USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 35
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Perhaps the most noted enterprise that the town ever had was the Smith Nursery. This was formed originally by Win. H. Smith who came here in 1864, and in 1890 the industry had grown to be quite an extensive one. Some time after Mr. Smith died. and this industry has ceased to be an important factor of the village.
Another person who was for a long time an active business man from this town, conducting a nursery likewise, was Thomas Brown, who commenced the busi- ness as early as 1846, and continued it as late as 1884. W. U. Scarff south of the village is now extensively engaged in this business.
A person who brought considerable dis- tinetion to the village of New Carlisle was the Rev. Thomas Harrison, who came here in 1852 and took charge of the select school that had been organized two years previously by the Rev. Berger. This school was afterwards called the Linden Hill Academy. Mr. Harrison was a thinker of some power, as his works in defense of religion and the Bible prove. Ilis fame became noised around and his school beemme somewhat distinguished, sending forth a number of persons who were afterwards prominent in various walks of life. He remained here until 1865, when the school was abandoned, be- ing succeeded by the New Carlisle High School, and the Rev. Harrison took up other fields of labor.
ity. He was the father of a number of children distinguished afterwards in pub- lie life. H. H. Williams being Common Pleas judge of Miami County, E. S. Will- iams a member of Congress from that county, and J. C. Williams having served as Mayor of this village and being still living, an honored citizen of the place.
BANKS.
The first banking concern that New Carlisle had was known as the Bank of North America, and was organized in 1852, by Phil Baker, Win. Robinson, Wm. Timmons. David Lehman, J. C. Stafford and Ezra G. Taylor, the latter being cashier. It was founded on Virginia bonds, and went under in about one year. It was located in a blue brick building, corner of Washington and Main Streets.
The New Carlisle Bank was organized in 1883 by C. S. Forgy. E. T. Weakley, Samuel Hamlet. Dr. Isaae Miranda, Dr. Benjamin Neff and others with a capital stock of $15,000. Charles II. Neff was its first cashier and C. S. Forgy its first president. For a time afterwards Sam- nel Hamlet was president. It subsequent- ly became the property of J. V. Forgy, J. Q. Smith, Mrs. M. M. Saylor and C. H. Saylor, the present owners. Mr. Her- hert S. Forgy is cashier. The last state- ment shows that it had $96,000 deposits.
The First National Bank of New Car- lisle commenced business March 3. 1903. The original directors were I. K. Funder- burg, Frank Fissel. Fed. D. Shelton, Dr.
The Rev. Henry Williams. while living Cook, Charles McGuire and Isaac Free- sonth of the village deserves more than a man and W. A. Higgins, The above also passing notice by reason of his long and constitute the present board, except that
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J. I. Stafford has taken the place of I. K. station an elevator and general imple- Funderburg. It was organized under the ment business, by Stewart A. Muff; also United States banking laws, which per- another elevator by J. B. Peffley.
mitted National Banks to organize with $25,000 capital. According to its last statement, it had $56,903 of deposits and $95,834 of assets. The present officers are Frauk Fissel, president, Dr. Cook, vice- president, and William Fissel, cashier. Mr. William H. Sterrett has been one of the moving spirits of this institution. Prior to 1906, Mr. Pierce was cashier.
In 1882 Charles F. King started a bnikling and loan association, of which Chas. MeGuire has been secretary for a nnumber of years.
MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.
The first mill was built by William R. Reybonrn in 1836, northeast of the vil- lage. Latterly the one owned by a Mr. Meeks was built at this place. There is cated between the Weakley Block and the now conducted at this location, by C. A. Smith & Son, a feed store; steam-power however is used.
The next mill was built near the rail- road after the building of the I. B. & W. Railway. It was erected by a Mr. Rals- ton, the village raising a bonus of $5,000. Afterwards it was conducted by the Pierces, the Funderburgs, later by John O. Brown, and finally by a man by the name of Rosell. Then a mill was built by David Nysewander and Joshua Rnst as a woolen mill; it was afterward owned by John Collins, Isaac Funderburg and John Scarff. Both of these structures were burned down. The Superior Pump Factory was built in the eighties; John M. Winger and others were interested in it.
Now there is conducted at the railroad
FIRES.
