Buses and Hacks 333

By Celeste Pollock Malott

In the late 1800’s and the 1900’s school transportation was furnished by the parents of the pupils. There were many one room schools within a short distance of families and many boys and girls walked to school.

Our mother, Clara Shetterly Pollock walked from Manila and Cedarville Roads to Spread Eagle School. Many days the roads were muddy. She would have cold, wet feet all day.

In the early 1900’s the high school pupils had their own transportation, either horseback or horse and buggy. Mother drove a horse and buggy to the high school on the hill and put her horse up at the stable of a Mrs. Elliott.

In 1916 Goshen Township saw the last of the one room schools. All the students came to Goshen. This was the beginning of the school hack era. These hacks were drawn by a team of horses. Some drivers had matched teams which they were very proud of. Usually they had fancy harness for their horses.

My brother Dean, sister Marie and I rode the hack of Emerson Snider (the father of Arthur Snider) from the Manila area. In heavy, rainy weather Manila Road would be flooded from Fred Snider’s to Woodville Road. Those few of us on the hack at that time had to keep our feet up out of the water which flowed through the hack. Many of us will remember why this section of Manila Road was nicknamed "Mud Hollow". Of course, most roads at this time were gravel instead of our blacktops of today.

Some of the early hack drivers were Sam McHenry, Warren McHenry, Emerson Snider, Luke Thornton, James Cole, Witter Leeks, Enoch Jones and Harley Gibbs. There was a livery stable behind McCallister’s (later Boring’s) and James Mallory’s store where most of the drivers left their horses and hacks during the day.

In the wintertime the hacks were heated by a small kerosene heater which had to be turned off as the hack got filled. Many times in severe weather we would put our feet under the cushions on the opposite sided. Usually a friend sat across from you and didn’t mind. Sometimes on the way home when the hack had cleared pretty well those of us who had saved a slice or two of bread would toast it on the stove and enjoy the snack.

When the roads were icy and bad as the hack approached the hill into town via Main Street (or old State Route 28) we had to exit the hack at Nellie Williams’ home at Cemetery Road and walk on to school. Sometimes the hack slid down the hill backwards and Warren would have difficulty in turning the horses around and putting them in the stable to rest for the ordeal of the return trip.

Those students from Pleasant Plain, Butlerville, and Cozaddale car-pooled. At the close of the school day the hacks were parked diagonally by the tree-lined walk ready to return.

School buses were put into use in late 1930. Some of the early drivers were Lloyd Andrews, George Ritter, Joe Rifler, Sam McHenry, J. S. Messer and Willard Woodward. Charles Kirkpatrick drove the one from Pleasant Plain.

Later drives were: Charles Blankenship, Winifred Burns, Wilbur Haarlammert, Joe Rifler, Willard Woodward and Charles Kirkpatrick.

As the enrollment increased over the years there were too many drivers to be able to mention them all. My, how times have changed.

Buses and Hacks 334

Clermont Sun – Aug. 12, 1994

Marjorie Glancy, a member of the class of 1923, said not only were all the grades in the same school, but two grades were in one classroom.

"We had an old horse-drawn hack that picked up all the kids. There was more than one, and they went on different roads in Goshen," she said. "It was fun – we met with all the kids in the neighborhood on the way to school. Back in those days you didn’t pay much attention to the time."

After school, she said, Goshen’s children spent their time in 4-H clubs, took music lessons, joined youth groups, and worked at home or on local farms and shops.

"Back then, I raised chickens," she said. "I won a prize and got to go to the state fair for three days. That was quite a big deal back then."

She also took vocal and piano lessons from Goshen’s famed music teacher, Nellie Robbins Williams.

"She never suggested I make a career of it," Glancy said.

