USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cumminsville > History of Cumminsville, Ohio, 1792-1914 > Part 6
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WESLEYAN CEMETERY .- In 1842 it was realized that the old C'ather- ine (now Court) Street Cemetery in the rear of Wesley Chapel had become too small for the burial demands of the Methodists of the city.
A beautiful tract of ground in Mill Creek Township of twenty-five acres extent, on the east bank of the West Fork of Mill Creek, was purchased and opened in 1843. A preacher's lot was set apart and enclosed, and a chapel and sexton's house provided. Bodies were removed from the old city burying plot and reinterred here. Many of the ministers and laymen of the Methodist Church rest here from their labors, and up to 1879 there had been about 25,000 interments. In this ground lie the mortal remains of many of our soldiers, and among the most distinguished may be mentioned those of Dr. Richard Allison, the first resident physician of Cincinnati and ranking medical officer of the Legion, equivalent now to the office of the Surgeon General of the United States Army. Another distinguished physician sleeping here is Dr. Thomas Vaughn Morrow, founder of the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati. In 1857 John S. Baldwin came out from the old Catherine Street grounds and made of this cemetery a model of neatness and beauty, greatly in contrast to the indifferently kept grounds in our midst today.
Census and Statistics .- The statistician will find comfort, enlight- enment, and entertainment in the following "Report of the Cummins- ville Census" in 1870:
"The following is the population of Cumminsville. according to the census taken by Julius Rupp. under authority of Council. and which was finished yesterday. The different nationalities are classified as follows: American, 1,024: German, 2,058; Irish. 709: English, 83; colored, 66; French, 11; Scotch, 9; Welsh, 7: unclassified. 292. Total. 4,264. The enumeration of children in the village between the ages of five and twenty-one was also taken at the same time, by the same gentleman, and the following report is made: White vonth-Males. 734 ; females, 806. Colored-Males. 8; females. 7. Grand total, 1,555. Enumeration last year, 1,486. Increase, 69.
"The report of the Board of Education of the graded schools of Cumminsville, District No. 18, Millereek township. for the school year ending August 31. 1870, shows:
"'RECEIPTS.
"Balance on hand September 1, 1869. $947.17: State tax. $1,993.28; irreducible school funds, $40.95: township tax for school and school house purposes. $8.246.39; fines, licenses, tuition of non-resident pupils, &c., $1,353.49. Total, $12,581.28.
"EXPENDITURES.
"Whole amount paid teachers in primary schools, $5,561.65; amount paid for supervision, exclusive of teaching services, $1,300; amount paid for sites and buildings, $1.436.24: amount paid for
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"-
fuel and other contingent expenses, $4,284.99. Total expenditures, $12,582.88. Balance overpaid September 1st, $1.60.
"SCHOOL HOUSES, TEACHERS, ETC.
"Total value of school property, including grounds, school houses, furniture, apparatus, &c., $16,000; number of school rooms, 9; number of teachers necessary to supply the schools, 13-four gentlemen and nine ladies; average wages of teacher per month-gentlemen, $108, ladies, $39 ; average number of weeks the schools were in session, 42; salary of M. S. Turrill, principal, $1,300.
"ENROLLMENT, ATTENDANCE, ETC.
"Number of different pupils enrolled within the year, 559; average weekly enrollment, 421; average daily attendance, 390. Number of pupils in each branch of study : Alphabet, 183; Reading, 480; Spelling, 580; Penmanship, 405; Mental Arithmetic, 580; Written Arithmetic, 97; Geography, 243; English Grammar, 405; Composition, 405; Draw- ing. 580; Vocal Music, 580; Map Drawing, 242; Oral Lessons, 183; U. S. History, 40; German, 277; Elocution, 149; Algebra, 12; Object Lessons, 580. No colored schools.
"PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
"German .- Number of schools, 2; teachers employed, 3; pupils enrolled, 187; weeks in school session, 44.
"One private school .- Teachers, 3; enrollment, 106; weeks in school session, 44.
"Orphan Asylum School .- Teachers, 4; enrollment, 271; weeks in school session, 52.
"Total enrollment in the four schools, 564. Total number of pupils in all the schools of Cumminsville, 1,223."