Much of the business part of New Car- lisle owes its modern appearance to the three disasterous fires that have visited the village in a space of ten years. The first, which occurred in 1889, burned out the buildings on the west of Main Street, north of the hotel. Afterwards in 1891 a fire broke out in a stable behind the City Hall and all that part was burned out from and including the City Hall down to the Odd Fellows' Building. Then, in November, 1896, a conflagration, supposed to have orig- inated in a small feed store from fire used in a jollification over MeKinley's election, burned all that portion of the village lo- Odd Fellows' Building. The most notable loss in this last fire was that of the Opera Honse, which had been built by Mr. Bert Lowman and the Stockstill boys. It was a very commodious building for the vil- lage of New Carlisle, costing $15,000, and was a serions loss to the community for the reason that, not having proved a business snecess, it will probably be many years before the village has another build- ing so elegantly equipped for entertain- ments or presenting so handsome an ap- pearance. Since these various fires all- the space burned has been built up.
HOTELS.
The hostelry now known as the Carlisle Inn was the first hotel of the village, and, according to information now available, was established by John A. Hay, prior
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to 1830. He was successively followed as landlord by James Mitchell, William Forrer, Sheldon Weakley, George Garst and by the present proprietor, J. M. Kis- singer. General Fred Funston was born in this hotel. The next hotel was one es- tablished by a man by the name of Vance in 1840. Afterwards Joe Keef was land- lord of this hotel and later William Forrer, and it then ceased running. On the present location of the Staley House was formerly a hotel by the name of the Pauly House.
The Staley House is at present conduct- ed by Mary A. Staley. Recently, imme- diately south of the New Carlisle Bank, the Holwager House has been opened, the same being conducted by Elizabeth Holwager.
. POST OFFICE.
I am not advised as to when the post office was established, but the following information in regard to the successive postmasters is kindly given by the pres- ent postmaster, Dr. E. C. Miller:
Buchanan's administration from 1856 to 1861, Thomas Wise, postmaster. Abra- ham Lincoln's administration from 1861 to 1865, Richard Hubbard, postmaster. and on down to his death in 1873; then Mrs. Hubbard, his wife, filled the office as postmistress until Grover Cleveland's ad- ministration. when T. J. Miranda was ap- pointed postmaster and served a short terin. He resigned and Frank Hughes was appointed in 1887 and died in 1888, when H. N. Taylor was appointed and served over seven years. Then Grover Cleveland began his second term and A. M. Kissinger was appointed and served four years, and on June 25th. 1900, E. C. is believed, in Dayton.
Miller was appointed and his second term expires December 13th, 1908. New Car- lisle was a fourth-class office up to and during a part of Taylor's service as post- master, and then it was made a third- class. When the present ineumbent, E. C. Miller, became postmaster in 1900 there was one rural route connected with the office-J. F. Brubaker, carrier-and the salary of the office was $1,200. At the present time there are five routes, and the salary of the postmaster is $1,600. The post office building occupies one of the most prominent corners in the town, it being leased to the department for ten years, and on October 1st, 1906, there was installed a complete and up-to-date set of post office fixtures; room heated by fur- naee and lighted by the latest improved gasoline lighting system. The staff at present is as follows: E. C. Miller, postmaster; Thomas E. Miller, assistant postmaster; J. F. Brubaker, carrier. No. 1; W. H. Kilpatrick, No. 2; W. C. North, No. 3; E. P. Fnuderburg, No. 4, and B. W. Quick, No. 5. The rural rontes alone col- lect and deliver nearly a half-million pieces a year; this does not include the general delivery in the town.
ATTORNEYS.
Charles M. King, who founded the New Carlisle Building & Loan Association in 1883, was perhaps the first attorney who had his office located in this village. In the following year he went back to Springfield, where he died in 1885.
Abont 1885 B. H. Ramells located in the village and continued in the active practice here for some ten or fifteen years, at this time residing, however. it
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About 1890 Horace W. Stafford, who remained for J. M. Hoffa, in 1883, to es- had recently been admitted to the bar, opened an office in the village and con- tinned here for a year or so, when he moved to Springfield and afterwards be- came prosecuting attorney of the county.
In 1895 W. S. Robison located in the village and for a time was actively en- gaged in the law practice. Afterwards he accepted services for the traction com- pany, in which line of practice he is still engaged.
For a time Mr. Swadner, now located at Osborne, kept an office in this village.
PIONEER ASSOCIATION.
In 1889 the New Carlisle Pioneer As- sociation was organized. About the same time there were other pioneer associations organized throughout the county, most of which have long since ceased to exist. The New Carlisle association, however, continues in active operation. Mr. J. C. Williams being president at this time.
