Springfield Township (part 23 of 69)

The First Presbyterian Church of Spring-field was organized July 17, 1819, with a membership of twenty-seven. Four years before its foi-mation, the Rev. Archibald Steele was the regular supply, jjreaching once a month in such rooms as could be conveniently secured for that purpose. Mr. Steele was succeeded by the Rev. Andrew Poague, who gave his services until 1825, when the Rev. Franklin Putnam became the first reg-ular pastor of the church. At this time the village had a population of 510; males, 285, and females, 225. In April, 1828, the Rev. William J. Frazer succeeded as supply, and during his incumbency the first church edifice was built at a cost of $600. The Rev. William Gray acted as regular supply from February 27, 1830, to February 24, 1832. The Rev. John S. Galloway, who had been supply for four months, was finally ordained and installed as pastor October 4, 1832. He continued in this relation with marlied success for nearly eighteen years, when he resigned, April 16, 1850, and took an appointment for service, as agent, of the American Bible Society. In 1848, two years before Mr. Galloway left Springfield, the old church building was taken down, and a new one, costing $12,000, was built on the same site, corner of Main and Fisher Streets. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Phineas Gurley, then of Dayton, but afterward of Washington, D. C.

The Rev. N. C. Burt, a man of eminent ability, was called as pastor, September 2, 1850, and served till June 19, 1855, when he resigned, to take charge of a church in Baltimore. After that the succession of pastors and times of service were as follows: William T. Findlay, from 1855 to 1858; Sylvester F. Scovel, from 1860 to 1866; T. A. Fullerton, from 1867 to 1871, during which time $3,000 was spent in improvements upon the church building. From 1871 to 1872, the pulpit was filled by the Rev. George F. Cain; from 1872 to 1879, by the Rev. J. W. McKnight, immediately after which the pulpit was supplied by the Rev. J. B. Helwig, president of Wittenberg College, for eight months. The Rev. W. C. Falconer, D. D., of St. Louis, was then called, and his installation took place November 9, 1880. His period of service was the longest, except one, in the history of the church. During this pastorate the Oakland Mission, at the East End, was materially developed and put upon a permanent footing; many special evangelistic meetings were held and important changes made in the music in the church, and in other matters. On account of failing health, Dr. Falconer resigned April 13, 1891, and the Rev. A. A. Murphy, having been called, entered upon his pastorate, September 1, 1891, and closed June 18, 1894. During his term he secured the help, for a season, of the celebrated evangeli.st. Dr. Wilbur Chapman, with remarkably good results.

The Rev. Alexander Proudfit was called, January 9, 1894, and entered upon his gospel labors February 17th, following. Whilst this servant of God was ardently engaged in the service of his Divine Master, he was suddenly called to lay down his work and receive the reward of his earthly ministry. He died on the last Friday in March, 1897. This is the first death that has ever occurred to a pastor while in active service among this people. Dr. Proudfit 's body was transferred to New Castle, Delaware, for interment. In just three weeks after this event the mortal remains of a former pastor, Rev. Dr. Falconer, were conveyed sorrowfully away from the church building to their final resting place in Ferneliff, our beautiful City of the Dead.

The Rev. John Clark Hill, D. D., of Chicago, the present pastor, was called March 2, 1898, and was installed on Wednesday, April 27th, of that same year.

During the many intervals occurring between the various pastorates, the church has been indebted to the following ministers, who had served faithfully in these contingencies, namely, the Rev. Drs. John B. Helwig, Joel Swartz, S. A. Ort and J. W. H. Stuckenberg, all of Wittenberg College; the Rev. Alexander Clark, of the Methodist Protestant Church, and others. Of those who were sent into the ministry from this church, may be men-

During its history of eighty-eight years, this church has had twelve installed pastors, averaging terms of five and one-half years each, and over 1,500 persons have been received into its communion, on confession of faith. The Sunday school was organized on the first Sabbath in August, 1829, with eight teachers and sixty scholars, with Mr. Walcot Spencer as superintendent. This school has been fully and faithfully officered, and in every way maintained, for the seventy-eight years of its existence, to the present.

During Dr. Hill's pastorate, which has now continued for nearly ten years, many thousand dollars were spent in refurnishing and beautifying the interior of the edifice, and the church has enjoyed remarkable i^rosperity in the number of additions made on confession of Christ, the average annual number being larger than for many decades. The present membership is five hundred and nine.

The Second Presbyterian Church was a colony from the First, and was formed in 1860, with a membership of 106. In 1862 they purchased a lot on Limestone Street for $4,000, and built thereon an edifice costing $18,000. The dedication services were held Sejotember 3, 1863. The church is a two-story brick, with the usual convenient arrangement for audience rooms, Sunday school and prayer meeting rooms, etc. The following is a list of pastors, with the dates of their

The Third Presbyterian Church was developed from a Mission Sunday school, located on the North Side, under the patronage of the First and Second Presbyterian Churches, in the autumn of 1878. This church was regularly organized May 11, 1891, with 104 charter members. On this occasion Rev. George H. Fullerton, D. D., presided over the meeting, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Maurice E. Wilson, D. D., of Dayton. Ohio. The other members of the Dayton Presbytery who participated in the exercises were Rev. J. K. Gibson, D. D., of South Charleston, Ohio, and the late Rev. James L. Rodgers, of this city. The officers installed and elected at the organization were as follows: Elders, Richard H. Rodgers, Edward T. Sykes and John S. Weaver; deacons, James A. Todd; James P. Morrow, A. J. Shanks, L. C. LeRoy and 1\I. M. MeConkey.

The present chui'ch edifice was erected during the autumn and winter of 1893 and 1894, and was dedicated January 28, 1894, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. Willis G. Craig, D. D., of :\rcCormick Theological Seminarv, of Chicago,

The first pastor was the Rev. George H. FuUerton, D. D., who was succeeded by the Rev. George W. S. Wenrick. Under the present pastor, Rev. John Newell, formerly associate pastor in the House of Hope Church, St. Paul, Minn., the church has taken a very decided forward step in the matter of missionary enterprise. In addition to the support of the local work, the members have now their own special representatives in Foreign and Home Mission fields. These missionaries are W. Edgar Robertson, M. D., of Hunan, China, and Mr. Karl Lehmann, of Colorado.

The session of the church today is composed of M. M. McConkey, Dr. John H. Rodgers, Richard H. Rodgers, Edward T. Sykes and Prof. John S. Weaver.

In March, 1834, about seventy persons, among whom were William Coles, Harvey Vinal, John Newlove, Greenfield Dovely. Samuel Clark, William Wilson, Edwin H. Cummings, William Werden, Samson Mason, Isaac Hendershott and James Sykes, together with their wives, united themselves for the purpose of establishing a Protestant Episcopal Church in Springfield, Ohio. On the 12th of December, of that year, the following men were elected vestrymen : Joseph T. Thorp and Joseph Sprague; wardens, H. Vinal, George Mortimer, Peter A. Sprigman, H. Diffendorfer, Joseph Perrin, C. T. Ward, S. Mason, D. Groynn, E. C. Ross and John Cook. Rev. Alexander Varian was chosen pastor.

In February, 1835, a lot was purchased, located on the southwest corner of High and Limestone Streets, upon which, soon afterward, a church building was erected, and conseci'ated by the Bishop, November 28, 1844. This edifice was used for its purj^ose until the erection of the new stone church on the corner of High Street and Linden Avenue, and its consecration. May 5, 1874. This building is a fine architectural structure and quite an ornament to the city, costing $38,000, and was all paid for before its dedication. A stone Parish House was erected in 1906-7 at a cost of $17,500 by Mrs. A. S. Bushnell as a memorial to her husband, the late Governor Bushnell, for nearly half a century senior warden of Christ Church.

The parish continued imder the name of "All Souls" parish until 1842, when, by a legislative act, it was changed to the present name of "Christ Church." The Rev. A. Varian having resigned as pastor August 11, 1835, the position was then filled liy Rev. Henry Pa^me, who continued until December, 1839. The next rector was Rev. William Presbury, who resigned in 1843.

The following is a list of rectors, or pastors, together with their terms of service: Rev. A. T. McMurphy, from 1843 to November 10, 1846. The pulpit 'was then supplied from the latter date to October, 1847, by Revs. Edward H. Cummings and James Stephenson, when, on December 11, 1848, Rev. Chandler Robbins was elected rector and served until October 1, 1854. Then came Rev. Dr. John T. Brooke, formerly of Cincinnati, who served from April 2, 1855, to August 19, 1861; Rev. H. W. Woods, 1861 to 1862; Rev. Charles Mcllvaine, son of the distiuguislied Bishop Mcllvaiue, D. D., from June 8, 1863, to November 12, 1865 ; Rev. John C. xVmes, from May 24, 1866, to December 7, 1869 ; Rev. C. B. Davidson, from November, 1870, to February, 1873; Rev. H. H. Morrell, May 3, 1874, to May 1, 1879 ; Rev. John T. Rose, from December, 1879 to July 14, 1887; Rev. William W. Steele, 1887 to 1891; Rev. Rayner E. AV. Cosens, December 13, 1891, to May 31, 1894; Rev. Alex. C. McCabe, from October 1, 1894 'to April 3, 1904; Rev. Charles J. French, from January 1, 1905, to the present. The Sunday school was organized in 1835. The church has now a membership of 300. In the seventy-three years of this church's existence it has had seventeen pastors, whose terms of service averaged about three and three-fourths years each.

The new Church of the Heavenly Rest, Protestant Episcopal Church, situated on South Plum Street, near Pleasant, was establishel in its present location largely through the whole-souled liberality of the late Mr. William Poos and his good wife, both of them now gone to their rest. These two persons donated the beautiful lot and the money to put up the building, and pay for most of the furnishing. The building, which is a neat, unique one-story brick, quite complete in all its appointments and ornamental withal in its architecture, was dedicated to the worship of God on Sunday morning, December 2, 1888. The pretty and complete auditorium is capable of seating 300 persons, and is at times thoroughly tested as to its capacity.

