(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 161 CHAPTER XX. COUNTY SOCIETIES. The Ross County Agricultural Societies, Old and New—Horticultural Societies—Medical Society—Highland County Medical Society— Bible Society—Sunday School Association. ROSS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. The first agricultural society in Ross county was organized on the twenty-eighth of June, 1833, by the election of the following officers : George Renick, president ; James Voss, vice-president; Felix Renick, corresponding secretary ; N. W. Thatcher, recording secretary; Nathan Sawyier, treasurer; Duncan McArthur, Richard R. Seymour, John Crouse, jr., John McNeil, John Foster, E. J. Harness, Dennis McConnell, A. Hugler, John Mace, William Clark, jr., managers. There are no records of this society in existence, or at least none that can be found by the historian, and the information here presented is obtained only through laborious search in the files of the Gazette. Nothing appears in regard to the first fair, but an account of the second one, held October 31 and Novem 1, 1834, appears in the paper issued subsequently. It is stated that the first premium—ten dollars—for the best thorough-bred stallion, was given to Duncan McArthur, upon his horse "Tariff," and the second to John McNeil for his horse "Independence." Arthur Watts exhibited the best bull, and Duncan McArthur, George Renick, R. R. Seymour, David Crouse, and Governor Trimble, of Highland county, also had on exhibition fine cattle, some of which were deemed worthy of premiums. Daniel Madeira is mentioned as having the best carrots. Dennis McConnell received a premium for raising one hundred bushels of wheat upon an acre of ground, and S. V. Dorman three dollars for raising one hundred and fifty bushels of potatoes upon one acre of ground. The secretary's report of the third annual fair held October 29, 3o and 31, 1835, stated that "it was an unusually large and interesting exhibition." The report continues : "We are compelled to state that the society has not met with that encouragement by way of pecuniary support which, from the patriotic character of our citizens, might reasonably be expected." * * * * The enterprise which prompted the operations of the "Ohio Importing company" emanated from this society, and has given a name and character to our county and State, which places us first in rank among the agricultural districts of the Union." [It may be remarked here that the Ohio Importing company was organized by citizens of Ross county in 1834, for the purpose of bringing fine cattle from England, This company exhibited cattle at the fair of 1835—most of them half-breeds, and in the following year the first regular stock sale in Ohio was held October 26th, at Felix Renick's Indian creek farm.] The secretary in his report says: "We were much gratified to see many fine cattle and sheep from Highland and Clark counties. The half-breeds from the Ohio importation stock elicited much notice, showing at once the immediate as well as prospective benefit of the late importation of English cattle. The interest of the exhibition was much enhanced by a herd of English cattle from Kentucky, which were shown by Messrs. L. B. Clay & Co." The first premium horse at this fair was James Ryan's Sir Charles, a thorough-bred stallion. Cattle were exhibited, and premiums taken by George Renick, R. Worthington, Henry Renick, R. R. Seymour, Arthur Watts, Vause and Harness, and to the Rev. J. M. Matthews and John M. Nelson, of Highland county. Among the most notable premiums we find one of " a silver cup, value ten dollars, given to George Renick, one hundred and fifty-four and a half bushels of corn, 21 162 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. being the best product to the acre. Wesley Claypoole took the second premium for one hundred and twenty- nine and a half bushels of corn upon an acre of land. "A silver medal of the value of four dollars was awarded F. Renick for the largest yield of oats to the acre— eighty-one and a half bushels. These great yields were obtained from ground, which now will not bear more than half the number of bushels. The society about which we have given the foregoing facts expired after an existence of several years, and was succeeded by one which was organized August 17, 1846, as an auxiliary to the State board of agriculture, under the act of the general assembly, passed February 27, 1846. At a meeting held at the Madeira house, the following gentlemen were elected officers of the society: President, W. Marshall Anderson; vice-president, Alex. Renick; treasurer, William H. Douglass; secretary, R. W. Burridge; directors, Dennis McConnell, Jeptha Per- rill, William Welsh, John Foster, Nathan Gillilan. 