Clinton Township (part 14 of 18)

In 1824 Thomas W. Ruekman was elected clerk; James H. Coleman, James Forsythe, and Wm. Cecil, trustees; Thomas W. Ruekman, clerk; John Johnston, treasurer; John Whitmire and Amos Evans, fence viewers; John Lenox and Elisha Williams, overseers of the poor; Jos. Garver, house appraiser; George Poole, lister; Robert Blakely, constable. Elisha Williams was justice at this time.

At an election held at the court-house, in Sidney, April 4, 1825, the following named persons were elected: Trustees, James Forsythe, Wm. Cecil, and James H. Coleman. Clerk, Dan. Hopkins. Treasurer, John Johnston. Lister, Elisha Williams. Appraiser, James Forsythe. Constables, Benjamin Mapes and Alex. W. McKee. Fence Viewers, James

Wells and Jesse Bryan. Overseers, Joseph Garver and Henry Tilbury'. John Johnston, Nathan Coleman, and Elias Carey, Supervisors. James H. Coleman's commission as justice of the peace was dated June 18, 1825, and that of John MeCreight October 10, 1825. On the 25th of November Robert Stephenson was appointed trustee, vice Wm. Cecil, deceased.

In 1827 the trustees and treasurer were re-elected. Clerk, Thos. W. Ruekman. Overseers, Joel Frankeberger and Henry Bryan. Viewers, Amos Evans and John Whitmire ; Benjamin Mapes aud Stephen Sprague constables, - the latter by appointment.

At the election in 1828 Robert W. Stephenson, Joel Frankeberger, and Robert Blakeley were elected trustees; Jason Taylor, clerk; John Johnston, treasurer.

1830. Trustees, Jas. H. Coleman, John Whitmire, B. K. Brandon. Clerk, E. Thomas. Treasurer, John Buckland. Overseers, Robert Davidson and David Hinkle. Viewers, Samuel Gamble and Gabriel Rubble. Constables, A. Hathaway and Cornelius Hinkle.

1833. Trustees, John Lenox, Joel Frankeberger, and Archibald Defrees. Clerk, William A. Carey. Treasurer, John Buckland. Viewers, Benj. Beeden, Elijah Montanee, and David Carey. Overseers, Jason Taylor and 1. II. Bracken. John Lenox was commissioned as justice January 25, 1834. Alexander Stuart same date.

1834. Trustees, Archibald Defrees, John Lenox, and Joel Frankeberger. Clerk, W. A. Carey. Treasurer, John Neal. Viewers, Wm. Fielding, Geo. Moyer, aud Jason Taylor. Overseers, Andrew Rodgers and Wash. Evans.

At a special meeting, held in January, 1833, C. B. Woodruff was appointed clerk of the township, vice W. A. Carey removed from the township.

1835. Justice, Elijah McGrew. Trustees, John Whitmire, Robert W. Stephenson, and Daniel Kelly. Clerk, Thomas Smith. Treasurer, John Neal. Constables, David Hendershott, Abraham Hathaway, and Nathan Bennett. Overseers, Alex. Stuart and John Whitmire. Viewers, Jas. Eaton, J. S. Updegraff, and Ezekiel Thomas. At this time the township consisted of nine road districts.

1836. Trustees, John Shaw, Samuel McCullough, and Samnel Byers. Clerk, Thos. Smith. Treasurer, Wm. Murphy. Constables, J. H. Kirkendall and Charles Bush. Overseers, I. H. Bracken and W. J. Brown. Viewers, W. R. Persinger, P. W. Silver, and James Eaton. Alexander Stuart was justice at this time.

1837. Trustees, Samuel McCullough, John Shaw, 2d, and Samuel Byers. Clerk, Thomas Smith. Treasurer, James A. Wells. School Examiners, James A. Wells aud J. S. Updegraff. Constables, J. II. Kirkendall, Samuel Stephenson, and W. M. Watt. Overseers, Elijah McGrew and Benjamin Haggatt. Fence Viewers, James McCullough, John W. Carey, and J. H. Crowell.

1838. Justice, Alex. Stnart. Trustees, John Shaw, 2d, Hugh Thompson, and Daniel V. Dingmaii. Clerk, Thos. Smith. Treasurer. J. Allen Wells. Constables, Samuel Stephenson, Joseph H. Kirkendall, and J. H. Peebles. Overseers of Poor, J, W. Carey and I. H. Bracken. Viewers, Mark Thompson, Win. Munch, and I. H. Bracken.

1839. Trustees, R. W. Stephenson, Hugh Thompson, and John Johnston. Clerk, Thomas Smith. Treasurer, James A. Wells. Constables, Samuel Stephenson, James Golden, and J. R. Francis. Overseers, Jos. Cummins and Alex. Stuart. Viewers, Benj. Fulton, Abraham Stipp, and J. W. Carey. At this election a vote was taken on the question of raising a school fund by taxation, and resulted: "No school tax," 42; " school tax," 9.

1840. Trustees, John Shaw, 2d, Andrew Cunningham, Alexander Stuart. Clerk, J. F. Frazer. Treasurer, Joel Frankeberger. At this election the question of a school tax was submitted, and resulted : " No tax," 63; "tax," 5.

1846. Trustees, Samuel Mathers, J. C. Coe, and W. H. Gerrard. Clerk, J. A. Wells. Treasurer, Guy C. Kelsey. Yote on school tax question stood : No tax, 2 ; tax, none.

1855. Justices, M. B. Newman and F. Robinson. Trustees, Thomas Stephenson, T. B. Graham, and W. A. Cartwright. Clerk, J. A. Irwin. Treasurer, G. C. Kelsey.

1857. Justice, M. C. Hale. Trustees, clerk, and treasurer the same. On May 15, 1857, Samuel Mathers was appointed trustee to succeed F. Robinson, deceased.

1859. Justice, J. F. Frazer. Trustees, R. C. Arhuckle, S. Hutton, and Thomas Stephenson. Clerk, James A- Irwin. Treasurer, Samuel McCullough.

1860. Justice, M. C. Hale. Trustees, T. B. Graham, Mathew Ensey, and Irwin Nutt. Clerk, James A. Irwin. Treasurer, Samuel McCullough. Assessor, James I. Elliott.

1868. Justice, S. Alexander Leckey. Trustees, Jason McVay, A. J. Robertson, and John Wagner. Clerk, A. 0. Waucop. Treasurer, James Johnston. Assessor, William Snevely.

1874. Trustees, John Wagner, William C. Wyman, and Henry Johnston. Clerk, A. O. Waucop. Treasurer, J. M. C. Deweese. Assessor, J. S. Laughlin.

Dryden. Pike Superintendent, George Covill. Constables, Sam. Silver and W. A. Nutt. Supervisors, E. A. Schenck, W. G. Carper, C. Tracey, and Charles E. Fielding.

Sidney

The seat of justice and principal town in Shelby County, is pleasantly, almost romantically, situated in the valley and among the hills which border the Great Miami River in Clinton township. The Miami Feeder of the canal traces through the town, which is also the crossing of the Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis and the Dayton and Michigan railroads, the latter being operated by the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railway Company. The town embraces the original site for the seat of justice as selected by Commissioners Van Horne and Steele, in September, 1819. This original plat consisted of seventy acres in fraction 36, town. 8, range 6 east, on the west bank of the Great Miami River, and was donated to the county by Charles Sterrett in consideration of the seat of justice being permanently located here. The proprietor was to receive one-half the proceeds arising from the sale of town lots after the tract should be properly surveyed. It was further provided that one acre be reserved for a public square, two half acres for two religious societies, two acres for cemetery uses of said societies, and one acre for school purposes. In furtherance of the same principal object several other donations of cash, or work, or goods at fixed values, were made by various individuals, the whole amounting to $690, exclusive of "one barrel of whiskey" and one "big bull," the values of which do not appear. In December, 1819, the Court appointed David Henry director of the town, with instructions to have the plat surveyed and laid out in town lots. In compliance with this order Benjamin S. Cox made the required survey, and certified a report of the same to the Court.

Lots five by ten rods; streets six rods; alleys one rod wide. Fractional streets on north and south ends forty-nine and one-half feet; fractional streets on east and west sides forty-one and one-half feel wide. Streets at right angles upon a variation of five degrees west, supposed to be a true meridian. Main Street runs due north and south. Lot number 113 is for a burial ground; lot number 109 is for a Presbyterian Church ; lot number 101 is for religious societies in general, and the east half of lot number 105 is for the use of schools.

Before me, the undersigned, an acting justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, personally appeared David Henry, director, and acknowledged the within plat to be an accurate plat of the town of Sidney in saicl county.

By this survey the plat was laid off in one hundred and thirteen lots. At the April term of the court a sale of one-third of the lots remaining unsold was ordered to be advertised, which order was executed by the director, who was also authorized to sell at private sale any lots remaining unsold after the date of said public auction. The sale of lots, publicly and privately, covered a period of several years before it was completed. Various papers and orders relating to these sales have already appeared under the head of "The County Seat." The town name was chosen in honor of Sir Philip Sidney, "the great light of chivalry."

Such were the initial steps toward the founding of a town which was yet to be, and following these steps came the work of clearing and building. Destruction ever prepares the way for construction, for the old must be levelled to make way for the new. The location is a cheerful, even charming one as viewed to-day, but it is doubtful whether it presented any charms other than those arising from a pecuniary standpoint to the men who were interested in the founding of the town in 1820. But all this transpired in "the good old times;" those times of simple tastes, modest demands, and low ambitions, and before " the root of all evil" had become the controlling influence in the affairs of men. Perhaps this is all true, but worship of the past is not largely indulged in "these degenerate days." Let the few worshippers of those days glory in theil best features, aud they will not glory alone. Beyond this, they must not shut their eyes to the objectionable features, as if all was virtue, honesty, and hospitality. Mankind has always been more or less human, and sometimes planted thistles where flowers should have grown. They must not become such ardent worshippers of yesterday as to assert that " what was good enough for my father is good enough for me and my children," for this is a theory of conservatism which means only stagnation and the death of honorable ambition and manly effort. No day was ever good enough, and no day's effort need be counterfeited, for it can always be improved. Still the past is largely in its grave, and as " noble spirits war not with the dead," it were well to recall the past in kindness and dismiss it with a tear.

