HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY. - 447

CHAPTER. XXXVI

SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP.

EARLY HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION - VILLAGES - CHURCHES- ODD FELLOWS HOME AT ROSSMOYNE - EDUCATIONAL

JAMES CUNNINGHAM " was the first to break the forest in what is now Sycamore township," save John G. Olden in his Historical Sketches. Mr. Olden's researches have revealed many interesting circumstances in the life of this pioneer. He was a native of Lancaster county, Penn., and immigrated to Kentucky in 1785. Here he was employed for some time with four other young men in building cabins for settlers about twenty miles south of Covington. One of their number was killed by the Indians, and the party thereupon removed to the vicinity of Louisville. Here in 1787 Cunningham married Janette Park, and two years later they removed to Cincinnati. On May 26, 1789, he entered land warrant No. 139, " which he located on the west half of Section 28, Township 4, East Range 1, about a mile and a half north of the present village of Reading." His brothers-in-law, Arthur, Andrew, and Culbertson Park, assisted in constructing his first improvements. This must have occurred prior to 1792, for in that year he was one of the petitioners for a road from Cincinnati to Runyan's settlement As the frontier enjoyed almost unbroken peace in 1789, Mr. Olden supposes that he probably located upon this land in that year, and remained until the commencement of hostilities in the following winter, when he returned to Cincinnati. Here he resided near the corner of Walnut and Columbia streets, and was in the government service as a teamster for a year or more. However this may be, it is well authenticated that in 1793 he made his permanent residence in Sycamore township, where he built the first grist and saw mills and was an active and influential citizen.

Regarding Carpenter's settlement Mr. Olden writes as follows: "James Carpenter was one of the early settlers of Columbia. He located lands in Section 15, Township 4, Range 1, now in Sycamore township. The precise time when he commenced his improvements is not known, but it was probably during the fall of 1793, or in the Sluing of 1794. Price Thompson, a Revolutionary soldier, who was from Essex county, New Jersey, was among the founders of this settlement. He came to Mason county, Kentucky, in 1790, and remained there for two years, when, on the 26th day of November, 1792, he entered warrant No. 103, and located the northeast quarter of Section 21, Township 4, Range 1, adjoining the lands of James Carpenter. David and Abner Denman, brothers-in-law of Price Thompson, Benjamin Willis, also a brother-in-law to Thompson, Elihu Crane, and Richard and Samuel Ayres, were among the first settlers. They built ordinary cabins near to each other, at the corner of the four sections 15, l6, 21, and 22, or near where the Plainfield schoolhouse now stands. Others came to the settlement soon after peace was established with the Indians, among whom may be named James and John Mathers, Daniel and Nathaniel Reeder, Joseph McKnight, Morris Osborn, Moses Hutchings, Matthias Crow, Henry, Benjamin and Isaac Devie, Nathaniel Jarrard, Samuel Knott, and perhaps others, all of whom settled prior to 1797. The settlement was never annoyed by Indians, and there was nothing to encounter but the wild animals and the almost interminable forests."

In 1808, when Sycamore township included Symmes, but did not include the two western tiers of sections that constitute part of its present area, its tax duplicate contained the following names: (The original is no longer in existence, having been de-