'The first fair of this society was held October 14 and is, 1846, at "the Sugar grove," which covered the square on which the school building now stands. The market house was also used for the exhibition of articles of woman's industry, etc. At this fair the principal exhibitors of cattle were Henry Renick, Alex. Renick, George Renick, Dr. Arthur Watts, William D. Worthington, James D. Vause, James Dean, and Felix Renick. Premiums were taken upon horses by J. S, Atwood, Alex. H. McRoberts, Wesley Pryor, Dennis McConnell, Andrew Poe, and J0seph McConnell. A dinner at the Madeira house was one of the features in the programme of the second day of the exhibition. This society purchased the grounds which are now in use by the present society, but failed to pay for them. Its affairs were ultimately closed by Amos Smith, esq., and for several years there was no agricultural society in R0ss county. The society at present in existence held a preliminary meeting on the fifth of February, 1870, at which committees were appointed to solicit members for the proposed organization. The organization was effected March 5th, when a constitution was adopted and the following officers elected: President, L. G. Delano ; vice-president, S. H. Hurst; secretary, Philip Griffin; treasurer, Addison Pearson; managers, Samuel Kendrick, Dr. William Waddell, Alex. Renick, jr., James Ewing, of Chillicothe, Joseph McConnell, of Scioto township, S. N. Hurst, of Union, Uriah Beets, of Deerfield, M. Lewis, of Greene, Samuel Cline, of Concord, Thomas Murray, of Buckskin, John Woodbridge of Paint, A. W. Seymour, of Paxton, David Shotts, of Twin, Samuel R. Posey, of Huntington, James Davis, jr., of Franklin, Solomon DuBois, of Jefferson, Thomas Griffin, of Liberty, Levi Buchwalter, of Colerain, Jacob H. Cryder, of Springfield, and Daniel Clymer, of Harrison. This society has maintained an uninterrupted existence, and has developed into a very strong and complete organization. Its annual fairs are interesting and valuable exhibitions, are largely attended, and, as a consequence, the affairs of the society are in a good condition of prosperity. ROSS COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. The first society in Ross county, which had for its objects the advancement and improvement of fruit culture, was named the Chillicothe Horticultural society, but it was essentially a county organization, and an important one, and so has a place in this chapter, rather than any other portion of the work. It was organized January 3, 1859. Foll0wing are the names of those who were the original members: James Howard, Jacob Wolfe, William Poland, Raymond Allston, Henry Bailey, W. Waddle, William S. Irwin, John S. Vanmeter, June B. James, Wilham Johnston, George B. March, Sandusky Wallace, J. Boost, Simpson Jones, Joseph Sanford, R. R. Seymour, Joseph Robinson, H. Pearson, Daniel Thompson, James T. McAdow, George L. Wolf, George Hoffman, John Hough, J. M. Waltz, O. L. Fullerton, Henry Howson, James E. Quick, U. W. Thatcher, Isaac Cory, J. P. Safford, I. H. Roads, D. K. Jones, Jeremiah McCollister, J. L. Hearn, sr., Charles E. Harness, Thomas S. Bennett, James B. Scott, S. Brownell, T. C. Hearn, D, A. Smith. Following are the first officers who were elected: John S. Vanmeter, president; William Waddle, M. D., vice-president; N. W. Thatcher, secretary; Jacob Wolf, treasurer; James Howard, Isaac Cory, W. W. Madeira, curators. William Waddle was re-elected president in 1860, and 1861, and in 1862, Dr. Thomas Miesse was elected to the chief office of the society. The president, in 1863, was Jacob Wolf. Subsequent to his election, the society held no meetings, and