Loramie Township (part 2 of 2)

Pennsylvania, moved to this township in 1848. Late in the thirties the western part of the township began to be settled by people of the French race, among the most prominent of them being James Unum, who came here in 1835; J. J. Debrosse and Joseph Gaible who came in 1837; John B. Malliott and Amos Peppiot in 1838; Tebone Didier in 1840; Henry Delaet in 1844; Simon Richards in 1845; Louis Peltier in 1848; and Nicholas Didier in 1852.

The following, taken from the records of the township, is given, primarily, to show the names of people who played a part in the affairs of the time, and secondarily the difference in volume of business transacted through the township officers in that day and this :

Orders issued and granted in 1824 - No. 23. To Jacob R. Harp for one dollar for services as supervisor, dated March 7, 1825; $1.00. No. 24. To William Johnston for one dollar for services as supervisor, dated March 7, 1825; $1.00. No. 25. To Jonas Richardson for one dollar and seventy-five cents, dated March 7, 1825; $1.75. No. 26. To Samuel McClure for one dollar and fifty cents for services as trustee, dated March g, 1825; $1.50. No. 27. To Robert McClure for one dollar and fifty cents for services as trustee, dated March 7, 1825 ; $1.50. No. 28. To John Booker for one dollar and fifty cents for services as trustee, dated March 7, 1825; $1.50. No. 29. To Snow Richardson for two dollars for services as township clerk, dated March 7, 1825; $2.00. Total amount of orders granted and issued, $10.25.

Road Districts in 1825. - The trustees convened according to law, and laid out the township in the following road districts, to wit: No. I. Commencing at the northwest corner of section 3 ; thence to the mouth of Nine Mile creek; said creek being the line into William Wright's improvement (and including said William Wright in said District No. 1) ; thence to incliide all north of District No. 1. Robert Johnston, township clerk. In 1826 the township was divided into three road districts

School Districts in 1826. - No. 1. Beginning at the n6rtheast corner of section 22, town. 9, range 5 ; thence west in said line to the northeast corner of section 20; thence south to the northeast corner of section 29; thence west in said line to the Darke county line; thence south to Miami county line; thence east on said line to the southeast corner of section 2~j ; thence north to place of beginning. No. 2. Beginning at the northwest corner of section 6; thence south to the northeast corner of section 19; thence east to Grayson (Washington) township line; thence north in said line to Cynthian township line; thence west on said line to place of beginning. No. 3. Including all the township not included in Districts Nos. 1 and 2.

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In March, 1828, the township was divided into two school districts, with twelve householders in the first, and thirty-three in the second. In July three districts were formed, and in November these were reformed, so that the first embraced seventeen householders, the second twenty-two, and the third fourteen.

On Decern ber 2j, 1828, sections 27, 28, 21, and 22 of Loramie township were attached to school district No. 2, of Grayson (Washington) township, in answer to petition.

Election. - I do hereby certify that Daniel C. Flinn was elected captain1 of the 2d Company, 2d Regiment, 2d Battalion, 12th Division, Ohio Militia, on the 8th day of August, 1829, by a majority of twenty-one votes.

At an election held for state and county officers October 11, 1831, fiftyfive votes were cast. In March, 1833, the township was divided into four road districts.

In 1834 the township was divided into four school districts. In 1838 six road districts were formed. At an election held in 1843 ninety-eight votes were cast; in 1847, sixty-five votes.

In addition to general farming, there was in former years considerable activity in the various industries, especially milling. In 1876 Crone Brothers established a large saw mill in the township, with a capacity of 8,000 feet per day. and about the year 1879 John Wright bought the interest of one of the brothers, A. J. Crone. It was then conducted under the name of Crone & Wright with much success, but is now out of existence. As early as 1862. John Wright and E. W. Pampel built an icehouse on the Wright farm near Houston, its dimensions being 106x42 feet. In 1866 a second icehouse was built. 103 x 52 feet in dimensions, and in 1871 a third was built, 106 x 106 feet, giving a total storage capacity of 9,500 tons of ice. It was first operated under the name of Wright & Pampel, the numbers being John Wright and E. W. Pampel, and later Henry Crone bought the interest of Mr. Pampel, and thereafter the business was conducted for a number of years under the name of the Summit Ice Company. It is now owned by Dr. S. G. Marti.

