The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-05-19
THE OLDEN TINES.
A Summary Of Events During the
Year 1885.
Number 3.

Number 3.
The 4th of July, as ] intimated in 4
former paper, never was permitted 20 gu
uncelebrated. Where there were 20
many "water- melon" Generals. Colonelsr
Majors and Captains, whose military
pride always gave them a special dis
tinction among their fellow cisizens. ii
wonld have been considered sacrilege
upon Independence day, If it had been
let pass without military parade and a
big dinner
On the 18th of June, a meeting was
held at the court house. which was pre-
sided over by John Lidey. A commit
tee of five was appointed to make ar
rangements for celebrating the fifty ninth
anniversary of American Independence,
consisting of Thomas Ritchey, Daniel
Kishler, John B. Orton. VIM. d Harper,
and James Slevin. The committee car
ried out the programme in great style,
and the day was celebrated with the
usual vim. No celebration could pass
of IL, those daya with any degree OF
eclat without the inspiring presence OF
Major Henry Filler. He was one OF
those clever, open hearted, gushing in
dividuaIs who would draw to himself
friends from every class, and he had a
faculty of retaining them that few other
men possessed The Fourth of July,
1885, was the last celebration Filler was
permitted to enjoy, for he died suddenly
on the eth of that month, in the 10th
year of bis age He was buried on the
Sth, with military honors, in the Luth-
eran burial ground, by a detachment of
Col. John Laws Light Infantry Battal-
ion. His funeral was very large one
the people coming far and near TO do
honor to his memory. Filler was na-
tive OF Frederick. Md, and was a shoe
maker by trade. He served for a time
as a volunteer in the United States Ar
my during the war with England in
1S12-13, and was stationed on our north
ern frontier. When his time of enlist
ment expired he volunteered his services
in the defence of Baltimore, the then
capital of his native State, when attack
ed by the British army under Gen. Ross,
and served his time out with distinction.
So il will be seen that Filler came by
his title of "Major" honestly. After
the close of the war he was married
his widow still surviving him, and re-
sididg in Somerset-and in the Spring
of 1918, he moved to Somerset. and at
once took mis- place a. one of the promi-
nent citizens. He for a while pursued
his trade as a shoemaker, with more than
ordinary industry and punctuality. He
soon acquired handsome little proper
ty, but he lost his house and furniture
by fire. He was, however, encouraged
bv the citizens, and soon rose from his
dependency, and continued his business
with unremitting industry and success.
He was afterwards elected two terms to
the Sheriff7s office and two terms to the
Treasurer's office He was serving hia
last term in the Treasnrer's office when
he died.
The first Democratic Republican
meeting ever held in Somerset was on
the 4th of July of this year. Berkit
NJ. Elkins, of Thorn township, an as
spring politician, who possessed very
little natural or acquired ability, presi-
ded as chairman, and DR.. L. P. Block
som, of Rehoboth, was secretary. The
following delegates were appointed TO
the Senatorial Convention: Adam Binck-
ley, George Brunner, Stephen Barnes,
John Wright, DIR. VIM. Trevitt, james
Hooper, Jacob Long, Charles Campbell,
William Mechling, James Baird, Will
liam Williams, John Carr, DIR. Block
som, James Kan, Hugh Clark, Robert
Criswell, John Colborn, Eli Mont
gomery, VIM. II. Herrin, Jesse Simrel,
Henry Hazleton, Andrew Davis and
James Ross.
The most of these men are dead.
The number of white male inhabit-
ants in the county in 1885 was as fol-
lows:
Reading ....-.......62Z
jackson .....'...-..... 90