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 32
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78
The original stock of our improved horses, which were at an early day brought into this part of the State, came from New Jersey, Long Island, Virginia, and Mary- land. Their get constituted the base upon which subse- quent improvements have been made. And in addition to the strains of horses, and particular horses above given, it is proper to state that many other horses of good qualities have been used by our breeders. Among these we can give the names of " Orphan Boy," " Comet," " Miami Chief," " Friendly Tiger," "Top Gallant," ". Young Cad- nius" (by " Cadmus," and dam by "Sumpter"), " Bell
Founder," " Archie," " Lightfoot," " Mambrino," " Vic tor," " Highlander." and " Perfection." Others of equal merit, whose names are not readily called to mind, have had their part in the improvement of our stock. 0
We have not relied alone upon our own stock. That which has been introduced into neighboring counties has been used, and its improving influence is manifest. One thing we have carefully avoided : We have not deterio- rated our stock by using what Dr. Clemens styles the "Morgans of to-day," and what he describes as stock "not suited for any thing, badly gotten up, and bogus."
STATEMENT OF THE NUMBER AND VALUE OF HORSES FOR THE YEARS NAMED. -
YEARS.
No. horses.
Value.
YEARS.
No. horses.
Valne.
1836, .
7,846
$313,840
1862, .
11.817
8603.100
1843,
7,970
318,800
1863,
11,512
666,386
1844, .
8,102
324,080
1564,
11,375
803,422
1845. .
8,618
344,720
1865,
11,055
925.926
1846, .
10,590
427,600
1866,
11,219
935.550
1847,
10,516
400,027
1867, .
11,165
956.678
1848, .
10,507
388,513
186S. .
11,414
975,002
18-19, . .
10,632
400,009
1869, .
10,471
863,499
1850, .
10.319
412,805
1870. .
10,342
854,415
1851,
10,175
430,707
1871, .
10.800
830,342
1852,
8.465
402,081
1872,.
10.899
819,410
1853, .
10,894
586,319
1873. . .
10.504
779.457.
1854, .
11,262
694.233
1874, .
10.470
709.255
1855, .
10,963
687,471
1875,
10,638
951,822
1856, .
11,160
801,867
1876, .
10.809
735,417
1857, .
11.307
894,093
1877, .
11.277
722.138
1858. .
11,400
870.583
1878. .
11,442
680,147
1859, .
11,799
859,932
1879,
11,452
645.492
1860, .
12,551
S30.511
11,246
625,004
1861, .
12,023
728,550
1881, .
11,300
050,019
-----
It will be seen, by reference to the foregoing table, that the number of horses in this county for the last thirty five years has undergone but a very slight change. Their average price, however, has undergone very de- cided fluctuations. The average value of horses, as re- turned for taxation in 1847 was 838.04. The average value in 1866 was 883.39, an increase of about 109 per cent, a decided change in twenty years The decrease in the value of horses as returned in 1862 was violent and excessive, resulting from the apprehensions of all classes that the effects of the rebellion would be to destroy the value of all of our property. The mistaken views of all were soon made apparent, and the result is that in 1866 the value of horses per head had increased in four years from $51.04 to 883.39, being an increase of 63 per cent.
The average value for 1865 and 1866 of the horses of Butler County was 863.50 per head. That is a higher average than was attained in those years by any county in the State, save the connty of Hamilton. Notwith- standing the many five single horses, and fancy watched horses of great value, owned in the cities of Dayam. Col- unbus, Toledo, and Cleveland, the averages in their ro. spective counties did not equal the average value of the horses in this county. This fået conclusively sustains the
.... ...
AGRICULTURE.
131
assertion that we very confidently made, that in the blood, size, fine style, symmetry of form, aud enduring qualities of the horses of this county, we are not excelled. With this confident expression of our opinion we conclude what we have deemed it proper to say upon this division of our report.
Mules, by consanguinity, and the uses to which they are applied, rather than by numbers or value, next claim our attention. They have never been received with favor by our farmers. Their appearance was not prepossessing, and a strong repugnauce to permit any uncomely mongrel to supersede the noble horse has seriously interfered with their introduction into this county. They were, there- fore, slow in gaining a foothold among us. Now they have some fast friends who regard them as indispensable helpmates in the work of the farm-as reliable and en- during slaves, and as profitable stock to raise and feed for market. The slow progress of their introduction, and. their numbers and value, will be seen by the fol- lowing table :
YEARS ..
No. Innles
Valne. .
. YEARS. .
No. mules
Value.
1.846, .
1864, .
295
320,585
1847,
9
$530
1865, .