Within the confines of the township there have been a number of villages, more or less flourishing at times, namely: Houston, Mt. Jefferson, North Houston, Russia, Dawson and Massena.

And Representative Citizens 365

Houston was surveyed May 4, 1838, by Jonathan Counts, for Harvey Houston, and was made to include a part of the northwest quarter of section 9, being situated on the state road between Piqua and St. Marys. The plat was recorded May 25, 1838. The founder of the village, Harvey Houston, resided on the east side of the road, just north of the village, in a log house, which he for some years used for hotel purposes. Mrs. Houston was the first postmistress of the township, receiving appointment in 1834. On November 1, 1855, the town of North Houston was laid out for Asa D. Young and also lies in the northwest quarter of section nine. It is situated on the Big Four Railroad and is known as Houston station, the old name having been dropped. In Houston, the first store was conducted by Nicholas Gresham, who started the business about 1832. Other merchants to follow him, were: Singer and Brown, Joseph Taylor, B. Mallot and C. Delaet. Mr. Taylor was also a grain dealer and was identified with the pork packing industry. The village received one very serious setback in its history, when it was almost wholly depopulated because of the cholera panic. Its population according to the 1910 census was 227 people. The business of North Houston in the early period was represented by Akin & Flinn, who conducted a warehouse; William Flinn & Co., who conducted a grocery and also a tile factory; and J. F. Black, who was proprietor of a general grocery and mercantile store. W. Flinn & Co. also conducted a sawmill at North Houston, which is now owned by N. C. Barr of Houston.

Mt. Jefferson, lying on the main road from Piqua to St. Marys, was laid out January 12, 1838, by Jonathan Counts for Samuel Farnum. The village never assumed any larger proportions than that of a small country center, although they had within their midst three churches, a Presbyterian, Christian and Episcopal. The first store there was conducted by Charles Rutherford.

Massena was laid out for a town March 15, 1833, by David and Cynthian' Houston, and consisted of twelve town lots, but never made any headway, and the lots were soon again more profitably employed for farming purposes.

Russia, a station on the Big Four Railroad, according to the last census, has a population of 251 inhabitants. Its name was derived from the fact that as originally laid out it resembled a locality in Russia in which some of the first citizens had formerly lived. The first house erected within its limits was that of Lewis Phillip in 1853. He it was who purchased the original townsite from a man named Febaux, and conducted the sale of lots. The plat of the village was made subsequently. The second house was built by Clement Lachat in 1854, and the third by Ferial DeBrosse in 1856 or 1857. Among those who have conducted business enterprises within the village limits may be mentioned: Lewis Phillip, who established a grocery in 1853; Jasper Cordenner who conducted a dry goods store about 1861 ; Joseph Delaet, George Marshall; A. F. Ashman; Francis Didier; Joseph Miller; Frank Subler; and C. Besonnet. The business enterprises, in addition to the stores, included blacksmith shops, grain elevators and saw mills. The saw mill industry was at one time an extensive one, and the mill established by John A. Marshall, Michael Meham and John B. Marshall, in 1867, was operated for years .with unvarying success. Frank Simon succeeded to Mr. Meham's interest in 1868, and the business was conducted under the name and style of Marshall & Simon, until about 1888, when it passed into the hands of C. F. Francis, who is still the proprietor. When a postoffice was established here, Lewis Piney was made the first postmaster. The Roman Catholic congregation erected a church edifice within the village.

Schools. - It was not long after the settlement had become general that the settlers realized the necessity for educating their children. It was a serious problem they had to solve, one we can little understand in this day and age. A beginning was made by holding school in various homes, among them we might mention the homes of Robert Houston and William Skillen. William Wright and C. Wyatt were early teachers here. The teachers in that day and for many years afterward, boarded around with the different families who had children in school. When the growth of population had been sufficient to warrant it, plans were made for the erection of a school building. These plans were carried out in 1827 or 1828, with the erection of a building in section 18, a rude log structure. As time passed, the progressive element of the people saw that new and adequate buildings were erected in different parts of the township, which was divided into different school districts. Further data in regard to the schools of Loramie township may be found in the chapter on Education.

