USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > Memoirs of the Miami valley > Part 80
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First to build a church in Bradford were the Baptists in 1870, who were closely followed by the Reform church. Methodists built their church on School street. The Catholic church of the Immacu- late Conception on Clay street was built in 1875. The Brethren (old German Baptists), are now worshipping in the Masonic Temple but expect to build soon.
Increasing growth of the population in the last several years has very much over-crowded the schools and additions to the present buildings are to be erected as soon as possible. The first school house was on the Miami county side of Bradford until 1876 when a building was constructed on the west side of the village. In 1908 two acres of land were purchased on what is now School street and the present school buildings erected. The school enrollment in- creased from 410 in 1880 to 2,465 in 1918.
The First National bank of Bradford, now the only bank in the village, was organized in 1908 with a capital stock of $25,000 and the first officers were J. E. Deeter, president ; J. R. Allen, secre- tary; J. A. Crowell, cashier. In May, 1919, this bank bought the Bradford State bank, a reorganization of a private bank founded by Nathan Iddings and David Arnold that had had an existence of twenty-three years and was during that time the only bank in Brad- ford. Present officers of the First National bank which has been in- creased to a capitalization of $50,000 are: President, J. E. Deeter ; vice-president, J. R. Allen ; cashier, F. R. Dwyer and its location is at the corner of Miami and Main streets.
The Bradford Building & Loan association has its office in a little one-story frame structure on Miami street. It is capitalized at $100,000 and its president is R. R. DuBois and secretary, L. E. Harvey. Other members on the Board of Directors are: A. R. Patty, W. K. Zeller, Charles Moore, C. Katherman, John Arnold and S. S. Miller.
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Dr. William Commons, in the early 70's, published "The Rail- road Gazette," the first Bradford newspaper. In 1877 two weekly papers were put out, "The Free Press," by H. M. Bellow and "The Independent," by A. B. Maurer, later merged into the Brad- ford Gazette by L. D. Bell. In 1884, A. F. Little bought the three existing weekly papers and consolidated them into "The Sentinel." This paper was made a semi-weekly in 1888. Mr. Little, the editor and owner, was mayor for a number of years.
Bradford is furnished with electric lights and power by the Greenville Light & Telephone company, who also control the Brad- ford Telephone system. While the village is supplied with water by the wells system, the railroad company has its own pumping station on Harris creek.
The Bradford Lodge of Masons, No. 593, has its own temple, built by Nathan Iddings, with a membership of 143; and its auxil- iary order of the Eastern Star also meets there. Red Men, Mac- cabees, Odd Fellows, D. of A.'s and Junior Order have posts, also the G. A. R. and the American Legion is represented by the Ben Cole post.
Brandt
Brandt was laid out in 1839 by the Voorhis Brothers who owned the land. The first to take up their residence here were Thomas Wilmington and Benjamin King, who soon after began the manu- facture of plows, quite the most important business of its day. John Dinsmore built the first tavern of which Thomas Forbes was pro- prietor, and an early store was opened by Michael Heffner. The building of the National highway was responsible for the existence of Brandt, and in its early history was a resting place for travelers. In 1868 a school building was erected with good opportunities for education. This school has been superseded by the centralized township school a mile and a half north. An organization of a Methodist congregation was effected in Brandt in 1839, dedicated by the renowned Granville Moody. The Lutheran church in Brandt dates back to 1862. Brandt has never progressed beyond a hamlet owing to her being off the line of railroad, and its inhabitants have never numbered over two hundred.
Casstown
Situated in the southeast corner of Lost Creek township, Cass- town is an unusually pretty little village picturesquely placed. It is the only incorporated village in the township and has a popula- tion of about three hundred. James Frazee, who settled in this neighborhood about 1814, was the original owner of the land and from him it was purchased by Rankin Westfall and Luke Daney who laid it out in 1832. It was first called Trimmensburg in honor of a man who assisted in survey, but later was re-named Casstown in honor of Lewis Cass, United States senator and at one time spoken of for president. Daniel Knoop built the first brick house and Joseph Green and Joseph Campbell opened a store at an early date.
