A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 79

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612

USA > Ohio > Scioto County > A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record > Part 79

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).

The Woman's Literary Club

was organized February 20, 1891, by a number of ladies, a few of whom had been conducting a History Class for a period of fourteen years. On April 21. 1891, it was admitted to the National Federation, but it withdrew in 1900. Its membership is limited to sixty active and twenty associate members. The following women in the order named have served as presidents: Miss Grace Cotton, Mrs. Elizabeth H. Evans, Miss Margaret J. Peebles, Mrs. Pauline Esselborn, Mrs. Julia W. Alger, Mrs. Mary E. Draper, Mrs. Mary S. Cotton, Mrs. Ella Overturf, Miss Maggie Firmstone, Mrs. Mary A. Royse, Mrs. Alma Caskey, (Vice President served as President on Mrs. Overturf's removal from the city.) Mrs. Lena Kline Reed is the President. It is a charter club of the Ohio State Federation organized at Springfield in 1894. Mesdames Mary E. Draper and Mary S. Moore have served on the State Club Extension Committee. The de- ceased members are: Mesdames A. W. Huber, S. B. Tewksbury, J. H. Beyerly, J. W. Alger, Misses B. R. Hall, A. E. Purdum, Kate Taylor and Mrs. S. O. Ti- tus. The object of the club is to "Develope and improve the intellect of wo- men, create a center of thought and action for the promotion of literary, scien- tifie and artistic growth."

The New Century Club

was organized January 31, 1902, by the Club Extension Committee of the Wo- man's Literary Club, composed of Mesdames Mary S. Moore, Lena R. Labold, Charl T. Newman. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Clara M. Pursell, President; Mrs. Effie M. Walker, Vice President; Mrs. Emma J. Graham, Secre- tary and Mrs. Agnes C. Ricker, Treasurer. Executive Board: Mesdames Louise G. Leete, Sadie W. Hibbs and Miss Kate Reilly. The Club joined the State Fed- eration April 21, 1902. The object of the Club is literary study. The mem- bership is limited to forty.

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THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH.

The Clover Club.

The Junior Literary Club was organized in 1896 by three friends who read Shakespeare together on Saturday afternoons. The next year, through the interest, and with the guidance of Mrs. Edgar F. Draper, a member of the State Committee for Club Extension, the Junior Literary Club adopted the name of The Clover Club, and, with a few additional members, joined the State Federation in October, 1897.

The Clover Club programs have covered current events and the history of Ohio, France, Russia and England. In connection with the study of Russia, the Club secured the services of Dr. Crawford, of Cincinnati, a former consul to that country, who gave an illustrated lecture upon Russia; and as a courtesy to the Clubs that have entertained the Clover Club, an interesting lecture upon Holland was given by Miss Perry, also of Cincinnati. Twice a year the Club holds an "Open Meeting," to which guests are bidden. The membership is limited to twenty-five.

The Portsmouth Cycling Club

Was originally formed in the Spring of 1893 with about fifteen members. Alex. M. Glockner was Chairman and David Stahler Secretary. It was reorganized in the Fall of 1895. and incorporated February 11th, 1896, with Fred. N. Tynes President and Dan W. Conroy Secretary, at which time it had about thirty-five members. The purpose for which the Club was formed is the advancement of the general interests of cycling, to ascertain, protect and defend the rights and privileges of members in good standing and to promote friendly and social relations among the members thereof. The present officers are: Oscar W. Newman, President; Geo. W. Zottman, Vice President, and John W. Berndt, Secretary and Treasurer. The Club Rooms are conveniently located at 15 West Second Street, the old William Maddock residence. The membership has steadily increased since its organization, and is now more than two hundred.

