The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 91

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 91

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Soon after Cumback left. Germantown, Cyrus Heister and James Gray

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

{ doing job work on a second-hand press which they had purchased, finally isting a small paper. In 1869, they disposed of their interests to C. W. Dun- .fr, who started the Dollar Times, which he sold in 1874. The Germantown >38 was established in 1875 by its present editor and proprietor, F. D. Hark- ier, who has exhibited much tact and energy, and made the Press one of the it newsy papers of the Miami Valley.

The above account would be incomplete without the mention of the name fuewis Dill, who has been a compositor on every paper that has been pub- ised in Germantown, and who can still be found at his post in the office of ·h.Bulletin, in Miamisburg. He is the son of the Rev. John Casper Dill, and aje to Germantown with his father in 1815. He learned the printer's trade rin quite young. and. though approaching his fourscore years, his health is olst and his mental faculties are as vigorous as ever. He remembers as ah as any man now living of Germantown history. his position as printer Ading him opportunities of becoming familiar with current events. and with le and their doings.

MANUFACTURERS.

The distillery of D. Rohrer & Co., located one mile southwest of German- Ou, was established in 1864, but was the legitimate offspring of the distillery ut by his father, Christian Rohrer, about 1847. and which was operated by in for many years. There David learned the art of distilling, finally succeed- n;his father in the business. The present distillery has a capacity for man- f turing daily thirty barrels of choice whisky, which has an enviable reputa- 10 all over the country. The buildings cost $60,000, and the capital invested, xvisive of real estate, is $150,000. It employs thirty workmen, fattens but 400 head of cattle and 1,200 hogs annually, and the daily expenses of wing the establishment amount to about $1, 150. Mr. Rohrer's partner is 'b'les Hofer, of Cincinnati, who attends to the sale of the liquor, while he i' the manufacturing interests his personal supervision.

The manufacture of cigars has been a leading business of this town for nay years, and the tobacco from which they are made is almost entirely pro- lud in German Township, a small quantity only of Connecticut and Havana oleco being used for flavoring purposes. More than three million cigars La been annually manufactured in Germantown, employing a large corps of ormen, clerks and salesmen, the Government revenue amounting to over $180,- annually. The revenue collected by the Government from the industrial stylishments of this township have amounted, during one year, to $545,000 -tite a snug sum for Uncle Sam's money drawer to receive from one small ship.

The sash, door and blind factory of Holcomb Snyder was begun by him in B He employs six or eight hands, is a first-class mechanic, and enjoys an x neive patronage.

THE LEGAL PROFESSION.

John Kelso, who came to Germantown in 1828, was the first of Black- von's disciples who located in this town. In connection with his practice, he u ht school from necessity, and in 1836 removed to Iowa. A lawyer by the as of Wright lived a year or two in Germantown during Kelso's time, but, unile to eke out a living, he left the town in discouragement. In 1841, Les B. Walker made his appearance in Germantown, and had charge of an ccemy for the first two years, after which he was admitted to the bar and vegn practicing law. For some years he was in partnership with H. V. R. 10", who was an able lawyer. From 1848-49, Mr. Walker held the seat of a Seitor in the State Legislature, and in 1861 he raised the Thirty-first Regi- tae), Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was appointed Colonel. At the

HHISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

battle of Chickamauga, he was wounded, and soon after was promoted to rank of Brigadier General of volunteers for gallant services. When the closed, Gen. Walker went to Texas. From there he returned to Ohio, began his law practice in Findlay, at which place he still resides.

G. F. Walker was a nephew of Gen. Walker; practiced law in Germant previous to the rebellion; became Captain of a company of his uncle's r ment; served throughout the war, after which he abandoned law and ente the ministry. and is now preaching in Iowa.

J. Sharts opened a law office in Germantown in 1868, remained & years, and then removed to Kansas. William Shuey, a native of Dayton, c shortly after Sharts left, in order to supply his place, but, after a residenc a year or two, he returned to Dayton.

Adam Frank is at present attending to a such legal business as Gern town requires, and is giving entire satisfaction to his patrons.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.

Dr. Boss is the first physician who is known to have practiced medicin German Township. He was a German, who came from Kentucky to this to ship in 1805 and resided with John Pauly, who lived where Sunsbury stands. He died in 1807, and was buried on Sunsbury Hill.

