Greene County, Ohio - The whole text, 1902 (part 4 of 25)

Xenia. where he engaged in the wagonmaker's trade. The first year he lived in a log house on Main street, near where the old pottery stood : the second in a house near the northeast corner of Second and Whiteman streets. The man to wlmm he had rented proving worthless, he returned to the farm in 1827, where he remained until 1849, ir. the meantime bringing it under a high state of cultivation, when, lea\ing it in charge of his son, he returned to Xenia. Bringing a span of good horses and a wagon with him. he followed teaming until 1865, when, having sold his farm to Jonas Peterson and bought another of a Mr. Tressler, five miles southeast of Xenia, he removed to it the same year. At this place his wife died suddenly of heart disease, April 22, i.'i'/2. aged seventy-one. After this Mr. Peterson spent the balance of his days with his son-in-law. William Rader. in Xenia. He died June 12, 1882, aged eighty-six, and was buried in \\'oodland cemetery.

George Mallow. Sr

Was granted a pension for services as a soldier in the war of the Revolution at the rate of ninety-two dollars and twenty-two cents per year. His first rank was as a private soldier, and he was afterward promoted to the office of ensign or second lieutenant. He was allowed his pension under the act of June 7, 1832. Date of his pension certificate was April 2, 1833. Lewis Cass was at that time secretary of war. He was a native of Virginia, but had been a resident of Greene county sixteen years at the time he received his pension. His place of residence was Caesarscreek township. He died April 17, 1837, and was buried in \\hat is now called the Boot's graveyard. Mr. Mallow had purchased two hundred and seventylive acres more or less, which was a part of niilitarv survey Xo. 2383, situated at the muuth. mirth fork, of Caesar's creek. George Mallow. Sr.. was of German origin, but from what part of the fatherland he came I know not. He had three sons who came with him from Rockingham ci:>unty, Virginia, namely, George, John and Peter, His oldest son. Colonel George Mallow was a military man and made for himself quite a name in the war of 1812 and afterward. In the breaking out of the war of 1812 he \olunteered his services in defense of his country, and during" the summer of that year marched to Williamsburg, fifty-eight miles from Richmond, Virginia, and from thence to Hampton, near the bay. Ixith towns of historic interest, where he remained in the service for a term of six months. After peace was declared between the two countries he, with his parents, removed to Ohio, and for scime forty vears resided in this ci unt\'. Prior to his settling in Greene county lie had settled in Warren county, near Springlioro, and removed to Greene county in 1817. He was emphatically a military man. During his residence in this county he successively held commissions from the governor of the state in the peace establishment of the state, as first lieutenant and caplain of the Volunteer Rifle Companies, and colonel of militia. It was in the latter he acquired the title of colonel.

His kind, social ways made for him many friends. .-\s a citizen and a neighbor he was well respecte<l.. His numerous friends and acrpiaintances heard with regret of his sudden departure. On Friday, April 19, 1861, the whole community was shocked by the information that Colonel Mallow, of Xew Jasper township, had died very suddenly. During the day of his death he had been on horseback several places in the neighborhood, seemingly in as good health as usual. At five o'clock he took supper, as usual eating heartily. After supper he went to the corn crib to feed some hogs. About an hour afterward he was found prostrate on the ground in the yard, and was dead when found. Everything about him showed that he had been stricken down suddenly with disease of the heart. For some time previous he had shown symptoms of this disease, and had to some extent endeavored to fortify his system against it. He has left many honored descendants in this county. Both of these grand old heroes, George Mallow, Sr., and George Mallow, Jr., are laid to rest a little way south of whf^t is known to-dav as the Boots and Bickett stone cpiarry. near Xew Jasper.

In January, 1879, an enterprising reporter of the "Xenia Tordilight," interviewed Mr. Scott. He was at that time supposed to have been the oldest man living in Greene county, and the result of that interview is worth reading as recorded. He was at that time in his ninety-fourtli year, in good health, though totally blind, while his mental faculties seemed unabated. He was born in Bedford county, Virgmia, June 5, 1785. He left \'irginia at the age of eight years, spent the next twelve years with his parents in Kentucky, from which place he emigrated to Greene county, Ohio, locating on the Little Miami river near what used to be known as the Tresslar mill. His first visit to Xenin was on the 8tli of January, 1815, the clay of tlie liattle of Xcw Orleans. It is scracely necessary to say tliat Mr. Scott did not hang around the telegraph office to observe the progress of the battle as from time to time it was announced on the bulletin boards : in fact, it was six weeks before the results of that battle were known to the people of Greene county. Mr. Scott said that Xenia then had Imt three brick houses, a numl)er (jf cabins and log houses and one tavern. The tavern was kept l)y one Connelly, and was the scene of many a fight just for the fun of it. He spoke of one to which he was an eye witness, which he called a drawn battle, in which a Captain Steele and a man by the name of Tucker were the principals. Both had imbibed rather freely at the tavern bar, and very naturally got into a quarrel, ending in a fight, in which Steele brushed up Tucker badly. Returning to the bar to drink antl be friends. Tucker said he guessed it had not been fairly done and would like to try it over. They did, and the result was that Steele was as badly whipped as was Tucker in the first round : and all of this for the fun of it. Don't say that we have not advanced in m.vrals since that day. Mr. Scott was a good man in his day and generation. He was a member of the Caesarscreek Baptist church away back in the year 1820. He continued ti) live .some four years longer from th.e time he was interviewed, and died in February. 1884. aged ninety-nine years, and is buried near the Maple Corner churchyard in Caesarscreek township.

Fudge

of Clinton, Fayette and Greene in the senate of Ohio. He is a Whig, of course, coming from that district. He is pliysically the largest man in the senate, weighing two hundred and forty pounds. His age is sixtyfive, has been thirce married, and is by profession a farmer. He resides a few miles east of Xenia.^ He is a native of Botetourt county,' Virginia, but has been a citizen of Ohio most of his life. He is the son of Christian Fudge, also from Virginia. He is a robust, hale man. with black hair, carrying his age well, kxiking young and not yet gray. His complexion is dark and his temperament bilious. In manners he is courteous and agreeable. Indeed he is remarkable for plain old-fashii.med bun Imme. \nu will always see him in liis place in a good humor, and ready to cast a vote intelligently and conscientiously. He has filled a seat in the legislature several times, and has seen sterling days in that service. As a senator he is something of a model, attending well to what is to be done, and taking no part or interest in the useless flourish of legislation. A senate and house of such men would do matters up in a reasonable time, bore nobody with their fancies, vote themselves fair wages, and go home and meet their constituents with a good face. As a candidate for office he comes up to the Jeffersonian ideal, honest, capable and faithful. He loves fun, Ijut will not indulge in it at the expense of propriety. You would like him at first n;eeting and shake hands with him warmly at parting.

Daxiel H.Werstick, Sr

native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Fiftv vears since he was married to Catlierine Xcwnian. Tlie number of their cliildren was sixteen, while his grandchildren at the time of his death were sixty-four in number.

The death of Robert T. ^Marshall occurred at his residence in Urbana, Champaign county, Ohio, on the 25th day of October, 1875. at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. Mar-shall was the first male licrn in wJiat is now the corporation of Xenia, Ohio, on the 4th of September. 1804. Here he s])ent his childhood and continued in the countv living on the waters of Massies creek until the last ten years of his life. He united with the Massies Creek church under the pastorate of Rev. James P. Smart. In the spring (if 1865 he removed to Champaign county in the vicinity of Urbana. where he continued to live until his death in 1875.

He was united in marriage to Elinor Weir, who still (1876) remains to mourn his loss. He was the son of John Marshall, who was one of the first settlers in what 's now the city of Xenia. and built the first cabin home on lot X'o. 193. which is situated on the corner of Third and \\'est streets. This cabin was raised April 27, 1804. He also owned the next lot east, X^o. 194. The lots when ^Ir. ^Marshall purcha.sed them faced on Third street and extended south to the north branch of Shawnee creek. In the rear of the present residence of Mr. Rudolph Hustmire was the cabin of Mr. John Marshall, where our subject was born. An old pioneer says that he has stood in Mr. Marshall's back vard and

