History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 68

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592

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TWIN OAKS, April 2, 1861.

Sirs :- The neighbors propose a meeting at our house, for the purpose of giving a name to our embryo village, on the 4th instant, upon which occasion we hope to have the pleasure of seeing yourselves and wives. Do not fail to come with names. Ladies will be expected to participate. Yours, ROBERT REILY.

The meeting was accordingly held, and the present name selected. Its Indian significance is said to be "wide plains," and it was applied by that race to a beauti- ful valley on the North Branch of the Susquehanna in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. The environments of Wyoming certainly possess some of the characteristic features of its prototype. The valley of Mill creek is wide and level, skirted on either side by hills of romantic beauty. The vicinity of Wyoming was traversed by the differ- ent expeditions dispatched from Fort Washington against the Indians, and here, too, we find a parallel to the tragic events that will ever attach a melancholy interest to the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania.

Wyoming is a place of residence exclusively, and no effort has been spared to render it as attractive as possible in this respect. The streets are broad and regu- lar, well shaded, macadamized, and lined with sidewalks of artificial stone. Private residences present many varieties of architectural construction, but are uniformly · characterized by taste and beauty. The public buildings of the village are: a hand- some and commodious town hall, two fine school buildings, and Presbyterian, Bap- tist, and Catholic churches. The Wyoming Light, Water, Heat & Power Com- pany was incorporated in 1889, and constructed the electric light plant in the same year.

HARTWELL.

The incorporated village of Hartwell comprises the towns originally platted as Hartwell and Maplewood. Hartwell proper derived its name from John W. Hartwell, vice-president of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad Company, and was platted in 1868 by the Hamilton County House Building Association, of which the president and principal promoter was Daniel De Camp; this corporation purchased the Gares farm of 130 acres and forty acres from Judge Jonathan Cilley, who, in addi- tion to this, allowed the plat to include thirty-four acres of his farm; the survey was made by Joseph W. Gilbert.

The plat of Maplewood is bounded on the south by Section avenue and on the west by Burns avenue, and comprises what was formerly known as the old Sturgis farm. It was platted in 1871 by Joseph F. Mills. The Bell & Steele subdivision is situated between Burns avenue and the Springfield pike; it was platted in 1875, and that of the Merchants' and Mechanics' Land and Building Association in 1874. The latter was surveyed by I. A. Smith, and among its leading promoters was John C. Healy.

Hartwell was incorporated as a village in 1876, and the first election of officers was held September 7th in that year, resulting as follows: Mayor, Charles M. Steele; clerk, T. H. Marpe; treasurer, T. Hoge; marshal, J. N. Bachelor; council, Richard Hornbrook, C. O. Edwards, H. D. Blackburn, T. E. McNamara, James A. Skardon,

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

F. M. Whitelaw. The succession of mayors has been as follows: 1876, Charles M. Steele; 1881, Gillett V. Stevenson; 1885, James A. Lowes; 1889, M. V. B. Weigh- ell; 1891, Robert S. Waddell. The year given is that of election. T. H. Marpe has served as clerk since the incorporation of the village. The borough building was erected in 1888. It is a brick structure, comprising a council room, public hall, and prison. It is located at the corner of Burns and Lawn avenues. Prohibition was established by ordinance of October 22, 1883, but the ordinance now in force is that of July 12, 1886.

The original plat of Hartwell is a radical departure from the conventional rec- tangular form, to which the other subdivisions within the village limits in general correspond. In beauty of appearance and in the character of its citizenship Hart- well ranks with the most desirable suburbs of Cincinnati. It is essentially a place of residence.

SPRINGDALE.

