Hamilton City (part 10 of 12)

» Joseph C. Symmes was born in Fairfield Township, February 23, 1840, being the son of Celadon Symmes and Catherine (Blackburn) Symmes. He was educated in the common schools in Fairfield, and brought up to farming. In 1863, he was married to Martha Smith, daughter of Nathaniel Smith, of Hamilton County. They are the parents of one daughter and one son. They are Hattie S., born May 12, 1870, and Eugene P., born May 2, 1879. After his marriage Mr. Symmes continued to reside on the home place, conducting it till 1880, when he came to Hamilton, where he has since resided. He engaged in the grain and commission business at the

June 22, 1827, being the oldest child of Ephraim and Rachel Stead. He had limited educational opportunities in his youth, and when seventeen began an apprenticeship of seven years at the trade of dyer, with his uncle. _ Upon completing his trade, he assumed the management of his uncle's business. came to America, in 1852, locating in Philadelphia as a journeyman, and also acting as foreman, until coming to Hamilton, in 1866. He entered the employment of Shuler & Benninghofen, and remained with them until June, 1882, as foreman in the dye-works. He then retired from business. _ Mr. Stead was married, in April, 1853, to Miss Lydia Hoyle. They were the parents of six children, three of whom are living - Mary A., Sidney, and James Henry. Sidney occupies the ae vacated by his father, and James Henry is a machinist by trade. Mr. Stead attends the Presbyterian Church. In 1879 he made a trip to England and the Continent, visiting his old home. He was absent three months.

Christian K. Slonneger was born in Milford Township, Butler County, December 23, 1838. He is the oldest son of Jacob and Elizabeth King. Jacob Slonneger was born in the canton of Berne, in Switzerland, May 22, 1813, and emigrated to America in June, 1824, first ine in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He came out to Butler County in August, 1825, and was married to Miss Elizabeth King in 1837. They had eleven children, six boys and five girls, of whom two boys and one girl are dead. Mrs. Slonneger died in September, 1858. He was married to Lydia Shindler in 1862, and had five children by her, three boys and two girls, one of the latter being dead. Mr. Slonneger remained in Milford Township the greater part of his life.

occurred in June, 1879. Christian K. Slonneger received rather a limited education in his youth, but self-study has improved him. He was brought up to farming till of age, when he became a clerk in a grocery store, and began for himself in 1867. He continued that for some time, but about 1874 he began the insurance business in Hamilton, which he continued till entering into partnership with Mr. Seward, in 1878. Mr. Slonneger was married in 1875, to Miss Emma Mitchell, daughter of Theodore Mitchell, formerly of Preble County. They are the parents of two daughters, Dora Bertha and Helen. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and of the Odd Fellows. |

Meyer Strauss was born April 18, 1836, at Unter Riedenberg, the county seat of Briickenau, in the Kingdom of Bavaria. He is the son of Philip and Jetta Strauss, who are now both dead. He received a common school education, and emigrated to America in the year 1851. He was in the clothing business in Yellow Springs, Greene County, Ohio, in 1860 and 1861, and moved to Ripley, Brown County, in 1862. He stayed till 1864, then going to Cincinnati. There he carried on business on the south-west corner of Fifth and Main, and also No. 20 West Fifth Street. He was there when the government condemned it, needing the space for public buildings, and moved to Hamilton in 1874. He is a member of the Masonic order, Bnai B'rith, Knights of Honor, and Knights and Ladies of Honor. He is an Israelite. He was married on the 3d of October, 1861, in the city of Philadelphia, to Elisa Klapfer.

Mrs. A. M. Scudder was born in Trenton, New Jersey, May 27, 1833, and was the daughter of Elias and Ann 8. Drake. They came to Ohio in 1836, settling at Springdale, Hamilton County. She received a public school education, and later in life, by self-study and reading, has improved herself much. Her parents came to Liberty Township in 1850, where her father spent the best of his days on a farm, which is still in his family. He had two daughters and three sons, all living at present. He died in 1867. She remained at home until her marriage in 1862 to Daniel C. Scudder, a native of Liberty Township. He was the son of Stephen Seudder, one of the pioneers of Butler County, and was born April 2, 1833. He was a farmer by occupation, but in later years was a shipper and buyer of live stock. are the parents of one daughter

Opal, born October 16, 1867, and Kenneth Lester, born April 10, 1870. Mr. Scudder was a successful business man. His death occurred December 26, 1872, in Minnesota, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health. In June, 1873, Mrs: Scudder removed to Hamilton, locating on Seventh Street, where she still resides.

Valentine Seifert was born in Bavaria, Germany, May 4, 1823, being the younger son of Michael and Elizabeth Seifert, coming with his parents to America in 1828. He located in Cincinnati, where he attended school for a brief space of time. His opportunities, however, were limited. When he was sixteen he began an apprenticeship of seven years at the baker's trade, in all its various branches. He then worked as a journeyman in the New England Bakery, on Fifth Street, Cincinnati, acting as foreman for three years, and being in Oxford for one year.

He came to Hamilton about 1852, beginning the baking business. After eight years he went to Lee, Fayette County, Indiana, becoming a partner in a papermill for three years. Owing to sonie misadventures, he was obliged to work for others, and was employed in Connersville, Indiana, some three years, his family residing in Hamilton. He entered the employment of Carr & Brown about 1879, and remained with them until 1881, when he purchased the business, and has since conducted it. He employs six hands, and has doubled the business since taking charge.

Mr. Seifert was married July 7, 1844, to Mary Devilla, and they have been the parents of fourteen children, nine daughters and five sons. The family are members of the Roman Catholic Church.

Albert H. Thompson was born in Princeton, Gibson County, Indiana, November 11, 1856, and is the adopted son of C. B. and Mary A. Thompson. C. B. Thompson was born in Warren County, Ohio, and settled in Hamilton at an early day, where he conducted a farm near Jones's Station. Soon after coming to Hamilton he began the livery business, carrying that on for the remainder of his life. In 1871 Albert H. Thompson took an interest in the concern, and on March 2, 1877, the entire business passed into his hands. When five years old Albert H. Thompson came to Hamilton, entering the family of C. B. Thompson, and was educated in the public and select schools. He was a pupil at Beck's Commercial College, where he completed his education, upon which he began his active duties in the livery stable. Since the death of C. B. Thompson he has conducted the business in a most successful manner, and isa prominent young business man. He is a member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mr. C. B. Thompson was an active Democrat. in politics, and a millwright by trade. This occupation he followed before beginning the livery business, which he bought of Spear & Stout in 1859.

Marcellus Thomas, late sheriff of Butler County, was born August 1, 1841, in Fairfield Township, Butler County, being the second son of Squire L. and Lorain (Eurat) Thomas, natives of the same place, though of New Jersey parentage. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Thomas came from that State to Ohio, settling in Fairfield Township as early as 1802, where he engaged in farming. Squire L. Thomas was employed all his life in farming and stock-raising. His death took place in 1863, at the age of fifty, while his widow survived him eight years, dying in 1871, at the age of fifty-eight. Marcellus Thomas from boyhood was engaged in the duties incident to farm work. He remained at home assisting his father until he reached his majority in 1863, the year of his father's death. He is now engaged in farming independently, though leasing lands in Fairfield for that purpose, carrying it on till 1871.

For several years prior to this, Mr. Thomas had taken an active part in political affairs, and had gained prominence and popularity as a politician and political worker. In that year he was appointed deputy sheriff, which he creditably filled for two successive terms, till 1876. In 1875 he was nominated by the Democrats for sheriff, and was elected, and again in 1877, serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to the county for four years. He retired from office in 1880, leaving a record of efficiency as an officer and integrity as a man, and was well liked by the people.

In 1878 Mr. Thomas bought a farm in Fairfield Township, though his residence has been in Hamilton since 1872. In the Fall of 1879 he, in company with four others, engaged in the ice business, under the name of the '' Miami Ice Company." Mr. Thomas was made general manager of the enterprise, and conducted the business of the company. They constructed a pond of nine acres about three miles from Hamilton, near the canal, from which it is filled. Four buildings are also erected with a capacity of ten thousand tons. Their ice is wholesaled at Cincinnati, to which it is shipped exclusively by canal.

Upon the organization of the fifth ward in Hamilton, Mr. Thomas was elected a member of the school board. Although the ward was Republican, Mr. Thomas's popularity won him the election over his Republican opponent. He was for several years a member of the Democratic Central Committee of this county, and rendered valuable service in sustaining the supremacy of his party. He has frequently been sent as a delegate to State Democratic conventions.

Mr. Thomas was married December 22, 1864, to Miss Ellen F. Sheley, daughter of Roderick R. and Sidney Sheley, of Fairfield Township. Mrs. Thomas was born and raised on the farm now owned by her husband. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children living. The oldest, Marcellus B., was born August 8, 1871, and the youngest, William F., was born on the 14th of February, 1874.

He has been a prominent Odd Fellow since April, 1872. He has also been a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen since 1875, a Knight of Honor since 1878, and a member of the Royal Arcanum since 1880.

Henry Tabler was born in Hamilton, Butler County, February 20, 1841. He is the son of Henry and Mary A. (von Benken) Tabler. Henry Tabler, Sen., was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1800, and came to America in 1836, making his residence in Hamilton. He raised a family of three children to maturity, of whom Henry and Catherine, the wife of Charles Beck, Jr., are survivors. The father died in 1872. He was an active member of the Catholic Church.

