USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 23
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 23
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One of the first things that commanded the attention of the pioneer farmer after he had erected lris cabin home and brokeu ground was the planting of an orchard. It was soon discovered that the apple would thrive in Miami County. Some of
the immigrants had brought the infant trees with them and these were set out where it was thought they would thrive best. It was also found that peaches, pears, cherries and plums produced well in our climate and these were introduced to increase the fruit supply. It is not known whether that strange and harmless man called Johnny Appleseed ever reached the county domain, but doubtless people who obtained seed of him afterward set- tled here and thus added to the fruit pro- duction. In those days there were no trav- eling tree agents to supply the farmer with all sorts of "brush," consequently the first agriculturists were thrown upon their own resources in the way of orchard planting.
Until 1846 there had been no thought of an Agricultural Society. In fact the situa- tion did not demand one. As the county advanced in agriculture the needs of an institution of this kind became apparent. In the year above mentioned the Troy Times published a call for the people to meet to discuss the proposition to form an agricultural society. This meeting was held in the office of John G. Telford at Troy. Many of the best known citizens of the county attended, and a good deal of enthusiasm was manifested. It was de- cided to organize a society and William Giffin, David H. Morris, William I. Thomas and William B. McClung were selected to draft a constitution and by-laws for the proposed organization. A few days later, September 26, 1846, the committee report- ed; the report was followed by an organ- ization and the following persons were elected officers of the first Miami County Agricultural Society: President, William I. Thomas; vice-presidents, William C.
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Knight, Cyrus Heywood, David Jenkins; corresponding secretary, D. H. Morris; re- cording secretary, G. D. Burgess; treas- urer, Jacob Knoop; librarian, H. D. Stout ; committee on agriculture, John Hamilton, chairman; Daniel Brown, James McCain, Zimri Heald and William Giffin.
The first article of the constitution an- nouneed that the association should be ealled the Miami County Agricultural So- ciety, the second defined that the object of the society was "the eirculation of gen- eral intelligence and practical instruction in all the branches of agriculture," by the establishment of a correspondence with other bodies seeking the same object, by procuring the most rare and valuable kinds of seeds, plants, shrubs and trees, by the establishment of exhibitions at which premiums shall be awarded for the improvements of soil, tillage, erops, ma- nures, implements of husbandry, stocks, artieles of domestie industry, and such other articles, productions and improve- ments as may be deemed worthy of en- couragement; and the adoption of other means for the general eireulation of knowl- edge on the subjects embraced by the So- ciety."
It was also ineluded in the Constitution that "any person may become a life mem- ber of the society by the payment of ten dollars into the treasury at any one time."
Substantially the by-laws of the society provide : That each member shall pay one dollar annually into the treasury, that no money shall be paid by the treasurer un- less upon a written order of a majority of the directors, and that the society shall, in addition to annual meetings, hold three other meetings on the first Thursday of the months of December, March and June
in each year for the purpose of hearing addresses, discussing questions and re- ceiving reports on the several subjects em- braced by the society. Subsequent to the adoption of the original constitution and by-laws numerous changes have been made in the way of amendments. What has be- come of the library purchased by the first fair board 1 have not been able to discover, but it is probable that not many of the vol- umes are in existence.
Much interest was taken in the Agricul- tural Society by the people of the county. It was one of the first bodies of the kind in this part of the state. In 1851 the State Pomological Society exhibition was held in Cineinnati, at which Jacob Knoop rep- resented the Miami County Agricultural Society, and Dr. Asa Coleman was the first person to represent the new society at a meeting of the State Board of Agri- culture which convened in December, 1850. Messrs. Knoop and Coleman were very en- thusiastie members of the Society and did much to make it known beyond the county's borders.
In 1856 William Senior sold the fair board ground for the annual exhibitions of the Society and the price $1,520 was paid in three installments. The following year the society erected on its grounds a house for exhibition purposes and a year later adjoining counties were invited to compete with Miami at the Fair.
