USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87
ROCKEFELLER IN PHILOSOPHIC MOOD.
At the present time there are twenty-two attorneys engaged in the practice of the law in this county, all but four of whom reside in Eaton, and of the living it would be presumptuous for any one of us to attempt to
Digitized by Google
204
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
sketch the rest of us. About the best that can safely be done is to give the reply quoted by John D. Rockefeller, Sr., to the paper man who attempted to get his opinion of certain investigations :
"There is so much bad in the best of us, And so much good in the worst of us, That it does not become any of us, To speak ill of the rest of us."
The oldest member of the bar in point of practice is F. M. Marsh, mayor of Camden, admitted 1867; Elam Fisher, admitted 1871, once repre- sentative and three terms common pleas judge; Levin T. Stephen, 1876, served as justice of the peace several terms; Oscar Sheppard, West Alex- andria, admitted 1877, and served two terms as representative and two terms as state senator.
SHAKESPEARE-WITH AN ADDENDUM.
Then in point of practice, the rest of us string along to John V. Dye, admitted 1910, and Harry L. Risinger, admitted 1909, who are the youngest members. The other members of the bar are: A. C. Risinger, at present common pleas judge; Philip A. Saylor, West Alexandria, served one term as representative, and at present prosecuting attorney; F. G. Shuey, Cam- den; A. M. Crisler, served three terms prosecuting attorney ; John Risinger, served two terms prosecuting attorney; W. A. Neal, served two terms probate judge; Edmond S. Dye; S. B. Foos, present mayor of Eaton; E. P. Vaughan, served one term prosecuting attorney; A. R. Griffis; Harry G. King; Hugh R. Gilmore, served three terms prosecuting attorney, at present state senator; V. V. Brumbaugh, served one term probate judge; Michael Cahill, served three terms prosecuting attorney, and two terms state sena- tor; R. E. Lowry.
"For Brutus is an honorable man, So are they all, all honorable men; And they will no doubt, with reasons answer you"-for a fee.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER XII.
THE PRESS OF PREBLE COUNTY.
The first newspaper published in the county, in 1816, was called Western Telegraph, which was the original Eaton Register, to which the name was changed about the year 1820. The paper was started by two young men, Blackburn and Daly, and was financed by C. Vanausdal, but in a short time it failed. Vanausdal continued the publication himself for a time, but, find- ing that it was not a paying business, and he being engrossed in other affairs, he discontinued it.
In 1819, Vanausdal was elected a state representative, and, while at Columbus, met Samuel Tizzard, a representative of Ross county, who was a printer. Tizzard was induced to come to Eaton the next year to look the mat- ter over. He finally purchased the office and early in 1821 revived the paper under the style of the Weekly Register, and it has continued ever since. Tiz- zard in 1830 sold out to Enoch Edmonson, who, a few years later, was acci- dentally killed, and, in 1839, Tizzard again became the owner, continuing the paper's publication until his death in 1844.
Samuel Tizzard was a Universalist and helped organize the first society of that church in Eaton. In 1827 he began, in Eaton, the publication of The Star of the West, as a religious paper of that faith. Some two years later the office of publication was removed to Cincinnati, where it has continued to be the chief western advocate of that church.
After the death of Samuel Tizzard, his son, William B., became the owner of the Register, and finally a few years later formed a partnership with Isaac Morris, which continued until 1874, when it was sold to W. F. Allbright & Company, which, a year or so later, became Allbright & Sons. On the death of W. F. Albright in 1898, it was continued by his sons, and on the death of E. J. Allbright, in 1912, the paper was taken over by the brother, C. E. Allbright, who is now the sole owner. The paper has all its life, now nearly a hundred years, taken a high stand on all moral questions, and has held deservedly the respect of the whole county. even of those who do not agree with its political doctrine, for it has always been Whig or Republican in faith. It has a large circulation in the county as well as in adjoining counties.
Digitized by
206
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
OTHER NEWSPAPERS.
