USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 2 > Part 2
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Mr. Gregg afterwards became interested in steamboat- ing, and in 1814 was in command of the steamboat En- terprice, built at Brownsville by Daniel French, ou his patent, and owned by a company at that place. It was a bout of forty-five tous. It mmde two voyages to Louis- . vil'e in the Summer of 1814. In December she took in a cargo of ordnance stores at Pittsburgh, and sailed for New Orleans, arriving at that port on the 14th: of the same month. She was thea dispatched up the river in search of two kee !- boats, laden with small arms, which had been delayed on the river. She had reached twelve miles above Natel:ez when she met the boats, took their masters and cargoes on board, and returned to New Or- leans, having been out six and a half days, in which time she ran two hundred and sixty-four miles. She was then for some time actively employed in transport- ing troops, etc. She made one voyage to the Gulf of Mexico, as a cartei, and one voyage to the rapids of Red River with troops, and nine voyages to Natehez. She set out for Pittsburg on the 6th of May, and ar- rived at Shippingport on the 30th, twenty-four days out, being the Erst steamboat that ever arrived at that port from New Orleans. She then proceeded to Pittsburg, where her arrival wes warmly greeted, as the passage
from the sea by the means of steam had been surcess. fully accomplished for the first time. Captain Gregg afterwards commanded the Dispatch, a small boat of twenty-five tons, built at Brownsville, which was wrecked near New Orleans iu 1819, and he continued as a com- mander in the river service for several years after.
He then became an inhabitant of Hamilton, where he dwelt the remainder of his days. He was elected sheriff of Butler County in 1835, and served four years, also holding other offices of trust and responsibility. Ry his first wife he had cloven children. who are now all dead. Upon her decease he married Mrs. Phehe Kelley, of Rossville, an aunt of William D. Kelley, of Pennsyl- -vania, on Thursday, the 5th of December, 1822, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. H. Baker. By this marriage he had two children : Jane H., now the wife of J. C. Skinner, and Sarah, widow of Samuel Cary. He died on the 20th of June, 1847, aged seventy- three years. He was a man of great uprightness and benevolence, and his memory is still cherished by those who knew hint.
JOSEPH B. HUGHES.
Joseph Barcalow Hughes, auditor of Butler County. was born November 12, 1848, on his father's farm in Liberty Township, in this county. He is the son of Micajah Hughes, president of the First National Bank. and grandson of Elijah Hughes, a native of Baltimore County, Maryland. The family emigrated to this county from Maryland about the close of the War of 1812, and settled in their present neighborhood, in which they have ever since resided. They are noted for their good, prac- tical common sense, industry, sobriety and sterling bon- esty, and, as a consequence, hace accumulated large estates, and are considered among the first families of Butler County.
Micajah Hughes was married more than Sfty years ago to Phebe Freeman Cassidy, a native of the county, a lady whose good sense and good judgment have con- tributed in no small degree to her husband's prosperity. This long and happy union has been blessed by ten chil- dren, of whom Joseph is the sixth.
Reared upon a farm, he grew up with all the advan- tages of out-door life and physical exercise; attending district school until he had attained such proficiency that an advanced school became necessary to develop the intellect which nature bestowed so profusely upon himn. For this purpose he attended the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity at Delaware, Ohio, and afterwards, to acquire a business education, he went to a commercial college at Dayton, Ohio, at both which seats of learning he showed himself a young mau of excellent memory, quick pereop- tion, good judgment. and sound understanding.
He was married November 12, 1868, to Miss Mary Davis, daughter of Almon Davis, a wealthy former of Liberty Township. Mrs. Inghes was boru in April, 1848. She is a lady of culture and refinement, and is one
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in every way fitted to make home attractive and happy. One chikl, Gordon Taylor, a bright, intelligent boy now twelve years old, has been given them to bless their union. Mr. Hughes engaged in farming with fair suc- ยท cess until 1875, when desiring to furnish his boy with better facilities for education, and being himself of an enterprising commercial and manufacturing disposition which farming did not gratify, he moved to Hamilton and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1881, when he sold out to his brothers. While engaged in business his at- tention was directed to the subject of manufacturing the beautiful ware known as Wedgewood, large quantities of which are imported from England and sold in this coun- try, and he became impressed with the belief, after in- vestigation, that it could successfully be manufactured in America.
