USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Ohio, the future great state, her manufacturers, and a history of her commercial cities, Cincinnati and Cleveland > Part 6
USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Ohio, the future great state, her manufacturers, and a history of her commercial cities, Cincinnati and Cleveland > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
INDIANAPOLIS CINCINNATI, AND LAFAYETTE RAILROAD.
GENERAL OFFICES, CINCINNATI.
OFFICERS.
DIRECTORS.
M. E. INGALLS, President, - - Cincinnati, O.
WM. A. BOOTH, - New York City. E. F. OSBORN, Treasurer, - -
GEORGE BLISS,
GEORGE L. BARRINGER, Sup't, - 66 66 CHARLES G. LANDON,
H. J. PAGE, Gen'l Freight g't, THOMAS H. PERKIN,,
Boston, Mass.
F. B. KENNEDY, Gen'l Ticket Ag't,
M. E. INGALLS, - Cincinnati, O.
JOHN EGAN, Gen'l Passenger Ag't,
S. J. BROADWELL, .
J. S. PATTERSON, Master Mechanic,
MOSES FOWLER, Lafayette, Ind.
C. H. BOOTH, Secretary, - - - New York City.
W. F. REYNOLDS,
-
:¢
The Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Lafayette Railroad is the great popular passen- ger line between Cincinnati and the West, running numerous trains each way daily via Indianapolis and the Vandalia route. The I., C., and L. R. R. is the only line running through cars from Cincinnati via Indianapolis, Peoria, and Burlington, to Omaha, and via Indianapolis, Danville, and Quincy and Kansas City, without change. The Kankakee line is the popular route to Chicago from Louisville and the South, and the only line under one management, between Cincinnati and Chicago, and pos- itively the only line running parlor cars on its day trains, and Pullman palace
-----------
84
OHIO TO-DAY.
sleepers on all night trains. The new arrangements of this company enable them to offer much better facilities, both for passengers and freight, than was possible under the old management. The officers of the road are bending every attention to the great object of making the road the most popular route to the West, in every respect. Their trains are all run on exact time, missing no connections, and the rolling stock is all that could be desired, either for day or night travel, while the servants of the company do all in their power to make the journey a pleasant one. Particular atten- tion is paid to freight, to forwarding promptly, handling carefully, and delivering in first-class order.
The officers of the I., C., and L. R. R. are among our most energetic railroad men, and their management of every part of the vast system of that perfect character which can only be attained by a persevering central control of several well-organized departments.
The Treasurer's Statement for the year ending June 30, 1875, shows the gross earn- ings for the past year to be $1, 767,231.41, the operating expense $1, 056,312.43, mak- ing the net earnings $710,918.98. This is indeed healthy in these days of general depression, and of itself speaks volumes for the management.
85
CITIES AND INCORPORATED VILLAGES
ON THE 13th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1874, WITH POPULATION IN 1870
CITIES OF THE FIRST CLASS.
Population.
Cincinnati, Hamilton County,
216,239
Cleveland, Cuyahoga County,
92, 829
Toledo, Lucas County,
31,584
CITIES OF THE SECOND CLASS.
Population.
Population.
Akron, Summit co., 10,006
Massillon, Stark co., . 5,185
Bellair, Belmont co., 4,033
Mount Vernon, Knox co., 4,876
Canton, Stark co., 8,660
Newark, Licking co., 6,658
Chillicothe, Ross co .:
8,920
Piqua, Miami co., . 5.967
Circleville, Pickaway co.,
5,407
Pomeroy, Meigs co., .
5,824
Columbus, Franklin co., . 31,274
Portsmouth, Scioto co., . 10,592
Dayton, Montgomery co., 30,473
Sandusky, Erie co., .
Springfield, Clarke co., . 12,652
Fremont, Sandusky co.,
5,455
Gallipolis, Gallia co., +3,711
Tiffin, Seneca co .. . 5,618
Hamilton, Butler co., 11,081
Urbana, Champaign co., 4,276
Warren, Trumbull co., 3:457
Lancaster, Fairfield co.,
4,725
Wooster, Wayne co., . 5,419
Lima, Allen co., 4,500
Mansfield, Richland co., 8,029
Youngstown, Mahoning co., 8,075
Marietta, Washington co.,
5,218
Zanesville, Muskingum co., 10, 011
INCORPORATED VILLAGES.
