The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 103

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214

USA > Ohio > Montgomery County > The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county > Part 103

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MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

¿a and Kentucky. In that year, he retired from the practical duties of the inistry, although preaching occasionally until 1830, after which he preached 1 more. He died (in the same house which he had erected forty years previ- (sly) November 17, 1844, in his ninetieth year, the last fourteen of which he Id spent in happy retirement, such as writing articles upon religious subjects, nding, meditation and prayer. He inherited a healthy, vigorous body, with ¿ trong vital force, possessing great tenacity of constitution and power of en- crance, and was well adapted for pioneer work. Among his neighbors he bore t: name of " Peace Maker," and was recognized as a conscientious, thorough (ristian, a man whom all loved and respected. It was he who organized the ( bhart and Stettler Churches, in 1805 and 1806 respectively, and St. John's at (rmantown in 1809. For this sketch of William La Rose, we are indebted to t, Rev. Isaac H. Reiter, D. D., who kindly furnished us with all the data and fts as to Mr. La Rose's life and labors.

Henry and Elizabeth Moyer, natives of Pennsylvania, settled in Section 3 on the west bank of the Miami in 1804, where Henry died the following yır. Their son, Peter, was but fifteen years old upon coming to this county. bring been born in Berks County, Penn., September 7, 1789. Married I zabeth Heck, of Jefferson Township, October 8, 1812, who bore him ten c ldren. Both spent their lives in this township.

In 1805, Valentine Gebhart and family came to this township from Berks Canty, Penn., and with his sons, Andrew, Philip and Daniel settled at Hole's Sta- th and whose descendants are among the most respected citizens of Montgomery Cinty. In the same year came John Gebhart, wife Christine, and four chil- In-Catherine, George, Jonathan and Elizabeth-from Berks County, Penn., secling in Section 24, and after coming, had born to them Mary, Daniel, Cristine, Elias, Salome and Lydia. Mr. Gebhart died in 1842, in his sixty- forth year, his wife surviving until 1870, dying in her ninetieth year. Jona- tin and Elias are the only survivors of eleven children. With John Gebhart che his wife's parents, George and Margaret Gebhart, also two brothers-in- la, George Gebhart with his wife, Elizabeth, and seven children, and Jacob Gohart and wife Salome. In 1806, Jacob and Catherine Baum, natives of J.ryland, who had been residing in Kentucky previous to this date, came to what is now Miami Township, and located north of Hole's Station on the east

b k of the Miami River. They brought with them nine children, viz. : Mar- ti K., Mary, Elizabeth, John, George, Susan, Barbara, Jacob and Joseph; the rcher died about 1808, and the father about 1830. Jacob, Jr., the only sur- voor of the family was born February 4, 1801, and is now eighty-one years o. but the ravages of time have made sad havoc with his once sturdy frame, a .. his days on earth must indeed be few. He was married to Elizabeth Cra- r, who bore him three daughters-Margaret, Eliza and Mary, the eldest of wFm is the only one living, she being the wife of John H. Schaffer, of Ger- mi Township, with whom Mr. Baum makes his home.

In 1809, Emanuel Gebhart, with his wife Elizabeth (who was a daughter olche Rev. John Jacob La Rose) and family, from Pennsylvania, settled on tł La Rose farm, and here spent their entire lives in the vicinity of Miamis- olg, she dying December 26, 1867, aged eighty-three, and. January 22, 1868, ) husband followed her, and they now sleep side by side in their last earthly hoe. With Mr. Gebhart, came his son-in-law, Jacob Kercher, and wife Mar- get, who bore him after coming to Ohio, two sons and eight daughters; the tv former and one of the daughters are yet living. Jacob died in 1855. and hi wife a few years later; he owned land east of "the Station," and Miamis- big was partly laid out by him on this land. At the same time that Jacob ca'e to Ohio, his brother John, who was single, also came and made this

