USA > Ohio > Butler County > Hamilton in Butler County > The centennial anniversary of the city of Hamilton, Ohio, September 17-19, 1891 > Part 11
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In Hamilton, for annexation 331 votes 149
against “
In Rossville, for annexation " against 80
159
making in the two villages a majority of 261 votes in favor of the proposition
I66
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF HAMILTON, O.
in a total of 719 votes cast.
After consolidation a new organization for the government of Hamilton was effected under the general statutes of the state regulating municipal corporations. From the village the municipality became a town, and thence forward was designated as the town of Hamilton. The town was divided into three wards, one west of the Miami river and two east of the river, High street being their dividing line. A Mayor, Marshal and Town Coun- cil of two members from each ward, were elected, and the government of the town was duly inaugurated, and was continued as such until by progress and increase of its population to 5,000 as required by law, the Town of Hamilton became the City of Hamilton in the year 1857.
It belonged to the grade of cities designated in the Statute of Ohio, as second class, and under the present statute of the state, classifying municipal corporations, Hamilton is a city of the second class and third grade.
The several census taken by the United States shows the following as the population of Hamilton and Rossville combined until the consolidation in 1854, and thereafter of the City of Hamilton, to-wit :
In the year 1810
294 660
66
16
1820 1830
1,70I
66
66 1840
2,345
66
66 66 1850
3,021
1860
7,232
66
66
1870
11,08I
12,122
66
6 1890
17,565
In the year 1812 a branch of the notorious and powerful secret oath bound political Tammany Society of New York City, was organized here, called "Wigwam No. 9." Its object was to control and manage the munici- pal affairs of Hamilton and Rossville, and also the official affairs of Butler County.
Although iniquitous while it continued, the Society did not exercise any lasting deleterious effects, and passed out of existence in the year 1816.
From its commencement Hamilton has had a constant, healthy growth, and its govermental and material interests have been more than ordinarily successful, as compared with other municipalities, similarly situated.
No calamity has ever occurred to mar its steady and uniform growth, it has excellent streets and sidewalks with properly laid crossings at their inter- sections ; and the greater portion of the streets of the City are drained by surface drainage into the river, and consequently the general sanitary con- dition of the City is excellent, and the death rate of the population unusually low. The fire department is wisely and economically managed, and has 4 ever been so efficient that no fire seriously disastrous has ever occured with- in the city.
-
66
66
1880
167
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
THE HAMILTON WATER WORKS.
From the first settlement of this city, wells had been the general reliance for a supply of water for domestic purposes. Of course in recent years, it became evident that this source was peculiarly liable to contamination from the worst forms of sewerage. For years the subject had been a matter of discussion and apprehension. In April 1882, the council appointed a cont- mittee of prominent citizens to consider the propriety of erecting a city hall and other buildings, but it reported that the most urgent project was suitable water works. This general conviction was confirmed by two reports made by Prof. Robt. B. Warder, an expert chemist, dated April 30th, and August 3rd of that year. On the 31st of the following October, Council by ordinence decided to submit to the decision of the qualified voters of the city, at a special election to be held November 2211d, the proposition to issue bonds to the extent of $300,000 for water-works purposes. This election however, was not held, because of a doubt touching the legality of such action.
It was decided that an enabling act by the Legislature of the state would be necessary. Such an act was passed by the Legislature on the 15th day of March, 1883. It made provision for the issue of bonds, not to exceed the sum of $300,000, payable after ten years, and due after thirty years from their date.
The rate of interest fixed was not to exceed six per cent. per annum. An ordinance was passed by the City Council April 24, 1883, providing for the issue of the bonds as authorized.
Three of the trustees of the Water Works, namely, Herman Reutti, Asa Shuler and Jos. B. Hughes, were chosen at the municipal election on the 2nd of April, to serve one, two and three years respectively in their order. On the 10th of April their bonds were approved in the sum of twenty-five hun- dred dollars and on the following day they organized by electing Asa Shuler, President, and Jos. B. Hughes, Secretary. On the 17th of the same montli J. D. Cook, of Toledo, was employed as consulting engineer at three thousand dollars and necessary travelling expenses as compensation in gross, and lie was at once authorized to advertise for bids. Within thirty days T. E. Crider, was employed as engineer in charge of the work, and Ira S. Millikin was chosen Secretary for one year, at a salary of nine hundred dollars.
