USA > Ohio > Hardin County > A twentieth century history of Hardin County, Ohio : a narrative account of its historical progress its people and principal interests, Vol. I > Part 25
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Dr. Snodgrass is a native of Hardin county, and like others men- tioned among the latter practitioners, read medicine under Dr. W. H. Philips, whose high reputation in the medical profession, and as an able contributor to medical literature has given his students a prestige over those of many other physicians. Dr. Snodgrass graduated at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, in the spring of 1867, and opened an office in Kenton the same year. He has since maintained a high standing in the profession as a successful and able physician, thus reflecting honor upon his preceptor and winning for himself a large and lucrative practice. Dr. Snodgrass served as assistant surgeon of the Eighth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry from August, 1863. until July. 1865, when he was mustered out of the service. Dr. Snodgrass is still in active practice.
The next ten years, from 1868 to 1877, inclusive, added eleven physicians to the list previously given, whose names are as follows: Dr. E. W. Moore, Silas Protzman, E. M. Pinney, F. D. Bain, G. D. Jenny, Ezra B. Heistand, B. F. Cessna, Henry L. Steiner, D. P. Philips, L. G. Glenn and F. O. Clenmer.
Dr. Moore was a native of Pennsylvania, and son of George R. Moore of Kenton. He read in the office of Dr. Phillips; graduated at Cleveland Medical College in 1869 ; began practicing in Kenton, and in 1871 removed to his native state.
Dr. Protzman received his diploma from the Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery in 1868; commenced practice, and in June, 1872, opened an office in Kenton, continuing in practice until his death, October 16, 1885.
Dr. Pinney moved here from Dublin, Franklin county, Ohio, in 1873, and entered into partnership with Dr. Munson, which continued two years. He then continued alone until his death at Forest, where he was run over by the cars.
Dr. Bain is a son of Judge James Bain, one of the well remembered attorneys of Kenton, and is also a student of Dr. Philips. IIe is a grad- uate of Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and in 1872 began practice in Pennsylvania. In 1873 he removed to Kenton; returned to the Keystone state in 1875, and in 1879 re-located in this town. It can well be said that Dr. Bain stands at the head of the profession in Kenton; has a state-wide reputation as a surgeon of ability and has held many
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offices of honor and trust. He was major surgeon of the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Spanish-American war, and was stationed most of the time at Guayama, Porto Rico, as surgeon in charge of the division hospital. Ile was president of the Ohio State Medical Society in 1901; president of the Northwestern Ohio Medieal Society in 1899; president of the Hardin County Medical Society, 1888. He is a sur- geon of the Erie railroad, and was president of the Erie Railroad Surgeons' Society; also surgeon of the Big Four railroad, and was president of that society one year. At the present time he is censor of the Third District Medical Society of the Ohio State.
Dr. Jenny was a graduate of Pulte Medical College, Cincinnati-a Homeopathie institution-and in the spring of 1873 came to Kenton, where he died four years later.
Dr. Hiestand has been a medical practitioner since 1850, and in 1851 graduated from Starling Medical College. He located at Ada, Ohio, in 1861, where he practiced his profession for fourteen years, coming to Kenton in 1874. Dr. Hiestand has also a diploma from Bellevue Hospital Medical College, which he received with the elass 1872-73. His practice has grown rapidly since coming to Kenton, as he is among the older and better known physicians of the county. He is still in aetive praetice.
Dr. Cessna, though one of the oldest living physicians of Kenton and a pioneer of the county, has never praetieed medieine here to any extent. He graduated from the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1852, and from Jefferson Medieal College, Philadelphia, in 1858. He practiced a little in Kenton ere graduating, but in 1852 located in Van Wert county, Ohio, where he followed his profession until 1876, when he took up his residence in Kenton.
Dr. Steiner, a native of Hardin county, graduated at the Michigan University in the class of 1875-76. He began practice in Kenton during the latter year, and so continued until his death in September, 1880.
Dr. David P. Philips read in his father's office, and began practice in the spring of 1877.