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

township his future home. The "Old Dominion" now responded to the ca for early settlers, sending in 1809 Peter Eagle, his wife Annie, and nine chi dren, who settled in Section 19, east of Miamisburg. The sons were Henr Jacob, George, Peter and David; the daughters were Polly, Eve, Betsy ar Sarah. Two were born subsequently, viz., John and Annie. Peter, Sr., di in 1820, his widow marrying again and surviving him many years. Poter, J and David are yet living, the former of whom married Mary Whetsel fifty-ni: years ago, and they are now residing in Section 19, hale, hearty and happy the enjoyment of each other's society. John and Elizabeth Neibel, the form a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia, came, with three childre to this township in October, 1810. Upon starting from Virginia they had fo children, but when a couple of days on the road, the wagon was upset and o of the sons was killed. Mrs. Neibel died in May, 1847, and her husband December, 1855. Their son William, who was but five years old when th came to Ohio, is residing on Section 8, and is one of the representative farine of the township. In 1811, William and Catherine (Sutphin) Conover, n tives of Monmouth County. N. J., with three children-Ida, Abraham ar Ann, located in Section 29, on the east bank of the Miami. They had born them in Ohio, Deborah, William, C. S. and Maria. William Conover and wi resided in this township all their lives, excepting a short period at an early d which they spent in Warren County. They were a successful and very worth pioneer couple, and their children stand among the most respected people this county, intelligent, progressive and honest.

In this year came Drs. Peter and John Treon, from Berks County, Pen and located at " Hole's Station," and who afterward helped to lay out Miami burg in 1818. Dr. Peter died many years ago, but Dr. John is yet living and o of the oldest men in the county, being now close to his ninety-first year. The are few men of Montgomery County living or dead, who had a greater succe in life financially, than Dr. John Treon, and there never has been a physici in this region of country, who did a more extensive business or traveled ov such a vast extent of country in the practice of his profession. He was bo in Berks County, Penn., March 25, 1791, studied medicine under his fath and in Philadelphia, and as stated came to this township in 1811 penniles He was married November 13, 1818, to Eve Weimer, who died May 20, 187 and was again married to Mrs. Elizabeth Black, who now watches over him his helpless old age

Peter Hetzel, wife Catherine, and family settled in Section 10, in t northeast corner of the township in 1812, and David, his son, is now a res dent of Miamisburg, and one of its best and most progressive old citizen In the same year came Philip Huiet and family, who built a grist-mill on t Miami north of "Hole's Station," and also Henry Yeazell and family, wi settled in the bend of the Miami, in Section 30, across the river from t! present town of Alexanderville. Another settler of this period was Geor, Parsons, who with his family located in the Dodds' neighborhood, but no dou. many came whose names cannot now be remembered, and those we have give have been obtained by the greatest difficulty, yet some may be left out w! helped to civilize and develop this valley, but whose names or time of sett ment is lost to the historian of to-day.

ERECTION OF MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

On the 9th of December, 1829, it was ordered by the County Commi sioners that Washington Township be divided, and a new township erected, be known by the name of Miami Township, the division line to commence ( said county line, at the section line between Sections 3 and 9, and runnir

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MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

hence north on said section line to the northern boundary line of said town- lip, between Sections 4 and 10, the western boundary of said new township be the Miami River. On petition of sundry inhabiants of Dayton Township resented March 7, 1831, the Commissioners of Montgomery County attached actional Sections 19, 20, 29 and 30, in Township 1, Range 6, in the south- est corner of Dayton Township, west of the Miami River to Miami Town- nip, and at the same time a portion of German Township was attached to the w township of Miami as follows: Beginning at the Miami River on the line tween Montgomery and Butler Counties, at the southeast corner of German ownship, and running in a westerly direction on said line to the southwest rner of Section 28, Township 2, Range 5; thence north on the section line the northwest corner of Section 4, Township 2, Range 5; thence east on the ne between Jefferson and German Townships, to the northeast corner of frac- onal Section 2, Township 2, Range 5; thence with the Miami River, to the place beginning. August 21, 1841, Section 34 and fractional Sections 35 and ¿, were attached from Jefferson and added to Miami Township. The present undaries of Miami Township are as follows: On the north by Van Buren, arrison and Jefferson Townships; on the south by Warren County; on the ist by Washington Township, and on the west by German and Jefferson Town- sips. The first election was held April 5, 1830, at the house of Charles Con- illy, a large frame tavern which stood on the northeast corner of Main and jrry streets, in Miamisburg. This building was removed many years ago, d its site is occupied by the residence of Hon. Emanuel Shultz.

The judges of the election were John Neibel, Adam Shuey and Phillip Iller. Clerks, John Conley and M. S. Blossom. The latter is the only sur- vor.

The following officers were elected: Trustees, John Neibel, Fletcher Em- l and Benjamin Sayre; Clerks, Thomas Morton; Treasurer, Charles 'Connel- 1. Constable, Andrew Treon.