The Portsmouth Commercial Club

Was organized in October, 1899, with $5,000 stock. There were 104 stock-holding members and 52 contributing members. The original officers were: Frank V. Knauss, President; Harry S. Grimes, First Vice President; John Heer, Second Vice President; Simon Labold, Third Vice President; Robert C. Myers. Sec- retary, and Dan W. Conroy, Treasurer. The first Board of Directors was com- posed of the following: Frank V. Knauss, Harry S. Grimes, Wells A. Hutchins, A. J. Finney, D. C. Williams, Chris. Heer, and Theo. Doty. The present officers are: Harry S. Grimes, President ; Floyd L. Smith, Secretary, and Dan W. Conroy, Treasurer. The present Directors are: H. S. Grimes, George Walters, W. G. Williamson. F. V. Knauss, Simon Labold, A. T. Johnson, Theo. Doty. There are 156 members. The Club Room is at 15 East Second Street.

LIBRARIES.

The Public Library.

The act under which it was authorized was passed May 14th, 1878, and will be found on Page 541, Volume 75, of the Laws of Ohio. The same law is now Sections 4003 to 4006, Revised Statutes. This bill was introduced into the Legislature by Honorable R. H. Hayman, on March-23d, 1878. On October 2d, 1878, the Board of Education, of Portsmouth, Ohio, gave the building in the northwest corner of Fifth and Court Streets. On June 18th, 1879, the first library committee was appointed, consisting of George O. Newman, President; H. A. Towne, Secretary, and James F. Towell. Mr. Newman still remains President of the Board. The committee since were: Henry Tracy, who suc- ceeded James F. Towell; A. B. Alger, who succeeded Henry Tracy, and A. T. Holcomb, who succeeded H. A. Towne, at his death. Since then the committee has been George O. Newman, A, B. Alger, and A. T. Holcomb. On August 12th, 1879, the Public Library was opened, and ColonelJames E. Wharton was obtain- ing donations of books from every source. On Janury 21st, 1880, the venerable

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HOMES.

Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead delivered a lecture at All Saints Chapel, on "Puritan Intolerance and Persecution," for the benefit of the Public Library. On Sep- tember 22d, 1880, the Library had 3,953 volumes, gathered by Colonel Wharton. Up to this date the Library and improvements had only cost $400. On Septem- ber 28th, 1881, there were 5,000 volumes in the Library. On February 2, 1884, the Times published an article to the effect that the idea of the Public Library in Portsmouth had originated with the Honorable R. H. Hayman. On September 22d, 1888, a new Public Library Building, to cost $3,000, was proposed, and the money was solicited by public voluntary subscriptions. On the 13th of April, 1889, the new building was about complete. It cost $3,300.

There was levied for the Public Library, when the law first went into effect, one-tenth of a mill, and it produced, the first year, about $400. The law was amended in Volume 78, Page 176, April 18, 1881, to increase the levy to two-tenths of a mill; and that produced about $900 revenue. Volume 92, Page 309. April 24th, 1896, the levy was increased to three-tenths of a mill, which produced $1,600 to $1,700 per year. The number of books in the Library at its opening was 400. The number of books at present are, miscellaneous, about 12,000, and public documents, 6000. The amount expended for books at first was about $400 per annum. The amount now expended is about $1,200 per annum. The number of patrons in the c.ty is about 4000-adults, 3000, and children, 1000.

The following notes about the attempt to found a library in Portsmouth were taken from old city newspapers. On January 26th, 1839, the Portsmouth Library Company met and made the dues $5 per year. The subsequent history of the Company is unknown. February 25th, 1839, at a meeting, S. M. Tracy was President and Henry Bliss, Secretary. Articles of Association were adopted, and nine Directors were elected. They were: B. Kepner, Edward Hamilton, John Rose, S. M. Tracy, G. S. B. Hempstead, John F. Thornton, B. F. Conway, Thomas Charles and Henry Blake.

On July 19th, 1839, the Company had a collection of books at John Clark's room on Front Street. The Company proposed to erect a building. On December 20th, 1839, John Clark called a meeting of the Directors for December 23d. On May 2d, 1840, the Company met and organized under the charter from the Legislature. The Library Company, on February 11th, 1842, was addressed by Colonel O. F. Moore and Rev. Dr. Burr.

On May 11th, 1865, there was another effort to found a Public Library. A society was organized, with $5 per year membership. On June 25th, 1865, the Company elected officers: Rev. E. Burr, President; George O. Newman, Vice President: J. W. Bannon, Secretary, and William Kinney, Treasurer. It is not known what became of this organization.