Dr. Glenn is a pupil of Dr. William Watts, and graduated at Columbus Medical College in the elass of 1876-77. He immediately commeneed practice at Kenton, where he continued until 1903, when he moved to California.
Dr. Clemmer is a graduate of Pulte Medieal College of Cincinnati, Ohio, receiving his diploma in February, 1876. He eame to Kenton in January, 1877, and was the leading homeopathie physician. He left in 1887 for Indianapolis, where he now resides.
Next in order of arrival were Drs. J. C. Campbell, Gould Smith, L. D. Munson, G. G. Laughead, W. H. MeIlvain and A. J. Crane, who hung out their shingles and east their fortunes among the people of Kenton.
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Dr. Campbell belonged to the homoepathic school, a graduate in the class of 1872-73 from the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College, and located at Kenton in 1880, where he resided until his death in 1903.
Dr. Gould Smith is another pupil of Dr. Phillips, and in the spring of 1880 began practice at Galesburg, Illinois; came to Kenton, where he practiced for about a year, and then moved away.
Dr. L. D. Munson studied medicine with his father, and graduated at Columbus Medical College in 1881. He spent one year at Larue, Ohio; thence removed to Kenton, and later to Cleveland, Ohio.
Dr. Laughead graduated from Ohio Medical College in 1878, but had been practicing for four years prior to that date, and in 1881 opened an office in this city. He practiced medicine here for a few years, then moved to Denver.
Dr. MeIlvain read medicine in Richland county, Ohio; was admitted to practice in 1870; thence removed to Champaign county, Ohio, coming to Kenton in the fall of 1882 He is still in active practice.
Dr. Crane is a graduate of Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College ; came to Kenton in the fall of 1882, and now lives at Colorado Springs. Below will now be found the names of those in active practice il Kenton : Ezra B. Hiestand. Born 1830. Graduated in 1872. Bellevue Medical College, New York City. Registered 1896.
Edwin H. Hiestand. Born 1858. Graduate Ohio State, in 1884. Burke L. Johnson. Born 1874. Graduate Cleveland Homeopathic College, in 1896.
Benton K. Jones. Born 1858. Graduate Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Henry Clay Jones. Born 1884. Graduate (1909) Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Clemdennin McCoy. Born 1864. Graduate Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, in 1890. Member County, State, American Medical Associations. Residence 333 North Main street. Office 203 West Franklin.
Wm. H. McIlvain. Born 1842. Graduate Western Reserve. Cleveland, 1870. Member Board of Pension Examiners, Kenton.
Frank D. Bain. Regular. Born 1850. Member County, Ohio State and American Medical Associations. Graduate Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, in 1872. Residence 316 North Detroit street. Office 209 West Columbus street.
Harry D. Belt. Regular. Born 1874. Member County and State Society. Graduated from Ohio Medical College (1897), at Cincinnati. William A. Belt. Regular. Born 1863. Graduate Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati. in 1886. Residence 233 North Main street. Office West Franklin street. Secretary Board of Pension Examiners. W. C. Emery. Homeopathic. Pulte Medical College. Cincinnati (1879). Born in 1856.
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Jacob A. Grove. Eclectie. Eeleetie Medical College, Cineinnati (1869). Born 1839.
Austin S. MeKitrick. Born 1863. Eclectic. Graduate Eeleetie Medical Institute, Cincinnati, in 1888. Office 114 North Detroit street.
D. P. Philipps. Born 1850. Regular. Graduate Starling Medieal College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1877. Member County and State Society. Elmer S. Protzman. Born 1872. Graduate Ohio State Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1895. Member County, State and American Medical Associations.
Frank B. Snodgrass. Born 1871. Graduate University of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1902.
Jesse Snodgrass. Born 1841. Graduate Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City, in 1867. Member County, State and American Medical Associations. Residence 346 North Detroit street. Office 210 West Columbus street. President Board of Pension Examiners.
Win. C. Snodgrass. Born 1872. Graduate Rush Medieal College, Chicago, Illinois, in 1896. Member County, State and American Med- ical Associations. Residence 210 North Market street. Office 210 West Columbus street.
