My friend Connie, over at the Meigs County mailing list on Rootsweb has shared the following link:
http://www.oldohioschools.com/
There are several schools in most categories for Columbiana County and I thought some of you might be interested in visiting the site. It covers all of Ohio, not just Columbiana County.
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label History. Show all posts
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
SHEPHERDS MISSING SHEEP.
The Saturday Review
April 2, 1887
Page 3
LOCAL MATTERS
SHEPHERDS MISSING SHEEP
Hancock County Farmers In An Excited
Condition - A Discovery Made In Their Midst.
Farmers of that portion of Hancock county, W. Va., living directly across the river from this city, have been much annoyed for several years to find, from time to time, numbers of their sheep missing, and diligent search has been without effect to discover their whereabouts. That they were stolen by some one was the general opinion, but who the party was with such a penchant for other people's mutton they were at a loss to know.
Among those who were called upon to mourn the absence of a portion of their flocks was Thomas R. Cunningham, who only a few days ago found six valuable sheep gone from his keeping. He visited the neighboring farmers making inquiries as to whether the stray animals had been seen, and among the rest visited the farm of Joseph B. Allison.
There he was informed, as elsewhere, that there were no strange sheep on the farm; but Cunningham had reason to think otherwise, and a search of Allison's fold discovered to him the missing sheep. Tjeu jad beem re-branded, but their owner was able to identify them, and they were restored to his possession.
The surprise among the farmers is great, and the finding of the sheep in Allison's fold is the theme of conversation on all sides across the river. Proceedings in the matter will likely be instituted, and he given an opportunity to explain the presence of another man's sheep on his premises, as well as the other suspicious attendant circumstances.
Allison is the son of Enoch W. Allison, known as the Land King of Hancock county, W. Va., and is himself a man in fair circumstances.
April 2, 1887
Page 3
LOCAL MATTERS
SHEPHERDS MISSING SHEEP
Hancock County Farmers In An Excited
Condition - A Discovery Made In Their Midst.
Farmers of that portion of Hancock county, W. Va., living directly across the river from this city, have been much annoyed for several years to find, from time to time, numbers of their sheep missing, and diligent search has been without effect to discover their whereabouts. That they were stolen by some one was the general opinion, but who the party was with such a penchant for other people's mutton they were at a loss to know.
Among those who were called upon to mourn the absence of a portion of their flocks was Thomas R. Cunningham, who only a few days ago found six valuable sheep gone from his keeping. He visited the neighboring farmers making inquiries as to whether the stray animals had been seen, and among the rest visited the farm of Joseph B. Allison.
There he was informed, as elsewhere, that there were no strange sheep on the farm; but Cunningham had reason to think otherwise, and a search of Allison's fold discovered to him the missing sheep. Tjeu jad beem re-branded, but their owner was able to identify them, and they were restored to his possession.
The surprise among the farmers is great, and the finding of the sheep in Allison's fold is the theme of conversation on all sides across the river. Proceedings in the matter will likely be instituted, and he given an opportunity to explain the presence of another man's sheep on his premises, as well as the other suspicious attendant circumstances.
Allison is the son of Enoch W. Allison, known as the Land King of Hancock county, W. Va., and is himself a man in fair circumstances.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
C. A. SMITH - Inducted into Lou Holtz/Upper Ohio Valley Hall of Fame
The Review
Monday, May 21, 2001
Lou Holtz/Upper Ohio Valley Hallof Fame Announces Class of 2001
Page 3A
C. A. Smith
One of the Upper Ohio Valley's most successful adn colorful sons, Charles A. "C.A." Smith was born April 14, 1867, in Wellsville, the youngest of eight children of Alexander and Margaret Smith.
At an early age, he went to live with the Alex Mahon family of the Arroyo area of nearby West Virginia. When about 17, he became interested in teh oil an dgas business while working as a water boy for a crew laying a gas pipeline in the district.
Smith seemed to have been blessed with somthing of a Midas' touch at the launch of a colorful and varied career that spanned more than a half century, reching into many phases of growth of the valley beginning in the 1890s.
His interest in the oil and gas business prompted him to begin drilling operations in teh McDonald, Pa., area. Constantly expanding his interests, he eventually acquired the Ohio Valley Gas Co., whch he sold in 1898.
In 1899, Smith began the development of what is now Chester, W. Va. Smith bought farms in the area to lay the groundwork for the community, named after an uncle, Chester Mahon.
It was during the late 1890s that he launched Rock Springs Park as an amusement center, became one of the builders of the Chester-East Liverpool Bridge and started the East Liverpool-Rock Springs Railway. The bridge was opened in 1898.
Linked with the growth of Chester, Smith established the South Side Water Co. abuot 1900 and paved the streets of what is now the upper part of Chester. In 1946, he sold teh water company to the City of Chester.
During the busy days of 1900, Smith also turned to the pottery industry. That year the Taylor, Smith & Taylor Co., was built in Chester, with Smith, his brother W. L. Smith, and John Taylor and sons, the original stockholders. In 1903, Smith and his broghter bought out the Taylors, keeping the controlling interest in the pottery.
Also about 1900, Edwin M. Knowles constructed a pottery in Chester, and Smith became one of the original stockholders. Smith also was connected with what became the American Vitrified Products Co., which once operated in teh East End.
In 1914, smith moved further into the transportation field, becoming the owner of the Steubenville, East Liverpool & Beaver Valley Traction Co., with headquarters in East Liverpool. The purchase of the traction company returned ownership of the Chester Bridge to Smith's hands. In 1938, he sold the bridge to the state of Ohio for $2, 185,000. Smith also purchased the light and power rights in the Steubenville-East Liverpool area. Those interests were sold in 1917 to what became the Ohio Power Co.
