The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 45

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 45

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William Long, one of the oldest settlers in the township, brought bis family from Virginia in the year 1806 or 1807 and located himself near the ford of the river, on the northwest quarter of Section 7. He was the head of a family of four sons, one of whom, Stephen, was the third preacher produced by the township.

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Alexander Mills, from South Carolina. settled on southeast quarter, Section 20, in 1807, where he remained till the war of 1812.

Benjamin Iddings, from Tennessee, came about the same time as the preced- ing, and erected his cabin on Section 33, for which purpose land was given him by Mr. Pearson.

Joseph Furnas settled on the banks of the Stillwater in 1808; he had a family of seven children, and taught the first school in the township, in his own house.

Two brothers, Isaac and Evan Ballinger, settled on southeast quarter, Section 20, at about the same time in 1807-08.

The first settlers west of the river were William and David Miles, who hailed from South Carolina in 1807. The former died the same year of his arrival. At this period, settlements began to be made in the northern part of the township, on Panther Creek. Robert Leavell, from South Carolina, settled on Section 2, in 1808, and William Perry, from Tennessee, located himself on Section 6 at about the same time, while Robert Dickson, the father of two sons and several daughters, located himself on northwest quarter, Section 7, in 1808-09.

Inasmuch as the township, at this date, was rapidly filling up in every direc- tion, it would be impossible in the limited space allotted us, to follow each family through the perils of the wilderness to the spot where they located ; among the later settlers we might mention Samuel Falkner, Jacob Rench, George Freshour and many other men of indefatigable perseverance, who rapidly transformed the forest into productive farms, and laid the foundation for that high degree of pros- perity enjoyed by the present population. From the result of their labors, we imagine their motto must have been-

"Trust no future howe'er pleasant, Let the dead past bury its dead : Act-act in the living present, Heart within, and God o'erhend."

Jacob Embree may be legitimately credited with being the father of the man- ufacturing interests of the township ; prior to his arrival, the power offered by the streams had not been utilized ; it was not long after this, however, till the grating of the crank as it turned the hopper of the old mill, and the whirring sound of the saw as it passed rapidly through the ponderous logs, whispered a story of better days, when the puncheon floor and split-slab door would give place to smooth oaken boards, and flour for family use could be obtained at home.

A short time after Mr. Embree erected the saw-mill, in 1808, he attached to it a flouring-mill, or corn-cracker, as it was then called. It was a very simple piece of machinery, consisting of a hopper, around which four forks were set in the ground, held together by cross-pieces and covered with brush, in order to serve as a shelter for the grinder while the mill was being operated. On so small & scale as this began the milling interests of the township, which have since assumed in comparison almost gigantic proportions. These mills were operated by Mr. E. for several years, but have long since been replaced by more modern and preten- tious structures, the products of which are more satisfactory than those of their predecessors. The mill now owned by J. C. Coppock was built by Mr. Embree in 1828, and occupies the site of the first mill in the township.

Robert Dickson built the second saw-mill in the township, and the first one on Panther Creek. Deeter's Mill now stands upon the spot formerly occupied by this.

George Freshour also built a saw-mill on Section 10, Range 4, in a very early day. This mill has not been operated for many years, but the frame still stands, a lonely landmark of the past, bent and tottering beneath its weight of years. An oil-mill was established below the falls on Panther Creek, by Abraham Deeter, some time prior to 1840. Jacob Rench built a distillery in 1818. This was the first establishment of the kind on the Stillwater, in the northern part of the town- ship. Mr. R. ran this business successfully until his building was destroyed by fire, in 1831-32. He immediately erected another structure, on the west bank of

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the river, where the Sugar Grove Mill now stands. He was again burned out, in 1837, but rebuilt a second time, and devoted his attention to this work till the spring of 1848, when he disposed of the business and property to the Deeter brothers, who shortly abandoned it. The second regular grist-mill in the town- ship was built by Mr. R. in 1833. In the spring of 1848, he sold this also to the Deeter brothers. This mill was run till about one year ago, when it was destroyed by fire, and the present Sugar Grove Mill was then built by John Crumrine, who, at the present time, is doing a good business.

F. and I. Deeter started a tile factory, about one mile east of Pleasant Hill, several years ago, since which time they have been in successful operation. They burn a kiln each week, and constantly employ in their factory five or six hands.