Henry Tabler, Jr., was educated in the parochial schools in Hamilton, and also later in life was in a commercial College at Cincinnati for one year. When he was fourteen he began an apprenticeship at carriage painting, at which he worked until 1870, in various cities. In 1870 he began in the dry goods and tailoring business at Cincinnati, continuing in it till 1874, when he entered into partnership with his brother-in-law, Charles Beck, Jr., till 1877, when the interest of the latter was purha sed by his father. The firm is now Beck & Tabler. They are extensive dealers in boots and shoes, and also have a good run of custom work.

Mr. Tabler was married in 1866,*to Miss Josephine Tieben. They have had eight children, of whom seven are living, three daughters and four sons. They are Elizabeth, Charles H., Herman A., Eleanora, George T., Albert J., and Adeline J. They are members of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Tabler enlisted April 17, 1861, being one of those that responded to the first call of seventy-five thousand men, in the First Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He went to ~ Washington, participated in numerous skirmishes, and also in the first battle of Bull Run. He served out his term of enlistment, and with his regiment was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Tabler is an esteemed, prosperous, and respected citizen. Mrs. Tabler is a daughter of H. A. Tieben, a well-known manufacturer of Covyington, Kentucky, where she was born, in 1848.

William Tweedale was born in Scotland, April 27, 1832, being the only son of John Tweedale and Catherine St. Clair. He attended the schools in Scotland, but when twelve commenced an apprenticeship of four years at the trade of millwright. He emigrated with his parents to America in 1848, the family first locating in Norwich, Connecticut, and being there one year. He came to Hamilton in 1849, where John Tweedale entered the employment of Beckett, Martin & Rigdon. He was a paper-maker by trade, and reared a family of: three children to maturity. Catherine is the wife of Adam

William Tweedale entered the employment of John L. Martin, as millwright, in the construction of Beckett & Laurie's mill. This relation lasted until 1871, when he entered into partnership with Mr. Skinner, as J. C. Skinner & Co. Mr. Tweedale was married, in 1861, to Miss Mary, daughter of Adam Laurie. They are parents of three children, of whom but one son survives, Walter S., who is employed in the paper mill. They are members of the United Presbyterian Church, and are highly respected

Source changes here: from Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, by Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and Others, published 1905; 33,859 words in this source stream.

Outside Of Hamilton Total

John C. Weaver prepared plans and specifications for retaining walls at the monument site and on April 1, 1901, bids were leceived for the erection of the walls. On the fourth of the same month the contract was awarded to George W. Kindred at $7,- 095.90 as being the lowest and best bid, he agreeing to furnish Jasper limestone in the construction. Subsequently Mr. Kindred assigned the contract on April 18, 1901, to Horace Shields and W. H. Louthain.

Ground was broken for the retaining walls April 24, 1901, and the work of construction continued during the summer and fall. After their completion, the committee decided to build thereon a stockade and block houses, and contracted with F. Horssnyder for this work. This addition proved a decided improvement to Monument Place, and restored, in a manner, its original appearance, when it was occupied by old Fort Hamilton. Plans for the memorial monument were invited from various architects and those submitted by Frederick Noonan, of Hamilton, were adopted. Bids were received for the construction of the monument according to the plans and specifications, and the F. P. Stewart Granite Company, of Hamilton, being the lowest and best bidder, was awarded the contract on May 2, 1902, at their bid of thirty-three thousand four hundred and ninety dollars.

Centennial History Of

memorial monument was attended by appropriate ceremonies on Thanksgiving day, November 27, 1902. At 8:30 o'clock the members of Wetzel Compton Post, No. 96, Grand Army of the Republic, assembled at the G. A. R. Hall, in High street. A number of visiting members of the posts at Middletown, Oxford, Dayton and Cincinnati and the Spanish- American war veterans also gathered there. At 9 o'clock a parade was formed in High street and, headed by the Apollo Band, they marched to Monument Place. The corner-stone was laid at the northeast corner of the structure and the ceremonies attending it were in accordance with the ritual of the Grand Army of the Republic. Commander E. M. Imes, of Wetzel Compton Post, No. 96, Grand Army of the Republic, of Hamilton, presided as master of ceremonies. The exercises opened with prayer by Rev. Charles E. Schenk, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church. Then followed the laying of the cornerstone. The beautiful military service of the Grand Army of the Republic was read by the officers of Wetzel Compton Post, and at the close the stone was placed in position on the foundation. Beneath the stone and in the receptacle for it was placed a lead box containing the following articles : Copies of the Butler county daily and weekly papers; law enacted by the legislature authorizing the construction of the memorial ; typewritten copies of addresses by Hon. D. W. McClung and Warren Gail, Esq. ; roster of the pioneers of Butler county; history of the Pioneer Association of Butler county; roster of Samuel Johns Post. No. 1 37, Grand Army of the Republic. Hamilton; roster of Ex-soldiers and Sailors' Association, of Hamilton ; roster of Wetzel Compton Post, No. 96, Grand Army of the Republic, of Hamilton; roster of Jacob Banker Post, No. 70, Grand Army of the Republic, of Middletown; roster of Deardor f Brock Post, No. 506, Grand Army of the Republic, of Middletown ; roster of Ferd Van Derveer Post, No. 70, Grand Army of the Republic, of Middletown; roster of Millikin Post, No. 228, Grand Army of the Republic, of Oxford; roster of John Brown Post, No. 450, Grand Army of the Republic, of Oxford; roster of Union Veteran Legion, of Middletown ; roster of Union Camp, Sons of Veterans, of Middletown ; roster of Spanish War Veterans, Captain W. C. Margedant Camp, No. 128, of Hamilton; roster of county and city officials ; roster of Wetzel Compton Relief Corps, No. 5, of Hamilton; roster of Millikin Relief Corps, No. 49, of Oxford; roster of Ferd Van- Denier Relief Corps, No. 65. of Middletown ; roster of the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic, of Middletown; roster of the Daughters of the American Revolution, of Hamilton ; specimens of United States coins in current use; Grand Army of the Republic badges and buttons; list of the memorial building committee of fifteen and ten; badge of Woman's Relief Corps ; one buckeye ; copies of specifications and contract with the F. J. Stewart Granite Company, of Hamilton.

Owing to the inclement weather the remainder of the program was rendered in the Globe Opera House. Able orations were delivered by Prosecuting Attorney Warren Gard. who spoke on behalf of the citizens of Butler county, and Hon. David W. McClung. of Cincinnati, who delivered an address appropriate to the formal beginning of the memorial.

executed in a most skillful and artistic manner, and the completed structure is one that the citizens of Butler county can point to with pride. The memorial structure is of steel frame work, faced with cut stone, and is about fifty feet square at the base, with wings projecting on either side, - north and south, - each ten by sixteen feet. It is three stories in height, including the basement, and is surmounted by a bronze statue of Victory, representing a Union soldier in the act of cheering after having achieved a victory. The statue weighs three thousand five hundred pounds, and is seventeen feet high, and towers from its pedestal over one hundred feet in the air. It was designed and modeled by Rudolph Thiem, of Hamilton, and was cast at the Hamilton Metal Pattern Works. The monument is finished interiorly with marble and has a grand staircase, leading from the second to the upper story. The main entrance is to the second story. Inside are hung marble tablets bearing the rosters of the pioneers of the county, and of the soldiers of the Revolution, the war of 1812, the Mexican war. and the Civil and Spanish-American wars. The third floor, or rotunda, is to be utilized as an assembly room, with which are connected commodious committee rooms on the north and south. The art glass windows with which the memorial building is equipped throughout were designed and furnished by the Erkins Glass Company, of Cincinnati. The subject of the west window is "The Woman's Relief Corps," showing the women and children making lint, packing bandages and doing work in general for the soldiers. The furniture and costumes are of the period of 1861-1865. The east window represents the women taking care of wounded soldiers near the hospital tent and in the rear of the battlefield. The skylight of the dome is of geometrical design, shaded from gold to nearly white. The design of the north window is the Grand Army of the Republic seal, and that of the south window is the great seal of the state of Ohio.

On May 10, 1803, the first session of a court of justice in Butler county was held at Hamilton, the home of John Torrence as we have recited being utilized for that pur- pose. The first regular term began with Francis Dunlevy as presiding judge and Daniel Symmes prosecuting attorney. The first session of the supreme court was convened on October n, 1803, and was presided over by Judges Samuel Huntington and Samuel Sprigg, while Arthur St. Clair, Jr., was prosecuting attorney. Judge Dunlevy, who possessed great strength of character and wielded a wide influence, was descended from a family originally from Spain, but which, having become Protestants, fled from that country to France, where they remained until the revocation of the edict of Nantes. Daniel Symmes, referred to above as the first prosecuting attorney, was a resident of Cincinnati and was appointed to the position for the reason that there was no resident lawyer here to fill the position. He was a native of New Jersey, a son of Timothy Symmes and a nephew of Judge John Cleves Symmes, and was a graduate of Princeton College. His successor in the office of prosecuting attorney was Arthur St. Clair, Jr., a son of General St. Clair, and a man of means and marked mental ability. At the beginning of Ohio history he was a candidate for territorial delegate, but was defeated by William Henry Harrison.

