USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 22
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" It is astonishing to see the zeal and determination upon part of the membership in the erection of a house for worshi The church at this place, only numbers mne or ten of a membe. ship, none of them wealthy but blessed with a competence bir comtort, and have completed a beantitul cuapel which would be considered Tow at $2,000. We have not seen a better finished building for a long time. Its architecture is elegant, and the work performed in the best of order. The contractor not only understood his business as a mechanic, but gave tull proof of hon- estly by doing the work in good order and tinisting in # a style better than the contract." Fue sisters have evinced elegant taste in dressing tue pulpit and altar. Such zeal is commendable, and we trust will be liberally rewarded." ,
A SINGULAR INCIDENT.
One of the workmen in ascending a ladder, leading trom the floor to the hatchiway, between the doors, necidentally touched hits foot against the phister, lenving a munk and slightly defacing the wall. The contractor observing the blemish drew kis brush across it, thinking only to remove the detect, when . behokl, in place ot the blemish appeared a dove, most beautifully traced. The brush having been in turpentine it leaves a stain of a com- plete dove like figure, which is observable from any part of the house. The time has been when such an event would have b
44
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
thought omenous. It is certaluly very remarkable that It sbould appear in such perfection, without vy Intention of the kind and could not have been made by the same haud if It had been design- ed. We hope the innocence of the dove may ever characterize those who worship before 1be alter In this pleasant chapol."
CHAPTER "XI.
BUSINESS OF WEST UNION.
G. B. GRIMES & CO .- BANKERS.
This banking institution was established in 1865, by G. B. Grimes and Smith Grimes, with a capital stock of $35,000.
In 1868, E. P. Evans was associated with them in business retaining the same name. In 1878, Mr. Evans retired, leaving the original members, who continuc under the same firm nanie.
The institution has confined itself to a legitimate banking business, and has stood the financial pressure of the times it has passed through without a strain. Doing au honorable business, it has had an abundant success.
NEWSPAPERS-WEST UNION SCION.
The first number of this paper appeared the 17th of February, 1853, with Samuel Burwell as editor and proprietor, by whom it bas siuce been continuously publisbed to tbe present time.
THE PEOPLE'S DEFENDER.
This paper was commenced by J. W. Eylar, January 19 1866. It is still continued by the original proprietor.
ADAMS COUNTY NEW ERA.
The first number of the " New Era " was issued July 6, 1877. It was gotten up by a joint stock company of Republicans, with C. E. Irwin as editor. Mr. Irwin now owns a controlling share of the stock.
HOTELS-CRAWFORD HOUSE.
Coruer of Main and Cherry streets ; John Crawford, propri- etor.
GAFFIN HOUSE,
On Cross street ; Henry Gaflin ; proprietor.
BANK HOTEL,
On corner of Main and Market streets; Samuel M. Wright and Mrs. H. L. Irwin ; proprietors.
DBY GOODS STORES-WILLIAM R. RAPE.
William R. Rape is the oldest merchant in West Union. He commenced as a clerk in the store of J. P. Patterson in 1838. In 1840. be went to James Hood's store, where be remained five or or six years, tben with E. S. Moore, then with David Oakes, then one year at the Brush creek Forge with James Hood, then with Prother & Moore, and Hosea Moore. In September, 1852, be eu- tered into partnership with Peter Milier, and in 1853 has J. Love- y as a partner, tben E. M. de Bruin. In 1856 was connected ith George Moore as partner, occupying the Armstrong (uow the Mullen) corner for five year, then removed to the Sparks corner now occupied by James Young, afterwards weut to the · corner now occupied by Miller & Bunn's drug store. From the latter place he removed to bis present location, corner of Market and Mulberry streets, making some forty-two years, either as, clerk or principal in the dry goods business.