Partial abandonment of the trolleys started in 1935, and in 1939, the traction company went out of business. The Valley Motor Transit Co. began in its stead. Also that year, the Smith concern took over the East Liverpool-Newell run. Smith served as president and general manager of both organizations. To his death in October 1953, Smith remained active in Valley Motor operations.
For the last 10 years of his life, Hillcrest Farms near Chester was Smith's principal interest. Hillcrest Farms took form in 1917. in 1919, Smith went into the Hereford cattle business and began producing champion stock. At the time of his death, Smith's herd numbered about 700 head and was considered one of teh best in the United States. Hillcrest Frams produced teh grand champion bull of the Chicago International Livestock Exposition in 1947, 1949 and 1951. Smith's prize bulls were frequently sold for record prices of the times.
Apple growing also played a big part in Hillcrest's success. Of the farm's 4,000 acres, 1,000 were devoted to apples.
Smith was married twice and had five children to his first marriage.
Monday, May 21, 2001
Lou Holtz/Upper Ohio Valley Hallof Fame Announces Class of 2001
Page 3A
C. A. Smith
One of the Upper Ohio Valley's most successful adn colorful sons, Charles A. "C.A." Smith was born April 14, 1867, in Wellsville, the youngest of eight children of Alexander and Margaret Smith.
At an early age, he went to live with the Alex Mahon family of the Arroyo area of nearby West Virginia. When about 17, he became interested in teh oil an dgas business while working as a water boy for a crew laying a gas pipeline in the district.
Smith seemed to have been blessed with somthing of a Midas' touch at the launch of a colorful and varied career that spanned more than a half century, reching into many phases of growth of the valley beginning in the 1890s.
His interest in the oil and gas business prompted him to begin drilling operations in teh McDonald, Pa., area. Constantly expanding his interests, he eventually acquired the Ohio Valley Gas Co., whch he sold in 1898.
In 1899, Smith began the development of what is now Chester, W. Va. Smith bought farms in the area to lay the groundwork for the community, named after an uncle, Chester Mahon.
It was during the late 1890s that he launched Rock Springs Park as an amusement center, became one of the builders of the Chester-East Liverpool Bridge and started the East Liverpool-Rock Springs Railway. The bridge was opened in 1898.
Linked with the growth of Chester, Smith established the South Side Water Co. abuot 1900 and paved the streets of what is now the upper part of Chester. In 1946, he sold teh water company to the City of Chester.
During the busy days of 1900, Smith also turned to the pottery industry. That year the Taylor, Smith & Taylor Co., was built in Chester, with Smith, his brother W. L. Smith, and John Taylor and sons, the original stockholders. In 1903, Smith and his broghter bought out the Taylors, keeping the controlling interest in the pottery.
Also about 1900, Edwin M. Knowles constructed a pottery in Chester, and Smith became one of the original stockholders. Smith also was connected with what became the American Vitrified Products Co., which once operated in teh East End.
In 1914, smith moved further into the transportation field, becoming the owner of the Steubenville, East Liverpool & Beaver Valley Traction Co., with headquarters in East Liverpool. The purchase of the traction company returned ownership of the Chester Bridge to Smith's hands. In 1938, he sold the bridge to the state of Ohio for $2, 185,000. Smith also purchased the light and power rights in the Steubenville-East Liverpool area. Those interests were sold in 1917 to what became the Ohio Power Co.
Partial abandonment of the trolleys started in 1935, and in 1939, the traction company went out of business. The Valley Motor Transit Co. began in its stead. Also that year, the Smith concern took over the East Liverpool-Newell run. Smith served as president and general manager of both organizations. To his death in October 1953, Smith remained active in Valley Motor operations.
For the last 10 years of his life, Hillcrest Farms near Chester was Smith's principal interest. Hillcrest Farms took form in 1917. in 1919, Smith went into the Hereford cattle business and began producing champion stock. At the time of his death, Smith's herd numbered about 700 head and was considered one of teh best in the United States. Hillcrest Frams produced teh grand champion bull of the Chicago International Livestock Exposition in 1947, 1949 and 1951. Smith's prize bulls were frequently sold for record prices of the times.
Apple growing also played a big part in Hillcrest's success. Of the farm's 4,000 acres, 1,000 were devoted to apples.
Smith was married twice and had five children to his first marriage.
