Monroe Township (part 3 of 5)

George Kerr, from Virginia, located in Monroe Township in 1804. Beside those already referred to, the names of Layton, Fergus, Westlake, Puterbaugh, Shafer, Furnas, etc., are familiarly spoken of as having been among the earliest as well as the most prominent persons in the township ; and the many advantages now enjoyed b}T the citizens of the township are due, in a great measure, to the unwearying exertions of these men, who began the work that has been rapidly forwarded by each successive generation.

Tippecanoe City

Tippecanoe City, the principal village in the township of Monroe, dates its origin from the fall of 1839, when its foundations were laid amid the excitement and tumult attendant upon the war then being waged through the West, by Gen. Harrison, against the Indians. It is situated in a beautiful tract of country, in the eastern part of the township, very near the line, its northeastern boundary being formed b}r the Great Miami Biver, which separates Monroe from Bethel and Staunton Townships, which bound it on the east. At a very early day in the history of the town, the Dayton & Erie Canal was completed through the place, thus offering shipping facilities that were great inducements to people desiring homes, to locate themselves in this vicinity. The canal passes north and south, just east of the village, but its usefulness, as well as its importance, has, in some measure, been superseded by the construction, in later years, of the Dayton & Michigan Bailroad, which passes through the central part of the town, from northwest to southeast. It will be seen, therefore, that the resources of the place, as regards developing the commercial interests of the town and township, are twofold, viz., by rail and water, and, judging from the large amount of freight imported and the great quantity of articles exported by the numerous manufacturers of the place, we are led to infer that the advantages offered by either of these modes of transit, instead of being neglected and abused, are eagerly seized upon and appreciated by the enterprising citizens, who take pride in developing the sources of wealth found in the productive farms and extensive manufactories of the township.

The land upon which the village stands was first occupied by Bobert Evans, who, could he look upon the place as it now is, would probably not recognize, in the streets so beautifully laid out and pleasantly shaded by tall maples, the spot of ground from which he was able, only by extreme manual labor, to produce for himself and family what was, at best, but a scanty livelihood, in the old pioneer days. The land in this vicinity, at that time, was an unbroken forest, but, had the trees been invested with reasoning powers, they might have known, by the echoes made by the resounding ax in other places, that the footpath of American civilization was rapidly advancing. Add to the drawback of the land being heavily timbered the fact of its being rather low, and, for many months, very wet and unfit to be worked each year, and it was not surprising that the proprietor should grow anxious to dispose of the place and seek another, where less difficulties would have to be overcome. Accordingly, Mr. Evans exchanged farms, in the fall of 1839, with his brother-in-law, John Clark, who had emigrated with his parents from Sharpsburg, Chester Co., Md., when he was about nine years of age, which would make the date of his location in Miami County, this township, about the year 1804. Having arrived at the age of manhood, Mr. Clark married a lady whose maiden name was Jenkins, who had immigrated to this township with her parents from South Carolina in the early days of the nineteenth century.

In the fall of 1839, when seeking a permanent home for himself and his growing family, Mr. Clark was so fortunate as to become the possessor of the land on which Tippecanoe City is now located ; we say fortunate, for surely greener fields, trees more umbrageous or waters more refreshing or sparkling never ornamented or made luxurious the dwelling of man, than are to be found here. When Mr. Clark moved here, the place did not present so delightful a prospect to the vision of man as at present. Then but a small plot of ground, in what is now the eastern part of the town, was cleared, which, probably, had been burned off many years before by the Indians, who had a village just south of that place, in the bend of the river. It is likely that they had cultivated on this cleared spot a little corn and the few vegetables they used for food. But the land had lain idle for many years and had grown up full of young oaks and briers, so that the spot came to be spoken of by all who knew it as the briery fraction/'

Our readers will remember that hundreds of years before this, an edict had gone lorth from Him who commands worlds to move, which had pronounced man an unworthy creature, and condemned him to a life of labor : declaring that he should obtain his bread from the soil, which should henceforth bring forth both thorns and thistles, by the sweat of his brow. Remembering this, they will not wonder that Mr. Clark found his new home by no means a Garden of Eden : notwithstanding this, it is boasted by a resident of the place, a son of Mr. Clark, who has traveled from ocean to ocean, from the Great Lakes to the gulf, and who has also visited the delightful regions of the tropics, that, should search be made for a more beautiful or pleasant place to live in than " Old Tip." failure would be the only result of such labors. This enviable state of affairs must not be accounted for on the principles of spontaneous growth, but rather by the unwearying industry and enterprising spirit of her citizens. When Mr. Clark moved here, the farm contained something more than 100 acres. This, however, was a mere nucleus, to which the enterprising proprietor, by his tact and talent, commingled with his unflagging industry, soon added several hundred acres. Immediately upon his taking possession of his new home, he satisfied the wants of the then sparsely settled neighborhood, which up to that time had no home market nor any other of the many advantages so necessary to the prosperity of any community, b}7 founding the new town. Four blocks on what is now First street, were first laid out, and divided into seventeen lots, which were offered for sale, and for which he received about $100 each. The original lots east of First street, were fifty-two feet in front and 187 feet deep, while west of First street they were only 152 feet deep. No public sale of lots was made, but private enterprise willingly took hold of the work, and in a short time a number of small dwellings were in a fair way for completion. The ground had been a corn-field that summer, and an orchard had also been planted upon the spot a few years before, but the ax of the woodman, and corn-cutter of the farmer, soon caused these obstructions to vanish, and the vacancy was occupied by a store, blacksmithshop and tavern, three of the most important factors in the establishment of a country village.

A difference of opinion existed among the inhabitants as to what appellation should be given to the place ; Mr. Jay, the man who purchased the first lot. desiring to call it Jay town, and thus perpetuate his own name, while Mr. Clark called it Sharpsburg, after his native town in Maryland. It was at this time that Gen. Harrison fought his memorable battle in Indiana, and Mr. Clark, being a stanch friend and admirer of that General, as well as a firm supporter of his party, decided to name his town for the place where that engagement took place - hence its name of Tippecanoe City.

The first lot was bought by Thomas Jay, who built the first store-room in the place, in the fall of 1839. He kept a general stock of dry-goods, groceries and notions, which he exchanged for the various farm products brought to the store. It had been stipulated by Mr. Clark, when selling the lots, that no log-buildings should be erected ; consequently, instead of the usual log-cabin, we have here neat frame structures, many of which are standing and arc quite respectable in appearance at the present day. The first tavern was built by Henry Krise in 1840. The amount of travel in those days, especially in this part of the country, had not assumed gigantic proportions. The landing of a traveler from the canalboat was quite an event in the daily life of the village, and was an exception rather than a rule. In order to make up somewhat for the want of travel, and to more fully occupy his time, Mr. Krise purchased a stock of dry goods, notions, etc., and united the mercantile trade to the business of keeping public-house. He continued in this building many years, when he disposed of the property, which has since ceased to be a place where man and beast may find refreshment, and is now used as a saloon, proving a curse rather than blessing to the place. Abram' Hartman was another of the early inhabitants of the place. He kept a tailor's shop, and, in conjunction with this, sold goods of various descriptions. John McPherson was one of the first persons who put up buildings in the new village. The first blacksmith shop was built by Charles Shultzbaugh, in 1842 ; it was situated on the north side of Main street, but was removed years ago, and in its place stands a two-story frame structure, the lower floor being used as a hardware store, while the upper is occupied bjr Caldwell & Company, the only newspaper establishment in the township. In the summer of 1840, Uriah Johns built what was then the most substantial grist-mill in the township, which has been in successful operation ever since. John Clark erected his brick residence on the east end of Main street in 1851 ; it was at that time considered, if not the best, at least as good as any residence in Miami County. Since that time, many tasteful and even elegant places of abode have sprung up, as well as some fine business blocks. Among the latter, the Chaffee Block is worthy of mention. It is located on the corner of Main and Second streets, and was finished in 1867, having been started in the fall of 1866. The third story is used as the opera house, and is capable of comfortably seating from 600 to 800 persons. The whole building is 75x133 feet, and was put up at a cost of about $12,000.

John Morrison built a brick block on Main street in 1850. The third story of this building contains the rooms of the various secret societies of the place. The Tippecanoe City Engine-house, situated on the corner of Main and Third streets, was built at a cost of between $5,000 and $6,000, in 1874. The Fire Department occupies the first floor, while in the upper are to be found the Ma}ror's office, Town Hall and Calaboose.