But the founders of Sidney, in common with those of the whole county, are in need of no commiseration at our hands, for they did the very best their circumstances and surroundings would permit. The citizens of to-day do not manifest a different spirit so much as they manifest a deeper intensity of the same spirit on account of its better development and greater strength. New conditions have wrought out a new order of tilings. It is not the freaks of blind fates, or the "sport of invisible powers" which measures the direction and influence of the efforts of man. It was not fatalism but positivism which enabled the pioneer to grapple successfully with the unfriendly forces which beset him on every hand. It required the best manhood in man to contend with cold and inhospitable conditions. In fact, it called forth a mighty effort to make him master of himself. The community, like the individual, must seize and hold its own destiny in grasp, and sow as it would reap. The man will come into being under adverse conditions, and must take up arms against his surroundings from the very moment of his birth if he would hold his fate in his hands. If in the war which ensues the man succeeds, he will be called a hero, while if he fails he will be branded a fool. So with the community. It must take up arms against the adverse conditions which governed the period in which it sprang into existence, or it will become the victim of those conditions. It can no more stand still than the individual, for inaction is stagnation, and stagnation is suicide. Even conservatism, of which we hear so much, has its reprehensible features, for it is generally only an apology for inaction, while idolized consistency is only an apology for conservatism. No apologies are recognized in social economy, for it is either development and growth or decline and death. Look about in this county, ami view the fate of Cynthiana, Basinberg, Newbern, and other towns which have become only a memory of the past. Look at old Dingmansburg, clasped in the outstretching arms of a living town, and so rescued from a withering doom! Look at Hardin, living only in sacred memory of the gallant patriot, who on that spot offered up his life in the service of his country, and that other memory that it was once the seat of justice of Shelby County! Even then it does not serve as an adequate monument to these sacred memories. Yet it is dwelling to-day upon scenes long since enacted, cherishing the memory of a glory long departed, and so living only in the past. It, is scarcely a life deserving of the name, for better one year of the present than a thousand of the past.

Turn, then, and contemplate a living growth, and view the stately results of the better spirit of growth and development. Turn to Sidney, not with a sigh for " what might have been," but with a noble pride for that which is, and the sacred promise of that which is to be. There is the town located in the valley, creeping up the hillsides and over the summits, dotting its way with buildings of every character, and institutions of every order. Industries, enterprises, and institutions of manifold uses have been called into being to represent the various tastes, desires, and skill of a constantly increasing population. To the original plat have been added more than thirty additions, and the number has never outrun the demand. Neither has that growth ever presented an abnormal aspect, for health of tone has ever marked the extension of the town. Nothing was done, no step taken as the result of intoxicated ideas of the necessities of the town, but all has been done on a solid and enduring basis. Shocks and disasters have, as a consequence, been strangers here throughout the history of the town.

Let us turn, then, to a review of some of the incidents and accidents of the past, and a contemplation of the institutions and enterprises of the present. The town, as such, dates from the year 1820 ; for, although two or three cabins may have been erected upon the land which became the town site, they had no more significance than the scores of others scattered throughout the county.

It appears rather certain that John Blake built the first house in the new town, and as considerable interest attaches to the first building and builder, the following article is given space.

" The first building erected in Sidney is being torn down and carted away. Among the several old ones yet standing it is the oldest, and the only one that in all the years remained on its original site. When the ground is cleared and" the building season opens, a brick structure, 130 by ;'>H ft. and three stories high, will be erected by the owner of the lot, M. Wagner. On the first floor there will be two store-rooms, 100 by 25 feet, to be occupied by Thedieek Brothers, dry goods merchants, and W. II. Wagner, dealer in hardware. The building will be finished in the most approved style, compensating for the public eyesore in process of demolition. So much for the new, and this for the old building:

"It was built in the spring of 1820 - sixty-two years ago - by John Blake, who employed Thomas English anil Elisha Montaney to do the carpenter work. A log cabin stood on the northwest corner of the lot, built by the father of Richard Cannon, of Turtle Creek township. The Blakes moved into this cabin in March, 1820, coming from Miami County. The lot, No. 49, was bought at a sale of town lots a year after the town was laid out. 'Squire Henry, Director, who lived three and one-half miles east of town, managed the sale. Lot 49 brought $125, while lot 29, where R. L. Fry's residence and business rooms stand, sold for $100. The frame building on lot 49 was completed in the summer of 1820, and the Blake family moved in the then finest house within half a day's travel in any direction. In the summer of 1826 John Blake left Sidney for South Carolina, taking fifty head of horses with him. He made the journey safely, sold the horses, got the money, and started for home. At Lexington, Kentucky, he was waylaid, murdered, and robbed. Much of the stock was bought on time, and besides its loss, Mr. Blake was robbed of other funds. The settlement which followed greatly embarrassed the family, and in 1831 lot 49 and building were sold to John YV. Carey, who made several improvements in the building, a noteworthy one being an ornamental piece of work from the tinsmith, signifying that the era of reform in the old building occurred in the year 1832. The same year Mr. Carey hung out a shingle which informed the weary traveller that the place was a 'hotel.' Board bills were seldom 'jumped,' as almost anything in trade was acceptable. In cash, $1.25 a week was considered the fair thing. Those who paid the cash realized the grandeur of their position, though there was not much opportunity of displaying one's self before the people of the city.

" The property changed hands so frequently that to trace it through the county records would be an endless task. Mr. Wagner does not remember just what year he made the purchase, nor the price; but it was long before he bought the Burnett House building, which he purchased at sheriff's sale in 1863, paying $5000 for it.

"At Director Henry's sale of town lots, No. 20, whereon Guy C. Kelsey aud James Austin have built, sold for $70. From this some idea of the appreciation in value of property in Sidney can be obtained.

"In 1831 the buildings from the Citizens' Bank down to the old frame on lot 49 were built. They were the first brick buildings erected in Sidney. As the county seat was at first in Hardin, afterward being removed to bidney and the business done in a frame trap, the town considered itself big enough to support a brick court-house, providing the people in the back 'deestricks' were willing. The question resulted in the erection in 1832 of a brick court-house No. 2, the one that has just stepped down and out for court-house No. 3, the one in course of construction.

"Although this article treats of buildings, old and new, it is well to draw the line somewhere. The old frame trap, now about to leave us, having long survived its usefulness, will be permitted to take a back seat. In its youth it sheltered the pioneers of the county, but they, or most of them, have also stepped down and out. The ' science of the beautiful' declares the old building utterly unfit for further use; so it must go. Its timbers, sixty-two years old, are dry and hard enough to withstand exposure to the elements for years to come. In the solitude of the wood-house or back yard, where the tender recollections of a half century gone by steal through its wooden head, it will find rest and peace ." - Shelby County Democrat , Feb. 17, 1882.

In the years 1820 aud 1825 inclusive, a number of houses of different kinds were erected, to trace the history of which would be a waste of time and space, as they generally passed away with the period for w ic they were intended.

On the 4th of September, 1821, John Blake petitioned the Court for license to keep tavern at his house in Sidney, which petition was granted for one year in consideration of the payment of five dollars.

On the 12th of November, 1822, Francis Kendall was licensed by the Court to keep hotel at his house in Sidney, in consideration of paying five dollars to the county.

On the 24th of May, 1830, Abraham Cannon presented a petition to the Court of Common Pleas, and was granted a license, in consideration of a payment of five dollars, " to keep tavern for one year in his house in Sidney."

As early as the 11th of December, 1820, John Blake was licensed by the Court of Common Pleas to ''vend merchandise" in Sidney for one year, in consideration of the payment of ten dollars. On the 24th of April, 1823, Jesse Bryan was licensed by the court "to keep store in the town of Sidney." On the 9th of October of the same year license was granted Amos Evans to keepstore in Sidney. John Blake, to whom' the first license was granted, had it renewed December 11, 1821, for one year, - the fee in each ease being ten dollars. He is thus found to figure as one of the very earliest builders, hotel-keepers, and store-keepers of the town.

These are the initial steps taken in different departments, and serve to show the first business men, and the business they established. The cabin was converted into a store, a hotel, or a shop, according to the seeming demand of the public, and the mechanical or financial ability of the individual.

But let us see farther. The town itself was yet unpromising in appearance; in fact it consisted largely of- the plat only, and was awaiting the period not only of construction of buildings, but also of streets and walks. The site was likely to be wet, and the timber was as yet only removing, so that log-heaps, stumps, and mnd might be said to hold the town, if not in fee, at least in possession. But lots were regularly, although not rapidly sold; and improvements were making steadily, which, rude as they were, indicated at least a living growth, as the result of active energies.

In 1820, or one year after the erection of the county, the sessions of the commissioners and courts convened here, and this was the one dignity for which the town was intended, and toward which the first citizens had looked with something of hopeful pride Still, the' "seat of justice won the town," rather than the town the " seat of justice," for this was the express purpose for which the site was chosen by the duly authorized commissioners.

During the first eighteen years of the town's existence its growth was slow, and its energy feeble. It moved along apace with the county, but its development was slow, as is ever the case under similar circumstances. It was a village, a county seat, but it had no commercial facilities ; and in the midst of a new, although fertile district, it found little impetus to rapid growth. The county was improving slowly, but steadily, and the town was only justified in keeping step. A town may outrun the development of the district upon which it is dependent, and then stagnation ensues, sometimes supplemented by financial crashes and commercial disasters.

