350 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
M. S. Dimmitt, R. M. Dolby, John D. White, Robert Allen, and John J. Higgins. Other early members were John S. Fallin, A. L. Powell, Joseph L, Powell, David Barr; Reason Tivis, Rev. Wesley Rowe, James Kain, Joseph Watson, etc.
Since 1849 the High Priests and Secretaries have been :
High Priests.-1849, E. F. W. Ellis ; 1850, George Crossley ; 1851, John S. Fallin ; 1852, George Crossley ; 1853-55, J. P. Molen ; 1856-57, A, L. Powell ; 185862, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1863, J. S. Fallin ; 1864-67, H. Bradley ; 1868-70, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1871-72, L. W. Carver ; 1873, H. McCaskey ; 1874-80, M, S. Dimmitt.
Secretaries.- 1849, P. L. Wilson ; 1850, S. F. Dowdney ; 1851, J. W. Kennedy ; 1852, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1853, J. C. Kennedy ; 1854-56, S. F. Dowdney ; 1857-66, J. H. Simmons ; 1867, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1868-70, 0. P. S. Fee ; 1871-80, J. H. Simmons.
The chapter has contributed members to the New Richmond and Georgetown chapters, which has diminished its membership, so that only 25 belong at present.
CONNELL COUNCIL, No. 18, R. AND S. M.
Preliminary meetings for the institution of the council were held, and on the 26th of April, 1851, a petition was prepared and signed by M. S. Dimmitt, J. W. Kennedy, J, P. Melon, Z. Connell, W. W. Perkins, J. F. McCann, W. H. Woodrow, J. W. Woollis, and Joseph Marley, and in due time the council was chartered, and the meetings have since been regularly held. The members belonging to this council, the only one in the county, have been the following : M. S. Dimmitt, J. W. Kennedy, J. P. Molen, George Crossley, John S. Fallin, A. L. Powell, Joseph Watson, S. F. Dowdney, George Abrams, John Dimmitt, Robert Bryan, Reason Tivis, J. C. Kennedy, Wesley Rowe, A. H. Cassatt, W. B. McCormick, George W. Richards, James Kain, John T. Powell, B. F. Sallee, E. W. Humphries, J. H. Simmons, E, F. W. Ellis, James Stewart, A. Johnston, J. A. Perrine, Francis Locknitt, Zachariah Connell, W. A. Frizell, W. P. Kincaid, P. L. Wilson, John Allen, David Barr, Joseph L. Powell, Edward Hughes, L. W. Carver, 0. P. S. Fee, Jonathan Heitzman, J. D. King, I. P. Biehn, R. C. Sallee, S. G. Boyd, Samuel Martin, Charles Browning, N, S. Hill, H. MeCaskey, W. W. Perkins, Frank Davis, David E. Roberts, J. C. Weaver, James S, Brunaugh, George Fridinan, Daniel Hillin, S. W, McKinney, Charles Stephens, W. R, Sinks, Samuel Wilmath, Peter Carnerer, Henry Jenks, John Gunn, Robert Fulton, Andrew Mahaffey, Wilham Fee, Wi.liam Johnston, A. B. McKee, James I, Selby, George Hawkins, Enoch Reed, R. J. Bancroft, A. T. Cowen, E. .L, House, Daniel Kidd, A. N. Robinson, A. C. Spahr, W. A. Watkins, H. Bradley, Edgar C. Beall.
SEWANIE LODGE, No. 95, I. O. O. F.
This lodge was instituted at Georgetown, in Brown County, Sept. 17,1847, but it was soon allowed to go down, and the charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge of the State. Upon petition the lodge was re-instituted at Felicity, Jan. 22, 1852, the petitioners being A. B. Heterick, William Stapleton, Charles W. Blair, N. S, Devore, and M, Woods. Among the early initiates were Asher Goslin, M. S. Dimmitt, Charles W. Blair, M. Mathews, B. F. Gardner, James J. Goslin, E, J. Prather, Henry Shinkle, Stephen C. Bolander, John B. Goodwin, A. L. Knowles, James W. South, William Shinkle, Joseph Prather, Dr. Reuben Utter, Thomas F. Parrish, John H. Higgins, W. J. Rees, William E. Ames, D. S. Waits, A. H. Dorland, William W. Brush, F. W. Knowles, David D. Brush, Eri Daly, Granville A. Frambes, John G, Prather,. William S. Moore, L. P. Holter, M. T. Fee, P. C. Smith, H. F. Gray, F. M. Dimmitt, and J. C. McKibben.
At present the membership of the lodge is only 35, many of the former members having become connected with other lodges. The hall was built in 1858, forming the third story of the Fee Block, and was provided at a cost of $1400. In April, 1874, Sewanie Lodge laid out a fine cemetery of a little more than eight acres, just outside the village of Felicity, about one-half of which has been improved, forming 198 large blocks. The trustees in 1819 were N. Matthews, W. R. Sells, and W. J. Rees.
The officers of the lodge for the first term in 1880 were T. C. Hardy, N. G. ; T. W. Jones, V. G. ; M. S. Dimmitt, R. S. ; J. W. Wedding, P. S. ; and W. J. Rees, T.
For periods not before named the Noble Grands have been : 1852, A. Goslin, M. S. Dimmitt ; 1853, James J. Goslin, E. J. Prather; 1854, N. Mathews, S. C, Bolander ; 1855, D. E. Fee, J. W. South ; 1856, A. L. Knowles, John B. Goodwin ; 1857, Marcus Fee, W. J. Rees ; 1858,
N. Mathews, J. J. Derrough ; 1859, M. S. Dimmitt, A. M. Fee ; 1860, F. W. Knowles, ; 1861, K H. Grimes, W. S. Moore ; 1862, M. N. Sargent, D. S. Waits ; 1863, J. H. Chapman, M. T. Fee ; 1864, S. P. Kibben, John W. Robb ; 1865, W. W. Fronk, James M. Watkins ; 1866, Peter C. Smith, John H. Laycock ; 1867, S. C. Grimes, James W. Wedding ; 1868, B. L. Bredwell, F. M. Dim- mitt ; 1869, G. A. Frazier, T. C. Pierce ; 1870, A. II. Swerengen, E, F. Donnelly ; 1871, H. F. Gray, J. C. McKibben ; 1872, Joseph Hollister, S. P. Shinkle ; 1873, S. A. Altman, Stephen Kramer ; 1874, L. P. Hotter, J. F. White ; 1875, W. R. Sells, J. Woodson ; 1876, John F. Boggess, F. H. Abbott ; 1877, S. W. McKinney, James K. Gray ; 1878, James I. McKibben, W. A. Page ; 1879, D. P. Helvering, G. M. Reddin.
FELICITY ENCAMPMENT, No. 80, I. O. O. F.,
had as charter members Darlington E. Fee, Asher Goslin, John B. Goodwin, Thomas Parish, H. Allen, W. W. Perkins, Isaac S. Quinlan, Cyrus W. McFarland, and A. B. Jones, and was instituted May 5,1858. Soon after, M. S. Dimmitt, J. W. South, F. W. Knowles, N. Mathews, W. J. Rees, D. McGraw, James Stewart, Marcus Fee, E. Utter, A. M. Fee, James Goodwin, E, J. Prather, John Higgins, M, N. Sargent, Joseph Clare, J. S. Parrott, Ste, phen Cramer, Samuel Demaris, J. W. Elliott, Charles Kohler, James K Gray, E. J. Manning, and W. A. Page became members of the encampment, which has been fairly prosperous, and whose present offrcers are E. F. Donley, C. P. ; E. J. Prather, H. P. ; W. R. Sells, S. W. ; J. W Wedding, J. W. ; M. S. Dimmitt, Sec. ; and Thomas W. Clark, Treas.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP.351
CIIILO LODGE, No. 642, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted July 11, 1876, with J. G. Prather, N. G.; C. C. Hancock, V. G; L. H. Smith, Treas.; J. J. Warbinton, Per. Sec.; and C. B. Warbinton, Rec. Sec., and 8 associate members. At present the lodge has 28 members, and S. W. Kinney, N. G. ; G. W. Rice, V. G.; E. G. Prather, Rec. Sec. ; T. W. Clark, Per. Sec.; and J. G. Prather, Treas. The Noble Grands since the institution of the lodge have been : 1877, C. C. Hancock and L. H. Smith ; 1878, E. M. Line and T. W. Clark ; 1879, J. J. Warbinton and E. W. Dixon.
In the spring of 1876 a company was formed, called the " Chilo Odd-Fellow Building Company," which erected a two-story building, 24 by 48 feet, in the upper part of which the lodge has since held its meetings. In the fall of 1879 the lodge became the owner of the ball, the lower story becoming the property of J. G. Prather.
EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.
No aulhentic account of the schools of the township is afforded prior to May 11, 1838. At that time the township was divided in districts with the following bounds:
District No. 1.—Beginning on the township-line, near Michael Richards', thence north with said line to the corner of Franklin township; thence with the line of Tate township to the widow Patterson, excluding her ; thence to Hugh Gibbs, excluding him ; thence to John Boggess, Jr., on the Bullskin road, excluding him ; thence a southerly course with said road to James Canters', at the forks of the road, including him; thence to the house opposite William Winter's stone house, including it ; thence to Daniel Keethler, including him ; thence into Franklin township to Thomas Jones, including him ; thence to Edward Salt, including him ; thence down Indian Creek to Robert Smith's, excluding him ; thence to the place of beginning.
District No. 2.-Beginning at Ralph Stiers', excluding him, thence to Ralph Wedding's, excluding him ; thence to Hugh McKibben's, excluding him ; thence to Nancy Miller's, excluding her ; thence to John Boner's, including him; thence to John L. Powell's, including him ; thence to James Hines', excluding him ; thence to Robert Smith's, including him ; thence to Sillsby Stevens', including him ; thence to Zachariah West's, including him ; thence to Richard Tucker's ; thence, with the road, to Thomas Fee's; and from thence to Ralph Stiers', the place of beginning.
District No. 3.—Beginning at Edward Sargent's, excluding him, thence to Samuel Prather's, including him ; thence to Nathaniel Bagby's farm-house, including him; thence to Nancy Cousins, excluding her ; thence to John W. Ginning's old shop ; thence north, with the State road, to Thomas Ansley and A. Armstrong’s, including them ; thence to the widow Prather, excluding her ; thence to Ralph Stiers', excluding him ; thence to the widow Miller's, including her ; thence west to the township line; thence south, with the township line, to the beginning.
District No. 4.—Beginning on the Ohio River, at the corner of Washington and Franklin townships, thence north, with the township line, to William P. Botts', excluding him ; thence to Edward Sargent, including him; thence to Samuel Prather, excluding him ; thence to Na thaniel Bagby's farm-house, including it; thence, on a straight line to Nancy Cousins, to the head of Sycamore Branch ; thence down said branch to Crooked Run ; thence down said run to the Ohio; thence to the place of beginning.
District No. 5.—Beginning on the bank of the Ohio River, at Broadwell's Corner above the mouth of Bullskin, thence with the line to the widow Judd ; thence with the line between her and the said Broadwell to Bullskin Creek ; thence on Obannon's back line ; thence, with the line, to Zadok Watson's place, excluding it ; thence to Woodmansee's, including him ; thence north, with the road leading from the mouth of Buliskin to Clark's mill, to Smart's mill-dam ; thence east, with the Augusta road, to the county-line ; thence south with said line to the Ohio River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning.
District No. 6.—Beginning at the cross-roads at Otho Pearre's, thence east, with the Neville road, to Joel Hoover, excluding him ; thence the same course to John Lesslie's; thence to Samuel Barr's, near the road from Clark's mill to the mouth of Buliskin ; thence south with said road to Shepard Woodmansee's, excluding him ; thence to William Watson's, excluding him ; thence to Zadok Watsonls place, excluding it ; thence, with the road, to J. W. Ginning's old shop, and to the place of beginning.
District No. 7.—Beginning at the county-line at John J. Shinkle's, excluding him, thence south on said line to John Lesslie's; thence west to Joel Hoover's; thence with the road to the cross-roads at O. Pearre's; thence north with the Bullskin road to Thomas Ansley's and Alexander Armstrong's, excluding them ; thence to Jesse Fee's farmhouse, excluding it; thence to Hiram Gregg's, excluding him ; thence to Arthur Fee's, excluding him ; thence north with the road to where John Demaris used to live, on said Fee's place; thence to L. Chandler's old place, excluding it; thence to the mouth of Stonelick; thence down the creek to the mouth of Bluelick ; thence to William Richie's, excluding him ; thence to John J, Shinkle's, the place of beginning.
District No. 8.—Beginning at the mouth of Stonelick, thence down Bullskin Creek to the mouth of Blue Lick ; thence to William Richie's, including H. Bolander ; thence to John J. Shinkle's, including him ; thence with the counly to Tate township ; thence with the township-line to the east fork of Stoneliek ; thence down said run to the place of beginning.
District No. 9.—Beginning at Daniel Keethler's, on the township-line, thence to Thomas Jones, excluding him ; thence to Edward Salt, excluding him ; thence down Indian Creek to the mouth of Bain Run ; thence to Silsby Stevens', excluding him ; thence to Isaac Houser's, excluding him ; thence to Zachariah West's, excluding him ; thence to Richard Tucker's, including him ; thence with the road to Thomas Fee's, excluding him ; thence to John Demaris' former residence, including it ; thence to L, Chandler's old place, including it ; thence to the mouth of Stone- lick ; thence up the east fork of the same to the township- line ; thence west to the place of beginning.
District No. 10.—Beginning at Arthur Fee's, thence to Hiram D. Gregg's, including him ; thence
to Jesse Fee's
352 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
farm-house, including it ; thence to the widow Prather's, excluding Thomas Ansley and A. Armstrong ; thence to Ralph Stiers', including him ; thence to Thomas Fee's', including him ; thence to the place of beginning, including A. Fee and the widow Prather.
District No. 11.-Beginning at the Ohio River at the mouth of Crooked Run, thence up said run to the mouth of Sycamore branch, to the line between Chilo district No. 4 and district No. 3 ; thence to Nancy Cousins, including her ; thence to the shops formerly occupied by J. W. Ginnings; thence with the State road south to the place of Zedekiah 'Watson, excluding it ; thence with the line between G. W. Jones and Zedekiah Watson, Sr., to the Ohio River; thence down the river to the place of beginning.
District No. 12.-Beginning at Jones' and Watson's corner, on the Ohio River, thence with their line to the place occupied by Zadok Watson, Jr., excluding it ; thence to William Watson's, including him ; thence to the place of Zadok Watson and to Obannon's back line ; thence with said line to Bullskin Creek ; thence down the creek to Broadwell's and the widow Judd's corner ; thence with their line east to their upper corner ; thence with said Broadwell's line to the Ohio River ; thence down the Ohio River to the place of beginning.
No statistics of the schools under the old law have been preserved in the township. Under the acts of 1852-53, the first directors of the several sub-districts were the following: the first named in each district being the member of the Franklin Board of Education,-No. 1, R. M. Johnson, John Trees, and John Swope ; No. 2, Lewis A. Logan, E. T. Penn, and John Wedding; No. 3, Enos Richards, David Reed, E. Turtin ; No. 4, John Utter, David A. Bannister, W. H. Prather; No. 5, James McClanahan, John W. Robertson, Samuel Craig; No. 6, J. W. Hollister, David G, Hoover, Isaac Bartlow ; No. 7, William Love, John B. Crouch, Martin Shinkle; No. 8, mostly in Brown County; No. 9, L. T. Pearce, N. W. Tompkins, Joseph Jones; No. 10, in Felicity ; No. 11, Samuel Miller, P, H. Goslin, James Goslin ; No. 12, John D. Hoover, William Shinkle, William Sorron ; No. 13, John B. Thomas, William H. Wells, George Perry ; No. 14, in Tate township ; No. 15, A. H. Glenn, William Metzgar, Thomas Hurley. John Utter was chosen chairman of the Board of Education, and D. E. Fee clerk, The number of children of school age in the township (exclusive of Felicity) was reported as 996, and $1398.60 was paid for their instruclion. Among the teachers of this perlod were A. H. Glenn, J, J. Arnold, Nancy Wiley, Melissa Ginnings, henry Pangburn, Helena Powell, Matilda Moyer, Caroline Armstrong, Nancy G, Abrams, W. W, Robinson, Andrew Early, Z. W. Fagin, S. A. Fitch, W. G. Richards, J. C. Miller, A, M. McLain, and Elizabeth Barber.
The increase of the colored element in the population of Franklin township induced the trustees to establish a special district, to embrace the entire township, for the education of black and mulatto persons, on the 20th of April, 1852, and since that time a colored school has been taught in the township. In 1874 a building was erected just outside of the limits of Felicity for the accommodation of this school, which, in 1879, was taught by James L. Cole.
In 1879 the members of the Board of Education were P. C. Smith, Eugene Turton, Thomas Clark, 0. W. Shinkle, Samuel W. Houser, William Davis, W. K. Shinkle, Solomon Bolander, E. Reed, S. W. Shinkle, Enoch Henderson, John T. Boggess, Joseph S. Marriott, M. D. Ross. S. W. Houser was the chairman of the Board, and B. F. Trees, clerk. The amount paid teachers was $3750.31, and the number of pupils in attendance was 498, while the 16 school buildings were valued at $18,000.
FELICITY UNION SCHOOL.
In 1812 a school was taught a little south of the village by William Bradley, father of Dr. H. Bradley, which is the first school in this part of Franklin of which we have any account. Next was erected a log building in the western part of the village, in which both schools and meetings were held. Then came a frame and the brick house which was sold to the colored Baptists for a place of worship. From 1845, for about ten years, a Mrs. Fletcher taught a school which was locally known as " The Felicity Young Ladies' Seminary." It was well patronized, and had a good reputation. The house in which it was kept was a two- story brick, surrounded with spacious grounds, and the property was provided by a joint-stock company. Ultimately, Mrs. Fletcher became the owner of this property, and sold it to the Felicity Board of Education, which used it for the union school until the present edifice took its place. This house it was decided to build May 12, 1874, and the committee to draft the plan was composed of B. F. loiter, E. M. Sargent, and F. W. Knowles ; at the same time Joseph L. Day and Lewis Ware were appointed to select a site for the colored school-house. The contract for building both was awarded to W. W. Waterfield for $3200 and the material of the old houses. The main edifice has four rooms, which are neatly finished and well supplied with good furniture.
In 1854 the members of the Felicity Board of Education were J. W. Kennedy, 0. P. S. Fee, but three, which constituted the full number until 1874, when six members were chosen. The records have been so poorly preserved that but little besides the names of those elected yearly to serve as members can be given. These were : 1855 and thereafter until 1874, Michael Richard, 0. P. S. Fee, .T, W. Kennedy, Robert Bryant, M, S. Dimmitt, M. L. Day, H, Bradley, Marcus Fee, A. E. Armacost, F. W. Knowles, L. W. Ware, and 0. P. S. Fee, the latter serving continuously.
In April, 1874, the Board of Education was constituted of George P. Clark, President; F. W. Knowles, Secretary ; E. M. Sargent., B. F. Holter, J. L. Day, and A. E. Armacost. In 1875 the members elected were H. Bradley, J. K. Gray ; 1876, W. W. Waterfield, S. S. Newhouse; 1877,
J. H. Simmons, E. M. Sargent ; 1878, H, Bradley, James
K. Gray ; 1879, W. W. Waterfield, B. F. Holter ; 1880, .J. H, Simmons, President ; H. Bradley, Clerk ; W. W. Waterfield, B. F. Holter, M, S. Dimmitt, and J, Longworth.
In the high school are 34 boys and 24 girls, and in the other grades an attendance of 116 boys and 100 girls was reported, and the schools were in a flourishing condition.
WILLIAM WATERFIELD
ABOUT the year 1788 the Waterfield and Watson families emigrated from Maryland to Kentucky, where, near Lexington, Jacob Waterfield was born, March 7, 1790. In 1798 his mother, who was a sister of Zadock Watson, an early pioneer near Felicity, removed with her child Jacob, after the death of her husband, to Ohio, and settled in what is now Franklin township of this county. Jacob Waterfield was a poor boy, and it is related of him that one severe winter, when a little lad, he went barefooted to see the Ohio River frozen over, and such were the privations and hardships of the early pioneers from 1800 to 1805. From a poor boy, with a widowed mother, he arose by toil and prudent management to become a solid farmer with broad acres. He was married twice, to two Metzgar sisters, of an honorable pioneer family on Bullskin Creek, and his third marriage was to Rachel Ramey. He was the father of fourteen children,—six boys and eight girls,—and his sons ranked among the best farmers and most wealthy citizens of Clermont and Brown Counties, while the girls were all married to prominent men and won high social positions. Jacob Waterfield was a hard-working farmer, honest and true, and possessed an infinite fund of humor, and carried his youthful feelings into his honored manhood and venerable old age. He was a noted athlete in his young days, and at log-rollings, house-raisings, etc., excelled all in boxing and wrestling. He died in affluent circumstances, in Brown County, July 23, 1860, and his wife Mary (Metzgar), the mother of the subject of this sketch, died in 1837.
