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400 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. built--on Lot 35, Water street—he held sway there for a long time. Mr. White was also a practical surveyor, and his services in that business were frequently sought. It encroached so much upon his time that be finally gave up his school. He was elected County Surveyor, and served for thirteen years. Baldwin Summers, then instructed the Georgetown youth. He, too, came directly from Mason County, Ky., and remained in charge of the school till his death. Shepherd F. Norris, a New Hampshire lad, and a law student under Gen. Hamer, taught a term or two. When admitted, he began practice at Batavia, and was the first Common Pleas Judge elected from that district under the present constitution. Maj. William Wall taught a select school about 1826. JosephN. White taught in the little brick schoolhouse a number of terms. He was an Eastern man, and a graduate of Oberlin College. Within the little brick house on Water street—used for a period of nearly thirty years—most of the influential men of Georgetown and vicinity to-day, as well as many others who have gone to other places, received their education. Among the latter were Gen, Grant, Gen. A. V. Kautz, Rev. Ezra Boring (a distinguished Methodist Episcopal divine), Gen. Jacob Ammen and Com. Daniel Ammen. It has not been attempted to give a complete list of the teachers. In the old schoolhouse, one room only was occupied, but in later years, during the winter, two were found to be necessary. Soon after the passage of the new school laws, the people of Georgetown began to agitate the question of building a new schoolhouse. The enterprise was bitterly opposed by a faction, but a School Board, consisting of Chilton A. White, George D. Evans and Hanson L. Penn, favoring the new schools, was elected, and by a popular vote it was authorized to purchase a lot and erect a building at a cost not exceeding $6,000. Under this management, the present beautiful school building was erected. It contains six apartmants, besides a large assembly room, for chapel exercises and other general meetings. The building, when completed, with the grounds, cost about $10,000. C. B. White was the first Superintendent. He opened the school in the fall of 1856. His successors have been, with perhaps several others, J. R. C. Brown, E. C. Ellis, William Wilson, D. W. Fite, R. C. Mitchell, Dr. Y. •Stephenson, T. Q. H. Vance, Miss Lizzie Barnett, 0. P. Richards, James R. Conner, and T J. Curry, the present Superintendent, who has now entered upon his fifth year of service. The present School Board consists of D. V. Pearson, P. S. Moore and Christian Single. The schools are divided into six departments-first, second and third primary, intermediate, grammar and high. The last department has a three-years' course, including, reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, physical geography, drawing, algebra, geometry, astronomy, natural philosophy, United States history, universal history, Latin, composition and rhetoric. During the last three years, classes have graduated from the high school. A few years ago, a colored school was organized. It is held in the old church building on Lot 30, Water street. The school enumeration of the district for 1882 is as follows: White—Male, 183; female, 188; total, 371. Colored—Male, 31; female, 29; total, 60. Grand total, 431. CHURCHES. The Georgetown Methodist Episcopal Church was organized within a few years of the location of the county seat here. The earliest preaching was held in a dwelling house of Abel Rees, standing on Main Cross street, just below the C. Hurst Block. The first church, which was also the first in the village, was a small brick edifice, which stood on Outlot 16, Water street. It was erected about 1827. Among the prominent early members may be mentioned PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 401 Abel Rees aud wife, Joseph Stableton and wife, John Purdum and wife, Hugh P. Payne and wife, and Thomas H. Lynch and wife. The present commodious brick house of worship was erected in 1846, and dedicated the following year by Rev. Joseph M. Trimble. Its architect was Hubbard Baker. The cupola of the new building was considered in its day a model of symmetry and beauty. The total cost of the chruch was about $6,000. Thomas L. Hamer and Han- son L. Penn were the heaviest contributors to its erection. Other members and friends of the church who subscribed liberally were David G. Devore, George W. King, Benjamin Penn, John Kay, D. J. Steward, Zaccheus Kay, William Jennings and Benjamin Sells. The membership at this tithe was about one hundred, and the ministers in charge during the construction of the church were Revs. Wesley Roe and Oliver Peoples. The church then formed a part of a circuit, but soon after Georgetown was made a station. In the old church, Revs. John W. Clark, James B. Finley, John Meek, John Stewart and George W. Maley were noted preachers. The last named was a peculiarly' gifted divine, and, about 1837, held a revival at the Georgetown Church, which was remarkably successful. Some of the most prominent citizens of the vicinity, as well as many hardened sinners, were brought into the church under his effective preaching. Among the former were Thomas L. Hamer and Dr. George B. Bailey. It is supposed that 150 converts united with the church before the protracted meetings closed. Rev. John Stewart's ministerial labors were also blessed with a large ingathering of souls. Since the erection of the new church, the ministers who have built up the numerical strength of the congregation most strongly were Revs. Wesley Roe, Charles Ferguson, and the present pastor, Rev. J. Verity. The present membership exceeds two hun- dred, fifty-five of whom were received at one time during the summer of 1882. A prosperous and highly interesting Sabbath school is regularly maintained. Concerning the origin of the Georgetown Christian Church, Elder Matthew Gardner, in his autobiography, writes: "About this time (1822 or 1823), I began to preach regularly in Georgetown, Ohio. * * The meetings were for some time held in a small schoolhouse; but, as this would not hold the people, as soon as the court house was erected, I preached in it. There was much opposition from the Methodists and Presbyterians. They did not like to see the Christians taking a start with the town. But this did not prevent the people receiving that religion which has the Bible for its only rule of faith and practice, to the exclusion of all sectarian creeds. A church was soon or- ganized, which grew rapidly. In a few years, we ereeted a brick chapel. I was one of the largest subscribers, as I was generally to houses built by churches, which, through divine grace, I had organized. I even went over and labored on the building. I assisted in putting on the roof, to secure the walls before winter came on. This church prospered for several years, in to the number of nearly two hundred members." The brick chapel erected is still standing, and is now occupied by the colored school. When the " reformatory " movement of Alexander Campbell and his co-believers swept over the country, the majority of the members of this congregation became converted to the new faith, organized a society November 16, 1834, and carried over with them the property of the former Christian Church. The sixteen original members who formed this new society were John D. White, Nathan Sidwell, Robert Allen, Horace Jones, William Denniston, Sarah Denniston, James Baker, Anna Sidwell, Margaret Baker; Hannah Shepherd, Mary Bentley, Elisha Mount, Sarah Mount, Lucretia Marshall, Margaret R. White and Mary Allen. January 1, 1836, the membership had increased to sixty-six; seven years later, it reached ninety. March 8, 1835, the first church election resulted in the choice of Robert Allen, Nathan Sidwell and 402 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. John D. White for Elders, and William T. McConaughy, James Baker, Ezekiel Miner and Abraham Ellis, Deacons. Elder Richard C. Ricketts was the first regular pastor, entering upon his labors October 24,1835. In 1855, the membership was greatly reduced through church differences, and, after a time, regular preaching was suspended, and the organization almost destroyed. The old church was finally sold, and the society became almost extinct. After the disintegration of this society, a few years elapsed without any services, but, early in 1876, the members who still lived at Georgetown secured the ministerial services of Elder J. H. Lockwood, who preached to them in the Georgetown Schoolhouse. During the summer and fall of 1877, these members erected a house of worship on North Main street. It is a frame struct- ure, about 46x60 feet, surmounted by a belfry and bell, and costing, in the aggregate, about $2,000. The building was dedicated November 25, 1877, the services being conducted by Elders Isaac Errett, of Cincinnati; Dr, John Shockey and J. H. Lockwood. The day following, Elders Lockwood and J. Irvin West began a series of meetings, which resulted in numerous accessions, and an entire re-organization was effected December 6, 1877, at which time the following officers: J. W. Laycock, Thomas J. Brown and C. Phillips, Trustees; Conrad Wright and John Haslem, Elders; Thomas J. Brown and C. Phillips, Deacons. The membership at the time of organization was fifty-four; it has now reached eighty-two. Elder Lockwood remained pastor of the church until the spring of 1882, when he was succeeded by J. W. B. Smythe. A Sabbath school was instituted cotemporaneously with the church, with Lee Laycock as Superintendent. It has an average attendance of fifty pupils, and is an interesting and well-conducted school. The Georgetown Presbyterian Church, as mentioned elsewhere in this chapter, had its origin in the Straight Creek Church, about three miles south of Georgetown.. The first preaching in town was held at the court house. September 14, 1829, it was resolved that the Presbytery of Chillicothe be petitioned to change the name of the church to the Presbyterian Church of Georgetown, that the church be incorporated, and that the Trustees, Victor King, James Campbell, James Thompson, James Parker and John Maklem, be authorized to obtain a charter of incorporation. This was not effected until Deeember 21, 1830, at which time the Trustees were James Thompson, James W. Campbell, Duncan Evans, Garret Snedaker and George Blair. It was about this time that the first church was built at Georgetown, a brick, occupy- ing the site of the present Presbyterian Church. The earliest pastors divided their time equally between the Georgetown Church and the old Straight Creek Church for awhile, but as the Georgetown congregation increased proportion- ately much faster than the other, it soon secured three-fourths of the minis- ters' labors, and finally all. The earliest preaching at Georgetown was proba bly conducted by Rev. John Rankin. He was pastor of the Straight Creek Church for a number of years prior to 1829. In that year, Rev. R. B. Dobens was called, and remained with the church one year. January 9, 1830, Rev. Hervey O. Higby was engaged to preach for a year, and, in October, 1831, Rev. Robert J. Hall was called to the pastorate of the church, and continued in charge until 1836, when Rev. James H. Gass was installed minister. He remained several years. In 1837, the membership was 163; in 1841, it had increased to 197. In 1840, Rev. Moses H. Wilder was called to the church, and remained two years. Rev. L. G. Bingham then preached a year, and was succeeded by Rev. David Gould, who was pastor of the church until 1850. Revs. James G. Hopkins, J. Bole and J. Delamater supplied the pulpit for short periods, and Robert Young also preached awhile, Rev. C. Merwin was installed as regular pastor in 1856, but remained only a year or two. H. V. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 403 Warren became pastor in 1858, and continued as such until 1866. The membership in 1861 had decreased to seventy-seven. After Rev. Warren's pastor. ate, the church was supplied for awhile by Revs. Joseph Swindt, Alexander Parker, W. H. Rogers, D. E. Bierce and H. W. Guthrie; and Rev. Erwin Ca- ton became the next regular pastor. He was succeeded by the present minister, Rev. S. A. Vandyke, in 1873. The present church edifice was erected in 1853, at a total cost of about $7,000. The present membership is 114. A flourishing Sabbath school is regularly conducted. It at present is under the superintendency of George N. Woodward, and has a membership of 118. The Ruling Elders of the church have been John Evans, Jonathan Moore, James Thompson, William King, James Campbell, Duncan Evans, Victor King, Garret Snedaker, William Buckner, William Griffin, Philip J. Buckner, John Donaldson, Samuel Martin, C. Snedaker, John Salisbury, R. A. Bower, S. W. Evans, Newton Parker, J. M. Barnes, W. P. Maklem, W. R. Parker, G. E. Matthews, J. H. Wills and W. J. Evans. The last five constitute the present session. A Regular Baptist Church was founded at Georgetown in 1837. In that year, a brick edifice was erected on Market street, just east of the cemetery. Elder Aaron Sargent was the first minister, and the pastoral relation continued between him and this congregation for more than twenty years. The earliest influential members were Job Egbert, Walter Leach, Thomas Jennings, Basil Norris, their families, Henrietta Baker and others. Though organized with a small membership, the church grew steadily for awhile, at one time attaining a membership of about one hundred and fifty. Subsequent to Aaron Sargent, his son, James Sargent, H. H. B. Spencer, B. Y. Seigfried, Wenham Kidder, A. White, Rev. Mason and Rev. Lindsey have had charge of the .church. Many members removed from this vicinity to other localities, and others were removed by death, till finally the membership became too greatly reduced to maintain a pastor regularly, and, about 1874, regular services ceased. Occasional meetings were held, however, until early in 1881, when, by order of the remnant of the once flourishing congregation, the Trustees, C. G. Turner and B. Ramsy, sold the church building, thus completely extinguishing the organization. The Second Baptist Church (colored) was organized July '7, 1868, as the Anti-Slavery Baptist Church of Georgetown, by Elders S. D. Fox and Triplet, and Licentiates R. Burr and George Davis. The name was afterward changed for its present one. At its origin, there were scarcely more than half a dozen members, but the church books now enroll about seventy. The first Deacons elected were Amos Young and John Sharkelford. The pastors and their terms of service have been R. Burr, eight years; E. E. Burr, one year; D. B. Green, two years; G. W. Burr, six months; W. H. Steward, present pastor, entered upon his duties in the spring of 1882. There have been a few times of brief duration when the church was without a minister. The organization was of fected and services held for about three years in the Union School building, then for several year the preaching was conducted in the dwellings of the members, and, since 1874, the schoolhouse for colored pupils, on Water street, has been occupied by them. The congregation is now engaged in constructing a frame house of worship, 28x38, at the extreme south end of Water street. A successful Sabbath school is in operation. SOCIETIES. Georgetown Lodge, No. 72, F. & A. M., was first chartered in 1824, and, on the 24th of June, 1825, Rev. John Rankin delivered an address before the members, which was well received, the lodge paying him $10 for the lecture. 404 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. In 1827, Thomas L. Hamer was Master of this lcdge, and Jesse R. Grant held the same position in 1830. In 1832, the charter was surrendered and the lodge discontinued. Seven years later, however, in 1839, a new charter was granted, under the old name and number, and the lodge thus organized has continued to the present. As originally instituted in 1824, the lodge was officered ae follows: Robert Allen, W. M. ; Jesse R. Grant, S. W.; John Lindsey, J. W.; Joseph Davidson, Treasurer; George B. Bailey, Secretary; William V. Powell, S. D.; Samuel G. Sperry, J. D.; Francis Myers and Franklin Shaler, Stewards. In addition to the foregoing officers, the following members sub- scribed to the by-laws of 1824: Levin Hurley, T. L. Hamer, Joseph Stable- ton, John Wylie, John Dunn, John J. Higgins, John Ferrier, Charles White, John H. Shepherd, William Hill, Horace Bayles, Terry Wamacks, James Loudon, William K. Byrne, John W. Odell, Thomas Middleton, James Baker, John A. Wills, Enoch Ellsberry, William Shepherd and John D. White. The meetings of this lodge were held in the tavern, where the American House now stands, on the northwest corner of the square. The charter was surrendered because of the bitter opposition to Masonry which prevailed so extensively just after the disappearance of Morgan, and the accusation of his murder against this order. The excitement ran high at Georgetown, as elsewhere, and anti- Masonic officers were nominated and elected in Pleasant Township, A Mason was a doomed man, politically, and, under the pressure, the lodge succumbed. It was re-organized September 3, 1838, by the installation of the following officers: John D. White, W. M.; Terry Wamacks, S. W.; James Loudon, J. W.; William Blanchard, Treasurer; George B. Bailey, Secretary; Russell Shaw, S. D.; John Allen, J. D.; James Baker, Tiler. P. L. Wilson was the first member elected and received into the lodge. The first meetings were held in the old court house, then in the second story of the old brick house on the south side of the square, now occupied by Mrs. Carr B. White. About 1849, the Masonic Block, on the east side of the square was erected by a number of stockholders, who were members, and the lodge has since had its home there. The present officers are: John Lefabre, W. M.; L. B. Leeds, S. W.; Louis F. Roth, J. W.; R.W. Evans, Secretary; Henry Brunner, Treasurer; I. L. Ronsheim, S. D.; Charles McKibben, J. D.; Jacob Fley, Tiler; Henry Brunner, Steward. The lodge meets every Thursday, on or before the full moon. Georgetown Chapter, No. 52, Royal Arch Masons, was granted a warrant of dispensation October 22, 1852. The original members were Peter L. Wil- son, John D. White, John Allen, Gideon Dunham, Hanson L. Penn, John J. Higgins, W. M. Gates, Robert Allen, H. Barr, David Barr, B. F. Sallee and W. B. McCormick. Its present