Hamilton City (part 6 of 12)

To regulate the quantity of water and guard against freshets in the river, substantial head-gates of wood are placed, mostly submerged in water. The superficial area of a cross-section of the water at the gates is two hundred square feet. From the head-gates the canal was excavated through the lands of Alexander P. Miller, about one mile. Itis thirty feet wide at the bottom, and forty-five feet at the top water-line, and five feet deep, having a descent of one foot in the mile, which will give the water a velocity of one hundred and thirty-seven feet per minute, being capable of discharging twenty-six thousand cubic feet of water per minute. From the point where the excavation terminates to the grand reservoir, a distance of two-fifths of a mile, the canal is formed by a single embankment, located near the base of a high ridge, the depth of the canal averaging eight feet, by seventy feet wide. Here it enters the grand reservoir.

The reservoir is formed in the bed of what is commonly called Old River, by an embankment across the old channel, some distance above where the canal enters it, and another embankment below, where it is taken out. The reservoir is one mile long, fifteen feet deep at the upper end, and twenty-four feet deep at the lower. The area of the surface of the water is about seventy acres. From the lower part of the reservoir to the north line of the lots of Hamilton, a distance of one mile and nearly a quarter, the canal was constructed over the lands then owned by the Messrs. Bighams, by a heavy artificial bank on one side, and a natural bank on the other. It is about seventy feet wide, and from ten to twenty feet deep. At the line of the corporation is a reservoir coyering six or seven acres, having a depth of eighteen or twenty feet. This reservoir is of great importance in retaining a supply of water to feed the canals below. From here the main branch continues west on the north line of by | the lots to the bank of the river, at such a distance from aay SN ae eee construct their | the river as to leave lots of convenient size between the . sg * - ue space between the hydraulic | canal and the river on which to erect mills and factories b tte a river was laid off into lots. Those south so that the water-power can be applied eye Street were divided equally between the Hy- Tn September, 1841, the Miami River wis: eoueeee abo ote 5 enre oaae settee seuzoald ] srs, - Erwin and Henry S. Earhart. above ae y é north of Buckeye Street was divided equally | the head of New River, near w ' varanlanl det ween t 1e town of Hamilton, Ludlow's heirs, and the nest Hydraulic Company.

treasurer. The board then employed John W. Erwin and John C. Skinner, engineers, to re-survey the route, and prepare the work for being let. After the work had been prepared for letting, John W. Erwin declining to serve further as engineer, John C. Skinner was appointed, at a salary of four hundred dollars per year. A number of proposals were received, and the whole work put under contract at prices from five to thirteen cents per cubic yard for excavation and embankment. The contractors immediately commenced work, and prosecuted their jobs with vigor, so that, notwithstanding the great embarrassment of the times, and the diffculty of raising funds, the whole was finally completed, and the water let in at an early date.

The commissioners appointed by the general government to examine and make a report of the most suitable place for the establishment of a United States armory, on some of the Western waters, being in the county at the time, a committee of citizens drew up a statement of the advantages of Hamilton, and the eligibility of the place for such an establishment. The Hydraulic Company proposed to furnish them three thousand cubic feet of water per minute, ever a fall of twenty feet, for the use of their works, free of charge, provided they would erect a tight dam over the river at the head of the race, and invited the commissioners to visit the place. On the 13th of September, 1842, they arrived at Hamilton, and spent three or four days in examining the town and vicinity.

The Hydraulic Canal, from the north line of Hamilton, passes down near the bank of the river, through a space of ground lying between the town lots and the river, previously-held as public common. <A conversion from public to private use it was alleged might interfere with the title, as it had originally been granted by Israel Ludlow, who laid out the town, for the purpose of a public commén. An arrangement was accordingly entered into between the Hydraulic Company, the heirs of Israel Ludlow, deceased, and the town of Hamilton, which the company was permitted to

: here the hydraulic canal i is taken out, and the quantity of water passing in the e river was found to be 26,132 feet per minute. The river was extremely low at the time, and the Miami Canal passing its usual quantity of water. The entire fall at the town of Hamilton, from top-water line in the hydraulic canal, to low-water mark in the Miami River, is twenty-nine feet. But deduct six feet of the fall, on account of ordinary freshets in the Miami River, and allow two feet for the depth of water over wheels, and there remains twenty-one feet of fall. A column of water of 25,000 cubic feet per minute, over a fall of twenty-one feet, is sufficient to propel one hundred and sixty-six pairs of mill-stones four and a half feet in diameter, with the requisite machinery necessary for the manufacturing of flour. The length of line along which the water-power may be used is about two miles.

It is the opinion of men of experience, well-skilled in such matters, that this water-power is the best west of the Alleghany Mountains, and east of the Upper Mississippi and its branches. The whole work is constructed in the most substantial manner, with a view to its stability and durability.

The first water-power leased was to Erwin, Hunter & Erwin, who erected a flour-mill at the east end of Hamilton bridge. Along its banks are now many valuable manufacturing establishments, and it has also been very useful in putting out fires. Another race was constructed on the west side of the river, which was not as largely used as on the east side, but which has been of great value.

The Hydraulic Company passed the first water through their lower level from Fourth Street down Stable Street to the Miami River, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of January, 1845. This lower level of the canal was three feet in depth, turning the water-wheels of Messrs. Erwin & Hunter's flour mill, and the Tobias Brothers' machine shop, near the east end of the Miami bridge. The first work done by water power was done by the Tobias Brothers, January 31, 1845. Their shop was thronged with curious visitors for many days. The occasion was a jubilee for the citizens, huzzaing, firing of cannons, and shaking of hands being among the demonstrations.

The Rossville Hydraulic Company was incorporated February 27, 1846. The corporators were Robert B. Millikin, James Rossman, John K. Wilson, Robert Beckett, Samuel Snively, Henry Traber, Charles K. Smith, William Daniels, Alfred Thomas, Wilkison Beatty, and Joshua Delaplane. It was organized in March, 1848. Henry Clayton was the first engineer employed. He was engaged about a year, and was succeeded by Henry S. Narhart, who made the location. The water is taken out oné and a half miles above town, just below the mouth of Four-Mile Creek. Passing through the low grounds below, and under Two-Mile Creek by a tunnel, the water is spilled on a line between North Street and Rhea's line. The work was begun in May, 1849, the excavation being let to Connor McGreevy and John Connaughton. The com- pany built the dam. In the flood of January, 1852, the abutment on the east side of the dam was destroyed. It was repaired in a permanent manner, and the dam lengthened two hundred feet.

F. D. Black

F. D. Black, sheriff of Butler County, was born September 12, 1849, at Hamilton, Ohio, being the third son of Peter P. and Mary (Kirbel) Black, who were both - immigrants from Europe. The former was born in France and the latter in Prussia. They came to America in 1839, the mother in company with her parents, but Mr. Black being alone. He was then twenty-one years of age. His father had served under Napoleon in all his wars, and was one of the survivors of the terrible experiences at Moscow and the subsequent retreat. A brother of Mr. Black, who accompanied him to this country, while on a visit to France in 1860, was also a soldier under Napoleon III, and in 1861 went out as captain of a company under General Siegel, and was wounded at Pea Ridge. Peter Kirbel, the maternal grandfather of Sheriff Black, lived to the advanced age of ninety-six, having been a resident of Butler County ever since 1839, and for the thirty years prior to his death, in 1873, dwelt with his daughter, Mrs. Black, in Hamilton. Peter Black has been a resident of Hamilton for some fortythree years, and for the greater portion of that time has been known as one of the largest manufacturers of the county. He has been one of the active founders of several of the largest establishments in Hamilton, among which is the large institution now carried on by Messrs. Long & Alstatter, of which he was the original projector and in which he was interested for many years. He is at present senior member of the large establishment of Black & Clawson, engaged in the manufacture of machinery for paper manufacturers.

F. D. Black, after attending the schools of Hamilton, entered at the age of thirteen St. Mary's College, at Dayton, where he remained till eighteen years of age. Having acquired a liberal education, he now turned his - attention to business affairs. In the Fall of 1868 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, in charge of a branch house of Long, Black & Alstatter, engaged-.in the manufacture of agricultural implements, of which his father was a partner. In 1870 Mr. Black withdrew from business affairs, in consequence of his father's disposing of his interest in the above firm.

He immediately turned his attention to politics and public affairs, and was appointed by Sheriff R. N. Andrews as his deputy, which position he filled with credit, so that upon Mr. William H. Allen succeeding Mr. Andrews he retained Mr. Black in the position he had so well filled. He was also appointed by Mr. Marcellus Thomas, who retained him during his term. Upon looking for a candidate for sheriff in 1879 the Democrats uty recommended him as highly qualified to fill the office, and consequently he was elected by a decided majority over his opponent. Mr. Black had during his first term so well performed the duties of his office, and secured the approbation of the public, that he was nominated in 1881 for a second term, and elected by a large majority. Since he assumed the duties of his position he has acquitted himself with great credit, and deserves special commendation for his vigilance and success in the capture of the notorious Jones and Vanderpool, indicted and held for trial on a charge of forgery. Three months were spent by Sheriff Black in tracing them through Ohio, Michigan, and Canada. They were finally arrested about forty miles from Toronto, and extradited. Mr. Black has the honor of having in his possession the only extradition warrant in existence signed by President Garfield. By the arrest of these chiefs of forgery and swindling he effectively broke up that system of robbery in this part of Ohio.

