20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 20

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 20

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

190

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

LOWRY MILL.

In 1827 on Mill Run between Columbia and North Streets, James Lowry, J. W. Kills and Dr. Ambrose Blount built a paper-mill. It was run until 1836 as a hand paper-mill when it was changed into a machine will and so run until 1861, when it was purchased by William D. Hill. In 1864 Marshfield Steele pur- chased this property and remodeled it in- to a tobacco factory, which was operated under the name of J. W. Kidder & Co. until 1869. It was afterwards used as a foundry and machine-shop and general job shop until 1880, when it was re-built by J. B. Ellster for the manufacture of tables. It was afterwards torn down and the ground is now occupied by dwelling houses.

FILLER MILL.

In 1834 a flouring-mill was built on the ground where the Foos Oil-Mill formerly stood on the corner of Linden Avenue and Monroe Street. It was operated until 1871, when it was bought by E. R. Hot- tenspiller & Co., and used by them as a hominy-mill in 1873. The mill was de- stroved by fire and the ground afterwards purchased by the Champion Bar & Knife Company, it being at present ocenpied by the Foos Gas Engine Company.

MILL CREEK,

Mill Creek enters Mad River from the south. opposite the Masonic Home grounds, west of the city of Springfield.

REBERT Mna ..

This mill was formerly located on Mill Creek opposite the present farmhouse

of George Leffel and at the junction of Possum Road and the Rebert Pike. It was the location of a mill early in the history of this county, as pioneers nar- rate that they went to that locality to get flour, but the history of that mill has passed into oblivion. By whom it was built or operated is not known. The mill operated by Mr. Rebert, from whom it took its name, was erected in 1838 by Samuel Todd. He was succeeded by Ed. Swope, and he in turn by John Rench and Henry Baker. In 1852 it was purchased by Andrew Rebert from John Rench. Mr. Rebert conducted a general milling busi- ness there for about twenty years. It was afterwards rented to Aaron Reasor, then to Frederick Creamer, afterwards to Samnel Lonk. For more than fifteen years past, it has been out of operation and has been taken down and the material utilized for other purposes. At one time it had a capacity of about thirty barrels of flour per day.

PADEN'S MI.L.

In 1844 James Paden built a woolen- factory on Mill Creek, not far from where the Enon Pike crosses this stream and Possum Road. He carried on a carding; spinning, and weaving industry up until 1868. The business was afterwards con- dueted by his son Paden until about the year 1880. It has been abandoned. It was a factory about two stories high with a Leffel wheel.

LEFFEL'S SAW-MIL.

About 1840 William Harris erected a saw-mill on Mill Creek, which was ou the Fairfield Pike about half a mile west of

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THE MAST, FOOS & CO PLANT, SPRINGFIELD

BLACK OPERA HOUSE. SPRINGFIELD

OLD BRICK HOUSE, W MAIN ST, SPRINGFIELD

THE P. P. MAST PLANT, SPRINGFIELD

THE NEW SUN THEATRE, SPRINGFIELD

HIDES

TALLOW

TANNERY .- LEATHER STOR

BRETNEY TANNERY. F. MAIN ST. SPRINGFIELD

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Beatty. It was afterwards owned and run by Reed Wright, finally it was pur- chased by the late James P. Leffel. At one time a steam-engine was attached to it, thus giving it steam power. This mill has also been abandoned.

DONNEIS' CREEK:

Donnels' Creek empties into Mad River about six miles below the city of Spring- field, and flows north through Bethel & Pike Townships uot far from the villages of Donnelsville and North Hampton.

DONNELS' MILL.

The first mill that was erected on this creek was by Jonathan Donnels as early as 1804. It was swept away by a freshet. It was a rudely constructed building of logs and was used as a saw-mill. This mill was located about half a mile north of the mill afterwards erected by David Lowry.

LOWRY MILLA.

In 1808 David Lowry built a grist-mill on Donnels' Creek. This mill was located about half a mile north of the Valley Pike and was close to Mr. Donnels' mill. The dam erected in the stream backed the water up and interfered with Donnels' power. They had a law suit about the matter and Donnels recovered damages. Mr. Lowry added a frame saw-mill some time afterward, and in 1820 he put up a frame grist-mill. This mill was run until 1:46, when the dam was washed ont and he retired from business. His son David W. continued it for about five years when it was abandoned. Some evidence of its former existence may still be seen op-

posite the present residence of County Commissioner J. Ed. Lowry.

