Wood County, Ohio - Chapter 40: Perrysburg Township, 1897 (part 2 of 2)

Walker; in 1829, by Jacob Hill; and in 1830, by J. W. Finley. In 1832, Rev. E. C. Gavitt preached here; in 1833, Rev. E. H. Pilcher came, followed, in 1834, by W. Sprague. In 1835, when the Toledo war called into the field the militia of Michigan and Ohio, the Methodists of Perrysburg were addressed weekly by Rev. Cyrus Brooks,- from a desk in the pioneer school house. L. B. Gurley, who was then presiding elder, happened to be here when the Ohio soldiers were quartered at Perrysburg, and, knowing Governor Lucas, he suggested that he would place his name at the head of a subscription list for church-building purposes, and that he would ask the militia to follow the example. The plan was successfully carried out, and a house for worship erected - the same which was repaired in 1853, reconstructed in 1866, at a cost of $3,500, and repaired in 1887. In 1836, Rev. Orrin Mitchell came, and is said to have been the first to preach in the church house. His successors in the office are named as follows: Henry Warner, exhorter, 1837, local preacher, 1838-59; Rev. D. Burns, 1838; R. H. Chubb and J. W. Bowen, 1839; Mr. Cacraft, vice Bowen, 1840; L. Hill and P. Start, 1841 ; H. S. Bradley, 1842; J. L. Johnson, 1843; J. Jones, 1844; J. R. Jewett, 1845; T. Cooper, 1846; C. H. Owen, 1847; L. Ward, 1848; John Graham, 1849; T. Parker, 1850; T. J. Pope, 1851; D. P. Pelton, 1852-54; J. F. Buckholder, 1854; L. D. Rogers, 1855; George Creps, local preacher, 1856; Ambrose Hollington, 1856 and 1867; W. S. Lunt, 1858; Mr. Legatty, 1859; S. H. Alderman, 1862; L. M. Albright and J. Shannon, 1863; T. N. Barkdull, 1864-67; J. S. Kalb, 1869; J. H. Wilson, 1870; N. B. C. Love, 1872; J. H. Bethards, 1876; L. L. Clark, 1879, died, and T. J. Pope appointed; Mr. Yingling, 1880; J. L. Scott, 1883; W. H. Scoles, 1884; and G. B. Wiltsie, 1886-88. The circuit now embraces a few churches. Peter Cranker was a class leader for almost forty years, and George Creps and Joshua Chappel for many years; while J. S. Ellis filled the offices of trustee, steward and class leader for over a quarter of a century.

The Sabbath-school was organized in 1838, with Henry Darling, superintendent, and fiftyfive scholars. In 1853, there were 110 scholars; in 1867, there were 140 scholars; and, in 1875. no less than 125. From 1878 forward, William Barton was superintendent, his scholars in 1888 numbering 115.

W. Williams, J. A. Scott, J. A. McBride, Mary Williams, Mary Fowler, Jane Wood, Mary Loper, Elizabeth Smith, Eliza Ann Nye and Catherine Spafford; Mrs. Hannah Dustin and Margaret Sloan had not been connected with other Churches elsewhere. Messrs. Williams and Brown were chosen elders, and J. W. Smith, clerk.

In 1835 the little Church received quite an accession from Pennsylvania. The McBeths, now of Springfield, Ohio; John Ziegler and wife, James Kelly, Elizabeth Kelly, Susan Kelly and John H. Kelly, John Bates, Eliza Bates, and Mrs. Eliza Brown, from Seneca Falls, New York.

On March 2, 1840, Abner Brown was elected elder for three years, Tobias Rudesil tor two years, and George W. Creps for one year. In October, 1843, George W. Creps was elected for three years, and Joseph M. Hall for two years. In November of the same year Mr. Creps sent in his resignation, and Abner Brown, George Powers and David Beach were elected elders. The records of this period are silent on matters which evidently were disturbing the congregation. The names of pastors can only be retraced through memory. Mr. Bradstreet was followed by Rev. M. Eels, of Oberlin, who was drowned in attempting to cross the Maumee on the ice, and was buried in the old cemetery. The Rev. J. H. Francis followed Mr. Eels. Mr. Poor succeeded him, and Mr. Peck followed Mr. Poor. In. June, 1849, the clerk, George Powers, recorded the call extended to Rev. J. H. Newton. In 1847, he organized a sewingsociety, and in 1853 paid $115.78 for the lots on which Henry Hollenbeck's shops stood in 1 876. Subsequent to 1853 he exchanged those lots for the site where is now the Way Library, but instead of building, the society rented a hall, which stood where George Boetsch carried on business in later years. In 1856, the Universalist church was rented. On November 1, that year, Rev. G. A. Adams, who has been pastor ever since, took charge, and, in the fall of 1857, assisted in the revival held in the Methodist house of worship. In 1858, a number of members were admitted, and in the fall of that year, the Presbyterian form of government was adopted, and George Powers, Sylvanus Hatch and James W. Ross were elected elders. On September 5, 1859, the corner stone of the old church house was placed, and the building was finished September 1, i860. On April 1, 1862, a mortgage for $1,000 was given on the property, to Elder James W. Ross, which, with other debts, was paid off in 1865. In 1870, other improvements were made, and the worshipers met there until it was burned in 1875. Services were held in Centennial Hall, until 1892, when the present building on Second and Third streets was completed.