Friday, February 8, 2008
FORMER TEACHERS Of GARFIELD SCHOOL
Source:
Garfield School
Golden Jubilee
1888-1938
Souvenir Booklet
FORMER TEACHERS Of GARFIELD SCHOOL
Rose Adams
Margaret McConnell Allison*
Rachel Arbuthnot
Anna Austin
Nelle White Baird
Raymond Baird*
Alice Barry
Lottie Smith Bradshaw
Clifford Beane
Alice Belford
Lucinda Bennett
Mary Elizabeth Bennett
Margaret Birch
Alice Bloor
Sue Esterly Boyce
Anna Brooks*
Helen Brown
Dorothy Calcutt
Maud Caldwell
Alleyne Callahan
Martha Carnahan
Ila Carson
Nettie Thompson Chambers
Pauline White Chambers
Janet Hill Chetwyn
Erma Collins
Hattie Poe Connelly
Lena Coventry
Lena Coverly
Ethel Dawson Crawford
Mayme Cullum
Irene Holland Daugherty
Phyllis Boyd Dittmer
Frank Dulaney*
Maude Elliott
Mamie Evans
Mary Falconer
Vada McBrier Falloon
Pearl Finley
Nelle Reed Fisher
Rebecca Birch Fisher
Geneva Flick
Carrie Gaver
Charlotte Faulk Geer
Estelle Finley Hall
Grace Wright Hanley
Jane Davidson Hanson
Donald Hartford
Vera Dray Hatch
Mrs. Delia Hayes
Virginia Todd Heddleston
Mrs. Julia Hickey
Florence Hill
Elsie Hinten
Ora Dell Hunter
Rubenia Ikirt
Mildred Larkins Jester
Amanda Johnston
Alma Jones
Edna Joseph
Hazel Stillgenbauer Kidder
Lois Hanley Kinsey
Mamie Evans Langer
Jessie Manley
Nell Manley
Harriet Andrews Manor
Clara McConnell
Glenda McCoy
Willia McDonnell
Minta McLane
Maud Fisher McMurray*
Nell McPeek
May McVay
Hazel Minnix
Lucy Moore
Ruth Garwood Moore
Ethel Riley Morris
Hael Wood Neiser
Mabel Wright Neiser
Martha Newell
Bernadette Arnold Owen
Ruth Bence Patton
Edna Higby Perry
Agnes Pfisterer*
Clara Jameson Piper
Charlotte Irwin Poole
Mamye Randall
Mary Gladden Rawlins
Julia Reed
Lillian Weible Ridge
Frances Plotts Rinehart
Harriet Keys Reath
Naomi Shontz Russell
Margaret Schneider
Agnes DuTemple Scully
Eva Shaw
Margaret Smith
Mary Helen Smith
Cecile Spivey
Gladys Swickard
Emma Brown Teeman
Margaret Teets
Elizabeth Torrence
Mildred Tracy
Blanche Boorhes
Mary Keenan Ware
June Morris Watkins
Margaret McCarran Watson
Elsie Hickey Weaver
Emma Fowler Weeks*
Milburn Weeks
Effie McKinnon Whetstone
Miriam Whittamore
Ruth Winland
*Principals
Due to the fact that no records were available before 1920, it may be possible that the names of some teachers who have taught in Garfield do not appear on this page. We regret that a complete list could not be made.
THE BEGINNING OF GARFIELD SCHOOL
Source:
Garfield School
Golden Jubilee
1888-1938
Souvenir Booklet
The Beginning of Garfield School
One chilly October night, a hundred and sixty eight years ago, a band of white men and Indians beached their canoes on a sandy shore along the Ohio River. There in a forest, inhabited only by wild animals and fowls, these adventurers made their camp. Their leader was a young Virginian, George Washington, and the site of their camp was on the eastern boundary of what is now the East End of East Liverpool, Ohio.
In the years following the Civil War a small community was founded near the location of Washington's camp and became known as Ohio City. The children of this settlement attended school at the Dry Run School, now known as the Neville Institute. After a time Ohio City became a part of East Liverpool and the children were assigned to the downtown schools. The parents objected. The means of transportation were either to ride the trains or walk the railroad tracks. About the year 1880 the citizens of Ohio City, in return for their taxes, were given city water and a one-room school building, erected west of Mulberry Street. This was the first Garfield School, a single room, housing all grades and heated by a coal stove in the center of the room. The first teacher in this new building was Miss Kate Harker. The first janitor was Mrs. Julia McKinnon, mother of "Ed" McKinnon, who received seven dollars a month for her work. Following Miss Harker as teachers of this school were Miss Laura Vincent adn Miss Anna Brooks. In 1886 the conditions in the single room became crowded and the city added a second building. The grades were divided and Miss Nell Manley was appointed teacher of the new room.
Miss Manley lived downtown and came to East End each morning on the train, getting off at the station on Mulberry Street. When school was dismissed in the afternoon she had to walk home because the express train going through about that time did not stop in East End. Day ina nd day out she repeated this routine, rain, snow or sunshine and her salary was approximately thirty dollars a month! One year it rained twenty-nine consecutive days and she had to wear rubber boots to get home in the evening.
East End, with the erection of the Anderson Sewer Pipe factory, began to grow. The two small wooden buildings would no longer accomodate the children assigned to them. In 1888 a four-room brick building was erected at the cost of $10,000. John Downard of First Avenue was one of the workmen who helped in the erection. The superintendent of schools was J. A. Vance. Later, some thirty-five years ago, the remainder of the buiding was added.
Three rooms were furnished and the first teachers in the new building were Miss Anna Brooks, Miss Nell Manley adn Miss Anna Austin.
In 1889 Miss Nettie Thompson, now Mrs. F. B. Chambers, was transferred from Grant Street School and given first and second grades to teach. On opening day she had eighty pupils. No one woman could handle that many children and the fourth room was furnished.
The principals of Garfield School During its fifty years of existence have been Anna Brooks, Maude Fisher McMurray, Carrie Gaver, Emma Fowler Weeks, Margaret McConnell Allison, Raymond S. Beard, Frank L. Dulaney and the present principal, Anna M. Martin.
Fifteen thousand children have studied in the various rooms of this building, carved their initials on the surfaces of the desks, learned a lot of things not found in books and have countless memories of Garfield School.
Lucille Thomas Cox,
Former Garfield student.
Garfield School
Golden Jubilee
1888-1938
Souvenir Booklet
The Beginning of Garfield School
One chilly October night, a hundred and sixty eight years ago, a band of white men and Indians beached their canoes on a sandy shore along the Ohio River. There in a forest, inhabited only by wild animals and fowls, these adventurers made their camp. Their leader was a young Virginian, George Washington, and the site of their camp was on the eastern boundary of what is now the East End of East Liverpool, Ohio.
