USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 88
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October 3, 1811, John Treon, for so many years a practicing physician, ac- companied by his uncle, Dr. Peter Treon, arrived at Hole's Station. In 1812, Phillip Huiet, who built a gristmill on the Miami, north of Hole's Station, be- came a settler.
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Following the organization of the township in 1829, the first township elec- tion was held April 5, 1830 at the house of Charles Connelly on the northeast corner of Main and Ferry streets in Miamisburg. The judges of the election were: John Neibel, Adam Shuey and Philip Keller. The clerks were: John Conely and M. S. Blossom. The trustees elected were John Neibel, Fletcher Emly and Benjamin Sayre.
October 12, 1830, there were cast in the township, two hundred and thirty-one votes for governor.
The earliest township records preserved begin with March 22, 1836. The minutes of the overseers of the poor, under date of February 13, 1837, contain the following order, addressed to William Goudy, constable of Miami town- ship: "Whereas, We, the undersigned, overseers of the poor of Miami town- ship, have received information that there has lately come into said township, a certain poor and dissipated man and family, named Aaron Mecum, who is not a legal resident thereof and will likely become a township charge.
"You are therefore commanded forthwith to warn said Aaron Mecum to depart out of said township, and of this warrant make service as the law directs."
The board of township trustees as elected in 1909, is as follows: George W. Miller, Walter J. Miller, John L. Storck. Other officers are the following : Clerk, Charles Eicher ; Treasurer, E. C. Weber ; Constables, W. C. Rohrer and John A. Hall; Assessors : A. H. Dunford and B. Frank Hinkson; Board of Edu- cation : Charles F. Woods, J. F. Engle and Albert Benner.
In Miami township, there are now thirteen school districts. A. A. May- silles is the superintendent of the township schools.
The Miami river passes through the township, taking a southwesterly course. The most important small streams entering the Miami river, in Miami town- ship, are Hole's creek from the east, and Bear creek from the west. A consid- erable part of the surface of the township is very broken, necessitating a large expenditure in making and repairing roads. Five bridges cross the Miami in the township ; one near Alexanderville, one at West Carrollton, two in Miamis- burg, and one in the southern part of the township.
While the usual crops for this part of the state are grown, tobacco is the staple or money crop of this township. Field cultivation of tobacco was com- menced in 1833 by a Mr. Pease. Soon after that, small lots were grown by a Mr. Gerralds, and also by Peter Richard. In 1839, the first field cultivation of tobacco on an extensive scale was undertaken by Thomas Pomeroy on a farm below Miamisburg, west of the Miami river. In 1840 and each year thereafter, additional fields were planted in this crop.
MIAMISBURG MOUND.
The largest mound in Ohio is situated about one mile southeast of Miamis- burg. In 1869, a number of resident citizens formed a syndicate to explore it. In July of that year, they commenced operations and sunk a shaft five or six feet in diameter from the top to the base of the mound. At eight feet from the top a human skeleton in a sitting posture was found. At different points, ashes and charcoal, bones of small animals and stones specially arranged, were found.
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The earth removed in making the excavation, was kept near the top of the mound by means of a wooden enclosure and later used in filling the shaft. Thus the mound remained the same shape as before. At the top of the mound, there is a level area twenty feet in diameter. At the first, the mound was prob- ably fifteen or twenty feet higher than at present.
The population of Miami township, including Miamisburg and West Car- rollton in 1900, was seven thousand, seven hundred and ninety-one.
MIAMISBURG.
Miamisburg, next to Dayton, is the largest town in Montgomery county. It claims a population of five thousand and is proudly called by its citizens, the Star City. The beginning of the town has already been stated as consisting of Hole's Station. Afterward, for a number of years, the place was put down on maps as "Gebharts" the name being taken from the Gebhart hotel, erected where the first blockhouse stood. The place came to be a sort of headquarters for land seekers. The flouring mill, erected in 1812 by Philip Huiet, added to the im- portance of the place. Mr. Huiet also established a sawmill, fulling mills, a dis- tillery and a pork-packing establishment. In this early period, the place was also a center for a church.