Mr. Black was married to Miss Mary Riffle, of Liberty Township, Butler County, who bore him three children, two girls and one boy. The son, Paul, is now being educated at St. Mary's College, at Dayton, where his father formerly attended, and the two daughters are about to enter Cedar Grove Seminary, in Hamilton County. Mr. Black is a young man of superior native powers, and a mind with proper training capable of filling high positions. ;

William Beckett

William Beckett, son of Robert Beckett and Mary Crawford Beckett, was born in Hanover Township, in this county, on the 17th of March, 1821. He graduated at Miami University in 1844. In 1845 he came to reside in Hamilton, and began the study of the law in the office of Hon. John Woods, whose second daughter he married in September, 1846. On his admission to the bar he commenced practice with Mr. Woods. It is a fact pretty well known in the Miami Valley that Mr. Beckett is possessed of a tongue which, when engaged in conversation, works very smoothly and quite effectively; but he soon ascertained that when he arose to address a jury or a public audience, that member utterly refused to perform its proper function, but rather "clove to the roof of his mouth." Thereupon he promptly abandoned the idea of practicing law, and took the position of a general business operator - buying and selling real estate, manufacturing, assisting in the management of the hydraulic works, ete.

After the death of Mr. Woods, in 1855, Mr. Beckett, his executor, took his place as director in the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton Railroad, and also in the Cincinnati and Indianapolis road, known as the Junction. From that day to the present time he has been an active and liberal supporter of every movement to advance the interests and promote the prosperity of the city and county. He is largely interested in the manufacturing industry, and any event which would deprive the city of his efficient capacity and energy would be severely felt by the whole community.

There are few men in Butler County more widely known personally than Mr. Beckett. During a considerable portion of his life he was a man of large means, and his hospitality was fully commensurate therewith. Public men when in this vicinity commonly gravitated to his home, and some of his well-known political influence may have been promoted in this way.

Political Handbill

It is interesting to see that the great political crisis which threatens the country this year, and threatened it last year and the year before, has always been existing. It can not be said that the campaign of 1852 was conducted on any other than party issues, or that there was any thing remarkable in the situation of the country. Yet see the appeals in the Intelligencer:

Outrageous Attempt To Defeat

We have it upon reliable information, that on Monday last, JOHN CARR, formerly representative from this county, and one of the trustees of Fairfield Township, was in Mason, Warren County, wanting to hire Two HUNDRED HANDs to work in this county. He there represented that Campbell would be elected by a small majority, doubtless as a blind to cover his real intentions.

FREEMEN OF THE THIRD CoNGRESSIONAL Disrricr! What say you to such infamous conduct on the part of the Locofocos of Butler County? Desperation is seen in "every movement. Campbell must be defeated, say they, at all hazards; and, to our certain knowledge, one of the State officers has boasted that he could beat the world at pipelaying.

Whigs of the townships, be on your guard. Some of these hirelings will be quartered in every township in the county. GUARD WELL THE poLis! See that none but LEGAL vores are deposited and a triumphant victory is sure!

John M. Millikin

Major John M. Millikin, the oldest professional man in Hamilton, and once treasurer of the State of Ohio, was born in Greensboro, Greene County, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of October, 1804. He is the son of Dr. Daniel Millikin and Joan Minor. When he was three years of age his father removed to the West and settled in Hamilton, being the first physician who permanently took up his abode here. John M. Millikin received instruction from Dr. Alexander Proudfit, who taught. a school here about the time of the second war with Great Britain, and from others, and in 1824 went to Washingington College, in Washington, Pennsylvania, spending a year there, and returning home the last of May, 1825. In that year he began the study of law with Jesse Corwin, in this city, and on the 5th of September, 1827, at

Columbus, he was admitted to practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio; and immediately opened an office. Colonel Campbell, who is next junior to him at the bar, did not enter practice till 1835, nor Thomas Millikin, the next in age, till 1840.

by the formation of a partnership between himself and William Bebb, afterwards governor, and this connection lasted till 1840, when Millikin retired from practice. In 1829 he was appointed brigade major and inspector of militia, an office he retained till 1833. January 1, 1841, he was appointed an aid-de-camp by Governor Thomas Corwin, and in 1846 he was a member of the State Board of Equalization. In 1856 he was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture, and was twice re-elected. He served as president of the board one year. In 1860 he was appointed a trustee of Miami University. In this capacity he has served two terms of nine years each, and has been reappointed for the third term. In 1873 he was named by the Secretary of the Interior as one of a commission to proceed to the Indian Territory for the purpose of making a treaty with the Creek Nation for the relinquishment of a part of their territory to the Seminoles. In October, 1875, he was elected treasurer of the State of Ohio, and on the 10th of January, 1876, entered upon the discharge of the duties of his office. The Republicans renominated him for the same position in 1877, but at the October election the Demoerats were in the ascendency, and he was, therefore, defeated. He retired from office on the 14th of January, 1878. He has always been a Whig and a Republican in politics. He cast his first ballot in 1826, and has voted at all State elections since. His first vote for President was cast in 1828 for John Quincy Adams. _ Major Millikin has always been an important man in local affairs. He has been president of the County Agricultural Society, president of Greenwood Cemetery Association, president of the Farmer's Club, and other societies. He has an excellent knowledge of local history, and skill in narrating it. He is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens, and has frequently been named by them as a suitable man for governor. He resides a little east of Hamilton on a farm which is cultivated according to the true principles of agriculture.

He was married on the 6th of September, 1831, to Mary Greenlee Hough, daughter of an esteemed early citizen of Hamilton, and has had by her four children, who attained full age: Minor, Joseph, Dan, and Mary. Mention is made of them in a sketch of the Millikin family, on page 185.

First Baptist Church

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. On the 31st of December, 1841, Dr. Loammi Rigdon, Rebecca Rigdon, Aaron Potter, and Emeline Potter, being desirous to have Baptist preaching, resolyed to make an effort to maintain a minister one-half of his time, and engaged the Rey. A. Drury, of Cincinnati, for that purpose, at the rate of four dollars for each visit. In 1842 he closed, and Elder Quant succeeded, staying, however, but a short time. In April, 1843, the Rev. Mr. Osborn began preaching, receiving two hundred dollars per year. Of this Dr. Rigdon and Mr. Potter each paid seventyfive dollars, and the Ohio Baptist Association, fifty dollars. There being no organization of the Church at this time, an arrangement was made with the Muddy Creek Church to receive into their membership any who might wish to join at Hamilton. It should be remembered that all this time there was a Baptist Church here, which adhered to the anti-mission side. The split had occurred in 1836.

In 1844 the Lockland Church received the members of the Hamilton congregation into membership, and constituted it a branch Church. The members were L. Rigdon, Rebecca Rigdon, Aaron Potter, Emeline Potter, Eve Davis, Elizabeth Walton, Sarah Steele, Sarah Garrison, Mary Garrison, Mary Kelley, S. Jane Walton, Louisa Pharis, and Louisa Boatman. When Mr. Osborn's term expired no other preacher was called, but services were held occasionally, at which neighboring ministers officiated. Meetings were held in the court-house and at the Female Academy. October 20, 1844, the Rev. D. Bryant was called as pastor, and a couple of months after it was resolved to erect a meeting-house. This house was in due time erected, at a cost, with the lot, of $3,311, and, with an addition afterward made, was occupied till 1858, when it passed into the hands of William Miller, the German Lutheran Church, and the Episcopal Church, successively. It is now changed into stores.

Mr. Bryant accepted another call in 1845, and William Roney was installed as pastor soon after. April 15, 1846, the Church was received into membership with the other Baptist Churches of the State, under the title of the First Baptist Church of Hamilton. The first trustees were L. Rigdon, A. Potter, J. L. Batcheldor, Joseph Shotwell, and J. S. Beatty; treasurer, L. Rigdon; clerk, W.S. Going; deacons, L. Rigdon and Joseph Shotwell. Mr. Roney left on the 4th of June, 1848, and was succeeded by William Ashmore. In 1850 he went to China as a foreign missionary, and for a year the Church was without a pastor. The Rev. H. M. Richardson became pastor in 1852. The membership at this time was seventy-two. He stayed with the Church ten years, and did much good service. During his ministrations it was that the new church was built, at a cost of ten thousand five hundred dollars. He was succeeded by C. B. Keys, J. M. Pendleton, V. W. Snow, R. Telford, N. A. Reed, Thomas Hanford, J. R. Ware, W. E. Lyon, W. A. Smith, P. M. Weddell, and Homer Eddy. The last is the present pastor.

On Sunday, January 17, 1875, the church building was partly destroyed by fire. The other Churches, the Young Men's Christian Association, and the Masons promptly tendered their aid. The loss was fully covered by insurance. About this time, too, the Church became straitened for means, could not pay the pastor's salary, and was for several short spaces of time without preaching. It is now, however, on the upward wave. The membership is increasing, and there is much interest felt. The Sunday-school has had as superintendents Aaron Potter, E. G. Dyer, W. Richardson, W. E. Scobey, George P. Brown, Walter Webster, Joseph R. Gibbons, and F. P. Stewart. Much of the success of this Church was owing to the indefatigable zeal of Mr. Aaron Potter and Dr. Loammi Rigdon, who put their shoulders to the wheel and made the Church an accomplished fact.