In the years following the Civil War a small community was founded near the location of Washington's camp and became known as Ohio City. The children of this settlement attended school at the Dry Run School, now known as the Neville Institute. After a time Ohio City became a part of East Liverpool and the children were assigned to the downtown schools. The parents objected. The means of transportation were either to ride the trains or walk the railroad tracks. About the year 1880 the citizens of Ohio City, in return for their taxes, were given city water and a one-room school building, erected west of Mulberry Street. This was the first Garfield School, a single room, housing all grades and heated by a coal stove in the center of the room. The first teacher in this new building was Miss Kate Harker. The first janitor was Mrs. Julia McKinnon, mother of "Ed" McKinnon, who received seven dollars a month for her work. Following Miss Harker as teachers of this school were Miss Laura Vincent adn Miss Anna Brooks. In 1886 the conditions in the single room became crowded and the city added a second building. The grades were divided and Miss Nell Manley was appointed teacher of the new room.
Miss Manley lived downtown and came to East End each morning on the train, getting off at the station on Mulberry Street. When school was dismissed in the afternoon she had to walk home because the express train going through about that time did not stop in East End. Day ina nd day out she repeated this routine, rain, snow or sunshine and her salary was approximately thirty dollars a month! One year it rained twenty-nine consecutive days and she had to wear rubber boots to get home in the evening.
East End, with the erection of the Anderson Sewer Pipe factory, began to grow. The two small wooden buildings would no longer accomodate the children assigned to them. In 1888 a four-room brick building was erected at the cost of $10,000. John Downard of First Avenue was one of the workmen who helped in the erection. The superintendent of schools was J. A. Vance. Later, some thirty-five years ago, the remainder of the buiding was added.
Three rooms were furnished and the first teachers in the new building were Miss Anna Brooks, Miss Nell Manley adn Miss Anna Austin.
In 1889 Miss Nettie Thompson, now Mrs. F. B. Chambers, was transferred from Grant Street School and given first and second grades to teach. On opening day she had eighty pupils. No one woman could handle that many children and the fourth room was furnished.
The principals of Garfield School During its fifty years of existence have been Anna Brooks, Maude Fisher McMurray, Carrie Gaver, Emma Fowler Weeks, Margaret McConnell Allison, Raymond S. Beard, Frank L. Dulaney and the present principal, Anna M. Martin.
Fifteen thousand children have studied in the various rooms of this building, carved their initials on the surfaces of the desks, learned a lot of things not found in books and have countless memories of Garfield School.
Lucille Thomas Cox,
Former Garfield student.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
MEMORIES - Some Incidents Of The Early Times
Source: Memories
Some Events and Persons Connected With
The First Methodist Episcopal Church
of East Liverpool, Ohio.
by Christian Metsch & C. R. Boyce
---------------------
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.
---------------------
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.
Some Events and Persons Connected With
The First Methodist Episcopal Church
of East Liverpool, Ohio.
by Christian Metsch & C. R. Boyce
---------------------
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.
---------------------
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.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Corner Stone Relics
The Evening Review
Monday February 12, 1900
CORNER STONE RELICS
Built into St. Stephen's Church in 1877
_____
Examined at Evening Service
_____
Program of the Exercises at the Laying of the Stone
- Names of Church Officers at that time -
Copies of the old Time Church Papers
_____
The box placed in the corner stone of St. Stephen's Church Thursday October 11, 1877 at 3 pm was opened at the close of the services in the parish building last evening by Rev. Edwin Weary.
Before the opening of the treasures a short address was made by Reverend Weary relatively to the history of the box. The contents were then displayed to the congregation in the following order: One Bible and a prayer book presented to the church by Mr. Thomas, senior warden of the Church of the ascension, Wellsville: one silver coin dated 1877, one copy of Potter's gazette dated October 4, 1877, copy of the Standard of the Cross, the Episcopal Church Organ, edited by Rev. W. C. French, of Cleveland, dated October 18, 1877; Episcopal Church Almanac; Copy of the Churchman in which was a program of the order of the corner stone laying; copy of the Spirit of Missions, October 6, 1877; copy of the Journal of the Thirtieth Diocese and Convention.
The service on that date was in charge of Rev.Micki, then Pastor of the Church. After the usual Church services the cornerstone was laid by Rev. W. C.French, D.D. of Cleveland.
The following list of Officers of the Church at that time were placed in the box; Wardens, M. Bagley and Mr. Wilson: Vestrymen, Benjamin Harker, John Garner, James R. Rigby, Samuel and William Baggott. The Officers of the Sunday School were: William Wilson, Superintendent; John Garner, Secretary; Teachers, Joseph Barker, George Smith, J. T. Ross, Rose Peterson, Lydia Croxall, Annie Garner, Mary Mast and Sarah Johnson. The Building Committee consisted of George A. Humerick - house chairman; William Wilson -treasurer; Edward Pearson and John Garner.
Those who had contracts for the Church were; Masonry ; Phillips & Abrams, Brick; Surles & Bros,Carpenters; Merchant & Rodgers.
When the church was built the membership was 35 the collection for that year amounted to $358.06. Today the membership is 235, the collection last year amounted to $5190.
When the new corner stone is laid the contents ofthe old box will be placed in the new box.
The vestry with the several committees appointed by the congregation to solicit funds for the erection of the new Church will meet this evening in the parish building for the purpose of ascertaining how much money has been pledged.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
Monday February 12, 1900
CORNER STONE RELICS
Built into St. Stephen's Church in 1877
_____
Examined at Evening Service
_____
Program of the Exercises at the Laying of the Stone
- Names of Church Officers at that time -
Copies of the old Time Church Papers
_____
The box placed in the corner stone of St. Stephen's Church Thursday October 11, 1877 at 3 pm was opened at the close of the services in the parish building last evening by Rev. Edwin Weary.
