USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 15
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their exploits is lost forever. The patlont rosolution and fortitude with whileli they contended agalust superior discipline and anm- bers, the wiles und strategoms dleplayed by them during their long and bloody wars, proved that they posscased intellectual qualitles of the first order. Their fortitude in enduring pain, fatigue, and starvation, was unequalled, except by such of the whites as wore long disciplined lu the Indian school.
Besides exposure to the Indians, whille surveying, the survey- ors in the district had other difficulties.to encounter. By pass- ing the Ohio, they placed that river between them and their place of retreat, in case they were defeated and pursued. The season of the year, too, chosen by them for surveying was the depth of winter, as they were then more secure from interruption ; as the Indians were at that time of the year in their winter quarters, and when hunting were found in small bodies.
With such as these hardy, robust, daring men in the situation of the district as described, Massie, in the fall of 1790, determined to make a settlement in it, that he might be in the mi.lst of hix surveying operations aud secure his party from danger and expo -- ure. In order to effect this, he gave general notice in Kentucky of his intention, and offerred each of the first twenty-five families that would join him, as a donatlou, one in-lot and one out-lot, and one hundred acres of land, provided they would settle in a town he intended to lay off at his settlement. His proffered terms were soon closed in with, and upwards of thirty families joined him. Affer various consultations with his friends, the bottom of the Ohio river opposite the three Islands, was selected as the most eli- gible spot. IIere he fixed his station, and laid off into lots a town, called Manchester. This name is supposed to have been chosen in remembrance of Manchester, England, the old home of his an- cestors.
This little confederacy, with Massie at the helm, went to work with spirit. Cabins were raised, and by the middle of March, 179I, the whole town was enclosed with strong piekets, firmly fixed in the ground, with block houses at each angle for defense.
Thus was the first settlement in Adams county, and the third settlement effected in the bounds of the State of Ohio. Although this settlement was made in the hottest Indian war, it suffered less from the depredations from Iudians, than any one previously made on the Ohio river. This was no doubt owing to the watch- ful care and precautions of the brave spirits who guarded the placc.
As soon as the station was completed for defense, the whole population went to work and cleared the lower of the three Is- lands and planted it in corn. [There are but two Islands now, one having been washed away by the waters. ] This Island con- tained 100 acres, was very rich, and produced heavy erops. The woods with a little industry, supplied a variety of game; deer, elk, buffalo, bears and turkeys, were abundant, while the river furuished a variety of fish. The wants of the inhabitants, under these circumstances, were few and easily gratified. Luxuries were entirely unknown, except old Monongahela whisky. This article was in great demand in those days, and when obtained, freely nsed. Coffee and tea were rare articles, not much prized or souglit after, and only used to celebrate the birth of a new comer. The inhabitants of the station were generally playful as kittens, and as happy in their way as their hearts could wish. The men spent most of their time in hunting aud fishing, and al- mnost every evening the boys and girls footed it merrily to the tune of the fiddle. Thus was their time spent in that happy state of indolence and.case, which none but the hunter or herdsman'- state can enjoy. They had no civil officers to settle their disput nor priests to direct their morals ; yet among them erintes were rare occurrence'; should and one who chaneed to be amongst the prove troublesome, or disturb the harmony of the counanni his expulsion forthwith would be the consequence; and woe him it he again attempted to intrude himself upon them. Tl there "are riches above wealth," was evideuced in the lives the citizens of the frontier stations. There were no rival grad or castes in these'small communities, to create envy ; in their so. ly all were equal. Their minds were buoyant with hope; and when danger was not apparent, they were the happiest, and of course the richest people on earth.
The names of the frontier men among themselves, were affectionate and familiar, They' addressed cach other by their christian names only, which custom still appears to them the most . friendly and courteous mode of inter- course. When one looks back on what the world was then, it seems as if money-making and selfishness had now frozen up the avenues of the heart. "That frank, friendly intercourse, which was the delight aud honor of this land, Is gone forever, and the cold, calculating spirit of neenmulation, or the worthless eminla- tion of show and splendor, has succeeded.
The exact date when Massie laid off his town into lots is not. known, but as his contract with those who joined his colony. was excented December 1, 1790, and their, removal made, the stockade built and cabins erected therein, by the middle of March. 1791, it is probable the lois were, jaid ont by that time .. The court records however give the dato se April 28, 1802. The original town was laid off with 108 Ini-lots and 53 out-lots, It iti- eluded that part of the prosent Msuchester above Pike street. The stockade included some three aeres and was the only part.
