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 63
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In the year 1816 the town had a large brick merchant- mill, built by George Bennet. In the same year the town was laid out. There is an extensive pottery and
tile factory in the town. The first merchants in the vil- lage were as follows: Thomas Hall, Nathan Goldsmith, A. Hunt & Co., George Marvel, Daniel Poffenbarger, Law & Hunt, Long & Law, Antrim & Co., John Gard- ner, Carroll & Squiers, Eli Scudder, Z. Fisher, C. Gard- ner, and F. V. Weaver. The tavern-keepers in the town were Crane & Egglesfield, in the year 1816; and after- wards, William Hall, Thomas Kelley, Peter Rutown, Benjamin De Bolt, David Mattix, Charles Bailey. The physicians have been J. F. Heaton, J. H. Cruse, 1. Eckert, D. Eckert, Doctor Prudents, J. M. Hunt.
Miltonville has a fine large church, which belongs to the United Brethren congregation, and has a comfortable parsonage. Rev. Mir. Killbarn is the pastor. In the cemetery are the graves of
Henry Kumler, bishop of the United Brethren Church, born 1775; died 1854; aged 79. Susannah Kumler, born 1779; died 1874; aged 95.
The first grave in the Miltonville Cemetery was made in 1800. It was then in a heavy forest. The name of the person was Mattix. She was eighty years old. Her given name is not known, as a part of the head-stone has by time so decayed that it could not be made out.
MENNONITES.
There are a large number of Mennonites settled south of Treuton, who form an excellent portion of the popu- lation. When the Augspurgers left Europe, in 1819, a Mennonite elder or bishop, by the name of John Miller, and his family, started with them; but when they ar- rived in Pennsylvania he left them; and so the Augspar- gers were without an elder or bishop when they arrived in Butler County.
In 1828, however, two elders or bishops made their appearance in Butler County, one from Canada and the other from Pennsylvania, and meetings were held in the dwelling houses, as they had no meeting-houses at that time.
In 1830 Jacob Augspurger, the second cousin of Chris. tian Augsburger, was elected and qualified to the office of elder or bishop of the congregation, and the other elders left for other parts. In 1832 a colony of Men- nonites from Hesse-Darmstadt and Kurhesse, Germany, arrived in Butler County, amongst whom were the Holly and Ietzi families, who brought along with them musical instruments, such as pianos, for their enjoyment, which was quite a surprise to those Mennonites that lived in Butier County then, as they were not used to such things. Their dress, also, was more fashionable, to which those that lived here then were not accustomed, and it cansed much dissatisfaction amongst the old people. L'inally it created a division of the members iato two parties ; and the other party, which may be termed the liberal party, obtained another chler or bishop from Ger- many, by the name of John Miller; and Joseph AAng- sparger, Christian Holly, and Peter Kennel were elected
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
1 assistant ministers, and the two parties hell their meet- ings separately in their dwellings. In 1847 Eller Jacob Augspurger died, and his son, Nicholas Augspurger, was eleeted in his place; and in 1860 Eller Milier moved to Illinois, and Joseph Augspurger was elected in his place as elder.
By this time their numbers had increased so that their dwellings were too small for their accommodation, and they coneluded to build meeting-houses. Conse- quently, in 1863, two meeting-houses were built, one by cach party, south-west of Trenton, near the Cinein- mati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, where meetings are now held alternately every Sunday in each meeting- house, so as to give to the members an opportunity to visit both meetings.
An organized Mennonite meeting consists of one elder or bishop, one or more assistants or preachers, and one or more deacons. The duty of the elder or bishop is to preach and perform the sacramental ceremonies, and to take good care of his flock; the duty of the assistant ministers is to assist the elder in preaching and obtain practice in the art of preaching; and the duty of the deacons is to take care of the finances of the Church, and look after the poor and sick, and supply their wants. The ministers are all elected by the members of the Church by ballot; but when there is a tie dcelared, one of the two largest in number is drawn by lot. The elder er bishop is elected from among the assistant ministers of the Church; but the assistant ministers are elected from among the members of the Church to which they · belong. They receive no salary ; but if they are in need they are assisted by the Church.
