PLACE	CHURCH	PASTOR
Tiffin Fostoria McCutchensville Republic Bloomville, Melmore	First Presbyterian “ Presbyterian “ “ “	Rev. D. D. Bigger Rev. J. Hughes Rev. R. B. Moore “ Rev. J. S. Boyd “

THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL ST. JOHN'S CONGREGATION. This is the only religious organization in Tiffin constituted after the manner of'the union of the Lutheran and Reformed churches in Germany, a religious event that was celebrated among the Protestants of southern Germany on the i8th day of November, 1818. This congregation in Tiffin was organized under a charter passed by the general assembly of Ohio on the i5th day of March, 1836, under the name of "The. United German Evangelical Lutheran and German Evangelical Reformed St. John's Congregation of Tiffin, Seneca county." Andrew Albrecht, Philip Wentz, Valentine Seewald, Francis Souder, Andreas Bloom, Andrew Denzer, Philip eewald, John Ditto, Jadob Boyer and William Lang were the charter members. Of all these, Andrew Bloom, Jacob Boyer and the writer are all that survive. The first constitution wa,s adopted in 1838. Rev. Adam Adolph Conrad, one of the most pure minded of christian gentlemen, was its first THE CHURCHES - 279 pastor, and served the congregation for five years. In addition to this, Rev. Conrad served nine other congregations, including one in Lower Sandusky. He was a man of brilliant intellect and splendid oratorical powers, which, combined with his Aleasing manners, won for him hosts of friends among all people. He had a frail body, and his labors were too severe for his physical stiength. He died, after five years of constant service, in the thirty-fifth year of his age. His death was lamented by all classes of people. Rev. J. J. Beilharz, from Fay-ette, New York, took charge of the congregation in 1841. In 1849 the constitution was revised. Fathel Beilharz served the congregation twelve years, and was succeeded by a Mr. Wander, who had recently emigrated here from Silesia, Germany. His sermons were characterized by forcible and poetic thought, and true devotion: Mr. Wander died ten months after he preached his first sermon. Rev. J. J. Esher thereupon served the congregation up to 1855. Rev. Ruetenick served during an interim. Rev. J. G. Neuschmidt was the pastor from 1859 to 1870. Revs. Rein and Weisgerbei served to 1873, when Rev. G. von Luternau became the minister and served until i875, when the Rev. C. Zimmerman, the present incumbent, succeeded him. By the frequent changes of ministers, and other causes, the congregation suffered much, and became much reduced in numbers; but by the indefatigable labors and the loveable disposition of this able and accomplished divine, the church has increased to more than one hundred and twenty members. The first meeting house of this congregation was a hewed log building, and stood on the same spot where their beautiful, but modest brick church now stands, on south Jefferson street. It was built in 1836, and gave way to the present brick church in 1857. The pastor lives in a commodious parsonage on tile same lot. A ladies' mite society, connected with the church, numbers forty members. The interest now awakened in the German Protestant element promises a constant increase of the congregation, and contributes largely to the preservation of the German language and the German mode of worship. So much for a church that keeps a record. THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH OF TIFFIN, OHIO-ORGANIZATION. The members of the German Reformed Church, mostly from the states of Pennsylvania and Maryland, living in and around Tiffin, desirous of worshipping God in accordance with the customs and doctrines of their fathers, determined to organize a congregation in Tiffin, in order that their wishes in. this particular might be realized. They . 280 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. invited the Rev. John L. Sanders, of Frederick county, Marylantirto visit them, with the view of becoming their pastor. The invitation was accepted by this young minister, and on the 8th day of June, 1833, he commenced his labors among his new parishoners. On the 3oth of the same month, a meeting &all who were desirous of going into the new enterprise, was called, at which time a constitution was adopted, and all who wished to unite with the proposed organization subscribed their names thereto. As well as can be ascertained, they were: Thomas Derr, Joseph Ogle, George Stoner, Jacob Kroh, Jonathan Foltz, Frederick Cramer, Joseph Foncannon, John Kime, John Martin, Ezra Derr, Christian Ramsburg, Frederick W. Shriver, George Schroyer, John Leydey, William ,Baugher, Christian Stoller, Elizabeth Ogle, Susanna Ramsburg, Rosanna Derr, Catharine Cramer, Susanna Foltz, Elizabeth Baugher, Margaret Kime, Sarah Kroh, and Mary Leydey. The next step taken was to elect a consistory, the members of which were to constitute the board of trustees also. A meeting of the members was held for this purpose, on the 2ist of July, 1833, when six elders and six deacons were elected, who were ordained and installed according to the provisions of the Reformed church, on the same day of their election. BUILDING OF THE CHURCH. At the meeting aforesaid, the consistory was authorized to purchase a lot for the purpose of erecting on it a church edifice, to be built of brick. The lot upon which the present building stands was purchased from Josiah Hedges, for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, and was deeded to the trustees of the congregation, known then by the name of the German Evangelical Reformed Church, on the 16th day of August, 1834; the following persons constituting the board at that time: Jacob Kroh, Joseph Foncannon, Jonathan Foltz, Joseph Ogle, Frederick Cramer, David Rickenbaugh, John Ditto, John Kiane, William Baugher, John Martin, Ezra Derr, and Peter Schlosser. Immediate steps were taken to build the proposed church. For various reasons the work progressed slowly, and the building was not ready for occupancy until the summer of 1835. PASTORS. The Rev. J. L. Sanders, who was licensed and ordained to the gospel ministry on the 7th of May, 1833, by the Maryland Classes of the German Reformed Church, was the first minister of the congregation. He served it from the time of its organization until the 7th of November, 1835, making the time of his pastorate two and a half years. THE CHURCHES - 281 His successor was the Rev. Frederick Rahauser, who preached in both the German and English languages. He served the congregation about four and one-half years, when he resigned, and was followed