History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 31

Author: R. E. Lowry
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 985

USA > Ohio > Preble County > History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions > Part 31

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).

In 1912 six churches of Eaton, the Methodist, the Presbyterian, the Christian, the United Brethren, the Disciples and the Universalist, united their efforts to hold a tabernacle revival. A tabernacle capable of holding about two thousand people was erected at the southeast corner of Decatur and Barron streets and the combined churches secured the services of Rev. I. E. Hunewell, who held services from November 20 to December 22, 1912. As a result within ninety days thereafter the churches received an aggregate of over six hundred accessions. If these accessions were not secured as a result of those meetings, it is a curious fact that the number was many times greater than ever before recorded in the same time.

EATON'S FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.

Eaton Lodge No. 30. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was or- ganized on May 22. 1844. with the following charter members: John V. Campbell. George Edgerley. Richard Y. Launius, Amos Yost and James W. Murray. The initial meeting was held in the first building south of the

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St. Clair block on Barron street, and John V. Campbell, James Albert, Michael Filbert, Theodore Harbaugh, Alfred Denny and Andrew Mikesell were then initiated as the first class. The treasury at that time held ten dollars and after one year the lodge had twenty members. In 1848 the lodge moved into a building that stood where the Eikenbery block now stands, on Main street.

In 1855 the Odd Fellows purchased the lot at the northeast corner of Main and Cherry streets now occupied by them and soon numbered one hun- dred and twenty members, representing all parts of the county, this at that time being the only lodge in the county. Soon, however, a desire arose on the part of those from a distance to have lodges of their own nearer home, and this lodge furnished charter members for Lewisburg, New Paris, Gratis and Fair Haven. John V. Campbell, was the first noble grand; James Al- bert, secretary, and Amos W. Yost, treasurer.

On August 24, 1873, the building owned and occupied by the Odd Fel- lows burned down, but they determined to rebuild greater and better, and in the same year they started the present three-story brick building, com- pleting it in the fall of 1874. They have continued to increase in numbers, on account of their good works, until today they number over two hundred members. Their success is justly due them because they have been true to their tenets: "To visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury their dead, pro- tect the widow and educate the orphan." During the years the lodge has been in existence, in obedience to these tenets, the lodge has spent over seventy-five thousand dollars and stands ready to do more if need be. God bless the order and give it prosperity to help alleviate suffering and soothe the sorrowing. The data from which this is written was furnished me by George H. Kelly.

MASONIC LODGE.

Bolivar Lodge No. 82, Free and Accepted Masons, was organized in Eaton on January 8, 1827, the charter members being John M. Gray, Joseph C. Hawkins, David F. Heaton, Nathaniel Benjamin, Alexander Mehaffey, Ernestus Putnam, William Edgar and Eastin Morris.

John M. Gray was the first worshipful master, and the first tyler was Nathaniel Benjamin, who was the last survivor of that worthy band. The first meeting was held on August 19, 1826, under a dispensation from the deputy grand master, but the date given above is the date of the charter.

At the second meeting of the lodge four petitions were presented, among

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these being the petition of Jesse B. Stephens, whose sword carried by him in the Mexican war, still does duty as the tyler's sword.

The lodge used for a time one of the rooms of the old court house, under an arrangement with the commissioners, the county reserving the right to use the furnished room for a jury room. In 1848 the commission- ers began tearing down the old court house to make room for the new one and the lodge leased a room in the third story of the Vanausdal building, at the northwest corner of Barron and Main streets. In 1853 the town council arranged to build a town hall on the northeast corner of the court house ground, and the Masons arranged to build a third story on this building for their use, and did so, completing it the next year, Thomas J. Larsh being worshipful master at the time. The lodge had no rebuilding clause in their deed. On July 4, 1859, fire destroyed that and several other buildings and the commissioners took over the ground and added it to the court house square, where it really belonged, and the "real estate" owned by the lodge was too high to reach. The lodge saved nearly all of its property, and for a couple of years was granted permission to use the Odd Fellows' building.

