USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 86
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Under the first constitution only those who were born in the county or came to the county previous to 1820 were eligible to membership but in 1872 the con-
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
stitution was so amended as to admit any person who had lived fifty years in the county. The objects of the association were the collection and preservation of records and experiences belonging to the early settlement of Montgomery county and to foster the fellowship of earlier days. George B. Holt was the first presi- dent.
The organization was kept up and interesting meetings were held for a number of years but owing to the advanced age of the members the death roll grew rap- idly and the lingering members became less able or less inclined to attend the meetings of the association. About 1888 the organization was discontinued. Elias Favorite had served as president for a number of years before the discon- tinuation.
An important celebration not connected in any way with this association was held in Mrs. Loretta Leighty's grove near Alexanderville, August 26, 1896. It was called a centennial celebration and was largely attended by the citizens of Montgomery and adjoining counties. Col. E. A. Parrott gave an address on the history of Montgomery county and the city of Dayton. Exhibitions were given of old-time methods in harvesting, breaking flax, teaching school, carrying mail, the use of firearms, cooking, procuring fire and so forth.
POSTOFFICES AND POSTMASTERS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Bachman A. T. Haniel.
Brookville A. W. Somers.
Centerville R. M. Pine.
Chautauqua
F. Gillum Cromer.
Clayton
G. W. Bucklew.
Dayton
F. G. Withoff.
Dean
. George Oldt.
Englewood
W. L. Waymire.
Farmersville
. E. M. Keisey.
Germantown
. Harry M. Wolf.
Harshman
Emrietta Spohn.
Liberty
. Charles A. Kline.
Miamisburg
A. J. Emminger.
National Military Home
H. H. Hallum. . Hattie Vorhes.
Phillipsburg
G. W. Riley.
Pyrmont
William Oswald.
Tadmor
E. B. Shauck.
Taylorsburg
E. C. Bowman.
Trotwood
T. M. Wagner.
Union
.J. F. DeBra.
Vandalia . E. O. Rankin.
Wengerlawn
J B. Wismer.
West Corrolton
S. S. Connell.
New Lebanon
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
MISCELLANEOUS.
Montgomery county outside of Dayton has two hundred and two elementary schools and nine high schools, seven hundred and fifty teachers, twenty-three thousand pupils, with an average attendance of twenty-one thousand.
The Montgomery County Sunday-School Association was organized probably about 1855 with Dr. Julius S. Taylor as the first president of the association. The association has been somewhat irregularly maintained, but in the many years of its existence has accomplished much good. The present officers are: Presi- dent, G. W. Brumbaugh; Secretary, Dr. H. D. Rhinehart; Treasurer, E. L. Eidemiller. There are one hundred and fifty-six Sunday-schools in the county and two thousand six hundred and eighty-nine teachers. The cradle roll numbers two thousand, three hundred and fifteen, while the total Sunday-school member- ship is twenty-five thousand, seven hundred and four. There are forty-four home departments, with a membership of one thousand and thirty-four. The grand total membership is twenty-eight thousand, three hundred and forty-nine.
A tuberculosis hospital is maintained by Montgomery and Preble counties at Brookside, a few miles north of Dayton. A small farm is rented and equipped for the purpose. It is known as Brookside.
The townships in which there are saloons are Jefferson and Mad River town- ships. The towns in which there are saloons are Phillipsburg, New Lebanon, Germantown and Miamisburg. With the exception of the above named town- ships and towns, all of the other parts of the county, outside of Dayton, are, under local option, without saloons.
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
1669-La Salle discovered the Ohio river.
1671-French took formal possession of the northwest.
1673-Marquette and Joliet discovered the Mississippi.
1680-Hennepin on the Mississippi.
1682-La Salle descended the Mississippi.
1701-Cadillac founded Detroit.
1735-Vincennes settled according to some.
1744-Treaty of English and Iroquois at Lancaster.
1748-Conrad Weiser sent to Ohio-Ohio company formed.
