The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 106

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 106

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In the same vicinity, about the year 1801, William King, who in the strictest sise was a pioneer, entered over 500 acres of land in that Section (32). Mr. Ing was one of eight children of a well-to-do farmer of Pennsylvania, where our ject was born. The death of his father and the former civil troubles resulting fm the Revolutionary war so marred his prospects that upon reaching manhood I found himself almost penniless, and determined to retrieve his fortunes in the tin far West. With him to resolve was to execute, so taking with him his young v'e, who was Nancy (Waugh), left for Kentucky amid the lamentations of friends, vo declared " he might as well go out of the world." He located near Lexing- ti, where his five children-Victor, John, Samuel, Susan and Jane-were born. Issatisfied with Kentucky, on account of slavery, he determined to brave the b'dships of pioneer life in Ohio, rather than rear his children under such influ- ces. Possessed of a vigorous constitution, indomitable will and fearless cirage, he procured a team, placed his worldly effects, with his family, in his wgon. started on his journey, crossed the Ohio and, as it were, shaking the very dit of slavery from his feet, and pursued his way through the wilderness until hreached Dayton, which, of course, then presented but a few cabins amid sur- r' nding forests. Crossing the Miami River, he cut his way through unbroken fests and located on the site above described, where he pitched his tent with but o dollar in his pocket ; but he went to work with a stout heart, determined to no man anything. The site selected became his permanent residence and is s'l occupied by his descendants. Father King, as he was called, was among the o final members of the First Presbyterian Church of Dayton, and ever remained Jonsistent Christian and zealous worker in the cause of Christ, and was for uny years the ruling elder in the church. He lived to be one hundred years of a , lacking three months only.

For the above sketches we are indebted to the compiler of the history of the Fst Presbyterian Church of Dayton.

In 1801, from Shenandoah County, Va., emigrated John Neff and family, con- s ing of wife and the following named children: Christopher, Henry, Abraham, Diiel, John, Elizabeth, Ester, Barbara and Mary. Mr. Neff entered 1,800 acres o and in the northeastern part of the township lying next to the Great Miami Rer, namely. Sections 11 and 15, and fractional Sections 12, 13 and 14. This p ved a fine selection. In Section 15, near the present site of the railroad bridge, tt rude log cabin was erected and pioneer life begun. Mr. Noff's neighbors were il the Locks, Hamars and Morrises, who occupied cabins on the opposite side the river, in what is now Mad River Township. Of the Neff children, Abra- hi. i was in the war of 1812. He was united in marriage with Mary Spuce in the F'r 1808, and there were born to them Lewis, John. Henry, Sylvester, George u Lydia. Lewis, better known as "Squire Neff," was born in the township in th year 1810, and has ever since resided in the same vicinity. He is now a Jus- ti of the Peace, and has been for these many years. John Neff, the pioneer, gave dach of his sons 200 acres, and to each daughter 100 acres of land. The imme- lie family lived and died on that land. The parents of Squire Neff died, the fa er in 1847, and the mother in 1879, the latter being in her ninety-fourth year. Bh are buried in the grave-yard at Beardshear Chapel.

About the year 1802, Daniel Miller, a Pennsylvanian, in company with Sohen Ullery, came out on horseback to the vicinity of Dayton, prospecting for

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

land, and on Wolf Creek, in Section 30, there lived in a cabin on the present si of the toll-gate, Billy Mason, who had evidently only "squatted," as it wer neither entering nor renting the land. He had been there several years, inasmuc as on the arrival of Miller and Ullery, quite a clearing had been made. Mill liked the location of this tract, and on learning that Mason had not entered and did not intend to, left with his mind fully made up that it would be his if n already entered. On leaving, he informed Mason of his purpose, and desired hi to continue his clearing, and if it could be obtained by him, he would pay Masc for the work performed. Suffice to say, that Miller found the land unbought, a1. at once entered the same. Ullery went farther west into what is now Madise Township. The following year, Miller, with his family, consisting of wife, Susa nah (Bowman) and his children, by name Catharine and Ester, in company wi George Kunz, came to the site of the Mason cabin which had been vacated ( notice, and now became the Miller home. Later was added to the family the ch dren, Peggie, Daniel, Sarah and Joseph. In his religions views, Mr. Miller was German Baptist.

