TOWNSHIPS and AGRICULTURE
- Brown Township - Springcreek
Township -
Union Township - Newton Township
- Concord Township-
- Staunton Township - Lostcreek
Township -
- Elizabeth Township - Bethel
Township - Monroe Township -
- Washington Township - Newberry
Township -
- Agriculture in Miami County
- Agricultural Society -
- Horticultural Society
- Farmers' Institute -
- The County Experimental Farm
-
THE STORY OF MIAMI COUNTY (from Volume 2, Memoirs Of Miami Valley)
(published 1920) Pages 512-524
Brown Township, page 512
Among the first settlers to locate in this township were John Adney,
John Oliver, John Kiser, Daniel Newcomb, John Simmons and John Caven. A
number of the early settlers in this township came from Virginia and there
was also a generous immigration to this region from Pennsylvania. A short
time prior to 1812 the early settlers of this township erected a blockhouse,
being in constant danger of marauding Indians. This was on the land owned
by John Kiser. Among the first to settle here after the War of 1812 was
Asa Munsell who subsequently became a member of the legislature. John Molloy
settled here in 1821 and afterwards engaged in the lumber business with
John P. Davis. Molloy subsequently moved to California where he became
a bonanza king. Among others of the early settlers in this township were
John Caven, William Concannon, Major Manning, Joseph Cory and Michael Sills.
Benjamin Bowersock opened the first blacksmith shop in the township. The
first sawmill was built in 1821 by John Molloy.
The Methodists early held meetings in this township, having held services
here in the homes of the first settlers. As early as 1809 traveling Baptist
ministers held meetings at the home of Mr. Kiser. The first schoolhouse
in the township was built in 1810 on Section 36 and its first teacher was
"Aunt" Sallie Tucker, who was succeeded by "Aunt" Patty
McQuillen.
Springcreek Township, page 513
While John Hilliard was the first person to enter land in this township,
his entry being made December 31, 1802, French traders had been in this
community and one of these had built a small trading store in this vicinity.
Among others who first entered land here were John McKinney, 1806; Gardener
Bobo, 1807, and James McKinney, 1805. Following these came William Stuart,
Daniel Symmes, Mathew Scudder, William Frost, James Cregan, George M. Caven,
Henry Freeman, William Wiley a nd G. P. Torrance. John Dilbone subsequently
entered land in this township, he and his wife and a Mr. Gerard later being
massacred the Indians.
Charles Hilliard, a son of John Hilliard, was the first white man to
be married in this township, taking as his wife Sarah Manning, who lived
just across the river from the Hilliards. John William Hilliard, a son
of this couple, was the first white child to be born in the township.
In 1808 James McKinney, who had settled in the township a short time
previously, erected a grist mill on Spring Creek. A distillery had been
erected a short time prior to the erection of the grist mill, it passing
into the hands of Henry Orbison who continued its operation for a number
of years. The first saw mill to be operated here was that of Samuel Wiley,
who built this in 1815, he building a dam across the creek for this purpose.
The first schoolhouse in the township was built on Section 25 in 1815,
and James Laird, a native of the Emerald Isle, first taught here. The first
"smithy" to open a shop in the township was Caleb Jones, who
was ready for business in the fall of 1814.
Union Township, page 513
While there is some division of opinion as to the very first to settle
in this township, it is quite certain as to the early land holders. Among
those to first enter land in this township were John Mast, Thomas Coppock,
John Richardson , Samuel Coate, Moses Coate, John Compton, Jonathan Mote
and the Mendenhalls. David Mote and his sons, Jonathan, Jeremiah, William,
John and James settled here soon after the first vanguard. John Mote, son
of David, was the first physician to practice in this township and was
a fiery abolitionist. From Georgia came a number of adherents of the Society
of Friends, among whom were Abiathar Davis and the Hollingsworths, Isaac,
James, George and Nathan. John Mast established one of the first grist
mill s in the township. Samuel Kelly, a Yankee, built a woolen mill on
Section 21 and about 1824 Seth Kelly, a brother of Samuel, built and operated
a scythe factory in the same neighborhood.
