USA > Ohio > Warren County > The History of Warren County, Ohio > Part 69
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DECEMBER 15, 1820.
MAINEVILLE ACADEMY.
A history of this academy would doubtless be of interest to many, but the writer is not in possession of the early records, and cannot enter into details. The enterprise was undertaken by a joint-stock company, and was incorporated in the spring of 1847. The building, a two-story brick, was completed and ready for use in 1849. Owing to financial embarrassments, there was a re-or- ganization in 1857. The organization continued with varied success until the year 1874, when the property was transferred to the Maineville Special School District, since which time the building has been used for a public graded school. The names of the teachers in the academy, as remembered, are as fol- lows: Prof. John W. F. Foster, Prof. C. W. Kimball, N. F. Cotton, Robert Milliken, Frank Tufts, Rev. I. J. Cushman, Charles Drake, Rev. J. H. Wilson and Dean Babbitt.
This academy, like most other similar institutions, was crowded out of existence by an advanced system of public school instruction, but it did much to inculcate an educational spirit in the township.
We give below Hamilton Township's contribution (so far as we can learn) to the leading professions, most of whom are, in part, indebted to the old Maineville Academy for the basis of a solid education: Hon. Benjamin But-
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terworth, Cincinnati, lawyer, and Member of Congress from First Ohio Dis- trict; Horace Clinton, lawyer, Loveland, Ohio; Smith Ford, editor, Kansas City, Mo .; William F. Eltzroth, lawyer, Lebanon, Ohio. ; Rev. L. F. Walker, Presbyte- rian minister, College Hill, Ohio; Dr. Lucius W. Bishop, physician, Loveland, Ohio; Erwin D. Walker, Presbyterian minister, Peabody, Kan. ; Jerome Hill, law- yer. Austin, Texas; J. Quincy Spence (deceased), lawyer; Frank Dyer, Principal Loveland Schools; Isaac N. Walker, lawyer, Lebanon, Ohio; Frank Leever, Methodist minister, New Paris, Ohio; Collins Leever, physician, Defiance, Ohio; T. P. Breeding, lawyer, Batavia, Ohio.
To this list may be added the following names of those who were pupils in the school, but non-residents of the township: Josiah Morrow, lawyer, Lebanon; George E. Morrow, professor in Illinois Industrial University; Lucien Clark, Methodist minister.
There are many others, doubtless, whose names deserve mention in this connection, but the writer only has his memory to draw from, and cannot recall others.
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF EDUCATION OF HAMILTON TOWNSHIP FROM 1853 TO PRESENT TIME.
1853-Joseph Mounts, H. Ludlum, Joseph Baker, John M. Dyer, Samuel Frybarger.
1854-James Haney, John M. Dyer, James McIntire, Joseph Mounts, Hamilton Ludlum, Thomas Dicky.
1855-J. M. Dyer, F. G. Hill, James Haney, Levi Baker, James McIntire.
1856-Peter W. Snook, J. M. Dyer, William Walker, J. O. Marsh, T. McClave, J. McIntire.
1857-James Ford, J. M. Dyer, Adam Simonton, J. Hitesman, Henry Ford, Richard Ford.
1858-Levi Baker, Perry Snyder, H. T. Butterworth, William H. Walker, Jesse Hitesman, Henry Ford.
1859-Daniel Ritchie, Ed Crane, H. T. Butterworth, J. W. F. Foster, J. Hitesman, Henry Ford, J. McIntire.
1860-Daniel Ritchie, H. T. Butterworth, John Spence, Nathan Hill, D. H. Mahlam, James McIntire.
1861-Daniel Ritchie, Samuel A. Hill, John Spence, N. H. Hill, D. H. Mahlam, James McIntire.
1862-Daniel Ritchie, S. A. Hill, John Spence, N. H. Hill, D. H. Mah- lam, Levi Baker.
1863-James Ford, S. A. Hill, John Spence, J. P. Glasscock, Levi Baker. E. Stevens.
