Mount Vernon, Ohio - Continued (part 1 of 2)

Continued

HE history of Knox county would be incomplete without a brief account of the Owl Creek bank of Mt. Vernon. The notes issued by this institution were of every denomination, from six and one-fourth cents up to ten dollars. The paper, engraving and finish of the notes, although not so perfect as those issued by the banks of the present day, were fair specimens in the art of engraving. From the journals of the bank and from the files of the Ohio Register, the only paper then published in the county, the following account is compiled:

There being great complaint of the scarcity of money after the war, large numbers of people in various cities.and towns in the United States, and more particularly in the west and Ohio, conceived the idea of multiplying the quantity of paper in lieu of money, by manufacturing what is called "currency." As early as December, 1814, a meeting was held, and articles of association for the organization of a bank, to be called the Owl Creek bank of Mt. Vernon," were entered into, fixing the capital stock at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, divided into shares of fifty dollars each, payable in installments of not exceeding five dollars each, and appointing certain commissioners to open stock books, etc. Petitions were then presented to the legislature, praying for a charter; and after having petitioned the legislature for an act authorizing such an association, and been denied, the people determined to go ahead without State authority.

On the tenth day of April, 1816, the first meeting on record of those who inaugurated the Owl Creek bank was held at the court house in Mt. Vernon, and as this is one of the most important events in the early history of Knox county, the proceedings of this meeting, and also of the first meeting of the board of managers are noted.

Resolved, That we have by the constitution of this State a ful! and fair right and privilege to have charters granted when we shall petition the legislative body of this State for that purpose. - We, the undersigned, have complied with the requisitions of the constitution, and will continue to do so, without waiving our rights and privileges.

Therefore be it resolved, that we do form ourselves into a company for the purpose of establishing a bank in the town of Mt. Vernon, Knox county.

2. Resolved, That the following named gentlemen be appointed managers of said bank, and to draft articles of association and by-laws for the future government of the company, viz: James Smith, William Mitchell, M. Merritt, Abraham Darling, Hosmer Curtis, John Warden, Gilman Bryant, Jonathan Miller, L. S. Silliman, Benjamin Martin, Joseph Brown, John Green, and Jacob Young.

A committee appointed for that purpose, drafted articles of association, by which the bank was to be governed, embracing twenty-three distinct propositions. Article I, reads: "The capital stock of the company shall be two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, current money of the United States, with the privilege of extending it to five hundred thousand dollars." .The bank was to commence business as soon as twenty-five thousand dollars were subscribed. The stock was divided into shares of fifty dollars each. Jonathan Miller, James Smith, Gilman Bryant, John Warden, Benjamin Martin, Hosmer Curtis, W. Mitchell, M. Merritt, A. Darling, Jacob Young, John Green, L. S. Silliman, and Joseph Brown, were appointed commissioners to open books and receive subscriptions for stock. Article VI, provides: 'The affairs of the company shall be conducted by thirteen directors, a president and a cashier." James Smith was elected president, and L. S. Silliman cashier.

The legislature refusing to grant a charter to the institution, the stockholders elected to proceed without it, and do business, depending upon the honesty of the borrowers, they pledging themselves to waive all rights the laws of the State might give them not to withhold payment from an institution not recognized by the laws of the land. Every borrower was required to make the following declaration under oath before some justice of the peace: 'Before me (A. B.) a justice of the peace for the county of aforesaid, came C. D., who being duly sworn, deposeth and saith, that, whereas, he has thrown a note into the Owl Creek bank of Mt. Vernon for discount; saith, that, if discounted, he will take no advantage of any statute law of this State; and farther this deponent saith not." Under those conditions the bank commenced doing business.

On the sixth of March, 1871, a dividend of six per cent. was declared, and the stockholders were sanguine of reaping a harvest. So long as the bank had money to loan its unchartered condition was no detriment to its usefulness. Its funds ran out - some of its stockholders neglected or refused to pay up their shares - notes became due, and an effort was made to collect them - then came hard times. People were suddenly convinced of the deep sin, if not crime, of fostering an "unchartered" monster in their midst. Samuel: Williams, a tavern keeper of Mansfield, had borrowed five hundred dollars, and after taking an oath that "he would take no advantage of any statute law of the State," refused its notes when tendered him 'for hotel bills, and also refused to redeem his notes discounted, and freely used the columns of the newspapers of the day to destroy the institution that had aided him when in need. A Dr. Moore B. Bradly arrayed himself on the side of Williams in the work of destruction, and others followed suit. With a depleted treasury, the institution attempted to stem the torrent, but in vain. In these times of evil talk, and while the public were busy crying down the institution, a few whole souled persons were found who came to its aid.

The bank building was located where James Rogers' hardware store now is. The building was about twenty feet square, and contained two rooms, a front and aback room. It was a log building, weather-boarded. Its doors and window shutters were protected with large headed nails.

The stockholders to the bank were never fully known by reason of the mutilation or alteration of the books, which took place pending a suit between Luke Walpole and some of the stockholders. The bank was entered one night and a large box that contained the books and papers carried off. Subsequently the box was found in a thicket of hazel, east of town, broken open, and the books and papers scattered about, with several of the names of stockholders obliterated. The testimony in this case, the proceedings of the court, and reports of the receiver, exceptions to his report and final decree, make one of the largest volumes of record in the clerk's office of Knox county, duly labelled "The Owl Creek Bank Case." From this official and authoritative record the names of parties and shares of stock alleged to have been connected with the "Owl Creek Bank" are taken, as follows:

Richland And Other Counties

The above named were claimed to have been interested in the concern; and having been duly subpeenaed and brought into court, their own answers and voluminous testimony were taken. While some few plead the statute of limitations, in addition to other testimony, the greater number - -to their credit be it said - confessed their connection with the bank, and expressed themselves ready to stand the consequences.

Henry B. Curtis was appointed master commissioner, and, after a thorough and searching examination, he made, on the eighteenth of September,

1837, a very elaborate and able report. Having, upon his appointment, caused publication to be made by newspaper to all interested, either as creditors or partners, of his appointment to close, and finally settle, as far as practicable, the concerns of the bank; and having before him all the testimony, he determined the relative position of the parties, and discharged from liability as stockholders of that number Jacob M. Banning, William Bevans, Isaac Dillon, George Reeve, Sturges & Sherwood, Francis Wilkins, and Matthew Williams, for insufficiency of proof.

At the September term of the supreme court, 1837, Judges Reuben Wood and Peter Hitchcock approved the report, by which it appeared that the sum of twenty-six thousand seven hundred and ninety-six dollars and twenty cents was required to be raised to meet and discharge the present unpaid debts of the company in Owl Creek bank bills; and the liabilities of the parties defendant, being established equal, it was further ordered that said sums, as assessed by said master commissioner's re port, be paid by said parties to him, and the cause was continued for further report.

Several of the parties defendant, by their attorneys, filed exceptions to said report and as to their rights, and for further examination the papers in the cause were referred to H. H. Hunter, esq., of Lancaster, as special master, who, at the Septeimber term, 1838, submited a partial report as to certain parties referred to him, and still further reported, as by testimony, the following additional stockholders equally liable, viz: Solomon Geller, owner of twenty shares; John Hawn, sr., fifteen shares; Nathaniel Johnson, sixty shares (fifty of which being transfers from Jonathan and Eli Miller); William Blackburn, twenty shares; Maithew Merritt, four shares; G. B. Maxfield, John Troutman, and N. M. Young, ten shares each. At the same time the special master concludes with this statement:

It is believed that no man can, at this time, possess himself of the facts necessary to do exact justice in the case. Though it is believed that much additional evidence, with proper exertions, may be collected, to render the case more perfect. All of which is respectfully suggested.

newly-discovered stockholders parties, etc.; and the court continued H. H. Hunter special master for further investigation, and with more extensive powers.

At the September term of 1840, Master Commissioner Hunter submitted his final report, concluding with a statement of accounts and an aggregate amount remaining due - seventeen thousand four hundred and _ fifty-seven dollars and twenty-seven cents; and the court, upon further hearing of exceptions by council and arguments for their respective clients, decreed accordingly, and continued the appointment of Henry B. Curtis as receiver, to collect from the parties the sums assessed against them, and to pay off the judgment creditors, etc.

. At the succeeding terms of the court, various orders were made, as necessary in the progress of the cause, and upon the reports of the receiver of his action had in the premises.

And thus the case "dragged its slow length along," until the final report of the receiver was filed, and the cause finally disposed of upon exceptions taken by Miller & Dunbar, attorneys for certain defendants, which were overruled by the district court in chancery, on the sixteenth of June, 1859 - and an entry upon the journal expresses the satisfaction of the court at its termination - by the receiver in having disposed of the remaining assets by sale under order of the court, for an amount sufficient to liquidate all outstanding indebtedness.

The undersigned, now, therefore, regarding substantially all interests adjusted and settled, in behalf of party creditors, and the assets for that purpose exhausted, recommends that the suits pending be finally dismissed from the docket, without prejudice to the rights, of the assignee to collect the balances against party creditors, standing unsatisfied, agreeably to former reports and decrees in this cause. The undersigned reports all costs paid, as far as known to him, and, as he believes, in full.

In taking leave of the case, which for more than thirty years has occupied a conspicuous position on the docket of this court, and in closing the trust which, for more than twenty years, has been confided to the undersigned, he takes leave to congratulate the court on the final adjustment of the whole matter, and to express his profound thanks for the confidence so long continued, without which the vexed, complex, and protracted labors of the case would have been rendered much more onerous, and the results obtained far less satisfactory.

this life since the commencement of this suit), and to their heirs and representatives, the full record of this case, while it may recall some reminiscences of an unfortunate enterprise, and its calamitous results, will also remind them of many incidents and profitable lessons in the school of experience, and be, for all time to come, the veritable history of the Owl Creek bank of Mt. Vernon.

