USA > Indiana > Wayne County > History of Wayne County, Indiana, from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 34
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RICHMOND KNITTING FACTORY .-- Among the manufacturing establishments of Richmond worthy of note, is the stocking manufactory of John H. Hutton. It was established on Main street, near Seventh, in 1867, when only a single Lamb knitting machine was used. It was removed, in 1868, to Fifth street. The number of machines now employed is eighteen, each op- erated by a female ; turning out, in the aggregate, about 150 dozen pairs of woolen socks per week. Some of the more ex- perienced girls knit three dozen, and in a few instances as many as three and a half dozen pairs in a day. A large num- ber of women are employed at their homes, in putting on the tops and closing up the heels. Orders for these goods have been received from New York and Philadelphia; but chiefly from Chicago. Also, fine articles of ladies and children's hose are manufactured here. Goods to the value of about $25,000 a year are turned out by the establishment.
A COTTON FACTORY was built by Charles W. Starr, about the year 1831, just above the Williamsburg turnpike bridge. He run it several years, and sold the property to Job Swain, who sold the machinery, and converted the building into a peg factory. It passed to Isaac E. Jones, who changed it to a silk factory, which was changed to a grist-mill, called the "Spring Mill." This was bought several years after by Joseph P. Laws, who converted it into a tannery, which also has been discontinued.
RICHMOND LOOM WORKS .- These works were established by Thomas G. Thompson, in 1862. In June, 1866, - Ballard became a partner, and in 1869, Wm. II. Vandeman ; (firm, Thompson, Ballard, & Co.) Ballard retired the same year;
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since which time, the business has been carried on by Thomp- son & Vandeman. Two different looms are made at these works : the Flying Shuttle Hand Loom, and the Self-Acting Hand Loom. Improvements in these looms were patented in Sept., 1867. More than 1,200 of them have been made and put into operation. One of these looms may serve a number of families. They are used for weaving cassimeres, jeans, sati- nets, linsey, flannel, wool and rag carpets, &c. This firm has added to their business the manufacture of School Furniture, embracing the various articles necessary for the school-room.
PAPER MILLS .- The Public Ledger, in 1827, contained the following announcement : " Mr. Smith is progressing finely with his paper-mill ; and we hope in the fall to issue the Ledger on a sheet manufactured at Richmond." The death of the proprietor in the spring of 1828, disappointed the hope of the editor. In 1830, however, a paper mill was put in operation by Leeds & Jones, under the superintendence of John Easton. This mill afterward was a part of the property of the Rich- mond Manufacturing and Trading Company, elsewhere . no- ticed. It afterward came into the possession of the Nixon Brothers ; and the establishment has been owned chiefly by. that family to the present time. About a year ago, the mill was destroyed by fire, and a new one has been erected in its place. The Nixons have also, near the same spot, a mill for the manufacture of paper flour sacks and other articles.
A paper mill was also built in 1853, by Timothy Thistle- thwaite, Miles J. Shinn, and Joseph C. Ratliff, and operated for a time by the company, and afterward by Thistlethwaite, who discontinued the paper mill, and added the power to that of his grist-mill, [now Bush's mill,] which has a fall of 47 feet.
Richmond Linseed Oil Mill was started in 1852, by Burson & Evans, [D. S. Burson and J. P. Evans.] It had a capacity to manufacture, yearly, about 50,000 bushels of flaxseed. It was destroyed by fire, Feb. 7, 1864, at a loss of about $75,000. It was replaced by a three-story brick building, 80 by 60 feet, and is owned and run by J. W. Burson & Co., [J. W. and E. T. Burson,] and has a capacity of 80,000 bushels of seed a year. It is one of the best arranged and best constructed mills of
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the kind in the West. This mill stands on the north side of East Fork, on the Newport turnpike.
FLOURING MILLS .- Thomas Newman, about the year 1825, built a grist-mill on West Fork, near Richmond. About the year 1853, it was bought of Newman's heirs by Thomas Hunt & Co. It has since been owned by Timothy Thistlethwaite, and is now the property of Davis Bush, of Quincy, Ill., who has recently remodeled, enlarged, and improved it. It is now considered equal to any mill in the county, and manufactures, it is said, about 1,000 barrels a week. It is propelled both by steam and water power.
