The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 51

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

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The excellent facilities for water-power did not long escape the keen observa- tion of the settler. The necessity of a flouring-mill became apparent, the nearest being Freeman's Mill, in Monroe Township. A continual demand for whisky and the abundant production of corn increasing from year to year, guaranteed the erection of distilleries a safe investment. In 1811, the building of the first mill

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was commenced by John M. Dye, at the Lost Creek crossing, near the land now owned by John Lefevre. The entire neighborhood assisted in hewing the logs. Perhaps the only man living who assisted in the construction of this mill, is Andrew Sayers. The mill was not finished until the year 1813, the first wheat being ground a few days prior to the marriage of Dye's daughter, Sarah, to Abram Statler. Mrs. Statler remembers that the chief amusement of the wedding guests consisted in visiting the new mill. At that time, Dye resided on the site of the Children's Home; but, at the completion of the mill, he erected a stone building just north of it ; the house still stands and is occupied by John Lefevre. This new improvement was but the forerunner of many others. A road was sur- veyed from the mill to Troy, making a direct avenue for conveying grain to and from the center. The second grist mill was built by Michael Carver, in 1823 ; this building is at present used as a cotton-mill by Henry Carver. Other mills were erected in later years, many are yet in good running order, and will be found in every part of the township.

Jacob Mann erected the first distillery ; in what year we have been unable to ascertain. The next distillery of any magnitude was built by Daniel P. Voorhis, in 1830. The many private whisky factories throughout the township are not considered worthy of notice. A Dutchman by the name of VanCulen Hampton owned the first saw-mill, situated on the land now owned by M. Hill. Perhaps, a powder-mill erected by Jacob Prillman, on Indian Creek, in 1806, is the first manufacturing establishment ever put up in the township ; the property is now in possession of William Thompson. Some years after, a man named Lusenhall engaged in the manufacturing of hats, on the site of Levi Staley's residence. In 1825, Newman Scarlet operated a turning lathe, on the present Henry Bell prop- erty, on Indian Creek. Stores were also established as they were needed. The first store was kept by Conklin, in 1831, father of John Conklin, the Corporation Clerk of Troy. Isaac Sheets and Asa French were also engaged in the sale of merchandise.

For many years, roads were comparatively unknown. The pioneer cut a path to the house of his nearest neighbor, who, in turn cut'his way to the next cabin. Thus, it will be noticed that the roads were very irregular, and traveling was necessarily slow and tedious. The road from Dye's mill to Troy was the first laid out by the County Surveyor. The first pike built through the township was the Troy and Springfield pike. At this writing, the township is traversed by three or four free pikes, intersected by a complete network of roads.

Cincinnati was the nearest trading-point for a number of years. After har- vest, wheat was taken to the mill and ground ; if there was a surplus of flour, it was taken to Cincinnati, by wagon, and exchanged for leather, coffee and other indispensable necessaries. Sometimes a small amount of cash was received, which was saved for the tax-gatherer. The leather was usually converted into shoes by roaming shoemakers. Horses were often taken to South Carolina and sold at a good figure. A,cargo of flour and pork was placed on a raft and floated into the Miami, thence to the Ohio, down to the Mississippi, thence onward to New Orleans. Here the cargo was disposed of, and the pilot returned on foot, some three or four months being consumed in going and returning.

A new impetus came to the homes of the pioneer in 1830. This year wit- nessed the erection of frame dwellings; new arrivals came from the East, and gen- eral prosperity crowned the efforts of the inhabitants. On and after this date, no backward steps were taken ; the population was on a rapid increase ; instead of one continual forest, beautiful fields of golden grain were seen ; blazed roads had long disappeared ; the educational interests attained a higher standard. It was apparent the struggles through poverty were a thing of the past.

Clock peddlers traversed the country in 1835, selling their wares at a high figure ; many settlers paid from $25 to $75 for a common eight-day clock. Stoves were introduced in 1840, and created somewhat of a sensation. To the pioneer, accustomed to sit and warm by the dear old fire-place from infancy up, it seemed

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that the new contrivance could be of no service in heating and cooking. So strong was the prejudice against this invention, that many declared that victuals had not the wholesome taste produced by the old way of cooking. The general opinion soon changed, and erelong stoves came into general use. Simultaneously with the stove came the cast-iron plow, and lately the steel plow, the mower and reaper and the thresher. Log cabins gave way to beautiful edifices of frame and brick ; large bank barns were erected for the comfort of the domestic animal ; everything was changed as if by magic.

