The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 94

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 94

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Andrew Noffsinger lived on land next to David Bowman, Sr., John aj Dan Noffsinger living in the vicinity of the Noffsinger Church; all were of pioneers. In the year 1812 came, from Morrison Cove, Penn., Adam Shot and family, and settled where Jonas Shock now lives. The children we Martin, Jacob, Daniel, Jonas, Adam, Catharine, Nancy, Barbara, Micha Lucy and Elizabeth.

About the year 1815, Daniel Neff, a Kentuckian, was added to the sett ment. His wife was a daughter of Peter Weaver. Mrs. Neff died in 185 and he in 1851. The following year came from Pennsylvania Jacob Harp a wife, Elizabeth Bowman. He served in the war of 1812. In 1818, Day Wertz and family settled on land to the south of Abram Weaver. Wertz hail from Berks County, Penn., in the year 1812, but stopped a few years in W. ren County. George and Catharine (Marker) Patten settled in the easte part of the township in the year 1819, having purchased 154 acres of land David Bowman. They were from the Middletown Valley, Frederick Coun Md. In 1820, came John Getter, from Pennsylvania. Thus is given a br sketch of some of the hardy sons of toil, who sacrificed the comforts of ho: and friends. and encountered the hardships and braved the dangers of a fro ier life, converting the forests into the fine farms of the present and maki possible the high state of civilization and advancement attained.

CHURCHES.

Tho earliest denominations to effect church organizations in the towns] were the German Baptists, the Lutherans and German Reformed. These beg their labors at the same time the first ray of civilization illumined the gr forest. Elder Jacob Miller, a sketch of whose life is given above, was the f

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

o reach to the pioneers of this vicinity. Services were then held in the T'es, which were "God's first temples," and in each other's cabins, until after mouilding of schoolhouses and meeting-houses. The Rev. David Bowman a also one of the very early German Baptist ministers, a colleague of Miller. h first meeting-house of the township was a union one, built jointly by the unieran aud German Reformed people in the year 1812. It was constructed f ewed logs, one story high, with an extensive gallery, and was a model reture for the day, each of the male members hewing his share and haul- nothem to the site selected. This was known as Salem Church and stood in heastern part of Section 28. The organization of the Lutheran denomina- of was effected by the Rev. Mr. Dill, who was their first minister. Some of nearly families were the Snepps, the Gebharts, the Stavers, the Weavers Ttob's family), the Apples and the Heeters. Of the Reformed denomination ,e the Rechers and the Leichtys. Organized by the Rev. Thomas Winters. Bott sects worshiped in this church until the erection of the present brick u ling in 1860. This stands a little south of the old site, and is likewise nestory in height, with a gallery; has a spire and bell; the latter was cast at 1Buckeye Foundry, Cincinnati, costing $200. The church cost about $3,000. e C. Albrecht and Rev. Peter Prugh are the present pastors of the Lutheran German Reformed Churches respectively.

Returning again to the German Baptists, of whom we can say but little secting their early church history, as no records are in existence, and those hom such details were familiar have taken their last sleep. However, we wsafely say that as early as the year 1808, several societies were organized is section. About that time, Elder David Bowman effected the organiza- .o|now at the Bear Creek Church, and Elder Jacob Miller the one at the Hoer Church, formerly known as the Noffsinger Church. It would be well Id that the Bear Creek Church is, perhaps, better known as the Bowman Th'ch. The Bowmans, Diehls, Wolfs, Ullerys, Shiveleys and Metzgers were on of the early families belonging to the Bowman society. Also the Wea- And to the other society, the Noffsingers, Huffmans and Claglors. 'The oman society built their first church in the year 1838. It was of brick, but nl, and was replaced in about 1850 by the present building, which is like- rid of brick, one story, having a basement. valued at $2,000. Preachers in elistrict who serve the charge are Revs. Mr. Fitzgerald, Isaac Bright and ol: Bowman, Jr .; membership about 100. The Miller society erected their in church in about the year 1847, on ground donated by Eli and Samuel osinger. This was a one-story brick, and was replaced by the present com- cous one in 1871. It is a very substantial building, one story in height, achas a basement. It is constructed of brick and cost in the neighborhood 3,500. Elder George Holler is in charge; membership over 100. The ukards, as they are generally called, are frugal and industrious, and are also Lin and good class of people, and, in demeanor, are very much like the r ads or Quakers. The German Reformed Church, called the "Mount Car- le Church," located on Section 12, on the Dayton & Germantown pike, was gnized in 1853, by the Rev. David Winters, and the present brick edifice e ed in 1873, at a cost of nearly $2,000. In the year 1853, a one-story "1; church was built within a mile of this site by the organization in ques- o: which served them during the intervening years. Rev. Adam Hawker is thepresent pastor, and the membership is eighty. St. Peter's Evangelical Lureran Church was organized and the honse built in 1872. It is a one- "o brick and cost $3,000. Prior to the year 1872, the members of this chich worshiped at Providence Church, in Perry Township, but the distance forne members in this locality being so far, and especially for the aged, for