Land Valuation of Cumminsville in 1870 .- Under the revalu- ation of real estate made in July, 1870, the following were some of the principal land holders in Cumminsville :
T. Kirby $112,370
Eliza J. Langdon. $23,900
Caleb & R. A. Dodsworth .. 23,860
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American Catholic Church.
2,500
5,000
7,500
Presbyterian Church
2,500
4,000
6,500
German Catholic School.
1,400
3,000
4,400
Society of Friends (German) 3,000
3,000
Methodist Church
1,000
600
1,600
Total
$90,800
$76,600
$167,400
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
F. Schaebel $15,500
John H. MeMakin. $6,900
F. Dormann. 14,600
H. Haerlein 6,700
Peter Collins' est 14,500
F. Bruckmanı 6,500
C. H. & D. R. R. 6,380
M. T. Flynn 6,350
R. Cluxton. 6,200
Augustus Rentz. 6,150
F. Spaeth.
6,000
Chris. Keller.
9,760
H. Dornseifer 5,750
Janet Langland. 5,500
Elizabeth Morris 5,300
Elizabeth Robinson 9,500
F. Steinberg
5,200
Anna Buckmeyer 9,400
F. Niemeyer
5,160
G. M. & F. E. Barker
9,400
C. Lingo
5,000
Mary Ankenbauer.
9,200
E. Bart.
5,000
Street Railroad Co
8,970
G. Grammar
5,000
Rohanna L. Hunt.
8,850
J. Leeper
5,000
Salmon P. Chase.
8,650
C. Popp's, est 4,700
Hugh Wilkinson
7,900
Sarah and Jane Walker
4,700
C. Soelheim.
7,850
John S. Baldwin. 4,600
Theresa Wittler
7,800
M. S. Turrill.
4,400
M. Hogan
7,800
John S. Crawford. 4,300
Margaret Badgely. 7,700
Alex. Cluxton. 4,300
James W. McMakin
7,000
Kemphues & Fox
4,220
FREE LIST, CUMMINSVILLE REAL ESTATE VALUATION.
Lands, etc.
Buildings.
Total.
Wesleyan Cemetery
$50,000
$2,000
$52,000
Orphan Asylum.
20,000
20,000
40,000
German Catholic Church
2,000
15,000
17,000
First Street Public School.
3,000
9,000
12,000
Disciples' Church
2,200
6,000
8,200
Hanfield Street School
1,600
6,000
7,600
German Lutheran Church.
1,600
6,000
7,600
Janet Thomson. 49,250
Margaret Gywnne. 22,000
R. B. Bowler's est 47,100
Charlotte L. Jones 20,400
E. Knowlton. . 43,070
Kate L. Whiteman 17,000
Spring Grove Cemetery. 42,000
Adam Stifel.
16,400
L. Laboyteaux. 34,200
Hopple & Co. 33,800
Caroline and Mary A. Clop-
John H. Smith. 27,910
Joshua H. Bates (trustee), 25,330
per, and J. C. Clopper's est. 15,600
John R. Miller's est 13,200
John W. and Barbara
Streng 11,740
Elizabeth Miller. 10,800
W. Bunker.
10,700
E. Robinson's est. 9,600
Solomon Eversull. 9,550
James Richardson. 16,000
Jacob Hoffner 80,930
Fred. and Margaret Parker, 67,700
W. R. Williamson. 22,800
KNOWLTON'S CORNER-"THE TOWN PUMP"
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
1
The Water Supply .- The early water supply of Cumminsville eame necessarily from streams and springs, and later from wells. The ground in many places was marshy, as around "Knowlton's Cor- ner" and through the "Presbyterian Flats," and in the neighborhood of "Kirby's Pond" springs were abundant and ever flowing. The water was remarkable for its sweetness and coolness, and nearly every pioneer home had an adjacent spring. Some of these natural founts became almost shrines to the inhabitants, and great was the sorrow and consternation when sewering the town ruined the veins that gave "the thirsty to drink." Two large springs on the Ludlow plaee were the resort of the Indian, both in peace and in war. At the old log sehool was another great and abundant spring, while near the Chris- tian Church flowed into a gravelly bowl a supply of native water that was long used as a baptismal font; and travelers on the C. H. & D. R. R. were aeeustomed to alight from the trains and walk up the tracks to this fount and partake freely of its eheer before going to their homes.
