Source: Memories
Some Events and Persons Connected With
The First Methodist Episcopal Church
of East Liverpool, Ohio.
by Christian Metsch & C. R. Boyce
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O faithful worthies! resting far behind
In your dark ages, since ye fell asleep,
Much has been done for truth and human kind-
Shadows are scattered wherein ye groped blind;
But to rebuke the age's popular crime,
We need the souls of fire, the hearts of that old time!
--------------- Whittier.
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The oldest living authority on the early church history of this section is the venerable Alexander Wells, of Wellsville. His father, William Wells, located his family in a block house near the present site of Wellsville in 1797, and one year later received from Governor St. Clair of the Northwest Territory, a commission as magistrate for Jefferson County, which at that time comprised the territory now included in Columbiana and several other counties.
Alexander Wells was born in 1808 and remembers many of the old time circuit riders who stopped at his father's home. He has a distinct recollection of Rev. George Brown who organized the Methodist society here and describes him as a man famed throughout the Ohio valley for his ability as a preacher.
The public sentiment of those days cannot be better illustrated than in a circumstance related by Mr. Wells in describing a debating society which existed at Lancaster, O., in 1828. The meetings of this society were held in a school house and were open to the public. At the close of one of their debates a member suggested "Railroads and Telegraphs" as a topic for the next discussion. Some of the school directors happened to be present, and, on hearing this subject mentioned, they issued the following notice, signed by ten of the best citizens of the place (Mr. Wells says most of them were Methodists): "You are welcome to the use of the school house to debate all proper subjects in, but such things as railroads and telegraphs are impossibilities and rank infidelity. There is nothing in the word of God about them. If God had desired that his intelligent creatures should travel at the frightful speed of 15 miles per hour by steam, He would have clearly foretold it through his holy prophets. It is a device of satan to lead immortal souls down to hell."
Church attendance was regarded by the pioneers as a great a privilege, and many were the hardships endured in order that they might be present at the services. Men and boys walked ten miles to attend some campmeeting, and it was at these gatherings that scores were converted and became staunch members of the church. No better example of church attendance under difficulties could be found than the story of a good old sister who lived near Calcutta, and was for many years a member of this church. This woman was particularly anxious to hear a famous circuit rider who was to preach at the old Harold and Spear mill on Beaver Creek in June, 1829. Her husband was unable to attend, and as she had three small children, the prospects of her getting there seemed very dark indeed, but, of all the things that may possibly happen in this world, the thing most likely to happen is that which occurs when a woman sets her will, and so it was in this case. She persuaded her husband to saddle the trusty old family horse, "Fan," and then, taking the oldest child in front, a younger one behind and the baby on her lap, this faithful Methodist wet for five miles over a road that most of the way was simply a bridle path in the woods. It is scarcely necessary to add that with such a mother and such training these three children all became faithful members of the Methodist church, and the pictures of each of them are given in this book as being among the oldest members.
But church attendance in those days was not alone a privilege - it was a duty as well, and the absence from class meeting for three consecutive services without good cause was the subject of investigation on the part of the class leader. If his kindly advice and earnest appeal to walk more faithfully did not result in a change, the preacher talked with the erring one and if that failed - then expulsion from the church was the result. Even until recent years it was customary to ask in the leaders and stewards meeting, "Are there any that walk disorderly and will not be reproved?"
Next to the preacher, the class leader was the spiritual advisor of the members and he was usually a man selected on account of his piety and holy life. In the class room, he exhorted each member to give in a testimony by calling them out individually, and he not infrequently gave a kindly word of encouragement to some trembling member of the flock or some good advice where occasion seemed to demand it. The duties of the class leader were not alone in spiritual matters for it was his work to collect from the members of his class their offerings for the support of the ministry, more commonly known in those days as "quarterage" from the fact that it was collected four times per year. This duty and his interest in the spiritual welfare of his class made him a frequent visitor at their homes, and we cannot overestimate the strength and spirituality of the Methodist church resulting from this faithful work performed by the class leaders.
We sometimes think of the circuit riders as men who were always solemn and severe even to the point of sadness, and, while it is true that they were deeply burdened with the message which they had been called to deliver, yet they were none the less capable of mixing with all classes and enjoying the humorous side of life as well. Frequently they were lovers of good horses, and in their constant travels over the country some of them were not averse to an exchange if the results seemed promising. On one occasion a preacher who traveled the Liverpool circuit traded a particularly fine riding horse to one of the official members of this church for another horse and a bonus of $50. The preacher dwelt especially on the merits of his animal as a saddle horse for that was of course the only way in which he had ever used him, but the official brother found to his sorrow that the animal could not be used in any other way unless provision was made for certain delays which were sure to occur. Before becoming fully convinced of this fact, he attempted to drive the horse to a Quarterly Meeting which was held at the old Mt. Zion church, and when he reached that point neat the close of the service, it was after he had experimented with all the known antidotes for balkiness in a horse, finally driving in with the horse blindfolded, very much to the merriment of the other brethern.
