USA > Ohio > Hardin County > A twentieth century history of Hardin County, Ohio : a narrative account of its historical progress its people and principal interests, Vol. I > Part 33
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The membership now numbers one hundred and eighteen and the following are the officers of the post, October, 1909:
Post commander, Ira C. Richards; senior vice commander, J. M. Baldwin ; junior vice commander, B. F. Strimple; quartermaster, W. W. Snodgrass ; chaplain, J. C. Johnson; officer of the day, H. H. Sharp; officer of the guard, Charles Norton ; adjutant, Isaac E. Wilson ; sergeant major, J. M. Wray; quartermaster sergeant, James L. Moore; inside guard, Charles Farmer ; and outside guard, John R. Wilson.
In 1886 the trustees of Grove cemetery kindly presented to Cantwell Post the four lots on which the monument now stands, and the Post placed a marble post at each corner to mark the block ; also made some other improvements to the grounds. In 1888 Mrs. J. H. Snedeker pre- sented a quilt to the Post. Later, to dispose of the quilt, the Post and Womans Relief Corps held a joint festival and voted the donation to the most popular member of the Corps, the quilt bringing $40.15, which made a start for the fund to build the monument on the G. A. R. lots. The Post and Relief Corps then went to work to raise the money by subscription, the Relief Corps raising $550.11 and the Post the balance of the $1,500 which the monument cost-every dollar of which was contributed by soldiers that had served in the Civil war.
The government has so far furnished about one hundred and twenty-five markers for soldiers' graves in this county. The markers are furnished free at the railroad station nearest the destination, there to be taken care of by the Post taking them to the proper cemetery and erecting the same.
Cantwell Post also owns two lots in Grove cemetery that are used for the burial of soldiers, sailors and marines who did not belong to the Post.
Cantwell Relief Corps, Auxiliary to Cantwell Post, G. A. R., was organized in May, 1886, with the following charter members: Mrs. Mary J. Peet, Callie F. Sorgen, Elizabeth Dow, Mary Walker, Lillie McConnell, Margaret Price, Sarah Cantwell, Jennie Cantwell, Hattie
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Tyson, Amanda Salsbury, Martha Sutermeister, Ella Wells, Rebeeea Adelsburg, Lizzie Link, Hannah Darst, Nancy Wroten, Phoebe Canaan, May Kohler, Anna Collier, Rebecea Kreidler, Mollie Obenour, and Mary Kemper. Its first president was Mrs. Peet ; Callie F. Sorgen, secretary, and Elizabeth Dow, treasurer. It was by the efforts of Cantwell Post it received its start, they furnishing all supplies and soliciting the list of charter members. The first years of its existence it had many calls to assist the veteran and his dependent ones, and raised and spent some seven or eight hundred dollars in this way. These latter years the government is earing so well for its defenders that assistance is seldom needed ; however, it has been given its quota toward all the other lines of work of the organization at large. Its object is: To assist the Grand Army of the Republic, and perpetuate the memory of its heroie dead; to assist sneh Union veterans as need its help and their widows and orphans; to inculcate patriotism and love of eonntry among children ; to cherish the deeds of army nurses and all loyal women who rendered loving service to our country in her hour of peril. The records of Cantwell Corps show that over two hundred have been enrolled, but its present membership is but sixty-five. Death has elaimed twenty-six and many have been transferred to other states. It has taken its full part in the larger work of the state. One of its members, Mrs. Callie F. Sorgen, having filled the offices of deputy junior vice, also deputy insti- tuting and installing officer, and chairman of the committee for the purchase of the annual Christmas presents for the nine lmndred orphans in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home. Mrs. Sorgen was three times delegate to national conventions ; once at St. Paul, once at Detroit, and onee at Boston, as well as district president and inspector number- less times. Several of the other members having aeted in this latter capacity also. The loeal Corps was instrumental in securing the soldiers' monument erected in Grove cemetery, having contributed five hundred dollars toward it. It also helps to maintain the various state and national enterprises ; such as helping orphans graduating from homes to higher education if they desire, contributing to libraries, furnishing invalid chairs, and many things that add to the comfort and entertain- ment of the old soldiers in the Homes ; furnishing jellies for the hospitals, which the government does not supply, and contributing to the annual expense of decorating the thousands of Union soldiers' graves in the southland, and various monuments erected from time to time. They are raising money now for a Peace Monument to be erected in Ohio's Capitol grounds; maintain a relief and an emergency fund; also con- tribute toward maintaining and improving Andersonville Prison grounds, which are at present the property of the National Organization of the Woman's Relief Corps; and various other work arising from time to time. Some years ago they presented Cantwell Post with the banner it now carries; also a flag, pulpit bible, etc. They have tried to assist
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the Post to the best of their ability, and otherwise have endeavored to make themselves helpful, aside from sending flowers to every comrade at the last roll-call.
