USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Dayton > History of the city of Dayton and Montgomery County, Ohio, Volume I > Part 91
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In 1862, a call, having been extended to Rev. J. B. McMichael, was by him accepted. He began his labors in August, and on October 9, 1862, he was in-
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stalled as pastor. This pastorate was the longest in the history of the congre- gation, continuing until August, 1878, when he demitted the charge to assume the presidency of Monmouth College, Monmouth, Illinois. The success and ac- ceptableness of his ministry is evidenced by the fact that when nineteen years later he retired from the presidency of the college, the congregation again ex- tended to him a call. This was accepted and he came back to spend his last and, in many respect, his happiest days among a people whom he loved and to whom he delighted to minister. In 1871, the congregation, after some discussion, de- cided not only that a new church was necessary, but also that a new site was advisable. It was decided to move some two miles north of the old location, and the present house of worship was erected. An interim of two years occurs between this and the next pastorate, when Rev. W. S. McClure was called and installed as pastor on January 4, 1881. Mr. McClure continued as pastor for twelve years. Early in Mr. McClure's pastorate, it was deemed advisable to dis- continue services in the Bellbrook church. This was sold, and the house formerly used as a parsonage upon the farm of Mr. Thomas White, given up and the present parsonage built. On January 10, 1894, Rev. J. A. Wiley was installed as pastor and after a ministry of three years, demitted the charge on account of failing health. It was at the conclusion of this pastorate, in the fall of 1897, that Rev. J. B. McMichael, D. D., was again called to take the oversight of the congregation. During this pastorate, the church building that had been built in the doctor's first pastorate, was remodeled and a tower added, the result being the present attractive and convenient house of worship. The termination of this pastorate was most abrupt. On the last evening of the year 1902, having entered the church in which he had so long ministered, to conduct the mid- week prayer-meeting, the call came. Dr. McMichael demitted the charge and in response to the call of the great king and head of the church was transferred to the General Assembly of the Church of the Firstborn. In the following spring, a call was made out for his son, Rev. W. J. McMichael, a son of the congrega- tion. He was installed as pastor on June 12, 1903, and continued up to December, 1907. John A. Henderson came from Pittsburg to this pastorate in May, 1908, and is in charge at present.
Within the congregation today are various organizations which have sprung up from time to time and have proven efficient aids. As to the Sabbath-school, nothing is known of its organization, but there is reference to it as early as the year 1822. It has held steadily on its way, and now under the guiding hand of the superintendent, J. H. Andrew, is a valuable adjunct to the church. Some- time in the fifties, a Women's Mite society was organized. This continued in existence for a term of years when, in 1873, the Women's Missionary Society was organized, with Mrs. J. B. McMichael, as president. This society still flourishes. The Young People's society was organized during the pastorate of Dr. McClure, and it still argues well for the wisdom shown in its organization. A vigorous Men's League is in active operation.
From the congregation have gone forth those who have filled with honor the various professions and callings of men. Into the ministry there have gone the four sons of Rev. R. E. Stewart-John G., Thomas B., Robert E., and David C .;
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
three sons of Rev. J. B. McMichael-Thomas H., William J. and James S. E .; and James Holmes, John E. Bradford and Paul Stewart.
DAVID'S CHURCH. The first direct indication of the time of the organization of this congregation that we have is the record of the election of two trustees, John Kerschner and Thomas Creager, at the residence of Lewis Lecklider, Sep- tember 15, 1826.
They, on the part of the Reformed church, were to act in connection with two others of the Lutheran congregation as a building committee in erecting the first church. There is no record of the completion or dedication of this building.
Rev. David Winters, then pastor of the First church in Dayton, took this church under his care and served it until a meeting of the Miami Classis in Xenia, August 7, 1850.
The charge was reconstructed, and David's with two other country congrega- tions (the Mt. Zion and Alego) made to constitute the Mt. Zion charge, and the Rev. D. Winters was elected pastor of the charge.
On July 3, 1836, is recorded the first election of officers. Some of the first elders were Christian Rike, Jacob Ridenour, Valentine Pentzer, Jacob Darner, William Neibel, Basil Ewry, John F. Prugh, and Jacob V. Prugh.
