The angry tantrum of Nature that raised the area now representing Ohio, from its lowly position as a hole in the bottom of the sea to its present altitude thrust upward countless peaks of vertical rock strata that constituted a gigantic Appalachian fence from present Maine to Georgia through which any successful westward migration to inland North America must find the gate.

The pre-glacial rivers that drained the west slope of this mountain wall flowed north to some such outlet as Hudson Bay or the Arctic Ocean and, if man had explored North America from Europe at that time these north flowing streams would have led settlment toward present Canada and the Arctic Regions, rather than to inland United States. Ages before recorded history a very large river flowed in a northwest direction across what is now Shelby County. The headwaters of that river were on the western slopes of the mountains in West Virginia and Eastern Kentuckey. Much of the rain that fell upon the area of present day Ohio finally found it's way into the pre-glacial river, called Taeys.

Then came a time that the climate changed over much of the earth changed greatly for a long period or periods of time and the perpetual snow belt extended into lower latitudes so that great accumulations of snow formed into glaciers and covered the greater portion of the State of Ohio. As the glacier pilled up to a greater thickness, those ancient water courses were covered up as far as the glacier extended, and beyond the edge great lakes were formed, and when they became filled they broke over into other drainage systems. That was the period of time when the Ohio River was created.

The great ice sheet, as it advanced from the Northwest had a tendency to grind off the high places and to fill up the valleys; and when it finally disappeared, it left a mass of soil, gravel and boulders called glacial drift, that is less hilly than the southeastern part of Ohio which had not beewn affected as much by the glacier. It also left a surface drainage system here that flows generally south instead of the former one that flowed in a general northwest direction. Thus we find there were rivers and a river system cut far deeper in the rock of a former age than we now have in this region.

THE MOUND BUILDERS, or his Mongoloid ancestor found a rear entrance to the Ohio Country and wandered about the Mississippi and Ohio Valleys for perhaps ten centuries.

The Leni Lenape (Delawares) lived many hundred years ago far to the westward. They left their old home and migrated toward the rising sun, and after a very long journey they arrived at the shores of the Na Maesi Sippu or Messussipu (Great River or River of Fish). Their journey was slow and many nights (years) were passed on, the way. The reconnoitering parties of the Leni Lenape reported that in the country to the East were many large towns on the great rivers which flowed through the land. The people were tall and stout. They called themselves Tallegewi or Alligewi. As the Lerti Lenape pushed on some of the men of their Wetamowi (wise men) were attacked and killed and war resulted with the Titllegewi. This bloody strife continued for several generations. To the north were the Talamatan, who offered aid on the condition that they be in the division of the spoils. Great battles were fought. The Tallegewi fortified their towns and erected earthworks but many were slain and realizing that the contest would end in their annihilation, the remnant of the Tallegewi abandoned the country and fled to the southward. Scientists believe the Tallegewi or. Allegewi are the same as the Cherokee Indians but this has never been proven.

THE AMERICAN INDIANS are a member of the Aboriginal American race and are now regarded as constituting one of the three races comprised in the Mongoloid stock. They are believed to have entered America in small groups by way of the Aleutian Islands over a period of several thousand years, roughly with the end of the Paleolithic Period and the beginning of the Neolithic Period. There has never been any definite relationship established between these Indians and the Mound Builder Indians. Eventually the Indian triumphed and the mound people were killed, driven away or absorbed by the conquering tribes.

In the oldest authentic accounts of white explorers, this county, and in fact all the territory in this part of the state was occupied by a tribe, or a Confederacy of tribes known as the Miami Indians. Miami in the Indian language means "Mother", so this name is very appropriate to this "Mother of Tribes". The tribal totems of the Miamis were the Elk and Crane. There were several branches of this confederation occupying the greater part of Western Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and part of Michigan. One of these branch tribes, called "Twigtwees", had their town three miles north of Piqua. This village was ruled by a chief called "Old Britian." During the French and Indian War this section of Ohio seems to have been the dividing line between the contestants. Sometimes it was in the possession of the English, allied with the Sbawanoes (Shawnees), Cherokees, Delawares, Catawbas, Munseys and Senecas; and sometimes the French occupied it, having combined with the Miamis, Wyandots and Ottawas. This fighting, from 1752 until 1763, was kept up until the English and their allies were victorious. After this day the Shawanoes, with Black Hoof as chief, took possession of all the territory in the vicinity of Piqua.

There is no evidence tending, to show that Newberry Township was a resort of the Indians or of their occupancy. Since the advent of the whites, none but hunting parties and encampments have been recorded. There was an encampment of Delawares about three miles north of Covington in 1812. In only one instance is it known that they injured the whites of Newberry Township, which as the killing of some cattle.

About a mile south of Covington, on the east bank of the Stillwater River, is a vaulted cave, which was once the stronghold of the Arrow Maker, a Teller of Tales. He probably came into this area after the French and Indian War, having been from the Shawanoe tribe, which was an ally of the English. He was feared by many and understood by few. He was a giant in stature, and for many years was considered a myth, but records show that during the occupancy of Fort Rowdy he was killed by Trader Price. The Indians buried him at the cave, closing the entrance in Indian fashion, Doctors Coleman and Telford of Troy, Ohio; yearning of the giant's burial place, in October 1812, together with the soldiers of Fort Buchanan, repaired to the cave, exhumed the body and took it to Troy for student medical study. So passed Amokee, a Teller of Tales and Shawanoe Arrow Maker.

THE ENGLISH SETTLERS were content to remain on the Atlantic side of the Appalachian fence until the streams of German and Irish immigrants diluted the English strain in the blood of the colonists. As the tides immigrants flowed in the Germans and Irish, to find free land had to push on beyond the settled valleys. Early journeys over the Appalachians were led by Col. William Mayo, Col. Abraham Wood and Doctor Thomas Walker, who first opened new routes over the mountain barrier.

What is now Ohio was at this time almost entirely covered with forests of oak, walnut, sycamore, maple, chestnut and beech with an under growth of lesser shrubs of dogwood, wild plum, crab apple, red bud, pawpaw, blueberry and raspberry, all inter twined with heavy hanging grapevines. Through this virgin forest came the first white expeditions. In 1749, a French expedition under CELERON, which almost defined the present boundaries of Ohio, attempted to keep the English from settling the Ohio Country. Celeron completed a journey of about 3000 miles which took him to the Miami Indian town of Pickawillany where he dispersed the English traders. His trip, in the name of France, did not retard the English advance.

In 1750, the Ohio Company, which was formed in Virginia, instructed Christopher Gist to investigate the Ohio country. During this journey one of his stops was at Pickawillany where he made a trade agreement with the Miami Indians and English traders.

The French, allied with the Miamis, Wyandots and Ottawas engaged in a war with the English in 1752 which lasted until 1763. The English were allied with the Shawanoes, Delawares, Cherokees, Catawbas, Munseys and Senecas and finally emerged victorious, thus driving the French farther into the northern part of the Ohio Country.

After the French and Indian War the Fort Stanwix treaty was formed in which the Delawares, Shawnees and Mingoes refused to sign, therefore creating the disturbances which started the Border Wars and led to a large expedition of frontiersmen under the command of George Rogers Clark, who was sent into the Shawnee country for the purpuse of retaliation and for the destruction of the Indian villages and crops. It was in the summer of 1780 when Clark's army attacked the Shawnee town of Piqua, four miles west of Springfield, and after quite a battle the Indians were defeated, 500 acres of corn destroyed and the village burned. Clark then returned to Kentucky. Instead of Clark's expedition causing a cessation of hostilities, the Indians, embittered by defeat, became more aggressive in their plundering excursions. They became such. a menace that in 1782 another expedition by General, Clark was organized. Leaving Cincinnati, fording Mad River in Dayton, he marched up the east bank of the Miami River and crossed the stream about four miles below present Piqua, Ohio. The Indians were congregating at Piqua for a general pow wow and it seems that such was the terror inspired by the name of Clark that the Indians fled at his approach. After destroying everything possible Clark led his army back to Kentucky.

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR demolished the Proclamation Line of 1763, which gave the English all the territory east of the Mississippi, and ushered in a perod of tremendous western expansion. Even while the fighting went on, a spirited migration began to fill the upper reaches of the Ohio River Valley. In 1776 only about 5,000 Americans lived west of the Alleghenies and by 1790 there were over 100,000. One of the major achievements of the post war period was the famous Northwest Ordinance of 1787, the law which established a whole pattern of government for the western territories. The Ordinance provided that the territory was to be divided into not less than three nor more than five states, eventually, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. It included an area of 1,887,850 square miles.

The desired effect of Clark's last expedition, however, was only temporary, and in a few years the Indians we're again on the warpath. In 1790 General Harmar was ordered, to proceed against the hostile tribes on the Miami and Wabash Rivers. He proceeded from Cincinnati up through Miami County on Clark's former route and marched on to Fort Wayne. Here he was defeated by the Indians under Chief Little Turtle.