The first religious services were in all probability held at the Mendenhall
home and were the "Friends' Meetings." The first school in the
township was at the old "Friends' Meeting House" at West Branch
and was taught by John How, an Englishman.
Newton Township, page 514
Some time between 1797 and 1800 Michael Williams removed from North
Carolina to Ohio. He met General William Henry Harrison at Cincinnati,
who told him of the wonders of this country. Mr. Williams and his family,
consisting of four sons and five daughters, removed here and settled on
Section 19, arriving here in 1801. His youngest son, John, later became
a minister of the gospel, the first to be produced in this township. Others
who entered land in the next two or three years were Michael Ingle, Sylvester
Thompson and William Schenck. Moses and Samuel Coate came from South Carolina
on a prospecting tour and were subsequently joined by their father, Marmaduke
Coate, and the rest of the family. Marmaduke Coate entered land in Section
32 in 1804. Others who arrived at an early date were Thomas Hill and family,
Benjamin Iddings, Joseph Furnas and Isaac Ballinger. William and David
Miles came from South Carolina and settled West of the river about 1807
and were immediately followed by Robert Leavel, who settled on Section
2. Jacob Embree erected a saw mill in 1808 and later in the same year attached
a flour mill.
The first school in the township was taught by Joseph Furnas in 1808,
his cabin being used for this purpose. The first church to be erected was
a Union church, built in 1820. Prior to this the "Friends" held
open air meetings and in homes and barns, but had no special meeting house.
Concord Township, page 514
Among the first land-entries in this township were those of Samuel Martin,
Samuel Kyle, William Barbee and Robert Marshall, Aaron Tullis, David Tullis,
William Gahagan, Abraham Thomas, John Orbison, Alexander McCullough and
Joseph Layton. Others who settled here between 1803 and 1808 were Reuben
Shackleford, Alexander Telford, John Peck and his four sons, Jacob, John,
Joseph and Isaac, David-Jenkins, James Fort and Thomas Kyle.
In 1807 a religious meeting was held at the cabin of Abraham Thomas,
Thomas Kyle doing the preaching. A short time later the Baptists organized
a church, also holding services on occasions at the home of Mr. Thomas.
Abraham Thomas was an ex-soldier of the Revolution and Indian fighter.
A short time after locating here he built a forge, using a hog pen for
his smithy shop.
James Orr came with his family from Kentucky and settled in this township
in 1804, this family becoming prominent in the manufacturing business at
a subsequent period. William Gahagan entered the land on which Troy was
laid out.
Staunton Township, page 514
The French traders were up and down this territory long before the actual
white settlement began. While the land entries may be regarded as the official
title of settlement, there were settlers in Staunton township prior to
the first person who entered land from the government. Peter Felix, a historical
character, who was known as a shrewd little French trader, had a small
Indian trading store for some time prior to the actual settlement of this
township. Simon Landry was another of the early French traders in and about
Staunton. The first land entries were those of John Gerard, Uriah Blue,
Henry Gerrard, A. Blue, James Blue, John Whiting, Levi Martin, Mathew Huston,
Peter Felix, Jacob Kinzer and John Knoop, who entered land July 31, 1805.
Among others who subsequently entered land or lived in this settlement,
Amariah Smalley, William Marshall, Jacob Riddle, John Gilmore, E. Hilliard,
John Julian and Richard Winans, William and James Clark and the Rev. David
Clark.
Amariah Smalley opened a forge on Section 15 in 1807 and Mr. Marshall,
who was a weaver by trade, started in this business on Section 22 and did
a thriving business. He later was elected justice of the peace, serving
for thirty years. Levi Martin and his wife were the central figures in
the well-known Indian tragedy, Mrs. Martin being scalped by the Indians.
Among the early preachers to visit here were Nathan Worley of the Christian
denomination, Samuel DeWeese, Presbyterian, and Abbot Goddard, Methodist.