A Be.Vr Story That H.Vs The Virtue Of Being True

A short time after 'Sir. Jolm Marshall, Robert's father, had purchased his two lots, one day while engaged in clearing up a space upon which to erect his cabin and also ground enough for a garden, he was fortunate enough to capture a "cub" bear, at that time no larger than an ordinary cat, and as neighbors were scarce here was company for John, which he from that time adopted into his family, and it grew up under his care and became the pet of him and his wife. It is said that after it had grown to full size it became as docile as do our common domestic pets, the d(^ and cat, and would at times follow John to his work while engaged in clearing his land, and would at other times stretch himself near ihe fire in the ca.bin and sleep the sleep, if not of the just, of the bear. But there came a time after "Little Robbie"' had made his advent into the cabin tliat John and his good wife came near losing faith in their efforts to tame the l^ear, and they had good reason to think that their pet, which was now full grown, had assumed and asserted its savage nature, and had destroyed or carried of? little Robbie. The mother, in the morning spoken of, liad tucked little Robbie up carefully in the cradle, and had put him to sleep. She went to the door, and seeing her young husband near engaged in planting the spring garden, and we must not blame her, if on this beautiful spring morning she was tempted by the beauty of the day and a desire to help her husband, and added to that also the songs of the birds, to step outside and leave tiie babe in care of their pet, and join her hnsband in liis labor in the garden. Before deciding she turned around, gave one glance at lier sleeping babe, and liear. and joined John at his work. Becoming interested in her wi-rk. she forgot for the time little Robbie, and she toiled away witii her hoe and time passed rapidly. All at imce the motlier's thoughts returned to her child that she had left sleeping. Slie quickly stands her hoe up against a tree and away to her little one. She enters the cabin, her eyes rest tirst on the cradle, as she sees the covers that she had so carefully tucked around the sleepingchild now scattered in wild confusion over the floor. The cradle was empty, little Robert was gone, as was also the bear. For a moment she looked wildly around the room. Her eye is quick to take in the situation ; she goes to the door and calls to John, "Oh, John, Robbie is gone, and the bear is gone." John drops his spade and rushes to the cabin, gives one glance at the empty cradle and the disordered state of the cabin, reaches up and quickly takes from over the door his trusty rifle, and followed by his wife they start on the hunt of the bear up Shawnee creek, back of what is now known as the U. P. Theological Seminary, then covered with a dense growth of forest trees and under growth, and back toward their cabin home. John contin.ues the search, while the good wife enters the cabin with the hope that she may find her lost one there. She stoops down and looks under the bed, and sees something away back under the corner of the bed; she creeps under and there was the bear with little Robert hugged closely to its breast, and both bear and little Robert sleeping. She eives the bear a cuff on the side of the head ; it opened its muuth and yawned, stretched out its fore feet releasing the baby, which she soon had in her arms. The baby was not any the worse of the kind care of the faithful pet.

Two sons of "Little Robbie" are yet ( 1900) living in Xenia, William Marshall, janitor of the West Market Street school house, and his brother James.

Gexeral C. L. Merrick

Casper L. Merrick, one of the pioneer merchants of Xenia. died at his residence at Xenia, Ohio, March 12, 1882, peacefully, and at the ripe age of eig'hty-one years. Mr. Merrick first came to Xenia in 1824, when the town was young. He landed in Cincinnati with his father, Roswell Merrick and family, from Massachusetts, in 1820, and associated with his father he started the first horse ferry boat, it is said, over the Mississippi river at Cairo. He returned to Cincinnati and remained for about three years, engaged in the mercantile business. He was married, in that city. April 28, 1822. Thence he went to Lebanon, but did not stay long at that place. Li 1824, as has been said, he removed to Xenia with his wife and child, and engaged in the dry goods business in partnership with his brother-in-law, L. P. Frazier. In 1828 he took charge of the Hamell tavern, which stood where Allison & Townsley's store used to be on Main street. In 1832 he removed to the old Hivling House. In 1836 he opened the Ewing House, then Merrick's Hotel, now (1900) the Grand Hotel. In 1847 '""^ engaged again in the dry goods trade, in which he remained for nearly a third of a century. A week before he died he was on the street in apparent health, but the next day, Thursday, he was stricken with paralysis and scarcely spoke afterward. Yet for two days after the stroke he recognized his friends and children with a pressure of the hand. His death was apparently painless and without a struggle. He had been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1848. His military title, "General," he acquired in the service of the state militia.

That was the name of it. In the good old days of stage coaches Merrick's Hotel was a prominent institution. It was there we gathered the news that we could not do without till the issue of the weekly papers. Merrick's Hotel regulated the price of corn, oats and hay ; it was there the stage stopped. How well the writer remembers the self same team of four gray eagles bounding into town, and up Main street : the driver's horn having suggested that food and rest were waiting for them at ^Merrick's Hotel. Well do we remember with what pardonable pride of the Jehu of that day bringing his four-in-hand to a stand still at the hotel. When twO' stages came loaded with passengers it was inferred that a convention was to be held at Columbus, or that an epidemic had broken out in Cincinnati.

If bricks could talk, these in the walls ')f the Ewing House building might describe lively old times, and detail interesting incidents occurring in what was, in the good of days, the pride of Xenia. Merrick's Hotel. Many of the jjioneers will testify that in those days Alerrick's was the most popular "hotel in the state, being the favorite of tlie

Wright

Mr. Wright says they had been fiftyseven (lavs on the wav from their old \'irginia iiome in Brunswick county to Xenia, Ohio. Of Xenia, at the time he remembered it as they passed through ft to the place where they settled two miles out on the Wilmington pike, he says it was a little stumpy, struggling \-iIlage. The first house in it was built by one John Marshall on the southwest corner lot of the then corporation of Xenia, lot Xo. 193. It was rai-sed on the 27th dav of April. 1804. On Main street there was at that time twenty-three structures ; two of those were brick, four of frame, the balance hewed-log liouses and four log shops.

On Detroit Street

There were two log currying shops, seven one-story log houses, only two of them having shingle roofs and brick chimne)'s and two frame houses two stories hig^i. It was in 1856 that Mr. Wright was relating this, he being then ninety years old, and he said that only two houses then remained on Detroit street. One stood on the present site of the mill south of the upper depot then lielonging to Jonathan Wallace, the other stood on the corner of Second and Detroit streets, where JMrs. Frank McClure now lives ( 1900). That house is yet standing on West Main street, the first house east of John Lutz's blacksmith shop. It was bought by Major John Heaton and mo\-etl to that place.

Main' Street

(^11 Main street was the (j(j\vclv two st(ir\- frame ln.iuse. afterward used as a tin shop hy James Xig'h. In fr^mt of this building was the only l:)rick pavement in the place. The streets had no gravel on them. were le\-el from side to side, without gutters to carry away the water, and in rainv weather were a mass of- mud, deep at that, from one side to the other. There were two [wnds of water on Main street, one opposite, or near where Charley Trader's grocery now ( 1900) is, and the other an<l larger one opposite the present residence of l^r. Clark M. Galloway, which extended north and west.

Remembrance W'illiams erected the first cal)in that was erected near wnat is now the city of Xenia. He emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky in ijyo, thence to what is now Greene county, in 1800, crossing the Ohio at the mouth of the Licking. He entered a section of land where now is located the "Rolierts" Villa," and mirth of that he erected his cabin and continued to live there until 1814. when he .sold the largest part of that land to David Connelly and removed to near Madison, Indiana. He gave to his son, John Williams, a portion of the farm on the east side of said section. That cabin was built three years almost before Xenia was laid out, and he and his family were alone in what is now called Xenia.

its of Xenia. He purchased lots Xo. 193- 104 and the 27th day of April, 1804, his cabin was raised on what is known on the town plat as lot Xo. 193. Two grands<ins of the old pioneer are living in Xenia at this time ( 1900), William and James Marshall, their father, Robert T., was born in that cabin on the 4th day of Se]5teml)er. 1804. He was the first white child born in the town.

William A. Peatty, who had come from Georgetow'u, Kentucky, some time jjrevious to 1803, was the first to keep a tavern in Xenia. He was next to fnllnw in the line of improvements, and yet it was a matter of doubt which house would loe com])leted first, his or the one that was being built at the same time for the Rev. James Towler. both of which were two-story log houses. But the evidence seems to be in favor of Mr. Beatty's. One thing we do knnw' that Mr. Beatty was doing all that he could to get his done first. Noah Strong was on hand with his two oxen that he had brought with him from the far away hills of \'ermont, naiuely, "Buck and Brandy," and more than that the honorable court liad engaged the west room upstairs in which to hold court, and they must have it by the 15th of X^ovember, 1804. The building was finished and opened as a tavern on the first day of October, 1804, on lot X^o. 14, opposite the [Hiblic square, on the site that is known as the Leamon block.

John Marshall Rev. James Towler

lots No. 39-40. He was a native of Prince Edwards county, Virginia, and emigrated to Greene county in 1803. This house was lietter known as the Crumbaugh house, and stood on tlie north sitle of Main street, present site of Ea\-ey & Co., wjiolesale house. He was tlie first postmaster of Xenia, Ohio.

Was the second clerk of courts of Greene county, accepting that position in 1S08, after his brother-in-law, John Paul, had resigned. His first cabin was erected on lot Xo. 192, West Third street, on the corner. present site of the home of Timothy O'Connell. He came to Xenia previous to 1803.

Bkxjamix Grover

Brother of Josiah, was the first school teacher of Xenia. The school house was on AV'est Third street, and stood Oii the lot that now is the home of Mrs. James Kyle, mother of Charles Kyle, Esq. It was a onestory log house, and was built in 1805. It was used for a school liouse for some years. Mr. Hugh Hamill, who came to Xenia in 1810, taught in that house.

he first built his cabin in 1805 he set 't Lsck alxjut twenty feet from the in-line of the sidewalk so that in 1S13 when he erected his noted tavern, that was in the rear and became the kitchen. \Mren in later years the march of improvement made way with the old to be replaced with th.e new, that old hewed log cabin home, weather-boarded, was moved to East Market street, first house east of the East Market Street High School, and was still standing in 1899, but has since, in 1900, been torn down.

Hox. Joiix Alexaxder

Grandfather of the late William J. Alexander, at this time owned a whole square on West Market and Church streets, botmded as follows : Where the present residences oi H. H. Ea\ey and Rev. J. G. Carson stand, thence westerly to Galloway street. He iiad emigrated from South Carolina in 1804 :md was the first lawyer to settle in Xenia_ Ir 181 1 his house had been appraised at seven hundred and fifty dollars, and is still ( 1900) standing on North King street, the l^roperty of Judge C. C. Shearer, a relic of the past, and when moved to its present site was as good as when first erected.

