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TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION Work originally published in 1887. Scanned, proofed and minor spelling corrections by the United Brethren Historical Center. Electronic edition ©2007 United Brethren Historical Center Suggested Citation:
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History of the Sandusky Conference by W. M. Mathers |
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The Church of the United Brethren in Christ.
In order to systematize and give greater efficiency to the work upon which God had set his seal, annual conferences were organized, at which the preachers in said districts met to consult and lay plans for future work in the Lord's vineyard. In 1825 there was four annual conferences, to-wit: Pennsylvania, Miami, Muskingdom and Scioto, organized in the order here given. Scioto being set off by the General Conference of the same year. In 1833, Sandusky was added to the list, making seven p7 in all. The conference has made a record of which it need not be ashamed; one that will serve as an incentive to greater activity in rescuing the perishing, and in building up the church of Christ. The first member of the United Brethren Church that lived in the territory embraced in the bounds of this conference, so far as we have any knowledge, was Rev. Jacob Baulus, one of the earliest and most efficient preachers in Maryland. He settled near Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) in 1822. His home was located in the deep dark forest of the Black Swamp. In opening up a farm he was not unmindful of the spiritual wants of the people, but commenced preaching to the new settlers as the opportunity offered itself He also opened his house, and spread his table for ministers of other denominations. A few preaching places were established; a few classes organized, and in 1829 the General Conference located a circuit in that section, and called it Sandusky Circuit At the next session of the Muskingdom Conference, Jacob Baulus was elected presiding elder of the Sandusky District, and J. Zahn was appointed to take charge of the circuit. The following year Mr. Baulus was re-elected presiding elder, and Israel Harrington and J. Harrison assigned to the Sandusky circuit. These four, Zahn, Baulus, Harrington and Harrison, are said to have been the first pioneer itinerant preachers of this church in Northwestern Ohio. Between this time p8 and 1833, a number of United Brethren families moved into this territory, and among them some excellent local preachers. George Hiskey settled near Lexington, Richland Co.; Henry Errett and John Smith near Galion, Crawford Co.; Phillip Cramer west of Findlay, Hancock Co.; Israel Harrington who was placed on the circuit in 1830, located on the Portage river; while Henry Kimberlin and John and Jacob Crum settled on Bever Creek, Wood Co. These were all good men, and were not only instrumental in leading many to Christ, but have left influences that will be felt to the end of time. The grand work done by these pioneers, prepared the way for a conference, so the General Conference which met at Dresbach's Church, Pickaway County, Ohio, May 14th, 1833, set off the Sandusky work as a separate conference. The new conference held its first session at the house of Phillip Bretz, on Honey Creek, Seneca Co., May 12th, 1834. Bishop Heistand organized the conference, and the following ministers were present: Jacob Baulus, George Hiskey, Jeremiah Brown, C. Zook, John Crum, W. T. Tracy, Jacob Bair, O. Strong, Henry Errett, J. Smith, Lawrence Easterly, Phillip Cramer, J. Alsop, Benjamin Moore, Daniel Strayer, Israel Harrington, Jacob Crum, Henry Kimberlin and John Fry; twenty in number, all of whom have passed to their final reward. At this early day no statistics were kept of members received, so that we have no means p9 of knowing what the membership was, or how rapidly it increased. The following brethren were admitted at its first session: John Davis, Jacob Garber, Stephen Lilebridge, A. Winch, J. C. Rice and B. F. Kauffman. Mr. Lilebridge did more perhaps than any other man of his day to build up the cause of Christ in the Sandusky conference. He was born January 31st, 1815, and in his 18th year experienced the pardon of his sins and united with the church. In a very short time he was moved to call sinners to repentance, and for eight years he served the church faithfully as an itinerant. Few can realize at this time, the privations and hardships of a pioneer missionary in this sparsely settled country, without bridges and but few roads, sometimes on horseback, and not unfrequently afoot. "To go where the brethren as yet had no name nor home, and where Christ was seldom preached by any minister, and still less known, was his peculiar call, as it was his pleasure and delight." During the eight years of his itinerancy, his annual pay was less than one hundred