The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 42

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 42

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Eliza Smith Houston, daughter of William C. Houston, was born in Tren- t1, N. J., September 19, 1783. For several years, she, with her parents, ed at Lawrenceville. where, on the 10th of April. 1806, she was married to G. Phillips. Their bridal trip was across the mountains to Pittsburgh, wn the river in a flat-boat to Cincinnati, and from there by wagon to their ckwoods home in Dayton. At that time. there was very pleasant society re-the families of D. C. Cooper, Col. Patterson, Isaac Spinning, Squire illiams, Rev. James Welsh. Col. Newcom. Benjamin Van Cleve. Maj. Reid. : Elliott and Robert Edgar.

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips' first home was in a two-story log house, southwest rner of First and Jefferson streets. He had his store in the same - building, d in that house their first three children were born. The other children were rn at the southeast corner of Second and Main streets. The children who ed to majority were Elizabeth Smith. Jonathan Dickinson and Marjanna puisa.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Elizabeth S., born June 9, 1809, married John G. Worthington, of Cin- cinnati. June 29. 1830, and is now living in Georgetown, D. C. Mr. Worth ington died several years ago.

J. D. Phillips, born December 31, 1812, married Lucy Anna Zeigler Greene July 28, 1836; died February 23, 1871. His wife died June 28. 1881

Marianna Louisa, born March 30. 1814, married Robert A. Thruston Sep tember 29, 1832. He died August 16, 1839. Col. John G. Lowe and Mrs Thruston were married May 9, 1843.

Mr. Phillips opened his store in 1806, and was prosperous from the start. Several other firms began business here in that year, and trade came to Daytor from all parts of the valley. Merchants would go East twice a year for goods and on one of these trips, in September, 1809, with their only child, Eliza beth. then only three months old, Mrs. Phillips accompanied her husband to New Jersey. The trip was made on horseback, and their baggage was carried by pack-horse.

Indians being yet located in large numbers at the head-waters of Mad River and over on the Scioto, and their hunting parties roaming through the woods of Central Ohio made such a journey through the wilderness dangerous Parties were usually made up of merchants and others who were going Eas about the same time, and all would carry rifles. On this trip, John Schenck of Franklin, Charles Greene. and one or two others, were in the party.

Taverns were by this time located at convenient distances along the narrow roads. They were generally double log houses, with covered way or porch be tween. An important feature was the swinging signs, upon which wer painted a portrait or picture, which would give the inn a name. Portraits o Washington, Wayne, Wolfe and Marion were the most frequently used, whil pictures of lions, bears, bucks, tigers, horses and birds were painted in the brightest colors and life size. The signs were framed and hung on creakmn; hinges on top of a large post at the road in front of the tavern, that served a a hitching-post as well.

Coming from their own cabin home at Dayton, and being used to Wester! life and ways, Mr. Phillips and his friends could, as travelers often did, afte a hearty supper, spread their blankets and bearskins on the puncheon floor an sleep with their feet to the fire. For these taverns were popular, profitabi places, where met. on common footing, travelers, emigrants, pack-horse me: and wagoners. When a party was belated, or at other times, finding sleepin; apartments, as well as bar and barns packed for the night, it would be neces sary to go on to the half-way house, or camp by the roadside.

Mr. Phillips, leaving his wife and child in New Jersey, went to Phila delphia, bought his goods, then returned to Lawrenceville for a visit. and the home with his family to Dayton.

He built a two-story brick storeroom at the southeast corner of Main an Second streets, and a residence immediately adjoining, on Main street, and in 1812 moved his family and store. His business rapidly increased. Daytor during the war, was the center of trade for the valley, and the town was full o people all the time. In the winter of 1812-13, he sent his brother-in-law (reorge S. Houston, to Philadelphia to bny goods. Mr. Houston exceeded hi instructions and bought a very large stock, so much more than Mr. Phillip thought advisable that he feared that he would be ruined. He opened a stor at Troy and placed Mr. Houston in charge.

