The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 109

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 109

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The result of this division was the establishment of a church or society und Kemper, and the preliminary organization of the Shaker Church at Watervliet.

In Mareh, 1806, the society was visited by the celebrated revivalists, knov as Isachar and Benjamin, who completed the organization of the Watervliet peop

Concerning the individuals who were connected with the early history of th society, the record informs us that " In 1805, John Huston, a wheelwright by trac opened his mind and became a firm supporter of the faith." Phoebe Patterso Peggy Buchanan, William and Sally Stewart, James and Betsey Milligan, Ca Stewart (a sister of John Patterson) and John Southard ; these were associat

* From the old Review Book in the possession of Elder Moses Eastwood.

177

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.

'or meetings, and John Stewart appointed first in care (or Elder) ; he held the place two years and about four months.

In 1806, three principal families, viz., James Milligan's, John Patterson's and Villiam Stewart's, formed the main head of the society at Watervliet. This was followed (1807) by an effort to found a society up on the waters of Mad River, but his never flourished to any great extent, and was finally abandoned.

John Eastwood "opened his mind" in July, 1807 ; in August following, Jaty, his wife, " opened her mind," and the family became a part of the society ; our of the sons remained in it, and one of them, the venerable Moses Eastwood, s now " first in care," or Elder, at Watervliet.

James and Peggy Dewit and David Gromman and wife, joined in 1808 ; Benjamin Simonton and family, and Alexander Hughey and family in 1812; Tohn Rue and family in 1813 ; John Davis and family in 1814; John Jackson nd family in 1815; Thomas Williams came in 1816 ; William Philips and family ame in 1821. Other families and individuals came to the society in after years, while others removed from it, or changed their faith.

The industry of the members is directed to general husbandry, mainly. Sheep-raising and wool-growing was at one time the principal interest, and other varieties of live-stock have been raised within the last few years. Garden seeds vere formerly raised to a considerable extent. There is on the premises a carding- nill, where more or less woolen fabrics are produced yearly. In 1812, a grist- nill was put in operation ; this was burned and rebuilt, and again destroyed by ire, since which it has not been reconstructed.

The society owns about eight hundred acres of excellent land ; this is highly mproved and well cultivated. The principal buildings are near each other on an levated ridge of land overlooking the valley of Beaver Creek and some of its ributaries. There is an air of neatness about the whole establishment that trongly impresses the visitor with the cardinal qualities of "order, cleanliness ind quiet."

There are at present (1882) about forty or fifty persons connected with the ociety. They have a school of their own, and a place of worship, and are main- aining their original standing, so far as numbers and form of worship are con- :erned.

The records of the society are few and simple, yet the chain is unbroken for a period of about eighty years, and affords much information upon the obscure subject of the every-day life of the people of that neighborhood, when it was a pioneer settlement.

"DAVID'S " CHURCH.

This is the name given to a society of worshipers who assemble in the south- ern part of the township, on the Lebanon Turnpike, in what is called the Creager neighborhood.

About the year 1825 or 1826, a society of " Reformed Church " people, hat had been organized for some years previous to the above date, became livided upon the question of language. A part of the congregation were Ger- nan and a part English. The Germans were opposed to having the services endercd in the English tongue; so those who were desirous of having English services, united and formed a church of their own.

The original church was known as Zion Church, and was located down on the Bottom-land, near the river, but across the line in Miami Township.

The new society was organized by Rev. David Winters, and assembled at various private houses for worship, until a place of meeting was provided. Among the prominent movers in this enterprise were Lewis Lechlieder, Henry Rike and John Rike, his son, Samuel Himes, Jonathan Whipp, Henry Diehl, Henry and Christian Creager, a family named Hork, the Snyders, and others.

Christian Creager was the first Elder. He gave the land for the new church, and the logs to build it with. He was a carpenter by trade, and did the necessary

178

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

work in that line, while others contributed in various ways, so that they soon ha a church of their own. This was named "David's" Church, in honor of Re David Winters, who was the first pastor, and for over fifty years the only one wh labored with them. The present pastor is the Rev. M. Loucks.

The present church building is of brick. It is finely situated in a quiet spo not far from the main road. It was built in 1850 or 1851. Adjoining the churc lot is the "Creager" burying-ground, a well-ordered rural cemetery, which is continuation of one of the early graveyards of the same locality.

