398 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIX.

DELHI TOWNSHIP.

EXTENT AND TOPOGRAPHY - VILLAGES-RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

DELHI is one of the smallest townships in the county. It is triangular in shape, bounded on the north by Miami and Green, on the east by Cincinnati, and on the south and west by the Ohio river. Rapid run drains a large part of its territory. The name of this stream is most appropriate, as its descent from the uplands to the river is certainly rapid. In the eastern part of the township the principal stream is Bold Face creek. Trautman's run empties into the Ohio river at the railroad station of that name. Muddy creek flows through the extreme northwestern part of the township.

The principal public highways are the Warsaw and Delhi pikes and the Lower River road, all of which cross the township from east to west. There are numerous lateral roads, and the most important is the Anderson Ferry road, a continuous and direct line of travel from the river to the northern line of the township. The Ohio & Mississippi and Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railroads traverse the southern part of the township.

This township was among the earliest settled in the county. Here it was that John Cleves Symmes projected the village of South Bend. It was laid out in 1789, as shown by the following interesting extract from a letter written by Judge Symmes

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in February of that year: "North Bend being so well improved by the buildings already erected and making, and fresh applications every few days being made to me for house lots, I was induced to lay off another village about seven miles up the Ohio from North Bend, being one mile in front of the river. The ground was very eligible for the purpose, and I would have continued farther up and clown the river, but was confined between the two reserved sections. This village I call South Bend, from its being contiguous to the most southerly point of land in the Purchase." Its location was near the mouth of Trautman's run, at the railroad station of that name. Already there were several settlers here, and the Judge entertained high hopes for the future of the place. Situated as it was near the center of the Purchase, he was ambitious that it should become the county seat, and thought that if a detachment of troops should be stationed there it would develop rapidly. But, as in the case of North Bend, his hopes were completely frustrated; Cincinnati was made the location of the military post, and South Bend relapsed into insignificance. A detachment of twenty soldiers was, however, stationed here in 1791, at which time there was a population of about a score of families. Prominent among these early residents was Timothy Symmes, a brother of the Judge, and a justice in Sussex county, New Jersey, prior to his immigration to the West. He died here in 1797. South Bend scarcely retains a place in the traditions of the locality. It was formerly the designation of the railroad station, but is now perpetuated only as the name of the school at that point.

This region early enjoyed the advantages of municipal organization. In 1795 South Bend township was erected with the following boundaries: "Beginning at the second meridian west of Mill creek; thence down the Ohio six miles and over; thence north on a meridian to the Big Miami; thence up that stream to the southwest corner of Colerain township; thence east to the meridian first named; thence south to the place of beginning." The first township officers were William Powell, clerk; James Thatcher, constable; William Powell and Robert Gowdy, overseers of the poor; Uzal Bates, supervisor of highways; David Edgar, James Gowdy, and Edward Cowan, viewers of inclosures and appraisers of damages.

The exact date of the separate erection of Delhi can not be given, but it is generally supposed to have occurred fifteen or twenty years after the organization of South Bend.

VILLAGES.

Riverside is an incorporated village, extending from Anderson Ferry to Bold Face creek, which separates it, from the city of Cincinnati. It has a river front of three miles, but is comparatively narrow, the crest of the river hill forming the northern boundary.

Commencing on the east at the ministerial land owned by Squire Ethan Stone, the first improvements upon the site of the village were as follows : The section of Col. C. R. Sedam, about half of which is within the limits of the village; 170 acres belonging to Mrs. Julia Symmes Reeder, a niece of Judge Symmes and cousin of the wife of Gen. William Henry Harrison (the deed, written by Judge Symmes, is dated January 1, 1800, This was long known as the Reeder farm. The mansion house, a two-story frame house still standing on the river road, was one of the most pretentious in the vicinity of Cincinnati at the time of its erection); continuing westward the successive improvements were those of Enoch Anderson, Cullom and Sands; a tract of school laud was situated at the western extremity of the village.

The following, is a list of secondary settlers, in order, from the east: John Lodwick, Thomas Henry Yeatman, R. S. Bartlett, Joseph Simmons, David Z. Sedam, ---- Bickham, Maj. William Oliver, Dr. John Ritter, Stephen S. L'Hommedieu, Allen L. Reeder, D. O. Reeder, Mrs. Mary Reeder McAllister, Brice Pursell, and Jacob Storey, Sr.