February 5, 1818, the first town lots were platted and sold by Emanuel Geb- hart, Jacob Kercher and Drs. John and Peter Treon. A number of plats were added subsequently. An excellent feature in a later plat, was the dedication of a large square in the center of the grounds for public use. In 1827, the bridge across the river at Bridge and Water streets was built by M. Johns for a joint stock company, which collected tolls for many years. Prior to the construction of this bridge, a ferry boat owned by John Yeazel was in use. During low water the river was forded opposite Lock street. The second river bridge was constructed at the north end of the town in 1859, partly by subscription and partly by the county, no tolls being charged. About this time, the lower bridge was transferred to the county and made a free bridge.
The town was incorporated February 1I, 1832. The territory included ex- tended one mile along the river and one-half mile from the river to the eastern boundary. The first election for town officers was held at the house of Jacob Winger, May 7th, of the same year. The election resulted as follows: Mayor, Gooding Hollaway; Recorder, Philip Keller; Members of Council: James Fisk, James Morton, C. Beck, John Burk and William Sawyer. The population was probably at that time about five hundred.
TRANSPORTATION.
Already in the year 1800, flatboats were available for shipping produce on the Miami river. The Miami and Erie canal, completed in 1829, was of great advantage to the town both in affording transportation for freight and for passengers. The Great Miami turnpike, begun in 1838, brought great advan- tages. The Cincinnati Hamilton and Dayton railroad, built in 1851, and the Big
F
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Four railroad, built in 1872, were of great advantage to the town. The present traction line was built in 1895. The Centerville and Springboro turnpikes greatly improved the means of communication. Like other turnpikes, constructed at the time, they were at first toll roads. Recently, the Centerville road has been macadamized and made a splendid highway.
MANUFACTURING.
A convenient addition to the water power of Miamisburg came with the construction of the canal. A double lock, in the southern part of the town, made available the water of the canal for power purposes. Here Cassady and Strong built a cotton mill. When later it was destroyed by fire a brick oil mill took its place, the latter being subsequently converted into a flour mill and still later used as a twine and cordage factory. The only factories which began operations prior to 1850, which are still in existence, are those of the Hoover and Gamble Company and the Kauffman Buggy Company. The firm of Allen, Watson and Allen, began the manufacture of grain separators in 1835. D. H. Hoover pur- chased the interest of the Allen Brothers in 1841 and the firm became Watson and Hoover. They removed their shops to the present site of the Hoover and Gamble Company in 1848. In 1892, the firm was incorporated as the Hoover and Gamble Company. In the past few years the firm has manufactured twine- making machinery and ice machines.
The large manufacturing establishments of Miamisburg at the present time, are the substantial basis of the solid prosperity and the future prospects of the town.
The Bookwalter Wheel company is capitalized at one hundred thousand dollars. It is the outgrowth through successive changes of the Bookwalter Wheel company, incorporated in 1866. Dr. W. S. Bookwalter is the president of the company.
The Enterprise Carriage Manufacturing company, Charles Albrecht, presi- dent, is a solid and prosperous company.
The Mitchell Wheel company, organized four or five years ago, with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, is meeting with substantial success.
The Kauffman Buggy company is the successor of a company that began operation in 1849. For a long period it was highly successful, but is now closed.
The J. C. Groendyke company, the successor of the Miamisburg Twine and Cordage company, operates one of the largest and most profitable factories in Miamisburg. This industry was established in 1892.
Miamisburg has two large paper mills, one now owned and operated in con- nection with the American Envelope company of West Carrollton and the other, the Miamisburg Paper company, owned by local capitalists.
Twelve or fifteen tobacco warehouses emphasize the importance of Miamis- burg as a tobacco center.
Miamisburg has four hotels, is well supplied with stores in every line of trade, and is the trading center for a large and rich agricultural community.
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COMMERCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK was incorporated in 1888. It succeeded the bank of H. Groby and company, organized in 1866. Its present officers are : President, T. Z. Lyons; Vice-President, W. H. Albrecht; Cashier, Charles F. Eck; Assistant Cashier, C. A. Schuster. The report of June 23, 1909, showed capital stock two hundred thousand dollars; surplus and profits one hundred and sixteen thousand, one hundred and seventy-nine dollars and fifty-four cents ; circulation, ninety-nine thousand, one hundred dollars; deposits, four hundred and sixty-four thousand, and sixty-nine dollars and fifty-nine cents, making a total of eight hundred and seventy-nine thousand, three hundred and forty- nine dollars and thirteen cents.
THE MIAMISBURG BANKING COMPANY is located at 17 South Main street. John J. Schwartz is secretary and cashier. The bank is preparing to move into a new building completely furnished for its use.
