USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 70
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Auten, on resuming the search in the evening, took with him his dog.
A second night was spent in the forest, guns were again discharged and fires were kindled, but still the horns hung silent by the side of the hunters, and a pall of grief over the cabin of Daniel Wolverton.
On the approach of morning Auten and his comrade found them- selves on the hills east of Reading, near the present site of Mount Notre Dame. The dog had been absent for some time, but now returned and manifested a strange and unusual anxiety. He turned upon his master a sagacious look, and uttering a few whimpering barks, ran again into the forest, but soon returned to repeat his former expressions. The men followed, and had gone but a few hundred yards when they ob- served the dog leap upon the trunk of a fallen tree, and there sit utter- ing his plaintive whimperings. On reaching the tree there the men dis- covered the children lying huddled together, their legs partly covered with leaves.
The signal blast was promptly given, which was taken up and respon- ded to by others, and soon the monotone notes of the dinner horn sounded and reverberated through the forest, along the hills and in the valley, until the glad tidings reached the home of the distressed parents, bringinging to their hearts for a moment a thrill of joy. These mo- ments of gladness were brief, however, as a second thought saddened their hopes with alternate fears. The children had been found, there was little doubt -- but, oh! the momentous question, whether alive or dead, none could answer.
The suspense that followed for an hour or more was intense and pain- ful, not only to the father and mother of the little ones, but also to the multitude that had assembled to await the return of the successful party, and partake of the joy or sympathize in the grief of the parents. Finally Auten and his party returned and restored to the arms of the mother her babes, alive and, though suffering somewhat from fatigue and the effects of hunger, comparatively well.
When found the children were in a state of partial stupor, though they did not seem to have suffered greatly from hunger. The men gave them water and they were somewhat revived, but they still appeared timid and nervous, and it was some time before Auten and his comrade could gain their confidence ; but on arriving home and receiving the proper care and nourishment they soon fully recovered.
The little girl could give but an imperfect account of their adventure. The first night she said they walked until they became very tired, all the time expecting to reach home ; at last the little boy stopped and could go no further. They sat down under a tree and both cried until they fell asleep. When they awoke it was daylight, and they set out again for home. They ate some acorns and nuts and drank at a little stream. They again became tired and sat down by the fallen tree where they were found. The little boy complained of being cold and she gathered leaves and put around him. At one time she heard people calling and saw them pass, but was too weak to answer. After this she remembered nothing more.
Hezekiah Stites was born at Scotch Plains, New Jer- sey. His first settlement in Ohio was made in 1788, in Columbia township. He is said to have been the first actual settler in Hamilton county, was a farmer all his life, and his death occurred in Butler county. Hezekiah Stites, jr., was at first a trader in merchandise on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, going as far south as New Orleans. In 1835 he became identified with pork pack- ers, and continued in that business until his death in 1860. He was a man of great business ability-securing a fine property by his own exertions-and was, like his father, respected by all who knew him. Charles F. Stites, his son, was born in 1831. He married Caroline Stites, daughter of Benjamin Stites, of Newark, New Jersey. He is now the owner of the old homestead, has abundant wealth, and is a worthy representative of the old family.
Sampson Mccullough was born in Chambersburgh, Virginia, but emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1795, where he first settled in Sycamore township. He came to this State as a surveyor, but in later years turned his attention to farming. He died in the township where he first settled, in 1819. His wife (Miss Rachel Saye)
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
was born in 1780 and died in 1864. James M. McCul- lough, son of the preceding, was born in 1811. In 1838 he established the business of seeds merchant, with the present firm name of J. M. Mccullough's Sons.
Abner Mills was among the first who settled in Colum- bia township. He was born in New Jersey, and emi- grated from there to Ohio. He died in the same township where he had first settled. Stephen Mills, his son, was born in 1802. His business was always that of a farmer. His wife's name was Sarah Smith. Edward Mills, son of Stephen, was born in 1837. In 1869 he married Harriet Flynn, daughter of Stephen Flynn, and the same year built the fine residence where he now lives.
Samuel Muchmore was born in Morristown, New Jer- sey, from which State he emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Columbia township in 1798. He followed the busi- ness of boating on the river to New Orleans, and died on his last trip to that city. He also did much at farming. His wife's name was Sarah Muchmore. His son John was the father of Eli L. Muchmore, who is now the only representative of the family alive. He lives on a part of the old homestead, and is called a worthy scion of the old stock. His birth occurred in the year 1823. For eight years during and after the war, he was township trustee, and has also held the office of district assessor and town clerk.