We of today, who have but to turn the faueet or press the pedal of the sanitary fountain, can best appreciate the village well at Knowl- ton's Corner by reading Hawthorne's "Town Pump." The innocent spring at the "Tavern of the Golden Lamb" played an unconseious
THE BADGELY LOG CABIN
Photo by Slocum.
"THE HOFFNER HOUSE"
Photo by Paul Mueller.
part in the expansion of Cumminsville. These many springs and wells constituted the water supply of our locality until 1878, when the city of Cineinnati extended its pipes, by laying a twenty-ineh main from Division Street over Mill Creek, at Colerain Avenue.
Landmarks .- THE LUDLOW HOUSE .- The first home in this locality was that of Israel Ludlow, built at Ludlow Station about 1795. Its interesting history has been recorded in the preceding paper.
THE BADGELY LOG CABIN .- A log cabin-the pioneer home of the Badgelys-which stood at the corner of Otte and Anthony Streets, was built about 1795 by Robert Badgely. It was demolished in 1911 to make room for a sewer. This was long said to be the oldest standing wooden house in Hamilton County. The writer has in his possession one of the twin stones used as a hand mill by the Badgelys to grind corn for themselves and their neighbors. The second stone had been broken up for road ballast by an enterprising Teuton.
HUTCHINSON'S TAVERN (HOFFNER HOME) was the second house of importanee in the embryo settlement, having been built about 1811. It was a famous hostelry in its time for the accommodation of travelers "two hours out of Cincinnati." Upon the corner of the lot a post twenty-five feet high displayed a large sign bearing the legend "Hotel
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
TOLL GATE ON SPRING GROVE AVENUE AT MAD ANTHONY STREET (Blue Goose in the Distance)
of the Golden Lamb." Like so many places in early Cumminsville, it had an ever surging stream of water flowing along the road, which was caught in a huge trough for the refreshment of teams. Being on the shortest highway to Hamilton-St. Clair's Trace-this old road- house was largely patronized, and was justly famous for its bar and dining-room, in which were dispensed such choice liquors and substan- tial food as gave to it the dignity of a first-class inn. In the first year of the War of 1812-14, the Ohio Militia were quartered at Hutchinson's Tavern.
After the Hutchinson-Cummins litigation, Jacob Hoffner, who had been an interested listener at the trial, purchased, in 1834, the Hutel- inson Tavern and a portion of the farm attached to it. He remodeled the old inn, making of it a dwelling, which he occupied in 1836, and lived in until his death in 1894. The grounds about this home, well remembered a generation ago, were laid out by the celebrated traveler and philanthropist as one of the finest specimens of landscape garden- ing in the Middle West. Being a great traveler and collector, the owner bedecked the grounds with classic statuary representing the seasons, and the capacious green houses, in which rare exotics grew, were sur- mounted by the busts of his favorite statesmen and scientists. The
iron and stone gateways were of remarkable beauty and adorned with massive lions and eagles, the former now mounting guard at the portals of the Cincinnati University, and the eagles keeping vigil in Eden Park. In front of the house was a small pool circled by a curiously wrought stone setting, and into it flowed the waters of the historie spring that was the innocent cause of division of land and the expansion of Cumminsville. It was the intention of Mr. Hoffner to donate this garden to the city for a park, but certain municipal regu- lations prevented this being done in the manner in which the donor wished to transfer it. After Mr. Hoffner's death the place was dis- mantled and put up for sale as building sites.
THE BLUE GOOSE .- In opposition to the "Hotel of the Golden Lamb" arose, about 1825, the celebrated "Blue Goose Tavern." A legal agreement between Hutchinson and Cummins conserving the business interests of the former for ten years having expired. the latter sold the northeast corner of the tannery triangle to two brothers. who erected thereon a plain building which was rented for a lunch room and rooming place for the laborers working upon the canal. then being dug under the supervision of Ephraim Knowlton. It became notori- ous for its carousals, and for many years bore an unsavory reputation. This place finally attained the dignity of a tavern and became known
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THE MILL CREEK HOUSE Loaned by Chas. Nicholas
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
far and near as the Blue Goose. Among those who kept it, and kept it respectable, was John Wentzel, the hero of many wars.