At different times in the history of the place, various newspapers have sprung into existence, and. after struggling spasmodically to gain for themselves a name and position among the countless periodicals of the day, were compelled at last to give up the attempt as fruitless. They all seem to have died an easy and natural death, and no doubt, " after life's fitful fever, they sleep well." The first of these papers went by the euphonious title of the Tippecanoe City Reflector. It was established and published by Mr. Hudson, in 1853, but never gained a very strong hold on the affections of the people. Its circulation was limited to five or six hundred subscribers, being published weekly. Its publication was discontinued b y Hudson at the expiration of two years from the date of its establishment. No other attempt was made to establish a home paper after the unsuccessful attempt of the Reflector , for an interval of eleven years. At the expiration of this time, however, the thought presented itself forcibly to the mind of Charles Crowell, that the results of a second trial in this direction might not be so fruitless as the first. Accordingly, in 1866, what was henceforth known as the City Item , came into existence, and at intervals of a week, would make its appearance at the various homes, where it received a cordial welcome. The time, however, had not yet come when a permanent newspaper could be supported in Monroe Township, so it soon came to pass that the City Item was numbered only with the things that were but are not. After this, there was a semi-monthly publication established, more particularly for the benefit of persons wishing to advertise. This sheet, in a few short months, followed in the rear of all the rest, and there were those living then who predicted that to run a newspaper in " Tip" and make both ends meet, would be as impossible as to bring together two parallel lines, which, mathematicians tell us, will not meet, how far soever they may be produced. Still, Mr. Horton, who had held the unenviable position of printer's devil in the office of the Reflector , and who had watched the rise and fall of the various publications, was by no means dismayed by previous failures, and June 10, 1869, he issued the first number of the Tippecanoe City Herald , which he edited weekly till the 1st of April, 1880, when he disposed of the establishment to Caldwell & Co., the enterprising firm who conduct the paper at the present time. Under their supervision, the sheet has become not only readable, but highly entertaining and instructive. The subscription list has been greatly increased, and the prospect bids fair for the present paper to remain one of the most permanent, as well as one of the most useful, establishments in Monroe Township.

Secret Societies

Tippecanoe Lodge , No. 17 If, A., F. & A. M. - Was organized October 27, 1851, by the Grand Lodge of Ohio, issuing the charter, which contained the following names : Thomas Jay, Joseph L. Wilcox, A. B. Hartman, Thomas Deweese, Charles Shultzbaugh, Thomas J. Line, William Loury, Jonathan Favorite, F. S. Fagan. The first Master of the new lodge was Thomas Jay ; first Senior Warden, Thomas J. Line, and Junior Warden, Charles Shultzbaugh. The present officers are as follows, viz. : Eli Pearson, Jr., W. M. ; M. E. Eidemiller, Senior Warden ; Thomas Hartley, Junior Warden ; Charles Trupp, Treasurer ; Peter Fair, Secretary; Furnas Kerr, Senior Beacon; 0. W. Bair, Junior Beacon; G. 0. Chidister and S. B. Hartman, M. B., Stewards ; Joseph Brump, Tiler. The lodge, at the present time, has seventy working members in good standing They have the next to the largest membership of any secret order in the township, being only excelled by the Odd Fellows. The Masonic Hall is in the third story of the Booher building, a brick structure on north side of Main street. The hall is comfortably furnished, and is owned by the society, which, by the way, is the oldest secret organization of any kind in the township.

Tippecanoe Lodge , No. 21^7, L 0. 0. F. - Was organized May 12, 1854, being, as regards age, the second secret order established in the township. A charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of Ohio to the following persons, viz., B. H. Brinkerhoff, A. H. Wesler, H. H. Barst, George Smith and John Cotral. These persons constituted the first officers of the organization, which has gradual^ increased in numbers till the present time, when its roll-book shows that the names in good standing are about one hundred, being the largest membership of any secret order in Tippecanoe. They have been ever zealous in good works, as can be testified by the families of many of their number that would have suffered for the necessaries of life, had it not been for this benevolent institution. The lodge holds its deliberations in the upper story of Morrison's Block, in their hall, which is handsomely furnished. The present officers are as follows, viz. : C. C. Chaffee, N. G. ; John C. Collins, V. G. ; Peter Fair, R. Secretary ; Cyrus Shafer, Per. Secretary ; E. A. Jackson, Treasurer ; John S. Shafer, W. ; J. T. Bartmass, C. ; Levi Owen, I. G. ; Joseph S. Bishop, 0. G. ; A. M. Hecker, R. S. N. G. ; H. E. Hawver, L. S. N. G. ; Charles Trupp, R. S. V. G. ; Lawrence Gates, L. S. V. G. ; C. B, Hikes, R. S. S. ; Br. S. B. Hartman, L. S. S. Trustees are Charles Trupp, Joseph S. Bishop and Joseph Brump.

Monroe Encampment , I. 0. 0. F. - Received its charter from the Grand Encampment of Ohio the 15th of June, 1871, with the following charter members, viz. : Joshua II. Horton, William Green, Valentine Pearson, Eli Pearson, Jr., B. L. James, J. H. Martin, Frank Byrkett and Isaac Vanest. The members at the present time are thirty-three in number, showing an increase of twenty-five since the organization of the encampment. The first officers were .Joshua H. Horton, C. P. ; Eli Pearson, S. W. ; William Green, H. P. ; John H. Martin, J. W. ; David L. Jones, Scribe. The present officers are John S. Shafer, C. P. ; Joshua II. Horton, H. P. ; Levi Owen, S. W. ; Cyrus Shafer, Scribe ; Charles Trupp, Treasurer ; and C. C. Chaffee, J. W.

Deutscher Orden der Harugarv - Miami Lodge , No. 67, /A 0. II. - Was organized March 28, 1859. They hold their meetings in Morrison's Block, in a neatly furnished hall, which is the property of the society. In order of time, this is the third secret organization in the township. The charter members and first officers

The officers and charter members of Common Council, Royal Arcanum Lodge, No. 270, at its organization, were as follows : H. E. Hawver, Past Regent ; J. A.

Kerr, Regent ; A. W. Miles, V. R. ; J. T. Bartmass, Orator ; Charles H. Gary, Sec. ; Benjamin F. Rhodehamel, Treas. ; W. C. Robison, Col. ; Rev. D. H. Bauslin, Chaplain ; F. A. Rhodehamel, Guide ; H. A. Galloway, Warden ; Job Clark, Sentry ; S. D. Hartman, M. D.. Medical Examiner; D. McConnaughey, S. Galloway and H. A. Hawver, Trustees ; S. R. Rhodehamel', W. Y. Ballord and C. Krise. These constitute the charter members. The lodge at present numbers thirty-one members, with the following officers for 1880 : A. W. Miles, Past Regent ; James

Faithful Temperance League , No. 1. - The foundation of a secret organization of this name was laid in this place the 29th of April, 1880, when a charter was granted to the persons applying for the same, b\r the Secretary of the State of Ohio. The league meets Friday evening of each week, in Chaffee's Block. The officers and charter members are John C. Collins, President ; Cyrus Shafer, Vice President ; John Y. Sullivan, Secretary; Henry Anglebarger, Treasurer; John S. Shafer, Sergeant-at-Arms ; Lawrence Gates and Addison Collins, Conductors ; William Furrow, Warden; S. Yandever, Chaplain ; William Prince, A. G. Hutchins, G. B. Collins, A. J. Bradley, Ed Grant, G. B. Vore, W. Bear, C. L. Hecker, J. A. Cushwa, Robert Baskerville, John J. Denbuer, C. C. Chaffee, B. F. Kauffman, Fred Miller, Frank Clark, Thomas Hartley, Harry Horton, Samuel Deweese.

Methodist Episcopal Church - In all probability dates its origin nearer the beginning of the nineteenth century than any other church in the township now in existence. The first church was a log structure, built in what was then Hyattsville, a small town which has since been incorporated with Tippecanoe. As near as can be ascertained, the church was built in 1820, and was a very rude place of worship. Its huge fireplace made it comfortable in winter, and during the summer the services were quite frequently held in the woods. The old log finalty yielded to the more modern brick structure, which was erected upon the same spot about 1840. Among the first preachers, Rev. McPherson is named as being a man of ability. Rutledge is also spoken of as a man of considerable power in protracted meetings. Additions were made to the old brick, and services were held here till 1860, when the present brick was built. Rev. M. Kauffman, the present minister, has a congregation of 200 members, with a Sunday school which has an average attendance of 100 scholars. The parsonage was built in 1879 and 1880, at a cost of $1,300, which has all been paid, and leaves the congregation with no outstanding accounts.

Lutheran Church. - This congregation existed in Monroe Township previous to 1826. At this date, a parcel of ground south of Tippecanoe was deeded to the church for a burial ground and purpose of building a suitable place for worship. Services were held here till about 1839, when, on account of some differences, the congregation divided, and John Ritter donated a house and lot and $2,000 for a parsonage, besides giving largely toward the building of the church. The building was immediately erected, the first brick ever used in Tippecanoe City having assisted in its construction. Rev. Link, the first Pastor, served faithfully for ten years, preaching at Hyattsville, Casstown, Vandalia and Stillwater, as well as here. The dedicatory sermon had been preached by Dr. Ezra Keller, First President of Wittenburg College, at Springfield. Link resigning, the vacancy was supplied by Rev. A. H. Anghe, who remained a single year, and was succeeded by J. G. Harris, who served four years. Jacob Schauer came in 1854, and served the congregation till 1861, when Link returned and took charge of the congregation till his death, in 1862. Solomon Weills served as Pastor till 1866, at which time the charge was divided. J. J. Welsh took the charge of Tippecanoe and Casstown till 1873, and was succeeded by J. F. Hershiser, who resigned in 1874, and was succeeded by N. W. Lilly, who left in 1878, and was followed by the present Pastor, D. H. Bauslin. The membership now numbers 100 persons, with a Sunday school which has an average attendance of between fifty and sixty pupils.