William Waterfield, son of Jacob and Mary (Metzgar) Waterfield, was born in Lewis township, Brown Co., Ohio, April 12, 1822. He was brought up on the farm, and received the usual country district school education customary for the boys of his day. In 1847 he took a boat-load of produce to New Orleans, and traded on the lower river. He went to California, at the time of the great emigration to that Eldorado State, in the spring of 1850, by way of the Isthmus, and returned late in the fall of 1851. He worked in the mines and was successful, bringing home a goodly sum of the golden metal. On March 23, 1852, he was married by Rev. L. D. Jay to Minerva I. Hill, daughter of James and Mary (Frazier) Hill, of Tate township. His wife’s mother was a Frazier and her grandmother a Salt, among the earliest pioneers and largest farmers of Tate township. Her uncle, Edward Frazier, was the popular and efficient sheriff of Clermont from 1837 to 1841, and her brother, Capt. James W. Hill, a gallant officer of the Union army in the late Rebellion, was also sheriff from 1864 to 1866. This marriage has been extremely felicitous to her and her husband, although they have never been blessed with children. Of an old pioneer family, she is a lady of marked accomplishments, of singularly refined temperament, and her social graces add to her high Christian character the dignity of elevated social rank. After his marriage he moved on the river-farm he had purchased near Rural, and in 1853 to the Carley farm at Chilo which he had bought, and which, with additions making it over three hundred acres, he still owns. In 1862 he was engaged in the drug and grocery business in Felicity, and in 1863 moved to that town, purchased the noted Chalfant property, and embarked largely in the packing of pork, buying, prizing and shipping of tobacco, and then, in addition, engaged in the dry-goods and grocery business. The Waterfield family was among the first persons in Brown County to raise leaf tobacco, and William Waterfield, with his older brother James, was the first in Clermont to raise tobacco, and slipped the first hogshead that ever went from the county. Before his removal to Felicity he handled tobacco for years at Chilo, and in the past fifteen years the average annual crop raised on his farm near Chilo has been from forty-five to fifty thousand pounds. In August, 1872, he removed to Cincinnati, and in the spring of 1873 built the " Globe Tobacco Warehouse," in connection with his partners, Lee H. Brooks, T. C. Westfall, and John S. Fallin, under the firm-name of Brooks, Waterfield & Co. This firm continued till December, 1878, when Messrs. Westfall and Fallin retired, and Mr. Brooks and Mr. Waterfield now control it under the same firm-name as before. This noted firm sells tobacco on commission, at the auction brakes, to manufacturers, exporters, and speculators. Their first year's sales (1873) amounted to two thousand six hundred hogsheads, but their business has constantly increased until in 1879 it was eight thousand hogsheads, being more than any other one of the five warehouses in Cincinnati. Their sales this year (1880) will probably reach ten thousand hogsheads, making it lhe largest house in the tobacco trade of Cincinnati, and selling more dollars' worth of leaf tobacco than any other auction and inspection warehouse in lhe United States. Their sales reach annually from one to two million dollars, and their receipts of the weed and leaf come mostly from the tobacco-cutting districts of Kentucky, Southern Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana. Their warehouse is at Nos. 95, 97, and 99 Front Street, Cincinnati, and is a mammoth building, while Mr. Waterfield’s residence is at No. 63 Front Street, Covington, Ky., one of the finest residences in that beautiful city. Mr. Waterfield is a model business man, prompt, honest, and most critical in his discerning judgment.
From small or no means, but a capital of energy and integrily, he has risen to the head of the Cincinnati tobacco trade, amassed a targe fortune, and to-day is one of the solid men of the Ohio Valley. From a boy he has been handling tobacco, from setting out the plants on the hillside, through its different steps in raising, prizing, shipping, etc., up to selling it by the thousands of hogsheads. He is a public-spirited citizen, and when living on his splendid farm he built, by contract, the Felicity and Chilo turnpike, in 1867- 68, for a distance of two and a half miles. Genial in his social characteristics, he is the very personification of honor and business integrity, and probably as a judge of leaf tobacco, in which his family have been so noted for their raising, handling, and shipping of it, he has no superior in the country.
He is a member of no religious denomination, but contributes most liberally to the support of the Methodist, of which his most estimable wife is a devoted and prominent member.
He is a Democrat in politics, but has never sought and has always refused office, giving his sole attention to his business, in which he has met with deserved success.
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 353
Prior to the formation of the union school, among the popular teachers of Felicity were E. F. W. Ellis, A. Hines, and H. F. Soper. William Carter was the first teacher of the union school, and continued until 1862. Then came, for periods of from one to two years, J. S. Campbell, John Stiles, A. S. N. Dobson, John Akels, John Laycock, James R. Connor, L, G. Hoover, and since 1878, W. H. Ulrey, assisted by Emma South, Eva Hoover, and Stella G. Knowles, with James L. Cole, teacher of colored school.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
Many of the early settlers of Franklin township were Methodists, and at once began to hold meetings, perhaps before having a regular organization. These meetings were attended by people coming from a great distance, and, indeed, the first Methodist church in this part of the county was erected to accommodate the people of what now constitutes four townships. The " Old Hopewell Church," remembered only in memory, was built on the land of Hugh McKibben, a little more than a mile southwest from Felicity, about 1805. It was rather a superior log house, provided with a spacious gallery, giving it large accommodations for the church-going people of that day. Among the members who worshiped here were the Fees, Sargents, Prathers, Walravens, McGraws, McKibbens, Minors, Dills, Kennedys, and others to a goodly number. The development of other parts of the county caused a diversion of the interests here concentrated for nearly a quarter of a century, and divers societies were elsewhere formed, causing Hopewell to be used only as an occasional place of worship, and later only when interments occurred in the grave-yard which was established in connection with the meeting-house. Chief among these new organizations was
THE FELICITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
whose origin dates from about 1825. Its constituent members belonged to the William Fee family, Simeon Good- win's, Peter Hastings', the Baums', Minors, and others, a few score in number. As relaled in the foregoing pages, a union house was erected at Felicity about 1825, in which ,worship was maintained and schools taught until 1832, when the Methodists erected their own church edifice. This house, in a repaired and beautified condition, is yet in use, and in 1879 was in charge of A. E. Armacost, '1'. Hayden, L. S. Molen, J. H. Gregg, and H. Bradley as trustees. The church at. Felicity has been, in the main, prosperous from its organization, and at present has 230 members, forming four classes, led by James E. Moore, W. W. Tucker, L. R. Day, and Thomas D. Fee.
Since 1853, Felicity has had ils own circuit relations, embracing also the churches at Chilo and Cedron. The names of the ministers who have preached prior to that date can be seen in a list of appointments of the White Oak Circuit, in the history of Tate. Since Felicity has been a circuit the ministers have been as follows : 1853-54, Rev. Michael Bider ; 1855-56, Rev. William Routledge ; 1857-58, Rev. W. L. Hypes ; 1859-60, Rev. T. S. Cowden; 1861, Rev. W. Q. Shannon ; 1862, Rev. A. P. Dunlap ; 1863-64, Rev. Edward McHugh ; 865-67, Rev. S. Bennett , 1868-69, Rev. A. N. Spahr ; 1870-72, Rev. Sylvester Weeks ; 1873-75, Rev. H. M. Keck ; 1876-78, Rev. W. J. Quarry; 1879, Rev. H. C. Middleton. The church belongs to Ripley District, of which Rev. William I. Fee is presiding elder, and the local preachers are F. Abbott, J. H. Armacost, L. R. Day, and J. E. Moore.
THE CHILO METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The present house of worship was built some time about 1837, under the superintendence of members of the Sargent and Prather families, who also formerly belonged to the " Old Hopewell Church." The church is of brick, and remains in its essentials as built nearly fifty years ago. Before that period the meetings were held in private houses, groves, and school-houses. The present trustees are John Howe, Wm. Brown, P. B. Heizer, J. C. Waterfield, and Nicholas Myers. About 100 persons belong as members, and the church and the
CHURCH AT CEDRON
form a part of Felicity Circuit. This house was built in 1851, by John McGraw, Joshua Smart, and Hayden Coleman, as a building committee, at a cost of $2000. It is of brick, of fair proportions, and presents a oneine appearance. Six or eight years after the building of the church it was partially destroyed by a storm, but was again placed in good repair. Russell Park, Wm. Trissler, David McFarland, I. N. Tollan, and John Boggess are the present trustees. A membership of nearly 50 is reported, and the church is in a healthy condition.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF FELICITY.
This society was organized about the beginning of the present century as the " Smyrna Presbyterian Church," and some time about 1808 a small log meeting-house was built a mile east of Felicity, in which the congregation worshiped many years. A grave-yard was opened by the church, and both the meeting-house and the burial-ground were widely known as Smyrna. In that house the Rev. Robert B. Dobbins, who was also the pastor of the Williamsburgh Church, preached for more than twenty years, and was followed by the Rev. John Rankin. Among the early members were James Garrett and family, Philip Moyer and family, Mrs. Richie, Jane Holmes, David Miller and family, Abraham Moyer and wife, Joseph McKibben and family, James Barber, and others. Joseph McKibben and James Garrett were the ruling elders, the latter being charged with the duty of lining the hymns after the fashion of that day. The old log church having become unfit for use, meetings began to be held at Felicity about 1828. At first the congregation assembled in the school-house, but the membership was increased to such an extent that a more capacious room was demanded. Among those who joined here were Wyatt Owens, John T. McKibben, Sarah Watson, Wm. McMurchy, W. G. Gage, Thomas Boucle, John Merrill, James Dobbins, Henry Wise, Joseph Wells, James Barber, and John Logan. About 1830 the congregation erected a small brick church in the western part of Felicity, which was the first church edifice in the village. In this house a portion of the Presbyterians (those adhering to the old school) worshiped until the union of the two congregations, Nov. 28,
354 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
1869, when the building was given over to other uses, and is at present a blacksmith-shop.
In 1847 a number of members of the above congregation, who embraced the doctrines of the new school of Presbyterians, dissolved their connection, and formed themselves into a new society at Fehcity. In 1854 the members erected the meeting-house at present occupied by the Presbyterians, and which, though a plain edifice, is a comfortable place of worship for the 40 odd members which compose the congregation.
The elders of the church have been Joseph McKibben, James Garrett, John Mullen, Wyatt Owens, W. G. Gage, Thomas Boude, John Logan, Lewis Miller, John P. Moyer (since 1842), David Barber, B. Reynolds, A. II. Glenn, Wm. Carter, J. C. Wells, and Wm. McMurchy, the two last named also serving at present.
As before stated, the Rev. Robert B. Dobbins was the minister of the church until 1828, when he was succeeded by the Rev. John Rankin, who appears to have remained only a year. Then came Rev. Charles Phillips, and in 1830 Rev. A. T. Rankin. In 1840 the Rev. J. T. Irwin succeeded to the pastorate, and in a few years Rev. David Gould is noted as the minister. Rev. John McCormick came in 1845, and died while pastor of the church, about a year later. In 1847 the Rev. J. S. Poage became the pastor, and it was in his administration that the division of the church took place. Rev. Aaron Thompson preached in 1852, and since that period there have been as ministers Revs. James S. Campbell, H. P. Welton, Isaac Delameter, J. A, I, Lowes, and since July, 1879; the Rev. James Mitchell.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT CEDRON
owes its origin to the division of the Presbyterians into the old and new schools. In consequence of that sentiment a number of persons who formerly belonged to the old Lewis Church, in Brown County, connected themselves with the New School Presbyterran Church at Felicity, but before that congregation had erected its new house withdrew to form the church at Cedron, that locality affording them a more convenient point at which to worship. Among these members were Samuel Wise, William Wise, John Vac Dike, William Fallin, and others, living in Brown County, who erected a neat brick meeting-house, about 1851, which the society yet occupies. The church has about 50 members, and the ruling elders are George Wise, William Wise, and William Hyser. The minister of the church is the Rev. Mr, Delameter.
THE MOUNT PLEASANT CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized Dec. 28, 1839, as the Olive Church, in union with the Southern Ohio Christian Conference, the ministers in attendance being Mathew Gardner, Charles S. Manchester, and Robert Nelson. The constituent and other early members were John R. Hoover, Abraham R. Houser, James Crosswell, Sarah J. Barrett, Mary A, Watson, Mary Bryson, Eliza Hicks, Melissa Miller, Nancy McLefresh, Octave Reid, Susanna Owens, Elizabeth Hoover, Anna Hoover, Andrew Henninger, Elizabeth Houser, Rebecca Brown, Perry Judd, Nancy Judd, David Houser,
John Moyer, George Miller, David Miller, Nancy Hamilton, Leonard Metzgar, Henry R. Houser, David Adams, Martha R, Hamilton, Jane Saunders, Solomon Bruner, Emanuel Hoover, Maria Walker, Hiram Lockwood, and William Houser. A meeting-house was soon after erected about a mile south of Felicity, in which worship was statedly maintained, and which was known as the Olive Church. In April, 1848, in consequence of the withdrawal of a number of members, who accepted the teachings of Alexander Campbell, a reorganization was effected, the title to the church property secured to the present organization, and a board of deacons elected, composed of Ephraim Johnson, Samuel Miller, Jonathan N. Houser, and Andrew Henninger. The trustees elected were Elijah Lanham, Andrew Boys, and Samuel Miller.
The church has enjoyed an unusual degree of prosperity, and at present has a membership reaching nearly 300 In 1862 the present house of worship was erected by a building committee composed of E. N. Vermillion, E. Hendrixson, Abram Hoover, Joseph Watson, and J. J. Goslin. It is a plain but comfortable house, near the site of the old church, and the property is at present cared for by trustees J. J. Goslin, Samuel Miller, and E. N. Vermillion. The latter, David G. Hoover, Samuel Miller, W. McKinney, James S Crosswell, and Solomon Shinkle are the present deacons. J. J, Goslin is also clerk of the church. Other deacons have been Joseph Watson, Isaac Bartlow, A. Henninger,
R. Lanham, E. J. Prather, Enoch Reed, Henry Kinney, and Abraham Hoover. Since 1866 the Rev. S. S. Newhouse has been the pastor of the church, and it is owing largely to his faithful labors that the congregation has been so prosperous. Others who have been ministers of the church were, from 1851 on, Revs. E. W. Humphreys, C. S. Manchester, C. C. Phillips, O. J. Wait, C. Hutchinson, P. Devore, and A. J. Wait.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF FELICITY.
Early in the spring of 1845 a few members of the foregoing church, who entertained the religious belief of Alexander Campbell, began to raise funds for the purpose of building a house of worship in Felicity in which their meetings might be held. On the 21st of April, 1845, A. Knowles, George Crossley, and Michael Gray were elected trustees of a society which had just been formed, and let the contract to build the church to A. L. Powell fix $450. The house was completed in December, 1845, and on the 3d of January, 1846, the members assembled in the church, when they were addressed by Elder John T. Powell, and Michael Gray and Thomas Miller elected trustees ; John Pangburn and Michael Gray, elders ; George Crossley and Benjamin Goslin, deacons, who were ordained on the 8th of February following. The meeting-house was erected on a lot donated by William Fee, and Alonzo Knowles, John Pangburn, and Michael Gray each gave $100 to put up the building, which, with some repairs, remains to this day.
The church adopted the Bible as its only rule of faith and practice, and Elder John T. Powell was for many years regular preacher. During his ministry Alonzo Knowles often preached in the cause of primitive Christianity, and was an acceptable minister. Other ministers who have
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preached for the church have been Revs, Otho Pearre, Frank Sallee, William Patterson, James Morgan, P. W. Shirk, and J. H. Lockwood, the latter being the present preacher. Meetings have also been held by evangelists and others,—by Elders James Challen, George Fisher, J. J. Moss, George Campbell, T. J. Murdock, J. M. Henry, A. B, Henry, J. D. Moore, J. M. White, David Mathews, Dr. Sterling Pearre, James L. Thornberry, I. I. West, 0. H. Derry, and L. L. Carpenter.
For some time the church has had but irregular preaching, and the interest had declined to such an extent that it was deemed advisable to reorganize the church, which, on May 28, 1877, became incorporated as
THE CHURCH OF CHRIST 1N FELICITY,
with W. H. Straight, Nathan Abbott, and S. A. Madison as trustees ; John Walker, clerk ; Volney Kenyon, elder ; W. H. Straight and Nathaniel Abbott, deacons. The church has a membership of 69, and supports a good Sabbath-school.
A Christian or Disciple society was organized at Rural about 1863, which had at one time from 40 to 60 members. An old warehouse was transformed into a place of' worship, in which the society met four or five years, when the organization disbanded. Among the ministers were the Revs. J. H. Lockwood and William Patterson.
THE FELICITY WESLEYAN CHURCH.
The Felicity Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized in 1847, among the constituent members being Mathew Gibson, Nelson Gibson, Joshua Sargent and his sons, John and William Sargent. In 1851 the agitation of the slavery question at Felicity. induced the withdrawal of Joseph Parrish and about 40 others from the Methodist Episcopal Church, who connected themselves with the Wesleyans, who now had a large and flourishing society.
In 1848 the small brick church, which is at present occupied by the African Methodists, was erected for a place of worship, but in consequence of the above and other accessions a larger house was demanded. But it was not until the spring of 1856 that the Wesleyan church edifice was begun, and completed the following season, at a cost of about $9000. The building is one of the largest and most elegant of the kind in the county, having a tower more than one hundred feet high, in which is a clock, supplied at a cost of about $500. One of the most active agents in securing this house was Joseph Parrish, who spent much time and means in furthering the enterprise. Until the society occupied the new house of worship it had essentially the same ministers as the Bethel Wesleyan Church, but from 1856 to 1858 Dr. Luther Lee was the pastor, and during his connection the church enjoyed a great degree of prosperity. Other successive ministers were the Revs. J. W. Warrington, J. W. Chalfant, S. H. Chase, and John L. Fall, who was the last that preached with any regularity. The removal of members and the settlement by the war of those questions which gave rise to the society caused it to forego its organization, and some time before 1870 the meetings were discontinued. The church building stood unoccupied for a few years, but in 1873 the township trustees purchased it and fitted it up for a public hall, owned by the township of Franklin.
FELICITY AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
A class of members of this denomination was formed in 1859, which had among its members Perry Payne, Jacob Greason, Benjamin Logan, and a few others. A number of years afterwards the society purchased the old Wesleyan meeting-house, which was repaired at an outlay of several hundred dollars, and dedicated by Bishop Payne. This house the society yet occupies, and the trustees are Posey Robinson, Perry Payne, and Frederick Senior. The members number about 70, and maintain a Sunday-school which has an attendance of 40 scholars, Among the ministers the church has had were the Revs. Andrews, Lewis, Eads, Cooper, Dillon, Lynch, Stewart, Green, Wright, Coleman, Cole, and Toney, the last named being the present minister.
ZION’S BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED)
had its origin at Felicity about 1865, although a few members were here as early as 1862. In the year last named William Fry purchased the old school-house, which served as a place of worship until 1871, when it was rebuilt and consecrated by Elders Newsom and Ferguson. The present trustees are Charles Bennett and Leroy Logan. The first deacon was William Fry, who yet serves and has as fellow- deacons Leroy Logan, L. Barnaby, Charles Bennett, and Parker Artwell. Other deacons have been Henry Bledson, William Dudley, Dennis Scott, and Willis Bright. Rev. James Fry was the first pastor, and remained until 1877. Since that time those in the pastoral office have been Vance Anderson, L. Hawkins, and D. B. Green. The church has a membership of 60, and maintains a good Sunday-school.
THE BENTON CHURCH OF THE CHRISTIAN UNION.
This body was incorporated Feb. 13, 1866, with Joel Bolander, K, M. Johnson, J. H. Shinkle, Jesse W. Day, and Johnson Beach as trustees. These erected, the same season, in behalf of the society, a plain meeting-house, in the eastern part of the township, on a lot of land which had been secured from the farm of Philip J. Shinkle, and which is yet used as the place of worship.
