502 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHAPTER XX.

AGRICULTURE-HORTICULTURE-PIONEER ASSOCIATION-FARMERS CLUB.

SOUTHERN OHIO FAIR ASSOCIATION, SUCCESSORS TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. ITS MANAGERS, ETC.

ON February 28, 1846, the Legislature by law created the "Ohio State Board of Agriculture," a body corporate of fifty-four members, representing the several counties of the State, with perpetual succession, agreeable to laws and rules expressed in the act creating the Board. Henry Protzman, a prominent citizen of this county, was selected as the representative of the county. As to the time of service of each member, it was provided that one-half of the terms were to expire annually, and the members to determine their terms by lot. The Board were to meet each year at Columbus. The President of each county agricultural association was ex-officio a member of the Board.

At the meeting of the Board, the several reports of the county societies were read, vacancies filled, and a general deliberation and discussion held as to the wants and necessities of the agricultural interests of the State.

The act passed Creating this Board also provided " that when thirty or more persons organized themselves into a society for the improvement of agriculture, and having adopted rules and by-laws agreeable to the Ohio State Board, and when there had been raised by initiation fees subscription or donation of a Stan of money not less than $50, then upon a presentation of the certificate of the fact by the President of the Association to the Auditor of the count v, then the county was required to donate an equal amount, provided the same did not exceed $200." This was the first step on the part of the State of Ohio offering encouragement to the formation of county agricultural societies.

In 1853 these associations were declared " bodies corporate," with the authority and power of holding real estate in fee simple." Counties were also further authorized to contribute to these respective organizations. From that date and following that act the various agricultural associations began the purchase of grounds and the building of permanent improvements thereon.

The first attempts at the formation of agricultural societies were in 1845. The prominent persons in the undertaking, and those who gave it character and devoted their time and energies in their efforts to promote its usefulness and success, were Col.. H. Protzmau, Col. Partridge, Col. Jeff Patterson, Judge Holt, Charles Anderson, afterwards Governor of Kentucky, Daniel Kiser, Henry M. Brown, Isaac Inskip and Robert W. Steele.

Col. Henry Protzrnan had the honor of being selected as the President of the first Agricultural Association of Montgomery County.

The first fairs were held in the wagon yard in the rear of and belonging to Swaynie's Hotel, East First Street. The stabling and sheds furnished ample accommodations for the cattle and other stock on exhibition. Fairs were held here for two or three years.

The receipts were not large. When they did not equal and balance the expenditures, the difference was usually made up by donations from enterprising and public-spirited citizens.

The principal purpose in view on the part of the managers was the education of the people into an appreciation of the benefits of these associations and exhibitions.

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With probably two exceptions, Robert W. Steele and Gov. Anderson, these men are all dead. They were representative men of their day. The records of the labors and efforts of these men in this field of education and advancement of agricultural and industrial knowledge, will last as a noble and imperishable monument to their memories.

The officers of the Association in 1846 were Col. H. Protzman, President; D. Kiser, Vice-President; Robert W. Steele, Secretary.

Three acres of ground were leased of Daniel Kiser, north of Dayton, where the fair was held for three or four years, when from lack of public patronage it was discontinued, and no fairs were held in this county until the fall of 1852. In August of that year a number of gentlemen met at City Hall for the purpose of reviving the Association. An organization was effected with William Brown as President; Daniel Thatcher, Vice-President; Robert W. Steele, Treasurer; and Oliver Kitteridge, Secretary.

This was the first organization of the Montgomery County Agricultural Association under the laws and rules of the Ohio State Board. On October 21 of that year a fair was held on the original " stamping grounds," Swaynie's wagon yard.

A reference to the financial success of the exhibition may not prove uninteresting as an indication of the amount of funds necessary to conduct a fair in those days, and also as suggestive of the very generous patronage of the public in an entertainment for its benefit only.

RECEIPTS. EXPENDITURES.

Membership Fees.................$271 00 Paid Premiums ..... ........ ......... $232 50

Entrance Fees ............ .... ...... 80 00 Expenses................................ 89 04

Donations .. . ................... ... 5 11

Total........................................ $321 54

Total .................................... $356 11 Balance in Treasury.................. $34 57

In 1853 the State Fair was held in the bottoms south of Washington Street. The County Fair held at the same place in October.