THE MUTUAL BUILDING AND LOAN COMPANY was incorporated March 12, 1880. Its capital stock is one million dollars. The report of December 31, 1908 gives the following : cash on hand, twenty thousand and twenty-five dollars and seventy-one cents; loans on mortgage security, three hundred and eighty-three thousand, five hundred and eighty-seven dollars and ninety-three cents ; furniture and fixtures, three hundred dollars; investment of contingent fund, eight thou- sand dollars ; total, four hundred and eleven thousand, nine hundred and thirteen dollars and sixty-four cents. The officers are as follows: President, S. H. Mays; Secretary and Treasurer, J. M. Purnell ; Vice-President, L. H. Zehring ; Attorney, W. A. Reiter.
THE MIAMISBURG BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION was incorporated April 8, 1893. The report for the year entering March 31, 1909, gives the following : cash on hand, forty-five thousand, six hundred seventy-eight dollars and forty- one cents; loans on mortgage security, six hundred and twenty-one thousand, six hundred and fifty-eight dollars and ninety cents ; loans on stock or pass book securities, three thousand, three hundred and thirty-five dollars and sixty-five cents ; furniture and fixtures, one thousand dollars; real estate, twenty-nine thousand, two hundred dollars; real estate sold on contract, one thousand, four hundred and thirteen dollars; due for insurance and taxes from borrowers, four hundred and three dollars and forty-eight cents; total, seven hundred and two thousand, six hundred and eighty-nine dollars and forty-four cents. The officers are : President, J. L. Clark; Vice-President, B. J. Pansing ; Treasurer, Dr. C. F. Ginn; Director, W. R. Hughes.
THE MIAMI TOWNSHIP FARMERS MUTUAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATION was in- corporated and commenced business in 1877. Isaac Mick is president and Charles M. Lambert of Miamisburg is secretary. The risks in force December 31, 1907, were: policies, four hundred and sixty-six, representing an insured amount of one million, fifty thousand, two hundred and seventy-five dollars. The premium charged by the regular insurance companies on farm property are greatly in excess of what are charged on city property, where fire protection is available. The farmers by mutual insurance associations, are able to obtain a rate varying little from what is charged on city property.
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THE PRESS.
THE GRIDIRON was the first newspaper published in Miamisburg. It was edited and published by John Anderson, of Dayton.
THE MIAMISBURG UNION was edited and published by Isaac Pepper in 1856. The paper was short lived, being a campaign paper, issued in the days when John C. Freemont and James Buchanan were presidential candidates.
THE MIAMISBURG BULLETIN was started by A. H. Blossom, C. E. Blossom, and Miles Blossom, sons of M. S. Blossom. The paper was established in 1867 and maintained for twenty-eight years. The publishers used the first gas engine and the first cylinder press used in Miamisburg, had their own gas plant and used what was at that time the best known mailing machine.
THE MIAMISBURG NEWS was first issued in April, 1880. Charles E. Kinder, formerly connected with the Putnam County Centinal has been editor and manager from the time when the paper was founded. Mr. Kinder is the son of John E. Kinder, and is a descendant of one of the oldest pioneer families of the valley. It is the only newspaper now published at Miamisburg.
MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS.
Miamisburg secured its first fire-fighting outfit in 1843, consisting of a fire engine and hook and ladder outfit. At the present time the town is provided with one steam fire engine, one chemical combination, one hook and ladder wagon and a force of sixteen men subject to call.
As at the begining the chief guardian of the public safety is the marshall who has at his command four or five men for night duty. The mayor is the police magistrate.
The town has its own electric light plant, erected in 1890.
In 1904, water works were established. At this time the water works and the electric light plant were with most satisfactory results placed under the same board.
TOWN OFFICERS.
