USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 15
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This left Twin township twelve miles long, and entirely wiped out Hardin as a township.
On March 4, 1812, it was ordered that Dixon township, originally Dix- son, should be the south half of Jefferson and that the election should be held at the house of Benjamin Kercheval. It was named after Eli Dixson, presi- dent of the board, and who lived in that township. On June 1, 1812, all that part of Israel township in township 7, range I east, was added to Dixon township, thus making Dixon ten miles long, Jefferson eight miles long, and leaving Israel township as now formed .- Commissioners' Journal 1, page 162.
On June 5, 1815, it was ordered that Somers township be township 6, range 2, of the original survey, and that all north thereof be added to and become part of Washington township, making it eighteen miles long. On June 5, 1815, an order was made that Twin township be divided and that the south part or the sixth surveyed township be called Twin, and the north part, or the seventh surveyed township, be called Harrison, the election to be at the house of Frederick Black .- Commissioners' Journal 1, pages 236-7.
On September 29, 1817, it was ordered that township 9, range 2 east, be a new township and called Monroe. This left Washington twelve miles long. -Commissioners' Journal 2, page 76.
A few years later the people of the south part of Washington started an agitation for the creation of a new township out of the south half. They met with much opposition, because it would place Eaton in two townships, but their effort was renewed until, finally, on December 7. 1824. a delegation came to the county seat to argue for a township. It was headed by Gasper Potterf, a German, who had been a soldier in the Revolution, and lived on the banks of Seven Mile creek in that part of then Washington township. He
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had a mill, owned some fourteen hundred acres of land, and, in addition to his wealth, was known far and wide as an upright, honest and respectable man and a good and generous neighbor. Of course he got a hearing, and during his speech he argued that Eaton was likely to grow to be a big city and that it would contain many people who would be great sinners and law breakers; that very probably there would be many bastard children, and that, as the townships had to bear the expenses of punishing the lawless, and to furnish support for the bastard children, it was unjust to tax them down in the coun- try to pay for such things. The plea caught the fancy of the county com- missioners and they ordered that the south four miles of Washington town- ship should be a new township, named Gasper, after the old German. He now lies buried in Mound Hill cemetery, his body having been removed to that place, and every Decoration day his grave is decorated by the people of Eaton. -Commissioners' Journal 5, page 85. Eaton is not yet a big city, but fur- ther deponent saith not.
This ended the formation of new townships, leaving Washington town- ship eight miles long, and left our county divided into townships as it stands at present.
TAX LEVIES.
There being so much discussion these days about the tax levies, and the limitations thereof, and what funds should be cut down, etc., I give the tax levy adopted by the county commissioners on June 2, 1812: "Ordered that the county levies be this year as they have usually been heretofore, to wit, the extent of law." It could be copied in these days and save much dis- cussion.
The commissioners' journal shows that, on December 6, 1813, they set- tled with the tax collectors for the land tax of the different townships for that year as follows, for each whole township given as it then existed: Jefferson township, $27.15; Twin township, $55.44; Gratis township, $70.95; Israel township, $16.472; Washington township, $45.562 .- Commissioners' Jour- nal, volume 1, page 197. Dixon settled later with treasurer's receipt.
The commissioners fixed the fees for ferry boats in the county for 1813 at one dollar, and for 1814 at two dollars per year, and allowed them to charge six and one-fourth cents for a man, twelve and one-half cents for man and horse, and for other cases "as much as the law allows." There were ferry boats on Twin creek at Lexington and West Alexandria, and on Seven Mile, in Somers township.
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LAYING OUT OF THE VILLAGES.
It seems proper at this place to record the laying out of the different vil- lages of the county, because they are a part of its organization. The vil- lages start with the laying out and platting of the first lots. The names of the owners are given, and the volume and page where may be found the original record, although now nearly all records are brought up into town plat books.
The original plats of Eaton and New Lexington are to be found in the deed records of Montgomery county, but certified copies have been brought to Preble county and recorded.