The grain-mill of Patty, Whitmore & Co. was built in 1879, and is of ines- timable value to the farmers in the vicinity, as it fills a want long felt, and offers a ready market for their grains. They have a capacity for shelling 4,000 bushels of corn per day.

The war of 1812 put a stop for awhile to the stream of immigration west- ward, and this township proved no exception to the general rule. Wars and rumors of wars, with blood-curdling stories of Indian barbarity, began to reach the ears of the people, so that many settlers in the northern part of the township, fear- ing an invasion, collected together their families and household effects, and removed to various places in the State, where the danger was less threatening. Many removed their families only, and returned themselves to care for their grow- ing crops. The majority, however, disdained to flee before an imaginary foe, and instead, made preparations for self-defense, for which purpose the neighbors collected and began constructing the " block-house." It was built on Section 19, west of present site of Pleasant Hill. A trench was dug inclosing a sufficiently large space of ground to contain the people, and inside of this, palisades were driven ; in the inclosed space several cabins were erected, and this formed the fortifica- tion, which was by no means inaccessible. Here; however, the families would congre- gate at night for their mutual support in case of attack. Nothing appearing to dis- turb their usually peaceful lives, the " Fort " was soon abandoned without the neces- sity for its construction having been verified in a single instance. The building has long since crumbled away, but the spot upon which it stood is readily pointed out by the old settler, through whose sluggish veins the blood flows with almost youthful vigor, as he recalls the excitement which existed during that warlike period.

To those persons who delight in evolving theories in regard to the existence, in America, of a pre-historic race, and in wiping the dust of centuries from the pages of the past, Newton Township offers them a field, wherein their inventive as well as imaginary powers can be exercised to their utmost capacity. West from Pleasant Hill, just across the river, stand a number of fortifications, which have stood so long that, in the words of Blackstone, " The mind of man runneth not to the contrary." The largest one is inclosed on three sides by a ravine, in most places 100 feet deep, while the remaining side is provided with breastworks, at the present time about six feet high, but, inasmuch as there are trees on this which are about two feet in diameter, and must have grown after the ground was thrown up, we are led to believe that the wall of earth was formed many hundred years ago ; and, if this is the case, it was at least fifteen feet high when first built. About one acre of surface is inclosed, now covered with saplings, but it must have been almost entirely free from trees when the fortification was formed. Numerous articles denoting the presence of a race that had some knowledge of the fine arts, have been found ; among these are pieces of pottery, curved in form, showing that. the vessels, of which they are pieces, were circular in shape. Human skeletons have been found near at hand, and many things go to show that this almost impregnable fortress was occupied by a people of more than the ordinary intelli- gence of the Indian. As to who these people were, or when they lived upon the spot, we pretend not to determine, but leave for more speculative minds the:

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agreeable task of creating the hypothesis, from which the origin and destiny of this people may some day be ascertained. The prairie of which previous mention has been made, was just across the river from this fort, and probably was used by this people as a burying-ground. It may, indeed, have been cleared by them in the beginning. Many skeletons have been found here, and the fact that this spot of prairie-land was partially surrounded by sycamore trees, goes to show that they were planted by human hands, for this species of tree is usually found only upon the banks of streams. We can be positive in regard to several matters: First, the human skeletons show that a people did really exist ; secondly, the earthenware vessels, that they were creatures of intelligence ; thirdly, the existence of the fortification proves that they had an enemy. Who that foeman was that . inspired the erection of such a fortification, is not explained even by tradition, and probably never will be known, but to those who have long since gone to the land of spirits.

Pleasant Hill, the only village in this township, has a population of about 500 inhabitants, and includes one square mile of surface in its corporate limits.