its organization deteriorated. The society, during the four years of its active existence, held several exhibitions, at which there were made displays of fruit which were very creditable, both in the number of varieties, and the excellence of each. These exhibitions were valuable as being the means of showing to the people generally the capabilities of the soil and climate of Ross county for producing fruit, and the society did much to increase its culture. The second society, and the one now in existence, came into being January 30, 1869. On that day, a meeting was held at the court house, pursuant to call, and the plan of the society was explained to those present. Subsequently, the following officers were elected: Dr. D. H. Scott, president ; Joshua Seney, vice-president; Benjamin F. Stone, secretary; Chas. J. Miller, treasurer; General S. H. Hurst, Louis Meggenhofer, F. W. Blackford, directors. The constitution set forth the object of the society to be the collection and dissemination of information relative to the growing of fruits, flowers, and vegetables; to promote discussion, experiment, and the interchange of opinion upon these kindred topics, and, in general, to encourage a taste for horticulture and rural embellishment among the people. The society commenced with over fifty members. Regular monthly meet ings were held, at which reports and addresses were made upon many topics of interest to the members, and much enthusiasm was created upon the subject of horticulture in general. Choice and large displays of fruit were made on several occasions. At the annual election, in 1870, Dr. Scott was again chosen president, and re-elected to successive terms until HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 163 1873, when General S. H. Hurst was made president, and General James T. Worthington vice-president; offices which they still hold. The society has for several years been inactive, but still retains its organization. ROSS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. About the year 1852 the physicians of Chillicothe and Ross county organized a society of which the late Dr. David Wills was president, but the records of the society have not been preserved, and as the newspapers of the time did not contain any mention of the organization, it is impossible to give the history of the society. The present Medical society of Ross county was organized at a meeting held April 6, 1876, at Dr. G. S. Franklin's office. The original members, who upon that day signed the constitution, were S. W. Foulke, of Chillicothe; William Latta, and R. Galbraith, of Frankfort ; John M. Cox, of South Salem ; Gustavus L. Franklin, of Chillicothe; J. B. F. Morgan, of Clarksburgh; A. L. Chenoweth, of Bourneville; E. J. Galbraith, of Frankfort ; C, M. Wilson and R. B. Hall, of Chillicothe; Geo. Freeman, of Richmond; Willard A. Hall, of Bourneville, and J. M. Leslie, of Frankfort. The first officers elected were : president, Dr. William Latta; vice-president, R. B. Hall; treasurer, E. J. Galbraith; secretary, G. S. Franklin. The gentlemen succeeding Dr. Latta as president, were G. B. F. Morgan, Robert Galbraith and John M. Cox, the present incumbent. The objects of the society are the promotion of the interests of the profession, the advancement of medical science, the interchange of opinion, and the maintenance of a code of ethics. HIGHLAND COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. In February, 1838, some of the leading practitioners of medicine of Highland county, conferred with each other, and called a meeting of the profession on the seventeeth of April, 1838. At the appointed time a number met and organized the Highland County Medical society. At this organization Drs. Jacob Kirby, C. C. Sams, John M. Johnston, A. Baker, W. T. Newcomer, J. L. Wilson, Layton, Howell, McCollum, W. C. McBride, Milton Dunlap, Enos Holmes, Alexander McBride, A, J. Spees, Robert P. Judkins, T. Rogers, and others, were present and took part. Dr. Jacob Kirby was elected president, Dr. W. T. Newcomer, vice-president ; and Dr. C. C, Sams, secretary. A constitution, by-laws, and fee bill, were adopted. The society met annually, with much profit to the membership, which