The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 105

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 105

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The structure is of Roman architecture, thirty-six by seventy-five feet in ze, built of brick with stone trimmings and has stained glass windows. The terior is handsomely decorated, the frescoeing having b en done by William han, of Cincinnati, and the paintings by John Schmitt, of Covington, Ky. the summit of the nave over the altar is a beautiful representation of the imaculate Conception; on either side of the nave St. Joseph and St. Anthony, d at the altar end of the church facing the people are two scenes representing r Savior as the good Shepherd and Christ giving the keys of his church to

. Peter, The building has cost up to the present $4. 500, and Father Kalenberg

rends furnishing the church with a furnace and other necessaries which will

150

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

run the cost to about $5,000. All of this he has done by his own untiring energy, being the architect, overseer, and financier of the whole undertakin from the beginning. His congregation, although at first fearful of the risl have stood nobly by him and are now proud of the beautiful Temple of God which stands as a monument testifying to the zeal of their worthy Pastor i spreading the Gospel and building up Christ's Kingdom on earth. The church will seat about 400, is weil furnished with nice pews, choir gallery, and orgar and in fact is one of the most beautiful little church edifices in the diocese The congregation numbers about seventy-five families, most of whom are libera supporters of their church and pastor, as well as worthy communicants. Th property is worth about $10,000 and comparatively free from debt, which faci speak louder than would mere praise of the pastor and his congregation. I reviewing the history of Catholicism in Miamisburg, we are forcibly struck b its steady growth ; and the progress it has made since the first mass was cel ebrated at this point. in 1851, may be truly likened to the Gospel parable of th mustard seed.

EDUCATION.

The first schoolhouse erected within the corporate limits was locate directly west of the graveyard next to Grove & Catrow's lumber yard, o ground now occupied by the Miami & Erie Canal. This was built in the yea 1818, and was used jointly as a schoolhouse and place of worship by the Ge man Reformed congregation.

When the canal was dug the State removed the building eastward out c the way, and it was afterward removed south on Locust street. west side, wher it yet remains. It is a frame building.

The second schoolhouse was built of brick, on Canal street near Bridg- and is yet standing, but used as a dwelling.

The third schoolhouse was built in 1834 on North Canal street, west side It has been taken down to give place for a dwelling house. It was also c brick, and was used a number of years as a cooper shop by Samuel Dubbs.

In 1848, a meeting of citizens was held in the house on Canal street nea Bridge, for the purpose of voting yea or nay on a proposition to tax the tow $2,500 for the erection of a new schoolhouse east of the canal, on Mark street. This was carried. nearly unanimously. The town was then organize into one school district, and the following year a substantial two-story bric house was built on a large lot. In 1867, the district was re-organized by tl election of a new school board, who, step by step, made advancements in th management and efficiency of the school. A high school department has bee added.

In 1848, additional buildings were erected, and since then, a two-stor frame building, detached from the main group, was built.

The educational facilities of this town are, no doubt, as good as those other towns anywhere in the State.

THE PRESS.

The early history of the press in Maimisburg is as brief as the story of th "Three Wise Men."

The first newspaper published in the town was the Gridiron, edited an printed by John Anderson, of Dayton. It was a small folio with an engravin in the title representing a human skeleton on a gridiron. Few copies of th sheet are yet in existence and none are now accessible to obtain dates.

Anderson was a stirring writer. and attracted considerable attention in th community by the personal nature of his articles. There was nothing howeve

151

MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

warrant or sustain his enterprise, and it was suspended. Subsequently an successful attempt was made to revive the Gridiron, and the following an- uncement was issued :

PROSPECTUS, BY JOHN ANDERSON, OF DAYTON, OHIO, FOR THE "GRIDIRON REVIVIDUS." -" Burn, roast meat burn, Boil o'er ye pots, ye spits forget to turn."

"By the united and firm patronage promised to me, by friend and enemy- feel half inclined to think I can justify myself, and ROAST to some profit my former, of some sixteen years past, to the contrary notwithstanding. is my idea, that there is 'something stale in Denmark'-and would needs ROILING.

"My time spent in the kitchen, for years back, will enable me to serve up me SAVORY DISHES. I have now numbered my twenty-fifth year as (and Master of the Quizzical Society of Ohio -- also my tenth year as High iest of the Anarogeon Phalanx. The aid of both societies at any time are "my service. The fact is, the whole field is my own, and 'needs must when te Devil drives,' so 'twould be well to keep up good fences.