Set firmly on its feet by the energetic men who were at the head of it, the so- ciety made good progress. More ground was purchased from time to time and many improvements were made. The old grounds were situated on the vaeant land in what is now the southeastern portion of the City of Troy, near the Miami River and
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
the Miami & Erie Canal. The buildings on the grounds were poor and were soon found inadequate. In 1871 the present county fair grounds were laid out on land purchased by Mrs. E. MeKaig and are now among the handsomest fair grounds in the state, being reached by steam and trolley lines and excellent turnpikes. Of late years much money has been spent in the beautifying of the grounds and for the convenience of the fair-going public. Some years ago the old manner of electing the directors was abolished and they are now chosen by the electors of the county at annual elections, two directors being elect- ed from each township. The twenty-four directors constitute the fair board and elect the several officers of the Society.
The Miami County Agricultural Society, as constituted today, is the splendid out- growth of the one established in 1846. It holds an annual fair which has become known everywhere, both for the variety and excellence of its exhibits and for other features not necessary to enumerate here. Its speed ring has gained commendable notoriety among fair goers. New build- ings of modern convenience have been erected as the success of the fair demand- ed. The annual premium list of the Miami County Agricultural Society is large and well chosen and the character of the ex- hibits are second to none in the state. Following will be found the presidents, secretaries and treasurers of the county fair from its second year to date (the offi- cers of the initial year being already given) :
1856
W. H. Gabagau.
1857
W. H. Gahagan.
1858
W. H. Gahagan.
1859-60
W. H. Gahagan.
1861
W. H. H. Dye.
1862
Isaae S. Sheets.
1863
W. B. MeClung.
1864
W. B. McClung.
1865
W. B. MeClung.
1866
W. B. MeClung.
1867
B. F. Brown.
1868
W. H. H. Dye.
1869 to 1871 W. B. MeClung.
1872
.V. Smithers.
1873
N. Smithers.
1874
J. W. Ross.
1878-1881 M. W. Hayes.
1882
Lewis Hayner.
1883
David DeWeese.
1884-5
F. B. MeNeal.
1886-7
D. C. Branson.
1888-9
W. B. Cox.
1890
D. MI. Coppoek.
1891-3
W. I. Kiser.
1894-9
Thos. B. Scott.
1900-7
W. F. Robbins.
190S-
George A. Fry.
SECRETARIES.
1849-53
M. M. Munson.
1854-5
R. W. Furnas.
1556
George Morris.
1857-61
C. W. Morris.
1862
C. T. Bear.
1863-65
C. W. Morris.
1866-69
W. H. Gahagan.
1870
J. W. Ross.
1871-4 S. R. Drury.
1875 F. M. Sterrett.
1876-8 W. A. R. Tenney.
IS79-80 A. M. Heywood.
1881-2
J. C. Chamberlain.
1882-1908 W. I. Tenney.
TREASURERS.
1849-53 G. D. Burgess.
1854-55
S. K. Harter.
1856-61
B. S. Kyle.
1862-4 C. H. Culbertson.
1865-6 David Kelly.
1867-70 (. H. Culbertson.
1571 Frank Harter.
1872-3 S. R. Drury.
1874 S. D. Frank.
1875 Theodore Sullivan.
1876
Thomas Sullivan.
1877-8
Theodore Sullivan.
1879-85
I. N. Price.
1886-93 W. H. Alexander.
1894-7 John A. MeCurdy.
1898-1904 D. M. Coppock.
1905-08 John N. MeDowell.
PRESIDENTS.
1849
William B. MeClung.
1850 William B. MeClung.
1850-51
Dr. Asa Coleman.
1852-53
William B. MeClung.
1854-55 S. K. Harter.
Some years ago the Grange movement began in the county and in a short time assumed great proportions. It at once in- terested the agricultural localities and
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granges were established in various sec- tions. Store houses were set up, but, with one or two exceptions perhaps, these have been discontinued. There are now a num- ber of thriving granges in the county and the meetings are largely attended. Charles M. Freeman, of Rex, P. O., has held the office of secretary of the National Grange for several years.
The Farmers' Institute is another im- portant body of recent formation. This organization has done more to keep up the interest in county agriculture than any- thing yet started. It holds one or more meetings each year at which speakers of state and national reputation deliver ad- dresses. It does not confine itself to any one locality, but meets at various points in two-day sessions. Theodore Rogers of Casstown is now president of the Farmers' Institute.