Upon the filing of the final report of Mr. Curtis, as receiver, the court caused the following order and decree to be entered in the docket, as its judgment:

It is now, therefore, ordered and decreed, that said report be forthwith approved, and sale fully confirmed and this whole case is accordingly discontinued.

The Knox County National bank was originally organized in 1848 as the Knox County bank, a branch of the State bank of Ohio, with Henry B. Curtis, J. W. Russell, C. Delano, Jesse B. Thomas, and Sewall Grey, directors; Henry B. Curtis, president. John C. Ramsey, Levi L. Lewis, and J. Frank Andrews were at different periods its cashiers, under its old organization. In 1865, after thepassage by Congress of the national banking law, this institution elected to continue business under the national law, the State banking law having expired by limitation. It then assumed the name of the Knox County National bank. Its present capital is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and it is now one of the foremost institutions of the city. Mr. Curtis still continues its able and effi: cient president. The cashiers in its national character have been Hugh Oglevee, L. B. Curtis, and John M. Ewalt. Of the different cashiers Messrs. Ramsey, Andrews, and Oglevee have deceased. The present board of directors are: H. B. Curtis, president; J. N. Burr, vice-president; and Messrs. N. N. Hill, Charles Cooper, and Henry L. Curtis. John M. Ewalt is cashier, and Edward W. Pyle, assistant cashier. Its surplus fund is twenty-one thousand seven hundred and sixty-three dollars.

The First National bank was organized in April, 1862, under the name of Bank of Mount Vernon, J. W. Russell, president ; Columbus Delano, Mathew Thompson, Walter H. Smith, F. D. Sturges, directors; F. D. Sturges, cashier; D. W. Lambert, teller. Capital, one hundred thousand dollars. Electing to do business under the national law it assumed the name of the First National bank after the passage of that law. Messrs. Sturges and Lambert hold their old positions at this time. Upon the retiring of Dr. Russell, the Hon. Columbus Delano was made president. The present board of directors consists of Columbus Delano, president; John W. Russell, vice-president; and F. D. Sturges, D. W. Lambert, and H. H. Greer. Its present capital is fifty thousand dollars.

Knox County Savings bank was incorporated September 13, 1873, under the act of February 26th, of that year, and commenced business December 29th of the same year. The present officers are: Jared Sperry, president; Samuel Israel, vice-president; John D. Thompson, treasurer; Samuel H. Israel, cashier; Jared Sperry, G. A. Jones, John D. Thompson, Samuel] H. Israel, O. M. Arnold, Alexander Cassil, and Thomas Odbert, trustees. These gentlemen are all well and favorably known in this

The Knox County Mutual Insurance company was incorporated by a special act of the general assembly of the State of Ohio, March 14, 1838, giving it an existence co-equal with the older -fire insurance companies of the State.. It commenced issuing policies in August, 1839. Its first board of officers were: C. P. Buckingham, president; Samuel J. Updegraff, secretary; E. G. Woodward, treasurer; and for directors: C. P. Buckingham, Henry B. Curtis, George Browning, J. E. Davidson, S. J. Updegraff, Columbus Delano, B. S. Brown, Else Miller, and Isaac Hadley. Of the whole number of officers named only Messrs. Buckingham, Curtis, Delano and Hadley are living. The transactions and operations of this organization have been characterized by prudence and economy. In 1843 Mr. William Turner was installed as secretary, which position he still holds. For a period of nearly forty years he has devoted his superior financial and executive ability to his work, during which time he has established a reputation of which he may justly feel proud; and to his ability, in a great measure, are due the success and prosperity of the company. It has now been several years since Robert Thompson was chosen

The Knox County Mutual now has a well secured capital of about one million dollars in premium notes, and a cash surplus of about fifty thousand dollars - thirty thousand dollars of which is invested in United States four per cent. registered bonds, which are held as a reserve fund, to be drawn upon in case of extraordinary losses, and thus avoid the necessity of heavy assessments. This company has paid over four hundred thousand dollars in fire losses, and the average annual assessment on notes since the organization has been two and one-half per cent, or one-fourth annual cash rates. The policy of this company is to keep their risks well scattered, and to take none extra hazardous.

The Eagle Mutual Fire Insurance company was incorporated May 31, 1879, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars in premium notes and closed the year 1879 with a report to superintendent of insurance, showing a gross capital of over eighty thousand dollars, the result of its first year's business. The company was organized mainly through the | efficient and energetic efforts of Mr. J. J. Fultz, its present acting secretary, assisted by Mr. J. B. Castner, late of Toledo, Ohio.

The 'Eagle" does a conservative and purely mutual business, and is officered by the following gentlemen, who are well and favorably known: David C. Montgomery, president; General G. W. Morgan, vice-president; J. J. Fultz, secretary; Hon. John D. Thompson, treasurer; Hon. William C. Cooper, legal adviser, and John B. Castner, general agent.

The Ohio Mutual Aid Association

An association having for its object the mutual protection and relief of its members, and for the payment of such stipulated sums of money - not to exceed four thousand dollars - to the families or heirs of deceased or disabled members (or to themselves prior to death), as may be by certificate of membership provided - was incorporated September 4, 1879. The association began business at once, and, at the end of the first year had a membership of nearly two thousand. The officers of the association are - Hon. John D.

Thompson, president; General G. W. Morgan, vicepresident and legal adviser; J. J. Fultz, secretary and actuary; David C. Montgomery, treasurer, and S. C. Thompson, medical director.

Following is a list of the business men of Mt. Vernon in 1850. At that date the stores kept a general assortment. There were but few dealers in groceries alone, and in no instance did the merchants confine themselves to dry goods alone.

The carriage and wagon makers were Columbus C. Curtis, William Sanderson, sr., Dennis Corcoran, John A. Shannon, George Blocker, Condy Jacobs.

The blacksmiths were A. K. Laughrey, J. and J. Blocker, Joseph Mahaffey, Jonathan Graff, Hezekiah Graff, Abram Ehle, William Mahaffey, Amos Roberts, Isaac Cole, Silas Cole, Frederick Kraft.

The newspapers were: Ohio Times, William H. Cochran; Banner, William Dunbar & George W. Armstrong; Zrue Whig, John W. White & E. A. Higgins.

A miscellaneous list shows the following: Johnston Elliott, postmaster; Joseph Muenscher, life insurance agent; B. B. Lippitt, book seller; E. T. Cohen, portrait painter; Mehurin & Co., marble works; William Turner, secretary Knox Mutual; John W. White, telegraph operator; J. H. Minor, boarding house; W. Robertson, chemist and fancy dyer; Mr. and Mrs. R. R. Sloan, female institute; Daniel S. Norton, miller ; Russell, book binder; T. M.. Bartlett, auctioneer; J. A. Andrews, sash and blind manufacturer; Casper Fordney, gunsmith.

The Mt. Vernon Iron Works was established in 1834 by Charles Cooper (the senior member of the present firm) and Elias Cooper, under the firm name of C. & E. Cooper. This firm was succeeded by the said Charles Cooper, with others, under the following firm names: C. Cooper, C. Cooper & Co., Cooper & Clark, Mount Vernon Iron Works, C. & J. Cooper, C. & J. Cooper & Co., and, finally, November 31st, 1869, on the sale by J. Cooper of his interest in the works to the remaining partners, by the present firm of C. & G. Cooper & Co., composed of Charles Cooper, George Rogers, Frank L. Fairchild, and C. Grey Cooper.

The magnitude of these works, the variety and completeness of their special tools and 'machinery for manufacturing; their location near the best and cheapest coal and iron markets of Ohio, and their facilities for shipping at low rates to all points, enable them to successfully compete with other large manufacturing houses.

Their engines and mills are of the most approved designs, and the volume of their business justifies them in employing the best mechanical skill.

This was in 1875, and it was, at first, regarded by them as an experiment. The engines were a success, however, and greatly pleased their customers. For the first two years they gave purchasers the option of taking off and returning the traction gearing at the end of the season, if it did not give satisfaction, or if actual use did not convince the owner that it was worth the extra price charged for it. In no case did a purchaser avail himself of this option. They first advertised the engine in their circulars for 1876, and during that year and the year of 1877 they made and sold one hundred of them. Their sales would have been much larger had they been prepared to furnish the engines, but, being doubtful. of the extent of the probable demand for traction engines, they accumulated for stock during the winter and spring. months of these years, a large number of common farm engines, expecting to be able to build traction engines during the selling season, as fast as ordered. Their experience in 1876 and 1877 satisfied them as to the merits of their traction engine, and also demonstrated the fact that it was greatly preferred to the common farm engine whereever introduced.

Profiting by this experience, in 1878 they built traction engines for stock, and the result was they put out over two hundred that year, and yet so great was the demand that they were obliged to decline one-third of their orders during the busy season, more than three-quarters of their farm engine orders being for traction engines. Their trade in 1879 ran still stronger to traction engines, and although they put out about three hundred they were again obliged to decline a large number of orders.

Finding that they would be compelled to still further increase their productive capacity to meet the growing demand for their engines; they decided 'to increase their works, and during the fall of 1879, added to them two large buildings and considerable new machinery, with a view of increasing the yearly manufacture of traction engines to about five hundred, in addition to their other work.

Although the traction engine seems to be their specialty, the firm manufacture a large number of portable and stationary engines of all sizes and patterns, suitable for any and every purpose for which steam engines are used; as well as saw-mills and mill gearing, and machinery of every description.