Annually, about the 18th of August, this association holds its meetings, gener- ally in the Smith Grove, west of the vil- lage. At the last meeting (1907) Senator Foraker delivered one of his forcible and eloquent addresses.
In the history of Bethel Township will be found a list of the pioneers who were present at that meeting. General Keifer, a native of Bethel Township, introduced Senator Foraker. It was a beautiful day and the meeting was a decided success.
NEWSPAPERS.
On several occasions newspapers were started or gotten out in the village, but it
tablish the present "New Carlisle Sun" upon a substantial basis. He continued there for some six or eight years, when the property passed into the hands of other parties and finally became the prop- erty of the present proprietor, Mr. J. A. Alexander. It is a paper that well repre- sents the village. However, owing to the daily rural delivery and other facilities for circulating the papers of Springfield and Cincinnati, it is a matter of con- siderable difficulty to maintain a news- paper in a village of its size.
J. C. Williams has materially contrib- uted to the success of this paper by his timely articles on matters of public in- terest.
CEMETERY.
The New Carlisle Cemetery Associa- tion was organized October 3, 1856, and is located immediately south of the vil- lage, and presents a very creditable ap- pearance.
J. V. Forgy is president of the organi- zation at this time; J. I. Stafford, secre- tary, and E. C. Miller, treasurer. The last report showed that there were no debts and a balance of $900 in the treas- ury. The custodian is Jethro Davis.
PRESENT ESTABLISH MENTS.
In the grocery line, Robison & Ray are located west of the post office on Jefferson Street, J. N. Corry on Jefferson Street and Mr. Hitchcock on the same street; Black Brothers and .J. W. Martin on Main Street; C. D. Shelton, notions, etc.
Among dry goods dealers there is C. F. McGuire, who likewise runs a boot and
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shoe store; Trostle & Son conduct a fur- niture establishment ; Helvie & Doom are undertakers; George Hahn and Mart Kis- singer run livery barns; Isaac Ulery and Brown Miller Brothers conduct a hard- ware business; Mr. Baker and Ink Make- ly have tin and stove stores; Cort Frahne condnets a cement block manufactory ; Elias Clase a feed store ; C. S. Goodall has a lumber yard; J. H. Brown & Mull, W. S. Hatten, Frank Ulerick and A. A. Stephens conduct blacksmith shops; T. J. Miranda and W. A. Higgins, drug stores ; Simon Cradlebaugh has a machine shop on Clay Street and Smith & Son where the old mill used to be; Samuel Reller is proprietor of a confectionery and restau- rant; T. F. Hess is a cigar manufacturer.
PHYSICIANS.
The present physicians of the town are Drs. Ben Davis, Frank Stafford. J. H. Cook and C. F. Evans. In the past there have been Drs. Miranda. Stockstill, Shackleford, Hood, Robbins, Weinans and Smith.
MAYORS OF THE VILLAGE.
The fire two years ago having de- stroyed all the official records, the follow- ing is given from memory and tradition as a list of some of the persons who have served as mayors: Richard Hubbard. James Stafford, Dr. H. H. Young, Dr. Fred McNeil, Cyrus Lowman, Dr. J. G. Hensley, Maurice Motz, A. P. Mitchell, George W. Pierce, W. E. Robinson, H. B. Rannels, J. C. Williams, W. H. Sterrett, J. W. Martin and the present incumbent. A. P. Mitchell.
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.
New Carlisle has the distinction of having the oldest Masonic lodge in Clark County. New Carlisle Lodge No. 100 was chartered January 5, 1831. Previous to this time there had been a Masonic or- ganization in Springfield, but that organi- zation, during the anti-Masonie feeling created by the abduction of Morgan, lost its charter, and when a new lodge was organized in Springfield it was after the creation of the New Carlisle lodge. Dur- ing the excitement created by the Morgan abduction the New Carlisle lodge thought it prudent not to meet for a time. In the meantime some of the jewels and the charter were secreted along the banks of Honey Creek, the charter having been only discovered and returned to the lodge at a comparatively recent date. New Car- lisle Chapter No. 57 was chartered No- vember, 1868, and New Carlisle Council No. 30 afterward.
Caritus Lodge No. 505, Odd Fellows, was instituted in 1872, and the New Car- lisle Encampment No. 222 in 1880; since which date Tecumseh Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Honey Creek Council No. 195, junior, and the Grand Army of the Re- public, Friendly Sons of Rest and other organizations have come into existence.