Before the opening of the treasures a short address was made by Reverend Weary relatively to the history of the box. The contents were then displayed to the congregation in the following order: One Bible and a prayer book presented to the church by Mr. Thomas, senior warden of the Church of the ascension, Wellsville: one silver coin dated 1877, one copy of Potter's gazette dated October 4, 1877, copy of the Standard of the Cross, the Episcopal Church Organ, edited by Rev. W. C. French, of Cleveland, dated October 18, 1877; Episcopal Church Almanac; Copy of the Churchman in which was a program of the order of the corner stone laying; copy of the Spirit of Missions, October 6, 1877; copy of the Journal of the Thirtieth Diocese and Convention.
The service on that date was in charge of Rev.Micki, then Pastor of the Church. After the usual Church services the cornerstone was laid by Rev. W. C.French, D.D. of Cleveland.
The following list of Officers of the Church at that time were placed in the box; Wardens, M. Bagley and Mr. Wilson: Vestrymen, Benjamin Harker, John Garner, James R. Rigby, Samuel and William Baggott. The Officers of the Sunday School were: William Wilson, Superintendent; John Garner, Secretary; Teachers, Joseph Barker, George Smith, J. T. Ross, Rose Peterson, Lydia Croxall, Annie Garner, Mary Mast and Sarah Johnson. The Building Committee consisted of George A. Humerick - house chairman; William Wilson -treasurer; Edward Pearson and John Garner.
Those who had contracts for the Church were; Masonry ; Phillips & Abrams, Brick; Surles & Bros,Carpenters; Merchant & Rodgers.
When the church was built the membership was 35 the collection for that year amounted to $358.06. Today the membership is 235, the collection last year amounted to $5190.
When the new corner stone is laid the contents ofthe old box will be placed in the new box.
The vestry with the several committees appointed by the congregation to solicit funds for the erection of the new Church will meet this evening in the parish building for the purpose of ascertaining how much money has been pledged.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
WILL BE A STONE CHURCH
The Evening Review
Tuesday January 30, 1900
WILL BE A STONE CHURCH
St. Stephen's Congregation pledged $3000
Toward a New Church
At the Congregational Meeting Last Evening
Committees Were Named to Act With the Vestry in
Securing Additional Funds for Church Erection
The congregation of St. Stephen's Church met in the parish building last evening to consider plans and means for the erection of a new Church to take the place of the structure destroyed by fire Saturday morning. Just about one half of the members of the church were present, the cold weather causing many to be absent. Rev. Edwin Weary presided at the meeting and explained to the members the situation. After a short discussion it was decided to take up a subscription to be used as a building fund. When all had contributed it was found that $3000 had been pledged. This with the insurance gives the congregation a fund of $7000 to start the new Church with. Two Committees, one of the ladies, another of the gentlemen, were appointed to act with the vestryin soliciting additional additional funds.
It has been decided that the new Church shall be built of stone, but construction will not be commenced until spring. The building will be of Gothic architecture and one story in height. Reverend Weary stated today the new Church would cost not less than $15,000 and probably $20,000.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
Tuesday January 30, 1900
WILL BE A STONE CHURCH
St. Stephen's Congregation pledged $3000
Toward a New Church
At the Congregational Meeting Last Evening
Committees Were Named to Act With the Vestry in
Securing Additional Funds for Church Erection
The congregation of St. Stephen's Church met in the parish building last evening to consider plans and means for the erection of a new Church to take the place of the structure destroyed by fire Saturday morning. Just about one half of the members of the church were present, the cold weather causing many to be absent. Rev. Edwin Weary presided at the meeting and explained to the members the situation. After a short discussion it was decided to take up a subscription to be used as a building fund. When all had contributed it was found that $3000 had been pledged. This with the insurance gives the congregation a fund of $7000 to start the new Church with. Two Committees, one of the ladies, another of the gentlemen, were appointed to act with the vestryin soliciting additional additional funds.
It has been decided that the new Church shall be built of stone, but construction will not be commenced until spring. The building will be of Gothic architecture and one story in height. Reverend Weary stated today the new Church would cost not less than $15,000 and probably $20,000.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
An Old Bell
The Evening Review
Saturday January 27, 1900
AN OLD BELL
That at St. Stephen's Church Has an Interesting History
The bell saved from the fire at St. Stephen's Church this morning has an interesting history. The bell was originally owned by Ben Burgess, a brother of Sanitary Officer Burgess. it was purchased at Napoleon, Ark., a small town near the mouth of the Arkansas River, in December 1860. It was placed on a boat owned by Burgess called the "Wheeling Glass Trader" and taken to Baton Rouge, La. in the following February. Next day that state seceded from the Union, and the residents of Baton Rouge went to the boat and rang the bell for almost a day. The boat was then taken to New Orleans and the bell was to be sent to this place, but before it was allowed to be taken from there Burgess was compelled to pay between $5 and $6 custom duties. The bell was taken to Pittsburg on the"Prima Donna" from New Orleans and later brought to this city. It was presented to the Episcopal Church in 1863 by Mrs. Jane Burgess.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
Saturday January 27, 1900
AN OLD BELL
That at St. Stephen's Church Has an Interesting History
The bell saved from the fire at St. Stephen's Church this morning has an interesting history. The bell was originally owned by Ben Burgess, a brother of Sanitary Officer Burgess. it was purchased at Napoleon, Ark., a small town near the mouth of the Arkansas River, in December 1860. It was placed on a boat owned by Burgess called the "Wheeling Glass Trader" and taken to Baton Rouge, La. in the following February. Next day that state seceded from the Union, and the residents of Baton Rouge went to the boat and rang the bell for almost a day. The boat was then taken to New Orleans and the bell was to be sent to this place, but before it was allowed to be taken from there Burgess was compelled to pay between $5 and $6 custom duties. The bell was taken to Pittsburg on the"Prima Donna" from New Orleans and later brought to this city. It was presented to the Episcopal Church in 1863 by Mrs. Jane Burgess.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
ST. STEPHEN'S BURNED
The Evening Review
Saturday January 27, 1900
ST. STEPHEN'S BURNED
Over Heated Furnace Causes a Disastrous Fire
___________
Loss will reach about $8,000
___________
Fire had been burning for quite a time before an alarmwas turned in - Steps will be taken at once to erect a new Church to cost not less than $10,000.
