CITY OF DAYTON. - 595

CHAPTER V.

VILLAGE PLATS AND OTHER LOCALITIES - MEXICAN WAR - FLOOD OF 1847-THE CITY IN 1850- MINOR EVENTS - CENSUS - BANKS.

VILLAGE PLATS AND OTHER LOCALITIES.

PIERSON was platted by Joseph Peirce, as agent for Samuel W. Davis and Thomas D. Carneal, June 15. 1819, sixty-four lots north of the Miami River, and opposite the Dayton bridge (Bridge street). The plat was vacated, but about 1870, was replatted by Barnett, Arnold and Jordan ; is now in the Tenth Ward and known as Dayton View.

Patterson's Pond is between the canal and river, west of the Fair Ground Hill.

Buck Pasture (Buck Lot), comprising thirty-seven acres of land now within the First Ward, was platted by D. Z. Cooper and David Stone, and sold at auction August 6, 1836.

Oregon, now in the Fifth Ward, was platted in eighty lots in the spring of 1845.

Saint Anne's Hill, was the high ground from the corner of McLean and Eagle streets north to Third street.

Frenchtown extended south of Second street and the canal to Lodwick street. and east from the canal at Webster street to Saint Anne's Hill.

Lowry street was the extension of Fifth street, east of the canal to Wayne street. Lodwick street was the extension of Lowry street, east to the corporation line.

Slidertown included the territory around the corner of Patterson and Brown streets.

North Dayton, north of glad River, and now known as Texas, was platted in thirty-seven lots by Samuel T. Harker, proprietor, in October, 1841.

McPhersontwon, both sides of Main street north of the Miami River, was platted in thirty-four lots by Samuel McPherson, proprietor, February 1, 1845.

Mexico, in thirty-nine lots, Third street west of Williams street, was platted by Herbert S. Williams, proprietor, February 22, 18 5.

New Mexico, in the same locality, was shortly afterward platted.

West Dayton, eighty lots, near Third and Williams streets, was platted by Henry Van Tuyl, W. H. Boon and Jesse K. Christopher, proprietors, in April, 1845.

Patterson, better known as Browntown. west of the Miami River and south of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad was platted by R. P. Brown, in forty-one lots in October. 1853.

Miami City, from Wolf Creek south to the railroad, and immediately west of the Miami River, was platted by George Moon and Joseph Barnett, proprietors, May 34, 1854.

Africa was along Seely's Basin, at Wayne street.

The boat-yards were at the basin just north of Phillip's Hill.

Phillip's Hill was the high ground at the north end of the present Fair Grounds.

The head of the Basin was the business locality at the canal and First street. The Basin was the canal from Third to First street.

The State Basin was that part of the canal, since filled up, and now occupied

596 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

by the Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad as freight yard, east of the canal and north of Third street.

The State clam is on Mad River above the aqueduct.

Steele's dam, built after 1825, is in the Miami River a mile above the mouth of Mad River.

Steele's Hill was the high ground north of the Miami River, on the State road, from the Bridge street bridge around to the Covington pike.

The `' commons," from 1845 to 1855, was the uninclosed ground west of Ludlow street to the river, and south of the old graveyard.

The ball grounds, from 1850 to 1860, were south of Fourth street and west of Perry ; now they are south of Fifth street and west of the river.

The circus grounds, until about the year 1860, were in the triangle east of Wayne street between the canal and Third street ; since that time, shows under canvas have been given south of Hickory street and west of Wayne ; but that part of the city is being so rapidly improved, that the location has been changed to the lower end of Brown street north of Rubicon Creek

For the past forty years, the favorite bathing places have been at the "clay banks" in the Miami, a quarter of a mile south of the Washington street bridge at the tumbles " in the race, at the foot of Prairie street; at the " suck " in the Miami, at the lower point of all island above the Third street river bridge ; at the "log" just above the month of an Creek; in the Miami and Mad River at their confluence; at the "flats" in the Miami, above Mad River. and in the deeper pools above the city, in both of the rivers.