Buses and Hacks 335

The roads at this time left a lot to be desired. Most of the roads were strictly mud. The few people who owned cars did not drive them in the winter. Walter Leever who drove the school hack that I rode to school in used four horses to pull the hack when the roads thawed out in the spring and the lower step dragging in the mud. Goshen Road from Goshen to Woodville Road was all mud. From Woodville Road to Route #131 was built of flat rocks set on edge. It held up good but was a spine-shaking event to ride over in a steel tired vehicle.

Wooster Pike, which is now Route #28 to #132 above Goshen into Pleasant Plain, was the best road in the township. The road from Goshen to Hill Station was fairly good because the hack that carried mail, passengers and also all the freight to Goshen came that way. The upkeep of the roads was the Trustees consisting of farmers who received $2.00 per day for two days work to haul gravel and fill the worst mud holes.

In the summer the people who lived along Main Street in Goshen bought oil and put it on the street to keep from choking on the dust.

So much for the roads of Goshen Township in the good-old-days.

Ferree School History

The first school in Goshen Township was conducted in a log hut built on ground that is now part of Myers Cemetery. John Hill taught it. The hut was built of round logs with the floor made of split logs, the seats of slab and windows of sized paper that was greased to more readily admit the light. A huge fire at one end of the room furnished heat with smoke carried off by a stick chimney on the outside of the building. In a few years more schools were started in different parts of the township.

In 1860 a two story brick building 30 by 50 feet was erected at the edge of Goshen village at a cost of nearly $5,000.00. In 1893 a wing was added to the original seminary and the building became the property of the township. In addition to the town school, eleven one-room sub-districts were added. About 1,888 of these were known as Franklin, Star Gazer, Salem, Oakland, O’Bannonville, Vinegar Hill, Fairview, Shiloh, Charleston, Spread Eagle and Sugar Grove. Six of those brick schoolhouses are still standing and were remodeled into residences and another one is now a church.

In 1894 diplomas were granted, for the first time, to graduates from the High School. There were eight members in that class. One of them was Katherine Malloy Kirgan who is the only one now living. She was a teacher from 1898 until 1907 and is still "Miss Kate" to those of us who were her pupils.

In 1907 a new building was erected and the charter of the school was advanced from a second grade classification to a first grade classification. In 1915 four more rooms were added. Several other additions have also been made. Since that time three modern buildings have been built to accommodate the children of Goshen Township. The people have always been interested in education and have remembered the ancient admonition "Where there is no vision, the people perish".

By Elma Griffith Ferree

January 1970

By Pete Taylor – 1995

When I look back on my days spent in Goshen, I often think of all the things that went on in the old gym. There was just one school for many years.

Christmas time was a happy time. We would be seated on the fold out chairs. There were two seats per chair. We would sing carols, a treat would be given to us. Santa Claus would arrive with the treats. If I remember correctly, someone would speak and then send us off for a short vacation from school.

Classes would raise money by showing a movie in the afternoon. The gym was darkened and there was excitement as the movie got underway. Back in those days it was a real treat for an elementary student to get to see a movie. I still remember at least three scenes from those movies that were shown so long ago.

Our phys ed . classes were in the gym. This is where we learned to shoot basketball, and even try out for a team as you arrive at Jr. High. What exciting times came our way as the Goshen Warriors met the opposing team on the shiny floor. The pretty cheer leaders would arouse our school pride, and we would cheer the home team on to victory.

Square dancing was part of our teen life back around 1950. The gym would be full of those eager to learn this vigorous type of folk dancing. The "caller" would give clear instructions, and we would be into the first dance. I can still hear the fiddler as he sawed away on the tune. The "caller" would lead us to where we would "swing our partner".

Who could forget the first prom you attended in the gym? It was not a gym on this special night. Special lights, music, and decorations turned it into a wonderful night of memory. Your date was dressed for this special occasion, and I am sure that lasting love got its start on that special night. The flowers has been ordered, the suit and formal was purchased, the automobile cleaned and shined. The evening soon became a reality as the orchestra struck up their first song.