William Corry was the first lawyer who located himself at Hamilton. He was bom near the Holstein river, in Washington county, Virginia, on December 14, 1778, and received a liberal education at Parson Dukes academy in Tennessee. In 1798 (then a minor) he came to the Northwestern Territory and studied law with William McMillan, of Cincinnati, to whom he was distantly related. In 1803 he removed to Hamilton and commenced the practice of the law. In 1807 he was appointed prosecutor for the state, which office he held until his removal from Hamilton, in the year 1 10. In the fall of 1807 he was elected a

' In March, 1810, Mr. Corry was married to Eleanor Fleming, a daughter of Thomas Fleming, an old settler who had emigrated from Maryland and lived on the south side of Butler county. Mr. Corry then determined to abandon the practice of the law, and in September following removed from Hamilton and settled on his farm near Cincinnati. But in May, 181 1, he removed from his farm to Cincinnati, where he again resumed the practice of law. He was subsequently elected and represented the county of Hamilton in the general assembly. He was appointed by the town council to the office of mayor, then first created, and held it until 1819 by appointment. He died in that city on the 16th of December, 1833.

Mr. Corry, from a natural timidity and modesty which he was never able to overcome, did not appear conspicuous at the bar as an orator ; but he was highly esteemed as a thorough-read lawyer and good counsellor. As a member of the bar, legislator, mayor of the city and private citizen, he maintained a high character. He was distinguished for purity of motive and moral firmness in the discharge of his public and private duties.

David K. Este was the second lawyer who settled in Hamilton. He was born at Morristown, New Jersey, on October 21, x785> where he received the rudiments of his education. He afterward entered Princeton College, where he graduated in September, 1803. In the spring of 1804 he commenced the study of the law, and was in due time admitted to the bar by the supreme court of New Jersey. In May, 1809, he left that state and came to Ohio, and in June following settled in Hamilton, commenced the practice of his profession and made his maiden speech in the court house of this county. In 1810 he was appointed prosecuting attorney, in the place of William Corry, who had removed to Cincinnati, which office he held until April, 1816. about which time he left Hamilton and went to Cincinnati. There he continued the practice of the law until 1834, when he was ap pointed president judge of the court of common pleas. He held that office until February, 1838, when he was appointed judge of the superior court of Cincinnati for seven years. In 1845, when his term of service expired, he declined being a candidate for re-appointment and retired to private life.

Mr. Este was a fine classical scholar and a well-read lawyer; and by his regular habits and strict attention to business acquired a large fortune.

Among the pioneer members of the bar (contemporaneous with the above) was John C. McManus. His knowledge of the law and his information on other subjects was but limited, but by his hustling manner and his attendance at crowds and public meetings he acquired a considerable share of practice. He was a candidate for a seat in the assembly from Butler county, but failed in his election. In 1817 he retired from the bar and removed to Preble county, where he resided until his death, which occurred in the early part of 1851.

Joseph S. Benham was born near Lebanon, Warren county, and was the son of Robert Benham, one of the pioneers of the western country whose name is identified with its early history. In 1808 and 180c he was a boy attending school in Hamilton. He then lived with his sister, Mrs. John

Torrence, afterward Mrs. John Wingate, who then kept a tavern. He studied law with David K. Este, was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice in Hamilton.

Mr. Benham devoted much of his time to the acquisition of the graces of oratory. He paid particular attention to elocution, and his voice and manner of speech were captivating. Few men could address a jury more eloquently or effectively, and as a popular speaker fewer yet surpassed him. He remained at the bar of this county until 1821. when he removed to Cincinnati. He practiced law in Cincinnati until 1831, when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, thence to St. Louis, where he remained until 1837. In that year he returned and settled in Covington/Kentucky. and took the professorship of commercial law in the Cincinnati Law School. About this time he became the owner and editor of the Ohio and Kentucky Journal, a weekly Democratic paper, which he published in Cincinnati for about one year, when, in August, 1838-9, he devoted himself to the study of the civil law, at his residence (Elmwood) in Kentucky, opposite Cincinnati, and then removed to New Orleans, where he settled again in the practice of the law. The ensuing summer he was on his way from New Orleans to New York, when he died at the Pearl Street House, Cincinnati, on July 15, 1840.

Mr. Benham was twice married, first to Isabella Green, of Hamilton, who died in October, 1829, and the second time to Maria L. Slocum, of the District of Columbia.

In the year 1815 Benjamin Collett came from Lebanon, Warren county, opened a law office in Hamilton and commenced the practice of his profession. He was a graduate of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Penn- sylvania, and had studied law at Lebanon with the Honorable John McLean, and his brother, Joshua Collett. He was a thorough classical scholar, and his information on all subjects extensive for a man of his age. As a well-read lawyer he was excelled by none in the state. In declamation he was not eloquent or flowery, but he always understood his subject well, and expressed himself in a systematic and logical style, which commanded the attention of the court and jury. He soon acquired a very respectable practice. In April, 1816, he was appointed prosecuting attorney for the county of Butler, and held the office until 1820. A year or two afterward he returned to Lebanon, where he lived and died, loved and lamented by all who knew him.

George Sargeant, a native of Vermont came to Hamilton in the year 1816, and studied law with Joseph S. Benham. He was admitted upon the completion of his course of study, and commenced the practice immediately afterward. Although he had » not the advantage of an early education, his native Yankee shrewdness and wit, with a ready flow of words, enabled him to succeed tolerably well at the bar. Where sarcasm 01 ridicule were admissible, he excelled. He continued to practice until about the vear

1826. His habits for a number of years were very intemperate, though he was seldom seen drunk in public. He would purchase his bottle of whiskey in the evening and take it to his office, where he would indulge himself during the night. A continuance of this habit finally impaired the faculties of his mind, and in September,

1827, he became so deranged that he had to be confined. The Masonic fraternity, of which he was a member, appointed a committee of their members to see to his condition. He was supported and cared for by the society for about a year, when he was taken in charge by the county commissioners. He was afterward taken to an asylum in Cincinnati, where he remained several years chained to the floor, and was then removed to the asylum at Columbus. He never recovered from his derangement.

Several other lawyers, however, regularly attended the courts at Hamilton, amongst whom were Jacob Burnett, afterward judge. Arthur St. Clair, Ethan Stone, Nicholas Longworth, George P. Torrence and Elias Glover, from Cincinnati, John McLean, afterward a justice of the supreme court of the United States, and Joshua Collett. from Lebanon, and some years later, Thomas L. Ross and Thomas Freeman, also from Lebanon. The bar was a very able one and the lawyers were in the habit of preparing their cases in an elaborate and masterly manner.

The resident lawyers of Hamilton in 1842 were John Woods, F. D. Rigdon, William Bebb, J. P. Reynolds, Jesse Corwin, Alfred C. Thomas, Elijah Vance, Thomas Millikin, John B. Weller, Michael C. Ryan, Oliver S. Witherby, Ezekiel Walker and Thomas H. Wilkins. Lewis D. Campbell and John M. Millikin having retired from the practice prior to this time.

One of the most promising of the younger attorneys of the early court here was Michael B. Sargeant, who was not only a fine classical scholar and conversant with elegant literature, but was a brilliant and well-read lawyer. His death occurred suddenly on the night of April 19, 1830. at the early age of thirty-three years.

James Clark was a native of Adams county, Ohio, born in 1830, and was graduated from Miami University in 1854. He studied law. was admitted to the bar and later was elected judge of the common pleas court. As a lawyer, jurist and scholar he exhibited marked ability, and was the possessor of a fine library.

The attorneys practicing at this bar in 1866 were Isaac Robertson. Thomas Millikin. N. C. McFarland. M. N. Maginnis, Robert Christy. Alex. F. Hume. William K. Brown. J. B. Millikin. Thomas Moore, A. W. Scott. Elijah Vance. Ransford Smith. Ferd VanDerveer, Israel Williams, S. Z. Gard. W. A. Kinneer. P. C. Conklin. Stephen Crane, A. W. Eckert and Alex. C. Hughes. S. C. Symmes. Frank H. Shaffer and X. E. W arwick were here in 1870 and Houston James came ten years later.

Of the lawyers who have practiced in Butler county during the last half a century perhaps the most distinguished was Thomas Millikin. At the time of his death he had been practicing almost sixty years, and had been associated with many of the important cases tried during that period. His specialty was wills, and he won great distinction in the Deshler will case at Columbus. In the 'forties he served one year as prosecuting attorney of Butler county. In 1874 he declined an appointment to the supreme bench.

Another of the able lawyers was the late Henry L. Morey, the senior member of the firm of Morey, Andrews & Morey, which enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. Mr. Morey was devoted to his profession, and was a wise counselor and an able advocate.

The oldest practicing member of the Hamilton bar is Judge Alexander F. Hume. He l>egan practicing in 1852 and has won an enviable distinction in his profession. He has served several terms as common pleas judge, and in 1878 came within three thousand votes of an election as supreme judge of Ohio. Judge Hume, though an old man. is actively engaged in the practice of law.

Among the law firms of Hamilton now practicing in the Butler county courts are : Andrews. Harlan & Andrews. Slavback & Harr. Neilan & Neilan, Bfckley & Bicklev, Millikin & Sbotts, Shepherd & Shaffer and Shank & Shank.

The following compose the Butler county bar at present : Allen Andrews. John Andrews. Benjamin Baker, E. A. Belden, Ben A. Bicklev. U. F. Bicklev. Theodore Bock. Walton Bowers. M. O. Burns, J. E. Brate. William O. Campbell.