Eaton was laid out by William Bruce, February 20, 1806 .- Deed book 7, page 50. In the laying out of the town, Bruce dedicated the court house square as A, for court house purposes, and also gave squares of the same size, at southwest, northwest and northeast corners of Main and Barron streets, which he designated B and C and D, for educational and religious purposes. In 1812 the Legislature passed an act appointing William L. Henderson, Samuel Hawkins and Alexander Mitchell, trustees, to lay out lots B, C and D into building lots and sell them, for the benefit of the town, which was done, and they are now the most densely built sections of the town .- Deed Book I, page 175.
Camden, then called Dover, and, later, Newcomb, was laid out by Wil- liam Moore, James Black and Isaac Sutton, July 4, 1818. Deed Book 3, page 76.
West Alexandria was laid out by William Alexander and Henry Keis- ling, August 31, 1818. Deed Book 3, page 106.
Lewisburg was laid out by Henry Horn, September 7, 1818. Deed Book 3, page 113.
New Paris was laid out by Andrew Ireland and James Fleming, August 18, 1817. Deed Book 2, page 335.
Gratis, then called Winchester, was laid out by Martin Saylor, Abraham Wimmer, Jacob Gift and Nicholas Gift, June 12, 1817. Deed Book 2, page 323.
New Westville was laid out by George Worthington, July 16, 1816. Deed Book 2, page 246.
Fair Haven, by Jonathan Caldwell. April 16, 1832. Deed Book 12, page 452.
Gettysburg. then called Harrisburg, and the postoffice, Ebenezer, was laid out by John Curry, September 11, 1832. Deed Book 14, page I.
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Morning Sun, by James McQuiston, April 12, 1833. Deed Book 14, page 137.
West Florence, by Fergus Halderman, surveyor, March 18, 1835. Deed Book 17, page 169.
Euphemia, by John Mumma, May 2, 1836. Deed Book 24, page 225.
New Hope was laid out by Daniel Hawk, June 11, 1841. Deed Book 29, page 390.
West Elkton had been settled for a number of years, and the settlers had purchased little irregular pieces of land and built their houses thereon. As to about a dozen lots of the old town, it can be said it just spread out, but finally Jesse Stubbs, Nathan Hornaday and seven others, on September 7, 1847, after having a survey and plat of those old lots, laid out a number of new lots around them, and platted and filed for the whole town. Deed Book 36, page 324.
Sugar Valley was laid out by Israel Brown, November 7, 1849. Deed Book 37, page 52.
Eldorado was laid out by L. R. McWhinney, December 31, 1852. Old Plats, volume 1, page 20.
Hamburg was laid out by A. Sterling, John Judy and Samuel R. Adams, October 5, 1850. Old plat Record I, page 3.
West Manchester, laid out by Otho Brumbaugh, S. G. Landis and J. Studybaker, April 21, 1853. Old Plats, volume 1, page 21.
Verona, laid out by Jacob Karr, Leasure & Reed and Robert Calhoun, June 21, 1853. Old Plats, volume 1, page 29.
Sonora was laid out by Abraham Bankard, William S. Leas and Jesse Tillman, August 5, 1857. Old Plats, volume 1, page 37.
Greenbush was laid out by J. V. Acton, surveyor, on requisition of J. M. Randolph, land assessor, May 22, 1861. Old'Plats, volume 1, page 39.
Enterprise was laid out by J. V. Acton, surveyor, on requisition of land assessor, May 11, 1880. Old Plats, volume 1, page 136.
College Corner, in Preble county, was laid out by Franklin, William and David Shideler, December 15, 1867. Old Plats, volume I, page 59.
New Lexington was laid out by James I. Nisbet, November 18, 1805. Original Record, Deed Book B, No. 1, page 8, Montgomery county ; certified plat recorded, Old Plat Copy, volume I, page 221.
Ingomar and Campbellstown have grown into nice little villages, by the land owners selling lots to those who wished to buy and build, but neither village has ever had a plat of the town recorded. On the traction line, a mile
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west of the east county line, quite a village has grown up, that is called Dads- ville, and which promises to grow much larger.