Robt. E. Lawless. Born 1879. Regular. Graduate of the Toledo Medical College, Toledo, in 1906.
E. A. Stiekle. Born 1882. Homeopathie. Graduate University of Michigan (1909).
D. Gaylord. Osteopath.
Graduate nurses at Kenton : Louise B. Kelly, St. Vincents Hospital, Toledo; Elizabeth Culbertson, Cineinnati (Ohio) City Hospital ; Anna Weber, Elizabeth Weber and Mary Weber, Deaconess Hospital, Cleve- land; Miss Witten, Lakeside Hospital, Cleveland, and Zorah Sterner, Grant Hospital, Columbus.
Ada physicians: Charles S. Ames. Born 1860. Homeopathie. Graduate Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in 1884.
Lawrence W. Campbell. Born 1856. Graduate of Rush Medieal College, Chicago, Illinois, in 1881. Member of County and State Med- ical Society. Ex-member of Board of Pension Examiners.
Samuel H. Elliott. Born 1856. Graduate Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1883.
Julius B. Evans. Born 1846. Graduate Ecleetie Medical College, Cineinnati, in 1889.
Riley P. McElroy. Born 1881. Graduate Baltimore Medieal Col- lege, Baltimore, Md., in 1903.
West Montgomery. Born 1858. Graduate Starling Medieal College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1885.
Samuel C. Smith. Born 1872. Graduate Starling Medieal College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1897.
Robt. L. Souders. Born 1851. Graduate of the University of
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Michigan, at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1875. Member of County and State Society.
Joseph W. Waters.
Hepburn : James M. Wood. Born 1853. Graduate Columbus Medical College, in 1879.
Dunkirk physicians : Samuel A. Hagerman. Born 1850. Regular. Graduate of College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1881.
James S. Hedrick. Born 1859. Regular. Graduate of Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1882.
Chalmers : G. MeLaughlin. Born 1858. Regular. Graduate Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1881.
Milton H. Spangler. Born 1872. . Regular.
Wm. H. Wise. Born 1848.
McGuffey : Joseph B. K. Evans. Born 1864. Eclectic.
Dola : Richard E. Cleringer. Born 1858. Regular. Graduate Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1886. Member of County and State Association.
Roundhead : Herschel J. Zeis. Born 1881. Regular. Graduate Starling Medical College, Columbus, in 1905.
Ridgeway physicians : E. B. Crow. Born 1834. Graduate Starling Medical College, in 1885.
Elmer E. Lynch. Born in 1864. Graduate Toledo Medical College, in 1895.
Newton G. Vassar. Born 1866. Eclectic. Graduate Eclectic Medi- cal Insitute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1892.
Mount Victory physicians: J. J. Boone. Born 1863. Regular. Graduate Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1887.
Malcolm B. Boone. Born 1866. Regular. Graduate Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois; in 1890.
Frank Humphrys. Born 1856. Graduate Ohio State Medical Col- lege, Columbus, Ohio, in 1882. Member County, State and American Medical Associations.
B. A. Martin. Born 1836. Graduate Starling Medical College, Columbus, in 1869.
Archibald W. Tittswortlı. Born 1871. Regular. Graduate Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1896. Member of County, State and American Medical Associations. At the present time he is county coroner. Forest physicians : Louis E. Cook. Born 1859. Eclectic. Grad- uate Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1882.
Wm. F. Gemmill. Born 1850. Eclectic. Graduate of Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1872.
Wm. N. Mundy. Born 1860. Eclectic. Graduate Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1883.
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Wm. H. Rabberman. Born 1874. Regular. Graduate Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in 1906.
Floyd F. Swimley. Regular. Graduate of Starling Medical Col- lege, Columbus, Ohio, in 1898.
Joseph H. Wynn. Born 1857. Eclectic. Graduate Eclectic Medical Institute, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1894.
CHAPTER III. HARDIN COUNTY BANKS.
BY WILLIAM A. NORTON, PRESIDENT KENTON SAVINGS BANK, KENTON, OHIO.