32
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
t'enpied tor some years. The list on which it stood now he- longs to tharvey MeMtahan.
This part of the town, in which all the historic interest of the carly settlement centers, was almost wholly consumed by the dix- astrous tire of April 5, 1860.
MANCHESTER.
This town was laid ont by, Nathaniel Massie in 1791, called after Manchester, England, the home of his ancestors.
These in-lots contain a little over one-fourth of an gere, and the ont-lots tour acres.
WEST MANCHESTER,-Which is more properly, only an addi- tion to the original town, was laid ont by John Donaldson, Ste- phen W. Compton and G. W. Donaldson, as proprietors, Septem- ber 16, 1839. It contains 48 lots, extending west from Pike street, fronting on the river and extending back to Main street.
Another addition, called the first addition to West Manches- ter. was made by John Donaldson, May 9, 1849. It contains 23 lots, lies west of Pike and north of Main street-opposite, and worth of the eastern portion of West Manchester.
YATE'S ADDITION .- Was made May 16. 1848, contained 16 lots, lies immediately east of Pike street-north of the Western por- tion of the old town. John Yates, proprietor. It was made from ont-lot No. 6. in Massie's original plat.
REAL ESTATE IMPROVEMENT COMPANY'S AIONTION .- This company bought up as many of the original tour acre. out-lots, that Gen. Massie laid out, as it could, then ent them up into small lots, and by its trustees, Matthew McColm, John Brookover, A. B. Ellison, D. W. Stableton, and William Stevenson, as proprie- tors, laid out an addition, known by the above name.
There were several of these out-lots, that they were unable to buy, which leave vacant squares promiscuously scattered through this part of the town.
This addition was made November 22d, 1855, and contains 452 lots, 196-643.
ILILL'S ADDITION,-This addition was laid out at the west end of West Manchester. It fronts the Ohio river and contains 4 lot -. surveyed and platted June 2d, 1856.
Manchester therefore contains Gal lots, as follows :
Massie's original plat 108
West Manchester, by John Donaldson, Stephen W. Compton, 6. W. Donaldson, Sept. 16, 1839, numbered 108-156. 48 Y'ato'- Addition, May 16, 1843, 157-172-16. 16
John Donaldson's Addition to West Manchester, May 9, 1849, numbered 173-195 23
Real Estate Improvement Company's Addition, Nov. 22. 1855, numbered 196-647 .. 432
Ilill's Addition, June 2d, 1858, numbered 648-651 4
-
Total number of lots. 651
EARLY HOUSES.
The first settlers, as before stated, located within the stockade, and their houses were only a few rude cabins. Fear of the In- chians prevented them improving the lands adjoining on the out- side of the fort. The Inte Andrew Ellison, who was captured in 1793, while working on his out-lot adjoining the stockade, attests the danger. They therefore cleared off the lower of the three Islands, which from its isolated position-rendered it a place of greater security. Even with its advantages of situation, guards were kept to watch the approach of any enemy that might attempt to cross over to the Island. Fortunately the unsurpass- el Fertility of the soil produced sufficient abundance to supply the .ir garrison with all the necessaries of life. But few additions . made to the population or business of Manchester, or settle- urile in the country, back from the river, nutil the crash- beat of the Indians by Gen. Wayne, in 1701. After the ah of Greenville, which relieved the settlements from appre- . n-ion of further trouble from them, settlements began to be inndle in the interior portions of the county. Manchester did not improve very rapidly for some years.
EMILY BUSINESS OF MANCHESTER.
The names of the carly business men or the dates of their es- nachli -!. ments hive unt been preserved. The old landmarks have nusily disappeared, as well as the early buildings and houses which were destroyed by the great fire of 1860, so that only a few fragmentary remains of its early history can now be collected
Boppwar- however, that the
FIRST STORE,
In the place was kept by Andrew Boyd. The paperty an Which is stood is now owned by bane Laporte. It is believed il. - tore was started previon- 10. 1802.
THE SECOND STOEP
Was started by Peter Cooley, at an early date. I was kept in a hewed log building that was weather-boarded. This Boise was situated near the old stockade on the land now sweet by Hammond Tolle.
This Mr. Cooley appears to latve been long and favorably
known asn business min and closely Identitied with the Interests of the town. The store was carried on until his death in 1843
THE FIRST TAVERN
Was kept by a Mr. MeGate, but when he started, or how long he continued it, cannot now be ascertained. It was perhaps as early as 1804 or 5. Other similar institutions no doubt followed, for taverns wero more numerons in early years than any other class of business hanses,
FIRST MILLS.
