USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 71
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The first house to be built in Troy was that of Benjamin Over- field, erected on the corner of Water and Mulberry streets. The
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county court was held at this place for a number of years before the erection of its first courthouse. This was a log structure, two stories in height, a part of which was used as a tavern and for a number of years by Mr. Overfield, the upper floor of which was used as a court room. This tavern was the "Forum" in which questions of the day were debated and was often used for prayer meeting, the celebrated revivalist of that time, Mr. Reuben Dooley, often exhort- ing his hearers in the barroom of the tavern. Mr. Overfield was also the proprietor of the popular hostelry at the corner of Main and Cherry streets until his death in 1831.
William Barbee, or Billy Barbee, as he was familiarly known, was the first blacksmith in Troy. Despite the fact that he knew little of blacksmithing at the start, he succeeded remarkably well and earned a substantial competence. He subsequently engaged in the dry goods business with Dr. Telford and Moses L. Meeker as partners. Squire Brown, a resident of Staunton, removed to Troy and opened a saddlery and later became justice of the peace. Isaac Peck, Henry Culbertson, Joseph Skinner and Judge Joseph Pearson, also of Troy, learned the saddler's trade under Squire Brown. In 1808 Joseph Culbertson engaged in the making and selling of wool hats, his brother Samuel and Joseph H. Fennery serving as apprentices. William Brown and John Wallace opened a carpenter shop in 1809 at the corner of Clay and Water streets. The first dry goods store was located at the Square and Market street and the first hardware store was started next door and operated by Uncle Mac Hart, which later became the Hart & Harter store and subsequently was taken over by Harter and Cosley and later by H. A. Cosley and is still being operated under this name. Uncle "Bobby" Caldron was another pioneer merchant, who for years kept a knickknack store. The first tannery in Troy was that of Milton McCampbell, located on the corner of Market and Water streets.
Dr. De Joncourt, one of the first physicians to practice in Troy, was of French extraction and "bled" the community literally, but not in the latter-day sense. Dr. Asa Coleman settled here in 1811 and immediately began the practice of medicine.
Troy early began to feel the need of educational facilities and a school was established in 1813. It was housed in the little log house at Market and Water streets. John G. Clarke was in charge of this school in 1816. Micajah Fairfield, Uriah Fordyce, Mary Barney and George Burgess were among the earlier teachers. The first places of worship were in the homes of the adherents of the different sects, the taverns also being frequently used for prayer- meetings. The Methodists were the first to build a place of worship, erecting a log church in 1812 near Main and Clay streets.
The building of the Miami canal ushered in a new era in the life of Troy and placed it in touch with the outside markets, when it began to enjoy a new period of prosperity. After the completion of the canal to Troy in 1837 the business life of the little village began to assume splendid proportions. A review of the business in Troy in 1847 notes the following items for the previous year: The transactions of thirty of the leading business houses by purchase of
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goods, manufactures and produce totaled $523,238; sales, $674,307. The following articles bought and sold during the same period were : 174,000 bushels of wheat, 290,000 bushels of corn, 100,000 bushels of rye, barley and oats, 17,000 barrels of flour, 1,300 barrels of pork, 5,000 hogs, 31,000 pounds of butter, 2,000 bushels of coal, 600 barrels of fish, 3,000 barrels of salt, 30,000 bushels of flaxseed, 304,000 pounds of bulk pork and 136,000 pounds of lard. The trade and commerce of Troy having developed to a great extent, the canal became inade- quate as an outlet and the railroads furnished the next solution. In 1850 the first railroad train entered Troy from Dayton, which marked the beginning of the end of canal traffic. Among the early manufacturing establishments of Troy were Beedle & Kelley's Agri- cultural Implement works, the Troy Spring Wagon and Wheel company, the Troy Buggy works, Kelley & Sons, manufacturers of windmills. The first foundry was built in 1838 by John Smeltzer. Cruikshank Bros., coopers, turned out immense quantities of bar- rels, kegs, casks and tubs. Other early industries were the Miami foundry, the Troy flax factory, the Wilmington plow works and Vandergrift's planing mill.