The German Lutheran Church - Was organized in Tippecanoe City in 1856, with a membership of about twenty persons. Rev. Anker was the first minister who presided regularly over the congregation ; he was succeeded by Rev. John Hinter, who was shepherd to the little flock for seventeen years, resigningin 1875. Rev. A. Cernake was called to the charge, which he has satisfactorily conducted to the present time. Services were held in the English Lutheran Church till 1870, when the members were about thirty in number. About three years ago, the congregation re-organized, purchased a lot on Third street, between German and Walnut, and proceeded to build a home for themselves. A neat frame structure, 30x48 feet, was erected, at a cost of about $1,700, and since that time services have been held here semi-monthly. There are now forty-five members in good standing.

Baptist Church. - A meeting was held in the old schoolhouse November 2, 1851, when the few persons of this creed decided to unite their strength and form a Regular Baptist congregation in this place. November 14 of same year, they were made a branch of the church at West Carlisle. The first conference met at the house of Willis Davis, December 21, 1851, at which time the congregation consisted of twelve members. Rev. L. C. Carr presided over the church at this time. The first converts were James Hannum, Jonathan A. Miles, Sarah Miles, Mary E. Ketchum and Sarah R. Wesler, who were baptized February 29, 1852, when man}' persons in the township witnessed that ceremony for the first time. They separated from the West Carlisle Church August 5, 1852. when they held their services in the Lutheran Church, and in 1856 they worshiped in Morrison Hall. About this time, they purchased the old frame schoolhouse on First street, for $200, put an addition to it, and used the same till two years ago, when it was sold for $400, and is now used as a dwelling. The new brick, 38x58 feet, was commenced in 1878, and will soon be completed, when regular services will again be held. The congregation numbers fifty-one persons.

St. J. B. Catholic Church - Existed first as a mission church. The neat brick building, 26x40 feet, was completed October, 1858, at a cost of $2,500, and dedicated by Bishop Rosecrans, of Columbus, Ohio. Rev. Father Hensteger was their first priest, who remained about three years. Rev. Father Menke has presided over the congregation about two years. The connection consists of about twenty families, who have services semi monthly.

The German Reformed Church - Was built in Monroe Township about 1820. Some years afterward, the congregation received a donation of about $900 from Mr. Palmer, which was used in enlarging the house. In 1856, the old building was torn down and several denominations united and erected a structure to be used by all denominations, at a cost of $1,350. It is now occupied only by the Reformed Church. A burying-ground was also laid out near the old church previous to 1820, and the first person interred there was Stephen Dye, a man who figured conspicuously in the affairs of Miami County till his death.

The first religious denomination in the township was the Friends, which comprised the families of most of the pioneer settlers in Monroe. The first minister was William Neal. They built a log church in Frederick, in 1816, which still stands in the tan-yard in that place. It looks a lonely thing amid the modern structures round about it, and seems to silently speak of ages long gone by, when those old fathers who have been many years in the land of spirits, met within its humble walls, and sent up their weak petitions to the Throne of Him Who doetb all things well. The brick church now standing, was erected in 1850, and here services were held until a few years since, when they ceased to exist here as a separate congregation.

Tippecanoe City Schools

While the place has much reason to boast of the rapidity with which so many improvements have taken place in her corporate limits, as well as the convenience of her business facilities, there is nothing for which she deserves greater praise, or for which she should be more highly lauded than the thoroughness of her public schools, and their kindly influence upon the youth of her town and neighborhood. At the present time, not only every facility for obtaining a substantial education, such as is necessary to transact the every-day business of life, is provided, but, if desirous of so doing, the pupil may go away beyond the fun- ' damentals and become well versed in the classic languages as well as conversant with the unchangeable rules of the higher mathematics. The first schoolhouse in the vicinity of the village was in what was then known as Hyattsville. It was one of the log cabins of the primitive days, furnished with a huge fire-place, both in the front and back of the house. These, heaped high with dry logs of a cold winter's day, created in the youthful knowledge-seeker, after a tramp of several miles through the snow, sensations by no means disagreeable. Some time after this, another house was erected on what is known as the " Island," a small spot of ground separated from the mainland by a bayou which joined the river, that made quite a bend in this place. The first teacher here was a young man by the name of Gilbert, who afterward became a physician. It was not until March, 1853, that the first Board of Education was elected in this place, which consisted of three members, viz.: John McPherson, L. N. Booher and D. H. Brinkerhoff. In the following April, a tax of $3,000 was levied on the property in the corporation line for school purposes. The house and lot on the Island were sold for $111. The board then purchased some lots on First street, and the first school building in Tippecanoe was rapidly erected. N. L. Perry was the first teacher in the town, who taught for three months, and received for his services $100.

The property on First street was sold at auction to A. B. Hartman, for $415, in March, 1854, and steps were immediate^ taken toward building a more commodious house, to meet the demands of the rapidly increasing population. Mr. Lines donated ground for this purpose on Bow street, between Third and Fourth streets, and a frame building 40x44 feet, two stories high, containing four recitation rooms, was built at a cost of $5,000. I. W. Sawyer, assisted by Misses Wood and Brinkerhoff, was the first Principal. This was used till 1868, when ground was purchased of Jacob Bohrer for $2,000, and the elegant brick structure now in use was built. The main part of the building is 60x80 feet, three stories high, with a tower 108 feet. It contains ten commodious and well-ventilated recitationrooms, with a hall in the third story, used for commencement exercises, lecturing purposes, etc., 29x58 feet. Prof. James F. Bartmass, principal of the school, has occupied the position since 1875, during which time he has greatly advanced the standard of scholarship. He is this year, 1880, assisted by the following efficient corps of teachers, viz., Misses Humphrey, Hilleary, Billingsley, Cochran and Brump. A regular course of study was laid out in 1878, when the first graduating class of four members received their diplomas. The course at present is seven years in length, beginning in the primary department. The class of 1879 consisted of seven members, while the present class has nine, showing a gradual increase since the course was established. There are three hundred and fifty pupils in the school.

Improvements in both the sciences and arts advance so slowly and gradually as to be almost imperceptible to the casual observer. Yet, when we go into any neighborhood in our country and begin to trace the ramifications of the various industrial pursuits back to their origin, we are forced to acknowledge that the works of man not only change rapidly, but mighty strides are taken in facilitating the modes of labor by which he contributes to the welfare of the age in which he lives, as well as to his own happiness. In comparing the rude machines and tools of our forefathers with the modern and elegant appliances now in use by their progeny, we can hardl}' realize that only seventy-five years of our history have been written since these great improvements began. The first mill in Monroe Township was, perhaps, as rude a structure as can well be imagined. It was built, or, rather, burned, for the principal part of the structure was made by burning, in the year 1802, by John Yount. As the preliminary steps were being taken, the most ingenious person would not have suspected his object. The largest beechtree near his house was selected to form the foundation of the mill. It was cut so as to leave the stump as near level as possible, a fire was then put in the center of the stump, and, by hard labor, a hole, shaped somewhat like the inside of a large bowl, was obtained. The charred surface of the concavity was then scoured and rubbed with sandstone till the charcoal was all removed, and then the most difficult part of the labor was completed. A contrivance was erected over the stump, such as our forefathers used in drawing water from a well, wdiich was called a sweep. Instead of attaching a bucket to one end of the sweep, they fastened a large, round stone, which was placed in such a position that, when lowered, it fell into the burned depression in the stump. Owing to the fact that this simple contrivance could be worked without either steam or water, it possessed one advantage over our more modem mills. The motor power necessary to keep such a machine moving demanded such a wonderful expenditure of muscular activity that it was not to be wondered at that the head of the family felt by no means elated when informed by the good housewife that the flour barrel was empty and it was necessary for him to go to mill. The second mill in the township was built by John Freeman, in 1809, near where Tippecanoe City now stands. It wras quite an improvement over Yount's concave stump, but still was a rather rude affair, consisting only of a hopper for grinding corn, placed in a shed made of logs. The settlers, for many miles around, came here to mill, so that Mr. Freeman was always busy, and the rattle of the old hopper was heard from early dawn till nightfall. Its clanking has long since ceased, and the memory of the mill only remains in the minds of the few remaining pioneer settlers. Various other small mills were operated in different parts of the township, but none of an}T importance till Mr. John built his grist-mill in 1840, which has done a prosperous business ever since. An oil-mill was built near Tippecanoe, by Jonathan Favorite and Wesley Roberts, in 1839. The oil-mill was at first only one story high, but has since been increased to three, and has, for many years, been doing quite an extensive business. The malt-house was built in 1854, by Walter Norey, a Scotchman, who subsequently failed in business, and the mill is now operated by a common joint-stock compan}\ Ceorge and Edward Smith built their distillery in 1852, and have done a very lucrative business up to the present time. The first malt-house in the township was built by Col. Hutchins about 1852, which was operated till 1877, when it was sold to Mr. llhodehamel, who carried on the business afterward.