In the case of Sidney no such shocks were known, for the conditions were against everything of this nature. If circumstances only warranted a slow growth that growth was adopted, and every step appeared adjusted to the demands of the hour. From time to time the individual stepped beyond the bounds of prudence, and attempted to create abnormal demands, rather than supply actual needs, and became the victim of bankruptcy.

This, however, is only an incident in the history of every town and branch of business, and does not argue against our position relative to the normal condition of the general prevailing growth. The man blundered and failed; the men were prudent and succeeded. The individual became bankrupt, the town as a community prospered and grew. Schools were established, not as existent to-day, but as demanded and justified by their own day. They served the purposes of their being in a certain sense, and, like everything else, went on improving. Churches were organized ; the adherents of particular creeds, uniting into congregations, and erecting buildings in which might be expounded the peculiar doctrines of each particular denomination. The Methodists came, and, where a few of these met in a new country, the circuit rider sought them, sometimes on foot, but ever determined to organize a class. The Catholic came, and when the missionary priest found a few families of the " mother Church," he instituted the confessional, and visited the little band as often as his missionary labors would permit. Baptists came here to make homes for themselves, and doing this, supplemented their every day duties by the erection of a church and baptismal fount. Here, too, came the Presbyterian with his family, until several families were justified in asking for supplies to preach the mystic word as understood by the adherents to the doctrines of foreordination and election. Some families of United Presbyterians also found themselves banding together and seeking assistance from presbyteries, in order that their infant organization might hear the word as taught under the tenets of this denomination. And they succeeded, too, and to-day the church which holds much in common with the Presbyterians, but finds no solace in open communion, and knows no sacred music except the Psalms of David, is still here in the character of a large and flourishing congregation. Here, then, came and grew the Methodist with the " mercj--seat ;" the Catholic with the confessional ; the Baptist with immersion ; the Presbyterian with predestination, election, infant baptism ; and the United Presbyterian with these doctrines supplemented by close communion and exclusive Psalm singing.

Aside from those which grew into organizations which continue today', all shades of doubt and all colors of belief have been represented in the general make-up or personnel of the community. The Unitarian and Universalist, with their higher conception of man, or more merciful conception of a Deity, have found homes among the people of the town. Here, too, is the humanitarian, with his poetic philosophy of life, which holds man at his best estate, and proclaims each his brother's keeper. He is sometimes really an Agnostic ; he may be an Atheist, or an Infidel, - he is still a humanitarian, at whom is indiscriminately hurled the name of Infidel.

Let us simply admit he may be honest, and honesty with noble deeds may somewhere weigh more than hypocrisy with faith. It is just possible a man can no more force a belief upon himself than he can force it upon others. Somewhere or other a good deed may be accounted a worthy offering, and a kind word an efficacious prayer. Perhaps it is the deed more than the creed which is the index to righteousness in man. Perhaps the man who scatters flowers along the path of a wayfarer, and wreathes in smiles the countenances of those with whom he meets, will hear at last the recognition, " Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these, ye did it unto me;" and not the interrogation, " To what creed did you adhere? or, to what church did you belong?"

Aside from these educational and religious institutions, others of an industrial character sprang into being, and were carried along with the general growth. By these the direct and imperative needs of the hour were supplied, and the whole development carried out in uniformity and regularity.

During the construction of the Bellefontaine and Indiana Railroad in 1851 and 1852, about twelve hundred laborers headquartered at Sidney, gave something of a new animation to the town. After the completion of the road a steady growth of both population and industry was experienced, which continued, perhaps, at a nominal rate until a new impetus was furnished in 1854, when steps were taken toward securing the Dayton and Michigan road, which would give a north and south outlet of immense beneficial importance. Stock was subscribed by citizens with something of a startling readiness, and for a time men with that intoxication born of speculation and railroad excitement traded farms, town lots, merchant stock, anything, and in some instances everything, for railroad stock, which was to advance at alarming strides, and leave dividends and margins in which wealth was assured. The road was finally constructed in 1858-59, and while the benefits of a cross outlet were secured to the community as such, the individuals who invested in stock found themselves largely' impoverished. Farms were sold, and the owners were thrown out of homes, and stepped from affluence to penury in a day. The eastern portion of the town was largely appropriated by the railway company', and was neither improved by the owners, nor put upon the market at marketable prices. Held at exorbitant prices, it begged in vain for purchasers, or implored unanswered for improvement during a period of several years. To some extent this condition of things retarded general growth, and barred important enterprises. Finally the property was sold from time to time, and as each purchaser improved immediately' upon possession the town grew in symmetry and utility by expansion eastward until the river was reached, and something of a natural limit attained.

During the years 1837-39 inclusive, the canal fever was raging, and served to some extent as an awnkener of public sentiment, and a stimulus to public spirit. It was then that

Embracing the old site of Dingmansburg, was surveyed, and made a part of the town proper. This plat was surveyed June 12, 1837, for Joel Frankeberger and John F. Frazier, and "is situated on the east bank of the Great Miami River in fractional section 10, town. 1, range 13 M. R. S. Lots four by eight rods, except the fractional ones, and their length and width when it varies from the other lots is designated by small figures near the lines (on the plat). Streets are fifty' feet wide, except Water Street which is sixty feet in width. All alleys twelve feet wide." The plat was recorded June 15, 1837.

The village was incorporated under authority of an act entitled " An Act to Incorporate the Town of Sidney," passed March 1, 1834. The enabling provisions of this act are as follow's: -

Section I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio: That so much of the township of Clinton in the county of Shelby as is comprehended in the town plat of Sidney be and the same is hereby created a town corporation, and shall hereafter be known and distinguished by the name of the town of Sidney.

Section 1 1. That for the good order and government of said town and the inhabitants thereof, there shall be elected by the white male inhabitants having the qualifications of electors of members of the General Assembly, on the first Monday of April next, and on the first Monday of May annually thereafter, at the usual place of holding elections in said town, one mayor, one recorder, and five trustees, who shall be freeholders residing in said town ; one treasurer and one town marshal, who shall each hold their respective offices for one year, and until their successors shall be elected and qualified.

As the remainder of the act simply relates to the powers and duties of the several officers, it exhibits nothing peculiar or distinctive, and so is not reproduced. It need scarcely be added that the term "white" as applied to electors in Section II. of this act has no force at this time, as it is eliminated from all constitutions and laws both State and national. It is to be regretted that the official records of the town do not cover the whole period from the incorporation to the present. All inquiry and research only discovered such records for the period succeeding the year 1846, thus leaving a gap of twelve years. Such scraps of interest as could be gathered for these years will be found in this volume, but at best they can only serve as detached links indicating the way backward, and not as constituting a continuous chain connecting us with the origin of the town government. Still they are valuable as guideboards, although they neither shorten the distance nor improve the way. Nearly a half century has elapsed since the incorporation, and so the best memories of the men who were here at that time must, touching details and dates, be confused and indistinct, if not absolutely defective. So preferring silence to error we sometimes omit all mention where we would be glad to speak with authenticity. These silent points have cost more efTort than the most elaborate subjects, for carried along by an ardent desire to be just and complete, search has been instituted wherever hope directed, and hope was sometimes cherished that a dead hope could be revived. So it was that continued efforts proved fruitless as well as laborious. It will be observed the town had been located and platted almost fifteen years before it was incorporated. At the time of the incorporation the population of the whole county could scarcely have exceeded the present population of the town, for in 1830 the inhabitants of the county only numbered 3671, while in 1880 those of the town alone numbered 3823. It is worthy of note that during the first half century of the town's existence, or until 1870, the population only swelled to 2808, while the increase for the decade between 1870 and 1880 was 1015. This shows an increase of nearly one hundred per cent, over the average decennial growth prior to 1870. The city' was divided into four wards November 16, 1882, and each ward is entitled to two members of the city council. The population in 1840 was 713; in 1850, 1284; in 1860, 1997; in 1870,2808; and in 1880, 3823. With the present outlook it will require no intuition of prophecy to predict a growth during the next ten years, which will largely exceed all other corresponding periods. Vitality, energy, and enterprise acknowledge no limitations, and these have sufficiently manifested themselves during the past few years to give a guarantee for the future.

1855. Mayor, M. B. Newman. Clerk, James A. Irwin. Marshal, Joseph Delap. Councilmen, Samuel Mathers, J. B. Howe, A. D. Rodgers, Park Beeman. Robinson Joslin.

1857. Mayor, William Serviss. Recorder, James A. Irwin. Councilmen, W. W. Skillen, A. V. Burrows, S. J. Gamble, J. C. Coe, and S. Mathers. Marshall, B. P. Haggott.

1860. Mayor, D. B. Rinehart. Recorder, J. A. Irwin. Treasurer, Samuel McCullough. Marshal, John A. Cox. Councilmen, William McCullough, L. D. Abbott, S. II. Matthews, J. C. Frankeberger, and Jacob Piper.

1869. Mayor, J. F. Frazer. Recorder, P. C. Wykoff. Treasurer, Samuel McCullough. Marshal, Wm. A. Skillen. Councilmen, Charles Timeus, J. A. Lamb, Win. Taylor, Wm. McCullough.

1870. Mayor, M. C. Hale. Recorder, P. C. Wykoff. Treasurer, Samuel McCullough. Marshal, Wm. A. Skillen. Councilmen, Wm. McCullough, J. A. Lamb, George Hendershott, Christian Kiugseed, Wm. H. Taylor, E. A. Bennett.

Temperance Lodge No. 73, F. and A. M., meets in its hall in Fry's Building, corner of Main and- Poplar Streets, on Thursday evening, on or before full moon of each month. J. S. Read, Secy. D. Oldham, W. M.

Sidney Temple, No. 11, Patriarchal Circle, meets on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month, in I. O. O. F. Hall. J. S. Laughlin, O. Hudson Gartley, Secretary.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Poplar Street. Services at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sabbath School at 9.30 A. M. Prayer meeting on Wednesday evening at 7. P. P. Pope, Pastor.

