USA > Ohio > Shelby County > History of Shelby County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 110
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Special deputy Kelly then instituted Sidney Lodge No. 60 I. O. O. F. in form.
The Lodge then proceeded to initiate and elect the necessary officers, which resulted as follows: Noble Grand, Jonathan Hailman; Vice Grand, W. M. Ross; Secretary, A. G. Wilder; Treasurer, T. M. Carey. Bros. T. M. Carey and O. Pretzman applied for the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth degrees, which were granted and dispensation issued for the conferring the same forthwith. The Lodge then adjourned till after the meeting of the Degree Lodge. After the above degrees were conferred the body again organized. The officers were then regularly installed into office by special deputy P. G. Kelly.
The following petitions were then received and referred to Brothers Rodgers, Carey, and Ross, with instructions to report forthwith : Samuel Hutton, occupation, saddler; residence, Sidney : H. A. Stevens, occupa- tion, boatman ; res. Sidney : Samuel Lamb, occupation, clerk ; res. Sid- ney : B. McClain, occupation, saddler; res. Sidney : Thos. Blake, occu- pation, carpenter; res. Sidney : D. Bulle, occupation, portrait painter ; res. Sidney : B. W. Carey, occupation, merchant ; res. Sidney : H. S. Conklin, occupation, physician ; res. Sidney : James Irwin, occupation, cabinetmaker; res. Sidney: W. B. Brown, occupation, saddler; res. Sid- ney : J. Fracker, occupation, saddler ; res. Sidney : F. A. Hardy, occu- pation, cooper ; res. Sidney : A. Coon, occupation, tailor; res. Sidney : T. C. McQuilty, occupation, merchant ; res. Hardin.
The committee on above petitions reported favorably in each case. The report was accepted, the committee discharged, and candidates bal- loted for separately. Dispensations were then granted by special dep- uty Kelly for the initiation of the above candidates, and all, with the exception of James Irwin, were then introduced and regularly initiated into the mysteries of Odd Fellowship.
R. Rodgers and H. Beale were regularly admitted members on cards. The following brothers were appointed to fill the subordinate offices : B. McClain, R. H. S. N. G .; W. B. Brown, L. H. S. N. G .; S. Hutton, S. W .; P. Blake, J. W .; D. Bulle, Con .; M. Thompson, J. G .; J. Fracker, O. J .; R. Rodgers, R. H. S. S .; S. Lamb, L. H. S. S .; B. W. Carey, R. H. S. V. G .; W. H. Stevens, L. H. S. V. G .; H. S. Conklin, A. S.
Brother A. G. Wilder tendered his resignation as secretary, which was accepted, and Bro. E. Pretzman was nominated, elected, and regularly installed in the office of secretary.
The Lodge then adjourned to meet to-morrow, at 7 o'clock A. M. Pursuant to adjournment, the Lodge met and organized. On motion, the following orders were issued to pay bills : To R. F. Cole, for paint- ing, $5; to J. Keely, $5.80; to J. Keely, for M . . . . . $8.50; to R. Rod- gers, for hat, $3.50; to R. Rodgers, for stationery, 20 cents; to Mrs. Carr, for regalia, $2; to Mrs. Oglesby, for regalia, 75 cents.
P. G. Joseph Kelly was appointed to procure three dozen M . Brother H. S. Conklin was appointed to procure one set chairs for the use of the Lodge. Brother Fracker was appointed to clean the hall.
The petition of H. B. Thorn, inn-keeper, Sidney, was then received and referred to Bros. Rodgers, Pretzman, and T. M. Carey.
The receipts of the meeting were, cash : S. Lamb, $7 ; T. M. McQuilty, $10; W. G. Brown, $7 ; B. McClain, $7; S. Hutton, $7; J. Fracker, $7; T. Blake, $7; D. Bulle, $7; W. Carey, $7; F. A. Hardy, $7; H. S. Conk- lin, $7; W. H. Stevens, $7; making a total of $87.
There being no further business, the Lodge closed in harmony.
Attest : H. S. CONKLIN, A. S."
At a meeting held March 24, 1846, the Committee on Contract with J. S. Updegraff for a room for hall purposes, reported a contract, which was approved and signed.
Brother Blake was appointed to procure a plan of Piqua Lodge-room and furnish Mr. Updegraff with the same. Brother Bulle was appointed to paste the songs of the Lodge on cards. Brothers Conklin and T. M. Carey were appointed to procure a scal for the use of the Lodge.