The town was for many years called Newton, after the township, which, by the way, was named in honor of the philosopher, Sir Isaac. The ground upon which it is situated was surveyed by James Hauks, and laid out by J. K. Teeter, May 26, 1843. The original plat consisted of eight lots, all west of Main street, which bounded them on the east, and which was sixty-six feet wide then, but sub- sequently had its width increased to eighty feet. The lots were 132 feet deep, with seventy-five feet front, and were divided by two cross streets, viz., High and North, each forty-nine and one-half feet wide. These streets are now eighty feet wide, while the cross-streets which intersect Main on the east, are sixty-six feet wide. After having been laid out, the growth of the village rapidly increased, and in 1850, became of so much importance that it was decided, for general con- venience, to move the post office from Coppock's mill to Newton. The post office had first been kept about one mile southeast from town, and, from the peculiarly beautiful spot of its location, was called Pleasant Hill. It was moved from here in about 1840, to Coppock's mill, and was kept awhile in the mill, but it still retained its first name, and, upon its being removed to Newton, it was decided, in order to prevent all irregularities in regard to postal matters, to change the name of Newton to Pleasant Hill, which was accordingly done. After the removal of the office here, John Whitmore became Postmaster, which position he retained five or six years. At present, the position is filled by Mr. J. Reiber, a brave sol- dier in the late rebellion, who, in a single engagement, was the target which received five leaden bullets while battling for the Union under the banner of the old Stars and Stripes.

The village was incorporated June 30, 1866. The first officers were as follows : Mayor, Charles W. Davis; Recorder, N. B. Teeter ; Trustees, William Patty, M. D., John H. Williams, D. Minnich, John Whitmore and Joseph Pearson ; Treasurer, Fred Deeter ; Marshal, J. G. Ritter. The number of business estab- lishments are as follows :

Three merchants, one boot and shoe shop, three blacksmiths, one silver-smith, one agricultural implements, two wagon-makers, five physicians, one grain dealer, one furniture dealer, one confectionery, two milliners, and one saloon.

SCHOOLS.

The progress made by a country in civilization is denoted in a great measure by her educational advantages. The mighty strides taken in this direction, may well be regarded with pride by the enterprising citizens of Newton.

The first school in the township was taught by Joseph Furnas, in the year 1808, in his own cabin, which stood on the banks of the Stillwater. The greater part of his pupils consisted of his own children, seven in number ; to these were added the children of the neighbors when they could be spared from

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home. The house was warmed by a fire-place, and gathered around this, seated on sticks of wood, an inverted basket or some other article equally comfortable, the young hopeful conned his daily lesson, and was glad when the task was completed and he might indulge in sports more congenial to his nature. In 1811, a schoolhouse was built on Furnas' land, and was probably the first in the township ; it was not par- ticularly noticeable for architectural beauty, neither for the convenience of its fur- niture. The roof was made of clapboards so put together as to provide such a ventilation as would now be considered neither pleasant nor healthy ; the door was a rude affair of oak swung on wooden hinges, which, upon being opened, produced such a screeching noise as sent the blood curdling through the veins of the strong- est; the patent bench with stationary inkstand had not yet made its appearance, but in lieu of this, the pupils were seated on benches rudely hewn from sap- lings and held up by wooden legs driven through auger holes provided for that purpose. In such rude and homely edifices as this did the children of the old settlers receive their early instruction and fit themselves for the business of life. The second teacher in the township was Richard Clegg, who taught in 1813. Amos Perry was the third and John Pearson the fourth man who taught " the young idea how to shoot" in Newton. At about this period, schoolhouses began to spring up in different places, the second was built west of the river ; and as soon as prac- ticable the log house gave way to more convenient and comfortable structures, and at the present time there are thirteen neat schoolhouses in the township, giving employment during thirty-six weeks in the year to thirteen efficient teachers, while the whole amount of school property is valued at $22,000. The amount of funds on hand September 1, 1879, was $2,337.98, after all expenditures had been deducted. From the Clerk's report for the year ending August 31, 1879, we learn that the number of pupils enrolled that year was 669; average monthly enroll- ment, 490; average daily attendance, 354; pupils enrolled between sixteen and twenty-one years, 103 ; number of different teachers employed during the year, 23 ; average wages-gentlemen $38.97 ; ladies, $24.95.