by the Rev. Daniel Kroh, who had just been ordained to the gospel ministry. The Rev. Kroh commenced his labors as pastor on the 18th of September, 1840, and was regularly installed over the congregation as such on the i2th of April, 1841. The church being without pews up to this time, the members sitting on slab benches, was furnished with pews, which made it a more comfortable place of worship than formerly. The Rev. Kroh continued as pastor until the 12th of May, 1846, when he resigned. The Rev. Hiram Shaull became his immediate' successor. During his pastorate the church building, which had not been plastered or painted, was finished, and was dedicated about the ist of January, 1847. The Rev. Shaull, having been appointed by the boards of trustees of the Theological Seminary and Heidelberg College, located in Tiffin, to a joint agency for the purpose of endowing these institutions of learning, and feeling it to be his duty to accept this appointment, resigned the pastorate of the congregation, which took effect on the ist of January, 1852. The Rev. George D. Wolff then served the congregation as pastor for one year, after which he resigned. His resignation went into effect in July, 1853. After a vacancy of one year, the Rev. William K. Zieber became the pastor. He commenced his labors here in the month of August, 1854. He labored with acceptance until the 1st of August, 1857, when he resigned, for the purpose of entering upon the duties of the office of general superintendent of Home Missions, under the direction of the different boards of Home Missions of the Reformed Church. A vacancy again occurred for over one year, after which the Rev. E. E. Higbee became the pastor. He commenced his duties on the 1st of October, 1858. During his pastorate the present church edifice was erected, the old one being unfit any longer for use. It was commenced in the summer of 1860, and was completed the following spring. The Rev. Higbee continued to be the pastor until the l0th of March, 1861, when his resignation, which had been previously offered, went into effect. The congregation was then served by the Rev. M. Kieffer, D. D., as a supply, until the ist of July, 1863, when the Rev. L. H. Kefauver became its pastor, and has continuedin this position to the present time. 282 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. The congregation is in a prosperous condition, with a communicant membership of 230, and a flourishing Sunday School of 250 scholars. THE REFORMED CHURCHES IN SENECA COUNTY. There are now fourteen churches in Seneca county belonging to the denomination known as the Reformed Church in the United States, descended from the Reformed Confession in Germany and Switzerland, whose best known representatives in the reformation age were Ulric Zwingle, John Calvin, Henry Bullinger, Zacharias Ursinus, and Casper Olevianus. The settlers in Seneca county who founded these churches were mainly of three kinds: first, those from Maryland (mostly from Frederick and Washington counties); second, those from Pennsylvania (Lehigh, Berks, Union, Northampton and other counties); third, those from Germany and Switzerland (mostly from the Palatinate, or Rhenish Bavaria, Westphalia, Nassau, Hessia, etc). The following table will show the location, founding and strength of these churches, together with such illustrative notes as it was in my power to gather, which, I hope, will have a historical value: TABLE OF REFORMED CHURCHES IN SENECA COUNTY.

NAME.	WHERE LOCATED	WHEN FOUNDED	NO. OF MEMBERS	SITTINGS
First Church Tiffin, Zion's Church, Salem Church, St. Jacob's, Bloomville, Bascom, Salem, Berwick, Olive Chapel, Ft. Seneca, Caroline, Second Tiffin, Glade Union, Fostoria,	Tiffin City Thompson Twp Scipo, Twp Adams Twp Bloomville Bascom Seneca Twp Berwick Jackson Twp Pleasant Twp Venice Twp Tiffin, Pleasant Twp, Fostoria	1833 1830 1837 1834 1850 1852 1853 1850 1852 1855 1850 1875 1879	227 140 80 54 90 53 50 25 57 80 100 240 40 44	600 500 400 200 300 150 300 150 250 300 300 400 250 300

REMARKS AND NOTES. It will be noticed that there is a Reformed Church in each of the fifteen townships of the county, with the exception, as yet, of Liberty, Reed, Eden and Big Spring. The following notes will rescue some facts from oblivion: A special history of this church will be found in another place. The Thompson church was organized in 1830 by Rev. Stauch, THE CHURCHES - 283 the land being donated by John Heeter. It has had three church edifices, on the same ground; the first built in 1832, the second in 1843, and the third, one of the finest edifices in Seneca county, of brick, with a tall steeple, in 1873. The size is forty by fifty-five feet. The names of the ministers, in succession, are as follows: 1. Rev. Marchup.        . 2. " Frederick Rahauser.         . 3. " Frederick Wahl.   . 4. " J. C. Klar. . 5. " David Kelley. 6. Rev. Eli Keller 7. " Joseph A. Keller 8. " Wm. H. Sandel 9. " Wm. J. Peters The principal families at the start were: John Royer, Sr., John Wollenslagel, Adam Good, Jacob Bunn, Sr., John Bunn, Jr., John Bunn, Sr., Isaac Lewis, Henry Bowman, Rudolph Bowman, Henry Stetter, and Henry Bunn. Other families since, represented by Isaac Royer, Samuel Royer, John Royer, Manam Royer, Jared Royer, Emanuel Good, George Good, Adam Good, Jr., George Wollenslagel, Conrad Wollenslagel, John Wollenslagel, Jr., Christian Wollenslagel, Wm. Good, Wm. Bennehoff, John Matz, Neri Matz, Samuel Maury, Gottlieb Maury, Malachi Loeseber, Fred. Bowman, and Augustus Steinmetz. The value of the present church property is about $6,000. Salem Reformed church was first organized in Adams township (a union church, Reformed and Lutheran) by Rev. F. Rahauser. The original land in Adams township was donated by John German. , The land on which the church now Stands was purchased from David Wyant. There have been four church edifices, the.first built in 1837. The present neat brick church. was erected in 1868. The following have been the ministers: 1. Rev. F. Rahauser 2. " Fred. Wahl 3. D. W. Kelley 4. " J. C. Klahr 5. Rev. Eli Keller 6. " Joseph A. Keller 7. " W. B. Sandel 8. " W. J. Peters The original families were represented by John Hen singer, Andrew Mitower, Eli Karshner, Eli Dought, Joseph Kunes, and Jacob Britten; to which we may add as later ones: George Schoch, Ephraim Close, Anthony Harpster, Henry Bacher, Stephen Strauss, Adam Harkey, Monroe Kistler, C. Hensinger, John Hensinger, Jr., and Robert Close. The church has a parsonage, and a church property worth about $4,000. The St. Jacob's church, in Adams township, was originally gathered by