USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 68
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Article I. This Association shall be called the Miami County Agricultural Society.
Article II. The object of the society shall be the circulation of general intelligence and practical instruction in all the branches of agriculture.
1. By the establishment of a permanent library of the best books and periodicals, illustrative of the principles and practices of the sciences.
2. By the establishment of a correspondence with other bodies seeking the same object.
3. By procuring the most rare and valuable kinds of seeds, plants, shrubs and trees.
4. By the establishment of exhibitions at which premiums shall be awarded for the improvements of soil, tillage, crops, manure, implements of husbandry, stocks, articles of domestic industry, and such other articles, productions and improvements as may be deemed worthy of encouragement.
Article III. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President, three Vice-Presidents, Corresponding Secretary, Record- ing Secretary, Treasurer, Librarian, standing committee of five per- sons on Agriculture, and a Board of Directors to be composed of the President, Vice-Presidents, and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, which Board shall have charge and general manage- ment of the property and business of the society, subject, however, to the order and direction thereof.
Article IV. All the officers shall be chosen by ballot, at the annual meeting of the society, which shall be held on the first Sat- urday in September in each year at such hour and place as the directors shall order.
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Article V. All special meetings of the society shall be called by the recording secretary on the requisition of a majority of the directors, or of any five members, made in writing therefor; a notice thereof, as well as of all general meetings, shall be published in one or more of the newspapers of the county fifteen days or more before each meeting.
Article VI. Any person may become a life member of the society on the payment of $10 into the treasury at any one time.
Article VII. This constitution may be altered or amended by the votes of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, providing the same shall have been proposed in writing at a previous regular meeting.
The election of officers that followed the adoption of the fore- going document, made William I. Thomas president; William C. Knight, Cyrus Haywood and David Jenkins, vice-presidents ; D. H. Morris, corresponding secretary ; G. D. Burgess, recording secre- tary; Jacob Knoop, treasurer; H. D. Stout, librarian ; John Hamil- ton, Daniel Brown, James McCain, Zimri Heald and William Gif- fin, committee on agriculture. The by-laws of the society provided for the annual membership fee of $1.00 per person, and a fine for any books held longer than the rules of the library permitted. The penalty for failure to pay such fines and dues was expulsion from the society. The library seemed to be the chief interest and all the books were carefully catalogued, and an accurate record was made of all withdrawals. In addition to the regular meetings provision was made for the holding of three special meetings to be held on the first Thursday of the months of December, March and June, for the purpose of "hearing addresses, discussing questions, and re- ceiving reports on the several subjects embraced by the society." The first of these speeches was given at the first quarterly meeting which was held December 5, 1856, by the president, Mr. Wil- liam Thomas, on the subject, "Scientific Husbandry." So much in- terest was manifested in the new organization that a representa- tive was sent to the State Pomological Society exhibition in 1851, which was held in Cincinnati. Jacob Knoop was the honored mem- ber at this meeting, and somewhat later Dr. Asa Coleman was chosen to represent the Miami County Society at the meeting of the State Board of Agriculture.