In addition to the above, other towns were laid out in the county and plats recorded, but they are now only farm lands. The following names suggest themselves : Hagerstown, northeast of West Manchester; Orangeburg and Belfast, on the National road, west of Gettysburg; Claysburg, southeast of Fair Haven; Georgetown, north of Sonora; Mercersburg, on the county line east of Greenbush, and Good Intent, on the Richmond Pike. Crawfordsville still has about a dozen houses and practically adjoins New Hope, while Brinley Station, Brown's Station and New Hope Station have in the past contributed very materially to the commercial life of their communities, but have never been platted as towns.
The naming of these abandoned towns would indicate that there were town boomers in bygone days, as well as in our own time.
THE PRESENT COURT HOUSE.
Within a few years after the first court house was built it was found too small, and additions were made, but, as the business of the county grew, the commissioners had to rent some offices in the town. About 1840 an agitation began for a new court house, and finally, about the close of 1847, it was de- cided to erect a good modern court house. James Wilson, John Patterson and Ebenezer Pinkerton were the commissioners and, after looking about a good deal, they adopted plans and specifications to build the present court house, substantially like, and on the same plan as, the court houses at Lebanon, Xenia, Urbana and Dayton. On July 15, 1848, they received bids for the same, and N. G. & S. H. Lockwood, who bid fourteen thousand four hundred and seventy-five dollars, being one hundred dollars higher than one other of ยท the eleven bidders, were awarded the contract; the other bids were from five hundred to twelve thousand dollars higher. During the building many changers and alterations were made, for which extra pay was allowed, and, when finished, the new court house cost about twenty-two thousand dollars.
The court house was completed and accepted on July 17, 1851. It has done good service and has needed little repair, the original work having been done in a substantial manner and the walls and foundation being heavy and good, but it must be admitted that the business of the county has far outgrown the capacity of the building. For some years past there has been an agitation for a new and modern court house, that would afford ample room and be an ornament to the county. The question has been twice voted on by the elec-
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COURT HOUSE, DECORATED.
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tors, within the last eighteen years. At the first election it was defeated by over three thousand majority, and at the second election was defeated by about nine hundred majority. The people were frightened by the fact that some of our neighboring counties voted to build new court houses upon the plans and estimates given, and when the houses were completed they had cost sixty to eighty per cent. above the estimates upon which they voted, and the electors of this county argued that they would be imposed on in a similar manner.
During the building of the present court house, the commissioners rented the Methodist Episcopal church for the purposes of holding court, but we are not informed that the sanctity of the place ever had much effect on court or jury.
FURTHER JAIL HISTORY.
The first jail erected was burned in the early part of 1820 and a new jail was ordered. Samuel Ward contracted to build it for eight hundred and forty dollars, but at the end of two years, on July 30, 1822, the commission- ers refused to accept it as according to contract. Arbitrators were appointed, who decided that the judgment of the commissioners was right and that two hundred dollars was all that was due on the jail. . "
The first two jails built were of heavy hewed logs, lined with puncheon, the floors being of same. There were fire-places and chimneys, across the throat of which were heavy iron bars to prevent prisoners from climbing up the chimney, and one-inch iron across the windows. In 1839 it was decided to erect a stone jail, twenty-six by forty-six feet and two stories high, on the court house square, and the contract was let to M. S. Morton for six thousand four hundred and forty dollars. It was completed in 1840, has been in con- stant use ever since, and is yet a substantial structure. In 1874 the county commissioners decided to build a sheriff's residence adjoining the jail, and to put iron cages and cells in the jail, the whole contract being let to M. S. Mor- ton and E. B. Nourse, of Eaton, for eight thousand nine hundred and eighty dollars. It was completed in 1875, and since that time the building has re- mained unchanged, except necessary repairs, and bids fair to last for many years more. However, to the writer's knowledge, every grand jury for the last ten years or more has filed its report, condemning the jail, until the court would be so surprised if the jury failed to so report that he would examine his charge to see if error was committed.
On December 8, 1835, after there had been for two or three years an agitation for a county poor house, now called county infirmary, the county commissioners purchased of George Lease the southwest quarter of section
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27, township 8, range 2 east, for two thousand dollars, for an infirmary site. The farm was rented the first year.