At a meeting under date of March 31, 1846, Bro. Thompson tendered
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his resignation as N. G., which was accepted, and Bro. R. B. Conklin appointed to fill the vacancy.
On the 7th of April, 1846, the Committee on the Draft of Constitution presented by the Grand Lodge, reported adversely and was discharged.
On May 5, 1846, H. 'S. Conklin was elected secretary for one year.
The election held June 16, 1846, resulted as follows: Wm. M. Ross, N. G .; E. Pretzman, V. G .; T. Blake, Sec .; B. W. Carey, Treas. Elec- tion Sept. 15, 1846: E. Pretzman, N. G .; T. Blake, V. G .; D. Bulle, R. S .; R. Rodgers, P. S .; C. Starrett, Treas. Election December 29, 1846 : Thos. Blake, N. G .; D. Bulle, V. G .; Benj. McClain, C. S .; Paul Mowry, Treasurer.
The following list represents the Past Grands of the Society exclusive of those already mentioned : T. M. Carey, H. S. Conklin, B. McClain, David Bulle, J. A. Cox, A. Clawson, J. W. Mills, D. L. Bush, R. Given, A. J. Edwards, Jacob Fracker, D. W. Stockstill, W. W. Skillen, S. Alex. Leckey, John Sinks, George W. Metzker, George Kraft, A. J. Rebstock, J. J. Nutt, Henry Johnston, Levi Ewing, R. E. Johnston, Jasper N. Nutt, W. Snevely, P. C. Wicoff, N. R. Wyman, George Vogel, George D. Leckey, Alex. Ramsey, Jacob Young, Ira .J. Peebles, Daniel Toy, John Conner, H. W. Thompson, P. B. Birch, Daniel Yohe, W. D. Hughes, Geo. W. Hendershott, Lewis Huddle, A. S. Lanpher, R. Smeltzer, C. E. Bush, M. L. Sollenberger, W. M: Hall, T. M. Smeltzer, Tobe Weinstine, Enoch Anderson, James O. Amos, Harvey Guthrie, Rev. J. R. Colgin, James A. Hall, C. W. McKee, Michael Smith, W. M. Toy, Abe Herzstam, W. W. Robertson, C. E. Johnston, B. W. Joslin, J. S. Laughlin.
The officers at this time are: Hudson Gartley, Noble Grand; W. A. Morrow, Vice Grand; Samuel D. Voress, Secretary; Levi Ewing, Treas. The Lodge now embraces one hundred and twenty-nine members, and is in a prosperous condition. The lodge-room is well adapted to its uses, and is well and tastefully furnished. The Lodge meets on Tuesday evening of each week.
Osceola Encampment No. 63 .- This society organized in 1855, as shown by the following minute abstracted from the records.
"Sidney, Wednesday, April 4, 1855. The following-named patriarchs, petitioners for a subordinate encampment at Sidney, assembled for the purpose of being instituted, to wit: Milton Bailey, A. S. Miller, D. Bulle, Wm. Snevely, J. E. Bailey, G. W. Boyer, and L. Bimel."
R. W. G. Sec., J. Greswold, specially deputized by the M. W. G. Pa- triarch, being present, proceeded to the initiation of Osceola Encamp- ment No. 63, and declared the same duly instituted.
The following is the list of officers elected and installed : J. E. Bailey, Chief Patriarch; David Bulle, High Priest; Wm. Snevely, Senior Warden; G. W. Boyer, Junior Warden; M. Bailey, Scribe; L. Bimel, Treasurer.
The Grand Patriarch granted a dispensation to receive the proposition of the following brethren: J. L. Roberts, Joseph Conner, T. M. Phillips, and J. Haise, who were then introduced and initiated into the order.
