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 27
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One of the names closely connected with the pioneer history of Hardin county is that of Judge Alexander Thompson, who came here in the year 1833, with his six little children. Janette, Alexander, Evaline, William, Maria, Allen, from Green county. On the way one son, Walter, died and they journeyed back to the old home to bury him and, then came on to Ft. McArthur, where they lived for some months in a log cabin, as there was no vacant house or place for them in Kenton. Mr. Thompson's wife had died two months previous to his coming here, and later he married a widow from Highland county named Mrs. Catherine Kennedy who came with her one child, Rebecca, to Kenton to make her future home. By his second wife Judge Thompson had two children, Sarah Jane and Nathan Ware. Rebecca Kennedy, or Rebecca Thompson, as she was always called, became the wife of Governor Carney of Kansas, and they both had much to do with the pioneer history of that state. One of Judge Thompson's own daughters by his first wife, Mrs. Evelyn Thompson Gilmore, died only two years ago at the advanced age of eighty-four and a brother two months afterward. In the prime of life Judge Thompson was cut off by cholera, during the time- that scourge visited this country in 1849, and his body now rests in Grove cemetery. He died August 6, 1849, and was buried in the even- ing of the same day. He was the first postmaster of Kenton, and one of the first associate judges of the county.
Pioneers of Kenton: 1830, Jacob H. Houser and family, George H.
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Houser and family and William Wilmoth and family; 1831, Lemuel Wilmoth and family; 1832, John and William Dinwidde and family; 1833, William Furney and family, Wright Ferguson, Charles W. Stevenson and Joseph and Mary Nichols; 1834, John Wear, John Wheeler and Amos Anderson; 1835, Daniel Barran and James Crump ; 1834, Isaac Comer and John L. Blodgett; 1835, Luther Damon and Peter H. Houser; 1833, John D. Delateur; 1835, Enoch Sherman and John Grier; 1833, James Gillispie and Eri and Elizabeth Strong; 1834, Emi P. Hurd; 1836, Obed Taylor; 1835, Samuel Mentzer; 1833, Ezra I. Williams and John W. Williams and family; 1836, John Brown; 1835, James Johnson ; 1834, James Elam; 1835, Joseph Ankney; 1833, Henry Garrett; 1834, Alexander Thompson; 1833, William Cary and John Shultze; 1834, Robert Smith; 1835, Robert Johnson; 1836, James Scott; 1834, Frazier Summers; 1835, David and Sarah Goodin; 1837, John Kaiser; 1836, David Campbell; 1835, Samuel Campbell; 1836, George B. Goodin; 1837, Hugh and Rebecca Letson and William Fer- guson ; 1836, Allen Kelley, Isaac Drumm and Jacob Pine and family ; 1834, George IT. and Wilhelmina Reeds; 1836, Thomas McLaid and Horace Church; 1837, John Key; 1836, John Thompson and Philip Urich ; 1835, James Dwiggins; 1837, John Drumm; 1838, David Shove ; 1837. William King; 1836, Elias Clark, George Ramge and O. P. Hir; 1835, John H. Ross ; 1836, Jacob Dunn ; 1837, Joseph Moss ; 1835, Fransis Ashton ; 1839, Samuel Peel ; 1838, John McKee; 1836, John Longneeker ; 1837, John Pfeiffer ; 1838, James Laughead; 1837, Isaae, A. Mills ; 1838, Thomas Gillispie; 1837, John Johnson, George Johns and David Shallen- barger ; 1835, Mordecai Coehran ; 1838, Robert Truman ; 1836, Hiram M. White and Joseph Jacoby; 1837, William Jackson and C. H. Kautz; 1835, Benjamin Johnson ; 1836. Jacob Lipley and 1837, James Riee.
