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A HISTORY 
 
 The First Presbyterian Church 
 
 OF DAYTON. OfllO, 
 
 From 184 5 to 188 
 
 CLARKE McDERMONT, M. D. 
 
 INCLUDIN( 
 
 A SKETCH OF THE EAFLY HISTOKY OF THE CHURCH VROSi A POSTHUMOUS 
 MANUPCRH'T OV THE TATE 
 
 HENRY L. BROWN, ESQ 
 
 FROM I8CX> TO 1845. 
 
 ^mfToF' 
 P RIITCETQIT 
 MAY 14: 1880 
 
 1 8 811 . 
 
DR. G. McDERMONT: 
 
 Dear Sir — We have been delegated by the Session, to request 
 
 you to write a History of the First Presbyterian Church, of Dayton, for 
 
 publication. 
 
 Very respectfully yours, 
 
 JOHN H. THOMAS, 
 
 JOHN F. EDGAR. 
 
 .July, 1879. 
 

 PREFACE, 
 
 Forty years ago, by request of session, Dr. Job Haines wrote a brief 
 history of the First Presbyterian Church of Dayton. This history wa.s 
 never published, but was carefully copied into the session book of that 
 period, where it may still be found in a good state of preservation. In 
 this sketch Dr. Haines states that no sessional record of the Church, 
 prior to 1818, was in existence. For this and other reasons, his account 
 of the early Presbyterian settlement at Dayton, and the organization of 
 the First Church, is somewhat imperfect. 
 
 A few years ago Mr. Henry L. Brown undertook to prepare a history 
 of the Church, but died before his task was completed. His luauuscript 
 contains the Church's history from itis incipiency to the close of Mr. 
 Barnes' ministry in 1845. His account of the early organization of the 
 First Church is very satisfactory. The information he tmnsmits on 
 this point was obtained chiefly from the old i-ecords of the Washington 
 Presbytery, in the State of Kentucky, to whose care the Dayton Church 
 committed itself in its infancy. Mr. Brown visited the Washington 
 Presbytery in order to make a thorough examination of its minutes and 
 correspondence. By this means he discovered that the First Church 
 held ecclesiastical relations with that body in April, 1800. From this 
 we know that its organization must have preceded that date. 
 
 From 1845 to the present time, the records of all official proceedings 
 of the First Church have been carefully preserved, which makes the 
 continuation of the history a much easier task than that which Mr. 
 
IV 
 
 Brown assumed. This consideration in connection with the writer's 
 personal knowledge of the general affairs of the Church during the inter- 
 vening period, has enabled him to undertake the duty assigned with less 
 embarrassment than his conscious unfitness for this kind of work would 
 have permitted under other cu'cumstances. 
 
 Mr. Brown's manuscript is printed in this volume just as it came 
 from his liand, with the exception of a few verbal corrections, and its 
 characteristic style and language will doubtless prove an interesting 
 feature of the book to the numerous friends of that warm hearted and 
 noble Christian. 
 
 In 1870 the Rev. Dr. Thomas delivered a Historical Discourse on the 
 First Church, to which the writer is indebted for a large part of the 
 information given under the head of "Church Statistics." 
 
 C. McDERMONT. 
 
 Datton, Ohio, March, 1880. 
 
EARLY HISTORY OF 
 
 HE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DAYTON. 
 
 BY THE LATE HENRY L. BROWN, ESQ. 
 
 Daniel C. Cooper, formerly of New Jersey, the proprietor 
 of Dayton, was Presbyterian in his church preferences, as 
 were also others of the earliest inhabitants of Dayton who 
 came from the same State. Several of the first emigrant 
 families from Kentucky were New Lights, but formerly 
 Presbyterian, and a few of the original settlers were mem- 
 bers of the Presbyterian Church, who sought ministers of 
 their own denomination to preach for them before any 
 church was organized. The Presbytery of Washington, 
 in the synod of Kentucky, was organized in 1799. Its 
 minutes of proceedings and rules of government do not 
 contain special directions or forms for the organization of 
 new churches, the record only stating with reference to 
 applications that "-certain members of a new church living 
 in ... . desired to be taken under the care of Presbytery 
 and to be known as the ^^ church of ... . ," and such 
 was the entry made of the First Presbyterian Church of 
 
6 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Dayton, on April 14th, 1801, "wAen a petition was presented 
 to the Presbytery requesting that occasional supplies might he 
 granted to the church." In answer to this petition Rev. James 
 Kemper was appointed to preach one Sabbath. 
 
 The Presbytery of Washington met on April 8th, 1800, 
 and in the minutes of that meeting we lind an application 
 from the congregation of Beulah, etc., praying to be con- 
 sidered vacancies, under care of Presbj'tery, and that sup- 
 plies might be "granted as frequently as possible." Now, 
 we understand that the "etc.," vacancies, and supplies 
 included the wants of the Dayton ■ Church, as needing 
 supplies as frequently as possible, and from this we are 
 assured that the First Presbyterian Church of Dayton 
 existed prior to the spring of 1801, and most probably as 
 early as April, 1800. 
 
 The Beulah Church, in common with a New Light con- 
 gregation, of which the beloved Nathan Worley was 
 preacher, and perhaps a Baptist society occupied for wor- 
 ship their log cabin meeting -house, which stood on the 
 grounds of the Ewery grave-yard, near Beavertown. This 
 log building afterwards gave place to a stone church, 
 which was built in the village of Beavertown, and is yet 
 standing, although not used for church purposes. The 
 Beulah Church was supplied by Rev. William Robinson, 
 who lived about three miles east of Dayton on Mad River, 
 and there owned and operated a mill through the week to 
 supply his own bread and accommodate the neighborhood, 
 and then preached the gospel on the Sabbath to furnish 
 spiritual food for tke Beulah, Dayton, and other people as 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 7 
 
 opportunities offered. The population of the country was 
 so sparse at that early day, and the Beulah and Dayton 
 Presbyterian congregations so contiguous as to be really 
 considered one society. In a short period thereafter the 
 Church of Beulah passed out of record and the Dayton 
 Church only remained. 
 
 Further entries in the Presbyterial records, with refer- 
 ence to either the Beulah or Dayton churches, do not 
 reveal anything except that supplies were requested and 
 granted for appointments of ministers to preach one Sab- 
 bath at each church. 
 
 Although the Church was organized and met for worship 
 as ministers would occasionally present themselves, and in 
 the spring of 1804 called Rev. James Welsh to supply 
 them regularly as their minister, yet a session was not 
 instituted until May, 1806. The trustees and congrega- 
 tional records were opened and the following is the iirst 
 minute, viz. : 
 
 "At a meeting of the First Presbyterian congregation of 
 the town of Dayton, held at their meeting-house, on the 23rd 
 of* October, 1804, John Miller, Robert Edgar, David Keid, 
 John McCabe, and John Ewing.were elected trustees." 
 
 The meeting-house in which this election was held was 
 a small log building standing on the south end of lot num- 
 bered 134, the, then, burying ground, fronting on Third 
 Street. 
 
 This cabin was two feet from the ground, eighteen by 
 twenty feet, seven logs high, without chip chinking, a 
 yellow-clay daubing, clapboard roofing, held down with 
 
8 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 weight poles, rough-slab flooring, and log seated, without 
 windows. It was approached from the roadway or Third 
 Street by a winding pathway through clumps of hazel 
 bushes, and by these bushes was hid from the view of 
 passers-by on Main Street, and was then worshiped in by 
 the men and women of God in that day. And it is of 
 interest to state that Charles Spinning, one of the members 
 of the Church in 1876, when a lad, attended and heard the 
 word of God read and preached in that old log cabin 
 church, and on one occasion, prompted by a boyish freak, 
 crawled between the log under-pinning beneath the floor, 
 and through some hole in the floor up into the room whilst 
 the service was going on. The cabin church was sold 
 for $22, and the amount placed in the new church build- 
 ing fund. 
 
 At the same meeting it was resolved, " That for the pur- 
 pose of enabling the trustees to make the meeting-house 
 more comfortable, it was agreed that a subscription should 
 be raised," etc., etc., but at the next meeting of the congre- 
 gation, which was held in June, 1805, the trustees reported 
 that it was inexpedient to do anything to the present cabin 
 meeting-house, and that if the subscriptions made were not 
 sufiicient to build a brick meeting-house, that the money 
 should be loaned to the count}^ commissioners to build a 
 court-house, with the understanding that the use of the 
 new court-house room should be granted to the Church as 
 a place of worship, until the money should be refunded. 
 The arrangements being satisfactory to the congregation, 
 was approved, and the sum of $412 was loaned. This 
 
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Log Cabin Meeting Ilovse, built /79.9 ; sold for -^^i^ in I HO.',, 
 
 Corner Third and Main Stbkets, Dayton, O. 
 
 The fiist Church built in Dayton. 
 
EARLY HISTORY. » 
 
 amount appears small, but at that time it was much, and 
 required sacrifices, on the parts of some, to make it up ; 
 and the loan was not refunded until 1816. 
 
 Under this arrangement the Church services were moved 
 u[) to the corner room in the log building standing on the 
 south-west corner of Main and Water Streets, and, then, 
 in 1805, used as the county court-room. This house was 
 also the tavern of the town, and, then was, the inn, court- 
 house, jail, and church building of Dayton. (It is there 
 yet in use as a store and dwelling.) 
 
 The court-house, on the corner of Third and .Main 
 Streets, was completed in 1806, and thereafter was used 
 for church on Sabbath-days for several years. 
 
 One of the trustees having resigned, the congregation 
 was called to fill the vacancy, and the meeting resolved to 
 increase the Board to seven, and thereupon D. C. Cooper, 
 James Hanna, and James Miller were elected to fill the 
 vacancies. Mr. Cooper having invested in the county 
 commissioners a deed of trust for lot numbered 133, and 
 134, 201, 202, an assignment of this deed was presented 
 by the commissioners to the trustees at their May (1807) 
 meeting, and it was ordered that the same be deposited 
 for record. 
 
 The lots, 133 and 134, were situated on the corner of 
 Main and Third Streets, and were subsequently subdivided 
 b}' the trustees into seven lots and sold, and the proceeds 
 of the sale appropriated to church building. 
 
 In 1804, the congregation was prosperous, and invited 
 Jlev, James Welsh to take charge and preach for the 
 
10 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Church. He accepted, and coutinuod to minister to the 
 congregation until the spring of 1817, when about the 
 time of the new building, latent opposition, which had 
 been smouldering for some time, was manifested in ex- 
 pressions of desire that his ministry should cease. 
 
 The result was, the Doctor resigned. There were some 
 who wished him to be continued as pastor, and their feel- 
 ings were manifested by a call for a congregational meet- 
 ing of all who desired the organization of a Second Pres- 
 byterian Church in Dayton. The meeting was held, and 
 there being more thau twenty members of the First Church 
 present who were favorable to such an organization, it was 
 resolved to proceed to constitute the meeting by appoint- 
 ing Dr. Welsh, moderator, and F. Gosney, secretary. 
 They then proceeded to an election of officers, which 
 resulted in the choice of Henry L. Brown, Henry Robin- 
 son, and Andrew Hood, as trustees; and F. Gosney, clerk; 
 and directed that a legal notification of the action of the 
 meeting should be filed with the recorder, and this being 
 done, any further effort to establish a Second Church, 
 ceased. 
 
 At the time of Dr. Welsh's taking charge of the Church, 
 a record of the proceedings of the trustees and congrega- 
 tional meetings was commenced and has been continued. 
 In this record is found the minute that, on the 3rd of May, 
 1806, a congregational meeting was held to ^^ choose elders 
 to form a sessioji, and John McKaig, John Ritchie, and 
 James Hanna were elected to constitute the session of 
 elders of the First Presbyterian Church, of Dayton, Ohio. 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 11 
 
 It seems strange to state that no sessional records were 
 kept, or if kept, were not preserved until February 4th, 
 1817. Daring the long pastorate of Dr. Welsh, the one 
 special absorbing question in the Church was, how to 
 obtain a fixed house of worship ; and in this struggle the 
 sympathy of the congregation and people of the town 
 were with them. 
 
 John McKaig, one of the elders, having resigned, it was 
 resolved at a meeting of the congregation, held May 16th, 
 1807, that the vacancy should be filled, and also that one 
 more member should be added to the session, whereupon 
 John Miller and Robert Parks were elected, making in all 
 four elders. 
 
 Dissatisfaction being manifested by some of the sub- 
 scribers to the building fund, the complaint was consid- 
 ered June 27th, 1808, and the trustees determined that the 
 amount subscribed should be reduced one half, and the 
 remainder be settled by due bills payable in three months 
 to the county commissioners. 
 
 At the congregational meeting, December -ird, 1811, 
 matters of conference and agreements between the trus- 
 tees and the county commissioners were reported and dis- 
 cussed, and it was determined to petition the Legislature 
 to pass an act of incorporation, and Dr. Welsh was ap- 
 pointed to draft a law, and Mr. Cooper and John Miller 
 to circulate a petition and forward the same to the repre- 
 sentatives of the county for presentation and enactment by 
 the Legislature. The request was granted by the passage 
 of a law; and on April 6th, 1812, the congregation pro- 
 
12 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 ceeded to legally organize the corporation by determining 
 in accordance with Section 3 of the act, which four of the 
 trustees should vacate their office, this being accomplished, 
 a new election was entered into, and after the result was 
 declared, the Board of Trustees, under the act of incor- 
 poration, consisted of D. C. Cooper, John Ewing, Andrew 
 Hood, J. H. Williams, John Miller, James Hanna and Wm. 
 King, with Mr. McClure, treasurer; David Reid, clerk; 
 and Mathew Patton, collector; and thereupon Jas. Hanna 
 was chosen chairman of the Board, and Jno. Ritchie clerk, 
 and special rules passed for the government of offices. 
 
 In all these years there does not appear that any provi- 
 sion was made for paying for ministerial services, and 
 it must be presumed that voluntary contributions were 
 made and depended upon, of which, perhaps, the right- 
 hand knew not of. 
 
 The act of incorporation being in force the trustees met 
 June 15th, 1812, and resolved that they were empowered 
 to raise by subscription funds to pay the preacher. 
 
 The propriety of changing the place of burial was can- 
 vassed among the people, and as Mr. Cooper had donated 
 two lots to the First Presbyterian congregation, one to 
 the Methodist and one for purposes in common to all, as 
 burying grounds, under their care and control. Said lots 
 being on Fifth, south of Wilkinson Street. The trustees, 
 at their meeting in June, 1812, appointed a committee to 
 collect money to pay for clearing, fencing, and improving 
 two lots donated, 261, 262, and, to assist in making these 
 improvements, the committee was requested to ^^ call upon 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 13 
 
 the leading characters of the different churches and learn 
 whether they would join in fencing the burying ground." 
 
 In October, the committee reported " That they had 
 called upon the leading characters of the different congre- 
 gations, and that the leading characters of the Methodist 
 Church would join in fencing all the lot intended for the 
 burying ground; but, there being no leading characters of the 
 Baptist congregation, they had. no report, as to them." 
 
 A committee was then appointed to prosecute the work, 
 and, in June, 1815, report was made that a contract had 
 been made for fencing, clearing, plowing, and sowing with 
 grass-seed the burial lots; and, further, directed that the 
 lots as laid out on the ground belonging to the First Pres- 
 byterian Church be offered at public sale, at the court- 
 house, on the second court-day in September; and also to 
 offer for sale the sub-divided parts of lot 133 and 134 at 
 the same time and place. 
 
 The question having been raised as to who were qualified 
 voters in congregational meetings, the trustees resolved, 
 "That all who should declare that they believed them- 
 selves to have been baptized, and reside within ten miles 
 of the town of Dayton, and who have contributed to the 
 congregation, should have the right to vote." 
 
 At this meeting, May 15th, 1813, the all-absorbing ques- 
 tion of church building was again discussed, and a com- 
 mittee appointed to contract for a lot, and this committee 
 subsequently reported that Isaac G. Burnet had offered to 
 donate from his land at the south of Wilkinson Street, but 
 the lot was not considered well situated; and they had 
 
14 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 purchased of D. C. Cooper a lot, at the west end of Second 
 Street, for $250. In May, 1814, proposals were invited for 
 furnishing materials for new church building purposes, 
 contracts were made, and some of the lumber and stcne 
 was delivered. But the location of the lot was not satis- 
 factory to some, who protested, and in March, 1815, the 
 trustees resolved that it was inexpedient to proceed with 
 the building, and directed that the materials on hand 
 should be disposed of. The trustees, however, met again, 
 on May 15th, and re-resolved that it was expedient to 
 proceed immediately to build a brick meeting-house, 
 thirty-four by fifty feet, in accordance with a plan adopted 
 contemplating a one-story house ; and the chairman was 
 authorized to purchase of D. C. Cooper the lot on the 
 north-west corner of Second and Ludlow Streets at $i>00, 
 with the understanding that the lot bought for $250 
 should be taken in part payment. 
 
 The exchange was made ; and the plan of building was 
 so changed as to require a two-story house, forty-two by 
 fifty feet, with a gallery on three sides of the room. 
 
 A contract was made and the building was commenced, 
 but for a time its construction was so delayed as to cause 
 an abandonment of the agreement, and the entering into 
 of another with D. C. Cooper, Joseph Peirce, Isaac G. 
 Burnet, Benjamin Van Cleve, and David Reid to complete 
 the work, but for some reason this engagement was soon 
 abrogated, and the trustees proceeded to prosecute the 
 building. The plan of the house was forty-two by fifty 
 feet, two-stories high, with two front doors on Ludlow 
 
EARL Y HISTOR Y. 16 
 
 Street, two entrances and one cross-aisle, the pulpit on the 
 west side, about eight feet from the floor, and approached 
 by a flight of winding steps. On the lower floor there 
 were thirty-eight single and four double pews, the gallery 
 was entered by stairs from each front door, and had thirty- 
 two pews in it. The precentor's desk was under the pulpit 
 and was entered from the cross-aisle. In that early time, 
 as well as in this centennial year, there were continued 
 and church-annoying differences of opinions as to who, how 
 many, and from what position in the church the singing 
 should be conducted. And, as some of the young and a few 
 of the old were not content to have the precentor from un- 
 der the pulpit lead the singing, the question of place was 
 submitted to the trustees in 1821, and they resolved, "That 
 the front seats in the middle block of pews in the gallery 
 should be appointed for musicians; and that persons who 
 were acquainted with the rules of singing have leave to 
 occupy said seats." For a time, this change was satis- 
 factory, but then came the question of permitting the 
 use of a bass-viol, the assistance of such an instrument 
 was resisted, but soon it was permitted probationally. 
 
 The pews in the lower floor were quite high, and would 
 be now called perhaps box seats, and however acceptable 
 to the fathers and mothers, they were not so to their 
 children, who could not see out, excepting they would 
 turn their eyes upward. 
 
 The building being completed, the pews were offered for 
 sale, on the terras of subscription, October 4th, 1817, and 
 realized ^2,980, and on the following Sabbath the house 
 
16 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 was occupied in public worship, with thanksgiving that 
 all their plans, contributions, and labors had resulted so well 
 at last. Some who rejoiced, although not members of the 
 Church, yet had been interested in the enterprise from its 
 inception to its completion, and were greatly pleased. The 
 entire cost of the lot and improvement was $6,961.62, to 
 make up this sum, privations, such as we are not called 
 upon in these days to endure, were graciously submitted 
 to. Thirteen years elapsed from the commencement of the 
 preparation until the occupancy of the house of worship, 
 but faith, perseverance, and good words prevailed and the 
 blessing came. The trustees of the congregation, up to 
 the time of finishing the church, were John Miller, Robert 
 Edgar, David Reid, John Ewing, John McCabe, D. C. 
 
 • 
 
 Cooper, James Hanna, Andrew Hood, William King, 
 J. H. Williams, Hezekiah Robinson, Matthew Patton, 
 James Steele, H. G. Phillips, Isaac G. Burnet, G. W. 
 Smith, David Lindsley ; clerks, David Reid, Rev. James 
 "Welsh, Benjamin Van Cleve, Job Haines, and James 
 Steele; treasurers, W. McClure, Obadiah Conover, and 
 John Folkerth; collectors, Matthew Patton, A. McFadden, 
 R. Wilson, John King, Daniel Pierson, and A. Darst; 
 elders, John KcKaig, John Ritchie, James Hanna, John 
 Miller, and liobert Parks; pastor, Rev. James Welsh. 
 
 There are no records of the Church-members to which 
 we can refer, but in the year 1819 there were 94 com- 
 municant-members on the roll. 
 
 The first bell hung in the cupola proved to be too 
 small, and an arrangement was made with Mr. Cooper to 
 
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Built 1S17 ; taken dovm 18:VJ. 
 
 CORNKK Second and Ludlow Streets, Dayton, Ohio. 
 
 TVic- second Church built by this Congregation. 
 
EARL Y HIS TOR Y. 17 
 
 exchange it for a larger one. When the large bell was 
 delivered at Mr. Cooper's store, he put it on a barrow and 
 wheeled it to the church, and in this effort so injured 
 himself as probably to hasten the time of his death. 
 
 The First Presbyterian Church was not only the first 
 regularly-organized Church in Dayton, but the Sabbath- 
 school in connection with it, was the first Sabbath-school 
 formed in the town, and the third organized in the State. 
 
 March 6th, 1817, the inquiry was made by some citi- 
 zens, "Do we need a Sunday-school in the place?" Rev. 
 Backus Wilbur, a licentiate from New Jersey, visited and 
 preached for the congregation several months during the 
 summer and fall of 1817, and was so acceptable in his 
 preaching as to prompt a congregational meeting on the 
 13th of August, and a call to be given him to become 
 pastor of the Church. Mr. Wilbur returned to New 
 Jersey, but did not for some reason accept and return 
 until in June, 1818, when he commenced his ministry and 
 preached until he was ordained and installed, August 
 27th, and preached his first and only sermon as pastor on 
 the following Sabbath. Mr. Wilbur had been appointed 
 by Presbytery, to visit and preach for, and administer 
 the communion in the Second Presbyterian Church of 
 Cincinnati on the succeeding Sabbath. He filled the 
 appointment, and whilst in Cincinnati was taken sick, and 
 returned to Dayton, continued and died September 29th, 
 1818, in his thirtieth year, and his body rests in Woodland 
 Cemetery. From the commencement of Mr. Wilbur's min- 
 istry until his decease, there were received into the Church 
 3 
 
18 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 27 on certificate, 23 on examination, and 1 by infant bap- 
 tism; in all, 51. In 1819 there were 5 persons received 
 on certificate. 
 
 Rev. Ahab Jenks, of Connecticut, was invited to come 
 and preach for the Church in December, 1819, and on Feb- 
 ruary 2d, 1820, the officers of the Church were authorized 
 to procure his settlement as pastor as soon as practicable, 
 at a salary of $600 per year. Mr. Jenks accepted the call, 
 was installed, and continued to preach until the fall ot 
 1821, when his relation as pastor was dissolved. During 
 the time of his ministry there were members added on 
 certificate, 14 ; on examination, 37 ; in all 51. 
 
 After Mr. Jenks left and before the coming of Mr.* 
 Graham, there were added on examination to the mem- 
 bership, 5 ; infants baptized, 8; in all, 13; with adult 
 baptism, 4. 
 
 In the winter months of 1822 and 1823, the Rev. Wm. 
 Graham preached for the congregation, and in March he 
 was elected pastor at a salary of $400, which lie accepted, 
 and was ordained and installed on May 8th, 1823, and 
 remained pastor until February 6th 1826. Under his 
 pastorate there were added to the Church on certificate, 
 6; on examination, 29, and by infant baptism, 62; making 
 in all, 97; with adult baptism, 3. 
 
 After Mr. Graham left and before another was called, 
 there were 5 members received on certificate, and 4 by 
 infant baptism; in all, 9. 
 
 In September, 1827, Rev. F. Putnam was requested to 
 supply the pulpit for a time, and he remained until April, 
 
EARLY HISTORY. 19 
 
 1828, and was then engaged as stated supply for one year 
 at a salary of $400, and continued as supply from year to 
 year until 1836. In 1830 the Presbytery called the atten- 
 tion of the Church to the propriety of settling ministers as 
 permanent pastors, and, as Mr. Putnam had preached for 
 the congregation two or three years, they thought it would 
 be well to make his relation to the Church more definite. 
 The reply of the session was that there was peace under 
 Mr. Putnam as stated supply, and this might be disturbed 
 if a pastoral relation was attempted. The question was 
 not further agitated until the meeting of Presbytery in 
 April, 1835, when the question was again mooted, and, 
 after consideration, the pulpit was declared vacant, with 
 the understanding (Mr. Putnam and the session consent- 
 ing) that Mr. Putnam might continue as supply until the 
 meeting of Presbytery in April, 1836, at which time, if a 
 call had not been extended to Mr. Putnam to become 
 pastor, his ministry to the First Church should cease. 
 
 The congregation met subsequently and authorized a 
 call to be extended to Mr. Putnam to become pastor, but 
 for some reason it was not made out, nor was it presented 
 to him ; hence, in accordance with the direction of Pres- 
 bytery, his ministry ceased in the spring of 1836. 
 
 In the later months of 1828, and continuing on through 
 182y, a gracious revival was enjoyed, and the result was 
 an ingathering to the membership of 65 by examination, 
 14 by certificate, and 44 by infant baptism; in all, 128. 
 The whole number added to the Church during Mr. 
 Putnam's ministry was, on examination, 128; on certiti- 
 
20 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 eate, 108, and by infant baptism, 111 ; in all, 342. It is 
 probable that the questions which were agitating the 
 entire Presbyterian Church, were being felt in this Church, 
 and may have had some influence in closing Mr. Put- 
 nam's labors at this time. 
 
 Rev. James C. Barnes, of Kentucky, was invited to visit 
 the Church in May, 1836. Mr. Barnes came and preached 
 two Sabbaths and returned to his home. The congrega- 
 tion held a meeting on the 80th, and authorized the session 
 to invite Mr. Barnes to preach for the Church, as stated 
 supply, foi> one year at a salary of $800. The invitation 
 was accepted, and Mr. Barnes entered upon his ministry 
 on the second Sabbath of July. In the following March 
 he was requested by the congregation to accept the pas- 
 torate, to which he assented, and was installed as pastor 
 of the Church on April 28th, 1839, and so continued until 
 the April of 1845 meeting of the Presbytery, when, with 
 the assent of the congregation, he applied for a dissolu- 
 tion of the relation and the request was granted. Dur- 
 ing the ministry of Mr. Barnes there were added to the 
 Church on certificate, 85 ; examination, 139, and by infant 
 baptism, 190; making in all, 414; with adult baptism, 40. 
 
