404 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXX.

GREEN TOWNSHIP.

TOPOGRAPHY--PRINCIPAL HIGHWAYS-EARLY HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION-VILLAGES-CHURCHES. .

GREEN TOWNSHIP is bounded on the north by Colerain, on the east by Mill Creek and Cincinnati, on the south by Delhi, and on the west by Miami. In form it is a perfect square, comprising an area of thirty-six square miles. The principal streams are Taylor's creek, which drains the northwestern part of the township and empties into the Great Miami; Muddy creek, which flows into the Ohio river and drains the southern part of the township; Lick run and several other affluents of Mill creek, which drain the eastern part of its area. The surface partakes of the general character of this part of the county; it presents rapid alternations of hill and valley, marked by a prevailing softness of contour, and from the more elevated localities the prospect of the surrounding region is extensive and beautiful.

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The main thoroughfare of the township is the Harrison pike, which crosses its territory diagonally from southeast to northwest. At. the " Seven-Mile House," a mile west of Cheviot, the Cleves pike diverges from the Harrison pike. Pleasant Ridge road is about two miles northeast of the Harrison pike and nearly parallel with it. Among other important roads may be mentioned the Lick Run road, the Crookshank road, the Warsaw road, the Johnson road, the Reemelin road, and the Muddy creek road.

EARLY HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION.

On the 12th of March, 1788, John Cleves Symmes entered into a contract with Dr. Elias Boudinot, of New Jersey, for the sale to him of a moiety in the territory that now comprises Green township. He had originally designed it as a personal reservation, in remuneration for his expenses and trouble in securing and disposing of the Miami Purchase. Subsequently he desired to appropriate it as a college township. Had the purchase amounted to two million acres, as originally designed, a grant of college lands would have been made with it, in accordance with the term of the ordinance under which the public lands were sold; and as Symmes contemplated a purchase of that extent, he advertised in his " Terms of Sale and Settlement " that a college township had been granted. But it was forfeited when he reduced the amount of his purchase, although by Act of Congress, in 1702, the President was authorized to convey to Symmes and his associates one entire township for the establishment of an institution of learning. No entire township remained to be appropriated for this purpose, however, as portions of every one had already been disposed of. In 1799 Symmes offered to the governor of the territory the second township of the second fractional range (Green township) for college purposes, but the governor refused to receive it, as a suit was then pending before the United States court by Dr. Boudinot to compel Symmes to complete the transfer of a moiety in the township named in accordance with the terms of his agreement made in 1787. Portions of the township had also been sold to other persons. The Territorial Legislature, the State Legislature, and finally the National Congress were applied to, but each in turn declined to receive it. and thus Symmes' design regarding the township were never realized. It would be tedious to pursue the further transactions regarding it; suffice it to say that the township, or a large part of it, ultimately came into possession of Burnet, Findlay & Harrison, from whom the first settlers derived their titles.

In an address at the Green Township Harvest Home Festival seine twenty years ago the late Alexander Long gave the following account of the early settlement of Green township: "Although settlements were commenced in Columbia, Cincinnati, Miami, Mill Creek, Whitewater and other townships in 1788 and 1796, no settlement was made in Green township until some thirteen years thereafter. James Goudy, a farther and a native of Pennsylvania, settled in the northwest quarter of Section 8 in the year 1802, and by those who knew him and subsequently settled in the township he was always known and recognized as the first settler. Subsequently and during this same year, Cornelius Johnson, a native of New Jersey, settled in the northwest quarter of the adjoining section (No. 9). opposite the town of Cheviot. Those two, Goudy and Johnson, with their families, were the only settlers in the township until 1804. During this year, John Miller, a German and a soldier of the Revolutionary war, settled on the northeast quarter of Section 28. Peter Crowel, a native of North Carolina, his son John, and his son-in-law William Cox, settled each on different parts of the southwest quarter of Section 28. Henry Scudder, a native of New Jersey, settled on the southeast quarter of Section 34. John Hunt, of New Jersey, settled on the northwest quarter of Section 2, and Moses Conger, of New Jersey, settled on the northeast quarter of the same section. These constituted the whole number of settlers up to 1805, and during that year three additions were