William Murphy

'William Murphy, flour manufacturer of Hamilton, Ohio, was born September 30, 1838, in Franklin County, Indiana. His parents are James and Susan Caroline (Erwin) Murphy, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Indiana. His paternal grandfather removed from New Jersey about 1816. From Pittsburg he took passage on a flat-boat to Cincinnati, and thence he went to Indiana, settling near Brookville. He engaged in farming and distilling, and conducted a country store in addition. Mr. James Murphy was brought up on the farm, a vocation he has ever since followed, though he has for years been largely interested in other enterprises. He has for a long time been a large stock-raiser and pork dealer at Oxford, Butler County, Ohio. He also conducted for many years a large saw-mill. He is a man of considerable wealth, and is widely and favorably known among the business men in his section of country. He is now a man of about seventy-five years of age, while his life-partner is but little his junior.

At the age of thirteen William Murphy entered the Miami University at Oxford, where he diligently devoted himself to his studies for the four succeeding years, which put him in possession of a thorough English education. -His tastes, however, were for a business career. After spending some time with his father, who was then largely engaged in the stock business, he settled at Oxford (to which place his father-soon removed), and established himself in the grain trade, which he continued with success till 1865.

He now sought a larger field for his operations. He settled in Hamilton, and in company with Jacob Shaffer bought the Hamilton City Mills, in West Hamilton, i merly owned by N. G. Curtis. An extensive business was soon built up, and continued til] 1869, when the mills were burned. With but little delay Mr. Murphy . and his partner bought the West Hamilton Mills, where they continued the manufacture, very extensively, of the finest grades of flour, till 1876. Mr. Murphy then dissolved partnership with Mr. Shaffer, built by them, and under the firm name of Murphy & Sortman, the mills were kept in operation till 1880. Mr. Murphy then withdrew from the firm, and leased the Hydraulic Mills, which are still operated by him. The business done here is exclusively flouring, and is very extensive. Mr. Murphy manufactures a very superior quality of flour, for which he finds a ready market throughout the New England States, where the greater portion of his shipments are made.

In the Spring of 1882, Mr. Murphy, in company with Messrs. F. B. Thompson, 8. D. Cone, and H. A. Dilg, organized the Dr. Temple Medicine Company at Hamilton and Cincinnati, with a capital of $150,000. Mr. Thompson was made president and Mr. Murphy treasurer of the concern. The medicines manufactured are the well-known Asthma specific and '' Hops and Boneset" discovered by Dr. C. W. Temple nearly forty years ago. The former remedy had been improved in its medicinal powers by the Temple Company, who have also prepared specifics for hay fever, dyspepsia, and other diseases. From the inception of the company, which is but a few months since, it has met with great success. They are pushing the enterprise vigorously, and their popular remedies now are found in all parts of the United States and other countries. Although these medicines have had great local popularity for many years, certainly as far back as 1849, their manufacture and sale have never been properly managed, until the present company took the enterprise in charge, and it is now fast becoming one of the important institutions of the city. Mr. Murphy owned and controlled the West Hamilton Hydraulic Water-power for ten years.

In 1876 Mr. Murphy: was elected a member of the city council of Hamilton, and served in that capacity for three successive terms, or till 1882. During these six years he was always found among the first to take steps towards public improvements, and to institute measures for the city's good.

Mr. Murphy has been married twice. He married his first wife, Miss Lorinda Bake, of Contreras, Ohio, daughter of Peter and Tabitha Bake, December 22, 1864. She died the following year from the effects of a burn by coal oil, two days following the accident. She left one child, a daughter, Dora, now seventeen years of age. He married his present wife, Mrs. Eliza Smalley, widow of Isaac Smalley, daughter of Henry H. and Lydia Myers Seal, February 9, 1868. Mrs. Murphy's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of Butler County, Ohio. . The former removed with his father, at an early day, near Brookville, Indiana, where he afterwards engaged in farming, a calling he still follows. He carries on a very extensive farm, though at the advanced age of seventy-three, while his wife is sixty-eight. Mrs. Murphy has one son by her first husband, Henry Burton Smalley ee eighteen years of age, and engaged in the milling business. Seven children have been born to Mr.

and Mrs. Murphy, though but four are now living. William J. H. was born June 7, 1871; Eva Pearl, June 28, 1873; Minnie Myrtle, December 31, 1877; and Marie, September 23, 1880.

Mr. Murphy has always been a Democrat in politics. He is a member of the Knights of Honor and Knights and Ladies of Honor, and has also been an Odd Fellow for the past three years. As a business man Mr. Murphy is cautious, considerate, and 'uniformly successful, and he has the reputation of being the best-natured man of Hamilton.

Colonel A. Dunn

Colonel A. Dunn died very suddenly in November, 1854, while out valuing the property of Asa Emmons. He was taken with a fainting fit, dropping down in the field, from the effects of which he died in a few hours. He was one of our most respectable and highly esteemed citizens. He had done much for the advancement of our agricultural interests as well as the general prosperity of the county, and was, at the time of his death, the president of the Butler County Agricultural Society. The esteem which the community entertained for him was appropriately attested in the very large procession which followed his remains to their last resting-place.

James Beatty

James Beatty, a wealthy banker and well-known land owner of Butler County, died in March, 1880; at his residence, near Jones Station, of paralysis. Mr. Beatty was a native of Ireland, and about sixty-five years of age. He accumulated considerable wealth, most of which was made in the pork business. He owned one thousand nine hundred and forty-eight acres of land, and was estimated to be worth about $800,000. He was for a number of years vice-president of the First National Bank of Hamilton, and one of the principal stockholders.

The National Armory

Among the projects agitated in Hamilton forty years ago was' one for the establishment of a national armory. Congress had ordered the construction of several new ones, and this place had several advantages which it was thought ought to secure the erection of such an establishment here. It was to be located in one of the Western States. Ohio had peculiar claims, owing to its superior representative numbers, and in consideration of its long line of exposed frontier. This place was better than any point further east or further north, because the navigation of the river and the canals is less interrupted by ice and extreme low water. From here arms could be transported with ease to the North on the lakes, .or to the South or South-west. A meeting was held in Hamilton in 1841, at which an elaborate report was made. It pointed out that the prices of property were low and rents always obtainable; provisions were cheap. There was an abundance of timber, stone, and other materials.

No carting would be required, as in Cincinnati, and coal could be cheaply delivered. The prospective hydraulic works would furnish all of the water power, and an excellent location was shown at the north end of town, just below Millikin's Island.

'Of the Miami country generally beauty rather than grandeur is strikingly characteristic of its main features. The immediate valley of the Miami River, in particular, presents a beautiful expanse of intervale land, bounded on both sides by gently sloping hills, and like that of the Muskingum, embosoming two or more benches, or plains, rising by gentle gradations one above another, but far more spacious on the former than on the latter. These valley lands are remarkably rich and productive, and are for the most part cleared, and in a high state of cultivation. A view of some portions of this interesting valley, early in September, when contiguous fields, as far as the eye can reach, are clad in the luxuriant verdure of growing corn, is one of the most delightful prospects that can be witnessed. On returning from the valley and reaching the uplands, a view not less interesting, though less captivating, is presented; a broad surface, generally of a rolling, but occasionally of a gently waving aspect, and stretching to the farthest limits of the horizon, here meets the eye. In richness of soil, variety of products, and healthfulness of appearance, all combined, it is not surpassed, probably, by any upland region to be met with in any other part of the United States.

''The country around Hamilton and Rossville, for many miles in every direction, presents the more comely and interesting features generally exhibited by the Miami country. The woodlands, which formerly presented a dense and heavy growth of timber, shrubbery, vines, grasses, etc., have given way to cultivated fields, yielding all the necessaries of life in the greatest profusion. Corn, wheat, rye, barley, oats, potatoes, tobacco, hay, fruits of all kinds common or peculiar to the climate, peas, beans, hemp, flax, ete., are among the products of the soil, and these, together with horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, poultry, beef, butter, lard, tallow, etc., constitute the leading articles produced for market, all of which can be supplied in abundance, and on the most moderate terms.

"The facilities afforded to this neighborhood by the hydraulic canal for trade and intercourse by water with remote parts of the country are invaluable. A broad basin, nearly a mile long, and fifteen to twenty feet deep, connecting the town of Hamilton with the canal, affords @ spacious and commodious port for the commercial business of the neighborhood.

"The valley of the river and the adjacent country on both sides, in this neighborhood, are similar to what they are represented to be in the neighborhood of Dayton, except that the uplands present an aspect considerably more rolling and diversified in the vicinity of the site now under consideration. The river, in its passage through this neighborhood, is more serpentine, shoally, and rapid than in other places, and embosoms an island containing three hundred and ten acres, called Millikin's Island, which is situated a little above the town site of Hamilton." D. W. McCLUNG.

