HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

379 CHAPTER XII.

PHILIP GUNCKEL -HENRY BROWN - JONATHAN HARSHMAN - H. G. PHILLIPS.

PHILIP GUNCKEL

THE colony of Pennsylvania Germans who settled at the forks of the Twin Creeks in this county about the 1st of August, 1804, was probably the first of any considerable number of Germans to locate in the Miami Valley. Philip Gunckel was the most prominent man in the colony, and was their leader.

He was one of the very few of their number who could talk or understand English. He was born in Berks County. Penn., April 7, 1766, grew up to hard work, learned the trade of milling, and, in 1793, married Katarina (Catherine) Schaeffer, who was born in Berks County, Penn., July 12, 1766.

Mr. Gunckel had saved some money, and in 1796 they moved to Centre County, Penn., where he built a grist-mill and became proprietor of the village of Millheim.

Their children--John, Michael, Catherine. Philip, Jacob and Sarah-were born in Pennsylvania; Daniel P. and Elizabeth, were born at Germantown, in this county.

Catherine married Lewis Shney; Sarah married Henry Zellers; and Elizabeth married Dr. C. G. Espich.

All lived in German Township, this county.

In 1803, Mr. Gunckel, with two or three others, made a trip West to the Ohio, and down the valley in search of land for a colony, but. failing to make a purchase. returned to Pennsylvania.

During the succeeding winter, twenty-four German families arranged to start overland in wagons from Berks and Centre Counties, with the understanding that all were to meet at Pittsburgh, and from there journey together down the Ohio.

In pursuance of this plan, in several parties. they made the trip over the mountains, and at Pittsburgh united with Philip Gunckel as their leader.

The people and plunder, horses, wagons and cattle, were loaded in flat boats for the trip down the river to Cincinnati, where they arrived safely June 20. After a delay of several days, they continued their journey up the Mill Creek Valley to Hamilton, and on up the Miami to Hole's Station, near where they went into camp, comfortably living in buts and wagons for about two weeks, while the men folks were looking around for unoccupied land. Finding desirable locations along the Miami and up Hole's Creek and Bear Creek, already occupied. Mr. Gunckel and others crossed over the hill to Twin, where, at the forks of the two creeks, they found a few scattered cabins and small clearings, occupied by settlers and squatters.

Here were the mill sites that Mr. Gunckel was seeking, and here the rich bottom lands that the colony could occupy.

The newcomers were men of means and nearly all farmers. A dicker was made with the squatters for their " cabin rights."

The settlers were bought out, enough Government land was taken to give the colony what land they wanted, and the entries were completed at the land office in Cincinnati.

It was a strong colony of thrifty people, better equipped with cabin fur-

380 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

niture, cooking utensils and farming implements than frontier settlements ordinarily were.

About the 1st of August. 1804, the new settlers occupied the few scattered cabins in the clearings, others were built, and all were made snug for the first winter in the wilderness. Hunting parties were kept out, and among tho families it was share and share alike with the supplies.

The few families who had stopped at Cincinnati and along the way, with some new-comers, came in that fall and the nest year.

As soon as the cabins were built, the men were. at work in the timber extending the clearings.

Philip Gunckel, with his family, temporarily occupied one of the squatter cabins, and, in the winter of 1804-05, built a two-story dwelling on the north side of the creek. It was built of hewn logs, puncheon floors, cat and clay chimney, clapboard roof and doors. The doors were hung on wooden hinges and had wooden latches. When the buckskin latch strings were pulled in, the house was locked up. In this building he opened a country store, using the back part and up-stairs for his dwelling.

The colony was prosperous from the first, and Mr. Gunckel was the most prominent man there.

December 29, 1804, he was elected Justice of the Peace for German Township, and served in that position for many years. His influence soon extended beyond the limits of the settlement, and he became one of the most prominent men in the county. He was a man of robust, muscular frame, six feet tall. affable and gentle in manners, temperate in habits and conscientious in his dealings with men. He was exemplary in his daily life. and an exceptionally moral man: was never known to use profane language; was even-tempered and of noble bearing. His Christian virtues and high standard of morals gave character to the colony, and made him the controlling spirit in all matters of common interest. His clear foresight, untiring energy and sound business judgment gave him an influence throughout the county second to that of no other man: so that in all matters of public interest and improvement, and county affairs generally, his aid and influence were sought, and he was ready and active in all movements for the good and prosperity of the community.

Mr. Gunckel was a member of the German Reformed Church; was one of the foremost in effecting its organization at Germantown, and with his family. was a regular attendant upon all church services. and was leader of the musical exercises. He was a frequent visitor at the meetings of other denominations, contributed liberally to the support of ail. and was highly esteemed for such liberal sentiment and bearing, and for his efforts for the promotion of all enterprises of a religious character.

In March. 1805, the great floods in the Miami and its tributaries put a stop to all farm work, and in some of the patches, corn could not be planted until late in June,.

After the waters had subsided, Mr. Gunckel began building his saw-mill and grist-mills, and completed them the year following. Being the only mills in that neighborhood for several years, they attracted people to the settlement. and were the source of great profit to him.