Springdale is situated on the Springfield pike, on Sections 12 and 18, Range 1, Township 3, and 7 and 13, Range 2, Township 2. It was platted in 1806 by John Baldwin, farmer, blacksmith, scythe maker, and hotel keeper, who lived on the pike south of the village. Among the first residents were John McGilliard, justice of the peace and postmaster for many years, who built the frame house still standing on lot No. 19; Capt. John Bronson, a soldier of the war of 1812, who built the frame house with brick front at the corner of Apple and Main streets; and James Cogy, cabinet maker, by whom the frame house on lot No. 6, at the corner of Main and Pearl streets, was erected. Lots Nos. 16 and 21 were also the locations of early improvements. Hetfield Williams, manufacturer of spinning wheels, built the frame house at the corner of Main and Apple. Among the early merchants were Stephen Schooley, William Chamberlain, and John Swallow. John Baldwin and John Bron- son were early hotel keepers. The various local industries were represented by James Cogy, cabinet maker; Hetfield Williams, maker of spinning wheels; N. S. Schorey, tanner and currier; John Rogers, chairmaker, and one Brazier, hatter. A gazette of 1821 says: "Springfield, a wealthy post-town of Hamilton county, fif- teen miles north of Cincinnati on the road to Hamilton, containing 220 inhabitants."

In 1840 Springdale had one silversmith, Charles Williams; one cabinet maker, Daniel Turner; two carriage makers; two wagon makers, Hagermann and Gross; three blacksmiths; four storekeepers, Anthony Hilts, James Sellers, Thomas G. Smith, and -- Hamilton; one chair maker, Hetfield Williams; one weaver, James McLean; one pork packer, Anthony Hilts; five taverns; one saddler, William Van- Dyke; four tailors, James Hamilton, Samuel F. Ledman, Washington and Richard Chamberlain; two shoemakers; one cooper; two carpenters; an academy, and Meth- odist and Presbyterian churches. Stages between Cincinnati and Hamilton, Dayton, and Richmond passed through the village morning and evening. No town in the Miami valley enjoyed a greater degree of prosperity. It was the business emporium for an extensive and fertile territory. But the conditions upon which its prosperity depended were radically changed by the opening of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton railroad in 1851. The stages no longer brought to the village its accus- tomed number of daily visitors; business of every kind was diverted to other points; and Springdale, no longer a center of business and industrial activity, relapsed into the torpid condition in which it has since remained.

The name of the village was originally Springfield. The present designation was conferred by the postal authorities.

NEW BURLINGTON.

New Burlington is situated on the forfeit of Section 34, Range 1, Township 3. Its founder was John Pegg, who acknowledged the plat before John Runyan, justice

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

of the peace, May 1, 1816. The village is located at the intersection of the Taylor's Creek road with the Hamilton pike. Among its first residents were Robert Martin, blacksmith; Washington Martin, wagonmaker; Benjamin Smith, blacksmith; David Hutchinson, chairmaker; Willard Place, porkpacker; William S. Carnahan and Thomas Watterson, merchants. Carnahan's store was kept in an old frame building still standing at the intersection of the pike with the Taylor's creek road. Watter- son's was almost directly opposite. Nathan Merchant was also an early storekeeper. Randall's tavern was just north of Carnahan's store, and was one of the best known hostelries between Cincinnati and Hamilton. New Burlington was a prosperous lit- tle village during the days of turnpike travel, but is now only a quiet country ham- let, but little affected by the stir and bustle of the outside world.

WOODLAWN.

Woodlawn was platted in 1876 by Thomas T. and George S. Brown, and com- prises a portion of the historic Tucker farm. The site is slightly elevated above the general level of the valley.

CHURCHES.