School plays were part of the life of the old gym. Many who were good in theatrics tried out for the parts and got them. Lines were memorized, sets were built. I can remember thunder booming in one of the plays. The opening night came as parents, faculty and other students, watched the well rehearsed play unfold before their eyes.

Graduation services were held in the gym. Seniors would soon step into a new world, and moms and dads gathered for this special night. Some dabbed at their eyes as they remember how short the twelve years had been. It was only yesterday that the little "tow head" got on the yellow bus.

These are some of my pleasant memories from the few years I spent in Goshen and when many of the big events centered around the old gym.

GHS Alumni History 1

GOSHEN NEWS FOR NOW

May 25, 1998

By Bill Dunning

This Spring of 1998 is a great milestone for Goshen. Spring is a time of new beginnings, and for several events in Goshen’s past this was so. May 9, 1998 the Goshen High School Alumni Association observed their 100^th meeting. The meeting included a friendship hour at Cook Elementary, the banquet at Marr Primary and a dance at the American Legion Hall near Loveland.

Donn Heywood spoke commemorating the 100^th anniversary after the banquet. He mentioned the change from five graduates in 1898 to 176 this year. He said that this was a very special organization that has established a tradition of reuniting the people who share a common bond. For many this has happened generation after generation as we commemorate the past and celebrate each other. The first Alumni banquet was held May 3^rd, 1898 in the Town Hall on Main Street.

Donn’s words of inspiration were very special for this occasion. Our thanks go out to him.

Last year the Alumni Association created the Goshen High School Alumni Hall of Fame. The criteria for nomination to the Hall of Fame is that the person must be a graduate of Goshen High School and has made a significant contribution to Goshen School, the community or society at large. Aurelia Ellen Cook was honored that year by being the first inductee. This year Frank Hoggatt, Daniel Heisler and Kathryn Stagge Marr were inducted. Their names are entered on a plaque which will be on display at the High School.

This year the Alumni Association granted seven scholarships of $1,000 each to Rebecca Arbino, Amanda Downey, Amanda Jones, Lisa Flacke, Kristi Engel, Sarah Litsin and Matt Smallwood. This makes a total of 27 scholarships presented to Goshen graduates to date.

Goshen PTA 111

Goshen News For Now – November 30, 1998

The Goshen Parent Teacher Association was organized in the 1916. Mr. Ed Roudebush was Superintendent at Goshen at that time and it was chiefly through his efforts the parents became interested and formed what was then called "The Mothers Club" (with 20 members). I said parents, but it was not until the spring of 1927 that fathers became members. At that time there seemed to be a sort of contest between our masculine teachers and the women members of P.T.A. The men were to get as many men members as we had women and if they succeeded, the women would serve them a banquet. The result was the membership was increased from about sixty-five to around 140. The women served the supper to the men. The men paid their dues for one year and that was the last of the men members. That is chiefly due to the fact that the meetings take place in the afternoon and it is almost impossible for men to attend.

In 1931 we joined the National Congress of Parent and Teachers. This furnishes us with literature dealing with problems of child welfare and furnishes us a speaker for our meetings to talk to us on various subjects regarding the child and its problems. Delegates were sent to the state convention for 2 years, once in Columbus and once in Cincinnati and several of the members attended the district convention at Wilmington 2 years ago.

The organization has always been active throughout these years, working in various ways to raise money in order to spend it for improvements and different needs of the school. Some of our methods have been plays, minstrels, socials, dinners, serving lunches at sales. For 2 years we have had a lunch stand on the fair grounds at Owensville during the county fair, card parties, and dances.

This article was given to me by Adeline Cornwell. It had no date or name on it but I thought it was of interest.