Then, for nearly thirty years, the Masons rented a room at two or three places. Finally, in 1890, Judge William J. Gilmore offered to sell them a lot twenty-five feet wide on the west side of Barron street at a low price if they would build. They accepted and the present three-story Ma- sonic temple was erected, to which an addition has since been made. The lodge now has one of the most comfortable homes to be found in towns of similar size. The building was completed in 1892 and is owned jointly by Bolivar lodge and Eaton chapter. The lodge membership now numbers over one hundred and twenty-four brothers. For the first twenty years of its existence the Eaton lodge drew membership from the whole county, but since then four other lodges have been instituted in the county and its area is limited.

Eaton Chapter No. 22. Royal Arch Masons, was organized by charter on December 23, 1837. with James L. Campbell, high priest: Thomas J. Larsh, king, and Daniel Harshman, scribe. They had worked under a dis- pensation for about a year, but the above is the date of the charter. The chapter has always occupied a room with Bolivar lodge and shared in its vicissitudes, and now owns half of the Masonic temple. It is the only chap- ter in the county and draws its membership from the whole county. It now numbers one hundred and five companions.

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KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS TEMPLE, EATON.

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ARMORY AT EATON.

CITY BUILDING, EATON.

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KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.

On May 24, 1882, charter date, Waverly Lodge No. 143, Knights of Pythias, was organized in Eaton with the following charter members: E. H. Allison, C. C. and Frank F. Rhea, J. T. Holmes, J. R. Cook, J. S. Gary, D. J. Musselman, H. H. Huete, G. Pfister, A. M. Crisler, B. F. Jervis, C. S. Price, W. B. Marsh, G. M. Orr, F. G. Thompson, C. U. Patton, O. C. Fil- bert, J. Taylor, Charles F. Ressler, J. J. Hume and W. P. Webb. The charter was signed by E. L. Clossee, grand commander.

The Pythians occupied the third story of the Eidson building for three years, then moved across the hall into the Minor block, where they remained for twenty-eight years. In 1912 they began the erection of the Pythian temple, at the northeast corner of Somers and Barron streets, which was completed, dedicated and occupied in February, 1914, the cost being about twenty-two thousand dollars. This lodge now probably has the finest and most up-to-date lodge building in the county and has a membership of three hundred and forty.

On March 30, 1897, Dorcas Temple No. 105, Pythian Sisters, was or- ganized with twenty-five charter members, Florence Jones, most eminent chief. This society now numbers about two hundred and forty members and has always occupied the same lodge room with the Knights of Pythias.

Dakota Tribe No. 73, Red Men, was organized in Eaton on December 26, 1899, with. fifty-four charter members, Edward Johns, sachem. The members rented rooms at first in the Gould building, on Main street, until the year 1914, when they occupied a room in the Minor block. The tribe now has about seventy members.

EATON'S MILITIA COMPANY.

In the summer of 1899 Capt. W. H. Ortt organized Company F, Third Regiment, Ohio National Guard. It was mustered in on October 28, 1899, with I. J. Dove, captain; C. W. Eidson, first lieutenant ; W. S. Jen- nings, second lieutenant : G. H. Kelly, elected captain March 9, 1902; F. E. Dunlap, captain, September, 1906.

In December, 1912, Lieut. L. J. Hapner was placed in command, the captain having resigned. and on February 3, 1913, Hapner was elected cap- tain and is at present in command. A detail from the company served in Springfield, Ohio, during the riots in that city in 1906. over the burning of the negro quarters. The whole company was called to Columbus during

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the riots in that city in August, 1910, and on March 26, 1913, Governor Cox placed West Dayton in charge of Company F, under Captain Hapner, the city being under martial law, for the relief of the flood sufferers, to clean the city and for rescue work, which place they held until relieved after some ten days. In all its services Company F obeyed orders so well that the state authorities decided that it deserved an armory building. In 1910 the sum of four thousand dollars was raised by subscription of citizens, headed by Governor A. L. Harris, and a site was purchased at the southwest corner of Vine and Main streets, on which the state erected a fine armory of bould- ers and cement at a cost of about twenty-four thousand dollars, with two thousand dollars' worth of furniture furnished by the company. The drill room seats about seven hundred people. It was built in 1911. The company now numbers but about fifty at roll call.

COMMERCIAL CLUB.