Mayors of Kenton : 1845, William Jackson ; 1846, E. G. Spellman ; 1847, George Johns; 1848, Andrew Dodds; 1849, John Stevens Sr., 1850, D C. Hurlburt; 1851, L. C. Hurd; 1852, C. H. Gatch; 1853, Cyrus Smith; 1854, G. P. Ingman, 1855, G. A. Stewart, 1856, Paul Brown; 1857, A. S. Ramsey ; 1858, B. Eglin ; 1859, L. T. Hunt; 1860, A. S. Ram- sey ; 1862, David Stanford; 1863, Charles Kaufman; 1864, A. S. Ramsey, 1865, W. T. Cessna; 1867, A. S. Ramsey, 1868, D. K. Foreman ; 1869, F. S. Letson ; 1870, A. W. Janes; 1872, W. L. Walker; 1874, A. B. Johnson, 1876, D. S. Fisher; 1877, J. W. Binekley; 1880, W. T. Cessna ; 1882, A. W. Munson ; 1884, A. B. Johnson; 1886, W H. Ward; 1888, Charles H. Shanafel; 1890, J. M. Van Fleet; 1892, Amos Wroten; 1894, D. M. Detrick ; 1896, T. B. Blaek; 1900, J. B. Fletcher; 1904, C. F. Southard; 1906, C. M. Cessna ; 1908, M. M. Thompson.
Kenton's business firms : Flouring Mills-W. J. Ochs and The Harris Mill and Elevator Co.
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Lumber Yards-John Callam and Co .; The Robinson and Gage Lumber Co. and the Kenton Lumber Co.
Grain Elevators-J. B. Seymore and Co .; Gramlich and Son; William Wendt.
Egg and Poultry Houses-George W. O'Neal and W. T. Harris.
Hay and Grain Dealers-E. E. Jones ; Kenton Hay Co .; Wendt and Drusche; Joseph Timmons Wholesale Hay and Grain Dealer.
Kenton Importing Co .- Dealers in fine imported draft horses. Coal Dealers-E. E. Jones; Gramlich and Son; John Callam and Co., J. L. Moore and Co .; Robinson and Gage and G. R. Jones.
Dry Goods-Nourse and Caine; M. Schick and Co .; J. S. Armitage and Co .; George Wendt, who also conducts a department store; Charles B. Fink ; J. A. Scheetla ; Morgenroth's Clothing Co. C. E. Wharton who also has a general store.
Clothing-M. Marks; Morgenroth's Clothing Co .; A. Rosenthall ; L. F. Kreinbihl and Co .; People's Clothing Co .;
Grocers-Hendricks and Bonham; Kellogg and Son; George D. Heil; E. D. Briggs; R. G. Merriman; Herbert and Hommell; Borders Bros ; Wray and Son; James A. Morrison ; Orville Reed; W. E. O'Neal ; J. R. Hall; John Orr Grocery Co .; J. B. Stinson; W. C. Cole; M. B. Armstrong; Co-operative Grocery Co .; Mrs. C. Cunningham; James McComas ; M. T. Bolenbaugh; The Kenton Produce Co. ( Wholesale grocers.)
Fruit Stores (wholesale and retail)-Sam Abdo and Cardosi & Co.
Meat Markets-Lick Bros. ; J. C. Bales ; J. Collins ; J. F. Alt; D. M. Detrick; F. H. Fall; W. E. O'Neal; Edward Moroff; Bowman and Simpson.
Shoe Stores-Miller and Son; J. N. Zurlinden ; W. R. Gregg; Bur- ger and Draper; A. Rosenthall; Henry Born; John Zurlinden, Sr.
Furniture-F. L. Damon; Theo. Schindewolf; Sorgen and Son.
Harness-C. H. Shanafelt; L. N. Pfeiffer ; U. O. Gerlack and J. A. Strahm.
Hardware-Stanfield Bros .; Cantwell, Kinsey and Elder; J. Fink and Son; Wagner's Hardware Store; A. Augsburger.
Book Stores-L. W. Barr and F. L. Dennison.
Druggists-M. G. Furney and Son; McCoy's Drug Store; W. W. Snodgrass; J. E. Gasson ; Rogers' Drug Store; J. H. Lintz and Son.
China Stores-The Economy Store and J. J. Hoover.