During the Harrison campaign of 1840, the Democrats felt the necessity of having a party organ to advance their cause. A stock company was formed and the publication of the Eaton Democrat was begun. This paper changed hands quite frequently for the first twenty years of its life, until about 1865, when it passed into the hands of L. G. Gould, who continued its publication as a Democratic organ for some thirty years alone, then joined E. B. Harkrader as a partner. In 1898, Gould again became sole owner. He died in 1901, and in 1902 the family sold the paper to Earl H. Irvin, who has since continued its publication. He has made a paper that is Democratic in its politics, but withal fair and just to its opponents, and it not only has a wide influence in the community, but the friendship and respect of many citizens of the oppo- site party.
I must add that our former townsman, "Uncle" Jacob Chambers, always claimed that the county papers contained the record of the county history, while that history was being made, and that files of the papers ought to be saved for future generations. In 1849 Mr. Chambers had a law drafted, which, as amended, was finally enacted into law by the Legislature, in 1850 (48 Vol. O. L., p. 65). The law is yet unchanged, being General Code, sec- tion 2459, and provides that the county commissioners must subscribe for the principal paper of each of the two great political parties, and have them bound each year and kept on file in the auditor's office for the use of the public. In the auditor's office now is a copy of the Register and the Democrat for each year since then.
In 1880 E. M. Kennedy started the Camden Gasette, which later was owned by Will S. Cornshull. He continued the paper for a number of years, but about 1902 he sold the plant and discontinued the publication.
The Eaton Herald was started in 1898 by E. B. Harkrader & Brother, as an independent paper, and after a suit by L. G. Gould against him on his con- tract not to engage in the business in the town for a series of years, the paper was sold to Eby Eikenberry, of Camden, and Harkrader continued as editor. In 1902 the paper was sold to C. B. Unger, who has ever since con- tinued the sole owner, and has made it an independent paper of wide circula- tion and influence, it having a weekly issue that goes to every corner of the county. I would add that all of the Eaton papers have linotype machines.
Digitized by Google
207
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
THE NEW PARIS MIRROR.
In 1877, C. W. Bloom, a young man living on a farm, bought a small press and outfit, and began the publication of a little sheet called The Amateur, which continued a few months .. He enlarged it and called it The Business Mirror, and in r882 C. M. Hanes bought him out and published the paper one year, at the end of which time Mr. Bloom again became the owner, moved to town, changed the paper's name to The Mirror and continued it alone until 1902, when he took in, as a partner, Arch R. Raney, who, in 1906, bought Bloom out and has continued ever since as the sole owner. From its incep- tion to the present time, this paper has been independent in politics, and al- ways advocated the cause of temperance and morality in public as well as private life in a truly independent manner. The paper has built up a strong circulation and has made itself felt as a paper of wide and increasing influ- ence. It must be said that The Mirror was the first paper in the county to in- stall a linotype machine.
On April 15, 1886, J. M. Gale and Charles Wilson started a paper at West Alexandria, called The Twin Valley Times, and published it for a couple of years, after which they sold it. The paper passed through various hands until, in March, 1898, Snyder and Griswold started The Echo. The Times meanwhile having gotten into financial difficulties, the plant of that paper was sold, being merged with The Echo, which ever since has continued, being now owned and published weekly by C. W. McIntosh, having a wide circulation in this and adjoining counties. It is a live local paper, deserving the patronage it receives.
The Preble County News was started by W. E. McChristie in 1902, in Camden, and he continued the publication until 1906, in which year he sold the plant to Earl H. Irvin, who moved most of the plant to Eaton, continuing the publication there in connection with The Democrat, but keeping a repre- sentative in the Camden office. In 1914 Irvin sold the paper and plant to Ray Simpson, who has again moved it to Camden. This paper has always been neutral in politics, but fair to all, and has a good circulation and its share of patronage.
PAPER WITH A STINGER.
The Eldorado Bee was started as a weekly local paper by C. Wenger about the year 1891, and has changed hands some four or five times. It is now owned and published by H. R. McPherson, and has a considerable local cir- culation in Preble and Darke counties on account of its live local news. At
Digitized by Google
208
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
first it was run for about a year as the Eldorado News, when its name was changed to its present style, because the danger of the sting would bring more respectful treatment.
The Lewisburg Leader was started in 1897 by P. C. Coleman and S. G. Sheller, the latter probably being the silent partner, for within a year or so Coleman took over the entire management and made the paper a success. He continued the publication until 1906, when he sold the paper to G. M. Kumler, who since then has been sole owner and publisher, and has pushed the cir- culation to about eleven hundred weekly. On account of its local news, the circulation of this paper is in Preble, Darke and Montgomery counties. Be- cause it is dependent upon all parties for support, it is neutral politically, but the owner sometimes has to curb his Republican leanings.
