Nothing would be more interesting than. a connected view of the population and wealth of Dayton from its first settlement to the present day; to witness the increase of its inhabitants, the development of its resources, the progress of its civilization; its advancement in agriculture, manufacture, literature and religion, and to realize fully this planting, budding and bursting into life of an organized community, which, from present indications, is destined to advance in whatever will improve, refine and elevate society. It would appear that the earliest part of the history of this part of Ohio dates back to November. 1772, when, after an exciting battle with the Indians, an armed body of Kentuckians bivouacked on the present site of Dayton, at the mouth of Mad river. On the 4th of November, 1795, the town was laid out upon lots, which at that time sold at eighty-three cents per acre. The first settlers enclosed the land lying between the lines of' First and Fifth streets, and extending from Perry street to the sycamore trees on the river bank, where the first building had been erected, as it was then considered the most desirable location.
     The first public house of entertainment built in Dayton was known as "Newcom's Tavern, which was built entirely of logs, and was the first house in the settlement that was finished inside with plaster. On the first of April, 1799, there were, including this primitive hostelry, only nine buildings or cabins in the town. Newcom's Tavern was built in 1795. It stood on the southwest corner of what is now Main street and Monument avenue, and stands there still. This corner was the business center of Dayton for five or six years, and Newcom's store was also the court-house and jail, and for a time the Presbyterians held Sunday services there.
     Dayton was named in honor of Hon. Jonathan Dayton, of New Jersey, a Revolutionary soldier, a delegate to the constitutional convention, and a member of Congress, who was one of the four original owners of the town site.
     On the corner of Warren and Main streets was a sign-board which read, "One Half Mile to Dayton." The first flatboat was launched in the winter of 1799. It was loaded in Dayton with pelts, grain, and about six hundred venison hams, and when the spring freshet raised the river it started for New Orleans. It took two months to make the trip, and David Lowry, the owner, sold the cargo and boat and came home on horseback.
     For four or five years the settlers purchased all their groceries, flour, hardware, dry goods, whisky, and most of their corn meal, in Cincinnati, They were brought to Dayton on pack-horses, and it was a long journey of a week over a rough road. Occasionally they came by boat, which took ten days. Flour in those days was nine dollars a barrel, and it cost five dollars to bring a barrel to Dayton. Corn was one dollar per bushel.
     On April 14, 1800, occurred an event of great importance—the birth at her father's tavern of Jane Newcom, said to have been the first child born in Dayton. The first wedding occurred August 28, 1800. Benjamin Van Cleve was married on that day to Mary Whitten, at her father's house on his farm near Dayton. The first minister who preached in Dayton was Rev. John Kobler, of the Methodist Church, who came here in 1798.
     The first county court was opened on the morning of July 27, 1803, in an upper room in Newcom's Tavern, by Hon. Francis Dunlevy, presiding judge of the first judicial district.
     June 21, 1803, the first election for member of Congress resulted, in the election of Jeremiah Morrow.
     The growth and progress of Dayton was marked after it became the county seat. In 1804 Main street was cleared of trees, stumps and brush to the junction of Main and Warren streets. The gully at Main and Third streets was filled with logs and covered with earth. Occasionally at the present time these logs are dug up, as sound as when they were placed there.
     December 13, 1803, Benjamin Van Cleve was appointed postmaster, and in the spring of that year he opened a post-office in his cabin on the southeast corner of First and St. Clair streets. In 1804 Dayton was on the mail route from Cincinnati to Detroit, and the mail was carried by a post-rider, who arrived and departed once in two weeks, but soon after Mr. Van Cleve was appointed postmaster a weekly mail was established. No stamps were used, but the amount of postage due was written on the outside of the letter. Postage was sometimes prepaid, but oftener collected on delivery.

HERBY, CHAS, Architect and Superintendent, Room 14 Beckel Building,

WISE, GEO. T. Life Size Portraits in Crayon and Oil. Original Designs for Lithographing Purposes. Landscape and Fruit Painting. 404 E. Sixth St.

DEGER, MRS. M. Bakery & Confectionary. First Class Goods Delivered Free to all Parts of the City. Cor. Brown & Patterson Sts.

BRETZEL BAKERY.

KRAFT, JOHN, Manufacturer of the Celebrated Hand Made Steam Bretzels. Special attention paid to orders from all towns of the County. Rear of 205 Quitman St.

DEIS JOSEPH, Boots, Shoes, Rubbers & Slippers, at the lowest price. Repairing. neatly done. N. E. Cor. First and Sears Streets.
WOOLERY, L. P. Dealer in Ladies', Gents', Misses & Children’s Shoes & Rubbers. Cheap Goods always on hand. 15 E. Springfield St.
ZAHN EDWARD, Dealer in Boots & Shoes. Custom Work A Specialty. Repairing Neatly Done. 633 S. Wayne Ave.

