USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 9
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The funeral train of General Sherman passed through Piqua, Feb. 20, 1891, and as a tribute of respect, the G. A. R. Post turned out in full force and marched to the depot.
At the fall election of 1891 the Australian Ballot was used in Ohio for the first time.
Although Standard Time was adopted by the railroads of the U. S. on Nov. 18, 1883, it was not until Nov. 7, 1891 that it was adopted in the Piqua Public Schools.
1892
At a special meeting of the city cour il April 9, 1892, Huntersville was annexed to the City of Piqua, and regist d as the 7th. ward.
In this year an effort was made by the Board of Health to have the lower end of the upper level of the Hydraulic filled up, but the report was not acted upon by council.
1893.
A boiler at the lower paper-mill exploded Nov. 10, 1893. No one hurt.
Owing to an epidemic of small-pox in this vicinity, all the school children were ordered to be vaccinated.
1894
On July 2, 1894, the city purchased the old Manning mill race between Harrison and Manning streets for $4,000, the city paying $2,500 and the county $1,500. A large brick sewer was built in the bottom, the race filled up, and is now used as an alley.
1895
On April 5, 1895, Rossville petitioned to be annexed to Piqua, but a counter petition was presented and the village remains unannexed.
During this year Piqua was in the midst of a street-paving and sewering epidemic. Captain Downs had talked street paving for five years, and finally council entered into an agreement with Gantz & Sullivan to pave Main street from the north end to the railroad with brick, and some of the cross streets were given later. The Warren-Scharf Asphalt Co. was given the
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
contract to pave Wayne and Downing streets with asphalt, and also some of the cross streets and the public square. The necessary sewering was done by Munger & Co. of Dayton. The paving was completed Oct. 7, 1895.
The new iron hoist bridges across the canal at North and Greene streets were opened for traffic in July, 1895.
1896
April 5, 1896, the boiler in the W. P. Orr Linseed Oil Mill at the corner of Main and Sycamore streets exploded, causing a loss of about $18,000. No one was injured.
The Presidential campaign of 1896 was the most strenuous and specta- cular since 1880. Piqua was favored with many speakers of national reputa- tion and the excitement at times was intense.
On Nov. 16th., the Washington township lines was changed to conform with the corporation line of the newly annexed village of Huntersville.
1897
Aug. 16, 1897, the city purchased a rock crusher for $775. The experi- ment was not successful, so in a few years it was sold to D. C. Statler & Co.
Later in the year a 15-ton steam street roller was bought from the Kelly factory in Springfield for $3,300, and it is still doing duty on our streets.
The Howitzer Siege Gun, that was on the battle-ship Hartford 1861-65, was bought by public subscription and placed on the Soldiers Lot at Forest Hill cemetery, in 1897.
1898
The spring of 1898 witnessed the highest water in the Miami River on record up to that date. Many bridges were washed away, among them being the two west spans of the Huntersville bridge in Piqua. This occurred on March 23rd. and was caused by the canal bank being washed out, thus undermining the pier which had its foundation on the bank.
1899
There seems to have been trouble in council at this date. The Mayor refused to preside at the organization, and two of the members refused to take part. This trouble lasted until in June, when we again find the members performing their regular duties.
1900
The band stand in Downs Park was erected by Speelman & Thompson in 1900, for $120.
On Feb. 27, 1900, occurred the railroad wreck at Independence, Mo., in which the wife and daughter of Mr. J. G. Schmidtlapp were killed. At a special meeting of council, March 2nd., resolutions of sympathy were adopted and ordered filed on the records.
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CIVIL HISTORY-CONTINUED
1901
The great fire at Versailles was on July 6, 1901, and at their next meeting the City Council donated $100 to the sufferers.
President Mckinley was shot at Buffalo, Sept. 6, 1901, and died on the 14th. On the succeeding Sunday memorial services were held in the churches of Piqua.
1902
The Capt. Chas. A. Stone collection of War Relics was offered to the Piqua Public Schools provided that suitable cases be provided for their display, but the same lack of interest that lost for the city the ownership of the Wiltheiss Archaeological Collection, compelled Mr. Stone to look else- where for a receptive depository for his valuable and historic specimens. However we are glad to know that the State of Ohio thought them so valuable that they were given a conspicuous room in the State Capitol Building.