On June 16, 1885, the cornerstone of the present courthouse was laid. This was a gala day for Troy and for the county in gen- eral. This cornerstone marked the final triumph of Troy over her old time adversary, Piqua, for possession of the county seat and the end of the courthouse war as well as the inauguration of the era of good feeling between the two cities. The day was attended with many ceremonies, visiting delegations from surrounding cities attended in a body and a grand procession was held, which was par- ticipated in by the delegations, citizens and military organizations. The orator of the day was Elihu S. Williams, who paid tribute to the achievements of Miami county and its good citizens. The new courthouse was designed by J. W. Yost, of Columbus, Ohio, and erected under the direction of T. B. Townsend of Zanesville. The square in which it stands measures 230 by 330 feet, the courthouse itself measuring 114 feet 2 inches square; from the ground to the eaves it is sixty feet in height, and from the ground to the dome 160 feet. The total cost of this building was about $400,000, and it is considered to be one of the finest buildings of its kind in the country.
Troy City Government. The civic government of Troy is divided into a number of distinct departments or committees, the chief elective officials being the mayor, city auditor, city solicitor and city treasurer. The council consists of three councilmen-at-large and four ward councilmen, the latter being elective. Other munici- pal officers are the director of public service and his assistants, who have supervision over all works of a public nature, both in construc- tion and maintenance. The board of public safety includes a director, the chiefs of the police and fire departments. The civil service commission of four members pass on the qualifications of all applicants for service in the city's employ. There is also a board of health, a board of education, sinking fund trustees, park com- mission and public library appointees. The present population of Troy is about 8,000 persons.
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City Hall. The City hall or City building of Troy was erected in 1876 to suit the needs of the community for that period and is a substantial three-story building with stone trimmings. The lower floor is divided into sections, one of which is used by the public library, the upper floors being used for the municipal offices. The third story was originally occupied as an opera house.
Public Library. The public library of Troy was formally opened to the public on December 5, 1896, in an upstairs room in the city hall, the number of volumes at that time being 2,111. On May 1, 1903, the library was opened in its present quarters on the lower floor of the City building, where it has ample quarters for all present needs. On the opening of the new quarters a book shower was held which resulted in the donation of thirteen hundred volumes and a subscription of $1,051.50 to the fund for the purchase of new books. Miss Clara Williams was the first librarian and she was succeeded March 1, 1918, by Miss Blanche Mitchell, the present librarian. The library now has 18,054 volumes of well-selected works.
Lodges. The Masonic building, located on Main street, is with- out question the finest building in Troy, and the Masons in point of membership and general activity of its members have always been the strongest lodge in Troy. The Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Eagles, Red Men, Elks, Woodmen of the World, Junior Order United Mechanics and Knights of the Golden Eagles are also prominent as to membership and activity. The auxiliary lodges, Pocahontas, Rebekahs and Eastern Star, add to the social activities of this community and have been prominent in civic betterment and philanthropic work.
Troy Industries. Troy for many years was noted as a manu- facturing center for carriage, buggy and other horse-drawn vehicles, not only for its number of factories given to this line of work, but to the general excellence of their products. When the horse-drawn vehicle business was at its zenith, the well-known Troy farm wagons, buggies, carriages, etc., could be seen in service in all parts of the country. With the introduction of gasoline-driven vehicles, these industries quite naturally began to suffer, and, from a city given almost wholly to the production of horse-drawn vehicles and their accessories, Troy began to gradually enter other manufactur- ing fields, especially supplanting her former industries with those producing automotive parts. It will be seen in the review of Troy industries that this city is gradually acquiring a diversified class of manufacturing establishments. The World War gave to Troy a decided impetus to manufacture. A number of thriving industries of today which had their inception in war production are now firmly placed and doing a thriving business in every-day necessities. Troy,
however, still holds supremacy in one or two features connected with horse-drawn vehicles. A branch factory of the only factory in the world exclusively manufacturing carriage dashes is still doing a large manufacturing business. The making of auto truck trailers is rapidly becoming a decided Troy industry, many of which were used during the recent war. At no distant day, perhaps, Troy will be as well known for its automotive feature as it was formerly known
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in the carriage and wagon field. The industrial contribution to the recent war of many of the industries of Troy has a very creditable showing.