The Baptist church was one of the early organized churches, their first
place of worship being at the home of Stephen Dye. Among the early worshipers
at this church were Moses Winters, Nathaniel Gerard, Stephen Dye, William
Knight, Elizabeth Winters, Mary Gerard and Mehitable Dye. The ministers
at that time were Elder Joshua Carmon and Elder John Smith. This church
was formally organized December 1, 1804.
Jane DeWeese was the first white female child born in this township
and J. Knoop was the first male child born here. Isaac Gabriel was the
first teacher in the township, Peter Landre was the first cooper and William
Dye and Amariah Smalley were the first blacksmiths.
Lostcreek Township, page 515
Among the first land entries recorded .in this township were those of
Jason Burnett, who settled in this township in 1804, others being John
Brownson in 1805, John Johnston, Abraham Edwards, Barnabus Blue, John Rogers,
John Holderman, John Whipple, John Flinn and Daniel Lauden, all of whom
entered land in 1805. Among others who settled here between 1805 and 1817
were Willis Northcutt, Gen. John Webb and Alexander McDowell.
Prior to the formal organization of the township, which took place in
1818, a number of settlers had erected log cabins and the township began
to draw its share of settlers. Prior to 1818 George Green had erected a
grist mill and James Frazee had established a distillery. In 1814 John
K. McFarlan operated a carding and pulling mill near the present site of
Casstown. Gen. John Webb was probably the first school teacher in the township.
One of the first churches erected was a primitive structure, built in 1821.
This was a Baptist church, and later a secession taking place in this church,
another Baptist church was erected on the Casstown and Addison turnpike.
In 1832 cholera devastated many of the homes in this township, a number
of homes being visited by this terrible plague, and the toll of lives paid
in this township was very heavy.
Elizabeth Township, page 516
The first settlement of this township began about 1802, the first land
entry recorded being that of William Madden, who was an early settler in
this township. Among those who entered land in this township between 1802
and 1805 were James Lennon, Michael Williams, Jacob Prillerman, Moses Winters,
Daniel Knoop, Elihu Saunders, Peter Sunderland, John Johnston, John Shidaker.
The War of 1812 drew some strength from Elizabeth township, John Williams
and Jacob Mann serving as captains, while John Shidaker, William Mitchell,
William Scherrer and Philip Sailor and others served as privates. In 1811
the first grist mill was erected in the township by John M. Dye. Mr. Dye
at that time resided on the site of the present Children's Home. The second
grist mill was built by Michael Carver and this was later used as a cotton
mill by Henry Carver. Van Culen Hampton, a Dutchman, built the first saw
mill in the township and Jacob Mann operated the first distillery.
The Methodists were the first to hold religious services, the home of
Rafe Stafford being used for the purpose of organization, the first services
being held at the home of John Gearheart. The first meeting of Baptists
was held at the home of Stephen Dye in Staunton township but later religious
services of this denomination were held in this township at the home of
William Knight which later became the property of John Dye, and still later
gave way for the erection of the children's home. In 1815 the New Lights
erected a church near Cold Springs. The first schoolhouse erected in this
township was on the Christian Knoop farm near the Staunton township line,
the first schoolmaster to officiate being John Enyeart, who also officiated
as justice of the peace.
Bethel Township, page 516
In 1802 Robert Crawford entered land in Bethel township, his entry being
filed December 31, 1802, James L. Crawford, Jacob Siler, P. Short, Jonathan
Downell filing entries on the same day. Prior to 1805 additional entries
were made, among which were those of Elnathan Corey, Joseph Stafford and
Jacob Price. Thomas Stockstill was an early settler of this township and
migrated to this region from Tennessee. His hatred of slavery prompted
him to forsake his native state and on the advice of Gen. William Henry
Harrison, whom he met at Ft. Washington, he came to this region. Among
others to settle here prior to 1810 were David H. Morris, an ex-Revolutionary
soldier from New Jersey. He was soon followed by Robert and John H. Crawford.