1903
In the Winter of 1902-3 the new State Code was passed, and after its adoption in Piqua, very little business outside of political adjustments was enacted. About the only item of passing interest between this date and 1907, was the fight of the Board of Health against an epidemic of small- box, and this resulted successfully under the supervision of Dr. F. A. Kitz- miller.
Before taking up other portions of this history we will insert a partial ist of the deaths of our pioneer citizens, believing that as a reference it will rove valuable, and also a tribute to their memory.
Name
Remarks
Mathew Caldwell, Sr.
Date of Death Oct. 25, 1810. One of the original owners of Piqua.
1824.
Farmer; came here in 1801.
Christopher Statler Alexander Ewing
Jan. 1, 1827.
Buried at Ft. Wayne; came to Piqua 1806; Was in Dept. of Spies under Harrison in the War of 1812.
armstrong Brandon
Sept. 6, 1827.
Laid out first plat of Piqua, and was first postmaster.
Iathias Scudder
Oct. 1, 1827.
Early settler in Springcreek Tp. was Revolutionary Soldier, and buried in Mckinney's Cemetery. State Rep. 1824-5 and 1828-9.
ohn McCorkle
July 25, 1829.
as. Ingram
Mch. 6, 1830.
Son of John Ingram.
eorge Moffett
Aug. 1, 1831.
One of boys stolen by Indians in 1779.
lary P. Caldwell
July 9, 1833. Wife of Mathew Caldwell, Sr.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Name Joshua Wells
John Widney, Sr.
Aug. 9, 1833. Died during cholera epidemic. June 29, 1836. Came to Upper Piqua in 1810; was Associate Judge of Miami Co. for 7 years.
John Moffett
Aug. 24, 1836.
One of boys stolen by Indians in 1779.
Benj. Brandon
May 5, 1837.
Revolutionary soldier.
Elijah Ross
Aug. 10, 1837.
Rossville was named for him.
James Brown
Aug. 30, 1839. Canal lock contractor.
Wm. R. Barrington
Jan. 1844.
Editor of first newspaper, and Mayor.
John Brown
Sept. 15, 1846,
Early hatter.
James D. Keyt
Jan. 18, 1849.
Pioneer mason and farmer.
Wm. Best
July 23, 1849.
Prominent portrait painter. Grain merchant.
Jacob Landes
1852.
City official for many years.
Wm. Mitchell
1857.
Revolutionary soldier.
John H. D. Johnston
Feb. 1863.
Son of Col. John Johnston. Lock contractor, and merchant.
Samuel Davis
Apr. 4, 1865.
David J. Jordan
Dec. 15, 1869.
T. L. Daniels
May 14, 1873.
Merchant and pork packer. Prominent man'fg and cit official.
Mathew Caldwell, Jr.
Apr. 26, 1864.
Extensive property holder Piqua.
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John Garvey C. W. Bowdle
July 1862.
Feb. 16, 1863.
Prominent official of city. Pioneer machinist and city official.
Wm. Humphreville
July 1863.
Contractor and builder.
Wm. Elliott
Apr. 13, 1875.
Jos. G. Young
Oct. 23, 1875.
Feb. 24, 1876.
Was a city official for many year Cashier of First National Bank Prominent Civil Engineer.
A. G. Conover Cummings Scudder
Jan. 27, 1877.
Contractor and builder. Prominent physician.
Dr. Chas. W. Stumm James Carson . . Henry Greenham F. L. Morrow Wm. Prince, Sr.
Mch. 1, 1877. Mch. 9, 1877. 1877.
Traveler and scientist.
Son of Nicholas Greenham.
Dry-goods merchant.
Mch. 14, 1880. Inventor of Ross turbine wat wheel.
Wm. Scott John Hilliard
June 1, 1880.
Dec. 31, 1880.
President of First National Bar Born in Huntersville in 1805.
Wm. R. Kirk
1849.
Remarks
Date of Death
Jan. 15, 1877. 1877. Physician and surgeon.