"We are a sturdy Democrat, but in this case all will be FISH that comes to ARKET.

"Our paper will be furnished to resident subscribers, on Saturday evening, Ich week, and mailed in usual form to non-residents.

"We will print in a fine medium sheet-Price, Two Dollars per annum- e Dollar in advance, the balance at the end of six months. We will furnish ndry legislative proceedings-also some good Congressional smart things."

THE MIAMISBURG UNION.

The establishment of this paper was the second journalistic venture and "is published in 1856 by Isaac Pepper. The office was located on second floor of mat is now known as Weaver's Building, in public square. The Union was six column folio, neatly printed, and politically, intensely Democratic. Mr. pper was assisted by three sons, who were practical printers ; the office was pplied with a large assortment of type and material, and the paper was verally patronized by merchants of Miamisburg and Dayton. The paper adually weakened financially, however. and finally the establishment was oved away.

THE MIAMISBURG BULLETIN.

This paper was established in 1867, by Blossom Bros. The members of e firm are A. H. Blossom, C. E. Blossom and Miles Blossom. sons of M. S. . ossom, Esq., one of the few pioneer citizens of the town yet living at this iting. The Blossom Brothers were born and reared in Miamisburg, and der their supervision the Bulletin, now in its fifteenth volume, under one nagement, has grown from a half-sheet of twenty-four by thirty-six to its esent proportions.

The Bulletin is an independent, local newspaper, and recognized author- ¿ on tobacco, being the oldest tobacco journal of the State, published in the nter of the extensive seed-leaf-producing district of the Miami Valley. The uipment of the mechanical department of the Bulletin is first-class, afford- g a wide range of execution in artistic letter-press and general job printing, cluding stereotyping. The establishment is lighted with gas and the ma- inery is driven by a powerful gas engine, burning crude petroleum.

152

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THE MIAMISBURG NEWS.

The News is one of the institutions of Miamisburg and vicinity, which has achieved gratifying success since its inception and inauguration. Th News is published by the Miamisburg Publishing Company organized an incorporated in March, 1880. Charles E. Kinder, formerly connected wit. the Putnam County Sentinel, has been editor and manager since its publica tion. Mr. Kinder is the son of the late John E. Kinder, and is a descendan of one of the oldest pioneer families of the valley. The paper is an eight-cel umn folio, with a fair advertising patronage, and a constantly increasing sul scription list. The News has a reputation as a good and faithful local news paper, and is closely identified with all the best interests of Miamisburg an the Miami Valley. The tobacco-growing interests are always represented i its columns by quotations and reports. The News is Democratic in politici and while being devoted to the advancement of the Democratic party an. principles, it is ever willing to accord to others the same freedom of opinio it asks for itself. This paper is now entering upon the third year of its exist ence, and has, by the industry of its editor. attained a fair standing among th county papers of the Miami Valley.

ALEXANDERVILLE.

This town was platted in April, 1815, by John Taylor : population, 120 One dry goods and grocery store, one box factory, one public house and bor and shoe shop comprise the industries of the town. The inhabitants ar mostly engaged in the cultivation of tobacco.

An extensive earthwork, similar to those that are found in this part of th State, adjoins the town. The group comprises three separate and distind works, and although they are characterized by a state of singular incomplete ness, it does not appear probable that a union of the three was contemplated The assumption would be more clearly comprehended by an accurate delinea tion of the works, but, in the absence of this. the following description wi' convey a tolerably clear conception as to their form and magnitude :

I. The circle commences on the bank of the Miami River, at a point near th northern limits of the village, the wall bears off obliquely, in a northeast direction curving gracefully to the right. meeting all the points of the compass in i circuit to its abrupt termination (which is several hundred yards from tl river), where it bears northwest. The entire length of this wall is 3,987 fee diameter of the circle is 1,950 feet. There are five gateways, and probab a sixth occurred where the pike cuts it. These openings are at irregular di tances.

II. The square is situated south of the great circle, separated by a spac of about 200 yards. Its sides, which are equal, measure 1,150 feet, in closing an area of thirty-one acres. Midway in each wall there is a gap, an where completed, in each corner. The walls are not in line with the cardin. points, and a large vacant space on the southwest corner indicates the abru] arrest of the converging walls.