Acting upon this belief, he with others organized the Royal Pottery Company, of which he was elected presi- dent, about three years ago, for the manufacture of this ware. The necessary buildings and machinery were constructed, skilled workmen were brought direct from England to start the enterprise, and the problem was suc- cessfully solved by turning out goods equal to the best imported from Europe, thus demonstrating what Amer- ican enterprise and skill can accomplish when led by intelligence and good judgment. Since Mr. Hughes's elee- tion to his present position, he has disposed of all his interest in the company, as well as other outside business, that he may devote his whole time and attention to the duties of the office to which the people have elected him; but as a manufacturer and a merchant, his good judgment, thorough incthods, aud fair dealings procured him a fair share of success, and the respect of all with whom he dealt.
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From his earliest youth he has taken an earnest in- terest in politics, allying himself with the Democratic party, being a truc disciple of the teachings of Jefferson, Jackson, Madison, and the other great founders of that party. He is thoroughly democratic in his principles, is opposed to all monopolies and to all legislation for the benefit of the few at the expense of the many, or to any thing tending towards monarchy, absolutism, or aristocracy.
For years he has been a hard worker in the ranks of his party, acting as committeeman in his township, at- tending conventions, and helping worthy friends to pub- lic positions, but not until the Hancock campaign in 1880 was he put forward as a leader by his admirers, who began about that time to estimate the man at his true value.
At the Morrow convention in 1880, which nominated General Ward for Congress, he was selected by the delc- gation from his county to second the nomination, which he did in a neat and appropriate speech, being the first time he had attempted the difficult task of speaking in public. During the political campaign of that year he
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spoke at various points in the county, discussing the political questions of the day in a manner that showed a thorough knowledge of the subject, to the gratification and, we may add, surprise of his friends, and with credit to himself.
In the campaign of 1881 he contributed greatly to the success of his party by his writings to the Daily Demo- crat, in a manner that shows him to be a good writer as well as a good speaker, and his abilities as a political strategist are recognized by his being made chairman of the county executive committee of this county. As a speaker he is thoroughily honest and sincere in his utter- ances, and therefore impresses himself upon his bearers; his sentences go dircet to the point, and convince by their directness rather than by their cloquenec. As a writer he is forcible, fair, and direct; but if occasion re- quire, he can be pungent and sarcastic, covering the ob- ject of his attack with ridicule, in which respect he is much more effective as a writer than speaker.
It is reasonable to suppose that the public would look to such a man as one well calculated to fill a public of- fice with credit to himself and with honor to them, and therefore when he was nominated by his party by an overwhelming majority, and triumphantly elected to the office of auditor of this county, in the Fall of 1881, it was no more than was to be expected in recognition of his abilities and reward for political services.
He entered upon the discharge of the duties of his responsible position in November, 1881, to serve for three years. In the discharge of those duties it is safe to prediet, from the integrity displayed by him in the past, that the interests of the public will be properly guarded, and that the laws governing his official acts will be honestly and faithfully executed. He is a man of incorruptible honesty and unflinching honor, possessing that conscientious regard for the sanctity of an oath that insures its faithful observance. He is a Knight Templar, is a past Chancellor Commander ia the Knights of Pythias, and a valued member of other orders with which he is associated. With his natural shrewdness, industry, and ambition, we predict for him a future that will place him in the front ranks as a citizen, a politician, an officer, and a thoroughly cultured, upright gentleman.
THOMAS V. HOWELL.
Thomas V. Howell, the leading dry-goods merchant of Hamilton, was born in this city, in what is now the First Ward, September 28, 1826. He is the son of Hezekiah and Sarah A. (Virgiu) Howell. Mrs. Howell was the daughter of Thomas Virgin, an early settlor in Liberty Township, and afterward in the War of 1812. He was killed by indians, on the Rocky Mountains. Mr. Howell received a limited education in the common schools, and when from ten to twelve years of age entered the employment of George P. Bell, a prominent mer- chant, and continued with him some ten years, when he
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
went to Cincinnati, with the firm of Reilly & Woods. He returned to Hamilton, and entered the employment of Brown & Leigh, remaining there until March, 1849, when, in company with D. G. Leigh, they purchased the business of William B. Van Hook, and began the firm of Leigh & Howell, under which title they traded for two and a half years. Mr. Leigh then sold out to John Dye; . and the new firm of Howell & Dyc was formed.