Rev. Conrad, and organized as a Lutheran and Reformed Church. It was served for many years by Rev. J. J. Beilharz. In the year 1851, Rev. Prof. J. H. Good laid the basis, and subsequently or- 284 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ganized the Reformed congregation of that name, and has been pastor until the present time. The church is built on land donated by Jacob Gruber. The following are the representative heads of the principal families: Herman Detterman, Jacob Gruber, Joseph Hilsinger, Paul Hobbes, George Detterman, Samuel Detterman, Henry Cook, Daniel Reiter, Daniel Gruber, Henry Detterman, H. Brinkman, F. Berlekamp, R. Berlekamp, Thomas Mohr, and others. The original name of the Bloomville church was Mt. Pisgah; organized the 25th of August, 1850, by Rev. H. K. Baines, with George Swigart and Philip Heihnan as elders, and Adam Baker and F. Zim-merman as deacons. The church is built on an acre of land donated by Simon Koler. The property is worth about $2,500. The ministers and supplies have been: 1. Rev. H. K. Baines. 2. J. C. Klahr. 3. David Kelley. 4. M. Keiffer, D. D. 5. " J. H. Good. 6. " W. W. James. 7. Rev. Joseph A. Keller. 8. " L. Grosenbaugh. 9. “ J. A. Steplar. 10. “ J. D. Gehring. 11. “ Samuel Shaw, since Aug., 1876 The principal families are the Heilmans, Krilleys, Kolbers, Bakers, Geigers, Klahrs, Samsels, Frankenfields, etc. The Bascom church was originally gathered by Rev. J. J. Beilharz, as a Lutheran and Reformed church, and a neat little church erected.in the village of Bascom. On the 1st of January, 1852, it was organized by Rev. Prof. E. V. Gerhart as a German Reformed church. The first officers were, Benjamin Fried, elder, and Christian Deubel, deacon. The heads of the principal families have been: Dr. Henry Werz, John George Werz, Michael Walter, Michael Strong, Jacob Schmid, Nicholas Dewald, Peter Dewald, Philip Dewald, Jacob Kissabeth, Philip Kissabeth, Jacob Brendle, John Nau, George Shattner, John Kinkerter, Philip Stucky, Jacob Sherer, Conrad Bohn, Jacob Heisserman. The ministers have been: 1. Rev. E. V. Gerhart.. 2. “ M. Mueller.. 3. “ H. J. Rutenick. 4. “ J. J. Escher, 5. “ J. Matzinger. 6. “ F. Strassner. 7. Rev. Jacob Kuhn 8. " W. H. Fenneman 9. " L. Richter. 10. " C. F. Krithe 11. " J. H. Good. Salem church, in Seneca township, was organized by Rev. Prof. E. V. Gerhart, on November 12th, 1853. The male members present at the organization were: Casper Bachman, Isaac Miller, Ludwig THE CHURCHES - 285 Emich, Lambert Martin, John Houck, Jacob Schaub, Andrew Burgdoerffer, Frederick Baker and William Rex. Most of these had previously belonged to a Lutheran and Reformed congregation, originally organized by Rev. Conrad, in the year 1834. The first church wa.s built in 1837, about one and one-half miles east of the present village of New Riegel, of hewn logs, fitted with split and hewn plank for its floor and seats. The building was eighteen by twenty-two, and about eleven feet high The Salem church, after its organization, built a neat and handsome frame church, still standing, on land purchased from Philip Nibergal. The heads of the principal families, in addition to those previously named, have been, John Miller, J. J. Buser, Jacob Shubach, N. Feindel, Wm. Wenner, Robert Burne, Esq., Fred. Sharnacher, N. Enrich, W. Deis, Silas Hoffert, T. Wagner, J. Scherer, George Robb, John Rothfuchs, and others. ,The successive ministers have been: 1. Rev. E. V. Gerhart.  2. " M. Mueller. 3. " J. J. Escher. 4. " F. Strassner. 5. Rev. Jacob Kuhn. 6. " W. H. Fenneman. 7. “ L. Richter. 8. " J. H. Good. The Berwick congregation was first gathered, so far as I can learn, by Rev. Frederick Wahl. The principal families were the Schurnachers, Blooms, Millers, Longs, Spraus and others It has gen-enerally been supplied- by the same pastors as have preached at Salem, which is only two miles distant. For a number of years now services. have been suspended at this place, the members attending regularly at Salem. The congregation at Olive Chapel, in Jackson township, was organized by Rev. Prof. R. Good, of Tiffin.. The church was built in 1862, on land donated by Jacob Stahl. The successive ministers have been: 1. Rev. R. Good. 2. " M. Mueller. 3. " S. Shaw. 4. “ H. Baer. 5. “ T. F. Staufer. 6. “ George Rettig. 7. Rev. D. Kroh. 8. " H. Daniels. 9. " T. J. Baeber. 10. " L. RiChter. 11. " A. Casselman. The original families were those of George and Jacob Stahl, F. Febles, C. Myers and some others. The value of the church property is about $1,000. The Second Reformed Church, of Tiffin, grew from small beginnings, and was first organized by Rev. Frederick Wahl. Its ministers since have been, Rev. E. V. Gerhart, Rev. J. H. Good, and Rev. H. 286 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. RUSt. The principal families, at its organization, consisted of the Swanders, Reifs, Emichs, Fieges, Blooms, Bachers, Seipels, Von Blons, Honsbergers, Knauses, Sohns, Kremers, Schneiders and many others. It possesses a property worth about $5,000. The " Frauenverein " numbers sixty members. The Reformed Church, of Fostoria, was organized by Rev. A. Casselman, on the 23d of March, 1879, with twenty-five members, and incorporated on the 20th of April of the same year. The lot on which the church is built was purchased of James Fritcher for $300. The corner stone was laid on the 20th of May, and the building dedicated September 28th, 1879. The value of the church property is about $2,100. The officers of the church at its organization were: Elders—Rev. M. Mueller and H. W. Kunkle. Deacons—Samuel Stewart and Jacob Hofmaster. The Fort Seneca congregation of the Reformed church was organized about the year 1857, by the Rev. M., Kieffer, D. D. who served it about four years. The. following were the first officers elected: Elders—Simon Shuman, Jacob Hale, Barney Zimmerman. Deacons—Felix Beck, Henry Stoner, Daniel C. Richard. Trustees—Barney Zimmerman, Henry Stoner, John Zeigler. The church was erected shortly after the organization, at a cost of about $1,200, the lot having been donated by John Zeigler. Rev. S. Shaw, a FAudent of the Theological Seminary at Tiffin, succeeded Dr. Kieffer in the pastorate in April, 1861, and was succeeded by Revs. H. Bair, W. James and G. Ficks, each of them serving only a short time. In the year 1866 Rev. G. W. Williard, D. D., President of Heidelberg College, took charge of the congregation, at which time it numbered only about thirty members. Things soon began to assume a more hopeful aspect, and encouraging accessions were made from time to time, until the congregation