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 73
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John Hannah, . 1 00
William Wilson, (1)
Joseph Stout, . 1 00 William Long .. 2 00
John Wallace, . 2 00 John W. Gery, 50
Robert Sogerson, 50 Andrew Christy, 3 00
Isaac Tullita, .. 50 Robert Reed, 1 00
Jaunes Beaty 1 00 John Reed, . .50
John H. Williams, 2 00 Thomas Davis, 1 00
Thomas Irwin, 1 00 David Reed, . . 50
Smanel Gregory, 50 John Freeman, 150
James Morrison,.
3 00 George Gordon,. 2 00
This shows that they were an organizedl congregation in 1802. If they had not been they could not have called a pastor. Two years later a similar paper was prepared, having the same names and thirteen more. In
this they speak of themselves as members of Swamp Creek congregation. As many of them were heads of families or represented others within the fold of Christ, it indicates that the young congregation possessed con- siderable strength. We do not know the exact time when the name was changed, but since 1807 it was called Mount Pleasant Associate Reformed Church, and from 1858 Mount Pleasant United Presbyterian Church.
It is thought that there was no settled pastor until 1808. Before this time the Church was supplied with preaching, and had the sacraments administered by a number of ministers sent to them by the Associate Rc- formed Presbytery of Kentucky, among whom were Adam Rankin, the first Presbyterian pastor of Lexing- ton, Kentucky (who was ordained in 1784). Matthew Henderson, David Proudfit, Robert Warwick, John Steele,'and Robert H. Bishop. The first settled pastor was Rev. David Risk, 1808 to 1812 or 1813, who gave one-third of his time to Mill Creek (Sycamore) and one- third to Clear Creek congregation at Springborough, War- ren County, Ohio. Mr. Risk died in 1818. The second pastor was Rev. S. P. McGaw, April 9, 1818, to March 18, 1840. He gave half his time to Clear Creek Church unitil 1838, when' it was given up, and his whole time was devoted to Mount Pleasant. Death dissolved his relation with this Churel. Although Monree had always been the place of his residence, he was buried at Spring- borough, near the church where he had preached so long. There were added to Mount Pleasant during his pastor- ate one hundred and fifty-five members, principally ou profession of their faith in Christ. But owing to a de- erease by death and other causes, the membership now was one hundred and twelve.
In the year 1841 the Church made an unsuccessful call for the pastoral services of Rev. J. M. Gordon. The third pastor was Rev. JJohu M. Grabam, who was or- dained and installed June 22, 1842. The relation of pastor and people was dissolved June, 1847, making a pastorate of five years, during which twentyeight persons were received into membership, all on examination, except seven. The number of members was now one hundred. The fourth pastor was Rev. Sam. P. Berry, October, 1849, to December 9, 1850. Death soon removed this pastor. The fifth pastor was Rev. J. S. Robertsou, April 6, 1852, to April 3, 1866. The sixth pastor was Bev. Samuel R. Frazier, who was ordained and installed June 11, 1867. The pastoral relation was dissolved January 1, 1872. An unsuccessful call for the pastoral services of Rev. . J. Calhoun was presented to presbytery April 8, 1873. The seventh pastor is Rev. A. F. Ashton, who commenced his labors here February 14, 1874. The number added to the Church under ! is services is thirty-two; but death and removals have roluved the membership to ninety.
The present ruling elders are J. N. Robeson and J. W. D. Stewart, and the following is a partial list of those who have held this office: James Piper, Joim Mor-
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,
50 John Patterson; . 1 00 Dans Nelson,.
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
row, Thomas Irwin, Joseph Stewart, Thomas C. Reed, Samuel Barnett, James Clark, Robert Reed, S. W. Stew- art, John L. Hammel, James McClellan, Lawrence Mon- > fort, and John Fisher.