The Miami County Horticultural So- ciety, B. B. Scarf, president, is another organization which of late years has done much good in its partieular line. It was formed to keep up an interest in horticul- tural matters and in this has been very successful. The importance of horticul- ture is constantly kept at the fore by the society and many of its discussions are published at length in the county newspa- pers. There are several nurseries and fruit gardens in the county, besides many berry raisers, and these work in conjune- tion with the Horticultural Society. A large amount of berries are annually raised within the county for home con- sumption and foreign shipment and this branch of industry is yearly increasing. The soil of the county is peculiarly adapt- ed to small fruit culture and the farmer is taking advantage of it.
The farm products of Miami County are for the most part wheat, corn, oats, rye, hay and barley. Of late years the culture of tobacco has been introduced with much success. This commodity meets with ready sale and the farmer has added it to the sources of his income. At first tobacco was raised only west of the Miami, but of late years the farmers east of the river have taken up the culture of the weed and have profited thereby. The prediction that within a few years Miami will become one of the greatest tobacco producing coun- ties of the state may be made with the ut- most confidence.
Aside from general agriculture the farm- ers of the county have taken up the breed- ing of good stock as a side line. In the early sixties the first Jersey cattle were raised on the Johnston farm near Piqua; Charles Mccullough had one of the first brought to Troy. In 1876 N. H. Albaugh exhibited a pair of Holsteins at the Fair. Many years ago a sale of Durhams was held in Troy. Captain John Drury brought the first Morgan horse to the county seat, and about 1860 N. Smither had the first English draft horse brought into the county. The early 70's witnessed the ar- rival in the county of the first Norman horses. As early as 1847 Zimri Heald ex- hibited a lot of Merino sheep and for many years this breed was the only kind to be found in the county. At the public sale of Durhams mentioned above a ealf was knocked down for seventeen dollars. This price was then considered excessive and led one of the spectators to exclaim : "Why, that is more than we gave for our eow !" In 1847 cows in the county sold for from ten dollars to fifteen dollars. The
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
reader may compare those prices with the ones that prevail now. Today the county is full of blooded stock, as is seen by the
annual exhibits made by the farmers. In this respect agricultural Miami is the peer of any county in the State.
CHAPTER XV.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
The Children's Home-Benevolence of John H. Knoop-The Schmidlapp Free Public School Library, Piqua-The Troy Free School Library-The Young Men's Chris- tian Association-The Woman's Christian Temperance Union-The Young Wo- men's Christian Temperance Unions-Colored People's Temperance Union-Wo- man's Christian Association of Troy-The Ball Memorial Hospital at Piqua-The Altrurian Club of Troy-The Civic League-Regimental and Other Military Or- ganizations-The Maryland Association.
The Children's Home-It was not until recent years that public institutions sprang up within the county. The need of these had long been felt. The County In- firmary had cared for the indigent, in- cluding their off-spring, but the time came when a proper home for the latter was found to be a necessity. The Infirmary was not regarded as a suitable home for the little wards of the county, and a place was needed where they could be educated apart from the influences that surround an infirmary. To this end many discussions arose, but nothing promised to come out of them till a single man stepped forward and solved the problem.
John H. Knoop, a bachelor, a man of wealth and one of the first settlers of the county, gave stability to the idea of a Chil- dren's Home. He possessed several hun- dred acres of excellent land which was situated in Elizabeth Township. Mr. Knoop emigrated to the county at an early
day and settled at Staunton. His old cabin, said to be the first house erected within the limits of the county, is standing at the present day upon the old Knoop farm now occupied by William R. Saun- ders. Perhaps it was his own boyhood . spent in the wilderness of the Miami which caused John H. Knoop to sympathize with the homeless child, the little one cast adrift upon the world, sometimes by the act of heartless parents, and always by circum- stances over which the waif had no control. He resolved to brighten the future of the homeless child and to this end he proposed to deed to the county land upon which should be erected a Children's Home, where the poor youth of the county could be housed and schooled away from all im- proper influences.
The Women's Christian Association first brought before the public the necessity for an institution of this kind in 1877, and this was so well received that the directors
211
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
of the County Infirmary advocated it in their report which was made in March of that year. On the 4th of June, John H. Knoop (conjointly with his brother Jacob) conveyed to the county, through its com- missioners, Isaac Clyne, W. H. Northcutt and D. C. Branson, 160 acres of land situ- ated in Elizabeth Township, to be used for all purposes of a Children's Home. The county auditor, W. I. Tenney, was author- ized by the commissioners to inform the voters of the county that they would be called upon to vote on the proposition to build a Children's Home, at the coming October election. The need of such an institution was so apparent that it was thought it would carry unanimously, but 175 votes were cast against the building of the Home to 5,891 in favor of it.