Was one of the first to come into the Northwest territory in the year 1796: stopped first at what was called Holes Station (Miamisburg). from there to the Wilson settlement, thence to the farm of Capt. Nathan Lamme. and to Xenia, in the early summer of 1805. In that year he erected bis cabin on lot No. 60, about the present site of Rair^ meat <bi p. on Detroit street. When

Arri\ed in Nenia in 1805. He was a good car[)enter, and we find that he was a man of enterprise. In 1806 he purchased lots 124 and 130, upon the former he erected a twostory log structure on West Second street, lietter known as , the McWHiirk property, where Da\id Hutchison latef built two brick cottage houses.

Eli Adams

Mr. .\dams came to Xenia in 1S08. In 1810 lie purchased of William A. Beatty, then director of the town of Xenia. lot Xo. 140. (in the corner of Second and Collier streets, now (1900) owned by Davis Flier's heirs, and on the western side of said log- liouse, which was weather-boarded. This house was still remembered in after years by many old citizens as the home of Tillbury Jones, marshal of Xenia in the early 'fifties.

In addition to his ta\ern on Main street, and which also was the place of holding the courts of Greene county. Mr. Beatty was tlie owner of lot Xo. 165, on the southwest corner of Second and Collier streets, now (1900) owned by Rev. Samuel Hutchison, and on this lot he had built his caliin home. This home was valued for ta.xable purpose in 181 1 at one hundred and sixty dollars.

William Gordox

Was the owner of lot X'o. 33 in the year 1807. This lot was situated on the northeast corner of Main and \\'hiteman streets, on which now stands the clothing house of Robert Kingsbury. George Gordon, his brother, came up from Warren county with his team to assist in hauling the logs for this building, which was a two-story log structure, fortv Ijy forty feet, and was for many years used by ]\Ir. William Gordon as a storeroom, ilajor Gordon previously had moved his brother, William, from Warren county to Xenia in the year 1805. His brother had at that time [lurchased lot Xo, 176. situated on the corner of Third and Whiteman streets, and is at the present time (1900) owned by the heirs of Marjey Mc- Farland. Mr. Gordon had erected on this lot a small log house, the

This property was once owned by Mr. James Brown, and the older persons can yet rememlier when this part of Xenia was known liy the name of "Brown Town." He was killed in the gra\el ])it west of Xenia, June 4, 1849, aged seventy-three years. His death was caused by the caving in of the surface dirt. When dug out he was dead.

Hugh Hamill

Came to Xenia from Prclile county in 18 10. and purchased lots Xo. 197- 198- 199-200. These lots fronted en Third street, and were situated between Barrett and Maxwell streets, running thence south to the bank of Shawnee creek. He erected his cabin near the brow of the liill, overlooking Shawnee, on the south end of lot Xo. 200. In the rear of his cabin on this lot extending west to Barrett street was his tanyard. The brick house yet standing was erected in 1845, and is occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Lydia Bigger.

Dr. Andrew W. Davidson

Dr. Andrew Davidson on the nth day of X^'oveniber, 1808, purchased of Henry Phenix lot X'o. 38, on which in 181 1 he erected a two-storv brick house. This let was on Main street, and the building w^as on

J.Vmes Gowdv'S Store

In the year 1805 James Gowdy first came to Xenia and built his storeroom, the first one in Xenia, on lot No. 34, first lot east of Greene street, on Main, and here in 1806 he commenced selling merchandise.

The First Court House

The first court house for Greene county was let to William Kendall in 1806. Previous to this time the county had been paying rent, first for the house of Peter Borders down on Beaver, second to Wm. A. Beatty in Xenia. This latter house \fas completed in 1809.

Had erected a small house on lot No. 144, on the corner of Second and Monroe streets, north side, lot now ( 1900) owned by the heirs of the late John Kyle. Mr. Gamble at this time also owned one-half of lot X'o. 15 on Main Street.

In 181 1, was the owner of lot No. 14, opposite the Court House, and it was here that he kept his noted tavern, or what was known as Hamill's Inn. He was one of the early justices of the peace in Xenia. His building was part of what in later years was known as the Puterbaugh store, where young Kennc}- and Steele were murdered in the great fire of 1845.

In 181 1, was the owner of lots No. 131- 132, comprising about one-fourth of the square on what was later known as the J. C. Mc- Millan corner, .Mr. Larue's lots extending from the corner running west on Second one-half the distance of the square and from the same corner running north the distance on Detroit. His house was erected on lot No. 132. He also owned out lots Nos. 7 and 8.

Ir. 1811 was the owner of lot No. 143 situated on East Second street, better known as the home of Mrs. Newton, the mother of Chancey and Samuel Newton. Upon this lot he erected a one-story house. Tlie ground at this time is the site of the beautiful homes of Ben LeSourd and Judge Stewart.

Peter Pelh.Xm

Greene county, creeled Iiis cabin on lot Xo. 144. corner of Main and Barrett streets, iiortli sitle, later known as tlie old home of William T. Stark (deceased) and at this time tlie luime of Mrs. S. K. Harner and family. 'I'he house is still standing (1900) near Kelley"s rope walk.

Iiezekiaii S.Vxders

Came to Xenia in 1807. He was the owner of lot 133 and erected his house, a two-story frame, (jn the northwest corner of Second and Detroit streets. W'iien the present residence of Mrs. Frank McClure was built for a bank buildine;- Major John lleaton bought the old -Sanders house and had it remox-ed to liis lot on West Main street, first lot west of John Lutz's blacksmith shop, where it yet stands in g'ood condition.

John Sterritt

Built his ca])in on lot No. 89. situated at corner of Market and Whiteman streets, northwest corner. This ])roperty is l^etter known as the fi;rmer residence of Colonel John Duncan. It is now owned and occupied as a residence by Mrs. F.lias Quinn and daughters.

Was in iSi i the owner of lot Xo. 7. which is situated on West ^lain street. He had a cabin erected where the office of the Aliami Powder Company is now located.

Henry Barnes. Sr

Xenia in 1807. He was the father of Henry Barnes, Jr., ex-sheriff of Greene county, and the grandfather of Major George Barnes, yet living in Xenia. He was the owner of lots Xos. 29-68. X^'o. 29 was situated on the corner of Main and Collier streets, on which xvas liis cabin home. Lot 68 was in the rear of this, fronting on street.

'Slv. \\'allace was at this time the owner of lot Xg. 180, whicii was situated on the corner of Third and Detroit streets, southwest corner. He came to Xenia in 1807 and was for many years engaged in the business of making hats. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and afterward removed to Clark county, Ohio, where he died at the hoane of Anthony Byers or (Hyers), April 25, 1850, aged seventy years.

Captain Robert Gowdv

In 1811 had a tan_\ard on the corner of Third and Detroit streets, where now is located the firm of Chandler & Maddux. His currying shop, a long one-story log house, stood near that place. Across Detroit street east, where now ( 1900) is located tlie lumber yard of McDowell & Torrence, was another tanyard, carried on under the firm name of

]Mr. Alexander was a brother of the Hon. John Alexander, a nati\-e of South Carolina, and who died June 3, 1824, and is buried on the lot of his -Iirother John in Woodland cemetery.

And thus was Xenia as far as the householders are concerned in the year A. D. 1 81 1. Scattered here and there, no wonder tliat Mr. Wright said in describing it tiiat it was a Httie "stumpy, struggling village."

To provide the means of diffusing literature and knowledge is an object of the greatest importance to society, and claims the attention of every friend of humaniy. For his purpose we, the subscribers, have determined to establish a public library in the town of Xenia, which shall he open to all under the following regulations :

2d. The subscribers shall meet on the fourth Saturday of March, 18 16, and on the same day annually forever and elect by ballot nine directors, who shall be a standing committee, five of whom skall form a ([uorum, to regulate the affairs of the library, with the following powers, to-wit: To appropriate the funds of the library for the benefit of the subscribers; to appoint a ])resident and librarian from their own number, and to assign them their duties ; to call a meeting of the subscribers on matters of importance at any time when they think !iecessary. and to enact by-laws for regulating the affairs and securing the interest of the library.

3d. At each annual meeting a report of the proceedings of the committee, together with a list of the books purchased, shall be laid before the subscribers for their inspection.

5th. Any person neglecting his annual contribution or any fine imposed ujxjn him, when amounting to the sum of two dollars and fiftv cents, shall forfeit his share to the use of the company, and if under that sum he shall not enjoy any of the privileges of a subscriber until such sum shall be paid.

jtli. Shares may be transferred on the books of the librarian, and each subscriljer shall be entitled to draw lx)oks in proportion to the number of his shares.

Names Of Subscribers The Final Effort To Have Xexia Incorporated

The first effort to have Xenia incorporated was presented to the legislature by Jacob Smith, at that time representing Greene county, and can be found ii; the local laws of 18 13. For some reason the law had become inoperative, and hence this second effort to have the town incorporated. Joseph Tatman in 1817 was rqM-esenting Greene county in the house of our state legislature, while Jacob Smith was a member of the Ohio senate from the counties of Clinton ;ind Greene. Mr. Tatman was a resident of Bath township and 'Sir. Smith a resident of Beavercreek. So the western portion of Greene county was well represented at that time. This effort also for ScMiie reason proved a failure. The petition, however, is interesting, and is deemed worth saving, and will be returned to the new court house to be placed in the relic room, tlial is ti> be, in the sweet by and bye.

