The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 56

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

USA > Ohio > Miami County > The History of Miami County, Ohio > Part 56

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and pavements well sprinkled, as well as the streets throughout the city, freeing us from the dust so prevalent in most of the towns in the State. The pressure afforded by the fall alone is quite sufficient to carry the water to all points and to the uppermost stories of the houses for domestic purposes, and, in case of a fire, a telegraphic communication is arranged from the City Hotel office to the water- house, at the west end of North street, when an additional pressure is put on, suffi- cient to carry streams of water four inches in diameter to the roofs of the highest buildings. The water-works are returning a good income to the city, and the cost of running them does not exceed $150 per year.

The gas works of the city were erected in 1854, by R. T. Coverdale, Esq. who took one-half the stock, the balance being taken by ten citizens of the town. The works have been successful and remunerative. The original stock was bough, up by A. G. Conover and Joseph G. Young, and, on the death of these gentlemen, the stock of Mr. Conover was purchased by Mr. Spinning, of Dayton, who, with the estate of J. G. Young, still carries on the works. Many of the large houses and manufacturing establishments are lighted by the gas machine, patented and manufactured by John Stafford, of this city, which is highly successful, and its claimed to furnish a cheaper light than is afforded by the gas company.

The streets of the city, though unfortunately rather narrow, have been care- fully improved, a good system of sewerage has been gradually introduced, and few cities of the second class in the State can boast of cleaner or smoother streets for driving. The paving of the sidewalks is, in many places, very rough, having been laid down at an early day with small and irregular surface flagging, serving only the purpose of lifting the passengers from the mud, but being by no means agreeable for walking, but on Main street this has been almost wholly replaced by smooth and well-jointed paving-stones, taken from the neighboring quarries, and the same improvement is being gradually carried out on the other streets.

Piqua is well supplied with railroads. The great east-and-west road, the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway, passes directly through the town, making travel in both these directions exceedingly convenient. New York, Washington and the Eastern cities are reached in twenty-four hours' time, without change of cars, while Chicago and St. Louis are brought within a few hours' travel, and all Western cities are readily reached. The Dayton & Mich- igan road crosses the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railway, just on the eastern side of the town, and furnishes easy communication to the north and south. Our people go to Cincinnati in less than four- hours, allowing sufficient time for attending to business and returning the same day. These means of carriage, together with the Miami & Erie Canal, give great facilities for the transportation of all the products of the country, hence Piqua is the center of a very large grain trade. Stone and lime are carried very extensively in all directions.

The inhabitants of Piqua have never ceased to value the great advantages of canal transportation, They have ever regarded the Miami & Erie Canal as one important source of their wealth and prosperity ; and, while in many parts of the State a willingness and even an anxiety has been manifested to abandon our canals, the people in Piqua, in common with nearly all the inhabitants living in the vicinity of this important line, have stood up bravely and faithfully, for the maintenance of these important works. We are glad to see that this sentiment is beginning again to be strong and popular in the State. For years, the people on this line have been obliged to resist attempts at hostile legislation in the General Assembly, but they have always been found at the post of duty, and are now beginning to see evident effects of their long and continuous struggles. The Miami & Erie Canal Association has been very largely instrumental in producing this change of feeling in the people. Their careful and steady opposition to all meas- ures tending to the injury of our canals, and the publications which they have laid year by year before the members of the Legislature, and distributed freely through

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the State, have awakened the people to the importance of caring for these works and preserving them for the benefit of all the inhabitants. These works have long since paid the State for their construction. They have increased its wealth by hundreds of millions of dollars, and, under proper management, will always not only keep up all their own expenses, but will also pay no inconsiderable revenue into the State Treasury. The officers of the Miami & Erie Canal Association are G. Volney Dorsey, of Piqua, President ; Emanuel Schultz, of Miamisburg, Vice President ; J. C. Richardson, of Glendale, Secretary ; and Thomas Fox, of Lock- land, Treasurer. The Executive Committee, G. V. Dorsey, Piqua ; C. H. Wardlaw, Middletown ; W. P. Huffman, Dayton ; Henry Pearce, Cincinnati; Charles King, Toledo ; Adam Wilhelm, Defiance ; Samuel Blair, Cincinnati ; Philip V. Herzing, St. Mary's ; Richard Slawson, Piqua.

