History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio, Part 67

Author: R. S. Dills
Publication date: 1881
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1037


USA > Ohio > Greene County > History of Greene County, together with historic notes on the northwest and the state of Ohio > Part 67


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June 21, 1865, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars had been secured. The proposed amendment in the charter was unanimously agreed to. The money was paid in and invested in government 7-30 bonds at par. The members of the board from the Christian denomination resigned, but the most of them were re-elected. On the payment of the fund, the following conditions were ex- pressed :


"1. That the interest and net income thereof, only, as the same accrue, be used towards maintaining five professorships.


"2. That whenever, and as soon as any clause or article shall be inserted in the constitution or by-laws of the college, or in any way become a rule in the government of the college, which may, in any shape or form, impose any sectarian test for the qualifica- tion of a trustee in the election of trustees, the endowment shall be forfeited to the American Unitarian Association."


Resuscitation .- At this meeting a full faculty was appointed, and it was decided to open the college for the next year, in all its de- partments, on the second Tuesday in September. IIon. A. D. White, now president of Cornell University, was elected president, but being enlisted in the founding of that institution, he did not ac- cept, and Prof. Austin Craig, D. D., was acting president for the year.


In 1866, Rev. G. W. IIosmer, D. D., of Buffalo, N. Y., was elect- ed president. He entered into the spirit of the institution, and sustained it with that ability, wisdom and experience, for which he was already celebrated. In June, 1872, Dr Hosmer tendered his resignation as president, to take effect January 1, 1873, and Prof. Edward Orton was appointed his successor. Dr. Hosmer continued as professor till June, 1873, when he resigned his position. Prof. Orton also resigned in June, 1873, to take the presidency of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College at Columbus. Since that time, Prof. S. C. Derby has been acting president, and is now president pro tempore."


Students and Studies .- From the wide range of studies provided in the college, and the free election offered, the result has been that


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many students have taken advanced courses of study of considera- ble length, who have not completed a regular course and taken a degree. Hence, in proportion to those who have pursued studies in the college classes, the number of graduates has been small.


From the opening of the institution, under Horace Mann, An- tioch has had special success as a fitting school for teachers. Many who took partial courses here, have taken distinguished positions as teachers, as well as in other professions, and in business.


A preparatory department has been connected with the college from the first. Students are here prepared for the freshman class, in a three years' course, and a considerable range of English studies is pursued. The work of this department has received special at- tention. The grade of studies pursued will be seen in the present curriculum, published herewith.


Library, Laboratory, Museum, etc .- The foundation of the library was laid by an appropriation of one thousand dollars, which was laid out under the direction of President Mann, with a special view to the wants of college students. Additions have since been made, with the same object in view. The library now contains about five thousand volumes, for the most part of well selected works.


The department of physics is provided (besides less important instruments) with a four-prism spectroscope, saccharimeter, polari- scope for projection, and Norremberg's polariscope, all manufac- tured by Duboscq, of Paris; an air-pump, frictional electrical ma- chine, Holtz electrical machine, Ruhmkoff coil, Geissler's tubes, Clarke's magneto-electric machine, telegraphic apparatus, etc.


The chemical laboratory is provided with all needful apparatus for experiment and illustration in general chemistry, and with bal- ances and other instruments of precision for analysis. Each student has a separate desk, supplied with water and gas.


The study of astronomy is assisted by use of a telescope of five- inch aperture, made by Alvan Clarke, a prismatic reflecting circle, made by Pistor and Martins, and an excellent marine chronometer. Classes in surveying and engineering have the use of two transit theodolites, engineer's level, and.compass.


In the department of natural history is a good collection of typi- cal fossils, and a partial, but yearly increasing, collection of the animal and vegetable productions of the district. These are used for reference by teachers and students in their investigations, in


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which they are also aided by an excellent set of microscopes in the laboratory of natural science.


Funds and Real Estate .- No buildings have been erected since those originally erected. These, and the grounds of twenty acres, comprise the real estate.