A Copy Of The Petition

The representation and petition of the subscribing inhabitants and householders of Xenia town respectfully showeth that the town of Xenia contains eighty-eight householders, and that the town of Xenia is the county seat of Greene county, and is situated on the north side of Shawnee run, about three miles from its juncture with tlie Little Miami river. It was laid out by Joseph C. Vance, Esq., late director of said town, in the vear 1803, by order of the honorable court of common pleas for the county ot Greene.

That the plat of said town was duly recorded in the recorder's office of said county m 1804, and is bounded and described as follows', to-wit : Beginning at a stake standing on the northwest corner of Back street, X". 78 degrees, E. 302 poles, to a stake in Remembrance Williams' land, thence S. 83 degrees, E. 61 poles, to the northeast corner of the out lots of said town, thence S. 12 degrees. E. 83 poles, to the corner of lot 27, thence S. 7 degrees, W. 30 poles, to a stake on the bank of the Shawnee run ; thence down said run with the meanders thereof to the south end of West street, thence with the west side of said street, X*. 12 degrees, W. 127 poles, to the beginning, including all the in lots and fractional in lots and all the out lots numljered and marked on the town plat oi said town, as recorded in the office of the recorder of said county, containing two hundred and seventy acres, be the same more or less: being comprised in one plat as aforesaid, and being part of a survey for one thousand acres, X'o. 2243, entered and surveyed for Warren and Addison Lewis, patented to Robert Pollard.

That on account of the late act for incorporating the said town having become inoperative, many inconveniences have been experienced by reason of disorders, nuisances, which have been openly and secretly created bv ignorant <ir malicious persons to the great detriment and annoyance of the peaceably disposed citizens, and that so long as the present state of things continues no approiiriation can be made of the money collected by taxes for two years, during which the aforesaid law was inoperative, for the benefit of the town, by erecting a market house, improving the streets, or any other public or useful purpose by any existing authority competent thereto.

We therefore pray that the said town of Xenia may be incorporated according to law. and that the honorable court will take all due measures for the accomplishment of this desirable object, and your petitioners as ill duty bound will ever pray.

mterest were said to have been honest and economical men; no one going through their accounts could for a niDment think otherwise, quick to plan and prompt to carry out their plans. This was especially true as regards her first commissioners. When a new township was to be laid out in answer to petitions from her citizens, it was promptly done and the necessary machinery soon put in m<jtion to bring about that result. When a new road was called for the same promptness marks their every act. Samuel Gamble. John Haines and Thomas Hunter were the commissioners at the time of the sale of that jjart of the public square. Hmv long they had been jilanning to save money to the county by the sale of the aforesaid portion is not known. \\'e learn from the records that on the 4th dav of January, 1S17. they met for the purpose of surveying and marking the different lots that were to be sold of the public square, and to make preparation for their sale agreeable to an order from court. William A. Beatty, director for the town of Xenia. makes his report to them under date of February 14, 1817, as follows:

To the Honorable Court of Conuiiissioners of the County of Greene, Gentlemen: I have proceeded to and ha\e sold the lots in Xenia vou ordered me to sell; the jiersons who purchased and the prices they brought are as follows: John Barber, part of in lot Xo. 62, $482.00; George Townsley. i)art of in lot Xo. 65, $615.00; George Townsley. part of in lot Xo. 62, $315.00; John Davis, part of in lot Xo. 62, $482.00; Ryan Gowdy, lot Xo. ^~,. $1,381.00; total amount. $3,253.00. I believe the above statement to be correct. William .A. Be.a.tty.

Tile one marked Xo. ;^^. facing on Main street fifty-seven feet and running hack (ine hundred and sixty-five feet along the eastern boundary line of the inihlic square (Greene street not opened), has quite a history, and a story of the same might he written.

Ryan Gowdy and James Gnwdv \s. Commissioners of Greene county. This action was filed June 17. 18 17. This suit brought by Ryan and James Gowdy against the commissioners of Greene countv appears to have settled forever the Cjuestion of the right of the commissioners to sell or dispose of any of the public square. And to James Gowdy to-da\- the ])eople of Greene county are under oliligations for saving to us intact as it came from the hand of the donor, John Paul, the afnresaid public square. There ma}- ha\c been (ni the part of Mr. Gowdy something partaking of the nature of selfishness, or what might be called business tact, or shrewdness, that prompted him to this act. He speaks through his attorney, John Alexander, of the time he first came to Xenia from Kentucky to locate here in 1805, how he had been led to purchase the lot next to the ])ublic s(|uarc, that he was assured that it wnuld be a good location for a merchant, that no one could engage in the same business, at least not west of him, and therefore he located there, and was successful in business, had been engaged there for eleven years or more, when ior the first time he learns of the action of the commissioners, - learns of their order to William A. Beatty. the director of the town, to put up at puljlic auction and to sell part of the public square, and knowing one of these lots was Xo. 35, which would be a good location for some one and which he considered would be an injury t(j him to allow some one else to buy. it was no wonder that even though he had doubts of the commissioners' right to sell, yet he did not want to take any chances, and therefore instructed his brother, Ryan, to attend the sale and to buy that lot next to him at any price. He intimates that some one was seeking to injure him in his business and had used undue influence over the commissioners in having them include lot Xo. 35, the one next to him. And mnv after the lapse of nearly one hundred years we look at the price the other four sold for and compare what he had to pay for lot .\'o. 35. the one next to him, and it does seem as though some one did want that one and wanted it badly. The case as has been said had gotten into court. A little more than one year later, December 2~. 1818, James Gowdy, through his attorney, the Hon. John Alexander, introduces his amended bill of complaint, and in that he speaks of his ignorance of the law. and had he known that the commissioners could not give him a good title to the lot he bought he would not have given one cent for the aforesaid lot. But at the time of the sale he was in doubt, and others with whom he had conversed were also uncertain, and were of the opinion that the commissioners had transcended their power as agents of the company to sell that which had been donated to the county expressly for public liuildings for the county. But the tiiue for action was short, and he did not want to take any risl^, and had his brother, Ryan, to attend the sale and purchase the lot, and farther stated that if the court thouglit the action of the commissioners was legal and a clear title could be given he would abide by the sale and pay the three notes that had been given by him, one of which would have been due six months after said sale; one in twehe months and the last in eighteen months after date. This had been made a test case, brought, as has been said, a short time before the first note of !Mr. Gowdy would have been due. The names of other parties who had jmrchased lots were not shown in the case. Without pursuing the matter further, the supreme court, Mav term, 182 1, granted a decree in favor of complainants, and the commissioners were ordered to return the notes to the parties who gave them. John Alexander, attorney for complainants, and Francis Dunla\-ey, for defendants, before the Hon. Calvin Pease, chief judge for the supreme court. The lot on which this suit was brought has been described as Xo. 35. The other four lots were on Detroit and ?klarket streets (then called Third street), beginning at the northern end of what is now Greene street, beginning at a point on Detroit street one hundred and sixty-five feet south of the northwest corner of the public stjuare. The outer lines of the lots extending tlience northerly to Market street, thence easterly tt the east line of what is now Greene street, thence southerly on that line one hundred and sixty-five feet on Detroit street, the two lots being si.xtv-six feet deep. On Market tlie lot was one hundred and four and onehalf feet deep, and the northeast corner lot was sixty-seven feet on Market street. The public square contains one and one-half acres of ground.

Thomas Coke Wright

who filled the office two terms. He was the most eccentric as well as the most beloved man of his time in Greene county. He was nearly six feet in stature, very fleshy, florid face and was very deaf. His voice was light, pitched upon a high key, and he was a complete specimen in his simplicity of a child man, susceptible and quickly- responsive to e\ery shade of emotion. At one moment when speaking of something sad his face would put on the most solemn aspect, and his fine high voice crying tones, then in a twinkling, as something droll flitted across his memory which he would relate, there would come out a nierrv laugh. The expression of his face when at rest was sad, as is usual with very deaf people of strong and social natures. Mr. Wright was indeed what tliey term a character, one worthy of the pen of a Dickens. He was a native of Brunswick county. Virginia, and was a lad twelve years of age when, in 181 1, he first came to Xenia. \\"hen a young man he had l>een a teacher under Father Finley. the missionary to the Wyandots. He had studied law. but becoming too deaf to practice the people gave him the piisition of county auditor. He was a poor accountant, but he got along with an assistant. His deficiencies made no difference, his superabounding affection for everybody was such that the plain farmers, irrespective of party, would have given him any ofliice he wanted. He was such a warm friend of everj'body, and so anxious to do everybody some good. He was a Republican, loved his native Virginia, and told some excellent anecdotes illustrative of the aft'ection some of the old-time slave holders had for their old servants, with whom they had Ijegun life as children together in play. Mr. Wright was also inter- ested in writing piuneer sketches, many of wliich he liad gleaned from his old friends, James Collier and Jacob Haines. It is said that he had at one time compiled what would have made a book of two thousand pages, which became scattered and lost. He died in Xenia, I*"ebruary 24, 1871, at the age of seventy-three years, and is buried in Woodland cemetery. But as yet he sleeps in an jnmtarked grave. He was also editor of a newspaper in Xenia pulilished by James Douglass, 1 829- T 833. "The Xenia Transcript.'' Among the stories that are on record, written by Thomas Coke Wright, the story of Josiah Hunt is of grreat ip.terest, from the fact that from the years 1802 to 1814 he was a resident of Caesarscreek township. .\t the former date he had purchased of Edward ^Mercer fifty acres of land situated on the road from Spring \'alley leading to Painters\-ille, as you go south on what is now called the Burlingtun pike, and where the i)ike intersects the Spring Valley pike, turning to the left on what is now known as the Robert Ferguson farm, was the cabin of Jose])h Hunt, niit far west of the residence of Mr. Ferguson. He removed from Greene county in 1814. going, I think, to Madison, Indiana. Josiah Hunt was a .stout, well formed man, hea\'y set. capable of enduring great hardships and privations, ar.d was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. There was a tone of candor and sincerity, as well as modcstv in his manner of relating the thrilling scenes of which he had been an actor, which left no doubt of the truth in the minds of those wdio heard him. He was one of Wayne's legion, and was in the battle of the "Fallen Timber," -on the 20th of August. 1794. At the commencement of the onset, just after entering the fallen timber, Hunt was rushing on and alxiut to spring over a fallen tree, when he was fired at by an Indian concealed behind it. The latter was compelled to fire in such haste that he missed his aim. It was, however, a close shave, for the bullet whizzed through the lock of his right temple, causing that ear to ring for an hour afterward. The Indian's body was entirely naked from the waist up, with a red stripe painted up and down his back. As soon as he fired he took to his heels. Hunt aimed at the center of the red stripe, the Indian running zigzag like the worm of a fence, ^\'hen he fired the Indian bounded up and fell forward. He had fought his last battle.

