USA > Ohio > Darke County > The history of Darke County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; > Part 33
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
leather and other necessaries. This supplied the county with ready money that would otherwise have been badly missed. Away now in the past the county seat was seen, with a population of about three hundred, many of those were poor, and had hard scratching to get a living. There were two stores, a blacksmith-shop and a whisky-shop, two doctors' offices, an antiquated brick court house in a spacious publie square, a brick jail, a single ordinary frame church building, and a small log schoolhouse. There were a few respectable looking private dwellings, but most of the houses were shabby and were widely scattered, south and southeast of the square. The streets were more nominal than real ; the nearest actual being that which runs south from the square, in the direction of the old fort, and which held the business of the place. This was all changed in 1840 ; the town had far more than doubled its population, and indications of business growth were apparent. New buildings had been erected, new stores started, new men had moved in, and they had brought some capital with them. Allan La Mott and John D. Farrar had opened dry goods in 1830, the next year W. B. Beall and Francis Waring started stores ; then, in 1832, came John C. Potter, and the veteran merchant of Green- ville, Henry Arnold, now, in 1840, in business with H. N. Arnold, who three years before had been a partner with James M. Dorsey, an arrival of 1833 ; besides these, there were Townsend, Bailey, Beall and Bascom. Lawyers were not wanting ; of these were Gen. Bell and Dempsey, and of doctors, Baskerville, Ayres, Buell and Gard. Greenville had two hotels now. They were earlier known as taverns. Mrs. Armstrong was the pioneer. Then came Moses Scott, who provided entertainment for man and beast until 1824, when he moved to Fort Wayne, Ind. Linus Bascom, in 1817, opened public house, down where stands Hall & Hine's livery stable. A. Scribner was cotemporary with Scott ; James Craig was successor to the latter. Craig gave way to Edward Shaffer. Then we come to 1840. Charles Hutchins is the proprietor of a two-story brick house, erected in 1837, on the east side, and Frank Hamilton located in a two-story frame, on the south side, of the public square. Notwithstanding the somewhat humble pretensions of the latter, it had the prestige of seniority over its more costly neighbor and vigorous rival, besides being honored by guests renowned and distinguished. During 1840, here stopped the hero and patriot of North Bend, who, from its uppermost porch, addressed the gathered multitude, upon the issues dividing political parties. The urbane, courteous hospitality of the frame was matched by the grandeur of the brick, whose proprietor received the suffrages of the people as the County Treasurer.
The postal facilities gradually approached an ability to transmit intelligence within reasonable time. A. Scribner had been appointed in 1815, and had but nominal duties to perform. His successors were Carleton Morris and David Mon- roe. He then recovered the position which he held till 1833, when Judge John Wharry became the incumbent, and, after several years. gave way to a successor. The office was not in a room by itself, but occupied a small portion of the store or other room of the Postmaster, and was auxiliary to the business.
Dempsey, of whom mention has been made, a man small in stature but large enough to attract notice at the National Capital. had not long been resident of Greenville before he was favored by Van Buren's administration with the appoint- ment of Postmaster. and at once combined the threefold duties of law, trade and public functionary, having his law and post office in his store. The change of administration again returned the office to Scribner. Although Greenville was flourishing at an unprecedented rate at this time, it had few attractions, and was lacking in many essential elements to solid improvement and prosperity. It had need of a good printing press. E. Donnellan had printed and published a news- paper then known as the Western Statesman and Greenville Courier, the initial number bearing date of June 25, 1832. It was of super-royal size, was published irregularly, had a sickly existence and upon its subscription list there were some two hundred and fifty names. Its mottoes were excellent, its prospectuses were frequent, but its duration was brief. A good flouring-mill was a needful thing.
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
This was not a local want ; the entire county needed better and more reliable mill- ing facilities which had hardly kept pace with the development of the country.
Soon after Harrison's treaty, Maj. Adams, an old soldier of Wayne's army, erected a kind of chopping-mill, five miles below Greenville, upon the later site of the mills of Oliver & Co. Cotemporary with Adams were Mathias and Aaron Dean, who, having built a saw-mill three miles above Greenville, had attached thereto a " corn-cracker." Neither ground much wheat. Bolting was done by hand, each customer bolting his own grist. Somewhat later, Andrew Noftsinger put up a grist-mill on Mud Creek, below the outlet of the lake, on the later site of Otwell's Mills. The bolting here was done by hand, and could not supply the demands of the people. Wheat had to be taken to the mouth of Greenville Creek, to Milton or to Whitewater to be ground. In dry times the grist was left, and at a specified time it was promised to be ground, and the farmer went back for it, and, in the bad condition of the roads, this made a two days' trip.