The Troy Wagon Works. The Troy Wagon works was organ- ized as such May 8, 1891. In 1884 the Beedle & Kelly company sold out to the Troy Wagon company, which later became the Troy Wagon Works company with an original incorporation of $50,000. The Troy wagon became famous throughout the country and was seen in every state in the union and has always had an immense patronage in spite of the sternest kind of competition. The stock of this company was subsequently increased to $1,600,000. The company became builders of farm wagons, dump wagons and slow speed hauling wagons. From 1911 to 1914 a great deal of attention was devoted to the creation of a superior auto trailer and this later became the most important feature of this business. The first con- tract for motor truck trailers was secured from the government of France in 1915, and this contract continued until the signing of the armistice in 1918. During the duration of the world war ninety per cent of the manufacturing capacity of this plant was devoted to war work. In 1892 the Troy Wagon company was absorbed by the Troy Wagon works and is now occupying the building for- merly used by the Troy Wagon company. The officers of the Troy Wagon works are: President, C. A. Geiger ; vice-president, C. N. Peters : secretary-treasurer, G. R. Harris ; directors, C. C. Hayner, R. C. Sykes and A. O. Brown.
The Skinner Irrigation Company. Overhead irrigation is the one certain panacea for the lack of rain. To the truck farmer, gardener, florist, it is the best insurance of their crops that may be secured. This irrigation system is accomplished by the use of a system of overhead pipes running parallel above the acreage or plot of ground to be irrigated. At stated times the water is released, providing a veritable downpour of rain, or as much as is deemed necessary. The Skinner Irrigation company of Troy has produced a splendid system of overhead irrigation. It has equipped a number of estates, aside from the regular commercial demand for its product. Among the estates so equipped is one at Three Rivers, Mich., belonging to H. L. Kellogg, the breakfast food manu- facturer; as is also the estate of H. L. Thompson and the Talbot farm near Dayton. The officers of this company are: President, W. W. Coles ; secretary-treasurer, P. H. Bridge; vice-president, W. I. Thompson. The Skinner company was also engaged in war work during the recent war, working for local concerns who held war contracts.
The Troy Body Company. The Troy Body company was organized February 1, 1919. It was the outgrowth of the Troy Manufacturing company, which did extensive work on war con- tracts during the late war, manufacturing one hundred different parts used in the making of aeroplanes. The Troy Manufacturing company filled its contracts in a most creditable manner. On the cessation of hostilities, this company was merged with the Troy Body company, the latter concern now devoting its entire attention to the making of superior automobile bodies. In the very short time
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since its organization the Troy Body company has met with signal success and now employes a force of 250 men. Its product is receiv- ing attention from the foremost makers of cars in the country. Among the prominent users of its bodies are the makers of the Grant and Liberty cars. A total of nine different makes of cars are now equipped with bodies made by the Troy Body company. The officers of this concern are: President, C. C. Cross ; vice-president, W. E. Bowyer ; secretary and treasurer, W. J. Kroger.
The Miami Specialty Works was organized in 1919 for the purpose of building truck bodies and drivers' cabs. This concern, though in its infancy, has secured substantial recognition in the automobile world for the excellence of their products. The build- ing of bodies is now generally recognized as a feature that requires the highest specialization. Very few automobile manufacturers build their machines entire, looking to these specialists for the various parts in a particular line. There is no feature requiring more care, knowledge and attention to details than the body building of the automobile. It is the artistic feature of the car. Its grace of outline and appearance in general gives the automobile distinction. The organizers of this concern, fully aware of the tremendous field for a thoroughgoing, conscientious organization, established the above concern in 1919. They have specialized on truck bodies, but give their attention to other lines of work in automobile building. Despite the very short time, however, they have been in this field, they have secured substantial contracts from the International Har- vester company and also make trucks for the Indiana and Nash Trucks. The officers are: Clyde Statler, president; Louis Schuh. vice-president, and L. R. Stoner, secretary.
H. D. Cress Company. Toy making, until the last four or five years, was not considered a permissible field for American industry. The so-called excellence of the German workmen on these intricate articles, was advanced as the chief reason for a German monopoly of this business. Like many other theories, this myth was exploded and today American-made toys are in demand, second to none in excellence and better than were made in Germany at any time. The H. D. Cress company was organized in 1917, and, starting in a modest way, manufactured educational toys. This concern now occupies 60,000 square feet of floor space and its business has trebled during the year 1919 as compared with the same period during the previous year. The trademark of this concern bears the following words: "Original Cress Educational Boards Reversible." The officers at present are: President, H. D. Cress; treasurer, T. G. Yantis; secretary, H. G. Weisenbarger; vice-president, L. Neal Grassle.