O11 May 30th, 1883, bids were opened and on the next day a contract for the entire work was awarded to D. F. Minnehan, for $285,951. Minute provisions were made as to pipes, valves, hydrants, &c .. and the contractor was required to give bond in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. The contract and bond were approved June 8th, and the contractor was author- ized to sub-let contracts for different portions of the work, namely, water pipes, pipe laying, valves, hydrants and pumps.
It seems as impossible for any new undertaking to succeed without in- junctions and litigations, as it is for children to escape teething and whoop-
168
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O
Ing-cough. Our water works enterprise had the usual experience, but in rather mild form. All natural and legal obstacles were overcome and on July 19, 1884, the water was pumped for the first time. The citizens of Hamilton were by resolution of the board of trustees allowed the free use of water until the first of the following October. From this date the works have been in satisfactory operation. The reservoir on Wilson's Hill was completed so that the water was pumped to it on the 26th of September, 1884.
Final settlement was made with the contractor January 12, 1885.
New boilers and other machinery soon became necessary, and authorized by a special act of the Legislature, the trustees issued $15,000 (Fifteen Thousand Dollars) in bonds and in the Spring of 1887, the boilers were put in place.
The method of pumping from a great well sunk in the drift gravel proved unsatisfactory, and in the summer of 1887, twenty "driven wells" were constructed, from which a supply has since been obtained.
Since the expenditures above noted the service has been satisfactory, and the income has paid all current expenses, and in addition, has provided for the needed extension of the works. New wells have recently been sunk and an inexhaustible supply of most excellent water has been obtained free of any possible contamination from surface influences. No city in Ohio has a better and cheaper supply of pure water and they are exclusively owned and operated by the city.
CITY GAS WORKS.
The City of Hamilton owns and operates the works from which gas is supplied to all private consumers, and to street lamps. Thus far, the ex- periment has been satisfactory and profitable.
The project for public ownership of the Gas Works first took shape in 1887 88. At that time John Dirk was President of the City Council and J. J. McMaken was City Clerk. The committee of council which had the matter- immediately in charge, was composed of S. S. Williamson, Jos. H. Long, Geo. T. Reiss, and Edward E. Hull was City Solicitor.
In response to a general public demand, an ordinance was prepared by the City Solicitor by the direction of the Committee on Gas, and passed by the City Council February 28, 1888. This ordinance provided merely for submitting to a popular vote, the question of erecting or purchasing gas works to be operated by the City. The vote was taken at the general municipal election in the following April, and the project was approved by a large majority. In pursuance of this popular decision, an ordinance was passed September 4th, 1888, submitting to a popular vote, the question of issuing bonds to the amount of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the erec- tion of gas works. The scheme for purchasing was no longer entertained. The vote was taken at the general election on the 6th of November 1888, and resulted as follows:
169
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON O.
For the issue of bonds, 2,412 59
Against
The bonds thus authorized were issued pursuant to an ordinance passed December 18, 1888. They bear interest at the rate of 5 per cent per annum, are in denominations of $1,000 each, falling due at various dates, from four- teen to twenty-nine years, after issue, but the city reserved the privilege of redemption at any time after twenty years.
This preliminary work was not completed without delays and strenuous contests in the Courts. The Gas Company which had, ever since 1856, sup- plied the City, exhausted all legal means of preventing the erection of the new works. An injunction which was successfully refused by Judge Van Deveer of Hamilton, and Judge Sater of Greenville, was finally obtained from Judge Doane at Wilmington. As this injunction was issued a short time before the date fixed for the issue of bonds, it was modified by the action of Judge VanDeveer so as to allow the election to proceed. By consent, the questions involved were taken to the Circuit Court of the State, which de- cided in favor of the City's right to own and operate gas works.
The subsisting contract between the City and the Gas Company was limited to January Ist, 1889. The council refused to make any other con- tract, and by resolution instructed the Gas Company to furnish no more gas The old Company thereupon petitioned the United States Court for an order compelling the City to receive and pay for the gas. The decision in this case by Judge Sage, of Cincinnati, was in favor of the City. Further appeal upon questions of law was taken to the Supreme Court of the United States. Shortly after the election, authorizing the issue of bonds, the old Company nstituted divers suits which were dismissed finally at its cost. At last the Gas Company filed a petition in the quo warranto in the Supreme Court of the State. The contention in the proceeding was that the bonds had not been legally issued, and that the ordinances preliminary to the erection of the gas plant, were not supported by due authority of the State. The Supreme Court decided this case in November 1889, holding every point in favor of the City, and sustaining all the municipal acts.