Digitized by Google
Digitized by
SOLDIERS' MONUMENT.
Digitized by Google
CHAPTER XIII.
MILITARY RECORD.
I offer no apology for praising the record made by the men of Preble county in the wars of the United States with its foes, whomsoever they were.
Preble county belongs to Ohio and takes just pride in the record made by Ohio men, and in each war the men of the county followed closely their chosen leaders. It must not be forgotten that the War of 1812 was won in the north- west by an Ohio resident, Gen. William Henry Harrison, whose ashes rest in her bosom.
When the War of the Great Rebellion shook the fabric of the nation until the hearts of many of our strongest men faltered, the nation in its need called Ohio men to lead and save. They came from hillside and plain, from the plow, the workshop and office, until, when the struggle was ended and the old flag floated out, kissing every breeze, absolutely and not in name only, "the flag of the free heart's only home," and the count was made up, it was found that one-eighth of all the men who fenced in the Rebellion, with a line of bayonets and guns that was unbreakable, were Ohio men.
I would not be understood to cast a shadow on our God-given leader in that great struggle, Abraham Lincoln, whom I regard as the noblest, gentlest, kindest, manliest man that has graced the earth since the day the Great Gal- lilean blessed the earth with His presence. But the grand ideas and plans of the immortal Lincoln had to be carried out and executed by men of iron will, steady nerves, relentless purpose and clear brains, and Ohio furnished more men who measured up to that standard than any other state?
Let me name, "lest we forget," some of those men who were either na- tives of citizens of Ohio, and the reader will winder how the history of those four years could be written and leave out the record made by Ohio men : Irvin McDowell, George B. McClellan, William S. Rosecrans, Don Carlos Buel, O. M. Mitchell, Quincy A. Gilmore, Phil H. Sheridan, William T. Sherman, E. M. Stonton, Salmon P. Chase, Robert C. Schenck, William B. Hazen, George A. Custer, James B. McPherson, U. S. Grant, Benjamin F. Wade 'and .others.
I would not detract from the fame of any state. There was glory enough (14)
Digitized by Google
210
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
for all, and all wrote their names on the scroll of fame, but justice to Ohio is not egotism. Right well Preble county responded to the call, as will fully appear in the records of the individual organizations.
The county was settled after the Indian wars were thought to be over and the settlers thought they had naught to fear but the wild beasts and rattle. snakes which abounded. But, shortly after the 1812 War started, skulking bands of Indians killed one man near New Paris and two on Twin creek, and the fear of Indian depredations and massacre filled every home. Even at that early day, with so few people, companies were made up largely, or in some cases entirely, from Preble county by the following men, who will be recognized as belonging to our county : Richard Sloane, James I. Nesbit, John Fleming, Joseph C. Hawkins, David E. Hendrix, Captains Ramsey, Phillips and Rex. Alex C. Mitchell, the clerk, joined the army of Harrison in northern Ohio.
WATCHING THE WILY INDIAN.
There were frontier forts at St. Mary's and Loramie, and two others were built, one about seven miles north of New Paris in Darke county, and one in section 11 of Harrison township. At all of these forts, rude as they were, these companies at different times served from four to six months' time, as well as a number of men who were with Harrison at Ft. Wayne. These little forts thus garrisoned kept away Indian raiders. The forts fur- nished a safe abiding place for the men and a protection to their supplies. Different men, sometimes five or six at a time, were sent out, alone and in pairs, to wander quietly through the woods, sometimes days at a time, listen- ing and looking for signs of Indians, and if any signs were found to report with all haste, when parties would be sent out to hunt them up and give bat- tle. Harrison was keeping the main bands of Indians so busy up along the lake that it was known that none but small parties could get away.
But the Indians were as wary as the white men, and also discovered signs which told them that the whites were too many to give battle to, and that the locality might become dangerous for them if they stayed, and so, like the Arabs, they disappeared. Some shooting at each other was done, but no bat- tle was fought. This kept up for about two years, when peace with the In- dians came. The settlers returned to work and the fear of Indian forays became a memory only. In this way were the county homes protected in that early day. The soldiers fought no battle, but imagine if you can the wide. silent forest and the nervous strain to perform service.