The following is a list of the membership of the Goshen P.T.A. for the year 1 Oct. 1934 thru 1 Oct. 1935:

Mrs. Marjorie Glancy, Goshen; Sarah Gail Brown, Goshen; Mabel Yeomans, Goshen; Mrs. Henry Hamahan, Cozaddale; Virginia McHenry, Cozaddale; Mrs. Elma Ferree, Goshen; Mrs. Margaret Stagge, Goshen; Mrs. Floy Scott, Goshen; Mrs. Stella Hoggatt, Goshen; Mrs. Stella Ganyon, Goshen; Margaret Michaels, Loveland; Mrs. Coral Hobson, Cozaddale; Mrs. Annabel Walker, Goshen; Gladys James, Goshen; Mrs. Stanley Burkhardt, Goshen; Mrs. Lou Roudebush, Goshen; Mayme Farson, Goshen; Mrs. Margaret Bailey, Goshen; Miss Catherine Ganyon, Goshen; Bertha Jenkins, Cozaddale; Mrs. Ethel Fagin, Goshen; and Mrs. Hattie Hill, Goshen.

Mrs. Nannue Irwin, Cozaddale; Mrs. Velma Groves, Goshen; Edna Ballinger, Loveland; Frank Hoggatt, Goshen; Mrs. Littie Brothers, Goshen; Nellie Williams, Goshen; Minnie Cook, Goshen; Mrs. Francis Dunning, Loveland; Clara Gibb, Cozaddale; Ruby Yeomans, Goshen; Mrs. Edith Hause, Butlerville; Marie Tucker, Goshen; Horace Gibbs, Cozaddale; Florence Snider, Cozaddale; Lloyd Page, Goshen; John Gibbs, Blanchester; Mrs. S.P. Wade, Goshen; R.E. Anderson, Goshen; Mrs. L.W. Marr, Pleasant Plain; Williard Woodward, Loveland; Ed Saxton, Cozaddale; William Blinkhorn, Cozaddale; Leslie Walker, Goshen; William Susshine; Irene Ludlow, Loveland; Theodore Bailey, Goshen; Christine Rogers, Loveland; George Anderson, Goshen; Thomas Heywood, Goshen; and Josie Hill, Goshen.

C.W. Boring, Goshen; Francis Fagin, Goshen; Ray Irwin, Goshen; William Jenkins, Cozaddale; Stanley Pray, Goshen; George Rilles, Loveland; John Jones, Goshen; John Messer, Goshen; Mrs. W.R. Howard, Pleasant Plain; Mrs. Fred Foxbower, Pleasant Plain; Mrs. John Gibbs, Blanchester; Paul Quillis, Blanchester; Olive Pray, Goshen; Nellie Heywood; Glennie Linton, Goshen; Jane Roudabush; Helen Roudabush, Goshen; Margaret Abbott, Loveland; Mrs. Lillie Hammond, Goshen; Mrs. Myrtel Gibbs, Cozaddale; Christine Williams, Goshen; Anna Holmes, Goshen; Mrs. Nancy Woodward, Loveland; Dorothy Spinner, Goshen; Aurelia Ellen Cook, Goshen; Mr. Lester Hause, Butlerville; Lorainne Bray, Cozaddale; and Edna Walker, Goshen.

Clara Swartz, Cozaddale; Lloyd Andrews, Goshen; John Gibbs, Cozaddale; Alma McHenry, Pleasant Plain; Guy Tucker, Goshen; L. W. Marr, Pleasant Plain; William Hobson, Cozaddale; Ray Ferree, Cozaddale; Eleanor Holderfield, Butlerville; Harlow Fox, Loveland; Gordon Glancy, Goshen; Emma Blinkhorn, Cozaddale; Arley Edwards, Goshen; Guy Easley, Goshen; Al Swartz, Cozaddale; Guss Capogn, Goshen; Warren McHenry, Pleasant Plain; Donna Binkley, Goshen; A.G. Hill, Goshen; Robert Gourley, Goshen; George Irwin, Goshen; Thornton Snider, Goshen; J.W. Bailey, Goshen; Roy Philhower, Goshen; S.P. Wade, Goshen; Oris Binkley, Goshen; Dr. Tanley Burkhardt, Goshen; W.R. Howard, Pleasant Plain; Fred Foxbower, Pleasant Plain; Robert Roudebush, Goshen; Ivan Motsinger, Goshen; Lillian Nudick, Goshen; Elizabeth Motsinger, Goshen; Mary Yeomans, Goshen; Nellie Molloy, Goshen; and Blanche Burns.