Aberdeen, Brown co.,
871
Arcadia, Hancock co., 288
Ada, Hardin co.,
Arcanum, Darke co., 45
Adamsville, Muskingum co.,
280
Archibald, Fulton co., 373
Adelphi, Ross co.,
417
Ashland, Ashland co., 2,601
Albany, Athens co., 480
Alexandria, Licking co.,
303
Ashtabula, Ashtabula co., 1,999
Alliance, Stark co., 4,063
Antwerp, Paulding co.,
717
Attica, Seneca co., 37
Delaware, Delaware co.,
6,861
Steubenville, Jefferson co., 8,107
Ironton, Lawrence co., 5,686
Xenia, Greene co., 6,377
Ashley, Delaware co., 454
Athens, Athens co., 1.696
----
86
OHIO TO-DAY.
Population.
Population.
Avondale, Hamilton co.,
Cass Town, Miami co., 241
Bainbridge, Ross co.,
647
Catawba, Clarke co., 318
Baltimore, Fairfield co., 489
Cedarville, Greene co., 753
Barnesville. Belmont co .. 2,063
Celina, Mercer co., 859
Batavia, Clermont co., 827
Centerville,
Beallsville, Monroe co.,
Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga co., 1,016
Bedford, Cuyahoga co.,
828
Chardon, Geauga co., 885
Bellbrook, Greene co., .
369
Charleston, Lorain co.,
Belle Center, Logan co.,
276
Chesterville, Morrow co., 282
Bellefontaine, Logan co., 3,182 Belleville, Richland co., 720
Clarington, Monroe co., .
728
Bellevue, Huron co.,
1,219
Berea, Cuyahoga co.,
1,628
Bethel, Clermont co., 63-1
Beverly, Washington co., 814
College Hill, Hamilton co.,
Columbiana, Columbiana co., . 870
Columbus Grove, Putnam co., 578
Bloomingburg, Fayette co., 312
Commercial Point, Pickaway co., Congress, Wayne co., 309
Conneaut, Ashtabula co., 1,163
Bowling Green, Wood co., 906
Convoy,
Coolville, Athens co., . 334
Copley, Summit co., 1,233
Carey, Wyandot co., 692
Bucyrus, Crawford co., 3,066
Cortland, Trumbull co.,
Coshocton, Coshocton co., 1,754
Covington, Miami co., 1,010
Calais, Monroe co.,
I26
Cridersville, Auglaize co.,
167
Caldwell, Noble co.,
318
Caledonia, Marion co.,
419
Cambridge, Guernsey co.,
2,193
Cuyahoga Falls, Summit co., 1,86I
Camden, Preble co., 648
Canal Fulton, Stark co., 1,048
Canal Winchester, Franklin co., 633
Canfield, Mahoning co., 640
Cardington, Morrow co.,
918
Defiance, Defiance co., 2,750
Carroll, Fairfield co.,
187
DeGraff, Logan co., 624
Carrollton. Carroll co., 813
Carthage, Hamilton co.,
258
Butlerville, Warren co.,
Cadiz, Harrison co., 191
1,435
Crestline, Crawford co., 2,279
Crown City, Gallia co., Cumberland, Guernsey co., 319
Dallas, Highland co., Dalton, Wayne co., 412
Darbyville, Pickaway co., 233
Deersville, Harrison co., 306
Delta, Fulton co., . 753
.
Bluffton, Allen co., 489
Boston, Clermont co.,
Bridgeport, Belmont co.,
1,178
Brooklyn, Cuyahoga co., 648
Bryan, Williams co.,
2,284
Clarkesville, Clinton co.,
389
Clifton, Hamilton co.,
Clinton, Huron co .. . Clyde, Sandusky co.,
Blanchester, Clinton co., 513
Bloomfield, Jefferson co., 146
Burbank, Wayne co.,
Delphos, Van Wert co., 640
87
CITIES AND INCORPORATED VILLAGES.