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The river road between Reeder's and Bold Face creek was called "The Stretch." It was almost perfectly level, while almost perfect drainage rendered its condition unusually good. This was the most fashionable pleasure drive in the vicinity of Cincinnati. It was patronized at all times by the rich and those who had carriages of their own, while those who hired from livery stable proprietors usually made this drive on Sundays. At the Anderson farm a well-known resort was kept by "Uncle" Joe Harrison, a retired riverman. Among the attractions of this establishment was a large orchard. Brice Pursell kept a similar resort nearer the city. In winter these places were the popular rendezvous for sleighing parties.

Village growth at Riverside began in the year 1847, when A. L. and D. O. Reeder laid out a number of lots on the river bottom, including the site of the schoolhouse and Episcopal church. Various other subdivisions, usually of comparatively small extent, were platted by different persons, and then the place gradually assumed the, proportions of a village. It ranks among the most extensive in the county, and had a population of 2,169 by the census of 1890. There are three large manufacturing establishments within its limits, viz., the Cincinnati Rolling Mill Company, the Cincinnati Cooperage Company, and the Fleischmann Compressed Yeast Works.

The first church in the village was built by Thomas Henry' Yeatman at his own expense. It was never dedicated, but was frequently used by the clergy of different denominations. A similar building was erected by David Sedam. At present there are three churches, Protestant Episcopal, Congregational, and Methodist Episcopal. There are two school buildings.

Delhi includes within its corporate limits both the village of that name and the town of Industry. The last named was platted by James Cooper, county surveyor, for James and Samuel H. Goodin, by whom it was acknowledged and dedicated October 15, 1847. Its early industries included a flourmill, match factory, cotton mill, foundry, etc., giving employment to a considerable number of operatives, many of whom located here and built for themselves modest homes. But a singular fatality seemed to overtake the various enterprises upon which the prosperity of the place depended. The match factory burned; the flourmill was undermined by a spring flood; the proprietors of the cotton mill became financially embarrassed; the foundry, which was a cooperative establishment, ceased operations because of the peculations of its manager; and thus the village which gave such early promise of prosperity relapsed into premature decadence. Industrially it has never since justified its original name, which still retains popular though not legal significance.

Delhi was platted in 1866. The proprietor and projector of the town was Peter Zinn, a lawyer by profession, who attained a national reputation by his connection with the litigation over the ownership of the Kentucky Central railroad. Unlike its neighbor on the east, Delhi has had no industrial aspirations. The beauty of the location has attracted a suburban population, however, and in this respect the village ranks with the most desirable communities in the vicinity of Cincinnati. By the census of 1890 the population was 531.

Delhi was incorporated as a hamlet July 29, 1885. Its first trustees were James S. Wise, president; M. L. Andrew, clerk, and W. J. Applegate, elected November 12, 1885. The hamlet extended from the present western boundary of the village to a line a short distance east of the railroad station. In 1890 village government was adopted, when the first officers under the new regime were as follows: Mayor, John Wentzel; clerk, Walter Stone; council, Peter Cross, Jobn H. Carson, Robert Hitter, John Maloney, Nicholas Fliehman; treasurer, L. H. Green; marshal, John Poff. In 1892 O. F. Moore was elected mayor, and F. D. Saunders, clerk.

Home City.-The site of this village was once owned, wholly or in part, by a Mr. Taylor and a Mr. Gano. The last named conducted here an establishment for the boarding of fine horses. From him, in all prohability, it passed to a Mr. Mackey, a Scotchman by birth, who amassed a fortune in the West Indies and subsequently

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engaged in business in New York City. He located here in 1831, and during his residence (perhaps also before) the establishment was known as " The Home Farm." The Mackey mansion house stood at the east corner of Commercial avenue and Washington street. It was a brick building, and one of the most pretentious country residences in the vicinity of Cincinnati, The barn and other outbuildings were also of brick. Mr. Mackey was not a practical farmer, and while en route to Cincinnati he met Robert McFarland, whom he induced to undertake the Management of his farm. He also brought with him from New York City George T. McIntyre, who, by litigation subsequent to Mr. Mackey's death, secured one hundred acres of the Home Farm.