448 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

stroyed in the courthouse fire; this list. was transcribed and published by Mr. Olden): Ayres, Richard; Ayres. Benagh; Abbott, Joseph; Bolser, Henry L. ; Bolser, John H. ; Bodine, Richard ; Benham, Richard; Bates, Daniel ;Bolser, Henry, Jr. ; Bolser, Joseph; Bolser, Peter: Buck, Conrad. Berry, Samuel; Bowman, John; Bates, Uzab; Bolser, John; Burns, John; Burns, James; Bolser, Henry; Bell, Peter; Bell, John; Bolser, Samuel; Beann, David; Beann, John; Ball, James; Boon, William; Buckingham, E. & L. ; Dates, Seth; Bealer, Henry; Betson, John; Bonnel, Nathaniel; Borreft, Michael; Cagier, Matthias; Cameron, Duncan; Crist, Joseph; Cram, David; Colman, William; Carlin, John; Cumming, Robert; Crain, Cyrus; Crain. Elihu; Crist, Moses: Clark, James; Clark, John: Cannady, Rebecca; Cannady, David; Crist, George; Cannady, Francis; Car. Robert; Carver, Abraham: Cummins, John; Carver, John; Cochran, John; Camel, John; Cochran, William; Davies, Samuel, Sr. ;. Davies, Isaac; Davies, James; Dusky, Eli; Dusky, Elizabeth; Dusky, Leman; Davis, Hugh; Davis, Samuel; Davis, George; Degullior, Anthony; Denman, Sarah; Denman, Abner; Denman, Joseph; Denman, Nathaniel; Edwards, Amos; Edwards, Thomas; Elliot, John; Engil, Lewis; Eason, Alexander; English, William; Felter,, Jacob; Felter, David; Felter, Cronymus; Felter, William; Freeman, Henry; Ferris, John; Ferris, Isaac; Fox, James; Gilbreth, William, Garrison, Jacob; Gordon, George; Godfaster, James; Gaston, Hugh; Gaston, Robert; Harvey, Cronymus; Hitchler, Jacob; Herron, James; Harris, Amos; Hasbrook, Daniel; Hankins, Abraham; Hankins, John; Hayden, Christopher; Hess, Francis; Hames, Joseph; Hurley, Gilbert; Hunter, James; Irwin, Samuel; Jones, Joseph; Jones, William; Johnston, Nicholas; Kerns, Jacob; Kerns, John; Kerns, Catherine; Kerns, Peter; Kitchel, Samuel; Kerns, Mathias; Lyons, John; Lock, Andrew; Logan, William; Landon, William; Lyon, Samuel; Lee, Adam; Long, Joseph; Mesner, David; McCasky, William; Mitchel, William; Miller, Burgen; McKinney, David; McGowan, William; Mitchel, William; McCullough, Samson; Mathers, John; Mathers, James; McKnight, Joseph; McGee, Joseph; McLaughlin, John; Myers, John, Sr. ; Myers, John, Jr.; McCain, John; Meeker, John; Meeker, Randolph; Miller, U. Miller; Myers, Joseph; Morgan, Mathias; Morris, Bethuel; Niseley, K. Peter; Nicholas, Francis; Osburn,, John; Osburn, Bernab; Osburn, Edward; Osburn, Morris; Patmore, Abraham; Pollock, James; Pearron, Mathias; Price, Clarkson; Pearron, Samuel; Peckinpaugh, Fred; Price, Daniel; Patterson, John; Patterson, James; Rowan, Alexander; Rowan, Robert; Rude, Felix; Rosa, Jacob; Reeder, Daniel; Reed, William; Rude, Rachel; Rude, James; Rick, Thomas; Reeder, David; Robeson, Alexander; Reeder, George; Rafogal, David; Ridenour, Joseph; Ross, James; Runyan, Henry, Sr.; Runyan, Henry, Jr.; Stewart, John; Sheal, Thomas; Sheaf, James; Snyder, Cornelius; Stickel, Mathias; Sipes, Charles; Sipes, Frederick; Schenk, David; Smith, Edward; Sheal, Daniel; Sears, Samuel; Sears, Gideon; Sears, Benjamin, Sr.; Sears, John; Sears, Benjamin, Jr.; Stewart, John, Sr.; Shoal, Isaac; Shuff, John; Shored, Richard; Sinkey, John; Terwillegar, John; Terwillegar, Nath.; Taulman, Joseph; Tise, Henry; Thompson, Samuel; Thompson, Samuel, Sr.; Thompson, John; Thompson, Price; Whitesides, James; Weller, Lodwick; Wallis, Nathaniel; Williams, John; Williams, George; Weller, Andrew; Whitesides, William; Waldsmith, Christian, Waldsmith, Peter; Waldsmith, John; Winans, John; Whitaker, William; Whitaker, Nathaniel; Whitaker, Jonathan; Willis, Benjamin; Winans, Mary; Youst, Abraham.

VILLAGES.

Reading.-The first settlement at Reading was made in 1794 by Abraham Voorhees. He was accompanied by his sons, Miney, Abraham, Garrett. John, and Jacob, and his sons-in-law, Thomas Higgins and John Rynearson. For purposes of mutual protection and defense. They united in the erection and occupancy of a large log house, the location of which was on the west bank of Mill creek within the present

HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY. - 449

limits of Lockland. This house was designed also as a fortification, but fortunately no occasion arose for its use in this respect. It was removed in 1817. This settlement was made on the southern half of Section 33.

In the early spring of 1795 the Voorhees settlement was reinforced by the arrival of the Redinbo family, consisting of Henry and Margaret Redinbo and their eleven children, viz., Solomon, Frederick, John, Philip, Samuel, Andrew, Henry, Adam, Ann, Barbara, and Margaret. Mr. Olden, from whose sketches these facts are derived, states that they were from Reading, Berks county, Pennsylvania, and that Solomon was drowned while crossing the Schuylkill river, just as they set out on their departure for the West. The Redinbos located upon the southern half of section 27, and constructed their improvements on laud subsequently owned by Dr. Thomas Wright.