Hunt was an excellent hunter. - In the winter of 1793 while the army lay at Greenville he was appointed to supply the officers with game, and in consequence was exempt from garrison duty. The sentinels had orders to allow him to leave and enter the fort whenever he chose. The Indians made a practice of climbing trees in the vicinity of the fort, the better to watch the garrison. If a person was seen to go out. notice was taken of the direction he went, his path ambushed and his scalp secured. To avoid this danger. Hunt always left the fort in the darkness of the night, for said he. "When once I had gotten into the woods without their knowledge I had as good a chance as they." He was accustomed on leaving the fort to proceed some distance in the direction He intended to hunt the next day, and camp for the night. To keep from freezing death it was necessary to have a fire, but to show a light in the enemy's countrv wtis to invite certain destruction. To avoid this danger he dug a hole in the ground with his tomahawk about the size and depth of a hat crown. Having prepared it properly, lie procured some roth, meaning some thick oak bark, from a dead tree, wliich will retain a strung heat when covered with its ashcj. Kindling- a fire from flint and steel at the l)ottoni of his "coal pit," as he termed it. the hark was turn into strips and placed in la_\-ers crtisswise until the pit was full. After it was sufficiently ignited it was covered o\'er with dirt with the exception of two air holes in the margin, which could l)e opened or closed at pleasure. Spreading down a layer of bark or brush to keep him oft' the Cold griiund, he sat down with the "coal pit"' between his legs, enveloped himself with his blanket and slept cat dozes in aii uprigiTt position. If his fire became too much smi>thered he wouUl freshen it up by blowing into one of the air holes. He declared he could nfake himself sweat whenever he chose. The snapping of a dry twig was sufficient tn awaken him. When, uncovering his head, he keenly scrutinized in the darkness and gloom around, his right l:and on his trusty rifle ready for the mischance of the Imur.

A ]5erson now, in full security from danger, enjoying the comforts and refinements of civilized life can scarcely bring his mind to realize his situation, cr do justice to the powers of bodily endurance, firmness of ner\-e, self-reliance and courage, manifested by him that winter. A lone 'man in a dreary, iriterminablc forest, swarming with enemies, bloodthirsty, crafty and of horrid barbarity, withmit a friend or human help to afford h.im relief, or the lea.st aid in the depth of winter, the freezing winds moaning through the bare and leafless trees, while the dismal howling of a pack of wolves, cruel as death and hungry as the gra\-e. liurning for blood, bonv, gaunt and grim, might be heard in the distance mingled with the bowlings of the wintry winds, were well calculated to create a lonely sensation about the heart and appall any common spirit. There would he sit nodding in his blanket indistinguishable in the ilarkness from an old stump, enduring the rigor of winter, keeping himself from freezing, yet showing no fire, calm, ready and prompt to engage in mortal combat with whatever enemy might assail, whether Indian, bear or panther. At daylight he commenced hunting, proceeding slowly with extreme caution, looking for game and watching for Indiaiis at the same time. When he found a deer, previous to shooting it he put a bullet in his mouth, ready for reloading his gun with all possible dispatch, which he did before removing from the spot. Casting searching glances in every direction for Indians, cautiously approaching the deer after he had shot it, he dragged it to a tree and commenced dressing it with his back towards the tree and his rifle leaning against it in reach of his right hand. And so with his rear protected bv the tree he would skin a short time, then straighten up and scan in every (lirectiiin to see if the report of his rifle liad brought an Indian into his vicinity, then applv himself to skinning again. If he heard a stick break or the slightest noise indicating the presence of animal life, he clutched his rifle instantly and was on the alert prepared for any emergency. Having skinned and cut up the animal, the four quarters were packed in the hide, which was so arranged as to be slung on his back like a knapsack, with which he wended his way to the fort. If the deer was killed far from the garrison he only Isrought in four quar- ters. One day he hnd gotten within gun shot of three Indians unperceived by them. He was on a ridge anil they in a liollrnv. He tooi< aim at the foremost one, and waited some time for two to range with eacli other, intending, if they got in tliat position, to slioot two and take his cliance witli tlie otlier in single comliat, but tliey continued to march in Indian file and though he should have killed one of them, the other two would ha\e made the odds against him too great, so lie let them pass unmolested. Amidst all the dangers to which he was exposed he passed unharmed. Owing to the constant and powerful exercise of the faculties, his ability to hear and discriminate sounds was wonderfully increased, and the perceptive faculties much enlarge<l. He made seventy dollars that winter by luniting. over and alx)ve his pay as a soldier. At the treaty of Greenville, in 1795. the Indians seemed to consider Hunt as the next greatest man to Wayne himself. They inquired for him, got round him and were loud and earnest in their praises and compliments. "Great man. Captain Hunt. Great warrior, good hunting man, Indian no kill him." They informed him that some of their Ijravest aud most cunning warriors had often set out to kill him. They knew how he made his secret camp fire, the ingenuity of which excited their admiration. The parties in quest of him had often seen him. could describe the dress he wore and his cap, which was made of a raccoon skin with the tail hanging d(iwn l>ehind. the front turned up and ornamented with three brass rings. The scalp of such a great hunter and warrior they considered to be a great trophy. Yet they never could catch him off his guard, never get within shooting distance without being discovered and exposed to his death dealing rifle.

County. Andrew W. Davidson

Was the first physician to settle in Xenia, which was in the fall of 1805. He was an enterprising, public-spirited citizen, and in 181 1 built the tirst brick house ever erected here, on Main street, near the site of Brice Knox's saddle shop, and in 1814 he built the first stone house in the ti>\vn, als(_i on Main street, of which a part was occui)ied by the late John Dodd as a grocery. June 1.5, 1807, Dr. Andrew- Davidson and Rebecca Todd were married by William Mc- Farland, Esq., this marriage being Xo. 99 on the marriage records of the county. Subse(|uently the Doctor became a merchant and tailor. In the course of his business, 1820- 21. he movetl with his family to Columbus, Indiana, and subsequently to Madison, Indiana, wiiere he died in the thirty-ninth year of his age. Dr. Andrew Davidson and wife were of those wdio constituted the old associate congregation of Xenia, under the pastorate of the Rev. Francis Pringle in 181 1.

Dr. Jo.Shua Martin

W'.'is burn in Loudoun county. Virginia, March 2;^. 1791, and died in Louisville, Kentucky. X^ovember 30, 1865. When quite young he commenced to study medicine with Dr. HufT, in the town of Waterford, and while engaged in the prosecution of his studies he attended a course of lectures in Philadelphia under the celebrated Dr. Rush, but completed his medical education in the west and graduated in Lexington, Ken- tr.cky. Some time after lie had commenced practice, in company with his precqDtor. he emigrated to Ohio, in 1813, travehng from W'aterford to \MieeHng on horseback and in Nvagons, and thence to . Cincinnati down the Oliio in tlatboats, Cincinnati at that time l)eing- a village compared to its present condition, and to all appearances tliere were already-there fully as many physicians as it was thought the population of the place would warrant: he consequently had to look elsewhere for a suitable location, and after visiting several places he located in Xenia. Accordingly in the fall of 1813 he settled in Xenia, Ohio, and commenced to practice medicine. At that time there was prevailing here and in the west an epidemic kjK.iwn as the cold plague, which the older physicians were not successfully treating, it being very fatal. His mode of treatment was successful and at once brought him into extensix'e practice, which extended south to Lebanon, north to Urbana, east to Washington and beyond Londton, and \\est of Dayton. The country was then new. the roads bad, the streams destitute of bridges, and the traveling disagreeable and dangerous, yet such was his temperament that when called to see a patient he always obeyed the call. Although liaving an extensive practice, he received little pay, and as he had his labor to depend on for his stipport, after two years he removed to Lawrenceburg. Indiana, where he embarked in the mercantile business with his brother. The investment was not a success, and in a short time he lost all and also involved himself. This satisfied him with that \-enture, and he determined t(i persevere in his profession. After a little more than one vear's absence he returned to Xenia and resumed his practice.