Other matters of interest relating to churches, schools and early inhabitants will be found in the history of Bethel Township. At this time the question of natural gas is being agitated, an ordin- ance having been passed allowing the granting of a franchise in the village; likewise a water works system is in con- templation, and New Carlisle bids fair to
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M. P. CHURCH. CATAWBA
MASONIC BUILDING, NEW CARLISLE
HOTEL. CATAWBA
E.SIDE MAIN-ST. NEW.CARLISLE,Q. EAST SIDE MAIN STREET, NEW CARLISLE
TOWN HALL, CATAWBA
SCHOOL BUILDING, NEW CARLISLE
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become an up-to-date, modern village in every respect.
The hourly service upon the traction line to Springfield and Dayton make it a very desirable residence locality. At the last election the following persons were selected as officials for the village :
Mayor, A. P. Mitchell. Clerk, J. F. Johnston.
Council, J. W. Marshall, F. B. Ulrick, A. C. Fraber, C. M. Evans, John Shets and H. S. Forgy.
Marshal, Myron Kester.
Treasurer, Thomas Swanger.
Cemetery trustees, E. C. Miller, J. I. Stafford and J. V. Forgy.
NEW MOOREFIELD.
New Moorefield is the principal village of Moorefield Township and is located on the Clark and Union Turnpike, seven and a half miles northeast of Springfield. Its name does not appear on Colonel Kizer's map, made in 1850, and it was probably abont this time that the place received its name. It is on Bnek Creek and the Dela- ware branch of the Big Four railway.
In 1840 there was a mill built by Hngh Wilson at this place, and in 1850 he start- ed a store. In 1842 there was a saw-mill started near the same place. These have been succeeded by a grist-mill, which is now operated by John W. Yeazell. The township honse is located at this place. The first platted addition was made by Eliza Yeazell in 1883, lots numbering 1-27. and was principally that part that is south of the turnpike.
In 1892 Louise D. Wilson platted an ad- dition in said town. The Methodist Church and the schoolhouse, together
with the township building, are the prin- cipal buildings of the village. Demont Stepheson and Oscar Huffman severally conduct groceries. The village was never incorporated. It has a population of per- haps 150.
Dr. Banes was the first physician, and Dr. MeClintock attends to the people now in that capacity.
NORTHAMPTON.
Northampton is located in Pike Town- ship, one mile west of the eastern bound- ary of said township, three miles from the northern boundary and ten miles from Springfield on the Clark and Miami Turn- pike. It enjoys the distinction of being the only village ever platted in Pike Township. The first plat was made by Peter Baisinger in 1829, with lots num- bering 1-16.
In 1834 George Cost made a second ad- dition of lots from 17-24. In 1905 the Zinn heirs made a plat in addition to this town. The first merchant of the village was Joseph Smith, who built a frame house here in the year 1830.
The recent construction of the S. T. & P. Traction Line through this village has given it a marked impetus; it bids fair to become a village of considerable impor- tance.
The Knights of Pythias and Junior Orders both have erected good halls. The population of the village is now probably about 200. The Knights of Pythias hall was built in 1893, costing $1,500, and was remodeled in 1899. Junior hall was built in 1905 and cost $3,500. In addition the village has several stores. D. R. Taylor is postmaster.
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
OWLTOWN.
Owltown is the name of another village that has passed off the map. It was lo- cated about one mile east of Tremont City on Mad River. Here, in 1839, was built by Kiblinger and Kneisley the largest dis- tillery in Clark County, and with the dis- tillery was also erected a grist-mill and likewise a saw-mill, and at one time there was also a cooper shop here and nine or ten dwelling houses. This distillery was run with great success, and as late as 1864, under the name of Blose, Seitz & Blose. During the time that the "still"- house, mill and saw-mill were in operation it presented a scene of great activity, there being from fifteen to twenty-five men at work. In connection with the still- house, to take the refuse slop, there were large hog pens attached, feeding as many as three thousand hogs.
The village received its name in this manner. For a long time the housewives of the neighborhood had been missing their poultry, and naturally attributed the loss to maranding owls. They finally dis- covered that the owls were in the shape of human beings and that the boys at the still-house had taken the chickens and roasted them in the furnace. Thereafter the place was called "Owltown." After- wards the distillery ceased operation and in a few years the grist-mill likewise, nn- til now not a vestige of its former exist- ence remains. Immediately east there were two covered bridges across Mad River, displacing two old open wooden bridges, erected in 1865-7. At the west abutment of the east bridge Jesse Mead was drowned about 1888. When the cov- ered bridges were removed in 1904 for the
construction of the one iron bridge, some Urbana parties ran over the west abut- ment of the west bridge one night about 3 o'clock a. m. with an automobile and one person was killed outright. Suit was brought against the county and about $7,000 was collected. The present iron bridge was constructed in 1904, while Joseph H. Collins was commissioner.