About the year 1850, while Hardin county was still in its infancy, the citizens began agitating the question of an association for the pur- pose of showing what the farmers were doing, and on February 14, 1851, the Hardin County Agricultural Society was organized. J. F. Henkle was the first president : Thomas Rough, vice president ; Joel K. Goodin, secretary and Walter King, treasurer The new society planned and worked rapidly, for on October 22nd, of the same year the first fair ever held in this county was given by the society on the northeast corner of the square in Kenton. It lasted but one day. but it was a great success. One hundred dollars went to the exhibitors as premiums, which was a remarkable sum for those days. The receipts were $126.00 and the expenses $98.24, aside from the premiums which seem to have been col- lected by subscriptions, the new organization started with a healthy balance in the treasury.
From then on until 1855 fairs were held in various places with varying success. In that year five acres of ground were purchased between Franklin and Columbus streets in the west part of town, and the fairs held there. In a few years this little tract was outgrown and the managers of the fair were looking about for a larger location. In 1867 the New Fair Ground as it was called, was purchased of Dr. U. P. Leighton and General James S. Robinson. where Riverside is now located. It comprised twenty-two acres and was thought a fine place
for fairs. A race track was laid out and many improvements made. but the first fair was not held there until October 14, 15, 16. 1869. On this occasion the Kenton Cornet Band enlivened the occasion with patri- otic and popular airs. and the whole thing was a great success. Racing was then coming into publie favor, and there were many enthusiasts in Kenton. A horse fair was held on these grounds October 19, 1871 but it was not a success financially. The records show that the pacing race was won by Bay Frank in 2:32, the trotting race by Hally Gall.v. 2:46, and the running race by Mohawk, Jr., 1:57. Older residents of the county laugh now over these wonderful records; but they were wonderful then.
On November 16. 1881, the grounds were sold, as they were too small and the present location purchased of Asher Letson, February 3. 1882. The grounds cover forty-five and one half acres and cost $6.811.50. Work was at once begun to put them in shape for the next fair and in erecting the various halls, the cattle and horse sheds, con- structing the race track and otherwise preparing the place for exhibi- tions, between three and four thousands were added to the original cost. The first fair ever held there occurred October 4, 5, 6 and 7, 1882. and
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was a great success. During the financial depression that came upon the country, interest in the county agricultural exhibitions fell off to an alarming extent. A mortgage was placed upon the property, and to satisfy the holder of it the grounds were sold October 13, 1900, for $4,667.00. Under the new law regarding Agricultural Associations, it was purchased by an incorporated company consisting of thirty men, with fourteen townships represented. Since then this company has conducted the annual fairs, and they have been generally successful. More than six thousand dollars have been expended in improvements, the most noteworthy of which is the fine new ampitheatre, and other improvements are planned for next year. Premiums are paid promptly and the whole enterprise is on a sound financial basis. Mr. J. E. Hanna is the present president, and Mr. F. U. Jones, the secretary.