When. in 1806, there were fears of an Indian outbreak. it was not thought necessary to build a block-house at Germantown. The settlements west of the Miami were not much exposed to attack, and the block-houses at New Lexington and in the northern part of this county, and up Mad River at the mouth of Donnell's Creek, formed a strong line, through which the Indian war parties never ventured. Hunting and trading parties of Indians were often in camp along Twin and Bear Creeks. and down the Miami even as far as Hamilton, but not

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 381

after 1811. At the time of this alarm, however, the whole country west of the river was thoroughly patrolled until the danger had passed.

In November, 1806, Mr. Gunckel bought land of James Hatfield and Robert Hardin, on part of which he afterward laid out the town of Germantown.

At the general election, October 17, 1806, he was chosen to represent the county in the Fifth General Assembly of Ohio. convened at Chillicothe the first Monday in December of that year.

With Gen. E. Munger, he represented this and Preble Counties in the Seventh General Assembly. convened at Chillicothe December 5, 1808.

Business at his store and mills had so rapidly increased, and the demand for property in the neighborhood was so great, that he, in 1813, moved the store into a larger building, on the property that he the next year divided into lots and platted as the town of Germantown. He donated a lot to each church organization, a burying-ground and school lot, and contributed liberally toward the erection of the churches. The lots were sold so rapidly that he soon made an additional plat.

By act of the General Assembly, February 13, 1816, he was appointed Associate Judge of the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, and served as such until February, 1831.

Soon after his appointment as Judge, while he and a neighbor, Charles O, Walpers, were hunting in the woods north of Germantown, he was accidentally shot by his companion. who fired at some birds rising from the un derbrush. not knowing that Judge Gunckel was in the thicket, and, unfortunately, in range. He was severely wounded in the thigh; was carried home on a litter, and was confined to his room for several months, and at several times it was thought he could not live. The wound was painful for many years.

In 1839, when he was seventy-three years old, he was elected to and served. as County Representative in the State Constitutional Convention.

His wife, Catherine, mother of his eight children, was short in stature, of kind and easy manners, quiet and unobtrusive. Their married life and home circle was all happiness; their home and surroundings were congenial and Judge and Mrs. Gunckel contributed largely and cheerfully to the happiness and comfort of their neighbors. Mrs. Gunckel died at Germantown August 2, 1836.

His second wife was Mrs. Loehr, of Warren County, widow of Frederick Loehr, and mother-in-law of the Judge's son, Philip Gunckel, Jr. After a few years, she died, and for some years he remained single, then married the third wife, Widow Elizabeth Wise, mother-in-law of his son, Daniel P. Gunckel. She survived him. All are buried in the Germantown Cemetery.

As the fitting close of a long, active and useful life; in the possession of a large estate, that had been accumulated by his own efforts; enjoying the respect of the community in which he lived: with the love and veneration of his children and their families, the patriarch. Philip Gunckel, the founder of the colony at Germantown, lived to celebrate the eighty-second anniversary of his birth. and died a month later. May 24, 1848.

HENRY BROWN.

His ancestors were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians, who emigrated to this country from the North of Ireland about the year 1740 and settled in " Burden's Grant," which included a half-million acres of land on the Shenandoah and James Rivers, in the colony of Virginia.

Henry Brown was born near Lexington, Va., about the year 1770, and lived there until 179:3, at which time he came to the Northwestern Territory

382 -HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

as Military Secretary for Col. Preston. who was in command of a regiment in Wayne's army. then organizing at Cincinnati for the advance against the In than tribes. Mr. Brown was afterward interested with others in forwarding supplies to the army. and to the garrisons tit Forts Hamilton. St. Clair, Greenville, Jefferson. Recovery. Defiance and Wayne.

From the nature of the roads and the difficulties and dangers of the service, all supplies were forwarded by pack-horse trains. This department was in charge of an officer who was designated as " Pack-Horse Master General. " The trains were divided into "pack-horse brigades." of sixty to seventy-five horses each. with a Captain in charge. and men to load and unload. drive and care for the horses. Armed scouts necessarily accompanied these pack-horse brigades as guard against Indian attacks. Mr. Brown was, thus employed with the army until, in the spring of 1795. he entered into partnership with John Sutherland, at Hamilton. where, in a double log cabin that stood south of the stockade, they opened their first stock of goods. Their business was trading, with the Indians.

Friendly tribes at that time occupied most of the country west of Wayne's road to the Maumee as hunting-grounds. Their camps were to be found along all of the streams from Fort Hamilton north to the Wabash and Maumee. This firm traded goods to the Indians for furs and peltries: and when white settlers began to locate on lands west of the Miami, the Indians gradually withdrew to the north, but Sutherland & Brown followed them up with agents, who carried the goods from point to point on pack-horses.

In 1799, Mr. Brown took a large stock of goods to Fort Loramio and opened a branch store there. from which he sent traders to the Indian villages along the Wabash and Maumee Rivers.

