USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 1 > Part 12
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It must not be imagined that all the inhabitants were farmers. The hunter and trapper preceded them, and the blacksmith followed. Many of the articles which we now buy ready made were then beat out on the anvil. Nails were among these; the point to a plowshare, the remainder being wood; bolts and bars, knives, sickles, and axes were wronght out by his labors. He was an indispensable man. Something which is widely different from that found to-day was the multitude of innkeepers. Roadside taverns abounded everywhere. It was neces- sary for the traveler to stop over-night, and as he could only make from ten to twenty miles per day, often find- ing two or three miles too mnek, he was compelled to avail himself of their facilities. In the smaller kind there was only a lower room and a joft, into which the traveler mounted by a ladder. Here were three or four beds, and if there were women in the party there was a curtain to divide their part of the garret from the other part, in which the men slept. In the larger there were two log-cabins, side by side, with, of course, additional accommodations. Log houses were the rule then, not the exception. When John Reily came to Hamilton, nearly eighty years ago, the cabins outnumbered the frame houses, and the latter were very small, unpretentious dwellings. The landlord in those days gave plentiful fare, but not what wool now be considered as of the best quality. It was pork and potatoes, with corn-bread. Chickens were afforded as often as possible, and always on gala-days; but beef and mintton were seblom seen, unless the former, salted, in Winter-time. There was game on the table when the landlord or his guests were
fortunate enough to shoot any, or when he could make an exchange with a neighbor for some. Often the inns were full, and the wayfarer slept in his wagon or under a friendly tree. Expenses were low. The York shilling, or twelve and a half cente, was at that time considerably used in this neighborhood, and mcals were generally charged for at that rate, sleeping from six to nineteen cents, and the same for horse-feed. The bar had an abundance of whisky and rum, sold at three cents a drink. No beer or ale was used, nor were there any fancy drinks. Water and sugar were the ouly things ever put in the glass to modify the taste, except occa- sionally a little mint. The pioneers drank enormously, yet such was the strength of their constitutions and the bracing effect of living in the open air, they seemed to suffer no ill effects from it. There were drunkards, it is true; but they had given up labor, and had no other thought than the bottle.
The taverns were frequently the scene of balls. Here gathered all the young men of the neighborhood who were not Church members, and the young ladies whom they had invited to accompany them. The largest room in the iun was cleared of all furniture, a couple of faldlers found place in one corner, and some citizen with a sten torian voice, or perhaps one of the fiddlers, called off the figures. Dancing began carly. By sundown, often, small parties might be seen on their way to the house ap- pointed, and in the neighborhood every available place was used to tie the horses which brought the cavaliers and their fair charges. These dances were old-fashioned, and few persous now would know them. The minuet was never in vogne in this section; it went out of date with hair-powder. But quadrilles, country dances, and reels were the order of the night. There was no lau- guidness. Few girls were wall-flowers, and when they were on the floor they moved with vivacity. There was a careless and open enjoyment. No regulations were made as to dress. Few of the ladies aspired to silk er gentlemen to broadeloth; bat, instead, they wore plain linsey-woolseys and coarse woolen clothes. The enter- tainment culminated at supper-time, which was near mid- night. Here were roast and boiled turkey and chicken. boiled ham, any stray articles of game that could be got in time, biscuits, pies and cake, and preserves -a royal supper it seemed to them, but which our degenerate and weakened race could hardly digest. AAfter another bour or two of dancing the party broke up, and Ethelberta Was escorted home by her faithful Edwy.
Those who clad the human frame were people of con- sequence. Caps were generally made at home, and few men, except of the better sort, wore hats: so that this calling did not thrive. The milliner was not in request. The decoration of bounets was entirely a home affair. I But while most men possessed an elementary knowledge of shoemaking, and some even owned a cobbler's kit. it was not generally found expedient to make shoes, So
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1
MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
the journeyman cordwainer made his cirenits, even as the ! dressmaker now does. in one house he might be kept a couple of days. in another a couple of weeks, busily at work repairing and making shoes and boots. These were firmly and substantially constructed, and had a weight in them of leather which nowadays is rarely seen. They were larger and roomier, and when new resisted the rain very well. It was not an uncommon thing to find those which had been worn the second year. There were, in a region like this, no thin shoes, or shoes got up expressly for show. Vanity or the length of purse was not great enough. Moccasins were worn here for many years after the first settlement of the country. They were soft and easy to walk in, and made withoui trouble. They were much afected by those with tender feet.