On the present site of Jacob Swank's mill, on Wolf Creek, Mr. Miller, abo the year 1804 or 1805, erected a saw-mill and, during the same year, added a gris mill. Of this family, none are living but Ester, who is the wife of Isaac Loi and resides on the southeast quarter of Section 19. Mr. Long belongs to t pioneer families of Montgomery County, his parents coming from Virginia in t' year 1804 and settling in Madison Township a year later, where Isaac was born the year 1806. He was married in 1830, and moved upon the farm he now ocel pies, where he has ever since resided. When he began clearing that farm, ! hauled cord wood to Dayton and received for it from $1.25 to $1.50 por coi Returning to Daniel Miller, we will state that in two or three years after t arrival he built quite a fine two-story hewed log house, a short distance sou of the cabin on the same quarter section. He built the present Henry Flo house, which is situated on the original entry, where Miller lived and died. I became an extensive land owner, possessing several hundred acres in the count leaving his children well fixed in life. The boys all settled and remained in t township, and played their part in converting the wilderness of their boyhood in, the fine farms of the present. This same year, from the State of Virginia, car George Beardshear, who had married Mary Neff, a daughter of John Neff, pre; ously spoken of, and settled on 100 acres of land entered by Neff (now the Mrs. Beardshear's farm). The children of this couple were Catharine, David, Jol Isaac, Samuel, Regina and Polly, all settling in the township, and their derren ants here are numerous. Joseph Kennedy, a native of Lancaster County, Pen born in 1775, emigrated to Ohio in 1803. He stopped for a year or two on Ck Creek, in Warren County, thence proceeded north into what is now Harris Township and purchased a few acres of land from an uncle, who had previons entered several hundred acres along Stillwater, in the northern part of the tom ship. Mr. Kennedy married Nancy Kerr, then a resident of that vicinity and native of Virginia, born in 1797. Their children were Ruth, Martha, Gilbe John and Joseph. The latter two are residing on fine farms, where their boyho days were passed. Father Kennedy was a very enterprising and active busine man. During the war of 1812, on several occasions, he took supplies to 1 soldiers.

In the King neighborhood, as early as 1804, were residing the families Robert Wilson, consisting of wife, Martha, and one daughter, Malinda, who) we from Kentucky; Alexander McConnell and wife (Rebecca Thompson), with the children, William, Robert Linsy, Alexander and Jefferson, likewise from Ke tucky ; and John Richey, with family, but of what it consisted or from whence came we are not able to state. The above respecting these families is tradition only ; however, the fact of Richey and Wilson being in the county is establish by record. Richey owned 100 acres of land in Section 32 in the year 180

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HARRISON TOWNSHIP.