1864-James Ford, John Spence, Eph. Kibbey, John Hewit, Johu P. Glasscock.
1865-James Ford, S. A. Hill, H. Clinton, John P. Glasscock, John Ertle, Eph. Kibbey.
1866-James Ford, S. A. Hill, W. H. Walker, John P. Glasscock, John Ertle, J. W. Dugan.
1867-J. A. Ford, S. A. Hill, H. Clinton, John P. Glasscock, John Ertle, David Wells.
1868-James Ford, Samuel A. Hill, H. Clinton, Bruff Vincent, E. Ste- vens, David Wells.
1869-James Ford, John M. Dyer, N. H. Hill, Daniel Hewet, David Wells.
1870-James Ford, John M. Dyer, William R. Merrill, D. M. Ross, Daniel Hewet, D. Wells.
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HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.
1871-Robert Hill, William Merrill, John Bickett, Daniel Hewet, David Wells.
1872-Robert Morgan, William R. Merrill, John Bicket, W. H. Haney, David Wells.
1873-Lewis Terwileger, David Claypool, W. R. Merrill, Charles Hewet, William C. Ditmas.
1874-William P. Mounts, Robert T. Smith, Wm. R. Merrill, Thomas Swigert, Asa B. Wolf.
1875-R. Ludlum, Bobert T. Smith, William R. Merrill, Thomas Swi- gert, John Spence, Asa B. Wolf, John T. Whate.
1876-R. Ludlum, Robert T. Smith, William R. Merrill, Thomas Swigert, J. M. Johnson, Asa B. Wolf, T. Van Clausenburg.
1877-R. Ludlum, Robert Smith, William C. Spence, Thomas Swigert, J. M. Johnson, Asa B. Wolf, F. H. Darby.
1878-R. Ludlum, Robert Smith, William C. Spence, Thomas Swigert, J. M. Johnson, Asa B. Wolf, John Baker.
1879-Alex. Ford, Robert Smith, William R. Merrill, Thomas Swigert, William H. Dodds, Richard Ford, F. H. Darby.
1880-Ira D. Soule, Robert T. Smith, T. D. Spence, Bruff Vinson, W. H. Dodds. A. B. Wolf, William Renshaw.
1881-Ira B. Soule, T. D. Spence. R. T. Smith, Jonas Eltzroth, B. Vin- son, William H. Dodds, A. B. Wolf, William Renshaw.
EARLY MANUFACTURES.
Among the many inconveniences to which the early settlers were sub- jected, perhaps none were more keenly felt than the want of grist and saw mills. The very earliest settlers had to go to Columbia to mill, packing their grist of corn meal on horseback, by paths through the forest. Families were often out of meal, and compelled to live for days on hominy. A little later, a man named Waldsmith erected a mill at Indian Riffle, near Camp Dennison. This mill was constructed on some kind of a flat-boat, anchored out in the river, the current of the river supplying the motive power. It ground corn only. This shortened the distance measurably, and was, no doubt, hailed with joy. In the year 1806, Piercy Kitchel built a flouring-mill on the west bank of the Little Miami River, where Greely's mill now stands. This was making rapid progress in the right direction, and since then mills have been erected at other points on the west bank of the Miami, convenient of access to the people of Hamilton Township, although there are none at present within the limits of the township.