The $100,000 paid in as an endowment, and invested in govern- ment seven-thirties, in 1865, were subsequently converted, at a premium, and reinvested on real estate securities, yielding a better income. Last year, $20,000 were added, by bequest of Mrs. Sarah King, of Taunton, Massachusetts. The total endowment now, is $123,000, so invested as to yield a net annual income of between $11,000 and $12,000. There is also a prospective fund of about $40,000, from a bequest of Hon. David Joy, to be devoted to aiding needy students, especially women and students of color. Great credit is due to Hon. Artemus Carter, of Chicago, for the judicious manner in which the funds have been managed.


Present Courses of Study .- As above remarked, Antioch has aimed to advance her standard of requirements along with those of the best colleges in the country. This has been especially done in the requirements for admission, and in the studies which are offered as optional for Greek.


The preparatory course, in the studies of which all applicants for the freshman class are required to pass examination, comprises three years of study, after the requisite English preparation namely : Latin, three years, embracing grammar, first lessons, Cæsar, Cicero's Orations, Virgil, prose composition; Greek, two years, embracing grammar, first lessons, Xenophon's Anabasis, Homer's Illiad, prose composition; Mathematics-arithmetic two terms, algebra two terms, geometry one term; History, one year, namely, Greece and Rome one term, England one term, United States one term; Botany one term; Physiology, one term; Elementary Physics, one term; Elementary chemistry, one term.


Those who do not take the Greek are required to take Elemen- tary Astronomy one term, Elementary Geology and Physical Geography one term, Zoology one term, German one year.


The undergraduate course for the academic year is as follows :


Freshman year-First term-Greek: Xenophon's Memorabilia of Socrates, Boise and Freeman's; Greck Prose Composition. Latin : Livy. German (students are allowed to substitute German for Greek during freshman year): Schiller. Mathematics: Tappan's Geometry completed.


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Second term-Greek: Homer's Odyssey; Herodotus, Boise and Freeman's; Prose Composition. Latin: Horace, Odes. German : Goethe. Mathematics : Higher Algebra.


Third term-Greek: Plato and Demosthenes, Boise and Free- man's; Prose Composition. Latin : Tacitus, Germania and Agri- cola. German : Goethe and Lessing. Mathematics: Trigonometry, Elements of Surveying and Leveling (optional).


Sophomore year-First term-Greek (optional for Latin) : CEdi- pus Tyrannus and Antigone of Sophocles. Latin: Cicero, Epistles. French: Otto's Grammar. Analytical Geometry.


Second term-Greek (optional for Latin) : Plato's Apology and Crito, Tyler's; Prometheus of Æschylus. Latin: Tacitus; Histo- ries. French: Otto's Grammar. Calculus.


Third term-Greek (optional for Latin): Demosthenes on the Crown. Latin : Plautus' Captives; Horace's Epistles. Physics: Mechanics of Solids, Liquids, and Gases. Acoustics: Atkinson's Ganot. French : French Writers.


Junior year-First term-Physics: Heat and Light. Chemistry : Barker's. English Literature: Early English Literature.


Second term-Physics : Magnetism, Electricity, and Meteorology. English Literature : Shakespeare, and History of English Litera- ture. Ilistory : Hallam's Middle Ages, or Green's Short History of the English People.


Third term-Astronomy : White's Elements. Modern European Literature. Zoology : (Botany on alternate years.)


Senior year-First term-Logic: Psychology. Geology. Politi- cal Economy. Analytical Chemistry (optional) : Eliot and Storer's Qualitative Analysis.


Second term-History of Philosophy. Geology. Modern His -. tory: IIallam's Constitutional History of England. Analytical Chemistry (optional) : Fresenius' Chemical Analysis.


Third term-Ethics and ÆEsthetics. Zoology: (Botany on alter- nate years). Constitutional History of the United States .. Ana -. lytical Chemistry (optional).


The Outlook .- Toward the close of the year 1879-'80, there was much talk about suspending, and the meeting of the trustees was looked for with unusual interest. It was generally understood that the investment of the college funds, though yielding a large income for a time, had proved in the end unfortunate. Property was taken in place of securities, which, by the depression of the times, had


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shrunk in value, so that at one time it would not have brought, on a forced sale, more than fifty per cent .; and besides, so much of this was in an unproductive form, that for some years the income from the rest did little, if anything, more than pay the necessary expenses on this. In the meantime, as $20,000 of the fund was left by a legacy without conditions, the trustees drew from the same to meet the deficit in current expenses, hoping that this necessity . would soon cease. At a meeting of the trustees, the question to be decided was, What course shall be taken? It was discovered that the financial affairs were not in such a ruinous condition as had been represented. It was reported that all of the securities could be turned into money in the course of a few years, and deemed policy to have the funds invested so as to be controlled in the State of Ohio. With this view, Mr. Frank Evans, of Cincinnati, was elected treasurer.