The next important question that arose was that of a suitable place to hold exhibits and fairs that were the natural results of the enthusiasm that had been aroused. At first the spacious barn of W. H. Gahagan, on East Main street, Troy, was used for County Fairs and later the old Fairgrounds, situated on the present site of the Troy Water Works. In 1856, the Fair Board bought of William Senior, about forty acres of land in order to establish permanent grounds for the annual agricultural exhibits, horse races and other activities connected with the Agricultural Society. Fifteen hundred and twenty dollars were paid for this tract and somewhat later an Exhibit Hall was erected for the use of the contestants. For fif- teen years this site was used, but by 1871 the space proved in- adequate and a new Fairground was established on ground that was purchased by the Board from Mrs. Eliza McKaig. This land
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lay on the west side of the Piqua pike, one mile north of Troy. The old method of electing directors in open session of the society gave place to the better way of having two directors from each township, chosen by the electors of the county at annual elections. Much has been done in late years to make the grounds as attractive and com- modious as possible. The old grandstand was replaced in 1916, by a concrete stadium which seats 2,860 persons. Several other mod- ern buildings have been erected in late years for exhibition purposes and some of the finest specimens of agricultural products shown in the state are presented here for inspection. The showings of needle work and fine baking and canning, entered by the women of the county, prove the superior quality of the housewives and the in- terest that they take in their work. Miami county has sent many boys and girls to the Ohio State university, colleges of agriculture and household economics, and there have been several extension schools sent to Miami county which have not only been instructive but have encouraged prospective farmers and housekeepers to fit themselves to be most up-to-date and scientific in their work. Courses in agriculture and in domestic science and domestic art are offered in all the county schools at present, and, with a trained group of young people going out every year to put scientific management into the work of running their farms, farming will very soon take its place among the leading professions. During the war great in- terest was aroused among the school children as to who should raise the greatest quantity and of the highest quality of vegetables and fruit. Some schools had school gardens, but most of the work was done through the schools in the home gardens, and at the end of the season prizes were awarded to the successful young grower. War needs and war prices stimulated production throughout the county and bumper crops were the result. The agricultural society each year gives two boys and two girls free trips to Ohio State Uni- versity's Farmers' Week, an annual event; the boys are awarded these trips on Pig-Growing contests and the girls are awarded for excellence in their work in the girls' food-clubs, etc. The present offi- cers of the Miami County Agricultural Society are: President, George A. Fry, Tippecanoe City ; Vice-president, George Stapleton, Conover ; Treasurer, J. H. Miller, West Milton; Secretary, C. W. Kline, Troy.
The Miami County Horticultural Society is a most efficient or- ganization for the promotion of interest in the production of fruits. Miami county has several very fine nurseries and numerous orchards as well as some excellent vineyards and berry patches. The own- ers of these keep in touch with the work of the Horticultural So- ciety and at their meetings discussions and papers prove most in- structive.
In addition to the farm products that have already been men- tioned tobacco has been successfully raised for some years. Both seed-leaf and Spanish are grown, and recent prices have made this crop one of the most profitable of any raised in the county.
To discuss the agricultural interests of Miami county and fail to mention the stock breeding industry would be to omit one of the most important phases of the subject. In the last sixty years the
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growth of the business of raising blooded stock has been remark- able. In 1860 Jersey cattle were first brought to Miami county and were raised on the Johnston farm near Piqua. The first one in Troy belonged to Chas. Mccullough. The first entry of Holstein cattle at a Miami County Fair was made in 1876 by N. H. Albaugh. Cap- tain John Drury brought the first Morgan horse to Troy, and in about 1860 displayed the first English draft horse in the county. About ten years later the first Norman horses appeared. In 1847 Zimri Heald, whom we remember as one of the first officers of the Miami County Agricultural Society, introduced Merino sheep to the farmers of the county, and for many years this was the only kind to be found in the vicinity.
The raising of thoroughbred swine has made Miami county famous among stockbreeders throughout the United States. For the last twenty years, Ira Jackson, of Tippecanoe City, has been one of the most progressive and constructive breeders of Duroc- Jersey hogs. He has produced a type that is so fine that the best breeders from every state in the Union attend his sales and buy his hogs for breeding purposes. Mr. Jackson's successful feats were the production of two hogs, Orion Cherry King, that won the Royal Grand Championship over the Grand Champions of all other breeds. This hog later sold for $10,500, subsequently another of his prize winners, Longenduffer-Siegel, was sold for the phenomenal price of $35,000.
Farmers' Institute. Under the state law, each county may have state assistance at any four institutes held during the year. These institutes are held under the direction of the State Depart- ment of Agriculture and are very helpful adjuncts in the propaga- tion of approved methods of agriculture. The state defrays the ex- penses of outside speakers to address these institutes, generally choosing men who are considered authorities on special branches of agriculture, in live stock raising, etc. The four institutes held each year in Miami county under state direction are always well at- tended and are of the greatest benefit. In addition, independent institutes are held which greatly supplement this work among the farmers.