The pastor, Rev. D. Winters, served as clerk of this congregation until July 13, 1844. His successors have been as follows: 1844, Jesse Prugh; 1846, W. Darner ; 1851, Levi Rike; 1852, Jacob V. Prugh; 1864, John L. Prugh; May, 1867, Adam D. Rike; September, 1867, Cyrus H. Creager, who is still serving, this being his forty-third year in succession. Only three have served as treasurer : John Prugh until 1875, Isaac Prugh until 1891, and Jacob Miller, the present incumbent. Rev. D. Winters served as pastor until 1879, when the charge was again reconstructed. David's and Hawker's were made a new charge and called the "Valley" charge. Rev. David Winters was retained on the old Mt. Zion charge and Rev. M. Loucks was called to the Valley charge, serving until 1884. Since then the pastors have been : 1884, J. B. Henry ; 1888, William H. Tussing ; 1889, B. Frank Davis; 1892, H. C. Hart; 1903, D. A. Parks, the present incumbent.
The first enrollment of members on record was in May, 1844, the number be- ing one hundred and twenty-seven. Of the first enrollment only four are living and only two, Mrs. Mary A. Prugh and Mrs. Clorinda Routsong, are still members. The congregation has now on the roll a membership of two hundred. There are now a flourishing Sabbath school, Ladies' Missionary and Aid society and a Young Peoples' Christian Endeavor society.
In the year 1853 the old church was taken down and the present brick build- ing was erected.
In 1907 the church was remodeled and repaired by the erection of a tower for a bell and the purchase of new decorated art glass windows. The congregation was assisted in this last remodeling by the Mr. John H. Patterson, president of the N. C. R. company of Dayton. His secretary, Mr. Charles Palmer, donated the bell, costing three hundred dollars.
On September 27, 1891, Mr. Isaac Lefevre donated to this congregation one acre of ground to be used for a parsonage.
In 1892 a two-story frame house was erected.
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
This congregation is now under the following official board: Pastor, Rev. D. A. Parks; Elders, Henry M. Routsong, John S. Himes and W. B. Willey; Deacons, Jacob Miller, Frank C. Gerhard, Calvin Whipp, Ohmer Himes and Harry Routsong ; Trustees, Jacob M. Bartch, Harry E. Norris and John Henger ; Secretary, Cyrus H. Creager ; Treasurer, Jacob Miller.
DAVID'S CEMETERY.
The first grounds of this cemetery were donated to the trustees of David's church by Christian Creager in the year 1826, to be occupied in common by the Reformed and Lutheran congregations as a place for divine worship and bury- ing ground. The first interment was that of Charlotta Ann Ridenour, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca Ridenour, in the year 1845.
About the year 1867, the grounds being nearly all taken up, another piece of ground was purchased on the east end of the cemetery, containing seventy-two square rods, of Henry Creager. November 6, 1890, the trustees called a meeting of the consistory of the church and all interested in the cemetery to make some ar- rangements in regard to keeping up the cemetery in the future. The following committee was appointed to investigate and report : J. V. Prugh, J. M. Lefevre and C. H. Creager. This committee called another meeting December 3, 1890. A motion was then adopted calling for the formation of an association to be known as the David's Cemetery association.
In due time articles of incorporation were secured, the incorporators being the above-mentioned committee and Abram Prugh and G. N. Whipp.
January 29, 1891, the incorporators held a meeting for the purpose of organ- izing and adopting a constitution and by-laws. After the adoption of a constitu- tion, the association was fully organized by the election of: President, Abram Prugh; Vice-President, G. N. Whipp; Secretary, C. H. Creager; and Treas- urer, J. M. Lefevre. The present board of trustees and officers are as follows : Trustees-Abram Prugh, J. Mason Prugh, C. H. Creager, John W. Creager and J. Finley Marshall; President, J. Mason Prugh ; Vice-President, J. Finley Mar- shall ; Secretary, C. H. Creager and Treasurer, John W. Creager.
On February 2, 1891, the board of trustees succeeded in procuring from Mrs. Henry Creager, the land from the east end of the cemetery out to the pike, con- taining a little more than one and one-half acres. They then surveyed and platted the whole cemetery in lots, making two hundred and ninety in all. October 28, 1891, the cemetery was dedicated. A suitable program was carried out, the ex- ercises being held in the church and the dedication proper out in the cemetery. There are now four hundred and fifty interments.
MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.