Samuel Morrison, a relative of the Crawfords, was the next to come and
immediately after Mordecai Mendenhall settled here, he later erecting one
of the first mills in the township and one of the first in the county.
John Ross, Daniel Agenbrod and James Fergus subsequently settled in this
township, the latter becoming a member of the State legislature. Philip
and Jacob Sailor settled on Indian creek at an early date and David Puterbaugh
settled here in 1813. John Clayton, an Irishman and a soldier of the War
of 1812, settled here at the close of hostilities. Among others to come
about the same time were William Ellis, David, John and Abraham Studebaker,
and John and Daniel Newcomb, the latter two gentlemen coming from Scotland.
The first mill to be erected was propelled by ox power, being a treadmill,
this mill being erected and operated by a man named Teller. Probably the
second mill to be erected in this township was that of Mordecai Mendenhall.
In 1815 a mill was built at the mouth of Honey creek by David Staley, it
later passing into the hands of Daniel Babb. Daniel Babb seems to have
been a man of broad activities. In addition to his mill, he operated a
store, coopershop and blacksmith shop, the site of these industries later
being called Babbtown in honor of its founder.
One of the first churches to be erected in this township was a log church,
presented by Davis H. Morris to the Methodist Episcopalians. The Methodists
had erected a frame structure some few years previously and this was called
Palmer's chapel, the Rev. Mr. Tatman being the first minister to officiate
in this church. Among the early ministers of the Methodist Episcopalians
were William H. Raper, James Finley and David Dyke. In 1802 the first schoolhouse
was erected in the township and in 1804 another log school house was erected
on Section 23, the first teacher being a man named Keelan.
Monroe Township, page 517
The first land entry in Monroe township was that of George Gillespie,
who entered land in Sections 11 and 14, September 24, 1804. The same year
Samuel Freeman and John Freeman entered land here and the year following
the entries were J. Fare, James Reed, Christian Grice, James Youart, Benjamin
Chaney and Hance Murdock. David Jenkins and his four sons, Phineas, Amos,
Eli and Jesse settled in Section 8, accompanying them from South Carolina
was Elisha Jones who also settled in this town ship. John Clark removed
from Maryland and later became a very successful boatman.
David Jenkins, or, as he was known, David Jenkins, Esq., became a justice
of the peace of this township in 1818, continuing in this office until
1858. Thomas Pearson emigrated from South Carolina and was in his seventy-sixth
year when he arrived here, with him were his sons, Enoch, Jonas and Thomas,
Jr., Enoch becoming the first blacksmith in the township. John Jay and
his family of seven sons and three daughters were early arrivals, a son,
Walter Jay, being an ardent prohibitionist, a very rare species at that
time; be was also a pronounced abolitionist and a man of great force of
character. Among others of the early families to arrive here were the Macys,
Kerrs, Laytons, Ferguses, Westlakes, Puterbaughs, Schaeffers and Furnases.
Washington Township, page 517
Part of this township, that portion around the old Indian town known
as Upper Piqua, was among the very early settlements of this region. Around
this vicinity, the Shawanoes and Miamis held forth and a number of their
villages are supposed to have been located within the boundaries of this
township. Much of the history of this township is interwoven with the history
of Piqua. A man named Job Gard built a cabin near what is now Piqua in
1798 and in 1799 John Manning located on what is now the east side of Harrison
street. John Manning and Mathew Caldwell entered the land on which the
early site of Piqua was laid out. The earliest land entries in this township
were those of Mathew Caldwell, Edward Newcomb, John Manning, Joseph Bedle
and William Willis from 1804 to 1805 and from 1805 to 1810 were Joseph
Lovell, Samuel Trotter, James Vamman, John Widney and Henry Orbison.