At the close of the fair in 1854 the Association found themselves $900 in debt.

In 1855 the membership increased to 1000, the fair a success, and debt of $900 cancelled.

In that year ten acres of the present grounds were purchased, and in 1856 the fair was first held on the site of the present grounds.

We will now briefly review the management of the Association up to its succession in 1874 by the Southern Ohio Fair Association.

In 1852 its managers were James Hall, John Calhoun, William Gunckle, Henry Shideler and J. C. Vorhees.

In 1853 Joseph Cline, John Calhoun, Samuel Rohrer, John Yount and William Gunckle.

In 1854 S. Rohrer, D. Kiser, J. Chambers, D. Prugh and G. Evans.

At their fall meeting the total receipts from all sources were $849. Total expenditures $849.

In 1856 Robert W. Steele, President; S. Rohrer, Vice-President; C. Kitteridge, Secretary; H. M. Brown, Treasurer. Directors-D. Kiser, J. Bull, J. T. Puglesy, H. D. Wagoner and A. Sunderland. Total receipts 1856, $3,843.66. Total expenditures $3,843.66.

In 1857 Robert W. Steele, President; W. C. Davis, Vice-President; O. Kitteridge, Secretary; D. H. Dryden, Treasurer. Total receipts $1,582.93. Total expenditures $1,455.83. Balance in Treasury $127.10.

In 1858 W. C. Davis, President; Jeff Patterson, Vice-President; D. H. Dryden, Treasurer; O. Kitteridge, Secretary. Managers-S. Rohrer, D. Kiser, Brice Dille, Dr. D. Lyons and Wm. Pease.

In 1859 W. C. Davis, President; Jeff Patterson, Vice-President; D. H. Dryden, Treasurer; A. W. Rice, Secretary. At the close of the fair the society found itself in debt $3,199.06, owing to the purchase of additional grounds, bad weather and non-attendance of citizens.

504 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

In 1860 Thomas Brown, President; Jeff Patterson, Vice-President; D. H. Dryden, Treasurer; Thomas Shaffer, Secretary. The fair a failure and the Association $389.20 ahead in expenditures above receipts.

In 1860 and 1861 the State Fair was held in Dayton.

In 1861 the number of voting members of the Association were 35.

1862, 1863 and 1864 were unprofitable years, the Association constantly growing deeper in debt. Such was its financial condition with no encouragement of its liquidation through future patronage on the part of the community, that the county came to its rescue, and purchased of the Association its 22.18 acres of ground for $5,000. In 1866 it also purchased the remaining tract of 7.72 acres for $6,500, making 29.90 acres in all, for the total consideration of $11,500. In 1865 the fair a financial failure.

In 1866 the total receipts did not meet the expenditures.

In 1867 the State Fair was held here. No County Fair that year.

In 1868 the fair a financial failure, and the society in debt, although the weather was very bad, which was accepted as the reason.

In 1869 the receipts did not equal the expenditures, and consequently the fair was a financial failure. What reasons were offered we do not know. It seems that the weather was extremely fine, but the attendance remarkably small.

In 1870 the Association met with the same results.

In 1871 the fair a financial failure. On this occasion the association boldly complained to the State Board that it was wholly due to a lack of patronage of the citizens.

In 1872 the association had not a dollar in the treasury, but favoring weather and a liberal patronage proved the fair a success.

In 1873 the 20th and last annual fair was held by the Montgomery County Association. The fair proved a success. Such is a chronological history of the Montgomery County Agricultural Association.

In the meanwhile the growing city, the competition among the increasing numbers of agricultural implements, improvements in farming and in the quality of its grains and other products, the culture and wealth of the valley, all seemed to warrant a permanent exposition, commensurate in all its appointments, premiums and exhibitions, to the pretensions of the people of the city and surrounding country.

To keep pace with and meet the new order of things, a number of those who had been identified with the agricultural and productive interests of the city and county, and who were representative and enterprising men of the times, associated themselves into an "Agricultural, Mechanical and Industrial Association for the purposes of encouraging those branches of industry, improving agriculture, mechanism and all kinds of live stock."

The names of these gentlemen were Gabriel B. Harman, Marcus Eells, John Stroup, Charles Harries, John V. Nauerth, Richard C. Anderson and Nicholas Ohmer.