David Waddle McClung, surveyor of customs for the port of Cincinnati, is of West Scotland or Highland stock. In 1730 his great-grandfather came to this country and settled in Washington County, New York. His descendants mostly resided in that State; but his son Charles McClung, grandfather of David W. McClung, removed to Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, where David's father and mother were both born, but were both brought to Ohio by their parents in early childhood, the families settling in Fairfield County. The father's name was also David. He was married in 1824 to Miss Elizabeth Brown, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Mc- Teer) Brown. Their fifth child and fourth son was David Waddle, born December 18, 1831, in Eaton Township, Seneca County, Ohio, to which his parents had removed two years after marriage. But five of this large family, including David, are now living. The father died in October, 1867, and the mother in August, 1877. David was brought up on a farm, attended the country schools in his childhood, which were very good for the time, the residence of the family being on the border of the famous Western Reserve, and was a member of the Seneca County Academy at Republic, then taught by Thomas W. Harvey, since State commissioner of schools. Here he prepared for college, and entered asa freshman at Muskingum College, New Concord, in October, 1850; remained one term, and then transferred his allegiance to Miami University at Oxford, from which he was graduated A. B. in 1854.

During much of his preparatory course he maintained himself by teaching school, beginning at the early age of fifteen, and for a large share of the expenses of his college course he served the university in various capacities, but had to create a debt, which was faithfully repaid upon his entrance into business life. After eraduation he again undertook the pedagogue vocation, but in a higher field, becoming at first principal of the high schools, then superintendent of the public schools in Hamilton, in which two positions he remained three years.

At the expiration of his year as superintendent, he accepted the charge of the Republican organ here, the Hamilton Intelligencer, which he conducted, or assisted in editing, for about two years, in association with his old friend and classmate, Colonel Minor Millikin. It was the early day of the Republican party; Butler transition period, and the Intelligencer bore its full share in fixing the current of public opinion. The fight with the opponents was at times close and sharp, and Mr. McClung was himself personally attacked by -an infuriated Democrat, and bore from the conflict an honorable scar which he wears to this day. He was, during this time of editorial work, engaged at intervals in the study of the law, and in the Winter of 1859 and 1860 he was appointed by the governor to the position of probate judge of the county in the place of William R. Kinder, who died in office.

Upon the outbreak of the war, the call for volunteers being issued Monday morning, April 16, 1861, he enlisted in a Hamilton company as a private soldier, and went with it to Camp Jefferson, Columbus, where it was sworn into service April 24th, and assigned as Company F, Third Ohio Infantry. On the 27th of the same month the regiment was sent, with five companies of the Eleventh, to establish Camp Dennison, on the Little Miami Railroad. Mr. McClung was taken from the ranks, where he was still serving as a private, and made quartermaster of the camp, in which place of responsibility and honor he was detained, contrary to all precedents of the service, until the following March, hundreds of thousands of dollars in money and property passing through his hands meanwhile. He then received a commission, to date from February 19, 1862, as captain and assistant quartermaster. He remained at the camp until June 15, 1862, having meanwhile rebuilt it, in order to fit it for Winter quarters, and was then ordered to Camp Chase to build the barracks for rebel prisoners there.

When the call for five hundred thousand more was made by President Lincoln, Camp Dennison acquired more importance than ever, and Captain McClung was ordered back to equip the regiments forming therein. From first to last it is believed that he prepared not far from one hundred regiments for the field. When the second levy of troops had been equipped he supervised the conversion of the barracks at the camp during November and December, of 1862, into a convalescent hospital. Thence he departed for Madison, Indiana, where hospitals more convenient to the river were to be built, and then to Cincinnati, to take charge of the purchase of supplies, in which capacity he served until the close of the war. His money accounts with the government, during his entire term of service, aggregated about twenty-five million dollars; his property accounts, more than twice as much.

His services were not finally dispensed with until November 8, 1865, when he was honorably mustered out, at his own reiterated request. Shortly before this, October 30, he was breveted major of volunteers, for faithful and meritorious services, on the recommendation. of

He returned to Hamilton, and was elected president of the Second National Bank, although not then a stockholder. In about a year and a half he resigned that place, and began the manufacture of machinery, in Hamilton, remaining in this business for two years, when he exchanged his stock in the machine-shop for an interest in the Woodsdale Paper Company, of which he took charge, and remained its business manager until February 1, 1879, when he removed to Cincinnati and became assistant postmaster. In January, 1881, he was nominated by President Hayes surveyor of the port of Cincinnati, and again by President Garfield, upon his accession, when he was promptly confirmed by the Senate, and received his commission of date March 10, 1881.

Colonel McClung was married on the 19th of March, 1861, to Miss Anna Carter Harrison, only daughter of Carter B. Harrison, youngest son of General Harrison. Her mother was Mary, of the family of John Sutherland, one of the pioneers of Butler County. She is a worthy helpmate of her distinguished spouse. They have had no children.

Fire Company

Hamilton had a fire company as far back as 1839, and it is possible it had one at a much earlier date, although we have no record of it. It was entitled the Hamilton Fire Company, No. 1, and was to consist of not more than fifty members. The officers of the company were Thomas H. Wilkins, 'foreman; James Reynolds, assistant foreman; George Seward, treasurer; and Elisha Dalton, secretary.

Masonic Lodge

In the year 1811 the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, at Chillicothe, granted a dispensation or charter, authorizing the establishment of a lodge of Freemasons at Hamilton. The dispensation was signed by Lewis Cass, grand master, and Henry Brush, grand secretary, and dated the 7th of September, 1811. On the 10th of October, 1811, a number of Freemasons met at the tavern then kept by William Murray, on the south-west cor- ner of Dayton and Water Streets, in Hamilton, and organized themselves into a lodge, by the name of '' Washington Lodge, No. 17," the first officers of which were Joseph Hough, worshipful master; Thomas Blair, senior warden ; Matthew Hueston, junior warden; Robert Taylor, senior deacon ; Joseph Potter, junior deacon ; William Wallace, tyler; John Taylor, treasurer; and Alexander Sackett, secretary.

At that time not more than nine Freemasons were known to reside in Hamilton or the vicinity; but soon after the establishment of the lodge a number of persons joined, and were initiated into the mysteries of the craft, so that they shortly became respectable as to numbers and standing in society. They continued to hold their meetings at the house of William Murray for several years. The lodge was then removed to the house on the south-west corner of Second and Basin Streets, where a tavern was then kept by Thomas Blair, and afterward by James Wilson.

Afterwards they leased from the Hamilton Literary Society the second story of a building erecting for an academy on lot No. 140, at the intersection of Dayton and Third Streets, then belonging to the literary society, on condition that they would erect and finish the second story, and maintain it in good repair at their own expense. This they fitted up in a neat and tasteful manner, and the lodge was removed to that room, where it was continued until 1831. A school was kept in the lower apartment. The building standing in an isolated place, some evil-disposed persons broke open the room, carried away their jewels, and injured the furniture. This induced them to remove to a more secure place. Accordingly, on the 1st of April, 1831, they leased the fourth story of the Hamilton Hotel for a term of twenty years, at a rent of eighteen dollars per year, which they forthwith fitted up in a neat and appropriate manner for the accommodation of the lodge.

The number in 1848 attending the lodge, as actual members, was forty. In addition to these, there were about fifty more who belonged to the order, but were not in the habit of attending regularly, making in all about ninety Freemasons within the jurisdiction of the lodge.

The excitement as to Masonry and anti-Masonry which prevailed in several parts of the United States from 1827 to 1836, did not agitate (at least to any considerable extent) the neighborhood of Hamilton. The fraternity was not interfered with by the community.

Crane, William Fenn, J. Conover, and Allen Andrews. There are other Masonic institutions here, but we have been unable to get information about them.

The Baptist Church

A society of Baptists was formed in Hamilton and organized in 1829, at which time they numbered twentyseven members. Leonard Garver, of Rossville, made them a donation of lot No. 151, in the south part of the town of Rossville, on which, in 1833, they erected a brick building as a place of public worship, at a cost of about one thousand dollars. In February, 1833, the Legislature passed an act incorporating the Hamilton and Rossville Baptist Church, under the name of 'The Hamilton and Rossville Regular Baptist Church," by which act Samuel Fields, Leonard Garver, Isaac T. Saunders, Isaac Paxton, and William Morris were elected trustees to manage the property of the association.

The first stationed preacher in the congregation was the Rey. Daniel Bryant, who settled in Hamilton in 1829, and continued to officiate for two years and four months. He was succeeded by the Rev. Stephen Gard, of Trenton, who preached to the congregation three years. The Rey. Thomas Childers then officiated four years, and was succeeded by the Rey. Joseph H. Flint, who remained two years, and then the Rey. Wilson Thompson officiated two years, up to May, 1844, at which time the number of members belonging to the society was about thirty-five. Number of members at the time the society was organized, twenty-seven; there had been added by baptism, thirty-four; by letter, forty; total, one hundred and one. There had been dismissed by letter, forty; excluded, eight; deceased, eighteen; total, sixty-six. Number of members in April, 1844, thirty-five. Owing to the smallness of the congregation, it has been impossible to obtain any definite particulars of the later years of this society. In the division between the Old School and New School, in 1836, they adhered to the Old School, and their numbers gradually diminished. For some time past they have had preaching once a month by Mr. Danks, of Cincinnati.