United Presbyterian Church, Court Street. Services at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sabbath School at 9.30 A. M. Young people's prayer meeting at 6 o'clock Sabbath evening. Prayer meeting at 7 o'clock Wednesday evening. J. T. Wilson, Pastor.

Mount Vernon Church (Colored Baptist), Miami Street. Meeting at 11 A. M. every Sabbath. Preaching on first and third Sabbath of each month. Prayer meeting on Wednesday evening.

German Lutheran Church, Water Street. Services every Sabbath at 10 A. M. Catechism at 11.30 A. M. Sabbath School at 9 A. M. F. A. Groth, Pastor.

German Evangelist Church, Miami and North Lane Streets. Services at half past 10 o'clock every Sunday. Sabbath School at 9 A. M. Jacob Baehr, Pastor.

Church of the Holy Angels (Catholic), South Main Street. Mass at 8 A. M. Catechism at 2 P. M. Vespers 2.30 P. M. High Mass at 10 A. M. Rev. Father Quatman, Pastor.

Baptist Church, corner Miami and North Streets. Services at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sabbath School at 2.30 P. M. Prayer meeting at 7 o'clock Wednesday evening. Perry W. Longfellow, Pastor.

Presbyterian Church, Miami Street. Services at 11 A. M. and 7 P. M. Sabbath School at 9.30 A. M. Young people's prayer meeting at 6 o'clock Sabbath evening. Prayer meeting at 7 o'clock Wednesday evening. R. McCaslin, Pastor.

The oldest building now used by this company was erected in 1866 as a machine shop, by G. G. Haslup. In 1869 it was purchased by Slusser, Miller & Boyer, who operated it as a sulky-plow works until 1872, when it was repurchased by G. G! Haslup & Sons. In 1879 it passed into possession of the Sidney Agricultural Company, consisting of O. O. Mathers, President; John Hale, Secretary and Treasurer; It. O. Bingham, Superintendent; John Brubaker, J. A. Lamb. W. E. Kilbourn, and estate of S. A. Leckey. This firm at once erected a foundry, and otherwise increased the capacity of the works, and converted the same. into an agricultural implement manufactory. Until 1881 a specialty was made of reapers and mowers, but since that time great attention has been given to mill machinery. At the same time the manufactures are not allowed to run to exclusive specialties, but include the Miami Valley Hay Rake. Slusser Excavators, road scrapers, kettles, sash weights, hollow mauls, bob-sleds, and castings and mouldings of all descriptions.

About thirty workmen are constantly employed in the various departments. The buildings are all brick, the main building two story, 82 by 30 feet, and the foundry one story, 80 by 50 feet. This establishment is among the largest and most important in the county.

This firm, composed of John Loughlin and T. D. Scott, purchased the site of their present factory, lots 289 and 290 North Ohio Street, in the fall of 1880, and erected thereon their main building, 165 by 60 feet, the north wing 60 by 90 feet, and the office fronting on Ohio Street. During the winter of 1880 and 1881 they put in their engine and machinery, and commenced the manufacture of the celebrated "Fashion" desk about February 1, 1881. The leading feature of this desk is the method of joining the wood of the top, back, and seat to the cast standards or legs by a patent T-head. It dispenses with screws, bolts, etc., and frames the wood and iron directly together, and makes a much firmer and more substantial structure than can be made in any other way.

Beside the "Fashion" desk (for pupils' use) they make recitation seats, teachers' desks, and all sorts of school and office desks, and deal in all kinds of school apparatus and supplies.

Their trade for the year 1881 aggregated some $75,000, and so far exceeded their calculations and capacity that they were obliged to build a two-story addition, 50 by 60 feet, and put in additional machinery, and otherwise increase their facilities before the opening of the season of 1882.

The addition of machinery was soon found to overtax their engine, and this necessitated the purchase of a new engine and boiler, and the building of a new engine and boiler house.

After a careful investigation of the various makes, and conferring with P. Smith, Bro. & Co., of Sidney, they contracted with them for a model engine, to be made on an improved plan and from entirely new patterns. The patterns were made by an expert pattern-maker of extensive experience and splendid qualifications, and the engine is second to none, no matter where made.

The contract with P. Smith, Bro. & 'Co. required them to put in the new engine and boiler without interrupting the work of the factory. And, to their credit be it said, they kept their contract, causing but one day's 8 top. To accomplish this the new boiler was first set, and connected with the old engine on Sunday, and thus was the machinery kept in motion till the new engine was set, and connection made and completed.

This was accomplished toward the close of 1882, and a new house erected over the boiler and engine, and the engine, nicely decorated, was splendidly encased in walnut and ash with panels of glass. This case or room inclosed only the engine and fly wheel, and is made dust tight, so that the delicate parts, on which the vitality of the engine depends, are protected from exposure, and the manipulations of "vulgar" hands. The glass casing enables the engineer to see the engine without going inside the case, and likewise allows the curious to satisfy their curiosity at a respectable distance.

Thus have the factory and its appliances been increased to keep pace with the increase of business, till it is now the most completely equipped school furniture factory outside of the largest cities, and is scarcely second to any in facilities and capacity in the Union - in fact is the largest but one engaged exclusiuely in the manufacture of school furniture.

At the time the business was established in Sidney, their trade was confined almost entirely to Ohio, but has sinefe extended to almost every State in the Union. The second year the business done increased over one-half, and the present year promises to double the sales.

The present capacity of the factory is about three hundred desks per day. The average number of hands employed is about forty, and the net-work of agents, who pour their orders into the hopper daily, extends its meshes wherever Uncle Samuel's numerous family -erects the significant school-house, and the prophetic tramp of the pedagogue is heard abroad.

Theirs is the noble task of administering to tfye convenience and bodily comfort of the pupil, while his mind peruses the illuminated page which lightens up the path that leads to fame.

All this vast machinery of factory and agents could not be kept in intelligent motion without extensive, persistent, and systematic advertising. Thousands of dollars are spent in printers' ink, paper, and postage, and a constant stream of circulars flows out and letters flow in to keep the vital current complete. This requires most active, arduous, and unceasing work in the office, where vacations are not known. In fact, except on legal holidays, the wheels of the factory have scarcely ceased to make their regular revolutions since the day they started.

Notwithstanding the constant improvement and extension of their factory and facilities, in order to keep pace with the increase of trade, the prospect now is that another story will have to be added in the near future.

This factory was established by Messrs. Clark & Benjamin, old manufacturers in New England and Pennsylvania, and commenced operations in October, 1879. The manufactures consist only of the " D" Handle; but this is made in every style and length for fork, shovel, spade, and toy purposes. The manufacture is a peculiar one, and involves great exactness and different styles, according to the market. The leading shipments are to Cleveland, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Boston, while a large trade at Beaver Falls is also supplied. The monthly average of manufactures is about 4000 dozen, which involves the use of 300 to 400 cords of ash timber. About three-fourths of this material is received at the factory from the wagons of farmers, while about one-fourth is shipped here by railroad and canal. About eighteen men are kept constantly employed, while all useful machinery has been put in operation. The handles turned out are of three grades, which enable the firm to supply the demands so far as the capacity of the works will permit. Mr. Benjamin is himself a practical mechanic and has full charge of this branch ; while his partner, Mr. Clark, keeps charge of another factory of the same kind in Pennsylvania.

In 1876 B. Slusser and W. S. Magill established the American Steel Scraper Works, and commenced the manufacture of the Slusser patent, which soon reached enormous proportions. A few months later Goode was admitted to partnership, soon after which Magill retired from the firm, although the firm style remained The American Steel Scraper Co.

In 1880 Mr. Slusser retired from the company and associated with W. F. McLean, under the firm style of Slusser & McLean, for the manufacture of a steel scraper with the McLean device. Their first step was the erection of buildings, which are constructed entirely of brick and well arranged for light and ventilation purposes. The main building is 107 by 42 feet, two stories high; the blacksmith shop is one story, 60 by 40 feet; the emery-wheel house one story, 18 by 15 feet, and the fuel room 30 by 24 feet. The whole works are suppled with every description of necessary labor-saving machinery, the most of which is the device of Mr. Slusser. Water power obtained from the feeder of the Miami and Erie Canal is used as a motor. The machinery has a capacity of three hundred scrapers per day, and fourteen mechanics are employed. During the first year shipments found their way to twenty six States and Territories, and the market keeps extending from month to month.

This company was organized in 1876 by B. Slusser and W. S. Magill. It was then the only steel scraper factory in the United States. The shops are attached to the Maxwell Flouring Mills, from which the power is derived. Soon after the establishment of the factory it passed into the hands of W. H. C. Goode, who is still the operator and proprietor. The scraper manufactured is of steel, and is known as the Slusser Scraper, being the invention of B. Slusser, now of the Slusser & McLean Scraper Works. The American Factory. being the pioneer institution in this line of manufactures, has become the most extensive factory in the world. The products of this company are shipped to all parts of the United States, and the manufacturing capacity is only limited by the market demand.

This factory was established about the year 1854 by L. Bimel, now of St. Marys, Ohio. In 1860 it passed into the hands of the present proprietor, J. S. Crozier, a practical, experienced carriage-maker. Perhaps no other name has been so long and intimately connected with the carriage business in the Miami Valley as that of Crozier, and the fame \ of Sidney for the manufacture of first-class work is largely attributable ' to J. S. Crozier. The Crozier carriage has been known throughout this section for twenty years, and during that time has proved of reliable and substantial manufacture. Skilled and experienced workmen are employed ; well seasoned or well refined materials are used, and these considerations have done much toward building up a large and lucrative trade. The main building is a three story brick, 36 by 80 feet, with a capacious show-room on the first floor. The blacksmith shop is to the rear of the main building and is 25 by 36 feet. Eight workmen are constantly employed ; each department is in special charge of a skilled mechanic, while the whole business is operated and superintended by the proprietor, whose thirty years' experience has enabled him to turn out work which will not suffer if put in coqipetition with any other manufacturers of the State.