About 1854 Mr. Howell purchased the interest of his partner and carried on business by himself for twelve years. Ou beginning in 1849, bis trade was not limited exclusively to dry goods, but embraced all that is com- mouly sold in country stores, including_at one time a large stock of boots and shoes, and afterwards of inil- linery. In 1870 he admitted his son, David Leigh Howell, as a partner, under the firm name of T. V. Howell & Son. In 1875 they built the store since oecu- pied by the firm, a handsome three story building. and admirably adapted to its present use. Their former storc had been on the corner of Third and High, in the place now occupied by Hughes Brothers. The firm also earries on an extensive concern in Middletown, and are large dealers in all lines. Much of their goods is imported directly by themselves.
Mr. Howell was married October 20, 1849, to Miss Sarah A. Conner, daughter of David Conner, a former well-known resident of this place. They are the parents of one daughter and one son, the former being Kate C. Hlowell, and the latter David L. Howell. Mrs. Howell and daughter are members of the United Presbyterian Church. He is a self-made man, and had no carly ad- vantauges. He is a member of the Masonic order, and contributed liberally of his means and influence in sus- taining the government during the last war.
WILLIAM B. VAN HOOK.
William B. Van Hook was born at Cineinnati, Ohio, on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1795. His parents were Dr. Benjamin F. Van Hook and Catherine Van Hook, who were Hollanders, and who had emigrated from New Jersey to the North-west Territory at a very early period. Mr. Van Hook remained in- Cincinnati until the last war with Great Britain, when he enlisted as a private in Captain David Oliver's company, and served as a soldier until peace was declared. He moved from Cincinnati to Hamilton in the year 1818, where he . continued to reside until his death, which took place in 1871. .
He was by trade a carpenter. which he followed for many years. He had more than ordinary skill as a mechanic and builder. About 1818 he and the late James B. Thomas went from Hamilton to New Orleans ou a flat-boat, where they remained for several months, working together at the carpenter business. Mr. Van Hook and the late Colouel Ball, of Trenton, walked all the way back to Hamilton through the then Indian coun-
try. He was shortly afterwards married to Julia Ann Stephens, who survived him, and who died in June, 1882.
In early life Mr. Van Hook exhibited quite a taste for the theater, and, as an amateur, played with and as- sisted the since eminent tragedian, Edwin Forrest. The circumstances are related elsewhere. Mr. Forrest never forgot his old friend, and never visited Cincinnati after- wards without sending for him.
Mr. Van Hook was a man of more than ordinary merit, and filled with ability offices of public trust. For several years he was a member of the Ohio Legislature; was speaker of the House of Representatives, and was warden of the Ohio penitentiary. He was at various times a member and president of the city council of Hamilton. During the late rebellion he was deputy provost marshal of the Third Congressional District. In politics he was always an unwavering and ardent Demo- crat, but during the war of the Rebellion aeted with the Union party. For more than half a century he was a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity. He died at his home in Hamilton, Ohio. At the time of his death he was probably the oldest citizen of this place. He was a highly respected, useful, and honored citizen.
JOHN F. NEILAN.
John F. Neilan, the prosecuting attorney of this county, is a native of Ireland. He was born in Rosconimnon County November 18, 1845. His parents, Thomas Neilan and Sarah Dwyer, emigrated to this country in 1848; being forced to that step by the misgovernment of the En- glish. Mr. Nellan's family is one of the oldest an! wealthiest in the west of Ireland, whose patrimony was confiscated by the British Government. John F. Neilan was but three years old when his parents came to the United States, locating in New Haven, Connecticut, and as soon as he grew old enough was sent to school, where lie received the rudiments of education.