Charles L, Weller

Charles L. Weller was born in the town of Montgomery, Hamilton County, September 4, 1821, from whence his parents moved to Oxford, Butler County, Ohio, about the year 1826. Both parents died there. Charles was appointed a cadet at West Point in 1841, but his health failing under the rigorous discipline of that institution, he resigned after about nine months' service. He was schooled at Miami University, though not to graduation. In 1844, after the decease of his father he took up his residence at Hamilton, where he sara about a year as deputy sheriff under William J. Elliott. Then he went to Washington City as a clerk in the general post-office under Cave Johnson. In 1849 he resigned to take the position of disbursing officer in the boundary commission under his brother John B., who had been appointed to run the boundary line between the United States and Mexico. On the way to the field of survey he was sent back from Panama with dispatches to the government at Washington. He had there a long controversy with the Secretary of the Interior, over an attempt to remove him from the commission, in consequence of which he was detained there some six months, during which time he was employed by the secretary of the United States Senate in compiling a book of claims.

At the session of Congress in 1849 and 1850 he was the Democratic candidate for sergeant-at-arms, and was within one vote of an election. In 1850 he returned to his former home, Hamilton, bought out the newspaper organ of the Democratic party, the Telegraph, which he edited for two years or more, during which time he was sent by his party as representative to the Ohio Legislature. After serving one session he resigned, and in December, 1852, he started with his wife (Miranda Martindell), whom he married in 1846, for California, where he arrived January 6, 1853, and located at San Francisco, where he still resides. He was appointed under merchandise; also pension agent, both of which positions he resigned, upon his being appointed postmaster of San Francisco in August, 1854. This latter office he held until April, 1861, since which time he has been engaged in the real estate and stock-broker's business, and in mining operations, being president of the Ophir, the Mexican, the Crown Point, and the Exchequer mining companies, and also president of the Pacifie Stock Exchange Board, of San Francisco.

German Methodist Church

The German Methodist Episcopal Church was organized as a branch of the Methodist Episcopal Society of Hamilton in 1843. The first members were Conrad Stonebreaker, Mrs. Ruoff, and Mr. Griesel. A few others came to Hamilton with their families, when a Sundayschool was begun, and a church bought in 1860, formerly the property of the Lutheran Society, They paid for it two thousand two hundred dollars. The trustees were Philip Berry, S. W. Mower, Joseph Lashhorn, and Conrad Stonebreaker. They were much persecuted by the members of the other German Churches, who trie to keep their members away.

They have grown considerably in the last three years, now having sixty-two members. A year ago they bought a lot, and intend shortly to begin the erection of an edifice on the east side of the river. The Church is still a mission, and receives support from the general Church fund. The first pastor was the Rey. Martin Hartman, and since that time they have had as preachers Messrs. Kessinger, Voltz, Rinehart, Jacob Gabler (under whom the church was bought), Breuning, Charles Helwig, John Felsing, and John Bier. The Sabbath-school has eighty scholars, and fifteen officers and teachers. Frank Keller is superintendent. There is also a Christian Church, on the west side, of which Elder Gaff is the pastor, of whose history we are not informed.

Thomas Moore

Colonel Thomas Moore, one of the oldest members of the bar in this county, was born in Quebec, Canada, July 28, 1822. He is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Moore, who were of Scotch-Irish descent. He was brought to Pennsylvania in 1828, where, after the sojourn of a year, his father died, in 1829 or 1830. With his mother and two brothers, he came to Ohio the year after, and settled in Oxford, in this county, where he went to school until removing to Preble County, in 1833. When he was fifteen he began working at the tailor's trade, and after completing his time, labored for eight weeks as a journeyman, acquiring enough money in this time to earry him through one term at the Miami University, in the Fall of 1839. He was a student in that institution for some four years, working at his trade during vacations, and whenever the opportunity offered, and also teaching school, using the money thus acquired to gain an education.

Completing his course, he entered the office of L. D. Campbell, in Hamilton, about 1845, and read law with him. From this he went to Jackson & Hawkins, at Eaton, and was admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of Ohio, at Columbus, in the Winter of 1845 and 1846. <A year after he entered into a partnership with Judge William J. Gilmore, which lasted a year, and was dissolved by Judge Gilmore going to Eaton, where he married. Mr. Moore remained in Hamilton, and has been here ever since. He was elected State senator from Butler and Warren Counties in 1860, being the first Republican to fill that position. He was mayor of Rossville in 1850 or 1851, a position he soon after resigned. He was originally a member of the Associate Reformed Church, but for the past eight or ten years has been a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1864 he was elected colonel of the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Ohio National Guard, and commanded it during its seryice of four months in West Virginia. A full account of this regiment is given under the head of the Rebellion. They were mustered out at Hamilton, in September of that year.

The colonel was married in 1845, to Miss Mary C. Caldwell, who was born in Preble County in 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Moore are the parents of seven children, of whom five are living. Wilberforce is a member of the bar, in partnership with his father; E. Everett 'is a member of the legal profession, now a teacher and farmer of Missouri; Walter P. is a farmer of Missouri; Thomas Moore, Jr., is one of the local editors of the Hamilton Daily News; and Mamie is still at home. Colonel Moore has long been an active and laborious worker 'in the

Republican cause, and before that in the Whig. He isa frequent speaker at temperance and Sunday-school meetings, and is interested in every thing that concerns this city or locality.

Joseph Garrison, who was sheriff of this county from 1856 to 1860, comes of an old family. His parents were early settlers. He was born in Madison Township on the 29th of November, 1825, and was married August 8, 1854, to Mary Ann Houser, daughter of John and Rachel Houser. She was born in Fairfield Township, January 8, 1834. They had two children. William J., the eldest child, died at the age of nine months. He was born March 24, 1856, and Mary Ann, October 10, 1858. Mr. Garrison was in the Mexican War, where he served as quartermaster's sergeant. His wife's brother, Samuel Houser, was in the late war for over three years. After ceasing to be sheriff, Mr. Garrison engaged in the manufacture of brick. He died December 9, 1865.

Alexander Delorac

Captain Alexander Delorac was for many years one of the best known men in town. He settled in Franklin in the year 1805, where he was engaged as a trader for many years, making regular trips to New Orleans every Spring with whisky, pork, and flour. Captain Delorac was an officer in the army in 1812, and he was in several brushes with the Indians. In his earlier life he was somewhat celebrated in sporting circles, and was proclaimed fistic champion on general muster days, and at race courses. He was also noted as a pedestrian. In 1882 he ran a race of six hundred yards at a company muster near Palmyra, Warren County, with-a boy about six years old astride his back, against a taller man than himself, and he won the race.

He resided for many years in a comfortable dwelling on Prospect Hill, in West Hamilton, a point where the Indians in olden time laid in wait to shoot and scalp persons who straggled from the fort. Captain Delorac also once resided in Cincinnati, where he was engaged in trade. In his youth he was a clerk for John Sutherland, and then and afterwards acquired a knowledge of boating on the Miami unsurpassed by any other man. At the time of his death, some ten years ago, he was one of the oldest citizens.

African Methodist Episcopal Church

In the early part of 1842 a few colored families felt the need of a Church. They had been worshiping in the white congregation, but on account of prejudice were compelled to sit in pews near the door or in the gallery. A meeting was called at one of the houses, and an organization_ effected with the following families as members: Andrew Sampson and wife, Stephen Hall and wife, Samuel Jones and wife, Robert G. H. Anderson and wife, Julia Samson, Silas Dixon, and Walter C. Young. This little company of believers grew rapidly, and a house of worship became necessary. A small building was erected, and in August, 1842, it was dedicated, and the Rey. Owen T. B. Vickers, of Cincinnati, preached the dedicatory sermon.

Too feeble to support a regular pastor, the conference made it a circuit station, and sent them a preacher every two weeks. The Rev. Henry Atkinson and the Rev. M. M. Clark were its first preachers. The latter gentleman was one of the best educated colored ministers of his day. He was pious and eloquent, and his influence is still felt among this people. There is but one person living who was among the founders in 1842, Mrs. Harriet Sampson.

A new chapel was erected in 1877. It is a capacious edifice, situated in a desirable part of the city, of brick structure, sixty-two by forty. It will seat three hundred persons, and cost about six thousand dollars. At the entrance of the auditorium, against the east wall, there is a marble slab with the following inscription on it:

William Anderson

William Anderson, miller, and vice-president of the Second National Bank of Hamilton, was born in Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia, January 6, 1812. He is the son of Jacob and Jane (Summerville) Anderson, both of whom were natives of that State. William Anderson was sent to the schools of his native county, receiving only a meager education. At the age of twenty-four he came to what was then the far West, and settled in Hamilton. He was first occupied in the saddlery business, but in 1844 engaged in the dry goods and grocery trade with his brother-in-law, George Louthan, which continued till 1847, when he bought out his partner. In 1850, in company with Mr. Snively, he erected and put into operation a tannery, at a cost of $20,000. In connection with the tannery business they also established a boot and shoe factory, employing about thirty hands, which at that time was one of tite largest enterprises of the kind in this section of the country. They also opened a retail store, for the their productions.

large enough for their rapidly increasing business, they erected a new mill soon afterward, at a cost of from eighteen to twenty thousand dollars. After ten years of very successful business, a disastrous fire in the month of April, 1864, swept it all away, involving a loss of thirtyone thousand dollars, on which there was an insurance of eleven thousand. Nothing daunted, Mr. Anderson purchased another mill, then owned by Lewis D. Campbell, having made arrangements for the Campbell Mill the very morning the other was destroyed. In June, 1866, Mr. Tanquary withdrew from the business, and since that time the firm has been known as Anderson & Co.