The first church was built of logs, bat in what year is not known. The second was a frame, larger and more comfortable, but the date of its ercetion is unknown. The third was brick, and larger then the second. erected in 1833 or 1834. These were all about half a mile north of the village of Monroe, in what is now known as Mount Pleasant Cemetery. The present house was erected in 1854. It is not as large as the former one. In 1870 or 1871 the congregation built a fine parsonage, at a eost of almost three thousand dollars. The society is free from debt.
The First Presbyterian Church of Monroe was organ- ized in 1831. It was first called the Harmony Church. The Rev. Matthew G. Wallace and the Rev. J. L. Bell- ville were appointed a committee by the presbytery to visit the neighborhood of Monroe, and organize a Church, should they deem it expedient. At the meeting of the presbytery, on the 18th of May, it was resolved to or- ganize such a congregation, and Messrs. Wallace and Weaver were appointed a committee for that purpose. The organization took place on the 29th of June, the constituting members being David Williamson and wife Mary, Peter Van Dyke and his wife Anna, Mary Ann Van Dyke, Peter Williamson and wife Christiana, Gar- ret Peterson and wife Margaret, John Williamson and wife Christiana, Christiana Stevens, Peter Bennett and his wife Mary -- in all sixteen. David Williamson and John Monfort were chosen elders, having formerly been ordained at Unity.
Since that time the pulpit has been oceupied by four- teen different ministers. The list is as follows: Thomas Barr, 1831; Alexander McFarlane, 1833; James Coe, 1838; N. Bishop, 1851; S. MI. Tenipleton, 1853; James H. Gill, 1854; J. H. Burns, 1856; James H. Gill, 1860; Edward Cooper, 1861; W. G. White, 1864; J. B. Mor- ton, 1866; W. W. Colmery, 1867; J. D. Jones, 1873; S. C. Palmer, 1875; S. F. Sharpless, 1878.
. The record of the session is: Elders-John Monfort, David Williamson, Garret Peterson, John Williamson, D. H. Tullis, Lawrence Monfort, Silas Williamson, P. P. La Tourrette, W. W. Caldwell, B. K. MeElheny, Isaac Perrine, T. J. Conover, Firman Probasco, David Mon- fort, John K. Voorhees, John S. Todd, W. W. Compton, of whom seven are dead. The membership by certificate is one hundred and sixty-two, and on profession of faith, two hundred and twenty-four, making three hundred and eighty-six names. It celebrated its fiftieth anniversary last year. For a long time an academy was sustained in connection with the Church.
The Monroe Catholic Church was built in 1869, under the supervision of the Rev. Mr. Smith. The first subscriptions were made by the Brophics, Conlons,
Delaneys, Foleys, Conoleys, O'Brians, and Quinlisles. The pastors have been. Messrs. T. J. Boulger, Bowe, Malion, and W. F. M. O'Rourke, the last of whom is the present pastor. There are about fifty families in this society.
BUTLER AND WARREN COUNTY PIONEFR ASSOCIATION.
Dr. Samuel S. Stewart, who resided in Indiana, but who was born and reared to manhood one mile north of Monroe, wished to visit the place of his birth and early manhood and wrote to Mr. Israel B. Carr, one of his earliest and most intimate associates, in April, 1871, re- questing him to call a meeting at the home of some of those of their old boyhood companions for a day that Spring, and bring together all their old associates and he would attend Mr. Carr called a meeting for the evening of May 5, 1871, at Monroe, of all who favored such a union, which was well attended ; and they deter- mined to have such a gathering, but to hold it in some grove near Monroe, as a basket-meeting, and publish it, inviting all the early settlers of Butler and Warren Counties, with all others who favored it.
On that day, the 19th of May, 1871, the first public er grove-meeting was held. and was a complete success. Fifteen Imindred at least were present. The officers were as follows, having been elected that morning in the grove: President, Dr. Otho Evans, Sen .; treasurer, A. Corson ; secretaries, J. W. O'Neal and J. S. Marshall. The main address of the day was by Major J. M. Millikin, but many short ones of scenes and incidents of the early set- tlement of the beautiful and prolific Miami Valley were made by the oldest persons present, to the edificarior. and amusement of all who attended. At this meeting a permanent organization was begun; this one having been held as a union of Butler and Warren they adopted the name of "Butler and Warren County Pio- neer Association of Monroe, Ohio," and adopted a. con- stitution, and resolved thereafter to hold reunions ann- ally, the latter part of May of forepart of June. They have since been so held.