**The book "Memories" was contributed to Genealogy Pit Stop by Cookie Sisco, with the desire that it be shared with all of you.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
JAY ALLAN RAMBO - Obituary
Jay Allan Rambo Obituary
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review, Wednesday July 26, 2006
COLUMBIANA – Jay Allan Rambo, 86, of Dyke Road, Negley, died at 9:10 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2006, at St Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center in Columbiana following a lengthy illness.
Born in East Liverpool, July 29, 1919, a son of the late Walter and Edna Davis Rambo, he was a lifelong resident of the area.
Having served in the Battle of the Bulge with the 7th Armor Division of the U. S. Army in Europe during World War II, he received four Bronze Stars.
Employed at the former Potters Lumber Co. for 28 years, he late worked at D. W. Dickey & Son until he retired in 1983. His life’s passion and true love, however, was the many years he spent working the family farm.
A member of Lake Tomahawk Sportsmen’s Club and a life member of the National Rifle Association, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
His wife, Erma J. Dunlevy Rambo, whom he married Aug. 14, 1954, survives at home.
A daughter, Marsha L. Webb and her husband, Richard, of East Liverpool, and a son, Jeffery A. Rambo of Negley, survive.
There are two grandchildren, Melissa Webb-Mangum and her husband, David of Norcross, Ga., and Kevin S. Webb and his wife, Norma, of Canfield and three great-grandchildren, Audrey Mangum, Meredith Mangum and Austin Jay Webb.
A brother, Thurman E. Rambo of Calcutta, also survives.
A sister, Ruth Wollam, and two brothers, Raymond Rambo and Paul Rambo, preceded him in death.
Friends may call Thursday at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present form 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.
The Rev. Norm Eckert of Beechwood Free Methodist Church will conduct services at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Crest Haven Memory Gardens.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P. O Box 4777, New York, N.Y. 10163
View this obituary and send condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review, Wednesday July 26, 2006
COLUMBIANA – Jay Allan Rambo, 86, of Dyke Road, Negley, died at 9:10 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2006, at St Mary’s Alzheimer’s Center in Columbiana following a lengthy illness.
Born in East Liverpool, July 29, 1919, a son of the late Walter and Edna Davis Rambo, he was a lifelong resident of the area.
Having served in the Battle of the Bulge with the 7th Armor Division of the U. S. Army in Europe during World War II, he received four Bronze Stars.
Employed at the former Potters Lumber Co. for 28 years, he late worked at D. W. Dickey & Son until he retired in 1983. His life’s passion and true love, however, was the many years he spent working the family farm.
A member of Lake Tomahawk Sportsmen’s Club and a life member of the National Rifle Association, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.
His wife, Erma J. Dunlevy Rambo, whom he married Aug. 14, 1954, survives at home.
A daughter, Marsha L. Webb and her husband, Richard, of East Liverpool, and a son, Jeffery A. Rambo of Negley, survive.
There are two grandchildren, Melissa Webb-Mangum and her husband, David of Norcross, Ga., and Kevin S. Webb and his wife, Norma, of Canfield and three great-grandchildren, Audrey Mangum, Meredith Mangum and Austin Jay Webb.
A brother, Thurman E. Rambo of Calcutta, also survives.
A sister, Ruth Wollam, and two brothers, Raymond Rambo and Paul Rambo, preceded him in death.
Friends may call Thursday at the Dawson Funeral Home where the family will be present form 2 to 4 and 6 to 8.
The Rev. Norm Eckert of Beechwood Free Methodist Church will conduct services at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Crest Haven Memory Gardens.
The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Grand Central Station, P. O Box 4777, New York, N.Y. 10163
View this obituary and send condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com
LARUE S. HOYT - Obituary
LaRue S. Hoyt Obituary
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review
CHESTER – LaRue S. Hoyt, 92, of Chester, passed away at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at the Fox Nursing Home, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Steubenville, on June 9, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Norman F. Snowden and Iona Clever Snowden. She had lived in the area all her life.
A 1931 graduate of Wells High School, she was also a graduate of the Ohio Valley Business College.