Springdale Presbyterian Church .- The founders of the Pleasant Valley settle- ment were principally Presbyterians, and met for worship at the station of that name (otherwise known as Foster's Station) as early as 1792. They were minis- tered to by Mr. James Kemper, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Kentucky. In 1798 Peter Wilson and Archibald Steele were each appointed to supply one Sabbath here, and in 1799 this church was one of the original constituent congregations of the Presbytery of Washington, Kentucky. On the 4th of April, 1796, a subscrip- tion paper was drawn up for the erection of a place of worship, all subscriptions to be paid to John Schooley, William Preston or Luke Foster. The first church edi- fice was erected in 1801-2 in the cemetery at Springdale. It was " a large frame building, nearly square, with galleries on the three sides and the pulpit at the north end. The foundation is now marked by the family burying ground of Dr. John R. Hunt." This was the place of worship thirty-one years. In 1833 a substantial brick building, 45 x 55 feet, was erected in the village of Springdale. The first sermon therein was preached by Rev. Adrian Aten, November 7, 1834, and the last service here was held March 15, 1885. The third and present edifice was erected on the site of the second. The corner stone was laid June 16, 1885, and the dedi- cation occurred May 16, 1886, when the sermon was preached by Rev. T. F. Corte- lyou and the dedicatory service was conducted by Rev. J. G. Monfort, D. D. The following clergymen have served as pastors of this church: Revs. John Thomson, who was first installed November 12, 1801, remained two years, and was pastor & second time, 1812-32; Adrian Aten, October 1, 1833, to April 1, 1841; Jared M. Stone, September, 1841, to June 5, 1849; G. P. Bergen, 1849-57; T. E. Hughes, 1858-66, and William H. James, the present pastor, who was ordained and installed October 2, 1866. In addition to Revs. Kemper, Wilson and Steele, the following clergymen also supplied this church: Revs. J. W. Brown, 1799; M. G. Wallace, 1806-11, and L. D Potter, D.D., 1857.

Pleasant Run Baptist Church was a flourishing organization during the pioneer days. Its place of worship was a frame building at the Pleasant Run burying ground in Section 25. The organization became extinct sixty years ago.

The New Burlington Church was built in 1816, by the Carnahan, Lane and other families. Revs. William Kinkaid, Elias Seward and B. U. Watkins were among those who preached here. The congregation disbanded some years ago.

The Mt. Healthy United Brethren Church was organized January 1, 1833. The first trustees were Elias W. Hoffner, Solomon Haynes and John Hickman; T. N. Sowers was the first treasurer and Elias H. Anewalt was the first secretary. The

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

constitution was adopted January 8, 1833. The union chapel was the place of worship until 1850, when the present church edifice was built. It is a brick struc- ture, situated on the Compton road, and has recently been remodelled. The present pastor is Rev. James Replougle, and the present membership is 70.

The Mt. Healthy Christian Church was organized October 12, 1839, with twenty- seven members, among whom were David S. Burnet, the pastor; Reuben S. Comp- ton, clerk; Joseph H. Virgin, John T. Snodgrass, William Durham, Joseph C. Dawson, Samuel Cook and Isaac Sparks. James McCash and Aaron Lane were the first elders. Prominent among the early preachers were David S. Burnet, Walter Scott, James Challen, Dr. Pinkerton and Benjamin Franklin. The first place of worship was the union chapel. The first church stood at the corner of Harrison and Fourth streets. The present church is a frame structure on Harrison street, and was dedicated at Easter, 1885. Rev. A. McLean was pastor at that time, and has been succeeded by Revs. Frank Dowling, C. J. Tanner, E. E. Curry, W. J. Wright and A. Chapman.

Mt. Healthy German Methodist Church. - The first church building was erected in 1850, The present place of worship was dedicated November 15, 1891. Rev. M. Weidman was pastor, and the building committee was composed of Otto Stein- brecker, president; Christopher Werner, secretary; August Siemer, Sr., treasurer; and William Holle, Christian Holle, Frank Trueter, William Bax, Henry Bax and Ernest Bax.

Trinity German Lutheran Church, Mt. Healthy, was organized August 25, 1853, by Rev. Wiegman. The first officers were George Mahlewein, Frederick Asmus, Joseph Oester and Hector Basson. Anton Ahrens donated a church site, and in 1853 a church was erected thereon. In 1860 two adjacent lots were purchased, on one of which a parsonage was built. It was replaced by the present pastoral resi- dence in 1885. The present frame church was dedicated in February, 1891. The following is a list of pastors: Revs. Wiegman, Paul Stoeckfeld, F. W. Breitfeld, Antonius Rudolph, G. A. Spangenberg, H. Eschenfeld, P. Th. Wehe, G. L. Goeh- ring, T. Doerr. Eugene O. Mueller, F. W. Breitfeld, F. Abele, T. A. Keiper, Theo- dore Schory, F. Eggen, F. W. Adomeit and Theodore Schory.