The Legislative Committee, Stephen Johnston, W. J. Jackson and J. F. McKin- ney, whose duty required them to meet the unfriendly legislation by statistics and agreements presented to the Standing Committees on Public Work in the Legislature of Ohio, which duties have been discharged by them with ability and success, defeating all attempts to cripple or injure the canals of the State by legislation.

MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.

From the date of incorporation among the towns of the State, in 1823, up to 1850, Piqua was governed under the act of the General Assembly regulating such corporations, but, on the 19th of March, in the year 1850, it was incorporated as a city of the second class, and Stephen Johnston, Esq., was elected Mayor. The first City Council convened April 9, 1850, and the members were Patrick Scully, James Noland, Rankin Walkup and Henry Rouser. The first City Marshal was Samuel B. Garvey. The same number of wards has been continued up to the present time, with only slight changes in their several boundaries. Two members of Council are now elected from each ward. The present Mayor is George Dett- mer, Esq. ; City Marshal, John Frantz ; City Clerk, James Hatch ; City Solicitor, W. D. Jones, Esq. ; President of Council, Henry Flesh, Esq. Members : First Ward, H. Flesh, W. H. Harbaugh ; Second Ward, Amos Abele, John F. Hemsteger ; Third Ward, G. N. Ziegenfelder, William McWilliams ; Fourth Ward, William P. Orr, Howard Scudder. Street Commissioner, W. B. Segner.

SCHOOLS.

The earliest settlers, coming as they did from Pennsylvania or from some of the Southern or Slave States, knew nothing of the common-school system. How- ever, they were generally persons of a moderate degree of culture, and, in a few nstances, very well educated. As soon as the most pressing wants of providing or actual subsistence and shelter were properly attended to, they began to realize he importance of looking after the training and education of the younger members f their families. The first schoolhouse was built in 1809, outside of the then mits of the town and near the present corner of Main and Young streets, and the rst teacher was Isaac Hendershott. The early appliances for the accommodation f scholars were of the rudest and most economical description ; benches of plank : puncheons-that is, broad slabs split or hewn from the trunk of a tree-served r seats; they were without backs, supported on four clumsily formed legs, let into e seat by holes bored with an auger, and so high that the feet of the smaller holars generally hung dangling little more than half way to the floor. The iting-tables used by the larger and more advanced pupils were planks also, stened with wooden hinges to the log walls, enabling them to be let down when t in actual use. These composed the entire school furniture, but the instruction s substantial, and good men and women came forth from these early centers of rning prepared to do their duty bravely and well in the great battle of life.

It was not until 1818 that a brick building of small size was erected on the blic square, dignified with the more pretentious name of a seminary, and where re thorough and systematic instruction was given. The first instructor was

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Rev. John P. Finley. The same building was frequently used for church purposes by various denominations of Christians, particularly by the Methodists, who had yet no church building of their own, and men of note and ability, such as William Raper, James and John Finley, and Henry T. Bascom, afterward President of Augusta College, Kentucky, and one of the greatest pulpit orators of the West, gave there earnest and pure religious discourses to enlighten and guide these early pioneers.

