The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 41

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 41

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).

Friendly tribes at that time occupied most of the country west of Wayne' road to the Maumee as hunting grounds. Their camps were to be found along all of the streams from Fort Hamilton north to the Wabash and Maumee This firm traded goods to the Indians for furs and peltries; and when white set tlers began to locate on lands west of the Miami, the Indians gradually with drew to the north, but Sutherland & Brown followed them up with agents, who carried the goods from point to point on pack-horses.

In 1799, Mr. Brown took a large stock of goods to Fort Loramie and opened a branch store there, from which he sent traders to the Indian village along the Wabash and Maumee Rivers.

In 1804, business had so increased that he changed his branch store t Dayton, and opened at the east side of Main street, south of Water street From here, traders were sent with goods among the settlers west and north and to the Indian villages at Greenville and beyond to the Mississinawa, and around St. Mary's and the Auglaize, and down through the Maumee Valley.

A trader would start with two, three or more pack-horses loaded with goods, and often, in order to dispose of them, took the extraordinary risks iu" cident to the long, lonely trips through the wilderness to distant villages, and be gone several months, trading for pelts and furs.

At their stores in Dayton and Hamilton, the firm exchanged goods fo whisky, pork, flour and grain, which they shipped by river to the Cincimat and New Orleans markets. Produce was shipped down the Ohio in pirogues where the cargoes were transferred to larger flat-boats. When the Miami wa low, cargoes were lightered over the ripples in dug-outs. Sometimes, to gel the dug-outs over, the crew would scrape out channels of sufficient width te float the boats; then, having passed the ripple, would reload and float down te the next, where the same work was performed. A crew was sometimes de tained at the shallowest ripples for several days, and a week's time was lost i: getting a fleet across.

For two or three years prior to the dissolution of the firm, Messrs. Suther land & Brown were largely engaged in the purchase of cattle in the Miam Valley and over in Kentucky. The cattle were driven north to Fort Loramie across the portage to the Auglaize, down to the Maumee and the rapids, thenc to Detroit, where there was ready sale to the Government, to the Indians an to farmers.

It is hard to realize the difficulties, delays and perplexities in business a that early time. To purchase goods, a merchant would travel on horsebac from Dayton to Philadelphia. As far as the forks of the Muskingum, the roa

383

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

1 but a single bridle-path through the dense forest, and not a single house orsettlement on the way. The traveler necessarily packed his provisions for th part of his trip, and camped by the way, without shelter and regardless of travorable weather. Three months' time was generally required for the trip, tchase of stock, and getting the goods delivered at Dayton. The goods were haled in wagons over the rough roads from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, a ton r a half being a good load for a five-horse team. From Pittsburgh, the rc Is were shipped by river to Cincinnati, and hauled from there overland to D: ton. When the water was at a favorable stage, shipments could be made inpirogues up the Miami.

The first brick residence in Dayton was built by Mr. Brown in 1808, on Lot V/ 110, west side of Main street, north of the court house.

The hostile intentions of the Indians toward the United States began to elop in 1810, and from the increased danger to traders, Messrs. Sutherland & Brown withdrew their agents and dissolved partnership. Mr. Brown re- ared his goods to the north room of his residence and continued business he. At that time, or possibly the next year, he was made Government agnt in charge of Indian supplies, that were distributed under direction of nian Agent Col. John Johnston.

February 19, 1811, Henry Brown and Miss Kitty Patterson, daughter of Robert Patterson, were married at her father's house, on the Rubicon ah, south of Dayton, the Rev. James Welsh officiating. Catherine Patter- was born at Lexington, Ky., March 7, 1793.

0 Their son, R. P. Brown, born December 6, 1811, married Sarah Galloway t Xenia, Ohio, October 31, 1837; died in Kansas City, Mo., May 4, 1879. Jah Brown was born in Xenia June 10, 1816.

