USA > Ohio > Miami County > Troy > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 29
USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > Centennial history. Troy, Piqua and Miami county, Ohio > Part 29
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94
"Wanger was a peaceful, quiet Indian, and the young buck who remained with him, I have no doubt was his son. They gave no trouble to the settlers, and fol- lowed closely the business of trapping, hunting enough to supply their food, with some venison to trade to the settlers for meal and flour. He was noted for his love of money, for he never spent a cent ou clothing, drink or provisions.
266
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
"Wauger had no squaw with him in his hut, but he or the young Indian prepared their simple, frugal meals. The fact that he had no wife with him excited some com- ment among the old pioneers, and the fur- ther fact of his remaining away from his tribe was a source of wonderment among the Knoops, Dyes, Carvers and Jacksons who lived near the old Indian's hut. For most of those named remembered the In- dian village on Pleasant Run on the Sprowl farm, where there were a number of squaws and pappooses with the band.
"Wanger gained the good will and con- fidence of his white neighbors. When he left for the far West he gave no reason for his departure, but quietly as he came, twenty years before, he left the neighbor- hood and the country, leaving no trail be- hind him, and no information as to his fu- ture home. He was probably the last In- dian that lived in Elizabeth Township, and while the people with one accord called the creek along which he trapped "Wauger's Creek," he was forgotten or dimly remem- bered like a half-forgotten dream."
REVOLUTIONARY PENSIONERS.
Following is a list of citizens of Miami County who were granted pensions on ac- count of their service in the War of the Revolution, and the commands to which they belonged :
.John R. Bold, private, New York Militia. William C. Bailey, corporal, Virginia Line. John Battenhouse, Virginia Line.
John Byrne, private, Penn. State Troops. Benjamin Brandon, private, North Carolina Troops. Lewis Boyer, dragoon, Van Tur's Cavalry. Joseph Connor, private, Virginia Line. John Campbell, private, Penn. State Troops. Thomas Edwards, private, Penn. State Troops. Ezekial Farmer, private, South Carolina Troops. Daniel Fielding, sergeant, Continental Line. John Gerard, private, Virginia Line. Patrick Hegan, private, Penn. Militia. Isaac Julian, private, Penn. Militia.
Alexander Jackson, private, Penn. Militia. Thomas Kelsey, private, New York Troops. David Lloyd, sergeant, Penn. Troops. Joseph Line, private, Penn. Troops. J. W. Meredith, private, Delaware Line. Levi Munsell, private, Connecticut Line. Benjamin Morris, private, Virginia Troops. David Munson, private, Penn. Militia. William Mitchell, private, Penn. Line. David H. Morris, private, Penn. Line. Benjamin Pegg, private, Penn. Line. Harrison Parsons, private, New Jersey Troops.
Henry Penney, private, South Carolina Troops. Edward Severno, private, New Jersey Troops. Alexander Telford, private, Virginia Line. Abram Thomas, private, Penn. Troops.
Aaron Tullis, private, Virginia Line.
Isaae Taylor, private, New Jersey Troops. Samuel Wiley, private, Penn. Line.
All but four of the above soldiers were over seventy-five years of age when their pensions were granted. This list is valua- ble inasmuch as it shows from what locali- ties some of the first settlers of the county came and enables present residents to trace their ancestry back to the days of the Revolution.
On July Fourth, 1827, a great celebra- tion was held at Troy, at which a company of the veterans of Seventy-six was present and marched in the procession. After the parade a banquet was served at the tav- ern of Azel Skinner, at which all the vet- erans of the Revolution were honored guests. The Miami Reporter of July 17, 1827, gives a full account of the celebra- tion and the toasts drunk at the banquet, among them were the following :
"The day we celebrate; we hail its re- turn with joy, may it never be forgotten by freemen."
"The heroes of '76: May their bright example stimulate their sons to preserve the inestimable jewel of liberty bequeathed to them by their fathers unblemished till time shall be no more."
"Henry Clay: The great enlightened advocate of Domestick Manufactures, and Internal Improvement, he merits our
MARKET STREET BRIDGE, TROY
Water Works Plant, Croy, Ohio.
WATER WORKS PLANT, TROY
Jiami de. jail, Cray, Ohro.
--
Ctu
MIAMI COUNTY JAIL, TROY
C. H. & D. Depot, Troy, Ohio.
C. II. & D. DEPOT, TROY
269
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
warmest thanks for his exertions in their favor."