John W. Ross
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CIVIL HISTORY-CONTINUED
Name Sarah Johnston
John W. Defrees
Mch. 10, 1882.
Mch. 11, 1883.
One of our early school-teachers, and a nephew of the celebrated Rev. Jas. B. Finley.
Henry Kitchen Sam. B. Garvey
Capt. Sol. Teverbaugh J. D. Holtzerman G. N. Zeigenfelder
Aug. 7, 1883.
Early stone quarry man.
Apr. 22, 1883. Prominent city official.
Feb. 6, 1884. Capt. of the 11th. O. V. I.
Mch. 30, 1884. Man'fg of Holtzerman's Bitters.
May 1, 1884.
Groceryman.
JOHN CHEEVER
'orrest Leonard mos Sawyer, Sr. ›r. G. Volney Dorsey red D. Jordan
red W. Reiter tephen Genslinger ohn H. Rouzer, hn M. Cheever . W. Shipley cob R. Schenck
Aug. 20, 1884. Drowned at Niles, Mich.
Apr. 15, 1885. Prominent groceryman.
May 15, 1885. Physician, author and historian.
June 12, 1885. Township clerk.
Sept. 28. 1885. Early merchant. Sept. 30, 1885. Chief of Fire Department.
Nov. 19, 1885. City Engineer.
Feb. 5, 1886. Merchant in Piqua for 65 years.
July 22, 1886, Early butcher and meat packer.
Oct. 28, 1886. Well-known excentric character.
B 05
Date of Death Jan. 4, 1881.
Remarks
Agd neraly 102 years. Wife of Jas. Johnston.
Former editor of the Piqua Register.
Dr. John P. Finley
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Name John E. Lucas
Date of Death Jan. 3, 1887.
Dr. John O'Ferrall
Mch. 16, 1887.
Remarks Prominent farmer. Thrown from buggy.
Physician and man'fg. Was son of Piqua's first doctor, who died in 1840.
Wm. Bennet
Apr. 27, 1887.
Early cabinet maker and under- taker.
P. A. Steadman Richard Brandriff
July 8, 1887. City Marshall and Constable. July 16, 1887. Preacher, druggist and aboli- tionist.
Henry Rouzer
July 18, 1887.
Member firm of Rouzer, Evans & Clark.
Chas. Hilliard
July 22, 1887.
Grandson of original John Hil- liard who came here in 1797.
James Noland
Oct. 23, 1887.
Jimmy Simpson
Nov. 12, 1887.
Robt. F. Levering
Jan. 16, 1888.
Jennison Hall
Jan. 28, 1888.
Wm. Johnston
Mch. 24, 1888.
Canal contractor and county commissioner.
Geo. W. Young
Oct. 5, 1890.
Wm. B. Johnston
Nov. 17, 1890.
Mary Ann Johnston
Apr. 28, 1891.
Brother of Jos. G. Young. Son of Col. John Johnston. Wife of Geo. C. Johnston. Mar ried in 1826.
Charles Gale W. H. Harbaugh John C. Holcombe
1891.
Photographer.
Prominent merchant.
Apr. 5, 1892.
Foreman of Lock Mill for nearly 34 years.
S. N. Todd
Apr. 30, 1892.
Book-store and county treasurer Early blacksmith.
Henry Hardenbrook John Franz
May 31, 1892.
July 18, 1892. Aug. 9, 1892.
Detective and city marshall. Operated planing mill.
Oct. 4, 1892.
Pioneer grain dealer.
Col. E. Farrington Col. Robt. Shannon Henry Hasebrook
Oct. 6, 1892.
Early citizen. Came here in 182 Identified with the Jefferson Fire Co.
M. B. Upton J. Milton Mckinney
Oct. 28, 1893.
Jan. 1, 1894.
Groceryman and hotel keeper. Born on the farm where he died in 1816.
Wm. Rayner S. S. Mckinney John Compton
Jan. 23, 1894. Carpenter and farmer.
Dec. 18, 1894. Prominent attorney. Sept. 18, 1895. Old mill-wright.
1.
May 11, 1893.