The Mount Healthy Catholic Church was founded in 1854, when, mainly through the efforts and liberality of Joseph Hechinger, a church was built. Until the year 1865 the pastors of neighboring parishes officiated here, viz., Revs. F. J. Pabisch, D. D., J. C. Krämer, A. Hechinger, Otto Jair, Anselmus Koch, A. Becker, J. Ross- wog, Miettinger and H. Boebmann. Rev. G. Nordmyer, the first resident pastor, assumed charge October 25, 1865, and began the erection of the present church. It. was completed by his successor, Rev. H. Johanning, who was pastor from December 2, 1865, to May 1, 1881. The church is a brick structure, 90x45 feet, with tower 125 feet high. The present pastor, Rev. Bernard H. M. Roesener, assumed the duties of his office May 5, 1881.

Lockland Presbyterian Church .- The history of this organization begins in 1817, when Rev. Daniel Hayden preached in a brick schoolhouse located on the hill in the eastern part of Reading, which services were continued by Rev. L. G. Gaines. The Reading Presbyterian church was organized August 29, 1823, by Rev. John Thom- son, with the following members: Jehiel Day, Margaret Day, Robert Boal, Jr., John Robertson, Elizabeth Robertson and Rebekah Bates, of whom Jehiel Day and Robert Boal, Jr., were elected elders. The first pastor, Rev. Benjamin Graves, was installed May 17, 1827. January 2, 1839, a division into two organizations, known as Old and New School, occurred. The former was served successively by Revs. Adrian Aten, S. J. Miller, H. R. Naylor, Samuel Cleland, Edward Wright, Samuel Hair, C. P. Jennings, John Stewart, John McRae, S. S. Potter, L. D. Potter, W. H. Moore and James H. Gill. In 1843 it erected as a church edifice the brick build- ing that now constitutes the town hall of Reading. Mr. Graves continued as pastor

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

of the New School branch. From 1842 to 1846 it was served by Revs. J. C. Lock- wood and J. Wilkinson. Mr. Graves returned in 1846, and on the 6th of April, 1855, was organized the Lockland Presbyterian church with twenty-one members, of whom Sylvester Ruffner, Amos Clevenger, Matthew Long, Charles Cross and J. W. Fisher constituted the first board of trustees. The church building was erected in 1850. Revs. I. DeLa Mater, Edward Scofield, John Hussey and Silas Hawley were the pastors of this church. In 1870 the Old and New branches were reunited, and the first pastor after this event was Rev. W. A. Hutchison.

Wayne Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, Lockland, was organized August 3, 1834, by Rev. Burrows Westlake, with Moses Flinn as first class-leader. A reor- ganization was effected in 1836 by Revs. Joseph McDowell and David Whitcomb, with L. B. House as leader. Forty-three members were added in 1837. The vil- lage schoolhouse was the place of worship until 1843, when the brick church on Mill street was built. The trustees at this time were Hiram Palmer, L. B. House, C. R. Bachelor, Henry Wycoff, A. Ireland, William S. Bachelor, C. W. Friend, Moses Wade and Philip Leonard. The last service in this building was held November 8, 1874; it is now the Lockland town hall. The Wayne Avenue church is a fine brick structure, erected in 1874, at which time the trustees were G. G. Palmer, Thomas Fox, C. W. Friend. C. B. Palmer, Moses Wade, J. W. Thomas, George House, R. B. Latta and Robert Booth. The vestry was dedicated November 15, 1874, Rev. E. Wentworth, D. D., officiating. The main audience room was dedicated May 2, 1880. The cost of church, parsonage and grounds was $41,350. The first pastor stationed at Lockland was Rev. Arza Brown in 1853.