April 21, 1830, William Sawyer was elected Justice of the Peace, receiv- 1; 155 votes; John Burk, 64. Total 219.

October 12, following, there were 231 votes cast for Governor, viz .: 143 f. Robert Lucas, and 88 for Duncan McArthur.

December 6, 1830, there was an election held for State Representative, in [ ce of William Smith, deceased.

School districts were established the same year, from No. 1 to No. 9, in- c sive. Additions and changes have frequently been made since.

The following is a list of the number of house-holders in each school dis- tut in that year, viz .: No. 1, 32; No. 2, 20; No. 3, 4; No. 4, 5; No. 5, 29; No. 640; No. 7, 45; No. 8, (Miamisburg) 104; No. 9, 30.

January 17, 1832, District No. 8 was divided into two districts. Market stet and the Centerville road being the dividing line.

The early educational facilities here, were as elsewhere in frontier life, on acount of meager population to form satisfactory school districts, having a suf- fient number of pupils to justify the employment of competent teachers, will bapparent. The teachers also, in many instances, were of a type that antiquity mht have been proud of. Hence, the people of those days should have credit fc what was accomplished, and not charged with what was not done. The fis; school was taught at the Gebhart Church, at an early day. It was not un- ci the enactment of the law of 1852, that this interest received a fresh impetus. Ty Township Board of Education, consisting of the clerks of the school dis- irts, in a few years after the passage of the law, commenced to build new hoses in nearly every district. The log-cabin schoolhouse was abandoned,

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

new and comfortable quarters, with the modern improved seats and desks, too the place of slab seats and log fires.

The cost of the buildings and furniture ranged from $10 to $1, 500.

The law of 1852 also provided for a higher grade of teachers, and a cor

sequent advance of compensation. The County Board of Examiners had th effect to drop all the incompetents. The result was manifest in a few years Better teachers took the place of those who were formerly employed, and ac vance steps among the youth were the results, in a few years. Some opposi tion was manifested at first, on the part of parents, upon the proposed progres sive steps, but in a short time it subsided, until now, all join in urging th work.

The laws of the State required the election in each township, every year of two Overseers of the Poor, also " Fence Viewers."

To show the operation of the Poor laws at that date, the following is giver which explains itself:

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, { - SS.

Miami Township,

TO WILLIAM GOUDY, Constable of said Township, Greeting:

WHEREAS, We, the undersigned, owners of the poor of Miami Township, have receive information that there has lately come into the township, a certain poor and destitute w. man named ,who is not a legal resident thereof, and will be like to become a township charge.

You are thereupon commanded forthwith to warn said to d part out out of said township, and of this warrant make service as the law directs.

Given under our hands this 22d day of January, A. D. 1836.

Overseers of the Poor.

On the back appears this indorsement:

This writ returned, served reading 23d January. Cost, 18g cents. CONSTABLE."

The following is a copy of the " poll book" at an election held for towi ship officers at the spring election in 1833, viz .:

Record of poll book of an election held in the township of Miami, Montgomery Co on the 1st day of April, 1833, for township officers.

The following persons were elected: John Neibel, Henry Gebhart and James Morto Trustees; Isaac Hoover, Constable; John Conley, Clerk; Peter Richard, Treasurer; J. V. Kothe and Lewis Hasselman, Overseers of the Poor; Gooding Hollaway, George Kiser al Samuel D. Loree, Fence Viewers; Perry Pease, John Reeser, John Garrett, John Betso Jacob Benner, Thomas Dodds, William L. Smith, John Penrod, Henry Gebhart, Jac Root and John Dodds, Supervisors.

I do hereby certify that the above persons were duly elected. (Signed.) JOHN CONLEY, Clerk.

STREAMS.

The Miami River passes through this township from north to south, takil a southwesterly course. It is fed by many small branches, the most importa: of which are Hole's and Bear Creek, the former running across the northeas ern corner of the township, and emptying into the Miami on Section 16. took its name from the Hole family, who removed from the "Station" in " early day, to land located on its banks. Big Bear Creek enters the townsh on Section 34, takes a southeast course, and empties into the Miami at t. north limits of Miamisburg.

MILLS.