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made, to-wit: Enoch Carson, a native of New Jersey, who settled on the northeast quarter of Section 15; David Fulton, a native of Georgia, who settled on the northwest quarter of Section 10, and Barnabas Golden, a native of Ireland, who also settled on the northwest quarter of Section 10. During the year 1806 a number of additional settlers were added to the list, among whom were Charles Moore, Michael Isgrig, James Jones, Burrlard Moore, James Kirby, Michael Scott, Jacob Hay, Dennis Dusky, Michael Rybolt, Thomas Markland and Rev. J. Clark, a Methodist minister.

Enoch Carson was from Hightstown, New Jersey. He crossed the Alleghany Mountains by wagon to Pittsburgh; here he procured a flatboat and sent his family and household effects down the river, while he himself made the journey overland with his horses. He reached Cincinnati before they did, aid met them at the landing of that town December 21, 180-1. In the, spring of the following year he located in Green township on the farm where the annual Harvest Home Festivals are celebrated. Here Enoch W. Carson was born June 29, 1805, the youngest of his father's family, and the first white male child born in the township, wherein he resided until a few years before his death, which occurred October 27, 1882, at Sharon, Hamilton county.

Isaac Applegate, from New Jersey, came to Warsaw, Delhi township, in 1807, and removed to the southwestern part of Green township in 1809. In 1811 he was followed by his brother, Henry Applegate, who located on the south branch of Taylor's creek. An uncle of these brothers, Henry Applegate, came about the same time and settled on the Cleves pike a mile and a half west of Mack.

The following is a list of early families in various parts of the township: Paisley, Gideon, Stoughton, Griffith, Schwartz, Richardson, Fenton, Vail, Hutchison, Ferguson, Hart, Posey, Reed, Miller. Wood, Anderson, Noble, Orr, Holliday, Bogart, Hearn, Rybolt, Markland, Sexton, Jackson, Edwards, Powner and Bray.

The date of the erection of Green township has not been ascertained with certainty, but its organization seems to have occurred within the first decade after its settlement. Among the justices of the peace have been Enoch Carson, William Benson, Mahlon Brown, Adam Moore, John Martin, James Eppley, John Gaines and Thomas Wills.

VILLAGES.

Cheviot is one of the oldest villages in Hamilton county. Its founder was John Craig. a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, whence he immigrated to New York City and embarked in a mercantile business, the main feature of which was the importation of goods from the ancient Scotch capital. The war of 1812 was disastrous to his fortunes; be left New York, and ultimately found his way to Green township, of which he was one of the pioneers. Here he engaged in farming, an avocation with which be was entirely unfamiliar. In the early summer after their arrival, his family was sadly bereaved by the death of two sons, Archibald and Thomas. They were assisting a hired man to plant corn, and took refuge under a tree during a thunder storm; both were struck by lightning and instantly killed. This tragic event occurred May 14, 1814. Their names were Archibald and Thomas. The former was born in 1797 and the latter in 1799. Their sister, Jane, who was two years younger than Thomas, was with them in the field; she would have shared their shelter and probably their fate, but, was wearing a new sun bonnet that she had just made, and fearing it might get wet, she went to the house when the storm approached. She lived to old age, and always gave the sun bonnet the credit of having saved her life. John Craig's house stood at the spring on the premises of Strong's hotel. He became a successful farmer and continued in that pursuit to the close of his life.

The original plat of Cheviot extended from Harrison avenue to South street, and from Spring street to Beech street, with Pleasant street between Harrison and South

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and Walnut between Spring and Beech. This plat was made in 1818, and the name was suggested by Burnet Findlay & Harrison, whom Mr. Craig consulted in the matter. The principal additions to the original plat are those of Hershberg & Kaplan, Lupton & Ayres, and others.