It was consecrated on Palm Sunday, the 14th of April, 1889, by the Right Rev. Boyd Vincent, assisted by the Rev. W. W. Steel, of Christ Church, Springfield, Ohio, and by the Rev. H. T. Cook, of Christ Church, Dayton, Ohio, and the Rev. C. M. Young.

The services of the consecration were concluded by Rev. C. M. Young, from Greenville, assisted by the choir, consisting of Miss Bassett, organist, Misses Zutavern, Ferguson, Belle Albin, Mrs. Gillett, Messrs. T. J. Thomas, J. C. Brecht, John Cornor and W. N. Davis. The vestrymen then consisted of Samuel Houghton, senior warden; C. A. Davis, junior warden ; William Foos, G. H. Coles, Thomas Irwin, A. J. Moyer and Thomas A. Davis. The following clergymen have served as pastors in the order here given : Revs. C. M. Young, Charles S. Walkley, W. E. Dakin, D. "W. Wright, A. T. Wilder, T. K. Coolidge.

The First Baptist Church of Springfield was constituted on the 29th day of January, 1836, with the following named persons as members : Edward Nugent, Peleg Cotes, William T. Young, William J. Card, Thomas J. Howard, Mary Jane Hill, Jane Marenes, Mary Steinbach, Sarah A. Dowling, Lydia Card, Rachel Young, Mary Ann Nugent and Sarah Howard. On ^May 7th of the same year a Sabbath school was established in connection with the church. A call was ex- tended to Rev. E. D. Oweu for the pastorate, which was accepted, July 12, 1863. On the 23d of August following, the church was admitted into the Mad River Baptist Association.

By the wise foresight of Messrs. P. Cotes, E. J. Nugent, J. M. Gallagher, J. S. Halsey and others, a valuable lot on the northeast corner of High and Limestone Streets was secured March 4, 1844, upon which, soon afterward, a good, substantial two-story brick house of worship was erected and finished, so as to be dedicated February 12, 1832. On January 17, 1838, Rev. James Elliott, of New York, was called to labor half his time as pastor, and so continued to do for about two years. May 26, 1840, Rev. H. D. Mason became pastor and served but seven months. On Jime 26, 1841, Rev. Enos French was called to the pastorate at a salary of $400. On the 8th of September, 1843, Mr. French resigned, to take effect at the close of the year. Rev. Mr. Syms was then chosen pastor, April 8, 1844, and sei-ved until the spring of 1848.

After this date the following ministers have had the pastoral charge of this church, for the herein-mentioned terms: Rev. John S. Moore, from October 9, 1848, to April, 1850; Rev. Joseph Brown, from November 5, 1850, to November 5, 1860; Rev. William AHington was called and remained until March 15, 1862; Rev. Samuel Williams, from June 2, 1862, to July 1, 1864; Rev. J. R. Baumes. from November 4, 1864, to March 10, 1868 ; Rev. R. L. Colwell, from August 11, 1868, to July 1, 1873; Rev. A. L. Wilkinson, from December 8, 1873, to August 1, 1877 ; Rev. J. B. Tuttle, to August 1, 1880. In April, 1881, this church sold its property on

Limestone and High Streets to Ross Mitchell for $25,000 in gold, and afterward erected its present building on the corner of South Fountain Avenue and Miller Street, at a cost of $15,000.

The list of pastors may be continued as follows: Rev. F. B. Cressey, for two years, ending March 1, 1892; Rev. G. 0. king, from March 9, 1892, to April 17, 1893; Rev. A. S. Carman, from December 3, 1893, to July 12, 1898, ^nd Rev. W. J. Sly commenced his services here January 14, 1899, and closed his work in 1906. The membership of the church now numbers 508, and the enrollment of scholars in the Sunday school is 225. This church, in its existence of sixty-five years, has had sixteen pastors, averaging about four years each.

The present pastor. Rev. Arthur J. Morris, was called to the pastorate in September of 1906 and commenced his pastoral duties on October 14 of the same year. The church is a vigorous and aggressive body, conducting an important mission in the western part of the city, and through its active membership is pushing its work along many lines of Christian activity.

On the 6th day of April, 1868, fiftytwo members withdrew from this church by letter and formed a new oi'ganization under the name of the Trinity Baptist Church of Springfield. April 9tli the body was organized, having the following official board, with Rev. J. R. Baumes as pastor: J. J. Tuttle, clerk; MeClung Huffman, Lewis C. Huffman, Jacob Gram and J. J. Tuttle, trustees. This church worshiped for a short while in the old City Hall, and subse(iuently in Union Hall, which was occupied until January 22, 1871. Their new brick building on the corner of Limestone and Mulberry Streets, having been finished and in readiness, was dedicated on the 22d of January, 1871, the Rev. Dr. H. P. Colby, of Dayton, preaching the dedication sermon. The pastors of this church were as follows : Rev. J. R. Baumes, May 2, 1868, to November 19, 1872 ; Rev. C. M. Rupe, November, 1872, to December 1, 1873; Rev. A. B. White, May 4, 1874, to December 1, 1876 ; Rev. A. B. Jordon, July 1, 1877, to July 1, 1879; Rev. T. B. DePuoy, from March 22. January 1, 1882, Rev. J. C. Fernald became pastor, and after serving a little over three years, he was succeeded by Rev. J. H. Roberts, September 1, 1885, and he in turn was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. G. R. Richards, a recent graduate of Morgan Park Seminary, Chicago. He was one of the first to champion the feasibility and advisability of an organic union with the First Baptist Church, holding that if such a union could be properly brought about, it would prove the beginning of a new and better era for the Baptist cause in Springfield. Mr. Richards was ]:)astor of the Trinity Church two years and three months, when he resigned, soon after which the contemplated union with the First Baptist Church was formally consummated, on the 17th of August, 1891.

letters of admission from the First Baptist Church at this time. Rev. Albert Ehrgott, the first pastor, began his labors October 23, 1898, and closed them July 1, 1900, to resume missionary service at Rangoon, Burma. Rev. C. M. Brodie, the present pastor, commenced his work January 6, 1901. The membership is now 165, and the Sunday school numbers 195, including officers, teachers and pupils.

Rev. C. M. Brodie resigned his pastorate to go to Delaware, Ohio, October, 1905. Rev. David Kerr, from Scotland, succeeded him in November, 1905. Membership, 192; Sunday school, officers and teachers, 22; scholars, 240.

The St. John's Baptist Church was organized by Rev. J. C. Taylor, of Toledo, on the 6th day of July, 1897, with the following charter members: Revs. Charles Orr and E. C. Clay, Y. W.' Yates, Sarah Chapman, Cora Hooke, Nellie Martin, p]lmer Spyglass, Elizabeth Keemer, Sarah Calvin, Sarah Chinn, John Maskell and others. A council of the Dayton and Western Union Association was called for the 23d of August, 1897, at which time the St. John's Baptist Church of Springfield was regularly organized with twenty-one members. Rev. Joseph Wilson, of Cincinnati, was called to the pastorate December 1, 1897, and served two j'ears ; Rev. A. P. Eaton was called January 1, 1899, and yet remains as pastor. The present membership is 125, with a flourishing Sunday school, numbering perhaps about fifty scholars. Having purchased the comparatively new and handsome brick edifice formerlv owned bv the Meth- odist Protestant Church, situated on West Pleasant Street, between Market and Center Streets, vahied at $12,000, the church may now be regarded as established upou a permanent footing. Elder Eaton has been a zealous, working pastor. Eev. Boiling E. Eeed is the present pastor.

The first minister tliat ever i^reached the doctrine of Universalism in Springfield was the Eev. M. Fisk, of New Jersey, in 1833. For thi-ee or four years after this date believers in the doctrine had no stated times or places of meeting, but occasionally had preaching services in the schoolhouses or at private homes by such ministers as happened to come along. In 1837 Mr. John Winn entertained the idea of establishing a ITniversalist Church here, and with this object in view, he headed a subscription with $1,000, and proceeded to raise more money, and thus succeeded in getting enough to build a church, and in March of the same year, Mr. John Lowrey donated a lot situated on Washington Street, between Center and Factory Streets, upon which the society put up what was then regarded as the best church edifice in Springfield, at a cost of $4,500. Eev. George Messenger was chosen pastor and preached the dedication discourse, and in the summer of 1837 the building was finished. Among the prominent families entering into this early orgauizatiou were the IMesseugers, the Wynns, tlie Bancrofts and the Pierces.

As the records of this church, if existing, have not all been available, and as for much of the time the pastoral relations were not very regularly kept up. we can at i^resent barely give the names of the plincipal ministers and the order in which they have served, as follows : Eevs. George Messenger, Pingre, Emmet, Biddlecome, Yv^aite, Lionell, Weaver, Turner, Demorest, Carlton, Bosseman, Lowlinson, Henley, Carlton, Ashenfelter, Guthrie, CountrjTnan. These all served previous to the year 1893, when the new buildingwas erected on West Columbia street, and furnished for the day of dedication, June 18th, of that year, at which time the Eevs. Cantwell, Henley and Ira W. McLaughlin were present and assisted in the exercises. After that time the pastors successivel}' were: J. E. Stoner, George L. Sias and Henrietta G. Moore, the latter having just completed her ninth year with tlie church. The families having more or less representation with the church are sixty in number, while the number of adherents are placed at about 100 persons. The affiliated departments of the church are a Sunday school of 35 members, a Young People's Christian Union of '? members, a Missionary Alliance of 15 members and a Cary Circle of 30. This church during the 70 years of its organization has had twenty regular pastors.

