USA > Indiana > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Indiana : her people, industries and institutions > Part 53
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Israel, Edward, jeweler and optician. Jessop's Candy Factory, C. W. Jessop, proprietor. Johnson, J. H., physician. Johnson, Zella, optometrist. Johnson & Sparks, attorneys.
Jordan, Oliver, tailor.
Joseph, Phil, dry goods and milliners. Kahn, Leo, clothing. Kahn-Williams Company, shoes. Kehl, A. (F. E. Kehl), jeweler. Keller, John, repair shop. Kennedy, Fred A., dentist. Kinder, Tillie, tailor. King & Moffet, livery and stock dealers. Klein, W. C., jeweler. Koch, J. L., meats. Krell Auto Grand Piano Company, Lawrence Maxwell, owner. Lambert, Walter R., taxicab and transfer. Leiter, A. E., dry goods and millinery. Lewis, William D., fruits and feed. Lexington-Howard Company, motor cars. Lines & Layson, cigar store.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Lockhart, W. M., grocer.
Luking, W. H., shoes.
Lyric Theater, J. A. Chrismer, proprietor.
McCann Milling Company.
McComb, G. F., dentist.
McCune, Mary, milliner and ladies furnishings.
McFarlan Hotel.
McKee, Wiles & Elliott, attorneys.
McQuestion, W., grocer.
Mancini, Peter, cigars and fruits.
Mancini Sisters, millinery.
Masters, G. L., dentist.
Mathews, H. J., plumber and electrician.
Maxine Company, dental supplies.
Mettel Brothers, bakers.
Miller, J. H., automobiles and garage.
Moffett, Miles K., drugs.
Moffett & Davis, live stock.
Morrison, J. H., dentist.
Mountain, J. R., Physician.
Muddell, John S., lawyer.
Mungavin, Thomas, tailor.
Myers, Charles, undertaker.
Nave, I. R., grocer.
Neal & Stoll, plumbers.
Ochiltree & Edwards, attorneys.
Oliger, A. J., livery.
Owl Pharmacy.
Palace Hotel, J. W. Reichle, proprietor.
Peters, John J., meats.
Porter, C. E., photographer.
Porter, W. J., physician.
Powell, John G., hardware and implements.
Pratt Shoe Store. Pryor, F. M., meats. Remington, J. A., cigars and sporting goods. Rex Manufacturing Company. Rice, J. S., physician.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Richman, Leslie, life insurance. Ricord, Henry, restaurant. Riley, C. P. & Son, plumbers. Risher & Guttman, ladies' furnishing goods. Roots, Clarence S., attorney.
Roots, P. H. & F. M., Company, blower manufacturers. Roth, A. J., variety store. Rubenstein, A., clothing store.
Sample, J. M., physician.
Schlichte, Edward J., department store. Schneider, Peter, grocer.
Scholl, W. H. & Sons, grocers.
Schriever & Company, confectioners and seeds.
Sherry, W. H. & Son, coal and lumber.
Silvey-Luking Company, clothing.
Smith, Bernard R., physician. Smith, Virginia, hair goods. Smith, T. L. & Son, undertakers.
Sparks, William E., attorney.
Spencer, W. H. & Company, notions.
Spillman, Frank J., physician.
Stoll, John, grocer. Stoops, Thomas H., planing-mill.
Strauss Mercantile Company, department store.
Sweetland, A. T., chiropractor.
Swindler & Spicely, drugs. Tate, Grover C., second-hand goods. Thompson, C. E., undertaker. True, W. E., insurance. Uhl-Snider Milling Company, flour-mill and grain. United Vacuum Appliance Company. Van Ausdall, Nellie, fish and oysters. Van Hart, L. M. & Company. Vaudette The, J. C. Shilling, manager.
Wainwright, W. W. & Son, engines.
Wait, John T., real estate and investments. Walker, restaurant. Wallace, William E., wall paper.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
Walmer Company, notions.
Waybright, Julia, second-hand goods.
White Water Creamery Company.
Whiteis, J. N., mechano-therapist.
Williams, H. O., restaurant.
Willis, N. G., dentist.
Worster, J. A. & Son, live stock, automobile and garage.
Wrennick, J. H., cigars.
Young, I. B., books and office supplies.
Zehrung, H. M., dentist.
THE CONNERSVILLE OF TODAY.
