Wayne County, Ohio - Chapter 19: Wooster, 1878 (part 3 of 8)

He was a man of clear judgment, positive opinions, and wasextremely cautious of his conclusions at the bed of sickness. When his position was taken, it was upon tenable grounds, and none could with more delicate, acute and ringing eloquence, defend it better than he. He was free from all acrimony and resentments toward his professional brethren, and when assailed by them, had little but regrets to indulge that such things should occur. He was a man of most affable and pleasing manner ; of great politeness, and could read human nature as though it were a printed book - hence resulted his characteristic tact of dealing with men, of influencing masses of men, and of ingratiating himself with somany people and so many families. In point of character he wasemphatically independent, and confronted the world with a manly countenance. The time-server and the timid shuffler, who only dare to look up at life through blinkers, and who only have an opinion to advance when there is a crowd to back it, he despised. As a public speaker he was graceful, fluent and forcible, and the active part he took in inducing subscriptions for the construction of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad will not soon be forgotten. In aid of that enterprise he was one of the effective canvassers, and one of its most eloquent advocates. Not only was he a pleasing and convincing speaker, but he excelled in conversation. There was a richness, copiousness, versatility and enthusiasm in it, which, though it sometimes bordered upon art, nevertheless fascinated and regaled. He was an expert in controversial argumentation. Every word was as smooth as if dropped in oil.

Personally he was a man of imposing appearance, stood over six feet high, and erect as a column, and, in his more youthful days, was a model of physical development and muscular perfection. In later life he became exceedingly corpulent. He was an incessant and indefatigable worker until he retired from the profession of his choice - one which had rewarded him with honors, competence and wealth.

Many young men of talent took their rudimentary course in his oflice, two of the most prominent of these being Dr. Edward Thomson, the renowned Methodist Bishop, who died in Wheeling, West Virginia, March 22, 1870, and Dr. Leander Firestone, the eminent surgeon of Wooster. The former was in the office of Dr. Day from 1833 to 1836, the latter from 1839 ^^ 1842.

There was a simplicity and unostentatious evenness of way, an intellectual equipoise, healthy frugality, persistent industry, steady integrity and sense of honor characteristic of Dr. Day, worthy of imitation. His life enshrines many a practical and noble precept. With him, we may hope, death was "but transition." He had been a devout and consistent member of the Presbyterian church from early manhood, and died in the full faith of the immortality of the soul, and its reunion with the Father of Spirit and all Life.

[Note. - In giving the history of the churches of Wooster we regret exceedingly to be compelled to go to press without a notice of the United Presbyterian church. At an early stage of our work Rev. R. H. Pollock, D. D., volunteered to prepare the desired sketch. Prior to his leaving to take charge of his new ministerial field at Mt. Vernon, O., he informed us that, with the exception of a very few items, he had it completed, and to others he made a similar statement. We did not see him immediately preceding his departure, and hence did not procure his MSS.

Since his death M. C. Rouch, Esq., of Wooster, has corresponded with Mrs. Pollock in regard to the matter, but no such paper can be found. We do not doubt but that Dr. Pollock prepared the article, and that it is either lost or mislaid. The intelligence that it could not be procured came too late for us, either to obtain or examine the records.]

The history of the Baptist church, called Bethany, at Wooster, Ohio, dates from the settlement of this portion of the State. Although the church was not organized until 1812, some of its constituent members were among the first settlers. In 1812 a blockhouse, for the protection of the people from the Indians, who had aUied themselves with the English, in the war then begun, was built on the premises of Colonel John Sloane. In the same year, in this block-house, the Baptist church was constituted, and has continued its organization unchanged to the present. From the church records I find that the first Baptists who moved to Wooster were David and Lydia Kimpton and Philip B. Griffith, who settled here in 18 10. In 181 1 Ezekial Jones and family, a number of whom were Baptists, setted in the same township. To this handful of the faithful in the wilderness Elder Kimpton preached, without, however, forming them into a church. On July 25, 1812, a meeting was held in the house of Brother Kimpton, " to take into consideration the propriety of organizing a church in this new country." The following- named persons were present: David and Lydia Kimpton, Ezekial and Hannah Jones, Oliver Jones, Wm. Robison, John Robison, Ann Robison, Catherine Kirkendall, Thomas G. Jones and Philip B. Griffith. The record simply states that "several of the brethren prayed." It was voted that the organization take place on the first Lord's Day in August, and that Elder T. G. Jones should write the constitution and present it at the next meeting, on Friday before the first Lord's Day in August. On July 31, 18 1 2, the constitution was adopted, John Robison appointed clerk, and church meeting for business appointed to be held on the Saturday before the first Lord's Day in each month, alternately in Wooster and at Brother Kimpton's settlement. Brother Kimpton was appointed Moderator of the Church.

On August 2, being the Lord's Day, the brethren convened in the block-house, and whilst "a body of men, armed with guns, stood guard about the building, to give warning and protect them in case of an attack from the Indians," the church constitution and the covenant, known as the "Philadelphia Confession of Faith," was formally and solemnly ratified, and the church constituted.

There is seen a vacum in the minutes which was occasioned by the war of 1 8 1 2 , between the United States and Great Britian, as many were afraid of the Indian allies of Great Britian, by Reason of which some fled, and the church became lukewarm, by Reason of the war, as that was almost the universal Topick, and the event of it was of much importance to this country.

At first the brethren, as in the primitive days of the primitive churches, held their meetings in private houses, but in 18 14 a frame building was erected in the rear of the lot on which the Reformed church now stands. It was situated within convenient distance of the block-house, which overlooked it. I read that the worshippers sometimes carried their guns with them to the meeting-house, though it does not appear that the settlement was ever disturbed by the Indians.

This house, being the only church building in the settlement, was generally used by visiting ministers of other denominations, and at times, also, as a school-house. I could not ascertain the cost of the house, but find in the Trustee's book an account previous to 1819 of "cash paid for meeting-house" of $125.86. This does not include the frame-work, weather-boarding, roofing nor chimney, but mentions the flooring, and among other items, hair and hickory brooms. The house was afterward sold, and removed to the east side of Buckeye street, turned end for end, the doors and windows altered, and converted into the " Wooster City Tannery," where it now stands thus labeled.

Bro. Kimpton, though moderator, or overseer, was never pastor of the church. The first pastor was Elder Thomas G. Jones. The church, however, had in its membership several preachers, who, in connection with the pastor, not only preached to the church, but also engaged in missionary tours to the surrounding settlements.

The church was very careful in the reception of members, holding firmly to the N. T. principle, that the churches of Jesus Christ are to be composed only of converted persons.

The annual growth in membership during the earlier days of the church, can not easily be determined, because the clerk failed to mention the date of baptism in the church roll. The first list of members is appended to the minutes, and dated November 4, 18 1 5. Among the constituted members there recorded, I find the name of Naomi Youngs, which was omitted in the list of those who met to form the church. She was at the first meeting in the block-house, but not at the previous meeting in the house of Brother Kimpton. This would make the number of constituent members twelve, instead of eleven. The whole list gives the names of one hundred and fifteen persons, who had been added by baptism and letter, to the original twelve constituted members. The list of names then continued without dates of reception. On this list I find the names of Charles and Susan Morton. Brother Morton became pastor of the church in November, 1839, Brother Jones having resigned the pastorate in May, 1839. Counting backward from the name of C. Morton to the first list, I find that during the pastorate of Elder Jones, one hundred and twenty-one members were received, of whom ninety-three were received by baptism. The record shows that the growth of the church, after the first three years, was slow, but solid.

At the church meeting, October 15, 18 16, a number of brethren living at Mohican made application for the church to send their minister and other brethren to constitute them into a church,, and ordain as their minister. Brother Alpheus French. The church endorsed the application, and sent as their representatives, D. Kimpton, T. G. Jones, Oliver Jones and John Robison, and on the 13th of October, 18 16, a church at Mohican was duly constituted. This, I understand, to be the first Mohican church.

The land on which the first church was built was donated by William Robison. October 4, 1817, the church resolved to have a weekly prayer meeting.

"In 1 8 19 all the Baptist churches in Pennsylvania, west of the Allegheny river, and all the churches in Ohio, east of Wooster, and as far north as the Lake, were included in the Beaver Association." This Association was organized in 1809, by twenty-five delegates, representing ten churches. Five of the delegates were ministers. In 18 19, the Mohican Association was formed from the Beaver Association. The Wooster church assisted in forming that body, and remained a member of it until 1840. In 1818, the Beaver Association held its meeting with the Wooster church.

Brother Hand was pastor of the church two years, 1818-19, during which time Elder Jones was engaged in general missionary work. Brother William W. Hickox, whose name afterwards appears as a minister, was licensed by this church in 18 19.

From 1821 to 1830, there is an unaccountable gap in the records. In the minutes of the Wooster Association for 1842, I find the following, in a historical sketch of the churches in the Asciation, which may, in part, account for it: "From the time of its constitution until 1827, the church enjoyed almost uninterrupted prosperity, although her increase in numbers was comparatively moderate. * * * j^ 1827, a schism was produced in the body by the introduction of the sentiments of Alexander Campbell, at which time some seventeen or eighteen members seceded, and went over to the ' Disciples. ' It was several years before the church fully recovered from the shock."

Returning to the church records, I find, in 1831, that a hand was employed by the church "to work for Elder Jones, that he might be able to devote more time to preaching " among them. On March 5, 1831, it was resolved to build a new meeting-house. The church seems to have had great difficulty in raising the amount necessary to complete the building. It was not finished until 1839, immediately after Mr. Morton succeeded to the pastorate. The house was floored and plastered through the efforts of the sisters, one of whom informs me that she promised forty dollars (a sum much more valuable then than now), not knowing how she could raise it, but "believing that God would help her, and it was all paid." She still lives and worships with us - Sister Cynthia Van Ostern.