If you have a story about Goshen we would like for you to share it with the society. We are gathering a nice file on the life and times of Goshen. Remember, we need your input and we have a good time sharing. Just send story to G.T.H.S., Inc., P.O. Box 671, Goshen, OH 45122-0671 or stop by the Anchorage any Tuesday.

School Bell

The bell which now hangs in the belfry of the Goshen Town Hall has a very interesting history.

This bell was originally on the steamboat, "Mozell", which plied the Ohio River between Cincinnati and Wheeling, West Virginia. The Mozell was in a race, either to establish a time record or to beat another boat. Reports vary as to this particular point of the story. In order to secure more steam for power, the captain tied a brick to the safety valve. The boat blew up in midstream with some two hundred persons losing their lives.

The bell was blown quite a distance and landed on a farm on the Kentucky shore. The farmer hauled it to his barn on a sled drawn by a mule. After keeping it for several years he gave it secretly – because the boat men were searching for it (bells were scarce at that time) – to Mr. J.C. Doughman, of Goshen.

After a time, he, in turn, presented it to the Goshen School Board, who used it on the district school house in Goshen until the old Seminary was purchased by the Board of Education. The old school building, which is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. Arley Edwards, was then sold for use as a private residence.

When the building was sold Mr. Doughman reclaimed the bell and stored it in his barn for a number of years. In about 1899, Mr. Doughman, John Burger, and Mos Binkley persuaded the trustees to use this bell on the Goshen Town Hall. Mr. Charles Owens was hired to build the belfry and hang the bell. This historic bell still serves as a fire alarm for the town.

School Books 111

GOSHEN’S GENERAL STORE

By Sara Hill

Garvin Hill bought the General Store at Main and Wood Streets in Goshen in 1923. The previous owner was John A. Gross.

It was a typical country store with groceries, dry goods, shoes and boots, hardware and notions. There was a wonderful old glass case filled with penny candies and another full of remedies for minor illness such as rheumatism, colds, and constipation.

For many years books used by the primary grades at Goshen School were sold through the store.

The Goshen Church of God Mountain Assembly located in Goshen, Ohio had a very small and humble beginning. It began with a small group of believers gathered in the home of J.C. Yeary for weekly prayer meetings.

The prayer meeting group decided to rent an old school house (Sugar Grove) located on State Route 28 near the intersection of short 48 and Myers Cemetery. This marked the beginning of the Goshen Church of God.

With the opening of a tavern in 1934 on Route 28, not far from the Sugar Grove Schoolhouse, the church moved elsewhere.

Willis Yeary owned the Franklin School building on Hill Station Road. Charles T. Yeary and two other men of the church voted to buy the school building for the church. The schoolhouse was on one acre of land. Later more acreage was acquired making a total of over 21 acres.

The old school house had two rooms. Two rooms were later added and in 1950, when a parsonage was built, these rooms became Sunday School classrooms.

Additions have been made to the church since its start in the little old school house. It was enlarged in the late 1950’s and later renovated and modernized in the early 1960’s. In the 1970’s it brought about the construction of a multi-purpose fellowship building directly behind the church. Its largest undertaking was the recent construction of a new sanctuary, which was completed in 1993. This is where the congregation presently worships every Sunday.

James E. McKinney is now serving his fortieth year as pastor of the Goshen Church of God.

GHS Alumni History 1

GOSHEN NEWS FOR NOW

May 25, 1998

By Bill Dunning

This Spring of 1998 is a great milestone for Goshen. Spring is a time of new beginnings, and for several events in Goshen’s past this was so. May 9, 1998 the Goshen High School Alumni Association observed their 100^th meeting. The meeting included a friendship hour at Cook Elementary, the banquet at Marr Primary and a dance at the American Legion Hall near Loveland.