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

convenience' sake many withdrew and established the one named, which is cated in the northern part of Section 5, on the Eaton pike. The present cumbent is Rev. C. H. Albrecht.

SCHOOLS.

Among the early schoolhouses in the township were the following, sta ing on the sites designated: One at the intersection of the Farmersville & ( mantown pikes, near Gettersburg, which was the first, as far as we have } able to learn, built in the township. School was held here as early as 180 1810, taught by a Mr. Brown. At a little later date, there was a schoolhd on the Eli Ebberly farm, in which both German and English were taugh one Clinger. Another of the early schoolhouses stood on Section 18, on Peter Weaver place. One Oblinger, a Jew, was the teacher. Prior to building of this, he held school in a cabin, having been vacated by Peter W. er. These schools were all sustained by subscription, there being then no o mode of supply. The first law enacted in Ohio making any provisions public schools was in 1821, but nothing was accomplished, and, in 1825, a ther act was passed mandatory in its character, commanding the districtin. each township. In 1838, provision was made for the building of dist schoolhouses. However, as numerous as were the laws on this subject, it a number of years before the cessation of subscription schools and the adop of 'the present public school system; and for years intervening between, schools were partially carried on by subscription, some public money be used. There are now eleven districts in the township, with as many substan brick buildings, in which school is held from six to eight months each y The amount appropriated annually for school purposes is about $6,000. school property in the township is-valued at $16,000. The enrollment is 913 scholars. The house in District No. 11, a one-story building, was ere in the summer of 1880, on ground purchased of Daniel Peffly, for $170, cost of $1,490; that in No. 10 was built in 1874, and cost about $3,000. Districts 2 and 4, the houses are two stories in height.

EARLY ENTERPRISES.

Big Bear Creek furnished excellent water privileges, which were takeu vantage of and utilized by the pioneers. A carding and fulling machine in operation on this stream on the old Abraham Mullendore farm at a early day, but when and by whom built is lost to the memory of the few of old who are yet with us. The first saw and grist mills for the town. were built, the first about the year 1807 or 1808, and the latter several y: later, by Henry Weaver; they were located in Section 18, on Big Bear Cr The water-wheel of the grist-mill was constructed by Martin Saylor. It one set of buhrs made of "gray-heads;" the bolt was turned by hand. T. mills stood a long time and were afterward rebuilt by "Uncle Abe " Weal who was the miller for some time at the Weaver Mill. The saw-mill is carried on, but the other is idle; Not long after the year 1810, John St: built a fulling-machine in connection with a mill on Bear Creek, at the pre site of the saw-mill at Gettersburg. As early as 1806, a Mr. Myers carrier a still-house in the vicinity of Gettersburg. Jacob Weaver was also enge in distilling liquors. Jacob Mullendore carried on quite an extensive tan; in the days of the early pioneers, on Bear Creek, on the farm now occupied John Snepp, Jr. Here, either this man or his father erected a log cabin, w still stands, though it has long since been weather-boarded, and is prob the oldest house in the township. Henry Hepner, as we have before intima was the first blacksmith, and gave attention to the needs of the pioneers ir line.

JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.

GRAVEYARDS.

It was generally customary with the early settlers to inter their dead on feir own land. This custom was observed for years, but in time it was given 1) to a certain extent, and land was set apart for burial purposes. There are fe of these grounds in the township. The largest and probably first was the gaveyard at the Lutheran and Reformed Church at Gettersburg. The ground y's purchased by these people of a Mr. Brown for the purpose of a burying- pund and erecting a church. It was never regularly laid out into lots, and ¿y were at liberty to bury there. Several additions were made to this, the l'est in the year 1878, when an acre of ground was purchased of George Mil- ] for $400. This has been laid out into lots, which are sold as those in the cneteries of the day. In the deed of the original tract, it was stipulated tit no lots were to be sold. Interments were made here before the erection c the first church. The entire grounds are thrown together and include about to acres, neatly fenced. It is beautifully situated and will soon be classed as 0 of the handsomest cemeteries of the county. It is now dotted with fine n.numents, beneath whose columns and marble slabs sleep many of the pio- Ders. While strolling through this peaceful city of the dead, our attention w3 attracted by the following epitaph, which, to our mind, seemed singular; bice, we give it:

"Remember, friends, as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I; As I am now so you must be; Prepare for death and follow me."