In 1804, business had so increased that he changed his branch store to Dayton, and opened at the east side of Main street, south of Water street. From here, traders were sent with goods among the settlers west and north. and to the Indian villages at Greenville and beyond to the Mississinawa, and around St. Mary's and the Auglaize, and down through the Maumee Valley.

A trader would start with two. three or more pack-horses loaded with goods, and often, in order to dispose of there. took the extraordinary risks incident to the long. lonely trips through the wilderness to distant villages, and be gone several months, trading for pelts and furs.

At their stores in Dayton and Hamilton, the firm exchanged goods for whisky, pork, flour and grain, which they shipped by river to the Cincinnati and New Orleans markets. Produce was shipped down the Ohio in pirogues, where the cargoes were transferred to larger flat-boats. When the Miami was low, cargoes were lightened over the ripples in dug-outs. Sometimes, to get the dug-outs over, the crew would scrape out channels of sufficient width to float the boats; then, having passed the ripple, would reload and float down fo the next, where the same work was performed. A crew was sometimes detained at the shallowest ripples for several days, and a week's time was lost in getting a fleet across.

For two or three years prior to the dissolution of the firm, Messrs. Sutherland & Brown were largely engaged in the purchase of cattle in the Miami Valley and over in Kentucky. The cattle were driven north to Fort Lorarnie. across the portage to the Auolaize, down to the Maumee and the rapids, thence to Detroit, where there was ready sale to the Government to the Indians and to farmers.

It is hard to realize the difficulties, delays and perplexities in business at that early time. To purchase goods, a merchant would travel on horseback from Dayton to Philadelphia. As far as the forks of the Muskingum, tho road

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 383

was but a single bridle-path through the dense forest, and not a single house or settlement on the way. The traveler necessarily packed his provisions for that part of his trip, and camped by the way, without shelter and regardless of unfavorable weather. Three months' time was generally required for the trip, purchase of stock, and getting the goods delivered at Dayton. The goods were hauled in wagons over the rough roads from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, a ton and a half being a good load for a five-horse team. From Pittsburgh, the goods were shipped by river to Cincinnati, and hauled from there overland to Dayton. When the water was at a favorable stage, shipments could be made in pirogues up the Miami.

The first brick residence in Dayton was built by Mr. Brown in 1808, on Let No. 110, west side of Main street, north of the court house.

The hostile intentions of the Indians toward the United States began to develop in 1810, and from the increased danger to traders. Messrs. Sutherland & Brown withdrew their agents and dissolved partnership. Mr. Brown re moved his goods to the north room of his residence and continued business there. At that time, or possibly the next year, he was made Government Agent in charge of Indian supplies, that were distributed under direction of Indian Agent Col. John Johnston.

February 19, 1811, Henry Brown and Miss Kitty Patterson, daughter of Col. Robert Patterson, were married at her father's house, on the Rubicon farm, south of Dayton, the Rev. James Welsh officiating. Catherine Patterson was born at Lexington, Ky., March 7, 1793.

Their son, R. P. Brown, born December 6, 1.811, married Sarah Galloway, at Xenia, Ohio. October 31, 1837; died in Kansas City, Mo., May 4, 1879. Sarah Brown was born in Xenia June 10, 1816.

Henry L. Brown, born December 3, 1814, married Sarah Belle Browning, at Indianapolis, Ind., February 7, 1837; died in Dayton November 25, 1878. His wife was born at West Union, Ohio. February 18. 1819; died in Dayton October 15, 1858.

Eliza J. Brown, born in Dayton October 20, 1816, married Charles Anderson September 16, 1835. Col. Anderson wes born at Louisville, Ky., June 1, 1814.

The business life of Henry Brown was characterized by sound judgment. firmness and energy; and, having faith in the good judgment shown in the selection of the site at the mouth of Mad River as the future business center of the valley, he invested largely in Dayton property. When prosperity came to the little town during the war of 1812, he was one of the most prominent and influential men of the community, and was held in the highest esteem through his life. He urged the opening of roads to all neighboring settlements, was active in the interest of public improvements and all affairs looking to the public good. When, in 1813, the increase of business made it desirable that a bank should be established in the town, he aided in the organization of the Dayton Manufacturing Company, and secured for it a considerable loan from the United States Bank.

Mr. Brown was a devoted, loving husband and father, and his happiness was in association with friends and family. Knowing that the home circle was the place for proper training, he and his wife were careful to keep it cheerful and attractive for their three children.

His wife was an amiable, modest woman, yet for nearly fifty years was among the most active, earnest Christian workers of Dayton. In 1815, she being sick in bed, a number of ladies met in her room, and, with her help, organized the Female Bible and Charitable Society of Dayton. All through her life, she was faithful to the good work thus begun.

384 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

From exposure in the earlier history of the valley, and afterward in the active management of the business with Mr. Sutherland, then from close attention to his Dayton store and its extensive trade, his health was broken so much so that, toward the close of the year 1822, he was confined to his bed, and, after a lingering, painful illness, he died, in the afternoon of May 19, 1823, and was buried the next day in the old graveyard on Fifth street.