What shall be said about Connersville as it appears today? The city has made wonderful strides during the past decade, but in no one year has it shown a greater growth than in 1916. The centennial year was epochal in many respects. Never before has the city seen such an era of constructive effort. In the industrial field the Connersville Manufacturing Company absorbed and occupied the plant of the Connersville Wheel Company, which had been in business fifteen years, adding altogether about one hundred per cent. to the Central Manufacturing Company's capacity for production. The Connersville Blower Works increased its. capital stock from $400,000 to $750,000, and built a large brick addition to its machinery room, thereby adding fully one-third to its former capacity. The Lexington-Howard Company built a large addition and reorganized its plant in such a way as to treble its output and at the same time greatly increase the efficiency of the departments already in operation. W. W. Wainwright & Son built a large two-story addition to their machine shops which increased their space by at least one-third. The Hoosier Casting Company, one of Connersville's newest industries, doubled its floor space with the building of a substantial annex, and installed a new system of operation which makes it a much more efficient plant.
The P. H. & F. M. Roots Company, the oldest manufacturing institution in the city as well as one of the largest, built an addition to one of its buildings. The installation of new machinery made a substantial increase possible in its output. This company, it might be stated, dates from 1859 and is the pioneer blower factory of the world. The Connersville Furniture Company erected an addition to its west building, increasing its plant by about one-sixth. The buildings of this plant alone cover about four acres.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
The Dan Patch Novelty Company, organized in 1912 to manufacture novelty vehicles for children and toys of all kinds, was reorganized in 1916 and at the same time increased its capital stock to $100,000. It then acquired and occupied the Connersville Buggy Works, which had been established in 1883. It may be said that the European war was the direct cause of the re-organization of the company. The National Moorish Tile Flooring Company, the newest concern in the city, was organized in 1916 by E. P. Hawkins and acquired the building formerly occupied by the carpet factory in East Connersville. The building was remodeled and enlarged in order to make it available for the needs of the new company.
While the industrial plants just enumerated have all expanded, many of the other factories of the city have added more men to their force in order to increase their output. All the factories of the city have been running on full time, some of them being in operation twenty-four hours a day. There have been no strikes and no lock-outs, but on the other hand there has existed the most friendly feeling between employers and employees.
EVIDENCES OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISE.
This glance at the industrial life of Connersville during the year 1916 sets forth merely the outstanding, salient expansive movements. It can truly be said that there was a tremendous, almost dramatic quickening of the whole industrial system of the city during the year.
But the city did something else in 1916 which it never did before and which it will not do again for another hundred years. It conceived and held, with great success, a three-day centennial celebration which was one of the best of many held in the state during the year. Of course, the city did not do all of this itself; the citizens of the county had an active part in the celebration and contributed their full share toward its success. In the midst of all this industrial activity and stimulated by the centennial spirit, the city and county undertook the raising of fifty thousand dollars for the county hospital, and the fact that the amount was raised is a tribute to the thriftiness and generosity of a good people. It should be mentioned in this connection that the county during the year completed a magnificent county infirmary, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars.
Another evidence of the general prosperity enjoyed by the people of the city is shown by their desire to add street paving to the city. Since 1912, when the present program of concrete street paving was inaugurated, the city has paved many miles of its business and residence streets. The value
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
of good roads is recognized by the rural dwellers as well as by his brother in the city, a fact which is shown by the paving of the road between the city and East Connersville, and Grand avenue from the city limits to Roberts park. The pedestal lighting system was extended in the business district and a new lighting contract entered into with the Hydro-Electric Light and Power Company. The water mains and sewer system were extended and sidewalk, curb and gutter improvements were made in all parts of the city.
With all of these industrial activities there was a greater demand than ever for men to work in the factories. The city reached a point during 1916 where it became imperative to increase housing facilities. During the year every house in the city was occupied, all the boarding houses and hotels were filled to overflowing, and workmen were often compelled to find quarters in nearby towns. But the business men of Connersville prepared to meet the situation by employing what was known as an interagent to serve without cost to the homeseeker, in assisting him to find a place. to live. This group of business men, headed by E. W. Ansted, bought ground and let a contract for the construction of thirty-two rental houses to be built in the northwestern part of the city.
CHURCH AND SCHOOL EXPANSION.