now, (April, 1880,) has a membership of eighty-five active communicants. The church building has been repaired several times, and is now in good condition. The congregation has a good Sunday school, with an average attendance of about sixty, and Property worth about $2,000. The officers of the congregation now are: Pastor—Rev. G. W. Williard. Elders—Ph. Frey, Samuel Bair, Henry Stoner. Deacons—Ch. Gangwer, Fred. Hade, Charles Zeis. The Glade Union Reformed congregation was organized by Rev. Geo. W. Williard, D. D., December 17th, 1871. The following persons united in the organization; William Steckel, Clara Steckel, Francisca THE CHURCHES - 287 Steckel, Jacob Bowersox, Susan Bowersox, Jacob Lowrie, Sarah Lowrie, William Shriver, Ann Marie Shriver, Elizabeth Shriver, Sophia McMeen, Leicester M. Koons, Susan Smith, A. L. Shaffer, Rachael Shaffer, and. Oliver Watson. William Steckel and Jacob Bowersox were elected elders; A. L. Shaffer and Oliver Watson deacons. Their church was built in 1871, and dedicated July 2d, 1871. It was erected at an ex-pense of about $1,000. Rev. George W. Williard, D. D., Jacob Bowersox and William Shriver were the building committee. Jacob Bowersox donated the lot. Dr. Williard has served the congregation to the present time (1880) as its pastor, preaching every two weeks. The congregation has gradually increased and now numbers thirty-six members. The church will seat 200 persons. The property is worth about $1,500 much of the work in its erection was done gratuitously. CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. Through the kindness of the Rev. Joseph Beaver, the following facts have been secured, viz.: The first organization was effected in the year 1831, at the house of Philip Bretz, one half mile east of Melmore. There are now sixteen church houses of this denomination in Seneca county. THE ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH. In the absence of a. record showing the organization of the first English Lutheran church in Tiffin, the writer is indebted to the kindness of Dr. J. Crouse, and the Rev. j. Live,igood, of Butler, Illinois, who speak from memory only. The first meeting was held in the brick school house on West Market street, in Tiffin, in the summer of 1843, where a congregation was organized by Mr. Lioengood.. Afterwards they held their meetings in the German Reformed church, for a short time. This seemed to prove unpleasant on both sides, and an effort was made to build a small church. A part of a lot was purchased on the east side of Jefferson street, where the present church now stands, and a contract let to build a plain frame house thirty by forty feet. This was in the spring of 1844. The house was dedicated in the same year, Rev. J. Crouse, p. D. preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Wittenberg Synod held its next session in this church. Among the first members were David Rickenbaugh, Samuel Rule, Jacob Bowser, John Bowser, John Sechrist, George Ritsman, Simon Snyder, Mr. Rosenberg and the wives of these gentlemen. The whole number was about twenty-five. At the first 288 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY.. organization Mr. Rickenbaugh and Mr. Bowser were elected elders, .and Mr. Ritsman and Mr. Sechrist, deacons. In 1865 the old frame church was moved away, and the present beautiful, brick edifice erected in its place. Dr. Crouse is now serving as pastor of the congregation in his fourth year. There are two hundred members enrolled, .and two hundred scholars in the Sunday school. REV. JOSHUA CROUSE, D. D There are self-made men in the pulpit, as well as in other walks of life,'and the subject of this sketch is one of these. This sketch is in its proper place here, because Dr. Crouse dedicated the first English Lutheran church here (the frame building,) afterwards the present brick edifice, and is now serving the congregation in the fourth year of his pastorate. He is the son of Jacob and Eliza Crouse, (the maiden name of the latter being Wildisin,) and was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 29th day of August, 1812. His parents came to Columbiana county in 1805, frorn Emmittsburg, Maryland. Young Crouse's education was the best the, common schools in that country afforded at that time. He married when only twenty-two years of age, and taught school several terms for a livelihood, both English and German at the same time. When he arrived at man's estate, and during the time and after he taught school, he felt very keenly the want of a thorough education, and applied himself to books with the iron will and persevering industry that always lead to success, in every walk of life. From his boyhood up, he cherished a desire to become a preacher of the gospel, and when the time arrived for the choice of a life-work, no one employment suited his nature so well as that of the ministry of the gospel Many circumstances combined to prevent his engagement in the work, among which was his diffidence and fear of personal unfitness for the calling, After he had passed his thirtieth year, a providential way seemed to open to him for the work. Ile still had his troubles, and doubts of being able to enter upon it; and there was a struggle between a keen sense of duty to preach and want of confidence in himself to meet the duty, which made him mentally wretched for some time. After passing months in this unhappy state of mind, he finally threw himself into the hands of God, leaving results to Him. With that confiding trust, he preached about two years, by the common consent of the neighboring ministers, delivering his first sermon in THE CHURCHES - 289 February, 1842. In September, 1844, he was examined by a committee of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Ohio and adjacent states, and was licensed at the same time. Preaching about three years longer, he was ordained. in 1847. He has been in the service now a little over thirty-eight years; seven years of this time he was the financial secretary of Wittenberg College, at Springfield, Ohio. Dr. Crouse. is a fine specimen of a christian teacher ; mild and friendly in his intercourse with others, broad and liberal in his Views, a thorough theologian, a forcible and eloquent pulpit orator. His labors in the vineyard of the Lord during so many years have given ample proof that his conception of the mission of his life was well grounded. