USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 44
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 either 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
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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
60
Catharine Legan.
80
Julia Nelson
80
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XENIA TOWNSHIP.
Margaret Stewart.
80
Eliza Winslow
81
Jesse Wilson
81
Rosie Dunn.
81
Eleanor Marshall
81
Mukie Bates
82
Margaret Miller
82
Alex. McWhirk.
82 82
Casandra Heaton
83
Samuel Peterson
83
Mary Goodwin.
83 83
Elizabeth Scott
84
Charlotte Morgan
85
Michael Powers
85
Edith Graves
85 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
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Patrick Farris
Millie Pettiford
Richard Jamfer
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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.
In the year 1830, James C. McMillan, in his twentieth year, was furnished by his father with a horse and saddle, and instructed to travel through Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, for the purpose of selecting a home to which the family, then number- ing one dozen, could remove. The principal reason for moving was that the Reformed Presbyterian Church, of which the whole family were members, did not permit any of her members to hold slaves. This law was enacted by the synod of that church in 1806, and it was probably the first church organization in the United States of America that adopted this rule. In accordance with in- structions received from his parents, in company with a relative, John McMillan, the journey was undertaken in March of that year, and he returned in September. During that time portions of each of those states were visited, and before he returned he selected what was then known as the Gibson farm, two miles east of Xenia, on the Columbus road, agreeing to pay twelve dollars per acre for two hundred and forty acres. On his return to South Carolina, his father ratified the contract by sending United States Bank notes with a friend to pay for the farm. At that time there were six brothers of that family, Daniel, John, David, Gavin, James, and Hugh, all married, who with their families, removed to Ohio. Two of them were ministers in the same church. In March, 1832, James C. McMillan and Margaret Millen were united in marriage by Rev. L. Davis. Shortly after, his father's family, with seven other families, in wagons, entered on the journey which took near five weeks, camping out every night. All enjoyed good health throughout the trip. That summer was spent on the farm. As- sisted by James Wilson, he cradled the first field of wheat of twenty
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acres known to be cut with a cradle in the county. In September . of that year, he engaged with John Dodd as clerk for three years, selling goods at a salary of three hundred dollars a year, in what was then known as the Galloway corner. At the close of this term he entered into partnership with Eli Millen, and sold goods for ten years in the same building. J. Dodd removed to his own building, now known as St. George's Hotel. At the opening of the Little Miami Railroad to Xenia, having built on the corner of Second and Detroit streets, he removed his stock of goods in the railroad store, where he continued in business until he sold out to Cooper & Hut- cheson. For twenty-five years he has acted as corresponding sec- retary, and treasurer of Greene County Bible Society, canvassing the county annually, some years raising one thousand two hundred dollars in the county. In 1860, he was elected director of the Greene County Infirmary, and with the exception of one term has filled
. that office, acting as secretary of the board, ever since. This is the only office he has had in the county or state. He only raised one son, Samuel, who graduated at Miami University in 1860. At the breaking out of the war in 1861, he volunteered and went out as a private soldier in the one hundred and tenth regiment in company with A. M. Stark, who was captured at the battle of Winchester. Samuel escaped by a singular incident. Mr. Stark, having a fine gun that was cumbersone at such a time, threw it away, saying to Samuel, " if you can take care of that gun you may have it." Stoop- ing to pick it up and arrange it with his knapsack, he fell behind the company through a thicket of brush, missed their track, and struck out in another direction. He thus escaped being captured, and serving a term of fifteen months in Libby Prison. He after- wards fell in with another portion of the regiment under the com- mand of General Keifer, and was engaged in the battle at Mono- cacy, where he was wounded by a ball in his foot. Receiving a furlough, he came home, and afterwards returned to his post, re- maining in the army until the close of the war. While at Wash- ington City, when the troops were being examined in 1865, on the Potomac, without the usual equipage, lying on the damp ground he caught a severe cold that settled on his lungs, and about a year after he was honorably discharged. He died of consumption, aged thirty-three years. Out of seven children, two daughters, Emma and Mary, only survive. In 1849, the Reformed Presbyterian Church, on the corner of Columbus and Market Streets, was built;
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
the first pastor being Rev. J. A. Crawford. J. C. McMillan, with Wm. McQuiston, and John Miller, was elected ruling elder, which office he still holds in the Third United Presbyterian Church of Xenia, which was formed by a union of the remaining members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and a portion of the Second United Presbyterian Church, in 1870, their first pastor being Rev. W. H. McMillan, the next, Rev. R. Turnbull, and the present pas- tor, Rev. W. G. Morehead.