Ford & Co.'s wheel factory was established in 1870. The establishment is now owned by a joint-stock company, of which Jacob Rohrer is one of the principal stockholders. They employ constantly about one hundred hands, and, for the size of the place, do a more extensive business than is done by any similar establishment in the State. They have a reputation for sending out good, substantial work, not only in our own land, but also in other countries, as they frequently fill orders for parties beyond the seas.

The Grape Sugar Factory is now being erected by a common joint-stock company, consisting of about twelve stockholders. This is the only establishment of the kind in the county, and the company is making preparations for carrying on an extensive business. The buildings are very large, the central one being 40x48 feet, and four stories high ; another, running north and south from this, is 40x125 feet, three stories high, while the north wing, running east and west, is 100 feet deep. The whole thing, when completed, will cost about $50,000, The company expect to begin operations about the 1st of August.

Trupp, Weakley & Co., builders and contractors, established their firm in 1872, when they put up their buildings, east of the railroad in Tippecanoe City, at a cost of about $6,500, to which they soon added machine^ to the value of $10,000. They have been carrying on a very extensive business since they began operating, constantly employing about forty hands making sash, blinds, doors, etc., etc., doing, perhaps, as large a business in their line as any firm in the county.

Miscellaneous

Tippecanoe City was incorporated Monday, May 5, 1851, and the following officers were elected for that year ; viz., Levi N. Booker, Mayor ; E. F. Shields, Recorder ; Thomas Jay, Michael Shellabarger and Henry Krise, Councilmen ; Eli Snell, Marshal ; and I. L. Wilcox, Treasurer. They took the oath of office from A. B. Hartman, J. P.

The officers for 1880 are : A. H. Wesler, Mayor ; John K. Herr, Treasurer ; Samuel Galloway, Clerk ; David Carles, Marshal ; John Clark, John L. Norris and G. W. Weakley, Councilmen ; Joseph Brump, Street Commissioner.

The first mail matter coming to Monroe Township stopped at the post office which was then located in Hyattsville. Henry J. Hyatt, was the first Postmaster. He lived in a log cabin with one room, which was used as a dry-goods store, tailor's shop, post office and dwelling house ; and, as the room was by no means large, it will readily be seen that every part of the house was occupied. The mail was brought from West Charleston once a week, by Kiel Hoagland, a youth of ten summers, who rode a bob-tailed sorrel horse, with a blazed face, by no means as fleet as the one Mazeppa rode.

Many years afterward, when the mail-boy reached manhood, he became one of the proprietors of the Boyal Baking Powder, manufactured in New York, and is now a millionaire. Perhaps, if he had been told, when trying to make the old sorrel jump the ditch in front of the post office, that the day was coming when he could sit in a cushioned carriage of his own, with his driver in the box, he would not have believed the prediction. Dr. Gilbert became Postmaster in 1851, and was instrumental in having three mails a week instead of one. The post office paid at that time about $15 per year. A. W. Miles, the present Postmaster in Tippecanoe Cit}', receives about $600 per year.

Tippecanoe City Fire Department

A hook and ladder company was organized in 1872, with Charles Trupp, Chief Director, and Daniel B. Davis, Thomas J. Sheets, George L. Favorite and Daniel Argabright, Assistant Directors. The department was re-organized in 1874, when a new engine was purchased at a cost of $7,000.

Of these there are several in the township, the oldest having been set aside for burial purposes in 1808. The principal one in use at present, lies southwest of Tippecanoe. It was purchased a few years since by a company of stock-holders, of which Jacob Rohrer is President. There are thirty-two acres of ground in the plat, a portion of it already laid off into neat lots, and here quite a number of the early settlers are buried. Thus ends the history of Monroe for the three-quarters of a century that have come and gone. A new era is dawning, the importance of which is not paralleled by any precedent. Another page in the book of her existence is being turned, 'upon the unsullied surface of which remain to be chronicled the deeds of the present generation. Let the works of her people in the present age reach what magnitude they may, they surely cannot excel in importance those of the forefathers, upon whose lives and works, the most apathetic individual cannot meditate without acknowledging them to be " men of thought and men of action," who did well the work that was given them to do.

Fredericktown - (Fidelity P. 0.) - Situated partly in Union Township, received its name from Frederick Yount, one among the earliest settlers of the township.

Ginghamsburg - A village of but secondary importance, is situated in the southern part of the township, contains a few dwellings, and also one or two places where goods of various descriptions are bought and sold.

Washington Township, the smallest in size, though the wealthiest and most populous of the townships of Miami County, is situated on the western side of the Great Miami River, and, numbering from the west, is the second in the northern tier of townships in the county. It is bounded on the north by Shelby County, on the east by the townships of Spring Creek and Staunton, on the south by Concord and Newton, and on the west by Newberry. The surface is undulating in the eastern and southern portions, but flat in the western part. The soil is very fertile, especially on the bottoms adjoining the river, and on the flat lands of the west, which are deeply covered with a black vegetable mold, forming, when drained, an exceedingly productive and durable farming land. The southern portion, in the vicinity of the Miami, has fine quarries of an excellent quality of limestone, which is extensively used throughout the northwestern part of the State, and also in the neighboring counties of Indiana.

The portion of this township around the old Indian towns, known commonly as Upper Piqua, was among the earliest settlements of the State, and hence the Indian history, as well as that of the early white settlements, is full of very interesting details which are rapidly passing away. This history is very largely indeed an unwritten one, and as such, much of it has perished with the actors and their immediate descendants, while the scanty materials which remain are daily passing away, with the lives of those who, holding them only by oral tradition, have too frequently neglected to put them in an}' durable shape. They are scattered over the country in the memories of the few settlers of townships and neighborhoods who came in in the earl}r days, and they must be separately and laboriously gathered for some hand to unite, in time, into a more complete and continuous narrative. Local history is not only interesting in itself, but it is valuable as a record of the past, which is the foundation of a present and future. Facts connected with the early history of a village or township, often have an important bearing on events in which the whole county is concerned, and, through these, may reach even to a higher importance. To secure these passing facts, which are being so rapidly lost beyond the possibility of recovery, is the object of the present work.

Washington Township is particularly noted as one of the most celebrated of the Indian locations in the Northwestern Territory. Here was the last home of the red man in the county, and here were the earliest white settlements. The Shawanesc villages, known in the early history of the West as the Twighteewee Towns, celebrated in the early border warfare, and where prisoners were generally brought when captured by these Indians, in their raids on the white settlements in Kentucky and Western Virginia, were located about two miles higher up the Miami lliver than the site of the present city of Piqua, at what is usually called

Upper Piqua. It was here that Fort Piqua, long a British post of some importance, was built. This fort was located after the capture of Fort Du Quesne by the English, and formed one of the most westerty of the British points of defense. It was afterward used as a place of deposit for provisions and supplies for our armies when engaged in Indian warfare in the West, and was especially serviceable to Uen. Wayne when he marched through this county to chastise the Indians after the unfortunate defeat of Gen. St. Clair at Fort Recovery in the present county of Mercer. The last commander of this post was Capt. I. N. Vischer, in 1794. After this time, it was almost entirely abandoned, and it was finally dismantled and the materials removed.

The last battle of the French wars, and indeed the last encounter of any importance between the French and English forces in North America, was fought at Upper Piqua (as the fort and grounds in its vicinity have come to be designated), on a part of the farm now known as the Col. John Johnston farm, just above the mouth of Swift Run, on the plat of ground lying to the right of the St. Mary's turnpike, where it winds around the hill after crossing the creek. From eight hundred to one thousand European troops were engaged on each side with large bodies of Indians, the French being aided by the Miamis, Wj^andots and Ottawas, and the English by the Delawares, Shawnees, Senecas and others. Col. John Johnston used frequently to relate the fact that he had been told by the Indian chief Cornstalk, who remembered well the scenes of the battle, though then only a boy, but present then with his tribe, the Shawnees ; it began, he said, at sunrise, on a warm day in June, and continued until it became dark in the evening. The French were finally defeated, and retreated toward Detroit, or more probably toward Vincennes, but never made a stand afterward in the county. Many persons now living remember well that bullets and cannon balls, occasionally a sword or bayonet, and sometimes the old and rusted barrel of a musket, were plowed up in cultivating these grounds, for many years after they were brought under the entire control of the white settler.

Upper Piqua was the headquarters of the Shawnees as long as they remained in the Miami country, but was finally abandoned, when they went north to Wapakoneta. Before their removal, however, to the West, beyond the Mississippi, they came down in a body to the old grounds, and remained several days in the neighborhood of their former homes, and several members of the tribe since their removal when visiting the East, have turned aside to look again on the honored and well-remembered spot.

Piqua in the Shawmees tongue signifies " ashes," and the legend, as related by the Indians, is, that long years before the white man came, they burned a captured enemy on the site of their town, and, when the body was reduced to cinders, they saw suddenly the form of a man rising from the funeral pile, and standing erect before them. Struck with astonishment at the vision, they exclaimed, " Otatha-he-wagh-piqua," " He has come out from the ashes" - and from that time the name of the town was called " Piqua." The late George C. Johnston, Esq., who was for many years a trader with the Shawnees, and was adopted into their tribe and spoke their language perfectly, is the authority for this history. The name thus continues to hand down to succeeding generations the language and tradition of the red man, who is so rapidly disappearing from among us.