The County Experimental Farm. Embracing 12232 acres of land, situated about two miles west of Troy, the experimental farm of Miami county is rapidly becoming a source of much valuable in- formation to the farmers of this vicinity. This farm was established in 1911 and is under the supervision of the Ohio State Experiment Station. Its work thus far has more than justified its establish- ment. In conjunction with the Experiment Station at Wooster, the Miami station has been developed along the advanced ideas in agricultural experiments.
All varieties of grain are tested, not only in laboratory work, but in the actual adaptation to soil conditions ; this station observ- ing ten rotations of crops on its acreage. All fertilizers are experi- mented with; not only the well known commercial variety, but others of various kinds are subjected to actual tests to determine their efficacy to the farmers of this community. The experiments thus far, in live stock, have been largely confined to hogs; hog rais-
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ing in Miami county, being one of the leading items, and probably a more important item in Miami county than in many others, con- sidered in the light of past achievements. The local experiment sta- tion is in charge of R. R. Barker, the well-known agriculturist, whose personal efforts have had much to do with the development of ex- perimentation work in this state, and especially in this county. P. A. Jones is the active foreman of the local station.
Miami County's Military Record
The War of 1812. The participation of Miami county in the War of 1812, was largely confined to disrupting the influence of the British with the Indians. Tecumseh, the celebrated Indian leader, had welded many of the tribes together as a faithful unit, serving the notorious English General Proctor. Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, had persuaded many of the tribes to ally themselves with the English in the War of 1812. That this alliance was largely selfish must be taken for granted. The conflict of 1812 afforded the Indians under their able leader, Tecumseh, a splendid opportunity to again assert their supremacy in this territory. That this promise was held out to them as an inducement, and decided their position in the conflict, is the natural conclusion.
At first, through the influence of Little Turtle, the Miamis and Shawanoes remained neutral, if not friendly to the Americans. On the death of Little Turtle, and yielding to the persuasive eloquence of Tecumseh, the Miamis joined in the Indian confederacy under him.
The alliance of the Indians with the English antedated the actual declaration of war by some months. The war itself was con- fidently expected by both sides. In anticipation of this exigency, strenuous efforts were made by the English to enlist the aid of all the Indians of this territory as a precautionary or preliminary feature of the impending conflict.
In October, 1811, General Harrison and Colonel Miller with the Fourth United States Infantry, and several companies of Ken- tucky volunteers reached Troy. The following November, they encountered the Indians under the Prophet at Tippecanoe. This decisive battle, so signally won by the Americans, settled the In- dian question for a time.
On the 19th of June, 1812, war was formally declared, and 50,- 000 volunteers were asked for immediate service, and 100,000 for garrison duty. The expedition under General Hull, consisting of several regiments of Infantry, was organized at Dayton and pro- ceeded north to Troy, later turning east to Urbana, and then pro- ceeded to Detroit. After the surrender of this force to the English, northwestern Ohio was again exposed to Indian and English depre- dations.
There was, at this time, an organized regiment of Militia and two companies of riflemen in Miami county stationed at Greenville. Excitement ran high as reports reached the settlement, of the ap- proach of the Indians and English up the Maumee. Several regi- ments were gathered from adjoining counties and assembled at Piqua, under General Meigs. An expedition of 700 or 800 men for
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the relief of Fort Wayne, was equipped and sent post-haste. Mili- tary stations were established at Loramie, old Fort St. Marys and other places. Blockhouses, outposts and stockades were estab- lished along the frontier, the principal ones being at Greenville, an- other at the mouth of Greenville Creek (now Covington), one at the mouth of Turtle Creek, and another on the Miami. The two com- panies of riflemen from Miami county were stationed at Greenville under Major Charles Wolverton.
In the spring of 1813, Colonel John Johnston, Indian agent, be- gan to exert great pressure on the Indians to remain friendly to the American cause. Prior to this the Indian chiefs were frequently called in council in the village of Washington, when they were pre- vailed upon to at least remain neutral.