Taught to reverence and trust in the Lord of Hosts, when but children, and faithfully adhering to these teachings as they grew older, it is natural that the set- tlers should make rapid progress in the religious cause. After six days of hard labor, the Sabbath was welcomed as a day of rest. Ministers were unknown for several years after the arrivals of the first settlers. No house of worship had been erected. On Sabbath morning, the humble cabin was converted into a house of prayer ; the family gathered around the fire-place, passages of Scripture were read and commented upon, interspersed by the singing of hymns of ye olden time. The long distance to the house of the next-door neighbor made impossible the favorite Sunday afternoon call of the present day; social conversation, suggesting and discussing plans for the future, and the singing of a hymn occasionally, serving to while away the long hours of the afternoon and evening. Later on, the locality becoming somewhat more populated, it was decided to hold services at a certain house which could be conveniently reached by the neighborhood; and persons would gather from a radius of four and five miles to join in social worship. The first meeting was held at the house of Rafe Stafford, on the George Stafford farm, in Clarke County, by members of the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The first services held in the township, were conducted by the Methodists, at the house of John Gearheart, at present occupied by Miss Sarah Gearheart, on the Troy and Springfield pike, near the eastern township line. The New Lights erected a church, in 1815, near the Cold Springs.

The first meeting of the Baptists was held at the house of Stephen Dye, in Staunton Township, on .the 3d of November, 1804, a full account of which will be found in another part of this work. Our forefathers endured all the inconven- iences connected with an attendence to these meetings ; yet the long walk through the dense forests was performed without a murmur, and with glad thanksgiving to the Most High. At the residence of William Knight, on the site of the Children's Home, the first meeting within the township was held. Services were also con- ducted in the houses and barns of the neighbors, and frequently an adjournment was made to God's first temples. Assembling together for the purpose of holding social religious meetings was the favorite and only pastime of the young folks The house owned by Knight was afterward sold to John M. Dye, with the express understanding that devotional exercises should be continued, Mr. Dye, being a stanch Baptist, acquiescing readily. These meetings continued for some years. Mrs. Sarah Statler is the only living member of this organization. At present the Casstown Church is attended by the Baptists of Elizabeth; there is no Baptist Church in the township.

Having penned a general outline of the history of the New Light and Baptist churches, we now turn our attention to the Methodist Episcopal. The first meet- ings were held at the house of Samuel Mitchell. A society was afterward formed near the location of the present Mckendree Chapel ; this was in 1815. Aunt Betsy Stafford is the only surviving member of this class ; the others have long passed away. Joseph Oglesby was the first circuit minister; and Abbott Godart the first quarterly minister. In 1822, a structure was built on Section two, south- east of Miami City, and called Mckendree Chapel. In 1845, the building was torn down to make way for an edifice of brick, which is, at present, attended by a large congregation. At the first Sunday school of this church the first lesson was the first chapter of the Gospel according to St. Luke. John Bruce was elected Superinten- dent.

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We wish to remark while writing on this subject, that religiously, Elizabeth is unsurpassed by any township in the county. The family Bible occupies a con- spicious position in nearly every household. In the cares and pleasures of daily life, devotional exercises are never forgotten. The examples set fourscore years ago have passed from generation to generation. That religion and morality will ever have a firm foothold is a foregone conclusion. So mote it be.

One of the prime objects of the pioneers was the establishment of suitable schools for the children. Pennsylvania, to whom the township owes her earliest settlers, offered poor and uninviting educational facilities. John M. Dye, it is said, left his native State for that reason. Obstacles in the way of establishing suitable schools were many. There were, as yet, very few people in the district ; money was scarce ; able and efficient teachers could not be obtained ; much labor was re- quired in building a suitable house for educational purposes. But, in spite of all these difficulties, the pioneer did not waver. A site was selected, logs were hewn, and erelong the house was ready for occupancy. A teacher was procured who received a small compensation, and boarded " round." The original schoolhouse was situated on the farm of Christian Knoop, near the Staunton line. The first person to officiate therein as schoolmaster was John Enyeart, who combined with the duties of pedagogue that of Justice of the Peace. Later on a schoolhouse was built near the present Staley mill, in what is now known as Bethel Township.