1749-Celoron sent to bury medals along the Ohio-English fort built on the Great Miami.
1751-Christopher Gist visited the Twightwees on Miami river.
1752 -- French attacked English post on the Great Miami-Treaty of Logstown --- Families settled west of the Alleghenies.
1753 -- Washington left Wills' creek for Ohio.
1755-Braddock defeated.
1763-Treaty of Paris-France yielded Canada-Pontiac's war.
1764-Bouquet made peace with Ohio Indians.
1768-Treaty of Fort Stanwix-Iroquois yielded title to all south of the Ohio to the English.
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1772-Moravians founded missions on the Muskingum.
1774-Gov. Dunmore's war-The Quebec act-Battle of Point Pleasant.
1776-Beginning of the Revolutionary War.
1777-Cornstalk murdered at Point Pleasant.
1778-Clark's Illinois campaign.
1779-Gov. Hamilton capitulated at Vincennes-Bowman's campaign against Chillicothe on the Little Miami.
1780-Byrd invaded Kentucky-Gen. George Rogers Clark led an expedition against the Indians of the Miami region, one of his officers being Col. Robert Patterson.
1781-New York ceded her western lands.
1782-Moravians murdered by Americans-Crawford's expedition-Attack on Bryant's Station-Battle of Blue Licks-Clark attacked Indian villages in the Miami valley a second time.
1783-Hostilities between the United States and Great Britain ceased-September 3d, definitive treaty of peace.
1784-Virginia gave deed of cession-Treaty of Fort Stanwix.
1785-Treaty with Delawares and others at Fort McIntosh-Ordinance for sur- vey of western lands.
1786-Treaty at Fort Finney (mouth of Great Miami)-Expedition under Col. Logan against the Indians.
1787 -- Ordinance of 1787-Ohio company contracted for lands-Symmes applied for land.
1788-Settlement at Marietta-Cincinnati laid out-Symmes reached his pur- chase.
1789 Treaty of Fort Harmar-Plans formed for a town named Venice on the site of Dayton.
1790-Gov. St. Clair at Cincinnati-Gen. Harmar's unfortunate campaign.
1791-St. Clair's defeat.
1794-Wayne's victory over the Indians.
1795-August 3d, a treaty of peace made with the Indians at Greenville, Ohio, by Gen. Wayne-August 20th, the site of Dayton purchased by Gens. St. Clair, Dayton, and Wilkinson, and Col. Ludlow-November 4th, the town laid out by Col. Israel Ludlow.
1796-April Ist, arrival of first settlers, by the Miami river, landing at the head of St. Clair street ; two other parties coming a few days later by land- Newcom's first log cabin built-Newcom's two-story log house (one-half of the tavern) built.
1798-First sermon preached in Dayton by Rev. John Kobler, of the Methodist Episcopal church-First Methodist Episcopal class organized at Hamer's -Second part of Newcom's house built ; tavern opened-Taxes paid, twenty-nine dollars and seventy-four cents.
1799-First Presbyterian church organized-Block-house built-First school opened-First flatboat left for New Orleans-Dayton three years old and contained nine cabins-Only two houses on Main street-D. C. Cooper appointed justice of the peace.
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1800-Presbyterian meeting-house, eighteen by twenty feet in size, built of logs, on northeast corner of Main and Third streets-August 28, first wed- ding in Dayton, that of Benjamin Van Cleve and Mary Whitten-April 14, first child born in Dayton, Jane Newcom-First store opened, in Newcom's tavern.
1801-First male child born in Dayton, John W. Van Cleve.
1803-Ohio admitted as a state-D. C. Cooper resuscitated the town-Montgom- ery county organized-Dayton made the county-seat-First court held in Dayton-Newcom's tavern used as courthouse, jail, church, and store. 1804-Postoffice and mail-route established-Benjamin Van Cleve, first post- master-Mail every two weeks, between Cincinnati and Detroit, via Dayton-Letter postage twenty to twenty-five cents-Log jail built on courthouse lot-First gristmill erected-Taxes for the year, four hun- dred and fifty-eight dollars and forty cents.