As to the policy to be pursued for the coming year, it was the unanimous conviction that no encroachment upon the principal of the funds should be allowed. On the other hand, it was recognized to be a ruinous policy to suspend the school, or suffer it to pass into other hands, even for a short time. President Derby asked leave of absence for a year, which was granted, and a committee appoint- ed to confer with the remaining members of the faculty as to what could best be done. Professors Weston, Chandler, and Claypole (Professor Gilmore is employed and paid by parties outside of the college) proposed to carry on the school, if $2,000 could be assured them besides the income from students.


As a preliminary avowal of policy, a series of resolutions were adopted. They were to the effect-


1. That the property outside of Ohio should be sold as soon as it could be done with advantage, and the proceeds invested in Ohio, in first-class securities.


2. That not less than fifty per cent. of the accruing income should be made a part of the permanent fund, until it is restored to its original amount.


3. That for the ensuing year, and until otherwise ordered, the entire income arising from the endowment fund should be so added, less such sum as may be necessary to keep up ordinary repairs and insurance.


The trustees agreed to guarantee to the professors the free use of the apparatus and buildings, the fees coming from students, and


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the proceeds from the Winn fund and the Austin fund, estimated at $1,350. To make up the remaining $650, a subscription was started, and $460 at once subscribed.


The fall term of 1880 opened with a fair attendance, and it is generally believed that the institution has " come around the curve," and that henceforth its course will be in a prosperous direction.


Present Corps of Instructors .- J. B. Weston, Acting President, and Professor of Ancient Languages and Literature; C. II. Chandler, Registrar, and Professor of Mathematics, Physics and Astronomy ; E. W. Claypole, Professor of Natural Sciences and French; Rev. N. P. Gilman, Professor of English Literature and German ; Mrs. A. E. Weston, A. M., and Miss Bettie Louden, Assistants.


The normal department is under the charge of Prof. Weston, as heretofore.


CLIFTON.


This village, named from the continuous beautiful cliffs, form- ing some of the finest natural scenery in the west, is situated in the northeastern part, on the Little Miami River, and contains a population of about three hundred. It is the oldest village in the township; was laid out in 1833 by Robert Watson, surveyor; Tim- othy Bates and Bennett Lewis, original proprietors. Bates and Lewis hailed from New York-the father of the former being- Bates, a noted judge of that state. The land was purchased for General Patterson, who owned the mill on the Little Miami. The propelling facilities were all that could be desired, and in a short time a distillery, saw-mill, and flouring mill were in active operation. These manufactories were taxed to their fullest capacity ; people within a radius of twenty-five miles patronized the same. An old resident informs us, that he saw thirty-five teams awaiting their turn to unload the grain. The surplus flour was hauled to Cincin- nati, and there sold. The inducements offered by the superior water- power, soon attracted the attention of speculators and others, and Clifton bid fair to become a manufacturing and commercial city of much merit. Being located on the Cincinnati, Lebanon and Col- umbus stage route, it was accessible to the outside world.


In 1833, A. G. Kiler, who lived in the immediate vicinity of Clifton, was importuned to remove to Clifton, and engage in erecting houses, by Timothy Bates, and did so. He built fourteen


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houses during the summer, and erected the largest, and most sub- stantial buildings ever built in the place in the following year. The houses were occupied as speedily as completed.


Among those who first settled in Clifton and vicinity, we mention the names of General Benjamin Whiteman, John Knox, Braley, Knott, Baker, Porter, Gibson, Stevenson, Luce, Anderson, and Kemp. The latter lived across the river, and operated the mills. The old house which he occupied is still standing.