BEAVERTOWN.

This is the name of a small village about five miles southeast from the cour house in Dayton ; it is one of the oldest points in Van Buren Township, and wa formerly known as Buddsbury. Ephraim Arnold, a blacksmith by trade, cam from Maryland about 1807, and settled in Dayton, where he remained until 181: when he located where Beavertown now is ; it is related that he, with other were building his cabin, when the news of Hull's surrender came-just at th time they were sawing out the logs for the " chimney hole," and all hands starte at once for Dayton, leaving the saw stieking in the "kerf," where it remaine three or four days, until the party returned.

Arnold was a clever mechanic, and was pressed into the service at Dayton, t repair arms, etc., for the troops ; he returned in a short time and commenced wor at his trade. It is altogether probable that he was the first blacksmith who evo worked in Van Buren Township, and the first settler in what is now Beavertowy this cabin, which was so suddenly deserted, being the first building erected in the village. Arnold owned but six acres of land, and was the father of a family seven or eight children, all but one of whom were girls. He died at the age ( eighty-four.

The first physician who located at Beavertown was Dr. Sample ; his son is no in business in Dayton, as a dentist. Dr. Sample is also supposed to have bee the first resident practitioner in the township of Van Buren.

Dr. Thomas Himes opened a general store in Beavertown in 1836 or 183' but the venture did not prove successful.

There are two stone quarries near the village, at one of which the stone fc the " locks" on the eanal were taken out, about 1826 to 1828 ; this quarry wa then owned by Jacob Lechlieder. The other quarry was opened by John Wear about forty years ago ; it was never worked very extensively, except for one yea when Hamilton County had it leased, and employed about one hundred hands i its working.

Beavertown was a post office at one time, but it was abolished about twent years since, and the mails are received at Dayton and distributed by the voluntar service of those who chance to go back and forth between the two towns.

The first church building at Beavertown was a stone structure, erected i 1823 ; it was used jointly by the United Brethren and the " New Lights." Nathal Worley was an early preacher of the latter denomination. Dr. Antrins was on. of the first ministers who represented the United Brethren here ; others who cam; later were Rev. Huffman, Rev. Crager, etc. This old stone church was vacated i 1853 ; the building was destroyed by fire about twenty-five years ago.

The United Brethren Society, as has already been stated, was formed qui early, and has had a long and successful career. In 1853, the society erected a fin briek ehureh building on a lot purchased in Beavertown, since which time importar additions have been made, sheds erected, grounds improved, etc., until they have pleasant and commodious place of worship. The continuous details of this churc history are not at hand now, but it is known to have accomplished a goo work among the people whose sentiments it represents ; its membership at pres ent amounts to about 100 persons.

The third house in Beavertown is said to have been a brick building ; it wa uilt by James Dean.

179

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.

Arnold's old log house was torn down only a few years ago.

There appears to have been a log schoolhouse at Beavertown at quite an arly date, it was on the northwest part of the land owned by John Stutzman ; e relates that he attended a school taught by John Russell, and paid about $2 r $2.50 per scholar for tuition. A man named Thompson was the next teacher, nd he was followed by another teacher named Robert Charles.

About 1820, the public schools were established, and of course schoolhouses ere provided. There was one at Beavertown, either by purchase or construe- on, as the meetings were held in the " schoolhouse" before the old stone church as built (in 1823), according to the traditions of to-day.

The cemetery east of Beavertown* is without doubt the oldest place of inter- sent in Van Buren. By perusing the account of the Shaker Society (Watervliet) will be seen that the followers of Kemper went off by themselves ; it is under- ood now that these people continued to assemble together at a place not far om where this cemetery is, and that it was a place of burial before the ground at atervliet was so used; from the character of the memorial stones in the ground is fair to infer that it is the most ancient one in the township.

The Beavertown of to-day contains about 175 inhabitants, with the usual imber of business places, and mechanics generally found in like villages. J. R. ourbray is the maternal grandson of Arnold, the pioneer blacksmith ; he learned at trade and followed it for many years, when he engaged in the grocery trade. e is one of the foremost men of his community in social matters.