In 1905 a Commercial Club was organized, of some fifteen or twenty men, for the purpose of boosting the town and assisting in such ways as they could to bring business to the town and to improve and make the town bet- ter. This club met in the town hall until 1914, when they rented the third story of the Thum building.

J. E. Parker was the first president and L. L. Brown was the first secre- tary. The latter has held the office ever since. The club now has about one hundred members and has done much good. besides encouraging men to "boost" instead of to "knock."

The Junior Order of United American Mechanics, Lodge No. 6. was organized on October 15, 1899, with twenty-five charter members. This lodge at present rents a room on North Maple street and meets every Mon- day evening. The first counsellor was Charles Wiley and Harry Clear was the first secretary, which office he still holds. The lodge now has forty members.

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.

Mulkaren O'Cain Post No. 3, Department of Ohio, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized on March 23. 1883, with forty-two charter mem- bers. B. F. Davis was the first post commander. This post now has sixty comrades.

There are Grand Army posts now only at Eaton, Camden, Lewisburg and New Paris. Three other posts have perished because of the death of

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members and long before another history of this county is written the com- rades of the existing posts will have answered the last roll call and search must be made among dusty and forgotten records for even the names, but for each old comrade, in life, and in death, may it be, "requiescat in pace."

Woman's Relief Corps No. 9 was organized on January 29, 1887, with twenty-nine charter members, Mrs. Kate Coovert, president. This corps now numbers thirty and has always used the Grand Army of the Republic hall.

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CHAPTER XXIII.

MONROE TOWNSHIP.

Monroe township was the last township of the county to be settled be- cause of the swampy and wet condition of large tracts of the land. Twin creek crosses the northeastern section, Bantas fork through the five south- west sections, and Dry fork, south of West Manchester, flows southeast into Twin creek ; while Price creek, rising in Darke county, comes into the town- ship about a mile east of the northwest corner of the township, flows diag- onally across and leaves it within less than a mile north of the southeast corner of the township. The township is so near the beginnings of these streams that the land is extremely level. there probably existing no abrupt or steep hill, as much as twenty-five feet high, in the township. Rocky run heads as a tile ditch in section 31 of this township.

The soil is of clay, with limestone subsoil, the drift material being covered from ten to twenty feet in most places. It is said that originally there were great quantities of poplar and walnut growing in the forests, but now nearly all has been removed by the lumberman. The land is now mostly cleared, many miles of main ditches having been constructed, furnishing outlets for many more miles of farm ditches, until today splendid farms, with fine buildings, occupy lands that one hundred years ago were swamps, at that time inaccessible, except in the dry season or when frozen over. The soil is of the most productive variety and in all discussions as to the best township in the county. even the enthusiast from some other township is willing to admit that Monroe may lead his township; but if not, then his is best.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

Charles Armantrout, near Hamburg: William Brown, in section 29; John Jellison, in section 23: Isaiah Adams, near Hamburg: Jacob Baker, in section 16; Aaron Crisler, in section 26, and the Murdocks, west of Eldorado, probably were the first settlers arriving in the township. the date of their arrival being from two to four years before the War of 1812. Josiah Davis- son, who settled in section 14 in 1816, is said to have found quite a number of neighbors scattered about the township. Elias Bunger arrived about

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1817. Jonathan Shurley settled in section 16, in 1815. and lived there until his death in 1879. He had eleven children in his family and many of his descendants yet reside in the township. About the same time came David Fudge, Moses Ireland, Peter Swerer and Moses Thompson. William Pence, who settled in section 31, in 1825, had been a captain in the War of 1812, and came from Virginia.

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

The first school house was built, about 1825, in section 10, Jerry Pence, teacher, others soon following. Under our present school law eight good country school houses have been erected in the township, but already a move- ment is being agitated either to centralize the schools of the township or allow the western half to be centralized with Eldorado, the eastern half to be centralized with West Manchester, where there already exist excellent vil- lage schools.

The first church was the United Brethren church, built in 1830, in sec- tion 23, on Aaron Crisler's farm, but now gone. The congregation of this church later built a frame church near the east line of section 25.