At this meeting officers for 1872 were elected as fol- lows: President, Rudolph Flenner; treasurer, Andrew Corson ; recording and corresponding secretary, Edward Kimball.
1873 .- President, Thomas C. Reed, Son .; treasurer, William Lynn; secretary, Edward Kimball.
1874 .--. President. Major William W. Elliott; treas- urer, William Lynn ; secretary, E. Kimball.
1875 .- President, Major John M. Millikin; treasurer, William Lyun ; secretary, E. Kimball.
1876 .- President, A. Howard Dunlavy; treasurer. William Lynn; secretary, E. Kimball.
1877. -- President, Major W. W. Elliott: treasurer, William Lyun ; secretary, E. Kimball.
1878 .- President, Otho Evans, Sen. ; treasurer, Will- inm Lynn; secretary, E. Kimball.
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LEMON.
1879 .- President, Francis J. Tytus; treasurer, Will- iam Lynn; secretary, E. Kimball.
1880 .- President, Granville W. Stokes, Esq .; treas- urer, William Lyun ; secretary, E. Kimball.
1881 .- President, Colonel Thomas Moore; treasurer, William Lynn ; secretary, Edward Kimball.
They also have five vice-presidente. They have no initiation, monthly or yearly fees or dues, and the society is supported by voluntary contributions by those present at the annual feasts and the proceeds from renting of 'refreshinent stands. No alcoholie, malt, or vinous liquors, or even cider, is allowed on or near the grounds. These reunions have been held regularly for ten years, and the yearly attendance ranges from five to seven thousand, and has been some years estimated at over ten thousand. Their regular annual day was the last Thursday of May or the first of June, until 1878, when they changed to August to accommodate the society of Butler County Pioneers, who claimed the Spring time as theirs. They have a membership, including those who have passed away, of over six hundred.
The following is a list of most but not all of those deeeascd from Butler County: Judge Fergus Anderson, Judge Nehemiah Wade, Rev. Adrian Aten, Rev. J. B. Morton, Dr. Samuel S. Stewart, Thomas C. Reed, Sen., Mrs. Betsey Boyd, Matilda Dunn, William McCheeknie, Samuel Davis, Colone! Joseph Barnett, Isnae Bennett, Joanna Bennett, Jane Chambers, Captain William Davi- son and his wife, Milo W. Ammous and wife Mary C., Firman Probasco, Stephen Scudder, William Smith and wife Rachel, William Culbertson, John Beaty, James Beaty and wife, David McChesney, Sarah Avery, Chris- topher Hughes, Elias Simpson, John D. Todhunter, David Boggs and wife Mary, Mrs. Rebecca Lyon. Joseph Boggs, Noah C. Bennett, Smith Nox, William Shafor, Sen., and wife Eliza, John Chamberlain, Sallie Beaty, Catherine Torbet, Samuel Dickey, Dr. Alfred Ayres, Benjamin Potter, James R. Stewart and wife Anni, Jo- 'seph F. Stewart and wife Prudence, John Matson and wife, Naomi Bowman, William Greinner, Aaron Long- street, Sen., Uzel Clark.
All early emers, with their deseen lamis, and all born or permanent settlers within Butler and Warren Coun. ties, Ohio, in or previous to 1820, of good morals, by registering their names, ete., can become members of the society.
BLUE BALL.
This name originated from a tavern sign. The place beeame one of the principal station-posts for the different lines of mail and stage coaches running between Dayton and Cincinnati, but the size of the town never increased beyond that of a hamlet. It lies partly in Warren County, the Presbyterian Church in Bine Ball being across the line. Sanford Young keeps a general store, and a few houses constitute the village. Red Buck was a tavern about half-way between Blue Ball and Mouroe.