The firm has recently added a variety of sizes of a combined portable and stationary steam engine, and also a very popular slide-valve engine, with the Corliss' style of bed-plate, as well as a common slide-valve engine with expansion gear adjustable by hand. These, added to other stationary, portable, and farm engines, constitute a large assortment, and, with their saw-mills, gristmills, etc., enable them to offer their patrons a larger and more complete assortment to select from

C. and G. Cooper & Company employ, continually, a large number of workmen. The works are justly celebrated and sustain a high business character.

The Cooper Manufacturing company, foot of Main street, Mt. Vernon, is the successor of the Kokosing Iron Works, originally established by Messrs. C. P. Buckingham and Henry P. Upton, who erected the main building in 1849. The large two-story building fronting on Water street was erected by the firm of Cooper & Rogers, who purchased the establishment from Mr. Buckingham, about 1867. The firm of Cooper and Rogers was composed of Charles Cooper, John Cooper and George Rogers. Various changes were made in this firm, until in 1875, the establishment became known as the Cooper Manufacturing company, since which time it has been managed by a board of directors, of which Mr. John Cooper is president, and Mr. Nevil Whitesides, secretary.

The specialty of the present company embraces all the branches pertaining to engine building, foundry, mill furnishing and contracting. They have a large and complete establishment, and one of the largest lines of patterns in the country. Their foundry is provided with all the necessary machinery for handling readily the loam, dry and green sand castings, and their machine shops with the most powerful tools for finishing the same. Their make of horizontal steam engines range in power from an eight-horse to a tour hundred-horse power. They manufacture three classes of stationary engines, viz: The Babcoek & Wilcox automatic, the independent cut-off, and the plain slide-valve. They are of the modern girder bed-plate pattern, very accurately and elegantly built.

They also manufacture improved high pressure portable steam engines and boilers, improved portable standard and pony saw-mills, Cooper's combined grain steamers and heaters, general machinery castings of every description, and also the improved Reed & Buckingham patent adjustable spring grist-mills. This mill differs from all other portable mills in these important features, viz: The mode of balancing the bed stones; the method of preventing vibrations in the bed stones, and the manner of attaching the runner to the spindle. Special points of the above mill are simplicity, durability, capacity for work, its freedom from choking, and its reliability. There are three sizes of this mill - No. 1 merchant mill, thirty-six inches diameter of stone; No. 2 merchant mill, thirty inches diameter of stone; and No. 3 corn mill, twenty-four inches diameter of stone. This firm also manufactures flour bolts with two, four, six, or any required number of reels, besides buckwheat and corn meal bolts. They are also extensively engaged in making the whole machinery for erecting and furnishing complete, large custom mills, with any required number of buhrs.

Japan, intended for the Japanese government. The shipment was made over the Baltimore & Ohio railroad via Mansfield, and Chicago to San Francisco, thence by steamer to Japan. A few years previous the same establishment, then in the hands of General C. P. Buckingham, shipped a threshing machine to Australia. During the fall of 1872, this establishment built for the General Government, under contract, two iron light-houses, weighing over three hundred tons each, which are now doing service on the southern coast. During the month of January, 1881, this establishment built and shipped another light-house for the Govyernment, to be placed on Paris Island, on the coast of South Carolina. It was built in the shape of a tripod, and from the foundation to the apex the distance is one hundred and thirty-one feet. This is the first structure of this pattern that the Government has ordered, the design being a new one. The work was'so well done and conformed so accurately to the designs, plans and drawings, came together like clock work. Mr. Nevil P. Whitesides and Mr. John M. Doyle, attaches of the Cooper Manufacturing company, were sent to Pars Island to superintend its erection. This company has now under way and partly done, a large number of iron cases for the protection and safety of valuable models accumulating in the patent office at Washington city; this contract alone amounting to over sixty thousand dollars.

Banning & Willis began the manufacture of furniture in 1872. Their factory building is one of the. most spacious and substantial brick structures in the city, covering a ground space of fiftytwo by one hundred and thirty-two feet, three and a half stories in height, with ample yard room. The place covers an entire block. An engine of sixty horse-power supplies the motive power, anda force of forty men are constantly employed in the various departments. The business will not fall far short of sixty thousand dollars per annum. The trade is not confined to this city or county, but extends to many of the adjoining counties.

furniture, conducting an establishment supplied with all the modern machinery for that purpose, all operated by steam power, and superior workmen. Their wareroom is located in the Woodward Opera House block, and their workshop on West Vine street.

This mill was formerly operated by Messrs. Roberts & Clements, and Mr. J. Anderson, but has been owned and managed by Mr. Mitchell for three years past. Originally a very good mill, the present proprietor made many material improvements. It is provided with the latest improved machinery,

Doors, frames, sash, blinds, mouldings and scroll work of all kinds are manufactured. Four or five competent mechanics being countinually employed. The yearly business is rarely less than ten thousand dollars.

The Linseed oil manufactory of James Israel is located on the corner of West Gambier and Norton streets, and was originally started by Mr. Henry Johnson, who was succeeded by the firm of Johnson & Israel, the latter gentleman coming into sole possession in 1870. The oil mill is thirty by one hundred and twenty feet in size, and the machinery is operated by a thirty-five horse-power engine. The warehouse here is forty by fifty. feet in dimensions, and at Howard station, fifteen miles west on the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad is another equally large. The articles manufactured are raw and boiled linseed oil, oil cake and oil meal, very largely used for food for stock by stock growers in all parts of the country. Grain and seeds of all kinds are also dealt in to a large extent, consignments of which are continually being made. The business amounts to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum, for the prompt transaction of which the facilities are especially complete in every respect. Direct connection is had between the warehouses and the Baltimore & Ohio railroad and the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railroad, while the counting-rooms are in wired communication with the Western Union and the Atlantic & Pacific telegraph offices.

for the building of wrought iron bridges. It has a paid up cash capital of forty thousand dollars. The president is Mr. John S. Braddock; its secretary and treasurer, Mr. John M. Ewalt; and the management and superintendency are in the hands of Mr. P. E. Lane and the secretary. This company is in command of excellent facilities, a large corps of experienced and faithful workmen, and ample steam power. It has already done considerable substantial work in this State, and has been compelfed to enlarge its works in order to meet the requirements of a growing patronage. At a recent meeting of the stockholders a dividend of six per cent was declared.

The leather manufactory of Penich & Ransom is located on West Gambier street, and came into their hands in 1878, up to which time it had been carried on by Mr. George E. Raymond. The works consist of a tannery, eighty by one hundred feet, seventy vats, and three large finishing rooms, heated by steam throughout, and furnished with the most improved appliances. A _ twenty-five horse-power engine is operated by steam from a forty horse-power boiler. Two rotary pumps for liquor and water are in constant action. A working force of a dozen hands is employed, and the capacity of the establishment is six thousand pieces per annum.

The Norton City mills were established in 1817 by the late Daniel S. Norton, who continued to operate them up to his death, October 25, 1859, when they came into the possession of his son, George K., who continued to operate them until his death. The mill known as the "old red mill" was first etected. A carding and fulling-mill, a saw-mill, and a custom flour-mill are in operation within its walls. The large four-story frame merchant mill was erected about 1845. Attached to these mills is a large three-story frame warehouse, and a large granary for the storing of corn. Some years since a stock-yard and hay scales were added. In 1875 this extensive property was rented by Messrs. James Rogers and Samuel J. Brent, who kept both mills in constant operation up to the fall of 1879, when Mr. Brent retired from the firm, having been elected clerk of the court. Mr. Rogers continued in possession, and conducted the mills to January 1, 1881, when he was succeeded by Mr. A. A. Taylor, who became theowner of the property by purchase. The splendid quality of the flour he produced has gained a high local reputation, and the mills are taxed to their full capacity to supply the growing demand.

The Eagle City mills, West Vine street, were put in operation July, 1876, by E. J. Chase, a practical miller. Its four run of stone and a corn sheller are operated by steam power. The building is a two-story brick, and is fitted up with all the modern improved machinery necessary to render it. a model grist-mill, and is pushed to its utmost capacity to supply the demand made upon it.

The marble and granite works of I. M. Hoover, are located on the corner of West Gambier and Mulberry streets. In February, 1866, Mr. Hoover purchased this business from Mr. L. C. Barnes, under whose management it had been The building occupied is twenty-six by forty-eight feet in dimensions, and is supplied with all the machinery, tools and workmen requisite for first-class production.

The marble works of I. B. McKenna are located on the northwest corner of the public square. This firm erected the present soldiers' monument on the square, and was established about ten years ago.

Among the manufacturing establishments may be mentioned the carriage and buggy factories that daily turn out vehicles of superior finish and workmanship. The business now carried on by Mr. Hezekiah Groff was originally established by Mr. William Sanderson, sr., over a quarter of a century ago, and is noted for its excellent. workmanship. David Sanderson, has a large establishment for the manufacture of carriages near the depot of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon and Columbus railroad. Mr. George D. Neal has a similar establishment near the Rowley house. In the fall of 1880 his works were partially destroyed by fire. They have been repaired, and Mr. Neal is busily engaged in stocking his salesroom. Abraham Stokes has been manufacturing wagons at his establishment on North Norton street for a number of years.

contribute not a little to swell the manufacturing business of Mt. Vernon, among which may be mentioned the pump factory of H. K. Cotton. The "Collins force pump" is meeting with an extensive sale. 'I'here are also several cigar factories, among them being those of C. F. Brent, a wholesale establishment; 'I. P. Fredericks, jr., established in the Kremlin block in 1877, and R. A. Kendrick, west side of South Main street. 'These establishments employ quite a number of workmen.

The Cleveland, Mt. Vernon and Columbus railroad, considerably augmented the manufacturing as wellas other business of Mt. Vernon, and at the present date the entire business of this pleasant little city is ina healthy condition, and the city itself seems to be moving forward.