__________
Fire Last night caused the total destruction of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Fourth Street. Anover heated heater in the cellar started it. The Church when built cost $8,000, and insurance to the amount of $4500 was carried on the property.
The fire was discovered at 1:50 o'clock this morning by William Kelly, who turned in the alarm. The department made a quick run, and when they reached the church, finding it useless to attempt to save thebuilding, turned their attention to the rectory, and the parish building. Several lines of hose were turned on the church to drown the flames and while this wasbeing done, water was thrown on the other church buildings. No damage resulted to the rectory, but the parish building was partially flooded. This however will cause no inconvenience to the services that will be held tomorrow.
St. Stephen's Church was organized in 1837. For many years the congregation worshiped in a small frame building now standing in the rear of the Church. In 1879 the congregation erected a new building at the cost of $8,000, and on the evening of May 8 last the congregation paid the last dollar of a $4,500 mortgage and burned that paper. Last summer the congregation expended $1,200 improving the rectory and the parish building. Since the brick Church was built the following pastors have officiated: Rev. McKim, Rev. Burks, Rev. Taylor, Rev. O'Mears, and Rev. Weary. the last-named had prepared to observe his second anniversary tomorrow, but this has been postponed.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
Saturday January 27, 1900
ST. STEPHEN'S BURNED
Over Heated Furnace Causes a Disastrous Fire
___________
Loss will reach about $8,000
___________
Fire had been burning for quite a time before an alarmwas turned in - Steps will be taken at once to erect a new Church to cost not less than $10,000.
__________
Fire Last night caused the total destruction of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Fourth Street. Anover heated heater in the cellar started it. The Church when built cost $8,000, and insurance to the amount of $4500 was carried on the property.
The fire was discovered at 1:50 o'clock this morning by William Kelly, who turned in the alarm. The department made a quick run, and when they reached the church, finding it useless to attempt to save thebuilding, turned their attention to the rectory, and the parish building. Several lines of hose were turned on the church to drown the flames and while this wasbeing done, water was thrown on the other church buildings. No damage resulted to the rectory, but the parish building was partially flooded. This however will cause no inconvenience to the services that will be held tomorrow.
St. Stephen's Church was organized in 1837. For many years the congregation worshiped in a small frame building now standing in the rear of the Church. In 1879 the congregation erected a new building at the cost of $8,000, and on the evening of May 8 last the congregation paid the last dollar of a $4,500 mortgage and burned that paper. Last summer the congregation expended $1,200 improving the rectory and the parish building. Since the brick Church was built the following pastors have officiated: Rev. McKim, Rev. Burks, Rev. Taylor, Rev. O'Mears, and Rev. Weary. the last-named had prepared to observe his second anniversary tomorrow, but this has been postponed.
Contributed by Virginia Stevens Plumley
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The First Methodist Society
Source:
Memories
Some Events and Persons Connected With
The First Methodist Episcopal Church
of East Liverpool, Ohio.
by Christian Metsch & C. R. Boyce
Not many generations ago, where you now sit, circled with all the exalts and embellishes civilized life, the rank thistle nodded in the wind and the wild fox dug his hole unscared.
After a hundred years of silent preparation a bud appears upon the century plant and then a flower - the purpose of its life unfolds. So God reveals His ways. We often think that we have planned our lives, but, after all, if we've been true, we simply walked in paths where God directed us. His purposes, but others, looking back from the elevation of the years, will discover some good reason why we lived.
The truth of this stands out quite clear as we study the early history of our town and note its progress step by step. It was in 1772 that Thomas Fawcett and his bride left old Ireland to seek their fortunes across the sea. Coming direct to Washington County, Pa., they established a pioneer home and until 1798 lived quite uneventful lives. At that time they became interested in the cheap lands of the Northwest Territory, recently opened by the government. For $3651.00 they purchased a tract of almost 1100 acres, and with their family of eight children immediately started for their new possessions. Most of that journey was made through forests then unbroken save by the trail of some Indian band, or along winding paths where herds of deer came to the water's edge to drink.
Near the shore line of the ohio River, they built their cabin in that green wilderness, not even dreaming, perhaps, that it would one day mark the site where men would congregate and build a town; but one by one the other settlers came and built their cabins there until, in honor of its founder, they named the village Fawcettstown and in the later years rechristened it East Liverpool. In 1823 there were only six of seven families in the settlement and Second Street was but a crooked bridle path along the river shore. An old grist mill - the first in Columbiana County - stood at the mouth of Carpenter's Run and represented the chief business interest of the village.
On the hillside near the present location of the Central School Building, stood a little log school house, and it is to this we turn with greatest interest for it has to do with the story which is to follow. It was a building of most primitive design. The crevices between the unhewn logs were plastered up with clay, and at the west and south openings were left for light and over these was tightly drawn dark, heavy paper, soaked in oil to make it more transparent. Within, the floor was rough, displaying all about the axe strokes of some early pioneer; the seats were simply benches without backs and the desks, a single board around the wall supported by pins driven in the logs.