On account of danger from the Indians, the early settlers, for a few years did not venture out far enough from the stockade, to avail themselves of the facilities of the streams for building mills.
The first machinery of the kind was n hand mill put up with- in the stocknde. With this primitivo mill was ground most of tho breadstuff nsed by the inhabitants at first. Tho burrs used in it still remain in the village, and are now utilized in making the pavement for the sidewalk at the upper end of Second street.
How little do these descendents appreciate the labors of our faithful and patient forefathers, who have borne the burden and heat of the day of trial ; who have removed every abstaclo from our path, and let't every landable object of ambition within our reach, that they thus descerate these mementoes of their carly but useful labors ?
Manchester being the third place settled in Ohio makes its carly history a subject of peculiar interest, not only to the citizens of Adams county, but of the whole nation. It is interesting, in reading the history of nations, cities or communities, to be able to begin at the starting point, with the name of the first settler, tho time when he made it, the exact spot where he located, the kind of a cabin or hut in which he first dwelt, then in like manner to trace the business honses and their general history down. Many of our larger cities, are to-day, able to do this, and it is to be re- gretted that Manchester, around which centers so much of histor- ie interest to the student of history, as well as to the citizen and general reader, is unable to do the same. At least the writer, after all lils researches, has not been able to establish these points with that definite certainty he so much desired. Ho finds but few written records to guide him with their nuerring certainty, while the traditions that are preserved, are dim, and more or less contradictory. llis conclusions are drawn, many times, inferen- tially, as given to the reade", who is left to judge of their cor- reetness.
THE FIRST HOUSE.
The manner in which the first settlement was made, by a col- ony, the inference that naturally arises, under the ciremmistances und the situation in which they were placed, is that their efforts were nuited, as a single individual, or family, that worked for the common good of all-with no separate individual interest in the matter.
There is little doubt. as their first primary object was protec- tion against outside dangers, particularly the savages that prowl- ed through all the forests round, that their houses were the most primitive kind ot cabins, constructed hastily, as they must have been. Then these cabins were, for still better protection, as hur- ridly enclosed by a stockade of pickets. Under the pressne of the hurry, not knowing at what moment the Indians might pounce upon them, there was no thought of tirst, or second or last house, or note or memory of it left.
Once enclosed with this stockade, the inmates must still have had to exercise the greatest vigialnee against the sudden attacks of the savages who lurked in the adjaecht forest ready by day or night to pick up any of the inmates that might venture a few rods outside its barricades as was experienced by the capture of Elli- son, who, in the spring of 1793, was taken almost under the very walls of the fort, as he ventured outside in the early morning.
As the savages maintained their unabated hostility nutil they were defeated by Gen. Wayne, in 1794, it is most likely there were no houses built outside the fort until after that event.
There is a tradition that Cornelius Washburne built the first house in Manchester.
James McGovney says his father came to Manchester in 1795, and there were then four or five houses in the town, occupied by the following families or men :
John Ellison, Andrew Boyd, John McGate, Gen. Massie, Is- rael Donaldson, Isaac, Joseph and George Edgington, Seth Foster and John Kite.
(Quere-Were these houses outside of th . stockade ?)
Duncan MeArthur in a letter in 1796 or '97 speaking of the rapidity with which the town was then growing up, says: " We. now have forty Imilding-, many of them of hewed log -. some of them with shingle roots."
MIRST BRICK HOPSK.
The first brick house in Manchester-in fact the first one in Adam- county, and the third one in Ohio, was built by John EI- lison, in 1807. It stood near the river, somewhere above the St. Charles Hotel, and was the subject of general conversation as well as the admiration of her citizens-perhaps the envy of some whose means did not permit them to make so aristocratie a dis-
phy. Mr. Ellison himself, who was an Irishman, was so ilelight- ed with his beautiful house, that he " muddled " his cunoe aver the river nud elluhed one of the highest hills on the Kentucky side, to see how it looked at a distance from such a commanding jmisi- tion. Ile was perfectly enchanted with its appearance. lle re- turned home, and eagerly necosting his wife as he met her, he exclaimed. " Mary ! it looks moro liko heaven than earth !"
