Stark County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 24 of those read), 1881 (part 2 of 2)

Mary L. Craighead, Eliza Laird, Catharine Harry, Mary Coulter, Amanda Gaff, Thomas Christmas, James Ikizlett, Seth Godden, Joseph Parker, Joseph Heckman and Eliza Porter were the teachers. At this time, thej- numbered about one hundred scholars in the school. The lot now occupied by the Presbyterian Church and parsonage was donated by Mr. Wells, as we have had occasion to remark above, to any religious society who would take possession of it for a house of worship. In 181(1, members of the Lutheran and Reformed denominations first availed themselves of the benefit of this grant, and as early as the year 1810, they erected thereon a small frame church, and held possession of the premises until 1 821 . The location did not please the meral)ers. and it was at last surrendered, and the frame structure was sold and removed. About the year 1827, the Presbyterians took possession of the lot, and commenced building a church, but by want of means and negligence it was not pushed forward to completion, and Mr. Morrow, thoroughly discouraged and disheartened, resigned his place and removed to New Philadelphia. Spiritual declension followed, and the Sunday school soon ceased its ! operations. There was occasional preaching by ministers iu search of new charges, but they received little encouragement until Rev. T. M. Hopkins, of New York, came along. His wife and himself were known as experienced teachers, and he was induced to come to Canton, to start a school, and to preach for the congregation. General apathj- prevailed among the members of the church ; many persons of influence in the communitj- had imbibed infidelity from Paine's " Age of Reason, ' and made pub lie opposition to the cause of religion ; and. on the whole, the field did not seem to be a very inviting one. After an interval of four 3 ears in the services of the church. Rev, Hopkins took the charge. He was in the prime of life, vigorous and enthusiastic in the cause of his Master, and at once took hold of his work in this new and neglected field with a vim that indicated success. The earlier members of the congregation were John Harris, Samuel Coulter, Robert, Thomas and James Latimer, James Gaff, James, Harry and Ebenezer Shaw. There were others, who by previous training and personal preferences were led into sympathy with the Presbyterian movement, and gave it from time to time substantial encouragement. In this connection appear tlie names of James Hazlett, William Christmas, Dr. Hartford, William Raynolds, John Sloan, Seth Godden, James Lathrop, George Sloan, George Dunl)ar, Sr.,and William Drayton, all of whom were in their day men of influence in the community. To add to the complications mentioned before, Mr. Hopkins found at first a considerable opposition growing out of the new-school doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, which at that time were especially canvassed in his church, and which he himself had adopted as the trne basis upon which to build up a regenei-ated church. He went, nevertheless, earnestly to work, re-organized the congregation, and in a 3ear or two began to see the fruits of his labors. The cause of the unfinished church edifice was taken up anew, the women of the congregation took the matter vigorously in hand, the money was raised, and the church was finished and dedicated in 1833. Its internal arrangement and construction were of the ancient order, with a gallery on three sides, the (ihoir occupj-- ing the side directl>' in front of the minister. The floor pews were boxes witii doors, and the seats narrow and straight-backed and high, suggesting anything else than ease and comfort. Mr. Hopkins, nevertheless, was a popular minister, and his services were well attended. He was an outspoken temperance man, and his courage may be judged when it is stated as a fact, that while it was the universal custom of merchants in his day to keep the whisky bottle on the counter for the convenience of the customers, he was the first in the town | to condemn and publicly denounce the traffic in spirituous liquors. Soon after the dedication of the new ehursh in 1833. he removed to another field on account of personal difficulties among the members of the congregation, which seriously interfered with his pastoral administration. Mr. Hopkins was followed soon after by Rev. Mr. Reeves. He was a good man. but hardh- able to cope with the situation.