1805-The town of Dayton incorporated-First town election held-Presbyterian log meeting-house sold for twenty-two dollars and services continued in log tavern-Dayton Social Library society incorporated-First brick building erected-First disastrous flood.
1806-First courthouse built, of brick, on present courthouse lot-Two brick stores erected-First newspaper published.
1808-Dayton Academy incorporated-First brick residence built-one hundred and ninety-six votes cast-Repertory first published.
1809-Freight line of keel-boats established between Dayton, Loramie, and St. Mary's-Fourth of July celebrated with a procession-First drug store opened-First political convention in the county.
1810-Population, three hundred and eighty-three-New sidewalks ordered by select council-Ohio Centinel first published.
18II-Nine flatboats left for New Orleans, with products of the surrounding country-A comet visible, and severe earthquake shocks felt.
1812-A company enlisted for the War of 1812-Ohio militia encamped in Day- ton.
1813-First society of mechanics organized-August 13, Grand Opera House lot, (Victoria theater) on southeast corner of Main and First streets, pur- chased by James Steele and Joseph Peirce for twenty dollars.
1814-First Methodist church completed-Ferry began to operate at Ludlow street-Ohio Republican first published-First Dayton bank chartered and opened for business-Germantown platted-A flood.
1815-Dayton Female Charitable and Bible society organized-First market- house opened-About one hundred dwellings in Dayton, chiefly log cabins-Moral society and Society of Associated Bachelors formed- First school for girls opened-Alexanderville platted.
1816-First theater held in Dayton-Ohio Watchman first published-County offices building erected-Liberty platted-Salem platted.
1817-Presbyterians erected a brick church-St. Thomas Episcopal parish organ- ized-Bridge across Mad river built-First Sabbath-school association organized-Only two carriages owned in Dayton-Little York platted.
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1818 Stage-coach line began to run between Dayton and Cincinnati-Miamis- burg platted-Union platted.
1819-A keel-boat arrived from Cincinnati-St. Thomas Episcopal church or- ganized-An African lion exhibited at Reid's Inn-Bridge at Bridge street completed.
1820-Cooper's mills burned-Population, one thousand, one hundred and thirty- nine.
1822-Montgomery County Bible society organized-Lancasterian method of in- struction introduced-The Gridiron published-Seven flatboats and one keel-boat left for New Orleans.
1823 -- Miami Republican and Dayton Advertiser first published.
1824-First Baptist church organized-First cotton factory erected, by Thomas Clegg
1825-Law passed authorizing the construction of a canal from Dayton to Cin- cinnati-Stage line established between Columbus, Dayton and Cincin- nati-four hundred and ninety-seven passengers by stage passed through Dayton during the year.
1826-The Watchman and Miami Republican consolidated, and named the Ohio National Journal and Montgomery and Dayton Advertiser, afterward becoming the Dayton Journal-First volunteer fire company organized. 1827-Baptist society built a church.
1828-Water first turned into the canal-First canal-boat launched-Twenty stage-coaches arrived every week-First iron foundry established, now The Globe Iron Works-A flood.
1829-First arrival of canal-boats from Cincinnati-First temperance society formed-A new market-house built-Last factory established, now Craw- ford, McGregor & Canby's Dayton Last Works-Steele's dam construct- ed (perhaps 1830)-A majority of the First Baptist church established a Disciples church, now the Church of Christ.
1830-Population, two thousand, nine hundred and fifty four-Dayton Republi- can first published-Chambersburg platted-Carrollton platted.
1831-First public school opened-Christ Church parish organized-First Cath- olic family arrived in Dayton-R. C. Schenck began practice of law in Dayton.
