USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 58
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Religious :- The first religious services were held about the year 1845 by the Methodists at the residence of John Powell. The first ministers of this denomination were Revs. Abraham See, Alfred Sharp and Elias Masters. Not long after the United Breth- ren held services at the house of James C. Poulson, where Rev. George C. Smith administered to the spiritual wants of the few settlers in the vicinity with considerable regularity and good effect. The first permanent organization was the Xenia Church, of which a sketch will be found in the history of the town. About the year 1846 the Friends began holding meetings in various parts of the township, and one year later an organization was effected at the town of Amboy, which has since grown to be one of the largest and most flourishing societies in the southern part of the county.
Religious services were held by those several denom- inations with more or less regularity during the earlier periods of the township's history. Churches or meeting-houses designed especially as places of worship are of more recent date. The first one erected so far as information goes, was at Xenia, in 1849, by the Methodists, and about the same time or perhaps one year later, the Friends built a log house a short distance northwest of the town of Amboy. Still later another build- ing was erected by the same denomination near Xenia in which a society, organized in 1851, still meets for worship. The preachers of the last named church have been Albert Smith, Calvin Lawson, Eliza Stanley, Mary Malott. Among those of the Amboy congregation were Mordecai Painter and Hannah Edgerton. At the present time there are several religious socie- ties in the township, all of which are enjoying a reasonable degree of prosperity.
Xenia .- The town of Xenia, the second place of importance in Miami County, is pleasantly situated in the southeast corner of Jackson Township, near the Grant County line, and distant eighteen miles from the city of Peru. Its location in one of the
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finest agricultural regions of Northern Indiana is such by nature is to indicate that it was intended to be an important commer- cial center, a fact which the original proprietors seem to have had in view at the time the survey was made. The original plan of the town embraced a small area on the east half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 32, Township 25 North, Range 6 East, containing in all thirty-two lots and four streets, viz: Wabash, Marion, Syc- amore, running east and west; and Jefferson, north and south. This unpretentious plat was surveyed April, 1849, for Willis Elliott and O. H. P. Macy, who immediately thereafter offered the lots at very reasonable figures, in the hopes of inducing immigration to the newly formed city. According to the testi- mony of Mr. Macy, who is still a resident of the town, one of the first houses on the present site of Xenia was a small, round log cabin, about eighteen feet long and fifteen feet wide, erected by Henry Overman in the summer of 1849 on the Delphi road, which, since the survey, has been known as Miami Street. A large rough shed was subsequently attached to this building, a part of which was partitioned off for a store room, where was offered for sale the first stock of merchandise ever brought to the place. The arrangement of this primitive building was such that persons wishing to make a purchase were obliged to pass through the family room in order to inspect the goods, which were thrown together in a promiscuous heap in the shed back of the main apartment. Mr. Overman's stock consisted of a limited supply of groceries, notions and a few pieces of coarse dry goods, all of which, with a feather bed, were freighted to the town in a ten bushel box. After remaining in the town a short time our pioneer merchant moved to other parts, and, if any reliance can be placed in the statements of his friends, we are safe in saying that he failed to realize a fortune in his stupendous business venture. Another early settler in the town was James Mote, who built a residence on the southwest corner of Marion and Jefferson streets, where the dwelling of Chas. M. Wales now stands. Mr. Mote was a carpenter by occupa- tion, and in connection with his trade turned an honest penny now and then by opening his house for the accommodation of such travelers as saw fit to accept and pay for his hospitalities. Joseph Brazington, one of the first mechanics of the town, erected a small dwelling on Sycamore and Jefferson streets in 1849, and for several years thereafter worked at the trade of cabinet making, in which he is said to have been quite proficient. One of the earliest business houses was the one on the south- east corner of Marion and Jefferson street erected by Isaac Carter and first used by Quincy Baldwin, who subsequently effected a
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co-partnership with John Baldwin, which lasted for some time. Christian Life began merchandising in an early day with a small stock of goods on the north side of Jefferson street, and a little later came Cooper and Scott, who carried on a fairly success- ful houses on Main street west of the main crossing. In the year 1852, O. H. P. Macy erected the building now occupied by Daniel Mendenhall, in which he carried on a general mercantile business for three or four years. He had previously sold goods with Quincy Baldwin and was one of the first substantial merchants of the town. Nathan Simons sold goods in a part of the Mendenhall building a short time, and in an early day Jehu Willcutts opened a small gen- eral store on the southeast corner of Marion and Jefferson streets. Elisha Draper was an early merchant, as were also John Grimes and Mr. Fisher, all of whom sold goods in the Mendenhall building. Thomas Addington built a frame house, two stories high, on the northeast corner of the main crossing, where the Peters building now stands, in which he kept a hotel, one of the first of any note in the town.