membership is fifty-four. Its regular meet- ings are held on Thursday, after the full moon. P. L. Wilson, one of the charter members, has been elected Grand King of the Grand Chapter of Ohio. He has also been Deputy Grand Puissant of the Grand Council. The present officers of the chapter are: George M. Wood, H. P.; L. B. Leeds, Sr., King; D. B. Thompson, Scribe; C. B. Fee, Captain of H.; A. Armstrong, R. A. C.; Marsh Patton, G. M. of Third Vail; F. D. Blair, G. M. of Second Vail; Ford Rish, G. M. of First Vail; N. J. Thompson, Treasurer; I. L. RonsTaeim, Sec- retary; Henry Brunner, Steward. Barrere Council, No. 25, was granted a charter October 12, 1867. Its original membership comprised the names of A. Sallee, H. L. Penn, S. G. Boyd, R. C. Sallee, David Barr, John P. Biehn, F. J. Phillips, John J. Higgins, John Allen, A. Mehaffey and P. L. Wilson. The corps of officers now serving are: David Tarbell, Thr. Ill. M.; Fred Risch, Dep. Ill. M.; John Lafabre, Prin. Con. W.; A. Armstrong, Captain Guard; Henry Brunner, Treasurer; L. PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 405 B. Leeds, Recorder; Henry Brunner, Sentinel. The membership is now thirty-three; the time of meeting, every Monday night previous to full moon. Confidence Lodge, No. 307, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 25, 1856. The charter members were William Shields, David Thomas, W H. Sly, Benjamin Sells, John C. Shepherd, J. H. King, Jeremiah Laycock and John Brockhaus. In 1859, the lodge was meeting in the now residence of Judge J. P. Biehn, on the east side of the square. Later, it occupied the west room of the second story of the Evans building, southwest corner Main and Main Cross streets. In 1866 or 1867, it removed to room it now owns, in the Am Block, southwest corner of the square. W. H. Sly, one of the first members, has since been Grand Master of the State Lodge. In April, 1873, the lodge purchased ten and one-half acres of land a mile north of Georgetown, and converted it into a beautiful cemetery, which is becoming the final resting-place for many of the silent dead for miles around. Seventy-four lots have been sold up to September, 1882. The purchase was not made as a business venture, but be- cause of the need at Georgetown of a new cemetery. Quite a considerable tract has been sold to the Pleasant Township Trustees. The revenues in excess of the actual expenses are used in improving and adorning the grounds. There are now about sixty-five active members in the lodge. Its officers at this date are: Cyrus Edwards, N. G. ; J. W. Lawwill, V. G.; T. J. Leeds, Sec- retary; I. L. Ronsheim, Treasurer. Georgetown Encampment of Patriarchs, No. 194, I. O. O. F., was insti- tuted August 10, 1875, with the following members; George P. Tyler, L. B. Leeds, S. J. Murray, F. M. Wardlow, S. S. Brooks, W. L. Shidler and John A. Tweed. It is now officered by William Wills, C. P.; J. M. Thompson, S. W.; D. B. Thompson, J. W.; D. V. Pearson, H. P.; L. Arzeno, Scribe. Its condition is flourishing. Georgetown Lodge, No. 98, Knights of Pythias, was instituted May 24, 1876. Its first officers were: E. F. Blair, P. C.; J. R. Moore, C. C.; R. L. Fite, V. C.; W. W. Young, Prelate; L. B. Leeds, Jr., K. of R. and S.; E. E. Roney, M. of F.; C. D. Thompson, M. of E.; M. J. Thompson, M. at A.; David Thompson, I. G.; U. G. Rees, O. G. Besides these, the original members included Dr. T. W. Gordon, Dr. Y. Stephenson, Adam Stephen, W. A Snedaker, Dr. W. W. Ellsberry, J. T. Brady and J. J. Lewis. Meetings are held every Monday evening, at the Odd Fellows Hall. The lodge is in excellent working order, and is equipped with complete regalia. The officers who are serving at this date are: John A. Jennings, C. C. ; F. D. Blair, V. C.; U. G. Rees, Prelate; I. L. Ronsheim, M. F.; C. B. Fee, M. at A.; George N. Becker, M. of Ex.; J. H. Lawwill, K. of R. and S.; L. B. Leeds, I. G.: B. F. Woods, O. G. Carr B. White Post, No. 232, G. A. R., received its charter June 3, 1882. Its first officers were: Charles D. Thompson, Post Com.; John A. Tweed, Sr. V. Com.; J. T. Brady, Jr. V. Corn.; Thomas J. Leeds, Quartermaster; G. M. Zeigler, Adjutant; J. W. Gordon, Surgeon; Josiah Edwards, Chaplain. The re- maining charter members were D. W. C. Loudon, Preston Carberry, B. F. Woods, J. B. Burgett, T. C. Smiley, W. W. McKnight, George P. Tyler, D. B. Thompson, John Wills, B. F. Tatman, W. H. H. Vance, A. W. Rees, George Slack, H. C. Louden, Rev. J. W. B. Smith and Samuel Cochran. A lodge of Good TempIan was instituted at Georgetown March 15, 1875, by P. M. Weddell, G. W. C. T., and Jay Pinney, G. W. S. E. The charter members were P. P. Ellis, Carr N. Waterman, Lizzie Kearns, Lee Markley, Emma Blair, Anna Campbell, Lizzie Marshall, Lu Miles, Henry Higgins, Sallie Matthews, B. C. Boucle, Mrs. Boude, C. D. Miles, Charles Blair and 406 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. W. H. Blair. Charter officers: Mrs. D. V. Pearson, C. T.; Jennie Matthews, V. T.; W. H„ Hannah, Chaplain; Charles Perkins, R. S. ; S. D. Water- man, A. R. S.; Charles Crouch, F. S.; Mrs. H. C. Miles, Treasurer; W. B. McGroarty, W'. M.; Nettie Kearns, D. M.; Sallie Devore, I. G.; John Rilea, O. G.; Mrs. Baker, R. H. S.; Mrs. Kearns, L. H. S.; Milton Baker, P. W. C. T. The present officers are C. A. Blair, C. T.; Hassie Turner, V. T.; Mrs. Eva Pearson, Chaplain; Minnie L. Rees, R. S.; David Thomas, Jr., A. R. S.; Henry Hannah, F. S. ; J. N. Harmon, Treasurer; Carey Slack, W. M. ; Ida Markley, D. M.; Charles Hoehn, I. G.; H. C. Stewart, 0. G.; Zoe Arzeno, R. H. S. ; Bessie Higgins, L. H. S., Dott C. Rilea, P. W. C. T. Meetings are held every Monday evening, in the Presbyterian Church. .The membership now numbers eighty-four. A lodge of the A. O. U. W. was organized at Georgetown March 24, 1875, with a membership of fifteen. Its first officers were H. C. Loudon, M. W.; Michael Brunner, G. F.; E. E, Roney, Overseer; David Tarbell, P. M. W. ; Jacob Risch, Recorder; J. R. Moore, Financier; Dr. Y. Stephenson, Receiver; W. A. Snedaker, Guide; John G. Rose, Watchman; L. Arzeno, J. W. Evans and Matthias Arn, Trustees. The lodge enjoyed a prosperous reign of several years, when it surrendered its charter and passed into nonentity. HOTELS. The American Hotel was built by different parties. Allen Woods erected the corner portion probably in 1820. It was a brick structure, containing two rooms, and north of it was a vacant space twenty feet in width, beyond which John Smith and James Crawford had erected a small brick building, which subsequently became a part of the hotel. The space between the two buildings was afterward built over by Crawford for Allen Woods, and the three parts were united in one, constituting the front of the present building. The property passed into the hands of Peter L. Wilson (Mr. Woods' son-in-law), piece by piece, and he built the entire rear portion. Mr. Wilson had located in Lewis Township in 1818, but removed across the river to Augusta, Ky., from which point he came to Georgetown in the winter of 1821-22. He commenced as landlord of the American in 1827, and continued to administer the affairs of that well-known hostelry until 1847, when he rented it, and finally, after several parties had occupied it, sold it to John McColgin in the fall of 1851. The latter gentleman repaired and refitted it, the building, about that time, suffered some damage by fire. The next proprietor was Artus Pepper, who was succeeded, about the 1st of November, 1862, by Esq, John Jenkins, after whom the building was called the " Jenkins House." In February, 1866, John Dillen became proprietor, and was followed by William Norris, who as-. sumed charge December 2, 1867. Dillen was succeeded by George Shields, and he by B. F. Stump. The next and present proprietor is W. N. Bingamon, who uses only a portion of the building for hotel purposes. Another building used as a hotel in early times, and, until within a year or two, stood on the south side of the square, where the bakery is now located. James Vandyke was host at this stand prior to 1827. Other proprietors who succeeded him were Thomas Kirker, Osmus Johnson, David Crawford and Richard Bingamon. The National Union Hotel, at the northwest corner of Pleasant and Main Cross streets, was erected by Edward Lewis in 1863. The roof had just been placed on at the time of Morgan's raid, Mr. Lewis died in 1868, and his son, J. J. Lewis, became proprietor of the house, continuing until 1878. His mother, Mrs. M. M. Lewis, then had the management of the house until the fall of 1882, when she sold it to John M. Richards, who took possession No- PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - 409 vember 15. A one-story hotel was kept at this place by Mr. Dowdney before the present house was built. Since 1877, a portion of the Biehn House, on the north side of the square, has been used for hotel purposes. The first proprietor here was Michael Brim- ner, who remained in charge about a year and a half, and was succeeded by John Pierce. His successor, Albert Kautz, the present proprietor, assumed control in the spring of 1882. BUSINESS INTERESTS. The first bank of Georgetown, and the only one prior to the First National, was opened by Penn & Phillips in January, 1856. John W. King soon secured an interest in the business. A general banking business was carried on until November 15, 1878, when, under the name of F. J. Phillips & Co., the bank suspended. The First National Bank of Georgetown was chartered May 23, 1882, with a capital of $50,000. The first stockholders were John Markley, James H. Dunn, H. C. Loudon, John A. Tweed, Joseph Cochran, W. S. Whiteman, James C. Dunn, J. P. Biehn, E. B. Fee, R. L. Fite, C. P. O'Hara, P. L. Wilson, John M. Markley, John M. Thompson, John Jennings, I. P. HelblinR, Adam Stephen, W. J. Thompson, Robert Conn, L. G. Fee, H. B. Higgins, and W. J. Jacobs. Joseph Cochran was elected President; W. S. Whiteman, Cashier; and James C. Dunn, Teller. The bank owns a neat business room on North Main street, and is rapidly gaining a successful and extensive banking busi- ness. A large number of deposits have already been made, and the amount is constantly increasing. The woolen factory on East Main Cross street—Outlot 15—was erected in 1863 by Warner & Ramey. Very soon after, J. B. Thomas owned an interest, and, during its existence of nearly twenty years, it has frequently changed hands. Thomas and William A. Pepper, W. N. Ramey and Dr. James Sid- well, each for a time owned a share of the factory; W. T. Gilbreath, assignee of W. N. Ramey & Co., sold it to Alfred Jacobs and J. N. Henning. Since then the different members of the firm have been William Jacobs, W. J. Jacobs, Robert Young, E. W. West, T. J. Brown, George Inskeep, W. A.. Dud- ley. Since 1875, the firm name has been R. Young & Co., composed at pres- ent of Robert Young, W. A. Dudley and W. A. Young. The building is a large four-story frame, equipped with all the modern machinery necessary to manufacture yarns, jeans, blankets and flannels. It is, perhaps, the leading industry of Georgetown at present, and gives employment to eighteen hands. The grist-mill, standing nearly opposite the woolen factory, on Outlot 14, the site of Jesse R. Grant's tannery, was built in 1873 by F. F. Steinman and Christian Single. Two years later, Mr. Single purchased the interest of his partner, and has operated the mill since. The Georgetown Building and Loan Association was incorporated February 22, 1879, the articles of incorporation being recorded on the 24th of March following. The association was organized under legislative acts of May 1, 1852, and May 9, 1868; capita, stock, $100,000. The incorporators were L. B. Leeds, Sr., John Lafabre, Henry Brunner, G. Pickard, L. B. Miles, B. F. Woods, E. B. Fee, A. Armstrong, S. P. King, A. D. Crouch and Michael Brun- ner. The institution is yet in existence. POSTMASTERS. William Butt is supposed to have been the first Postmaster of Georgetown. He settled here in 1821. Peter L. Wilson filled the office several years in Jackson's administration, and was succeeded by John Blair. B. C. Baker, 410 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. David Crawford, James Allen, John G. Brose, George D. Evans and James T. Morgan each held the position after Blair. Alfred Armstrong was Postmaster under Buchanan; George Kearns was appointed in 1860, and retained the position till 1872. Since then, Mrs. J. M. Bailey, Mrs. L. E. Powers, Mrs. Jane Crute, Charles F. King and Irving McKibben successively held the office until 1879, when George Kearns, the present Postmaster, again received the appointment. The growth of Georgetown has been slow but steady since the date of its foundation. It is pleasantly located upon an elevated, rolling table land. Its population in 1870 was 1,037; in 1880, 1,293. UNION TOWNSHIP - 411 CHAPTER II. UNION TOWNSHIP. BY F. F. SHAW. 'Tis a great fault in a chronologer To turn parasite ; an absolute historian Should be in fear of none ; neither should he Write anything more than truth for friendship, Or else for hate. —Lingua, 'Tis in books the chief Of all perfections to be plain and brief. —Butler. AS the historian for Union Township, we acknowledge our inability to per- form that complete duty with the justice which the subject so interesting in its scope demands. Our township is large, populous; and the oldest settled in the county. Ripley, the largest village and the most important commercial point in it. Imperfect as this history may be, we rely upon the general' reader for that measure of charity which he would have meted out to him under similar circumstances. The writer would like to excuse the mention of his own name so often in the several matters treated of, but for thirty years be has filled many official positions in the township, and not to do so would leave the subject incomplete. Where it could be avoided it has been. Union is bounded on the north by Jefferson and Byrd; on the east by Huntington Township; on the south by the Ohio River, and on the west by Lewis and Pleasant Townships. It lies in the easterly portion of the county. Its length on the Ohio River, by its manderings, is nearly seven and one-eight miles; its average width is about five and one-half miles, and it contains over forty square miles. It is watered by Straight Creek, a good-sized and lengthy stream on the northwest; Eagle Creek, of about the same size, on the southeast; the Ohio River on the southwest, and through the center by Red Oak Creek. The last is a short stream, but, owing to the great hill surface some four miles back of its mouth, the quantity of water flowing through its channel is at times very great; it rises quickly, and is soon emptied into the beautiful Ohio. The soil is formed upon alternating strata of clay and limestone, and partakes chiefly of these two earths. The river and creek bottoms are composed of sandy soil, largely impregnated with rich clay, forming most productive land for general farming. Nearly.the entire river portion of the township, say one- half or more of the area, though hilly, has always been considered the best farming lands in this part of the county, if not the best in the county. It was originally heavily covered with the finest of timber—walnut, poplar, ash and other sure marks of rich land. The last mile or so of the northeast is good land, more level, and commands high prices in the market. It is easier farmed than the hill portion, makes pretty farms, and to-day is among the most valuable farm land in the county. Within the last year, a farm of 210 acres, four miles from Ripley, with rather poor improvements, sold for $100 per acre. Along the river and throughout the southern portion of the township, are high ranges of hills, and from those along the river an extensive prospect of 412 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY. the Mason County, Ky., hills, valleys and surrounding country on both sides of the river is afforded, and some of the most beautiful sunsets are here seen; but we fear that the grandeur will soon be lessened by reason of the sad havoc made in the shearing of these hills and valleys of the grand old monarchs of the forest to make way for the vile, yet profitable, crop of tobacco. Mr. Thomas Smith, one of the early settlers, moved from Kentucky to this township in 1815. He was a blacksmith, and at once set up shop on Cormick's Run, near Ripley (on the present Ripley & Georgetown Free Turnpike). Mr. John Thompson, present in our office to-day (July, 1882), aged seventy-eight years, in good health, informs us that he learned said trade under Mr. Smith, and while with him he and Mr. Smith frequently went to Maysville, Ky., ten miles up the river, for iron and steel in summer season in skiff, and in winter by sled over a path, there being no regular roads laid out. Mx. Thompson ironed a wagon for Mr. David Flaugher in 1827, which now belongs to Marion Stephenson. Mr. Thompson says he saw it in town the other day, a pretty good wagon yet. Mr. Thompson invented and patented over thirty years ago a wrought iron and steel plow—one of the best ever used in this section of country. Had he been furnished with sufficient means and an energetic managing partner, he could have been worth many thousands of dollars to-day. His son, George W. Thompson, now deceased, invented and patented also an improved hillside plow, which has given great satisfaction. EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Upon the soil of Union Township were made some of the first settlements of Brown County, if not the first. While the border Indian warfare along the Ohio River was aggressive and bitter, and the feuds between the races raged at their intensest pitch, there were doubtless many stirring adventures and probably tragedies enacted within the present limits of our township, which are now forgotten. The bottom lands of Eagle Creek, a noted stream in those early times, for a mile or two from its mouth lie wholly within its ter- ritory, Red Oak courses through its center, and Straight Creek bounds it on the west; both streams, had they tongues with which to speak, could reveal whole chapters from the great unwritten history of the past. Cabins were doubtless built for hunting purposes by adventurous spirits, who dared to face Indian hatred and hostility before the treaty of peace was declared in 1795. Mention is made that Cornelius Washburn and William Dixon, in 1793, crossed the river from Kentucky at Logan's Gap, and built a hut on Eagle Creek, one mile from the river, where Mr. Dixon continued to live for some time.