Adam and Michael Zeller came from Pennsylvania in 1805; opened a c store in 1824, and, although not regular physicians, they gave medical ad and practiced the healing art. To Dr. Adam Zeller we are indebted for discovery of extracting oil from the hickory nut, which, in those days, was lieved to possess great healing qualities.

Dr. George W. Miller came to this place in 1816. He was a Germa? birth, a fine classical scholar and a good physician. The practice of medi not proving remunerative in this field. after a residence of three years he turned to Pennsylvania.

Dr. Emanuel Rusk was a single man, who located here in 1820, and in 1823. He had been a Surgeon in the army of Napoleon the Great, but n ing further is known of his history, and he sleeps in an unmarked grave in Intheran Graveyard of Germantown.

Dr. C. G. Espich is the first physician who acquired a long and per nent residence in Germantown. He came here, a single man, about the s time as Dr. Rusk made his appearance, but, soon after, was married to El beth, youngest daughter of Philip Gunckel. He was a popular and sveces practitioner, and died November 24, 1853. Dr. Brasacker was a native ( man, a partner of Dr. Espich, and practiced here from 1824 to 1827.

Dr. M. Trout began practice here in 1831; removed soon after to Indi: returned in 1837, and has lived here ever since.

Drs. Bossler and Pennel located in Germantown in 1835, remaining b short time.

Dr. Watson, soon after the last two left, made his appearance, but. ha' no love for his calling, his success was indifferent, and he left after a few ye residence.

Dr. James Comstock was a native of Connecticut, who located in this p in 1838. He lived and practiced in Germantown twenty-two years, and h. previous practice of nearly thirty years. He was a man of great energy, was thoroughly devoted to his profession. He was identified with the Methc Church, and died in 1860, in the seventy-eighth year of his life.

Dr. James Lawder began his practice here in 1836; was a son-in-law Dr. Espich, and died in 1849. During a part of this period, he was in [ nership with Dr. Espich.

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

Dr. W. B. McElroy practiced medicine in Germantown from 1843 to 1847. tin removed to Franklin. Ohio, where he is still residing.

Dr. J. E. Donnellon came in 1853; was a partner of Dr. Espich's until tl latter's death, since which time he has continued alone. and enjoyed a lu- citive practice.

Dr. Daniel Eckert practiced his profession in Germantown from 1854 to 186, then moved to Indiana.

Drs. Longenecker and Miller were here from 1850 to 1860.

Dr. J. J. Antrim commenced his practice in Germantown in 1857, and is ning special attention to cancer patients.

Dr. John Robinson located here in 1869. In 1875, he was elected County "k, and re-elected in 1878, living in Dayton during his official career. He now resumed the practice of his profession in Germantown.

Dr. J. W. Cline began practice here in 1869, and has since continued his r'essional duties at this place.

Dr. J. A. Brown opened his office in 1878, and has a good practice.

Sketches of Drs. Trout, Donnellon. Antrim, Robinson and Brown will be onid elsewhere in this work.

The following prominent dentists practiced here:

J. Jones, from 1836 to 1841; G. W. and William F. Gunckel. for several e's; John H. Payn. from 1857 to 1864: V. B. Stephens. since 1866; and W. I.fineman, who was associated for several years with Dr. Stephens, then re- red to Indiana.

A number of other dentists came from time to time, but they did not ac. ue permanent residence, and were merely squatters in this dental field.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

There has been some difficulty experienced in obtaining a complete list of he officials and their time of service. The following, however, is all that inow be gathered of the names and dates for German Township magis- a's:

Philip Gunckel. from 1805 to 1812; Henry Duckwall, John S. Schenck. 3 -19; G. W. Miller. 1816; George Rowe, 1819-1840: W. Schwartz, John clure, 1826-1835 ; William C. Emerick, 1835-1850 : Jacob Emminger, 35-58; William Gunckel, Christopher Taylor, Daniel Izor, John F. Kern, ol Zebring and Adam Frank, the last of whom is the Mavor of Germantown, no respected, popular official.

PROMINENT MEN.

