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Information for this page is taken from the Hartwood Cemetery Foundation Association Book of Remembrance and is used courtesy of John A. Murphy and The Hartwood Cemetery Foundation. |
According to the 1884 History of Tuscarawas County, as quoted by John A. Murphy in his Book of Remembrance, "The first house(church) was built of logs, and was of the most primitive stamp. The seats were in keeping with the building, and consisted simply of slab benches without backs." This first house of worship occupied the hilltop on which the cemetery now stands.
In 1879, a new church was built
on the present location across the road from the cemetery, the
land, 1.65 acres, bought from one David Burkhurst for $5.00, again
according to John's Remembrance Book.
Hartwood Cemetery, administratively not connected to the church of the same name, is currently maintained by the Hartwood Cemetery Trustees. In the earl 1990's, John A. Murphy, Dean Kees and others, fearful of what might happen should the Trustees run our of money at a future time when the current generation is long gone, started the Hartwood Cemetery Foundation to solicit funds which would be sufficient to maintain the cemetery. It is hoped to eventually reach a point at which the income from the principle would be sufficient to guarantee perpetual care.
The Foundation meets annually at the church and John's Book of Remembrance, which includes much family history and genealogy contributed by the various families with loved ones buried in Hartwood, and some of which will be included on these Web pages, is available to anyone willing to contribute at least $50 to the Foundation.
 The final Hartwood resting place of Carl and Esta Hursey |
 The final Hartwood resting place of Earl and Mary Murphy |
A Brief History of the Hartwood Methodist Church
by J. J. Murphy.
[John A. Murphy's note on this history reads: Compiled from memory by Mr. Murphy, age 91 at the time, who, as a farmer and teacher, spent 65 years of his life in the Hartwood Church and Community, rendering services to humanity in whatever capacity he was needed. Without his keen memory and agile pen, this history of Hartwood Church could not have been produced. The original was lost in the church fire of 1960. To him we owe our thanks for his time and energy spent in compiling these facts.]
The Hartwood Methodist Protestant Church in Washington Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio, was organized about 1830 by a group of early residents who were interested in a foundation of Christianity to be established in the community. They were devout Christians who desired that Christianity, education, honesty and brotherly love should be the cornerstone of their daily lives.
As they had no place of public worship, they met at the humble home of Pressly Woodard for that purpose. Among those who engaged in worship were Pressly Woodard, Fielding McFee, David Lee, Philip Paul, Aquilla Dorsey, John W. Murphy, George Chadwell, James Updegraff, Matthew Anderson and their wives.
The virgin forest was still extant and the hardy pioneers began operations in 1847 for building a public edifice for worship. A most desirable site was selected on the farm of Thornton McFee who donated two acres of ground for the church and cemetery. The structure was built of logs and when completed, served as a beacon light for miles and its influential rays extended to north, south, east, and west, where it was considered as a citadel for the defense of Christianity, education, and morality.
The membership rapidly grew and later a frame structure was built on the same site, which served the congregation until 1879, when it was razed by John Fivecoat, who moved the material to Gravel Lick Creek and built a home near Horn's Coal Mine. When Fivcecoat moved to Harrison County, Lewis Horn moved the house and still occupies it with his family [as of 1960].
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In this year of 1879 a new church was built. The land for the church, 1.65 acres, was bought from David Barkhurst for $5.00, May 14, 1869. I. S. Mowder was the carpenter. The congregation desired the church to be free of debt before the dedication and did not want a public collection on that day. In two or three weeks the dedication services were held and Dr. S. A. Fisher of Newcomerstown, President of the Muskingum Conference, delivered the dedicatory sermon and Rev. E. S. Hoagland was the pastor of the new Hartwood Church.
One of the hymns sung by the large congregation was "One Drop of Blood." I can still remember, to this day, the expression of happiness by the sainted pastor, Rev. Hoagland, when this song was sung. A spirit of happiness pervaded the audience.