In 1832 the Baptists built a church in section 14, which gave way to a frame church some thirty years later.

In 1850 the Universalists erected a church in section 9, near the Monroe cemetery, and it was used for many years.

The German Baptist church, now the Church of the Brethren, about 1862, erected a church in section 22 on Price's creek, which, about 1905, was remodeled. This congregation now numbers about one hundred members, with a Sunday school enrollment of about one hundred and fifty.

About 1882 the friction between the "progressive" element of this congregation and the "old order" became so great that the latter withdrew and erected a frame church of their own on the Eaton and Eldorado road, in section 20, and are now known as the Old Order Brethren. They num- ber about eighty members.

The German Baptists, some forty years ago, joined in the erection of a Union church in section 12, called Twin Creek chapel. About 1890 they sold out their interest to the Christian church, the other organization. They claim to have had an organization in the township some years previous to the time of the Mexican war.

About 1879 the Christian church and the German Baptists united to (22)

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build a church on the east line of section 12, called Twin Creek chapel, as noted above, and about 1885 the Baptists sold their interest to the Christian church, since which time the latter congregation has controlled the church. This church now numbers about one hundred members, with a Sunday school of about the same or larger number. R. P. Arrick is the pastor.

There are five cemeteries in Monroe township, all under the control of the township trustees. Monroe cemetery, the largest, is in section 9 and is much used. Hamburg cemetery, just west of the town, in section 17, is little used. Brown cemetery lies at the eastern edge of section 12. These are probably the oldest public cemeteries, having been laid out and used from the earliest settlement of the township. The Wehrley cemetery, in section 22, was originally laid out by the Dunkards, probably between 1840 and 1850. The Stump cemetery, on the south line of section 19, just west of Banta Fork, was used as such over sixty years ago. In addition there were a few family cemeteries scattered over the township.

Owing to the slight fall of the streams no water mills were ever erected in the township, the early settlers getting their milling done by the mills in Harrison, Jefferson and Washington townships. There were two or three mills in the township some thirty years ago, but the larger mills have crowded them out of business and they are closed. The saw-mills seem to have gone the same way, centering in the villages of the township.

ELDORADO.

The first house erected in Eldorado, one mile south of the north county line, was built by Leroy R. McWhinney in 1852. McWhinney also started a store and mill, depot and grain house, near the track of the Dayton & West- ern railroad, which then had just been completed; then laid out the town on his own land and continued business for a number of years.

The village was incorporated in 1875, Matthew T. McWhinney being elected as the first mayor, he having purchased the business formerly owned by Leroy R. McWhinney.

Hamburg, about a mile south of Eldorado, was settled first, Samuel Adams having started a store there at an early day. About the same time a church society of United Brethren was organized, which built a church there in 1848. Most of the business of the western part of the township was done at Hamburg and the postoffice was located there; but the railroad went through a mile north of the town, Eldorado was laid out, and postoffice and business moved to the railroad. Hamburg consequently ceased to grow,

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although a number of its older citizens hoped for a railroad as long as they lived.

The United Brethren in 1868 built a church at Eldorado, and the mem- bership of the Hamburg church, in time, was transferred to the new church, which, in 1892, built a brick house of worship at a cost of about six thou- sand five hundred dollars. This congregation now numbers one hundred and thirty-five, with over one hundred and fifty enrolled in the Sunday school. F. S. Weimer is the pastor.

In 1869 the Universalists built a brick church in Eldorado, and the membership of Monroe Universalist church, in section 9, was transferred there, the old house being abandoned, which made the church a strong organ- ization. In 1909 the congregation built a fine brick church at a cost of over five thousand dollars. The church now has a membership of eighty or more with one hundred and five enrolled in the Sunday school. B. F. Eaton was the first pastor, then J. H. Blackford served, in all, for twenty-five years. Other pastors have been O. P. Moorman, Henry Blackford, J. A. Stoner and Mrs. Sarah Stoner, the latter of whom is the present pastor.

In 1854 a steam grist-mill was built and was successfully run for many years, but it is now silent.