By agreement dated September 13, 1847, George T. McIntyre agreed to sell Maxon & Reddington sixty-two acres of "The Home Farm." This tract was subdivided, platted and dedicated by Maxon & Reddington November 3, 1849, although this deed from McIntyre was not made until December 27, 1851), prior to which date he had sold twenty-five lots to various persons. The firm of Maxon & Reddington was composed of Stephen Maxon and David Beddington. The former resided at Home City for a time, but the latter was a practicing physician at Cincinnati, where his office was located at the corner of Sixth street and Central avenue. Their real estate operations were not successful; and having become involved, they sold the Home City plat to Abraham Longenecker. This plat is bounded by Main street on the east, and extends westward to a line between Mound and Laurel streets. It is situated between the river and a line corresponding to an extension of Harrison avenue.

That part of the village bounded by the corporation line on the east, Main street on the west, the river on the south, and Harrison avenue on the north, was platted by the Cincinnati Building Association. The land was purchased from Mr. Taylor. This plat was made about the same time as that of Maxon & Reddington. The principal additions to the original plats are those of Reese B. Price, the Delhi Land and Building Association, Foley & Clark, John R. Gottschalk, Mrs. Ann Park, E. D. McIntyre, and the heirs of F. Wrampelmeier.

The square bounded by Main, Park, Independence, and Liberty streets was dedicated by Maxon & Reddington to the village corporation, whensoever established;, various conditions were attached to this, among others the erection of a public building for occupancy as a town hall, mayor's office, public library, etc. It is needless to say that these conditions were never complied with; the park reverted to the owners, of the adjacent lots, and the village corporation acquired absolute title thereto by quit-claim deeds from them.

For some years the growth of the village was slow. The lots were sold at public sale, but many of the purchasers never acquired title, and of those who did many allowed their lots to be sold for taxes. The number who constructed improvements was comparatively small. In 1852 the residents were Gerre T. McIntyre, Peter McIntyre, Stephen Maxon, William Sherwood, Charles Truesdale, Thomas Dean, Joseph Selhorst, George Enos, Edward Kirkup, James Bonacum, Martin Shannon,. Messrs. Belknap, Miller and Brown, and possibly a few others. In this year the first store was opened in the village by Claus Drucker, in the house now the residence and store of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph F. Barmann. Local business interests have^. never been extensive, as many of the residents are engaged in business in the city and do their trading there. The population is almost exclusively of this suburban character, and hence the growth of the village practically dates from the opening of the railroads.

Home City was incorporated as a village May 10, 1879. The first village organization consisted of Nelson Sayler, mayor; W. L. Stevenson, clerk; and J. D. Parker,. Alexander Slater, Milton H. Cook, James Hirst, Henry Niemann, and C. W. Magness, council. Mr. Sayler hold the mayoralty ten years, and was succeeded by George L.

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Barringer, who resigned before the expiration of his first term, which was filled out by S. L. Barrett. He was succeeded by the present mayor, Thomas Lee. Mr. Stevenson was clerk but a short time; his successors have been S. W. Cullom, L. D. Stapp, Dr. John Campbell, W. H. Berkshire, and John O. Falkinberg, who has held this office, since 18813. The first village treasurer was John W. Christy, who resigned several months after his election, and was succeeded by C. W. Magness, the present treasurer. The present marshal is James E. Kinsella.

Regarding village improvement,, the present clerk of the village writes as follows: It would be difficult to find a village of equal extent whose inhabitants are more harmonious in all matters pertaining to public improvement than are those of Home City. Of the sidewalks the citizens are especially proud, on account of their width and beauty: almost all of them are six feet wide, and we claim the credit of being the only village in Hamilton county whose walks; have an almost, uniform width of that extent. Arrangements have been made and contracts let for further improvements, and it is almost certain that, by the close of 1893, all the principal streets of the village, and many of the minor ones, will be improved in like manner.

" One of the most remarkable and gratifying points to be noted is, that under the wise financial management of our municipal affairs, all this has been accomplished, while an actual reduction in taxation has been made. In 18,92 the taxes of the village were almost twenty per cent, less than in the preceding year. Of the thirty-two towns or villages in Hamilton county, twenty-eight have a higher rate of taxation."