The religious principles of the Mennonites are as fol- lows: They are opposed to infant baptism. Their chil- dren are generally baptized when from fourteen to six- teen years old, which is done by sprinkling. They are opposed to bearing arms and to swearing oaths. They are opposed to going to law with each other; but when they have difficulties they try to settle them among them- selves. They are opposed to the practice of dancing and going to balls, aud to extravagance in their dress. They generally hold their communion twice a year -- that is, at Easter and in the Fall -- on which occasion they wasl: each other's feet. Some Mennonites, however, neglect doing this. When a member removes from one place to another where he is not well known, he is required to show a certificate of membership in writing of his good standing in the congregation where he is from, before he is admitted as a member in his new home. Such cer- tifente must be signed by the elder or bishop of the ecn- gregation where he is from. Members are excluded from the communion for immoral conduct, and are banished from the Church for committing a crime; and in some localities they are refused admission to the coinmauion, and are even expelled, for disobedience to their Church rules.
MADISON CITY.
This is situated directly opposite Middletown, and is a suburb of that place. The Madison House was built in the year 1846 by John Mumma. It is two and a half stories high, and seventy-two feet by twenty-one and a half feet, and belongs to A. Crider, grocery and provision dealer. The remainder of the builling belongs to Albert Kenaday and the heirs of W. C. Ward. The building contains thirty rooms above ground, and in the cellar eleven, making a total of thirty-eight rooms. Reed & Company occupies the north room as a grocery. There is a tavern kept in the house by Albert Beckford. Wil- son Long keeps an agricultural warehouse. W. C. Ward is a wagon-maker, and does repairing. Samuel MeFall has an extensive circular saw-mill in the place, and there are two blacksmith shops, one by MeFall and one by Eckelbarge. J. M. Gardner is a custom boot and shoe maker. In the fall of 1877 the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad Company erected a large elevator for Curtis & Hartley in Madison City, as there is an extensive grain trade at that place. Madison City has forty family residences, and enumerates one hundred and fifty pupils of school age. The post-office is known as Heno.
WOODSDALE.
Woodsdale is situated on Section 19. Part of the place lies in St. Clair Township. It was founded in the year 1867 by the Beekett Paper Company, through the influence of Samuel Augspurger, one of the most in- fluential business men at that time of Madison Township. Samuel Augspurger sold a portion of his interest in the real estate to the company, which had at that time a stock of ninety thousand dollars. The stock was increased in 1869 to one hundred and twenty-two thousand dollars. After a success for some. years a fire broke out in the ray room of the paper-mill, and consumed the entire mill, ex- cept brick walls and smoke stacks. In the year 1880 the company commenced to rebuild, but have been delayed. When Samuel Augspurger sold to the company be re- served a water right, the company to keep up the dant and race, as he has a large saw and flour mills. In the year 1864 Samuel Angspurger built a saw mill ninety feet long and two stories high. The mill cost twelve thousand dollars, and a flour-mill of brick cost him fifteen thousand dollars. There is a post-office and dry goods and grocery store in the town. They have a school-house of brick, well furnished with seats, maps and books. The town has thirty-five buildings, includ- ing mills.
POASTTOWN.
Poasttown was formerly known as West Liberty, and is situated on Section 12, Township 2, Range 4, cast, and contains fifteen dwellings on the original plat of the vil- Inge, which was laid out by Peter Poast in the year IS! There are about fifteen families who live outside of the original plat, who are called citizens of the town. Tim'
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first store was opened in that village by Christian Coon in the year 1815: the second by Samuel Vaneort, and others by Philip Deal. George Catron, Dubler John, Kemp & Antrim, John Selby, William Dine, Marsh & Poast, and Willis Thomas. The present store-keeper is P. P. Poast. The first tavern was opened in that place by William Brown, and he was followed by Mr. Richardson, Joshua Heffner, Enos Heffner, Daniel Stump, Conrad Spidel, and Elias Emrick. P. P. Poast is post-master at Poast Town, and agent of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad, and is an extensive dealer in all kinds of grain, groceries, and merchandise. The railroad company on the 5th of April, 1878, erected an elevator for the conven- ience of grain growers and dealers. The village is in one of the most fertile parts of the Miami Valley. There is a first-class blacksmith's shop and wagon-maker's shop in the town, owned by the Woods brothers.