Among the men who have labored to make Hardin county fairs a success from the beginning of the organization until now might be mentioned the following: John Goodin, R. L. Chase, E. G. Spelman, Abner Snoddy, R. M. Whiteside, Joel Goodin, W. M. McConnell, Thomas Rough, J. F. Henkle, Philip Asbury, David Newcomb, James M. White, A. F. Stanley, R. F. McConnell, David Kinnear, Shepherd Green, Charles Ashton, Edward Stillings, Peter Boslow, Portus Wheeler, Har- vey Buckminster, Squire Yauger, Jacob Hohnes, Matthew Cessna, John Tressler, John L. Clark, Obed Taylor, T. P. Evans, H. C. Koller, A. T. Sponsler, Thomas Espy, Isaae E. Wilson, Asher Letson, Thomas Dodds, Jonathan Seig, Miles Van Fleet, Thomas Hueston, Hugh McElroy, Nathaniel Norman, Alex Given, Levi Piekering, John Hanna, Asher Evans, C. O. Sponsler, F. M. Crawford, W. A. Kelly, Frank Given, Alonzo Lynch, E. H. Allen, W. A. Norton, Jacob Kansig, George Frame, John Pfeiffer, A. S. Ranney and Marshall Stewart.
Grove Cemetery Association was formed August 17, 1854, by Hugh Letson, Daniel Barron, Samuel Smith, Samuel Campbell, David Snod- grass, George Fry, William Cary, David Thompson, Day Pugh, William L. Walker, and several other prominent citizens. Prior to this time a cemetery had been planned for the lot just east of the Antonio Hospital in Kenton, but was never used, and the people buried their dead either in the Methodist cemetery-the narrow strip of ground in the east part of town where Carrol and Columbus streets come together, or in the Pioneer Park cemetery a little south of the Methodist burying ground on east Franklin street. It was foreseen by the progressive eitizens of the place that both these cemeteries would soon be needed for town property, so a new location was purchased of William Dodds between the Marseilles and Marion pikes about one mile east of town. The first plot contained ten acres and consisted of that part lying about the little reserved park in what is called the "old Part" of the cemetery. E. T. Bogardus drew the plan and the first sale of lots took place October 12,
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1854, E. C. Baker buying the first lot offered. At that time the trust -- ees were Luther Damon, Day Pugh, David Thompson, James Bain, C. H. Gatch and William Cary.
In 1864 the road running from one pike to the other was purchased and in 1873 twenty-five acres were added to the grounds. The cost of this addition was $3,000 and enlarged the cemetery east and south to the Marion pike. In 1874 the city of Kenton took control of the ceme- tery and many improvements were made in the shape of better grading and beautifying the grounds. In 1879 a five-acre addition was added just south of the present Catholic cemetery, thereby making Grove cemetery surround the Catholic burying ground on three sides. In Sep- tember, 1882, an additional five acres were added, making in all forty-five acres, but later a strip of land was sold off the east side containing twelve and one-half acres. At present the cemetery grounds run from one pike to the other, though not all of the land is laid off in lots.
The beautiful chapel in the southeast part of the cemetery was built at a cost of $4,000. It is used as a receiving vault and also as a place to hold funeral services in stormy weather. It has places for holding bodies for burial, and also a large room for services. An arch over the southwest entrance, which is the one most used, presents an im- posing appearance. There are many beautiful and valuable monuments in Grove cemetery and several mausoleums that would do credit to a much larger city. Especially are the ones belonging to Robert Young and Mrs. E. Lawson deserving of mention, because of their simplicity and beauty. Both of these vaults stand in the new or south part of
the cemetery. The G. A. R. Post owns a fine large lot where their dead members are laid, and a substantial monument marks the site. while hundreds of private individuals own beautiful lots on which they have erected enduring marble monuments. The present trustees are John Callam, Albert E. Mallow and Theodore Ochs.
St. Mary's cemetery is owned by the Catholic congregation of Ken- ton and was purchased by Rev. A. S. Siebenfoercher. It is completely surrounded by Grove cemetery, except on the west where it fronts the cross road between the two pikes. It has a beautiful location being situated on a little rise of ground, and can be easily drained on this account. It is not under control of the Cemetery Association, but of the church. In this cemetery many handsome monuments have been erected, and the lot owners take pride in keeping everything trim and neat. An immense image of Christ on the Cross stands in the center of the plot surrounded by evergreen trees.