Before possessing a church of their own the Lutherans held their services in the Methodist church. The first little stone church
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gave way to the present substantial brick building erected in 1867. Members of the Baptist congregation from Staunton and Troy as- sisted in organizing the Casstown Baptist church in 1851 and Willis Hance was the first pastor. A church was built on Center street, which is closed, however, at the present date. The Casstown Meth- odist church on Center street is one of the best of the smaller Meth- odist churches in this county. The Brethren church on Main street is the outgrowth of the German or Baptist church and at present lacks a pastor. Casstown has the advantage of a good school a quarter of a mile to the north and a fine new centralized township high school at the east edge of the village is being built. The Swearingen Grain company is perhaps the most important concern, their elevator having been put up on East street in 1905. A good business is done as Casstown is in the midst of a rich farming dis- trict. Troy, four miles to the east, is its banking point. The Springfield, Troy and Piqua traction line runs through the village.
Conover.
This is a pretty country hamlet of about 200 inhabitants, a small station on the Pennsylvania line. The land on which it is situated was first entered by a man named Jones, from whom it was purchased by Solomon Brecount. It was platted by Brecount into nineteen lots in April, 1856, and he named it Conover in honor of his friend, A. G. Conover, of Piqua. The original plot was enlarged by an addition in June, 1863. The streets are wide and the grounds for the homes are ample and well kept. Brecount built the first house, used as a miscellaneous store. This firm also established a grain and feed store that did a thriving business in this fertile farm- ing country. Later Brecount, Wolcott & company built a grain elevator which the company operated until two years ago when it was bought by the Farmers' Co-operative Elevator company which is now doing an important business handling coal as well as grain, and has just installed an expensive coal handling device. The officers of this company are: William Moon, president; A. J. Brantner, secretary and treasurer. An Universalist congregation was organized in February, 1868, and Rev. E. Moore was the first pastor and services were held in Lena until 1870, when the present brick church in Conover was built. This church is without a pastor at the present time. Conover has the advantage of an unusually fine centralized township school, located in the neighboring village of Lena and called the Lena and Conover High school. The Con- over postoffice also serves Lena by rural route. Conover banking is done in St. Paris,
Covington.
Amidst most picturesque environments on the Stillwater river Covington had its beginning as a community on the east side of the Stillwater when Daniel Wright and Jacob Ullery laid out thirty- six town lots in Section 30 with St. Mary's road to the east. Streets were laid out parallel to the river, running north and south ; a por- tion of St. Mary's road being taken into High street, and today this is the principal business street of the town and in extent just a mile
A
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and a quarter; Water street was laid out next to the river on a bluff and Main street at the foot of the plateau that carries High street. Noah Hanks was the surveyor.
Covington was first called "Friendship," a name that well might suit it today as there is a very democratic and friendly spirit in the town with no class distinctions, real merit rather than wealth being the "Open Sesame" in this community. It also showed the name of Newberry on the original town plat that was surveyed by one Benjamin Cox. Further back in 1794 General Wayne had fastened the name of Fort Rowdy to his encampment on the ground where the Armory now stands. The first postoffice, however, bore the name of Stillwater. Daniel Wright had been living here in 1816 at the time he laid out the town with Jacob Ullery, and Ullery already had a sawmill in operation on Greenville creek where it emptied into the Stillwater at Covington. The Stillwater on Gov- ernment surveys at present is designated as the western branch of the Great Miami, emptying into that river four miles north of Day- ton, and its name of Stillwater had been gained by its tranquil cur- rent, so slight that at times any movement is almost impercepti- ble. Elijah Reagan and Michael Ingle, the tanner, in 1807, were the first to build log cabins, and the earliest stores were on Main street, Noah Hanks putting up one at the corner of Main and High streets where the present newspaper office of the Tribune now stands. This was the first store in Newberry township. Michael Ingle is of importance in the history of Covington from the fact that he brought 800 acres of land into a high state of cultivation. He also produced some very good leather at his tannery. His well, dug through the rock, was the only one in the settlement for at least ten years. In 1810 he purchased his third quarter sec- tion. This section became quite valuable for its quarries. Samuel Brown was a contemporary of Ingle's, purchasing a quarter section next his land, where he built a cabin, that he occupied, however, only a short time, soon moving away. William and John Coates were early settlers; their cabins were in what was originally the hamlet of New Jefferson, now part of Covington. The cabin of Wil- liam Coates was adjacent to the present site of the Pennsylvania station, while his son-in-law, Daniel Wright, built on a location that would now be near the corner of Main and Wright streets. The Revolutionary war found the settlers scattered and seeking safety in more thickly settled localities, fearing Indian attacks, and not returning until 1814.
