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 43
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"Dr. Bishop was, I think, the most popular and suc- cessful president the college ever had. Prof. MeFarland was the only Methodist professor, as I now remember, that was ever employed in the University.
"Mr. Markle carried on the tailoring business for many years ; also Thomas Dollahan, William H. Woodruff, and William Lange. Early in life the last named was very intemperate. He removed to the village of Camden, re- formed, was converted, united with the Methodist Epis- copal Church, became a local ordained preacher, and died a Christian over forty years ago. I attended a two days' meeting held by the Rev. Moscs Crume, in the village, and was entertained at Mr. Logue's. Danforth Wetherby was an early citizen of Oxford. He was engaged in the coopering business. He was also a local preacher, and a mau of more than ordinary ability.
"I must not forget to mention Peter Sampson, an early Methodist, a colored man. He and his wife were members of the Church and very good people. Thomas Rollins and wife; he was a mulatto, and a man of very dignified hearing.
"John Baughman, a young man working at the tan- ning business, was converted at my father's house. He afterward became a preacher of some note. Nehemiah Griffiths, living near Oxford, also became a successful preacher, but dicd early. The Rev. Samuel Bromer lived in Oxford at an early day. I think he ran a card- ing machine. It afterwards went into the hands of the Roots, who manufactured cloths and hat felts.
"On the first day of February, 1834, Charles W. Swain gave me license to exhort, and on the ninth day of April, 1834, I was recommended for license to preach as a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. I was then nineteen years and nine days old.
" Philip D. Matsen came to Oxford somewhere near 1832. He and John Ferguson were timmers by trade. They formed a copartnership and remained together for thirty or forty years. They never, I am toll, had any falling out ; got along pleasantly and amicably, and woturl
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up their joint interests, Matson retiring, some years ago. These men lived and worked as brothers. They are both respectable men, loved and admired by all good people."
In the year 1811 the trustees of the Miami University made an appropriation for the erection of a school build- ing on the University Square, which was to be used for the time being by the citizens of the township as an En- glish school. This house was situated about fifteen rods west of where the college building has since been crected. It was built of large hewed logs, about twenty by thirty feet, one story high, with a stone fire-place and chininey in each end. The building was completed so far as to be occupied in December of that year; and the citizens of the township having selected James M. Dorsey as the teacher of the school, in the same month he moved into the building. There was a partition run through the house, dividing it into two rooms. Dorsey lived with his family iu the room at one end and taught the school in the other room. At that time there was no settlement on any in-lot in the town, and not a road of any description leading to where the town was laid out, and it is believed that not a stick of timber had been cut from any in-lot ex- cept what was used in the erection of the school-house. In 1824 a second story was added to the building and prepared for a residence for Robert H. Bishop, then ap- pointed president of the University, in which he and his family resided for many years. The first settlers in the town of Oxford were John Taylor, James M. Dorsey, Merrikin Bond, John C. Irwin, Jacob Webb, Skillman Alger, Enoch Simpson, Fergus Mitchell, and Daniel Hopkins.
About the year 1815 William MeMechan, then but a few months from Ireland, put up the first shingled roof house in the town, This building was a two-story hewed log house, and stood on the north side of High Street, on the lots next west of the lots granted for public purposes. James Carlisle moved into this house and kept a. tavern, the first in Oxford, in 1816. His wife was Harriet, a daughter of Mrs. Greer, of Hamilton. Her sister Bell .. married Joseph S. Benham, then a lawyer of Hamilton, afterwards of Cincinnati. The talented Harriet Prentice of Louisville, Kentucky, is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benham, and consequently niece of Mrs. Carlisle, who died at Defiance, Ohio. Sometime afterwards Samuel Mccullough erected a row of frame buildings east of the public ground, in which he kept a tavern until the time of his death, but his widow continued the business for some time thereafter.
