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 43
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After going to Cincinnati, Pierson Sayre purchased a truet of land in Lenion Township, which, uniler another owner, was the site of the town of Monroe. In 1814 he came back to this county, purchasing of John Suther-
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land lot No. 120, on Front Street, between Dayton and Stable Streets, but only remaining there a few months, when he removed to the Torrence tavern-stand, situated on the corner of Dayton and Water Streets. The build- ing is now owned by Heury S. Earhart.
In October, 1817, he was elected sheriff of this county, and in October, 1819, was again chosen. Being with- drawn at the expiration of this time, in consequence of a constitutional limitation, he was succeeded by Dr. Samuel Millikin. In October, 1825, Mr. Sayre was again elected sheriff by a large majority. On the completion of this section of the Miami Canal he was appointed the first eoliector of tolls, having his office at the east end of the Hamilton basin. He held this position two years, or until April 1, 1830. In 1835 he was appointed toll-gath- erer for the bridge across the river at this place, holding the position antil April 1, 1839. He was then seventy- eight years old.
In the year 1820, while sheriff, he contracted with the Board of Commissioners to ereet the two public offices in the court-house square, one on the east and the other on the west side of the court-house, and he com- pleted this task to the satisfaction of the people. He also built the Female Academy, on the south side of the hydraulie race, finishing it in the year 1834. This is the building now used for city offices, and in which the fire occurred in the Spring of 1882. He also built several other houses.
Mr. Sayre, more than any other person who ever lived in this county, had an opportunity of witnessing the changes that time has wrought in our land. When he was born the population of the British colonies was but a little over two millions of souls; at his death they were at least twenty-four millions. Geogre the Second had but recently died, and he saw at the head of polit- ical affairs George the Third, Washington, Adams. Jef- ferson, Madison, Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Jackson, Van Buren, Harrison, Tyler, Polk, and Tayler, besides the heroie governor. William Livingston, of New Jer- sey, and the worthies who presided over the Continental Congress. When he entered the army, Philadelphia, our largest city, was smaller than Dayton now is; the inland towns were Albany and Lancaster, and he was married before Ohio had a single settler. This State had as great a population at his death as the whole coun- try had when he was born. He had witnessed great changes in the Miami country. Bridges, roads, canal, and raihoad, all were made while he was here, in his long residence of forty-three years.
He did not escape the drawbacks of age. His chil- dren had died before him and his wife ; his strength be- came weakness, and his mind worn out. For two years be required to be handled like an infant. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church for many years, and as a neighbor, father, and husband was universally es- teented. He was not an idle man, and was always ready
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THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
to assist others. He died on the 4th of April, 1852, and was buried in Greenwood, the funeral sermon being preached by the Rev. J. W. Scott, of Oxford.
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
THIs neighborhood was very inadequately supplied with physicians at the beginning of the century. The pay was small, and must often be taken in trade; the roads were terrible, and many who were really ill went without a physician because it was so difficult to call one. Only young men could stand the fatigues of prac- tice. This county, therefore, bad attained a population of at least four thousand before there were any resident physicians. In the early days of setilement near Mid- dletown the mother of the late Aaron Potter had a child afflicted with a felon. There was no one at hand to at- tend to it, and the heroic lady mounted her horse, took the child in her arms, and rode the whole way to Cin- cinnati to have a surgical operation performed. Herbs and simples were the common method of treatment, and the experienced women acted as midwives.
. A few wandering disciples of Esculapius may have been in the present townships of Liberty, Union, Lemon, and Fairfell, before 1802; but it is believed the first, two who settled in the county were Dr. Squier Littell, of Trenton, and Dr. Sloan, of Fairfield. They came here about the same time, but only Dr. Littell remained for a term of years. We have no further particulars of Dr. Sloan, except that he boarded with the father of Celadon Symes, and occasionally went over into Ross Township.