The Carnegie Library.

On July 29th, 1901, Mr. Henry Lorberg, an enterprising young man con- nected with the press in Portsmouth and of excellent literary taste, interested himself and procured from Mr. Andrew Carnegie the offer to donate $50.000 to the erection of a Public Library, in the city of Portsmouth, on condition that the city should donate and expend $5,000 per year for its support. The Board of Trade took the matter up and approved it. The proposition was accepted by the city of Portsmouth, and it purchased 1371% feet front on Gallia Street, between Waller and Offnere Streets, and notified Mr. Carnegie that the site was provided. It also appointed a committee on the erection of the building composed of three Councilmen-George E. Matthews, Melvin Funk, and Edward Poffenberger; and two citizens-George E. Kricker and Charles F. Daehler. At this time no arrangements have been made to merge the present Public Library, under the control of the City Board of Education, with the Carnegie Library, under control of the City Council.

HOMES.

The Children's Home.

The movement for this institution began on January 21, 1874, at a meet- ing of the ladies at the First Presbyterian Church, to consider the organization

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THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH.

of such an institution. Mrs. William Moore, Mrs. D. B. Cotton, and Mrs. D. N. Murray addressed the meeting. On the 17th of February, following, Mrs. D. B. Cotton, Mrs. Francis Helfenstein, Mrs. S. R. Ross, Mrs. J. K. Lodwick, and Mrs. Samuel Reed went to Marietta to obtain information in regard to the Children's Home there. Mrs. Col. P. Kinney offered to donate two lots on Third Street for the building, but the offer was not accepted. On April 1st, following, a meeting was held at the Presbyterian Church. Judge Henry A. Towne presided. Mr. A. McFarland was Secretary. Mr. Murray Shipley, of Cincinnati, President of the Cincinnati Children's Home, was there and made an address. A subscription was taken up and $3,150 raised, of which $1,000 was subscribed by Mr. John G. Peebles, $1,000 by B. B. Gaylord, $500 by Mrs. Rachel Hamilton, $150 by James Y. Gordon, $100 each by Mrs. Dunlap, Robert Bell, Miss Mary Gaylord and Dr. Cotton.

On the 24th of June, 1874, the City Council gave the use of the City Hospital in order that the Home might be started at once, and it was opened in that place on the 1st of October, 1874.

On February 13th, 1875, there was a spelling match at the Sixth Street M. E. Church for the benefit of the Home. The receipts were $70. On February 29th, $626.20 was paid for plans for thic Home, and another spelling match was held on the 13th of February at the Court House. Mrs. Dr. Norton won the prize, being the last one on the floor. On February 20th, 1875, another spelling match was held. This time it was the gentlemen against the ladies. N. W. Evans was captain for the ladies and John Morris for the men. Col. O. F. Moore and L. C. Damarin were umpires, and E. E. Ewing was pronouncer. Captain William Moore missed the first word. Miss Alice Hayes, Miss Jennie Smith, of West Union; Miss Chattie Lewis and M.ss Maggie Fry were the last four ladies on the floor. George Helfenstein was the last man, and Miss Alice Hayes the last lady. Miss Hayes went down on "confinable," and Mr. Helfen- stein won the prize-a call bell. Miss Hayes won "Booten's Geographical Gazetter" as a second prize. The receipts were $100.

On the 8th of June, following, the Home purchased a lot in the cemetery. On the 19th of August, 1875, the Commissioners of the County, James Lodwick, O. B. Gould, and N. Shakart, sat in the court-room and listened to arguments "pro and con" in regard to the Commissioners letting the build.ng of the Children's Home. R. N. Spry, the Prosecuting Attorney, gave it as his opinion that the Commissioners had the right to let the work. Col. O. F. Moore, H. A. Towne and N. W. Evans favored the proposition, and A. C. Thompson and J. W. Bannon opposed it.

On November 8, 1875, the contract was let to J. W. Purdum for $18,800. On November 3d, 1875, the first annual report was published, signed by Mrs. H. A. Towne, Secretary. The Home had thirty six children and cared for forty-eight during the year.