Henry L. Brown, born December 3, 1814, married Sarah Belle Browning. tIndianapolis, Ind., February 7, 1837; died in Dayton November 25, 1878. H wife was born at West Union, Ohio. February 18, 1819: died in Dayton Dober 15, 1858.

Eliza J. Brown, born in Dayton October 20, 1816, married Charles Ander- to September 16, 1835. Col. Anderson wes born at Louisville, Ky., June 1, 84.

The business life of Henry Brown was characterized by sound judgment, ir ness and energy; and, having faith in the good judgment shown in the e ction of the site at the mouth of Mad River as the future business center fhe valley, he invested largely in Dayton property. When prosperity came tobe little town during the war of 1812, he was one of the most prominent a1 influential men of the community, and was held in the highest esteem bugh his life. He urged the opening of roads to all neighboring settle- muts, was active in the interest of public improvements and all affairs looking one public good. When, in 1813, the increase of business made it desirable b; a bank should be established in the town, he aided in the organization of ch Dayton Manufacturing Company, and secured for it a considerable loan rn the United States Bank.

Mr. Brown was a devoted, loving husband and father, and his happiness w in association with friends and family. Knowing that the home circle was biplace for proper training, he and his wife were careful to keep it cheerful attractive for their three children.

His wife was an amiable, modest woman, yet for nearly fifty years was among the most active, earnest Christian workers of Dayton. In 1815, she be. 'n sick in bed, a number of ladies met in her room, and, with her help, or- gized the Female Bible and Charitable Society of Dayton. All through her lil she was faithful to the good work thus begun.

384

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

From exposure in the earlier history of the valley, and afterward in til active management of the business with Mr. Sutherland, then from close a tention to his Dayton store and its extensive trade, his health was broken -- much so that, toward the close of the year 1822, he was confined to his be and, after a lingering, painful illness, he died, in the afternoon of May 1 1823, and was buried the next day in the old graveyard on Fifth street.

Mrs. Brown married Andrew Irwin, by whom she had one son, A. B. Irwi In 1836, she married H. G. Phillips, who died in 1859. She died in Da ton August 12. 1864.

JONATHAN HARSHMAN, SR.

Jonathan Harshman, son of Christian and Catharine Harshman, (Ge mans), was born in Frederick County, Md., December 21, 1781; came we to Kentucky, but, being dissatisfied with life in a Slave State, moved Ohio, arriving in Montgomery County in August, 1805.

He purchased forty acres of land in the northeast quarter of Section 2 Town 2, Range 7 -- land that is now in Mad River Township. At that time large colony of German people were coming into that neighborhood. F change of work was the rule among them. Some were in the clearings, othe got out the logs, while other sets with teams and "lizzard " would "snake them in to the builders. The land was heavily timbered and hard to clear u but these people were workers. Hickory, oak, walnut, cherry, poplar, as maple and beech were felled in great double windrows, with the tops inwal which, when dried out, and the wind was favorable, the fires were lighted aj the flames were driven through from end to end. The cabins, although hasti put up, were occupied for many years; then, when better houses were bui the old cabins were used for loom rooms, tool houses, granaries, pig per sheep pens, stables and hen houses.

Mr. Harshman's cabin was one of the last put up, and, like the rest, w built of round logs, clap-board roof, puncheon floor, outside chimney of stic and clay. Late in the fall he hung the door, chinked and daubed the cab and put in a four-light window. His cabin site was near a spring. on one the branches of McConnell's Creek, and at that spring he put up a copper st that he had traded for. Lower down on the creek was the little over-shot mi owned and operated by William Hamer; and around the hill at the spring the big road, was Hamer's still. On Mad River, a mile north of Harshmar cabin, was the Robinson Mill. A path led from the new settlement across t low, wet land to the mill, but afterward a road was cut around at the foot the hill. west of the creek, to the road that led from Dayton to the settlemer up Mad River.

As was usual with the early settlers, this colony of new-comers were bu through the next winter, in grubbing and clearing patches for spring plantir Mr. Harshman was busy with the rest; for him there was not an idle day, a when he was not at work on his own place, he was employed for others. E expenses were light, for he was alone, and all he made he saved.