On the 4th of June, 1818, he was united in marriage to Hester W'hiteman, daughter of General Benjamin \Miiteman, with wlnim he lived until her death, in February, 1834. In April, 1835, he was united in marriage to Sarah Poague. who died in 1840, leaving an infant daughter. In 1814 his father's family emigrated to Ohio and settled in Lebanon, Warren county, where his father died in 1824, after which his mother and four sisters made their home with him. His mother died in 1835. '^'''d his eldest sister in 1851, while his three surviving sisters and daughter constituted the family that he left at his death. \\'hen his body was brought back from Louisville for burial almost the whole town turned out to pay the last tribute Oif respect to his memory. Few men ha\-e left an impress of their own character on a community so distinctlv marked as has Dr. Joshua Martin.

Dr. Joseph Johnsox

Came to Xenia in 1814 and in 1820 was elected to represent Greene county in the house of the Ohio legislature. He removed from the county to Galena, Illinois, where he died, June 5, 1847. aged sixty-four years.

Dr. Iiexrv Good

\\"as also a resident of Xenia in 181 7. I think he removed from here to Madison, Indiana, and Dr. Jeremiah Wciolsey. the grandfather of the present ^Irs. Dr. Woolsin;, of Xenia, was here as a physician in the year 1827; he remo\-ed from here to Cincinnati. Ohio, where he died February 6. 1834. A brother of his. Daniel by name, was also a resident of Xenia and he remo\-ed to Evans\'ille, Indiana.

Long ago Dr. Bell was a practicing physician at Bellbrook, Ohio. He had quite a local reputation, but in later years he remv)ved to Xenia. wliere he died.

Ced.Vrville, Ohio

Though a neighborhood center, rtrst it was called X'ewport's mill, then again it was known as Hanna's store, then as the "Burgh," next as Milford, and finally as Cedar\ille. Xo ]>hysicians there in early days; Ur. INIcTruue was there in 1833, and next probably Dr. Andrew Cowden. who removed to Washington, Iowa,, where he died.

Dr. Joseph Templetox

In 1826 Dr. Joseph Templeton, from western Pennsyhania, settled in Xenia, and iiad an extensive practice and great influence outside of professional life. He was one of the early abolitionists, and thus became a valuable support to his pastor, Rev. Samuel Wilson, D. D. Our young fellow citizens can have but a very indistinct idea of the moral courage necessary to be an alx)litionist in those days. Dr. Templeton's wife is said to have been the first to establish schools for colored children in Xenia. On account of familv ties, Dr. Templeton returned to Pennsylvania and w'as succeeded by Dr. Samuel Martin. But after a lapse of a few years he returned to Xenia, occupying the prtiperty known as the R. F. Howard homestead. In 1843 he again went to Washington, being made very wealthy by the estate of his father-in-law, deceased. In 1865 he made a brief visit to Xenia and died suddenly a few days after his return home. A leading dentist of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, is a namesake and nephew of Dr. 'J'empleton. He is a man six feet, three inches tall, and weighs two hundred and si.xty [Kjunds, although he weighed but three pou!ids at his birth.

Died at his residence in Xenia, Ohio, on Saturday morning, June 21, 1879. aged eighty-three years. He was a native of Ireland and educated in Glasgow University, Scotland, for the English navy. But on graduating he declined to enter the service, married his first wife and began the practice of his profession in Ireland. In less tlian a year his wife died, and the young doctor sought the United States as a place for a short sojourn, but soon becaine so well l)leased with the country that he determined to make it his home. He settled in Xoblesville, Pennsylvania, where he married Miss Helen Anderson, the mother of his children, and who died in Xenia about 1859. In 1834 Dr. Martin became a resident of Xenia, Ohio, and for forty-five years, with the exception of a few years, he was continually engaged in the successful practice of his profession. He had many generous qualities, and had endeared himself to a large number of friends. His last wife was Miss Nancy Liggett, who during his last days and through his illness waited upon him with great kindness and faithfulness. Dr. George Watt, one of his pupils, has left on record his recollections and tribute of respect to our subject as follows: "Dr. Samuel Martin was no ordinary man and his life in this community no ordinar}^ career. In the prime of his manhood he came among us in 1834, and was immediately recognized as a leadmg physician Ijy the extensive practice accorded to him. He gave his whole mind to the practice of his profession and enlisting into his service an extensive library and the leading medical journals of the day. His patrons recognized him not only as their phyiscian, but their friend."

The present generation have no conception of the hardships of the practice at that early day. The average roads of that day would be regarded as impassable to-day. A strong horse with a saddle were the requisites. Day and night through mud and storm did Dr. Martin plod his way till his form became familiar to all, and he continued to be "the man nn horseback"' till laid aside about five _\ ears before his death by paralysis. As a teacher of young men. Dr. Martin was earnest, industrious and faithful. .\t least some of liis pupils can recall "horseback"' recitations of twenty to forty miles in length, interrupted only by occassional stops to examine and prescribe for patients. Seven of his pupils attended his funeral, four of them, residents of this city, being pall bearers. At last, however, the silver cord began to loosen and after a long and patient waiting the wheels of life stood still and the old man passed to his rest. John W. Shields also adds his tribute, as follows: '"He was kind and generous even to a fault: had he saved his earnings, he would ha\e been rich. I remember, in 1S49, when the cholera was so fatal here, that Dr. Martin fitted up part of his stable as a hospital, and there he nursed and doctored homeless Irishmen until they were able to return to work on the railroad which was ll-.en l)eing built. During the last few years his mind dwelt chiefly on religious matters, and his readings were all of that nature. We will not soon forget him as he sat in the shade by the door reading his Bible, but he has gone to his rest and we will cherish his memor}-.""

In connection with this it mav not be out of place to add here some history in regard to Dr. Martin"s old home, which is still standing on East Main street, Xenia. The house in which the late Dr. Martin lived for fort\--five years was built by Robert Casbolt in 1 81 4. and is now among the few remaining monuments of the olden times. Only a few of our oldest citizens will remember Mr. Casbolt. who used to act as constable and tax collector. "He had tender eyes and on cold windy days would ride with a vail over his face. Mr. Casbolt and his wife. Polly, came here in 1806, when Xenia was quite new. When he first came to Green county, like many old pioneers, he made Sugarcreek township his first home. He removed from there to Xenia in 181 1 and became a resident of Xenia, and, as tradition says, "the course of true love never runs smooth." and Robert Casbolt, who was thirty, found it difficult to marry Polly Todd, a precocious maiden of fourteen. Polly was willing but the old folks were not. An elopment was planned. Poll}- went out in the shade of the evening to milk. and. setting her pail on the fence, led her father's horse out of the stalile. jumped on behind b.er lover, rode away and they were mar ried. In the early times here Mrs. Casbolt practiced a very useful vocation, as many now living can well attest. On such occasion she would frequently witch for water with a peacli tree nxl, telling how far the_\' wmild have to dig by the ninl of the wand. Mrs. Casbolt was a strong-minded woman, and had she li\'ed in these days when women have organized for their recjuired rights she would have stood high among them.

Robert Casbolt was a soldier of the war of 181 _', under Captain Robert McClellan, of Sugarcreek township. He was also a soldier of the war of the Revolutioid, in t!ie Continental army. He was placed o'; liie roll as pensioner for that war. Septembe" 27, 1832, at the rate of eighty dollars per year. Sometime in the '40s he remo\x'd to Sidney, Ohio.

Dr. Horace Lawrence

JJr. Horace Lawrence was the lirst one I ever saw, and I do not recollect at what ]>eriod of time: he resided near Bloxsoms bridge, where the Columbus pike crosses Massies creek, some five miles east of Cedarville; he retired from practice at middle life. Two of iiis nephews were physicians, Dr. Deluna Lawrence, eldest brother of Mrs. Joseph l>rotherton, and Dr. Horace Lawrence, son of Levi L. ; the former died young, the x'ictiin of consumption; the other was killed by acciden at Kenton, Ohio, where he had succeeded the writer in practice. Both were good physicians and gentlemen.

Dr. Mathias Wixans

Dr. Winans came from Maysvillc, Kentucky, to Greene county in 1820, and purchased land in what is now Silvercreek townshi]), but practiced medicine in Jamestown, and in later years had his son-in-law. Dr. John Dawson, for a partner. He was the father of Judge James Winans, and, I th.ink, two of his sons were ph_\-sicians. He had a large practice. It was said ll".at he was sceptical in early life, but I can best recollect him as a minister of the Christian or Disciples church. Dr. Harper, a prominent physician of Lima, Ohio, married one of his daughters. He died in Cincinnati in July, 1849, aged fifty-eight years, and was buried at Jamestown.

Dr. Ewlass Ball

Dr. Ewlass Ball as early as 1827 kept a store at Clifton, then Patterson's mill, and, 1 think, practiced medicine; also Dr. Joshua Wilson, late of West Second street, Xenia, and Dr. Prescott also practiced at Clifton at a later date. Dr. Prescott afterward became a lawyer, still later a preacher. It is stated that a young man asked his advice as to selecting a profession and he recommended him to the law, saying a man will contribute a dime to his soul's salvation, a quarter to be restored to health, but for the satisfaction of having his own wa\- the "almight dollar" will be sacrificed.