In 1791 General St. Clair was appointed in command and marched against the Indians but while encamped on the Maumee River was attacked and defeated with a loss of 600 men.

George Washington then appointed "Mad Anthony" Wayne to plan and organize a campaign to counteract the obvious errors of the St. Clair debacle. Wayne organized an army in Pittsburgh in June of 1792 and spent nearly a year in drilling and equiping it. In 1793 Wayne's army left Cincinnati (Fort Washington) and pushed north into the Indian Country. He co-ordinated his advance by establishing forts and blockhouses one of which was a log and earth breastwork, erected at the junction of Stillwater River and Greenville Creek, just north of the present Covington Water Works. This fort was called Fort Rowdy which proved to be a very strategic point along the important waterways. Canoes and flat boats carried supplies up the Miami River to Dayton, thence up the Stillwater River to Fort Rowdy, thence up Greenville Creek to Fort Greenville where Wayne went into winter quarters in 1793-1794. Fort Rowdy, including the outposts, probably was contained in the area north of the present water works, south of Route 36, east of the Stillwater River and west of present Main Street. Named either after one of Wayne's officers or after the behavior of the men, Fort Rowdy was short lived and ended with the Treaty of Greenville.

Moving north from Fort Greenville Wayne engaged in battle and defeated the Indians on August 20, 1794 in the Battle of Fallen Timbers on the Maumee River. The army then returned to Fort Greenville where on August 3, 1795 Wayne concluded a peace and signed a treaty with all the tribes of the Northwest. In June 1795 the members of various tribes met at Fort Greenville for the purpose of negotiating peace with the victorious Americans. A treaty was signed by General Wayne, William Wells the interpreter, William Henry Harrison the aide-de-camp, William Clark, lieutenant, Meriweather Lewis, ensign, David Jones, chaplain, Henry DeButts, captain and John Mills, captain, on behalf of the United States; and on the part of the Indians by chiefs of the following tribes: Delawares, Shawnees, Chippewas, Ottawas, Miamis and Eel Rivers, Weas, and Piankashaws, Kickapoos and Kask askias, Potawatomies and Wyandots. Those chiefs signing were: Tarhe the Crane (Wyandots), Little Turtle (Miamis), Blue Jacket (Shawnees), Buckongehelas (Delawares), Black Hoof (Shawnees), Leatherlips (Wyandots), Bad Bird (Chippewa), White Pigeon (Potawatomi), The Sun (Potawatomi) and Isaac Zane a Wyandot by adoption. The final treaty was signed on August 3, 1795, exchanged August 7, laid before the United States Senate on December 9 and ratified on December 22, 1795.

By this treaty the Indians ceded about 25,000 square miles of territory to the United States, besides 16 separate tracts, including land and forts. The Indians received in consideration of these cessions, goods to the value of $20,000 and were promised an annual allowance of $9,500 to be distributed equally to the parties of the treaty. Chief Blue Jacket had to be bribed with a $300 annuity. Never after that treaty, to their honor be it remembered, did the Indian tribes violate the limits which it established. It was a grand tribute to General Wayne that no chief or warrior who gave him the hand at Greenville ever lifted the hatchet against the United States.

The Treaty of Greenville was the signal for the spread of settlement up the river valleys into the interior of Ohio. Thus we find that the French ceded in 1763, the English ceded in 1783, the Northwest Territory formed in 1787, the Indians ceded in 1795 and the way is now clear for the formation of the State of Ohio.

The year following the Treaty of Greenville found the citizens of the Ohio Country clamoring for statehood. Subsequently the population was sufficiently strong to win this recognition from Congress and in 1803 Ohio became the 17th state of the Union and the first to be carved out of the Northwest Territory.

THE AREA which now comprises Miami County was first within Hamilton County which was the second county established in the Northwest Territory, being formed on January 2, 1790 by proclamation of Governor St. Clair. Eight years later Ross County was established and subsequently on May 1, 1803 Montgomery County was formed from parts of Ross and Hamilton Counties and included all the lands north to Michigan, west of Champaign County to Indiana, a territory 40 by 170 miles. On January 16, 1807 a strip of land 40 by 45 miles running east to west across Montgomery County was formed into Miami County with all the land north remaining in Montgomery County which actually made two different parcels of land, both called Montgomery County. In 1812 the Legislature of Ohio put all lands north of Miami County in Miami County taking them from Montgomery, and so made Miami an area of 40 by 150 miles and extended north to Michigan. The western portion of Miami was then formed into Darke County in March 1817, leaving Miami with a territory of 20 by 50 miles. Shortly thereafter,  in 1819, Shelby County was formed to the north and the present boundary was established. Miami County today contains 404.24 square miles with the greatest east-west distance being 21 miles. The north-south distance is 19 miles on the west side of the Miami River and 22 miles on the east side. Miami lies between 39 degrees, 55 minutes and 40 degrees, 11 minutes north latitude and between 84 degrees, 2 minutes and 84 degrees 26 minutes, west longitude, and is composed of twelve townships; Monroe, Bethel, Springereek, Washington, Staunton, Concord, Elizabeth, Brown, Newberry, Newton, Union and Lostcreek of which this book hereafter will deal only with the township of Newberry.

The name Miami was taken from the Indian name Miami which was the name of one of the oldest Indian Tribes in this area. The first white settler was Peter Felix, Indian Trader, and his three companions who built cabins near Staunton in the autumn of 1795 . They were followed in 1797 by John Knoop who settled east of Troy, Ohio. The population of Miami County today is 61,309 as compared with 8,851 in 1820.

NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP, organized about 1810, was prior to 1807 part of Randolph Township, which was that part of Miami County lying west of the Miami River. At that time only two townships existed, the other being Elizabeth which was east of the Miami River. Later, present Newberry and Newton were formed together under the name of Newberry but increase in population made it necessary to form two separate townships, Newberry retaining the name and the new township to the south taking the new name, Newton. The first Justice of the Peace in Newberry was Amos Perry and the first Constable was John Thompson. The approximate date of these is about 1816.

Newberry Township contains 42 square miles, is seven miles from north to south and six miles from east to west. It is located in the northwest corner of the country, bounded on the west by Darke County, on the north by Shelby, on the east by Washington Township and on the south by Newton Township. The northwestern part of the township is the most elevated in the county with the general surface sloping to the southeast. The township is drained by the Stillwater River and its tributaries; Greenville Creek, Trotters Creek, Harrisons Creek, Albaugh Creek and Rocky Branch.

The first settlers, many coming from Newberry in Newberry District in South Carolina, found here a virgin forest of many species of trees, deep rich grass and cool sparkling springs. Deep forests along the peaceful streams were abundant with all sorts of game with which the pioneers graced their tables.

During the early settlements the yellow rattlesnakes made their homes in the limestone ledges along the Stillwater River and Greenville Creek. Newberry had the reputation of having no rival in the number of venomus reptiles but the settlers soon made war on them by turning swine loose and soon the infested streams were cleared of the reptiles.

Newberry Township lies between 40 degrees 5 minutes and 40 degrees 11 minutes north latitude and between 84 degrees 19 minutes and 84 degrees 26 minutes west longitude. The present (1950) population is 5,678. The township officers at present are: trustees W. C. Davis, Russel Clark and Edward Driver, clerk, Howard Buchanan, Justice of the Peace J.D. Huffman and Constable Norman Miller.

Newberry Township, being part of that area designated as Congressional Lands, slowly commenced its settlements. The first ten men to receive patents from the government were: David Zeigler (1801), Michael Ingle (1804), Thomas Hill (1805), John Miller (1805), Sylvester Thompson (1805), Samuel Nicholson (1806), Phil Swartzell (1806), William Pearson (1806), David Burnstrager (1806), and Samuel Brown (1807).

David Zeigler, entering his land in April 1801, cannot be classified as a settler as he was a land agent in Cincinnati and probably entered land as an inducement to others. The first location and cabin built in Newberry was by a South Carolinian named McDonald, near what is now Harrisons Creek, two and one half miles north of Covington. Although he did not have a land patent he remained here one season, then returned to South Carolina with John Harrison, another dissatisfied settler from Union Township, both leaving their lands and cabins.

THE FIRST PERMANENT white settler was Michael Ingle who came from *Virginia and settled temporarily in Montgomery County. He received his land patent November 15, 1804 and shortly thereafter settled at the mouth of Harrisons Creek probably in the vacated cabin of McDonald. He is said to have prospected north up the Stillwater River before 1800 and in 1804 he entered two separate tracts of land, one in Newberry and the other in Newton Township; that in Newberry being the Northwest Quarter of Section 20.

*Later research shows that Ingle was from Bedford County Pennsylvania.

Michael Ingle, a tanner by trade, is important in the history of Newberry from the fact that he brought 800 acres of land into a high state of cultivation. He also produced some very fine leather in his tannery and, his well, dug through the rock, was the only one in the settlement for ten years. He also is said to have grown the first wheat in the township. In 1810 he purchased his third quarter section which became very valuable for its quarries. He erected the second house in what is now the confines of Covington, having built a double log cabin where the Eshleman Funeral Home now stands. He and his first wife raised a family of seven sons and, four daughters of whom all but three stayed in the township. The descendents of Michael Ingle now living in Newberry are very great in number. He was in the Revolutionary War, died in 1839 and is buried in Highland Cemetery.