"Our National Standard: The Eagles of Rome have long since been buried in the dust ; the Eagle of Napoleon lies tram- pled on and forgotten; but the Eagle of North America floats high in the air tri- umphant and respected by all the world at onee the awe of despots and the seourge of tyrants, as freemen we will support it."
"The State of Ohio: An infant in age but a giant in population and resources, may she ever continue to be a home for freemen."
The names of Samuel Winans, and of John Day appear in the list of veterans of '76 whose names do not appear in the list of pensioners given above.
PROMINENT MIAMI COUNTY LADY.
It is not generally known that a Miami County woman has long been at the head of the Andersonville Prison Board, which keeps in order that famous burial ground for Union Soldiers who were starved to death in the Sonth during the Civil War. This lady, Mrs. Sarah Darst Winans, who is a native of Lost Creek Township, has long been prominent in Relief Corps work, having served as National president of that organization, but her greatest work has been that of preserving the Anderson- ville Prison grounds. Largely through her efforts this famous plot of ground has been beantified and kept in order. She visits Andersonville at stated intervals in discharge of her duties and today that place, sacred to all loyal people, owes mueh of its beauty to her administrative abili- ties. Quite a number of Miami soldiers are buried there and the modest head- stones that mark their graves tell in silent
language the story of their awful suffer- ings and their devotion to their country.
JOHN MORGAN'S RAIDERS.
Very few citizens of the county are aware that two of John Morgan's raiders were captured at Piqua during the mem- orable rebel raid through Ohio in 1863. Dr. F. E. Kitzmiller, of that city, has fur- nished me with the following interesting account of this little known incident of the Civil War.
"In 1863 John Morgan's brigade be- came scattered in southern Ohio. In Piqua those days all was excitement of war and the latest news from the front was upon every one's lips. No person in Piqua ever expected to see a live rebel in this vieinity, and I will never forget old Piqua one morning about 9:30 when 'something hap- pened.'
"Two men, both young, but tired and care-worn, came into Piqua upon the Ur- bana Pike to Main Street, then sonth to the Public Square and went west on High Street to College, then south to the Cov- ington Pike. These men were horseback, each riding a small bay horse. The horses were also very tired.
"Within five minutes after they went west from the public square they were suspicioned as being Morgan men.
"They rode through Piqua very slowly, allowing their horses to walk, no doubt to avoid suspicion. Within ten minutes after they left the public square, my father, E. A. Kitzmiller, William Brooks, the livery- man, and myself, started west in my fath- er's buggy. We drove fast and came up to the two men about two hundred yards east of the toll gate, which was at the eor- ner of Covington Avenue and Washington
270
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
Pike. Just as we approached the two men the town marshal, Samuel Garvey, and Zach Shipley came up along side of us, horseback.
"The two men made no effort to escape and were ordered to dismount, which they did. They were then searched. They car- ried no fire-arms and stated that they were on their way to Indiana to visit a sister.
"Attached to the saddle of each horse was found a small package containing a little wearing apparel, and on the inside of each package was found a half of a Union cent, the same being cut in two. This was considered very suspicious, and they were told to mount their horses and pro- ceed ahead of us to town.
"They were taken to the old town hall, the present City Building, where they con- fessed that they were members of John Morgan's brigade and they both said they were glad they were under arrest.
"These fellows were quite intelligent, and two men were never better treated in Piqua than they. They smoked and ate and had a jolly good time until 3 o'clock p. m., when they were taken to Columbus and confined in the Ohio penitentiary as prisoners of war. When they left Piqua for Columbus more than a thousand peo- ple cheered them a good-bye.
"For years I have wondered whether either of these men were alive, and a year ago I wrote a Lexington, Kentucky, news- paper, making inquiry. They published my letter, but no answer ever came.
"I recently received a letter from O. B. Gould, warden of the Ohio penitentiary, saying the John Morgan men were all con- fined there, but they had no record as to where they were captured.
"Mr. Shipley and myself are the only persons alive who were connected with the capture, and by inquiry I can find no one here who seems to remember the matter.
"I write this that the matter may not be forgotten."
A LINCOLN LETTER.
Comparatively few people know that one of Abraham Lincoln's characteristic let- ters is in the possession of a citizen of this county. The owner is Mr. J. L. Hill, of Fletcher, and the letter was received by his father, who was a personal friend of Lincoln's, in 1856. This rare letter from one of the greatest men the world ever pro- duced is highly treasured by its present owner. Mr. Hill in furnishing the Lincoln letter for reproduction in this work says that the great President often visited his (Mr. Hill's) father in Illinois in company with Judge David Davis, United States senator and associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Lincoln's let- ter is as follows:
SPRINGFIELD, ILL., Sept. 8, 1856.