Newberry Township, page 518
One of the first white men to locate in Newberry township was one McDonald,
who came from South Carolina. His stay, however, was brief, returning to
South Carolina in company with another dissatisfied settler named John
Harrison. David Ziegler was the first to enter land in this township, he
locating here in April, 1801. Michael Ingle was the next to settle within
the boundaries of this township, entering land Nov. 15, 1804. Others who
subsequently entered land were Thomas Hill in 1805, John Miller in 1805,
S. Thompson in 1805. Subsequently Samuel Brown and John and William Coates
located here. Michael Ingle established and conducted the first tannery
in the township and was rated a well-to- do man after being here but a
short time. The outbreak of the war of 1812 caused a general scattering
of the settlers for the time being, many of whom enlisted for service in
this war. One of the first mills built in this township was that of Jacob
Ullery, who erected a water mill at the mouth of Greenville creek.
The earliest school of this township stood at the north end of what
is now High street, Covington. Among the early school teachers were John
Barbour and Benjamin Dunham, Joshua Sanders and David Brumbaugh. Amos Perry
was the first justice of the peace in this township, he later representing
this country in the State legislature. The Dunkards held religious-meetings
at a very early date, not, however, having a regular church organization
until about 1845. The Christians or New Light church held meetings prior
to 1820 in dwellings and barns of the faithful, the Rev. Stackhouse ministering
to the wants of this congregation at that time, he later organizing the
Trotter's Creek church. Among the adherents of this church at that time
were William Knox and wife, William and Lemuel Templeton and families,
John McClurg and wife and Samuel Nicholson and wife. In 1824 Caleb Worley
became the pastor of this church and continued so for many Years, until
dissension among the members caused the disorganization of the church.
Agriculture in Miami County, page 518
Miami county, with a population of 47,000, is self-supporting for all
ordinary agricultural products, and even in this day of phenomcnal prices,
reflects a wholesome condition as far as food prices are concerned. The
latest government reports give the following figures in the live stock
census: Cattle, 17,000; horses, 11,000; sheep 2,500; hogs, 25,000; pounds
of wool, 7,000.
In the great crisis of the last several years when every nerve was strained
to produce not only enough food for the United States but for our fighting
men abroad and our suffering Allies, the farmers of Miami county, handicapped
though they were by insufficient and often inexperienced labor, made a
valient effort to exceed all former records in the production of grain.
The results were most gratifying and the following figures may give some
idea of what was accomplished: 3,330,000 pounds of tobacco, 1,000,000 bushels
of oats, 2,200,000 bushels of corn,, 13,000 tons of hay, 14,000 tons of
clover hay, 119,000 bushels of potatoes, 103,965 bushels of apples. Of
dairy products there were 430,000 gallons of milk produced for family use
and 608,000 pounds of butter made in home dairies.
Again the comparison of the early days with those of today is most interesting.
Modern machinery, scientific analysis of soil, agricultural associations,
extension courses from state universities and many other forces have completely
revolutionized farming. When the first white man came out to the wilderness
his first task was to chop down the trees, not with mechanically driven
saws, but with an ax and the muscles of a pair of well-developed arms.
When he had succeeded in making his clearing, he began to prepare the soil
for its first crop. The tools and implements that he had brought with him,
although the best the times provided, were, in the light of present-day
improvements, most rude and clumsy. Plowing was a slow, laborious process;
when his grain was ripe he had only the sickle with which to cut it, or,
if his crop happened to be flax, he pulled it by hand. No automatic hayloaders
nor binding machines, corn planters nor reapers facilitated matters for
him. The oldfashioned flail threshed out the grain in the barn, the sheaves
of wheat and stacks of cornstalks were made by hand, hay was loaded on
the rude wagons by a long fork and man- power was the controlling element
in farm life of the day. However, the poorest kind of farming at that time
was productive of abundant crops, for the virgin soil yielded bountifully
to the slightest attempt to cultivate it.