The tailor did not come in, at the very beginning, but he was here within a half-dozen years. There was then no ready-made clothing, and all material was cut and sewed in the neighborhood where it was used. Gentle- men wore broadeloth, which was imported and was very costly, and many of them were elad in it continually. Artisans or farmers never wore such au expensive cloth, except it might be for a wedding-suit. and all profes- sional men were to be told by it. The Methodist minister always bad a very long-tailed coat, and he could be dis- tinguished as far as he could be seen on account of this garment.
An indispensable man was the saddler and harness- maker. There was much riding on Horseback, as the roads were poor when they existed at all, and it was a necessity not only to be a good horseman, but to be well provided with riding-gear. Tanners and curriers were also soon to be found in most localities. Deerskins were prepared during the last century for garments by those who followed a trade called skin-dressers, and their prod- uets were worn by men of all classes. Others were known as leather-breeches makers. These callings have been superseded at the present day. Some trades have gone out of use. There were men who nude spinning- wheels and looms, and like machinery. Joe! Collins made powder, which is now only manufactured by ex- tensive establishmentz.
There was preaching of the Gospel in many parts of the country. Among these early missionaries the names of Crime. Mac Dill, Montfort, Elliott, and others, rise up in the remembrance of those who attended upon their ministrations, or whose parents did. They preached everywhere-in private houses, blacksmith-shops, groves, open spaces, or wherever they could attract auditors. Many of the early ministers were men without education, but with strong minds, trained by experience and obser- vation. They understood the nature of the men to whom they talkel and what arguments would influence them. They dealt more with pers mal religion chan with ab- Hiraet mel barren tenlizations, and they wrought much good in the community.
1
MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
Os the second Monday of June, as we have previ- ously stated, Ezekiel Ball, Matthew Richardson, and Sol- omon Lines met in Hamilton, and organized as the Board of County Commissioners. John Reily acted as clerk. Their first business was the auditing of bills, and the first one allowed was to William Crooks, a judge at the pre- vions election, for making a return to the elerk's office at Cincinnati, Hamilton County. For this they gave him two dollars. The others were as follows: James Black- burn, late sheriff, State prosecutions andl proclaiming elce- tions, 821; William MeClellan, sheriff, Stato prosecu- tions, proclaiming elections, etc., $18; John Reily, clerk of the Common Pleas, State prosecutions, certifying elce- tions, etc., and one jury-box furnished, $27.25; Darius C. Oreutt, cleaning up the court-house and jail and fur- wishing a lock to each, $4; Mahlon Baker, services as over- seer of the poor of the township of Liberty, 85; Matthew Winton, assignee of George Swan, for zeven grown wolves' scalps taken, $7; John Greer, balance of his services as county commissioner and sceretary to the com- missioners for the year 1803, and for stationery, $15.50; James Dunn, balance of his services as county commis- sioner for the year 1803, $1.50.
On their meeting of July 2, 1801, they allowed the following bills: George Myracle, one wolf-scalp, 81; Philip Hayle, keeping Martin Rixeudoll, a pauper, for six months previous to the first Monday of May at $20, and from then until the 21st of June at 86.12, $26.12 ; Connor & Ormsby, nails furnished for repairing the jeil, 87.41 ; Samuel Dillon, coroner, for holding on inquisition on the dead body of Haney Thomson, and for travel, ete., to hold an inquisition on the dead body of John Morfoot, 817.74.
They then made an order that the listers of the sev- eral towns procced immediately to take in the lists of land and taxable property in their respective townships, and make return on the first Monday of August next.
On Monday, 6th of August, 1804, they allowed bills as follows: Samuel Miller, extra repairs to the court-house, $12.81; James Blackburn, collector of taxes for the year 1803, was ordered to exhibit his amount of collection for adjustment before the Board of Commissioners ou the fourth Monday of August ; August 27, 1504, George Loge was allowed for a wolf-scalp, $1 ; James Craven, lister of St. Clair Township, taking lists of land. etc., $21.25; Thos. Pottenger, appraiser in St. Clair Township, $1.25; Jas. Dunn, associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 820.17 ; John Greer, an associate judge, 916. 17 ; James Mahan, lister of Roas Township. taking lists of land, etc., $11.75; Frederick Schatt, lister of Liberty Township, taking lists of land. $16.75; Daaki Nelson. appraiser of' houses in Liberty Township, 81.25; Gorge Harlan, lister of Fairfield Township, 820: John Torreure, appraiser in
44
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Fairfield Township, $5; Garrett Vannest, lister of Lenion Township, 823; John Carsou, appraiser in Lemon Town- ship, $2.50; John Dunn, taking and returning to the clerk of the Common Pleas sundry lists of land in the year 1803, which had not been entered for taxes as the ยท law required, $6.25.