1832-A fugitive slave captured in Dayton-Fifty-one brick and sixty-two wooden houses built-A silk manufactory established-Dayton Lyceum organized -First parochial school opened-A flood-Mad River & Lake Erie Rail- road company incorporated-Farmersville platted-Miamisburg incor- porated.
1833-First Reformed church organized-Mechanics' Institute organized-Ger- mantown incorporated-Thirty-three deaths from cholera.
1834-Democratic Herald first published.
1835-Firemen's Insurance company chartered-Pyrmont platted.
1836-Main Street bridge opened for travel-First book published-Phillipsburg platted.
1837-Emanuel Catholic church dedicated.
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1838-The "public square," now Cooper park, prepared for and planted with trees -Convention held in the interest of free schools-Dayton and Springfield turnpike constructed-Montgomery County Agricultural society organ- ized-Erection of public schoolhouses ordered-Vandalia platted.
1839-Dayton township first divided into election precincts-First county agricul- tural fair held-Dayton Silk company organized, with capital of one hundred thousand dollars-First English Lutheran church organized- Covered wooden bridge at Third street erected.
1840-Harrison campaign-Gen. Harrison visited Dayton-Dayton Journal began to issue first daily paper-Emanuel church of the Evangelical as- sociation organized-Population, six thousand and sixty-seven-Paper mill established-Montgomery County Mutual Fire Insurance company organized.
1841-Dayton incorporated as a city-The works of W. P. Callahan & Co. estab- lished-Englewood platted.
1842-Western Empire established-Clay convention-Dickens in Dayton-Work- ing Men's association formed.
1843-Woodland cemetery opened-John Quincy Adams entertained-Bank of Dayton chartered by the state legislature-New Lebanon platted.
1844-St. Henry's cemetery opened.
1845-Dayton bank, to which the Winters National bank traces its origin, organ- ized.
1846-Dayton furnished soldiers for the Mexican War.
1847-Disastrous flood-Dayton Library association organized.
1848-First United Brethren church organized-First telegraph message received. 1849-Two hundred and twenty-five deaths from cholera-The Barney & Smith Car Works established-Dayton lighted by gas-St. Mary's Institute founded-W. C. Howells purchased the Dayton Transcript.
1850-Central High school established-Present old courthouse completed-City bank and Farmers' bank opened-D. L. Rike, now the Rike-Kumler Dry Goods company began business-First Hebrew congregation organized- Population ten thousand, nine hundred and seventy-six-Brookville platted-Johnsville platted.
1851-First railroad, from Dayton to Springfield, completed-Cincinnati, Hamil- ton & Dayton railway completed to Dayton-First passenger station lo- cated at northeast corner of Jefferson and Sixth streets-Miami Valley bank established-Dayton Insurance company organized-Hebrew cem- etery opened.
1852-Probate court of Montgomery county first opened-Southern Ohio Insane Asylum located at Dayton-Exchange bank, successor of the Dayton bank, opened. Dayton & Union railroad opened for traffic-West Balti- more platted-Phillips house completed.
1853-United Brethren Publishing house, established in 1834 at Circleville, Ohio, removed to Dayton-Dayton & Western railroad opened.
1854-First Orthodox Congregational society organized-Trotwood platted. 1855-Public library established-The works of Pinneo & Daniels established. 1856-Union passenger station erected.
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1857-Oid Central High school building erected.
1859-Stomps-Burkhardt chair factory established.
1860-Miami Commercial college established-Population, twenty thousand and eighty-one.
1861-65-Montgomery county furnished to the United States service for the army and the navy four thousand, eight hundred and forty-six men; under special calls, one thousand and fifty men; grand total of Montgomery county men in the service, five thousand, eight hundred and ninety-six. 1862-Lowe Brothers' paint factory founded.
1863-First National bank, now the City National bank, established-Second Na- tional bank chartered-Miami Valley Insurance company organized-
First steam fire engine purchased-Vallandigham arrested-Journal office burned-Dayton & Michigan railroad opened.
1864-Empire office mobbed.