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. Soon after the secession in the old M. E. Church, a society of sixteen members was organized in March, 1829, under the conventional articles, by Rev. James Montgomery, at Fort Seneca. Mr. Montgomery was entirely alone as a reformer, there being no society nearer than one hundred miles; but he was " all in all " to his little flock up to his death. The little society was then left without a shepherd, but they resolved to stand fast. John Souder, then a layman, was elected class-leader. They kept up their meetings, and in 1832 Adget McGuire made them a missionary visit of four or five Sabbaths, during which he organized two other small classes. Daniel Gibbons, a young man, was then sent to them, who, in the next conference, reported one hundred and thirty-five members. After him, David Howell w,as appointed, who also made progress. Brother Souder, the veteran pioneer, long since known as a local minister, has lived to see the little flock grow into large proportions. The congregation that was organized in Tiffin put up a brick church on Monroe street, which was dedicated on the 8th and 9th days of July, 1837. John Souder, William Campbell, Joseph Walker and Daniel H. Phillips were the building committee. Here the congregation attended worship until their present large and beautiful church, on Market street, was built in 1872. Rev. Chandler is the minister. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. The little brick chapel, near East Madison street, has already been described. It was not dedicated until the 7th day of January, 1837. Service's were held in it, however, from the time it was finished. The bishops have made it a rule not to dedicate a church while it is in debt; a very good rule. It makes delinquent subscribers pay up. - 19 - 290 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. The organization of the congregation dates back to September, 1829, when Bishop Fenwick, of Cincinnati; bought Of Josiah Hedges the site. The building was postponed for want of means, and .until Mr. Kinney , and others contracted for the brick as before stated. Fathei Edmund Quinn took chaige of the congregation in 1833. He was a venerable and noble looking priest, highly esteemed by all our citizens. He had his mother here with him. This brick church was finished in the spring of 1833. Father Quinn remained in charge of it until his death here, in the fall of r835. Thereupon Bishop Purcell appointed the Rev. Father Schoenhenz, who continued to officiate until the fall of 1839, and was succeeded by Father McNamee and the Rev. J. P. Machebeouf, at present bishop of Colorado and New Mexico. Father Ma,chebeout, in '842, went to Sandusky City, and Pether McNamee remained until 1847, late in the fall, when Bishop Rappe appoint'ed the Rev. Father M. Howard, who remained until April, 1850, in September, when the Rev. M. Molon succeeded him and remained until 1852. He was succeeded by the Rev. M. O'Sullivan, who, in the sumrner of 1856, built the present St. Mary's church; and remained in charge until February, 1859, when its present pastor, the Rev. Father M. Healy, took charge of the church, and who has officiated now twenty-one years. There are 95o members belonging to this church. Father Healy organized three schools, in 1864, numbering now 16o scholars, and in I87o built the present parsonage. Their present cemetery was purchased in 1878, containing five acres, east of the city, on the North Greenfield road, and was blessed by Father Healy, assisted by Fathers Evrard and Ahern, October .13, 1878. SALEM CHURCH EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. About the year 1848, Jacob Snyder came to Tiffin his family, and in. the years 1854-55 the families of the Rev. J. G. Zinser, Ludwig Schubert; William C. Negile and M. Fruber settled in the city ; these organized a class and were served by the regular circuit preachers, in the following order, viz: Revs. F. Frech, John Erb, R. J. J. Kanaga and J. G. Theurer. Their services, both preaching and prayer meetings, were held in the houses of these families. At the annual conference of 1856 this society was constituted a mission station, with fifty members. The Rev. L. F. Sheurerman became its first missionary, in 1857, and served until the spring of 1859, and since that time the church has been served by the following pastors, viz:—J. G. Theurer, up to 1860; J. G. Zinser, to 1861; C. Gramer, to 1863; G. Harenpflug, to 1865; J. Frankhauser, to 1867; E..B. Crouse, THE CHURCHES - 291 to 1868; F. Vrech, to 1869; J. G. Theurer, to 1871; C. F. Negile, to 1874; E. B. Crouse, to 1876.; C. G. Koch, to 1879 ; a,nd N. Schupp since spring, 1879. In 1858 the church and parsonage were erected, at a cost of $2,500 under the pastorate of L. F. Scheurerman and J. G. Zinser, John Loos and Jacob Snyder serving as trustees and building committee. Both church and parsonage have undergone repairs, at an expense of about $1,000. On the 2ist day of April, 1858, the first Sunday school was organized, with thirty scholars, and has increased to eighty scholars, the present number. William C. Negile has been the superintendent from the organization to the present time—twenty-two years. The Ohio annual conference held two of its sessions in this church, in 1865 and 1875. In 1871 the society- became self supporting, and was changed from a mission to a station. In 1873, by tri act of the society the Sunday evening preaching services were held in the English language, and shortly after an English class was formed, which was the origin of the Ebenezer church, now worshipping in their new ,edifice on North Washington street. However, the German and English classes worshipped together until 1876, when they became two separate organizations by common cOnsent. Rev. J. Lerch served the English congregation, and C. H. Koch the German. This society enjoyed a special revival under the present pastorate, with a net increase, and it now numbers one hundred and twenty-five members. EBENEZER CHURCH. In the spring of 1876, the Ohio conference of the Evangelical Association established an English mission in Tiffin, called "Tiffin Washington street mission." The steps that led to this result were the following: An English class was formed in the German (Salem) church in 1873, for the benefit of the English speaking people. The pastor, the Rev. C. F. Ingle, of the Salem church, began English preaching service on Sabbath evenings. Rev. Jesse Lerch was appointed the first missionary, the mission then numbering forty. members. During the first year the church on North Washington street was built, at an expense, including the lot, of $7,1oo. Mr. Lerch served for three years, and in the ,spring of 1879 he was, supported by the Rev. J. A. Hensel. The mission