The first saw-mill in the township was built by Theophilus Simonton, the neighbors contributing largely in its completion by volunteer labor in digging the trench some three-fourths of a mile that conveyed the water from the main stream to the mill. This mill was built about the year 1812, and located on the creek near where Simonton first settled. This stream was named Conoco- cheague Creek by the early settlers from Pennsylvania. At a later date, Samuel B. Walker's sons built a saw-mill on the same stream, on the farm now owned by A. J. Walker. These mills were what might be termed wet-weather mills, as it was only during comparatively wet times that there was sufficient water to furnish the necessary motive power, and were, under the most favorable circumstances, of very limited capacity; yet to these early settlers they were a great convenience. Since then many other mills, mostly steam, have been located at different points throughout the township until the greater part of the saw timber has been converted into lumber. In the early times, and in- deed, for many years, salt was an expensive article, and was with much diffi-
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culty obtained. Farmers would frequently combine together and load a wagon with corn, take it to Cincinnati, and return with a barrel of salt, the proceeds of the load of corn. About the year 1803 or 1804, one Peter Wil- son, having discovered that certain springs, some half mile south of the present site of Maineville, possessed, in some degree, a saline quality, and being furnished with some capital by Gen. Lytle, undertook the manufact- ure of this article of household necessity. He sunk some three or four wells to a considerable'depth, built a furnace, and placed in it a number of kettles, and proceeded to collect the water and boil it down; but the water proving too weak to make the enterprise a paying one, Wilson soon abandoned it. The furnace and kettles, however, remained for a number of years, and neighboring farmers for quite a distance would frequently camp there and boil down the water from the wells, and in this way procure small quantities of salt for their own use.
The manufacture of whisky was not wholly neglected by the early inhab- itants. Simonton, who was the pioneer in saw-mills, was also the pioneer in distilling whisky. At an early date he erected a small copper still, just west of where Dr. Donough's house now stands, and commenced the manufacture of whisky, and this he continued for some years. The capacity of the still was from sixteen to eighteen gallons per day. He also put up a small corn-cracker to grind corn for the use of the still.
The drinking of whisky was almost a universal habit in those days, and Simonton's still-house was the scene of many a wild gathering, the neighbors meeting there to talk over the events of the times and enjoy a social drink together. About the same time, a man named Cunningham erected a small distillery near where Thompson Spence now lives, but did not continue long.
At a much later date, Vandervort's flouring-mill, at Foster's Crossings, was converted into a distillery, and turned out, from time to time, considerable quantities of whisky.
We will now turn to what must have been a much more profitable branch of early manufacturing, and this was the manufacture of shoe leather. A tan- nery was opened for business about the year 1835. This tannery was located one-half mile north of Murdoch, on the farm now owned by F. Bateman. The farm was at that time owned by Jonathan Hopkinson, who built the tan- nery and conducted the business. The manufacture of leather proved a valu- able addition to the neighborhood. Hides of cattle were tanned on the shares, one-half for tanning, and thus the farmers were enabled to supply their families with winter shoes at a small expenditure of money. Mr. Hopkinson and son continned the business for a number of years; but the establishment finally succumbed to the inevitable fate in store for all country tan-yards
EARLY GRAVEYARDS.
The early settlers, in many instances, interred their dead on their farms; yet there are throughout the township a number of graveyards of a very early date. The one known as Hill's Graveyard, on the hill near the Clermont County line, was used for this purpose as early as 1800, in which year there was buried J. Hill, as shown by the rude headstone. The first interment at Bethel Graveyard was that of Annie Spence, in the year 1806. The Hopkinsville Bury- ing Ground owes its origin to the following incident: At an early date, & body (the name not remembered) was being taken to Deerfield for burial, and when the funeral train reached the river they found it too high to ford. They returned to Hopkinsville, and, after much persuasion, obtained permission from Col. John Hopkins to bury the body on the site of the present burying grounds.
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HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.
There are other old graveyards in the township, notably the one east of Zoar, at the foot of the hill, but the writer cannot give names of first burials.
The Maineville Burying Ground is of later origin. The following, copied from an inscription on a stone, probably marks about the time of its establish- ment as a resting-place for the dead: " Sacred to the memory of Peter Dudley, who departed this life October 22, 1819."
EARLY REMINISCENCES-MISCELLANEOUS.