The population, according to the census of 1870, was four thousand eight hundred and_ seventy-six. ky the census of 1880, the population by wards was as follows: Virst ward, one thousand and fiftyone; Second ward, six hundred and thirty-four; 'Third ward, nine hundred and sixty-seven; Fourth ward, nine hundred and thirteen, and Fifth ward, one thousand six hundred and eighty-four - total, five thousand two hundred and forty-nine.

Following is the list of residents of Mt. Vernon who are eighty years of age or over. The first column is the year in which they were born. Their ages added make four thousand two hundred and sixty, and their average age is eighty-three and two third years: in Green county, Pennsylvania, concluded to form themselves into a colony for the purpose of emigra ting to the territory of Ohio, of which Knox county now forms a part. The patriarch, or the oldest man of the colony, was William Leonard, then in his eighty-third or eighty-fourth year. Previous to the time, when on an exploring expedition looking for land, in company with one or two others, he met with some men, owners of large tracts of military 'lands in this State, who conducted him to the place where Mt. Vernon now stands, then an unbroken wilderness, and showed him a tract of eight hundred and forty-seven acres one mile south of Mt. Vernon, on the Newark road, which he bought, paying for the same one dollar and fifty cents per acre. He then returned to Pennsylvania to make arrangements for removal. These, for some reason, were not completed until about 1804, when the following persons started for their wilderness home: William Leonard and his oldest son, Amos Leonard; John Mills and family, Henry Haines and family, Ebenezer Brown and family, William Knight, Ziba 'Leonard, sr., and his son Benjamin, and Peter Baxter.

They arrived here about the first of May, 1804. and commenced at once to improve the land above referred to. After the spring crop had been planted, and the cabins and shanties erected, a few of the emigrants went back to Pennsylvania to aid in removing the remainder of the colony. On the fourteenth day of November of the same year, they returned, bringing with them the family of Peter Baxter, Levi Harrod and family, and the family of William Knight. On the day of their arrival a daughter of Peter Baxter died, having been taken sick on the journey. She was the first white person known to have been buried in the county. With two or three exceptions the members of this colony were professors of religion. Those belonging to the Presbyterian church were William Leonard, Amos Leonard, Ziba Leonard, sr., Ebenezer Brown, Rachel Mills, wife of John Mills ; and Mary Knight, wife of William Knight.

The history of Presbyterianism in this region probably begins with these settlers, they being the first of that denomination inthecounty. Although the Methodist and Baptist denominations had a few representatives in the colony, there was no sectarian feeling among them. By mutual agreement they were accustomed from the first to meet together for prayer and conference on the Sabbath and Thursday evenings at Ziba Leonard's, his home being the largest and most central. Their weekly meetings were somewhat peculiar, but very interesting. They were attended by the principal part of the colony. The religious services were followed by a supper, which was partaken of by all present.

Brown, sr., and Abner Brown, jr., from Green county, Pennsylvania, and of John and Jacob Cook, from Washington county. They were, however, without a minister of the gospel. There was not one living near enough to afford them even occasional preaching. This, of course, detracted much from their spiritual comfort, as well as subjected them sometimes to great inconvenience, as is evident from the following incident: During the summer (probably 1805) two young men, Daniel Dimick and Amoriah Watson, millwrights by trade, came into the neighborhood, and entered into a contract with William Douglass, who had some time previous to this joined the colony, to build him a mill. They were here but a short time until they succeeded in forming a contract of a more tender and serious nature - that of marriage - with two daughters of Ziba Leonard. The day for the solemnization of the marriage was fixed, and every preparation made, when on the evening before the day of the nuptials, it was discovered that there was no one who was properly authorized to solemnize marriages nearer than the town of New Lancaster, fifty miles distant, and reached only by a bridle path through the forest. The wedding of course could not be deferred. The proper official must be had, even if he should come from New Lancaster. Accordingly two men, Peter Baxter and Henry Haines, set out that very evening for that place. After riding all that night and all the next day, they returned about midnight of the second day with the necessary papers, a justice of the peace and his constable, and immediately upon their arrival the marriage ceremony was performed in the presence of the waiting assembly, which consisted of nearly all the settlers, together with a number of Indians.

In the spring of 1805, the patriarch of the colony, William Leonard, who had been its religious leader, died, in his eighty-seventh or eighty-eighth year. He was a good man, and his loss was deeply felt. He was buried on his own land under the shade of a wide-spreading beech.

His son, Amos Leonard, by common consent, became the leading person in the ecclesiastical affairs of the settlement. He was a very worthy, consistent man, and was for many years of great. spiritual service to the people.

The following spring and summer brought a large accession of emigrants from Green and Washington counties, Pennsylvania, among whom were other families of the Harrods and Browns, together with those of the Hunts, Dotys, and Boyles, settling mostly south of the Leonards, thereby extending the boundary of the colony to what was known as the Bell settlement. These families, together with that of James Loveridge, who settled north of Mt. Vernon, constituted the additions to the Presbyterian element of the settlement during that year. The home of Jonathan Hunt, being more central, was chosen as the place for meeting on the Sabbath instead of Ziba Leonard's.

About 1806 Rev. James Scott visited the new settlement and preached in the house of Ziba Leonard, sr., the first Presbyterian sermon preached in the county. In 1806 Mr. Scott preached a few sermons in Newark, and it was probably about that time that he visited this place. ,

The town of Clinton had been laid out, and some improvements made in it. Mt. Vernon was laid out in 1805. Additions of families, principally from Pennsylvania, were frequently made. Among them were the Presbyterian families of James Colville and Robert Work.

In the summer of 1806 or 1807, the members of the settlement concluded that the time had come for erecting a house of worship. Selecting a place for it on the road south of Hunt's, Amos Leonard cut the logs and the neighbors hauled and raised them. The logs of which the church building was made were unhewn, the roof was of clapboards, and the floor was the bare earth. Round logs laid on the ground constituted the seats. Two small poles of the proper height set in the ground, with a board pinned on the top of them, formed the pulpit, and a board laid on two pins driven anto a log immediately behind the pulpit, made the seat for the minister. Thus rudely constructed and incomplete, was the house dedicated to the worship of God, probably the first house of worship in the county. The dedication service was undoubtedly performed by Father Scott. A part, perhaps the most, of those who worshipped in that house in the summer of 1808, were organized into a church by the Rev. John Wright, of Lancaster. It was first called "Ebenezer," that being the

Prior to 1808 a church had been organized at Clinton. Among its members were James Loveridge. and wife, James Colville, wife, and two sisters, Robert Work and wife, Mrs. Park, wife of James Park, Josiah Day, Edward Marquis and wife, and Isabel Bonar, wife of Barnet Bonar. April 5, 1809, the three churches in the county, Ebenezer, Clinton, and Frederick, had together only twenty-eight members.

When it became apparent to the members that the old building at Clinton (erected about 1814) must be abandoned, and a rew house for the use of the congregation put up, arrangements were made for locating the church in Mt. Vernon, but the construction of the building was not determined upon until 1821. The congregation in the meantime worshipped in the old court house, which was used in common by all denominations. The place where the church now stands was chosen as the site for the house. Land being cheap, and a good deal of ground being needed for hitchingplaces, and also for a burial place, the entire square, with the exception of the two lots where the Third ward school-house stands, was procured.

Some time during the year 1821 a house of worship was commenced. 'The church being small, not numbering over fifty members, and money being scarce, it was no small undertaking. The greater part of the building fund was raised by selling seats from a plat of the interior of the church previous to its erection. From the sale of fiftythree seats two thousand three hundred and one dollars were realized. The highest paid for a seat was forty dollars, the lowest ten dollars. The seats were the property of the purchaser absolutely. From subscriptions one hundred and thirty-six dollars were realized, making in all two thousand four hundred and thirty-seven dollars. March rs, 1824, the building was finished, and all accounts thereon paid. It was found that the cost was two thousand four hundred and thirty-seven dollars, just the amount previously secured. The building was of brick made by Stephen D. Minton. The structure was: fifty by forty-five, and stood with its gables east and west. In each end were large double doors, which opened into an aisle seven feet in width, extending the whole length of the building. On the south side were two single doors, each of which opened into an aisle four feet in width which terminated in the main aisle just described. In the central portion of the building at suitable distances apart were four posts to sustain the roof, such a thing as a self-supporting roof being then unknown. The pulpit was on the north side, and according to the prevailing style of church architecture, was five feet from the floor, and was reached by six steps. The height of the building was fourteen feet. Immediately in front of the pulpit was the singers' stand. This was two feet and a half from the floor, and was reached by three steps. There the leader of the singing, or what was then called the clerk, sat. The stand was furnished with what in those days was regarded as indispensable - a sounding board. The pulpit, the singers' stand, and the sounding board were painted blue. The test of the house was without paint of any kind. September 13, 1827, the name of the congregation was changed from Clinton to that of Mt. Vernon.

Mr. Scott continued to minister to three churches, living here, and preaching every third sabbath in each place. On the fifteenth of April, 1840, he resigned his charge of the Mt. Vernon church. After this he continued to preach in the surrounding country, and in vacant places till within two weeks of his death, which occurred September, 1851, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mr. Scott was born east of the mountains, probably in Chester county, Pennsylvania, about the year 1773. He was of Scottish descent. His parents removed to Washington county, Pennsylvania. He graduated at Cannonsburgh in the early history of that college, and first preached 1n this country sometime during the summer of 1806, beginning his regular labors here probably in 1807. Being at that time unmarried, he boarded with James Loveridge. Mr. Loveridge's house being a small cabin, the only place which he could afford him for a study was the loft reached by a ladder. It was without a window. Its ohly means of lighting in the day time was a knot hole in one end.

