Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 24

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Belmont County > Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 24

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Among the first lot purchasers we note the names of H. B. Cunningham, John Wallace, R. Wallace, William Frasier, George Wheat- ley, Adam Long. Francis Hollingshead, Hiram McMechen, C. S. Baron, Amos Worley, Thomas Davis, Harrison Porter and John Christian.

Jesse Bailey built a house in 1837; R. H. O'Neill built the O'Neill House near the pres- ent site of the bridge on Union street.

The first tradesmen were Amos Worley, a cabinetmaker; Joseph Rine, a coal merchant; Joseph McColloch, a shoemaker. Mr. Wake- field was the first carpenter ; John AArcher, Sr., was the first cooper, and was succeeded by his son. Long & Archer built the first ware- house on the river bank in 1837 and were suc- ceeded by Muth & Muth. William Hunter was the first brick manufacturer. The Longs were engaged in the manufacture of flatboats. John Rees was the first blacksmith, and J. M. Beard the first wagon-maker.

The following is a partial list of the first merchants : Francis Hollingshead was the first grocer. Judge Anderson in 1847 opened the

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first dry goods store. Among the other early grocers we may mention the names of Gales- pie, Cunningham, Sproul and Fulton. A disas- trous fire destroyed the Sproul property in 1847, but he started anew opposite the old Bel- laire House. Joseph Gorby started in in 1853, then followed Morgan Cowen & Company, wholesale grocers, and Sheets, Hogue & Com- pany.

Among the prominent citizens of Bellaire in those early days were John Archer, John A. Gallagher, Anderson Fulton, Benjamin West- lake, Amos Worley, Dr. Junkins, Dr. Bird- song, William Clark, John Muth, John Kelley, E. G. Morgan and Jacob Heatherington.

THE POST OFFICE.

The first post office was established in 1841 with John Archer, Sr., as postmaster. At that time only a weekly mail was received, the car- rier riding on horseback from Wheeling to Woodsfield. A few years thereafter a tri- weekly mail service was established by boat between Wheeling and Parkersburg.

Mr. Archer was succeeded as postmaster by Dr. Andrews, who was followed by John An- derson. When Anderson was elected sheriff of the county in 1858, A. W. Anderson was pointed postmaster in his stead. Upon his resignation, William Dunn obtained the posi- tion through the instrumentality of Congress- man Lawrence. There was considerable fric- tion throughout the administration of Dunn because of the location of the office. Robert Harper followed Dunn and he in turn was fol- lowed by Mrs. II. A. Birdsong. Then fol- lowed George A. Wise, D. W. Cooper, D. H. Darrah, W. C. Warnock and John R. Gow, the present incumbent.

THE TOWN INCORPORATED.

Because of the rowdyism and intemperance prevailing in 1856-57, the good citizens of Bell- aire petitioned the county commissioners that the village be incorporated, but lacking a ma- jority of citizens in support of the measure the whole project was overthrown.

Three years later, however, another petition

was presented, signed by a large majority of the citizens and the village was permanently incorporated.

THE FIRST MAYOR AND HIS SUCCESSORS.

At the first election for mayor the "whiskey question" was made an issue and there was some bitterness manifested, but John Kelley, the temperance candidate, was elected by a large majority. He served two years and was followed by A. W. Anderson, 1861-63; E. B. Winans, 1863-68; A. O. Mellott, 1868-70; George Criswell, 1870-74; George Strahl, 1874-78. (It was during the administration of Mr. Strahl the village charter was changed to a city charter.) Levi Castle, 1878-80; D. WV. Cooper, 1880-84; W. H. Brown, 1886-90; S. McGowan, 1890-92; D. W. Cooper, 1892- 96; Frank Williams, 1896-98; John DuBois, 1898-1900; Isaac Freese, 1900-02; Charles Rodewig, the present incumbent.

The old City Hall and police court was es- tablished in 1868. Today a new and modern city building is in course of construction at the corner of 32nd and Belmont streets, and it is expected the work will be completed by May Ist. The cost was fixed at $40,000, but that figure has been reached and it will require $15,000 additional to finish the structure.

THIE WATER-WORKS AND ELECTRIC POWER.

In 1872 the present water-works were voted for, and the proposition was carried. A com- mittee consisting of E. G. Morgan, A. W. Anderson, C. C. Kelley, George Kern, H. M. Ingler, H. Bute, and Civil Engineer J. W. Yost, with E. B. Winans, secretary, was ap- pointed to superintend the construction and the work was completed in 1873.

The reservoir has a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons and the water supply is obtained from the Ohio River and is distributed throughout the city in pipes.

