USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 15
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The "Miami County Democrat" was started in 1860, soon after Flem- ng changed the Piqua Enquirer to a Republican paper. It was pub-
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
lished by Sol. Teverbaugh and J. H. Horton, who both went into the army in 1861 and the paper ceased publication. About the middle of the year 1864 a Democrat weekly newspaper was started by C. C. and F. H. Morrical. It was called "The Piqua Democrat," and was intended only as a campaign paper for the ensuing presidential election, but it seems to have outlived this period for in the fall of the same year we find that it was owned by a stock company, with E. H. Eyer as editor, and W. C. Patterson and Jim Reed as office force. It was soon after- ward bought by Achuff & Marietta, and was published upstairs in the Dorsey block, opposite the City Hotel. On July 22, 1868, Achuff sold his interest to Marietta who in turn sold out to Cole & Jackson in 1871. The office was moved to the Masonic building, and in 1875 the paper was bought by J. C. Smiley & Co. In the summer of 1882 Smiley changed its name to "The Miami Leader," and in 1887 started a daily called "The Piqua Daily Leader."
Henry Kampf bought these two papers in 1895, and continued their publication until 1900, when he sold them to Geo. A. Thompson. Kampf again bought them in 1901, when he combined them with the Dispatch and Journal, making the new papers the "Piqua Leader-Dispatch" and the "Weekly Leader-Journal."
"The Miami Helmet" was started by a stock company consisting of N. F. Wilbur, John Bains, D. K. Gillespie, Harvey Clark, Wm. McWil- liams, Lewis Leonard, and H. H. Durant. It was originally a temper- ance organ published every Thursday, and I. S. Morris, of Eaton, was editor.
The first issue was on Aug. 6, 1874. After a few years, Mr. Morris obtained full control and the paper became politically Republican, with a strong temperance tendency. It was first published in the Harbaugh building at the corner of Greene street and the canal, but in 1892 wa: removed to the Scott-Slauson building on Ash street. On June 1, 1904 it was moved into their new office on Wayne street, between Ash anc High.
Mr. Morris continued as editor until his death on Feb. 3, 1905, when under the management of John W. Morris and succeeding owners it It tained its individuality until in Sept., 1911, when it was consolidate with the Daily Call.
"The Piqua Morning Call" was started by John W. Morris on Oc 18, 1883, but on Jan. 1, 1884, was changed to an evening paper, au known ever since as "The Piqua Daily Call." It was published in col junction with the Miami Helmet, and continued with no change in mai agement until the death of John Morris on April 23, 1906. Soon afte
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RAILROADS, ELECTRIC LINES, PIQUA STREETS AND NEWSPAPERS
this date both the Call and the Helmet were sold to the Call Publishing Co., with H. R. Snyder as editor.
"The Miami Valley News" was a morning daily, published over Cass' drug store (Ashtons) in 1869-70, by Vance & Rukenbrod. It was started in May, 1869, and continued about one year. The local editor was Sam. O. Barnett, and for a time Jas. B. Rayner was cub reporter. They also published a weekly under the same name.
"The Piqua Advertiser" was an advertising sheet published monthly by John Smith, Sr., in 1868-69. It was half in English and half in Ger- man, and survived about a year.
"The Novelty" was a small paper published by Emory F. Sawyer and some of his boy friends in 1870. Sawyer also published "The Lili- putian," the smallest newspaper then in existence. Vol. 1, No. 1, May, 1870, is of four pages, 21/2 by 3 inches. We are unable to say how long these papers continued.
"The Daily Bulletin" was published by Sawyer, Harbaugh & Jones. It contained the news of the races at the Western Ohio Fair Grounds, and was issued for five days after May 24, 1875.
"The Art Loan" was another small sheet published by Sawyer & Jones during the art loan display, in Feb., 1886.
"The Daily News" was started by W. N. King on Sept. 11, 1882. It was printed at the Helmet office, but only survived a few months.
"The Piqua Tribune," both daily and weekly, was started by Spiker. King, and Rouzer, under the postoffice, Jan. 15, 1883. It was soon after taken over by Ben. King and John F. Miller, who changed the name to 'The Piqua Daily Herald." King sold out to Miller, who changed it to weekly on April 19, 1884, and on May 15, 1884, made an assignment.
"The Piqua Staut und Landbote" was the first German newspaper n Piqua. It was a weekly, and established by Frederick Josse in 1865. The printing was done in Dayton. In 1866, Josse sold out to a Mr. Snyder, who continued its publication probably two years longer.