 Several special seasons- of revival graces were granted 
 to the Church under Mr. Barnes' preaching; the most 
 marked being in 1843, the result of which was an in- 
 gathering of 4 on certificate, 66 on examination, and 24 
 by infant baptism ; total, 94. And in this work the 
 preaching of Kev. W. Cox, who assisted, was greatly 
 blessed to the whole congregation. 
 
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 Built IS4I ; taken down hHH7. 
 
 (;ORNKI; >;E(:t)ND AND LUDLOW STREETS, 
 
 UAYTON, O. 
 
 7'hc' third Cliitirli f'ltilt f\v this L'on:^rcgatioii. 
 
EARL Y HISTOR Y. 2 1 
 
 The prosperity of the congregation in its spiritual and 
 temporal interests demanded a new and enlarged house 
 of worship, and hence the congregation authorized sub- 
 acriptions to be taken to erect a house upon a plan sub- 
 mitted, of 50 by 70 feet, with a basement-story, and steeple. 
 
 The old house was taken down and the new one erected 
 in its place at a cost of $14,213.08, and the congregation 
 worshiped in it for more than twenty-seven years, when 
 it gave place to the present plain, substantial, more costly, 
 enlarged, and beautiful edifice 145 by 72 feet on the base. 
 
 Although the absorbing questions incident to the con- 
 troversies agitating the entire Presbyterian Church, were 
 having their influence in the First Church at the time of 
 Mr. Barnes' coming, yet such was his character as a man 
 and minister of peace and love, as not to have his influ- 
 ence for good much interferred with by reason of the Old 
 and New School division. 
 
 The session having been reduced by the withdrawal of 
 two members, a meeting was called and an election held 
 October 4, 1840, and James Steele, David Osborn, Samuel 
 King, and Charles Spinning — all of whom, excepting 
 James Steele, were duly ordained and installed in their 
 ofiices. 
 
 The trustees prospered and had the building up and 
 enclosed, and the basement-room ready for occupancy and 
 worship on the 26th of October, 1839, at which time the 
 place was formally dedicated to the worship of God, 
 who had so manifestly watched over the efforts for good 
 through the two years of most severe trial. 
 
22 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 The trustees made report on April 18th, 1842, that the 
 church buildiug was completed at a cost of $14,213.08; 
 that the appraised value on the pews was $16,080, and re- 
 commended that sale of the pews, according to the terms 
 of subscription, be made on the building, on the 30th. 
 The sale took place, and 47 pews were sold for $12,011, 
 and the main audience-room, having been carpeted, up- 
 holstered, etc., was occupied for the first time on the 
 following Sabbath. Upon the resignation of Mr. Barnes, in 
 1845, the congregation was called to meet, and determine 
 the question of giving Rev. W. H. McGutfey a pastoral 
 call ; it was determined, but Mr. McGuffey declined. 
 
HISTORY OF THE 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. OF DAYTON, OHIO. 
 
 IBOM 1845 TO 1880- 
 
 REV. JAMES C. BARNES. 
 
 Rev. J. C. Barnes was, iu his day, one of the most 
 remarkable men in the Presbyterian Church. Before his 
 call to Dayton, he had acquired much distinction as an 
 evangelist and revivalist. The want of any system of pub- 
 lic schools in Kentucky, left a large portion of the people of 
 that State wholly destitute of education, secular or relig- 
 ious, especially in the sparsely-settled counties south of the 
 Kentucky River. 
 
 Mr. Barnes, on completing his divinity course, was im- 
 bued with an earnest desire to carry the gospel to the 
 heathen, and his attention being directed to the destitu- 
 tion in his own State, he entered on that tield of duty 
 with the utmost devotion, and his labors were attended 
 with extraordinary success. His massive form, earnest 
 delivery and powerful voice contributed greatly to his 
 influence over an audience. 
 
24 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 The people listened to him with enthusiasm ; multitudes 
 were converted under his preaching, and many schools 
 and churches were organized through his instrumentality. 
 
 In this work he was encouraged and liberally aided for 
 many years, by leading men of Kentucky, but, at length, 
 failing health, and the necessity of educating his children 
 obliged him to withdraw from this arduous field. He left 
 two sons in the ministry, J. Loton and George O. Barnes, 
 now of Kentucky. Some years ago the younger son, 
 George O., claimed to have received a special commission 
 from heaven ; and in obedience thereto he began his evan- 
 gelical career, preaching six days in the week wherever the 
 spirit might lead him. His methods being at variance 
 with the standards of the Presbyterian Church, he was 
 suspended from the ministry of that body, but the suspen- 
 sion did not diminish his ardor. Unawed by church cen- 
 sure, and untrammeled by ecclesiastical law, he now moves 
 in his eccentric orbit, as a blazing comet among the cleri- 
 cal constellations of Kentucky. The Rev. George 0, was 
 received upon examination to the membership of the First 
 Church, of Dayton, in 1844. It is not improbable that he 
 owes much of his popularity in Kentucky to the esteem 
 and veneration that is still cherished there for the memory 
 of his father. 
 
 NEW AND OLD SCHOOL DIVISION. 
 
 During the early period of Mr. Barnes' ministry, the 
 harmony of the Presbyterian Church in the United States 
 was disturbed by a controversy that arose among its lead- 
 
NEW AND OLD SCHOOL DIVISION. 25 
 
 ing members, and resulted, 1838, in separating the Church 
 into two branches, known as the New and Old School. 
 
 The issue involved certain abstruse theological points 
 which the great body of Presbyterians never fully com- 
 prehended. Indeed it has been said that no formulated 
 statement of the issue was ever made that both parties 
 could agree to pronounce correct. After the division, 
 these branches adhered to the same standards of doctrine 
 as taught in the "Westminster Confession of Faith," and 
 " Church Catechisms." They adhered to the same form 
 of worship and government, and each professed to be 
 "The Presbyterian Church of the United States" — the 
 only mark of distinction in their thirty years of separate 
 existence being the parenthetical appendix of O. S. and N. S. 
 
 To some it will appear strange that a body of intelligent 
 Christians, embracing hundreds of thousands in its com- 
 munion, should divide so evenly upon an issue so trifling 
 as that above represented, an issue involving no tangible or 
 real heresy, as was subsequently proved by the voluntary 
 reunion of these branches. The only plausible explana- 
 tion of the schism is, that during the hot and protracted 
 discussions of the vexed questions on the floor of the 
 general assembly, and in the newspapers, the members of 
 the Presbyterian Church throughout the land became 
 divided, not in creed or sentiment, but in personal sym- 
 pathy with one or other of the distinguished combatants. 
 Those of conservative temperament were satisfied to fol- 
 low the lead of such men as Breckenridge, Wilson, and 
 Alexander, while many symjiathizod with Lyman Beecher, 
 4 
 
26 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Albert Barnes, and others who refused to accept, as a new- 
 test of orthodoxy, the private interpretation of certain mys- 
 tical doctrines, which their adversaries sought to impose. 
 
 The division of 1838 was in keeping with the past his- 
 tory of Presbyterians, whose ancient and deep-rooted love 
 of civil and religions liberty, makes them perhaps mor- 
 bidly sensitive to any show of arbitrary authority in mat- 
 ters of conscience. Hence it is that this branch of the 
 true Church has suffered more from schism than any other 
 Protestant denomination. 
 
 A hopeful effort is now being made by the various 
 branches of the Presbyterian family in this country and 
 Europe to remove the reproach. The plan is to so modify 
 the terms of fellowship that Presbyterians of every shade 
 and name may come together as one bod}', and thus secure 
 for the Church the inestimable advantages of corporate 
 unity with true Christian liberty. 
 
 When men can agree upon a creed so comprehensive and 
 minute as the Westminster Confession of Faith, embrac- 
 ing, as it does, all the essential points of Bible truth, and 
 many non-essential doctrines, they ought surely to be 
 allowed some libertj'^ of opinion on minor points, especiallj- 
 on those verbal subtilties of theology, which have dis- 
 tracted the Church in past ages, and filled the world with 
 angry and unprofitable disputations. The people of the 
 First Church warmly favor the Pan-Presbyterian move- 
 ment; they do not believe that God has been pleased to 
 specify in his word, every particular rule of ecclesiastical 
 government and worship, but that, on the contrary, he 
 
NEW AND OLD SCHOOL DIVISION 27 
 
 has left many things to the discretion of his people, and 
 if his people differ with each other in charity, there can be 
 no ground offense. 
 
 The First Church of Dayton contributed a colony to 
 the New School organization. This colony consisted of 
 seventy-three members under the lead of Peter Odlin, Esq., 
 and Dr. John Steele, both elders of the First Church. It 
 does not appear that any letters of dismissal were given or 
 asked for by the outgoing party, who organized the New 
 School, now the Second Presbyterian Church of Dayton. 
 
 The seceding branch, after its withdrawal, claimed an 
 interest in the property of tlie parent Church, which gave 
 rise to a serious disagreement. This was, however, amica- 
 bly adjusted — the First Church agreeing to pay the claim- 
 ants $1500. It may be added that this compromise was 
 brought about chietiy through the wisdom and moderation 
 of Drs. Job Haines and John Steele. 
 
 Referring to this settlement Dr. Haines, in his Historical 
 Sketch of the Church, says: 
 
 "This sum was paid by individual subscription, with- 
 out touching the property of the corporation and without 
 any acknowledgement by the trustees or corporators, that 
 the claim was a legal one. As we were then circum- 
 stanced — the old house torn down, and contracts made, 
 and materials collected for a new edifice — we chose rather 
 to procure peace by such a compromise, than to be hin- 
 dered in the erection of a house by a lawsuit, and all its' 
 unpleasant consequences upon the feelings of neighbors 
 who had heretofore worshiped together in the sanie place." 
 
28 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 REV. DR. AiN^DERSON'S PASTORATE. 
 
 The Kev. William C. Anderson, D. D., the successor of 
 Mr. Barnes, began his ministry on the 1st of February, 
 1846. This gentleman was highly esteemed as a preacher, 
 pastor, and friend. Being of a genial nature he formed 
 acquaintances readily, and the charms of his conversation 
 and manners seldom failed to impress those with whom he 
 came in contact. Brevity was a characteristic of his ser- 
 mons. It was often said that no hearer ever slept under 
 the sound of his voice. 
 
 He took more pleasure in outdoor work than in his 
 study. It interested him to mingle with the common 
 people, and to aid and encourage them in their temporal 
 as well as their spiritual embarrassments. 
 
 Another prominent characteristic of Dr. Anderson's 
 was his kind attention to strangers. This he held to be 
 one of the cardinal duties of religion. It was his practice 
 to call upon all strangers that came to settle in Dayton, 
 and many will remember his Saturday custom of being at 
 the old National Hotel, when the afternoon stage coaches 
 arrived, in order to learn what passengers intended to 
 stop over for the Sabbath. These were sure to receive a 
 cordial invitation to his church on the next day, and the 
 invitation was usually accompanied by the promise of a 
 cold dinner, should the sermon prove tiresome, or other- 
 wise unsatistactory. 
 
 Before the close of Dr. Anderson's connection with the 
 Church, there arose a very general sentiment in favor of 
 
REV. DR. ANDERSON'S PASTORATE. 29 
 
 establishing a new colony in the eastern part of the city. 
 A committee consisting of Dr. Job Haines, Herbert S. 
 Williams, and Henry L. Brown was appointed to raise 
 funds lor the purchase of a suitable lot, on which to build 
 a house of worship for the new congregation. 
 
 At this time, February, 1849, Dr. Anderson's health had 
 become much impaired, and feeling himself incapacitated 
 for preaching, by reason of chronic disease of the throat, 
 he determined to make a visit to Europe, of some months 
 duration. The session readily assented, and unanimously 
 agreed to continue the pastorai relation, hoping the Doc- 
 tor's visit might be the means of his restoration to health. 
 
 After consultation with the pastor and with his advice, 
 the congregation, March 1st, 1849, decided to employ the 
 Rev. F. T. Brown, of Madison, Indiana, to occupy the 
 pulpit. He was informed of the movement in favor of a 
 new church, and the hope was expressed that he would 
 take an interest in this enterprise with a view to accept- 
 ing the pastorate of the new organization, provided the 
 arrangement would be mutually satisfactory to all parties 
 interested. 
 
 Mr. Brown accepted the invitation and served the Church 
 trom March 1st, to September 1st, when he received a call 
 to another lield of labor. 
 
 About this time Dr. Anderson returned from Europe 
 and resumed his duties; but, a few weeks later, he sent 
 the following letter to the congregation : 
 
BO FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 " To the First Presbyterian Church, of Dayton: 
 
 ^^ Dear Brethren: A return of the malady with which I 
 was afflicted last winter, has rendered it impossible for me 
 any longer to discharge properly the duties of your pastor. 
 I therefore request you to concur with me in an applica- 
 tion to the Miami Presbytery for a dissolution of my pas- 
 toral relation to you. 
 
 "In the bonds of the gospel of Christ, 
 
 "I am 3'our8, etc., 
 
 " W. C. Anderson." 
 
 On the 15th of October^a meeting of the members of 
 the Church and congregation was duly convened to con- 
 sider the pastor's letter, which, being publicly read, the 
 following action w^as taken : 
 
 "Whereas, The Rev. William C. Anderson, D. D., the 
 pastor of this Church, having, on account of continued 
 ill-health, applied for a dissolution of the pastoral relation 
 between him and this Church ; therefore, 
 
 '•^Resolved, Tliat however painful it may be to the mem- 
 bers of this Church to part with a beloved pastor in whom 
 they are all united, yet, in view of the dispensation of 
 Providence which has rendered this application necessary, 
 we concur in the same, and appoint Drs. Job Haines and 
 George Green to communicate this, our action, to the 
 Presbytery of Miami, at its session in this place, on the 
 16th instant. 
 
 "Thereupon the meeting adjourned. 
 "Attest: "Job Haines, 
 
 " Youngs V. Wood, Clerk.'" Moderator^ 
 
REV. DR. ANDERSON'S PASTORATE. 31 
 
 A short time after his relation with the Dayton Church 
 was dissolved, Dr. Anderson was called to the presidency 
 of the xMiami University, Oxford, Ohio, which position he 
 tilled successfully for some years. For a time he was a 
 professor in Hanover College, Indiana. He also minis- 
 tered, 'as regular pastor, at Chillicothe, New Albany, San 
 Francisco, Cincinnati, and Junction City, Kansas. He 
 died at the latter place on the 28th of August, 1870. He 
 visited Europe four times and spent the winter of 1866 in 
 Palestine. 
 
 Few ministers of the gospel were more widely known 
 or more generally admired throughout the West than 
 Dr. W. C. Anderson. He was a man of great activity 
 and resources, fond of novelty, and somewhat restless in 
 temperament. He seldom staid more than four years in 
 one place, and for this reason he was jocularly spoken of 
 among his familiar friends as the "clerical knight errant 
 of the West." 
 
 The following incident illustrating certain traits of Dr. 
 Anderson's character, was detailed to the writer many 
 years ago : 
 
 The late Col. Berry man, of Kentucky, a wealthy land- 
 holder and prominent Presbyterian, had met Dr. Anderson 
 at a session of the general assembly. Their brief acquaint- 
 ance on that occasion developed a very friendly sentiment 
 which was strengthened by subsequent correspondence. 
 Years afterward Dr. Anderson was paying a visit to an 
 old friend in the Blue Grass region, and learning that the 
 residence of Col. Berryman was but a few miles distant, 
 
32 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 he decided to call upon him, partly out of personal regard, 
 and partly to obtain a subscription for a frontier mission 
 in which he was interested. Receiving the necessary in- 
 structions from his friend, he set out to make the journey 
 on foot. After traversing many broad hemp fields and 
 extensive wood pastures, he approached an ancient looking 
 mansion, about which were promiscuously distributed a 
 numerous assortment of log cabins, and other wooden 
 structures, of every size and style peculiar to a southern 
 plantation of the olden time. He did not suppose the 
 house to be Col. Berryman's, as his instructions were that 
 he should see three houses by the way before reaching 
 his destination, and he had passed but two. Near the 
 house before him, he saw a company of men threshing 
 wheat, and was passing them at a brisk gait with his coat 
 over his arm, and a roll on the bottom of his pants, when 
 he was abruptly accosted by a fat, ruddy gentleman, sitting 
 on a stout poney, and evidently superintending the work. 
 This gentleman, in a kindly voice, called out: 
 
 "Hello ! do you know where you are?" 
 
 Dr. Anderson — "Hello to yourself! I can hardly say 
 that I do." 
 
 Col. Berryman — "If you are hunting a job of work, I 
 can accommodate you; I am short of hands this morning." 
 
 Dr. Anderson — "I'm afraid your wages wouldn't suit 
 me; what do you pay?" 
 
 Whether Col. Berryman suspected that the stranger's 
 reply contained a sly allusion to the cost of slave labor, is 
 
REV. DR. ANDERSON'S PASTORATE. ^ 
 
 not known, but there was a slight change in the tone of 
 his voice as he responded : 
 
 "Oh ! I'll pledge myself to pay as much for your work 
 as your last employer gave you." 
 
 Dr. Anderson — "That's fair enough; I'm your man," 
 said the Doctor, and taking off his necktie and collar, he 
 put them carefully into his coat pocket, laid the coat over 
 a fence rail, and announced himself ready for business, at 
 the same time requesting the "boss" to make a note of 
 
 his time. 
 
 It should be stated that when this colloquy began. Dr. 
 Anderson chanced to glance in the direction from which 
 he had come, and noticed for the first time a small house 
 standing near the edge of the grove he had last traversed, 
 and which a slight deviation from his course had kept out 
 of view. He instantly concluded that the gentleman in 
 the saddle was none other than Col. Berryman himself. 
 A nearer approach fully verified this conclusion, and gave 
 him an advantage in the engagement above narrated, a» 
 well as in the subsequent proceedings. 
 
 Dr. Anderson did not believe in a regulation uniform 
 for the clergy. He thought a man, and especially a clergy- 
 man, should be known by his works, and not by the works 
 of his tailor; or, by any rigid restraint of manner. To find 
 himself mistaken for a workingman, in search of employ- 
 ment, was, therefore, not ofi"ensive, and he decided, if possi- 
 ble, to remain incognito, for a time, and trust to circum- 
 stances for a favorable denouement. He had an idea that 
 the mistake would turn to his advantage; at any rate. 
 
34 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 thought he, "it is a novel adventure, and a few hours work 
 will not hurt my digestion." 
 
 He tossed the straw from the thresher as gracefully as 
 if he had been bred on a farm (which, in fact, was the 
 case), and when the dinner bell chimed, the Colonel com- 
 plimented him on his good work, and told him to go 
 with the white men that managed the machine, and the 
 housekeeper would give them dinner. "Do they not dine 
 with you?" said the Doctor; the Colonel smiled, and re- 
 plied, "No; that is not the custom with us." "Well," 
 said the Doctor, " I have always been accustomed to eat 
 at the table with my boss ; I am a citizen of Ohio, and if 
 I were to work for a man who is too proud to sit at the 
 table with me, on week days or Sabbath, I would be 
 ashamed to look my old neighbors in the face." The 
 Colonel was struck with the Buckeye's speech and bear- 
 ing. He regarded him as an extraordinary specimen of 
 the northern mudsill, and promptly rejoined, "It is not u 
 matter of pride, but of convenience, and although we have 
 some company to-day, yet if you prefer it, you shall dine 
 with us ; get your coat and shirt collar and I will send 
 Tom to brush you off in the wash-room." 
 ' The Doctor was directed to the wash-room, where Tom 
 soon appeared with brush and blacking. 
 
 It used to go hard with a southern slave to be ol)liged 
 to wait on a white laborer, and Tom was proceeding with 
 his work very doggedly, till his eye caught the shining 
 rim of a silver quarter, between the Doctor's finger and 
 thumb, which the holder made no effort to conceal. This 
 
HEV. dr. ANDERSON'S PASTORATE. 36 
 
 glimpse of the coin acted like a galvanic battery on Tom's 
 muscles and so stimulated his energies that, when Col. Ber- 
 ryman returned, the Doctor was looking quite respectable. 
 
 The Colonel led the way to the dining-room and had 
 his hand on the knob, when he halted, and turning about, 
 said, hurriedly, "i have forgotten your name. I must 
 introduce you. What may I call you?" 
 
 "You may call me Smith, if you choose, sir, but my 
 name is Anderson." 
 
 The Colonel had expected his new employee to betray 
 some degree of embarrassment at the near pros})ect of an 
 introduction to company far above his station in life, and 
 was puzzled by this display of extreme self-possession and 
 pleasantry. Had there been any coarseness in the fellow's 
 behavior his easy nonchalance might have been attributed 
 to that bold spirit of iudependeuce common to men who 
 have been inured to frontier life, but the stranger's manner 
 and language were courteous and even bland. 
 
 On entering the dining-hall the guests were making 
 their appearance at the opposite side. " Mr. Anderson " 
 was introduced to Mrs. Berryman — the Colonel quietly 
 adding, "this is the gentleman I said would take dinner 
 with us to-day;" he was then introduced to the company 
 collectively as "Mr. Anderson, from Ohio." The chair 
 assigned to him was next to that of Col. Berrymau's 
 nephew. Major J., who afterward be^-ame a general in the 
 Union army, and to whom the writer is chiefly indebted 
 for the particulars of this episode. Opposite the Major was 
 seated Judge M., a lawyer and politician, whose charming 
 
S6 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 flow ol conversation and sparkling jokes were listened to 
 with such eagerness and enjoyment, by the company, that 
 none could quc'Stion his rank as an Autocrat of the Dinner 
 Table. 
 
 When the dinner service was half over, a servant entered 
 and whispered a message to Col. Berryman, who begged 
 to be excused for a minute, and withdrew. At this junc- 
 ture, the Major gave a turn to the conversation by refer- 
 ring to a discussion he had had with Judge M., before 
 dinner, in reference to Senator Corwin. He said he wished 
 to learn from Mr. Anderson whether it was true, as his 
 friend M. claimed, that the people of Ohio had lost confi- 
 dence in Mr. Corwin, on account of his speech in opposi- 
 tion to the continuance of the war with Mexico. 
 
 Mr. Anderson replied that the speech referred to had 
 no doubt greatly diminished Mr. Corwin's popularity with 
 the masses in Ohio, but it had elevated him very much in 
 the estimation of the more intelligent citizens of the State, 
 who were not affected by the war fever. 
 
 This opinion strengthened the Major's position, and the 
 discussion was renewed between him and his friend, whose 
 superior knowledge and logical training gave him an easy 
 victory in the controversy. 
 
 With the evident purpose of affording relief to her 
 nephew in the unequal contest, Mrs. Berryman expressed 
 a desire to hear Mr. Anderson's own views respecting 
 Senator Corwin's course on the Mexican question. This 
 proposition was seconded by several voices, and the Doctor 
 yielded to their desire — the more readily, he said, because 
 
REV. DR. ANDERSON'S PASTORATE. 87 
 
 Mr. Cor win was his personal friend and neighbor, and had 
 been grossly misrepresented by the political press of the 
 country. 
 
 He then made a brief but lucid statement of Senator 
 Corwin's position — which was, that our war with Mexico 
 was unprovoked, unnecessary, and unjust — that it was 
 President Polk's war — brought on by himself, without 
 authority from Congress or the people; that the prosecu- 
 tion of such a war upon a weak sister republic was a mon- 
 strous wrong, and that in opposing it, he (Mr. Corwin) was 
 impelled by a high sense of duty to his own conscience, 
 and public justice. He delivered a glowing eulogy on Mr. 
 Corwin's integrity of character, closing with the following 
 words: "The time will come, when the moral heroism of 
 Mr. Corwin's great anti-war speech in the Senate, will 
 shed a brighter lustre on his name, than all the other 
 triumphs of his matchless eloquence." 
 
 When the Doctor finished, the company remained 
 silent, they seemed spell-bound by the unexpected grace 
 and power of his deliverance. At length Mrs. Berryman 
 thanked him for the great pleasure he had given her, a 
 pleasure in which the whole company professed their 
 hearty participation. 
 
 "There is a lady near me," said Mrs. Berryman to the 
 Doctor, "who wishes me to ask you a very impertinent 
 question. I will not do it without your permission." "I 
 am your liege servant. Madam," said the Doctor. " You 
 have no need to ask; command and I will dbey." "Well, 
 then, she wants to know if you are Charles Ande?'son, of 
 
38 FIRST PRESSYT^RIAN CHVRCB 
 
 Dayton, Ohio. She does not know Charles Anderson per- 
 sonally, but she is one of his ardent admirers." "If that 
 he so," said the Doctor, "then am I sorry that my name 
 is not Charles but William." 
 
 Dinner being over the "gentlemam from Ohio" has- 
 tened to resume his work beside the threshing machine. 
 His comrades were not there, but he found two Hibernians 
 lying on the straw pile; they were hunting a job of work, 
 and learning that Mr. Berryman had gone with the men 
 to recover a runaway team, were waiting his return. The 
 Colonel and his posse soon came back with the team, all 
 in good order. 
 
 The Hibernians pressed their request, but the Colonel 
 thought he had all the help he needed; just then Dr. 
 Anderson interposed the remark : 
 
 "It will probably be to your advantage, Colonel, to 
 hire those men and dismiss me." 
 
 Col. Berryman. "Why so?" 
 
 Dr. Anderson. "You can hire both of them for less 
 than you pay me." 
 
 Col. Berryman. "Indeed! May I ask what wages your 
 last employer paid you ? " 
 
 Dr. Anderson. "My last employers paid me ^1200 for 
 lifty-tvvo days work — averaging about $23 a day." 
 
 Col. Berryman. " You didn't get that much for thresh- 
 ing wheat, did you?" 
 
 Dr. Anderson. "No; I worked in the harvest field." 
 
 Col. Berryman. "In whose harvest field?" 
 
 Dr. Anderson. "In my Master's." 
 
REV. DR. ANDERSON'S PASTORATE. 39 
 
 Col. Berryman. "And who is your master?" 
 
 Dr. Anderson. "Brother Berryman, you and I serve one 
 Master," and, saying this, he reached out his hand, cor- 
 dially, which the Colonel seized, and held silently in his 
 warm pressure, for, at the word "brother," the truth flashed 
 upon his mind, and if an angel had stood before him he 
 could not have been more astonished than he was on the 
 recognition of his old friend. 
 
 The two Irishmen were put to work, and Col. Berryman 
 taking the Doctor's arm, returned to the house, where 
 they found the family and party in a high stage of won- 
 derment over Tom's revelations. Tom had communicated 
 to the kitchen his knowledge of Mr. Anderson's status as 
 a laboring man, and the kitchen hands all felt the disgrace 
 of having one of the poor white trash sit down with the 
 ladies and gentlemen at massa's own table. 
 