A certificate of incorporation was filed February 23, 1874. Tire capital stock of the company was $100,000. Number of shares 2,000 at $50 per share.

The name of the organization to be "The Southern Ohio Fair Association."

March 28, 1874, books were opened in the rooms of the Dayton Exchange for receiving subscriptions to stock.

Ten per cent of the capital stock was readily subscribed, and thereupon, agreeable to a resolution of the Association, thirteen members were selected to act as Directors, as follows: Charles Harries, John Stroup, Marcus Eells, Alexander McConnell, Fielding Loury, Nicholas Ohmer, G. B. Harman, Geo. Ohmer, Adam Schantz, P. P. Mesler, John W. Butt, D. H. Dryden and C. C. Moses.

In the following May the Directors met and selected officers: Charles Harries, President; N. Ohmer, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasurer. In accord-

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ance with the constitution, the Directors drew lots to determine the length of time each was to serve, resulting as follows: A. McConnell, N. Ohmer, C. C. Moses, Adam Schantz and F. Loury, three years each; G. B. Harman, D. H. Dryden, P. P. Mesler and J. W. Butt, two years each; Chas. Harries, John Stroup and Marcus Eells, one year each.

Then commenced a series of weekly and nightly meetings, the formation and work of committees, and preliminary negotiations with reference to the selection of grounds and preparations for a fall meeting of the fair.

The Association leased the fair grounds of the county for fifteen years, agreeing at the end of their lease "to return it to the company in as good a condition as they received it, wear and tear excepted."

At a meeting of the Directors May 23, 1874, on motion of Mr. Harman, it was decided to hold the first annual meeting on the 29th and 30th of September, and 1st, 2d and 3d days of October.

In the meantime the grounds had to be put in order, new buildings erected, an increased number of stalls constructed to better accommodate horses, cattle, sheep and hogs. During that summer and on the approach of fall, the fair grounds was a scene of busy activity, and when the fair opened in the fall of 1874, to a generous audience of the citizens of this vicinity and distant points, the people realized the vastness of the work done and the improvement and advancement of the new over the old. A magnificent exposition hall had been constructed, the race track enlarged, new machinery halls, new amphitheatre and other modern improvements suggesting the progress and enterprise of the managers of the Association.

The fair was a success and met the anticipations of its managers, and augured well for the future. The immense concourse of people who were in attendance on the memorable Friday when Gold Smith Maid trotted, was the largest assemblage ever in attendance upon the fair grounds.

The amount of premiums offered, exclusive of the speed ring, was $11,806. The receipts from admission amounted to $23,608.47.

However, a large indebtedness necessarily resulted from the heavy expenditures in improvements, premiums and incidental expenses growing out of this great public enterprise. This debt the Directors had to personally assume without any immediate recourse upon the Association, or any available property to recover from. They simply confided in the belief that the patronage of the enterprising and public spirited community would sustain them in their efforts to build up a magnificent exposition which ultimately would prove a financial success and reflect its benefits upon the community and at the same time enable them thereby to cancel this debt and release them from their personal liability. This has never as yet occurred, the indebtedness being assumed by each succeeding Board of Directors, the Directors recognizing the fact that when a man ceased to be a Director, his personal liability for the debts of the Association should also cease.

All this time Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and neighboring and rival cities were competing for patronage, and using every means to enlist the attention of the people abroad, and invite them to a visitation of their respective cities. This then required greater exertions on the part of the Directors of the Association, and preparations were at once made for a spring meeting in 1875.

But we will not follow the Association in its efforts and failures since 1874 to the present time. We have simply this to say, that under the most adverse circumstances they gradually reduced the debt. In 1876 it had reached its maximum amount of $16,987.33. In 1881 it had been reduced to $4,500.

In 1875 the retiring members of the Board and the same presiding officers were re-elected with G. B. Harman as Treasurer, and John A. Miller as Secretary.

In 1876 Messrs. Harman, Butt, Zilzel and M. Richmond were elected for three years, with the same officers.

In 1877 N. Ohmer, Lewis Cassel, Alex. McConnell, C. C. Moses and F. Rei-

506 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

bold were elected for three years; S. M. Sullivan and Elias Heathman for one year. N. Ohmer, President; John Stroup, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasurer; J. A. Miller, Secretary.

In 1878 T. C. Dobbins, A. C. Marshall, Philip Haas, W. A. Mays were elected for three years. M. Ohmer, President; J. W. Butt, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasurer; J. A. Miller, Secretary.