THE MEXICAN WAR

Dayton as the county seat; and as the center of population. was naturally the rallying-point for enlistment of soldiers, and of rendezvous for troops in the war of 1812, the Mexican war, and the war of the rebellion. vet the history of events in each of the three wars named, properly belongs in the county history.

Company organizations for the Mexican war had been partially effected before the call for troops was issued; yet when the call was issued, men from all parts of the county responded; Dayton was the center of the exciting events.

Militiamen were greatly interested ill the military movements on the Rio Grande, and in the probability of a call being issued for volunteers.

The evening of May 29, 1846, the Dayton National Guard at their armory on Second street were addressed by Capt. Hormell, in a Grief and patriotic. speech, at the close of which. he called for volunteers for the war, and in response, the whole company stepped to the front for enlistment.

A number of the Dayton Dragoons, Capt. Giddings, signed a roll for enlistment. Maj. Thomas B. Tilton had recruited twenty-five of the Dayton Gun Squad. The evening of the '.31st, a meeting of citizens of the county was held at the City Hall. and front that time men came in from all parts of the county to enlist.

Business in the city was almost entirely suspended from the 27th of May until June 5, and the excitement was kept up until after the departure of Capt. Stouts company on the 9th.

THE FLOOD OF 1947.

The rivers were so swollen in the latter part of December, 1846, as to excite fears for the safety of property in the lower portions of the city. The waters had been rising for several days; and on January 1, 1847, merchants and manufacturers along the canal, moved stocks and material from the cellars and lower floors to the second stories of the stores and warehouses. Tine levee was new, and for that reason there was great fear that it could not withstand the great pressure of the waters. About midnight, a general alarm was given, and shortly afterward the old outer levee at the Bridge street bend gave away, and from the rush of the mighty torrent, the new levee was broken through, the waters filling the cellars

CITY OF DAYTON. - 597

and covering the lowlands from the corner of Wilkinson and Water streets, around west of Perry- to Fourth street, creeping up Fourth and Fifth streets nearly to Wilkinson, and along Sixth street to Main. At 2 o'clock in the morning of the 2d, the levee above the head of Mill street began to wash, the alarm was promptly given, but soon the waters swept down the canal bed, spreading to St. Clair street at Second, and through the alley south of Third street to the market house, down Jefferson street to Sixth, and on Fifth to Main street, leaving only the center of the oldest part of the city above highwater mark. Relief parties were at work all night, on horseback and in boats, rescuing the people from the dwellings in the more exposed portions of the city. Uptown buildings and residences were thrown open for the reception of those who were driven from their homes. It was a bright, clear night, and there were no lives lost or serious accident of any kind. The annoyance was very great, the damage considerable, but being distributed among so many, individual losses were small in comparison to what at first was threatened.

Whatever of provisions and supplies that were left in the cellars, were spoiled; carpets and furniture were damaged; fences, yards and buildings were injured by driftwood and floating timbers; but within a very few days all was cleaned up, and the annoying experience passed.

The levee was shortly afterward strongly reconstructed, and is constantly being strengthened, and since the water-way has been widened, by the bridge extensions. it is believed that there can be no danger to the city from high waters in the future.

THE CITY IN 1850.