Colonel Johnston assembled some five or six thousand Indians, men, women and children in the agency at Upper Piqua, where they were clothed and fed at Government expense. Colonel Johnston, by personal influence, and kind treatment secured the friendship of the remaining Indians in the vicinity. The Government was pre- vailed upon and consented to the employment of Indian warriors. To this end several companies of riflemen were organized and gave creditable service during the remainder of the war. They were officered by whites, a restraining measure against any possible in- humanities of warfare.
In 1813, two companies of rangers were stationed four miles north of Piqua ; the local "minute men" of the war ready to respond to a call from the frontier posts for help. The British and their ally Tecumseh, constantly endeavored to enlist the neutral Indians on their side, secret emissaries being sent to the Indians assembled in the vicinity of Piqua. Knowing the vast influence of Colonel Johnston with the Indians, the British set a price on his head, but owing largely to the fidelity of the Indians in this vicinity, all at- tempts at their defection failed.
About this time Chief Pashetowa with two or three followers, penetrated to the vicinity of Piqua. They were the remnant of a band which met defeat at the hands of Zachary Taylor. Pashetowa and his followers had massacred a number of isolated white set- tlers, and their expressed mission was to kill Colonel Johnston. Failing in this, they proceeded to the east bank of the Miami, where they killed two settlers named Dilbone and Gerard.
This incident aroused the suspicion against the friendly In- dians, encamped around Piqua; excitement ran high, and a disposi- tion of the friendly Indians was felt necessary. It was at this time that General Harrison, on behalf of the government, invited the braves to join the American forces.
One other incident of importance occurred at this time, when the relief expedition for the relief of Fort Wayne, passed through Piqua. This consisted of a force of men under General Harrison. They were met at Piqua by the friendly Shawanoes, who had ac- companied Oliver and Worthington on a previous expedition. The Shawanoes, who had reached Ft. Wayne with Oliver, were sent with a communication to Harrison. They succeeded in escaping from the besieged fort and delivered the communication to him at
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Piqua. He, urged on by the communication from Oliver, marched to the relief of Ft. Wayne, which was shortly accomplished.
As a resume of Miami county in this war, we find that on the 3rd of May, 1812, a company of fifty volunteers was organized. The. election of officers was by ballot and George Buchanan was elected Captain, John Bobo, 1st Lieutenant, and John McClay 2nd Lieu- tenant. They arrived at Camp Wayne, Greenville, Ohio, May 6th, where they corralled many Indian prisoners. Later, Captain Buch- anan and his company were transferred to Fort Rowdy (Coving- ton) at their own request. James Blue was appointed captain as was also Charles Wolverton, the former afterward becoming a judge.
On the rolls recorded and kept by Captain Reuben Westfall, for service in the war of 1812, appear the following: Captains- E. Kirtly, William Barbee, sr., Charles Wolverton, Jacob Mann, George Buchanan, William Luce, Charles Hillard. Lieutenants- Gardner Bobo, J. Orr, John Williams, Conrad Flesher, Robert Reed, Moses Patterson, Jonas Patterson, John and Francis Patterson, Tim- othy Titus and John Johnson.
Among the privates were: Joseph Marshall, Joseph Culbert- son, William and James Shackelford, Andrew and John G. Telford, William Barbee, jr., McClung, James Howart, Aaron Tulliz, An- drew Thomson, James Brown, Samuel Mackey.
The close of the War of 1812, gave great impetus to the settle- ment of the Miami valley. The Indian and British menace was definitely removed. The great immigration was soon at full tide. Throughout the valley clearings were made, cabins erected, and the great Miami valley was soon the scene of peaceful activities, as the hardy pioneers laid the foundations for today.
The Mexican War. The contribution of Miami county to the Mexican war was limited to a fragment of a company, which was later merged with a company organized at Dayton. The war itself had no appreciable effect on Miami county, other than the national interests involved. As the part played by this county in this war was nominal, there is nothing of significance that could be said in this instance.
Miami County in the Civil War. The call to arms responded throughout the nation in 1861, and Miami county responded almost instantly. The Covington Blues, a local military organization, were equipped and ready for duty within a day or so after the call was sounded. They were on their way, post-haste, to Columbus, Ohio, and from there were quickly dispatched to Washington, D. C. Un- der the first call issued for 75,000 and 100,000 men ; approximately 1,405 men were enrolled from Miami county.
