The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 86

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 86

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It is interesting to notice the difference in'the township expenses of a fe years back and those of to-day.

The total expenses for the year 1808 were $102.63, and of this amount $ were for the support of the poor.

In March, 1829, the trustees, in settlement with the Treasurer, made th statement: "We find now in the Treasurer's hands one note of hand and sever depreciated bank notes, which are considered of no value, to the amount $19.811; amount in Treasurer's hands, 914 cents.

"1839-Total receipts, $25.243; total expenses, $25.233; amount on han 1 cent. Of the expenses this year, the Treasurer received as his per cent, 7: cents."

Between this date and the present, the wants of the county must have i creased wonderfully, if we are to judge from the general exhibit of the Trea urer's books for March, 1881:

Disbursements-School funds, $4,930.04; incidental expenses, $4,038.9 roads, $1,345.34; cemetery, $17.80 ; total, $10,332.14; Treasurer's per cen $144.34.

This wide difference is not an indication of extravagance, but of ge eral improvement. For instance, in 1839, if the report is to be relied o; there could have been no public schools, while in the report of 1881 we find large share of total expenses was for school purposes.

In 1865, Russia sent an agent to the United States to inquire into ti principles and workings of our Government. As a matter of course, he cane Ohio, and, not finding just what he wanted at Columbus, he came down Dayton. At Dayton, he said he wanted to get at the very bottom of the int ter, and asked what township was best governed, as he intended going in the matter to its foundation. "Washington Township, of course," respond the county officials. He came out, bringing a letter of introduction to th Treasurer, and spent some time in examining the township books. The fu title of this interesting Russian was J. Kapnist, attache a la II Section de chancellerie particuliere de S. M. l'Empereur de Russie.

Washington Township has always been noted for the liberality of citizens. Their hearts are large and an appeal for help has never been mad to them in vain. In the late war, a call was made by the soldiers' famili in Dayton for wood. The first call was not generally known in the townshi and consequently the response was not very large. At the second cail, hoy ever, the entire township was quick to heed, and seventy loads of wood, mea uring out seventy-five cords, were hauled into town on the same day. Th was more wood than was contributed by the entire county outside of Washin ton Township. The wood was hauled in procession, Benjamin Davis beir Marshal for the day.

Not only has she been willing to contribute of her means, but her citize: have not hesitated to stake their lives for their country's freedom or rights.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

In the war of 1812 were the following men from the township: Gen. Ed- mhd Munger, Capt. John Harris, Capt. William Luce, Capt. Joseph Ewing, C.t. Kiser, Benjamen Maltbie, recruiting officer, Harvey Munger, William Ksey, Henry Stansell, Daniel McNeil, teamsters; Truman Munger, Amos ir n, Lieutenants; William Duncan, William Newman, rangers; Oliver Tol- DE, James Tolbert, Daniel Shaw, Richard Duncan, Richard Sunderland, Per Sunderland, Abraham Russell, James Russell, Peter Clawson, William GEwing, David Lamme; Thomas Kelsie, John Shank, Thomas Hatfield, John H field, James White, Joseph White, Thomas Bigger, John C. Murphy, Rich- I Benham, John Benham, John Wilson, Simeon Wilson, Austin Webb, George , Robert Silvers, Isaac Harrison, William Irvin, privates.

In the Wolverine war of 1835, when the regiment was called together at I misburg, and the list of volunteers taken, it presented the following names: Ritard Benham, Jr., and Newton Fleming, of Washington, and Col. William ayer, of Miami Township.

In the Mexican war, John Woodyard and James Pope represented this ship, or would have represented it had they succeeded in getting to I ico.

In the war of 1861, the township furnished her full quota of soldiers, but, s eir names are soon to be recorded on the soldiers' monument at Dayton. ppave their record to the sculptured marble, which will be more enduring ha the feeble lines of this pen.

Although Washington T wnship has not made as rapid advancement in lrational matters as her progress in other directions would lead us to expect. vet long the dark passages of her illiteracy there have been glimmerings of g whose beams have penetrated to her farthest borders, and in their influ- ( are destined to live for years yet to come.