The council employed James R. Smedberg as Consulting Engineer, who under date of April 19th, 1889, submitted an estimate fixing the net cost of he works at $140,000. Robert Allstattr, Herman Reutti and John Schwartz were elected by Council, as Trustees of the Gas Works. They organized by choosing Robert Allstatter President, and Willard Smyers Secretary.
Mr. Smedberg was appointed Engineer with a compensation of 5 per cent of the net cost, he to pay his own assistants.
The first fires were lighted under the retorts April 9th, 1890, and on the 28th day of the same month, the city was generally lighted. This was made the occasion of congratulations and thanks to the Trustees, who had carried
170
THE CENTENIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON O.
the works to completion with such commendable energy and fidelity.
The premium upon bonds made the receipts of trustees $151,792.89 The total cost of the works was $151,549.20.
It may be proper to advert to a single episode that occurred in the municipal administration of Hamilton. It was the placing of the city under martial law on the 12th day of July 1863, at the time of the John Morgan raid into Ohio. Morgan had crossed the State line from Indiana south of Harrison and his adjective course pointed directly towards Hamilton. Mar- tial law was declared and the City was taken possession of and held under military control for the period of 48 hours, at which time Morgan having crossed eastwardly some ten miles south of the City civil authority was re- stored
When the military pressure was relieved the citizens learned that they had suffered but little inconvenience and no injury from the military occupa- tion, and at once settled down equanimically into the even tenor of their ways, and the dove of peace and the angel of happiness has hitherto abided with them.
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THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON O.
CHURCHES.
BY DR. CYRUS FALCONER.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
RRESPECTIVE of Nationality, the Catholics, of Hamilton, worshipped together until 1848. Then the Germans and Irish seperated. The Germans continued to hold the property now occupied by St. Stephen's congregation. The others purchased St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, which was fitted up and used for Catholic worship until 1856.
At the commencement of the work of erecting a new church, not a cent of money was in the Church Treasury, but as the congregation contained a great number of artizans, each of whom contributed labor in building, this seeming obstruction was removed, and, when finished, the edifice was truly a work and a labor of love.
From year to year after the edifice was completed, there have been added altars, organs, stained-glass windows, school house and other appointments to equip the church for its work.
In 1867, the congregation purchased a tract of land from the estate of William Hunter, situated between Hamilton and Symmes Corner, for a cem- etary.
The first Parochial school was established in 1860, in the basement of the church, and continued there until 1890, when possession was taken of the new school building.
There are 119 pews in the church, capable of seating 480 persons com- fortably, and 600 when necessary. One hundred and fifty-seven families and two hundred and eighty-one persons rent sittings.
There are one hundred and eighty-five families in the parish, represent- ing a population of one thousand souls.
There have been 2,689 baptisms and 656 marriages since 1848. No record of deaths was kept prior to 1867, and since then 570 persons have died.
The following table shows the Pastors in charge and the record of their work since 1848 :
NAME.
YEAR.
MARRIAGES. DEATHS.
Rev. T. Hallinan,
Jos. Kearney,
1850 to 1857.
678. 502,
215.
E. P. Corcoran,
1857 to 1862.
92.
A. O. Walker, C. F. Hone, M. L. Murphy,
1862 to 1865. 1865 to 1878. 1878 to 1880.
695. 78.
I24. 22.
45.
1880 to 1885.
185. 80.
53.
125.
1885 to 1888. 1888 to -
I74.
52.
95,
2689.
656.
570.
1848 to 1850.
BAPTISMS. 66.
232.
41.
225.
20.
80.
J. H. Bonner, P. A. Quinn, J. O'Donohue,
37.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, SCHOOL AND PARSONGAE.
173
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
A
BAPTIST CHURCH was organized in 1829. The place of worship was on south B. street.
A few years later, a division took place, upon the expedency or rather the right of christians to join in any associations other than the church, includ- ing Missionary Societies, Temperance Societies and other Reformatory and Benovolent Associations. The present Baptist Church'was organized in 1841 -2, as a branch of the Lockland Church, but did not become an independ- ent church until 1844, when a church edifice was built, situated on Third street, south of Dayton street.