About the year 1841-2, the old brick church was torn down, and a new one erected. It was built of wood, was eighty feet long, forty-five feet wide, and twenty-one feet from the floor to the ceiling. From May, 1841 to April, 1844, the church was under the charge of the Rev. Chauncey Leavenworth. In July, 1844, the Rev. P. R. Vanatta commenced his labors with the church. In the fall of 1849, the Rev. William Hamilton was engaged to supply the church which he did until the following spring, when he accepted a call from the Fifth Presbyterian church, Cincinnati. In June, 1850, the Rev. Louis LL. Conrad commenced preaching here with a view to settlement, but in September following he declined the call and returned to Pennsylvania. The Rev. R. C. Colmerry became pastor of the church in 1851, and continued to the fifth of August, 1856. The Rev. J. N. Shannon occupied the pulpit a short time, but ill health compelled him to decline the call to become their regular pastor. After Mr. Shannon, came the Rev. M. A. Sackett. He had occupied the pulpit but a few Sabbaths when the church edifice was destroyed by fire. The members were somewhat depressed at this loss, but not cast down. Before the ashes were scarcely done smouldering they held a meeting in which a large amount was subscribed and the work initiated. A new brick house of worship was put under contract and urged to completion, which is yet standing. It was erected on the site of its two predecessors. The house and its furtiture cost about eight thousand dollars. Soon after the dedication of the new church, which took place on the fifteenth of April, 1860, a regular call was given to Mr. Sackett, which he declined. The Rev. D. B. Hervey was ordained and installed pastor January 16, 1862. Since Mr. Hervey retired Revs. O. H. Newton and A. K. Bates have officiated. At present (March 1881) the church is without a pastor.

Methodist Episcopal Church

Methodism was first introduced into Ohio between 1788 and 1792, 1n the vicinity of Cincinnati, and in Jefferson county, opposite Wellsburgh, West Virginia. Francis McCormick crossed the Ohio river from Kentucky, and located at Mellville, Clermont county, Ohio, between 1792 and 1796, and probably organized the first Methodist society in the Northwest Territory. William McKendree, afterwards bishop, was sent to the west in 1801 to take supervision of the societies in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Western Virginia, and part of Illinois. He was ragarded as the father of western Methodism.

Methodism was introduced into Mt. Vernon in 1812 by Enoch Ellis, who preached at times in the court house and in the log cabins. The first Methodist Episcopal church (a frame one) was built in 1831, on the hill where the high school building now stands. It is to be regretted that the larger part of the history of the Methodist Episcopal church in Mt. Vernon (between 1812 and 1831) is involved in obscurity, and that those immediately interested in it have failed to keepa record, especially one that would throw light on its early history. The history of no other church in the city would, perhaps, be so full of interest as this; yet, while the history of others is comparatively complete, no official record has been kept, or, if kept, has either been lost or neglected; and all the history that can be collected at this late day must be obtained from old citizens, whose memory, on this point, is somewhat indistinct and vague. This station is under the care of the North Ohio conference. About 1850, the old Mulberry church edifice becoming too small to accommodate the large congregation who worshipped therein, the members agreed to form two charges, to be known as the east and west charges. Some time previous, the late Anthony Banning had left the Methodist Episcopal church and cast his lot with the Protestant Methodist church, and had, with pecuniary aid, obtained from the members of the last named church, erected what in after times became known as the " Banning chapel." Desiring to return to his first love, Mr. Banning deeded his chapel to the Methodist Episcopal church. The chapel thereafter became the western charge and was for some years under the pastoral care of different itinerants, the first of whom was Rev. James Wilson. In 1852 the old chapel was torn down, and on its site the present building was erected, now known as the Lutheran church. 'The members who attached themselves to east corner of Gay and Chestnut streets, and in 1852 built the present church edifice. This charge was under the pastoral care of the Rev. Joseph Kennedy, and under his superintendency the build- ing was erected. In 1865 the two charges were united, and the "Banning Chapel" property was sold to the members of the Lutheran church, who still own it.

Of the early members and preachers but a few only can be recalled. Of the early members, James Smith, Benjamin Brown, and Anthony Banning are named. Smith and Banning both were preachers for many years. James Smith afterwards attached himself to what was called in those days "New Lights," many of whom in after times became known as "Disciples." Joseph Carper preached here in 1818, and John Crawford in 1824. Abner Goff and Henry C. Pilcher rode the Mt. Vernon Revs. Hickman, McMahan, John W. Powers, French, Quigley, Breckenridge, Samuel Mower, Thomas Wilson, Hildreth, Nicholson, Sheppard, G. W. Bush, and others, ministered to the people at different dates, the precise years cannot be ascertained. The Rev. Bush was the first pastor after the two charges were united. The Rey. Samuel Lynch was presiding elder for several years. Rev. P. B. Stroup was pastor in charge during 1879 and part of 1880. Rev. E. Persons is the present pastor, and Rev. Stroup presiding elder. Although the church now numbers over three hundred members none can date their membership back beyond 1830, or if any, their names cannot be recalled. William Sanderson, sr., and William Mitchell, united with the church in 1831, and Abel Hart, sr., in 1835.

The first Sabbath-school was started in 1831 by William Burgess, George Cables, and William Sanderson, sr., under whose care it continued many years. It numbers now over one hundred and fifty scholars.

Methodist Protestant Church

Mulberry street, was constituted by the union of the Wesleyan Methodist church that had been organized in 1861, and had erected a church edifice on north Mulberry street in 1852, and a Methodist Protestant church organized about the year 1832, which had erected a thouse on South Mechanic street, between High and Vine streets, about 1838.

During the early part of 1865, the Wesleyan Methodist church and the Methodist Protestant church of the northern part of the United States were agitating the subject of a union of the two bodies. In view of this it was thought, on the part of leading members of both churches in Mt. Vernon, to present an opportunity for a union. After consultations and preliminary meetings to consider the subject, February 14, 1865, at a meeting held in the Wesleyan Methodist church, Rev. L. R. Roice was made chairman and Rev. John Lamb recorder. A committee previously appointed made the following report: lieve for the furtherance of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, and for the salvation of souls, it is our duty to improve the present opportunity, and we hereby agree to unite and form one church, to be known at present as the Union Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon, and to be governed by the following rules until

First, We retain all means of grace held and practiced in both churches, such as class, prayer, and conference meetings, baptism and the Lord's Supper.

Second, That all officers of the church, such as leaders, stewards and trustees, shall be elected by a vote of the majority of members of the.church present at any meeting called for such purpose.

Third, All the members are eligible to vote on all matters pertaining to the church, and all matters concerning the church shall be decided by a majority vote.

Fourth, The primary principles being the same in both churches, to wit: the admission, trial and expulsion of members, the same are therefore adopted.

Fifth, \t is recommended that the trustees of both churches dispose of the present church properties, as soon as possible to the best advantage, with a view to purchasing a new location and erecting a new meeting-house.

The above report was submitted by a committee composed of John Lamb, D. L. Travis, William Tathwell and Matthew Thompson. After due consideration it was by' vote unanimously adopted. Fifty-four names were enrolled, and the organization completed. The services of the Rev. J. H. Hamilton, then living in Fredericktown, were secured as

The first meeting under this arrangement was held March 25, 1865, when ninety-four additional names were added to the list of membership, making in all at that date a membership of one hundred and fifty-four. At this time the following officers were elected: S. H. Jackson, leader; Rollin Beach, treasurer: John Moore and D. W. Wilson, stewards; Matthew Thompson, D. L. Travis, R. Beach, S. H. Jackson and John Lamb, trustees. With the church thus organized, it was prepared to go forward in all the work of church organization.

At an early period the sale of the Methodist Protestant church and parsonage was affected through the agency of Dr. Matthew Thompson, one of the trustees, and a lot purchased from General G. A. Jones, and one from W. B. Brown, both located on the corner of Mulberry and Sugar streets. . It was the design to erect a church house and parsonage on these lots, but in the meantime the Congregational church adjoining was offered for sale; and after some time spent in negotiations the church was purchased for two thousand one hundred dollars, a deed given and reported to the church, October 26, 1867. This church was taken possession of October 1st, same year. The Wesleyan Methodist church was sold to Christian Keller for eight hundred dollars, August'5, 1867.

In the month of May, 1866, a convention of Non-Episcopal Methodists was held in the city of Cincinnati, at which a basis of union was established and a discipline adopted. This church was represented in this convention by Matthew Thompson, as delegate, and in view of this the following paper was proposed and adopted in the month of August following:

WHEREAS, The Wesleyan Methodists, Methodist Protestants of the North, and Independent Methodists, ata convention held in Cincinnati in May last, for the purpose of forming a union of all Non-Episcopal Methodists, adopted a constitution

Resolved, That this congregation adopt the constitution and discipline of said convention, and that hereafter we be known as ''The Methodist Church of Mt. Vernon'" of Baltimore, at which a union was effected between the Methodist and the Methodist Protestant churches south, in which the last name was taken by the whole body, so that this church is now known as "The Methodist Protestant Church of Mt. Vernon."

Since its organization in 1865, it had for pastor, J. H. Hamilton, six years; H. B. Knight, two years; 1). Trueman, one year; W. Hastings, one year; J. A. Thrap, three years; E. H. Scott, one year; and J. H. Gray, who is now serving his second year.

