The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-11-17
HISTORY OF SOMERSET CIRCUIT.
OHIO CONFERENCE.
Compiled by Rev. J. Van Law, 1876.


the 7th of April 17SS These were all of
Puritan stock and no Methodists among
them. as it was not till two years later,
that Methodism was carried into New
England, by Jesse Lee, that preached
the first Methodist sermon in all that
section, under the great Elm Tree in
Boston Common on July afternoon
1890 At that time Marietta and Gin
cinnati were the only'two points settled
in OHIO; but when on the 18th OF Sep
tember, 1899, the first session, of the
Territorial Legislature met in Cincin-
natl, il was then only village of 500
inhabitants, built almost entirely of logs,
and without brick in its entire struc-
ture. The population of the whole
State. in 1898, was only about 5000.
Bishop Asbury's description of the
western people, as he saw them in 1888,
at Clarksnurg. Va, on his first trip
west of the Alleghanies, has in meas
ure, characterized the border life ever
since He says: The country will re-
quire much work to make it tolerable.
The people are, many of them, of the
boldest cast of adventures, and with
some, the decencies of civilized life are
scarcely regarded On the one hand,
savage warfare teaches them to be cruel;
and on the other the preaching of anti
nomians poisons them with error in
doctrine. Good moralists they are not;
good christians they cannot be, unless
they are better taught" Stevens Hist,
| NJ. E. Church.
Intemperance and profanity, coupled
with reckless daring. and coarse yet open
handed hospitality has generally pre-
vailed everywhere, On the westward
marching border of our civilization
They had their rough labor, rude sports
and coarse appeals TO brute force in the
settlement of feuds and disputes. Into
this society, Methodism fought its way
inch by inch, not only against the vices
but against the prejudices Of the peo
pie. Indeed it has been said with mucl
of truth that "Methodism saved the ives
from sinking into barbarism" In 179i
Rev. Kobler crossed the Ohio from
Kentucky, kneeling on the river bank t,
invoke the divine blessing upon hi
mission. On christmas day he spreat
the sacramental table for 25 or 80 com
municanta, all there were in the coun
try. This was the first regular preach
ing, and the first Methodist communion
in Ohio. that ten gears ago numbers
100. 900 on it's communion roll. In 179
Holston, Kentucky, Tennessee and on
circuit in Ohio constituted one immens
district with twelve preachers. No sc
ciety was founded in Cincinnati. till 1S0=
On the southeast, however, Robel
Manly had crossed over from Virgini:
occasionally, perhaps, as early as 49,
, and by 1899, he had boldly entered an
formed Circuit extending up the Mu
kinenm for forty miles. In, 1899 Jane
Quinn made a missionary tour up tt
Hooking Valley, preaching to the fe
families near the present site of Lanca
ter. In 1904, Asa Shinn organized tt
Hooking Circuit out of this territoI
occupying the usual four weeks. tt
= next year James Quinn and John Nee
were sent to this Circuit, and in 1907 v
). find "Ohio District Fairfield Circu
o William Pattison," in the list of a
= pointments Of the "Western Conferenc,
r that contained nearly all the terrific
J. west of the Alleghanies. in 1903 it
IS Ralph Lotspiech and John Bowma
r Miami District; in 1909 it is Rail-
y Lotspiech Muskingum District; in IS
r Francis Jarvis with James Quinn,
Y. Presiding Elder.
,e During this year the Ohio Conferen
was organized at Portsmouth, and
Christmas day 1910 the frs. Method
E. sermon was preached in Somerset at t
ne house of John Mains, by the Revere
og Robert Cloud. who, with Jesse Stor
a man, continued to occupy this as
It. preaching place for several years.
n 1911 James Quinn and James B. Finl
id travelled Fairfield Circuit, and the !
tie ter organized the first class in Somer
e with John Mains leader. The rema
og ing four of this Immortal FIVE" W,
ng Anna Mains, wife of the leader; 10
Ike Anderson and wife, and William Bah
les The opposition was bitter and unreas,
ut able, but the old log School House,
terward used as chair shop, by Je
Huff, near the present site of Dittos
: HulPs grocery, was the class sanctu,
:, Of these tried ones, for years, and it
sounded with the songs and shoutings
- their triumphant faith. In 1912 "
liam Lambden had charge of the circ,
and Archibald McElroy in 1918.
David Young was Presiding Elt
k: in 1884; Charles Waddle, P. G
his 1914; Charles Waddle and Michael
- lis, 1915; James Quinn and John
Mahan 1916; Michael Ellis and J,
McMahan, in 1917. During the es
o'n part of this conference year, John
Mahan retired from the work, and J.
ne Stewart was called from the Kama,
ioe Circuit in Va, taking his place here
va Junior Preacher, January 1, 1918.
''' The Somerset society had now gr,
"p to embrace the following members: Y
"" Babbs, sen, John and Ruth Muir
'"' John and Anna Mains, Toby Tia,
'e' and wife; Frederick Mains, sen.,
"'' wife; George Richards and wife; J
g. McGowen, and perhaps Frede
ted Mains, jun, and wife. In June
to Joseph F. Brown and wife; were ad
tho. to the society; and Jacob Knowles
, to wife in place of Taylor removed. 7
eve summer the society made an effor
ri raise house of worship, on what
an. afterwards called in consequence, 81
, of py Alley"
ool The lot ia now occupied in pari
He William Russell, though the site o.
k of first church is yet vacant. John Nh