One of these points in her history was the establishment of a public li- ra as early as 1810. This library was kept up for thirty years, and was a le of much intellectual improvement to the township. It was in the hands joint-stock company, incorporated under the following law:

Feb. 19, 1810. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that hind Munger, Daniel Bradstreet, Noah Tibbals, John Harris, Israel Harris, Benjamin alie, Amoni Maltbie, Ethol Kellogg, Jeremiah Hole, Elihu Kellogg, Freeman Munger, dind K. Munger, Reuben Munger, Ezra Kellogg, Jonathan Munger and Harvey Mun- and they are together with sneh other persons as shall be by them hereafter admit- l'eated and made a corporation and body politic with perpetual Succession and Shall meter be Known by the name and title of the Washington Social Library Company. 1: Edmund Munger, Benjamin Maltbie, Daniel Bradstreet, Noah Tibbals, John Harris, h Kellogg and Jeremiah Hole be and they are hereby appointed directors until the st'anual meeting of said corporation. This act shall take effect and be in force from After the passage thereof. Meeting of the members for Election of Officers 1st Tues- April annually in the Township of Washington and county of Montgomery.

EDWARD TIFFIN,

Speaker of the House of Representatives.

DUNCAN MCARTHUR, Speaker of the Senate.

Harrison Maltbie, son of Judge Benjamin Maltbie, makes a very clear it ent concerning the above charter. "About 1840, a stranger went through e wnship, bought the shares of the stockholders, and kept everything secret ly had full control; he then came to my father to buy his two shares. My b said to him, 'You want to establish a bank on this charter?' He ac- huo edged that was the calculation. My father told him when the charter Wasptained, a pledge was given that it should not be so used; he replied that. 1 .. bl the power already to control it, and he would use it, and, to avoid trouble, he vald give my father $30 for his two shares. My father took it. "This man mov,. the concern to Miamisburg and started the Washington Bank."

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Its life was a brief one, but long enough for some persons to lose la amounts of money. Israel Harris and his son James, of Centerville, w invited to take stock in the bank; they visited Miamisburg and examined it far enough to satisfy themselves that it would not do.

In 1848, a joint-stock company was organized in Centerville for the es lishment of an academy. Property was purchased and a substantial two-st stone building was erected at a cost of $3,000. Prof. Johnson, now of Jel sonville, Ind., was the first Principal, and under his management the sc! prospered for a few years very remarkably. Besides the languages, ma matics and sciences. there was taught book-keeping, surveying and history. The school was closed, however, in 1861, and the building was afterw sold to the Baptists, who erected a church on its site.

There is at present a decided improvement in the schools all over township. The district schools are better than they ever were before, and feeling now is that Washington is going to come out of the woods and her proper position among her sister townships. Besides this general impr ment, a select school was opened up in Centerville, in the fall of 1881, w. promises to be very successful.

TOWNS.

There are three villages in the township, which were once places of siderable importance, but, since the decline of the mills and factories, w gave them life, the once active and noisy streets have become silent and alı deserted, and the towns are all very quiet and inoffensive in their ( acter. The interest has been entirely transferred to the country, whose ri young men and women are the true bone and sinew of the township.

Woodburn, in the northwestern part was once a place of considerable 1 ness capacity. Here the manufacturing company located their factory, and, in palmy days of that establishment Woodburn carried on a brisk trade with, surrounding farmers. Besides the factory and private dwellings, the boasted of a tavern, familiarly known as " Townsley's Tavern," a foundry machine shop and the calico printer's establishment before referred to. a number of years. it also supported a good country store.

The town was the outgrowth of the factory, for we find that the first were sold in May, 1818, two years after the organization of the company. present, there remains nothing to mark the place except a few dwelling-h and a new brick church.

Stringtown, in the southeastern part of the township, dates back to : the same time, but never attained any particular importance, except as tl cation of David Miller's tannery and a few shops of divers kinds. Ther mains of it at present its classical appellation and a few good farmer eiti

Centerville, about midway between Woodburn and Stringtown, receive name from its location-being seven miles from Miamisburg, Springbord Ridgeville, nine from Dayton, Upper Shaker Village, Waynesville and F lin, and fourteen from Middletown, Xenia, Lebanon and Lower Shaker Vi It is located on the highest point between Lebanon and Dayton, on the w shed of the Miamis.

It dates earlier than either of the other places, and was probably lai- for a town as early as 1805 or 1806. We know of lots having been so 1808, and there was a town there at that time. In 1811, a store was of up on Main street, and since then Centerville has never failed to be w upon by one or more of the necessary emporiums of trade. It has been . incorporated-once in 1830 and again in 1879. The first officials unde earlier incorporation were: Samuel S. Robbins, Mayor; Henry W. R. Marshal; Robert G. McEwen, Clerk. These officers served some time wi

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Iving a case, when the boys made up a pony purse and hired Joseph Beck to lid his horse on the pavement before the Mayor. A warrant was immediately ined by that functionary and the playful Joseph was arrested and fined 50 cits, the Mayor declaring with great gusto that order and the dignity of the cy should be preserved at all hazards. The first officials under the new in- ( poration, which declares that Centerville is a hamlet. were: William Dodd, Jesident of the Council; W. H. Lamme, M. D., and S. G. Stewart, M. D., Justees; Joseph Nutt, Clerk and Treasurer; Joseph Loy, Marshal.