Benjamin and Ezra Hill own a large flouring mill half a mile north of the city. Mering's mill stands about half a mile below the National bridge. The Nordyke mill, in the city, now run by H. C. Wright & Co., has been mentioned. There is also a steam grist-mill on Sixth street, near the depot.
Wholesale Trade.
GROCERIES .- Forkner & Elmer, [James Forkner and Charles . N. Elmer,] opened a wholesale grocery store at 149 Fifth street and 3 Noble street, in September, 1865. Andrew F. Scott became a partner, in October, 1867; since which time the business has been conducted by Forkner, Scott & Elmer. Average annual sales for several years, ending in 1870, were about $300,000.
Howard & Grubbs, [John R. Howard and John W. Grubbs,] commenced business as wholesale grocers, in 1860. 1n 1867, Elijah R. Harvey was admitted as a partner ; and under the firm name of Howard, Grubbs & Co., the business was continued until the autumn of 1871, when Mr. Grubbs retired. The business is still continued by the other members of the firm, at 204 and 206 Fort Wayne avenue. Sales the first year, $90,000; the last year, [ending in 1870,] about $400,000.
Mr. Grubbs has formed a new partnership, and built a new brick store on Noble street, opposite the railroad depot.
DRY GOODS .- Spencer, Crocker & Co. [Wm. F. Spencer, Al- vin E. Crocker, and - Haines,] established a wholesale dry goods store in 1866. Crocker retired in 1867. The name of the present firm is, and for several years has been, W. F. Spencer
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& Brother. [Wm. F. and John Spencer.] Sales have for sev- eral years averaged about $150,000. Store, Fifth street, near Noble.
Thomas B. Vanaernam and Lorenzo Williams commenced, in 1866, a wholesale trade in boots and shoes, in connection with that branch of the dry goods trade usually termed "No- tions," to which the business is now chiefly confined. In 1868, Williams retired from the concern; and Mr. Vanaernam con- tinues sole proprietor. The business, which has been steadily increasing, amounted, in 1870, to about $60,000 or $70,000 a year.
DRUGS AND MEDICINES .- A wholesale drug store was opened in 1868, by Plummer & Morrisson, [Jonathan W. Plummer and Robert, son of James L. Morrisson,] No. 193 Fort Wayne avenue, having a Fifth street front of double width. Though a comparatively new establishment, its sales have attained an amount of from $100,000 to $125,000 a year.
QUEENSWARE AND GLASSWARE .- In 1863, T. F. Bailey & Co. [Thomas F. Bailey, Wm. P. Ratliff, and Wm. Bailey,] com- menced the crockery [queensware] and glassware trade. They continued their wholesale business at No. 147 Fifth street, Reid's block, and their retail store on Main street, until 1871. Their sales the first year amounted to about $9,000 ; the last, ending in 1870, $99,000. They discontinued business in Rich- mond in 1871.
IRON STORES .- William W. Foulke, in 1854, succeeded Mor- decai Parry, at his present stand, on Noble street, in the iron and heavy hardware trade; the stock consisting of bar, band, hoop, and sheet-iron, nails, anvils, and such articles generally as are wanted by blacksmiths, mill builders, and others- which are sold at wholesale and retail. Mr. Foulke has con- tinued in the business till the present time, having, however, been in the meantime associated with many partners, under the several firms of Foulke & Fish, Foulke & Shoemaker, Foulke, Shoemaker & Coflin, Foulke & Co., the partner being Timothy Thistlethwaite. The latter has retired.
Howell Grave, in 1861, established a similar store, near that of Wm. Foulke, which is still continued.
WOOLEN MACHINERY, &c .- Adams & Hadley, [J. Adams and
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Wm. L. Hadley,] have recently established themselves as deal- ers in woolen machinery, dyestuffs, cotton warps, belting and factory supplies of all kinds. Their store is at No. 15 Noble street, opposite the railroad depot.
Banks.
STATE BANK OF INDIANA .- This bank was chartered in 1833. Indiana was then comparatively a new state, with no rail- roads, and few turnpikes or other publie improvements, no cities or large towns. There was but little capital in the state. Few men had accumulated wealth-very few who did not find it necessary to labor for their daily bread. The state took one-half of the stock of the bank, and borrowed the money on its bonds in New York to pay it, and at the same time borrowed enough to aid the subscribers, by loan, in pay- ing their stock. Ten branches were organized, which did all the business with the public, the state bank being merely an office to which the branches reported. The stock was all taken by honorable and excellent men. The control always remained in such hands ; and the business was managed with prudence and success. The bank did much to increase the resources and wealth of the country, and proved a great benefit to the community, as well as profitable to the stock- holders. At its close it paid off the entire debt created by the state to start it, and left a surplus of several millions of dollars, which was wisely appropriated by its charter to the school fund of the state, and made the basis of the munificent fund by which free schools are supported in every school dis- triet. The great success of this bank was due to the high character and ability of its officers and directors. Few changes occurred in its managers during its existence.