Washington Township was organized with its present limits in 1814, but several years before that time a settlement and village were commenced on the present site of Piqua. A man named Job Gard, who accompanied Wayne's arm}T to Greenville in the capacity of a sutler, returned after a time to the old fort at Upper Piqua, and remained there until it was broken up and the works destroyed. He then, having gathered up a portion of the wood and iron used in its construction, removed with it lower down the river, and located himself at what was then called, from the eastern detour of the river, Piqua Bend. Here he built a cabin and made what was then called an improvement , which usually meant clearing off a patch of ground and surrounding it with a worm fence. This was about the year

1798. Long before this, however, portions of the land in and about the Bend were cultivated by the Indians in corn, but no white man had yet made his home on them. In 1799, John Manning bought the improvement of Hard and occupied it for several years. It was located on what is now the east side of Harrison street, toward the south end of the street, and extended a short distance down the hill, then much more considerable than it now appears, and stretched along the river bank, on what is now Water street. Settlers now began to come in slowly, and, as a protection against the Indians, their cabins were placed somewhat closely together. It was not long before the families began to desire something better than the hand-mill, usually operated by a lever attached to a sweep, not much unlike the old well-sweeps which can still occasionally be seen in the country. These hand-mills and the primitive hominy mortars, made b}r hollowing out the log of a good-sized tree, were the main sources of supply of farinaceous food for the early inhabitants of the West, but, as numbers increased, all began to wish for something better. Accordingly, about the spring of the year 1804, Manning commenced the erection of a mill on the Miami, near the south end of what is now Harrison street, and perhaps two hundred yards east of the present steam flouring mill now standing on the south side of Water street. This was the first mill in this section of the country. John Manning and Matthew Caldwell entered the land on which the town of Piqua stands, and also considerable tracts in the immediate vicinity, and, on the 29th day of June, 1807, Armstrong Brandon began the work of laying out the town plat on their lands. Brandon was subsequently connected with the original proprietors in the ownership of the town plat. In this year Piqua consisted of seven houses, all built of logs, and owned and occupied by John Manning, Edward Manning, Alexander Ewing, Benjamin Leavell, Arthur Brandon, Nathaniel Whitcomb and Joseph Porquette. All these houses were built on that part of Water street now lying east of the canal, and on the south end of Main street, in the vicinity of the Lock Mill and the railroad. Ewing opened the first tavern in a house standing on the west side of Main street, below the railroad, and very near the present location of Benkert's saddler shop. On the opposite side of the street was the cabin of Joseph Porquette. At that time, there was quite a broad strip of land between the east side of the street and the river bank, since occupied by the canal, the railroad, and the west end of the river bridge. This was claimed by Porquette. Ewing was a trader, and, in addition to his tavern, had a few articles of traffic which he sometimes exchanged with the Indians for skins and furs. As the village grew, the consumption of liquor very naturally increased, and Porquette kept some whisky also on his side of the street, which was not a little frequented, from the fact that the first blacksmith shop stood hard by, and hence it happened that occasionally little disturbances arose in this vicinity, somewhat to the disgust of the good and sober people in the other houses, and as the numbers 3rear b}r year increased, and these outbreaks became more marked and frequent, Porquette's little piece of ground was at length called by the distinctive appellation of the Devil's Half-acre," that it might be known that this was all the territory to which it was believed His Satanic Majesty could rightfully lay claim within the limits of the town. This name continued for many years, and it was only after the larger portion of the ground was buried in the canal and the evil spirit probably laid beneath its waters, that the name was lost, and is now only remembered by a few of the old inhabitants.

There was no post office until 1811, when a weekly post-route was extended from Dayton. Arthur Brandon was the first Postmaster, receiving his commission from President Madison. He was succeeded after a few years by William Johnston.

The first Trustees elected after the organization of the township before noticed in 1814, were John Widney, Benjamin Brandon and William Mitchell. The latter, and his brother Robert, came from Tennessee several years before, and were the first settlers in the township outside of the boundaries of the village. The first Justice of the Peace in the township was Matthew Caldwell. In those days there was little litigation ; the early settlers lived quietly and peaceably, neighbors settled their smaller difficulties by the advice and counsel of friends of the parties, and when more serious troubles occurred, which could not be adjusted in this way it was not unusual to decide the matter by a physical encounter, in which the longest arms and the most ponderous blows demonstrated the possessor of the most rightful acuse.

The village continued to increase, growing up with the influx of inhabitants into the surrounding country. In 1820, there were already about four hundred inhabitants, and in 1830, nearly seven hundred. As early as 1823, an act of incorporation was granted by the General Assembly of the State, in which it is stated that u the householders in the town of Piqua, in the county of Miami, having complied with the provisions of the act of the General Assembly, entitled 'An act to provide for the incorporation of towns,' and having filed in the office of the Secretary of State, the documents required b}^ the above-recited act, etc." This act of incorporation bears date January 7, 1823, and has the signature of Jeremiah McLene, then Secretary of State, and the old grand seal of the State of Ohio affixed. The town is therein described as " situate on the western bank of the Great Miami River, and was originally laid out by John Manning and Matthew Caldwell, and includes a part of fractional Sections 17 and 18, in Township No. 6 east, First Meridian, comprising one hundred and one lots, and containing in said original plat fifty-two acres, which said plat was recorded on the records of the county of Miami, on the 28th day of August, 1807, and also an addition thereto called the North Addition, which was laid out by Enos Manning and Charles Murray, which said last-mentioned plat was recorded in the Recorder's office of the county aforesaid, on the 10th day of Juty, 1816, and consists of fifty -three lots, being part of fractional Section No. 17. Township No. 6 and Range No. 6 east, First Meridian. The whole of said town as contained on and represented by said plats, is bounded by the Great Miami River on the north, by the lands of Charles Murray and Manning on the east, by the Great Miami River and lands of William Johnston on the south, and by the lands of John Campbell, Matthew Caldwell and John Kyte on the west, which said town was originally named and called Washington, but was afterward, by an act of the Legislature of this State, changed to Piqua, by which name it is now known and called."

The original of these " Letters of Incorporation," is now in possession of L>r. Dorsey, and is preserved at the Citizens' National Bank, of Piqua.

In the winter of 1832-33, the General Assembly of Ohio passed an act extending the Miami & Erie Canal, which already reached from Cincinnati to Dayton, from the latter point to Piqua, a distance of thirty miles. In the spring of 1834, the surveys having been made and the line general^ located, the letting of the various sections was advertised, and during the summer the work was put under contract. An immediate impetus was given to the growth of the village, which it was well understood would become for a time the head of navigation, so soon as the canal should be completed. Several hundred Irish and German laborers were soon at work in the town and vicinity, north and south, for it was necessar}' to carry the canal nearly four miles to the north of the town, to the State dam on the river, where the supply of water was to be obtained. Contractors on the north end of the line made their headquarters at Piqua. Bodies of engineers flocked into the town, estimates were paid every sixty or ninety days, and the population in a single year ran up to more than fifteen hundred. Business of all kinds also increased very largely, and th^ little village of a few years before, assumed all the appearances of a busy, growing and prosperous town. In the summer of 1837 the work was completed, the water was turned into its new channel, and the first canalboat, an old hulk which had been brought up on wheels from Dayton, or somewhere in the vicinit}^, was floated on the waters on the 4th day of July of that year. The entire and successful navigation of the canal was soon established. Freight boats and a line of packets for travel were making regular trips. The town and the entire neighboring country felt the effects of the large increase of business and travel, and Piqua, as the head of navigation on the canal, was the most important town in Northwestern Ohio. This continued for nearly seven years before the canal was extended and completed through to the lake at Toledo. During all these years, Piqua enjoyed the trade of all the northwest of Ohio, and much of Eastern and Northeastern Indiana. The heavy goods for all this region of country were brought here by water, and conveyed thence by wagons to their destined places of sale. A very large portion of the products of all the same country poured in here also for shipment on the canal. No railroads, as yet, traversed the land, and the Southern market was still the point to which the produce of the Great West slowly wended its way. Towns that have now grown to importance through the aid of great railroad facilities, were then dependent on wagon transportation for all their supplies, and Richmond, Fort Wayne, St. Mary's, Lima and all their surroundings, naturally drew to Piqua as the nearest point where the heavy and cumbrous carriage on very bad roads could be changed for the easy and comparatively rapid transportation of the canal. In 1844, when the canal was opened to the lake for business, Piqua had already grown to be a town of nearly five thousand inhabitants. Since that time the growth has been less rapid, but it has still gone forward. Railroads have cut off' much of the trade from the more distant towns, but the increased population and wealth of the fertile Miami Valley, one of the best tracts of land in the world, and teeming with everything that can conduce to the comfort and happiness of men, have still enabled the young city to go forward in its career of prosperity, with scarcely a step backward, save in those seasons of commercial and financial depression which have been so severely felt throughout our country.

