~pg 204~

CHAPTER XIV.

THE COUNTY ASSOCIATIONS.

Notwithstanding the populous character of Hamilton county, the enterprising spirit of its people and their diversity of material interests, there has not been, in the county at large, a very great amount of associated effort - hardly so much, indeed, as might have been expected. But the inclusion of Cincinnati within the limits of the county, and the absorption of so much of the latter by the former, have naturally thrown nearly everything in the way of general organization into the city. Hence we shall find the county associations, though, one or two of them, strong and useful, yet quite few and far between.
 

THE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

The original agricultural society in this county was, nominally at least, a Cincinnati institution. It was organized in that city in the early part of 1819, under the name and title of " Cincinnati Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Manufactures, and Domestic Economy." Its officers were simply a president, four five-presidents, a secretary, a treasurer and an executive committee. The first officers were: General W. H. HARRISON, president; Andrew MACK, first vice-president; Jesse EMBREE, secretary; James FINDLAY, treasurer; James TAYLOR, Ephraim BROWN, Daniel DRAKE, Jacob BURNET, William CORREY, Gorham A. WORTH, Isaac H. JACKSON, James C. MORRIS, Jacob BROADWELL, executive committee. The membership fee was two dollars, and a like sum was payable annually for dues, with forfeiture of membership if not paid within one year after it became due. The annual meeting was to be held on the last Tuesday of September, and other stated meetings on the last Tuesdays, respectively, of December, March and June.

Being convinced that a retrenchment in the expense of living will be an important means in alleviating the difficulties and pecuniary embarrassments which exist in every section of the county, we concur in adopting the following declaration, viz.:

First. We will not purchase, nor suffer to be used in our families, any imported liquors, fruits, nuts, or preserves of any kind, unless they should be required, in cases of sickness.

Second. Being convinced that the practice which generally prevails of wearing suits of black as testimonials of respect for the memory of deceased friends is altogether useless, if not improper, while it is attended with a heavy expense, we will not sanction it hereafter in our families or encourage it in others.

Third. We will not purchase for ourselves or our families, such articles of dress as are expensive and are generally considered as ornamental rather than useful.

Fourth. We will abstain from the use of imported goods of every description as far as may be practicable, and we will give a preference to articles that are of the growth and manufacture of our own country, when the latter can be procured.

Fifth. We will not purchase any articles, either of food or dress, at prices that are considered extravagant, or that the citizens generally cannot afford to pay; but will rather abstain from the use of such articles until they can be obtained at reasonable prices.

Sixth. We will observe a rigid economy in every branch of our expenditures, and will, in all our purchases, be influenced by necessity rather than convenience, and by utility rather than ornament.

Seventh. We believe that the prosperity of the country depends on a great degree on a general and faithful observance of the foregoing declaration; we therefore promise that we will adhere to it ourselves, and that we will recommend it to others.