The house has been altered since then. At first there was a gallery extending around the sides and end of the building. These were removed, and the house remodeled in 1865. Mention is made of Mr. Thomas Fisher, who, for a while, preached to the church. He subsequently moved to Kentucky, where he was murdered.

During the pastorate of Brother Jones, the Wooster Association was formed in 1837. It was composed of the Massillon, East Union, Warren, Wooster, Sah Creek, Sugar Creek, Sandyville or Magnolia, ist Mohican, Canal Dover, Greene Township and Clark

Township churches, eleven in all, with eleven ordained ministers, one licentiate, and 453 members. Some of these churches were afterwards known by other names.

On April 6, 1844, Brother John Croll, was elected deacon ; and after 32 years of service, still discharges the duties of that office. On June 30, of this year. Brother Page was invited to supply the church for six months, and on the 4th of January, 1845, was elected pastor. The church reports to the Association this year 248 members, some having been dismissed by letter, others excluded ; two added by baptism, and twelve by letter. The pastorate of Brother Page ceased in April, 1850. Brother Page, during his term of service baptized twenty-six; received by letter forty-one ; dismissed by letter forty ; excluded twenty-six.

December 4, 1845, the subject of instrumental music was brought up for discussion, and the matter indefinitely postponed. October, 1846, a resolution "to continue the choir" was passed. January 16, 1847, a special meeting in regard to instrumental music was held, and the following resolution adopted ; "Resolved, that instrumental music be prohibited from coming into this church henceforth." December, 1847, ^ niotion was passed, "that members at evening service be allowed to conduct the singing as suited themselves." I record these facts to show the opinion of the brethren of that day on this most perplexing subject of church music, and also to show that the church controlled the matter of public praise.

Brother Page was succeeded by Elder E. T. Brown, who was called to the care of the church in May, 1850, and soon after took charge. As before stated the membership was then 200. Brother Brown served the church until 1856. In 1851 I find that the church reports 248 members. In the minutes of 1852 the report is only 60 members, but this is evidently a mistake of the printer, as the minutes of 1853 report a total of 242. In 1854 the total was 213. In 1855 a still further diminution is reported, the total being 208. In 1856 only 175 members are reported. The total gain during this pastorate was, by baptism, 61 ; by letter, expe-

In March, 1853, a committee was appointed for building a vestry and baptistry. On July i, 1854, Brother Joseph H. Larwill proposed to donate a number of lots, held by the Wooster Cemetery, to the Baptist church, " on condition the church inclose the same with a suitable fence," and on the 2d of September presented the church with the deed for the same.

In March, 1855, a number of persons were dismissed by letter to form a church at Millbrook. This accounts in part for the great number of dismissions under Brother Brown, but there were many removals about that time farther west.

Brother Brown was succeeded by T. J. Penny the same year, 1856, who served the church as pastor till i860. Brother Penny was followed by Elder John Bolton in 1861. The year following the church reports 121 members. Brother Bolton having resigned in 1862, Elder P. M. Weddell was called to the pastorate in 1863. The total net gain during this pastorate was 54 members; 21 of these were converts in the Sunday-school. In 1865 the church building was remodeled.

In 1868 there was no pastor. Church reports 206 members. In 1866, no report in the minutes. In this year Rev. G. M. Preston became the pastor. The following year the church reports 196 members and 153 in the Sunday-school. In 1871, 195 members reported; no pastor. In 1872, 201 members reported.

In this year the church secured the services of Rev. Alexander McFarlane, who had just emigrated from Scotland. In 1873, 207 members reported. The baptisms this year were 9, and additions by letter, 2; whilst the diminutions are, by letter, 2; death, 11, This would make 199, instead of 207, which is the number reported the following year, 1874. In 1874, Brother McFarlane resigned the pastorate, and accepted a call from the Baptist church at Port Huron, Mich. He was succeeded by Rev. Hugh A. Marshall, June 21, who resigned the pastorate the June following. In 187s, the church reported to the Association a loss of eleven members by death, among whom were some of the oldest and most efficient members.

In August, 187s, the Wooster Association met with this church. On the afternoon of the Sunday closing the meeting, a Sunday-school meeting was held, and some manifestation of interest on the subject of religion being made by some of the scholars.

Rev. J. B. T. Patterson, a visitor from Virginia, was requested to remain and preach during the week. On the following Lord's Day he baptized three persons in the creek near the city. In October following, he settled with the church as pastor. In the fall of this year the new lecture room was completed. This building was erected by a legacy left for the purpose, by Sister Mary B. Larwill, who died a few years previous. The baptistry was also deepened and remodeled, and a heater connected with it, the funds for this purpose being donated by Sister Joseph H. Larwill.

List Of Pastors, Deacons, Clerks And Trustees

The appended historical survey of the First Presbyterian church we extract from a Centennial sermon delivered by Rev. T. A. McCurdy, D. D., its eloquent and popular pastor, to a large and intelligent congregation, July 2, 1876. It is a concise and pictorial presentation of the rise and progress of the church from 181 5 to the present time. We greatly regret that our space will not justify the re-production of the entire sermon :

In passing at once to the history of this congregation, I share with you in the general regret that no accurate records of the organization of this church exist. Much uncertainty therefore hangs over the birth-hour of this congregation - an uncertainty that is painful, and yet not without its salutary lessons. It must be remembered that the organization of this church dates back to the hour when all this region round about was peopled with the wild, untutored savage - when this was all a wilderness, whose grim solitude was unbroken save by the sound of the pioneer ax responded to by the war-whoop of the treacherous Indian. In the dangers to which the early fathers were exposed, in the hardships to which they were subjected, in their anxiety for the comfort and maintenance of themselves and families, they seem to have been content with the privilege of religious worship without giving attention to a minute history of the circumstances incident to such a privilege in "the wild wilderness of pioneer life." Our regret is no reflection on the real or apparent neglect of the first settlers. They entered the wild-wood, following the path of the Red Man, with no security of life other than their trust in the providence of God, to convert the wilderness into a garden, to extend civilization, to make conquest in God's name for civil and religious liberty ; and wherever they went they took with them the ark of God and worshiped around its sacred shrine. As the wilderness resounded with the woodman's ax, so from the altar of God and from the altar of their hearts, grateful praise and prayer arose to heaven.

It is somewhat remarkable that in nearly all the first settlements of Maryland, Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, there was an element of Scotch Irish Presbyterianism, and wherever it located it found a place for the worship of God. It is true that this element had a limited representation in the early settlement of this region, but large enough to sow the seed of Presbyterian faith polity. They had in them the ring of the true metal and Hue was their color. Their circumstances were such as to lead them to cast all their care on Him who had watched over their fathers in the dark days of the persecution amidst the glens and highlands of Scotland. Their fathers had, in spite of persecution, found places for worship in the rocks and caves of the earth. Their blood shed in defense of the faith had become the seed of living truth, which sprung up to bloom and bear fruit in all lands, and nowhere did it so rapidly 'germinate as in American soil. Among other fruits of righteousness from this goodly seed is the First Presbyterian church of Wooster, Ohio.

The earliest record of this church is found in a book, dingy and yellow with age, quaint in style, and wonderfully humorous in many of its suggestions. Its date is October 30, 1821, and bears this inscription : " Presented to the First Presbyterian Church of Wooster, by Reasin Beall." The first record of the constitution of the church indicates that the organization was anterior to the date of this record. It shows that " the members of the First Presbyterian congregation of the town of Wooster, in the State of Ohio, convened in their congregational capacity on October 30, 1821," for a two-fold purpose: First, to provide ways and means, whereby they might relieve their minister from worldly cares and avocations ; and, second, to provide a comfortable house for religious worship. Outside this record we have no information as to the precise date of the organization of this church, but a combination of circumstances point unmistakably to an organization much earlier than 1821. The very first sentence of the first record assures us of this. It expresses the longing of pious hearts for a comfortable house in which to worship God, and an earnest desire to relieve the pastor from worldly cares and avocations, that he might devote the whole of his time to their spiritual necessities, implying, evidently, that hindrances in these regards had obtained in consequence, as we may well suppose, of pecuniary inability to meet these wants at an earlier hour.

Other circumstances point to Presbyterian worship in the year 18 1 5. In a little house on West Liberty street, nearly opposite the present residence of Mr. Bonewitz, some ten or twelve of the Presbyterian faith assembled, prior to 181 5, for the worship of God. In that place this church had, as all the circumstances indicate, its birth.

-carved on some marble tablet to hand down to succeeding generations. The fathers and mothers were few in number and have long since gone to their rest, but their sons and daughters are numerous, in the enjoyment of a rich legacy bequeathed by the first -worshipers at a cost of self-denial of which we can have no real appreciation.

In the manuscript of the history of Wayne county, by Mr. Ken Douglass, I find the following oral testimony touching the organization of this church : From this manuscript it appears that Mr. Alexander McBride told Mr. John McClellan that this church was -organized with fifteen (15) members, in the year 18 15, by Rev. William Mathews, by the order of the Presbytery of Richland, at which time Mr. Alex. McBride and Mr. Walter Buchanan were chosen ruling elders. At the time Mr. McClellan received this information Mr. McBride was the only person living that was present at the organization of the church.

Any anxious desire to know whether Mr. McBride and Mr. Buchanan were two of the ten or twelve persons who worshiped in the little house nearly opposite the present residence of Mr. Bonewitz, and whether the church was organized then, by Rev. Wm. Mathews in 18 15, must rest satisfied with the probabilities in the case. For one year only after this organization, with Mr. Mc- Bride and Mr. Buchanan as ruling elders, the Rev. Mr, Mathews continued a stated supply.

We must now leave the infant church for a period of five years, knowing nothing of it except the occasional preaching the received from different clergymen.

What prosperous or adverse winds blew over it, what for peace or dissension obtained in that struggling flock, we know not, except from an inference that in the year 1821 it comes to the surface again strong for duty and manly in purpose.