Churches. - In the main, it was a God fearing class of citizens who took up their residence in Loramie township, people used to the refining influences of church work, and it was not long before little gatherings for worship were being held in various homes. Gradually they became segregated into little groups of this denomination and the other, generally according .to the faith to which they were reared, until church organizations were perfected and still later churches built.

A Methodist Episcopal church was founded in 1825 and as a branch of the Piqua Methodist Episcopal church, by Rev. Levi White and John Woodney, in the home of Thomas Wyatt. Abner Wyatt was the first class leader. Until 1832, meetings were held in the homes of Thomas Wyatt, Henry Harp and Richard Stone, and in that year a hewed log house was erected in section 17, and was dedicated in December, 1836, by Rev. James Findley. In 1854 a frame church was built at Mt. Jefferson, in which services were held for a number of years.

The Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian church was organized December 31, 1848, by Rev. J. A. Meeks, of Piqua, Rev. W. B. Spencer of Sidney, and Elder William Linn of Piqua. John G. Hunter was ordained the first ruling elder on that date. The original members of the society were: John G. and Charlotte Hunter, James and Jane Harper, Brazillai and Abigail Gray, Eliza A. Young, Margaret Blackwood, Catherine Young, Ann Diltz, Mary Diltz, Elizabeth Diltz, J. W. Hunter and Maria Hunter. A brick church was built at Mt. Jefferson, and was dedicated January 2, 1850, by Rev. Thomas Elcock, who served about two years as pastor. The church has maintained its organization

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The Mt. Jefferson Christian. church was organized in 1849 by Elders Caleb Wooley and James Fahnestock, and had originally eight members, as follows : Frederick Everly, Jesse Ellis, Jephtha M. Wyatt and wife, Jesse D. Elliott and wife, and John Hughes and wife. In 1852 a frame church building was erected at Mt. Jefferson. This organization is still flourishing.

The Beech Grove United Brethren church was organized in the Apple fJioolhouse about the year 1866, by Rev. William Mittendorf, who, was its first minister. Reuben Schuler was the first class leader. A church building was erected on land formerly owned by J. S. Apple, and was dedicated on September 5, 1869. The first members of the congregation were Reuben Schuler and wife, Jacob Hengle and wife, and Anthony August and wife. The church flourished for a number of years but is not now in existence.

The St. James German Reformed church was built in section 7, and was dedicated September 14, 1881, by Revs. Shaw and Weaver. The congregation had been organized by Rev. Jacob Weaver as early as 1867, but no building had been erected in which to worship. The first members were : Christian Harmony and wife; George Singer, his wife and.three children; George Arent and wife; George Sherer and wife; and J. Lindsey and wife. This church also has gone out of existence.

St. Remy Congregation, Russia. - In the early part of the present century a colony of immigrants from France, Alsace, and Loraine settled in the western part of Shelby and eastern part of Darke counties, forming what is now known as Frenchtown, Versailles and Russia. These early settlers, true to the ancient faith, resolved to build a house of worship, to honor God after the custom of their fathers. This first church, known as St. Walbert's church, was situated one and a half miles northeast of the then Jacksonville, nqw Versailles. The ancient site is now used as the cemetery of St. Denis church, Versailles. It was the parish church of the three settlements. Soon, however, it became necessary to provide for better accommodations. The Catholics of Russia resolved to form a parish and build a church, under the direction of the Rev. L. Navaron, who continued to administer to their spiritual needs as their first pastor. The new church of logs was dedicated to St. Remy, the apostle of France, and in it for the first time on the 15th of June, 1854, was celebrated with great ceremonies the first holy communion of children and confirmation administered by the Most Rev. Archbishop Durcell, on the 26th of the same month. The congregation continued to increase and soon the erection of a new and more spacious edifice became necessary. In 1869 a large and imposing brick church was built under the direction of the Rev. C. Berard, and again after some years it became necessary to erect a new and still more spacious edifice because growing number of Catholics. The present beautiful church was begun in 1891 under the direction of the Rev. Nicholas Poiry, and was completed in 1892, and is one of the most imposing and beautiful structures of the archdiocese. It is built in purely Roman style and is the pride of the congregation. The present pastor is Rev. F. Kruskamp.

