20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 40

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 40

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).

Food Inspector-James K. Kershner. Board of Public Service-President, A. J. Moyer (C. W. Rich, elected) ; vice

Da zedby Google

379

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

president, William Sharon ( William $20,350.74, and the building $10,544.37. Trautwein, elected) ; executive member, The stand pipe cost $28,505.87. Samuel J. Lafferty (Patrick Cafferty, elected) ; clerk, Frank A. Crothers.

A TICKET OF 1861.

City Ticket-Mayor, James L. Torbert, William D. Hill; marshal, Benjamin F. Best, Martin Carey, Samuel McCoy Horace Perkins, Henry C. Hawken, Grove W. Green; treasurer, Theodore A. Wick, Horace Poole; school board (two to be elected), Dr. M. M. Oldham, Rev. Henry W. Woods, John I. Chorpening, James Johnson, Jr., Joseph Harrison; Third Ward council, Abraham R. Ludlow, John M. Deardorff; assessor, C. Hotsen- piller, Henry Inlow, Henry B. Grove; supervisor, John Click, Lewis Blaser.

WATER WORKS.

After this old plant had continued in operation some ten years it was discov- ered that the water supply was not ade- quate to the demands of the city. The supply of water was obtained from the gravel bottom at or beneath the surface of Bnek Creek. It was also found that the water taken here seriously affected the water rights of the mill owners below. It was then determined that a new supply must be procured, and the present grounds, consisting of 67 acres all told, were purchased at a cost of $10,290. The cost of engine No. 1 was $31,000, en- gine No. 2 $39,000 and the crane used there $2,380; boilers, $9,736.00; building, $18,213.96. This new pump house was put in operation July 11, 1895, and the daily average of water pumped in 1906 was 3,948,341 gallons. The capacities of the present pumps in gallons are as fol- lows: Gaskill engine, 5,000,000; Rey- nolds engine, 7,000,000, and William Todd engine, 10,000,000.

For some time prior to 1881 there was a good deal of disenssion as to the supply of water for the city. Finally, in the year previous, proper legislation was oh- During the past. year the total expendi- tures were $76,721.32 and the receipts for the past nine months were $62,503.90. A change in the time for the collection of rents having been made, only the record of receipts for the last nine months was obtained. The present bonded indebted- ness is $355,000. Until the adoption of the new municipal code the Water Works Department was controlled by a board of trustees. Since the adoption of the new code (1902) the department is in the con- trol of the Board of Public Affairs. tained and bonds were issued by the city for the amount of $400,000. A board of water works trustees, consisting of George H Frey, J. H. Thomas and Oliver S. Kelly, were elected. Under the supervision of this board the old water works and pumping house was estali- lished. This is located immediately east of the Sandusky branch of the Big Four Railway and consists of a tract of 63.71 acres, purchased from Ross Mitchell, in- cluding in this the ground upon which the stand pipe was erected on East Main The following persons have served as secretaries: E. H. Brennan, March 24 to Street. The entire cost of ground was $20,400. The engine and boilers cost June 21, 1881; W. R. Smith, June 21.

Dlanzed by Google

380

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

1881, to April 27, 1882; E. C. Gwyn, April might be easily gotten at if there was a 27, 1882, to December 18, 1883; W. R. Smith, December 18, 1883, to May 11, 1898; V. Y. Smith, May 11, 1898, to May 17, 1899; William Myers, May 17, 1899, to May 12, 1901; Ralph Boyd, May 12, 1901, to May 12, 1903; Frank Bolger, May, 12, 1903, to February 1, 1906; F. H. Rolfes, February 1, 1906 --.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

A fire in the Barnett Mills in 1863 or '64, which was more destructive than it might have been had, there been a proper handling of the fire department, suggest- ed to the city that it was time to have a paid fire department.

VOLUNTEER COMPANIES.