The first permanent settlement in the township is believed to have been made by Belteshazer Dragoo in 1794 or 1795. He was a Virginian, but, like rnost of the earliest pioneers of Brown County, had lived for a few years prior to his emigration to Ohio in Kentucky. Mr. Dragoo had tarried for awhile in Mason County Ky., then crossed the river and erected his primitive cabin on the waters of Eagle Creek, where E. M. Fitch now resides. He purchased a farm of 300 acres here, and spent the next few years in the ceaseless activity which the successful pioneer must assume in order to improve and develop his home. When the great Shaker excitement spread over this county, he became a convert to the faith, and joined the community. He sold his farm, and lived the remainder of his life with the Shakers near Cincinnati. His wife, Han nah, three daughters and a minor son, Benjamin, accompanied him, the latter under protest. As soon as Benjamin attained his majority, he returned to Union Township, and here lived and died. Of Mr. Dragoo's other three sons, Andrew and Belteshazer removed to Indiana, but Daniel maintained a life-long residence in Union Township.
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William Kinkead was perhaps the next settler. He came in 1796. He was born in Augusta County, Va., and came with his father, William Kinkead, Sr., to Woodford County, Ky., in a very early time. William, Jr., married Anna Dunlap in Kentucky, and her brother, William Dunlap, accompanied them to this township. They built their cabin near where Scott Kinkead now resides, on the J. Harris Survey, several miles north of Ripley. Alexander Dunlap, the father of William, owned a large tract of land near Chillicothe, and in 1797, William and William Kinkead made a journey overland to it, and concluded to settle there; returning after the harvest was gathered, they packed their goods and sent them by keel-boat to Chillicothe, while they drove the stock across through the woods. The Indians were troublesome in that vicinity, and not liking the situation they returned to Union Township without unloading the goods from the boat. Mr. Kinkead remained a resident of this township for life, and died at a good old age. He had nine children, two of whom died young. The others were Nancy (Gilliland), William, Anna (Hopkins), Robert, James, Guy and Scott. Mr. Kinkead brought with him from Kentucky fifty cows, the property of himself and his father-in-law, Alexander Dunlap, and the products of his dairy, butter and cheese, he boated to Cincinnati, and sold there. From the proceeds he paid for the farm he had purchased.
William Dunlap, after living a year or two with the Kinkeads, married Polly Shepherd, and began housekeeping for himself just north of them. His family consisted of eight children—Amanda (Corruthers); James, a minister at Springfield, Ohio; Milton, a Greenfield physician; Nancy (Campbell); William; Alexander, a physician of Springfield, Ohio; Shepherd and Elizabeth Ann.
The Shepherds were also among the earliest settlers of Red Oak. John Shepherd emigrated to where William Gilliland now lives, near Red Oak Presbyterian Church, with a family of grown children. He was a Virginian, and died upon the place he settled in this township. One of the oldest boys, Isaac, was a cabinet-maker by trade, and an old bachelor. Jacob was a farmer, an occupied the home place at his father's death. John removed West. Abraham received a liberal education, and was a surveyor and miller. He built the first steam mill on Red Oak, at the " Buckeye Mills," and traded extensively in pork. He was portly and gentlemanly in bearing, and quite popular in the county, filling several offices of responsibility and honor. He was an early and prominent Mason. In his business transactions, he met with reverses, and finally moved to Putnam County, Ill. None of the Shepherds now reside in this vicinity.
Jeptha Beasley came about the same time, probably in 1798. He was from Spottsylvania County, Va., and born August 20, 1769. He had emigrated to Limestone, now Maysville, Ky., years before, and in times when Indian ravages were imminent. He served as a spy to watch the movements of the savages across the river. When he came to Union Township, he possessed but few worldly goods. He purchased the farm his son, Jeptha, now occupies, in the northeastern part of the township, and for a number of years engaged in farming and boating. He then removed to Ripley, and was the village inn-keeper for a while, but, tiring of this life, he returned again to the farm. He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and County Commissioner. His children were Sally, William, John, Elizabeth, Levi, Jeptha and Nancy.
Matthew McClung was an early settler about three-fourths of a mile east of this, on the present M. German place. He died from the effects of a fall from a horse. David Devore settled on Red Oak, about six miles from Ripley in 1800.
Rev. John Dunlavy resided on what is now the R. Mannon place, about a mile southwest from Red Oak Presbyterian Church, early in the present cen-
414 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
tury. This church was organized in 1798 or 1799, and was the first in the county. During the first summer of its existence, prayer meetings were held in a thicket north of Ripley at the forks of the pike, where Spenee Spears' tobacco warehouse now is; then a round log house was built near where the present church stands. It was soon replaced by a hewed-log church, which was burned. A stone house of worship was erected in 1817. Rev. Dunlavy is said to have been the first stated minister. He remained with the church not quite two years. His ministrations became tainted with the heresy of Shakerism, with which faith he afterward affiliated, and the congregation for- bade his farther use of the church. He at first disregarded the prohibition, but at the second meeting afterward was met at the door by Jacob Shepherd, the sexton, who denied him admission. Rev. Dun lavy drew with him to the Shakers, it is said, nearly one-half the membership of this church. Rev. James Gilliland settled on Red Oak, and became pastor of the church in 1805, and continued in that relation until within a short time of his death, which occurred in 1854. A Latin school was held in this church for a long time; Alexan- der Gilliland and afterward Adam Gilliland were the teachers.
Col. Mills Stephenson was one of the earliest settlers on Eagle Creek, com- ing several years prior to the close of the last century. He was born in Dela- ware, and in his youth was filled with a passion for a life on the ocean wave. He embarked on a vessel as cabin boy, and was soon disenchanted from the rosy visions that had filled his mind. The drudgery he was compelled to perform on Sunday while the sailors played cards and indulged in other profanation of the Sabbath, did not accord with his notions of propriety, and he quickly abandoned his early love. He removed with his parents to Pennsylvania, and afterward came to Mason County, Ky. After his arrival i this township, he engaged in farming. He entered the war of 1812 as Colonel of a batallion, and served throughout. Fort Stephenson was named in his honor. His wife, Jane (Kilpatrick), died soon after the close of the war, and he removed to Ripley. Afterward he was one of a company who purchased the Buckeye Mills, but the investment proved disastrous. The death of Col. Stephenson occurred June 16, 1822, in Louisiana, while he was on a trip down the Mississippi. His children were Ephraim, Mary (Stephenson), Robert P. , Isabel, Elizabeth (Wallace), Young and Lemuel.
On what was know as Bradford's Bottom, near the mouth of Eagle Creek, was quite a little settlement in very early times. The land then belonged to Ignatius Mitchell, of Kentucky. Jacob Middleswart was an early settler here. He was a renter only, and moved afterward with his family back into the in- terior of the county. Robert Savage, from Pennsylvania, settled in the same vicinity. He was well advanced in life when he came, and lived here till he died. Sophia McFadden, a widow, with her children, Hugh, Charlie and Sophia, lived close by. They afterward moved to Auglaize County. James Stephenson, a half-brother of Col. Mills, settled just east of Ripley, where some of his descendants still live.
Amongst the earliest settlers farther up Eagle Creek, were Thomas and Henry Bayne. They were of Scotch-Irish nationality, and came from Penn- sylvania. Both died in this township, and their posterity are widely scattered. Richard Rollison, a Revolutionary soldier, was another. He afterward moved with the Hardestys and others to the Mad River. John and James Espy, were natives of Tyrone County, Ireland, and early residents here. The latter was drowned about three-fourths of a mile east of Ripley.
Fogus McClain was another of Eagle Creek's foremost settlers. He was from Western Pennsylvania; was implicated in the whisky insurrection there, and when matters came to a crisis took French leave, and hurried off down the
UNION TOWNSHIP - 415
Ohio in a boat, landing on Eagle Creek. He here bought a farm from Mitchell, and remained through life. He had been a Revolutionary soldier and was a Mason. He had but one child, John. Abner Howard built his cabin very early on the same stream. He erected a little mill about three and a half miles from the mouth of the creek. Robert Hopkins settled farther north.
The Ellis family was among the first to settle in the western part of Union Township In 1798, Amos Ellis and Mary (McConnell) Ellis, his wife, located three miles north of Ripley, on the head-waters of Cormick Run. Two years before, they had left Pennsylvania with Thomas McConnell, her brother, and come to Washington, Ky., where they located temporarily. In the fall of 1797, Ellis and McConnell crossed the river and built huts on the land to which they moved their families the ensuing spring. Mr. McConnell remained on the farm he then settled for life, and his son, Milford, now occupies it. He was a zealous Baptist. In 1822, Amos Ellis was appointed County Treasurer, and the following year was elected to the same office. He was also elected a member of the Legislature in 1803 and again in 1809. He died in 1832 at the age of sixty-two years. His wife survived him seventeen years. Isaac Ellis, a brother of Amos, also came to the township in the spring of 1798, and settled on a farm adjoining his brother's. He had two sons, Elias and John, and several daughters. Both sons moved to Illinois.
Thomas Cormick, in 1797, settled on Cormick Run, about a mile northwest from Ripley. He was born in Nova Scotia, but had lived in Virginia and Kentucky before emigrating hither. He was a good specimen of the rough frontiersman, and raised a large family of children. When he came, two settlers, William and James Prigett Long, were living in this vicinity. James Henry was an early settler on "Pisgah Ridge." He lived on the farm now occupied by James Myers, and died December 4, 1834, in his seventy- sixth year. William Bowers, an Irishman, settled about three-fourths of a mile west of the Buckeye Mills, on Red Oak. He followed weaving, and remained on this place through life. Henry Martin was one of the first settlers in the region of Straight Creek. He was Justice of the Peace for many years, and Associate Judge of the county. John Mefford was one of the earliest near Levanna.
Col. James Poage owned a one-thousand-acre tract, including the site of Ripley, and settled on it with his family. In former times he had been wealthy, but he came west with broken fortunes. He is remembered as a quiet, unassuming gentleman, strictly honorable in all his transactions. He was well advanced in life when he arrived, and had a family of children, most of whom were men and women. He died April 9, 1820, in his sixty-fifth year. His wife, Mary, survived him ten years. Of their children, John, James, Robert, Thomas, George, Patsy, Elizabeth and Polly are remembered. Most of them died of consumption in early manhood and womanhood, and the few who escaped the dread disease have long since gone to other climes.
Archibald Tweed was one of the foremost pioneers of the township. He came prior to the present century. His family was large. He died December 24, 1830, aged eighty-four years. His wife, Jannet, preceded him to the grave five years. Alexander Jolly, from Maryland, was another original settler, who lived here through life. He was a prominent Baptist. William Campbell in 1800 moved to the township from Kentucky. He was originally from Virginia. William Humphries, Peter Shaw, Christian Wiles, John Redman, John For sythe, Dr. Alexander Campbell, Thomas Dickens, John Laughlin, John Baird, Nathaniel Collins, Andrew Carr and William Colter were other early settlers.
RIPLEY.
Ripley was laid out about the period of the war of 1812 by Col. James
416 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
Poage, of Virginia, on a part of his 1,000-acre tract, No. 418. It was first called Staunton, from Staunton, Va. The name was afterward changed to Rip. ley in honor of Gen. Ripley, a distinguished officer in the war of 1812. The town is located on the east side of the Ohio River, about fifty miles above Cincinnati.
Among the early business men of Ripley was Thomas Myers, who is said to have been the first man engaged in merchandising in the village. Mr. Myers was followed by William Humphries and Dr. Campbell in the same business. George Poage, John Evans and Joseph N. Campbell were also early business men of Ripley. Thomas Hopkins, Peter Shaw, J. A. Hughes, Archibald Liggett, Silas Palmer, S. S. Campbell, Nathaniel Collins and Thomas McCague were also prominent men in the building of the town, and in augmenting its business interests. The county seat was located here in the latter part of the year 1818. The following is a list of the Mayors of Ripley from 1826 to 1882:
Nathaniel Collins (the first), Archibald Liggett, George W. King, S. S. Campbell, John Gaddis, Alexander Campbell, Sr., Silas Palmer, C. F. Campbell, John Gaddis, O. F. Shaw, C. Baird, A. P. Lewis, C. Baird, R. N. Jen.. kins, M. M. Murphy, David Gaddis, C. F. Campbell, David Gaddis, J. M. Bell, J. P. Johnson, David Gaddis, J. 1VIcCague, A. C. Collins, M. M. Mur- phy, W. H. Sly and W. D. Young. The following are the officers of Ripley: Mayor, W. D. Young; Police Justice, F. F. Shaw; Clerk, Stanley Merrill; Treasurer, Henry Fleig; Council, J. C. Liggett, Fred Fleig, J. S. Atwood, M. M. Murphy, Robert Campbell, Michael Linn.
There have been two additions made to the town of Ripley, to wit: "Poage's," in 1837, and " Poage Williamson's," February, 1852.
The first court held in Brown County was at the house of Dr. Alexander Campbell, in Ripley, in April, 1818, Judge Joshua Collett presiding. In 1819, a site for the county seat was purchased (now the Charles Abbott farm, on Straight Creek, about the nearest geographical point in the county), and the town of Bridgewater laid out. Two terms of court were held there during that year. The title being imperfect, the site was abandoned, and the county seat located at Ripley in the latter part of 1819. The citizens of Union Township raised by donation a considerable sum to aid in the construction of the new court house. Before its completion, the Legislature appointed Commissioners to again locate the county seat, who located the same at Georgetown, the present seat of justice. Afterward, by an act of the General Assembly, passed February 6, 1824, relief was granted James Poage by the County Commissioners, "allowing him for the building of a court house in the town of Ripley."
LEVANNA.
John Liggett was the first man to make any improvement on the present site of Levanna ,by making a clearing and building a log cabin in 1799. Thomas Cornack, Alexander Martin and Henry Tupper were also early settlers in this vicinity. George and Christian Shultz were the first men of business in the village, they being engaged in merchandising. These were succeeded by Butt & Shultz, who operated for a short time, when the name of the firm was changed to that of Waters, Butt & Co. Waters also kept the first ferry in the county at this point. These men were engaged in business here as early as 1810. Following these, were Myers & Evans, merchants, who are said to have accumulated considerable property while engaged in business here. Evans subsequently moved to Ripley, and Myers to Augusta, Ky.
The first school was taught here in a log cabin on the land of Matthew Davidson, now owned by John Pangburn, during the latter part of the year
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1800 by Henry Miller. In 1820, the first newspaper (the Benefactor) published in the county was issued at this place by Louden, Butt & Co. The paper was discontinued at the end of a year.
In the year 1849, C. W. Boyd located here, and was engaged as clerk in the store of Samuel Horn. During the year previous (1848), Joseph Ramsey had built a saw-mill, the same being purchased by D. G. Stillman in consequence of the death of Ramsey. Stillman continued to operate until the year 1856, at which time he sold the mill to C. W. and S. G. Boyd, who continued the business until 1866, when they rebuilt the mill, adding also a planing- mill, increasing their business from $10,000 to $200,000 per annum. In 1873, a store was opened in connection with their lumber business. The cooper shop in connection with the planing-mill manufactures between eight and nine thousand tobacco hogsheads annually.
The firm of C. W. & S. G. Boyd has been changed to the Boyd Manufacturing Company, and is an incorporated joint-stock company, doing business at Ripley, Levanna and Higginsport, in the county. The company is driving an extensive trade, and to-day, July 1, 1882, has virtually monopolized the trade in their line in the county.