THE BRANCH AT RICHMOND commenced business on the 1st of December, 1834. The stock was made up in Richmond and in Wayne and adjoining counties, principally in small sums, and diffused among all classes of the community. Most of its directors were residents of Richmond ; but the counties of Fayette, Union, Henry, and Randolph were generally rep- resented in the board. Its loans were made in small sums through all these counties, and did much to develop the re-
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sources of the country. and to aid those who were struggling for a competency. Meetings of the board were held weekly ; and all notes were passed upon by them. The bank was generally crowded on " discount day" with applicants for loans ; and the officers frequently had to remain at the bank- ing room until late at night to "enter up," and be prepared to pay out, next day, the proceeds of notes discounted.
Robert Morrisson was the largest stockholder. He had been a prosperous business man, and was comparatively wealthy. He now retired from business, and being one of the directors of the state bank, was rarely absent from the quarterly meetings of its board; and by his well-known in- tegrity, decided character, and good sense, did much to form the character of the state bank. Achilles Williams was the first president of the Richmond branch. He was an old cit- izen, upright, deservedly popular, and universally esteemed, and aided in giving character to the new bank. He served a year or two, and resigned to take a place in the state senate.
Albert C. Blanchard succeeded Mr. Williams as president of the bank until the expiration of its charter-about 23 years. At the time of his election he was a young merchant, who had resided a few years in Richmond. He was possessed of excellent business habits and an unblemished character. His means were not large, yet with a high sense of honor and with good management, he never allowed a debt to run over- due. Ile had by great industry built up a large trade in Wayne and the neighboring counties. Attending to the de- tails of every branch of his business, he grew in prosperity, and by his correct deportment gained the respect of the com- munity.
For several years Mr. Blanchard gave the bank only par- tial attention : but as his stock and his interest in it increased, he gave it more time, until he closed his mercantile business, and gave the bank his undivided attention. Under his ad- ministration the bank increased rapidly in business and prof- its. It sometimes passed through the ordeal of panies and suspensions, but always came out unharmed; and its presi- dent came to be regarded as one of the most successful finan- ciers in the West.
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Elijah Coffin was the first and only cashier of this bank. He opened its doors in 1834, and closed them in 1859. Ilis well-known signature appeared on all its notes. He had been for several years engaged in mercantile business at Milton, and was temporarily residing at Cincinnati when he was elected cashier. He was a leading member of the society of Friends, widely known and highly respected; and his genial nature and pleasant address contributed much to the popularity of the institution. Prudent and cautious, he ven- tured little himself, and always advised a safe, conservative policy. Ever looking to the interests of the stockholders, he watched carefully the expenditures of the bank, and the solv- ency and promptitude of its paper. He died in 1862, three years after the expiration of its charter.
The building at present occupied by the Richmond National Bank was erected for the old state bank in 1834. Silver was then used as a legal tender; and the original stock was paid in silver coin, which, before the vault was completed, was kept in several large kegs and boxes, and watched day and night by several prominent citizens, in turn, in a store-room in the village. The bank notes were redeemed in silver coin. In the course of business money was frequently conveyed in large farm-wagons to and from Cincinnati, a journey requiring three or four days. Some of the wagoners who conveyed such loads are still living, and relate an amusing experience in guarding against the difficulties and dangers of the trip.
The speculation in public lands about the year 1836 brought many land-buyers, on horseback, through Richmond, and as coin only was taken at the land-offices, the horses were often fatigued and their backs made sore by the heavily- loaded saddle-bags. Many stopped, and exchanged their money at the bank for paper, rather running the risk of buy- ing the coin at the land-office than carry it further.
The bank, conducted in the manner stated, prospered and became the principal monetary center of a large extent of country. Before the days of railroads and express com- panies, almost all the balances of the bank at Cincinnati and other commercial points were created by the transmission of money, which was generally sent by one of the officers, or
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some other trusty person, traveling either by stage, which was about twenty hours in going to Cincinnati, or by private conveyance, taking the greater part of two days when the roads were in good condition.