Prior to that date the various "en- gines," as they were then called, were in charge of companies which were formed voluntarily. In those early days, when there was a fire, it was the duty of every citizen to lend a helping hand, to eatch hold of the rope as the apparatus went through the street and to assist in drag- ging it to the fire; also when that was reached, to lend his aid with might and main in the "pumping department," or otherwise, as might be most desirable. The first fire company on record, the "Utility," was organized in 1837 .. Prior to this time fires were extinguished by a bucket brigade. About the time that the village was incorporated each citizen was required to provide one or two or more leather buckets, according to the amount or value of his property, and these were kept in an accessible place so that they

fire. This "Utility" company was dis- banded in 1853 and the greater part of its members afterwards joined the "Nep- tune Company." In 1838, prior to this company's disorganization, there was an- other fire company organized, which had the title of the "Independent Fire Com- pany." This also was disbanded in 1853 and most of its members went over to the "Rover Company." The "Neptune" and the "Rover Company" were rivals for public favor. The original "Rover Com- pany" was organized in 1854. The build- ing that they then occupied was situated on West Main Street, about where the Marshfield Steele property is now located. immediately west of the new Sun Opera House. The "Neptunes" were organized a short time after the "Rovers" and the rivalry between these two companies was carried to such an extent that neither one would attend a fire when the other had preceded it.

This resulted finally in the "Rovers" giving up their old organization and forming a new one, which was in fact an independent company, accepting and ask- ing no favors from the city. It enrolled in its membership some of the very first and best of Springfield's citizens and the rivalry between the "Rovers" and the other companies which were acting under city anthority was continued with a good deal of intensity on both sides. Some- times it was friendly and at other times hardly so. Before the reorganization of the "Rover Company" the "Neptunes" had the central part of the city for its territory and the "Rovers" the western part. This led to the organization of the "Union Company" in 1856. This com-

Dio wzorby Google

381

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

pany had for its particular territory the in the city of Springfield in which its eastern part of the city. This company members took a greater pride than the "Rovers" Fire Company. To mention this company to any of its comparatively few survivors is to instantly get an ex- pression of enthusiastic admiration as to what it did. and to hear it emphatic- ally asserted that those were "great old times." It was their aim to throw water eight feet higher than the steeple on the First Presbyterian Church, and they speak with pride of a run that they made to a place in the country five miles west of Springfield, where they saved a man's house, and of the elegant entertainment they had on their way back at the resi- dence of Colonel Peter Sintz. A group picture of the members of this company is hanging in the rooms of the Historical Society of this county. was sometimes nicknamed the "Dutch Company," mainly from the fact that Daniel Huben and George Seibert, Ger- mans, were the principal organizers. The "Neptune Company" was organized in 1856, with Jerry Klinefelter as president. The "Union Company" had for its en- gine-house the building that was after- wards for many years used as the city jail or station-house, south of the post office on Spring Street. The "Neptunes" had for their building a structure that was demolished to make way for the Arcade, and was sitnated on High Street, immediately west of the Wren Depart- ment Store. When the "Rovers" became an independent company they abandoned their old engine-house on West Main Street, and a new company was formed and they bore the name of the "Silver PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT. Grays"; they received this name no doubt from the fact that most of their members were somewhat advanced in years, old Mr. Tegarden being a leading person in its organization. Dr. H. H. Seys was its president and captain. James C. Walker, present sergeant-at-arms of council, was a member of this company, as was also Captain William E. Moore. All of these companies, with the exception of the "Rovers." disbanded about the time that the paid fire department was established. The "Rovers" continued their organiza- tion until about fifteen years ago. The last fire they attended was in 1873, when the Ferrell, Ludlow & Rogers Mannfac- tory on South Limestone Street was afire. When they disbanded they presented a $25 gold piece to each of their members. Perhaps no company was ever organized

In 1866 the paid fire department was organized, an ordinance having been passed in 1864 authorizing bonds to the amount of $12,000 to be issued to pay for a steam fire-engine. In honor of the coun- cilman who introduced this measure, the first fire-engine was called "Jacob Myers." The old engine-house formerly occupied by the "Neptunes" was for a time used by the new department. In 1876 the engine-house now known as the Central was established on South Market Street at a cost of $18,000.