Bates and Lewis opened a store several years before the town was surveyed; but immediately thereafter, William Anderson, now living at Yellow Springs, and David Anderson, built a house and stocked it with groceries-the first after the village was laid out. A number of others soon followed their example, and ere long the new village was considered quite a business center. There was a chair factory, several grocery stores, and a number of rum-selling establishments.


The town was incorporated in 1834 or 1835, and officials elected. Bates was the first postmaster; he was succeeded by William An- derson, appointed under Jacksop administration.


A man named Confer, who did the first blacksmithing in the village, was seized with an uncontrollable longing to return to Vir- ginia, his native state, there to spend the remainder of his days. On the day preceeding his departure, General Whiteman brought his horse to the shop, saying to Confer: "Shoe this horse, and I will not have him reshod until you return." Confer replied, that he would never return, therefore the horse must be shod by other hands hereafter. Six months elapsed, and the blacksmith once more returned to the anvil. IIe had been to Virginia, but the country seemed more barren, and the mountains much higher than before, and he was exceedingly anxious to return to his adopted state. On the day following his return, General Whiteman brought his horse to the shop, and the same hands which placed the shoes six months previous, removed them again.


When the feasibility of building a railroad from Springfield to Xenia was being discussed, an effort was made to have this village on the contemplated route. Timothy Bates supported the scheme with zeal, but became careless and lukewarm. In the meantime, the people in and around Yellow Springs, headed by William Mills, lost no time nor opportunity in their endeavors to secure the road ria the latter village, then in its infancy. They were successful, : and thus was a new impetus given to Yellow Springs.


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The stagnant water of the mill-dam infected the air with ague, and many inhabitants were stricken down with the disease. Several families purchased lands in the neighborhood and removed thereon, to avoid coming in contact with the infectious atmosphere surround- ing the mill-pond. The lack of railroad facilities, and the removal of some of her most enterprising citizens, was a loss to Clifton, from the effects of which she never recovered.


THE ANTIOCHI BONE CAVE. .


Mr. Jesse Taylor gives the following account of the finding of a bone cave by him, on the 19th of October, 1878:


The cave is on the Neff farm, about half a mile from the village of Yellow Springs, and one-fourth of a mile from the Neff House; also, about two hundred yards from the large spring known as Yellow Spring. The entrance is about four feet high and three feet wide, and faces the south. A person can crawl into the cave for about eight feet very easily, but at this point it becomes narrow, and is only about one and one-half feet in width. After passing this narrow place, it becomes larger, and at the end is about five feet in width. It extends into the rock about fourteen feet.


I found the cave in the morning, and the first bone that I noticed was a piece of a human skull. I also found on this same morning, two humeri and one femur, which I supposed to be those of a small child. In the afternoon I took a basket and a lantern and went back to explore the cave, and found another femur and one tibia, which I also supposed to be those of a small child. I found three lower jaws, afterwards recognized to be those of the opossum by their having an inward process at the angle of the jaw; two skulls since found to be those of the mink, and one-half of a lower jaw or left ramus, since determined as that of a porcupine; also one sharp implement or awl, about six inches long, and made of bone.


On October 21, Denman Duncan and I took a lantern and trowel and went to the cave. We removed the stones from the entrance, and afterwards took out a large quantity of earth, in which we found the lower jaw, one tibia, two fibulae, and two teeth of a small child. We also found on this same day another implement of bone, similar to that above described; one polished stone hatchet or celt; one flat implement made of bone; also five bits of bone which had been cut round and then broken off.


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Again, on October 22, we took more earth out of the cave, and in it found one squamosal bone and two teeth of a child; one-half of a lower jaw or right ramus of a porcupine; one skull and lower jaw, which have since been recognized to be those of the ground- hog or wood-chuck; several fangs and lower jaws, since determined to belong to the rattlesnake.


On October 24 we took seives and began to sift the earth that had been taken out of the cave. This was a very slow process, but it paid us for our labor. We found on this day several fangs and many vertabrae of the rattlesnake, also the left upper permanent canine tooth of a child, which fitted in the empty socket of the jaw bone.


October 25, we again took seives, and found four human teeth and two large broken incisors of some rodunt animal, which have been since recognized as those of the beaver, and several fangs of the rattlesnake. We have also found parts of the skeletons of the opossum, rabbit, mink, musk-rat, etc.