Church

The St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church, of Hamilton, was organized in the year 1837. It is the oldest of the German Protestant churches in the city, and, as far as records show, in Butler county. At the same time it is the largest in numbers and has the largest church edifice, with a capacity of seating one thousand two hundred people. The first pastor of this congregation, who had success in gathering a large number of members, was Rev. Mr. Heinisch, who served in this church from December, 1859, to July, 1864, a period of five years. He was a learned man and was, as stated, a very successful worker. His successor lost almost all that was gained by Mr. Heinisch, and after a pastorate of two years resigned, leaving a membership of only forty people. Probably the most successful pastor the church had during its entire existence was Rev. C. A. Hermann, who served from December, t866, until August, 1875, a period of nine years, and a second pastorate from 1883 until September, 1903, when he died of pneumonia. During the first term of his service he tore down the quaint old church occupied by the society and built the handsome structure on the comer of Sycamore and Front streets, costing nearly twenty-nine thousand dollars, and during his second pastorate he had the church remodeled and provided it with very handsome art glass windows.

He was greatly beloved by his members. To write the history of this congregation is to write the history of the German Protestant population of the city of Hamilton, as at about the time this society was started, emigration from Germany to this country and also to this city was very strong, and the emigrants were principally adherents to the faith of the Lutheran church. From the St. John's church the other churches were more or less early seceders for various reasons. The membership of St. John's frequently fill the edifice to overflowing, especially on special occasions. The young people are a strong factor in this church and the Christian Endeavor Society is the largest in the city. The ladies' society is also very strong, and their work is in evidence on all hands in and out of the church. The Benevolent Society connected with this church has done a great deal of good and been of assistance to needy members and especially in cases of sickness and death.

collect the moneys necessary to build, Wolfgang Morner, John Reiff, Jacob Schlarb, George Bisdorf, Philip Oetterer and John Deinzer; on cost of church, Michael Eisel, Conrad Bender, Michael Wuechner, Jacob Haid and John Stillwaugh; building committee, Henry Dilg, John Stillwaugh, Michael Eisel, Casper Schorr, Conrad Bender, George Bisdorf, and Adam Hochheimer. The church edifice is fifty-three by ninety feet. The corner-stone was laid with impressive ceremonies, July 10, 1867, and the church itself was dedicated on the 29th day of May, 1868. When the old court house was torn down to make place for the new building, the clock was donated to ) the congregation and now is located in the tower of the church, where there are also three handsome chimes of bells to call the members to the services of God. The names of the various pastors who have served this church since its organization and the length of their terms are as follows : Rev. Weis, one year ; Rosenfeld, three years ; Hardorf, two years ; Clement, six months; Meminger, one year; Gebel, one year; Fischer, two years; Thomsen, six months; Richter, one year; Auker, four years; Grunm, seven months; Wetterstroem, fifteen months; Gerwig, two years ; Paster, three months ; Pfaefflin, seven months ; Heinisch, five years ; Faehring, two years ; Hermann, nin^ years ; Stempel, eight years ; Hermann, twenty years. At the death of Rev. C. A. Hermann the present very efficient and able pastor, Rev. H. A. Dickmann, was chosen and he was installed with impressive ceremonies on Sunday, November 29, 1903. Since his entering into the work in this church, the membership and everything connected with it has received an impetus for good that has been of great benefit to the growth of the church. He preaches in both German and English, and thus is able to hold more of the younger element which was gradually drifting from the church of their fathers on account of their inferior knowledge of the German language. There is one thing that should be mentioned in this history and that is that the original church of this congregation, standing where their handsome edifice now is, was purchased from the Presbyterian congregation. The money to pay for it was collected by Messrs. Christian Rothenbush. Josiah Breitenbach and Daniel Beaver, three old pioneer Germans of this city.

Zions Evangelical Lutheran Church

Zion's Evangelical Lutheran church is located at the comer of Front and Ludlow streets, Hamilton, Ohio. This congregation was organized on August T2, 1843. The first trustees were Christian Morgenthaler and Matthaeus Brueck ; the first elders, Joh. Rosse and Conrad Schmidt; the first deacons, Joh. Klein apd John P. Brueck. Besides these the early records contain names as follows; Fr. Blumenstiel, Johann Bayer, Heinrich Baecker, Martin G. Rosse, Heinrich Erb, Fr. Reif, Gutmann, Peter Euler, Peter Schlosser, Adam Wacker, Leonhard Raschbacher, Adam Liebreich, Christian Wolf, Heinrich Heckmann, Johann Bachmann, Fr. Rust, Johann Schmidt and others. Some of these are still represented in the Zion's congregation through their descendants ; others soon repudiated the confessions, upon which they were received as members; others died or moved away; of course, many others came to this vicinity in the course of years and proved themselves stanch defenders and supporters of the church.

Through all these years the Zion's church has occupied a place among the conservative Lutherans. She has never been ready to yield to laxity either in doctrine or life. Some of the members at various times have inclined one way or the other, but they were admonished and instructed in a brotherly way, with the result that many reformed, while some severed their connection. The two fundamental principles have been carefully guarded, namely, that the Holy Scriptures are the only rule and norm of doctrine and life, and that salvation is only given us in Christ Jesus through faith. For this reason the public preaching of the word and the administration of the sacraments constitute the center around which the Zion's church gathers. A natural consequence has always been that the children were cared for in tenderest infancy. Infant baptism has been uniformly practiced, about three thousand having been baptized during these sixty years. For the Christian training under Lutheran instructors provision was made from the very beginning. As early as 1843 the parochial school is mentioned, and through the years 1880 to 1896 the attendance fluctuated almost constantly around the one hundred mark. For many years the congregation supported two teachers, at times paying as high as one thousand two hundred to one thousand four hundred dollars to their support. The matter was frequently discussed and parents were earnestly plead with to secure for their children the best training, namely, a Christian, Lutheran training. Not that the education offered in the secular school was underestimated. On the contrary, for the higher schooling many later on sent these children to the public schools. But for their children they sought first "the kingdom of God and His righteousness." At the same time they obtained a good secular education, too.

But Zion's church has been faithful to the children in other ways, for as early as May 5, 1851, a resolution was passed to hold "kinderlehre," which is an instruction of the young also after confirmation in the truths of the gospel. Six years later a Sunday school was instituted with the following teachers: John P. Brueck, Jacob Brueck, Ad. Gutmann. H. Waltner, Joh. Klein. Fr. Grau, P. Euler. Dietrich Raab, William Huber. Peter Rupp, John Bernhard, Fr. Goller and Fr. Haertel. Later on it was made the duty of the church council to assist in conducting the Sunday school.

In writing this history it is scarcely necessary to mention the usual catechetical instructions, terminating in confirmation. No less than one thousand two hundred persons have been added to the church in this way. While Zion's church is a German church she has for years received persons who were confirmed in English. But no provision was made to meet the wants of these communicants until December, 1903, when it was resolved to conduct the evening services in English.

As early as i860 provision was made for the destitute and needy. An aid society was organized, but later on disbanded. The balance in the treasury was turned over to the congregation and a fund for the poor was established. On the records are entered numerous instances in which aid was given. So far as the records go no destitute person deserving aid has knocked in vain.* Hence Zion's position on secret societies is not what many would make it, for Zion's church will take care of her poor members.

This edifice was built on the southwest corner of Front and Ludlow. On March 26.. 1865, the erection of the present church, located on the northeast corner of Front and Ludlow streets, was resolved. The building committee were L. Sohngen, H. Waltner, P. Heck, Carl Ruder and John Heuser. In the spring of 1867 this church was dedicated. The church cost twenty-seven thousand, dollars. The tower was built in 1872 at an expense of two thousand dollars. It contains a handsome chime of three large bells. In 1884 three thousand dollars were expended in renovating the church. An

During these sixty years Zion's congregation has entertained many conventions of synod and conference. Many pastors of the joint synod of Ohio are counted among the personal acquaintances of the members. Again, there have been special occasions of joy and thanksgiving aside from the usual church festivals. On August 12, 1893, the fiftieth anniversary of the organization of Zion's church was celebrated in a most appropriate and festive manner. The auditorium had been enlarged and renovated and by the kindness of the Misses Benninghofen it was furnished with new pews and cushions and an elegant art glass window representing Christ's glorious resurrection. Rev. G. Trebel read a brief sketch, from which many of the data above are gleaned. Another jubilee equally as brilliant was celebrated April 24, 1898. Rev. G. H. Trebel had served as pastor twenty-five years, and the Ladies' Society had been in existence forty-two years. Presents and congratulations were received in large number.

The pastors who served Zion's church are: Hordorf, 1843-4; Konradi, 1844-7; Leonhard, 1847-8; Grau, 1848-52; Groth, 1852-61 ; Herbst, 1861-73; G. H. Trebel, 1 873- 1 904; the present pastor, Rev. C. F. W. Allwardt, began his labors July 10, 1904. The following are members of the church council : Elders, D. Raab and John Niedermann ; deacons, J. Schreiner, M. Kaefer, Jac. Bollinger and Andrew Proeschel ; trustees, R. Nagel, Samuel Niedermann, Fred. Schubert, Jacob Reister, William Bauer. The officers of this board are: Rev. C. F. W. Allwardt, chairman; M. Kaefer, secretary; Fr. Schubert, treasurer; William

German Methodist Episcopal Church

The First German Methodist Episcopal church of Hamilton was organized in 1853, when the following members formed the first society: Frank Keller, Mary Keller. Bartholomew Irion, Catharine Irion, Conrad Steinbrecher and George Schlenker, all of whom are dead.

