Hanover Township

Hanover Township

At the meeting of the board of commissioners December 2, 1811, William Robison, John Wingate and James Blackburn being present, on petition of the inhabitants of Reily and St. Clair tovynships, it was "ordered, that so much of the said townships as lies within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the southeast corner of the surveyed township No. 4 in the second range east of the meridian line drawn from the mouth of the Great Miami river; thence north to the northeast comer of the same township; thence west to the northwest corner thereof: thence south to the southwest corner thereof ; thence east to the place of beginning, - shall compose a township which shall be known and designated by the name of Hanover township." Election to be held at the house of Aaron Sacket on the 2 1 st day of December, 1811, for the election of officers.

the division of Liberty township, ordered that the prayer of said petition be granted, and that the new township be called by the name of Union township, and that an election l>e held," etc. No boundaries given.

This seems to be the only record of the matter preserved in the books of the county commissioners. Union was the last township erected, except Hamilton. That was so made after its erection as a city and union with Ross vi lie.

with appropriate ceremonies, the seniors say farewell to theirs, and a play is usually given in the open air. College Day is celebrated with appropriate addresses and music with out-of-door sports, and a picnic in the beech woods. On Senior Day the seniors appear for the first time in their caps and gowns, and this epoch in their college life is marked by special chapel exercises, a reception by the faculty and festivities in the dining room or some other observance which shall make it a memorable day for them.

Various clubs form centers for social life and for special study of literary, musical and art topics. There is a choral organization open to all students; also a glee club.

Although unsectarian, the college is distinctly Christian in its character and strives to provide for the spiritual as well as the mental, physical and social needs of the students. Systematic Bible study is one of the required courses.

The Young Woman's Christian Association is one of the active organizations of the college, and a missionary society has been maintained since the first year of the institution's history. A large number of graduates have gone into both home and foreign missionary work and are doing efficient service.

Thus the aim of The Western is to give through its course of study the broadest and highest intellectual training and to develop through the life of the students the finest type of womanly character.

Centennial History Of

The climate, soil and surface are similar to that of the adjoining townships. There are no villages within the borders of Hanover. The first settlements were generally made in locations favorable t6 agricultural pursuits.

The principal water-courses are, Indian creek, which passes diagonally through the southwest corner, and Four Mile, which cuts the northeast corner in a very similar manner. Both of these streams are of considerable size and have numerous tributaries. The most important branches of Indian creek are Salmon's run and Ziegler's run, named after early settlers. Four Mile has for its inlets Stony run and Beckett's run. In the early days wild game abounded in this region and as late as 1820 deer and wild turkeys were very common and the county was fairly alive with squirrels, ground-hogs, opossums, raccoons, foxes, wolves and deer.

Millville, in the edge of Ross township, where Williams' mill was located, was the principal trading point of a large community of settlers in the southern and western part of Hanover township. The first roads, therefore, naturally led in the direction of this point. From Hamilton to Millville the first road part of the way followed the dividing line of Hanover and Ross townships. From Millville to Reily it followed the windings of Indian creek. This highway was one of the roads which tapped the border counties of Indiana. Another road, but of less importance, led from Darrtown to Hamilton. In the early days an important highway was the State road that followed the dividing ridge between the Indian creek and Four Mile valleys, passing through Stillwell's and leading from Oxford to Hamilton.

Distilling was extensively engaged in from 1810 to 1830. David Doner, on Kumler's run, had a still house at an early day. In 1808 William Salmon established a distillery on a creek bearing his name. Others who conducted distilleries were Alexander Moore, Philip McGonigle, Richard Martindale, Robert Beckett, Michael Yeakle, John Morse, James Willis, J. Heitzman, Philip Shafer, Michael Hawk and Andrew Lewis, Sr. Many of the distilleries had grist mills connected with them. One of the earliest mills was that of Matthew Hueston, which stood on Four Mile in the southwest corner of section 1. The mill was built in 1809 by Joel Williams, who was a millwright by trade and who built at least a half-dozen mills in the Miami valley near Hamilton. Andrew Lewis, Jr., built an undershot saw mill on Indian creek, section 30, in 1827. Ezekiel and Michael Ross built a tub-wheel grist mill and saw mill on Indian creek about twenty rods below the Bethel church in 1815. Later this mill passed into the possession of Jacob Zinn, and from him to Robert Moore and P. H. Shafer, in 1847. In about a year Robert Moore became sole proprietor and conducted the mill until 1861.

The population of Hanover consists preeminently of farmers, and they were not long in establishing schools and churches. The first school in the neighborhood of Bethel was a log house, which stood between the church and the mouth of Salmon's run. Andrew Lewis taught here about 1809. Later Alexander Martin was teacher. Later a second house was built near the junction of the Reily and Oxford pikes. Griffith and Evan Morris, of Paddy's Run, were early teachers. The first school house in the central part of Hanover stood near the present voting precinct on the State road. It was a hewed-log structure, built about 1825. Andrew Lester, Joseph Douty and Jasper Branden were among those who taught here. A school house stood on the bank of Two Mile creek in 1820. It was built of logs and had no floor. John Ducat was the teacher. Some of the scholars were Robert Moore, who is still living, the Wickards, Doners, Wansons and Heitzmans.