St. Michael's Catholic Church, Ft. Loramie, O. - Berlin was constituted a parish in 1838, at which time about 40 families were registered. Some German families had already been here for several years, and when the canal was constructed the population materially increased, many families coming here from Cincinnati and other cities. About that time a log church was erected and occasionally a priest came from Minster, read mass, baptized children, solemnized marriages and interred the dead. The priests of the society of "The Precious Blood" labored at Minster, to which place the Berlin catholics frequently went to attend services. In 1840 the parish of Berlin embraced over 100 families. They continued to worship in the log church until 1849, at which time a brick church, 60 by 30 feet, ground dimensions, was constructed, and hung with a 700-pound bell. But the season of 1849-50 proved trying to the new community, for an epidemic of cholera broke out, which within two months, swept away 28 persons, some 200 dying from the same fell disease at Minster.

The plague, however, ran its course and the people resumed neglected undertakings. The new church was dedicated and the services of Rev. Augustus Berger, of the Grand Duchy, were secured by the congregation. Under his care the new priest's house was built. He was succeeded in 1857 by Rev. Henry Muckerheide, of Oldenberg, who labored here until 1863, with great zeal and ability. He was succeeded by Rev. M. Anton Meyer, of Canton Basel, of Switzerland, who had an addition of 20 feet made to the church, and a few years later carried the construction of a schoolhouse to completion. In 1873, on account of failing health, he resigned from active labor in this field.

In that year, 1873, the institution of the "Fathers of the Holy Spirit" was abrogated in Germany, and Archbishop Purcell, wrote to "the Rev. Generalchief of the society to procure some priests for this country. Accordingly, in January, 1874, four priests and twelve lay brothers of the society left Paris for the United States, among whom was Rev. William Bigot, who became pastor of Berlin parish, this county. He had seen arduous service during the Franco-Prussian war in ministering to the wounded soldiers, and in performing other important offices, for which services the French government had conferred upon him the Cross of Chivalry, the Legion of Honor and the Cross of Merit. He reached Berlin, Shelby county, O., January 20, 1874, and here he found plenty of work awaiting him. Old debts amounting to $700 had to l)e paid, the priest's house to be repaired, and the holy vessels to be renewed. All this was readily done, but the parish needed a new church, an enterprise which the congregation did not yet feel ready to undertake. Father Bigot himself gave a year's salary for the purchase of a 3,800 pound bell; but a new tower was needed for the bell, and a new church for the tower. By 1879 conditions had become more favorable and it was resolved to build. It was decided that, over and above the manual labor the members could perform, the building should not cost over $30,000. There already existed a fund of $4,000 for the purpose and a nine days' collection throughout the parish brought in $if>,ooo more. The collection for the year 1881 brought

And Representative Citizens 369

$8,000, which, added to a pew-rent surplus fund of $2,000, raised the aggregate to $30,000 before the completion of the church. Aside from this individual gifts were received, such as a stained glass window or a figure. One family contributed $800 for St. Mary's altar, while many others gave in a quiet manner, something over the regular subscription. By the 12th of October, 1879, the foundation was completed and on that date the Most Reverend Archbishop laid the cornerstone with imposing ceremonies.

The consecration ceremonies took place on Sunday, October 2, 1881, the Most Rev. William H. Elder presiding. The inhabitants had previously decorated their houses, and on Saturday afternoon the highly venerable consecrator was met at the boundary of the parish by forty young men mounted on horses and was by them received and escorted to Berlin, to the accompaniment of pealing bells and a salute fired by cannon. The procession passed under triumphal arches. Soon after the arrival of the Rt. Rev. Bishop the relics destined for the high altar in the new church were transferred and carried over in solemn procession, in which all Berlin participated, to the old church, and there set to view during the night for reverence by the faithful. At 4.00 A. M. on Sunday morning the holy masses began, and at 6.00 A. M. the solemn and imposing ceremonies of the consecration began and were continued until after ten o'clock, four priests being present. After the consecration the Most Rev. Archbishop celebrated a pontifical high mass, assisted by the clergy, deacons and other officials present. The Rev. N. Nickols then ascended the pulpit and preached the festal sermon in the German language, after which the Most Rev. Archbishop made an address to the congregation. In the afternoon solemn vespers were held, after which the General-vicar P. Otto Jair, O. S. F., preached. During the pontifical high mass the Maennerchor of Piqua, sang, and during vespers, the church choir of the congregation. At the close of vespers the festivities closed with the singing of the Te Deum.