The line of forts from New Lexington, Preble County, across the countr to Urbana, had been strongly garrisoned by militia as a protection for Gen Harrison's line of communication, as well as the safety of the people of the valley As soon as contractors and Government agents came into the valley to buy sup plies for the army. Mr. Phillips began the exchange of goods for pork, whisky

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

fur and grain, and accumulated large quantities at Troy and Dayton, which h found ready sale for; and thus, instead of being embarrassed with the large apk of goods, his management brought him handsome profit.

In 1815, he sent Eastin Morris with a stock of goods to open a store in (enville, and, for a number of years, was thus actively engaged in the man- a ment of his business, and, by energy, industry and economy, accumulated a bidsome fortune.

Mrs. Phillips was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and, al- tlugh of delicate health, was a leader in all Christian work, a teacher in the diday school and prominent in local charitable work, ever among the first in mistering relief to the sick and needy. She, with other Dayton ladies, gre all possible time in the preparation of hospital supplies for sick and winded soldiers at Camp Meigs, and cared for many at their own homes, and, aer the close of the war, was one of the twelve ladies, who, on the 10th of Acil. 1815, organized the Dayton Female Bible and Charitable Association.

Active as she was in all home enterprises of the early days, giving liber-" 3 7 to the poor and distressed, and, by her example, leading others on in good w ks, her sudden death, December 3, 1831, was a severe shock to the commu- ny. In her death, society lost one of its most hospitable and gifted members, tl church an earnest, unselfish worker, a devoted Christian wife and mother.

Mr. Phillips bought property in Darke, Miami and Montgomery Counties. E was one of the organizers of the Dayton Manufacturing Company, the first buik in the county. He was interested in the woolen mills down on Hole's Chek In 1830, he with Alexander Grimes and Moses Smith, platted the ton of Alexandersville. December 16, 1836, he married Mrs. C. P. Irwin, 30 survived him.

John Kneisly, in 1843 or 1844, sold to H. G. Phillips, Daniel Beckel, J. D. Pillips, and S. D. Edgar, under the firm name of Phillips, Beckel & Co., the wer-power that is now owned by the Dayton Hydraulic Company. This p'ver was taken from Mad River in Section 23, above the mouth of McCon- ul's Creek, and in 1819 Henry Leatherman bought the right of way through I yton Hamer's land, and dug the race around at the foot of the hill to his 1 at the southwest corner of Section 29. In 1825, Kneisly bought sixty a es of land of Dayton Hamer and this water-power. He built a saw-mill, tijn a " corn-cracker," which he soon converted into a flour-mill; he then built a oil mill. and a small distillery. These mills were located near the center of the n theast quarter of Section 29, Mad River Township, between " Hamer's Hill" I Mad River. A paper-mill was afterward built there. November 3, 1841,

t grist and saw mills burned, but were rebuilt two years later. Kneisly sold ty water-power and right of way to Phillips, Beckel & Co., who purchased r'ht of way to continue the race from the old Leatherman Mill to its present inersection with the canal near East First street. The contracts for digging t. race were let in the fall of 1844. March 1, 1845, the Dayton Hydraulic (npany was incorporated, H. G. Phillips, D. Beckel, J. D. Phillips, S. D. Egar, J. G. Lowe, corporators. The water-power now known as the Upper I draulic was first used in 1846, and has always been a source of great revenue the Phillips estate.

In 1850, the new hotel, the Phillips House, at the southwest corner of Min and Third streets. was named in honor of Mr. Phillips.

Mr. Phillips strongly urged the building of turnpikes through the chinty, and. in later years, was influential in bringing railroads into Dayton. At length, after a long. active and useful life, fifty years in business in T'yton, and all that time one of the most prominent and influential citizens i the county where he had accumulated a large estate, Mr. Phillips died No- nber 10, 1859.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHAPTER XIII.