The notes of the banks of many of the states were uneur- rent in other states ; and persons traveling or removing were often obliged to exchange them at a discount. The bank at Richmond aided much in facilitating business of this kind, and, as first turnpikes, then railroads, were constructed, con- formed to the change they produced, and still aided, in other ways, the growing business of the country. Those acquainted only with the present time, when there are so many means for the transmission of funds, and when there is a uniform national currency, can scarcely realize how great has been the change since the commencement of the State Bank of Indiana.
BANK OF THE STATE OF INDIANA .- In anticipation of the expiration of the charter of the state bank, the legislature, in 1855, passed the charter of the Bank of the State of Indiana. The managers of the old bank purchased the stock in most- of the branches, and assumed the management of the new bank, a responsibility for which their large experience had eminently fitted them. Hugh McCulloch, of Fort Wayne, afterward secretary of the treasury, was the president.
The branch at Richmond was organized with Albert C. Blanchard as president, and Charles F. Coffin as cashier, and took the room and place of business of the state bank. It did a large and prosperous business; but the uncertainty caused by the war, and the heavy taxation imposed on state banks by Congress, in order to drive them out of business, led its stockholders, in 1865, to wind up the institution. In the same year, the
RICHMOND NATIONAL BANK was established under the national banking law, was opened in the room occupied by the bank of the state, and previously built for the state bank. Charles F. Coffin was elected president, and Albert II., son of Albert C., cashier. This institution is still in successful operation.
CITIZENS' BANK .-- Several years before the expiration of the
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charter of the old state bank, Richmond having rapidly in- creased in population, wealth, and business, there seemed to be an opening for another bank; and in the year 1853, a private partnership was formed, consisting of Robert Morrisson, Albert C. Blanchard, and Charles F. Coffin, under the style of Mor- risson, Blanchard & Co., and a bank was opened, called Cit- izens' Bank. Its first place of business was a small room on Main street, between Marion and Pearl. Its business was the same as that of the chartered bank, except that it did not issue notes for circulation. The large capital and high character of its proprietors secured for it unlimited credit and a prosperous business. A larger banking office being soon needed, the present large and elegant building on the corner of Main and Pearl streets was erected. Its banking room is one of the finest and most complete in the country. It has always been the policy of the Citizens' Bank to foster the trade and busi- ness of Richmond; and its loans have been made to small mechanics starting in business, as well as to the larger estab- lishments which needed aid.
In 1865, Robert Morrisson died'; and his only child, James L. Morrisson, succeeded to his business. Albert C. Blanchard had previously [in 1863], after so many years of active devo- tion to business, retired therefrom, and on account of the ill health of some members of his family, reluctantly left the scene of his active labors-the home of his adoption-and the companions of his business life; and, having withdrawn his pecuniary interest from Indiana, he removed to Massachusetts, where he had purchased the home of his ancestors, and where he now lives in quiet retirement. He was succeeded in busi- ness by his son Albert II. Blanchard, the bank being still con- tinued in the name of Morrisson, Blanchard & Co., by Charles F. Coffin (one of the original proprietors), James L. Morris- son, and Albert IT. Blanchard.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF RICHMOND, organized under authority of the controller of the currency, to continue for the term of nineteen years, commenced business July 13, 1863. Its capital stock was $110,000. Its directors were James E. Reeves, Edward W. Varrington, Joshua Holland, Wm. S. Reid, John W. Grubbs, Isaac P. Evans, J. II. Moorman, J.
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Vanuxem, Jun., and Andrew F. Scott. Only two changes in the board have occurred : Thomas Woodnut in the place of Joshua Holland, resigned; and Mark E. Reeves in the place of E. W. Yarrington, deceased. At its commencement James E. Reeves was chosen president; Edward W. Yarrington, cashier ; Clement W. Ferguson, teller; J. F. Reeves, book- keeper. In January, 1865, T. G. Yarrington was elected cashier in the place of E. W. Yarrington, resigned ; David H. Dougan in the place of J. F. Reeves, resigned. In Septem- ber, 1866, John B. Dougan was appointed assistant book- keeper and messenger. In November, 1870, J. F. Reeves was chosen cashier in the place of T. G. Yarrington, resigned.