Under the labors of the first pastor the number of members was increased to three hundred, and the number in attendance at the Sabbath-school was over three hundred. 'The church in which they worship, and two valuable lots adjoining, were owned free from debt. 'These lots were afterwards sold for two thousand. two hundred dollars, and the amount used in building a parsonage and improving the church edifice. During the winter of 1867-8 a series of meetings was held from December rst until March rst, and one hundred and fifty-five were received into the church. On the first of April, 1868, the pastor, J. H. Hamilton, baptized fifty-four persons, twenty-three by sprinkling in the church, and thirty-one by immersion in the race near Norton's mill.

The Muskingum annual conference has held two sessions in the church, and in both cases the members acknowledged that they were hospitably entertained by the church and people who kindly assisted.

Many persons who have been members of this church, lost their connection with it by removal, united with other churches, and some proved unworthy of membership, and their names have been dropped from the list. Sixty have died. George Cassil, the first on the list of members, died soon after the organization. He was followed by Garret Brown and Dr. Matthew Thompson. The last named was suddenly killed by being thrown from his sulky seat, and his feet, becoming fastened in the gearing, the horse ran away, dashing his head against whatever came in the way, so that when the horse's speed was checked and the doctor released, he was unconscious, and survived but a few moments. 'This sad accident occurred on the Woos- ter road, some miles from Mt. Vernon, June 19, 1867. 'The whole community was shocked on receiving the news of this sad occurrence. All knew him; all held him in high regard, for the noble spirit and generous impulses shown in his life. His funeral was attended by people from all parts of the country. The number was so great as to largely fill Main street in front of his residence, from the public square to Sugar street. His pastor, J. H. Hamilton, addressed the people from a position in front of his residence, and it seemed as though the whole multitude were in tears. Many followed his remains to their last resting place, but among them all, excepting his own family and immediate relations, none felt his loss more keenly, or shed more honest tears over his death than the pastor and members of the church with which he was connected.

Resolutions of regret in view of his death, and of tenderest sympathy for his family, were passed and entered upon.the journals of the church.

The First Baptist Church

The First Baptist church was organized under the name of the First Baptist church of Mt. Vernon, December 15, 1835. Of the thirteen members who signed the original compact, only five are now living. Henry Cosner was the first pastor. The first service was held in the Methodist Episcopal church on Mulberry street, on the site of the present union school building; then in a select school building on Vine street, the present home of Joseph Jacobs. The church after this migrated from place to place for a period of one or two years, when a location was effected in a ward school-house, now the'home of the worthy sexton of the church, Mr. John Hancock.

The church worshipped in that little twelve by sixteen room until the erection of the church building now used by the church, on Vine street, adjoining the home of the sexton.

The first parcel of land, eleven feet from the east halves of lot two hundred and twenty-three and two hundred and twenty-four, was purchased by the church from Truman Ward and wife, May 8, 1841. The second parcel, sixty-four feet by fortyfour feet, was purchased from Judge Eli Miller, in July, 1841. The balance of these lots, including the sexton's house, was purchased from Judge Miller, April 1, 1851.

The present church building was built in 1841. The membership numbered sixty at that time. It was built by voluntary subscription. The original paper contains eighteen names, and eight hundred and eighteen dollars were subscribed ; of this amount four hundred and ninety-seven dollars were in cash, and the balance, three hundred and twenty-one dollars, in building materials, dry goods, etc. From a book in which an account seems to have been kept, the whole amount subscribed for the building of this house appears to have been one thousand seven hundred and nineteen dollars and twenty-five cents; from which one thousand three hundred and seventeen dollars and twenty-two cents were realized.

The church prospered, and in sixteen years three hundred and sixty-six members had been added by letter and baptism, and the membership had increased from thirteen to two hundred and thirtynine. Since its organization fifteen ministers have been called to the pastoral charge, viz: been added to the church within forty-five years, an average of eighteen per annum. The largest number reported one year (1849) was two hundred and eighty-eight.

While this temple has maintained an uniform exterior (a weather-beaten and moss-covered appearance), its interior has undergone numerous transformations. Conspicuous for its shape, height and size, was a huge wooden structure called the Pulpit, which concealed the minister, except his head and face, while in a standing position, and completely hid him from view when he sat down. Through the influence of Mr. Icenbarger, the present neat and ornamental pulpit was substituted.

November 25, 1872, a subscription was started for money to purchase a new building lot. A committee was appointed to select and purchase a lot, consisting of Messrs. Ward, Young and Sperry. A piece of land opposite the court house, fronting on High street, was purchased from Messrs. Curtis & Israel for three thousand five hundred dollars. The money was to be paid in four annual payments. The sum subscribed was two thousand nine hundred and eighteen'dollars; and the Ladies' Sewing society donated nine hundred and thirty-five dollars and fifty cents. Had all the money subscribed been promptly paid a fine surplus would have remained, but the failure to pay seven hundred and five dollars, and the in terest on notes for back payments, while none accrued on the subscriptions, soon turned the balance against the church, so that in order to meet a standing obligation, the committee was compelled to sacrifice a portion of the lot. On the first of April, 1877, twenty-seven feet off the east side was sold to Messrs. McIntire & Kirk for seven hundred and fifty dollars.

It was designed, at the time the lot was purchased, to raise money and build a house, but the financial storm of 1873 so changed business affairs that it was impossible to raise the necessary amount for building. With symptoms of health and perma- nent reaction the question of building a new house began to be agitated. After a protracted effort the form of subscription for this purpose was agreed upon October 1, 1879. The conditions of the subscriptions are: That the sum of eight thousand dollars shall be subscribed by the members of the church, in valid subscriptions, in six months from date, otherwise to be null and void. This, with money derived from all other sources, is to be appropriated to the erection and completion of such a building as the building committee, trustees and church my agree upon. Under no circumstances is the church to be involved in debt. Subscriptions are payable in four eqnal installments, one-quarter April, 1880; one-quarter October, 1880; one-quarter April, 1881, and one-quarter October, 1881.

Messrs. Bedell and Larimore, and Mrs. Ward and Mrs. Thompson were appointed a committee to secure subscriptions. The members have responded liberally and _ voluntarily. seemed to lag at one time, but the volunteer addition of two ladies to the committee, Miss Annie impetus. One hundred and fifteen names are appended to the subscription paper, with an aggregate amount subscribed of seven thousand three hundred and seventy-nine dollars. The foundation of the church building has been laid, and the work will soon be pushed to completion.

This parish is now entering upon its second half of the first century of its existence. Many of the early fathers of the church are still living. When this parish was first founded, Mt. Vernon was a village of some fifteen hundred inhabitants. The centre of population was the publicsquare. There were already in the town three church organizations, the Presbyterian, the Methodist, and the Baptist.

Before the parish was founded, Bishop Chase had, June 21, 1825, visited Mt. Vernon, and preached and baptized one child. In August of the same year he commenced preaching in the old court house, standing on the public square. Previous to this, missionary services were held here by

With the year 1829, the life of the parish as a distinct church began. In the month of May of that year, a meeting was held at the law office of Benjamin S. Brown to consider the question of establishing in Mt. Vernon a church in communion with the Protestant Episcopal church. On the tenth day of June, of that year, an adjourned meeting was held in the same office, at which an organization was effected. The following resolutions were adopted: That

It is expedient for the friends of the Protestant Episcopal church in this place to organize themselves into a society and become a body corporate. That

We, inhabitants of Mt. Vernon and vicinity, assembled under the provision of an act of the legislature of the State of Ohio, passed February 5, 1819, for the purpose of incorporating religious societies and regul:.ting the same, do agree to and hereby do associate ourselves as a society by the name and title of Union church, to make provision for the due celebration and proper performance of divine worship according to the rules and usages of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, and to transact all kinds of secular and conventional business pertaining to the parish as we are authorized to transact according to the above mentioned act, and the constitution and canons of said church as adopted by the diocese of Ohio; also that of the general convention of said Protestant Episcopal church in the United States.

We, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge and declare ourselves friends of said Episcopal church, and our desire to support it; and do unite ourselves as a society or congregation by the name above written, and for the purpose aforesaid.

The first parish meeting was held September 7, 1829. At this meeting the following officers were elected: John Clements, warden; Samuel Sparrow, Daniel S. Norton, Jesse B. Thomas, Henry B. John Clements was elected a delegate to the Diocesan convention, to be held at Gambier on the ninth of September following. To the record of this meeting the name of C. P. Bronson is signed as rector. The Rev. Mr. Bronson did preach for the congregation for some time, but probably never officiated as the regular pastor of the parish.

The first recorded movement in the direction of a church building was made at a meeting of the parish, February 2, 1830. The meeting adopted a resolution "declaring it expedient to proceed to the erection of a building for the accommodation of the congregation as a place of worship."

Prior to the erection ofa church edifice the congregation worshipped in the old Presbyterian church, the old court house, and then in a small frame school-house that stood on Vine street, near the present Baptist church. At the meeting mentioned above, the proper committee was appointed to carry into effect the wishes of the meeting. The committee consisted of Rev. C. P. Bronson, H. B. Curtis and B. S. Brown. . The lot upon which the church now stands, was purchased of Isaac Newell, for two hundred dollars.

The first annual meeting, subsequent to the act of incorporation was held Monday, April 12, 1830, at which meeting the following officers were elected: John Clements, senior warden; Ebenezer Alling, junior warden; Samuel Mott, Hosmer Curtis, Jesse B. Thomas, John W. Russell, John Sherman, James S. Banning, Henry B. Curtis, vestrymen; J. N. Burr, treasurer; B. S. Brown, clerk; John Clements and Ebenezer Alling, delegates to Diocesan convention.

With such energy did the building committee work, that on the sixth of May following the corner stone of the first Episcopal church building was laid. This interesting ceremony was performed by Bishop Chase, who on the same day united in marriage Dr. Jonathan N. Burr and Miss Eliza Ann Thomas, the first marriage recorded in the parish history.