BAISINGER MILL.

In 1820 Peter Baisinger erected a saw- mill on Donnels' Creek, not far from the village of North Hampton. It was later converted into a steam mill by George Cost and afterwards owned and operated by Jacob K. Minnick. It is not now in active operation.

ROCK RUN.

Rock Run is a tributary of Mad River, emptying into that stream a short dis- tance below the first bridge over Mad River on the Valley Pike. It extended north into German Township and had more feet of fall than any other stream of the county. A number of mills were located on this stream, the history of which cannot be accurately given.

CHAPMAN'S CREEK.

Chapman's Creek enters Mad River about a mile and a half south of the Champaign County line. It is a rapid little stream, not affording very great water-power at this time, but at an early date quite a number of mills were locat- ed there. This ereek was named after William Chapman, who erected in 1802 a grist-mill about where the village of Tremont is now located. What the ca- pacity of this mill may have been or how long it was operated, or by whom, is not now known, but it was probably located upon or near the site of the present Seitz Mill, where in 1836 John Ross ereeted a small distillery.

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

LANCE'S MILL.

About the year 1830 a Mr. Lance built a distillery between Tremont City and Mad River, about where the residence of Michael Sullivan stands now. This was operated for a number of years in a limit- ed way as a distillery. David Enochs, still living in this vicinity, operated it at one time. Some of the milling they had done for them elsewhere. The malt was stirred by hand in a tub. It was taken down about 1860.

SEITZ MIL.L.

The present Seitz Mill was ereteed by Andrew Seitz and cost about $5,000. It was operated by him, together with his sous fleury and Amos, until his death, since which time it has been carried on by Amos Seitz and is still in active op- eration. It was purchased by the Seitzes from a man by the name of Hoefer.

CHATTERLEN MILL.

At a very early date about three- quarters of a mile west of Tremont City, opposite the present residence of Samuel Magart, an Englishman by the name of Chatterlen had a carding mill. This was destroyed by fite and it was never re- built.

ENOCH's MILL.

On the south side of the creek, not far from the residence of J. S. Peneten and William Funkhouser, was erected in 1820 by Henry Enoch, father of David Enoch, who is still living and residing near Tre- mont, a grist-mill. There was conducted with it a still. How long this was op- erated is not now known, but it has many

years been abandoned. Some time after the construction of the mill William Enoch, a brother of Henry, built a grist- mill nearly opposite the present residence of Michael Shawver. This was operated for some time but has long since been abandoned. A depression in the ground near the saw-mill conducted there at this time by the Shawvers indicates the ex- istence of a mill in that vicinity at one time.

DIBERT'S MILL ..

About three-quarters of a mile west of these Enoch's mills (the exact date is not kuown), a mill of some kind had been erceted. About 1860 Jacob Dibert erected a large flouring-mill, which was operated by him until his death. It was after- wards for a time operated by John H. Blose and Johnson P. Weaver. It is at present the property of MeClellan Ballen- tine. It has not for some years been in operation as a flouring-mill, although at times feed has been milled. Steam power has been added. The mill, however, at this time is practically abandoned. In former times there was a small saw- and grist-mill operated nt this place. Still further up the stream on this creek at an earlier date were several saw-mills which are not in operation at this writing.

HONEY CREEK.

This creek is not a tributary of Mad River, but flows into the Big Miami. It has its source in Pike Township, flows south in Bethel and around New Carlisle and leaves the county to the west of that village. In carlier times it afforded con- siderable water-power. 'However, not

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so many mills were loented on it as on some other streams of less magnitude.

BLACK'S MILI ..

In 1814 James Black constructed a grist-mill ou the east fork of Honey Creek, in the locality that has recently been designated Dodo. It is still, I think, in the Binck name but not in operation.

RAYBURN MILL.

In 1836 William Rayburn built the old mill still standing on Honey Creek a short distance northeast of New Carlisle. At one time there was both a grist-mill and saw-mill here in operation; now it is only used for milling grain and is known as the McKee Mill.

WEEK'S MILL.

At one time there was a mill located where Charles Smith & Son now operate a stenm.mill for grinding. For a long time it was in the name of Weeks. As a grist-mill it has ceused operation for many years. Just when it was built, or by whom, is not known to the writer at this time.