The village contains one graded school, an organization of Good Templars, one adjunct church organization, blacksmith shop, post office, has daily communication with Georgetown, Ripley, Cincinnati, and all points on the Upper Ohio River.
For many years, dating back to 1849, the hills back of Levanna and for several miles below were set in the Catawba grape, and these vineyards produced large quantities of the very best of native wine, commanding the highest market price; but of late years these vineyards, as well as those in other parts of the township, have proved a failure. Other varieties have been substituted, but the wine is no so good, and many of the old vineyards have been abandoned, and other crops raised instead, so that the wine crop is less in quantity and something less in value per gallon.
HESTORIA.
Hestoria was laid out by Nicholas F. Devore, and the plat thereof recorded June 18, 1860, and contains twenty-six inlots of various sizes, most of them 132x264 feet; besides in the limits of the hamlet are several acres not laid out in lots. A part of the Ripley fair ground is within the limits of the corporation. There are many substantial and handsome dwelling houses here, mostly owned and occupied by merchants and others doing business in Ripley, which adjoins Hestoria, and is connected with it by a very fine iron bridge with ample foot walks on either side, crossing Red Oak Creek at the end of Second street in Ripley, and Empire street in Hestoria. The name Hestoria is made up from portions of the name of Mr. Devore's wife, " Hester," and daughter, " Victoria." Mr. Devore is in very poor health, and has been a great sufferer from pain for eleven years, and is now seventy-six years of age. His wife is also alive at the ripe age of seventy-one. They reside in a large, very neat and substantial brick dwelling on the river bank, within the limits of Hestoria. Mr. Devore is one of the oldest inhabitants of this county who were born here and continuously from birth resided in the county. He is one of our wealthiest men, and is largely interested in the Farmers' National Bank
An addition was laid out by J. E. D. Ward, a printer, and also a member of the Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the rebellion. He married a daughter of Mr. David and Mrs. Sarah E. Espy, and upon a division of the estate, Mr. Ward laid out his wife's portion in lots; had it surveyed and platted, which was recorded on the 15th day of July, 1867. Seventy lots were
420 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
laid out, those fronting on Pike street being 66x125 feet; those back of the front tier to Extension street, are 66x120 feet, and those back of these 66x110 feet,
About six acres in the northwest corner of the Ward tract was sold to Jacob Stamm, and from the day of sale up to this year, early vegetables were cultivated on it in hot-house and otherwise. The Town Council of Ripley recently purchased this lot of ground for cemetery purposes, and it is now being handsomely laid out and improved. It is separated from the other cemetery lot laid out in 1832, now filled up, by a twenty-foot street called Debrose's street, which will be annulled, and the two tracts thrown into one.
There has been but little improvemeut in Ward's Addition. A great number of the lots were sold to poor colored people, who had no means to erect mon) than a "shanty," but peace and contentment reign here.
CHURCHES.
Presbyterian Church (Ripley). —This church was organized in the spring of 1816 by the Presbytery of Chillicothe. The original members, twenty-four in number, were all connected with the church at Red Oak, except two. viz.. Dr. and Mrs. Adam Wylie, who had certificates in transfer from a church in Pennsylvania. During the two years succeeding its organization, the services of the church were held in private houses generally, and sometimes in the schoolhouse. Arrangements were made for the building of a church in 1817, and a lot was donated by James Poage for that purpose. A brick house, 45x45 feet, was erected, which was used until 1854, when another was erected and used until 1867, when it was sold and a new building erected. A very handsome little church was torn down to give place to the present elegant edifice, which was erected at a cost of $26,000. It was built on the old site, corner of Third and Mulberry streets. Rev. James Ross was the first regular preacher, commencing his labors in 1818, and continuing three years, leaving in 1821. In 1822, Rev. John Rankin was installed pastor. For twenty-three years he labored zealously, and became known throughout the country as an earnest anti-slavery man, and among the foremost in the temperance cause. In 1836, Mr. Rankin accepted the agency for the American Anti-Slavery Society for one year, during which time his place was supplied by Rev. James Dunlap. In 1838, a division in the General Assembly took place; this church decided to adhere to the New School branch connected with the Cincinnati Presbytery. After a few years, Rankin returned, and was given permission by the Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relation.
In 1845, he organized another church, to which he ministered until the re-union of the churches in 1865. By the personal efforts of Robert McMillin, James Reynolds, Sr., Theodore W. Collins and others this church was erected in Ripley on Third street (now owned by the Disciples' Church.)
Christian Church. - In 1842, an effort was made to organize a society. During the summer, Rev. Mr. Baker by invitation preached occasionally. After one year, the congregation fitted up the second story of the warehouse belonging to a member of the church. The membership continued to increase until 1845, when it numbered 170. During the year 1846, a church building was erected at a cost of $7,000. The late Elder Matthew Gardner assisted in the dedicatory services. Disciples' Church.—About the 1st of January, 1863, J. Z. Taylor, by invitation of J. P. Dougherty, began a series of meetings in the old Christian meeting-house in the town of Ripley. After some days of co-operation, it was proposed to unite the fragments of the two people, which proved a failure. A few persons then resolved to form themselves into a church, which they did
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near the middle of January, 1863, and employed J. Z. Taylor to preach for them.
During the first year, the society occupied the old Christian Church, and the second year they occupied Liggett Chapel, on Second street. At the close of the second year, it was ascertained that they were not able to pay rent for a building in addition to paying a minister, consequently the meetings ceased for want of available means and some place in which to worship. The society remained in a dormant state until the spring of 1867, at which time they purchased the Second Presbyterian Church on Third street for the sum of $4,000, when the regular meetings were resumed, and have continued to the present time.
Methodist Episcopal Church (Ripley).—This church stands intimately connected with the pioneer operations of the county. The Brush Creek Circuit was organized early in 1811, and its third quarterly meeting was held at Eagle Creek camp grounds. The next was held at Alexander Mehaffey's house, on Eagle Creek, September 12, 1812. Solomon Langdon was Presiding Elder, and Isaac Pavey preacher in charge of the circuit. At Eagle Creek camp ground, August 9, 1813, the following entry was made on the records of the quarterly conference:
Henry Bascom is recommended to the annual conference for a circuit to have and preach; obtained it. (Signed) ROBERT FINLEY, President pro tern.
Thus emerged from our very midst that matchless orator whose fame has filled the world, and of whom Henry Clay, when urging his appointment as Chaplain to Congress, for which the noblest names of nearly all the churches were placed before Congress, and competition ran higher than ever before or since, rising to his full height, as an advocate, said: " Why, Mr. Speaker, Henry Bascom will preach you all to hell and half-way back again while the other aspirants are getting ready." Bascom was promptly elected Chaplain to Congress over all opposition, and thus from Eagle Creek we sent to the highest crag of the rock of our national glory the orator of Brown County, who was amongst preachers as the eagle among birds. In 1816, Brush Creek Circuit embraced Brown and three or four other counties, numbering thirty societies, fifteen local, beside the regular itinerant preachers. In 1812, Rev. Isaac Parry formed the class at " Fitch's," and Bishop Bascom appointed class leader at the age of sixteen. The following names appear on the records of the beginning of Methodism in this vicinity in 1812: H. B. Bascom, Alpheus Bascom, Hannah Bascom, Mrs. Parent, Hugh Allen, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Staten, Henry Hardesty, Henry Morris, George Coates.
The first Methodist sermon was preached by Rev. John Collins at the first burial among the villagers of Staunton (now Ripley), it being the wife of Barnard Jackson, afterward one of the Township Trustees. This branch of the church was early organized in Ripley. A class of a few members was formed at the residence of Samuel Fitch, ,332 Eagle Creek, in 1812. In 1818, Rev. John Caddis was appointed class leader in Ripley by Rev. William Dixon, in charge of an adjoining circuit. The names of the principal members were John Ashbaugh, Sophia Ashbaugh, Ann and William Tupman, Rachel, Sophia and Anna Hardin, Mr. and Mrs. McDaniel, William Creekbaum and John Cauffman. The house of John Rhodes was the place of preaching, and afterward alternately the houses of Ashbaugh, Hardin and Jackson. The congregation in 1867 erected a new church building on Second street, at a cost of $35,000, including the furnishing of this handsome building in the best of style. The steeple is a model for symmetry and beauty. The auditorium will seat 600 persons.
422 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
A history of St. Michael's Church (Catholic) will be found in another part of this volume.
Baptist (Colored) Church (Ripley). -Until the year 1855, what few relig- iously inclined colored people lived in Ripley attended the Presbyterian Church. In August of that year, an organization was effected, and Rev. George Grayson, a colored man, became the pieacher for this little band of poor, but well-meaning, people, and the church was then established. Jane Marshall, John Hughes, Adeline Hughes and Granny Brown were among the first members. By donations from friends, they were enabled to buy a little property, the old brick warehouse on Second street, where Mr. Devore's new two-story brick building stands, where, with rough benches and cheap lights, day and night services were held for some time; the congregation soon gained in num- bers. Afterward this lot was deeded to Mrs. E. F. Liggett, holding the interest of her husband, one of the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in part payment for the old Methodist Episcopal Church on Third street, now occupied by this congregation. This people have worked incessantly and to-day are out of debt, having paid $4,000 for the church building, which is large, well con- structed and in good repair. The present membership is about one hundred and seventy-five. Present preacher in charge is Rev. J. M. Meek, to whom the congregation is very much indebted for his financial management of their affairs, bringing them out of debt in a few years' labor. Trustees, B. Spur- lock, Joseph Bulger and Cupid Strander; Deacons, Joseph Washington, Charles Washington, Joseph Bulger, Harry Hawkins and Benjamin Spurlock.
"Wesleyan (African) Church was organized at the house of Merritt Durgaw about thirty years ago. The first recollection of your historian, and it seems that it is about the oldest, as compared with those living, is that the first meetings were held in the second story of the J. D. Evans estate property on Third street, near corner of Main street on Second (now the saloon property of At- wood).
Afterward, the society perfected its organization, and met from time to time at the residence of Henry Hord and other good brethren.
The friends of the church saw that these good people were in earnest and determined in their efforts to build up a church, and they then lent them their aid, and the result was that the society soon completed a suitable building for public worship, and to-day occupies the same, free from debt. Rev. C. W. Clemens was instrumental in organizing the church. He was followed by his brother, R. J. Clemens, who superintended the building of the present church edifice, corner of Third and Cherry streets. The church afterward got into a difficulty about the minister in charge, Rev. J. Henderson, who, it is claimed, endeavored to carry them over to the African Methodist Church. He succeeded in winning over some twenty or thirty of the membership. In that weakened condition the church sent for Bro. T. H. Clinton, who possessed more than ordinary ability and who succeeded in uniting and building up the church, and remained as its faithful pastor for over ten years.
THE PRESS OF RIPLEY.
The first printing establishment brought to this county was purchased by Louden, Butt & Co., of Morgan, Lodge & Co., in Cincinnati, and a paper published on it entitled the Benefactor, in June, 1820, in the village of Levanna, two miles below Ripley, on the Ohio River, in this (Union) Township. It continued one year at that place, when a dissolution took place, and Mr. Louden sold his interest to William Middleton, of Ripley.
The second paper published in the county was the Political Censor. This paper was first established at Williamsburg, at that time the county seat of
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Clermont County, by Thomas S. Foot and Robert Tweed. The first number was issued in March, 1812. It strenuously opposed the last war with Great Britain, that being the bone of contention with the then contending parties in the United States. Foot & Tweed continued its publication until some time in 1814, when they sold the establishment to James Finley, who continued to publish the paper at Williamsburg one year, when he removed to West Union, Adams County, and continued its publication until March, 1822, at which time he removed to Ripley. In 1823, the establishment was purchased by John and James Carnahan, who published the paper until some time in 1824, when it was discontinued. Size of the paper was 17x22 inches; terms. $1.50 per annum in advance.
The third paper published in the county was the Castigator, the first number of which was issued at Ripley on the 11th day of June, 1824, by David Ammen.
The material on which the Castigator was printed, afterward printed the Examiner, the Ripley Telegraph, and still later Freedom's Casket, by Will Tomlinson, who removed the material to Piketon, Pike Co., Ohio, and published the Hickory Sprout upon it. After issuing eleven numbers of the Sprout, commencing July 24, 1844, the material was burned.
The first number of the Farmers' Chronicle and Ripley Advertiser was issued at Ripley on the 25th of August, 1830. It was edited by G. W. King, and published by Patterson. Mr. King had purchased the material for the office with the hope of assisting Mr. Patterson to obtain a livelihood for himself and family, but, finding that Mr. Patterson's propensity for alcoholic drinks was almost insatiable, he disposed of the press, type, etc., after keeping up the paper for nearly a year.
The Ohio Whig, C. F. Campbell, editor, issued its first number at Ripley August 4, 1834. The printing material had been purchased by Mr. Campbell from Isaac N. Morris, who had just ceased editing a short-lived paper at Georgetown.
The Whig was continued until some time in 1836, when Mr. Campbell sold the establishment to Robert B. Harlan, of Wilmington, Clinton Co., Ohio.
The next paper was the Political Examiner, the first number of which was issued at Georgetown by John Duffee and Thomas H. Lynch, on the 21st of June, 1837. After the publication of a few numbers, the paper was issued by Duffee & Pollock until after the returns of the election of 1838, when the publication of the Examiner was discontinued. At that time, Preston Sellers owned a share in the press, and he taking charge of the paper published it until the next August, when Lynch sold the material to C. Edwards, of Ripley. Mr. Sellers then procured new material, and continued to publish the Examiner until August, 1843, when he sold out to Isaac N. Walters, who removed the press and fixtures to Clark County, Ohio. Sellers then purchased the material upon which the Free Press had been printed at Xenia, Ohio, and removed it to Georgetown, where he continued to publish the Examiner until March, 1845, when it was removed to Ripley, and there published until August, when it was transferred by the Sheriff to G. W. and Oscar F. Shaw, who commenced the publication of the Ripley Bee upon the material. In August, 1839, as mentioned above, C. E. Edwards purchased the material of a Georgetown paper, the Political Examiner, and, removed it to Ripley, issued the first number of the Ripley Telegraph on the 7th of September, 1839. Mr. Edwards continued to publish it until January 8, 1842, when he sold to Morrison H. Burns, who published it until May, 1843. when he sold it to Will Tomlinson, who published Freedom's Casket on the same material.
The Ripley Bee succeeded the Examiner. It was published by George
424 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
W. and Oscar F. Shaw. The first number of the Bee was issued on the 23d day of August, 1845. The paper was continued under this firm until May 1, 1848, when L. G. Jenkins purchased G. W. Shaw's interest in the paper, which was then conducted by the firm of Shaw & Jenkins, until May, 1849, when Oscar F. Shaw sold his interest to C. F. Campbell. Campbell & Jenkins enlarged the paper, and continued the publication of the paper until the 19th of August, 1850, when Jenkins sold his interest to C. F. Campbell and T. F. Sniffin.
Among the graduates of the Bee office while it was under Campbell & Sniffin's control may be named Frank T. Campbell, ex-Lieutenant Governor of Iowa; Angus K. Campbell, a practicing lawyer at Newton, Iowa; J. Q. A. Campbell, editor of the Republican, a widely-circulated newspaper at Belle- fontaine, Ohio; two other sons of Mr. Campbell, Archie and Charles, who have been connected with newspapers at other places; Henry R. Boss, a well-known printer and writer, now residing in Chicago; Capt. William Parker, editor and publisher of various papers in Amboy and Mendota, Ill., and in Kansas. The next Ripley newspaper was the Taylor Battery, published by Isaac D. Shaw. The Battery was a Whig campaign paper and published only during the campaign of 1848.
The Ripley Herald, published by Will Tomlinson, the material being owned by a company of Spiritualists. The first number was issued on the 13th of May, 1852. The Herald advocated the doctrine of Spiritualism. After nine- teen numbers of the paper had been issued, Mr. Tomlinson sold his interest to Oliver Baker and others, who changed its name to Spiritual Era and con- tinued its publication until January, 1854.
A Pierce campaign paper called the Granite Rock was published in 1852 by Will Tomlinson in Ripley, edited by A. P. Lewis and N. A. Devore. After the first few numbers were published, the paper was conducted by Mr. Tomlin- son alone. Next in the list was the Scott Battery, a Scott campaign paper for the campaign of 1852, published in the Bee office in Ripley, and edited by Isaac D. Shaw.