Mrs. Brown married Andrew Irwin, by whom she had one son, A. B. Irwin. In 1836. she married H. G. Phillips, who died in 1859. She died in Dayton August 12, 1864.

JONATHAN HARSHMAN, SR.

Jonathan Harshman, son of Christian and Catharine Harshman, (Germans). was born in Frederick County, Md., December 21. 1781; came west to Kentucky, but, being dissatisfied with life in a Slave State, moved to Ohio, arriving in Montgomery County in August, 1805.

He purchased forty acres of land in the northeast quarter of Section 22; Town 2, Range 7 land that is now in Mad River Township. At that time a large colony of German people were coming into that neighborhood. Exchange of work was the rule among them. Some were in the clearings, others got out the logs. while other sets with teams and " lizzard" would "snake" them in to the builders. The land was heavily timbered and hard to clear up, but these people were workers. Hickory. oak, walnut, cherry, poplar, ash, maple and beech were felled in great double windrows, with the tops inward, which. when dried out. and the wind was favorable, the fires were lighted and the flames were driven through from end to end. The cabins, although hastily put up. were occupied for many years; then, when better houses were built, the old cabins were used for loom rooins. tool houses. granaries. pig pens, sheep pens. stables and hen houses.

Mr. Harshman's cabin was one of the last put up and, like the rest, was built of round logs, clap-board roof, puncheon floor, outside chimney of sticks and clay. Late in the fall he hung the door, chinked and daubed the cabin, and put in a four-light window. His cabin site was near a spring. on one of the branches of McConnell's Creek, and at that spring be put up a copper still that he had traded for. Lower down on the creek was the little over-shot mill, owned and operated by William Hamer, and around the hill at the spring on the big road, was Hamer's still.. On Mad River, a mile north of Harshman's cabin, was the Robinson Mill. A path led from the new settlement across the low, wet land to the mill, but afterward a road was cut around at the foot of the hill. west of the creek to the road that led from Dayton to the settlements up Mad River.

As was usual with the early settlers, this colony of new-corners were busy through the next winter, in grubbing and clearing patches for spring planting. Mr. Harshman was busy with the rest; for him there was not an idle day, and when he was not at work on his own place, he was employed for others. His expenses were light, for he was alone, and all he made he saved.

Jonathan Harshman married Susanah Rench, daughter of John and Elizabeth Rench, at the cabin home of her parents, the present site of Harshmansville, February 18, 1808.

Susannah Rench was born in Washington County, Md.. November 11, 1786.

It is not known whether Mr. and Mrs. Harshman made their bridal trip on horseback or by wagon; but the journey was from Rench's cabin down the big road to "Hamer's Hill," and up McConnell's Creek to Mr. Harshman's cabin, which he had made snug in anticipation of this event.

In the pit he had potatoes and turnips, in the attic pumpkins and beans, and a good supply of side meat and jerked venison hung on the rafters above

PAGE 385 - BLANK

PAGE 386 - PICTURE OF ELIJAH H. BROWNELL, DAYTON

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 387

the fireplace. The fireplace filled one-half the end of the cabin, and was very wide at the floor, and deep, tapering to the top. The hearth was of flat stone, laid in creek sand, and formed a considerable part of the cabin floor.

It took big fires to keep the unplastered cabins warm. First was the big backlog, on top of that a smaller log, the back-stick, then two short, green sticks were laid on the hearth endwise against the back-log, serving instead of andirons. On them was laid the fore stick, and on top of all were piled smaller wood and chips, and the fire applied. In the corner of the room was a big pile of wood to keep the fire up, and in the woods was plenty ready cut to be hauled in on the sled.

He was a forehanded farmer. Year by year he had added a patch to his clearing, so that he had then seven or eight acres to plant. He was not in debt, owned a beast, a cow, some young cattle, pigs and poultry, an iron sheared plow. and seven iron teeth that a neighbor had put in a " drag," the two to use it in common. Handy to the cabin he had built a pig pen, and near by an open log stable, and near that was a stack of wild hay that be had cut from the swail north of his place.

The capacity of his still was twelve or fifteen bushels a day. It was set up at the spring in a small log building, the upper half of which was used as a corn crib. Settlers would bring rye and corn to him to have whisky made on the shares.

The erection of these little stills throughout the county made a market for the corn. and hence corn was the principal crop grown in the rich bottoms, for corn made whisky and whisky could be sold for money. Home trade was first supplied, and the balance was usually shipped by river to Cincinnati and New Orleans, although at first there was but little more made than would supply the neighborhoods.

The big woods were full of game that seemed but little disturbed by the scattered cabins and clearings. Wolves, panthers and bears were a great annoyance for several years.

The only ways for communication between the cabins were the paths through the woods; but Mr. Harshman was located near the Crack road, between the clearings on the hills and the mills.

While Mr. and Mrs. Harshman lived in that cabin their three first children were born.

Elizabeth, born November 17, 1809, married Israel Huston; is living in Mad River Township. Mr. Huston died August 11, 1846.

Catherine, born January 4, 1811, married Valentine Winters January 1, 1829; died in April, 1882.