1865-Miami Valley Boiler Works established-Teutonia Insurance company or- ganized-Ohio Insurance company began business-Atlantic & Great Western railroad, now the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio, or Erie, formed by the consolidation of several roads.
1866-Great destruction by flood-Volks-Zeitung established-Christian Publish- ing association, established in 1843, reincorporated and located in Dayton. 1867-Central Branch National Military Home established near Dayton-Dayton Building Association No. I organized-Montgomery County Children's Home founded-Cooper Insurance company incorporated-Iron bridge at Washington street contracted for.
1868-McHose & Lyon Architectural Iron works established-John Dodds began to manufacture agricultural implements-General annexation.
1869-First street railway constructed, on Third street-Normal school opened-
Dayton Malleable Iron company incorporated-Thresher & Co. began to manufacture varnish-Sunday, May 16, I a. m., Turner's Opera House and adjoining buildings burned ; loss, five hundred thousand dollars ; in- surance, one hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars-Free delivery system established with ten carriers.
1870-Holly Water-Works established-Young Men's Christian Association or- ganized -- Woman's Christian Association organized-Population thirty thousand, four hundred and seventy-three-Cincinnati "Short Line" railroad, now a part of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railroad, incorporated.
1871-Bonebrake Theological Seminary opened-Merchants National bank in- corporated-Wayne and Fifth Street railway and Dayton View street railway chartered.
1872-Calvary cemetery opened.
1873-Metropolitan police force organized-Mutual Home and Savings associa- tion organized.
1874-Philharmonic society organized-New jail completed-Smith & Vaile company began business.
1875-J. W. Stoddard & Company began business-Widow's Home established.
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
1877-Free night schools established-Crume & Sefton Manufacturing company established-Dayton & Southeastern railroad, now the Cincinnati, Day- ton & Ironton, opened.
1878-St. Elizabeth's hospital founded-Woodhull's carriage and buggy works established-German Pioneer Association formed.
1879-Dayton Daily Herald first published
1880 -- Fifth Street Railway company incorporated-Population, thirty-eight thou- sand, six hundred and seventy-eight. .
1881-St. Elizabeth hospital erected.
1882-Third National bank chartered-Columbia Insurance company organized -Reformed Publishing company organized.
1883-Serious flood -- Montgomery County Bar Association organized-Electric light introduced-Dayton Manufacturing company incorporated.
1884-New courthouse completed-National Cash Register company organized-
Montgomery County Soldiers' monument dedicated-Ohio Rake com- pany incorporated.
1885-Fill made for the Robert boulevard.
1886-A destructive flood, damaging West Dayton.
1887-White Line Street railway, the first operated by electricity, constructed- Union Safe Deposit and Trust company incorporated-Pasteur Cham- berland Filter company incorporated-Board of Trade organized-Wolf creek levee built.
1888-New Public Library building occupied-Fourth National Bank incorpor- ated-Davis Sewing Machine company removed to Dayton-First street paving laid, on East Fifth street-Bell telephone installed.
1889-Woman's Literary club organized-Natural gas introduced-Teutonia National Bank charted.
1890-Protestant Deaconess society organized-First sanitary sewers laid-Lo- renz & Company, music publishers began business-Population sixty-one thousand, two hundred and twenty-Soldiers' Home Street railroad on Home avenue began operation.
1891-Dayton Computing Scale company incorporated-Dayton Underwriters' Association incorporated-Deaconess society opened a temoprary hos- pital-Dayton Press established-Washington street paved-North Main street paved-General annexation.
1892-Columbian Centennial celebrated-Seybold Machine company incorporated -New postoffice building-Callahan Bank building.
1893-New High School building completed-Third street paved-Consolidation forming the City Railway company.
1894-Miami Valley hospital completed and dedicated-Police matron appointed. 1895-All street-railways except one operated by electricity-Dayton Traction company began to operate its line-Present Day club organized-Young Women's league organized.