B. W. TREBER.
Tbis establishment started by Treber & Holmes, in March, 1875, who continued the business nuder the firm name stated, un- til December, 1876, wben Mr. Holmes retired, Mr. Treber con- tinuing alone until April, 1879, veren W. J. Crawford became connected with the house, in whi 1 be remained until February 1, 1880, when he withdrew as . partner in the store, hut re- mains a salesman, Mr. Treber arcin becoming the sole owner. He deals in dry goods, family groceries, &c.
G. N. CRAWFORD,
Corner of Cberry and Main streets, comt. محـ : 3 : uds,
sry, 1880, a general mercantile business, dealin: groceries, ready-made clothing, and all articles conntry store.
GROCERY STORES-T. J. MULLEN,
Commenced business, April, 1879, in conne .. . . with Jobn. Taylor, under the firm name of Mullen & Taylor, doing a geu-
eral grocery business. In March, 1880, Mr. Taylor retired leaving Mr. Mullen, sole proprietor.
This Is one of the old business stands in West Union. The building was erected in 1806, by William Armstrong, who im- mediately filled in a store. It has been continuously used as a store from that time to the present day. The same counter, that was put up in 1806, stands there to-day, almost as good as it was the day it was put in, seventy-four years ago.
S. N. BRADFORD, 1
Cominenced business in the old Armstrong corner ou, Main street, in 1869, in the month of September, with S. G. Bradford, continuing with him eight ycars. William McDan- iel bonght the interest of S. G. Bradford, and was a member of the firm for a few mouths, when he sold his interest to W. H. Nicholson. After remaining together something over a year, Mr. Bradford retired from the firm, and started business alone, on the opposite side of the street, where he remains, do- ing a general grocery business.
J. D. YOUNG,
Groceries and notions, corner of Market and Main streets.
JOHN TAYLOR,
Family Groceries, notions, &c., Main street, in the old Nicholson building.
DRUG STORES-MILLER & BUNN.
J. F. Miller commenced business in 1861, in the room now occupied by E. Zimmerman & Son, as a tin shop. In 1873, the stock was sold to J. W. Eylar. In 1874, he associated with him, J. W. Bunu, and laid in a new stock of drugs and med- icines, and commened business under the firm name of Miller & Bunn. In 1879, they moved into their present commodious build- ing, which they bad just completed.
C. W. SATTERFIELD,
Bought the drug store he uow occupies, corner of Cross and Main streets, in 1864, at a cost of $1,960 for the buildings, and $1,- 950 for the stock on hand. He has since made two or three additions to the buildings. He deals in hardware, leatber, drugs, notiona, school books, &c., &c.
PHYSICIANS-DAVID COLEMAN,
Graduated from the Western Reserve Medical College in February, 1849, and subsequently settled in West Union, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Du- ring the war of the rebellion he served two years as examining surgeon in tbe Provost Marshal's office, of the eleveuth district.
BRICE V. HOGHLAND.
The subject of this sketch graduated from the Ohio Medical College in 1849, though he afterwards, in 1855, attended a course of lectures in the College of Physicians and Surgeous in New York city, and also attended still another course at the same in- stitution in 1857.
He located in West Union in 1870, where he bas since been engaged in the practie of his profession.
J. F. MILLEB. MILLER & BUNN, J. W. BUNN.
Physicians engaged in the practice of medicles. Office in the new drug store, coruer of Main and Cross stroots.
DENTIST.
Dr. R. S. Silcox ; office with Dr. Coleman, Main street.
BOOT & 8HOZ SHOPS-URIAH UPP,
Came to Locust Grove, January 17, 1869, and commenced the boot and shoe making business in all its branches, which he still continues.
8. V. EDOINGTON,
Carries on boot and shoe making, and in connection with it a barber shop, on Main street.
WILLI8 ELLISON,
Has carried on the boot and shoe business some five or six years ; sbop. on Market street, north of Mulberry street.
G. M'CLATCHY,
Boot and shoe maker, and "Daguerrean Rooms;" shop on Mulberry street, near W. R. Rape's store.
