Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 32

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 32

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

This ordinance provided for the abolition of slavery, guaranteed the right of trial by jury, proportionate representation in legislative bodies and the integrity of private contracts. Its teach- ings and provisions for education have endeared it to every lover of progress.

Under the inspiration of such an ordinance we can understand how sturdy men were willing to go beyond the borders of the states where the new constitution was to spread its protection, and cast their lots in a wilderness land. It is no vain exaggeration to say that the pioneers of the territory were superior men, worthy of comparison

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with the best citizenship of the States. Virginia sent, especially into the territory known as the Virginia Military District, many of her best men. New England sent a fine delegation to the Marietta settlement. Connecticut determined in a large degree the citizenship of the Western Reserve. The same quality of Scotch-Irish that have done so much for western Pennsylvania was found com- ing into the western country. Other nationalities came at first in small numbers, but with the same spirit.

Among these pioneers were many Revolution- ary soldiers and men of classical education. Com- paratively few of them were lacking in religious convictions. The influence of the eighteenth cen- tury skepticism was marked in some portions of our country. There was often rough, out-spoken blasphemy. This is common in all new countries. There were other vices, but with all there was a rugged honesty, reverence and patriotism that made these men trustworthy and reliable. In re- viewing the history of some of the men and move- ments of the early days of this territory I have not been able to avoid the conviction that these early pioneers would be fit companions for the best men of our own day.

I can not hope within the limits of this ad- dress to make any contribution to the knowledge of my audience. The names of the pathfinders of this old Northwest territory are yet household words in many families. Their descendants are here among us as citizens. Many of these families have made for themselves prominence and useful places in our social, commercial, political and re- ligious life. I must therefore limit my attention to a few men whose influence touched the entire territory and perhaps add some observations upon the pathfinders in Butler county.

It is commonly understood that Manasseh Cutler, representing the Ohio Company, had a con- siderable influence in determining the terms of that company's purchase. It was founded on a certain petition dated June 16, 1783, and signed by two hundred and eighty-five officers of the Con- tinental army looking to provisions for their bounty lands. This is true, but he was as really interested in the Ordinance of 1787. as in the company's proposed purchases. It happened that his presence in New York, where congress was sitting, came when the ordinance was under dis- cussion. It is now agreed that his presence and influence were decisive elements in that legisla- tion. Mr. W. F. Poole says that the ordinance

and the Ohio purchase were parts of the same transaction. The purchase would not have been made without the ordinance and the ordinance would not have been enacted except as a condi- tion of the purchase. As Dr. Hinsdale has well said, this meant that the New England men would not purchase the land unless a satisfactory gov- ernment was provided and the congress was moved by opportunity to sell a large amount of public lands. If any man may be called a path- finder I think all shall agree that Dr. Manasseh Cutler must be written in that category. Subse- quent to the occurrences referred to above, Dr. Culter was influential in the work of the Marietta colony and in the early legislation that laid the foundations of Ohio University at Athens. His life and services have been increasingly ap- preciated by those who have studied the forces that have made our civilization.

The name of General Arthur St. Clair will ever command a place in our memories. Here in Butler county a local interest attaches, as he was the leader of the garrison that built Fort Hamil- ton in September, 1791. A Scotchman by birth; after receiving a classical training and education for medicine, he became a surgeon in the English army and in that capacity came to America. Afterwards he espoused the cause of the colonists and served with distinction in the war for in- dependence. He was a member of the continental congress in 1786 and served as its president. After the passage of the Ordinance of 1787 he was appointed governor of the Northwest ter- ritory. Of his trying duties in treating with the Indians we cannot speak. There is a chapter in that history thrilling in its interest. The or- ganization and development of the new territory was a task to which only pioneers were equal. Naturally enough a controversy arose between St. Clair and the legislators as to the limitation of power and jurisdiction. The new land partook of the partisan divisions in the states. The ques- tion of statenood could not be suppressed. In these discussions men misunderstood and ma- ligned their fellow patriots. Governor St. Clair received his full share of abuse and misrepre- sentation. So long as politics did not play an im- portant part in the new territory, St. Clair was a popular governor. His personal character and qualities were such as to make him friends.