The person to whose memory these lines were inscribed was one of the old pneers who departed this life in June, 1817.

What is known as the Forney Graveyard, comprising about one-half acre o ground, lying west of Liberty, is also one of the very early burying-grounds. Te Nicholas yard, near that church, is second in size, and interments were liwise made there in early days. The remaining two, one at the United Bthren Church, in Liberty, and the other south of that town, are small. Of tł origin of these, we have been unable to derive any knowledge.

TOWNS AND VILLAGES.

The little town of Liberty is situated near the center of the township, and & tains a population of about 225. Although several cabins were clustered alut the site of the town for years prior to 1815, it was not laid out into town Ic and platted until December of that year. The land was owned by Peter Bher, and by him laid out. Why it was so named is buried in the past, but we we permitted to offer a solution it would be that the word expressed to JE pioneers a sentiment most dear. They were lovers of freedom. Originally, Le were seventy-two lots. A bachelor by the name of William Brown built th first of a cluster of cabins referred to and in it dwelt in lonely bliss, and d'e opened the first store in the township. He was not contented to remain ocfined to the trade of the neighborhood, and so occasionally went on a tour foeddling. This was about the year 1809. In 1819, there were probably il en houses in the town; among them was the brick tavern now kept by John 3. er, but then by John A. Mikesell, and later, by one Deardorf. It has been vern stand ever since. A log schoolhouse stood in the town, in which cool was taught by a Yankee named Cocase. Soon after this date, Solomon S& ford opened a store in the west end of town. Henry Hipple then came to h front, and, in a few years, opened out and carried on a store surpassing ar in Dayton at that time. The post office was established there in April, 18., with Henry Hipple as Postmaster. Hipple was a very enterprising and

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. .

useful man, and, in later years, became Judge of the Court of Common Ple The blacksmith of the town then cannot now be named. Sanford, too, w one of the live men of the community. John Turner, a resident of Libert represented the county in the State Legislature at an early period. Jol Houtz, John Burnett and Henry Hipple were early Squires, or Justices of t Peace, of the township. Prior to the establishment of the post office at Li erty, a Mr. Skinner was employed by the pioneers of that vicinity to car their mail matter to and from Dayton. This was done on horseback. The are now in Liberty two stores, a shoeshop, two blacksmith-shops, a wago making-shop, one hotel, post office, a schoolhouse (two-story brick) and tv churches-Lutheran and United Brethren. In 1819, there were two religio societies worshiping here-the United Brethren and New Light; the latter w short-lived. Their meetings were held at private residences and in the scho house. Rev. Antrim was the pastor of the former and Rev. "Dady " Worl of the latter denomination. The United Brethren continued their services this wise until the year 1844, when they built a one-story brick church on t site of the present building, which is also a one-story brick, erected in 1874, a cost of about $3,000. The present pastor is Rev. J. W. Boby. The n building was dedicated by Bishop Weaver. About the year 1845, the Luthe an, New Light and Methodist denominations (and, possibly, others) built t old frame church still standing as a union church. Here they all worship and here, also, their "lights" went out. A re-organization of the Luther Church as St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church was effected at the d frame church May 10, 1879, with forty-six members. Present pastor, R James Swick. In 1880, the present church building was erected, costing $ 500. It is a very imposing structure, one story high, with a spire and be The village of Gettersburg is located in the southern part of the township, Big Bear Creek. It derived its name from Jacob Getter, who formerly own the land on its present site, and who sold the lots for the purpose of beginni the village. These lots were sold about the year 1855. Several years ag John Snepp, Sr., made an addition to the village. The post office is Ellert established in October, 1879, with George Winder as Postmaster. It has ( wagon-making-shop and a tobacco-box manufactory, a steam saw-mill, a chur. a two-story schoolhouse (of brick), two blacksmith shops, one store and a salo

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

N the 7th of March, 1809, this subdivision was formed from the townships of Jefferson and Randolph, and was named in honor of President Madi- OM Its boundary lines were changed in the year 1820. and have not since er altered, namely: On the north by Randolph, on the east by Harrison, on u south by Jefferson, and on the west by Perry Township. In size. it is a ultownship, comprising thirty-six square miles, or 23.040 acres of land, and town as Township 4, Range 5. The face of the country, generally speak- y is level, sloping to the east, in which direction flows the main body of Wolf r k. the principal stream within its borders, draining a large scope of coun- yand, on entering the township, assumes great proportions. The land is ren in some portions, and in others a little hilly, the latter being confined e northeastern and north western tracts. Wolf Creek and Little Bear Creek, i their tributaries, abundantly water this section of the county.