Jonathan, born February 15, 1812, married Abigail Hivling October 4, 1836; died December 25, 1876. His wife died June 6, 1879.

Rench & Staley failing to make a success in business at the mill over on Mad River, Mr. Harshman took it. and in 1813 or 1814, built a cbmfortable, two-story. hewed-log dwelling house, with shingle roof and board floor, and moved over. The house was plastered, and had a good cellar. He afterward built a brick dwelling on the site of the present residence of his son, Mr. George W. Harshman. The mill was but a " corn-cracker," and the settlers were expected to do their own bolting by hand. So many of these little mills had been put up on streams throughout the county to do neighborhood work, that Rench & Staley, finding the business unprofitable, had let the mill run down. When Mr. Harshman got it, there was but one pair of country stones, five feet in diameter, and the machinery generally was out of gear. He thoroughly overhauled the mill, and shortly afterward put in two run of raccoon buhrs, and J

388 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

made improvements as he could. His mills were known as the "Union Mills." He paid cash for grain, and that brought him good trade.

He opened a store with John Rench as his partner and traded for all country produce, such as flax seed, sunflower seed, pumpkin seed, mustard seed. castor beans, tallow. beeswax, tree sugar, feathers. wool, bops, pork and pelts. which they sold at Cincinnati or shipped to the Mississippi River markets. Harshman & Rench afterward moved their store to Dayton.

Mary, daughter of Jonathan and Susanah Harshman. was the first of their children born after their removal to the hewed-log house at the mill. She was born January 17, 1816; married George Gorman October 29, 1833; died August 27, 1834.

Joseph Harshman. born October 24, 1820; married Caroline Protzman. They are living in Harrison Township.

George W. Harshman. born February 22. 1822; married Ann Virginias Rohrer September 5, 1848. His wife died September 6, 1877.

Susanah Harshman, born May 22, 18'2:3: married Daniel Beckel September 3, 1845. Mr. Beckel died February 26, 1862.

Reuben D. Harshman. born January 16, 1827; married Mary Pretsman January 9, 1851.

For this houseful of children, Mrs. Harshman had home provided with all the comforts then attainable. As the children grew older, they could hell some little in the house and garden work. The mother made the clothing for the family.

Flax was grown in the summer. ratted and scutched in the fall; then through the winter was heard the buzz of the little flax wheel that had so conspicuous a place in every cabin. It stood in the corner with flax wrapped around the forked stick ready for use. a thread running to the spindle, a gourd filled with water hanging conveniently at the bottom of the flax stick, anal whenever good mother Harshman had a little spare time from caring for the children, milking the cows, churning, cooking For the hands. doing the house work. and keeping everything snug, clean and tidy as was possible with a houseful of little ones; she would sit down to the wheel and spin thread upon thread to be reeled off on a wooden wheel that counted every yard with a snap, and then it was ready for the loom that was built in a small cabin outside. Spinning was the light work to be caught up at spare moments; weaving was work in earnest

Day after day could be heard the pounding of that loom, the treadles went up and down, the shuttles flew swiftly from one hand to the other through the warp, as yard after yard of linsey-woolsey wound upon the roller. And them this cloth was to be cut into little and big clothes and be made up with the needle, spring and fall, year after year.

Wool went through about the same operation, only it was spun on a larger wheel, colored with butternut. bark, then woven on the loom for winter clothing.

There was. perhaps, no part of the county where young people liked to fix up more than did those about Harshmanville. Tall, slender flax was pulled by the girls and kept to make finery of. The stronger growth did well enough for clothing fair the men, and warp; for linsey-woolsey every-day dresses for the women; but for Sundays, when everybody went to "meeting," the girls especially wanted something nice, just as girls do now. The fine flax was carefully pulled, rotted, broken, scotched, buckled, spun, then dyed in colors becoming. and woven in gross barred figures tastefully arranged. Of such goods the girls made their Sunday dresses. They knit their own stockings, made their own sunbonnets or broad brimmed hats of rye straw.

The quaint old Kemp Schoolhouse that had been built in 1815 upon sub-

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY - 389

scriptions paid in whisky, flour, hogs. stone. etc., had given place to a better building, but the same old, primitive modes of teaching prevailed.

About. three months in a year was all the schooling that could be afforded, for when the children were oil enough to go to school, they were old enough to do the chores and work at home; hence, they could not be spared for school.

The branches taught in the early schools were spelling. reading, writing and arithmetic; at the time of which we are now writing, grammar and geography had been adde '. Parents bought whatever book they judged best; that is, a reader was a reader, a grammar a grammar, a geography a geography, regardless of who was the. author. This made confusion for the `master," but then he was hired to teach out of whatever books parents thought best. Scholars began at the beginning of their books every winter, and progressed as far as they could in the three months' term: then, after nine months out of school, many would have to commence over again In this way the schools went on year after year, under different teachers. There were always several spelling classes, and great competition in each as to who " stood head." Spelling schools were the grand occasions of the early school days.