Luther Hill, Esq.
Dear Sir: I understand you are a Fillmore man. Let me prove to you that every vote withheld from Fremont, and given to Fillmore, in this state, actually lessens Fill- more's chance of being President.
Suppose Buchanan gets all the slave states, and Penn- sylvania, and any other one state besides; then he is elected, no matter who gets all the rest.
But suppose Fillmore gets the two slave states of Maryland and Kentucky; then Buchanan is not elected; Fillmore goes into the House of Representatives, and may be made President by compromise.
But suppose again Fillmore's friends throw away a few thousand votes on him, in Indiana and Illinois, it will inevitably give these states to Buchanan, which will more than compensate him for the loss of Maryland and Kentucky; will elect him, and leave Fillmore no chance in the H. R. or out of it.
This is as plain as the adding up of the weights of three small hogs. As Mr. Fillmore has no possible chance to carry Illinois for himself, it is plainly his in- terest to let Fremont take it, and thus keep it out of the hands of Buchanan. Be not deceived, Buchanan is the horse to beat in this race. Let him have Illinois. and nothing can beat him; and he will get Illinois, if
271
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
men persist in throwing away votes upon MIr. Fillmore, Does some one persuade you that Mr. Fillmore can carry Illinois? Nonsense! There are over seventy newspapers in Illinois opposing Buchanan, only three or four of which support Mr. Fillmore, all the rest going for Fre- mont. Are not these newspapers a fair index of the proportion of the voters, if not, tell me why ?
Again, of these three or four Fillmore newspapers, two at least are supported, in part, by Buchanan men, so I understand. Do not they know where the shoe pinches? They know the Fillmore movement helps them, and therefore they help it. Do think these things over, and then act according to your judgment.
Yours very truly,
Confidential. A. LINCOLN.
CHAPTER XXII.
MANUFACTURES OF THE PAST AND PRESENT
Early Mills and Distilleries-Brick and Tile Making-Present Industries of the County.
The manufactures of Miami County have kept pace with its growth from the beginning. Today it is one of the largest manufacturing counties of the State. Its products are diversified. Within late years many new manufacturing plants have sprung up. Nearly all have been incorpo- rated under the laws of Ohio and, so far as known, all are prosperous.
The first manufactures within the county were limited to the scant population. These consisted almost wholly of mills, cereal and lumber. Later on cooperage was car- ried on to considerable extent and when the canal came into being this business thrived and continned to do so for some years. In some parts of the county small distilleries were operated, producing a great deal of corn whiskey. Much of this output was flatboated down the Miami and found a ready market in the Sonth.
One of the first cereal mills built in the county was owned by John Yount of Mon- roe Township. Yount was rather secretive and did not give away his plans to every- body. It is told of the erection of this mill that the builder "cut down a large beech tree that grew in front of his house
and burned out the center of the stump till a hole, shaped somewhat like the cavity of a bowl, was obtained. The charred sur- face of the concavity was rubbed with sandstone till the charcoal was all removed, when the most difficult of the labor was completed. A contrivance something like an old sweep was erected over the stump. Instead of attaching a bucket to one end of the sweep they fastened a large round stone which was placed in such a position that, when lowered, it fell into the burned depression in the stump. Owing to the fact that this simple contrivance could be worked without either steam or water, it possessed one advantage over our more modern mills. The motor power necessary to keep such a machine moving demanded such a wonderful expenditure of muscular activity that it was not to be wondered at that the head of the family felt by no means elated when informed by the good wife that the flour barrel was empty and it was necessary for him to go to mill."
In 1809 John Freeman of the same town- ship made an improvement on the Yount mill and put up a hopper for grinding corn. This hopper was set up in a shed of logs.
272
273
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
It was considered a great thing, this primi- tive corn-mill. Rattle, rattle went the old hopper from morning till night and the neighbors brought in their grist from the surrounding country. The Freeman mill existed for a number of years, but at last the groanings of the old machinery ceased and more pretentious mills came into being.
As early as 1805 Benjamin Leavell, a millwright, came to Piqua and engaged in his business. It was the first milling done in this part of the country. The first man- ufacture of linseed oil, a business whichi has given Piqua a name everywhere, was engaged in by John McCorkle of that city in 1824. The MeCorkle mill was run by water power, and the crusher was a large circular block of limestone. Notwithistand- ing Mr. MeCorkle's industry his primitive machinery proved a serious drawback and there was but a limited demand for his output, owing no doubt to this handicap. In other parts of the county little flour mills sprang up and proved a great benefit to the inhabitants. As most of these were operated by water power they were to be found along streams. Their machinery was of the simplest description, built by the hands that had erected the pioneer cab- ins or guided the first emigrant teams over the mountains.
