The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-07-18

Miller settled in. Pike township on
Section 16, and for dozen years oi
more, his house became place of wor-
ship for the Methodists. Jacob Miller,
Samuel Miller, Samuel Bard, Jesse
Deweese and Jacob Smith, (the writ
er's grandfather,) and their wives
we're among the first members. Sub
sequently others were added, among
whom were John Miller, Joseph Keel,
Thomas Werley, John Smith and 9th.
ers. In the year 1914, substantial
brick building was erected by the
Methodist society on the north line
of Section 16, known as the "Asbury
Chapel" at which for almost a half
century a flourishing society and Sun.
day school has been maintained.
About twelve years ago, the church not
being sufficiently commodious to meet
the wants and demands of the time
was rebuilt short distance east from
the old site. The present society is a
large and fourinshing one, and have n
good and well arranged house for q
place of worship.
The United Brethren in Christ"
worshiped for time at the homes OF
Its members but about the year 1S45,
they erected log building on Section
II, In which they worshiped until 1864,
when they built another and much bet
ter building known as the "Otterbein
Chapel" and they keep pace with the
forward march of times, and are in the
front rank in all good and Religious
work.
The bunker Brethren" or German
Baptists" have a large and commodi-
GUS building on Section 20, in which
they worship, which was built in the
year 1868. Since the erection of the
church they have built a large ad-
dition to it, and also have put up an
ample building for to shelter the
horses belonging to those who attend,
having in view the comfort and well
being of their animals as we'll as them.
selves. They have a prosperous soci-
ETY. and Sunday school at this place.
In the town of Sparta are two
churches, the Methodist and Disciples
or Christian church. The society
known at this place in early days as
the bible Christians" eventually be.
church, since which time it has only
been known as the one denomination
The Disciples have another church
about two miles northeast of Sparta
in the township. In all, there are IN
the township, seven churches viz:
Two Methodist. two Disciples, one
United Brethren in Christ, one Dun
ker or German Baptist and one jointly
owned by the Lutherans and German
Reformed
Mr.. Yant closes an article on the
church history of Pike township with
the following words: Perhaps no
part of the country of equal population
is more abundantly supplied with relig.
ious instruction and moral training
than the rural population of Pike.
And without having access to actual
records, it may safely be said, that
the population of the township fur
nishes fewer criminals and less liti-
cation than any other township in the
country" For period of more than
twenty years there has not been
place within its bounds where intox.
icating liquors have been sold, which
is consideration that would De;
worthy of universal imitation.
CHAPTER 4.
For more than a score of years fol
lowing the advent of the first settlers
in Pike township the educational facil.
tiles were very meager. With but few
exceptions, the people who comprised
the population of Pike had been
brought up on the border and amidst
surroundings where the chances for
obtaining an education were very poor
indeed; and as a natural consequence,
they did not realize the need, or nee,
essity Of laboring to impart to their
children, that which they were ignor-
ant of themselves. Surrounded by all
difficulties incident to a new settle.
ment, and not having the facilities at
hand wherewith to accumulate money
more than was absolutely necessary
for their own pressing wants, the sub.
ject of education was kept in the back
ground. AS near as we can ascertain
there was but one or two schools
taught in Pike between the years 1915
and 1925. One of the teachers of
those early schools was a German
who was burdened with the ponderous
name of Louis Augustine Ferdinand
Constantine. He taught couple OF
terms and was succeeded by Thomas
Mexican an Irishman. OF these mems
labors but little can be said at this
late day. About the only thing note.
worthy that has been left on record.
is, that the last named teacher made
much more effort, and succeeded far
better in the use of the rod than In
imparting knowledge to his pupils
Nicholas Lieghley German was an