Merchants in the various branches of trade in 1800, were Charles Aubert, William Arnold. Jr., William Atkins, J. H. Achey, Thomas Bauman, W. D. Badcock. J. G. Baker. Theodore Barlow. Jesse Boo-her, Daniel Beckel, M. Bennett, H. L. Brown. Thomas Brown, W. G. Beene, John Beaver, Henry Best, John Baird. Robert Billet. R. Bickford. John Biddleman, Joseph Bimm, R. H. Brwen, M. Bomberger. Jacob Browning. Samuel Brady, Elisha Brown. S. B. Brown, Joseph Brown, J. Bunstine. H. M. Brown, J. Bundenthal, D. Carrol, Stacy B. Cain, John C. Cain, John Coblentz, Watson Carr. Robert Chambers, J. R. Clark. Samuel Clegg, J. M. Clegg, James Cook, Chambers & Harries, A. Darst, N. B. Darst, David Davis, Jas. B. Dicks, W. Dixon, Doyle, Dickey & Co., J. and J. L. Davison & Co.. Daniel Eichelberger, George \V. Ells, Ells, Clatlin & Co.. Charles Ells, Estabrook & Phelps, William Emrick, E. Favorite, H. H. Foster, A. R. H. Folkerth, William Frankenberger, William Gab, C. Ganson, Daniel Garst, D. N. Garrison, Herman Gebhart, Simon Gebhart, F. Gebhart & Sons, Charles George. B. Gilbert & Sons, Anthony Greiner, R. Green, M. Greer, A. Gump, I. F. Howells. John Harries, C. Herchelrode, Job Haines, P. M. Harman, George Hark, Henry Herrman, E. Heathman, William Hepford, Hiestand & Moler, B. Hime, James R. Hoglen. William Huffman, Rd. James, S. W. Jeffries, George Jewell, Allen Jeffers. Jacob Jameson, D. B. Johns, L. Kemp. P. Kelly, L. D. Kerfoot, R. A. Kerfoot, Jonathan Kenney, O. Kittridge, R. J. King. L. Kimball, Kneisley & Bro., Kiefer & Conover, Samuel Kittridge, William Kline, C. Koerner, Ladow & Hamilton, J. D. Loomis & Co., J. Langdon & Bro., F. L. Ladin, T. M. Lewis, H. Lemmermill, L. Leim, C. P. Leonard, N. S. Lockwood, Joseph Martin, William Machir, Samuel Marshall, Jonathan Duller, E. A. Moore, R. I). ^_.Martin, William Morton. J. McDaniel, J. P. Moores, John Mount, Munday & Stansifer, E. McCann, Munday & Long, A. C. W. Narwold, George Nauerth, John Nipgen, James Odell, Horatio Oblinger, N. Ohmer, M. Ohmer, Jacob Olwine, C. Ostendorf, William Parrott, J. V. Perrine, Henry Perrine, James Perrine, Perrine & Darst, Phillips & Varian, H. G. Phillips, J. C. Payne, Joseph Plageman, Charles Post, John Powell, A. Pruden, Rogers & Fowler, Benjamin Rapp, John Reeves, E. Reeves, David Rench, C. Ruff Rench & Chapman, James Sage, John Sayre, V. Schnorrenberger, Joseph Schaeffer, Salvador Schaeffer, Francis Schieble, John Scholl, William Shoemaker, Smith & Dietrich, A. Swaynie, Swain & Mead,

598 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

J. M. Sharp, A. Simms, H. D. Silver, George Smith, T. W. Sprague, John Stephens, David Stout, Elias Stout, William Stoner, Shulek & Egry, A. Spohn, J. S. Shoup, B. F. Shoup, Joel Shoup, Ezra Thomas, E. Thresher, William Trebein, Isaac Van Ansdal, Van Cleve & Newell, A. C. Van Doren, Nicholas Viot, John W. Whitmore, Winters & Schaefler, J. A. Walters, Thomas Wilkinson, J. L. Williams, J. W. Wike, Samuel Witherow, Collins Wight, John Wolf, D. Winters, Isaac Witmer. Manufacturers: Daniel Altick, Augustus Bauer, Thomas Benjamin, John Bell, B. N. Beaver, Frederick Boyer, Beatty & Fischer, J. H. Boyer, J. Bracelin, J. S. Broadwell, J. Chatterton, Clark & Green, D. M. Curtis, J. O. Conklin. Conover & Smith. John Cohan, Richard Chambers, Adam Conway, A. Crawford. W. L. Darrow, Amos Decker. Charles Decker, T. V. Doup, Ely & Miller. W. & F. C. Estabrook, William C. Ealy. John Engle, Allen Fauver, Gosling & Hammond, James Greer, W. J. Hatfield, George A. Hatfield, Isaac Haas, A. Helfrich. L. B. & D. Jones, Henry Kimes, John Kissner, D. E. Mead, James B. Morrison, William Oblinger, A. Pritz & Co., Parrott & Clegg, Horace Pease, T. A. Phillips, Warren Phillips, J. C. Peirce, J. H. Peirce, J. T. Reed; Albert Rosner, M. Rakestraw, Simon Sedarn, George W. Shields, William Sprague, C. Thompson & Sons, J. R. Waggoner, H. H. Wiggim, Jacob Wilt, Jeremiah Wilt, Westerman & Stout, Wyatt & Nickum, W. W. Wolf, S. Woodmansee.