The people, acknowledging the necessity of mills, gave their proprietors their pat- ronage. It would require more scope than I have at my command to enumerate all the mills that were operated during the two first decades of our country's history. They were busy though primitive institu- tions. Their patrons were compelled to make long journeys in order to have their grists ground and as some of these trips
were made in the dead of winter, when the snow was deep on the ground and the icy winds howled through the forests, the sufferings of the gristers were intense. More than once they were chased by the rapacious wolf and sometimes they were compelled to wait two days at the mills before the grists could be ground, there being orders ahead of them and the mill- er's motto was "First come first served."
It was natural that the mills of the coun- try were the first industries that appeared. The inhabitants must have bread, though "Johnny cake" was for some time thie sta- ple food. When there was no white bread in the house the corn-dodger was called into requisition and the pioneer boys and girls waxed fat on it. It was always a. good omen when a mill site was selected and some enterprising person began to set up his burrs and hoppers. It meant a food supply and consequently more money in circulation, for the miller paid the pre- vailing price for grain. Consequently flat- boating fell off and the first farmers bought more land with their money and were not compelled to rely on the cereal mills of Dayton and Cincinnati for their food.
There still stand within the limits of the county some of the later mills which suc- ceeded the first ones. Almost every town- ship has one or more of these buildings. They were strongly built. Their timbers were heavy and well seasoned and tlie gigantic water wheels held out for many years, or until modern machinery was placed in them, when the old "tail race" vanished and the "roller process" seemed the acme of modern milling. The Edwards mill near Troy is a famous milling struc- ture, so is the Allen mill at Eldean and
274
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY
numerous ones along the Miami and Still- water. One of the well known old flour mills of the east side is the Sheets Mill on Lost Creek. This mill for many years was the mainstay of the contiguous region and many of the older inhabitants, who as boys carried grists to it viewed its recent demolition with real sorrow. Another Lost Creek mill is the Burkholder mill, which is yet in operation. This old structure, along with the one at Sheets' kept the peo- ple in flour and cornmeal sixty years ago and survived to witness the changes in the milling system which came along with ad- vancing years.
Among the early industries on the west side was John Mast's grist-mill in Union Township, in connection with which was a carding machine, as a good deal of wool and flax were then produced in the county. In 1820 David Thayer bought and refitted the Kelley mills and a loom for weaving blankets was put in. This was a needed improvement and was well patronized. Mr. Kelley erected a cotton factory near West Milton and later a scythe manufactory was added to the industries of Union Town- ship. In 1819 the manufacture of linseed oil was commenced in the same locality. It is said that powder was made in the same vicinity at an early day, but the story that Tecumseh once came to the powder- mill and gun shop to have his rifle repaired is probably a myth. Jacob Embree put up a corn cracker of the most primitive construction in Newton Township in 1808 and this mill did considerable business for a number of years. Saw-mills which turned out a great deal of lumber flourished every- where throughout the country and they were among the first industries to follow the white settlers.
Also at an early date tile and brick mak- ing came into existence. It had been dis- covered that different parts of the county possessed the right sort of earth for this business and there were men who stood ready to take hold of it. In course of time the cabins and frame houses gave place to brick ones, the frame churches also did the same, and there grew up a steady demand for brick buildings. A number of kilns were established and in course of time there were many in successful operation. A great many brick were carried on the canal when that waterway assumed busi- ness and boats were built looking to this sort of transportation. Many of the first industries of the country gave way for others which came to supply the increasing population. Modern machinery took the place of the old and every new invention was seized upon and given a trial. The old mills disappeared entirely or were reno- vated and new machinery added, water power was succeeded by steam, until to- day every manufactory in the country is carried on after the most modern methods. The output of the farmer demanded the grain elevator and it came at his call. A list of even the early manufactories of the country would fill a volume. As a rule they were conducted by enterprising men who were not only anxious to turn an hon- est penny, but to serve the best interests of the people as well.
Before the day of the woolen, knitting mill and kindred factories the merchants of Miami were compelled to go to the east- ern marts for their goods. This necessi- tated trouble and expense as transporta- tion was then in its first stages. Today much of the stuff manufactured within the county is purchased and consumed at home.
1
-
-
MCKINNON DASH WORKS, TROY
1
THE PIONEER POLE AME SHAFT ( O.
