Church Record Sunday: Mt. Zion Church has served Noble area since 1852

The following is an article that appeared in the Portland, Indiana Commercial Review on March 19, 1977, page 19.  Mt. Zion church was the spiritual home of my HALEY and allied families for many years. I've added my comments in red.

The Mt. Zion Church in Noble Township was organized in 1852, just a few years before the beginning of the Civil War.

This was about the same time Muncie celebrated the completion of the Bellefountain and Indianapolis railroad to Muncie and the same year of the first state fair held at Indianapolis.

A. Nicolai and Frederick Schumerman of St. Mary’s, Ohio circuit conducted the organizational meeting the Mt. Zion (Evangelical Association) at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Haley.[maternal 3rd-great granduncle, brother of George J.]  The Haleys were married Feb. 25, 1846 and came to Jay County in 1850 from Ohio, where he purchased 120 acres of land.

Charter members of the church were: Mr. and Mrs. Sebastian Haley, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Houdeschell, Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Wentz, Mr. and Mrs. Dan Ferner, and Catherine Young.

Daniel Ferner started a tile factory and pottery, in 1861, one of the first industries in the township.  They came to Jay County from Fairfield County, Ohio, and located on a 92-acre farm.  They lived in an old log cabin for two years, then built a hewed log house for a pottery and brought clay from Ohio to make the pottery.  This didn’t prove to be successful, so he made tile from local clay.  In 1879, he moved into a better home.  He and his wife had 11 children.

These charter members worshipped in homes and barns from about 1852 to 1855 when they built a log church.  The 20 or 25 feet square structure seated about 100.  The land was donated by C. Young.  The pews were homemade.

In 1881, the log church was replaced with a brick building 30 by 50 feet at a cost of $2,000.  Most of the labor was donated.

The bricks for the new building were made and burned by Fred Haley [son of Sebastian] in Noble township.  Henry Miller donated the sand and the lime was purchased from the Wagner Lime Kiln, near Fort Recovery, Ohio.  The church was dedicated Dec. 11, 1881 by William Yost from Cleveland, Ohio.

In the early days of the church, people often walked two or three miles to meetings.  At night, they carried lanterns.  Years later, a light plant furnished lights, and when electricity was available, the church was wired for electric lights.

In 1887, the Mt. Zion Church of the Evangelical Association had a membership of 88.  Class leaders were George W. Haley [2nd-great grandfather] and A.[August] Geggenheimer [2nd-great granduncle - husband of Sarah C. Haley] ; exhorters were William Haley [son of Sebastian] and Albert Graves.  Pastor was Rev. H.E. Meyers of Fort Recovery.

Among the preceding pastors were: L.S. Fisher, G.W. Holderman, B.F. Dill, J.D. Pontius.

Sunday school attendance during the 1880’s averaged 60. Adams Metzner [2nd-great grandfather John Adam Metzner] was superintendent.

The church later changed to part of the Portland Circuit.  J.E. Young served from 1910 to 1911 and W.I. Weyant of the Pittsburgh Conference filled the vacancy for two years.

In 1933, the church was re-roofed at a cost of $180.  Mt. Zion became an Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1946, following a merger of the two denominations.

This church was then assigned to the Albright Circuit in 1951.

On Sept. 7, 1952, a centennial celebration was held.  Guest speakers were Rev. Reuben H. Mueller, Rev. C.W. Walmer, a former pastor, and Rev. Hugh Cobb.

In 1958, the church was remodeled by digging a basement, bracing the walls with cement pillars, and raising the floor of the sanctuary three feet.  Cost of the project was $4,000 besides the donated labor.

Later a furnace, well, water system, restrooms, and a kitchen were installed.  A tile ceiling was installed in 1960.  Since then, new carpeting and wallpaper have been added.

The church is now a two-point charge with Westchester United Methodist Church.  Rev. Larry Werbil is pastor and Earl Brumm is superintendent.

Mt. Zion church photographed by author in 2009

Family Milestones: September 10th

My maternal 4th-great granduncle, Nathan H. BEALS, married on this date in 1856 to Sarah J. JOHNSON.  Nathan was the son of Nathan C. and Elizabeth (CHEW) BEALS, and the younger brother of my John T. BEALS.  Nathan was born March 14, 1833 in Clinton County, Ohio.  Sarah's parentage and dates of birth and death are unknown.  Nathan died May 3, 1909.  Nothing further is known at this time.