THE MEXICAN WAR-1848 TO 1861-THE WAR OF THE REBELLION-EVENTS P' MILITARY CIRCLES SINCE 1865.

A MAJORITY of the people of Ohio, regarding the probability of war with Mexic as the result of schemes of the pro-slavery party to add territory to the United States, which could afterward be formed into Slave States, were strongly opposed to the war. But in thorough loyalty to the Constitution, patriotic peopl of Ohio and all of the Northern States, promptly responded to the call of the National Government for troops to sustain the army on the Rio Grande, and fo aggressive movements against Mexico.

The Hon. Mordecai Bartley was Governor of Ohio; Samuel R. Curtis wa Adjutant General of the State ; E. N. Slocum, Quarter Master General.

The militia of this county, organized as the First Brigade, in command of Brig. Gen. Adam Spiece, were attached to the Tenth Division of Ohio Militia Maj. Gen. Hiram Bell, of Greenville, commanding. When it became known thia the President of the United States had made requisition upon the States fo troops, and in response to a general demand from all parts of the county, a meet ing of the citizens of the county was called to be held in the City Hall at Daytor the evening of May 21, 1846. The hall was filled with militiamen of the differen companies of the eonnty and prominent citizens of the city and townships Gen. Spiece was ealled to the chair. and Maj. Thomas B. Tilton, his Brigade Major, was made Secretary of the meeting. Gen. Spiece brictly stated the object of the meeting to be to give an expression of the sentiment of the county on the Mexican war question, and to adopt measures to encourage the enrollment of volunteers. Capt. Luther Giddings, of the Dayton Dragoons, in response to : call of the meeting, made a patriotic appeal. Short, stirring speeches were also delivered by Capt. M. B. Walker, of the Germantown Cavalry ; by Maj. 'T'ilton Capt. Lewis Hormell, of the Dayton National Guards (German Company) ; Lieut Atlas Stout, of the Dayton Gun Squad ; and Lieut. John Love, of the United States Army, and others.

May 20, Gov. Bartley, in compliance with a requisition, made by Presiden James K. Polk, issued General Order No. 1, calling upon Division Generals to muster their commands at once, to ascertain how many men would enlist, as infan try or riflemen, for twelve months' service, unless sooner discharged. The order reached Gen. Bell at Greenville, on the 23d, and he at once ordered the several Brigades of the Tenth Division to assemble as follows : First Brigade, at Day ton. May 26 ; Second Brigade, at Troy, May 27 ; Third Brigade, at Sidney, May 28 ; Fourth Brigade, at Greenville, May 29. Upon receipt of this order, Gen Spieee directed the First Brigade to assemble at Dayton, and at 11 o'clock the morning of the 26th, nine companies reported. The city was full of people drawn together by the excitement of the war news and military display. Martin music, parades of delegations with banners, songs and cheering was the order of the day. The militia were marched to the lower part of the city, where the crowds assembled, and were addressed by Gen. Bell. The National Guard begar recruiting at their armory on the north side of Second street, between Main and Jefferson ; the Flying Dragoons, at McCann's store, at the northeast corner of Third and Jefferson strects. but heing notified that the Government would not accept cavalry. the next day they were organized as the "Dayton Riflemen," and

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

« that day, May 27, information was received from Columbus, that while the Tar Department would hold the militia of a number of States in reserve, three rgiments of Ohio troops, 2,331 men were required for immediate service.

The people of the county united in the work of organizing the companies, 1 of providing for the soldiers and their families.