Regarding the further history of the Voorhees family, Mr. Olden says: "Abraham Voorhees, Jr., was a blacksmith, and, in anticipation of a rapid settlement in the neighborhood, he built himself a cabin and blacksmith shop on the east side of a road that had previously been opened, leading from White's Station to Runyan's settlement, at a point where now stands the dwelling and storehouse of James Browne on the northeast corner of Main and Columbia streets in Reading. There he carried on his business for a number of years, using a hickory stump as an anvil. Miney Voorhees, the second son, commenced a clearing and built a cabin on the northwest quarter of Section 32. He built his house on the west bank of Mill creek, a few hundred yards south of where the iron bridge now spans the creek between Lockland and Reading, and in what is now Conklin's addition to Lockland. He and his brother Abraham built a sawmill there at a very early day. The house was still standing in 1834. Garret Voorhees, the third son, made his improvements on the lands now owned and occupied by his son Harvey. Thomas Higgins, who married Nellie Voorhees, settled on the west bank of the creek some distance north of Garret's improvements, and John Rynearson, who married Ann Voorhees, located still west of Higgins, near where the old residence of the late Jeremiah Dunn now stands. John Higgins, a brother to Thomas, settled north of and on adjoining lands to his brother. All these improvements have long since disappeared. Frederick and John Redinbo also built cabins on their father's lands. And about the year 1798 Abraham Voorhees laid out the town of Reading, although the plat was not recorded until 1804. It was first called Voorheestown, but at the suggestion of Henry Redinbo it was changed to Reading, in honor of his native place in Pennsylvania."

The plat of Reading was acknowledged by Abraham Voorhees before Justice Adrian Hagerman, January 7, 1804. Several lots were added by Abraham Voorhees, Jr., in, 1813, and several important additions have been made in recent years.

Reading was incorporated as a village by legislative enactment of March 20; 1851, and the first officers were as follows: Mayor, James Clark; recorder, Ralph Voorhees; council, James Blackman, George Thornhill, Henry Wachendorf, D. S. Ackerman, and David Lee. The succession of mayors has been as follows: 1851, James Clark; 1852, Robert Carson; 1853, Ralph Voorhees; 1854-55, Solomon Burkhalter; 1856-57, Ralph Voorhees; 1858, Benjamin Saxton; 1859, Ralph Voorhees;: 1860, William H. Ludlow; 1861, Michael Williams; 1862-63, M. S. Williams; 1864, Benjamin Saxton; 1865, Luther Melendy; 1865, Solomon Burkhalter, 1866-67, C. H. Helmkamp; 1868-69, Luther Melendy; 1870-71, C. H. Helmkamp; 1872-77,W. S. Brown; 1878-79, Joseph J. Mueller; 1880-81, W. A. Huntsman; 1882-87, C. O. Decamp; 1888-89, H. D. Root; 1890-93, Jacob Greiner. The town hall is a brick building on Columbia street, formerly used as a Presbyterian church. Waterworks, and electric light plants are now under construction under village auspices. The estimated cost is $40,000. The trustees in charge of these improvements are Julius Hesterberg, Edward Hebenstreit, and D. W. McClure, with Andrew G. Ankenbauer as clerk.

450 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

One of the oldest villages in the county, Reading has been, throughout its history, one of the most prosperous. Local industries of importance were early established here, but its growth in population received its first impetus in the development of the manufacturing industries of Lockland. Later it became the objective point of a large German immigration, and this nationality constitutes the large majority of the population. There are four churches, two German Lutheran, one German Catholic, and one English Catholic.

The manufacture of ready-made clothing constitutes the principal industry of Reading. Coats and vests are made exclusively and in large quantities for the wholesale clothing trade of Cincinnati. There are also two fireworks factories, and a vinegar works. The Reading branch of the Consolidated Fireworks Company of America was removed to this point in 1585 from Mt. Adams, Cincinnati, where the business was begun in 1848 by H. P. Diehl. Seventy-five operatives are employed here. The A. L. Due Fireworks Company, of which A. L. Due is president, and Henry Krucker secretary and treasurer, was established in 1891, and employs ninety operatives. This is the only factory in the country that is operated independently of the trust. The Union Vinegar Works were established in 1882, and have a capacity of fifty barrels per day. H. Laers and H. Rennecker are the proprietors.