The next improvement was a horse-mill, put up by John Puderbaugh. on the east side of West Branch Prairie. This mill afforded fair facilities for grinding in winter while other mills were frozen up. Two neighbors, going together, set out before day with harnessed horses and a sack of corn on each horse. If, on reach- ing the mill, it was found to be thronged, a neighborly feeling was shown. Each got part of his grist ground, but there was no meal left to require a return, for the old miller had thriftily connected with the mill a small copper still, which turned out a very desirable quality of whisky which was always readily exchangeable for corn.
Then all drank liqnor as a beverage. Children were solicited to drink by parents, and, when too raw and strong, it was blended with sweetening, and in it the bread was soaked. It was everywhere indispensable, called for on all occasions and in all places pronounced good and desirable. Quality was reputed good, drunkards were said to have been few, and cases of delirium tremens were unknown.
In 1840, Briggs' mill, two miles below town ; Dean's, three ; Cole's, five miles above on the creek, and Clapp's, six or seven miles west of town, afforded accom- modations, but, at the same time, they were regarded as but a shade above refined corn-crackers. Otwell's mill, nine miles southwest of Greenville on Mud Creek, was originally one of the same sort, but it had changed hands several times, and with each change had received repairs that made it, perhaps, the best mill in Darke County. This and a new steam mill started in the vicinity of Palestine by a man named Cloyd, did most of the wheat grinding, but when a drought came, as was the case most every fall, the whole country had to go to Stillwater, a distance of some twenty or twenty-five miles. Fortunately, at such times the roads were dry and solid ; teams could haul good loads without interruption. At any other sea- son, except when the ground was hard frozen, the roads were so intolerably bad that teams could scarcely pass with empty wagons. In the summer of 1833, Pat- terson had on a load of five barrels of flour drawn by three stout horses and all were mired in a " slough."
Besides these grist-mills, there were several saw-mills scattered around on the small streams, which answered the purpose so far as they went, but they did not go far enough to meet the demands of the county for lumber. Steam had not then come into use, except in the single instance above named.
Many predicted that would be a failure, there existed such a prejudice against steam as a propelling power. It was generally believed that water was the only force that could be profitably used in running any kind of machinery. With these backward appliances, there was still another establishment in the shape of a " carding machine and fulling-mill," located some three miles west of town, on what was then called West Branch, which was owned and run by Benjamin & Jack Devor. This was the only machinery of the kind in the county. Andrew Smith was foreman of the concern and had an apprentice. This mill was a
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
valuable aid to the labors of the women, for homespun in 1840 was still the order of the day. It was only on occasions of weddings that people indulged in " broad- cloth and Swiss mull." After the ceremony, the garments were carefully laid away and held as proud relies of a precious memory. Matron and maid still spun and wove, as had the mothers and aunts of twenty years before. A delicate chintz, held as a reserve for Sunday occasions, was carefully preserved and worn, and if the fair owner chose to walk barefooted to church, a distance of several miles, cus- tom accorded that privilege, provided the feet were dressed during service. To preserve the shoes in good order, they were taken along wrapped in a handker- chief, and if the happy gallant could secure the privilege of carrying the parcel, he felt highly honored.
We have elsewhere spoken of education and religion. Besides these religious meetings in grove and camp, carrying with them an absorbing influence, there was still another gathering of a military character, the "Big Muster," as it was called, which was held annually at Greenville. This was simply an assembly of the county militia to exercise in the manual of arms, but it was regarded by some of the men, and by the boys generally, as the day for which all other days were made. The showy uniforms, the stirring martial music, bright muskets, gay cock- ades and measured tramp, the melons, ginger-cakes, cider and other supplies were a great attraction to the boys. Israel Cox proudly put in his appearance as fifer. and well he might, as he was acknowledged the best in the county. He had no known equal. His brother John was no ordinary performer, but when Israel moved at the head of the column, accompanied by his favorite drummer, his mastery was universally conceded.