For her leading tavern-keepers after Samuel McCul- lough and his good wife, Oxford had Calvin Ward, here more than fifty-five years ago, in a two-story log holte. which was weatherboarded, in the southern part of the town. Ward continued in this business many years. He was followed by Mr. Thompson, who kept in the sune building, and at the sune time had a museum, the
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first in Oxford. After Thompson gave up his business the old house was used for a dwelling, but is now gone.
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After Mrs. Elizabeth Mccullough ceased to entertain travelers, Ludwick Weller followed in the same prop- erty. He was the father of John B. Weller. Mr. Chaney came in after Weller, who remained about ten years. Chaney was superseded by Dawson, also in the Mccullough property. Mr. Dawson left about twenty years ago, after which the tavern-stand was converted into a business block.
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The Mansion House was built about 1830, by J. R. Huston, who, unfortunately, died before the house was completed. Harry Lewis and Colonel French bought and completed the house, the latter keeping hotel in the building for a short time. Roberts & DcWitt then rented the house, continuing in the hotel business for several years. These men were followed by William McChesney, here a good many years, and Isaac Worden. James Worden, his son, is now a leader of the famous Chautauqua. Sunday-school. Worden was very poor while here, and it is told that many a guest, before he could get his meal, had to advance the money. At the sale of Lewis & French, Daniel Corwin bought the property, and in turn sold to P. H. Cone, who, during the late war, and before and after, was engaged in hotel-keeping. Mr. Cone afterwards sold the house, and it is now used for business purposes.
The Davis Hotel was built by Ludwick Weller. After him came James Adams, here for three or four years, and Roswell Hazleton, who remained with the people for twenty successive seasons. In 1872 Thomas Mccullough bought the stand, but the present owner is Mayor B. B. Davis, who has held that office since 1869, and who now conducts it as a public boarding-house under the name of the Girard House. The schools have been noticed somewhat, but Mr. W. H. Stewart kindly furnishes this information :
" In 1817 Dr. Blackleach taught a school in the ho' se our marshal now lives in. 'Squire W. B. Bonney and Godwin Dorsey were among the scholars. About 1833, 'Squire Bonney and a Mr. Morrison taught a public school in the building now known as the old Catholic Church. Lyman Hardin succeeded 'Squire Bonney. Sometime after this the board of education purchased the present site, and erected a building of four rooms. Among the superintendents, or principals, we find the names of Mr. Longnecker, Henry Brown, Charles P. Dennis, and J. W. Zeller. The latter served seven years, and was followed by F. D. Davis, who superintended four years. In 1874 W. H. Stewart, of Connersville, Indiana, was elected superintendent. The Miami Uni- versity having closed, the board of education thought it advisable to open a high school which, in part, might take the place of the preparatory department of the Uni- versity. The high school has been in operation for eight years, and is now more popular than ever before. The
course of study is that pursued in the Cincinnati schools, with the exception of the high school, where a few mod- ifications, are made."
We add to the history of the taverns this card :
"Thankful for past favors and wishing those favors con- tinued, the subscriber has at considerable expense repaired. and enlarged his house in the town of Oxford for the accom- modation of travelers. From his experience and strict per- sonal attention he reasonably expects a share of the public patronage, and flatters himself that he will render satisfac- tion to all who may please to favor him with a call. The stage from Hamilton arrives at this house on Mondays and Fridays, and leaves at one o'clock P. M., for Brookville, rio Bath Springs, when desired ; and returns Tuesdays and Sat- urdays, and leaves at eight o'clock A. M., for Hamilton. Hacks or single horses can be had at all times by travelers or visitors. A. STILSON.
"OXFORD, OHIO, May 20, 1830."
We add another equally as interesting : "OXFORD HOTEL.
