The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-08-31
CHURCH HISTORY.
The M. Z. Church, OF Penfield Interesting
Facts Relating to IL.

read: ~
Events make history. Events have been
multiplying and very various, both as to cause
and effect in this vicinity since the United
States survey dividing up northern Ohio Into
counties and townships, near the beginning
of this century and since the engineers corps
of General Smith opened up straight way
through the almost unbroken Wilderness
which is still known as the Smith" road,
running along the south line OF PenHeld town
ship, by which means the military forces
could be collected under the command OF VIM.
Henry Harrison grandfather OF the present
president Of the United States) before the
memorable battle of Tippecanoe was fought,
November s, 1911.
God has set man the example OF preserving
the history Of the origin both OF things and
special events; which example man has not
or Of Penheld was Caleb Atwater, and for
which he paid $1,000, being at the rate OF 25cts'
per acre for 10000 acres.
In 1918, Peter Pen1eld and Calvin Spencer,
aided by James Ingersol, son of Major Inger-
sol, Of Grafton, o., by searching one day, dis
covered the northeast corner Of Penfeld, the
point also touched by Litchneld. Grafton and
LaGrange; and the next day they satisfied
themselves as to the 1rtility Of the soil, when
they right-about- faced and returned to Harp
ersaeld Delaware county. N. Y. after having
engaged Seth G. Ingersol to erect log cabin
near the spot where the residence Of Deacon
Richmond now stauds, being the first cabin In
the township and the only one from Eyria to
Lodi and from Medina to Wellington. Peter
Penheld was. in fact, Jhe very first settler,
but the honor must rest upon Truman PEN
field as being the first to bring in family,
November s, 1920, composed Of himself, his
wife, Ruth Ann, and his son. Samuel S. Pen
| field. This woman was the first white woman
| to come into Penfeld, and, also, the first
white person to 20 out Of II by way OF death.
The first birth in the township OF a white
child was Harriet daughter of Peter Penfeld,
in December. 1881, and the first boy
born was John, son Of Amor Penfeld'
| / presume that the innocent cry Of those In
fants sounded out from the log cabins the
same as those cries the papooses Of the wig
vans since the days Of yore, causing the
echoes from the wilderness. The sound was
the same, for all babies cry in English.
Lathrop Penffeld came In 1870. He was the
first man to plant patch Of corn in the town.
ship and the first man to get married. his
marriage taking place March II. 1924. He af-
terward became a Methodist local preacher
and for many years lived Just east Of Black
river. fused to look up into the face Of that
tall, ,lCraye. thoughtful man with good degree
OF yeneratlon, as well might.
Because OF the early productlyeness OF
these lands, II was proposed to call the name
Richand township, but other places having
had the start OF this. this was called Penheld
in honor Of the first settlers; though only two
families, descendants Of the first settlers
still remain. God bless them.
1t is quite as important TO know who
brought the message Of salvation and when
Christianity was first planted in Penheld a:
IL is to know who brought in the first family
or planted the first patch Of corn. AS 1t ha;
been elsewhere in the greater portion OF tht
United States. this honor rests upon the brow
Of the Methodist Episcopal church, whos'
mInisters-the "saddle-bag tribe"-as Chris
tian cavaliers. following the blazed trees Il
the newest settlements and to the unfinished
| lob CdUllOs huu tNcu khOAO phasNA hesa SSNAs "
fered and word spoken to the toiiefs In 30
wilderness Of that city Of gold prepared 10
the good and true Of every cline. have beei
there and know OF what am speaking; whel
the cabins we're unfinished and the voices
prayer and praise were ascending to heaven
Rev. Elijah II. Field was the first 10 preac
within the limits OF this township: In the rel
idence OF David Merwin. No doubt there wa
, an attempt to form class, but OF Its hlstor
we have no certain knowledge. This was a
D early as March. 1925. Presently we will Civ
$ the history from then until this day Of the al
9 pointments Of Methodist ministers who ha'
4 preached in Penneld.
The Presbyterians came next. Rev. A.
Belts organized the nrst Presbyterian churc
: In Penneld January II, 1899. composed Of thi
Q teen members. They proceeded to erect q
|. nrtt church edlnce In the township In lSS
near where the cemetery now Is. From Is
to lSiS the doctrinal basis and denominatio
70 al name we're changed to that Of the Congr
q gatlonai church. In 1870 the beautiful chur'
3 Just east OF the center was erected. II
r. churchly list OF names now numbers 1ftynin
!, having Rev. Frank Richardson for their pa
tor.
1t The Baptist church was organized BY Re
10 Asa Stralghten, numbering twelve member
n- in 1870. They proceeded to erect churc
4, which was dedicated by Rev. L. Tlbbals
" April, 1855. The members now number seve
u teen and are without q pastor.
b. To give the history Of Methodism here.
n. must give few names also We will beg
h VIM. Lyman. the only son Of Andrew Hay,
who was born In Fairfield county. Conn. VIII
u his bones were only hardening into you
In manhood, he started, In 1929. In company wi
A Raymond Starr. to Penneld. when as J
there we're only fourteen families in the tow
ship. His wages the hrst year purchased
him l35 acres two miles east OF the cent
How different from many Of the "ias" you
men OF today. After making proper prcpai
tions for the future, In 1888 he returned
vi Harpersheid. N, Y, and married one wort
rs OF himself, when at once they hastened
sd Penneld, where they long and joyfully lly
4, and saw 1.-The wilderness bud aud blossom
the rose"
In 1894 Methodist class was again formed NJ
eu beriug seven. viz; WIN. L. Hayes aud Aurl
C. Sarah and Esther NJ. Hayes, Russell Starr join
ID, by lCttcr, and Henry Wltbeok with Freeloye.
or wife, joining on probation. In autumn Or
Starr arrived from the east, when Abigail b.,
wife handed In her certificate Of probation
et- membership, making her tho eighth membe
m the class OF 1884. And with heartfelt thanksi
ch ing to our Heavenly Father, am permitted 10
IN, on this memorable occasion, that tho fret
=. eighth named In the class Of 1874 are now preP
" with ", 1hesc ps'riarchal forms are still linz
IS Ing amongst us only waiting to hear the voice
nd the Mastcr calling them over the river to Join
IN. company aud songs OF those who have outrtripI
" them In the celestial race TO gain an eternal