He has been described as a gentleman of the old school, familiar with the manners of polite circles. He was a Federalist in sympathies and

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could not get on with his associates when the decidedly democratic tendencies of the day ap- peared. His indiscretions and mistakes have been pretty fully written up. He took the unpopular side of some questions, as may be seen by his de- fense of the alien and seditions laws. The ques- tion of statehood was the great cause of division. The Federalists and Republicans were in main divided on this issue. Feeling ran high. At length St. Clair was removed from office for an address at Chillicothe somewhat intemperate in its language toward congress. This was in 1802. He lived until August 31, 1818.

His last days were in an humble cabin, amid a poverty quite in contrast with his earlier life. It has been said that his name suggests a striking example of the ingratitude of men and republics. He had neglected his personal affairs in public service. The pension voted to him is said to have gone directly to his creditors. It is pleasing now to know that a better appreciation of his public services has come. Recently the governor of Ohio has proposed a monument to him at the Chillicothe centennial of Ohio's statehood. This proposition was received with universal favor. This was at the point where some of his strongest opposition was manifested and where the history has been most carefully examined.

Next to the two men already mentioned I may mention the name of John Cleves Symmes. The Symmes purchase, like the Ohio purchase, was an outgrowth of the Ordinance of 1787. It was the conception of one man. In the history we practically lose sight of his associates. Mr. Sym- mes, like many others of the early men in the territory, was a man of high character and un- usual attainments. He had been an active citizen in New Jersey, full of public spirit. He served for twelve years on the supreme court and became the chief justice. He was for two years a member of the continental congress and served with distinc- tion in the Revolutionary war.

He became one of the judges of the Northwest territory and in this office did much to establish the institutions that grew out of the ordinance under which the territory was organized. His pur- chase gave him great opportunity for personal and business relations with men, furnishing an un- paralleled opportunity to influence the character of the population in this region. Among the most important results in the Symmes purchase was the reservation of one township that provided the foundation for Miami University.

The university was located in 1810, although legislation was begun concerning it as early as 1803. The death of Mr. Symmes occurred in 1814, some years before the university was opened for students, but it does not appear that he had any influence in the case farther than would be in- volved in his compliance with the terms of the purchase and the legislation of the state in carry- ing those terms to a final settlement.

Coming now to men more closely identified with Butler county, the first name is that of John Reily. Like others of the early settlers, Mr. Reily was a Revolutionary soldier. Born in Pennsylvania in 1763, his early boyhood was spent on a Virginia frontier. At the age of seventeen he was a soldier. His experiences thus prepared him for the hazardous frontier life that fell to his lot when he migrated to this region. He was active and efficient in the early contests with the Indians. As early as 1790 he opened the first' English school in the Miami country at Columbia. For three years he was engaged in this work and then turned aside to farming for a season.

In April, 1894, he removed to Cincinnati, where he acted as deputy clerk for General John S. Gano until 1799.

In that year the first election of represent- atives occurred and Mr. Reily acted as clerk and also for the next two sessions. He served in a number of important relations at that time and was one of the active and trusted men in public affairs. He was a member of the continental con- vention and although not an active debater, his accurate, methodical habits made him of great value. In 1803 he moved to Hamilton and after the organization of Butler county served as clerk of the court until 1840. He was the first recorder of Butler county and continued in that office until 1811. He was also clerk of the board of county commissioners from 1803 until 1819. These posi- tions gave a man of such integrity and probity as Reily an opportunity to wield large influence. He did it and did it in the interest of the public. He was the first postmaster of Hamilton, in which capacity he served from 1804 until 1832. He served as trustee of Miami University from the beginning in 1809 until 1840. He served as presi- dent of the board from 1813 to 1822. This great variety of activity brought Mr. Reily into famili- arity with everything of importance that occurred in Butler county for the first fifty years of its history. His death occurred in Hamilton June 7, 1850, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.