Later Business Enterprises .- The following are among the most prominent who have done business here since 1864. Daniel Mendenhall opened out in the general goods business the above year, purchasing the Macy building on lot 12 which he has since occupied, being the oldest merchant in the place at this time. The first druggist was A. P. Stout, who was succeeded in a short time by Henry Thomas. . Dr. Lacy sold goods for a short time in a house erected by the Masonic Fraternity on lot number 20, south- east corner of Marion and Jefferson streets, and was succeeded by · Messrs. Flynn and Eward, who effected a partnership which lasted until 1872, Mr. Eward retiring that year. E. S. Lee began the general goods business about 1872 and in connection with that branch of trade, dealt very extensively in staves and lumber until 1874. A. B. Fisher became identified with the commercial interests of the town in 1872 and for several years carried on a very successful mercantile and lumber business. The first hardware store was started in 1872 by Hunt and Osborne who were subsequently succeeded by Osborne and Wales, and they in turn by the firm of Lillard and Philips.
Powell and Norris sold general merchandise from about 1874 till 1876 and the firm of Powell and Keys lasted some time longer. J. M. Wright, Jonathan Small, A. Keys, J. J. Keys, William Demuth, Newby and Cain, Banks and Bowman, the Sumpter Brothers, James Dale, John D. McIlwain and others were in business from time to time but it will be impossible to give the exact dates at which they came to the town.
Additions .- The growth of Xenia, during the first few years of its history, was not the most encouraging, but as early as 1850,
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all the lots embraced in the original plat had been purchased and the majority of them improved. The influx of population after that year continued such that an extension of the town limits became necessary. Subsequently in March, 1856, an addition of forty lots was made by Thomas Addington and O. H. P. Macy. The next ad- dition, consisting of twenty-nine lots, was made September, 1867, and two years later, J. M. Eward and J. N. Converse, each platted additions. Other additions since then were made as follows, viz: Smith and Lee nine lots September, 1870. Summer and Peters eighteen lots June, 1874, and Belinda S. Davis thirteen lots July, 1874.
Manufactories .- The construction of the Pittsburgh & Chicago Railroad through the country in 1855 marked an era in the history of Xenia, and its importance as a trading and shipping point early became assured. The road was not completed, however, until 1868, at which time the lumber business became the leading industry of the town, and ere long several saw-mills were in successful opera- tion, giving employment to a large force of men. Prior to that time, however, a small steam saw-mill was brought to the place by Henry Overman, who operated it for a short time, its business being purely local. It was subsequently purchased by Alexander Street . and closed operations about the year 1869. The second mill was started by Macy & Overman soon after the completion of the rail- road, and for several years did an immense amount of sawing for the local and general markets. The mill stands in the western part of the town and is still operated by Mr. Macy. Elisha Clark engaged in the lumber business a number of years ago, erecting a large steam mill near the railroad in the east end of the village. The mill has been extensively patronized and is operated at this time by L. M. Reeves.
About the year 1869 a planing mill and stave factory was built in the north part of the town by E. S. Lee, who operated it with gratifying success for a period of four or five years. Machinery for the manufacture of tow from flax was subsequently attached, and this branch of industry was carried on quite exten- sively by Messrs. Lee & Patterson until the destruction of the mill by fire in 1874. A. B. Fisher began the manufacture of staves in 1870, and continued the same until 1875 or '76, when he moved his mill to Union City.