As nearly as can be learned the first Grange instituted in Hardin county was one organized by Parke Snodgrass during the winter of 1871-2, at the Maple Grove schoolhouse south of Kenton in Buck town-
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ship. At that time Mr. Snodgrass was the Deputy State Master, and he afterward organized a number of Granges throughout the county. The order flourished for some years and then almost died out. In 1896 there was a revival of interest in Grange work, and Deputy Master F. S. Kelly, and a national organizer, a Mr. Hale, succeeded in reorganiz- ing several old lodges and establishing new ones, so that now there are thirteen Subordinate Granges in Hardin county, with a membership of more than one thousand persons. The Grange in Hardin county is today in a splendid condition, showing a steady growth both in numbers and influence.
Present Pomona Grange Officers are: master, W. F. Roby; over- seer, C. C. McMillen ; steward, B. F. Purdy; assistant steward, J. A Strahm; Lady assistant steward, Mrs. W. H. Powell; lecturer, F. B. Rarcy; secretary, Mrs. Onie Baker; treasurer, Mrs. W. H. Cummins; gate keeper, W. HI. Cummins; chaplain, Hiram Groat; Ceres, Bertha MeQuowan; Pomona, Urity Norman; Flora, Mrs. Charles Ansley ; Deputy State Master, R. M. Cessna.
On April 14, 1904, Frank D. Bain Camp No. 40. U. S. W. V., Department of Ohio, was instituted and named for Dr. Frank D. Bain, who was major surgeon of the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The object of the organization is to encourage and spread universal liberty and equal rights and justice to all, to inculcate the principle of freedom, patriotism and humanity; to keep alive the memories of the war with Spain ; to promote the best interests of those who, in the service of the United States, took part in that war, and of their descendants and to preserve and strengthen the bonds of fraternity which unite all who participated in the liberation of the oppressed, and to perfect and maintain national, state and local organizations. It is strictly non- partisan.
The United Spanish War Veterans is the amalgamation of many minor societies which had sprung up all over the United States at the close of the war, and is composed of officers, soldiers, sailors and acting assistant surgeons of the regular and volunteer army, navy and marine corps of the United States, who honorably served in the war with Spain. It also includes all soldiers and officers who served in the Philippines prior to July 4, 1902, and all officers and enlisted men in the United States revenue cutter service.
The first officers were: H. A. Dorn, commander; O. P. Magan, senior vice commander; S. S. Sharpe, junior vice commander; E. G. Holverstott, chaplain; Perle Johnson, officer of day; Chas. Baldwin, officer of guard; E. E. Harrod, adjutant; H. M. Porter, quartermaster ; Roy Pool, Pearl Humphrey and H. G. Smith, trustees.
The present officers are: Roy Pool, commander; A. M. Gerlach, senior vice commander ; M. G. Porter, junior vice commander ; P. Van-
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natta, officer of day; S. T. McCormick, officer of guard; W. D. Wagner, chaplain ; F. D. Bain, surgeon ; O. P. Magan, adjutant; E. E. Harrod, quartermaster. The present trustees are D. J. Hinton, Roy Pool and L. Sherman. Present membership 51.
Kenton Auxiliary No. 20, United Spanish War Veterans, was insti- tuted December 7, 1908, with thirty-one charter members. The first officers were: Mrs. Eleanor Bain, president; Mrs. Dessie Gerlach, vice president; Mrs. Rosa Pool, junior vice president ; Mrs. Mazine Magann, chaplain ; Mrs. Eva Harrod, secretary ; Mrs. Lena Holverstott, treasurer ; Miss Annabel Dorn, conductor; Miss Caludice Corey, assistant con- ductor ; Miss Bess MeCormick, guard, and Miss Kathryn McCormick, assistant guard. The present officers are the same as above, except the following changes. The society had the misfortune to lose, in the summer of 1909, its first president and enthusiastic worker, Mrs. Eleanor Bain; so a re-arrangement of officers was necessary. Mrs. Gerlach became president; Mrs. Rosa Pool, senior vice president; Mrs. Mary Kettle, junior vice president; Miss Laura Sherman, conductor, and Mrs. Louis Moebus, assistant conductor. The others remain as first mentioned.