Carpenter and contractor. Another eccentric character. Citizen of Piqua for 37 years. Ex-State-Senator.
Sept. 21, 1891.
A. A. McCandliss
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CIVIL HISTORY-CONTINUED
Name Aunt Dinah Cox
Remarks
Date of Death Oct. 9, 1895. Old Randolph slave. Nearly 103 years old.
Jan. 2, 1896. Pioneer marble dealer.
Feb. 9, 1896. Prominent physician.
Apr. 3, 1896.
July 12, 1896.
Accidentally shot while hunting. Grocer and prominent in city affairs.
¿. H. Mason
Nov. 1896. One of the famous Mitchell raiders.
ohn W. Kirk Daniel Ashton
Jan. 14, 1897.
Son of W. R. Kirk.
Mch. 19, 1897. Druggist.
HENRY KITCHEN
. G. Butterfield /m. H. Manning . M. Fleming iram Brooks ohn Keyt r. S. D. Smith . B. Segner lijah Delaney
Apr. 12, 1897. Truss-hoop man'fg.
Apr. 22, 1897. A descendent of John Manning.
Jan. 26, 1898. Editor of Piqua Journal.
Jan. 26, 1898. Popular liveryman.
Jan. 25, 1898. Son of the pioneer John Keyt.
Feb. 6, 1898. Prominent physician.
June 2, 1898. Ex-county commissioner.
Sept. 16, 1898. Railroad baggage-master for 37 years.
E. Benson Dr. S. S. Gray Lee Patterson Vm. McWilliams
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Name David Keyt
Date of Death Feb. 12, 1899.
Remarks
One of the contractors on high school. 1855.
Jonathan Legg
Apr. 15, 1899.
John Stewart
Apr. 23, 1899.
Early gun-smith.
Dr. J. F. Gabriel
June 16, 1899.
Surgeon in Civil War.
R. P. Spiker
Sept. 9, 1899.
Carriage and wagon builder.
Lewis Leonard W. D. Alexander
June 28, 1899.
Banker and grain-merchant. Capt. 110th O. V. I. Late Colonel. Prominent blacksmith.
George Davis
Dec. 13, 1899.
George Yager
Dec. 16, 1899.
Dealer in fine horses.
John Wade
May 4, 1900.
Old roofing man and tinner.
Rev. T. L. Hughes
June 17, 1900.
Presbyterian Minister.
Moses G. Spencer
June 29, 1900.
Dry-goods merchant.
Francis Jarvis Aunt Martha Geyer
Aug. 25, 1900.
Ice-man and banker.
Prominent church and temper ance woman.
Gideon Keyt John Reed Hilliard John C. Geyer
Jan. 11, 1901.
Jan. 5, 1901.
Feb. 22, 1901.
Early mason. Later a farmer. Contractor. Built town hall. Lawyer. Also Ex-Mayor Piqua.
Francis Gray
Mch. 30, 1901.
Owner of woolen mill.
Jas. B. Redman
Oct. 23, 1901.
Brick mason.
M. F. Richey
Dec. 22, 1901.
Prominent jeweler.
James Hicks
Dec. 23, 1901.
Partner in Piqua rolling mill.
Jas. A. Buckner M. L. Barnett
Dec. 30, 1901. Mch. 5, 1902.
Father of C. C. Barnett.
Aunt Martha McClay
Mch. 7, 1902.
A daughter of Hugh Scott, Sr. City Clerk for many years.
J. H. Hatch
Mch. 23, 1902.
Harvey Clark
Mch. 31, 1902.
Mother Chappell
Apr. 8, 1902.
Contractor and stone quarry. Widow of Robert Chappell, Sr and daughter of Chester Garnsey Grandson of the pioneer Joh Keyt.
John Keyt, Jr.
Aug. 9, 1902.
Nancy Frost
Oct. 4, 1902.
Mrs. Fillebrown's mother. Ag 101 years.
Mary E. Carson P. M. Weddell Fielding Hilliard
Mch. 1903.
Baptist minister.
Descendant of John Hilliard.
Veteran transfer man.
May 19, 1903. Banker, and city treasurer.