Following Michael Ingle, came in 1805 John Miller, Elijah Reagan and Sylvester Thompson, followed shortly by Samuel Brown. Subsequently came William Coats with his son, John Coats, and his son-in-law, Daniel Wright. Samuel Brown stayed but a short time but John and William Coats built cabins and stayed. Daniel Wright also built a cabin which was situated at the southwest corner of Main and Spring streets, this being one of the first six cabins in the township. In 1810 Jacob Ullery purchased land but did not occupy it until 1811. This was the southeast quarter of section 30, later noted for its quarries and proved to be the most valuable property in the township.

When the War of 1812 broke out the cabins of nine families dotted the forest. At this time the settlers all left their clearings for temporary safety from the hostile Indiana who were expected to invade this area. Some went to Montgomery County, some to the Ludlow settlement; Ingle went to the stockade in Newton Towsnhip, and Ullery to Lostcreek Township.

Michael Ingle, John Miller, William Coats, John, Coats, Daniel Wright, Elijah Reagan and Jacob Ullery were seven of the nine families living here in 1812. The names of the other two are unknown. Sylvester Thompson shortly after his arrival moved to Newton Township. Also taking out land were Phil Swartzell, William Pearson and David Burnstrager but it can not be ascertained whether they ever settled here or not.

On June 18, 1812 The United States declared war on Great Britain. In Ohio the Americans were vigorously attacked by the British, supported by the, Indians under the leadership of Tecumseh. On the 30tb day of April 1812, Brigadier General Edmond Munger sent communications to Captain George Buchanan of Milton ordering him to form the 2nd regiment, which would be attached to the 5th brigade of the 1st Division of Ohio Militia and to see that they were fully equipped and ready to march at a moments notice. To his regiment were added Lt. James Caldwell of Piqua and Ensign Gardner Bobo of Spring Creek. By July 10, 1812 this regiment was composed of, in addition to the three commissioned officers, four sergeants, four corporals and forty privates. The regirnent was assigned to the Stillwater Valley and adjoining territory and began almost immediately the erection of a block house at a point across the Stillwater River from the mouth of Greenville Creek. This blockhouse was first called "Buchanan's Block House" and later referred to as Fort Rowdy but this was not accepted by Captain Buchanan. This fort consisted of a blockhouse and a tower in the southwest corner with a stockade enclosing a section north and as far east as the St. Marys Road ( High Street) and enclosing a good spring under what was later the hotel building. In his communications Captain Buchanan referred to this as "Fort Buchanan" and so it was thereafter called such.

Orders to muster out were dated July 20, 1812 and all men were dismissed who were stationed west of the Miami River unless hostile movements of the Indians required their services. Captain Buchanan and his regiment marched to Troy July 13, joined other companies there, and all marched to Piqua to remain until the peace council was over. Although Fort Buchanan was used by the families in the neighborhood as a place of refuge during emergencies, there is no indication that it was ever again used as a military post. The war was brought to a close December 14, 1814 by the Treaty of Ghent which provided for joint commissions to determine disputed boundary questions between the two countries.

Early in 1814, before the treaty with England, we find the settlers returning, the number of immigrants augmenting and the clearings increasing. John Cable west of Stillwater; John Hay north of him; John Harrison and his sons, Richard and Bargitto on the creek that bears their name; above Cable, John Trotter, on the creek named for him; the Templeton brothers Samuel, William, and David joining Trotter; John Carson and Samuel Nicholson in the same neighborhood; Sylvester Thompson and Joshua Falknor, south of Ullery and in 1816 Amos Perry opposite the falls on Greenville Creek; and William Knox on Trotters Creek. John Barbour joined the Trotters Creek settlement in 1817. We cannot mention all who came, but only such as became prominent and permanent citizens in those early times whose descendents are with us now.

1816 to 1835---Amidst most picturesque environments on the Stillwater River, Covington had its beginning as a community on the east side of the Stillwater when early in 1816, Daniel Wright, in partnership with Jacob Ullery, laid out 36 town lots in section 30. Wright's portion covered the site of Wayne's encampment, the timber having been cut off by Wayne's army. These 30 lots lay between the St. Marys Road (High Street) and the east bank of the Stillwater. Three streets were laid out and named, running north and south; first, Water Street, next to the river and on the bluff; Main Street at the foot of the hill; and High Street, being the St. Marys Road and also the section line between 29 and 30. Three streets crossing at right angles were: first on the north, Wright Street, next Ullery Street and then Spring Street. Wright Street and Ullery Street were named for the men who laid out the town and Spring Street was named for the beautiful spring that burst from the rocks beneath the shade of a white oak grove that grew upon the bluff. The original plot was surveyed by Benjamin Cox and was called Friendship. It also was called Oldtown, Rowdytown, Stillwater and Newberry before the name of Covington was adopted in 1835. The first post office was called Stillwater and was located on Wright Street half way between High and Main on the south side.

Elijah Reagan built the first house on the lot now occupied by the Eshleman Funeral Home; on the same lot Michael Ingle built a double log cabin. These two buildings were built about 1816. John Ingle built a hewed log cabin on the northwest corner of Main and Wright streets. A small log house was built on the southeast corner of Main and Wright streets and on the opposite corner someone built a hewed-log two story house which was never finished and rotted down. On the site now occupied by the Burk Drug Store, Noah Hanks put up the first store in Newberry Township which was also the first frame building about 1826.

At the end of ten years, after the platting and survey, of this town, it had but three families living in it, two vacant houses, one house, Daniel Wright's had been burnt, and twelve years elapsed after the town was laid out before a new house was erected. In 1828, Singer and Hilliard of Piqua built a frame building for a store room which in 1880 was still standing and was the oldest building in the village at that time. For years Covington was only important in so far as it afforded the farming community a chance to exchange their products for "cash or trade".

Michael Ingle tanned the first leather, 1819, and his reputation as a superior workman lived after him. The Hank brothers established a tannery in 1820 which was known as the Covington Tannery and was located on the east side of Main Street and just south of the present armory grounds. Between 1816 and 1817 Phillip Hartzell settled west of Greenville Falls and was the first to manufacture pumps. Benjamin Lehman operated the first wool carding machine in the locality and subsequently; in 1826 Thomas Bolles added a fulling machine to the industries of the place. An English syndicate of Smiths first built and operated the large flour mills and distilleries at Greenville Falls. The copper shops were no small part of their milling interests, working 40 men, while in their saw mills lathes turned out a large class of miscellaneous wood work. In fact this was one of the most extensive and flourishing enterprises of its day in western Ohio, and taken as a whole, represented a large manufacturing establishment. In 1817 the first distillery was erected and followed by four in succession and whiskey was floated to New Orleans in considerable quantities.

One of the most interesting phases of pioneer history was the utilization of the country's water power. Our township has more than its share of streams on which many mill sites existed. The first to erect mills were Noah Davenport and his brother-inlaw, Wagner. He purchased a tract of land from Michael Ingle near Harrison Creek and Stillwater and in 1815 established a grist mill and started to erect a saw mill. About the same time Jacob Ullery erected a saw mill on Greenville Creek in the southeast corner of section 30. He also started on a grist mill. Davenport was first grinding and Ullery was first sawing and both mills operated many years before another mill was built. In 1820 more settlers came, mostly from Pennsyvania; Phillip Hartzell Jr., Bob Casper, The Mohlers, Shellabargers, more Ingles, Kensingers, Hollopeters, Cassels, Wagners and Wises. They were followed shortly by the Fahnestocks, Crowels, Whitmers and Hoovers. All these settlers had very large families and any family with less than twelve was called a small one. In 1825 the Covington Tannery went out of business and in 1826 was purchased by Benjamin Lehman who operated it until 1830 when he sold to John Ross. In 1825 Michael Ingle planted the first wheat and no longer harvested it when the barn caught fire and burned to the ground.

NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP had not been long settled when the need was felt for an educational system. The first house for this purpose was erected at a spot which is now half way between route 36 and the Highland cemetery, on the west side of the road. It was built in 1815 or 1816 and did not long remain. The second school house was built about 1819 a half-mile farther north on the east side of the road (Highland Cemetery) and remained long in use. The first teacher in the house was Andrew Ballard. In other parts of the township school was held in dwelling and vacant cabins, one being the Trotters Creek settlement where John Barbour and Benjamin Dunham taught. In 1824 an acre of ground was deeded to Newberry Township on whicn was built a hewed-log school house. The first teacher in this building was William Dowler who taught for several years; other early teachers were James Perry and Moses Mitchell. As the population increased we find the township divided into districts each having its brick school house and an acre of ground for recreation. This system prevailed until 1931 when the last building was abandoned for the centralized system. The buildings were sold at auction, some being used for dwellings, storage, etc. One, No. 7 was sold to the American Legion for a meeting house.