Thursday evening, May 28, a large meeting was held at the City Hall in Jyton ; Thomas Brown, Peter Odlin, William Eaker, T. J. S. Smith and Fred- eck Gebhart were appointed as a committee to raise funds, to defray the inciden- t. expenses of the volunteers from this county, before being mustered into the [ited States service. An executive committee of twenty was appointed, to raise f ds for the support of the families of volunteers during their absence ; the com- rttee were : Alexander Swaynie, Robert W. Steele, H. G. Phillips, P. P. Lowe. Inry L. Brown and Samuel Marshall, of Dayton ; Joseph Barnett, of Harrison Twnship ; Jefferson Patterson, of Van Buren Township ; Henry S. Gunckel, of ( rman Township ; Jonathan Harshman, of Mad River Township ; Jolin Conley. o Miami Township ; John Burnett, of Jefferson Township ; John Sherer, of Indolph Township ; James Patterson, of Madison Township ; Henry Shidler, of Jekson Township ; William Baggott, of Butler Township ; Amos Irwin, of Wash- i ton Township ; Moses Sherer, of Wayne Township ; Isaac Voorhees, of Clay Twnship ; and Dr. Lindsley, of Perry Township. H. G. Phillips was elected Chairman of the committee; Robert W. Steele, Secretary ; Henry L. Brown. Treasurer. The committee was appointed to assure the faithful performance of the polic pledge of a generous people ; that the wives and children of soldiers were tbe cared for, protected and cherished. Frequent meetings were held ; commit- trs were appointed to arrange for the comfort and departure of the troops. The bt citizens joined in pledges that the families of men who enlisted should be p vided for during the war, and in case the soldier did not return the families wild be cared for. In every case these pledges were sacredly kept. The ladies w'e not behind in their work. Every hand was busy, every heart responded in s apathy to the soldier, with a silent Christian pledge to do their whole duty by tl wives and children of the volunteers.

A number of banks in different parts of the State tendered to the Governor a the money that he might need to provide for the emergency. The Governor dignated Dayton as one of the points of rendezvous for volunteers. Gen. Spiece eablished headquarters at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets, and detailed Mj. Tilton as Mustering Officer in command of volunteers. Camp Washington W; established in the Mill Creek Valley near Cincinnati as a rendezvous for the Cio Volunteers, and Samuel R. Curtis, Adjutant General of the State, was placed incommand. June 3, the two companies enlisted in this county were ordered to Cnp Washington. The next morning they were paraded in front of the National Etel, when from the balcony, a beautiful flag was presented to the riflemen by tl citizens. On one side of the flag the ladies had embroidered an eagle, with tl motto "Our Country," on the reverse side, the State arms, with the name of tl company, " The Dayton Riflemen." Lieut. Brecount was presented with a pair o revolvers and a bowie knife by some young gentlemen friends.

At sunset, the guards, with ninety-six men and the following officers : Captain, Lvis Hormell ; First Lieutenant, William Egry ; Second Lieutenant, Christ Klecht ; First Sergeant, William Spangler ; Second Sergeant, Peter Weist ; Third Sgeant, Adam Ziller ; Fourth Sergeant, Frederick Ploch. The riflemen, with nety-two men and the following officers : Captain, Luther Giddings ; First Lieu- tant, D. Long ; Second Licutenant, D. Brecount ; First Sergeant, J. P. Spiece ; Sond Sergeant, N. Allen ; Third Sergeant, G. Coon ; Fourth Sergeant, C. L. Frigle ; Corporals, W. G. Davis, V. B. Howard, John Smith, James Craig ; were eported to the public landing at the canal between Second and Third strects, by tl dragoons, a company hastily organized, and using the arms and accouterments o the disbanded cavalry company. the artillery company and great crowds of

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

citizens. The roots of the houses, the bridges, the banks of the eanal and stree were filled with people, all vying with each other in aets of kindness to the depar ing soldiers and their weeping families. The excitement was intense. The crow were alternately erying and cheering. The dragoons fired a salute. The gr squad with the " Mad Anthony " (in the language of a local of the day), made t. " very earth tremble." The soldiers embarked on two canal boats and prompt started on their journey.

While the assembled crowd cheered and cheered again, the dragoons wheel and trotted to the Main street eanal bridge and fired a final salute to the departir soldiers.