My maternal 2nd-great granduncle, James Alfred KING, was born on this date in 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana.  James was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHAW) KING, and the older brother of my Ellen KING.  James married October 1, 1887 in Madison County, Indiana to Ella Mae LOWERY.  Ella was born July 18, 1864 in Madison County, Indiana and died May 31, 1897.  They had 3 children.  James married secondly on January 31, 1899 to Rosie M. DILL.  Rosie was born March 28, 1881 in Indiana and died June 29, 1940 in Bell, California. They had 4 children.  James died June 10, 1933 in Bell, California.  They are buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, California.

Family Milestones: January 21st

My maternal 2nd-great grandaunt, Anna L. WRIGHT, was married on this date in 1885 in Madison County, Indiana to Albert Morris 'Ab' VINSON.  Anna was the daughter of Joseph W. and Rebecca Ann (HEATON) WRIGHT, and the younger sister of my John William WRIGHT.  Albert was born July 31, 1858 in Madison County, Indiana, the son of James and Elizabeth (________) VINSON.  Anna was born March 8, 1864 in Brown County, Ohio.  They had 1 daughter.  Anna died June 6, 1914 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.  Albert died October 26, 1921 in Alexandria, Madison County, Indiana.

My maternal 2nd-great granduncle, James Alfred KING, was married on this date in 1899 to Rosie M. DILL.  James was the son of David and Elizabeth (KING) SHAW, and the older brother of my Ellen KING.  Rosie was born March 28, 1881 in Indiana.  James was born September 10, 1865 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana.  They had 4 children.  Rosie died June 29, 1940 in Bell, California.  James died June 10, 1933 in Bell, California.

My paternal 6th-great granduncle, Abner PHILBRICK, was born on this date in 1708 in Hampton, Province of New Hampshire.  Abner was the son of Thomas and Abigail (________) PHILBRICK, and the older brother of my John PHILBRICK.  Abner married on November 10, 1731 to Mehitable STEWART.  Mehitable was born in 1716.  Mehitable died in 1770.  Abner died May 2, 1790.  Nothing further is known at this time.

My paternal 5th-great grandaunt, Charlotte HAINES, was born on this date in 1768 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Charlotte was the daughter of Robert and Rachel (VENICOMB) HAINES, and the twin sister of my Hannah HAINES.  Charlotte married on February 13, 1798 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Michael WOOLSTON, son of Jacob and Sarah (GOSLING) WOOLSTON.  They had 4 children.  Michael died in 1817.  Charlotte died August 24, 1821 in Burlington County, New Jersey.

My paternal 5th-great grandmother, Hannah HAINES, was born on this date in 1768 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Hannah was the daughter of Robert and Rachel (VENICOMB) HAINES.  Hannah married on February 26, 1795 in Burlington County, New Jersey to Samuel WOOLSTON, son of Samuel and Cyllania (WOOLSTON) WOOLSTON.  Samuel was born August 22, 1768 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  They had 10 children.  Samuel died November 3, 1813 in Burlington County, New Jersey.  Hannah died February 7, 1813 in Burlington County, New Jersey.

My paternal 3rd-great grandaunt, Julia MOULTON, was born on this date in 1818 in Rutland County, Vermont.  Julia was the daughter of Selah and Lydia (FENNEL) MOULTON, and the older sister of my Albert MOULTON.  Nothing further is known at this time.

Tombstone Tuesday: Daniel and Elizabeth (Shaw) King

My maternal 3rd-great grandparents, Daniel and Elizabeth (SHAW) KING, are buried in the Howard Cemetery, Pipe Creek Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Daniel was born September 3, 1820 in Ohio, the son of William and Sarah (SULLIVAN) KING.

Elizabeth was born October 1827 in Ohio, the daughter of William and Mary (HECK) SHAW.

Daniel and Elizabeth were married on December 5, 1847 in Madison County, Indiana. Daniel was a farmer, and they lived out their lives in Monroe Township, Madison County, Indiana.