While he was in charge, an Evangelist, by the name of Rev. J. P. Aver}', held a series of meetings for several months in the Presbyterian Church, though members of other churches in sympath}- with the movement, took an active part, also, in the meetings. 5Ir. Averj' was eminently successful in stirring up the " dry bones," and as a result of bis efforts, more ' than a hundred converts were reported, and among them some who had before boasted of their infidelity. As is apt to occur with purely sensational religionists, many of those in the time of temptation " fell away, but, probably, the most disastrous effect of the excitement occasioned by Mr. Avery's preaching, was that the taste of the congregation for the plain and simple statement of Gospel truths was much disturbed, and it is recorded by one of our chroniclers of passing events, that " Mr. Reeves found himself inadequate to supplj- the pabulum desired bv the congregation, and he had a call to another field, the soil of which required less stirring. " Rev. Mr. Taylor followed Mr. Reeves, and being himself a man of decided convictions, he succeeded in !)ringing the congregation into active connection with the new school branch of the church. Mr. Taylor was a good speaker, and stood well generallj- with the congregation and the community. He remained onlj- four years, but during his pastorate, the church was remodeled inside, and its appearance and comfort greatly improved. Rev. E. Buckingham su(!ceeded Mr. Taylor, in 1846, and remained in conthiuous charge for a period of twenty-six years. Mr. Buckingham was a man of strong convictions, in some things with a strong leaning to bigotry, but at the same time honest, conscientious and zealous in advancing the best interests of his charge, according to his own convictions. There can be no doubt that the substantial position of the Presbyterian Church in Canton, to-day, is very largelj' due to his earnest, active and long-continned labors in this field. During his very long services, Mr. Buckingham retained the love and esteem of the greater part of his congregation. A man of noble impulses, and fearless in the discharge of every duty, as he regarded it, he sometimes came out very plainly in his public discourses, and taking a lively interest as he did in all public (piestions, he not unfre- (j[uentl3' trod very closely upon the toes of some of his parishioners, and little bickerings and dissatisfactions, accordingl}-, arose from time to time ; but as he never compromised his calling, and did not knowingly lend his influence or countenance to anything which might bring reproach upon the cause of Christ, and, while positive, was always the urbane and obliging gentleman, he retained a strong hold upon the affections of his people until the last. After his resignation in Canton. Mr. Buckinofham re- moved to Muskingum County, and took charge of Putnam Female Seminary until iiis death. His remains were brought to Canton and interred in the cemetery west of the city. During liis pastorate in 1850, a lielfry was attached to the cluirch edifice and a bell purchased, the one still in use ; in 1853, a parsonage was erected at a cost of $2,200 ; in 1857, the church was incorporated under the title of " The First Presbyterian (cluirch of Canton;" in ]85(!, measures were inaugurated and carried out for the building of the stone church, corner of Tuscarawas and Plum streets, at a cost of about $40,000. Mr. Whitelock, of Chicago, was the architect. Mr. Buckingham was a warm friend of our public schools, and did very much during his stay in Canton to enhance their popularity and usefulness. When he left at last, it would be hard to decide which felt the worse, his congregation or the community at large. A few months after Mr. Buckingham left Canton, Rev. W. J. Park received and accepted a call to this pastorate. He gave promise of great usefulness in this field, but after a few years" service and communion, on or near the 5th day of June, 1871), he became complicated in grave charges ; his connection with the congregation was dissolved in July, 1870, and on the 7th of September of the same year, he was. .conditionall\'. deposed from his office by the I'resbyteiy to which he and the congregation belonged. From that time on until very recently, the congregation has had no settled minister. In January of this year. 1881. Kev. David K. Platter received a call, and in pursuance of an acceptance thereof, entered upon his duties last March. He was regularly in stalled on Tuesday evening. May, 31. 1881. The folhnviiig brief account of his installation will be of interest in the future : by the Pastor. The floral decorations, the work of y\r. Harry Meyers, assisted by ,some of the ladies of the chureli. were very tine, and drew favorable eomnienls from many admirers.