Jonathan Harshman married Susanah Rench, daughter of John a Elizabeth Rench, at the cabin home of her parents, the present site of Hars mansville, February 18, 1808.

Susanah Rench was born in Washington County, Md., November 11, 178

It is not known whether Mr. and Mrs. Harshman made their bridal ti on horseback or by wagon; but the journey was from Rench's cabin down t big road to " Hamer's Hill," and up McConnell's Creek to Mr. Harshmay cabin, which he had made snug in anticipation of this event.

In the pit he had potatoes and turnips, in the attic pumpkins and bea: and a good supply of side meat and jerked venison hung on the rafters abo

yours July Elijah H Brownell DAYTON

- --

387

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

to fire-place. The fire-place filled one-half the end of the cabin, and was vy wide at the floor, and deep, tapering to the top. The hearth was of flat s'ne, laid in creek sand, and formed a considerable part of the cabin tor.

It took big fires to keep the unplastered cabins warm. First was the big Lak-log, on top of that a smaller log, the back-stick. then two short, green seks were laid on the hearth endwise against the back-log, serving instead of a lirons. On them was laid the fore stick, and on top of all were piled smaller vod and chips, and the fire applied. In the corner of the room was a big pe of wood to keep the fire up, and in the woods was plenty ready cut to be Haled in on the sled.

He was a forehanded farmer. Year by year he had added a patch to his caring, so that he had then seven or eight acres to plant. He was not in dot, owned a beast, a cow, some young cattle, pigs and poultry. an iron- seared plow. and seven iron teeth that a neighbor had put in a " drag," the t ) to use it in common. Handy to the cabin he had built a pig pen, and nur by an open log stable, and near that was a stack of wild hay that he had c from the swail north of his place.

The capacity of his still was twelve or fifteen bushels a day. It was set u at the spring in a small log building, the upper half of which was used as a orn crib. Settlers would bring rye and corn to him to have whisky made the shares.

The erection of these little stills throughout the county made a market for tl. corn, and hence corn was the principal crop grown in the rich bottoms, for e n made whisky and whisky could be sold for money. Home trade was first soplied, and the balance was usually shipped by river to Cincinnati and New Ceans, although at first there was but little more made than would supply t neighborhoods.

The big woods were full of game that seemed but little disturbed by the ¿ ttered cabins and clearings. Wolves, panthers and bears were a great an- ¿ yance for several years.

The only ways for communication between the cabins were the paths through t. woods: but Mr. Harshman was located near the Creek road, between the carings on the hills and the mills.

While Mr. and Mrs. Harshman lived in that cabin their three first chil- Un were born.

Elizabeth, born November 17. 1809, married Israel Huston; is living in J .d River Township. Mr. Huston died August 11, 1846.

Catherine, born January 4, 1811, married Valentine Winters January 1, 129; died in April, 1882.

Jonathan, born February 15, 1812, married Abigail Hivling October 4, 136; died December 25, 1876. His wife died June 6, 1879.

Rench & Staley failing to make a success in business at the mill over on ).d River, Mr. Harshman took it, and in 1813 or 1814, built a comfortable, t)-story. hewed-log dwelling house, with shingle roof and board floor, and o ved over. The house was plastered, and had a good cellar. He afterward t.It a brick dwelling on the site of the present residence of his son, Mr. George \ Harshman. The mill was but a "corn-cracker," and the settlers were ex- reted to do their own bolting by hand. So many of these little mills had ten put up on streams throughout the county to do neighborhood work, that Inch & Staley, finding the business unprofitable, had let the mill run down. When Mr. Harshman got it, there was but one pair of country stones, five feet i diameter, and the machinery generally was out of gear. He thoroughly cprhauled the mill, and shortly afterward put in two run of raccoon buhrs, and

388

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

made improvements as he could. His mills were known as the " Union Mills He paid cash for grain, and that brought him good trade.

