USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 43
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January 12, 1856, Rev. J. W. Weatherby was called to take his place. The first summary of membership is given in the minutes of September 5, 1857, showing eighty-seven members in good standing, the church having in thirteen years increased from nine to eighty-seven. Early in 1858 a protracted meeting was held, Rev. Webster assisting. Many were converted and added to the church.
451
XENIA TOWNSHIP.
The old house of worship having been previously disposed of, the new building was dedicated July 22, 1858, Rev. T. L. Breckenridge, of Kentucky, officiating. Total cost of new building, with lot, $10,000.
The report to the association for 1858, shows eight baptisms, five additions by letter, one excluded, and eight dismissed by letter.
March 13, 1859, Rev. Weatherby resigned his charge, having served three years and two months.
Until December 1, 1859, the church was without a pastor, when Rev. A. Guy took charge, and in June, 1865, closed his labors, leaving the church again without a pastor.
During the summer the church was supplied by Bros. Charles Morris and G. M. Peters, then pursuing their studies in college.
In December, 1865, Rev. I. Childs entered upon the pastorate, and continued until March 1, 1867; during his pastorate the church was repaired at a cost of $744.00. In November, 1867, Rev. A. B. White began his labors as a supply, closing them March 25, 1868. On June 13, 1868, a call was extended to Rev. B. Bedell, who accepted, and supplied the church one-half the time from July 1st to October 1st, when he entered upon the full dis- charge of his duties. In 1870 there was a membership of eighty- three, four less than in 1857.
During the year 1878 the church building was repaired at a cost of $978.00.
The year 1853 witnessed the greatest revival it had ever known, thirty-six having been baptized, three admitted by experience, and five by letter; and in June, J. W. King and Thornton Lucas made the church a present of a good parsonage. In 1877, eleven were received, and the report showed a membership of one hundred and nine. October 8, 1878, Rev. Bedell closed his labors, after a pas- torate of ten years, the longest in the church, having baptized sixty- six. November 6, 1878, a call was extended to Rev. C. W. Currier, accepted, and he was ordained January 16, 1879, and is the present incumbent.
Methodist Church .- The exact date at which a Methodist church was organized in Xenia, can not now be ascertained. According to an old record, Xenia appears on the list of appointments for Mad River Circuit, June 19, 1808. It is probable the organization took place about this time; John Sale, presiding elder, and Thomas Milligan and James Davidson, circuit preachers.
452
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
A quarterly meeting was held January 30, 1819, at Rehoboth meeting-house, Rev. Moses Crume presiding, at which the building of a place of worship was discussed, resulting in favor of erecting a house at Xenia, and Frederick Bonner, Chappel Bonner, Richard Conwell, Peter Pelham, and Thomas Perkins, were appointed trustees. It is recorded that a quarterly meeting was also held at the house of Philip Good, July 24, 1819. In 1828 this church was transferred to the Union Circuit, and at a quarterly meeting at Rehoboth, it was resolved to build a parsonage at Xenia. In 1835 the church at Xenia was considered strong enough to assume the responsibilities of a station. Rev. Anza Brown was appointed to the charge. The first quarterly meeting at this station was held November 21st and 22d, 1835, Rev. W. H. Raper presiding.
September 19, 1863, it was resolved to build a second church, and Alfred Trader, Charles R. Merrick, and William Seveney, were appointed a committee to circulate a subscription to procure a building lot. The enterprise was favorably considered by the public, and subscriptions were freely made. Two of the oldest members of the church, Michael Nunemaker and Silas Roberts, though not identified with the new charge, each gave one thousand dollars. November 14, 1863, William I. Fee, pastor of the church in Xenia, and a warm friend of the movement, appointed a board of trustees for the new church, consisting of Alfred Trader, Wil- liam Sweeney, Alfred Thirkield, Moses D. Gatch, Charles R. Mer- rick, William F. Pelham, Samuel Newton, John L. Conable, and Henry Barnes. J. M. Blackburn, architect, submitted plans and specifications, March, 1864. The contract was let to Drees and Patterson for $18,000.00; the subscriptions then amounting to $15,000.00. May 14, 1864, the first stone was laid, and the work progressed steadily until its completion.
May 21st a resolution was passed, asking the bishop to form a separate charge in Xenia, under the name of Trinity Church, which was accordingly done, and Rev. Geo. C. Crum was appointed pastor.