June 18, 1903. Lawyer. Also ex-congressman
Andrew Ashton John S. Patterson J. F. Mckinney
Jan. 15, 1903.
Widow of Jas. Carson.
Mch. 19, 1903. May 5, 1903.
Pioneer pump-maker.
Oct. 25, 1899.
Nov. 16, 1900.
Old canal-boat captain.
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CIVIL HISTORY-CONTINUED
Name Date of Death Mrs. John H. D. Johnston June 11, 1903. Daughter-in-law of Col. John
Remarks
Johnston.
Major Stephen Johnston Wm. Ward
June 20, 1903.
Nephew of Col. John Johnston.
July 30, 1903. Pioneer shoe-man.
John F. Hemsteger
Aug. 25, 1903.
Clothing merchant.
Capt. Leopold Kiefer
Nov. 30, 1903.
Water-works trustee.
Sarah Bell Day
Apr. 16, 1904.
Nearly 97 years old.
John Rees, Sr.
Aug. 4, 1904.
Pioneer farmer.
Carlton Belt
Sept. 18, 1904.
Grocer.
W. I. Kiser
Sept. 22, 1904.
Auctioneer and implement dealer.
Emma E. Keyt
Dec. 4, 1904.
Daughter of John Keyt, 2nd.
. S. Morris
Feb. 3, 1905.
Editor of Miami Helmet.
Leonard Parker
Feb. 9, 1905.
Dry-goods merchant.
Vm. C. Johnston
Feb. 23, 1905.
Prominent lawyer.
Vill Zollinger
Apr. 4, 1905.
Partner in Zollinger Grocery.
ared S. Blood
Apr. 16, 1905.
Night watchman.
Irs. E. C. Thayer 'rastus Bemis .. J. Cron ohn Gunter
May 25, 1905.
Donor of hospital
. May 26, 1905.
Blacksmith.
July 2, 1905. Furniture factory Cron & Kills.
July 15, 1905. Pioneer farmer.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
CHAPTER VIII
MILITARY HISTORY OF PIQUA-FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
MILITARY HISTORY.
T HERE is no record of any military company in Piqua prior to the war of 1812, though there was an organization known as the county militia, and one or two companies of Independent Riflemen in the county.
When rumors of Tecumseh's activities in the north reached this point early in 1812, Gen. Munger, Col. Ewing, and Major McCorkle, who at that time were officers of the Miami County militia, called for volun teers, and at Staunton, (the county seat) on May 5, 1812, a company of fifty men was enlisted and supplied with the necessary equipment for Indian war-fare.
In their election for officers Geo. Buchanan was made Captain, John Bobo 1st Lieut. and John McLary 2nd Lieut.
While no Piqua men were represented as officers, quite a numbe were in the ranks, though at this date it is impossible to name them.
The doings of this company have already been noted in our "Wa of 1812," as have other military matters of that period.
For many years after this military duty was compulsory in th state, until 1844, when it was abrogated for the supposed reason tha it was a menace to the moral character of the men.
This county militia was formed in "Divisions," and these divide into "Brigades" of several companies each. These different division of the state militia held elections at intervals, as will be seen by tl following notice taken from the Piqua Gazette.
MILITARY ELECTION.
Will be held at Tamplin's Hotel, Aug. 6, 1825, for the pur- pose of electing a Brigadier General for the 2nd Brigade, 10th Division, Ohio Militia.
By order of Major General Young, W. R. BARRINGTON, Aid.
Every man of military age (18 to 45 years) was required to belo to one of these companies, and to report at a given place each year f the annual two days muster, or pay a fine. The men had no regul uniforms and they brought their own guns, some of which were the o muskets, others being equipped only with their hunting rifles, and :
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MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
guns of that date were of the flint-lock variety. The following is a sample of the orders for loading and firing the old flint-lock muskets :
1-Prepare to Load
2-Open Pan
3 -- Handle Cartridge
4-Tear Cartridge
5-Prime, Shut Pan
6-Cast About
7-Enter Cartridge
8-Draw Rammer
9-Ram Cartridge
10-Return Rammer
11-Shoulder Arms
12-Ready, Aim, Fire.