at present numbers eighty-five members, and is in a flourishing condition, both financially and spiritually. Its Sunday school numbers eighty scholars; Mr. E. Nicolai is, the superintendent 292 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH. In 1845 the German Catholics of Tiffin, who for a number of years had been members of St. Mary's English church, solicited and obtained from the Right Rev. J. B. Purcell, Bishop of Cincinnati, the permission to organize a separate congregation; They numbered at that time from thirty to forty families. They went to work with energy and liberality, and selected near the city a beautiful site of two acres. From 1845 until January, 1852, the new German organization was attended by priests of the Sanguinnist congregation, who came from Thompson or New Riegel (then called Wolf Creek), the R.evs. F. Sale-sius Brunner, John Wittmer, J. B. Jacomet, Yacob Ringeli, M. Anton Meyer, P. Anton Capeder, F. X. Obermiller, Maximillian Hamburger, John Von den Broeck and Mathias Kreusch. The last named resided for a few months in the city, with a catholic family. In January, 1852, Rev L. Molon, pastor. of St. Mary's church, was also appointed pastor of the German congregation, and had a separate service in each church every Sunday until September of the same year, when Rev. J. B: Uhlmann arrived from Germany and was appointed pastor of the young and flourishing congregation. The present parsonage was then built. Rev. Uhlmann remained in Tiffin until May, 1856, when he was sent to Canton, Stark county, Ohio. His successor was the Rev. Joseph L. Bihn, who was removed in September, 1873, at his own request, after a pastoral ministration of more than seventeen years. In August, 1870, Rev. N. Schnitz became his assistant, and remained until August, 1872. In September, 1872, Rev. A. M. Meile was appointed assistant, and remained until July, t873. Another assistant, Rev. J. A. Michenfelder, was appointed, but remained only eighteen days and was removed after the resignation of the pastor. In punishment of the disorders which had compelled Rev. J. L. Bihn to give up his charge, the congregation was left. without a pastor and the church closed for more than two months, after which time the Right Rev. Bishop, moved by the repeated petitions of the people., appointed the present pastor, Rev. Charles Evrard, under whose administration peace was at once restored and has since remained undisttirbed. In August, 1877, the Rev. J. B. Heiland beCame his assistant, but was compelled by his failing health to leave Tiffin, in March, 1878. At the time of the organization of the new congregation the leading men were Joseph Kuebler, Dr. Joseph Boehler, Michael Kirchner, Frank. THE CHURCHES - 293 Greulich, Joseph Vollmer, Michael Theissen, John Houck and John Bormuth. The present church building was commenced in 1860, and consecrated September 14, 1862, by the Right Rev. J. M. Young, Bishop of Erie, in the presence and with the assistance of Right Rev. A. Rappe, Bishop of the diocese. The beautiful gothic edifice, under the able management of Rev. J. L. Bihn, did not cost more than $25,000, and is a standing monument of the zeal of the pastor and the liberality of the people. When the congregation was organized, in 1845, a plain, brick church, 40x90 feet, was at once built for their use, on the lot where the present church now stands; but the continual increase of families, from forty to nearly three hundred, made the building of a new and larger church absolutely necessary. The old church was torn down in 1861, and the new one built on the same spot. A temporary building was erected to be used for divine service until the completion of the new church. The records do not mention the existence of any parochial school before the. appointment of Rev. J. B. Uhlmann, in 1852. A school was established by him in the spring of 1853, and was maintained and enlarged by his successor. A new school house was built by Rev. J. I,. Bihn in 1858, which contained two large rooms. In 1862, after the completion of the new church, the temporary building used for divine service was divided for school purposes; it received a second story, and four large rooms were again furnished for the increasing youth of the congregation. In 1875 another room became necessary and a building was erected in the rear of the old school house. The congregation has now seven classses of children, taught by one male teacher and six Ursaline sisters. In connection with the history of St. Joseph's congregation must be mentioned the establishhment of two religious comm.unities in Tiffin. In 1865 the Ursaline sisters came from Cleveland to Tiffin. They formed a.new convent, established an academy for young ladies, and took charge of the parochial schools of both congregations in the city. In order to secure their services, St. Mary's congregation paid $1,000, and St. Joseph,'s paid $2,000, for the purchase of the lots upon which the Ursaline convent and the academy were afterwards built. In 1868, Rev. J. L. Bihn established another community near the limits of the city, under the name of "Citizens' Hospital and Orphan. Asylum." It is under the care .of the Franciscan Sisters of the Third Order, and has increased admirably since its creation. A new and large chapel was erected in 1878. The institution contains at present 294 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY thirty-four sisters and novices, eighteen aged persons, and seventy-five orphans. Rev. J. L. Bihn,, founder and superior of this community, resides there, and manages all the. affairs of the Home with prudence and success., CHURCH DIRECTORY OF TIFFIN FOR 1880. METHODIST EPISCOPAL.—Madison street, west of Washington. Services morning and. evening. Rev. J. W. Mendenhall, minister. FIRST METHODIST.—Market street, east of Washington street. Services morning and evening. Rev. Chandler, minister. PRESBYTERIAN.—Corner of Market and IVIonroe streets. . Services morning and evening. D. D. Bigger, pastor. BAPTIST.—Perry street, east of Washington. Services morning and evening. Rev. Rupe, minister. CATHOLIC (German)—Head of Washington street. Mass at 8 and 10 A. M. Vespers, 3 P. M. Rev. Father :Evrard, pastor ; Rev. Father Reiland, assistant. CATHOLIC (English)—Corner of Miami and Franklin streets. Mass at 8 and 10 A. M. Vespers, 3 P. M. - Rev. Father Healey, pastor. LUTHERAN (English)—Comer of Jefferson and Madison streets. Services morning and evening. Rev. Crouse, minister. LUTHERAN, (German).—Jefferson street, opposite Main. Services morning and evening. Rev, Zimmerman, minister. REFORMED (German).