Population. !
Population.
Dennison, Tuscarawas co., 828
Glenville, Cuyahoga co., . 1
Donnelsville, Clarke co.,
Grand Rapids, Wood co.,
Dover, Tuscarawas co., . 1,593
Granville, Licking co., 1,109
Doylestown. Wayne co., 55I
Graysville, Monroe co., . 199
Greenfield, Highland co., 1,712
Duncan's Falls, Muskingum co., 194
Dunkirk, Hardin co.,
East Cleveland, Cuyahoga co., 5,050
Grove City, Franklin co., I 13
Eaton, Preble co., 1,748
Groveport, Franklin co., 627
Eden, Delaware co., 191
Hanover, Licking co., 322
Edgerton, Williams co., 690
Harmar, Washington co., 1,51I
Elmore, Ottawa co., 1, 13I
Harrisburg, Franklin co., 153
Elyria, Lorain co.,
3.038
Harrison, Hamilton co., 1,417
Enon, Clarke co.,
Harrisville, Harrison co., 258
Fairfield, Greenc co., 397
Hartford, Licking co., 229
Fairview. Guernsey co., 377
Haskins, Wood co., . 243
Farmersville, Montgomery co., 312
Harveysburg, Warren co., 388
Fayette, Fulton co., .
Hayesville, Ashland co., 576
Fayetteville, Brown co., 397
Hebron, Licking co., . 478
Felicity, Clermont co., 955
Findlay, Hancock co., 3,315
Fletcher, Miami co., 306
Hillsboro, Highland co., 2,818
Hopedale, Harrison co., . 359
Hubbard, Trumbull co., 1, 126
Hudson, Summit co., . 1,200
Huntersville, Miami co., 233
Franklin, Warren co.,
1,832
Huntsville, Logan co., 322
Frazeysburg, Muskingum co., .
Huron, Erie co., 697
Fredericksburg, Wayne co.,
539
Ithaca, Darke co., . 150
Fredericktown, Knox co., 090
Jacksonburg, Butler co., 127
Galion, Crawford co., 3,523
Jackson, Jackson co., . 2,016
Gambier, Knox co., 581
Jamestown, Greene co., 532
Garrettsville, Portage co., 658
Geneva, Ashtabula co., 1,090
Genoa, Ottawa co., 558
Georgetown, Brown co., 1,037
Johnstown, Licking co.,
241
Germantown, Montgomery co., 1,440
Kalida. Putnam co.,
290
Gettysburg, Darke co., 228
Gilboa, Putnam co., . 315
Glendale, Hamilton co., 1,780
Kingston, Ross co., 345
1
-
Jefferson, Madison co., 577
Jeffersonville, Fayette co., 212
Jeromeville, Ashland co., 328
Kent, Portage co.,
Kenton, Hardin co., 2,610
530
Higginsport, Brown co., Hilliard, Franklin co., 282
Flushing, Belmont co., 206
Forest, Hardin.co.,
Fostoria, Seneca co., 1,733
Frankfort, Ross co.,
Green Springs, Seneca co., Greenville, Darke co., 2,520
Dresden, Muskingum co., 1,156
1
88
OHIO TO-DAY.
Population.
Population.
Lafayette, Allen co., 337
La Rue, Marion co., .