Of the very earliest movements of the Methodists in Canton, in the absence of authentic records, but little is known. The first active Methodists of whom there is any knowledge were William Hill and Philip Schlosser. These men fre(niently met, discussed the situation, and deprecated ihe lack, according to their judgment, of religious interest among the first settlers ; they accordingly agreed to help improve every opi)()rtunity to encourage meetings for divine worship. Whenever a missionary came to town they made themselves active in providing and giving notice of the place of meetings. These and a few other of the earlier Methodists frequently came together in private houses, afterward in the old log court house, and still later in the old schoolhouse, corner of Plum and Tuscarawas streets. For many years the members of this persuasion were accustomed to meet in this old school bnilding on Sunday morning for prayer and class meetings, and to preserve their identity as a special denomination of Christians. During this time, it is said, that .)ohn McLean, afterward Judge of the Ignited States Supreme Court, but at that time a young man, on a tour through Northern Ohio, stopped over Sunday in the Eagle tavern, kept by Philip Dewalt. He had been from his youth an ardent, devoted Methodist, and to his latest day he made it a point to attend religious service's on the Lord's Daj-, and he never missed an opporttinily to do so if his health permitted hiin to lie out. His case is one of many others among our public men, who consistently, by profession and jiractice. have given their approval to the doctrines of our holy religion. On the Sunday morning he spent in Canton, Judge McLean inquired of Jlr, Dewalt whether there was any Methodist meeting in Canton on that day, and was informed that there was probably such a meeting in the schoolhouse. After finding out the location of the schoolhouse he directed his steps thither, and. on entering and taking a seat, he found a small number of persons holding a prayermeeting. This closed soon after, and Mr. Schlosser announced a class-meeting, and requested all not members of the church to leave, and all not members left ; but Mr. Mc-

Lean remained. For liis benefit the request to leave was repeated more emphatically", but he still kept his seat, and the exercises commenced. The presence of a stranger of such commanding appearance as Judge Mcljcan put a damper upon the meeting. There was no enthusiasm, and the meeting for a time was exceedingly cold and formal, until finally Father Schlosser, addressing the stranger, asked if he had anything to say. Upon this invitation the Judge arose, and, in a low, distinct voice, narrated his experience. He talked very impressively, eloquently, and with such pathos as had never liefore been heard in their meetings ; he carried his audience with him, and soon there was not a dry eye in the room. Mr. Schlosser, upon his conclusion, congratulated him on being a better man than he had thought he was. As early as the year 1825, the society had acquired considerable strength and influence. Among the active new members were John and Thomas Bonfield, John Webb, Mother Cake, Peter Tofler and Newberry Cline. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob R_ex, originally of the Lutheran Church, united with them. At this time Canton was a " regular appointment," with preaching once a month, and five years later, in 1830, every two weeks. The regular place of meeting was the upper room of the old Academj', corner of Tuscarawas and I'lura streets. Revs. Frey, Plimpton Ruekel, Kent, Graham, Sheppard and Hany 0. Sheldon were among the earlier preachers on this circuit. Sheldon was somewhat peculiar : a stout, muscular man, he did not hesitate long to take rowdies in hand who disturbed his religious meetings, and he could gencrallj', as it became well known that, being without fear, he would, if necessary, Jigid for the Lord, as well as labor for him. Mr. John Buckius tells of his being nearly beaten on one occasion. Mr. Sheldon, after the introductory services were over, got up to preach, and began by saying, " I have been thinking of two texts, and revolving them in my mind as No. 1 and No. 2, and am undecided which to take." George Toller, a well-known character of the town, called out promptly, "Take No. 1." The minister was astounded, but soon recovered himself and responded, "So be it," and announced as the text, " He being dead, yet speaketh," upon which he then preached an excellent and impressive sermon. The first camp-meetings were held for several years in William Hill's woods, two miles northwest of town, drawing immense crowds of people. They were afterward held in Williams' woods, north of town, and subsequently in the Yohe settlement, on the Steubenville road.