Mr. Finkle kept hotel in this place many years. IIc finally moved to Hamilton, where he died.
LESOURDSVILLE.
The early occupant on these grounds was Abraham Freeman, of Pennsylvania, who was probably the first citizen of this part of the county. We hear of him being suugly placed, and living in a frame house, prior to 1800. Ile built himself a saw-mill on his land, of which he had considerable. The saw-mill was one of the first in the township, and went down as early as 1815. His house stood about where the toll-gate now is. He had four sons, John, Abraham, one who was a physician, and one other who was killed. John Freeman built the Red Buek Tavern of Lesourdsville about the year 1815. It lasted for some time.
Abraham Freeman had a half-brother, whose name was Thomas, known as Colonel Thomas Freeman. He went from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, where he settled first; then moved to Lemon Township, and settled on Diek's Creek, on the farm afterward owned by Abraham Shaefer. He raised a family of cight children. John, the oldest, was killed on the Moselle, a steamer plying between Cincinnati and New Orleans, that was blown up April 28, 1838. His body was brought to Middle- town, and now lies in the beautiful cemetery of that place. The other children were Julia Ann, Alexander, Thomas, and Archibald C. The youngest and the oldest only are now living. Julia A., the oldest, was born in 1808. Archibald C. was born in 1824, and is now a grocer on Third Street. in Middletown. Colonel Thomas Freeman was a captain of a company in the Second Regiment, Fourth Brigade, commanded by Colonel Zu- malt, in the War of 1812. He went to Detroit at the elose of the war only.
There were other settlers in this vicinity who were early comers, and of whom may be mentioned the Hugheses, Wardis, Shafors, Clarks, and others. Darbin Ward, the well-known lawyer, of Cincinnati, was an orphan boy well known in this vicinity. His uncle, Thomas 'Ward, lived near Lesourdsville. Durbin Ward tanght school in this part of the township in his early life, and afterward attended school at Lebanon, Ohio. After be had studied law he assisted Tom Cerwin in looking up matters pertaining to the correct titles of much of this land, formerly owned by A. Freeman and now by Daniel Hughes.
Benjamin Lesourd, of French descent, came from Baltimore, Maryland, to this place, and purchased con- sidlerable land from Freeman for the purpose of laying out a town. He bought sixty acres on the east side of the road, and thirty-five acres on the west side of the road. Ilis effort, however, to build up a great city failed. His attempt in running a big store broke him up, and in two or three years he closed out to Thomas Ward. His store was kept afterwards by Peter Wright,
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HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
bat for many years there has not been a store of any kind in the village.
The first house in Lesourdsville was the Red Buck tavern kept by John Freeman, and the first house other than this was one built by Thomas Ward. William Ward, a brother of Thomas, lived a little distance below, and after the town was laid out William Hedding purchased sonie of the lots, and to hurry up matters bought log houses and moved them in town. One of these log houses bought of Peter Shepherd is still standing. Ben- jainin Lesourd afterwards owned the tavern. There is a frame building still standing one-half mile below this tavern, that was built by Colonel Ayers, just after John Freeman built his, and was used as a hotel also. We see by a deed of Abram Freeman, made March 19, 1814, HI. Hageman came into possession of fifty acres of the original tract, and that he deeded the same to Thomas Ward, May 25, 1816. The town was not laid out until about the time the canal was built.
Lesourdsville never had but one church building, which was erected just previous to the war. It was in- tended for any and all denominations, but the Rev. Mr. Maple, the first pastor, coming into the place during the war, produced a great excitement on the political ques- tions of the time, and the organization broke up. In 1876 the Presbyterian Church came into possession of the property, established a society, and have had preaching in the place ever since. The Rev. S. C. Palmer occu- pied the pulpit from 1876 to 1878, since which time the Rev. S. F. Sharpless, of Monroe, has been the pastor. The membership consists of twenty-four persons.