Meanwhile the tides of emigration came rolling in and furnished reinforcements to the struggling band, while a merciful God, with an eye ever watchful of His people's seemingly most trivial interests, had guided their efforts, enlarged their hearts and smiled on them benignantly. At this juncture they seemed well prepared to make aggressive efforts for the cause of Christ. Under the leadership of a wise, faithful, energetic and godly pastor, they began to lengthen their cords and to strengthen their stakes. The records of the old Presbytery of Mansfield show that Rev. Thos. Barr accepted, April 4, 1820, the call of this congregation for one- half of his time, and that on May 24, 1820, he was installed pastor over the united charge of Wooster and Apple Creek. Rev. Mr. Barr, the pastor, was chairnnan of the meeting of the congregation, in the Baptist church, October 30, 1821, at which the present constitution and articles were adopted. In pursuance of the adoption of the constitution one of its provisions was complied with, in the immediate election of Messrs. A. Hanna, Thos. Robison and Alex. McBride, trustees of the congregation.

The Trustees, by virtue of authority given them in the Constitution, elected Mr. Reasin Beall Clerk of the Board of Trustees, As thus constituted, they entered immediately on the duties pertaining to their office, and have transmitted through their successors in office to this time, all their proceedings, which, as ratified by the congregation, have put the present organization into possession of all the rights of property and estate originally acquired by the organization. At this same congregational meeting, Mr. John Christmas, of Wooster, offered a certain lot of ground on West Liberty street, for the purpose of erecting thereon a house of worship, and requested the board to accept the same as a donation for the benefit of the congregation and for no other use whatever." The donation was accepted, and at a meeting of the Trustees, held at the house of Reasin Beall, November 2, 1821, Mr. Beall, as Clerk of the Board, presented " a deed of conveyance from John Christmas and Elizabeth, his wife, to the Board in trust for the congregation, which deed was approved, and ordered to be recorded in the Recorder's office of Wayne county."

The deed, as prepared, was received for record November 3, 1821, and recorded November 7, 1821, in Book B, page 407, 8 and 9, of the Records of Wayne county, by L. Cox, Esq. , County Recorder.

The lot thus donated is the same as that on which the residence of the late Dr. S. Wilson now stands. The ground having been secured, the Trustees, under direction of the congregation, made arrangements for the erection of their new house of worship. For this purpose the congregation, evidently large in territory, was divided into five districts, and a collector appointed to each, with instructions to take subscriptions, "payable in money, grain, or such produce as is usually taken in stores, in two equal installments, viz: The first to be paid on the ist day of March next ; the second to be paid on the 1st of December following." The part subscribed in money to be paid to the Treasurer, Mr. John Christmas, the part subscribed in grain to be delivered at Mr. Stibbs' or Mr. Plank's mills, and the part subscribed in produce to be delivered by the subscribers at the store of Mr. William McComb, in Wooster." The miller's receipt for the grain, and the storekeeper'srecept for the produce, to be delivered by the subscriber to the Treasurer, and in all cases of payment by a subscriber, the receipt was to be delivered through the Treasurer to the Clerk of the Board of Trustees.

It would be impossible to give minutely the successive steps taken by the congregation in the erection of their first house of worship. I pass rapidly to this difficult and perplexing task. The records show evidence of embarrassment, disappointment, and yet, withal, a determination, coupled with moral and religious heroism, which must be admired. At last a sufficient amount was subscribed to justify the Trustees to make contracts for the speedy erection of the house. The first contract was on May 10, 1822,, with Mr. Thomas Carroll and Dr. Daniel McPhail, for fifty thousand bricks, for which they were to receive in payment, on the day of delivery, ^37.50 in cash, and in equal proportions of wheat, at 62 J^ cents per bushel, delivered at Mr. Stibb's and Mr. Plank's mills. This was one-half the cost of the fifty thousand bricks, the other half to be paid in June, on terms equal to the first.

The first subscription was taken November 3, 1821, and then after the congregation had held two meetings, one in the German church, June 3, 1823, and the other in the Court House, June 10,, 1823, a second subscription was taken August 25, 1823, and a third, June 21, 1825, ere a sufficient amount had been subscribed for the completion of the house. The specifications describing the inside character of work are certainly curiosities. As an illustration of this, I quote as follows : "Four outside doors to be made of good, sound and well-seasoned pine or white walnut boards,, similar to the front door in Reasin Beall's dwelling-house." The thirteen windows, washboards, posts and gallery floor, lathingand plastering stairs to the gallery, and its front, the pulpit, the seats and the railings, are each and all as quaintly and as minutely specified. At what time the congregation entered their new house of worship does not appear, since no record is made of the first service held in the new house. The presumption is that it was about November 25, 1825, as on the 20th of this month the seats were sold to the highest bidder for the following purposes, viz : To raise funds for the completion of the house, and to accommodate all with seats of their own choice, as to location and price. Each purchaser was to give his note to the Trustees for the purchase, payable in part in three months, the remainder in nine months ; one-half of the purchase in money and the remaining half in wheat, rye and corn at the market price. The following quaint receipt corroborates the presumption that the congregation entered their new house of worship in 1825 :

I have received from R. Beall and others, twelve dollars in full, for making fires, lighting candles, and sweeping the meeting-house, for the year 1827, commencing November 30, 1826, and ending December 31, 1827.

In such an age as this, we can scarcely reconcile such a subscription, either with religion or common sense. Neither can we appreciate the times in which the founders of this church lived. All these articles were as truly money as the currency of this age is to us. In money, as they regarded their subscriptions, the house cost the congregation, according to the final report, January I, 1829, ^2,737.83!. The whole subscription amounted to ^1,568.58. The amount realized by the sale of seats was ^1,136.40. The amount of delinquent subscriptions was ;^i84.7i. On January I, 1829, an indebtedness of ^217.56 rested on the congregation, which was speedily provided for. On September 7, 1829, the Rev. Thomas Barr having asked, the congregation consented to the dissolution of the pastoral relation, he having served this congregation for nine years and four months ; a period which was evidently the most trying in the history of the congregation. It is not too much to say, that this congregation owes, under God, whatever of success it has attained to this godly servant of Christ, and those noble laymen, who, with him, struggled hard and long, to establish this congregation and church on a basis firm and solid. The fidelity with which the first Trustees served the congregation may be inferred from their continuance in office long after the pastoral relation between Mr. Barr and the congregation was dissolved. The pastor's salary was raised annually by collectors, appointed to each of the five districts, into which the congregation was divided. As a relic of this fact, one of the old subscription lists still exists, and is worthy of the greatest care, in its transmission to future generations. At the time Mr. Barr ceased to be the pastor of this congregation, Alexander Hanna, Alexander McBride, Robert Patterson and Thomas Cox were ruling elders, though no notice of the election of either of them appears on record, save that of Alexander McBride. It is a source of profound regret that no mention is made of the increase of membership to this church during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Barr. That which will be given subsequently is both conjectural, and traditional. From this point onward the history is more easily traced. I have been particular to give all the available circumstances, presumptions, and probabilities, connected with the early history of this church ; only for the reason that so little data is given in the records, which, however, with the oral testimony that is fresh in the memory of many, furnish what is believed to be an accurate history of the congregation in its first years.

On January 8, 1830, the session were authorized by the congregation to make application for the ministerial services of Rev. William Cox. Mr. Cox served this congregation as stated supply for one year, at the expiration of which he declined an invitation to serve the congregation longer, and accepted an agency in the interest of the American Sunday-school Union.

Mr. Adley Hemphill and John Cunningham were added to the members of the session on the i8th of April, 1831, after several unsuccessful attempts to dissolve the union between Wooster and Apple Creek congregations.

It was finally accomplished September 13, 183 1, at which time Wooster congregation adjudged itself able to employ a pastor for the whole of the time, and acting upon this decision, a call was made out on this date for the ministerial services of Rev. William Wiley. On August 3, 1832, a call was made out for the ministerial labors of the Rev. George W. Warner. At what time he entered upon the pastoral oversight of this congregation is not known, but the fact of his dismissal from the pastorate is recorded as having taken place April 4, 1836. On March 4, 1833, a meeting of the congregation was called for the purpose of adopting measures looking toward the purchase of a place for the burial of the dead. A committee, consisting of Messrs. A. Hanna, Reasin Beall, Joseph Stibbs and Adley Hemphill, were appointed to make the purchase of a lot lying south of the house of worship on West Liberty street. Said committee reported to the congregation April I, 1833, the purchase of the lot aforesaid, from Mr. John Christmas, for ^88.50, together with a deed of the same, which was accepted, and recorded in Book I, pages 189-90, in the records of Wayne county, by L. Cox, Esq., County Recorder. From the dissolution of the pastoral relation between Rev. Mr. Warner and this congregation, until December 31, 1838, there was a vacancy in pastoral labors, during which the Rev. Woodruff acted as stated supply.