Mr. Anderson is one of the largest stockholders in the Second National Bank of Hamilton, and occupies the position of vice-president. He became a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the year 1862, and has been a ruling elder in that organization for eight years. He was married, on the 29th of March, 1836, in Millwood, Virginia, to Rachel C., daughter of James Carter, who was proprietor of the Red Bird Paper Mills, of Frederick County, Virginia. Mr. Carter was a prominent and influential man of that county, and belonged to one of the oldest families in Virginia. As a result of his marriage with this lady, Mr. Anderson has had two daughters, only one of whom survives. Alberta J., who became the wife of the Rev. H. M. Richardson, a Baptist clergyman, of Rochester, New York, died in 1864, Virginia C., the daughter now surviving, is the wife of George K. Shaffer, of Hamilton.

John W. Benninghofen, one of the most highly respected citizens of Hamilton, and a prominent woolen manufacturer, was born on the 12th of March, 1812, in Weelfrath, in Prussia. His parents had six children, of whom he was the eldest. Their names were John P. Benninghofen and Wilhelmina Riffeltrath, and the occupation they followed was that of weavers of silk. When he had reached fifteen years of age his school education ceased, and he was apprenticed to the dry-goods trade. He remained in this till he was twenty-nine years of age, or the year 1841, and came to the United States in 1848, landing in New Orleans. No sooner had he arrived there than he took passage for Cincinnati, coming immediately to Hamilton. Here he peddled for three years, and then acted as clerk for John W. Sohn in his leather and brewery business, staying in this occupation for about seven years. At the expiration of this time he entered into partnership with Asa Shuler as a woolen manufacturer, and remained in that occupation, under the firm name of Shuler & Benninghofen, until his death, which occurred on the 19th of April, 1881. He was then aged sixty-nine years, one month and seven days.

Mr. Benninghofen was twice married. The first marriage was to Gertrude Hiss in Germany, in 1832, who bore him two children: Robert, who died in 1872, and William, who died in 1867. His second marriage was to Miss Wilhelmina E. Klein, on the first of October,

1854, at Cincinnati. She was born in Wirtemberg, Germany, December 14, 1832, but came to America when a child with her parents, John U. and Wilhelmina Klein. The father died in Stark County, in November, 1859, aged seventy-three years, and the mother, whose maiden name was Niss, died in March, 1876, aged eighty-two years. Mr. and Mrs. Benninghofen had five children. Christiana was born September 25, 1855; Wilhelmina, March 29, 1858; Peter, September 29, 1860; Pauline, March 11, 1863, and Caroline, April 8, 1866. In the late war Robert, his son by the first marriage, served three years, and Mrs. Benninghofen had a brother Christian in the hundred-days' service.

Mr. Benninghofen was very highly esteemed. He was a Democrat in politics, and voted first for Franklin Pierce. In appearance he was above the medium size, and somewhat inclined to obesity. He had a large head and a very prominent forehead.

John Crane

Major John Crane was born in the State of New Jersey in 1796, and died on the 16th of March, 1864. He came with his family to this county in the first quarter of the century, and first settled in Jacksonburg, where in 1818 a post-office was established, he becoming the first postmaster. In 1825 he was elected a county commissioner, serving in this capacity for three years. . In 1828 he was a member of the Ohio Legislature, having as a fellow-member Fergus Anderson, of this county. From 1841 to 1845 he was coroner. Major Crane removed to Hamilton in 1825, keeping for several years a hotel in the frame building on the corner fronting the public square. During his residence in this town he was engaged for several years in the grocery and liquor business, in company with William B. Van Hook, and was at the same time city inspector. About 1855 he prepared with great labor and expense a useful map of this county, being a loser by it to the amount of five hundred dollars. He was for several years the commandant of a splendid battalion of uniformed light infantry. One of the companies, known as the Miami Guards, was composed of the finest young men in Hamilton. Major Crane had taken the lodge, chapter, and encampment degrees of Masonry. He was a Knight Templar, becoming such in the year 1827, in Lebanon. For a few years before his death he resided in Covington, Kentucky, but his remains were brought here, and he was buried in Greenwood Cemetery.

Ghorge W. Tapscott

George W. Tapscott was born in the State of New Jersey, in 1810, and was at his death fifty-one years old. In 1826 he came to Hamilton with his brother-in-law, Henry 8. Earhart, and in the capacity of a clerk he commenced to serve him in the sale of merchandise. A few years after, when he attained his majority, he became a member of the firm of Earhart & Tapscott. His urbanity, strict attention to business, and exemplary character as a clerk secured for him a high and responsible position. As a member of the firm he continued in business until about the year 1843, when he turned his attention to other pursuits. For more than twenty years he had been prominently, actively, and successfully engaged in the milling business, and in the buying and packing of pork. In the conduct of all his business affairs Mr. Tapscott scrupulously aimed to be correct.

Colonel William Sheely, one of the oldest residents of Butler County, died in September, 1859, at his residence near this city. Colonel Sheely came to this cou

Church in the city of New Orleans, visited Hamilton, and preached a sermon in the court-house to a large and respectable assembly of people, many of whom had never heard a Roman Catholic preach before. He occasionally visited Hamilton several times afterwards, during that and the succeeding year, and delivered discourses in the court-house to large and attentive audiences. His manner and eloquence, which was of the first order, attracted considerable attention, and tended much to dissipate and do away with the prejudices existing against that denomination of Christians.

The Right Reverend Edward Fenwick, bishop of the diocese of Cincinnati, also delivered two or three discourses, and the Rey. Mr. Montgomery preached several times about the same period. A proposal was made by some of the citizens, that if the Catholics would build a church in Hamilton a lot of ground should be furnished them free of expense. The proposal was acceded to by Bishop Fenwick. A subscription was accordingly put in circulation, and lots numbered 151 and 152 in the town of Hamilton were purchased for the sum of four hundred dollars, which were conveyed to Bishop Fenwick in 1830, in trust for the purpose of erecting a Roman Catholic Church thereon.

_ At this time there were no persons belonging to the Roman Catholic Church residing in Hamilton, and not more than a dozen known to live within the limits of Butler County. The subscription to purchase the lots was obtained wholly from persons belonging to other denominations, and those who were not attached to any hundred dollars was afterwards obtained to aid in the erection of the building. The lots are beautifully situ- -ated, on the corner of Dayton and Second Streets, forming, together, a plat of ground two hundred feet square, the most eligible location for a church in the town. In the year 1832, a brick building in the Gothic style was erected, and inclosed on the ground under the superintendence of Mr. A. White, of Cincinnati. The wood-work for finishing the interior of the building, was got out and prepared in Cincinnati, but when nearly ready to be brought out and put up in the Fall of the year 1833, the carpenter shop of Mr. White was consumed by fire with all the work which had been prepared ready for finishing the interior of the church. Consequently the finishing of the building was delayed for some time. Mr. James Murray was afterwards employed to finish the interior of the building, which was completed in the year 1836.

The church was of brick with a stone foundation, built in the Gothic style, sixty feet long by forty feet wide, and twenty-two feet high to the eaves. The entrance was from Dayton Street by a door on the south. The altar was at the north end. The interior was finished in a plain but neat manner, having pews capable of seating at least five hundred persons. Over the altar was a splendid painting, and on the east a figure of our Savior on the cross as large as life. An excellent organ was obtained and placed in the church. On the south end of the building was a very neat steeple coyered with tin and surmounted by a small gilt cross. The whole presented a handsome appearance, the principal defect being that the foundation of the building was not raised high enough from the ground.

A neat brick building, two stories high, with an attic story, was afterwards erected near the south-west corner of the lot, on which a select school was taught. The rest of the building was designed for the accommodation of the officiating priest and others having the immediate charge of the Church.

The number of members belonging to the Roman Catholic Church of Hamilton, in 1844, was about six hundred. In June, 1840, the Rev. Thomas R. Butler arrived at Hamilton and took charge of the Church and congregation, and continued as the officiating priest from that time until about the first of January, 1845, when he removed from Hamilton to St. Louis. During Mr. Butler's residence his urbanity and gentlemanly deportment acquired him the esteem of all those with whom he had intercourse. As a speaker he was eloquent, and as a polemic debater he acquired considerable celebrity.

Up to 1848 the German and English speaking Catholics were united in their services, but there were serious difficulties connected with this mode of worship. Many of the Germans understood no English, and none of the Irish people understood any German. So it was thought advisable to separate, each nationality to have its own church. A plan was laid before the members of' the congregation by which it was stipulated that, as the church property then was appraised at six thousand dollars, one of the two parties was to raise three thousand and pay it to the other portion of the congregation, which would go out and erect a new church. The Germans being successful in obtaining subscriptions to that amount, became, by decision of Archbishop Purcell, the owners of the existing church building and the property thereto attached. The Rey. Nicholas Wachter, of the Franciscans, became their first pastor. The congregation increased in numbers steadily until it was found necessary to replace the old church by a new house of worship. In the year 1852 the corner-stone of the present edifice was laid, the church being completed in 1853, at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars, under the supervision and _pastorate of the Rey. Pirmin Eberhard. The congregation increased and flourished, it having its own school as early as 1849. In the course of time other buildings, such as a new school, vestry-room, and parsonage, were built, each attended with considerable expense. At present, St. Stephen's is one of the most complete churches of the arch-diocese of Cincinnati, a monument to the zeal and liberality of the German Catholics of Hamilton. The congregation numbers at present three hundred and seventy-five families, or very nearly sixteeen hundred souls, Ever since the congregation became entirely German, the Franciscan order has had charge of it. The present pastor is the Rev. Nicholas Holtel.