"John McGonigle respectfully informs his friends and the public generaily, that he has opened a house of enter- tainment in Oxford, Butler County, Ohio. This house is situated on High Street, near the center of the town, com- manding a full view of the college yard and buildings of the Miami University. The house is large and convenient, with stabling and out-building nearly new, and in excellent re- pair. His bar is amply supplied with choice liquors; his larder will be well furnished and care taken to make the table acceptable. Every attention will be given to render the traveler or visitor comfortable who may favor him with a call. Carriages and hacks for parties wishing to visit the Bath Springs or other places in the neighborhood will be at all times available."
From a memorandum we take the following:
"OXFORD, OHIO, October 29, 1828 .- Candles had to be lit in this place at dinner on Sunday, the 19th inst., the air being darkened by an unusual quantity of smoke arising from the woods, which are on fire in this community."
A. V. Flagg was a citizen of Oxford for twenty-five or thirty years, during which time he engaged in the business of a blacksmith. Flagg was here about sixty years ago. The lot where the blacksmith's shop stood is now owned by John Sterns. The shop is now occupied as a shoe-shop. E. D. Smith was here forty years ago, in the same branch of business, in a frame building. B. B. Davis, another blacksmith, was engaged in blacksmithing in Oxford for twenty years, where Mrs. S. V. Hill now lives. Davis was a strong Methodist; he died in Indiana. J. Jellies was also a similar mechanie, on the ground where Charles Watt now is. Jacob Brandenburg has been here for forty years. Edward French was a smith on lot No. 43, but left many years ago. John Kirkwood was another black- smith in Oxford fifty years in the past. William Procter, a colored smith, was a mechanic in this village in 1 30. He was shot by two drunken soldiers some time during the war, who, in turn, were killed the sune night by some of the citizens.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
Oxford Township had for its first distillery one situ- ated on lot No. 42, in the village of Oxford. This still-house was owned by Samuel MeCullough, who was from Pennsylvania. MeCullough came here from the mill which bore his name, on the Big Miami above Hamilton. One of the largest distilling establishments in the western half of Butler County was owned by Robert Richey, more than fifty years ago, half a mile north of the publie square, in Oxford. This still-house was in operation for about twenty years. From Richey the farm on which the still-house stood passed into the hands of the Rev. Mr. Brainard. The widow of James Adams now owns the main part of the northern half of the old Richey farm.
Joseph Morris, who lived three miles north-west of Oxford, on a farm, made the hauling of whisky to Cin- cinnati a business at an early day. In returning he brought with him a load of groceries. It took one week to make the trip. The old Richey still-house was torn down and converted into business houses.
David Swing had the first tannery in Oxford, located on lot No. 28, in 1815. Swing was a Yankee; after carrying on the tanning business for about twenty years, he abandoned his tannery. Dr. Boude, who died in Illi- nois, had another on lot No. 33; also, A. W. Irwin, son of David Irwin, on lot No. 240, forty years ago. The present owners are Surface & Flanagan.
Joshua Davis, a well-known man in the town of Ox- ford, built a large carriage factory in the place twenty- four years ago; it was a frame building, and stood on Jot No. 88. It had a front of eighty-eight feet, sixty-six feet long, and was two stories high. This shop was an extensive affair, containing all the departments necessary for such work. The renters of this establishment were Thomas Davis and George Russell. In 1879 this house burned, with a total loss of $3,000. In 1859 Mr. Davis also lost a store and other buildings, by ineendiarisin, valued at $1,500.
In 1872 the Davis Hall was erected, which is three stories bigh, and is seventy-cight by seventy-eight feet. The Odd Fellows' hall cecupies the third story in part. Three firms were connected in the erection of this build- ing, Joshua Fry and George Munns, Joshua Davis and the Odd Fellows. This is the best block in Oxford and cost over 812,000. The hall will seat over five hundred people.
On the north-east corner of the public square a very large stable was at one time built out of the frame-work of the Richey still-house. This house had a front of fifty feet. A very large and extensive business was car- ried on in the way of trading, buying, and barter gen- erally. This was called the Gabriel Catheart block.