Joseph Ferris, born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, emigrated from that State to Ohio, and settled in this township in 1799, where he died May 17, 1831. He followed farming, milling, and distilling- His wife's name was Priscilla Knapp. They have four children, all living at the old home-Andrew, C. K., Phoebe, and Joseph.
Zadock Williams was born in Fayette county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1798, and came from that State to Ohio with his parents when but two years of age. He has always lived in this township-is now eighty-three years old. His wife, born in 1802, is also living. They have six children living. Mr. Williams, in business a farmer, has always been an active and prominent man in the county. He has now a large property, and is well known and widely respected.
Samuel Johnson settled in Hamilton county in 1801. He was born in Virginia in 1767. His wife's name was Rebecca Clark. She was born March 20, 1771. They married April 20, 1795, and have had nine children, only three of whom are living-Isaiah J., Merrit J., and Patsy Crain. Mr. Johnson died in 1847 and his wife in 1849. Isaiah Johnson, the subject of this sketch, was born Feb- ruary 9, 1812. His wife's name was Catherine Woodruff. She was born March 15, 1819. She was the daughter of Samuel Woodruff. They have seven children living. He has always followed farming, and is a man well known and respected.
Albert Cortelyou first settled at Reading, Hamilton county, among the first. He was born in New Jersey in 1807, and emigrated from New Jersey to Ohio, and died in Sycamore township in 1863. He was a leading farmer and much respected. His wife's name was Margaret VanPelt. John Cortelyou was born in 1824, was mar- ried in 1851 to Martha Kennedy, daughter of John W.
Kennedy. In 1866 he bought the place known as the Wood farm, near Pleasant Ridge-building the fine home where he now lives.
W. H. Moore first settled in Columbia township in 18II. He was born in Winchester, Virginia, in 1787, and emigrated from that State to Ohio. He died in Columbia township in 1879. He was engaged in the garden and nursery business. He was in the war of 1812, was on the muster roll as "William Moore," and was magistrate for about fifteen years. His wife, Mary Moore, was born in New Jersey in 1794, and died in 1876. There are eight of the eleven children living. T. A. Moore was born in 1824, and has always lived in Columbia township, and now owns the old homestead. He has never married, is well known throughout the county and respected.
Joseph Muchmore, grandfather of Elias G. Muchmore, settled in Columbia township in 1811. His wife's name was Rhoda Muchmore. They had a family of eight children, only one of whom is living at the present time- Mary Heer, of this township. David Muchmore, son of the preceding, was the father of Elias G. There are four of the family of five children to which he belonged living, all in Columbia township. E. G. Muchmore married Mehitable Hetzler, daughter of Jacob Hetzler, of Wyom- ing county, and has followed the business of farming. ·In 1867 he established his present business, and has charge of the M. and C. R. R. station. In 1867 he was appointed postmaster, which office he now holds. They have seven children living and twenty-six grandchildren.
Hiram Smith and his father, Abraham Smith, first set- tled in Columbia township, in 1815. The latter was born in Pennsylvania in 1775, and emigrated from Virginia to Ohio. He died in Spencer township in 1815. He fol- lowed farming and trading on the river as far as New Orleans. His wife's name was Elizabeth Muchmore. She was born in New Jersey in 1788 and died in 1868. Hiram was born in 1810. In 1832 he married Elizabeth Babbett, daughter of Samuel Babbett, of Columbia town- ship. They have two children living. B. F. Smith was born in 1833 in this township. He is a farmer, and is living on the old homestead, well known and greatly respected.
Daniel McGrew, who first settled in Sycamore town- ship in 1815, was born in Ireland, and emigrated from that country to Ohio. He is now living, at the age of sixty-five. Henry McGrew was born in 1842 in Syca- more township. He graduated in medical surgery in 1875. In 1877 he graduated at the Bellevue Hospital and Medical College in New York City. In 1875 he took charge of the County Infirmary, remaining in charge two years. In 1878 he came to Pleasant Ridge, where he is still practising.