When the " master" appointed a night for a spelling match. it was understood that all had marks, no matter why scored. were wiped out. and all sins forgiven. All who had been guilty of tricks upon the "master," boys engaged in barring him out, even the big boys who had been surly and growling with threats of "Iicking " him when the term was out, were glad to know that a spellin' had been apinted," for that settled all differences.

A moonlight night was chosen, or some night when the sleighing was good. and the entire neighborhood would turn out. Whole families came in big sleds, including the old ladies and gentlemen, babies. children and all. Best spellers from other schools would come to try for the honors.

The old log schoolhouse would be crowded with people, and the big fireplace filled with a blazing log fire. Candles were brought by the scholars.

Two captains were selected to choose sides; "spelling down" was the effort, the " master" giving out the words.

The " sides " stood up. and whenever a word was missed. the speller sat down, and the one left standing alone was the victor, and was to be one of the captains in the next match.

This was the school attended by the Harshman children, Spinnings. Hamers, Kemps, Butts, Renches, McConnells. Robinsons. Garloughs, Cottinghams, and others of that neighborhood.

Jonathan Harshman was a stanch Federalist, and in later years was prominent in the Whig party. He was one of the Representatives from this county in the Twenty-fourth General Assembly of Ohio.

In 1832, he built a distillery across the race from his house. In 1846, the distillery was making fifty barrels of whisky a week. and the mills 400 barrels of flour. Eight hundred hogs were fattened per annum.

May 1, 1845, Mr. Harshman was elected President of the Dayton Bank, and he held the position until his death, March 31, 1850. He left a large estate in Mad River Township, valuable real estate in Dayton, besides a large amount in stocks, bonds, and other personal property.

His wife died December 5. 1839. Five of their children---Mrs. Huston. Joseph, George W., Mrs. Beckel and Reuben D., are yet living.

H. G. PHILLIPS.

Capt. Jonathan Phillips, a worthy old Revolutionary offIcer, father of Horatio Gates Phillips. was born December 16, 1744, at Maidenhead, N. J..

390 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

a small town on the post-road, half way between Trenton and Princeton. The town has since been named Lawrenceville.

With the news of the fight at. Lexington and Concord, a patriotic wave swept through the colonies, and New Jersey responded to the necessities of the time by a more thorough organization of her militia.

Jonathan Phillips recruited a company in the vicinity of Maidenhead, and was made Captain. In response to a call for troops, in the summer of 1775, his company marched with the New Jersey reenforcements to Gen. Washington,. in front of Boston.

Upon the organization of Schuyler's expedition against Canada, the com pany was assigned to Gen. Arnold's Division. The history of that illy equipped expedition is familiar to all; its successes and reverses. final repulse at Quebec, and retreat down the river to winter quarters, and withdrawal in the spring, leaving the British in undisputed possession of Canada.

In Gen. Horatio Gates' command, Capt. Phillips and his company were in the defensive campaign around Lake Champlain. at Crown Point and Ticonderoga. Later in the fall they marched with reenforcements to Gen. Wash ington, south of the Delaware. Christmas night. Washington recrossed the Delaware, captured Trenton, and on the 3d of January had a sharp fight which resulted in the capture of Princeton, and gave him possession of New Jersey.

Capt. Phillips, with his company, was in these movements that drove the British from the territory that included his native town and county. In June, he marched with the reenforcements sent to Schuyler at Fort Edward, on the Hudson, and in Gen. Gates' army was in the battle and victory over Burgoyne, at Behmns' Heights, September 19. The Americans repulsed the fierce and desperate attack of the British October 7, and on the 17th Burgoyne surrendered.

The Captain was in the battle at Monmouth in June 1778. and for the next two years his division was on duty along the Hudson River. He was at the trial of Maj. Andre, and saw him hanged as a spy October 2, 1780.

The troops were in winter quarters at Morristown. N. J.. and in August following, marched south under Gen. Washington to Yorktown. and the surrender of Cornwallis.

The war was virtually over. The army marched back to New Jersey, and during the following winter many of the regiments were discharged.

Capt. Phillips, with the shattered remnant of his company. returned to his home, after seven years' service amid the hardships and dangers of military life. He had served through the war: he was a veteran of the Revolution, and with an honorable discharge, returned to the little farm that he had inherited, near Lawrenceville.

The officers of the army. before final separation, organized a "Society of Friends," under the name of the " Society of the Cincinnati," for the perpetuation of friendships formed, and memories of the perils they had shared, " to en dure as long as they shall endure, or any of their male posterity." The organization was effected at the quarters of Baron Steuben, in New York, and the constitution of the society was drawn by Gen. Knox. Capt. Jonathan Phillips' certificate of membership is held by his descendants as one of the most inter esting and valuable family relics. and as a memento of the service of their brave old Revolutionary ancestor.

In August, 1183, Capt. Phillips married Mary Formen, who was born at or near Lawrenceville, and had lived there all her life. Their only child, Horatio Gates Phillips, named in honor of his father's old commander, Gon. Gates, was born December 21, 1783.

Mrs. Phillips died in her son's infancy, and the care of the child devolved on a faithful old servant woman.