262
25,407
1848,
12
438
1866,
309
32,180
1849,
13
458
1867,
303
32,724
1850,
25
938
1868,
540
45,684
1851,
22
1,048
189,
509
44,040
1852,
47
2.281
1870,
516
47.265
1853,
4S
2,882
1871,
489
46,902
1854,
96
5,982
1872, .
530
43,304
1855
154
9,533
1873, .
533
47,070
1856,
169
13,500
1874.
574
47,245
1857,
161
14,220
1875,
50,664
1858,
249
21,295
1876,
666
52.500
1859,
240
18,800
1877, .
725
56,476
1860,
217
16,964
1878,
S22
53,510
1861,
226
14,461
1879,
707
51,714
1862,
281
11,455
1880,
790
52,715
1863, .
252
15,050
iss1, .
721
51,209
CATTLE .- The quality of the cattle of this county does not compare favorably with the quality of the horses, the sheep, or the hogs. The infusion of improved blood, by crosses of our common cattle with other breeds, has not made much progress. More attention to this important branch of good farming has been given within the last ten years than during the twenty preceding years. Al- though men can be impressed with the fact that the value of our stock would be enhanced in four years fifty per cent by judicious crossing with the finer breeds of rattle, yet there scems to exist an inveterate repugnance on the part of some who are abundantly alle to expend money for the accomplishment of so great an improve- ment. There are some who appreciate good stock, and who feel the importance of setting a good example before those who, from obstinate prejudices and selfish but short- -ightel views, are unwilling even to promote their own interests. Progress has been made in the right direction, and sooner or later we shall have good cattle in abini-
[ dance. The breeds which have received attention from our farmers are Shorthorn Durhams, Devons, and Ayr- shires. The former breed has been more extensively used for crossing than both the others. Devons have been purchased by some under the singular delusion that they stand pre-eminent as a breed of cattle for milk. Those who so highly commend the Devon for their milking properties would most likely disparage the Ayrshire cow as a good milker. Crosses, however, with Devons, even if made under mistaken views, will accomplish good re- sults, and may induce our farmers to consider the propri- ety of making further experiments in crossing and im- proving their stock, even at the cost of a few dollars, well invested.
As it will be seen, by examination of a table hereafter given, our stock of cattle has been fearfully reduced in numbers within the last score of years. In 1855 we had 20,914 head of cattle, while now our numbers have been very improvidently reduced to 16,519. This is an actual reduction of twenty per cent in twenty-six years. This great falling off has very unwisely been permitted to take place, notwithstanding the increase of our own immediate population and the exceedingly rapid increase of Cincin- nati and of all the principal cities in the country, which are constantly making greater deman is upon farmers for beef. The numbers of our cattle should at least grow with the increase of our population. But it has not been so with us.
The above reduetion is not only injudicious and im. provident, but, if correspondingly continued, will tend to the serious impoverishment of our soil, and must reduec our position from a first-class producing county to one of the second class. The bigh prices which meats of every kind have commanded has unwittingly induced our farm- ers to sell not only their aged cattle, but their ealves. They have not only parted with the golden egg, but they have foolishly sold the hen that laid it. The places of the aged cattle made into beef have not been filled by younger stock raised upon the farm. On the contrary, a short- sighted and avaricious policy has induced many to destroy their capital by selling off all their ealves for veal. instead of bestowing upen them extra care to make them more than fill the places of those previously and properly sold.
As a general rule, every good system of mixed hits- bandry, in order to be profitable and promotive of the permanent prodnetiveness of the soil, should be based upon the amount of manures that may be relied upon from the domestic animals maintained upon the farnt. . No arbitrary rule as to the number to be kept can be definitely fixed. All such rules would be liable to fre- quent modifications, depending upon the character of the soil, the climate, the grains grown, the grasses produced. and numerous other important considerations. Besides. temporary circumstances might, for a brief scason, ju -. it's it departure from any well-considered rule which may have proved to be generally correct.
ske
.
1
i
1
132
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
In this climate, with our highly productive soil, alike suitable for grains and grasses, it can not be unsafe to prescribe, as a general rule, that the number of our do- mestic animals should bear that proportion to our popu- lation which is found to be wise and appropriate in for- eigu countries less productive than ours, which proportion to population may be modified by the extent of arca upon which such populations, respectively, may be found to exist.
Let us see, therefore, what proportion the cattle of other countries bear to their population, and what pro- portion they bear to the aggregate number of aeres in such countries, so far as we can find the necessary data for giving the proportion.
In Great Britain to every head of cattle, 5.20 of population.