They arrived at Camp Washington the night of June 5, and for several da complained because they had to sleep on the ground and eook their own ratior The flag of the Dayton Rifles was taken for " eamp colors." The next few wee were busy times, drilling and preparing for the field. Companies were dai arriving from different parts of the State, and it was soon apparent that too ma! were being enlisted. Capts. Giddings and Hormell each had too many men, al to reduce the number the men were notified that any who so desired might lea the ranks and return home. Although it was not a popular thing to do, quite number availed themselves of the privilege.

Immediately after the departure of the companies, the Dayton Light Infant was recruited for service, and organized with A. L. Stout as Captain ; First Lie tenant, Daniel Tucker ; Seeond Lieutenant, J. D. M. Foreman ; Orderly Sergear M. Umbaugh ; Second Sergeant, Owen Smith ; Third Sergeant, Joshna Bowersoc Fourth Sergeant, William Anderson ; Corporals, Lewis Motter, Russel Georg Boyer Deeker and Andrew Curtner. June 9, the company started by boat f Camp Washington. Too many companies having already reported, this compar of Dayton Light Infantry, the Hoeking County Riflemen, Preble County Rifleme Xenia Riflemen, a company from Piqna, one from Cleveland, two from Columbo and several from Cineinnati, were ordered home.

There were two Germans in the Dayton Light Infantry Company, and ty Americans in the Dayton National Guard. And at Camp Washington, Capt Hormell and Stout made an even trade, two " Dutehmen " for two " Buckeyes."

June 23, the three regiments were organized as follows :

FIRST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Colonel, Alex. M. Mitchell, of Cincinnati.

Lieutenant Colonel, John B. Weller, of Butler County.

Major, Thomas L. Hamner, of Brown County.

Capt. R. A. Moore's Company, of Cincinnati.

Capt. Armstrong's Company, of Cincinnati.

Capt. Ramsay's Company, of Cincinnati.

Capt. L. Krichiner's Company, of Cineinnati.

Capt. Lewis Hormell's Company, of Dayton.

Capt. L. Giddings' Company, of Dayton.

Capt. Weller's Company, of Butler County.

Capt. Hamilton's Company, of Portsmonth.

Capt. Johnson's Company, of Brown County.

Capt. Bradley's Company, of Lower Sandusky.

The two companies from this county were mustered in, each with sevent seven men, the Rifles as Company B, and the Guards as Company C, but not color company.

SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Colonel, George W. Morgan, of Knox County.

Lieutenant Colonel, William Irvin, of Fairfield County.

Major, William Wall, of Athens County.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Capt. Walcott's Company, of Columbus.

Capt. Latham's Company, of Columbus.

Capt. Morgan's Company, of Mount Vernon.

1 Capt. Stadden's Company, of Newark. Capt. McLean's Company, of Athens.

Capt. Worthington's Company, of Logan.

Capt. Irvin's Company, of Lancaster.

Capt. Brunner's Company, of Circleville.

Capt. Reynold's Company, of Chillicothe.

Capt. Irick's Company, of Hillsboro.

THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.

Colonel, S. R. Curtis, of Wayne County.

Lieutenant Colonel, G. W. McCook, of Jefferson County.

Major, J. S. Love. of Morgan County.

Capt. Allen's Company, of Massillon.

Capt. Moore's Company, of Wooster. Capt. Woodruff's Company, of Norwalk.

Capt. Mclaughlin's Company, of Mansfield.

Capt. Ford's Company, of Mansfield.

Capt. McCook's Company, of Steubenville.

Capt. Patterson's Company, of St. Clairville.

Capt. Meredith's Company, of Coshocton.

Capt. Nole's Company, of Zanesville.

Capt. Chapman's Company, of Seneca County.