dollars, with but one single exception. He suffered much from the want of suitable clothing during the winter season, which was one of the causes of his untimely death From his diary it appears that during his brief career he preached 1930 sermons. After forming many new societies, and winning hundreds to Christ, at the early age of 28, on the 25th of May p10 1843 he died, near Findlay, O., and was buried in the old grave yard on the east side of town. When the writer was stationed in Findlay, just sixteen years later, he found the grave in a dilapidated condition, with nothing but a board to mark his grave; going out into the country, preaching and taking up collections in different congregations money enough was secured to place at his grave a suitable tombstone; subsequently his remains were removed to the new cemetery west of town, where they now rest, waiting the summons of the master from on high. Jacob Garber, another of the members received at this first conference has always been the fast friend of the church; being a man of unblemished character he now shares largely the confidence of his brethren. Part of this time he served as an itinerant and part of the time in a local relation, but whether local or traveling, he was always ready to assist in building up the cause of the Redeemer. He is now 94 years of age, lives in Charlotte, Mich., is able to preach occasionally, and to attend the house of the Lord, in which he takes great delight. The second conference was held at the house of Adam Beck's in Crawford Co., April 15th, 1835, Bro. Heistand was the presiding bishop. At this time there was not a church house in the bounds of the conference, and for some years they were held in private houses, and school houses. The first churches owned by p11 the conference was in Lexington, Richland Co., the stone church on Honey Creek, and Bethel near where Burgoon now stands, but which one was first in point of time, I have not the means at hand at present to determine. The following brethren were licensed to preach the gospel: Jacob Newman, J. Logan, J. Bever and J. Dorcas. H. G. Spaythe was received on transfer. James Nighman and Henry Purdy came into the conference about this time, but the minutes gives no account of it. Brother Newman began the work of the ministry in 1833, and for twenty years labored in the Sandusky conference. In 1853 he emigrated to Iowa where he continued in the itinerant work until the weight of years compelled him to retire from the active field. He was a preacher in the church 47 years, 37 of which was spent in active service as an itinerant. He died at the age of 80 in the full assurance of immortality and eternal life. Brother Bever spent many years in the regular work, sometimes on circuits, and sometimes as Presiding Elder, but in whatever relation, his labors were highly appreciated by the people. He is now upon the shady side of life, surrounded with all the comforts of a pleasant home, and in the full confidence of the church, waiting the Masters own time. The following year the conference was held at the house of brother Crum, in Wood county, commencing April 26, 1836. Bishop S. Heistand presiding. p12 Michael Long, C. Tug, D. Strayer, A. Spracklin and *John Long were licensed to preach. Bro. Spracklin became a very able preacher, and for many years was a faithful itinerant. The few last years of his life were spent in a local relation, on a farm near Kenton, where life's last battles were fought, her victories won, and he entered into rest. Bro M. Long has traveled longer and suffered more privations in the conference than any other man, living or dead, and has succeeded in bringing thousands into the church; for fifty-one years he has taken work from the conference, with the exception of one or two years; he has never missed a single session. At the session held in Bascom, in 1886, feeling the years bearing somewhat heavily upon him, took a local relation, but since that time has rendered valuable assistance to some of the brethren, and his burning zeal for the Master's cause will enable him to gather many sheaves for the garner above. The following year the conference was held at Lexington, Richland county. Bishop Heistand opened the conference April 11th, 1837, and the following brethren were received. P. Newman, Josiah Linsey, J. Feller and F. Clymer. The conference for 1838 was held at Union school house, Seneca county, commencing April 25th. J. Erb was the Presiding Bishop. Union school house was three miles north of Tiffin, in the p13 Stoner neighborhood, where at one time we had a flourishing society, but by deaths and removals the society has become extinct, and the ground is occupied by others. Jonathan Thomas and J. Spracklin were licensed to preach. *There is a difference of opinion as to whether he joined at this conference, or the year before; the minutes are silent. |
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