gradually increased until most of the regular practitioners of the county became members. After some years the attendance became small, and finally, for some two or three years, there was no regular meeting of the society. In March, 1853, the society met and re-organized, with the addition of quite a number of new members, mostly of the younger men of the profession. As we have not the list in full before us, we give the names then added, as near as can be ascertained, viz : John Duvall, Christopher C. Matthews, J. P. Garrett, M. Garrett, Thomas Davis, J. S. Wright, Ruel Beeson, G. W. Dun- lap, A. J. Dunlap, T. McGarraugh, N. H. Hixson, P. Marshall, G. H. Viers, and some others. Dr. C. C. Sams was elected president; Dr. J. L. Wilson, vice-president; and Dr. J. M. Johnston, treasurer. The society then had the constitution, by-laws, fee bill, and code of ethics, printed, for the benefit of the members. The society meetings were held semi-annually, and were well attended. Essays were read and discussed; and regular reports were made by each member of the diseases and the sanitary condition of his locality, etc., etc. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, and during its continuance, the meetings were not regularly kept up. The society resumed their regular meetings in 1865, with Dr. Jacob Kirby, president; Dr. S. J. Spees, vice- president, and Dr. J. M. Johnston, treasurer, with the addition of a number of new members. In 1874 the society again reorganized and adopted a new constitution, by-laws, fee bill, and the revised code of ethics of the American Medical association. In 1874 Dr. J. M. Johnston was elected president, and Dr. S. J. Spees vice-president. In 1875 these two gentlemen were elected again to the same offices. In 1876 Dr. S. J. Spees was elected president, and Dr. B. C. Granger vice-president. In 1877 Dr. Spees was again elected to the same office, and Dr.____ vice-president. In 1878 Dr. J. L. Wilson was elected president, and Dr. P. H. Weyer vice-president. In 1879 Dr. W. W. Shepherd was elected president, Dr. R. T. Trimble vice-president, Dr. P. H. Weyer treasurer, Dr. T. M. Thomas recording secretary, and Dr. B. D. Granger, corresponding secretary. The elections are held on the second Thursday of April annually, Since 1874 the meetings have been kept up regularly on the second Thursday of April, July, October, and January, and are still held. In April, 1879, the constitution, by-laws and fee bill were revised, and, with the revised code of ethics of the American Medical association, were published in a neat pamphlet. The membership then consisted of the following physicians: W. W. Shepherd, president; R. T. Trimble, vice- president; P. H. Weyer, treasurer; F. M. Thomas, recording secretary; B. D. Granger, corresponding secretary; C. C. Hixson, S. J. Speer, R. C. Russ, J. W. M. Quinn, C. C. Matthews, Edward Rives, W, S. Patterson, J. L. Wilson, F. M. Granger, Robert Fulton, C. A. Stewart, Wm. Wilson, J. Holmes, S. J. McNulty, J. H. McNulty, J. M. Spear, H. Whisler, T. M. Reade, N. B. Van Winkle, J. F. Blair, ____ Bryan, O. C. Hook, George R. Conard, T. C. Quinn, ___ Dunlap, ____ Lee. OBITUARY NOTICES OF MEMBERS. Dr. C. C. Sams graduated at the Medical university of Maryland. He died in August, 1865, much regretted by the society and the public, having spent a useful professional life. He was a man of science, a close student, and a careful diagnostician. Dr. Jacob Kirby graduated at the Transylvania university, Kentucky. He died in March, 1873, in his seventy-fifth year, after completely wearing himself out 164 - HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO. in the arduous work of his profession. He was one of the pioneers of the profession in this county, and much loved, both for his integrity and devotion to the relief of the sick. Dr. J. M. Johnston died in October, 1876. He practiced medicine for many years in Hillsborough, Ohio, contemporaneously with Dr. C. C. Sams, and Dr. Jacob Kirby. He was much esteemed by the medical society and the public. His health, as well as that of Dr. Sams, was much impaired by medical visits to the South during the war of the Rebellion—Dr. Lams passing away before his