BOONE, K. A. Wholesale & Retail Confectioner. News Stand, Notions, Cigars Tobacco, School Supplies and Ice Cream Parlors, 406 W. Third Street.
APPLE, JOSEPH. Confectionery, News Stand, Toys, Cigars & Tobacco. Ice Cream Parlor Attached. 713 E. Fifth St.
COLBURN, A. S. Confectioner, News Stand, School Books, Cigars and Tobacco. Agent for Acme Laundry. 1127 S. Wayne Ave.

McMASTER, MOSES, Expert Carpenter; also all kinds of Window and Door Screens and Repairing of Furniture a Speciality. 318 Valley Street.

KRAMER, C. F., Contractor and Builder; also Jobbing of all kinds done on short notice. Shop and Residence Corner Hulbert and McLain Sts.

SIMPSON, H. LOUISE, Dressmaker; Satisfaction Guaranteed. Room 7, Old Guard Building.

HOGSETT, E. A., Dry Goods and Notions; Ladies and Gents Furnishings. 1037 West Third Street, West Side.

ZEIL, OTTO & SON, General Engravers on Metal. Special attention paid to Brass Signs and Door Plates. Northeast corner Fifth and Jefferson Streets.

HENDRICHS, B., Florist; Funeral design Baskets, Bouquets, Metal designs, Artificial and Dried Flowers, Plants and Hanging Baskets. Fresh cut flowers daily. 808 East Fifth Street.

AMAN, JOHN, Groceries and Provisions, Wines and Liquors, fine line of Cigars and Tobacco. Corner Perrine and Johnson Streets.
SCHOMMER, J., Groceries, Provisions, Wines, and Liquors, fine line of Cigars and Tobacco. Corner Hickory and Bonner Streets.
KRAMER, MRS. C. F., Groceries and Provisions, Flour and Feed, Cigars and Tobacco. Corner Hulbert and McLain Streets.
HOHM, Joseph, Groceries; Daily Meat Market, Canned Fruits, Cigars and Tobacco. Corner Valley and Air Streets.
STAEUBLE, C. Sr., Fancy and Staple Groceries, Provisions, Notions, and Daily Meat Market. 755 South Brown Street.
LAUSE, GEO. A., Groceries, Provisions, Flour, etc. Corner Monument Avenue and Taylor Street.
ROBERTS, JOHN E. JR. Groceries, Provisions. Smoked Meats, Flour and Feed, Salama and Met-Sausage. Corner Richard and Quitman Streets.
CONOVER, E. C., Family Groceries, Oysters, Fruits, Etc. Corner Third and Wilkinson Streets.
SCHWEGEL, PETER, Groceries, Provisions, Cigars and Tobacco. Corner Franklin and Perry Streets.

TOWNSLEY, GEO. Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Milk, Cream, Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Poultry and Oysters. 343 West Third Street.

BOYER, MISS ALICE, Ladies' Hair Dressing Parlors. Hair Goods and Novelties. 134 South Jefferson Street.

GEORGE, MRS. ANNA M., Proprietress Sherman Hotel. Sample Room in connection. 1730 West Third Street.

WATSON, T. H. & CO., Dealer in Watches, Clocks, Diamonds, and Jewelry of every description. Difficult Repairing a specialty. 801 S. Wayne ave., cor. Hickory St.

RODE, MISS C. & SISTERS, Millinery and Hat Bleaching, Ladies' Fur Goods attended to in season, 105 North Main Street; three doors from Second.
EMRICH, MRS. L. Fashionable Millinery. Special attention paid to Mourning Goods., 442 East Fifth Street.

SHROYER, A. J,, Manufacturer of Dr. Salisbury's Improved Treatment for Chronic Diseases, all improper action of the Liver, Kidneys, Bladder, Stomach, Blood and Nerves, and Female Weakness. 25 Jones Street.

FLACK, A. H., Plumbing and Gas Fitting, Drive Wells, and all kinds of, Pumps. Repairing promptly attended to. 903 West Third Street, West Side.

SULLIVAN, G. E., Stoves and Ranges: Tin, Copper, Sheet and Galvanized Iron Work of all kinds. Tin and Iron Roofing. House Spouting, all kinds of Jobbing. Repairing of Old Spouting and Roofing promptly attended to. Corner Fifth and Ringgold Streets.

BARKMEYER, FRANK, Shoemaker. Repairing neatly done and promptly attended to. Northwest corner Monument Avenue and Meigs Street.
MASTBAUM, HENRY, Shoemaker. Repairing done on short notice, and satisfaction guaranteed. 1509 East McLain Street.

ROST, ERNST, Summed Garden and Restaurant. Fine Wines, Liquors and Cigars; First-class accommodations. Covington Pike, one-half mile from north end of White Line.

GROTH, PROF. WM., Teacher of Languages. Preparing for College a specialty. 105 Main Street.

GRIMM BROS. & CO., Merchant Tailors. The latest styles a specialty. 105 South Jefferson Street.
AURIS1CCHIO, ANTONIA. Tailor, Repairing and Cleaning Clothes a specialty. 203 East Second Street.