On the first day of May, 1841, the Eev. John Lehman, with about forty others, organized a Lutheran society, which, after Mr. Lehman's departure, became inojierative, but was reorganized in 1845, l)y Eev. Dr. Ezra Keller and three othei'S, namely: Messrs. Kurtz, Filbert and Cook, who met in the house of Jacob Schuman. The first communion was held on January 11, 1846. For awhile the services were held in the Court House. A lot 100 feet front and 100 feet deep was purchased of Peter Murray, on the corner of High and Factory Streets, for $250, and on the 14th day of June, 1845, the corner stone of their new church was laid, and the discourse of the occasion was delivered by Dr. Keller.

This building was remodeled in 1869 at a cost of $20,000. It is now a large and commodious house, with full equipments, including a tine pipe organ, and bell. It has also a neat little edifice, immediately adjoining the main building, which was recently put up for Sunday school purposes. The church property is valued at about $45,000. The auditorium is capable of seating 750 persons.

Rev. M. J. Firey, D. D., in his second pastorate, from 1899 to 1906. On Easter, 1906, Rev. Clarence E. Gardner was called to become pastor of this church. The membership of the church is 888. A Luther League was organized in 1907, with a membership of over one hundred, and a

The present membership of the school is over 900 and steadily increasing and now gives evidences of surpassing any former enrollment. A notable feature of this school is the Young Men's Bible Class, taught by Hon. John L. Zimmerman, which has an enrollment of 175 and an average attendance of more than 125.

The Sabbath school of this church was organized November 12, 1845, with sixtyfour persons. In 1866 it contained 300 scholars; the average enrollment in 1880 was 690. Owing to the heavy colonizations going out from this church since the last mentioned date, the average attendance at the Sunday school has been reduced to about 600.

The German Luthecans, having previously been holding meetings at the Court House and in different private rooms, finally, in 1845, organized themselves into a church with a membership of seventyfive, and having the Rev. Mr. Schladerm at their head. They assumed the name of St. John's Lutheran Church and retained Mr. Schladerm as their pastor until the time of his resignation, in 1849, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. C. Shulze. Then came Rev. Charles Stroud, who continued in the jiastorate from 1857 to 1870, when he was succeeded by Rev. Charles Betzler. The Rev. T. A. Polster was then called in 1873, after which Rev. C. W. Knuth was selected as pastor, at which time the church had a membership of about 400, and property valued at $20,000.

On the 17tli of June, 1888, Rev. W. F. Werlieim became pastor, and remained until 1905. During his charge the new and beautiful church on the comer of Factory and Columbia Streets was erected. The corner stone of this fine edifice was laid November 3, 1895, and the consecration took place April 26, 1897. The church property now is worth about $50,000. The membership now includes 450 families, the Sunday school has 575, and the Ladies' Society has increased to 263 members. Mr. Werheim is a scholar, and his large and intelligent congregation has now the benefit of both German and English preaching, well apportioned, according to their highest needs. In 1905 Rev. Benj. F. Wulfman became the pastor.

Zion's Lutheran Church went out from the St. John's German Lutheran Church, with twenty-three families, under the pastoral charge of Rev. J. C. Schulze. After worshiping in several small chapels, successively purchased by them, they finally, in 1867, built their ijresent seemly and commodious brick edifice on the corner of Plum and Columbia Streets, at a cost of $22,000. Revs. Loy and Lehman, of- Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, conducted the dedicatory services. Rev. Mr. Schulze 's successor in the pastorate was Rev. L. H. Lorenz, and he again was succeeded by Rev. H. Hinkle, in 1869. Rev. F. W. Althoff came from the pastorate in 1872, and during his tenn the church had acquired a membership of 375, and the Sunday school had 150 scholars. - Immediately after Mr. Althotf, came Rev.

R. C. Lenski, from October, 1892, to October, 1899; then came Rev. J. H. Kuhlman, until 1906. The present number of communicants is 400, and the enrollment of the Sunday school, teachers and all, 214. Since the building above mentioned, a parsonage, costing $3,000, has been added to the church property.

The Second Evangelical Lutheran Church of Springfield was organized January 13, 1884, with forty-five charter members, who had previously received regular letters of dismissal from the First Lutheran Church of the city. Among those charter members were Mr. and Mrs. Ross Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Sehindler, Mr. and Mrs. William Lupfer, Professor and Mrs. C. L. Ehrenfeld, C. N. Culp, Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Bost, Mr. and Mrs. Z. F. Bost, and others. The building was begun and finished in the year 1886, and dedicated to God's service December 19, 1886. Rev. Dr. John B. Helwig i>reaching the dedicatoiy sermon, and other Lutheran ministers participating in the exercises were Revs. C. L. Ehrenfeld, Ph. D., J. W. Richard, D. D., LL. D., G. N. H. Peters and W. H. Singley. D. D. Addresses were also made during the day by Rev. Dr. W. C. Falconer, of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. R. H. Rust, of the M. E. Church, and Rev. W. H. Warren, D. D., of the Congregational.

ber 1, 1893 ; Rev. E. H. Dornblaser, D. D., from December 15, 1893, to the present. The present membership of the church is about 400, and the enrollment of the Sunday school is 390.

The stringency of the times following the "I'anic of '93," and other matters, hindered the redemption of the pledges made toward the payment of the new church building; so that in 1898 the unpaid part of this expense was over $8,000. The pastor and people rallied to the work of liquidating this debt, and on April 22, 1906, a jubilee service was held celebrating the church's freedom from financial incumbrance. During the summer of 1907 great improvements were made to the church property, including new art glass windows, new paint within and without, new carpet, new fresco, and the installation of a new steam heating system, costing in all about $3,000. A new pipe organ valued at $2,500 was purchased in 1904. The church is an important factor in the southeastern section of the city.

In July, 1887, the Third Lutheran Church was organized by twentj^-nine charter members, mostly persons from the First Church, of the same denomination, and among these were Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hanika, Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Rebert, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Sise, Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Lyday, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Young. The church building was dedicated December 11, 1887, the sermon being preached by Rev. J. C. Zimmerman. The pastors have been as follows : Rev. E. L. Fleck, July, 1887, to November 1, 1888; Rev. L. S. Keyser, February 1, 1889.

The church now enrolls in its membership 295, and the Sunday school 350. June 1st, 1905, the church purchased the lot adjoining its present property on the south, and is now engaged in raising a fund for the erection of a new church as soon as the fund reaches a sufficient size to justify it in proceeding with the work.

The first meeting in the interest of the Fourth Lutheran Church was held May 10, 1887. At this meeting a committee consisting of Dr. B. F. Prince, Messrs. C. P. Remsberg and G. W. Billow was appointed to secure subscriptions for the purchase of two lots on North Fountain avenue. On June 27th, a constitution was adopted and the first Board of Trustees elected, as follows : B. F. Prince, G. W. Billow, Rev. Dr. J. W. Richard, C. P. and R. C. Remsberg. The lots were purchased July 1, 1887, at a cost of $2,352. From that time until the organization of the congregation, in 1897, regular yearly meetings were held by the Board of Trustees for the election and the transaction of their business.

The formal organization of the church occurred May 7, 1897, at which time a constitution was adopted and twenty-four signatures secured. This number was increased to eighty-five, who became charter members. On July 18, 1897, the congregation decided to erect a church building. The corner stone was laid September

5tli. From May 23, 1897, to January 23, 1897, inclusive, services were held in the Chapel of Wittenberg College. The first service in the new building was on Januaiy 30, 1898, the sermon being preached by Dr. B. F. Prince. On February 4, 1898, the regular dedication services were commenced and continued three days. The first sermon of the occasion was by Rev. S. G. Dornblaser, of Columbus, President of Miami Synod. This was followed during the three days by various other religious exercises in which Rev. B. F. Prince, Ph. D., D. H. Bauslin, D. D., S. F. Breckenridge, D. D., S. B. Barnitz, D. D., S. A. Ort, D D., LL. D., Professor F. G. Gotwald, Ezra K. Bell, D. D., of Cincinnati, and others took part. The cost of the building was $6,000, all of which was promptly paid.

From the organization of the congregation, in May, 1897, until May 15, 1898, the Professors of Wittenberg College and Theological Seminary supplied the pulpit, up to the time that Mr. E. G. Howard, a student at the Wittenberg Seminary, was secured as regular supply. He served with great acceptabihty until the close of the year. On the first of January, 1899, Rev. C. F. Steck, of Louisville, Kentucky, who had some weeks before been called, assumed the duties of the pastoral office. He was formally installed February 5th, following Rev. F. G. Gotwald, Rev. Prof. D. H. Bauslin and others officiating.

During his pastorate an addition was built to the chapel for the use of the growing primary department of the Sunday school, at a cost of $800, while the congregation continued to increase in numbers and usefulness. Mr. Steck relinquished the Fourth Church on October 31, 1903,

In November, the Rev. Arthur H. Smith, of Ashland, Ohio, was called to this pastorate, and having accepted the call, entered upon the field on February 1. 1904. He was formally installed on April 24, 1904, by the Revs. J. M. Bramkamp, president of the Miami Synod, and F. G. Gotwald. The congregation has continued to grow and to increase in good works, not ostentatiously but surely and steadily. A church building savings fund has been begun and already has a handsome sum. It is expected to build the church in the near future on the front of the lot where the chapel or Sunday school building already stands. The Fourth Church, for its support, relies upon the freewill offerings of its members and has no debts or bills outstanding. At this writing, August 5, 1907, the confirmed membership is 251 and the communicant membership is 191, while the enrollment of the Sunday school is about 340. There is a very efficient Ladies' Aid Society. The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society is very active and doing excellent work.