In 1830, a lot was purchased on Kiglith street, near the corner of Plum street, and a frame church, 40x50 feet, was built npon it by Thomas Cunningham. There being no pavements at that day except on Market antl Tuseai-awas streets, and very muddy walking in every other part of the town during the winter, a tanbark walk was constructed to the church. Soon after the completion of the church building. Rev. Milton Colt, who was then on this circuit, took sick at Father Tofler's and died. He was buried upon the church lot. but his remains were afterward removed to the cemetery. David White and Joshua Saxton, of the Repository, William Dunbar and Daniel Gotshall, of the Drmocrat, George N. Webb, Sheriff of the county, and William, were, at this time, all prominent and active members. The oldest members still living are Frederick Hafer, residing on North Poplar street, and Barbara Ann White, on Cherry street. Next to them come Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, on South Market street, who settled in Canton in 1837. Rev. John M. Goshorn and wife came to Canton the following year, and started a female seminary. Thcj- were active members of the Methodist Church, and were both well fitted to conduct a first-class school. Mainly through the instrumentality of Dr. Thomas Bonfield, backed by the liberality of a few generous citizens not members of the church, means were secured to erect a goodsized seminary building, on the lot adjoining the church, corner of Eighth and Plum streets. This building still stands, though for almost a generation past it has no longer been used for school purposes. It has also been greatl}' changed and remodeled within and without, and has for many jears been used as a residence by Mr. John Buckius and family. The brick house on the corner of Poplar and Fifth streets, so well known as the old Grant corner, was occupied as a boarding-house, and was the first house in town furnished with a bell-pull. This was a very great temptation to the young gentlemen of the town desirous of obtaining interviews with the young ladies, which were only sparingly granted by the worthy Princii)als. The seminary was well patronized ; pupils from a distance were in attendance, Graduation Day was made memorable, and tlic exercises well attended ; and this institution did much to elevate the standard of female education in Canton. On the openinii; of the seminary, the congregation, feeling assured of more liberal contributions, secured the services of a stationed minister, Kev. Kdward Burkett, who was the first stationed minister of the Methodist Church in Canton. It soon became evident, however, that the congregation was too weak to give him au :idc(|uale support, and they were therefore coinpcllcd again to forego regular Sunday service, and re-enter the circuit. This embraced ( 'anion. Hartville, Greentown, Greensburg, Bethlehem, .Sparta and IMiller's Church, in Pike Township. The ministers who followed .Mr. Burkett on the circuit were Rev. Messrs. White, Hare, Cramer, Baker, McCue, Swasey, Mc.Vbee, Jackson and Scott, with probably a few others whose names have not been ascertained. McCue was here in 1840, and became a convert to .Millerism, a prevalent hallucination of that da}' which dazed the minds of a great many good people all over the country. Believing the end of all things and the daj- of judgment to be near at hand, McCue turned his horse out to grass, arrayed himself in a white ascension robe, and put himself in readiness patiently to wait the summons of Gabriel's trumpet to meet the Savior in the air. But alas ! Mr. Miller's signs and calculations were not as infallible as the}- were thought to be, and the angel did not blow the trumpet at the appointed time. The completion of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad through Canton in 1851-52, and the advent of Ball, Aultman & Company, who were active members of the Methodist Church, gave the organization here new life and vigor. The congregation increased, the contributions grew apace, and it was not long before they had rc;j,u!ar, stated preaching. The old church on i;iL;liih >lreet was soon deemed inadequate, and ill l^ti2. a large and at the time, and to the time of its destruction, a very grand and imposing structure was erected for the use of the congregation, on the corner of Poplar and Tuscarawas streets. An old citizen of Canton says, that upon its occupancy, a new order of worship and paraphernalia were instituted. The cushioned seats, carpeted aisles, grand organ, and the promiscuous seating of the sexes were regarded by many as a wicked innovation. The style of preaching was also changed, being less emotional and more logical, directed more to the head than the heart. Shouting, which constituted so prominent a feature in protracted meetings and revival occasions, became almost obsolete. The old members were slow to accept the new departure, but the world moves, and they were compelled to move with it or be left by the wayside." The new church was built upon the site of the first St. Cloud Hotel, erected, furnished and kept by Mr, John Buckius and his son-in-law. Will Hawk. It was burned down but a short time before. This church edifice was .'dso destroyed b}- fire on the first Sunday in January of the present year, 1881, The weather had been excessively cold for a number of days, and it took a great amount of firing-up to make the audience room comfortable during the meetings held in it for a few days previous to holding communion services. On this Sunday a large congregation bad assembled with the Pastor, Rev. Dr. H. Miller, and the services appropriate to the celebration of the Lord's Supper had progressed almost through the act of blessing the elements of the communion. While on their knees, engaged in prayer, two or three gentlemen discovered fire in the upper part of the churc-h, and gave the alarm. Confusion prevailed for a moment, but a few hasty and earnest words from the Pastor restored order, and in a very few minutes, the congregation, without accident, had escaped from the doomi^d building, but not a moment too soon. In a minute (>r two, the flames burst furiously through the roof, and began mounting the tall and stateh' tower which surmounted the building, and in a few hours, notwithstanding the heroic efforts of the fire department to stay the ravages of the destroyer, it was a total wreck, and nearly all its contents were burned up with it. The congregation, however, not disheartened, resolved to go ahead as soon as the weather would permit, and " build a new temi)le, which should surpass the glory of the old one, " At this writing the work is progressing rapidly, and will be pushed energetically forward to completion. The designs for the new building are gotten u|) bv .Mr, Frank O. Weary, and are to be seen at his cjtlice in the County Survej-or's room at the court house, -\ writer in one of the local papers says : tlie State. It will be a mixture of the gotliic and modern styles of nrohitecture, and will he built of pressed brirk. witli Berea stone trimmings. The length of the strueture will be one hundred and thirty-four feet, in the shape of a letter T. with the cross" arm running east and west at tlic sduth end of the l)u!lding. The front will be seventy-nine feet long, with three entrances, a stairway turret on the east side, and tlie tower rising to a height of one hundred and tlurty-five feet at the west. The audience room, whiehwill be on the first floor, is 73x65 feet. The pulpit will be located at the north end with the choir and organ back of it. Main entrances are on each side of the pulpit. The seats are de- .signed in amphitheater style, and the floor is raised two feet igher in the rear tliau in the front. In the center of the sides of the auditorimn are large windows, topped by gables on the outside. Three addional double windows are on each side. Tliree large doors. l.").\18 feet, at the south end of the audience room, .separate it from tlie Sundiiy sihodl nnim ; when desired, these dciurs slide down iiiln \tU~. provided for the purpose, iiiid thus throw the I wo rooms into one. The Sunday-school ronm will be divided into two stories, each of which will contain five cla.ss-rooms, arranged in a sciiii circle, and facing tlie general Sunday-school room, at the north end of which is the Su]icriiitcndent's platform. The class-rooms are tcj lie separated from the regular Sunday-school room by doors with glass panels, Thi' cc'iling of the audience room will be tinishcd in walnut paneling and fresco work ; that of the Sunday-school room will be made dome-shaped with a skylight at the top. The means of entrance and exit to the first floor are numerous. The audience room is provided with two large entrances, and the Sunday school room with four. The north end of the structtu'e will be raised five feet from the ground, and the .south end seven feet. This makes a nice, airy basement, which will be divided into lecture and supper rooms, ladies' and gentlemen's parlors, cooking and serving kitchens, store rooms, pantries, toilet rooms, janitor's room, cloak rooms and boiler room. In the latter, will be located the steam boilers, which will furnish the heat for the building. Ventilating registers will be ]mt in the wainscoting of the audience and Sunday school moms, which will be connected by flueswith the veiilihitiiig tower, located at the juncture of the roof of the main building and the hip roof of the Sunday school part of the Ktructure. The inner part of the building will be finely finished in walnut, and the larire windows will be furnished with stained glass. The roof will be surmounted by an ornamental tile casing, and the gables will be topped with stone trimmings. In the tower, a place will be made for a chime of bells. The contract for the foundation, to be of Massillon stone, has been let to Jlr. John Melbourne, who will begin work as soon as the ruins are cleari'd away. Contracts for the other work will be let, and it is expected that the building will be under roof before .snow flies. The estimated cost of this magnificent structure will be between .f 60,000 and .f 75,000.