In 1820 George Siple had a distillery on Indian Creek, on Section 31. This establishment had what was known as a wooden still. Siple failed in business in 1844. Below, on the same section, David Gray had a
like affair. John Wilson, on Four-mile Creek, was en- gaged in the same work, but had for his distiller a William Bane, now of Richmond, Indiana. Bane was a great fiddler. In the evenings many of the young men of the surrounding country gathered in to hear his musie. This still-house had the reputation of being haunted with ghosts. People came for fifty miles to sce the sights. It finally resulted in pickets being posted to watel: Bane, who was suspected of being concerned in the matter. On a certain occasion, as the ghost was skipping over the whisky barrels, an ax was thrown through the sheet which the creature wore. It passed very near to Bane's breast, and ever after the ghost was not to be seen.
Risking some things already mentioned perhaps by Dr. Keely, we give an outline of who the store-keepers have been. In 1828 West Bonney was here, where the Citizens' Bank now is. The same year John Smith was also a country merchant in the frame house now used for a bakery. John Johnson was here at the same time, and continued for twenty years. Charles Spinnings was where William H. Johnson now lives, about the same time, remaining for some ten years. The old store-house has since been greatly remodeled. Harry Lewis was also in the same branch of trade, in a frame building where Shera & Brother are now. Mr. Lewis remained in this vocation for fifteen years. Ross Chamberlain occupied two or three houses in as many years. He went from Oxford to California. Colonel Jacob Ogle was a store- keeper for two or three years where the Oxford Bank now is, many years ago; he was followed by Ratliff & Meridith, in the same house for a year or two. In 1840 'Squire Crawford, who had also been with the people for many years previous, was a merchant. He held the office of justice of the peace for several terms, and diel in Oxford three or four years since. Abraham J. Chitten- den was here in 1825 in a little frame house on the corner of Catheart's block. Chittenden removed to ilinois. Mr. Dollaban was before Chittenden, in a little frame north of the public square. Merrikin Bond was also a very early merchant. Robert Mollyneaux was here in 1820, on the corner opposite the Catheart block.
Invincible Odd Fellows' Lodge, No. 108, of Oxford, was eliartered April 21, 1848, with the following men !- bers: Wm. T. Smith, Win. Brooks, G. W. Churchill, G. W. Keely, I. I. Keely, and S. C. Pearce, and was instituted on the 7th of June of the same year. The first meetings of the organization were held in the thirl story of the Mansion House, after which they leased for twenty years the Irving building. After this they were for three or four years in the Chatten Hall. The pres- ent house was erected the same year as the Davis Hall For the present officers, Spring of 1882, this lodge has S. P. Murray, N. G .; John A. Morrow, V. G .: HI D. Gath, R. S .; D. P. Beaton, P. S .; W. L. Lane. Treas. urer. There are about sixty-five active members, with a
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usual attendance of about twenty-five, many of them living at a distance, which prevents their presence.
The first members of this society were men of en- terprise and sound judgment. They were Dr. G. W. Keely, Daniel Brooks, John P. Clough, Isaac H. Har- mon, I. W. Maciain, B. F. Steele, Ebenezer Warner, I. I. Kecly, John E. Chatten, Edward H. Bacon, Mah- Jon Bacon, W. B. Bonney, R. S. Campbell, John Alex- ander, Robert A. Finkbine, Christian Sheeler, Albert Adams, John C. Lindley, Wm. H. McChesney, Thomas Warner, Allen Clute, Joseph H. Merridith, and others, all before 1850. Jacob T. Feber, Isaac Cooper, and Dr. Robert C. Huston joined in 1852, and are now prominent as they were thirty years since. John Wray, Erza Bourne, M. W. Duvall, dead; G. W. Sadler and George Adams joined in 1856. J. E. Chatten, W. B. Bonney, Samuel Cath, Jr., and Sutton C. Richey be- came members in 1860. P. H. Cone, who came from Connecticut, and who died March 15, 1882, became a member on the presentation of his card. W. L. Lane identified himself with this lodge inf 1866, from St. Charles Lodge. This organization owns the third story, which, together with the society furniture, is valned at $3,000.