Among the well-known and esteemed men of that day were Gavin Hamilton, Jacob Hamilton-a friend of and judge of honor-John, who resided at Tecumseh Point in a two-story frame house, James, a clever, country blacksmith, Joseph and Andrew, good farmers. The brothers, James and Alexander Craig, carried on a wagon and blacksmith-shop in Greenville to the manifest advantage of the pub- lic. Riley Knox, a young lawyer of promise, had just entered upon his profession. He delivered an oration at a celebration of the 4th of July. in 1838 or 1839, which was considered a masterly production for one so young. William Wilson was his preceptor, and took him in as a law partner. Among the worthy and notable farmers of that day were John and Aaron Hiller, Joseph Croll, John Martin, Samuel Cole, Sr., Philip Manuel, George Diverly. William MeKhann, James and Thomas McGinnis, William and Samuel Rush, William Morningstar and James Bryson, a few there of the many whose iron wills held all vantage-ground, and con- tinually extended their domain.
A few of the boys of that day were David, Theodore and Thomas Beers, John Devor, Jack and Frank Scribner, William Douglass. Calvin McNeil, John Hiller, Jr., Levi Elston, William and James McKhann, Martin Brady. J. and H. Bry- son, Benjamin and Andrew Croll, Samuel, Joseph and Henry Cole, John Hen- ning, Jr., James and Barton Hays, Zack and Ben Clark and many another the old resident will recall to mind. Levi and Amos Potter found homes elsewhere. Some have passed from earth, some yet remain where they spent their youthful days together. The heads of those full of ardor then are now adorned with silver locks, premonitory of a coming change.
The celebration of the anniversary of American independence has fallen into disuse since the last great civil conflict, but for many years, it was made a holiday of the nation. A notable observance of the day was held at Greenville in 1853, and is probably remembered by many. Due notice had been given, and people began to pour into town at an early hour from all parts, not only of Darke County, but from the counties adjoining. All the public houses were crowded the night before by strangers from abroad. Military companies and firemen from Piqua arrived in the vicinity of the town at seven in the morning. An hour later and they were received by the Greenville Guards, and escorted to the town. At
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the head of the column marched the Greenville Band, assisted by part of the Win- chester (Ind.) Band, and discoursed appropriate airs. A train came from Dayton. at 9 A. M. with 800 passengers, among whom were two military companies, the La Fayette Rifles and the National Guards and the Deluge Fire Company. These organizations were escorted by the military to their quarters in handsome style under the gratified observation of a tremendous concourse of people. At 10 A. M., a train from Union came in with many excursionists, and the streets were jammed. It was the largest crowd in the place since the meeting of 1840, of which notice will be given further on. There were citizens present from Piqua, Troy, Dayton and from Miami, Preble, Shelby, Mercer and Randolph Counties. The procession was formed at 10 A. M. under Capt. Frizell, and presented a fine sight. First came the military-five well-dressed, well-drilled companies-next fol- lowed two fire companies with engine and carriage, then came the officers of the day, the Orator and the Reader; after these were soldiers and citizens, and last of all, a large wagon bearing twenty-two young misses, one bearing the flag of our country, and each of the others a flag marked with the name of a State. At the head of the column marched the pioneers of a Dayton company. There were six bands, all of them played at the same time, and gave utterance to a confused and deafening, exciting and bewildering medley of sounds as the procession passed on their way to the grove. Arrived at the stand, the military opened ranks, through which dignitaries and others passed to the stand. The audience was seated. The military drew up in line and fired a round of musketry. After stand exercises, there was a dinner, then a parade and reviews, after which, as the trains came in, the visitors started homeward ; wearied as is usual on such days, with tramping along the streets in heat and dust, but fully satisfied with what had been seen and heard at the notable celebration.
The commemoration of the disaster at Fort Recovery was an occasion of an immense assemblage of the people. By accident, the remains buried in one of the shallow trenches became unearthed, and it was deemed a duty to honor the memory of the fallen by a decent and final interment of their remains, accompanied by appropriate ceremonies. The time set for the ceremonies was fixed at September 10, 1851, and, on that day, from five to seven thousand persons had assembled at the appointed hour. Curiosity drew many, but the greater portion came with a due sense of the service done by these fallen soldiers, and, too. there were relatives and descendants amid the gathered throng.