In 1812, as Gen. Harrison was marching north to retrieve the fortunes of hill, he passed through the town and encamped two miles to the north, on the vst side of the pike, a little to the southwest of Whip's tobacco shed.

As he came up from the south, he observed a girl making desperate efforts t mount a fractious colt, and. supposing the music was making matters worse f her, he ordered it stopped. In the meantime, the girl had succeeded in nunting and flew past like a shot, bareback and vigorously applying the birch. · trike up," shouted the General. "there is no danger of that girl's being town." When he came into town, he ordered a halt, while he went into the hel to inquire the name of the female equestrian and compliment her on her Isemanship. The girl's name was Sallie Archer, afterward Mrs. Thomas Ivis.

At the same time, one of Gen. Harrison's soldiers, a Frenchman, discovered a ne fat cat basking in front of the tavern. Mrs. Archer. the owner of the cat, h'ing given him permission to take the cat with him, he immediately shot S Thomas, and, having skinned it, put it in his haversack. It is supposed dt he enjoyed a good roast that night.

Centerville was once a place of some importance, but, like Woodburn and Singtown, began to grow old when the manufacturing interests were permitted tall into disuse. It has to-day a population of about 275, and supports one l' goods store, three groceries, a meat-shop, two stone shops, three blacksmith sps, two wagon-makers, a hotel and a good post office. The health of its cit- ins is looked after by W. H. Lamme and S. G. Stewart; its morals are attend- esto by the Methodist Episcopal and Baptists, both Old and New School. un- dl the leadership of Rev. Deem and Elders Thompson and Wilson.

BAPTISTS.

Copy of the article for the ground upon which the first meeting-house in Y shington Township. Montgomery Co., Ohio, was built:

We promis to pay or cause to be paid unto Aaron Nutt or Order the just and full sum fifteen Dollars and that in behalf of the Baptist church of Sugar Creek. it being a com- Isation for a lot purchased to build a Meeting House On and to be paid as follows, By Te Dollars in plank, three Dollars in Glass, one Dollar in a pare of I-L Hinges all to B Delivered and paid to the said Nutt when the Meeting House is ready to receive them ! Eight Dollars on or before the twenty-fifth day of December Next Insueing the date Heof as Witness Our Hands and Seals the first Day of June One Thousand Eight Hun- bland two. Note above characters represent the word Hook.

Testis: JOHN MCINTOSH.

BENJAMIN ARCHER. [Seal. } NATHANIEL KNOTTS. Deacons.

The following credits appear on the above article without dates: Received $2 of the within bill; ditto $3.2. Credit for 350 feet of plank.

The church proceeded to build a house of worship, and empowered the biding committee to pay for hewing the logs in country produce. The build- il of the house was contracted for £50, for which the contractor was to take ca le or work, if paid within a specified time; if otherwise, it was to be paid in ash, and said house to be ready for use by June 1, 1803. Some of the p cheons for floor in said house are still in existence (February, 1882).