The Loyal Scout, another campaign paper, was published in Ripley during the campaign of 1860 by Will Tomlinson.
In June, 1867, the Independent Press made its appearance in Ripley, published by Ward & Sellers. At the expiration of eight months, the same was sold to Thomas Gliddon, who published it for a period of three or four months, when it was consolidated with the Ripley Bee. In January, 1870, Mr. Tomlin- son began the publication of a paper in Ripley entitled the Lunch Basket. At the expiration of the third month, Mr. Tomlinson purchased an interest in the Ripley Bee. and discontinued the publication of the Lunch Basket. In the spring of 1870, began the publication of the Reform, the paper being published in the town of Ripley by a stock company, the publication of which terminated at the close of the sixth month.
On the 15th of July, 1874, S. J. Housh purchased of Reynolds & Baird the Ripley Bee, and the name of the paper was changed to the Ripley Inde- pendent, the same being published six months, when it was sold to M. J. Chase & Co., who again changed the name to the Ohio Valley Times. On the 20th of July, 1875, W. B. Tomlinson purchased the paper, resuming the old name, Ripley Bee.
The Ohio Valley Times was, in March, 1876, published by W. P. Reynolds. Afterward, November 25, 1878, J. C. Newcomb and W. P. Reynolds published the Ripley Times upon new material furnished by Newcomb and the old owned by W. P. Reynolds. The publication of this paper was continued until May, 1880, when W. W. Gilliland entered into copartnership with J. C.
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Newcomb, buying out Reynolds' interest in the paper. The Ripley Bee, by W. B. Tomlinson, had continued on up to this time; then Mr. Tomlinson sold his subscription list to Gilliland & Newcomb, and the name was changed to the Bee and Times, Mr. Tomlinson removing his press and material to Ironton, Ohio, where he has ever since published a weekly paper called the Ironton Busy Bee. In August, 1881, Mr. W. W. Gilliland sold out to Newcomb, and the latter has continued to publish the Bee and Times to this date. The Chase publication was neutral in politics; the others were Republican.
H. J. Menaugh & Co. purchased material, and the Ripley Saturday Budget made its appearance on the 11th day of June, 1881, neutral in politics, and it has appeared regularly every Saturday since to the present time. This is the last paper started in Ripley or within the county; size, 26x40 at this date, July, 1882.
We are indebted to Dr. T. W. Gordon, in the Brown County Atlas, for copious extracts therefrom on the subject of the press, using his text as far as it will apply to Union Township.
THE SCHOOLS, EARLY TEACHERS, ETC.
It is quite difficult to give strictly accurate dates as to the early schools and teachers of our public stools; the following-, however, will be found nearly so. The first teacher was Zaccheus Martin in 1816, Peter Wiles following him. Between 1820 and 1830, Rev. Mr. Reuben White, Nathaniel Brockway and others taught more or less. Between 1830 and 1853, the latter date being the year the new school system in Ohio went into operation, among others the following teachers were engaged: C. F. Campbell, Esq., Nathaniel Cradit, John. McCague, M. P. Gaddis, George Palmer, David Abbot, M, and Mrs. Bissell, Mr. and Mrs. Henderson, Mr. and Mrs. Bowen, Joseph Hughes, W. G. Kephart, Horace Norton, Mr. Whittemore, Jonathan Taft, Capt. George W. Shaw, W. S. Humphreys, Andrew Coons, Elijah Warner, a Mr. Conkling and Mr. Earhart, of Pennsylvania. The latter taught in about 1825, and was the founder of the first Sabbath school in Ripley. In 1828, a college was founded, with Rev. John Rankin as President; James Simpson, Professor of Languages, and Nathaniel Brockawy, Professor of Mathematics. The school was continued to 1832. Mr. Brockway died of cholera that year, which was a sad and is a memorable year to our people.
In 1832, a female seminary was established by Rev. J. Rankin, with Miss Riley (afterward a missionary to India) First Assistant, Miss Ervin, second, and Miss Murray, third.
A college was founded in 1840 with Rev. J. Rankin, President, W. S. Humphreys and James Frazier, Assistants. Rev. Jonathan Taylor succeeding Mr. Rankin, this school continuing until 1849.
Among the distinguished personages who received their first instruction in the schools of Ripley were President U. S. Grant, Admiral David Ammen, Gen. Jacob Ammen, Gen. Robert Allen, C. Q. M. U. S. A., and a long list of emi- nent divines, editors, lawyers, physicians, missionaries, teachers and artists.
Under what is known as the "old school district system," or "free schools," but little benefit was derived from the limited public funds. The text-books used were the Explanatory Monitor, Pike's Arithmetic (" tare and tret made us boys swear and sweat"), Olney's Geography, Kirkham's Grammar and the English Reader, In February, 1853, the General Assembly of Ohio enacted substantially the present excellent system, which was published in the county papers, and the' masses read and re-read its provisions. The justness of the principle, "That the property of the State should educate the children of the State," had the right "ring" to the poor man, and the far-seeing capitalist
426 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
saw that as ignorance gave way to the intelligence of the whole people, his means were more safe—that theft, arson, murder and misdemeanors of all kinds were greater where ignorance prevailed; so, band in hand, the poor man and the rich one set the great school system of Ohio in motion. The results show the wisdom of our law-makers, and how easy it is to enforce law when the people want it.
The first Board of Education of Ripley under the new law was elected in April, 1853, and was composed of Archibald Liggett, Nathaniel Cradit and David Gaddis, Directors, and F. F. Shaw, Recorder of the town, ex officio Clerk of the Board. Mr. Liggett served many years, and died in 18'77. His son, J. C. Liggett, is a member of the present School Board; Mr. Cradit and Mr. Gaddis are still living at advanced ages. Mr. Cradit has a son, and the said Clerk a daughter, teachers in the present schools, May, 1882. The pres ent Superintendent, Prof. J. C. Shumaker, has filled that responsible position since 1871, and has proved "the right man in the right place. '
The last report of the Superintendent is as follows:
TO THE BOARD OF EDUCATION:
Gentlemen—According to Section 6, of Rules and Regulations, I have the honor to submit this report of the Ripley Union Schools for the year commencing September 5, 1881, and ending June 1. 1882:
Number of teachers, 16; number of children of school age, 896; number of pupils en- rolled—boys, 359; girls, 424; total, 783; average monthly enrollment—boys, 294; girls, 350; total, 644; average daily attendance—boys, 262; girls, 322; total, 584; number of days schools were in session, 186; per cent of attendance, 91; cost, per pupil, of the year's tuition, $7.90.
BRANCHES OF STUDY, WITH THE NUMBER OF PUPILS IN EACH BRANCH.
Alphabet, 80; reading, 700; spelling, 700; writing, 700; arithmetic, 534; geography, 418; English grammar, 377; oral lessons, 496; composition, 379; algebra, 58; American literature, 14; natural philosophy, 44; physiology, 22; physical geography, 26; Latin, 45; geometry, 28: science of government, 14; rhetoric, 14; trigonometry, 14; astronomy, 14; history. 48; German, 113; French, 10; number in graduating class of 1882, 14; whole number of graduates, 96.
TEACHERS' MEETINGS.
Monthly Teachers' Meetings were held during the year. Papers were read as follows:
"History of Education, and New Methods of Instruction," J. C. Shumaker. "Practical Phonetics," Carrie Evans. "Morals and Manners in School," J. T. Whitson. "Use of Slates in Primary Schools," Julia Lowry. "Some of the Results of Education," Lizzie Liggett. "Flowers and Children," Ella Biehn. "We Must Educate," Charles Young. "Teaching Composition," Kate Shaw. "Beginnings of Knowledge," Kate McClintick. "Concert Exercises in School," Anna Creekbaum. "What Children Learn out of School," N. Becker. "The Right Use of Text-books," Anna Sniffin. "Scylla and Charyb dis," Sarah A. Perry. "Literary Culture," Sallie Pierce. "The Ideal School," S. B. Cradit.
AUTHORS' DAYS.
A few days during the year were devoted, by the higher grades, to the study of the works and characters of some of America's most eminent authors.
One day was devoted to the memory of the life, services and death of the lamented Garfield, and to the history of the American Republic.
These memorial exercises are full of interest and instruction to the pupils. They arrest the monotony and humdrum of school life.
They cause the pupils to study the very best gems of American literature.
They cause them to investigate the lives and characters of some of the best and purest men of the Republic.
If we could devote more time to the study of literature and the elegant arts—to the True, the Beautiful and the Good, I believe it would result in arousing in our young men and young women higher aspirations and nobler purposes. The study of good literature is refining, elevating, purifying.
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THE HIGH SCHOOL
The work in this department has been the best that could be done under the circumstances. I have been compelled, for the want of room in the Grammar Schools, to promote pupils to the High School who were not prepared for that grade.
I respectfully call the attention of the board to the fact that we must either lower the present good standing of the High School, or make some provision for maintaining its high character.
I respectfully suggest that all the grades of the High School be required to study the common branches next year, with such High School branches as they can take in addition thereto; and that there be no graduating class of 1884, or if there be any, only a few of the very best in the class; and that there be no promotions to the High School next year.
THE GERMAN DEPARTMENT.
This department, as in former years, has had entirely too many pupils for one teacher. I suggest for your consideration the propriety of permitting none but the children of German parents to pursue this study until they get into the Senior Grammar School. The teacher then to teach German in German. English pupils from the Senior Grammar and High Schools may study the German as a dead language, for the purpose of obtaining a better knowledge of language in general. I believe, as a general rule, English children will not learn to speak the German language from the study of German text-books.
THE COLORED SCHOOLS.
These schools are taking a higher ground every year. The attendance has been larger and better this year than ever before. There is a growing sentiment among these people in favor of a liberal education. I have been urging the pupils of this high school for years to persevere to the end and graduate. Three of them creditably completed the course, and have graduated with high honor. One of them taught in our schools during the past year with great credit to himself, and, from what I can learn, to the entire satisfaction of his patrons.
I am heartily glad that your Honorable Body has employed two of them to teach during the coming year. It will be an incentive to others to complete the course of study, and prepare themselves for usefulness, and for positions of honor.
PENMANSHIP.
During the few months that Mr. Wright was engaged as teacher of penmanship, the most marked improvement was made in the writing of the pupils.
I hope, now that we have a regular teacher of penmanship, that the improvement in this direction will be still more flattering. I suggest that the teacher of penmanship give at least one lesson a week in each department in mechanical drawing. 1 believe the results will justify the experiment.
GENERAL REMARKS.
The rudiments of music should be taught in our schools.
The text-book on English grammar should be changed, if it can be done without extra expense.
The course of study should be revised.
I hereby extend to the Board of Education, teachers and all, my heartfelt thanks for the cordial and generous support given me in the discharge of my duties. I have the honor to be, gentlemen, Yours very respectfully, RIPLEY, Ohio, June 26, 1882. J. C. SHUMAKER, Superintendent.
There are twelve whole subdistricts in the township, exclusive of Ripley, and four joint sub districts, the whole number of sixteen for the education of the white youth, and two additional districts, with good buildings, for colored youth. The school in Levanna, one in No. 6 and one in No. 7, require an assistant teacher in each. The average wages paid is about $40 per month. The buildings are neat, in good repair and supplied with improved desks and other school furniture.
STEAMBOAT BUILDING AT RIPLEY.
A number of years ago, there were built at Ripley several steamboats. The following is a list of those constructed here, as near as we can ascertain. There being no record kept, so far as known, we rely solely on the memory of some of our oldest citizens:
The " Paragon," built in 1826-27 by Capt. John Moore; the " Compan-
430 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
ion," built in 1831 by Peter and Russel Shaw and Eli Collins; Eli Collins, Captain; Salem Shaw, Clerk.
The "William Parsons," by Archibald Knight and Y. Stephenson; the "Banner," built in 1828 by William Humphries and Dr. Carey A. Campbell; the "Messenger," by McMillin & Reynolds; the "Cavalier," by Capt. J. Patterson and Hayden Thompson; the "Ajax," built in 1835 by Peter and Russel Shaw; the "Fox," built in 1834 by Russel and Peter Shaw; the "Caledonia," by Capt. John Moore; the "Joan of Arc," built in 1836 by Porter, Collins & Evans, of Ripley, and Capt. C. B. Church, of Aberdeen; the" Conqueror" (six boiler), built in 1837-38 by Capt. John Moore; the "Shepherdess," by John Patterson; the "Fair Play," built in 1836 by Capt. John Moore; na,ne not known, by Esq. Doty, of Cincinnati; the "Caledonia No, 2," by Capt. John Moore; the "Veteran," built in 1833 by Capt. John Rice; the "Shoal-Water," the hull of which was built in sections like vats—the boys called her the " Tanyard "—by a gentleman of Pennsylvania, Capt. Emery, an incessant smoker. It was said of him that he fell overboard from his boat in- to the river, and came up out of it smoking his cigar. This boat was built at the lower yard.
A great deal of repairing and altering of steamboats, such as splicing out, adding to length of hulls, etc., was done at the two boat yards here. The upper yard was owned by Porter, Collins & Evans, and the lower by the Tur- neys. A general superintendent by the name of William Gordon, of Cincinnati, was usually employed to plan and superintend the construction of these boats and the work at these yards.
When the "Ajax" was built, one of her owners, Russel Shaw, got out timbers for the boat in his woodland at Russellville, ten miles northeast of Ripley. His son Merritt, then a youth, with his brother Eli, hauled these timbers to Ripley by wagon and two yoke of oxen, through the mud roads, taking back six barrels of salt, all the team could pull through. Timber, of course, was plenty near the river; but Mr. Shaw desired to select the right kind, and did it.
In addition to what was done here long ago, the Boyd Manufacturing Company, having an office and some material at Ripley, a mill, lumber yard and store at Levanna, and the same at Higginsport in this county, does an immense business in building wharf-boats, barges, flat-boats, etc., etc., in addition to the general saw and planing mill business.
SOCIETIES.
Masonic. -A lodge of dispensation was granted to work in the first three degrees of Masonry, in 1818. Abram Shepherd as W. M., Phillip Roupe and Christian Wiles, Sr., as Wardens; Asa Shaw, Secretary. The first degrees were conferred in the Asa Shaw Building, on Market street, in Ripley, now burned down. In this building, the late Gen. James Louden was ballotted for, and elected, and the degrees were afterward conferred in Abram Shepherd's residence, on Front street, afterward owned by Thomas McCague, and now by a granddaughter of his, Mrs. M. L. Kirkpatrick.
The Grand Lodge of the most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, of the State of Ohio, convened and assembled in the town of Lancaster, send greeting: Whereas a petition has been presented to us from Daniel H. Murphy, Amos Grantham, Thomas Middleton, Francis Coburn, John S. Beasley, William K. Burt, Zaddock Hook and William T. Tarble, all Free and Accepted Masons. * * * * Therefore a charter is granted to said brothers and their associates known as Union Lodge, No. 71, F. & A. M. Dated this 15th day of September, A. D. 1840.
W. B. HUBBARD, M. W. G. M., A. D. BIGELOW, R. W. D. G. M., W. B. DODDS, R. W. S. G. W., L. BERA, R. W. J. W. Attest: G. F. SMITH, R. W. G. Secretary. Grand Lodge of Ohio. SEAL. F. & A. M.
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The lodge room used was the third story of the brick building owned by D. H. Murphy, corner of Front and Main (or Ferry street as then known), where the lodge continued to work up to November 9, 1850, when the entire building, with all the paraphernalia, furniture, records and effects of the lodge, were destroyed by a fire, together with a considerable portion of the stock of general merchandise then in the lower and second stories, belonging to Daniel H. Murphy.
" Ripley, November 18, 1850, A. L. 5850.--At a regular meeting of Union Lodge, No. 71, A., F. & A. M., at their hall, in the third story of the brick building, corner of Main and Third streets, owned by Hayden Thompson, held this evening. Officers present, Jonathan Kelly, W. M.; Amos Grantham, S. W.; A. B. Martin, J. W.; D. H. Murphy, Treasurer; B. F. Johnson, Secretary; G. K. Snider, S. D. ; Silas Huron, J. D,; Z. Hook, T. Members present, A. P. Hensley, Thomas Ren, W. S. Lane, J. Herzog, R. N. Jenkins, S. Martin, Isaac Moore, Samuel A. Dawson. D. G. Sellman, George McElwee, C. Ridgway, F. G. Shaw, L. G. Palmer, E. Flaugher; visitors, H. Johnson and L. Friedley.