Dr. Littell was the son of Captain Littell, of New Jersey, a patriot distinguished for his services and saeri- fires in our Revolutionary struggle, and was born in Essex County, December 1, 1776-a year memcable in the annal- of mankind. Having completed his early ed- ucation, be entered upon the study of medicine, and, after practicing his profession awhile in his native State, emigrated to the Northwestern Territory about the be- ginning of the present century, and stopped in the city of Cincinnati. Ifere he remained for a brief period, when, following the guidance of circumstances, and fail- ing, in common with all others, to penetrate the brilliant futurity which was reserved for a place whose claims to pre-eminence were disputed by the neighboring village of Columbia, be removed some thirty miles into the inte- rior, and fixed his abode iu Butler County, at Trenton, which was then called Bloomfield. Before leaving New Jersey, the doctor bed married Mary, the of the dough- ters of Michael Pearve, who also came ont here. Mr. Pearce was a farmier in good cireminstances, and had a large family of daughters, who were much sought after, | two hundred and fifty, the sheriff of the county at that.
as their manners and acquirements were mach more than were then usual in the backwoods. Dr. Littell practiced in Trenton from his first going there until a short time before his death, when weakened by age and infirmities. He devoted himself to the cultivation of his farm and the still more laborious duties of a profession, the calls of which, in the scattered population of the country, ex- panded occasionally to a circle of sixty miles in diameter, extending to Dayton on the one hand, and to Cincinnati on the other. As a medical practitioner he was remark- ably successful, being distinguished for his sagacity and observation, qualities which enabled him, in several in- portant instances, to anticipate the discoveries and im- proveinents of later times, and secured for him a wide range of popularity. Notwithstanding the engrossing na- ture of his avocations, he was repeatedly chosen by his fellow-citizens to offices of local trust and influence. In 1813 he was appointed surgeon of the First Regiment, Third Detachment, of Ohio militia, having for his assist- ant Dr. Jacob Lewis, who came to Butler County very soon after he did, but had not engaged actively in prac- tice. Colonel James Mills commanded the regiment, which rendezvoused at Dayton. They were ordered to St. Mary's, when the regiment was divided into three di- visions. Soon after this, Dr. Littell resigned, and came home. His personal appearance was very striking. He was a tall man, perhaps a little over six feet, and full iv figure, even in youth. As his years increased he attained a size truly colossal, with accompanying weight. To ac- commodate himself, be brought hither a spring-wagen, the first ever seen in this portion of the country, and used that ever after, discarding horseback riding, which was the usaal method of traveling for physicians fifty years ago. Arrived at home, after a visit, he would cast hin-elf' upon the carpet, preferring this posture of perfect reposo to the more dignified but less easy arm-chair. This habit became almost a necessity. His weight increased until it reached three hundred and fifty, and he became the larg- est man in Butler Coanty. Dr. Littell was of a fers dis- position, and used to domineering. De hai a piercing black eye, that seemed to read the very secrets of the soul, and he was possessed of great weight of character. Whatever he desired he generally accomplished. He was a virulent Jackson Democrat, never speaking in pub- lie, but using his inthience in private. When fair words would not avail, he used harder ones. He was postmas- ter at Trenton in 1837, having been appointed by Var Buren, through the influence of John B. Weller, and against the wishes of the majority of the inhabitants of that village, who had petitioned for another person. Dr. Littel! was also an associate judge of this county. bein. chosen in 1834, and holding for a form of seven years "This was at about the time he had acquired his greatest obesity ; and for the other associate judge he had Dr. Druid Millikin, whose weight could not be less than
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tirue being Sheely, who was also of herculean propor- tions, not inferior to Dr. Millikin. Dr. Littell remained in Trenton until the ravages of age, aggravated by cor- pulency, cansed him to retire. He went to Winchester, Preble County, where he soon after died, at the close of 1849. He had accumulated some means, which he di- vided among his nephews, whom he had brought up. Of these there were three. Dr. Squier Littell, now of Philadelphia, was the second. He is a man of high at- tainments, and well read, and has published several med- ical works. Eliakim was the oldest. He first lived in Philadelphia, publishing a magazine called the Museum, which was very successful, and then going to Boston, where he began the Living Age. It is a magazine of compilation from European periodicals, and contains a vast treasury of facts and fancy. A complete set is con- tained in every public library. He is now dead, and his sons are carrying on the publication. John was the youngest nephew. He studied law, but never practiced much. He began publishing law-books, and in that pur- suit amassed a fortune. He was at one time a candidate for Congress from Philadelphia, and came very near being elected, lacking only a few votes. He contested the election, but it was decided against him. He for- merly lived in Germantown, a handsome suburb of the City of Brotherly Love, but is now dead.