The bones of some three hundred skeletons were found and placed in thirteen large coffins. Upon the skulls were seen the marks of scalping-knife and hatchet, bringing the far-away past into the present like a dissolving view. At an early hour, the procession was formed and assembled to perform the rites required. There were distinguished men among those who eulogized the slain and depicted the events of the bloody fray. Among them were Gen. Bell, member of Congress of Greenville, B. Stover and Abner Haines. Finally, a resolution was passed to petition Congress to raise a monument over the dust of these fallen men, and at the same time it was voted to ask for a monument at Greenville upon the identi- cal spot where Wayne concluded his memorable treaty. The monuments have not been erected, and these men are remembered only in the fragmentary recollec- tions of pioneer and press, but their lives were not laid down in vain, and their efforts to protect the homes of the frontiersmen are as well worth enshrining on historic pages as are those who fought for national independence, for a country's honor, or for the perpetuity of an unbroken union of the States.
Still another outpouring of the people, worthy of fitting record, was the enthusiastic mass-meeting in Greenville on the 22d of July, 1840, during the remarkable political contest when "Tippecanoe and Tyler too " was the popular cry, before which the party in. power was hurled from position as dry leaves before the wind. It is estimated that more than one hundred thousand visitors were present.
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
Up to this time, political enthusiasm had never reached a very high pitch among the hardy settlers, but now the excitement was as great in the woods of Darke County as it was in Hamilton County in Ohio. or in any of the older States, and when it was announced, weeks in advance, that " Old Tip " would address the people, the surrounding country went wild. Immense delegations came from Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan. There were more than three hun- dred ladies present from Kentucky, and the gallants of the backwoods were so much smitten by their graces of person, manners and apparel that from that time till after the election all the young men were Whigs, and " log cabins. canoes and coon-skins" became the symbols of their faith, and "hard cider" the favorite libation. Many of the delegations were headed by log cabins on wheels, drawn by horses, and, in one or two instances, by oxen. One delegation from one of the river counties was headed by a monster eanoe mounted on wheels, in which were twenty-seven young ladies, representing the twenty-six States and the Goddess of Liberty. This canoe was drawn by ten white horses. The meeting was held just west of the town, in a beautiful grove. Facing the speaker's stand, or rather encircling it on three sides, was a bank, well shaded and affording comfortable seats for the vast throng. This natural amphitheater could not have been improved had it been designed for this special occasion. The various delegations as they approached the town were met by one of the "Greenville bands " and escorted in with honor. A brief description of these musical companies will not be without some degree of interest. The "band" par excellence consisted of William Morningstar, mounted on a fine horse, and his instrument a violin, upon which he was no mean performer. He met each delegation in turn, and gave them a medley comprising several of the rollicking airs to which the campaign songs were sung-" Hail to the Chief," " Bonaparte's March," with the more inspir- ing strains of "Soldier's Joy " and " Money Musk," and thus, with the booming of cannon and the cheers of the excited multitude, the delegations were welcomed. The other bands, consisting of drums and fifes, although less singular, were much more noisy, and far and near the martial music resounded, stimulating the feel- ings, accelerating pulsation, and with rattle and roll of drum and shrill, clear shriek of fife, performing the air of " Yankee Doodle," and intensifying the excite- ment with the "double drag." The principal speakers were Tom Corwin and Gen. Harrison. Corwin argued that the re-election of Van Buren would be the signal for a reduction in the prices of labor and of all American products, and, in support of his plea, read several advertisements of well-known produce dealers from Whig newspapers, somewhat after the following effect : "On and after the 1st of December, 1840, the subscriber will pay $1 per bushel for wheat if Harri- son be elected. and 40 cents if the election favors Van Buren." Similar notices concerning corn and hogs were also read from the advertising columns of the party press. Various arguments were presented by Corwin in a way and with a force that brought conviction to many a close listener. The speech of Harrison was characterized as an able and eloquent statesmanlike effort in support of republican institutions. He also devoted considerable time to personal reminis- cence. and won over many warm friends from the opposing party. He remained two or three days in Greenville, the guest of Mr. Seribner. and, in company with his host and neighbors, visited many points of interest in the town and its envi- rons. The old merchant and tavern-keeper had been a stanch Democrat. but, from this time on, became and continued an ardent supporter of the hero of Tippecanoe.