The main building of this factory was erected about 1857 by Jacob Piper as a farm wagon shop. In 1854 Mr. Miller took charge, and for a time manufactured both light and heavy work; but as soon as practicable converted the whole establishment into a light work factory. The old building was 40 by 30 feet. In 1874 an addition 52 by 24 leet was erected, and in 1880 a blacksmith shop 60 by 90 feet was attached with an L 22 by 36 feet. From ten to twelve workmen are employed.

This establishment was founded in 1870 by J. Dann, the present proprietor, and was the first works of this character in Sidney. The building is 36 by 50 feet, and the machinery is operated by a fifteen-horse power engine. All grades of patent and common wheels, spokes, hubs, felloes, shafts, and poles are manufactured and sold to the trade, the chief market being Columbus, Ohio. A warehouse 30 feet square is used in connection with the factory. All the buildings are frame except the enginehouse. Mr. Dann is a practical workman and personally oversees the business, in which he keeps five skilled tradesmen employed.

This firm commenced operations in Nov. 1881, the buildings having just been completed. The main building is 110 by 60 feet, with two full stories and a third floor of eight feet. The engine-room is 28 feet square and two stories, the upper apartment being used for drying purposes. Adjoining this room is an independent dry house 35 feet square. Aside from these buildings two floors of another building are used for storage purposes. Forty-four men are employed in the various departments. The manufactures embrace wheels, spokes, hubs, and rims of every description, which are shipped to all parts of the country. The firm consists of E. Anderson, C. W. Frazer, and J. N. Anderson, under the firm style of Anderson, Frazer & Co.

This enterprise went into operation in 1881, the building having been erected in 1880. During the first season 1200 tons of straw were used in the manufacture of green tow. The building is 124 by 36 feet, including the engine-room, and is intended for two sets of machinery', although as yet but one set is used. Ten men are required to operate, and the mill product finds a ready market in all the principal cities of the Union.

This establishment was started about 1836 by Mr. Neiswanger, after which it passed through several hands until 1869, when it was purchased from Turney & Evans by' R. Given & Co. The building is a three-story brick, 38 by 40 feet, and is supplied with all the appliances necessary to do rapid and satisfactory work. The machinery is driven by an elevenhorse-power engine, and six men are kept constantly employed.

This establishment was started in 1880 by J. E. Wilkinson. In June, 1881, Mr. Wilkinson retired from active connection with the business, retaining one-third interest, while the proprietorship became styled Faris, Birch & Co. On the 1st of January, 1882, Mr. Wilkinson withdrew entirely, and the style became " Sidney Planing-mill Co.," J. S. Faris & P. B. Birch, proprietors. On January 1st, 1883, J. S. Faris sold his interest to W. H. Monroe, who was formerly bookkeeper for the firm. The building is two stories high; the main building 100 by 130 feet, and is supplied with a fifty-horse-power boiler, a twenty-flve-horse-power engine, and all necessary machinery. The store-room is 100 by 40 feet. The manufactures embrace sash, doors, blinds, frames, and mouldings, while building material of every description of timber is handled by the firm. Buildings on Walnut Street, near both railroad stations.

The manufacture of automatic vises is conducted in Sidney' by Bartholomew & Henson, the latter being the patentee of the device. It is claimed for this vise that it possesses several points of superiority over all other devices for a like purpose. These points may I>e said to be : the saving of twenty-five per cent, of time by the automatic action ; the preservation of the parallel of the jaws at all widths; the equality of pressure regardless of the shape of the material clasped, and their simplicity, cheapness, and durability. They are made in different sizes, and furnished with either wood or iron screws, the latter being two dollars higher in price.

These works were started early' in 1883 under the firm name of Crane & McMahon, James O'Neil, general manager. Mr. O'Neil has charge of the Sidney branch works, in which about thirty men are employed. The Company labors to make the best spokes in use, of second-growth white-oak. The machinery is of the most perfect and complete patterns, and lumber is taken from the wharf, and after passing through the factory is turned out in first-class finished spokes. About 2500 spokes are daily turned out, being of different kinds according to orders. The Company also ships wagon material to New York in large quantities. Their business in all its branches is rapidly growing, and although among the infant establishments of Sidney, it promises to become an important factor in the future of the town.

The lime burning industry of W. A. Hall & Co. was started about 1869, and has been in successful operation ever since. The stone i ts quarried about a mile from the kiln, and transported by canal. ie quarry is the property of the Lime Company, and comprises about three and a half acres. The capacity of the kiln is about 175 bushels per day, and the quality of the lime is equal to that produced anywhere in the State. The company also owns its own boats for canal transportation of stone to the kiln and lime to the market.

The plow factory of W. M. Toy was established in 1848 in the shop now occupied by George Robbins as a blacksmith shop. About twelve years later the business was moved to the Kingseed shop, but five years thereafter the proprietor moved to a farm, abandoning his old business. Not finding farming very agreeable, he returned to town and built two shops for the manufacture of plows, on North Main Street, where he worked two years. He then began working for the Siusser Sulky Plow Co., and remained in this position until the company dissolved. He then went into partnership with Mr. Haslup, under the firm name of Haslup & Toy, for the manufacture of plows. An accident, resulting in the crippling of Mr. Haslup's arm, caused him to retire from the business. In 1878 Mr. Toy moved to the south end of Main Street, where he continued the manufacture of plows under the firm name of W. M. Toy & Co., his son standing at the head Of the firm. In 1881 this son bought the whole business and machinery, and has since conducted the business at a rate of manufacture of from 250 to 300 plows annually.

This establishment was founded in 1879 by Samuel Chism, and operations commenced in June of the same year. The building is 50 by 36 ft. and two storied. About twenty-three hands are employed in the manufacture of every description of horse-collars and fly-nets, which find a market in Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. In February, 1881, Cornelius Bausman entered into partnership with Mr. Chism, when the firm became Chism & Bausman. Factory in West North Street, at crossing of 1). & M. Railroad.

Prior to the 2d day of January, 1857, all the schools of Sidney were taught in private houses or churches in different parts of the town, except one that was taught in a log house erected on the school lot given by the proprietor of the town (Mr. Sterrett). They were supported by private subscription, with the exception of a small fund from the State and a fund arising from the rent of a farm donated to the Sidney schools by Wip. Covill in 1843. There was no system of graded schools until after the erection of the present Union School Building in 1856. In 1855 the Board of Education of the School District determined to take steps toward the erection of a Union School Building. Accordingly it was ordered that the Clerk of the Board should give the requisite notice to the voters of Sidney and the territory thereto annexed for school purposes, to assemble at the court-house and vote upon a proposition to levy a tax of twelve thousand dollars, payable in three annual instalments, commencing in 1856, and to issue corporation bonds therefor, bearing seven per cent, interest, for the purpose of building a schoolhouse in said village and buying the necessary grounds upon which to erect it. It was also stipulated in the notice through the public prints that if the school tax should carry, the qualified voters of the district should have the right of voting on the location of the school building. Accordingly, as per notice, a vote was taken on the 30th day of April, 1855; the result of the vote was 134 in favor of school tax and 79 against. There was a great strife in the selection of the site. A number of propositions were made by different persons in different parts of the town, and it was some length of time before a site was selected: finally, lot No. 106 and the west half of lot 105 were selected and purchased from Birch & Peebles at a cost of about $2100. The east half of lot 105 had been given to the town by its proprietor for school purposes. Upon these lots a brick building, 90 by 64 feet and three stories high (beside basement) was erected at a cost of about $18,000. The building was not ready for occupancy until the 1st of January, 1857. At the completion of the building only eight rooms (four in the first and four in the second story) were fitted for school-rooms; the third story was used as a hall for several years. As soon as necessity demanded, the third story was divided into four rooms, making in all twelve rooms. In the year 1828 Win. Covill came from England to the United States, and for a few years stopped in the State of New York, but prior to 1840 he came to Shelby County, O., and bought the northeast quarter of section 26, in Clinton Township. Some time prior to his death (which occurred in July, 1843), he bequeathed to the common schools of the town of Sidnej' this piece of land, which the Board of Education accepted, and gave a lease of the same for ninety-nine years. The fund arising from the lease of said land has, since that time, been used in the maintenance of the schools in the town of Sidney.

In the fall of 1860 Gideon Wright (an early settler of Shelby County) gave to the Sidney school district (by verbal will) five hundred dollars, with the expressed desire that the principal should be safely invested, and the interest arising from the same should be used by said district for tuition purposes. The condition of said donation was, that the schools were to grant to the descendants of said Wright one perpetual scholarship in the Union Schools of said district. This donation was accepted, and the clerk was ordered to issue a certificate of scholarship in favor of the heirs of Gideon Wright. The above five hundred dollars were invested in United States bond No. 9427, bearing six per cent, interest.

The first superintendent employed in the schools was Joseph Shaw, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, at a salary of $800 a year. The schools were opened on the second day of January, 1857. The following are the names of the first corps of teachers: Mathematical Department, J. S. Driscoll. Sixth Department, Miss Harriet H. Chapin. Fifth Department, Miss Louisa Knox. Fourth Department, Miss Mary A. Nettleton. Third Department, Miss Charlotte Swan. Second Department, Miss Martha A. Crowell. Primary Department, Miss Arnett.