The following have been mayors : 1832, Gooding Holloway ; 1833, James Mor- ton ; 1835, Jesse Smith; 1836, C. S. Drake (appointed on the resignation of Jesse Smith ) : 1836, William Goudy ; 1837, Joseph Warson ; 1838, Silas H. Smith ; 1839, Joseph Fisk; 1840, William Hudson; 1841, Joseph Fisk; 1842, Peter Reichard; 1843, S. H. Smith ; 1844, Benjamin Suddath : 1845, William Goudy ; 1846, S. H. Smith; 1848, Benjamin Suddath; December, 1849, Adam Clay (ap- pointed to fill Suddath's unexpired term and reelected) ; 1852, M. S. Blossom ; 1853, N. T. Beals ; 1855, T. V. Lyons ; 1859, C. Boltan ; 1861, F. C. Fox; 1864, J. E. Kinder ; 1866, A. J. Eminger ; 1870, J. H. Grove; 1871, Michael Cassady ; 1872, J. B. Miller ; 1876, Hon. E. Schultz ; 1876, Jacob Hetzel ; 1878, L. H. Zeh- ring ; 1884, H. C. Plate ; 1886, C. E. Kinder ; 1887, L. H. Zehring ; 1888, W. A. Reiter ; 1890, Jacob Hetzell ; 1892, Charles E. Kinder ; 1894, Charles A. Simonton ; 1896, L. H. Zehring ; 1898, A. R. Stocker (Carl Shuler filled out unexpired term
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in 1900) ; 1901, A. R. Stocker ; 1902 Carl Shuler ; 1903, A. R. Stocker ; 1905, W. A. Reiter ; 1909, A. R. Stocker.
The members of council elected in 1909 are as follows: William Alexander, D. H. Allen, J. L. Clark, John V. Fornshell, J. H. Binkley, Adam Gruver.
Those who have served as postmaster of Miamisburg are the following : Adam Shuey, twelve years; Philip Keller, eight years; William Brooks, four years ; George Perry, four years; Mrs. P. Keller, two years; D. Winebrunner, two years : John Keiser, four years ; Samuel Decker, five years ; J. Vogle, three years ; Henry Boltin, seventeen years; C. E. Kinder, two years; E. Shultz, four years ; C. E. Kinder, A. J. Eminger, since 1898.
The territory immediately west of the river is reckoned as a part of Miamis- burg. This suburb was platted April 30, 1831, under the name of Bridgeport.
Miamisburg has a city hall erected in 1851.
SOCIETIES.
MASONS. Minerva lodge, No. 98 was organized October 23, 1843. An earlier organization, however, dates from January 10, 1827. Trinity Chapter, No. 44 was organized January 31, 1851. The present commodious and beautiful Masonic hall was dedicated April 23, 1903.
Other societies are the Knights of Pythias, the Odd Fellows, the German Order of Harugari and yet others.
Woman's clubs are represented by the Research club and the Chopin club (mus- ical).
Among the most prominent citizens of Miamisburg was John Treon, who died May 16, 1887, at the advanced age of ninety-six. Rev. I. H. Reiter, D. D., not only as pastor of the Reformed church but in many other ways filled an important place. He died November 8, 1895. Of the prominent citizens honored for their iong and useful career, may be mentioned Dr. William Shuler and Hon. Emanuel Shultz, who recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday.
CARNEGIE LIBRARY.
Miamisburg, while not entirely destitute of library advantages, has had no building especially devoted to library purposes. That disadvantage will now be removed. July 9, 1909, there was laid with suitable ceremonies in the park square the cornerstone of the Carnegie library building. Mr. Carnegie's contribu- tion toward the building was twelve thousand five hundred dollars. The people of Miamisburg are delighted with this new acquisition.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The village of Miamisburg was founded 1818. On that date there were pos- sibly twelve or fifteen families living on what is now the site of the present Miamis- burg.
May 1, 1818, a public meeting of the citizens was called. The purpose of the meeting was to arrange for the building of a school house. It was decided at
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this meeting to build a school house twenty-five by thirty feet, one story high. The money for the building was raised by subscription. The cost was one hun- dred and eighty-seven dollars. Jacob Kercher and Dr. John Treon were appointed as a building committee. This first school house was located at the corner of First street and Central avenue. This building served not only as a school house but also as a church and a general meeting place for the public.
The survey for the Miami and Erie canal was made in 1827. The line of this survey ran through the lot on which the school house stood and in 1828 the house was removed to the lot now occupied by the old grave yard. The building was sold in 1833 to Tobias Wetzel for one hundred dollars and was later removed to Second street, where it now stands and is occupied as a dwelling by Mr. John Long.
The first school building was under the general control of the town from 1818 to 1822. It was controlled for a time after this by the trustees of the Luth- eran and Reform churches. From 1822 to 1829, it was conducted largely as a parochial school.
The teaching from 1818 to 1829 was all in German and was not very efficient.