There were four newspapers-the Dayton Daily Journal, owned aud edited by R. N. and W. F. Comfy ; the Westera Empire, owned and edited by Fitch & Ramsey ; the Transcript, owned and edited by William C. Howells & Co.; Das Deutsche Journal owned and edited by John Bittman. John W. Harries' brewer y was on the west side of Jefferson street, north of First street ; the brewery of John and Henry Ferneding was on the east side of Kenton street, near Third.

Peter Voorhees and D. Z. Peirce, were proprietors of opposition stage lines.

Samuel Rouzer was auctioneer.

Livery stables were kept by Brice Dillie, J. & T. R. Gillis, Lewis Heckler, John Miller; John Wiggim, Reed & Shellabatger.

The city was well provided with hotels and taverns ; the Voorhees House, W. H. Squires, landlord ; Swaynie House. Alexander Swaynie : Montgomery House, C. Forrer ; Farmer's and Mechanic's Hotel, John P. Kline ; Franklin House. Conrad Smith ; Lafayette House. J. Zweisler ; Columbian Motel, Adam Knecht ; Dayton Hotel, Francis Ohmer; City Hotel. M. S. Gunckel : Galt House, .J. V. Nauerth; Liberty Hall, Adam Snyder; Pennsylvania House. H. Good ; Union House, H. Good ; Harrison House, Philadelphia House ; American House. Andrew Spang ; St. Charles, N. L. Aull & Co.; Canal Hotel. T. Stephens ; Chillicothe House, L. Rowe ; Augustus Kryder and F. Shutte each had small taverns in the alley at the north side of the Market House ; Erasmus Munch kept hotel on Third street, east of Bainbridge street.

There were forty-one physicians practicing medicine in the city: Edward Bantz H. Baker. J. Bosler, C. Broadbeck, Joseph Brown, H. G. Carey, ------- Cannon, Oliver Crook, J. M. Crook, J. Clements, Jacob Coblentz. R. Cagley, John Craig head; E. Ealy, William Egry, ----- Felke, M. Garst, A. Geiger, George Greeu, Job Haines, Adams Jewett, Henry Jewett, J. H. Jordan, S. Jones, A. Kellogg. - Knappstacdt, F. H. Langstedt. R. Martin. J. V. Miller. A. Shuleck, J. W. Shriver, Edmund Smith, Edwin Smith, John Steele, H. K. Steele, C. W. Strumm, H. VanTuyl, D. B. Van Tuvl, H. Wigand, J. Wise. George Zueblen.

Thirty-six lawyers : John Ackerman, Luther B. Bruen, W. C. Bartlett, James H. Baggott, Ely Booth, Wilbur Conover, S. Craighead, J. H. Crane. J. G. Crane, M. E. Curwen, Edward W. Davies, Samuel B. Darst, E. J. Forsyth, Luther Giddings, R. H. Hart. George B. Holt, L. Huesman. John Howard. D. A. Haynes, D. W. Iddings, J. A. Jordan, Gilbert Kennedy. P. P. Lowe, John G. Lowe, Josiah Lovell, Peter Odlin, W. H. Piper, R. C. Schenck. L. Q. Smith. T. J. S. Smith, Henry Stoddard. Hiram Strong, S. M. Sullivan, C. L. Vallandigham, M. B. Walker, Y. V. Wood.

