Reading Township (part 2 of 2)

'Rt. Rev. Dr. Rosecrans established in Columbus, a branch of St. Mary's, called the Academy of Notre Dame, the Sisters of which are members of St. Mary's commnnity, and were selected by the Bishop to conduct this Academy - a large and commodious building, situated on Broad street, a few squares from the Cathedral and State House. It is intended for the purpose, more of a day school for the education of the young ladies of the city, than those who may wish to enter as boarding pupils, conducted hy the Nuns who first founded St. Mary's in Somerset. with Bishop Fenwick their father and protector. The first: Sisters are now no more. 'Vheir successors are the object of the zealous care of the Bishop of Columbus, whose diocese was established in 1868,

'Twill conclude this article by recording the names of the second Catholic pioneers who settled in this county about the time St. Joseph's was dedicated. The first I wish to record, is that of Mr. Wilham Wiseman, who emigrated from St. Mary's county, in Maryland, near the | shores of St. Mary's river, where Lord Baltimore and his colony landed. When a young man, he enlisted.in the Western Army, commanded by General Wayne and General Sinclair, under whom he was engaged in several battles they fought with the Indians. Whilst the army was stationed at Fort Washington, where Cincinnati now stands, young Wiseman. with a small force of soldiers, was sent to occupy a block-house, built on the banks of the great Miami, to watch the movements of the Indians, and if necessary, to call for reinforcements on tae fOr aie Lanes expectedly they were surrounded by a large body of Indians, who took two of them prisoners ; one escaped. the other was burned alive in sight of his companions in the block-house. "They could give the poor soldier no assistance ; his lamentable cries they could hear, calling out to them for protection. "Che commander of the fort, appealing to their patriotism, wished one at least to volunteer his services to go to Cincinnati for assistance, offering a reward to any one who would undertake the muission to Fort Washington, although this could not be aflected without danger of death, as the Miami must be crossed in a boat, exposed to the fire of the Indians. Young Wiseman was the only one who offered his services. Tle added, * bask no pay.' - They got the boat ready, which was mooreal under the bank en which the block-house stood, The commander accepted his offer, and the boat was soon prepared for him. The Indians always on the alert, when the boat was Jaunched in the river, with Wiseman in it, poured a volley of shot upon it. Iles Ths tent only on escaping them, gained by quick paddling, the opposite bank. He often afterward observed, that Divine Providence alone protected him from their bullets. The bank gained, like a deer speeding his course over hill and dale, the valiant soldier soon reached the fort, distant some twenty miles from the block-house. When in sight of the fort, in a shallow place of the river, he crossed over on thin ice, which frequently broke before he gained the opposite side. The message he

'© This brave deed of William Wiseman is recorded in Judge Burnet's History of Ohio. Mr. Wiseman was with General Harrison at St. Clair's defeat, and was one of his special friends, and a strong supporter in Perry and Fairfield counties, when ' Tip and Tyler too' were candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presidency of the United States. When General Harrison, during that campaign, visited Perry county, to make his political principles known, and to defend his abused reputation, Mr. Wiseman, as a special friend, escorted him, and was at his side when Harrison spoke, and when he was received at Mr. Peter Dittoe's residence, since called Mount Harrison, over which waved the flag of the United States. No man could more rejoice than Mr. Wiseman, on the success of that campaign.

'* The other pioneers of the Catholic Church of Perry county were, oseph Hodge (a convert to the Catholic Church), Henry and John lowers, Joseph DeLong and brothers, John Noon and brothers, John

Hynes, John McLaughlin, P. Griffin, Henry Sterner, Hugh, Dennis, and Richard McGonagle, James Cane, Henry and Peter Dittoe, Patrick McChristle, Henry McNally, Owen Martin, Matthew Casserly, Patrick Largy, Alexander Clark, Neal and John Crossin, Patrick O'Hara, Patrick McMullin, John Clark, John Byrne, Henry Bonastell (a soldier), Larry Curran, Patrick Cambron, Joshua Green, Judge P. McDonald, Philip McDonald, Esq., James McDonald, John Thornton, Philip, James, and Hugh Minor, David Mussulman, Jacob, John, Anthony, and Adam Fink, Felix Cull, Esq., Nicholas Tyder, Adam Gordon, Daniel McCann, James Elder, Owen Donely, Gregory Metzer, Levi Burgoon, John Litzinger. These were among the pioneers of St. Joseph. They are now no more. Their good works have gone before them, and secured them an eternal reward." |

The names of several other Catholic pioneer families were subsequently sent to the compiler by letter, but the hand of the aged Priest had become so tremulous that they could not be made out. The circumstance shows, however, that, in his last days, he was thinking of the men and women to whom he ministered in the golden pioneer days.