The first services were held September 25, 1864, in the chapel of the Xenia Female College, to a congregation of about one hundred. A Sunday-school was organized, with William Sweeney and Alfred Thirkield superintendents. November 30th, of this same year, services were held by J. L. Grover, of the First Methodist Episco- pal Church, in the lecture room of the new church. October 1,
453
XENIA TOWNSHIP.
1865, the church was dedicated by Dr. Wiley. In the fall of 1867, Rev. John W. Fowler officiated as pastor, remaining until August 30, 1869. He was succeeded by M. Dustin; who in 1871 was fol- lowed by J. W. Cassatt; who in turn was succeeded by D. J. Starr, in 1873. In 1875, George C. Crum became pastor, remaining two years, when W. M. Brodbeck assumed the pastorate, giving place, in 1880, to Sylvester Wells, the present pastor.
Lutheran Church .- In 1843, Rev. J. Lehman preached to a little flock of Lutherans in the German Reformed Church, the present African Methodist Episcopal Church, on the corner of Monroe and Church streets. The same year he organized this little band into a congregation, and served them until 1847. He thien resigned, and Rev. Solomon Ritz took charge. The following year a house of worship was built on West Main Street, which is still occupied by them. Rev. Ritz resigned in 1852, and was immediately succeeded by Rev. A. Bartholomew, who served until 1854, after which it was supplied by Rev. G. Peters for some months, and then by Rev. J. Borns for a short time. Rev. J. Geiger took charge in 1856, and served until 1859. From this time until August 25, 1861, the con- gregation was without a pastor, when Rev. J. F. Shaffer took charge, and is still with them, now in the twentieth year of his pastorate.
The church has about one hundred members. It has suffered much from removals, twenty-two letters having been granted in one year. But it is a well organized and vigorous congregation, always meeting the requirements of the synod in benevolent con- tributions. Though not strong in numbers, it is earnest in purpose, and will not be delinquent in the obligations laid upon it. There were but nineteen members when the present pastor took charge in 1861. Since then the growth has been gradual and healthy.
UNION SCHOOLS.
Upon examination it has been found that the earliest record of union schools is dated September 28, 1838.
At this time Xenia was organized into what might be termed a corporation district, and William Ellsberry, chairman, David Mon- roe, treasurer, and Alfred Trader, were constituted a Board of Ed- ucation, David Monroe giving bonds, in the sum of two hundred dollars, for the faithful performance of his duty.
29
454
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
On the 6th of October following, at a conference of the school directors and the trustees of Xenia Township, "All that territory adjacent to the town of Xenia, which formerly belonged to school districts Nos. 11, 12, 13, 14, was attached to the school district formed by the corporation of Xenia."
The following school board was organized October 12, 1839: John Alexander, chairman; David Monroe, treasurer; James Gowdy.
This board made the following order, November 16, 1839:
The northeast district shall hereafter be known as sub-district No. 1.
The southeast district shall hereafter be known as sub-district No. 2.
The southwest district shall hereafter be known as sub-district No. 3.
The northwest district shall hereafter be known as sub-district No. 4.
No record informs us how the boards were constituted from the year 1838 to 1842, except in one instance. The board organized October 6, 1840, was appointed by the township clerk. On the 16th day of September, 1842, William Y. Banks, H. G. Beatty, Samuel Crumbaugh, and James C. McMillan were elected school directors, according to the act of March 7, 1842. Previous to this time the board consisted of three members only.
In accordance with an amendatory act, passed March 11, 1843, an election was held on the 15th of September, 1843, and the board was constituted as follows :
John Alexander, chairman, elected for three years; Samuel Hutchison, elected for two years; David Monroe, treasurer, elected for one year; Joshua Wright, elected for one year.
No further changes were made in the law organizing the board for the next ten years. Sometimes the people were interested enough in matters appertaining to the schools to meet and elect their own servants. At other times the appointment was left to the township clerk.
During the year 1847 the question of uniting the schools began to be agitated. Sometime during this year, at a meeting held for the purpose of considering this question, on a motion to unite the schools, David Monroe voted in the affirmative; no other person voting for or against. A division of the question was called for, and carried in the affirmative.
·
455
XENIA TOWNSHIP.
Pursuant to a notice published in the Xenia Torchlight, the householders of district No. 11 met on the 20th day of September, 1847, at the school house in sub-district No. 2, and by a vote of one hundred and fifty to twenty-seven, resolved to levy a tax of $4,000, for the purpose of building a new school house. Other buildings and lots were ordered to be sold-the school house in sub-district No. 2, for a sum not less than twenty dollars. The contract for the. new building was made March 11, 1848, and the edifice was com- pleted in the following fall or winter.