James Blackburn, collector of the county taxes for the year 1803, appearing by John Dunn, his agent, exhibited his amount of collection as follows: James Blackburn, debtor to the county of Butler amount of taxes commit- ted to him to collect for the year 1803, $534.49; credit, cash and orders paid into the county treasury, 840-4.70; order for the remission of Joel Williams's tax on his mill in part, $3; commission of six per cent on the amount collected, $35.00; leaving a balance due, including delin- quents, etc., of $91.13.
On application of Joseph Burgh, of Lemon Township, three dollars of the county taxes assessed on him for the year 1803, on a horse said to be kept as a covering horse (which was not), was remitted, and an order drawn directed to James Blackburn, collector.
The Board of Commissioners for August 28, 1804, made the following assessment of taxes : On property sub- ject to taxation in the county, $770.13; taxes of ferries, $1; probable amount received from tavern-keepers, 850; probable amount received from retailers of merchandise, $60; probable amount received by the dividend of the State tax, $186; balance of the county taxes of 1803 not . yet accounted for by the collector, making a probable de- duction of twenty dollars for delinquencies and insol- vencies, 868.18. Total, $1,135.26.
They then made the following appropriations or dis- tributions : Listers of the several townships for services, $102.75; James Dunu and John Greer, associate judges, $36.34: John Dunn, making return of lands, etc., in 1803, $6.25; sheriff and clerk of the Common Pleas, for State and county services, $40; attorney prosecuting the pleas of the State, $80; associate judges' fees, 8100; grand jury fres, 8100; judge of election ecs, 830; sup- port of paupers, $75; wolf and panther sealps, 850; listers, for completing the lists of laad, agreeably to law, $25; Board of Commissioners' fees, their clerk, and sta- tionery, $100; collector's and county treasurer's commis- sion, $70; outstanding orders drawn by the commissioners, which remain unsatisfied, $100 : necessary for delinqueu- cies and contingent expenses, $219.92. Total. $1,135:26.
The commissioners ordered that the collector of the county taxes should be allowed a commission of six per cent for trouble in collecting and paying over the taxes, and that the county treasurer be allowed a commission of three per cent for receiving and paying out moneys.
William MeChellan, sheriff of the county, having given notice to the Board of Commissioners that he should not undertake the coffeetion of the State of county taxes, and no person offering to undertake the collection of the same, it was ordered that the commissioners should
meet at the court-house in Hamilton on Thursday, the sixth day of September, for receiving proposals for the collection of State and county taxes.
Elward Gee was allowed for a wolf-scalp, $1.
On the application and complaint of Thomas MeCul- lough, at their meeting September 6th, 1804, ordered that the valuation of his mills be lowered from $3,000 to $2.000, making a deduction in his tax of $5. The valuation of William Smith's house and saw-mill was re- duced from $700 to $500, making a reduction in his taxes of $1; Joel Williams's mill was reduced in the valuation from $1,500 to $1,000, reducing his taxes $2.50; David Enoch's grist, and saw-mill was raised in valuation from $1,000 to $2,000, increasing his taxes $5; the valuation of Daniel Griffing's mill was mised from $100 to $200, increasing his taxes 50 cents; the valuation of Shobal Vail's mill was increased from 8300 to $500, raising his taxes $1; the valuation of Stephen Vail's mills was raised from $600 to $1,200, increasing his taxes 83; Samuel Gregory's mill was set at $300, increasing his tax. $1.50. These variations made an increase of $2.50.
At the meeting of September 19, 1804, an order was drawn for Job Gee, for a wolf -- calp, $1: George Harlan was appointed collector of the county taxes for the county for that year, seven hundred and seventy-three dollars and sixty-three cents.
The Board of Commissioners met again October 4, 1804. and orders were drawn in favor of the following persons: Joseph Spencer, killing a grown wolf, Si; William Cooley, killing two grown wolves. 82; Matthew Winton, assignee of Benjamin Allen, killing a grown wolf, $1; Thomas Cooch, 4 grown wolves, $4; Daniel Doty, a judge of the election held in Lemon Township for county commissioner, '$1.25; William Broderick, a judge of the election held in St. Clair Township for county commissioner, $1.25; Daniel Nelson, a judge of the election held in Liberty Township for county com- missioner. $1; James Dunn and John Greer, for services performed as associate judges in laying off the county into townships, appointing the place of holding elections, and attending to receiving and certifying the electicus of' the first sheriff and justice of the peace for the county and representative to Congress, each. 86; Jobe Reily. ! clerk of the Conunon Pleas, for receiving aud listing the lands of non-resident proprietors, making out a general alphabetical list of the State tax for the year 1804. and for making out and certifying there copies, 852. 16 ; John Reily, clerk to the Board of Commissioners, for services, including making out the duplicate of county taxes, and books and stationery furnished the commissioners for the use of the county, 837.16.