Troy Pattern Works, although a modest concern at this time, is gradually expanding; its business drawing patronage from many places throughout the country. They make wood and metal pat- terns of recognized excellence. This concern was organized in 1906 and is owned and operated by Mr. S. N. Touchmann. A number of patterns were made and used in local and other concerns during the late war.
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The Hobart Brothers Company. This company was organized in 1917 and now operates two factories at Troy, one of which is entirely given over to the manufacture of the well-known line of H-B office furniture, desks, filing cabinets, etc. The Water street plant manufactures motor generators and motor generator sets used for battery charging and naval use during the late war. The Willard Battery Service stations, Prest-O-Lite and other battery stations use the Hobart appliances for recharging their batteries. Both lines manufactured by the Hobart brothers are considered leaders by a wide and growing patronage. The officers of this company are : President, C. C. Hobart ; vice-president, Edward A. Hobart; treas- urer, Charles C. Hobart ; secretary, W. H. Hobart.
The Gummed Products Company. Gummed materials of all kinds are manufactured by this concern-stickers, wrappers, sealing devices-in fact, anything gummed which you may use may have been made by this Troy concern, and, up to date, this concern has more than measured up to the chances in this field, their line being well known throughout the country. The Gummed Products com- pany was organized in May, 1914, and the present officers are : President, Edward F. Herrlinger; treasurer, F. L. Holt; secretary, S. G. Leitsch.
The Hobart Manufacturing Company. The Hobart Manufac- turing company was organized under its present form in 1912. In the manufacture of electrically operated food preparing machines, the Hobart company has achieved marked success. Among the items manufactured are: Electric coffee mills, electric meat chop- pers, electric kitchen machinery for large hotels, and many other electrical labor-saving devices. The Hobart goods were bought by the government for use on the battleships during the war, and is also being installed as regular navy equipment. This plant also manu- factured control panels for aeroplanes, making seven thousand sets on government contract during the war. In 1918 the Hobart Manu- facturing company established the Troy Metal Products company at Cincinnati for war work exclusively. It manufactured the Adapter No. 2, a small device which was screwed in the ends of explosive shells. Seven hundred and fifty thousand of these were made and delivered during the war. The officers of the Hobart Manufacturing company are : President, A. G. Stouder ; vice-presi- dent, H. L. Johnson; treasurer, E. E. Edgar; secretary, J. M. Spencer ; production manager, C. C. Willard.
The Miami Trailer Company. This company was organized September, 1915, and occupies a floor space of about 45,000 feet and is exclusively engaged in the making and selling of trailers for auto- mobiles. During the war this plant was dedicated to war work and aside from the regular line which was in demand for war serv- ice, the company manufactured trench reel carriers, a device used in the trenches and for which this company had a substantial con- tract which was filled in a most creditable manner. The plant is now engaged in the making of trailers, a field which is today in its infancy and presents a splendid outlook for the future of this concern. Its progress has been very noticeable each year since its organiza-
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tion. The present officers are: Joseph Rebolz, president ; John K. Knoop, vice-president; W. F. Jolly, secretary-treasurer.
The Mckinnon Dash Company has the unusual distinction of being the only company of its kind in the world making an exclu- sive line of buggy and carriage dashes and has always occupied a conspicuous place in the carriage and buggy manufacturing world. Despite the usurpation by the automobile, the Mckinnon company has pursued the even tenor of its way, and today is a thriving con- cern, its product being still in great demand wherever carriages or buggies are manufactured. The local company is the outgrowth of the parent company. of Buffalo, N. Y. The Buffalo company was established in 1892, the Mckinnon company having previously operated at St. Catherine's, Ontario, exclusively. The Buffalo com- pany was established to care for the growing trade in the states. Two years later, in 1894, a factory was established at Columbus, Ohio, with Mr. L. H. McConnel in charge. In 1895 this plant was removed to Troy, Ohio, where it first occupied about 48,000 feet of floor space and to the original have been added about 20,000 feet, The present output is about 800 leather dashes per day, a very strik- ing testimonial of the survival of horse-drawn vehicles to date. Mr. L. H. McConnel, who is in charge of the local plant, is a veteran in the carriage and buggy business, dating back many years ago when he was superintendent of the Haydock Bros. Carriage company of St. Louis.