The works are wholly inadequate to the needs of the people today, and several projects are on foot to construct a new system, one of which is a proposition to unite with Bridgeport

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

and Martin's Ferry in constructing a reservoir large enough to supply the three cities, the water to be obtained at Boggs' Run two miles above Martin's Ferry, and thereby receive a liberal supply of soft water free from the filth of the cities named.

The electric light power for the supply of the city is furnished by two corporations, viz. : The Bellaire Gas & Electric Company, and the Bel- mont Electric Light & Power Company. The Bellaire Street Railway Company was organ- ized in 1874 with a capital stock of $50,000 with John Fink, Jacob Heatherington, John M. Criswell, Anthony Sheets, A. M. Anderson, Isaac Booth, T. A. Cummins and G. W. Hogue as incorporators. The cost of building the road was $21,700. A few years later it was merged into the present system of electric motor lines uniting Bellaire with Bridgeport, Martin's Ferry and Wheeling.

THE BANKS AND LOAN COMPANIES.

The first bank established in Bellaire was a private banking institution organized by Hogue, Cowen & Company in 1867. The firm name was changed in 1870 to Hogue, Sheets & Company. This company ceased to do business in 1878.

The First National Bank .- The next bank- ing house was known as the City Bank of Bel- laire, which was founded December 26, 1870, by A. W. Anderson, Isaac Booth, A. O. Mel- lott, J. T. Mercer, C. C. Kelley and A. P. Tall- man, with A. W. Anderson, president, and A. P. Tallman, cashier. The capital stock was $18,000. It was changed to the First National Bank in January, 1872, with a capital of $50,000, the above-named gentlemen, including N. W. Junkins, being directors, and the same president and cashier being continued. Its cap- ital has since been increased to $200,000. Its deposits are now about one million dollars, and its aggregated assets about $1,400,000.

The following gentlemen have served as presidents in the order named: A. W. Ander- son, J. T. Mercer, Herman Roemer, and George W. Yost. A. P. Tallman has been cashier and active manager since the bank was

organized. James T. Kelley was elected assist- ant cashier in 1888 and William J. Morrison in 1902, both still holding these positions. The bank has never missed a semi-annual divi- dend since it began business. The present directors are: George W. Yost, William Har- vey, A. O. Mellott, John R. Gow, A. P. Tall- man, J. T. Kelley and George Robinson. In addition to the above, Jacob Maser, James B. Gorrell, James Kelsey, Andrew Smith, Owen Mehan, and John Stewart have acted as direc- tors, the most of them for a long time prior to and up to their death.

The Dollar Savings Bank .- The next bank- ing institution in order was the Dollar Savings Bank, organized in 1889, with J. A. Gallagher, president and C. C. Kelley, secretary and cashier. The capital stock is $50,000, with a surplus of $10,000. The additional liability of stockholders is $50,000.

· The present officers are AA. Klotz, president ; Dr. J. P. West, vice-president ; C. W. Dickens, cashier and W. C. Warnock, treasurer. Direc- tors-A. Klotz, M. L. Blackburn, Jacob Rietz, Alex. Neff, C. Rumbach, J. P. West, John Parks, Robert McKelvey and C. W. Dickens.

The Farmers' & Merchants' Bank Company was organized in October, 1901. President, C. Dawson; vice-president, H. W. Hermann ; cashier, R. L. Bowman; assistant cashier, W. G. Simpson. Directors-C. Dawson, August Schick, John Schick, W. G. Simpson, R. L. Bowman, H. W. Hermann, Dr. J. A. Clark, J. M. McDonald, S. J. Rockershousen. Capital fully paid, $50,000. Stockholders' liability, $50,000.

The Belmont Savings & Loan Company was organized March 3, 1885. The capital stock of the company at the beginning was $1,000,000, divided into 5,000 shares of $200 each. The names of the incorporators are as follows: James B. Darrah, William J. Mc- Clain, John Coulson, Patrick Whealan, David HI. Darrah, John E. Robinson, James F. Anderson. At a meeting of the directors on the 17th day of March, 1890, the capital stock of the company was increased to $2,000,000. The present officers are: James F. Anderson,

BELLAIRE STEEL WORKS.

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president; Jolin H. McGraw, vice-president; George Kern, secretary; John H. Hopkins, assistant secretary ; James T. Kelley, treasurer.

The Buckeye Savings & Loun Company of Bellaire, Ohio, was incorporated May 7, 1890, by Thomas J. Boyce, Richard Heslop, William Moorehouse, Phillipe Brailly and Samuel Moore, with an authorized capital of $5,000,- 000, the purpose of the company being the raising of money to be loaned to its members and others, only on real estate security.

The securities owned by the Buckeye Build- ing & Loan Company were purchased by the new company, as the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company offered greater advantages to both borrowers and depositors, owing to the privi- leges granted in the laws under which the new company was organized. Some smaller com- panies also found it to their advantage to combine with the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company.