Noah Davenport and a brother-in-law by the name of Wagner, appeared on the scene in 1817 and put up a sawmill and his grist mill rivaled Ullery's for several years. Aaron Boggs was a later owner of Coates' mill property, where he turned out laths and broom handles. This mill has been long abandoned but there are still traces of the mill race on Stillwater just west of the cemetery. Jacob Ullery sold his grist mill to Benjamin Lehman in 1818 and late in 1818 a new frame building was erected and a flouring mill was actively in operation in 1820.
The growth of Covington was very slow, ten years after the first survey there were only three families living there. Indeed
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there has never been a period of rapid growth in its history, nor the suspicion of what is termed a boom. It was in 1835 when the vil- lage was incorporated a town, that Gilbert Adams was elected Mayor; William Robinson, recorder; Charles Corwin, Joshua Orr and Thomas Mckenzie, town trustees. The Mayor elect is Col. W. Z. Marlin, a hero of the World war. From captain of Company A, of Covington, he was promoted to major and received his com- mission as lieutenant-colonel for gallantry in pursuing the Germans across the Escaut river after the Battle of Lys in Flanders.
The Dunkards. A very large per cent of the people in Coving- ton are of German descent. The Dunkards or German Baptists have made a very strong impression in Covington and the neighboring country. They were the first to go into the church field. This denomination today has a distinct settlement on the Germany pike which branches off from the Troy pike and is about a mile and a half from Covington. In 1845 they had a church organization but no place of meeting. Their first church held 800 people and their men have always gone unshaven, appearing with long beards and uncut hair. The clothes of both men and women are made very. plain to stifle vanity. The women wear the black bonnets and are never without the white cap to cover their hair. The orthodox members neither take an oath, nor bear arms and so were con- scientious objectors in the World war. Automobiles, smoking and alcoholic drinks are among the prohibitions. Thrift and conserva- tism not only were practised by the Dunkards but these virtues spread through the community. The old homes were built flush with the sidewalk in Covington to conserve garden space in the rear. But while the population of Covington is of German descent patriot- ism and loyalty was distinctly evidenced in the World war.
Churches. Church of the Brethern. This is the liberal element of the Dunkards. Their first church in Covington was on the corner of Main and Ullery streets. A handsome new edifice was built in 1910 when the congregation was the largest in the town. Their first church was called the German Baptist church but the name of the Brethern was taken when the new church was built. The present pastor is Reverend George W. Flory.
Presbyterian Church. The remodelled Presbyterian church at the corner of Pearl and Wright is the largest and best arranged church building in Covington today. This church was organized in 1842 and later in conjunction with an organization of what were known as the Cumberland Presbyterians, who had been in existence as a church entity in Covington since 1838, built a church which was completed in 1844.
This church united these two organizations, and the original church was used until several years ago when it was handsomely improved and enlarged. The present pastor is Rev. L. N. Mont- gomery.
The Christian Church. Second in the organization of churches was the New Light or Christian church in 1820. The first place of worship was on Trotters creek and the first preacher was a man by the name of Stackhouse. Caleb Worley was a pastor for a number of years. The present church building is the third structure built
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and all accupied the same location on Pearl street. Rev. Edwin Flory is the pastor.
The Lutheran Church. The first German Lutheran church was a frame building on the east side of High, south of Dodds street, built in 1840. The present St. John's Evangelical church was erected in 1880 at the corner of Wall and Bridge streets. This congregation has so increased that a new church is soon to be erected. Their pastor is Rev. H. C. Ter Vehn.
The first church built by the Methodists in 1836 was blown down by a cyclone, and this organization was left without a place of worship until 1850 when the present church was built at the corner of Spring and Pearl streets, of which Rev. W. W. Kent has the pastorate. This church was built by the old blue stocking Presby- terians.