" Prussia
66
3.40
. As our population is much less dense in Ohio than in the above-named foreign countries, and our ability to feed stock is far superior to their ability, it is apparent that our cattle in Ohio are not so numerous as they should be. The proportion of cattle to population in Butler County, as it existed in 1855, was no better, all things being considered, than that above given for Ohio. The present exhibit, therefore, for Butler County, is re. prehensibly low. Our number of cattle ought to be speedily increased, for our credit as well as our profit.
If we rightly estimate our productive ability to sus- tain a large amount of stock, the great and increasing demand at remunerative prices for cattle in every condi- tion, and their value in providing the most reliable means for maintaining the fertility of our soil, we can not hesitate to come to the conclusion that Ohio, as well as Butler County, has been pursuing an unwise policy in not maintaining and increasing her stock, not only in number but in quality. The population of Butler County was, in 1855, 33,301, and is now 42,580: and yet while this increase of population of 9,289 has taken place, our cattle have decreased from 20.914 to 16,519. We should resolve speedily to regain our former position, and then put forth new energies to make our county one of the best counties in the West for the production of beef and milk.
.
No carefully conducted experiments have been made to determine the most cconomical mode of raising and fattening stock. The general custom of bestowing as little attention upon the stock of the farm as possible often prevails. We have, however, many exceptions, where intelligent and well-directed efforts are given to |
increase the number and to improve the quality of our cattle.
The number of marauding cattle found upon the pub- lic roads has sensibly decreased. The law npon that sub- jeet has had a salutary effect, not only in restraining the wayward footsteps of famished cattle, but in educating their owners to a higher sense of their obligations to their neighbors. Yet there are sore-heads who have not yet become reconciled to the necessity of caring for the prop- erty, the rights, or the comfort of others.
The following table will give the number and value of the cattle in this county since 1843 :
YEARS.
No. cattle.
Value.
YEARS.
No. cattle.
Value.
1836,.
8,151
$65,268
1862, .
15,548
$173,714
1843,
8,671
69,369
1863, .
16,236
200,479
1844, .
8,608
CS 864
1864, . 14, 470
232,438
1845, .
9,077
72,616
12,623
311,673
1846,
12,946
103,568
1566, .
14,781
395.197
1847.
11,751
107,063
1867,.
18,724
421.305
1848.
12,838
103,358
1868, .
17.238
157.903
1849,
12,420
107,329
1869, .
15,732
429.005
1850, .
12,618
112,861
1870, .
17,236
161.824
1851, .
13,044
122,718
1871. .
17.493
441.710
1852, .
13.360
135.226
1872, .
16,800
346,56S
1853, .
20,095 20,913
257,057
1871, .
17,999
375.000
1855, .
20,914
227.198
1875, .
16,054
313,989
1856, .
19.829
256.881
1876, . 1877. .
15,388
317.228
1858, .
17,050
245,999
1878, ..
16,404
357,757
1859, .
17,705
200.283 + 1879.
16.852
1800, .
16,55S
230.72€
1850,
16,906
$56.401
1861, .
16,431
211,774
1881,
16,519
331,092
66
2.70
" Hanover
66
66
2.20
66
" Austria
66
66
2.20
66
" Bavaria
60
1.40
66
:
" Butler Co. in 1855 "
66
1.60
66
2.66
66
1866 " 18SI "
60
2.57
66
219,045
1573. .
16,522
359.552
1854. .
15,630
333,183
1857. .
18 252
218,182
The breeding and fattening of hogs is an important branch of the business of farming as conducted in this county. No county in the United States of equal area has produced so many hogs of a superior quality as the county of Butler. The breed which is here so highly es- teemed is the result of careful and judicious selection, conducted by the best breeders in this county and the adjoining county of Warren, for the last fifty years.
The precise history of the method adopted to produce this popular breed of hogs can not be given as fully and as reliably as its present value and importance demand. The best information of a reliable character which can be obtained gives us to understand that as early as about 1820 some hogs of an improved breed were obtained and crossed upon the then prevailing stock of the county. Among the supposed improved breeds of hogs there were the Poland and Bycficht. They are represented as being exceedingly large hogs, of great length, coarse bone, and deficient in fattening properties. Subsequently more de- sirable qualities were sought for, and the stock produced by the crosses with Poland, Byefield, and other breeds underwent very valuable modifications by being bred with an esteemed breed of hogs then becoming known, and which were called the Big China. They possessed import- ant qualities in which the other breeds were sadis de- ficient. At a later period Mr. William Neff, of Cincin-
" France
2.60
" Holland
" Sweden
2.00
1.50
66
" Denmark
" Ohio in 1866
66
2.05
133
AGRICULTURE.