Not only was the farmer handicapped by lack of implements, but he had
little opportunity to market his produce. The Miami county farmer had no
sale for his grain nearer than Dayton or Cincinnati, and it was a laborious
task to haul it over the rough half cut road on the ponderous wagons of
the time, or put it on flatboats and pole it down the river to either of
the two towns. Those who had not brought wagons with them from the other
side of the mountains had to build their own, and awkward affairs they
were, with heavy wheels and huge axles, made to stand the wear and tear
of travel on the rough, irregular roads.
The farmer also had to add to his other duties, house-building and home-furnishing.
The first log cabins in time gave place to larger frame houses, with glass
windows and spacious porches; hired labor being unobtainable, the neighbors
would always be found ready and willing to get together for a "barn
raising" or to harvest each other's crops. The crops at first consisted
chiefly of oats, barley, Indian corn, wheat and rye. Wheat and corn were
the two principal crops and unless attacks from the Hessian fly or the
weavel harmed them the yield was most bountiful. Rye was raised chiefly
for the manufacture of whiskey, and averaged about twenty- five bushels
per acre. The straw from the rye was used as fodder for the horses. Oats
was produced at about the rate of thirty- five bushels to the acre, and
barley, which was largely used to supply two large breweries that later,
were established in Cincinnati, at the rate of thirty bushels to the acre.
In another chapter is to be found an account of the linseed oil industry
that grew up in Miami county, making it a center for that commodity. Flax
was therefore raised in large quantities for some time. In the lowlands
some hemp was also raised and in the luxuriant meadows of the county different
kinds of grass were grown in great abundance. Timothy, clover and grass
for pasture grew with almost no encouragement. The woods supplied nuts
and acorns for the swine, and the game that abounded in the forest provided
ainple meat for the farmers with the expenditure of very little time or
effort. Although Miami county is not notably a fruit section, 80,000 apple
trees yielded in 1918 103,965 bushels of apples.
The Miami County Agricultural Society,
page 520
As agriculture was the prevailing industry in the county for many years,
the time for organization of those interested came in the year 1846. At
that time the Troy Times published a notice that all who were interested
in the formation of a society to promote the welfare of the farmers should
meet in the office of John G. Telford in Troy. It proved to be a very enthusiastic
meeting and it was decided that steps should be taken to organize an agricultural
society. A committee cornposed of William Giffin, David H. Morris, William
I. Thomas and William B. McClung was appointed to draft a constitution
and bylaws for the proposed society. The constitution which was submitted
by this committee was as follows:
Article 1. This Association shall be called the Miami Countv Agricultural
Society.
Article 11. The object of the society shall be the circulation of general
intelligence and practical instruction in all the branches of agriculture.
1. By the establishment of a permanent library of the best books and
periodicals, illustrative of the principles and practices of the sciences.
2. By the establishment of a correspondence with other bodies seeking
the same object.
3. By procuring the most rare and valuable kinds of seeds, plants, shrubs
and trees.
4. By the establishment of exhibitions at which premiums shall be awarded
for the improvements of soil, tillage, crops, manure, implements of husbandry,
stocks, articles of domestic industry, and such other articles, productions
and improvements as may be deemed worthy of encouragement.
Article III. The officers of the Society shall consist of a President,
three Vice-Presidents, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer,
Librarian, standing committee of five persons on Agriculture, and a Board
of Directors to be composed of the President, Vice-Presidents, and Chairman
of the Committee on Agriculture, which Board shall have charge and general
management of the property and business of the society, subject, however,
to the order and direction thereof.
Article IV. All the officers shall be chosen by ballot, at the annual
meeting of the society, which shall be held on the first Saturday in September
in each year at such hour and place as the directors shall order.
Article V. All special meetings of the society shall be called by the
recording secretary on the requisition of a majority of the directors,
or of any five members, made in writing therefor; a notice thereof, as
well as of all general meetings, shall be published in one or more of the
newspapers of the county fifteen days or more before each meeting.
Article VI. Any person may become a life member of the society on the
payment of $10 into the treasury at any one time.
Article VII. This constitution may be altered or amended by the votes
of two-thirds of the members present at any regular meeting, providing
the same shall have been proposed in writing at a previous regular meeting.