BLACKSMITH8-JAMES JOHNSON & BRO.,
Came from Russellville, Brown county, in December, 1877. They do a general blacksmithing business. Their abop is located on Main street.
OLIVER SMELTZER,
Came from Cinciunati in February, 1876. He carries on a general blacksmithing business ; shop on Main street.
J. N. WORSTELL,
Carries on a general blacksmithing business; worked in West Union one year-1850-then went to Aberdeen, Brown county, and worked until September 9, 1870, when he located again in West Union, and started a shop on Mulberry street, in which be has sluce done business.
HENRY C. 8TBOMANN, Carries on a blacksmithing business, East Main street.
COOPER SHOP-WILLIAM ROBBINS,
Came from Eckmansville, March 8, 1878, and settled in West Uuion, and opened np a cooper shop, west side of the village, on the Maysville and Zanesville pike. He employs three hands and does all kinds of work in his line.
CARRIAGE AND WAGON SHOPS-ANDREW JOHNSON,
Came here from Russellville, Brown county, O., in February 1875, and commenced the manufacture of carriages and buggies. - He runs one set of hands; does repairing in all its branches. Shop on Main street.
TIN AND STOVE SHOPS-E. ZIMMERMAN & 80N.
This firm came from Williamsburg, Clermont county, O., and located in West Union, June 1, 1879. They do a general business in manufacturing tinware, and deal in stoves.
SADDLE AND HARNESS SHOPS-W. C. ALLEN.
W. C. Allen, has carried on the above business since 1850. He occupied a building a few doors east of the Crawford House, until 1876, when be moved to bis preseut location, on the corner of Mulberry and Pleasant streets.
TANNERY-SMITH & BRO.
This establishment was started by Abraham Ilollingsworth ; sold by him to Adam MeGovney, aud was bought from him by Joseph Smith, and was run by him until his decease in 1870. when it passed into the hands of his sons, Lewisand Joseph Smith, who continue under the firm name of Smith & Bro.
JEWELER AND WATCHMAKER-H. T. HIGOINS,
Commenced business in West Union, September 1, 1872. Deals in aud repairs clocks, watches, and jewelry of all kinds ; shop on Maiu street, west of the Postoffice.
BUTCHERS-F. W. DIMENT,
Has been engaged in the business most of his life time; start- ed a shop just north of the Gaffin House in the spring of 1879, where he carries on the business at the present time.
CABINET, FURNITURE AND UNDERTAKING-WILLIAM CARL,
Cobinet maker, commenced business on Mulberry street many years ago, where he still remains.
W. V. LAFFERTY,
Commenced business as an undertaker in 1855, to which he bas since added a general furniture room.
WOOLEN MILLS-A. CLARK & CO.
In 1866, Arthur Clark, John C. Duffy, George MeIntire, Fred- eriek Schuster, Dr. John Campbell and David Clark, were incor- porated as a company to carry on a woolen factory, under the firm name of .A. Clark & Co. After running some four or five years, they disposed of their property to E. P. ,Evans, James Mc- Clanahau, Smith Grimes and Wesley Satterfield, who run it un- til 1878, wben they ceased to work it. Although this establish- ment is In excellent order, with perfect machinery, the financial crisis made it unprofitable, and it bas not resumed business.
STEAM FLOURING MILL8.
This mill was built by James Hood in 1857 ; commenced bus- iness in 1858. It was made substantial and first class in every respect, supplied with all the improved machinery of the times with two pairs of wheat burrs, and one pair for corn. Mr. Hood run it until April 1, 1862, wben he disposed of it to MeIntire & Schuster.
Mr. McIntire became sole proprietor. He run it until - when he gave way under the financial pressure, and it went into the hands of au assignee.
In August, 1872, Jacob Plummer bought it at asalgnee's sale, and still carries on the business.