III. The nondescript commences at a point about 200 yards north-west of th square. It starts out in a nearly due-east direction, tending toward the south, gradually curves to the right, to the point of intersection with the pike, where bears off north-northeast, forming thus a large arc of a circle, with a diamete of 875 feet, thence bearing east northeast by an abrupt curve to the right, i course is parallel with the turnpike a distance of 120 yards to the southel limits of the village, thence north-northeast by another direct line of 100 yard to the canal, thence north-west by an abrupt curve to the left, it crosses tl

153

MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

nal at right angles, but suddenly curves to the right, with a tendency toward ne northeast where it abruptly terminates between the canal and river.

The entire length of this wall is about 700 yards. Two hillocks appear to indicate the contemplated direction of this member of the group. The serpent, jis probable, was here intended to be represented.

It is deeply to be regretted that so little interest has hitherto been mani- Ited in the preservation of the grand old monuments of a forgotten race. As tese walls, with the exception of an inconsiderable deposit of soil, are con- jucted of pure clay, the temptation to utilize it in the manufacture of brick. 's irresistible; hence the interesting vestiges have been defaced, and in some istances wholly obliterated, and, apparently, with as little compunction as tough they had been ordinary diluvial deposits.

Part of these earthworks are located upon the farm of the Binkley heirs. (e of the family (S. H. Binkley) has devoted much time to the collection of scimens of prehistoric races. A rare collection may be seen on the premises. I has also a large collection of geological specimens.

A number of small mounds have been explored by this gentleman, assistod I. C. E. Blossom, with interesting results. In one explored by himself, on the f m of Jonas George, one and a half miles west of Alexanderville, valuable spec- ens of crania, implements of bone and horn chert, arrow heads and a perfor- ad implement of limestone, were discovered.

Mr. Binkley has contributed liberally of his collections to the Smithsonian Istitution at Washington, D. C.

Soon after the completion of the Miami & Erie Canal from Cincinnati to Lyton, this town became an important shipping point. Large quantities of piduce wero received and forwarded annually to Cincinnati. An area extend- il eastward as far as the Little Miami River, and even beyond, were drawn to tl point of shipment. The Little Miami Railroad on its completion cut off t's trade.

A large business in dry goods and clothing was done here forty or fifty yrs ago. This trade, however, has been diverted into other channels.

CARROLLTON.

This town was laid out April 27, 1830, by Moses Smith, Alexander Cimes and H. G. Phillips. Additions have been made since then. The Mami & Erie Canal affords extensive water power at this place, there being t'> locks. A large flouring-mill and distillery was established here about 1:5, by H. & P. Pease, and continued until 1864, when the establishment was bight out by the Messrs. Turner, who continued the business until 1872, when tly sold out to G. H. Friend, who converted the property into paper mills, inufacturing a heavy paper of straw and other material for roffing, siding, etc.

Large numbers of hogs were fattened annually in connection with the dis- tiation of whisky.

The paper mills of Mr. Friend were enlarged a year ago, and give employ- u it to seventy-five persons.

The people in the town are mostly engaged in the cultivation of tobacco. Poulation, 250.

This village and Aloxanderville form one school district, and in 1876 out a fine house half way between the towns. The educational facilities being althat could be desired.

BRIDGEPORT.

This town was laid out April 19, 1831 by Vincens Antonides. Population, fif. It lies west of the Miami, opposite Miamisburg. Owing to the location beg liable to overflow by the river, about half of the lots have been vacated.

154

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CEMETERIES.

In the first settlement of the Miami Valley, the pioneers buried their dea in any convenient spot which they fancied, as a last resting-place for the: loved ones, but such graves, in most cases, were afterward either removed t some regular graveyard or lost in oblivion; yet, here and there a grave ma be seen in a corner, or out-of-the-way place, containing the bones of som sturdy pioneer, who braved the dangers of frontier life to make a home for him self and family ; or, perhaps it is that of the loved wife and prattling babe who cheered him with loving words or smiles.