In speaking of the tenth anniversary of the Fifth Lutheran Church, which was observed on the 7th of August, 1901, the following statements were made :

On the third day of July, 1891, the Sunday school and church was organized, and meetings were first held in a private residence on Mound Street. At this time the congregation numbered twenty-five faithful workers in the cause of Christianity. Then a store-room at Mound and East

Several months of worship were enjoyed in the old store room, when the members awoke one morning to find their goods stored in the street and the doors barred against them. The lease held by the gentleman from whom they were renting had expired, and the owner had taken this method to have his property vacated. Not to be prevented from gathering together in the name of the Master, the little band went just across the street and fitted up a chapel. Here peace and tranquility reigned.

In 1893 the lot at High Street and Greenmount Avenue was purchased and the pretty church edifice which now gi'aces it was erected. The house was dedicated in 1894. In the spring of 1898 the auditorium was dedicated.

Rev. Fred G. Gotwald, later the pastor of Calvary Lutheran Church, was the first pastor of the Fifth Lutheran. Rev. Baltzly was his able assistant, accepting the pastorate upon Rev. Gotwald 's resignation. He continued the work until December 1, 1899, when he resigned and took charge of a church at Mansfield, Ohio, where he is now located. Rev. Harvey S. Lawrence, the present pastor, was installed on May 1, 1900. From the meagre beginning of twenty -five members the congregation has grown until over 350 souls are now identified with it.

The charter members of this first beginning on July 3, 1891, were Mr. and Mrs. Philip Gerhardt, Mr. and Mrs. F. Danforth, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Gerhardt, Mr. and Mrs. S P. Miller, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Colt, Mr. and Mrs. H. E. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Balser Yonker, Mrs. M. L. Sise and daughter, Addie Tice, Emma Catliu, Henry Yonker, L. E. Miller and F. G. Gotwald. At the end of the first year the membershijj reached 53, and has now increased to almost 250. A fine new pipe organ, costing $3,000, largely the gift of C. E. Patric, was installed last summer (1907).

St. Luke's Evangelical Lutheran Church, corner of North and Race Streets, was organized May 20, 1888, by Rev. C. W. Knuth. The church edifice was purchased of a sister denomination, and I do not know when it was erected. It was dedicated May 20, 1888, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Dr. J. D. Severinghaus, of Chicago, 111. This church has had the following pastors: Rev. C. W. Knuth, from 1888 to 1893 ; Rev. Arthur Gringel, 1893 to 1894; Rev. C. A. Koenig, 1894 to 1900 ; Rev. J. G. Trefz, from 1900 to January, 1907. The membership numbers 140, and the Sunday school 138.

On March 3rd, 1907, Rev. S. B. Stupp was unanimously elected pastor. The new pastor took charge of the work on May 1st, and was duly installed on June 2nd by Rev. W. G. Dressier, of Findlay, Ohio. Rev. Stupp is a General Coimcil Lutheran. He was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, and was educated at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, and was ordained by the oldest Lutheran Synod in this country, the Ministerium of Pennsylvania, organized in 1748. St. Luke's has taken a new lease on life since the arrival of the new pastor.

A fine new cliurcli, built of cement blocks at a cost of about $12,000, with the furnishings, is just being completed and will be ready for dedication by the first of September. The congregation expects to unite with the District Synod of Ohio at its next meeting in June, 1908. The new church was dedicated October 6, 1907.

This congregation was organized April 15, 1900, with twenty-eight charter members, among whom were William H. Lohnes, Leroy E. Miller, George W. Grladfelter, H. L. Souders and Samuel P. Miller. This action was taken in a small storeroom. No. 409 West Main Street, and was the outgrowth of an afternoon Sunday school, which some of the Lutherans of the city and college had carried on for a number of years in the West End. After worshiping in this store room until December 9, 1900, they took possession of their new building, on the southeast corner of High and Shatfer Streets, December 16, 1900. Services were held in the smaller room until March 24, 1901, when the entire building was completed, and finally dedicated in due form, the sermons for the occasion being delivered by Rev. David H. Bauslin, D. D., of Wittenberg Theological Seminary, and Rev. Charles F. Steck, President of the Miami District Synod. The act of dedication was performed by Rev. Prof. S. F. Breckenridge, D. D., then President of the General Synod of the Lutheran Church of the United States.

From the organization of the congregation, April 15, 1900, to July 29th, the same year, Rev. S. M. Lutz, a senior in Wittenberg Seminary, was acting pastor. July 29, 1900, Rev. Frederick G. Gotwald became pastor, serving until June 1st, 1904, when he resigned to become General Secretary of the Board of Education of the General Synod. The total accessions during this pastorate (including the charter list) were 194, with losses of 41, leaving a membership of 153. Rev. Gotwald 's pastorate was a very successful one, and he firmly established the church as a factor in the religious work of the city.

June 1, 1904, Rev. William H. Shrock became pastor. Both he and his wife were students in Wittenberg College, and it became apparent that the combined duties were too great and he resigned, to take effect May 1, 1905, after only eleven months' service. Accessions during this pastorate were fifteen.

Mr. H. W. Hanshue, a member of Wittenberg Theological Seminary, and a member of this church, and Superintendent of its Sunday school, acted as supply, until the coming of the third pastor. Rev. E. Luther Spaid, who assumed charge August 1, 1905. This pastorate continued until September 1, 1907, during which time there were twenty-five additions to the church.

November 1, 1907, Rev. Eli Miller, the f oui'th pastor, assumed charge. The present membership is 161. The Sunday school, in officers, teachers and scholars, numbers about 150. The church property is valued at $6,000, and is free from debt. While modest on the outside, the interior of the church is one of the prettiest in the city. The church has a distinct and large field in the west end of the city, and the outlook is very promising.

According to the best authority, there was not a single Catholic family living in Clark County before the year 1830, but we ascertain about the year 1835, and for ten years afterward, quite a number of Catholics located in Spring-field and immediate vicinity. Among them were Patrick Rockett, William Giblenhoff, Francis Creigton and twenty others, most of whom had families. From 1845 to 1850 came the Hennesys, the Ljniches, the McBreens and about fifty other families, and in the next five years, the Gallaghers, the Bolans, the Tenans, the Maddens and twenty-seven other families. The first priest was Rev. Henry Juncker, who afterward became the Bishop of Alton, 111. The Catholics had sei'vices at irregular intervals, but only averaging about once or twice per month, generally at private homes; and occasionally in some small public hall, when such could be had. The next priest coming to Spring-field was Rev. Joseph O'Marley, who died here, and was succeeded by his brother, Patrick O'Marley. The latter was followed by Rev. Father Cahill, who came here from Piqua, Ohio.

In August, 1840, the Catholics of Springfield had their first resident priest, the Rev. James F. Kearney, who remained about one year, and then resigned, on account of failing health. Some time before Father Kearney's pastorate, the present central and in every way valuable lot was pureiiased, upon which was built a neat church, largely by the liberal aid of Mr. Michael Cassily, a wealthy Catholic of Cincinnati. Services were for a long time held in the basement of this buildrected by Thos. E, McCormick, Esq.

ing. The first parish register was opened in August, 1849, by Father Kearney. The last-named priest was followed by Rev. Maurice Howard, in May, 1850. He remained in charge for thirteen years. The Rev. T. J. Cogau became pastor in 1863, and remaining but a. few months, was followed in January, 1864, by Rev. I. N. Thisse, a French priest. On the 10th of May, 1873, Father Thisse was instantly killed by a runaway team of frightened horses. Then the following priests came successively and officiated, each for a short while, to fill up intervals between the regular pastors from 1847 to 1873: Revs. Father Duffy, in 1848 ; Thomas Blake and Thomas Boulger, in 1850; C. A. Doherty and C. F. Shellhamer, in 1868; N. B. Young and J. H. Dutting, in 1869, and Rev. D. Carle, in 1873.

In the year 1868, and from that on, the priests in charge of the St. Raphael Catholic Church have had necessarily a regular assistant, to aid in the work of the parish. Up to 1881, the assistant pastors have been the following, in their chronological order: Revs. J. S. Mahoney, J. A. Burns, C. M. Berding, T. A. Conway, Francis Mallon, J. L. Diekhons, Michael Ahern and W. B. Miggeal.

In June, 1873, Rev. W. H. Sidley, a native of Ohio, became the principal incumbent of the priestly office for St. Raphael's Church, and is reckoned as the fifth regular pastor. On taking this charge he found a debt of $7,000, a small frame school house and no residence for the priest. He commenced the erection of a priest's house, which was completed June 1, 1874, at a cost of about $7,000. In 1876 he began to build the present fine school house, which is 45x82 feet and three stories high, containing eight school rooms, besides a large hall in the third story, the full length and breadth of the entire building, for lectures and other purposes, to suit the wants of the congregation. This school house was finished in September, 1877, and together with the lot upon which it was built, cost $19,000.

In the spring of 1892, the work of taking down the old brick edifice was commenced, in order to erect their present splendid stone church building, which was finished and the joyous event signalized by a golden jubilee on the 17th day of July, 1898, in which Archbishop Elder, of Cincinnati, and numerous other clergy of various ranks from different cities took part. The principal tower is 184 feet in height, entirely of stone, the top being reached by 156 steps. The tower containing the bell is 135 feet high. From either of these towers can be seen the whole city of Springfield and the entire surrounding country for many miles in every direction. This building, costing $75,000, is quite impressive on account of size and architectural beauty, and is a fine ornament to the city.

During the last few years of Father Sidley's life, his friends, who included all classes, noticed with growing apprehension that the arduous work to which he had so generously consecrated his life was telling on him, and, although he persisted in remaining at his post, they finally succeeded in persuading him to take a much needed rest, which he spent with friends in some of the western states. When he returned to his charge, however, he took up his work with renewed vigor and gradually declined until on the night of October 30th, 1903, the community was shocked and grieved to learn that he had passed to the Great Beyond. His funeral, which occurred several days later, was the largest Springfield ever witnessed. It was not only attended by citizens generally, but by several hundred dignitaries and priests of the church from all parts of the country. Most Rev. Henry Moeller, now archbishop of the archdiocese of Cincirmati, was the celebrant of the funeral mass, and the funeral oration was preached by the eloquent Father Leo, C. P.