Rev. Father Young, the author of the foregoing interesting sketch, was, from 1818 until a period not a great while previous to his death, actively engaged in ministerial work in one or more of the Catholic. churches in Perry county. He was a zealous, active young Catholic Priest, with headquarters at St. Joseph's, when his parish extended from Wheeling, West Virginia, to Vincennes, Indiana. We would frequently ride on horseback from St. Joseph's to Columbus, in the night season, to administer to the sick and dying. Father Young was of sturdy, well knit frame, of cordial, genial manners, and of more than ordinary 'intellectual ability. He was exceedingly zealous and industrious, and was apparently best satisfied and enjoyed himself best when hardest at work. He knew most of the-early pioneers of Perry, and they knew him, Father Young was born and brought up near Washington, District of Columbia, and had recently come to this section of Ohio from an older settled community. Te felt a little strange, at first, at seeing so many men clad in hunting shirts and carrying rifles, but he soon learned that they intended him no harm, and he could be hospitably entertained by any of them, whether of his religious belief or otherwise. He lived to be about eighty-five years of age, and though he died somewhere in the East, when on an accustomed visit or tour, his mortal remains were, according to his oft repeated request, sent back to Perry county, Ohio, and interred in St. Joseph's churchyard, where he had worked to establish a church of his faith so long ago.

Holy Trinity (Catholic) Church has one of the largest and finest houses of worship in the State. It is most handsomely situated on rising ground, on Columbus street, near the south end of Somerset. The present building has been in use nearly twenty years. The congregation was organized about 1820, and, throughout its entire history, has been a very strong and influential one. It is not as old as St. Joseph's Church. though it is justly entitled to be called a pioneer one, and is one among the first of the Catholic Churches organized in the State of Ohio. Few have been more prosperous in every point of view. Upon one occasion, when Bishop Fenwick was passing through on horseback, along '* Zane's Trace," on his way from Baltimore, Maryland, to Bardstown, Kentucky, he reached the tavern of John Fink at nightfall, and remained over night as a strange traveling guest. The next morning, after paying his bill and getting on his horse, he inquired of Mr. Fink if he knew of any Catholic families in the direction he was traveling, Mr. Fink told him of some that he knew, and furthermore informed him that he, himself, was a Catholic. , Bishop Fenwick at once alighted, hitched his horse to the fence, went into the house and celebrated mass. This was the first mass said in the State of Ohio, unless some of the explorers or missionaries among the Indians had celebrated it somewhere along the northern frontier. This was, in fact, the small beginning of the Catholic Church in what is now Perry county, where it has become so numerous in membership and so important a factor in ecclesjastical affairs. Further interesting facts relative to [oly Trinity Church are given in the sketch by Rev. N. D. Young, concerning the early history of the Catholic Church in Perry county. Rev..Noon, a very efficient and popular Priest, has been for several years past, and is at present, the pastor of the church.

The Lutheran Church in Somerset is one of the oldest in the county. Among the early emigrants to Somerset and neighborhood were many Pennsylvania Germans, most of whom were Lutherans, and, at a very early day - about 1812 or 1813 - there was Lutheran preaching at Somerset in private houses, and at the old log schoolhouse situated on South Columbus street. About 1817 or 1818 the old log house of worship was erected on North street. The congregation had been organized a few years previously. The original church building was constructed of very large hewed logs (afterwards weatherboarded), and had a gallery, which was chiefly intended for the choir, but, on extraordinary occasions, was open for any of the congregation. The church had a good organ, made by Henry Humberger, of this county, and the congregation, for along time, was somewhat noted for its good music. The old log edifice was used till 1844, when a lot was bought on Main street, near the west Public Square, and a large, handsome, costly brick edifice erected, which has been owned and occupied by the denomination until

Revs. Andrew Henkel, Charles Henkel, Greenwalt, Ruch, Bartholomew, Wagenhals, Spielman, W. F. Lehman, A. J. Weddell, John Rugan, Cornelius Remensnyder, Corbit, Herring, Hunton, Martens, Isensee, D. M.. Weisman and others, have ministered to this congregation. Rev. M. Walter is the present pastor.

It is not a little remarkable that the congregation was more powerlul, influential and harmonious while worshiping in the old log church than after its removal to the new, costly and imposing edifice on Main street.