The age of the child was obtained by the following evidence : When the first permanent molar tooth of a child is in its place, the child is six and one-half years old. The first permanent incisor is cut at seven years, and the second permanent incisor is cut at eight years. The first permanent molar teeth of the jaw that we found were a little worn ; this proves that the child was over six and one- half years old. The first incisors were in place, with perfect edges; this proves that the child was over seven years old. The second permanent incisors were just coming through the jaw bone; this shows that the child was under eight years of age.


BIOGRAPHICAL.


John Cannon, shoe dealer, Yellow Springs, was born in Miami County, Ohio, on the 23d day of November, 1824, and is a son of Moses and Martha Cannon. His great-grandfather came from England in Lord Baltimore's colony; his father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of Pennsylvania, and Scotch descent. His father immigrated to this state in 1820, and his mother in 1810. They were married about the year 1821, and had a family of six sons and three daughters. John, our subject, was the third child, and was first married, January 31, 1851, to Miss Margaret A. Sheets, who bore him two sons, Peter B. and Charles F., and died


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in 1855. . He was again married, to Miss Francis A. Johnston, daughter of Frederick and Mary Johnston, of this county, whose father lived until his one hundred and fourth year. Peter B., a son by his first wife, died in his third year. Nine children are the fruits of his present marriage : Lida B., John E., Martha J., Wal- ter L., Frederick W., Guy L., and George E., living; and Peter B. and Charles F., deceased. In July, 1862, he enlisted, and was made first lieutenant of Company C, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, and was mustered into the service October 3, 1862, at Camp Piqua, Ohio. Was in all the hard fought battles in which this old regiment engaged, such as the Wilderness, Winchester, Spottsylvania, Locust Grove, etc., and providentially got through without a wound. February 5, 1864, he was. mustered out on ac- count of physical disability, and received an honorable discharge. Ile received his education in Miami and Clarke counties, where the greater portion of his life has been spent. Is a member of Osborn Lodge, F. and A. M .; and also, with his wife, is connect- ed with the Presbyterian Church. Is now engaged in the manu- facture of boots and shoes at Yellow Springs, and is doing a fair share of the business of the place; is a first-class workman, and deserves the patronage of the entire community. When others where at home enjoying the comforts of their firesides, he was fighting for the preservation of the government. Such men should never be forgotten.


D. K. Crane, baker and confectioner, born in Seneca County, New York, in the year 1839, son of Edward and Evaline Crane, natives of New York. Immigrated to Ohio about the year 1842, with a family of four children, and had five born to them after coming to Ohio. The subject of our remarks was married in 1861, to Miss Rena, daughter of Thomas D. and Nancy Gilman, of Waynesville, Warren County, Ohio. They have been blessed with a family of four children, two of them, Deloss and Cora, dead, and Clyde and Guy, living. He was among the men in time of the war, who drove Morgan, the guerrilla chief, from the soil of Ohio. Enough to show he was a lover of the old stars and stripes, and ready to take up arms for their defence. IIe is a member of Enterprise Lodge No. 280, Odd-fellows, of Westborough, Clinton County, Ohio, and also a member of the Methodist Church. He is now engaged in the baking and confectionery business at the "Springs," and is one of the leading men of the place, and has his full share of custom among the people of this county.


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Daniel S. Fundeburgh, constable, born in this county, on the 12th, day of November, 1818, is a son of John and .Anna Fundeburgh. His father is a native of Maryland, and his mother of Virginia. They immigrated to Ohio about the year 1791, with a family of seven children : five sons and two daughters. Our subject was mar- ried in 1856, to Miss Caroline Koch of this county. He is con- stable and marshal of Yellow Springs, an office he has filled for some thirteen years. He has always been a staunch Republican in polities, and has taken an active part in elections. When old


unele Abe was elected, he was one of the men who fired the cannon, and, in loading, the gun was accidently discharged and carried away his hand, a lasting remembrance of the election. He still holds the office of constable and marshal, and in all probability will for many years to come, as he is very faithful and fearless in the discharge of his duty. He received his education in this county, where his youth was spent, and in which he likely will end his days.




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