Bethel chapel, or as it was called from 1815 to 1818, Indian Creek church, for many years was one of the most important religious institutions in Butler county. The church was organized June 25, 1815, with about thirty communicants. Shortly afterward a brick church for the use of the congregation was built on the Reily road about two and one-half miles above Millville. For years it was the only Presbyterian church in western Butler county, and it drew its congregations from not only the surrounding neighborhood, but from the distant villages of Paddy's Run, Venice, Reilv, Bunk- 221: erhill, St. Charles, Oxford, Darrtown and from the direction of Hamilton. Its pastors in its most prosperous days were Rev. John Boyd, Rev. David Monfort, Rev. A. B. Gilliland and Rev. John S. Weaver. The natural desire of many of the members to have a church nearer home in due time led to the establishment of churches at Venice and Reily. These churches reduced the attendance and membership somewhat, but still the old church was full of life. Not until 1873 was Bethel abandoned, when the Millville Presbyterian church was erected. The old church had grown out of date, with its old-fashioned furniture. It was allowed to fall into decay and a few years ago was tom away. The Bethel burying ground near by, and in which about three hundred persons have been buried, many of whom were pioneer settlers of the township and who were among the most prominent and influential citizens of their time, has been neglected and is overgrown with briers and bushes. The Millville church, which has taken the name of the old church - Bethel, is a handsome brick structure capable of accommodating a congregation of about five hundred. The society is in a flourishing condition.

The Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal church, located in the extreme southwest comer of section 7, is another of the famous old churches that have been abandoned. This church was probably organized about eightyfive years ago. In 1822 a log church was built, and in 1833 a brick structure was erected. Thomas A. Morris, presiding elder, afterwards bishop, preached the dedication sermon. Here, in the old burying ground, lies the remains of many of the old citizens of Hanover township. Since the abandon-

Centennial

McGonigle's is a station on the Cincinnati. Dayton & Indianapolis branch of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad. The village numbers about seventy-five inhabitants and has a store, postoffice, blacksmith shop, saw7 mill, telegraph office and a church. The name originates from Philip McGonigle, an early settler who contracted for and built one mile of the railroad at this point. Among the early settlers hereabouts were the Rolls, Shanks, Hilemans, Mc- Gonigles, Lintners, Yeakles, Nelsons and Larneys.

History Of

at this point. Later blacksmiths have been Michael Shank afid Joseph Hileman. Dr. Silas Roll was a famous physician here more than half a century ago. Dr. J. H. Roll, now of Hamilton, formerly practiced medicine here.

The Union church was erected in 1854 by the Old and New School Presbyterians and the Associate Reformed churches. For several years this congregation flourished, but was finally broken up by dissension. In 1878 the Methodists abandoned their church at Ebenezer and took charge of Union with such reservations as the Presbyterians thought proper to make. This charge, together with Walker chapel in Reily township, now constitute a circuit, and the church has prospered. Services are held every Sunday morning.

Union township was organized June 2, 1823. Originally it was a part of Liberty township, but on petition of a number of inhabitants of Liberty that township was divided in 1823 and the portion set off on the south was called Union. The boundaries of the township are as follow's : On the north by Liberty township; east, by Warren county; south, by Hamilton county, and west, by Fairfield township. In the early days this section of Butler county was called "the woods," because of the dense forest with which the country was covered.

Union township was settled principally by Marylanders, Pennsylvanians and Virginians. The earliest settlers in the township were Capt. Joseph Cox, on section 22 ; Joseph McMaken, on section 4; George

Port Union

Port Union was laid off in 1827 by William Elliott. It was first called Mc- Maken's Bridge in honor of William Mc- Maken, who started the first grocery and built the first frame building in the village. The town had its origin during the construction of the canal. The town has not increased much in population during the last quarter of a century. It now has a grocery and dry goods store, two or three , shops, a saloon and a church. The I. O. O. F. hall was built in 1878 and in it the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias meet. At this point is a station of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

The Methodist church of Port Union was organized December 17, 1853. At that time it belonged to the Cumminsville district. Samuel D. Spellman was the founder of the society. Bishop J. M. Walden was first licensed to preach at Port Union June 3, 1854. A church was erected in 1856. Among the early members of the church were the following: Samuel Goslin, Nathan Whittlesy. Brumfield Boon, William Marsh, Thomas Jeffras, William Moore, Samuel D. Spellman, Manning F. West, Samuel Winnings and Samuel Hard. The society now numbers about one hundred members and is in the circuit with the church near Jones Station.

This village, locally known as Pug Muncy, was laid off in 1842 by Daniel Pocock and was named by John Sullivan after President John Tyler. The first building was erected by Michael Dalton, who also erected the first cooper shop. Cooperage was the principal industry here in the early days, due to the dense forest surrounding the place. Andrew Hough conducted the first store in Tylersville. He was succeeded by John Sullivan. Mr. Abram Sharpe afterward conducted a store here for about twenty years. During the same time George Shepherd carried on an opposition store.

About 1830 a log school house was built and Elisha Dalton was the first teacher. Others who taught here in the early days were William Caldwell, Ames Sedam and James S. Wiles. In 1840 a little brick school house was erected, which stood until 1866, when the present house was built.