Harrison County, Ohio - Chapter 14: Dickerson, Bethel, and Rankin Churches, 1900

Chapter 14: Dickerson, Bethel, and Rankin Churches

The following Historical Address, giving an account of the early history of Dickerson Church, was delivered by Mr. Joseph Holmes, one of the trustees, at the dedication of the new building, near Cadiz, on October 7, 1888:

The history of the Dickerson Society commences early in the present century. As early as March, 1801, Joseph Holmes moved to the farm on which he lived and died. Soon after, the following settlers came into the neighborhood: Joseph Huff, William Walraven, Thomas Dickerson, Eli Dickerson, VV'illiam Scoles, James and Thomas Worley, Abraham Holmes, and William Welling. In the Fall of 1802, Thomas Dickerson settled on the farm on which Dickerson Church is located. He was a man of strong religious convictions, and during the same Fall, he succeeded in the organization of a prayer-meeting circle, at which he gave religious instruction to those who attended the meetings. The meetings were held weekly, from house to house in the neighborhood, and they increased in numbers and interest from time to time, imder the supervision of Thomas Dickerson. In 1801, a Society of Methodists was organized, with Thomas Dickerson duly appointed class-leader.

Among the first meml)ers of the society were: Thomas Dickerson and wife, Joseph Holmes and wife, William Walraven and wife, William Scoles and wife, James Worley and wife, Abraham Holmes and wife, EU Dickerson and wife, William Welling and wife, and James Jones and wife. /Preaching was held like the prayer-meetings, from house to house. 'In those days, sermons were like angel's visits, "few and far between." The first quarterly meeting was held on the farm of Joseph Holmes in the summer of 1805. This meeting was conducted by the Rev. Asa Shinn. Methodists and others from beyond and about Wellsburg, on the Ohio river, and from the Holmes Church, on Short creek, came to

It may seem strange to those of modern times, when we describe the arrangements for holding this first quarterly meeting. The meeting was held in the grove. The seats were made of rails, logs, and puncheons. A few puncheons were used for a platform. In each of two trees, standing about six feet apart, a notch was cut, and in those notches was placed a puncheon about sixteen inches wide, and on this the preacher laid his Bible, and this was the make-up of the preacher's pulpit. The meeting was one of great spiritual power, and several persons united with the church.

The second quarterly meeting was held on the farm of Thomas Dickcrson in 1807, with the same arrangements, aud like results. In 1813, a quarterly meeting was held in the barn of Thomas Dickerson, conducted by Eev. James B. Finley. From 1807, preaching services became more frequent. Asa Shinn, James B. Finley, Bishop Eoberts, and the Eev. McElroy, were some of the early itinerate ministers who have preached in our community.

The first church was built in 1817; although the selection of a site for a church had been made in 1806. The first burial in the cemetery was in 1807. The ground was conveyed by Thomas Dickerson and wife to Joseph Holmes, William Scoles, William Welling, James Worley, and Abraham Holmes, as trustees of the M. E. Church.

The organization of the Dickerson Church is clearly traceable to the labors of Bishop Asbviry and Bishop McKendree, from the fact that the first members of the church came from Virginia and Pennsylvania, direct from the fields of labor of these great and good men. But directly to Thomas Dickerson, more than to any other, belongs the honor of the oro-anization of the church at this place. He was blessed with a fine social nature, and a vigorous constitution. His piety was deep and uniform. . . . From 1817 to 1828, the church moved steadily forward. In 1828, Thomas Hudson and S. E. Brockunier were appointed to the West Wheeling Circuit, and this circuit included the Dickerson appointment. During this year, there Avere some accessions to the church, and the membership was greatly revived. But the year 1829 is especially remarkable for its great spiritual prosperity at Dickerson's. During this vear, Thomas Hudson and William Tipton were travel Ung the circuit and Joshua Monroe, Presiding Elder.

At the first meeting of the Quarterly Conference that 3'ear, a resolution was passed to hold a camp-meeting on the farm of Thomas Dickerson. The meeting was appointed, and was largely attended. In the "Life and Times of Eev. Thomas M. Hudson," he says, as the meetino- progressed, the work of revival greatly increased, awakenings becoming more general, and conversions more frequent every day. . . . He tells us, that among the numerous subjects of that great revival that he received into the church at Cadiz, were many interesting young men, vSorae weeks after the close of the camp-meeting, Hudson determined to hold a meeting at the Dickerson appointment. As a result of this meeting, over sixty persons professed conversion. . . . This revival included to a greater or less extent the families of the entire neighborhood, and bore its fruit for many years.

From 1829 to 1835 the church was in a prosperous condition. But during 1835 and 1836 many members of the Dickerson appointment removed their membership to New Athens. The number of members thus removing was about twenty-live. This greatly weakened the Dickerson Society. This removal of membership was caused by a new church being built at New Athens. But those remaining still adhered to the Society with a strong faith. In 1839, the second camp-meeting was held, on the old camp ground. ... As a result of this meeting, several persons united with the Society.

