Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1888-06-15
GENTEENaAr. HISTORY,
N,des Cor oerning tile Origin ana De-
lclopmcnt 0f tho N. T.. Church,
Perrysburg.
BY N. II. CALLARD.

The history of Methodism in Perrys-
burg runs parallel with shat of the ear
ly settlers in the Maumee Valley. From
the fact that occasional services were
held in the locality by the Blethodists
previons to the Indian war OF 1912, it is
presumed that some of the settlers must
have been identified with the church
previous to their immigration to the
Black Swamp region. Be that rs it may
it is well known that the Methodist Item
Grants from Western New York, had,
previous to that date, passed the Niagara
river and wended their way through
the wilderness of Upper Canada-here
and there preaching and organizing a
class, and had reached Detroit to preach
tine Gospel there. From that point they
turned their attention TO the Rapids of
the Maumee, and in order to unfurl the
banner of the cross in this region, they
made their way through forests, waded
the swamps and either waded through
or SWAIN the intervening rivers. Some
of these faithful men-who they were
is unknown at this time-declal-
ed the good news of salvation
through faith in Jesus Christ in this To-
cality. The seed of the gospel thus in
cidentally scattered sank into good and
honest hearts of whom Aurora SpafTord,
a son of Major Amos Spaiford, was one
of them, who at that time was but a
youth.
The father of the youth, Major Amos
Spafford, came from Cleveland and set
lied on what is known as the Spafrord
Grant in the year 1910. His holdings
are just Immediately west of Fort Meigs
On this property their homestead was
placed, andsubsequently just north of it
on the river sprang up little hamlet of
some ten Or twelve buildings which bore
the name of Orleans. AT this point, or
in the Spaiford homestead, began the
work of Methodism which now perme-
atesalmost every town and village in
Northwestern Ohio.
The early pioneers of the gospel, and
of civilization in this region, we're ear
nest, brave and resolute men. The
hardships which they endured, the dan
gers to which they were exposed and
the hcroism with which they met them,
were very remarkable. Major Spafford
and his family realized the force of
these troubles and braEeIy encountered
them.
AS illustrative of the life of Amos
Spafford who was the first Methodist
Glass Leader in the valley and as show
ing The process of education through,
which his youthful days We're passed
the following incidents VIII be pertinent
to this outline OF Perrysburg Methodism;
On the defeat of Hull by the British
in 1879, the Indians ON the Maumce he
came very troublesome. Major SpaiTord
had received information that they were
near at hand and would soon captur,
him. lie hastily placed his family in {
boat, took few household articles and
some food and hurried away down Tho
Maumee river toward the lake. BE
fore they had reached the mouth of tho
river, they looked back and saw the
smoke Of their house ascending to tho
clouds. The disturbed condition of tn,
Indians in 1912 and their subsequent al
lance with the British in the war OF
1914, induced Major Spairord to max,
his home, in this interval, in the villag,
of Huron, Huron Co, o. On the defea
of the British and their savage allies
by General Harrison. The border wa
ceased and in 1916 tho spaiford famil,
returned TO their Maunlee homestead
They found, however, that danger fron
the savage Indians had no yet passed
Shortly after the Majors return in III
month of August, 1915, he and somo 9th
er settlers employed two men 10 20 III
the river with a boat TO obtain suppl,
Of flour. They made their start and be
ore night their boat was seen floating