In 1857 his parents came to the West, that bound- less field for industry and thrift, and settled in Fayette County, in this State. There, with indomitable indus- try, they proceeded to elear off the virgin foreste, and get the ground ready for cultivation. From 1857 to 1866 he led the usual life of a farmer's boy, but with few of the advantages eonunonly to be found in that po- sition. His parents were very poor, and he received no school education after he was twelve years of age, wich the exception of six or eight months in all, obtained a couple of months each Winter, when the weather was so bad that no work could be done on the farm.
He was, however, an incessant reader. Hc read every thing he could lay his hands on-books, magazines, and newspapers. History, biography, and travels were bis favorites, and so industriously did he pursue his realing that he was known by all to be a well-informed young man at the age of twenty. His love for his adopted country aud his hatred of British rule led him to pay
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Respectfully JA: Milan
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particular attention to the history of the United States and the Revolutionary struggle. He sat up night after night, reading the story of the blockade at Boston, the conflict at Lexington, the disastrous defcat at Brooklyn, the retreat across the Jerseys, the Winter at Valley Forge, the great victories at Saratoga and Yorktown, the brilliant campaign of Greene in the South, and the thousand and one other facts that make up the history of our war for self-government, with no light but that of a log-fire, and alone.
In 1868 lie began teaching school, for which he had qualified himself by study. This position enabled him to keep up his reading, and to find new books in cach neighborhood. In this county, to which he came on the 16th of March, 1866, from Clark County, he taught for six years. While teaching he studied law, a part of the time in the office of Judge Crane, and was admitted to practice in all courts of record on the 13th of April, 1874. In that year he became the editor of the Hamil- - ton Examiner, a Democratic newspaper. He was married on the 2d of June, 1874, to Miss Jane W. Kincaid, daughter of Jackson Kincaid, who was born in Virginia, and Isabella Hill, a native of Butler County. Her birth was in December, 1849. Mrs. Neilan has proved an estimable, loving wife, and their home has been a happy one. They have had three children, Thomas K., Mary E., and John F., Jr. Thomas, who was born December 4, 1875, was killed by the kick of a horse, on the 19th
1 of July, 1881. This was their first sorrow. Mary E. was born September 28, 1878. John F. Neilan, Jr., was born December 28, 1881.
Mr. Neilan was elected city solicitor of Hamilton in April, 1877, retaining the position till April, 1881. In 1879, while holding that place, he was nominated for prose- cuting attorney by the Democratic convention. Always an ardent, fearless, and successful political strategist, he was made the especial target of the opposition party. All the corrupting influences possible in political warfare were brought to bear against him, but he was trium- phantly elected and served the people for two years, and for his honorable course and ability as a shrewd, quick- witted criminal lawyer, he was given the nomination for a second term without opposition, and his election followed.
Mr. Neilan ranks to-day with the first lawyers in our courts. His ability as an attorney and counselor, and reputation as a speaker, gained in many a hard fought political battle, have made him a reputation extending far Ix youd the confines of his county. He is a man of great will-power and determination, and always ready to give his opinion on all questions, and to conceal nothing. He is faithful and impartial in the discharge of public duties, and serves the people with honesty and ability. His intention is to resume the practice of law at the expira- tion of his term of office, and devote his whole attention to his chosen profession.
HAMILTON AND ROSSVILLE HYDRAULIC COMPANY.
For several years an idea had been entertained by some of the citizens of Hamilton of the practicability of taking the water out of the Miami River, at a bend about four miles above, conveying it by a race to the town, and thereby creating a water-power which would be ad- vantageous to the place. In the Summer of 1840 Johr W. Erwin, an experienced and skillful engineer, surveyed and leveled the route, and made a map and estimate of the expense of the work. This estimate and map were forwarded to the succeeding Legislature, with a petition praying the incorporation of a company to effect the ob- jeet contemplated. On the presentation of this the Leg- islature, on the twenty-fifth day of March, 1841, passed an act incorporating a company by the name of "The Hamilton and Rossville Hydraulic Company," and gave them power to erect a dam across the Miami River at any point between the head of New River and Allen's mill, and to construct a canal or race thence to the town of Hamilton, for the purpose of creating a water-power for propelling mills and other machinery.
The assent of the owners was required to be obtained over whose lands the water should be conducted or works crected. The capital stock of the company was limited to one hundred thousand dollars, divided into shares of fifty dollars each. On twenty thousand dollars being subscribed they were authorized to elect a board of di- rectors and proceed with the object of the undertaking.