A large tow and flax mill was built in Xenia about the year 1871 by John Coyle, who operated it two years, when it was purchased by Lehman & Co., of Peru, by whom it was run until 1876. This enterprise proved quite successful, but to the regret of the citizens of the town was moved away the latter year. The first and only flouring mill in Xenia was erected in in 1868 by Wright & McFeely, who operated it as partners
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until 1870, at which time the latter became sole owner. It was afterwards purchased by E. H. Shirk, who, after owning it a short time, sold it to William Rankin. In 1882 it again came into the possession of Mr. Shirk, since which time it has not changed hands. The mill is a three-story frame building, supplied with good machinery, and, under the management of Aydelott & Son, the present proprietors, commands a fair proportion of the cur- rent trade. Another industry of Xenia was a tannery, operated by A. J. Saxton prior to 1866. J. W. Eward purchased it in 1870, and sold two years later to J. W. Marine, who in 1874 disposed of it to Levi Hall. The tannery has done a very good business, and is still operated by the gentleman last named.
Hotels .- Contemporary with the early settlement of Xenia came the primitive inn, which differed from the simple cabin of the private citizen, principally in that its hospitalities were dispensed at a fixed price. Its patronage was largely derived from the prospec- tors who visited the new town, the temporary character of whose stay rendered such an establishment necessary. The earliest of this class of houses was the cabin of James Mote, to which reference has already been made. The next caterer to the traveling public was one Clayborne Wright, who kept the same house for several years, and who earned the reputation of having been a popular host. In 1868 a building expressly for hotel purposes was erected south of the railroad, on Jefferson street, by George Wood, who ran it until 1884, at which time the entire structure was destroyed by fire. Another hotel was built sometime later, on the northeast corner of Marion and Jefferson streets, by John Saxon; it was burned about the year 1873. At the present time there are two good hotels, viz: The Cottage House, kept by John Martin, and the Tilman House, by N. T. Tilman.
Professional Men .- Dr. Frazier was the first physician to practice his profession in Xenia, located here when the town was but a niche in the surrounding forest. The second Medical man was Dr. Pope, after whom came Drs. M. D. Ellis, A. D. Kimball, T. C. Kimball, George Egbert. D. B. Snodgrass, R. K. Robinson, O. A. Mendenhall and J. C. Dillon. The physicians at this time are, A. D. Kimball, R. W. Smith, J. S. Kelsey, O. B. Litzenbarger and O. A. Mendenhall.
Mechanics .- The early mechanics of Xenia were James Mote and Samuel Glands, carpenters, Jacob Holinger, Joseph Clevinger, A. J. Gehring and Andrew Dine, blacksmiths; John Grant, shoe- maker; Joshua Howell, cabinetmaker, and Thomas Jesup, wagon and carriage maker.
The Press .- The first newspaper enterprise in Xenia was the Xenia Gazette, Established in the year 1868 by Charles P. Thew, under whose management it was regularly issued for a period of
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two years, when R. K. Robinson became editor and proprietor. Mr. Robinson continued the publication until 1874 at which time the office and contents were completely destroyed by the conflagra- tion of that year. The Gazette was a six column folio devoted to the interests of the town and at one time reached a very respectable circulation.
The Xenia Times, a four column quarto, began to be published in 1879 by Cleveland J. Reynolds as editor and proprietor, who de- signed it as an independent weekly, through which the productions of local writers might be given publicity. At the end of about eighteen months the office was leased by Ward and Frank who run it one year when Mr. Reynold again took charge and shortly after- wards moved it from the town. In the meantime Samuel F. Win- ters, an old newspaper man of Peru, and J. O. Frame, of Xenia, formed a partnership under the firm name of Frame and Winters, for the purpose of continuing The Times, the material for the same being that formerly used in the publication of The Wabash Valley Blade, a campaign sheet previously issued at the county seat. Under the management of this firm the paper was conducted with more than ordinary ability for one year, at the end of which time Mr. Frame retired, Mr. Winters assuming entire control. The paper was a five column quarto and at once grew in popular favor until it reached a circulation of over eight hundred. From some cause not known to the writer it was finally discontinued the last number bearing date of September 8, 1886.
The Xenia fournal, a six column quarto published weekly, was established December 12, 1883. A. L. Lawshe and Roscoe Kimple, two energetic young men, began the enterprise with a guaranteed subscription of four hundred and an ample advertis- ing patronage. On Monday preceding the issue of the first num- ber there was not a press nor line of type in the town, but so intent were the publishers upon getting the paper out on the day promised, that everything was gotten in readiness in less than a week, and in due time the fournal made its appearance, fully meeting the expectations of its subscribers. Mr. Lawshe purchased his partner's interest at the end of the first year, since which time he has been sole editor and proprietor. In its edi- torial make-up the fournal is an independent local paper devoted to a manly and fearless discussion of the leading questions of the day, upon all of which the editor has very decided opinions. In its mechanical make up the paper is a model of neatness, and, with a present circulation of over eight hundred we bespeak for it a large increase in the number of its patrons. Mr. Lawshe, while still a young man, is a vigorous and terse writer, and has already proved himself to be one of the most successful newspaper men in Miami County.