The oldest regular cemeteries in Miami Township are the one at Gebha: Church, in Section 19, east of Miamisburg, and that at the Stettler Churc] in Section 15, southwest of the town, both of which were begun as early : 1805, and are yet in a fair state of preservation. About 1815, a cemetery wa opened on land donated for that purpose by Jacob Kercher, and which wa afterward incorporated within the city limits. The exact date of the fir burial in this graveyard it is impossible now to learn, but one old head-stor bears the date of 1820, and pioneers yet living tell us that it was at least fi years previous to this when the first grave was opened at this point. One the early churches was built here and afterward removed, upon the opel ing of the canal. A stone wall surrounds this cemetery, but the ground bea a general appearance of neglect and abandonment, and although strenuoi efforts have been made to remove it, they have not, as yet, been successful, ai bodies are sometimes interred there. In 1820, upon the organization of Zid Church, a cemetery was also laid off, the land being donated by Peter Hetz and Henry Diehl, and is located in Section 10, in the northeast corner of ti township.

The cemetery at Carrollton was the next in order of time, and was begt many years before its organization under the State laws, which occurr" May 25, 1859. It was called the "Carrollton Cemetery Association," ar the incorporators were Julius S. Taylor, Moses Smith, Alfred Pea: James Dodds, James M. Dewey, Perry Pease, Squier Yeazel, Nic olas Prets, Samuel H. Binkley, George Pease and W. W. Clark. T ground was platted by John Beaver, and the first Trustees were Mos Smith, George Pease, James Dodds, Nicholas Prets, E. D. Andrews, Jo Yeazel and Samnel H. Binkley. The President was George Pease ; Cler Julius S. Taylor, and Treasurer, Moses Smith, the latter being subsequent appointed Superintendent of the grounds, which are now nicely fenced a decorated, with ornamental trees and shrubs.

The Council of Miamisburg passed an ordinance, February 3, 1840, tł the ground purchased by the corporation, in the eastern part of the town, laid out into three divisions, which were to be platted in blocks and lots j' burial purposes, one division being designated as the Potter's Field. A sext was to be appointed yearly, who was to look after the ground, attend to burials, and keep a record of the same. This cemetery contains about fo acres, and is yet used by lot owners.

In 1856, the " Miamisburg Cedar Grove Cemetery " was organized une the laws of Ohio, and seven acres of land purchased from Mrs. Conley being a part of the Jacob Kercher estate. It was fenced, platted and plant with trees, and, when purchased, was believed to be well adapted for a gra yard, but a few years subsequently it was discovered that the ground, places, was wet and therefore unfit for burial purposes. Lot owners beca dissatisfied, and, upon the organization of the new cemetery, the ground v sold and most of the bodies removed, there being but a few now remaini

On the 7th of October, 1863, a meeting was held by citizens of Mian

155

MIAMI TOWNSHIP.

Irg and vicinity for the purpose of taking subscriptions toward the pur- case of ground for a cemetery, which they deemed a necessity, a number of nom subscribed liberally. Pursuant to a previous understanding, the fol- lving members of the proposed Cemetery Association met at the Town Hall, bvember 20, 1863: Dr. John Treon, Jacob Zimmer, William Goudy, David Itzel, Louis Keifer, G. W. Weaver, Henry Brehm, John Leiss, Lewis Mease & H. Gilbert ; and the meeting organized by appointing William Goudy, (airman, and Lewis Mease, Secretary. The subscriptions entered into at the I'mer meeting were accepted, and the committee reported that they had con- t cted with C. Shuester and Valentine Benner for cemetery ground, which ¡rchase, on motion of Jacob Zimmer, was accepted. At this meeting, notice is given for the election of Trustees and Clerk of said association at an early (y as practicable, and December 19, 1863, the following gentlemen were e cted Trustees: Michael Cassady, Lewis Mease, Jacob Zimmer, Dr. John 'bon and D. B. Neibel ; and for Clerk, William Goudy. The cemetery was nned the " Miamisburg Cemetery Association," and was so placed on record b the Recorder of Montgomery County. At a meeting held January 9, 1864, aicles of association and by-laws for the government of the same were pre- s ted and adopted. January 20, the Board of Trustees met and appointed Job Zimmer President of the Board, and David Hetzel, Treasurer; and Feb- r ry 6, the board employed L. G. Perry to survey and plat the cemetery. Te first sale of lots was made March 16, 1864, Col. George Keiser being the a tioneer. The ground was nicely fenced, bridges built, roads graded and g veled, trees planted, and the cemetery generally beautified. In 1873, a re- ewing vault was built, and two additions have been made to the original pur- ch;se, which had a residence that has been utilized for a Sexton's house. The p sent officers are Jacob Zimmer, John Buehner. David Hetzel, Henry Goby and Daniel Bookwalter, Trustees; Jacob Zimmer, President; S. H. Byer. Treasurer, and B. F. Hecker, Clerk.