Prof. Shaw was superintendent until the beginning of 1859, when he resigned, and Ira W. Allen completed the school year. In 1859 W. H. Schuyler was elected at a salary of $75 per month. He filled the position two years. In 1862 Benjamin S. McFarland filled the position at $65 per month. In 1863 the board secured the services of S. S. Taylor and wife, of Joliet, 111., at $100 per month. In 1864 they paid S. S. Taylor $720 for his services (his wife not teaching). N. L. Hanson filled the position during 1865, '66, and '67. He received $1000 per year. W. C. Catlin was superintendent in 1868 at $1000 a year. In 1869 J. M. Allen was elected at $1200 per year, but resigned before commencing the school, and II. T. Wheeler, of Springfield, O., was elected, but resigned rather than go before the local board of examiners. J. D. Critchfield, of Mt. Vernon, was tendered the position, which he accepted. He served but a few weeks, and resigned, when A. S. Moore, of Piqua, filled the vacancy for the remainder of the year. Prof. J. C. Harper was superintendent for 1870 at a salary of $1500 per year. In 1871 George Turner filled the position at $1200. In 1872 R. E. Page was secured at $1200. He also served the following year at $140 per month. He was succeeded by A. B. Cole, who held the position until 1877, when Van B. Baker was elected, and served until 1880, when the present superintendent (J. N. Bearnes) was elected.

At the present time there are 800 scholars enrolled, with an average attendance of 675. There are sixteen schools in all. Twelve in the High School building, two in the South Main Street Primary, one in' the North Main Street Primary, and one colored school. There are seventeen teachers employed, beside the superintendent and teachers in penmanship, drawing, and music. The school year consists of thirtysijf weeks.

The Catholics also have a school with 185 scholars enrolled, the history of which will be found incorporated in the history of the Catholic Church.

The history of Methodism in Sidney begins with the year 1825, at which time the first Methodist sermon was preached in the house of Joel Frankenberger, by the Rev. Levi White. Under his pastorate a class was organized, consisting of Joel Frankenberger and wife, George Poole and wife, John Bryan and wife, Mother MeVay and Father Defreese.

Sidney was then a part of Bellefontaine circuit, which extended from Sidney to Bellefontaine, thence to West Liberty and Westville, including all the intervening territory. At the time of the organization of the church in Sidney, Rev. David Young, whose name is as sweet incense to the memories of those who knew him, was the presiding elder.

There was no meeting house in Sidnej' until 1831, and the services during the six years preceding that time were held in the house of Joel Frankenberger in the winter, and in the summer under the wide spreading branches of a large elm tree that grew on the river bank just below the present bridge. Here protracted meetings were held, and under the mighty influence of primitive preaching and singing souls were converted and the church strengthened.

At the quarterlj' conference, held at Bellefontaine November 10, 1827, while James B. Findlay was presiding elder and Joshua Boucher pastor, a committee, consisting of Joel Frankenberger, George Poole, and John Hollingshead, were appointed to inquire into the practicabilitj' of building a meeting house in Sidney. This committee did not make a report until January 31, 1829, when the}' announced that the}' had purchased a lot on which to build a church. This lot is the one on which the Baptist church now stands, and cost $16, and was paid for by the committee together with Mr. Persinger, each paying $4. On this lot a small church was erected in 1831. This house was built "without money and without price," some furnishing material, while others did the work.

The second Methodist Church edifice in Sidney is the one owned and used by the Baptist congregation of this place. It was erected in 1838, and dedicated by the Rev. Edward Gehon, who has since become prominent in the Church South. Rev. David Warnock and Rev. William Sutton were then preachers on the circuit. In 1834 the Bellefontaine circuit was divided, and Sidney circuit formed. Sidney remained the centre of Sidney circuit until 1843, when it was made a station, and Rev. David Warnock was returned as the first stationed preacher of this church. In 1867 the present church edifice was erected under the supervision of the Rev. W. J. Wells, but was not completed until 1874, under the management of Rev. J. Wykes. It was dedicated by Rev. Bishop R. S. Foster August 11, 1874. Sidney held its first quarterly conference on the 19th of April, 1828, while John W. Clark and James W. Findlay were preachers on the circuit. Sidney has three times been the seat of the annual conference; first in 1847, when Bishop Janes presided; the second time in 1874, when Bishop Andrews preaided; the third time in 1882, when Bishop Warren was the presiding bishop.

From 1825 to 1880 forty-five preachers have been appointed to the Sidney charge, whose names we will give in chronological order, though some of them have served the charge the second time: Levi White, George Gatch, Thomas Beacham, Joshua Boucher, John W. Clark, James W. Findlay, Thomas Simms, William M. Sullivan, William Morrow, John Stewart, Peter Sharp, Daniel D. Davidson, James Smith, W. C. Clark, George W. Walker, David Kempler, Wilson Smith, Silas Chase, L. P. Miller, David Warnock, Madison Hausley, Samuel Lynch, George Taylor, L. W. James, Jacob A. Brown, William M. Spafford, M. L. Starr, Elmer Yocum, W. G. Wells, Joseph Wykes, William Lunt, Lemuel Herbert, S. H. Alderman, L. C. Webster, Jacob Holms, C. W. Keteham, J. W. Alderman, J. L. Bates, Franklin Mariott, Gershoin Lease, T. C. Reade, Oliver Kennedy, and Louis M. Albright, who is the present pastor, May, 1880.

Sidney has been favored with the preaching of the following presiding elders, in the following order: David Young, John Collins, James B. Findlaj', John F. Wright, William II. Raper, Robert O. Spencer, William S. Morrow, Samuel P. Shaw, Wesley Brock, H. M. Shaffer, J. S. Kalb, Alexander Harmount, Joseph Ayers, Joseph Wykes, Wesley G. Waters, and S. L. Roberts.

In one half century Sidney has sent out from its number fourteen preachers, viz., Isaac Hunt, Joseph Park, George M. Bond, George W. Taylor, P. G. Goode, John H. Bruce, A. C. Shaw, David Bulle, N. B. C. Love, H. Maltbie, A. Clawson, D. Rhinehart, Elanson Barber, and Levi Moore.

The semi-centennial of Methodism in Sidney was held in the M. E. Church November 26, 27, and 28, 1875, when the Rev. T. C. Reade was pastor. The opening sermon was preached by Rev. David Rhinehart. On Saturday, November 27th, at 2 o'clock P. M., the Rev. J. R. Colgan preached, after which a tea party followed. One hundred and twentyfive of the congregation and visitors sat down at the social repast together. This was followed by r toasts and responses from laymen and ministers. Wesley G. Waters preached on Sunday, and T. C. Reade read a short historical sketch of Methodism in Sidney.

At the beginning of the year which closed September 8, 1880, there was a debt of $3300 on the church, which had encumbered and impaired its energies for many years. The pastor, L. M. Albright, by personal solicitation, succeeded in raising the whole amount needed to pay the debt. The subscriptions were at once converted into money or negotiable interest bearing notes.. The notes were sold, and the money applied on the debt, and the last dollar of the indebtedness wiped out.

At the Annual Conference of 1880 Rev. L. M. Albright was appointed presiding elder of Lima District, and Rev. P. P. Pope succeeded to the pastorate of Sidney charge. A jubilee of thanksgiving service on account of the liquidation of the debt on the church was held September 19, 1880, conducted by L. M.' Albright, and participated in by Rev. David Bulle, Judge Conklin, and others. At the close of the service the following resolution was offered by L. M. Albright, and unanimously adopted : -

Resolved, That it is the sense of this congregation that no debt shall ever be made on church or parsonage property, and that the trustees be requested to indorse this resolution, and record it in their books.

During the years 1880 and 1881, under the pastorate of Rev. P. P. Pope, though resting from the payment of its heavy debt, which paid in negotiable notes the close of the year previous was yet to be paid by the members individually, added improvements to the amount of $525, including a stone pavement and a bell weighing 1526 pounds, one hundred dollars of this sum being a legacy left for that purpose by the late Irwin Nutt. During the second year additional improvements to the amount of $750 were made in ventilation, painting, new carpets, frescoing, water privileges, etc., and for the first time in twenty-five years the financial report at each quarterly meeting conference showed a balance in the treasury after the quarter's expenses were paid.

The twenty-seventh session of the Central Ohio Annual Conference was held in Sidney September, 1882, Bishop Henry W. Warren presiding. Rev. Joseph Ayers was returned to the Bellefontaine district, and Daniel G. Strong, after ten years on the Pacific coast, was, by special request, transferred to this conference, and stationed at Sidney. He entered upon his work Sunday after conference, and up to this date, January, 1883, reports an aggregate increase of 57, and a total membership of 421.

The Presbyterian Church in Sidney had its beginning in 1820 or P er " haps 1821. Then the first missionary effort was ma.de to establish preaching. In a year or two an organization was effected, which for some reason had a brief existence. The first permanent organization was in the month of September, 1825. Through tlie efforts of the Rev. Joseph Stevenson, a little band of people was gathered together in the old court-house, standing where stands now the house of H.. C. Barkdul] and formed into a church called the Presbyterian Church of Sidney* That old court-house is used now as a blacksmith shop, by George L* Robbins, standing on the bank of the canal, immediately west of the place where it stood sixty years ago. J e ing and his wife Elizabeth, John Fergus and his wife Af argraret, Willj a ' McClintock and his wife Sarah, James Forsythe, and Sarah Graham 01 Of these eight Mrs. Elizabeth Fielding alone survives, ing and James Forsythe were the first ruling elders. I 1 * re was furnished by the Rev. Joseph Stevenson for a few by the Rev. Sayers Gaylay. Uniting with the church at in its history were Joseph Cummins and his wife, Sam n and his wife, Hugh Wilson and his wife, Allen Wills and Ills wife ' the year 1833 the little congregation built its first house of wor s m* 1 costing the round sum of $900 ; the house standings on the rear of lot on which the new house now stands. In this little structure the people worshipped for thirteen years. The house still stands on the same street north of the railroad, doing service for the " Steel Scraper Company."

During the year 1834 the Rev. Samuel Cleland became a stated supply to the church, which position he filled for five years. A ftcr him ministerial services were rendered for longer or shorter periods by the Rev.