On December 31, 1890, the net assets of the new company amounted to $150,000. Since that time the growth of the Buckeye Savings & Loan Company has been steady and con- tinued, the last statement of the company show- ing loans of two-thirds of a million, with a reserve fund of $35,000.

The increasing business of the company de- manded more room, which was secured by re- moval from the first quarters in the Central Block to a room on 32nd street, and later, by removal to a new building on the corner of 32nd and Belmont streets, which is the pres- ent location of the company.

The "Buckeye Block," the only real estate owned by the Buckeye Savings & Loan Com- pany, is directly east of the new city building, and is one of the best locations in the city. Thomas Garrett, the first president of the company, died soon after his election to that office. His successor, W. C. Bergundthal occu- pied the position until his election as county treasurer and his removal from the city. He was succeeded by George Walters, who is now the president of the companys. Both Mr. Moorehouse as vice-president and Luke Gavin

as treasurer have held their offices since the organization of the company.

William Parks, the first secretary of the company, and to whose effort and ability the success of the Buckeye Savings & Loan Com- pany is chiefly due, died in 1893. He was succeeded by B. C. Tyler, who resigned the position one year later and was succeeded by \V. G. McClain, the present secretary. The office of assistant secretary has been filled by John Parks since the death of his son, William Parks, in 1893. Miss Jennie Smith is book- keeper.

The present officers of the company are : President, George Walters; vice-president, William Moorehouse; secretary, W. G. Mc- Clain; assistant secretary, John Parks; treas- urer, Luke Gavin; directors,-George Wal- ters, John Parks, William Moorehouse, Rich- ard Heslop, Luke Gavin, C. M. Wyrick, Charles H. Dankworth, W. N. Brailly and L. G. Battelle.

TIIE MANUFACTURING INTERESTS,

Perhaps the first large manufacturing in- dustry in the city was the Bellaire Nail Works, incorporated in November, 1866, with B. R. Cowen, president, and D. J. Smith, secretary. The original capital was $155,000, which was subsequently increased to $375,000 by the erection of a blast furnace with a capacity of 100 tons of pig iron daily, and a steel plant with a capacity of 275 tons in 24 hours and 200,000 kegs of nails annually.

Today the Carnegie Steel Company, which has been absorbed by the National Steel Con- pany, operates the Bellaire Steel Works, and the officers are: W. E. Corey, president ; H. B. Bope, vice-president, both located in Pittsburg and N. M. Peterson, division superintendent of this district. The tin plant employs 1, 100 men and produces annually

Bessemer pig iron. .202,000 gross tons Bessemer steel ingots. .. 300,000 =

Soft steel bloom billets. . .. . 250,000

Slabs, sheets and plate bars. . 250,000 ..

Their pay roll averages $50,000 per month.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

The next large manufacturing enterprise put in operation in Bellaire, other than glass, was the Bellaire Implement & Machine Works, organized in November, 1870, as a joint stock company, with Col. C. L. Poorman, president and H. A. Waddell, secretary.

This company was obliged to face the busi- ness and financial depression of 1873-74, and, failing to meet their bonds when due in 1878, were compelled to suspend business at a time when their wares were in good demand.

Bellaire deservedly gained the title of the "Glass City" by the number of glass factories in operation from 1870 to 1885, and the vast capital invested in the business.

The first flint glass works was the Belmont, organized in 1861, with W. G. Barnard, H. Fauple, H. Over, John Robinson, and David Carr, as directors. The next in order was the Bellaire Window Glass Company, organized in 1870-71, with John W. Sanders, president, and F. M. Sheets, secretary. Then came the Star Glass Works conducted by J. HI. Sullivan & Sons. It was followed by the National in 1869. Then the Bellaire Goblet Works was organized in 1876 with W. B. Gorby, presi- dent, and E. G. Morgan, secretary. The next in order was the Union Window Glass Com- pany, organized in 1880 with D. J. Smyth, president, and C. C. Kelley, secretary. The Enterprise Window Glass Company, a co- operative concern, was established in 1884. The Bellaire Stamping Company was estab- lished by C. S. S. Barron, J. T. Mercer and A. P. Tallman. This organization was subse- quently removed to Harvey, Illinois.

The factories now in operation are the Bel- laire Bottle Company, G. S. Armstrong, presi- dent and Mr. Sheldon, secretary. The National Glass Manufacturing Company, organized by Crangle, Dalzell & Co., of Wheel- ing, which is now operated and known as the Rodefer Glass Company. The Novelty Stamp- ing Company, the Century Glass Company, the Enterprise Enamel Company, organized by Dorer and Smith.

And last, but by no means least, the Imperial Glass Company, now in course of construction,

which when completed will be one of the finest factories in the country, and will give employ- ment to upwards of 500 men.