The school, which is under the supervision of the pastor, is divided into classes for the boys and girls. The male pupils are taught by brothers of the Holy Cross, from Notre Dame, Indiana, while the female pupils are taught by the sisters of Notre Dame. Three hundred and eighty children attend the school, and are taught all the elementary branches. A branch from this Church is known as St. Joseph's, and is situated in the lower part of the town. Its pastor is the Rev. A. Biene. It was organized in 1866. There is a cemetery belonging to St. Stephen's, in which are many handsome monuments.

George Adam Rentschler

George Adam Rentschler was born in Schmee, Wirtemberg, County Calw, Germany, on the 8th of July, 1846, and is the son of Jacob and Catherine Rentschler. His mother died in his infancy, and in 1852 his father, with a family of seven children, came to America, George being the youngest. They first settled in Newark, New Jersey. There he attended school up to the time of his father's death, in 1858. He then commenced to learn the trade of molding and pattern-making, with Oscar Barnett & Co., with whom he remained for seven years, learning the business thoroughly. While serving his time he attended night-school, and supported himself by his earnings.

In 1864 he went to Peru, Indiana, where he was employed at molding for one year. He then removed to Tndianapolis, where he had charge of the Novelty Iron Works until 1870. From 1870 to 1871 he was in Cincinnati with Adams & Brith, in charge of their stove foundry. In 1872 he returned to Indianapolis, acting as superintendent of the Variety Iron Works, where he remained until their removal to Hamilton in March, 1873. Mr. Rentschler accompanied them and remained in the same position until June, 1875, when the firm of Sohn, Rentschler & Balle was formed. By this time Mr. Rentschler had acquired a vast stock of experience, and he thought he could utilize it more thoroughly for himself than by working for another man. Although the capital of the concern was small, the industry and pains of the partners supplied all defects. Their chief line was shelf hardware. July 25, 1876, Mr. Balle withdrew and the new firm was known as Sohn & Rentschler, aud their establishment as the Ohio Iron Works. In the firm of Hoover, Owens, Rentschler & Co., which manufactures portable and stationary engines and threshers Mr. Rentschler owns a large interest.

In conjunction with Joseph B. Hughes, now the county auditor, he founded the Royal Pottery Works, which make a class of goods never before attempted in the United States, and of' rare beauty and utility. He has also an interest in the Phoenix Caster Company, in an ice-house in Fairfield Township, which will hold four thousand tons, and is interested in what is known as the Cincinnati Brewing Company of Hamilton. The greatest portion of his time, however, is taken up in his iron works. Here they manufacture gray iron castings, make machinery to order, and supply a large line of shelf hardware. It was some time before they were able to obviate the difficulties occasioned by a lack of money, but since that trouble disappeared, they have rapidly increased, year by year, until their business now is of large size.

Mr. Rentschler was married in 1864, at Newark, New Jersey, to Miss Kate Graf, by whom he had two sons. She died December 29, 1869. He is a member of the Blue Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of Hamilton, No. 409, and is also a member of Germania Lodge, No. 129, of Odd Fellows, at Indianapolis. It will be seen, therefore, that the enviable position which Mr. Rentschler now occupies is not owing to any advantages given him by his parents or his friends, but is the result of his own hard labor and great capacity for taking trouble. He was only able to invest one thousand dollars in the establishment when it began, but the value of the knowledge he had attained can not be estimated. He is thoroughly informed as to every detail of the business, and has worked at every part of it, so that, if necessity required, he could do the work with his own hands. His judgment is excellent, and he looks after every portion. In manner he is social and genial, and a visitor at once feels at home in his society. Mr. Rentschler is a model of physical strength and manhood, and his standing in business and social circles in the city of Hamilton is of the highest order. Without having any particular early educational advantages, he has qualified himself, by observation and reading, until he has stored his mind with good and useful knowledge; and with his practical experience has no superior in his several lines of business.

William Huber

Dr. William Huber was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of July, 1813. He was educated in the schools in that vicinity, and when fifteen years of age attended an academy at Lebanon. He began reading medicine when sixteen years old, and attended a course of lectures at the University of New York, in Fairfield, in 1831 and 1832, and a second course at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City, in 1833 and 1834. He was graduated from that institution in 1834, and began the practice of his profession at Lebanon, April 1, 1834. He continued there until ill health compelled him to seek a more congenial climate, and he then came to Columbus, Ohio, where he improved so rapidly that he concluded to remain in this State. He went to West Alexandria, Preble County, where he remained one year, then going to Eaton. There, in company with Dr.

A. H. Baker, he stayed two years, then coming to Hamilton. He located here in 1841, and has ever since been in the practice of his profession in this town.

Dr. Huber is one of the oldest members of the Butler County Medical Society, and is a member also of the Union District Medical Society. He is a very prominent physician. Dr. Huber was married in 1846 to Miss Mary D. Budd, who was born in New Jersey. They are the parents of eleven children, of whom six survive. He is a member of the Episcopal Church and of the Masonic order.

Frederick B. Puthoff, mayor of the city of Hamilton, was born at Cincinnati, April 20, 1845. His parents, John Henry and Mary Elizabeth (Borger) Puthoff, were natives of Osnabriick, in Hanover. Mr. and Mrs. Puthoff came to this country about 1834, settling in Cincinnati, where the father soon built up a prosperous business, and where he still lives, at the age of séventy-five. Mrs. Puthoff died in 1879. Frederick B. Puthoff attended the schools of Cincinnati, and at the age of eleven was sent to boarding school at Dayton, where he remained for two years, and exhibited marked proficiency in his studies. He then returned to Cincinnati, where he entered St. Xavier College, being there for two years more. He then was employed as a clerk in different stores, being in this occupation until he had reached his eighteenth year.

He tried to enlist at the beginning of the war, but on account of his age, and from the fact that he had two older brothers already in the*service, they refused to take him. Mr. Puthoff did not take the refusal of the recruiting officers to accept him with resignation. He ran away from home and boarded the boat that took the regiment to Ripley, Ohio, where he found his two older brothers, who informed the officers of the circumstances, and requested them to return him to Cincinnati, which was done. Four months after, he ran away again, joining the commissary department, and acting as one of the clerks. With this department he remained for a year.

He then returned home and began learning the cabinet-maker's trade, at which he continued until of age in 1864. One day shortly after, he left the shop with his working cap and apron on, and walked up to the recruiting office, where he enlisted in the Second Ohio Cavalry, returning to his employer's place in uniform. With other recruits he was sent to Harper's Ferry, after being drilled for some time at Columbus, and was placed in the brigade under command of General Custer. They remained in Virginia until the close of the war, and after the grand review at Washington were sent to: Arkansas.

Upon his return home to Cincinnati he engaged as a salesman in the furniture business with Duncan & Willlams, wholesale dealers, remaining there until 1867. He was married in 1867, and every thing went on well. He was then living in St. Louis, his employers in that place being Comstock & Haywood. After being there some months he was sent by them to Peoria, Illinois, to act as salesman and assistant manager of a branch house. His wife died the year following, on the 14th of May, 1868, one week after giving birth to twins.

Mr. Puthoff remained in Peoria until 1870, when he came to Hamilton, where a brother was engaged in the drug business. Here also was his daughter. With what means he had saved from his salary as salesman he bought a stock of goods and opened a hat store, continuing in that business until May, 1881. <A short time after his coming to the town his fellow-citizens perceived that he had a natural adaptability to the public service. He was always ready for committee work or for labor at the polls, and spoke readily and effectively. He was elected a member of the city council from the First Ward in 1878, and signalized his term of two years in that capacity by vigorous and successful efforts for sewerage, parks, improvements of streets, and other municipal improvements. He refused a re-election, which was _proffered him, but his popularity brought him out as a candidate, against his own wishes, for the State Legislature, but he failed to secure the nomination in convention. ;

In 1881 he was named for the office of mayor, and was triumphantly elected, receiving the largest majority ever given in the city - six hundred. The candidate on the other side was the popular M. N. Maginnis. During his administration of affairs the city has been distinguished by its quiet and the respect paid to law. The death of Garfield happened since he was in office. Every preparation had been made here for celebrating the anniversary of the nation's birth with unusual distinction. Mayor Puthoff issued a manifesto requesting the citizens to desist from the public demonstrations intended. <A citizens' meeting was called by him to express sorrow and detestation of the erime, and at this meeting the mayor spoke weightily and with feeling. The proposed celebration was abandoned. He exerted himself at the time of the proposed execution of the new liquor law by his efforts to secure a hearty and free submission to it, and to allay any animosities that might have sprung from this cause.

