult to receive with disinterested thankfulness than it is to give out of the fullness of the heart. It is certainly a subject of congratulation that the society's efforts of charity were received with gratitude and brightened and gladdened spirits depressed by penury. The secretary's report of 1863 says: "There has been something to encourage the society in giving the Word of Life to the destitute in the liberality with which many have responded to the solicitations of the agent. A poor widow being called upon said: `I rejoice to have the good work go on. I have but two cents; I give them freely, and would rejoice to give more if I had it."

A complete canvass of the county was made in 1874, and another in 1879. N. J. Jones was appointed to make the last canvass, his compensation being rated at one dollar a day. Mr. Jones canvassed the entire county except York, Green Creek and Townsend townships, which have been included in the territory of the Clyde and Bellevue societies for a number of years. In the course of one hundred and fifty days occupied in the canvass, and twelve hundred and eighty-fourmiles' travel on foot, Mr. Jones visited thirty-one hundred and ninety-nine families. He found two hundred and fifty-two families wholly destitute of any part of the Scriptures; of these, two hundred and thirty-five were supplied, leaving in 1880 less than twenty-five families without the Bible. This was a fitting consummation of the labor of fifty years. The present officers of the society are: Dr. James W. Wilson, president; pastors of the various churches co-operating with the society, vice-presidents; C. R. McCulloch, depositary; John G. Nuhfer, treasurer; John Ellston, auditor; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary.

BURIAL PLACES.

The military cemetery during the War of 1812 was on the hill south of the city. The English soldiers who fell in the trench before Fort Stephenson were buried in the bottom east of the fort and near the river.

The first settlers set apart a lot for cemetery purposes on the hill sloping toward the south, just south of the present track of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. This was the common burial place until Oakwood Cemetery was laid out.

Oakwood Association was formed in 1858, and was composed of the following individuals: S. Birchard, James Justice, Israel Smith, O. L. Nims, David Betts, James W. Wilson, John P. Price, James Valletti, L. Q. Rawson, James Moore, Thomas Stilwell, and Platt Bush. A tract of land containing twenty-three acres was purchased and laid out in lots. Since 1858 Oakwood has been the common burying place of this community. Within the last five years the trustees have been especially diligent in making improvements. Walks and roads have been constructed, lots graded and otherwise beautified. In the year 1878 a residence for the superintendent was erected, at an expense of one thousand dollars, and in 1869 a stone vault was constructed at a

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cost of eight hundred and fifty dollars. The present official board are: Stephen Buckland, C. R. McCulloch, F. S. White, William E. Haynes, and R. B. Hayes, directors; Stephen Buckland president; E. Loudensleger, secretary; C. R. McCulloch, treasurer; and C. Cramer, superintendent.

The Catholics in this part of the county buried their dead near the river below this city until 1853, when a lot of two and one-half acres was purchased in Jackson township. This lot is yet used by the Catholics of that part of the county. In 1863 St. Joseph's church, of Fremont, purchased eight acres for cemetery purposes, located in the southwest part of the town. St. James' church purchased, at the same time, eight acres lying east and adjoining St. Joseph's cemetery.