In 1879 G. B. Harman, J. W. Butt, W. Silzel, J. Weinrich were elected for three years. N. Ohmer, President; J. W. Butt, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasurer; J. A. Miller, Secretary.

In 1880 A. McConnell, C. C. Moses, A. Sharpe, M. A. Nipgen were elected for three years. J. W. Butt, President; A. C. Marshall, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasurer; Nicholas Metz, Secretary.

On December 4, 1880, at a regular meeting, the following resolution was submitted and adopted, namely:

"That we, the Directors of the Southern Ohio Fair Association, recommend that the number of Directors be reduced to seven, such recommendation to be submitted to the stockholders at the next meeting."

On January 1, 1881, the foregoing resolution as presented December 4, 1880, was submitted to a vote of the stockholders. 520 votes were cast, of which 503 were for and 17 against reduction.

On January l, 1881, the expiration of terms of Messrs. Dobbins, Haas, Marshall, Mays, and the acceptance of resignations of Messrs. Sharpe, Moses and Nipgen and the election of Eli Fasold to fill vacancy, left the Board composed of seven members, as follows: J. W. Butt, F. Reibold, G. B. Harman, Alexander McConnell, W. Silzel, Isaac Weinrich and Eli Fasold. The Board then organized by the election of J. W. Butt, President; F. Reibold, Vice-President; G. B. Harman, Treasurer; N. Metz, Secretary.

There was no fair held in the year 1881, although the same was advertised, as is also the case for 1882, the charter of the Association making it necessary, to comply with the State law in that respect. The Association have lead a bill passed by the State Legislature, giving it authority to sell the grounds and improvements.

We find that with all the labors and efforts of the managers for thirty years, these annual exhibitions have as a rule proved financial failures, and the various associations under different administrations constantly in debt.

A number of those constituting the present Board have been its managers continuously since the organization of the Association, and were from time to time active members of the Montgomery County Association. They have devoted in the aggregate years of labor, given it for the benefit of the public, and have never received a dollar of compensation for their services. Oil the contrary, the motives that prompted them are of the noblest type, namely, the education and promotion of a higher appreciation of the handiwork of man in the mechanical, industrial and agricultural arts and sciences. We must conclude, then, that the blame and fault lies with the community-with the merchant and manufacturer of the city and the farmers of the county, who were each benefited by these exhibitions.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

FIRST SOCIETY.

On the 31st day of July, 1846, a meeting was called at the office of R. P. Brown for the purpose of forming a horticultural society. A. M. Clark was Chairman and R. P. Brown Secretary, Robert W. Steele, Augustus Newell and R. P. Brown were authorized to prepare a constitution and by laws for the government of the society and directed to report at an adjourned meeting on the 3d of August, at which time the Dayton Horticultural Society was organized, full of life and energy, judging from the records. The permanent officers were, Dr. Job Haines, President; Robert W. Steele, Milo G. Williams and R. P. Brown, Vice-

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Presidents; John W. Van Cleve, Secretary, and H. L. Brown, Treasurer, with a council consisting of Messrs. A. M. Clark, Augustus Newell, William Jennison, H. Best, and W. C. Gibson. Committee on Library, Milo G. Williams and George Green; on fruits, Job Haines, A. M. Clark, A. W. Stub and Henry Best; on flowers, William Dennison, W. C. Gibson, J. Coblentz arid J. Smith; on vegetables, L. T. Harker, A. Newell and R. P. Brown.