things, there were always some imbued with the more emotional fervor of the older t3'pe of American Methodism, who could not bring themselves into full sympathy with their brethren in what they considered unwarranted innovations. These at last left the First Church, effected an organization as the vSecond M. E. Church, and erected a large brick church on South M.irket street, neat but plain, and without steeple or dome. There is no organ in this church, and the services. Including " revivals," are more nearly like those of the primitive Methodist Church. As there arc in every communitj- men and women in whom the en5otional naturally- forms the greater part of their intellectual and moral nature, there is probably necessity also in religious matters to arrange by organization that these be provided I'or ; at any rate, this organization seems to have measurably flourished from the start. Whether the emotional or the rational ought to have the higher value in any religious S3Stem is not for the impartial historian to determine ; the middle ground is probably' the safe one ; a religion without place for the emotional in man's nature tends to formality and dogmatism ; a religion which ignores man's rational being tends on the one side to superstition, on the other to fanaticism ; true religion addresses man's higher intellectual powers, and through these, under subjection to faith, seeks to guide and control the affections, the feelings and the will. A third Methodist frame church building was erected a few jcars ago in the Fourth Ward, in the immediate vicinitj- of the north school building as a point for missionary operations. This movement, however, has up to this time not resulted in anything tangible or permanent. There are also two Jletiiodist churches in the township, one in Section 2C and the other in Section 30.