The United Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest in this portion of Mont- mery County. It is said to have been organized in Bellbrook about 1804 to $06, and was originally known as a "Seceder" Church. Its first place of worship is a log building at the above-named place. Rev. Robert Armstrong was the first stor. Some years later it was moved into the Bigger neighborhood in Greene unty, and about 1871-72 it again changed its location, and the congregation ected the present cdifice on grounds given by P. L. Prugh, who now owns the 'm of which this church lot was formerly a part.

Rev. J. B. McMichael was pastor until about the time the society removed to present location, when he accepted the Presidency of Monmouth College, inois, which position he yet holds.

Rev. W. S. McClure is the present pastor.

The church building is a snug, one-story brick structure, and cost $4,000.

MILLS.

The first mill in Van Buren was a " eorn cracker," built and operated by D. Cooper. It is mentioned in the county history in connection with the history Dayton and the first colony. 1

There was a carding-mill on the same site, after the corn cracker was demol- 1 ed. This carding-mill appears to have been built about 1814 by one Patterson. is was burned, and he built a stone mill about 1816, near where the car stables

The Shakers built a mill on Beaver Creek in an early day, as is related in the count of that society.

The Snyder Mills are in the southwest part of the township, and were built aer the canal was constructed, in 1827-28, or may be a year or two later.

There have been several steam mills, of one variety or another in the township, " they have no particular history worth transcribing, though, of course, such e erprises mark the progress of a territory.

TOPOGRAPHY, ETC.

The general surface of Van Buren Township is rolling, with level and wide. bitom lands along the water-courses. The exceptions to this are the high bluff- li; ridges and spurs which mark the water-shed between the Great and Little.

* Formerly known as the " Ervry" Graveyard.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Miami Rivers. These elevations are, in a general way, parallel to the course o the Great Miami, and are distant from that stream from one and one-half mile to only a few rods in places. There are also a few isolated hills of moderat height, and others of much less altitude scattered over parts of the township These form excellent building sites, being, for the most part, of easy access on al sides.

These knolls or hillocks are composed of drift, and yield an abundance o gravel, which, with the limestone before mentioned, afford all the convenien materials for the improvement of the public roads. This has been utilized by the people of this township to that extent that the common roads are, in many cases as well provided with good " permanent ways " as the turnpikes of some localitie are.

The township is watered and drained by several creeks, the principal on being Beaver Creek and its tributaries. These streams flow into one or the othe of the Miamis.

The civil township of Van Buren was organized from other territory by a act of the Commissioners of Montgomery County, at a special session held Jur 26, 1841, at which time its boundaries were fixed and provision made for the ele tion of township officers, and such other business transactions as became nece sary in the casc.

The township contains an area of about twenty-four or twenty-five squa miles ; nearly the entire portion of this is of the best quality, and is highly it proved. Portions of the area are underlaid by valuable formations of fine lim stone, which arc extensively quarried for building purposes. This creates a important industry, and contributes materials for roads and turnpikes, and oth publie improvements.

Van Buren is said to have been named in honor of President Martin V: Buren. The story goes, that there were two political parties pretty evenly ti in numbers, at the clection of the first Justice of the Peace, or some other officer and it was agreed that the party who polled the most votes should have the sele tion of the name. The Van Buren men were ahcad, and decided accordingly.

The entire northern part of the township is, to a great extent, a suburb Dayton, There are several points of interest, which will be treated of elsewhe that are located in this township. The Catholic Cemetery, Saint Mary's Institu Southern Ohio Asylum for the Insane, etc., are among the number.

Oakwood is a suburb finely situated on the Lebanon Turnpike, on the hig lands immediately south of Dayton.

The Canal, and the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Railro traverse the western end of the township, on the level ground, between the riv and the ridges. The new Narrow Gauge Railroad line runs through the easte portions, near Beavertown, and across the Watervliet Society's lands, so that the is hardly a farm now, in Van Buren, that is out of sight or hearing of the loq motive, and the progress it represents.

The public schools have the usual history common to those of every part Ohio. There are seven school districts, with an equal number of modern scho houses, where schools are maintained during the regular school year provided the systems of the State. In February, 1882, there were twelve teachers in public schools of this township, which, at the date of the last enrollment, ce tained 603 children of "school age," all of whom are white persons.

TOWNSHIPS, CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

Number of Acres.

Value of Land.