THE PIONEER POLE & SHAFT CO., TROY
NO.1
THE ORR FELT & BLANK T CO.
THE ORR FELT & BLANKET CO., PIQUA
-
TROY WAGON WORKS, TROY
277
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Following is an approximately complete list of the principal industries of Miami County :
PIQUA.
The Union Underwear Co. The Atlas Underwear Co. The Superior Underwear Co. The Piqua Hosiery Co. The Stuart Brown Underwear Co.
The Orr Felt & Blanket Co. The Pioneer Shaft & Pole Co.
The Piqua Handle & Mfg. Co. The Piqua Furniture Co. The Cron-Kills Co. The Wood Shovel & Tool Co. The Sprague-Smith Furniture Co. The Piqua Gas & Coke Co.
The Piqua Malt Co. The Piqua Foundry & Machine Co. The Piqua Packer Co. The Piqua Milling Co. The George H. Rundle Co. The Ohio Marble Co. The American Sheet Steel & Tin Plate Co. The King Manufacturing Co. The Favorite Stove & Range Co. The American Wagon Stock Co. The American Straw Board Co.
The Piqua Flour Co. The French Oil Machinery Co.
The Bowdle Bros. Foundry & Machine Co. The C. L. Wood Planing Mill. The Piqua Blower Co. The Rankin Dyeing & Bleaching Works. The Piqua Creamery Co.
TROY,
The Allen & Wheeler Co. The American Fixture & Mfg. Co. The Chas. A. P. Barrett Co. The Hayner Distillery. The Hobart Electric Mfg. Co.
The Julian Manufacturing Co.
The Mckinnon Dash Factory. The Pioneer Pole & Shaft Co. The Royal Polished Steel Roaster Co. Troy Buggy Works.
Troy Carriage & Sunshade Works. Troy Foundry & Machine Co. The Troy Skirt Co.
The Troy Tile & Brick Co.
The Troy Umbrella & Canopy Co.
The Troy Wagon Works Co.
Troy Marble & Granite Works.
The Allen & Wheeler Tobacco Warehouse.
TIPPECANOE CITY.
Ford & Co.'s Wheelworks.
The Tippecanoe Strawboard Co.
The Tipp Furniture Factory.
The Tipp Whip Co.
The Davis Whip Co.
W. H. Ethell & Co., Millers. The Miami Valley Mills.
The Tipp Underwear Co.
The Vaughn Gas Engine Co.
The Tipp Building & Mfg. Co.
The Saunders & Kerr Tobacco Warehouse.
The Eli Saunders Tobacco Warehouse.
The Detrick Milling Co. The Detrick Distillery Co.
The C. W. Jenson Mfg. & Building Co.
George Honeyman, Concrete Blocks. William Fenstemaker, Concrete Blocks.
COVINGTON.
Covington Woolen Mills.
Wagner's Tile & Brick Yard.
Crampton & Son's Boiler Works.
Covington Flouring Mills.
Sugar Grove Flouring Mills. The Crescent & Metallic Fence Stay Co.
The J. W. Ruhl Quarries.
The C. H. Jackson Quarrics.
The Drees Saw Mills.
The R. M. Albery Saw Mills.
The C. F. Drees Talcum Powder Co.
The Covington Lumber Co.
The Covington Telephone Co.
Falls Electric Light Co.
Covington Steam Laundry.
PLEASANT HILL.
The Deeter Brick Yard & Tile Co. The M. & P. Tobacco Warehouse. The Longnaker Sand & Gravel Co The Busy Mail Order Co.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Fraternal Orders, Building and Loan Associations, Population, Etc.
The establishment of fraternal societies in the county began at an early date. Many of the first settlers belonged to the older orders, principally Masonic, and as early as 1812 a lodge of that order was estab- lished at Troy. From that date the sys- tem of fraternalism grew rapidly until to- day a great many fraternal societies exist in the country. The list that follows is as nearly complete as diligent research can make it. So far as possible the name of the order and the date of organization are given.
MASONIC.
Name of Lodge. Organized.
Franklin Lodge, Troy January 12, 1812
Warren Lodge, Piqua. . October 21, 1841
Tippecanoe Lodge, Tippecanoe City .... October 27, IS51 West Milton Lodge, West Milton .... November 19, 1896 Covington Lodge, Covington 1847
Social Lodge, Lena. . October 22, IS52
Pleasant Hill Lodge, Pleasant Hill. October 17, IS66
Bradford Lodge, Bradford .. June 27, 1905
Troy Chapter, O. E. S., Troy. November 23, 1906
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.