The First Baptist Church was started in April, 1840. by Mr. and Mrs. John Danner, Thomas (ioodman and Robert C. Latimer, at which time the services of Elder John Winter, of Warren. Ohio, were secured at a salary of $300. April 22, 1849, a Sabbath school was formed with fourteen scholars. The communicants to the ciiurch at this tiine numbered seven. In 1852, Mr. Danner agreed to build a church if the Home Mission Society would pay $500 for pastor's salary for one }'ear, and at tlie end of the year he would guarantee it free from debt, which the societj- agreed to do. June 25, 1853. the church was dedicated by Hev. John Winter, I'astor. The church, situated on the soutlieast corner of Tenth and Mar- Icct streets, seating 350 people, was used for eighteen years. In 1871, the new church on .N'iiith and Marltct streets was built at a cost of $.")(! (1(1(1, wliich is now free from debt, with 275 (-(iinnuinicants. Kcv. K. W. Lounsbury, the present Pastor, came here in March, 1877. and is well liked by his congregation.

In 1853, a few Episcopalians associated themselves together and held services under the nameof ''Church of the -Vdvent,' until 18G8; the number of Kpiscopalians increased, and a number of lots were purchased at the northwest corner of Tenth and South Popular streets, Easter .M(inil;iy, March 29, ISO'.I ; a Vestry was electeil, :iii(l the Kev. J. ('. Laverty called to the rectorship. In September of the same year, turf was cut for the erection of a new church - the present edifice, which was soon after finished, with several thousand dollars indebtedness resting upon it. Mr. Laviuly reduced the debt largely. His resignation took place in the summer of 1875. October 1, 1870, the Rev. Joseph 1'. Cameron was called to the rectorship, which continued until .\ugust 1, 1878. He al.so reduced the church debt, which was finall3' entirely paid in 1881, under Kev. Frederick Burt .\vcry. Rector, now in charge, who came to the parisii the hist Sunday in August. 1880. The church property now consists of a frame edifice, with a seating capacity of 300, well-furnished walnut seats, pipe-oi-gan, chancel windows and side windows of stained glass : the church is painted and in good repair. The whole is now paid for, as are also the two lots - tiie one on which the church is built, and the adjoining one reserved for the rectory. Value of the property, about $10,000. Although a number of the old members iiave been removed by di'alh and otherwise, the communicant list has been increa.sed, by confirmation and transfers, by twenty new members. The Sundayschool numbers sixty-five scholars, ten otticers and teachers. The Ladies' (Juild has for its officers, Mrs, I>, Tyler, President ; Mrs. A. (J. Uart, Secretary, The officers of the church : Rev. Frederick Burt Avery, Rector. Vestrymen, E. W, Amsden, Senior Warden ; William Britton, Junior Warden ; J. H. Mathews, M. D., Treasurer ; A. (J. Dart. Clerk of Vestrj' ; Capt.