The Union is an independent organization, based on the simple principles of the Bible, and has no Conference or Association relations. It has been prosperous, and its membership numbers 100, including many substantial men of the eastern part of Clermont and the western part of Brown Counties. The present minister is the Rev. R. A. M. Johnson ; and other ministers have been the Revs. Vanderment, Hatfield, and Wolf.
In the early settlement of the county the Dunkards maintained public worship in the eastern part of Franklin for a time in a log house which stood on the Hoover farm. Among the members were the Hoovers, Housers, Rohrers, and others who came from points outside the township. Abraham Houser was one of the early ministers, coming from Kentucky at stated times. After the death of the older members and the removal of some families the meetings were discontinued.
356 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DR. MATTHEW GIBSON.
Dr. Matthew Gibson was born in Scott County, Va., Sept. 27, 1815, and was the son of George and Margaret (Nelson) Gibson, being the eldest of seven children. He was raised on his father's farm, prepared for college at the famous Estleville Academy, and went to the Greenville and Tusculum College at Greenville, Tenn. (home of ex-President Andrew Johnson), at which he graduated with the highest honors in the classical course in the year 1841. He then continued his medical studies, and in 1842 received his diploma in the medical department of the same institution, one of the best in the South, and of which his brother-in-law, Rev. William S, Doak, D.D., is now president, He married, in 1837, Miss Eliza F. R., daughter of Rev. S. W. Doak, then president of this celebrated college. Dr, Gibson remained at this college for three years after his graduation as its vice-president and es professor of mathematics, civil engineering, and botany, He then went to Madisonville, Tenn., and was for three years president of Hiawassee College at that place, from which Judge David M. Key, late postmaster-general, graduated, and who was a student under Dr. Gibson. Judge Temple, chancellor of the Court of East Tennessee, and who was one of the commissioners to locate the boundary-line between Mexico and the United States, was, with many other distinguished men, a student under Dr. Gibson. In 1847, Dr. Gibson came to Felicity, in this county, and began the practice of his profession and has remained there ever since. He had six children by his first wife, who died in 1866. He subsequently married Caroline Harrington, of Glendale, near Cincinnati, who died in 1876. His grandfather on the maternal side, Johnson Nelson, served in the Revolutionary war, and was shot through the lungs at King's Mountain, but lived for several years,—finally dying from his wound. Several of his father's brothers were in the war of 1812. Dr. Gibson is of Scotch descent, and his great-grandfather came to America long before the Revolution, settled a short time in Philadelphia City, and then located in Augusta Co., Va. Several of his ancestors and relatives have been eminent physicians, one of whom, Dr. William Gibson, of Philadelphia, is the author of the celebrated work on "Institutes and Practice of Surgery ; being Outlines of a Course of Lectures." Dr. Gibson has been thirty-three years in Felicity, and has a large and lucrative practice. He has always made use of electricity in his practice, and kept the finest electrical instruments in Ohio. In the treatment of female complaints he is unexcelled in the State, in which he was the second doctor to use the speculum, which has since proven so effectual in relieving suffering humanity. People come to him for treatment from all parts of the country, from New Orleans, Boston, San Francisco, Washington, Montreal, and other distant points. As indicative of his practice, his patients in his immediate vicinity embrace the wealthiest and most intelligent of our citizens. The doctor is a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, a Republican in politics, and always a strong anti-slavery man, which fact led to his coming North and giving up posts of honor and profit in Tennessee. Dr. Gibson is said to be one of the most learned and scientific men in the county, and when at the head of the Greenville and Tusculum College he made a telescope of fifteen feet focal distance, six inches aperture, and magnifying five hundred times. He has made many other medical, astronomical, and mathematical instruments, in which many new inventions were the products of his genius. He is a most genial and humane man, kind and warm-hearted, and has done much for the poor, for humanity generally, and for the cause of science, and that, too, in a quiet, unobtrusive way,
ALEXANDER SMITH,
Capt. Alexander Smith was born in Perthshire, Scotland, Dec. 28, 1811. When he was seven years old his father removed with his entire family to America, and settled in Belmont Co., Ohio. At the age of nineteen he became an apprentice in Wheeling, Va., " to be made as perfect in the art and mystery of a chair and ornamental painter as possible," according to the quaint old indenture. He served his master faithfully, and exhibited talents for designing and painting which led him to excel in the trade, and proved him to be in after-years a connoisseur in the higher branches of art. He united with the Presbyterian Church, and walked two miles on the Sabbath to superintend a Sunday-school. He was active in assisting to nurse cholera patients when that scourge visited Wheeling, in 1832. At the age of twenty-two he married Margaretta Alexander, of Belmont Co., Ohio, who only lived seven months afler their marriage. Ile kept for some time a paint-store in Wheeling, Va., and afterwards became a steamboatman, following this business for nine years. He assisted his brother, Capt. Joseph Smith, in building the steamers " Harrisburg" and " Mountaineer," which ran from Pitts-
FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP - 357
burgh to Louisville and points below as far as New Orleans. He was aflerwards made superintendent of the Maysville and Big Sandy Packet Company, and a stockholder in the " Caledonia" and " Magnolia." While actively engaged on the river he became acquainted with Capt. John McClain, of Neville, Ohio, and married his daughter, Rachel McClain, Oct. 18, 1842. He then bought a farm on the Ohio River, near the mouth of Bullskin Creek, and later established the post-office and landing there known as " Smith's. Landing." After leaving the river he engaged in merchandising at Smith's Landing. for several years with success. He then lurned his altenlion to grape culture, and at one time had thirty acres of vineyard, mostly of rare varieties. He then speculated in Western lands, traded in leaf tobacco, and managed his several large farms in Franklin and Washington townships, on the Ohio River. He was fond of traveling, and nearly every year took his family a long trip. In the winter of 1874 he went to Florida, where he purchased a home on the seashore at the mouth of St. John's River, and also invested in a large plantation near by. On this he planted an orange- grove and intended to return every winter to it, merely to escape the rigors of the Northern climate. In 1876, however, he removed to Walnut Hills, Cincinnati, where he resided for two years. In the autumn of 1878 he was taken ill and suffered with an intensity and patience beyond description for sixteen months. In the spring of 1879 he returned to the old homestead at " Smith's Landing," but his disease increasing, towards fall he thought the Florida climate was his only hope. Accordingly his family acceded to his wishes and took him to his beloved Southern seaside home. There he lived only four weeks, breathing his last on Dec. 9, 1879, at seven o'clock P.M. His body was brought North and interred in Spring Grove Cemetery. He died of Bright's disease, from which for years he was a terrible sufferer. Capt. Smith was a staunch Republican and always an active worker, but never accepted a public office, although asked by President Lincoln and succeeding Presidents to do so for important services rendered the government in the dark hours of the Rebellion, in 1863 and 1864. He was very liberal, and it is now known that his charity extended far and near, although he never permitted his name to be published when subscribing to public good or charities. Of a large fortune, he was extremely generous, of unimpeachable honesty, and ever exercised a strong influence for the good of the community. To Capt. Alexander Smith and his wife Rachel were born five children, -John McClain, drowned in 1862, and Alexander William, who died in infancy ; and three yet living,—one son, Alexander Smith, Jr. ; Rachel, the wife of Hon. N. P. Wheeler, of East Hickory, Forest Co., Pa., a member of the Legislature of that State, and a wealthy lumber merchant; and Miss Belle Smith, the celebrated painter, whose works of art have been the recipients of so much favorable criticism from the American press. This lady spent several years in Europe, and part of the time in Rome, and in Dresden, Saxony, pursuing her studies, Her specialties are in portraits, and the one of the great " War Secretary," Hon. E. M. Stanton, gave her a national reputation. Among her works are " Christian Seibold," a pre-Raphaelite ; a copy of Rubens ; porlrait of her father, Capt. Smith, and a crayon of her sister, Mrs. Hon. N. P. Wheeler ; Roman Flower Girl, original ; portrait of Gen. Grant's sister, Mary Grant Cramer, wife of Mon. M. J. Cramer, minister to Denmark ; " Carlo Dolce ;" " Correggio Magdalene," copied in Dresden, Saxony. Mrs. Capt. Smith, with her daughter Belle and son Alexander, reside at the Smith mansion, at Smith's Landing, one of the finest country-seats in the Ohio Valley.
MOSES LARKIN.
The Larkin families were very prominent in the early history of the county, particularly in that relating to religious and political matters, and were largely instrumental in the growth and development of Washington and Franklin townships. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch was born in Dublin, Ireland, and emigrated to America in the early part of the eighteenth century, settling in Maryland colony, where he married. He raised a large family, of whom John Larkin was born October 12, 1745, and married February 23, 1773, being the father of the following children : John, born Jan. 20, 1774 ; Nelly, Jan. 6, 1776 ; Elijah, Oct. 14, 1778 ; Elisha, July 28, 1781 ; Paul and Silas (twins), Nov. 4, 1785 ; Joseph and Samuel (twins), Feb. 13, 1788 ; Mary, June 14, 1790 ; Moses, the subject of this sketch, Jan. 24, 1793. John Larkin, with his family, emigrated to Kentucky about 1791, and settled near Washington, then the principal town in the northern part of that State. In 1811 he moved to Clermont County, and located near the old " Hopewell meeting-house," in Franklin township, where he died, Oct. 12, 1814, but his wife lived until Dec. 23, 1851. Joseph Larkin married Nelly Sargent ; and Elijah Larkin
358 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
married Sarah Ogden, and was justice of the peace for a long time (eighteen years), the first postmaster of Neville, holding that office forty years, and was fourteen years an associate judge of the Common Pleas Court. Moses Larkin, the youngest of his father's children, was born in Washington, Ky,, Jan. 24, 1793, and when a boy learned the wagon-making trade with his older brother, Joseph, and worked for him some time. He was married May 29, 1820, by Rev. Robert B. Dobbins,to Mary Fagin, whose family was one of the most numerous in southern Clermont
at that time, Their children were eight,—Joseph Franklin Larkin, the well-known banker of Cincinnati ; Eliza Ellen, wife of William F. Shriver, of Pittsfield, Ill. ; Eupbrasia Caroline, wife of Mr. Williams, of Walnut Hill, Ohio ; David Maley, died at Mound City, Ill., in 1857 ; Sarah A., wife of James M. Goodwin, of Ogden, Utah Territory ; Francis Marion Larkin, died in September, 1879, at Perna (Indian) village, in Arizona Territory ; Mary Emily, wife of John W. Sargent, and Clara Eveline, wife of Gamael B. Wilson, of Clarksville, Tenn. Moses Larkin carried on the wagon-making business for many years in Felicity, and was the first postmaster of that, town when it was called Fee's Town, holding the office several years until Robert Chalfant opened his large store, and was appointed in his place as postmaster of Felicity. He was elected mayor of Felicity in the years 1836, 1844, and 1846, and enforced the municipal laws with promptness. He was elected justice of the peace of Franklin township in 1842, and made a most efficient magistrate. He built the Methodist Episcopal church in Felicity in 1829, and his son, J. F. Larkin, of Cincinnati, carried the brick for its erection. He carried on the saddle-tree and carpenter business in 1834-36, in which his son, Joseph F,, assisted him. He was a zealous Henry Clay Whig, but of strong anti-slavery principles, and in 1844, with Joseph Parrish, Mr. Fagin, and other prominent men, separated from the Methodist Episcopal Church on account of the slavery question, and formed the Wesleyan Church in Felicity, erecting the fine church edifice now occupied as the township hall. Moses Larkin died in 1866, and his wife Mary (Fagin) three years previous. They were devoted Christians, and labored zealously for all moral reforms. His brother, Judge Elijah Larkin, died Dec. 25, 1862, and his wife, Sarah (Ogden), June 8, 1875. The Larkin brothers, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and Joseph, were men of original thought, decided convictions, and had great influence in shaping the tone and character of the community. The cause of justice and virtue ever found champions in them, and they clung tenaciously to the truth and the side of public morals. Moses Larkinls children were religiously trained at the fireside. Their eldest son, J. F. Larkin, went to Cincinnati in 1839, and engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1834, when he commenced the banking business, in which he has been successfully employed to this day, being at present the senior member of the banking firm of J. F. Larkin & Co., 23 West Third Street.He is a prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has made an enviable reputation by his earnest labors, He is of Irish extraction on the paternal and of English on the maternal side, and combines the best characteristics of the two races. His father, Moses Larkin, was for over half a century respected and esteemed by the people of southern Clermont, and died universally lamented and mourned.
JARED BRUSH.
Jared Brush was born in the State of Pennsylvania in the year 1798, and removed with his parents when quite young to Kentucky. He served in the war of 1812 as a private in Capt. Logan's company of Kentucky militia, participating in several battles with the British and their Indian allies in the Northwest. He emigrated after that war to Ohio, in 1818, and settled in Clermont County. He was married, Oct. 4, 1844, by Rev. John Vincent, to Mary A. Carr, daughter of Robert and Mary (Barnet) Carr, who at an early period in the county's history emigrated from Virginia. Mr. Brush became a noted surveyor, and assisted in locating the five free turnpikes that centre in the town of Felicity. When about twenty-one years of age he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the " Old Hopewell Meeting-House," near Fehcity, the third one erected in Ohio. Originally a Whig, he afterwards became a Republican, and took a deep interest in the politics of his country, but never was an aspirant for office. He was an exact man in his business, and by his industry and careful management accumulated a nice estate. He was a pious, upright man, honest with his God and his fellows. A man of superior judgment and strong intellect,, he had many traits of noble character. The poor and needy could approach him knowing that the deserving would find a true friend and counselor, as well as a sympathizer in word and deed. Money-making was not his great object in life, but to be a true citizen and do good. He died Dec. 20, 1869, universally esteemed in the community for his pure character and philanthropic acts. For many years he served as a notary public, doing an extensive business in
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that line. In his life he bought and sold many tracts of land, and in real estate but few better judges were found than Jared Brush. His widow, Mary A. (Carr) Brush, survives him, and resides in the comfortable dwelling he erected in 1861-62 on the Felicity and Bethel pike, a mile and a quarter from the former town. Jared Brush was an unobtrusive man, and in his quiet way did much good in the world. While he had not the ostentation of some who were his inferiors in intellect and moral worth, he performed with faithfulness the trusts and duties in life allotted to him, and died at the advanced age of over threescore years and ten.
LEWIS RICHEY.
In 1792, George Richey and his wife Isabella, with their children, emigrated from Ireland to America and settled in Pennsylvania. About the year 1800 he removed to Clermont County, and purchased land on Bullskin Creek, where he settled and died in 1820. William Richey, a son of George, was born in 1785 in Ireland; and was but seven years old when his parents came to the United States. One of his sisters, Ada, married Samuel Wood, and another, Elizabelh, married Michael Baum, an early pioneer, who lived to be over one hundred years old. He was married by William Fee, justice of the peace, on Jan. 2, 1806, to Sophia Miller, a daughter of David Miller, one of the earliest and largest land-owners on Bullskin Creek. The fruits of this marriage were thirteen children, to wit : George ; David ; Otho Pearre; John ; William ; Lewis (the subject of this sketch) ; Susan, married to Samuel Sells ; Mary Ann, married to Aaron G. Perkins ; Jane, married to Eleven Tatman ; Martha, married first to Daniel Bolender, and after his death to Abram Grigger ; Isabella, married to Jahn Fenton ; Eliza, married to Samuel Sowards ; and Sophia, married to John Wesley Bolender.
Lewis Richey, one of the above children, was born Dec. 12, 1829, in the house in which he now lives. He was reared on the farm and attended the district schools, in which he received the rudiments of a good common English education. He was married, July 12, 1854, to Martha, daughter of William and Martha (Houston) Turner, by John H. Simmons, justice of the peace, being the first marriage solemnized by this magistrate. To them have been born four children : William G., Elnora, who died aged four years, Jennie, and Chilton Vallandigham, who died in his fourth year. Mr. Richey is an ardent Democrat in politics, as his father and grandfather were before him. He has served as township trustee and as a member of the township school board. He was the twelfth child of his parents, and was born on the twelfth day of the twelfth month. He began growing tobacco when eighteen years old, and has ever since been engaged in its culture, and for the past fifteen years his annual crop of leaf tobacco has averaged ten thousand pounds. He owns three hundred and sixty-two acres of choice land on Bullskin Creek, the first settled part of the county. He resides in the brick house (a substantial structure) in which he was born, and on the farm his father purchased in 1812 of his father-in-law, David Miller, who owned all of Taylor's survey, No. 1654. His father, William, served in the war of 1812, and has been dead many years. The section of Franklin township where Mr. Richey lives is called " Egypt," and is populated by wealthy farmers, mostly strong Democrats in politics, and large growers of tobacco. The Richey family is one of the largest in Clermont and Brown Counties, and has a very extensive blood and marriage relationship.
Mr. Richey is a warm-hearted gentleman of inflexible integrity, and possesses in the fullest degree the confidence and esteem of his neighbors and of all with whom he is associated in business. His family are members of the Christian Union Church at Benton Chapel, to which he is a generous contributor.
WILLIAM RICHEY.
The subject of this sketch was born in Franklin township, of this county, Jan. 11, 1828, and was next to the youngest son of his parents. He was the son of William Richey by his wife Sophia, a daughter of David Miller, and his parents were married Jan. 2, 1806, by William Fee, justice of the peace. His father and mother had thirteen children, to wit : George, David, Otho Pearre, John, William, Lewis, Susan, married to Samuel Sells ; Mary Ann, married to Aaron G. Perkins ; Jane, married to Eleven Tatman ; Martha, married the first time to Daniel Bolender, and after his death to Abram Grigger ; married to John Fenton; Eliza, married to Samuel Sowards; and Sophia, married to John Wesley Bolender. His father, William, was born in Ireland in 1785, and in 1792 came, when a little lad of seven years, with his parents, George
360 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
and Isabella Richey, to America. He served in the war of 1812, and died a few years ago. One of his sisters, Ada, married Samuel Wood, and another, Elizabeth, married Michael Baum, one of the earliest pioneers of Washington township, and who died a few years ago, having reached over fivescore years of age. George Richey, father of William, and grandfather of the subject of this article, died in 1820, and was born in Ireland, but settled in Clermont about the year 1800. William Richey was raised to work on his father's farm, and received a good common education in the district school. He was married by Andrew L. Powell, Esq., justice of the peace, on May 26, 1853, to Susan Miller, daughter of John and Cynthia Ann (Day) Miller, and who was born Nov. 13, 1834. They have had the following children : Martha Ann, born on June 26, 1854, and who died in her seventeenth year on Sept. 14, 1870; Sarah Adaline, born Dec. 6, 1855, and married March 1, 1877, to Franklin Bolender ; Flora Annettie, born Sept. 27, 1857, and married Dec. 29, 1875, to Joseph W. Hayden ; John William, born July 26, 1861 ; Joseph Hatfield, born Oct. 15, 1864; and Eve Alice, born Oct. 7, 1869. William Richey's wife's father was John Miller, a son of John L. Miller, one of the first settlers on Bullskin Creek. Mr. Richey moved to his present farm in March, 1854, and built his comfortable residence in 1868. He owns three hundred and sixty-nine and three-quarter acres of land in the counties of Brown and Clermont, and is very largely engaged in the culture of tobacco and has been since a small boy. He is a member of the Democratic party, and an active worker in all campaigns. He with his family are members of the Christian Union Church, and attend religious services at Benton chapel. He is a successful farmer, and last year raised fifteen thousand pounds of tobacco on his lands, which, with those of his brother Lewis, are unsurpassed in the county for the cultivation of this plant. His pleasant home place is a part of the old Miller grant, the thousand-acre survey of Taylor, No. 1654, owned once by his grandfather, David. Miller. Mr. Richey is a generous, hospitable man, of public spirit, and his honesty and upright character have made him popular in his township and esteemed by his neighbors,
SAMUEL MILLER.