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Eighteen preachers : P. D. Gurley, John W. Hall, J. C. Crum, W. P. Strickland, J. B. Britton, D. R. Bilcom, D. Winters, W. R. Davis, William Ahrens, George Flanders, Samuel Gormon, A. Hardorf, E. W. Humphries, P. Rizer, George Spring, G. Walker, A. P. Frees. F. Snyder.

The four banks were the Dayton Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, Peter Odlin, President, C. G. Swain, Cashier ; Dayton Bank, Jonathan Harshman, Sr., President, V. Winters, Cashier. March 31,1850, Mr. Harshman died, and John Rench was elected President, and John B. Chapman appointed Cashier, vice V. Winters resigned ; City Bank, owned by J. O. Shoup and Samuel Tate, Joseph A. Dusang. Cashier ; Farmers' Bank, owned by Daniel Beckel, Joseph Clegg and William Dickey, under the firm name of Beckel & Co.

The Dayton Hotel Company was incorporated in March, 1850. In July, they purchased the ground at the southwest corner of Third and Main streets, and in the fall of the same year began building the Phillips House. The house was opened by Leonard & Potter September 10, 1852 ; a very elegant and popularly attended ball and supper were given at the hotel, under the management of a large number of the most prominent gentlemen of the city, the evening of October 14; tickets, $5.

MINOR EVENTS.

In July, 1851, a town clock that had been purchased by the City Council was placed in the tower of Wesley Chapel, where it did duty for a number of years, and was then placed in the Second Presbyterian Church steeple.

In sewing machines, the Singer machine was the first exhibited in Dayton ; it was brought here October 11, 1851, by S. N. Shear, agent, and of course was an object of great interest to people of all classes.

Clegg's Hall, Third street, now occupied by the Superior Court, was opened to the public in November, 1852.

Beckel Hall, opposite the east end of the market house, Jefferson street, was built in 1852.

CENSUS.

Of the settlers who came to the county, April 1, 1796, eight men, three women, and four girl children and one baby boy, total sixteen; located at Dayton. Within the next three years some of the original settlers moved out, but new-comers increased the population of the hamlet to twenty-three-nine men, seven women and seven children. In April, 1803, the population was shown to be five men, six women and eight children, total nineteen. December 21, 1808, the village had 315 inhabitants ; August 10, 1810. 383 ; June 1, 1820, 1,139 ; May 1, 1828, 1,697 ; July 14, 1829, 2,358.

The United States census of 1830 shows the population of the town to have been 2,934 on June 1 of that year. The population had increased to 3,258 on January 1, 1832 ; 3,376 on March 1, 1833; 5,460 October 1, 1838.

By the census report of 1810, Dayton had 6,067 inhabitants. In August, 1845, there was a population of 9,792 ; 10;977 in 1850 ; 16.562 on the 1st of June, 1853 ; 20,081 by the census of 1860 ; 30,473 by the census of 1870 ; and by the census of 1880, we have 38,721.

BANKS.

At a time when the population of Dayton was less than 1,000, business had so increased as to tempt capitalists to engage in banking.

In the fall of 1813, the Dayton Manufacturing Company was chartered. December 28, the following Board of Directors was elected: H. G. Phillips, Joseph Peirce, John Compton, David Reid, William Eaker. Charles R. Greene, Isaac G. Burnett, Joseph H. Crane. D. C. Lindsley, John Ewing, Maddox Fisher, David Griffin and John H. Williams. May 19, 1814, the board organized by the election of H. G. Phillips, President, and George S. Houston, Cashier. At an election held July 4, J. N. C. Schenck, George Grove, Fielding Gosney and Benjamin Van Cleve

600 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

were added to the board. The amount of stock issued was $61,055. The bank opened for business August 14, 1814 ; the President's salary was fixed at $150 per annum, and the Cashier's at $400, but both were afterward increased. In November. Mr. Phillips resigned the Presidency, and Joseph Peirce was elected. The next year the company built the stone house on the east side of Main street, north of First. Luther Bruen and James Steele were elected directors. In June, an exhibit of the condition of the bank was made as follows