The successor of the Rev. Mr. Warner was Mr. William Mc- Candlish, a licentiate, who was ordained and installed pastor in June, 1839, and continued the pastor of this church until May i, 1849. The good name of this honored servant of Christ is fragrant with rich memories of a faithful, earnest and most untiring labor. The Lord richly blessed him in his labors here, and by means of him brought many to Christ. During this pastorate the following historical facts appear : 1st. Almost cotemporaneous with the settlement of Mr. McCandlish as pastor, a movement was made looking towards the improvement of the church building, which was one of those peculiar notions of congregations, which, as in this case, usually developed into a new house of worship. The proposed improvements resulted in temporary repairs to the foundation of the church edifice, and the erection of a board fence around the lot on which it stood. 2d. The first change in the Board of Trustees was January 6, 1840, in the election of Mr. William McComb, in the place of Mr. Alexander Hanna, whose term of office had expired. 3d. On September 20, 1841, Messrs. Samuel Coulter, John Jacobs, David Schamp, William Jacobs and William McComb were duly elected to the office of Ruling Elder ; and to the same office, October 16, 1848, Isaac Johnson, Leander Smith, Joseph E., McConahay, Stephen F. Day and William Slemmons were elected. 4th. On the 24th of March, 1845, a meeting of the congregation was held, at which Mr. McCandlish presented his request for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, with reasons therefor ; thereupon the congregation adjudged his reasons insufficient and very kindly invited Mr. McCandHsh not to "growweary in well doing." It was on Monday, January 24, 1840, that a committee was appointed by the congregation to examine the church building and report favorably or otherwise in the matter of a new house of- worship. The enterprise of a new church building was now fairly inaugurated ; all agreeing on the necessity, but disagreeing as to the time when such an enterprise should be undertaken. Along with this movement there was introduced into the congregation an element of restlessness, and there being no favorable evidence for harmonious action in this regard, and while the subject of a new house of worship was still being agitated, Rev. Mr. Mc- CandHsh, on April g, 1849, tendered to the congregation his resignation as pastor. The congregation agreed to acquiesce in Mr. McCandlish's request, and by consent of pastor and people. Presbytery dissolved the relation, to take effect in the month of May following.

The congregation was now vacant for about one year, when on April I, 1850, a call was ordered to be presented before the Presbytery of Steubenville for the ministerial labors of the Rev. Joseph H. Chambers. He took charge of this congregation on the last Sabbath of the month of May following. His work in this congregation was brief. He became pastor on the last Sabbath of May, 1850, and to this congregation he preached his last sermon on the last Sabbath of August of the same year. On the first Sabbath of September, although very much indisposed, he assisted Rev. Dr. John Robinson, of Ashland, at a communion service, and afterwards returned home with an attack of typhus fever, from which he died September 13, 1850. His precious dust lies undisturbed in a cemetery near Pittsburg, Pa. In this same year (1850) the project of a new church was vigorously undertaken. It appears from the records that a subscription had been taken with a view to rebuild on the old site on West Liberty street. The change in location, however, was effected by the endeavors of the ladies of the congregation, as is seen by the following resolution of the congregation, on April i, 1850, viz:

Whereas A portion of the ladies of this congregation propose to donate to the congregation, in fee simple, a lot of ground on the corner of North and Walnut streets being 90 feet on North street and 180 feet on Walnut street, andm addition to the same obligate themselves to procure not less than $300 additional subscription for the erection of a new church edifice on said lot ; therefore,

Resolved, That the subscribers to the paper for building on the old site accept the above proposition, and apply their subscriptions for building on the "old site" to the erection of a new church edifice on the lot proposed to be donated.

The resolution was adopted with the amendment that a committee be appointed to solicit the concurrence of the subscribers to the proposed change. On April 13, 1850, the committee reported to the congregation that they had obtained the concurrence of the subscribers to the proposed change of location for the new church edifice, and at the same meeting the ladies presented their subscription, amounting to $515, coupled with the assurance that they were prepared forthwith to obtain the title to the lot donated, whereupon the congregation resolved that the church be located on the present lot. A building committee of five persons, viz : J. P. Coulter, James Jacobs, Ephraim Quinby, Isaac Johnson and David Robison, were appointed. A call for the ministerial labors of Rev. J. N. Shepherd was ordered November 16, 1850, who, instead of becoming pastor, acted as stated supply until March, 185 1, at which time the call of the congregation was reissued, but finally declined by Mr. Shepherd the following October. On the 8th of December following a call was made for the Rev. James H. Baird, who accepted the same and entered upon the duties of this relation during the year 185 1. During this pastorate, on November 24, 1852, David Robison, John Cunningham, H. F. Ewaltand George Brinkerhoff were elected ruling elders. To this office, on the same day, the previous election of Judge Avery was reaffirmed. Of these, George Brinkerhoff and Harris Ewalt accepted, and were duly ordained and installed January 16, 1853. Meanwhile the erection of the new church was pushed rapidly by the Trustees. The cost of this structure was between five and six thousand dollars.

The congregation held its first meeting in the new house January 2, 1854, at which time E. Quinby, Jr., was elected Trustee for the unexpired term of John M. Robison, who had recently moved away. Mr. Quinby served subsequently as Treasurer for a number of years.

In April, of 1854, the Rev. J. H. Baird gave notice that at the ensuing meeting of Presbytery he would ask for a dissolution of the pastoral relation, to which request the congregation assented. Following this vacancy, the congregation seems to have been quite popular with the ministers. Perhaps the attraction was the new house. They seem to have been quite eager to settle a pastor, as may be inferred from the fact that they actually made out a call for a dead man. It happened in this wise : On July 20, 1854, at a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing a pastor, four ministers were put in nomination, viz: Rev. Dr. McClarran and Rev. Messrs. Burrough, Harris and Fulton ; the names of Rev. Dr. McClarran and Rev. Mr. Burrough were withdrawn, and the choice of the congregation was for Rev. Mr. Harris, by a vote of thirty-nine to eight. The call to Mr. Harris was made unanimous and forwarded to him at Louisville, Ky., only to receive a reply from Mr. George Smith, of that city, that Mr. Harris had died July 17, three days before the call was made out for him. Rev. J. B. Stewart, at present of Milwaukee, Wis., was unanimously called to the pastorate on November 2, 1854. Mr. Stewart entered immediately on his duties as pastor, but on account of ill-health, tendered his resignation September i, 1855. He was not released, however, until April, 1856, but was granted absence for a time with a view to his restoration to health, the congregation meantime supplying the pulpit.

The remaining history of the congregation is quickly told. On March 12, 1856, Rev. Alexander Swaney, of the Steubenville Presbytery, was called to this pastoral charge, and on the loth of April following notified the session by letter that he declined the call. On the ist of July, 1856, a unanimous call was ordered for the Rev. R. Colmery, who, having accepted, was duly installed, and continued the pastor of this charge until the pastoral relation was dissolved by the Presbytery of Wooster, April 17, i860. During this pastorate, on October 10, 1856, Messrs. Edward Avery, Joseph Caldwell and John McClellan were elected Elders. Messrs. Avery and McClellan refused to serve.

The first movement of the congregation looking towards the erection of a parsonage was on January 11, 1859. To further this project a committee, viz: John H. Kauke, John McClellan, E. Quinby and R. B. Stibbs, were appointed to ascertain what amount of money could be secured for this purpose, and also, for the erection of a lecture-room for the church. The lot on which the present parsonage stands was purchased of E. Quinby.Jr., for I7S0, and the parsonage was erected thereon at a cost of about ^2,500. The erection of a lecture room, as was proposed, failed through inability to raise sufficient funds. On May 28, i860. Rev. J. H.

Reed was called to the pastoral oversight of this church, and soon after entered upon his duties as such, and continued the pastor until November 5, 1867, at which time the relation was dissolved. To the eldership were added John McClellan and John H. Kauke, on April 6, 1861; George H. Clark and Anderson Adair, on April 27, 1 86 1. No notice of their ordination and installation appears, but the first mention of their presence as elders is at a meeting of the session held July 6, 1861. Messrs. Caldwell and Clark removed from the congregation, and returned again, and on June 28, 1868, they, and William Osborn, and Dr. J. M. Weaver, were by a large vote of the congregation called to this office, all of whom were duly ordained and installed September 29, 1868.

The Rev. S. W. Miller commenced his labors on the first Sabbath of May, 1868. A call was made out for him January 11, 1869, which he accepted and was installed pastor on the third Tuesday of May, 1869, and continued in this relation until April 28, 1874, when the relation was dissolved. He did not cease his labors, however, until the second Sabbath of May following. The first mention we have of deacons in this congregation is on January 3, 1870, at which time D. Robison, Jr., G. Troutman, James Numbers and Thomas B. Cunningham, were elected to this office. One year later, Mr. S. A. Wells was elected deacon in place of Mr. T. B. Cunningham, who had removedout of the congregation. During his ministry 299 persons were added to the membership of the church. The project of enlarging the present house of worship, initiated during the pastorate of Mr. Miller, was not executed until after his resignation of this charge.

Almost cotemporaneous with his resignation, the Westminster church was organized, in connection with the Wooster University, which church and University are the legitimate children of this congregation, the University being the older. Not a little of the unwritten history of this congregation enters into the existence of the University. If the mother is proud of this child, much more has the child reason to be proud of its mother. The first membership of the Westminister congregation was from this congregation, who, out of a sense of duty merely, for the encouragement of students attending the University, consented to enter this organization. The remodeling of the present house of worship was undertaken April 28, 1874. The addition of wings on the east and west, and the arrangements for prayer meeting and Sabbath school in the lecture-room, together with the neatness of finish in the inte- rior, were at a cost of about $14,000. The present pastor was called to labor in this field March 16, 1875. He accepted the call and preached the first sermon in this house after the present addition to it was made, on May 9, 1875, from Haggai, chapter ii, and verse 9 : "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of Hosts, and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of Hosts." On Saturday, May 15, the present pastor was installed, in which service the Rev. John M. Hastings preached the sermon. President Taylor presided, proposed the constitutional questions and gave the charge to the people, and the Rev. T. K. Davis gave the charge to the pastor.