The soil is fertile and well adapted for agricultural purposes. The bottom Is of Wolf Creek, extending for probably a half-mile on either side, are " rich, being composed of that black, mucky soil characteristic of such re- - 103. The soil of the higher country is of a clayey nature. One of the pe- Ur features of this subdivision is noticed in its topography, there being a d' of limestone (made up in part of sandstone) extending across its domain ro northwest to southeast, averaging in width nearly two miles Along its Be are numerous stone quarries, some of which have been extensively . o. ed. The most important and valuable are the Miller and List quarries-the rer, located south of Amity, producing the best stone (a brown limestone) building purposes, an 1 the latter, situated south of Trotwood, furnishing Leest flagging for paving uses. Advantage was taken of the abundance of o, in this region by the early settlers, as will be seen further along. The wer is of that kind and variety usually known to the character of the soil. une bottom lands are oak, sugar. hickory, blue ash and walnut, the latter orevailing. On the higher and poorer lands grew sugar and beech. The o. lo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad crosses the northeastern portion of the wship, and the Dayton & Western runs diagonally through the center from southeast to the northwest corner.

The inhabitants are composed almost exclusively of the German extraction. here industrious, frugal and honest. In politics, the majority of these peo- tre Democrats. The total number of votes polled at the November elec- 0 1880, was 476-Democratic, 318; Republican, 158. The Democratic ma- ry for the Legislature in 1841 was 51, and the majority for Governor in 4 was 58. The population of the township, as given by the census of 1880, B12.

Throughout the township may be found many evidences of that mysterious tn who dwelt in this fair land long before the Indian made his appearance, of whose antiquity nothing is known but that little which is gleaned by . cologists from these curious mounds, fortresses and other earthworks scat- tere over the country, and, as footprints of time, showing the great antiquity of to people whose hands formed them, as well as their warlike nature and mecanical skill. These works are sometimes of monstrous size, and built of san or gravel, in some cases, in localities where neither sand nor gravel can be tained within a mile of where they were built. Of these people, or the

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

various theories advanced as to their customs, etc., we have not now to d suffice it to say that the works of their hands still exist, and that the Indi knew nothing of them further than that they had among them legends han down through countless generations to the effect that a mighty and war people lived here, who built houses, worked metals, and were otherwise as white men are to-day, and were driven away by their forefathers. On these mounds stands on the south side of the railroad, one and three four miles below Trotwood, on Stephen Ullery's farm. It was five feet in hei and thirty feet in diameter. Growing out of its exact center there w scrubby tree, three feet in diameter, its roots occupying the whole mound, extending through it to the ground below, as was discovered by Dr. Sha who, with the aid of two horses, scoops, shovels and men, made an exten excavation of it for scientific purposes. His search was rewarded by find at various depths, six or eight human skeletons, with their feet concentra in the center. Under them there were quantities of charcoal in a perfect s of preservation. There is another mound about a mile east of Trotwood, e posed entirely of sand so far as has yet been discovered, but no excavation been made. Another is to be seen in Maj. Count's woods, one and a half ur southeast of Trotwood, and still another on the farm of William Patton. latter is the largest in the township, being fifteen feet high. They are l mostly of sand, but one of them has some fine gravel mixed in with the sa The last three of these have not yet been fully explored, but it is to be hc that they will soon be examined, and the secrets, if any, that are buried their bosoms may be brought to light for the benefit of science.

PIONEERS. "They came to the West when the forest stood Mighty, and solemn and grand, And built their homes in the shade of the wood, That covered our Western land, When the blue, wide waters, crystal clear, Flowed onward, swift and free, As the unchained love of the pioneer Gushed forth for liberty."