sixtieth year, and Dr. Johnston before his seventieth. Dr. J. W. M. Quinn was much attached to the profession of his choice, He was greatly esteemed for his attention and kindness to his patients. As had his father, previously, he spent his energies in the service of his profession. He died, much regretted, in January, 1880, in the sixty-fifth year of his age. These veterans of the profession, who died in Hillsborough, were honored by their professional brothers attending their funerals on horseback, as was the custom of visiting patients in the early days of the medical pioneers of the county, S. J. Spees, M. D., P. H. Weyer, M. D., R. T. Trimble, committee. THE HIGHLAND COUNTY SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. The Highland County Sunday-school union was first organized October 24, 1867, at a meeting held in the Methodist Episcopal church, in Hillsborough. At this meeting William M. Meek was elected president (which office he continued to hold, by re-elections, till 1870), C. A. Lewis, secretary, and A. B. Sams, treasurer. The following were elected an executive committee : G. B. Gardner, J. M. Boyd, J. I. Woodrow, J. S. Black, and Reece Griffith. On the fifth day of June, 1868, the Union held a meeting in Hillsborough, at which William M. Meek presided and Warren Johnson acted as secretary pro tem. At this meeting a committee of five, W. G. Richards, E. Carson, J. K. Pickering, A. B. Sams, and T. G. Hoggard, were appointed to arrange for and call a county convention, and pursuant to their call, a meeting was held in Hillsborough, July 19, 1868, at which the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: William M. Meek, president ; J. K. Pickering, corresponding secretary; Warren Johnson, recording secretary; T. G. Hoggard, treasurer; E. Cars0n, W. G. Richards, A. B. Sams, J. K. Pickering, T. G. Hoggard, David Copeland, executive committee. At this meeting eleven townships reported, On the eleventh of October, of the same year, the Union held a meeting at New Lexington, which was well attended. This meeting was addressed at length by Benjamin Frankland, then of Cincinnati, engaged in Sunday-school mission work, Many of the Sunday- school workers from Hillsborough and other places in the county were present. The exercises were enlivened by music, led by G. B. Gardner and J. R. Doggett, of Hillsborough. On motion of S. E. Hibben, it was agreed to hold the next meeting at Hillsborough. At the next annual meeting, held at Hillsborough May 26, 1869, the following officers were elected: William M. Meek, president; J. K. Pickering, recording secretary; E. Carson, corresponding secretary; T. G. Hoggard, treasurer; D. Copeland, W. G. Richards, H. Redkey, Thomas Hiatt, M. T. Nelson, executive committee. This meeting was addressed by Rev. E. House, of Cincinnati. On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet at Greenfield, September 5, 1869. On the second of November, 1870, the Union held its third annual meeting in Hillsborough, at which the following officers were elected: David Copeland, president; N. T. Ayres, corresponding secretary; M, T. Nelson, recording secretary; T. G. Hoggard, treasurer; William M. Meek, J. I. Woodrow, E. Carson, Joseph Wright, and D. Carson, executive committee, At the next annual meeting, held in Hillsborough May 31, 1871, the following officers were elected: Jonah Cadwalader, president; E. Carson, corresponding secretary; N. T. Ayers, recording secretary; William M. Meek, treasurer; J. I. Woodrow, Joseph Wright, T. G. Hoggard, J. M. Boyd, and E. Carson, executive committee. On the twenty-second of May, 1872, the annual meeting was held in Hillsborough, and the following officers elected: Joseph Wright, president; N. T. Ayers, recording secretary; E. Carson, corresponding secretary; Joshua Shaffer, treasurer; J. I. Woodrow, T. G. Hoggard, J. M. Boyd, John F. Nelson, E. Carson, Joseph Wright, and N. T. Ayers, executive committee. The next annual meeting was held in the Episcopal church at Hillsborough, on the fifteenth of May, 1873, when the following officers were elected: Joseph Wright, president; N, T. Ayres, secretary; Joshua Shaffer, treasurer; L. Detwiler, T. G. Hoggard, J. M. Boyd, J. F. Nelson, E. Carson, Joseph