nati, an extensive pork-packer, and fond of fine cattle and hogs, made some importations of fine stock from England. Among them were some Irish Graziers. They were white in color, of fair size, fine in the bone, and pos- sessing admirable fattening properties. Berkshires, about the same time, were attracting much attention, and both breeds were freely crossed with the then existing stock of the county. The result of these crosses was highly ad- vantageons in the formation of a hog of the most desira- ble qualities. The Berkshires had obtained, with many breeders, great favor, while others objected to them be- cause they thought them too short and too thick in the shoulder. Nevertheless the Berkshire blood was liber- ally infused into this stoel of hogs, but in such a judicious manuer as to obviate the objections urged against them, and to seeure their conceded good qualities.
Since the formation period of this breed of hogs, as above stated, there have been no material or decided in- novations upon the breed thus obtained. Breeders have carefully selected and judiciously bred from the best ani- mals thus produced among us. Wherever defective points were apparent, they have been changed by careful breed- ing. There has been for many years no admixture of any other breed of hogs. This breed is now, and has for nearly fifty years been the stock predominant in this county. Breeders believe that they have a well-established breed of hogs, which is nosurpassed in the most desirable qualities of a good hog. This breed of hogs, although of comparatively recent origin, may be regarded as thor- oughly and permanently established. They have been bred so long, and with such judgment and uniform suc- cess, that they may be confidently relied on as possessing such an identity and fixity of character as a distinct breed as to give assurance that they will certainly and unmis- takably propagate and extend their good qualities.
For many years there was some diversity of opinion as to the proper name to be given to the popular and prevailing breed of swine. The subject was thoroughly « iscussed, and the name definitively and authoritatively determined by the action of the National Swine-breeder?' Convention, held at Indianapolis in November, 1872. That convention settled on the name Poland-China. The action of the convention has been almost universally adopted by breeders throughout the country.
While we claim that Butler County has more good hogs than any county in the State, yet we do not desire to, do our neighbors aby injustice by appropriating all the credit for this breed of hogs to ourselves.
Warren County assisted in the formation and estab- lishment of this breed of hogs. . They continue to raise them in their purity and perfection, and take into the mar- ket as fue lots of hogs as have ever been raised and sold.
lu verification of what we claim we propose to show the averages of hogs sold and delivered to packers-not isolated cases, nor single specimen hogy, but the lots of hays raised by our farmers and sold in the market.
These hogs are usually kept over one Winter, and are sold at ages ranging from eighteen to twenty-one months.
Mr. David M. Magie has made the following sales :
Onė lot of 63 hogs, average weight, 114
40
16 417
433
66 30 400
72
413 408
100 43
167
66
120 45S
Thos. L. Reeves sold 39 head, 173 months old, averaging 459 Jeremiah Beaty .. averaging 66
L. Miltenberger
Abraham Moore " 40
Win. Gallager :1 4
473
Win. Gallager. the first 22 head of same, averaging. . 525
These are individual lots, among many which have been noticed as remarkable for their high average. Al- though they have never been equaled, so far as the pub- lic know, yet some may regard another kind of evidence as more conclusive. To such we submit the following facts, kindly furnished by Mr. Chenoweth, who, for many years, weighed the hogs packed by Jones & Co., at Mid- dletown, in this county. The hogs there packed are mainly furnished by citizens of this county and Warren County. The following table will explain itself':
THE SEASON WHEN PACKED.
No. packed.
Whole av- · erage.
In season of 1862 and 1863, .
4,956
305 lbs.
66
1863
1861, .
5,538
276
66
186-1
1865,
5,570
282
66
1865 4
6,003
345
1866
1867,.
5,013
$35
Such an average, for -so many seasons, where so great. a namber has been packed, we believe to be uncynaled.
Below we give a statement of several lots of hogs packed at the above house during the season of 1857:
NO. IN EACHI LOT.
Average.
NO. IN EACH LOT.
Average
Lot of 32 head, .
423
Lot of 13 head. .
=
10
461
6.
21
66
17
66
426
66
26
+++
IS
66
ITS
66
6
66
38
66
492
=
50
.6
155
66
433
2'
12
510
These figures, which are obtained from unquestionable sourees, must decide the superiority of our breed of hogs over all others. To produce such averages, the stock must be of the best quality, and then care and judgment in breeding must be practiced, and good attention given in raising and fattening.