Donn Heywood spoke commemorating the 100^th anniversary after the banquet. He mentioned the change from five graduates in 1898 to 176 this year. He said that this was a very special organization that has established a tradition of reuniting the people who share a common bond. For many this has happened generation after generation as we commemorate the past and celebrate each other. The first Alumni banquet was held May 3^rd, 1898 in the Town Hall on Main Street.

Donn’s words of inspiration were very special for this occasion. Our thanks go out to him.

Last year the Alumni Association created the Goshen High School Alumni Hall of Fame. The criteria for nomination to the Hall of Fame is that the person must be a graduate of Goshen High School and has made a significant contribution to Goshen School, the community or society at large. Aurelia Ellen Cook was honored that year by being the first inductee. This year Frank Hoggatt, Daniel Heisler and Kathryn Stagge Marr were inducted. Their names are entered on a plaque which will be on display at the High School.

This year the Alumni Association granted seven scholarships of $1,000 each to Rebecca Arbino, Amanda Downey, Amanda Jones, Lisa Flacke, Kristi Engel, Sarah Litsin and Matt Smallwood. This makes a total of 27 scholarships presented to Goshen graduates to date.

GHS School History 222

In 1835 the Rev. L. Gaines a Presbyterian minister started the Quall Academy in a log building near Goshen. The school operated until 1845 and many of the young men who graduated from it became physicians. Other private schools were started; one was the Goshen Seminary in 1860.

April 12, 1860 a stock company was formed for the purpose of erecting a building for the promotion of higher learning. On this date the first board of trustees were selected. Caleb Oliver, president; Abram Teator, secretary; Richard Roudabush, treasurer; Thomas Dewey, Harvey Irwin, John Applegate and Samuel Nichols.

In the summer of 1860 a two story building thirty by fifty feet was built. The first class began in 1861 and failed to meet the expectations of the founders. In 1862 Professor George H. Hill ran the school and for nine years conducted successful classes.

In 1872 W.O. Hopkins ran the school for several years followed by L.M. Nevius until 1878. Professor C.M. Riggs operated the Seminary successfully until 1884. David Daily led the school a short time. E.M. Quail in 1885 and Judson Gatch in 1886.

In 1887 Professor George Johnson was elected Superintendent of Schools and for three years held the confidence of his constituency. Under his supervision a new course of study was adopted. The author of this course of study was F.B. Bishop, Teacher, who later became Superintendent.

From 1890 till 1907 superintendents were:

Sanford L. Turnipseed 1890-1896 F.B. Bishop 1901-1905

F.M. Woodward 1897-1898 M.H. Miller 1906

Sanford L. Turnipseed 1899-1900 D.E. Kirgon 1907

In 1907 a new building (Green) was erected and in 1908 classes began. By 1915 all of the one-room schools scattered throughout the township were centralized and consolidated.

GHS School History 223

Sugar Grove Spread Eagle Shiloh

Salem Star Gazer Franklin

O’Bannonville Fairview Charleston

Vinegar Hill 478 Total students in 1894

As a result of the consolidation, four rooms were added to the building which completed its original design.

In the summer of 1930 an auditorium/gymnasium was built as a freestanding structure next to the original (1907) building. The basement of this building was incomplete until 1935. In 1937 the building was totally renovated and twelve new classrooms were added and connected with the gymnasium.

Marr Primary was added to the system in 1954 for grades K-6 and in 1960 the high school was built. The old high school building was then used to house grades 7 and 8.

In 1967 a major addition was made to the high school and Cook Elementary was opened in 1968. During this same time period, four more rooms were added to the old high school (Green) and a band room and storage areas were built behind the Board of Education offices.

In 1975-76 another major addition was made to the high school and in the fall of 1976 the Spaulding Middle School opened.

