Page:History of Richland County, Ohio.djvu/432

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��HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

��About the year 1840, a division occurred in this church, a portion of the members, under the leadership of Jacob Clay, withdrawing and erecting a new church for themselves, a mile or more west of the parent church, on Section 32. Mr. Cla}' gave the ground for this church, and it is generally' known as the " Cla}' Church." It was also erected by the united efforts of the Lutherans and German Reformed people. A few of the Lutherans who partici- pated in this organization were Peter Miller and wife, Jacob Kohler and wife, Jacob Keiser, Thomas Rutledge and wife, Robert and Thomas Hall and John Bringman and wife. Of the Grerman Reformed, there were John Clay and wife, John Fisher and wife, John Marks and wife and Michael Thorne and wife. Of these people, only Peter Miller and John Marks are now living.

The early Lutheran ministers were George Leiter, J. Huffman and F. J. Ruth, the latter of whom yet officiates.

The early (jrerman Reformed ministers were Samuel Leiter and Rev. Stump.

Both of these churches support a Sunday school in summer. Math forty or fifty members each. Solomon AVeaver organized the first Sunday school in the Clay Church, about the year 1852.

It is said that the first religious services ever held in this part of the county was at the house of Peter Pittenger, in 1815. The serv- ices were conducted by Rev. John Clingan, who organized a Methodist society, with about twelve members.

In a very early day, a Universalist Church was erected in the northern part of the town- ship. This church was log, and may have antedated the Zeiter Church. The Ayerses and Truckses were influential in the erection of this church. Adam. John and Lewis Keith and the Crums were members of this church, and early settlers.

In 1852, a Baptist Church was erected on Section 22. These people had been attending

��the Baptist Church at Windsor. Rev. Taylor was instrumental in its organization, and the early members were Isaiah Boyce and family, John Jackson and daughter, Charles Copeland and family, Robert Jump and daughter, William Bohler and wife, Roger Moses and John D. Bo^'ce and wife. The present Pastor is J. D. Goff, and the present membership about seventy-five.

A Sunday school was organized in 1851, Abraham Troup being first Superintendent.

Between the years 1830 and 18-tO, the Tun- kers organized a societj^, and held meetings at the houses of Jacob Whisler, Henry Worst and others and in the schoolhouse. In 1858, they erected the present frame church, on Section 20. The early members were Henry and Jacob Worst, Jacob Whisler, Christian Ritten- house, Samuel and Jacob Landes and their wives, and Joseph Rittenhouse and wife. The early leaders were James Tracy, Elias Dickey, H. Showalter and others.

Michael Keith and John Kendall gave the ground upon which the church and cemetery were established. The present membership is about one hundred.

The Harmony Baptist Church was organ- ized at Ganges September 3, 1865, by Elder A. Morthland, the first members being David Bushey, Michael Hissel, Joshua Baker, Elder A. Morthland, George Wells, Rowland Boyce, Mrs. David Bushey, Mrs. Joshua Baker and others.

The first meetings were held in schoolhouses, barns and private residences. In 1866, they erected the present church, on Section 20, at a cost of $2,000.

Elder A. Morthland preached for this con- gregation until his death, which occurred Janu- ary 22, 1876. He was followed by Elder T. W. Dye, who died recentl}', and who occupied the pulpit until his death. The present mem- bership is seventy-seven.

A Sunday school was organized in 1866, and now contains 110 members. David Morth- land is Superintendent.

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