The church was opened for the sale of pews on the twelfth day of September, 1831. During this year Mrs. James'S. Banning, Mrs. Jesse B. Thomas, and Mrs. H. B. Curtis were appointed a committee to obtain money with which to purchase a bell and

The name of the Rev. Mr. Bronson is not mentioned in the parish record after the month of March, 1830. August 17, 1831, the Rev. William Sparrow, a professor in Kenyon college, was requested to take the rectorship of the parish. He was instituted into the duties of his office by Bishop Chase, and held the reciorship for two years and six months, performing the duties of his office without compensation. Bishop McIlvaine consecrated the first church building on the second Sunday in September, 1833.

At a vestry meeting, June 23, 1834, the use of the church was granted to the Methodist Protestant congregation, with the exception of its use after candle lighting.

In 1836 the church, finished in 1832, was declared to be unsafe; that it was actually going to pieces; and Columbus Delano, George Browning and T. W. Rogers were appointed to take into consideration the ways and means of building a new one. After considerable delay it was decided by the congregation to take down the old church and place the new building upon the same site, but changing its front to High street instead of Gay, as it before stood. May 30, 1836, the sum of four thousand dollars having been subscribed for building a new church, a plan presented by Mr. C. P. Buckingham was adopted, and the building began. In the latter part of 1837, the new church was so far completed as to enable the congregation to worship in the basement. _ The building was finished and ready for consecration in the spring of 1839, which service was performed by Bishop Mcllvaine, July 21, 1839. The newchurch, when completely finished and furnished, cost the congregation twelve thousand dollars.

Benjamin S. Brown, an influential member died in 1830. The Rev. William Halsey succeeded Mr. Hurd, but resigned May 12, 1841. At a meeting of the vestry held June 5, 1841, a call was extended to the Rev. Joseph Muenscher, then a professor in the theological seminary at Gambier, and accepted, and on the fourth day of July, same year, he entered upon the public duties of the parish. During the year 1842, mainly through tne efforts of Dr. Muenscher, an organ, costing six hundred dollars, was placed in the church, and continued in use for twenty-four years. During the year 1853 a schism occurred in the church. Several members withdrew and formed themselves into a new organization under the name of Christ church. Subsequently the schism was healed and the recusants received back into the fold.

Rev. Dr. Muenscher resigned his charge of the parish February 13, 1855. During the rectorship of Dr. Muenscher the parish suffered a severe loss by' the death of some of its most prominent members, among whom were John Sherman, 1841; John Ridgely, M. D., 1843; Mrs. Mary P. Buckingham, 1844; Timothy W. Rogers, 1845; Rebecca Thomas, 1851, whose name stands first on the communion list of the parish; Marcus W. Stamp, M. D., 1852, of whom the record says "'a communicant of the church of great moral worth ;" Hon. Jesse B. Thomas, 1853, one of the active members of the parish, who "was at a former period of his life distinguished as a judge, and as a member of the United States Senate."

After the resignation of Dr. Muenscher, the Rev. J. Rice Taylor was called to the parish, and continued in charge up to August 30, 1859, when he was succeeded by the Rev. J. H. Bonte. It was during Mr. Taylor's ministry that such an impetus was given to the Sunday-school work of the parish by the active and earnest cooperation of the laymen of the church. This work became more and more prosperous until St. Paul's Sunday-school under its superintendent, Columbus Delano, stood in the front rank of those west of the mountains.

August 29, 1859, a proposition was received from Columbus Delano, offering to present to the parish the present rectory, providing the debt due James E. Woodbridge, being the balance due on the new church, was provided for. Henry B. Curtis also proposed to deed the parish twenty-five feet of ground adjoining the land mentioned by Mr. Delano, and Mr. M. L. King proposed to deed fifteen feet of ground upon the same condi- tion. James E. Woodbridge offered to relinquish all claims against the church, now amounting to one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven dollars and ninety-two cents, provided the sum of one thousand dollars should be secured to him payable in three installments, in six, twelve, and eighteen months, with interest and the privilege granted him to bid thirty dollars on a pew at the annual meeting without charge for the same. These propositions were accepted, and December 17, 1859, the sum required was paid, and a release of all claims obtained from Mr. Woodbridge.

The Rev. Mr. Bonte having been appointed chaplain of the Forty-third regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, resigned the rectorship January 26, 1862. During this year James Huntsberry died, the church lost "a consistent and devoted member," and the city "an exemplary and upright citizen." August, 1862, the Rev. George B. Reece accepted a call to the parish. On the death of Milo Abernethy, an early and attached memter of the church, he left in his will a legacy of five hundred dollars for its use. This money was used in enlarging and improving the rectory. Mr. Reece resigned October 23, 1865. Although without a rector, the year 1866 witnessed some great changes. The organ was taken down, and a melodeon substituted. The four stoves were taken down and out,

January, 1867, Rev. Robert B. Peet became the rector of the parish. During that year the melodeon lost favor and was replaced by a new organ costing eighteen hundred dollars. In 1868 the stained glass windows were added at a cost of over six hundred dollars. Mr. Peet resigned the rectorship February 20, 1871. In this year Eliza Russell died. From the earliest history of the parish she had been an active and consistent member of it. She possessed a broad and Christian spirit, delighted in goodness, and zealous in all good works.

The present rector, the Rev. William Thompson, entered upon the discharge of his duties in 1872. From that time to the present the parish has steadily advanced in numbers and in strength.

February 12, 1874, death removed from their midst Judge Rollin C. Hurd. The vestery, as an expression of respect for his memory, passed the following resolution:

That we shall cherish the memory of his pure, upright and useful life, his consistent and beautiful Christian character, his cheerful readiness to respond with liberal hand to every worthy cause of benevolence and charity, his genuine and large-hearted sympathy with those in trouble and affliction, and his uniform kindness and charity toward all with whom he came in contact.

Mrs. Sarah B. Norton died the same year. She was one of the oldest members of the church, and one of the active members in every active work. During the year 1878 the parish sustained another great loss in the death of Elizabeth Curtis. 'She became a communicant in 1834, and through a period of forty-four years, her membership in the church, her attachment to its services, her interest in its welfare, her cooperation in the work remained unimpaired and unbroken." The window in the south side of the church building, placed there as a memorial by her children, in its beauty fitly represents her life, and in the motto, 'Gentleness," truely sets forth her character. The beautiful silver communion set us@d by the church was one of 'her benefactions. The beautiful font was the gift of Mrs. R. C. Hurd.

In April, 1875, a movement to repair the church building was referred to a committee, who reported what repairs were needed and estimated their cost at three thousand dollars. The necessary sum was raised, and the work of repairing began in May, 1875. The repairs, or rather additions, were a chancel, a vestment and vestry room, placing the organ and choir under the eye of the congregation, painting the church inside, etc. As usual, the committee brought the church in debt some thirteen or fourteen hundred dollars.

The beginning of the year 1879 found the church with a debt of 'one thousand three hundred and sixty dollars. Miss Emma P. Bridge, to express her love for the church, offered to cancel the entire debt upon the condition that the vestry should paint the exterior of the church and build a substantial fence around the churchyard. These improvements have been made, and to-day the parish is free from debt.

Hardly had these improvements been begun before Columbus Delano requested the vestry to permit him, as a mark of his affection for the church, to place in the west tower the sweet toned bell which now calls the congregation together.

cants, and contains one of the best organized Sunday-schools in the eity, numbering one hundred and eighty scholars. The school is under the superintendency of Rev. William Thompson, the present rector.

Among the first Catholic families who settled in and around Mount Vernon were the brother's, Timothy and William Colopy, (1814), John P. McArdle, David Morton, William Brophy, Charles Colerick, and at a later date the families of Michael Boyle, (1835), Thomas McMullen, (1840), and Probably the earliest Catholics in this section of the State were those who settled at or near Napoleon, Holmes county, the settlement being known in early times as the "French Settlement;" and those who settled around what is now known as Danville in Union township. These people were at first supplied by missionaries, whose circuit embraced a large territory, including Zanesville and Mansfield, and their visits were made as regularly as circumstances would permit. The first church organization in the county was effected at Danville, to which place the communicants from Mount Vernon and the "French Settlement" repaired at stated times to worship.

Clergymen from the Dominican order at Somerset, Perry county, were the most regular in their attendance upon the scattered communicants, among whom may be mentioned the Reverend Fathers Fenwick, (afterwards Bishop), Young, Martin, Howe, O'Leary, Collins, McAleer, and in 1839 came Father Lamy, (now Archbishop of Sante Fe, New Mexico), who severed the people eight years, and in 1847, Father Bulgar, four years. In 1851 Father Brent took charge of the parish, and remained in charge until his death in 1880. Father Thomas J. Lane, after that sad event, took charge of the parish.

The early meetings in Mount Vernon were held in private residences, as owing to prejudice the other church edifices, and the court house, used by church organizations having no church buildings, were closed to them. The residences thus used were those of David Morton, William Brophy, Timothy Colopy, Frederick J. Zimmerman, and the houses of other members large enough for the purpose.

As the worshippers increased by immigration from older States, the necessity of a house of worship became apparent. The large and spacious grounds, still owned by them, on the northeast corner of High and McKenzie: streets, running north to Chestnut street, were purchased, and in 1839 a small brick edifice was erected, roofed and plastered, and in that unfinished condition was used as a chapel; but only for a brief period, as early in 1840, the house was destroyed by fire, necessitating the congregatign to return to private residences for places of worship, until the church could be re-built and finished, which was accomplished with as little delay as possible.

From time to time additions were made to the structure, required by the rapid increase of membership, until the present large and commodious edifice was completed. A few years since a chime of three tells was placed in the tower on the south end of the building. About 1855 a fine brick parsonage, two stories high, was erected on the north, or Chestnut street front of the lot.