Schools. A source of great natural pride is the splendid school system and the fine school building that now houses over 400 pupils. The first schoolhouse was built in 1815 of logs and as there was no glass for windows, greased paper was used in the window sashes to give some degree of transparency for light. This stood on the present site of D. C. & P. traction office on High street. The second schoolhouse, built in 1820, was a frame structure afterwards used as a chair factory of which James Purdy was proprietor. Later the brick building now used as a fire department and council chamber was the schoolhouse. Among the earlier teachers were Amos and James Perry, James Hanks, Joshua Sanders, David Brumbaugh, Anderson Ballard, John Barbour and Benjamin Dunham. The present school building was completed and dedicated in 1897 and includes the eight grade rooms and high school; the high school is classified as one of the first grade. It stands at the head of Wright street on Wall street, and a magnificent view of the river can be ob- tained from its towers. R. F. Bennett was the first superintendent and C. H. Detterbug is the present superintendent. Covington's Board of Education in 1918-1919 were J. L. Reck, Dr. H. W. Kendall, George A. O'Donnell, C. E. Aspinall and L. H. Fox.
Financial Institutions. The well-to-do farmers near and in Covington not only require the two banks now in existence but have helped to build up the Covington Building & Loan association of Covington. This association was organized in March, 1886, and now has the reputation of being one of the safest institutions in Ohio. Its first officers were president, S. W. Ullery; secretary, E. S. Mohler; treasurer, C. C. Shuman; attorney, J. Guy O'Donnell. Its present quarters are now in the brick building erected by Dr. H. W. Kendall in 1917, and considered at that time the most pretentious building in the town. Its capitalization is now $2,500,000 and it has over 2000 stockholders. The present officers are Charles Boyer, president; J. L. Reck, secretary; other directors, Calvin Teague, Jacob Tobias, J. W. Lyle, J. W. Metzgar, William Fortner, H. W. Kendall.
The Stillwater Valley Bank started as a private institution in 1871 and was not incorporated as a state bank until 1908. The first officers of the institution as a state bank were, president, Jacob Ken- dall; cashier, A. C. Cable; assistant cashier, A. J. Maier. The
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official board in 1919 were : D. G. Wenrick, president ; B. F. Alberry, vice-president ; J. L. Cramer, second vice-president ; Jacob Kendall, cashier; the capital stock, $50,000.00.
The Citizens Bank was incorporated May 31, 1900, with a capital stock of $25,000, and its first officers were president, Henry Flesh of Piqua ; vice-president, J. W. Ruhl; cashier, J. L. Goodnight ; other directors, J. G. Bartmess and S. B. Freshour. The first quarters were in the Worley business block across the street from the present bank building. Business developing, a new two-story brick building was put up in 1916 on the corner of High and Wright streets. The capitalization of the Citizens is still $25,000; and it is officered by J. W. Ruhl, president ; A. K. Rankin, vice-president; A. W. Landis, cashier ; L. N. Van Atta, assistant cashier. Other directors, George Worley, C. M. Patty and M. B. Ullery. The above banks and build- ing association were headquarters for war work including Red Cross subscriptions and Liberty Loans.
The Buckeye State Mutual Insurance association is not only the largest mutual insurance company in Ohio, but is unique because of its origin, dating back to 1879. In March of that year seven men prominent in the German Baptist church devised plans for an insur- ance company that should be officered only by men of their church. One hundred thousand dollars' worth of risks were secured within a month by unpaid solicitors, and the German Baptist Mutual Insur- ance company was established.
In June, 1918, the stress of world conditions and public senti- ment compelled the company to rid itself of its title "German" and the new title of "Buckeye State" was substituted. The present risks in force amount to $62,500,000, and the officers are: C. H. Jackson, president; C. B. Maier, vice-president and auditor ; D. G. Wenrick, secretary and treasurer; Forest Honeyman, adjustment inspector. It has its offices in the Newberry Township building.
No town in Ohio is better off in the way of good service from public utilities. Forgotten are the days of tallow candles and coal oil lamps and wood piles which did service until the Miami Valley Gas and Fuel company entered Covington in 1889 with its pipe lines that carried gas for light and heating from the gas fields of Indiana and later from Lancaster field including eastern Ohio and West Vir- ginia.