Soon after the congregation was organized, and a church built, a Sabbath-school was organized, which has been sustained, with a few unimportant exceptions, during the whole year, until the present time.

Germans, but also contained many English speaking people, and for 'many years, and until about 1844, there was alternate German and English preaching ; but, subsequent to this date, the services wére exclusively in the English language. The abandonment of German preaching was very much disliked by some of the older members, but the second generation of all nationalities had learned English speaking, and services in,German could no longer be maintained nor secure the general approval of the congregation.

Of the officiating ministers of the church Charles Henkel died in Somerset, and his mortal remains repose in the old Lutheran graveyard. Rev. Henkel was pastor of the church for many years, and was universally respected by the people of the whole community. At one time, and for quite a number of years, he solemnized more marriages than any other minister in the county. '

A Reform congregation was organized and a neat church edifice erected at Somerset a few years since. Stated preaching and 'Sabbathschool were sustained until recently, but at present there is no regular pastor, and services are only occasionally held.

Otterbein (United Brethren) Church was organized and a primitive house of worship built about 1818 to 1820. A better building of brick was erected a few years later, which was occupied until 1882, when a still better and more modern brick edifice was built and dedicated. Otterbein is the oldest United Brethren Church in the county. Some of its original members were among the earliest pioneers of Reading township and the county. It is situated about four miles west of Somerset, near the Zanesville and Maysville turnpike. Otterbein has from its organization until the present been a strong and active congregation, maintaining regular preachjng and for many years a Sabbath-school. Rev. Lambent is the present pastor.

Pisgah (United Brethren) Church, situated in the southwestern part of Reading township, not far from the Fairfield county line, was organized and a house of worship built About 1850 or 1852, which was used until about 1867 or 1868, when a second and better building was erected, and is yet occupied by the congregation. Pisgah is not so old a church and the congregation not as numerous as at Otterbein, but it maintains

A Presbyterian Church was organized at Somerset in 1837-38, under the ministry of Rev. Edmund Garland, who was at the time also pastor of Unity Church. The congregation bought the old Methodist brick edifice situated on what is known as '* Happy alley," where they continued to worship for several years, until the congregation disbanded and what was left of them united with Unity Church, carrying the title of the church property with them into Unity Church, The old. brick edifice and lot upen which it stood were subsequently sold and the proceeds thereof applied to repairing the Unity Church. Vhe Somerset society had an existence of less than ten years.

Vhe Lutheran Church, of New Reading, was the first church organized in what is now Perry county, though in respect to date it only preceded Zion (Rible's), of Thorn township, a few months, both being organized in the same year, 1805. The church was ogganized under the ministry of Rey. William Foster. the venerable father of Lutheranism in Perry county, who departed this life in 1815. "There is a little uncertainty as to the date of the erection of the first edifice, but it was about 1812-13. It was a two-story log building, and was occupied a good many years. The present'edifice is a brick structure, and of more modern belongings. The Overmyers, Whitmers, Auspachs, Poormans, Shriders .and Bowmans, were among the first members. Regular preaching and Sabbath school are sustained. "The church site is a very

The Methodist Episcopal Church at New Reading, was organized in 1825-26, and a house of worship erected about 1828, Rev. Joseph Carper, long a prominent minister of the Ohio Conference, owned a farm and lived near New Reading, andl had his membership here. Randolph Mitchell, a noted old-time merchant of New Reading, was, in his lifetime, a prominent member of the church. Also, the late Peter Whitmer, of the vicinity of New Reading. The Reading church belongs to the Rushville circuit. and receives its ministers by the appointment of the Ohio Conterence. Regular church services, including Sabbath school, have been sustained. The edifice is brick.

A school house, situated in the Baker neighborhood, which is no longer used for school purposes, is open to all denominations for religjous service, and is occasionally so used.

The Marsh Methodist Episcopal Church, in which a considerable number of Perry county people hold their membership, is situated a little over the line in Fairfield county.

Scnoors. - The earliest school in Reading township, of which any information could be obtained, was held in 1806-7, in a Jog cabin situated about two miles east of where Somerset was afterward established, Persons are yet living, of good mind and memory, who were pupils in this school, and can remember the date and place. As indicated, Somerset, at this time, had no existence. This was an English school.

A German school was taught at ** Overmyerstettle,"" (New Reading), about 1808. The venerable Peter Overmyer was a member of this school, and has a full and clear recollection concerning it. It was a.three months' subscription school. Mr. Overmyer states that it was composed of twenty pupils, all of whom were in the alphabet when the school began, and all were reading before the term of three months closed, a fact not unworthy the attention and consideration of modern Teachers' Institutes.