* But alas, Mr. Ellison and his beloved Mary, are both now sleeping their lust long sleep, in narrow houses of clay, their bones mouldering into dust, while their beautiful houso of brlek, that once caused their hearts to throb with such cmnotions of de- light and happiness, has fallen beneath tho destroying flames, and it too, bas roturned to its clemoutal inst-an impressive le -- son upon the transitory and fleeting happiness, of all the joys that earth affords.
FIRST MILL.
Tho first mill-perhaps in tho county, was built by General Massie, on Island creek, two miles from town, and was what i. called a " Tub Mill. " A year or so afterward another one wa. built, about two hundred yards above the first one. This was a pretty good mill, and ground both wheat and corn, and was col .- sidered quite an institution. It is snid that when grinding wus to be done, tho men would arm and go in a company, and while the grinding was being done, part of them would stand out as pickets or guards, to watch the approach of Indians. There was a saw mill in connection with this mill, but both bavo long since disappeared.
FIRST CMIDING MILL.
About 1893. Israel Donaldson, started the first carding mill ever built in the county. It was first started on Front street, S. E. corner of Washington street, in a building owned and occupied by John Fisher, a grain and produce dealer, as a warehouse. Mr. Donaldson afterwards built a new house, on the corner cast of Washington street, on the opposite side, to which he moved his enrding machinery. The lower story was for an oil mill, the up- per one was used for carding. The oil mill was only run a few years ; the carding ceused in 1832 or '33.
It was this building in which the great fire of 1860 originated. Manchester was incorporated in 1850, by the following act of the legislature, to-wit :
AN ACT
To Incorporate the town of Manchester, in the county of Adams,
SEC. 1. Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That so much of the township of Sprigg, in the county of Adams, as is included within the following boundaries, to- wit : Beginning at the southeast corner of Jolm Donaldson's land, on the Ohio river; thence with his line northwardly about one hundred poles, to Isaac's creek ; thence up said creek to the north- west corner of the original survey and pint of tho town of Man- chester ; thence with the north line of said town plut eastwardly. to the west lino of Thomas W. Means' Innd ; thenee with said Means' line sonthwardly, to the Ohio river; thence down the river with the southerly boundary of the State of Ohio, to the beginning, be, and the same is hereby declared to bo a town cor- porate, by the name of Manchester, and by that name shall be : body corporate and politic, with perpetual succession, and as snel shall have all the privileges and be subject to all the hmitations, provisions and restrictions of the " Act for the regulation of in- corporated towns, ", passed February 16, 1839, and the Rets amend atory thereto.
SEC. 2. That the town conneil of said town, in addition h. the powers and privileges granted and conferred by the " art to .the regulation of incorporated towns" as aforesait, shall leiv. power and authority to make, keep in repair and regulate all pul: lic landings, grades and wharves, and wharf-boats belonging le said town ; and to fix and regulate the price of landing and wharfage thereto; to require by ordinance the owner or owner- of any lot, or parts of lots, to pave the side walks, or to alter amend and keep the same in repair in front of their respective lot or lots, or parts of lots, upon any street within said town. und of snch width and in conformity with such grade ns the said conu- cil shall direct.
SEC. 3. That said town shall be a road district, and the labor required by law, to be performed by the inhabitants thereof njion the public roads, and also any tnx which may be levied or assess- ed by, or under the authority of the laws of this State, within the corporate limits of said town, shall bo performed and expended upon the streets, alleys and highways within the said town, in such mamuer and under such regulations as the town council shall direct.
Abraham Perry was the first Mayor, and Jos. Shriver, first Marshal. At that timo there were probably not more than a half- dozen "business houses within the corporation. Manchester now has a population of 1486, with three churches, six school depart-" ments, one bank, one printing office, one telegraph office, three dry goods houses, three clothing houses, eight grocery stores, two drug stores, one boot and shoe house, two boot and shoe mani- facturers, four millinery stores, two, merchant tailors, four physi- cians, four lawyers, one stove and'tin store, one sewing machine establishment, two furulturo stores, two undertakers, two sad- illers, three photographie galleries, two warchonses, three jew
33
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
Mor-, one pdaning mill one saw mill, two flouring mills, one for- niture factory, two potteriez, two marble works, four cooper shops, one chair factory, two hotels, one bakery, two confectiona- ries, two livery stables, four blacksmith shops, oue broom tacto- ry two wagon shops, three barber shops, one whart boat, one fer- ryboat, and.lastly, but not least, three saloons.