On Sabbath, May 16, the house of worship was formally rededicated to the worship of Almighty God. Rev. A. A. E. Taylor, President of Wooster University, preached the sermon from I Kings, vi. 7. Following the sermon. Dr. Taylor succeeded in raising about $4,000 from the congregation, to liquidate the debt at that time resting upon it, after which the pastors concluded the dedicatory services. On the 22d of June, 1875, according to previous notice, the congregation assembled for the purpose of electing Ruling Elders. As the rotary plan in the election of Euling Elders had, by action of the General Assembly, become the law of the church, the Session, in ordering this meeting, agreed to submit to the congregation the opportunity to determine whether they would elect, as heretofore, on the life plan or on the rotary plan. They accepted the latter, whereupon the existing Session, consisting of Messrs. John McClellan, John H. Kauke, George Binkerhoff and Joseph Caldwell, tendered their resignations as Elders of this church. Their resignations were accepted by the congregation, and in the election that immediately followed, these brethren were re-called to serve this congregation as Ruling CElders, on the rotary plan, and along with these George Troutman, George Liggett, M. D., Peter Foust and L. J. Barker, were elected to the same office. At the same time D. W. Immel, N. W. Laubach and Jacob Geiselman were elected Deacons. The official constitution of the church at present is as follows :

T. A. McCurdy, Pastor; John McClellan, John H. Kauke, George Brinkerhofif, George Liggett, M. D., Joseph Caldwell, George Troutman, Peter Foust and L. J. Barker, Ruling Elders; David Robison, Jr., D. W. Immel, James Numbers, S. A. Wells, N. W. Laubach and Jacob Geiselman, Deacons ; J. H. Kauke, James Numbers and John Hindman, Trustees.

The Sabbath school constitutes no little part of the history of this congregation; and yet we find no mention of it, except at a congregational meeting held not many years since. Mr. David Robison, Jr., proposed that the congregation raise ;^200 for its use. Oral testimony places the organization of the Sabbath-school in the year 1825.

Record of Membership. - The church was organized with 15 members. When the Rev. Thomas Barr was installed as pastor, the membership was 33. When this pastoral relation was dissolved, the membership was 107. During his pastorate there were admitted to its membership 146 persons. The next enrollment I find extends from January i, 1846, to February 27, 1853, and shows an aggregate membership of 570. The enrollment during the pastorate of Mr. Miller is as follows: April, 1870, 281; 1871, 382; 1872,336; 1873,344; 1874,397; 1875,324. The present enrollment of actual members, after deducting all that have died and removed elsewhere, is 416.

The history of the (German) Reformed church at Wooster, Wayne county, Ohio, dates back to 18 19. Some families of the Reformed faith settled at and about Wooster even before this. In the summer of 18 19, the Rev. Henry Sonnedecker, residing in Washington county, Pa., made a missionary tour through the counties of Jefferson, Tuscarawas, Wayne and Richland, in Ohio, and, according to appointment, preached in a brick school-house at Wooster, on the ist day of August. This was the first sermon ever preached here by a minister of the Reformed church, and the occasion was one of interest and encouragement. At the close of services he was strongly entreated to settle in this community and organize a Reformed congregation. On the 4th of January, 1820, he, with his family, settled at Wooster, and on the 23d of that month, preached his introductory sermon to an attentive congregation in a school-house. As the Lutherans had united in the organization (being one portion of the old-fashioned "Union church"), and as yet had no pastor of their own, they mutually contributed to the support of Rev. Henry Sonnedecker, who served both interests. He continued pastor of the united congregation for seven years, when the Lutherans called Rev. G. H. Weygandt, who preached his introductory sermon May 27, 1827, and continued his pastorate for a period of thirteen years. The first communion of the Lord's Supper under the ministry of Rev. Mr. Sonnedecker here, was celebrated on the i6th of July, 1820, when twenty-five persons communed, of whom ten had been received by confirmation on the previous day.

At first, preaching or public worship was held in a schoolhouse, or at private dwellings, but during the summer and fall of 1820 a one-story frame house of worship was erected, conjointly by the Reformed church and Lutherans, and dedicated in the fall of the same year, under the name, "Die Friedens' Kirche." Rev. H. Sonnedecker closed his pastorate on the 3d of April, 183 1. During his ministry here he baptized 246 children and received 50 members into communion with the church. He was much beloved by his congregation, and the day on which he preached his farewell sermon was a solemn and memorable one. The congregation, after being vacant for nearly two years, called the Rev. Charles Zwisler in the early part of 1833, who served it for nearly seven years, closing his ministry here in the latter part of 1839. During his pastorate movements were started looking toward the erection of a new church. With this end in view, in 1833, George Bender and George Reiner purchased outlot No. 23, in the town of Wooster, for ^155. This lot contained nearly 2^ acres. September 28, 1833, a graveyard was laid out. On the 17th of December, 1833, the united congregation was incorporated, by a charter obtained from the Ohio Legislature, under the name of "The German Lutheran and Reformed Church in Wooster and its Vicinity." On the 8th of August, 1834, the lot was purchased by the Trustees for the use of the united congregation.

The building of a new brick church on the lot was set in motion in the spring of 1836. The Trustees elected to carry into effect the wishes of the congregation, in this respect, were William Reiter, Jacob Solt and Jacob Albright. The erection of the church commenced in early summer, and the corner stone was laid in the beginning of September, 1836. The sermons preached upon the occasion were by Rev. Peter Herbruck (Reformed), and Rev. Emanuel Greenwald (Lutheran).

In 1837-38 the church building was completed. The total cost of the house was ;^4,i3i.74. The church was dedicated during the annual meeting of the Reformed Synod of Ohio, on Saturday, June 16, 1838. About 30 ministers, besides a large congregation, were present. The sermons on the occasion were preached by Rev. D. Krantz (Lutheran), in German, from Mark xi. 17, and by- Rev. Abraham Keller (Reformed), in English, from Psalm xxciv.

In the spring of 1840, the Rev. Charles Zwisler was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Augustus W. Begeman, who served the Reformed congregation for a period of three years. February, 1843, the Union Sunday-school was organized, with Isaac H. Reiter as Superintendent, and the school went into practical operation, April 2, 1843, with about lOO scholars.

The successor of Rev. Begeman was the Rev. John Peter Mahuenschmidt, who having been elected by the congregation as pastor, September 2, preached his introductory sermon, October i, 1843. After a ministry of one year he resigned.

He was succeeded by Rev. David Kammerer, who was elected by the congregation as pastor, November 30, 1844, and preached his first sermon, January 19, 1845. He commenced his ministry under rather adverse circumstances, but soon secured the confidence of the whole congregation and succeeded well in his labors of love. In 1847 an organ was donated to the united congregation by the Germans of Wooster, which was dedicated August 22 of that year. Believing that it would be conducive to the growth and harmony of the church, on the i6th of May, 1853, at a meeting of the membership, the original organization of the conjoint congregation was reciprocally sundered, and at the same time the (German) Reformed congregation organized itself into a separate congregation, according to the constitution of the church, under the name of the German Reformed church, of Wooster and vicinity, and elected John Moyer, John Freeman and J. Bechtel, Trustees; Samuel Rhodes, Treasurer, and G. K. Wilhelm, Clerk. As up to this time the Reformed congregation had been served only with German preaching, the Rev. Hiram Shall was called, in August, to preach in the English language, in connection with Rev. Kammerer in German. His first sermon was delivered September 4, 1853, but he did not remain long with the society. Mr. Kammerer continued in charge of the congregation until April, 1864.

During his ministry, running through a period of nineteen years, the congregation became harmonious and prosperous, and numerous, indeed, were the accessions made thereto. Worn out, enfeebled, and exhausted, by unremittent labor, and English service being necessary, he concluded his duties were too manifold and oppressive, and resigned the pastorate of the church. His parishioners were deeply attached to him, and hesitatingly excused him from his charge. Before leaving, however, they devolved upon him the responsibility of procuring them a minister. After careful inquiry and observation he concluded to recommend Rev. Joshua H. Derr, of AUentown, Pa., who assumed the pulpit, April I, 1864. Mr. Derr abandoned the Wooster congregation in July, 1869. Rev. Kammerer, returning to Pittsburg with a hope of restoring his health, and finding no realization of that hope, returned to Wooster in 1866.

He found the church in not a very flourishing condition, and as he says, began to "tighten the screws" on it. For four years he performed a sort of missionary labor, visiting the various charges, trying to infuse life into the "dry bones," vigor into the sleeping souls, and re-produce the unity and brotherhood of the congregation. But here a somber cloud swept the horizon of the Union church. A disposition to separation existed among the members, and the court was petitioned for partition and sale of the building and premises, which occurred at public outcry in the early part of 1869.

Then they were left without Bible, pulpit, place of worship, or organization. Mr. Kammerer now resolved to make a strong effort to collect together the lost sheep of the fold, the watchmen that were guarding the Hill of Zion. He preached first in the Court House, then in France's building, then in Zimmerman's room. A congregational meeting, after the third sermon of a series in the Court House, was held, and a resolution was passed to buy grounds on which to erect a church. In a few days 1^2,400 was raised, and the lot was purchased for that amount, on the corner of North and Buckeye streets, where the new building stands.

On the 6th of July, 1871, they began this building, C. C. Baker being architect and carpenter, D. Brown and William Roberts doing the cutting and stone work, and Joseph Haettinger contractor on brick work. The corner-stone was laid August 12, 1871, amid impressive ceremonies. The dedication occurred December 31, 1871, when sermons were delivered by Rev. H. E. Herbruck, of Canton (this was the dedicatory one) ; Rev. A. F. Zartman, Hcentiate, of Tiffin ; Dr. G. W. Willard, President of Heidelburg College, Tiffm. The dedication services were conducted by Dr. Willard, Rev. Miller, Rev. Herbruck and Rev. Kammerer, resident pastor. The cost of the edifice, gas and carpets inclusive, reached

;^ 1 2,400. Its membership attains 130. A flourishing Sundayschool organization, with William M. France as Superintendent, exists, with an average attendance of 100 children.

Rev. D. Kammerer was born in Northampton county. Pa., near Easton, in 1802. His father was a native of Hoboken, N. J., and was the father of seven children. His father died at the advanced age of eighty-four years, and his funeral was the first one in the family. Rev. Kammerer belongs to a long-lived and vigorous ancestry, traced to Zweibrecken, Germany, and the members of his father's family all living, with one exception. He was educated in the State of Pennsylvania, and received private biblical instruction from C. Baker, D. D., an eloquent and eminent German theologian. He is now seventy-six years old, but in good health, and hopeful of a protracted and useful life.