This small congregation was served bv pastors who resided in Mt. Pleasant (now Mt. Healthy). The first German Methodist preacher to work in this section was Dr. William Nast, who had this city as part of his large circuit and traveled through here on horseback as early as 1838. In i85t to 1853 Rev. Frederick Kapphahn and Gustave Reiche are mentioned as the preachers in charge of the Mt. Pleasant circuit, of which Hamilton was a part at that time, but it is not certain whether either one preached here, although the supposition is that the former did. In 1854-5 Rev. William Floerke served the two congregations. Hamilton and Mt. Pleasant. The present church edifice on C street, near Main, was purchased in 1859 from an English Lutheran society, who built the building in T851. Rev. Jacob Gabler, who is still living at Marion, Ohio, was pastor of the church at this time. The first trustees were Frank Keller and Conrad Steinbrecher, of the German church, and S. M. Morris. Philip Berry, Joseph Lashhorn and Isaac V* Davis, of the English church. Rev. Charles Kessinger followed Mr. Gabler as pastor. He was probably the most successful worker the church has had. His services were largely attended, oftentimes the church would not hold the crowds who wanted to hear him. He died, after a two years' stay, of typhoid fever. His successor was Rev. Paul Brodbeck, a very old man who remained one year and was followed by Rev. C. G. Fritsche, during whose term the congregation was considerably weakened owing to quite a number of the members enlisting in the army to serve their country in the Civil war. The following pastors served in the order named, following Mr. Fritsche : J. H. A. (Fusz, R. A. W. Bruehl (a Cincinnati local preacher), F. W. Reinhardt, William Borcherding, George A. Breunig, S. \Y. Freyhofer, Daniel Volz, Gustav Bertram, Charles Helwig, John Phetzing, John Bier, John Oetjen, E. W. Pfaffenberger, William Borcherding (for the second time), F. J. Kapsch, Charles Bozenhart, John Claus and H. E. Wulzen, the present (T9°4) pastor. During the pastorates of Revs. Reinhardt and Phetzing the church enjoyed quite a revival and received a large number of accessions. During the time of Revs. Helwig and Claus' administrations the church was renovated and improved in appearance. From about 1859 to 1867 Hamilton was a mission station. From 1867 to 1869 it was connected with Mt. Healthy as a circuit. In 1869 and to 1872 it was again made a station. The latter part of 1872 and up to 1875 it was made a part of a circuit and served in connection with Richmond, Indiana. The next thirteen years it was again united to Mt. Healthy. Since 1888 it has been a station and served by its own pastor. The Sunday school, although not very large, has been a very important part of the work almost ever since the first organization of the church. The

Epworth League and Ladies' Society are strong factors and have done a great deal towards building up this congregation, both spiritually and financially. In 1881 the congregation purchased a valuable property on the east side of the Miami, intending to erect a church edifice in a more central portion of the city, but so far have not succeeded in doing anything farther than disposing of the property and purchasing another large lot which has also been sold, and the congregation has so far been undecided as to building in the future.

This church, whose pastor is Rev. F. L. Dorn, Ph. D., was founded in the year 1892, the 23d of October, by the present pastor. Rev. F. L. Dorn was sent here by the Board of Home Missions of the German Evangelical Synod of North America upon the urgent call of some evangelical people who wished to have an Evangelical church in this town. The beginning was very small. For two years the congregation worshiped in the Davidson Memorial chapel on the comer of Heaton and Seventh streets, and when this chapel became too small for the growing congregation, they built the present fine church on Campbell avenue at a cost of twenty-six thousand dollars. The church was dedicated November 25, 1894. The congregation numbers one hundred and forty families and fifty single members. The enrollment of the Sunday school is two hundred pupils and fifteen teachers. The Ladies' Society numbers ninety members; the Christian Endeavor Society, sixty-two members ; the Men's Benevolent Association, forty-four members. The first trustees were John Bender, F. W. Bender, W.

Eckhardt, Jacob Lorenz, George Kaefer. The present church council consists of the following members : Rev. F. L. Dorn, H. Nordholt, John Kaefer, Michael Raqnet, G. Kaefer, Louis Held, G. Bast, H. Schellhorn. St. Paul's church, being a member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America, represents the German state church in this country and is as such the only legitimate daughter of the Evangelical church of Germany. The church represents and is a union of Lutheran and Reformed churches and was organized in northern Germany in 1818 and in southern Germany in 1821. The German Evangelical Synod of North America, as a part of the Evangelical church, defines the Evangelical church to be that church organization which acknowledges the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament as the Word of God, and the only and infallible guide of faith and life. The Evangelical Synod accepts the exposition of Holy Scriptures as found in the symbolical books of Lutheran and Reformed churches, which are mainly the Augsburg Confession, Luther's catechism and the Heidelberg catechism in all confluent points; in all points of difference, however, the Evangelical Synod of North America refers alone to the Holy Scriptures and avails itself of that liberty of conscience prevalent in the Evangelical church.

German United Brethren Church Of Hamilton

The German United Brethren in Christ Churth of Hamilton was organized in 1868 by Rev. John Sick, of Georgetown, Hamilton county, who formed the first class, consisting of the following members: Mr. and Mrs. Brehm, Mr. and Mrs. John

Waigle and Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Kuentzle. This class met occasionally in the homes of the members and were served whenever the pastor could find time from his, at that time, large circuit. About 1882 the small congregation under the pastorate of the Rev. John Kopitke, and with the following trustees, M. Betcher, G. Kuentzle and F. Mueller, purchased the little church on Canal and Eighth streets from the Baptists for six hundred and sixty-eight dollars and continued to hold services in this building until 1892, when they sold it to the Panhandle Railroad Company for two thousand five hundred dollars and, under the pastorate of Rev. John G. Luechauer, built the handsome structure on the comer of Ninth and Sycamore streets, which, with the parsonage adjoining, is now worth about twelve thousand dollars. At this time the congregation numbered forty members. Mr. Luechauer was the first preacher who served this congregation exclusively. Before his time it was part of a circuit. Since then the charge has been served by Revs. F. Oehlschlager, E. Wegner, G. Fritz and Rev. Dinvweiler, the present pastor. The Sunday school was organized about the time of the occupancy of the first church building. F. Duli was the first superintendent. Other first officials were G. Gimpel. class leader, and F. Mueller. steward.

Church, Hamilton

The Evangelical Lutheran Immanuel church, having its place of worship on North Front street, between Dayton and Buck-eye streets, Hamilton, is one of the congregations forming the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states, commonly known as the Missouri Synod, comprising, according to statistics of 1903, 1,889 pastors, 2,299 congregations, the total number of souls being 770,695; 1,888 parochial schools, supported by free-will contributions only of the members, in which 1,033 teachers and 1,061 pastors instruct more than 96,000 children.

The exhibit of regular class work from these schools at the World's Fair at St. Louis was awarded the gold medal, which is proof that these schools are up to the standard, not in religious instruction only, for which purpose these schools are principally kept up, but also in the elementary branches.

Immanuel congregation was organized in the summer of 1896. On the 9th of August about thirty men, heads of families, met in the assembly room of the court house for the purpose of organizing a church, in connection with Missouri Synod, where a temporary organization was effected and steps taken to gain the services of Rev. A. Von Schlichten, Sr., of Cincinnati, to conduct religious worship for them and advise in their efforts to establish a Lutheran church. Thus in the afternoon of August t6, 1896, at three o'clock, the first services were held in the assembly room of the court house, Rev. A. Von Schlichten, Sr., preaching. Also on the following Sunday at the same time and place, by the Rev. P. Just, a student of theology then at Cincinnati ; after which a meeting was convened, in which several matters concerning the worship were transacted, the name of Immanuel church decided upon, the Messrs. John Schmitt, Sr., Simon Bender and Erhard Schmucker elected temporarily as president, secretary and treasurer, respectively, and the Misses

Joe Heiser and Emma Troutman appointed as organists. At this point the progress of the church experienced a brief interruption caused by some matters coming up, the origin of which lay sometime beyond the time of this new organization and outside its membership (mention of which need therefore not be made in this history), necessitating a thorough investigation, however. On account of the absence abroad of the Rev. J. Nieman, of Cleveland, Ohio, the president of the middle district of Missouri Synod, comprising Ohio and Indiana, the vice-president, Rev. G. Schumm, of Lafayette, Indiana, in cofnpanv with the Rev. A. Von Schlichten, Sr., and P. Stoeppelwerth, of Cincinnati, on invitation, met with the congregation and conferred with them on matters above indicated, and some points pertaining to their proper 'organization as a Lutheran church in affiliation with the synod mentioned, and reported finding to Rev. J. Nieman, upon his return, who again requested a meeting with the congregation, which was cheerfully arranged and the above matters gone over again, finding the approval of the president and encouragement, and gaining the promise of all necessary support.