On February 3, 1837, bids were received from eight bidders, ranging from three thousand seven hundred and seventy-four dollars to five thousand eight hundred dollars, for the construction of a poor house. Award was made to Samuel Roberson as the lowest bidder, but, as he could not give bond, it was put up at auction and sold to Wilson & Stephens, for four thou- sand three hundred and thirty-nine dollars, to be finished according to plans and specifications by September 1, 1838. It was to be one story high, with walls sufficiently strong to be carried higher if desired. On the day agreed, it was accepted by the commissioners. Since then the walls have been carried higher, another story added and wings added, but otherwise it is the same house. It is yet a good and substantial building, well furnished and heated, with a most excellent barn, and the inmates are as well cared for and looked after as though they were at home-only, it is not home.
Previous to 1813, the infirmary was controlled by three infirmary di- rectors, who reported to the commissioners, but since that date it has been controlled by the county commissioners, the same as other county business.
CHILDREN'S HOME.
In 1882, John T. Deem purchased twelve and one-half acres of land in the southwest quarter of section 3, township 7, range 2 east, about one mile southwest of Eaton, near some mineral springs that bubbled up along a little ravine, and erected thereon a large brick building, which he operated as a summer resort. It did not prove very remunerative.
For two or three years there had been an agitation in the county for a children's home, as dependent children were then kept at the county infirmary, which seemed very improper. The Legislature, in 1881-3, passed laws giving the commissioners power to levy taxes and purchase site and erect buildings for a county children's home, and the Preble county commissioners were con- templating doing so, when Mr. Deem offered to sell his site and buildings for the purpose. The commissioners at the time were S. Coovert, H. Furrey and H. Paddack, who divided on the matter, and finally, on May 29, 1884, a vote was taken, resulting in Messrs. Furrey and Paddack voting for the purchase, at the price of eighteen thousand dollars, and Coovert voted no. The purchase was made, but it defeated Furrey for the renomination in 1884, not because of any wrong done, but only because he voted with the Democratic member for the purchase. No graft or wrongdoing was charged, or is believed. It
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COUNTY INFIRMARY.
CHILDREN'S HOME.
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was a good purchase, and to it has since been added some fourteen acres more. The necessary changes were made, making buildings suitable for occupancy, and they have been in use ever since. The commissioners have since erected an additional building and a school house.
At first there were three trustees, one Democrat and two Republicans, but in 1895 the law was changed, providing for four, two of each party. The trustees have been as follows: John V. Campbell, Democrat, 1883-1888; Eli Conger, Republican, 1883-1888; H. C. Aydelotte, Republican, 1883-1885; J. W. King, Republican, 1885-1908; B. D. Moses, Republican, 1888-1889; G. M. Eidson, Democrat, 1888-1897; D. J. Christman, Republican, 1889-1894; W. C. M. Brookins, Democrat, 1894-1897; D. W. Cooper, Republican, 1895- 1898; John Glick, Democrat, 1897-1912; E. S. Stotler, Democrat, 1897-1908; D. M. Swihart, Democrat, 1908 to the present time; D. J. Christman, Repub- lican, 1898-1905; H. D. Silver, Republican, 1905 to the present time; H. C. Albaugh, Democrat, 1912 to the present time; Harry G. King, Republican, 1908 to the present time.
The superintendents have been as follows, their wives being the matrons : Thomas F: Bulla, 1883-1885 : H. C. Aydelotte, 1885-1889; Samuel Huddle, 1889-1905; A. E. May, 1904-1906; G. W. Hardin, 1906-1911 ; O. P. Kim- mel, 1911 and still serving.
The number of children varies with the years, the highest being sixty- six and the lowest nine, in May, 1912; the present number is twenty-two.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
Andrew L. Harris was lieutenant-governor, 1892-1894 and 1906. In June, 1906, Governor Pattison died in office and Harris became gov- ernor, serving until January, 1909; he is the only man from Preble county who has filled the office of governor. He also served four years, from 1897 to 1901, as a member of the United States industrial commission at Wash- ington, D. C.