Tailors-Herman Trumphfeller; Gottleib Danz; J. B. Fletcher, Fred Schneider; E. B. Williams; F. Gerlach.
Jewelry Stores-Krause and Ochs; W. T. Born; Charles Gilmore ; F. E. Stinson ; Ben Garrettson.
Bakeries-L. Price; Clark Hayden; P. J. Hart; Hendricks and Bonham ; M. O'Rourke; R. L. Watt.
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Millinery-Mrs. Maude Price Myers; Smith and Crawford; Maude Kimmell.
Laundries-White Star; Modern ; Chinese.
Plumbing-E. C. Humphreys and Son; John Henry ; Mike Cullen ; Herren-Wagner Co .; II. A. Hisey.
Undertakers-Theo. Schindewolf; Dingess and Porter.
Tin Stores-Fink and Son; D. L. Tullis; J. A. Scheetla; Philip Held.
Tobacco Stores-Robey Tobacco Co .; D. M. Flanagan and Co .; Frank Nevitt; Schwartz and Sams; Kenton Tobacco Co .; The Smoke IFouse; The Brunswick.
Candy Stores-Patanzin Candy Store; Cardosi and Co .; H. A. Reed (wholesale candy dealer.)
Livery and Feed Barns-C. F. Southard; J. H. Powell; MeAdow Bros. ; Reppert and Son ; Crawford and Son ; C. J. Griffith ; J. L. Smith.
Dentists-W. D. Combs; C. C. Patton; Frank Burger; W. H. Battolph; D. S. Henry; Emma Brecheisen.
Amusement Places' Grand Opera House; The Gem; The Idle Hour; The Palace.
Restaurants-Clyde Gale; Willis Carey; Charles Molitor; Scott Robey.
Photographers-I. N. Ilays; S. M. Jolm; E. B. Forbing; G. E. and E. M. Crosby.
Garages-Glenn's Garage; Kenton Auto and Eleetrie Co.
Hotel-Weaver House.
Music Stores-C. B. Fink ; Hoekett Bros; A. P. Zender.
Insurance-Rutledge and Sells; Eaton Cessna and Celhaus; O. P. Blue ; H. E. Pearce ; F. H. Rummell; J. W. Stinchcomb; Samuel Penee; Koller and Jones; J. M .. Baldwin ; Hutchinson and Poling; Isaae Bolen- baugh ; J. P. Kearney ; Sabe Emmons.
Real Estate-J. M. Baldwin; R. W. Scott; II. E. Pearce; Ahlefeld and Andrews; William Ash; D. W. Rose; A. L. Whyman; George Leighton.
Job Printing-Robey Bros .; Harris Art Printery ; Democrat Office ; Dollar Job Office.
Contractors-J. S. Seott; Lambert and MeGill; C. F. Lambert ; Dunson and Son ; E. E. Johnson ; Maddox Bros; John Burkhart.
Second Hand Stores-John A. Robey; Peter Gorman and George Ferguson.
Express Offices-Wells, Fargo and Co .; United States and American.
Blacksmiths-Kelley and Fisher; Peter Houser; Henry Houser George Bloom; White and Lamb; Karl Kreinbihl; Nate Charlton; C. Schneider ; F. A. Schwartz; George Bloom ; Steve Searee; J. C. Brooks.
Florists-Carl Gilmore and W. Sabransky.
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COURT HOUSE, KENTON
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HARDIN COUNTY COURT HOUSE. On the east side of the Public Square, where the Economy store is now located, was begun, in 1834, Hardin county's first court house. It was a little brick building thirty by forty feet, two stories high, and was completed in October, 1835. Following the old fashion there was a hall down the middle with a room on each side, and the second story was used as the court room. This building stood for eighteen years, but on March 4, 1853, it was com- pletely destroyed by fire. The loss of the building was great to the pioneer county, but nothing as compared with the destruction of the records. The county officials and private citizens have been handi- capped for want of these early documents, but there is no way of replacing them. The County Commissioners immediately rented rooms for the various offices, and court was held in churches and halls after the fire and before the present building was erected.