The year 1846 must have been a great fruit year in Montgomery County and the quality fine, judging from the records of this old society. For example, H. L. Brown exhibited plums, "Duane's Purple," some measuring 5 7/8 inches in circumference;" W. F. Comfy, a "Crawford" late peach, which measured 11 1/4 inches in circumference and weighed 11 ounces; a Smock was shown by C. W. Church, which measured 12 inches in circumference and weighed 15 ounces. The newspaper offices of that dav, it seems, vied with the citizens in contributing their mite towards making the society attractive, for we find the Journal office credited with exhibiting some very fine apples, one a "Tulpehocken," from the orchard of John Holderman, measuring 15 1/2 inches in circumference and weighing 23 ounces; another "Monstrous Pippin," from the orchard of George Mathews, Wayne Township, 15:3 inches in circumference and weighing 26 ounces. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, quinces, nectarines, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, figs, flowers and vegetables seem to have been shown in the greatest abundance. In the fruit and flower department the principal exhibiters were Dr. Job Haines, Robert W. Steele, W. F. Comly, Milo G. Williams, J. Wouderly, C. W. Church, Augustus Newell, R. C. Schenck, Dr. Langstedt, William Jennison, S. T. Harker, H. S. Williams, M. B. Varian, E. Dutoit, and many others. The last meeting of this society, which was certainly a model one, seems to have been held April 14, 1848, for underneath the recorded proceedings, and without date, is the following memorandum, which tells the (late of its demise: "After the spring exhibition of 1848 no further proceedings were held and the meetings were discontinued. The society having lost its organization died a natural death."

SECOND SOCIETY.

After the lapse of nearly nine years, a meeting was held at the agricultural warehouse of Oliver Kitteridge, Saturday, March 28, 1857, and organized by the election of Robert W. Steele, President, and R. P. Brown, Secretary. At this meeting a constitution and by-laws were adopted, permanent offIcers elected and the new Dayton Horticultural Society duly organized. The officers were J. H. Pierce, President; J. W. Van Cleve, Secretary; Oliver Kitteridge, Treasurer; Executive Committee, Robert W. Steele, R. P. Brown and Dr. J. C. Fisher. The names on record of this society are as follows: R. P. Brown, J. H. Pierce, W. Clark, A. Crawford, J. P. Sacksteder, J. G. Breene, J. Crawford, Robert W. Steele, Oliver Kitteridge, John W.. Van Cleve, J. P. Ohmer, Gebhart, John Mills, William Jennison, Mrs. .J. F. Schenck, John Howard, J. Wolf, J. Powell, Mrs; Jackson, Evan Davis, Casper Beck, Susan Bakeman, J. B. Mumma, John Ingram, Philip Helriggle, James Perrine, H. Farrer, M. L. Green, J. C. Fisher, T. A. Wise, Dr. E. Smith, .l. A. W. Mumma, W. P. Huffman, J. R. Mumma, H. Wigand, R. A. Kerfoot, M. Garst, George B. Holt, R. N. Comly, B. F. Eaker, W. F. Comly, J. C. Stutsman, James G. Crane, and T. Benjamin-in all forty-four the majority of whom are now dead, leaving a record of the good works they did behind them. No meeting of the society took place until the 20th of June, when "an exhibition was held in Beckel's new hotel building, corner of Jefferson and Third streets." The only other regular meeting this society seems to have had was at the same place on the 11th of July, when another exhibition was held. It. then appears to have lost its organization and become extinct.

THIRD SOCIETY.

After an interval of more than ten years, a meeting of public-spirited citizens was held at the Phillips House on the 7th day of December, 1867. Nicholas

508 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

Ohmer acted as Chairman, and Dr. R. Gundry as Secretary. The purpose of the meeting was to form a County Horticultural Society. After appointing a committee to draw up a constitution and by-laws, the meeting adjourned to meet again at the Council Chamber December 14, at which time the present Montgomery County Horticultural Society was organized, with Nicholas Ohmer, President; William M. Gunckel, Vice-President; Dr. Richard Gundry, Secretary; and Robert W. Steele, Treasurer. Messrs. Ohmer and Steele have been re-elected to the same positions for fifteen consecutive years. The following gentlemen were present at this meeting and consequently were the organizers of the present society: Robert W. Steele, Nicholas Ohmer, Richard Gundry, J. Z. Reeder, J. H. Pierce, Jacob Zimmer, W. Gunckel, Henderson Elliott, H. H. Tillotson, Jacob Bower, W. H. Heikes, E. W. Davis, J. Heikes, Fred Horn, J. H. W. Mumma and Marcus Eells. This society has held its meetings continuously to the present time, and was never in a more flourishing condition than now. It no doubt owes its long life and great success to the introduction of the social feature, which has given great satisfaction to the members and has been extensively copied by other societies in all parts of the country. On the first Wednesday of each month the society meets at the residence of a member, where the essay and reports are supplemented by an excellent dinner provided from the well-filled baskets brought for that purpose. The essays and discussions of the society are published each month in pamphlet form, and coming mainly from practical horticulturists, are of great value. They are widely copied by agricultural and horticultlual papers and magazines ill all parts of the United States. Mr. Nicholas Ohmer has been President of the society from the beginning, and to his constant and energetic supervision may be attributed much of the interest and success which has attended the meetings. The officers for the year 1882 are: President, Nicholas: Ohmer; Vice-President, John Ewing; Secretary, William Ramsey; Treasurer, Robert W. Steele; Executive Committee, William Kramer, J. S. Broadwell and S. M. Sullivan.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PIONEER ASSOCIATION.