Similar schools - English and German - were doubtless organized a few years later, in other parts of Reading township, including*the village of Somerset. The first school in Somerset was probably taught about 1810. The old log school house in which it was held, stood on South Columbus street, not very far from the corner of the public square. After being used several years for a school-house, it was converted into achair shop. Religious services, by various denominations, were also held in the old log school-house.

After the old log building, referred to, was discarded, school was 'taught awhile in a house on '* Happy Alley," in the '' Old Academy" on North Columbys street; in a room in the second story of the old jail, and in various other places. The east and west school houses, each of them containing two rooms, were erected about 1835. These buildings accommodated four schools tolerably well, but it was not very long until another room or two was required; and these additioual rooms were leased wherever they could best be obtained. This was the condition of the public schools of Somerset, until the erection, a few years since, of the large, elegant and commodious Union School House, on the site of the old John Fink tavern, near the east end of town. This building comfortably accommodates all the pupils of school age, and is a credit to the town and county. The site isa handsome one, and the landscape. as viewed from the second story windows of the edifice, is both agreeable and edifying.

It should have been stated, that several of the public schools were taught in the old frame, a few years before the present brick avis was erected. At a still earlier date, the Somerset Collegiate Institute owned the property, and Prof. Charles Nourse taught a select school there.

The township, outside of Somerset, is well organized into convenient school districts, with good frame or brick edifices, and the schools are in session from six to eight months in the year.

There were, in former years, frequent changes of teachers in the schools of Somerset. Very few remained long enough to be considered anything like fixtures. Isaac Thorn - best known by the title of '' Col. Thorn "' - probably taught for a greater Jength of time, than any other teacher. He was, for many years, regarded as a successful instructor, but eventually lost his efficiency, and reluctantly and sadly retired from the profession that he had once adorned. Even after the days of his usefulness as a teacher had departed, Colone! Thorn lingered about his old haunts, dressed faultlessly, '' boarded out at the lot," as he was wont to remark, and aired his peculiar grammar and _ history wherever he could assemble an attentive, respectable and dignified circle of admirers. All who ever knew him, will think kindly and charitably of Colonel Thorn, the famous old-time teacher of Somerset.

There were numerous select schools, at one tinve and another, taught in Somerset, some of which were very good, and attained quite a reputation in their day. 'The most notable of these were taught by Rev. A.

J. Weddell, and at a later date, those taught by Prof. Charles Nourse, under the auspices of the Somerset Collegiate Institute. Rev. Weddell was a minister of the Lutheran denomination, a fine scholar, a finished gentleman, and well versed in English literature. All who were ever his pupils continue to venerate the man.

Prof. Nourse's schools were scarcely less distinguished than those of Mr. Weddell, but he taught at a somewhat later date, and his efficient labors at Somerset are yet comparatively fresh in the recollections of many pupils and patrons. Prof. Nourse subsequently became Principal of the Public Schools at New Lexington.

Prof. Ferree, at a still later date, taught a series of select schools in Somerset, which were well patronized and gave general satisfaction to the patrons and community.

St. Mary's Academy, a Catholic school, conducted by a Sisterhood of the Dominican Order, was early estaslished, and, for a long time, continued at Somerset, with pupils and patrons from nearly all parts of the United States, and especially from the Southern States. The Academy building was unfortunately destroyed by fire, in 1866, whereupon the sisters decided to remove to Columbus, Ohio, where they established an institution, known as St. Mary's of the Springs. The Sisters, or a number of them, returned to Somerset, a few years since, with the intention of re-establishing a Convent, and an Academy in connection therewith, to be called the Convent of the Sacred Heart. They leased the Dixon Brown building, on Main street, for temporary Convent and school purposes, but immediately went to work to erect a new, large and commodious building of their own, upon the site of the old' Agademy, which was destroyed by fire in 1866. When they had the new building well under way, and almost ready to be roofed, they were, for some reason, transferred to Galveston, Texas. The erection of the Academy building proceeded, however, under the management and direction of Rev. Father Noon, pastor of Holy Trinity Church, at Somerset, and it is to be finished and ready for occupancy during the summer of 1883, when a competent corps of Sisters and teachers are to be provided, and a good school again opened.

St. Mary's Academy is sketched in another place by the pen of the late Rev. N. D. Young, and it is not necessary to say anything further concerning it herein, except that it was a school of wide celebrity, and that the wives of some of the most distinguished men of the country have received their education within its walls.