A. S. Butterfield's father, John Butterfield, first settled in Cincinnati about 1818. He was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and emigrated from that State to Ohio, where he died in the year . 1822. He was a carpenter by trade. His wife's name was Elizabeth Emerson.
A. S. Butterfield was born in 1822, and married Ann M. Hatch in 1838. He established himself in the busi-
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
ness of saddlery on Main street, in 1867, and built the residence where he now lives at Madisonville. In 1864 and 1865 he represented the eighteenth ward in the city council of Cincinnati.
Joseph Suttle first settled in Cincinnati in 1818. He was born in England in 1791, and emigrated from Eng- land to Ohio. He died in this township October, 1837. He was a blacksmith and whitesmith in Cincinnati in his earlier days, later he moved to Columbia township, and became a farmer. His wife, Hannah, was born in 1800, and is still living, eighty years old.
George J. Suttle, son of the preceding, married Caro- line Nash, daughter of Samuel Nash, of Hamilton county, She died in 1858, and Mr. Suttle has never married again. He has secured a fine property, and is well known and respected by a large circle of friends.
Mark Langdon came to Hamilton county in 1819. He was born in England. His wife, Sarah Graham, was also born in England, and died in Hamilton county in 1846. The surviving members of the family are Joseph, Samuel L., Elizabeth Mills and William C. Samuel Langdon, son of the above, was born in Mill Creek township in 1823. He married Martha J. Lyon, daugh- ter of James Lyon. They have four children.
William Durrell first settled in Mill Creek township in 1820. He was born in Bangor, Maine, in 1804, and emigrated from that State to Ohio. He is still living at the age of seventy-seven. His business has been farm- ing and teaming. His wife's name was Ann Phillips. She was born in 1805, and died in 1876. There are four children living. H. C. Durrell was born in 1826, and in 1852 he married Harriet Wood. For a number of years he was in thelumber business in Cincinnati, now he has a fine farm, and gives his attention mostly to farming.
Anthony Brown settled in Columbia township in 1831. He was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1809, and emi- grated from England to Ohio. He has followed the business of farming. In 1870 and 1871 he served as township trustee, for about one half the time for the last twenty years has been one of the supervisors, also one of the school directors for about the same length of time.
John H. McGowan first settled in Cincinnati in 1838. He was born in Aberdeen, emigrated from Michigan to Ohio, and died in Cincinnati in 1870. He held offices under the territorial government of Michigan. His wife's name was Amelia Hayes. She was born in 1804. There are five children living. John H. McGowan was born in 1830.
Thomas French first settled in Cincinnati in 1840. He was born in England, but emigrated from New York to Ohio. He is yet living. In 1840 he commenced the dairy business, at the place now known as the "Zoologi- cal gardens." His wife, Ann N., was also born in Eng- land. They have six children. The business is now owned and conducted by his sons in Columbia township. It is the largest in the county. They have conducted their business in such a way as to secure the confidence of all. They have many friends, and are gentlemen in every sense of the word.
Otis Hidden is a native of Caledonia county, Ver-
mont, born in 1821. In early manhood he resided in the province of Ontario, Canada, whence he removed to Cincinnati in 1847. Here he was engaged as book- keeper for Henry Marks & Company, R. M. Pomeroy & Company, C. Oskamp, and others, until 1841, when he engaged in his present business as dealer in upholstery goods and cabinet hardware, and specialties in carriage trimmings, as a partner with the firm of E. L. Higdon & Company. In 1874, the name and style of the firm was changed to Hidden & Lounsberry, which it still re- tains. He bears a high reputation in all his business and social relations. His wife's maiden name was Maria L. Neblett. She was born in Prince George county, Vir- ginia.
Thomas Swift first settled in Columbia township in - 1850. He was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1830, and emigrated from England to Ohio, where he died in Columbia township in 1860. He was a blacksmith by trade. His wife's maiden name was Ann Simpkinson. There are six children living. His son, John Swift, born in 1830, was engaged in the boot and shoe business in Cincinnati for a number of years. He married Miss Williams, daughter of William Williams, of Cincinnati. They have two children, Josephine and Rebecca.
