Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-11-09
Large Farms.


sing, hardy class Of people Of very limited
capital, consequently eighty acres, or At most
a quarter section Of land, was all they were
enabled 10 purchase. Thisdivision Of the land
into small tracts greatly facilitated the eimprovep
ment Of the country, and was productive Of the,
social equality, intelligence and good morals
for which our people are distinguished.-
Whenever we fnd country cut up into small
farms whose owners till the soil, there is always
to be found natural development Of the mems
tai and physical energies Of mankind, PfodueA
tive Of the purest Christianity. and highest oIvs
ilization, especially in free country like ours,
where despOtism aOd austooraey are heartily
despised. We repeat that we consider it a most
fortunate circumstances that the virgin soil Of
this great valley fell into the hands Of men who
all started even; for had the land been owned
BY wealthy ptoprietors or spectators, rich as
the soil is, but little Improvement would yet
have been made. Now we have larger popu>
lstion and more improvements to the square
mile than auy other part Of the Union, except
Boston and its vicinity. It is true we have
large land holders, but they are generally men
who started even with their neighbors, but by
superior mAnagenent, industry aud good luck,
the products Of their first eighty ncres have
enabled them to purchase the land adjoining.
until many of them have acquired two or three
sections. They are, however, not puffed up
with pride, but are generally faithful stewards
Of Gods bounties, and strive to impress upon
the minds Of the rising generation the necessity
Of forming habits OF sobriety, industry and
economy.
These rich men cannot be singled out for
their display in dress or equipsgs. They have
too much good senss 70 put on airs and make
themselves ridiculous. OF this we were forci-
bly, reminded the other day. Having some
business 10 Butler county, we had the curiosity
to visit the mills and farms Of the Augspurger's.
The elder Auxpergsr, ives a Frenebman, and
was employed by bisgoveFnment. France, for a
number Of years for which he received the mark
of the Legion Of Honor and other distinguished
testimonials for his services; but being friend
Of liberty aud our Republic, he bid adieu to his
native country in 1917, and set sail for New
York, where he determined to locate In the
West. After traversinR the Mississippi Valley
be concluded 10 locate on the Great Miami,
three miles south east Of Trenton. Here be
purchased small tract Of land when the coun~
try was quite wilderness, and commenced i'm
proving il; but after remeining in the country
for about year, for some reason, whether he
had - ague we do not know.) he returned to
France. On his return there. he again became
dissatisfied with despotic government, and
like all others who have seen the West, could
France 10 1919. came West and devoted himself
until the close of his life to the improvement Of
his farm and the acquisition Of the adjoining
land. until he acquired aud improved nineteen
hundred and fifty acres Of as rich bottom and
upland as can be found 10 the valley -
Having good mill seat and fne water power
on the Miami, he early constructed saw and
grist mill and distillery, which made whisky
that never killed at forty yards, or puts snakes
in the boots. He also, Of coutss, plRpteds
vineyard, as any sensible Frenehmsn would
have done. which always stocked his cellar
with the best Of wines. Monsieur Augspurger
is described as a gentleman Of intelligence,
enterprise and most social, agreeable neigh
Dor whose society was cOurted by the raOst tails
ented and respectable citizens. He was enthu~
siastically attached TO agriculture and the iu>
provement Of the Miami Valley, and was very
successful in all his operations, and his
opinions were highly valued.
At one time gentleman in Hamilton was in'
quiring about his farming operations and asked
him how many farms he owned2 Well, he
said be would try and tell him; and after going
on some time, a wag present suggested that
probably Mr.. A. would find il easier to enumer
are farms in his neighborhoOd that he did not
own than those that he did
On the decease of Mr.. Augsperger. his prop
erty passed into the hands Of his children, who
are worthy sons Of nOblOsrs, intelli gent moral,
frugal and industrious. oRe of his sons, Sam :
uel, has mad lie the tour Of Europe, and become
acquainted with all the recent Improvements in
horticulture and agriculture In the old world.
The water power Of the Messrs. Augspurgers
is Of great value, as the whole volume Of y AtsE
10 the Great Miami river can be used with a
fall Of nine feet, A part only is now required 10
propel a saw and Touring mill which was eon-
strucled ofbrick in 1856 and is admitted BY Mr..
Reed, the great New York -four merchant, to
be the model mill of the United States. No ex~
pense was spared in its erection. The latest
and most improved machinery has been pro-
cured; all the castings, aud iron work is FROM
the FouBdery Of Stout. Mills d Co; shusy'a
-four packer, and Dutlon's Smut machine. are
employed in IL. Stout, Mills d Co.'s Ameri.
can Turbine Water Wheels, acknowledged TO be
the best eye invented, drive the machinery
The Buns grind about two hundred barrels
per day.
Mr.. Kinsinger, cousin Of the Aessrs Augs-
burgers, and member of the firm, has the
principal charge Of the Mill, and he is buildinG
splendid brick residence near by although b.
has not yet caught bird 10 put into il ThiI
is worthy Of the attention OF young ladies, Al
Mr. X. is an intelligent, fine looking young gen
tlsman. Anumber Of other new dwellings hhv'
been built at the Mills during the last two
years, and the demand for houses still increases
We were never before more impressed will
the rapid progress which Is now being made il
machinery and agriculture than during our Wis
il to the farms, the Vineyards, gardens, and thu
Mills Of the Messrs. AugsPuFgers; aud although
the elder Augspurger started eyenwith his neigh
bors, We think il most fortunate for society tha
in this Instance the fruits Of his labors will b.
productive of great good 70 mankind.
An old lady in Hampton, N r., was re-