ipt. Robinson, from Virginia, and family were early settlers in the northern part the township. This we learn from an old settler, who remembers the faet of "e " Captain " living there when he came in the year 1812. The records show at Andrew Robinson owned Section 5 in 1805, and the inference is that Andrew :d the " Captain " were one. John Reed, from Bourbon County, Ky., settled in ction 9 in the year 1806, where he lived for a while, then entered a part of ction 4. His wife was Sarah McCan, and the children were John, James, Will- m, Thomas, Margaret, Sarah and Jane. The boys lived in that vieinity for many ars; now all are dead. John Wolf and wife (Catharine Sowerbier) emigrated I.m Maryland, in company with Ludwiek Spuee, in 1804. Both were men of fnilies, and stopped for a year or two on land owned by Loek, in what is now "dison Township. The land is better known as that of the Philips' heirs. olf then moved on Wolf Creek, where he remained until about the year 1808, en he settled on the school seetion (16) in the township under consideration. I're John Jr. was born in 1810, where he now resides. The Wolf children were I zabeth, Mary, Jacob, John and George. The mother and father died in the virs 1844 and 1848 respectively. About the year 1809, from near Wellsville. T., came John Kerr and wife (Ruth Mahall), and settled on what is now the Rice fm, just east of Stillwater, on land purchased by the uncle of Joseph Kennedy. l'etofore referred to, whose name was Wilson. The Kerr children were William, Ancy, John, James and Madison. Benjamin Cox, Robert MeCleary and Joseph Veker were all early settlers. Cox was a Kentuckian and a soldier of the Rev- o tionary war, and earlier than 1812 lived in Seetion 14. He had a large family. Cleary resided on the George Hieks farm prior to 1812. Meeker then lived o Section 10, with his family, which was large. In the year 1812, William George ind in fractional Section 22, and soon thereafter built a grist and saw-mill about o mile north of the mouth of Stillwater, which was operated until his death then went down. Mr. George was one of the early County Surveyors. John HWilliams, in the year 1812, purchased the original John Miller tract, 120 acres section 32. and also 100 acres of a Mr. Mason, the latter being in Section 33. y Williams was a native of Dover, Del., and in early manhood went to North "'olina and thenee to Kentucky, where he married Jane Crothers. In 1799, ly immigrated to what later became Warren County, stopping at Franklin, w re they remained until about 1802, when Mr. Williams moved his family into wit is now Madison Township of this county, and entered a quarter seetion of al, now known as the Wilson Sloan farm. When Williams went to Cineinnati onter the above land, the old "bloekhouse" at Hole's Station was the only " se to be seen from the road between the two eities. He was a millwright and out for Daniel Miller the " old mill." By his union with Miss Crothers eight ·Iren were born, viz. : James L., Mary, Sarah, Lucinda, Harbert, Susan C., Via M. and Elizabeth. The mother died in 1817. Mr. Williams' second wife v: a Mrs. Boal, who died in 1822, leaving one child, Eliza J. His third wife v. Mrs. McConnell, by whom he had one child, Franeis. Father Williams died n 841, and his remains rest in Woodlawn Cemetery. John and Elizabeth }.Can) Bell, the former of Pennsylvania and the latter of Scotland, ngrated in an early day to Bourbon County, Ky., and in 1804 removed to Clark katy, in this State, settling a little below " Old Piqua." In 1806, they returned ).entucky, and in 1812 again eame to Ohio, and located where sinee has been u$ Miami City.

In 1815, Mr. Bell moved on Seetion 16, leasing the southwest quarter, which Le mproved, living thereon five years ; thenee he went to Seetion 21, where he entined ten years, and thenee removed to Indiana, and there both parents died. fbr children were Thomas, Sarah, Margaret, William, Elizabeth, Jane, John M. in Anna.

John M., a worthy and esteemed citizen of the township, and to whom the WE'r is indebted for mueh of the early history of Harrison, was born in Bourbon

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Connty, Ky., in 1802. He was united in marriage with Catharine Robinson 1827, and to them was born a son-John H. Mr. Bell's second marriage was Mary Lowry. His death occurred January 14, 1882, it being the result of a aeeident happening on the track of the Dayton & Michigan Railroad, near tl bridge over the Miami. He was walking along the traek when struek by the bear of the locomotive of a passing train, and so injured that death soon followed. Thi passed away one of the pioneers of Montgomery County, of which he was a resider nearly three-quarters of a century, and, being a man of close observation, goc memory and extended reading, was familiar with the history of the county, and the Miami Valley.

In the fall of 1818, John Kaufman and family, eoming from Roekingha County, Va., purchased 400 aeres of land lying southwest of Dayton, of one Linse paying for it $22 per aere. A portion of the same land is now the Jacob Niebert farr Neibert was a son-in-law of Kaufman. About this time eame John Parks and Wi Wilson, brothers-in-law, from Kentneky, and settled along Stillwater in Sections and 9, and Henry Protzman from Hagerstown, Md., buying land of George B. Hcl and George Harris.