"Der Piqua Correspondent," a weekly German paper, was started by T. Boni Hemsteger on April 17, 1878. On Aug. 2, 1894, he sold out to August Bartel, who changed the name to "Die Miami Post," and still continues publication.
"Die Piqua Merker," a German Republican daily, started by Jos. M. 1. Hemsteger on Sept. 19, 1888. Was just a campaign paper and quit fter election.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
"The Piqua Headlight" was a diminutive daily newspaper, 21/2 by 3 inches, published by Warren and Scott Hunt. The first issue was on July 27, 1899, and it continued several months.
"The Piqua Citizen" was an independent political weekly, published only during the campaign of 1904, with Lewis Patterson as editor.
"The Piqua Searchlight" was a Socialist weekly, edited by Robert Johnston, J. F. Wagner, and Addison Bell. Was started in the spring of 1910, and continued for about two years.
This completes the list of all Piqua papers of which we have a record. and though we may have missed a few lodge organs, or advertising sheets, the principal publications are all here.
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y. M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY, HOSPITAL
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CHAPTER XI
SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y: M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY, HOSPITAL, ORGANIZATIONS AND LODGES, SEN- ATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES, FREE MAIL DELIVERY, ETC.
SCHOOLS
T HE first educational effort on the part of our early citizens was in 1809, when a subscription school-house was built near the present intersection of Main and Union streets. This was a small log structure, and the first teacher was a young man named Isaac Hender- schott, who afterward became a prominent physician. This continued
FIRST PIQUA HIGH SCHOOL 1855
to be the principal place of instruction until 1818, when a one-story brick building was erected on the public square, just north of the present Wiley corner. At this date Piqua was in school district No. 2, and still retains that distinction. This new school building was known as "The Seminary," and the first teacher was John P. Finley.
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Early in the twenties, Jas. Defrees, Abel Brandon, and Robert Young were elected directors of district No. 2, and W. R. Barrington, clerk. Thomas G. Ward was appointed teacher. There was no doubt other boards elected previous to this time, but this is our first record of the teacher employed, and it was not until after 1840 that the teachers were paid entirely by the township.
Other teachers in this old academy of learning were John Crozier, John Vaile, Mr. Varian, H. D. Woodsworth, Daniel Horton, and Jas. H. Bristow.
Many private schools were taught in the early churches and homes, and among these teachers we have the names of O. Osgood, Mr. and Mrs. McReynolds, Mr. and Mrs. McMurdy, Mrs. Evans, Jas. H. Anderson, David Ayers, Nathan H. Dow, Mrs. Mary Bunyan, Mrs. Anna James, Miss Kate Baldwin, Mrs. Butler, Daniel Mitchell, and Geo. G. Parker. In 1850, under the state law of 1849, a Board of Managers of the common schools of Piqua was appointed. It was composed of L. D. Wood, 1st Ward; R. W. Shipley, 2nd Ward ; J. C. Worley, 3rd Ward ; J. T. Janvier, 4th Ward, and Wm. Rayner, 5th Ward.
The teachers for 1850-51 were D. C. Orr, L. P. Harris, V. E. Whit- more, J. W. Hannan, Isaac Legg. Miss M. L. Parks, Miss Kate Rayner, C. Lafferty, M. Payne, Miss Jane Bigger, M. Bane, and Mrs. Butler.
At this time there were three school houses, the North School being on the west side of Caldwell street, between Boone and North; the South School was near the south-west corner of Wayne and Wood, and the East School was on the east side of Harrison, just south of Ash. These old schools were built about 1845 or 46, and took their names from their re lative positions in the town. On Oct. 11, 1853, an election was held o1 the question of placing the Piqua schools under the Union School Systen of 1849. The vote stood 289 for, and 13 against. At an election held o1 Oct. 29, 1853, a School Board of six members was elected. They were J. D. Holtzerman, W. T. Humphreville, G. V. Dorsey, W. W. Wood, Wm Scott, and J. T. Janvier. A proposition to erect a Union School was also voted on and carried.
Early in 1854, two acres of ground, west of what is now Colleg street, was purchased from Mathew Caldwell for this purpose, at a cos of $1,800.
Wm. Humphreville, assisted by John Rayner, Sr., drew up the plans and the contract for excavating and grading was given to David Hunter J. & W. Hamilton furnished the stone; Wm. Betz and David Keyt did th brick and carpenter work; John Achuff the stone masonry; and Hatl
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SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y. M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HOSPITAL
away, Peterson, and Cruea, the dressed stone work. A. G. Conover was consulting engineer, and John Rayner, Sr., the superintendent of con- struction. The entire cost of the building and grounds was $34,983.80. This first High School was finished late in 1856, and the first term began on Oct. 1st of the same year.