St. Michael's church is a really magnificent structure. It is built in the Italian-Gothic style. Four slender pillars alternately divide the interior into three naves. The decorations are rich and the glass painting of the windows magnificent. The side windows contain respectively paintings of St. Augustine and St. Boniface. Of the fourteen other windows five are in fresco painting, while upon the remaining are represented St. John the Baptist, the most blessed Virgin Mary, St. Anna, St. Elizabeth, St. Catharina, St. Henricus, St. Anthony, St. Lawrence and the child Jesus. The three altars are masterpieces, namely: the high altar, whose table is supported by six small pillars. The fields between the pillars are filled up with emblems, of which the middle one contains the book with seven seals with the lamb. The tabernacle has richly ornamented folding doors; above these is a niche for the ostentation of the Most Holy Sacrament, beside which two worshipping angels are standing under canopies. The altar picture is the crucifixion-group in a niche under a canopy which -terminates in turrets with buttresses and finials richly provided with carved ornaments. The side fields contain the statues of both apostlechiefs, likewise under canopies, with richly articulated tower and pyramid. Beside the altar there are placed on both sides pedestals for worshipping angels. Both of the side altars (St. Mary's and St. Joseph's altars) are wrought correspondingly with the high altar, and contain in the chief respectively St. Mary's and St. Joseph's statue. The St. Mary's altar contains in the side niches the statues of St. Rosa and St. Theresa. The altar table, decorated in the Gothic style, contains the statue St. Mary. The St. Joseph's altar contains in the side niches the statues St. Francis Xavier and St. Alois; the altar table the signature "St. Joseph." Pulpit and communion table are held in like style and are splendid works. Likewise is the organ, in its outward appearance corresponding with the building style of the church held in rich Gothic. The building is 150 by 65 feet and represents a cost of over $40,000. It is numbered among the most beautiful churches in all America. The present pastor of St. Michael's is Rev. Anthony Moeller.

Organization

McLean township, which lies on the west side of the county, where its boundary is Auglaize county, has Cynthian township as its nearest neighbor on the" south, Van Buren and Turtle Creek townships on the east and Van Buren township and Auglaize county on the north. In answer to petition made to the county commissioners, the order for its organization was issued March 1, 1834, the legal description being as follows: "Beginning at the county line between Darke and Shelby counties, where the old Indian boundary line made at the Greenville Treaty Conference, in 1795 - intersects said county line, and running thence with said Indian boundary line in an easterly direction to the southeast corner of section 8, in town 8 south, range 5 east; thence north with the section line to the county line between Shelby and Allen (Auglaize) counties; thence west with the said line to northwest corner of Shelby county; thence south and west with the west boundary line of Shelby county to the place of beginning; and the board orders that said township be known and designated by the name of McLean."

Surface And Drainage

The surface of McLean township is generally level, the soil is easily worked and agriculture flourishes here. The Loramie reservoir, covering an area of about 6,000 acres, is located mainly in McLean township, about 1,000 acres being in Van Buren. This reservoir is formed by the damming of Loramie creek and constitutes a feeder for the Miami and Erie canal, which traverses the township from north to south. Loramie creek, flowing from Dinsmore township, waters a large section and Mill creek and Second run have afforded ample outlet for drainage.

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thrifty habits and plodding industry, and found their reward in the possession of land tnat responded to their cultivation and an independence that they could never have secured in Germany. Not all who have built up McLean township, however, came from that country, for there are many names that proclaim other native lands, but at the present day they are all so thoroughly American that no difference is noted. Perhaps politics have interested the residents here to a larger extent than in some other sections and a few early election statistics may be of interest.

In the state election of 1850, ninety-three votes were cast, seventy-nine of these being for the democratic candidate for governor, Reuben Wood. At the election in 185 1 which was for the adoption or rejection of the new constitution and for or against the sale of intoxicating liquors, the vote for license stood 118, five votes being cast against. In the presidential election of 1852, 122 votes were cast for the democratic electors and twenty-eight for the whig electors. In 1864 the democratic electors received 219 votes and the republican electors 20 votes.