The following, copied from the original receipts, will show the rate of early
taxes. Walker then paid taxes on 1,100 acres of land:
Received of Saml B. Walker sixty cents, it being in full of his County tax for the year 1805. JAMES MIRANDA. Received of Saml B. Walker the sum of Two dollars and twenty-six cents, being in full of his State tax for the year 1805. I say received by me. [Signed] DANIEL COYLOT.
The following is a " verbatim" copy of a rather remarkable document found among the papers of the late Samuel B. Walker, viz. :
Resolution of the Grand Jury for them to meet at the time of adjournment or other- wise to be obliged to pay one-half pint of whisky viz, to come in proper order to do busi- ness and not to be intoxicated, otherwise they shall be obliged to pay four half pints of whisky.
February Term 1811. Resolution of the Grand Jury of Warren County.
Resolved that they will meet according to the time they appointed to meet according to adjournment, or if not, to be obliged to pay one-half pint of whisky, each one who does not meet against the time agreed upon, and if any person, who is a Juror as aforesaid shall attend intoxicated, he shall be entitled to pay the sum of fifty cents. Also we resolve that all drink that is brought in for the use of us the Jurors aforesaid shall be equally divided, or in other words each Juror pay his part of the same. And we do agree to adjourn to ten o'clock to-morrow. Absent Jacob Barker and Joseph Mounts. Resolved also that we will appoint John Craft a moderater during the time the Jury sit.
Among the early records of the township we find the following :
Taken up, by John Gillis, a black heifer rising two years old. Appraised to $2.75 by Robt Shields and Hugh Mccullough-Dec 22d 1814.
Taken up by John Cramer a sorrel horse Colt supposed to be one year old past. Ap- praised to $7.00 by Thos Spence and Jacob Morgan. Jany 27th 1816.
Taken up by Saml W. Spence six stray Sheep. Appraised to $4.50, by Saml B Walker and George Shields-Dec 4th 1829.
The following, copied from the original, will show the form of marriage license sixty years ago :
THE STATE OF OHIO, ! Warren County, ยท 88.
License is hereby granted unto Samuel Anderson and Judith Clinton to be joined in marriage agreeable to the law of the State of Ohio, entitled " An act regulating marriages." Therefore, any Justice of the Peace, or Minister of the gospel legally authorized, may join the said Samuel Anderson and Judith Clinton in marriage, agreeable to said law, provided always that there is no legal objection.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas at Lebanon, the 24th day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty.
MATTHIAS CORWIN, JR., Clerk.
TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS.
Owing to the loss of the early records, we are unable to give a complete list of the officers of this township, from its organization, to this date. The following is a list from 1857 to 1881, inclusive.
1857-Trustees, D. H. Maleham, P. W. Snook, Henry Burton; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Levi Baker.
1858-Trustees, D. H. Maleham, Henry Ford, Levi Baker; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, James N. Foster; Assessor, F. F. Dugan.
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1859-Trustees, Benjamin Tufts, James Hopkins, jr., Peter W. Snook; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, James Foster; Assessor, Levi Baker.
1860-Trustees, D. H. Maleham, James Hopkins, Peter W. Snook; Clerk, Charles Townsend; Treasurer, James Foster; Assessor, L C. Burton.
1861-Trustees, D. H. Maleham, John M. Dyer, Allen Cullom; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, James Foster; Assessor, I. C. Burton.
1862-Trustees, J. M. Dyer, D. H. Maleham, Allen Cullom; Clerk, C. W. Harvey; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1863-Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Kibbey, William A. Price; Clerk, E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1864-Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Kibbey, William A. Price; Clerk, E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1865-Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Kibbey, William A. Price; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1866-Trustees, J. M. Dyer, W. A. Price, John R. Hopkins; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Levi Shoemaker.
1867 --- Trustees, John M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, Harry Eastman; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, H. L. Clinton.
1868-Trustees, John M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, James Coats; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1869 -- Trustees, John M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, James Coats; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1870-Trustees, J. M. Dyer, John R. Hopkins, T. D. Gilman; Clerk, C. E. Spence; Treasurer, S. F. Stevens; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1871 -- Trustees, Marshal Girton, Jasper M. Johnson, H. Burton; Clerk. Benjamin Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, H. H. Dunham.
