The Hamilton Rifles were organized by Captain Charles Hunter in the fall of 1893.  Under Hunter, fifty-six of "Hamilton's best known young men" formed the Rifles, a social organization.  The members of the group each had three uniforms which they paid for themselves and were equipped with rifles which Captain Hunter obtained from the Ohio National Guard.

The group arranged dances and held an annual minstrel show.  They also made trips each year to attend parades in which they would march in formation.  Those in the Rifles included:  Charles Mathes, Thomas Dowling, William Winkler, Paul Brown, L.R. Hensley, Jack Heiland, Frank Boyd, Fred Woodruff, Dr. Giffen, Otto Messner, Harry Crume, William Ratliff, Bob Giffen, C.J. Parrish, D.E. Sheehan, Frank Rinearson, William Bender, William Morey, Ed Frechtling, John Bartlow, Clem James, Charles Robinson, Barton Carr Stevenson, Carl Markt, C.C. Wasson, George Holbrock, Enyeart Hooven, Neal Harper, and Edward Schell.

(source: "Hamilton Rifles Once Held Important Place in Affairs," Journal-News, December 19, 1936)

 © 2000 by the Butler County Historical Society