Acreage val. of land.

Value of buildings.

Aggregate valne of lands and buildings.

Averal value r acre, incl ing build

Van Buren Township.

. .

16,017

$1,000,891

$62 49

$192,080

$1,192,971

$74

Beavertown.

Oakwood

Total

16,017

$1,000,8911-

$192,080

$1,192,971

181

VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.

TOWNSHIPS, CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

Value of city. town and village lots.

Value of buildings.

Aggregate value of lots and buildings.

Aggregate

Aggr. val. of value in each real estate on town'hp, city, duplicate of 1880. town or vil'ge

No. acres of arable or plow land.

No. acres uncultiv'd or wood land.

Van Buren Township.

$1,255,246

$1,093,280

13,906

2,111

Beavertown

$3,553 33,560

$9,776

$13,339

Jakwood.

15,386

48,946

Total. .

$37,113

$25,162

$62,275

$1,255,246

$1,093,280

13,906

2,111

The above exhibit is from the Decennial Appraisement of real property for 880.

STONE QUARRIES.

One of the elements of wealth that has ever contributed to the prosperity of the city of Dayton in the past, and which will for ages be a sonrec of great in- ome to lier people, are the rich stone fields of Van Buren Township. Within a adius of probably two miles in the north central part of the township are located ne stone of Montgomery County, as the celebrated Dayton stone, or Dayton marble, as it is sometimes styled, are here qnarried. With the incoming of the resent eentury began the opening of these quarries. Operations were first begun the northern part of the radius above described, and, in what later was known s the "Dickey quarry," and, probably, the first quarrying was done, or the first se of the stone made in the construction of the old Frybaurgei House, the first uilt of that material in the township. The next quarry opened was on the ad- ining farm, owned by Valentine Frybarger, and has always been known as the 'rybarger qnarry, adopting the name of its possessor, who was one of the pio- eers of that region, and a prominent citizen of the eounty. But a few years in- ervened between the opening of these quarries, which were extensive, though now xhausted. The Dickey quarry was the larger of the two, a surface of about wenty acres having been worked over, and perhaps 120,000 perch of stone taken ut. In comparison the Frybarger quarry was abont onc-half the size of the Mickey quarry, with a proportionate yield of stone. From these two quarries ame the stone used in the construction of the locks of the canal, and the Dayton Court House, which has been so greatly admired by visitors from all quarters to e beautiful city. The yield of these quarries in money has amounted to at ast a half million of dollars. The stone was fair but not exeellent. In chro- ological order next, was opened the Fauver Quarry, located near the asylum. ome eighteen aeres have been worked over, and extensive quantities of good tone removed. From this quarry probably eome the largest stone of the town- hip, and are used extensively for steps and platforms. The quarry continues to e worked. Another qnarry, though not exhausted, but from which now no stone re taken out, is located on the Wead Farm, and, consequently, is known as the Vead quarry. The Hamilton County Court House at Cincinnati was constructed f stone quarried on this farm, the Commissioners of that county having leased le quarry. The Wead Quarry is not now worked, for the reason that its working attended with difficulties.

Adjoining the Fauver on the east is the Bosler qnarry, now worked by Mar- is Bosler. This is a continuation of the old Harshman quarry, and from it and le William Huffman quarry are exhumed the very best Dayton building stone. he two quarries are now furnishing the beautiful large stone that are used in the onstruetion of the new Dayton Court House, the greater number being taken from le Huffman quarry. Following the Bosler quarry was opened the Jones or pring Summit quarry, lying east of the asylum and about a half a mile from the orporation line of the city. The farm upon which it is situated in size is com- rised of forty acres of land, about twenty acres of which are underlaid with the ayton limestone, and is the property of L. B. Jones, of Dayton. This quarry has taken its name from its position lying on the dividing ridge between the two liamis, and the waters of the springs found upon the east side flow into the Little