F A remarkable character was John Wentzel, "The boy of Mayenne," who died in September of 1885 at the advanced age of 91 years. He was a native of Benzheim, Germany. At 16 years of age he fought with his father under Napoleon I. at the battle of Leipzig; was in the imperial march upon the Czar's capital, where he witnessed the burning of the Kremlin, and participated in its disastrous re- treat of the Grand Army from Moscow; and finally fought at Waterloo. Coming to America he fought in the 14th Infantry under Jackson in the Seminole or Florida War, in which, while bearing dis- patches from Jackson to Taylor, he was wounded, while two of his companions were shot dead from their horses. He next served in the
JOHN WENTZEL
2d Dragoons under Scott and Taylor in the Mexican War as a sergeant, and was wounded at Cerro Gordo; and fought at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palmo, Pueblo, Cherubusco, Molina del Rey; and entered the Halls of Montezuma in Mexico City. At the outbreak of the Civil War it was with difficulty that he could be kept by his wife from enlisting, though he was then sixty-seven years of age. He did, however, head the "Home Guards" that went to meet Morgan, the Confederate raider. In 1850 Wentzel went to the gold fields of California, where he was meeting with great success as a gold digger when a bank caving in injured him so that he returned to the East in 1856. This remarkable record is worthy of preservation in the annals of Cumminsville, where he lived so many years. By trade Mr. Wentzel was a piano maker. His son, Charles II. Wentzel, was a drummer boy in the Civil War.
MILL CREEK HOUSE .- By all odds the most conspicuous hostelry 1
within the memory of the living was the old Mill Creek House, built about 1834 by Ephraim Knowlton. In its palmiest days it was the
most noted roadhouse to the north of Cincinnati and in time became the most notorious. Originally a well conducted and respectable inn, through visitations of horsemen and others of sporting proclivities, it gradually acquired an unenviable reputation and was largely shunned by the careful and self-respecting citizen. When kept by Mr. Knowlton in 1844, and by a Mr. Harrison and a Mr. Kriegman, it was patronized by the best of people. In 1840, when General Harrison was elected to the Presidency, Mill Creek House was the "polls" of Mill Creek Town- ship, which then embraced about one-fifth of Hamilton County. Some time in the 40's it was kept by a Frenchman whose name is not remem- bered. For some reason or another his place was mobbed and he hastily took "French leave" for parts unknown. A company of cav- alry for service in the Mexican War coming along found it vacant, and, occupying it, made themselves at home in it for several days. Among those in later years who kept this house as a respectable place to which families might resort were Thomas and William Stevens, the former subsequently becoming mayor of Cincinnati. Mill Creek House, conspicuous in its peculiar architecture, stood in the track of and to the north of the present Burgoyne Street, and to the west of Hamilton Pike. It was long a conspicuous and lonely landmark, and was gradu- ally demolished and finally razed in 1901. On a plat of the first sub- division of Cumminsville, including for sale the famous old building, is a small copperplate engraving of the old hostelry.
"WILLOWBURN"
Photo by H. W. Felter, M. D.
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
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WILLOWBURN .- The Thomson Homestead, suggestive of a Greek temple, is a landmark which has survived the encroachments and rav- ages of time. It stands to the rear of the Presbyterian Church, and is now the home of Dr. John M. Adams. Here the family of John Thomson lived and acquired wealth and became influential citizens. The Hellenic columned facade lent to this home, set in large grounds, a classic aspect, and a willow-bordered stream gave to it the name "Willowburn," and to the street beside it "Brookside."
THE FERGUS-LANGLANDS HOME .- An early landmark, still stand- ing, is the Fergus-Langlands Homestead, built by Alexander Langlands in 1822. It crowns the slope at the corner of Blue Rock and Fergus Streets, and is typically colonial in style. It is sometimes known as the old Knowlton Home, Ephraim Knowlton having owned it and lived there for a time.