Professional Men Of Greene Col'Xty In

On the nth of Jime, 1830, the commissioners and auditor proceeded to estimate the annual income of the practicing' lawyers and physicians, and to charge a tax upon each of them, which tax, as charged, i^ attached to their respective names on the list returned by the assessors to the auditor.

Steam Doctors

"During my last atifliction I thought I might spend a portion of my time in jotting down a little sketch of people and things as they were about Xenia from sixty to seventy-five years ago. It may interest some who know but little about pioneer life in those early days. I was born in Shenandoah county, \'irginia, March 14, 1813, and that fall Davis Allen, my grandfather, came to Ohio to look for a new home. He had a couple of brothers-in-law living in Greene county, and. of course, it was natural for him to make them a visit. One of them, John Haines, lived on a farm now divided into two farms, one owned by John Middletiai, and the other by David S. Harntr. He occupied the house that was known a few years ago as the Chaney house. The house was built three years before he moved into it. making it about seventv vears old, a pretty ripe age for a house. The other brother-in-law was Edward Walton, of Spring \'alley. There is a representation of his log cabin in the Greene County Atlas. .\fter visiting with those friends, the next thing was to select a new home. He selected a beautiful and fine tract of land lying right by the side of John Haines' farm. It is that portion of land that lies between the iron bridge road and the Dayton pike, now known as the Hawkins, Steele. Willian.i ]\ioore and Lucas farms, containing in all a thousand acres, more or less. He then returned to his home in \'irginia for his family, consisting of his wife, Elizabeth Alien, and his children, Reuben, Deborah, Davis, Ji'hn, Obed, Barsheba, Homer, Milo and Jackson Allen. Two other families came with them ; the first of these consisted jt Mounce Hawkins and his wife Mary, nnd three children, Reuben, Joseph and Davis, tlie writer of this article. The second family consisted of Frederick Beemer and his wife Sarah and one child, Samuel. A young man by the name of Harve Evans CF.me west with the last family to grow up with the country, and he became clerk of the court in one of our eastern counties. All were now ready for the move and with five V. agons, a carriage, several head of cattle, in April, 1814, the line of march was taken up. A journey of six weeks was performed, with no railroads to speed you on the wa\'. Jn due time all landed near Xenia, safe without the loss of one of the crew. After passing through Xenia thev landed in a couple of log cabins on the big farm that bad been bought the fall before. These cabins stood on the \\'illiam I\Ioore farm, near Shawnee, in which the three families summered. But soon the work of building commenced. Mr.

Robinson'S History Of Greene Countv

Allen, liaving started brick-making for a house, expected tu winter in it, but the work did not get along far enough, and so he reirained in one of the cabins for the winter. Father commenced to cut and hew logs on the site of the cross roads where Homer Hawkins now lives, and got up a story and a half hewed-log house and covered it. It had a stick and mud chimney about half the lieight of the house ; a doorway was cut with no door up, and a coverlid was used for a duur. Here father w intered through 1814.

"Perhaps the next thing in order would be a description of the country. At that time it was almost a wilderness, no clearing being done on the Hawkins or Steele farms, except what part of the Old Town prairie that runs down across the bottoms. The rest of the farms owned by these two gentlen;en was a dense forest with some littlej:)arrcns of large and heavy timbers. The Haines farm had some cleared land and several acres of prairie on it. Some clearing had been done on a part of the thousand-acre tract that grandfather had reserved for himself. At this time the country abounded in wild animals, such as wolves, wild cats and wild hogs. Our nearest neighbors who were landholders were John Haines and Jonathan Paul, tlie first named gentleman living on part of the farm now owned by John B. Lucas. James Gill owned what is now the Richard Galloway farm, the fair ground, the Crawford, Xesbitt and ^^'ol)drow land, also the field adjoining the fair ground on the west side. This James Gill was an Irishman and belonged to what was called 'the w hiskey boys,' of whom you ha\'e read in history. I have often heard him talk about it in his Irish bi'ogue. He said

"One of our neigh.bors was James Towler. He ow'ued the lands where David Vorhees and Peter Bankard used to live. He was a local Methodist preacher, and used to go among the Indians as a missionary, and at one time brought a couple of Indian boys home with him to have them educated. They remained in Xenia for some time, forming many acquaintances, and then returned to their tribes. Mr. Towler was one of the leaders of the Methodist church.

"Other neighbors were near us, but they were only renters or leasers. I will conie back to my early boyhood days. I was pretty young w hen I first commenced going tc school, and so did not go regularly. The school was in a little log cabin, located about where John B. Lucas' house now stands, and my teacher's name was Amos Root. The next school that I attended was located where John Purdom now resides on the Boyd farm. The teacher was Julrus Hunter. The next school was taught by Israel Hanes, in a little room in the secouvl story of his own house. Still later Ransom Reel taught school at Old Town. The building in which he taught was of frame and was used for both school and church. William Galloway also taught in the same building about 1822. Thomas Steele was then living with his father in the old brick building on the Gordon lot. He taught school in a little frame building on or near w here the Center building now stands. The older brothers and myself were sent to him. I will mention some of the prominent scholars as far as I can remember ; David \\'. Connelly and Robert were among them. Da\-id was studying surveying, and afteri30 wards distinguished himself in surveying for the government in tiie southern states, especially in Louisiana. Robert died with yellow fever while in the employ of his brother. Then there was James and Benjamin Grover; James afterward became clerk of the court of Greene county, and later a prominent Methodist preacher. Others among these pupils were Jack and Henry Barnes, the latter ex-sheriff of Greene county, James and Henry Larue and Jackson Allen. It may not be amiss to give some of the names of girls or young women. I will commence with tin; Connelly family. There were Xancy, iNlartiia and Mary Connelly. Harriet, Abigail and Joanna Hivling, -Rachel and Margaret Eyler, Mary and Lydia Eyler and Jennie Barnes. There were a host other boys and girls ; among them were David and John Rader, and two families of Shaws, many of them are beneath the sod and others soon will be.

"I will now speak of the town and its The city did not extend beyond Church street on the north side, Monroe street was the east limit. Water street was the south limit, and the boundarv line on the west was the Cincinnati pike and West street. Most of the buildings were on Main street. John Alexander, the grandfather of W:iriiam J. Alexander, -had his home on a large lot in the vicinity of whefe Henry H. Eavey's fine residence now stands; also and close by and belonging to him was an orchard and deer park. The ])rincipal merchants were James and Ryan Govvdy, Hivling and Nunamaker and John Dodd. The hotels were the Hivling House, Collier House and the Browder House. This latter house was kept in the hewed-log house that stood on the site where the wholesale grocery now stands. Quite a contrast between it and the Florence Hotel of to-day. A tanyard stood on the site of Chandler Brothers' coal office. A small stone building was used as a shop, and Robert Gowdy carried on the business. A blacksmith shop was run by John W'illiams in a log cabin shop that stood on the lot where Mrs. William B. Fairchild used to reside on Market street. And in this shop the first elephant that was e\er shown in Xenia was put on exhibition, and many of us had the chance of seeing our first elephant. The public buildings rf the town consisted of a court house, jail and market house. The court house occupied a part of the same ground that the present one does. It was a plain square building with a cupola to designate its use. In that house I cast my first vote. The jail was a small stone building made of those soft yellow stones, such as lie east of James Ralls slaughter house. These stones proved an easy thing for the prisoners to pick holes through. The market house was a twostory structure, built with pillars, a sufficient distance apart to form stalls on each side and open at each end. This building stood on the public square, on Market street back of the court house."

(In revising Mr. Hawkins" "old-time article" for publication the editor of the Gazette, on what was deemed good authority, made a correction about the market house, and gave a description of Xenia's market house a decade later than the one about which Mr. Hawkins wrote, hence the following from him :

"Editor Gazette : The market house that I spoke of was on Main street and only one story high, and was nearly in the middle of the street ; its one end was perhaps two or three rods east of Detroit street, and extended up in front of the court house, and \v as so situated that tliey could drive on either side of it. The one on Market street was of later date. 1 do not known tliat I could hnd a man to prove the above, but nevertiieless it is true. - David Hawkins.") "I will now tell of some prominent gentlemen who were large land owners and whose land bordered on the town. The first of these was James Galloway, who owned a large tract of land bordering on the west and northwest of the tovviT The next was David Connelly, who owned the large tract of land norlh and northeast of the town, and now (nvned by the Silas Roberts' heirs, luist from this was the Robert D. Forsman farm, and tlie Benjamin Haines farm, or the Henry Conklin farm as it is now. With tile Sdutlieast and south I was not acquainted until it came to the Judge Grover farm, which has since been nearly all taken into the citw Mr. Cirover"s bouse is the present residence of Coleman Heaton. On the southwest was the farm of Henry Hypes, father of Mrs. Maria Drees and Mr. Sanuiel 1 lypes ; s<me of bis land bordered on James Gangway's land. Close by James Galloway's land lay Samuel Govvdy'^ farm. Not far from these last named farms lay the gra\-el bank, a large portion of which was iiwncd by Abraham and John Hi\-ling. Abraham Hivling also owned that portion i«f land north of Church street and west of Detroit out as far as the Gordon's. This was then farm land and contained within its borders a house, barn and such other liuildings as pertain to a farm. The Gordon property, except the old brick house and lot that is southeast of them, and all land west to the Richard Galloway line, was owned by James Gowdy. Most of it was farm land, but the north end was forest, including John T. Harbine's lot. But the city has covered this farm land and even the forest. On the lot where Fawcett's jewelry store now is stood a little one-story brick house, which was first used as a school house, but it was afterward occupied by a man b\- the name of Tolbert as a hatter's shop, so there has been some change there.