1872-Trustees, Levi Baker, Jasper M. Johnson, D. N. Shields; Clerk, B. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1873-Trustees, William Price, William P. Mounts, D. H. Shields; Clerk, B. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1874-Trustees, Henry Kelley, J. M. Dyer, Henry Burton; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1875-Trustees, J. M. Dyer, Henry Burton, Henry Kelley; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1876-Trustees, H. B. Kelly, J. M. Dyer, Henry Burton; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Horace Clinton.
1877-Trustees, H. S. Williams, William C. Ditmas, D. H. Shields; Clerk, B. F. Tufts; Treasurer, C. E. Spence; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1878-Trustees, H. S. Williams, H. Burton, D. H. Shields; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, J. Mulford; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1879 -- Trustees, D. H. Shields, H. S. Williams, Marshal Girton; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, J. Mulford; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1880 -- Trustees, H. S. Williams, Marshal Girton, D. H. Shields; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, B. F. Ludlom; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
1881-Trustees, H. S. Williams, Marshal Girton, Henry Burton; Clerk, J. C. Redman; Treasurer, B. F. Ludlum; Assessor, Thomas Spence.
POLITICS.
The political complexion of the township, has been for many years largely Republican. The vote at the Presidential election of 1880 was as follows: Garfield, 401; Hancock, 202. In the year 1828, the township gave a Demo- cratic majority, Andrew Jackson having a majority of about 60, out of a vote of less than 300; he also carried the township, by a reduced majority, in 1832.
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HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Only a partial list of Hamilton's Justices can be given, as the records are mostly lost. Among the earliest were Michael H. Johnson, John Bowen, James Miranda, Theophilus Simonton, Samuel B. Walker, James Hill, Thomas Dickey, Col. John Hopkins, and later Esq. Munger, David Morgan, Calvin Kitchel, H. C. Dwinel, Daniel H. Shields, Clarkson Butterworth, William H. Cummins, Milton Monce and Peter Doughman. The presents incumbents are Wm. C. McCammon and J. C. Redman, the latter having served since 1865.
WAR OF 1812.
In this contest Hamilton took an active part. She furnished two companies -the one a light-horse company, commanded by Col. John Hopkins, the other a rifle company, commanded by Theophilus Simonton. The writer has not been able to learn the names of any members of the first named company. The latter while making ready to take the field, had its headquarters at Hop- kinsville, Theophilus Simonton was chosen Captain. The company was com- posed of about forty men. The writer has been able to gather from tradition and records the following names of members of the company. The list so far as it extends is thought to be reliable. Theophilus Simonton, Captain: Alex Simonton, William Spence, William Hopkins, Samuel Anderson, Arnold Snyder, Henry Snell, Samuel B. Walker, Robert Shields, Thomas Wallace, John Wal- lace, Alex Brannon, John Brannon, Ludwick Thompson. James Johnson, Alex Bigham, Theophilus Wasson, Alexander Work, Abraham Haney, William Coburn, David Simonton, Valentine Ertle, James Hill, Hugh Mccullough, John Van- dervort, Jonas Vandervort and John Gillis. David Shields, Colen Spence and Archibald Clinton were also out in the service, but probably not in this com- pany. Simonton's company was at the siege of Fort Meigs and underwent many hardships. The following extract from an original letter, now in exist- ence, will serve to show the spirit that animated those heroes:
FORT MEIGS, FOOT OF THE RAPIDS OF THE MIAMI OF THE LAKE, } Monday, the 28th June, 1813.