Mrs. Littell, the wife of Dr. Equier Littell, the elder, survived him. She was a most excellent woman, and had great power over her husband. Even in his great- est fits of rage she was able to pacify him. The doctor brought up one of the daughters of the Rev. Stephen Gard, his brother-in-law. This was Mary, who after- wards married Ezra Potter. He also brought up another niece, Bachel Taylor, who married William Potter.
Dr. Lanier came to Hamilton about 1805, and re- mained a short time.
Dr. Charles Este; brother of the distinguished Judge Este, once of Hamilton, but late of Cincinnati, was in Hamilton as early as 1810 or 1811, but did not remain long. We find his name afterwards as one of the med- ical censors of the district. Dr. William Greenlee occu- pied a somewhat prominent place between the years 1814 and 1817.
Dr. Jacob Lewis never really practiced innch, but was here as early as 1803. He was born in Somerville, Somerset County, New Jersey, October 13, 1767. His father was in the Revolutionary army, and while in the service was attacked with camp fever and sent home, where he died. He left a wife and seven children. The family had a good farm, upon which they were enabled to raise every thing necessary for comfort. In 1790 Jacob went out on a visit to his sister, who was settled in the west- ern part of Virginia. The neighborhood was exposed : but as there had been no attacks by the Indians lately, the inhabitants bozan to think that they were safe. One evening in the Spring of 1791 he returned from his
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work, feeling sleepy, and laid down, waiting the prepa- ration of supper. While asleep. three Indians came into the house and shot his brother-in-law dead. A young man who was sitting by the fire struck at the Indians with a drawing-knife, which fell from his hands, and he immediately bounded out of the back door, passing through the room in which Jacob was lying. The noise awoke the latter, and he, too, made his escape. As he rose he saw through the half-open door the lifeless bed- ies of his sister and his brother-in-law, with the hostile Indians, and he fled to alarm the neighbors. This he found, however, had been previously done by the other young man ; and as soon as a sufficient party could be gathered, the Indians were pursued.
The next day two neighbors went to the house, and found the dead bodies of Kinan, the brother-in-law, his little daughter, and one of the children of Mrs. War, a neighbor. Mrs. Kinan was nowhere to be found, so they concluded that she must have been taken prisoner. Six had escaped out of the ten who were in the house at the time.
Jacob Lewis was thus left with the care of two or- phan children on his hands. After considering the mat- ter maturely, he concluded to leave the children with one of the settlers and return to New Jersey, where, he did not doubt, he could! persuade one of his brothers, who had recently been married, to move out, take thic farm, and take care of the boys. Nothing, however, could induce him to do so. The country was too haz- ardous for him. Two of the family were willing, how- ever, each to take one of the boys, and bring them up in New Jersey. He consequently returnel, worked on. the place the whole Summer, and in the following Spring conveved the boys to their uneles, who brought them up as their own.
Mr. Lewis remained in New Jersey, taking up the study of medicine with Dr. John Randolph, of Somerset County. In the fall of 1793 a letter was received from his sister, Mrs. Kinan, who vas a prisoner among the Indians. She had been enabled to send it through the hands of a Quaker gentleman, who was in attendance upon the commissioners empowered to treat for peace with the Indians. Her messenger took the yellow fever in Philadelphia, dying of it, and consequently the letter had been long delayed. She said that if her brothers would call on Mr. Albert, an Indian trader, at Detroit, they could find out where she was.
Jacob Lewis was the only unmarried one of the fam- ily, and it was resolved that he should make the attempt, las other brothers helping with their means. He set cut on horseback about the 1st of November, going by way of Western New York. At Genesee he left his horse, aud engaged to help a young man who was just starting for Niagara with a drove of cattle. On the way they suffered much with cold, and were obliged to camp out for two nights. Late ou the third day they reached
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Niagara. This was still three hundred miles from his destination, with an unsettled conntry to pass through.