About the same time property was purchased where the Western is now situ- ated and converted into an engine-house. Thus matters continued until the city water works were established and then it was thought that the water pressure from the pumping-house would be sufficient for

Dio irod by Google

382

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

all fires. However, it was plainly demon- strated, when the Krell French Piano Works were destroyed by fire in 1902 (this was the north wing of the Great East Street Shops), that this could not be relied on. An agitation was then be- gun for the purchase of engines, and the city again became the possessor of sev- eral steam-engines, and now possesses what might be considered a very well- managed and adequate fire department. When the department was first organized the first president of the old "Rovers" was chosen as its head. A. R. Ludlow served for several years, or until 1871, when R. Q. King was elected, the latter serving until 1880. J. C. Holloway suc- ceeded him, and in 1882 he was succeeded by William F. Moore, Jr., who served un- til December, 1884; E. W. Simpson served from that date until 1895, and George Follrath from 1895-1905, when the pres- ent incumbent, Samuel F. Hunter, suc- ceeded to that position.

In 1881 the signals used for the fire alarm were contained in thirty-one boxes; near Park ; L. L. Metcalf, captain.

there are now one hundred and twenty- four.

The following is a roster of the pres- captain. ent department (1907) :

Chief Fire Department-Samuel F. between Fountain Avenue and Lime- stone; Pat H. Lawler, captain.

Hunter.

Superintendent of Telegraph-Michael M. Duffy.

Central Steam Fire Company No. 1- Engine-house west side of South Fountain Avenue, between .Jefferson and Washing- ton; H. M. Rankin, captain.

Engine Company No. 2-Engine-house east side of North Factory Street. be- tween Columbia and North; C. M. Mof- fett, captain.

Engine Company To. 4-Lagonda Avenue, between C., C., C. & St. L. Rail- road and Florence; J. Edward Bryant, captain.

Engine Company No. 1-Southeast cor- ner Mound and Glenn Avenue; E. J. Perkins, captain.

Chemical Engine Company-Engine- house west side of South Yellow Springs. between Pleasant and Dibert Avenue; William Fanning, captain.

Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 -- Engine-house west side of South Foun- tain Avenue, between Jefferson and Washington.

Hook and Ladder Company No. 3- Northwest corner Clifton and Boler; H. T. Evans, captain.

Southern Steam Fire Company No. 3- Engine-house northwest corner Clifton and Boler; H. T. Evans, captain.

Hose Company No. 4 East side La. gonda Avenue, between C., C., C. & St. L. Railroad and Florence.

Hose Company No. 5-South side Main,

Hose Company No. 6-Southeast cor- ner Mound and Glenn; E. J. Perkins,

Hose Company No. 7-South side Cecil,

Hose Company No. 8-West side South Yellow Springs, between Pleasant and Dibert Avenue; William Fanning, cap- tain.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC.

MARKET HOUSE.

The first city building that Springfield had was what was called a market house.

Digaced by Google

ZIMMERMAN LIBRARY

HAMMA DIVINITY HALL

. fır

DORMITORY

MAIN COLLEGE BUILDING

FOUR VIEWS OF WITTENBERG COL

Dig zed by Google

385

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

It was a long wooden structure with two rows of stalls, side tables and a pavement between. According to the ordinance this building was located on West Street and South Street, South Street being the pres- ent Main Street.

This structure served for a market house until the building of the old City Hall, which formerly stood on the espla- nade immediately west of what is now the Arcade Building, fronting on High Street. It was built in 1848. The lower part of the building was arranged for market purposes, having stalls in the cen- ter and along the sides. On the upper floor there was a hall used for town meet- ings, public conventions and similar gath- erings. This building, including the bell, cost. $7.800.

A great many meetings of various kinds were held in this building from the time of its erection in 1848 until its de- molishment in 1888. West of it there was a pavement extending to the railroad. Market wagons were backed up to this pavement on both sides. If the walls of this old building could have spoken, stories of many interesting events occur- ring in the history of the eity might have been told. County conventions were often held here, and the fights, quarrels and enthusiasm attending such meetings were frequently seen here. Here some of the most distinguished public speakers in the country poured forth their eloquence. It is interesting to know that in the same year in which this hall was erected a town clock was placed upon the spire of the First Presbyterian Church. Excel- lent photographs of this old building are in existence.

PRESENT CITY HALL.