Lebanon, Warren co., 2,749
Leesburg, Carroll co.,
Leesburg, Highland co., . 508
Leetonia, Columbiana co., . 1,200
Lewisburg, Champaign co., . 733
Lewisburg, Preble co., 39I
Lexington, Richland co., 482
Liberty Center, Henry co.,
Lima, Stark co.,
Limaville, Stark co., . 204
Linwood, Hamilton co.,
Lithopolis, Fairfield co., 394
Liverpool, Columbiana co., 2,105
Lockland, Hamilton co., 1,299
Logan, Hocking co., 1,827
London, Madison co.,
2,066
Loudonville, Ashland co.,
SII
Minerva, Stark .co.,
Minster, Auglaize co., 86S
Monroeville, Huron co., . 1,344
Montgomeryville, Putnam co.,
Morristown, Belmont co., 423
Morrow, Warren co., 708
Moscow, Clermont co., 443
Mt. Eaton, Wayne co., . 296
Mt. Airy, Hamilton co.,
Mt. Blanchard, Hancock co.,
Mt. Gilead, Morrow co., 1,087
Mt. Pleasant, Jefferson co., 563
Mt. Sterling, Madison co., 389
Mt. Union, Stark co., 315
Martin's Ferry, Belmont co., 1,835
Martinsville, Clinton co., 264
Marysville, Union co., 1,44I
Mason, Warren co., . 38;
Matamoras, Washington co., 406
Maumee City, Lucas co., 1,779
M'Arthur, Vinton co., 861
M'Comb, Hancock co., 319
M'Connellsville, Morgan co., 1,646
Mechanicsburg, Champaign co., . 940
Medina, Medina co., 1, 159
Mentor, Lake co., 416
Miamisburg, Montgomery co., . 1,125
Middleburg, Noble co., II6
Middlebury, Summit co.,
Middleport, Meigs co., 2,236
Middletown, Butler co., 3.046
Middletown,
Milan, Erie co., . 774
Milford Center, Union co., 372
Milford, Clermont co., 620
Millersburg, Holmes co., 1,457
Milton, Mahoning co.,
Miltonsburg, Monroe co., 176
Milton Center, Wood co.,
Mineral Ridge, Trumbull co.,
Louisville, Stark co., .
Lowell, Washington co.,
Lucas, Richland co., 312
Lynchburg, Highland co., 476
Madison, Lake co., 757
Maineville, Warren co., 290
Malta, Morgan co., 513
Malvern, Carroll co.,
269
Manchester, Adams co., 942
Marion, Marion co., 2,53I
Marseilles, Wyandot co., 25I
Marshallville, Wayne co., 322
Martinsburg, Knox co,
Mt. Washington, Hamilton co., Mutual, Champaign co.,
Napoleon, Henry co., 2,018
Navarre, Stark co.,
Nelsonville, Athens co., 1,080
Nevada, Wyandot co., 828
Neville, Clermont co., 422
New Albany.
CITIES AND INCORPORATED VILLAGES. 89
Population.
Population
New Alexandria, Jefferson co., 767
Plain City, Madison co.,
New Athens, Harrison co., 354
Pleasant Hill, Miami co., . 324
New Bremen, Auglaize co., 528
Plymouth, Richland co., . 703
Poland, Mahoning co., 453
Newcomerstown, Tuscarawas co., 791
Portage, Wood co.,
New Concord, Muskingum co., .. 488
Port Union, Ottawa co.,
New Holland, Pickaway co., . 326
Port Jefferson, Shelby co., 410
New Lexington, Highland co., . 242
Port Washington, Tuscarawas co., 425
New Lexington, Perry co., . 953
New Lisbon, Columbiana co.,
1,569
Quaker City,
New London, Huron co.,
678
Quincy, Logan co., 320
New Madison, Darke co., . 452
New Market,
New Paris, Preble co., .
Reading, Hamilton co., 1,575
New Petersburg, Highland co.,
216
Recovery, .
Republic, Seneca co., 481
New Richmond, Clermont co.,
2,516
Reynoldsburg, Franklin co., 457
Richmond, Jefferson co., 405
Richwood, Union co., 436
New Vienna, Clinton co., . 573
Niles, Trumbull co.,
Ripley, Brown co., 2,323
North Amherst, Lorain co.,
Riverside, Hamilton co.,
Rochester, Warren co., 155
Norwalk, Huron co.,
4,498
Oakfield, Perry co.,
Roseville, Muskingum co., 426
Rushylvania, Logan co., 310
Over Bremen, Auglaize co., 423
Oberlin, Lorain co., 2,888
Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga co., 383
Orangeville, Trumbull co., 260
Orrville, Wayne co., 745
Osborn, Greene co., . 639
Sarahsville, Noble co., . 256
Savannah, Ashiand co., 394
Senacaville, Guernsey co., 376
Seville, Medina co., 597
Patriot, Gallia co.,_
Seville, Wayne co., .