From 1840 to 1850, the membership remained about the same. There were several additions to the church during 1851 and 1852, but during the winter of 1853, a revival meeting was held by Eev. D. P. Mitchell and Kev. J. D. Knox. . . . This was the last protracted effort ever held in the old church building. . . .

It was the opinion of many and the desire of others, that as soon as Thomas Dickerson was gone, the old church should be abandoned, and that the members of the Society should either go to Cadiz or New Athens - but those persons were much mistaken. Thomas Dickerson died. The workman fell, but still the work went on. The mantle of Thomas Dickerson was resting on the shoulders of his son, Joseph Dickerson. By much labor of his own, with such help as he could secure, the second church was built, in 1854. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Dr. Nesbitt. After the building of the new church, the Society received new life. The membership increased from sixty-five in 1856, to ninety-three in 1858. For the next two years after, the membership remained about the same.

The next four years were years of war, and while the Society and community were loyal to the church, they were also loyal to the Government. In proof of this, twenty-eight of the young men that were either members or patrons of the Society gave their services to their country. "Within a circle of one and one-fourth miles from the church, thirty-eight of our best and bravest young men left for the seat of war. It is not saying too much when we declare, that the Dickerson neighborhood furnished more soldiers to the square inch than any other country-place in the county.

Dickerson was leader for forty-eight years. During the latter part of his life, he had an assistant. The next, in order, were Joseph Dickerson, Joshua Dickerson, A. H. Thomas, William Perry, Washington Soule, Joseph Holmes, Ahraham Holmes, R. B. Green, S. M. Dickerson, and G. B. Holmes. From ISO-i to 1855, there was hut one class. In the latter year, it was divided into three classes, and a leader appointed for each

Time has removed nearly all who were born before the building of the first church. Only three' remain with us [in 1888]. They are, Asa and Mary Holmes, and (Knob) Joshua Dickerson. Only seven persons now hold their membership with us who were members of the Society when the second church was built. The others have either died or removed to other places. Joshua Dickerson's membership - now the oldest - dates from 1837.

In the history of the Society, we deem it necessary to briefly refer to others who have gone from our midst, and were either members of the church or Sabbath school.

From the family of William Scoles, two young men went forth to preach the Gospel. . The family of James and Susan Jones furnished five Methodist preachers. A. H. Thomas died when he was Presiding Elder. During the last decade, 0. W. Holmes and W. H. Dickerson have entered the ministry from this Society; also, David Porter, who was a member of the Sabbath school.

There are others who have taken high positions in life. From a class of twelve young men in the Sabbath school, which I had the pleasure of teaching, were Capt. Joseph Dickerson, Capt. Thomas McElravy, Capt. John Finley Oglevee, ex-auditor of the State of Ohio, Col, J. T. Holmes, of Columbus, Abraham Thomas, a minister of the North Ohio Conference, Dr. Hamline Welling, of Columbus, Capt, William McEl- TSLYj, of Iowa, William Oglevee, of Illinois, Rev. D. S. Porter, David Harrison of Kansas, James Oglevee of the 126th Q, Y.JL, now resting in the cemetery at this place, and Robert McElravy, who was killed in the capture of Richmond.

Bethfl Church

Rev. James B. Finley, the pioneer of Ohio Methodism, organized the first class in this vicinity, at what is now the home of Joseph L. Thompson, one mile north of Cadiz, in the 5^ear 1811.

It consisted of nine members, as follows: Morris West, leader; John Baker, Sr., and Margaret Baker; William Foreman, Sr., and Sarah Foreman; Zebedee Baker and Cassandra Baker; Joseph Kent, and Elizabeth Chaney.

Hugh and William, with their families, from PGnnsylvania, arrived here, two other classes were formed, one at the Baker farm, one mile west of the church, on the Cadiz and Jefferson road; the other at what is now the home of Mrs. Samuel Pittinger, one-half mile south of Jewett. Hugh Birney, St., and John Baker, Sr., led the classes alternately. ' Eobert McKee and Kichael McKee, and Nancy Moore (Foreman), joined soon after.

The three classes continued nntil 1818, when Bethel Society was formed. In March of that year, one acre of land was purchased of Pobert Orr, for which twenty dollars was paid. It was deeded to John Baker and others. On this lot the old log church was built. It was about thirtv feet square, and stood about twenty-five feet west of and parallel with the present building. The door Avas in the center of the east end. The pulpit was in the west end, with a window on each side of it. The seats were split logs, with legs in them._ In the rear part of the house, they were placed north and south; and in the fore part, east and west.

From the building of the church, to 1830, the following persons united with the organization : Hugh and Jane Brown, Eobert and Margaret Birney, Mrs. Keziah Wheeler, Mrs. Nancy (Foreman) Moore, Mrs. :\rary Ealston, Abraham and Deborah Busby, Eebecca Busby, William Kent, Sr., and his wife.