The Trotters Creek Church was organized in 1820 by Mr. Stackhouse and the meetings were held in homes and barns. Caleb Worley became its pastor in 1824 and continued as such until 1846 at which time the congregation merged with the Covington Christian Church.

Meetings of the German Baptist Church were held as early as 1816 in barns and dwellings under the leadership of Michael Etter. The Harris Creek Church was built in 1855 due to an increase of members in that locality. In 1892 the non-progressive branch of the German Baptists left their church in Covington and built a frame meeting house east of Covington on the Farrington Road. In 1950 it was torn down and replaced by a modern brick structure. Prior to this the congregation had split and part of the m purchased the old number nine school and remodeled it for their church in 1931.

The Greenville Creek Christian Church was organized by Caleb Worley in 1843 and their first church was built in 1844, being replaced in 1882 with the present structure.

The Union Church on the Union Church Road no longer exists having been recently torn down due to the fact that the building was no longer safe. This was one of the oldest churches in the township. (Built 1852.)

The St. Johns Evangelical Church located on the Shelby Miami County line was organized in 1875 and was mostly served by the pastor of the Covington Lutheran Church. This church was destroyed by fire in 1938 and the members united with other Lutheran Churches.

All burials at this time were made in small family cemeteries or in churchyards, the largest and oldest being that at Sugar Grove. The family graveyards were very numerous and every section had two or more. These small cemeteries today are being cared for by the Township Trustees.

The growth of Covington in this period was very slow, the village having only three families in 1826. On August 29, 1828 Robert and William Robertson laid out the plot of New Jefferson which was a spot between Main and High Streets beginning at the section line north of the railroad (today) and extending south 57 rods. This was later added to the Village of Covington.

On the first Monday in April 1835 the first election was held in Covington which resulted in the election of Gilbert D. Adams, Mayor, William Robinson, recorder, and Charles Orwan, Joshua Orr and Thomas McKinzie, trustees (later called councilmen).

On July 11, 1835 a constitution was adopted and Covington started on its career as a full fledged municipal corporation of the great commonwealth of Ohio. The officers provided for in the construction were as follows; mayor, recorder, trustees three, marshall, supervisor and collector, last three being appointed by the council. On July 30, 1835 seven ordinances were passed providing in many ways for the welfare of the community. The salaries of the council were fixed at twenty five cents for each day and twelve and one half cents for each night served in that capacity.

Things ran very smoothly until May 3, 1839 when the council imposed the first tax which was twelve and one half cents per head on swine, over three months old, that were allowed to run at large throughout the town. This tax created a great howl among the people but the tax remained.

A  re-organization of the corporation was made in 1850 and on March 22 of that year an act was passed by State Legislature amending the charter of the village which fixed the corporation in the 1837 election, the mayor and recorder refused to serve limits and were fined two dollars each and the council appointed two men to fill their places. On May 17, 1841 the first ordinance pertaining to side walks in the village was passed. In 1842 the first hooks and ladders were purchased for a fire department and the first city fire examiners were appointed. The office of tax collector. was established this same year with Henry Carmichael being appointed the first tax collector. In 1945 the council approved the erection of a bridge at the foot of Pearl Street on Piqua Turnpike.

The mayors of this period were: Gilbert D. Adams 1835, 1836, and 1837; Samuel Patterson elected in 1837 and refused to serve; Jeremiah Shade 1838; Noah Dewey 1839; Joseph Leonard 1840; George Deprees 1841; Andrew Diltz 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845; William Ross 1846; Andrew Diltz 1847; Joseph Leonard 1848; C. W. Carlton 1849 and James Purdy 1850 but replaced by B. Neff (1850) when the corporation was reorganized. The councilmen of this day were many but a few held the office for a number of years; Dr. R.N. Cox six years.; John Patterson six years; John Sowers six years; William McDowell five years and Hamilton Bartmess four years. The office of Treasurer was held held by only six men in this period with Samuel Ullery holding the office five times and Dr. Cox and Andrew Diltz each three years. The Marshalls were many and only one man held the position for any length of time, that being Joseph Marlin who was marshall three years. The office of Recorder also changed hands many times and here, too, only one man held the office longer than one year, he being James Purdy who served for four year.

In 1830 the Troy-Greenville Road was, commenced which was to pass through Covington. This road was mud all the way and after a short time a few Trojans decided to build a better one. They constructed a plank road but the plank soon rotted in the swampy ground and forced the trial of gravel which proved to be a success. This road was finally completed in 1845 being the first gravel road in the county. It entered Covington on the east and continued down Wright Street and crossed the river just north of the present water works building and continued on west to Greenville. The first road built in Newberry Township was in 1816 but passed through Clayton to the north, having been the Piqua-Greenville Road. The Troy-Greenville Road was the first commenced in Covington but not the first completed.

In 1838 the businessmen of Dayton, seeing the importance of the increasing trade of the Stillwater Valley and foreseeing the danger of its being diverted to the just completed Miami Canal, organized the Dayton and Covington Turnpike Co., secured stock and began construction in 1839. When the success of this venture was secure and well under way Piqua moved to connect themselves with the Dayton-Covington Turnpike in order to secure the rich farm products from the Stillwater Valley and Darke Coun ty. They formed a company and bridged the six miles of black swamp between the Miami and Stillwater Rivers with the Old Covington Pike. The Dayton and Covington Pike was completed in 1841 and the the Piqua-Covington Pike joined it in 1843. This made Newberry Township the first in the county with three turnpikes and gave Covington a daily mail and stage route.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH, the first church erected in Covington, was built in 1835 where the Shafer and Boehringer Blacksmith shop now operates. Here also was located the first cemetery in Covington which was just south of the church and later moved to High land Cemetery.

1836 was a cold summer with frost every month and a snowstorm in August. The first Methodist Church was erected this year on Pearl Street but the very next year was destroyed by a huge oak tree which toppled on the church during a cyclone. School at this time was held in this church and also in a building on the southeast corner of High and Broadway.

1837 saw the first school house erected in the confines of Covington which was a frame structure built on the southwest corner of Main and Spring Streets. The population of the town increased rapidly and a few years later larger quarters were needed to conduct classes. The frame school was sold and a new two story building was build on the southeast corner of Spring and Pearl Streets' (now Fire House). John and Ezekiel Ainsworth were the first teachers here. Caleb Worley organized the Covington Christian Church in a school house this year and the Troy- Greenville Road was rebuilt.

The Bethel Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized in 1838 and the Piqua-Covington Turnpike Co. was formed. This was also the year of the first Miami County Fair. The largest and most successful mill was erected at Greenville Falls by George W. Smith and operated for many years as a grist, saw mill and distillery.

In 1839 work was being done on both turnpikes and the Dayton- Covington Turnpike was estimated to cost $2,800 per mile.

Aaron Boggs purchased the old Noah Davenport mills in 1843 from Benjamin Kendall, built another grist mill farther up on Harrisons Creek and a lath mill on the northwest corner of Route 48 and the Iddings Road. He and his son built another or possibly two others on a long race which parralleled the Stillwater on the east.

The first Christian Church was built on North Pearl Street in 1846 and in 1848 a charter was granted to the Masonic Lodge. In the next few years more mills came into existence; John Cable's mills on Greenville Creek, David Croft's mill (1830) on down from Cables; the Clayton mills on upper Stillwater, the Murphy mill site south of Covington and the Swisher Hartzell Grist Mill.

Among the many enterprises of Newberry was that of quarrying, both banks of the Stillwater River being underlaid with a good quality of Limestone. Beginning at the north of the township the first location was the lime kilns at Clayton. Coming south, the next was in the present bounds of Covington on the east banks, extending from Broadway to the south corporation line and destroyed all of old Water Street. It was owned by David Face. Across the river from Covington was a large quarry operated by David Martin. A Covington stone quarry operated south of town and J. M. Ruhl owned a quarry and lime Kiln near the south edge of Covington; also Levi Falknor had a quarry on his farm along the Stillwater. Many of the buildings in Covington have been built on foundations of native stone and laid with mortar made with burnt lime. Thousands of stone were shipped out on the railroads in the next decades. A loading platform existed in later years west of the present Covington Motor Inn and on the north side of the track. After cement and concrete block come into use, the quarries were abandoned, many parts of them having been filled.

The average pioneer seemed to see no impropriety in patronizing the local distilleries. It was customary to see the whisky bottle accompany the water jug on occasion where a few neighbors were called together. From 1840 to 1850 a strong temperance sentiment developed and in a very few years whiskey ceased to be furnished on public occasions.

In the early days wolves were very abundant and very destructive but under the stimulus of a $3.00 bounty per wolf scalp they became extinct about 1830. Bears were seldom seen after 1835 but panthers were seen occasionsly unti1 1860. Deer became extinct about 1855 and wild turkeys were deceasing rapidly by 1870. In 1850 the second Methodist Church was erected at Pearl and Spring Streets: also the advent of carpets to some of the people of Covington and the year that white granulated sugar first came on the markets.