Shane's Crossing, Mercer co., 246
Peninsula, Summit co.,
Perrysburg, Wood co., 1,835
Piketon, Pike co., 638
Sabina, Clinton co., Salem, Columbiana co., 3,700
Salineville, Columbiana co., 1,429
Ottawa, Putnam co., 1,129
Oxford, Butler co., 1,738
Painesville, Lake co., . 3,728
Patterson, Hardin co.,
Shawnee, Perry co.,
Shelby, Richland co., I,So7
Shiloh, Richland co., 297
Port Williams, Clinton co., . 184
Racine, Meigs co., 560
Ravenna, Portage co., 2, 188
New Philadelphia, Tuscarawas co.,
3,143
New Salem, Fairfield co., . 177
New Straitsville, - Perry co.,
Ridgway, Hardin co., 177
New Lewisburg, ' Champaign co.,
733
Rock Creek, Ashtabula co., 49I
Oak Harbor, Ottawa co.,
Rushville, Fairfield co., 406
Russellville, Brown co., 359
12
New Carlisle, Clarke co., . 802
90
OHIO TO-DAY.
Population.
Population.
Shreve, Wayne co., 479
Washington, Washington co., .
Smithfield, Jefferson co., 515
Washington C. H., Fayette co., . 2, 117
Somerset, Perry co.,
Washingtonville, Mahoning co., 232
Somerville, Butler co.,
389
Wauseon, Fulton co., 1,474
South Bloomfield, Pickaway co., . 283
South Charleston, Clarke co., .
818
Waynesburg, Stark co., 425
South Solon, Madison co.,
Waynesville, Warren co., .
745
Sparta, Morrow co., . 197
Wellington, Lorain co., .
1,28I
Wellsville, Columbiana co., .
2,313
Springborough, Warren co.,
477
Spring Hills, Champaign co.,
172
St. Clairsville, Belmont co.,
1,056
Westerville, Franklin co., 741
St. Louisville, Licking co., 166
Westwood, Hamilton co.,
West Alexandria, Preble co., 155
St. Paris, Champaign co., 548
West Elkton, Preble co., 156
Stockport, Morgan co., .
289
West Liberty, Logan co., 741
Sugar Grove, Fairfield co.,
254
West Milton, Miami co., . 455
Summerfield, Noble co.,
West Salem, Wayne co., 713
Sylvania, Lucas co.,
Weston, Wood co., .
West Union, Adams co., 486
Taylorsville, .
West Unity, Williams co.,
537
West Zanesville, Muskingum co.,
1,744
Troy, Miami co., 3,005
Union City, Darke co., .
792
Upper Sandusky, Wyandot co.,
2,564
Williamsport, Pickaway co., . 514
Willoughby, Lake co., 867
Willshire, Van Wert co., 268
Van Buren, Hancock co., . 157
Wilmington, Clinton co.,
2,023
Vandalia, Montgomery co., .
313
Vanlue, Hancock co.,
Winchester, Preble co., 430
Van Wert, Van Wert co., 2,625
Vermilion, Erie co., 72I
Versailles, Darke co., .
Wadsworth, Medina co.,
949
Yellow Springs, Greene co., 1,435
Waldo, Marion co., 247
Wapakoneta, Auglaize co., 2,150
Woodsfield, Monroe co., . 753
Woodstock, Champaign co., 300
Worthington, Franklin co., 356
Zanesfield, Logan co., 2S2
Spencerville, Allen co., .. 364
West Cleveland, Cuyahoga co.,
Western Star, Summit co.,
St. Mary's Auglaize co., 1,370
Tarlton, Pickaway co., 407
Tippecanoe City, Miami co., 1,204
White House, Lucas co.,
Williamsburg, .
Urichsville, Tuscarawas co., 1,5.4I
Utica, Licking co., . 384
Winchester, Adams co., 416
--
1,153
Waverly, Pike co., . 1,202
91
CINCINNATI.
TOPOGRAPHY.