No system of common public schools was organized until about 1850, when a Board of Education was elected, under what was then called the Massillon law of the State. Three district schoolhouses were erected, one for the north, one for the east and one for the south portion of the town, and a regular system of schools was commenced. These houses were of small size, having a single room below and above, with a small hall or entry attached to each ; they were deemed, how- ever, sufficient for the wants of the time, and served a good purpose for several years ; they have now all disappeared, and are remembered only among the things of the past, and their places are supplied by the excellent and really elegant build- ings of the ward schoolhouses, which, particularly in the north and south districts, are . an honor and ornament to the town. In 1854, after much discussion and no inconsid- erable opposition among the citizens, it was determined to erect a high-school build- ing, and introduce a regular system of graded schools. The committee appointed from the Board of Education to select a site for the house and to superintend its erection, consisted of G. Volney Dorsey, President, and William Scott, Treasurer, of the Board. After careful examination, two acres of ground were purchased, in the western part of the town, from Matthew Caldwell, Esq., and the present high school, was built. The plan of construction, so far as regards the internal arrange- ments, was modeled on a comparison of what were then the three best school buildings in the State-those of Massillon, Columbus and Lebanon-and the build- ing, when completed, was considered one of the very best at that time in the State. Many far superior have since been erected, but, at that time, the Piqua High School was considered as unequaled in the excellence of its arrangements for the accommodation of both teachers and scholars. The first teacher and Superintend- ent was A. G. Chambers, Esq., of Miami University, to whose judgment, activity and energy in organizing and putting the schools in operation, is due much of the success which has since attended them. The present Superintendent, Mr. C. W. Bennett, of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, has been for several years at the head of the schools, and is known throughout the State as an able and suc- cessful educator. He is supported by a very able corps of assistants, among whom should be mentioned Miss Mary Hall, Principal of the Female Department, and Mr. C. F. Wilder, at the head of the Grammar School. The Board of Education consists of. G. Volney Dorsey, President ; F. Hardy, Secretary ; and Messrs. John D. Shannon, J. F. Hummel, Jennison Hall and Simon Anderson. The School Examiners for the city are Rev. Lyman Fisher, C. W. Bennett and G. Volney Dor- Bey. Great care is taken to employ only thoroughly competent teachers. The course of instruction is thorough, and no better scholars are made at any of the high schools of the State than are graduated at Piqua.

Much of the marked success of our public schools, is to be attributed to the fact that the citizens of the town have always manifested great interest in their welfare. The school examinations and exhibitions, the graduating exercises, and the literary entertainments of the societies connected with the schools, have been liberally patronized by the best citizens and ladies of the town, and every encour- agement has been extended to students to endeavor to reach a high standard of excellence. The course of study in the high school embraces, in addition to the English branches, Latin and German, and a scientific course is also given for those desiring to graduate without entering on classical studies. This course is quite largely patronized by young men from the surrounding country, and from many of the neighboring towns. Drawing is taught by a competent instructor, and many of the pupils have made commendable progress, and give decided indications of

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possessing artistic talent. It is also intended to introduce music as a part of the regular course.

CHURCHES.

Piqua has been long noted for the number and excellence of its churches. Very few places of the same size present so many attractions to those wishing to locate in a thoroughly moral and church-going community. The denomination, which was the first to occupy the field by the erection of a place of worship, was the United Presbyterians, who, as early as 1816, built a log church in the south part of the town. Prior to this time, religious services had been held in the houses erected for schools, sometimes in the homes of the early settlers, and not unfre- quently in the open air, under the spreading branches of the leafy groves, which were "God's first temples." The first minister appointed in this church was Rev .. Dyer Burgess, a gentleman of decided talent, though somewhat eccentric in man- ners. He succeeded in laying the foundations of a flourishing congregation, which still continues to occupy a leading and influential position among the religious divisions of the city. This house, which occupied the lot on the southeast corner of Downing and Sycamore streets, was replaced in 1837, by a neat brick building erected under the ministry of Rev. James Porter, of Miami University, who filled the pulpit for several years with acceptance and ability. Another and larger building has since been erected on Downing street, between Green and Ash streets, and the pulpit is now occupied by Rev. John H. Brown. The families of the Campbells; Wileys, Pattersons, Gillespies and Sawyers, are among the oldest and most widely extended of the membership of this church.