Father John F. Cogan assisted Father Sidley the last three years of his life; and, aided by various other priests, from time to time, acted as temporary pastor of St. Raphael's until January 21st, 1904, when Rev. Daniel A. Buckley, the present pastor of St. Raphael's, who was formerly pastor of Holy Trinity Church, in Middletown, Ohio, succeeded to this charge, and Rev. James E. Quinn and Rev. Joseph Michaelowski were appointed his assistants. On January 8th, 1908, Father Michaelowski succeeded to the pastorate of St. Benigus Church, in Greenfield, Ohio, and Father Edward Cleary, formerly of Dayton, succeeded him.

Under the able guidance of Father Buckley, the church has experienced a wonderful era of prosperity. When he was appointed to the position of pastor of St. Raphael's, he found a debt on the church of thirty thousand dollars ($30,- 000.00,) which he paid in thirty months, besides making numerous other improvements. The number of school children having increased to such an extent that the school was insufficient to accommodate them all, and the property on Spring Street formerly occupied by the sisters as a Convent and School of Music, having been found insufficient, Father Buckley purchased the property on High Street known as the Foos property for $11,- 000.00, which sum was paid by him within the next seven months. The Spring Street property having been acquired by the C, C, C. & St. L. Railway Company as a portion of its site for a freight station, Father Buckley purchased the Bliss property adjoining the Foos property for $12,000.00. During his pastorate, which has now continued for several years, and under his able guidance, St. Raphael's congregation has made wonderful strides in every direction until it has come to be recognized as one of the largest, if not the largest, and most influential congregation in the archdiocese of Cincinnati, in which diocese Father Buckley is not only recognized as one of the most devout and solicitous pastors, but as one of the ablest financiers as well.

Each of the Roman Catholic congregations of this city has its own parochial school, and these schools, which are in charge of the Sisters of Charity, and are support-ed entirely by the voluntary contributions of the members, are not excelled either in their grammar grades or high school departments, by any public or parochial schools in the country. The number of pupils now attending these schools is 1,290.

In September, 1861, the Germans of Spring-field organized a congregation at 166 and 168 East Main Street, and were ministered to for a few months by Rev. Messrs. Volmer and Manclerke, but the first regular pastor was Rev. William Deiters, who remained till 1866, and in February of that year was succeeded by Rev. P. J. Weissenlierger. In 1868 Rev. J. H. Juetting became pastor, and was succeeded in 1869 by Rev. John M. Schuchardt, who immediately commenced building the present large and commodious edifice, which was finished in 1870, and was dedicated on July 4th, of that year, by the Right Rev. Sylvester Rosencranz, of Columbus, Ohio. This church is 60x130 feet, located on the corner of Columbia Street and Lagonda Avenue, seats about 900 persons and cost $24,000. In 1874 Father Schuchardt built a schoolhouse and pastor's residence, at a cost of $.3,000. In 1880 this congregation numbered about 800 members. After Rev. Mr. Schuchardt, who served from December, 1869, to January, 1882, then came Rev. John D. Kress, from January, 1882, to September, 1887; A. J. Fischer, from September, 1887, to the present time, August, 1907. The church has now a membership of 250 families, with an average attendance of about 800 persons. The Sunday-school was organized in 1863, wardens, teachers and scholars numbering in all 280.

To accommodate the Catholic residents of southeast Spring-field and to furnish greater facilities for the practice of their religion, it was evident that a new church and school were necessary. In 1881 three lots were purchased on the corner of Kenton Street and Central Avenue. In 1882 was begun the erection of a large three-story school-house, the first story of

In October, 1883, the school was opened and services held regularly in the church. St. Joseph's, as the new church was called, became independent in 1884, by which time the congregation had a perfect organization, both in church and school, and were in all things able to work for themselves.

Rev. C. M. Berding was appointed first pastor January 1, 1884. During his pastorate the erection of the present magnificent temple of St. Joseph's was begim in 1892.

Father Berding was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Conway, who remained in charge from February 1, 1895, till June, 1901. During Father Conway's incumbency the sum of $45,000 had been taken in and expended on the expenses and debt. Furnishings and improvements were $13,000, and interest on borrowed money $8,000. Father Conway raised sufficient money to complete the new church and left only a moderate indebtedness. Father Conway was succeeded by Rev. M. J. Loney, who took charge of the church June 14, 1901. Father Loney in his pastorate has brought the parish up to a very high standard. The sum of $76,000 has been taken in and expended on the debt and expenses, while the church debt itself has been reduced to a minimum. Many improvements have been made tending to the interior perfection of the church, notable among which was the installing of beautiful stained glass windows, which, for artistic merit, are unsurpassed in the state. A perfectly graded school also lias been brought to a very high standard. It has connected with it a high-class conservatory of music and a perfectly equipped commercial college and school of telegraphy, graduates from which are holding many responsible positions in the city. St. Joseph's parish comprises 400 families with about 450 pupils enrolled in the school.

The first and only United Brethren Church of Springfield, now situated in the Lagonda addition to the city, was organized in March, 1843, by Rev. Benjamin B. Wheat, with a membership of seventy persons. This organization was effected at Newcomer Chapel, a little north of the present city limits. The first building erected in Lagonda was in 1870, Rev. Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner preaching the dedication sermon. It cost $3,500, but was remodeled and enlarged in 1883 at a further cost of $5,000. In regard to the list of pastors we find that the records before 1861 are not available, but Rev. Jacob M. Marshall was pastor from 1861- 1864; Peter H. Davis, from 1864 to 1866; E. A. Hubbard, 1866-67; R. West, from 1864-68; defect in the record of 1868-70; Rev. William K. Albright, 1870-73 ; Chester Briggs, 1873-74; Thomas J. Bushong, 1874-77; William McKee. 1877-80; R. F. Powell, 1880-81 ; D. W. McCorkle, 1881- 85; C. J. Burkett, 1885-89; E. W. Bowers, 1889-91; Thomas J. Bushong, 1891-94; George W. Arnold, 1894-97 ; W. J. Pruner, 1897-1902; E. W. Bowers, 1902 to 1903-4; J. M. Replogle, 1903-4-1906-7; W. H. Klinefelter, present pastor.

The present membership is 321. The Sunday-school was organized in 1845, and now has an enrollment of 275 scholars, with an average attendance of about 200, including fifteen oflicers and twenty-four teachers. From this efficient church have been sent forth tMrteen ministers of the gospel, of whom Rev. Dr. W. Shuey, now of Dayton, and several other distinguished embassadors of the cross might be noted.

A Mission Sunday-school from the First Congregational Church was organized on Lagonda Avenue during the year 1883, and faithfully kept up by the labors of Edgar, Joanna and Lucy Fay, C. E. Folger, the Danforths, A. D. Vischer. J. li. Nelson, E. J. Vose, Jessie Rowe, Emma Catlin and others. Preaching was enjoyed by the little colony from time to time by Rev. W. H. Warren, of the First Congregational Church, and Rev. William E. Fay, of the West African Mission, who was temporarily home in this city. The work of this Sunday-school culminated July 19, 1887, in the establishment of a regularly constituted Congregational Church. Soon after this W. W. Pierce was chosen pastor by a imanimous vote, with a salary of $800. Mr. Pierce served until March, 1890, nearly three years.

The pulpit was then supplied for several months by Revs. W. B. Marsh and Talmadge and Mr. Quaife, of Toledo. The next pastor was Rev. Ralph Albertson, who served from November, 1891, to November, 1895. Rev. A. E. Woodruff next served as pastor from April 1, 1896, to April 1, 1899. Rev. W. H. Baker began his work in April, 1899. Their new and enlarged building on a new lot was erected in 1893, and dedicated in June of that rear.

About the beginning of Rev. W. H. Baker's pastorate the Sunday-school had grown to an average attendance of 130. This was maintained throughout the seven years of Mr. Baker's pastorate, which closed in February, 1905. During the following year the pulpit was supplied by Prof. E. S. Todd, of the City High School. Considerable progress was made during this time. Rev. Charles J. Dole was called to the pastorate and began his labors in E'ebruary, 1906. In June of that year the largest attendance in the history of the Sunday-school at any one session, 200, was recorded. In July the average attendance had reached 167. On the 9th of June, 1907, there were present 226, the average for the half of 1907 being about 185. The church at this date, July 1, 1907, has a membership of one hundred and sixty-five, twenty-six having been received since January 1, 1907.

The next denomination to be noted in our general order is that of the Congregationalists. In 1 849 a few persons, mostly from the First Presbyterian Church, after many previous consultations, met at the home of Mr. Henry E. Smith on Wednesday evening, February 28, 1850, and resolved that it was expedient to organize a new church, to be called the First Orthodox Congregational Church of Springtield, Ohio. Within a few weeks they secured .the services of Rev. J. C. AVhite, a man of fine talents and deep piety, who was their first pastor. He remained with them till October, 1854. On

Early in 1851 a good, eligible lot had been dedicated to the church by "W. M. Spencer, the same as now occupied by it, and upon this was erected a building at a cost of $3,700. The basement of this new edifice was first occupied October 31, 1851, the congregation having for a while held their meetings in the City Hall. The church was dedicated April 28, 1853, by Rev. Mr. Boynton, of Cincinnati.

The entire debt of $3,500 was canceled in July, 1856. This was done during the pastorate of Rev. Hugh McLead, who served as pastor from May, 1855, to December, .1857. His successor. Rev. Edward Eoote, served from October, 1859, to 1865. Rev. A. Hastings Ross then served from February. 1866, to January, 1873. During this time the building was remodeled and in various ways improved, at an expense of $3,000.