It is worthy of mention that, since the incorporation of the village, there has not been a single trial before the mayor, nor as many as half a dozen arrests for breach of the peace. A prohibition ordinance was passed October 4, 1887, and has since been in force.

Warsaw is situated upon the pike of that name in the northeastern part of the township. It is virtually a continuation of Price Hill, which it adjoins on the east. At Warsaw is located Mt. St. Vincent Academy.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

The first Baptist Church in the western part of the county was located oil Rapid run, Delhi township. April 17, 1803, Enos Terry, George Cullum, David Terry, Robert Terry, William Worrel, Ruth McLehany, Chloe Terry, Amelia Worrel, and Rhoda Cullum, were constituted the South Bend Baptist church, which name was subsequently changed to Stony Creek, and then to Hopewell. This organization disbanded October 3, 1835.

Shiloh Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1831, and is a brick building. Among the early members were Charles Green, Peter Williams, John Shaw, John M. Wilson, Andrew Myers, James P. Williams, and David Poplin. Prior to the erection of the church, the residences of Peter Williams and John Shaw were the places of worship.

Maria zum Siege Catholic Church.---In 1834 Rev. Father Henni organized the "Catholic Congregation of Delhi Township," which met for worship at private houses. In 1841 Adam Emge gave a half-acre of ground, and a log church and school were erected thereon; the church was called St. Stephen's, and was incorporated in 1844. Its location was inconvenient, however, and in 1852 it was removed to a tract of three acres given by John Gerteisen and Blasius Schweizer. Here the present brick church was erected in 1853 under the leadership of Rev. Engelbert Stehle. The corner-stone was laid on the 10th of July, and the dedication occurred December 4, 1853. At this time its name was changed to " Maria zum Siege." The old church was used for school purposes until 1869, when the present brick schoolhouse was built. The teachers' residence was erected in 1865. The following is a list of pastors: Revs. Nicholas Wachter, 185456; W. Sommer, 1856-58;

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Bern. Bruening, 1858-64; G. H. Kuhr, 1864-68; H. Thien, 1868-71; Fl. Karge, 1871-75; G. H. Schuhmacher, 1875-81 ; H. Johanning, 1881 ; F. Mesmer, 1881-82; R. Broring, 1882-.87; J. Stoeppelman, 1887: F. Mesmer, 1887--present incumbent.

St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Delhi.-The first church was built in 1873, and dedicated June 29 in that year. Rev. Edward Hecht, of Mt. St. Mary's Seminary, was the first pastor in charge. The first resident pastor was Rev. J. Stoeppelman, 1876-78, followed by Francis Kessing, 1878-81; F. C. Mallon, 1882-83; Joseph Benning. 1883; J. W. B. Miggeel, 1883-85; and William Scholl, the present incumbent, who assumed charge in June, 1885. The present church is a brick structure, 105x51 ; the corner-stone was laid May 28, 1888, and the dedication occurred October 28, 1888. Rev. J. A. Albrink officiated on the former occasion, and Archbishop Elder on the latter. A school was started in 1860 by Catholic laymen, who erected c one-story brick building opposite the present church. This has been enlarged, and is now the residence of the teachers, In 1890 the old church was adapted for school purposes.

St. John's Evangelical Protestant Church was founded in 1850, and has had the following pastors: Revs. John Mueller, Julius Albert Spangenberg, George Wiehe, Henry Schrader, William Eckermyer, J. C. Mosebach, Henry Haefner, Edward Dickhoff, Heberle, and John Moeller. The church edifice was built in 1863; the materials used in its construction originally constituted a Presbyterian church in Cincinnati, which was removed and successfully rebuilt at Warsaw and at St. John's. The pastoral residence was built in 1892. Many of the early members of this church were formerly connected with St. Paul's Lutheran church at Delhi. This is a small brick building, and was erected in 1850. It has not been occupied for worship for some years, and St. John's is regarded as c continuation of the organization.