Henceforth the church made rapid progress. Regular services were arranged and two Lutheran pastors of Cincinnati requested to take charge until a resident pastor could be secured. On October 13, 1896, a constitution embodying the usual paragraphs on doctrine, membership, pastors and order of business, was drawn up and adopted, the name German Evangelical Immanuel church, formerly chosen, reaffirmed,

The first vestry elected under this order were the Messrs. John Schmitt, Sr., Charles E. Schmitt, Sr., elders; John C. Engel, Erhard Schmucker, Aug. Bender, deacons; and Simon Bender and J. B. Troutman, trustees. In this meeting also a call for a pastor was extended, but without success. After two futile efforts, Rev. P. Eickstaedt, then assistant pastor of St. Paul's Lutheran church, of Indianapolis, Ind., was finally secured. Rev. P. Eickstaedt and family arrived at Hamilton on the 18th of February, 1897, to take up his duties as pastor of Immanuel church. The introductory services were held the following Sunday, October 2 1st, at 2:30 P. M., in the First Presbyterian church, opposite the court house on Front street, the use of which for this occasion had been kindly granted, and were conducted by the Rev. A. Von Schlichten, Sr., and Rev. Stoeppelwerth, in the presence of a large gathering, the Lutherans of Cincinnati participating in numbers. Rev. P. Eickstaedt made his residence at 313 South Front street until the completion of a parsonage some years later.

Now having a resident pastor in its midst, further services were arranged as in vogue at the present time. Hitherto the work had been carried on in the German language only, but in April. 1897, English work was also taken up and at present sendees in the English language are held every other Sunday evening.

Up to this time all meetings of Immanuel congregation were held in the assembly room of the court house, this being the only suitable room obtainable. Therefore at the very first business meeting of the congregation, under its own pastor, held on Sunday, April 4, 1897, deliberations were taken up tending towards the acquisition of a suitable church home.

In July, 1897, the Snyder Sons' property, one hundred by two hundred feet, lying on North Front street north of the alley between Dayton and Buckeye streets, was purchased and a two-story frame building erected on it at a total cost of seven thousand dollars. The lower story is arranged for school and the upper for church purposes. The building is forty by seventy-two feet in size, the- auditorium of the church seating about five hundred people; in the lower floor there is. besides the school room, the furnace room and a good-sized assembly room. The corner-stone of this building was laid September 5, 1897, and the Bender Brothers, having the contract for the building, rushed it to completion and it was dedicated on the 21st of November of that same year.

Although having incurred quite a debt in obtaining the lot, church and school, the erection of a parsonage was undertaken. It was begun in August, 1899- an<^ completed in October of the same year, involving an expense of two thousand two hundred dollars.

The Ladies' Society, organized in January, 1897, with a present membership of better, decreasing the debt on the parsonabout one hundred, undertook to pay for the parsonage at the rate of two hundred and fifty dollars a year, but they did much better, decreasing the debt on the parsonage at the rate of three hundred dollars annually. With like zeal was the entire membership active in decreasing the debts on

In the same spirit many improvements were made alxmt the ground and place and in the buildings. The school-room, which was thought to afford ample room for many years, soon proved too small and a larger one on the north side in the building was fitted up for a school-room, seating seventyfive pupils and causing quite an additional expense. Again, in November. 1903. a double manual pipe organ was purchased from a church at another city, at a very moderate price, at a total expense, including all modern appliances, of eight hundred and twenty dollars.

And now, Immanuel congregation, though in existence only eight years, is in possession of a well-appointed church, school and parsonage, a property whic is at a low estimate worth twelve thousand dollars, all present indebtedness being with members of the church.

Upon the demise of Mr. knrth. -< Bewie. a graduate of the Teachers Semi nary at Addison, Illinois, was given the principalship of this church school. He this position until July, 1902, when >e re signed. Theo. Trautmann was called to this school as the successor of Mr. Bewie, and is the present incumbent, doing very efficient work.

Rev. P. Eickstaedt, who was the n pastor of Immanuel church, sen ed t charge until November, 1903. when called to the Lutheran church at LaPo e, Indiana. As his successor. Rev. G. />eg e ' of Brazil. Indiana, was called to Immanuel church and received his solemn c arge January' 10, 1904.

bership (male of twenty-one years of age admissable only) of fifty-seven, two hundred and thirty communicants and three hundred and ninety souls. The present vestry consists of John Schmitt, Sr., and Lorenz Schelter, elders; Henry Bindhammer, John Engel and Erhard Schmucker, deacons ; Fred J. Herold, William A. Schmitt and Simon Bender, trustees ; Erhard Schmucker, general treasurer; Simon Bender, building treasurer; Theo. Trautmann, congregational secretary; S. Bender, vestry secretary.

Hamilton is situated on both banks of the Great Miami river. The original name of the Miami river was Te-wighte-wa, which was also the name of the Miami tribe of Indians. On the first intercourse of the whites with them the old Indians of the Miami tribe called themselves by that name.

Hamilton is situated in thirty-nine degrees twenty-six minutes north latitude, and eighty-four degrees and thirty-one minutes west longitude from London, or seven degrees twenty-nine minutes west from Washington. The upper plain, where the court house is located, is thirty-five feet above the surface of the water in the Miami river at low water mark. The soil is alluvial, resting on a strata of gravel at least forty feet thick. Water is everywhere to be obtained in abundance by digging to a level with the water in the river. The water in the wells rises and falls with the Miami, and they are supplied by water filtering through the gravel from the river. The water obtained is strongly impregnated with lime.

The Hamilton plain extends east about a m He to the base of the hills, which ultimately rise to a height of two hundred and fifty feet above the plain. The hills run m a .southwardly direction, then gradually incline to the southeast, presenting a level plain or valley between them and the river at and below Hamilton. The site \v lere Hamilton now stands, when first exp oret was mostly covered with a dense forest of timber, with thick underbrush. A mile to the south was a pond covering over one hundred acres of land, evidently the beet of the river at no very remote period. >'e tract of land lying between this pond and the river comprehended over six hundred acres, and was at that time a beauttfu meadow covered with high glass. n v is now the north part of the town, was also a prairie of aliout fifty acres.

Laying Out Of The Town

public stores and property belonging to the garrison were sold at public auction, and the fort abandoned. Prior to this time there were but few persons living near the fort, «4mong whom were Charles Bruce, who, in 1793, settled about a mile and a half below the fort, at the outlet of the pond, and David Beaty, a mile south of the fort, near the junction of the two turnpikes now leading to Cincinnati.

After the fort was abandoned, Israel Ludlow, the proprietor of the land, established a settlement in the immediate vicinity of the fort and gave it the name of Fairfield. The name was, however, soon changed to that of Hamilton, in remembrance of the fort, which name it bears at present.

The ground on which the town of Hamilton is laid out is within the tract of land sold by the congress of the United States to John Cleves Symmes in 1787 and afterward conveyed to him by patent bearing date of September 30, 1794.

The third entire range of six miles wide, within this purchase extending from the Great Miami river to the Little Miami river was conveyed to General Jonathan Dayton by John Cleves Symmes, as appears by deed bearing date 30th day of October, x794- On July 27, 1795, Jonathan Dayton conveyed the fractional section 2 in township 1 of range 3, in said purchase, to Israel Ludlow by whom the present town of Hamilton was laid out on said fractional section. In the year 1794 a few lots were laid out and sold by Israel Ludlow in the lower part of the town, in the immediate neighborhood of the garrison. The lots in the upper part of the town were laid out in the years 1796- 97- Among the early settlers who purchased

The town of Hamilton being laid out under the government of the Northwest Territory there was at that time no law requiring town plats to be placed on record, consequently the plat of Hamilton was not recorded at that time. However, on April 28. 1802, Israel Ludlow placed the town plat on record in the county of Hamilton at Cincinnati, where it may be found in Book E, No. 2, page 57.

According to the plan of the town of Hamilton placed on record by Israel Ludlow, the streets are sixty-six feet wide, except High street, which is ninety-nine feet wide. Alleys are sixteen feet wide. The entire town lots are six poles by twelve, containing each seventy-two square poles. Entire outlets contain each four acres. However, it has been said that the town was originally laid out with a two-pole chain which was three and one-half inches too long; hence, it has been the practice with surveyors in measuring lots in Hamilton, to add three and one-half inches to each two poles of measure, to correspond with the lots, and throw the improvements of individuals on the ground which they believed they had purchased. This circumstance was early known to the proprietor, but having previously sold a number of lots in different parts of the town to individuals who had made improvements on them, he instructed his agents to survey and lay out the lots in such a manner so that each person should have the lot on which he had made his improvements. To correct this error in measure, as far as practicable, an addition in width was made to High street running east and west through the town. This street, as appears by the original plat of the town, was intended to be six poles wide; it is, however, found to be one chain and eighty-two links wide, which it is said, is occasioned by taking the surplus measure from the lots in that part of the town and throwing it into that street. This mode of measurement was practiced previous to the year 1808.

In August, 1831, an accurate measure was made from the north to the south line of the town of Hamilton, along Second street (or Main street), with due regard being had to the oldest buildings, and ancient marks or monuments which could be identified. From a stone which is sunk in the ground at the southeast corner of the public square, to the most southwardly line of the in-lots of the town, as marked by improvements, the distance is eighty-seven poles, twentyone chains, seventy-five links with the addition of twelve feet eight inches, being an addition of three and one-half inches to each two poles, with which measure and allowance it holds out exactly.