In 1812, the schoolhouse on the Lost Creek Crossing was taught by John Schell, when he was sober. For charts, rude boards on which were inscribed in rough caricatures the alphabet and easy monosyllables, were used. Noah Web- ster's spelling book, Dilworth's arithmetic, the Bible, or any other book obtainable, completed the outfit. Under careful, economical management, the educational interests of this locality progressed gradually and satisfactorily. As the general surroundings advanced in civilization, the population increased ; the pioneer was slowly placing himself and his interests on a firm financial basis, thus enabling him to afford his children better facilities for obtaining a good common-school educa- tion. Prior to 1840, there were but two schoolhouses in the township. To-day, eight fine brick structures, erected at an average cost of $2,000, bear testimony to the rapid strides made in this direction.

A stranger is impressed by the numerous graveyards located in nearly every section of the township. They are not populated very thickly, but their number and location show a change induced by the absence of roads, and strengthen the idea that each family buried its own dead on the home place. No costly monu- ment was erected in ye olden times, a plain, rough sandstone, simply inscribed, marking the silent resting-place. The oldest known grave is that of Mrs. Lowder, who rests in the burying-place in the rear of Charles Voorhis' residence. The Methodist Episcopal cemetery is the oldest public burying-ground in the township. James Mitchell was the first person buried here ; July 19, 1815, is the date. In this city of the dead repose soldiers of all American wars, a singular coincidence. We append the names: Revolutionary war, Samuel Mitchell, John Burns ; war of 1812, Jacob Ullery, John Drury, William Mitchell ; Mexican war, John French ; rebellion, Jacob Sterrett, Randolph Moore, Merriam Kester, Edward Kemp. The New Light cemetery, adjoining Henry Carver's property, is beautifully situated. From its highest point can be obtained a full view of the entire neighborhood. Here sleeps Michael Carver, an early settler. The following is engraved on his tombstone :

IN MEMORY OF MICHAEL CARVER, A native of Pennsylvania, who died Dec. 2, 1842, aged 60 years and 2 months. He was one of the first settlers in this vicinity, and emigrated to this county in 1799, where he lived respected, and died regretted, leaving a large family to inherit his name and practice his many virtues.

Miami City, or Alcony P. O., is the only village. It was laid out in 1858 by M. G. Carr, Levi Hart and William Vandeveer; it is situated on the Troy and

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Springfield pike, having formerly been a stopping-point on the Troy and Spring- field stage-route. The first house was erected by Philip Dick, and used as a cooper-shop. In 1860, it was bought by John Drury, and changed into a tavern stand ; the tavern is closed at present. The town has a population of about 150. A post office has been established ; in what year, we could not ascertain. Mail is carried from Troy, via this place, to Christiansburg, Champaign Co., on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday of each week. The early records of the office having been lost, we can give a list of the recent Postmasters only : William Schoby, 1869 ; Christian Seuer, 1870 ; S. B. Thatcher, 1871-72 ; William Scott, 1872, who con- tinued in office until 1878, when J. M. Smith, the present incumbent, was appointed. Following is a showing of the business interests of the town : Dry goods, grocer- ies, etc., J. M. Smith, J. M. Hart ; blacksmithing and wagon-making, W. A. Baker, J. A. Robinson, W. Anderson ; physicians, V. S. Deaton, J. O. Davy ; shoemaking, Rudolph Billett. The only saloon has been closed.

Many of the early records are lost or destroyed ; therefore it is impossible to give a complete list of all the officers of the township. John M. Dye was Justice of the Peace in 1811. Thomas Sayers held the office of Clerk for many years ; he was also a Justice of the Peace. Debts were sometimes contracted which could not be paid when due, and the accounts were left in the hands of the "Squire " for collection. This constituted the chief legal business.