Having sanctioned Mr. Knoop's munif- icent proposition, the good work was not allowed to lag. During the following spring the commissioners visited various children's homes for the purpose of famil- iarizing themselves with the construction of the proper buildings, and in May, 1878, building contracts amounting to over $16,- 000 were awarded to several parties. The plans and specifications of the main build- ing were drawn up by D. W. Gibbs, an architect of Toledo. Having progressed thus far, R. P. Spiker, of Piqua, Jacob Roller, of Tippecanoe City and Samuel K. Harter, of Troy, were appointed trustees and in January, 1879, Washington Barnes of Troy was made superintendent. The building was finished and ready for occu- pancy the last of that month. Mr. Barnes served as superintendent till 1891, when he resigned, to be followed by Henry Jay, who later gave way to Rufus Fish, who is the present efficient superintendent, while
his wife fills the position of matron of the institution.
Since the erection of the Home proper other commodious buildings and annexes have been added, until now the Knoop Children's Home is one of the best insti- tutions of the kind in the state. Within the last few years a handsome chapel and schoolhouse have been built on the grounds, and everything has been done for the com- fort of the children. The farm so gener- ously donated to the county by John and Jacob Knoop is very productive, one of the best east of the Miami. It is well drained and cared for and annually, under the present management, brings forth good crops. The Children's Home is governed by a board of trustees who, aided by the superintendent, makes an annual report to the commissioners, which report is al- ways open for inspection by the public. In connection with the Home is a well-con- ducted Sabbath school and the day school conducted by a corps of excellent teachers is a credit to the institution.
Visitors to the Home are admitted from 1 to 4 p. m. except Saturday and Sunday and the Sunday school is open to every one. The regular meetings of the trustees take place on the first Monday of each month, when friends and relatives of the children are allowed to call upon them. Children are sometimes allowed to be taken out of the Home and raised by proper parties and these children are looked after by the superintendent, who sees that they are well cared for and prop- erly schooled. The average number of children occupying the Knoops Home is about sixty. A competent physician is regularly employed by the trustees to look after the health of the children, and
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their every want is supplied. Miami County is proud of the Knoop Children's Home, as well it may be, for it fills a long- felt want and is today the most prominent of its public institutions. The present roster of the Home is as follows: Super- intendent, Rufus Fish; matron, Mrs. Ru- fus Fish; trustees, David Deweese, John T. Knoop, Ellis Kerr, and C. L. Bennett.
The Schmidlapp Free Public School Li- brary-The largest public library within the limits of the county is the Schmidlapp Free Public School Library, situated in Piqua. This handsome library was secured through the generosity of Jacob Schmid- lapp, a wealthy gentleman of Cincinnati, but born and raised in Piqua. The Library was organized in 1890 and at first had quarters in the old Schmidlapp home on Main Street and at first consisted of two rooms, the stock room, and reading room. These quarters were soon found to be in- adequate and in 1898 a large addition was built. At the present time the building contains a large stock room, store room, two well appointed reference rooms, a children's room, store room, librarian's office and the office of the clerk of the Board of Education. The library is super- vised by the Board of Education of Piqua, which consists of the following persons : President, Oscar Fisher; vice-president. Mrs. W. P. Orr; elerk, George Dettmer; trustees, C. C. Jelleff, Otto Von Bargen, Dr. W. J. Prince and F. P. Brotherton.
The Selimidlapp Library does not issue a printed report as do other public insti- tutions of the kind, but the librarian anun- ally puts out a statistical account of the library's patronage, etc. The Library now contains about 15,000 volumes and has a circulation of over 50,000 books a year.
Its shelves are well stocked with books of every sort and keep up with the demands of the reading public. Its active personnel is as follows: Librarian, Jessie H. Mas- den; assistant librarians, Sue Hetherton, Gertrude Irvin ; library committee, Charles Jelleff, Will J. Prince, M. D. The Schmid- lapp Free School Public Library is the pride of the citizens of Piqua and is well patronized. The volumes on its shelves are selected by a discriminating committee and none but the best literature of the day is found there.