Exactly a month after the fire the citizens of the county voted on the proposition to erect a new court house, and place it in the public square, and the result was almost unanimous. Out of 1120 votes cast only 72 were against, and preparations were begun at once. This gives an interesting record of the growth of the county in the few years of existence, as only about twenty years before it could muster less than one hundred voters. Jenkins and Kennedy received the contract for $17,450, and agreed to have it completed one year from the date of be- ginning. However this firm did not complete .the work, but turned it over to Keys and Avers, with the approval of the commissioners. It
was not completed in the specified time owing to various delays, but the next fall was far enough along so that court could be held in it. The building is two stories in height, the court room located on the second floor and the offices on the first. It is seventy by fifty-one fect in size and is of the Grecian temple style of architecture. At each end are porches the roofs of which are supported by massive stone columns, and it presents a very pleasing appearance standing among the trees which have been planted from time to time in the beautiful yard. Many of Hardin county's citizens believe a new and more substantial court house should be erected at once. as in case of fire many of the records could not be saved, but there are many others who dislike the idea of tearing away the old landmark. The present iron fence was erected in 1880 by the Champion Iron Company, of Kenton at a cost of $2,800.
HARDIN COUNTY ARMORY. The Hardin County Armory, which is one of the best public buildings in the county, is located on north Main street, at the corner of Carrol. It was built in the summer of 1894 at a cost of $22,000 and has proved a great convenience to the county in many ways. The corner stone was laid with imposing ceremonies and a great street parade held on August 2, 1894. Governor Mckinley and
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staff attended this gathering together with many other public men. The Masonic Lodge had charge of the ceremonies.
The armory is seventy- eight by one hundred and thirty-two feet and in addi- tion to the various offices used by the County Surveyor and HARDIN. COUNTY ARMORY (Built For the Arnion Guards) the Probate Judge, who for years have not been able to HIARDIN COUNTY ARMORY, KENTON, OHIO. have rooms in the courthouse
has a large room which may be rented for public meetings, and a number of smaller rooms upstairs. One of these rooms is used as a relie room by the pioneers, and the others are needed for the military organizations of the city.
On April 15, 1895, the Armory was dedicated, and a grand mili- tary ball held. Governor and Mrs. McKinley were present on this occasion. R. S. Latham, J. W. Louthen and T. J. Dickinson were the county commissioners when it was built.
HARDIN COUNTY INFIRMARY. The history of the Hardin County Infirmary dates from April, 1858, when the first vote was taken to build a place to shelter the unfortunate poor, and was defeated. Before this there had been some talk about the matter, and public spirited citizens thought the time was ripe for a forward movement, but in an excess of economy the citizens clung to the old plan, that of selling the paupers to the highest bidder-a most unfortunate way of providing for their wants. However, a few years later the county commissioners took steps toward purchasing a convenient location for a "Poor Farm," and a site was bought a little more than a mile west of Kenton on the Lima pike of Valentine Garrett for ten thousand dollars. This was in 1868, and the following year the present building was begun.
The Hardin County Infirmary is now an old fashioned building, but in those days the taxpayers thought it a model of elegance, as well as a fruitful source of extravagance. In the county auditor's report for 1869, which was published March, 1870, he mentions the fact that the farm and buildings (the buildings not yet completed) cost $46,000, a sum that filled stingy souls with misgivings. But the wisdom of their course was apparent, as the poor of the county have since been cared for in a manner befitting this progressive subdivision of the state, and the old methods have passed away forever.