The Methodists first occupied the seminary in the public square as a place of worship, but in 1825, they built a small brick church on Spring street, between Ash and High streets, on ground now lying on the east side of the canal. Here they continued to worship until 1836, when a larger building was erected at the southeast corner of Wayne and Green streets, now known as the Green Street Church. Under the pastoral care of Rev. Granville Moody, this building was entirely remodeled, and so much improved as to become one of the finest churches in the county, occupied by a very large and wealthy congregation, embracing many of the leading citizens of the town. A very large and flourishing Sunday school is connected with the church, conducted in such manner as to render it both attract- ive and instructive; the music is very fine, both vocal and instrumental, and a large number of young persons are to be found who date their earliest religious impressions from the lessons here given, and still find their moral sentiments strengthened by the exercises in which they are every week engaged. The present minister is Rev. Mr. Cassatt; the Superintendent of the Sunday school, Mr. Joshua W. Shipley. The church has an excellent organ, and a large and well-instructed choir of singers. To the energy and ability of Mr. Shipley much of the excellence of the music as well as the success of the Sunday school is attributable.

Another flourishing Methodist Church is situated on Water street, between Coldwater and Downing streets, known as Grace Church. Rev. James Stevenson is the present minister in charge. This congregation, an offshoot of the Green Street Church, located themselves first on Wayne street, south of the railroad, in the house now occupied by the German Reformed Church; but, finding their numbers rapidly increasing, they determined to remove to what was deemed a better location, and chose their present site, as being more in the center of popu- lation in the city. They have a very handsome frame building, a good Sunday school and an active working congregation. Many of the oldest citizens of Piqua are active members of the Methodist Church, among whom may be named J. M. Chevers, Henry Kitchen, Samuel Petit, William R. Crosier and Stephen Widney; while among those who have resided a less number of years in the city, but are known as prominent members, may be mentioned the families of the Shipleys, Dr. C. S. Parker, the Bowdles, Bennetts, Zollingers. Crons, Rhodehamels, Woods, Halls, etc.

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The Old School Presbyterians had their first church on Wayne street, south of Sycamore, on what is now called the old cemetery lot, a brick building erected in 1830. Rev. James Coe was the first minister, a man still deservedly held in high esteem by many of the old members of the congregation. Under the pastorate of Rev. John A. Meeks, the present church was built, on the southeast corner of Wayne and Ash streets, about the year 1844. It has undergone many excellent improvements, and is now one of the best church buildings in the city. A fine organ, said to be the largest in the city, a flourishing Sunday school and a numer- ous and zealous congregation give a foundation rendering this one of the strongest denominations in the county. It is commonly known as the First Presbyte- rian.

The Second Presbyterian Church, under the name of the New School Presby- terian, was erected a few years later, also on Wayne street, between Green and Ash. The first minister was Rev. Mr. Graves, who was succeeded by several excellent and able men, and the congregation was, for many years, large and flourishing ; but, in the union of these two divisions of the Presbyterian body in 1876, this congregation, under their own Pastor, Rev. J. Thompson, passed into the Old School, and united their strength, under his leadership, with their brethren of this church. Mr. Thompson still continues as the minister of the united church, and is considered an able and acceptable Pastor. This union contributed much to the strength of the church, which stands among the first in the city in every good work. Among the earliest members of this church, and those who did much in forming its character and placing it on a stable foundation, were the Elliotts, Adamses, Meekers, Statlers, Youngs, McKees, Mortons, Sages, Mitchells and Lay- mans. Some of these families have almost or quite passed away; in some, the younger branches are found connected with other churches, but the work laid out by their fathers still remains firm and steadfast.

The Baptists erected their first church in 1830, on Ash street, between Spring and Harrison, where they continued to worship uptil 1848, when they erected their present house on High street, near Wayne. Many able men have occupied their pulpit, among whom may be mentioned Revs. John L. Moore, John E. Thomas and David E. Thomas, Mr. Osborne, Dr. Shephardson, and the present excellent minister, Rev. Lyman Fisher. A few years ago, a portion of the con- gregation separated from the old church, and erected a new and handsome build- ing on Ash street, west of Broadway, where they have since continued to worship, sometimes employing a minister regularly, and at other times dependent on sup- plies obtained from neighboring churches. They have, therefore, now two good houses of worship; but the congregation, in their divided state, being weak, it would seem, would do well to imitate their Presbyterian brethren and unite their strength in one fold and under one pastor. The leading families among the old members and founders of this church are the Hilliards, Mannings, Blues, McCamp- bells, Garveys, Drakes and Cavins.