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It is said of him that in all the courses of his life his integrity and veracity were never ques- tioned. He enjoyed the unique distinction of being exempt from newspaper attack. No doubt his familiarity with court methods and the de- tails of history was one reason that so many people employed him as a trustee of estates and guardians for children. Of no public man per- haps in this Miami county could there be better arguments as to integrity of character, efficiency of service and modesty of life. He resigned in due time the several positions he occupied, but to the end of his life was a trusted friend and a valuable citizen.

The early records of Butler county found frequent mention of the name of James McBride. This man was of Scotch descent, born in Pennsyl- vania in 1778 and came to this region in his eighteenth year. He early showed capacity for service and was entrusted with public office. His interest in the country showed itself in his his- torical researches which began at a very early time and continued throughout his entire life. He served as the first secretary of the board of trustees of Miami University, beginning in 1809 and remaining in office until 1820. He is per- haps the most voluminous writer of that time and withal one of great accuracy. The history of the country embraced in the Symmes purchase and the early records of Miami University show his great carefulness and the thorough character of his work. He accumulated a large library of books and papers, some of which have been pre- served and are now the property of the state. There was no subject of popular or historical in- terest that did not secure his attention. Like Mr. Reily, he was a man of deeds rather than of words; modest in bearing and efficient in every- thing he undertook. It is greatly to be regretted that so small a portion of his libraries have been preserved. His library collections were in a large number destroyed. His pioneer biography, in two volumes, of the early settlers, published by the John Clarke Company of Cincinnati, will always remain a source of information for those who are interested in his history of the Miami country.

The next name to which I turn is that of Joel Collins. This man came to Miami from Vir- ginia via Kentucky and was reared in the midst of the most primitive surroundings of pioneer life. Born in Virginia, September 16, 1772, he with his parents moved to Kentucky in 1779. In 1806 Mr. Collins moved from Kentucky to Ohio

and settled in Oxford township. He served as one of the first justices of the peace in Oxford township in 1811. Mr. Collins was an active soldier in the Indian wars and when the war of 1812 came on he enrolled as a private soldier. On May 16, 1812, he was given the rank of captain of a rifle regiment and we find associated with him a number of names still familiar in the town of Hamilton: Ephraim Guard was his lieutenant; John Hall, ensign; Jeremiah Guard, David Sutton, Joseph Hayne and John Price were sergeants, and the names of Perry, Sutton and Guard appear in the list of corporals. In 1817 he was elected a representative of the general assembly and con- tinued in that office until 1823, at which time he was elected as a member of the senate. In 1829 Governor Trimble appointed him associate judge of the court of common pleas for Butler county. He was afterward elected to this office by the people and served with entire satisfaction.

In 1822 Mr. Collins was elected secretary of the board of trustees of the Miami University and served in that capacity until 1855. When he resigned in 1855 the board unanimously passed the following resolution: "Resolved, That in con- sideration of the long, faithful service and the great integrity of character of our venerable sec- retary, Joel Collins, the president of this board cause to be prepared and presented to him a silver pitcher, with proper inscription, at our next an- nual meeting, the cost not to exceed thirty dollars."

His death occurred November 16, 1860, in Ox- ford, at the advanced age of nearly eighty-nine years. Joel Collins was a fit companion for such men as Reily and McBride. His record is one of integrity, efficiency and acceptability.

It is not possible at this time to even call the roll of the names that ought to be mentioned as among the early pathfinders of this Miami country or, as the subject is, of the great Northwest. Mention, however, should be made of General Richard Butler, whose name this county bears. He was a brave soldier; devoted to the country and successful in his treating with the Indians. The character of his services has endeared him to patriots and in grateful recognition his name is forever associated with the history of this county.

General William Harrison, whose home was at North Bend, was another influential man, both as representative in the continental congress, and as one of the active men in furthering the in- terests of statehood in both Ohio and Indiana.