 Ti)ere was a general protest among the blacks against 
 the strange proceeding, and the elder females vowed they 
 would "go back to Ole Vaginny agin if dem poceedins 
 was gwine to be carried on 'heah." 
 
 Mrs. Berryman heard of the commotion and summoned 
 Tom to explain. Tom entered the sitting-room, looking 
 somewhat nervous. The fact that Mr. Anderson had given 
 him a quarter for blacking his boots made him suspicious 
 that the stranger might possibly be a gentleman after all, 
 and that he had pitched the straw just for amusement. 
 Major J. noticed his agitation, and, by way of restoring his 
 equanimity, said, in a tone of muffled emphasis, "Tom! if 
 I catch you telling any lies about Mr. Anderson, I will skin 
 
40 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 you to the lowest fibre of your tendo Archilles, and will 
 have your hide tanned and made into a drum for Mr. 
 Anderson's children to play on, when he goes back to 
 Ohio." Tom, trembling, told what he knew, which com- 
 ported with his statement in the kitchen. 
 
 The company were durafounded ; that Mr. Anderson 
 should be a common laborer was simply preposterous, and 
 yet, there stood Tom willing to swear that he had seen 
 him working with the threshers the best part of the fore- 
 noon. At this moment Col. Berryman and the Doctor 
 were seen entering by the front gate, chatting in an ani- 
 mated and familiar way; when they entered, the company 
 were all on their feet eager for an explanation. "The 
 Bev. Dr. Anderson " was now introduced, not so sum- 
 marily as his namesake had been an hour before. It was 
 the Colonel's hope that the company might not identify 
 his reverend friend with the stranger who had dined with 
 them. He was not aware the stranger had attracted any 
 attention at the table. "If they find out what a stupid 
 blunder I have made, I shall never hear the end of it," 
 said he, and begged the Doctor not to betray him. The 
 Doctor promised to be solemn and passive, but it was of 
 no avail. The exposure of his feeble pretence only added 
 to his wretchedness, and the unfortunate Colonel was 
 doomed to bear the slings and arrows of pitiless friends 
 for many a long day. 
 
 The Doctor's adventure was a success. He remained 
 over the Sabbath, and occupied the pulpit of the pastor 
 loci. Mrs. Berryman requested him to preach on Hospi- 
 
CENTRAL CHURCH. 41 
 
 tality, and he selected for his text the scripture account 
 of Abraham's treatment of strangers. Much to Colonel 
 Berryman's relief, he avoided a comparison between the 
 conduct of Abraham and the Blue Grass patriarch. 
 
 THE CENTRAL CHURCH. 
 
 During the interval between the outgoing of the Rev. 
 Mr. Barnes and the incoming of Dr. Anderson, a small 
 band of Christians who were specially devoted to Mr. 
 Barnes, determined to leave the First Church, and form 
 the " Central Church," which was located on St. Clair 
 Street, near where the Third Presbyterian Church now 
 stands. Elder Henry L. Brown and Samuel McPherson 
 were the leaders in this movement. 
 
 After securing a house and an organization, they for- 
 warded a call to Mr. Barnes to become their pastor. Mr. 
 Barnes declined the call, but consented to occupy their 
 pulpit for a short season. On his arrival he found the 
 new societ}^ wrangling over a musical instrument, that a 
 majority of the members had introduced with a choir. 
 The two elders were divided on the instrument, and Mr. 
 Barnes' influence was thrown into the scale against it, but 
 without avail. The instrument triumphed and led to the 
 disorganization of the Church, about a year after its forma- 
 tion. Dr. Anderson foresaw the catastrophe and piloted 
 the foundering colonists back to their old harbor, on the 
 corner of Second and Ludlow Streets. 
 
 
42 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 REV. PIIINEAS D. GURLEY'S PASTORATE. 
 
 The Rev. Phineas D. Gurley, then of Indianapolis, was 
 next elected to the pastorate of the First Church. The 
 call on the part of the congregation was unanimous, and 
 Dr. Gurley accepted it promptly, and entered on his minis- 
 terial duties at Dayton, on the 6th of November, 1849. 
 He continued to minister with much zeal and success until 
 Janitar}', 1854, when he accepted a call to the F Street, 
 now New York Avenue Church, of Washington, District 
 of Columbia, where, by the power of his preaching, the 
 purity of his life, and his great practical wisdom, he ac- 
 quired vast influence, not only in his immediate Held of 
 pastoral labor, and in the general councils of the Church, 
 but also in the atfairs of the government. He was the 
 pastor and intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln, and dur- 
 ing the dark and trying period of our civil war, his prayers 
 and advice were often solicited by the President. 
 
 He died in Washington, on the 30th of September, 1868, 
 after suflering a short period from malignant disease of 
 the stomach. 
 
 In the second year of Dr. Gurley's pastorate, the senti- 
 ment in favor of establishing a mission church in the east- 
 ern part of the city (which originated in the last year of 
 Dr. Anderson's ministry), was revived. The Church fa- 
 vored the outgoing of a large colony in order to strengthen 
 the enterprise, but when the set time arrived for entering 
 on the w^ork, only twenty-three communicants were willing 
 
hev. peine as d. gurley's pastorate. 43 
 
 to leave the old hive — Joseph Baruett, John F. Edgar, and 
 John Morehouse taking the lead, and organizing what is 
 now the Third Presbyterian Church of this city, commonly 
 called the "Park Church." 
 
 Notwithstanding this new center of Presbyterial attrac- 
 tion the average annual accession of communicants under 
 Dr. Gurley, was greater than that of any other pastorate 
 in the history of the First Church. 
 
 The correspondence between Dr. Gurley and the congre- 
 gation, in reference to his proposed resignation, is worthy 
 of a place in this history. It reveals something of his 
 deep affection for the people of his charge, and their warm 
 attachment and devotion to him. 
 
 This relationship is most interesting, and happy must 
 the church ever be, wherein the same beautiful spirit ot 
 harmony and love prevails. 
 
 Dr. Gurley had been but four years in Dayton, and 
 during that time the evidence of divine favor on his 
 ministerial labors could not be doubted. His influence 
 and usefulness were daily increasing. When the call came 
 to him from Washington, he could not believe it was the 
 Master's will that he should abandon his present field. 
 After careful and serious deliberation he told his people 
 he would decline the call, but before his declination was 
 mailed, he received another communication from Wash- 
 ington. Not a louder call, in the vulgar acceptation of 
 that phrase, but a call of distress, from a weak church 
 struggling against the tide of error and ungodliness then 
 prevailing at the national capital. 
 
44 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 The following is Dr. Gurley's letter of resignation with 
 the reply of the congregation: 
 
 *' To the First Presbyterian Church., of Dayton: 
 
 ^'-My Beloved People: One of the hardest duties of my 
 life 18 now before me. May God help me to discharge it 
 in his fear and for his glory. On last Sabbath morning I 
 told you that the question, Shall I go to Washington to 
 labor for Christ or shall I remain in Dayton? had been 
 to me the most serious and perplexing question of personal 
 duty I had ever been called to consider. I also told you 
 that, after long and anxious deliberation, I had concluded 
 to remain in Dayton. With the light I then had perhaps 
 that conclusion was correct; perhaps it was not. I an- 
 nounced it with many misgivings, known only to myself 
 and to God, and after the announcement, through the 
 remainder of the Sabbath, those misgivings increased with 
 the lapse of time and I became unhappy. I felt that per- 
 haps I had refused to hear the voice and follow the leading 
 of Providence. On the following Monday and Tuesday, 
 before I had written the declination which I had intended 
 to send to the F Street Church, I received unexpected 
 communications from Washington, so remarkable in their 
 character, so strong in their arguments and appeals, and 
 so significant as indications of the will of God, that I 
 felt it to be my solemn duty to reconsider the whole ques- 
 tion — to look at it anew and very carefully, that I might 
 know of a truth what the Great Head of the Church and 
 King of Zion would have me to do. I have reconsidered 
 
REV. PHINEAS D. OURLEY'S PASTORATE. 45 
 
 the question; I have looked at it anew with earnest, 
 prayerful reflection ; and in so doing.I have come clearly 
 to the conclusion that I must reverse my decision. 
 
 "That God has called me to go and labor for his cause 
 and glory in Washington City I can no longer doubt for 
 a moment. The case is clear ; the evidence to my own 
 mind is clear and irresistible. I must yield to it or do 
 violence to my conscience and sin against my God. 1 
 must go or be unhappy. This decision is final, and, in 
 making it, I find peace. I believe it is the peace which 
 God gives to his people, when, at the cost of many sacri- 
 lices and in the face of many difficulties and dangers, they 
 resolve to do their duty. And, now, my beloved people, 
 you must acquiesce in this decision and say to me, ' Go, 
 and the Lord be with thee.' You may think me mistaken- 
 greatly, strangely mistaken, but I beseech you, lay not a 
 single obstacle in my way. Trouble me not with unavail- 
 ing arguments and entreaties, deal gently with one whose 
 heart will bleed and quiver with agony as he leaves you ; 
 and while he goes in the name of Jesus to occupy a most 
 responsible and difficult position for his glory, follow him 
 with your sympathies, your kindest wishes, and your 
 prayers. 
 
 "My pastoral connection with you has been pleasant, 
 exceedingly pleasant, I have loved you all and loved you 
 well, and you have given me love and kindness in return. 
 " In all my ministry among you I have aimed at your 
 highest spiritual welfare, and, so far as my labors have been 
 successful, to God be all the praise. I shall leave you in 
 
46 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 the confidence that the 'Bishop of your souls' who has 
 cared and provided for you heretofore, will not forsake 
 you now. Under shepherds may leave you ; but the great 
 and good Shepherd will be with you to the end. Trust 
 in him; cleave to him, as your nearest, truest, mightiest 
 helper, and he will comfort your hearts, supply your need 
 and do for you 'exceeding abundantly above all you ask 
 or think.' 
 
 " Unto him be glory in the Church throughout all ages, 
 world without end. Amen." 
 
 A meeting of the congregation was called, at which the 
 following response was made to Dr. Gurley's resignation : 
 
 " Whereas, In the Providence of God, a call from the 
 F Street Presbyterian Church of Washington City, has 
 been received by our beloved pastor, and he has felt it his 
 duty to look at the subject and proposition for his removal 
 very carefully, that he might know of a truth what the 
 Great Head of the Church would have him do, and, with 
 much prayer and reflection, he is very clear in his convic- 
 tions of duty, that God has called him to go and labor in his 
 cause and glory in Washington City ; and therefore it was 
 that he presented the communication read in our hearing, 
 by the Rev. Mr. Rossiter, on Sabbath morning, December 
 25th, 1853, asking the dissolution of his pastoral relations 
 with us. 
 
 "And now, in view of the circumstances of the case, and 
 notwithstanding our own feelings rise up against it, and 
 we are strongly opposed to our pastors decision, yet we 
 
REV. PHINEAS D. GURLEY'S PASTORATE. 47 
 
 are constrained to acknowledge onr firm conviction that 
 true love and devotion to the cause of Christ has led him, 
 at the cost of many sacrifices, and in the face of many 
 dangers and difficulties, to do his duty in this matter, as 
 impressed by the Spirit of God. And, therefore, although 
 we do truly feel that he is mistaken, strangely mistaken, 
 yet we will not lay any obstacle in his wa}^, nor trouble 
 him with unavailing arguments and entreaties, but firmly 
 trusting that he goes in the name of Jesus, to occupy a 
 most responsible and difficult position for Christ's glory, 
 we will continue to respect, honor, and love him, and 
 will follow him with our sympathies, kindest wishes, and 
 prayers, and say, 'Go, and the Lord be with thee' and 
 thy family. 
 
 "Our thanks are due to our heavenly Father for the 
 directing influence of his spirit, when leading us to seek 
 the ministerial labor of our beloved pastor, friend, and 
 Christian brother (the Rev. Phineas D. Gurley), and we 
 here record the great goodness of God, in following with 
 his continued blessing the relation of pastor and people, 
 so that our friendship, respect, and love has been gaining 
 strength with the successive dajs of his ministry. And 
 we most heartily agree in testifying that in all his preach- 
 ing and intercourse with us, he has aimed at our highest 
 spiritual welfare, and under the divine blessing has been 
 successful in winning souls to Christ, and building up the 
 people of God in the most holy faith; for all of which we 
 unite with him in giving God the praise. 
 
48 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 "We consider it not only proper but a duty to publicly 
 record our tbanks to the giver of every blessing, for his 
 kindness in so directing all our social and Christian inter- 
 course with our pastor's family, that it may truly be said, 
 we love them, and earnestly pray that God's choicest 
 blessings may follow and abide with them. With these 
 feelings, therefore, be it 
 
 '■^Besolved, That it is only the kindest feelings of duty 
 towards our beloved pastor, and of Christian submission 
 to God's providence that lead us to acquiesce in his appli- 
 cation to the Pr^sbyter}^ for the dissolution of the pastoral 
 relation. 
 
 ^^Mesolved, That we deeply feel this resignation to be our 
 loss and humbly pray it may be his gain, by extending his 
 usefulness in advancing the interests of the Redeemer's 
 kingdom on the earth." 
 
 REV. J. H. BROOKES' PASTORATE. 
 
 Some two months after Dr. Guriey's resignation, the 
 Rev. James H. Brookes was elected to succeed him, and 
 was ordained and installed on the 20th of April, 1854. 
 Though a young man, and a recent graduate of Princeton 
 Theological Seminary, Mr. Brookes proved himself a 
 worthy follower of the great and good man who preceded 
 him. Nature had endowed Mr. Brookes with gifts far 
 above the common allotment. To a commanding and 
 graceful person was added a mind of extraordinary capacity, 
 and well-balanced faculties, together with a disposition at 
 
REV. J. H. BROOKES' PASTORATE. 49 
 
 once frank, generous, and enthusiastic. He soon acquired 
 distinction as a public speaker, for in addition to the usual 
 attributes of the orator, he enjoyed the advantage of that 
 mysterious element commonly called magnetism, which 
 comes not by hard study or academic training, but in con- 
 sequence of its extreme rarity, is generally looked upon as 
 a special gift of Providence. 
 
 These qualities, combined with his burning zeal for the 
 salvation of men, soon won the hearts of the people, and 
 the Church prospered abundantly under his ministry. 
 
 In November, 1856, a new colony went out uuder the 
 lead of William King Sr., Herbert S. Williams, and David 
 Osborn, and organized the " Miami City Church," now 
 the "Fourth Presbyterian Church," of Dayton. Notwith- 
 standing this depletion, it became necessary soon after to 
 enlarge the capacity of the old church, and to this end 
 several congregational meetings were held, and committees 
 appointed to obtain subscriptions and report a plan for 
 enlargement. 
 
 The following minute is from the record of a meeting of 
 the congregation, held on the 16th day of January, 1857 : 
 
 '■'■Resolved., That the plan of the committee be adopted, 
 with the modification : that 20 feet of the present building 
 be taken down, and an addition made of 40 to 50 feet 
 wide, by 80 to 90 feet deep, in a cruciform manner, with 
 projections, and such other modifications as may be recom- 
 mended by a competent architect, and approved by the 
 Building Committee, so as to preserve beauty and bar- 
 
50 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 mony, in the general proportions and finish of the build- 
 ing when completed ; and that, after these modifications 
 are determined upon, and the plans perfected, it be pre- 
 sented by the committee to the trustees for their approval, 
 and if approved and adopted by the trustees, that the com- 
 miftee on behalf of this meeting request them to invite 
 proposals and contract for the immediate construction of 
 the addition proposed." 
 
 Before any further measures were taken in pursuance of 
 the forgoing resolution, it was found that the members of 
 the congregation were not in full accord, as to the charac- 
 ter of the improvement recommended by the architect. 
 During the suspense that ensued upon this disagreement, 
 Mr. Brookes received a call from the First Church, of St. 
 Louis, and, after some deliberation, announced his decision 
 to accept it; at the same time, asking the congregation to 
 unite with him in a request to Presbytery to dissolve the 
 pastoral relation ; which request was reluctantly assented to. 
 
 A tew months prior to this action, Mr. Brookes had 
 made a similar request, in order to accept a call from the 
 Second Presbyterian Church, of Louisville. The Dayton 
 Church, by its delegates appeared before Presbytery, and 
 opposed their pastor's removal strenuously and success- 
 fully. In a series of resolutions, the congregation set forth 
 the eminent fitness of Mr. Brookes to labor in his present 
 field, showed how richly his labors had been blessed, how 
 much his usefulness was increasing, and how perfectly the 
 people of his charge were united in their anxiety to enjoy 
 
r)R. THOMAS E. THOMAS' PASTORATE. 51 
 
 a continuance of his ministry. One of the resolutions con- 
 tains the following deliverance: * ^ * " We further 
 believe it is the duty of the churches, everywhere, to ab- 
 stain from the too-common practice of disturbing each 
 other's iiarmony, by undue interference with the pastoral 
 relation."' 
 
 Mr. Brookes preached his farewell sermon, in the Frist 
 Church, on the 14th of February, 1858. 
 
 DK. THOMAS E. THOMAS" rASTOKATE. 
 
 On the 9th of March, 1858, a unanimous call was given 
 to the Kev. Thomas E. Thomas, then at New Albany, 
 Indiana, and on the 12th of April he began his pastoral 
 work in the First Church. The congregation and people 
 of Dayton had much reason to congratulate themselves on 
 the acquisition of such a man at this particular juncture. 
 The agitation of the slavery question was threatening not 
 only the disruption of the States but of the churches also. 
 The people of tiie South discovered that the anti-slavery 
 sentiment of the North had crystalized in opposition to 
 the further extension of slavery in the territory of the 
 United States. Kansas had been saved to freedom, aftei- a 
 fierce and bloody struggle, in which, the slave power was 
 aided by the military power of the government, under 
 President Buchanan's administration. 
 
 Already the dark clouds of treason were visible in the 
 political horizon, and wise men who comprehended the 
 true nature of the issues involved, trembled for the coun- 
 
52 FTRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 try's safety. Dr. Thomas, as a citizen, had always taken a 
 deep interest in public aftairs, and while he was regarded 
 a prince among preachers within the bounds of the Presby- 
 terian Church, he was recognized far and wide as the fear- 
 less and uncompromising champion of human liberty. 
 
 In youth his manly sympathies were kindled in behalf 
 of our southern bondmen, and at the age of twenty-four, 
 he threw himself into the anti-slavery struggle with all 
 the enthusiasm of his ardent temperament. The time 
 will come, when the attitude assumed by the American 
 churches in relation to slavery, in the nineteenth century, 
 will be deemed incredible. With comparatively few excep- 
 tions, the practice of every ecclesiastical body in the United 
 States before 1860, was conservative of American slavery. 
 The doors of almost every prominent Presbyterian Church 
 in the land were barred against those preachers who de- 
 nounced slaveholding as sinful, and who advocated its 
 abolition. It was degrading and dangerous to be an active 
 abolitionist, even in many cities and communities of the 
 free States. Dr. Thomas was treated to a large share of 
 the obloquy and persecution of the times, but his zeal in 
 the cause never flagged, nor did his courage faulter until 
 the battle of freedom was ended, and the victory won. 
 
 He saw the hand of God in the great convulsion of 
 1861, and when the first rebel gun opened its fire on Sum- 
 ter, he received the report with joy, and said to his friends, 
 "That rebel spark will kindle a fire that shall burn till our 
 land is purified from the sin and stain of slavery." 
 
DR. THOMAS E. THOMAS' PASTORATE. 53 
 
 During the years of bloody conflict that ensued, Dr. 
 Thomas was conspicuous in his efforts to uphold and 
 strengthen the arm of the government. He opposed all 
 faint-hearted measures and corrupt compromises for the 
 sake of peace. In private and social circles, in public 
 meetings with his fellow-citizens, in the general assemblies 
 of the Church, and in the camp of the soldiers, he main- 
 tained the righteousness of the national cause, and urged 
 a vigorous prosecution of the war until every rebel surren- 
 dered his arms, and every foot of American soil was conse- 
 crated to liberty. 
 
 The First Church prospered under Dr. Thomas' minis- 
 try, which continued for a period of thirteen years. 
 
 The excitement incident to our civil war was prejudicial 
 to the spiritual interests of all the churches, and the First 
 Church shared in this general depression. When the war 
 closed the Church revived, and the year of 1869 was 
 signalized by the largest ingathering that had ever been 
 recorded in a single year, except 1844, which is still remem- 
 bered as the year of the great revival under Dr. Barnes. 
 
 In the spring of 1867 the question of enlarging the 
 church edifice was revived, and was received with favor 
 by the people generally. The following extract, copied 
 from the records, shows the action held at an adjourned 
 meeting of the congregation, on the 4th of March, 1867. 
 Dr. Thomas occupied the chair, and Mr. L. Moore was 
 chosen secretary. The moderator reported the amount of 
 the subscription already obtainad, when, " On motion of 
 Maj. Gen. McCook, it was voted to reconsider the action 
 
54 FIRST PRMSBYTEklAN CBURCB 
 
 of the last meeting, deciding in favor of the enlargement 
 and improvement of the present building. On motion of 
 Mr. H. L. Brown, a committee of ten persons was chosen, 
 whose duty it should be to determine upon the character 
 and cost of the improvement or new building, and to select 
 three of their number as a Building Committee to contract 
 for and carry out the design thus decided upon. 
 
 "The following persons were chosen said committee: 
 T. A. Phillips, H. Stoddard Jr., 0. McDermont, Isaac 
 Haas, Jno. G. Lowe, J. W. Stoddard, T. 0. Lowe, J. D. 
 Phillips, E, A. Parrott, Samuel Craighead. On motion, 
 D. W. Stewart and C. Wight were added to said com- 
 mittee. On motion of L. Moore, it was — 
 
 ^^Hesolved, As the sense of this meeting, that we can and 
 ought to build a new church edifice, that we pledge our 
 individual and united efi^orts to each other and to the com- 
 mittee whom we have chosen, for the furtherance of this 
 object."' 
 
 Two days later, the Building Committee met, and was 
 organized by the election of Col. Jno. G. Lowe, chairman, 
 and D. W. Stewart, secretary. On motion of Dr. Thomas, 
 Dr. McDermont and H. Stoddard Jr., were appointed a 
 committee to revise and enlarge subscriptions. On motion, 
 it was voted that Dr. Thomas be considered an ex-officio 
 member of all committees. Messrs. T. A. Phillips, T. O. 
 Lowe, and D. W. Stewart were appointed a committee on 
 plans and correspondence. 
 
DR. THOMAS E. THOMAS' PASTORATE. 55 
 
 Messrs. I. Van Ausdal was elected to till the vacancy in 
 the Building Committee, caused by the resignation of Mr. 
 J. D. Phillips. 
 
 At subsequent meetings of the Building Committee reso- 
 lutions were adopted to the following effect : 
 
 Appointing H, L. Brown, T. A. Phillips, and H. Stod- 
 dard Jr., a committee to make all contracts for material 
 and work for the new edifice. 
 
 Requiring a majority of the whole committee of twelve 
 to decide upon the plans for the new building. 
 
 Authorizing Dr. Thomas to visit the architect, and ob- 
 tain all necessary information in regard to the removal of 
 the old, and the erection ot the new building — the material 
 of which was to be Dayton limestone. 
 
 On the 6th of May the trustees formally authorized the 
 Building Committee to remove the old edilice, and, " In 
 place thereof, to erect such a building as will, in their 
 opinion, meet the demands of the congregation." At the 
 same time they placed at the disposal of the committee all 
 funds that had been or might hereafter be subscribed for 
 that purpose. 
 
 The general plan of the new building was prepared by 
 Dr. Thomas, and its details with drawings, specilications, 
 etc., by Mr. Blackburn, a Cleveland architect. Mr. Isaac 
 Haas, one of the elders of the Church, was appointed 
 superintendent of the work, and executed his dithcult task 
 with great ability and success, and without accepting any 
 eompensation. Dr, Thomas was vigilant and untiring in 
 
56 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 watching the progress of the work at every step, and in all 
 its departments. On entering the eastern vestibule of the 
 church, a handsome memorial tablet engages the attention 
 of visitors. On this tablet is inscribed the names of 
 
 THOMAS EBENEZER THOMAS, D. D., 
 
 AND 
 
 ISAAC HAAS, 
 
 With a brief reference to the character and work of each. 
 
 The renown acquired by King Solomon and his royal 
 assistant, Hiram, in building the temple at Jerusalem, has 
 come down to us through the mists of twenty-eight cen- 
 turies, and who shall question the propriety of transmitting 
 the names of Thomas and Haas to the 2:enerations of 
 Presbyterians who may succeed us in the ages to come; 
 and who, we trust, shall continue the worship of their fore-* 
 fathers, on the sacred spot where our beautiful temple now 
 stands. 
 
 The people of Dayton well remember the quiet energy, 
 the eagle eye, the unremitting vigilance of Mr, Haas, as he 
 watched the setting of every stone in the massive edifice ; 
 they also remember the absorbing interest and joyous 
 enthusiasm of Dr. Thomas as day by day, for months and 
 years, he stood beside the workmen witnessing the slow 
 materialization of his cherished plans for a house of wor- 
 Bhip to the Most High; and who that is familiar witli these 
 facts, can hesitate to admit that the names of these gentle- 
 men are worthy of the distinction conferred upon them. 
 
DF. THOMAS E. THOMAS' PASTORATE. 57 
 
 Indeed the famouB inscription on Sir Christopher Wren's 
 tahlet in St. Panl's Church, London, 
 
 " Si Mnnumentvm. quaerLs circumspice,'^ * 
 
 Might, with some propriety, have been placed under their 
 names. 
 
 The walls and roof of the church were completed in 
 1869, and in that year also the Sabbath-school room was 
 finished and used for public worship, but, owing to the 
 general depression of business throughout the country, 
 seven years elapsed before the main audience- room, and 
 other parts of the building, were completed. 
 
 The total cost, exclusive of the materials utilized from 
 the old church, was about $100,000. 
 
 In making their final building report to the congrega- 
 tion, April 7th, 1874, the trustees refer to their endeavor 
 to complete the work entrusted to them, in accordance 
 wnth the designs furnished by the architect, and add, "We 
 may now, with truth, assert that the First 'Presbyterian 
 Congregation possesses the noblest, most substantial, and 
 elegant church in this city." 
 
 During the erection of the church, the congregation, by 
 invitation, w^orshiped jointly, for a period, with the Baptist 
 brethren, in their large church, on Main Street, and the 
 Christian courtesies of those brethren'are hekl. in eniteful 
 remembrance. Subsequently they accepted an invitation 
 to worship witii the people of the Park Presbyterian con- 
 
 If you seek his monunient, Innk nroiind you. 
 
 8 
 
58 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 gregation until their own house would be ready for occu- 
 pation, and the hospitality of the Park Church brethren 
 is also cordially cherished. 
 