PAUL MILL.

There is some tradition that when John Paul located up near the forks of Honey C'reek above the Rayburn Mill, some kind of a mill was erected by him at that point, but this, as above said, only rests on tradi- tion. and nothing more at this time is known. However, Paul lived in this vicin- ity and like most early settlers he muy have had a diminutive mill. if nothing else.

LITTLE MIAMI RIVER.

This river has its source in this county, not far northenst of Charleston, and leaves it at the village of Clifton.

CLIFTON MILLS.

As early as 1800 Mr. O. Davis built a grist-mill where the present mill is now located at Clifton. This mill afterwards bernme known as Patterson's Mill and Inter on was the property of Mr. E. R. Stewart, and for the past ten years was eondneted by a Mr. Armstrong. It is still in active operation.

KNOT's MIId ..

About 1836 Peter Knot had a tanyard in operation along this stream north of ('lifton and a saw-mill was conducted in connection therewith.

BURKE'S MILL.

In 1815 a man by the name of Burke erected a grist-mill on the Little Miami, abont a mile south of Plattsburg. There may have been a distillery connected with this, for we find that in 1831 George Wenver conducted a distillery near Lis- bon and at one time Thomas Stites man- aged a distillery one and a half miles north of Lisbon. There were probably some other mills located on this river of which we have no knowledge at this time.

MUDDY RUN.

This stream flows through Mad River Township, entering Mad River in the southwestern part of the township.

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

SHELLABARGER MILLS.

This mill is located abont a mile und a quarter south of Enon. This mill was built by Jacob Shellabarger who came to this locality in 1814 and the mill was erected shortly thereafter. At one time there was a distillery attached, and a saw-mill was also located there. In early times it was of very great importance to the community, and was an important place of business. Jacob Shellabarger sold it to John Fisher, brother of Mad- dox Fisher, and Fisher sold it to Ben Myers, and he to Daniel Hertzler, and

then it became the property of Hostetter, and for some time was called the Hos- tetter mills. It afterwards came into the possession of John Shellabarger, brother of Samuel, the ex-member of Congress, and distinguished statesman, and later Ephraim Shellabarger became the pro- prietor. It could well be called the Shel- labarger Mills, ns on three different oc- casions it was in the Shellabarger family. It has been abandoned for some time.

PARTINGTON MILIA

The Partington Woolen Factory wns located on the north fork of Muddy Run, not far from the present residence of Mr. Jenkins. It was principally pro- pelled by the water from a very large spring which had a fall of about twenty- five feet. A paper-mill was formerly erected at this place by Samuel Siming- ton. The dates of the crection of these various mills are not known at this time; they have long since been abandoned.

MISCELLANEOUS.

We find that some other mills of vari- ous kinds were conducted in the county. In 1812 David Hanna had a distillery on Sinking Creek, and in 1824 Henry Wolfe built and operated a distillery on Sec- tion 6 on Sinking Creek and at one time a distillery was operated by Adam Clark north of the Israel Everhardt farm in Pleasant Township. At one time a mill wns erected on the Crain farm in Section 33 iu Bethel Township. Asa Rice erected a saw- and grist-mill near Vienna in 1854. A tannery was erected by Robert Wat- kins on what is now the J. E. Bowman farm (formerly belonging to Israel Hol- lingsworth), in Green Township in 1815. and was run up until about 1830. In various places throughout the county saw-mills have been erected and conduct- ed until the timber ran out, and then abandoned. There was such a mill one time on the Urbana Pike on the E. B. Cassily farm. The waters were probably conducted through the old race construct- ed by Simon Kenton for a grist-mill in 1799. There was also a saw-mill on the old Staley farm now belonging to Mr. Drum, east of Tremont City and east of Mad River at a point where the old Moore's Run Channel emptied into Mad River.

In 1829 Abraham Smith built a saw- mill at Donnelsville which was conducted for many years; there was also a saw-mill for a time on the John Detrick farm in Bethel Township.

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CHAPTER XIII.

FRATERNAL HOMES AND PHILANTHROPIC INSTITUTIONS.

Be Kind-Ohio Masonic Home-Odd Fellows Home-Knights of Pythias Home- Oesterlen Orphans' Home-Clark Memorial Home.

BE KIND.

Be kind to thy father, for when thou wast young,

Who loved thee as fondly as het

He caught the first accents that fell from thy tongue,

And joined in thine innocent glee.