Gold and silver............................................. $ 34,154 35

Treasury notes.............................................. 1,000 00

Bills discounted............................................. 56,871 81

Paid on banking house.......................... . ........... 880 00 Currency................................................... 28,340 87,

Expense........................ . ........................... 2.258 18 Total............................................................. $123,505 21

Stock paid in........... .................. $ 25,683 00

Notes issued................................. 61.200 00

United States deposit....................... 5,120 00

Individual deposits......................... 19,171 51

Due Miami Exporting Company . . . 7,373 91

Due other hanks.... ......................... .2,728 12

Discounts........................................ 2,338 3.

Total ........................................ $123,554 81

The circulation was afterward increased to $134,671, a part of which was "change tickets," for 6 1/4 cents, 12 1/2 cents, 25 and 50 cents.

In 1817, Henry Bacon, as a professional character of reputable standing, was employed as attorney for the bank. In 1818. William Huffman Henry Bacon and George W. Smith were elected Directors. and, in 1819, Alexander Grimes.

The President, Joseph Peirce, died in September 1821. Benjamin Van Cleve was elected to succeed him, but died in November. and was succeeded by George Newcom. The bank had been forced to suspend specie payments at several different times. and the business had run clown. In February, 1822, James Steele was elected President, but shortly afterward the directors decided to close up the business. It, however, run along until in 1835 a new law was passed that was at first deemed favorable, but taxes were oppressive, and it became evident that the bank must go down.

In 1829, Henry Stoddard was elected Director.

The Cashier; Mr. Houston, died in May 1831, Charles R. Greene was elected to succeed him.

In July, 1831, the board was re-organized by the election of nine directors, James Steele. II. G. Phillips, David Stone, Jacob Catterlin, William Eaker, Henry Stoddard, Luther Bruen, Charles G. Swain, John Rench. James Steele, President; Alexander Grimes, Cashier ; D. Z. Peirce, Assistant. In 1833, Henry Stoddard was employed as attorney for the bank at a salary of $50 per annum.

The Legislature shortly afterward authorized the name to be changed to that of the Dayton Bank. J. H. Bowen afterward became Assistant Cashier, then J. A. Dusang, and in 1839 John Harries was appointed.

Peter Odlin and James Perrine were made Directors in 1836 ; Mr. Jewett and D. Z. Peirce in 1839.

In 1841, the bank suspended specie payment ; January, 1842, the board gave notice of their intention to wind up the business ; January 1, 1843, the charter expired, and Alexander Grimes, as agent, closed up the affairs of the bank.

The city was then without banking facilities from the 1st of January, 1842, until June 1, 1845 ; except that for a part of that time D. Edwards, a broker, was in business on the north side of Third street, near Main street, in Harshman's row.

In February 1815. a new and more liberal bank law was enacted. Within a few weeks stock was subscribed for an independent bank. to be called the " Day-

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ton Bank.' under the new law, with a specie capital of $60,000. May 1, the following Directors were elected : Jonathan Harshman, Sr., John Rench, Thomas Brown, Jonathan Harshman, Jr., Daniel Beckel, Henrv Van Tuyl, David Davis. Jonathan Harshman, Sr., was made President, and Valentine Winters, Cashier.

The bank was located on the north side of Third street, the second door east of Main street. It was opened for business about June 1, and two weeks later the new bills were in circulation.

John Rench was elected President of the bank upon the death of Mr. Harshman, in March, 1850 ; in November following, Mr. Winters resigned, and John B. Chapman was appointed Cashier. The bank discontinued business in the spring of 1853.

Stock books of the Dayton Branch State Bank of Ohio, were opened the first week of April, 1845. The first meeting of stockholders was held May 21 ; the board was organized as follows President, Peter Odlin ; Cashier, David Z. Peirce ; Directors, Peter Odlin, Alexander Grimes, C. G. Swain, R. W. Steele, J. D. Phillips, Samuel Shoup. Warren Estabrook, David Stout, Herman Gebhart , capital, $150,000.