 Before the completion of the new church, Dr. Thomas 
 was elected to a professorship in Lane Theological Semi- 
 nary, at Cincinnati. He decided to accept this position, 
 and in consequence thereof, his pastoral relation with the 
 First Church was dissolved in Jul}', 1871. His withdrawal 
 was deeply deplored, not only by the people of his charge, 
 but by the citizens of Dayton generall3^ His vast knowl- 
 edge, great oratorical powers, sound judgment, liberal 
 spirit, and ready sympathy with every good cause, were 
 qualities which won the admiration of all who knew him, 
 and gave him a prominence in deliberative assemblies, that 
 few men attain. 
 
 As a teacher he was pre-eminent. Though an active, 
 sympathetic, and efficient pastor, his greatness was re- 
 vealed in the pulpit, and in the Bible class. Nature and 
 grace had specially endowed him for the sacred office. 
 
 " He had Elijah's dignity of tone, 
 And all the love of the beloved John." 
 
 When Dr. Thomas left Dayton the universal feeling of 
 the people found its truest utterance in the words of 
 Hamlet : 
 
 "Take him for all in all, 
 We shall not look upon his like again;" 
 
 And the existence of this sentiment was doubtless'the 
 
REV. JOHN McVEY'S PASTORATE. 59 
 
 mam cause of the difficulty which the First Church expe- 
 rienced in procuring his successor. Several calls were 
 given and rejected. In most cases there was reasonable 
 ground to believe that the calls would be promptly ac- 
 cepted, and their rejection occasioned much surprise, 
 but, in course of time, it transpired that the declining 
 parties were distrustful of their ability to till Dr. Thomas' 
 place, and feared to put themselves in contrast with tha^ 
 
 great man. 
 
 On the 2d of February, 1875, Dr. Thomas died at Walnut 
 Hills, the seat of Lane Seminary, and his body reposes in 
 the beautiful cemetery near Dayton — which city continues 
 to be the home of his wife and children. 
 
 REV. JOHN McVEY'S PASTORATE. 
 
 After several unsuccessful efforts to secure a successor 
 to Dr. Thomas, the Rev. John McVey, of Lebanon Springs, 
 New York, was invited to visit Dayton, and preach to the 
 congregation. He came, and preached so acceptably that 
 a call to the pastorate was unanimously made out and 
 presented, but Mr. McVey declined its acceptance. He 
 thought the congregation had acted with precipitation, 
 and that a better acquaintance should exist mutually be- 
 fore entering into the pastoral relation. He expressed 
 his willingness to revisit Dayton within a reasonable time, 
 and if, after the second visit, the congregation should see 
 tit to renew the call, it would probably meet his accept- 
 ance. He repeated his visit; the call was renewed and 
 
60 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHUkCB 
 
 accepted, and he entered upon bis pastoral duties on the 
 18th of September, 1872. 
 
 Mr. McVey was a young clergyman of high character 
 and fine culture. He was imbued with a deep sense of the 
 sacredness of his office, and, in his intercourse with the 
 world, was more reserved than any of his predecessors. 
 
 The Church prospered under his ministry until near the 
 close of his second year, when a lurking dissatisfaction 
 developed itself and was found to be so general that the 
 session deemed it necessary to advise him of the fact. At 
 the same time they assured him of their inability either 
 to state the cause of the dissatisfaction, or to remove it, 
 and suggested that the pastor's resignation was the only 
 remedy for the evil. Mr. McVey complained of the 
 session's failure to advise him earlier of the existing 
 opposition, and of their neglect to take proper measures 
 to suppress it, in its incipiency. 
 
 The pastoral relation was dissolved by Presbytery, on 
 the 17th of October, 1874, to take effect on the last Sab- 
 batli of that month. In connection with this oflSicial act, 
 the Presbytery, on hearing Mr. McVey's statement of the 
 case, passed resolutions reflecting on the congregation for 
 ill-usage of their pastor, at the same time appointing a 
 delegate to read said resolutions from the pulpit of the 
 First Church on a specified Sabbath. Against this action, 
 the Ciiurch session entered a strong protest in its minutes. 
 The session avers that Presbytery acted unwisely and un- 
 justly in judging the case of Mr. McVey upon ex parte 
 
REV. JOHN McVEY'S PASTORATE. 61 
 
 testimony; and it denies the correctness of certain allega- 
 tions cited by the Presbytery in support of their action. 
 
 When Mr. McVey's relation to the Church was dis- 
 solved, the congregation engaged the Rev. George A. 
 Funkhouser, a professor in the United Brethren Biblical 
 Seminary, of Dayton, to preach and administer the ordi- 
 nances. This gentleman continued to occupy the pulpit 
 for more than a year, an»l his ministration proved highly 
 satisfactory to the people. 
 
 On the 4th of June, 1876, he was relieved by the Kev. 
 Benjamin B. Wartield, who had just completed his theo- 
 logical course at Princeton. 
 
 Mr. Warfield was a grandson of the late Rev. Dr. Robert 
 J. Breckenridge, and being warmly recommended by the 
 Princeton Professors, the session invited him to occupy 
 the pulpit for a few months, hoping a better acquaintance 
 would lead to permanent relations. He accepted the invi- 
 tation, and in less than six weeks the congregation gave 
 him a unanimous call to become their pastor, at a salary 
 of $2500 a year. 
 
 At this time Mr. Wartield was sufiering from disease of 
 the throat, and decided to make his acceptance of the call 
 contingent on the advice of his medical counselors. They 
 advised him to abstain from preaching for several months, 
 and the call was declined. 
 
62 PIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 REV. LEIGH RICHMOND SMITH'S PASTORATE. 
 
 In July of the same year the Rev. Leii^h Richmond 
 Smith, of Bordentown, New Jersey, was invited to come 
 to Dayton in the course of his summer vacation, and 
 preach in the First Church as often as his engagements 
 would permit. He came the following month, and occu- 
 pied the pulpit several Sabbaths. Mr. Smith's preaching 
 made so favorable an impression that, on the •22d of Sep- 
 tember, he was asked to return, and accept an engagement 
 for six months. He consented, and began his ministry, as 
 stated supply, on the 12th of isTovember, 1876. 
 
 The good impression made on his first visit was fully 
 sustained, and before the expiration of his engagement, the 
 congregation gave him a unanimous call to the pastorate, 
 with an assured stipend of $2500 a year. More than three 
 years have elapsed since Mr. Smith's installation; and the 
 large accession that has been made to the membership of 
 the Church in that period is a good testimony of his faithful 
 and efficient labors. 
 
 In view of Mr. Smith's youth, and, I might add, his extreme 
 modesty, the author will not touch upon the subject of his 
 rare and varied endowments. A sketch of these will find 
 a more fitting place in the opening pages of the next 
 volume of this history; suffice it now to say, that if a 
 propitious future shall fulfill the bright promise of Mr. 
 Smith's present spring-time, he will be entitled to take a 
 high rank in that galaxy of illustrious men who have pre- 
 ceded him in the pulpit of the old First Church. 
 
CHURCH MUSIC. 63 
 
 CHUECH MUSIC. 
 
 For a long period the question of Instrumental Music 
 in public worship was a source of vexation to the Pres- 
 byterian family in Europe and America, and at the present 
 time it continues to agitate many congregations on both 
 sides of the Atlantic. 
 
 The people of the First (3hurch were decidedly averse 
 to the use of instruments in public worship, until about 
 the middle of the present century, when it was found that 
 the sentiment of the Church had undergone a material 
 change on the subject. In 1859, a harmonium was brought 
 into the choir by permission of the session. The ofhcial 
 records clearly show that the session had misgivings as to 
 the result of the innovation. In spite of the instrument's 
 virtuous name and harmless look, a majority of the session 
 feared that, like the wooden horse of the Geeks, it might 
 become an engine of mischief, and to guard against this 
 danger they passed the following resolutions: 
 
 '■'■ Resolved, The conduct of sacred song in the church, like 
 every other part of the public worship, is properly under 
 the care of the Church session, and subject to their control. 
 
 ^'■Resolved, The leader and members of the choir shall 
 be appointed by the session from time to time, as may be 
 necessary; and no one shall be connected with the choir 
 but in virtue of such an appointment. 
 
 ^"Resolved, The session authorize the use of a harmonium. 
 
 ^'Resolved, The choir shall confine themselves ordinarily 
 
64 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 to such music as shall be plain and familiar, so that the 
 whole congregation may unite in singing. 
 
 ^^ Resolved, The instrument shall be used only during the 
 singing of the choir. No voluntaries, preludes or inter- 
 ludes being permitted, except that the tirst four notes of a 
 tune may be played, that the choir and congregation may 
 know the piece to bo sung; and, if the choir think it 
 needful for rest and harmony, the last strain of a tune may 
 be repeated." 
 
 As more than one half the members of the present con- 
 gregation may be disposed to think that this repugnance 
 to instrumental music was due to a want of taste and 
 musical culture, justice to the memory of our ancestors 
 requires a statement of the real ground of their opposition. 
 They held — 
 
 1. That the use of a musical instrument in public wor- 
 ship was at variance with the practice and traditions of 
 the Church of Scotland, of which the American Presby- 
 terian Church was a true branch ; 
 
 2. That it was one of the corruptions of the Roman 
 Church, which, with other popish practices, was renounced 
 at the Reformation, and had always been denounced b}' 
 the Presbyterians of Scotland and Ireland, as well as by 
 the English puritans; 
 
 3. That neither the New Testament nor any authentic 
 history, contains the slightest trace of evidence that instru- 
 ments were used in the worship of God, b}' Christ or his 
 apostles, or at any time during the first six hundred yeais 
 of the Christian Church; 
 
CHURCH MUSIC. 65 
 
 4. That instrumental music was introduced by the Pope 
 of Rome in the year 666 A. D., to attract people to the 
 papal services, and gratify their unsanctified taste for 
 amusement, and if Presbyterians, unmindful of the exam- 
 ple of Christ and his apostles, should admit into their 
 praise service, this sensuous element of Romish worship? 
 there was no telling, how soon other corruptions of the 
 Church of Rome would be adopted. 
 
 5. They further held that the use of instruments, under 
 the Old Testament dispensation, was a part of the gorgeous 
 temple ceremonies, that it w^as entirely in the hands of the 
 priestly order, and when the symbolical ceremonies passed 
 away, the instruments passed with them, and the simple 
 spiritual worship of the New Testament dispensation was 
 inaugurated. 
 
 6. They believed that organs tended to repress congre- 
 gational singing, and contributed rather to the entertain- 
 ment of the young and fashionable, than to the glory 
 of God. 
 
 7. They pointed to the gradual gravitation towards 
 Romanism of many Protestant Churches that had yielded 
 to the soft seductions of a theatrical accompaniment in 
 their service of praise. 
 
 8. They declared that the word of God was the only 
 safe guide in the matter. In it there was the example of 
 Christ and his apostles for the practice of vocal praise, 
 while the Pope of Rome was the sole authority for the 
 use of organs. 
 
 On the other hand, it was claimed by the advocates of 
 • 9 
 
66 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 instrumental music, that there was no law on the subject; 
 that neither Christ nor the apostles, nor the reformers, 
 nor the Westminster divines, ever published a word of pro- 
 hibition against its use. They admit that its use is not 
 mentioned in the New Testament, or in the early history 
 of the Church, but claim that this omission proves nothing, 
 since no mention is made of precentors in the early Christ- 
 ian Church, and it has not been charged that the use of 
 these functionaries, in conducting the singing during public 
 worship, was a violation of the letter or spirit of the gospel. 
 
 It was true, they said, that during the sitting of the 
 Westminster assembly the church organs were removed 
 from St. Paul's and St. Peter's, in London, but this was 
 done not by the assembly, but by a commission of parlia- 
 ment for political reasons. The men of the assembly were 
 divided themselves, on the question of instrumental music, 
 and wisely forbore to pass any law on the subject. 
 
 They claimed further that God had ordained the use of 
 instruments in his worship under the old dispensation, and 
 if it was pleasing to him then, we have no reason to think 
 it would be otherwise now. He had often encouraged his 
 chosen people to praise him, not with the lips only, but 
 with the harp, the lute, the' trumpet, the timbrel, and the 
 psaltery. Music they claimed to be a natural help to 
 devotion. It had no typical meaning, and should not be 
 regarded a part of those symbolic ceremonies that passed 
 away. It did not aid worship by any mystical signilicance 
 but acted by a proper and natural operation. God had 
 fitted it to harmonize with the human voice, and his sane- 
 
CHURCH MUSIC. 67 
 
 tion of it in sacred song was sufficient proof of its value in 
 elevating the devotions of his worshipers, and inspiring a 
 more warm and joyful expression of their grateful praise. 
 They claimed that, at most, it was an open question, and 
 that the members of every congregation should have 
 liberty to use or reject instruments, according as they 
 prove to be a help or hindrance to edification , The fol- 
 lowing telling points occurred in the course of a public 
 discussion of the subject : 
 
 In arguing the question, the anti-instrumentalists laid 
 great stress on the "mutual regard due to the rights of 
 conscience." They often referred to their friends as the 
 conscientious men of the Church, and alleged that it was 
 not a matter of conscience with the innovators at all. 
 
 A humorous layman replying, to this argument, said he 
 was amused at the equanimity with which these gentlemen 
 and their adherents monopolize all the conscientious con- 
 victions of the Presbyterian Church. They harp on the 
 duty of "mutual regard for the rights of conscience," but 
 when it is boldly avowed by them that all the conscience 
 is in their keeping, what becomes of the mutuality ? Like 
 Irish reciprocity, it is all on one side. Their assumption 
 reminded him of a story of Daniel O'Connell, " who, on one 
 of his trips from Dublin to London, was crossing in the 
 Holyhead steamer, and sitting down in the cabin to dinner, 
 he found on the dish before him a very fine salmon trout. 
 The day being Friday, and the air keen, and Dan being 
 sharp set, he coolly transferred the entire delicacy to his 
 own plate, apologetically remarking, with a comical glance 
 
68 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 at his fellow passengers, "GentlemeD, you will excuse rae, 
 as this is a fast day in my Church," A stalwart cattle 
 drover seated opposite, who had been covetously eyeing 
 the dainty, too modest to ask for a portion, was dumb- 
 founded for a moment at the coohiess of the procedure, 
 but recovering his wits, he seized knife and fork, stretched 
 over the table, severed the trout in two, and bearing off 
 much the larger half, exclaimed reproachfully to O'Con- 
 nell, "Bad manners to ye, de yez think nobody has a 
 sowl to be saved but yourself?" "So, sir;" exclaimed 
 the speaker. I may ask these gentlemen, "Do you think 
 nobody has a conscience to protect but yourselves." 
 
 Another speaker, who favored a radical improvement 
 in the service of praise, thought it well to relax the rigid 
 custom of the Scottish Church. He related the case of a 
 poor fellow who was once a singer in church, and had 
 occasionally served as a precentor. He had the misfortune 
 to lose his teeth, and he could not sing. He was told to 
 go to a dentist. On going back to the church with a false 
 set of teeth, there was a theological row. He was told 
 that he was using an artilicial instrument and could not be 
 allowed to sing there any more ! 
 
 A solemn conservator of the ancient regime rejoined, 
 that the question was not to be settled by sophistry or 
 anecdotes, but by the word of God. The anecdotes related 
 had a savor of salt water about them, and had better be 
 left to the marines. He called upon his opponents to pro- 
 duce ONE SCRIPTURE PRECEDENT, Or a THUS SAITH THE JjORD, 
 
 in favor of usinsr instruments in the service of the sane- 
 
DISCIPLINE. 69 
 
 tuary. If they could not do this, said he, they had better 
 cease their agitation and give the Church peace. 
 
 This challenge was promptly met by a gentleman who 
 rose in the audience with a Bible in his hand, and said : 
 "This sacred book contains the revelation of God to man. 
 It tells us of a heaveu and a hell, and that, in the latter 
 place, there is wailing and gnashing of teeth ; there is no 
 instrumental music there ! In the former place, God's 
 own happy home, this book tells us there are angels there? 
 angels with harps in their hands; and John tells us in the 
 Revelations, that not only were there harps in heaven, but 
 that the angels were harping on harps." These arguments 
 have availed to such a degree, that, of the lifty-four mil- 
 lions of Presbyterians throughout the world, about four 
 millions only continue their opposition to the instrumental 
 accompaniment. 
 
 The present choir of the First Church consists of four 
 singers, with a parlor organ accompaniment. The singers 
 occupy a position in the front of the church, and face the 
 audience while singing. Most of them are volunteers, who 
 take no pay for their service. The cost of the music is 
 therefore very light, not exceeding $150 a year. 
 
 DISCIPLINE. 
 
 To err is human; and so long as human nature is subject 
 to its present infirmities, so long will the exercise of disci- 
 pline be necessary to good order, in Church or State. The 
 special duty of Church sessions is to guard the purity of 
 
70 FIRST PRESBYTEittAN CBVRCB 
 
 the Church in the lives of its members. In dealing with 
 offenses, the elders possess both judiciary and executive 
 power; but their most important function is to watch over 
 the flock, of which they are under-shepherds — guarding, 
 counseling, comforting, instructing, encouraging, and ad- 
 monishing, as circumstances may require. The penalties 
 imposed on wrong-doers are, censure, suspension from the 
 communion of the Church, and excommunication. 
 
 The writer has observed but one case of excommunica- 
 tion on tke Church minutes since February 14th, 1817 — 
 which is the date of the first entry in the session book. 
 
 A good many were suspended from the communion of 
 the Church, on account of specified transgressions, and 
 of these, many were afterward restored, upon satisfactory 
 evidence of true repentence and reformation, 
 
 A large proportion of the deUnquents were young per- 
 sons who yielded to the influence of improper associates, 
 and the temptations of city life, A few adults had become 
 victims of intemperance, and only a small number were 
 guilty of grosser oflfenses. 
 
 It would be impossible for any one to read the sessional 
 proceedings, without being profoundly impressed with the 
 wisdom, moderation, firmness, and patience of the primi- 
 tive elders. At their second meeting. May, 1817, a charge 
 of slander was preferred by one Church-member against 
 another. The elders present on the occasion were — John 
 Miller, Henry Robinson, John McKaig, and Wm. King — 
 the Rev. Peter Monfort acting moderator. The aggrieved 
 brother was asked whether he had sought reconciliation 
 
DISCIPLINE. 71 
 
 in accordance with the scriptural injunction — "If thy 
 brother trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault 
 between you and him alone," etc. This had not been done, 
 and the session declined to consider the charge. They 
 counseled complainant to exercise a spirit of brotherly love, 
 and Christian charity, in any further steps he might take 
 towards reconciliation or redress. At a subsequent meet- 
 ing of the session, the parties in controversy appeared, and 
 informed the elders that their difficulty had been amicably 
 settled. 
 
 It was formerly the custom of the elders, and may be 
 the custom at present, to so divide the |>arish that each of 
 the elders had supervision of a particular precinct. Regu- 
 lar visits were made; each elder visiting at least one of 
 the families in his respective charge every week, and offer- 
 ing a prayer with the family, "unless prevented by peculiar 
 circumstatices." When it was observed that a member was 
 absent from public worship or from a communion service, 
 he would receive a visit from one of the elders or pastor 
 in the course of "the week, and if the absence was not due 
 to some providential hindrance, the delinquent was affec- 
 tionately admonished of the danger of neglecting his duty, 
 and urged to a more careful discharge thereof. Similar 
 private visits were made to persons who were guilty of any 
 immoral practice. The elders would visit refractory cases 
 alternately, and, if these private efforts failed to accomplish 
 reform, the offender was cited to appear before the session, 
 who prayed with and for him, and kindly endeavored to 
 impress him with a due senge of his danger and duty. 
 
72 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Great prudence and delicacy were practiced in dealing with 
 these cases; and a professed desire to reform, however 
 faint, was sure to meet with long snflering and encourage- 
 ment. By these means some of the young men who had 
 lapsed at intervals, eventually became consistent and exem- 
 plary Christians. 
 
 Dancing and attending the theatre have always been 
 a source of grief to the pastors and elders of the First 
 Church. Like the use of instruments in praise worship, 
 the practice of dancing and theatre-going has long been 
 deprecated, by the Presbyterian Church, as inconsistent 
 with a Christian profession. 
 
 The following paper was prepared by the session, on the 
 26th of January, 1844, and read to the congregation on 
 the following Sabbath, after sermon : 
 
 "The session of the First Presbyterian Church, of Day- 
 ton, feeling in some degree the obligation that rests upon 
 them, faithfully to warn the members of the Church, in an 
 affectionate manner, against conformity to the vanities of 
 a world lying ia wickedness, against its allurements and 
 deadly snares, which, in our view, are calculated to injure 
 the spiritual interests of the real believer, and to entice 
 to destruction the thoughtless, and unconverted, would 
 particularly enjoin upon the members of this Church 
 to discountenance the worldly amusement of dancing, 
 seeing that our Church, in her highest ecclesiastical court, 
 has again and again condemned this amusement, in all 
 its forms, as inconsistent with a creditable profession of 
 religion, and have declared it a censurable practice, and 
 
^ DISCIPLINE. 78 
 
 seeing that it is Isiid down in the inspired word, as a 
 characteristic of the wicked, that 'they send forth their 
 little ones like a flock, and their children dance' (Job 
 21 : 11), we would therefore not onl}' entreat our brothers - 
 and sisters personally to refrain from this worldly folly, 
 and to set their faces as a flint against their baptized house- 
 holds being instructed in this seductive art, but also to 
 refuse any countenance to those social parties where it is 
 introduced, as we believe that the presence of the pro- 
 fessors of religion at such scenes is calculated to wound 
 the hearts of the pious, harden the impenitent, and greatly 
 injare the cause of our Redeemer." 
 
 Notwithstanding this edict, it does not appear from the 
 records, that any dancing-member was ever suspended 
 from Church privileges, on account of this indulgence; and 
 the reason no doubt is, that the word of God contains no 
 express prohibition against it, and that the sin of dancing 
 does not consist in the mere act, but in the evil tendencies 
 of this amusement, when indulged in promiscuously and 
 to excess. 
 
 The Rev. Dr. Thomas, referring to discipline during his 
 pastorate, says (April, 1870): 
 
 "It ma}' be recorded with gratitude to the Father of 
 Mercies, that, of the two hundred and eighty persons, old 
 and young, received into Church fellowship, during the 
 past twelve years, for whose reception your pastor is re- 
 sponsible, not one has been the subject of discipline, or has 
 deserved the censure of the Church." 
 
74 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 CHURCH FIRE. 
 
 On Tuesday, August 16th, 1876, about 1 o'clock p. m., 
 our house of worship was discovered to be on fire. The 
 entire building was thereby rendered unfit for occupancy. 
 The fire commenced in the organ and consumed it. Thence 
 it extended to the ceiling. A part of the roof was de- 
 stroyed, also some of the pulpit furniture. " Tlie pews were 
 much injured and defaced. The upper and lower rooms 
 were delusred with water. The damao^e from both fire ami 
 water was so great, that it was evident we could not 
 occupy any portion of the building for several weeks. In 
 this dilemma we were met on all sides, by the most cor- 
 dial sympathies of neighboring Churches, and ofl'ers of 
 accommodation for all our regular services of Church and 
 Sabbath-school. The first regular Baptist, the German 
 Reformed,, and the Third Street Presbyterian Churches, 
 were especially prompt and cordial in these offers. We 
 united with the latter Church in the regular Sabbath 
 services, during the absence from town of their pastor. 
 Rev. Leigh Richmond Smith, whom we had invited to 
 Dayton, preached in their pulpit August 27th, September 
 3rd, and 10th. We also made use of their chapel for our 
 Sunday-school, for several weeks, and afterwards, owing 
 to a change of hour, we availed ourselves of the use, kindly 
 tendered us of the lecture-room of the German Reformed 
 Church." 
 
 The expense for repairs was full}' covered by insurance. 
 
SABBATH SCHOOL. 75 
 
 In the original construction of the house, there was a 
 serious defect in the acoustic properties of the main audi- 
 torium. In repairing the building after the fire, the ceiHng 
 was lowered some twenty feet. Since the change, the 
 voice of the preacher is heard with much greater distinct- 
 ness than before. 
 
 The building, including the Sabbath school room, the 
 ladies' parlor, infant class room, library and pastor's study 
 are heated by steam. 
 
 Thorough ventilation is provided for, by flues in the 
 walls, extending from the base to the roof. 
 
 THE SABBATH SCHOOL. 
 
 In the early history of the First Church it is stated, by 
 Mr. Brown, that " In March, 1817, some citizen of Dayton 
 made the inquiry: 'Do we need a Sunday-school?'" Im- 
 mediately following that statement Mr. Brown has left a 
 blank space of two pages in his manuscript, indicating his 
 design of returning to the subject, but as death prevented 
 the fulfillment of this purpose, it will be necessary to 
 devote a chapter to the early Sabbath-richool work of the 
 Church. 
 
 The citizen who propounded the above inquiry niu8t 
 have been surprised with its speedy and remarkable solu- 
 tion, for, according to our best information, the following 
 month witnessed the organization of a flourishing Sabbath- 
 school in Dayton, under the superintendence of Mrs. Sarah 
 
76 FIRST FRESBYTERIAN CHURCU 
 
 Bomberger, and a record of the scholars for 1818, shows 
 an aggregate of over two hundred on the roll for that year. 
 
 Some time after the school was opened, a Board of 
 Directors was constituted, and consisted of the following 
 named ladies: Mrs. Crane, Mrs. Ayres, Mrs. Pierce, Mrs. 
 Haynes, and Mrs. Hannah George, who was secretary of 
 the Board, and performed her duties as such, in a very 
 business-like manner. The earliest records of the school, 
 as well as of the directors, are missing, but there is posi- 
 tive evidence that Mrs. Bomberger held the position of 
 superintendent for nearly twelve years, when Mr. David 
 Osborn was elected to the office. 
 
 The following ladies also served as directors until March, 
 1830, when a new Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, 
 making the Dayton school an auxiliary to the "American 
 Sunday-School Union," yt2.; Mrs. Phillips, Mrs. Hildreth, 
 Mrs. Irwin, Mrs. Eliza Smith. 
 
 At the first election under the new Constitution the 
 following officers were chosen : Mr. David Oaborn, superin- 
 tendent; Mrs. Sarah Bomberger, assistant superintendent; 
 James H. Bacon, secretary; Dr. John Steele, treasurer, and 
 John W. Van Cleve, librarian. 
 
 Since the above election the following gentlemen have 
 tilled the office of superintendent in the order given: 
 S. M. King, Wm. Davie, E. M. Burr, Mr. Spence, Ira J. 
 Fenn, David Osborn, L. F. Chiflia, H. L. Brown, T. J. 
 Smith, E. A. Moore, Dr. T. E. Thomas, T. O. Lowe, F. Mul- 
 ford, (ieo. L. Phillips, Jno. H. Thomas, Chas. Raymond, 
 F. Mulford. 
 