The incorporation of the society took place July 17, 1876, when N. L. Hanson, M. A. Trowbridge and Gilbert Beach were trustees. Of the first elders, Abner Brown moved to Illinois in 1868; George Powers died in 1872; Sylvanus Hatch is deceased; James W. Ross moved to Kansas; J. W. Ewing is also removed; James Dunipace, now of Walnut Street Church; Stephen Merry is now deceased; S. P. Tollman, 1877, now of Walnut Street Church; F. J. Oblinger, 1891, removed to Toledo, and H. C. Hoover, now an elder. The membership in April, 1895, was 45, and of the Sabbath-school, 55. Of the members present in 1856, Mrs. Dustin resides at Birmingham, Mich. ; Mrs. Euphemia Peck, at Detroit; Mrs. Ann Robertson, Stephen Merry, Mrs. Gilbert Beach, Mrs. H. A. Hamilton, Mrs. Almira Baird, Mrs. L. M. Hunt and Sophia A. Cook, at Perrysburg. The sum contributed by the members of this Church, from 1 87 1 to 1895, amounts to about $19,500. The troubles of 1877 -78 led to a division of the society, and the organization of the Walnut Street Church.

The German Lutheran Church was organized March 15, 1850, by Rev. Cronewett, who was pastor until i860, and the organizer of several Lutheran societies throughout the county. Among the first members were C. and G. Hertzing, W. Lininger, T. Walter, M. Vogel, H. Niederhaus, L. L. Leiser and C. Sieling. Rev. A. Kleinigees came in i860, and remained until Rev. C. F. Kaeding, the present pastor, arrived in 1864. In 1854, the first house of worship was erected, and in September, 1872, the present house was dedicated. St. Paul's church at Maumee has been in Mr. Kaeding's charge since 1 864. In 1866, he organized the society at Custar, in 1867, one at Waterville, and, in 1868, one at Haskins. The membership of his Perrysburg charge is 426, and the number of voting members, 136.

The Walnut Street Presbyterian Church was organized May 2, 1879, with twenty-seven members, namely: Mary Hatch, M. A., Lovina and Alta M. Trowbridge, Elbert D. and Emily C. Ross, Perry and Adeline Thomas, Mary Taylor, N. L. and Lida M. Hanson, John L. and Cleanthe Wiltsie, Marshall K. , Henry A., James W. and Catherine Ross, S. P. , Elizabeth and Josephine E. Tolman, James Dunipace, Ann Peck, J. K. Deering, Mary E. Hadley, Jane Hood, Ellen

Tracy, Maggie Caldas. The elders chosen were James W. Ross, S. P. Tollman and James Dunipace. In the same year M. A. Trowbridge was elected, and, in 1889, Ashton Taylor, who, with Mr. Tollman, is now in office. On completing organization, the society rented the old Baptist church, which has been their place of worship down to the present time. Rev. A. B. Robinson was pastor down to April, 1882, Rev. W. W. Mix, from 1882 to 1885; from which time to the coming of Rev. A. P. Johnson, in 1890, the pulpit was supplied. The membership, in April, 1895, was twenty -four. The total money contributed for church purposes from 1880 to April, 1895, was $7,187. The first trustees were M. A. Trowbridge, N. L. Hanson, D. K. Hollenbeck, with E. D. Ross, treasurer, and N. L. Hanson, secretary.

The German Evangelical Reform Church was incorporated December 30, 1878, with F. Leydorf and T. Zarfluch, trustees; B. Schaller and J. Meyer, deacons; and F. Henarich, elder. On August 15, 1880, their house of worship was dedicated.

The Universalist Society, was at one time very strong here, but went to pieces prior to the war. The brick building, purchased by the Catholic congregation in 1861, and now used for Catholic school purposes, was erected by the Universalists about 1843 or 1844, and used by them as a place of worship for some years. The Hollisters, who are buried there were the founders with the Ladds, Robeys, Blinns and a few others, and Rev. Sadler, preacher.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church was dedicated October 6, 1861, by the apostle of the denomination - Mr. Nast. Mark Curtis built the house for $1,800.