The subsequent pastors, with their terms of services, were as follows: Rev. Joseph L. Bennett, from April, 1873, to December, 1874; Rev. William H. Warren, from September. 1875, to February 22, 1887, at which time the church, which began with thirty-nine persons, had acquired a membership of 350. On March 25, 1887, Rev. S. P. Dunlap, of Hannibal Mo., was called to the pastorate, and was installed on April 21st, following. Mr. Dunlap served until August, 1895, a period of eight years and five months. During this pastorate, besides the addition of many good, strong and earnest persons to their membership, was the building and equipment of their present fine edifice, one of the most tasteful and

Rev. E. A. Steiner, fh. D., a scholarly gentleman, a native of Austria, but more recently from St. Paul, Minn., was called as pastor in April, 1896, and served until December, 1898. Rev. C. H. Small became pastor in April, 1899, and served until May, 1904. Upon his resignation he became state superintendent of the Ohio Home Missionary Society. Rev. Henry A. Atkinson, the present pastor, was called to the pastorate in June and began his ministry here in September, 1904. In the latter part of December, 1902, the church was burned. At once a movement was started looking to the rebuilding. The next summer the new building was dedicated. Dr. Washington Gladden preaching the dedicatory sermon. The church is steadily growing in influence and numbers. The membership has reached the four hundred mark. An increased activity is manifest in the Sunday-school, Christian Endeavor, Men's Club and women's organizations. The small debt still remaining on the church building has been practically all provided for by the able efforts of the trustees.

During the fifty-seven and a half years of the church's history there have been ten pastors, the average length of each pastorate being ten years and nine months.

The Jewish Congregation, or Ohev Zedukah, was organized November 25, 1865, with about twelve male members, and worshiped in the Follrath Building, on West Main Street, and after two or three removals, finally occupied their present position in the Johnson Building, on West Main Street. The growth of the congregation has ))een quite slow. Quite a number of Russian Jews arrived here in the early seventies, but finding this congregation "too advanced" they organized themselves into what is called the Old Orthodox Congregation, and they now worship in King's Building, on Limestone Street.

The old Ohev Zedukah Congregation now ha^-e a male membership of about thirty-two, and an organized Sundayschool with about twenty attendants. They employ no regular minister, but have divine services every Friday evening and Saturday morning, and also on holidays, led by L. Weixelbaum. They also have semi-monthly preaching by a rabbi from Dayton, Ohio. The Sabbath school is conducted by Misses Birdie Schoental and Dora Levy. The present officers of the congregation are. M. M. Kauffman, president ; A. Aron, vice president, and M. D. Levy, secretary. Among the ]n-ominent leaders of this congregation in the past have been Rabbis Myers, Strouse, Freedman, Greenbaum and others.

During the last five years the members have worshiped in the Union Hall, on Fountain Avenue. The want of a synagogue is greatly felt by this struggling congregation, but means are lacking for the accomplishment of that purpose, although the Ladies' Auxiliary Society of the congregation is working very hard to raise the money by fairs and sociables; but this will take years. The membership is not wealthy and the income and expenditures are each about $700 for rent.

In August, 1878, a series of tent meetings was held by the Seventh-Day Adventist people, under the charge of Elders Wagner and Stone, at the close of which fifteen or sixteen persons formed a society for the purjjose of keeping up regular worship, and they generally met in private houses. On the 11th of December, 1878. was effected an organization of the Seventh-Day Adventists of Springfield, with a membership of sixteen persons. They held their meetings for a while at Allen's Hall, on Miami Street, then at No. 251. East Main Street.

The above organization has continued until the present time. They now occupy a church of their own near the corner of Clay and Catherine Streets, in the southeast part of the city. From October 2nd, 1881, to June 23d, 1888, they met for worship in the Roth Building, 271/0 West Main Street. June 23d, 1888, they removed to a hall in George Krapp's Building, corner of Plum and Main. March 1, 1894, they rented and occupied the Trinity Baptist Church at a rental of ten dollars per month, located near the corner of Mulberry and South Limestone Streets, until its sale to ]\Ir. Rogers, the present occupant, in October, 1903, which was done November 9th, 1903, on the time specified.

At this juncture, with cold weather staring them in the face, and every hall in the city occupied to its fullest capacity, the Salvation Army granted them the temporary use, at a normal rent, of their hall, on the corner of Columliia and Fish-

"Few in number as we were (about thirty or forty), with more women than men, all dependent on their daily labor for support, what could we do? As nothing suitable could be found for rent, we were forced to the one conclusion - that was, arise and build. In our extremity all sought the Lord most earnestly for His guidance. Money was soon collected to purchase the lot. Work was commenced and money brought in sufficient to meet each and every bill when presented. Although somewhat delayed by the cold, vigorous winter, yet with the blessing of God a modest little church 28x46 was completed and dedicated to God's service free of debt June 26th, 1904." Elder J. G. Wood is now pastor.

The Christadelphian Society was formed in 1868, with a membership of about thirty persons. They met in various places, mostly in private houses, until they finally selected Central Hall, on the corner of ]\Iain and Center Streets. They have no regular pastors, but all are free to preach, pray, exhort or sing as they feel inclined, on occasions of public worship. The principal leader of this little congregation for many years was Dr. William H. Reeves, then an active practitioner of medicine in this city. These people laid great stress upon the literal second coming of Christ to this earth in order to establish a physical, as well as moral and religious government, and that not many, if any, outside of their order of faith, will ever be raised in the resurrection of the dead. Owing to divisions among them, the number of persons belonging to this society is less now than formerly. They have never had a church building of their own, but their meetings have been kept up at irreg-ular intervals to the present time.

Among our most lately developed religious organizations must be reckoned the Grace Reformed Church, which was formed in Temperance Hall, on West High Street, November 19, 1895, with forty-six charter members, including, among others, Alexander Baker, Mrs. Susan Printz, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Smith, Sarah Darner, David Garlinger, Mr. and Mrs. Rufus Smith, Louisa Hardcastle, Harry Hardcastle, Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Pemberton. They worshiped in Temperance Hall until November, 1896, when the old Trinity Baptist Building on the corner of Limestone and Mulberry Streets, was rented and used until December, 1898, when the present building on Plum Street was ready for use. This structure cost about $5,000, and was dedicated October 1, 1899, with all the money to pay for it amply provided for. The sermon for the occasion was preached by the general mis.sionary superintendent, Rev. D. S. Fouse, of Lisbon, Iowa. Others who took part in the week's special services were Rev. J. W. Burghalter, of Dayton, Ohio; Rev. J. W. Bechtel, of Northampton, Ohio; Rev. H. S. Goekler, of Xenia, and Rev. C. E. Miller, of Dayton, Ohio.

tion in November, 1895. Rev. S. B. Yoekey, D. D., served as supply from the lastnamed date until May, 1896; then Rev. Mr. Horning again supplied from the last date until September 1, 1896, when Rev. R. F. Shultz was commissioned by the General Board of Home Missions, to take charge of the church, and served until 1906. F. W. Hoffman is the present pastor. The church has now a membership of over one hundred persons. There are enrolled in the Sunday-school, including officers, teachers and scholars, 147. This is the third effort to establish a Reformed Church in this city, and seems to have been successful from the start. The organization is now thoroughly established, with a property worth at least $8,000, and all paid for.

Impressive services were held for the first time in the Church of the Living God, a new church edifice almost completed in Maiden Lane by the congregation known as the Saints, on October 27, 1907.

Rev. George Lorton is pastor of the new church. He was assisted in the services on Sunday morning by Andrew J. Byers, a prominent member of the congregation. The Saints do not hold regular dedicatory exercises as is the custom with most churches when completing a new church edifice. When the work of building commences the Saints dedicate their structure to the living God, and this serves as the dedication. The congregation is composed of about ninety members, having been started in this city about five years ago.

It is constructed of cement blocks and contains a large auditorium, handsome vestibule, and when completed will have a large and commodious basement. The structure will be heated with a furnace.

Besides the religious work accomplished by the various churches mentioned in the foregoing pages, much good has also been done in a similar line, especially of late years, by Christian Associations, Epworth Leagues, Christian Endeavor Societies, most of which have been intimately, if not organically, connected with those churches.

In August, 1854, but little more than ten years after George Williams led in forming the London (Eng.) Association, and less than three years after Montreal organized one, Springfield, Ohio, joined this lay movement. Colonel E. M. Doty was the first President. Our Civil War was the occasion of merging many of these associations into the Christian Commission Work of the army, and thus was terminated their careers as separate bodies.

The reorganization was effected at the High Street Methodist Church in the year 1868, when Dr. Isaac Kay was elected President, and in a year or two was succeeded by Mr. E. W. Mullikin, and who in turn was succeeded by Prof. B. F. Prince.

During this period the special outside work of the Association was to hold sei"v'- ices at the jail and station house at stated times, and to secure public meetings in the summer months on Sunday afternoons in some one of the groves which at that day were found in the city. For three successive winters fine lecture courses were offered. Among those who appeared as speakers were John B. Grough, Wendell Phillips, Frederick Douglass, Rev. Stephen Tyng, Jr., George Kennan, Charles F. Hall, the Arctic explorer, and others of much reputation. There being no general Public Library in the city then, the Association made a collection of books, containing more than eighteen hundred volumes.

In 1872, the Association being pressed for funds, decided to relinquish its work. Its indebtedness, $300, was assumed by the Board of the new Public Library, organized that year, and to which Board the cases and books of the Association wei*e assigned, the collection becoming the basis of our present magnificent Library.

In 1879 another organization for young men was formed. From tliis time until 1886 some important work was done by the Association, but owing to the difference of opinion as to what the real work of the Young Men's Chi-istian Association ought to be, and also to the comparatively limited amount of financial support received, but little advance was made toward the last in furtherance of its high purpose. Messrs. Rev. Hastings, J. S. Crowell, E. M. Doty and Dr. Thomas King were among the prominent leaders for some years.