The pioneer families differed, as do their descendants, in form of worshi We have observed that some of the very early families were Presbyterians, al worshiped in the then hamlet of Dayton. As churches were then organized alme with the laying out of the hamlet or village, it is not unreasonable to suppose th the pioneers for some distance thereabout, as did the families of Miller and Kir went thither to worship. In localities farther remote from Dayton, church soci ties were organized, and it was found expedient at first to unite, irrespective sect, and worship harmoniously together. Dwellings were freely opened, and t groves, " which were God's first temples," were appropriated in the summ Later, sehoolhouses were used, and finally sufficient strength was obtained, a meeting-houses built.

The Old-school Baptists were here organized early, and often held mneetin at the " Neff eabin." Among the early families of this persuasion were Jo Wolf and wife, Ludwiek Spuee and wife, Daniel Neff and wife, and George Bear shear. Jacob Mulford was one of the pioneer ministers. The partial members !; just given is of resident members. In later years. people and ministers of th denomination came from other parts of the country to attend series of meeting as is eustomary among them. Next in order was organized a society of Methodis but in the absence of records, it is impossible to fix the dates the organizatich were effeeted, or give anything like a detailed history of others. The early itinere Methodist ministers of this entire region, who rode the eireuit of miles in circu ference, taking six weeks to traverse it, were the pioneer preachers. Such nan as Revs. Arthur Elliott, Daniel Hitt, John Collinson, James Findley and Je. Collins would be familiar to the pioneer Methodists, eould they but hear the Among this denomination were the families of Reeds, Meekers, Parsons, Lowre and Riggs.

The first meeting-house was erected by the Methodist society, assisted in pl by the Baptist brethren, on ground deeded by Joseph Meeker. It was a one-str. frame building, and stood near the present briek, and was ealled "Ebeneze Church. It was built by subseription about the year 1820, the Baptists contrib ing with the understanding that they were to hold services there one Sabbatt each month. Both societies so worshiped for several years, when it was for that they could not get along together, as the Baptists advaneed doctrines to wh the Methodists took exceptions, and the latter elosed the doors on them. This to the building of a separate house by the Baptists in 1828 and 1829, of hev logs, on ground deeded by Abraham Neff. Here they worshiped until 1871. year the present one-story briek was ereeted. The pastor of the charge in 18 was Rev. John Guthridge, who preached the dedieatory sermon that spring. 1871, Rev. Height was the pastor in charge. The membership is now small, nu