This rude building was not only the place where the stern schoolmaster held sway, but was as well the public building of the town and was open for such religious meetings as any denomination might wish to hold. Prior to this time it had been customary to hold religious services in different homes in the community and these meetings were attended by many who came for miles to hear the soul-stirring sermons of the early Methodist circuit riders. While Thomas Fawcett and his family were Quakers, their home was freely opened for those public meetings, and it is said on good authority that the first sermon ever preached in East Liverpool was in their home from the text, "And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the tree: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
Among the Methodist circuit riders who occasionally stopped at the village, was teh Rev. George Brown, of Wheeling, and on one of these visits in 1827, at the home of Claiborne Simms, Sr., the first Methodist class was organized. The names of the members of that class during the first few years were Jesse Johnson and wife; James and William Warrick and their wives; the Fawcett sisters; Claiborne and Basil Simms and their wives; Mrs. Robert Fawcett; Simeon Johnson and wife; Mrs. nancy Anderson; William G. Smith and wife; Mother Abagail Smith; Samuel Lyon and wife; John Lyon; Able Coffin and wife; Benjamin Davidson and wife, and also other members of the Stone, Johnson and Stevens families. After they had organized, they immediately took advantage of the privilege of using the old school house and opened a Sunday school with Jesse Johnson as superintendent.
Perhaps we cannot get a better idea of the customs of those days than to attend the services in that old log school house on a certain Sunday in May, 1828. The hillside was covered with forest trees, now green and beautiful in their springtime splendor and the flowers were blooming everywhere, and the children coming over the paths through the woods had gathered bunches of them along the way. Barefooted, freckled faced, dressed in homespuns, but with little hearts as innocent and pure as the air of that spring morning, the children gathered in that old school house at 9 o'clock, and when the leader of the music struck teh tuning fork they all joined in a hymn of praise. Then the superintendent offered prayer with all the earnestness of a man whose life was sincere. The teachers were at liberty to take up any portion of the Bible for their days lesson, and not a little time was spent in the study of the catechism of the faith and doctrines of our fathers. The chief aim of the teachers of the smaller classes was to encourage the memorizing of scripture, and a record was kept of the number of verses committed and spoken by each member of the class. There was more or less rivalry in this matter of learning verses, and there were two girls in the school - Mary Ellen and Ann Eliza Johnson - who were in after years able to repeat the entire New Testament.
Before the Sunday school had adjourned, the preacher arrived and a number of the men who had ridden quite a distance on horseback were tying their horses in the woods and were then stopping to greet each other for this was one of the few occasions when they met.
When they gathered in the school house for the service, the children were seated on the low benches in the center of the room and forming a wider circle the older people sat upon the highter benches and leaned against the writing desk for a support. For a few moments there was perfect quietness within and only the call of a wild bird to its mate and the neighing of a restless horse among those tied in the forest broke the stillness of that Sabbath morn. The preacher arose with solemnity and read two lines of an old humn. All joined in singing them and then two more lines were read, and thus alternately he read and the little company sang.
Praying in those days meant asking God for the things that were needed and it was done in such an earnest, simple manner as to indicate that an answer was expected. After such a prayer had been offered, the text was announced, and then, taking up the divisions of his subject in firstly, secondly, thirdly and fourthly for almost one hour, the preacher thundered forth the requirements of God's law and dwelt no less upong the dangers of its neglect.
Men and women were visibly impressed with the duty so clearly set forth and the children listened, half in awe and half in admiration, at the serious eloquence of the preacher. It was either at this service or one held soon afterwards that Adam Poe, a son of the famous Indian fighter, became deeply convicted of his sins, and while rowing across the Little Beaver on his way home he was wonderfully converted, or, as he expressed it in after years when he had become a Methodist preacher, "the Sun of righteousness arose with healing in his wings."
When the preacher had finished his sermon that day he announced that on the second Sunday followign another circuit rider would preach in the school house at early candle light. No other hour for the evening service was ever set than "early candle light," but that was as clear a call as the ringing of a bell.
The meeting adjourned and each departed, those living nearby sharing in the breaking of 'bread with their brethern who lived miles away and with the preacher who must hurry on to preach elsewhere that afternoon.
Even those who were children at that service have one by one been gathered in that silent spot - the city of the dead. The little bare feet that would not touch the floor have walked all through the paths of life and are now still. The little sunburned faces have long since faded into the marble white of death, but the lessons that were learned have brought to us the civilization of our time and the memories of those pioneers whould be to us as sacred as the worship of that day.
**The book "Memories" was contributed to Genealogy Pit Stop by Cookie Sisco, with the desire that it be shared with all of you.
Memories
Some Events and Persons Connected With
The First Methodist Episcopal Church
of East Liverpool, Ohio.
by Christian Metsch & C. R. Boyce
Not many generations ago, where you now sit, circled with all the exalts and embellishes civilized life, the rank thistle nodded in the wind and the wild fox dug his hole unscared.
After a hundred years of silent preparation a bud appears upon the century plant and then a flower - the purpose of its life unfolds. So God reveals His ways. We often think that we have planned our lives, but, after all, if we've been true, we simply walked in paths where God directed us. His purposes, but others, looking back from the elevation of the years, will discover some good reason why we lived.
The truth of this stands out quite clear as we study the early history of our town and note its progress step by step. It was in 1772 that Thomas Fawcett and his bride left old Ireland to seek their fortunes across the sea. Coming direct to Washington County, Pa., they established a pioneer home and until 1798 lived quite uneventful lives. At that time they became interested in the cheap lands of the Northwest Territory, recently opened by the government. For $3651.00 they purchased a tract of almost 1100 acres, and with their family of eight children immediately started for their new possessions. Most of that journey was made through forests then unbroken save by the trail of some Indian band, or along winding paths where herds of deer came to the water's edge to drink.