John Miller, one of the pioneers of Clermont County, emigrated from Pennsylvania about the beginning of the present century, and settled near Felicity, where he purchased large tracts of land. His wife, Susan, was born Sept. 14, 1792, and died Nov. 11, 1876. She has children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren living to the number of one hundred and sixty-four. One of his children was George Miller, born Oct. 14, 1788, and who came to Ohio when a boy with his parents. He married, Aug. 14, 1808, Susan Moyers, in Bracken Co., Ky., daughter of Philip Moyers, born in York Co., Pa., and who died May 28, 1869. His wife was the youngest of her family ; her mother died when she was six years old, and her father never married again, but himself reared his large family of children and saw them comfortably settled in life. The children of John Miller were John ; Martin ; George; Henry; Joseph, a river captain for many years in the steamboat trade ; Susie, married to John McGraw ; Katie, married to John Harman ; Sallie, married to Arthur Fee ; Polly, married to George Reddick ; and to Nathaniel Bagby. To George and Susan (Moyers) Miller were born the following children : Polly, married to Zadock Watson ; William; Arthur (deceased); Walter Griffith ; Eliza, married to Isaac Armacost; Josiah ; Samuel ; Melissa, married to James Metzgar; George (deceased) ; Melinda W., married to James Watson ; John (deceased); Rebecca W., married to John Cook ; and four who died in infancy. Samuel Miller, one of the above, was born Oct. 27, 1820, brought up on his father's farm and educated at the district schools. He was married March 25, 1847, by Rev. Zachariah Wharton, to Miss Julia Ann Gue, daughter of George and Nancy (Daughters) Gue, who was born Nov. 25, 1820. Her parents were early emigrants from Maryland to Kentucky, where they resided about a year and then removed to near Neville, in this county. Her mother was a sister of the late Turpin Daughters, of Neville, one of the leading business men of Clermont for many years. The Millers, originally of German extraction, were among the early settlers who laid the foundation of Clermont's future prosperity. To Samuel and Julia Ann (Gue) Miller have been born the following children : Kilby Daughters, born Feb. 21, 1848, and married March 18, 1877, by Rev. James Black, to Laura Howell ; John Lawson, born May 23, 1849, and died aged fourteen months ; George Austin and Arthur Clayton, twins, born June 25, 1821, of whom the latter died in his fifth year, and the former was married in March, 1876, by Rev. S, S. Newhouse, to Susannah Preble ; James Wesley, born Oct. 23, 1853, and married by Rev. J. P. Daugherty, in April, 1876, to Anna McMurchy, of Felicity ; Emma Belle, born Oct. 25, 1855, and married in October, 1877, to Hanson Day, by Rev. S. S. Newhouse ; and William Walter, born July 25, 1859. Of the above, John Lawson died Aug, 17, 1850, aged fourteen months and twenty-five days, and Arthur Clayton died July 8, 1856, aged five years and twelve days ; Kilby D. and George Austin live near Point Pleasant ; James Wesley, near Felicity ; and Emma Belle Day, at Mount Orab, Brown Co,, Ohio.
Samuel Miller has a fine farm of one hundred and twenty- two acres, including part of his fatherls homestead, and on it is a neat residence, one of the first fine dwellings erected in Franklin township. Mr. Miller was the second man in the township to raise tobacco, and has been largely engaged in its culture since 1842, hauling in the first few years his crops to Augusta, Ky., to be prised. He is a Republican in politics, and warmly sustained the war for the suppression of the Rebellion. He belongs with his family to the Christian Church at Mount Pleasant, to which he is a liberal contributor, and for thirty-eight years has been a church member, zealous and consistent, during thirty of which he has held the office of deacon. He has frequently served on the township school board, and been closely identified with the Sunday-schools. While a general farmer he makes a specialty of tobacco and fruits, in the culture of which he is very prominent and successful. He is a man of most
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exemplary character, and possesses in the fullest degree the esteem and confidence of the community.
To George and Nancy Gue were born the following children: Julia Ann Gue, John Wesley Gue, Elizabeth H. (married to Isaac Bingham), and James Daughters Gue. George Gue dying, his widow married Mr. Badgley, by whom she had two children, George W. and J. F. Badgely.
Mr. Miller's beautiful home, one of the finest in Franklin township, commands a splendid view of the Ohio River, and is surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences to make it one of the pleasantest in Clermont. He began life with no capital but his own industry and resolute will, but by untiring energy and good business tact, assisted by his good wife, a model housekeeper, he has reared for himself an honorable name and secured one of the best farms and houses in Clermont.
B. F. HOLTER.
Benjamin Franklin Holter, son of Lawson and Theresa A. (Hines) Holter, was born March 11, 1835, in Washington township, near Point Isabel. His brothers were Thomas and Augustus ; and his sisters were Elizabeth, married to John Miller, and deceased ; Eliza, married to William Saint; and one who died in infancy. He was raised on a farm and hberally educated in the district school of his neighborhood, one of the best in the county. He was married, April 28, 1857, by Rev. John O'Neal, to Eliza M. Brown, daughter of John and Sarah (Brannen) Brown, by whom he had the following children : Clara, Lizzie, Willie, and Eliza Ellen,—the last two dying young. His first wife died June 26, 1865, and Dec. 12, 1867, he was married by Rev. Silas Bennett to Olive G. Van Briggle, daughter of Samuel and Charity Van Briggle. Her father was one of the pioneers of Felicity, and for a long time in business in that enterprising town. By this marriage two children were born,—Charlie, who died aged two and a half years, and Gaylord Fletcher. When about seventeen years old Mr. Holter learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed until his twenty-fifth year. In 1862 he went into the dry goods business in Felicity with B. F. Trees, in which he continued two years. He was then engaged about a year in manufacturing wood stirrups, a very successful business, and an important branch of industry during the war. He then was associated a year with William Waterfield in the grocery trade, and for about the same length of time in the general mercantile business. In 1871 he was in partnership with W. W. Waterfield in merchandising and dealing in leaf tobacco, hogs, and pork- packing, and was thus connected until 1875. In 1876 he sold out and dealt largely in tobacco and hogs. From the fall of 1876 to 1878 he was in the commission business in Cincinnati, and then removed back to Felicity, where he has since resided, engaged extensively in the tobacco and pork trade. In 1878 he bought, prized, and shipped one hundred and fifty hogsheads of tobacco ; in 1879, one hundred and fifty-two ; and during the present year (1880) he will have handled over two hundred. He is a Republican in politics, and an active worker for his party in political campaigns. He has been for years a member of the town council and school board, and is foremost in all public improvements and undertakings ; but his shrewd business sense and cool judgment prevents his being visionary or fanatical on any question. He built the Christian and Methodist churches at Point Isabel, and with W. W. Waterfield erected the school edifice in Felicity. He is a fine business man, possesses that high-toned honor and liberality that has ever distinguished the Holter family in this county, and his uprightness of character and affability of manners have made him a popular citizen. He resides in one of the finest residences in Felicity,—known as the Parrish property. Here, with the hospitality so characteristic of his family, he lives in comfort and ease, surrounded by a happy family and enjoying the esteem and confidence of the community.
HENRY BOLENDER.
Stephen Bolender was born in Pennsylvania in the year 1756, and his father was an emigrant from Germany. Stephen was twice married and reared a large family of children,-nine boys and six girls,-of whom three still live. He emigrated to Ohio in the year 1800, landing at Boude's Ferry, on the Ohio River. He bought on his arrival one thousand acres of land on Bullskin Creek, aUd died in 1820, leaving each of his children a good farm. He was the first Bolender in Ohio, and was one of those honest, thrifty pioneers who opened up Clermont County to civilization. His son, Jacob Bolender, was born in Pennsylvania in 1793, and came when but seven years old with his parents to Bullskin. He was first married, Feb. 14, 1813, by W. S. Jump, J. P., to Anna loss, a daughter of Christian Hoss,
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an early emigrant from North Carolina, who came to Ohio and settled on Bullskin in 1808. By this union were born Daniel, married Martha Richey ; Sarah, married to Elijah Demaris ; Margaret, married to Nathaniel Woods ; Henry, the subject of this sketch ; Joel, married Melissa Trisler ; and William, who died unmarried. Anna (Hoss) Bolender died in 1826, and her husband, Jacob, was married the second time to Sarah Joslin, widow of Enoch Joslin, and originally Sarah Jeffries. By this marriage were born four children : Elias, married Nancy Hannah ; Anna, married to Wilham H. Baird ; David H., first married Sementha Jane Hannah, and the second time Mary Shinkle; and Sophia, married to Lewis Love. Jacob died in 1860, respected and esteemed by the community.
Henry Bolender, son of Jacob and Anna (Ross) Bolen- der, was born on the land he now owns March 13, 1821, reared on the farm, and educated at the district schools. He was married, May 20, 1847, by Rev. John Vincent, to Miss Anna Turner, born Dec. 10, 1823, and daughter of William and Martha (Houston) Turner. To them have been born the following children : Martha Ann, born March 19, 1848, and married, Feb. 5, 1871, to Otho Pearre Stevenson ; Franklin, born Dec. 29, 1849, and married, March 1, 1877, to Sarah Adaline Richey ; Cynthia Jane, born Feb. 28, 1852, and married, Jan. 17, 1872, to Josiah Hannah. Henry Bolender began teaching when about twenty years of age and taught school several of the summers and nearly all the winters up to within ten years of the present time, and four years of that period were passed in his own district. He is a Democrat in politics, of the Jeffersonian school, and with his family is a member of the Christian Union Church, attending services at Benton chapel, a neat church edifice in his neighborhood. He has frequently served as township trustee and assessor, and has been a member of the township school board. No man stands higher in Franklin township in integrity and uprightness of character than Henry Bolender, who possesses in a high degree the attributes of true citizenship. For fourscore years the Bolender family has occupied a very high standing in the county, and from it have come many of our wealthiest and best farmers.
Mr. Bolender built his fine residence in 1866, and the next year moved upon the farm where he now resides. He has five hundred and thirty-eight acres of land in Clermont and Brown Counties, including what he has donated to his children, and this embraces some of the most fertile soil in Southern Ohio. He is a general farmer, but makes a specialty of tobacco, as his and the contiguous lands on Bullskin produce the finest and best-cutting leaf tobacco in Ohio. He has taken great interest in Sabbath-schools, having been a teacher in them for the past forty years. He is a prominent member of the " Clermont County Sunday-School Union," and has been for four years a delegate at its annual sessions. The Bolender family in its descendants and by marriage is connected with many of the principal households of the county, and the mother of Stephen Judd, a noted farmer near Batavia, was a sister of Henry's father, Jacob.
WASHINGTON.
WASHINGTON lies on the Ohio, east of the southern central part of the county. It was one of the original townships, and its area has been reduced by the formation of Franklin and Monroe townships on the east and the west respectively. On the north is the township of Tate. 'Fhe general shape of Washington is rectangular, the southern end being much wider than the northern. The surface is varied, embracing fine bottom-lands along the Ohio, high and broken hilly lands along the c eek, and fine table-lands, with soils of corresponding characteristics, but whose fertility is generally good. Fine forests originally abounded, and a considerable acreage of timber yet remains. The principal stream of the township is Big Indian Creek,-with its chief tributaries, the North Fork and the Stony Fork, both draining the northwestern part of the township, —which flows from the northeast to the southwest, crossing the Monroe township line a few miles above the mouth of the stream at Point Pleasant. Entering the township from Franklin, near the southeast corner, is Bear Creek, a small stream, whose volume was very much greater in former days, forming many valuable mill-sites. In this part of the township is also Maple Creek, and in other parts are smaller streams and numerous springs.
THE PIONEERS.
The first attempt at settlement was made at Neville, on the survey which was the first located in the county, if not in the State,* in the summer of 1795, by John Gregg, William Buchanan and his wife Jane, and a man whose name is not recollected, who had served as a spy along the river. They came from Kentucky, where they had lived since 1792, when they came from Pennsylvania. John Gregg had purchased a large tract of land in Ohio, which he came on to improve, and to cultivate a crop of corn and potatoes for others of the Pennsylvania immigrants in Kentucky, who purposed following them in the fall if the conditions for settlement were found favorable. Having several small children in his family, he left it in charge of friends, and brought the persons mentioned with him to help bear the burdens of a pioneer's life. They crossed the
See chapter on Surveys.
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Ohio at Logston's ferry, at the mouth of the Bullskin Creek, and wending their way down the river, finally settled upon the beautiful bottom-lands at Neville, as the purchase of Mr. Gregg. A half faced cabin was erected, which had a bark roof and the openings between the logs filled out with moss. The cooking was done by the side of a large stump in front of the cabin, and their mode of life was very primitive indeed. A few acres of trees were deadened or cleated away, the corn and vegetables planted, when it was found that they had located on the Neville survey instead of on the Anderson, which was to contain his land. This discouraged him greatly, and an examination of the latter survey convinced him that the land was so inferior that he did not care to improve it. He returned to Kentucky, and soon after went to the Mad River country, where he purchased another tract of land, and while he was engaged in putting up a cabin he contracted a sickness from which he died shortly after he had reached his home, opposite the present village of Moscow. For a number of years his family remained in Kentucky, but about 1809 one of the sonsSamuel—came to the Indian Creek neighborhood, and there learned the tanner's trade with a man named Smedley, but died within two years. After this another brother—George —came and also learned the tanner's trade, in time becoming the owner of the tannery, which he carried on until 1848, when he moved to Moscow, where he died in January, 1862. His wife, Sarah, was a daughter of Thomas Fee, and died in 1872. Of their family, William S. yet resides in Moscow ; George W. died in Batavia in 1879 ; and four of the daughters were the wives of F. J. Phillips, David Fenwick, John Johnston, and H. Kinsell.
After Mr. Gregg had vacated his improvements at Neville, William Buchanan concluded to find another home near by, if a location could be found that would suit him. Working his way through the forests to the table-lands south of Indian Creek, he selected a fine tract of 300 acres, on which he settled in the fall of 1795. About the same time John, David, and Jeriah Wood and Elisha and John Manning, brothers-in-law of the former (the Woods), with their families, came from Kentucky, and after some difficulty succeeded in reaching a fine spring about a mile from the cabin of William Buchanan, where they determined to locate temporarily. After the pioneer manner in Kentucky, they erected a stockade of heavy timbers around their buildings and a small clearing for protection against possible attack by the Indians, who had not yet entirely left the country. This was known to the settlers as Mannings' Station, and later, from the owner, as Miller's Station. The station was never attacked, but it gave the occupants and the people in that part of the county a sense of security which they could not have felt without its existence. It is related that the station was a general resort for the incoming settlers, and that Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone sometimes sojourned there. On many occasions William Buchanan would take his family and cattle to the stockade and abide there until the presence of Indians was no longer reported by the scouts. For the first few years the Woods and Mannings occupied themselves in clearing up the land around the station, and some time before 1800 were rewarded for their labors by Nathaniel Massey, the agent of the owner of the Buckner survey, who gave them title-bonds for lands in neighboring surveys, on which they afterwards made their homes. The station and the surrounding improvements became the property of Martin Miller, and the timbers used in the construction of the stockade walls were early removed and used for other purposes.
William Buchanan died in 1805. He was married in 1789 to Jane Abrams, and had a family of four children,-Enoch, James, Margaret, and Jane. Both the sons moved to Illinois before 1836. Margaret married John Wood, and Jane became the wife of Samuel Richards. The widow Buchanan maintained that relation six years, when she married Absalom Wood, being twelve years his senior. She died in 1854, aged eighty-four years, and for the last fifty years of her life had lived on the Joseph Barkley place. The original Buchanan farm is now occupied by J. R. Brown, at the Calvary meeting-house. The widow Buchanan was the possessor of more than ordinary courage, and well calculated to endure the hardships through which she passed as the first woman in Washington, if not, indeed, in the county. In 1801, in the company of her brother and others, she made a trip to her old home in Pennsylvania, going up the Ohio in a small boat, doing the cooking for the men as they landed, and completing the remainder of the journey from Pittsburgh on horseback. By her marriage with Absalom Wood she had three children,—Florella C., who married Joseph Barkley, and died on the homestead ; John II., who married Mary Barkley, and yet resides in the township near Neville ; and William H., who married a daughter of Dowty Utter, and died in Washington in the fall of 1879.
John Wood, the eldest of the brothers that came to Mannings' Station, was one of the early associate judges, and while attending court at Williamsburgh fell ill, dying the next day after he was brought to his home north of Neville. He had five sons and two daughters,—Joseph, who married Mary Hodge and died in Tate sixty years ago ; Absalom, the husband of the widow Buchanan ; William removed to Illinois, as did also John and David ; one of the daughters married David Jones, and the other Peter Collins, of Highland County.
David Wood, the second of the brothers, died on the Smith survey, at the age of eighty-four years. His children were John S., who married Elizabeth Camerer, and moved to Indiana ; George married Sarah Fee, and moved to the same State ; Joseph married Margaret Bennett, and died in Washington in 1878 ; Absalom married Phoebe McGohan, and lives in Tate ; Dr. David married Mary Day, and died at Point Isabel, where he followed his profession ; Bazel G. died at Vicksburg, Miss., and Alfred in the township. The daughters married, William Barkley, Robert Badgley, Joseph Dole, and James Buchanan.
The third of the Wood brothers, Jeriah, died soon after 1800, and left three children,—Abraham, Elizabeth, and Rachel.
Of the Mannings, John was the husband of Elizabeth Wood, and after living on the Indian Creek until he had reared his family, he removed to Iowa. One of his daughters was married to Jabez Harris, of Washington. In the family of Elisha Manning, who died on the Indian Creek,
364 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
were two sons, John and Elisha, who also lived in the township until their death, a few years later ; but before 1800, Nathaniel, Richard, and Isaac Manning, brothers of the above, moved from Kentucky and settled in Washington. Nathaniel located on the Big Indian, in the western part of the township, where his sons, Squire and William, yet live; another son, James, deceased; and in the family were also a number of daughters. Richard Manning settled north of Neville, where he died in 1852. Of his children, Mary became the wife of Alexander Phillips, and Ann, of Mathew Wilson. A son. Aaron, married Sarah Smith, and died in Washington about 1848.
About 1799, Alexander Buchanan, the father of William Buchanan, the first permanent settler of Washington, and his sons, Robert, Alexander, James, John, and Andrew (the latter two single), and his son-in-law, William Dixon, and Thomas Phillips, came from Kentucky, where they had lived a few years after their immigration from Pennsylvania, and found homes in various parts of Washington. Alexander Buchanan, Sr., died in 1802, and his consort survived him ten years. Robert, the eldest son, was married to a sister of George Gregg, and located about a mile from Moscow, where he died in the fall of 1825. Of his sons, John G. married Catherine Sargent, and lived many years on the headwaters of Maple Creek, but died in Goshen. Alexander lived at Moscow until his death, caused by falling from a boat ; Samuel and William D. died in the township ; and Robert yet resides at Felicity. The daughters married Robert Fee, John Hall, John Barkley, and William P. Daughters.
The second son, Alexander, Jr., had served as a spy while the family lived at Limestone, Ky., and was present at the treaty of Greenvil e. He lived in the Calvary neighborhood, and died in 1820, from the effects of an injury received while assisting William Dixon in raising his horse- mill. lie had eleven children. One of the sons, Samuel, yet occupies the homestead, and other sons, John and Hiram, deceased in the township. The daughters became the wives of John Donley, Ephraim and Thomas Boran, Lee Cassiday, Dr. Washington Utter, John Snider, and Alonzo Swayne.
James Buchanan located east of Calvary meeting-house, on the fam now occupied by his son James, where he died, about 1814.
John Buchanan married Margaret Fee, and settled two miles north of Moscow, on the farm where now resides his son Robert. Other sons of this family were William, who died in the township ; Thomas J., who married a sister of Governor Samuel Medary, and lived in Batavia ; and John, who died a young man. The daughters married Joseph Page, John Gilfillin, William and Harrison Norris, all of Washington township.
Andrew Buchanan married Margaret Donley, and settled north of Moscow, where he died. He had but one son, James, who lived in Tate. His daughters married William Byrns, William Welch, Isaac Ballwm, Henry Green, and Thomas Green.
In 1798, William Barkley immigrated from Kentucky, and settled on Maple Creek, below McKendree Chapel, where he died, in 1833, Of his family, James married Elizabeth Carter, and settled in Monroe ; Henry, Sarah Brown, and settled in the same township ; John and Joseph died in Washington ; Catherine became the wife of John F. McKinney, of Franklin ; and Mary B. of J. H. Wood, of Washington. Joseph and George Barkley, brothers of William Barkley, came about 1805, and after living some time on Maple Creek moved to Monroe, and from there to Illinois.
On the same stream, before 1800, Joseph and Samuel Jackson and Abraham Newkirk lived among the pioneers. The latter reared a large family, and died in the township. Samuel Jackson finally removed to Monroe, where one of his sons yet resides. He had a tannery in operation early in Washington, being one of the first in the county to engage at that trade. Joseph Jackson and his family removed to Indiana. This place was afterwards occupied by James Daughters, who resided there until his death, at the age of ninety-two years. He had sons named James 0., Turpin, Kilby, and William P., and four daughters. Among other pioneers in this part ofsi the township was Benjamin Hess, a man of marked traits of character, but who, unfortunately, in the course of years, became involved with a band of lawless men, and left the country at an early day.