The year l850 found Covington with a populationof 451 and served by Mayor B. Neff, Recorder James Purdy, and Councilmen Jonathan Looker, Hamilton Bartmess, William McDowell, C. W. Carlton and C. M. Gross.

Covington had three doctors; R. N. Cox, M. R. Shellabarger and S. N. Eaker; four general stores: M. R. Shellabarger (Streibs), L. Leonard (Pool Room), A. Routson (Burks) and William Minton (Citizens National Bank). There were two grocery stores; J. B. Dunning (Bob's Gulf Station) and Peter Nicoloy at the southwest corner of Spring and High.

C. H. Ditzler & Dreese tailors (Flory Ins.), J. E. Shellenberger groceries and hardware (Maes), Hamilton Bartmess' harness shop (Building and Loan), J. C. Williams livery stables at northeast corner of Thompson and High, W. L. Fahnestock had a pump and cradle factory (Crawford's) and James Purdy operated a chair and cabinet factory at the present Etter Music Store.

There were two hotels; J. N. Newman on the southwest corner of Bridge and High and the Mansion House owned by Daniel Lehman where the old hotel building is now located at the foot of the hill on High Street. The post office was on the southeast corner of Wright and High; William Robinson was the notary public, Joseph Hilliard ran a tavern and John C. Langston and Phillip Hartzell were carpenters.

AFTER 1850 all business of a permanent or temporary character confined to High Street and all the more aristocratic people lived on that street. It was customary in this period for all merchants to carry a general stock of merchandise including a barrell of old rye, served to customers in good sized glass tumblers. In those days boys were stout and rugged; good runners, hoppers, wrestlers and boxers; and the girls lacked but little of being their equal. There was Joe Ullery who dealt in merchandise and hogs, Daniel Crowell in whose fence was a big hole and a little hole to accomodate the big dog and the little dog coming in and out; Doctor Harrison, Pete Nicholay whose place of business was always known by the smell of "New Orleans Sugar". Pete kept and sold as many as nine kinds of whiskey all out of the same barrel; Lew Leonard and Ab Routson were the toniest merchants in town; Daniel Lehmans livery stable, Dr. Shortell, who took pictures and pulled teeth; Berry Dunning sold cheese, dried herring and sold lemonade; John Sowers burned lime, quarried stone, bought wheat and corn and swapped horses; Charley Gross repaired wagons and carriages and Diltz and Son used to peg soles on rough boys.

Hamilton Bartmess kept and sold leather and harness; Squire Widener kept the post office and sold merchandise; George Porter, the violinist; Charles, Aaron and Bill Lindsay owned and operated large distilleries and did an extensive business; Mr. Rankins blacksmith shop; John Newman, who always wore a scissor-tail coat and high double decker hat, kept a tavern and sold good red liquor; Henry Bowman had no equal as a fiddler; Jack Shade hero of two wars; Mr. Paff who repaired clocks and watches down near the bridge to West Covington; Campbells' Mills on Greenville Creek where the first suicide in Covington was committed by Charles Patty; Charlie Cartwright the Confederate and a tailor; Dave Martin a lawyer and best looking man in Covington; Tom Clark the Englishman; the Schillings from way back; Christ Dunkle and Sam Kensinger, millers; Dutch Wagner who carried on a miscellaneous nickle-in-the-slot business on Main Street; Tom Hill, David Brandenburgh and Jim McBride drove oxen and horses for the Smith Mills; The Murrays, Simes and Perrys all well-known families; Henry Etter who was the first and only man to swim over Greenville Falls, doing so stark naked and sliding 300 feet; the first murder about 1840 when Greenlee killed Tice, who kept the two-mile tavern stand west of town and rented the building from Greenlee; Davie Croft who built, owned, operated and controlled many water grist mills, saw mills and farm; the Toblases, Weigles, Jakes and Cassels, all prominent families; George Sipes the stoutest man in Newberry; the colored barber "Nigger Bill," also a good fiddler and runner; Mr. Purdy who sold coffins, chairs and furniture in the days when you were measured for a coffin, and Esquire Joe Marlin who contributed largely to the legal and civil history of Covington, also Squire John Shuman.

Thomas Worley sold drugs and medicine; Joshua Orr burned lime and quarried stone; Squire Branson, the Republican Party leader; William Reisner carpenter and wheelwright; Old Man Lokie and son, Al, kept a tavern, balky horses and drove the stage lines. Starting on the Piqua turnpike at the west end of town and going west the first house was Old Man Stephenson's, an old crippled sailor who taught school in the township district for, many years'; next house going west was occupied by Abe Olewine whose wife, a Tobias, fed all the boys wonderful cakes, pies, bread and apple butter; a quarter mile farther west old man Corbin kept and operated the drop pole at the toll gate; Jake Tobias occupied the next place and Henry Etter the next; one and one half miles west of town stood the old Botdorf blacksmith shop operated by Botdorf and Kinsey who also made guns; next was Louis Yingst, another blacksmith; further on was Yacob Yengling and the next was the two mile tavern stand first operated by Jack Shade's father, next by Greenlee and from him to Tice whom he killed, and from Greenlee to Clingenpeel then to Abe Hoover and finally to Jacob Zimmerman who bought the farm and discontinued the tavern stand which had operated for more than forty years.

On May 23, 1849 a stock company was organized to build a railroad from Columbus to Covington and in October of that year a vote was taken and passed and Newberry Township decided on the proposition of taking $10,000 of stock in the Columbus, Piqua and Indiana Railroad. This railroad was completed to the Darke and Miami County line late in 1852 and completed: to Union City in 1859. The original name Columbus, Piqua and Indiana Railroad was changed to the Pittsburgh, Columbus and St. Louis Railroad, later to the Pittsburgh Columbus Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, then to the Chicago Columbus and St. Louis Railroad and finally became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system. Originally the railroad was to pass farther north of Covington but local citizens raised a sum of money (said to be $1,000) to induce the construction to touch the village with a depot site to be furnished at the present Armory site, being donated by Benjamin Lehman. This railroad entered Covington directly behind the Drees coal yard and angled southwest behind the Lumber Yard and the Brooks Service Station on Broadway. It crossed present route 36 about half way between Pearl Street and High Street and then paralleled Broadway to the river, where it crossed about 60 feet south of the present highway bridge. During the construction of the railroad through Covington, the work was done by several hundred Irish laborers. At this time there came to Piqua the Robinson Circus, which had also, as laborers, a large group of Irishmen. Subsequently, a "holiday" was declared by the railroad Irish to attend the circus and enroute to the gala affair, several of them became highly inebriated and engaged the circus Irish in a clanish war which resulted in a badly mangled railroad crew. Two days later, as the Robinson Circus attempted to pass through Covington near the Drees Coal Yard, the railroad Irish lay in wait with pick handles and a burning desire for revenge but when John Robinson, the circus owner, threatened to loose the lions and tigers from their cages, the circus passed, unmolested.

The railroad was standard gauge and the engines were wood burners. Ballast was gravel taken from the premises of Fort Buchanan. This railroad, operating on the ground level, existed until 1907.

In March 1862 the Richmond and Covington Railroad Company was formed, by several Miaimi and Darke County men among whom were Henry Kitchen, John Gill, John Sowers and John Bradley. These men constructed a railroad from the end of the Piqua, Columbus and Indiana Railroad, a few miles west of Covington, to Richmond, Indiana where they joined with the Indiana Central Railroad at the state line. Early in the spring of 1870, Jack Spade, a daredevil engineer, came speeding across the streets of Covington, thundered down the grade and was soon over Main Street where Jot Kensinger was driving the family cow across the street. Spade, perceiving the animal, opened wide the throttle, trying to throw the cow clear of the tracks but unluckily, the "cow catcher" did not remove the obstruction, the cow rolling under the fire box and serving to raise the engine off the rails as it approached the river bridge. Spade and the fireman jumped clear of the train as it piled into the river on the south side of the bridge but the brakeman stayed with the train and was crushed by the engine.

In 1853 the most violent wind and rainstorm of the half century occurred, the following year the wheat crop was a total loss having been destroyed by the weevil. 1856-1857 was a very cold winter in which it was still below freezing until May 12 and the apple trees did not bloom until the last week in May. In 1859 it frosted on June 5, July 3 and 4 and August 29 In 1863 a hurricane hit Covington and the mercury dropped from 75 degrees to 17 degrees below zero in 10 hours.

Harris Creek Church was built in 1855 and this same year the first Lutheran Church was started in a rented building at the corner of High and Dodd Streets. By 1860 the population had increased from 451 in 1850 to 791, a gain of 340, and school was still being held in the present fire house and in dwellings.