GROSS, HENRY G., Prop. The Florida. First-class Wines, Liquors and Cigars. The largest billiard Rooms in the city. 115 South Jefferson Street.
STEFFEN, JOE, Choice Wines, Liquors, Cigars. Cor, Second and Harris, op. City Park.
McNALLY, P. F., Liquors, Wines, Cigars. N. W. corner Third and Clinton Streets.
SCHNEIDER. JOHN, Saloon and Boarding House. Fine Wines, Liquors and Cigars. 249 Samuel Street.
ABELE, JOHN, Prop. White Line Exchange. The finest Wines and Liquors only; Cigars and Tobacco. Boarding by the day or week. 955 Washington St.
HOFFMAN, JOHN, Saloon. First-class Wines, Liquors, Cigars and Tobacco always on hand. 319 Springfield Street.
SAXENHUBER, IGNATZ, Wine and Beer Saloon and Boarding House. Corner Hawthorne and Gale Streets.
FLANAGAN, THOS., Prop. Hill Top Saloon. Choice Wines, Liquors, Cigars and Tobacco. First-class accommodations. N. W. corner Third and Jersey Sts.
STEFFEN, FRANK, Prop. Teutonia Sample Room. The best of Wines, Liquors and Cigars always on hand. Corner Warren and Zigzag Streets.
GLEASON, J. J., Prop. The Well Saloon. The finest Wines, Liquors and Cigars always on hand. 234 South Ludlow Street.
OLT, GEORGE, First-class Wines, Liquors, Cigars. Home Ave., near Soldiers' Home
BREIDENBACH, FRED, Sample Room and Billiard Hall. Choice Wines, Liquors and Cigars. Boarding by the day or week. 1945 East Third Street.
NEIBERT, JOS. E.. Prop. Palmer House. First-class Wines, Liquors, Cigars, Tobacco. Home Avenue, near Lakeside Park.
SCHWEGEL, PETER, First-class Wines, Liquors, Cigars and Tobacco; Fresh Lager Beer always on tap. Corner Franklin and Perry Streets.
SCHMIDT, JOSEPH, Sample Room. First-class Wines, Liquors, Cigars and Tobacco; C. Schwind's good, old, reliable Lager Beer always on tap. 724 E. Richard St.
HUSSONG, JACOB, Prop. Xenia Pike Saloon. Choice Wines, Liquors, Cigars and Tobacco. Highland, Xenia Pike.
KISSINGER, DAVID, Prop. Cottage Saloon. First-class Wines; Liquors and Cigars; Fresh Lager always on tap. 211 Baxter Street.
APPENZELLER, JOHN, Prop. Willow Garden Saloon. Free Lunch all day. 2210 East First Street, near Findlay Street.

RECHSTEINER, FRANK, Sculptor. Marble and Granite Works. Busts and Figures modeled to order. Statuary and Tombs, 1100 and 1102 South Brown St.

MEYER, PETER, Undertaker and Embalmer. Open day and night. 716 S. Wayne Ave.

WlLLIS. MRS. R. L , Millinery and Fancy Goods. North Main Street.
KOHL, P. J., Prop. Peoples' Cigar Store, Manufacturer of High Grade Cigars. My leading brands are Cronies, Superior Judge, Enterprise Boys in Camp, My Own, My Boy, Recreation, and Miamisburg Leader. All goods guaranteed. 15 North Main Street.
BUEHNER, J. F., Prop. Oak Hall; Fine Liquors and Cigars. Corner Central Avenue and Canal St.
MAYER BROS., Butchers; Daily Meat Market, 49 South Main Street.
BAUM, CHAS., Prop. Baum House, the largest and most complete Hotel in the city. Billiard Hall and Sample Rooms. Opera House in connection. Free hack to and from all trains. Rates $1.00 and $2.00 per day. Public Square.
YOUNG, THEO., Saloon and Billiard Rooms, Central Avenue, opposite City Park.
WIELAND, LAWRENCE. Prop. Washington House. Remodeled and Refurnished. Good stable attached. Finest Liquors and Cigars always on hand. Free lunch morning and evening. South Main Street. SCHNE1DER, JACOB, Star City Saloon and Billiard Rooms; first class Wines, Liquors, Cigars, and Tobacco; Indian Mound Beer always on Tap. 18 South Main Street.
SWARTZTRAUBER, F., Prop. Valley House. Remodeled and Newly Furnished. Rates $1.00 and $200 per day. Good Sample Rooms and Feed Stable in connection. Opposite C. H. & D. Depot.
SCHUSTER, C. 0., Saloon and Restaurant; Choice Wines, Liquors, Cigars, and Tobacco. Main Street, next to First National Bank.
HIGHLAND, LEWIS. Prop. Highland House. First Class Wines, Liquors, Cigars, and Tobacco. Corner Canal and Locks Streets.
BEACHLER, J. R. & SON, Young House Livery and Feed Stable. The best of accommodations. Bridge Street, rear of Young House.