Pursuant to notice, a large number of the pioneers of Montgomery County assembled at the Council Chamber in Dayton, on Saturday, November, 80, 1867. On motion, Samuel D. Edgar was chosen President, and E. Lindsley, Secretary, and the following persons reported their age, etc.:

Henry Waymire, born in Butler Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, July 16, 1816; Gorton Arnold came to Dayton in November, 1817 ; Simon J. Broadwell, born in Morris Co., N. J., September 1813, came to Dayton in 1816; George W. Kemp, born in what is now Mad River Township, in 1811; Theodore L. Smith, born in Dayton in 1808; George Swartzell, born in Warren Co., Ohio, October 6, 1806, came to Montgomery County the same year; William Stansel, born in Kentucky, came to this county in 1802; Robert W. Steele, born in Dayton, July 8, 1819; Elias Favorite, born in Bedford Co., Pa., February 7, 1808, came to this county October 30, 1818; Josiah S. Broadwell, born in. Morristown, N. J., April 4, 1816, came to Dayton September 16, 1816; Abraham Weaver, born in Jefferson Township, Montgomery Co., Ohio, March 8, 1808; Dennis Ensey, bom in Dayton, March 21, 1808; Michael Byerly, born in North Carolina, November 10, 1806, came to this county in 1808; William Gunckel, born in Germantown, Ohio, May 9, 1809; Eddy Fairchild, born in Morristown, N. J., February 19, 1810, came to Dayton in 1815; Moses Simpson, born in Essex Co., N. J., September 5, 1793, came to Ohio in 1813; David Osborn, born in Hamilton Co., Ohio, May 22, 1797, settled in Dayton in 1805; Culbertson Patterson, born in Fayette Co., Ky., August 27, 1797, came to this county in 1800; Solomon Butt, born in Rockingham Co., Va., May 3, 1803, came to this county in October, 1809; Charles H. Spinning, born in Essex Co., N. J., February 5, 1793, came to Montgomery County in 1801; Henry L. Brown, born in Dayton, December, 8, 1814; R. P. Brown, born in

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Dayton, December 6, 1811; Beriah Tharp, born in North Carolina, September 15, 1798, came to this county in 1802; Peter Lehman, born in Frederick Co., Md., January 2, 1798, came to Dayton in 1805; Samuel D. Edgar, born in what is now Mad River Township, March 25, 1806; Ephraim Lindsley, born in Morristown, N. J., January 28, 1803, came to Dayton in 1811; George Olinger, born in Bedford Co., Pa., February 18, 1793, came to this county in 1811; Daniel Wertz, born in Franklin Co., Pa., December, 1781, came to Montgomery County in 1818; Joseph B. H. Dodson, born in Dayton, September 10, 1817; John Waymire, born in Butler Township, August 30, 1808; John Clark, born in this county, February 12, 1813; William Neibel, born in Rockingham Co., Va., May 17, 1805, settled m Miami Township in October, 1810; J. D. Phillips, born in Dayton, December 30, 1812; Alfred Hoover, born in Randolph Township, August 10, 1809; H. D. Stout, born in Somerset Co., N. J., came to Ohio in June, 1811; John Wiggim, born in Ireland, October 30, 1810, came to Dayton in 1818; Hugh Wiggim, born in Ireland in 1814, settled in Dayton in 1818: Levi Wollaston came to Dayton, August 6, 1816.

Under the first constitution any person who came to the county previous to 1820, was eligible to membership, but in 1872 the constitution was so amended as to admit any person who was fifty years in the county. The objects of the Association are the collection and preservation of the records, experiences, incidents and traditions of the early settlement of Montgomery County, m connection with the history of events, times and people of later days; also to encourage pioneer simplicity of life, character and intercourse among members, as well as to foster habits of industry, integrity, sobriety, economy, goodness of heart, and friendly intercourse in the walk, conversation and character of persons in younger life. The first of May was chosen as the day upon which the annual meetings would be held, in honor of the date of the county's organization. The following persons were the first officers of the society.