This township was formed May 24, 1841. When the city charter was granted to Dayton in 1841, it was provided and ordered by the state legislature that Dayton township should be made to correspond to the limits of the city and that the other territory of the township should be formed into new townships. Some of the citizens of the eastern part of this large township, desired that
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
the territory of the township outside of the limits of Dayton east of the Miami river should be formed into a single township. Others were zealous that the ter- ritory should be formed into two townships. Petitions for and against were pre- sented to the county commissioners, who at length decided that one township instead of two, should be formed. There was no controversy as to the name that the new township should bear, as only one name would answer-Mad River.
Those who were desirous that there should be two townships formed from the released territory of Dayton township, finally won their case and, as already stated, Van Buren township was formed from Mad River township and the north- ern tier of sections of Washington township when the original Mad River town- ship was one month and two days old.
The township as constituted when Van Buren township was formed has remained the same to the present time, save as the annexations to the city limits of Dayton have encroached on its territory. At the first, the township included twenty-two and one-half square miles, twenty-two square miles being the minimum size, according to Ohio laws, for a township not having an incorpo- rated town. The first annexation of township territory by the City of Day- ton in 1868, reduced the territory of the township below the legal limit. The county commissioners ordered a tract to be taken from Van Buren township to bring the township up to the required size. But as the proper legal steps had not been taken, the commissioners at once revoked their action and from that time to the present, though there have been successive annexations of town- ship territory, the prescribed legal steps in such a case have not been taken.
William Hamer, the Methodist local preacher, elsewhere referred to, set- tled about three miles up Mad river, on the northeast quarter of section 29, town- ship 2, range 7. in 1796, he being one of the original settlers of the Dayton com- munity. He is said to have built a mill for grinding grain about 1800. The mill may have been on Mad river, which passed through his land, or it may have been the mill often referred to, run by water from large springs, as they were then, in the large hills in the eastern part of his land, lying on the west side of McReynold's creek. One account places the McReynold's creek mill on the section east of Hamer's land. Hamer's hill on Mr. Hamer's land, afterward called Fate's hill, became the site of Camp Corwin in the time of the Civil war. Other prominent landholders in the early days, were: D. C. Cooper, Robert Ed- gar, George Newcom, John Patterson, William Robinson and James Findlay.
In 1801, Isaac Spinning came to Montgomery county and purchased all of section 17, near Harshmanville. In 1803, he was appointed one of the first three associate judges of Montgomery county. The following is a copy of his com- mission :
Edward Tiffin, governor, in and by the authority of the State of Ohio, to all who shall see these presents, Greeting.
Know Ye, that we have assigned and constituted, and do by these presents constitute and appoint, Isaac Spinning Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for the County of Montgomery, agreeable to the laws, statutes, and ordi- nances in such cases made and provided, with all the privileges, immunities, and
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
emoluments to such office belonging or in any wise appertaining, for and dur- ing the space or term of seven years from the 6th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three, if he shall so long behave well.
In witness whereof, the said Edward Tiffin, governor of the State of Ohio, hath caused "the great seal of the State of Ohio" to be hereunto affixed, at Chillicothe, the 8th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three, and of the independence of this state the first.
By the Governor,
(Signed) "EDWARD TIFFIN."
[SEAL]
(Private seal, no state seal being yet procured.)
In the summer of 1805, Jonathan Harshman arrived in Dayton from Frederick county, Maryland, and purchased land about four miles above Dayton on Mad river.
He became a very extensive landholder and from him the unincorporated village of Harshmanville was named. His large family became intermarried with the most prominent families in the immediate community and in Dayton, and thus the Harshman relationship, at this time, is very large. A sketch of the family will be found in the second volume.
In 1805, a large colony from Frederick county, Maryland, settled in the territory of Mad River township. It is said that the party numbered ninety- six persons in all, men, women and children. Peter Lehman with his family was the leader of this colony. He located on the northeast quarter of section 27. Lewis Kemp, one of the members of the party, located on a farm near that of Peter Lehman in section 22, purchasing at the same time a portion of section 29. Other members of the Maryland colony located on adjacent lands. They paid for good land about ten dollars per acre, the price having increased to that amount.
The first schoolhouse built in the township was the "Robinson schoolhouse," built in 1798 or 1799, in section 23. William Robinson, who was a Presbyterian preacher, conducted occasional religious meetings in this schoolhouse from the time of its construction, Mr. Robinson was operating a mill on Mad river, but this did not prevent his preaching on Sundays at different places. The Kemp schoolhouse, called also the Liberty schoolhouse, was provided for in the terms of the following articles, in which German pioneers show their desire that their children should have better advantages than they themselves had had.