He opened a store with John Rench as his partner, and traded for a country produce, such as flax seed, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, mustar seed. castor beans, tallow, beeswax, tree sugar, feathers. wool, hops, por and pelts. which they sold at Cincinnati or shipped to the Mississip River markets. Harshman & Rench afterward moved their store to Dayton.

Mary, daughter of Jonathan and Susanah Harshman, was the first of the children born after their removal to the hewed-log house at the mill. She w: born January 17. 1816; married George Gorman October 29. 1833: died Augu 27, 1834.

Joseph Harshman, born October 24, 1820; married Caroline Protzma They are living in Harrison Township.

George W. Harshman, born February 22, 1822; married Ann Virgin Rohrer September 5, 1848. His wife died September 6, 1877.

Susanah Harshman, born May 22, 1823; married Daniel Beckel Septemb 2, 1845. Mr. Beckel died February 26, 1862.

Reuben D. Harshman, born January 16, 1827; married Mary Pretsma January 9, 1851.

For this houseful of children, Mrs. Harshman had home provided with a the comforts then attainable. As the children grew older, they could he some little in the house and garden work. The mother made the clothing f the family.

Flax was grown in the summer, rotted and scutched in the fall; the through the winter was heard the buzz of the little flax wheel that had so co spicuous a place in every cabin. It stood in the corner with flax wrappe around the forked stick ready for use, a thread running to the spindle, a gou filled with water hanging conveniently at the bottom of the flax stick, al whenever good mother Harshman had a little spare time from caring for t children, milking the cows, churning, cooking for the hands, doing the hou work, and keeping everything snug, clean and tidy as was possible with houseful of little ones, she would sit down to the wheel and spin thread up! thread to be reeled off on a wooden wheel that counted every yard with a snals and then it was ready for the loom that was built in a small cabin outsic Spinning was the light work to be caught up at spare moments; weavi was work in earnest.

Day after day could be heard the pounding of that loom, the treadles we up and down, the shuttles flew swiftly from one hand to the other through t" warp, as yard after yard of linsey-woolsey wound upon the roller. And th this cloth was to be cut into little and big clothes and be made up with t needle, spring and fall, year after year.

Wool went through about the same operation, only it was spun on a larg wheel, colored with butternut bark, then woven on the loom for winter clothir

There was, perhaps, no part of the county where young people liked fix up more than did those about Harshmanville. Tall, slender flax was pull, by the girls and kept to make finery of. The stronger growth did well enou for clothing for the men, and warp for linsey-woolsey every-day dresses for t women; but for Sundays, when everybody went to "meeting," the girls Asp cially wanted something nice, just as girls do now. The fine flax was careful pulled, rotted, broken, scutched, hackled, spun, then dyed in colors becomir and woven in cross barred figures tastefully arranged. Of such goods the gi made their Sunday dresses. They knit their own stockings, made their of sun-bonnets or broad brimmed hats of rye straw.

The quaint old Kemp Schoolhouse that had been built in 1815 upon su

389

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

E iptions paid in whisky, flour, hogs, stone, etc., had given place to a better tilding, but the same old, primitive modes of teaching prevailed.

About three months in a year was all the schooling that could be afforded. f when the children were old enough to go to school, they were old enough tido the chores and work at home; hence, they could not be spared for school.

The branches taught in the early schools were spelling, reading, writing all arithmetic; at the time of which we are now writing, grammar and geogra- ¡ v had been adde l. Parents bought whatever book they judged best; that is, eader was a reader, a grammar a grammar, a geography a geography, regard- Is of who was the author. This made confusion for the "master,"but then b/was hired to teach out of whatever books parents thought best. Scholars bran at the beginning of their books every winter, and progressed as far as ry could in the three months' term: then, after nine months out of school. nuy would have to commence over again. In this way the schools went on y r after year, under different teachers. There were always several spelling c sses. and great competition in each as to who " stood head." Spelling schools w'e the grand occasions of the early school days.