In 2001 the Goshen community passed a levy coupled with State money to build a new high school and renovate the rest of the buildings in the district with the exception of Green with was closed. The education area of the middle school was torn down and will be complete rebuilt and ready for school in 2003.

This fall the new High School opens to continue the community’s story of support for the education of young people that started in the early 1800’s.

Cap Glancy School Memories

It began on the last day of school before the holidays. The teacher gave us all a treat of an orange, a bag of candy and peanuts. The next day I brought in the Christmas tree, a nice green cedar I had had my eye on all summer. It stood alone and had a perfect shape. After setting up the next step was to trim it. The trimmings consisted of stars of many colors cut from the pages of a wallpaper sample book.

After supper we gathered in the parlor where mother played the organ and we kids sang Christmas songs. Our favorite was Silent Night, and then it was bedtime. We had no fireplace mantel so we hung our stocking on chair backs.

The next morning we came down the stairs pell-mell to see what Santa had left us. Under the tree was a new Flexible-Flyer sled. My other present was a pair of nice blue woolen mittens which our grandmother had knitted. This was a gift we received from her every year. I kept my sled for years and when I left home I gave it to my younger brother.

That was a wonderful Christmas.

By W.G. "Cap" Glancy

Leever Bio

GOSHEN NEWS FOR NOW

April 27, 1998

By Richard & Edna Rhodes

Samuel Leever

Perhaps the best known person from the Goshen area was Sam Leever. Sam was born in the township on December 23, 1871. As a young adult he farmed and also taught school. During the summer months he played baseball on the amateur level.

While in his middle twenties he made a wise move when he signed a professional baseball contract with the minor league ball club located in Richmond, Virginia. After two splendid seasons, his contract was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League. This was the beginning in what would be a long and brilliant career as a big league right handed pitcher. As a rookie he immediately established himself as one of the games greats. In his first full season he led the league in both games pitched and total innings. In addition he was a twenty game winner.

During his ten years as a starting pitcher, Sam was one of the games most consistent winning pitchers averaging 18 victories per season. In four of those years he won 20 or more games. In 1903 he achieved the apex of his marvelous career with a record of 25 wins against only 7 defeats. His winning percentage and earned run average topped the league. During his heyday he was greatly instrumental in helping the Pittsburgh Pirates win three consecutive National League Championships.

Even though the 1903 season was a career year for the right hander, it ended on a dismal note. Prior to the first World Series to be played in history Sam injured his right shoulder while skeet shooting, another sport in which he excelled. By all rights he should not have played; but, the Pirates were desperate since their pitching staff had been decimated with misfortune. Because of this he was forced into rotation. He pitched gamely, but was unsuccessful in both his starts against the Boston Red Soxs. Needless to say, the Pirates lost the World Series. This proved to be the only downer in his marvelous career. In the off season his injury healed and he once again resumed his sensation pitching.

In his final two seasons in the major leagues, 1909 & 1910, he proved to be effective as both a spot starter and relief pitcher. His 1909 Pirate Club won the first World Series in the history of the franchise. In 1911 he finished out his magnificent career with the minor league Minneapolis team.

Sam’s major league pitching record consisted of 194 wins against only 100 losses. His winning percentage of 66% was second only to the immortal Christy Mathewson for that era in the National League. Even today he ranks in the top ten in history in this important category. He also compiled a sparkling 2.47 earned run average. This is good enough for a ranking of 24^th best among all pitchers.

A study of the pitching records of players in the baseball hall of fame will show that Sam Leever had a more impressive record than some of the elite pitchers enshrined in baseball’s showcase.

In stature, Sam Leever stood 5 feet and 10 inches in height and weighed 175 pounds. His disposition was that of an introverted and studious nature. Thus, the nicknames – Professor, Goshen Schoolmaster, were well suited to his personality.