A large tree was felled in 1852 on the farm of Tobias Lane. It was measured by 'Squire McMaken and Ar- thur Lane. Three feet above the ground the stump was twenty-one feet in circumference. Fifty-seven feet from the ground it measured thirteen feet in girth. Eighty- five feet above the ground it measured ten feet. The wood was corded by itself. It measured eighteen cords city measure, or nineteen and a half common measure.
The Astoria Cemetery is located on Section 6, Town- slip 2, Range 4. There are buried there :
Joseph Deem, son of Adam and Jane Deem, died August 24, 1818; aged 7 years. John Deem, died August 20, 1833; aged 83. Mary Deem, died March 20, 1845; aged 91. Adam Deem, died September 2, 1829; aged 50. Jane Campbell, consort of Adam Deem, died September 25, 1847; aged 63 years. John II. Deem, died February 12, 1862; aged 70. Elizabeth, wife of John H. Deem, died March 29, 1867; aged 71. Elizabeth Hinkle, died May 21, 1859; aged 76. Joseph Hinkle, Sen., Jied July 3, 1881; aged 9-4.
The Mt. Pleasant Cemetery is situated on Section 1, Township 2, Range 4, east. The names of some of the old persons buried in it are :
John Lucas, Sen .. died June 15, 1836; aged 75. Zach- ariah Selby, died July 14, 1841; aged 83. Hannah Lucas, died September 25, 1871 ; aged 76. Samuel Lucas, died Au- gust 15, 1870; aged 74. John Lucas, died March 5, 1873; aged 79. David Banker, died January 25, 1862; aged 83.
At the Miltonville Cemetery are the following :
In memory of Mary, wife of James Warden, died May 19, 1834; aged 90. Magdalena Good, died October 15, 1863; aged 87. John Stanley, died September 2, 1864; aged 98. George Gewker, died August 31, 1858; aged 82. Daniel Kemp, died August 20, 1856: aged 70. Elizabeth Kemp, died February 13, 1859; aged 75. Rev. John Kemp, died February 8, 1875; aged 85. Elizabeth Kemp, died October =2, 1850; aged 68. Rev. Jacob Kemp. died August 6. 1856, agel 68. Mary M., wife of Jech Komp, died June 24, 1843; aged 57. Jacob Gaptner died May, ISSI ; aged 97.
The United Brethren Church was organized in the year 1811 by Jacob Kemp, Seu. . John Kemp, Seu., was
the first minister; the second, Jacob Kemp. The names of ministers to the present time, as near as can be ascer- tained, are Christian Newcomer, John Primne, Andrew Zellers, Jolın Avinge, John MeNamer, Abraham Shin- gerdoker, William Stubs, Mr. Denhan, David Whit- come, David Stuteker, Noah Wheeler, Mr. MeMahen, John Illrod, Mr. Spice, Mr. McGray, John Vickers, Mr. Flickinger, Henry Koomler, John Crider, Mr. Traw- yer, John Fetterhoff, Jacob Jacoby Antrim, William Rinehart, Bishop Grosbuner, Daniel Flickinge, John Zellers, William Davis, Mr. Lanthom, Mr. Flinchbaugh, John H. Kemp, David Bonebrake, Conrad Bonebrake, Peter Bonebrake, Henry Bonebrake, George Bonebrake, Daniel Bonebrake, Jacob Surfis, Henry Surfis, Adam Surfis, Mr. Toby, John Kemp, Jr., Lewis Gilber, Day- ton Ryal Hasting, Mr. Henry Robison, Mr. Botters, George Collins, Daniel Kumler, John Walters, Simon Dubler, Jacob Emrick, George Huffman, Joseph Huff- man, Joseph Huffinan, Sen., John Huffinan, Henry Kumler (bishop), J. P. Eckert, Mr. Kilburn. Total, sixty-one.
