May 2021 newsletter

April – June 2021
Volume 23, Issue 2

Officers
President:
Angie Hoschouer
Vice–President:
Doug Allen
Recording Secretary:
Kay Dawson
Treasurer:
Jack West

Directors
Cleva Collar
Barb Eller
Mary Geiger
Bill Gothard
Glynn Marsh
Ron Papp
Robin Perkins
Doris West
T I M E S
Quarterly newsletter of Randolph Township Historical Society and its History Museum
Director’s Report by Misti Spillman

Spring has sprung and I hope that everyone is doing well
and enjoying the warm weather. As of April 1, the new
exhibits area is finally finished in the great hall. I am excited
for everyone to see the new layout and artifacts on display. I
am currently working on the storage space in the basement
and organizing the collections. Since joining the Northmont
Chamber of Commerce, I have met so many wonderful
people and am getting the word out about the Society and
History Center. It has been extremely rewarding to engage in
the community and network with businesses and individuals.
We have several new membership and renewals continue
to be received. Thank you for your support. Over the winter
months, numerous research requests on township history,
genealogy and historic photographs were received.
Personally, I have learned an abundance of inform ation
about Englewood, Clayton, and Union. Keep your requests
coming! I hope in the new future that we can resume our
open houses, meetings, and other events. I am looking
forward to welcoming everyone back.

A Note from the President…

I too look forward to the day that we can open the doors of
the History Center and i nvite you in to see the changes that
have been made. I know all will be surprised yet pleased with
the new layout and design and will enjoy the display of our
artifacts and collections.
You can get a daily dose of township history by looking on
our Facebook page. Maybe your ancestor is mentioned in the
news of the day.
Please take care everyone and I hope you will support
your family, friends and neighbors and get the Covid vaccine.
Together we can make the change so desperately needed to
resume social gatherings.
~ Angie
Office Phone: 937-832-8538
Email: info@rths.org
www.rths.org

Great Hall Transformation

The photos on top are from our last newsletter and below are photos of the great hall that has been transformed
to a more open and inviting display area. We will let you know when the History Center will open for public
gatherings.

(left) A snapshot of a couple of the displays that will be repack aged and will resurface in time w ithin a themed
display. (right) Clearing of the great hall to make room for more comprehensive historical displays.

(left) The new display of the businesses in Randolph Township and school history can be seen in the background.
(right) The exhibit area in the great hall. The first artifact people w ill see is the stenciled wagon-seat on display
from D.S. Younce and Son (Union, circa 1880). The seat was a salesman’s sample (or patent m odel). The cast
iron horse head hitching post is from Northmont Florist.

2021 Monthly Meeting Schedule
January 13
February 10
March 10
April 14
May 12
June 9
July 14
August 11
September 8
October 13
November 10
December 8
Meeting times:
7 PM Apr to Oct
1 PM Nov to Mar

Due to current Covid restrictions and based on guidelines from the Ohio Department of Health, the History Center
is closed until further notice.
HISTORY CENTER HAPPENINGS

Acquisitions
From Emily Eisenlohr:
Randolph High School Letter Sweater and Book of Memories, RHS Class of 1950.
From Mary Ruth Haworth:
Diplomas of Mary Ruth and Stephen Haworth. 1958-59 League and County Champs
Pamphlet. Chenille Letters from Northmont High School. Roll of Recognition for Stephen
Haworth (Plaque) Alumnus Inducted 1997.
From Greg Long:
Northmont High School Jacket with Band and Academic Letters.
From Glynn Marsh:
Forty-one glass negatives from the estate sale of Leona Furnace Jackson.
From Judy Wagoner via Quentin Wagoner:
Randolph High School Chenille Academic Letter.

Membership Report

New Individual Members:
John DeMoss, Shane Conley, Gary Nicholson, Ann Clemmons Riddle

New Lifetime Member:
Cpt. Brian Warner

Renewals for 2021:
Jime, Carolyn and Carla Can Dyne, Barbara Eller, Karen Sodders, Nancie Katowik, Carol
Hoke, Raymond and Judith Wollenhaupt, David and Terry Nicholson, Su sanne Wertz, Sarah
Grentz, Dennis Mann, Ronald Papp, Judy Hodges, Stephen and Judith Wick, Ing e Pierce,
William Gothard and Marilyn Ekberg.

In Memoriam:
Arthur Glenn Brumbaugh April 25, 1931 – February 26, 2021
Art was born in Clayton , Ohio, on April 25, 1931, to Harvey and
Martha (Warner) Brumbaugh. He was a 1948 graduate of Randolph
High School where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball and
track, and was later inducted into the Northmont High School Athletic
Hall of Fame in 2005. While in h igh school he met Betty Ann Swartz
and the two were married in 1951. Art began working for Dayton
Power and Light shortly after graduating from high school as an
apprentice lineman and worked for the next 38 years in various
positions. H e served in the US Naval Reserve for six years from
1948 to 1954. An avid gardener, Art provided family and friends with fruits and vegetables all
year round. He was a master of many trades and built the family's first home in Englewood,
Ohio. Art was a long-time member of the Historical Society.
The society extends its most sincere condolences to his family and friends.

COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM

The Kroger C ommunity Rewards program is an easy way to support the
Society whe n you do your everyd ay shopping. To enroll in thi s program,
register online a t w ww.krogercommunityrewards.com. It is always a good
idea to check in on their website to make sure you are stil l enrolled in the
program and that your donations are slated for R andolph Township
Historical Society. Our organization number is DC576.