In May, 1864, the capital stock was increased $55,000, and in May, 1865, $35,000, making the present capital $200,000, all invested in United States 6 per cent. bonds.
During a period of nearly eight years since the organization of the bank, it has loaned between thirteen and fourteen mill- ions of dollars, including over ten thousand bills and notes discounted ; and the entire losses incurred amount to less than four hundred dollars.
Schools.
The schools in Richmond, at the time of its incorporation as a town, were probably but little in advance of those of the sur- rounding country. But as is usual among dense populations, embracing persons of the different trades and professions, the improvement of the schools was more rapid. Teachers of su- perior qualifications sought these places for greater compensa- tion.
The general government had wisely appropriated a section of land [No. 16,] in every original township for the support of schools. But it was many years before this fund afforded any considerable aid. Taxation was at length to some extent re- sorted to. Other sources of income to the school fund have been provided, and improvements made in the school system, until the schools of this state, under its well-devised system, have attained to a position equal to that of the schools of most of her sister states.
The Friends, at an early day, established a school in the town. After the separation in 1828, the dissenting portion established one also, and built both a meeting-house and a school-house
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near the junction of Franklin street and Fort Wayne avenue. These private or select schools have been continued, with the exception of a few brief intervals, to the present time. The school building of the old society stands near the old White- water meeting-house. The other society sold their buildings a few years ago, and built on the square, between Eighth and Ninth streets, a meeting-house and a three-story brick school building, in which a good school is sustained.
There are two large public school-honses in the city. A large, elegant brick house was erected, to take the place of the old one on the public square conveyed to the town by John Smith, in the south part of the town, between Front and Pearl streets. On North Fifth street, the present three-story brick house was built several years since; and the old frame meeting-house alluded to is used for the instruction of one of the departments.
From the report of the city superintendent, J. McNeill, it appears that the value of school property is $60,000 ; seating accommodations, 1,650; assessed value of city property, $5,260,301; number of children in the city entitled to the ben- efits of the public schools, 3,335 ; number of pupils enrolled dur- ing the year, 2,100; average number in daily attendance, 1,514.
The treasurer reports the amount received during the year from the special fund, $11,696.55 ; and the amount of expenses, $10,767.15. The amount received during the year from the tuition fund, $18,842.94, making the total receipts, $30,539.49. The total expenditures were $27,071.90.
Earlham College.
This institution is one mile west of Richmond, on the Na- tional road. It has a compass of 160 acres. This land is a part of what were formerly known as the Cook and Stewart farms, which were purchased by Indiana Yearly Meeting of Friends, in the year 1832.
In 1847, the school was opened in two-fifths of the present building, and in the years 1853-54, the remainder was com- pleted. This institution was called " Friends' Boarding School " till 1859, when it received its college charter. It is under
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the charge of a board of managers appointed by Indiana Yearly Meeting. Its first president was Barnabas C. Hobbs, late superintendent of public instruction for the state of Indi- ana. There is both a preparatory and a college department, with two courses of study for each-a classical and a scientific.
There are six professorships, as follows: 1. Moral philoso- phy and geology. 2. Greck and Latin languages. 3. Mathe- matics and astronomy. 4. Chemistry and botany. 5. Modern languages and history. 6. English literature. Besides the professors in these several departments, there are from two to three teachers in the preparatory department.
The college has a well furnished reading-room, and a library of over 3,000 volumes. The contents of a well selected cabi- net represent chiefly comparative anatomy, geology, conchol- ogy, and mineralogy.
Both sexes are admitted to the institution, and have equal privileges and opportunities.
Religious Societies.
FRIENDS .- The reader of the preceding pages must have ob- served that most of the earliest settlers in Wayne county were members of the society of Friends. Dr. Plummer, in his His- torical Sketch of Richmond, says : "A meeting of this society was established here as early as 1807, and was first held in a log building vacated by Jeremiah Cox, and by him furnished with seats ; " and "soon afterward," he says, " in the old log meeting-house of 1823, standing near the site of the present large brick one." Of this he remarks : " I remember its leaky roof, letting the rain through upon the slab benches with three pair of legs and no backs ; its charcoal fires kept in sugar ket- tles, (for as yet stoves were not procured,) and the toes pinched with cold, of the young who sat remote from the ket- tles." Jesse Bond, John Morrow, and William Williams were among their earliest ministers.
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