Montgomery is one of the oldest towns in the county. It was originally platted in 1802 by Nathaniel Terwilliger, but settlement had been made here before the close of the last century. In 1795 Jacob Irominius and David Felter and their three brothers-in-law, Cornelius Snyder, Nathaniel Terwilliger, and Jacob Rosa, located upon Section 4, having immigrated from Ulster county, New York. The section was purchased from Thomas Espy, June 27, 1796, for $1,440, by Snyder, while the larger part of Section 3 was bought by Terwilliger. Perhaps the history of the village is best told in the language of Mr. Richard Nelson in his work on " Suburban Homes," from which the following extracts are made:

"Like most towns of its size Montgomery has no written history. Situated on a leading road, it became a resting place for teamsters and travelers, and so grew up from a single tavern to what it now is, a town of five hundred inhabitants, A log cabin formed the first tavern of the place. This was situated on the southeast corner of Main and Mechanic streets, on what is known as the Station road, and kept by John Osborn. A man named Yost opened another tavern on the diagonal corner. Some idea of the extent of travel, or the drinking habits of the people of that time (1809), may be formed when we state that a fifty-barrel supply of whiskey for the year failed to meet the demand upon Yost's bar.

"In 1806-7 a number of citizens from Montgomery, Orange Co., N. Y., came by the way of Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh) and Columbia, and settled around this point, as a good place for trade and farming. Among these were Jacob and Cranmer Felton, Cornelius Snider (grandfather of James Snider), John C. Weller, Nathaniel Terwilliger, Joseph Taulman, H. Crist, Jacob Roosa and others. Coming from Montgomery they naturally named the new place in honor of their old home. In 1810 a company of these men was organized for the purpose of erecting and running a gristmill. Some of the names were Elliott, Crist, Snider and Sears-the latter was the millwright. Soon after commencing business in the mill, they opened a store on the corner now occupied by R. Parrott. In 1816 additions to the town were made by Joseph Taulman and Lodwick Weller, and subsequently two more by Daniel Hayden and Eli Dusky.

"As early as 1807 a rifle company was formed, and Montgomery soon became a place for battalion muster. Quite a military spirit was excited, which was maintained for many years afterward.

" Some of the early industries of Montgomery, besides those mentioned, were the manufacture of wagons for the southern market, pork packing and cabinet making. Henry Snider conducted the wagonmaking business, and built his own boats to carry

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his freight. The gunwales of these boats consisted of logs fifty or sixty feet in length, and were hewed in the village. To get them to the river they were placed upon wheels, and being hard to manage, required a steersman as well as a teamster. To steer this caravan, a pole was inserted in the renter of the hind axle and made to project backward; this was the tiller, and the man on foot behind the logs was the steersman.

" One of the oldest citizens of Montgomery is Abraham Roosa, who is seventy-nine years of age. His father, Jacob Roosa, and family, came out from New York in 1799. With him came also a man named Ayres, who was one of the builders of the first ocean vessel, a brig, built at Columbia. In Abraham's boyhood, wolves had not been exterminated, and as cattle were allowed to run at large it was necessary to have them brought home in the evening and securely penned. As soon as Abraham was able to handle a gun this duty devolved upon him. Provided with musket, ammunition and a faithful dog, he would track the objects of his search by the sound of the bells, and before the shades of evening set in, have them secure.

" Montgomery has contributed her quota of public men. For the early militia, she furnished a general of note-Cornelius Snider. John Snider' she sent to the legislature many years ago, and Dr. Alexander Duncan to Congress. California is indebted to her for a governor-Weller was a Montgomery boy-and the legislative halls of the State were reinforced by Dr. William Jones, on more than one occasion, and by George Crist, of the firm of Creighton & Co., at another time. In the Presbyterian church, the Rev. Daniel Hayden served with distinction, and in the Universalist church, the Rev. A. Laurie, who was ordained in Montgomery church, was a distinguished advocate of the doctrines of his denomination. Thirty-eight years of practice of medicine in the vicinity, entitles Dr. Naylor's name to a place here.

" Of Dr. Duncan's history and habits, we learned something from Dr. Jones, and had the pleasure of examining his portrait, made by a young artist named Sweet, who carried it across the Atlantic and over Europe, as a specimen of his skill in painting. The Doctor's history is an interesting one. He was a lover of public life, and an ardent advocate of Democratic measures. He was also attached to out-door pleasures, driving and fishing, and when in company with a friend, would often not exchange words for miles of travel, and when lie did break silence, it would be by the utterance of some remarkable statement, or by propounding some difficult problem. It was the Doctor's custom when about to engage in a fishing expedition, to catch his minnows in Sycamore creek, but some said that he was often fishing for votes when be was supposed to be engaged in legitimate piscatorial pursuits; accordingly the knowing ones would account for his absence from home, by saying he was catching minneys in the Sycamore.'