Just as a reminder of the fear that spread through the homes of the
Digitized by Google
211
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
county, let me relate a little incident told by Col. George D. Hendrix to many men yet living :
"During the spring of 1813 many of the people of the vicinity of Eaton were attending church, and it was announced at the meeting that the soldiers at Fort Nisbet had been ordered to report to General Harrison at Fort Meigs; that there would be no garrison left and that there was danger from wan- dering bands of Indians. After the services were over, one of the elders made a speech proposing that they raise a company of men who were too old to be eligible for a call for soldiers and that they garrison the fort and per- form all the guard duties. It met a responsive chord in the hearts of the people. The preacher, Rev. George Shideler, was elected captain, and twenty men volunteered, among them John Goldsmith, Silas Dooley, Moses Dooley, James Crawford, E. Hopkins, William Sellers and John Gardener and others. The next day they marched and held the fort until relieved later by Capt. Richard Sloan's company from Israel township. Thus promptly did they act when danger threatened their homes."
I have gone over a list of some two hundred names of men who served with some of the companies during that war, and it reads like going over the list of names of the county forty years ago, and many of the names yet re- main with us. A list of the older families in any community of the county would contain some of the names. The late Dr. J. M. Miller, of Verona, had in his possession an old discharge of one of his ancestors who served in the block house in section 11 of Harrison township, which read as follows:
"I do certify that Jacob Miller a sargeant of my Company of Ohio Rifle- men, in the Old Battalion, under command of Alexander C. Lanier, has served a regular tour of duty, and is hereby discharged. Given under my hand this 5th day of April 1814.
"Simon Phillips Capt."
A number of Preble county men did service in the Mexican War, but only one company as a separate organization was enlisted. When it reached Cin- cinnati to be mustered in and sent down the river under the command of Capt. Joseph S. Hawkins, it was one day too late, the full quota for the state having been filled the day before, and the company returned home and was disbanded. Jesse B. Stephens was appointed in the quartermaster's depart- ment, with the rank of captain, and went to Texas and served through the war. Upon his return, wishing to commemorate his service, he presented his sword to Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, which he had joined early in life, the sword to be the tyler's sword to guard the door. His
Digitized by Google
212
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
name was engraved on the handle, and it is still on duty as the proper imple- ment of the tyler's office, and is valued as a treasure by the lodge.
THE CIVIL WAR.
In recording the part taken by Preble county in the Civil War of 1861- 1865, I shall give the names of the regiments and companies and commanders of each, if from this county or closely connected with it, and trace the service performed by each. I do not deem it necessary to give a list of the enlisted men, for the reason that the state of Ohio has prepared a roster of the Ohio soldiers of that war, giving every name, so far as the records show, when he enlisted, where killed or wounded, and when discharged and why, making a work of quite a number of volumes. A full set of the work was placed by the state in every county recorder's office in the state, and a full set will also be found in each of our larger public libraries. There is one set in the Eaton public library. However, in that work there are errors of omission, even with the facilities at the hands of the state officials. Hence, with my limited means, I could not hope to be more accurate than they, even if I copied. But as they are for inspection of all, each can copy such part as he wishes.
Within two days after Lincoln issued his first call, February 15, 1861, two regiments of Ohio men were on their way to Washington. Thus prompt- ly did Ohio answer the call. To name all the battles and describe the part that Preble county soldiers took in that war would be to describe nearly every important battle of that long struggle. They obeyed orders, went wherever they were wanted, and did their full share to bring victory.
Before the end of April, 1861, two companies of the Twentieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry enlisted for three months, made up in a large measure of Preble county men. Company B had Capt. Ozro J. Dodds and First Sergt. John A. Whitesides, and among the privates was Robert Williams, Jr. Com- pany C-Capt. Thomas Morton, Ensign Andrew L. Harris (later captain), Sergt. Peter O'Cain, Corporals James Mulharen and Abner Haines, Jr. Com- pany D-Capt. A. N. Thompson, First Lieut. D. M. Ganes, Second Lieut. L. M. Gray, Third Lieut. Edward Cottingham, Ensign Robert Morgan. The lists of companies C and D read as if mostly made up of our own boys. Dur- ing the whole time of the Civil War no draft was ever held or ordered for Preble county. They didn't wait long enough.