In 1796, Thomas Fee, his wife Nancy, and family moved from Mason Co., Ky., to the mouth of the Builskin, in Clermont County. They were natives of Green Co., Pa., and had gone to Kentucky with the tide of immigration which set thither from the Eastern States about 1792. But when it became possible to do so with safety, they took up their residence in the then "land of promise," —the Northwestern Territory. In 1799 a final settlement was made in Washington township, along the Indian Creek, on the present David Moreton farm. Here both died some time about 1820, greatly respected for their many amiable qualities, and for the zeal and devotion which they displayed towards the church of their adoption,-the Methodist Episcopal,—the meetings of which, in the southern part of the county, were first held at his house. About the same time, or a few years later, the brothers of Thomas Fee—William, Samuel, Jesse, Elijah, and Elias—also became citizens of Clermont, the former settling in Franklin, where he became the founder of Felicity.
Thomas Fee had children named William and John, both of whom served in the war of 1812, the former dying on his way home from the army and the latter on the homestead ; Robert, who married Sarah Buchanan, and was for many years a merchant at Moscow, where he died October, 1879, aged eighty-three years (he was probably the most avowed and outspoken anti-slavery man in the county, and withal a man of most generous trails of character) ; Thomas, who married Helen Penn ; and Enos. Louisa Pigman, both of whom were merchants in the county. The daughters of Thomas Fee married,—Margaret, John Buchanan ; Sarah, George Gregg; Elizabeth, Dr. A. V. Hopkins ; and Nancy, Dr. L. T. Pease.
The brothers of Thomas Fee lived,—Samuel, on Indian Creek until his removal to Indiana, after 1830 ; Jesse, farther below, on the same stream, and removed to the same State; Elias lived on the Indian Creek, and died there,
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 365
leaving three Boos; William, who became a Methodist minister, and died in Monroe; Daniel, who lived in the same township ; and Elias, on the homestead. The other brother, Elijah, married a daughter of Thomas Jones, and lived on the north side of Indian Creek until his death. His eldest son, Jacob, yet resides in Monroe; David lives in Illinois; and George W. is a resident of Tate.
Soon after 1800, Adam Fisher, a native of the eastern part of Pennsylvania, settled on the Indian Creek, where both he and his wit^! died. Of their family, Henry became a prominent Methodist minister in Indiana ; George became equally prominent as a minister in the Christian Church ; John settled near Laurel, in Monroe ; Jacob removed to Indiana ; Samuel, Daniel, and Peter died in Washington ; and David became an editor of note and a Congressman, and yet resides near Amelia. The daughters married Thomas Slater, of Monroe, and Hezekiah Lindsley, of Ohio.
Thomas Jones, a brother-in-law of Adam Fisher, came with him, settling on an adjoining frrm, where he died about 1827. His sons, George and Henry, died in the township ; Anthony lived in Felicity ; and David and John removed to Indiana. Thomas Jones was a Revolutionary soldier, and David and George served in the war of 1812.
Another Pennsylvanian, George Brown, settled on the Big Indian about 1799. He was a local Methodist minister and an energetic man. He built the first mill in the township soon after his settlement, and died about six years later. He had two sons,-David, who married Margaret Abraham, and settled near Laurel, and Robert, who removed to Hamilton County.
John Abraham came a few years earlier, living north of the Buchanans until his death. His son, William, lived and died in this neighborhood. About the same time the Camerer brothers came from Pennsylvania, and located in various parts of the township. John located near Moscow, where he remained until his death. He had sons named John, Daniel, Samuel, and Lewis, the latter yet living at Moscow. Henry Camerer settled on the north side of the Big Indian, where he reared sons named Daniel, William, and Peter, the latter living on the homestead. His daughters married John S. Wood, Israel Smith, John Constaat, John Wheeler, and John Miller. The third of the brothers, John Camerer, lived on the farm now owned by William Penn, removing to Illinois about 1831. The same year Lewis Camerer, another brother, who had improved the John Logan farm, moved to Illinois.
In 1802, or about that time, Lemuel Stephenson, of Delaware, settled above the Camerers, and afterwards lived in Franklin, where he was the first township clerk. He died about 1838. His sons lived in Tate or removed to Illinois, and his daughters married William Abraham, James Barber, Sterling Bagby, William Wood, Nicholas Tompkins, Johnson Wyatt, and Joseph Powell.
Near this time Philip Means, a Pennsylvania Dutchman, settled north of Neville, on a part of the J. H. Wood place. He became quite wealthy, and in 1831 was robbed of $1800 in cash, the robbers failing to find a large amount concealed in the house. They were apprehended and properly punished, as is elsewhere related. Earlier than this was the settlement of Wm. McCarter, who, after living several years at the mouth of Bullskin, came to the Buchanan settlement and died there. His son Henry died near Neville, and John and William moved to Indiana.
John Trees, a native of Westmoreland Co., Pa., in 1801 came to Miller's Station, but in a few years purchased a tract of land west of Point Isabel, on which he settled and where he died—about eighty years of age. He was a Revolutionary soldier, and his eldest son, John, served in the war of 1812. He lived on an adjoining farm, and died in 1866e aged eighty-two years. He had a family of twelve children, nine of whom yet live in the county. Adam, the second son of John Trees, Sr., and his brothers, Jacob and Peter, removed at an early day to Indiana. The daughters married John Jones and Jacob Rader, of Indiana ; John Hodges and Abner Huntington, of Monroe ; and John Davis and Michael Purkiser, of Washington. The Purkiser family settled in this part of the township about the same time, and descendants yet live in the southern part of the county. Several of the sons became Methodist ministers.
Maj. John Logan, who received his title from his service in 1812, settled early on the Indian Creek, on the farm now occupied by his son John. Another son, Ashby, resides in Cincinnati ; and the daughters married Samuel Watson, John Pangburn, Enos Richards, and Robert Porter, the three last named living in the southern part of Clermont.
Frederick Sapp, the father of Richard Sapp, settled on the Big Indian about the beginning of the present century. He, John Sapp, Edward Sapp, Robert Brown, George Brown, and George West purchased the Brownlee survey of 1000 acres for $2 per acre. Several of Frederick Sapp's daughters married members of the Trees family.
From the State of Maryland came Christopher Armacost, and in 1801 located on a farm two miles west from Point Isabel, where he died at the age of ninety-three years. Of his family of sixteen children, eight sons and four daughters grew to mature years, namely : Levi lived in Monroe ; Christopher, in Franklin ; Marcus, in Monroe ; John yet lives in that township, near Point Pleasant ; Isaac resides at Laurel ; Abijah at Point Isabel ; and Elon on the homestead in Washington.
On the farm now owned by Joseph Barlow, north of Moscow, settled John Garrett, about 1800. He was one of the first elders of the Smyrna Presbyterian Church in Franklin. He died in Washington, as did also his sons James, John, and William. Patrick Bennett and his sons James, Stephen, Jesse, and John were among the early settlers on the Big Indian ; and on the Bear Creek settled Thomas, John, and William Fletcher, natives of Western Pennsylvania. They purchased 600 acres about 1815, and all resided in the township until their death..
At Neville, Elijah Larkin was one of the oldest and best-known citizens. He was born in Frederick Co., Md., in 1778, and after hving for a period in Virginia moved to- Ohio, being among the earliest settlers of southern Clermont. He was u pioneer school-teacher, but later engaged as a clerk in the store of Joshua Pigman, at Neville, where he died in 1862. For fifteen years he was associate
366 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
judge, and postmaster at Neville a long period of time. Moses Larkin, his brother, came the same time. He was a carpenter and spent the greater part of his life at Felicity, where he, also, held the position of postmaster.
Benjamin Penn, at the age of seventy years, came with eleven of his children from the State of Maryland, in 1809, and settled at Bear Creek, where he died at an extreme age. Two of these eleven children were sons, Benjamin and Elijah. The former lived first in Franklin, on Indian Creek, but later purchased the Brown mills in Washington, which he operated a number of years, when he sold to his brother Elijah and removed to Georgetown. He was the father of Mrs. Col. John Howard, of Batavia, and Dr. Samuel Penn. Elijah, at the age of twenty-three, married Philena Walraven, and after living at Neville,— where he had a small nail-factory, and from where he traded on the Ohio and Mississippi, often walking back from New Orleans, five hundred miles of the way being through the Indian country,—located on a farm in Washington for a few years.
In 1841 he purchased the mills on Indian Creek, which he carried on, and had also other important business interests. He died in 1877, aged eighty-five years. His children were Maj. Julius A., of Batavia ; Benjamin F., of Washington; Joseph W., of Pierce ; Elijah G., of the same township ; John D., of New Richmond ; Samuel M. died in Ross County in 1877 ; and George W. died in the servioe of his country in 1863, while a member of the Eighty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Of the daughters, Anna S. married John D. Holier, and Sally W. was the first wife of Judge T. Q. Ashburn.
The daughters of Benjamin Penn, Sr., were married to Nathaniel Hines, George Richards, Richard Tucker, Joshua Pigman, R. C, Lanham, Benjamin Thrasher, and James Prather, The Penns became very numerous, and on the occasion of the interment of Benjamin Penn one hundred and sixty-five immediate descendants attended the funeral services.
At Penn's Mills, in 1816, Wesley Phillips settled, coming from Maryland, and died in 1839. One of his sons, T. A. G., was a Methodist minister more than thirty years ; another son, F. J., yet lives at Moscow. The daughters married Alfred Holter, David Meek, and Erastus Turtin. In 1818, Wesley Phillips opened a store at Penn's Mills, which he continued several years. About 1826, B. Penn and his son William opened a store on an adjoining farm, which they called " Indian Springs," a name which is somementimes yet applied to the locality. John Phillips, a brother of Wesley, was an auctioneer and sdhool-teacher. One of his sons, Thomas H., yet lives in Monroe township. About the same time Richard M. Taylor settled north from Point Isabel, where he died at the age of eighty-two years. He was the father of Franklin Taylor, of Monroe, and stepfather of Wm. H. Beall, of Washington. Earlier by ten years was the settlement in this part of the township of the Rev. Wm. J. Thompson. He was born in Maryland in 1767, but removed to North Carolina in 1775. In 1787 he came to Kentucky, joining the Methodist Church the same year. In 1791 he was licensed to preach, and after being an active itinerant many years he continued to proclaim the gospel as a local preacher until a short time before his death, in 1862, being at that time the oldest pioneer preacher in the West, and had labored in that sphere seventy-one years. In his last will he remembered the church of his choice, giving it a benefaction of $2000. As a debater the Rev. Thompson had few superiors, and the protracted series of debates between him and Elder Mathew Gardner (sometimes called the seven years' war) is recollected by some of the old citizens as a feast of intellectual and theological food. Of his eleven children nine were sons, and four became physicians of note : Dr. William, of Bethel ; Dr. Burke, of Cincinnati ; and Drs. Sale and Garrett, of Fort Wayne, Ind. The latter was also a Whig politician of prominence and a candidate for Congress in 1848, when he died. The other sons were teachers and mechanics.
John Hoiter came from Frederick, Md., about 1817, and bought a farm, which had been improved by John Brown, north of the Big Indian. Of his eight children but one was a daughter, who married Jesse Hunt, of Union. Of the sons, Alfred yet resides at Olive Branch, John D. in Ross County, Nelson and Wm. H. at Point Isabel, Daniel at Olive Branch, and George W. and Lawson died in Washington.
George Richards came from the same locality in Maryland, and settled in the Buchanan neighborhood. He died about 1844. He had sons named Noah, Samuel, Hanson, John, and Enos, the latter yet residing near the Washington line in Franklin. One of the daughters married Thomas Hitch, of Tate, and the other John Richards, of Washington, whose family were also among the pioneers.
Jr. 1820, William McMath came from Brownsville, Pa., and located three miles from Moscow, but in 1833 moved to Neville, and finally to Kentucky, where he died. His sons, Samuel and John, yet reside at Neville ; Daniel at Foster, Ky. ; and the Rev. James at Moscow.
Washington early filled up with a vigorous, thrifty class of people, many of whom removed when the Western States invited settlement. Their names and many others appear in the appended list of
PROPERTY-HOLDERS IN 1826.
In the following carefully-prepared list appear the names of all the property-owners in the township in 1826. To indicate who were probably non-residents at that perrod an asterisk is used to preface their names, such persons having paid no personal tax.
Armacost, Christopher, Jr.
Armacost, Levi, No. 765; L. Norwell L, original proprietor
Abbott, Aaron.
Abrams, Abraham.
Abrams, Lot.
Abrams, John.
Armacost, Mark, No. 765 ; L. Norwell, original proprietor.
Armacost, Christopher, Sr., No.1357; Lawrence Butler, original proprietor
*Abraham, John, No. 1087 ; Thos. Buckner, original prop.
Bartlett, Andrew.
Behymer, Aaron, No. 765; L. Norwell, original proprietor
Bennett, Patrick, No. 714 ; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Buchanan, James. No. 15 Lewis Stark, original proprretor
Buchanan, Mary, No 1064, Beverly Roy, original prop.
Buchanan, Andrew, No. 1064; Beverly Roy, original prop.
Baxter, John.
Buchanan, Margaret.
Buchanan, Alexander.
Buchanan, John G, No. 1064; Beverly Roy. original prop.
JOHN BUCHANAN
THE Buchanan family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and of Revolutionary stock. The first Buchanan who came to America was from the north of Ireland, and settled very early in Pennsylvania, and from him descended ex-President James Buchanan. Alexander Buchanan, a cousin of the ex-President's father, emigrated to America in 1764, and settled in Washington Co., Pa., where he married. His children were William ; Alexander ; Robert, James ; John ; Andrew ; Jane, married to William Dixon ; Martha, married to Thomas Phillips; and a third daughter, married to a Mr. Wilson, About the year 1790, Alexander Buchanan, with his family, emigrated to Limestone (now Maysville), Ky., and then to Germantown, which was called Buchanan's Station." In the year 1796 they removed to the mouth of Bullskin Creek, on the Ohio side, and the same season came to Beverly Roy's survey, in what is now Washington township, where they purchased lands of Philip Buckner, of Kentucky. This was very early called " Buchanan's Settlements," so well known in the pioneer annals of the county. Before this time, in the spring of 1793 or 1794, William Buchanan, oldest son of Alexander, with John Gregg, came over from Kentucky, and built a log cabin on the site of the present village of Neville, but there being some trouble about the exact location of the survey for the purchase of which they had contracted, they left in the following year and returned to Kentucky. John Buchanan, the next to the youngest son of Alexander, was born in Pennsylvania, in 1778, and . was married to Margaret Fee, a daughter of Thomas Fee, one of the first settlers at Felicity, where he purchased Bryan's survey of four hundred acres. John's wife was a sister to the wives of Drs. Leavitt T. Pease and A. V. Hopkins, and of Mrs. George Gregg, and also of the six Fee brothers, Capt. William, John, Elisha, Thomas, Robert, and Enos. The children born to John and Margaret (Fee) Buchanan were Nancy, married to Joseph Page ; William ; Thomas J., the eminent lawyer and orator, who married a daughter of Governor Samuel Medary, was a representative from Clermont in the Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, and Thirty- eighth General Assemblies of Ohio, and speaker of the House of the latter, and a member subsequently of the State Board of Equalization from the Clermont and Brown district ; Sarah, married to ex-county commissioner John G, Gilfillen ; Robert ; Jane, married to Harrison Norris ; Eliza, married to William Norris ; and John, who died in 1844. Of these, one son, Robert, and three daughters, Sarah, Jane, and Eliza, are living.
John Buchanan was a good farmer, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an active Democrat it politics, a good citizen, and universally esteemed for the purity of his character and his high standing as an honest, upright man. He was appointed an associate judge of the Clermont Common Pleas Court in 1850, and served a little over a year, with Judges Elijah Larkin and Jonathan Johnson as colleagues, until 1851, when the new constitution went into effect, and this office was abolished. He was out some sixty days in the war of 1812 in a cavalry company which was disbanded, owing to an overplus of volunteers, before it reached the scene of hostilities.
He died in 1861, in his eighty-third year, lamented and respected by the whole county as one of God's noblemen.
His only surviving son, Robert Buchanan, resides on part of the old Buchanan tract, and is one of the most intelligent and largest farmers of the county,—a worthy descendant of this family, than which, agriculturally, politically, and socially, none have been more prominent or respected in Clermont. William Buchanan, the eldest son of Alexander, and a brother of the subject of this sketch, was with six others, in December, 1800, appointed by Governor St. Clair the seven justices of the Court of Quarter Sessions that convened at Williamsburgh the fourth Tuesday of February, 1801. He was elected in October, 1802, the first representative from Clermont to the Fourth Territorial Legislature of the Northwest, which was to have met on the fourth Monday of November following, but which never convened, as the first constitution of Ohio, adopted Nov. 29, 1802, did away with the territorial government. He, however, was the first senator from Clermont in the first General Assembly of Ohio, that convened at Chillicothe, March 1, 1803.
Andrew Buchanan, another brother of John, was coroner of the county from 1845 to 1853, four successive terms of two years each. The " Buchanan Settlements" were perhaps the best known of any in the county during pioneer days, but in later times considerable and protracted litigation grew out of the title to Beverly Roy's survey, and the Buchanans, with other purchasers under Buckner, were put to great expense and trouble in perfecting their titles. Alexander, the grandfather of Robert and father of John, was a Revolutionary soldier, and in peace or war the Buchanan family has been always closely identified with the country's history, as it was early and honorably associated with the first settlement of Clermont.
John Buchanan's father, Alexander, died in 1803, and his mother, Margaret, in 1814,—both buried at Calvary Meeting-house.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 367
Bennett, James, No. 1884; John McDougal, original prop.
Baum, Michael.
Boner, Tyer.
Boner, Mathew, No. 834; Alexander Parker, orig. prop.
Boner, John, No. 834; Alexander Parker, original prop.
Boyce, Richard.
Buchanan, Catherine, No. 866; John Campbell, orig. prop.
Bennett, John.
Barkley, William, Jr.
Barker, Jeremiah.
Behymer, William.
Barkley, William, No. 834; Alexander Parker, orig. prop.
*Buchanan, Robert (heirs), No. 1683; John McDougal, orig. prop.
*Boyce, John, No. 1156; John Woodford, original prop.
*Bennett, Stephen, No. 1156; John Woodford, orig. prop.
*Boyce. James (heirs), No. 723; Thomas Brown, orig. prop.
Carter, Henry.
Clark, Isaac, No. 765 ; L. Norwell, original proprietor.
Clutter, John.
Curry, William, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Camerer. John, No. 1064; Beverly Roy, original prop.
Cozatt, Peter.
Clark, Charles.
Camerer, Daniel, No. 1102; Benj. Mosley, original proprietor.
Camerer, Lewis.
Cozatt, Francis.
Camerer, Henry, No. 728; Lawrence Traut, orig. prop.
Cox, Samuel.
Clark, Thomas.
*Carr, Greenberry (heirs), No. 391; Richard C. Anderson, orig. prop,
*Cotton, George T. (heirs), No. . L. Norwell, orig. prop.
Downey, John.
Donley, James, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Donley, John.
Dixon, William, Nos. 1683, 1684; John McDougal, orig. prop.
Davis, Elizabeth.
William, No. 1383; Daniel Flowers, orig. prop.
Dixon, Joseph, No. 1102; Benj. Mosley, orig. prop.
Davis, John.
Dill, Sarah, No. 832; Alexander Parker. original proprietor.
Davis, John.
Davis, Stephen.
Daughters, Turpin.
Dunn, Elijah.
Doane, Henry.
Duvall, Lannich.
Daughters, James, No. 832; Alex. Parker, orig. prop.
*Debruler, William, No. 1156 John Woodford, orig, prop,
*Davis, Thomas M., No. 1383 ; Daniel Flowers, orig. prop.
*Dunn, Walter, executor of John Graham, No. 723 ; Thomas Brown, original proprietor. Ellsberry, Wesley.
Eskimo, ,John, No. 1616; Henry Bayless, orig. prop.
Eads, Austin.
Evans, James, No. 892; Robert Craddock, orig. prop.
*Erskine, Thomas, No. 1318; Daniel Flowers, orig. prop.
Frizell, Evan.