—Jefferson street, south of Madison. Services morning and evening. Rev. Rust, minister. FIRST REFORMED.—Corner Monroe and, Madison streets. Services morning and evening Rev. Kefauver, Minister. EVANGELICAL (English).—North Washington street. Services morning and evening. Rev. J. A. Hensel, minister. EVANGELICAL (German).—Sandusky street, north of Perry street. Services morning and. evening. Rev. Schupp, minister. EPISCOPAL.- Corner Market and Jefferson streets. Services morning and evening. Rev. Williams, minister. In the above the services are all understood for Sunday. CHAPTER XIX. JOHN GOODIN-MRS. ANN SENEY-REZIN W. SHAWHAN-CHRISTOPHER SNYDER-GEORGE RUMMELL -DAVID E. OWEN-WYANDOT CHIEFS AND FAMILIES-MARK, CHAPTER VI., II VERSE IN MOHANVK-ANDREW LUGEN-BEEL-JUDGE PITTENGER-JOHN AND LOUISE FIEGE-CHRISTIAN MUELLER-THE GREAT FIRE OF APRIL, 1872. JOHN GOODIN. AMONG the many distinguished pioneers of Seneca county was John Goodin, beloved and esteemed alike for his honorable course in life, and for his intelligence and friendly nature. He was bcirn in November, 1800, in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and when about six years old moved with his father and the family to Perry county, Ohio, near Somerset, where he was raised to manhood. When about twenty-two years of age he married Elizabeth Kishler, a:nd six years thereafter, in 1828, they moved to Tiffin. There were six children born to them, four daughters and two Sons, who are all married and living in the western country. Joel K. Goodin is the oldest son, and a lawyer of eminence in Kansas, and John R. Goodin was judge of trie court in Kansas, a member of the legislature in Kansas, and a member of congress from that state, and lately also the Democratic candidate for Governor. Joel was also a member of the legislature of Kansas. In Tiffin John Goodin took a very active part in the development of the town and county. He built the brick hotel on Washington street, already mentioned, and kept it for awhile, when he rented it to T. J. McCleary, and moved to the lot now covered by the Rust block. There he lived until he sold the lot, with the fra,me hciuse thereon, to the Seewalds, shortly before he moved to Kenton. In 1840 he was elected to the senate of Ohio from the district composed of the counties of Seneca, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky and Hancock, for two years. He was treasurer of Seneca, county from 1835 to 1839 inclusive. In 1843 he moved to Kenton, Hardin county, Ohio, where he entered into the mercantile business with his brother, and engaged extensively in buying and selling real estate. His wife died in 1857. 296 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. On the 13th of January, 1859, he married again. By this union he had three children. In 1859, and shortly before the adoption of the new constitution of Ohio, he was appointed one of the associate judges of the county of Hardin. He then retired from public life and lived quietly and happily on his farm, close by Kenton. Three years before his death he had an attack of paralysis. He died on the 2oth of February, 1876, seventy-five years of age. Mr. Goodin was a tall, slender man, of a well proportioned physique; very active and sociable. He had a kind word for every one, and was personally very popular. He was a very. active and shrewd politician; a man of strict morality and honesty, faithful to his word and duty. He was highly esteemed wherever he was known. MRS. ANN SENEY. William Wood came from Holland to Philadelphia with a stock of goods, and took into his employ a young man from Maryland, by the name of George Ebert, who some time after married Mr. Wood's daughter. The young people moved to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, where Mr. Ebert 'became a prominent citizen and was greatly respected. He was there, engaged in niercantile life for forty years. They had a numerous family, and their youngest daughter, Ann, was a beautiful girl, and received a very liberal education at the Brownsville female seminary. Albert Gallatin, the illustrious secretary of the treasury of the United States, under Jefferson, and some other distinguished gentlemen from Washington, paid a visit to Uniontown. Mr. Joslirua Seney was then the private secretary to Mr. Gallatin. The people of Uniontown prepared and had a very brilliant ball in honor of their distinguished guests. At this ball. Mr. Seney and Miss Ebert met for the first time. This short acquaintance ripened into a love affair between these young people, which culminated in their marriage. They lived in Uniontown ten years after that time, and then moved to Tiffin, in company with Judge Ebert, in the summer of 1831. They had three children when they came to Tiffin, and there we-re five more born to theni here, making eight in all, five daughters and three sons, who are all still living, but two. Mrs. Seney became a member of the M. E. Church when eighteen years' of age, and up to her death continued to be a faithful, devoted and highly esteemed member thereof. She was one of the mothers in Israel, and will be remembered for her christian virtues and her gentle nature as long as one person' may live that ever. knew her. 297 - REZIN W SHAWHAN. During the sickly seasons, and whenever Mrs. Seney could leave her own family, she would go from house to house among the sick, assist in caring for them, fetch them some palatable nourishment, cheerup the distressed with her always pleasant smile and christian consolation. She was born on.the 13th of September, 1803, and died on the 5th of May, 1879. ,She was beloved by all who knew her. The entire com-munity mourned her loss when she died. MERCANTILE LIFE. Among the many thousands of men who engage in mercantile pursuits there is but a very small per cent. that make a success of it. The 'vast majority of them die poor. According to the commercial reports for many years, only about five per cent. have made Money and become rich, and of this small number those that are still in business, and are considered rich, take their chances in the ups and downs of life. There is a certain fascination in mercantile life that induces men to invest their all, and young men without means are anxious. to become clerks in stores, where they often remain, working for their employers until they grow gray with age. The substantial mechanics and, above all, the farmers are far more happy. Of all human pursuits there is no situation in life so well calculated to fill the measure of our joy and contentment as that of a farmer. The American farmer out of