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ring about one dozen only, meetings being held once a month, Rev. John Biggs, ¡Delaware County, officiating. The Methodists continued holding services in the old frame" until the year 1860, when the present one-story brick building was ected in the eastern part of Section 9. It is in Concord Circuit. Present embership about fifty. The history of the German Baptist Society of this town- ip is the same as that given in the general history of the county and in the ad- ning distriets. The one-story brick in Section 18, near the Madison Township le, was built in 1853, on ground purchased of Jacob Mumma. It is known as e Still water Church, and was organized at an early period. It has a membership over 100. Elder Abraham Flory is now in charge. Just prior to the building this church, there stood a similar house a little over the line in Madison Town- sip, which had been recently built, and was about ready for occupancy when de- royed by fire. And still another, years prior, was built in that vicinity, and had en torn down on account of its being too small. There is quite a large grave- rd at the present church, and interments were made there over a half century ago. .ami Chapel United Brethren Church, situated south of Dayton, in Seetion 4, was «ganized in this wise : In 1849, Henry Shoup, then a resident of that neighbor- l'od, and of the United Brethren persuasion, obtained from Simon' McClure, an sent for a large tract of land there, a donation of three acres of ground for the ¡ rpose of erecting a church and laying out a burying-ground. Mainly through te efforts of John Dodds, in 1849, a small one-story brick church was built, and a dirch organization effected with three members, namely . John Dodds, Fred- Eck Shoup and Edith Olinger, under Rev. William Miller, Dodds being the only ce of the three now living. Prior to this, several families occasionally held serv- i's at the residence of Shoup and in the schoolhouse, Revs. Robinson and W. W. I vis preaching. In 1851, the building was enlarged to its present size. The fol- lying year, there eame a great revival, and and the membership was increased to mety, all of whom remained faithful. The chapel is a neat little building, having belfry and bell, and the adjoining graveyard is a pretty spot and well cared for. Je first burials there were Mrs. Frederick Shoup and the wife of Abraham Nicho- 1. The present pastor is Rev. E. W. Bowers. Shiloh Springs Christian Church, lated in the northeastern part of Seetion 7, was organized in April, 1853, by Rev. exander McClain. Peter Kaufman and wife Nancy, Jacob Heikes and wife Vry, were the original members. The building, a one-story brick, was erected in t summer of 1853, paid for at once, and dedicated Christmas Day, by Rev. N. Sum- nrville. One aere of ground was deeded for church and graveyard by Peter Iufman. A protracted meeting began on the day of dedication, lasting several weeks, and the membership was increased to forty-two. The following-named misters have served the charge and in the order given : Alexander MeClain, Jeder, William Jay, - Furnas, H. G. Rush, Daniel Brewer and C. W. Choate, the F sent incumbent. Present membership, sixty-six. The church was remodeled al enlarged in 1881. The graveyard is beautifully located and well studded with e rgreens. The first interment in it was a young babe, next was a child of Jacob Fikes, in January, 1854. Beardshear Chapel, a United Brethren Church, located inthe eastern part of Section 15, was organized in the summer of 1860, by Rev. Shin Corsan. The original members were John and Elizabeth Beardshear, Gorge W. Ensley, Mahala Ensley, Daniel and Lydia Tresler, Regina Beardshear, rtha Beardshear, Clarisa Smith, Samuel McCord, Elizabeth Brenner and Ellen Mler. The church building is a one-story brick, and was erected in 1853, at a eost obont $1,700. The ground upon which it stands was bought of Sylvester Neff. Jan Beardshcar was instrumental in organizing and building the church, hence tl name. It was dedicated August 26, 1860, by the Rev. W. J. Shuey, of Dayton. Mmbership now about twenty-three ; pastor, Rev. T. F. Bushong. There is quite ajextensive graveyard at the church, beautifully situated on the brow of a hill, orlooking a passing stream. It is dotted over with shrubbery, and many neat nauments mark the spot where lie the bodies of loved ones. It comprises nearly

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

two acres of ground. The original tract, one acre, was bought of Daniel Ne about the year 1843, for a neighborhood burying-ground, and was placed in tl hands of three Trustees-Daniel Booher, John Neff and G. W. Ensley, by whom was laid out into lots sixteen feet square. Later, two additions were made to the land having been purchased of the Neff heirs. The remains of Dayton Lowre were the first interred there. It is now pretty well filled up.

In the northeastern quarter of Section 9 is situated quite an old graveyar The ground was deeded by George Drill, and was regularly laid out into lots. number of the pioneers of the northern part of the township were buried in it Ti schools of the township are excellent ; there are eleven districts, and thirteen teac ers are employed. There is in each district a good substantial brick schoolhous three of which have two rooms each, and two of them are two-story building The average time that school is held during the year is nine months. The scho property is valued at $25,500. Board of Education, as follows : President, Jes Martindale ; Clerk, John Siebenthales ; E. L. Showers, M. K. Wenger, John } Bell, W. B. King, H. C. Mumma, John D. Rider, John A. Smith, J. B. Mumma, Hen Flory and W. G. Turner. Section 16 was leased up to within a few years of 183 when three-quarters of it were sold. The remaining quarter is still unsold, and occupied by Martin Wolf, the rent being used toward the support of schools.