The bank began business July 7, in a room on the south side of Second street, four doors east of Main. and in the latter part of December following moved into Shoup's building, at the southeast corner of Second and Jefferson streets. Mr. Peirce resigned in March, 1849, and Charles G. Swain was elected Cashier, and served in that capacity, with Mr. Odlin as President, until the capital and business was transferred to the Dayton National Bank in April, 1865.

The City Bank. a private bank owned by J. O. Shoup and Samuel Tate, Sr., with Joseph A. Dusang as Cashier, was located on the north side of Third street, four doors east of Jefferson, and opened for business August 7, 1850. In April, 1852, Mr. Tate withdrew from the firm, and the business was continued by Mr. Shoup for several years.

Daniel Beckel. William Dickey and Joseph Clegg established the Farmers' Bank in the Ohio Block. Third street west of Kenton street, and opened for business November 20, 1850. March 29, 1852, Mr. Clegg withdrew from the firm, and the bank was moved to the northeast corner of Jefferson and Third streets. October 24, of the same year, Mr. Dickey withdrew, and Mr. Beckel continued alone until the bank closed in 1854.

The Miami Valley Bank was established in 1851, and opened for business September 10. Daniel Beckel, President ; S. C. Emley, Cashier , Directors, Daniel Beckel, Nathaniel Strong, J. McDaniel, Daniel A. Haynes, Joseph Clegg. The bank was at first located in room No. 3 of the Ohio Block, but was afterward moved to the Dayton Bank room, on Third street, near Main, where the business closed.

The Exchange Bank. owned by Valentine Winters, Jonathan Harshman, R. R. Dickey and James R. Young, was first opened for business at the northeast corner of Main and Third streets, April 5, 1852. September 26, 1853, Messrs. Dickey and Young withdrew, Harshman and Winters continuing the business until in 1857, Mr. Harshman withdrew, and Jonathan H. Winters became a member of the firm. The firm name was changed to V. Winters & Son, who continued and largely increased the business, and for many years held rank with the best banks of the country. In the fall of 1861, the bank was moved two doors north into the building that was torn down in 1871, to give place to their present handsome structure. On the 1st of January, 1882, it was changed to a National Bank and is known as Winters' National Bank. Its capital stock is $300,000, and its officers are as follows : J. H. Winters, President ; J. D. Platt, Vice President ; J. C. Reber, Cashier ; Directors, J. H. Winters, J. D. Platt, Valentine Winters. L. B. Gunckel, J. Decker, J. M. Phelps, James Stockstill, Samuel Craighead, E. M. Wood.

After the affairs of the Miami Valley Bank were closed up, Mr. R. D. Harsh-

602 - HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

man occupied the room as a private banking house ; then he, with Jonathan H. Gorman, established the Central Bank, and moved into the corner room, vacated by the Exchange Bank, and continued business until about 1874.

The banking house of Harshman & Co., east side of Jefferson street, north of Third, was established by Jonathan and Joseph Harshman in 1860 ; in 1865. these gentlemen were associated in the organization of the Second National Bank. In 1870, Harshman & Co, again engaged in banking, and continued until affected by the panic of 1873.

The First National Bank was organized in the spring of 1863, with $112,500 capital, which was afterward increased to $150,000. President, Simon Gebhart ; Cashier, G. B. Harman ; Directors, Simon Gebhart, Henry Herrman, Thomas Parrott, Caleb Parker, John L. Martin, D. E. Mead, Samuel Marshall, George W. Shaw, Josiah Gebhart. May 1, 1870, Simon Gebhart, G. B. Harman and W. B. Gebhart purchased the good will and succeeded to the business of the bank, and have since that time conducted a general banking business under the firm name of Gebhart, Harman & Co., north side of Third street, three doors west of Jefferson.