In the early years of school history in Miamisburg a teacher would get per- mission to use the school house and would then solicit pupils from house to house.
The teacher would teach for a time and would then collect his pay from the parents of his pupils.
In the years that have passed the names of the teachers who taught from 1818 to 1823 have been forgotten and there are no records which reveal them.
Between the years 1823 and 1833 the following teachers taught short terms : Lewis La Rose, Christian Schmidt, Daniel Eckhart, Eliza Johnson, James Cook and William Goudy.
In 1826 there was a feeling prevalent among the citizens of the village that better school accommodations were needed; and that there ought to be a place where all denominations might have preaching; and where the town might hold its public meetings.
In 1826 or 1827 there was a public meeting at which it was decided that the village should build a new school house.
Articles of agreement were drawn up and Adam Shuey, Dr. John Treon and Joseph Dodds were appointed trustees. They looked after the building of the house and controlled it for a number of years. This house, like the first, was built by subscription.
The second house was a brick structure, built on lot 16, located on First street, between Central and Linden avenues.
The dimensions of the house were twenty-four by thirty-six feet, one story high. The cost of the building was about one thousand dollars.
It was used as a school house, a church and a public hall.
A third school house was built in 1834 on the west side of First street, in the north end of town.
The money necessary to construct this building was raised by general taxation. A board of school directors was elected in 1834 as provided by law. This board had control of the school property. The law also provided for a board of ex- aminers in each township whose duty it was to examine teachers.
MIAMISBURG PUBLIC SCHOOL
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The first board of examiners consisted of William Goudy, John F. Plate and Dr. Silas Smith.
The schools of Miamisburg at this time were sustained partly by taxation and partly by subscription.
The branches taught as early as 1836 were orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic, grammar and geography.
It is interesting to note that at that time girls did not study arithmetic be- cause their parents said they would not go into business and therefore did not need any knowledge of numbers.
While the organization of the schools at that period was rather loose and the methods and discipline poor, nevertheless there was a striving after something higher and better, educationally speaking. The educational qualifications of the teachers of this early period were below par, and the teaching often was inefficient.
In addition to the schools taught in the buildings above named there were a number of teachers who taught private schools at various times between 1833 and 1850.
As early as 1840 a Mrs. Holmes had a school on Main street, composed only of girls, in which she taught them to sew.
Most of the private schools of this period were taught by women. Some of the schools admitted only small children while others admitted only older pupils. A number of these teachers were well qualified to teach and wielded a good in- fluence in starting new school movements.
The most successful of these private schools was taught by John H. Fry, as- sisted by his wife and Miss Mary Powers. This school was in existence from 1845 to 1849. In addition to the common branches the course of study included algebra, geometry, trigonometry, natural philosophy, Latin and Watts on the Mind.
In January or February, 1848, the citizens of Miamisburg were called to- gether in a mass meeting to discuss the proposition to build a new schoolhouse. Public sentiment seemed ready for such action.
This meeting resulted in setting March 29, 1848, as the date upon which the qualified electors should vote on the subject. Those opposed to the proposition nearly all stayed away from the election. The measure carried by a vote of fifteen to two.
The building was constructed on a lot containing one-half acre, said lot being the northwest corner of the corporation graveyard. This building is yet standing and is the west wing of the present high school building.
The building was of brick, forty-five feet square and two stories high. The total cost including furniture was four thousand dollars.
The first school in this new building began January 7, 1850. Mr. P. D. Pel- ton was the principal and he was assisted by Mr. Samuel Boltin, Miss Mary H. Cassady and Mrs. Almira Hyde.
The enrollment in this new school was almost two hundred. The branches taught were orthography, reading, arithmetic, grammar and geography.
The amount paid for tuition the first quarter was two hundred and fifty dol- lars.
During the period from 1848 to 1867 there was no regular course of study adopted.
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The attendance fluctuated from time to time. Sometimes the pupils attended regularly ; at other times, the attendance was very irregular. According to the law of 1853 all schools might be provided with a school library. Miamisburg received her quota of books along with the other towns of the state.
No German was taught in the schools of Miamisburg from 1850 to 1861, but in the latter year one hundred and eleven citizens signed a petition asking that a German school be organized. This petition was granted and Mr. E. Leonard was employed as teacher. This school was held in a building other than the schoolhouse.
A number of private schools were taught in Miamisburg during the years from 1860 to 1867.
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