When the " master" appointed a night for a spelling match, it was under- stod that all bad marks, no matter why scored, were wiped out. and all sins fcgiven. All who had been guilty of tricks upon the " master," boys engaged sparring him out, even the big boys who had been surly and growling with tłpats of "licking " him when the term was out. were glad to know that a "bellin' had been apinted," for that settled all differences.

A moonlight night was chosen, or some night when the sleighing was good. al the entire neighborhood would turn out. Whole families came in big alls, including the old ladies and gentlemen, babies. children and all. Best Ellers from other schools would come to try for the honors.

The old log schoolhouse would be crowded with people. and the big fire- pbe filled with a blazing log fire. Candles were brought by the scholars.

Two captains were selected to choose sides: "spelling down" was the effort. tł " master" giving out the words.

The "sides " stood up. and whenever a word was missed. the speller sat l&m. and the one left standing alone was the victor, and was to be one of the »¿ tains in the next match.

This was the school attended by the Harshman children, Spinnings. Hners, Kemps. Butts, Renches. McConnells, Robinsons. Garloughs, Cot- ti ghams, and others of that neighborhood.

Jonathan Harshman was a stanch Federalist, and in later years was p minent in the Whig party. He was one of the Representatives from this conty in the Twenty-fourth General Assembly of Ohio.

In 1832, he built a distillery across the race from his house. In 1846, Ł distillery was making fifty barrels of whisky a week, and the mills 400 niels of flour. Eight hundred hogs were fattened per annum.

May 1, 1845, Mr. Harshman was elected President of the Dayton Bank. he held the position until his death, March 31, 1850. He left a large es- in Mad River Township, valuable real estate in Dayton, besides a large

ra amount in stocks, bonds, and other personal property.

His wife died December 5. 1839. Five of their children -- Mrs. Hustou. Jeph, George W., Mrs. Beckel and Reuben D., are yet living.

H. G. PHILLIPS.

Capt. Jonathan Phillips, a worthy old Revolutionary officer, father of Hatio Gates Phillips. was born December 16. 1744. at Maidenhead, N. J ..

390

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

a small town on the post-road, half way between Trenton and Princeton The town has since been named Lawrenceville.

With the news of the fight at Lexington and Concord, a patriotic wave swept through the colonies, and New Jersey responded to the necessities o' the time by a more thorough organization of her militia.

Jonathan Phillips recruited a company in the vicinity of Maidenhead and was made Captain. In response to a call for troops, in the summer o 1775, his company marched with the New Jersey re-enforcements to Gen Washington, in front of Boston.

Upon the organization of Schuyler's expedition against Canada, the com pany was assigned to Gen. Arnold's Division. The history of that ill. equipped expedition is familiar to all; its successes and reverses, final ropuls at Quebec, and retreat down the river to winter quarters, and withdrawal in th spring, leaving the British in undisputed possession of Canada.

In Gen, Horatio Gates' command, Capt. Phillips and his company wer in the defensive campaign around Lake Champlain, at Crown Point and Ticor deroga. Later in the fall they marched with re-enforcements to Gen. Wasl ington, south of the Delaware. Christmas night, Washington recrossed the De aware, captured Trenton, and on the 3d of January had a sharp fight which resulted in the capture of Princeton, and gave him possession of New Jersey

Capt. Phillips, with his company, was in these movements that drove th British from the territory that included his native town and county. In June he marched with the re-enforcements sent to Schuyler at Fort Edward, on th Hudson, and in Gen. Gates' army was in the battle and victory over Burgoyn at Behmus' Heights, September 19. The Americans repulsed the fierce au desperate attack of the British October 7, and on the 17th Burgoyne surrender er

The Captain was in the battle at Monmouth in June, 1778, and for. th next two years his division was on duty along the Hudson River. He was a the trial of Maj. Andre, and saw him hanged as a spy October 2, 1780.