DEAR WIFE: * We have been preparing to receive another visit from * * the enemy this while past, but it is the opinion of a good many they never will have the effrontery to show their infernal faces at Fort Meigs again ; if they do, they will have cause to rue it, as our forces will be strong enough to give them a complete drubbing. Eight hundred mounted men from Kentucky arrived here last night. Our beloved and worthy General Harrison left here the 12th of last month and I have not seen him since, * * *
* * but he is expected here this evening with a number of regular troops.
SAMUEL B. WALKER.
MEXICAN WAR.
There can be but little said of the part the township took in this war. The names of the following are remembered as volunteering their services : Henry Smith, Washington Cline.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The writer regrets exceedingly his inability to give a full and complete list of those who went from the township into this conflict, but can only give the names as obtained from memory, which must necessarily furnish only an incomplete list.
Company-, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry-Captain, James E. Murdoch. Members-J. C. Burns, Charles Chaney, Henry Dunham, Henry Geise, Frank Hopkinson, Henry Roat, Henry Smith, William Semon, John Spence, Erwin Swank, John Walker, Gaines Walker, Robert Shields, Pliny Cottle, Dudly Mul- ford, John Snook, Jesse Hines, William Legg. The following were in the serv- ice, but their companies cannot be given : John Atkinson, William Atkinson,
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Samuel Atkinson, Mike Doughman, Felty Doughman, David Doughman, Henry Graham, Martin Graham, John Graham, Mont Henry, Thompson Spence, Albert Boyd, William Girton, James Pollock, John Powers, Stanly Day, David Day, Luther Walker, Mitchel Shields, W. H. Haney, Samuel A. Haney, George Ertle, David Ertle, John Hitesman, Thomas C. Legg, Thomas Sea- man, Verney Seaman, Henry Temme, Thomas Wilkinson, J. A. Hopkinson, John Clark, Levi Shoemaker.
POST OFFICES.
The first post office in the township was at Hopkinsville, established in 1825, and afterward post offices were established in the following order viz : Dallasburg, 1848, Maineville, 1854; Foster's Crossing, 1859; Murdoch, 1866, and Cozaddale, 1871. The very earliest settlers received their mail probably at Lebanon. The following, copied from the address on the back of an early letter, will show how indefinite the directions :
Mr. Samuel Walker,
living in Warren County, State of Ohio;
Near the Little Miami.
This letter was written in 1805. It will be seen that Southern Hamilton was without an office until 1848, but the postal facilities were not so bad as this would indicate, as there was a post office at O'Banionville in Clermont county, near the Warren line at quite an early date, affording the advantage of a weekly mail to this section. The above offices are, with the exception of Dallasburg, in operation yet, each having a daily mail.
VILLAGES OF THE TOWNSHIP.
Hopkinsville, situated on the Montgomery & Hopkinsville pike, is the oldest village in the township, dating back to about 1808. In its early days, it was the center of trade for the whole township, and enjoyed a good degree of prosperity. It was also for a long time the legal place for holding town- ship elections, and headquarters for general musters and all public gather- ings; but in course of time new places sprung up and trade was diverted into other channels. The village now contains one store, a blacksmith shop, shoe shop, schoolhouse and church. At one time, it contained three stores and three taverns. Col. John Hopkins, Matthias Rapp and Boss Erwin were the merchants
Zoar-This place was also settled at an early day, but the year cannot now with certainty be given. It at one time gave promise of being quite 8 manufacturing place. About the years 1844 to 1847, there were two blacksmith shops and two wagon-makers' shops located here, working some eight to ten hands. Ferdinand Dugan was one of the proprietors and enjoyed quite 8 large Southern trade in plows and wagons. He also manufactured wagons for service in the Mexican war. A wheelwright shop, by Matthew McNeely, was also, at this time, in full operation. But this prosperity was destined to be only transitory. The building of railroads and establishment of large manu- factories changed all this, and the streets of Zoar became long ago deserted and the sound of the hammer is no longer heard within her borders.
Cozaddale, situated on the Marietta Railroad in the extreme southern part of the township, was laid out by John J. Cozad in the year 1871.
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