Wright, executive committee. On the twenty-second day of May, 1874, the annual meeting was held in the Baptist church, at Hillsborough. The officers elected were: Joseph Wright, president; J. K. Pickering, secretary; J. M, Boyd, treasurer; Joseph Wright, J. M. Boyd, M. T. Nelson, J. K. Pickering, D. C. Arthur, Reece Griffith, N. T. Ayres, and William M. Meek, executive committee. On the twentieth of August, of the same year, the Union held an adjourned meeting at Marshall, which was well attended by the people of Marshall township. On the fourth of June, 1875, the annual meeting was held in the Presbyterian church at Hillsborough, at which the following officers were elected: Joshua Shaffer, president; J. K. Pickering, secretary; E. Carson, treasurer; S. S. Pangburn, William M. Meek, T. G. Hoggard, Rev. J. H. Ely and M. T. Nelson, executive committee. At the annual meeting for 1876, held in the Methodist Episcopal church at Hillsborough, June 1st, the following officers were elected: Rev. J. M. Weather by, president; J. M. Hughey, secretary; E. Carson, treasurer; William M. Meek, J. K. Pickering, T. G. Hoggard, M. T. Nelson and J. M. Boyd, executive committee. On August T0th, of the same year, the Union held an out door meeting at Belfast, which was well attended. At the annual meeting for 1877, held in the Episco- HISTORY OF ROSS AND HIGHLAND COUNTIES, OHIO - 165 pal church at Hillsborough, May 29th, A. L. Frazer, then president of the State Sunday-school Union, addressed the convention at length. The following officers were elected: Rev. J. W. Weatherby, president; J. K. Pickering, secretary; J. M. Boyd, treasurer; E. Carson, Mrs. J. K. Pickering, Frank Armstrong, Mrs. Rev. J, W. Weatherby and Mrs. Josiah Stevenson, executive committee. On the twenty-eighth of May, 1878, the Union held an annual meeting and Sunday-school institute combined. The following officers were elected: J. H. Rodgers, president; J. K. Pickering, secretary; J. M. Hughey, treasurer; J, M. Boyd, E. Carson, Mrs. J. K. Pickering, T. G. Hoggard and Mrs. Josiah Stevenson, executive committee. This closes the recorded history of the Highland county Sunday-school Union. Since May 28, 1878, to the present writing, it has held no meeting. The Union has done good by way of calling attention to Sunday- school work; and by securing organized work in the various townships in the county, and thus planting many Sunday-schools in places where none had before existed. THE HIGHLAND COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. This society which has had a large membership, a long life and an active one, has accomplished an extensive work in Highland county, and is eminently deserving of a place in its history. It was organized Monday, February 7, 1842, at the Presbyterian church in Hillsborough. The meeting was opened with a sermon by the Rev. Mr. Fitch, an agent of the American Bible society, after which an address was made, also by Mr. Fitch, upon the importance 0f Bible work, and the plan which should be followed in the proposed county organization. A constitution setting forth this plan, and expressing the objects of the society was adopted, and then there were elected the first officers of the organization. They were the following: Samuel Lynn, president; Peter L. Ayres, Noah Evans and Christian Crum, vice-presidents; D. J. Fallis, secretary; Rev. Wm. McReynolds, Jonas R. Emrie, Rev. Joseph McD. Matthews, John Dill and George McMillen, executive committee; Samuel E. Hibben, treasurer and depository. Following is a list of the presidents, who have served the society down to the present, as given in the record of the society: 1843, Samuel Lynn; 1847, James A. Trimble ; 1851, Rev. Joseph McD. Matthews; 1855, Rev. Joseph McD. Matthews; 1862, Alexander Sams; 1863, Rev. S. Steel; 1868, Rev. J. S. Marlay; 1871, Rev. W. J. McSurely ; 1876, Marshall T. Nelson; 1879, A. G, Matthews. The remaining officers elected at the same time as Mr. Matthews (February 16th) were as follows: Pastors of co-operating churches, vice-presidents; J. M. Hibben, secretary; Hardin Roads, treasurer; Jacob Sayler, depositor; John M. Boyd, T. G. Hoggard, E. L. Ferris and J. L. West, directors.