A. G. Chambers was the first superintendent; J. F. Butterfield, prin- cipal of the classical and mathematical department; W. D. Alexander, of the grammar department; Miss S. E. Haight, of the female depart- ment, and Miss Latham, assistant. Mr. Edmonds was appointed vocal music teacher, and George Wilson, janitor. The school also had a cir- culating library of 456 volumes. The classical tones of our famous old
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WM. BETZ. CONTRACTOR ON FIRST HIGH SCHOOL
school-bell were first heard in June, 1857, and unless public sentiment changes, will probably be calling to the generations of school-children long after the teachers and scholars of that date are dead and forgotten.
A. G. Chambers resigned April 20, 1860, and on July 31st Rev. C. W. Fitch was elected as his successor. Mr. Fitch resigned Sept. 20, 1861, and Mr. Mills was chosen for the following term. On June 27, 1862, W. D. Alexander was elected superintendent, but being in command of a company of the 110th Regt., resigned prior to the opening of the school year.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
On Sept. 4, 1862, J. M. Fairbanks was elected to the position. Mr. Fairbanks served until Oct., 1866, when Wm. Richardson was elected. He resigned in Aug., 1875, and Wm. Carter was elected. Mr. Carter died in the spring of 1874, and at the board meeting in June of that year, C. W. Bennett was chosen as his successor. Mr. Bennett held this position until June 4, 1907, when J. R. Beachler was elected. Mr. Beach ler served two years, and was succeeded by our present superintendent Mr. Geo. C. Deitrich.
In 1854, a special school for colored pupils was established in the Wesleyan church. This continued until 1872 when a brick building a the north-west corner of Boone and College streets was erected for them This separate school was continued until Aug. 1, 1885, when the pupil were allowed to attend the regular schools in their districts.
In the fall of 1873, a lot at the north-east corner of Park avenue an Broadway was purchased, and in 1874 a school-house built. This wa to take the place of the old building on Caldwell street, which was sol and torn down in September of that year. In 1875, the old East Schod building and lot on Harrison street were sold, and the residence and lo of Robert Young on the north-east corner of Spring and Ash streets pu chased. The residence was remodeled and used as a school for near! twenty years.
In 1877, the new South School at the south-west corner of Way and Wood streets was erected, and the old one just to the south wa sold and torn down. On Feb. 14, 1884, contracts for the erection of new High School were let to various parties. Scudder & Hunt and I. Whitlock did the greater part of the work. W. R. Brown was the arcl tect, and S. H. Anderson superintendent of construction. The total co was $44,488.97. The new building was occupied by the school in the fa of 1885.
In 1888, the lot on North street was purchased, and the next ye Brotherton & Scudder completed the building. An addition to tl school was built in 1898. In 1890, the school building at the south-ea corner of South and Chestnut streets was erected by A. M. Brotherto and the new school on Spring street was completed in the spring of 18 !.
In 1889, the St. Boniface school was erected, and in 1899 the :. Marys school was built.
On March 13, 1893, the Huntersville School District was annexed the Piqua District. This included their new building on Staunton stre .
In May, 1905, the Baptist church on Madison avenue was purchas! by the school board and converted into a school-house, this being the lit building procured for that purpose prior to 1907.
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SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y. M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HOSPITAL
All these different primary schools are now called by the names of the streets upon which they face.
PUBLIC LIBRARY
There were school libraries in Piqua about the middle of the last century, and some of the churches had small libraries for the use of their
SCHMIDLAPP SCHOOL LIBRARY.
FREE
PIQUA PUBLIC LIBRARY, BUILT IN 1890
Sunday School members, but there was no public reading room until about 1876-77, when the Y. M. C. A. started one in the room under the postoffice. Later it was removed to the Harbaugh corner, but the inter- est seems to have soon died out.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
In 1889, Mr. J. G. Schmidlapp, of Cincinnati, offered the school board his property on North Main street for a Free School Library, which was accepted. Mr. Schmidlapp also gave money toward remodeling the build- ing. This new library was opened to the public on Oct. 18, 1890, and the formal opening was on Oct. 30th. Miss Sue Hetherington was the first librarian.
The library is well patronized, and contains many valuable refer ence works.
Y. M. C. A.
A Piqua Y. M. C. A. was organized March 27, 1877. Their head quarters and reading room was under the postoffice. It was not a suc cess financially, and only lasted about one year. R. M. O'Ferrall wa secretary, and F. B. Dubois, assistant.