As early as 1810, a schoolhouse was standing on the McConnell farm. Ti " masters" of that early period. and in the order given, were Abner Crothers, Jol King and Robert MeConnell. About the year 1816, Squire Bell assisted in buil ing a schoolhouse in Section 10 (near the ecnter) ; William Cox was the first teach The branches taught were reading, writing and Pike's arithmetic. Robert Mere taught later. Tuition, $1.50 per scholar a quarter. This embraced the school d trict between the Miami and Stillwater, extending up to what was then Randolf now Butler, Township. There were about one hundred and sixty scholars in t district. At that date, there were only three or four schoolhouses in the townsh one of which stood on the Capt. Brier place, now the Seiber farm. Victor Ki was an early teacher at that housc.

Daniel Miller, as was said above, built, about the year 1804 or 1805, a sa and grist mill, which stood on the site of the Jacob Swank Mill on Wolf Creo The grist mill was a frame building in which were two runs of stone ; later, Mili, purchased a French set of buhrs in Cincinnati. Both mills were burned in 18 or 1826, but were rebuilt shortly afterward. The Swank Mill is in part the m rebuilt by Miller, but has since been remodeled. The saw-mill was torn dov many years ago. Mr. Miller in later years operated a copper still and made great deal of liquor ; Isaac Long was the distiller. Judge William George bu a grist and saw mill on Stillwater, about one mile from its mouth, during the w of 1812. Joseph Kennedy, on coming to this State, brought a copper still, whi he put in operation soon after his arrival. John Parks and William Wilson erect a grist-mill on Stillwater in Seetion 9, about the year 1820. possibly a little earli Squire Bell assisted in digging the race. George Uembaugh afterward bought | mill property, and added a saw-mill ; both were operated by Uembaugh until 1 death. The grist-mill was remodeled by Michael Schautz. The same is now own and carried on by Michael Shacfer, of Dayton. Prior to 1830, David Rhodabau carried on distilling in Seetion 7, on the John Kaufman farm. Later, Peter Ka man operated the same still. Charles Haskin built a saw-mill in Section 3, in t southern part of the township, on land now owned by V. Winters. This was 1838 or 1839. The water-power at that point was very fine ; the fall was gre and the power could have been made superior to any about Dayton. This II was carried away by high water in 1847.

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MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP.

"THERE is perhaps no township of Montgomery County so closely identified with the early history and subsequent growth of Dayton as Mad River, and al- tough it was one of the last townships erected, its pioneer history begins with t settlement at the mouth of the stream whose name it bears. It was not wil May 24, 1841, that Mad River was cut off from Dayton Township, and its 1. sent boundaries established. The first election was held on Monday, May 28, 111, at the tavern of John Cox, in Section 27, on the road leading from Dayton t Zenia, and this old building is still in a fair state of preservation. This subdi- vion is very irregular on its western boundary, which follows the meanderings of tl Great Miami to the mouth of Mad River, and then the corporation line of Dayton u il the northern boundary line of Van Buren Township is reached, the latter form- in its southern boundary ; on the east lies Greene County, and to the north Wayne Tvnship. It varies from one-half mile to six miles in length, and from three to fi and a half miles in width, and is watered by the Great Miami and Mad Rivers, wh a few small branches flowing into the latter stream. The soil along the riv- en is a rich, black loam, while the uplands are of a sandy clay nature, and as a wole are second to none in value and productiveness. The products and timber do u differ materially from that of the county in general, and its roads will eom- De favorably with its sister townships. Five railroads pass through Mad River Tonship, and we might say that there is scarcely a farm in the township out of i t of these monuments of civilization and the spirit of progress they repre- Owing to its close proximity to Dayton. many of its citizens have been ninently identified with the development and prosperity of that city, while By Daytonians have built them houses within its limits, thus assisting in beau- ling and increasing the value of its lands. In Section 27 is located the large r & farm of Nicholas Ohmer, containing 104 acres handsomely improved and 'ored with all classes of vines and fruit-growing trees. This is said to be the irit fruit-farm in Ohio, and adds much to the wealth and reputation of Mad Per Township.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 106

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