The Temperance League was organized March 3, 1874; president, Mrs. Mary Mc Vitty, and the W. C. T. U. was organized November 14, 1874. The presidents of the latter have been as follows: 1874, Miss Jane Walker; 1875, Mrs. M. J. Paulucci; 1878, Mrs. Cantwell; 1879, Mrs. Mary Dowling; 1880, Mrs. Mary McVitty; 1883, Mrs. R. H. Mitchell ; 1884, Mrs. M. J. Paulucci; 1885, Mrs. Rachel Chesney; 1886, Mrs. D. W. Benton ; 1887, Mrs. Sallie Espy ; 1890, Mrs. Mary McVitty ; 1892, Mrs. Mattie Smith; 1893, Mrs. R. H. Mitchell; 1897, Miss Bessie Calhoun ; 1900, Mrs. Jacob Scheidemantle; 1903, Mrs. Loretta Durbin ; 1907, Mrs. P. Otis, and 1909, Mrs. D. A. Gilmore.
Fort McArthur Chapter, No. 602, Daughters of the American Revolution, was organized February 12, 1903, and March 9th of the same ycar, was granted a charter. Its charter members were Almira Con- verse Armstrong, Eleanor Armstrong Bain, Mary Lydia Amsden Woodard, Grace A. Donaldson, Anna Stewart Dean, Hclen Hoskins Johnson, Annie E. McClean Johnson, May Donaldson McKitrick. Isa- bella Piatt Runkle Roser, Elizabeth C. Blake Hindman, Alice Spelman Holmes, ITclen Robinson, Harriett Seymore Timmons, Mary E. Walker, Marietta Wordin Watt, Frances Gardner and Letson Westerfield. The first officers were: Mrs. F. D. Bain, regent; Mrs. W. D. Dean, viec regent ; Mrs. Abishhai Woodward, registrar; Mrs. A. B. Johnson, treas- urer ; Mrs. Austin S. McKitrick, recording secretary; Mrs. Joseph Timmons, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. Cedric E. Johnson, historian ; Mrs. W. M. Hindman, chaplain. The meetings are held at the homes
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of the members, and are business meetings, followed by a social hour. The work of the chapter is in the line of civic improvement; while its social feature has to do with the celebration of patriotic anniversaries. The membership now numbers fifty, one of whom, Sarah A. Silvester Sisson, is a real Daughter of the American Revolution. The present officers are: Mrs. A. S. McKitrick, regent; Mrs. Eugene Rogers, vice regent ; Mrs. E. S. Protzman, recording secretary; Mrs. W. W. Snod- grass, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. O. P. Wilson, treasurer; Mrs. James Watt, registrar; Mrs. F. D. Bain, historian; Mrs. Etta Watt, chaplain ; Miss Lynn Chapman, librarian.
The Christian Woman's Missionary Society of Kenton (Kenton Auxiliary of the Christian Woman's Board of Missions) was organized in 1877 by Mrs. William Dowling, whose husband was the pastor of the Church of Christ at Kenton at that time. On September 14, 1881, it was reorganized with the following officers : President, Mrs. B. Williamson ; vice president, Mrs. Henry Price; secretary, Miss Alice Young (now Mrs. George Russell of California) ; treasurer, Mrs. Curl. The object of this society is "to cultivate a missionary spirit; to encourage mis- sionary effort in the church; to disseminate missionary intelligence, and to secure systematic contributions for missionary purposes."
Its missionary effort is world-wide, uniting both the Home and Foreign work. Its national headquarters are located at Indianapolis, Indiana, and from that place work is directed in Jamaica, India, Mexico, Porto Rico, Argentine Republic (South America), Liberia (S. W. Africa), New Zealand, and in thirty-three states and territories of the United States.