About 1891 there was a reorganization, and in 1893 the present Y M. C. A. building was erected. It stands at the south-east corner High and Downing streets, and was first opened to the public on Ma 1, 1894.
CHURCHES
METHODIST EPISCOPAL
This was undoubtedly the first church organization in Piqua, for w have records of their meetings as early as 1807. At that early date the usually met at the house of Casper Henderschott, and the families re resented were the Clarks, Henderschotts, Scudders, and Winans.
On June 1, 1810, a government patent was granted to John Joh ston, Richard Winans, and Anthony Winans, for all of Section 1, Tow ship 8, Range 5.
Johnston took the north-east quarter; Anthony Winans the nort west quarter, and Richard Winans the south-east and south-west que ters.
John Johnston and Richard Winans each donated an acre of grou? to the Methodist Episcopal church. The acre donated by Johnston cluded a part of what is now known as the Johnston cemetery at Upp Piqua.
In 1815, with the help of neighboring settlers, the Methodists erect! a log building on the Johnston acre for a church and school house, al in 1818 replaced it with a much larger brick structure. They were bol built by subscription, and were frequently used by other denominatio
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SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y. M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HOSPITAL
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
In 1824, a frame church was built on the west side of Spring street between High and Ash. This was soon found to be too small, so in 1837 a large brick building was completed on the south-east corner of Wayne and Greene streets.
This church has been altered and enlarged several times, but stil continues as their place of worship. Records of the different preacher
M. E. CHURCH, BUILT IN 1837
and other officials of this church are so well preserved that it will nt be necessary to give further details.
GRACE M. E.
In 1853, at the close of a great revival at Greene street church, t was thought best to colonize a part of the membership, which was doe
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SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y. M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HOSPITAL
by organizing what was first known as the Wayne street church, south of the railroad.
Finally, to please the membership on both sides of the railroad, it was decided to build on west Water street, where the present church stands.
The first building put up was a flimsy structure and blew down be- fore it was finished, but the one that succeeded it, though built of wood, still stands in good condition.
ST. JAMES EPISCOPAL
This parish was organized on Jan. 5, 1823, with the following officials : Wardens-John Johnston and Nicholas Greenham ; Vestrymen -John McCorkle, Chas. Barrington, and Jas. Defrees; Clerk-W. R. Barrington ; Delegate-John Johnston.
Johnston was also appointed Lay Reader, and at once commenced holding regular services. For several years these services were held in a log house at the south-west corner of Wayne and Ash streets and at the school-house at Upper Piqua. Their first church was built in 1828 at the corner of Spring and North streets, on a lot donated by Chas. Murray.
In 1832 a bell-tower was added to accommodate the bell presented by Mr. John Willis and his friends in Liverpool, England.
The next church to be built by this congregation was in 1846-47 on a lot donated by John H. D. Johnston, at the north-west corner of High und Wayne streets. This church was consecrated Dec. 1, 1847. It was corn down in 1899, and replaced by a larger edifice in which the first services were held on April 22, 1900.
From Rev. Gideon McMillen in 1825, to W. H. Allison in 1907, there have been fourteen regular clergymen, Rev. A. Ramsey having given the ongest service, reaching from 1884 to 1904.
WESLEYAN METHODIST
This was a branch of the Methodist Episcopal church which did not believe in slavery, drunkenness, or episcopacy. In Piqua the original members of this organization were: P. A. Ogden, Martha Ogden, John il Ogden, David Jordan, Matilda Jordan, Jas. Scudder, Ann Scudder, Ra- hel Valentine, Phoeba Carey, and John S. Bennett. Under their plan, dopted Feb. 18, 1843, the society was incorporated Nov. 1, 1843. Their arch. as d ittle brick church at the south-east corner of Ash and Downing streets as erected early in this year, and Jas. Scudder, Wm. Best, and Wm. lains were the first trustees. Some years later, after the parent church
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
had renounced slavery and changed their discipline in other ways, these people disbanded and turned the little church over to the colored Meth odists who christened it the Cyrene African Methodist Episcopal church
In 1904, under the auspices of Rev. Clark, and a building committe composed of A. Collins, Geo. Bowles, and Goodrich Giles, the old church was torn down and replaced by the present fine pressed brick structure
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN
Previous to 1858 this was known as the Associate Reformed Pres byterian church. The nucleus of the earlier church were the four fan ilies of Wileys, and the family of John Campbell, who came here from Pennsylvania in 1812 or 1813. Services were held in their differer homes until 1816, when a small log church was built at the south-eas corner of Downing and Sycamore streets.