German Township has many citizens who have done much toward the th and development of its best interests, whose names will not appear in isist, for to give every name would require more space than we have at our sjsal, would make very monotonous reading, and history would not gain u, by it. In the following are the names of those whom we have selected to men who have done most to build up Germantown. outside of the pioneer tles:

Jol. John Stump, born in Berks County, Penn., March 29, 1794, came to sownship with his father, Leonard, in 1805, and served in the war of 1812. Married Maria C. Emerick, daughter of Michael Emerick, and followed ring for some years. He erected a residence and grist-mill one mile south- resof Germantown, at present the property of Christian Rohrer, and there Wpi kind of hotel. He raised a family of five daughters and one son. About 84|he engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he followed about twenty years in Gmantown. He then sold out, and established the Germantown Exchange

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Bank, which, in 1863, was merged into the First National Bank, of which C Stump served as Cashier until 1869, when he retired to private life. He wa life-long adherent of the Lutheran Church, and died April 10, 1875.

Col. Michael Gunckel, the second son of Philip Gunckel, was born Berks County, Penn., September 22, 1787, and came to this township with father in 1804. He married Barbara Shuey, daughter of Martin Shuey, w bore him a large family. among whom are William, Lewis B., Henry S. a Michael S. Gunckel, the latter of whom raised a company during the rebelli and was promoted to the rank of Major. He erected the building now occup by John Zehring, in which he conducted his business. During the war of 18 he served as a Captain in the army: was afterward brevetted as Colonel, a was always a prominent, influential and useful man. He also served one te in the State Legislature, and died September 17, 1857.

Capt. John C. Negley came to the Twin Valley from Kentucky in 18 but was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Cumberland County July 21, 17 He removed to Mercer County, Ky., with his parents, when but twelve years age. and there remained until his removal to this county. He was married Mary Shuey, daughter of Martin Shuey, October 11, 1811, and settled east Germantown, on land which he and his father, Philip, had previously enter Early in 1812, Mr. Negley entered the service as Second Lieutenant in C. Sunderland's company, and was stationed at Greenville, Ohio. After they closed, he was chosen as Captain of a militia company, and held many offi positions, such as Township Trustee and County Commissioner. During whole life. he was active and prominent in township affairs, until old age : feeble health impaired his usefulness. Capt. Negley died in his eighti year, leaving a widow, who still survives him. His children are Mrs. He Hoffman, Mrs. Abia Zeller, William H. Negley, Mrs. J. S. Artz and Mrs. W iam H. Schaeffer.

Tobias Van Skoyk was of Dutch descent, and came here from Franl' about the year 1812. He was for some year engaged in the saddler's busin and later in the dry goods trade. He became wealthy, was a man of enterpr and took an active part in building up the town. His only child married (, Moses B. Walker.

Charles O. Wolpers was born in Germany in 1795, and came to Gern town in 1817. He opened a store near Gunckel's Mill, on a small scale, after a few years, erected a more commodious building on the lot at pre occupied by Wolper & Oblinger's dry goods store. About 1824, he mar Louisa Schwartz, and died in December, 1868.

Henry S. Gunckel was the second son of Col. Michael Gunckel, and born in Germantown September 20, 1810. Early in life, he entered upon i cantile pursuits, and for some years clerked in the store of Col. John Stu whose daughter, Sarah, he married in 1834, and soon after became a partne' Col. Stump's. He early became prominent in public affairs, being a clear forcible speaker, and taking a warm interest in State and national poli He was a well-read man, familiar with the history and laws of his coul courteous in manners, possessed of rare conversational powers, and enjoyed versal popularity in the community where he lived. In 1842, he was ele to the State Legislature, and re-elected in 1844, serving his constituents entire satisfaction. During the last twenty years of his life, he gave his af tion to the purchase and sale of leaf tobacco. He died February 8, 1873, thus terminated the carrer of one of Germantown's most eminent and us citizens, a man who was beloved by all who knew him in life. His only so Patrick H. Gunckel, of Dayton, Ohio.

Besides those mentioned, the names of the following are given as men

GERMAN TOWNSHIP.

cl their share in building up the moral as well as the material interests of ( rmantown :

Augustus Schwartz, George Rowe, Jacob Emminger, Jacob Koehne, Samuel Ihrer, Lewis Schenck, Lewis Hasselman, Albert Stein, Elias Ligget. These wre all worthy and highly influential men, who, by the part which they have aed, exerted influences which will not soon die. They have aided in giving dection to the affairs and in shaping the character of the people who at psent reside in this township, and for that reason their names deserve a place 1 he pages of its history. To the above list might have been added the names oother men equally worthy of mention, some of whom are still living, but the wit of space compels us to close the list by saying that all are men who do hor to the pioneer fathers of the Twin Valley.