At the next session of the Legislature a law was passed modifying the provisions of the original aet so that the business of the company should be conducted by nine directors, instead of seven as provided by the first act, and prohibiting the directors from involving the company in debt to a greater amount than the stoek subscribed, un- less authorized by two-thirds of the stockholders. The assent of owners of land to the right of way being required by the act of incorporatiou, in the Spring of the year 1841 John W. Erwin obtained a release of the right of way from John Mitchel, George R. Bigham. William Bigham, James Bigham, and David Bigham, on the con- dition that the Hydraulic Company should build each of these persons a good bridge on their land, for the pass- ing of wagons and cattle over the company's canal.
A difference of opinion existed between the citizens of Hamilton and Rossville es to the point where the water- power should be erected, and on which side of the river the water should be brought. The net of incorporation appointed Samuel Forrer, of Dayton, a civil engineer, to survey and estimate the route on each side of the river, aud to establish it on the best and most practicable route. On being notified by the company, Mr. Forrer attended at Hamilton, in October. examined the different routes. and after making an estimate of the expense, on the 26th of October, 1841, made a report deciding in favor of the one on the Hamilton side. Books for the sub- seription of stock were opened on Wednesday the first day
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of December, and twenty-two thousand dollars immedi- ately taken.
An election was held at the office of Lewis D. Camp- bell, secretary, on the first day of January, 1842, at which John Woods, William Bebb, Loammi Rigdon, Jacob Hittel, Andrew MeCleary, Lewis D. Campbell, and Jacob Matthias were elected directors. William Bebb was chosen president, and Lewis D. Campbell, secretary. Henry S. Earbart was afterwards appointed treasurer. The board then employed John W. Erwin and John C. Skinner, engineers, to re-survey the route, and prepare the work for being let. After the work had been prepared for letting, John W. Erwin declin- ing to serve further as engineer, John C. Skinner was appointed, at a salary of four hundred dollars per year. A number of proposals were received, and the whole work put under contract at prices from five to thirteen cents.per cubic yard for excavation and embankment. The contractors immediately commeneed work, and . prosecuted tlicir jobs with vigor, so that, notwithstand- ing the great embarrassment of the times, and the diffi- culty of raising funds, the whole was finally completed, and the water let in at an carly date.
The commissioners appointed by the general govern- ment to examine and make a report of the most suitable place for the establishment of a United States armory, on some of the Western waters, being in the county at the time, a committee of citizens drew up a statement of the advantages of Hamilton, and the eligibility of the place for such an establishment. The Hydraulic Com- pany proposed to furnish them three thousand cubic feet of water per minute, over a fall of twenty feet, for the use of their works, free of charge, provided they would erect a tiglit dam over the river at the head of the race, and invited the commissioners to visit the place. On the 13th of September, 1842, they arrived at Hamilton, and spent three or four days in examining the town and vicinity.
The Hydraulic Canal, from the north line of Hamil- ton, passes down near the bank of the river, through a space of ground lying between the town lots and the river, previously held as public common. A conversion from public to private use it was alleged might interfere with the title, as it had originally been granted by Israel Ludlow, who laid out the town, for the purpose of a public common. An arrangement was accordingly en- tered into between the Hydraulic Company, the heirs of Israel Ludlow, deceased, and the town of Hamilton, by which the company was permitted to construct their canal over this ground. The space between the hydraulic canal and the river was laid off into lots. Those south of Buckeye Street were divided equally between the Hy- dranlic Company and the heirs of Ladlow. The por- tion lying north of Buckeye Street was divided equally between the town of Hamilton, Ludlow's heirs, and the Hydraulic Company.
The canal for hydraulic purposes is taken out of the Miami River about four miles above Hamilton, at a place where formerly stood Moody Davis's mill. i tight dam is here constructed across the river. The water is taken from the pool formed by the dam, and conducted down a bayou which had supplied the mill with water, about one hundred and twenty-four poles to a point below where the mill stood, where another dam is made across the bayou, and an embankment continued up on the west side to the east end of the dam across the river. This serves to raise the water to the same height as the water in the pools.
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