The first bank started in Hardin county was opened by Giles Cope- land, about 1850, in a rear room on the second story of the frame building erected by him on the southeast corner of Detroit and Franklin streets, and now occupied by the A. G. Ahlefeld building. In a short time he removed to a room on Franklin street east of his former place of business, and opened up under the name of "The Hardin County Bank." He was succeeded by his brother, Howard Copeland, who managed the bank until 1855-56, when he elosed his business and removed from the town.
The next bank to begin operations in Kenton was orgamzed by William Cary, David Thomson and Joseph Kinnear, late in 1853, or early in the following year. Mr. Kinnear soon retired from the firm, and Cary & Thomson continued to carry on the bank, until 1866, when Mr. Thomson became interested in another banking institution. Mr. Cary still carried on the business, under the name of "The Kenton Bank," but began to pay such high interest for the purpose of obtaining deposits that he gradually lost money, became involved and failed in 1875.
In 1866, Joseph Kinnear, B. F. Kinnear, John F. Henkle and David Thomson organized the Bank of Exchange and Deposit, and began bus- iness on the west side of the square, subsequently erecting the building now occupied by the Kenton Savings Bank, which was known as the "Bank Block." B. F. Kinnear sold his interest after the bank had been running about a year, and a few years afterward Joseph Kinnear fol- lowed his example, his place in the firm being taken by Portius and II. N. Wheeler. On the death of Mr. Henkle, Mr. Thomson and the Wheelers became sole owners and the bank ran along until 1874, when it failed. from the same cause that produced the failure of William Cary, viz .. paying higher interest than money was worth or their business would justify.
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In 1867, Isaac G. and Granville S. Williams, under the title of I. G. Williams & Son, opened a bank on the southeast corner of Detroit and Franklin streets, which they operated until the death of the father, in September, 1868. The following month Granville S. formed a partner- ship with Thomas Espy and Joseph Paulucci, but the bank continued under the old name, the Williams Bank. They soon removed to a room on the west side of the square, and after about another year had passed away occupied the brick building erected by them on the southeast corner of Main and Franklin streets. In three or four years Williams and Espy became sole owners of the bank ; but in 1874, Henry M. Shingle obtained a partnership, and thus the firm remained until May, 1875, when they sold out to the Hardin Savings Bank.
In May, 1874, Lewis Merriman, J. S. Robinson, Thomas Espy, James M. White, Asher Letson and Edmund Cary purchased the Bank of Exchange and Deposit, and organized the Citizens' Bank, with Lewis Merriman, president; J. S. Robinson, vice president; Augustus Traeger, cashier. In 1875, Mr. Merriman became the sole owner, and in January, 1877, disposed of the concern to the Kenton Savings Bank, of which he was one of the incorporators and a director from its organization until the date of his death.
The Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank was established February 12, 1875, by J. C. Stevens, president; R. L. Miller, cashier. It began bus- iness on the northeast corner of Main and Columbus streets, but in April, 1882, removed to the room now occupied by the John C. Bales meat market, on the south side of West Franklin street. In February, 1883, C. J. Stevens, who had been assistant cashier for more than a year prior to that date, succeeded Mr. Miller as cashier, Mr. Miller severing his connection to go to Washington. The bank soon moved to one of the Stevens rooms on South Detroit street, and discontinued business some time in 1885.
The Hardin Savings Bank was incorporated March 5, 1875, with a capital stock of $50,000, and purchased the Williams bank, building, etc., wherein they began business. The incorporators were George Pfeiffer, Thomas Espy, James Young, William HI. Young, John Pfeiffer, Conrad Kahler, Joseph Paulucci, J. P. Humphreys and John F. Gram- lich. The first officers were Joseph Paulucci, president; John Pfeiffer, vice president ; Thomas Espy, treasurer and cashier. These officers served two years and were succeeded by William HI. Young, president ; HI. W. Gramlich, vice president; Henry M. Shingle, treasurer and cashier, who after filling the positions one year, were succeeded by Joseph Paulucci, president ; James Young, vice president; H. W. Gram- lich, treasurer and cashier; and these officers served until the bank was sold to the First National Bank in January, 1881.