Benjamin Fit. Randolph and Celulon Symmes were authorized and requested to collect and receive of and from the several persons who have subscribed money, whisky, or grain for the purpose of assisting the county of Butler to ervet public buildings at Hamilton, the seat
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MEETINGS OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
of justice, such sum and sums of money, whisky, and | and amounts were allowed and orders drawn, as follows: grain, as they had respectively subscribed; and also to receive from persons who had subscribed stones, lime, brick, timber, mechanical work, labor, or hauling, or any kind of country produce which can or may be exchanged for cash. They were authorized to exchange the artieles which they might receive into eash, and deposit it in the county treasury. The elerk was to furnish Benjamin Fitz Randolph and Celadon Symmes each with a copy of the subscription paper and of the order.
At the meeting of November 5, 1804, John Beaty received the premium for a wolf-scalp, 50 eents; James Patterson, the premium for five wolf-scalps, $2.50. John Reily, clerk of the commissioners, for services in drawing copies of the order of appointments of B. F. Randolph and Celadon Symines to collect the moneys subscribed for public buildings at Hamilton, and making oui and certifying extracts of lands entered for taxes in the county, which were in the ecunties of Hamilton, War- ren, Greene, Ross, and Fairfield, was granted 85.79; and the following sums were also allowed: Johan Kirchel, associate judge, $39.67; John Greer, associato judge, $8; Daniel Beaty, Isaac Stanley, and Dennis Ball, as judges of the election in Fairfiel! Township, each, 50 eents; Darins C. Oreutt and John R. Benty, clerks of the election in Fairfield! Township, each, 50 cents; John Beaty, Ralph W. Hunt, Joseph Cox, John Morrow, banc S. Swearingen, judges of election in Liberty Township; Henry Weaver, Ez kiel Bali, John Craig, Robert Ferris, Laiah Morris, judges of election in Lemon Township; Robert Winton, Mr. Scott, Jobn Orbison, William Rich- ardson, indges of election for St. Clair Township; James Dunn, Isaac Gibson, James Elliott. Maxwell Parkinson, James Maban, William Morris, judges of election for Ross Township, were each allowed from 50 cents to $1.50 for their services; David Johnston, a judge of the election in Lemon Township, in October, 1804, $1.25; Samuel Becler, a judge of the election in St. Clair Town- ship, 81.25; Isaac Shields, for carrying an abstract of the vores given for senator in the county of Butler, at the October election, 1804, to the clerk's office in Warren County, $2; Daniel Baker and Justus Jones, executors of Edward Jones, d.ceased, for services in making return to the clerk's office in Hamilton, of the election in Lil :- erty Township, in October, 1803, 82; William MeClellan, sheriff, for his service in proclaiming elections and som- moning grand jurors, etc .. $13.50: John Green and Culadon Symmes, for services in attending at the clerk's office in canvassing the votes of the county, each, $1; Jolin Reily, clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for his services in receiving, canvassing, and certifying the votes at the October naqual election, furnishing certificates to the persons elected, and certifying the rell-books of the election of elector- of President and Vice-president of the United States, $8.75.
February 25, 1805, the Board of Commissioners met,
Samuel Walker, wolf-scalp, 81; Jesze Simpson, wolf- scalp, 81 ; David Lee, three wolf-scalps, 83; James Dunn, associate judge, $12; Jolm Greer. associate judge, $12; William MeClellan, sheriff, hire of a stove for the use of the court-house at January term, 1805, and furnishing fuel, 84; Philip Hayle, for the keeping of Martin Rix- endloll, a pauper, from the 21st of June to the 5th of No- vember, $18.88. It was ordered that George Harlan, collector of the county taxes of the year 1804, should lay before the Board of Commissioners an account of the moneys collected by him and paid to the county treasurer.
April 8, 1805, ou application of Peter Shafer, the commissioners ordered a deduction to be made in his county taxes, to the amount of eighty cents. The fol- lowing amounts were allowed: George Myracle, wolf scalp, $1; Isaac Wiles, work done for the use of the jail, and making irons in the confinement of criminals in the jail, $8.72; James Young, wolf-scalp, 81; Adam Smith, wolf-scalp, $1; Michael Pierce, one of the judges of an election held in Lemon Township, on the first Monday in April, 1805, for a justice of the peace, and making re- turn, 81.25; Captain John Gray, for himself and ten privates of his company, in guarding the jail at January teim, 1905. 814; William McClellan, sheriff, for locks, etc., procured for the use of the jail, $2.75; William Butler, asciguee of Thomas Bester, inspector of Butler County, for money expended in procuring and branding irons, etc., for the use of the inspector of said consty, $12.50.