" The W. M. announced to the lodge the destruction of the charter, bylaws, and effects of the lodge, when Bro. D. H. Murphy produced a dispensation from the M. W. Grand Master, William B. Hubbard, Esq., authorizing and empowering Union Lodge, No. 71, to work until the next meeting of the Grand Lodge."
The lodge continued to work in the Thompson Hall until the completion of the new Masonic Hall, which was in 1855, at the old corner of Front and Main, where it still continues. This new hall (the upper or third story, with a five-foot entrance on Front street), belongs to Union Lodge, No. 71. It was built by members of the lodge by stock subscribed and paid out from time to time by Robert Fulton, until its completion, in 1855, when the same was turned over to the lodge, and all stock assumed by it, bearing interest, but now all canceled by donation and payment.
The lodge rooms were handsomely frescoed and ornamented in design, and were elegantly refitted in November, 1876, at a cost of $1,200. A tornado occurring on Sunday after the completion of the work, unroofed the building, and the heavy rains following damaged the ceiling and walls so as to require nearly all this costly work to be done over again, amounting to some $400, which was promptly executed, and is now (1882) one of the most pleasant lodge rooms in Southern Ohio.
The present officers of Union Lodge, No. 71, are R. C. Rankin, W. M. ; J. C. Liggett, S. W.; D. W. Shedd, J. W.; W. A. Dixon, Treasurer; Secretary, W. H. Armstrong; S. D., J. C. Shumaker; J. D., George Sheer; Tiler, 0. W. Shaw; Chaplain, David Gaddis.
Lodge meets Monday evening, on or before the full moon.
Ripley Chapter, No. 84.. —A warrant of dispensation was granted, dated October 17, 1858, to D. H. Murphy, L. G. Palmer, C. Ridgway. Robert Fulton, William Parker, Zaddock Hook, 1. B. Martin, Samuel Martin, John Thompson and Sherry Moore, to confer the Chapter degrees. The officers were D. H. Murphy, H. P. ; A. B. Martin, King; S. Moore, Secretary.
A charter was granted this Chapter October 15, 1859, A. L. 5859, signed by George Rex, G. H. P. ; John M. Barrere, D. G. H. P. ; P. Thatcher, Grand King; J. A. Riddle, Grand Scribe. Attest: John D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary.
This Chapter occupied the hall of Union Lodge, and meets on the first Monday after the full moon.
The present officers are J. L. Armstrong, H. P. ; J. L. Wylie, King; D.
432 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
W. Shedd, Scribe; W. H. Armstrong, Secretary; J. C. Liggett, Treasurer; David Gaddis, Chaplain; R. C. Rankin, Captain of the Host; W. A. Dixon, Principal Sojourner; M. of 1st Vail, Al. White; 2d, Peter Benna; 3d, H. Lokey; R. A. Captain, John Hindman; Guard, George W. Shaw; Chaplain, David Gaddis.
The lodge and chapter memberships are large, and comprise some of our best citizens. Lamartine Lodge, No. 118, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Ripley, Brown Co., Ohio, September 25, 1848, with the following charter members: Alexander P. Lewis, Isaac W. Parker, John W. Gue, James H. Smith and Mark Senior. A. P. Lewis died at Ripley in 1855; J. H. Smith died at Columbus in about the year 1856 to 1857.
The Grand Master gave our lodge the name of Lamartine, in honor of the renowned and revered patriot of the French Revolution.
Upon its organization and up to the fire of November 9, 1850, it occupied the third story of D. H. Murphy's brick building, corner of Main and Front streets. This fire consumed all the furniture, paraphernalia, charter and records of the lodge. The lodge then rented Hayden Thompson's third story, corner Third.and Main, and continued therein until John Bennington's new building on Second street, corner of Liggett's alley, was completed in the spring of 1851, when the lodge then found a home fitted up especially for its use, and where it has remained until this day. The membership is now eighty-two. W. H. Sly. Esq., of Ripley, is one of our honored Past Grand Masters of the State. Two hundred and thirty-five members have taken the degrees of Odd Fellowship since its organization, many taking final cards upon their departure for their Western homes, and many have died. The following is a list of +hose who were members, and who have crossed the river of death to meet their Grand Master above, to wit: Robert R. Rice, died in October, 1850; Daniel Abers, died in California in 1851; Jacob H. Baker, at Ripley, Ohio, March 27, 1851; Past Grand Jacob De Bolt, at Ripley, Ohio, March 10, 1853; John Sentenney, at Ripley, Ohio, April 27, 1854; Past Grand A. P. Lewis, at Ripley, May 6, 1855; James Sparks, at Ripley, Ohio, June 10, 1858. Thomas M. Tweed, at North Liberty, Adams Co., Ohio, June 17, 1858; Past Grand R. N. Jenkins, at Ripley, Ohio, February, 1861; W. W. Liggett, killed in battle at South Mountain, September 15, 1862; A. S. Liggett, killed in battle at Stone River, December 31, 1862; W. F. Shedd, died on board steamer near Louisville, Ky., on his way home on sick furlough, May, 1862; George F. De Long. died a soldier in Virginia. July, 1864; Hilarius Spaelty, at Rip- ley, Ohio, December, 1864; W. B. Carey, at Florence, S. C., from starvation whilst a prisoner. February 26, 1865; James Carr, in Illinois, December, 1866; Past Grand W. S. Osbon, at Ripley, Ohio, November 28, 1867; Thomas O. Adkins, Jr., at Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, Ohio, January 8, 1868; Past Grand D. H. Murphy, killed near Cincinnati, Ohio, by explosion of steamer "Magnolia," March 18, 1868; Past Grand Jacob Herzog, at Ripley, Ohio, Jan- uary 2, 1872; Past Grand John Bennington, at Ripley, February 20, 1873; Charles Hensel, drowned off steamer Fleetwood, September 10, 1873.
Lafayette Encampment, No. 51, I. O. O. F., was instituted in the town hall, for ths reason that the Masonic hall (also used by Lamartine Lodge, No. 118, I. O. O. F.) was burned down, and no other suitable place could be had, June 2, 1851, with the following charter members, Grand Chief Patriarch, Alexander • E. Glenn, of Columbus, performing the ceremony of institution: Jacob Herzog, George K. Snider, Archibald P. Hensley, Jacob De Bolt, Alexander P. Lewis, D. H. Murphy, Fr. Taylor Liggett arid Campbell How- ard. The first officers were: C. P., D. H. Murphy; H. P., Jacob De Bolt; S.
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W. George K. Snider; J. W., Adam N. Wylie; Treasurer, Campbell Howard: Scribe, Fr. Taylor Liggett. Propositions were received from the following applicants, and a dispensation granted by the Grand C. P., and the applicants elected and all the degrees conferred on the same evening, to wit: John Bennington, David Friedman, John J. Caldwell, Robert Lowers, Thompson F. Loyd, Horace F. Kellogg, Alexander Jolly, Harvey Palmer, L. G. Palmer, E. M. Fitch and John C. Carey.
At a meeting held June 5, at Odd Fellows Hall, the following appointments were made: Guide, Horace Kellogg; First Watch, L. G. Palmer; Second, T. F. Loyd; Third, Alexander Jolly; Fourth, A. P. Lewis, and Guards to the Tent, Jacob Herzog and J. J. Caldwell.
On motion of Patriarch De Bolt, it was ordered that the regular meeting nights of this encampment be the second and fourth Fridays of each month, which has so continued to this day, June, 1882. The present officers are: C. P., James McMillin; H. P., W. H. Gilliland; S. W., C. D. Criswell; J. W., D. T. Cockerill; Scribe, F. F. Shaw; Treasurer, C. Zaumseil; Guide, W. D. Young; First Watch, J. M. Cochran; Second Watch, P. D. Newcomb: Third Watch, S. McDonald; Fourth Watch, S. Merrill; L S., W. J. Mefford, and O. S., R. F. Gaddis.
The number of members July, 1882, fifty. The encampment occupies the hall of Lamartine Lodge, on Second street. Of the charter members, the following are deceased; Jacob Herzog, Archibald P. Hensley, Jacob De Bolt, Alexander P. Lewis, D. H. Murphy, F. T. Liggett. But one of the number survives—Mr. Campbell Howard.
Ripley Lodge, No. 32, A. O. U. W., of Brown Co., Ohio, was instituted at Ripley by D. D. G. M. W. G. C. Forsinger, November 20, 1874, with the following charter members: J. M. Justus, Isaac Broadhurst, J. R. Vance, T. M. Thompson, R. A. Thompson, Henry Fisher, Henry Fleig, Charles Hough, Joseph Shoulter, Robert Carr, L. W. Ross, R. F. Gaddis, A. B. Mefford, Joseph K. Vance, D T. Cockerill, S. P; Paul, William Hodapp, H. Denzelman, Jacob Miller, Ernst Gerth. The first officers were Charles Hough, P. M. W.; J. M. Justus, M. W.; J. K. Vance, General Foreman; Robert Carr, Overseer; Henry Fisher, Recorder; D. T. Cockerill, Financier; James R. Vance, Receiver; Isaac Broadhurst, L W.; R. F. Gaddis, 0. W.; A. B. Mefford, Guide; H. Fleig, R. E. Thompson and S. P. Paul, Trustees; Charles Hough, Representative to Grand Lodge; W. A. Dixon, M. D., Examining Physician.
The present officers are E. M. Chapman, P. M. W.; W. W. Kirkatrick, M. W.; George. Frank, Foreman; M. Byersdolfer, Overseer; Stanley Merrill, Recorder; D. T. Cockerill, Financier; Joseph Scholter, Receiver; Jacob Stoody, Guide; R. L. Stephenson, I. W.; Adam Groppenbacher, O. W.; J. M. Hughes, M. Byersdoelfer, H. Fleig, Trustees; Joseph Scholter, Representative to Grand Lodge; Dr. J. L. Wylie, Examining Physician.
Ripley Lodge, No. 84, K. P., was instituted at Ripley in Odd Fellows' Hall, on Second street, on the 8th day of April, 1875. The following were the charter members: M. Creckbaum, L. Grim, Jr., W. C. Byersdolfer, C. Barrer, W. W. Hughes, Joseph Scholter, George P. Tyler, F. F. Shaw, George A. Stuess, Dyase Gilbert, M. Byersdolfer, R. Schneider, V. Roemer, J. M. Hughes, C. A. Linn, Jr., George W. Shaw, Charles Linn, Jacob Stamm, A. A. McPherson, George Klein and L. H. Williams.
The first officers were M. Creekbaum, P. C.; L. Grim, Jr., C .C.; Conrad Bauer, V. C.; C. A. Linn, Jr., Prelate; Michael Byersdolfer, K. of R. & S. ; W. W. Hughes, M. of F.; George A. Stivers, N. of E.; G. W. Shaw. M. at A.; Joseph Scholter, I. 0.; J. M. Hughes, 0. G.; F. F. Shaw, A. A. McPherson and M. Byersdolfer, Trustees.
434 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
The officers for 1882 are P. C., W. IT. Power; C. C., R. F. Gaddis; Prelate, George H. Schneider; K. of R. & S., L. Grim, Jr.; M. of F., J. M. Hughes; D.of E., Charles Linn; M. at A.., Albert H. Grim; I. G., El. J. Menaught; O. G., Philip Linn; Representative to the Grand Lodge, F. F. Shaw. Number of members at last report, fifty-one.
W. Wirt Liggett Post, No. 145, of the Department of the Ohio, Grand Army of the R fpublic. was instituted at Ripley on the 22d of September, A. D. 1881. A code of by-laws was enacted, which were approved by the Depart- ment Commander, George S. Canfield, A.. A. G. Toledo, October 30, 1881.
The following is a list of the charter members: L. H. Williams, G. W. Early, George A. Stivers, Thomas Caster, Samuel Yeaton, G. Bambach, Jr., D. T. Cockerill, Jacob Miller, J. H. Bloom, William Wills, Joseph Fritz, Henry W. Rockwell, William Koot, L. Reichmann, Albert White, J. M. Hughes, John W. Adkins, George Monroe, M. Creakbaum, Fred Rutz, J. C. Shcfmaker, J. A. Steen, Elijah Martin, Orange Sutton, Jacob Kapp, A. Lud- wig, T. H. B. Norris, Samuel Lemons, William H. Sutherland, William Pist- mar, D W. Johns, Thomas M. Hafer, A. M. Dale, C. C. Torrence, George Hans- tein, Alfred Monroe, Byron Jones.
The following were the first officers of the post: M. Creekbaum, Com- mander; J. C. Shumaker, Senior Vice Commander; J. A. Steen, Junior Vice Commander; A. Ludwig, Adjutant; George A. Stivers, Q. M.; T. H. B. Nor- ris, Surgeon; J. H. Bloom, Chaplain: L. H. Williams, Officer of the Day; Thomas Culter, Officer of the Guard; Elijah Martin, Sergeant Major; S. Yea- ton, Q, M. Sergeant; Fred Rutz, Inspector, and George W. Early, Aid.
THE FLOODS IN THE OHIO RIVER.
The greatest overflow of the Ohio River at this place, of which we have an accurate account, was in 1832, which spread over its banks and over the entire bottom lands of the river and the tributary rivers and creek bottom lands near their mouths for many miles back of the river in places, and at this point covering the whole upper part of Ripley from Market street to Red Oak Creek (the southern boundary line of the corporate limits). The only visible mark of the height of this flood here is in the rear end of Hayden Thompson,s brick building, on the northeast corner of Main and Third streets, where it stopped rising, as measured from the floor, at four feet two and one-half inches. Old settlers inform us that many frame and log houses, stables, sheds and pig pens with animals alive in and upon these structures passed by afloat on this broad and swift stream. Great damage was done in the loss of stock, fences, buildings and crops.
The next great high water was in the winter of 1847. From another mark in the Thompson building, referred to above, it stood on the floor three feet four and one-half inches. Both floods covered a great portion of Ripley. The damage was not quite so great, generally, as in 1832.
In 1862, and at other times since, the river has been over its banks. We have nearly every year what is called a "June freshet," coming sometimes sooner and sometimes later in the season, but those of 1862, 1875 and other dates not now remembered were unusually high, covering several times Second street between Main and the bridge over the creek. On these occasions, nearly all the property above Main street from Front to the old cemetery was under water, the inhabitants staying as long as the floor was to be seen, then moving to higher localities—into the churches and other places as opportunity offered. Occasion- ally, where there were two stories, the families would move "up stairs," and get to their homes by skiff.
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FIRE COMPANY AND NOTED FIRES.
"A common danger is a common interest." A fireman,s fair was held in John Bennington,s warehouse, on Easton street, in the year 1846 or 1847 (the old record book is lost), and proved a grand success, securing funds to buy the " Cumberland" engine and some hose. Previous to this, the only apparatus we had, in addition to what was known as the " bucket brigade," was a small affair called the " Tamer," a little hand engine worked by a crank, made something like the hand engines of this day, but, as compared with the useful and handsome apparatus of this time, it was an extremely insignificant affair, and of but little use. 'Twould be a curiosity to the present generation.
D. H. Murphy was President of the first organization, as we find from the first meeting recorded in the only record book we can find, where, "January 12, 1848, the company met pursuant to adjournment, D. H. Murphy, President, in the chair." Then was held the annual election of officers for the company, now composed of two divisions, with the following result: President, D. H. Murphy; Vice President, Samuel Hemphill; Secretary, W. B. Campbell; Treasurer, Dr. A. Beasley; Axmen, William Gaddis, A. M. Hoyt, Thomas Kirker, Charles Ridgway and David Gaddis. The first division was the "Cumberland," and the second division the "Amazon."
Officers of First Division.-First Director, John Thompson; Second, Isaac D. Shaw; Third, M. M. Murphy; First Engineer, A. Jolly; Second, A. B. Burt; Third, Thomas 0. Adkins; Scribe, W. S. Humphreys.
Officers of Second Division —First Director, J. Kelly; Second, Dr. Alexander Dunlap; Third, A. P. Lewis; First Engineer, James A. Campbell; Second, Robert Lewers; Third, 0. C. Ross; Scribe, W. B. Campbell.
Officers of Hook and Ladder Company.—First Foreman, D. G. Sellman; Second, James Harden.