The rose adopted in breeding, rearing, and fattening our hogs, as practiced by our successful breeders. is very uniform indeed. Young sows are usually preferred for breeders. They and the boar are carefully selected, so
80
451
66
13.4
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY. .
as to perpetuate good points and to avoid any that may be deemed either defective or unsatisfactory in their ap- pearance. Breeders aim to have their pigs come between the 1st of March and the 15th of April. The sows, with their pigs, are carefully attended until weaning time, when they are duly separated, and the pigs are then abundantly supplied with slop and other feed, so as to prevent them from losing growth or flesh in consequence of their weaning. Whenever they attain sufficient age they are turned into clover, where they remain during the continuance of grass. During the ensuing winter, they are kept in a thrifty growing condition. In May of the second year, they are turned into clover pasturage, where they remain until AAugust or September. This Summer pasturing upon clover is deemed essential to the proper de- velopment and growth of the hog. They increase rap- idly in size, 'and become in the best possible condition for receiving fat-producing food, which is given to them with care and regularity until they are ready for market.
Some feeders deem it advisable to give the stock they propose to fatten a slop of meal or shorts during a part of August and September. Others rely upon noth- ing but coru, fed to them in the ear, or by " turning in " upon standing corn. This latter mode would seem `to be a very slovenly and improvident manner of feed- ing hogs. It is, however, not always so. When the weather is favorable there is economy of labor and no waste of grain in thus fattening hogs. If turned in early they consume a large portion of the stalks and all the corn. There is another reason in favor of feeding off corn by turning hogs early in the season upon the corn : The hogs take off but little from the land, and it is, therefore, less exhausting to the soil than feeding the grain produced in any other way. To feed hogs thus in a wet season is very objectionable. Grain is lost, hogs do pot thrive so well, and the' land is very liable to be- come injured by compacting and baking.
As yet, no carefully conducted experiments have been made in this county to test the advantages of cooking food for fattening hogy. Farmers estimate that it re- quires from eighteen to twenty-five bushels of dry corn to fatten cach head of a fair lot of hogs. In two in- stanees the experiment of fattening hogs with corn boiled on the ear has been tried. One gentleman, some years ago, fattened some twenty-five head on boiled corn. and stated that he had done so by using about seven or eight bushels per head. Another gentleman claimed to have produced the same results by using half the usual quan- tity .of corn. There is but little question but what an immense saving would be effected by cooking all cur corn used for fattening purposes.
The prevalence of that fearful, and usually fatal dis- case, the hog cholera, has done its work with us as with others. It does not prevail as extensively now as here- tofore, nor is the disease as virulent. Farmers now watch the condition of their stock with more care than hereto-
tofore. While there is no reliable remedy known for curing the disease, yet careful attention to the health and growth of stock, and the use of some supposed prevent- ives may be efficacious in staying the ravages of the dis- ease, and saving us from great losses.
For the purpose of showing the capacity of Butler County for raising hogs, and making pork for the market, the following statement is submitted, showing the number and value of hogs assessed for taxation purposes :
YEAR3.
No. of hogy.
Their value.
YEARS.
No. of hogs.
Their value.
1846,
54,077
1864, .
39,629
$133,596
1847,
60,604
$156,190
1865,
27,886
180,932
1848,
64,007
97,514
1866,
29,959
233,906
1849.
63,425
116,446
1867,
10.527
230,712
1850,
52,467
86,688
1868,
38,083
198,702
1851,
41,515
87,720
39.03-4
227,303
1352
51,362
165,360
1870,
36,490
264,620
1853,
66,249
225,901
1571,
43.036
286,751
1854,
66,695
184,765
1872,
44,856
180,149
1855,
53,137
118,504
1873,
41,352
272,311
1856.
47,399
163,845
1874,
41,455
193,101
1857,
49,566
201,739
1875,
39,524
236,730
1858, .
49,655
182,162
1876,
36,704
276,443
1859,
42,012
132,524
1877,
14,242
24-4,095
1850, .
40,279
154,01S
1878,
52,706
196,020
1861,
49,992
208,267
1879, -
16,079
157,383
1862,
56,306
142,127
1880,
32,367
134,709
1863,
12,012
126,672
18$1, .
28,255
133,072
This table shows the increase and decrease of numbers, as well as their aggregate values, for the last thirty-six years. It will be seen that the number of hogs reported has undergone decided changes. The largest number was 66,695 in the year 1854, and the lowest muumber was 27,886 in 1865. While our population was increasing at nearly the rate of 550 per annum, amounting in 11 years to about 6,000, the number of hogs decreased in the same time about 55 per cent. The variableness in price has been remarkable. They were worth, in 1848, $1.52 per head ; in 1855, $2.23; in 1863, 83; and in 1866, 88.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.