After retiring as a player he returned to live full time in Goshen with his wife Margaret Malloy. He once again returned to farming and teaching school. In 1913 he also was the manager of a minor league baseball team in Covington, Kentucky.

On May 19, 1953 Sam Leever, baseball great, passed away and was buried in the Goshen Cemetery. He not only left behind a legacy of being the best baseball player ever to come out of Clermont County but also is recognized as perhaps the top pitcher in history in the Cincinnati area. Many experts on the national past time firmly believe that Sam Leever belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. He definitely had the type of career that should merit such honors.

Voll Bio Page 1

I chose Colonel John J. Voll for my Famous Ohioan Report for several reasons. I found it interesting that he was from a local town, Goshen, Ohio. I have always had an interest in World War II, especially the aircraft. John Voll was a World War II Fighter Ace. I love to play baseball, and John Voll played baseball for Goshen High School and Miami University. He was the perfect choice for my report.

Colonel John J. Voll was born May 3, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father was a disabled World War I Veteran, so it was financially difficult to care for the family. Then when John Voll was about eight years old, he and his two sisters and one brother had to live in a foster home. His foster parents were Mr. and Mrs. Ray Irwin of Goshen. Voll was a good student and an excellent athlete. His favorite sport was baseball and he wanted to become a professional baseball player.

Voll graduated from Goshen High School in 1940. He went to college at Miami University. He played on their baseball team as a catcher. When the Americans entered World War II, Voll enlisted in the Air Cadet Corps at college. In 1943 he left school early to join the Army Air Force as an officer cadet. He graduated from flight school on January 7, 1944 for pilot training and received his Army Air Force Wings.

He was assigned to the 15^th Army Air Force in the 31^st Fighter Squadron as a Lieutenant in 1944. He was given command of a new fighter plane known as the P-51 Mustang and named it American Beauty. Just a few weeks after joining his unit, Voll shot down his 1^st enemy aircraft. By the following month he shot down his 5^th enemy aircraft, and this made him a Fighter Ace. It is difficult to be a Fighter Ace because usually a pilot got shot down before he could destroy that many enemy planes. Only three percent of all combat fighter pilots achieved this unique honor. By November 1944 he held the rank of Captain. By the end of the war, Voll had 21 confirmed kills making him the leading Ace of the 15^th Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, 27 Air Medals and eight Battle Stars.

After the war, Voll was discharged from the service in 1945. He returned to Goshen to teach science and coach sports at Goshen High School. In 1948 he was recalled to active duty and decided to make the military a career. He served in the Korean War and later in Vietnam. He went back to finish his education at San Francisco State College and received his B.A. in 1957. Then in 1964, he received his M.A. from George Washington University. In 1968 he was Chief of Tactical Plans for the 7^th Air Force. He was the Base Commander at McClellan Air Force Base in California. In 1974 he retired as a Colonel. During his career he was awarded 60 decorations.

Voll Bio Page 2

After his retirement, John and his family returned to Goshen. Later he relocated to Massachusetts to be a Stock Broker. He died September 12, 1987 and was buried with full military honors in the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. He was survived by his wife and two children, John Jr. and Deborah.

Even today there are people who remember John Voll. The Goshen Township Historical Society attempted to have the Goshen Library as well as the Clermont County Airport named after John Voll. They have worked very hard to keep the memory of Voll alive. They dedicated a historical marker in John Voll’s name which is located in front of the Anchorage House in Goshen.

Pike, Chester. "Goshen Man was WWII Fighter Pilot and Ace". The Community Journal

10 March 2004

Unknown author. "Goshen Colonel Decorated for Combat in Vietnam". The Clermont Sun

11 December 1969

Goodman, Rebecca. "Goshen’s John J. Voll was a Top Ace of WWII". The Cincinnati Enquirer 16 November 2003 Section B

Special thanks to Mr. Rick Rhoades, President of the Goshen Township Historical Society as well as the other members who provided me with the information regarding the life and times of John Voll.