THE FIRST MEETING of the Covington Cemetery Association was held December 25, 1861 in the store of Flockemer and Kensinger at which time the following temporary officers were elected: W. M. Fahnestock, Pres.; J. L. Purdy, Sec.; and J. R. Shuman Treasurer. They purchased five and one half acres at eighty dollars per acre from David Ingle, and commenced selling lots at five dollars each. This plot originally was the Ingle family burying ground. In 1864 the old cemetery at the Baptist Church was moved to Highland Cemetery, and in 1900 David Face presented the stone and iron entrance as a gift to the cemetery.

Currently the cemetery embraces 25 acres and contains approximately 5000 bodies. The avenues or streets in the cemetery are named with names of trees and flowers. About 1890 the grounds were given the name of Highland Cemetery. The cemetery is operated solely by funds from burials and the sale of lots. The present board members are C. E. Koon, Chairman: Roger O'Donnell sec-treas.; Ed Boehringer; Robert Perry and Frank Hartle, who are elected and serve without compensation.

Tbe Highland Mausoleum Association was organized December 29, 1912 and elected the first board of trustees composed of: W. V. Swisher, A. B. Bashore, Jacob Kendall, A. F. Mikesell and Ben Loxley Jr. The Mausoleum was erected in 1912. Present trustees are O. L. Hoover, Pres.; Blanche Hedirck, Mary Wine and Mrs. L. W. Kendell. Revenue is derived from the sale of crypts and the Mausoleum Association pays the Cemetery Board each year for caretaker service. The total number of crypts is 112 and at presen t 42 are filled and 70 empty.

CIVIL WAR; On that memorable day in April 1861 when the old flag was struck by traitor hands and a semicircle of hostile batteries converged their fire on Sumpter, compelling its surrender, and firing souls to revenge the deed brought Miami County to the front. In a single day the. Covington Blues had enrolled and responded to,the President's call. A second day saw them at Columbus swiftly organized as Company I, Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

The number of soldiers raised in Miami County by the two calls were nearly 4,500 men. These men enlisted in various branches, chiefly the 110th, Eleventh, Forty Fourth, Seventy First, Ninety Fourth, 147th Ohio Infantry. Newberry Township sent more able bodied vigorous young men to the war than any township of its size in the United States.

The Covington Blues were organized in 1850 with Jack Langston captain, Jack Shade 1st lieutenant and Dave Martin 2nd lieutenant. After leaving Columbus in 1861 they went to Washington where they were formed into Company E of the Eleventh Regiment O. V. M.

The officers at this time were Jack Langston, captain; Jack Shade, 1st lieutenant and "Hi" Moore, 2nd lieutenant. The Covington Blues fought at South Mountain, Antietam Creek, Bull Ran, Monocacy,  Sharpsburgh, Nashville, Chattanooga, Gordons Mills, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face, Buzzards Roost, Resaca and were mustered out of the service June 26, 1864.

A paper of national scope had its birth in Covington in 1866 when Elder James Quinter of the Church of the Brethren began printing a paper which he called "The Gospel Visitor", today published in Elgin, Illinois as "The Gospel Messenger". This was the first printing and publishing house in Covington and was located where the Wright Merchandise Mart now stands.

The inadequate quarters and scattered situations of the schools impelled the Board of Education to build in 1867-1868 a three story brick house upon the site now occupied by the present structure. It contained 10 school rooms and a large hall and was built at a cost of $10,000. The Board of Education at that time was J. C. Ullery, Isaac Shirtzer, Hamilton Bartmess, Lewis Leonard, M. R. Shellabarger and Michael Bashore. In November of 1868 Supt. R. F. Bennett, with his four teachers, moved into this splendid building and the next year the sixth teacher was added. Two years later the Covington Schools graduated nine members. This first graduating class was composed of: Ermina Cable (Mrs. H. H. Bear), Belle Routson (Mrs. J. T. Bartmess), Belle Quinter (Mrs. Rev. Myers), Hattie Billingsley (Mrs. Robert Harwood), Angie Harrison (Mrs. B. F. Rhodehamel), A. F. Hickman, J. W. Reisner, A. L. Marlin and R. W. Himes.

In 1869 the First Church of the Brethren was built within the village of Covington at Main and Ullery Streets and in the same year J. R. Shuman laid out West Covington which was that portion west of the river and southwest of the village. This part of town never has entered the corporate limits. (The population of Covington in 1870 was 1,010). 1870 is marked as the year the first newspaper was printed in Covington. Mr. S. W. Ely started the Stillwater Valley Gazette but sold it in 1874, to William A. Brown who changed the name to the Covington Gazette. The Stillwater Valley Gazette was first printed on the second floor of the Widner Building, (Shafer's) later moving to the second story of the building where the bank stands today. Mr. Brown later moved the Covington Gazette to the third floor of the Shellabarger Building, now Streibs.

The Stillwater Valley Bank started as a private institution in 1871 but was not incorporated as a state bank until 1908. The first officers of the institution, as a state bank, were: Jacob Kendall, Pres., A. C. Cable, Cashier, A. J. Maier, assist ant cashier. It closed during the depression of 1931 and never reopened. The last officers were; R. F. Alberry, president, Levi Warner, vice president; A. J. Maier, cashier; Robert Weikert, assistant cashier; C. C. Maier, W. S. Routzahn and Herbert Kendall were board members.

1871;  J. M. and S. M. Mohler manufactured drain tile; S. W. Ely was editor of the Stillwater Gazette; Leonard Ullery and Kinsinger proprietors of a grist mill and dealers in flour and grain; David Diltz auctioneer; J. Murlon, Justice of the Peace; G. W . Rauch, tanner and dealer in hides; Rush Reynolds, postmaster and operator of a grocery, confectionary and bakery; Dr. R. J. Poisons, proprietor of The North American Health Institute and Jacob Mohler operated a grist and saw mill. The corporation limits of the town were about the same as today, except for the east which was approximately on Grant Street.

1875; marked the building of the second Lutheran Church which was erected at the corner of Wall and Bridge Street. The 1875 bussiness directory was; W. A. Brown, publisher; H. H. Baer, merchant mill; J. B. Dunning, groceries; Harrison Fisher, merchant; N. W. Furnas, building stone and lime; George Kreighbaum, blacksmith; Joseph Marlin, Justice of the Peace; Hiram Moore, plasterer; Rush Reynolds, postmaster and groceries; J. W. Ruhl, stone and lime dealer, Jack Shade, bricklayer and Samuel Wiley, bricklayer.

REDMAN, which was a portion of the town lying on the hillside west of High Street, starting at the north corporation line and runniing, south 500 feet, was plotted Feb. 19, 1877 by J. R. Shuman and entered the city March 27, 1885.

The German Baptist Mutual Insurance Company was formed in 1879 and the Dayton, Covington and Toledo Railroad (narrow gauge) was incorporated. This railroad was later known as the Delphos division of the C. H. & D. and it was at one time owned by John Ringling of circus fame. The railroad entered the village of Covington on the southeast corner just east of the present Sellman apartments, continued north past the tobacco warehouse, hub and spoke factory and ran down what is now Grant Street, cutting a cross the present high school's front yard and passing between Rudy's elevator and another tobacco warehouse. The depot sat at the site of the present school. The rail road crossed the Piqua Turnpike, continued west of the Covington Lumber Co. and on north. It crossed route 48 on the Ebberts farm and followed the Stillwater river for awhile passing through Blue, Abe Station, Bloomer and on north. It was made standard gauge in 1891. Last train was in the early 1920's.

By 1880 the population had increased to 1,459, the first fire engine was purchased, the voters went to the April elections in sleighs and Mr. Brown sold the Covington Gazette, to R. and W. F. Cantwell. In 1882 the "Old Order Dunkards" split off from the Brethren Church and a new Greenville Creek Church was erected.

1883 saw a complete crop failure, the crops being planted late combined with a bad year and a killing frost on Sept. 9. The next spring (1884) a killing frost occurred on May 29. In 1886 the Covington Building and Loan was organized and the present Presbyterian Church was erected. The Lewis Woolen Mills in West Covington started manufacturing blankets in 1887. It changed hands in 1917 and was called the Covington Woolen Mill Conipany, and later in 1930 went completely out of business.