MOUNT'S MANSION .- The Mount Homestead, built by Dr. William Mount in 1834, still stands to the south of the C. H. & D. R. R., and cast of Fergus Street. In its day it was regarded as a mansion, and beautiful grounds sloped from the hill it adorned down to the old Hamilton Road. Here the pioneer physician had his home and office.
THE KIRBY HOMESTEAD .- Less ancient than some of the other landmarks is the "Kirby Homestead" on the present Banning Hill.
F
THE FERGUS-LANGLANDS HOME Photo by H. W. Felter
THE KIRBY HOMESTEAD
Photo by H. W. Felter
It is a large brick structure of imposing but severe style. being a hollow square enclosing a court. Beautifully situated. it overlooks Chase Avenue between Pitts Avenue and Gordon Street, and from thi: high knoll may be had a splendid panoramic view of the most of Cumminsville. It was built about 1843 by Timothy Kirby, agent for the United States Bank. as his residence, and has for many years been the home of the family of General Henry B. Banning-a citizen and soldier of prominence, lawyer and Congressman.
GENESEE HOUSE-The Genesee Ilonse, once a boarding house, and in earlier days the residence of Marmaduke Dodsworth, pioneer distiller, who came to Cumminsville in 1842, was a handsome structure of hospitable type-hall in the center, flanked by parlors and living rooms-a mansion in its time. It was built by Ephraim Knowlton for his residence, and later. with the grounds, sold to Dodsworth for $20,000. Ephraim Bates and Richard Hopple, both men of prominence. respectively owned it at one time. It was recently demolished to make room for the "Liberty" Theatre.
PARKER HOMESTEAD .- To the west of Hamilton Pike, and occupy- ing a ground of vantage. is the Frederick Parker Homestead. a good type of the olden time home, with mansard roof. In it is a long salon-parlor and double fire places -- features seldom seen today. but
2 1.
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
which were deemed absolute necessities to proper hospitality and social life in years agone.
KNOWLTON'S STONE STORE .- To the present and past generations perhaps the Knowlton Stone House at Knowlton's Corner is the best known landmark in Cumminsville. It was built in 1847-48 by Ephraim Knowlton, who kept there a grocery and general store, selling staple groceries, boots and shoes, agricultural implements, and other com- modities which made up the typical village store. The freestone step at the entrance to the store marks the flood line of 1847. In front of the store stood the old wooden village pump, drawing from a depth of thirty-five feet cold, sweet and clear water, supplying the, thirsty
GREAT CHINA TEACO
RUNNYMEDE BEN ASS NOE
BEA CO
TEA CE
"KNOWLTON'S STONE STORE" Photo by H. W. Felter
traveler, while his stock drank the captive waters from the trough hewn from a huge log of wood. This well was in use up to 1889. The old stone house and store, once ancient in design, and linking the past and the present of Cumminsville, and around which centered the business activities and (in Knowlton's Hall, on the third floor) the social, educational, and religious functions of the early days, still stands, a monument of endurance, but sadly altered from its pictur- esque architectural aspect of village days by the endeavor to give its front a freestone appearance. Flanking the two sides of the triangle behind the store frame structures were built at a later period, and
have long served for commercial purposes. Knowlton's Corner has been facetiously called "Cumminsville's Fountain Square."
The area near Mill Creek in proximity to McHenry's Ford seems to have been a favorite locality for roadhouses. Where REICHRATH'S PARK is now, such a place of good repute was kept by a Mr. Rudolph, an old man who had been a drummer in Wayne's Army. Four of his sons became soldiers, one in the regular army, and another, Henry, im- bued with the martial and musical spirit of his father, became a drum- mer boy of the 5th Ohio in the Civil War. Later the place was kept by Isaac Bates, and still later was acquired by Frank Reichrath, who be- gan its occupation in the middle 60's, establishing a park known as the "EAGLE GARDEN," a large eagle with wide spread wings surmounting the entrance to the park and announcing the locality to the traveling public. The present Reichrath's place is the old house greatly re- modeled.
The second tavern between Mill Creek and the Mill Creek House was built by Louis Beyring and subsequently operated by Henry Dickmeier as the "NATIONAL HOTEL." This building, somewhat changed, is still standing at No. 3710 Spring Grove Avenue.
