WINESBURG HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Although Winesburg Historical Society is active, it has no web site of its own, and this site is available only by appointment. The web site given below relates an interview with the past president of the Historical society, Glenn Wengerd. The society has restored several buildings, including Peter's School which are located in Heritage Park which they maintain.
Winesburg, Ohio, is a small farming community founded in the early 19th century by immigrants from Germany and Switzerland, and it maintains much of its historical character and rural charm. It is located in Holmes County, now the center of Ohio's Amish communities.
The name of Winesburg is perhaps best known through the collection of short stories by influential American author Sherwood Anderson entitled, Winesburg, Ohio. The often cynical stories are about life in rural Ohio, although Anderson never lived in Winesburg. Many believe the actual inspiration for these tales was his boyhood home in the small farming town of Clyde, Ohio, (Sandusky County) before moving to Chicago, Illinois, and later settling in Virgina
Some of the history of the town is given in a document about the Zion Reformed Church, one of the earliest buildings in town (since rebuilt). A plaque mounted in front of the church in 1930 is a tribute to some of the early pioneers who settled this region. Many immigrants from Germany and Switzerland, bringing their Reformed Lutheran faith, settled in central Ohio, which is now the heart of the states flourishing Amish communities.
TO THE MEMORY OF
THE FIRST SETTLERS AND PIONEERS
OF WINESBURG, OHIO
WHO CAME HERE TO CONQUER
A WILDERNESS. THEY POSSESSED
LOFTY COURAGE, HIGH IDEALS, RUGGED
CHARACTER AND STAUNCH VIRTUES
FIRST SETTLEMENT MADE IN SPRING OF
1827
BORN
1803
1862
1796
1799
1782
1797
1787
1795
1790
1817
1819
|
REV. WILLIAM SMITH
JOHN MICHAEL SMITH
FREDERICK HAPPOLD
DR. AUGUST SCHEURER
JOHN VALENTINE STAHL
CHRISTIAN SMITH
PETTER SCHALLIOLL, SR.
ULRICH BLASER
REV. DANIEL CRANZ
DR. CARL PETER
NICHOLAS F. JOSS
|
DIED
1839
1866
1883
1839
1854
1872
1868
1872
1876
1882
1886
|
ERECTED BY
THE WINESBURG REUNION ASSOCIATION
AUGUST 21, 1930
Here are some excerpts of the church history from a document found on Roots Web:
"Holmes County was settled in the decade between 1820 and 1830, and many German and Swiss immigrants began moving into the eastern portion of the county, inspired by the beauty of the rolling hills, the huge trees, the crystal springs and the rich soil.
History credits four young "bachelors", arriving from Philadelphia, PA., with being the first to settle on the site where "Weinsburg" was officially laid out in 1832. OnSeptember 3, 1832, a meeting was held for the purpose of discussing a plan for a church. Land was donated by Christian (Schmidt) Smith for a church and cemetery, at the present site.
The cornerstone for the first church building was laid on October 11, 1833, but it was not completed and dedicated until 1841. Rev.
Colloredo had been elected to be the church's first pastor, and served until 1836. He was succeeded by the Rev. Daniel Cranz, who
pastored the growing congregation for 32 years.
In 1869, the congregation voted to build a new structure on the site of the old. During construction, services were held in the school. About 4,000 visitors were present for the dedication on Sept. 24th and 25th, 1871. The new building served the congregation well for many years. A major renovation in 1949 expanded the basement to include classrooms, a kitchen and restrooms. In 1955 the sanctuary was renovated, adding stained glass windows. Since that time the steeple has been replaced."