A military aid society was formed for the purpose of assisting in the care of Miami county soldiers. This was the local "Red Cross" of that war. This committee gathered together at the begin- ning of hostilities and sent many comforts in the way of clothing, delicacies and food to the soldiers. Funds for the relief of the dependents, left at home, were gathered and generously distributed. This committee alleviated the suffering of these at home and did much to smooth the life of Miami's soldiers in the field. The per-
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sonnel of this committee was as follows: Hon. M. G. Mitchell, Chairman ; Dr. Harrison, Robert L. Douglas, James Rowe, Charles Morris, W. W. Crane and John Wiggans.
Miami's soldiers enlisted in various organizations; mainly in the 11th, 44th, 71st, 94th, 110th and 147th Ohio Volunteer Infantries. Other organizations that drew a part of their strength from Miami county were the 1st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 61st Ohio Infantry, 8th Ohio Battery, 11th Ohio Cavalry and the 1st Ohio Cavalry. The number of soldiers serving in the different contingents in the Union Army who were from Miami county has been variously estimated at from three to five thousand. One authority places the entire number at about thirty-two hundred.
The 11th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Dennison. Among those who shone brilliantly in the annals of this regiment was Augustus H. Coleman. He was born in Troy, Miami county, Ohio, October 29, 1829, son of Dr. Asa Coleman, one of the early pioneers and physicians of Troy.
Augustus Coleman attended West Point Military Academy, and at the call to arms, recruited Company D of the 11th and was chosen Captain at Columbus. He was later commissioned Major and subsequently advanced to Lieutenant Colonel. On the day he fell, while leading his gallant charge, his commission as colonel was issued. September 17, 1862, ordered to move on the Confederate position across Antietam Creek, he fearlessly ordered a charge in the face of a galling fire and took his position in advance of his men. A bullet pierced his side and he fell mortally wounded. His men, with a heroic dash, crossed the bridge, gained a position and with a desperate assault swept the Confederates from their ram- parts. The 11th was mustered in as a three-year regiment on June 20, 1861, and five full companies were represented from Miami county, B and F, from Piqua and D, H, and E from Troy. On August 27th, they were ordered to Manassas Junction. The rebels were driving the New Jersey troops back as the 11th came up and crossed Bull Run, where they checked the enemy temporarily. At the Union retreat the 11th formed the rear guard. They were in a number of other sanguinary engagements among which were Mis- sionary Ridge, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Resaca, Georgia, At the Battle of Missionary Ridge this regiment did splendid work. As the gallant 11th charged the Rebel position, a shot struck Ser- geant Wall down, and Lieutenant Peck seizing the colors from the fallen Sergeant, rushed forward and planted them on the Rebel works. As he did so, a Rebel bullet found its mark and Lieutenant Peck fell mortally wounded. A part of this regiment, consisting of two companies, accompanied Sheridan to the sea under command of Lieutenant Colonel D. C. Stubbs.
The 44th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Spring- field, September 12 to October 14, 1861, for three years' service. At the Battle of Lewisburg they made a gallant charge. In the retreat to Gauley, this regiment protected the rear of the Union Army from the advancing Rebels. As the 44th the military record of this contingent was brief, as they re-enlisted in the 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry subsequently, losing many of their number. As
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the 44th they participated in the battles of Lewisburg, W. Va., and Duttons Hill, Ky.
The 8th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, in which was merged the old 44th Ohio, reported for service at Camp Dennison, March 28, 1864. This contingent now proceeded toward Lynchburg but the enemy, heavily reinforced, forced the Union Army to retreat.
In the following August, the regiment having been divided, three companies of the 8th were surprised and captured at Hutton- ville. At Winchester they made a gallant charge and followed Early in his retreat up the valley, its entire work in the valley earning commendations of the highest command. At Phillippi part of the regiment was captured, later being exchanged and in August, 1865, was mustered out of the service. It participated at Covington, Vir- ginia, Lynchburg, Liberty, Winchester, Cedar Creek and other en- gagements.
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