Rev. John McMillan, brother of J. C. McMillan still survives, and is pastor of a Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Daniel McMil- lian, his youngest brother, died in 1876. He had the reputation of having some years ago, the finest herd of Durham cattle in the state of Ohio, and did much in improving the quality of stock in Greene County.
F. D. Torrence, of the firm of McDowell & Torrence, lumber
· dealers, Xenia, was born in the above place in 1842, and is a son of David Torrence, deceased. ITis boyhood was passed in Springfield, where he received the rudiments of his education, which was after- wards developed by a course of study in a college in the above place. April 16, 1861, he enlisted in the Sixteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and before leaving the state in August of the same year was transferred to Captain Mitchell's battery of light artillery, which was placed under the command of General Fremont, in the department of Missouri. He saw much active service, and was in the battles of Pea Ridge, Doniphan, Duvall's Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Champion Hill, Raymond, seige of Jackson, etc. In all he participated in twenty-two different engagements. The last two years of his term were passed in the quarter-masters department, at New Orleans and Matagorda. He was discharged in September, 1865, having passed more than four years in the service of his country. In 1869 he located in Xenia, and embarked in the lum- ber business, to which he has since given his attention. In 1874 he was married to Mary Ridgley, by whom he has had two chil- dren, Fred and Mary. Mr. Torrence and his estimable wife are exemplary members of the United Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected some years.
James Harper, probate judge of Greene County, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, August 4, 1809. He is a son of An- drew and Jane (Currie) Harper. His father was born in Ireland, his mother in Scotland, and when a child emigrated with her
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XENIA TOWNSHIP.
parents and settled in Virginia. Mr. Harper, sr., came to this country when twenty-one years old, and located in Huntington County, Pennsylvania, where he lived a few years. He then went to Virginia, where he was married, and lived till his death, which occurred in the sixty-eighth year of his age. After his death, in 1834, his widow and children came to Ohio, where she died, aged seventy-two years. They were the parents of nine children who grew to manhood and womanhood, three of whom are living, Mary Hamilton, nce Harper, Andrew, and James. The deceased are Eliza, George, Hugh, Jane, William, and Margaret. The early life of Mr. Harper was passed in Virginia on the farm. He received his education in the common schools. After attaining his majority he embarked in life for himself, and for sixteen years after arriving in Ohio labored iu a cooper shop, and during that time was elected justice of the peace, the first public office he held. He afterwards served as recorder for three years, besides holding various town- ship offices. In 1852 he was elected probate judge of Greene County, a position he held continuously until 1862, when a break occurred of two terms. In the fall of 1867 he was again re-elected. In 1839 he was married to Jane, daughter of James and Kesiah Shields, of this county, by whom he has had three children, John, Lavina, and William. John was a member of Company D, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, served upwards of three years, and passed through many of the hard-fought battles of the war. The judge and his exemplary wife are members of the Presbyterian church-having belonged for many years.
James A. Scott, of Xenia, is among the oldest and most promi- nent citizens of Greene County. He was born in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in the year 1794, and is a son of William Scott, who was born in the same state. His boyhood was passed in his native state. IIe received a very limited education in the sub- scription schools, then the only system of learning in existence where a poor boy could obtain an education, which, at the most, was crude. In 1815, he, with his brother, came to Greene County, and in 1816 returned to Pennsylvania, married Elizabeth Shannon, and soon after returned to Xenia. He was just merging into man- hood, being in his twenty-first year, a time when human aspirations know no bounds. He first engaged in milling, which he followed for ten years. In 1826 he was elected sheriff of Greene County, a position he held two successive terms, discharging the duties with
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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.
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an impartiality and ability that paved the way for his nomination and election to the House in 1833. His parliamentary ability and great originality made him a favorite, and he was re-elected in 1838, and again in 1839. Upon his return home from the latter term, he was tendered the office of recorder, which he filled for a number of consecutive terms, after which he was elected auditor, being the last position he held in the county, though he has represented some of the offices of the township and corporation. During the war of 1812, he served under the command of Adamson Tannehill, and at the expiration of his enlisted term was honorably discharged. He is one of the few survivors of that war whose names are upon the pension rolls of our government. In politics he is strongly Repub- lican, and during the life of the old Whig party was one of its warmest and most zealous supporters, giving it his influence, as he has to all other principles which tend to promote the condition of man, whether in church, state, or society. He and his aged wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, with which they have been connected for thirty years, she having previously belonged to the Reformed Church. Nine children have been born to them, six of whom death has consigned to the tomb-William, John, Robert, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary E. The living are David, Margaret, and James. His son John was a member of Company B, Seventy- Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and a second lieutenant. He en- listed at the beginning of the war, and was killed at Jonesborough, Georgia, in the fall of 1864. His remains were brought home, and interred in the cemetery adjoining Xenia, where a monument has been erected to his memory.
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