HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY
XENIA TOWNSHIP
MISCELLANEOUS

Carrying on the prominent features of improvement, we learn from statistics gathered in 1874, that in the city, and vicinity within this township, beginning with public buildings, one court house, one city hall, now elevated to a beautiful, opera house, two. fine engine houses, United Presbyterian Theological Hall; Soldiers and Sailors Orphans Home, Methodist Episcopal Female College, Presbyterian Union Female Seminary, Greene County Infirmary, Wilberforce University, five public school buildings, four of which are graded in four departments, the other containing the high school, grammar. school, and three other schools. One of these building is devoted to the use of the colored population, and embraces four departments.

It is said that about the year 1824, Roberts & Chaing threw a dam across the river, near the site of the lower powder mill, and erected a scythe factory, which continued for a number of years, but was finally abandoned.

A rope manufactory, agricultural works, and numerous minor establishments.

BANKS

First National Bank. --In the year 1886 the Bank of Xenia was organized, and began business June 1st of that year. First president, John H. Hivling; second president, John Ewing; first cashier, Henry Clark; second cashier, E. F. Drake. In 1846 this bank was organized, under the state law of Ohio, as a Xenia Branch of the State Bank of Ohio. President,' Abraham Hivling; cashier, E. F. Drake.  After continuing until 1848, Mr. Drake resigned, and his place. was filled by J. W. Merrick, then acting as teller.  At his death, John B. Allen was appointed
as his successor.

Second National Bank. --Organized March 7, 1864. Capital, $100,000: Surplus, $30,000. First president, James Allison (died August, 1864); second president, and present incumbent, Thomas h. Townsley; first vice-president, and present incumbent, David Millen; first. cashier, and present incumbent, John $..Ankeny.

SECRET SOCIETIES

Masons.-On December 31, 1818, a petition was presented to the grand lodge, signed by Joshua Martin, William F. Elkins, J. Smith, Caleb West, Abner Read, Amasa Read, Orestus Roberts, all Free and Accepted Masons, praying for the organization of a lodge in Xenia.  From the charter, it seems that the seal of the grand lodge was axed at Columbus, December. 17, 1819, and of Masonry the 5819; signed by A. McDowell, senior grand warden; Joseph Vance, junior grand warden; Benjamin Gardiner, grand secretary; and on the left signed by John Snow, grand master.

Warner Lodge, No. 410. Organized April 7, 1868. Charter members: W. M. North, J. H. Matthews, R. H. King, S. J. Ridenour, W. Newton, J. M. Thirkield, J. H. Sharp, and F. M. Shipley. Samuel C. Elwell, worshipful master; Leigh McClung, senior warden; E. P. Hoover, junior warden.

Odd-Fellows.--Xenia. Lodge, No. 52, was instituted November 4, 1845, by Past Grand H. N, Clark, of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, with the following charter members: William M. Stark, John W. Merrick, A. M. Stark, E. S. Nichols, Peter Kepler, C. Wittrim, and L. P. Defrees. It is the parent of Odd-fellowship in this county. It has at present one hundred and fortyseven active members, and about $3,300 of investments.

Tabor Lodge, No. 315, was instituted June 11, 1857, by Right Worthy Grand Master William Chidsey,. of Cincinnati, Ohio. Charter members: D. R. Foreman, F. A. Loyed, Levi Rader, J. M. Newkirk, F. E. Hubbard, and W. C. M. Baker. First officers: D. R. Foreman, noble grand; Levi , Rader, vice grand;. W. C. M. Baker, secretary; John F. Dodds, permanent secretary; F. A. Loyed, treasurer. On the 10th of October, 1862, Tabor Lodge voted to surrender her charter, which was accordingly done. By request the grand lodge, May 10, 1871, restored the charter. The present number of members is eighty.

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