Names of other officers of this early militia of which we have record are Col. Jos. Defrees, Major S. S. Mckinney, and Capt. John Wiley.
Other than this county militia, we have no record of military bodies in Piqua until July 4, 1837, when Col. Brownell's "Union Troop" (cav- alry) took part in the great celebration of that date. This company was afterward called the "Piqua Greys," and later officers were E. G. Barney and Col. Clark.
A company called the "Piqua Light Infantry," (afterward "Piqua Blues") and commanded by Capt. Demas Adams, was organized in 1838. This company acted as Guard of Honor to the speakers at the great "Log Cabin Rally" at Dayton in 1840, and was also prominent, with the Piqua Greys, in that terrible "Broadford War" at Troy in 1842.
These companies had fancy uniforms, and with their high Chapeaus, surmounted by a plume, and marching by fours, made a vidid impression on the minds of the applauding spectators.
At a reunion held in Piqua, Jan. 8, 1875, there were about 30 mem- bers of these two companies present. Of the "Piqua Greys" were Capt. E. G. Barney, 1st Lieut., A. G. Conover, 2nd Lieut., Joshua Robinson, Privates : H. R. Hardenbrook, B. A. Gilmore, and J. A. Petigrew. Of the "Piqua Blues" were Capt. Geo. W. Keifer, Capt. Jas. Carson, Privates T. P. L. Defrees, C. Foreman, - Hoover, Fred. Geyer, Wm. Wise, W. S. Betz, Jacob Crapsey, W. P. Bennett, W. Cromer, S. B. Garvey, T. Tamp- lin, Wake Newman, and Wm. Kitchen. Capt. R. F. Levering and Frank Redman of the Light Guards (a later company) were also present.
After supper the chairman, Capt. Keifer of Troy, addressed the company in an appropriate manner. A number of toasts were offered and responded to by different persons. Hon, J. F. Mckinney was re-
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
peatedly called for, and when he arose for a short time, commanded the close attention of his hearers. Other speakers were heard and toward the last Capt. Jas. Carson read the following list of departed comrades : Capt. Demas Adams, 1st Lieut. R. Graham; 2nd Lieuts. Jas Stover and J. K. Bennett; Military Instructor, Capt. Harold; Orderly, R. F. Cole; Musicians, J. Riker, John H. Julian, and Jas. Harsha : Privates H. Ben- nett, Johnston Truitt, E. Webb, Godfrey Houck, John Streeper, Jas. Cook, Wm. Cheevers, T. J. Garvey, John Morrow, John Vaile, E. B. Taylor, J. H. D. Johnston, Gaylord Tuttle, and Wilson Morrow.
There were many others of these two companies living away from Piqua who were not present at this reunion, but we have no record of their names.
After 1846, there is no mention of these companies in the local papers, so we presume they were disbanded at about this date.
About 1850 a company of infantry, called the "Piqua Light Guard," was organized. In 1854, when a picture of them was taken by A. H. Rice, just south of border hall, the company was composed of 34 men, as follows: Capt., Robert F. Levering; 1st Lieut., W. S. Betz; 2nd Lieut., Wm. Ashton; 3rd Lieut., Jas. McMullen; 1st Sergt., Wm. Ben- nett; Musicians, J. Ragan, Fifer; J. Marietta, Snare-drum; B. F. Red- man, Bass drum; Markers, Wm. H. Jordan and D. McSherry ; Privates : Aaron Levering, Wm. S. Levering, Thomas Levering, Chas, Elliott, Wm. Delap, Lewis Day, Jas. Riffle, Dick Hudson, John Wiley, Howard Mun- sell, Chas. Rollins, Henry Vantile, John Sherer, Byard Correll, Wm. Kitchen, Lewis Rain, Wm. Lemon, Fred. Ragan, Levi Myers, Jos. Clouse, S. R. Lawder, and Sam. Lawder, who was also color bearer.
This company was still in service at the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861. At that date they returned their guns and equipment to the state arsenal, and many of the men enlisted at the first call for volunteers.