At various times since the organization of the count}7, Piqua has desired and has made vigorous attempts to secure the location of the county seat in her corporate limits. Having been always much the largest and wealthiest town in the county, it was believed that the real interests of the county would be subserved by the removal of the business of the whole county to this place. And there is no doubt that at various times, could the voice of the people have controlled the location of the seat of justice, its place would have been at Piqua. But the completion of the county buildings at Troy has, for a time at least, and perhaps forever, settled that much-vexed question. For years past, Piqua has been turning her attention to the increase of her manufactures as the surest means of securing an increase of population and wealth. There are very few points in the State, where the efforts of the people in this direction have been crowned with more complete success. Her extensive and inexhaustible stone quarries supply her with the best possible material for building ; her railroads have opened the way for the easy access of all the coal necessary for steam machinery, and iron is also brought in abundance and at cheap rates. The river and canal afford a good supply of water-power ; but, perfectly aware that yet more was necessary to insure the necessary facilities for increased machinery, the people in 1865 conceived the idea of constructing an hydraulic canal, which would not only afford an ample supply of water for domestic purposes and for the suppression of fires in every part of the town, but would also afford a large amount of additional power for manufacturing purposes. This canal is taken out from the Miami & Erie Canal, at Lockport, in Shelby County, below the entrance of the Sidney feeder, and more than four miles to the north of Piqua, brought across the Loramie River, and, passing along the western border of the town, finds its way again to the canal at the south end of the corporation. The fall from the point of exit at Lockport to its entrance into the main canal at Piqua is fifty-two feet. The supply of water is abundant ; there are several small reservoirs on the line, and one two miles above Piqua covering about sixty-five acres. These act as important feeders, adding a valuable supply of water, in addition to that derived from the State. There are already on the hydraulic, a large paper-mill, one of the largest oil-mills in the State, and another paper-mill and straw-board manufactory to be erected during the present year. The supply of water for all domestic purposes is abundant, and is afforded at a very moderate cost. Our citizens avail themselves freely of this luxury in the summer-time, keeping their dooryards- and pavements well sprinkled, as well as the streets throughout the city, freeing us from the dust so prevalent in most of the towns in the State. The pressure afforded by the fall alone is quite sufficient to carry the water to all points and to the uppermost stories of the houses for domestic purposes, and, in case of a fire, a telegraphic communication is arranged from the City Hotel office to the waterhouse, at the west end of North street, when an additional pressure is put on, sufficient to carry streams of water four inches in diameter to the roofs of the highest buildings. The water-works are returning a good income to the city, and the cost of running them does not exceed $150 per year.

The gas works of the city were erected in 1854, by R. T. Coverdale, Esq. who took one-half the stock, the balance being taken by ten citizens of the town. The works have been successful and remunerative. The original stock was bough, up by A. G-. Conover and Joseph G. Young, and, on the death of these gentlemen, the stock of Mr. Conover was purchased by Mr. Spinning, of Dayton, who, with the estate of J. Gr. Young, still carries on the works. Many of the large houses and manufacturing establishments are lighted by the gas machine, patented and manufactured by John Stafford, of this city, which is highly successful, and its claimed to furnish a cheaper light than is afforded by the gas company.

The streets of the city, though unfortunately rather narrow, have been carefully improved, a good system of sewerage has been gradually introduced, and few cities of the second class in the State can boast of cleaner or smoother streets for driving. The paving of the sidewalks is, in many places, very rough, having been laid down at an early day with small and irregular surface flagging, serving only the purpose of lifting the passengers from the mud, but being by no means agreeable for walking, but on Main street this has been almost wholly replaced by smooth and well-jointed paving-stones, taken from the neighboring quarries, and the same improvement is being gradually carried out on the other streets.

Piqua is well supplied with railroads. The great east-and-west road, the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway, passes directly through the town, making travel in both these directions exceedingly convenient. New York, Washington and the Eastern cities are reached in twenty-four hours' time, without change of cars, while Chicago and St. Louis are brought within a few hours' travel, and all Western cities are readily reached. The Dayton & Michigan road crosses the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis railway, just on the eastern side of the town, and furnishes easy communication to the north and south. Our people go to Cincinnati in less than four hours, allowing sufficient time for attending to business and returning the same day. These means of carriage, together with the Miami & Erie Canal, gjye great facilities for the transportation of all the products of the country, hence Piqua is the center of a very large grain trade. Stone and lime are carried very extensively in all directions.

The inhabitants of Piqua have never ceased to value the great advantages of canal transportation, They have ever regarded the Miami & Erie Canal as one important source of their wealth and prosperity ; and, while in many parts of the State a willingness and even an anxiety has been manifested to abandon our canals, the people in Piqua, in common with nearly all the inhabitants living in the vicinity of this important line, have stood up bravely and faithfully, for the maintenance of these important works. We are glad to see that this sentiment is beginning again to be strong and popular in the State. For years, the people on this line have been obliged to resist attempts at hostile legislation in the General Assembly, but they have always been found at the post of duty, and are now beginning to see evident effects of their long and continuous struggles. The Miami & Erie Canal Association has been very largely instrumental in producing this change of feeling in the people. Their careful and steady opposition to all measures tending to the injury of our canals, and the publications which they have laid year by year before the members of the Legislature, and distributed freely through the State, have awakened the people to the importance of caring for these works and preserving them for the benefit of all the inhabitants. These works have long since paid the State for their construction. The}' have increased its wealth by hundreds of millions of dollars, and, under proper management, will always not only keep up all their own expenses, but will also pay no inconsiderable revenue into the State Treasury. The officers of the Miami & Erie Canal Association are G. Volney Dorsey, of Piqua, President ; Emanuel Schultz, of Miamisburg, Vice President ; J. C. Richardson, of Glendale, Secretary ; and Thomas Fox, of Lockland, Treasurer. The Executive Committee, G. V. Dorsey, Piqua ; C. H. Wardlaw, Middletown; W. P. Huffman, Dayton ; 'Henry Pearce, Cincinnati; Charles King, Toledo ; Adam Wilhelm, Defiance ; Samuel Blair. Cincinnati ; Philip V. Herzing, St. Mary's ; Richard Slawson, Piqua.

The Legislative Committee, Stephen Johnston, W. J. Jackson and J. F. McKinney, whose duty required them to meet the unfriendly legislation by statistics and agreements presented to the Standing Committees on Public Work in the Legislature of Ohio, which duties have been discharged by them with ability and success, defeating all attempts to cripple or injure the canals of the State by legislation.

Municipal Government

From the date of incorporation among the towns of the State, in 1823, up to 1850, Piqua was governed under the act of the General Assembly regulating such corporations, but, on the 19th of March, in the year 1850, it was incorporated as a city of the-second class, and Stephen Johnston, Esq., was elected Mayor. The first City Council convened April 9, 1850, and the members were Patrick Scully, James Noland, Rankin Walkup and Henry Rouser. The first City Marshal was Samuel B. Garvey. The same number of wards has been continued up to the present time, with only slight changes in their several boundaries. Two members of Council are now elected from each ward. The present Mayor is George Dettmer, Esq. ; City Marshal, John Frantz ; City Clerk, James Hatch ; City Solicitor, W. D. Jones, Esq. ; President of Council, Henry Flesh, Esq. Members : First Ward, H. Flesh, W. H. Harbaugh ; Second Ward, Amos Abele, John F. Hemsteger ; Third Ward, G. N. Ziegenfelder, William McWilliams ; Fourth Ward, William P. Orr, Howard Scudder. Street Commissioner, W. B. Segner.

The earliest settlers, coming as they did from Pennsylvania or from some of the Southern or Slave States, knew nothing of the common-school system. However, they were generally persons of a moderate degree of culture, and, in a few instances, very well educated. As soon as the most pressing wants of providing for actual subsistence and shelter were properly attended to, they began to realize the importance of looking after the training and education of the younger members of their families. The first schoolhouse was built in 1809, outside of the then limits of the town and near the present corner of Main and Young streets, and the first teacher was Isaac Hendershott. The early appliances for the accommodation of scholars were of the rudest and most economical description ; benches of plank or puncheons - that is, broad slabs split or hewn from the trunk of a tree - served for seats ; they were without backs, supported on four clumsily formed legs, let into the seat by holes bored with an auger, and so high that the feet of the smaller scholars generally hung dangling little more than half way to the floor. The writing-tables used by the larger and more advanced pupils were planks also, fastened with wooden hinges to the log walls, enabling them to be let down when not in actual use. These composed the entire school furniture, but the instruction was substantial, and good men and women came forth from these early centers of learning prepared to do their duty bravely and well in the great battle of life.

It was not until 1818 that a brick building of small size was erected on the public square, dignified witli the more pretentious name of a seminary, and where more thorough and systematic instruction was given. The first instructor was

Rev. John P. Finley. The same building was frequently used for church purposes by various denominations of Christians, particularly by the Methodists, who had yet no church building of their own, and men of note and ability, such as William Raper, James and John Finley, and Henr}- T. Bascom, afterward President of Augusta College, Kentucky, and one of the greatest pulpit orators of the West, gave there earnest and pure religious discourses to enlighten and guide these early pioneers.