The first grave in Elk Creek Cemetery was in the year 1800, for a boy six years old, named Millener. His given name is not known, as many of the first head-stones were common lime-stone, and the cold Winters and wet weather has caused them to scale off so that the inserip- tions can not be made out. Among other inscriptions are:
Samuel Dickey, Sen., died December 1, 1812: aged 59. Catherine, wife of Samuel Dickey, Sen., died February 5, 1812; aged 56. Samuel Dickey, Jr., died June 23, 1835, aged 30. Ann Elizabeth, consort of George H. Francis, died No- vember 18, 1843; aged $5. Jolin Lingle, Jr., died January 22, 1815; aged 7. John C. Buck, died January 10, 1834; aged 71. Elizabeth Buck, died August 19, 1843; aged 75. David Williamson, died September 23, 1855, aged 75. Mar- garet Williamson, born May 28, 1775; died August 29, 1850; aged 75. Christopher Reed, died June 23, 1:34; aged 71. Rachel Kemp Camp, died April 26, 1820; aged 19. Mary Miller, died August 31, 1830; aged 28. Jeremiah Miller, died. September 9, 1838; aged 54. In memory of Mary Muriller, born December 23, 1771; died February 10. 1844; aged 69. Jolin Sawer, died December 27, 1831 ; aged 61. Jacob Sny- der, died June 18, 1833; aged 69. Solomon Snyder, died May 30, 1826; aged 60. Adam Andrews, died June 10, 1848; aged 88. Catherine Andrews, died February 19, 1540; aged 71.
The German Church is built on an acre of ground bought of James Doer for eighteen dollars, and was dedi- cated to the worship of God according to the usages of the Evangelical Lutheran and Evangelical Reformed Churches on the 31st of August, 1817. There were present the following elergymen: Rev. Mr. Diehl, Rev. Degont Beeker, Rev. Mr. Winders, and Rey. Mr. Simon. The trustees were Henry Hoffman and John Weichei. According to the constitution of the Church, it was to be used for the two Churches in High German forever. It is in the center of the western end of the township.
The Baptist Church on Brown's Run, Madison Town-
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
ship, known as the Mount Pleasant Church, was organ- ized by Eller Wilson Thompson, on the second day of September, 1819. Delegates were present from Elk Creek, Bethlehem, and Tapscott's. The following appear among the list of old members: Samuel Lucas, Eliza- beth Banker, Hannah Lucas, Mary McGlaulin, Ralph Voris, Jane Voris, Rachel Silbey, Lydia Barklow. Daniel Barklow, Thomas Wilson, Julia Ann Banker, Nancy Barklow, Joseph Bush, Mary Ann Banker, Christian Miksell, Elizabeth Miksell, Thomas Royal, Catherine Royal, Elizabeth Banker, Elizabeth Lucas, Caroline Hinkle, Martha Lucas, Nancy Gouger, Matilda Kountze, James Baird, Mary Baird, Jane Williamson, Silas Poy- ner, Rebecca Sellbe, Mary Ann Hinkle, 'Squire Hinkle, Tabitha Greggs, Levina Banker, Martha A. Craig, Anna Shankle, Joseph Hinkle, John L. Graves, Matilda Zimmerman, Ann Maria Stewart, John Voris, John Snyder, James Snyder, Sally Hinkle, Jane Voris, Eliza- beth Gapheart, and Hannal Voris. The records of the Church from 1819 to 1853 have not been preserved, and we have no list of their preachers. In the historic division of the Baptist Church they adhered to the old school.
The following is a list of postmasters:
Trenton. - Squier Littell, March 6, 1831; Abraham L. Holgate, May 30, 1833; Squier Littell, April 14, 1857; David Taylor, Jr., March 11, 1840; Ellis Miller, Sep- temiber 30, 1840; William Potter, January 10, 1845; Robert Triune, January 25, 1846; Samnel D. Rose, June 13, 1849; William Potter, March 9, 1852; Samuel D. Rose, June 11, 1853; William Bachring, November 11, 1856; William H. Buehl, March 31, 1859; Charles C. Weaver, August 25, 1850; William Potter, July 11, 1861; John Gartner, September 23, 1863; Moses W. Drake, January 20, 1866; David B. Scoyek, March 27, 1873; Weller Overpeck, May 6, 1873; Joseph Eicher, September 12, 1873.