St. James' Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church was organized about the year 1820, under the supervision of Rev. E. Johnson, of Cincinnati, who, in con- nection with Rev. Mr. Allen, of Dayton, held services whenever they were able to attend to the wants of the congregation. Col. John Johnston, of Upper Piqua, who was an active member of the church, was appointed a lay reader, and fre- quently served the parish in this capacity when the services of a regular minister could not be obtained. The first building for worship was erected on the corner of North and Spring streets, a small but handsome brick church, built in 1825, well finished, and supplied with a bell donated by friends of the church in Ireland. The lot was given by a Mr. Murray, a member of the Roman Catholic Church and an Irishman. It was to be held by the parish so long as it was occupied by a church, but, failing to be so used, was to revert to him or his heirs. This took place when the present church was erected on Wayne street, near High. The first Rector regularly installed over the parish was Rev. Alvah Guyon, who entered on his charge in 1830 and continued until 1842. Several excellent and able men

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have officiated in the rectorship of this church, among whom were Rev. Richard 8. Killin, Rev. Chauncey Fitch, D. D., Rev. Henry Payne, Rev. Wyllys Hall and Rev. Henry L. Badger. The present Rector is Rev. J. H. Benton. The parish owns a neat parsonage immediately south of the church edifice. Among the old families of the church, we find the very widely extended name of the Johnstons. embracing no less than six distinct though related families, the Greenhams, McCorkles, Judge M. G. Mitchell, the Morrows, Scott, Chapeze, Adams, O'Ferrall, and others among the most prominent and active of the early citizens.

The German Lutherans have a large and very handsome church building on the corner of Green and Downing streets. They form a large, intelligent, and wealthy congregation, have a good Sunday school, show the German devotion to music by the fine organ in their church, and their love of Fatherland by having services entirely in their native tongue.

The United Brethren have a small church on Broadway, near High street, with an active and faithful congregation.

The German Episcopal Methodists have also a small frame church at the south end of Wayne street, and maintain a thorough organization.

The Roman Catholic Church erected their first church in Piqua, St Mary's Church, about 1840, on the southwest corner of Broadway and North streets, a very handsome and well-finished building, with a good parsonage attached ; and, immediately opposite, on the east side of Broadway, this church has an excellent school, conducted by the Sisters of Charity, who are known as very efficient teach- ers. This is now known as the Irish Church, while the German Catholics have a large and fine church, St. Bonifacius, erected in 1864, on Downing street, south of the railroad, together with an excellent house, formerly occupied by the Brothers of the church, but now used as a parsonage. A schoolhouse and Sisters' house, on Adams street, a short distance west of the church, belong also to the German church, which has a large and wealthy congregation.

The present Pastor of the Irish Church, or St. Mary's, is Father Henry ; the Pastors of St. Bonifacius are Father Fischer and Father Wiederhalt.

The Jews have a congregation also, which, though not numerous, is composed of some of the best and most active business men of the city. They have a room used as a synagogue in the building of Mr. Aaron Friedlich, on the northwest corner of the public square on Main street.

SOCIETIES.

The " Piqua Female Bible Society " was organized in 1817, under the leader- ship of several excellent and benevolent ladies connected with the various churches of the town. It is one of the oldest of the auxiliaries of the American Bible Society, which came into existence only one year previous to its formation in 1816. The first President was Mrs. Rachel Johnston, and among the early mem- bers we recognize the names of Mrs. McLean, Mrs. McCorkle, Mrs. Morrow, Mrs. Widney, Mrs. Campbell, and others of the oldest settlers of the town and town- ship. Mrs. Johnston continued to officiate until her death, in 1840, when Mrs. Eliza Petit, the present President, was chosen her successor, who, for forty years, has faithfully attended to all the duties of her office, and has kept the society active in the prosecution of its great and glorious work.

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The History of Miami County, Ohio, Part 56

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