"Montgomery was not so unimportant a settlement as to be overlooked by the showmen of the day. As early as 1812, the leader of a troupe and proprietor of a menagerie with Barnum's enterprise and Robinson's pluck, entered the great town of two taverns, procured a stable and provender for his menagerie, and board and lodging for his troupe. Next day he advertised his great show, and the news was blazed abroad throughout the entire settlement, and the wagons and horses, men and and women, boys and girls, came to the number of fifty. The exposition was a complete success. Exposition Hall was crowded to the hay mows, and the mulatto man, with his docile elephant, were the finest troupe that had ever acted, and the greatest show that had ever been exhibited in the town of Montgomery."

Mr. Nelson might have mentioned also the horse races, which constituted an important feature in the business and social life of the village fifty years ago. These occasions were attended by well-known jockeys from southern Ohio and the adjacent portion of Kentucky, and were accompanied by the accessories usually associated with the turf.

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The village had an early and rapid growth, to which its location in the midst of a fertile farming region and upon one of the principal overland thoroughfares to Cincinnati contributed. But it early reached the limit of development, and remained practically stationary for many years. In recent times there has been more improvement than formerly, owing to the opening of railroad communication with the city. There are three churches: Methodist, Presbyterian, and Universalist. The population is about five hundred.

Sharon is pleasantly situated in the Mill crook valley on the line of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis railroad, and is one of the most northerly towns in the county. Its site was originally embraced in the farm of Simon Hageman, who settled immediately west of the village in 1796. The present Hageman homestead was built in 1818-22, and is the oldest house in the village. The town was platted in 1818 by Simon Hageman, Josephus Myers, Philemon Mills, and Abijah Jones. Its early growth was rapid. Improvements were made, stores and local industries were established, and the large amount of travel over the road to Cincinnati sustained several large hotels. Among the residents in 1833 were William Rieck. Thornton Cornell, James Whallon, and Henry Jones, merchants; William Turner and William Rogers, blacksmiths; Adrian Hageman, Jr., wagon maker; David Miller and James Graham, hotel proprietors; William Smith, physician; Moses Crist, river trader; Benjamin Burroughs and Ephraim Jones, shoemakers; John B. Hoe], harness maker; James Wall, brass founder; David Williamson, tailor; William Whallon, carpenter; Thomas Gray, and Peter Vanmiddleswarth. It is perhaps doubtful whether the village has grown to any extent since that date. However, it is to-day a place of considerable local business importance. There is a rich farming community tributary to it, which gives stability to its mercantile and industrial interests; the place has also something of the character of a suburban town, an appreciable proportion of the population being employed elsewhere.

Brecon is a post-village and station on the Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern railway, fifteen miles from Cincinnati. The first improvements at this point were made by Thomas Stewart, who opened the first store and was the first postmaster. The first blacksmith was Herman Heile. The station was originally named Wheeler, in honor of Vice-President Wheeler, and the name Brecon was conferred by the Post Office Department at the suggestion of William McClintock, editor of the Lebanon Star. No subdivision of real estate in this vicinity was made until 1893, when several tracts north and south of the village aggregating two hundred acres were platted and offered for sale by a syndicate represented by Hiram S. Mathers. The town comprises a population of fifty, with store, school, and church. The brickyard of George H. Bruns is an important local industry, employing twenty men.

Blue Ash derives its name from the old church and school of that name, for which it was suggested by the prevailing character of the timber in the surrounding region. The first name of the railroad station was Harper, which was conferred in honor of President Harper, of the Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern railway. This point is twelve miles from the city, and here the branch line to Montgomery diverges. The first subdivision here was made by Archibald Johnston for the estate of J. R. McMeen, in 1888. Subsequent subdivisions are those of Blair & Lewis, Ellman, Smith, and those known as Earndale and Arcadia. During the past few years Blue Ash has improved rapidly, and has now a population of several hundred. A fine brick schoolhouse was erected in 1892.

Hazelwood is fourteen miles from Cincinnati on the line of the Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern railroad. Prior to the era of village improvement the site was principally owned by Thomas Smith. Wood, Harmon & Company platted and opened it to the market in 1888. There are two stores, a schoolhouse, and a population of about one hundred.

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Rossmoyne is ten miles from Cincinnati on the Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern railroad. On the west side of the railroad the settlement was originally known as East Sycamore. Here a small grocery store was established by John O. Brown immediately after the close of the war of 1812. Within a few years it passed into the hands of Ebenezer Ferris, who conducted it until his death; he was succeeded by his son, Henry C. Ferris, the present proprietor, an(] it is probable that this store has been conducted by members of the same family longer than any other place of business in the county. East of the railroad the land was principally embraced in the farm of Lee Cosley; from him it passed to Mills & Kline, by whom the first subdivision was made. They gave it the name of "Mill Dale, for which Rossmoyne was substituted by subsequent owners. The village has a population of 400 and the promise of rapid improvement in the immediate future. A Methodist church is located here.

