RESEARCH
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The importance of wagonmakers in early America is cited at the Encylopedia.com website:
Even as the United States changed from a largely agricultural society to an industrial one in the nineteenth century, the wagon maker remained indispensable. Farmers depended on all-purpose wagons no less than did teamsters on freight wagons. Railroads decreased the need for cross-country wagons, but the in town need greatly increased along with the growth of commerce and industry.
"Local craftsmen in small shops only a few miles from their customers dominated wagon manufacture in the eighteenth and early ninteenth century."
It seems likely that, over the course of time, Darrtown would have had several wagonmakers.
However, only one Darrtown wagonmaker has been documented.
If and when other Darrtown wagonmakers are discovered, their names will be added to this page.
John W. Fisher identified as a Darrtown wagonmaker
A 1926 newspaper article that surfaced in May, 2022 confirmed Mr. John W. Fisher was a wagonmaker in Darrtown, around the turn of the 20th century.
Mr. Miller's quotations were excerpted from his 1926 diary.
> "Jan. 1: New Year. John W. Fisher, my nearest neighbor for many years is very sick with pneumonia.
> Jan. 2: We were awakened this AM and informed that neighbor, John W. Fisher had passed from earth about 6 AM, aged 75 years, 4 mo.+ A man who always wished to do right, since I knew him. An obliging neighbor."
Darrtown resident, Mr. L. A. Miller wrote the following about the passing of John Fisher:
Subsequently, other news items about John W. Fisher of Darrtown, were discovered. To access the items, click the following links, which are arranged in chronological order - left to right, top to bottom.
Click the following link to see the article.
BUSINESSES 8
BUSINESSES 2. The Hitching Post (plus, links to Darrtown/Milford township tavern history).
The October 25, 1849 edition of the Hamilton (Ohio) Telegraph newspaper included the following advertisement for Mrs. M. Alger, wherein Mrs. Alger promoted her millinery and dress-making business - situated in Darrtown.
"MILLINERY & DRESS MAKING - Mrs. M. Alger would respectfully inform her old customers and the public in general, that she still continues her business at her residence in Darrtown, and will keep on hand fashionable Gimp Bonnets. Call and see."
Click the link below to see an image of the original advertisement.
Millinery is defined as "women's apparel for the head."
The Internet suggests that Gimp was a brand / type of women's headwear.
Butler County property records (replicated below) reveal that a Mary Alger bought the southern half of Lot 20 in Darrtown, from Israel Dewitt, on May 5, 1847.
It is unknown if Lot 20 is the location of Mrs. Alger's residence that is referred to in the newspaper advertisement of 1849 (see above).
This seems to be the likely location; as no other Darrrtown property is known to belong to Mary Alger.
BUSINESSES 1. Reeb's store; Bufler's grocery, another Bufler store; Stevens' grocery, Francis' gas station, Wyckoff's grocery; Dees grocery and gas station; Glardon's grocery; and Don's Carry-Out.