Be kind to thy father, for now he is old, His locks intermingled with gray,

His footsteps are feeble, once fearless and bold;

Thy father is passing away.

Be kind to thy mother, for, lo! on her brow

May traces of sorrow be seen:

Oh, well may'st you cherish and comfort her now,

For loving and kind hast she been.

Remember thy mother, for thee will she pray

As long as God giveth her breath; With accents of kindness then cheer her lone way,

E'en to the dark valley of death.

The charitable teachings of the lowly Nazarene are nowhere better exemplified than in the three fraternal homes that overlook the city of Springfield from its surrounding hill-tops. Neither in any way could the three great fraternal or- ders of the Masons, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Pythias, better exemplify their teachings than in the founding of these homes, carried on as they are for the shelter and protection of those who are not able to care for and protect them- selves. No other community has been so distinguished as to be chosen by three such prominent and influential orders as a fit and satisfactory place in which to exemplify their teachings of charity on so large and practical a scale. Such an honor might well be coveted by any com- munity. In time, the city of Springfield, with all its commercial and mannfactur- ing industries, will not receive more last- ing renown or benefit from any of these industries than from these benevolent in- stitutions. It is hard to explain why this community should have been so favored, except by taking into consideration what

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

may be due to the beauty of its natural surroundings and to the enterprise of its people. But with due allowance for these reasons that Springfield has not been se- lected also by the great state of Ohio as a proper location for some of its insti- tutions is likewise difficult of explana- tion. Possibly in the past some one may have been negligent in failing to present its claims upon a favorable opportunity. One of the strongest arguments present- ed to the committee that selected the sites for these fraternal homes lay in Spring- field's fine railroad facilities, bringing all parts of the state within easy reach- facilities surpassed by no city in the state and equalled by but one-Colum- bus. If that argument was sufficient to cause these fraternal homes to be located here, it should have had some influence in securing the location here of some state institution; but usually such state institutions are located at certain par- ticular places by reason of some political "pull." We did not have the "pull."

OHIO MASONIC HOME.

The first one of these fraternal homes which was located in our county is that belonging to the Masonie fraternity, al- though the Knights of Pythias erected one cottage before the Masonic building was erected. At the meeting of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Ohio, in 1888, a home to care for the old Ma- sonic brethren and their wives was sng. gested by W. B. Hilhnan, who was then Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter.

A committee was afterwards appointed to visit various localities throughout the state and select a suitable location for the building of a proposed home.

Governor Bushnell, although at that time not a Mason himself, saw the pos- sibilities of Springfield in that direction and the great benefit an institution of that kind would confer upon the city, and with his characteristic liberality proposed a subscription of $10,000 for the purpose of buying a suitable site, in that way bringing a strong influence to bear upon the location of the home. An option was secured on what was then known as the Leffel farm of 154 acres, immediately west of Mad River, on the National Pike West of the city. This farm had a beauti- ful natural location, permitting the build- ing to front to the "east," to which quarter every Master Mason looks for authority, and which would overlook the Mad River valley and have in plain view the spires and steeples of the city of Springfield.

Along the National Pike, upon this farm, there was located an old brick building used in stage coach days as a hotel. Over the doors of this old hos. telry there were painted the magic let- ters O. K., "Oll Korreet." Suthice it here to say, that sufficient money was raised by the citizens to purchase this fine tract of land. In 1895 with appro- priate Masonic ceremonies, which were witnessed by a large concourse of people, perhaps never surpassed in magnitude in our city, the corner stone of the build- ing was laid and the latter was dedicated to the benevolent purposes for which it was intended. It was opened for the re- ceipt of patients in 1897. Our honored townsman, John W. Parsons, was select. ed as superintendent and his estimable wife as matron.

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The entire cost of this large stone castle, resembling nothing else so closely as the typical medieval structure of the fendal barons, was abont $125,000. Since that time the surroundings have been further beautified, and its location gives it a view not surpassed in the state of Ohio.

In 1905 a hospital cottage costing $14,- 000 was erected. The number of resi- dents of this institution at present is 161 -sixty-five males, forty-two females and fifty-four children. The home is sup- ported by per capita tax of the Grand Lodges and voluntary contributions, and the cost per capita is $160 per annum. Edward Harford of this city is treasurer of the Board of Directors.

