BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, BELMONT COUNTY, OHIO

"History of the Upper Ohio Valley" Vol. II, 1890.

Presented by Linda Fluharty from hard copies provided
by Mary Staley & Phyllis Slater.

Page 726.
 
Rev. C. E. MANCHESTER, the pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church at Barnesville,
Belmont Co., Ohio, was born in Colebrook River, Litchfield Co., Conn. He was a son
of Daniel E. and Juline (Case) Manchester. The father was a manufacturer of woodenware,
and was a member of the Connecticut legislature for several terms. C. E. Manchester
lived in his native state until he was ten years old. His father died when he was
but eight years of age. Mrs. Manchester married a second time, and in 1855 removed
with her husband to Ohio, settling on a farm near Wellington, Lorain county; on this
farm the young man lived until he was sIxteen years of age, when he removed to town.
His early schooling was received from the common schools and a seminary which he
attended for a short time. When but sixteen years of age, in 1861, he answered his
country's call for defenders, and enlisted in Company D, Twenty-third regiment Ohio
volunteer infantry, under Capt. Lovejoy. He remained with this company until 1864, at
which time he was transferred to Company K. After bravely and faithfully discharging
every duty assigned him, he received an honorable discharge, July 8, 1864, at Columbus,
Ohio. On returning home from the army, he went into the general produce business with
his brother, at Wellington, Ohio; in the meantime, by constant home study, he was
preparing himself for college. Having remained in this business but one year, he
entered the Ohio Wesleyan university at Delaware, Ohio. Here he remained for three
years, at the expiration of this time he was obliged to give up his studies on
account of failing health. In 1868, returning home, he embarked in the newspaper
business, helping to establish the Wellington Enterprise. In 1869 he founded the
New London Times, at New London,  Ohio. After having edited this paper for eighteen
months, he went to Charleston, W. Va., and engaged in a paper there with the Hon.
G. W. Atkinson. Giving up journalism, he entered the ministry. May 28, 1868, he
married Miss Emma A. Case, daughter of John S. and Diantha (Blaire) Case. Mr. Case
was a tanner, residing at Wellington, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Manchester are the parents
of five children: William C., Frank S., Charles E., Jr., and two others deceased. In
1871, he became a member of the West Virginia conference, and was placed in charge of
the Charleston circuit. Remaining here for one year, he was sent to Clifton, W. Va.,
where he officiated for three years. Wheeling was his next residence; he was pastor
of the Thompson church for two years. At Parkersburgh, where he lived three years,
he completed one of the finest churches in the state, costing over $40,000. When
the conference was changed in 1880, the doctor was appointed presiding elder of the
Charleston district. The latter position was resigned on account of his being unable
to stand a great amount of necessary horseback riding. At this time he was returned
to the Thompson church at Wheeling. Sickness in his family made it imperative that
they should leave Wheeling, which he did one year later, securing a transfer to the
east Ohio conference; he preached at Burton two years, then was sent to Cleveland,
being stationed at the Euclid Avenue church, where he began the erection of the
beautiful stone structure which has since been completed. After a pastorate of two
years at the Scoville Avenue church in Cleveland, he was forced to leave the lake
regions on account of rheumatism. He has since been in charge of the church at Barnes-
ville, where he has met with his usual flattering success. In 1886, the degree of
doctor of divinity was bestowed upon him by the Baldwin university. Under his wise
pastorate, a very fine church edifice is being constructed at Barnesville. When it
is finished it will have cost at least $26,000. Dr. Manchester is a member of the
Masonic order, and also of the G. A. R.