Woodslale .- Samuel Augsburger, November 10, 1870; Lueins B. Potter, December 1, 1870; David W. McClung, August 12, 1874; F. D. James, July 23, 1879; Will- iam C. Baldon, October, 23, 1879.
Heno (Madison City) .- John Pritchard, April 18, 1882.
Portionen .- Catherine Poast, August 22, 1848 ; Jabez J. Autrim, December 3, 1851 ; James Barklow, August 8, 1853; John Selby, June 3, 1854; William C. Dine, July 9, 1856; Peter P. Poast, July 9, 1861.
Astoria .- Benjamin De Bolt, July 8, 1849; Andrew D. Rogers, October 11, 1841. Discontinued September 25, 1844.
Christiane .-- Christian Koon, February 27, 1829. Discontinued November 14, 1837.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
Mozes G. Aug-purger was born in Madison Township February 23, 1845, and was married March 19, 1874, to Auna Schlumeger, born the same day as her hu-band.
His parents were Nicholas Augspurger and Magdalena Gautsche, who were born in 1819, and hers were Peter Schlumeger and Jacobina King. They have three chil- dren. Albert was born May 23, 1875; Alma Magdalena, May 25, 1877, and Barda, July 10, 1880. Mr. Augs- purger was reared on a farm, working with his father until he was twenty-five years old, when he began to do for himself, renting land of his father. He remained thes until February, 1879, when he bought the place he now occupies, of one hundred and three aeres, which is under a good state of cultivation. Mr. Augspurger is a Meuno- nite, as is also his wife, and their parents before them.
Isaac Andrews was born in Wayne Township, Butler County, in 1848. His parents were Henry Andrews and Eleanor Long. He was married in 1873 to Emma Hellebrecht, daughter of Heavy and Mary Hellebrecht, bora at Walnut Hills, and has had two children, Harry and Alfred, the former being dead. Joseph Rogers, a member of his family, was in the Mexican War, and hiis half brother, Samuel Knees, served during the late struggle.
In the year 1819 Christian Augspurger and family, and his brother, Joseph Augspurger, and family, and his second cousin, Jacob Augsburger, and family. and others, immigrated from near Strasbourg, France, to Batier County, and settled near Collinsville, Milford Township, where Christian Augspurger bought a farm of about three hundred acres of land, of which there was about one hundred acres improved; but as the other Angs- purgers were short of means they rented farms. Things looked very gloomy then, however, for farmers, and to make money was almost an impossibility, as the prices for produce were very much depressed, and there was no money scurcely to be had for any thing. Corn was teu eents per bushel; wheat, twenty-five cents; but- ter three cents per pound, and pork one dollar and a half per hundred pounds, net. Whisky, however, was fifty cents a gallon, but people did not know how to manufacture it then as well as they do now, and beer was scarcely known in Butler County. Whisky, how- ever, was the most profitable product, as it could be transported to the market with less expense, as there were no turnpikes, canals, or railroads, to facilitate travel ; in fact, there were nothing but mad-roads. The farm implements, also, were very inferior to those cos nsed, and grain separators, reapers, self-binders, and mowers were not known. Grain was cut with the sickle, and here and there a eradle was used.
The change for the Angspurgers from Europe to America was very great, and especially for Christian Augspurger, as he lived on one of the finest and host improved farms in France, consisting of about five huu- dred aeres of choice land. The farm was leased for a number of years, and belonged to Charles Schulmeister, Who served as a spy under Napoleon the First, and was considered to be one of his best. His property was very
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valuable. The farin on which Christian Augsburger lived was so well improved, that princely personages and generals in the army frequently paid their visits there. Schulmeister also lived on the farm. It happened, how- ever, that Marshal Bertrand received a large territory from Napoleon the First, on which he wished to intro- duce farming according to French style, and sought ad- vice.or information in regard to it; for which purpose he requested Christian Augspurger to come to Paris, where Bertrand then lived. Christian Augspurger complied with the request, and, in company with his cousin, Nich- olas Augspurger, went there for the purpose, to the sat- isfaction of the marshal. They were shown through all the parliamentary buildings and saw the throne. Later, Christian Augspurger received the medal of the Legion of Honor, which is now in possession of his children as a memento. The 'medal consists of a ruby in the form of a star, with gilded points, and a ribbon affixed thereto, with a description, and signed in the name of the emperor.