CINCINNATI, the largest city of the West, is situated in a gradual bend of the Ohio River, on its northern bank, and immediately opposite Newport and Covington, Kentucky. Its latitude was determined by Colonel Jared Mansfield in his topographical surveys, 39° 6' 30" north, and its longitude 7º 84' 26" west. It is nearly central between Pittsburg, at the head of the Ohio, and Cairo, at the junction of that river with the Mississippi, being about 465 miles from each point. Its distance by land traveling is-from Columbus, 115 miles; Indianapolis, 120 miles; Lexington, 90 miles; Nashville, 270 miles; and Pittsburg, 298 miles. By steamboat conveyance-from Louis- ville, 138 miles; St. Louis, 655 miles; Natchez, 1,335 miles; and New Orleans, 1,631 miles. By stage route it is 502 miles from Washington, 518 miles from Baltimore, 617 miles from Philadelphia; and, via Lake Erie and the Erie Canal, 650 miles from New York.
The upper plane of Cincinnati is 540 feet above tide-water at Albany, and 25 feet below the level of Lake Erie-low water-mark of the Ohio River here being 432 feet above tide water at Albany, or 133 feet below Lake Erie. The descent of the upper part of Cincinnati to low water-mark is, therefore, 108 feet. The city is almost in the eastern extremity of a valley of about twelve miles in circumference-perhaps the most delightful and extensive on the borders of the Ohio. The platform of the city is composed of two parts, the second table rising considerably above the level of the first, affording, under a regular system of city grading, that desirable medium of slope which permits the drainage to pass off freely, while it affords from the city landing an easy ascent.
The hills which surround this extensive valley present to the eye of the beholder one continued ridge, irregularly elevated, and of diversified configurations. They exhibit, under no circumstances, an aspect of grandeur, but are always beautiful and picturesque. Their average elevation above the plain is about three hundred feet, and, instead of the bold and rocky declivities which characterize the freestone regions of the Ohio, they present gentle and varying slopes, which are mostly covered with native forest-trees. The aspect of the valley from the surrounding hills is highly beautiful.
1
·
-------
92
OHIO TO-DAY.
It is various in its character, as it is seen at different seasons and from different points .* In approaching Cincinnati by water, whether ascending or descending the river, the view is neither extensive nor commanding.
HISTORICAL SKETCHES.
The Miami Country, on whose Ohio River front this city is nearly a central point, was early known to the whites, and an object of admiration for its great fertility. In 1751 Christopher Gist, agent for the old English Ohio Company, explored the Great Miami River about one hundred miles, and in 1752 the English had built a fort or trading station among the Piankashaws-a tribe of the Twigtwees, or Miamis-whose hunting grounds were in the adjacent region, on what is now called Loramie's Creek, forty-seven miles north of Dayton. This post was attacked and taken by the French in the course of the same year. The Miami valleys were subsequently examined by Daniel Boone, while captive to the Shawanees, in 1778, and by the war parties which Bowman and Clark led against the Indians on the Little Miami and Mad Rivers. But Kentucky, at this period, was barely able to maintain its own various stations or posts, and had neither leisure nor men to spare for effecting a lodgment in the neighborhood of this tribe of Indians, already well known to be one of the most efficient and inveterate enemies of the Kentucky settlers. Treaties with the various savage tribes having been made or renewed in 1784, 1785, and 1786, by which the country upon the Muskingum, Scioto, and the Miamis was ceded to the whites. Among others whose attention was directed to the settlement of the new country was Benjamin Sites, of Redstone-now Brownsville-Pennsylvania. He visited New York, to purchase from Congress, for him- self and associates, a tract on the Miamas, and there proposed to John Cleves Symmes, a member of Congress from New Jersey, to unite in the enterprise, relying, probably, on his official influence to effect the purchase. Mr. Symmes decided on seeing the country before entering into any contract, and, on his return, completed the arrangement in his
* One of the views most worthy, perhaps, of attention, may be had at an early hour on one of the foggy mornings of August or September. A spectator, under such circumstances, placed upon one of these hills, will find himself elevated quite above the dense vapors of the river. He will behold the sun rising free from all obscurity, while the plane below him is lost in one unbroken sheet of fog, pre- senting the appearance of an unruffled lake As soon, however, as the rays of the sun fall less obliquely upon this expanse of vapor it dissipates, and, assuming the appearance of fleecy clouds, passes away to rarer regions, gradually disclosing the city, the river, the villages, the numerous steamboats, and all the various objects of the valley.