The house being finished, a way through the wilderness must be prepared

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

for the scattered members and their friends to go up to the house of the Lo! Accordingly, committees were appointed to mark trees from the meetil house to Wilson's and McGrew's settlements, each distant about five miles, opposite directions. Rev. Charles McDaniel, Baptist missionary, sent by English society, was the first minister in Washington Township. This chiu was raised and constituted in 1799, under the labors of Elder Daniel Cla who was the only minister within many miles. As near as can now bo asc tained, as some records are lost, there were nine members-four males and t females. It was constituted in a private house of one of the members, and printed covenant was adopted, which had been brought from Kentucky by c of the members. The first church meeting on record was held November 1799. Monthly meetings for business were then appointed, and these have co tinued till the present time. The first addition was by letter, January 1, 18 and, in June following, was the first addition by baptism, Mary Etchasq Dr. John Hole was the first person baptized in Hole's Creek, September 1801. In this year, the church united with the Miami Association. Early the present century, Elder Joshua Carman settled near this church, and, the 1st of January, 1802, the church employed him to preach a part of f time. In this year was the first subscription for the support of the Gosp When the church was organized, the country was a wilderness, the first sett ment not two years previous. Yet, before the close of 1802, her membersk had increased twenty-one by letter and eight by baptism. Frequent cases discipline are mentioned, and the first exclusion is mentioned in March, 18 In April of this year, the church employed Elder John Mason to preach tw a month, till September, 1823. The first member regularly dismissed Was 1806; first restoration in 1808; from then until 1811 the records are poo. kept. In 1812, Elder Jacob Mulford was employed to preach once a mor till 1823 or 1824. In IS18, an effort was made to build a new house of w ship of brick, but the effort failed. In 1824, Elder Hezekiah Stites was e ployed to preach one Sabbath in each month, and a subscription was raised be paid in sugar for part of his services. In 1827, Elder Samuel Catte preached for the church a portion of the time. In 1830, they employed Elo Peter Webb as pastor, which relation he sustained till 1835. Purchased addition to the graveyard this year. In May, 1831, agreed to build a n house of worship. Brother Daniel Wilson was appointed agent and buildi committee; in 1832, the house was finished and committee discharged with tire approbation and hearty thanks. January, 1836, called Elder Robert M sildine to preach one-half the time, but, proving himself unworthy the cor dence reposed in him, he was dismissed. After September, 1836, preaching part of the time by different ministers-by Elder Muncier Jones, Brotl Orasmus Osgood and Brother Lewis Osborn, Elder William Sutton and Elc John Blodget. In April, 1842. Elder John Blodget was settled as pastor; October, his health failed and Elder Henry Ward was engaged until the pasto health was restored; in 1852, the pastor closed his labors with the chur Elder Zelora Eaton employed to preach semi-monthly for six months. 1853, Elder Samuel Marshall employed one-half the time, till 1856. In J; uary, 1857, Brother Seth D. Bowker; with him the church made its first rangement for preaching every Sabbath. In March, 1859, the church call Elder J. W. Weatherby to the pastorate; continued till 1865. H. Way pastor from May 1, 1866, to May, 1868. John E. Craig, Jaunary 9, 1869, November, 1870. H. Ward, from July 1, 1871, to April, 1874. J. C. Ar. strong, from April 4, 1874, to May 15, 1876. Watson Dana, from Noveml 19. 1876, to May 15, 1878. J. H. Wilson since October 1, 1878.

The present house of worship was built in 1871 and dedicated in 18" The above represents the New School Baptist Church.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

In reference to the above church. the following enactment of the Legisla- t'e is found:

Feb. 4, 1815. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that Ben- jin Archer Ahner Gerard, and Edward Mitchel and their associates for the time being band they are hereby created and declared a body politic by the name of the Regular Fotist called Sugar Creek, and as such shall remain and have perpetual sueeession, sub- je, however, to such future alterations as the Legislature may think proper to make.

OLD SCHOOL BAPTISTS.

After the division of the Baptist Church, which, from the records, seems tilave been somewhere between 1821 and 1824, the two bodies were then kwn respectively as Old and New School Baptist. The following are the nhes of the Elders who have served the Old School in Centerville from the dision to the present time: Elder Wilson Thompson, Jacob Mulford, Stephen Grd. Thomas Childers, Moses Frazee, Kingham, Elihu Moore, Samuel Wiliams (preached sixteen years), William Butler, John A. Thompson, Grigg Tompson, John M. Thompson (since January, 1877). About 1828, built a stie meeting-house, which was occupied until a few years ago, when they Ited a neat frame house. John A. Thompson preached the dedication ser- mı. Regular preaching the fourth Sunday in each month and Saturday be- * in Centerville.

UNIVERSALISTS.

The Universalists commenced preaching here about 1826 or 1827, the first won by Jonathan Kidwell, in the old pioneer log meeting-house, after that nching sometimes in private houses, and quite frequently in the school- IGe; there they organized and prospered for many years, having regular a tings, the ministers full of zeal and full of debate. Elder Samuel Will- a 3, of the Old School Baptist, and Elihu Moore, Universalist, had debate for 1 s in the Baptist Church of Centerville: at the conclusion, both parties laned the victory. Jonathan Kidwell was said to be very generous to his op- nts. After a sermon, it is said, he would extend the privilege to any one rent to make known their opposition to his doctrine. On one occasion in Dle County, an old German rose up and said: " Mr. Kidwell, if your doc- viè ish true, we has got enough of it, and, if it ish not true, we wants no up of it." And down he sat.