The first flouring-mill in this township was erected by William Lamme, ( Hole's Creek, in a narrow gorge between the hills. This site has long sin been abandoned, and a mill built by his son, David, west of the old locatio and which is now in Washington Township. The next mill was that built I Philip Huiet in 1812, at " Hole's Station," an account of which is given

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MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

te history of Miamisburg. Many mills have been erected in this township ace that time, an account of which would be of little interest or worth to the neral reader.

AGRICULTURE.

The products of the soil are wheat, corn, rye, flax seed, broom corn, etc. Orchards were planted of the apple soon after clearings had been ned, mostly seedlings. Peaches yielded well. Wild plums and grapes Tre plenty.

The cultivation of tobacco was introduced by Ralph Pomey, south of Car- rton, about the year 1841. This article has become one of the chief pducts, and has extended into neighboring counties. The product amounts toseveral thousand cases annually in the township,

The soil rests on blue limestone on the hills. Drift, or gravel and sand, c er the valleys, the surface soil being a clay loam, and has been very pductive.

THE GREAT MOUND.

This is located on the upland about one mile southeast of Miamisburg. I s one of the largest in the Northern States. The one at Grave Creek, on the O.o below Wheeling. being about equal in dimensions,

In 1869 a number of resident citizens formed a syndicate to explore it. INJuly of that year they commenced operations, and sunk a shaft of five or si feet in diameter from the top to two feet below the base.

At eight feet from the top, a human skeleton in a sitting posture, facing lt east, and directly west of the line of excavation, was discovered. A cover flay several feet in thickness, and then a layer of ashes and charcoal, ened to have been the burial. A deposit of vegetable matter, bones of soll animals, wood and stone, were also found surrounding it.

At the depth of twenty-four feet, a triangular stone, planted perpendicu- ay, about eight inches in the earth with the point upward, was discovered. Lund it at an angle of about forty-five degrees and overlapping each other il the shingles upon a roof, were placed stones averaging about a foot in lineter, all rough, but of nearly uniform size, and similar to those quarried nhe neighboring hills.

The work of sinking the shaft continued from day to day until a depth of x-six feet was reached. This was down to two feet below the natural u ace as surveyed, over twenty feet having been cut from the cone in former x orations, thus making the height eighty-four feet. It measures about "1, t hundred feet around the base. The elevation of the land at this point is v 150 feet above the Miami.

It had been determined to remove the skeleton before closing up the shaft, hu upon close examination it was found in condition to render it impossible, n it was therefore abandoned.

The Miamisburg Bulletin published a series of articles at the time, in el ion to the subject, to which the curious reader is referred for a more Ithy account of it.

MIAMISBURG.

This town contains a population of about 2,500, and is beautifully located n he east bank of the Miami River, from which it took its name. It was non to early settlers, as " Hole's Station." Rude paths led through the dere forest to this point. The Red Man roamed at will in these days, and wil animals and game of all sorts was in abundance. On the farm of E. Sh tz, west of the Miami River, at the north end of town, an Indian camp walocated in an early day, and on a cleared circular piece of ground, oppo-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

site Market street, on the west side of the river, the Indians held frequent semblies to perform the war dance. Miamisburg is well laid out, has bro well graded streets, good sidewalks, excellent drainage, and is surrounded a beautiful, well-improved country. Few towns of its size are so fortunate shipping facilities, for besides the canal, which has proven an inestimable ble ing to business men, it has two railroads, viz., C., C., C. & I., and the C. & D. R. R., both first-class roads, supplying every comfort and convenience to their patrons. Miamisburg possesses good residences, business houses manufacturing establishments; it has a good town hall, an excellent pu school, and several handsome churches, all of which are due to the energy enterprise of its citizens It is claimed to be as healthy a town as any in Miami Valley, and its officials look well after its sanitary condition, thus ] venting and checking disease. The people of Miamisburg have good reaso be proud of the prosperity of their town, for its growth, although not rapic marked by stability. The largest portion of the town is located upon the of an ancient earthwork. We assume the beginning near the north end Main street, about sixty to eighty feet west, thence south, parallel with : street, to a point about 150 yards south of the corporation line, the northeast across the canal about one-fourth mile, thence northwest to premises now owned by C. Weber, thence west to place of beginning. The bankment was of yellow clay, similar to that at other places, about six above the surface, and fifty feet at the base. At this time, scarcely any tra of this work remains.

In February, 1818, the first town lots were platted and sold by Ema) Gebhart, Jacob Kercher and Drs. John and Peter Treon. A number of I were added subsequently.