No system of common public schools was organized until about 1850, when a Board of Education was elected, under what was then called the Massillon law of the State. Three district schoolhouses were erected, one for the north, one for the east and one for the south portion of the town, and a regular system of schools was commenced. These houses were of small size, having a single room below and above, with a small hall or entry attached to each ; they were deemed, however, sufficient for the wants of the time, and served a good purpose for several* years ; they have now all disappeared, and are remembered only among the things of the past, and their places are supplied by the excellent and realty elegant buildings of the ward schoolhouses, which, particularly in the north and south districts, are an honor and ornament to the town. In 1 854, after much discussion and no inconsiderable opposition among the citizens, it was determined to erect a high-school building, and introduce a regular system of graded schools. The committee appointed from the Board of Education to select a site for the house and to superintend its erection, consisted of G. Volney Dorsey, President, and William Scott, Treasurer, of the Board. After careful examination, two acres of ground were purchased, in the western part of the town, from Matthew Caldwell, Esq., and the present high school was built. The plan of construction, so far as regards the internal arrangements, was modeled on a comparison of what were then the three best school buildings in the State - those of Massillon, Columbus and Lebanon - and the building, when completed, was considered one of the very best at that time in the State. Many far superior have since been erected, but, at that time, the Piqua High School was considered as unequaled in the excellence of its arrangements for the accommodation of both teachers and scholars. The first teacher and Superintendent was A. G. Chambers, Esq., of Miami University, to whose judgment, activity and energy in organizing and putting the schools in operation, is due much of the success which has since attended them. The present Superintendent, Mr. C. W. Bennett, of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, has been for several years at the head of the schools, and is known throughout the State as an able and successful educator. He is supported bj^ a very able corps of assistants, among wThom should be mentioned Miss Mary Hall, Principal of the Female Department, and Mr. C. F. Wilder, at the head of the Grammar School. The Board of Education consists of G. Volney Dorsey, President ; F. Hardy, Secretary; and Messrs. John D. Shannon, J. F. Hummel, Jennison Hall and Simon Anderson. The School Examiners for the city are Rev. Lyman Fisher, C. W. Bennett and G. Volney Dorsey. Great care is taken to employ only thoroughly competent teachers. The course of instruction is thorough, and no better scholars are made at any of the high schools of the State than are graduated at Piqua.

Much of the marked success of our public schools, is to be attributed to the fact that the citizens of the town have always manifested great interest in their welfare. The school examinations and exhibitions, the graduating exercises, and the literary entertainments of the societies connected with the schools, have been liberally patronized by the best citizens and ladies of the town, and every encouragement has been extended to students to endeavor to reach a high standard of excellence. The course of study in the high school embraces, in addition to the English branches, Latin and German, and a scientific course is also given for those desiring to graduate without entering on classical studies. This course is quite largely patronized by young men from the surrounding country, and from many of the neighboring towns. Drawing is taught by a competent instructor, and many of the pupils have made commendable progress, and give decided indications of

Piqua has been long noted for the number and excellence of its churches. Very few places of the same size present so man}' attractions to those wishing to locate in a thoroughly moral and church-going community. The denomination which was the first to occupy the field by the erection of a place of worship, was the United Presbyterians, who, as early as 1816, built a log church in the south part of the town. Prior to this time, religious services had been held in the houses erected for schools, sometimes in the homes of the early settlers, and not unfrequently in the open air, under the spreading branches of the leafy groves, which were " God's first temples." The first minister appointed in this church was Rev. Dyer Burgess, a gentleman of decided talent, though somewhat eccentric in manners. He succeeded in laying the foundations of a flourishing congregation, which still continues to occupy a leading and influential position among the religious divisions of the city. This house, which occupied the lot on the southeast corner of Downing and Sycamore streets, was replaced in 1837, by a neat brick building erected under the ministry of Rev. James Porter, of Miami University, who filled the pulpit for several years with acceptance and ability. Another and larger building has since been erected on Downing street, between Green and Ash streets, and the pulpit is now occupied by Rev. John H. Brown. The families of the Campbells, Wileys, Pattersons, Gillespies and Sawyers, are among the oldest and most widely extended of the membership of this church.

The Methodists first occupied the seminary in the public square as a place of worship, but in 1825, they built a small brick church on Spring street, between Ash and High streets, on ground now lying on the east side of the canal. Here they continued to worship until 1836, when a larger building was erected at the southeast corner of Wayne and Green streets, now known as the Green Street Church. Under the pastoral care of Rev. Granville Moody, this building was entirely remodeled, and so much improved as to become one of the finest churches in the county, occupied by a very large and wealthy congregation, embracing many of the leading citizens of the town. A very large and flourishing Sunday school is connected with the church, conducted in such manner as to render it both attractive and instructive ; the music is very fine, both vocal and instrumental, and a large number of young persons are to be found who date their earliest religious impressions from the lessons here given, and still find their moral sentiments strengthened by the exercises in which they are every week engaged. The present minister is Rev. Mr. Cassatt; the Superintendent of the Sunday school, Mr. Joshua W. Shipley. The church has an excellent organ, and a large and well-instructed choir of singers. To the energy and ability of Mr. Shipley much of the excellence of the music as well as the success of the Sunday school is attributable.

Another flourishing Methodist Church is situated on Water street, between Coldwater and Downing streets, known as Grace Church. Rev. James Stevenson is the present minister in charge. This congregation, an offshoot of the Green Street Church, located themselves first on Wayne street, south of the railroad, in the house now occupied by the German Reformed Church; but, finding their numbers rapidly increasing, they determined to remove to what was deemed a better location, and chose their present site, as being more in the center of population in the city. They have a very handsome frame building, a good Sunday school and an active working congregation. Many of the oldest citizens of Piqua are active members of the Methodist Church, among whom may be named J. M. Chevers, Henry Kitchen, Samuel Petit, William R. Crosier and Stephen Widuey; while among those who have resided a less number of years in the city, but are known as prominent members, may be mentioned the families of the Shipleys, Dr. C. S. Parker, the Bowdles, Bennetts, Zollingers. Crons, Rhodehamels, Woods, Halls, etc.

The Old School Presbyterians had their first church on Wayne street, south of Sycamore, on what is now called the old cemetery lot, a brick building erected in 1830. Rev. James Coe was the first minister, a man still deservedly held in high esteem by many of the old members of the congregation. Under the pastorate of Rev. John A. Meeks, the present church was built, on the southeast corner of Wayne and Ash streets/ about the year 1844. It has undergone many excellent improvements, and is now one of the be3t church buildings in the city. A fine organ, said to be the largest in the city, a flourishing Sunday school and a numerous and zealous congregation give a foundation rendering this one of the strongest denominations in the county. It is commonly known as the First Presbyterian.

The Second Presbyterian Church, under the name of the New School Presbyterian, was erected a few years later, also on Wayne street, between Green and Ash. The first minister was Rev. Mr. Graves, who was succeeded by several excellent and able men, and the congregation was, for many years, large and flourishing ; but, in the union of these two divisions of the Presbyterian body in 1876, this congregation, under their own Pastor, Rev. J. Thompson, passed into the Old School, and united their strength, under his leadership, with their brethren of this church. Mr. Thompson still continues as the minister of the united church, and is considered an able and acceptable Pastor. This union contributed much to the strength of the church, which stands among the first in the city in every good work. Among the earliest members of this church, and those who did much in forming its character and placing it on a stable foundation, were the Elliotts, Adamses, Meekers, Statlers, Youngs, McKees, Mortons, Sages, Mitchells and Laymans. Some of these families have almost or quite passed away; in some, the younger branches are found connected with other churches, but the work laid out by their fathers still remains firm and steadfast.

The Baptists erected their first church in 1830, on Ash street, between Spring and Harrison, where thej^ continued to worship uptil 1848, when they erected their present house on High street, near Wayne. Many able men have occupied their pulpit, among whom may be mentioned Revs. John L. Moore, John E. Thomas and David E. Thomas, Mr. Osborne, Dr. Shephardson, and the present excellent minister, Rev. Lyman Fisher. A few years ago, a portion of the congregation separated from the old church, and erected a new and handsome building on Ash street, west of Broadway, where they have since continued to worship, sometimes employing a minister regularly, and at other times dependent on supplies obtained from neighboring churches. They have, therefore, now two good houses of worship; but the congregation, in their divided state, being weak, it would seem, would do well to imitate their Presbyterian brethren and unite their strength in one fold and under one pastor. The leading families among the old members and founders of this church are the Hilliards, Mannings, Blues, McCampbells, Garveys, Drakes and Cavins.

St. James' Parish of the Protestant Episcopal Church was organized about the year 1820, under the supervision of Rev. E. Johnson, of Cincinnati, who, in connection with Rev. Mr. Allen, of Dayton, held services whenever they were able to attend to the wants of the congregation. Col. John Johnston, of Upper Piqua, who was an active member of the church, was appointed a lay reader, and frequently served the parish in this capacity when the services of a regular minister could not be obtained. The first building for worship was erected on the corner of North and Spring streets, a small but handsome brick church, built in 1825, well finished, and supplied with a bell donated by friends of the church in Ireland. The lot was given by a Mr. Murray, a member of the Roman Catholic Church and an Irishman. It was to be held by the parish so long as it was occupied by a church, but, failing to be so used, was to revert to him or his heirs. This took place when the present church was erected on Wayne street, near High. The first Rector regularly installed over the parish was Rev. Alvah Guyon, who entered on his charge in 1830 and continued until 1842. Several excellent and able men have officiated in the rectorship of this church, among whom were Rev. Richard S. Killin, Rev. Chauncey Fitch, D. D.. Rev. Henry Payne, Rev. Wyltys Hall and Rev. Henry L. Badger. The present Rector is Rev. J. H. Benton. The parish owns a neat parsonage immediately south of the church edifice. Among the old families of the church, we find the very widely extended name of the Johnstons, embracing no less than six distinct though related families, the Greenhams, McCorkles^ Judge >1. G. Mitchell, the Morrows, Scott, Chapeze, Adams, O'Ferrall, and others among the most prominent and active of the early citizens.