The following is believed to be a correct and complete list of the residents of Cheviot sixty years ago: John Craig, Susan Hoffman. Charles Barber, Arthur Mullen, Samuel Carr, Mary Alter, Edward Mills, Jacob Fox, Israel Miller, Isaac Bush, Samuel Kellogg, an Ephraim Bush. The hotel was kept by Woelley & Wilmer. The first doctor in the village was Richard G. Kendall. M. D., from Salem county, N. J. He located here in 1827, and was the first resident physician in the territory now embraced in Green and Delhi townships. In 1813 he removed from Cheviot to a farm in Colerain township, and there he died July 3, 1840,

For many years Cheviot remained practically stationary. As a country village, situated in the midst of a fertile farming region, it enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity, but with the improvement or roads leading to the city, its business importance declined. Since the opening of the Westwood railroad it has received a large increase in population. much of which, however, is to be accredited to the village of Westwood, which corporation will doubtless absorb eventually that part of Cheviot still beyond its limits. Disregarding geographical boundary lines for the present, it may be said that what is popularly known as Cheviot comprises a population of about eight hundred, with three churches. several hotels, stores representing the various lines of business, carpenter and smith shops, etc. A cigar box factory is operated by Fred. Kenker, and constitutes the only manufacturing establishment of the place.

No event in the annual calendar of Cheviot possesses greater interest than the Harvest Home Festival. On the 19th of July, 1800, a number of the citizens of Green, Colerain, Mill Creek, Delhi, Miami and other western townships, met at the "Seven Mile House" for the purpose of organizing a Harvest Home Association. The project was thoroughly discussed, and the following persons were appointed to draft a constitution: Robert Moore, William L. Carson, N. Gregory, W. M. Robb and R. H. Fenton. At a meeting on the 25th, the constitution was reported and adopted. It was. however, deemed advisable to confine the association to Green township. as a permanent location was thought necessary and would otherwise have been impracticable. Tine following officers were elected for 1860-61: President, Hon. Robert Moore; vice-president, Samuel W. Carson: treasurer, N. Gregory; directors. It. H. Fenton, James Danforth, Samuel Benn, Enoch W. Carson, and J. Wise. The first festival was held August 16, 1860, at Carson's Grove. President Moore presided. The program included vocal and instrumental music, and addresses by Hon. William Johnston, Dr. J. A Warder, and Dr. Isaac J. Allen. The attendance was large, and the association was at once placed on a permanent basis. The annual festivals are attended 1e thousands of people, Speakers of acknowledged ability, often of national reputation, are secured; these occasions, are doubtless productive of highly beneficial results.

The Cheviot graveyard is the oldest, in the township. Here the first church and schoolhouse were situated, and here many of the pioneers are buried; among them we note the following: John Craig, who died September 10, 1846, aged seventy-seven years; Peter Pray, who died October 23. 1838, aged seventy-one years; John Reddish, who died February 9, 1839, aged eighty years, three months, and twenty-seven days; John Cochran, who died January 18, 1827, aged seventy seven years; Joseph Claypoole, who died September 21, 1834, aged sixty-four years, one month and seven days; Abraham McClain, who died October 29, 1818, aged fifty-five years and seven months; George Hildreth, who died May 24, 1839, aged fifty-six years and eleven days; Jonathan Noble, who was born December 6, 1785, and died January 23, 1840; Charles Moore, who died February 7, 1824, aged fifty-four years;

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Jacob Jones, who died January 19, 1847, aged sixty-six years, nine months, and five days.

Westwood is one of the most extensive incorporated villages in Hamilton county. The decree for its incorporation was issued September 14, 1868, and the succession of mayors has been as follows: John Gaines, C. H. Moore, F. H. Oehlman, Thomas Wills, F. H. Oehlman, Jr., Henry A. Faber, Louis Reemelin, and Alonzo Hildreth, present incumbent. Village clerks: Robert A. Armstrong, Joseph B. Boyd, Horace Hearn, and Ernst James, present incumbent. The Town Hall, a handsome and commodious brick building. was erected in 1888, under the administration of the following municipal authorities: Mayor, Louis Reemelin; clerk, Horace Hearn; treasurer, D. T. Stathem; marshal, Harris Davis; council, William Barlion, James N. Gamble, George H. Morris, Adam Frank, A. N. McFaddin, and George C. Witt.