48
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
CHAPTER XXII.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SAMURL BURWELL --- Was born in West Uuion, Adams coun- ty, Ohie. November 20, 1822, was educated in the commen schools of the village, with . he exception ef attending the Hillsboro Acad- emy during the sun mer term of 1842. Ile learned the printer's trade with Robert . cckman, of West Unien. lle worked on the West Union Intellig neer for several years, also on tho Free Press, in the same place. On the 17th day of February, 1853, he issued in West Union, the first number of a new paper called the "Seion of Temperance. " It was published one year on the temperance platform, when he espensed '' cause of the American Party, which had just come inte exis .. nce. Upan the organization of the Republican party, in 1856, he at once adopted its principles, which he has since warmly advecated through the columns of his paper. Mr. Burwell has published the West Union Scion for over 27 years. It has now become almost a part of his existence. lle is at his office early and late, busy at his work all the time. 1Ie is now one of the oldest editors in the State, and yet his paper goes on without any symptoms of relaxation or abatement of its energies. Ilis, has been truly a laberious, " busy life. " Mr. Bnr- well married Miss Margaret Mitchell, March 30, 1848, and has reared a family of five seus and three danghters.
SARAH BOYLE .- This lady's ancestors were natives of Ireland. ller paternal grand parents, John and Sarah Boyle, were born on the banks of the river Boyne, near a place rendered memorable for the decisive battle fought there, July 1, 1690, between William IlI, of England, at the head of a combined foree ot English, Dutch, and allied detachments of almost every Protestant kingdom of Europe, aud the ex-monarch, James II, with an invading French and Irish refugee army. The animosities engendered by the " battle of the Boyne " have never died out. The Protestant Irish, known as "Orangemen, " still annnally celebrate their victory on that occasion, throughout the United States, and are almost always mobbed by the Irish Catholics, whose anger for their de- feat still remains unappeased. In 1795, John Boyle, with his wife and children, emigrated to America. IIe first settled at Shipbens- burg, Pennsylvania, but afterwards moved to Greensburg, in the same State, where he died. lle reared a family of nine children, Mary, Sarah, Nancy, Susan, Ann. Elizabeth, Alexander, Wilson and Daniel. Daniel, who was the father of the subject of our sketch, was also born on the banks of the Boyne, about 1787, and came with his parents to this country, when eight years old. lle subsequently married Margaret Cox, of Pittsburgh. Ile learned the tinning business, working at his trade in New York, Phila- delphia and Pittsburgh. The conveniences of travel were not so good in those early days as they are now, and Mr. Boyle walked from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh and returned, no less than seven times. After he came to West Union he thought nothing of walking from there to Pittsburgh and back, which he did many times. A year or two after his marriage, about 1819, Mr. Boyle left Pittsburgh and came to Adams conuty. 'lle and a Mr. Lit- ten, built some kind of a cheap boat, on which they loaded their goods, and with their families came down the river. They halt- ed an hour or two at Portsmouth, looked at the town and the log "Court House, " then moved ou down the river to Manchester, where Mr. Boyle landed and unloaded his goods. Mr. Litten went on. From Manchester, Mr. Boyle came to West Union, where he settled and carried on the tinning business, supporting his family and saving a portion of his earuings, with which he first bought lot No 67, of James Roseman, who was a merchant, doing business there in a small honse that stood on the premises. This property became Mr. Boyle's homestead. In 1829 he rented his premises and moved to Cincinnati, and engaged in business for a year, then returned to West Union, where he followed his trade of tinner, until some two years before his death, when age and infirmity unfitted him for labor any more. Iu 1811, Mr. Boyle made a trading trip down the Mississippi river, went up the Arkansas, also up the Mississippi as far as St. Louis. He was along the river during the time of the earthquakes of that year, was near New Madrid at the time of the great convulsion there, saw the earth sink thet swallowed up tho greater portion of the town. lle carly identified himself with the interests of the eom- unity, in which he lived, tu sing a lively interest in every thing that would promote the general welfare; was esteemed 'and re- spected by all who knew him. Ile served his fellow-citizens as Mayor of the village, Justin of the Peace, etc. Of the strictest integrity, frugal, industrion . nud unostentatious in his manners, he was one of God's nobles works-an honest man. Ile was a member of the U. B. Churel:, for many years prevlons to his death, which ocenrred May 29, 1874. llis wife Hed' August 26, 1876. They lie buried in the village cemetery . W. t. " nion. They were the parents of nine children-three ser and e'- toughters- named George, Edward, Sarah, Margar MIar ; A mt. Wilson, Amanda, Cmoline, and Theodosia Jane. . ... ^Award and Mary are deceased, the others still surv .... Sara .. tho oklest daughter, occupies the beautiful homestead her parents-a view of which appears upon the pages of this w