Rev. W. B. Spense, who was then preaching in Troy, which call j 1 ® rc |, cepted, and labored as the first regularly installed pastor of \vife»

In 1845 the congregation resolved to build a larger and better eftrs of worship; and the brick church which stood for more than thi J was the result of their effort. . . rzriclg 0

After the resignation of the Rev. W. B. Spense the Rev. Pan ie * ,. n j n e was called, and accepted the pastorate of the church, preaching ^ ^hat months, when, owing to ill health, he resigned the charge, and the ministry, and engaged in other work. R*

On the 1st day of October, 1866, the present pastor, the * little McCaslin, came to this church, where he has been laboring, wit interruption, ever since. Ijetter

A few years ago a move was made to build, not a larger, but house of worslyp. With unity and zeal and liberality the w<? r j a f undertaken, and the present house, complete in all its parts, a ro °, c>vvll s beauty and convenience, costing twenty-five thousand dollars* cl the people's efforts.

Although services were held at Sidney under the direction *>f denomination prior to 1829, that year must be taken as the fonodati date of the Sidney congregation. During this year Rev. John Reynolds was sent here as a half-time supply by the First Associate Reformed Presbytery of Ohio. In October of the same year he organized a congregation of twelve members. The last survivor of the organization membership was Mrs. Abigail, who died Feb. 12, 1879. The first ruling elders were Mr. Rob't W. Stephenson and Mr. Samuel Gamble,, tiie latter having held the same office in the Associated Reformed congregation of Xenia, Ohio. During the first few years the congregation only had occasional preaching, but in October, 1834, Rev. James Porter was appointed stated supply for Piqua and Sidney, one-fourth of his time being given to the latter place. After two years' labors in this field the pastor was called elsewhere, and the congregation was again dependent upon occasional supplies until October, 1837. In this year the congregation extended a call to Rev. Samuel Sturgeon, who accepted and entered at once upon his labors. He remained until 1840, and saw the membership of the congregation increase to seventy. In March, 1841, Rev. C. T.

. McCaughan was appointed stated supply, and in the following J une accepted a call to the pastorate, entering upon his pastoral duties J uly 10th. During his labors, which continued until the close of the year 1857, he received one hundred and two into church membership on profession, and sixty-three by certificate. Eleven adults and one hundred and thirtyseven children were baptized. Thirty members died, fifty-one were dismissed by certificate, and four were suspended. Prayer-meetings and a Sabbath-school were organized, and the building now occupied erected.

The sixteen years' ministry of Rev. McCaughan was attended by great congregational growth and development. On Maj r 25, 18o8, the union of the Associate and Associate Reformed churches was consummated,

A call was afterward extended to Rev. J. G. Armstrong, and he was ordained and installed Nov. 15, 1859. During his ministry of nearly four years the congregation gained thirty-three members. Rev. Armstrong was released to take charge of the First U. P. Church at St. Louis, and subsequently withdrew from the U. P. ministry to enter that of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Virginia. On the 31st of July. 1864, Rev. M. M. Gibson, a licentiate of Philadelphia Presbytery, was installed as the successor of Rev. Armstrong. During his labors the congregation enjoyed an accession of thirty-three members. In 1866 the Assembly saw fit to transfer Rev. Gibson to the mission field at San Francisco, where his subsequent labors were heralded with great praise by the whole church. On November 19, 1867, Rev. J. W. Bain was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation. He was a preacher of great force, and gave promise of adding new life to the congregation; but at the end of about a year he was released to take charge of the U. P. congregation at New Castle, Pa. He was subsequently transferred to the Mission Church of Chicago, and finally to Hamilton, Ohio. He was soon succeeded at Sidney by Rev. J. A. Bailey, who began his labors on the first Sabbath of February, 1869, and was installed pastor on the 15th of the following June. He remained with the congregation until May 16, 1876, when he was released, at his own request, to accept the pastorate of the U. P. Church at Wellsville, Ohio. During his labors in Sidney about ninety persons were admitted into church membership, and a young people's prayer-meeting was organized. On April 2, 1878, Rev. R. J. Miller was ordained and installed as pastor of the congregation, in which capacity he labored until December, 1880. He was succeeded by Rev. J. T. Wilson on the 1st of January, 1882, who served until October of the same year, when failing health admonished him to ask his release. He was succeeded by Rev. J. P. Sharp on June 1, 1883; who is pastor at this writing. The present membership of the congregation is 152. The ruling elders are, Andrew Ritchey, J. C. Fry, J. T. Cunningham, R. Ewing, H. Wilson, aud A. Leach. Deacons, H. Wilson, Andrew MeClean, David Ritchey, George Hutchinson, and J. T. Fry. Trustees, J. T. Fry. M. Bonner, and D. Ritchey.

The Sabbath-school, organized in 1842, has been maintained ever since, each year only serving to renew and increase its vigor and vitality. It is now under the superintendence of Samuel Gamble. Of the houses of worship it may be said, the old court-house was first used ; in 1835 a fnfme building, now occupied by the German Lutherans, was erected at a cost of about $700. This was followed in 1854 by the building now used, which was erected at a cost of $10,000. Altogether the church has enjoyed temporal prosperity and growth from the period of its organization up to the present. It has never suffered any decimation through dissensions, and can fully realize the meaning of the Psalmist when he exclaimed : "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

At a meeting of the Miami Union Baptist Association, held with the Fletcher Church in Aug. 1869, the attention of that body was called to Sidney by W. M. Whitaker, who had recently settled in the place.

On the 13th of the following Nov. E. M. Thresher and G. N. Bierce, of Dayton, visited Sidney as a missionary committee of the association. They, together with W. M. Whitaker, visited every Baptist family known in the town. On the evening of that day prayer meeting was held at the house of Mary Whitman, and on Sabbath morning a meeting of like character was held at the home of Elizabeth Fletcher On Sabbath afternoon a Bible-class (out of which a Sabbath-school afterward grew) was organized at the home of John Grey. It was agreed to meet every Sabbath for the study of the Scriptures, and on every Thursday evening for prayer and conference. Thus foundations were laid for a society.

After Dec. 1, 1869, preaching was frequently supplied by the ministers of the association, who voluntarily took turns in paying us these much needed visits.

At this time the meetings were held in what was then, and is still known as, Union Hall. On Thursday evening, Jan. 27, 1870, a small company of members of different Baptist churches met at the home of Mrs. Mary Whitman. The result of that meeting was the organization of what has since been known as the First Regular Baptist Church of Sidney, Ohio.

The names of the seven original members are as follows : W. MWhitaker, Mary Whitaker, John Grey, Anna Perrin, A. S. Moore, John Holverstolt, and Callie Holverstolt. At this meeting was adopted a church covenant, and also what is generally known as the New Hampshire Articles of Faith. At a subsequent meeting suitable officers were elected.

On the 20th of May, 1870, a council convened with us, by which the society was recognized as a regularly organized Baptist church. On that occasion the sermon was preached by Dr. J. R. Banners, now editor of the Baptist Review.

preaching one-half of the time. But this arrangement did not long continue. On account of declining health the pastor offered his resignation, so that on Feb. 7, 1871, the little society was again without a pastor.

In June, 1870, the little Bible-class alluded to above had assumed the proportions of a Sunday-school, and, under the pastorate of Bro. Snyder, the school was quite largely attended. But after the pastor's resignation it declined, and finally a brief suspension. But those most interested in the work felt ill at ease so long as nothing was being done in this important department of the Lord's work.

About this time help came through J. Dann, of the Methodist Church, who agreed to aid in reopening the school. This was June 18, 1871, since which time there has been no suspension.

On Feb. 4, 1872, having been without a pastor for just one year, a call was extended to Rev. T. J. Shepherd of Clyde, Ohio. This call was accepted, and he entered the pastorate March 1, 1872. Up to this time there was no permanent house for worship. After occupying Union Hall for one year, the lecture-room of the German M. E. Church was secured for a few months. But with the coming of Bro. Shepherd a new energy was infused among the brethren, and they began to look about them for a church home of their own. It was ascertained that the old M. E. Church property could be bought. On the 25th of March a committee was appointed to purchase the property, and on April 20th the first payment was made, and a deed was executed in favor of the trustees by J. W. Carey, who was the owner of the property at that time. The amount paid for the property was $1700. The contract called for five hundred dollars to be paid in cash, and the balance in five annual payments with eight per cent, interest.

The financial ability of the church was very weak at this time. The entire membership was only fifteen, and the only male members were Deacons W. M. Whitaker and J. Grey. But, led by an efficient pastor, and aided by numerous friends, the little church bore herself nobly.

During the first year of Bro. Shepherd's pastorate almost $1200 were raised for different purposes and from various sources, and year after year the payments on the church property were met until the debt was cancelled.

On May 1, 1876, after laboring four years and two months Bro. Shepherd closed his labors, and the church was without a pastor for eight months, when on Jan. 28, 1877, Rev. J. C. Tuttle, of Bellefontaine, accepted a call, and served for six months, when they were again left pastorless for eighteen months. During this interval preaching was enjoyed only occasionally, by visiting brethren.

At a meeting of the society, held on Feb. 28, 1 878, a call was extended to Perry W. Longfellow of Jamestown, Ohio. This call was accepted, but on account of protracted illness the pastor did not enter the field until Jan. 3, 1879. He served until June, 1882.

Oct. 1, 1882, Rev. E. B. Smith accepted a call, and is the present pastor. The present membership is forty-seven, with a Sabbath-school of eighty scholars and teachers. The present deacons are W. M. Whitaker and R. R. Blue. Trustees, W. M. Whitaker, Jos. Herbert, and W. A. McAdoo.