The following list comprises the names of the Chief Patriarchs since the organization of the body : M. Bailey, 1855; Abraham Clawson, 1856; C. Moulford, 1857; L. M. Cowan, 1858; J. W. Mills, 1859; D. L. Bush, 1859; S. A. Leckey, 1860; J. Tateham, 1860; E. Geer, 1861; M. Fares, 1861; Ignatz Weingartner, 1862; D. W. Stockstill, 1862; John Haise, 1863; J. W. Mills, 1863; J. W. Mills, 1864; J. J. Nutt, 1864; R. Given, 1865; R. E. Johnston, 1865; L. Ewing, 1866; R. E. Johnston, 1866; Geo. Vogel and J. Allinger, 1867; E. Anderson and G. Lenhart, 1868; Geo. Kraft and Alex. Ramsey, 1869; J. N. Nutt and Tobe Weinstein, 1870; Ira J. Peebles and Clay R. Joslin, 1871; Daniel Toy and Wm. Haslup, 1872; B. W. Joslin and John Conner, 1873; W. M. Toy and C. E. Bush, 1874; G. W. Hendershott and J. A. Hall, 1875; M. Smith and T. M. Smeltzer, 1876; D. L. Bush, 1877; Ira J. Peebles and T. M. Smeltzer, 1878; Elias Geer and W. M. Toy, 1879; D. L. Bush and S. C. Bonham, 1880; P. B. Birch and A. S. Lanpher, 1881; J. S. Laughlin, 1882; Hudson Gartley, 1883.
This society consists of an active membership of seventy-eight, and is in a good working and prosperous condition. Regular meetings are held on the first and third Fridays of each month.
Patriarchal Circle.
A Temple of this order was instituted in Sidney on May 18, 1882, by Deputy Supreme Oracle, H, M. Innis, of Columbus, Ohio, assisted by L. W. Sherwood, Oracle of Ohio Temple No. 1., P. C., with the follow- ing patriarchs as charter members : D. L. Bush, A. J. Robertson, J. S. Laughlin, Levi Ewing, Frank Fruchey, J. Newton Nutt, C. E. Bush, G. W. Hendershott. Hudson Gartley, B. W. Joslin, John Conner, J. G. McCune, E. B. Fristoe, R. Smeltzer, A. S. Lanpher, B. C. Epler, A. H. Kite, P. R. Hunt, T. M. Hussey, G. E. Allinger, Ira J. Peebles, T. M. Smeltzer, S. W. Boyer, Milton Bennett.
The following officers were elected and installed for the first term: G. E. Allinger, Counsel, Ira J. Peebles, Venerable Oracle; J. S. Laughlin, Oracle; C. E. Bush, Vice Oracle; John Conner, Marshal; Hudson Gart- ley, Secretary ; Levi Ewing, Treasurer.
The appointed officers for the same term were as follows: A. S. Lan- pher, First Aid; J. G. McCune, Second Aid; B. W. Joslin, Guard ; Frank Fruchey, Sentinel ; G. W. Hendershott, Chaplin.
Representatives to the Supreme Temple have been elected as fol-
lows: For the year 1882 Hudson Gartley, and for the year 1883, G. E. Allinger.
Representatives to the Grand Temple have been as follows : For the years 1882 and '83, Hudson Gartley and B. C. Epler.
The military officers as follows: J. G. McCune, Commander; Wm. Portsmouth, Subordinate Captain ; W. A. Morrow, Junior Captain.
The past officers of the Temple are Hudson Gartley, G. E. Allinger, and Ira J. Peebles.
The Temple has gained membership slowly but cautiously, until the present time, June, 1883, when the roll shows a membership of forty-one live, working members. Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month.
This Temple, together with Miami Temple No. 2, of Piqua, and Golden Temple No. 13, of Troy, were united in an organization known as Ohio Battalion No. 1, P. C., in August, 1882, with the following Battalion officers : J. S. Langhlin, Colonel ; J. R. George, Lieutenant-Colonel ; Franklin Ellis, Major, and Hudson Gartley, Adjutant.
K. of P.
Summit Lodge No. 50, of Knights of Pythias, was organized April 25, 1873. The charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, March 13, 1873. The charter members were: Tobe Weinstein, O. O. Mathers, H. H. Sprague, S. A. Leckey, Robt. Given, H. Wagner, M.D., A. J. Rob -. ertson, Daniel Toy, B. F. Martin, J. A. Stipp, H. Guthrie, W. H. Goode, C. R. Joslin, and W. W. Robertson.
The lodge met for organization in the Odd Fellows' Hall. Grand Chancellor, A. O. Emerson, presided at the first meeting, initiated and passed the charter members through the several degrees.
The following brethren were elected and duly installed as officers of the lodge: Past Chancellor, S. A. Leckey ; Chancellor Commander, T. Weinstein ; Prelate, Robert Given ; K. of R. and S., W. H. Goode; M. of F., B. F. Martin ; M. of E., H. H. Sprague; M. of A., J. A. Stipp; J. G., H. Wagner.
