HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY. - 457

CHAPTER XXXVII.

SYMMES TOWNSHIP.

LOCATION - VILLAGES - CHURCHES

THE township of Symmes occupies the extreme northeastern part of Hamilton county, of which it is one of the smaller subdivisions. It adjoins Sycamore township on the west and Columbia on the south; the Little Miami river separates it front Clermont county, and on the north the adjacent county is Warren. The township was originally included in Sycamore, and its separate organization occurred about the year 1825. Its extreme length from north to south, seven miles, is attained along the western boundary; the extreme width is four tunes, along the northern boundary.

VILLAGES.

Camp Dennison is one of the most historic points in the valley of the Little Miami. It was originally selected by Gen. Scott as the location of an army hospital, and at the outbreak of the war of the Rebellion its survey as a military camp was done under the supervision of Gen. Rosecrans. The camp extended from the river to the hills, and from the Miamiville bridge to a point a mile below the present southern limit of the village. The camp was regularly laid out; it had a system of water distribution, comprising a pumping engine, reservoir, and service mains; since the abandonment of the camp the lead pipe that composed these mains has been excavated in many places.

The first settlement here was a hamlet called Germany, situated in the southeastern part of the village. It comprised grist, paper, and saw mills; a distillery, a large general store, shoemaker and blacksmith shops, all owned and operated by Matthias Kugler. Operations were suspended prior to the outbreak of the war, during which the engines of this establishment were utilized in pumping water for the camp reservoir.

The entire site of the village before the war was comprised in a farm of 160 acres owned by Nimrod Price. That part. of the plat between the railroad and the river was subdivided by Elijah Campbell, and subsequent subdivisions have been made by Hermann & Browneyes, William Beard, and Nimrod Price. The village began its history under the most, gratifying auspices; lots were eagerly purchased at high prices, and a place of some size and importance seemed immediately assured. These expectations, however, have not as yet been realized. Camp Dennison is a village of about three hundred inhabitants, with two stores and one church, Methodist Episcopal. The post office designation was once changed to Grand Valley, but the change was never recognized by the railroad authorities. It is certainly appropriate that a name of such historic interest should continue to apply to the locality to which it naturally belongs.

West Loveland, by the census of 1890, had a population of 392. It is incorporated with the village of Loveland, which enjoys the unique distinction of being situated in three counties-Clermont, Warren, and Hamilton. That part, west of the Little Miami river was originally embraced in the Ferguson farm, forty-six acres of which were purchased in 1872 by Dr. N. W. Bishop. He at once subdivided the entire tract, and offered the lots at public sale April 28, 1872. The bridge across the river was then approaching completion, and the property was regarded with great favor. About half of the property has been improved. It is purely a place

458 - HISTORY OF CINCINNATI AND HAMILTON COUNTY.

of residence. There are two churches. African Methodist and Baptist. Loveland is at the limit of suburban travel on the Little Miami and Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern railroads, enjoying in this respect exceptional facilities.

Symmes was well known for many years before the opening of the railroad as the location of the company mills. These comprised grist, saw, and carding mills, and were largely patronized by the inhabitants of an extensive territory. The village was platted by James Pollock in 1817 and received as its first designation a derived abbreviation of the founder's name-Polktown, "The Company Mill," however, was much more frequently applied to it.

Remington, a place of some local business importance, is situated on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern railroad. twenty niles from Cincinnati. It is the location of a Christian church.

Sixteen, Mile Stand, as its name indicates, is a hamlet orr the Montgomery pike sixteen miles from Cincinnati. A German Lutheran church is situated in the vicinity.

CHURCHES.

Sycamore United Presbyterian Church members of the Associated Reformed church were among the early settlers of the Miami valleys. Jeremiah Morrow came to this country in 1795, and, probably at his suggestion. the synod was requested to furnish thorn with preaching. Rev. Matthew Henderson was sent in 1797, Rev. David Proudfit in 1798, and Rev. Robert Warwick in 1799. Under Mr. Warwick's leadership a church, called Mill Creek. was organized. Jeremiah Morrow and James Burns were the. first elders, and Joseph McKnight and John Becket were added to the session soon after the organization. A church edifice was built near Glendale. About 1800 a division occurred, and those adhering to the Associate Reformed faith moved the place of worship to a point on Sycamore creek, fourteen miles east of Cincinnati. The present church edifice was built in 1847, The pastors have been Revs. Robert Warwick. 1799-; David Risk, 1807- 1816; John Graham, 1830-34; Peter Monfort, 1836-45; Henry Allen, 1846-55; R. K. Campbell. 1856-65; If. Y. Lieper, 1867-69; James H. Elliott, 1870-80; S. A. Buck, 1880-83; R. S. McClanahan, 1887-90, and A. S. Bailey, 1893-. Sycamore United Presbyterian church is a landmark in the religious history of this locality.

The Remington Christian Church was originally a stone building, subsequently converted into a mill and now occupied as a dwelling. The present church edifice was erected under the pastorate of Rev. Ullery.