One of the earliest mills in this county on the river was known as the pin-mill, about two miles above Le- sourdsville. It consisted of a saw-mill and a woolen- mill originally, the saw mill being built first. The boards were sawed and pinned on, there being over two thousand wooden pins used to fasten on the weather- boarding. It was very early put into use, but the build- ing of the canal ended its day of usefulness. Adam Dickey also had a mill built very early. It was on Dick's Creek, and was used until the canal was built. He also had a still-house above Amanda, where the old house of John Dickey now stands ..
AMANDA.
The Shafors, Dickeys, Balls. Reeds, and others were " the early settlers of this part of the township. The town was duły laid off by Robert Coddington and Samuel Dickey in 1827. John Dickey afterwards added to it. It was formerly a very important grain center, owing probably to the energy of A. E. Johnston, who estab- lished this business, and gave the trade an impetus by successful management. He was succeeded by Curtis & Boyd, who operated many years. J. B. Jaroby, grocer of this place, now buys the grain. The first store of Amanda was built in this place by Ebenezer Johnston,
in 1844. He also helped to build the church. The first blacksmith shop was built by Maranda Shafor. He sold out to Ellison Harkrader in 18-40, who sold to William Bailey. Robert Maginety bought out Bailey in July, 1847.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Amanda was built about 1840. It was a good, substantial frame building and still stands. The leading members of the society who con- tributed to the Church in its infancy were A. Longstreet, John Shepherd, Charles Starr, John Waldo, Willian: Bai- ley, and John Fleming. John Dickey donated the lot. The pastors have been the Rev. Messrs. Maley, Swain, Kem- per, White, Wheat, and Elsworth. The Rev. William Shultz is the present pastor, and preaching is had every other Sabbath. The trustees of the Church are William Bailey, John Kyle, Luman Whitesell, Robert Maginety, and Henry Fisher. Robert Maginety has been an official member in various capacities since its organization.
William Sbafor was one of the first settlers in this part of the township, and at his death one of the oldest citi- zens in the county. He was born in Somerset County, New Jersey, in 1783. He died in Middletown in Octo- ber, 1880, in the ninety-eighth year of his age. When six years of age he came with his father to Lexington. Kentucky, and in 1803 with him to Ohio. He resided in Lemon Township seventy-eight years. He settled on a farm near Amanda, and lived on it during the entire portion of his active life. In 1859 he removed to Mid- dletown, where he resided up to the time of his death. In the twenty-eighth year of his age he married Miss Jane Ryerson, who died in 1859. In 1860 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Hill. When ninety-one years of age he joined the Presbyterian Church. He was remarkable in longevity of life, in being a useful member of society, and in retaining the sprightliness and activity of his youth up to nearly the time of his death.
Among the veteran pioneers who settled near Amanda was Adam Diekey. His family became mimnerons and children very prosperons. Adam Diekey came from Ire- land when sixteen years of age, and in 1801 went to Cincinnati, where he manufactured the first brick used in that placc. He then came to Lemon Township, where he died in 1828, at sixty-two years of age. The oldest son of Adam Dickey was Sammel, who assisted his father in: one of the first mills on the Miami River, near Amanda. which his father had built. His father also owned a dis- tillery, which consumed the corn raised on about four hundred acres of their land. In 1827 he built the large flouring-mill now owned by Archibaldl Jewell. This mil! has been in the hands of the family since its erection, and has a capacity of seventy-five barrels a day.
EXCELLO
Hal its origin in the building of the Excello Paper-nul by Harding, Erwin & Co. in 1885. The village is -mall and the inhabitants are largely employed at the paper-
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mill. It has no hotels, but au excellent boarding-house is carried on under the management of Mrs. Susan Andersou. The firm of Harding, Erwin & Co. was dissolved in 1873, and the Harding Paper Company or- ganized. There is a Church of Latter-Day Saints, com- monly called Mormons, at Excello. Their pastor is M. B. Williams. This is not a part of the Mormon theoc- racy which rules at Salt Lake, but followers of Joseph Smith, as he first promulgated the doctrine. They are not polygamists, and are an orderly and well-behaved people.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES.