On December 22, 1887, under advice of S. D. Gordon, Secretary of the State Committee, enlarged plans were adopted for a four-fold work, .$6,500 were raised, and thus a new period began in the history of the Association. Messrs. George H. Frey, H. S. Bradley, D. Q. Fox, T. J. Kirkpatrick, Dr. J. H. Rodgers and Border Bowman, successively have been President, and for most of this time, W. J. Fraser was the industrious and efficient General Secretary. In 1892 the number of members reached 1,001. In 1895 the young men, themselves, gave $5,000 toward the purchase of a lot. In 1897 citizens completed the purchase of the lot, raising $12,000. In 1899 another fund, $55,000, was pledged for the building, Ross Mitchell giving $5,000 ; Governor A. S. Bushnell $10,000, and E. S. Kelly $10,000. Over 600 persons contributed the balance.

Dr. J. H. Rodgers, Robert Johnson, John Foos, Charles H. Pierce, R. Q. King, F. E. Snypp and W. S. Frazer constituted the Building Committee.

The Board of Directors at this time are J. H. Rodgers, J. S. Crowell, T. J. Kirkpatrick, 0. F. Hypes, H. S. Bradley, Jas. A. Myers, Geo. K. Sharpe, D. Q. Fox, James Carson and Wm. M. Rockel.

In September, 1900, a fine four-story building costing approximately $75,000 was completed and apj^ropriately dedicated, the Association taking a standing in the city never before occupied.

February, 1903, the building caught fire at the burning of Black's Opera House and was nearly destroyed. Unfortunately the insurance only partially covered the loss. Rebuilding operations were started after some delay and completed two years later.

The Association from 1907 has been prospered, gaining in the respect of the community by its common-sense consistent work among the young men under the splendid leadership of Border Bowman as president.

The widow and heirs, in recognition of a desire of the late Amaziah Winger, have directed the executor to pay to the Association the sum of $10,000, and an effort is now being made which promises to be successful in lifting the entire indebtedness. The property is worth from $75,000 to $100,000.

The Young Women's Christian Association was organized in 1896, and it was an outgrowth of work commenced several years before, known as the Deaconess Home. The workings of this association are very closely connected with Clark's Memorial Home.

The regular work of this association was commenced in a house on the comer of Columbia Street and North Fountain Avenue. It was afterwards removed to Jefferson Street in what was formerly known as the Dr. J. Edgar Baker property. Some three or four years ago the association purchased the old Volney A. Farr property, from his son-in-law, Aaron Trout, adjoining the First Lutheran Church on East High Street. This is a large and commodious building, well situated for the work. Afterwards a substantial gymnasium building was erected in the rear. Recently Mrs. Winger, the widow of Captain Amaziah Winger, gave a very substantial donation, she having always been very much interested in its welfare. Mrs. Mary G. Keith is superintendent.

The Central Y. M. C. A. is devoted to the colored people. Some ten years ago the need of such an institution was brought prominently before our people by some of our more progressive colored people, and the property was purchased from Mr. Ed. Simpson on South Center Street for $4,000. The payment for this home was guaranteed by Hannable Hamhn, Amaziah Winger, Richard Rodgers, E. S. Kelly, R. Q. Iving, Charles H. Pierce, Wm. M. Rockel, and others.

This indebtedness was carried on for a number of years. Substantial donations were received from Mr. E. S. Kelly, Richard H. Rodgers, and others and upon the death of Mr. Winger, $1,000 was received from his estate, imtil the indebtedness is now reduced to $800. Substantial improvements have been made in this property and many worthy young colored people have taken a commendable interest in its welfare.

It has been considerable of a struggle, but as the property is now almost paid for and that burden is otf of them, it is reasonable to hope that the institution will be kept up in the future. Considering our large colored population, perhaps there is no institution in the city that deserves more encouragement, or from which greater substantial benefit could be derived in the way of increasing the general welfare of our city. Mr. William H. Jackson has been the efficient and clever secretary for a number of years.

Chapter Xx

A distinguished lawj^er, and a great statesman, who left the impression of his very great intellect in the Senate of the United States and on the bench of our Su preme Court, Allen Gr. Thurman, once said: "That without any boasting, and without any disposition to brag or boast, it is and has been for a great while my firm belief that, great as has been the bar of other states, there is no state in the Union that has had a bar of greater men than have appeared in the State of Ohio. That is my firm belief. I do not forget the great lawyers of Massachusetts, of Connecticut, of New York, of Pennsylvania, of Maryland, of Virginia, and of Kentucky. I do not forget any of them. Many of them I have seen and heard with great delight and with great instruction. And yet, I repeat the opinion I have had for many long years, that no state has

Having heard this great encomium on the bar of our state, it would be supreme arrogance in me to claim for the bar of the City of Springfield, that it was the equal or the greatest in the State of Ohio. I can say, however, that, taking into consideration the date of the city's organization, its population, and the character of its industries, that the bar of the City of Springfield and the County of Clark, compares favorably with any other city or county of the state. And in point of integrity, honor, and high character of its members, and general standing in the community, it acknowledges a superior nowhere on the face of the earth.

its was ever questioned before a court organized under territorial laws. Under the constitution of 1802, it was provided that there should be a Supreme Court of three or five judges, who were required to hold court once a year in each county in the state. This court had original and ajipellate jurisdiction, both at common law and in chanceiy. By the rapid increase of population in the state, this court was soon greatly overtaxed; allowing the judges thirty days for court in bank at Columbus and one day for travel from one county to the other, making no allowance for sickness of the judges or any respite from labor, they had an average of less than seven and one-half days for the annual business of each county. The records, however, disclose the fact that the cases were carefully considered, and the occupants of the bench were men of very great ability. The first session of the Supreme Court that was held in the City of Springfield was in 1805, the judges being Samuel Huntington, Chief Justice; and William Sprigg and Daniel Symmes, Associates. At this session three men were tried for shooting an Indian, whose name was Kanawa-Tuekow. The accused were Isaac Broken, Archibald Dowen and Robert Rennick, who were acquitted. This was before the organization of our coimty. The first session of the Supreme Court that was held in our county began on July 10, 1819. Hon. Calvin Pease was the Chief Judge, and Hon. John McLean was associated with him. Of this first Chief Justice who graced the bench of our county, Judge Thurman once said, "That he was one of the finest specimens of manhood that I ever saw, dressed in a way that would make a dude faint, the most perfect dress I ever saw on a man, and the nicest ruffles to his shirt bosom, looking the very beau ideal of a gentleman of the olden times."

The other member of that court, John McLean, thought so much of his profession as to decline a candidacy for the United States Senate, when his election was reasonably assured. He afterward became a member of the Supreme Court of the United States, and served with distinguished ability for a period of thirtytwo years. From this time on, until the constitution of 1852, the Supreme Court, with some of its members, gave an annual hearing to causes in the County of Clark and in the City of Springfield.

The Common Pleas Court, as organized by the constitution of 1802, consisted of three members, a presiding judge, and two associates. They were appointed by joint ballot of both houses of the General Assembly, and held their offices for the term of seven years, "if so long they behaved well." The state was divided into districts or circuits. At first there were but three circuits in the state - these were afterward increased from time to time as business demanded. The composition of this court was very often criticised, and sometimes spoken of as a court of one hundred judges, that is, one judge and two ciphers. In jury cases, undoubtedly the associate judges, who were not men skilled in the law, were practically ciphers, but in the trial of causes to the court they brought to the aid of the presiding judge good common sense and business knowledge which was often an invaluable assist-

The first Court of Common Pleas held in Clark County was on April 7, 1818, with Orrin Parish as presiding judge; Daniel McKinnon, Joseph Tatman and Joseph Layton, associates. At the August term of 1819, the record shows that Frederick Grimke was the presiding judge. At the March term of the Common Pleas Court in 1820, Joseph H. Crane was the presiding judge, with the same associates as the first term. At the March term of the court in 1822, Samson Mason was, by order of the court, appointed Prosecuting Attorney of the county. Judge Crane was presiding judge until the close of 1828, when he resigned, having been elected to Congress in the fall of that year. It is said that he was an able lawyer and an excellent judge. That his manners and his conduct on the bench were such as won for him the esteem of all who had transactions in the court during his presidency.

He was succeeded by Hon. George W. Holt, who continued to hold the office until 1834, at which time a new circuit was formed. Over this new circuit, which embraced the counties of Franklin, Madison, Clark, Champaign and Logan, and for a short time Hardin County, Judge Joseph E. Swan was called to preside. He held the office from 1834 to 1845, when he resigned to return to the practice of law. Afterward Judge Swan served with distingiiished ability on the Supreme Court. But he will no donbt be longer remembered as the author of an incomparable volume on the practice in Justice of the Peace's Court, familiarly known as "Swan's Treaties," than as a lawyer or a judge. He was succeeded as presiding judge by the Hon. James L. Torbert, who occupied the position from 1846 until 1852, when the new constitution went into effect.

Judge Tokbekt was the first member selected from the Clark County Bar as a presiding judge on the Court of Common Pleas. He was afterward elected judge of the Probate Court, and was a man of superior attainments and great literary taste. He was modest and unobtrusive. He was a man of strong convictions, and violently opposed to the institution of slavery. He was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, 1796; came to Springfield in 1824, and died very suddenly on the 15th of May, 1859, on board a steamer on the Mississippi Eiver.

The associate judges of Clark County from 1831 to 1852 were Daniel McKinnon, William G. Serviss, Joseph Perrin, Ira Paige, John E. Lemon, John T. Stewart, Isaac Paint, John Hunt, Abraham D. Menness and Oliver Clark. The history of our county shows that these associate judges were men of honorable and respectable callings, and lived the lives of useful citizens.