By 1890 the population had increased to 1,779 and the business directory was as follows: A. Routson & Co., dry goods; Cozzens and Brown, dry goods; A. Dreese and Co., dry goods; J. W. Lyle, Conrad Kriegbaum, W. C. Shuman, Richeson and Ullery, Ed Simes, A. B. Stapp, all groceries; T. A. Worley and son and Ratcliff and Dollinger, drug stores; flouring mills were J. S. Mohler and E. Kendell and Son; stone quarries were operated by G. W. Butt, J. W. Ruhl, Lewis Face, Charles Barringer and David Martin; two lumber companies were Dreese Brothers and the Joseph Murphy Lumber Co.; meat markets were C. E. Fashner, C. W. Schmidt and Will Yount, millinery stores, Mrs. S. Townsend. Miss Mina Purdy and Mrs. Richard Schilling; bakeries were C. W. DeWeese and Charles Eberenz; F. W. Weeks was photographer of the Elite Studio; blacksmiths were G. W. Speelman, Henry Tucker, D. M. Lauver. Louis Speelman, Al DeWeese, and Coate and Shafer; Thomas Fine operated a feed store; the livery stables were T. P. Covault and Son (Empire Livery), O. McGowen and Son, and Fosdick and Gross; grain houses were Baer and McClary, Shuman, and Sowers and Co.; tailors were Ruhl and Fennemore, John Belser, Harry Fox; the bank was the Stillwater Valley Bank; Hotels were Central Hotel, Hill House and Leland Hotel; two dairies were operated by Matt Himes and L. D. Falknor; nurseries were B. F. Albaugh, Mesh Cassel and Harry Fox; Greely Furnas was the coal oil dealer; I. A. Corwin was superintendent of the gas works and telephone company; Henry Staley and J. B. Metzger ran harness shops; the attorneys were William Freshour and J. H. Marlin; saloons were operated by Samuel Hoeflich, J. M. Popp, Henry Schloss and Gottleib Warner; The Whitmer Brothers Company and the Cincinnati Furniture Company were the two undertakers and furniture dealers; John Geyer and Wesley Anderson were the barbers; John S. Dollinger was postmaster and the Covington Gazette was the town's newspaper. R. F. Bennett was school superintendent and R. W. Himes was principal. Teachers were Z. L. Ramsey, Bella Dorsey, Agnes Flammer, Lola Fahnestock, Effie Kinney, Meda Westfall and Kate Marlin The school board was Jacob Kendall, A. S. Rosenbarger, J. R. Shuman, M. Maier, C. Finfrock and A. C. Hall.

Some of the factories were: Hub and Spoke factory owned by J. G. Wagner and Joshua Grubb; the Brandt Machine Shop started in 1879 (burned down in 1902) and was located where the Brethren Parsonage now stands, here also William Boggs manufactured pin cushions and spool racks; J. G. Wagner Brick and Tile Factory; Fahnestock and Westfall pump factory; C. M. Gross Buggy Works; M. Maiers Buggy Works; Maiers Brush Shop; Elijah Hill manufactured Proprietary Medicines and the Covington Maunfacturing Company on North High Street operated by William Boggs, manufactured lawn swings. The largest of the factories was the hub and spoke factory which employed 40 men who turned out 1200 rims and 2500 spokes each week and made 2000 hub blocks each day.

In 1895 Judge Dwyer of Dayton, in conjunction with Colonel Orr of Piqua, promoted gas service to the city of Dayton from wells on the Judge's farm where natural gas was first found in Western Ohio (near North Star.) The lines were laid thru Covington and branch lines served Piqua and Troy. It was organized as the Miami Valley Gas and Fuel Company and furnished gas to the consumers unmetered until the field near North Star diminished. When the supply became insufficient, lines were laid to connect the existing lines with a field at Red Key, Indiana. This supply also soon dwindled and connections were made with a strong supply discovered at Sugar Creek in southeastern Ohio. About this time all the small companies were taken over and reorganized and became known as the Ohio Fuel Gas and Supply Co., which is a subsidiary of the Colurnbia Gas System from which source we receive our supply now, supplemented by a supply of Texas gas, the distribution being made through the Dayton Power and Light Company.

On January 15, 1896 it was decided by a vote of the people to build a new school house in place of the one existing which had been condemned. The old building was torn down and the grounds prepared for the erection of the new structure, which is the present grade building. The schools first entered this building on January, 18, 1897.

In 1897  R. M. Alberry and sons built a dam across Greenville Creek about one and one eighth miles from Covington at which site they constructed a power plant where the 28 foot water fall turned the generator to supply the first electric power to Covington. This plant was one of the first hydroelectric plants in the state and later furnished electricity to Pleasant Hill, Ludlow Falls and a number of rural lines. In 1911 the organization was incorporated as the Buckeye Light and Power Co. with J. H. Marlin of Covington as president, T. Russell Robinson of Boston as secretary-treasurer, and R. F. Alberry of Covington as general superintendent. The Buckeye Light and Power Company promoted and built the first rural electric lines in the United States and filed first rates with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio for the construction and operation of rural lines. About 1927 or 1928 the Buckeye disposed of their property to the United Public Service Company of Chicago. This company in turn was absorbed by the Dayton Power and Light Company who now own the property.

The Covington Tribune was established in 1898 by J. H. Marlin and O. W. Yount. Mr. Yount stayed one year and sold his interest to his partner. In l905 J. H. Marlin sold to a brother, A. L. Marlin and his son W. L. Marlin.

In the year 1900 the population increased to 1,791, the Crampton and Sons Boiler Works went out of business, as did the Cresent and Metallic Fence Stay Company; the Citizens National Bank was organized and the Covington Home Telephone Company was started. Some of the businesses in 1900 were; Covington Gazette, Covington Tribune, Covington Woolen Mills, Wagner Tile and Brick Yard, Covington Flouring Mills, Sugar Grove Flouring Mills, The J. W. Ruhl quarries, C. H. Jackson quarries, Dreese Saw Mills, R. M. Alberry Saw Mills, C. T. Dreese Talcum Powder Co., Covington Lumber Company, Covington Telephone Company, Falls Electric Light Company and the Covington Steam Laundry, Covington Building and Loan and Stillwater bank.

Lodges were: Masonic Lodge; I. O.O. F., Mildred Lodge; Langston Post G. A. R., Camp S. of V.;  Amokee Tribe I. O. R. M.;  Demoiselle Council D. of  P.; Patrons of Husbandry; Stillwater Lodge K. of P.;  Stillwater Grange and the Order of the Gobblers.

The mayors of this period were: B. Neff (1850), Joseph Marlin (1851, 1852), William Robinson (1853), Thomas Anderson (1854), C. H. Gross (1855), William Robinson (1856), Charles Wild (1857), Isaac Sherzer (1858). No dates can be found for the years 1859 to 1871. but the following men held the office: William Couffer, Thomas Worley, W. G. Bryant, Isaac Sherzer, David Diltz and J. L. Smart. John V. Griffen (1871, 1872, 1873), Adam Minnich (1874- 1876, 1876-1878, 1880-1882, 1882-1884), David Diltz (1870, 1878- 1880), D. C. Shellabarger (1884-1886 ), J. H. Marlin (1886-1888), S. C. Sisson (1888-1890), D. J. Martin (1890-1892-1894), S. D. Palmer (1894-1896, 1896-1898, 1898-1900), and M. H. Nill (1900- 1902).

Those serving on the council during this period were: James Fahnestock, John Patterson, Charles Gross, C. W. Carlton, Hamilton Bartmess, R. H. Neely, James Purdy, John Sowers, R. N. Cox, W. Fahnestock, L. H. Anderson, Daniel Lehman, John Harrison, Joshua Orr, Johnson Huggins, William McDowell, John Whitmer, William Holsinger, J. R. Shuman, James Campbell, G. F. Buchanan, Thomas Marlin, Henry Langston, Joseph Albaugh, Thomas Latchford, Thomas Worley, William Minton, Jacob Widner, John Smart, J. A. Corwin , D. C. Shellabarger, O. Rankin, George Davidson, Rush Reynolds, J. W. Ruhl, Adam Weaver, J. R. Kauffman, David Diltz, John Keister, Ezekiel Boggs, Conrad Neth, Charles Westhaven, C. Wysong, Conrad Shefbuch, Francis Dills, Jacob Kendall, Martin Stienhilb er, G. Neth, A. L. Marlin, Michael Maier, L. H. Kensinger, James Latchford, E. D. Simes, Richard Brandon, Charles Boehringer, G. W. Butt, Maddison Kendell, Clark Adams, Jacob Wagner, T. P. Covault, S. D. Palmer, A. M. Ruhl, S. W. Ullery, Alden Boggs, W. H. Richeson, William Day, J. C. Ullery, George Dreese, Jacob Tobias, Lee Dollinger, Ephram Pearson, Charles Boyer, Thomas Marlin, L. H. Coate, Oliver Younce, E. S. Mohler, J. V. Metzger, J. Guy O'Donnell, E. W. Gross, Alex Brandon, G. W. VanAtta, W. W. R outson, and Lon Conover.

The city marshalls were: Daniel Lehman (1851), C. B. Maury (1852), William Porter (1853), Jackson Shade (1854), David Diltz (1855,1856), Phil Hartzell (1857), B. Gilbens (1858), none available 1859 to 1871; Abraham Fisher (1872, 1873), George Speelman (1874, 1875, 1876-1878, 1880-1882), William Gavin (1878, 1879, 1884-1898), Jacob Tobias (1898-1900). In 1898-1900 William Gavin served as township constable. Harvey Hake was appointed marshall and night watch in 1901.

The officers in the year 1900 were: M. H. Nill, mayor; W. H. Richeson, clerk; C. M. Gross, treasurer, Jacob Tobias, marshall; Alex Brandon, street commissioner; and councilmen were Oliver Younce, C. Shafer, Harry Furnas, Lon Conover, Clark Adams and  J. V. Metzger.