The troops were in winter quarters at Morristown, N. J., and in Augu following, marched south under Gen. Washington to Yorktown, and the su render of Cornwallis.

The war was virtually over. The army marched back to New Jersey, ar during the following winter many of the regiments were discharged.

Capt. Phillips, with the shattered remnant of his company, returned to h home, after seven years' service amid the hardships and dangers of militar life. He had served through the war; he was a veteran of the Revolution, ar with an honorable discharge, returned to the little farm that he had inherite near Lawrenceville.

.The officers of the army, before final separation, organized a "Society Friends," under the name of the " Society of the Cincinnati," for the perpetu tion of friendships formed, and memories of the perils they had shared, " to e dure as long as they shall endure, or any of their male posterity." The orga ization was effected at the quarters of Baron Steuben, in New York, and the co stitution of the society was drawn by Gen. Knox. Capt. Jonathan Phillip ·certificate of membership is held by his descendants as one of the most inte esting and valuable family relics, and as a memento of the service of the brave old Revolutionary ancestor.

In August, 1782, Capt. Phillips married Mary Formen, who was born or near Lawrenceville, and had lived there all her life. Their only child, Hor tio Gates Phillips, named in honor of his father's old commander, Gen. Gate was born December 21, 1783.

Mrs. Phillips died in her son's infancy, and the care of the child devolv on a faithful old servant woman.

391

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY,

December 15, 1788, the Capt. married Elizabeth Smith. Their only child, nurchill Phillips, came to Clark County, Ohio, and died at New Carlisle in 1840. Capt. Jonathan Phillips died June 29, 1801. His wife, Elizabeth, died bruary 10, 1814.

H. G. Phillips came West with a party of friends in 1803, and from Pitts- rgh descended the river to New Orleans, his friends intending to settle mewhere in the South, and did locate at Natchez, Miss. Mr. Phillips, how- «er, yielded to the objections of Miss Houston, to whom he was to be married, going so far away from the old home in New Jersey. He therefore came Ick as far as Cincinnati, and stopped there to look after a tract of land in amilton County, but now in Butler County, that his father had entered under te law of Congress granting to officers and m-n of the Revolutionary army ech a certain amount of land in the Northwestern Territory. At Cincinnati, " :. Phillips met many New Jerseyans that he knew. Among them were D. C. hoper and others, who induced him to come up the valley as far as Dayton &d see for himself what business prospects there were. His first trip to Day- 11 was probably made in 1804, certainly by the spring of 1805, for, when he (me, there were but one or two cabins on Main street, south of First, and the lly crossing Main street at Third had not yet been filled up. The post office vis kept in Mr. Van Cleve's cabin at the corner of First and St. Clair. Mr. (oper's house, at First and Ludlow, was about completed. The principal part the town was the cluster of rough log cabins around Newcom's tavern up ¿ the river. Sutherland & Brown's store was the only one here. Main street is only cleared of underbrush as far south as Third street. The road through te village was up Main street and out First to the Mad River ford. There yre no sidewalks, and but little ditching had been done. The lot at Second ad Main had been cleared up for McCollum's tavern. The court house was t be built, and other improvements were talked of. Mr. Phillips, finding so forable a business opportunity, determined to locate in Dayton. He remained Ire through the year 1805, then, in the winter, made the trip overland on Irseback to buy goods at Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, returning to his old Ime in New Jersey to bring with him his bride, who was to accompany him to tir log cabin home in the wilderness of the Northwest. He often told of fat long. lonely ride through the woods on his first trip from Dayton. In miny places, the narrow trace could only be followed by the blazed trees, and freral nights he bivouacked by the way. He followed the bridle-path over the hills to the Indian trail on the Little Miami, near Xenia. That trace led i the old Indian towns near the Pickaway plains on the Scioto. From a ford- ig on Darby Creek, a trail led to the forks of the Muskingum (Coshocton), and m there followed the larger trace to the forks of the Ohio River (Pittsburgh). =

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 41

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