There is also an Encampment of Patriarchs, No. 119, instituted on the 4th of June, 1869. The charter mem- bers were R. C. Huston, J. E. Chatten, S. C. Richey, A. P. Cox, G. W. Murphey, Joseph McCloskey, A. J. Owens. For present officers: C. P., R. W. De Witt; S. W., M. H. Beckett; H. P., Dr. Il. M. Logee ; S., H. C. Huston; Treas., J. E. Chatten. This organiza- tion meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall the first and third Thursday evenings of every month.
Oxford Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, No. 67, was organized June 18, 1822, by dispensation. The charter was granted January 16, 1823. The charter members were Abraham J. Chittenden, Joel Collins, An- thony Butler, Charles Newhall, James R. Hughes, Alph eus Sherman, James M. Dorsey, Thomas Walton, and Abner Stilson. Mr. Chittenden was made a Mason in Connecticut; Messrs. Hughes and Collins, in Ohio ; Messrs. Sherman and Butler, in Vermont ; Messrs. New- hall and Walton, in Massachusetts; Mr. Dorsey, in Maryland; Mr. Stilson, in New York. Peter H. Butler was the first Mason made in this lodge, 1822. He was followed by Sylvester Lyons. Among the other first members were Herrick Burdsell, John Clark, Asa New- ton, Edward Newton, Henry Powers, Asher Fields, Charles W. H. Temple, Asahel Moore, Mr. Anderson, Jacob Markle, and Samuel Gleason.
Abraham J. Chittenden was the first Master, James Hughes, the second, and Alphen- Sherman, the third, In 1876 Sylvester Lyons was the oldest surviving men- ber, having been made a Mason in 1823.
The first meetings of this society were held in the second story of a frame building, where Chatten's store
now stands. Some time thereafter the society made the second story of Anderson's building, on South Main Street, a point of meeting. From there, in 1851, they took up their quarters ia the present hall, which cost $1,100. Below we give a list of the three principal officers since 18-43 :
1843-P. P. Taylor, W. M .; Alphens Sherman, S. W .; Charles Newhall, J. W.
1844-Wm. T. Emmett, W. M .; Alfred Luce, S. W. ; Sylvester Lyons, J. W. The others will be given in the same order.
1845 -- Alfred Luce, David Fagan, John R. Kerwood.
1846-David Fagan, William Kennedy, John R. Kerwood.
1847-Alfred Luce, William Kennedy, Wilkerson Higgins.
1848-Alfred Luce, William Kennedy, Peter H. Butler.
1849-Alfred Luce, Wm. H. Crume, Chas. W. H. Temple.
1850-Wm. II. Crume, Chas. W. H. Temple, Chris- topher Souders.
1851 -- Wm. H. Crame, David P. Nelson, Christo- pher Sonders.
1852-Christopher Souders, Abrabam G. Elliott, R. L. Rea.
1853 -- William II. Crume, Abraham G. Elliott, Si- las Roll.
1854-Silas Roll, William Kennedy, Samuel Wray. 1855-Same.
1856-Silas Roll, Willis R. De Witt, S. A. Kennedy. 1857-Willis R. De Witt, W. W. Currey, Gideon Wilkinson.
1858-Alfred Luce, Gideon Wilkinson, Wm. R. Crume.
1859-Willis R. De Witt, Silas Roll, Chas. W. II. Temple.
1860-Willis R. De Witt, Silas Roll, Allen Chute. 1861-Silas Roll, Gideon Wilkinson, Charles Wright. 1862-Willis R. De Witt, Allen Clute, Robert H. Riggs,
1863-Willis R. De Witt, Allen Clute, Sutton C. Richey.
1864-Willis R. De Witt, Sutton C. Richey, Robert Ratliff.