Subdistrict No. 7, which included the village of Pleasant Hill, was organ- ized into a special district November 3, 1866. The first Directors of this dis- trict were William Patty, M. D., C. W. Davis, J. K. Tecter, George Shoemaker, Nathan Hill and David Minnich. The different grades were taught the first year by Oliver Furnas and Harriett Moore. Owing to the rapidly increasing population, the house became too small to accommodate the pupils, so that in January, 1875, it was decided to erect a more commodious structure. Obed Macy was chosen architect, the old schoolhouse and lot were sold for $400, and the new house, 60x62 feet, begun immediately. The building is heated by steam, contains six large and well-ventilated rooms, with a hall in third story capable of comfortably seating 300 people. Horatio Pearson was elected Principal in April, 1875, which position he has faithfully and satisfactorily filled ever since. The subordinate teachers for the year 1880-81 are Miss Mattie Iddings and Miss Dora Deeter. The present officers are : Chairman, Fred Deeter; Clerk, William Patty, M. D. ; Treasurer, G. W. Whitmore; Directors, J. A. Landis, John Jay and A. Reiber.

CHURCHES.

The oldest settlers in the township were members of the denomination of Friends, who immigrated here from the East to free themselves from the persecu- tions of the Puritans, and many of the people of the township to-day, trace their relationship back to Macy, the good Quaker whose sufferings and name have been immortalized by Whittier in his beautiful poem, "The Exile." For many years, Divine services were held in barns, dwelling houses and in the open air. The first church was a log building erected in 1820, and was called Union Church, because formed by the union of members from so many different congregations. This denomination was organized in 1813.

The second church in the township was a log house built by the Christians in 1820; it was situated south of the cemetery of Pleasant Hill. This house was J

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afterward taken down, and a frame building occupied its place. This denomina- tion was organized in 1815, when, a discussion arising as to what the church should be called, Mrs. Kyle said she "hoped the church might do well," and sug- gested the name of Hopewell, which was unanimously adopted, and it has been known by that name ever since. After the old frame building fell into disuse, the present brick edifice was built in Pleasant Hill. The denomination at the present time has no regular minister, but the membership is, perhaps, as large as any in the township; they maintain a Sunday school throughout the year, and have a gen- eral attendance of about 150.

The third church in the township was of logs, built by the German Baptists about 1841. This was replaced in 1849 by the "Old Stone Church." It was remodeled in 1873, and is now known as the Sugar Grove Church.

The Congregational Brethren Church of Pleasant Hill was organized in the fall of 1876. The officers were as follows: Presiding Elder, John Cadwallader ;. Elder, Jacob Crumrine ; Minister and Secretary, Elias Tecter; Deacon, Daniel Deeter. Present officers : W. G. Ullery, Elias Teeter and Jacob Crumrine, Elders ; M. Deeter and Samuel R. Deeter, Deacons ; W. II. Cadwallader, Secretary ; William Mikesell, Treasurer. The present frame edifice was built a few years since and is a neat structure, whose congregation consists of a goodly number of devout wor- shipers.

It is a substantial structure, size 50x70 feet, the upper part being of brick, and the basement of stone ; this denomination also has a church edifice in Pleasant Hill with a membership of more than 100, which, in conjunction with the members. of Sugar Grove Church, in numbers exceed any other single denomination in the township.

The Disciples' Church was organized here in 1872, at which time the congrega- tion consisted of about 12 members ; it is a branch of the Miami Church at Fred- erickstown. At present, services are held monthly in the Disciples' Hall. Only about six persons are now connected with the church.

SECRET ORDERS.

A., F. & A. M .- Pleasant Hill Lodge, No. 361, received its charter from the. Grand Lodge of Ohio the 17th October, 1866. The charter was signed by Thomas Sparrow, of Toledo, Ohio, as Most Worshipful Grand Master, and John D. Cald- well as Right Worshipful Grand Secretary. The following were the charter mem- bers : Joseph Marlin, Thomas H. Coate, Nathaniel Hill, Matthias D. Myers, John Whitmer, William Furnas, Jacob Reiber, Joseph Coppock, Joseph Cox, H. J. Byr- kett, Jacob K. Teeter, William Anderson and Amos E. Duncan, four of whom are members in good standing at present. The lodge now numbers fifty-six mem- bers ; of these the youngest is twenty-one years of age, while the years of the- oldest number fourscore. The present lodge-room was completed at a cost of $1,153.08, and was dedicated November 13, 1867. It is 45x22 feet in size, and, being nicely furnished, forms one among the best, for so small a place, in the State. Present officers are as follows :

Thomas N. Coate, W. M .; Samuel Yount, S. W. ; Henry W. Miles, J. W. ; George K. Harshbarger, Treasurer ; Jacob Reiber, Secretary ; Reuben L. Shoc, S. D .; Joseph Cox, J. D. ; William R. Sloan, D. W. Debra, Stewards ; John F. Shoc, Tiler ; D. M. Coppock, Joseph Cox, Jesse M. Coate, Trustecs.