The formation of a library was contemplated by the constitution of this society, also the publication of memoirs, and other measures of public utility. The society, as may be seen from its list of officers, included some of the most prominent and valued residents of the city and vicinity, and appears to have been strongly and well organized. It was deemed advisable after a time, however, to give the agricultural organization more distinctively a county character, and the Hamilton county agricultural society was formed. Of this General HARRISON was president; Major Daniel GANO and the Hon. John MATSON, vice presidents; Colonel H. S. BARNUM, librarian; D. C. WALLACE, secretary; J. P. FOOTE, corresponding secretary. In place of an executive committee there was a considerable number of curators forming a board of agriculture: Messrs. William CARREY, James C. LUDLOW, Israel BROWN, S. J. BROWN, Charles C. CLARKSON, Charles SELLMAN, Joseph J. HASKINS, J. D. GARRARD, H. B. FUNK, N. CROOKSHANK, John FERRIS, James HEY, Oliver JONES, Samuel READY, Duncan CAMERON, Ethan STONE, James SEWARD, James WHALLON, Thomas SMITH, Peter VOORHEES, Isaac BECONNET, Willard A. PLACE, Henry WILDE, Adam MOORE, Alfred SANDFORD, William BURNET, Clayton WELCH, Hugh MOORE. A very interesting and curious old premium list of the society, bearing these names and giving much other information, still exists among the collections of the Ohio Historical and Philosophical society in Cincinnati. It is printed on one side of a single small sheet, which was an extra issue of the Farmer' Reporter; but in what year there is no means of ascertaining from the document itself. It is evidently, however, very old, probably dating back some time in the '20's. From it may be learned that there were then three hundred and fifty-six regular members of the society, some of them residing in the other counties of southern Ohio, and some in the neighboring counties of Kentucky. There were also seventeen honorary members, whose residences were scattered all the way from Kentucky to England, but were largely in the eastern states. The marshals of the fair of that year were Colonels S. SCOTT and H. S. BARNUM; orator, F. A. THOMAS, esq.; auctioneer, A. B. ROFF. The premium list proper does not occupy one-tenth of the space of a modern list of the kind for a Hamilton county fair. No cash premium greater than five dollars was offered. The Farmer' Reporter and Western Agriculturist figures conspicuously and numerously among the premiums. For exhibitions of stock the inducements were mostly in the shape of certificates and diplomas. No racing "" or other premiums for speed were offered, but there were moderate cash inducements for the presentation of the ordinary useful animals. Committees of judgment were appointed only for manufactured goods, silk, implements of husbandry, agricultural products in tolerable variety, fermented liquors, butter and cheese, horticulture, horses, asses and mules, neat cattle, swine, sheep and wool, plowing, domestic clothing, cooperage, hats, edged tools, manufactured tobacco, and mechanical implements.

In 1853 there was a new organization of the society " the improvement of agriculture within the county of Hamilton." Its president was now John K. GREEN; vice-president, General George SNEIDER; secretary, F. W. STOKES; treasurer, Peter MELENDY; managers, Joseph COOPER, Elmore CUMMINGHAM, Clinton EWING, Henry DEBOLT, Isaac B. BRUCE. Competitors for premiums must be members, and members must be residents of Hamilton county, and pay one dollar annually into the treasury of the society. The list of articles for which premiums were to be awarded were ordered to be published in a newspaper or by handbills at least one month before the day of exhibition. The annual fairs must be held some time between the first day of September and the first day of November, at such place as the directors should appoint. A resolution was passed by the new society " earnestly inviting the farmers of the county, and all others friendly to the cause of agriculture, the arts, and the sciences, to unite with us in our efforts in the great cause of agricultural improvement." The first fair under these auspices was held at Carthage, on the twenty-eighth, twenty-ninth, and thirtieth days of September, 1853. Besides the premiums usually offered at that day at such exhibitions, others were offered, as a diploma and ten dollars for the best essay on the character, composition, and improvement of the soil in Hamilton county, and a similar premium (second best, five dollars), for the best arranged and best managed farm in the county. The remainder of the premium list embraced inducements for the exhibition of cattle, horses, sheep, swine, dogs (shepherd, Newfoundland, and rat-terrier), poultry, plows, farm implements, manufactured wares (a very short list by comparison with the lists of the present day), a plowing match, farm, dairy, and other products,

The constitution of the society has received many modifications since its original passage, including the opening of competition in the various departments to all the world. At the third annual fair held from the fourth to the seventh of September, 1855, all premiums were to be paid, as per announcement in the premium list, in silver plate. There were now eighteen managers of the society, and the address to members and visitors, on one day of the fair, had become a regular feature of the yearly meeting. The fair grounds were permanently established on the site near Carthage, where they have since remained.

The opening of the great Exposition attractions in Cincinnati, of late years, however, and the occurrence of its displays at the same time with the fair of the county society, drew the crowds away from the latter, and they began to be financially and otherwise failures. A site nearer Cincinnati was consequently sought, and a special act of the legislature was obtained at the session of 1871, authorizing the society to purchase the property occupied by the Buckeye race - course, about two miles from the then city limits. A vigorous and faithful attempt was made to take the benefit of this measure, but the negotiations ultimately failed, through the inability or unwillingness of the county commissioners to comply with the requisite conditions of the purchase. The fair grounds, therefore, remain at the old place, and within the past year extensive and valuable improvements in the facilities for accommodating exhibits, costing about fifteen thousand dollars, have been made upon them.

It is gratifying to add that the fair of last year (1880) was, kin its benefits to the treasury of the society, and in every other way, a grand success.