William J. Gilmore was on the bench of the supreme court from 1875 to 1880.
Francis A. Cunningham was elected a member of Congress in 1844, be- ing the only member of Congress ever elected from this county. He was born in South Carolina in 1804, and in 1826 came from Lebanon to Eaton. He studied medicine and practiced his profession until 1833, when he became clerk. In 1846 he was defeated for Congress by Robert C. Schenck. In 1847 he enlisted for the Mexican War, and in 1848 was appointed paymaster in
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the army, remaining on the frontier in New Mexico and Texas. In 1861 Mr. Cunningham was taken prisoner by General Van Dorn, at San Antonio, but was shortly released and reported for duty at Washington. He served until retired on half pay on account of disability, and came home, his death occurring in Eaton in August, 1864, from paralysis. His wife, Maria, daugh- ter of William Campbell, outlived him many years.
SENATORS FROM PREBLE COUNTY.
David Purviance, 1810-1815; David F. Heaton, 1825, 1828-1832; John G. Jameison, 1825-1827; John M. McNutt, 1832; John Saylor, 1838-9; Henry Shideler, 1838, 1854-1858; Robert Hazeltine, 1840; George D. Hendrix, 1848-9; David A. Cox, 1852; Felix Marsh, 1856; A. L. Harris, 1866; James Saylor, 1872; Abner Haines, 1876; Oscar Sheppard, 1898-1900; Michael Cahill, 1911-13; Hugh R. Gilmore, 1915, present incumbent.
REPRESENTATIVES FROM PREBLE COUNTY.
David Purviance, 1809; Joseph C. Hawkins, 1817; John Pinkerton, 1818; C. Vanausdal, 1819; Daniel Saylor, 1820-1821 ; John Pinkerton, 1822; Jesse Paramore, 1823; J. M. Gray, 1824-5; David Purviance, 1826; D. F. Heaton, 1827; J. M. U. McNutt, 1828-9; L. Miller, 1830-1 ; Henry Shideler, 1831-2; Samuel Nixon, 1832; George D. Hendrix, 1833: Richard B. Payne, 1834; John Saylor, 1835; J. M. U. McNutt, 1836; John Quinn, 1837; George D. Hendrix, 1838; Lurton Dunham, 1839; Joseph S. Hawkins, 1840-1; Newton Larsh, 1842 ; Joseph S. Hawkins, 1843; David Barnett, 1844; William Curry, 1845; L. W. Whitridge, 1846; Joseph S. Hawkins, 1847; Felix Marsh, 1848; Joseph S. Hawkins, 1849; Beriah H. Alexander, 1850-I.
The Constitution of 1851 made the term two years and elections were held in the odd-numbered years.
Berrah H. Alexander, 1852 ; Benjamin W. Hubbard, 1854; Hayden W. Dooley, 1856; Martin F. Stephens, 1858; Jesse Stubbs, 1860; Absalom Stiver, 1862; Robert Miller, 1864; Philip Lybrook, 1866; James Saylor, 1868-1870; Joseph Miller, 1872; Griffin H. Eidson, 1874; A. J. Hawley, 1876; D. C. Stubbs, 1878-80; Oscar Sheppard, 1882-4; Andrew L. Harris, 1886-8; Robert Williams, Jr., 1890; F. C. Lantis, 1891 ; Elam Fisher, 1892; William W. Aker, 1894-6; R. E. Morrow, 1898; Philip A. Saylor, 1900; M. K. Hensel, 1902-5.
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Then the time of election was changed to occur only in the even num- bered years.
Earl H. Irvin, 1906; William K. Swan, 1909; Earl H. Irvin, 1911; Will E. Murphy, 1913; William K. Swan, 1915, present incumbent.
AUDITORS.