June 10, 1805, the following amounts were allowed : Jolin Reily, elerk of Butler Common Pleas, the annual allowance by law for failures in State prosecutions. in- cluding his services in certifying the election of a justice of the peace in Lemon Township, 823.10; John Reily, clerk of the Board of Commissioners, for service, from the 5th November, 1804, to the 221 May, 1805, iuelnil- ing stationery furnished, 810.83; Samuel Dillon, cororer, for an inquest taken on the dead body of Stephen Wil- eocks, 14th April. 1805, 811.90 ; James Danu, associate judge, 812; Henry Weaver, associate julge, $12; John Greer, associate judge, 812; Captain James Blackburn, the pay of the guard for the jail, furnished from his company, at January term, 1805, 86.75; Captain John Wingate, the pay of the guard for the jail in January, 1805, furnished from his company, $27.75 ; William MeCiellan, sheriff, annual allowance by law for fihares iu State prosecutions, including the summoning of two grand juries. 823; Thomas Hunt, lister of Liberty Township, $13.75; Thomas Hill, appraiser of Liberty Township, $1.25 ; Robert Ferris, lister of Lemon Township, $25; Moses Vail, appraiser of Lemon Township, 81.25; George Hanau. lister of Fairfield Township, 820; I-age Stanley, appraiser of Fairfield Township, $2 50; Junaes Malt. ... lister of' Ross Township, 812.50; Witham Mitchell, ap- Fraiser in Ross Township, $1.25; George Myracle, wolf-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
scalp, $1; Peter Demoss, wolf-scalp, $1; Jesse Simpson, wolf-scalp, $1; Thomas Massie, wolf-scalp, $1; John Denow, wolf-scalp, 81; Aaron Van Camp, wolf-scalp, $1; Daniel Nelson, wolf-scalp, 81; Samuel Beeler, 2 wolf-scalps, $2.
John Reily was appointed Jerk to the Board of Com- missioners of Butler County, agreeably to the provisions contained in the act entitled " An act establishing boards of commissioners."
It was ordered that, pursuant to the statute entitled "An act for granting licenses and regulating ferries, tav- erns, and stores," the following sums should be paid into the county treasury by each and every person obtaining a license to keep a tavern or ferry in the county of Butler: On each and every tavern licensed in the towns of Hani- ilton, Rossville, and Middletown, the sum of twelve dol- lars annually ; for each and every tavern licensed on any highway in any township in the county (the towns of Hamilton, Rossville, and Middletown excepted) the sum of six dollars annually; for every ferry license granted to keep a ferry ou the Miami between the towns of Hamil- ton and Rossville, or at any distance not exceeding half a miile from either of these towns, four dollars; and fur- ther, that the rates of ferriage hereafter to be demanded for the transportation of persons and property across the Miami at public ferries, be as follows: Single per- son, six and one-fourth cents; man and horse, twelve and one-half cents ; loaded wagon and team, one dollar; any other four-wheeled carriage, seventy-five cents ; an empty wagon and team, or a loaded cart and team, fifty cents; empty cart and team, or sled or sleigh and team, thirty- seven and a half cents; every horse, mare, mule, ass, or head of neat cattle, six and one-fourth cents; every sheep, hog, or goat, thnee cents.
On Thursday, 20th June, 1805, the amounts allowed against the county were: William Squire, Jacob Bell, and Thomas Pounds, for their services as viewers of the road from Smith & St. Clair's mill on Foar-mile, in St. Clair Township, to Nathaniel Bell's, en Elk Creek, cacb, $4; Henry Weaver, for his own services, and the chain- carrier and marker, in surveying the read from Smith & St. Clair's mill, ou Four-mile, to Nathaniel Bell's, on Elk Creek, and nanking a report, $12.75, Henry Taylor, Jeremiah Beaty, and John Gray, for their services as viewers of the road from Rossville, by Beaty's, Cooley's, and others, to the State road at or near the east side of the College Town-hip, each, 83; John R. Beaty, for his own services, and the services of the chain-carrier and marker, in surveying and laying out the road from Ross- ville, by Beaty's, Cooley's, and others, to the State road. at or near the cast side of the college township, $10.50.
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