The house was designed by Mathew Rumbaugh, a tablet on the front wall stating this fact, together with the additional information that
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Benjamin R. Brunson was the superintendent; H. D. Schreffler and Samuel Havil the brick builders, and D. P. Stevenson and A. S. Hoon had charge of the wood work. The county commissioners at that time were Samuel Wood, David Snodgrass and B. R. Brunson. Many of these names mean nothing to the present citizens of Hardin county, but at that time they were influential and honored members of their re- spective communities. The largest part of the house is 112 by 50 feet, and it is so built as to get the largest amount of sunlight and fresh air possible. The wing is 60 by 40 and the whole structure is three
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HARDIN COUNTY INFIRMARY, KENTON, OHIO
stories in height. In spite of the old fashioned style of architecture it still presents an imposing appearance, and bids fair to last many years. The basement is about half exposed, making it more healthful than otherwise, and the whole building is well planned as regards halls and corridors. Though it is out of date in many ways, a proposition to tear it down and rebuild, or to abandon it for a new site would meet with much disapproval.
The rooms for the family of the superintendent are located in the middle of the building, an admirable plan, enabling him to keep strict supervision over the whole building, and there are also separate kitchens and dining rooms for superintendent and patients. The men patients have their own dining room and sitting room, as have the women of the institution, and those who are unable to leave the rooms are served upstairs. Some minor changes have been made since the building was erected, but in the main it is as first built. There are several wards for the sick and infirm, large, light, airy quarters where they are
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made comfortable and their meals brought to them, and the invalids among the men are also well cared for. The patients able to care for themselves sleep in the large dormitories on the third floor, and these, too, are clean and comfortable.
In all there are about forty available rooms in the building, not counting the bath rooms with which it is well supplied. A beautiful lawn dotted with trees and shrubbery, to which the patients have access lies in front of the house sloping down to the pike, while behind stretch- ing back to the Scioto river, is the farm all under a high state of cultivation. Everything about the infirmary proper and the out buildings is kept serupulously clean, all work being hired done by com- petent workers, the patients only lending a hand when so inclined, and the result has been most satisfactory. Back of the main building are the smoke house, the laundry, the bake room, the insane quarters, the large barn, the poultry and pig houses, the various yards and all other outbuildings to be found on an up-to-date farm. The buildings are well ventilated, lighted by electricity, steam heated and as sanitary as can be made. Until a few years ago coal oil lamps were used, but with the feeble patients the danger from fire was too great, and the Kenton Gas and Electric Company of Kenton, wired the building and installed lights. In the bake room the large quantities of bread, pies and cookies used by the institution are baked, the laundry supplies clean garments for the patients, the meat house is well stocked with clean, healthy animals fattened on the farm and everything is in good condition. No violent patients are kept here, but the strong rooms are used for those who must be sheltered a few days before sending to a larger hospital, and there are provisions made in some of the out buildings that can be warmed and lighted for an overflow, should the place became too crowded. Provisions have also been made to isolate contagious diseases, and so save much danger and expense to all. A Kenton physician is employed to minister to the wants of the sick, and in every way Hardin county looks after her poor in a creditable manner. Oceasionally religious ser- vices are held in the institution, and the various holidays are eelebrated in a fitting manner.
Too much eredit can not be given to the present manager, Mr. William Elsasser and his wife, for the high state of order and thrift that prevails indoors and out at the infirmary. Just now there are fifty-two patients sheltered there, and all receive the best of food and care at the hands of these competent managers. The farm is self- sustaining in a great measure, and with the fine orchards, gardens and erops, together with live stock and poultry, the inmates have exactly the same food as any thrifty country family enjoys, together with clean clothes, comfortable rooms and medical attendance when ill. The farm also has a plot set apart for burial purposes, and even this little place is not unlovely. Some of the best of the young forest trees have
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been saved, and altogether it looks like a little park baek by the new pike, when viewed from the infirmary.
There is a board of visitors appointed by the probate judge to inspeet the premises each year, and the report rendered in 1909, while speaking of some necessary repairs and improvements, pronounces the farm and buildings in good shape and the inmates well eared for. The present county visitors are Jacob Forbing, Mrs. Sallie Espy and S. H. Cook. The superintendent is appointed by the infirmary directors, who hold their meetings in a room set aside for that purpose in the building, so that every precaution is taken to assure the welfare of the county's unfortunate citizens. The farm contains 201 acres of land, and is worth about three times what it originally cost without the buildings. It is an ideal location, convenient to town and vet private enough for all pur- poses. Visitors are cordially weleomed on certain days of the week, and one may satisfy himself by a thorough inspection that Hardin county need not be ashamed of her methods of taking care of her poor. No children are kept at the institution for various reasons, the eounty paying their board at one of the Children's Homes in near by counties. Some years ago the question of building a Children's Home for this county was agitated but the vote failed to carry.