John M. Gray, 1820; John G. Jameison, 1822; Lazarus Miller,. 1826; George D. Hendrix, 1830; Lazarus Miller, 1832; Hiram Jones, 1840; John R. Stephens, 1842; James Gilmore, 1850; James Albert, 1852; Thomas J. Larsh, 1860; Jarvis N. Lake, 1866; William I. Barnheiser, 1871 ; Samuel Old- father, 1875; William B. Mikesell, 1880; H. L. Robbins, 1883; (term begins October I, after election) George W. M. Bookwalter, 1892; W. A. Eidson, 1893; Oscar A. Gale, 1899; C. W. Eidson, 1905; R. J. Plummer, 1908, ap- pointed to fill interim (term became two years) ; J. F. Randall, 1908; George W. Rehfuss, 1912, present incumbent.
RECORDERS.
Alex. C. Lanier, 1808; Isaac Stephens, 1818; Hiram Jones, 1829; Isaac Stephens, 1841; Hiram Jones, 1844; William G. Banfill (interims) ; George W. Sloan, 1850; Isaac Stephens, 1853; William G. Banfill, 1856; William H. Lough, 1862; I. N. Sliver, 1871; H. L. Robbins, 1877; J. W. Ammerman, 1880; P. S. Eikenbary, 1887; Silas Duskey, 1893; E. E. Bailey, 1899; C. G. Oldfather, 1905; C. A. Phares, 1911 ; Ola Potts, 1915, present incumbent.
TREASURERS.
William Price, 1808; Alexander Mitchell, 1818; Samuel Ward, 1820; Alexander Mitchell, 1821; James Lamson, 1845; John Marsh, 1847; John R. Stephens, 1853; Joseph Brower, 1858: M. F. Stevens, 1861 ; Robert Wil- liams, Jr., 1865; A. E. Hubbard (appointed), 1869; E. B. Ebersole, 1870; Frank W. Whitesides, 1872; S. S. Dix, 1876; D. W. Cooper, 1880; J. H. Musselman, 1884; Silas Laird, 1886; J. H. Musselman, 1890; M. D. Tyrrell, 1892 ; J. H. Gibbons, 1896; Ephraim Heeter, 1900; A. S. Scott, 1902; I. K. Neal, 1906; James Sharkey, 1911, present incumbent; Roy McNeal, elected, term begins September, 1915.
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CORONERS.
Samuel Mitchell, 1808, appointed by acting governor; William Brown, 1816; Peter Fleming, 1817; Henry Bristo, 1818; Henry Montfort, 1820; John Alcorn, 1823: Jonas Albright, 1834: Elias Halderman, 1836; Henry M. Eidson, 1854; Oliver Cleveland, 1856.
Terms two years: Isaac L. Johnson, 1858; Benjamin Stover, 1862; Levin T. McCabe, 1864; Joseph H. Quinn, 1867; John H. Bruce, 1874; War- ren M. Campbell, 1876; A. H. Stephens, 1878; F. M. Michael, 1881 ; Robert D. Huggins, 1883 : Charles C. Jones, 1887; P. M. Small, 1889; C. A. Hawley. 1893; J. L. Quinn, 1897; J. C. Ryder, 1901 ; William R. Pryor, 1905; P. H. O'Hara, 1909; J. L. Quinn, 1911; C. B. Cokefair, 1913, resigned; H. Z. Silver, appointed in 1913 and elected in 1914, present incumbent.
SURVEYORS.
The records of this office as to incumbents thereof is far more uncertain than some of the other offices, but, in so far as can be ascertained, the names are given with known dates.
Alexander McNutt, 1808; James I. Nisbet, 1909; David Williamson, 1810; Jonathan Miller, 1822 ; John C. McManus, 1827; Abraham Halderman, 1833; Moses C. Doughty, 1835 and 1851; John Mumma, 1838; James L. Street, 1842; Thomas J. Larsh, 1847, and terms later ; J. S. Showalter, 1853; James V. Acton, 1857, and terms later ; Robert Shute, 1869; Jesse Brown, 1863; F. M. Davisson, 1879; R. E. Lowry, 1885; A. L. Reid, 1891 ; R. K. DeMotte, 1897; Fred C. Roberts, 1903; William A. Markey, 1909; Otho Heckathorn, 1913, present incumbent.
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