I. O. O. F .- A charter was granted to Pleasant Hill Lodge, May 16, 1874, at Cincinnati, by the Grand Lodge of Ohio. The charter members and first officers were as follows :

Jasper Jones, deceased ; J. G. Ritter, N. G. ; Aaron Heft, V. G. ; S. Barton, P. Secretary ; M. Myers, Treasurer ; S. B. Reiber, Warden ; Fred Deeter, I. G. ; J. K. Hittle, R. S. S .; W. H. McCain, L. S. S .; William R. Sloan, R. S. V. G .; D. M. Murray, L. S. V. G. ; J. P. Fenner, R. S. N. G .; Isaac Deeter, L. S. N. G. ; Joseph Cox, R. Secretary ; J. W. Cable, Conductor.

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Present officers : Joel Rothermel, N. G ; L. A. Teeter, V. G. ; S. G. S. Bar- ton, P. Secretary ; James P. Fenner, R. Secretary ; M. Myers, Treasurer; G. W. Whitmore, R. S. N. G. ; A. J. Hunt, L. S. N. G .; James Coate, Warden; N. L. Hill, Conductor ; W. F. Long, R. S. S. ; T. N. Hunt, L. S. S .; A Heft, I G. ; G. P. Huffman, R. S. V. G. ; J. W. Whitmore, L. S. V. G.

The present hall, 24 x 54 feet, was built at a cost of $625, and was dedicated December 2, 1879. The fund for building was obtained by the donations of 12] different persons in the township.

Patrons of Husbandry .- The lodge known as Pleasant Hill Grange, No. 175, was organized October 23, 1873, at which time there were thirty-three members. Since this time there has been more than one hundred initiations and three deaths. The society at the present time is in a prosperous condition.

The first temperance organization was known by the name of the Sons of Temperance, which flourished here several years, when it was supplanted by the I. O. G. T. This lodge finally emerged into the present society, known as the Temperance Society, which meets weekly, and its pledge has been signed by a great number of persons in the township. The officers are :

I. H. Menges, President ; J. K. Teeter, Vice President ; Mrs. J. K. Teeter and Mrs. McCarter, Secretaries ; Joseph Rothermal, Treasurer.

CEMETERIES.

The oldest in the township is Union Cemetery, the property of the Friends; and it was established as early as 1807 or 1808. The first person buried here was Mrs. Pearson. The town burying-ground was laid out in 1808 or 1809 ; a few years since, it was enlarged. The third place of interment belongs to the German Bap- tists, and is near the Sugar Grove Church, in the northern part of the township. In wandering through these various cities of the dead, we notice that most of Newton's old settlers are freed from the trials of earth ; not only, however, on the moss-grown headstones are the names of Williams, Coate, Hill, Coppock, Furnas, Inman, Teague, and scores of others, engraven, but upon the hearts of the people their names and the story of their manly deeds are inscribed in characters not to be effaced by the finger of Time. The tired hands, once wearied with the toils of earth, are now at rest. The feet, aching neath the burdens of this world's cares, have reached the wayside inn, and are at peace. The hearts that beat so anxiously with the hopes and fears of life, are stilled forever. It remains for you who now live to carry on toward completion the goodly-begun work of your fathers, and, when your task is ended,

" Be gathered to their side by those Who in their turn shall follow them."

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CONCORD TOWNSHIP.

This township is centrally located, bounded on the north by Washington, on the east by the Miami River, on the south by Monroe and part of Union, and on the west by Newton ; organized about 1807, and named by the Commissioners appointed for that purpose, Concord, vying with the name given by Samuel Jones to Union. Traversed by excellent turnpikes in all directions, her eastern border laved by the Great Miami, along which runs the canal, drained by numerous streams ; rich and fertile soil, capable, within itself, of perpetual regeneration ; excel- lent building material, both stone and timber ; central market, in the seat of justice for her produce-she is truly in a happy position to enjoy all the facilities tending to prosperity in every direction.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 45

Author: W. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1051

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1880
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1051