Troy Free School Library-The nucleus of the Troy Free School Library was brought together in the "Reception Room" of the old Edwards school building by the beloved first superintendent of the Troy public schools, William N. Edwards. From time to time a few additions were made to this by the classes graduating from the school, but at the end of twenty years there were only 150 volumes, but these were all well selected books. In 1880 the public- spirited citizens of Troy determined that Troy should have a public library and a number of professional men organized a lecture course, each man delivering one lecture. The proceeds of these entertain- ments were used in maintaining a reading room for a few months, but there being no funds to keep up the library, it was dropped for the time. In 1885 C. L. Van Cleve, then superintendent of the Troy schools, moved the school library to the new Kyle Building, appointed one of the high school pupils librarian, wrote to sev- eral of the older graduates living in other eities for donations, and arranged to give ont the books to pupils and citizens who held cards. the cards being issued to any one who donated $5 to the purchase of
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
new books. Not much use was made of the library, however, for the reason that it was in a remote part of the town, was only open during a limited number of hours each week and the patrons of it were mostly people who had as good, if not bet- ter, libraries of their own.
In March, 1894, a number of women in Troy organized the Altrurian Club, with the avowed purpose of creating a senti- ment in favor of a public library. In 1895 the Altrurian Club petitioned the Board of Education to place the school library in a room accessible to all and to make it a free public library. The school board consent- ed, providing a room could be obtained. The club agreed to raise a large sum of money for the expenses of the library as an inducement to the City Council to grant the use of a room in the City Building. A small room on the second floor of the City Building was granted them and the school board allowed the school library to be moved to the City Building. Mrs. Clar- issa D. Williams was appointed librarian and the room was opened to the public one-half of each day. The work of cata- loguing the books was at last completed and the Troy Public Library opened to the public December 5, 1896, the total number of books at that time being 2,111, and nine magazines were placed upon the reading table. The Altrurian Club raised over one thousand dollars for the support of this library by conducting a number of enter- tainments, issuing a Woman's Edition of the Miami Union and publishing two edi- tions of the Altrurian Cookbook. The ed- itors of the three county papers published in Troy, The Miami Union, The Buckeye, and the Democrat, assisted in creating a sentiment for the public library by each
week publishing either an editorial or news item. Other literary clubs in Troy began making donations each year to the public library until 1902, when the time seemed ripe for establishing the library upon the basis that it should be supported by the tax payers of Troy. A mass meet- ing of all the clubs in the city was held in September, 1902, at which time it was decided to petition the city council to do- nate the room on the first floor of the City Building for library purposes. This room was then used as a post office, but the lease would terminate in a few months, and the post office would be moved to the first floor of the I. O. O. F. Temple. The City Council granted the request and appro- priated sufficient money to remodel and furnish the room, which would be ready for occupancy by May 1st, 1903. That day was set for a "book shower," and all win- ter committees from every club in Troy were busy working to make the book shower a success. On May 1st, 1903, H. P. Weatherhead, as president of the Council, formally presented the furnished library room to the city of Troy, A. F. Broomhall in behalf of the Board of Education and the citizens of Troy accepted the gift. The donations received that day amounted to $1,051.50 in money and 1,300 volumes of books, many of them being valnable books of reference which would have cost several dollars per volume.
A tax was levied for the support of the library and over $3,000 each year is appro- priated for the expenses of the library. The annual report of the librarian shows that on November 30, 1908, there were 9,640 books in the library, fifty-eight mag- azines upon the reading table and a num- ber of daily papers and all the weekly pa-
KNOOP CHILDREN'S HOME
COUNTY INFIRMARY
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BALL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, PIQUA
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I. O. O. F. BUILDING AND POSTOFFICE, TROY
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pers of the county, these last being do- nated by the publishers. During the year 16,468 visitors had dropped in either to look over the magazines or to consult books of reference; 2,575 people are en- rolled as patrons and the number of books placed in circulation during the year was 34,867, the library having been closed sev- eral weeks by order of the Board of Health because of an epidemic of small-pox in the city. During the month of March 3,767 books were issued. The library is now open every day, except Sundays and legal holidays, and under the efficient manage- ment of the librarian, Mrs. Clarissa D. Williams, and her assistants, Miss Blanche Mitchell and Miss Anna Mary Dinsmore, it is an aggressive force in all that per- tains to the betterment of the individual and, through the individual, the civic life.
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