From 1830 to 18-10: Samuel Foreman, Lemuel and Mary Green Ellen Gallagher, Otho and Mary Baker, Evan Baker, John and Leucintha Ealston, Charles Conaway and wife, Lydia Eyan, John Brindley, Sr., and wife, James ]\IcKee, Hamilton and Hugh Birney, Jane Scarlot, Abram and Mary Mattern, Mary, wife of George Lease, Sr., Cassandra Fife Jacob and Eebecca Dennis, Jacob Lewis, Sr. '

Of the above named persons, but four are now [1894] living (Hamilton Birney, John Brindley, Sr., Jane Lease, and Deborah Maxwell) The rest have gone to their reward. Most of their bodies rest in Bethel cemetery.

The present church is about forty by fifty feet. It was beo-un in 1839 - Eev. Pardon Cook the preacher in charge. Its seating capacity is about 300. The brick was made near where the church stands by James Means, of Cadiz; the mason work was done by Andrew and James Jelly; the carpentering, by T. W. Wells, who lived near the church. The pulpit, at first, was one of the upper story kind, as it took three high steps to get into it ; and the preacher had to stand up to see over the top. The seats were high-backed, and closed at the bottom The building cost $1,600. ... It was dedicated by Eevs. Edward Smith and A. J. Eich, entirely free from debt, in 1840.'

Bethel appointment was first in the bounds of Knox Circuit, Muskingum District, Western Conference, with James Quinn Presiding Elder. The Conference for that year (1811) was held at New Chapel, Shelby county, Kentuclq^, on Kovember 1st, 1810. In 1813, it fell into the Ohio Conference, and in 1825, into the Pittsburgh Conference. The Circuit then bore the name of Cross Creek, which it retained until 1834, when it was changed to Richmond. In 1838, the Conference was held at Cadiz, Bishop Enoch George presiding. Bethel was then joined to Cadiz Circuit, which had been formed the year previous. In 1847, the Circuit was composed of the following appointments: Cadiz, Bethel, Athens, and Harrisville. Stiers was added in 1850, and Jefferson in 1852 (formed in 1847, by David Welling), Rumley and Hanover (the latter formed by C. Thorn and W". Devinney), in August, 1853, and Jewett (formed in 1847), in December, 1853. The same year, Harrisville, Athens, Stiers, and Dickerson's were joined to other Circuits, leaving five appointments. In 1854, Rumley was dropped. In 1864, Cadiz and Dickerson's were joined, leaving Bethel, Jefi'erson, Jewett, and Hanover. The Circuit was then named Bethel Circuit, which name was retained until 1887, when it was changed to Jewett. After the formation of the Society at Howard Chapel (Cadiz Junction), in 1892, a new Circuit was formed, consisting of Bethel, Howard Chapel, Mount Plope, and Asbury Chapel, and named Bethel Circuit, which name it still retains.

The cemetery was laid out when the old church was built, the lots in rows, about ten feet wide, running north and south, and were taken by families as follows, beginning at the west end : First row, Holland, Webster, Devore; second row, Tipton, Hatton, Eutledge; third row. Busby, Auckerman, Braden, Young; fourth row. Busby, Pittinger, Adams; fifth row, Pittinger, Lemasters, Fife, Maxwell; sixth row, Ealston, Eankin, Ivnox, Eyan; seventh row, McKee, Brindley; eighth row. Foreman; ninth row, Thompson, Campbell; tenth row. Baker; eleventh row, Beaty, Brown, Green, Dennis; twelfth row, Hugh Birney, John Birney, Sr. ; thirteenth row, Lewis, Kent, Eobert Birney, Sr. ; fourteenth row, George Lease, Wheeler; fifteenth row, liorman, Bargar; sixteenth row, Mehollin, Speer; seventeenth row, H. Thompson, Busby. In 1858, the cemetery was enlarged by the purchase of fifty-four perches of ground; and again, in 1881, by the addition of two acres. Hugh Brown's head-stone is dated 1822; and those of Margaret, wife of John Baker, Sr., and Margaret, daughter of John Birney, Sr., are both dated 1829. Many headstones have crumbled, until the dates are lost.

This church was organized about the year 1814, by Kev. James Roberts and Thomas Dic.kerson. Services were held for some five years in the log-cabin of Thomas Rankin, during which time, among others, the following members were enrolled: Thomas Rankin, Mary Rankin, James and Hester Rankin, William Johnson and wife, Joshua Dickerson, John. Early and wife, Jonathan Early and wife, Margaret Early, Arthur Barrett, Isaac Barrett, William Jones, Rachel Jones.

In 1819, Thomas Rankin donated an acre of ground to the Society on Section 31, in Moorefield township, for the site of a church, and buryino- ofround. Soon after, a loc; building was erected, and the membership of the church materially increased. At one time, it numbered over 100 members. Four ministers were sent out from this church, namely, Benjamin Johnson, Baruch D. Jones, John Moffit, and Allan Moffit. Before 3850, the membership began to decrease, and at one time the roll was reduced to thirteen members. In 1870, a new building was erected; and since that time, the congregation has regained much of its former prosperity.