Rev. D. Henkel, a missionary, preached the doctrines of this church in Wooster as early as 1815. Rev. John Stauck succeeded him in 18 16, and for the first time administered the Lord's Supper, when Mrs. Mclntyre, Mrs. Anspach and Mrs. Ihrig were received into the church by the rite of confirmation. In 1820 the German Reformed denomination united with this church, and erected a house of worship. This was a small frame building, which, converted into a dwelling, still stands on the original lot, immediately adjacent to and north of School-house No. 4.

Union churches in those days were, it seems, quite popular amongst the early settlers, not specially because of affinity in the faiths between the opposites - Lutheranism and Zwinglo-Calvinism - but because of personal preference and attachments between neighbors of like nationality, language and like need of mutual assistance.

Rev. H. Sonnedecker was among the early Reformed preachers. This unionistic latitudinarianism relation, as one minister designated it to us, lasted seven years. In 1827 Rev. G. H. Weygandt, of Washington county. Pa., became pastor, and a second church (joint also) was erected - a brick structure, which still stands on outlot No. 23, and was dedicated June 16, 1838, Rev. E. Greenwald preaching in the Lutheran interest. The graveyard, meantime, had been laid in 1833 on a part of the church

WOOSTER - CHURCHES. ,gground, the first person buried in it being Elizabeth Weiser, stepdaughter of George Reiner. Rev. Weygandt remained pastor till 1840, preaching only in German. Rev. S. S. Kline was his successor, and alternated every two weeks in preaching German and English, the Reformed occupying the church on the intermediate Sunday.

Nativism, however, soon made itself felt. The European Germans who, during the pastorate of Rev. Weygandt, had settled in Wooster, felt themselves slighted, and withdrew, organizing a distinctive church on North Buckeye street, with a Rev. Konradi as preacher, occupying a room on that street in which religious services were held. This organization lasted but two years, when the members returned to the old church, bringing with them a pipe organ with four stops. Rev. Kline was succeeded by Rev. Benjamin Pope, who labored in both languages, but owing to declining health resigned the charge in 1856-57. The congregation was now without a pastor until i86r, when Rev. J. C. Schulze received and accepted a call. In May, 1853, a distinctively Lutheran constitution had been adopted by the congregation.

In the spring of 1867 Rev. Schulze took leave of the congregation, and Rev. D. Martens became his successor in July of that year, and during the period of his ministerial service the dissolution of partnership between the two congregations in the joint possession of the church occurred. In September, 1869, Rev. Martens resigned, and on April i, 1870, Rev. E. Cronenwett assumed charge of this field of labor.

Ministers representing this religious denomination held service in Wooster and vicinity as early as 18 17-18. The date of the organization of the church is involved in doubt to the extent that we will not undertake to fix it. At a quarterly meeting conference, held in Wooster, December 15, 1832, for this circuit and district, William P. Christie appeared as Presiding Elder. We have also the following: Shadrach Ruark, and L. D. Bevins, C. P.; Samuel Montgomery and William Spencer, Local Deacons ; E. McGinley, A. Briggs, C. Howser, S. Chacey, Jesse Warner, John Floyd and Samuel Oldfield, Exhorters; A. Stewart, A. Warner, J. Sampson,

At this conference four circuit stewards were appointed, towit: William Spear, E. McGinley, C. Howserand Andrew Laird. The Sunday-school was organized about 1832, and in 1835 the Wooster class enumerated 112 scholars. Jn April, 1836, William Spear, Christian Eyster and David Fairfield, were appointed a committee to estimate the cost of building a church. In 1837 ^ proposition was made to divide the circuit, embracing all the appointments north of Wooster and the State road, leading to Mansfield, which was agreed to. In 1834 Adam Poe was Presiding Elder, and in 1838 J. H. Power.

First, the meeting-house has been pulled down and lies even with the ground. Second, they have determined to build a new house, of the following dimensions; 75x50, a portico 8x30, with columns in front, etc. They have contracted for building the same for $2,700, and $2,503 having been subscribed, the building is now in a state of fowardhess, and they expect to have the basement story ready for use by the first of September next, and the house finished some time during the summer. Signed, J. J. Armstrong, Jacob Immel, William Spear, D. P. Hartman, M. E. Shamp, D. Black, C. Yordy, Thomas Williams, Trustees.

October 17, 1840, E. Yocum appears as Presiding Elder. October 14, 1843, at a quarterly meeting the question arose Avhether it was best to divide the circuit and make Wooster a station, which, upon a vote, was affirmatively decided, whereupon it was moved and seconded that Bodine and Smithville appointments be attached to Wooster, which was carried.

September 21, 1844, E. Raymond appears as Presiding Elder, and D. Black, William Stitt, D. M. Crall as Stewards. May 31, 1845, Charles Hartley and M. K. Hard, were recommended to the conference as suitable persons to enter the traveling connection. November 29, 1845, Hiram Shaffer appears as Presiding Elder, and September 18, 1847, Daniel Lambert as Presiding Elder.

May 6, 1849, the Trustees reported the church entirely out of debt, but suggested some repairs and improvements to the building. September 13, 185 1, Thomas Barkdull appears as Presiding Elder. November 29, 1852, C. Eyster, William Henry, Philo S. Vanhouten, J. Anderson, J. Boucher, G. Bartol and E. Oldroyd, were appointed Trustees of the parsonage, the grounds for which were donated by William Henry. September 23, 1854, J. F. Kellum appears as Presiding Elder. March 27, 1858, J. Hinton offered the following preamble and resolution :

Resolved, That the members of this M. E. Conference prohibit the use of it in their own families, and discountenance the use of it by the members of the church.

Resolved, That we hereby request our pastor to preach a discourse, at his own convenience, on the subject of dress; and that we will sustain him in the execution of the General Rules of our discipline, without exception.

October 9, 1858, Joseph H. Kennedy appears as Presiding Elder. September 28, 1863, H. G. Dubois appears as Presiding Elder, and after him C. H. Owen, and in 1868 the immortal Joseph Matlock. Chaplain Collier is the present Presiding Elder.

List Of Station Preachers Since 1843

This religious body was organized September 18, 1840, by the Rev. Solomon Ritz. The following is a list of officers and members of the church at the time of its constitution :

George Reiner, J. A. Lawrence, Elders ; Henry D. Miller, Israel Windel, Deacons ; Members - George Reiner, John A. Lawrence, H. D. Miller, Israel Windel^ Isaac Notestine, Abraham Fox, Conrad Oiler, Benj. Lehman, M. A. Fox, Mary

At the end of two years and six months, Rev. Ritz resigned the Wooster church, having served it from its organization. The pulpit was vacant for seven months then, though suppHed occasionally by Rev. A. H. Myers and a Rev. Mr. Dixon. November I, 1843, Rev. George Leiter commenced his labors as pastor of the church. August 17, 1844, it was determined to add two more Deacons to the church council, and at a selection of officers on the above date, the choice was as follows : George Reiner, Abraham Fox, Elders ; Wm. Bacher, Israel Windel, John Beall, J. A. Lawrence, Deacons.

At the expiration of a year, Rev. Leiter resigned, the resignation dating November i, 1844. January i, 1845, Rev. W. J. Sloan assumed the pastorate of the congregation. In the winter of 1846-47, twenty persons united with the church. In 1849, J^"' uary 8, the old Elders were re-elected, and the following persons were chosen Deacons : J. A. Lawrence, Conrad Oiler, David Bissel, Alex. Bivens.

April I, 185 1, Rev. W. J. Sloan severed his ministerial connection with the church. After this, and during an interval of six months, Rev. J. Hamilton favored the congregation with supplies. November i, 1851, W. A. G. Emerson became its pastor, resigning after a service of one year. Up to this time eighty-nine members had been added to the original sixteen.

June I, 1853, Rev. J. B. Baltzly was installed as pastor. The ofifice of deaconship having been vacated by removals, the vacancies thus created were filled, to wit: Abraham Fox and J. A. Lawrence, Elders ; Alexander Bivens and Martin Smith, Deacons. October 17, 1853, Simpson S. Goodspeed was excommunicated from this church for theft. A number of excommunications appear for intemperance and other immoralities. The Incorporation Act requiring three Trustees, and there being but two, Martin B. Weaver was chosen to constitute the third, or legal number.

Having disposed of their old church edifice and lot on Alley Square, directly east of in-lot No. 107, on North Market street, to Albert McFadden, and having no place of worship during the erection of the new church, the German Lutheran congregation kindly offered the use of their house, which ofifer was thankfully accepted.

ducted by Rev. John Grouse, and the following ministers were also present at the dedicatory services : Rev. Ruthraff, of Canton ; Rev. S. Feeman, of Mansfield ; Rev. J. S. Lawson, of Pittsburg, Pa.; and Rev. Benjamin Pope, of Wooster,

June I, 1856, services were first held in the lecture-room of the new church, where Rev. J. B. Baltzly was ordained. Rev. W. C. Weaver delivered the first sermon in it. September 24 to 30, 1857, the East Ohio Synod held its Twenty-second Annual Convention in the church. July 3, 1859, service was first held in the new church, Rev. Baltzly preaching from Genesis xxxv, 11. On the loth of July it was dedicated, the sermon being preached by Rev.

February 11, i860, the Wooster congregation and the Trinity EvangeHcal Lutheran church of Franklin township, agreed, by preamble and resolution, to constitute themselves as one body, to be called the Wooster Charge, assenting and subscribing to various regulations and conditions. October 10, i860, the East Ohio Synod confirmed the act of union, at its session at Manchester, Ohio, by a unanimous vote.*

April 10, 1864, it was resolved to dissolve the union between Zion's Evangelical Lutheran church, of Wooster, and Trinity Evangelical Lutheran church, of Franklin township, subject to the ratification of the Synod, and to make way for the formation of a new charge - the Wooster Charge - by a union of the Wooster and St. Paul's church, of Smithville.