"ARTICLE FOR THE LIBERTY SCHOOLHOUSE."
Article of agreement made this 7th day of November, 1815: Between the subscribers of 2 township, 7 range, of the one part, and Lewis Kemp of town- ship 2 and range 7 of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Lewis Kemp doth bind himself, his heirs, executors or administrators in the pennel sum of Two Hundred Dollars to make ginerril warutee deed unto the trustees and suc- cessors. In office as soon as the subscribers may have elected them, for one acre of land adjoining a line between section No. 16 and 22, township 2, range 7, whare the trustees may pitch upon some whare near Powerses old improve-
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
ment. it is further agreed that this acre of Land above mentioned to remain for the use of School and No other forever.
Given under my hand and seal, this 7th day of November, Eighteen hundred and fifteen.
Witness,
Signed,
ISAAC KEMP.
LUDWIG KAMP.
We, the subscribers do bind ourselves, our heirs and assigns in the Penal sum of twenty dollars for our true performance for the Sum we subscribe to build a School house adjoining a line near Powereses old improvement between section No. 22 and 16, township 2, range 7.
It is further agreed that when there are subscribers sufficient to go on with the building that one or two of the subscribers shall appoint a day of election and notify the balance of the subscribers to Elect three Trustees, And the Trustees shall proceed to build the school house And give the subscribers at least two days notice when they will work, and every subscriber shall have the liberty of working at the building for the sum which he may subscribe at the rate of 621/2 Cts per day if done when the Trustees demanded. If the work be neglected or Refused then the Trustees shall be impowered to sue, Recover and discharge.
It is further agreed That the trustees shall Remain one year in office and so much longer until others may be Elected.
Dol
Joseph Kemp
6.00
paid
Jacob Kemp 6.00
Jonathan Harshman 8.00
Alexander Snodgrass
2.00
paid
Robb McReynolds
6.00
paid
Henry Robinson
2.00
in plank
Joseph Rench-and John.
4.00
John Jordan
2.00
David Rench
1.00
paid
Adam Gerlough, jun
3.00
Jacob Rothamel
2.00
paid
Henry Butt
1.00
paid
Isaac Kemp
1.25
paid
David Kemp
1.25
paid
William Krise
1.50
paid
Samuel Evlar
1.25
paid
John Cyphers
1.25
paid
John Rike
1.25
McLean & Bell.
2.50
James Gillespie
4.00
George Newcom
2.00
paid
John Roby
2.00
paid
Joshua E. Cottingham
1.25
paid
William Owens, two days' work or.
2.50
Samuel Heffley, one gallon of Whiskey
.75
in stone
subscribers Names
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
John McKaig 1.25
Jacob Worman 1.50
Leonard Broadstone 4.00 paid
Jacob Ealey .621/2 paid
Memorandum of money received by Joseph Kemp for the use of the school house :
George Newcom $2.121/2
Adam Garlaugh 3.00
John Cyphers .621/2
Joshua E. Cottingham .621/2
6.371/2
Paid Saum the sum of $5.00.
The annual Kemp family reunions and the meetings of the Maryland so- ciety keep alive the memory of not only the pioneer days in Montgomery county but also of the original Maryland homes. Peter Lehman is remembered in view of his having platted on the land originally purchased by him the town of High- land, now become along with the plat of Oakland adjoining it a part of the city of Dayton.
The history of all the land of Montgomery county north of Mad river and east of the Miami river differs widely from the history of the other parts of Montgomery county south of Mad river. North of Mad river the land had been sold probably in 1795, in a large tract to G. Turner and Peyton Short, the latter being a son-in-law of Judge Symmes. Later, when the land went back to the government, on account of Symmes' failure to complete his payments, Peyton and William Short took advantage of their privileges as having contracts with Symmes and purchased a large part of the land north of Mad river. This land was sold for the most part in small tracts to actual settlers. Many of the land transactions were settled through the courts.
C. Rohrer, S. Rohrer, Warren Munger, P. Wagner and S. Wagner were a number of years ago among the larger landholders.
MILLS AND FACTORIES.