The Lockland Baptist Church was constituted in 1840 with a membership form- erly connected with the old Springfield church. A place of worship was erected in 1840, and replaced in 1858 by the present brick church edifice, which was remodelled in 1875. The following pastors have served this church: Revs. Daniel Bryant, Blair, J. V. Hopper, J. S. Goodman, L. C. Carr, J. B. Sutton, J. W. B. Clark, J. R. Powell, D. E. Owen, John Branch, F. D. Bland, A. S. Moore, Griebel, Davis, Cather, Riggs, Campbell and Yale.

The First Presbyterian Church of Glendale was organized November 29, 1855, in the chapel of Glendale Female College, with seventeen members. Services were held in the college chapel until 1860, when the present chapel of this church was built. The church edifice was dedicated in April, 1874. Revs. Thomas Spencer, J. G. Monfort, D. D .. L. D. Potter, D. D., S. S. Potter, and Frank Robbins served as stated supplies until 1861, since which date the pastors have been Revs. Hiram A. Tracy, William H. Babbitt, S. H. McMullin and David A. Heron. The following is a list of elders: Jacob J. Packer, Jolin F. Keys, William B. Moores, Stanley Mat- thews, William B. Probasco, Samuel J. Thompson, Samuel Robbins, Robert K. Brown, Thomas J. Duncan, Hugh W. Hughes, Thomas J. Biggs, Harry W. Hughes, Harry L. Keys, and W. H. Hutton.

St. Gabriel's Catholic Church, Glendale, was organized by Rev. J. C. Albrink, by whom a small brick church that constitutes the rear part of the present edifice was erected in 1859. Mass had previously been celebrated in a small frame house at the junction of the Springfield and Princeton pikes by priests from Cincinnati. Ten acres of ground, fronting on Sharon and Washington avenues and Church street, were donated to the priests by Gross & Dietrich. The pastoral residence was com- pleted in 1863 by Rev. James M. Carey. Rev. James O' Donnell enlarged the church edifice to its present proportions; he also built the school and Sister's house. The succession of resident pastors has been as follows: Revs. Gerald C. Grace, P. A. Quinn, James Henry, James M. Carey, P. A. Quinn, and Nicholas J. Kelly, who assumed charge in 1889.

The Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian), Glendale, was instituted December 25, 1860, and organized January 16, 1861, with C. H. Allen, William B.

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

Pierce, Jacob Purington, and Dr. George F. Foote, councilmen. C. H. Allen do- nated the church site and money sufficient for the building, " so far as to inclose the same and secure it from damage by paint." The corner stone was laid April 28, 1861, and the dedication occurred October 6, 1861, when Rev. J. P. Stuart offici- ated and Rev. Chauncey Giles preached. The pastors have been Revs. J. P. Stuart, 1861-62; Frank Sewall, 1863-72; J. H. Einhaus, 1872; J. E. Warren, 1872-73; Edwin Gould, 1873-76; H. H. Grant, 1890-91. In recent years the church has been principally supplied with preaching by the students and professors of Urbana Uni- versity.

Christ Protestant Episcopal Church, Glendale. Rev. John B. Pradt held the first Episcopal services at Glendale, July 9,1865. The parish was organized on the 6th of August following, when John D. Jones was elected senior warden, N. C. Mc- Lean, junior warden, and R. M. Shoemaker, Henry Holroyd, George W. Jones, John Titus and Robert B. Moores, vestrymen. Public services were held in the chapel of Glendale College for several months, and then at private houses until 1867, when a small frame chapel was erected on Mr. Fosdick's lot for temporary occu- pancy. The present stone church was built in 1870 at a cost of $18,000, and con- secrated in July, 1872, by Bishop Bedell. The rectory was built in 1875, and the parish house was added to the church in 1891. The succession of rectors has been as follows: Revs. John B. Pradt, August 6, 1865, to September 30, 1867; Samuel H. Boyer, November 20, 1867, to November 1, 1869; Charles H. Young, April, 1870, to October, 1874; David Pise, D. D., since April, 1875. Rev. Cleveland K. Benedict became assistant rector in June, 1892.