In 1827, however, Christian Augspurger's family had increased to twelve in number, six sons and six daughters. The names of his sons were Joseph, Christian, Jacob, John, Samuel, and Frederick ; and the names of his daughters were Catherina, Magdelina, Barbara, Mary, Jacobina, and Anna. In 1829 Christian Angspurger bought another farm, about two and a half miles south of Trenton, in Madison Township, where he moved in 1830; and later the other Augspurgers followed him to the vicinity of Trenton also.
In 1846 Christian Augspurger's wife died, and in 1848 he also died. The property that Christian owned con- sisted of nineteen hundred and seventy-five acres of choice land in Butler County, besides a large personal estate, which was all divided equally among his children. The number of the descendants of the Augspurgers now living is about one hundred and eighty, of whom about one hundred and fifty are living in Butler County: the others have moved to Illinois and Iowa, and two, C. Kirsinger and F. Kinsinger, are now living in Cincinnati with their families. The amount of land now owned by the descendants of the Augspurgers, in Butler, Warren, and Preble Counties, is about three thousand six hundred and sixty-three acres. The Augspurgers nearly all be- long to the Mennonite denomination, as their fathers did.
Mrs. Nancy Baughman was born in New Jersey, Feb- ruary 23, 1814, and came to this county in 1818. Her parents were Michael Mattix and Mary Rutan. She had one son, James, who was born in 1842, and died in 1857. Her grandfather, Samuel Mattix, was in the Revolutionary War, and ker uncle, William Mattix, was in the War of 1812, dying while in the service, on the shores of Lake Erie. He was a drum major. Mrs. Baughman came here with her parents when she was a child of four years old, her father beginning a farm from the virgin forest. She worked at spinning when she was I over the mountains. Jacob Banker has now in posses-
ouly eight years of age, and had but six months' school- ing in her hife. During the Revolutionary War Mary Mattix, her grandmother, and her baby had to be car- ried to the fort on the Delaware River, as the Indians were destroying every thing, and killing all they found. Mrs. Baughman is still living on the same farin her father cleared, and has with her William A. Pogue and Sarah A. Mattix. Daniel Mattix is supposed to have killed the last bear in that part of the county. His children saw it, and told him there was a big black dog up a tree. He knewiug what it must be, took his gun, and went out and shot it. It proved to be a very large animal.
Samuel Bell was born in Germany, and after arriving in this country was married to Sarah Gebhart, born in Madison Township, August 23, 1843. His parents were John and Elizabeth Bell, and hers Daniel Gebhart and Christina Lingle. They have seven children. Flora A. was born July 11, 1868; William N., March 31, 1870; David D., February 15, 1872; Christina, February 26, 1874; John L., January 31, 1876; Edward C., Feb- ruary 9, 1848; and Elmer E., October 16, 1881. Mr. Bell was in the service three years.
Jacob Banker, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 13, 1818, and was brought to this county in 1819. Ilis father was David Banker, and his mother's name was Mary McDill. The former was the pioneer of that branch of the family which came to / Ohio, and was born in Frederick County, Maryland, March 26, 1778, coming to Ohio in 1800, and settling in Ross County. There be married his wife, coming to Butler County in 1819, where he bought a part of frae- tional Section 12, Township 2, and Range 4, east, upon which was a mill-site where Elijah Mills, a soldier of the Revolution, had erected a corn-cracker, called a mill, about 1800, for building which he received a pre-emption right to Section 1 and fractional Section 12, Township 2, Range 4, east, in Madison Township, comprising a tract of about eleven hundred acres of the best land in Butler County. He subsequently transferred his claim to John Lucas, who received a patent for it from the govern- ment soon after the land was thrown open for sale.
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