MERCER County, OHIO - TOMLINSON CHURCH ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Dan Opperman dan@madphat.com August, 1999 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ =============================================================== John TOMLINSON and his wife were the first settlers north of St. Marys River at the place where TOMLINSON Cemetery now stands. Mercer-Van Wert County Line near Mendon, Ohio **** HISTORY OF TOMLINSON CHURCH:**** Written by David THOMAS Rewritten by Cora A. NICHOLS In the year of 1833, there were four families in the new settlement, namely: John TOMLINSON, John ROSS, John HEATH and John BOVINGTON. In the autumn of 1834 grandfather TOMLINSON secured the services of a missionary, who preached every four weeks. Later he organized a class of seven. John and Rebecca TOMLINSON, John and Polly ROSS, Jesse and Betsy TOMLINSON and Nancy THOMAS. Jesse TOMLINSON was the leader. For one year, services were held in grandfather TOMLINSON'S cabin. He then built another house twenty feet west of the first and preaching was held in it for another year or more. After this, one day he said to his six sons, we will build a church. They went to the TOMLINSON cemetary and cleared the brush off the lot, cut and hauled the logs and soon had a church built. The house was 22 feet square with a large fireplace, one door and two small windows. This was the first church in all the vast wilderness. People came thirty miles to quarterly meetings held at this place. In 1837, Benjamin CHIDLOW organized Sunday School, with Jesse TOMLINSON as superintendent. At this time three persons were buried in the cemetery, namely; William ROSS, Benjamin ROSS and Nancy THOMAS. By this time many people had settled near this hallowed spot, attracted by the Church and Sunday School. In 1838, a great revival took place and many were saved in this new church. I give the names as I remember them at this date: John and Rebecca TOMLINSON, John TOMLINSON, Jr., Nancy ATHE, Leonard VARNER, Matilda VARNER, F. JACKSON and wife, Jesse TOMLINSON and wife, ________ HARMON and wife, Jacob JOHNSON and wife, Betsy Jack, Robert ROSS, Tobias MOORE, Wm. CARDER and wife. The names of the young men and women who attended Church were: Rachel BOROFF, Peter BOROFF, Joseph HEATH, Mollie and Jane HEATH, James and Tobias MOORE, Cynthia ELLIOT, Nancy ATHE, Jacob HANSLER, ________ RICKARD, John and James TOMLINSON, Betty JACKSON, Shadrac MORTIMER and Wm. ATKINSON. Four girls and one young man from Jennings Prairie often came. About one dozen young men from Shanes Prairie, called "The Prairie Wolves" often attended. Jesse and Betsy TOMLINSON are buried where the old church stood. James SMITH, a Sunday School superintendent, died in Sunday School at this place after the second church was built. David TOMLINSON moved the old church on his father's farm and lived in it. The first quarterly meeting was held in the second TOMLINSON cabin. Simeon ALDERMAN, a pioneer precher, lived in this cabin. In, or up to 1836, this society numbered but seven, and 1839 it numbered twenty-eight. The KINGSLEY society is a result of the TOMLINSON society. Preaching has been held in this place for 70 years at the time of this writing and at the time of the erection of the church now being built, it has been held 78 years. "Say not in thine heart that the former days were better than the latter days, despise not the days of small things." *** HISTORY OF TOMLINSON CHURCH**** Written by Mrs. Rose ARCHER Rewritten by Cora A. NICHOLS Between the last date mentioned in the history of David THOMAS and the year 1871, no one seems to remember much. There were several different pastors but as to the date of each, it is badly mixed. There were Rev. MOUNTS, LOVE, HOUGH, PRIDDY, HILL, BELT, BAKER, FAGAN, HARPER and LEMUYON and perhaps many others. In the year 1871, the pastor was James CLEMONS. He was here three years, and in the winter of 1872-73 there was a great revival. Next was John C. MILLER for two years; Lemuel HERBERT for three years; J. T. BOWERS, one year; R. R. BRYAN, two years. We are now in the year 1889. In this year the first brick church was built at the cost of about $3,000. This church was dedicated on the 19th day of November, 1889. At the building of this church the name was changed to Wesley Chapel. Rev. Le MASTERS was pastor. The next man on the work was H. R. SHULTS for three years, then R. E. WOODRUFF for one year; J. F. OLIVE for two years; James CLEMONS, one year; Joseph CARTER, two years; H. J. KEISTER, three years; Charles B. CRAMER, four years; Lemuel RICE, one year; H. J. KEISTER, one year; we being on with the Ohio City charge. The next and last up to date is Rev. J. B. GOTTSCHALL who has served us faithfully for five years. **** HISTORY OF TOMLINSON CHURCH**** Written by Emery L. HUGHES, Jan. 23, 1950 Continuing the History of the Wesley Chapel Church from where Mrs. ARCHER'S part ended: This was in the year 1912 at the time of the building of the fourth church on and near this hallowed spot. This is the second brick building to be erected on this same ground as Mrs. ARCHER stated. Rev. GOTTSCHALL has been pastor for 5 years and was pastor during the building of this building and continuing until 1917, making a total of 10 years service. Then came F. G. BOROFF for 3 yeras, 1917-20; C. B. Frisbie for 2 years, 1920-22; H. BAUMGARDNER for 4 years, 1922-26; C. D. RINGGENBERG for 2 years, 1926-28; C. O. GOOD for 8 years, 1928-36. During the pastorate of Rev. GOOD the church celebrated a century of service to God and the community by having a week of evangelistic services, leading into the Sunday service which was an all day meeting with dinner in the basement at the noon hour, ending with an afternoon service. The Rev. Seth PAINTER of Monroeville, Indiana, was secured as evangelist and Cleo ROTH, song leader. Following Rev. GOOD was H. F. MILLER, two years, 1936-38 and Rev. W. A. PIPER, four yeras, 1938-42. During his pastorate we established a homecoming service during the fall which was greatly enjoyed by former members. During the war this was dropped. Next after Rev. PIPER was A. H. BECLETT, 2 years, 1942-44 and Rev. ANGERER, three years, 1944-47. Then we were left without a pastor for 2 months. A supply pastor filled the pulpit till in August. Clarence OWSLEY was sent to finish the year. In 1948, Don W. LUCAS came as our pastor and is still with us to date, this being his second year.