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 391

December 15, 1788, the Capt. married Elizabeth Smith. Their only child, Churchill Phillips, came to Clark County, Ohio, and died at New Carlisle in 1840.

Capt. Jonathan Phillips died June 29, 1801. His wife, Elizabeth, died February 10, 1814.

H. G. Phillips came West with a party of friends in 1803, and from Pittsburgh descended the river to New Orleans, his friends intending to settle somewhere in the South, and did locate at Natchez, Miss. Mr. Phillips, how ever, yielded to the objections of Miss Houston, to whom he was to be married, to going so far away from the old home in New Jersey. He therefore came back as far as Cincinnati, and stopped there to look after a tract of land in Hamilton County. but now in Butler County, that his father had entered under the law of Congress granting to officers and men of the Revolutionary army each a certain amount of land in the Northwestern Territory. At Cincinnati, Mr. Phillips met many New Jerseyans that he knew. Among them were D. C. Cooper and others, who induced him to come up the valley as far as Dayton and see for himself what business prospects there were. His first trip to Dayton was probably made in 1804, certainly by the spring of 1805, for, when he came, there were but one or two cabins on Main street, south of First, and the gully crossing Main street at Third had not yet been filled up. The post office was kept in Mr. Van Cleve's cabin at the corner of First and St. Clair. Mr. Cooper's house, at First and Ludlow, was about completed. The principal part of the town was the cluster of rough log cabins around Newcom's tavern up at the river. Sutherland & Brown's store was the only one here. Main street was only cleared of underbrush as far south as Third street. The road through the village was up Main street and out First to the Mad River ford. There were no sidewalks, and but little ditching had been done. The lot at Second and Main had been cleared up for McCollum's tavern. The court house was to be built, and other improvements were talked of. Mr. Phillips, finding so favorable a, business opportunity. determined to locate in Dayton. He remained here through the year 1805. then, in the winter, made the trip overland on horseback to buy goods at Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, returning to his old home in New Jersey to bring with him his bride, who was to accompany him to their log cabin home in the wilderness of the Northwest. He often told of that long. lonely ride through the woods on his first trip from Dayton. In many places, the narrow trace could only be followed by the blazed trees, and several nights he bivouacked by the way. He followed the bridle path over the hills to the Indian trail on the Little Miami, near Xenia. That trace led to the old Indian towns near the Pickaway plains on the Scioto. From a fording on Darby Creek, a trail led to the forks of the Muckingum (Coshocton), and from there followed the larger trace to the forks of the Ohio River (Pittsburgh).

Eliza Smith Houston, daughter of William C. Houston, was born in Trenton, N. J., September 1S). 1783. For several years, she, with her parents, lived at Lawrenceville, where, on the 10th of April, 1806, she was married to H. G. Phillips. Their bridal trip was across the mountains to Pittsburgh, down the river in a flat-boat to Cincinnati, and from there by wagon to their backwoods home in Dayton. At that. time, there was very pleasant society here--the families of D. C. Cooper, Col. Patterson, Isaac Spinning, Squire Williams, Rev. James Welsh. Col. Newcom, Benjamin Van Cleve, Maj. Roid, Dr. Elliott and Robert Edgar.

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips' first home was in a two-story log house, southwest corner of First and Jefferson streets. He had his store in the same building, and in that house their first three children were born. The other children were born at the southeast corner of Second and Main streets. The children who lived to majority were Elizabeth Smith, Jonathan Dickinson and Marianna Louisa.

392 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Elizabeth S.. born June 9, 1809, married John G. Worthington. of Cincinnati, June 29. 1830, and is now living in Georgetown, D. C. Mr. Worthington died several years ago.

J. D. Phillips. born December 31, 1812, married Lacy Anna Zeigler Greene July 28, 1836; died February 23, 1871. His wife died June ''8, 1881.

Marianna Louisa, born March 30, 1814. married Robert A. Thruston September 29, 1832. He died August 10, 1839. Col. John G. Lowe and Mrs. Thruston were married May 9, 1843.

Mr. Phillips opened his store in 1806, and was prosperous from the start. Several other firths began business here in that year, and trade came to Dayton froth all parts of the valley. Merchants would go East twice avear for goods; and on one of these trips, in September, 1809, with their only child, Elizabeth, then only three months old, Airs. Phillips accompanied her husband to New Jersey. The trip was made on horseback, and their baggage was carried by pack-horse.

Indians being yet located in lane numbers at the head-waters of Mad River and over on the Scioto, and their hunting parties roaming thrugh the woods of Central Ohio made such a journey through the wilderness dangerous. Parties were usually made the of merchants and others who were going East about the same time, and all would carry rifles. On this trip, John Schenck, of Franklin, Charles Greeno. and one or two others. were in the party.

Taverns were by this time located at convenient distances along; the narrow roads. They were generally double log houses, with covered way or porch between. An important feature was the swinging signs. upon which were painted a: portrait or picture, which would give the inn a name. Portraits of Washington, Wayne. Wolfe and Alarion were the most frequently used. while pictures of lions. bears. bucks. tigers, horses and birds were painted in the brightest colors and life size. The signs were framed and hung, on creakinghinges on top of a large host at the road in front of the tavern. that served as a hitching-post as well.