She worked at Homer Laughlin China for seven years, quitting to raise her family, and then spent nine years at Ross TV as a secretary.
She was a member of the Westminister Presbyterian Church in Chester where she was active in their C.O.L.T. S. organization. She was also a member of the Beaver Local Homemakers Club and the Hancock County C.E.O.S., where she was the oldest living member in West Virginia with 75 years of membership.
Survivors in clued three daughters, Sarah Jane Watson and her husband Gary of Tulsa, Okla., Norma Landis and her husband Warren of Baltimore, Ohio, and Pauline LaScola and her husband James, of Chester.
There are five granddaughters, two grandsons, and seven great-grandchildren that also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dale E. Sr.,; one son, Dale E. Jr.; and two sisters, Norma Siegle and Vesta Treskey.
Friends may call at the Dawson Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at the funeral home with Rev. Katrina Lewis of the Westminister Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will follow at Locust Hill Cemetery.
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review
CHESTER – LaRue S. Hoyt, 92, of Chester, passed away at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007, at the Fox Nursing Home, following a lengthy illness.
Born in Steubenville, on June 9, 1915, she was the daughter of the late Norman F. Snowden and Iona Clever Snowden. She had lived in the area all her life.
A 1931 graduate of Wells High School, she was also a graduate of the Ohio Valley Business College.
She worked at Homer Laughlin China for seven years, quitting to raise her family, and then spent nine years at Ross TV as a secretary.
She was a member of the Westminister Presbyterian Church in Chester where she was active in their C.O.L.T. S. organization. She was also a member of the Beaver Local Homemakers Club and the Hancock County C.E.O.S., where she was the oldest living member in West Virginia with 75 years of membership.
Survivors in clued three daughters, Sarah Jane Watson and her husband Gary of Tulsa, Okla., Norma Landis and her husband Warren of Baltimore, Ohio, and Pauline LaScola and her husband James, of Chester.
There are five granddaughters, two grandsons, and seven great-grandchildren that also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dale E. Sr.,; one son, Dale E. Jr.; and two sisters, Norma Siegle and Vesta Treskey.
Friends may call at the Dawson Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 1, 2007, at the funeral home with Rev. Katrina Lewis of the Westminister Presbyterian Church officiating. Burial will follow at Locust Hill Cemetery.
ELAINE TAYLOR HICKMAN - Obituary
Elaine Taylor Hickman Obituary
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review
EAST LIVERPOOL – Elaine Taylor Hickman awoke in the presence of the Lord whom she had served most of her life at 9:10 a.m. Monday, October 8, 2007, at her home on Bell School Road. Elaine was born Sept. 1, 1927, in Glenmoor, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Mildred Catherine Kinsey Taylor and Clyde Herbert Taylor.
Eliane is survived by her husband of 57 years, the Reverend Lester A. Hickman, her beloved children, Philip and his wife, Linda of Dayton, Ohio, David of Ft Lauderdale, Fla., Timothy and his wife Suellen of East Liverpool, Ohio and Elizabeth at home. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Sean Hickman and his wife, Lisa of San Diego, Calif., Donovan Hickman and his wife, Dawn of Pittsburgh, Pa., CE 3 Eric Hickman and his wife, Mindy of Carmarillo, Calif., Kira Lantz and her husband, Mike of East Liverpool, Ohio an Ashley Hickman of Dayton, Ohio; four great-grandchildren and her brother Clyde Robert Taylor of Lake Charles, La.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, David Kinsey Taylor and Richard Wayne Taylor.
Elaine received her Bachelors degree from Geneva College and her Masters degree in Spanish from The University of Toledo. She taught school for 30 years in area schools. Elaine served alongside her husband as a missionary in Columbia.
She also served as both choir director and organist in several area churches as well as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church’ a member of the National Honorary Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi.
Services will be held at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, with the Rev. Tom Clyde of the church and Rev. Orlando Chaffee, superintendent of the Mahoning Valley UM district officiating.
Burial will be in the United Presbyterian Cemetery of Calcutta.
The family will be present to receive friends at the Calcutta Chapel of the Martin MacLean Altmeyer Funeral Homes from 2to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday, Oct 11, 2007.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
Friends may view this obituary, sign the guest book or send condolences on line at www.altmeyer.com
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review
EAST LIVERPOOL – Elaine Taylor Hickman awoke in the presence of the Lord whom she had served most of her life at 9:10 a.m. Monday, October 8, 2007, at her home on Bell School Road. Elaine was born Sept. 1, 1927, in Glenmoor, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Mildred Catherine Kinsey Taylor and Clyde Herbert Taylor.