JosEru W. EXLAR .- Joseph Wilkins 2 yra, tho subject of 4his sketch, was born in the village ot Cari. ne, in Brown county,
Ohio, March LIth, 1847. Before he was a year old his parents moved to Adams county, where he has resided ever since, with the exception of brief intervals. In 1860 his parents moved to the town of West Unlon, where, taking up as nearly all boys do, with the art of printing, hic became apprenticed to the firm of Billings & Patterson, at that time conducting the Democratie Union. In 1862, he went to Georgetown, Ohio, where he contin- ued his apprenticeship under John G. Doren, then publisher of the Southern Ohio Argus. In 1862, being unable to enlist, on the account of age and size, he went with his father, who had somo connection with the army, into the service as a teamster, from which capacity ho was advanced to that of a fornge master. Ile accompanied General Burnside's expedition into East Ten- nessce, crossing the. Cumberland mountains six times, and was finally with thut officer when he was besieged at Knoxville, by Longstreet. lle also accompanied General Sherman's army, being connected with the 23d army corps, to the Chattahoochie River, where he remained until Atlanta fell, when ho returned to Knoxville, and from thence to his home in Obio. Arriving at home he spent one winter at school, when he again took up lils profession of printer, in tho office of the Democratic Union, where he remained for several months, in the employ of W. G. Billings, who at that time had charge of that paper. He quitted this posi- tion and went to Fayette county, where he was employed for a time by Shoemaker, Bybee & Co., who were at that time conduct- ing a hub and spoke factory. During his absence the Democratie Union failed, and on his arrival at home, in the fall of 1865, he found considerable discontent among the Democracy of Adams county, because they had no organ. After taking the matter un- der advisement, and having a consultation with John K. Billings, who owned the material on which the Democratic Union had been printed, a prospectus was prepared and Mr. Eylar walked over Adams county, soliciting subscribers. The success was not as flattering as he had hoped for, but being full of pluck and determination, he resolved to make the venture, and on the - day of January, 1866, the first number of the People's Defender was given to the public. The success of the paper was assur- ed with its first issue. During the first year he and his brother, Oliver A., performed all the work on the paper, cating and sleep- ing in the office. When the Democracy of Adams county saw the determination to succeed evineed by the youthful editor, they rallied to its support. For a while the Defender was owned joint- ly by J. W. and O. A. Eylar, but it is now the sole property of J. W. Eylar. In 1876, Mr. Eylar was elected to the Legislature, suc- eceding Richard Ramsay, a Republican. Ile served two years, and at the expiration of that time was re-Elected, representing the connty of Adams four years, in the 62d and 63 General Assem- blies. A reference to the journals of that body shows that he ac- complished inore in the passage of bills than any other Represen- tative ever elected from Adans Co. ; in fact, his efforts in that di- rection are nearly equal to the combined representation of Adams county, from the adoption of the present constitution to the time of his election. In the 63d General Assembly he was Chairman of the committee ou Publie Printing, and a leading member of the committee on Railroads and Telegraphs. In the 62d General Assembliy, he was a member of the commsttee on Printing, the committee on the Soldiers' Orphans' Ilome, and a new committee being organized during the session called the committee on Elec- tive Franchise, he was appointed a member of that. llis record as a Legislator shows that his votes were always cast in favor of economy, and on the side of every reasonable temperance propo- sition that came before the bodies of which he was a member. In the 62d General Assembly he was one of the Democrats who voted for the only temperance proposition coming before that body, and in the 63d General Assembly he voted for Local Op- tion, as an expresston of principle, though regarding Local Op- tion as impracticable. lle was very popular with his fellow members, irrespective ef party. He evineed considerable aptness as a Parliamentarian, and was frequently called to preside over the llonse during the temporary absence of the Speaker. Mr Eylar was married to Mary Ellen Oldson, on the 4th of March, 1869. He is one of the leading members of the order of Odd Fel- lows in Adams county, and is an enthusiastic member of some of the other secret benevolent societies.