PITCHIN.
Pitchin is located southeast of Spring- field about six and a half miles, in Greene Township, on the pike leading to Selma. On the map gotten out by Colonel Kizer in 1850 it is designated as Concord, de- riving that name no doubt from that of the Methodist Protestant Church located on this spot, which is identical. It is said that it received its name of Pitchin in the following manner: Formerly a man by the name of Ambrose ran a saw-mill there and to every one that applied for work when he was building it he would reply. "Pitch in." This is what an old citizen relates.
In Everett's Atlas, 1875, this is found: "It seems that one David Bennett started a grocery, and opening a keg of beer told all to 'pitch in.' hence the name."
The first building was erected here by Green Porter, he building a residence and a blacksmith shop in 1845.
In 1846 the Methodist Protestant Church, before referred to, was built. In 1854 George Hansbrough built and oper- ated a steam saw-mill, which was run for a number of years after by John G. Hat- field and Aaron Dean. The population of the village was given as 120 in 1880 and probably it does not exceed that number
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at this date. For a long time Granville Elliott ran a grocery store here and J. H. Littler a blacksmith shop. E. L. Nave conducts the grocery at this time. A hall for general entertainments was erected about the year 1891. The schoolhouse con- sists of three departments.
The Springfield and Charleston Trac- tion is about half a mile north of the village.
PLATTSBURG.
Plattsburg is located near the center of Harmony Township, nine miles west of London and eleven miles east of Spring- field. It was platted in 1852 by William Osborne and Amaziah Judy, lots mim- bered 1-16 being taken from Mr. Os- borne's lands, and from 17-30 from Mr. Judy's lands.
Boliver Judy built the first warehouse and station on the railroad in 1853. A brick hotel was erected on the northwest corner by William Osborne. The People's house of worship was erected in 1846 by the Universalists and Christians.
The brick schoolhouse was erected here as early as 1825. It was succeeded by another one built in 1848. A township high school building was erected here in 1904.
Campbell & Price conduct a general store and the elevator for the purchase of grain. Their store burned down in 1905, but was promptly rebuilt. Rev. Mr. Hook is pastor of the church, which is now nn- der the control of the Christian denomina- tion.
SELMA.
Selma is located in the southwestern part of Madison Township on the Penn- sylvania Railroad. It was laid out in
town lots in 1842 by Dr. Jesse Wilson. The State road from Springfield to Hills- boro crosses the Xenia and Columbus Pike at this place, aud early made it a crossing of some importance; so much so that it was deemed proper to plat it even before the road was built, and in 1845 the post office was transferred from Corts- ville to this place and Dr. Wilson was the first postmaster. The first merchants were probably the firm of Lans & White.
In 1844 a storehouse was put up on the site now occupied by John Scanlan by W. G. Thorpe.
A brauch of Massey's Creek, called Willow Branch, flows through this village. The railroad was located a little north of the village as originally platted and through what was then known as swamp land at an early date.
The old school building having been torn down, a special district was created in 1905 and the present very fine school building was erected at a cost of $15,000. Five original sub-districts are centralized in this school and it is giving good satis- faction.
In 1888 a new precinct of Selma was created and in 1896 the present town hall was erected at a cost of $600.00. About 1890 R. G. Calvert erected the elevator and is at present condneting the grain business there. Robert Elder condnets a general store. Mr. Black rous a black- smith shop and William Grant is a hay merchant. Dr. Baumgardner is the vil- lage physician.
There are three churches, the Friends, Methodist Episcopal and African Meth- odist.
The original society of Friends was or- ganized in 1822, near the residence of
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Samuel Howell, three-quarters of a mile tion is on the north, but this is but little northeast of Selma. In 1826 this society here and elsewhere divided; one was known as the Orthodox and the other the Hicksites, the Orthodox branch leaving the Hicksites in possession of the meeting honse and whatever property the original society owned at the time of separation, and in 1832 this branch numbered 220 members and built a frame church where they worshipped until 1871, when they built their present house of worship at a cost of $4,300.
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