Thomas White first settled in Cincinnati in 1852. He was born in Durham county, England, and emigrated from there to Ohio. He died in Cincinnati in 1868. He established the marble and granite works at No. 255 Fifth street, Cincinnati. His wife's name was Martha English. She was born in 1812 and died in 1870. There are five of the children living, all in Hamilton county. Alfred, son of Thomas White, was born in England in 1835. At the age of seventeen years he came to Ham- ilton county. In 1857 he became one of the firm known as T. White & Sons, now known as Alfred White. He has steadily increased the business, until, at the present time, it stands at the head. He is now introducing the polishing of granite, a work which was first introduced by Mr. White, and for which he deserves great credit. Mr. White has a son, twenty-two years old, who he soon expects will be a member of the firm, under the old name of White & Son.
Leonard Fowler settled in Columbia township. He was born in England in 1818, and emigrated from Eng- land to Ohio. His business has been that of a turnpike contractor. His wife's name is Eliza. He has now se- cured a fine competence, and has held the position of township trustee for two years.
CAMDEN CITY.
This village is on the Little Miami railroad and Cin- cinnati and Wooster turnpike, on the west side of section twenty-three, a mile and a half from the north line of the township. It was laid out in the year 1857 by William Winters.
GRAVELOTTE.
This station on the Little Miami railroad, less than a mile southwest of Camden, was platted in 1873 by Mr. Thomas R. Riggs, upon whose extensive property on section twenty-eight it is situated.
271
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
. INDIAN HILL.
This famous locality, which is not a village, although covered with a quite numerous population, is an emi- nence or ridge one to three miles northeast of Madison- ville, and between Camden City and Madeira Station, on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, which passes to the west of it. Many fine views are commanded from points upon this hill, and some beautiful residences are built upon it. Here, it is said, the celebrated Ives Seedling grape took its origin. An extensive experiment was made of it upon Indian Hill by Colonel Waring in 1864, by which a profit of two thousand dollars per acre was realized. The tables were turned the next year, how- ever, when there was almost a total failure of the grape crop throughout the Miami country.
The name of this highland was derived from the sim- ple circumstance of the burial of an Indian upon it, as is more fully related further on in these pages.
MADEIRA.
This is the last station on the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, before it leaves the township in its course north- eastward. The village is situated a little south of the Sycamore township line, on the dividing line of sections six and twelve, just half way across the township from east to west. It was laid out in 1871 by Messrs. J. L. Hos- brook and J. D. Moore. They immediately began building and otherwise improving. A post office and railway station had previously existed here, taking their name from John Madeira, treasurer of the Marietta & Cincinnati railroad, who owned a large tract of land in the neighborhood. A Methodist Episcopal church build- ing was erected here in 1873-a neat frame structure, thirty by forty feet. There is also a Presbyterian society here, meeting once a month. An Odd Fellows' lodge, also a lyceum, in due time became established institu- tions. The population of the place in 1880 was one hundred and ninety-nine.
One of the first purchasers of land in this part of the township was John Jones, who in 1795 secured two or three tracts from Judge Symmes. David Black, in 1796, bought hereabout three hundred and twenty acres, or a half-section, for two hundred and thirteen dollars. Lewis Woodruff also bought a large tract, which he leased in ten-acre lots for terms of ten years, conditioned that the lessee should clear the ground, erect a dwelling, and plant an orchard. The wolves and panthers were spe- cially troublesome here in the old days, while the deer devoured the wheat. Bear-hunts were quite common.
Other early settlers in this region were Boltzelle, David McGanghy, Major Joseph Mann (who did a great deal in his day to develop the Madison and Camargo turnpike enterprise), Thomas Stearns, sen., 'Squire Clason, Oliver Jones, Jacob Heltzler, and the Hosbrooks. Some of these receive due notice elsewhere in this chapter. The progenitor of the Hosbrooks in this township-grand- father of one of the founders of Madeira-was Daniel, who in the winter season, when the woods were almost impassable through deep snows, went to Columbia for salt, missed his way on his return and was frozen to death.