During the year ending April i, 1866, there were admitted into the church 40 merhbers. April i, 1867, the union between the Wooster and Smithville charges was dissolved, when Wooster was constituted a separate one. June 7, 1868, Rev. Baltzly tendered his resignation on account of declining health, to take effect on the 1st of July, after a prosperous ministry of many years.

August 29, 1868, the council, authorized by a vote of the church, presented a call to Rev. Ira C. Billman, to become pastor of the congregation. Said call was accepted, and Rev. Billmnn was dulyinstalled. The council for 1870 was:

Tune 12, 1870, Rev. Billman tendered his resignation, "to take effect immediately upon settlement." April 23, 1871, Rev. H. L. Wiles, D. D., was chosen pastor by a unanimous vote of the church, and still continues in charge. He is a zealous minister, a faithful worker and a brilliant divine.

At a meeting on Lord's Day, July 26, 1835, the persons whose names appear below extended to each other the hand of Christian fellowship, and organized themselves into a worshiping assembly, under the following pledge :

We, the Disciples of Jesus Christ, living in and near the town of Wooster, being desirous of attending to all the ordinances of the Lord's House, do unite ourselves together in a congregated capacity, taking for our guide or discipline the New Testament of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And Ave propose, as soon as practicable, to appoint Bishops and Deacons, whose duty it shall be to take charge of the temporal and spiritual interests of the congregation, according to the Holy Scriptures. And in order to protect ourselves from imposition, we further agree not to receive any person claiming to be a Christian who is not known by us, or who does not present a letter of commendation from some congregation. To the above we have authorized our several names to be affixed :

Wm. F. Pool ; Peter Willis and Elizabeth, his wife ; Frederick Kauke and Elizabeth, his wife ; John Miller and wife ; Jacob Wachtel and Elizabeth, his wife ; Samuel Zimmerman and Mary, his wife ; George K. Zimmerman, Griffith L. Jones, Elizabeth Scott, Eleanor Jones, Mary McCurdy, Elizabeth Hickman, Rebecca Hull, Sophia Zimmerman, Kimball Porter and Susannah, his wife.

From the time of this initiatory movement until May, 1847, there is no record of the proceedings of the church. But from some of the older members we learn that the little band continued to meet from week to week to "break the loaf" and to join in social exercises, whenever preaching could not be obtained. As an evidence of the zeal which characterized the members, we mention the fact that during their interval of twelve years the little company of twenty-one had increased to nearly one hundred.

There is no record to be found of the election and ordination of officers until 1850. On Saturday, December ;, in that year the church met and unanimously selected the following persons as its officers : Elders, Kimball Porter, William Grim and Constant Lake; Deacons, George K. Zimmerman, Michael Miller and Martin Rowe.

The following sisters were chosen as Deaconesses: Almira Grim, Mary Bartol, Barbary Hickman, Eleanor Lake, Mary Porter, Rebecca White, Arta Porter, Harriet Harbaugh and Hester Snook. On the next day. Lord's Day, December 8, at 2 o'clock p. M., the church met to attend to the ordination of these officers. Elder J. H. Jones was the officiating minister on this occasion.

For several years the church had no house of worship. And indeed, it had no regular place of meeting. Part of the time it occupied the old Court House, where it had been organized. Sometimes it assembled in a brick school house in the south part of town, located on what is now known as South Market street. Another place of meeting was the residence of Frederick Kauke. And occasionally it worshiped in the dwelling houses of other members. For a time it occupied a cooper shop, situated on what, at present, is called Grant street. Then again, in a large room in J. S. Lake's building on West Liberty street. Finally, in the year 1847, the church completed a house of its own on the corner of Walnut and South streets, which house it has continued to occupy until the present time.

The first regular pastor was J. H. Jones, who began his labors for the congregation in the year 1845. He remained in this position until 1857, and was succeeded in the pastoral work by the following persons in the order named: John W. Errett, Samuel R. Jones, Robert Moffett, N. A. Walker, J. H. Bauserman, J. N. Lowe, D. J. White and H. D. Carlton.

In addition to its regular preaching, this church has frequently enjoyed the pulpit ministrations of eminent Evangelists. Prominent among them may be mentioned Alexander Campbell, Wm. Hayden, A. S. Hayden, John Henry, Wm. Pool, A. B. Green, James Porter, John Rigdon, John Secrist, Wesley Lamphere, C. E.

It may be mentioned, as a matter of interest, that during the time that has elapsed since its organization about seven hundred persons have been members of the church ; but the growth in numbers has been largely counteracted by removals. Many have been removed by letters to other congregations ; some have died, and some have been excluded. The following persons are at present the officers of the church : Elders - Constant Lake, James W. Hughes, Silas H. Sharp, H. D. Carlton ; Deacons - Alex. Garing, Wm. H. Smith, Henry Myers, Jehu L. Grafton; Deaconesses - Elizabeth Sharp, Mary Bartol, Hannah Miller, Elizabeth Yarnall, Anna P. Lake. H. D. C.

The founder of this church was Rev. John Winebrenner, a German Reformed minister, who, some half a century ago, preached in Harrisburg, Pa. He is represented as a forcible, logical and effective debater and orator, whose eloquence introduced what is denominated " revivals " among his different congregations, a feature of boisterous excitement and reciprocal religious heat, which heretofore was not specifically characteristic of the Germanic church in America. The result of this unusual and explosive demonstration of the spirit was that of interminable, irreconcilable and wrathful schisms and oppositions to the propriety of these measures, and the insinuation of such novelties into the church.

So violent and demonstrative became these controversial tilts that Rev. Winebrenner withdrew from the Reformed organization and its so-called "hypocrites and false professors." This separation occurred about 1825. His views undergoing some material changes, he united with others in 1830, and formed an association composed of six preachers and some elders, and this assembly they called the First Eldership. He accepted what he called the apostolic plan, and estabhshed free and independent churches, "consisting of Christians only, without any human name or creed or laws! " and was at variance with authoritative constitutions, rituals, catechisms, discipline manuals, church standards, adopting the Bible alone as the only test and text book acceptable to the great Head of the Church. -

The membership are supposed to exemplify the morality they inculcate, and the Eldership wage incessant, headlong and persistent battle against wars, national conflicts, slavery, the fiends of intemperance and the ogres who traffic in liquor.

This church was organized in Wooster, Ohio, in the month of May, 1848, by Elder A. Megrew, it then consisting of but 16 members. The oflicers chosen were Charles Hoff, Elder, and J. P. Winebrenner, Deacon.

The ministers appointed to the Wooster circuit for the ensuing year were Thomas H. Deshiri and H. Soule. In the autumn of 1849, K.SV. Soule abandoned the circuit, going to Pennsylvania, when the Eldership released Rev. Deshiri, Mr. Megrew serving the year in their stead. On the 2d of January, 1850, Lewis H. Selby was elected as Elder, and William Tawney as Deacon. In the year 1850 Elder A. Megrew was stationed at Wooster to dispense the Gospel there and at Moreland, John Huff and S. P. Stuller, serving as Elders, and S. Keely and A. Hummer as Deacons.

June 27, 1850, the lot and Bethel were purchased of J. P. Winebrenner. On the 5th of July, 1850, five Trustees were appointed. Rev. G. U. Harn commenced his pastoral labors April I, 185 1, preaching his first sermon Sabbath morning, April 20, 185 1. Rev. Deshiri ministered to the congregation in 1852 and in 1853, in the latter year dividing his services with the Moreland and Dalton churches. In the succession. Elder John Heickernell appears next, and began his labors, April i, 1854. After his appointment to the Wooster charge conjointly with Rev. Harn, Elder L. B. Hartman on April i, i860, relinquished thesame.

Agreeably to his appointment. Elder Martin Beck assumed the pastoral oiTice, April 7, 1861, the following year preaching in Wooster and Smithville, and the one still following, in Wooster, resigning his labors, April i, 1864. Simultaneously with the retirement of Rev. Beck, Elder A. H. Long assumed the ministerial function, remaining with the congregation for two years. On the 24th day of January, 1866, they rented their house to the United Presbyterian church, till they could erect a building of their own. April first, of the before mentioned year. Elder J. B. Soule commenced his ministerial work, continuing in active service for several years. On the 30th of May, 1866, the officers of the church convened at the residence of WiUiam Shives and organized a church vestry. The Eldership of East Pennsylvania, on the 23d of Feb- ruary, 1869, appointed O. H. Betts to the Wooster Station, arriving on the 2d of April, 1869, and at the expiration of less than a year he returned East again. The Vermillion chapel, of Ashland county, Ohio, appointed Elder M. Beck to assume charge of the church forthwith. His successor was G.W.Wilson, who preached' his first sermon, October 16, 1870, resigning December 25, of the same year.

Their first church property was purchased for the sum of 1^69.50, by J. P. Winebrenner, from Lindol Sprague and John Hanna, administrators of the estate of James Clendennen. It was the old building, to the east of the present Bethel, where, in the pristine days, stood the old carding factory. It was repaired and fitted up for a church, and sold for that purpose for 1^530.

The new building was commenced in 1854, and finished in 1855, by David Atkins, contractor and builder, at an expense of ;^4,730. Its dimensions are about 45 by 65 feet, with a vestibule and basement above ground. The Sabbath-school and lecture-room are in the front part of the basement. The wood-work is tastefully grained with an oil finish, in imitation of English oak. The dedication rites occurred August 5, 1855, before a large audience, the services conducted by Elder J. Winebrenner and Elder A. Swartz.