The Spiritualists organized a society some years ago, which embraced several members of theMethodest, Presbyterian and Baptist Churches, with others who had not hitherto formed any religious ideas. The organization may be said to exist to-day, but the local membership is very limited. In December, 1855, Rev. Warren Chase organized the first class.

The Baptist Church was organized late in the "thirties," or early in the "forties." In 1844, when Edward N. Blue and his wife became members, there were twenty-five members, among them being James M. Charles, Mrs. Bradford and daughter, and Horace and Mrs. Hall, James F. Stubbs and the Africans, Joseph Langford and wife. The place of worship was the old school house, west of the " Exchange Hotel." Early in the "fifties," however, the church on Walnut street, near the railroad depot, was erected. After the war (1866), the society disbanded, transferred the property to the Baptist Conference, who in 1879 rented it to the Walnut Street Presbyterian Society.

Secret And Benevolent Societies

Masonic Societies may be said to have originated in the county, in 1813, when Army Lodge No. 24, unfolded its charter at Fort Meigs, and held regular meetings there from 1813 to the date when the fort was abandoned.

Northern Light Lodge was organized under dispensation March 5, 1817, and worked without a charter until December 14, 1818, when one was issued to Almon Gibbs, W. M. ; William Griffith, S. W. ; and Charles Gunn, J. W. Seneca Allen was first initiated in this lodge, while Almon Gibbs was the master from 1 8 1 7 to 1819, when Allen succeeded him. John Hollister was elected in 1824; Horatio Conant, in 1826; James Wilkinson, elected in December, 1827, appears to have served until 1845, when the mastership passed away from Wood county men.

Phoenix Lodge, No. 123, F. & A. M., was chartered May 4, 1844, with Daniel H. Wheeler, John Hollister (master), Josiah Miller, David Wilkinson, J. Manning Hall, Hez. L. Hosmer, Thomas Learning and Richard Shaw, members. The signers of the constitution, as adopted March 7, 1844, included the above named, with many others. The past masters have been as follows: John Hollister, 1844*; A. Young, 1845;

On January 27, 1845, the Masons of Toledo petitioned Phoenix Lodge to recommend them to the Grand Lodge as worthy of a charter. This petition was granted without hesitation, and it is said that the organization of Toledo Lodge, No. 144, was the result. In 1869, the question of building an upper story on Asher Cook's block was discussed, but not until 1872 was the present building erected and the hall established.

Fort Meigs Chapter, No. 29, R. A. M., was instituted U. D. June 26, 1846, with Daniel H. Wheeler, H. P. The charter was issued October 24, 1846, to Hez. L. Hosmer, H. P. ; John Bates, king; and Daniel Knowles, scribe, with Thomas Clark, Andrew Young, Alex. Anderson, Levi S. Lownsbury, Daniel Hawes and Ephraim Wood, unofficial members. In 1849, the officers petitioned to have the chapter moved to Toledo, which petition was granted. H. L. Hosmer was a most active agent in the establishment of Masonic societies at Toledo. Even after being commissioned chief justice of Montana Territory, in 1862 or 1863, he was instrumental in organizing the scattered Masons, and subsequently, while past master at Virginia City, organized a council and commandery there.

Thomas Clark, Addison Smith, Amos Spafford, B. W. Lewis, Daniel Titcomb, Isaac P. Thompson, Smith Gilbert, Andrew Bloomfield, William Houston, W. W. Wilkinson, Thomas Bloomfield, W. H. Courser, C. D. Woodruff and Alfred Taylor. During the ensuing decade A. D. Wright, Peter M. Smith, Sandford Baldwin, W. H. Hopkins, J. S. Norton, G. W. Howe, William Crook, S. C. Doan, S. D. Westcott, John Yeager, A. L. Fowler, Shibnah Spink, S. S. Curtis, C. K. Bennett, L. Brigham, M. G. Wetmore, John Shepler, George S. McKnight, George W. Newton, and others became members between 1847 and November, 1858, when the treasurer's account closes. In 1857, William Crook was elected treasurer, a position he held until the organization ceased. He is the only member of the old lodge, now living, who was permitted to enter the new lodge, M. G. Wetmore, who was killed at Haskins a few years ago, being the other. The Masonic lodge won away many members, and this, with general inattention to work, caused its downfall in 1862.