George B. Holt, President; Henry L. Brown, 1st Vice-President; William Stansel, 2nd Vice-President; William Neibel, 3rd Vice-President; Samuel D. Edgar, 4th Vice-President; Henry Waymire, 5th Vice-President; Ephraim Lindsley, Secretary; Robert W. Steele, Treasurer; Rev. David Winters, Chaplain.

Mr. Holt served as President of the Association until May, 1872, at which time Henry L. Brown was elected, and officiated in that capacity three years. In May, 1875, J. Thompson was chosen as President, serving one year, and in May, 1876, was succeeded by Robert W. Steele, who also served but a year. In May, 1877, Elias Favorite was elected President, and re-elected annually up to the present. More than one hundred of Montgomery County's pioneers nave signed the Constitution since the organization of the Society. Many have died, removed, or ceased to attend, and unless the Constitution is again changed, so as to admit a later generation, but a few short years will elapse until the Montgomery County Pioneer Association will be a thing of the past, and those now composing it laid to rest with their fathers. The officers for 1882, are:

Elias Favorite, President; James F. Thompson, 1st Vice-President; George W. Kemp, 2nd Vice-President; Henry Waymire, 3rd Vice-President; George Woggoman, 4th Vice-President; William Wagner, 5th Vice-President; J. S. Broadwell, Treasurer; S. M. Sullivan, Secretary; Rev. David Winters, Chaplain.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY FARMERS CLUB.

On the 20th of April, 1872, a number of the citizens of Montgomery County met at the residence of John Kennedy, Harrison Township, for the purpose of organizing a Farmers' Club, whose object would be to bring together the leading agriculturists of the county, at stated times, for the purpose of discussing subjects of material interest to the farming community. A constitution and by-laws governing the club were presented and adopted, and thb following offi-

510 - HISTORY OF MONTTOMERY COUNTY.

cers chosen: Nicholas Ohmer, President; John Kennedy, Vice-President; M. N. Kimmel, Secretary; James Appelgate, Treasurer.

The constitution and by-laws provided that "any person may become a member of this society by the payment of $1 annually to the treasurer-wives of members without additional fee," also that the officers be elected annually and that regular meetings be held on the third Saturday of each of the following months, viz., April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.

Those meetings are held at the residence or grounds of members, and an excellent dinner, paid for out of the funds of the club, is a part of the day's programme. An annual address is delivered by the President, and at every meeting a member, selected for the occasion, delivers a well prepared essay on some subject connected with agriculture. In April, 1873, the following officers were elected: John Kennedy, President; Nicholas Ohmer, Vice-President; M. N. Kimmel, Secretary; James Appelgate, Treasurer.

Many interesting essays and discussions have been the result of those monthly meetings, and incalculable good rendered to intelligent farming.

In April, 1878, Mr. Ohmer was again elected President, and he has been re-elected annually up to the present. M. N. Kimmel was re-elected annually as Secretary from the organization of the club up to 1879, when Henry Waymire succeeded him, at the annual election of that year. Mr. Waymire served until the annual election of 1881, when J. A. Bigger was elected Secretary, which position he now occupies.

In April, 1874, John Stroup was elected Vice-President and re-elected annually up to the present. At the same meeting A. D. Wilt was elected Treasurer of the club and served until April 20, 1878, having been re-elected every year. On the latter mentioned date Robert Bradford was chosen as Treasurer and reelected annually since. Every officer of the club has been energetic and efficient, and all the members have contributed something towards elevating and enlightening the views of farmers on many subjects.

The club is now in a flourishing condition, and beside the practical knowledge obtained by the exchange of views and earnest, intelligent discussion among the members, those meetings are conducive of much social pleasure and happiness. They bring the farming community closer together, thereby encouraging habits of social intercourse among farmers. No doubt many lasting friendships have begun at these gatherings and many warm attachments cemented more firmly. In connection with the horticultural Society the club have purchased china ware and have had it decorated with the names of both societies, thus leaving to members a souvenir, which, with the passing years, will be a reminder of many by-gone happy hours. A number of Dayton's best citizens are members of this club and have always given it their support, and encouragement.