The Evangelical Church took this cit}' as a mission field, .\. 1). 1852 ; and the same year, Rev. Peter Wicst was sent here as a missionary. He immediately set to work to build a church, which was completed in 1853. The building was a neat, one-stoiy brick, wliich answered its purpose at that time. The church was reliuilt in the year 1874, under the adininislratioii of Rev. T. Bach, as preacher in charge of the congregation, and Kev. S. B. Kring, as Presiding Elder. The edilice is now two stories high. This church is located on the east corner of Ilerbruck and Fourth streets, on a lot donated by Mrs. Barbara Voung. When this congregation was organizeil in 1852, there were but twelve members, viz., Isaac Voegelgasong and wife, John Hane and wife, Peter Tream, Phillip Tream, (lotlieb Kasher, Sister Kitzmiller, Catharine Dittenhaver. Lewis Voegelgasong and Mr. Leininger and wife. Brother Hane served the church of his choice temporarily. The Brethren I. Voegelgasong, P. Tream and J. Hane, obligated themselves to the Conference to pay $10 a year to the missionary cause in order that they might be supplied with a missionary. Rev, Jacob Burkett was the successor of Rev, Wiesl, and his Labors were crowned with a success that resulted in the conversion of quite a number of souls. This gave the work a new impulse, and ever since that time the influence and the borders of the church have been extended. Kev, (i. F, Spreng was the first Presiding Elder presiding at this place. At present, Kev, J. .\. Yount is the Pastor of this congregation, and Rev, J, A, (Jrinim, Presiding Elder, The future for the congregation seems to l)e bright. A present, this church has about one huiulred and seventj" communicants.

The Church of (lod is located on east Tuscarawas street. Rev. M, M, Beck, of West Lebanon, Ohio, Pastor, This is a plain brick structure surmounted by a small spire, containing no bell. The church is 60x40 feet and will seat 150 persons comfortably. It was built in 1876, at a cost of $3,300, and is not yet free from debt. Inside the church is roughly plastered, and has plain benches and a small gallery. The illumination is furnished by coal oil lamps, and the heating apparatus consists of two stoves. The congregation consists of eighty communicants. They believe in immersion and

The United Brethren Church is on Charles street, and is built of brick with a seating capacity of about one hundred and fiftj'. It is lighted and heated in the old-fashioned st3'le. A small spire with a bell surmounts the church. Rev. S. W. Koontz is Pastor.

The Disciples' Church of Canton dates back for its organization for more than a score of 3'ears, and has, under a number of able Pastors, enjoyed a fair share of prosperity. The church building is on the corner of Poplar and Seventh streets. Rev. Mr. Henselman is the present Pastor ; he serves besides a congregation at New Berlin in Plain Township, and one newly organized, with a neat frame church lately built at North Industry in this township.

A small brick Lutheran Church has also been erected about a half-mile north of North Industry, on the Canton road, which though occupied a few times for divine worship is not yet quite finished.

sphere of activity, is the Mennonite Church just east of Canton, which was built during, or about the year 1830, b>- Jacob Rowland. Joseph Rohrer was the first minister, with the following members : Jacob Rowland and wife, Mrs. David Schriver, Mrs. Henry Hull, and Christian Wengard and wife. About the year 1 852, Mr. Rohrer moved to Indiana ; from that time till about 1870, Revs. Smith and Newcomer, from Columbiana County, officiated. The old log church was torn down, and the present brick structure erected in the year 1875, since which time. Michael Rohrer has been the principal minister with from fifteen to twenty members.

In concluding these sketches of the Canton churches, the writer deems it due to the publishers and himself to say that it is to be regretted that so many of the ministers take so little interest in securing a histor3- of their church organizations in permanent form, such as this work would afl'brd them an opportunity of doing. With a few exceptions, they failed to co-operate heartilj' in the work, and left the historian to do the best he could.