General Anthony Wayne is also to be classed

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among the pioneers of this country, although his services were to be classed chiefly as a soldier. We remember him chiefly because of his services in this territory in the Indian wars.

Israel Ludlow, surveyor of early times, Thomas Irvin, Samuel Dick, James Shields have all wrought themselves into the history and as- sociations of the first twenty-five years of the last century.

At a little later date Governor William Bebb, Rev. David McDill, John Woods, whose family re- mains to this day, are among the men whose char- acter and influence are a source of satisfaction to their children.

MR. QUIRE SPEAKS.

Following President Thompson, Joseph S. Quire, of California, was introduced and his address was one of the fine features of the occasion. He is the first vice-president of the Ohio Society of the Sacramento Valley, was thoroughly familiar with his subject, is a forcible and eloquent speaker and his address was exceedingly well re- ceived.

THE FLORAL PARADE

The floral parade of Thursday after- noon was one of the prettiest features of the centennial celebration. It was witnessed by thousands of people along the line of, march, who fully appreciated its beauty and applauded many of its interesting and imposing features. It was almost three o'clock when the parade, headed by Captain A. W. Margedant and his aides, moved north on Third street to High, and then followed the line of march previously an- nounced. Following Captain Margedant and his aides came the Miami band, and then the first decorated vehicle, the runa- bout of Dr. Adolph Hermann, the Central avenue druggist, who had a very beautifully decorated runabout and a handsome black

horse in the parade. The runabout was tastefully and profusely trimmed with lovely white and yellow roses and the horse was guided with lines of the same variety of flowers. It was a most pleasing effect.

The beautiful pony and runabout with which George Krebs took first prize among the pony turnouts was one of the swellest things in the parade. Mr. Krebs never does anything half way and he was certainly successful in providing a very beautiful turnout for his children, Louis and Marga- ret, to appear within the floral parade. Mas- ter Louis drove the pony with ribbon lines and he and his sister were seated beneath a canopy of pink and white chrysanthe- mums with a dash of green to lend color to the whole and the runabout was covered with the same variety of flowers. It was certainly worthy of the prize awarded it.

Dr. George C. Skinner and his daughter drove a very tastefully decorated and stylish turnout, a runabout trimmed with purple and yellow flowers, the colors of the high school junior class of which Miss Skinner was a member, the words "H. H. S. '04" appearing on the panel of the rig. The young ladies in the rig wore hats and dresses to harmonize with the rest of the display.

The display made by Mrs. Peter Schwab was very handsome. Her carriage was dec- orated with blue and white morning glories and was drawn by a handsome team of match browns, led by two colored men. This display was the cause of much favor- able comment.

Mrs. Bender and daughter followed in a runabout decorated with yellow streamers and red roses.

Mrs. C. N. Huston's turnout, decorated

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with white chrysanthemums and smilax, beautiful floats in the parade. It repre- was neat and attractive.

Jacob Halperin, of the New York Um- brella Company, drove a handsome rig, a runabout very tastefully decorated with pink and white flowers and the horse controlled with white lines. It made a very pleasing display and attracted much attention.

The Central high school had a beautiful allegorical float, representing the ship of state guided by education. The float was a silver boat, rowed with golden oars and was draped in the high school colors of blue and white. Columbia was seated upon a throne, beneath a canopy, with an American eagle above her. She was surrounded by the representatives of the different branches of education, music, art, science, literature, geography, astronomy, etc. 'The boat was rowed by oarsmen representing the six high school classes. The float was decorated with morning glories and water lilies. Six white horses, decorated with blue and white clematis, drew the float. The horses were led by six boys of the classes, carrying class banners. The float was surmounted by a satin banner, blue and white, with the ini- tials "H. H. S." upon it. The whole made a very pleasing effect.

The Straub school, which carried off the first prize in the contest between the city schools, had a large and very beautiful float, a large framework covered with yellow and white roses, with a floor of green grass, over which Psyche, seated in a butterfly. two- wheeled chariot, was being drawn by six lit- tle fairies with the daintiest of wings, all arrayed in white gauze and each held in check by a white satin line or ribbon in the hands of Psyche. Over in one corner was Cupid with his bow and arrows.