Mad river is a famous mill stream, having a fall of one hundred and fifty feet between Springfield and Dayton. In an early day, distilleries, gristmills, sawmills, and other mills lined its course. Where Harries' station now is, was the early mill site first used by Robinson's mill, and then the Kneisley mills, consisting of a stillhouse, gristmill and sawmill. In 1843, Kneisley sold out to the Daytort Hydraulic company. In 1824, George W. Smith purchased mills also at the site of what is now Harries' station and conducted a gristmill, a distillery and a cotton factory. In 1848, the property came under the name of Smith and Har- ries. The foregoing account indicates only a part of the variety of manufactures attempted at this place. At one time, a town, under the name of Smithville, bid fair to rise in due importance. In 1832, Jonathan Harshman erected a distillery at what came to be Harshmanville. In 1842, he built a three and one-half story brick flouring mill, which he called Union mills. A sawmill was erected by George
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Harshman in 1866. Other mills and a great number of distilleries were in oper- ation at different times in different parts of Mad River township. At present, a number of factories, more or less closely connected with the business of Dayton, are in the territory of the township. The works of the Dayton Reduction com- pany, incorporated in 1903 with a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dol- lars, and of the Wuichet Fertilizer company incorporated also in 1903 with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, are east of the corporation limits of Dayton, near Mad river.
The land of Mad River township is fertile, but it is greatly cut up by Mad river, the canal, and the numerous railroads, traction lines and pikes entering Dayton from the north and east.
WAYNE TOWNSHIP.
Wayne township occupies the northeastern corner of Montgomery county. It joins Miami county on the north, Clark and Green counties on the east, Green county being again a part of the boundary on the south. January 1, 1810, the township was formed consisting of the township as it now is and all of township 3, range 6 west of the Miami river except the two western tiers of sections. It was named in honor of Gen. Anthony Wayne. The first township election was held at the house of Benjamin Van Cleve on the Staunton road on the 20th day of January, 1810. Upon the formation of Butler township, October 7, 1817, all that part of Wayne township west of the Miami river was used in the erection of that township. The township as it now is has been credited with an area of twenty- one square miles, one square mile less than the legal minimum size for a town- ship without an incorporated town. No question, however, has been raised as to this discrepancy. More than one-third of the township was purchased by Pey- ton Short in 1801 on the basis of his contract with Judge Symmes. This land was sold in larger or smaller divisions to individual settlers. His land ventures do not seem to have been profitable, as later we have notice of his having made an assignment.
At a meeting of the overseers of the poor of Wayne township, it was recorded as the action of the overseers that said board "doth bind John Slider, a Poor child, aged fourteen years against the Ist day of April next ensuing this date (17th October, 1812), to James Forgas, of Miami County, Tanner, to Learn the art and mystery of the Tanning business, for the term of seven years," at the expira- tion of which, all the covenants of each party being fulfilled, he was to receive "his freedom and one suit of Superfine clothing and one suit of Coarse Clothing, and one horse, sadle and bridle, to be worth $75." On what terms girls were cared for is shown by another action of the overseers of the poor dated October 5, 1817. The record recites as follows: The Overseers "Do put & place Sarah Keiser, a poor child of the county and Township aforesaid, with them to Dwell & serve from the Day of the Date of these presents, until she shall arrive to the full age of Eighteen years. * During all which Time the said apprentice her said Master shall faithfully serve on Lawful Business according to her Power, wit and ability," for which the other parties covenanted "to learn her to Spin, sew & to Do common house work, and one year's schooling and one Spinning
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DAYTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY
wheel and one second rate Cow and two suits of Clothing and a good Decent quality and a freedom suit valued at $18, and one good Bed and Bedding & one new Bible."
Among the early settlers of the township, the following named located prior to the year 1810: Rev. Joseph Tatman, John Ainsworth, Robert Miller, James Miller. John Booher, John Duncan Campbell, John Hacker, Henry Jennings, Peter Sunderland, John Slagle, Jacob Arnold, Valentine Shearer, Mrs. John Cuppy nee Lydia Oilar, Henry Oilar, -Levi Jennings, Simon Brenner, Jacob Brenner, Lewis Brenner, Samuel Petticrew, John Petticrew, John Shafer, Joseph H. Johnson, Nathan Maddux, Ignatius Maddux, Henry Deam, James Black. John Booher and John McFadden.
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