But not only has the industrial life of the city been quickened; the churches and schools have taken on new life, and increased their efficiency as factors in the general movement for a better and bigger Connersville. The school board was compelled to build a large addition to the Maplewood school, an addition made necessary by the heavy increase of population in that part of the city. The manual training department of the high school was enlarged and many other improvements made in the schools in order to meet the growing requirements of the city's increased population. . In the beginning of 1917 the city faced the probability of having to build another school house and there seems to be no doubt that the next year or two will see the erection of the fifth school building in the city.
The fourteen churches of the city are doing their full share toward making a bigger and better Connersville. The many charitable and benevolent organi- zations are active in their respective fields. As the city faces the second century of its existence it seems to have all the factors necessary for a bright future. It is but one of thousands of cities of the same size in the country, but the people who call it home would like to have it said that it is the best. It takes people of the right sort to make a good city and Connersville has them in abundance. May the next century show as much progress as the last century.
PUBLIC LIBRARY, CONNERSVILLE.
FEDERAL BUILDING, CONNERSVILLE.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
THE POSTOFFICE.
The first postoffice in Fayette county was established at Connersville on January 28, 1818, which was nearly a year before the county itself was established, the village being in Franklin county at the time that the postoffice started. It remained the only postoffice in the county for seven years, Water- loo, the second one established, dating from May 4, 1825. In fact, there were only three other postoffices in the county during the first ten years of its history, the other three being at Bentonville, Everton and Harrisburg. During the entire history of the county, covering a period of nearly one hundred years, there have been seventeen different postoffices established, but with the introduction of the rural free delivery of mail there are only five remaining : Connersville, Everton, Alpine, Falmouth and Bentonville. The discontinued offices are Alquina, Columbia, Ashland (later Nulltown), Orange, Bently, Waterloo, Springersville, Fairview, Harrisburg, Groves (later Melrose), Lyons Station and Philpotts Mills (later Longwood). At the present time there are ten rural routes connected with the Connersville postoffice, two with Everton, and one each with Alpine, Bentonville and Fal- mouth. There are also routes from adjoining counties which furnish service in Fayette county, while some of those in Fayette county extend to adjoining counties.
All the mail which reached Fayette county before 1845 was brought in by the old stage coach or on horseback. During the life of the canal part of the mail was brought in by boat, but it was not until 1862 that the first mail reached the county by the railroad. As might be expected, there was no daily mail service to Connersville for several years after the postoffice was established, and even as late as 1833, the town received mail only three times a week. With the arrival of the daily packet on the canal Connersville was given daily mail service.
The first postoffice in the town was located in the store of Joshua Har- lan, the storekeeper being the first incumbent of the office and serving as such from 1818 to 1822. In the early history of the town there was not much trouble in selecting a postmaster and it was not until the salary reached such proportions that the postmaster was able to devote all of his attention to the office that any difficulty was experienced in the selection of the post- master. For many years after the postoffice was established in 1818 the postmaster was compelled to engage in some other business in order to make enough for a living. The first postmaster to devote all of his time to the office was James H. Fearis, and since that time the office has been sufficiently
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
remunerative to enable the incumbent to make a comfortable living without having to engage in any other business. Until the office was raised to the second class in 1889 the salary was dependent upon the amount of business transacted by. the office, but since that year it has been on a definite salary basis, the present salary of the postmaster being two thousand seven hundred dollars. For many years the postmaster performed all the duties of the office, but as the business increased it became necessary to provide assistants, the first assistant appearing in 1861. At the present time there are twenty-six employees in the office and seven city carriers. The city carrier service was inaugurated on December 1, 1889, the same year the office was raised from the third to the second class. On December 1, 1904, the first rural routes were established in connection with the local office and others have been added from time to time until in 1917 there were ten rural carriers radiating from the county seat.
The postoffice has been located at several different places during the last ninety-nine years and has been at its present site since 1911. In that year it was moved from 408 Central avenue to the newly completed stone structure which stands at the corner of Eighth street and Central avenue. This handsome building with the site cost sixty-five thousand dollars. In the same year, August 21, 1911, the postal-savings department was established in the local office.