1865-Alfred Ince, Sutton C. Richey, John W. Roll.
1866 -- Willis R. De Witt, John W. Roll, Edward L. Hill.
1867-Willis R. De Witt, Charles Wright, George Stork.
1868-Willis R. De Witt, Gideon Wilkinson, Silas Warner.
1869-Edward L. Hill, George Stork, Heury Saun- ders.
1870-George B. Rohrer, Gideon Wilkinson, Robert Ratliff.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
1871-George B. Rohrer, Gideon Wilkinson, Karl Merz.
1872-George B. Rohrer, Karl Merz, Robert Riggs. 1873-Karl Merz, George Stork, Sutton C. Richey. 1874-Karl Merz, Robert Riggs, Moses DeCamp. 1875-Karl Merz, A. Beaugurcau, W. L. Jones. 1876-A. Beaugurean, W. L. Jones, James T. Gray. 1879-Gideon Wilkinson, S. W. Higgins, Caleb Shera.
.1880-S. W. Higgins, Caleb Shera, A. Truce.
This lodge ceased working for a few years, but re- tained their charter. In 1843 they asked permission from the Grand Lodge to resume work, which was granted. The early records of the lodge arc lost. The oldest living momber is Wilkinson Higgins, who joined in 1844. The leading members at present are Adrian Beaugureau, Samuel Gath, L. E. Grennan, S. W. Hig- gins, Wilkinson Higgins, Edward L. Hill, George W. Keely, Karl Merz, Caleb A. Shera. Since the reor- ganization this lodge has had over two hundred and fifty members.
In 1869 the leading citizens of Oxford organized what was known as the Co-operative Loan, Building, and Sav- ings Association. This institution continued in force until 1877, when the society was practically disbanded. Among the members we find W. H. Johnson, P. H. Cone, R. Butler, G. W. Keely, W. H. Smith, John Ferguson, G. W. Murphy, John Miller, J. E. Newton, J. M. D'Arco, J. T. Langstroth, S. C. Richey, R. C. Huston, and J. D. Ringwood. P. H. Cone was their last president. F. J. Cone is the present treasurer. The organization meets but once a year. It holds but one house in trust, or as its proprietor.
Immediately after the above organization went into partial non-existence the Oxford Loan and Building As- sociation was formed. This society had for its leaders R. H. Bishop, president ; HI. M. Logee, vice-president ; S. C. Richey, secretary; F. J. Cone, treasurer; and P. W. Smith, solicitor. P. D. Matson, O. F. G: rrod, G. W. Keely, and William Tucker are the trustees, the latter being the only one who has not served since its organi- zation. There are two thousand shares; sixteen hundred in force are taken. The amount loaned is ninety thon- sand dollars in cash. There are now nearly three hun- dred members. Both these building associations were chartered by the State.
In the year 1827 the Erodelphian and Union Lit- erary Societics of the Miami University purchased a printing-press, and in June commenced the publication of a journal entitled the Literary Focus. It was edited by and under the superintendence of a joint committee of young men belonging to each of the societies. It was published monthly, in octavo form, of sixteen pages in each inumber. At the expiration of the first year, the form and title of the paper was changed, and it was pub- lished weekly, in quarto form, of eight pages, and called!
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the Literary Register. The editorial department was under the superintendence of the faculty of the college. At the expiration of the year, the publication was dis- continued for want of sufficient patronage, as well as a want of leisure on the part of the faculty to attend to the publication. The last number issued bears date of June 27, 1829. The press remained in Oxford in 1838, and was used for job printing. A book-bindery was also attached to the office.
In 1854 a paper was placed before the public by the name of the Oxford Citizen. Charles Bingham. a young man, was the projector of this enterprise. The paper continued with some degree of prosperity, and was finally sold to Richard Butler, who edited the paper for ten or twelve years. He is now in Clinton, Illinois, as post- master, and editor and proprietor of the Clinton Public. Mr. Butier was very successful with his paper.
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