Westwood is justly regarded as one of the most desirable suburbs of Cincinnati. It is not closely built, and possesses in this respect all the advantages of the country, while the municipal government confers its appropriate benefits. Frequent trains on the Cincinnati & Westwood railroad render it easily and conveniently accessible from. the city, while an electric railway is under discussion and will probably be constructed in the near future.

Among the best known of the early residents within the corporate limits of Westwood was Richard Gaines. A native of London, England, he migrated successively to Burlington, N. J., Philadelphia, Penn., and Cincinnati, locating in Green township while it was yet very sparsely settled. Finding his first location too far from the city, he sold it to a Mr. Getzendanner; here he dug the first well and cistern in the township. In 1820 he bought a farm of 160 acres on the west side of the Harrison pike in the western part of Westwood village. The site of his building is now occupied by the residence and grounds of James N. Gamble. In 1828 he established a tannery on the east side of the pike; the venture was riot profitable, however, and he relinquished it several years later. Mr. Gaines organized the first Sunday-school in the township at his house on the Getzendanner farm, and was active in promoting its religious and educational interests throughout his entire life.

Dent is situated on the Harrison pike about three miles west of Cheviot. The first house at this point was the "Three Mile Hotel," of which a Mr. Patton was one of the earliest proprietors. Other early residents were David Griffith and Abraham Hart, farmers. The first store was opened by William Longstreet; other early merchants were Sheppard & Wood and William Scudder. The first name of the village was Challengeville, which was conferred in honor of the Rev. James Challenge, a minister of the Disciple church. The present designation was given by Charles Reemelin. The village comprises a population of about one hundred; it has a Methodist church, a school building, the shops of several mechanics, and daily mail facilities.

Bridgetown is located very near the geographical center of Green township, on the Cleves pike, a mile west of its junction with the Harrison pike. Here a sawmill was operated on Muddy run, many years ago, by Ephraim Fithian, and this constituted the beginning of the village. Joseph Claypoole was the first wagon maker, and the first blacksmith was a Mr. Boyer. The village has two churches, a handsome brick schoolhouse, a daily mail, and the usual industrial and mercantile features of a country hamlet.

Mark existed as a post-village under the name of Dry Ridge. some fifty years ago. Its first merchants were Huston, St. Clair, Winter, and Markland. The last named, William Markland, was in business here until his death in 1885, a period of nearly forty years. Ebenezer Methodist church is located at this village.

CHURCHES.

The first public religious exercises in Green township were held in the house of Enoch Carson in 1806, by Rev. Samuel McMillan, a Baptist minister. The first

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church was erected in 1811, on the north side of the Harrison pike, opposite the old schoolhouse. The ground was given by Burnet, Findlay & Harrison, and the community contributed its joint exertions to the building of this place of worship. It was constructed of logs, and surrounded by the forest. After some years of occupancy it. was seriously damaged by a large tree falling upon it, and never rebuilt.

Bethel Baptist Church. was organized May 19, 1821, as " The Baptist Society of Green Township," which designation was changed to its present, style, June 5, 1821 ; on the following day Richard Gaines, Joseph Sexton, and Peter Bray were elected trustees, and David E. Stathem, clerk, all of whom were sworn into office by William J. Carson, justice of the peace. On the 11th of August, 1821, the articles of Confession of Faith and Order were subscribed to by Richard Gaines, Joseph Sexton, Peter Bray, David Sheppard, Sarah Bray, Mary H. Gaines, and Nabby T. Lewis, who, on the 3d of October following, were given the right hand of fellowship by Thatcher Lewis, William Bruce, and Henry Muggeridge. and thus the organization of the church was finally consummated. Elder George Hildreth was called as pastor, March 25, 1826, to preach two Sabbaths each month at $24 per year. Up to this time there had been no regular supply, although such men as Bruce, Lyon, Muggeridge, and others preached occasionally. Elder Hildreth continued as pastor until his death, May 24, 1839, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. The following is a list of pastors who have since served this church: Revs. George Catt, 1840; James Lyon, 1841:--- Bryant, 1841; M. Jones, 1843-46; B. T. F. Cake, 1846-47; Bruce and Lyon. 1847; Hawker and Drury, 1849: Drury and Lyon, 1851; L. Baily, 1853-57; D. Shepherdson, 1857-65; Asa Drury, 1865-66; J. A. Kirkpatrick, 1867; William Pratt, 1867-69; D. J. Griebel, 1869-71; William Roney, 1874-75; A. C. Wheaton, 1877-79; J. R. Baumes, 1880-88; E. W. Holt, 1888-91; W. S. Bayne, 1891, present incumbent.