.
·¥
CINCINNATI. 93
own name. The tract thus purchased was supposed to contain one million acres of land upon the Ohio, and lying between the Miamis. On actual survey, however, this extent was reduced to less than six hundred thousand acres. Of this purchase ten thousand acres at the mouth of the Little Miami were shortly after sold by the patentee to Mr. Stites, and in January, 1788, the entire section No. 18 in the fourth township and first fractional range, and the fraction No. 17 lying between it and the river, were purchased by Matthias Denman, of New Jersey. These, with the fractional section No. 12 in the same township and range, compose the present site of Cincinnati.
In the Summer of 1788 several emigrating parties left New York and New Jersey for the settlement of the "new purchase," as it was called. Among these was Denman and his associates, who reached Maysville -- then Limestone --- Kentucky, in August, and an arrangement was entered into there between Denman, Col. Robert Patterson, and John Filson, of Lexington, by which the three became jointly interested in the project of laying out a town and establishing a ferry opposite the mouth of Licking, being the ground purchased by Denman. The old Indian war-path from the British garrison at Detroit crossed the Ohio at this point, which was also the usual avenue by which the savages on the northern side of the Ohio approached the Kentucky stations.
As an inducement to settlers, the new proprietors agreed to give an in lot, six rods by twelve, being nearly half an acre, and an out lot, being an entire square in the plat, and about four acres in extent, to each of the first settlers, on condition of their making certain improvements to promote the growth of the place.
The proprietors took possession, accordingly, in the latter part of September, 1788. On this occasion, among others who came to see the country or to settle in it, were Symmes, Israel Ludlow, and others. They here separated, Symmes, Patterson, and Filson, with a part of the company, going farther back from the river to examine the country, while Denman, with Ludlow, who was a surveyor, and a few others, followed the meanders of the Ohio between the Miami Rivers, and up the Great Miami about ten miles. Three days being thus spent, the two companies met on the site of the future Cincinnati, when it was found that Filson was missing. He was never heard of after- ward, and had doubtless been surprised and killed by Indians.
The Denman party then returned to Limestone, where a new agreement was made in October, to which Ludlow became a party in Filson's place, and was, besides, empowered to act as agent for the others, in all things relating to the town. The plat of the proposed town was made at this time, dedicating for religious and municipal uses
94
OHIO TO-DAY.
the square between Fourth and Fifth and Main and Walnut Streets, and for public purposes what now constitutes the City Landing, reserving only to the proprietors in this last grant a ferry right. Denman returned at once to New Jersey, and Patterson soon after to Kentucky, leaving the new settlement in the hands of Ludlow. Some few years afterward, Joel Williams purchased the remaining interest of Matthias Demnan, as did Samuel Freeman that of Patterson, and the proprietors, for the first time, were now all residents of Cincinnati.
On the 28th of December, 1788," Israel Ludlow, with about twenty other persons, landed and commenced a settlement. They erected three or four log cabins, the first of which was built on Front, east of and near Main Street; and in the course of Janu- ary following was completed the survey and laying off of the town, then covered with sycamore and sugar trees in the first or lower table, and beech and oak upon the upper or second table. Through this dense forest the streets were laid out, their corners being marked upon the trees. This survey extended from Eastern Row, now Broadway, to Western Row, and from the river as far as to Northern Row, now Seventh Street. The population of the place had become by this time eleven families, besides twenty- four unmarried men dwelling in about twenty cabins, principally adjacent to the present landing. The larger part of the trees in the bottom between Walnut Street and Broad- way were cut down, but remained on the ground for several years.
At this period an abundant supply of game and fish made good the failure of the provisions brought by the settlers. The Indians, although unfriendly, had as yet com- mitted no hostilities or even depredations.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.