Randolph Township Historical Society Please make your check payable to:
RTHS History Center Randolph Township Historical Society
114 Valleyview Drive Return this form with your check.
Englewood, OH 45322-1324

Membership Level

_____ $15 Individual _____ $35 Sustaining _____ $250 Individual Lifetime
(one-time payment)

_____ $25 Family _____ $75 Sponsoring _____ $150 Corporate/Business

_____ $________ Other

Mr., Mrs., Miss, Ms. ___________________________________________________________
Birthdate(s) ___________________________________ □ I/We wish to remain anonymous
Business Name ______________________________________________________________
(for Corporate Memberships only)
Address ___________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip ________________________________________________________________
Phone (H) ____________________ (W) ___________________ (C) ____________________
Email Address _______________________________________________________________

Your gift is a tax-deductible donation to a 501(c)3 public charity.

Thank you for your support!

Postcard of Clayton, dated October 22, 1910.The Church of the Brethren is on the left-hand side.

The Hoover Family and “Blind Brothers” of Randolph Township

The Dayton Herald newspaper gives
us an account of the Hoover family in
the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
It is obvious that the Hoover family
maintained its status and prominence
in the community and were much
loved and respected.

April 16, 1895
At the residence of the blind Hoover
brothers, it was estimated that 150 to
200 people attended the marria ge of
Charles Hoover to Mary C. Curtis.
They were married by Rev. Isaac
Waymire on the porch of the home.

August 24, 1895
A dinner was held at the hom e of James Folker . In attendance were four Hoover brothers .
After dinner, time was spent surrounding the brothers as they entertained the guests with vocal
and instrumental music. Charles Hoover provided excellent violi n music emitting sweet and
charming strains as only Charley could deliver.

July 1, 1896
On June 27, 1896, C harley Hoover and h is brothers w ere in a “close call accident ” in Union.
The boys were in a carriage driven by Albert Purcell on route to New Carlisle where they were
to give a concert . A traction c ar engine scared the horse causing it to rear up and plunge
forward. It fell and broke its neck as it hit the ground causing the carriage to turn over. Charley
Hoover fell out and his leg became caught in the wheel while the others all escaped without
serious injury.

November 2, 1898
Prof. Charles Hoover and his wife headed to Indiana to prov ide “musical entertainments.” It
was also reported that John Fry and his wife moved in with the “blind Hoover brothers.”

July 14, 1899
The “blind Hoover brothers” provided good music for the crowds at a lawn party in Union.

November 22, 1900
A social party was held at the home of I. F. Eidemiller in the evening. Among the many guests
were Eli, William and Charley Hoover. The “blind Hoover brothers ” provided good musi cal
entertainment while they and others in attendance sang songs of the day.

January 9, 1903
Prof. Charles Hoover and his wife travelled to Kentuc ky to give a concert while Prof. Moravey
moved into the residence of the “blind Hoover brothers.”

Randolph Township Historical Society and History Center – 114 Valleyview Dr. Englewood, OH 45322 – www.rths.org
The Hoover brothers from left to right:
Eli, James, Charles and William

December 25, 1905
Two couples and Mr. Ira S. Owens were guests at the home of the “blind Hoover brothers” in
the evening. Musical entertainment was served as well as taffy, cake and popcorn.

May 6, 1906
The “blind Hoover brothers” entertained friends in their home.

January 29, 1907
A party of seven members including family and friends visited wi th the “blind Hoover brothers”
where they listened to music on the phonograph.

March 18, 1911
The Dayton H erald newspaper gives an extensive report on the death of t wo of the blin d
Hoover brothers. The headline reads ‘Death of blind b rothers recalls history of remark able
family.’

There were eleven children in the Daniel and Susan Hoover family with five of them born blind
from birth: James, Hannah, Charles, William and Eli. The other children were: Lavina, Andrew,
Henry, Abraham, Sa rah Ann , and Eliza. William and Eli were the oldest living of the blind
siblings and died within three days of each other from what was commonly called the grip, also
known as influe nza. William died on a Tuesday and was buried on Thursday . On Friday, Eli
died and was buried on Sunday.

The Hoover family was one of th e most noted pioneer families in Montgomery C ounty and
especially in Randolph Township. Daniel Hoover was the first white child born in the township
in 1803, the same year that Ohio attained its statehood. In 1822 , he married Susan Byrkett.
Their home was buil t on the ground where 8 00 Indians camped just before the battle of
Tippecanoe. Their home was also the scene of many religious and social gatherings as well as
the mecca of music lovers.

The children who were blind were sent to Columbus where t hey were educated a t the Ohio
Institution for the Blind. There they dev eloped their remarkable aptitude for music, both vocal
and instrumental, and much time was devoted to these studies. When all were graduated from
school, the siblings began touring the count ry, giving concerts, and providing entertainment to
thousands. They stopped touring when their brother James died in 1872. Charley died in 1905.

Eli learned the trades of broom making and carpet weaving and worked in these occupations
for over 60 years. William conti nued his studies in music and for several years became a
professor of music at the institution from which he graduated.

The Hoover f amily lost another family member later in 1911 when
Andrew Hoover died on November 18, 1911 at the age of 83. He was
born in Union on August 9, 1828 and married Charl otte Gable on
July 21, 1850. She died in 1905.

Many of the children born to Daniel and Susan Hoover are resting
peacefully at the Minnich Cemetery on Phill ipsburg-Union Road in
Union: Abraham, Andrew, Charles, Eli, Hannah, James and William.
Eli and William, having died just days apart share a headstone which
indicates them as “Blind Brothers.”