The school building in Eldorado is a fine brick building of four rooms, erected about the year 1882. Four teachers are employed and John Schlotter- beck is the superintendent. In 1908 the building was remodeled at a cost of over three thousand dollars. Until about the beginning of the Civil War the school house was outside of the village, in the township, but about that time the school house was erected in the village. The school now enrolls about one hundred pupils.

The Knights of Pythias lodge at Eldorado was formed in 1888, with J. D. Gartrell, chancellor commander and charter members, Isaac Miller, J. H. Mills, J. A. McCabe, J. A. Davisson, F. P. Campbell, William S. Camp- bell, W. H. Beard. M. T. McWhinney, W. E. Judy, C. H. Staton, John Eddins, D. Lockwood and Harvey Disher. At first, for about a year, the lodge meetings were held in the McCabe building. The lodge bought the old Methodist Episcopal church building, erecting thereon a second story, and now owns a neat lodge home, entirely free from debt. The lodge now numbers one hundred and six members.

The village owns its own council chamber and its own electric lighting system, buying the current. delivered at the corporation line, from Greenville, providing twenty-one street lights and the commercial lighting. For the past

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two years this lighting has been done at a profit. A gas-pipe line was built into the village in December, 1913, and has quite a number of patrons.

The business of the town is done by one bank, two groceries, one dry- goods store, one clothing store, one hotel, two grain elevators, two coal yards, one harness shop, one livery stable, two restaurants, one agricultural imple- ment store, two stock buyers, two hardware stores, one furniture store, one drug store, three blacksmiths, three buggy dealers, two barbers and a cream- ery. The village also has a telephone exchange. George McCoy is the present mayor.

WEST MANCHESTER.

Like Eldorado, West Manchester just grew up as a collection of resi- dences around the station of the Dayton & Western railroad. Under the laws of Ohio it was called a hamlet and governed by three trustees, except that the schools were under the control of the township board of education (the town never having been incorporated), and it so continued until March, 1900, at which time the trustees, on petition, ordered an election to advance the hamlet to a village. This election was held on April 2, 1900, and the progressive proposition was carried by a vote of two to one. A census showed a population of three hundred and seventy, and on October 1, 1900, the final resolution was passed making West Manchester a village. John W. Hoffman was elected the first mayor and R. H. Siler the first clerk.

Hagerstown, about a mile northeast of West Manchester, was laid out in an early day, and the first postoffice in the township was established there in 1832. A store was opened and the place did quite a little business, but the railroad came, the station was located, and in 1855 the postoffice was moved to West Manchester. Business also moved to the latter point; the people either followed or sought other locations, and Hagerstown, as a town, has become only a memory. The Cincinnati Northern railroad crosses the Day- ton & Western railroad in the village, but the roads have separate depots.

Brown's Station, on the Dayton & Western railroad, is situated about a mile and a half east of West Manchester, near a water station of the railroad. Some half dozen houses are clustered about the station, but all the business of the hamlet is transacted at West Manchester.

The United Brethren organized a society in West Manchester about 1867, and the next year built a church and organized a Sunday school. Their first church was a frame church. The congregation grew and in time the building became too small; the premises were sold, a new site was purchased and in 1901 the present commodious brick church was erected, at a cost of

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about seven thousand dollars, which bids fair to last for many years. The church now numbers about one hundred members and the Sunday school one hundred fifty or more. E. S. Weimer is the present pastor. The church is situated at the southeast corner of North and High streets.

The Christian church was organized about 1890, and the same year the congregation built a frame church on West Orchard street, at a cost of about three thousand dollars. This congregation quickly grew and proved to be a live and growing organization. It now numbers one hundred and ten mem- bers, with a Sunday school enrollment probably greater. H. C. Crampton is the present pastor.

Lodge No. 520, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized with twelve charter members about 1873, and the same year built a. three-story frame building at the northwest corner of Main and Scott streets, renting the lower story for business. About 1904, the Odd Fellows removed the frame building, replacing it with a three-story brick building, at a cost of over seven thousand dollars. In 1906 the lower story of this latter building was sold, the lodge retaining the two upper stories. This lodge now numbers one hundred and twenty members.

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History of Preble County Ohio: Her People, Industries and Institutions, Part 31

Author: R. E. Lowry Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 985

Author: R. E. Lowry
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 985