SABBATH SCHOOL. 
 
 77 
 
 David Osborn was the first male superintendent. He 
 was re-elected nine times, and labored with great zeal 
 and efficiency, not only in the Sabbath-school of his own 
 Church, but in the organization of similar schools in the 
 new settlements of the county. 
 
 Dr. Steele held the office of treasurer till he went out 
 with the New School colony in 1839, when his brother, 
 Judge Steele, was elected, and tilled the office till 1841 — the 
 year of his death. 
 
 The other subordinate officers of the Sabbath -school 
 were — Mrs. Putnam, George Bomberger, Joseph Davison, 
 Mrs. Broadwell, Mrs. Barnes, Judge Holt, Mr, Hughes, 
 J. W. Dickson, Isaac Augenbach, Mr. Spinning. 
 
 We present below an "Alphabetical List of Scholars 
 entered at Dayton Sabbath-school, commencing August 
 2d, 1818." It is copied from the "sere and yellow leaf" 
 of Mrs. Boraberger's original record, and will no doubt 
 interest a lar^e number of our citizens : 
 
 Ayres, Isaac 
 Ayres, Stephen 
 Armstrong, John 
 Andrews, James 
 Ayres, Henry 
 Anderson, Thomas 
 Alspach, William 
 Ayres, David 
 Anderson, Henry 
 Atkins, John 
 Anderson, Lewis 
 
 Bomberger, William 
 Bimm, Jacob 
 Bimm, Isaac 
 Brady, Joseph 
 Boogher, Gideon 
 Boogher, Jessie 
 Bowen, Robert 
 Boal, Robert 
 Boyer, Tho. W. 
 Broadwell, Eben 
 Bacon, Henry 
 
 Berthards, Thomas 
 Brown, Robert P. 
 Bomberger, George 
 Boyer, Levi J. 
 Brown, Thomas 
 Boal, William 
 Belloe, .John 
 Belloe, Peter 
 Bowen, David 
 Bowen, Nathaniel 
 Broadwell, Simeon 
 
78 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCB 
 
 Boogher, David 
 Brown, Patterson 
 Brown, Kirkum 
 Brier, George 
 Bradson, James 
 Blake, John 
 Blodget, William 
 Brown, Henry L. 
 Biers, Joseph 
 Bimm, Joseph 
 Boyer, Eli 
 Boyer, Isaac G. 
 Brabham, Charles 
 Broadwell, William 
 Bourne, William 
 Boyer, Abraham 
 Boogher, Samuel 
 Broadwell, Josiah 
 Bruen, David 
 Baily, John 
 Cooper, David C. 
 Collins, James 
 Carpenter, Hopkins 
 Crane, William E. 
 Conover, John 
 Conover, Obediah 
 Conover William 
 Conley, Fountain 
 Curtner, Henry 
 Coleman, Edward 
 Clark, Robert 
 
 Cain, Ingham 
 Collins, Gilbert 
 Cooper, Daniel C. 
 Conover, Harvey 
 Crane, Wilbur 
 Casner, Joseph 
 Conover, Alex. G. 
 Clegg, John 
 Clegg, James 
 Clegg, Joseph 
 Clegg, Samuel 
 Conover, Bachus W. 
 Collins, Stephen 
 Carney, Absalom 
 Clark, George 
 Crampton, Joshua E 
 Casy, Amos 
 Carney, Ansom 
 Cutshaul, Ely 
 Carpenter, Volin C. 
 Carpenter, David 
 Carpenter, Wm. D. 
 Cain, Stacey 
 Duncan, John 
 Duncan, David 
 Davis, Job 
 Davis, James 
 Davis, William 
 Davis, William 
 Denny, James 
 Dicks, George 
 
 Davis, James 
 Davis, Martin 
 Davis, Daniel 
 Dolly, Joseph 
 Dolly, William 
 Deihl, Joseph 
 Dolly, Samuel 
 Darst, Napoleon B. 
 Emmrick, David 
 Este, David 
 Eaglisfield, William 
 Emmons, William 
 Eaker, William 
 Eaker, Charles 
 Edgar, John F. 
 Ensey, Peter 
 Folkerth, Russel 
 Folkerth, Emil 
 Fairchild, Chris. 
 Fairchild, Eddy 
 Fairchild, Francis 
 Fairchild, Este 
 Fuller, William 
 Folkerth, Hamilton 
 Fairchild, Wilbur 
 Fennemore, Brazilla 
 GoUiday, Uri 
 Hatfield, George 
 Hanna, Joseph 
 Hatfield, Israel 
 Hanna, Amos T. 
 Hildreth, Lewis 
 
SABBATH SCHOOL. 
 
 79 
 
 Humphreyville, W. McCollum, Ethan S. 
 HumphreyvilleJ.A. McDean, Thomas 
 Huston, Paul Mussleman, Samuel 
 
 Houston, William P. McKinley, James 
 Huntsinger, Eli Mc\Vhiney,William 
 Hollan, Horatio McWhiney, James 
 Hamilton, Thomas McDennick, James 
 Hollingsworth, A. Morrison, David 
 
 Munday, William 
 Morgan, William 
 Minton, William 
 Minton, Samuel 
 
 Houston, H. G. P. 
 
 Henry, John 
 
 Hizer, John 
 
 Hatfield, William 
 
 Hawthorn, William Murry, John 
 
 Hollingsworth, H. Mount, John 
 
 Hudson, Harrison 
 
 Hollis, George 
 
 Hawthorn, John 
 
 Hudson, Harrison 
 
 Regans, Jeptha 
 Robins, William 
 Rue, Nicholas 
 Rue, Taylor 
 
 Henderson, William Rogers, William 
 Henderson, Charles Ryan, Joseph 
 Henderson, William Robbins, Eli 
 Hoon, Jacob Ryan, William 
 
 Myers, Benjamin Rhea, Robert 
 Michael, Philip Reed, Adgate M. 
 
 Munday, Benjamin Ryan, James 
 Millar, George Reed, David L. 
 
 Munday, Madison Rinebarger, Adam 
 McCoy, Rice Rossiter, John 
 
 McCoy, Josephus Rossiter, Samuel 
 McDennick, James Ritchie, Matthias 
 Mussleman, Peter Rouzer, Samuel 
 
 Ritchie, Charles 
 Richardson, David 
 Shaw, Scott 
 Schoonover, A. 
 Smith, George W. 
 Simpson, Stephen 
 Shaw, Nelson 
 Shaw, David 
 Shaw, John 
 Scott, Samuel 
 Stibbins, James 
 Shaw, Andrew 
 Smith, John D. 
 Shaw, Nicholas 
 Spinning, Joel 
 Shaw, Addison 
 Sullivan, William 
 Stansifer, Ephraim 
 Shoup, Joel 
 Sullivan, Nicholas 
 Smith, Jacob 
 Sullivan, Joseph 
 Stansifer, Americus 
 Shaw, Westley 
 Sullivan, Absalom 
 Sullivan, Thomas 
 Sullivan, John 
 Stansifer, Francis 
 Snider, George 
 Shearer, George 
 Sullivan, Lorenso 
 
'^ 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Stutsman, Peter 
 Smith, Stephen 
 Smith, John C. 
 
 Shaw, Elihu 
 Stutsman, Grove 
 Steele, Robert 
 
 Simpson, Benjamin 
 Scott, William 
 Scott, David 
 
 Ayres, Elizabeth 
 Ayres, Julia Ann 
 Arnold, Kitty 
 Ayres, Mary 
 Alspach, Harriet 
 Boal, Martha 
 Bach us, Harriet 
 Brown, Sidney 
 Boyer, Mars^ Eliza 
 Bruen, Precilla 
 Bomberger, Ann 
 Broadwell, Mary 
 Brubecker, Maria 
 Batson, Anna 
 Burns, Jane 
 Brier, Cynthia 
 Bella, Mary 
 Bowen, Lydia 
 Burr, Sarah 
 Bateman, Mary 
 Bourne, Mary 
 Baly, Mary 
 Bacon, Jane 
 Bacon, Susan 
 Brown, Eliza Jane 
 
 Bailey, Hester 
 Burch, Electa 
 Curtner, Cassander 
 Crane, Maria 
 Cox, Mary Ann 
 Calhoun, Eliza 
 Collins, Maria 
 Connolly, Cassander 
 Carson, Jane 
 Cotton, Mary 
 Cottingham, Mary 
 Cipher, Mary 
 Clark, Elizabeth 
 Cain, Mahala 
 Combs, Nancy 
 Casner, Charlotta 
 Cooper, Harriet 
 Crampton, Ruth 
 Clyde, Julia Ann 
 Doris, Eliza 
 Duncan, Anna Jane 
 Darst, Julia Ann 
 Dawson, Sarah 
 Darst, Christiana 
 Day, Mary 
 
 Doxen, Mary Ann 
 Darst, Mary 
 Doris, Hephsida 
 Dicks, Elvira 
 Emmrick, Peggy 
 Emmons, Louisa 
 Eaglefield, Jane 
 Folkerth, Louisa 
 Folkerth, Rebecca 
 Foster, Caroline 
 Flook, Elizabeth 
 Gibbs, Mary Ann 
 Greene, Eliza 
 Gay, Enesha 
 Greene, Edlira 
 Grimes, Eliza 
 Griffin, Charlotta 
 Grimes, Betsey 
 Golliher, Jane C 
 Hatfield, Eliza 
 Hess, Betsey 
 Hildreth, Elizabeth 
 Huffman, Kitty A. 
 Hollingsworth, S. 
 Harden, Deborah 
 
SABBATH SCHOOL. 
 
 81 
 
 Henderson, Jane 
 Jenks, Martha 
 Peirce, >rary 
 Peirce, Mary Ann 
 Perrine, Hannah 
 Parks, Louisa 
 Price, Rachel 
 
 Hiser, Barbara Smith, Sally Williams, Susan 
 
 Hyde, Letitia Ann Shaw, Sarah Williams, Anna 
 
 Hanly, Caroline Stoneberger, Polly Wilson, Betsey 
 
 Haines, Catharine Summons,Innocence Walter, Eleanor 
 Henderson, Mary Swisher, Rachel Windsor, Deborah 
 Sourbray, Mary Ann Warner, Plelen 
 Shartle, Nancy Westerhann, E. 
 
 Stibbins, Mary Ann Woodrow. Ann 
 Slaught, Mary Jane White. Polly 
 Taswell, Barbara Vv'illiams, Elizabeth 
 Tull, Jane Eleanor Wooderman, M. S. 
 Tyler, Sarah Walton, Elizabeth 
 
 Phillips, Elizabeth Talbert, Elizabeth W^hite, Ruth Ann 
 Phillips, Marianna Thrall, Eleanor Washburn, Anna 
 
 Parrot, Elizabeth Toman, Lavina Willison, Jane 
 
 Patton, Susan Thompson, Nancy Wilson, Mary Jane 
 
 Patton, Nancy Van Cleve, Eliza Withrow, Sarah Bell 
 
 Patterson^ Clarissa Volentine, Abigail Wilson, Mary Ann 
 Porter, Mary Vagus, Mary Ann Withrow, Jane 
 
 Patton, Eliza Van Tyle, Elizabeth Withrow, Mary 
 
 Spencer, Cynthia Wolfe, Kitty Wanger, Catharine 
 
 Wilson, Malinda Wigley, Eliza 
 Worman, Margaret Wollfe, Rosanna 
 Walton, Juliet Windsor, Susan 
 
 Witman, Lydia * 
 
 Squier, Phebe 
 Squier, Eliza 
 Syfers, Mary 
 
 * Note. — Although the above list is correctly copied from the original, 
 the author will not vouch for its accuracy. He is inclined to think it 
 contains the names of some persons, especially of some ladies, who were 
 not bom at the date of the list. 
 
 n 
 
82 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 •' Membership. 
 
 The total number of members received into the First 
 Church, since its organization, is over 1700. There is no 
 record of the names of Church-members prior to February 
 14th, 1817. The record of membership begins at that date, 
 and the admissions to Church communion, under different 
 pastors, by examination and by letter, are as follows: 
 
 Pastors. 
 
 Rev. .James Welch 
 
 Rev. Backus Wilbur 
 
 Rev. Ahab .Tencks 
 
 Rev. William Graham 
 
 Church vacant 
 
 Rev. Franklin Putnam 
 
 Rev. .James C. Barnes 
 
 Rev. Wm. C. Anderson, D. D 
 Rev. Phineas D. Gurley, D. D 
 
 Rev. James H. Brookes 
 
 Rev. Thomas E. Thomas, D. D 
 
 Church vacant 
 
 Rev. John McVey 
 
 Church vacant 
 
 Rev. Leigh Richmond Smith 
 
 O o 
 
 o > 
 
 1^ 
 
 Received on 
 examination. 
 
 Received on 
 certificate. 
 
 Total. 
 
 Yrs. 
 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 66 
 
 H 
 
 23 
 
 28 
 
 51 
 
 . 2 
 
 41 
 
 15 
 
 56 
 
 3 
 
 28 
 
 25 
 
 53 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 129 
 
 92 
 
 221 
 
 9 
 
 169 
 
 111 
 
 280 
 
 4 
 
 75 
 
 78 
 
 153 
 
 4 
 
 104 
 
 50 
 
 154 
 
 4 
 
 68 
 
 54 
 
 122 
 
 12 
 
 173 
 
 167 
 
 340 
 
 1 
 
 1 • 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 2i 
 
 12 
 
 31 
 
 43 
 
 H 
 
 4 
 
 6 
 
 10 
 
 3 
 
 36 
 
 45 
 
 81 
 
RULING ELDERS. 
 
 RULING ELDERS. 
 
 The roll of ruling elders is as follows- 
 
 Before 1817, John Miller, Judge John Ewing, John 
 Ritchie, H. Robinson. 
 
 Second List: Jas. Hanna, Robert Park's, John McKaig, 
 William King Sr. 
 
 From 1821, Job Haines. 
 From 1823, Obadiah B. Conover. 
 
 From 1829, David Osborn, Dr. Juo. Steele, Matthew 
 Pattou. 
 
 From 183G, Peter Odlin Esq., Charles 0. Patterson. 
 From 1840, James Steele, Samuel M. King, Charles H. 
 Spinning. 
 
 From 1846, Joseph Barnett, Henry Stoddard Sr. 
 From 1850, Henry L. Brown, John Morehouse, Dr. Geo. 
 Green. 
 
 From 1853, E. Anson More, Herbert S. Williams. 
 From 1857, Dr. Clarke McDermont, Francis Mulford. 
 From 1864, Judge Youngs V. Wood, Isaac Haas, 
 Leonard Moore. 
 
 From 1874, John F. Edgar, William A. Barnett. 
 From 1878, Charles TJ. Raymond, Augustus F. Payne. 
 From 187*9, E. A. Parrott, John H. Thomas. 
 
84 
 
 FIRST FRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 DEACONS. 
 
 The iirst Board of Deacons was elected on the 13th of 
 January, 1847. It is the duty of the deacons to see that 
 the poor are provided for. Below is a roll of these officers 
 since the above date : 
 
 John F. Edgar, 
 Dr. George Green, 
 Gordon Arnold, 
 Herb. S. Williams, 
 Augustus Newell, 
 John Rench, 
 E. A. More, 
 David Osborn, 
 B. F. Ells, 
 Hiram Lewis, 
 0. P. Boyer, 
 Youngs V. Wood, 
 Dr. J. C. Denise, 
 
 Charles Ells, 
 Frank Mulford, 
 Isaac Haas, 
 Leonard Moore, 
 Thos. 0. Lowe, 
 Henry Stoddard Jr., 
 G. P. Thruston, 
 Jacob D. Dubois, 
 John H. Thomas, 
 David Bradford, 
 R. I. Cummin, 
 David W. Stewart, 
 Houston Lowe. 
 
TRUSTEES. 
 
 85 
 
 TRUSTEES. 
 
 The roll of Trustees elected by the First Church, since 
 its organization, is as follows: 
 
 Miller, John 
 Edgar, Robert 
 Reid, David 
 McCabe, John 
 EwiNG, Judge John 
 Brown, Henry 
 Robinson, Henry 
 Hood, Andrew 
 Cooper, D. C. 
 Williams, T. H. 
 Hanna, James 
 King, William 
 McClure, William 
 Robinson, H. 
 Patton, Matthew 
 Steele, Judge Jas. 
 Phillips, H. G. 
 Burnet, Isaac G. 
 Smith, G. W. 
 
 Lindsley, David 
 Stoddard, Henry 
 Eaker, William 
 Barnett, Joseph 
 Bacon, Henry 
 Odlin, Peter 
 Davies, E. W. 
 McPherson, Saml. 
 Pease, Horace 
 Brown, Henry L. 
 Newell, Augustus 
 Lowe, John G. 
 Stover, James 
 Rench, John 
 Phillips, T. A. 
 More, E. Anson 
 Conover, Harvey 
 Harshman, Jon. 
 Overlease, Abra. 
 
 Lowe, P. P. 
 Smith, T. J. S. 
 Little, B. F. 
 Stoddard, A. P. 
 FOOTE, W. H. 
 Stoddard Jr., H. 
 Wampler, James 
 Edgar, Samuel 
 Stoddard, J. W. 
 Dubois, J. D. 
 Wallace, W. H. 
 Phillips, G. L. 
 Moore, Leonard 
 Stewart D. W. 
 Craighead, Wm. 
 Smith, Samuel B. 
 Haas, Isaac 
 •Cummin, R. I. 
 Rogers, Geo. W. 
 
86 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 
 Below is a list of Treasurers of the First Churcli since 
 its organization : 
 
 McClure, William 
 
 CONOVER, ObADIAH 
 
 FoLKERTH, John 
 George, Augustus 
 Van Cleve, Benj. 
 Ells, B. F. 
 Newell, Augustus 
 Wood, Youngs V. 
 BooTHE, Eli 
 
 More, E. Anson 
 Lowe, P. P. 
 Harshman, Jon. 
 Lowe, Thos. 0. 
 Stoddard, Henry 
 Martin, James A. 
 Moore, Leonard 
 Phillips, Chas. A. 
 Dubois, J. D. 
 
 Conover, Hugh. 
 
COLLECTORS. 
 
 87 
 
 COLLECTORS. 
 
 Below is a list of Collectors of the First Church since 
 its organization: 
 
 Patton, Matthew 
 McFadden, a. 
 Wilson, R. 
 Kinct, John 
 PiERSoN, Henry 
 Darst, Abraham 
 Davison, Joseph 
 Clarke, Thomas 
 McPherson, Saml. 
 Freeman, Samuel 
 
 OsBORN, David 
 Newell, Augustus 
 
 WONDERLICH, JaCOB 
 
 Dickson, J. W. 
 Ells, B. F. 
 Forsythe, E. J. 
 Wood, Youngs V. 
 BooTHE, Eli 
 Lewis, Hiram 
 Wallace, W. 
 
 CoNOVER, Hugh. 
 
8S FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 COLONEL JOHN G. LOWE. 
 
 Colonel John G. Lowe was chairman of the Board of 
 Trustees for a long period, also a member of the com- 
 mittee for building the new church. 
 
 His services were of great value, and upon his retiring 
 from office, the congregation, at their annual meeting, on 
 the 3rd of April, 1873, unanimously passed the following: 
 
 '■^Resolved, That the thanks of the congregation are due 
 to Colonel John G. Lowe for his long and faithful service 
 on the Board of Trustees." 
 
 CHURCH REVENUES. 
 
 All church enterprises and mission work are inseparably 
 connected with money — and the lack of funds is often as 
 great a source of annoyance to Christian congregations as 
 to individuals in their secular business. 
 
 The mode of raising money for church expenses varies 
 in different churches, and in the same church at different 
 periods. Whatever plan meets the necessary requirements 
 most successfully, is usually adopted. In the First Church, 
 the following plan has been practiced with slight modifi- 
 cations for many years : 
 
 Every person connected with the congregation is afforded 
 an opportunity of contributing to the support of the gospel. 
 
 Each person is desired to state, if practicable, what shall 
 be his or her weekly contribution for the year, and en- 
 
CHURCH REVENUES. 89 
 
 velopes for transmitting the amount are furnished by the 
 deacons, who make a collection every Sabbath. 
 
 All contributions are voluntary. 
 
 If any prefer to pay a specific sum monthly or quarterly, 
 they can do so by paying in advance. 
 
 A personal account is kept with contributors, and care 
 taken that no account shall run behind more than one 
 month. 
 
 It is the rule that current expenses be paid as soon as 
 practicable, and all accounts closed at the end of each year. 
 
 When the present church was built, it was decided to 
 sell every alternate pew, in order to pay the debt. Many 
 of the pews have been thus disposed of, but the purchase 
 of a pew does not exempt the buyer from his obligation to 
 contribute to the support of the Church — the advantage 
 of buying being merely to secure the privilege of occupy- 
 ing the same seat each Sabbath. 
 
 The object of reserving the alternate pews was to afford 
 better accommodation to strangers, etc., than had previously 
 been enjoyed. 
 
 CONTRIBUTIONS. 
 
 Besides the contributions for current Church expenses, 
 special collections are taken up every year for the Board of 
 Foreign and Domestic Missions, the Bible Cause, the Board 
 of Education, and of Publication, Church Extension, Minis- 
 terial Relief, Freedmen, the Church Sustentation Fund, and 
 the Poor. In addition to these, many irregular calls are 
 
 made on the Church for other benevolent purposes, 
 12 
 
90 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 The earliest recorded collection was the sum of $403.03, 
 to build a second place of worship. This sum was increased 
 by subscription of the congregation to $6,514,122- — the 
 cost of their new church, which was completed on the 27th 
 of March, 1821, seven and one half years after the church 
 had resolved to build. In February, 1839, the trustees of 
 the Church were directed by the congregation to take 
 down the church of 1821, and erect a new one. The new 
 one was completed in the winter of 1841-2, at a cost of 
 $14,213.08; and, as has already been stated, the church of 
 1873 cost about $100,000.00. 
 
 The first record of collections for charitable purposes 
 is dated 1824, under the pastorate of the Rev. William 
 Graham, amounting in a year to $38.50. In 1834, the 
 benevolent contribution amounted to $413.00. 
 
 In 1844, it was $544.00; 1854, $1,237.00; 1864, $800.00; 
 1874, $731.00; 1880, $1,564.81. 
 
 The total collections for charities and general Church 
 expenses were: 
 
 In 1850, $1,333.00; 1860, $2,851.00; 1870, $3,075.00; 
 1880, $5,066.81. 
 
 MISS MARY STRAIN. 
 
 Miss Mary Strain, and her sister Martha, were long con- 
 nected with the First Church. Their father was one of 
 tlie early pioneers, and kept a respectable tavern in Dayton 
 long before the luxury of a modern hotel was known west 
 of the AUeghanies. Their father, dying, left them com. 
 
CHURCH REVENUES. 91 
 
 fortably provided for, and they passed their lives quietly 
 and most affectionately together, using their means dis- 
 creetly, and enjoying their Church privileges with the 
 greatest regularity, until prevented by the frailties of age. 
 Mary survived her sister by a few years, and at her death, 
 in 1871, it was found that she had bequeathed her resi- 
 dence to the First Church, to be used as a parsonage. She 
 also left the Church $3,000 — the aggregate of her bequest 
 amounting to $9,000. 
 
 f DICKINSON P. TimUSTON. 
 
 Tills 2:entleman, before his death, bequeathed to the 
 Church an interest in some property that has already 
 yielded over live hundred dollars. It is believed the 
 Church will derive about twelve hundred dollars altogether 
 from Mr. Thniston's bequest. He died in 1876. 
 
 ABRAHAM OVERLEASE. 
 
 Another staunch Presbyterian, left the Church a legacy 
 of live hundred dollars. Two hundred dollars of the 
 amount was to be appropriated for the beneht of the 
 Sabbath-school. 
 
 Mr. Overlease died on the 25th of April, 1872. 
 
92 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 A SURVEY OF THE CHURCH. 
 
 From a discourse delivered by Dr. T. E. Thomas in 
 April, 1870, preparatory to a collection for pajnng off 
 the debt of the Church: 
 
 "On the whole, this survey of the history of our Church 
 evinces the vitality and vigor of its organization, and the 
 continued presence of that divine and blessed Spirit, from 
 v^hom only that life and vigor flow. From a very small 
 beginning, in an almost unbroken forest, out of which 
 a savage foe had yet scarcely retreated, it has steadily 
 advanced with the progress of the community around it, 
 and exerts, to-day, perhaps as wide an influence as at any 
 former period in its history. For almost three-quarters 
 of a century, the public worship of God has been main- 
 tained here without interruption. A pure gospel has 
 been preached in simplicity and earnestness. The voice 
 of prayer, and the hymn of praise, have ascended con- 
 tinually to heaven. Your fathers, yourselves, and your 
 children, have been taught here, from infancy, the words 
 of everlasting life — the 'doctrine according to godliness.' 
 God only knows — eternity only will reveal the full results 
 of the Christian labor expended here in the seventy years 
 past. The statistics just recorded unfold those results 
 very imperfectly. Who can tell how many souls, here 
 born again, or lifted to a higher plane of sanctification, 
 have curried elsewhere a coal from your altar, to kindle 
 new flanies in other domestic and public sanctuaries? Who 
 
SURVEY OF THE CHURCH. 93 
 
 can trace, in our own and foreign lands, the streams of 
 blessing which have followed the prayers and the alms 
 here offered to heaven ? For all this let us thank God and 
 take courage. But what prospect lies before us ? And 
 how may we learn from the past to beneUt the future? 
 