The postmaster has usually, if not always, been of the same political faith as the President. John Tate who served from 1829 to 1846, held the office longer than any other incumbent. The complete list of postmasters, with the dates of their service follows: Joshua Harlan, 1818-22; John Sample, 1822-29; John Tate, 1829-46; Elisha Vance, 1846-47; George Fry- barger, April 5, 1847-December 30, 1847; Henry Goodlander, 1847-49; Joseph Justice, 1849-53 ; Henry Goodlander, 1853-57; John B. Tate, 1857-61 ; Joseph Justice, 1861-63; Romeo Lewis, 1863-64; Alexander R. Morrison, 1864-66; John Kensler, 1866-74; George M. Sinks, 1874-83; John W. Ross, 1883-84; J. M. Higgs, 1884-89; J. H. Fearis, 1889-94 ; J. M. Higgs, 1894-98; John Payne, 1898-1902; Miles K. Moffit, 1902-10; S. E. Dehaven, 1910-14; Simon Doenges, 1914-
HISTORY OF THE CONNERSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
.. By , Katharine Heron.
The early pioneers in the village of Connersville were aware of the advantages of a library and as early as 1820 a circulating library was in operation in the little' hamlet: 'This little library was only to act as the
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
forerunner of greater possibilities and to prepare the way for future activi- ties in the ultimate establishment of a permanent library. In 1825 the Fayette county library, containing one hundred and fifty-one volumes, was opened to the public and was under the management of a board of trustees who were very generous in providing that the library should be open every Saturday afternoon from one to six o'clock. The secretary gave notice in the weekly paper, the Observer, that there were volumes in the library to suit the taste and inquiries of all. The librarian further said that she hoped that the citi- zens would avail themselves of the advantages of the library and that all citizens over sixteen years of age might draw books by giving bond and security and the payment of fifty cents a year. The library was located in the court house.
A free reading room was maintained by the manufacturers and other business men during the later part of the year 1890, and continued as a read- ing room until the latter part of October. 1893. Bert R. Williams was the custodian and after his death the vacancy was filled by Alexander James.
On October 2, 1893, a petition from Creighton Wright and others for the establishment of a public library was presented to the city council, the members of which were W. J. Cain, D. V. Phillips, W. T. Cortleyou, Wil- liam Merrill, Thomas Clark and Peter Lonmel. William F. Downs was the mayor. The petition was referred to the committee on education, composed of William Merrill, D. G. Phillips and Thomas Clark. On October 16 the committee reported the adoption of the petition and I. B. Young was appointed to appraise the contents of the reading room.
By a unanimous vote the council decided to make a special tax assess- ment of one-half of one mill for the maintenance of the new library. W. F. L. Sanders, L. L. Broaddus and Creighton Wright were appointed directors until the regular meeting in June, 1894. At this meeting, held on June 4, 1894, Mazzie Maffett, librarian, and the trustees reported that the library contained six hundred and thirty-five volumes, one hundred and thirty-nine membership cards and a treasury deficit of twenty-five dollars and sixty- eight cents. On June 3, 1895, the amount for the maintenance of the library was raised to five hundred and thirty-eight dollars and sixty-seven cents a year.
At the council meeting of April 26, 1907, resolutions were drafted on the death of Creighton Wright and Charles Mount, and the removal from the city of J. N. Huston, Herman Munk and Austin Ready, who had been directors of the library. The following persons were appointed to fill the vacancies : Mrs. Lillian Wilson Beck, Katharine Heron. Mrs. Kate Beeson, J. H. Fearis and Andrew Rieman.
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
INCORPORATION OF THE LIBRARY.
The present library was incorporated under the laws of Indiana on April 29, 1907, and the old library dissolved. The charter was surrendered and the transfer of the library to the city of Connersville was made with the understanding that the city should accept said property and assume the management of the same. Thereupon the board of directors resigned. On April 30 Mayor F. I. Barrows accepted the property on behalf of the city.
At that time a law was in force by which the school trustees, the circuit judge and the city council could appoint library trustees. Accordingly, on May 7, 1907, Judge Gray appointed Mrs. Lillian Beck and Katharine Heron; the school trustees appointed W. F. L. Sanders, Alfred H. McFarlan and Mrs. Clara E. Carlos; the city council, L. L. Broaddus and R. G. Wait. Mr. Wait shortly resigned and Mrs. Elizabeth Claypool Earl was appointed to fill the vacancy.