On November 8th, 1875, the children were moved to the old Infirmary building, and the City Hospital was used for a pest house.

On the morning of the 19th of August, 1876, the Children's Home was burned. The loss was $8,000. On the 23d of August, 1876, Mr. Purdum refused to rebuild. The Cominissioners ordered $1,000 repairs at once. On September 26th, 1876, bids for repairing were accepted by the Commissioners. On the 15th of April. following, the Commissioners ordered advertising for bids for the completion of Children's Home. The building of the Home was completed and turned over to the County. It was kept by an association of ladies at first, consisting of 57 members, and during the period of one year 51 meetings were held. In April, 1875, through the influence of Mrs. Col. O. F. Moore, a Sunday- school was organized in the Home. Mr. Sam Reed went the first Sunday, and Miss Emma Bell and Mrs. Dan Ryan were the only teachers. Mrs. John B. Gregory afterward became a teacher and superintendent of the school. Mrs. Belle Tracy and her daughter, now Mrs. Mallory, were also teachers, as were Miss Jennie Stewart and her sisters. Miss Ella and Miss Maggie. Mr. Wm. Rhodes undertook to teach the children to sing.

When the Home was first started everybody seemed to desire to help it. Dr. Cotton was the first physician, and he rendered services for six months

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BOARD OF TRADE.

free of all charges. Afterward Dr. McDowell was the physician. During the time the ladies managed the Home, the Supply Committee consisted of Mrs. J. K. Lodwick, Miss Mary Peebles, Mrs. George Johnson, Miss Marion Firmstone. The ladies, during their management, received and disbursed $1,129.32. They also received many donations in clothing and provisions.

On August 6th, 1877, the County Commissioners turned the Home over to the Trustees, John G. Peebles. James Y. Gordon and William Kinney. William Kinney resigned and S. C. Morrow was appointed in his place. On March 1st, 1877, the following appointments were made: S. C. Morrow, two years; James Y. Gordon, three years; John G. Peebles, one year. Mr. James Y. Gordon resigned March 1, 1882, and was succeeded by E. E. Ewing. He served until March 1, 1890, when he resigned, and Mr. W. K. Thompson was appointed in his place and served until his death in March, 1901. Mr. Frank B. Kehoe suc- ceeded Mr. Thompson. Mr. John G. Peebles served as Trustee until March, 1, 1901, when his son, John Peebles, was appointed to succeed him. Mr. Morrow resigned December 1, 1882, and was succeeded by Mr. Samuel Reed, who served until May 5, 1895, when he was succeeded by Mr. George D. Selby. On May 12, 1895, the Board was increased to four members and Dr. J. F. Davis was appointed. The present Board is as follows: Messrs. G. D. Selby. Frank B. Kehoe, John Peebles and J. F. Davis.

The first officers among the ladies who managed the Home were: Presi- dent, Mrs. D. B. Cotton; Vice President, Mrs. C. P. Lloyd; Recording Secretary, Mrs. H. A. Towne; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. E. F. Draper; Treasurer, Mrs. James Y. Gordon. Mr. Robert Bell was the first Clerk of the Board, and served until his death in December, 1883. Since that time Mr. W. C. Silcox has been Clerk.

The cost of conducting the Home at the present time is $5,500 per year, and the number of children cared for is 50.

Aged Women's Home.

May 7, 1882, by invitation of Mrs. Cornelia Hutchins, the ladies met to organize an association.

September 16, 1882, the association had 70 members, $55.50 in the treasury, $300 subscribed, and a bequest of $500. Mrs. F. E. Duduit, Treasurer; Essie Towell, Secretary.

May 25, 1886, election. Mrs. O. C. McCall, President; Mrs. W. A. Hutchins, Vice President, First; Mrs. T. J. Graham, Vice President, Second; Mrs. George O. Newman, Secretary, and Mrs. George Helfenstein, Treasurer.