Coming; from their own cabin home at Dayton. and being used to Western life and ways, Mr. Phillips and his friends could, as travelers often did, after a hearty supper, spread their blankets and bearskins on the luncheon floor and sleep with their feet to titer fire. For these taverns were popular, profitable places, where not. on common footing, travelers, emigrants. pack-horse men and wagoners. When a party was belated, or at other times, finding sleeping apartments, as well as bar and barns packed for the night, it would be necessary to go on to the half-way house, or camp by the roadside.

Mr. Phillips. leaving; his wife and child in New Jersey, went to Philadelphia, bought his goods, then returnecl to Lawrenceville for a visit. and then home with his family to Dayton.

He built a two-story brick storeroom at the southeast corner of Alain and Second streets, and a residence immediately adjoining, on Alain street, and, in 1812 moved his family and store. His business rapidly increased. Dayton, during the war, was the center of trade for the valley, and the town was full of people all the time. In the winter of 1812--13, he sent his brother-in-law, George S. Houston, to Philadelphia to buy goods. Mr. Houston exceeded his instructions and bought a very large stock, so much more than Alr. Phillips thought advisable that he feared that he would ha rained He opened a store at Troy and placed Mr. Houston in charge.

The line of forts from New Lexington, Treble County, across the country to Urbana, had bon strongly garrisoned b; militia as a protection for Gen. Harrison's line of communication, as well as the safety of the people of the valley. As soon as contractors and Government agents came into the valley to buy supplies for the army. Mr. Phillips began the exchange of Broods for pork, whisky,

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. - 393

flour and grain, and accumulated large quantities at Troy and Dayton, which he found ready sale for; and thus, instead oŁ being embarrassed with the large stock of goods, his management brought him handsome profit.

In 1815, he sent Eastin Morris with a stock of goods to open a store in n Greenville, and, for a number of years, was thus actively engaged in the management of his business, and, by energy, industry and economy, accumulated a handsome fortune.

Mrs. Phillips was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, and, although of delicate health, was a leader in all Christian work, a teacher in the Sunday school and prominent in local charitable work, ever among the first in ministering relief to the sick and needy. She, with other Dayton ladies, gave all possible time in the preparation of hospital supplies for sick and wounded soldiers at Camp Meigs and cared for many at their own homes, and, after the close of the war, was one of the twelve ladies, who, on the 10th of April. 1815, organized the Dayton Female Bible and Charitable Association.

Active as she was in all home enterprises of the early days, giving liberally to the poor and distressed, and, by her example, leading others on in good works, her sudden death, December 3, 1831, was a severe shock to the community. In her death, society lost one of its most hospitable and gifted members, the church an earnest. unselfish worker, a devoted Christian wife and mother.

Mr. Phillips bought property in Darke, Miami and Montgomery Counties. He was one of the organizers of the Dayton Manufacturing Company, the first bank in the county. He was interested in the woolen mills down on Hole's Creek. In 1830, he with Alexander Grimes and Moses Smith, platted the town of Alexandersville. December 10, 1830, he married Mrs. C. P. Irwin, who survived him.

John Kneisly, in 1843 or 1844, sold to H. G. Phillips, Daniel Beckel, J. D. Phillips, and S. D. Edgar, under the firm name of Phillips, Beckel & Co., the water-power that is now owned by the Dayton Hydraulic Company. This power was taken from Mad River in Section 23. above the mouth of McConnell's Creek, and in 1819 Henry Leatherman bought the right of way through Dayton Hamer's land, and dug the race around at the foot of the hill to his mill at the southwest corner of Section 20. In 1825, Kneisly bought sixty acres of land of Dayton Hamer and this water-power. He built a saw-mill, then a " corn-cracker," which he soon converted into a flour-mill; he then built an oil mill. and a small distillery. These mills were located near the center of the northeast quarter of Section 29, Mad River Township, between " Hamer's Hill" and Mad River. A paper-mill was afterward built there. November 3, 1841, the grist and sawmills burned, but were rebuilt two years later. Kneisly sold the water-power and right of way to Phillips. Beckel & Co., who purchased right of way to continue the race from the old Leatherman Mill to its present intersection with the canal near East First street. The contracts for digging the race were let in the fall of 1844. March .1, 1845, the Dayton Hydraulic Company was incorporated, H. G. Phillips, D. Beckel. J. D. Phillips, S. D. Edgar, J. G. Lowe. corporators. The water-power now known as the Upper Hydraulic was first used in 1846, and has always been a source of great revenue to the Phillips estate.

In 1850, the new hotel, the Phillips House, at the southwest corner of Main and Third streets. was named in honor of Mr. Phillips.

Mr. Phillips strongly urged the building of turnpikes through the county, and, in later years, was influential in bringing railroads into Dayton.

At length, after a long, active and useful life. fifty years in business in Dayton, and all that time one of the most prominent and influential citizens in the county where he had accumulated a large estate, Mr. Phillips died November 10, 1859.