On telling his story, he reecived a pass from the an- thorities, and an introduction to Colonel Butler, Indian agent for that section of the country. He gave him a letter to Captain Brant, the chief of the Six Nations, whose camp was about thirty miles in the direction of Detroit. He remained at the Indian camp about a week before he could get a guide. At last Captain Brant, who, in the mean time, had treated him well, procured for him two guides, who agreed to make the trip for twenty dollars. It was a weary journey, traveling through unbroken woods and swamps, in snow and sleet, with little food and little rest, camping every night with only auch freil shaley as they coul! put up after a hard day's tramp. They reached Detroit on the third day of February, 1794. Here he dismissed his guides, and pre- sented his pass to Colonel England, the offieer in eom- mand at Detroit. These were suspicious times on the frontier, so he had to stand a close examination; but after exhibiting his letters and telling the object of his travel, Colonel England gave him a permit to remain. The next day he fortunately found Mr. Robert Albert in town, and showed him his sister's letter. He said he knew her well, that he had goods with her tribe, and she had often worked for him when he was with them. He appeared very willing to give Lewis all the assistance in his power, but said that he would have to aet very cau- tiously, as, should the Indians suspect that he was at all coneerned in her release, that would be an end to his trade with them. He met also Israel Rulin, who knew her, and tried to make an arrangement with him to se- cure her freedom by purchase. Kulin made application to the old squaw who owned Mrs. Kinan ; but she could not be induced to part with her. Much disappointed at this failure, he spent some weeks at Detroit trying to devise other plans for her release. He received the sym- pathy and friendship of many of the best people in the place, and was advised by all to aet very cautiously, as, if the Indians suspected his objeet, his sister would be hurried off to some of their distant eamps.
Weeks passed in this way, alternating between hope and fear. All the traders he met seemed to sympa- thize with him ; but were unwilling to run any risk to aid him. He could not even induce them to acquaint his sister with his presence in Detroit, as it would only result in a useless attempt to escape, followed by greater hardships and her removal to a distant eamp. Mr. Lewis, however, was determined to remain in the neigh- borhood and persevere in his plans, however long it might take. Just as he was looking around for means to get into the Indian country, a contractor came to De- troit to engage men to eat and clear timber round Fort Mance. This gave him. just the chance he wanted ; a) he engaged at once as a chopper, and in a few days he was at work.
A few weeks afterward the advance of General Wayne and his army was reported at the fort, and with it came large numbers of Indians, who encamped in its neighborhood. Mr. Lewis had enlisted the sympathies of a companion of his daily work, Thomas Matthews, and they resolved to go out to the Indian encampment, though without mueh expectation of finding the missing one.
" We went out," he says, "and straggled among them in a careless manner for fear of being suspected. While thus walking about, a woman clapped her hands and cried out, 'Lord, have merey on me!' I knew her at once, but turned my back toward her, and walked off, telling Matthews who she was. We dare not go to speak to her, but turned our course toward the fort, at the same time fixing in our minds the situation of her tent and the lay of the ground and timber about the eamp. There was a large burr or white-oak tree lying prostrate near the camp, with a dense top. As we knew the Indians kept no sentries at night, we thought if we only could get her to come there at night we could easily carry her off; bat how to make the arrangement with her to meet us was the puzzling part. We had observed that the squaw at whose tent she was had a eow ; and it was agreed that Matthews should go the next morning to the squaw with a loaf of bread, and try to exchange it for milk. I was afraid to go myself, lest I should, by my emotion, be- tray myself. So Matthews went; and, fortunately, my sister was called to interpret. This gave him the oppor- tunity he wanted, and he mingled the bread and milk talk with the plan for escape, which she agreed to. For- tunately the head engineer had command of the outposts that night, and, as he knew my story, when he learned our plans he told the guard to pass us outside of the lines, and allow us to return with any one we might bring with us.