The present city building, one of the finest in the state of Ohio, was begun in 1888 and finished in 1890. It extends from Fountain Square to Center Street. In architecture it is not to be surpassed anywhere, and to a native son of Spring- field, Charles Creager, now deceased, is due the credit for its design. It cost $250,000. Though it has been in use now for almost twenty years, it shows few signs of age or wear and bids fair to re- fleet honor and credit on the city of Springfield for a century to come. The building is one of the largest and hand- somest in the county used for city pur- poses, extending from square to square, fifty feet in width. The entire first floor is used for grocery and market purposes. In the west end are the police headquar- ters and Police Court. Next to these is the City Hall. In the east end are the other city offices-those of auditor, solie- itor, mayor, the water works, Board of Public Service, clerk, engineer, health of- ficer. sanitary marshal, dairy inspector, etc. Next to these is the council cham- ber. Over these is the Armory Hall.

C'ITY JAIL AND STATION HOUSE.

The old building situated south of the post office building on Spring Street, which served as a city jail for forty years, was originally erected as a fire-engine house and for the special use of the old Union Fire Company. This building for a long time had been a discredit to the city of Springfield, even for the purpose of a jail or station house. Time and again the citizens of Springfield demand-

Dio ined by Google

386

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

ed that a new one be erceted. In 1900 the of Samuel F. MeGrew, James Johnson, people voted that the sum of $20,000 should be expended for a new station honse or city jail. There was consider- able controversy as to where it should be located, and it was some three or four years before those in authority com- meneed to act, even after they had been instructed to that purpose by the people. Finally, in 1904, the present building located on North Fountain Avenue, near the creek, was completed at a cost of $31,000.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Various societies and associations were formed in Springfield at different times for the purpose of affording library facil- ities to its citizens. Not until 1872, how- ever, did the movement for a public library reach its culmination. In that year the present Springfield Public Library was placed on a seenre basis. The present building was erected in 1889. In 1877 the library was located in the Union Hall building and remained there until it was moved to the present commo- dious building located on the southwest corner of High and Spring Streets. This beautiful building and its grounds were donated by Benjamin F. Warder, for- merly a public spirited citizen of this city, latterly of Washington, and recently deceased. For many years he was con- nected in many publie enterprises of Springfield, particularly the shops located at Lagonda. This building and the lot upon which it stands reached an expendi- ture of $125,000. There are more than 23.000 volumes in the library collection. The library is managed by a board of trustees. The present board is composed

Jr., E. L. Buchwalter, Patrick O'Brien, William H. Weir and John L. Zimmer- inan. Governor Bushnell, Oscar T. Mar- tin, W. S. Thomas, W. B. Rodgers and others have served in the past in that ca- pacity. For a long time Robert Wood- ward was librarian. He was succeeded npon his death in 1896 by Miss Alice Bnr- roughs, who at present occupies that posi- tion. This new library building was dedicated and the deed delivered to the city in 1890, the address for the oc- casion having been delivered by Samuel Shellabarger, formerly a Congressman from this district and then a distinguished lawyer, residing at Washington, practic- ing principally before the Supreme Court. It was the last public address that he made to the citizens of Spring- field.

HOSPITAL.

For some time it was apparent to those who were conversant with the growing needs of the city that a hospital had be- come a most necessary institution. Ross Mitchell. a time-honored citizen, having become possessed of the property former- ly used by Chandler Robbins as a private school on East Main Street, proposed. with the late Jolin H. Thomas, deceased, who agreed to furnish a sum of money sufficient to put the premises in proper condition for hospital purposes, to donate the same to the city. This was done in 1887. The generosity of these citizens in this matter was much appreciated by the citizens of Springfield generally. The need of an institution of that kind for the sick poor was felt also by the late John Snyder, one of the donors of the park.

Dignized by Google

387

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

and in his last will in 1896 he provided that the sum of $100,000 should be set aside, the income thereof to be used for this special purpose. The growth of the city, however, was such that the buildings previously provided for this purpose by Messrs. Thomas and Mitchell had become inadequate. It was therefore decided, on a vote being taken for that purpose, that new grounds should be acquired and a modern hospital ereeted. For a number of years the old Sharpe Homestead, sit- nated on the northwest corner of Clifton Street and East Street, had ceased to be used as a homestead. It presented a most desirable location for an institution of this kind. Its elevation was such that the ordinary noises incident to city life conld not reach a building placed upon its sum- mit. Fortunate indeed were the trustees when they were able to proenre this most desirable site for a hospital. In 1905 the present building was completed at a cost of $150.000, and the succeeding year saw the erection of a building located on or near York Street for the use of nurses. It is under the supervision of a board of trustees, the present members of which are J. S. Crowell, H. S. Bradley and J. E. Myers. The Rev. Dr. Alex MeCabe was active as a member of the board during the erection and the first years of the new building. James E. Adams, the veteran restauranteur, was the first superintend- ent in the new building, George Netts oc- enpying that position at the present time.