1896-Manual-training school opened-Population, about eighty thousand-Rei- bold building erected-April 1, Centennial celebration begun-Associated Charities organized-Historical society organized.
1897-Oakwood incorporated-Floods in North Dayton.
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1898-Flood in North Dayton-New Miami river channel.
1899-Algonquin Hotel erected.
1900-Conover Building company organized-Rural mail carriers installed.
1901-New Union depot completed-Arcade Market company incorporated-
College Park platted-January first, celebration of the advent of the new century.
1903-Main street concrete bridge completed-Home telephone began operation. 1904-Dayton made a port of entry.
1905-Third street concrete bridge completed-United Brethren office building completed-Herman avenue bridge built.
1906-Washington street dam constructed-Washington street bridge completed -Reibold building annex erected-Algonquin Hotel annex erected- Steele dam constructed-East High school established.
1907-Government Envelope plant established-First public playground estab- lished.
1908-New Young Men's Christian Association building completed-Central Theological Seminary located in Dayton-Municipal Asphalt Repair plant established.
1909-Memorial building completed-New Wayne avenue market house built- General annexation-Wright Brothers celebration-Dayton Street rail- way constructed-Dayton, Lebanon and Cincinnati railroad enters Day- ton-Park commission authorized-Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars in bonds authorized for straightening the channel of Great Miami river.
CHAPTER VIII.
TOWNSHIP HISTORIES.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP-MIAMI TOWNSHIP-MIAMISBURG-WEST CARROLLTON
-VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP-BEAVERTOWN-OAKWOOD-THE SHAKER COM- MUNITY-MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP-WAYNE TOWNSHIP-GERMAN TOWNSHIP- GERMANTOWN-JACKSON TOWNSHIP-FARMERSVILLE-JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP- HARRISON TOWNSHIP-MADISON TOWNSHIP-TROTWOOD-PERRY TOWNSHIP- BUTLER TOWNSHIP-VANDALIA-RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP-CLAY TOWNSHIP- BROOKVILLE.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
This township is situated in the southeastern corner of Montgomery county. At the first it extended seven miles north and south and from the Green county line to the Miami river. In 1829, it lost the western part of its territory by the formation of Miami township, the line of divison being the same then as at the present time. In 1841, it lost a tier of sections on the north, the same being in- cluded in Van Buren township, then formed. The present area of the township is thirty-six square miles. From the fact that many of the first settlers of Mont- gomery county came by way of the Little Miami river and Lebanon, Washington township was reached and settled earlier than other parts of the county, with the exception of the vicinity of Dayton and a narrow stretch of territory along the Great Miami. As a matter of fact, Washington township became settled much more rapidly and closely than any other part of the county.
About two months after the settlement was made at Dayton in 1896, a num- ber of prospectors from Kentucky are said to have come into the present terri- tory of Washington township to spy out the land. Of their number, Benjamin Robbins selected the southwest quarter of section 25 in township 2, range 6. An- other member of the party, Aaron Nutt, selected the east half of the same sec- tion. Benjamin Robbins also later purchased land to the south of his first pur- chase. The land immediately to the south of the land purchased by Nutt was bought by Benjamin Wallingsford. Centerville is located at the angle where these different tracts join. Benjamin Archer, a member of the original party, selected a little more than five hundred and twelve acres in section 19 of township 2, range 6, this land lying just northeast of Centerville. A considerable part of the land in Washington township had been sold to original purchasers by Judge Symmes from 1796 to 1798. When he forfeited his title to the government, the
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
land thus purchased was resold, those having contracts with Judge Symmes hav- ing preemption privileges ; that is, they could have the first opportunity to pur- chase the land at two dollars per acre. A considerable amount of land was pur- chased in Washington township under these preemption rights in 1801, that be- ing the earliest time that the land could be bought directly from the government. Other lands for the sale of which Judge Symmes had entered into no contracts were also bought at this same early period. By 1810 or 1812, nearly all the land of the township was under private ownership.
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