The following are the names of those who have filled the offices of C. C., since the first election : Chancellor Commanders, J. A. Stipp, B. F. Martin, A. M. Weaver, J. H. Mathers, C. W. McKee, W. R. Moore. W. H. Barber, W. H. Goode, R. H. Trego, H. B. Blake, Wm. A. Hall, A. E. Abbott, A. J. Robertson, Wmn: Toy, E. S. Maxwell, J. D. Barkalow, S. M. Bush. Vice Chancellors: B. F. Martin, A. M. Weaver, J. H. Mathers, C. W. McKee, W. R. Moore, W. H. Barber, W. H. Goode, A. E. Abbott, H. B. Blake, Win. A. Hall, J. N. Nutt, A. J. Robertson, Wm. Toy, E. S. Maxwell, J. D. Barkalow, S. M. Bush, and J. S. Crozier. Prelates : W. R. Moore, S. S. Brown, A. E. Abbott, T. Weinstein, H. B. Blake, R. H. Trego, Wm. A. Hall, E. Anderson, R. H. Trego, H. W. Thompson, R. H. Trego, J. S. Crozier, J. S. Laughlin, D. M. Pruden, and R. R. Blue.
The present officers are : C. C., R. R. Blue; V. C., J. N. Nutt; Pre- late, J. N. Bearnes ; M. E., C. E. Bush; M. F., R. H. Trego; K. of R. and S., W. P. Harmony ; M. A., E. Shinn ; I. G., E. W. Stowell ; O. G., A. E. Abbott. Trustees, J. D. Barkalow, J. S. Crozier, and W. H. Barber.
In December, 1875, the lodge secured the Union Hall, of Zinn & Hoover, and have been using it since that date.
In the spring of 1883 the trustees of the lodge remodelled their hall, papered and painted it, and have made it one of the most pleasant and beautiful halls in the town. There is a membership of over fifty.
G. A. R.
Neal Post No. 62, of the Department of Ohio, was organized April, 1871, with twenty-two charter members, viz., C. W. McKee, E. E. Nutt, C. E. Fielding, C. R. Joslin, Saml. Silvers, W. A. Nutt, Wm. M. Van Fossen, J. E. Wilkinson, G. S. Harter, J. S. Laughlin, H. S. Ailes, Thomas Wright, H. B. Neal, W. H. Taylor, R. Smeltzer, J. A. Mont- rose, J. C. Hainse, H. Stahl, W. A. Skillen, Dr. A. Wilson, H. Wilson, and P. B. Birch.
The post was named in honor of Capt. Wm. Neal, of the 20th O. V. I., who was killed at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain.
The first officers were: C. W. McKee, Commander; E. E. Nutt, Sen. Vice-Com .; J. S. Laughlin, Jun. Viec-Com .; D. B. Rhinehart, Chaplin ; W. H. Taylor, O. D .; J. E. Wilkinson, O. G .; C. E. Fielding, Q. M .; H. B. Neal, Adjutant.
The present officers are: C. W. McKee, C .; E. E. Nutt, S. V. C .; F. M. Commack, J. V. C .; D. G. Strong, Chap .; Wm. Portsmouth, O. D .; E. Davis, Q. M .; Thomas Wright, O. G .; G. S. Harter, Adjt.
The present membership is about 135. The regular times of meetings are the first and fourth Monday evening of each month.
MEMORIAL INSTITUTION. Monumental Building.
This monument to the fallen soldiers of the late civil war is worthy of a proud and grateful people. It is also a worthy tribute to the men who kept their country's flag above them whether they stood in life or
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HISTORY OF SHELBY COUNTY, OHIO.
lay in death. It was in 1865, just at the close of the war, that a town meeting was held in Sidney to consider the proposition of erecting a suitable monument in memory of the martyr dead of Shelby County. Various speakers advanced various ideas, and numerous plans were suggested, but the meeting dissolved without taking any definite action. Here the matter rested for a time, but finally Messrs. C. W. Vandegrift, F. B Carey, and C. W. Frazier organized as a private association under the firm style of Carey, Vandegrift & Co., for the purpose of conducting a lottery, the proceeds of which should be devoted to the praiseworthy object of erecting a suitable monument to the deceased soldiers of the county. Before definite steps were taken Mr. Frazier withdrew, and J. R. Fry became his successor in the association. A lottery was soon after established, with real and personal property as a basis, and the price of tickets fixed at one dollar each, thus enabling every citizen to assist the laudable enterprise. It was resolved to raise sixty thousand dollars, and after the publication of a prize list, the sale of tickets was commenced. When $40,000 had been realized from these sales, $30,000 was invested in real and personal property, which was judiciously divided into prizes, according to the original plan. When the sale of tickets was exhausted the lottery was drawn, the prizes distributed, and Messrs. Carey, Vandegrift & Frazier appeared before the City Council and deli- vered to that body the proceeds of the lottery, amounting to $11,473.97. This ended the responsibilities of Messrs. Vandegrift, Carey & Frazier; but their efforts received, as they deserved, the grateful encomiums of a whole community.