The Mosler school had one of the most

sented a pond, in which a large white swan rested, held in check by reins in the hands of a child. The whole was trimmed in yel- low and white roses and water lilies, which were very natural and were painted on the surface of the water. The float was gotten up by the artists, R. O. Smith and Joseph Memel, of the Mosler Safe & Lock Com- pany, and was an exact reproduction of the float which carried off the prize in the Cin- cinnati Fall Festival parade. An escort of horsemen and a band accompanied this float.

John DeLaCroix, the dairyman, had a decorated milk delivery wagon in the pa- rade. It was very prettily trimmed in pink and white roses and green leaves and re- ceived much favorable comment.

George Krebs' little daughter, with her pony and cart, presented a cute appearance and received favorable comment from every one along the line of march.

. SECOND DIVISION.

The second division of the parade was in command of Prof. W. P. Cope, who had a number of aides. It was headed by the city band and the first float was that of the central high school.

The float of the Miami school, Prof. Fred Shearer, principal, represented a tepee of the Miami tribe of Indians and was pre- ceded and followed by a band of Miami warriors. The representation was true in every detail.

A unique exhibit was that of the Colum- bia school, representing a primitive school in a log-cabin school-house. with old straight-back benches and the old-fashioned schoolmaster. The scene was typical of pioneer days.

The second ward school. Sam Landis.

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principal, had a float handsomely decorated with the national colors, representing all the states of the Union, with Columbia reign- ing over all. This float was preceded and followed by a bicycle brigade and a delega- tion on horseback representing Uncle Sam, an Indian, Washington, Roosevelt, St. Clair, General Miles, Alexander Hamilton and Leslie M. Shaw.

The float of the fourth ward school was decorated in green and red and gave a rep- resentation of the story of "The Old Wo- man who Lived in a Shoe." This display was quite interesting.

The display of the fifth ward school was a magnificent affair and represented "The Fairies' Revelry." It was a massive affair, representing huge bowlders covered with white chrysanthemums surmounted by a beautiful rainbow. Five boys on ponies car- ried a banner announcing the subject of the display.

The third ward had a fine float repre- senting "The May Queen." It was hand- somely decorated with wistaria and cle- matis.

THIRD DIVISION.

The third division of the parade was headed by Weber's band, of Mt. Healthy. and the first display in this division was that of the Zion Lutheran school, a big float built up of sunflowers, crowned with the motto "Will and Work." This float was drawn by four handsome draped grays, with gilded hoofs.

The C. D. Mathes Company had an un- usually attractive float. It was a boat sur- rounded by an able crew, with the motto, "Sailing to the Front."

Holbrock Brothers also had a pretty

float, a chariot decorated with pink flowers on a white and green background and filled with a bevy of pretty little girls.

The display of Liberty township was a statue of "Liberty" on a big float, driven by Uncle Sam and followed by a prettily dec- orated wagon laden with the fairest daugh- ters of Liberty township.

The parade was ended with the commit- tees and speakers in carriages.

PRIZE WINNERS.

The committee of ladies, Mrs. Walter L. Tobey, Mrs. C. E. Schenck, Mrs. James K. Cullen, Mrs. C. Markt and Miss Sophia Margedant, appointed to award the prizes, had a difficult task to perform. The com- mittee watched the flower parade from sev- eral points, while seated in their carriage on the streets of the city, but were unable to come to a decision as to the prizes. At the track on the fair grounds the committee looked at the various school floats and car- riages a long time before they finally awarded the first prize, a beautiful silk American flag, to the Straub school, and the second prize, a similar but smaller flag, to the Miami school and its unique display of American Indians. Then they selected the turnout driven by Mrs. Peter Schwab as the best decorated carriage, awarding it the prize of thirty dollars in gold, and the pony and runabout belonging to George Krebs as the best decorated pony vehicle, giving it the prize of fifteen dollars in gold.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 32

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149