Near the shore line of the ohio River, they built their cabin in that green wilderness, not even dreaming, perhaps, that it would one day mark the site where men would congregate and build a town; but one by one the other settlers came and built their cabins there until, in honor of its founder, they named the village Fawcettstown and in the later years rechristened it East Liverpool. In 1823 there were only six of seven families in the settlement and Second Street was but a crooked bridle path along the river shore. An old grist mill - the first in Columbiana County - stood at the mouth of Carpenter's Run and represented the chief business interest of the village.
On the hillside near the present location of the Central School Building, stood a little log school house, and it is to this we turn with greatest interest for it has to do with the story which is to follow. It was a building of most primitive design. The crevices between the unhewn logs were plastered up with clay, and at the west and south openings were left for light and over these was tightly drawn dark, heavy paper, soaked in oil to make it more transparent. Within, the floor was rough, displaying all about the axe strokes of some early pioneer; the seats were simply benches without backs and the desks, a single board around the wall supported by pins driven in the logs.
This rude building was not only the place where the stern schoolmaster held sway, but was as well the public building of the town and was open for such religious meetings as any denomination might wish to hold. Prior to this time it had been customary to hold religious services in different homes in the community and these meetings were attended by many who came for miles to hear the soul-stirring sermons of the early Methodist circuit riders. While Thomas Fawcett and his family were Quakers, their home was freely opened for those public meetings, and it is said on good authority that the first sermon ever preached in East Liverpool was in their home from the text, "And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the tree: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
Among the Methodist circuit riders who occasionally stopped at the village, was teh Rev. George Brown, of Wheeling, and on one of these visits in 1827, at the home of Claiborne Simms, Sr., the first Methodist class was organized. The names of the members of that class during the first few years were Jesse Johnson and wife; James and William Warrick and their wives; the Fawcett sisters; Claiborne and Basil Simms and their wives; Mrs. Robert Fawcett; Simeon Johnson and wife; Mrs. nancy Anderson; William G. Smith and wife; Mother Abagail Smith; Samuel Lyon and wife; John Lyon; Able Coffin and wife; Benjamin Davidson and wife, and also other members of the Stone, Johnson and Stevens families. After they had organized, they immediately took advantage of the privilege of using the old school house and opened a Sunday school with Jesse Johnson as superintendent.
Perhaps we cannot get a better idea of the customs of those days than to attend the services in that old log school house on a certain Sunday in May, 1828. The hillside was covered with forest trees, now green and beautiful in their springtime splendor and the flowers were blooming everywhere, and the children coming over the paths through the woods had gathered bunches of them along the way. Barefooted, freckled faced, dressed in homespuns, but with little hearts as innocent and pure as the air of that spring morning, the children gathered in that old school house at 9 o'clock, and when the leader of the music struck teh tuning fork they all joined in a hymn of praise. Then the superintendent offered prayer with all the earnestness of a man whose life was sincere. The teachers were at liberty to take up any portion of the Bible for their days lesson, and not a little time was spent in the study of the catechism of the faith and doctrines of our fathers. The chief aim of the teachers of the smaller classes was to encourage the memorizing of scripture, and a record was kept of the number of verses committed and spoken by each member of the class. There was more or less rivalry in this matter of learning verses, and there were two girls in the school - Mary Ellen and Ann Eliza Johnson - who were in after years able to repeat the entire New Testament.
Before the Sunday school had adjourned, the preacher arrived and a number of the men who had ridden quite a distance on horseback were tying their horses in the woods and were then stopping to greet each other for this was one of the few occasions when they met.
When they gathered in the school house for the service, the children were seated on the low benches in the center of the room and forming a wider circle the older people sat upon the highter benches and leaned against the writing desk for a support. For a few moments there was perfect quietness within and only the call of a wild bird to its mate and the neighing of a restless horse among those tied in the forest broke the stillness of that Sabbath morn. The preacher arose with solemnity and read two lines of an old humn. All joined in singing them and then two more lines were read, and thus alternately he read and the little company sang.
Praying in those days meant asking God for the things that were needed and it was done in such an earnest, simple manner as to indicate that an answer was expected. After such a prayer had been offered, the text was announced, and then, taking up the divisions of his subject in firstly, secondly, thirdly and fourthly for almost one hour, the preacher thundered forth the requirements of God's law and dwelt no less upong the dangers of its neglect.
Men and women were visibly impressed with the duty so clearly set forth and the children listened, half in awe and half in admiration, at the serious eloquence of the preacher. It was either at this service or one held soon afterwards that Adam Poe, a son of the famous Indian fighter, became deeply convicted of his sins, and while rowing across the Little Beaver on his way home he was wonderfully converted, or, as he expressed it in after years when he had become a Methodist preacher, "the Sun of righteousness arose with healing in his wings."
When the preacher had finished his sermon that day he announced that on the second Sunday followign another circuit rider would preach in the school house at early candle light. No other hour for the evening service was ever set than "early candle light," but that was as clear a call as the ringing of a bell.
The meeting adjourned and each departed, those living nearby sharing in the breaking of 'bread with their brethern who lived miles away and with the preacher who must hurry on to preach elsewhere that afternoon.
Even those who were children at that service have one by one been gathered in that silent spot - the city of the dead. The little bare feet that would not touch the floor have walked all through the paths of life and are now still. The little sunburned faces have long since faded into the marble white of death, but the lessons that were learned have brought to us the civilization of our time and the memories of those pioneers whould be to us as sacred as the worship of that day.
**The book "Memories" was contributed to Genealogy Pit Stop by Cookie Sisco, with the desire that it be shared with all of you.
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