The fair of the year designated a few lines above (1871) was but the seventeenth held by the present society, two fairs having been omitted during the bloody years, the tremendous excitement and dangers of the was period. At this exhibition special and very liberal premiums, amounting to five hundred dollars, were offered by the pork-packers and slaughterers of Cincinnati for the exhibition of hogs. Sad to say the total of the premiums was never collected from those pledging it, although most of the amount was finally in hand; and what was raised was distributed pro rata among those entitled to the awards.

In 1849, also, there was a failure to hold the fair by the older society, in consequence of the prevalence of cholera that year and the occurrence of the State fair during the same week.
 

THE COUNTY SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION

This was organized as the Hamilton county Sunday-school association in April, 1862, " promote the interest of the Sunday-school work, to encourage a spirit of harmony and Christian fellowship among its laborers; to gather them together at suitable seasons, and by comparing the statistics of their labors, to show forth to the world the blessings of the institution; also to act as auxiliary to the State Sunday-school union." It is said to be the first county organization of the kind in the State, and the first steps for its formation were taken before the State union itself was formed. April 8, 1862, in pursuance of consultations and a meeting held on the fifth of that month by a number of the leading workers in the Cincinnati Sabbath-schools, a call was issued to the officers of such schools throughout the county, for a convention of their superintendents and other delegates from the city and county, to meet in the central Presbyterian church, Cincinnati, at ten o' A.M., on Thursday, the seventeenth of April, with the following objects in view: " The formation of a county Sunday-school association, through which we may secure the statistics of the schools of the city and county from year to year. 2. That we may awaken a deeper and winder interest in the cause of Sunday-schools in the county, and keep this interest alive by this instrumentality." Detailed reports of the schools were called for, to be brought to the convention or mailed previous to its session to Mr. L. H. SARGENT, 31 Walnut street, Cincinnati. The call closed with this stirring appeal: " come! Come in the spirit of the Master, and pray that He may direct the convention and bless our cause." It was signed by Messrs. L. H. SARGENT, H. W. BROWN, AND George H. WOLF, all of Cincinnati, and members of the committee appointed for the purpose.

The convention met upon the designated day. The response to the call was not large, probably in part from the shortness of the call, as well as from the newness of the movement and the absorption of the public mind largely in the events of the civil was then raging. Sixty-six delegates were present, however, representing thirty-four schools; and after an amicable conference and some interesting discussions the desired organization was effected. A. M. SEARLES was chairman of the meeting, and B. FRANKLAND was secretary; vice-presidents—first district of Cincinnati, S. H. BURTON; second district, S. S. FISHER; third, L. H. SARGENT; fourth, George H. WOLF. The appointment of vice-presidents for districts outside the city was left to the executive committee.

The new society took hold of its work with great energy. After the formation of the State union, a State Sunday-school agent was employed, to organize county associations or unions throughout Ohio, and was paid a salary of two thousand five hundred dollars, principally by three or four gentlemen of Cincinnati, connected with or interested in the work of the Hamilton county organization. When his successor, Colonel COWDIN, of Galion, was appointed, this association assumed the entire expense of his support. During its first year, eighteen mass meetings of the children, officers, and friends of the Sabbath-schools were held in Mill Creek township

Soon after the annual meeting of 1863 an agent was employed to canvass the county, hold meetings, stir up the workers to livelier interest and more intelligent procedure in the work, and endeavor to obtain full statistics of the Sunday-schools of the county, with the aid of the vice-presidents in the several townships. The results were eminently satisfactory. The following remark was made in one of the subsequent reports concerning the statistics: " present a complete tabular view of the present condition of this work, and are worthy of the earnest study of all who are interested in the moral and religious training of the young." A series of successful meetings to aid the work was held in the townships - Sunday being chosen whenever practicable. Thirty of such assemblies were had between May and October, inclusive of 1863, at which appeared a long list of distinguished and zealous speakers from the city and elsewhere. They were largely attended, and were believed to have accomplished their objects in a very hopeful degree. In nearly every case where a meeting was held in a village or county neighborhood, the association was invited to repeat the visit.