A Colonel's pay was $75 a month ; Lieutenant Colonel's. $60 ; Major's $50; Autant's and Quartermaster's. each, $10 additional to First Lieutenant's pay : tain's, $40 ; First Lieutenant's, $30 ; Second Lieutenant's, $25 ; two principal V'sicians in each regiment, $17 each ; Sergeant Major's and Quartermaster Ser- zint's, each. $17 ; First Sergeant's, $16 ; Duty Sergeant's. $13 ; Corporal's. $9 ; Musicians and privates, $8.

July 2, the regiments marched from Camp Washington into Cincinnati, and at foot of Broadway embarked on the steamers New World and North Carolina. N'y were a fine body of men. and marched like veterans. with their knapsacks. "¿ teens and accouterments, with their guns at shoulder, and with good field music. T'y were greeted by crowds along the line of march with cheer upon cheer. Just ufr noon, as the boats started, they were given a salute by a three-gun battery » ;he wharf.

In Angust, the First Regiment was at Camp Belknap, on the Texas side of Rio Grande. Capt. Giddings, of Company B, was promoted to Major, Lieut. D'amp Brecount was elected Captain, Sergeant J. P. Spiece, Second Lieutenant. Nathan Allen Orderly Sergeant. -

At Camargo, Capt. Brecount resigned, and Lieut. Spiece died. Lieut. David " g was promoted to Captain, and Sergeant Nathan Allen was made Second itenant. Lieut. Egry, of the Guards, resigned, Lieut. Knecht was promoted to b vacancy and John P. Kline was elected Second Lieutenant. Augustus Rex. that time Orderly Sergeant of the Guards, died August 26.

At Monterey, Col. Mitchell and Lieut. L. Motter were wounded, and Corp. Mliam G. Davis was killed.

1 During the winter of 1846-47, E. A. King was appointed Captain in the reg- army, and Thomas B. Tilton was appointed Lieutenant. They recruited a ( pany. Twenty-two of the men were from this county and thirty-eight from " an County.

Saturday, April 24, 1847, the company left for Cincinnati. They were esported to the canal by the citizens. Mayor Mckinney made them a farewell sich and Capt. King replied, pledging that his company-the " Dayton Reg-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

ulars "-never would, by their action in the field, tarnish the fair name of the Dayton volunteers, won by gallantry at Seralvo and Monterey. This company was assigned to the Fifteenth United States Infantry. In the regiment were five Ohio companies, three from Michigan and two from Wisconsin. Col. George W Morgan, Lieut. Col. John Howard, of Michigan, Maj. Samuel Wood.

May 12, in four canal boats, the Michigan and Wisconsin companies passed through Dayton.

News was received the same day that Companies B and C, of the First Ohio were on their way home from war. A meeting of citizens was ealled, and a com. mittee appointed to arrange reception ceremonies.

Saturday afternoon, June 26, the Dayton Rifles (Company B), with but forty men, reached Dayton, in command of Capt. D. Long. Crowds of citizens frou town and country with militia, music and the gun squad, assembled at the eanal foot of Main street. and, as the boat swung around the bend at Phillip's Hill, : salute of twenty-nine guns was fired. The soldiers were escorted up Main streel to Third, then to the National House, where Mayor MeKinney welcomed then. home. In reply, Maj. Giddings, with mueh feeling, referred to their departure and to this, their return, with but forty men. Twenty-one of their comrades were buried in Mexico ; but they had brought baek the flag untarnished that had been presented to them by the Dayton ladies. Cheer upon cheer was given to the sol diers, and erowds of friends escorted each man to his home.

Tuesday morning, June 29, the German company, C, of the First Regimen arrived home with forty-six men, Capt. Hormell commanding.

In the rain and mud they were eseorted by the citizens to the National House and were welcomed in a brief speech by J. W. MeCorkle. The crowd cheered the band played, and all rejoiced in shaking hands with this fine body of men The next evening the town was illuminated in honor of the return of the two com panies. They had fireworks at the court house, the band was out, fife and drun stirred up the town, and the night was given up to bonfires, cannon and cheering Of these two companies, the following are the only members known to be now living :

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 42

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