STATISTICS OF THE YEAR 1881.

According to the last official census, the population of Germantown is 1, - ( '; of Sunsbury, 135; and of the township outside the corporate limits, 1,698. G.mantown has four public buildings, valued at $20,000; four churches, at $ ,150; and a public school building, at $8,500. The township outside the ton contains twelve public schoolhouses, valued at $13,671, and three cJrches, at $1,300. There are 24,132 acres of land in German Township, vated at $204,703. The above valuations are those of the Assessor, and are cosiderably below their real value.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP.

BY E. F. WARNER.

T HIS subdivision was formed from Elizabeth Township, by the Cour Commissioners, November 6, 1804, and elections were ordered to be he at the house of David Hoover. On the 7th of March, 1809, a portion of Ra dolph was taken in the formation of Madison Township, and, October 7, 18. all of Randolph, lying east of Stillwater River, was used in the erection Butler Township. Thus the township remained until June 8, 1825, at whi time all of its territory, in the original surveyed Township 6, Range 4 ea was erected into a new township, called Clay, since which time no changes la been made in the boundaries. Randolph Township is situated in the northe part of the county with the township of Butler on the east, and Clay on 1 west; Madison Township forms its southern boundary, while Miami Cour forms its northern one. It is six miles long. from north to south, and, on average, about four and a half miles wide, from east to west, containing abc twenty-six square miles. The surface is undulating and the drainage amp Stillwater River draining it on the east and Baker's Creek on the north, i latter emptying into Stillwater near the county line. The central part of township is drained by Bowman's Creek, which empties into Wolf Creek, Madison Township, while the western and south western portions are drair by Little Wolf Creek and its tributaries. These creeks and small streams all fed by never-failing fresh-water springs. Near Union are a large num) of springs, which are noted far and near for the beautiful, clear, fresh, p water, that has proven a blessing to all who reside in that locality.

These springs nearly all unite in a branch near Union and form ( branch which affords excellent water-power, but at present is not utiliz Yet, the day is not far distant when capitalists will have control of said wat power and the hum of machinery will again be heard in the vicinity of Uni as it used to be in the past.

There are other springs dotted all over the township; the largest is owr by H. W. Morehead, near the center of the township. The most noted spr is near Salem, in the western part of the township, known as the Rattlesn. Spring, and took its name from the great number of those reptiles lurking. its vicinity in the early history of the township.

Mr. John Rench killed at one time, on the same day, thirty-three mons rattlesnakes, and was compelled to leave his task unfinished on account of strong odor emitted by the dead and living reptiles near him.

There are nearly one hundred living springs of fresh water in the to' ship, no doubt being the banner township of the county in this particu There are steep bluffs on Baker's Creek. Wolf Creek and Stillwater Riv The soil is very fertile, producing wheat, corn, oats, flax, rye, potatoes and kinds of fruit, from the apple to the finest variety of small fruit. The to ship was heavily timbered before the primeval forest was disturbed by husbandman's ax.

The writer of this article has before him a letter written by Capt. Mas a relative of his in North Carolina. from which the following quotations taken:

"We let down here in the wildest and the heaviest timbered woods in

RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP.

wile world, from the one inch to the six-foot oak, ash, poplar, walnut, hickory, "nur-tree, maple, beech, buckeye, elm, dogwood, ironwood, spice and nettles."

The giant oak and the other timber mentioned above have nearly all suc- cu bed to the axman's stroke. There is not timber enough left now to refence an rebuild, should such a thing ever become necessary. The same letter gi's the following description of the animals and reptiles, when he, with his rater, landed on Stillwater: "Snakes, wolves panthers, wild-cats, muskrats, e, some bear, wild turkeys, pheasants, squirrels, raccoon, opossums and In- diis by the score."

The animals have long since disappeared, at the crack of the hunter's it and the Indians have gone toward the setting sun.

The township now has an enterprising community of intelligent farmers b own splendid farms, have them under a high state of cultivation and farm I' all the modern improvements applied to the science of agriculture. It is mag the foremost townships in the Miami Valley, in raising wheat, in its iel to the acre.

The stone quarries are a notable feature of its products. The quarry wed by Mr. David Shaw. near Union, belongs to the Niagara formation, and ces an excellent material for building purposes of all descriptions.