This edifice, costing a little more than three thousand dollars, was occu- pied until 1858. The property was sold about that time, and the congrega- tion began worshipping in the present building on Court street, facing on the public square. The church edifice cost more than $10,000, and has re- cently been repaired at a cost of two thousand dollars.
The membership at first was only twelve, but has increased to nearly two hundred.
Dr. Rigdon, so many years well known as a physician, and a dignified and honorable man, was perhaps the most conspicuous and influential of all the members, manv of whom possessed, in a marked degree, firmness and sobriety of character.
The government is purely Democratic, i. e. by the whole congregation. The doctrines do not differ essentially from those which have been taught by the denomination for two and a half or three centuries.
The first of Deacons were Dr. L. Rigdon and James Shotwell.
The following Preachers have served the congregation as Pastors, namely :
Blodgett, - Roney, Wm. Ashmore, afterwards a missionary in China for many years; H. M. Richardson, J. M. Pendleton, R. V. W. Snow, R. Telford, Thomas Hanford, W. A. Smith, Thomas Eddy, W. R. Dennis, and Frank McFarland.
THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH.
T HIS CHURCH had its beginning in 1866. Services were held in the German Methodist Episcopal Church, in Rumple's Hall, the Universa - list Church and the Christian Church in West Hamilton.
Nov. 13, 1867, an organization was affected, at the residence of August Breidenbach. The members of the first consistory were F. B. Tomson and John Breitenstein, elders ; Jesse Jacoby and George Huber, deacons.
Sept. 11, 1867, the lot at the corner of Ross and D. streets was purchased for $900. dollars, and was paid for by Nathan Jacoby. The funds for the
174
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
church edifice were contributed liberally by a small membership, and by other congregations scattered over south-western Ohio. In this work the Pastor, G. F. Mechling, was untiring and the name of Jacoby appears con- spicuous.
The corner stone was laid August 30th, 1868; and the building was dedicated September 19th, 1869. It had cost about eight thousand dollars. Grave mismanagement, to say the least by the Building Committee, and the defal- cation of the Treasurer, left a debt of fifty five hunded dollars upon the church, and the property was advertised for sale. It was saved, and the debt finally extinguished in 1875, nearly mainly by the same men who had borne the burden from the first.
The congregation belongs to the Reformed Church in the United States of America, which was formerly known as the German Reformed Church. The Church Government is Presbyterial, and the Heidleberg Catechism is its standard of faith.
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, (ROMAN CATHOLIC.)
T HIS church was founded in 1832. Prior to that date there was no resi- dent Priest, or place of Catholic worship in Butler county. The first Priest to preach in Hamilton was Rev. - Hill, who in 1825 preached in the Court House. In 1829, Rev. James ,Mullen also preached here. Bishop Fenwick, Rev. Montgomery, Badin, Kundeck and Ferneding, follow- ed in the work of the ministry. In 1830 lots numbered 151 and 152 were purchased for $400 (Four Hundred Dollars) the title being conveyed to Bishop Fenwick. In 1832 a gothic church 40x60 ft. was erected, and soon afterward another building for parsonage and schools.
The number of Catholics in Hamilton in 1844 was about 600. The first resident Pastory, Rev. Thos. Butler, took charge of the congregation in 1840, and remained until January 1845. He was noted for his urbanity and ability as a speaker and debater. In 1848 the church property passed to the ownership of the German Catholics of Hamilton, under an arrangement by which they paid to the Irish portion of the congregation the sum of $3,000, that amount being considered one half the value of the church prop- erty. Since that time the congregation has been entirely under the charge of the Franciscan order. The growth of the congregation rendered a larger house of worship necessary, and in the year of 1852, the corner stone of the present edifice was laid. The church was completed in 1853 at a cost of ₱20,000. In 1849, the congregation established a Parochial school. Other necessary buildings, a school, vestry room, parsonage, etc., have been built as necessity or ability suggested. In 1887, the interior of the church was thoroughly renovated, and a new heating apparatus provided. In 1889 a new school building was erected and was dedicated in the following year, a
I75
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
a cost, including furniture, ofabout $1,800, with a seating capacity of 600.
The congregation at present numbers 450 families estimated at 1800 souls. Since 1851, the congregation has had its own cemetery. The pastors, with their respective terms of service have been as follows :
Rev. Thomas R. Butler, 1840-1845
D. W. Hallinan 1845-1848
Nicholas Wachter, O. S. F. 1848-1852
Theophilus Kraph, O. S. F.