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Banks .- The Xenia Bank was established June, 1884, by Robert Spencer, George W. Webster and Burr Doan, and contin- ued until sometime the following year. It was a bank of private exchange and did a fairly successful business until the several part- ners withdrew their stock.
In the spring of 1885 the present Exchange Bank was estab- lished by Mark Tully, with a large capital. This is one of the most successful banking houses in the county, and promises to remain a permanent feature of the town. The greater 'part of the busi- ness is looked after by the accomplished cashier, Mr. John Martin.
Xenia Union Agricultural Society was organized in 187I by a joint stock company, with the following officers: L. M. Reeves, president; R. K. Robinson, secretary; J. W. Eward, treasurer, and J. M. Wright, superintendent. The original stock was divided into about eighty shares, but few of which have been transferred, the enterprise having proved a safe and satis- factory investment to the several stock holders. The organiza- tion being perfected a tract of land was leased by the Associa- tion as a fair ground, of sufficient dimensions to subserve all the purposes for which it was intended. The needed buildings and conveniences were soon after built, and the first fair was held in September of the above year. Since that time an in- creased interest has been manifested, justifying the expenditure of liberal sums of money in the erection of suitable buildings with all the improvements appertaining to such grounds that experience has found necessary to completely adapt them to the wants of the public. Annually, since the first, fairs have been held and largely attended, proving the efficiency of the Associa- tion in accomplishing the purposes foreshadowed in its organi- zation. The present officers of the Association are L. M. Reeves, president; J. W. Eward, secretary; D. E. Warnock, treasurer, and L. W. Powell, superintendent.
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School Buildings .- The first school house erected for the accommodation of the children of Xenia stood a short distance `west of the town, the site being now within the corporation, and was built by the township about the year 1866. This was a small frame building, and served the purposes for which it was intended until the year 1872. In that year the present two- story brick structure, 32×76 feet in size, containing four commo- dious school rooms, was erected at a cost of $8,000.
Fire Department-Xenia boasts of one of the most efficient and well equipped fire departments in Miami County, and those who have witnessed its effective work will not call in question . the justness of the claim. The department was organized July I, 1885, with a membership of twenty-two, a number which has neither increased nor diminished since that date. A Little Giant
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engine was subsequently purchased, and a house for the same, 16x50 feet in size, erected. The company has done efficient ser- vice since its organization, and is a feature of which the citizens feel justly proud. The officers at this time are Aaron Michaels, chief; L. G. Murphy, assistant chief; Joseph Sellers, secretary; Amos Fowler, treasurer; Joseph Sellers and Frank McConnell, hoseman. Prior to the organization of the department, Xenia suffered severely from several very destructive fires, the first of which occurred about the year 1870 or '71. The fire, which was wholly accidental, originated in the southeast corner of the town, and before it could be arrested, five or six business houses and a number of smaller buildings were entirely destroyed, entail- ing a heavy loss upon the people, from the effects of which some have never recovered. In 1877 another destructive con- flagration occurred, which laid in ruins the greater part of the business portion of the town, including among others the follow- ing buildings, viz: Saxon's Hotel, the store of Flynn & Eward, Powell & Norris' business house, and the office of the Xenia Gazette, the entire loss amounting to about $20,000. With commendable energy, the citizens immediately went to work and within a short time the scene of the fire was rebuilt with a number of substantial brick business houses, a fact which proves that calamities are sometimes blessings in disguise. A fire in 1882 completely destroyed a number of buildings, and since that , time several portions of the town have been greatly damaged by the devouring element.