Deer Park is situated upon the farm originally settled in 1796 by Samuel Pierson, whose descendants owned the property until its subdivision by a land syndicate. Here there is one store and a Catholic church.

CHURCHES.

The earliest church organized within the present limits of Sycamore township was the Carpenter's Run Baptist church, constituted June 17, 1797, with fire members: Richard and Mary Ayres, Morris and Esther Osborn, and Sarah Brown. Richard Ayres was the first deacon, and John Ferris, who. With his wife Elizabeth, was received in July, 1797, was the first clerk. In 1799 a church building was erected at the present site of the Plainfield schoolhouse, which, from the fact that blue ash entered entirely into its construction, received the name of the Blue Ash meeting-house. In 1803 the membership exceeded sixty, but its growth was greatly retarded by constant dissensions, finally resulting in the dissolution of the society in 1828.

Montgomery Presbyterian Clinch was organized in 1801 by Rev. James Kemper under the name of the Sycamore Creek congregation. The first place of \worship was a log schoolhouse a mile from Montgomery, near Sycamore creek. In 1803 the name was changed to Hopewell, and a log church was built a mile and a half north of Montgomery, at the present location of the cemetery. The next place of worship was the Academy at Montgomery. The site of the original of the present structure was selected in 1829, but it was not completed until 1834. In 1891 it was remodeled and renovated throughout, and rededicated November 8th of that year. These improvements were effected under the supervision of a building committee composed of Rev. L. L. Overman, James Johnston, I. A. Conklin, Walter Buckingham, Edgar Mitchel, J. W. Ayers, and Jasper Littell. The church has had the following pastors: Revs. James Kemper, 1805-07; Daniel Hayden, 1810-19; L. G. Gains, 1822-34; D. K. McDonald, 1837-42; Jonathan Edwards, 1844-47; G. M. Hair, 1849-52; Thomas F. Cortelyou, 1862-87, and L. L. Overman, 1888

Mount Carmel Baptist Church was constituted July 20, 1822, by a council of which William Robb was moderator, and James Jones, clerk. There were twenty-five original members. prominent among whom were Adam Lee, John Ferris, Isaac Ferris, James Mitchell, Enoch Ferris, Samuel Thompson. Joseph Thompson, Francis Mitchell, Nathaniel Denman, Andrew Hammel, and Matthias Felter. The church site comprises one acre, and was donated by Adam Lee in 1823; the trustees at that time were Andrew Hammel, John Ferris, and Adam Lee. The building is a brick structure, and is situated at the eastern limit of the village of Rossmoyne. Among the early pastors were James Jones, Jacob Martin, Thomas Craven, Isaac Smith, William Bruce, George Catt, Daniel Bryant, James Hopper, and James Lyon.

454 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

Montgomery Methodist Episcopal Church..-This society was originally organized at Price's schoolhouse, a mile and a half north of Montgomery, probably as early as 1825. Prior to 1829 the place of worship was changed to the academy and the residence of Joseph Reeder at Montgomery, and a few years subsequent to that date the present church building was erected. Prominent among the pastors have been Revs. Arthur Elliott, Bishop Foster, J. M. Buckley, Levi White, and Granville Mood`.

The Sharon Presbyteria Church was organized July 2, 1836, by Revs. Thomas J. Biggs and Benjamin Graves. The first elders were Simon Hageman, Samuel Franklin, and Adrian L. Hageman. The place of worship is a brick building. erected shortly before the organization. This church shares in the pastoral care of the Rev. Dr. James, of Spring Dale.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Sharon was organized in 1837 by Rev. Levi White; the first trustees were Peter Connery. John Vanzant, Joseph Phillips, John Ross, John Ferris, Andrew Myers, and John Myers, of whom Andrew Myers is the only survivor. The church edifice is a brick structure, situated on Sycamore street between Main and Rose. It was built in 1837.

The Montgomery Universalist Church was organized August 3, 1839. The first officers were Jacob Felter, Tyke Chamberlain, John Snyder, David Thompson, and William Turk, trustees: Lloyd S. Brown, clerk; N. Sehoonmaker, treasurer, and Jacob Felter, moderator. The following is a list of pastors: Revs. John A. Gurley, E. M. Pingree, E. R, Biddlecome, G. L. Demorest, W. S. Bacon, Marion Crossley, J. S. Cantwell, J. D. H. Corwine, J. W. Henley, and B. G. Carpenter.