C. E. IRWIN .- C. E. Irwin, editor of the Nen Era, the sub- ject of this sketeli, is of Scotch-Irish descent, and was born at Circleville, Ohio, January 29th. 1842. He completed the High School course of study, in 1860, during the intervals of his school years learning tho printing business, working on the Circleville Herald and Circleville Watchman. On July 17th, 1862, while working as a compositor on the Philadelphia (Pa.) Inquirer, he entered the army, enlisting in the 13th Pennsylvania Cavalry, in which eapncity he participated in the battles of Sharpsburg, All- tletam, Winchester and in many lesser encounters with the Mosby Land of guerillas. On the 20th of February, 1864, in a cavalry but- tle, near Woodstock, Virginia, the subject of this sketch was sur- ronded and made prisoner. After two months incarceration In Libby Prison, Richmond, Va .. was paroled and sent to Annapolis, Maryland. During the remainder of the war was detached by order of the War Department, and served as chief clerk, to the department of paroled prisoners of war, at Annapolis. On May 20th, 1865, was honorably discharged in general orders No. 79,
War Department, A. G. O. After the war, Mr. Irwin located at. Cincinnati, and was with Thomas Wrighton & Co., printers and publishers, up to 1869. The winter seasons of each of these years was devoted to lecturing tours through Indlana, Ohio, lilinols and Kentucky ; the subject of his lectures being the selences that pertain to man physically and mentally, in which field of effort he was very successful. Ou the 23d of November, 1869, Mr. Irwin was married to Miss II. L. Wright, daughter of Samuel M. Wright, of West Union, Ohio. and located at Cincinnati. In June, 1870, he purchased of S. P. Drake, of Portsmouth, Ohio, the Ports- month Republican, the oldest Republican paper In that section, having been established in 1852, and continued its prosperous publication up to Aplil, 1876, when he sold out the good will to Albert McFarland, of the Tribune, agreeing at the same time to remain out of the business at that point, for five years. The Re- publican was subsequently consolidated with the Tribune-Repub- licun, of Portsmouth, Ohio, and still continues. In May, 1876, without effort on his part, was elected City Clerk, of the city of Portsmouth for one year. The position was one requiring the services of a thorough accountant and book-keeper, and the re- eponsibility was such that a bond of twenty-five thousand dollars is required. llis work in this, the only civil office he ever hield, can be attested by his bondsmen, the Hon. Benj. F. Coates, IIon. IIenry A. Towne, and George Davis, of Portsmouth. In April, 1877, the subject of this sketch was called upon to take an inter- est in, and arrange for the establishment of a new paper in Adams county, which eall he accepted. Ile moved with his family in June, 1877, aud issued the initial number of the New Era, at West Union, Ohio, on the 6th day of July, of the same year. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Irwin; Ettie Cathi- arine, August 4thi, 1870; MeArthur Wright, January Ist, 1873; and Ralph Waldo, April 24th, 1877, all of whom are now living.
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