On the 2d of May, 1871, the General Assembly of Ohio passed an act providing for the appointment of trustees and the disposition of moneys or other property held in trust for the erection of soldiers' monuments. This act provided for the appointment of trustees by the Court of Com- mon Pleas, who should give bond for the faithful discharge of the duties of the office: that such board of trustees should not exceed seven mem- bers, each of whom should be a resident of the county in which a monu- ment was to be erected : that the board, or a majority thereof, should determine whether to erect a monument or a monumental building: that permanent tablets should be provided, on which should be inscribed the name of each soldier who lost his life in the service of his country: that vacancies in the board should be filled by the Court of Common Pleas : that all monuments or monumental buildings should be forever free from taxation.
On the 27th of May, 1871, W. P. Stowell, Esq., presented a petition to the Court of Common Pleas, asking that the funds held by J. F. Fra- zier, George Vogle, and J. R. Fry, being the proceeds of the lottery, be placed in the hands of trustees under the act of May 2, 1871. Messrs. Frazier & Vogle appeared in court, waived service, and on June 12th the Court determined, after due examination, that there were in the hands of said persons money, property, and assets to the value of $11,473.97, the. same being a fund set apart for the erection of a soldiers' monument. The Court thereupon appointed a Board of Trustees, consisting of Levi C. Barkdull, Nathan R. Wyman, H. S. Gillespie, Daniel Staley, Hugh Thompson, Joseph C. Haines, and R. R. Lytle .. The Court further directed the original trustees, Messrs. Frazier, Vogle, and Fry, to bring said amount of $11,473.97 into court on the 17th of June inst. This order was complied with, the new trustees gave approved bonds, and received the property in trust with instructions to loan the same in good and sufficient security. The trustees met on the same date and organ- ized by electing Hugh Thompson, President; N. R. Wyman, Secretary; and Hugh Thompson, N. R. Wyman, and L. C. Barkdull, Executive Committee.
On May 27, 1873, the trustees purchased the corner lot, known as the Ackerly corner, and being the south half of the lot on corner of Court and Ohio streets, Sidney. The consideration was $4500 and possession until the 1st of April, 1874.
On February 15, 1874, A. J. Robertson and Col. Harrison Wilson were appointed members of the Board of Trustees vice R. R. Lytle and H. S. Gillespie, who became non-residents. The property was then rented to John Mather for one year at $50 per annum.
In the autumn of 1874 Mr. Robertson suggested the idea of requesting an additional legislative act to authorize the town and township to raise a joint fund which, with the amount already in the hands of the trustees, should be applied to the erection of a monumental building. This action was approved by the legislature, and the people were authorized to hold an election to determine whether the town and township should con- tribute to the project. Under this provision the corporation of Sidney and Clinton Township each voted $13,000, and issued bonds for said amount.
On March 21, 1875, the Board had resolved to erect a monumental building if sufficient aid could be obtained from Sidney and Clinton Township to make an aggregate fund of $40,000, and as noted above, said fund was raised by taxation.
On May 30, 1875, Hugh Thompson and Col. H. Wilson were appointed to take proper measures to have another amount of $12,000 voted by Sidney and Clinton Township, or a tax of $6000 each. This was done March 15, 1876, the same having been changed to $7500 each, or an ag- gregate of $15,000.
On the 14th of April the trustees rented a room for office uses in the residence of Hugh Thompson, and authorized A. J. Robertson to act for the Board in arranging terms with the town and township as to the rights and privileges of each concerning the proposed building. Levi C. Barkdull, Harrison Wilson, and N. R. Wyman were appointed a committee on plan of building, subject to the approval of the full board. Hugh Thompson and L. C. Barkdull were authorized to dispose of the building which occupied the lot already purchased. The trustees, town council, and township trustees elected representatives to report plans and confer in joint session. A. J. Robertson was chosen by the building trustees, Samuel McCune by the town council, and John Wagner by the township officers, as representatives of the three bodies concerned. Plans were received, and, after a full examination by the joint bodies, the plans submitted by Samuel Lane of Cleveland were adopted, and on May 10, 1875, a committee on contracts was appointed, consisting of A. J. Robertson, L. C. Barkdull, and N. R Wyman, their action to be subject to the approval of the whole Board. A J. Robertson was ap- pointed to superintend the construction of the building.