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HARDIN COUNTY JAIL. The Hardin County Jail is said to be the first publie building in the new county, and was a double log house ereeted on the public square in 1833. It was about 18 by 24 feet, and was as secure as could be made in those days. It had two rooms, one for the men prisoners and the other for women, and this rude affair was used until about 1849 aeeording to old residents. About that time another log structure on the east side of the square was used, which lasted until 1855, when a brick building was ereeted on the present jail lot at a eost of $3,000.
This first briek jail was thought to be a very complete affair, and the commissioners certainly showed wisdom in selecting the location at the corner of Wayne and Carroll streets. It is a large, fine lot and situated near the center of the town, thereby making it convenient to the other public buildings. Thomas Rough, Samuel Woods and John F. Henkle let the contraet for the residence on April 4, 1855, and it was ready for occupancy in November of the same year. It was an old fashioned two story brick house with five cells, and rooms for the sheriff and his family, and as the town and eounty developed it became too small, as well as out of date, so it was deeided to tear it down after it had served the county for thirty-one years.
In 1886 the county commissioners, W. M. Neville, C. W. Runser and Philip Sehindewolf, let the contract for a modern jail, which was built the same year. It is a large, substantial building, and is still adequate to the needs of the county. It cost $30,000, and is modern in
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every respect. The sheriff's residence is in the front part of the build- ing and contains ten rooms with bath, furnace and all modern conven- iences, while the rear is used for the cells, of which there are sixteen.
KENTON UNION SCHOOLS. Before the village of Kenton reached its first birthday a school was established in a cabin on Ohio street, and during the next few years cabins where the opera house now stands, on Market street and near the Masonic Temple had to be used to accom- modate the growing school population. On April 8, 1842, the present site of the Grammar School building was purchased by the members of the school board, David Goodin, Samuel Watt and David Ross, and two little frame structures were put up. Here in the winter of 1842-43, James Holmes and Chauncey Drumm taught school, at salaries of ten dollars per month each, and the winter following Anthony Banning taught. At this time the schools were not formally organized under a union system, but the members of the board were called directors. The growing population soon made the little buildings inadequate to the needs of the school work, and various rooms were rented for the purpose of taking care of the many children who were crowded out of the regular buildings. The sentiment in favor of a large and substantial building was growing, but many narrow minded citizens opposed the scheme as a plan to rob the honest taxpayer. In 1854 one of the frame school buildings was sold to Andrew Campbell, who moved it to Ohio street, at the corner of Wayne, where it is now made over into a dwell- ing, and the other was moved to a location next the present Presbyterian manse, where it forms the back part of a dwelling house. The story is told that during the cholera scare of those days, a man arrived in Kenton too ill to go farther on his journey, on account of the dread disease, and after much discussion the village authorities decided to put him in the schoolhouse. A rude bed was made up and Dr. Durbin bravely took charge of the man, but in the morning the patient was dead. No one was infected from this case, and the house was thoroughly cleaned before school was held again.
Valiable as were the pioneer schools, the real history of education under the Union School System begins with the year 1856, when a vote was taken on May 7th to bond the town for the sum of ten thousand dollars to erect a brick building on the lot already owned by the board of education. In spite of bitter opposition the measure carried, and on March 10, 1857, the contract was let, and the site enlarged for the building. Much of the credit of the enterprise is due to the public spirited Benjamin Brunson, who carried the work through to a tri- umphant close in spite of abuse heaped upon him. The building, which cost about $17,000, was a familiar landmark for several generations, was a three story affair with twelve rooms and large halls. At the time it was built it was heated by huge stoves, but in time a steam heat-
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