ORTHODOX FRIENDS.

At an early date. Thomas Horner and four sons-John. David, Joseph n Jacob-with their families, all members of the Society of Friends, settled mis township. and, for awhite. attended the Friends' meetings in Waynes- 1. On New Year's Day. 1816, Solomon Miller and family, from Pennsyl- ? a, also Friends, moved into the neighborhood and a meeting was soon or- a zed on Sugar Creek, one and a half miles southeast of Centerville. About. > came Abijah Taylor and family and Goldsmith Chandler and family. Virginia. Then Amos Kinworthy, from Pennsylvania. and David Miller, L sunk a tanyard and built the brick house at the cross roads in Stringtown. he came Job Jennings and family, from New Jersey. Caleb Miller came oct 1822 or 1823; Nathan Ballard about the same time: he was a cooper and ihop was on the lot adjoining the township hall in Centerville, on the east dj Later, came the Haines family, we think, from New Jersey; Paul Sears ancamily, from North Carolina; Joseph and Solomon Hollingsworth, from · i'nia. We are not certain about the Horners' native State, but it is now >posed to be North Carolina. Isaac Hasket came in at a later date. and was abo, the last member of the meeting, which is now entirely among the things thaare past. For years, monthly meetings were held alternately at Sugar

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Creek and Springboro. By 1860, meetings had about ceased, Isaac Hasket a the Sears family being the sole representatives of that once pleasant socie Hasket moved to Iowa. The Sears, with the exceptions of Charles and Ma: attached themselves to other societies. The old meeting-house, after its aba donment as such, was occupied a few years as a dwelling, when it was burr down. Nothing now marks the spot but the old burying-ground. Thon Miller. son of the above-named Solomon, is a prominent minister in the Soci of Friends; residence, Springboro, Warren Co., Ohio. The writer, as well all acquaintances of James C. Anderson, will be surprised to learn that he : not a member; such is the case, he was not.

WASHINGTON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The earliest record that we have of the Washington Presbyterian Chu is a record of a congregational meeting, held November 29, 1813, Rev. Willi Robison, presiding, at which three trustees were chosen, viz., Jonathan M. ger, Edmund Munger and Ira Mead. On August 20, 1817, the first record a meeting of a church session occurred, constituted as follows: Ministers, R Grey, Rev. Burgess; Elders. Messrs, Tunis Vandevere, Zebulon Baird a Fergus McClane. At this meeting, the following persons were admittec full membership: Noah Tibbals, Benjamin Maltbie, George Reeder, Per Reeder. Edmund Munger, Eunice Munger, Jonathan Munger, Elizabeth M ger. Seth Kellogg, Eunice Kellogg, Andrew Bailey and Olive Porter. At t meeting. the following persons were elected by the congregation Elders of church: George Reeder, Edmund Munger and Benjamin Maltbie, and, on 31st of August. the same year, these Elders were ordained by the Res. Hughs. At this period, it was the custom to hold two services on the s: Sabbath, the people taking lunch with them. The records do not show wl the meetings were held, but most likely from house to house. Subsequen out-door meetings became quite common, and a great many added to the chu this was especially true of a camp-meeting, which was held some time betw the years 1829 and 1833 or 1834, under the preaching of the Rev. Johr Belville. recently deceased, one of the most talented and eloquent divinel that day. He became the pastor of this church March 24, 1830, and contin in this office up to 1840; during this period, upward of 120 persons were ad to the church. The first division in the church seems to have grown out of sale of pews, part of the church being opposed to the plan, and, in conseque several of the most liberal and efficient members withdrew or were discipli:

The next occasion of a division was the question of dispute in refere to doctrine, which ended in the split into Old and New School. A small; nority of the members withdrew and made an attempt to organize a church the New-School doctrine, but did not succeed. The majority of the mem! continued their adherence to the original organization, and the organiza. has been kept up with varying success up to the present time. The orig. plan was to build the church in Centerville, and $906 were raised by subsq tion for this purpose. Subsequently, a subscription was started to build church at or near the high bridge, which succeeded in raising only $30, what they lacked in money they seem to have made up in energy, for we that they finally carried the point. This was a compromise; part of the congregation lived at Miamisburg, and it was argued that the church ougl be located so as to accommodate both sections. So the church was located the bridge. The records of this church show that near 400 names appe upon its roll from its organization up to the present time. The first Sab school in this township was organized in this church.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 86

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