On the 23rd of September, 1875, the following gentlemen incor- porated the Kenton Savings Bank, viz .: Lewis Merriman, W. M.
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Chesney, John Saylor, J. S. Robinson, William Moore, Asher Letson, Edmund Carey, Clemens Lopker, Sr., and Samuel Haynes. The bank was organized and began business on the west side of the square with the following officers: Lewis Merriman, president; J. S. Robinson, vice president ; Solomon Kraner, cashier; W. S. Robinson, assistant cashier. Mr. Merriman soon resigned the presidency, and W. M. Chesney was elected, serving until January, 1882, when Mr. Merriman again became president of the bank, which position he continued to occupy until the date of his death, November 23, 1905. In January, 1876, the bank was removed to its present location on the northeast corner of Detroit and Columbus streets, known as the "Bank Block." W. A. Norton succeeded W. S. Robinson as assistant cashier on July 15, 1878, and on the 16th of March, 1882, Mr. Kraner was succeeded as cashier by James Watt. In 1886 James Watt was succeeded as cashier, by William A. Norton, and Wesley A. Strong was elected assistant cashier in Mr. Norton's place, and remained in that position with the bank until 1904, when he severed his connection with the bank, and was succeeded by C. L. Merriman. Upon the death of Lewis Merriman, William A. Norton was elected president of the bank, C. L. Merriman succeeding him as cashier, and Arthur A. Stahl succeeding to the position of assistant cashier. The present board of directors of this bank are William A. Norton, J. W. Dougherty, J. C. Miller, D. H. Wagner, A. G. Merriman, Charles B. Fink and Charles H. Shanafelt. This bank was incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio with a capital stock of $50,000, which in the year 1886 was increased to $100,000, which is the present capital stock of the bank. This bank has been very prosperous in its business from the beginning. It has paid a dividend to stockholders each year during its existence, and in addition thereto has accumulated a surplus from year to year, which is at the present time $80,000.
The First National Bank of Kenton was organized January 11, 1881, with a paid-up capital stock of $50,000, and the company purchased the bank, building, etc., of "The Hardin Savings Bank," wherein they began and have since continued the banking business. The first board of directors were S. L. Hoge, Thomas Espy, Nathan Ahlefeld, James and William H. Young, A. B. Johnson, H. W. Gramlich, Joseph Paulucci and John S. Rice. The first officers of the bank were as follows : Joseph Paulucci, president ; S. L. Hoge, vice president ; H. W. Gramlich, cashier, but in the short space of two months a change was found necessary and James Young was chosen president, vice Paulucci resigned. In October, 1881, Mr. Young was succeeded by S. L. Hoge, who occupied that position until the time of his death, on February 23, 1909. John S. Rice succeeded Mr. Hoge as vice president, which position he continued to occupy until the year 1905, when he severed lis connection with the bank, to become the president of another banking institution. Mr. Rice was succeeded as vice president by H. E. Hoge, who upon the death of
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his father, was made president of the bank, which position he now occupies, and T. J. Dickinson succeeding H. E. Hoge as vice president. HI. W. Gramlich has been the cashier of this bank from its organization up to the present time. James C. Howe was the first assistant cashier, which position he occupied for a short time and was succeeded by Henry Born, Jr., who occupies that position at the present time. The present board of directors are II. E. Hoge, T. J. Dickinson, H. W. Gramlich, R. A. McCreary and F. S. Ridenbaugh. This bank has been prosperous in business and is a conservative and safe banking institution, has always paid dividends to its stockholders and has from year to year accumulated a surplus which at the present time is $52,000.