On the 1st day of January, 1849, Mr. Josiah Hurty was employed as the first superintendent of the public schools of Xenia, at a sal- ary of six hundred dollars per annum. He continued his superin- tendency two years and a half, till the close of the school year, July 11, 1851. During this time the school was graded, the term high school applied to the highest department, and a code of regulations published.
Mr. D. W. Gilfillan was appointed superintendent August 16, 1851, and continued one year. He was succeeded by Rev. James P. Smart, who was appointed July 7, 1852, and continued until his resignation, July 21, 1855, a period of three years. On the same day Mr. P. H. Jaquith was appointed, and continued until the close of the school year in 1857.
Mr. J. E. Twitchell commenced the superintendency of the schools in September, 1857, and continued, with signal success, un- til his resignation, June 25, 1861. Mr. George S. Ormsby was ap- apointed August 10, 1861; was succeeded by George W. Welch, in 1879, who is the present incumbent.
Present board : Coates Kinney, J. W. Shields, A. G. Wilson, To- bias Drees, James B. Monroe, J. F. Shaffer.
On the 14th of March, 1853, the general school law of Ohio was passed, entitled "An Act to Provide for the Reorganization, Super- vision, and Maintenance of Common Schools." Under this act the following board of education was organized :
April 11, 1853. Moses Barlow, three years; Roswell F. Howard, two years ; William B. Fairchild, one year.
WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY.
" Primarily, Wilberforce University was projected in the summer of 1856, by the Cincinnati Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
456
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
Church. Its board of trustees was organized at Xenia, Ohio, in the office of Lawyer M. D. Gatch, then a senator of the General Assem- bly of the State of Ohio. They were twenty-four in number, of whom four were colored men, namely, Rev. Lewis Woodson ; Mr. Ishmael Keith, of the Baptist Church; Mr. Alfred Anderson, a member of the congregation of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at Hamilton, Ohio, and the writer. Among the twenty whites was Governor Chase, of the State of Ohio, subsequently secretary of the United States Treasury, and late chief justice of the United States.
"The institution was formally dedicated to the holy work of Christian education by Rev. Edward Thompson, D. D., LL. D., then president of the Ohio Wesleyan University, and late bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This dedication occurred in October, 1856. Its first principal was Rev. M. P. Gaddis, jr., of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, who managed it until June, 1857. He was succeeded by Mr. I. R. Parker, an able and experienced educator of youth, assisted by his wife, as matron, and other competent teachers. His services continued till June, 1859, when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. Richard T. Rust, D. D. Under the skillful manage- ment of the doctor, the institution flourished until 1862, when the civil war drew its chief patrons into the ranks of the rebel army. These were southern planters, who had sent their natural children to be educated at Wilberforce. There were at that time about one hundred students in attendance, among whom were about one dozen from several of the best families of the North. Among these were Rev. W. H. Hunter, our present book manager, who, by the way, has thus far proven himself one of the ablest who ever had charge of our book concern ; also, Rev. R. H. Cain, congressman at large of the State of South Carolina, who, we hope, will prove himself not only an honorable, but a very efficient representative of his adopted state in the deliberations of the national congress.
"President Rust was rapidly developing the institution from a primary school into a'college, but inasmuch as its chief patrons at that time were slaveholders, and they had entered the rebel service, its incomes were not sufficient to cover its expenditures, and hav- ing no endowment, the trustees were constrained, in June, 1862, to suspend operations. Thus, under the first regime, Wilberforce came suddenly to an end. On the 10th of March, 1863, the property was sold to the agent of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
457
XENIA TOWNSHIP.
for its indebtedness, namely, the sum of ten thousand dollars. " The land upon which the buildings were constructed embraced fifty-two acres, heavily timbered; five excellent springs, impreg- nated with oxide of iron, flowed in the ravine which traverses it-two of which have since dried up, caused, no doubt, by the great number of trees being cut down for fuel and other purposes. " The original college buildings were of wood, constructed near- ly in the form of the letter T. The arms of the T faced the west, and were three stories high, without basement. It contained the- recitation rooms, with dormitories for teachers and young ladies. The stem of the T pointed eastward, and was also of three stories, with basement. It contained the culinary apartments, a chapel one hundred by thirty feet, and dormitories for young men. The ap- pendages to these school buildings were twelve cottages and a barn, with stables sufficient to accommodate twenty head of horses. Nine of these cottages belong to the trustees; the other three are private property.