The election of officers that followed the adoption of the foregoing
document, made William I. Thomas president; William C. Knight, Cyrus Haywood
and David Jenkins, vice-presidents; D. H. Morris, corresponding secretary;
G. D. Burgess, recording secretary; Jacob Knoop, treasurer; H. D. Stout,
librarian; John Hamilton, Daniel Brown, James McCain, Zimri Heald and William
Giffin, committee on agriculture. The by-laws of the society provided for
the annual membership fee of $1.00 per person, and a fine for any books
held longer than the rules of the library permitted. The penalty for failure
to pay such fines and dues was expulsion from the society. The library
seemed to be the chief interest and all the books were carefully catalogued,
and an accurate record was made of all withdrawals. In addition to the
regular meetings provision was made for the holding of three special meetings
to be held on the first Thursday of the months of December, March and June,
for the purpose of "hearing addresses, discussing questions, and receiving
reports on the several subjects embraced by the society." The first
of these speeches was given at the first quarterly meeting which was held
December 5, 1856, by the president, Mr. William Thomas, on the subject,
"Scientific Husbandry." So much intcrest was manifested in the
new organization that a representative was sent to the State Pomological
Society exhibition in 1851, which was held in Cincinnati. Jacob Knoop was
the honored member at this meeting, and somewhat later Dr. Asa Coleman
was chosen to represent the Miami County Society at the meeting of the
State Board of Agriculture.
The next important question that arose was that of a suitable place
to hold exhibits and fairs that were the natural results of the enthusiasm
that had been aroused. At first the spacious barn of W. H. Gahagan, on
East Main street, Troy, was used for County Fairs and later the old Fairgrounds,
situated on the present site of the Troy Water Works. In 1856, the Fair
Board bought of William Senior, about forty acres of land in order to establish
permanent grounds for the annual agricultural exhibits, horse races and
other activities connected with the Agricultural Society. Fifteen hundred
and twenty dollars wcre paid for this tract and somewhat later an Exhibit
Hall was erected for the use of the contestants. For fifteen years this
site was used, but by 1871 the space proved inadequate and a new Fairground
was established on ground that was purchased by the Board from Mrs. Eliza
McKaig. This land lay on the west side of the Piqua pike, one mile north
of Troy. The old method of electing directors in open session of the society
gave place to the better way of having two directors from each township,
chosen by the electors of the county at annual e lections. Much has been
done in late years to make the grounds as attractive and cornmodious as
possible. The old grandstand was replaced in 1916, by a concrete stadium
which seats 2,860 persons. Several other modern buildings have been erected
in late years for exhibition purposes and some of the finest specimens
of agricultural products shown in the state are presented here for inspection.
The showings of needle work and fine baking and canning, entered by the
women of the county, prove the superior quality of the housewives and the
interest that they take in their work. Miami county has sent many boys
and girls to the Ohio State university, colleges of agriculture and household
economics, and there have been several extension schools sent to Miami
county which have not only been instructive but have encouraged prospective
farmers and housekeepers to fit themselves to be most up-to-date and scientific
in their work. Courses in agriculture and in domestic science and domestic
art are offered in all the county schools at present, and, with a trained
group of young people going out every year to put scientific management
into the work of running their farms, farming will very soon take its place
among the leading professions. During the war great interest was aroused
among the school children as to who should raise the greatest quantity
and of the highest quality of vegetables and fruit. Some schools had school
gardens, but most of the work was done through the schools in the home
gardens, and at the end of the season prizes were awarded to the successful
young grower. War needs and war prices stimulated production throughout
the county and bumper crops were the result. The agricultural society each
year gives two boys and two girls free trips to Ohio State University's
Farmers' Week, an annual event; the boys are awarded these trips on Pig-Growing
contests and the girls are awarded for excellence in their work in the
girls food- clubs, etc. The present officers of the Miami County Agricultural
Society are: President, George A. Fry, Tippecanoe City; Vice- president,
Georgc Stapleton, Conover; Treasurer, J. H. Miller, West Milton; Secretary,
C. W. Kline, Troy.
The Miami County Horticultural Society,
page 522
is a most efficient organization for the promotion of interest in the production
of fruits. Miami county has several very fine Nurseries and numerous orchards
as well as some excellent vineyards and berry patches. The owners of these
keep in touch with the work of the Horticultural Society and at their meetings
discussions and papers prove most instructive.