The German Lutherans have a large and ver}* handsome church building on the corner of Green and Downing streets. They form a large, intelligent, and wealthy congregation, have a good Sunday school, show* the German devotion to music by the fine organ in their church, and their love of Fatherland by having services entirely in their native tongue.

The Roman Catholic Church erected their first church in Piqua. St Mary's Church, about 1840, on the southwest comer of Broadway and North streets, a ver}' handsome and well-finished building, with a good parsonage attached ; and, immediately opposite, on the east side of Broadway, this church has an excellent school, conducted b}* the Sisters of Charity, who are known as very efficient teachers. This is now known as the Irish Church, while the German Catholics have a large and fine church, St. Bonifacius, erected in 1864, on Downing street, south of the railroad, together with an excellent house, formerly occupied by the Brothers of the church, but now used as a parsonage. A schoolhouse and Sisters' house, on Adams street, a short distance west of the church, belong also to the German church, which has a large and wealthy congregation.

The present Pastor of the Irish Church, or St. Mary's, is Father Henry ; the Pastors of St. Bonifacius are Father Fischer and Father Wiederhalt.

The Jews have a congregation also, which, though not numerous, is composed of some of the best and most active business men of the city. They have a room used as a synagogue in the building of Mr. Aaron Friedlich, on the northwest comer of the public square on Main. street.

The " Piqua Female Bible Society " was organized in 1817. under the leadership of several excellent and benevolent ladies connected with the various churches of the town. It is one of the oldest of the auxiliaries of the American Bible Societ}7, which came into existence only one year previous to its formation in 1816. The first President was Mrs. Rachel Johnston, and among the early members we recognize the names of Mrs. McLean. Mrs. McCorkle. Mrs. Morrow. Mrs. Widney, Mrs. Campbell, and others of the oldest settlers of the town and township. Mrs. Johnston continued to officiate until her death, in 1840, when Mrs. Eliza Petit, the present President, was chosen her successor, who, for forty years, has faithfully attended to all the duties of her office, and has kept the society active in the prosecution of its great and glorious work.

The Masonic Order has very fine rooms in the third story of the large building on the southwest corner of the public square. The order was early introduced into the town, w hile yet only a small village, and Warren Lodge was established about 1835. Ward Lodge was established several years later : both occupied the same hall for many years, and have finally been united as one bod}*. A large and elegant Chapter is also in the same building.

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has two large and well attended lodges, and, as a beneficiary institution, exerts a widely extended infiuence for good. Their hall is in the upper story of the town house, in the public square. There are also several other orders or societies actively engaged in benevolent work in the city - the Very Ancient Order of Druids, the Benevolent Order of St. Patrick, connected with the Roman Catholic Church, and also the Order of the Royal Arcanum wrhich meets in Odd Fellows' Hall.

The Young Men's Christian Association has been organized for several years. They have excellent rooms in the basement of the opera house building - a reading room and library, and an active membership exerting a very decided influence for good among the young men of the city. The reading-room is open every day, and also in the evening, is well supplied with newspapers and periodicals, and affords a most excellent place of resort to those who desire to spend an hour in reading or examining books or papers.

The first paper published in Miami Countjr was issued at Piqua, July 6, 1820, under the name of the Piqua Gazette. The publisher, being printer and editor, was William R. Barrington, of Philadelphia, a gentleman of culture and a very able and forcible writer. Mr. Barrington continued the publication until 1837, when the paper was sold to Jeremiah A. Dooley, and the name was changed to the Intelligencer. It afterward passed through several hands, and was for a time very ably conducted by John W. Defrees, Esq., now the editor of the Miami Union , at Troy ; it was sold by him to Messrs. Writer & Brading, the former of whom became afterward sole proprietor. On the breaking-out of the rebellion, Col. Writer went into the army and served reputably during the war, but the paper, being left without any responsible head, in a short time ceased to be published. The paper, when started by Barrington, was the advocate of the principles of the old Whig party, and, under Mr. Defrees, passed to the Republican party, and continued to support this cause during the remainder of its existence.

No Democratic paper was published until 1847, wdien a party of gentlemen, of that party, formed a stock company, purchased a press and materials for an office, and employed D. M. Fleming, Esq., one of the stockholders, as editor. The paper was issued under the name of Piqua Enquirer. The stock was afterward purchased by Mr. Fleming, under agreement with the companjq and the paper has since been under his control. In the autumn of 1860, Mr. Fleming left the Democratic party, changed the name of his paper to the Piqua Journal , which it still bears, and became an earnest advocate of the doctrines of the Republicans. In this faith, the paper was steadfast, except for a short time, when the devotion of the editor led him to the support of Andrew Johnson, then President of the United States. This was, however, only temporary, and it has continued since entirely firm in its adherence to the Republican party.

The Miami County Democrat , was first published by Messrs. Horton & Teverbaugh, in 1860 ; but, both these gentlemen entering the service of the country, on the breaking-out of the war, the paper was for a time discontinued, but was revived after the cessation of hostilities, under the editorial management of the Messrs. Smiley, who still continue to conduct it as an active and unswerving supporter of the doctrines of the present Democratic party.

The Miami Helmet was commenced in 1874, by the Miami Publishing Co., and placed under the editorial management of I. S. Morris, Esq. It is devoted primarily to the support of the temperance cause, and has labored zealously and successfully in this field. It has not, however, been an extremist in the support of the political party known as the Temperance or Prohibition party, but has been always willing to throw its strength to the aid of good and honest and temperate men, who stand by the cause of the country, of morality and of religion. The Miami Publishing Co. has a fine office, a good steam printing press, and under the direction of Mr. M. Rouzer, is rapidly becoming one of the most flourishing corporations of the city. The President is Mr. S. McWilliams ; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Lewis Leonard.

There are two National banks in the city. The Piqua National is the successor of the Piqua Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, which was organized in 1847, with a capital of $100,000. President, * William Scott ; Cashier, Joseph G. Young; Teller, Henry Greenham. In 1865, this was changed to a national bank, and the same officers were continued. On the death of J. G. Young, in 1875, Henry Greenham was appointed Cashier, and continued until his death, in 1877. The capital was increased to $200,000, when it was organized as a national bank. The present officers are President, William Scott ; Cashier, Clarence Langdon ; Assistant Cashier, John H. Patterson ; Teller, Frank Roe.

The Citizen's National was organized in 1866, by William and M. N. Megrue, the former being President, and the latter Cashier, with a capital of $100,000. In 1867, it was bought from these gentlemen, by G. Volne}' Dorsey and Robert B. Moores, the former becoming President, and the latter the Cashier. The present officers are President, G. Volney Dorsey ; Vice President, M. Friedlicli ; Cashier, Henry Flesh ; Teller, Walker McC. Dorsey. In 1879, the capital stock was reduced to $60,000.

Though Piqua stands to-day among the best manufacturing towns in the State, yet the commencement in this line was very feeble and progressed slowly. We have alread}' mentioned the erection of the first mill. Benjamin Leavell, who came to the village in 1805. was the first carpenter and millwright who opened business regularly. One of the earliest, if not the first blacksmith, was Joseph Defrees, and Nathaniel Whitcomb opened the first shop for making shoes. The earliest cooper's shop was by a Frenchman named Porquette, on the bank of the river nearly opposite Ewing's tavern, where Porquette kept also a small drinking house, and close b}' stood the blacksmith-shop. The commencement of the linseed oil manufacture, which now forms so important a part in the wealth and activity of the city, was made by John McCorkle in 1824. He built a small oil-mill on the Miami River, on the west bank, just opposite to what is now Patterson's mill, half a mile south of the town. The mill was run b}r water, and the machinery used in crushing the seed and pressing out the oil was of the most primitive description. The crusher was an immense block of limestone perfectly circular, about fifteen inches thick and five feet in diameter, this large stone was placed on its edge in a circular trough, formed of strong oak plank fitted closely and capable of holding any liquid put into it. Into this trough a certain quantity of flax-seed was poured by hand, and the large stone revolved in the trough by means of a large wooden lever passing through the center, and attached to the horizontal shaft of the the water-wheel. When the seed was sufficiently crushed, it was taken out and put in strong linen bags and subjected to the action of a screw press, similar to that frequently used at present in the manufacture of cider. The oil was probably not very thoroughly extracted, and the oil-cake, though no doubt richer in nutritious matter than that now coming from the powerful hydraulic press, was oflittle value, as a very limited demand was found for it.