September 21, 1896, the corner-stone for the new Home was laid. Dr. P. J. Kline made an introductory address. Rev. D. S. Tappan, D. D., the prayer, and Hon. James W. Newman the regular address. The following are some facts taken from Mr. Newman's address: Meeting to organize was held May 7, 1882. Constitution adopted May 30, 1882, and its first officers elected. The first Home was a small house on Bond Street. The first inmate received November 6, 1883. In July, 1884, the old Clough Homestead, on Fourth Street, was pur- chased. From the beginning there has been nine inmates. Mrs. Jane Calvert made a bequest of $500, also Mrs. Rachel Hamilton. Hon. John T. Wilson donated the ground on which the new Home will stand. The lot on which the new Home was to stand was sold by Henry Massie, the founder of Portsmouth, to Uriah White. He married Mary Huston, daughter of William Huston, and a sister of Captain Samuel J. Huston. They were married by Robert Lucas, a Justice of the Peace, July 8. 1808. This information was put in the corner-stone by John G. Peebles, whose parents, John and Margaret Peebles, came to Ports- mouth, Ohio, April 3, 1819. The number of the lot is 144. The new Home was to contain 15 rooms.

February 11, 1897, the Home was completed and thrown open to the public. It cost $4.220.08. Subscribed for same. $3.390. Changes were made which increased the cost to $6,446.51, including heating.

The Board of Trade

was organized in 1869 and re-organized in 1901. There are 135 members. and the officers are: H. S. Grimes, President; George D. Selby, First Vice President;

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THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH.

Frank V. Knauss, Second Vice President; Floyd L. Smith, Secretary, and George E. Kricker, Treasurer. The Directors are: H. S. Grimes, George D. Selby, F. V. Knauss, J. W. Bannon, George M. Appel, Samuel Reed, A. T. John- son, John Heer, A. T. Holcomb, Simon Labold, Frank L. Marting.

CHILDREN'S HOME.

CHAPTER VI.

Hotels and Restaurants-Banks and Bankers-Building Associa- tions-Merchants-Manufactories-Twelfth United States Census of Manufactures-The Portsmouth Tele- phone Company - The Portsmouth Gas Company-Insurance Agents.

HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS.

The first hotel in Portsmouth was kept by John Brown, the first citizen. It was a primitive affair. but was replete with good cheer. The landlord was popular, and so were his daughters. Two of them married Generals of the Militia-General Robert Lucas and General William Kendall.

Brown opened his hotel in about 1806, though Keyes says it was about. 1804. It was a two-story log affair near the Point. Brown has a sketch in this work.

Elijah Glover started a hotel in Portsmouth, on Pig Iron Corner, some time later. He built on Pig Iron Corner, and kept there till shortly before his death.

In 1818 there was an Oh'o Hotel, kept by Henry Core, which he sold out to John Peebles in April, 1819.

On September 8. 1825, 'Squire Cornelius McCoy began the career of hotel keeping at the "Golden Lamb," where the Hotel Portsmouth now stands.

At the same time, William Peebles was conducting the Portsmouth Hotel. In 1830, Peebles' Hotel was advertised by John Peebles, and he had the stage office. He advertised at the corner of West and Water Streets, now Front and Jefferson Streets. He also advertised the commission business.

In 1834, C. McCoy had leased his hotei to John Watson, of Chillicothe, who changed the name to the Franklin House. In 1836, John Watson built a hotel on the site of the present Biggs House, and started in business there. His health failed, and his son, William H. Watson, and John Brown took the hotel and run it for eighteen months. Then John Brown run it eighteen months longer. On March 1, 1839, Col. T. J. Graham came from Chillicothe and took charge and run it till 1853, under the name of the United States. It made more money and entertained more distinguished people than any hotel in Ports- mouth, before or since. The Colonel was a society man, and had wonderful ability as a caterer and "boniface." McCoy took charge of his hotel, when Watson left, and called it the Mansion House until 1840, when he named it the American Hotel. In 1843, A. and B. J. Van Court took charge of it. On January 19, 1844, McCoy announced he had resumed control of the American Hotel and had Mr. and Mrs. Tewksbury to assist him. He stated that he kept a reading-room. and that the stages started from his hotel. In 1844, Colonel Graham announced that he had livery in connection with the United States Hotel, and that he sent carriages to meet the steamboats at the landings. In January, 1846, the National Hotel opened. This was a disastrous venture of Major Chas. F. Reiniger. William H. Briggs, a brother-in-law of the Major, kept the hotel. It never pa'd, and it broke the Major. It had five stories, and was fifty-three feet front and sixty-five feet deep. The steamboat landing was at that time in front of the hotel. In 1846, the American Hotel was conducted by Ralph St. John. In this same year, it had a financial collapse, and was adver- tised by David Gharky, Trustee. In 1848, it seems E. Coney had charge of it for a short time, and in the same year had another, the Farmers' on Second Street. In 1848, Robert Montgomery had the McCoy Hotel, and changed the name to the Franklin House. In 1850, E. Coney had passed over to the