Lodges .- Xenia Lodge, No. 267, F. and A. M., was organized anterior to 1860, and flourished with a fair degree of prosperity until the destruction of the hall and other property in the fall of 1872. The loss being greater than the society could well afford to meet, it was decided to abandon the organization, and from that time until 1874 no meetings appear to have been held. In the latter year however, an organization was effected, a hall for lodge purposes rented, and fully equipped for work, the society, under many favor- able auspices, started out upon its second career, which was destined to continue but a short time. In 1878 another visitation from the fire fiend destroyed the hall and paraphenalia, after which it was decided to surrender the charter, as the organization found itself unable to procure a room and the necessary equipment. The officers at the time of the dissolution were Jos. Boswell, W. M .; L. B. Car- ver, S. W .; J. W. Eward, J. W., and Joseph A. Philips, Treasurer.
Beacon Lodge, No. 320, I. O. O. F., was instituted March, I868, with J. W. Eward, L. M. Reeves, J. W. Runyan, Henry Thomas, R. K. Robertson and T. A. Morris, as charter members. The first officers were J. M. Runyan, N. G .; Henry Thomas, V. G .; R. K. Robertson, Secretary, and J. W. Eward, Treasurer. The
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society now numbers about fifty-five members, and holds its meet- ings in a beautiful brick hall erected in 1879. The entire building, representing a capital of $4,000, belongs to the organization, and in 1872 a cemetery, costing $2,000, was laid out near the town. The lodge is strong financially and has been the means of accomplish- ing a vast amount of good in the community.
John S. Summers Post No. 59. G. A. R., was organized April 12, 1882, with a membership of 38. It has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity since that time, and now numbers an active mem- bership of 58. The officers for 1886 are as follows: J. E. Harrison, commander; W. E. Anderson, S. V. C .; W. J. T. Saucer, J. V. C., H. H. Harvour, Officer of the Day; John O. Frame, Adjutant; Lewis Doster, Quartermaster; Dr. A. D. Kimball, Surgeon; Milton Douglass, Chaplain; Isaac M. Wright, Officer of the Guard; Will- iam A. Banks, Sergeant Major, and Jacob St. Clair, Quartermaster Sergeant.
Xenia Cornet Band, Was organized September, 1886, with fifteen members. The several parts are carried as follows: Henry Fields and Oscar Arrick, leaders; Rufus Michaels, B flat, principal; Charles Wimmer, second B flat; Claude Murphy, Tuba; Edgar Norris, B Bass; Logan Summers, Baritone; William Rhodes, Ist Tenor; Henry Summers, 2d Tenor; James Howe, 2d Alto; Charles Wintz, Ist Alto; A. L. Coan, Solo Alto; Joel Jackson, Bass Drum; D. Wimmer and Bert Goodwin, Snare Drum.
Churches .- The first religious society of Xenia was a class of the Wesleyan Methodists, organized within a couple of years after the survey of the town. A log house of worship was erected in an early day on the lot now occupied by the U. B. Church, and for a number of years the society held its meetings regularly, having at one time been the leading organization in the township. Owing to internal dissensions, deaths and removals, the membership began to diminish, and the lack of interest continuing, the society was finally abandoned, the last meeting being held in 1870.
United Brethern in Christ .- The Xenia class of the U. B. Church was organized ahout the year 1856, by Rev. Cyrus Smith, and among the early members were Seth Summers, Mary Sum- mers, Zachariah Clevinger and wife, Thomas Darby, Hannah Darby, Charles Branam and Mary A. Clevinger. Meetings were first held at the residence of Seth Summers, in Grant County, and subsequently in the Wesleyan house of worship in Xenia, which was used by the society for a period of about two years, the membership increasing quite rapidly during that period. In the course of time this building became insufficient to meet the wants of the church, and steps were taken by both organizations to supply that want by the construction of a new house in which to worship. Accordingly, in 1859, the old building was torn away and the present comfort-
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able frame edifice, occupying the same site, erected at a cost of about $800. After the disorganization of the Wesleyan class, the United Brethern purchased the entire property, which was remod- eled and formally dedicated as a U. B. Church in 1872. The fol- lowing list embraces the majority of pastors of the society, viz: Revs. Cyrus Smith, B. F. Holcomb, Frank Morgan, Alexander Carroll, A. J. Stout, Wm. Owler, Mr. Mosier, J. Y. DeMumburg, Thomas McFadden, Thomas Evans, Irwin Cox and John Cramer, the last name being pastor at this time. Of the original members but three are now living, viz: Thomas Darby, Hannah Darby and Mary Summers. Present membership about thirty-five. Present officers: Thomas Darby, William Herman and John VanDolstan, Trustees, and Charles Sullivan, Steward.
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