Sixty-five names are enrolled as members of the first division for engine duty, and thirty for the hose. Sixty-two members are enrolled for second division engine, and twenty-nine for the hose.
Out of 186 members in all, we count so far as personally known ninety- eight deceased. W. B. Campbell served effrciently as Secretary from the first organization to June, 1852, resigning then, when F. F. Shaw was elected, and served till January, 1859, then John McCague from 1859 to 1865.
This organization remained as originally chartered under its own constitution and by-laws, with the two divisions under one head; one President, who was Commander in Chief, and directed the chief officers of each division at a fire until 1865, the last record being May 19. Since then, there have been two separate companies, the engines purchased since 1865 being the " Sherman " (name since changed to the " Murphy ") and the " Hemphill," both good engines, and supplied with ample hose and hose carriages.
There are thirteen fire cisterns distributed throughout the town at intersections of streets. It is a notable fact that our fire companies have managed fires here with remarkable success. As long ago as February 25, 1851, Mr. C. Baird, then agent of the Columbus Insurance Company, presented a check for $25 from the company to the fire company as a recognition of the valuable services rendered at fires in Ripley in saving. property.
The fire company had its friends. The ladies of Ripley held a fair for its benefit in February, 1851, netting over $450, and the " Ripley Sax Horn Band" gave a Christmas concert and fair in 1855 for its benefit, and presented the company with $170.
The present officers of the " Murphy " Company are as follows: Captain, H. Biehn; First Lieutenant, R. Campbell; Second Lieutenant, William Culter; Third Lieutenant, J. M. Cochran; Treasurer, William Maddox; Secre-
436 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
tary, J. C. Liggett; Trustees, John Maddox, W. H. Armstrong and W. T. Thompson. Officers of the "Hemphill:" Captain, L. Reinert; First Lieutenant, H. Fleig; Second Lieutenant, Conrad Bauer; Third Lieutenant, H. J. Menaugh; Secretary, N. Becker; Treasurer, A. Groppembacher; First Engineer, John Blatter; Second, Jordan Braun.
Noted fires. —The largest fire, and the one causing the greatest alarm for the safety of the town occurred July 20, 1847, at 12 o'clock midnight. It was first discovered in the warehouse and stable of Mr. P. D. Evans, on Easton street, and spread so rapidly that several times during the fire the citizens al- most despaired of conquering the flames. Some fourteen buildings were burned, and as many more were on fire at different times. The principal suf- ferers were D. P. Evans, William Patterson, A. Liggett, R. Crozier, Eli Collins, L. G. Palmer, William Armstrong, John Bennington, George Eas- ton, J. C. Campbell, William Parker and Shadford Easton. It destroyed so many buildings that one looking over_ the burnt district would exclaim, "How was it possible to save the balance of the town with no greater fire engine force?" Simply by every citizen doing something to arrest the flames. A writer for the Herald at that time said: "I must not close without one tribute of respect to the fair ladies. They fought the flames with such energy that the fiery elements could do nothing more than yield, either in admiration of their charms, or the deluge of water that kept up from the line of buckets that their delicate hands brought up from the river -no wonder so much was accomplished."
The Murphy corner fire, November 9, 1850, was also one that looked fright- ful for awhile. By the prompt arrival of the fire engines it was soon under control The " Cumberland " at the river kept the fire from spreading down Front street; the "Amazon," stationed at corner of Second and Main streets, prevented its spread up Main. It occurred at 11 o'clock in the daytime; had it occurred at that hour in the night, doubtless a very great conflagration would have been the result.
February 24, 1854, Boyle's Foundry and Finishing Shop was burnt; considerable loss.
A fire occurred December 4, 1854, in the two-story frame building erected by O. Baker, corner of Pawpaw (or Fifth) and Cherry streets. It originated in the room where a woman of dethroned reason was confined, and it was supposed to have been fired by her. She was so badly burned before being rescued that she died in a very few minutes.
September 5, 1856, at 2:30 A. M., the foundry and finishing shop of William H. McCague, on Front street, was afire, and extinguished in one and a half hours, but not until it had consumed the entire foundry and finishing establishment, and also the rear of Mr. McCague's dwelling, and a brick dwelling on the opposite side of the alley. Loss, $8,000; no insurance.
October 8, 1856, the Lowry & Carey Champion Saw-Mill burned down, with other loss. Their loss was $4,000; no insurance.
December 19, 1857, the saw-mill of Evans & Blair was entirely consumed; nothing saved except the lumber near the mill by aid of the fire department. This mill stood on the river bank just above Poage's Addition to Ripley. Loss, $1,000; no insurance.
May 12, 1863, a fire originated on the property belonging to the heirs of C. Ridgway, on Main near Front street (now Ronsheim). The wind being strong, the flames spread rapidly, and the fire was not extinguished until the building with Mr. Kountz's, east of it, and Mrs. Hardin's, across the street, was nearly destro d. Total loss, $3,000.
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February 24, 1864, the Mrs. Ellen Shaw property, a two-story frame on Market street, was totally consumed. Loss, $1,000.
August 24, 1864, the stable of Ridgway’s heirs and the two-story brick dwelling of Capt. L. G. Palmer burned; the stable entirely. A three-fourths damage resulted to Palmer’s house. Total loss, about $2,500.
May 19, 1865, the large stable of the heirs of John Porter, on Fifth street, was set in flames by lightning, and entirely consumed. Dr. C. N. Woodward lost a valuable horse in this fire. Building insured.
There were many smaller fires during the period from 1847 to 1865, and many alarms; many fires extinguished by timely aid from neighbors; but space will not admit of their mention.
On the 26th of March, 1872, a large fire occurred in the brick block corner of Main and Second streets, east side. By skillful management of the fire department, the loss was confined mostly to the block.
On May 12th, 1874, Adam Hensel & Co.,s shoe store was fired, and the building, and that of Mr. Lokey, adjoining, considerably damaged.
One of the great fires of interest to the people of Ripley was that of the 10th day of May, 1876, which, originating in the heart of the town, bid fair to reduce to ashes all that portion lying between Second and Third streets, and between Liggett's alley and Main street. It is known as the " Reinert fire." This, like most fires in Ripley, was so well managed that the result was less disastrous than seemed possible.
Another great fire was that on Second street, originating in the frame machine shop of J. P. Parker, corner of Liggett,s alley. The flames were not extinguished until the warehouse, its contents and the dwelling of J. J. Cochran, on same lot, Mr. F. Rntz's dwelling and shoe-shop adjoining, as well as a portion of A. Bodmir,s, on the south of the alley, were burned, threatening at one time the large brick rows on the west of Second street. This occurred on the 2d of April, 1880.
POLITICS.
From the earliest elections down to the present, the town of Ripley and the township of Union, as well, have been Whig and Republican by varying majorities in the whole township from 1848 to 1882 of from two hundred to four hundred and fifty.
The old township record book found dates back to March '7, 1825. We find the following record: " The Township Trustees met; present, Barnard Jackson and Jeptha Beasley, Trustees, and John C. Poage, Clerk. The commission of Joseph McCarty as Justice of the Peace bears date the 18th of December, 1824, as appears from the face of the commission, it being presented this day " Also the following order: "Asa Shaw presented his bill for $1 for use of room to count ballots, etc., at the Presidential election, October 29, 1824, and allowed." The record nowhere states the vote for the several Presidential candidates.
We find no record of Justices from then to 1836, when C. E. Campbell certifies as Justice of the Peace to administering an oath of office to a Supervisor of Roads. From thence on we have Justices as follows: John Beasley, 1837 to 1849; Samuel T. McConaughy, 1838 to 1841; William Dixon, 1839 to 1860; Lemuel Lindsey, 1840 to 1846; C. F. Campbell, 1846 to 1849; W. F Wylie, 1852 to 1855; James Culter, 1855 to 1858; John Jenkins was elected in June, 1857, to fill the vacancy ocasioned by the resignation of A. M. Clark. Jenkins resigned in April, 1858, and John McCague was elected and held the office up to his death, October, 1879, when L. H. Williams was elected in his stead. F. F. Shaw was elected in April, 1860, and served continuously to the present date, his commission expiring April, 1884, excepting from 1866 to 1869 J. M. Bell served as Justice. David Tarbell was elected Justice of the Peace in 1858.
440 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
In April, 1845, is first mentioned the number of votes polled, there being that year 474 votes. The largest number polled was 1,285, November 7, 1876. The number of votes polled October, 1845, was 393. September, 1845, the Assessor returned: " Number of persons liable to do military duty, 289; number not liable, fifty-five. June 17, 1851-Vote on the new constitution: for, 98; against, 478.
October, 1871-Vote for Constitutional Convention, 696; against, 178.
August, 1874-Votes cast for new constitution, 298; against, 350; for minority representation, 183; against, 391; for railroad aid, 355; against, 274; for license, 352; against, 296.
The vote for Governor has been as follows:
1844-Mordecai Bartley, Whig, 369; David Tod, Democrat, 166; L. King, Liberty, 67. 1846-William Bebb, Whig, 377: David Tod, Democrat, 199; Samuel Lewis, Liberty, 74. 1848-Seabury Ford, Whig, 516; John B. Weller, Democrat, 199. 1850-William Johnston, Whig, 431; Reuben Wood, Democrat, 147; Edward Smith, Free Soil, 10. 1851-Samuel F. Vinton, Whig, 325; Reuben Wood, Democrat, 179; Samuel Lewis, Free Soil, 69. 1853-Nelson Barrere, Whig, 230; Samuel Lewis, Free Soil, 217; William Medill, Democrat, 173. 1855-S. P. Chase, Republican, 477; William Medill, Democrat, 169; Allen Trimble, American, 49. 1857-S. P. Chase, Republican, 473; H. B. Payne, Democrat, 201; P. Vantrump, 14. 1859-William Dennison, Republican, 459; Rufus P. Ranney, Democrat, 268. 1861-David Tod, Republican, 506; H. J. Jewett, Democrat, 169. 1863-John Brough, Republican, 719; C. L. Vallandigham, Democrat, 197. 1865-J. D. Cox, Republican, 695; George W. Morgan, Democrat, 264. 1867-R. B. Hayes, Republican, 650; Allen G. Thurman, Democrat, 315. 1869-R. B. Hayes, Republican, 537; George H. Pendleton, Democrat, 357. 1871-E. F. Noyes, Republican, 535; George W. McCook, Democrat, 302. 1873-E F. Noyes, Republican, 502; William Allen, Democrat, 299. 1875-R. B. Hayes, Republican, 642; William Allen, Democrat, 462; J. O'Dell, 12. 1877-William H. West, Republican, 624; R. M. Bishop, Democrat, 372; H. A. Thompson, 14. 1879-Charles Foster, Republican, 776; Thomas Ewing, Democrat, 441. 1881-Charles Foster, Republican, 721; J. W. Bookwalter, Democrat, 342; A. Ludlow, 6.
Of the Presidential elections, our records do not give the vote for electors until the year 1848, and the year 1852 is not recorded; otherwise it is- complete from 1848 to 1880.
1848-Z. Taylor, Whig, 412; Lewis Cass, Democrat, 223; M. Van Buren, Free-Soil, 139. 1856-J. C. Fremont, Republican, 507; James Buchanan, Democrat, 235; Millard Fillmore, American, 63. 1860-Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 628; S. A. Douglass, Democrat, 343; J. C. Breckinridge, Democrat, --; John Bell, Union, 45. 1864-Abraham Lincoln, Republican. 657; George B. McClellan, Democrat, 253.
UNION TOWNSHIP - 441
1868—U. S. Grant, Republican, 774; Horatio Seymour, Democrat, 284. 1872 —U. S. Grant, Republican, 695; Horace Greeley, Liberal, 400. 1876—R. B. Hayes, Republican, 853; Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat, 428. 1880—James A. Garfield, Republican, 836; W. S. Hancock, Democrat, 423.
Of the Republican vote, there are about two hundred and seventy-five colored votes. So far as known, but one of these colored votes is other than Republican. Many of these colored citizens served in the Union army, and made good soldiers, the greater number moving into this township from different Southern States, mostly from Kentucky, during the war and since its close.
Our town and township has always been noted for its peaceable, quiet and orderly elections, notwithstanding the excitement ran high during the war and for some time afterward.
The Political Examiner, a Georgetown paper, under date September 24, 1840, contains the following announcement: "Once more unto the breach, once more! Grand rally at Ripley, Ohio, on the 30th instant. Preparation is already made to keep thousands of freemen—yea, all that may come— without money and without price., Gen. Harrison will most positively be there, among other invited guests, life and health permitting."
Gen. Harrison came to Ripley as advertised, and one of the largest conventions ever held in the county was the result. They came from every quar- ter—from Hillsboro and Highland County, from Clermont County, from every nook and corner of Brown County, and thousands from Kentucky—they came in large canoes on wheels, with casks representing hard cider barrels, and, in short, the people were ablaze.
PORK PACKING.
Ripley was second in the number of hogs packed in the State in 1846 Cincinnati being the first. It the time referred to and for some time there- after, most of the pork packed there went South in barrels, by flat-boats, known as "broad-horns." These boats carried about ten to twelve hundred barrels, and as many as ten to fifteen boats would leave here in a season for the cotton and sugar plantations of the South. All this trade is now changed. Steamboats and railroads carry most of such freight, and the bulk of the hog trade of Ohio for the Southern market centers in Cincinnati. Uncle James Carr, now living, aged eighty-seven and a half years, in full possession of all his faculties, and to-day (June 5, 1882), making out his pension papers as a soldier of the war of 1812, says he helped build some of these "broad horns" at Ripley. It was hard work, the sawing mostly done by hand. Sometimes a little " jower " occurred, only when some " extra " whisky was aboard.
There were from as early as 1826 up to the present time, engaged in the pork trade here, the following-named gentlemen, as well as others not now remembered: Bartlett, from Chillicothe, Thomas McCague, Archibald Liggett, Eli Collins, H. Thompson, Samuel Hemphill, John, Henry, Joseph William and R. P. Bennington, Josiah Frost, Charles Ridgway, D. H. Murphy, John Sned- aker, Joseph Wiles, Sr., James Stephenson, Silas Bayne, Campbell Howard.
In 1847 18, Mr. Eli Collins, then and for many years before a sagacious and prominent business man of Ripley, engaged in the pork trade in addition to his large dry goods trade, the writer, then seventeen years of age, taking charge of the pork business as chief clerk. Hogs were very low that year; Mr. Collins bought largely; the great flood came on, and a large lot of pork, lard and other effects were lost in the river by reason of the floor of the building (where a great deal of pork, lard, etc., was stored) giving way, the build- ing being built out upon the public landing, and at this time surrounded by water up to within two feet of the upper floor. Mr. Collins and myself were
442 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
in this story; I was weighing keg lard and marking it for shipment on the packet that day. The color getting too thick, I came out by a skiff used to get to and from the building for turpentine to thin the color, and while out the floor gave way like a mill hopper. Mr. Collins, with great difficulty, clambered up to a window sill, and was soon rescued. He lost heavily that year, and the depression of values, together with losses sustained in establishing a cotton factory at this place, forced him to succumb. Yet, no doubt, this grand and honorable business man would have arisen from the difficulties surrounding him if his former friends had supported him as they had done before. He was a public-spirited man, and died of a broken heart and shattered nerves.
Among the most successful pork merchants was Archibald Liggett, Esq. Bred a lawyer, skilled in general merchandising, and a close calculator, and above all an honest business man, he went upon the principle to sell at a reasonable profit. He was not like many who dealt in pork at this place, who, when the article advanced to a handsome margin, held on for more, and as it raised wanted more; finally, when it went down, down and down, held on till they were forced to sell for less than what their purchases amounted to.
Mr. Samuel Hemphill, now deceased, was generally conceded to be one of the best, if not the best, business man in Brown County. He engaged at different times during his long business career at this place in the pork trade, and was generally successful. He was seldom found with the losing party, for he kept well posted, and managed to get out before much loss was sustained. He was a public-spirited man, ever ready and foremost in any enterprise looking to the advancement of the town's interest and that of the public. He filled with honor official positions, never shrinking a duty; prompt, honest and pleasant, he died mourned by every true friend of our town.
THE HORSE TRADE.
