Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/412

 K*

��398

��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY

��during the entire winter in their bare feet. The schoolhouse being in their 3'ard, they were aisle to get to it, often through the deep snow, with- out frosting their feet.

About the same time (perhaps the same win- ter, though no one can certainly say), a school was opened in the southern part of the town- ship, in the Trucks and Ayers settlement, on the site of the present village of Ganges.

The following winter, 1825-26, the Guthrie school was taught in a cabin which had been erected by John Guthrie for a dwelling ; it was also on the Guthrie farm. John becoming dis- satisfied with a life in the forest, returned to Harrison County, thus leaving the cabin vacant. Robert Finne}" also taught this school, and the same scholars attended, with the addi- tion of the Zeiglers and Mosses. This school- house contained a puncheon floor and paper windows ; and the school was continued here two winters. The only book used bj' the younger students was a paddle with the A B Cs on one side, and the a b, abs, on the other. llol)ert Finney, the teacher, afterward returned to Harrison Count3\ A majorit}- of the chil- dren who attended these schools came what would now be considered long distances, through the woods, with only the "blazed" trees to mark the wa}'. A few of these lioys and girls are yet living, and wondering where the 3'ears have gone, and feeling that the con- trast between that day and this is almost be- yond human belief

Among the earliest preachers in the town- ship, are the familiar names of Robert Lee, James Rowland, Harry 0. Sheldon and others. These good men were everywhere in the count}' at that early da}', sowing the good seed, organ- izing societies and establishing churches.

The first church societ}- was probably that of the Presbyterians, organized by Robert Lee, about 1823. The early members of this societ}^ were James Hunter and wife, William Guth- rie and wife, James Carr and wife, William

��Lattimer, the Cleland family, Daniel Prosser and wife, Joseph Guthrie, the McGaw family, Jacob Walker and Mrs. William Young. Be- sides Mr. Lee, the Rev. Mr. Mathews, James Rowland and Rev. Mr. Garrison often preached to this society. About 1827 or 1828, this society- erected a log church on Snip's Run, about half a mile north of Rome. This build- ing, which has long since disappeared, was about 20x30 feet in size, and was erected by the voluntary labor of the people, regardless of creed. The first graveyard naturally made its appearance in the vicinit}' of this church. The. building was occupied about fifteen years, when a frame was erected near it, which was used until 1860, when the society erected the pres- ent building in Rome. For man}- years this society was a strong, active one, but at present the membership is somewhat limited. A Sab- bath school has alwa^'s been connected with the church.

The second church building was erected about 1835, by the German Reformed Society', in Rome. Rev. Mr. Leiter was instrumental in establishing this church, and preached for the society a number of years. To this organiza- tion belonged the Altorfers, the Butchers, the Pifers and Christian Ehret. This church has long since disappeared.

The Methodist Church of Rome was erected about 1840. The society was first organized some 5'ears earlier in the Stoner settlement, and the early meetings held in the old log schoolhouse north of Rome. The first members were the Stoners, the Clausen famil}', Solomon Madden, John Wolph, John Woods and other.s

The first church was a frame, and was used until 1875, when the present neat, substantial brick was erected at a cost of $2,800. A Sun- day school was organized many years ago, and is 3'et continued, the membership being now about thirty.

About the time of the erection of the Meth- odist Church of Rome, a frame church was

��?

��f^

��Hr\'s

�� �