The members of this society pledge themselves to the regular pay- ment of a sum not less than fifteen cents per month. The total receipts of the national society for the year ending October, 1908, was $342,525.19. Of which amount the Kenton society contributed $337.10.
The charter membership of the society (1881) was twenty-one; the present membership (1909) is eighty. Charter members still holding membership in the society are: Mrs. Jacob Born, Mrs. Phoebe Drumm ; Mrs. Sarah McDowell, Mrs. James Marmon, Mrs. Levi Wagner and Mrs. Henry Price.
The presidency of the society has been held by Mrs. B. Williamson, Mrs. Nettie Hicks, Mrs. J. A. Roberts, Mrs. James Marmon, Mrs. W. J. Lhamon, Mrs. G. J. Carter, Mrs. A. S. McKitrick, Mrs. D. H. Wagner, Mrs. J. L. Simpson, Mrs. Edward Sorgen, Mrs. W. E. Myers, Mrs. P. V. Wagner, Mrs. T. W. Pinkerton and Mrs. W. J. Armstrong. The present officers are : President, Mrs. W. J. Armstrong ; vice president, Mrs. E. E. Rutledge; recording secretary, Miss Mary Wagner; corresponding see- retary, Mrs. D. H. Wagner; treasurer, Mrs. W. H. Eccles, and super- intendent of children's work, Mrs. A. S. McKitrick. Meetings are held
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on the first Tuesday of the month at 2:30 p. m. A mission band of children under fourteen years of age, numbering fifty members, and this year contributing over $100 for missionary purposes, is under the supervision of this society.
The Woman's Foreign Missionary Society of the First Methodist Episcopal Church, Kenton, was organized in 1877, by Mrs. F. A. Clason of Delaware, Ohio, assisted by Mrs. William Paul, whose husband was the presiding elder of the district at that time, with twenty-five charter members. As the name implies, the object of this society is to do mis- sionary work in foreign fields, and the women of the First M. E. church have always been noted for their zeal in keeping up the work founded at that early date. The following charter members are still alive, though all of them are not residing in Kenton: Mrs. Walter King, Mrs. J. A. Rogers, Mrs. Amanda Teeters, Mrs. John Dean, Mrs. Daniel
Benton, Mrs. John Saylor and Mrs. L. A. Belt. The following ladies have served the society as president: Mrs. William Paul, Mrs. Amanda Teeters, Mrs. John Saylor, Mrs. I. R. Henderson, Mrs. E. D. Whitlock, Mrs. T. H. Campbell, Mrs. W. J. Hodges, Mrs. Harry Gray, Mrs. A. B. Charles and Mrs. W. J. Hodges. The society now has sixty-five members and is in a flourishing condition.
The Woman's Home Missionary Society of the First M. E. church, Kenton, was organized in 1889 by Mrs. Delia Williams, with Mrs. W., J. Hodges as president. There were forty members in this first organ- ization and the meetings were held monthly. In August. 1902, Mrs. N. E. Bass reorganized the society, with Mrs. D. B. Nourse as president. From that time to the present it has enjoyed a healthy growth and has done much good work. A regular feature of the work of the society is assisting the Toledo Deaconness Hospital, which is the property of the whole society, and the sending of barrels and supplies to missionaries. The local organization also assists needy students in Home Missionary schools, of which there are very many scattered from the Southland to Alaska, and has contributed freely to every enterprise of the national organization. The room furnished by the Kenton Auxiliary for the Toledo Hospital cost one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and it is called the Kenton room. Through the interest of Mr. L. W. Shipley, the local society has five life members, an unusual record for an organ- ization of this size, and altogether the roll has cighty-four names. Starting as it did in 1902, with only forty, the officers and members feel quite pleased with the healthy growth and interest always taken in the meetings. Only three presidents have served the society: Mrs. D. B. Nourse, four years; Mrs. C. L. Merriman, two years, and Mrs. W. W. Dobbins, one year. The amount of money collected for all benevolent enterprises by the W. H. M. S. of Kenton was $295.20.
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