The following are the principal items in the returns of 1863 to the society: Number of children of school age in Hamilton county, 101,839, of whom about twenty-nine per cent, or 28,895, were in the Sunday-schools; in the city of Cincinnati, 81,839, of whom 20,700, or twenty-five per cent, were members of Sabbath-schools. Of the 20,000 children in the townships, 8,195, or forty-one per cent, were in such schools. Some townships reputed as high as seventy-five per cent of their children connected with the Sabbath-school work, but one township reported in attendance as low as eleven per cent.

The convention of April, 1864, was held in the Melodeon hall, Cincinnati, and was large, enthusiastic, and every way profitable. Three hundred and ninety-nine delegates were present. The number of Sunday-schools in the county at this time was reported at about two hundred.

The statistics of 1876-7, prepared and published under the auspices of the association, showed the number of schools held on the Sabbath in the county to be 213, of which Cincinnati had 99; children in county between five and twenty-one years old, 125,314; Cincinnati, 100,762; enrolled in Sunday-schools, 37,162; the city, 26,457, average attendance, 25,098; officers and teachers 3,624, with average attendance of 2,873; made profession of religion during the year, 1,237; amount of collections, $19,761; volumes in libraries, 61,345; taking Sunday-school papers, 180 schools; holding teachers' meetings, 99. The treasurer of the society, Mr. William E. DAVIS, reported the receipts of the year - $179.95, of which $140.20 were from the township schools. His disbursements amounted to $421, leaving due to him the sum of $241.05.

The name of the society had been changed from "" to "" It contained a career of active usefulness during most of the time until 1872, when it became quiescent and gave but occasional signs of existence until October, 1878, when it was reorganized and the following named officers elected, who are those now in service: William George DOERING, recording secretary; Dr. James TAFT, corresponding secretary; Louis MANNS, treasurer; Rev. A. N. Gilbert, Rev. S. WEEKS, Rev. C. H. DANIELS, H. W. SAGE, H. W. BROWN, executive committee.

Presidents of township Unions: A. W. WILLIAMSON, Anderson, Dr. E. G. DALTON, Columbia; Dr. J. M. MCKINZIE, Delhi; James M GAMBLE, Green;; M. AURELIUS FRANCIS, Harrison; Smith STIMMEL, Mill Creek; Walter HOWEL, Miami; Rev. William JAMES, Springfield; William GRAHAM, Sycamore; Rev. B. W. CHIDLAW, Whitewater. Vice-presidents were not appointed at this time for Colerain, Crosby, Spencer, and Symmes townships.

Cincinnati - Eastern division of, east of Main, Rev. Sylvester WEEKS; central division, between Main an (sic) Central avenue, Rev. C. H. DANIELS; western division, west of Central Avenue, Rev. A. N. GILBERT. L. H. SARGENT, president; George B. NICHOLS, John W. DALE, W. T. M. GORDON, vice-presidents.

The official preface to the new constitution and by-laws, published shortly afterwards, says of the union:

Now it begins to show signs of new vigor and promise of work, indicating retuns that must yield large dividends for the Master. Our field of souls is much larger than when this union began its work. With age we have gained new experience and somewhat changed tactics. Formerly mass meetings once a year at central places and the best talent for oratory were the chief instrumentalities. Now hard work and thorough organization mean everything. Not that we love popular assemblies and the enthusiasm kindled by good speakers any less, but we have greater faith in God' blessing on good work done in the Master' name and for His cause.

Notwithstanding this apparently vigorous and hopeful reorganization, the Union has not since manifested much activity nor held its annual meetings with regularity. The beautiful and interesting celebration of the Robert RAIKES Centennial, in the Music Hall of Cincinnati, on the nineteenth day of June, 1880, was, however, held under its direction, and was a pronounced success.
 

THE COUNTY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION.