" After contracting for this valuable and beautiful property, our first effort was to liquidate the debt. Before we could secure the title deeds, we had to pay, on the 11th of June, 1863, our first installment of $2,500. This was promptly raised by collec- tions within the boundaries of the Baltimore and Ohio conferences. That sum was paid, and the title-deeds handed over to the agents · of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, namely, Revs. J. A. Shorter, John G. Mitchell, and the writer; but it was particularly specified as the property of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The next step was to take out an act of incorporation. This was secured according to the laws of the State of Ohio. The third step was to secure a charter, which declared that two-thirds of the board shall always be members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and that there shall never be any distinction among the trustees, faculty, or students, on account of race or color.
" Prof. John G. Mitchell was elected principal. He was, at the time of his election, the principal of a grammar school in Cincin- nati. Opening the school the first week in July, 1863, with about one dozen children, gathered from the immediate neighborhood, whose studies were elementary English, by the beginning of the following spring it grew so large that two additional teachers were needed, and Mrs. J. G. Mitchell. with Miss Esther T. Maltby, were chosen, the latter as female principal. Both she and Prof. Mitchell
1
458
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
were graduates of Oberlin. . She was a member of the Congrega- tional Church, a fine scholar, and an earnest Christian laborer. We have seen but few young pastors more zealous for the salvation of their flocks than this modest young woman for the culture of the students. Her efforts in that direction exceeded the requirements of the institution. She conducted all the college prayer-meetings, which were held on Monday evening, and held extra ones every every morning from 8:30 to 9 o'clock, in which she always read a portion of the Word of God, and exhorted the students to conse- crate themselves to His service. Among the converts to Christ through her ministry, was that remarkably zealous young pastor, Rev. Thomas H. Jackson, D. D., who for two years was a professor in the theological department of Wilberforce University ; now elder in charge of the station at Columbia, South Carolina.
" Prof. Mitchell having been constrained, by the wants of the school, to go out as a financial agent, the management of the school was left solely to Miss Maltby, and under God it was increasing in numbers and popularity. The progress of the students was com- mendable, and classes were formed in Greek, Latin, and the lower mathematics. Everything indicated a prosperous future, when sud- denly the buildings were set on fire by incendiaries. Within half an hour the beautiful edifice was nothing but smoldering embers. This catastrophe fell upon us like a clap of thunder in a clear sky. It was a time of lamentation for our friends, and of rejoicing for our . enemies. Said one of the latter, "Now their buildings are burnt, there is no hope for them." Another had said, "I wish lightning from Heaven would burn down Wilberforce." This one supposed his impious prayer was more than answered. But we believe, and said, "Out of the ashes of the beautiful frame building a nobler one shall arise."
" Prof. Mitchell was absent on his agency; Mrs. Mitchell had gone to Xenia with almost all the students to witness the celebra- tion of the fall of Richmond; I was attending conference at Balti- more, and Miss Maltby was left alone. No, she was not alone. As God was with Daniel in the lions' den, and with his three brethren in the fiery furnace, so was He with her in the trouble at Wilber- force. Without faltering, one of the cottages was converted into a school-room, and the scholars taught therein till the last of June, when terminated the academic year; after which all the students from abroad went home. The majority of the advanced ones never
459
XENIA TOWNSHIP.
returned, but went to other institutions. Those who preferred Wil- berforce came back the next autumn.
" Meanwhile, we began to mature our plans for rebuilding. The result is before the country.
Though not completed, it is a larger edifice than the former.
Meanwhile, the school passed through severe trials. Miss. Maltby's nervous system was so affected by the catastrophe, that for twelve months she was unfit for labor, and never returned. Prof. Mitchell was compelled to remain in the field soliciting funds to aid us in rebuilding, therefore, for a season, the management of the school fell upon our most advanced student, Mr. J. P. Shorter, who acted his part nobly. Prof. Mitchell, of our church; Prof. Kent, an En- glish Methodist, who had united with our church; Prof. Scoliot, a French Quaker; Miss Mary J. Woodsom, of our church; and Miss Josephena Jackson, of the Baptist Church, taught from 1866 to 1868. Profs. Fry and Adams, with Mrs. Messenger, all of the Con- gregational Church, taught from 1866 to 1869.