The first place of worship was the house and barn of Richard Gaines; the next was the log church at Cheviot graveyard, upon the site of which the Baptists built a brick meeting-house in 1824. It was dedicated August 29 ill that year. Here President Harrison once delivered a Fourth of July oration. The present church edifice, a two-story brick structure oil South street, Cheviot, was dedicated April 28, 1850.

Ebenezer Methodist Episcopal Church at Mack included among its early membership some of the pioneers of the southwestern part of the township, and prominent among them may be mentioned Benjamin Markland, Tobias Miller, Eli Rofellty, Washington Markland, Ormond Mann, Rev. Samuel Lewis, and Jonathan Markland, The first church building was a log structure; the second was a brick building erected in 1849, demolished by the tornado of 1866, and rebuilt immediately. This church forms part of North Bend circuit.

Westwood (Cheviot) Methodist Episcopal Church.-The Methodist class meetings at Cheviot were first held at the homes of Lawson Wedding and Dr. Kendall. William Woolley was one of the first leaders, and among the members in 1840 were fir. and Mrs. Lawson Wedding. Al r. and Mrs. Dr. Kendall, and Mesdames Alter, Ashley, and Moore. Public worship was first conducted at private houses, and when the Presbyterian church was built in 1840 it was secured for preaching on Saturday nights. The present Methodist church, a frame structure at the southeast corner of Pleasant street and Cheviot avenue, was built in 1842. Dr. Richard Kendall, Samuel Lewis, I. C. Garrison, William Woolley, and Lawson Wedding constituted the building committee. Rev. George W. Maley was the first to preach here. The parsonage was erected in 1887. The church is a station, and the present pastor is Rev. A. U. Beall.

Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church is situated in the northern part of the township on the Pleasant Ridge road. The building was originally erected and left incomplete by another denomination. So it remained for a number of years, until, sometime in the "forties," the Methodists bought it and finished it. It was demol-

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ished by the tornado in 1866, and rebuilt the same year. Prominent. among the early members of this organization was the Rev. Williams Biddle, a local preacher. This church is now united with the Groesbeck church of Colerain township in the formation of the Groesbeck charge.

The Dent Methodist Episcopal Church forms part of North Bend circuit. The first place of worship was a log building, situated on the north side of the pike at the site of Howard's blacksmith shop or on the adjoining premises of W. M. Frankhouse. Subsequently the sides were roughly weather boarded and the front was painted. The present building is a frame edifice. 30x40. Its site was donated by John Parrott, The largest contributor was Benjamin Benn, in whose honor it received the name of Bonn's Chapel.

St. Jacob's Catholic Church is the mother church for German Catholics in the western part of Hamilton county. The first entry in the baptismal register is by Rev. Joseph Ferneding, under date of August, 1844, and among those who officiated in the Years immediately following* were Revs. Karl Joseph Boeswald, Michael Heis, Bernard Elkmann and Bernard Hengehold. Rev. J. B. Emig officiated from 1846 to 1848, and Rev. Joseph Weber from 1848 to 1851. The last named was the first resident priest, and virtual founder of the parish. His successors were Revs. Pabisch, 1851-50; J. J. Kraemer, 1856-75, and J. H. Shoefeld, 1875-the present incumbent. The first church was a log building, which served for a time as place of worship, school and teacher's residence. The present brick church was erected in 1849 by Rev. Joseph Weber: it was seriously damaged by the tornado of 1866, and rebuilt immediately. The present two-story brick schoolhouse was built in 1875. During Father Shoefeld's administration five acres have been added to the church property, the interior of the church has been remodeled, and the parish has been placed out of debt. The present numerical strength is 150 families. The churches at Cumminsville. Mt. Pleasant, Dry Ridge, Taylor's Creek and Bridgetown have been formed on the territory formerly embraced in this parish,

St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Bridgetown, is a parish of eighty families. The church property comprises nine acres. The church edifice is a brick structure, erected in 1867; the parochial residence was built in 1870. Revs. Veit, H. Felthouse and Bernard M. Muething have successively served as pastor.