Daniel died on February 24, 1876 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana. Elizabeth remarried to William H. COCHRAN. Elizabeth died on October 10, 1900 in Frankton, Madison County, Indiana

Children of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHAW) KING were:

• Mary Jane KING (1849-1935); married Leroy YOUNG; 3 children
• Henrietta KING (1851-1851)
• Arvilla Samantha KING (1852-aft1860)
• David KING (1854-1914); married Litha Ann MAY; 6 children
• Eliza Margaret KING (1857-1889); married James H. DWIGGINS; 3 children
• Suman Douglas KING (1861-1950); married Amanda FOX; 10 children
• Sarah Ann KING (1864-bef1870)
• James Alfred KING (1865-1933); married Ella LOWERY; 3 children; married Rosie DILL; 4 children
• Ellen KING (1868-1913); married John William WRIGHT: 4 children
• Benjamin Zellen KING (1871-1956); married Elizabeth Ann SCHELL; 6 children
  

James Alfred King family - Indiana to California

James Alfred KING appears in the census as head of household in the 1900 census in Madison Co., IN; in the 1910 census in Delaware Co., IN; and in the 1920 census in Los Angeles Co., CA. James was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth (SHAW) KING, born September 10, 1865 in Madison Co., IN.

James' occupation in the 1900 census was that of a laborer. In the 1910 census he was a dairy farmer, and by 1920 he was a moulder in a factory. The family moved to California between 1915 and the 1920 census, as his youngest daughter, Crystal, was listed as being born in Indiana.

In the 1910 census, James lists his father's place of birth as Pennsylvania and his mother's as North Carolina, neither of which seem likely based on other records. James was under 10 years old when his father passed away, so it is likely that he didn't know his father's origins.

James was married twice and had 3 children by his first marriage and 4 by his second. I have not located any records of the children of his first marriage, so they may have all died young.

James Alfred KING b. September 10, 1865 Madison Co., IN., d. June 10, 1933 California, m. October 1, 1887 Madison Co., IN to Ella Mae LOWERY; m(2) January 21, 1889 to Rosie M. DILL. Ella Mae LOWERY b. July 18, 1864 d. March 31, 1897. Rosie M. DILL b. March 28, 1881 Indiana, d. June 29, 1940 Bell, CA. Both James & Rosie are buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, CA.

Known children of James Alfred and Ella Mae (LOWERY) KING are as follows :
i. Leo King b. December 29, 1890
ii. Earl King b. December 27, 1892
iii. Goldie Marie King b. March 3, 1895

Known chidren of James Alfred and Rosie M. (DILL) KING are as follows :
i. Pauline Mildred King b. May 2, 1903 Indiana, d. after 1920 census
ii. Robert Eugene King b. May 25, 1905 Indiana, d. after 1920 census
iii. Mary Martha King b. April 5, 1909 Indiana, d. after 1920 census
iv. Crystal E. King b. February 8, 1914 Indiana, d. after 1920 census

Daniel King Family - Madison Co., IN

Today I sourced the census records of the Daniel King family in the 1860 & 1870 census of Monroe Twp., Madison Co., IN. Daniel is my maternal 3rd great-grandfather.

In both records, Daniel is a farmer, with real estate valued at $4000 in 1860 and $14,500 in 1870, with a personal estate worth $1375 in 1860 and $6031 by 1870. His birthplace is listed as Indiana in 1860 and Ohio in 1870. His birthplace is given on his son David's 1900 census record as Maryland and in 1910 as North Carolina. Obviously, the fact that Daniel died so young (1876), many of his children were not sure just where their father was born.

Children of Daniel and Elizabeth (Shaw) King are as follows :
i. Mary Jane King b. December 8, 1849 Madison Co., IN., d. April 4, 1935 Madison Co., IN., m. Leroy Young, m(2) ________ Hicks
ii. Henrietta King b. April 16, 1851 Madison Co., IN., d. May 3, 1851 Madison Co., IN.
iii. Arvilla Samantha King b. April 1852 Madison Co., IN., d. after 1860 census
iv. David King b. December 4, 1854 Madison Co., IN., d. November 1, 1914 Madison Co., IN., m. Litha Ann Trumilis D'Amsel May
v. Eliza Margaret King b. November 22, 1857 Madison Co., IN, d. August 18, 1889 Madison Co., IN, m. James H. Dwiggins
vi. Suman Douglas King b. May 20, 1861 Madison Co., IN., d. January 9, 1950 Madison Co., IN., m. Amanda Louise Fox
vii. Sarah Ann King b. January 17, 1864 Madison Co., IN., d. before 1870 census
viii. James Alfred King b. September 10, 1865 Madison Co., IN., d. June 10, 1933 Los Angeles Co., CA. m. Ella Mae Lowery, m(2) Rosie M. Dill
ix. Ellen King b. August 24, 1868 Madison Co., IN., d. December 24, 1913 Madison Co., IN., m. John William Wright
x. Benjamin Zellen King b. October 15, 1871 Madison Co., IN., d. November 30, 1956 Madison Co., IN., m. Elizabeth Ann Schell.