In addition to the farm products that have already been mentioned tobacco
has been successfully raised for some years. Both seed-leaf and Spanish
are grown, and recent prices have made this crop one of the most profitable
of any raised in the county.
To discuss the agricultural interests of Miami county and fail to mention
the stock breeding industry would be to omit one of the most important
phases of the subject. In the last sixt years the growth of the business
of raising blooded stock has been remarkable. In 1860 Jersey cattle were
first brought to Miami county and were raised on the Johnston farm near
Piqua. The first one in Troy belonged to Chas. McCullough. The first entry
of Holstein cattle at a Miami County Fair was made in 1876 by N. H. Albaugh.
Captain John Drury brought the first Morgan horse to Troy, and in about
1860 displayed the first English draft horse in the county. About ten years
later the first Norman horses appeared. In 1847 Zimri Heald, whom we remember
as one of the first officers of the Miami County Agricultural Society,
introduced Merino sheep to the farmers of the county, and for many years
this was the only kind to be found in the vicinity.
The raising of thoroughbred swine has made Miami county famous among
stockbreeders throughout the United States. For the last twenty years,
Ira Jackson, of Tippecanoe City, has been one of the most progressive and
constructive breeders of Duroc Jersey hogs. He has produced a type that
is so fine that the best breeders from every state in the Union attend
his sales and buy his hogs for breeding purposes. Mr. Jackson's successful
feats were the production of two hogs, Orion Cherry King, that won the
Royal Grand Championship over the Grand Champions of all other breeds.
This hog later sold for $10,500, subsequently another of his prize winners,
Longenduffer-Siegel, was sold for the phenomenal price of $35,000.
Farmers' Institute, page 523
Under the state law, each county may have state assistance at any four
institutes held during the year. These institutes are held under the direction
of the State Department of Agriculture and are very helpful adjuncts in
the propagation of approved methods,of agriculture. The state defrays the
expenses of outside speakers to address these institutes, generally choosing
men who are considered authorities on special branches of agriculture,
in live stock raising, etc. The four institutes held each year in Miami
county under state direction are always well attended and are of the greatest
benefit. In addition, independent institutes are held which greatly supplement
this work among the farmers.
The County Experimental Farm, page
523
Embracing 122 1/2 acres of land, situated about two miles west of Troy,
the experimental farm of Miami county is rapidly becoming a source of much
valuable information to the farmers of this vicinity. This farm was established
in 1911 and is under the supervision of the Ohio State Experiment Station.
Its work thus far has more than justified its establishment. In conjunction
with the Experiment Station at Wooster, the Miami station has been developed
along the advanced ideas in agricultural experiments. All varieties of
grain are tested, not only in laboratory work, but in the actual adaptation
to soil conditions; this station observing ten rotations of crops on its
acreage. All fertilizers are experimented with; not only the well known
commercial variety, but others of various kinds are subjected to actual
tests to determine their efficacy to the farmers of this community. The
experiments thus far, in live stock, have been largely confined to hogs;
hog raising ing in Miami county, being one of the leading items, and probably
a more important item in Miami county than in many others, considered in
the light of past achievements. The local experiment station is in charge
of R. R. Barker, the well-known agriculturist, whose personal efforts have
had much to do with the development of experimentation work in this state,
and especially in this county. P. A. Jones is the active foreman of the
local station.
End of Part Two
1920 History of Miami County
Copyright © 2000 by Computerized Heritage
Association.
All Rights Reserved.