The Buckeye Light and Power company was organized in 1911 with J. H. Marlin of Covington as president, and T. Russell Robin- son of Boston, secretary and treasurer. A dam was constructed with a twenty-eight foot water fall at Greenville Creek falls; the power plant being located one and an eighth miles from town. This plant is one of the best hydro-electric plants in the state. The com- pany also furnishes electric light and power to Pleasant Hills, Lud- low Falls and to a number of individual country lines.
The Stillwater Telephone & Telegraph company is noted for its excellent service, with subscribers at Covington, Pleasant Hill and rural routes. The company was organized in 1900 with a capital stock of $20,000. Its first directors were: A. J. Venier, M. C. Rorick, John P. Rorick, L. E. Simes, Geo. H. Probeck, J. S. Corwin, J. L. Goodnight and John Weaver. Capital stock has been in-
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creased to $71,000 and there is direct connection with the Central Union & Ohio State Telephone companies and with the Postal Telegraph company. The water supply here is very wholesome and obtained from wells and the Stillwater river beds into which flow a number of springs. The pumping station is at the foot of Wright street. The officers of the company in 1919 are: president, L. E. Simes; vice-president; J. L. Cramer; secretary and treasurer, S. A. Kraus; other directors, Glenn Shawver and Dr. H. W. Kendall.
Railroads. The first railroad into Covington was the Colum- bus, Piqua & Indiana railroad that was built through Miami county in 1859. Three years later, in 1862, the Richmond & Covington Railroad company was incorporated and planned to have their junc- tion with the Indianapolis division, at Covington. The merchants here objecting the junction was staked four miles west of Covington and was known as Bradford Junction. This property is now oper- ated by the Pennsylvania Railroad company and has four passenger trains a day.
The Dayton, Covington & Toledo railroad was incorporated in 1879 and constructed as far north as Covington in 1880. This rail- road was later known as the Delphos division of the C. H. & D. and is now privately owned by John Ringling of circus fame. It has two passenger trains a day. The Dayton, Covington & Piqua traction lines give excellent passenger service, the trains leaving and coming hourly. One mail a day is carried by the traction line from Dayton and intervening stations including West Milton, Pleasant Hill, Lud- low Falls, Union and Englewood.
Industries. A tannery established by Michael Ingle was among the first industries of Covington. Extensive quarries were operated for many years until the use of concrete for building pur- poses superseded stone. The Covington stone quarry did a flourish- ing business in the early days and J. W. Ruhl operated a quarry and lime kiln. The C. H. Jackson quarries were a prominent concern, and are now owned and operated by the Ohio Marble company of Piqua. Wagner's Tile and Brick yards also prospered in the quarry- ing days. Crampton & Sons Boiler works and The Crescent and Metallic Fence Stay company went out of business twenty years ago. Manufacturing is not extensive at present, the population being largely retired farmers. Piqua gives employment to a number of men and women in her mills. There are a number of postal clerks employed on the Pennsylvania road to Indianapolis who live in Covington and some are employed at the Bradford yards.
Covington Woolen Mills, formerly the Lewis Woolen Mills, organized by A. J. Lewis in 1887, manufactured a high grade blan- ket, its "Miami Fleece Blankets" having an enviable reputation. At the death of Mr. Lewis, Mrs. Lewis and her sons William J. and C. E. Lewis carried on the business for a few years until it was taken over by the Covington Woolen Mill company in 1917. The Mills are a mile west of town about halfway to Greenville falls, and their product has always been of the best quality. Army blankets were furnished the government for the World war. The present officers of the Covington Woolen Mills are : president, H. C. McCrossin;
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secretary and manager, W. J. Lewis; treasurer, Jacob Kendall, and the company has been capitalized at $40,000.
The Drees Saw mill is operated by William Drees and supplies a quantity of crating to Piqua and Troy factories. This company supplied their output to the government during the World war. The Con F. Drees Novelty Works factory is the first seen on enter- ing Covington on the D. C. & P. Traction company coming in from Piqua. A variety of articles are manufactured, talcum powder, fly traps, and seven metal toys, wagons, miniature Fords, trailers, etc.
The Covington Lumber company, on Piqua avenue, which has been established for thirty years, has just been purchased by George Worch of Versailles.
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