"From this last date, to the present, the resident teachers have been Mrs. Adams the elder, Mrs. Adams the younger, Prof. Adams, occasionally Mrs. John A. Clark, wife of the secretary ; Prof. Thomas H. Jackson, Prof. Benjamin F. Lee, Miss Mary E. McBride, and Miss Emma L. Parker. Prof. Jackson left us for the work of the Christian pastorate in Columbia, South Carolina, about two months ago, and has been succeeded by Prof. B. F. Lee. Mrs. Alice Adams was called away through the infirmities of her aged father about three months ago, and has been succeeded by Miss Emma L. Parker, a young lady well qualified for the position of female principal.
" Its roll for 1874 numbered one hundred and fifty-three, of whom sixty-two were females, and ninety-one males. The advance on the previous year was twenty-seven. Among these were two Roman Catholics, two Presbyterians, two Christians, and six Baptists. The others were cither professed Methodists, or of Methodist pro- clivities.
" Our corps of resident instructors were six, of whom two were ladies. These, with two law professors in Xenia, and four scientific lecturers from Antioch College, increased our number to twelve. We had five departments in the institution, namely, the normal and practical school, the classical, the scientific, the law and the theological. In the collegiate department, which embraces the
460
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
classical and scientific, there were three seniors and three sopho- mores. In the academic, or preparatory, there were three seniors and four juniors. In the various stages of their studies were twenty-two students of theology. In the normal department were eighteen candidates for the teacher's office. In the law depart- ment there was only one, and five others preparing for it.
" At the close of our first decade we have graduated four classes. In 1870, three; in 1871, one; in 1872, five; in 1873, six; total fif- teen. In addition to these we have partially educated scores of young men and women, who are now usefully employed, north and south, east and west, as preachers, teachers, and housekeepers- that is, heads of families."
Since 1874 a museum, costing $2,000, has been added. President Payne resigned in 1876, and was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Lee. The present enrollment is one hundred and seventy.
POPULATION OF XENIA.
WARDS.
White Males.
White Females.
Total White.
Colored Males.
Color'd Females.
Total Colored.
Total.
First Ward
492
534
1026
30
36
66
1092
Second Ward.
496
515
1011
65
85
150
1161
Third Ward
580
576
1156
235
256
491
1647
Fourth Ward.
308
360
668
554
590
1144
1812
Fifth Ward.
617
588
1205
81
43
91
1296
Grand Total
2493
2573
5066
932
1010
1942
7008
OVER EIGHTY YEARS OLD.
The census enumerators found the following persons in Xenia City over eighty years old :
Robert Karsell.
80
Eliza Conwell
80
Mariah Bennett
80
Millie Brock.
80
John Ewing
80
Catharine Legan
80
Julia Nelson
80
461
XENIA TOWNSHIP.
Margaret Stewart
80
Eliza Winslow
81
Jesse Wilson
81
Rosie Dunn
81
Eleanor Marshall.
81
Mukie Bates
82
Margaret Miller
82 82
Alex. Mc Whirk
82
Casandra Heaton
83
Samuel Peterson
Mary Goodwin
Millie Pettiford
Elizabeth Scott
Charlotte Morgan
85
Edith Graves.
85
Richard Jamfer
85
Catharine Thomas
85
Nancy Strain
85
Jonathan Ketterman
85
C. Crumbaugh
85
James A. Scott.
86
Nellie Brunson
86
Hugh Andrews.
86
Mary Allison.
86
Abigal Thayer
88
Chris. Duncan
91
David Smith
94
Nancy Easter
100
Robert Page.
101
CENSUS.
The following is the official report of the census of Greene County for 1880, together with that of 1870, for comparison :
1880.
1870.
Gain.
Loss.
Bath.
2603
2684
81
Beaver Creek
2470
2289
181
Cæsar's Creek
1174
1114
60
Cedarville
2716
2361
355
Jefferson.
1643
1277
366
Miami
2738
2784
46
New Jasper
1013
1084
71
Ross ...
1335
1076
259
Silver Creek
2155
1701
454
Spring Valley
1562
1555
7
Sugar Creek
1588
1482
106
Xenia ...
3355
2250
1106
Xenia City
7025
6377
648
Total
31378
28034
3542
198
*
Michael Powers
-83 83 83 84 85
Patrick Farris.
462
HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
James C. McMillan, son of Daniel and Jeannette McMillan, was born in Chester District, South Carolina, in 1810. He received what in those days was considered a fair English education, partly under his uncle, Rev. Hugh MeMillan, who removed, in 1827, from thence to Xenia, Ohio, where he opened an academy in a log cabin on the corner of Market and Collier streets. His students, on pre- senting a certificate from him stating the books they had read under his care, were not required to pass an examination on entering Miami University.
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