Among the many members of the church congregation, during its one hundred thirty years of activities, are the following:
H. H. Woodard, Daniel Kees, Sr., Danaiel Kees, Jr., Henry Hursey, John Hursey, John W. Woodard, W. M. Woodard, Philip Paul, James McFee, J. P. Curby, William R. Nichols, Josiah Murphy, Sr., Lysander May, Edward Kail, Daniel Hunt, Thomas Grewell, Daniel Grewell, Samauel Grewell, Elijah Grewell, Jpohn Davison,John W. Case, @W. E. Case, T. T. Chadwell, Duffet Chadwell, Joseph Yingling, William Yingling, William Dorsey, Richard Coppage, T. A Moore, J. F. McDonnell, John Dorsey, Sr., Benjamin Barkhurst, George W. Berkshire, Rev. W. S. Murphy, John and Lloyd Murphy, John E. Hunt, H. H. Worley, J. W. Quigley, J. N. Quigley, John Hursey, Sr., D. M. Hunt, William Hunt, J. D. Hunt, L. D. Carruthers, William Reidenbach, J. J. Murphy, T. J. Murphy, J. W. Murphy, George W. Murphy, B. B. Murphy, Lemuel C. Murphy, Earl Murphy, Dexter Murphy, Liberty Murphy, Alamanson Curby, Oscar Curby, A. M. Blair, Lewis Casteel, Elmer Murphy, Henry Cappel, Adam Cappel, A. P. Beal, Clarence Hursey, Roy Woodard, A. B. Curby, Eugene Woodard, Ralph Hagan, Wilbur Gibson, Russel Gibson, John R. Carruthers,B. R. Carruthers, Robert Treat, John Kees, J. W. Berkshire, Hiram Matson, John Downard, Warner and Lester McDonnell, Robert Casteel, Craig Casteel, Uhiah Carruthers, and William T. Smith.
The wives of the aforementioned members were also active in church membership. Many living members are not mentioned because of time, space, and lack of membership rolls from which to take names accurately.
Among the many pastors serving Hartwood during the past century, are the following:
Reuben Reynolds, Perry Orr, J. H. Frees, Samuel Lancaster, Edward Bache, W. L. Baldwin, Oliver Lowther, R. A. Lowther, J. F. Hunter, A. E. Blacm, M. V. Shuman, J. B. McCormick, W. S. Sears, Daniel Day, W. S. Murphy, R. P. Hudnell, James Turner, Clarence Linard, Isaac Miller, George Peoples, Norman Nightingale, Newton Ferguson, Walter Clark, and George Beardsley.
Among the Sunday School Superintendents and Class Leaders of the church are:
Peter Townsend, G. W. Berkshire, Clark Berkshire, Daniel Hunt, L. E. DeLong, J. E. Hursey, Albert Carruthers, J. P. Curby, H. H. Woodard, Russel Glazer, Lloyd Murphy, Milford Lindsay, Haywood and Floyd Cappel, Clifford Blair, Dallas Beal, David Gibson, J. J. Murphy, John F. Cappel, Richard Cappel, Joe Hickenbottom, Myron Hagan, Craig Casteel, Jack Kees, Earl Carruthers, Leo Carruthers, Maude Hunt, Lee Murphy, and G. H. Berkshire.
In 1946 the congregation voted to remodel the church, including the basement, concrete steps to the cemetery, installing a new heating system, kitchen and Sunday School rooms, at a cost of $7,000. The work was done with Clyde Kees and Sons doing the carpentry work.
Church membership has always been noted for its peace and serenity in working together. No feuds or troubles have ever existed at Hartwood and the church has been considered the main instrument for advancing the cause of Christianity and "The Master's Great Plans."
We feel the membership will not be discouraged by this unfortunate disastrous fire of 1960 but will work with the same zeal which has characterized it in the past.
They wish to honor and venerate the ones who have upheld the church since its organization and we feel proud of the present membership for its interest and devotion to the church and cemetery.
The cemetery on the hill,
With many loved ones now is filled,
To us it is a sacred spot,
Our loved ones shall not be forgot.
Most of our friends therein now sleep,
The lonely night bird vigil keeps.
The elders have laid armors down,
They've been replaced by well-earned crowns.
On other shoulders mantels fell,
We're pleased that they are doing well.
Sometime we, too, will cross the bar,
May we, all, find welcome gates ajar.
Where Time doth not breathe on its fadeless bloom,
Beyond the clouds and beyond the tomb.J. Judson Murphy
September 9, 1960