Fee, Elijah, No. 732; Thomas Brown, original proprietor.
Fee, Jesse, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Fee, Samuel.
Fee, Elizabeth, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Fee, Thomas, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Fee, Thomas, Jr., No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Fuller, William.
Fisher, Daniel.
Fisher, Adam, No. 1064; Beverly Roy, orig. prop.
Fisher, Peter.
Fletcher, John, No. 391; it. C. Anderson, orig. prop.
Fletcher, Thomas.
Fletcher, Daniel.
Faucher, Richard, No. 1357; Lawrence Butler, orig. prop.
Flack, John.
*Fee, Elisha. No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Gilfillan, John.
Garrett, James, No. 1318; Daniel Flowers, orig. prop.
Gwinn, Joseph, No. 1683; John McDougal, orig. prop.
Garrett, Eleanor, No. 1684; John McDougal, orig. prop.
Garret, John.
Gregg, George, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Gilbert, Micah.
Griffith, Sarah.
Galbreath, Robert, No. 659; Daniel Morgan, orig. prop.
Garrison, Reeves.
Glasgow, Nathaniel.
German, Azariah.
*Gelvin, James, No. 659 ;Daniel Morgan, original proprietor.
Hays, William.
Higgins, Westley.
Hampton, Thomas G.
Hess, John, No. 1087; Thomas Buckner, original prop.
Higgins, Charles, No. 761 ; John Burton, original proprietor,
Higgins, Nathaniel, No. 761; John Burton, orig. prop.
Higgins, William, No. 761; John Burton, orig. prop.
Hodges, James, No. 1357; Lawrence Butler, orig. prop.
Holier, Mary, No. 723; William Brownlee, orig. prop.
Holland, Samuel, No. 832; Alex Parker, original proprietor.
Hess, Benjamin, No. 832; Alex. Parker, original proprietor.
Hood, William.
Holmes, William.
Hobbs, Laban.
Hobbs, Lancelot, No. 391; Rich. C. Anderson, orig. prop.
*Hill, Daniel, No. 728; Lawrence Trout, orig. prop.
*Higgins, Wesley, No. 1683; John McDougal, orig. prop.
*Hoke, Philip H., No. 1318; Danl. Flowers, orig. prop.
Igo, Samuel.
Iler, George.
Iler, Jacob (a tanner), No. 866; John Hamilton, orig. prop.
Irwin, John.
Jones, Elijah.
Jones, Anthony.
Judd, Aquilla.
Jones, John.
Jones, Henry, No. 866; John Hamilton, orig. prop.
Johnston, William.
Johnson, Joseph.
Kirkpatrick, Win., No. 1357; Lawrence Butler, orig. prop.
Kennedy, Saml.
Light, David, No. 1158; John Woodford, orig. prop.
Little, Noah,
Lanham, Wm.
Loree, Nancy.
Lanham, Mercy.
Larkin, Elijah.
Lanham, Wm.
Lowe, Samuel.
Leggitt, James.
*Laskin, Elisha, No. 834; Alex. Parker, original proprietor.
*Lynn, William, No. 1087; Thos. Buckner, original proprietor.
*Low, Barton, No. 728; Lawrence Trout, orig. prop.
Morgan, Enoch,
Manning, Nathan.
Morgan, Nathan, No.391; Rich. C. Anderson, orig. prop.
Minor, Oliver.
Moans, Philip, No. 1318; Danl. Flowers, orig. prop.
McKinley, Thos.
McMakin, John.
Manning, Richard, No. 4400; John McDougal, orig. prop.
Miller, John.
Miller, Martin, No. 1087; Thos. Buckner, original proprietor.
McKinley, Elizabeth, No. 725; Wm. Brownlee, orig. prop.
Morgan, Charles, No. 725; Wm Brownlee, orig. prop.
McKibben, John.
Moorhead, Furgus.
Murphy, John.
Morford, John, No. 834; Alex. Parker, orig. prop.
McKinney, John.
McWilliams, John, No. 1084; Beverly Roy, orig. prop.
Matts, Isaac, No. 1684 ; John McDougal, orig. prop.
Melvin, Wm.
Means, George.
Means, Henry.
McMath, Wm.
Naylor, Wm. M.
Newkirk, John.
Newkirk, George.
*Newkirk, Catherine, No. 834 ; Alex. Parker, orig. prop.
*Neville, Morgan, No. 659; Danl. Morgan, original proprietor.
Owens, Amasa.
Ogden, John.
Ogden, James.
Ogden, Mary, No. 851 ; Jacob Smock, original proprietor.
Penn, Elijah T.
Purkiser, Henry, No. 728; Lawrence Traut, orig. prop.
Page, John, No. 1156; John Woodford, orig. prop.
Pugh and Tenter.
Page, Abner, No. 3552; John Graham, original proprietor.
Palmer, Jacob.
Philips, Alex., No. 1318; Danl. Flowers, orig. prop.
Philips, Wesley, No. 725; Wm. Brownlee, orig. prop.
Pigman, Joshua R., No. 892 ; Rohl Craddock, orig. prop.
Prather, Thomas.
Pigman, Joshua, No. 2961; John Obannon, orig. prop.
Penn, Benjamin, No. 866; John Hamilton, orig. prop.
Parsley, James, No. 7088; Abner Bowman, original prop.
Peters, Jacob.
Purkiser, Michael, No. 1357; Lawrence Butler, original proprietor.
* Peppard and Teater, No. 391; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop.
,,,Pigman, Jane, No. 892; Robt. Craddock, orig. prop.
*Pigman, Levi (admrs.), No. 892 ; Robert Craddock, original proprietor.
*Payne, John, No. 391 ; R. C. Anderson, orig. prop.
Richards, George, No. 728; Lawrence Trout, orig. prop.
Richards, Noah.
Reddick, Richard.
Redman, Wm.
Robinson, George.
Redman, Alex.
Rogers, Charles.
Richards, Samuel, No. 728; Lawrent Trout, orig. prop.
Simmons, Adam, No. 769; George Lewis, original proprietor.
Simmons, Adam, Jr.
Stophelt, David.
Smith, Caleb.
Seaton, Ebenezer, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Sapp, Frederick, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Stephenson, Jonathan.
Smith, Adam, No. 728; Lawrence Tract, original proprietor.
Snider, Abraham.
Swope, Nicholas, No. 728; Lawrence Trout, orig. prop.
Swope, Henry, No. 728; Lawrence Traut, orig. prop.
Smith, Wm.
368 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
Scott, John, No. 391; Rich. C. Anderson, orig. prop.
Scott, George, No. 391; Rich. C. Andersone orig. prop.
Scott, Edward, No. 1683; John McDougal, orig. prop.
Seeney, Joshua.
Sargent, James.
Stark, John.
Stark, Asa.
Sargent, William.
Stoner, Andrew.
*Salt, John, No. 735; Robert Kirk, original proprietor.
*Seaton, Thomas, No. 715 ; Lewis Stark, original proprietor.
*Salt, Edward, No. 725; Wm. Brownlee, orig. prop.
Tompkins, Jonathan, No. 1357; Lawrence Butler, original proprietor. Travis, Robert.
Tivis, Reason.
Tubman, Tull.
Taylor, Thomas, No. 391; Richard C. Anderson, original proprietor.
Thomas, Evan, No. 659; Daniel Morgan, original proprietor.
Trees, John, No. 1357; Lawrence Butler, original proprietor.
Taylor, Aquilla, No. 761; John Burton, original proprietor.
Trees, John N., No. t357; Lawrence Butler, orig. prop.
Thompson, Benjamin.
Thompson, Wm. J., No. 7088; Abraham Bowman, original proprietor.
Tucker, Stephen. No. 851 ; Jacob Smock, original proprietor.
*Tucker, Zadok, No. 851 ; Jacob Smock, original proprietor.
Utter, Dowty.
Verres, William.
Weaver, William.
Wilson, Thomas, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Wilson, John.
Wilson, Samuel, No. 714; Cadwallader Jones, orig. prop.
Wilson, Benjamin.
Wood, Joha.
Wood, David, No. 1064; Beverly Roy, original proprietor.
Wood, June, No. 1064; Beverly Roy, original proprietor.
Wood, Abraham.
Wilson, William, No. 1156; John Woodford, orig. prop.
Wood, William, No. 659; Daniel Morgan, orig. prop.
Wheeler, Benj., No. 728; Laurence Traut, orig. prop.
Whitney, Lemuel.
Wood, Jeremiah.
Wood, Wilson.
Walker, Richard.
Wulm, Shem, No. 659; Daniel Morgan, original proprietor.
Wallace, Cadwallader, No. 728; Lawrence Traut, orig. prop.
The same year the owners of real estate (village lots) in Neville were
Booth, George.
Camerer, R. A.
Chalfant, Robert.
Cassett, D. C.
Daughters, Turpin.
Daughters, James M.
Dougherty, Charles.
Dart, Wilson.
Daughters, James.
Duval, Otho.
Flack, John.
Fletcher, John.
Fisher, Adam.
Gibson, Thomas G.
Griffith, Sarah.
Iler, Jacob.
Larkin, Elijah.
Morgan, Enoch.
McCarty, .John.
McLain, Andrew.
Melvin, William.
Penn, Elijah T.
Pigman, Joshua.
Pollard, Nancy.
Sargent, James.
Strader, Charles M.
Wentzle, William.
Wulm, Shem.
And in Moscow, the same period, the owners of village lots were
Clark, Joshua.
Dunaven, John.
Dickson, William.
Ely, Samuel.
Fay, Fred.
German, Azariah.
Holloway, Samuel W.
Judd, Aquilla.
Johnston, William.
Lowe, Samuel.
Leeds, John.
Lanham, John.
Matts, Isaac, Jr.
McHugh, John.
Naylor, William.
Peppard and Tenter.
Phillips, Alexander.
Payne, James B.
Reese, Jacob.
Snider, Widow.
Scott, George.
Wilcox, Rufus.
The total value of village lots was $12,817, and of the 23,791 acres of land in the township, $100,114. On this the tax was only $588.17, while on the village property the tax was $75.30. The capital invested in merchandise was $2600.
CIVIL ORGANIZATION.
Washington is one of the original townships of the county, and the first election was held in 1802 ; but the records pertaining to the annual meetings which were held prior to 1809 have net been preserved. On the 3d of April, that year, the officers elected were John Conrey, John Sargent, and Nathan Morgan, Trustees ; Lemuel Stephenson, Clerk ; 'William Fee, Treasurer; Israel Joslin and Edward Sapp, Constables ; Alexander Seaton and John Debruler, Overseers of the Poor ; Adam Fisher and Alexander Buchanan, Fence-Viewers ; Israel Joslin, Lister and House Appraiser ; Edward Sapp, House Appraiser; and William Dickson and John Aldridge, Road Supervisors.
One of the records of former years has been transcribed into this book, as follows :
"STATE OF OHIO, }
CLERMONT CO.}
"To any constable in the township of Washington, Greeting :
"You are hereby commanded to warn Andrew Trees, Jr., to leave the township and remove to his last place of residence, for we are determined not to give him any support in this township.
"Given under our hands, as Overseers of the Poor, this 30th day of September, 1805.
" THOMAS JONES. [L.S.]
A German name. [L.S.]
"N. B.—Of this warrant make legal service and duly return to the clerk."
For the next twenty years a number of similar notices were served, among the parties warned being several colored men. From 1810, for the next dozen years, is given a list of names of those selected as jurors. Prior to 1812 these were grand jurors : William Fee, Joseph McKibben, James Simmons, Richard Manning, John Lowe, Joshua Pigman, Richard Lemaster, Martin Miller, Israel Joslin, Lemuel Stephenson, Edward Scott, and Daniel Camerer.
The petit jurors were Patrick Bennett, L. Day, Richard Fanchard, Lawrence Burns, John Snow, Francis McGraw, David Jones, Barton Lowe, James Bidwell, James Donley, Christopher Armacost, John Camerer, Samuel Lowe, James Sargent, John Miller, Jr., Jesse Fee, John Keyt, Washington Brown, Elijah Sargent, Richard Tucker, John Richards, Jacob Iler, John Wharton, Henry Camerer, Henry McCarter, and 'William Watson.
From 1828 to 1848 the records of Washington have not been preserved, but for the remaining years a list of officers has been compiled, as follows :
TRUSTEES.
1810.—John Sargent, Israel Joslin, William Dickson.
1811.—Samuel Ogden, Israel Joslin, Samuel Snow.
1812-13.—James Barber, Joseph McKibben, Henry Brown.
1814.—John Sapp, Joseph McKibben, James Barber.
1815.—Israel Joslin, John Sargent, James Barber.
1816.—Joseph McKibben, Ephraim Dukes, James Barber,
1817.—Joseph McKibben, John Sargent, Thomas Lindsey.
1818.—Edward Salt, John Buchanan, Thomas Lindsey.
1819.—James Bennett, James Daughters, Thomas Lindsey.
1820.—James Bennett, William P. Botts, Thomas Lindsey.
1821-22.—Absalom Wood, Henry Jones, William P. Butts.
1823.—Henry Doane, Wesley Phillips, Isaac Mitchell.
1824.—Joshua Pigman, Andrew Phillips, Isaac Mitchell.
1825.—Joshua Pigman, Andrew Phillips, John Buchanan.
1826.—Elijah Larkin, Elijah Fee, John Buchanan.
1827.—James Bennett, John Davis, John Buchanan.
1828.—Alexander Phillips, John Davis, John Buchanan.
GEORGE GREGG.
The Gregg family, so historic in the annals of Ohio, Kentucky, nad Indiana, is of Quaker ancestry, and go hack to a splendid lineage in Englaad. About the year 1792, John Gregg and his wife Sarah, whose maiden name was also Gregg, moved from their home in Greene Co., Pa., to Kentucky. Their chirdren were four sons,— Aaron, Samuel, John, and George,—aad five daughters,—Ann Ruth, married to Felty Harmoa; one married to Joha Harlan, near Lebanon, Ohio; Margaret, married to Robert Buchanan ; Sarah, married to John Fee; and Hannah, married to Col. John O. Hamilton, of Gallatin Co., Ky. In the spring of 1793 or '94, John Gregg, with William Buchanan, came over from Kentucky and built a log cabin on what is now the site of Neville, the first erected in Clermont. These two pioneers had contracted for a thousand-acre tract of land, but in the next or succeeding year, finding that they had put up their cabin and located on a different survey from the one they had actually bargained for, in order to avoid trouble they gave up their claim and returned to Kentucky. Shortly after this John Gregg died, but his wife remained in Kentucky with her childrea, and lived to a good old age. She was a beautiful woman, of light frame, weighing oaly about ninety pounds, and would come from Keatucky on horseback, and travel alone through the blazed woods to Lebanon and see her chirdren, aad return unaccompanied by any one.
Samuel Gregg, son of John, came over from Kentucky to leara the tannery business with Mr. Smedley, who operated a large estabrishment on Indian Creek as earry as the year 1802. Samuel died about eighteen months after his nrrivar, when his brother George came over in 1808, took his place, learned the trade, took an interest In the tannery, and soon after bought out Mr. Smedley's whole concern.
George Gregg was born in Greene Co., Pa., near Brownsville, March 25, 1790. He came to Washington township a poor boy. With no patrimony, he worked, bought first three acres, and even when ho purchased the tannery, about the year 1812, he gave his notes for most of the purchase price. He married Sarah Fee, daughter of Thomas Fee, one of the earliest pioneers of Felicity. From this union were born Wm. S. Gregg, of Moscow ; Sarah Ann, who died in her youth; Caroline N., who died young ; Elizabeth, married to F. J. Philips; Eliza M., married to David Fenwick; Lemke, married to Hon. John Johnston, a prominent lawyer of Cincinaati ; Laura F., married to H. Kiaserr ; Jose E., unmarried ; and the late George W. Gregg, aa attorney of Batavia, Ohio, who was the seveath child. George Gregg died Jan. 12, 1862, and his wife, Swab, Jan. 1, 1872. He was out in the war of 1812 for over two mouths, and until his company was disbanded owing to an overplus of recruits at that particular time. He operated his famous lanyard for forty-three years and up to 1855. People brought front all parts of the country their bides to his estabrishment to be tanned ; from White Oak, Georgetown, Withamsville, and other distant points, and from White Oak especially, many deer-skins came. The custom was to give half of a hide or skin for tanning the other harf. George Gregg was a very systematic business man, of rare critical judgment, and uatiring energy. He would work hard arl day and then ride horseback to Batavia of nights to transact business, return before morniag, and work nil the next day.
He was an honest, Christian man in all his intercourse with his fellow-men, and his rabors for the Methodist Episcopal Church were unexcerled by those of any other layman in the county. About 1823 or ‘24 the first "Gregg camp-meeting" was established on his place, aad they were held for many years thereafter. His stables, his pastures, his fields, and feed were always open free of all charge for those meetings, and for over half a century his fireside and home were the hospitable place where the itinerant circuit rider aad preacher always tarried. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church after his marriage, and rabored with unceasiag devotion in it tirl his death. He removed to Moscow ia 1848, but continued active in business as long to he lived. While a thorough business man of untlagging industry he possessed a happy vein of humor, and carried his boyish feelings of sympathy and kindaess into hie old age. Home was a sweet place to him, and there in his happy family he appeared hut his noble Christiaa character and maahood. tie began life poor; he accumulated a large estate in personal and real property, but in all his life of sharp business contact with the world he over maintained his honor, and his life was as perfect and blameless as ever farrs to man to enjoy. The impress of his good work in his sojourn on earth lives in the community, and has largely aided in shaping the high morel tone of Clermont, but it also lives in his immediate family, in his children and grandchildren, found among our leadiag peopre in the front ranks of our best society. For the harf-century from 1810 to 1862 no man lived in this couaty who occupied a more prominent business position, or was more zealous in religious labors and works than George Gregg, whose hallowed memory will ever be enshrined in the affections of a people who kaew him only to love and revere.
SARAH GREGG.
Sarah (Fee) Gregg, a noble Christian pioneer mother, was born June 25, 1789, in Greene Co., Pa. She was a daughter of Thomas and Nancy (Reinert) Fee, who in 1795 emigrated to near Augusta, Ky. In 1796 her father, Thomas, came over to Bullskin Creek, where he lived temporarily, aad in 1799 removed to Washington, Ky., but in 1800 located near Felicity, where he had purchased the Bryan survey of four huadred acres, on part of which that town is situated. He had two sisters aad six brothers: William, who raid out Felicity, and was only ia the Legislature ; Elijah; Elisha; Elias; Jesse ; and James. His father's name was also Thomas. These seven Fee brothers were all men of note, and from them have descended many of the leading professional end business men of the county. To Thomas and Nancy (Reinert) Fee were bora six soas: Wilriam, a captain in the war of 1812, and who died at Urbana on his way home; John, also in that war, and who died at home after his return, from disease contracted in the service; Elisha, who died under age; Thomas; Robert; and Enos. To them were arso born four girls: Margaret, married to Joha Buchanan ; Sarah, married to George Gregg; Elizabeth, married to Dr. A. V. Hopkins; aad Nancy, married to Dr. Leavitt T. Pease. No four women were better or more widely known in Clermont than these four sisters, who stood in the highest social positioas of the county. Their brother, Robert Fee, was known throughout the country as one of the earliest aad boldest of the abolitionist pioneers, and on whose head a price was laid by the minions of the slave power, then at the zenith of despotic sway. Mrs. Sarah (Fee) Gregg united with the Methodist Episcopal Church at the Corlins camp-meeting, near the old Bether log church in the vicinity of Baatam, in 1807, when and where she was joyfully converted. This pioneer and great camp-meeting ground was more famous in those days than arl other places of a similar character ia America, on account of the wonderful outpourings of God's spirit upon the listening thousands that would annually congregate in its peaceful groves. This noble woman was a regular communicant in the church sixty-five years, and died in great peace and comfort Jan. 1, 1872, having lived over fourscore years a life of rare Christian excellence. She was a devoted helpmate to her husband, and her sainted character exercised a powerful influence for good in society. Her hospitabre house was the constant home of the ninerants, and on her husbandls farm was the "Gregg camp-meetiag grounds," in two differeat sites and two different eras, where for many years thousands were brought to repentance. She was a remarkable woman in her force of character, had decided convictions, and performed great good in the vineyard of her maker. She loved the church, but not in a bigoted sease, berieving it to be one of the chief iastrumentalities tiader Divine direction in making the world happier and better. Most happy was her home, and most dearly was she loved by dutiful children who were reared and grew up under her benign and sweet precepts. The oldest child and Boll, William S. Gregg, educated at Auguste College, and a man of brilliant attainments, scholastic culture, and deserved popularity in the community, resides in the old Gregg mansion in Moscow, with two of hie sisters. Sarah (Fee) Gregg came of a thirdry that was early and honorably associated with Clermont's history, and married into one of equal renown. She lived to see religioa assume the lead in the civirization of the world, and the county she came to when a rittle girl become great in population and dotted all over with beautiful edifices where her loved Saviour could be praised and worshiped. Her marriage with George Gregg was most fortunate and happy ; the couple were peculiarly adapted to each other, and their union was singurarly blissful. In many a household the pious memory of this precious and good woman is held in almost sacred veaeratioa, and many sweet associations are treasured up connecting her as the link between the past and present ceatury, and as the sainted pioneer mother in Israel, whose remembrance cheers the heart and refreshes the inner spirit.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 369
1848.-Joseph Barkley, Peter Buntin, Dowty Utter.