The Sharon. Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized May 8, 1844, with seventeen constituent members, of whom Samuel Vail, Jacob Whallon. and Thomas Shepherd composed the first session. The place of worship was built soon after; in 1892 it was remodeled, and dedicated July 20th in that year.

The Sharon Universalist Church was organized December 14, 1845, by Rev. D. R. Biddlecome. The first trustees, elected February 7, 1846, were Hosea Tullis, Jacob Mosteller, and Alfred Runyan. Isaac Runyan was the first treasurer and Henry Patmoy the first clerk. The pastors have been Revs. D. R. Biddlecome, W. S. Bacon, G. W. Quinby, G. L. Demorest, J. W. Henley, H. L. Canfield, and John A. Gurley, The place of worship is a brick building on Main street.

St. Peter and tit. Paul Catholic Church, Reading.-The first settlement of Catholics at Reading occurred in 1848 or '49, and in 1850 a church building 60x43 feet in dimensions was built. Rev. A. Stephan, the first resident pastor, assumed charge in 1851 and built the parochial residence. His field of labor embraced Reading, Sharon, Glendale, Chester, Monrovia, Mason, etc. He was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Wittier, who remained three years, Rev. J. Albrink became pastor in June, 1858. May 21, 1860, the church edifice was demolished by a cyclone. New foundations were laid in the same year, 100x45 feet in dimensions, and in the spring of 1861 the completed edifice was dedicated by Archbishop Purcell. The brick school building was erected in 1863. In 1872 Rev. B. Henghalt assumed charge, but died two months later, and was succeeded by Rev. John Kress. He was followed by Revs. Brumer in 1879, August Fischer in 1881, and Charles Wiederholt in 1887. The church was enlarged one-third in 1887. The parish numbers 340 families.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Reading, was organized by Rev. Frederick Dulitz, April 12, 1852. The first vestry was composed of Rudolph Schurman, president, Andrew Duble, Karl Liemann, John Jacobi, Franz Depnal, and John J. Holzhauen. Revs. Frederick Dulitz, Richard Herbst, Breitfeld, Frederick Seitz, George Baughman, Spangenberg, George Buchholtz, and August Eberbach have served as pastors. The first church edifice was built in 1853; it is a brick structure, and still stands on the hill southeast. of the village. The present place of worship, a brick

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edifice at the corner of Maple and Jenny Lind streets, was erected in 1873. The brick pastoral residence was built in 1889.

St. John's Lutheran Church, in the eastern part of the township near Sixteen Mile Stand, is a brick edifice and was built in 1873. The pastors since 1877 have been Revs. H. M. Kreuter, John V. Jahraus, H. Tessner, C. G. F. Schmidt, Christopher Fleroldt, H. Taeger, and Frederick Riedel.

The Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Reading, was founded by Rev. John Kress, whose successors in the pastoral relation have been Revs. Joseph Stoeppelman, Charles McCallion, Dennis Mackey, James Carey, Charles Wiederholt, and M. J. Loney. The church edifice is a brick structure and was dedicated in 1874. This parish was attended by the pastors of St. Peter and St. Paul until 1879, when Rev. Kress became its first resident pastor.

Bthel Methodist Episcopal Church at Brecon was built in 1876. The society formerly worshiped in Warren county on the line of Hamilton, but, the church building at. that point having been destroyed by fire, the present location was selected. The site was donated by C. W. P. Green. Since 1876 the pastors have been Revs. C. W. Calbfus. Wilson Short, John Stewart, J. M. Vorhis, Jonathan Conrey, E. B. Thompson, and J. A. Winkler.

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, Reading, was organized by Rev. A. J. Spangenberg, who has been succeeded in the pastoral relation by Revs. Schilling Schory, C. Kraft, Cornelius Schimmel, and Paul Repke. The brick church edifice at the corner of Jefferson and Coppee streets was built in 1880.

Rossmoyne Methodist Episcopal Church was organized July 22, 1889, by Rev. J. C. Hartzell, D. D. The frame church building at the corner of Cosby and Monroe avenues was built in 1890.

The Catholic Church of St. John the Evangelist at Deer Park is a handsome brick structure and was built in 1891.