" We went to the tree as soon as it was quite dark, and waited there till near daylight ; but my sister did Lot come, and we were obliged to return to the fort dis- appointed.' The bread and milk strategy was tried by Matthews again. He found that she had been out all night also, but in another tree-top. He soon made her understand which tree was to be our meeting-place, and returned. Again our friend, the engineer, favored us. We waited at the tree but a short time, when my sister came. Our greeting was short, as the slightest noise might de- fent our plans. We started at once for the fort. When we got within the lines, not deeming it safe to take her into the fort, we took her to a large brush heap near the fort, where we had been at work that day, in the middle of which I had made a hollow large enough for a person to sit in quite comfortably. Here we left her. well sup- plied with water and provisions. The next day bad u arly passed, when I heard that a boat called the Shan- ener had been ordered down the river, and thener to Turtle Island. I immediately went to the boat. and
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frankly told the captain how I was circunstanced, and asked him to carry myself and sister to Turtle Island. After studying a few minutes, he said that he would if I could get my sister safely aboard; but said he, 'It will be almost impossible; see yonder, there are almost a hundred Indians scattered along the bank.' I told him to leave that to me. I went to the fort, got an extra suit of clothes I had, and, taking them to the brush- pile, told my sister to put them on. When she was dressed, I took her by the arm as if she was sick, and started for the boat. One of my fellow-workmen saw us, and, not knowing what I had been doing, hallooed to me, ' You are afraid of Wayne, are you, and going to Detroit?' I answered that I was helping this sick man on board the Showcanec, and walked on through the crowd of Indians, and got aboard without attracting attention.
" By daylight next morning we were safely moored at Turtle Island. Here we took passage on a brig bound for Detroit ; but when we got to the head of the lake we were becalmed, and, fearing delay, at my request the capiaiu landed us on the Canada side, and we walked up to Detroit. Here we procured rooms at a tavern; and I was so overcome with my anxiety and excitement that I was taken sick, and was confined to my bed for a week. We had to remain some time here before we could get a chance to go to Niagara. Colonel England again befriended me. When a vessel was abont starting for the mouth of the Chippewa, he procured a passage for us, and gave us a pass. We had a smooth passage down the lake, landed at the mouth of the Chippewa, and made our way down on the Canada side to Queens- town. Here we obtained new passes, and sailed for the mouth of the Genesee River. Thence we traveled ou foot to where I had left my horse on my outward trip. I found the horse bad been traded off; but I got another. On this my sister rode, and I walked by her side all the way to New Jersey. We reached Somerset in the month of October, lacking only a few days of a year from the time I started out, and there was great rejoning in the whole family and neighborhood."
Mr .- Lewis remained in New Jersey about a year, finishing his professional studies, when be married and moved to the western part of Pennsylvania, and estab- lished himself in practice. In the Spring of 1802 he moved to Hamilton, Ohio, where he lived quietly and prosperously.
Ic 1813 Dr. Lewis was appointed surgeon's mate of the First, Regiment. Third Detachment, of Ohio militia. Colonel James Mills commanded the regiment, which rendezvoused at Dayton. They were ordered to St. Mary's, where the regiment was divided into three di- vision: Dr. Lewis had professional charge of the two divisions stationel at Wapakoucta and Amanda, which were on the Auglaize, ahnost twelve miles apart.
His superior officer, De. Squier Littell, soon after this resigned, and Lewis had charge of the whole regiment.
When news came that the British and Indians were col- lecting strongly near Fort Meigs, the First Regiment was ordered down the St. Mary's to that point; but Lewis was left at Amanda in charge of a large number of sick and wounded at that place. Here he had comfortable ' quarters and good attendance. Sheriff James Smith, paymaster, was his room-mate.
At the end of the six months for which the regiment had enlisted they were mustered out, and returned to Hamilton. Lewis then made a visit to his friends in New Jersey, and on his return settled on his farm, which he had purchased in 1804.
Dr. Lewis died July 19, 1851, of apoplexy, it is sup- posed. having been found dead in his stable on his farm in Butler County.
The first regular physician who practiced in this town for a long time, and whose history was identified with it, was Dr. Daniel Millikin. Several of the other members of his family came here with him, or subsequently, and they and their descendants have maintained a distin- guished position up to the present time.
Dr. Daniel Millikin was the first child of James aud Dolly Millikin, who resided ou Ten-mile Creek. in Wash- ington County, Pennsylvania. James Millikin was born on the fifth day of January, 1752, in the county of An- trim, Ireland. His father was also named James, and was born in 1727, and his mother, formerly Martha Hemphill, was born in 1729.
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