A College building was erected near St. Joseph's Church, in 1882, under the direction and supervision of the Priesthood of St. Joseph's, where a school was opened, and continued for several years, under the name of St. Joseph College. It was very well patronized, not only by numerous Catholic families of the county, but also had students from all parts of the country, and especially from the Southern States. When the war began, in 1861, and the seceded States were cut off from the North, with the accompanying depression in all business and educational enterprises, the College was compelled to suspend operations and close its doors. After the burning of St. Mary's Academy building in Somerset, the St. Joseph College building was tendered the Academy

MisceLLaAnrtous. - When the news of the firing on Sumter reached Somerset, with the accompanying Proclamation of President Lincoln calling for volunteers, the hearts of the people were wonderfully stirred, as was the case all over the country. The bell of the old Court House was rung, and it was not long until the house was crowded to overflowing. Hon. William E. Finck was the first speaker called out, then T.

Maginnis, then Col. William Spencer. 'These speakers all condemned and denounced the attack upon Sumter, and declared that President Lincoln must be supported in defending the National forts, and in maintaining the supremacy of the National Government. Dr. Martin Kagay was the next speaker, and his remarks were even more radical than the speakers who had preceded him. He said that the leaders of secession had been in the habit of- magnifying the raid of John Brown; but now, since they had fired upon the flag, it would be necessary for hundreds of thousands of John Browns to invade the South, no matter what the cousequences to the peculiar institution of slavery. The speakers were all unusually able and_ eloquent, inspired by the theme and circumstances of the hour. Many were fired with a patriotic ardor to do or die for their country, and not a tew almost immediately enlisted in response to the call of President Lincoln. _ A place known as '' Lidey's Rocks," situated in the western part of Reading township, is a wild, romantic spot, and has, at one time or another, attracted a considerable number of visitors. It has frequently been a favorite resort for picnic and other parties of pleasure. .There is a peculiar formation of rocks, the scenery is delightful, and the general surroundings highly picturesque. There is a natural cave, though not a large one, and there seems. to be a natural fireplace, in between two rocks, where the stone appears to be blackened and burned by the heat and smoke of many fires. Indians may have encamped in this place before the settlement of the country by the whites, and it is more than probable that many an adventurer and hunter of the early days built his camp fire and broiled his venison at this stone fireplace. Lidey's Rocks are only a few miles distant from either Somerset, Junction City, or Rushville. The ''Rocks" are not visited so frequently as they were some years ago, but the locality is still one of interest and attraction.

It is stated, upon what appears to be good authority, that the first white man buried in what is now Perry county, was interred in the woods, a few miles north of Somerset, not far from the road now leading to Thornville. The man was a stranger. passing along, who took sick, and, in a few days, was a corpse. There was then no public or private burying ground in the neighborhood or county. So the mortal remains of the stranger, whoever he was, were inclosed in a rough box, and consigned to a grave dug in the woods, the whereabouts of which his friends, if he had any, probably never knew. Some of our oldest citizens could point very near the spot where the stranger was buried, but soon all trace of the burial place will be lost, and possibly, fifty or a

Isaac Pence, one of the earliest settlers of the township, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was in the celebrated naval engagement under Commodore Perry, in honor of whom the county is named, Pence was one of the soldiers in the boat who rowed Commodore Perry trom his own sinking ship to another vessel. Mr. Pence was an industrious, intelligent man, highly esteemed by all, and lived to a good old age.

John J. Jackson, of this township, and the latest surviving soldier of the War of 1812 in it. though a quiet, modest man all his life, has rather an eventful history. He served thorugh the War of 1812, and drew a pension 'o the day of his death, for military services rendered the United States Government. After the war was over, he in some way drifted to St. Louis, and he emigrated from that place, or vicinity, to Bearfield' township, Perry county, Ohio, and his name will be found in the history of that township as one of the first settlers. Ilis first wife was an Ijams, a sister of William, John and Joseph Jjams, well remembered by the older citizens of Perry county. Mr. Jackson and others journeyed from St. Louis, across the country, to this county, in 1815 or 1816. It wasa journey full of strange adventures. So far as now remembered, Mr. Jackson and companions are the only pioneers of Perry county who emigrated from the West. All the others came from the Kast or South, angl nearly all from the East.

The widow of John Lidey, another soldier of the War of 1812, and a member of the Constitutional Convention from Perry county, in 1851, lives in Reading township, in the town of Somerset. A few other widows of soldiers of the War of 1812 live in other parts of the county, but the soldiers themselves are all gone.