The Star Foundry is engaged in the making of gray iron cast- ings and does a large business. Seventy-five per cent of the capacity of this plant was engaged in war work during the late war. This work was by indirect contract with local and other concerns which used castings on war material manufactured. The officers of the Star Foundry are: President, W. P. Anglemeyer; vice-president, A. F. Lockwood; secretary and treasurer, Jacob Lust.
Ohio Electric Specialty Manufacturing Co. This company is engaged in the manufacture of brushes used in gathering electricity on dynamos, gas engines and other devices. The function of a cur- rent collector is to collect the current from its revolving contact. There is a large market for this product and this concern is putting forth every effort to meet the demand. The officers of this com- pany are: president, J. R. Simpson; secretary, W. H. Stillwell; treasurer, J. W. Means. The Ohio Electric Specialty Mfg. Co. was established in 1897 and incorporated in 1908.
The Lorimer Manufacturing Co. The phonograph, once con- sidered a luxury, has now become a household necessity, nearly all homes of any pretension now owning one. Very few of the man- ufacturers in this line make the entire equipment; the motors es- pecially, being a highly specialized industry. The Lorimer Manu- facturing company of Troy is engaged in the making of phonograph motors, exclusively. This company, which was organized Septem- ber 5, 1919, is developing into a substantial concern with a wide demand for its product. During the war, this concern, on sub-con- tract, manufactured trench wire carriers for the Miami Trailer com- pany of Troy. The officers of the Lorimer Manufacturing company are: President, G. W. Lorimer ; vice-president, G. R. Harris ; sec-
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retary-treasurer, F. O. Flowers. The directors other than the offi- cers, are: E. W. Jewell, C. N. Kincaid, H. L. Penn, C. N. Peters, and A. O. Judson is the production manager.
The Flood at Troy. During the week of March 24, 1913, a downpour of rain, which lasted for forty-eight hours, engulfed Troy in the terrible flood, which caused havoc and devastation, without parallel in the history of Ohio. The water rose so rapidly that only comparatively few persons living south and west of the Canal and of Nineveh escaped, as the waters slowly rose. By midnight Mon- day the river had reached its highest point, and the lowlands in the immediate vicinity were entirely under water. At one o'clock a general alarm was sounded by the church and city bells warning the people of the continued rise of the waters. Many persons, lulled into a fancied security, were hastily aroused, to find the water pouring into their homes. Boats were secured and the work of rescue begun. By Tuesday noon many of the streets of Troy surged with the mad rush of waters, and at two o'clock it reached its highest point; as far as the eye could see beyond the city limits the water extended like a gigantic lake.
The Big Four tracks, constructed on a running embankment, were blown out, relieving the water congestion at that point. By three o'clock Tuesday the water began to slowly subside. By this time it had covered all the southwest district of the city, as far north as, and including, the Canal, and as far east as Plum street, leaving the east end of Water, Main, Franklin and their cross streets clear. From the Big Four railroad south, Walnut, Mullberry, Clay, Crawford and Union streets were gradually showing themselves above the water.
Numerous rescue parties under the direction of Sheriff Paul, Chief Headley, Service Director Davis, Fire Chief Sharp, and many volunteers worked unceasingly in their labor of rescue. With a heroic spirit these men, mindful of the perils of many lives, threw their own personal comfort and safety aside, and plunged into the work of rescue. They performed their work heroically and there were many feats of individual heroism. To enumerate any of these would be unjust to many others who shone with splendor in this occasion. With rumors afloat of the breaking of the Lewistown Reservoir; the absence of the electric light and gas-Tuesday night was a night long to be remembered in the history of Troy. With the terrible experience of the preceding night, and momentarily ex- pecting the mad rush of waters from the Lewistown dam, a terrible feeling of suspense pervaded the entire community, which was only lifted when those vague rumors were dissipated, on the receipt of definite information.
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