 "First, after having built three houses of v^^orship within 
 sixt3-seven years, two of them upon this spot, our church 
 is now provided with a massive and beautiful structure, 
 likely to stand for many generations, and furnishing all 
 needful accommodations for all church work. If we ask, 
 what effect, the completion of our place of worship will 
 have upon the temporal and spiritual interests of the 
 Church, we find an answer in her previous history. Twice 
 before has she rebuilt her sanctuary; and each enlarge- 
 ment, has been followed by a marked increase of her con- 
 gregation and communicants. Or, look at other churches 
 around us, whose costly outlay for new temples has, in 
 every case, constituted an era in their spiritual prosperity. 
 Suppose, then, this debt liquidated, and our house so 
 far completed; — what provision have we in our Church 
 organization for the work that lies before us ? First, we 
 have the ministry of the word addressed to a growing 
 congregation. Then, a Sabbath-school, amply provided, 
 under competent and faithfnl officers and teachers to train 
 the young in truth and duty. Next a Bible class, with 
 over fifty on its roll, affording your pastor an opportunity 
 to guide the younger adults to a knowledge of God's holy 
 word. We have four stated assemblies for social service 
 and mutual improvement in grace; one for our young 
 
94 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 ladies, one for the married ladies, one for youug men, and 
 one for the congregation generally. There is abundant 
 material to sustain all these in effective operation. We 
 have besides, a ladies' association for purposes purely social 
 and benevolent. The influence of which, as exemplified 
 during the past week, in bringing our whole congregation 
 into true fellowship and earnest co-operation, can not but 
 be most happy. What is chiefly needful, to secure for 
 such an organization, the constant blessing of heaven in 
 the conversion and sanctification of souls, is this : the faith- 
 ful discharge of personal duty by each individual in his 
 proper place, under that spiritual supervision and direction 
 which the Head of the Church has ordained. Let each 
 member, old and young, maiden, man or mother, find a 
 place in such of these assemblies, as are befitting, and be 
 found there always. Providence permitting, ready to lend 
 an humble but cordial co-operation in all good works. 
 Let our perpetual prayer be lifted up for the gracious 
 in-dwelling of the Holy Comforter; let our motto be. 
 Fidelity in our lot ; and our future history shall be 
 that of the primitive believers, recorded by the pen of 
 inspiration : 
 
 " ' Then had the Church rest, and was edified ; and, 
 walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of 
 the Holy Ghost, was multiplied.'" Acts 9: 31. 
 
OLD BURYING GROUND. 95 
 
 THE OLD BURYING GROUND. 
 
 Daytou was laid out and settled in 1795. The first iranii- 
 grauts lived in log cabins, which were used for public 
 worship in the winter time, in the summer religious services 
 were conducted in the open air, under the shade of the 
 forest trees. M. E. Curwen, in his history of Ohio, says the 
 Rev. John Thompson, of Hamilton County, was the first 
 clergyman that preached in Dayton. It has been already 
 stated that Mr. D. C. Cooper donated two pieces of ground 
 to the Presbyterian Church, the one on the north-east 
 corner of Main and Third Streets, was sold, and the pro- 
 ceeds used in building the first church, on Ludlow Street. 
 The other piece was the old burying ground, on the south 
 side of Fifth Street, through which Wilkinson Street was 
 recently opened. In process of time, the old grave-yard 
 became densely populated, and as the rapidly growing 
 city encroached on its sacred precincts, measures were 
 taken to provide another and more retired place of burial. 
 Woodland Cemetery was dedicated in 1843. 
 
 Subsequently the city council of Dayton passed a sani- 
 tary ordinance, putting a stop to any further interments 
 within the city limits. The old burying ground with its 
 dilapidated fence, crumbling tombstones, and sunken graves 
 was for a long time supposed to have achieved its destiny, 
 and had almost ceased to be thought of, except as the 
 solemn relic of a by -gone age; but its mission had not all 
 been fulfilled, as the sequel will show. In 1869, the con- 
 
98 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 gregation of the First Church were much embarrassed for 
 want of funds to complete their new house of worship. 
 The cost of building had far exceeded the original esti- 
 mates. Money was scarce, owing to a general paralysis in 
 the business interests of the country, and it seemed as 
 if the work on the church would have to be postponed 
 indefinitely. At this critical juncture a ray of light broke 
 through the dark cloud, a sj'mpathetic voice from the 
 tombs reached the ear of a discerning trustee, and the 
 voice said, substantially, "Child of mortality! whence 
 comest thou, and why is thy countenance sad? Dost 
 thou not know that thy fathers, in their life time, honored 
 God with their substance, and thinkest thou that, though 
 dead, they will not delight to honor him with their dust 
 also — seeing that dust has turned to gold. Go to." The 
 Daniels of the First Church had no difficulty in compre- 
 hending the secret import of this communication. Soon 
 afterward the bones of the fathers were carefully and 
 reverently transferred to a more quiet resting place, in the 
 beautiful cemetery of Woodhind, together with their monu- 
 mental memorials and all other evidences of identity. The 
 mouldering earth of their clay tabernacles was then sold 
 to the highest bidder for $32,000, which sum enabled 
 the Building Committee to proceed joyfully with their 
 work. Eight thousand dollars of the above amount was 
 paid to the heirs of the Cooper estate, to secure a relin- 
 quishment of their claims to any interest in the property 
 that might arise by reversion or otherwise, 
 
CHURCB ORGANIZATION. ^"^ 
 
 CHURCH ORGANIZATION. 
 
 The organization of the First Church is very complete. 
 In addition to the congregational boards, already men- 
 tioned, there are the 
 
 The Ladies' Foreign Missionary Society. 
 
 The Ladies' Home Missionary Society. 
 
 The Ladies' Church Society. 
 
 The Young Ladies' Minion Band. 
 
 The Female Prayer Meeting. 
 
 The Young People's Prayer Meeting. 
 
 The Congregational Prayer Meeting. 
 
 The Dayton View Mission Sabbath-school. 
 
 Almost all the gentlemen of the congregation are organ- 
 ized into separate committees — committees of ways and 
 means for promoting the varied interests of the Church 
 in the best way possible. The following is a list of the 
 committees : 
 
 Committee on Strangers : ^ ^, . 
 
 William Barnett, Chairman. 
 
 Committee on Sabbath-schools : 
 
 A. F. Payne, Chairman. 
 
 Committee on Young People's Prayer Meeting : 
 
 John H. Thomas, Chairman. 
 
 Committee on Finance : 
 
 E. A. Parrott, Chairman. 
 
 13 
 
98 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Committee on the Poor of th^ Church : 
 
 Frank Mulford, Chairman. 
 
 Committee on Home Missions : 
 
 John F. Edgar, Chairman. 
 
 Committer on Board of Education, Relief Fwul, Sustentation, Freed- 
 men, Church Erection, and Publication : 
 
 C. U. RaYxMOND, Chairman. 
 
 Committee on Foreign Missions : 
 
 Leigh Richmond Smith, Ch'n. 
 
 The ladies of the First Church contributed the past 
 year to Foreign and Domestic Missions, one half of the 
 whole amount raised by the congregation. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 
 
 PROMINENT CHRISTIANS 
 
 VOBMERLT UOMM£OTSI> WITH 
 
 THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, OF DAYTON. 
 
 JOHN MILLER 
 
 John Miller, one of the earliest trustees and elders of 
 the First Church, was born in Westmoreland County, 
 Pennsylvania, December 30th, 1766. In his early man- 
 hood, he removed to Kentucky, where he was a member 
 of the " Cherry Springs Congregation " — Presbyterian. In 
 the spring of 1799 he removed to a farm, west of the Miami 
 River, near the town of Dayton, where he resided some 
 years, but afterwards removed to a farm, some three miles 
 north of town, on which he resided the remainder of his 
 life. His name appears as one of the trustees in the early 
 organization of the First Presbyterian Church, in Dayton, 
 and in the list of elders in the first record which is found 
 of the eldership, but at what date he was inducted into 
 that othce does not appear. The records show him a faith- 
 ful and attentive officer of the Church, and the tradition 
 is that he was an exemplary and influential citizen and 
 
100 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 church-member up to the date of his death, October 17th, 
 1825. After his death, his family (except his daughter, 
 Sarah, who was then intermarried with O. B. Conover), 
 removed to Indiana and Illinois, where they, with their 
 descendants, have generally kept up their connection with 
 the Church of their fathers. 
 
 OBADIAH B. CONOVER. 
 
 Obadiah Burlew Conover was a native of l^ew Jersey, 
 to which part of the new world his ancestors (Covenhoven, 
 by name, and Protestant, in religion,) had immigrated at 
 an early day. He was born, April 12th, 1788, on a farm, 
 near what is now known as the "• old brick church," near 
 Middletown Point, Monmouth County, New Jersey. His 
 parents were members of the Presbyterian Church, and he 
 was educated strictly in that faith. No special incidents 
 of his boyhood are known. Soon after he became of age, 
 having faithfully given the, then, usual time to learning 
 thoroughly a trade — that of blacksmithing — he determined 
 to come to the west, and, in 1812, located in Dayton, Ohio, 
 and continued diligently and thriftily to carry on his trade, 
 including the manufacture of wagons, plows, and all farm- 
 ing implements, for a number of years, until exposure, and 
 over-exertion, at the fire of Cooper's Mills, so affected his 
 health that he was forced to engage in leas laborious 
 business. 
 
 The record of Church-membership, prior to 1817, is 
 lost, but it is certain that he connected himself with the 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCRES. 101 
 
 First Presbyterian Church shortly after his arrival in Day- 
 ton. He married April 13th, 1814, Sarah Miller, daughter 
 of John Miller, then a ruling elder in that Church. He 
 was himself inducted into that office in June, 1823, and 
 continued a most active and influential member and officer 
 until his death, January 6th, 1835. Although of limited 
 education or school training in early life, he was a man of 
 great-good sense, thoughtful and observant, and acquired 
 that practical knowledge and judgment which, with his 
 character for fair and honest dealing, in and out of the 
 Church, gave him much influence as a church officer and 
 citizen. He was a diligent reader and student of the 
 scriptures. Believing implicitly in their truth, and that 
 the teachings and organization of th'e Presbyterian Church 
 were in accord therewith, he was a regular attendant on 
 and participant in its services, and gave his best influence 
 and efforts to advance its interests and prosperity but with- 
 out bigotry or unkindness toward other denominations. 
 
 In all other relations of life, he bore the reputation of a 
 diligent, upright, and true man, seeking carefully to know 
 his duties, and as faithfully and fearlessly to discharge 
 them. 
 
 Sarah Conover, daughter of John and Jane Miller, was 
 born in Kentucky, October 22d, 1794, and came with her 
 parents to Dayton in 1799. Her marriage with Obadiah B. 
 Conover took place April 13th, 1814, both being memberi 
 of the First Presbyterian Church, of which' her father was 
 an elder. In all the work done by women in the Church 
 and its societies, she took a more active part in the life- 
 
102 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 time of her husband than in later years, but lived the 
 many years thereafter allotted her, a consistent and exem- 
 plary Christian life, deeply interested in the welfare and 
 prosperity of the Church ot which she had so long been a 
 member. 
 
 She died in the fullness of years and of faith, January 
 12th, 1872. 
 
 MRS. ELIZA S. PHILLIPS. 
 
 Mrs. Eliza S. Phillips, wife of Horatio Gates Phillips, 
 was the daughter of Wm. Churchill Houston, of New 
 Jersey, and came with her husband to Ohio about the year 
 1804, in the 2l8t year of her age. Descended from a long 
 line of Presbyterian ancestors, prominent among whom 
 was her great-grandfather, Rev. Mr. Dickinson (hrst presi- 
 dent of Princeton College), she was a devoted member ot 
 that communion, yet was she neither narrow or sectarian 
 in her faith. All Christians were dear to her. Her brother, 
 George S. Houston, a then resident of Dayton, was united 
 with the Methodists, and through him she was much asso- 
 ciated with the members of his society. Dayton then had 
 but the two churches — the Presbyterian and Methodist. 
 There was a small baud of Episcopalians in 1825, who held 
 services in the old court-house whenever a minister passed 
 through that would ofhciate. She possessed her own prayer 
 book, with her name in full on the back, which she had 
 procured in an eastern city, where she ever felt it a privi- 
 lege to attend the churches of the venerable Bishop White 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 103 
 
 and Rev. Mr. Bedell. Although always delicate in health, 
 she was an active working Christian, a teacher in the 
 Sundaj'-school, a corresponding secretary of several socie- 
 ties for farthering the gospel at home and abroad. Bay- 
 ton in early times was for several years visited with epi- 
 demic fevers; town and country suftered alike. Well does 
 the writer remember how Mrs. Phillips labored in minis- 
 tering to the sick, weeks and months together, all her 
 household being pressed into the service. Sometimes the 
 task was a thankless one, but that never hindered. The 
 poor and the needy were her special charge, feeling, no 
 doubt, that as the good things of this world were bounti- 
 fnlly given to her, it was her duty to share with the less 
 fortunate. Her hospitality is well known, but to none was 
 it more freely extended than to the ministers of her be- 
 loved Church, for whom there was a room in her house set 
 apart. We may say these are homely, ever-day virtues, 
 but how few among us live up to this good example. Her 
 kind heart for the distressed will be best shown by re- 
 ferring to one sad case, the unfortunate child of a dear 
 friend. She felt for him a tender interest, and did every- 
 thing in her power that might minister to his pleasure. 
 He was her frequent companion in country drives, either 
 on business or to see the sick, and when, by an inscrutable 
 Providence, she was suddenly removed from her earthly 
 home to a better in the skies, this poor child of sorrow 
 would come day after day, to her desolate home, wander 
 through the rooms, calling her name in his imperfect way, 
 sad and touching for the bereaved to hear. She delighted 
 
104 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 in flowers. That respected man, so well remembered, John 
 Van Cleve, and herself would roam the neighboring prai- 
 ries in search of rare plants — she in her gig, he on foot; 
 the one as great an enthusiast as the other. It would fill 
 a small book to teli of the resources of her gifted nature. 
 Identified as she was with all the home enterprises of those 
 early days, so entirely one with the interests of all classes 
 in her vicinity, the portrait of her life would be giving the 
 early history of Dayton, Doubtless many good and pious 
 women have succeeded her, but the writer has never per- 
 sonally known one so unselfish, so blind to the faults of 
 others, so forgiving of injuries, so abounding in good 
 works. 
 
 Soon after coming to Dayton her husband had an attack 
 of fever, and would have moved to the South, but, being 
 strongly opposed to slavery, she prevailed upon him to re- 
 main in Ohio, where they could enjoy the benefit of a large 
 land-grant that his father. Captain Jonathan Phillips, had 
 obtained from the government for his services in the war 
 of the Revolution. Her husband often said he owed all 
 his success in life to her prudence, good counsel and devo- 
 tion. Mrs. Phillips left one son, J. Dickinson Phillips, 
 and two daughters, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Worthington, and 
 Marianne, the wife of Col. John G. Lowe. Mr. J. D. Phil- 
 lips died several years ago, but his family and the family 
 of Mrs. Lowe still maintain their connection with the First 
 Church. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 105 
 
 ROBERT EDGAR. 
 
 Robert Edgar, whose name is prominent in the early 
 records of the First Church of Dayton, was horn at Win- 
 chester, Virginia. His father, also named Robert, belonged 
 to a Presbyterian family in the north of Ireland. In 1739 
 he emigrated to this country, and joined the Scotch-Irish 
 settlement in the Shenandoah Valle3% He afterward mov- 
 ed with his family to West Virginia, and was killed by the 
 Indians while on his way to warn a neighboring settlement 
 of the hostile red men's approach. Robert Edgar Jr., 
 came to Daj^ton in 179G, and located on land east of the 
 city. He was a farmer, but, being ingenious, he built a 
 mill for Mr. D. C. Cooper, and managed it for a short 
 period. His lirst dwelling was a log cabin that stood near 
 the mill, close to the present canal bridge on Water Street. 
 The Indians then living in the Miami Valley were well 
 disposed towards the first settlers, and often called on Mrs. 
 Edgar to get some of her bread, which they were very 
 fond of. They were also fond of Mr. Edgar's whisky. 
 Piety and punch had not been divorced in those days as 
 they are now. An Indian came to the mill one day to get 
 some whisky, but Mr. E. positively refused. The Indian 
 drew his knife, at sight of which Mr. Edgar started for his 
 house in order to get his rifle. The pursuing savage was 
 knocked down by one of the mill hands, the arm in which 
 he held the knife was broken, and this put a stop to further 
 hostilities. 
 14 
 
106 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Mr. Edgar purchased a tract of land on the south-eastern 
 border of the city, well known as the "Edgar Farm," and 
 now occupied by his great-grandchildren. He had eleven 
 children, only one of whom, John F. Edgar, is now living. 
 He died December 19, 1838. His wife, whose maiden 
 name was Margaret Gillespie, died in 1844. Both were 
 earnest Christians, and faithful in training their children 
 in conformity with the strict requirements of the old Pres- 
 byterian code. 
 
 The Church records show that Mr. Edgar was an active 
 and devoted member of the Church from the first mention 
 of its organization in Dayton until the time of his death. 
 He was a member of the First Board of Trustees, and was 
 much interested in building the first house of worship. 
 His worthy and well-known son, John F. Edgar, is an 
 elder in the First Church. 
 
 Among the interesting relics of his father is the cavalry 
 sword used by the latter, daring his servii;e in the war 
 of 1812. 
 
 JUDGE JAMES STEELE. 
 
 James Steele was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, 
 October 28th, 1778. He was of Scotch-Irish parentage, 
 the Steele family having emigrated from the north of 
 Ireland and settled in Virginia in 1737. His father, l^jbert 
 Steele, removed with his family to Kentucky in 1788. 
 James Steele came to Dayton in 1807, and engaged in 
 merchandizing in connection with Joseph Peirce, whose 
 sister he married. Both his grandfather and father were 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 107 
 
 ruling elders iu the Presbyterian Church, and with such 
 an ancestry, on coming to Dayton, he naturally at once 
 identified himself with the Church, and was active in pro- 
 moting its interests. He was a member of the Board of 
 Trustees when the first and second buildings were erected 
 on the lot on which the present church stands. He was 
 especially interested in the building of the second house, 
 and gave to it much of liis time and personal attention. 
 The house was just completed when he died, in 1841. 
 
 The following obituary notice, written by the late Judge 
 Crane and published in the Dayton Journal, shows the 
 estimation in which he was held by his fellow-citizens: 
 
 "The deceased was one of the early settlers of this city. 
 He iilled vari(^us important public stations, having been 
 fourteen years an associate judge of this county, a senator 
 four years in the Legislature of this State, and, in 1824, 
 one of the electors for President and V^ice-President of 
 the United States for the State of Ohio. He was president 
 of the Dayton bank from the time of its first organization 
 up to the end ot his life. In all the relations of life, public 
 or private, his character was irreproachable. On the betich 
 he was distinguished for good sense, integrity, and impar- 
 tiality. As a legislator, in a period of great public excite- 
 ment, though firm and consistent in his political opinions, 
 he won the esteem and respect of his opponents by his 
 candor and moderation. His private life was not more 
 marked by strict and unyielding integrity than by the 
 kindness and benignity of his nature to all his fellow- 
 creatures. His death was sudden and unlooked for, but 
 
108 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 he was au humble and devoted Christian, and his life had 
 been a preparation for that awful event." 
 
 From the records of the Church of which Judge Steele 
 was a member and office-bearer, and from the concurrent 
 testimony of those who knew him in youth and manhood, 
 it would appear that a germ of divine righteousness was 
 planted in his spirit, with birth itself, which budded pleas- 
 antly in youth, and, in riper age, gave forth its rich blos- 
 soms and fruits. 
 
 He was a stranger to any ambition but the ambition to 
 do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with his Q-od. 
 But unsought dignities and trusts were naturally thrust 
 upon him, as has been pointed out by Judge Crane, and 
 those dignities he wore with a meek and quiet spirit — 
 never suffering them to interfere with his Christian duties ; 
 but whether at home, or absent from home, his life was 
 an embodiment and illustration of the faith which he 
 professed. 
 
 An early friend of Judge Steele's (now in his eighty- 
 second year) said, in reply to an inquiry by the writer, 
 "I knew him well, in his Church and business relations; 
 we were long associated, on the Board of Trustees of the 
 First Church. He was a man among ten thousand. For 
 safety of judginetit, sterling integrity of character, and 
 true benevolence of nature, I never knew his equal." 
 
 No n)un is better known in this community than Judge 
 Steele's son Robert; — of whom it is no light praise to say, 
 that he is a worthy son of his honored father. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 109 
 
 WILLIAM KING. 
 
 Among the original members of the First Church there 
 rises prominently to view one familiarly known, in many 
 of the churches of that early day, as Father King. He 
 was born of Presbyterian parents, in Pennsylvania, being 
 one of the eight children of a well-to-do farmer. The 
 death of his father, and the financial troubles resulting 
 from the revolutionary war, so marred his prospects that 
 upon reaching manhood he found himself almost penniless, 
 and determined to retrieve his fortunes in the then far 
 west. With him, to resolve was to execute. So, taking 
 with him his young- wife, he started for Kentucky amid 
 the lamentations of friends who declared "he might as 
 well go out of the world." He located near Lexington. 
 During his residence there, three sons and two dauQ-hters 
 were added to his family. Dissatisfied with Kentucky on 
 account of slavery, he determined to brave the hardships 
 of pioneer life in Ohio, rather than rear his children among 
 such influences. Possessed of a vigorous constitution, in- 
 domitable will, and fearless courage, he procured a team, 
 placed his worldly effects with his family in his wagon, 
 started on his journey, crossed the Ohio, shaking the very 
 dust of slavery from his feet, and pursued his way through 
 the wilderness until he reached Dayton, which at that 
 time presented but a few cabins amid surrounding forests. 
 Crossing the Miami River he cut his way through un- 
 broken forests and located about two miles west of where 
 
110 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 the Dayton Court House now stands. He had but one 
 dollar in his pocket when he pitched his tent, but he went 
 to work with a stout heart, determined to owe no man 
 anything. The site selected became his permanent resi- 
 dence. It was one of the pleasantest locations in the vi- 
 cinity of Da3^ton, and continues to be occupied by his 
 descendants to the present day. 
 
 He carried into the church all the firmness and energy 
 which characterized his daily life. He filled the office of 
 ruling elder in the First Church, until laid aside by the 
 infirmities of age; but he continued devoted to the church 
 and its services long after "• hoary hairs had his temples 
 adorned." Especially do we remember his tall and vener- 
 able form, in seasons of especial interest, when, after the 
 sermon, anxious sinners were invited to come forward, lie 
 would rise from his seat and facing the congregation, would 
 sing his favorite hymn, "Come humble sinner in whose 
 breast." Even after his eyes had become dim, and his ears 
 dull of hearing, his seat in front of the pulpit was seldom 
 vacant on the Sabbath. It w^as nothing unusual to see him 
 rise from his seat and stand in front of the pulpit, leaning 
 upon his staff, and listening to the words of life as they 
 fell from the minister's lips. But unquestionably his last 
 days were his best days. For many years confined to his 
 room, bereft of sight, taste and smell, and almost of hear- 
 ing, never one repining or peevish word escaped his lips. 
 On the contrary, the goodness of God and his daily mercies 
 were his constant theme. His mind retained its vigor in 
 a wonderful degree to the very last. It was hoped by his 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. Ill 
 
 numerous friends that he would live to complete his hun- 
 dredth year; but three months before that period arrived 
 his freed spirit obeyed the summons "to come up higher." 
 
 His two daughters died in early life, followed in a few 
 years by liis wife, who was a woman of more than ordinary 
 intelligence and Christian growth. The two elder sons 
 made their home in Madison, lud., where both filled posts 
 of honor and usefulness in the church. The younger son, 
 Samuel, remained with his father, and early in life identi- 
 fied himself with the church, continuing through life one 
 of its devoted members and ablest supporters. For many 
 years he served acceptably as a ruling elder, and was a 
 "living epistle known and read of all men." More like 
 his mother than his father, he was constitutionally weak; 
 and his life was characterized by pain and suffering. At 
 the age of fifty-six years his spirit, freed from the cum- 
 brous clay, soared aAvay to that better land where there 
 is "no more [)ain," and where "they that turn many to 
 righteousness shall shine as the stars forever and ever." 
 
 His grandchild, the present William B. King, was one 
 of the colony that went out of the First Church to organize 
 the Fourth Presbyterian Church of the city, of which he 
 has long been a ruling elder. William King, Sr., his son 
 Samuel, and his son-in-law, David Osborn, were cotempo- 
 rary elders in the First Church, and for a long time exer- 
 cised a controlling influence in its spiritual affairs. 
 
112 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 JOSEPH BARNETT. 
 
 This gentleman is well remembered by tbe people of 
 Dayton. He was long and prominently identified with the 
 business interests of the city, as well as with its Christian 
 work. He was a native of Pennsylvania. His ancestors 
 were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who settled near Cham- 
 bersburg, Pennsylvania, about the middle of the last cen- 
 tury. Mr. Barnett was a volunteer in the war of 1812. 
 In 1813 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Colonel Allen, 
 an officer of the Revolution. 
 
 He came to Dayton in 1831, and built the handsome 
 residence in West Dayton, now owned and occupied by 
 Judge Craig. He was a member of the Ohio Senate, and 
 afterwards served in the Constitutional Convention of 1839. 
 In 1834 he and his wife became members of the First 
 Church. Some years after the death of his first wife, he 
 married Miss Jane Rodgers, of Clark County, who sur- 
 vived him by a few years. In 1846 he was elected ruling 
 elder, and was one of the most zealous, liberal, and influ- 
 ential members of the Presbyterian Church. His hospi- 
 tality to ministers was so unbounded that his house was 
 often called a Presbyterian hotel. 
 
 He was the leader in* establishing a Mission Church on 
 First Street, east of the canal, in 1851, and became so 
 deeply interested in the work that he withdrew from busi- 
 ness, and devoted himself wholly to his Master's cause 
 during the remainder of his life. The Mission prospered. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 113 
 
 .Soon after its organization a call was given to the Rev. 
 James S. Kemper to become their pastor. Under Mr. 
 Kemper's effective ministry, it became necessary to aban- 
 don the first mission house and erect a larger building in a 
 more desirable location. In reference to this movement 
 Mr. Kemper writes as follows : 
 
 " Mr. Barnett, admonished that his end was drawing 
 near, became desirous to accomplish one last work. It 
 was to see the church he had borne and done so much for, 
 furnished with a commodious house. He secured a lot. 
 A sale of the Mission Church property was efiected. He 
 headed the subscription list with $6,000; subsequently he 
 added, by a codicil to his will, the sum of $2,500, to pro- 
 vide against a church debt. It was not his privilege to 
 see the church finished, yet he never repined over the de- 
 nial of this fond desire. He said 'if the Lord will it not, 
 I am content.' This was but one, the last and perhaps the 
 greatest of many objects of his liberality. He left no 
 children, never having had any. His Christian steadfast- 
 ness and cheer never faltered. His last words were, 'Oh, 
 to grace how great a debtor.' " 
 
 ■ The following extract is from a letter written to Mrs. 
 Barnett, after her husband's death, by the Rev. Dr. Ander- 
 son, then of San Francisco : 
 
 "I shall never forget the first time Mr. Barnett, at- 
 tempted to pray in public. '^^ * * He was diflident 
 of his ability to lead the devotions of others, and had re- 
 quested, indeed enjoined it upon me, not to call on him in 
 
 any social meeting. After some demurrer I consented. 
 15 
 
114 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Weeks passed on and brought with them the quickening 
 and reviving power of the Holy Spirit. Many Christians 
 were rejoicing, and many hitherto careless persons were 
 asking in anguish of heart, 'What must we do to be saved? ' 
 Among the former was Mr. Barnett. He came to me one 
 evening with tears rolling down his cheeks and said: 'I 
 can stand this no longer. I have professed to love Jesus ; 
 I believe I do love him, and I must not be ashamed to let 
 my voice be heard among his saints. I take off that in- 
 junction; call on me when you please.' He prayed that 
 evening, and it was a melting time among us all." 
 