In 1864 Professor U. T. CURRAN, now of Sandusky, then principal of the public schools in Glendale, made an earnest effort to enlist others, especially the principals of the district schools in Cincinnati, in the formation of a county teachers' association; but without present success. On the twenty-ninth of August, 1867, however, a number of teachers of the county, mainly from the country, met at the hall of the Hughes' high school, on Fifth street, to organize " association to promote the progress of education and mental discussion." Mr. CURRAN had by this time removed to the city, and was in charge of a private academy; but was still the prime mover in this organization. A teachers' institute was in session, and he, on the day named, handed a notice to Professor Lyman Harding, then superintendent of the city schools, to read to the members, inviting them to a meeting, on

" CURTIS and John TALBOT, a friend and a teacher of fifty years' experience, lent us their help. Dr. MAYO and other eminent men were called upon to address us, until we became accustomed to public speaking and had studied the subject matter of our profession so well that men within the ranks of the profession were ready to occupy with profit all the time at our disposal. For three years the society met at my school - room. I improvised seats by placing plank upon chairs. But at length it became evident that we needed a better place, and the city council generously allowed us the use of a room in their building.

" the meanwhile we organized the first county institute ever held in the county. This was held at Glendale, at the Glendale Ladies' seminary. The second meeting was held at the same place; the third, if my memory serves me right, at College Hill.

" do not know that the society failed in holding a meeting at the appointed time, viz., the second Saturday of every month. It certainly did not during my time. The amount of good accomplished is inestimable. The professional spirit engendered is very great. And the end is not yet."

From the records of the association it may be learned that G. W. OYLER was chairman at the first meeting and W. B. WELSH secretary. Messrs. N. T. CURRAN, G. A. CLAUSE, of Cleves, and G. W. OYLER, of Storrs, were named a committee to prepare constitution and by-laws. The preamble to the constitution afterwards reported reads: " the undersigned teachers and others interested in the cause of education, in order to promote the progress of sound learning and mental discipline, do hereby ordain and adopt the following constitution and by-laws." A vice president is appointed for every township in the county, who must be a resident of the township. Any person of good character may join the society. Among its members are a number of teachers very well known in the profession; as Richard NELSON, president of the Cincinnati business college; Florien GIAQUE, the lawyer and the law-writer and compiler; G. A. CARNAHAM, A. B. JOHNSON, E. C. ELLIS, M. S. TURRILL, and others. The annual county institute is still, we believe, in charge of the association, and has been held regularly. The thirteenth session was held at Mount Washington the last week in August, 1880, with an enrollment of two hundred and twenty-two, and a distinguished corps of instructors, including Professor CURRAN, Superintendent John HANCOCK, and other of note.

The officers of the association, so far as we find them recorded upon the defective minute-book of the secretary, have been as follows. The year of election only is given:

President - 1867, U. T. CURRAN; 1872, G. W. OYLER; 1873, Florien GIAQUE; 1874, W. H. NELSON; 1875, C. J. FAY; 1876, D.B. MOAK; 1877, William BRICKLEY; 1878, J. Perlee CUMMINS: 1879, J. C. HEYWOOD: 1880, E. C. ELLIS.

Recording Secretary - 1872-'3, A. J. DISQUE; 1874, Miss A SOULES; 1875-'6, J. P. CUMMINS; 1877, A. J. McGREW, 1878, John LOGAN; 1879, W. A. DORAN; 1880, J. H. LOCHE

Corresponding Secretary - 1872, George W. WARNER; 1873, C. S. FAY; 1875-'6, Horace HEARN.

Treasurer - 1872, F. C. WILSON; 1873-'4- 5,' L. A. KNIGHT; 1876, William BRICKLEY; 1877, J. P. CUMMINS; 1878- '9- '80, A. B. JOHNSON

The number of members of the association is about one hundred and twenty-five. Its meetings are monthly during the ordinary school months of the year.
 

SUNDRY SOCIETIES

In 1833 was organized the Hamilton county temperance society, auxiliary to the Ohio State temperance society. Bellamy STORER was president; Isaac G. BURNET, vice-president; Thomas BRAINARD, corresponding secretary; Rufus HODGES, recording secretary; William T. TRUMAN, auditor; Daniel W. FAIRBANK, treasurer; Stephen BURROWS, John T. SHOTWELL and T. D. MITCHELL, directors.

A Hamilton county association of physicians has also left some faint footprints on the sands of time. Dr. MOUNT was president; Dr. Landon C. RIVES, vice-president; Dr. William WOOD, orator; Dr. M. FLAGG, treasurer; and Dr. L. L. PINKERTON, secretary.

One of the organizations of the Patrons of Husbandry - the Pomona Grange - embraces the entire county in its membership and field of operations.