debt occupies the top round in the ladder of human happiness. Those farmers who, by long, hard work and economy, accumulated a little fortune, then sold out, took the money and put. it into a store, made clerks of their sons, who ought to have been left on the farms, and after trying the. experiment for a year or two, failed; are generally the most pitiable subjects in the commercial world. These will appreciate what has bee. n said above. REZIN W. SHAWHAN. The father of the subject of this sketch Was Frederick Shawhan, a native of Kent county, Maryland, but had settled in Virginia after the rev. olutionary war, in which he was an active Participant, having enlisted when but seventeen years of age. He served under Generals Wayne, Green, Lafayette and Washington. He was at the capture of Stoney Point by Wayne, at the battle of Monmouth, at the crossing of the Delaware, and at the subsequent capture of the Hessians, at Trenton. In 1812 he moved to Ohio, and first located in Fairfield county. In 1820 he removed to Wayne county, and afterwards settled in Seneca county, and died near Tiffin, August 26, 1840, in the eightieth year of his age. 298 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. Rezin W, was born October 19th, 1811, in Berkely county, Virginia. He worked on a farm until he was about fifteen year sold. His chances for education were yery comprising only a common district school education of eight months. In the year 1826, he entered the store of William McComb, in Wooster, Ohio, as clerk. When eighteen years of age he was employed as clerk in the store of Zopher T. Moore, with whom he remained about three years. In 1833 he visited Seneca county, where his father had settled, and in the fall of the same year accompanied his employer; Mr. Moore, to New York, where Mr. Shawhan purchased a stock of goods, getting credit on Mr. Moore's recommendation. With this stock he opened a Store in Tiffin, which was then a very new town, with a population of .about five hundred. His capital, to begin with, was small, but in spite of his limited school privileges, it seemed he had a wonderful facility in working addition and multiplication, which, together with his industry, close application to business, his unflinching fidelity to every promise, his sagacity, frugality and good management, tended to make his business increase very rapidly, and in the race for success he distanced every rival. He continued in the mercantile business for eighteen years, buying and selling goods, grain and provisions of all kinds. Up to 1840 the only way to obtain goods or ship produce was by wagon to and from Sandusky City. In 1840, Tiffin became the terminus of the Mad River and Lake Erie railroad, and so remained for several years. This improved trade in Tiffin very much. In 1851, feeling the need of relaxation, he closed up his business in Tiffin and transferred the stock to a branch house he had at Carey. He devoted the three years then next following to the study of geography, history and the natural sciences. His love for books soon procured for him an excellent library, and he pursued his studies with the same zeal, close application and perseverance that characterized him as a merchant. He now added the benefit of travel to his scientific attainments. He visited the western states, where he purchased large tracts of land. In December, in company with his wife, he visited Cuba, where he passed the winter following, returning by way of New Orleans. In 1858 he attended the sales of the public lands in Omaha, Nebraska, and Leavenworth, Kansas, where he purchased some thirty thousand acres. In the same year, in company with A. G. Sneath, he started a bank in Tiffin, which, after the war, was merged into the National Exchange Bank of Tiffin, and in which he has ever since been a large stockholder. In 1866 he built the Empire block in Tiffin, and, in company with others, was again largely engaged in the 'mercantile CHRISTOPHER SNYDER - 299 business. In 1871 Mr. Shawhan took a. trip to London, and passed two months in England. He is still in the full vigor of his health and manages his immense estate with the same tact and attention as in times of yore he controlled a small stock of goods on Market street. In 1839, on the first day of April, he was married to Elvira Tuller, of Washington, Ohio, who is also still living.* Mr. Shawhan still enjoys excellent health, and, were it not for his white hair and beard, would promise fair to outlive many a young man not half his age. While the great number of buildings Mr. Shawhan has erected in Tiffin have undoubtedly added largely to his wealth, they have also, at the same time, added greatly to the wealth and improvement of the city and county, and with his various other operations in this county, for nearly fifty years, tie has in a large measure contributed to the development of the resources of the county. Of the fourteen children which his father had, he and his brother Josiah, at Cary, and Mrs. Anderson, at Fostoria, are the only survivors. CHRISTOPHER SNYDER. A duty I owe to the memory of a dear old friend prompts the writer to record a short personal sketch of one of Tiffin's early merchants,' whose 'name, for more than twenty years, was associated with mercantile life in Tiffin, and whose " German store " was a regular beehive of a place. Christopher Snyder was born in the city of Eppingen, Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, March 22d, 1810. He learned the trade of a shoe-maker in his native town when a boy, and in the spring of 1832, he, together with his brother John, several years his senior, left their home for the United States. They came directly to Tiffin, with the family of Andrew Albright, already mentioned, when Christopher soon found employment in the family of Henry Cronise, whose hospitality and kindness to strangers were equal to the popularity of his name. Richard Sneath kept the principal hotel in Tiffin, being located opposite the court house, on Washington street. Here Snyder found employment as clerk and steward, and soon had charge of the whole establishment. Mr. Sneath was an enterprising man, and in 1835 he built a store (one story frame, immediately south of Cronise's) with a little porch in front, painted green. Mr. Sneath bought a very good stock of goods, and a short time after he had opened up he took Mr. Snyder as a partner. This was in 1836. All the capital the young * Since the foregoing was written, Mrs. Shawhan and Josiah Shawhan have both died ; the former on the 20th of May, 1880, and Josiah at Upper Sandusky the day following.