When the decision of the court became known that the Conwell square had been divided into lots and was for sale at various prices, Mrs. John Wilkin and Mrs. Flora R. Beeson, the latter a director in the old library, conceived the idea of buying a site for a library. Up to this time the libraries had been housed in rented property. At the invitation of Mrs. Florea Beeson, six ladies representing the same number of literary clubs of the city, met at the home of Mrs. Wilkin and formed the Library Site Association. Katharine Heron was appointed to consult with P. L. Heeb, trustee of the Conwell estate, in regard to the purchase of a site. As a result an option was taken on the property now occupied by the library at a total cost of six thousand two hundred and ten dollars. Much opposi- tion was encountered and many discouraging things arose to hinder the work in securing the needed funds. After a thorough campaign of the city had been made the sum of two thousand eight hundred and sixty-six dollars and sixty-four cents was collected and the sum of four thousand dollars sub- scribed. While in dire distress Lafayette Conwell and wife came to the res- cue and donated the sum of four hundred and fifty dollars, and the library board loaned the site association the balance. As a result the site association acquired the deed to lot No. 10, of the Conwell Homestead block on Novem- ber 16, 1907.
THE CARNEGIE DONATION.
On January 30, 1908, the city council appropriated the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars for the purpose of purchasing additional
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
ground for the library. The remainder of the necessary sum was bor- rowed from four of the Connersville banks. After all debts had been cancelled negotiations were opened with Andrew Carnegie for the pur- pose of getting a donation with which to build a library building. Twenty thousand dollars was asked for but only seventeen thousand five hundred dollars was received at this time.
The plans of Dunlap & Glossup. of Indianapolis, were accepted and the conducted with Masonic ceremonies. Chalmers Hadley, secretary of the Indiana library commission, delivered the principal address. To Katharine Heron, secretary of the board of trustees, was given the honor of laying the first brick of the building.
The furniture of the library is said to be the handsomest of any in the state, and the first to be paid for by Andrew Carnegie.
On the afternoon of March 25, 1909, the library building was formally dedicated, the exercises consisting of a musical program, and addresses by Professor Sanders and Jacob P. Dunn, of Indianapolis.
Instead of the usual title, "Carnegie Public Library," we have over the main entrance "Public Library" and on the bronze tablets on each side of the doorway one reads as follows:
This Building is the Gift of Andrew Carnegie to the People of Connersville A. D. 1908.
On the other tablet reads the following :
Library Board MCMVII L. L. Broaddus, Pres. Elizabeth Claypool Earl, Vice Pres. Katharine Heron, Sec'y. Lillian W. Beck, W. F. L. Sanders, Clara E. Carlos, A. H. McFarlan.
On Friday, March 26, 1909, the first books of our present public library were placed in circulation. For the month of January, 1917, two thousand nine hundred and two books passed over the desk of the librarian. most of the books being read by children. What a contrast between the years 1917 and 1825 when no one under sixteen years of age could "draw a book."
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FAYETTE COUNTY, INDIANA.
The trustees of the present library board consist of the following : L. L. Broaddus, president; Mrs. E. C. Earl, vice-president; W. F. L. Sanders, secretary ; Katharine Heron, Mrs. John Carlos, Alfred H. McFarlan and Mrs. Huston D. Fearis. Isabell Ball is the present librarian, she having held the position for many years.
COMMERCIAL CLUB.
The organization of the present Connersville Commercial Club dates from June 13, 1906, but it is not the first organization of the citizens of Connersville along similar lines. Nearly forty years ago there was an organization known as the Board of Trade which was organized for the same general purpose as prompted the organization of the present Com- mercial Club. As early as 1880 the business men of the city felt the need of some kind of an organization, and the Board of Trade came into exist- ence as the result of this feeling.
While the records of the old Board of Trade have disappeared, along with practically all of the members who were associated with it in its earlier history, yet it is known that it labored valiantly for the best interests of Connersville during the decade of its career. Such men as William Newkirk, James N. Huston, William Beck, William Wherrett, F. M. Roots, J. B. McFarlan, B. F. Claypool and A. B. Claypool were the prime movers in this first organization. Within a year or two after it came into existence E. V. Hawkins. then the superintendent of the old Indiana Furniture Com- pany, first became identified with the organization, and it was due to the encouragement of some of the members that he was enabled to organize the Connersville Furniture Company in 1882. Mr. Hawkins is one of the very few members of the first organization left in the city.
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