The Glendale Methodist Episcopal Church originated in a series of meetings held in the Town Hall by Rev. R. K. Deem. The first board of trustees consisted of J. H. Moore, N. W. Hickox, William E. Mears, and A. F. Bernhart. The church site, consisting of two lots, valued at $1,000, was donated by Clinton Kirby, who also contributed $500 in cash. The work of building was begun in November, 1886, under the supervision of N. W. Hickox, and the completed edifice was dedicated May 29, 1887. Rev. R. K. Deem, the pastor at that time, has been succeeded by Revs. Andrew Hamilton, Charles L. Chapman and Calvin Horn.

Wyoming Presbyterian Church .- Initial steps in the organization of this body were taken in December, 1868, at a meeting at the residence of William H. Caru- thers. At a meeting at the residence of E. P. Allen, June 18, 1869, the organiza- tion of a Presbyterian church was definitely decided upon. W. F. Colburn, George D. Winchell, G. S. Stearns, C. S. Woodruff, and G. H. Burrows were elected trustees, and Messrs. Stearns, Woodruff and Winchell were constituted a building committee. The corner stone of the edifice was laid September 15, 1869, by Rev. C. E. Babb, D. D. In this completed edifice the church was formally organized, October 14, 1870. Edward P. Allen, George S. Stearns, William Cornell, and John Pollock were elected elders, and duly installed January 12, 1871. The sacraments of the Lord's supper and of baptism were celebrated for the first time, November 27, 1870. The first pastor was Rev. Silas Hawley, whose successors have been Revs. Joseph Gamble, W. W. Huston, D.D., and John Leroy Taylor, who assumed charge in 1889. The present church edifice, erected at a cost of $32,000, was dedicated May 18. 1890. The old church building is used for Sunday-school and other purposes, and was remodeled in 1890-91. The pastoral residence was enlarged in the same year.

The Wyoming Baptist Church was organized May 17, 1883, at the residence of James D. Randall, with twenty-one constituent members, nineteen of whom were from the Lockland church and two from Madisonville. The church was incorpo- rated May 11, 1883, when J. H. Tangeman, John Rychen, James D. Randall, J. P. Mace, and J. M. Gould were the trustees. Revs. J. R. Henderson, W. L. Farnum, A. H. Beaver, and P. J. Ward have served as pastors. The church edifice is a frame building on Burns avenue, and was dedicated September 9, 1883.

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HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

St. James Catholic Church, Wyoming, is a frame edifice, with pastoral residence and parochial school attached. The parish numbers eighty-five families, and forty children attend the school, which is taught by two sisters of Notre Dame, Revs. James McCallion, Francis Winsey, John Cusack, John Singleton, Henry Brink- meyer, and John Henry Holthaus have successively served as pastors.

The Hartwell Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1873 with John Du Boise as class-leader and Col. W. P. Wiltsee president of the board of trustees, which position he has held almost continuously to the present time. Professor Lock, of the Lockland schools, was the first pastor, and his successors have been Revs. W. H. Smith, Henry Tuckley, Davis W. Clark, B. F. Dimmick, J. F. Conrey, J. W. Weakley, Stanley Royal, William MacAfee, Edwin H. Cherington, and Howard Henderson, D. D. The church edifice was built in 1876; the site was donated by the Hamilton County House Building Association. It was enlarged in 1893.

The Hartwell Presbyterian Church was organized December 16, 1886, with thirty-seven members, of whom James A. Lowes, Alexander P. Caldwell, and James W. Dawson were elected elders. The church site was donated by Mrs. Helen De- Camp, Mrs. George H. Taylor, D. B. De Camp, Mrs. Emma French, and F. S. De- Camp, joint owners. The first service in the Sunday-school room was held Octo- ber 16, 1887, and the completed building was dedicated December 18, 1887. Rev. Charles E. Walker was called to the pastorate April 5, 1887.

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History of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio; their past and present, Part 68

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati Publication date: 1894 Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson Number of Pages: 1592

Author: Nelson, S.B., Cincinnati
Publication date: 1894
Publisher: Cincinnati : S. B. Nelson
Number of Pages: 1592