The Kenton National Bank was organized in 1886 with a capital stock of $135,000. Asher Letson was elected president; James M. White, vice president; Curtis Wilkin, cashier, and James H. Allen, assistant cashier. The first board of directors was Asher Letson, James M. White, Nathan Ahlefeld, James Young, William H. Young and George II. Ilarris. Their capital stock was subsequently reduced to $50,000. They began business in the room now occupied by Clark Hayden's bakery, and remained there until the removal on February 22, 1904, to the present quarters in the Ahlefeld block, corner of Detroit and Franklin streets. Upon the death of Asher Letson, which occurred in 1900, Daniel W. Sullivan was chosen president, and upon his death in 1906, Hugh L. Runkle, who is now serving, was elected president. William HI. Fleming succeeded Curtis Wilkin as cashier on January 1, 1887. On the 1st day of April, 1888, Hugh L. Runkle succeeded W. H Fleming as cashier, and Mr. James H. Allen was made cashier in 1902. The present board of officers are H. L. Runkle, president; George E. Crane, vice president ; James H. Allen, cashier ; A. F. Machetanz, assist- ant cashier. The board of directors are H. L. Runkle, J. H. Allen, George E. Crane, T. C. Mahon, O. E. Rhodes, F. D. Bain, Fred Machetanz and Burke L. Johnson. The surplus and undivided profits to date amount to $18,000. This bank has from its organization done, and is now doing, a very successful banking business.
The Commercial Bank of Kenton begun business November 1, 1904, on the southeast corner of Main and Columbus streets. They were incorporated under the state banking laws, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000.
The first board of directors of this bank were John S. Rice, Samuel Pfeiffer, P. M. Crow, L. A. Ansley, James L. Moore, Lewis N. Pfeiffer, John H. Pfeiffer, A. G. Ahlefeld and W. J. Ochs. John S. Rice was made president; Samuel Pfeiffer, vice president; W. J. Ochs, cashier, and John E. Rubens, assistant cashier. The same officers and directors still continue to serve, with the exception of John H. Pfeiffer, deceased, who was succeeded by John Callam. Their capital stock, paid in, is $30,000 and their surplus fund is $10,000. The officers and directors
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of this bank are all well known business men and the bank has been quite successful.
The First National Bank of Forest was incorporated May 3, 1904, by W. T. Gimmel, J. H. Wynn, S. M. Brown, J. E. Robinson, William Lindsay, E. H. Cook, G. E. Harper and W. F. Kurtz with a capital stock of $25,000, which stock was subscribed and taken by nineteen stock- holders. The first board of directors were W. T. Gimmel, S. M. Brown, J. H. Wagner, W. F. Kurtz and E. H. Van Buren. W. F. Gimmiel was chosen president of the bank, and W. T. Robinson, cashier, who later was succeeded by G. S. Johnson, Mr. Johnson remaining with the bank but a short time, when he was succeeded as cashier by W. F. Borset. Shortly after the organization of this bank, its board of directors was increased from five to nine members, and William Lindsay, F. Owens, J. A. Silas and F. E. Gutherie were added to the board, which constitutes the present board. This bank has been in business but a few years and enjoys the confidence of the citizens of Forest and vicinity. Its directors and officers are among the leading and representative citizens of Forest. The bank owns the building in which it does business and is located on the north side of Main street. This bank now has surplus and undivided profits amounting to $3,000.
In March, 1888, Z. T. Lewis, Morris Meyer and E. M. Leon opened up a private bank at Forest, Ohio, under the name of The Hardin County Bank. Mr. Lewis retired in 1889 and Mr. Meyer and Mr. Leon continued to conduct the business until October, 1900, when Mr. Meyer purchased the interest of E. M. Leon, becoming the sole owner of the bank and continued to conduct the business as a private bank until July 1, 1903, when the bank was organized under the state law and known as the Hardin County Bank Company, with a capital stock of $30.000. The first board of directors were Morris Meyer, president; John A. Briggs, vice president; John Herzog. Levi Price and Henry J. Miller. Mrs. Morris Meyer was elected cashier of the bank, which position she now occupies. This bank has been prosperous from the beginning, pays annual dividends to its stockholders and in addition thereto has accum- ulated a surplus which now amounts to $6,000. The officers of this bank are business men of long experience and unquestionable integrity. For this reason the bank enjoys the confidence of all the citizenship of Forest and vicinity and the patronage of a large portion of the business and farming interests.
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