Fort Meigs Lodge, No 774., I. 0. 0. F. , was instituted July 4, 1889, with Robert Escott, N. G. , and the following named officers, in lodge rank: John Kohl (V. G.), L. E. Webb (Sec.), John Chappel (Per. Sec.), C. H. Greiner (treasurer), Ed. Underhill, Conrad Kohl and G. H. Caldwell (trustees). The noble grands since December, 1889, are named as follows: John Kohl, 1889;

Baird, 1889; Dr. J. E. Brainard and A. R. Williams, 1890; W. A. Finkbeiner, in May, and Walter E. Escott, in August, 1891; Philip Wetzel and J. E. Brainard, 1892; D. Van Hellen, May, 1892, and J. M. Browne, in May, 1893; B. H. Getz and Philip Wetzel, 1894. The lodge had in May, 1895, no less than 115 members. Articles of incorporation were recorded January 14, 1891.

Wolford Post, No. 51, G. A. R., was chartered March 31, 1881, with the following named members: James Timmons, John Croft, Nathan Tefft, Fred. Schwind, Charles Chappel, Christopher Finkbeiner, B. Trombla, George Button, Thomas Hartshorn, H. M. Hoover, Fred. Yeager, James F. Fleming, James Hayes, A. E. Wilson, Henry Broka, J. L. Wilson, Joseph Bruce, Charles Gross, Phillip Witz, William Heckler, John Yeager, Chris. Kner, William Walters, Fred. Treichel, Jacob Davis, H. R. Charles, D. Simmons, N. Wedertz, and A. C. P. Boyce. On the same date the Post was instituted, the name being conferred in honor of John Wolford, a fourteen-year-old soldier of Co. B, 55th O. V. I., who was killed at Bull Run, August 30, 1862. James Hayes was the first commander, and Jacob Davis, the first adjutant; James Hayes was re-elected in 1882; Frederick Yeager, in 1883; James P. Averill, 1884; James Timmons, 1885; Christopher Finkbeiner, 1886; James Hayes, 1887; Isaac Whitson, 1888; W. H. Hollenbeck, 1889-90; George R. Scott, 1891 (resigned); Jacob Metzger, 1892-93; George Button, 1894 and 1895. The following served as adjutants: James P. Averill succeeded adjutant

The old Grand Army Post, known as No. 38, was organized after the war. In September, 1869, J. B. Newton was adjutant. In common with the contemporary subordinate posts of Ohio and other States, No. 38 surrendered its charter.

Eldorado Lodge, No. 322, Daughters of Rein-ha It, was chartered May 23, 1890, on petition j of J. C. Hoyt, Decatur Van Hellen, Aaron Huf- ' ford, G. H. Caldwell, J. P. Thompson, Edward Conrad, Fred Jezzard, Julia Ann Hoyt, Rose E. Caldwell, Alice Van Hellen and A. R. Williams. In May, 1895, there were thirty-five members in good standing.

Perry Lodge, Knights of the Golden Rule, No. iyp, was chartered February 28, 1885, with twenty-nine members, among whom were W. H. Hollenbeck, F. E. Hollenbeck, I. S. Bowers, H. M. Hoover, D. K. Hollenbeck, Madams Ella Averill, Belle Mix and M. Finkbeiner, and N. S. Hanson.

Temperance Societies. - Fort Meigs Division, Sons of Temperance, was organized in 1848, with the following named officers in Division rank: James W. Ross, Addison Smith, George W. Clark, W. H. Courser, John Webb, John Bates, Jesse S. Norton, John Croft, Ozem Galpin and George Albert.

Perrysburg Lodge, No. 179, I. O. G. T., was organized May 25, 1866, with thirty-two members, and disbanded February 9, 1875, when Fred. Yeager and James Timmons were the only representatives of the charter members present. The newer temperance societies, such as the Woman's Temperance League of 1874, decided upon another line of work, and in this particular opposed the I. O. G. T. , won the members away, and left it to disband. In July, 1874, the Anti- License Convention assembled, and in April, 1876, tne crusade against saloons was commenced at Perrysburg and other towns.

Perrysburg Temperance Union adopted articles of association, September 2, 1877, with 762 members. This union originated in a meeting held June 26, when a Murphy Temperance Society was formed.

The Perrysburg Saengcrbund was organized July 2!, 1868, with John H. Rheinfrank, president, and John Bader, Jr., secretary. F. R. Miller, George Hoffman. Jr., John Haller, John Hirth and Clemens Leaf were chosen trustees, and John Eberly, treasurer.

Conclusion

The writer, on closing these articles on Perrysburg, must acknowledge the value of aid rendered by Mrs. Perrin, D. K. Hollenbeck. William Crook, Mr. McKnight, James Hayes, the Hoffmans, Mr. Callard, Mr. Hayes, of Fort Meigs, Rev. Mr. Adams, Mrs. Frederick, Mrs. Samuel Smith, J. H. La Farree, Christopher Finkbeiner, and the younger old settlers, such as Joe E. Baird, Thomas M. Franey, and the editor of the old Perrysburg Journal.