1849.-William McMurchy, Hiram McRowan, Dowty Utter.
1850.-William McMurchy, Joseph Barkley, Peter Buntin.
1851.-Robert Smith, Joseph Barkley, Dowty Utter.
1852.-Robert Smith, Peter Buntin, Joseph Wood.
1853.-Lewis A. Logan, Robert Shaw, Robert Buchanan.
1854.-Lewis A. Logan, Joseph Baum, Robert Buchanan.
1855.-Aaron Beckelheimer, Enos L. Fee, Richard Frazee,
1856.-J. J. Snider, W. H. Wood, William Padgelt.
1857.-J. J. Snider, Samuel Lemon, William Padgett.
1858.-Joseph Barkley, Samuel L. Garrett, Daniel McMillan.
1859.-Joseph Barkley, Thomas Fletcher, Andrew Galbreath.
1860.-J. J. Snider, N. Y. Bacon, W. N. Beall.
1861.-William Padgett, James I. Selby, Jared Leinar.
1862.-Joseph Page, James I. Selby, N. Y. Bacon.
1863.-James H. Gates, James I. Selby, N. Y. Bacon.
1864.-Isaiah Johnston, Stephen Conrey, James Trees.
1865.-Joseph Barkley, N. Y. Bacon, S. L. Garrett.
1866-67.-J. J. Snider, William Padgett, S. L. Garrett.
1868.-J. J. Snider, James H. Gates, John H. Wood.
1869.-Thomas Fletcher, James H. Gates, John H. Wood.
1870.-Thomas Fletcher, N. S. Delano, W. H. Holter.
1871-James I. Selby, N. S. Delano, Daniel McMillan.
1872.-James H. Gates, C. E. Debruler, Daniel McMillan.
1873.-James H. Gates, J. P. Bronson, Daniel McMillan.
1874.-James H. Gates, Joseph R, Wiley, Daniel McMillan.
1875.-James I. Selby, N. S. Delano, John Trees.
1876.-J. H. Gates, N. S. Delano, J. R. Wiley.
1877.-Josiah Woodruff, N. S. Delano, Nathan Erskine.
1878.-J. R. Wiley, John Trees, Nathan Erskine.
1879.--J. H. Gates, J. H. Wood, Nathan Erskine.
TOWNSHIP CLERKS.
1810-11, Lemuel Stephenson; 1812-13, Samuel Fee; 1814-17, Henry H. Evans ; 1818, Henry Gwynne; 1819-22, Isaac Matts; 1823, James M. Daughters; 1824-25, George Scott;
1826-27, Thomas Fee; 1828, Joseph Gwynne; 1848, William S. Gregg; 1849, John H. Abrams; 1850-51, Elijah Utter; 1852, Robert Buchanan ; 1853, John M. Buntin ; 1854, Z. P. Barber; 1855, J. H. Rust ; 1856-57, Jacob Trees ; 1858, John M. Buntin ; 1859, W. H. Bolter ; 1860, Jacob Trees; 1861-64, James Trissler; 1865, G. S. Turtin 1866, James Trissler; 1867, John M. Buntin ; 1868, Thomas L. Padgett; 1869, John M. Buntin ; 1870, J. L. Dawson; 1871, James Trissler ; 1872, William H. Buchanan ; 1873, Charles MeMath ; 1874, John M. Buntin; 1875, E. L. Moore; 1876-77, R. W. Shinkle; 1878-79, William S. Gregg.
TOWNSHIP TREASURERS.
1810-11, William Fee ; 1812-13, Israel Joslin ; 1814-17, John Abrams; 1818, Henry H. Evans; 1810, David Stophelt; 1826-22, John McWilliams; 1823-25, Turpin Daughters; 1826, Henry Jones; 1827-28, Isaac Matte; 1848-52, William P. Daughters; 1853-55, David Moreton ; 1856, W. P. Daughters; 1857, S. L. Garrett; 1858-61, John G. Gilfillin; 1862, D. McMillan; 1863-68, Robert Buchanan ; 1869-72, James Trees; 1873, Thomas Fletcher ; 1874 -77, Robert Buchanan ; 1878, Daniel McMillan; 1879, G. W. Gilfillin.
TOWNSHIP ASSESSORS.
1848-54, Fergus Morehead; 1855, William Barkley; 1856-57, S. A. Gelvin; 1858, John M. Buntin ; 1859, E. A. Utter; 1860, Joseph Gwynne; 1861, N. G. Buntin; 1862-66, Joseph Gwynne; 1867, A. J. Trees ; 1868, D. P. Lancaster ; 1869, N.Y. Bacon ; 1870-75, M. A. Wood; 1876, John W. Dixon; 1877, A. R. Williams; 1878-79, James Ingram.
PUBLIC HIGHWAYS.
In the chapters on the general history of the county an account of some of the early roads is given, from which it will be seen that the principal highways remain essentially as they were then laid out, For the improvement of the roads, in 1809, appropriations were made, and the following
47 year the eight supervisors of the original township reported that they had expended : Dowty Utter, $8.95 ; Elnathan Sherwin, $65.11 ; Hugh McKibben, $7:05 ; John Richards, $10.90 ; James Simmons, $22.00 ; David Wood, $11.75 ; Samuel Walraven, $40.72 ; Henry H. Dill, $74.63, -or a total of $241.11.
In 1879, with the township reduced to less than one-half its original area, the same number of supervisors are maintained, and about $1000 expended annually. The roads, consequently, are generally in good condition. Washington has nearly twenty miles of improved roads or free pikes, which were in charge of special superintendents from 1870 to 1873. These were George Wiley, Stephen Conrey, Nathan Erskine, and Josiah Woodruff. There are no toll- roads or railways, although the township voted $30,000 to build a line through its territory. At Neville and Moscow good shipping facilities are afforded.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
The mill erected by George Brown on Indian Creek, in 1802, was probably the first industry in the township which employed water-power. It was a well-known mill in early times, and passed from Brown into the hands of Benjamin and later of Elijah Penn, who also had a store near by. Subsequent owners were Aaron Behymer and A. Logan, and the present proprietor is William Luck. The waterpower has become so feeble that but little has here been. done lately until steam-power was supplied. On the same stream, near the Monroe township line, Jesse Fee got in operation mills about 1815, which were continued many years. Here is now a saw-mill by J. C. Placard, On an intermediate site Thomas W. Stephens had a saw-mill, the machinery of which was transferred to Point Isabel. Some time later Aaron Beckelheimer successfully operated saw- and grist-mills on the north fork of Indian, which afterwards became the property of James A. Sargent. Still farther up this stream were Robb's mills.
On Bear Creek, about 1810, Josiah Pigman put up saw- and grist-mills, which became the property of John McGraw and others. The mills were burned down, but another large frame was put up, which yet stands, but which was never supplied with machinery.
On Maple Run Robert Buchanan put up a saw-mill, after 1820, to which a grist-mill was added by W. Beckelheimer. It was last operated by Alexander Hanna, some time about 1870. Farther up this stream Levi Sprinkle had a sawmill, which was afterwards carried on by John Starks. In 1837, Richard Tucker had a mill on survey No. 892, Thornton Rush one on No. 714, besides the foregoing named.
In the eastern part of the township the tanning business was carried on by the Jacksons soon after the settlement of the township, and about the same time was established the Gregg tannery on Indian Creek. It was carried on by George Gregg until 1848, and at one time had forty vats. On Bear Creek James Evans had a small tannery, and back of Neville Jacob T. Iler had a well-known tannery. Other industries abounded, some of which are noted in connection with the village histories.
370 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
POINT ISABEL
is the smallest village in Washington. It is located on the rich uplands of the northern part of the township, six miles from Moscow, and a less distance from Felicity, being con• netted with the former place by one of the best-improved roads in the county. The original land-owners here were the Swope family and Adam Smith, The latter sold his interests to Michael E. Baum, the founder of the village, and who died here nearly a hundred years of age. Prior to the laying out of the lots the place was known as Pekin, and it is yet so called locally. The present and the proper name was suggested by the intersecting roads here formiUg a point of land on which the village had its beginning. Here, in the summer of 1845, Michael E. Baum laid out 28 lots and a street called Mill, running parallel with the county road of Main Street. Point Isabel has two churches, three stores, good mills, a number of mechanic-shops, and about 150 inhabitants. The first house on the village site was built about 1838, by Shepard Woodmansee, a blacksmith, who had also a shop, in which he carried on his trade. John P. Constant, who had the first store, built the second house, and the upper part of this building is now ocoupied by the Odd-Fellows for a hall. Constant was in trade about fifteen years, and was succeeded by Reason Tivis, Wesley McLain, A. J. Trees, and others. At another stand William Elrod & Bros. opened a store more than thirty years ago. Then came Terwilliger and McWilliams, and other merchants have been H. and J. Holter, Holier & Penn, A. B. McKee, W. W. Manning, Joseph Page, E. G. Lane, Hans Reiter, and, since 1847, G. F. McCullough. The latter has at present associated with him N. S. Stevens. L. S. Kinkead & Co. also deal in general goods, and E. A. Hines in furniture.
Some time about 1849 Michael E. Baum put up the present steam saw-mill, and three years later a grist mill was added by Baum & Conrey. The present owners are Mark and John Stephens, and that family has had control of them many years. The grist-mill is supplied with three runs of stones, and the establishment is one of the best in this part of the county. Steam is the motive-power.
In 1841, W. N. Beall engaged here at cabinet-making, and continued until 1878, For almost the same length of time Joseph Baum and his family have carried on blacksmithing, and Wilford Reddick wagon-making. Daniel Fee, Gideon Miller, and Thomas Ashley have also been mechanics in these trades.
Dr. Thomas Swaney was the first physician ; the present are Dr. I, H, Day, eclectic, and Dr. Asbury Canter, allopathic. Dr. David Wood died here in practice, and other physicians have been Drs. B, White, Lewis White, A. B. McKee, and George Harvey. Nelson S. Stevens resides here as an attorney.
The Point Isabel post-office was established in 1848, with Jesse Pearce postmaster. Since 1865 S. F. McCullough has been in charge of the office, which has a daily mail from Fehcity. Other postmasters have been Hiram McKown, John P. Constant, Reason Tivis, A. J. Trees,
H. S. Conrey, W. N. Beall, and J. W. McLain.
For ten years from 1849 the Pleasant Grove post-office had an existence in Washington township. Joseph L. Powell was the first postmaster, and J. T. Scott the last. The intermediate postmasters were John J. Powell and William Young.
NEVILLE.
This is the oldest village in the township and one of the oldest in the county. It is located on the Ohio, near the southeastern part. of Washington, and was formerly a place of much more importance lhan at present. The building up of the village of Fostoria, almost directly opposite, in Kentucky, and Moscow, on the river below, have diverted the trade which formerly- centered at Neville, and the village is now dependent for its existence on a few miles of the outlying country. It presents, in consequence, a somewhat decayed and neglected appearance, yet there are a number of substantial residences, several good churches, good dry streets, and half a thousand inhabitants.
Neville received its name from its founder, Gen. Presley Neville, who owned the entire survey on which it is located. It was laid out in the spring of 1808, through his agent, Jonathan Taylor, and originally contained a little more than 45 acres, 1 acre of which was reserved for a public square. The lots contained one-fourth of an acre and were numbered from 1 to 120. The streets were to be 5 poles in width, and those running with the river were called Water and Main, while the cross-streets were called Walnut, Neville, Market, Morgan, and Coffee. Provision was made for a public landing, and formerly the bar at Neville was less of. an obstruction than at present, it being now very difficult for boats to laud at low stages of water.
An addition of 20 in-lots and 56 out-lots was made by Gen. Neville in 1812, and subsequently the area of the village was extended by building along the main road, on lots not regularly platted.
Gen. Neville himself became a resident of the village some time about the time the addition was made, living in a large double hewed-log house, and his presence did much to attract immigrants to this place. He had served with great distinction in the Revolution, and was a man of many fine points of character. Although a Virginian, he came to the village from Alleghany Co., Pa., and thither after his death was his body carried, it is said; to appear in evidence in a case which affected the Neville estate ; and that this testimony of the dead relieved the heirs from great loss. Several of his daughters, also, died at Neville, and others married William Byrns and Nathaniel Wilkins. One of his sons, Presley, entered the navy, and another, Morgan, became a citizen of Cincinnati, where he was a banker.
In 1837 the village of Neville contained houses, stores, and ware-rooms, owned by William F. Borrodaile, Samuel Bisphan, Nancy Bagby, Turpin Daughters, Stephen Davis, J. K, Daughters, John Eskern, Israel Foster, John Fletcher, Sarah Griffrth, Charles H. Gould, Amos Hill, James Hughes, Mathew Hastings, Elijah Larkin, Elisha Manning, James I. and William Melvin, Morgan Neville, Jemima Pigman, W. C. Plummer, John Swayne, Ludovico Wild, and William Wentzell.
NEVILLE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Although invested with corporate privileges by a special charter, granted many years ago, the organization of the
WASHINGTON - 371
present village government dates from 1854. Whatever records were made prior to that date have been destroyed ; and for many years but little more has been done by the board of village officers than to keep up its organization by going through the forms of an annual election. Nothing more than the names of these officers is deemed worthy of reproduction here. These were :
MAYORS.
1854, Elijah Larkin ; 1855, John W. Larkin; 1856-57, E. Buvinger; 1858, John Shinkle; 1859, N. G. Buntin ; 1860, H. Henderson; 1861, J. P. Bronson ; 1862, E. McFarland ; 1863, James T. Melvin; 1864, Robert McLaughlan ; 1865, James T. Melvin ; 186667, N. Y. Bacon ; 1868, James H. Smead; 1869, William Drake ; 1870, John P. Shinkle; 1871-72, Austin Woods ; 1873, James T. Melvin ; 1874-77, S. A. Gelvin ; 1878-79, N. Y. Bacon.
RECORDERS.
1854, E. Utter ; 1855, J. W. Parker ; 1856, Daniel McMillan; 1857, Harvey Borrodaile ; 1858-60, A. S. Pigman ; 1861, A. J. Abbott; 1862, S. M. Wilmarth ; 1863-66, E. Etter ; 1S67, Robert McLaughIan ; 1868, J. O. Daughters ; 1869, A. A. Dorsey ; 1870-71, J. 0. Daughters ; 1872-73, G. S. Farley ; 1874-75, J. O. Daughters; 1876-77, R. Utler ; 1878-79, R. H. Askern.
VILLAGE TRUSTEES.
1854.-Robert Wardlow, R. S. Pigman, Jacob Routs, M. G. McCarter, Samuel McMath.
1855.-M. G. McCarter, P. E. Rust, W. R. Smith, A. S. Pigman, N. Y. Bacon.
1856.-John Cord, John Drake, R. Wardlow, .1. P. Bronson, W. H. Wood.
1857.-Daniel McMath, James McVay, O. Primmer, A. J. Kennedy, J. J. Routs.
1858.-Daniel McMath, John Drake, John Gunn, 0. Primmer, J. B. Wheeler
1859.-John Drake, John Cord, A. J. Abbott, Daniel McMath, E, Buvinger.
1860.-Daniel McMath, E. Buvinger, James Smead, Andrew Miller, P. B. Heizer.
1861.-Henry Finnegan, John W. Redmond, John Heiser, J. H, Smead, J. H. Rain.
1882.-J. H. Smead, J. H. Kakr, J. Heiser, H. II. Ferguson, J. W. Redman.
1863.-John Wilmath, A. Redmond, F. Buvinger, John McMath, George Schock.
1864.-N. Y. Bacon, A. Redmond, E. A. Utter, John McMath, James F, Melvin.
1865.-N. Y. Bacon, Alex. Redmond, George Shock, F. H. Blair, A. Schlotterbeck.
1866.-John McMath, E. A. Utter, William B. McKee, George Schock, A. Schlotterbeck.
1867.-William R. McKee, John McMuth, A. Schlotterbeck, John K. Brown, W. H. Ferguson.
1868.-John Drake, R. L. Johnson, Samuel McMath, John Camerer, J. G. Case.
1869.-J. M. Johnson, Edward Buvinger, William Camerer, A. Schlotterbeck, Daniel McMillan.
1870.-John Drake, J. H. Smead, John Camerer, Samuel Hastings, John K. Brown, James P. Bronson.
1871.-W. L. Drake, William Redmond, William L. Camerer.
1872.-E. V. Downs, J. P. Bronson, John Camerer.
1873.-N. S. Hill, William C. Nash, Richard Askren.
1874.-E. V. Downs, Thomas Jones, S. H. Melvin.
1875.-Richard Askren, William C. Nash, Alex. Redmond.
1876.-E. V. Downs, George Schock, S. H. Melvin.
1877.-A. Redmond, R. H. Askren, S. McMath.
1878.-T. Jones, W. Kirkpatrick, George Schock.
GENERAL BUSINESS INTERESTS.
Tradition says that Arthur Stewart had the first store at Neville some time about 1812, and lhat William Doane was a merchant not long after. Levi and Joshua Pigman were extensive merchants before 1820, transacting a heavy river trade. Of no less importance was the business of Israel Foster and his partner, John Miller. They owned a large warehouse, and loaded many boats with the produce of the country, which was brought from remote points in Clermont and Kentucky. He afterwards founded the village of Fostoria, and as that place had a good landing it soon became a rival of Neville. Before this Neville usually supported three good stores, and among other merchants were Daniel McMillan (for twenty years), William Parker, T. D. Rosser, Redmond & Co., William F. Burdell, James E. Parker, John Fletcher, Abbott & Bro., Wardlow & McMath, Johnson & McCarter, and the present merchants are McMath & Son and John G. Fischer.
William Wenzel) kept a public-house from 1823 to 1865, Edward Buvinger had a house of entertainment from 1860 for a few years, and since 1868, J. G. Fischer has kept a public-house.
At the east end of the village was, in the early history of Neville, an ox-mill for grinding grain. About 1830 the property passed into the hands of Hunt & Pratt, who built the brick buildings in that locality, designing the larger one for a hotel, but it was never occupied for that purpose. The mill was also enlarged, and steam-power applied, giving it a good capacity. Then Carlos Gould and Turpin Daughters became the proprietors, and procuring a larger engine, also commenced the business of distilling grain. They sold to William Davis & Co., who doubled the capacity and added a saw-mill. In 1848 that firm failed, and David Gibson & Co. became the proprietors, who again greatly increased the capacity, until 1000 bushels per day might be distilled. Orr &. Lewis conducted the business next, and the last was John P. Levis, the distillery burning down soon after 1870. The business occupied large buildings, and while it was carried on employment was given to many men, and much activity was displayed at Neville.
Among the minor industries were a cut-nail factory by Elijah Penn, about 1816, and later, a castor-oil mill by Wheeler & Hayford, who cultivated about 10 acres of beans but soon abandoned the experiment. Turpin Daughters had, about 1830, a large shop for the manufacture of furniture, which was carried on after 1840 by John K. Daughters fifteen or twenty years longer. Front 1834 to 1847, Daniel McMillan had a wagon-factory, which gave employment to 8 or 10 hands. The work was sent to the Southern market. From 1865 to 1870, Edward Buvinger had a shop for the manufacture of wooden stirrups, in which half a dozen hands were engaged, and since that period the manufacture of barrels has been the chief industry.
Among the early physicians were Drs. Meigs and Fenn, both able practitioners. Dr. W. P. Kincaid was here many years, and his successor was the present Dr. N. S. Hill. R. Utter is an attorney at Neville.