Some highlights of the council meetings: In 1852 the council approved the erection of a market house which was built by Sam Barnhardt on ground purchased from James Fahnestack. This market house was made of frame and was 40 feet long, 18 feet wide and 16 feet to the eaves. 1853 saw a dry ordinance passed prohibiting anyone selling intoxicating beverages in quantities less th an one quart except the taverns and drug stores. In 1854 an ordinance was passed to elect the marshall, treasurer and supervisor instead of the heretofore appointments. In 1856 the market house was sold to Lewis Face. 1870 was the first election for st reet commissioners. 1873 was the first election for fire wardens. 1872 the ditch or branch running through town was constructed and Wall and Pearl Streets first graded. On December 2, 1874 the council voted to purchase 20 globe gaslight lamps from the Globe Gas Light Company of Boston, Mass., not to include posts and baskets. These were the first street lamps and were purchased for $17.00 per lamp. The first lamp lighter was, Maddison Kendall, appointed in December 1874. In 1887 the council created a Board of Health with Dr. Reinhart in charge. In 1889 a permit was granted by the council to the Dayton Natural Gas Company to lay gas lines in the village of Covington. In. 1896 the first, electric light contract was made between the city and W. A . Shelt and W. H. Deeter on April 15. Also in this year the position of city solicitor was created. On June 9, 1898 the council passed a resolution to build a bandstand. 1901 the council ruled that all future sidewalks must be concrete.

The last 25 years of the 19th century saw the city officials very busy improving and creating the fire department, making, improving, grading and graveling the streets, erecting and maintaining street lights, and building sidewalks, gutters, sewers and ditches. The railroads came, schools were built, fire department was organized, population was increasing and there was considerable talk for several years for a water departments.

IN JULY 1901, The Dayton, Covington, and Piqua Traction Line was started and in October of 1902 the first cars entered the village. This electric railroad entered Covington at the South corporation line and followed High street north to the intersectio n of the Greenville Turnpike where it turned east and followed the Piqua Pike (route 36) to Piqua. The depot stood on the southeast corner of the intersection.

On March 10, 1903, the village council approved the construction of the Covington, Bradford and Versailles Traction Line which was to be called route 2 and joined the D. C. & P. Traction . Line at the intersection of High and Broadway. This electric railroad never materialized.

The Covington Water Works was first conceived in the summer of 1903. Test wells were drilled and land secured during the fall and actual construction started in 1904 with virtual completion in the spring of 1903. Superintendents of the water works have been: Charles Rudy (1905-1936), John Hecker (1936-1940, Alva Mutzner (1941-1942), C. D. Kellenbarger (1942-1949) and Leslie Zimmerman appointed in 1949 and still serving in that capacity. The water works is governed by the Board of Trustees of Public A ffairs, a three member board duly bonded and elected for a term of two years. (The current board is composed of C. E. Peiffer, C. R. Crawford and W. C. Flory.) Operation and maintenance costs are financed by water rents collected quarterly. Water rates are established by the board and adjusted when necessary with the view of meeting regular operating expenses with a surplus sufficient to meet the requirements of equipment replacement. Currently, the village receives its water from three artesian wells (a fourth held for reserve) approximately 50 feet deep. The average 24 hour pumping to 835 metered customers is 300,000 gallons distributed from two water towers.

The Village Council on February 12, 1906, passed an ordinance permiting the P. C. C. & St. L. RR to construct a new railroad through Covington about one block north of the original tracks, said railroad to be elevated and to cross Main, High, Pearl and Wall streets with overhead bridges. Consruction was started in 1906 by the Hoover-Kinnear Co. and the railroad was completed in 1907. A brick depot was erected on the south side of the overhead on the west side of High street but has since been torn down.

On May 12, 1907, Miss Florence Floyd was shot and killed near the present residence of Lawrence Supinger on West Broadway by Danny Dallulio, a worker for the Hoover-Kinnear Co. Dalltilio then attempted suicide but lived to be convicted and died in the State Pen Hospital.

1913 Flood; During the latter part of March, 1913, rain came in torrential quantity for four days in succession and toward evening of Monday, March 24, the water had reached flood crest. The 1913 flood caused property loss in Covington of $50,000 although no lives were lost. Total loss to the Miami Valley was 361 lives and $66,765,574.

By a vote of 283 to 249, in a special election, the village voted to stay "Wet" in 1916. The Armory was built just before Company A was called to the Mexican Border. They were sent first to Camp Willis, Ohio on July 3, 1916, moved in September to El Paso, Texas where they remained until March of 1917.

On January 17, 1917, Marshal Harvey Hake was shot and killed by Bert Warren, alias Bert Clark at the present site of Weaver's Barber Shop, which was at that time a pool room. Warren was convicted and died in the electric chair.

WORLD WAR 1; Company A left El Paso, Texas and entered Fort Benjamin Harrison to be mustered out but as world war was imminent, the order was recalled. After a short stay at Fort Benjamin Harrison, they were sent to Ohio on guard duty. On August 14, 1917 they were ordered to Camp Sherman near Chillicothe and later became part of the 148th Infantry, 37th Division, U. S. Army. They were also stationed at Camp Sheriden (Montgomery, Ala.) and Camp Lee at Petersburgh, Virginia. On June 23, 1918, they embarked for overseas service on the U. S. S. Susquehanna and on July 5, 1918 landed at Brest, France and a short time later were detailed for. service on the Alsace- Lorraine front. They also served at Vosges Mountains, Robert- Espange, Verdun, Meuse-Argonne, St. Mihiel, St. Jean, Weltje, Belgium, Olsene, Bellow Wood and Ypres. They returned to the United States March 28, 1919 and were discharged in April of that year.

From this period on, the village grew rapidly and as the population increased, the town expanded with it. In 1931 the present high school building was erected and equipped at a cost of $140,000, a sum which was stretched to the limit and necessitated buying secondhand equipment such as the present seats in the gymnasium which were taken from May's Opera House in Piqua. Once again our schools are inadequate, currently absorbing 839 pupils, 439 being transported from rural districts by six school buses. The administrative and teaching staff totals 29 and in 1952 the cost of administration was $175,135.41. The schools are governed by the Board of Education, a 5 member body, duly elected to serve terms of four years at a compensation of $3.00 per meeting, not to exceed 12 meetings a year. Present board members are: Helen Etter, clerk, Leslie Zimmerman, William Trembly, Kermit Stade, and Clarence Millhouse. J. L. Baker is Superintendent of schools, and Louis Apwisch, principal.

The local contingent of the Ohio National Guard was mustered into federal service October 21, 1940 and trained at Camp Shelby, Miss. before serving in World War 11. The company was again federalized in January of 1952 and sent to Camp Polk, La. to train for service in the Korean campaign.

The present sewer system, formerly owned and operated by three independent companies, was combined in 1942 when the treatment plant was constructed, and has been under the control of the Board of Public Affairs since that time. The cost of construction of the plant and the tie-in of sewers was financed jointly by the PWA and sale of general taxation bonds, but before completion it was discovered that these funds were insufficient, and $17,000.00 in mortgage revenue bonds were sold. The debt as of December 31, 1952 was $17,000.00 in general taxation bonds and $7,000.00 in mortgage revenue bonds.

Rates are established by the Board so as to provide sufficient funds for operating and maintenance, and retirement of the revenue bonds as they become due. Until the revenue bonds are paid in full, it is illegal to use funds received for sewage treatment for any purpose other than operating expense, maintenance and repair, and bond retirement. Sewer extensions cannot be made with funds received from this source.

CITY OFFICIALS
City officials since the turn of the century have been;

1901---H. Nill, mayor; G. Dreese, H. Furnas, J. Metzger, O. Younce, C. Shafer and Lon Conover were councilmen.

1902---Election Results---N. H. Nill, mayor; J. G. Wagner, L. Simes, and E. Furnas, councilmen (only three elected). Harvey Hake was appointed marshal and served in that capacity until his death in 1917.

1903---Election---N. H. Nill, mayor; L. Simes, J. Metzger, Charles Boehringer, Jacob Kendell, D. D. Wine, and O. M. Finfrock. J. Guy O'Donnell was appointed solicitor.

1904---Election---John Weaver, Hamilton Bartmess, and Albert Miller to the council.

1905---Election---R. F. Alberry, mayor; A. W. Minton, John Bashore and Forrest Hoover, councilmen.

1906---Officials were---R. F. Alberry, mayor; Dan Knoop, Forrest Hoover, John Bashore, A. W. Minton, John Weaver and Albert Miller. From this point on, a full council was elected every two years.

1907---Election---N. H. Nill, mayor; William Swisher, Willis Minton, Robert Himes, Charles McMaken, William Vandegrift and A. S. Rosenberger, councilmen.

1909---Election---R. S. Van Hise, mayor; J. ff. Hecker, W. A. Reed, A. S. Rosenberger, L. A. Ruhl, E. W. Thomas and Henry Zollinger, councilmen.

There are a few more pages to go and they will be added.
Photos will also be added.

Return to Main Page