On measuring from the corner of the Hamilton Hotel, near the site of the Miami Valley Bank building, on High street, to the north line of the in-lots at the northeast corner of in-lot No. 234 (the lot then owned by Mr. William Pay), the distance was found to be thirty-nine chains and eighty-five links. The true distance according to the town plat ought to be one hundred and fifty-seven poles, (thirty-nine chains twentyfive links), to which distance after adding twenty-two feet ten inches, or three and one-half inches for each two poles, there still remained a surplus of twenty-four links, or

On measuring from the corner of the Hamilton Hotel site to the north side of Dayton street, ranging according to the buildings at present erected on that side of the street, the measure holds out strictly by allowing the addition of three and one-half inches to each two poles.

On measuring north past the next block of lots to the next street north, the surplus seems to increase, so as to leave an addition, over and above the three and one-half inches to each two poles, and continuing north to the north line of the street running east and west, and south of Isaac Wiles' house and the lot where James Heaton formerly lived, the surplus measure is found to be about ten feet over and above the usual allowance of three and one-half inches to each two poles, that is twenty-five feet, when the usual allowance would only be fifteen feet. And on reaching the north line of the lots of the town, the measure is found to be about sixteen feet, after measuring strictly and adding the additional allowance of three and one-half inches for each two poles.

Cornelius R. Sedam, of the county of Hamilton, in the year 1804, laid out twenty ten-acre lots in the northeast corner of the fractional section No. 1, in the first township of the third or military range, lying on the south and adjoining to the other outlots of the town.

On November 13, 1826, William Murray laid out a number of town lots in further addition to the town of Hamilton, on the Miami canal, in the southwest part of section No. 32, in township No. 2 of the third range. Said lots are laid out on both sides of the canal, and extending westwardly along the basin and High street to near the out-lots of the original plan of the town. This place afterwards acquired the sobriquet of Debbsville, by which name it was known for many years.

The Founding Of Rossville

Rossville was laid out in 1804. It was the first town established west of the Miami River, in what is now territory of Butler county. Prior to 1801 no improvements had been made on that side of the river, and the only inhabitants were the Indians and a few squatters. The land belonged to the United States Government, and the first sales of the public lands were held at Cincinnati on the first Monday of April, 1801. At this sale a company, composed of Jacob Burnet, James Smith, William Ruffin, John Sutherland and Henry Brown, purchased section Xo. 36, town 4. range 2, and fractional sections Nos. 31 and 32, town 2, range 3 lying on the west side of the Miami River, opposite the town of Fairfield, the site of old Fort Hamilton. On a part of this tract the town of Rossville was laid out, the plat of which bears date on the fourteenth day of March. 1804. It was named after James Ross, of Pittsburg. The town then laid out consisted of one hundred inlots. five poles wide by ten poles deep ; twelve fractional lots, next the river, five poles square, and twenty outlots, most of them containing four acres each. The inlots 53 and 58 were given by the proprietors to the county of Butler for public purposes, and the ground lying between Water street (now A street) and the river was given for a public common, to be kept open forever. The fractional outlot No. 20 was given for a burving-ground, which is now included with the Sutherland Park, on Park avenue, between D and E streets.

The first sale of lots was held on the ground, on the fourteenth of March, 1804. The lots were offered at auction, and a considerable number of them sold at fair prices. At the time Rossville was laid out there were few buildings on the plat. One was located near where the west end of the bridge now is, and was then used as a tavern bv Archibald Talbert. The building, which later was known as the Morner stand, stood until about ten years ago. In May, 1804. a number of out lots were laid out by the proprietors in addition the town of Rossville. and adjoining it on the west and south. The plan of the additional lots are numbered from No. 21 to 38 inclusive, and are not on record, except as they appear on an old map of the town which shows the plan of the additional outlots, laid out at that * time. The map was made by John Reilv, of Hamilton, and was formerly in his possession. Mr. Reilv was the general agent for the proprietors .who laid out the town and superintended the sale of lots for them. Those outlots were offered for sale* at public auction on May 16. 1804, and the whole of them were sold at prices ranging from twenty-five to twenty-eight dollars each. On November 11, 1818, John Sutherland and Samuel Dick, who had then become the proprietors of the unsold ground adjoining Rossville on the north, laid out a further addition to the town, extending from in-lots No. 101 to

Centennial

The original out-lots numbered 9 ana ,o in the northwest part of the town, were subdivided and laid out into building lots bv Robert B. Millikin and William Taylor on April 21. 1831. They are numbered from 1 13 to 140 inclusive.

Prior to its incorporation, by special act of the Ohio legislature, in January, 1810, Hamilton was a mere hamlet of Fairfield township and the officials of that township had jurisdiction over its affairs. When the town was laid out, in 1794* it was called Fairfield, but the name was afterwards changed to Haniilton. After its incorporation it was governed by a president and three trustees, who were elected by the people, and who organized a corporate government and regulation of the town, that remained in force for four succeeding years. On account of some irregularity there was no election held in 1815, in consequence of which the corporation became forfeited and so remained until 1827, when the town was again incorporated, together with Rossville, under the name of "The towns of Hamilton and Rossville.' ' The powers and duties of the new corporation were vested in six trustees, who held their office two years, and appointed out of their own body a president and recorder. The towns were divided into districts or wards, Hamilton forming one and Rossville the other, the citizens meeting in their respective wards and each electing their trustees. Under this plan of organization the towns continued to prosper, under a well-regulated police, for four years. In

History Of

In the course of time, jealousies springing up between the two towns, on the petition of the citizens of Rossville the connection between them was dissolved by the legislature. in February. 1831, and each erected into a separate corporation. In February. 1833. the charter of the town of Hamilton was' modified by an act of the legislature, by which the government was vested 111 a mayor and six trustees, to be elected by t e citizens for the term of three years. This act authorized the levying of a tax of onefourth of one per cent, for corporation purposes. The citizens met in May. 1833, and elected James McBride mayor and Jo n Woods and others trustees, who organized themselves and appointed John Woods recorder. This board enacted a new code ot ordinances for the regulation and government of the town, and commenced gra mg and improving the streets. On February 14.

1835. the legislature authorized the corporation to draw water from the basin for t e purpose of extinguishing fires, on whic privilege being granted, the corporation, m

1836. laid pipes from the basin down Basin street as far as Front street, with pipes leading from there and connecting with two cisterns, constructed in the public square.

March 7. 1835, the legislature passed a law further modifying and amending the act of incorporation. This change name of the corporation to that of 1<- town of Hamilton." They were authorized to lew a tax of one-half of one per cent, or corporation purposes ; to borrow money, not exceeding fifteen thousand dollars, to ap point a wharfmaster; gave them the use

The corporate powers of the town of Hamilton were vested in a mayor and six trustees. The mayor presided at the meetings of the board and was the judicial officer to carry into effect the ordinances passed by the board, and had all the powers vested in a justice of the peace. In criminal cases the marshal might serve process in any part of Butler county. The corporation had power to appoint a recorder, treasurer, marshal, wharf-master, supervisor of streets and highways, inspector and measurer of wood, tanner's bark, lumber, and other articles of domestic growth, and regulate their duties. The corporation was vested with power to make ordinances and by-laws for establishing and regulating the market, organize fire companies, and provide for the extinguishing of fire ; to regulate the streets, alleys and highways, and generally to make such ordinances and regulations for the safety, health, cleanliness and convenience of the citizens as was usual in like corporations. Subsequently a common council succeeded the trustees and was given similar power.

For a long time the citizens of both Hamilton and Rossville had perceived the vital necessity which existed for a union of the two towns, and the matter was taken up seriously and moved to successful completion in 1854. Ordinances of annexation were passed by the common councils of both villages, and at an election held on the first Monday of April, 1854, the question, having been submitted to the legal voters, was adopted by a majority of 261 votes in favor of the proposition, in a total of 719 votes cast, and the consolidation soon after became a fixed fact. A new organization for the government of the town of Hamilton was effected under the statutes of the state regulating municipal corporations. It was governed as a town until by progress and increase of its population to five thousand, as required by law, the town of Hamilton became the city of Hamilton in the year of 1857. Under the administration of Mayor M. N. Maginnus, in 1877. the police system was introduced and patrolmen took the place of the city marshal and his assistants. Until the enactment of the law creating the board of public affairs, in 1889, Hamilton city was under the government of a mayor and common council. It was divided into four wards, but in 1882 the fifth ward was created, and the council numbered ten members. The counci lmen elected a clerk and a sergeant-at-arms. All city officers held their positions for two years. The mayor had jurisdiction as a justice of the peace, and had, in addition, power to enforce the city ordinances. He took part in the deliberations of the common council, but had no vote. He was the chairman of the newly elected body until its organization. The police were appointed by the mayor, subject to the confirmation of council. The council appointed a market master, city solicitor, city clerk, street commissioner, marshal. who by virtue of his office was chief of police, and chief of the fire department. There was a board of health and after the establishment of the municipal plants boards of trustees were provided for their government and control.

The Board Of Public Affairs

On January 31, 1889, a bill was passed by the Ohio state legislature which in its provisions materially changed the operation of the municipal government of the city of Hamilton. This bill provided for the appointment by the governor of a "Board of Public Affairs," which should consist of four members, two from each of the leading political parties, said board to have the entire charge.of the city police department, the fire department, the street department and the department of public health. In consequence of this act, the board of health and the office of city commissioner were abolished. Under the provisions of the act the board of public affairs appointed all members of the police and fire departments, though the offices of chief of police and chief of the fire department were continued, the board nyiking all the subordinate appointments. The board took entire charge of the street cleaning and repair work, having the work done in such a manner as they thought best, either by the day or contract. As a substitute for the abolished board of health, the regular patrolmen were given the powers of sanitary police, and, when necessary, the board of public affairs was empowered to employ a medical or sanitarv expert. The bill prohibited the discharge of any public employee for political reasons and at the same time forbid employes from engaging in any political convention, further than simply exercising his right of suffrage. Other provisions of the bill regulated the maximum salaries to be paid the various employes of the municipality, and also required the board to organize and go into operation within sixty days after the passage of the act.