Another small frame tavern, standing directly in the path of the turnpike at Spring Grove and Colerain Avenues, bore the inviting title of the "OLD HOUSE AT HOME." It was kept by William Scobel and for a time by "Tom" Gill, who, weary of life, one day drowned his troubles in the waters of the canal. It was torn down when Spring Grove Avenue was made.
THE "KELLER HOUSE" OR "FARMERS HOTEL" was built by Chris- topher Keller in 1859, and still stands at the northeast corner of Cole- rain Avenue and Hoffner Street. The "DORMANN HOUSE," another old hotel, still flourishes at Spring Grove Avenue and Dorman Street. "DODSWORTH'S HALL," now the meeting place of the Odd Fellows. Chase Council, and the Business Men's Club, was established about 1851, and has figured largely in the social, religious and fraternal life of the community. A roadhouse famous as a place of entertainment and as a stopping place where the rival stages of Andrew Hamel and Samuel Miller met and crossed their courses, was at Colerain Avenue and Jo Williams Street. It was known as the EXCHANGE HOTEL or MCMAKIN'S TAVERN, was kept by James McMakin, and was subse- quently destroyed by fire. Opposite Wesleyan Cemetery was a road- house, "THE OLD MAGNOLIA," kept by a man named Hogan. Most of the larger hotels had a spacious hall for entertainments and meetings, and many functions, important and otherwise, were held in the ball- rooms of these pioneer taverns.
On Gulow Street (No. 4024) is an old residence nearly a hundred years old, which shows the smaller type of house that served the pio- neers as homes in this locality.
Souvenir "History of Cumminsville"
At the northwest corner of Fergus and Knowlton Streets still remains the little cottage in which tradition places the prayer meeting giving origin to the Presbyterian Church in Cumminsville.
Some Notable Men .- DAVID CUMMINS, the tanner, after leaving Cumminsville, became a Judge of the Common Pleas Court at Madison, Indiana, with a reputation of learning and legal ability. He lived to a ripe old age. Dr. Drake assigned to him the distinction of having been the first child born in Cincinnati. This honor has also been claimed for others. Mr. Cummins came to Mill Creek Station in 1817, sold the ground for the erection of the Blue Goose Tavern, and inaugurated and conducted the first industry in this locality-the tanning of leather. After a disastrous law-suit with Ezekiel Hutch- inson he disposed of the salvage of his property to his friend, Ephraim Knowlton, who, as has been noted, named the village, in his honor- CUMMINSVILLE.
EPHRAIM KNOWLTON Loaned by Sidney Knowlton,
DR. WM. MOUNT Loaned by H. W. Felter, M. D.
EPHRAIM KNOWLTON was born in Connecticut June 1, 1803. He came to Cincinnati by way of the Ohio River. floating down upon a raft. With his brother Sidney he engaged in pork-packing at Carthage, and shortly afterward (1825) came to Mill Creek Station to dig a portion of the Miami Canal. He completed the mile of waterway from Cum- minsville northward in 1827. Mr. Knowlton was a man of great versa- tility and accomplished much in a general way toward the upbuilding of Cumminsville. Here he built his pioneer home and store at the june- tion of St. Clair and Wayne's Traces. He had few neighbors, and from his home he could look abroad at night and count but five lights, and those i urned from tallow-dips. Having purchased seventy-odd acres of
gronnd he cleared a large portion of it of most of its forest growth. He was the first to make a plat of the place which he named Cummins- ville, in memory of David Cummins, from whom he had purchased about eight acres of ground. He kept the first general store here. built a pork-packing house in 1834 (afterwards used as a pottery and grist mill), constructed the Mill Creek House about 1834, and Knowl- ton's Stone Store in 1847, his first home on that plot having been destroyed by fire. Besides, he was the first village postmaster, being appointed in 1838. During his busy life he is said to have "shingled over about ten acres of Cumminsville in the construction of homes and places of business." He died February 1, 1888, full of years and honor in the land to which he had come as a young man, and which he had helped so largely to develop. Beside his own family. Mr. and Mrs. Knowlton raised eleven children not their own.
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