 He died on the 2d of January, 1858, after a long period 
 of patient suffering, from disease of the heart and dropsy. 
 He was followed soon after by his wife, who was a devoted 
 Christian, and an active co-laborer with her husband, in 
 all his benevolent undertakings. 
 
 MRS. SARAH BOMBERGER. 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Bomberger was born near Frankfort, Pa., 
 on the 6th of July, 1793. Her maiden name was Sarah 
 George. Her father, Judge George, and her mother, Ann 
 Britton, were of Welch descent; their families emigrating 
 to this country and settling in Pennsylvania. When Mrs. 
 Bomberger was quite young the family moved to Ken- 
 tucky, and after living there a few years, preferring a free 
 State, came to Ohio, when Sarah was ten or twelve years 
 of age. In 1810 Sarah George was married to William 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 115 
 
 Boraberger, a citizen of Dayton, born in Philadelphia of a 
 Quaker fomily, in which faith he was raised and lived till 
 his death. He was a quiet, peaceable citizen, upright, 
 honest, and conscientious in all things. He held the office 
 of county treasurer of Montgomery County for fourteen 
 years. Mr. and Mrs. Boinberger had three children,— 
 George Wilson, who died June 2l8t, 1848; Ann, the only 
 daughter, became the wife of P. P. Lowe, Esq., and died 
 March 10th, 1877: both Mr. and Mrs. Lowe united with 
 the First Presbyterian Church; the youngest son, William, 
 now resides in Colorado. 
 
 Mrs. Bomberger became a member of the First Presby- 
 terian Church at an early date. She was from lirst to last 
 an active, faithful, cheerful Christian, of singularly clear 
 judgment, great decision of character, given to hospitality 
 in a simple, plain manner: taking an active part in the 
 organization of the lirst Sabbath-school in Dayton, of 
 which she was superintendent for ten years. With all her 
 devotion to the cause of Christ in the church, Sabbath- 
 school, and the Bible Society, she never neglected her 
 home or her friends. Bright and cheery to the close of a 
 useful life, Mrs. B., though so deeply interested in the Sab- 
 bath-school, never felt that in Christian families it could 
 take the place of, or supply the deficiency in, Christian 
 home training-. 
 
 Her light shone clear and steadfast, till she entered into 
 rest, August 4th, 1859, aged 66 years. 
 
116 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHVRCH 
 
 DR. JOB HAINES. 
 
 "Dr. Job Haines was born on the 28th of October, 1791, 
 in the State of New Jersey. He had, at his death, almost 
 completed his sixty-ninth year. He was blessed (to quote 
 the language of his own private memoranda), "With pa- 
 rents who were professors of religion, and who took pains 
 to instruct him early in its great and important doctrines. 
 He was directed to search the scriptures, to attend the 
 house of God, to seek the Lord in prayer, early and dili- 
 gently. These things were taught him both by example 
 and precept." He was also furnished with the means of 
 a collegiate education ; and having graduated, at Princeton, 
 and prepared himself for the medical profession, at Morris- 
 town and Philadelphia, he left his father's house July 
 5th, 1815, for a home in the west, arriving at Cincinnati 
 August 2d. After a visit to friends in Springfield he com- 
 menced the practice of medicine, at Dayton, on the 29th 
 of January, 1817. 
 
 " How early his religious impressions were dated we have 
 no means of ascertaining, but the memoranda above re- 
 ferred to, give evidence that ' often, during the course of 
 bis early life, his attention was directed by some remarka- 
 ble providence, some searching sermon or other means, to 
 reflect on the concerns of the soul,' For several years 
 prior to liis profession of Christ, he was in the habit of 
 secret prayer. The ministry of the Rev. B. Wilbur, in 
 Dayton, during the year 1817, was peculiarly blessed to 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. H^ 
 
 him. On the 28th of November, in that year, then 26 years 
 of age, he was received into the fellowship of this Church, 
 on examination. Four years after, he was chosen a ruling 
 elder. He was therefore a member of the Church for forty- 
 three years, and a ruling elder thirty-nine years. During 
 this long period, in which he. was called to suffer many 
 severe personal trials; and in which the Church passed 
 through all the ordinary, and some peculiar difficulties; 
 our brother bore an unblemished reputation as a Christian, 
 and as an officer of the Church. His chief characteristic 
 was his hearty and unreserved consecration of himself and 
 his all to the service of the Master. Remarkable for his 
 Christian intelligence, sound judgment, and practical wis- 
 dom ; he was equally distinguished by his modesty and 
 humility. He was always a lover of truth, and an earnest 
 inquirer after it, yet equally a lover of peace, and a peace- 
 maker. 
 
 " His integrity and honesty in business transactions were 
 never questioned. Above most Christians, he was con- 
 scientious in the use of his property, as a steward of God. 
 He had 'learned the luxury of doing good.' His abun- 
 dant liberality to the poor, in the practice of his profession; 
 as well as to all, at home or abroad, whom his beneficence 
 could reach, prevented him from^ accumulating wealth, 
 save that which is laid up in heaven. He was singularly 
 faithful in all religious duties, private, family, and public. 
 His place in the sanctuary, the prayer meeting, the Bible 
 class, the Sabbath-school, and the session, was never vacant 
 when his presence was possible. A quiet activity charac- 
 
118 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 terized his daily life ; and it may be truly said that, like 
 the Master, ' he went about doing good.' 
 
 " He knew or at least manifested no extremes, of zeal, and 
 lukewarmness; but was eminent for his unvaried constancy 
 and perseverance in well-doing. Inflexible in principle, 
 uncompromising in hostility to sin, and tirm to his purpose, 
 his gentle and benevolent spirit disarmed opposition. His 
 life was holy, and his end was peace." 
 
 The above is an extract from the Rev. Dr. Thomas' 
 funeral oration — and it is only necessary to add that the 
 public respect and esteem entertained for Dr. Haines, 
 through a long life, was exhibited, in a marked degree, 
 on the day of his funeral. As the solemn procession 
 moved along Main Street towards Woodland Cemetery, 
 the side-walks were thronged with men, women, and chil- 
 dren, and all the doors, windows, and porticos, along the 
 line, were filled with people. Every voice was hushed, and 
 every countenance wore a sorrowful expression. The mul- 
 titude seemed spell-bound, as if overpowered by one com- 
 mon sad emotion. Many heads were uncovered in silent 
 homage. Many eyes were moist with tears, and many, 
 whose hearts had often been gladdened by the good man's 
 benefactions, were bowed forward as if burdened by a sense 
 of painful bereavement. 
 
 It is the custom of all nations, when a great man dies, 
 to invest his funeral obsequies with the ceremonial pomp 
 and circumstance, befitting his dignity, but we doubt 
 whether any of the world's great men — heroes, statesmen, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 119 
 
 princes or poets, ever received fron* the crowd, an ovation' 
 of deeper or holier reverence, than was paid to the lifeless 
 form of Job Haines in its transit to the grave. 
 
 Dr. Haines died July 23d, 1860. 
 
 He had two sons and two daughters, but the only living 
 representative of the family is a granddaughter, Miss Mary 
 Barnes, of Stanford, Kentucky. 
 
 MRS. SIJSAN C. STODDARD. 
 
 Among the many noble women of the past, whom Day- 
 ton holds in aitectionute remembrance, there are few whose 
 names shine with a purer lustre than that of Mrs. Stoddard. 
 For a long period of her life she was prominently identi- 
 fied with the Christian work of the city, as well as with 
 the benevolent enterprises of the Church. 
 
 From infancy she had been trained carefully in the 
 communion of the Presbyterian Church. Her father, Mr. 
 John H. Williams, was a member and office bearer of the 
 First Church, and her brother, Herbert S. Williams, and 
 sisters, Mrs. Samuel King, JVLi'S. Judge Sherman, and the 
 two Mrs. Wallace, all now living, were devoted members 
 of the same communion. 
 
 She was married to the late Henry Stoddard, Esq., a 
 leading member of the Dayton bar, and a member of the 
 First Church, in which he long held the office of ruling 
 elder. 
 
 Mrs. Stoddard possessed rare natural endowments ; she 
 was a woman of extraordinary personal beauty, of gentle 
 
120 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 and amiable disposition, and of brilliant intellect; but the 
 crowning ornament of her character was charity, and her 
 husband's affluent circumstances afforded means for her 
 liberal exercise of this grace. 
 
 She was the mother of four children, — Henry, John, 
 Fowler, and Lida, — now, Mrs. S. B. Smith. 
 
 She gave much personal care to the education of her 
 children, and had the joy of seeing all of them connected 
 with the Church of their fathers before her death, except 
 one, and her dying prayer in his behalf did not remain 
 unanswered. 
 
 During the last cholera epidemic in Dayton, she was 
 distinguished for her unremitting devotion to the victims 
 of that disease. She not only provided clothing, nurses, 
 and delicacies for the sick poor, but she often nursed them 
 with her own hands Tvhen other help could not be obtained, 
 perforaiing at times the must repulsive duties, with a will- 
 ingness that only strong personal ties or true Christian 
 charity can inspire. 
 
 Her house and heart were open alike to rich and poor, 
 and the needy never went empty away. She was admon- 
 ished frequently to exercise some discrimination in the 
 bestowment of her charities, but her excuse was, that when 
 the hand of want was stretched out to her, she lost all 
 judiciary power. 
 
 It may be recorded that the children of Mrs. Stoddard 
 have given ample proof that their mother's liberal example 
 has not been lost upon them. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 121 
 
 She died on the 4th of April, 1861, being then in her 
 fifty-third year. Her last illness was long and painful, but 
 she bore it with cheerful submission to her Father's will. 
 
 MISS SARAH FENNER. 
 
 Miss Sarah Fenner was born in Canterbury, England, in 
 1790. Her neither died in her childhood, and her father 
 with his two daughters, came to this country when Sarah 
 was about twelve years of age and settled near Pough- 
 keepsie, New York. Mr. Fenner, their father, died soon 
 after coming to this country, leaving his daughters, who 
 were yet in their childhood, though provided with ample 
 means for their support, among comparative strangers. 
 They were kindly received into a family of friends, by the 
 name of Draper, who were without children, and who 
 tenderly cared for them, and whose memory during life 
 was cherished by Miss Fenner and her sister with great 
 warmth of affection. 
 
 Previous to her coming to Dayton with her sister, Mrs. E. 
 Thresher, in 1846, Miss Fenner had made two journeys to 
 her native country, spending several years each time with 
 an aged aunt. Miss Fenner continued to reside in the 
 family of Mr. E. Thresher until her sisters death, in 
 1860. Afterward she resided in the family of Mr. Charles 
 Crawford with her niece, Mrs. Sarah Crawford, by whom 
 she was patiently and tenderly cared for, during the long 
 and painful sickness attending her last years. 
 ;6 
 
122 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 On coming to Dayton Miss Fenner united with the First 
 Presbyterian Church, and directly became known as an 
 active Christian worker. In the Relief Union and the 
 Orphan Asylnmn she was particularly interested. For 
 many years she spent most of her time in visiting the 
 poor, and in collecting funds for their relief, while she 
 contributed very liberally of her own means. Few persons 
 have been more favorably known by the poor and friend- 
 less than Sarah Fenner. 
 
 She died in this city, on the 17th of March, 1874, and 
 the memory of her gentle nature, pure life, large cliarities, 
 « and personal consecration to philanthropic work, will long 
 be cherished by the citizens of Dayton. 
 
 THOMAS ALEXANDER PHILLIPS. 
 
 Mr. T. A. Phillips, though not one of the pioneers of 
 the First Church, had been prominently connected with 
 the congregation for a great many years before his death. 
 He was descended from Scotch ancestors, who, on coming 
 to this country, settled in the eastern part of Maryland. 
 Mr. Phillips was born in Cecil County, Maryland, Septem- 
 ber 29th, 1810. In 1844, he came to Dayton to take charge 
 of the Copper cotton foctory, which had been purchased, 
 a short time before, by a Cincinnati company. Under his 
 excellent management, the business became one of the 
 most prominent and successful industries of Dayton, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 123 
 
 About thirty-three ^-ears ago, Mr. Phillips married Miss 
 Margaret Jane, daughter of the late Augustus George, Esq., 
 of this city, by whom he had three sons. The youngest 
 died in infancy, the others, George L. and Charles A. were 
 associated in manufacture with their father, before his 
 death, and appear to have inherited a large share of his 
 energy and business qualities. 
 
 As a citizen, Mr. Phillips was held in high estimation 
 among tliose who knew him. By nature he was modest 
 and retiring, generous in his impulses, and atfectionate and 
 lovable in all his social relations. He was a model hus- 
 band, an indulgent father, and his home was one of the 
 sunniest sanctuaries of domestic happiness in our city. 
 
 Though trained by Presbyterian parents, he did not make 
 an early profession of religion. At one time, the claims of 
 Christianity were much weakened in his regard, by the 
 multiplicity and discordance of the sects. Being practical 
 in his modes of thought, he had no taste for theological 
 abstractions. He adopted for his creed the simple precept, 
 "Do unto others as you would have others do to you." 
 
 His wife was an earnest Christian, a judicious counselor, 
 and congenial companion. When his child, a darling boy, 
 died, in 1860, his creed gave him no comfort. He was 
 overwhelmed with grief, and this bitter experience created 
 within iiim a desire to know the secret of his wife's trust, 
 and calm resignation. He was eventually brought to sec 
 that his creed lacked the vital element of true religion — 
 love to God and trust in him; and in 18(57 he made a public 
 profession of his faith, and became a member of the First 
 
124 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Church — his son George uniting with the Church at the 
 same time. 
 
 During the residue of his life, he was an humble, faithful, 
 and cheerful Christian. He was appointed to the office 
 of trustee, and took a deep interest in building the new 
 church, to which he contributed one-tenth of the entire 
 congregational subscription. He gave liberally to all 
 benevolent and laudable enterprises; and realized the fact 
 that such "giving does not impoverish." 
 
 Towards his numerous employes, he was humane and 
 generous. It was his practice to give every workman a 
 yearly increasing bonus, in addition to the regular wages, 
 .80 long as they continued in his service. 
 
 The author is familiar with many instances of his private 
 beneficence. On one occasion he presented to Mr. Phillips 
 a bill for professional services. Mr. Phillips instantly wrote 
 a check for double the amount, saying as he passed it, 
 " You doctors are often called to attend patients who are 
 unable to pay. It would pain me to hear that a sick per- 
 son was in want of a physician, on a stormy night, and 
 couldn't get one, and I feel it my duty to contribute some- 
 thing for such services. The whole burden ought not to 
 fall on the doctors." 
 
 He sulfered several years from disease of the heart, which 
 terminated fatally on the 27th of November, 1877. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 125 
 
 HENRY L. BROWIsr. 
 
 H. L. Brown was ideatijfied with the First Presbyterian 
 Church, of Dayton, from infancy to the close of life, which 
 took place on the 25th of November, 1878. He was the 
 son of Henry Brown and Catharine Patterson, — both early 
 settlers of Dayton, — and devoted members of the First 
 Church. They had another son, the late Judge R. P. 
 Brown, and one (still surviving) daughter, Mrs. Charles 
 Anderson. 
 
 Mr. H. L. Brown was married February 7th, 1837, to 
 Miss Sarah Belle Browning, of Indianapolis, They had 
 nine children; of whom all but one are living, and most 
 of them continue to be residents of Dayton. Mr, Brown 
 and his wife united with the First Church, August 27th, 
 1842. She died in 1858. He cherished the most tender 
 regard for her memory during the residue of his life, and 
 instilled into the hearts of his young children such venera- 
 tion and aftiection for their mother, that her will (as inter- 
 preted by the father) was decisive on all points of duty or 
 difference of opinion. 
 
 The following extract is from the Dayton Journal, of 
 November 26th, 1878: 
 
 " Mr. Brown was active and energetic. What his hands 
 found to do was done with all his power in the community 
 in which he lived and in the Church of which he was a 
 member. He was a member of the city council, and long 
 a member of the school board, holding the office of presi- 
 
126 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CffURCB 
 
 dent for years. He was president of the Dayton & Western 
 Railroad Company while the work of construction was 
 in progress, and for some years president of the Pioneer 
 Society of Montgomery County. His zeal and activity in 
 discharging the duties of all these positions were constant 
 and continuous. 
 
 "The most notable characteristic in the life of Mr. Brown 
 was his devotion to the cause of religion. His faith was 
 strong and the sense of his Christian obligation was most 
 acute. He was always ready with word and work to spread 
 the knowledge of the truth among his fellow men, and 
 never faltered in the discharge of Christian duty. He 
 was president of the Montgomery County Bible Society, 
 taking special interest in the fact that his mother had long 
 occupied the same position. He was elected an elder in 
 the First Presbyterian Church, November 13th, 1850. His 
 activity in Christian work was specially manifested in the 
 great interest with which he regarded the Sabbath-school. 
 For many years he was superintendent of the Sabbath- 
 school, sometimes retiring for a time and urging the accept- 
 ance of the office upon some one else, and then called back 
 again by the unanimous voice of the school, until about 
 five years since, when he made his retirement from the 
 office final. 
 
 " While occupying this position it was his custom to 
 entertain the school at his house, inviting them by divi- 
 sions, at intervals of a week or two. By this method he 
 became personally acquainted with and could call by name 
 every member of the school. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 127 
 
 *' As a Christian, he was alike conspicuous for his loyalty 
 to the Church of his choice, and for his hroad charity 
 and fraternal sympathy with all who bore the name of 
 Christian. A firm friend and supporter of the pastor; a 
 wise and candid counselor in all Church affairs; an ardent 
 lover of the social prayer meeting, his death leaves a 
 vacancy that will long remain unfilled. 
 
 " He was always ready to wait on the sick, and one of 
 his methods of Christian work was to volunteer to sit up 
 with any who needed such attention, and in the quiet 
 hours of the night, as opportunity permitted, to minister 
 to the spiritual as well as the bodily wants of the patient. 
 
 "Of fine social qualities, generous and hospitable, his 
 house was a most delightful visiting place, where a guest 
 could realize the largest meaning of the word welcome. 
 
 "All who knew Henry L. Brown, or were associated 
 with him in Christian work, will recall with pleasure his 
 earnest and ardent zeal, so trustful and so unfaltering. Of 
 the Young Men's Christian Association he was a constant 
 friend and valuable assistant. He was free from anything 
 which approached religious bigotry, and every Christian, 
 of whatever denomination, received from hini the right- 
 hand of fellowship. For his own Church, of course, his 
 attachment was unvarying. 
 
 During the last year of his life, he commenced a history 
 of the First Church but died before its completion. 
 
 " There probably never vA'as a citizen of Dayton who 
 gave as much of his wordly possessions to. promote the 
 
128 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 cause of Christianity, and alleviate the sufferings of poor 
 people, as Henry L. Brown. He, in fact, gave away, practi- 
 cally, the whole of a liberal fortune for these purposes." 
 
 CHARLES H. SPIKING. 
 
 Charles H. Spining, one of the early pioneers of this 
 valley, was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church for 
 fifty-eight years. 
 
 He was born in Elizabeth town, New Jersey, on the 7th 
 of February, 1793. His father. Judge Pierson Spining, 
 emigrated to Ohio in 1796. He brought his famil}» across 
 the mountains in his own wagon, and after stopping for a 
 few years near Cincinnati, he removed to the farm, three 
 miles east of Dayton, which has been well known for the 
 past seventy years, as the home of the Spining family. 
 
 In early life, Charles H. Spining was engaged in a 
 variety of pursuits. After a few years work on his father's 
 farm, he engaged with Mr. H. G. Phillips as a clerk. He 
 then entered upon the milling and wool-carding business, 
 but abandoned this for merchandize, which he pursued, 
 with some interruptions, until 1834, when he bought a 
 part of the home property, built a house upon it, and re- 
 solved to devote the remainder of his life to farming. 
 
 In 1825, he married Miss Jane Perlee, of Springfield, 
 Ohio, by whom he had eight children. Some years ago 
 he transferred the care of his farm to his son George, and 
 moved to Dayton, residing with his son-in-law, Mr. Frank 
 Mulford, until his death, which took place May 31st, 1879, 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 129 
 
 He was a man of extraordinary health, and reached his 
 eighty-sixth birthday, with but slight experience of the ills 
 that flesh is heir to. 
 
 A friend, referring to his last illness, has made the follow- 
 ing record : 
 
 "Mr. Spining retained his mental faculties in full vigor 
 till he sank into a state of insensibility, about two hours 
 before he expired. During the five days of his illnfess, he 
 was cheerful and happy. He knew that he had entered 
 the dark valley, and that a very brief sojourn in this 
 world yet remained for him. His life had been that of an 
 earnest and devoted Christian, and its close was marked 
 by triumphant manifestations of the presence of the Savior, 
 in whom he had trusted. 
 
 "On Thursday, while his family were gathered around 
 his bed — as it seemed to him — to witness his departure, 
 he said, 'If this be death, then death is glorious,' He was 
 asked if he remembered his old and favorite hymn, 'On 
 Jordan's stormy banks I stand?' 'Oh, yes;' was the reply, 
 ' but there is no storm on the banks now.' 
 
 " On Friday, he raised his arm and pointing upwards, 
 said, with enthusiasm, ' I see the glories of the heavenly 
 world, and the angels waiting to take me home.' Then 
 his arm dropped on his breast while he remained in silent 
 contemplation of the glorious vision. His peace seemed 
 to 'flow as a river,' and over his sanctified spirit, in its 
 transit from earth to heaven, death had no terror and the 
 
 grave no victory." 
 
 17 
 
130 FIUST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 In a memorandum book, kept by Mr. Spining, appears 
 the following : 
 
 "February 5th, 1879. — My Heavenly Father has, in 
 
 mercy, added another year to my life in this lower world. 
 
 I have to lament, that I have done so little in return for 
 
 his kindness to me. Our years are swiftly passing away ; 
 
 eighty-six years old to-day ! 
 
 "C. H. Spining." 
 
 "But the long active life closed at last. It was a well- 
 spent life. It was marked by a devotion to the right as 
 taught by the Savior of the world. Mr. Spining had been 
 a professor of religion for nearly three score yqars ; and his 
 counsels and consistent life will not soon be forgotten. 
 
 "Of the family history it is scarcel}' necessary to speak. 
 The faithful wife, who, for more than fifty-four years, had 
 shared his joys and sorrows, survives him. Of the sur- 
 viving daughters, one is the wife of Mr. D. W. Osborn, 
 another of Mr. W. B. King, and a third of Mr. Frank 
 Mulford — all well known and highly-respected citizens." 
 
 MISS MARIA BOYD. 
 
 During the past fifty years, no individual in Dayton en- 
 joyed a more distinct personal notoriety than Maria Boyd. 
 The only one who rivaled her in this respect was John W. 
 VanCleve. Both were readily recognized as far as the eye 
 could reach, and no stranger visiting our city could look 
 for a moment on either without being moved to inquire, 
 " Who is that ? " 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 131 
 
 No history of the uotable Christiaus of Dayton will be 
 complete, that omits a sketch of Miss Boyd, and though 
 the writer possesses little knowledge of her ancestry, birth- 
 place, age or education, yet has he sufficient evidence to 
 prove her title clear to a place on the honor roll of the 
 First Presbyterian Church. 
 
 It matters very little "what immediate spot" may have 
 been the birthplace of Miss Boyd. We feel very sure it 
 was of the least concern to her where she was born, or 
 where she was to be buried. In her estimation life was too 
 short to be wasted on suck unprofitable inquiries. Wken 
 she was born, is another question that would not repay in- 
 vestigation. The date may have been written in the blank 
 leaves of her bible, but, not being a part of the inspired 
 volume, it could have little interest for her, and shall re- 
 ceive little attention from us. 
 
 Miss Boyd was seldom seen in public without her basket 
 — that old familiar basket which was so often the signal of 
 relief to needy expectants. Although she carried a basket, 
 and made frequent journeys, she never rode, and I might 
 almost say she never walked. Her gait was sal generis — a 
 sort of compromise between a walk and a racking-pace. 
 She was always in a hurry. Though small in stature, 
 and frail in structure, she had wonderful capability of 
 endurance, and seemed to possess a secret charm against 
 casualties. 
 
 Her basket, gait, and bonnet constituted her distinguish- 
 ing characteristics. The latter was unique, and demands a 
 passing notice. In early life Miss Boyd was taught the 
 
132 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 art of millinery, and being of an ingenious turn, she in- 
 vented a new style of bonnet, in which the advantages of 
 utility were happily blended with modest comeliness. But 
 in spite of its intrinsic value, the new bonnet failed to win 
 the favor of the fashionable world. She however adhered 
 to it as long as she lived. All other bonnets changed with 
 the changing seasons, but the style of Miss Boyd's bonnet 
 knew no change, nor shadow of turning ; and, for this 
 reason, it became an object of peculiar interest and noto- 
 riety to the people of Dayton. 
 
 In speaking of this bonnet to a friend, our distinguished 
 fellow-citizen, Miss Eliza Holt, once said, "I must confess 
 I do not covet the bonnet Miss Boyd wears on earth, but I 
 would be very glad to wear her crown in heaven." 
 
 It would be interesting to know more of Miss Boyd's 
 early life, and the circumstances under which was planted 
 the good seed that in later years developed a character of 
 the highest moral and religious excellence — but we do not 
 even know who her parents were. We do not know that 
 she ever had parents ; but we do know that she had a great 
 many poor brethren and sisters, a great many poor and 
 helpless children, and a great ma.ny sick friends, — and she 
 never neglected any of them. Her house could not hold 
 them all, but her heart did. Day by day, rain or shine, 
 through mud and snow, for years upon years, this angel 
 of mercy carried comfort to the dying and destitute, and 
 never grew weary in her labor of love. 
 
 She carried food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, 
 clothing to the naked, medicine to the sick, and glad tidings 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 133 
 
 to the dying. " Was she rich enough to supply all this? " 
 No, but her Father was. He was the largest landed pro- 
 prietor in America. He owned the cattle on a thousand 
 hills. The gold of California and the silver of Nevada 
 were His. His stores of corn and wine, wool and cotton, 
 were inexhaustible. The milk and honey, the fruits, flow- 
 ers and fountains of the whole earth, belonged to Him. 
 This rich 'Father of Miss Boyd had some faithful stewards 
 in Dayton, and from them she obtained all needed supplies. 
 Now and then she discovered an unfaithful steward, who 
 hoarded, for sordid purposes, what God meant for man- 
 kind. When these refused to share their God-ffiven wealth 
 with the destitute, she prayed for them, and passed them 
 b3^ There were enough who knew she was the King's 
 daughter, to gladly honor her requisitions. 
 