Eliane is survived by her husband of 57 years, the Reverend Lester A. Hickman, her beloved children, Philip and his wife, Linda of Dayton, Ohio, David of Ft Lauderdale, Fla., Timothy and his wife Suellen of East Liverpool, Ohio and Elizabeth at home. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Sean Hickman and his wife, Lisa of San Diego, Calif., Donovan Hickman and his wife, Dawn of Pittsburgh, Pa., CE 3 Eric Hickman and his wife, Mindy of Carmarillo, Calif., Kira Lantz and her husband, Mike of East Liverpool, Ohio an Ashley Hickman of Dayton, Ohio; four great-grandchildren and her brother Clyde Robert Taylor of Lake Charles, La.
Besides her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, David Kinsey Taylor and Richard Wayne Taylor.
Elaine received her Bachelors degree from Geneva College and her Masters degree in Spanish from The University of Toledo. She taught school for 30 years in area schools. Elaine served alongside her husband as a missionary in Columbia.
She also served as both choir director and organist in several area churches as well as a Sunday School teacher. She was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church’ a member of the National Honorary Spanish Club, Sigma Delta Pi.
Services will be held at the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, with the Rev. Tom Clyde of the church and Rev. Orlando Chaffee, superintendent of the Mahoning Valley UM district officiating.
Burial will be in the United Presbyterian Cemetery of Calcutta.
The family will be present to receive friends at the Calcutta Chapel of the Martin MacLean Altmeyer Funeral Homes from 2to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007, and one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday, Oct 11, 2007.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Zion United Methodist Church.
Friends may view this obituary, sign the guest book or send condolences on line at www.altmeyer.com
GERALDINE MAE BENTZ - Obituary
Geraldine Mae Bentz Obituary
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review
Thursday January 21, 2008, pg. 5A
EAST LIVERPOOL – Geraldine Mae Bentz, 96 of Shadyside Road, died at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Nentwick Convalescent Home.
Born in East Liverpool on Feb. 25, 1911, a daughter of the late Henry and Grace Bentz, she lived in Salineville from the age of three months until 1942, moving to East Liverpool at that time.
She worked at J. C. Penney’s, retiring in 1976. Before that she worked at Moore’s Furniture and at one time was employed at Homer Laughlin China Co.
A 1929 graduate of Salineville High School, she attended Central Bible Institution in Springfield, Mo.
As a member of the Assembly of God in Wellsville, she did evangelistic work within the church with her sister, Yvonne Jackson. She also pastured churches in Bergholz, Midland, and East Liverpool at one time.
Survivors include two sisters, Loretta Grundy, at home and Yvonne Jackson, and her husband Pastor Kenneth Jackson, also at home.
Also surviving is a brother, Forrest Bentz and his wife Vivian of Akron, along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by twin sisters, Verna and Vera.
The Rev. Dan Holloway is to conduct services at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the Dawson Funeral Home, where friends may call Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Burial is to be in Woodland Cemetery in Salineville. Following the services, family and friends will gather at the Dawson Family Center.
View this obituary and send condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.
Contributed by Bonnie Ryan
The Review
Thursday January 21, 2008, pg. 5A
EAST LIVERPOOL – Geraldine Mae Bentz, 96 of Shadyside Road, died at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Nentwick Convalescent Home.
Born in East Liverpool on Feb. 25, 1911, a daughter of the late Henry and Grace Bentz, she lived in Salineville from the age of three months until 1942, moving to East Liverpool at that time.
She worked at J. C. Penney’s, retiring in 1976. Before that she worked at Moore’s Furniture and at one time was employed at Homer Laughlin China Co.
A 1929 graduate of Salineville High School, she attended Central Bible Institution in Springfield, Mo.
As a member of the Assembly of God in Wellsville, she did evangelistic work within the church with her sister, Yvonne Jackson. She also pastured churches in Bergholz, Midland, and East Liverpool at one time.
Survivors include two sisters, Loretta Grundy, at home and Yvonne Jackson, and her husband Pastor Kenneth Jackson, also at home.
Also surviving is a brother, Forrest Bentz and his wife Vivian of Akron, along with many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by twin sisters, Verna and Vera.
The Rev. Dan Holloway is to conduct services at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1, at the Dawson Funeral Home, where friends may call Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.
Burial is to be in Woodland Cemetery in Salineville. Following the services, family and friends will gather at the Dawson Family Center.
View this obituary and send condolences online at www.dawsonfuneralhome.com.
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