Description and Contracts .- The size of the building is 165 feet on Court Street and 44 feet on Ohio Street; three stories high, with base- ment in front 35 by 41 feet, and a cellar under the whole building, which is so arranged as to be converted into rooms if any necessity of this character should arise.
The brickwork was let to W. W. Robertson for $9259.82. The cellar wall to Jacob Hopler for $954.26. Cut stonework to Thomas Jones for $9650. Additional work to Thomas Jones for $473. Woodwork to Mr. McCoy for $11,500. Painting and glazing to F. Gierman for $2963. Galvanized iron, tin, and slating to W. M .- Service & Co. for $1915. Plastering to Fullers & Pecks for $6508. Iron columns to Manning & Son for $2887.29. Gas fitting to P. Smith & Bro. for $225. Frescoing and scene painting to E. F. Harvey for $1200. Steam heater to Brooks, Leight & Co. for $3397. Stage carpenter work to F. Fowler for $430. Cost of stone for cellar and area walls for $1479.85.
A 1400 pound bell was furnished by the corporation of Sidney.
Laying the Corner-stone .- The following order of exercises was ob- served on Thursday, June 24, 1875, being the occasion of the laying of the corner-stone of Monumental Building. Prayer, by Rev. T. C. Reade, after which the square, level, and plumb were masonically applied to the corner-stone, and the corn, wine, and oil sprinkled upon it; whereupon the Grand, Master struck the corner with his gavel, and the whole cere- monies were masonically explained. A box was then deposited in the corner-stone, containing the following-named articles: Programme of the day; list of discharged soldiers of Shelby County; list of officers and members of Company M, Ist Ohio Light Artillery of Shelby County ; copy of Shelby County Democrat of June 24, 1875; copies of Sidney Journal of April 21, 1865, and June 18, 1875; list of Summit Lodge, No. 50 K. of P .; A $500 monumental bond of the village of Sidney, of issue of June 14, 1875; Wide-awake badge of J. C. Jacobs, Lieut .- Colonel of the 24th New York Cavalry; list of Silver Star Cornet Band; copy of Cincinnati Gazette, Commercial, and Enquirer of June 24, 1875; charter of Orange Lodge, No. 152, and names of charter members; name of the former owner of the building site, George Ackerly; names of survivors of the Mexican War, A. J. Robertson, George Ackerly, Amos Woaley, and W. H. Howell; names of building committee, A. J. Rob- ertson, N. R. Wyman, and L. C. Barkdull; name of architect, Samuel Lane, associate member of American Institute of Architects.
It may here be observed that after this part of the ceremony, Sergt. W. M. Van Fossen, who in the procession was color-bearer of the 99th Regiment, veiled the corner-stone with the flag, saying, " Done in memory of the fallen heroes of Shelby County, in the State of Ohio and town of Sidney, June 24, in the year of our Lord 1875."
A Masonic address was then delivered by J. F. Mckinney, Esq., of Piqua, to a large and enthusiastic assemblage in the public square.
John G. Stephenson was appointed a member of the board February 9, 1877, vice L. C. Barkdull, resigned.
On April 14, 1877, the trustees were authorized to issue bonds for the completion of the building, and H. Thompson and J. G. Stephenson were appointed to procure printed bonds. Messrs. Haines and Stephen- son were instructed to collect $670 from Sidney and $100 from Clinton Township, to be applied to the payment for heating apparatus.
On the 4th of May the trustees submitted a report to the Court of Common Pleas. Moneys received consisted of real estate, notes, &c., amounting to $59,538.32. Disbursements, $58,289.08. Balance on hand, $1249.24.
On February 1, 1879, the trustees met to consider a proposition to receive the books and other property from the Library Association Trustees, and on February 10th the proposition was accepted on the following conditions: That the library be free to the clergy, their wives and minor children ; to soldiers and sailors of the civil war and their wives and minor children; to the widows and mothers of such soldiers or sailors who may have died in the service; to all others upon such terms as the trustees may prescribe; the whole institution to be gov- erned by such rules and regulations as the board may adopt. The Monumental Association, by the Board of Trustees, bound the corpora-
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