This building was the first church in the village, and was share with other denominations for many years. In 1835 this church wa incorporated, and in 1838 a neat brick structure took the place of tl old log building.
In 1858 the present large brick church on Downing street was com pleted and dedicated. Among the early preachers were Rev.'s Porte Risk, McFarland, Crothers, Pressley, McDill, and McGaw.
Later preachers were Rev.'s Gordon, Andrews, Wallace, Brown, Ker Leeper, and Hamilton.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
As early as 1815 services were held by this sect. The meetings we held at various places by Rev.'s Jas. Hughs and Archibald Steel.
In 1823 a small church was completed and dedicated. It stood ( the west side of Wayne street between Wood and Sycamore, and Dy' Burges was the first regular minister. On March 8, 1845, their lare brick church at the south-east corner of Wayne and Ash streets was de icated. This served the congregation until in 1889 when the old Ca .- well homestead at the south-east corner of Caldwell and Downing stres was purchased and their fine large stone church built. It was dedicati July 6, 1890, during the pastorate of Rev. A. N. Carson.
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN
The original congregation of this church consisted of sixteen me- bers of the First, or Old School Presbyterians, who disagreed in some way with the doctrine of the parent church and formed a separate socie .
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SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y. M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HOSPITAL
In 1842 they built quite a large brick church on the west side of Wayne street, between Ash and Greene. They consolidated with the original church about 1878, and their old church was sold and torn down in 1882.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN
We have been unable to learn much of the history of this congrega- tion, and only know that they built a small frame church just north of the Dorsey home on North Wayne street about 1838. This little church was bought by the Lutherans in 1845 and moved to their lot on Downing street.
BAPTIST CHURCHES
As near as we have been able to learn, the first church of this denom- ination was built in 1830 near the south-west corner of Ash and Harri- son streets, where the present grain elevator stands. It was a frame building, and being on quite an elevation, was reached by a flight of wooden steps.
In 1848 the present brick church on the south side of High street between Wayne and Downing was erected.
On Oct. 15, 1876, the Calvary Baptist church on west Ash street was ledicated.
The Fountain Park Baptist church on Madison avenue was finished n 1895.
Two of the early preachers in the first old church were John E. Thomas and his brother, David E. Thomas. Our best remembered reacher in the Calvary church was Rev. W. E. Weddell.
The Park Avenue Colored Baptist church was organized by Jacob Emmons in 1857, with seven members. They were Sampson Rial, Thomp- on Rial, Philip White, Polly White, Susan Williams, Nancy Tibbs, and Dolly White, nearly all being of the Randolph people who came here in 846. The first preacher was W. H. Moss, who had charge of the new ongregation for three years.
The meetings were held in Polly White's house until 1860, when their Ist meeting house was built in Rossville, and called the Second Baptist hurch.
In 1885 a new brick church was built on the north side of Park venue, between Caldwell and Downing streets, but owing to the lack f finances was not completed and dedicated until 1889.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
This church was nearly destroyed by fire in 1901, but was rebuil and rededicated in November of the same year.
OLD BAPTIST CHURCH ON HIGH STREET, BUILT IN 1848
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC
The nucleus around which forms the present congregation of tis church dates back to the year 1839, when Father Theinpoint, of Dayti, would visit Piqua and read mass to those who desired. For some ti e the services were held at the home of Valentine Butsch. Father El-
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SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, Y. M. C. A., PUBLIC LIBRARY AND HOSPITAL
linman was the first resident priest, coming in 1843. Services were then held in the old Methodist church on Spring street and other places.
In 1845 the lot occupied by the present church on Broadway was purchased. A church-erection fund was solicited, and on March 8, 1846, the building was dedicated. The organizers of this first church were Valentine Butsch, Adam Bartel, Edward Correll, Mathias Friedman, Barney Ley, Chas. Meyer, Patrick Scully, John Schwartz, and Austin Thoma. In 1869 the church was greatly enlarged, and the Sister's home erected.
In 1899 another remodeling and enlargement was completed, and at this date (1907) the church is under the care of Father Jas. J. Crow- ley
ST. BONIFACE
From 1839 to 1855 the catholics of all nationalities in Piqua wor- shiped in one body. At this latter date the German-American Catholics had increased to such an extent that they decided to leave the St. Marys church and organize a parish of their own. Three lots on Adams street were donated by Adam Bartel, on which the church and school were built and dedicated in 1855, with J. B. Hemsteger as the first priest.
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