In 1819, Elijah Larkin took charge of the Neville post- office, and served until 1845, when William P. Kincaid was appointed. Two years later Daniel McMillan was appointed, and in 1851, Elijah Larkins again became postmaster. Since that time the appointees were : 1855, Robert Wardlow ; 1857, W. F. Borrodaile ; 1869, Mrs. H. Borro-
372 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
daile; 1871, N, S. Hill ; 1877, J. W. McFarland. The office is supplied with a daily mail.
MOSCOW.
This is the largest village in the township, and one of the most thriving in the county. It was laid out on the Anderson survey, No. 391, on the second bank of the Ohio, where Ray's Run empties into that stream, and the plat was recorded July 30, 1816, by Owen Davis, through his attorneyin-fact, John Payne. It embraced 16t) lots, each 32 perches in size, and 16 out-lots, each containing 1 acre. A tract of land, equal to 8 lots, was set apart for the use of a court-house and jail, and such other public buildings as the commissioners of the county might see fit to erect, Out- lot No. 1 was expressly set aside for a meeting-house and burying-ground for the use of that sect of Christians which should think proper to build upon it first. In-lot No. 125 was set aside for a sohool-house. The first and the second banks of the river were to constitute commons for the people, but the proprietor reserved to himself the right to establish ferries across the Ohio within the village bounds. The streets running parallel with the river were called Water, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth, and intersecting streets were named Wells, Elizabeth, Walnut, and Broadway.
On the 7th of May, 1849, C. W. Grames and D. De Forest laid out an addition of lots, numbered from 169 to 328, and streets named Elm and Maine ; and July 5, 1875, George Harvey subdivided out-lots Nos. 3 and 4. The area of the village has been further increased by suburban extensions.
In 1817, John Payne caused to be erected two large brick houses, on the corner of Main and Front Streets, for hotel and store purposes, and a third house on the square above for a residence. These it was thought would give the plaoe some importance in the eyes of those who were asked to invest in village lots. At intervals that year boats brought prospective buyers from Cincinnati, many of whom purchased lots. But even with the prospect of having successful manufactories the growth of the village was so unpromising that a number of lots were forfeited for taxes, and the Moscow of to-day has been built up within the last thirty years. In that period of time a number of substantial business blocks have been erected, an elegant school edifice and fine churches provided, and here are now hundreds of contented people, noted for their enterprise and love of law and order, characteristics which have given Moscow pre-eminence among the villages of Southern Ohio. In 1837 the owners of houses and shops at Moscow were Edward &aid, J, H. Parker, L. C. Duncan, Thomas Fee, Daniel Fletcher, Jesse Fee, John Gilfillin, Lane Wright, Philip Mains, Edward McFarland, William M. Naylor, John Perin, David Welch, and A. J. Shelley.
MOSCOW MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
The village was incorporated by a special act of the General Assembly, but prior to 1855 little of this part of its history has been preserved. In the meagre records at, hand appear the names, in 1847, of Mayor James H. Whittaker and Recorder John C. Robinson ; in 1852,
Mayor J. Stewart and Recorder F. C. Smith ; in 1853, Mayor James McMath and Recorder J. H. Moore.
In 1855 a reorganization of the village government followed under the terms of the new constitution and the general law relating to this subject ; the street corners were fixed and the village resurveyed. That year and at subsequent periods ordinances for the welfare of the village were enacted: to afford protection against fire ; to provide simple apparatus ; to provide public scales; to preserve order and to protect the marshal in the discharge of his duties ; to regulate the ferry, to improve and regulate the wharf, and to provide a boat for the same ; to improve the streets and build sidewalks ; to license shows, dealers in merchandise, and to regulate the sale of liquors.
The public good has been materially promoted since the village has been incorporated, and the place, in consequence, yearly assumes a more substantial appearance.
The village officers from 1855 to the present time (1879) have been the following :
1855.—Mayor, Henry Walker ; Recorder, A. C. Moore; Trustees, William Johnston, John Fletcher, James Hopple, John W. Hood, and E. L. Fee; Treasurer, William M. Fee; Marshal, James Debruler.
1856.—Mayor, David Becker ; Recorder, W. S. Gregg; Trustees, Hiram Kelch, Joseph Dickson, Perry Lancasler, William Gilfillin, and Edward Hughes; Treasurer, Nathan Keyt; Marshal, William Dobson.
1857.—Mayor, James McMath ; Recorder, William Johnston ; Trustees, Harrison Pigman, P. E. Rust, William Gilfillin, B. F. Fisher, Samuel Gwynne; Treasurer, Nathan Keyt; Marshal, David Welsh.
1858.—Mayor, D. P. Lancaster ; Recorder, James McMath; Trustees, William Fossett, William Cushard, John Hood, B. F. Fisher, and James E. Moore; Treasurer, Nathan Keyt ; Marshal, S. Green.
1859.—Mayor, B. F. Fisher; Recorder, William Johnston ; Truslees, John H. Wood, William M. Fee, Joseph Powell, Samuel Garrett, and A. J. Shelley ; Treasurer, Nathan Keyt ; Marshal, Elijah Armacost.
1860.—Mayor, John Fletcher ; Recorder, George W. Penn ; Trustees, Hiram Kelch, Lewis Canny, Samuel Gwynne, E. Armacost, and A. J. Shelley ; Treasurer, Nathan Keyt ; Marshal, Jacob Phillips.
1861.—Mayor, Nathan Keyt; Recorder, J. E. Moore; Trustees, James McMath, J. W. Fee, G. W. Penn, J. Garrett, John Fletcher; Treasurer, T. Fletcher ; Marshal, William Fossett.
1862.—Mayor, Nathan Keyt; Recorder, W. S. Gregg; Trustees, Thoinas Fletcher, George W. Penn, William Cushard, A. T. Shelley, end P. E. Rust; Treasurer, T. Fletcher ; Marshal, Jumes S. Debruler.
1863.—Mayor, John W. Fee ; Recorder, W. S. Gregg ; Trustees, A. E. Metier, James Leonard, David Welsh, John Glazier, and James McMath; Treasurer, P. E. Rust; Marshal, James S. Debruler.
1864.—Mayor, James MoMath; Recorder, W. M. Fee; Trustees, James Garrett, J. W. Penn, J. W. Hood, W. H. Cusbard, and John Glazer ; Treasurer, P. E. Rust; Marshal, E. C. Debruler.
1865.—Mayor, W. S. Gregg; Recorder, J. W. Fee; Trustees, W. H. Cushard, James Garrett, B. F. Pena, William Fossett, and James McMath; Marshal, James Day.
1866.—Mayor, B. F. Penn ; Recorder, E. Hughes ; Trustees, B. F. Fisher, J, W. Penn, Louis Camry, James McCune, George Harvey ; Marshal, Joseph Day.
1867.—Mayor, James McMath; Recorder, W. S. Gregg; Trustees, George Harvey, B. F. Penn, David Fenwick, Louis Camry ; Treasurer, John W. Fee; Marshal, Joseph Day.
1868.—Mayor, James MoMath ; Recorder, W. S. Gregg ; Trustees, George Harvey, A. J. Shelley, Louis Camry, David Fen- wick ; Marshal, Joseph Day.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - 373
1869.—Mayor, Jared Lemar; Recorder, W. S. Gregg; Trustees, Josiah Woodruff, William Irwin, E. C. Debruler, J. W. Penn, and Wm. Cushard ; Treasurer, B. F. Fisher; Marshal, Joseph Barker.
1870.—Mayor, D. P. Lancaster; Recorder, Edward Hughes; Trustees, Peter Buntin,• E. C. Debruler, * J. W. Penn, * William 1rwin, A. J. Shelley, and E. L. Moore ; Treasurer, B. F. Fisher; Marshal, Jacob Houta.
1871.—Mayor, D. P. Lancaster; Recorder, W. S. Gregg; Trustees, James McMath, J. W. Fee, William Johnston, Josiah Woodruff.
1872.—Mayor, John W. Dixon; Recorder, Win. Johnston ; Trustees, Charles E. Cushard, Frederick Hirling, James 1ngram, Peter Buntin; Treasurer, B. F. Fisher; Marshal, M. Demaris ; Solicitor, James C. McMath.
1873.—Mayor, W. M. Fee; Recorder, Robert L. Johnston; Trustees, W. S. Gregg, Louie Camry, and A. A. Dorsey ; Treasurer, B. F. Fisher; Marshal, James S. Debruler.
1874.—Mayor, W. M. Fee ; Recorder, R. L. Johnston; Trustees, A. J. Shelley, S. W. Green, and Charles Cushard.
1875.—Mayor. D. P. Lancaster ; Recorder, R. L. Johnston ; Trustees, G. S. Manning, E. C. Debruler, and G. M. Hughes; Treasurer, B. F. Fisher ; Marshal, John N. Fee.
1876.—Mayor, D. P. Lancaster; Recorder, R. L. Johnston ; Trustees, C. E. Cushard, L. Green, and A. J. Shelley ; Treasurer, B. F. Fisher ; Marshal, John Rose.
1877.—Mayor, D. P. Lancaster ; Recorder, R. L. Johnston; Trustees, A. A. Dorsey, J. W. Fee, and C. P. McKibben.
1878.—Mayor, Robert L. Johnston; Recorder, S. H. Grimes; Trustees, W. D. Cole, J. W. Webb, and C. E. Cushard; Treasurer, B. F. Fisher; Marshal, G. W. Purkiser; Street Commissioner, Joseph Barker.
1879.—The trustees or councilmen elected were A. A. Dorsey, John W. Foe, and E. C. Dehruler, the other officers being those elected in 1878.
MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.
The most important manufacturing interest the place has ever had was the glass-works, established in July, 1823, by the firm of Pugh & Teater, the former being the father of Senator George E. Pugh. The factory was on the south side of Ray's Run, on the farm now owned by L. German. Here a large tract of land had been purchased by Henry Teater and Lot Pugh, which was densely timbered, the wood being utilized in the manufacture of glass. It was cut into two-foot lengths, called " shyders," and had to be kiln-dried before it could be used, and was burned in connection with coal brought from Pittsburgh. The sand was brought from a point nine miles above Cincinnati, and was conveyed hither in flat-boats to a landing near the factory. The building was of stone, of large dimensions, and was two stories in height. The principal product was window-glass, although a limited quantity of hollow-ware was made. In the various Branches of the business about fifty men were employed, and James Hartshorn, of Moscow, was one of the men employed in the factory. For the accommodation of the men twelve log buildings were erected on the river-bank near the works, but the proprietors and William Hood, the box-maker, lived in the village of Moscow. The works were carried on till about 1830, when Henry Teater, who had become sole proprietor, removed them to Wheeling. The building was converted into a distillery by James Metcalf, and was operated by various parties until its destruction by fire. Part of the walls have been made to do service for a farm-house. For the past three years A. Kaiser & Co.
* For two years.
have carried on the distilling business, occupying several large buildings in the eastern part of the village.
In 1843, Hicks & Lemar got in operation a steam sawmill at Moscow, which had a capacity of 8000 feet per day. In the course of a few years it became the property of John, William, and Alexander Gilfillin, who erected, in connection, a grist-mill with three runs of stones. It was destroyed by fire, and another mill built by Webb & Buvinger, first as a saw-mill, and a gristmill subsequently added. The combined mills are yet operated by Capt. William Irwin. The common mechanic trades are well represented at Moscow, and to them the manufacturing interests are at present limited, with the exceptions noted.
THE GENERAL BUSINESS
of Moscow began with a small store, which was kept by .Pugh & Teater, in 1823, and the half-dozen years following, in one of the corner buildings erected by John Payne. Here afterwards Thomas Fee was in trade many years, and afterwards Robert and Enos Fee, who were extensively engaged in merchandising. Nathan Keyt was also a pioneer merchant, and the firm of Keyt & Thrasher were favorably known as merchants, being engaged in trade about 1837. Near the same time John Gilfillin had a store on the upper part of Front Street. Among other mercantile firms were B. P. Thrasher, Keyt & Scott, James McMath, Downs & Fee, Fee & Smith, Joseph Powell, James E. Moore, and Penn Brothers. In 1879 the business firms were B. F. Fisher, W. M. Fee (each for a quarter of a century), Mc- Math & Grimes ; Fred. Hirling and Barney Wolf, general merchants ; R. L. Johnston, drugs ; J. P. Marvin, hardware ; J. A. Metcalf, harness ; A. A. Dorsey, shoes ; L. Wentzell, grocer ; A. J. Shelley, merchant tailor (since 1836) ; McMath & Grimes, B. F. Fisher, pork-packers; A. D. Hopkins, Morgan & Pattison, Carnes & Lively, D. P. Moreton & Brother, tobacco dealers ; J. W. Webb, coal dealer.
Aquilla Judd was a hatter at Moscow as early as 1823, and the same family of Judds have always kept the ferry from Moscow to the Kentucky shore. One of the earliest hotels was kept by Wright Lane, some time about 1830, in the corner building opposite the Fee store. Daniel Perrine, Martin Frazier, John Dick, William Fossett, James Hartshorn, Fred Ahrens, and J. G. Dick were also among the hotel-keepers, the latter keeping the present Moscow House.
The Deposit Bank of Lemar & McMath was established in May, 1875, by Jared Lemar and James McMath, and the banking business has since been carried on by them. The firm has a good reputation, and the business is yearly increasing. The Moscow Reporter, an occasional advertising sheet, is issued by Marvin & Metcalf, and is the only paper that has ever been issued in the village.
Nathan Keyt was the first postmaster of the Moscow office, established in 1827 or about that time. Since that time the officials of the office have been : 1829, William K. Byrns; 1831, Joseph Gwynn ; 1835, Samuel Kennedy ; 1837, Martin Bayard ; 1841, L. M. Wilcoxon ; 1849, Thomas Fee ; 1857, J. E. Moore ; and 1865, James McMath.
374 - HISTORY OF CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO.
Moscow has never had any regular attorney resident there for any length of time, but much of the legal business was early transacted by Nathan Keyt, and of late years by W. S. Gregg. Among the physicians were Drs, James Warren and E. L. Moore, at an early day ; Dr. Wrlliam Johnson, from 1838 till his death in December, 1876 ; Drs. L. N. Wilcoxon, John Moore, A. C. Moore W. E. Tucker, etc.; and the present physicians are Drs. C. T. McKibben, J. L. Moore, W. D. Cole, and Dr. Allerdice, dentist. Dr. James Hopple resided at this place many years, not in active practice ; and at present Drs. George Harvey and William C. Irwin reside here, retired.
SECRET ORDERS.
The oldest society of this nature was instituted at New Richmond in the latter part of 1843, as the NEW RICHMOND LODGE, F. and A. M., and as such was chartered Oct. 25, 1844, on the petition of R. Whitcomb, Milton Kennedy, Thomas B. Young, Thomas Glisson, A. D. Wilson, Edward Damarin, W. H. Moss, Edward Goudy, Robert Fee, Martin Frazier, and Thomas Sallee. For several years the meetings of the lodge were held at New Richmond, but by resolution of the Grand Lodge of the State, October, 1845, the name was changed to WASHINGTON LODGE, No. 122, F. and A. M., and after December the meetings were to be held at Moscow. Jan. 8, 1846, Cie first regular communication under this order was held with R. Whitcomb, Master ; Thomas B. Young, Senior Warden; and Robert Fee, Junior Warden. John Bell was the first person initiated at Moscow. On the 16th of June, 1853, the name of the lodge was again changed, this time to its present title, MOSCOW LODGE, No. 122, F. and A. M. For some years the meetings were held in the old school-house, over Edward Hughes' shop, and other places, until the present hall was provided. April 22, 1854, the lodge decided to erect a ball, and appointed Dr. William Johnston, E. L. Fee, and John W. Fee a building committee, who were instructed, May 11th of the same year, to add 11 feet as the third story to the seminary building, which had just come into the possession of the school board of Moscow. This hall was dedicated Dec. 27, 1854, and has since been the home of the lodge. It has an attractive appearance and is a credit to the lodge which, since it has occupied it, has enjoyed remarkable prosperity. For many years Dr. William Johnston and W. S. Gregg were the secretaries of the lodge, and since 1877, Dr. C. F. McKibben has served in that capacity. Other officers, in 1880, were James I. Selby, W. M. ; J. M. Kinzie, S. W.; W. E. Fisher, J. W.; and Charles Kaiser, Treas.
Since the institution of the lodge the following have been the Masters : 1843-46, R. Witcomb ; 1847, Nathan Keyt ; 1848, Oliver Tatman ; 1849, William Johnston ; 1850, B. P. Thrasher ; 1851, J. W. Whittaker ; 1852-53, James Stewart ; 1854-55, Edward Hughes, Jr. ; 1856, William Johnston ; 1857, Edward Hughes, Jr. ; 1858, Henry Walker ; 1859, William P. Hughes ; 1860-65, Henry Walker ; 1866, Edward Hughes ; 1867-68., B. F. Fisher ; 1869-70, Edward Hughes ; 1871-72, D. P. Lancaster ; 1873-75, James I. Selby ; 1876, Edward Hughes ; 1877- 78, W. S. Trout ; 1879, Edward Hughes ; 1880, .James I. Selby.
A chapter of Royal Arch Masons was instituted at Moscow, which was transferred to New Richmond, and its history is given in the township of Ohio.
VESPER LODGE, No. 131, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted April 11, 1849, at Neville, with W. P. Kincaid, W. E, Davis, Thomas McGuire, D. McMillen, and L. W. Fee as charter members ; but at the first few meetings S. W. Kincaid, D. A. Bannister, D. C. McLaughIan, George Fagan, Edward Davis, James Miller, David McMath, Nicholas Miller, Newton Racord, William R, Steward, Philip Means, John Whipple, Augustus Robbins, John McMath, James McGuire, John Cord, John Gunn, George Whipple, William McCoy, William L. Tatman, M. G. McCarter, Robert Wardlow, Joseph Mahan, John A. Wall, Thomas Jones, J. K. Daughters, Asher Goslin, Samuel McMath, Benjamin Cooper, James Stewart, Charles Iler, J. H. Wood, S. A. Gelvin, E. Utter, and J. R. Pitman became members. The lodge has at present a membership of 29, but has initiated 104 members, the decrease being due to the formation of lodges in neighboring villages. The lodge owns a very fine hall and a cemetery of 31 acres of land, forming 270 lots, located on a beautiful slope of the river-hills north of the village. It was dedicated Sept. 18, 1875, with appropriate exercises, the address being by the Rev. E. R. Hera, and a reading by Miss Rachel Smith. The first interment was Dec. 1, 1875,-a young girl, Cora A. Roush. The present trustees are D. McMillan, M. G. McCarter, and N. S. Hill.
The Noble Grands from the organization of the lodge to the present time have been the following:
1849, W. P. Kincaid, Thomas McGuire ; 1850, D. McMillan ; 1851, S. W. Kincaid, D. C. McLaughlan ; 1852, Philip Mains, J. W. Whipple ; 1853, D. A. Bannister, M. G. McCarter ; 1854, Elijah Utter, Robert Wardlow ; 1855, A. S. Pigman, J. B. Wheeler ; 1856, John Cord, D, McMillan; 1857, J. J. Routs, J. P. Brunson ; 1858, M. J. Bacon, S. McMath ; 1859, John McMath, Daniel McMath ; 1860, Samuel Wilmarth, P. B. Heizer ; 1861, J. H. Wood, W. N. Hendrickson ; 1862, N. Y. Bacon, John McMath ; 1863, Hamer Blair, Charles Per; 1861, A. Redmond, J. W. McFarland ; 1865, John P. Levis, George Schock ; 1866, L. W. Camerer, Andrew Schlotterbeck ; 1867, O. M. Primmer, E. V. Downs ; 1868, N. S. Hill, J. K, Brown ; 1869, J. G. Case, Z. Connell ; 1870, Charles Keizer, F. Heiman ; 1871, R. H. Askren, T. J. Gallagher ; 1872, J. P. Brunson ; 1873, A. B. Dawson, McLain Garrett ; 1874, B. G. Wood, Henry Ehrenfels ; 1875, J. G. Fischer, John Wells ; 1876, E. Buvinger, George Schock ; 1877, N. S. Hill, J. P. Brunson ; 1878, Henry Stookard, Charles Rice ; 1879, John Roehm, C. W, Glaser ; 1880, Lafayette Roush.
POINT ISABEL LODGE, No. 553, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted Aug. 7, 1873, and was duly incorporated Aug. 20, 1874. Among the early members were C. W. Page, J. F. Jane, E. J. Prather, J. H. Gates, F. A. Johnson, 0, P. Tatman, J. Baum, J. W. Donley, George Lane,