The history of this congregation is but a repetition of others that have formed themselves in America. In the year 1848 only a small number of Catholics resided in Sidney, but they formed themselves into a society. Poor and few as they were, they were obliged to assemble in a private dwelling-house and there hold their religious services. In 1850 Rev. Thomas Shehan ministered to these few; he was succeeded by Rev. John Quinlan, the lately deceased Bishop of Mobile, Alabama, who then resided at Piqua, but looked after, and cared for, the spiritual wants of the Catholics of Sidney. About this time a frame building, which had served as a cooper's shop, was purchased and soon converted into a place of worship. It was here where the small band of Catholics assembled to worship according to the dictates of their conscience. Although humble and poorly furnished as this house of worship was, yet the then few members prided themselves in having their own church building. But this quiet and pleasantness was to be only of short duration, for in. the year 1855 this was blown up with powder and stone, totally wrecking it. This again was a terrible stroke for the few members, but they felt determined that they must have a place to hold their religious service, but what could they do? For almost three years were services held in different halls of the town. The mission was during these years attended to by the then resident priests of Piqua, Fathers Hemstegger and Kennedy. In 1856 a subscription list was opened, and the site upon which the present church stands was purchased by Messrs. Mathias Wagner, Peter Wagner, aud John Smith, trustees of the congregation, and the building of the church was at once begun, and in 1858 it was read)' for service. Fathers Andrew, C.P.P.S. and Jacobs, C.P.P.S. were attending this mission at that time.

At this time the few Catholics began to consider the necessity of a school in which to instruct their children; but to or with what to do this was a problem difficult to solve. They knew that unless their children were reared up in their religion the future congregation would be neither increasing in number nor zeal. To solve this difficulty, a parti- tion was run across the west end of the church from north to south, which gave a room 23 bv 50 feet, and here the school was opened with an attendance of twenty children. The mission was in charge of (from 1800-1862) Revs. N. Thisse, Hennyberry, and Prendergast, who resided at Wapakoneta. Rev. Florentine D'Arcy succeeded in 1862, and was the first resident priest in Sidney ; he set to work and had the church finished as it now stands. It became necessary to remodel the partition and also to get other school localities. Many perplexing questions presented themselves. At last it was resolved to fit up an old frame building which stood on the west end of the church lot; work was commenced, and in a few days it was all ready, a good, large and comfortable room, with thirty-two pupils in attendance. In 1865 Rev. Florentine D'Arcy was succeeded by Rev. William D'Arcy as pastor of the congregation, and he in 1866 by Rev. William O'Rourke, who remained only a short time. In 1867 Rev. John D. Kress became pastor and remained three years. In 1870 Rev. William Sidley took charge of the congregation, and was succeeded by Rev. Henry Rowecamp, and in March, 1875, Rev. Francis M. Qnatinan became the rector of Holy Angels' Church. At this time the church consisted of 110 families, and the pupils on the school roll numbered 95. He at once went to work with an iron will, by calling a meeting of the congregation, which was getting able to stand alone, he explaining his plans, infusing courage to all, he commenced by enlarging the gallery in the church and having the building to undergo a thorough renovation.

In January, 1876, a subscription list was started for the purpose of raising funds for the erection of another school building, and in a few weeks the old frame school-house was removed to make place for the present building. In September of the same year it was opened, with 112 pupils. The cost of the building was $4756; the outside walls measure 40 by 60 with cupola and cross : two stories high, with basements; contains four school- rooms, a library-room and entry, hails in both stories. At this date there are 185 names on the roll for the year 1883. It is a well-graded school, the course ten years - comprising six years primary, two intermediate, two years higher studies. There is also a department of music connected with the school in which instrumental and vocal lessons are taught; this department is taught in the Sisters' residence. The rector of the church is ex-officio director of the school. All the branches of the school are taught by the Sisters of Charity from Cedar Grove, near Cincinnati. There are at present five Sisters engaged in teaching. The school is supported by a small monthly fee for tuition, by collections and donations from the members of the church; those parents who on account of obvious reasons cannot contribute towards maintaining the school, no charge is made.

In January, 1876, a lot north of the church grounds was purchased, and in the summer of 1880 the old frame building which had stood there for years was removed, and the present brick dwelling erected and occupied by the Sisters of Charity. The cost of the building alone amounted to over $3000.

The seating capacity of the church is about 400 on the main floor, and the galleries will seat 150. The church building is 80 by 50 feet, 35 feet high, with a tower of 110 feet, which contains a peal of three bells.

There are belonging to this church 610 communicants - 160 families, and over 800 souls, counting men, women, and children. During 1882 there were 23 burials and 29 baptisms.

Societies. - Branch No. 215 Catholic Knights of America. Sacred Heart Married Ladies' Sodality. Immaculate Conception Sodality for Young Ladies. St. Aloysius' Sodality for Boys. Children of Mary Society for Girls Society of the Holy Childhood for Children, and orphan society for support of diocesan orphan asylum.

of Free and Accepted Masons was instituted at Sidney, Shelby County, Ohio, March 3, 1825. The officers of the R. W. Grand Lodge, who granted the charter, were W. W. Irwin, Grand Master; David R. Miller, Deputy Grand Master; Samuel Wheeler, Grand Senior Warden; G. R. Fitzgerald, Grand Junior Warden; A. McDonald, Grand Secretary.

The petitioners were Dr. William Fielding, Robert Blakely, John Lenox, James Wells, Elisha Williams, John Blakely, James DePuy, John MeCorkle, Abraham Kensinger, and Lemuel Loughrcy. William Fielding was installed Worshipful Master ; Robert Blakely, Senior Warden; and John Lenox, Junior Warden. It was named Temperance Lodge, after the first cardinal virtue of a mason, which teaches every brother to place a due restraint upon his passions and his appetites.

Temperance Lodge No. 73 celebrated its fiftieth anniversary at SvO rie >' - Jan. 10, 1875. The attendance from the neighboring lodges amoun tet ^ to four hundred brethren. Brother A. L. McKinney, or Troy, made the address. He was followed by Dr. Keifer, of Troy. A fter these speeches the brethren were invited to a magnificent banquet at the Odd Fellows Hall. Toasts and speeches followed the banquet. The impromptu speakers were Rev. T. C. Reade, Brothers John E. Cummins, Robert Me. Murray, A. B. Cole, N. R. Burress, and A. L. McKinley.

The first lodge was held in the old hotel kept L»y Brother Ilai] man, and now occupied and owned by Mr. Wagner on the north side of Poplar Street next to Messrs. Zinn & Hoover's store. The second w« in the Union Hotel, on the south side of Poplar Street between Oh' 8 and West streets, near the stone bridge, when an article of agreeing '° was entered into between James Blair and the locijge for six years f fo 1 September, 1845. The third lodge room was in H. JL,. Fry's bui],^ 0 * on the southeast corner of Main and Poplar streets, which tlle lias occupied since 1855.

On account of the antimasonic excitement consequent on the death r William Morgan, the lodge suspended their labors in 1 835, to be res Um at the call of the Worshipful Master. God in his I > i*o violence spared .the life of their beloved Worshipful Master, William Field ing, to call the craft in 1845 to resume labor, and from that time forward the principles and tenets of the masonic order have been cultivated and promoted in Sidney and the surrounding country. We desire also to state in this connection that Brother W. Fielding had the honor of presiding ns Worshipful Master for a period of twenty-seven years, to which maybe added the nine years of the suspension of the lodge, making in all thirty-four years. During its suspension Bro. Field ing was de facto the Worshipful Master. We may state that the lodge never siirrendei ei its charter, and the R. W. Grand Lodge of Ohio, at a meeting; * ® in October, 1845, heard all the facts of the case from Brother Fie who was present, and they unanimously passed a resolution 101 73 to resume their labors, as the charter had never been suspei and during these nine years. the brethren had carried out the p* *^^<1 n o of the order, being compelled by circumstances over which they control to suspend their labors. . for a.

Grand Master John Snow. The fraternity formed a processi o |jq c ;er» marched to the lodge room, when the hall was consecrated a,lCl >rT1<> n » ea installed according to ancient usage. After these imposing cere ftrC liefl the brethren and the visitiqg brethren and officers reformed and * ptuto Mr. Blake's hotel, where the ladies and brethren partook of a s j0 n<lod ous dinner prepared by the committee. Toasts were read and re-S * ^<1 by to. Brother John Johnston, Indian agent of Piqua, being P , ' e t v * < Vr the indisposition from attending, sent the following sentiment: it f a cti ve glorious immortal principles of Freemasonry ever continue 1,1 operation to the latest posterity !" .

Resolved, That Brother James DePuy be appointed to com 1 * 1 111 j jetic to our worthy Brother John Johnston, the brotherly and symp® olJJ . feeling of this lodge on account of his privation, and to return In 111 sincere thanks for his active aid in forwarding some of the necess y preparations for this solemn occasion. ,

Whereas , Our beloved institution has recently been assailed in this place by the enemies of our most ancient order in the most unjust and cruel manner: And

Whereas, Those assailants were most ably and successfully met, and completely overwhelmed by the ability and eloquence displayed in the defence of our venerable fraternity by our worthy Brother William Fielding; therefore

Resolved , unanimously, that the thanks of this lodge be tendered to the Worshipful Master Brother Fielding, for the ability, zeal, and eloquence displayed by him in successfully defending the masonie institution against the repeated, violent, and, as we sincerely believe, perfectly unjustifiable attacks of the enemies of our order.

Brother Fielding took an active and efficient part in acquiring a full and perfect knowledge of masonry, its origin, and its principles. To understand one particular part of the order he wrote a letter to the celebrated Rev. Brother George Oliver, of England - the learned Masonic historian - whose name is familiar to every brother. From him he received an answer, with his views. This autograph letter Temperance Lodge 73 directed to be framed to adorn the hall of the lodge and preserve its sentiments, as well as hand down the names of Brothers Fielding and Oliver. We give it in full : -