The first board of public affairs appointed by the governor consisted of O. V. Parrish and Henry Schlosser, for four years, and William J. Coakley and W. C. Shepherd for two years. However, one year after its creation, the board was abolished by an act of the legislature and the city government was again administered in the manner in which it had been prior to the experiment.

The Board Of Control

Probably the most beneficent measure ever passed by the Ohio state legislature which in its operation affected the municipal government of the city of Hamilton, was the bill providing for a new charter for the city and the creation of the board of control. Under the old plan of city government the city affairs had been administered by a number of boards and officers, thirty-three officials in all, who sometimes came in conflict and who it could hardly be expected would always work in harmony. The new bill provided for a radical change in the plan of government, as it abolished the city council and the several boards and officers having in charge the management of the electric, gas and water works, the streets, sewers, parks, public library, and police, fire and health departments. In their stead the bill provided for the appointment of a board of control, consisting of five members, upon whom was conferred executive authority not only to direct the management of the board was also vested with the power to departments of city government, but the legislate, and to enact all ordinances and other measures necessary to the successful administration of the affairs of the municipality.

The radical change indicated above was not brought about without strenuous opposition. The question of a new city charter had been agitated for several years bv those who realized the defective points in the existing system. A number of public meetings had been held and a committee appointed for the purpose of drafting a new plan of city government. At a public meeting of the citizens the plan proposed by this committee was carefully considered, section by section, and was finally approved and adopted. This plan as approved by the citizens was presented to the state legislature for enactment into law, but various influences combined to prevent its enactment, among the opponents of the measure being the representative from Butler county. The citizens of Hamilton were not, however, deterred by this action, and in 1897 the demand became general for a plan of city government that would be simpler and more concentrated in its operation and responsibility. At this time Hon. Bert S. Bartlow was our representative in the lower house of the legislature and he expressed a willingness to champion the proposed bill and to make an effort to secure its enactment into law. The bill as introduced into the house by him was substantially the measure as adopted by the citizens at the meetings heretofore referred to, the only material change being that the bill presented by him provided that the resident judge of the court of common pleas should appoint the first board.

The bill was formally introduced into the lower house on January 26, 1898, and on the following day was referred to the committee on municipal affairs. Then began one of the hottest contests ever witnessed in the Ohio legislature over the enactment of any law. Strong opposition developed to the measure and much bitter political feeling was engendered over the appointive feature of the bill. The advocates of the measure were satisfied to have the appointing power vested in the judge of the court of common pleas; others desired that power to rest in the hands of the mayor, while there were others still who wanted the governor of the state to appoint the board for the government of the city. The newspapers of the city that had all along advocated the enactment of a new charter, presented different views as to who should have the appointing power, and they now bitterly assailed the measure and its sponsor because he would not give way to their wishes and amend the bill to suit their respective views. Delegations of representative citizens from Hamilton visited Columbus both as advocates and opponents of the bill. The committee that had the bill in charge heard their arguments, but, without changing the appointing power, reported the bill back to the house, recommending it for passage. On March 15th the bill was read in the house for the third time and a spirited debate followed, Mr. Bartlow speaking in behalf of the measure, while Mr. Boxwell, the Republican leader, opposed it. Various amendments were offered, which were defeated in turn upon being put to vote, and upon the final vote upon the measure it passed the house by a vote of seventy-four yeas to six nays. The contest was then transferred to the senate, where, on March 17th, the bill was referred to the proper committee, who reported it back the same day, with a recommendation for its passage without amendment. When the bill came up on the third reading the same amendments previously proposed in the house were here proposed and were as effectually defeated. On the question of the final passage of the bill the vote resulted, yeas, twenty- k" on April 5, 1898, Hon. John F. Neilan. judge of the court of common pleas of Butler county, formally appointed the board of control, and caused the following entry to be read and spread upon the record :

In the matter of the appointment of the Board of Control for the city of Hamilton. Butler County. State of Ohio. State of Ohio, Butler County, Court of Common Pleas, ss. :

Whereas, Tt is provided by an act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, passed and took effect March 25, 1898, that the officers of a city of a second class, third grade B, shall consist of a mayor and city solicitor, who shall be elected for three years, and a board of control consisting of five members, to be appointed by the judge of the court of common pleas, resident of the countv in which such city is situated, and

Whereas. Said lawr provides that one of the members of said board shall be appointed by said judge for the term of one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years and one for five years, and until their successors are elected and qualified, and as the term of each member expires his successor shall be elected at the annual municipal election each year by the qualified electors of such city, to serve for a period of five years and until his successor is elected and qualified, and

Therefore, I, John F. Neilan, judge ot the court of common pleas, resident of Butler county, Ohio, in which said city of Hamilton is situated, do hereby appoint said Board of Control as follows: Joseph J. Mc- Maken. for the term of one year; Calvin E. Hern]), for the term of two years; Daniel H. Hensley, for the term of three years; Joseph J. Pater for the term of four years; Charles E. Mason, for the term of five years. Each said appointee to hold for the term for which he is appointed and until his successor is elected and qualified, as provided in said act.

The Clerk of this court is ordered to spread this order upon the minutes of this court, and send a certified copy thereof under the seal of this court forthwith to Joseph J. McMaken. the president of said Board of Control.

Judge Neilan then addressed the members of the board of control, commenting upon the duties laid upon them by the terms of the new law and offering a number of valuable suggestions.

The day following the appointment of the lroard a quo warranto suit was filed in the supreme court of Ohio, relating to t e legality of the newly created body, to which suit the defendants filed answer and t e case was argued before the court on June 2 1 st. On the 24th the supreme court declared the new charter a constitutional measure, and the authority of the board of control as the legal governing body of t e city of Hamilton was fully established.

The new charter continued in force for over five years. The working's of the measures during its operation were very satisfactory and in many ways proved the wisdom of its enactment. It was superseded in May, 1903, by the municipal code, a uniform measure enacted in 1902, for governing the municipalities of the state. The new code is commendable in having a uniform application, but in its practical operation it has proven to be very expensive, and inadequate to the requirements of a modern municipality.

Roster Of Officials

The Present City Council. - Dr. John A. Graft, president ; George Bramlage, president, protem; H. A. Dilg, C. F. Eichhorn, H. B. Grevey, Willard Smyers. Fred Shearer and Dr. J. P. Wilson.

Hamilton had no organized fire protection, but in that year companies were organized in both Hamilton and Rossville. The Hamilton company was known as Hamilton Fire Company No. 1. Its foreman was Thomas H. Wilkins and the assistant foreman was Tames Reynolds. George Seward acted as treasurer and Elisha Dalton as secretary. This company existed until 1864. It was located on Third street, adjoining Dr. Markt's drug store. The Washington Fire Company was a later organization, of which Henry Long was the first president. Afterward Captain John P. Bruck became president. The foreman of this company was Abram Miller and the secretary was Abram Laurie. Its headquarters were on South Second street, in the building now occupied by Shollenbarger Bros, for a livery barn. The Rossville company was known as the Neptune Fire Company No. 1. Its first station was in a building that stood on the site of the residence of the late Dr. Mallory, The organization consisted of Jacob Staley, president ; Jacob Meyers, vice-president ; Moses Conner, director of engine; John H. Carver, first director of hose-reel, and Daniel Smith. From 1852 to 1864 the organization consisted of the following: John Mills, president. Jacob Troutman, Emanuel Morris, William Clements, Jonathan Henninger and Harry Bobenmeyer. In 1865 the fire department was put upon the salary basis.

Postmasters Of Hamilton

The first postoffice in Hamilton was located in Water street, immediately south of the United Presbyterian church, and occupied a building which after having been remodeled and used as a dwelling for some years, was torn down. At that time the building was two stories high and had a porch fronting on the alley. From 1804 to 1809 the building was occupied by John Reily, who there performed the duties of clerk of the courts, recorder and postmaster. Subsequently the postoffice was removed to a building erected especially for the purpose, a two-storv frame structure, located at the corner of High and Second streets, and which was the first permanent headquarters of the .office. In April, 1853, this building was removed to Basin street, where it was used as a justice's court.

The first postoffice here was established in 1804, under President Thomas Jefferson's administration. The first' postmaster was John Reilv, his commission, which was dated August 2, 1804. being signed by Postmaster General Gideon Granger. In that early day mails were received here but once a week and the mode of transportation was on horseback. The mail carrier left Cincinnati. from whence his route lay through Hamilton. Franklin. Dayton and Urbana. to the starting point.

Rossville postoffice, which is now the first ward of the city of Hamilton, and which was discontinued as a postoffice April 19, 1855, had the following postmasters : Joseph Wilson, November 24, 1819; Dr. R. B. Millikin, September 2, 1824; Jacob Matthias, September 21, 1836; Samuel G. Sweeney, March 8, 1837 ; Samuel Millikin, March 29, 1839; Levi P. Richmond, May 1, 1844; Joseph Curtis, May 29, 1849; George Longfellow, April 14, 1853; Robert Hargitt, December 10. 1853.