"1 will now come nearer luime; nearly all of Richard Galloway's farm was a forest. We had no public road, but such roads as farmers have in their woodland to haul rails and wood over. A small field was cleared where tht race track now is in front of the Galloway house, and the field west close by was also cleared, but from there the remainder of the way home was through the woods, which in some places were pretty thick. NVhen we left Shenandoah county our colony numbered twenty in all. I am the only one left in the county, and all but three of these have been laid beneath the sod. Obed Allen, if living, is in Rochester, Indiana, and Homer Allen is in Bellefontaine. Ohio."

James A. Scott was born in Northumberland county. Pennsylvania. January i, I794- In i8i2 he was a member of one of the companies composing a brigade of soldiers which left Pennsylvania and started to the scenes of action in which Hull and his forces were then engaged. On arriving at Pittsburg they learned of Hull's surrender, and were ordered to Erie, where Perry was then engaged in building bis fleet. At Pittsburg thev were furnished with tents and other necessary equipments for their comfort. lia\ - ing been obliged to sleep in the open air. or sheds, pigpens or whatever old l>uildings they could find a place of shelter for a time. They remained for a short time and were ordered to Buffalo, where they were detained until late in December of that year, when they were discharged. They were left to get home as best they could, and voung Scott with many others traveled the distance, over two htmdred miles, on foot thrcugh the forest. They drew one month's pay while at Erie, which was all the wages that Scott received until he had been a resident of this county some time. He again joined the army in 1S14. His brigade met once, organized at Danville, Pennsylvania, and proceeded toward Sandy Hook. They reached Northumberland, Pennsylvania, and here learned of the treaty of peace, and were discharged.

In October, 1815, he came on a tour of inspection to this and adjoining counties in company with his brother John. They were accjuaintances and friends of John Jacoby (who then owned and run the Old Town mills) and his family, and with them they made their headquarters during their stay in this section. General Robert T. Forsman was then a single man and lived with Henry Jacoliy, in partnership with whom he ran a distiller}-. He sold out his interest to his partner not long after the building of the distillery.

During this trip Mr. Scott saw very little of Xenia, making a few short visits to the place. It then contained very few frame or lirick buildings. The principal business houses were l)uilt of logs, and nearly all the dwellings were log structures of a variety of styles and sizes. At that time there %yas a tavern about where John Glossinger's saloon used to be, kept by an Englishman. There was another just east of it kept by Thomas Gillespie, who was afterward appointed land commissioner in the northern part of the state by President Jackson. Connelly then kept the tavern near the old Hivling corner. James Collier was then running his famous house on Detroit street and a Mr. Watson was proprietor of another on the south side of Main street, west of Detroit.

The first mill built in the county was a small structure erected in 1799 near the site of the Harbine mill at Alpha. Some years after it proved too small for the increasing trade and was abandoned for a larger one, a frame building erected near by. A woolen mill was also built and put into operation at the same place. It was afterward used as a cotton factory for some time and then again converted into a woolen mill. This mill property then belonged to Jacob Smith, who was a member of the fourth general assembly of the state in 1805, as a senator from this and Clinton counties, which office he filled several times afterward.

.Vfter weeks spent in the inspction of the different mills in this part of the state Mr. Scott and his brother John negotiated for the purchase of this property from Mr. Smith and then started back to Pennsylvania. They had not journeyed as far as the Scioto river ^vhen James' horse died. The animal was an excellent one, and as usually found in the west at that time horses were of an inferior stock. INIr. Scott would not purchase one with which to complete his journey home, but proceeded on foot. Some days he traveled as nnich as fifty miles, and would very often reach the point designated in the morning as the stopping place for the following night some time in advance of his brother who was on horsel)ack. Their average rate of travel during the entire journey was between forty-five and forty-seven miles. Twenty-five miles this side of Pittsburg, at a place then called Bricklings Cross Roads, his brother was taken very ill and they had to remain at this place some six weeks until the sick man was able to proceed on the journey. They arrived home during the holidays. Mr. Scott returned to this county in February. 18 16. and assumed charge of the mill purchased of Mr. Smith. Xot anticipating the immediate use of a horse after his arrival here, he declined to bring one with him and made the entire journey on foot. In the fall of the year he again returned tn Pennsylvania, this time making the trip nn horseback.

On the 17th of October. 1816, he was married to Elizabeth S. Shannon, who was then living with her parents not far from ]\Iilton, Pennsyhania. Slic was born July 6, 1796. Mrs. Scott had a brother living in Piqua. Ohio, and another in Pennsylvania, these three being the only surviving members of a large family. Jnhn Shannon, who once li\-ed at Alpha, this county, was another brother. Soon after their marriage thev moved to this countv in a wagon. They lived in the house in which the first 'rourt. were held in this county, which was then the residence of Peter Borders, and in which he kept a tavern for many years.

John Scott, u ho had accomiianied James on his first visit to this count}', lived with them here. He was a millwright and erected a number of mills in this and adjoining counties. He afterward settled in Aliami county, where he died in the eighty-second \ear of his age. Captain Casper Snyder, James Fulton and two of James Scott's sons, \\'illiam and David, learned the trade with him.

Mr. Scott tells of a case of sharp practice which occurred in the neighborhood of Alpha some time before he came to the county, but of which he often heard after his arrival here. Jacob Herring was the owner of a tract of land near Beaver creek, nortii of Alpha. An adjoining tract lying between his land and the creek contained some verv excellent bottom land, and on it there were some very fine springs, and this Herring desired to possess. Benjamin W'hiteman learned of this desire and knowing that the land had not yet been entered by any one went to Herring, assumed the right to sell the land, bargained with him for its sale at five dollars per acre, went immediately to Cincinnati and entered it in his own name at less than half that price, then returned and made Herring a deed for the land, making quite a sum of money in the operation, which Herring could have retained had he known to what party the land belonged.

While running the mill ^Ir. Scott once sent his team to Cincinnati with a load of flour. On the return the driver missed the way and after wandering about in the forests of Clermont and Brown counties for many days finally reached the mill again after an absence of about three weeks.

A few days after moving to this county, with his wife Mr. Scott came to Xenia to purchase necessary household goods. He selected a number of articles, among them a "dutch oven" at James Gowdy's store, had them set aside, and then drove liis team to John Alitten's chair factory, wliich stood v\here the Grand Hotel now stands, to purchase some chairs. Having driven away from the store without paying for what he had selected, or telling Mr. Gowdy where he was going (he presumes that Gowdy thought he was going to leave the goods on his hands and had gone home without them) Mr. Gowdy sent John Ewing. a clerk in the store, in search of Mr. Scott and to inquire if he had forgotten the articles set aside for him. Mr. Scott satisfied him, however, by returning to the store after he had gotten the chairs and pa^-ing for the articles and taking them home.

The German Reformed, as it was called, the Lutheran and.Xew Light were the only church organizations in that part of the county wlien Mr. and Mrs. Scott lived at Alpha. Their ancestors were Presbyterians, and as there was not then any organization of tliat denomination near them they attended the services of the Reformed and Lutheran churches for a number of years. These two denominations built a large log church about 1820, near the site of the present brick church edifice on the Dayton and Xenia road near Alpha. The two congregations occupied the church alternately. Rev. Thomas Winters, who li\ed near Davton, the father of the popular David \\"mters, now of Dayton, and Rev. Thomas Winters, of Xenia, was then pastor of the Reformed congregation. Rev. Da\'id Winters, then a young man, preached the first sermon Mr. Scott ever heard him preach in this church. Mr. Scott knew of but one ^lethodist family in the township at diat time. It was the family of Jacob Xesbitt, father of Benoni Xesbitt, of Xenia. There was then no congregation of Dunkards in the township, but there were a few persons there of that denomination, and tnrough their efforts were induced to settle there, until in later years a congregation was organized, and still exists at Zimmermanville. Soon after the organization of the first Presbyterian congregation in this city, and when Rev. Moses Swift, now of Allegheny, was its paster, Mr. and Mrs. Scott united with it, and ha\'e since remained meml)ers of that church.

Mr. Scott was well acquainted with .\ssociate Judges Houston and Haines, who w ere his neighbors for a long time. Among other personal acquaintances and friends during the first year of his residence in this county were Henry Ankeney. Captain Jacob Shingledecker, Captain Robert IMcClellan and Major James Galloway, who were sol- 'tliers in the war of 181 2. ^Ir. Hugh An- 'drew , Mr. George Wright and Mr. Scott were the only pensioners of the war of 1812 mider the old law that were living in 1879 about Xenia.

Mr. Scott said that the people then living in Bea\-ercreek township were the most sociable and hospitable, honorable and upright in all their dealings of any community in which he had e\'er lived. It was made up principally of people from Pennsylvania and Maryland. His mill custom then extended to the east and south, east a distance of twent}-five or thirty miles. In addition to attending to the running of the mill he lieM the office of justice of the peace in that ti.wnship for five years.

After conducting the mill business for over ten years the property was sold to a yiv. Herr, and from him to Mr. John Harbine, and Mr. Scott then took charge of