The first brick house was built in 1826, by Rev. Dechant, on north corner of Bridge and Water streets, now owned by M. S. Blossom. In 18 the bridge across the river on Bridge and Water streets, was built by Johns for a joint stock company, who collected tolls for many years.

Prior to the construction of this bridge, a ferry boat was in service, ow by John Yeazel; the location was at and opposite Ferry street. During water, the river was forded opposite Lock street.

A second river bridge was constructed adjoining the north end of tow 1859, partly by subscription and partly by the county, no tolls being char and about this time the lower one was transferred to the county, and also m free of tolls.

The town was incorporated February 11, 1832. The first election for t officers was held at the house of Jacob Winger (now the Washington Hou May 7, of the same year. The following persons were duly elected, Gooding Hollaway, Mayor; Phillip Keller, Recorder; James Fisk, James M ton, C. Beck. John Burk and William Sawyer for Council. There were eig eight votes cast, the Mayor elected receiving all but two. J. A. Hartman a as Clerk.

On May 21, the Mayor and Council met and proceeded to establish boundary lines of the corporation, which was done by taking territory one- mile east from the river, and one mile north and south. On the same day, Council appointed John D. Mullison Marshal, and John Conley Treasurer.

At a meeting on July 2, C. & E. W. Madison presented a petition the Council, asking the privilege to burn their chips and shavings in the st opposite their shop. This was granted with the proviso to burn them in morning, and should any fire remain in the evening, it should be carefully tinguished.

August 6, Council passed an ordinance to establish sidewalks on

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MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

reet. Ordinances were also passed during the year in relation to town plats, le firing of canon and small arms in the streets, fires, obstructions of streets, dewalks and alleys, show licenses, etc.

In 1833, ordinances were passed regulating the markets. Two additional arket ordinances were passed in 1835. The year following ordinances were assed to grade the streets.

In 1837, a gambling ordinance was passed. No more appear on record til 1840, when a lengthy ordinance was passed in relation to burying rounds.

In 1843, ordinances were passed prohibiting the selling of liquors without license, also an additional gambling ordinance. A fire engine, hook and dder having been purchased, companies were formed to take charge of the paratus, and ordinances were passed in relation thereto.

A new market house and town hall was built in 1851.

SHIPPING AND TRAVELING FACILITIES.

Some years after the settlement of the country, about 1818, flat-boats were n from this place on the Miami River to the Onio, thence to the Mississippi d New Orleans. The cargoes of these vessels consisted of flour, whisky, con, etc. The owner and crew, prior to the running of the steamboats, made e return trip on foot, occupying many weeks.

Common road wagons were also employed in carrying merchandise to and om Cincinnati prior to the construction of the Miami & Erie Canal; this is finished in 1829 from Cincinnati to Dayton. Canal packet boats carrying ssengers to the number of fifty or more, and freight boats, relieved the burden teaming on mud roads.

The Great Miami Turnpike from Dayton to Cincinnati is located on Main t'eet, and was constructed in 1840. The completion of this road added a mber of daily stage and omnibus lines from Dayton to Cincinnati, and cortened the time very much between those points. The time of the canal jcket boat requiring twenty to twenty-two hours, that of the stages five to six urs.

In 1851, the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad was completed from tyton to Cincinnati. Upon the opening of this road for travel, it was found at the time was again cut down; competition therefor was useless; all the mal packet boats, stage and omnibus lines were at once withdrawn. This i.e of railroad is on the west side of the river, but a few hundred feet from de lower river bridge, where the depot is located.

The Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railroad which is lo- Ced on the east side of the town, was completed in 1872. This line is on the it side of the Miami, crossing the river twice between this place and Dayton. .is road added still more facilities to the traveling public.

Two turnpikes, one to Centerville, the other to Springboro, in Warren (unty, were constructed many years ago, by joint-stock companies, collecting fl, but have been made free some years since. The ordinary roads leading Im the town are generally in good condition.

MANUFACTURING.

The first flouring mill at this point was built by Philip Huiet on the lami, in the north part of the town in 1812. This mill was run by various (ners until 1872, when it was removed to its present site, by L. Magenheimer. thin a year, it was bought by Shultz & Manning, and the water-power used t'manufacture paper, and now remains unoccupied. Mr. Huiet had a contract 1 500 barrels of flour for the army in the year 1812. A large flouring-mill

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 103

Author: W.H. Beers & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1214

Author: W.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1214