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THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH.

majority, and the Farmers' Hotel was conducted by Ann Coney. In 1851, it was given up by her and was conducted by B. J. Myers.

In 1853, there was the Railroad Hotel, on Jefferson Street, conducted by Samuel G. Ramsey.

On October 5, 1853, Willis & Ripley advertised the Greyhound Restaurant. This is the first time a restaurant was advertised in Portsmouth.

On March 8, 1854, the Eagle House, between Madison and Massie, on Front, was advertised.

On October 11, 1854, Varner and Lodwick advertised a restaurant.

On October 24, 1854, the name Biggs House was first used. It was for- merly the United States Hotel, and Colonel John Row succeeded Colonel T. J. Graham. It seems that no one with a less rank than Colonel could conduct that house.

On November 22, 1854, Stephen Edmunds was conducting the National Hotel. He advertised stabling for thirty-two horses.

On December 20, 1854, the Boyd House was conducted on Jefferson Street, between Front and Second.

In 1853, the Farmers' Hotel had been changed to the Clinton House.

In 1855, John W. Varner kept the Valley Restaurant.

In 1856, D. and R. L. Dodge conducted the Madison House at Fifth and Chillicothe Streets.

In 1858, in March, the Franklin House was conducted by C. W. Higgins. He changed the name to the Higgins House. In the same year Henry D. Burton was conducting the St. Charles Exchange. Burton conducted it until 1860, when A. L. Martin became the proprietor.

In 1859, the Biggs House was conducted by R. Montgomery and Sons.

In 1860, Fred. Legler was conducting the Eagle Hotel, on Front Street. between Madison and Main. He had stabling for fifty horses and a wagon yard. Fred. Legler kept in business in Portsmouth, at different places west of Market Street, and amassed a modest fortune.

In 1862, C. W. Higgins was keeping the Plymouth House, on Front Street, opposite the steamboat landing.

In 1863, Colonel T. J. Graham again ventured into business. This time he kept a restaurant, on Market Street, with a bar. He was not successful.

In 1864, Fred. Legler was conducting the White Bear Hotel, and made it pay. Everyone liked Fred. and he was a popular landlord. He died in 1880 at the early age of forty-seven.

In 1864, Amos L. Higgins was conducting the Eagle Hotel, on Front Street- On April 12. 1865, W. H. H. Taylor, better known as Horseshoe Taylor, took the Biggs House. He had the Midas touch, when it came to the hotel busi- ness. He changed the nanie to the Taylor House and made $30,000 while he ran it. The main point in his conducting the hotel was, that he was always in the dining-room at meals and carved all the meat at a side table. He kept his eyes on the waiters all the time. Another good quality, he never forgot to put anything in the bill of a departing guest. He welcomed his guests in a manner which was delightful, and while his bills were always all they could bear, he made every departing guest feel he had his "money's worth." He kept a number of old horseshoes in sight, about his desk. and he made out all the bills.

On June 3, 1865, George Washington Jones bought the McCov Hotel, then known as the Golden Lamb, and changed it to the Jones House. He wanted to popularize it.

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A history of Scioto County, Ohio, together with a pioneer record, Part 79

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans Number of Pages: 1612

Author: Evans, Nelson W. (Nelson Wiley), 1842-1913
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Portsmouth, O. N. W. Evans
Number of Pages: 1612