Of the Twenty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company E, with Capt. Peter O'Cain, First Lieut. D. W. Sherman and Second Lieut. Wil- liam E. Lockwood, was organized in August and September, 1861. The
Digitized by Google
---
-
1
213
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
regiment was assigned to Missouri, under John C. Fremont, and for a time was called the Missouri Thirteenth. It got its first taste of war at Fort Don- elson on February 16. While in position to charge the works with the rest of the division, the surrender came. The next was at Shiloh, the regiment numbering only four hundred and fifty men, but in those two days they lost eighty-nine men, which is almost twenty per cent. lost in one battle. Then the regiment took part in the movement resulting in the fall of Corinth. In July, 1862, the secretary of war authorized the regiment to resume its rightful name as the Twenty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After various move- ments, it was engaged in the campaign against Vicksburg, from which place it was sent as a part of General Steele's army to Little Rock, Arkansas, and for several months was engaged in guarding the railroad and chasing the meanest of Arkansas guerillas, as mounted men. They were so successful that the country was quieted, but the boys never brought any guerillas in as prisoners. A part of the regiment re-enlisted and the balance, by reason of expiration of their term, were mustered out in November, 1864.
THE GALLANT THIRTY-FIFTH.
The Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Hamilton in August and September, 1861, with about nine hundred men. Company E- Capt. D. M. Gans, First Lieut. Edward Cottingham, Second Lieut. Levi P. Thompson. Company C-Capt. Samuel L. Homedien, First Lieut. William H. C. Steele and Second Lieut. George T. Earhart. The regiment's first battle was Mill Springs, and after a number of moves it took part in the siege of Cor- inth. Then, being at Nashville, it was detailed to Buel's force and took part in his race with Bragg to save Louisville, and was in the battles of Perryville and Crab Orchard, and then the campaign from Murfreesboro to Chattanooga. It was at Chickamauga, on the left of Thomas' lines, which finally assumed the shape of a great curve. The regiment was in the fiercest conflicts during the first and second days, when the Johnnies tried to turn the Union flank, but in the afternoon of the second a lull came and General Vandeveer, command- ing the brigade, received word that help was needed on the right wing, and he drew the brigade out and double-quicked two and one-half miles across the rear of the Union army and formed alongside of General Brannon, hur- riedly throwing up a slight ridge. The men lying behind it received charge after charge of the Rebel line and broke them all. As the shades of night approached, the General heard sounds in front that indicated they might ex- pect another charge, and he ordered all to be ready. But they had not am-
Digitized by
214
PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.
munition left to load all the guns. A hurried search of the dead was made for ammunition, and just as dusk of night fell the charge came. When near, a volley was given the enemy and a yell raised as if they would charge, and the foe fell back into the timber. The brigade covered the retreat, and when the roll call came next morning at Rosswell Gap, the regiment had lost just half its men.
But, undaunted, the regiment was one of the column that later charged up Mission Ridge, and was one of the first over. Later it was with Sherman in a dozen of his battles on the Atlanta campaign, among them Kenesaw and Peach Tree Creek. It is enough to say that Whitelaw Reid states that the enemy never saw the back of the regiment. Because their term expired, the regiment was mustered out in August, 1864. Capt. Edward Cottingham was taken prisoner at Chickamauga and spent many months in Libby. He was one of those who tunneled under the street and escaped, but was retaken less than a mile from the Union lines.
The Forty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Den- ison in August, 1861, eight hundred and fifty strong. Company D-Capt. John Wallace, Second Lieut. Joseph L. Pinkerton and Surgeon Gilmore. The regiment was one of the first of the three-year men to report, and was or- dered to West Virginia under George Rosecrans, landing at Clarksburg on August 29, 1861. The regiment became a part of Robert L. McCook's bri- gade, and until December, 1862, the regiment was in the many movements back and forth, through and across the mountains, advancing or retreating, nearly all the time on the move, chasing guerillas out of the mountains and circumventing the activities of Floy's rangers. A study of the map of West Virginia will show some of the rough and desperately rough country, for the regiment was all over the state, engaged in a dozen small battles and many skirmishes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.