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Institute at Wadsworth, Ohio, which opened in 1868, and later many supported Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio, which opened in
1900.
Beginnings of the Ohio Mennonite Conference in 1834
The records of the Pike congregation at Elida, Ohio, refer to an old conference report that was found in the Bible of Melchiah Brenneman and wife about 1926. The report was written by one Charles D. Brenneman and bears the date of October 8 and 9,
1874, at the Yellow Creek meetinghouse near Goshen, Indiana. The report states, "Forty years ago the first conference was held in Ohio and twenty years ago the first conference was held in Indiana." This report is the basis for the claim that the Ohio Mennonite Conference
began in 1834.
The conference apparently met annually in late spring at the Mahoning County or Oberholtzer Church (now Midway).-" Later it alternated with Martins Church in Wayne County. The earliest known trace of records of the Ohio Conference is found in a translation
of minutes that can be dated apparently between 1843 and 1845. The document and names of those signing it are as follows:
First, we confess it is not allowed (us) to meet the enemy with the sword, nor to go into military training.
Second, we confess it is not allowed to hold worldly offices, nor to go to the election to vote, except for road supervisor, poor director, and school director.
Third, we confess it is not allowed to take any part as a juror in any worldly case whatever.
Fourth, it is not allowed to use the worldly court to seek our rights.
Fifth, we confess it is not allowed to follow the worldly fashion of dress.
Sixth, it is not allowed to marry anyone outside the church. If any one
violates this ruling, he falls under censure. Undersigned brethren, Jacob Muschler Henry Stemen Isaac Kilmer Abraham Rohrer John Miller Henry Stauffer"
Of some of the signers certain data are known.'' Henry Stemen (1780-1858) lived in Fairfield County and was an early bishop of Ohio Mennonite churches. Isaac Kilmer came to Ashland County,
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