-- 1852
Pirman Eberhard, O. S. F.
1852-1861
Lorenz Costerling, O. S. F.
1861-1862
Francis de Paule Kolb, O. S. F.
1862-1866
Nicholas Wachter, O. S. F. 1866-1867
66 Dionys Abarth, O. S. F. 1867-1869
6
Lucas Gottebehode, O. S. F. 1869-1874
Jerome Kilgenstein, O. S. F. 1874-1877
Clemens Steinkamp, O. S. F. 1878-1880
6.
Daniel Heile O. S. F. -
1878-1880
16 Nicholas Holtel, O. S. F.
1880-1884
66 Accursius Beine, O. S. F. 1884-1887
66 Raphael Hesse, O. S. F.
1887-
Baptisms since 1839 were 4697.
Marriages since 1839 were 752.
Deaths since 1839 were 1861.
ST. JOSEPH'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
T
HIS congregation was established in 1865, when St. Stephen's congre- gation had become too large. The square on Second Street, between Washington and Hanover, on which the church is built, was the gift of Wm. Beckett, Job E Owens, John M. Long and Robert Allstatler, who also donated $2500 to the building fund. In the spring time of the following year, the work of building churches, school houses, etc., was undertaken. In June 1866 the corner stone was laid by Bishop Rosencrans. The church 60x125 ft. was dedicated, Archbishop Purcell officiating, assisted by Bishop Toebbe and others September 15th, 1867.
In March 1873 a dwelling and school house for the Sisters of Notre Dame was completed at a cost of 8,000 dollars. All the appropriate equip- ments of a church and school house have been provided. The congrega- tion includes nearly three hundred families and nearly two thousand souls.
In November 1879, a tornado threw down the steeple damaging the bells, organ and church, and causing a heavy loss. The new tower is mas- sive, 175 feet high, of Romanesque style.
St. Joseph's Surche
hamilton Ohio.
CHURCH OF CHAIS
PARE
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
178
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF HAMILTON, O.
The following priests have been in charge of this church : Rev. J. C. Albrink, in charge while the building was in progress.
Rev. Geo. P. Steinlage, May 26, 1867.
Rev. Jos. Resch, March, 1873. March, 1879.
Rev. A. Beine
Rev. Clemens Steinkamp 1883.
Rev. Pacificus Winterheld, I 887.
Rev. Francis M. Varelman who is now Pastor, 1888
THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. (GERMAN.)
HIS congregation owns a church property on Canal Street, and a par- T sonage at Rigdon and 9th Streets, also a vacant lot at the same place intended for the erection of a more convenient and commodious church building.
The church was organized in the year 1881, and now has 40 members, a congregation of one hundred, and about seventy scholars in the Sabbath School. The services are conducted in the German language. Rev. J. G. Lischauer is the Pastor.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
N the early settlement of this region, the missionaries of the cross, follow- I ed hard upon the heels of the receding savage. Among those worthy to be remembered, were Rev. Jas. Kemper, Matthew G. Wallace and John Thompson of the Presbyterian Church. These preached wherever they could gather a few people together, sometimes in private houses, and some- times in the grove, and in Hamilton they used also the old mess room of the Fort, which served as a court house.
About the year 1805, Rev, Matthew Green Wallace who resided on a farm 8 miles south of Hamilton began to preach on alternate Sabbaths. In 1810 he took up his residence in this city and a Presbyterian Church was formally organized with himself as pastor, and David Beatty and Wm. Big- ham as elders. The population at that time was 326. Mr. Wallace con- tinued to preach to the church until 1821.
The first church edifice erected was the Union Presbyterian Church built in the years of 1817 and 1818, jointly by the Presbyterian and the Associate Re .. form Presbyterian Congregations. Each congregation contributed one-half tlie necessary funds and each occupied the building one half the time. They purchased lot No. 103 of the original town plat situated in the eastern side of 3d st. between High and Court streets, from David K. Este, then a citizen of Hamilton, but for many years afterwards, a prominent citizen of Cincin- nati. The cost of the lot was 150 dollars, and the building erected 40x50 feet cost $3100.
I79
THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF HAMILTON, O.
This property was sold, and the Presbyterians acting for themselves, purchased from one John Reily lot No. 22, on south Front street, in 1829, and built a house of worship 50x42 feet in size, capable of seating 350. The cost of this building was $1,600.
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