Arnold, Ohio

Simeon Hager and Abner Chapman were pioneers. They married sisters - Polly and Relief Baldwin. Mr. Chapman first settled on the John Gray farm about a mile northwest of Plain City, and afterward removed to Darby Township, where he died. Mr. Hager was a renter and lived on the Chapman place; then Mr. Noteman's farm and elsewhere, and finally bought a little place just across the line in IMadison, where he died.

Passage source: The History of Union County, Ohio, Containing a History of the County; Its Townships, Towns ... Military Record;, published 1883.

Run by ordaining and installing as Ruling Elders William Bigger and David Beard, and enrolling about thirty members. For the first two years, Rev. Robert Forester, of Reynoldsburg, ministered statedly to the people, though not installed pastor. Rev. I. N. Laughead was the iii'st pastor. He was born in Greene County, Ohio; graduated at Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio; studied theology at the Associate Seminary at Cannonsburg, Penn. ; was licensed to preach in 1838 and ordained in 1839. He became pastor of this and Darby (Union ville) congregations in April, 1843, and continued in this relation till April, 1864. Of his labors here, he himself says: "In these two congregations, I spent the prime of my life; and although I had my discouragements and trials, yet I suppose I had as much enjoyment and pleasure in the Lord's work here as usually falls to the lot of Christ's ministers. My two main discouragements were the scattered field I occupied, extending from the Scioto River to Little Darby Creek, and the scant support I received. I was necessitated to resort to some other means of support, and could not give my whole time to the ministry. I settled there with the promise of $300 annually, and that was not very promptly paid. It never reached over $400. I taught district and select schools. ' I labored working with my own hands.' I cannot say that I did any great things in those congregations, but this I can say, I did what I could. The Master's glory and the spiritual good of that people were by me sincerely and earnestly sought." One year after the severance of his connection with the congregation, or in April, 1865, Rev. James W. Taylor accepted a call to take charge of this and Darby congregations. He continued with them until November 19, 1867. For several years the church was then without a regular minister. The third pastor was Rev. John Gilmore, installed September 12, 1871, and remaining in charge till April 15, 1874. He wa« succeeded by Rev. D. M. Gordon, who commenced his labors on the first Sabbath in*January, 1875, was regularly installed in October following, and continued till April, 1878, when Rev. Ebenezer E. Cleland, the present pastor, was called.

Passage source: The History of Union County, Ohio, Containing a History of the County; Its Townships, Towns ... Military Record;, published 1883.

William Bic^ger continued to act as Ruling Elder until his removal to Springfield, Ohio, in 1863; David Beard, until his removal to Iowa. The following members have been added to the session from time to time: William Liggett, in 1845; Thomas Robinson and David Mitchell, July 17, 1853; Walter Gowans and William McCrory, February 26, 1857; James Scott and Joseph McCampbell, in 1865; Samuel Carson and Thomas B. Arnold, in 1871-72. The following have served as Deacons: John Liggett, James I. Beard,. Thomas Robinson, David Mitchell, Andrew Beard, Andrew McCampbell, J. M. Robinson and James "Woodburn.

Passage source: The History of Union County, Ohio, Containing a History of the County; Its Townships, Towns ... Military Record;, published 1883.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Jerome Township - it names this place 7 more 7 times.