First German. Protestant Church in Green. Township.--The constitution of this body is dated August 30, 1870. The first president of the congregation was F. H. Oehlman. and the first secretary was Henry Schmidt. The pastors have been Revs. Albert Schroeder. 1870-75 G. Baumstetter, 1876-82, and F. W. Rodenberg, 1882 -present incumbent. The congregation numbers 150 families. The church site and cemetery comprise four acres. The church building is a brick edifice, erected under the supervision of a building committee composed of Philip Steinman, Frederick Schaeper-Klaus and Rudolph Struebbe.

The Westwood German Presbyterian Church was organized April 10, 1871, with forty-three members, of whom Cord Seimer and John Rodler were elected elders. Rev. J. Lichtenstein presided on this occasion. The succession of pastors has been as follows: 1871-75, Rev. Nathaniel Ruetenik; 1875-88. C. W. Seaman; 1888-80, George C. Mueller; 1889-90, George A. Plug; 1891, C. Becker. The congregation worships in a frame church building at the corner of Spring and South streets, built, some years ago by an English Presbyterian church, and now owned by the Presbytery of Cincinnati.

The First Presbyterian. Church of Westwood was organized in 1881 with twenty-six rnembers. John D1, Miller, William Powell, Charles B. Lewis and Erastus Burnham constituted the first session. The organization occurred in the German Presbyterian Church. and here the congregation worshiped several years. The present church edifice, situated at the corner of Cheviot and Fairview avenues, was dedicated September 1, 1889. Rev. Charles F. Mussey, D.D., has been pastor since the church was organized.

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In this connection it is proper to revert to the Presbyterian church that existed at Cheviot some years ago, It was a brick building, with tower and ball, and stood at the northwest corner of Cheviot avenue and South street. John Craig gave the ground, and the church was built, in 1510. Among the members were Robert Orr, Mrs. Doty, Thomas Kendall, Eli Fish, Mrs. Susan Hoffman, Mrs. Robert Hope, Peter Craig and Mrs. Moore. The organization became defunct about the beginning of the Civil tear.

SCHOOLS.

The first school in Green township was taught by William J. Carson, the father of Enoch T. Carson, in a log schoolhouse built in 1807 at the cemetery west of Cheviot. Another early school was that of David E. Stathem; it was opened June 30, 1817, with the following patrons: Providence Ludlam, John Bacon, Robert Dare, James Smith, Samuel Anderson, Lewis Thornell, James Turner, Thomas Brown. John Craig, Roswell Fenton, Ephraim Stathem, Benjamin Benn, Daniel Conger, Achsah Carson, John Conger, Matthias Johnson, Mary Cain, Thomas Marshall, Nathaniel Ryan, Noah Smith, Jonathan It. Tucker, William Gain, Elisha Fay, Hugh Goudy, Abner Scud(ler, John Reddish, John Jones. Francis Holt, Elijah Brown. George Smith and John Miller. The first school at Dent was taught by Miss Amelia McLean, a sister of John R. McLean, proprietor of the Cincinnati Enquirer, The schoolhouse was a small frame structure that, stood in front of the present residence of the Misses Sheppard.

The West wood school building is a substantial and commodious brick structure, originally erected in 1870 and enlarged to its present proportions in 1890. It is surrounded by spacious grounds, hounded on three sides by Harrison, Beeehwood and Fairview avenues. Since the incorporation of the village the principals have been G. A. Claus, Daniel Moak, H. J. Disque and S. T. Logan, the present incumbent, who has held the position during the past ten years, Seven teachers are employed, and the average daily attendance during the past year was 230. The course of study is identical with that of the. Cincinnati schools, and extends as far as the third year in the high school.