Mayor Puthoff is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Knights and Ladies of Honor, and is a member of the Soldiers and Sailors' Association. He was married to his second and present wife, Helen McCafferty, of Macomb, Ilinois, but a native of Nauvoo, in the same State, on the 18th of July, 1870. Three children by this wife are living. The oldest, Fred. L., is nine years of age; the second, Mary E., died at the age of three; Eva H. is two years of age; and the youngest, a little girl a year old. Anna M., the daughter of the first wife, is fourteen years of age, and attends a boarding school in Cincinnati. Mr. Puthoff has well discharged the duties of the offices confided to him, and has shown by his ability his capacity to take other and larger trusts.

during the day, and in the evening studied medicine, for Constantine Markt, M. D., president of the Eclectic oe he had had an inclination from boyhood, with se Medical Society of the State of Ohio, is a native of Carpender. He cared for his family as long as ip Spaichingen, in the kingdom of Wirtemberg, Germany, needed it - his father until his death in 1865, and his where he was born on the 25th of February, 1832. His | sisters until their marriage. bs, father, Karl Markt, was a dealer in clothing, and for In 1856, having attained sufficient means and a comsixteen years was one of the twelve associate judges of petent knowledge of the English ge he began atthe district, to whom was confided the duty of sitting in tending lectures at the Eclectic Medical College, in Cinjudgment at the trial of offenders, two with the supreme cinnati, under charge of Dr. Cleveland, who died in judge constituting a quorum. His mother was named Nashville, Tennessee, during the war, and was graduated Mary. . One of Dr. Markt's brothers had been forced to | in 1858. He at once came to Hamilton, and entered leave Germany on account of political troubles in 1848, | upon practice, being married the same year. Here he and had settled in Thompson, Lake County, Ohio. He | was at once successful. His easy and agreeable manners, wrote repeatedly to his father to come over with his fam- | his imperturbable coolness, his command of all the reily, and settle here also. Constantine was opposed to | sources of the physician's art, at once made him a favorthis, but after the death of his mother, which happened | ite. A year after coming here he was made brigadein 1852, he abandoned opposition to the plan, and, with | surgeon of this district for the militia. During the war . his father, one brother, and three sisters, embarked for | he was influential and active. He attended assiduously | America in 1854. What they should do.in the New | to his calling for many years, but finally, after a long | World he did not know. He had received his early | attack of illness, became convinced that he had given education in the schools of his native town, and at the | too intense a devotion to his profession. He resolved to age of fourteen began attending a seminary, where he | abandon the duties of a visiting physician, and bought prepared himself for the university, and where he grad- | the drug-store formerly owned by J. W. Baldridge, No. uated three years later, having taken the classical course. | 13 Third Street, which had been established years before He was then made a teacher under the government, re- | by John O. Brown. To propose, however, is one thing, maining attentive to his duties until his departure for | and to do is another. Many of his old patients refused America. to leave him, and he found that he had, in addition to Upon their arrival, Mr. Markt found that the brother | his medical practice, a drug-store on his hands. He had who had preceded him was not in a situation to render | also, during his many years of residence here, acquired them much aid, and the young man determined that to | great skill as an operator in difficult cases of surgery, his toil they should owe their subsistence. As yet he | and in this respect his reputation has increased with time. _ could not see his way clearly. The most imperative He was married in 1858 to Miss Josephine C. Car- - requisite for a livelihood is a knowledge of the language | pender, daughter of his old preceptor, Dr. Joseph of the people among whom it is the lot of a stranger to | Brown Carpender (who was a man of much prombe cast, and of English he as yet knew nothing. He | inence in the medical profession as well as in other soon, however, was in a way to remedy this defect, as a ways). He was a native of Milton, Vermont, and the short time after he arrived he made the acquaintance | son of a physician. Mrs. Caroline Jackson Carpender of Postmaster Mead, an old and esteemed citizen of that | was the mother. Dr. Carpender graduated at the Bur- . town, with whom he exchanged lessons in music to his lington Medical College about 1826. He came West little girl for English. It was not long after he reached Thompson that. his new friend perceived that he possessed musical attainments far beyond the common, and that as a performer upon the piano he much surpassed any one in the neighborhood. In truth, Mr. Markt had been thoroughly grounded in the principles of music in Germany, and had been well known in the places in which he had lived as an amateur of promise. He had, however, never intended to become a professional musician, but the quick eye of Mr. Mead soon saw that here was the path that would lead him to a livelihood and competence. He took Mr. Markt to Painesville, sixteen miles distant, where he performed before the musical young ladies of the town, met for that purpose, From that time he had no fears of his future. He then removed to Painesville with the rest of the family, and there established himself. He taught assiduously in 1835, and settled in Wellsville, Erie County, Pennsylvania, but in 1848 went to Painesville, Ohio, where he practiced until his death, in 1861, at the age of fifty-five. He had been mayor of Painesville, and for several years president of the school board. He was a man of great probity of character, and for years exerted a marked influence in the affairs of the town. Mrs. Carpender died in 1865. She was also a native of Milton, Vermont. Dr. and Mrs. Markt have had three children, two of whom are now living. Adelaide C. Markt was born July 25, 1869, and Karl Constantine, August 16, 1873. Mrs. Markt is a Presbyterian in religion, and a lady who enjoys the highest esteem of all who have the pleasure of her acquaintance, and is considered one of the most popular in the social circles of Hamilton, She is secretary of the Butler County Children's Home, and one of the managers. She is one of its founders, and a charter member. She is active in Church and missionary work. Besides what we have mentioned above, Dr. Markt has taken an active interest in every thing that benefits society.

He is a member of the Miami Medical Society, the State Medical Association (of which he is president), the National Medical Society, president of the Physicians' Protective Association of Hamilton, and county examining physician of the Royal Arcanum and the Knights of Honor, and a contributor to various medical periodicals. * He is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Knights of Honor, and the Royal Arcanum. He was the leader of the Mzennerchor in this city for several years, and brought it to a high stage of excellence. Since entering upon medicine he has found but little leisure for this favorite pursuit. He is the secretary of the board of health, and has been so for eighteen years ; has been a member of the school board, and has filled other offices of prominence and responsibility. In person Dr. Markt is tall and commanding, in manners courteous and obliging, and in business thorough and exact. No man is better esteemed in Hamilton, and when a friend has once been made by him he is always kept.

Episcopal Church

In the year 1834 a few persons, numbering about twenty-four, belonging to the Episcopal Church, living in Hamilton and the vicinity, united and formed themselves into a congregation, and on the 13th of August, 1834, an election was held, which resulted in the choice of William A. Krugg and Isaac Howe wardens; James Reily, George Keck, and Frederick P. Narden, vestrymen; and William G, Fields register. At the same meeting James Reily was appointed a committee to solicit the Legislature to grant a charter incorporating the society ; and in March, 1835, the Legislature passed a law, by which William A. Krugg, Isaac Howe, Frederick P. Narden, George and James Reily were incorporated under the name of "The Wardens and Vestrymen of the parish of St. Matthew's Church, in the town of Ham- ~ ilton and Rossville."

The society purchased the north part of lot No. 82, at the intersection of Front and Basin Streets, in the town of Hamilton, and made arrangements for the erection of a house of public worship. Lewis D. Campbell, °

William A. Krugg, George Keck, Frederick P. Narden, and Isaac Howe were appointed a committee to superintend the building. The building of the church was commenced in 1835. George Brown was the carpenter, and Isaac Howe the bricklayer.

The church was situated on the angling corner from the south-west corner of the public square, and was a brick building, sixty feet long on Basin Street, by forty feet wide on Front Street. There was a basement story under the whole building, divided into different apartments for vestry rooms and Sunday-schools.

The entrance to the church was from Front Street, by two doors on the east, entering into a vestibule. The pulpit was on the west end of the church. Two aisles ran the whole length of the church from east to west, and the remainder of the floor was divided into fifty-four pews, capable of seating five hundred persons. »There was also a gallery and seats for the choir on the east, and a cupola on the east end of the church. It was a handsome and neat building. The cost of erecting the church was $2,350, the amount being raised by subscription. 'The members belonging to the society being few in number, they were aided by those of other denominations, and the citizens generally.

The first rector of the Church was the Rev. Seth Davis, who settled in Hamilton and commenced his duties in 1837. The church was consecrated to the seryice of Almighty God by the Right Reverend Charles P. McIlvaine, bishop of the diocese of Ohio, on the 5th of October, 1837.

The Rev. Mr. Davis remained rector of the Church until some time in the year 1839, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Paine, who remained until May, 1843, when he relinquished his charge and removed from Hamilton. The number of members belonging to the Church at that time was about twenty-four.

The Church, however, was heavily in debt, and finally the building was sold to the Catholics, who tore it down and erected a new church in its stead, some of the walls of the old building, however, being still preserved. The number of members was at all times small, and periods of several months often passed without preaching. Latterly they bought the Baptist Church on Third Street, near Dayton; but that, too, was encumbered with a mortgage and was sold. The edifice has now been altered for commercial uses. No meetings have lately been held.

Dr. 8S. H. Potter

Dr. Stephen H. Potter is one of the senior physicians and surgeons of Hamilton and vicinity. He was born in Cortland County, New York, November 12, 1812. His parents were Stephen and Lydia Potter, who were noted among the early pioneers of Central New York for their enterprise, industry, and integrity. Until his seventeenth year he was occupied on his father's farm, attending the common schools about one-third of the year, his parents then giving him his time, which he employed in improving his education, working in Summers and teaching school during the Winters.