182

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Miami, and those upon the west side contribute their waters to the Big Miami, henee, the name "Spring Summit." This quarry was remarkable some years ago for the quantity and quality of the roek taken out. It then showed a working face of 1,500 feet from north to south, which was much the largest faee of any of the quarries. The average depth of drift or stripping as quarrymen say, for the 1,500 feet faee, was about eleven feet, and was composed principally of yellow clay, now and then stratified with a vein of fine sand. The stone, at first, were of extra good quality and size, but they are now only of medium quality. Sam- uel Fauver at present operates this quarry. The William Huffman quarry above referred to lies next to and west of the Jones quarry. The stone quarried there are similar to those quarried on the Bosler place. The Niagara formation consists in all eases of even-bedded limestones and marls, it is true, but the limestones have very different degrees of purity, while in' hardness, eompaetness, eolor and the presenee or absence of fossil contents, they have a very wide range. The clebrated Dayton stone may be assumed as the standard of excellence in this series. In the county the lower layers of the Niagara roeks are always the firm- est and most valuable. The varying thiekness of the formation in different localities has been given as from five to fifty feet.

A number of firms in and about Dayton are engaged in quarrying the stone, and the aggregate of their operations is very large. The supply of the rock is inexhaustible ; but the expense of transportation shuts out from the general market almost all of the quarries that are more than three or four miles from Dayton. The stone has for years been shipped to many of the eities throughout the State and country. At this writing, from the quarries in general, above spoken of, are sent to Dayton and elsewhere daily, for eight or nine months in the year, about 200 perehes of stone, worth about $800 per day, or $150,000 per year. In the last half century, stone has been quarried from the township, amounting at least to $5,000,000 or $6,000,000.

PART SECOND. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

CITY OF DAYTON.

SAMUEL AUGUSTUS AMBROSE, plasterer, Dayton, was born near Pleasant nity, Westmoreland Co., Penn., Nov. 23, 1838. His ancestry on his father's side was erman and English, on his mother's English and German. Peter and Susanna Am- 'ose, his father and mother, were in humble circumstances, and having a large family 'ten children to provide for, the services of all the children, as they became of suffi- ent age to render any assistance toward the support of the family, were required. Sam- l, the fifth child born to them, was accordingly called upon to assist in the support of s younger brothers and sisters, while yet a mere boy, consequently his opportunities r study and education, as far as school education is concerned, was very limited and uch neglected. Thus his early boyhood passed till 1854, when with his parents he migrated to Ohio, then the far West, and in December of the same year landed with s father's family in the city of Dayton, Montgomery Co. The industrious habits formed ring his boyhood, before he came to Dayton, still prompted him to an active life, and, king around for something to do, he sought employment and was engaged as a clerk r Messrs. Filton, Wilt & Filton, grain dealers and commission merchants, with whom ¿ remained about one year, when a good opportunity offered for him to learn a trade. e left his employers and engaged to learn the plasterer's trade, at which he served his Il time and then worked as a journeyman plasterer until by the most rigid economy he d saved enough to pay his way through a collegiate course of study, and for that pur- se he entered the preparatory department of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Dela- tre, Ohio. In school, as at his trade, he was never satisfied unless he stood among the 'st in his class, and by his former habits of close application, industry, energy and tural ability, succeeded in keeping his name on the roll of honor during his school e at the university. He was one of the prominent members of the Zetagathcan Lit- ary Society of the above institution, and in the frequent discussions and debates in e society always took an active part, and was always selected to champion the cause the weaker side, and generally proved a full match for his antagonist. Having en- 'ed the school with a fixed purpose he made rapid progress in his studies, when the Far for the preservation of the Union" broke out and arrested him in his scholastic rsuits. He enlisted as a volunteer and served sixteen months, when he received an norable discharge, and was mustered out of service at Todd Barracks. He returned Dayton again, and while home married Miss Cornelia Anne Wolf youngest daughter Dr. W. W. Wolf, May 15, 1865. He then began work for himself as a contractor d builder, and since that time has been one of the largest contractors in this city. s menuments of his ability, he points with pride to Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, e palatial residences of C. L. Hawes, Eugene Barney, T. T. Legler, and many others. le breaking out of the rebellion made him an outspoken and fearless Republican, and e same principles remain with him to this day. In 1872, he was elected member of City Council by the Republicans of the Fifth Ward, and proved himself a valuable mber of that body. Hardly a meeting passed that he did not get into an animated "cussion with his colleagues upon some measure before the Council, and as he had a pe- wiar way of presenting his facts like so many points sticking out on every side, his sition was generally invulnerable, and he very rarely lost a cause whose interest he es-

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 109

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