The total disbursements for the year past were $35,890.46; receipts $39,756.71; of it and who offered it at a very moder- balance on hand $3,866.25. There is $74,- 149.33 in the endowment fund.

ODD FELLOWS HOME.

To the Daughters of Rebekah may be given the credit of starting the work that ultimately resulted in the erection of a home for Odd Fellows' orphans and mem- bers. In 1891 the Rebekah Assembly de- cided that such a home should be estab- lished, and the president of the assembly wrote long letters to each representative of the Grand Lodge, wherever loented in the state, urging him to do what he could for the establishment of such a home, as the favorable vote of the Grand Lodge was necessary before the enterprise conld

permission for this, or rather, to present clearly the needs of the homeless children, and point out the duty of the brethren to them. The Grand Lodge had a recess and listened carefully and attentively to the pleadings of this sister, and before they adjourned they voted for the establish- ment of a home.

Committees were appointed to select a location. The Masonic Home having been located in this city, the interest of our people had been aroused upon the subject of fraternal homes, and through local representatives the task of seenring this home also was gone at with a vim. The Fay farm immediately north of the Clark County Infirmary had some time previously come into possession of a per- son who was now desirous of disposing

ate figure. The natural elevation upon which it stood, commanding a beautiful view to the sonth, impressed itself upon the committee, and our citizens having raised sufficient money to purchase the site, the home was located there. The land consists of seventy-nine aeres, some having been bought in addition since the original purchase was inade. The present building was dedicated October 27. 1898. It cost $73,000, the money being raised by an assessment of one dollar npon each Odd Fellow. Since that time, in 1898. a new power-honse and laundry building. at a cost of $10,000, have been added.

The original design was to make the institution a home for children only. The Grand Lodge was caring for aged mem- be undertaken. In April, 1892, the Rebe- bers in a small home down near Cinein- kah Assembly decided to send their presi- nati, which was known ns the Royssmoyne dent. in company with two other sister Home, but they had no place for the wives Rebekahs, to the Grand Lodge to obtain and widows, hence arrangements were

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

made for the erection of an addition of the care of its orphans, erected in the sixty-one rooms to the original building. This addition cost $55,000 and was com- pleted in 1904, representing a total cost in buildings of $138,000. The home is supported by a per capita tax upon the Odd Fellows of the state, which is now forty cents ench, or ten cents per quarter.

The Rebekahs are not assessed for any certain amount, yet they have furnished four ont of every five rooms in the build- ing. The present number of residents is 218, there being forty-three adult males, twenty-three adult females, eighty-nine boys and sixty-three girls.

The cost per capita for running the in- stitution is $120. E. B. Turner is the present superintendent and his wife is matron. The buildings are of red pressed brick, with terraces and enpolas and a red tile roof, presenting a very imposing picture.

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS HOME.

Oh! what shall I do when the night comes down

In its terrible blackness all over the town!

Shall I lay me down 'neath the angry sky ? On the cold hard pavements alone to die ?

When the beautiful children their prayers have said,

And mammas have tucked them up snugly in bed.

No dear mother ever upon me smiled- Why is it, I wonder, that I'm nobody's child!

That this young and growing fraternal order should have built the first home for

state of Ohio by fraternal orders, is an honor of which it may be duly proud. The idea had suggested itself to several of the prominent members prior to the meet- ing of the Grand Lodge in 1892. To no one however did it present itself so force- ably as to "Bob" Love, and everyone who knew this whole-souled genial "K. of P." recognized at once that when he took hold of anything there would be some re- sult. A resolution was passed by the Grand Lodge and appropriate committees were appointed to select a site for the lo- cation of a home to take care of the orphan children of the members. At this time the old MeCreight homestead, im- mediately north of the city, was placed upon the market by the heirs and all that part north of MeCreight Avenue and west of Fountain Avenue was offered for Knights of Pythias Home purposes at the price of $25,000. The fact that two homes had already been located in the city and that our citizens had been taxed by volun- tary contributions to a large extent, might have prevented a less vigorous organiza- tion than the Knights of Pythias, or hav- ing less enterprise among its membership than is the case in this town, from under- taking the task of raising sufficient money for the purchase of a site for another home. But it seems that the spirit of giv- ing was abroad, and the enthusiasm of our citizens in favor of these fraternal buildings was so great that the money was finally raised, though not without effort.

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20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 20

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 993