With the advent of the constitution of 1852 came the reorganization of the judiciary of Ohio. The Supreme Court no longer traveled on the circuit. For a while after the adoption of the present constitution one member of the Supreme Court would sit in each county in what was then known as the District Court. The Supreme Court held all its sessions at the Citv of Columbus. The Common Pleas

Court no longer had associate judges, and there was organized a new court which had jurisdiction in probate and testamentary matters, the appointment of executors and guardians, and the settlement of accounts of executors, etc., and such other jurisdiction as may be provided by law. This court took away from the Common Pleas Court many of the duties that formerly devolved upon associate judges, and was known as the Probate Court. Under the new constitution, all the judges were made elective, not appointive, as before. The first person to be elected as judge of the Common Pleas Court of this district was a distinguished member of the Clark County Bar.

William A. Eogers - Concerning the character and qualifications of William A. Rogers no word of disparagement has ever been uttered. None of the present members of our bar ever practiced law before him, and but few have any personal recollection concerning him. Those few who do remember anything about him have only words of praise in reference to his legal ability and general versatility. Judge W. H. West says: "He was a man combining both talent and genius, and certainly one of the best lawyers in the Mad River Valley." lie was born December 13, 1809, in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania ; studied law in Pittsbui'g, and in the fall of 1834 removed to the city of Springfield. He became prominent as a Wliig in politics and was a delegate to the National Convention which nominated General Harrison in 1840. In 1851, as before stated, he was elected Common Pleas judge, which position he occupied until ]855, when he resigned his office on account of failing health. And on the 25th of May, of the same year, he died in the city of Springfield. One who knew him well .says of him: "He was endowed with a brilliant intellect and with remarkable power of analysis ; he possessed a sparkling wit, was a logician of high order, and his eloquence was rich and impi'essive ; these qualities made him an effective advocate and formidable antagonist in any case which he espoused; he was a man of broad culture, and of liberal and comprehensive views."

William White - The next person called from the bar of Clark County to the position of Common Pleas judge is justly entitled to be designated as the greatest jurist that ever came from this bar. William White was born in England on the 28th day of January, 1822. He. came to this country with an uncle in 1831. At twelve years of age he was apprenticed to a cabinet-maker for a term of nine years, but after serving six years of his apprenticeship, he purchased his time by giving his notes to his master. In 1846 he was admitted to the bar. In 1847 was elected prosecuting attorney, and three times re-elected. In 1856 he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas. And in 1861 was re-elected. In 1864 he was appointed judge of the Supreme Court, and was three times re-elected. And in 1882 he was appointed by President Arthur, United States district judge for the Southern District of Ohio, and was confirmed by the Senate, but died before he could qualify for that high position. His death occurring as recent as 1883, leaves a personal recollection of many of his distinguishing characteristics among the older members of our bar. But from the fact that his duties called him away from our city, since 1864, most of the present generation of our lawyers remember nothing more about him than having seen his striking, strong, pleasant face. For twenty-seven years he wore the judicial ermine, stainless and spotless as ever the mantle fell from a human judge. He was an atfectionate and devoted husband, a considerate, kind and indulgent father. His manners were modest, kind and unassuming ; to his brethren of the bar he was the personification of kindness and generosity. His popularity among all classes of people was eviqienced by the fact that every time he was a candidate for their suffrages, he led his ticket by many hundreds of votes. He was a man of very great industry. He may have had compeers on the bench who were more brilliant and quicker to grasp some intricate question of law, but none ever exceeded him in an industrious investigation and firm determination to arrive at a right and just conclusion. His life was no doubt shortened by his close application to the arduous duties devolving upon him as a member of the Supreme Court.

James S. Goode - From 1864 until 1875 the Common Pleas Court was presided over by judges from other counties. In the previous year, an additional judge having been granted to this district, James S. Goode, a practitioner at this bar for nearly thirty years, was elected to that important position. Declining a reelection, he served for ten years, with the general approbation of all persons who had business with him in his judicial capacity. James S. Goode was born in Warren County, Ohio, January 22, 1823, and was admitted to the bar in 1848. In the same year he opened an office in the City of Springfield. He was mayor of the City of Springfield and prosecuting attorney for two teiTBS. He died after an illness of but a few days, on April 10, 1891. Judge Goode is remembered kindly by all the older members of the present bar, and by many of the younger ones. When he took his seat upon the bench, the docket was crowded by the accumulation of years, justice was tardily administered; "the law's delays" was much cause of dissatisfaction. He brought to the bench his well-known energy at the bar, and soon made order out of disorder; and, in a reasonably short length of time had the docket in such a condition that a suit could be brought and tried during the same term. He deservedly won a high and enviable reputation not only with the public, but with the bar of this and other counties. Imposing in appearance, quick of apprehension, learned and patient, he was an ideal on the bench, and many of the members of the bar have reason to remember his extreme kindness to them in the earlier years of their professional life. After Judge Goode 's retirement from the bar, he practiced law with his son Frank until the latter 's death, in 1887. With the death of his only son. Judge Goode seemed to have lost much of his interest in the profession, and from that time until his death did not appear in court very frequently. His long and extensive practice at the bar, with his quickness of mind, made him an exceedingly good nisi prius judge.

Charles R. White - Judge Goode was succeeded on the bench by Charles Rogers White. Charles R. White was the only son of Judge William White. He was born in the City of Springfield, the 25th day of May, 1849. Admitted to the bar 1873, and in 1884 was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and re-elected in

1890, in the forty-second year of his age. Charles R. White was a worthy son of an illustrious father. He was quicker to arrive at conclusions, and therefore, in the opinion of some, was a better nisi prius judge than his distinguished father. He was studious, honest, and exceedingly sensitive to any act of his which might cause pain to the feelings of any member of the bar. His dealings with all persons were conducted with the sole purpose of justice and right. He revered the memory of his father, and it was the highest ambition of his life to follow in his footsteps; and should he have lived, no doubt high judicial honors would have fallen upon him. As it was, taken from the bench m the prime of life, he left behind him a memory cherished by all who came in contact with him.

F.M.Hagan - Upon the death of Charles R. White, Governor Campbell appointed Francis Marion Hagan to fill the vacancy, until the regular election. Judge Hagan was born June 10, 1844, in Mad River Township of this county. By his own efforts he secured his education, and is in every sense of the term a "self-made man." He was admitted to the bar in 1873, and in 1879 and again in 1883 was elected city solicitor. In 1887 he was appointed postmaster. While Judge Hagan's occupation of the bench was for the brief period of four months, yet it was sufficient to demonstrate the fact that he possessed exceptional judicial qualifications: and no doubt were it not for the fact that his political belief is not in accord with that of the prevailing party in this district, his judicial career would have been very much extended. Judge Hagan made a careful, painstaking, able, and conscientious judge. Since his service upon the bench he has been engaged in the active practice of his profession, and is now the senior partner of the firm of Hagan & Kunkle. In all matters connected with the welfare of the City of Springfield he has always taken a prominent part; and is chairman of the committee having in charge this centennial celebration.

John C. Miller - In 1890, John C. Miller was elected to fill the vacancy made by the death of Judge Charles R. White. In January, 1891, he relieved Judge Hagan, who had been appointed to fill the vacancy until an election. Judge Miller came to the Common Pleas bench with a long career in public life. His father, Reuben Miller, likewise had a long public career in our city and county. He was born in the City of Springfield, April 13, 1834. He was apprenticed as a printer, afterward took up the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1855. In 1861 he was elected Mayor of the City of Springfield, and in the fall of the same year was elected prosecuting attorney of the coimty, and several times re-elected. In 1869 he was chosen city solicitor, and held the office by repeated elections until 1876, when he resigned to accept the position of Probate judge, to which office he had been elected in the previous October. This position he held until 1891, when he resigned to accept the position of Common Pleas judge, to which he had been elected in the previous fall. He was twice reelected to this position. He died Septem- ber 17, 1900, at his residence in this city. Judge Miller was a familiar character for many years to the people of the City of Springfield; he possessed great aptitude for politics, and had few superiors in the managing of men to secure official positions. His learning of the law did not seem to come from books, but rather from strong common sense; intuitively he seemed to correctly grasp the rights that ought to exist between man and man. He was quick and impulsive, possessed of a temper which at times made him disagreeable to do business with, yet much of this irascibility no doubt came from long and continual ill health. His convictions were strong, and no doubt expressions were sometimes made that carried him beyond his real intention. He had a determined idea of justice and right. Beneath an austere manner and demeanor, was a heart as kind and open to a person in distress as was ever possessed by man. With all his faults - and who has none? - he was a strong, able, conscientious judge, an exceedingly good interpreter of the law, and an upright citizen.

Jacob Kreidek Mowee - Upon the death of Judge Miller the bar united in appointing to fill the vacancy Jacob Kreider Mower. Judge Mower was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 4, 1833, and was admitted to the bar in 1858, and the same year took up his residence in the City of Springfield. He was city solicitor from 1868 to 1870, and in the next two years served as a member of the legislature. He occupied no other positions prior to his appointment as Common Pleas judge, except member of the school board. At the time of his appointment to the bench he had been a member of the bar for forty-two years and past sixtyseven years of age. Judge Mower was an exceedingly kindly disposed man, honest and upright in his dealings. He had, however, acquired some ideas throughout his life that verged close upon eccentricities. His long practice at the bar made him perhaps unconsciously take sides in the case, so while everyone had the most kindly feeling for him, yet it can hardly be said that he filled the position up to the expectation of his friends. His only son. Captain Carl Mower, died in the early part of 1904 and this affliction, with those attendant to the natural infirmities of life, caused Judge Mower to decline in health and he died in the same year before he had completed his term.

A. H. KuNKLE - Upon his death Albert H. Kunkle, who had received the nomination for the succeeding term, was appointed to fill the vacancy. Judge Kunkle has made a very good judge, expediting the business of the court as much as could reasonably be expected, and perhaps it can truthfully be said that the trial docket is in better condition now than it has been for years.