KNOOP CHILDREN'S HOME.

Inasmuch as the above-mentioned home is situated in this township, and on the land donated by one of her former most prominent citizens, we will endeavor to present a brief sketch of the founding and management of this institution. For many years, the subject of building a suitable asylum for the accommodation of children who had been deprived of the comforts of a home, had been agitated by philanthropists of this county. Year after year, it became more and more appar- ent that decisive steps must be taken toward the accomplishment of this object. The matter was first brought before .the public by the Women's Christian Associa- tion, of whom it may well be said that they laid the corner-stone of the handsome edifice which now greets the eye of the passer-by. In their official semi-annual Report of March, 1877, the Directors of the County Infirmary advocated, in the strongest terms, the establishment of a home for destitute children, a number of whom were at that time supported by the managers of the Infirmary. They called attention to the bad examples set before the little ones, while inmates of that insti- tution, and urged that the evil influences by which they were surrounded would certainly lead to bad results.

On the 4th day of June, 1877, John H. Knoop conveyed to Isaac Clyne, W. H. Northcutt and D. C. Branson, Commissioners of Miami County, the grounds known as the "John Statler farm " (jointly owned by his brother Jacob and himself), in Elizabeth Township ; containing about 160 acres of land, on which the " Home Buildings " are now located. The Commissioners authorized the Auditor to notify the qualified electors of the county that they would be called upon to vote on the question of building a Children's Home, at the October election, of 1877. The result of this election was as follows : For the Home, 5,891 ; against the Home, 175.

During the winter of 1877, and spring of 1878, the Commissioners visited a number of homes throughout the State, with a view of gaining an insight into the construction of these institutions. D. W. Gibbs, of Toledo, was selected architect, who drew up the plans and specifications of the proposed building. On the 8th of May, 1878, the contract for constructing the building was awarded to various par- ties at a cost of $16,270.25. Much additional work and many improvements have swelled the total cost to $30,000. January 15, 1878, the Commissioners appointed the following gentlemen to serve as Trustees ; R. P. Spiker, Piqua, one year ; Jacob Rohrer, Tippecanoe, two years ; Samuel K. Harter, Troy, three years. January

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21, 1879, Washington Barnes, of Troy, was appointed Superintendent. On the 30th of the same month, the building was completed and ready for occupancy.

Having decided upon giving the readers of this work a detailed account of the manner in which this institution is conducted, we repaired to the home. Upon ringing the door-bell, we were ushered into the cozy reception-room by a servant, a few moments later we were greeted by the genial Matron, to whom our wants were made known, and who kindly offered to conduct us through the building. Adjoin- ing the reception-room is the office of the Superintendent and also of the physician ; across the hall is the parlor, through which we pass into the sitting-room. Every- thing presents a neat and inviting appearance. The children's dining-room, linen-room, etc., are also found on this (ground) floor. On the second floor is located the hospital, Superintendent's private apartment, spare room, girls' dormitory, baby-room, occupied at this writing by eight sweet little cherubs, under the watchful eye of a nurse. The girls' sleeping apartments, and the dor- mitories and sleeping apartments of the boys, are also on this floor. The chapel and servants' apartments are on the third floor. In the basement is the employees' dining-hall, kitchen and storerooms. Back of the main building is the engine- room, laundry and bakery. The building is heated by steam and illuminated by gasoline. An inexhaustible spring furnishes water, which is forced to all parts of the building. Healthy bath-rooms have been provided, and the children are bathed once a week-Saturday. Visitors are admitted from 1 to 4 o'clock, P. M., daily, except Saturday and Sunday. Those who wish to attend the Sabbath school will be welcomed. The Trustees meet on the first Monday of each month. The friends of the children are also allowed to call on them on that day.

The total number of children who are inmates at this writing, is sixty-nie. The following is the number of employes, and the character of their duties : One teacher, two cooks, one baker, three laundry girls, three nurses, one chambermaid, one maid-of-all-work, one engineer, three laborers. The Matron has been much encouraged by favorable comments made by visitors, and well she might; a person more fitted for the responsible position could not be found. The Superintendent also takes an active interest in the welfare of all connected with the institution. Recently, the Female Bible Societies, of Troy and Piqua, presented the home with Bibles. A Sabbath school has been organized, and is visited by friends of the institution from far and near. Thus is the seed of morality and religion sown in these young hearts, and the Divine injunction, " Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not," is literally obeyed.