The First Presbyterian Church of Delhi is situated at the east corner of Independence and Center streets in the village of Home City. The following is a list of pastors: Revs. E. M. Cravath, Irwin L. Caton, John Wiseman, Irwin L. Caton, A. P. Bissell. E. L. Lord. C. K. Lehman, N. R. Walker, and W. H. Humphrey, who assumed charge in 1893. The first elder of this church was Rev. J. M McKenzie, with whom O. F. Moore was soon afterward associated. The number of constituent members was seven. Peter Zinn donated the church site; the first church building is the frame structure still situated thereon and now used for Sunday-school and similar purposes. The brick church edifice was completed in 1884; George N. Leighton, S. P. Peabody. N. R. Adriance, C. W. Mcgness, and D. H. Hall constituted the building committee.

Church of the Atonement.-A meeting of those favorable to the organization of a Protestant Episcopal church at Riverside was held at the residence of Thomas Henry Yeatman March 27, 1869. It was decided to organize, and c committee was appointed to obtain subscriptions. At a meeting field May 18, 1869, articles of association were signed by seventeen persons, of whom the following were elected as the first vestry: Abram brower, senior warden; W. R. Halsted, junior warden; S. S. L'Hommedieu, T. H. Yeatman, Thomas I. Peters, N. Lord, Jr., and Henry Whateley, vestrymen. The church edifice is a dark limestone structure with ornamental slate roof, cost $11,000, and was first occupied for worship on Trinity Sunday, 1870. The succession of rectors has been as follows: Revs. Boiler, 1870; Pindar, 1870-72; Walsh, 1872-75; C. M. Sturges, 1875-79; Arthur Powell, 1879-82; S. H. Boyer, 1882-83; E. L. Norton. 1883-84; McWilliams, 1884-89; A. B Howard, 1889-91; H. Von Glehn, 1891; E. L. Norton, 1891-92; I. Haight, 1892-93. The church was consecrated by the Rt.-Rev. Thomas A. Jagger, May 26, 1875. In 1884 and 1887 it was remodelled and improved at an expense of $2,400.

Delhi Methodist Episcopal Church.--The first Methodist services tit Delhi were held in the old Masonic hall by Rev. John W. Sutherland. The organization

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occurred at the residence of D. M. Steward in Home City, and the number of constituent members was five. Public worship was conducted in the Masonic hall for one year, and then the present frame church was erected. The following is a list of pastors: Revs. John W. Sutherland, 1877; Henry Tuchley, 1878-80; C. W. Rishell, 1880-83; B. D. Hypes, 1883-85; C. H. Haines, 1885-90; Sylvester Weeks, D.D., 1890--92, and L. F. Young, 1892, present incumbent.

The Riverside Congregational Church was organized March 6, 1885, with a membership of twenty-five. Its history began with the organization of the Riverside Sunday-school February 20, 1881, and the Riverside Religious Society in the autumn of the same year. Dr. C. B. Boynton preached the first sermon to the, Sunday-school, March 6, 1881. The church property consists of a neat frame building, which, with the ground on which it stands, cost $3,000. Rev. Arthur Burt was installed as first pastor July 9, 1886. The trustees at that time were E. L. DeCamp, H. C. Fithian, J. P. Cummins, C. B. De Camp, and J. Taft.

The Riverside Methodist Episcopal Church was organized at the home of Misses Emmeline and Hannah Atkins January 6, 1886. Noah Page and Elijah Gregory were the first class-leaders. The home of the Misses Atkins was the place of worship for five years. The present frame church building was dedicated March 15, 1891, by Bishop I. W. Joyce.

The Colored Baptist Church at Home City was built in 1890.

Delhi township is the location of two well-known Catholic institutions, the Mother House of the Sisters of Mercy and St. Aloysius' Orphan Asylum on Mt. Alverno. The Order of Sisters of Mercy was introduced into the United States in 1808, when the institution at Emmittsburg, Md., was established. In 1852 a novitiate was opened in Cincinnati at St. Peter's Orphan's Home, corner Plum and Third streets. Seven Sisters originally composed the society. Its course has been uniformly prosperous. The property in Delhi township is extensive and valuable, and the institution is represented in a large number of schools, hospitals, etc. The institution at Norwood, in this county, is under its immediate control.

St. Aloysius' Orphans' Home was established in 1837, and was conducted at Cincinnati for some years. It comprises a valuable tract of ground, and extensive and substantial buildings. The management is conducted by Brothers of the Order of St. Francis.