In the fall of 1877, the Catholic Church of Miamisburg, through Father Kenberg, purchased two acres of land a quarter of a mile northeast of town, w ch they had fenced and platted. It was consecrated by the Rev. Charles Lige, a Passionist Father, and has since been used by the Catholics of this vinity as their burial ground. Its entire cost was about $500. It is well onted with shade and ornamental trees, and has many neat monuments u.king the graves of those who are asleep in the Lord.

156

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

T' THE geographical position of Harrison Township is nearly central. To the no of it are the townships of Butler, Randolph and Wayne ; to its east Mad Ri and Van Buren ; to the south Miami, and to the west Jefferson and Madison. It w established May 17, 1841, at a special session of the Commissioners, and the fi election ordered to be held at the blacksmith shop of Samuel Puterbaugh, on t road leading from Dayton to Union, June 28, 1841. The township is very irre ular, varying in width from one mile at the extreme south to over five miles the north, this being caused by its eastern boundary following the windings the great Miami River. Its greatest length is nine miles, and within its area : twenty-four full and eleven fractional sections of land, which were formerly a p of Dayton Township. It is well watered by the rivers Stillwater and Gr Miami, and Wolf Creek, the former and latter streams flowing in a southeaste direction across its domain and empty ing into the Great Miami at Dayton. Tl like all other subdivisions of the county, has its share of good and well-construc pikes leading to the many towns and villages in the various parts of the county a connecting with the through roads to all parts of the country at large. The surf of the country is in main level; however, in some portions it is a little hilly or brok ridges or bluffs abounding along the streams, the greater bluffs occurring wes the Stillwater being in Sections 5 and 8. The soil is a sandy clay, and in river bottoms is found the usual black loam. The staple productions are c and wheat. The timber does not differ materially from that in general of county ; oak, hickory, ash, sugar, walnut, and some beech are found. Su was the prevailing timber at an early day; then, too, there was considerat of hackberry, which grew very large, but in later years died out rapidly. M: most excellent springs abound in this region; so numerous are they in the Stillw: region that west of that stream there is one on nearly every farm, which in sq instances attracted the early settlers. The farms are well improved and are un a high state of cultivation, and one viewing the country cannot help being pressed by the great number of substantial farm residences and commodi barns, and inferring that its people are rich and industrious. The population shown by the census of 1880, is 2,667. There is but one voting place in township, it being located on the John Summer's land, just north of the corp tion limits of West Dayton, where a township house was erected in 1877, cost of $1,000. The political complexion of the inhabitants is Democratic the following figures will show : At the election for President and Vice Presi( of the United States, held November 2, 1880, the number of votes polled was 329 of which were Democratic, 281 Republican and 2 Greenback. The O. ber election just prior made the following exhibit : Number of votes polled, 6 Democratic, 355; Republican, 281 ; Prohibition, 1. There is a small settlemer Gypsies in the township, an account of whom is given in the general histor the county. The country bordering on the present limits of Dayton began to settled on the close of the eighteenth century, far in the spring of 1799. 3 Miller, with wife and family, emigrated from Kentucky and settled on a trac land in Section 32, and later entered 120 acres in that section. Mr. Miller born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 30, 1766, and in early manli removed to Kentucky. After a residence of some years on the land menti above, he removed several miles north of Dayton, on what is now known as Samuel Wamples farm, on which he resided the remainder of his life. In religious views, Miller was a Presbyterian, and in Kentucky was a member of

157

HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

Cherry Springs Congregation." He was one of the earliest trustees and elders (' the first Presbyterian Church of Dayton. The record shows him a faithful and sentive officer of the church, and the tradition is that he was an exemplary ¿d influential citizen. His death occurred October 17, 1825, when the family Dved west, saving one daughter, Sarah, who was the wife of Obediah B. Conover, vom she marricd April 13, 1814. Mr. Conover located in Dayton in the year '12, and there engaged in the manufacture of wagons, plows and farming im- pments.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 105

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