GEOGRAPHICAL-SITUATION-AREA-TOWNSHIPS-VILLAGES.
Darke County lies in the extreme western part of the State, a little south of the center, adjoining Indiana on the west. It is bounded by Mercer and Auglaize Coun- ties on the north, by Preble and Montgomery on the south and on the east by Shelby
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HISTORY OF DARKE COUNTY.
and Miami. The area is 588 square miles. Its outlines nearly describe a rectangle, its greater extent being north and south. In accordance with an act passed by the General Assembly of December, 1803, incorporating townships and establishing boards of County Commissioners, the county of Darke from its sparse population was originally organized into one township and known as Greenville. On July 3, 1817, Twin Township was taken from the south end of Greenville, and embraced all the county south of a line running dne east from the southwest corner of Section 31, Town- ship 11 north, Range 1. In the same month, Wayne was created from the northern part of Greenville, and embraced within its limits all of the county north of a line beginning at the northwest corner of Township 12 north. Range 1 east ; thence east to the northwest corner of Township 9 north, Range 4 east ; thence south to the middle of said township, and thence east to the county line. In February, 1818, Harrison was formed and, in March, 1819. all of Greenville Township that lay in Range 1 was formed into a new township entitled Washington, and. in the same month, Adams was formed from all lands in the county, east of a line running south from the northwest corner of Section 4, Township 10, Range 3, to the southwest corner of Section 28, Township 9, Range 3. In September, 1820, two tiers of sec- tions across the north end of Greenville Township with parts of Wayne and Adams were formed into a new township called Richland, and, in 1821, Neaves Township was laid out, taking four tiers of sections from the south side of the old township. In March, 1829, all of Richland lying in Township 12 north, Range 2 east, was transferred back to Greenville, and also Section 31, of Township 13 north, Range 2. This last section was afterward returned, leaving Greenville as now constituted. German was constituted in 1820; Brown and Jackson in 1833; Gibson and Mon- roe in 1836 ; York in 1837, from Richland ; Van Buren in 1838; Allen, north end of Brown, north end of Jackson, and Mississinewa, in 1839 ; also Franklin in June of the same year; Wabash, Patterson and Butler in 1841. In 1840, Gibson Township, about one-half of Allen and parts of Patterson and Wabash were taken from Darke and attached to Mercer County. There are at present twenty civil townships-Patterson, Wabash, Allen, Mississinewa, Jackson, Brown, York, Rich- land, Wayne, Adams, Greenville, Washington, German, Neaves, Van Buren, Frank- lin, Monroe, Twin, Butler and Harrison. Within their area are contained eight
incorporated towns and twenty-five villages. Greenville has priority from age and has always been the capital of the county. Here, as elsewhere stated, are court house, jail and all the conveniences for officials, courts and criminals ; here are some of the oldest churches in the county ; here lived men prominent in letters, and here was started the first newspaper published in Darke. The place is rich in its historic associations. Near the city are the fair grounds, a notable feature of a leading agricultural section. It is situated on Greenville Creek, in the township of Greenville, ninety-two miles west of Columbus, and ten from the Indiana line.
It has manifest advantages from turnpikes and railroads, and of later years has made a fair use of them. It was laid out in 1810, and incorporated in 1832. It has a national bank, fine churches, good business houses, a handsome and capacious school building, a number of elegant and costly residences fitted up with tasteful grounds. The Turpen House, a large hotel, together with the Wag- ner House, offers excellent acommodations to guests ; and the city and county support three newspapers. Postal facilities, fire department and other agencies for business, comfort and safety are well supplied. The incorporated towns are New Madison, laid out in 1817, incorporated, 1841, and situated ten miles south- west of Greenville, near the site of old Fort Black ; it is a fine thriving place. Versailles, platted in 1819, and duly incorporated in 1855, and located in Wayne Township ; Union City, a flourishing place on the State line, platted in 1838, and incorporated in 1853, and a lively railroad center ; Gettysburg, incorporated in 1866 ; Dallas, in 1867 ; Arcanum, platted in 1849 and incorporated in 1858, and Bradford, platted in 1867, and incorporated in 1871. The villages are thus enum- erated : Minatown, laid out in 1818 ; Fort Jefferson. same year, remarkable as
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