Manchester is the principal business place in Adams conuty. It is the main shipping point, to which the farmers take their stock and produce to sell, which gives life and spirit to the busi- ness of the place.
The Manchester grain dealers' make an annual purchase of one hundred and fifty thousand bushels. The yearly shipment of tobacco from that point exceeds tive hundred thousand pounds. A leading dry goods house sells $80,000 worth a year. Last year the stock dealers shipped twelve thousand hogs. One of the druggists sold to the amount of $12.000. while the grocery sales amounted to $70.000, and a saddler sold $15.000. The sales of stove- and tinware are $15.000. and boots and shoes $13.000 anti- ally.
POST OFFICE.
It is believed that Manchester was the first Post Office in the county. It was established April 14, 1801.
The following is a complete list of the Postmasters, with the dates of their several appointments :
180!,
April 14, Israel Donaldson, appointed =
1813.
Sept. 27.
Jolin Ellison, Jr.,
=
1815,
June 13.
John Fisher.
44
1829.
1826,
April 10,
John Fisher,
¥
1827. Ort. 13,
1829.
Oct. 20.
David Ellison.
1831.
Sept. 22,
William Ellison,
=
1833.
Pec. 14.
Josinh Stout,
=
18-11.
1846.
Nov. 4,
1847.
Nov. 4,
IS53.
Jan. 27,
Richard B. Case,
[853.
Sept. 1,
Wilham Stableton,
=
Feb. 7,
James McColm,
Oct. 27,
Alexander M. Lang,
1855.
Mar. 23,
David Dunbar,
1866.
Sept. 27, William L. Vance,
1867. Mar. 28, Mrs. Martha A. Phillips, 16
Mrs. Phillips is the present incumbent.
BANKS-MANCHESTER.
The first bank in Manchester. was started in 1857, by John Ellison, a> a private institution, which he conducted until the es- tabli-hmost of the present National Bank, in June, 1872.
While Mr. Ellison carried on his private bank, he had asso- ciated with him in the institution. R. II. Ellison and Peter Shiras. The capital stock of the present National Bank, is $50.000, in shares of $100 each. J. P. Ellison, Cashier; W. A. Blair, Presi- dent ; L. Pierce, Vice President.
Since writing the above, this bank has resolved to close busi- ness and wind up its affairs.
ILISTORY OF THE LEADING BUSINESS HOUSE4.
DRY GOODS STORES.
W. L. VANCE.
This is perhaps the largest dry goods store in Adams county. proprietor commenced selling goods in 1859, in a small way. .. >ales have increased until they amount to $80,000 a year. i. deals exclusively in dry goods.
IL. M. PALMER.
This house deals in drygoods, boots and shoes. It has a large trade. Mr. Paliner commenced business November 12, 1877.
MANCHESTER MILLS-ASHENHUST, ROI'SH & CO, PROPRIETORS.
These splendid mills were built by Ashenhust & Foster, in 1869, commieneing to grind September 9. The building is a sub- stantial frame. 40x60, three and a half stories high, furnished with a" .les modern improvements in machinery, with a 40 horse Iwrote built at a total cost of $12,000.
. Ti ve two ran of wheat and one run of corn burrs, with arafre i, o manufacture 65 to 70 barrels ot tions per day. .
AA-hrubust & Foster run.it until March, 1871, when Mr. Ash- :enun-t' son, John Franklin, bought out Foster, and it was run by A-henhust & Son, until December 6, 1875, when Atexander Roush bought one-fourth interest in the establishment, since which, it has been run nuder the name of Ashenlust, Roush & Co.
OTIVE. FLOL RING MILLS-RICE & SOM PROPRIETERS, ,
- These mills were originally commenced in, 1840, by John and G. W. Donaldson, sons of Israel Donaldson. The progress of the work was interrupted by the death of G. W. &omaldson, who lost hi- lite while trying to remove the goods from the burning house of his brother John. It was then leased to Walter Scott, who
completed it. put in the machinery and run it two years, when Ellison & McColm, bought it. They rau it three years and sold to Bently. After passing through several hands it was finally bought, in 1877, by Ebenezer Rice & Son, the present proprietors who do a general merchant flouring business. It has a capacity of forty barrels a day.
NURSERY. JOHN BIGGAR.
Mr. Biggar has been engaged all his life in the nursery busi- ness, raising and selling fruit and ornamental trees of all kinds. Ile commenced business on his own account, across the river in Kentucky, in 1855, removed to Manchester in 1877, where he has the most extensive mirsery in the country.
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