On the morning of the 7th of August, 1854, a serious accident occurred to the workmen employed on the structure. About ten o'clock the girders and rafters of about half of the building, with the men, quite suddenly fell - some the distance of nineteen feet - to the first floor, two passing between the joists of the first floor to the ground, a distance of twenty-eight feet. The citizens soon flocked to the theater of the disaster. The voices of pain, the mangled bodies, gashes and bruises presented a saddening spectacle. Physicians soon arrived, and all were speedily cared for. The killed; John Cope, of Massillon, wounded; Henry Miller, hurt; Joseph Kimber, hurt ; David Atkins, collar-bone broken ; Henry Harris, badly bruised; Charles Pond, bone broken and bruised; John Hamicar, Charles Hickman, John Vanmeter, D. Baker, A. Hummer and a Mr. Smith, hurt.

The first priest in charge was Father Campion, succeeded by Fathers Brennan, Haley, O'Neal, Arnold, Gallaher and Ankly, the latter taking control of the church October 27, 1865. When the building was erected there were but fifteen families in attendance, there being now over one hundred church-goers and practical members.

In connection with the church there is a Sunday-school, with an average attendance at this time of 160. In 1864 a schoolhouse was erected, under the auspices of Rev. J. F. Gallaher, and the school opened in the spring of 1865 with an attendance of 90 pupils. The routine of study is about the same as in the other schools of the city, with the exception that they introduce the catechism, which is an epitome, or abridgement, of their religion, inculcating a spiritual as well as a secular education.

The old burial-ground was south of the church and near to it, and was so occupied until January, 187 1, when, on the tenth of that month, the first lot was sold in the new cemetery to Joseph Holland. In 1869 Father Ankly purchased these grounds from David Robison, Jr., paying therefor ^200 per acre for ten acres.

The church is a two-story building of brick, twenty feet in the clear to the ceiling, the nave 34x65 inside, the sanctuary 18x26. A gallery extends the width of the building on the east end, where is situated the organ, put there in December, 1867, and played the first time by Gordon French, December 29, 1867. It was bought in Westfield, Mass., and cost ;^ 1,000. The bell was purchased in St. Louis, in 1866, weighing, with appendages, 3,500 pounds, and costing ^1,400. It was consecrated on the 15th of July, 1866, and elevated to the tower on the following day. Bishop Rappe, of Cleveland, consecrated it, and Rev. S. Bauer, of Fremont, delivered a festive oration.

The parish of St. James church, Wooster, was organized in December, 1840, by Hon. Levi Cox, J. W. Schuckers, Henry Lehman, James Johnson, J. C. James, David Sloane, George James,

John A. Holland, R. H. Catherwood and other associates, of Wooster and vicinity, who adopted the constitution and canons of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America. The parish was incorporated by an act of the Legislature of the State of Ohio in February, 1841.

On the 1st day of February, 1841, the following persons were duly elected as Wardens and Vestrymen of said church: R. H. Catherwood, Senior, and J. W. Schuckers, Junior Wardens; and Henry Lehman, James Johnson and William Childs, Vestrymen ; David Sloane, Treasurer ; and John A. Holland, Secretary.

April 26, 1841, the Rev. Ervin Miller, was called to the rectorship of the parish, and entered upon the duties of his office on Whit-Sunday, of that year, holding service in the Court House until the 25th of December, 1841, when services were held for the first time in the new church edifice, on West South street, erected by said parish, on a lot donated by James L. Bowman and wife. Services continued to be held in said church until May, i860, when the building was regarded as unsafe, and was abandoned and sold by the parish, and services held temporarily in the basement of the English Lutheran church, and subsequently in "Arcadome Hall," until November 15, i860, when their present church edifice, on the corner of Market and North streets, was completed, and services were held therein.

The first church edifice was consecrated in May, 1842, by Bishop Mcllvaine, and the new Gothic in 1867, by assistant Bishop Bedell. The Rev. Orrin Miller resigned the charge of the parish in May, 1842, and Rev. J. Carpenter Smith was called to succeed him, and entered upon his official duties October, 1842, Rev. William Fagg temporarily supplying the parish for several months previous thereto. The Rev. J. Carpenter Smith remained in charge until March 11, 1844.

March 29, 1844, Rev. T. B. Fairchild accepted the charge, and officiated until October 20, J 845, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. (j^eorge Thompson, September 19, 1846, who officiated until September 23, 1847, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. J. M. W^iite, January 15, 1849, who remained in charge, and officiated one year, and was succeeded by Rev. J. J. McElhenney in May, i85o,Jwho remained in charge until May, 1852 ; the parish was then temporarily supplied by Rev. J. E. Pattison until April, 1854, when Rev. R. K. Nash accepted the charge and officiated therein until Easter, 1857.

The church then remained without a Rector until February 28, 1858, when the Rev. James Trimble was called and accepted the charge, and officiated until March, 1864, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. J. McEIrey, who remained in charge until April, 1866.

The church was then without regular services until October, 1867, when Rev. L. L. Holden was called and accepted the Rectorship of the church, and continued until March, 1869, when he resigned and was succeeded by Rev. James Moore.

This church was organized November 23, 1872, with a membership of thirty-five. The St. James Episcopal church was rented for the use of the society, and the Rev. John Tonner, of Canton, was appointed first pastor. The first Official Board of the church was as follows : Stewards - Daniel Black, Henry C. Harris, C. M. Amsden, J. C. Koble, F. L. Parsons, John Van Meter, W. S. Leyburn ; Trustees - D. Q. Liggett, B. Barrett, John H. Silvers, J. H. Carr, M. W. Pinkerton, J. B. Power, T. Y. McCray, M. K. Hard, C. V. Hard.

In the fall of 1873 Rev. John Whisler was appointed pastor, to succeed Rev. Tonner. During the next year it was determined to erect a new church edifice, and about the middle of June, 1874, work was inaugurated on the lot on the corner of North Market and Larwill streets, where a new and handsome church structure rapidly rose to completion. Its dimensions are 92 by 58 feet. The main audience-room has a seating capacity of 400, while the Sunday-school rooms in the rear can be added, so as to supply space for 200 more. The church was dedicated January 24, 1875.

The Rev. D. S. Gregory, D. D., of Wooster University, preached the first sermon in the new church, on the evening of January 23, and on the next day (Sabbath) the Dedicatory Sermon was preached by Rev. W. X. Ninde, D. D., of the North-western University, Evanston, 111. The three years pastorate of Rev. John Whisler ended in the fall of 1876, and on the i8th of September of the same year. Rev. W. G. Ward was appointed pastor.

The church is in a prosperous condition, with a membership of nearly 200. The officers of the church are the same as those named, with the addition of J. C. France, S. S. Shilling and J. A. Gann, M. D., to the Board of Stewards.

It is not the men most opulently endowed by nature with brilliant intellects, or the genius of oratory, that in the rounded space of a human Hfe achieve the greatest good. The history of the world from the beginning to the present time has emblazoned upon its roll of honor the deeds and doings of an illustrious army of plodding, faithful toilers and zealous men, with whom nature was not especially prodigal of her gifts, and who never sought the martyrdom of fame.

Life to them was not a passing dream, startled by apparitions of disappointment, and broken by spectres of gloom, but a settled and serious reality, accompanied with ever-recurring duties, which required for their performance a sturdy earnestness and unrelaxing zeal.

Conscious of their mission in the world, and with confidence in the brotherhood of man, their work became their delight, their labors their reward. The employment of their energies consisted not in an exclusive devotion to themselves, but to humanity, religion, truth ; and noble enterprises challenging the friction of their natures, their objects were largely and steadily advanced. They had no motive but duty, no ambition but its earnest fulfillment, and the fragrance of their quiet, useful lives breathes upon us through the summer violets upon their graves.

They achieved, and were better deserving the world's applause, and fame's sweet echo, than the brazen orators of the forum, the fulsome haranguers of the Senate, who ignore humanity and neglect mankind.

But history has saved for our delight and recollection the names of many of these earnest, silent toilers. With this class of enthusiastic men, seeking the useful, advancing the right, tenderly contemplating the past, and sanguine of the future and the ultimate adjustment of all things to a universal standard of right, we take leave to associate Thomas Woodland, a native of Chatham, County Kent, England, who was born May 15, 1803. Of a family of seven children, he is the only one remaining. A temperament such as his, a disposition so self-reliant, a mind so independent and so tenacious of its opinions - we were almost going to say, bordering upon prejudice - with aspirations for a broader freedom and a vaster domain of thought and action, could not long submit to a policy of government that withheld a public right or restricted a personal privilege. It is but natural, therefore, that an individual, the subject of a government against which there existed such mental negations, should separate himself therefrom and turn to another, whose boon and promise is the utmost freedom to all.

Impelled by such considerations, the love of adventure, the desire to obtain a home, and to gratify his cherished and pre-conceived convictions 9f the grandeur of the great Republic, in the fall of 1832, at the age of twenty-nine, with his wife and two children, he made his exodus to the New World. On his arrival in New York he immediately sought employment, which he procured. Here he tarried 18 months, during which time he connected himself with the Baptist church of the city of Brooklyn, then under the pastorate of a Welshman named Jacob Price, who had just arrived from Wales. And it was during this time that he made his first contribution to a public institution in America, viz : one dollar to Granville University.

In the summer of 1834, Mr. Woodland and his family, in company with Bishop Mcllvaine, formerly Rector of St. Ann's church, Brooklyn, arrived at Gambler, Knox county, Ohio, the Bishop coming to assume the Presidency of that college. At the close of a few years residence in Gambler, he concluded upon a change, when a visit to Wooster was made, which resulted in the permanent settlement in our midst of him and his family, in June, 1838. Priest Jones was the minister of the Baptist church at that time, with which he immediately became identified, retaining his membership to the present hour*. He first found employment with Joseph Larwill, after his arrival in Wooster.

For many years he has been an extensive manufacturer of brick, for which he always found a ready market, but being now far advanced on the declivitous slope of life, has partially abandoned the eager and active pursuits of the world. He was married to Martha Woodward, of London, in November, 1824.