The following incident is related in Nelson's Suburban Homes, from which we derive many of these facts, of Hon. Daniel Hosbrook. His son, the younger Hosbrook, was several times member of the legislature from Hamil- ton county, and at one time sheriff. His early life was considerably spent in teaching, and the anecdote relates one of his experiences in that profession :
An incident in his history as a teacher is worth mentioning. Like many of his profession in those days, he was "barred out." Finding himself on the wrong side of the door one morning, at the time school should have been opened, he suspected mischief, and, after ineffectual attempts to gain an entrance, began to parley with the enemy. A council was proposed, but indignantly rejected by the occupants of the stronghold. Nothing short of an unconditional surrender and an in- demnity of "apples and cider" would be accepted by the belligerents on the other side. Determined to regain possession, the governor issued a manifesto, which resulted in bringing over to his side one of the ringleaders, named Haywood, and his ring. Encouraged by this success, he nailed down the windows securely, fastened the doors, and covered the chimneys. The result will be conjectured. The magnan- imons victor stood the treat and cured the boys of a bad custom.
MADISONVILLE.
Madisonville, or rather Madison, as it was originally called, was laid out upon the north part of school section No. 16, in fractional range two, township four, as soon as the lands, under the old system of leases, were made available. A considerable settlement had already gath- ered upon and about the spot; and when, January 27, 1809, the legislature passed an act providing for the disposition of the school sections, the people of this locality lost little time in proceeding to act thereon. The record of the survey of the town is dated March 30, 1809. John Jones, esq., William Armstrong, and Felix Christman, were chosen trustees for the purpose of plat- ting the village and disposing of the lots; and Moses Morrison was their clerk. Joseph Reeder, Joseph Clark, and Ezekiel Lamard, were appointed to fix the valuation of the ground. William Darling was surveyor; Jeremiah Brand and Joseph Ward senior chain carriers; Nathaniel Ross senior marker. After the survey the following announcement was made:
NOTICE.
The conditions on which lots will be let or leased are as follows, viz : Lot No. I on the first block of lots will be first offered, and so on in rotation, at the appraisement, and the highest bidder shall be the lessee. Six per cent. on what they bid will be the sum they pay annn- ally, paying the first payment on the first day of April next. There will be required of the lessee bond and security for the building of a house at least eighteen by twenty feet, of good hewed logs, frame, stone, or brick, at least one and a half stories high, with a stone or brick chimney and a good shingle roof, within two years from the date of his lease. Any person bidding off two lots will be excused by build- ing one house of the above description, the four corner lots excepted. Any person not complying with the terms of the articles of sale shall forfeit and pay to the trustees the sum of five dollars. The lessee will pay in proportion the expense of laying out and blazing, etc.
By order, etc., 24th April, 1809.
MOSES MORRISON, clerk. N. B. The trustees will meet at the houes of Willis Pierson,. on the first day of May next, in order to execute leases.
The same day of the date of this notice-April 24, 1809, entries of first sales were made in the minute book of the trustees, which has been preserved, as follows :
Block I. Lot I. William Cooper bonght -- forfeited. . $IO
= 2. William and John Armstrong bought . 21
Ditto
3. 3I
4. Thomas Skinner 20
=
5.
Ditto I8
272
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY, OHIO.
Minimum values had been fixed upon these lots by the valuers as follows: Lot one, ten dollars; two and three, each five dollars; four and five, each three dollars and fifty cents.
The expenses of first sales, etc., to May 1, 1809, are noted in the minute book as fourteen dollars and seventy- five cents. Amount of interest on sale of lots for the first year, fifteen dollars and thirty-four cents.
The new town was named Madison, in honor of James Madison, who had just been inaugurated President of the United States. It afterwards, in 1826, became nec- essary to change the name to some other designation, under the rules of the Post Office Department, which do not permit more than one post office of the same name in a State; and the present name was chosen instead. The old title is retained, however, in designation of the Madison turnpike and otherwise.
The following is a true copy of memoranda of the first election, etc., on record:
Trustees on business since last dividend, 4th May, 1818:
Clks amt for making duplicate.
Joseph Clark-IIIIIII W. Armstrong-IIIIIII
I for 29-1818. .$2.00
1 for 16-1818. 2.00
W. Butler-IIII
| I for 16-1819. 2.00
Agreed to meet on business on the 15th May 1819 at 10 oclk.
The following extracts from the minutes will also be read with interest. The old spelling is retained :
Dec. 27 Joseph Clark met David McGawghey at his own house, in order to attend to some business between Aurthur StC. Miller and Sam- uel W. Philps. Lewis Drake also attended and received of said Philps, for rent charged on lots held formerly by said Miller the sum of $106.90, which satisfies for the same up to the Ist of this instant.
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