The church building was set back in the lot far enough for the erection of a much larger building in front, to be built when the other building became too small to accommodate the congregation. In fact, nearly all arrangements were made in 1873 to erect a magnificent building on the open space in front, but for some reason the plan was laid asidé for a more convenient season. The time seems not far distant when a larger and more commodious church edifice will be a necessity.

The first pastoral visit of Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, was made just after the destruction of the first church by fire, and the resident members were compelled to look around for a room large enough to accommodate the expected congregation from all parts of the county, and from the French settlement in Holmes county. The Banning chapel, on North Sandusky street, was enclosed, but not finished. Mr. Banning tendered the use of his chapel to Mr. Morton, which was by him thankfully accepted. The large house now owned and occupied by Hon. Joseph C. Devin, then owned by Hon. Henry B. Curtis, was in an unfinished state. Mr. Curtis tendered it to Mr. Morton for the occasion, but as he had just accepted the offer of Mr. Banning, the offer of Mr.

As stated before, the members were few in number and scattered over the county, mostly in the eastern portions of it, the first Catholic church be-. ing erected in Danville, where the resident clergymen resided. In the early days of the county the Catholics were compelled to resort to Danville, when no services were held in Mt. Vernon at private residences. The first church edifice at Danville was a neat frame building. A few years since a large brick edifice was erected there. Service was held at Danville and Mt. Vernon on alternate Sundays. In 1874 the two stations were separated, and each given a resident priest. The communicants in Mt. Vernon number about four hundred, embracing those who reside in and around Gambier, as well as in other parts of the county, west, south, and north of Mt. Vernon.

In 1875, under the sup®rintendence of Father Brent, a neat two story frame school-house was erected on the southeast end of the church lot. In this building a parochial school was established, and the charge of it given to Sisters Johns and Theresa, of the order of Saint Francis, and under the supervision of Father Brent. 'The Sisters were diligent and faithful to the trust reposed in them, and the school was soon in a flourishing condition. It has now on its roll one hundred and thirty scholars, with a daily attendance of over one hundred.

The Congregational Church

was organized July 26, 1834, under the name of "The Free Presbyterian church." This organization was an off-shoot of the Presbyterian church of this city, (a large majority of its founders having been members of that church), who were joined by a few Congregationalists. They were all more or less in sympathy with what afterwards became the New Schocl division of the Presbyterian church.

The first session consisted of Stephen Conkling, Allen Scott, John Trimble, James McGibeny, and James Trimble. The church had no ecclesiastic connections until August 1, 1836, when, by its delegates, it united with the Western Reserve Congregational association. About four months after its organization, Rey. Benjamin Higbee became its first pastor. His laborious and successful ministry continued about three and a half years, during which time a house of worship (the house now owned and occupied by the Mulberry Street Methodist Protestant church) was begun and completed. On his own recommendation, the Rev. Mr. Higbee was succeeded in his pastorate by Rev. Edward Weeds, who remained four years. He was succeeded by the Rev. M. E. Strieby.

During Mr. Strieby's pastorate a strong desire was felt to change the organization to the Congregational form. Steps were at length taken, and the change consummated on the thirtieth of April, 1849. After due deliberation, a new constitution, together with the former brief summary of faith, and a series of standing resolutions were adopted, which breathed strong anti-slavery and temperance sentiments. ;

The house of worship was freely thrown open for conventions, whose object was to purge the State and National politics from the overshadowing crimes of liquor traffic and slavery. In 1852, a prohibition convention was held in their house of worship, which nominated Joseph W. Vance, of Mt. Vernon, for State senator, and A. Greenlee, of Fredericktown, for representative, pledged in favor of the Maine law. Abolition conventions were heartily welcomed, and for this reason it acquired the name of "Nigger church," and its members were loaded with opprobrium without stint, and sometimes maltreated. An incident occurred in this connection which may be worth preservation.

the time came, his arguments were met by the pungent logic of rotten eggs, and the meeting broken up. Next morning preparations were made to give Allen a free ride out of town on a rail, clad with a garment of tar and feathers, but while the crowd was being collected together by martial music under a banner bearing the appropriate motto, "No free discussion," Allen fled. Being hotly pursued, he passed in at the back door of David H. Drake's dwelling, one-half mile north of town, and. instead of tarrying, took to the woods from the front door, shielded from view by the house. The crowd soon came up and surrounded the house, demanding the fugitive. Mr. Drake of the house; go right in and take him." After a diligent search, Mr. Drake urging them to make it thorough, they gave it up; and Mr. Drake showed his usual hospitality by bringing a bountiful supply of bread and butter out into the dooryard, and inviting his visitors to take a lunch with him. That over, all returned as cheerful and as happy as a company of marauders returning from a raid upon a deserted hen-roost.

Mr. Strieby, after serving the church as pastor a number of years, was succeeded by the Rev. S. C. Leonard, and after him came the Rey. T. E. Monroe, whose pastorate lasted twelve years. During Mr. Monroe's time it was found that the church edifice on Mulberry street had been outgrown by the society, and a new one was accordingly undertaken on the corner of Main and Sugar streets, and pushed to completion at a cost of about thirtytwo thousand dollars, and was dedicated December 13, 1868, Revs. M. E. Strieby and C. S. Leonard officiating. 'The pastorate was then successively filled by the Rey. I. C. Billman and the Rev. E. B. Burrows till 1879, when the Rev. R. T. Hall was called, and entered upon his labors on the first Sunday of September, of that year. The church now numbers three hundred and fifty members.

Rev. Russell T. Hall was born in Richmond, Vermont, October 6, 1844. He was educated at Oberlin college, Ohio, and at the Union Theological seminary, New York. He was ordained September 8, 1870, as pastor of the Congregational church at Pittsford, Vermont, where he remained until September, 1879, when he came to Mt. Ver- church. He married Miss Mary A. Tyler, of Brooklyn, Ohio, September 2, 1869, by whom he had two children, only one of whom is now living. He was a member of company H, of the Fortythird Ohio volunteer infantry, for a short time during the war of 1861.

The Disciples Church

The following history of the Disciple or Christian church is chiefly gathered from the records of this Christian organization kept by the late Rev. R. R. Sloan.

Jonas Hartzel, on the Elementary Principles of the Gospel - the first of said discourses being delivered in the court house, the second in the Baptist church, and several in the Methodist Protestant chapel - on Friday evening, the twenty-fifth of January, 1850, Elder J. H. Jones, of Wooster, Ohio, commenced a series of discourses on the Elements of the Kingdom, continuing one week.

During the day sessions the subject of church organization was freely discussed by many present, who, having hitherto made the "good confession, clave to the one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one hope." During this Christian interview - a number having expressed a desire to unite on "the Bible alone," as their only and allsufficient rule of faith and practice in things religious, and their only creed or book of church government - Elder J. H. Jones, acting as an evangelist of the congregation of Disciples, meeting in Wooster, Ohio, proceeded to organize the congregation, of which he made the following memorandum:

"The thirty-first of January, 1850, the Disciples' congregation was organized in Mt. Vernon, and Brother Robert R. Sloan ordained overseer, and Brother Samuel B. Doty, deacon, by the prayers of the brethren, and the laying on of the hands of J. H. Jones, evangelist."

"Whereupon, in behalf of the congregation, the right hand of fellowship was extended by Rev. J. H. Jones, to the following persons: Robert R. Sloan, Samuel Rinehart, Elizabeth Rinehart, Eli Miller, Samuel B. Doty, Margaret Doty, John Boyd, Harriet T. Holmes, William Babcock, Melinda Richmond."

From this small beginning (ten members) the church membership increased slowly from time to time, so that on the thirtieth of December, 1850, the church contained twenty-two members. The meetings during the year were held in the Protestant Methodist chapel.

The first death among the members of the church was that of Rebecca B. Riggs, which occurred on the thirty-first of October, 1851, at the residence of Dr. Hayes. The next death noticed is that of Robert A. Boyd, March 11, 1860.

A note, by the clerk, of the transactions of the year 1865, is worthy of notice: 'During the year there were one hundred and thirty-seven discourses

Pursuant to previous notice, the members of the congregation met in the Protestant Methodist chapel, at 7 o'clock p. M., March 5, 1851; R. R. Sloan being called to the chair, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. Sloan be authorized to purchase in trust for the congregation, a certain lot of ground (on the north side of his residence lot), of Robert Irvine, for the sum of three hundred dollars, and to hold the same for the benefit of the congregation,

It was during the administration of these officers that the present neat church edifice was. erected, on the south side of East Vine street. It cost four thousand three hundred and forty-one dollars and seventy-one cents.

The following ministers and elders preached to this congregation between the winter of 1849-50 and 1872: Jonas Hartzell, J. H. Jones, R. R. Sloan, Isaiah Jones, Isaac Errett, D. S. Burnett, S. R. Norton, J. Dowling, Rufus Conrad, D. J. Matthews, R. L. Howe, E. Goodwin, A. M. Atkinson, Bush, Wheeler, D. R. Whitcomb, Ebenezer McElroy, Samuel Matthews, F. King, R. Moffett, W. H. Taylor, Barker, W. H. Delano, John Encill, Serles, Kissinger, W. L. Speer, Abbott, Hissey, S. F. Pearre, Thomas K. Davis, Millholland, A. B, Green, E. B. Cake, E. J. Chase, John G. Fee, L. F,

The Sunday-school organized with a class of twenty-five under the superintendency of R. R. Sloan. The subsequent superintendents have been Henry Errett, D. R. Whitcomb, Isaac Strickle, W, S. Errett, E. J. Chase, Colonel A. Cassil, D. W. Chase.