POST OFFICE.

from Cincinnati, through Lebanon, Xenia, Springfield and Urbana, thence to Piqna, thenee down the Miami to Dayton, Frank- lin, Hamilton and Cincinnati. Mail was delivered over this route once a week, and the daily delivery was first established in 1828. Previous to this latter date the mail was carried on horseback in saddle- bags. After this and until 1849 the mails were carried by a four-horse mail-coael. The particular advantage that this coach had was the right of way over all others, making it popular with passengers, but unpopular with the drivers of the other coaches. After 1949 the railroad carried the mail.

The location of the post office was suc- cessively in various parts of the city un- til the present government building was erected. During the period before the es- tablishment of carriers, when everyone went to the post office to get his mail. it was quite an advantage to a particular locality to have the post office there, and it was often a matter of very great con- troversy between the different localities as to the location of the office, the rivalry going so far some times as to control the appointment of the postmaster. We are not able at this date to mention all of the localities in which the office was located at varions times. At the present time, when people receive practically all their mail by carriers, the location of the office is not a matter of very great importance to the business community. However, there was considerable rivalry between different localities in the selection of a site for the permanent post office. This building was secured through the efforts of General Keifer before his retirement

The post office was first established in 1804, with Robert Rennick as postmaster. In that year a mail ronte was established as member of Congress in 1884. It was.

Diglized by Google

388

HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

however, not completed until 1890, heing ed in the increase of the revenues of the used first in September of that year. Its office as follows:

erection and equipment cost $150,000. When the building was dedicated the gross receipts had never exceeded $74,000.

It was inadequate to care for the grow- ing business and in September, 1898, an auxiliary station was established in the publishing plant of the Crowell Publish- ing Company.

In the following year a rearrangement of the interior was made, appropriating space from the lobby so as to enlarge the workroom. Urgent effort has since been made to secure an appropriation for an annex to the building. This was secured by a bill passed in 1906, introduced by General Keifer, who was again a member of Congress, appropriating $30,000. In October following a strip of seventeen feet adjoining the government site on the north wing, purchased October 16, 1907. Bids will be opened at the Treasury De- partment for an extension of the build- ing by a structure 28x84 feet, providing enlarged accommodations.

City free delivery service was inaugu- rated under Postmaster Shipman, Sep- tember 1, 1879, with six carriers.

At the time of the removal of the office to the United States Post Office Building, September 1, 1890, the force of clerks was eighteen and of carriers eighteen, and so remained until 1899, since which time the force has grown to thirty-three clerks and thirty carriers.

Eleven rural routes add to the patron- age of the office a population of more than 6,000. The first rural route was estab- lished July 5, 1899, two were added in 1900, four in 1901 and four in 1903.

The growth of the city has been reflect-

Gross repts. Net repts.

Year ending June

30, 1890 ........ $ 73,695.04 $ 44,317.58

Year ending June 30, 1900 .. 120,121.24 78,697.83

Year ending Sep-

tember 30, 1907. 216,829.34 152,491.12

POSTMASTERS.

Springfield has had eighteen postmas- ters. The first was Robert Renick, who was commissioned November 9, 1804. It is not know where the office was located during his administration, which seems to have extended for the period of twenty years.

On April 1, 1824, Maddox Fisher was appointed postmaster. During his ineum- beney the office was kept at his private residence, which was located where Dr. Rogers now resides on North Limestone Street.

Peter Sprigman was commissioned March 10, 1835.

William Worden was commissioned July 27, 1839. He was the owner of the famous Worden Hotel, which was located where the Henry Block is now, and he kept his office in a room at the west side of the building.

On June 9, 1841, John A. Crain became postmaster and he moved the office into a building belonging to the Bacons, lo- cated on the south side of East Main Street, about midway between Spring and the first alley to the west, and where An- gust Stelzer's cigar store is now.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 40

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