William M. Armstrong was born in this county No- vember 19, 1843, his father being James Martin Arm- strong, and his mother Elizabeth Patterson. They came to this county in 1830. Mr. Armstrong enlisted in 1862 as a private, remaining until the end of the war. He was also captain of the Tyins Guards, Company D, Fourth Regimeut Ohio National Guards, taking command August 9, 1877. He has been mayor for a year, coun- cilman two years, captain of the fire department six years under the Holly system, and five years under the old Miami volunteers. He was married in Middletown August 26, 1878, to Catherine J. Leibes, daughter of Daniel Leibee and Sarah Enyart, who came here in 1820. She was born in Middletown, March 4, 1840. They have four children : Harry B., Fred M., Paul, and Ada.
John Aver was born in Bavaria, Germany, June 7, 1834, and landed in the United States in 1844. He went to work in a tobacco factory at the age of twelve, and worked in it till 1864, beginning a manufactory in that year in Cincinnati. His place of business was moved in 1869 to Middletown, Ohio, where he still remains, couducting a large and extensive business.
Mrs. Susan Anderson, of Excello, was born in Mary- land in 1833. When but an infant her grandfather, Samuel Hughes, and her father, Vincent Hughes, with their families and a few others. came to Butler County, where she has lived since that time. Mrs. Anderson obtained a good education when young, and spent eleven years of her life in teaching in public schools. mostly in Butler County. Her father was a farmer and died in 1849. In 1855 she was married to Benjamin F. Harri- son, and in 1861 he entered Co. D, Thirty-fifth Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Jufantry, and spent three years in the war; afterwards was in the government service, but went to Illinois, where he was injured by a fall, and died from its effects May, 1867. Mollie Anderson, her daughter, is a teacher also, and at this time has charge of a school in Butler County.
Frank J. Barnard, superintendent of schools in Mid- dletown, was born in Medina, Ohio, March 26, 1852. He is the son of Judge S. G. Barnard and Malvina M. Barnard. His great-grandfather, Samuel Barnard, served in the Revolutionary War. He prepared for college at Kenyon Grammar School, Gambier, Ohio, on attaining
the age of fourteen, then entering Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York, at sixteen years of age. In the be- ginning he was in the classical course, but changed this to the course of philosophy, graduating in 1874. After his return to this State he began teaching in country schools in Medina County, boarding around among those who sent their children to him, afterwards being engaged as superintendent of schools in Brooklyn Village, Cuya- hoga County, for two years. At Celina, Ohio, he acted as superintendent the next two years. He has now com- pleted his fourth year as superintendent of schools in Middletown, and by a unanimous vote of the board of education has been elected for three years longer. He was married in Cleveland, November 28, 1877, to Anna L. Fish, daughter of Bethuel and Lucy Fish, of that place. Mr. Fish is now dead. His daughter was born in Brooklyn Village, September 30, 1852, and has given her husband one child, Clem T. Barnard, born July 10, 1880.
S. A. Bowman, confectioner, was born in Cincinnati, August 20, 1853, and settled in this county in 1874. He is the son of John Bowman and Kate Elias. He was married in 1875, in Cincinnati, to Hattie Livehart, daughter of Jacob Linehart and Rosa Wolf, who was born April 3, 1856. They have three children. Blanche was born November 10, 1876; Sidney S., April 30, 1879, and Ralph S., February 10, 1881. Mr. Bowman was reared in Cincinnati, where he remained with his parents until he was eleven years old, then going to Nashville, Tenn. Then he lived with his grandmother four years, when he came back to Cincinnati, where he obtained a situation in a wholesale candy manufactory. Tu this employment he remained for three years, until his employer closed up his business, then coming to Mid- dletown, where he was in the store of his brother as a dry-goods clerk. He was with him for three years, when he went to Crawfordsville, being in the notion business for eleven months. On his return he engaged in his present cceupation.
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