No section of the county has been more interested in the spread of education than has McLean and as early as 1850 the trustees of the township divided it into six school districts, the board consisting of Henry Whermann. Joseph Sherman and Philip Hoffman, Henry Sherman being township clerk in 1850 when this division was made. The officers serving as members of the boards of education in the different special school districts in McLean township in 181 1- 12 are:

Berlin Special School District for 191 1 : John Borger, president; Ferdinand C. Arkenberg, treasurer; J. B. Ratermann, clerk and Adolph Ratermann and John Seger. In 191 2 the same president and treasurer served, Bernard" Aselage becoming clerk and Henry Wendler and John Seger being the other members.

Sherman Special School District: John Seigel, president; Clemens" Wolke, treasurer; Adolph Sherman, clerk, and Henry Ernst, W. J. Meyer and Barney Ernst, no change being made in 19 12 except that Bernard Barhorst became a member.

Walkup Special School District: Charles Winner, president; Henry Sturwold, treasurer; Henry Borchers, clerk; and Anton Hilgefbrt and Joseph Poeppelman, for 191 1, the same president and treasurer serving in 1912, with John Holthaus, clerk and Anton Hilgefort and Fred Broermann, members.

Deiter Special School District for 1911-12: Anton Riethmann, president; Henry Schnitmeyer, treasurer; Stephen Schmitmeter, clerk; and Herman Berning, Clem. Prenger, Anthony Wolfe and Bernard Knob.

Dirksen Special School District for 191 1 had Bernard Seger for president; August Schmiesing for treasurer; Henry Fortman for clerk, with Bernard Brandewie, Frank Bornhorst and J. Henry Albers as members. The same body with the addition of Clem. Hoying served in 191 2. Further school statistics mav be found in the chapter on Education.

Fort Loramie

Students of history can easily recall the annals of Jhe French and Indian war and of the military maneuvres which made this section, in 1756, a battle ground and many yet living can remember the tales of their grandfathers of the building and occupancy of old Fort Loramie, which was situated less than one mile from the site of the present village of the name formerly known as Berlin, and later as Loramie, for which the name Fort Loramie has been recently substituted. This village was surveyed December 2, 1837, and all its lots are 4 by 8 rods except fractional ones. Its principal streets are Main, Walnut, Water, Elm and High. It is situated on the Miami and Erie canal. Not far away flows Loramie creek, the mouth of which is below Lockington, south of the county line. Many lines of business are successfully carried on here and the people in general are prosperous.

The following is a list of business enterprises at Fort Loramie: August Wise, saw-mill; John Bramlage, flour-mill; Loramie Banking Company, established in 1904, B- J- Wuehker president, J. D. Inderrieden vice-president, A. F. Ratermann cashier, W. J. Sherman assistant cashier; Willmann Bros., general merchandise; J. D. Inderrieden, hardware, implements and lumber ; Barney Krampe, implements, stoves and ranges ; John Albers and Company, hardware and lumber ; Henry -Tecklenburg, hotel and livery; W. J. Borchers, general merchandise and livery; C. C. Wagler, brick manufacturer; Gregor Fleckenstein, tile manufacturer; Bernard Danzig furniture and undertaking; Herman Pleiman, groceries; W. H. Quinlin, drugs; Clem Daniel, groceries; John H. Romie, saddlery; M. Gregor, meat market; Herman Gaier, bakery and groceries ; Peter Rieger, shoe store ; J. H. Behrns, tailoring; Peter Krampe, blacksmithing ; John Seger, carpentering; Carl Freitag & Son, masonry; Peter Kessler, cider-mill; Albert Anthony, barber; Peter Kiefer, plastering; Mat Brucken, saloon; Ben Vogelsang, saloon; John Tecklenburg, saloon; Paul Borger, poultry; Joseph Henke, poultry; Wm. H. Niederkorn, poultry; Kramer and Dickman, skimming station.

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There are two fraternal orders that have lodges in McLean township, namely : the Knights of St. John, having 50 members and the Catholic Knights of America, with 12 members.

McClean township has two churches, Emanuel Reformed church, Rev. Albert Grether, pastor; and St. Michael's Catholic church, Rev. Anthony Moeller, pastor.