Several companies were organized during that conflict and mustered into the regular army, as will be recorded in our "Piqua in the Civil War."
In the Piqua Enquirer of Feb. 11, 1864, "Spivens" (J. St. J. Clark- son) speaks of the "Border City Guards," but we have no other record of such a company.
After the close of the civil war, the thirst for anything military having been thoroughly quenched, it was not until 1875 that another militia company was enrolled in Piqua. This was Co. D. of the newly
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MILITARY HISTORY-FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT
PIQUA LIGHT GUARD, 1855
106
THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
organized 3rd Regt. O. N. G. It took the name of "Kiefer Guards" from its organizer and captain, Leopold Kiefer. We have no list of the mem- bers of this company, but presume such a list is in existence.
On March 30, 1876, another company was organized as Co. F. 3rd Regt. O. N. G. There was some difficulty in getting this second com- pany accepted, but Major Johnston went to Columbus and prevailed upon Adj. Gen. Wikoff to muster the company in, and also suggested to the boys that they name the company "The Wikoff Centennial Guards," which they did.
The first officers of Co. F. were: Capt., Harry Gear; 1st. Liuet., W. D. Jordan; 2nd Lieut., Wm. Evans; Jordan and Evans soon resigned and W. W. Levering was selected as 1st Liuet., and R. L. Hyde as 2nd Lieut., B. S. Levering was 1st Sergt., 2nd Sergt. was C. W. Tamplin; 3rd Sergt., J. W. Campbell; 4th Sergt., John C. Geyer; 5th Sergt., S. J. Hamilton. Corporals, F. E. Campbell, M. F. Simons, J. A. Speelman, G. A. Thompson, Chas. Fritsch, and Lewis Fuhr. Musicians, Geo. Nigh, W. A. Danford, and Carl Schultz. Privates, Harry Barr, Chas. Bemus, A. J. Blood, W. B. Clark, Cloyd Drake, C. W. Drake, E. B. Dubois, Martin Donahue, Robt. Duncan, Harry Frye, John Fuhr, C. A. Farrow, Chris. Gabler, J. H. Gilmore, C. O. Hardesty, J. H. Harp, Walter Irvin, C. Love, J. G. Levering, Perry Kellenberger, J. H. Morrow, Wm. Martin H. W. McGrew, W. C. Myers, A. Patterson, Philip Race, J. F. Rayner Cliff. C. Rouzer, J. W. Reynolds, E. Robinson, T. L. Robinson, W. W. Routson, Ed. Sevey, J. C. Stutsman, Ed. Speelman, J. S. Woods, L. H. Wood, Wm. Whitlock, Jacob Vogel, John Vogel and Chapin Young.
This was the best drilled company in the 3rd Regt., and frequently took the prize in drilling contests. Both companies used Border Hall for an armory during most of their time of enlistment, and in that time were called out on duty twice; once during the railroad strike at Colum bus in 1877, and in the railroad strike at Newark in 1879.
Co. D. (Kiefer Guards) disbanded in the winter of 1879-80, but Co F. was retained. It served the full five years, and although the name Centennial Guards, was dropped, the company reorganized in the spring of 1881 with new officers and men, and so kept its position as Co. F. o the 3rd Regt.
The new officers were W. W. Levering, Captain; Jas. Speelman, 1s Lieut., and C. O. Hardesty, 2nd Lieut. When called to Cincinnati March 23, 1884, to help quell the court house riot, it was under the command of Capt. Jas. Harp.
In 1891 it became Co. E. of the 3rd Regt., and later captains were
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Harry Hunter and Henry Westfall. Was finally mustered out Sept. 1, 1896.
From this date until 1903, Piqua had no local militia company, the volunteer companies raised during the Spanish-American war of 1898 being under orders of the U. S. Government. In June, 1903, J. F. Hub- bard having enlisted 33 men for Co. C. of Gettysburg. the headquarters of that company was moved to Piqua. Mr. Hubbard was at once com- missioned captain, and has been in command of the company ever since. At this date (1907) Rollo R. Dunkle is 1st Liuet., and perhaps no other young man in Piqua has had so diversified an experience as he, in his 13 years of military service.
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