From tradition has been handed down the name of John Williams as of the first settlers in the territory now comprising Madison Township; in 1800, Mr. Williams lived on land on Wolf Creek, which, later, was ent by him. He became a prominent and influential man. David Ward war other, who, with his family, settled on Wolf Creek, in the same vicinity, in year 1800, and, on the opening of the land offices, entered that tract of 1 In 1801, Leonard Wolf and family left Lancaster County, Penn., for a h. west of the Alleghanies, and, after several weeks of slow travel, reached country now known as Montgomery County, settling in Jefferson Towns Here they remained a few years, then crossed over and entered Section 2 what is now Madison Township. A saw-mill was erected in this section carried on by one of his sons in an early day. About the year 1 John H. Williams, a native of Dover, Del., settled on Wolf Creek, where he tered a tract of land, upon which he lived until 1812, when he removed what is now Harrison Township, in the history of which more will be sai him. Let not the reader confound this man Williams with the one menti above, for they are different men. Among these advance guards is classec name of Peter Dietrick, who, with his family, composed of his wife, Bari and eight children, settled this same year in Section 1, entering the land. 1803 were added to the thinly settled region the Ullerys, including three 1 families, hailing from the Keystone State, county of Huntingdon-San

MADISON TOWNSHIP.

isic and John. Samuel married a Gripe, and to them were born nine chil- uri, namely, Elizabeth, Barbara, Sue, Ester, Sarah, Catharine, Hannah, John an Samuel. He entered the northwest quarter of Section 35; Isaac entered northeast quarter of Section 34, and John the south half of Section 35. Isac's family included his wife, Barbara, and five children, namely, Elizabeth, Esr, David, John and Stephen. Valuable accessions were made to the little o'hy in the year 1804, when came the families of George and Jacob Kunz. The, too, were Pennsylvania's sons, and men of means, especially the former wŁ speculated extensively in land, and in an early period possessed several thesand acres in the county. George entered Section 28, and there lived in a ace, comparatively speaking, for in those days few were the places of abode tEr than the rude cabin with its calpboard roof, held with weight poles, its niney of sticks and mud, and the puncheon floor, and door on large wooden ires. Yet these humble but comfortable and substantial cabins were their hors, where bright eyes, rosy cheeks and lusty frames were possessed by the untes, and hard work and happiness and sweet contentment reigned supreme. Ch house to which we refer was erected in 1808, of stone quarried on that sec- 0 It was two stories high and neatly finished, being then " the house " of This region. It is still standing, and is now occupied by Esquire I. Gulick, nof the substantial farmers of the present. George Kunz was a native of He's County, Penn., where he married Elizabeth Gripe, and to them were bor the following children: John, Jacob, Daniel, David, Joseph, Polly Eliza- et, Ester, Susan and Hannah. The other brother, Jacob, entered portions fections 16 and 17. He was the grandfather of J. T. Kunz, now a worthy nérespected citizen of the township, in which he has held several offices of bir and trust, and, in the stormy days of 1861-65, was chosen Major of the hd Regiment of Montgomery County militia. The year 1805 witnessed ad- tns to the settlement in the persons of the Shiveleys, embracing several Marlies-Christian and Susana, with seven children-Christian, Jacob, Dan- 1, ohn, David, Elizabeth and Susana-the boys all being married except Lad and John. They left their Pennsylvania homes with high hopes of find- beyond the Ohio their share of the unquestioned wealth slumbering in the wils of that land. Going by wagon from Huntingdon County to Mckeesport, he they boarded a flat-boat, called a " broad-horn," thence to Cincinnati, and agon to the Wolf Creek settlement, where they were hailed with joy, and, it their families, clustered around the little nucleus already formed, adding i strength and social comfort, as well as facilitating labor. They were in- icious, and of that hardy class coming from the Keystone State-large of a re and well developed physically and equal to the occasion of surmounting enany obstacles and braving the dangers incumbent upon those destined to e eopling of a new country. Christian, Jr., married Susan Gripe, and on el arrival, the family was composed of four. He entered the southeast icer of Section 27, and there built his cabin, and the work of clearing be- Daniel settled on the tract just west, entering 160 acres; David, on the con adjoining on the east, entering the same amount of land; John and his tr, in Jefferson Township, entering Sections 3 and 4 respectively. The tr was a native of Maryland, and his father of Switzerland. Christian, r. vas a very useful man among the colonists; his strength and activity were Ac led by none, giving him precedence over all at log-rollings and raisings, en bich occasions he was generally chosen Captain. He was of an ingenious tar being a " jack of all trades," and serving as the cabinet-maker and under- tak of the neighborhood; also as the physician, being a natural bone-setter. Upp this period, there was no grist-mill in this section of the country, and the ioneers were obliged to go to Middletown for their grinding. The grain

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The history of Montgomery county, Ohio, containing a history of the county, Part 94

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