Miami County may well be proud of her Children's Home. Situated on the grounds donated by descendants of her earliest settlers, built by the almost unan- imous consent of her people, and managed by some of her most charitable citizens, she may ever point with pride to the Knoop Children's Home.

OFFICERS :

Trustees, S. K. Harter, President, Troy ; Jacob Rohrer, Tippecanoe ; R. P. Spiker, Piqua. Superintendent, Washington Barns, of Troy. Matron, Mrs. Mat- tie J. Barnes. Physician, L. M. Lindenberger. Teacher, Miss Lizzie Roney.

BETHEL TOWNSHIP.

At the close of the eighteenth century, and prior to the year 1807, this town- ship formed a part of the extensive territory then known as Elizabeth, which is accurately located in the history of Elizabeth Township. At the first meeting of the Commissioners, the county was divided into five townships, of which Bethel was the first, and bounded as follows : Beginning at the southeast corner of the county, thence west with the county line to the Great Miami River, thence up the said river to the line between the ninth and tenth ranges, thence east with a line to the county line, thence south with the county line to the place of beginning. This has remained unchanged.

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The land is quite rolling, all portions of the township being dotted by num- erous hills. The soil, assisted by numberless streams, which owe their existence to the many springs, is rich, deep and productive, equaling any other section of country in the State. These advantages, together with the picturesque aspect, pre- sumably induced the permanent settlement of the early pioneer. The land was not exempt from the almost impenetrable forests, and the first years of the set- tlers were devoted almost exclusively to "clearing." That this process was tedious will be admitted, when we state, upon the authority of an old resident, that, up to 1820, not more than ten acres were cultivated by any one settler in the township. But as time rolled on, it wrought its changes, and, at this writing, wood is becom- ing a scarcity, and many citizens are using coal for fuel.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

The introduction of slavery to American soil dates back to 1620, at which time a Dutch ship brought to Jamestown twenty Africans, who were sold to the colonists. Year after year, this inhuman traffic became more general, and, in 1784, slavery existed in all of the Southern States. Even at this early date, a violent opposition to this system was manifested, but the oppressors were in a majority, and prospered without interruption. Many of those who condemned it severely, but were powerless to prevent it, sought new homes in the Northwest. Among these was Thomas Stockstill, a Tennessean, whose father was a wealthy slave -. holder. Though enjoying a life of luxury and ease, Thomas formed a violent dislike to his sire's mode of accumulating wealth, and finally resolved to quit the parental roof forever. He was but sixteen years of age, and unused to the trials and pri- vations destined to attend him in a new country ; but the noble lad never wa- vered. The daily scenes of inhuman treatment to which the slaves were subjected could be endured no longer. He bade farewell to his native soil, mounted an old plug of a horse, and traveled in the direction of Fort Washington, now known as Cincinnati. His entire outfit consisted of the clothes he wore, one broadax, three chisels and two or three thumb gimlets. With these tools he supported himself, performing odd jobs of carpentering on the road. Somewhere in Kentucky he roofed a barn, using wooden pins for nails-there were no nails in those days- drilling the holes with a thumb gimlet. This kept him busy for some time, and when the work was finished, he continued his journey with more celerity, his finan- cial condition having been somewhat improved. On his arrival at Fort Washing- ton, the owner of one of the six cabins that constituted the fort offered to trade the same for his horse .. Stockstill, being ignorant of the glorious future in store for the site of the Queen City of the West, rejected the offer. He remained here for a short time, and, finally, after encountering many difficulties, found a haven of rest in the cabin of a man named Hain, who lived in the extreme southwest corner of what is now known as Clarke County. This was in 1796. In the following year, he married Hain's daughter, Catherine, and settled on the land now owned by his son, J. L. Stockstill, in the northeast corner of this township. This was the first settlement made in the township, and one of the first in the county.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 51

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