We are informed by Mr. Robert Fulton that he and his brother, Andrew Fulton, now deceased, engaged in buying and selling horses from 1841 to the death of Mr. A. Fulton in 1873, and Robert Fulton to the present date (July, 1882). From 1842 to 1855, thirteen years, they bought stallions and mares, and transported them to Cuba, selling them there at fine prices. They made usually three trips in a year, sometimes four. From that time (1855), Cubans came here and made large purchases through the Fultons of horses suitable for omnibuses, volantes and carriages in their country. Mr. A. Fulton and his brother Robert made many trips to Mexico with horses—principally matched pairs. They sold a Canadian horse, " Smuggler," for $1,665. These men were splendid judges of horseflesh. Mr. Robert Fulton lately returned from Philadelphia, where he disposed of a lot of sixteen fine horses at very fair prices. These were selected in our own county and Kentucky.
Mr. Edmund Martin, of Eagle Creek, has been for many years engaged in buying up for the Eastern market the best specimens of draft horses, and at times harness horses for the same market.
Our people pay a great deal more attention now than years ago to breeding, not only horses, but all kinds of stock. They have found out that it pays to breed from the best specimens, and a little time spent in handling horses is not lost.
For the past two years, monthly stock sales have been held at Ripley, and a great number of horses a Id other stock disposed of by our farmers and dealers in stock to buyers from Cincinnati, New York and other points. These sales are held on the last Saturday of each month, bringing a great throng of people to our town, and consequently resulting in an increase of business.
UNION TOWNSHIP - 443
STATISTICS.
The following levies have been made by the Trustees of the township, by the Board of Education of the township. by the Town Council of Ripley and by the School Board of Ripley, from 1853 to 1882, to wit:
By Township Trustees-In 1853-54-55 each, mill on the dollar valuation of all the taxable property of the township; in 1856, no levy, having funds left over sufficient; in 1857, i; 1858, 1; 1859-60, i; 1861-62, 1/2; 1863, 1; 1864, 5 3/4; 1865, 3 1/4; 1866, 4 1/4; 1867, 3 1/3; 1868, 1 1/2; 1869, 2 1/4; 1870, 3 1/4; 1871, 1 1/2; 1872, 1; 1873, 1 17/20; 1874, 4 3/4; 1875, 3/4; 1876, 2 3/4; 1877, 1 1/8, 1878, 1 1/4, 1879, 3/4; 1880, 1; 1881, 3/4; 1882, 1 1/4 mills.
By Township School Board-In 1853, 1/4; 1854, 1; 1855, 1 1/2; 1856, 3; 1857, 1 3/4; 1858, 2 1/2; 1859, 1860 and 1862, each 2 1/4; 1863, 1864 and 1865, 1 1/4; 1866, 1 3/4; 1867, 2 3/4; 1868-69, each, 3; 1870-71, 4 1/2; 1872, 6 1/4; 1873-74, each 3 3/4; 1875, 3 1/3; 1876, 3 3/4; 1877, 6; 1878, 5; 1879, 4 3/4; 1880-81, 5 1/2; 1882, 4 1/2 mills on all taxable property in the township, exclusive of Ripley and Hestoria School District.
By School Board of Ripley-In 1854, 3 1/2; 1855, 2 1/2; 1856, 3; 1857, 3 1/2; 1858, 3 1/2; 1859 and 1860, 4; 1861, 3; 1862, 2f; 1863, 2 1/2; 1864, 3 1/2; 1865, 3; 1866, 4; 1867-68, 5; 1869, 6; 1870, 7; 1871-72-73-74-75, each 6; 1876, 5 1/2; 1877, 6; 1878, 5 1/2; 1879, 6; 1880, 5 1/2; 1881 and 1882, each 61 mills on the taxable property included within the corporate limits of Ripley and Hestoria School District.
By the Town Council of Ripley-In 1848-49, 5 1/2; 1850, 6; 1851-52-53, 8; 1854-55, 7; 1856, 8; 1857-58, 6 1/2; 1859-60, 7; 1861, 8; 1862, 5; 1863, 6; 1864, 7; 1865, 8; 1866, 8 3/4; 1867, 7 3/4; 1868, 7 1/4; 1870-71-72, 6 1/2; 1873, 6 1/2; 1874, 5 1/2; 1875, 6 1/2; 1876-77, 7; 1878, 6; 1879, 7 1/4; 1880-81-82, each 6 mills on all the taxable property, real and personal, within the.corporate limits of Ripley.
We notice that in 1848 and 1849 the Council :set apart for fire purposes one-half of 1 mill.
In 1856, a poll tax of 50 cents on each dog, and $1 on each female dog was levied by the Council, but our recollection is that it was easier to levy than to collect. The experiment has not been again tried by the town authorities, but all must admit that the State dog tax law works well; worthless curs are becoming scarce, and so far a great nuisance abated, and many dollars saved in sheep. The following is taken from the returns made by W. W. Kirkpatrick, the Township Assessor of Union Township, to the Auditor of said county, May, 1882:
Number of horses, 971; value - $50,470 Number of cattle, 1,166; value - 21,366 Mules, 16; value - 845 Sheep, 355; value - 910 Hogs, 2,333; value - 7,578 Carriages, - 382; value.- 12,846 Tobacco, household goods, etc - 104,723 Watches, 246; value - 5,021 Pianos and organs, 140; value - 9,910 Value of merchandising - 99,167 Value of tools and machinery - 22,377 Credits (notes, accounts, etc.), over and above indebtedness - 185,660 Value of dogs listed by owner - 135 Number of sheep killed by dogs during the past year, 10; value - 50 The number of births in the township the past year was - 87 The number of deaths in the township the past year was - 45
444 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY
Number of acres of arable and plow-land - 15,336 Number of acres of meadow and pasture - 5,413 Number of acres of uncultivated and woodland - 2,898 Total - 23,647 Whole number of acres in township, exclusive of Ripley - 24,109 Value of lands, excluding buildings - $643, 975 Value of houses - 65,250 Value of mills - 4,500 Value of other buildings - 43,800 Total - $757,525
RIPLEY CORPORATION.
Number of acres of arable land - 139 Number of acres of meadow and pasture - 20 Number of acres of uncultivated and woodland - 10 Total in corporation - 169
Value of lands, excluding buildings - $16,605 Value of houses - 35,550 Value of mills - 3,500 Value of other buildings - 3,020 Total - $58,665
Value of lots, exclusive of buildings - $134,666 Value of houses - 338, 030 Value of mills - 3, 000 Value of other buildings - 8,950 Total and value of all - $484,646
HESTORIA SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Number of acres of arable land - 238 Number of acres of meadow and pasture - 23 Number of acres uncultivated - 32 Total - 293
Value of lands, exclusive of buildings - $12,313 Value of houses - 7,420 Value of other buildings - 1,300 Total - $21,033
Value of lots, exclusive of buildings - $10,000 Value of houses - 20,500 Value of other buildings - 360 Total - $80,860
LEVANNA.
Value of Union Township lands and buildings - $760,525 Value of lots, exclusive of buildings - $1,765 Value of houses - 7,600 Value of mills - 4,000 Value of other buildings - 700 Total - $14,065
RECAPITULATION.
Value of Ripley corporation lands and buildings - 58,675 Value of Ripley corporation lots and buildings - 384,636 Value of Hestoria School District lands - 21,023 Value of Hestoria buildings and lots -30,860 Value of Levanna lots and buildings - 14,065 Total - $1,469,784
UNION TOWNSHIP - 445
Value of churches in Union Township, exclusive of Ripley - $ 3,525
Value of public buildings, town of Ripley - $ 8,200 Value of public buildings, town of Ripley (schools) - 11,350 Value of buildings, township school - 6,765 Value of cemeteries, township and Ripley - 2,540 Value of monuments - 38,542 Total - $67,397
FOSSIL REMAINS AND OTHER CURIOSITIES.
In the year 1869, Mr. W. H. Dunn, owner of a sand bank on the south side of Red Oak Creek, some 300 yards from its mouth, found imbedded in this bank some fifteen foet below the surface, what proved to be a mammoth tusk, probably that of a mastodon. It was unfortunately broken in three pieces in its removal, and measured at its thickest point seven inches, and was doubtless originally fourteen feet long. On being exposed to the air, it became soft and crumbly. Correspondence was had with the great showman, P. T. Barnum, and a bargain made for its shipment to him at New York, which was done, he sending a draft in favor of Mr Dunn for $50 on its receipt.
Mr. Benjamin Sidwell, living within three miles of Ripley, has in his possession a molar tooth, found in Eagle Creek bottom, measuring ten inches long, four inches thick and nine inches wide, and which when found weighed twelve and one-half pounds, and, in all probability, was a grinder in the ponderous jaw of the mastodon to which the wonderful tusk belonged. There was also found at what was the old ford over Red Oak Creek, at now the east end of Third street, on the Ripley and Aberdeen County road, a scapula or shoulder blade or bone of what was believed to be one of the parts of the monster referred to. This and other valuable relics were collected by Mrs. Elizabeth Allen (now deceased), and kept as a museum at the corner of Second and Market street for a number of years. At her death, occurring about fifteen years ago, these curiosities, and there were many, some very rare and valuable, were distributed here and there, and doubtless a great number are now destroyed. Many of the most valuable were presented by Mrs. Allen's son, Lieut. L. C. Allen, to the university at Delaware, Ohio.
There was found several years ago on the farm of Mr. Benjamin Sidwell, in this township, a large stone pipe made of solid granite, which was nine inches long, bowl and stem to where it was formed for reed or mouth piece; the bowl was nearly two inches in diameter, and was in a good state of preservation when found. Mr. Sidwell parted with it to a curiosity seeker some years since.
Many Indian darts, stone hammers, axes and the like have been found in various parts of the township, mostly on Eagle Creek. Between the mouths of Eagle Creek and Red Oak Creek the river bank on the Ohio side has been washing away at a rapid rate, and has now reached a point in the wide and fertile valley land where the ancient dead were buried. Skeletons, pottery and other pre-historic remains are being constantly washed out into the river. Whose skeletons and by whose hands were formed this pottery must ever remain unknown. Doubtless the sacred and hallowed spot was nearly a quarter mile from the Ohio River at ordinary stage of water.
CEMETERIES.
There are several of these hallowed grounds in Union Township. One at Pisgah, on the hill back of Levanna; one known as "Howard's," east of Rip-
446 - HISTORY OF BROWN COUNTY.
ley about two miles; one at "Red Oak;" one at " Fitch's Chapel," on Eagle Creek, and several other church and private gra ieyards and lots. Besides these, there was laid out by the Town Council of Ripley a beautiful cemetery of grounds adjoining the fair grounds, purchased of Mr. David Espy in 1855, containing six acres; the lots having been disposed of, necessitated the pur- chase of additional grounds, which was made the present year (1882), consisting of six acres adjoining the other, now being improved after a beautiful plan in a most handsome manner. The "old graveyards," as they were known, above spoken of, are kept in repair by the township authorities from, funds, raised by taxation upon the real and personal property of the township. The Ripley Cemetery was and is the property of the village of Ripley, and is kept up and controlled by it. The revenues derived from sale of lots are used in protecting the grounds and beautifying the same. The remains of many interred in the old burying-ground at Ripley have been removed to the new cemetery. In the old lot and in country yards are buried the remains of many of our earliest settlers.
These old grounds are inclosed by substantial fences, but the untrimmed trees and undergrowth, with the moss-covered tablets and leaning stones, bring sad recollections of how many die and are soon forgotten.
BANKS IN RIPLEY.
The "Farmers' Branch of the State Bank of Ohio" was organized at Ripley, Ohio, being the first bank in Brown County, in August, 1847, capital stock, $100,000, and continued to transact business about eighteen years. The first. President was A. Leggett, and its first Cashier 1). P. Evans, who so continued until the closing up of the bank's business. A. J. Stivers was first clerk and teller, and served during all of the time of the bank. Mr. A. Leggett, Mr. Thomas McCague and Mr. James Gilliland severally served this bank as its honored Presidents. It was ably managed, and had the confidence of the public. The writer has many times seen Peter Kinney, then of Ports- mouth, Ohio, come off the packet with his black carpet sack, and wend his way to this bank with large bundles of its issue, and go away with his sack filled with gold and silver, .then at a small premium. Sometimes he had it hauled away by dray in half-barrel, boxes and bags of silver. Once as high as $20,- 000 of its paper was presented, and that sum in gold and New York exchange promptly paid over its counter.
The First National Bank of Ripley, Ohio, was organized in February, 1864; capital $100,000; afterward increased to $150,000; since then, in April 1879, reduced to $100,000. Its first President was Hon. John T. Wilson, who has continued in that position until the present time. Its first Cashier was Mr. John Bennington, a man highly esteemed for his integrity; he served until his failing health made it impossible to remain longer, and he gave up the position in 1869. He died February 20, 1873. Mr. W. T. Galbreath, its present Cashier, was chosen May 12, 1869. Thii corporation owns its banking building, a handsome and safe structure with fire-proof vault, double combination lock and burglar-proof safe. The charter expires February 24, 1883. It has enjoyed from the beginning every confidence of the public, and its affairs have been exceptionally well managed, particularly so since Mr. Galbreath's connection with the bank.
The Farmers' National Bank of Ripley. Ohio, was organized February, 1865, and chartered for twenty years, expiring February, 1885; capital $200,000, since reduced to $100,000. Dr. Alfred Beasley, now deceased, was its first President; Daniel P. Evans, Cashier, who continued to serve in that capacity until his death, January 1, 1877. Since then, Dr. E. R. Bell has been its Cashier. James
UNION TOWNSHIP - 449
Gilliland became its President on the death of A. Beasley, and from death of Mr. Gilliland Hon. Chambers Baird has filled that honorable and responsible position. All its first officers are dead. Mr. A. J. Stivers officiated as teller from the organization up to his election as Assistant Cashier, and is now filling that honorable station. This bank has been well managed.
Savings Bank.—McMillen & Reynolds, dry goods merchants, together with some of the farmers on Red Oak, organized a private bank in the year 1852, and continued with divers changes in the management and in stockholders till June, 1870, at which time it suspended, and its affairs were administered upon by officers under assignment laws of the State of Ohio, but afterward closed up under the general bankrupt laws of the United States. The loss to the depositors in Brown County and Adams County, as well as those of Mason County, Ky. (opposite Ripley), was great, and a general shock thrilled the community.
UNDERGROUND RAILROAD.
Ripley has yet no railroad, but we have fair prospects for an early connection by rail with the outside world. It is confidently believed that work will soon be commenced on a standard gauge road connecting Huntington and Cincinnati through this county. along the Ohio River bank. But the town of Ripley was and is known far and wide as the place where the Underground Railroad had its mouth or entrance. On the high hill some 300 feet above the level overlooking the quiet village stands as of yore the old residence of Rev. John Ran- kin, who is still living at the ripe age of eighty-nine years. This building, if it could speak, could tell many adventures and hair-breadth escapes. At a window from dark to daybreak was ever the beacon light, easily seen from the Kentucky hills and the river bank, to which star of hope the fugitive's eye rested with delight—once here all was safe. Hundreds of escaped slaves have been fed, secreted and ticketed at and from this depot for Canada. There were plenty of stations along the route through Brown County, where aid and comfort was never denied. Mrs, Stowe, in " Uncle Tom's Cabin," draws upon facts transpiring at this place for that thrilling passage in relation to Eliza's flight, pursuit and perilous escape across the Ohio River. As an evidence of the truth of the statement, a member of Rev. John Rankin's family, his son, Capt. Richard C. Rankin, informs the writer that the river had been frozen over for some time, and people crossing on it. She, coming to the Kentucky bank through the snow at what is known as " Stony Point" (near the Asa Anderson farm, just opposite the Red Oak Creek mouth), and knowing the river to be frozen over, at once stepped into the slush and, snow covering the ice, and crossed over safely to Crosby's Point; here she dropped the child's petticoat, which was picked up by the Crosbys the next day. tier pursurers tracked her to where she went into the river, as they supposed, for the weather changed suddenly warm, and the ice melted so that none was 'to be seen the next day on the arrival of the fiends who were hunting her down.
THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
The following commands, as near as we can ascertain, were actively engaged during the rebellion: Company H, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was almost entirely made up of the youth and middle-aged men of Union Township. At a meeting of the citizens, held at the old Methodist Episcopal Church on Third street, to discuss and prepare for duty under the exciting situation, Fort Sumter having been fired upon by the enemy, a courier came hastily into the church and announced a telegram, saying that Col. Anderson had surrendered the fort! The meeting then adjourned to Armstrong's hall, |