The First Presbyterian Church of Rossmoyne.---The Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern railroad opened to the population of Cincinnati unequaled opportunities for homes. unrivaled for cheapness, healthfulness and beauty of scenery. Such inducements soon led business men and capitalists to avail themselves of opportunities fur homes. The population rapidly increased, and very soon the want of a church organization and house of worship was felt by the community. During the winter and spring; of 1888, J. J. Wright. a citizen of Pleasant Ridge, generously offered to donate a lot valued at $500 to either the Episcopal, Methodist or Presbyterian denominations conditioned on the organization of a church and the building of a house of worship. The Episcopal church contemplating an organization at Kennedy and the Methodist Episcopal at Milldale, the same, the way seemed clear for a Presbyterian church. A Sunday-school had been organized and occasional preaching by Rev. J, H. Walter, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Pleasant Ridge. This had formed a nucleus for a Presbyterian church, and the other denominations named not, being able to accept .Mr. Wright's offer, some of the leading workers in the Sunday-school, among which T. K. Gallaway and wife. S. V. Oliver and wife, C. G. Hutchinson and wife, James \V. Brown and wife, William Pierson and wife, and Mrs. Ann 'Morgan, with Rev. J. H. Walter, were most prominent, with others procured a subscription for the building of the house of worship.

This being clone C. G. Hutchinson, T. K. Gallaway and William Pierson were appointed a committee to visit Cincinnati Presbytery at Lebanon April 9, and ask for the organization of a Presbyterian church at Silverton. The Presbytery appointed a committee consisting of Revs. D. J. Jones, J. H. Walter, and A. M. Dawson, and elders C. G. Hutchinson and T. K. Gallaway, to view the ground and if advisable to proceed to organize a Presbyterian church. This committee met April 18, 1588, at the residence of Elder C. G. Hutchinson, and organized with Rev. J. 1). Jones, chairman, and T. K. Gallaway, secretary, J. H. Walter made a

456 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

statement of facts relating to the organization of a church, and after a full discusstatement and deliberation it was resolved to organize said church on the first. Sabbath in May (the sixth) at two o'clock P. The committee met accordingly at the residence of C. G. Hutchinson on May 6, 1888, and proceeded to organize the First Presbyterian Church of Silverton, with a membership of twenty-eight; nine by profession, and eighteen by letter. T. K. Gallaway and S. V. Oliver were elected and ordained elders.

After the organization of the church, immediate steps were taken for the building of a house of worship. With a liberal subscription of several citizens, and a donation of $500 from the church erection fund, the house of worship was built, and dedicated free of debt in October, 1888. Written by Capt. Samuel Betts Halley.

THE ODD FELLOWS' HOME AT ROSSMOYNE.

The subject of providing a home for the aged and indigent members of the Order in Ohio had been one of much interest to mans' members of the Subordinates and the Grand Lodge for several years; hut no important steps for its establishment wore taken until May, 1882, when its organization was perfected in Cincinnati under the name of "The Odd Yellows Home Association of Ohio;" and on the twenty-seventh day of said month the association was duly and legally incorporated.

With the necessary delay in securing funds. and the selection of a suitable location for the home, some time elapsed before the hopes of its friends were realized.

The Home is situated in the village of Rossmoyne, Hamilton Co., Ohio, On the Cincinnati, Lebanon & Northern railway, about ten miles north of the city. The property is beautifully located on what is known as the Highland route, and is art excellent selection by reason of its healthfulness and accessibility. The Home was dedicated May 5. 1890, and is now successfully operated and bids fair to be a blessing to Odd Fellowship.

EDUCATIONAL.

Regarding the early schools of Montgomery Mr. Nelson writes:-- "Schools were not, neglected in the early history of the place, though the buildings were as primitive in design as in finish. Within one hundred yards of the writer's residence was the first schoolhouse built in Montgomery. This was so constructed that openings were left in the logs to serve as windows. In summer these were left without sash; in the winter. sized newspapers subserved the double purpose of sash and window-glass. A mode of punishment, equally primitive, called for another opening of six inches in the rude floor. Into this offenders were required to thrust a bare foot and keep it there until released by the teacher. As snakes were numerous in summer and the around under the house open, the discipline proved effective.

"In the course of some years the Montgomery Academy was organized. This was a classical school, and was under good management. Professors Hayden, Locke, and Moore were some of the teachers. It was in this academy that Dr. William Jones had his education before entering upon the study of medicine. James Snider was also a scholar of this as well as of the were primitive school, where he acquired some prominence during a `barring out' adventure."

The academy of Mt. Notre Dame, at Reading, is one of the most important educational institutions in the county. It is conducted by the sisters of Notre Dame, and was originally established at Cincinnati in 1840. The present site was purchased in 1859 and comprises seventy acres. In 1860 the main building was erected, and five large wings have since been added to it. It combines every requirement for comfort, convenience, safety, and health. The curriculum embraces courses in literature, music, painting and drawing. The grounds possess great natural beauty, to which art, has added many embellishments.