 A Dayton clerk heard his employer refuse to give a lady 
 a contribution for some benevolent purpose. It was just 
 before dinner. After dinner. Miss Boyd entered on a 
 similar errand, and her request was promptly complied 
 with. The clerk, observing the fact, afterward referred to 
 it, as an evidence of the charitable influence of a irood 
 meal — but the emploj'er said he was mistaken — adding, 
 "I would almost as soon have a millstoue about my neck, 
 and be cast into the Miami, as have Maria Boyd go to 
 heaven with the report that I had denied her help for 
 the poor." 
 
 Such, in brief, was the character of this noble woman, as 
 that character has impressed itself on the writer. 
 
134 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 The memory of her good deeds will long be cherished 
 by the people of Dayton. Who that knew the large com- 
 pass of her charity can fail to note how appropriate to her 
 experience are the words of Job : 
 
 "When the eye saw me, it gave witness to me: 
 ^Vhen the ear heard me, then it blessed me, • 
 Because I delivered the poor that cried. 
 And the fatherless and him that had none to help him. 
 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me : 
 And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. 
 I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame : 
 I was a mother to the poor, and the cases that I knew not I searched out. 
 My glory was fresh in me, and my haskd was replenished in my hand. 
 And they waited for me as the rain, and they opened their mouths 
 wide as for the latter rain." 
 
 Miss Boyd died on the 2d of April, 1879. It is believed 
 that her age was not less than four score years. 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 After the 1818 Roll of S. S. Scholars was printed, the author's attention 
 was called to the fact that all male scholars, whose surnames began with 
 the letters N, and P, were omitted. On careful investigation it has 
 been discovered that the leaf containing the missing names was removed 
 from Mrs. Bomberger's Alphabetical Register. It is difficult to conceive 
 of but one motive for suppressing the publication of these names — and it 
 would be interesting to know v/hether this sacrilege should be credited 
 to a widower or bachelor ! 
 
ROLL OF OFFICERS. 135 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, DAYTON, OHIO, 
 
 APRIL 1, 1880. 
 
 REV. LEIGH RICHMOND SMITH, Pastor. 
 
 Tn L r> K R s . 
 
 Francis Mflford, Clerk. Augustus F. Payne, 
 
 John F. Edgar, Charles U. Raymond, 
 
 Wm. a. Barnett, Edwin A. Parrott, 
 
 John H. Thomas. 
 
 DEACONS. 
 
 Oliver P. Boyer, David A. Bradford, 
 
 Joseph D. Dubois, David W. Stewart, 
 
 Houston I.owe. 
 
 T n xj s 'r WjTc,^ . 
 
 John W. Stoddard, Samuel B. Smith, 
 
 Wm. Craighead, Geo. L. Phillips, 
 
 Robert I. Cummin. 
 
 Hugh Conover, Trrnmrer. 
 
 Sabbath Services, 10 J a. m. ; 7, 11 or 8 p. m. 
 Sabbath-School, 2 p. m. Ix Dayton View, :];V p. m. 
 
 CONGREGATIO.VAL PhAVER MeETIXG, WEDNESDAY, 7, 7;^ OR S P. M. 
 
 Young Pkdpi.e's Prayer Meeting, Monday, 1, 7h or 8 p. m. 
 
136 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 ROLL OF MEMBERS 
 
 Anderson, Mr. Henry Soldiers' Home. 
 
 Anderson, Mrs. Anna Eliza 26 Williams Street. 
 
 Arnold, Mrs. Eitta Dayton View. 
 
 Arnold, Mr. James Dayton View. 
 
 Arnold, Mrs. Thirza Dayton View. 
 
 Arnold, Miss Carrie E Dayton View. 
 
 Ayers, Mrs. Susannah 131 North Perry Street. 
 
 Ayers, Mr. William S 131 North Perry Street. 
 
 Ayers, Miss Susie W 131 North Perry Street. 
 
 Bain, Mr. Wm Springfield, Ohio. 
 
 Baldwin, Miss Eliza Missionary to the Indians. 
 
 Barnett, Mr. WilHam A S. W. Cor. First and Jefferson Streets. 
 
 Barnett, Mrs. Laura Easton S. W. Cor. First and Jefferson Streets. 
 
 Barnett, Miss Mary Easton S. W. Cor. First and Jefferson Streets. 
 
 Barnett, Miss Elizabeth J S. W. Cor. First and Jefferson Streets. 
 
 Barnett, Mr. William W S. W. Cor. First and Jefferson Streets. 
 
 Bell, Mrs. Margaret 117 Buckeye Street. 
 
 Belville, Mrs. Elizabeth M 24 Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Belville, Mr. Jacob J 191 East Third Street. 
 
 Boyer, Mr. O. P... 211 Third Street. 
 
 Bradford, Mrs. Eliza Beavertown Pike. 
 
 Bradford, Mr. Johnson P Beavertown Pike. 
 
 Bradford, Mi'S. Martha Jane Beavertown Pike. 
 
 Bradford, Mr. David A 403 West Second Street. 
 
 Bradford, Mr. Richard 403 We^t Second Street. 
 
 Bradford, Mrs. Sarah, 403 West Second Street. 
 
 Bradford, Mr. George Beavertown Pike. 
 
 Bradford, Mrs. Amanda Beavertown Pike. 
 
 Bradford, Mr. Allen Beavertown Pike. 
 
 Bradford, Miss Jennie Beavertown Pike. 
 
 Black, Mr. George A 323 West First Street. 
 
 Black, Mrs. Mary C 323 West First Street. 
 
 Blair, Mrs. Priscilla S. E. Cor. Second and Wilkinson Streets. 
 
 Blair, Miss Grace S. E. Cor. Second and Wilkinson Streets. 
 
 Brelsford, Mrs 33 Green Street, 
 
ROLL OF MEMBERS. 
 
 137 
 
 ^74 West Second Street. 
 Brenner, Mrs. Joseplnne Augusta o74 est^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 Brown, Miss Hamet ".nS South Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Brown, Mr. Ashley. ^^^ ^^^^^^ Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Brown, Mrs. Lnnly C s"w"cor. Second and Perry Streets. 
 
 Brown, Mrs. Sarah G ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^ g^^^^^ 
 
 Brown, Miss Mary Jane ;,-^-c;;-; Fourth and Perry Streets. 
 
 Brown, Mrs. EmniaC. East Patterson Street. 
 
 Butterfield, Mrs. Fanme East Patterson Street. 
 
 Bulterfiold, Miss Fanme ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 Butterfield, Miss L,me^ s W ■co;;"'rhird and I-udlow Streets. 
 
 Carpenter, Mr. Jan. s W S. W. C^^ ^^_^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ 
 
 Carpenter, Mr... K 1..^.^. • ; ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^. ^^^^^^^ 
 
 Carpenter, M>ss Hattie T... .- ^^^ ^^^^^^^^^ ^^^.^^^^ 
 
 Cnrpenter, Mr. James A\.. Jr ^.^^^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 Chalmers, Mrs. Jeannette -^ ^^.^^^^ ^^^.^^^ 
 
 Clark, Mrs. Anna C Z.. Tippecanoe, O. 
 
 Cochran, Mrs. Mary.. .....Children's Home. 
 
 Comly, Miss Rebecca R ., GO West First Street. 
 
 Conover, Miss Mary ^^^.^,^^ g^^^^^ 
 
 Craio'lioad, Mrs. Jeannette A "^ 
 
 Crr,h.a<l M,s. Rebecca s. E. Cor. Second and Wlkmsontoee,,. 
 
 a"i:hoad Mrs. Margaret W 536- W Second toet. 
 
 C-ane, M.. Sarah S N. W. Cor. rirst and W..^^^ S^reeta. 
 
 Cridland, Mr.. Maggie '.'I.Beckel House. 
 
 Cummin, Mr. Robert Irvm •••• • ^ c+.,^«+= 
 
 , . ,. T • S W Cor. Ludlow and First Streets. 
 
 Davos, Mrs. Lou.e... S. W. ^^^^^ ^,^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 Dickson, M,ss Harr.et J ^^.^^^ ^^^^^ 
 
 Dickson, M,ss Mana Jane ^.^^^ ^^^.^^^ 
 
 Dickson, M,s, Lucret a G ^^,^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 Dickson, M.SS Augusta C ...362 West First Street. 
 
 Dickson, Miss Ellen P ^ 
 
 Dryden, Miss Ara.inta I S. W. Cor. Linden Avenue a„. St. 
 
 Dubois, Mr. Joseph D • 
 
 ' , ^^ w ..3 St. Marys street. 
 
 Dubo s, Mrs. Meroa W "• ,. o^ * 
 
 . ' ,. ^ . T 3 St. Marys street. 
 
 Dubois, Miss Came L \ 
 
 t^ , A1U .-IT wn 37 West Second Street. 
 
 Ealy, Albert E., M. D '"' , o^ * 
 
 ^ / ^/r T7«^ r 37 West Second street. 
 
 Ealv, Mrs. Ettie C , tt^„.^ 
 
 _ ' ,,. ,, Soldiers' Home. 
 
 Eaton, Miss Mary _ ^.^ 
 
 Easton, Miss Ruth L S. W. Cor. First and Jefferson Streets. 
 
 16 Roe Street. 
 
 Eaton, Mrs. Ann 
 
 ^, \, ^ V ^ T Wayne Street. 
 
 Edgar, Mrs. Caroline L ■' 
 
 18 
 
138 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Edgar, Mr. John F 138 West Second Street. 
 
 Edgar, Mrs. Effie A 138 AVest Second Street. 
 
 Edgar, Miss Jennie A 138 West Second Street. 
 
 Edgar, Miss Isabel R 13S West Second Street. 
 
 Edgar, Miss Elizabeth B 138 West Second Street. 
 
 Eells, Mrs. Susan M California. 
 
 Finley, Mr. WiUiam 123 Maple Street. 
 
 Finley, Mrs. Lucinda 123 Maple Street. 
 
 Forrester, Miss Julia Ann... Franklin Street. 
 
 Geiger, Miss Emma S. W. Cor. Fifth and Jefferson Streets. 
 
 Green, Mrs. Lucy R S. E. Cor. Second and Ludlow Streets. 
 
 Green, Mr. John W S. E. Cor. Second and Ludlow Streets. 
 
 Grundy, Mrs. Ellen S Dallas, Texas. 
 
 Haas, Mr. Isaac 124 East First Street. 
 
 Haas, Mrs. Mary 124 East First Street. 
 
 Haas, Miss Anna Catharine 124 East First Street. 
 
 Haas, Mr. Walter 124 East First Street. 
 
 Haas, Mr. Charles 13 Franklin Avenue. 
 
 Haas, Mrs. Kate 13 Franklin Avenue. 
 
 Hall, Mrs. Eliza PhiUips 227 North Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Hall, Mrs. Mary DeSoto, Missouri. 
 
 Harbine, Mrs. H. F Linden Ayenue. 
 
 Harris, Mrs. Delia Wayne Street. 
 
 Harris, Mrs. Mary Ann 433 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Harris, Miss Drusilla 4-33 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Harries, Mrs. Mary £ Hii.rries Station. 
 
 Harries, Miss Elizabeth H Harries Station. 
 
 Harries, Miss Louie , Harries Station. 
 
 Hatfield, Mr. John M 511 East Second Street. 
 
 Hatfield, Mrs. Joanna F 511 East Second Street. 
 
 Herrman, Mrs. Maraaret Wayne Street. 
 
 Hetzel, Miss Mary , Covington Pike. 
 
 Hill, Mrs. Elizabeth G S. W. Cor. Second Perry Street. 
 
 Hjelm, Miss Sofie Matilda 
 
 Houghtelin, Mrs. Jane 23 South Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Honghtelin, Miss Sarah M 23 South Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Holtzer, Mrs. Eliza ..Ill North Main Street. 
 
 Holtzer, Miss Lizzie Ill North Main Street. 
 
 Hosier, Mrs. F. M.... , 32 May Street. 
 
 Howell, Mrs. Mary D. 374 West Second Street. 
 
 Humphreys, Mrs. Emma Lehman Street. 
 
ROLL 01" MEMBEttS. 139 
 
 Huston, Mrs. Elizabeth Springfield Pike. 
 
 Huston, Mrs. Fannie Springfield Pike. 
 
 Inman, Mr. R. I Chaumont, N. Y. 
 
 Jacobson, Mr. August Omaha, Keb. 
 
 Johnson, Miss Elizabeth 138 West Third Street. 
 
 Johnson, Miss Isabella 138 West Third Street. 
 
 Kemper, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas Cincinnati, Ohio 
 
 Kerr, Miss Ruth Wolfcreek Pike. 
 
 Kirkor, Mrs. Christin.i 1102 East Fifth Street. 
 
 Kyle, Mrs. Elizabeth Tippecanoe. 
 
 Law, Miss Maggie F 140 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Law, MissSallie M 140 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Law, Mrs. Jennie B 140 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Lee, Mrs. Alida B 1802 East Third Street. 
 
 Lee, Miss Clara N 1802 East Third Street. 
 
 Lee, Miss Minnie H 1802 East Third Street. 
 
 Leechman, Mr. Alex Soldiers' Home. 
 
 Leas, Mrs. S 417 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Lindsley, Miss Abigail 29 East First Street. 
 
 Lowe, Mr. P. P 113 South Main Street. 
 
 Lowe, Miss Sarah P. 113 South Main Street. 
 
 Lowe, Col. John G 125 South Main Street. 
 
 Lowe, Mrs. Marianuii L 125 South Main Street. 
 
 Lowe, Mr. Hou.ston 29 East First Street. 
 
 Lydenberg, Mrs. Marianna 417 South Perry Street. 
 
 Marble, Mrs. Jessie IG Roe Street. 
 
 Marshall, Mr. R. D 353 West First Street. 
 
 Marshall, Mrs. Elizabeth R 353 West First Street. 
 
 Mayer, Miss Emma 555 West Third Street. 
 
 Mayer, Miss Louie 555 West Third Street. 
 
 Mayer, Miss Elizabeth 555 AVest Third Street. 
 
 McCook, Gen. Alexander McDowell United States Army. 
 
 McCook, Mrs. Kate PhiUips Washington, D. C. 
 
 McCleary, Miss Margaret Isabel Pleasant Hill, Ohio. 
 
 McDermont, Dr. Clark E 212 West Third Street. 
 
 McDermont, Mrs. Mary Eliza 212 West Third Street. 
 
 Means, Miss Eliza 605 Jefferson Street. 
 
 Metzler, Mr. George 6 Wyandot Street. 
 
 Metzler, Mrs. Mary '. G Wyandui Street. 
 
 Miller, Mrs. Caroline North Perry Street. 
 
 Miller, Miss Caroline N. W. Cor. Second and AVilkinson Streets. 
 
140 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 
 
 Miller, Mrs. Margaret Ann 417 South Perry Street. 
 
 Miller, Mrs. Sarah 376 West Second Street. 
 
 Moodie, Mrs. Eleanor 18 North Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Moodie, Miss Emma G 18 North Wilkinson Street. 
 
 Moore, Mr. Leonard 310 West First Street, West of Perry. 
 
 Moore, Mrs. Mary G 310 West First Street, West of Perry. 
 
 Morrison, Mrs. Ann ••• 267 Lafayette Street. 
 
 Moxham, Mrs. Mary Springfield, Ohio. 
 
 Mulford, Mr. Francis S. W. Cor. Second and Pei-ry Streets. 
 
 Mulford, Mrs. Jane S. W. Cor. Second and Perry Streets. 
 
 Myers, Mr. Charles 
 
 Myers, Miss Louie Xenia, Ohio. 
 
 Newcom, Mrs. Catharine V Wilkinson Street, bet. Second and Third. 
 
 Padley, Mrs. Mary Ann 610 East Second Street. 
 
 Purrott, Col. Edwin A Oakwood. 
 
 Parrott, Mrs. Mary May Oakwood. 
 
 Paulsen, Mr. Christian. 19 East Second Street. 
 
 Payne, Mr. Augustus F 529 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Payne, Mrs. Mary Isabella .529 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Payne, Miss Mary K 529 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Perrin, Mrs. Elizabeth 259 Lafayette Street. 
 
 Perrine, Mr. James F 1802 East Third Street. 
 
 Perrine, Mrs. Julia 1802 Ea.st Third Street. 
 
 Phelps, Mr. William A ...1821 East Third Street. 
 
 Phelps, Mrs. Annie C •• 1821 East Third Street. 
 
 Phillips, Mrs. Margaret Jane 24 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Phillips, Mr. George L 29 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Phillips, Mrs. Adele B 29 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Phillips, Mx'S. Lucy S. W. Cor. First and Ludlow Streets. 
 
 Phillips, Mr. Horace. 368 West Second Street. 
 
 Philhps, Mrs. Nannie 368 West Second Street. 
 
 Phillips, Miss Sophie S. W. Cor. First and Ludlow Streets. 
 
 Porter, Mrs. Letitia P. Fifth Street. 
 
 Pratt, Mr. William P 114 East Fifth Street. 
 
 Pratt, Mrs. Sarah A 114 East Fifth Street. 
 
 Pretzman, Mrs. Susan West Water Street. 
 
 Ralston, Mr. John 323 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Ralston, Mrs. Catharine 323 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Ralston, Miss Maria Bickham 323 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Ralston, Miss Kate 323 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Raymond, Mr. Charles TJ 374 West Second Street. 
 
nOLL OF MEMBERS. 141 
 
 Raymond, Mrs. Jennie H 374 West Second Street. 
 
 Rench, Mrs. Mary 221 West First Street. 
 
 Rench, Miss Joan 221 West First Street. 
 
 Reynolds, Mrs. Jennie C Hufl'uian Hill. 
 
 Richey, Mrs. Ruth South Perry Street. 
 
 Robertson, Mr. Peter S. W. Cor. Wilkinson and First Streets. 
 
 Robertson, Mrs. Emma L S. W. Cor. Wilkinson and First Streets. 
 
 Rogers, Mr. George W 119 South Main Street. 
 
 Rogers, Mr.s. Elizabeth 119 South Main Street. 
 
 Rogers, Miss Anna C 119 South Main Street. 
 
 Rogers, Miss Grace 119 South Main Street. 
 
 Rogers, Miss Helen Fowler. 119 South Main Street. 
 
 Shoe, Mrs. Martha Jane Pleasant Hill, Ohio. 
 
 Sims, Miss Sidney Anna Columbus, Ohio. 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Eliza Stoddard 233 North St. Clair Street. 
 
 Spencer, Mr. William 345 West Water Street. 
 
 Spencer, Mrs. Mary .345 West Water Street. 
 
 Spilling, Mrs. .Jane S. W. Cor. Second and Perry Streets. 
 
 Spining, Miss Elizabeth Y 35 West Water Street. 
 
 Stauffer, Mr. C. B Lehman Street. 
 
 Stauffer, Mrs. Carrie M Lehman Street. 
 
 Stewart, Mr. David W 35 West Water Street. 
 
 Stewart, Mrs. Sarah S 35 West Water Street. 
 
 Stewart, Miss Emily McAlpin 35 West Water Street. 
 
 Stewart, Miss Margaret 35 West Water Street. 
 
 Stewart, Mrs. Mary McG Santa Barbara, California. 
 
 Stewart, Miss Katharine W Santa Barbara, California. 
 
 Stockstill, Mrs. Josephine S. W. Cor. Second and St. Marys Streets. 
 
 Stoddard, Mr. Asa P St. Louis, Missouri. 
 
 Stoddard, Mr. John W Dayton View. 
 
 Stoddard, Mrs. Susan K Dayton View. 
 
 Stout, Mrs. Virginia T 370 West Second Street. 
 
 Strong, Mrs. Harriet A ....3G1 West First Street. 
 
 Strong, Miss Hannah 3G1 West First Street. 
 
 Strong, Miss Martha 361 West First Street. 
 
 Strong, Mr. Nathaniel 3G1 West First Street. 
 
 Strickle, Miss Rebecca West Water Street. 
 
 Stroup, Mr. John Xenia Pike. 
 
 Stroup, Mrs. Rachel J ...., Xenia Pike. 
 
 Stroup, Mrs. Mary Soldiers' Home. 
 
 Sunderland, Mrs. Mary 322 West Fourth Street. 
 
142 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CBURCti 
 
 Tate, Miss Anna Martha No. 1 Bridge Street. 
 
 Tenney, Mrs. Louisa California. 
 
 Thomas, Mrs. Lydia S. Wooster, Ohio. 
 
 Thomas, Mr. John H 410 West Second Street. 
 
 Thomas, Mrs. Linda Rogers 410 West Second Street. 
 
 Thompson, Mrs. William C 1608 East Fifth Street. 
 
 Underwood, Mr. John 1 562 West Second Street. 
 
 Underwood, Mrs. Mary L 562 West Second Street. 
 
 Van Ausdal, Mrs. Mary C Dayton View. 
 
 Wade, Mrs. Mary.. 35 West Water Street. 
 
 Wallace, Mrs. Belle K Miami City. 
 
 Weaver, Dr. J. M Soldiers' Home. 
 
 Weaver, Mrs. S. J Soldiers' Home. 
 
 Wead, Mr. John Stewart Lebanon Pike. 
 
 Wead, Mrs. S.arah R Lebanon Pike. 
 
 Wead, Miss Mary Lizzie Lebanon Pike. 
 
 Whitmore, Mrs. Sarah Belle 83 Jones Street. 
 
 Weigel, Mrs. Matilda 1102 East Fifth Street. 
 
 Wight, Mr. ColUns 379 West Second Street. 
 
 Wight, Mrs. Martha Jane 379 West Second Street. 
 
 Wight, Miss Sarah 379 West Second Street. 
 
 Williams, Mr. John 553 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Williams, Mrs. Mina 553 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Williams, Miss Bertha. 553 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Williams, Miss Theresa 553 West Fourth Street. 
 
 Wilson, Miss Mary Ann 86 South Ludlow Street. 
 
 Wilson, Miss Sarah M... 86 South Ludlow Street. 
 
 Wolf, Mr. John Covington Pike. 
 
 Wolf, Mrs. Zreldiu Covington Pike. 
 
 Wolf, Miss Elizabeth Covington Pike. 
 
 Wolf, Mrs. Susan H 3 Bridge Street. 
 
 Wonderly, Mrs. Sarah Jane Lebanon Pike. 
 
 Wright, Mrs. Eliza A Springboro, Ohio. 
 
 Wyatt, Mrs. Vlary C 19 West Water Street. 
 
 Young, Mr. Benjamin G. G Huffman Avenue. 
 
 Young, Mrs. Maria Isabella HufFmazi Avenue. 
 
INDEX 
 
 Early Settlement of Dayton 5 
 
 Organization of First Church 7 
 
 Log Cabin Meeting House 7 
 
 Subscription for New Brick Church 8 
 
 Rev. James AVelch's Pastorate 9 
 
 Act of Incorporation 11 
 
 Burying Grounrl Donated 12 
 
 Qualified Voters , 13 
 
 Purchase of Church Lot on Ludlow Street 14 
 
 First Briclv Churcli 15 
 
 The First Church Bell 16 
 
 The First Sabbath-School 17 
 
 Rev. Backus Wilbur's Pastorate 17 
 
 Rev. Ahab Jenk's Pastorate 18 
 
 Rev. William Graham's Pastorate 18 
 
 Rev. Franklin Putnan, Stated Supply 18 
 
 Revival of 1828 19 
 
 Rev. James C. Barnes' Pastorate 20 
 
 Revival of 184.3 20 
 
 Church Rebuilt 21 
 
 Resignation of Mr. Barnes 22 
 
 Character of Mr. Barnes 23 
 
 Rev. George Bai-nes 24 
 
 Schism of the Presbyterian Church 24 
 
 New and Old School Division 2o 
 
 Cause of the Division 25 
 
 Pan-Presbyterian INIovement 26 
 
 New School Colony 27 
 
 Rev. Dr. Anderson's Pastorate 28 
 
 Rev. Dr. Anderson's Resignation. 30 
 
 Rev. Dr. Anderson's Visit to Kentucky 31 
 
 Rev. F. T. Brown, Supply ' .'. 29 
 
 The Central Church '. 41 
 
 Rev. Dr. D. Gurley's Pastorate 42 
 
 Mission Church 42 
 
 Dr. Gurley's Letter of Resignation and Reply of the Congregation 44 
 
 Rev. James A. Brookes' Pastorate ." 48 
 
 Miami City Colony 49 
 
 Resignation of Mr. Brookes 50 
 
 Rev. Dr. Thomas' Pastorate 51 
 
 Slavery and Rebellion— their Influence on the Churches 51 53 
 
 New Church Built 54 
 
 Building Committee 54 
 
 Superintendent 55 
 
 Memorial Tablet 56 
 
 Final Building Report of Trustees 57 
 
 Rev. John McVey's Pastorate 59 
 
 Rev. George A. Funkhouser, Supply... 61 
 
144 ■ INDEX. 
 
 Rev. Benjamin B. Warfleld, Supply fil 
 
 Rev. Leigh Richmond Smith's Pastorate 62 
 
 Church Music 63 
 
 Disciphne 69 
 
 Church Fire 74 
 
 First Dayton Sabbath School 75 
 
 Mr. Boniberger's Register of Pupils, 1818 77 
 
 Church Mmembership 82 
 
 Ruhng Elders 83 
 
 Deacons 84 
 
 Trustees So 
 
 Treasurers 86 
 
 Collectors • 87 
 
 Col. John G. Lowe 8.s 
 
 Church Revenue 8S 
 
 Contributions 89 
 
 Bequest of — 
 
 Miss Mary Strain 90 
 
 Dickinson P. Thruston 91 
 
 Abraham Overlease 91 
 
 Survev of the Church. 92 
 
 The Old Burying Ground 95 
 
 Ch)irch Organization 97 
 
 Ladies Church Society 98 
 
 Biographical Sketches — 
 
 .lohn Miller 99 
 
 Obadiah B. Conover 100 
 
 Mrs. Surah Conover 101 
 
 Mrs. Eliza S. Phillips 102 
 
 Robert Edgar 105 
 
 Judge Steele ' 106 
 
 William King 109 
 
 Joseph Barnett 112 
 
 Mrs. Sarah Bomberger 114 
 
 Dr. Job Haines 116 
 
 Mrs. Susan C. Stoddard 119 
 
 Miss Sarah Fenner 121 
 
 T. A. Phillips 122 
 
 H. L. Brown 125 
 
 Charles H. Spining ...128 
 
 Miss Maria Boyd..^ 130 
 
 List of Officers of First Church 135 
 
 List of Church Members in 1880 136 
 
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