Mr. John Stolts, in the north part of the township, has an exceedingly y od quarry, also of the Niagara formation, and sells large quantities of stone for very variety of purposes to which stone can be applied.

There are other quarries, but not yet developed to the same extent as those wc mentioned. Mr. H. M. Turner has opened a quarry near Salem, of the n formation as the others, and, from appearances or indications, stone wul be obtained equal to the best of the " Dayton stone," which is noted as hig of a superior quality all over Southwestern Ohio.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENT.

The writer will again quote Capt. Mast's language: " On the 10th of Sep- Htxer, as I well remember (I was three years old the 20th of the next No- (Pn er), my father, with four of his sisters and their husbands, bid adieu to WATorth Carolina, in company with one or two more families. They resided indolph County, on the Hewary River. They were all in low circum- n s; had money enough to make their entries, and to buy some provisions burg the winter. They halted for winter quarters at what is now called liceville, eight miles north of Lebanon; rented a log cabin of Luther and In Ball, old bachelors, near neighbors to George Harlan, who was soon Ented Judge; was so called for years, or until he died. Our Carolina anos, or families, left Ridgeville vicinity on the 4th day of March, 1802. 16 proceeded to the Stillwater woods, where they had previously made their le ions, and on my father's purchase the first house or cabin was raised or tied."

Such was the language of Capt. Mast, who was well known to the writer, dyho was a little boy of five or six years of age when the first settlement is nade. Capt. Mast died, in West Milton. Miami County, in 1878, aged g y-one years.

To those who know nothing about pioneer life. the following extract from if Mast's diary is taken to show the patriotism of the early or first settlers ty township. when they celebrated our natal day:

' This being the birthday of our freedom, God be thanked, on the 4th dayof July, 1806, I, with my mother, father, four of his sisters and his brojors-in-law, had a 4th of July celebration. For dinner, we had plenty of Lon'y, pork, beef, johnny-cake, turkey, deer, pheasants, fish and squirrels."

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

The writer visited Mrs. Mary Sheets, whose maiden name was Hooy She corroborates the statement of Capt. Mast's diary, concerning the year the first settlement, and makes this statement: David Mast, Daniel Hoo' her father, David Hoover, and Daniel Hoover. her cousin. with their famil on the 20th day of March, 1802, landed on their respective purchases and c menced erecting cabins immediately. David Mast settled on the northy quarter of Section 3, Daniel Hoover, Sr .. on the southeast quarter of Sect 10. David Hoover on the northeast quarter of Section 10, and Da Hoover, Jr., on the northwest quarter of Section 10. They had to cut a r from Dayton north, through the wilderness, as they moved on their tries of land, which were purchased in 1798. In that year, several ger men came from North Carolina and explored the Stillwater bottoms as as to where Covington now stands. They encountered no Indians on t trip, but the old lady recollects that a short time after they had pitched t tents, an Indian made her appearance at her father's camp. Her father mother were both absent. She was not frightened, but her younger sister very much frightened and sought her parents immediately, and told them there was a man in the camp. The Indians were numerous then but never lested the settlers of this township, although as settlers arrived and rumor Indian depredations were being committed, there were block-houses built the neighbors were collected in them at night for mutual protection agi the Indians, but every morning the settlers would disperse to their respec clearings.

Robert and James Ewing, John and Abraham Mcclintock came from I tucky in 1805. David, William and Martin Sheets came from North Caro in 1806. About this time settlements sprang up in every part of the towns Jacob Smith settled on the northeast quarter of Section 19; David Kinse the northwest quarter of Section 32; Daniel Fetters settled on the north of Section 29; Peter Fette s on Section 21, both in 1806. The Ellers Fouts came about the same year. In the year 1811, there was a heavy emi tion from Pennsylvania. The Rasors, Warners and Brumbaughs, with ot] came and all of them opened clearings for themselves. Jacob Brumbaugh Samuel Brumbaugh are yet living. The first child born was Daniel Hoove. 1803, and is now living on the farm where he was born.

EDUCATION.

The educational facilities for the youth of the land were meager. 1805, the first schoolhouse was built, north of Union, and James Wright employed to teach the children. Schools were kept up by subscription. A Edwards was the second teacher, near Salem, in 1807. William Smith living, was one of his pupils. The ordinance of 1787 made provision for schools in the Northwest Territory, and the people of this township, as 800 practicable, made use of the fund from Section 16.

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 91

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