The Second National Bank was chartered in the spring of 1863, and organized as follows : President, Jonathan Harshman ; Cashier. David C. Reach ; Directors, Jonathan Harshman, James Perrine, G. W. Kneisly, T. S. Babhitt, William P. Huffman, Robert Chambers. L. R. Pfoutz, N. B. Darst, D. C. Rench, Their place of business at first was on the east side of Jefferson street, north of Third street, and September 1, 1869. was moved to its present location at the northwest corner of Jefferson and Third streets. The capital at first employed was 8100.000, but has at different times been increased until it reached $300,000, The last officers of this bank were: William P. Huffman, President ; Daniel Keifer, Vice President; Charles E. Drury, Cashier ; Directors, W. P. Huffman. T. S. Babbitt, D. Keifer, G. W. Kneisly, R. J. King, John K. Mclntyre, Preserved Smith, George W. Shaw. E. J. Barney. It ceased to exist May 25, 1882.

The Dayton National Bank received its charter in April, 1865, and without interruption to business, succeeded the Dayton Branch of the State Bank of Ohio. The bank was organized with $300,000 capital ; Peter Odlin, President: C. G. Swain, Cashier ; Directors, J. H. Achey, G. W. Rogers, Harvev Conover, T. A. Phillips, Horace Pease, Dr. A. Jewett. Joel Estabrook. Herman Gebhart. The bank room was at the southeast corner of Second and Jefferson streets. Mr. Swain died in 1866. H. C. Hiestand succeeded him, and served until W. S. Phelps was elected in January, 1869. The bank was moved to its present location in the Huston building at the southeast corner of Third and JefFerson streets. October 1, 1869. J. H. Ache was made President in November, 1872, and is still serving in that capacity; W. S. Phelps is Cashier, and the Directors are John H. Achey, G. W. Rogers. Harvey Conover, Samuel W. Davies, R. R. Dickey, Josiah Gebhart. William P. Callahan, William H. Simms, Isaac Van Ausdal.

The Merchants' National Bank began business February 15, 1871, in the room which they yet occupy at the southwest corner of Third and Jefferson streets ; capital, $100,000; afterward increased to $150,000. President, John Powell ; Cashier, A. S. Estabrook ; Directors, John Powell. E. D. Payne, D. E. Mead, J. C. Peirce, J. W. Dietrich, James Applegate, Samuel Marshall, Caleb Parker, N. Ohmer. The present board are : D. E. Mead. President ; J. C. Peirce, Vice President , A. S. Estabrook, Cashier ; Directors, D. E. Mead, J. C. Peirce, John R. Reynolds, B. F. Hargrave, E. A. Daniels, T. A. Legler, James Applegate, A. Gebhart, N. Ohmer.

The Dayton Savings Bank, 432 East Fifth street, was organized with $100.000 capital February 24, 1874 , President, C. F. Kneisly ; Cashier, J. W. Dietrich ; Directors, C. F. Kneisly, Charles Burroughs, Jost Durst, D. Slentz, John L. Prugh. Mr. Kneisly served as President until January, 1880, when John L. Prugh was elected. The present board are : John L. Prugh, President : Ziba Crawford, Cashier ; Directors, John L. Prugh, Jost Durst, D. Slentz. E. Pape, Joseph Bigger.

CITY OF DAYTON. - 603

John Bettelon and William Gunckel, in 1872, established a Savings Bank at 208 East Third street. Mr. Bettelon withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Gunckel is still carrying on the business.

Small weekly deposits, which, in the aggregate amount to a considerable sum, are made in the Building Associations, and in the Savings and Loan Associations, so many of which have been organized in the city. These associations have accomplished great good to a very large number of mechanics and laborers, by affording a safe deposit for small sums of weekly earnings, and in this way enabling very many families to accumulate a sum sufficient to buy or build small homes.

The Third National Bank was organized and began business May 10, 1882, in the building formerly occupied by the Second National Bank. Its capital stock is $400,000, and its officers are William P. Huffman, President ; Daniel Keifer, Vice President; Charles E. Drury, Cashier ; Directors, William P. Huffman, T. S. Babbitt, Daniel Keifer. G. W. Kneisly, R. J. King, John K. McIntyre, Preserved Smith, George W. Shaw. E. J. Barney.