Its managers are among the most experi- enced capitalists in Bellaire and Wheeling. The company is organized under the laws of West Virginia, and the incorporators are: J. F. Anderson, of Bellaire; and J. N. Vance, L. E. Sands, Morris Horkheimer and Ed. Muhleman, of Wheeling. The directors are : A. P. Tallman and J. F. Anderson, of Bellaire; and J. N. Vance. L. E. Sands, Morris Hork- heimer, Frank C. Hoffman, Lawrence Schenk, Joseph Speidel and Ed. Muhleman, of Wheel- ing. The authorized capital stock is $500,000, and the amount subscribed is $488,900. The officers are: President, J. N. Vance; secre- tary, Ed. Muhleman; treasurer, L. E. Sands ; executive committee,-James F. Anderson, A. P. Tallman and Ed. Muhleman.

Among the many other enterprises other than glass now in operation are the Enameled Steel Tile Company, with J. F. BuBois, presi- dent ; J. A. Fawcett, secretary; E. J. A. Drennen, J. A. Fawcett, H. W. Hermann, Charles Grella and W. G. Simpson, directors. This corporation employs 100 hands.

The Mason Heater Company has a capital of $50,000. Its officers are: August Schick, president; Chalmers Trimble, secretary. The directors are: August Schick, J. H. McDon- ald, II. W. Hermann, S. J. Rockershousen, Emil Schmidt, R. L. Bowman, O. P. Mason, M. K. Beazel and Chalmers Trimble. It also gives employment to about 100 hands.

The Anderson & McGregor Company, the Suburban Brick Company, the Standard Stone & Brick Company, the Bellaire Stove Com- pany, the Bellaire Boiler & Bridge Company, the C. L. Dorer Foundry Company, the Ander- son Brothers' foundry, and the two flour mills of Stewart & Ward, and T. Ault & Son are also among the important manufacturing con- cerns of Bellaire.

Since writing the above, the Belmont Stamp- ing & Enameling Company was organized September 23, 1902, by the election of John T. Troll as president, Alex. Neff, vice-president,

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and U. G. Fletcher, secretary. A charter has been taken out under the laws of West Vir- ginia with $100,000 capital, $50,000 of which has been paid in. The board of directors is constituted as follows: Alex. Neff, U. G. Fletcher, John T. Troll, Albert Troll, Samuel Campbell, John Jamison and J. Reynolds.

THE RAILROADS ENTERING THE CITY.

The first railroad entering into Bellaire and indeed into Belmont County was the Central Ohio Railroad. This great thoroughfare now known as the Western Division of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad was chartered by the General Assembly of Ohio in 1848.

The original charter provided primarily for the construction of a railroad from Columbus to the Ohio River by Newark and Zanesville and eventually to be extended westward to the Indiana line. The capital stock was fixed at $1,500,000, with the privilege of increasing it to $2,500,000.

At the organization of the company, the foi- lowing gentlemen were elected directors, viz: Solomon Sturgiss, John Hamm, William Den- nison, Jr., George James, Albert Cherwood, Charles B. Goddart, Daniel Marble, Levi Clay- pool, Daniel Brush and Stephen R. Hosmar.

The road had a very feeble beginning. The first board of directors effected an organiza- tion but little more. At the second election of directors in 18.48, Col. J. H. Sullivan was chosen as president and from that time for- ward the road was pushed with great vigor and energy, though many embarrassments and dis- couragements were encountered.

Columbus, Newark and Zanesville were asked for subscriptions to the stock and, as heretofore stated, through the tireless efforts of Colonel Sullivan the prejudice against the road was overcome and the necessary stock subscribed by city and county.

The road was completed from Zanesville to Newark in 18449; from Newark to Columbus in1 1850; from Zanesville to Cambridge in 1853; and from Cambridge to Bellaire in 1854.

Upon the completion of the road, Colonel

Sullivan retired from the presidency and Mr. Fassett succeeded him. After two years of service, Mr. Fassett resigned, and Judge Hugh J. Jewett of Zanesville was appointed receiver, and subsequently chosen as president.

In 1865, the road became a lessee of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, and has been operated by the latter with great success ever since.

The great -stone railroad bridge that spans the Ohio at this point was built by the Balti- more & Ohio and . Central Ohio roads con- jointly at the ratio cost of two-thirds by the Baltimore & Ohio and one-third by the Central Ohio. The span of this great stone struc- ture, not including the approaches, is three- fourths of a mile, and the approaches are doubt- less of equal length. The two spans over the channel of the river alone measure 700 feet. The bridge is of the highest architectural de- sign, and cost a million and a quarter of dol- lars.

In order to accommodate the rapidly in- creasing intercourse between the two cities, a company has been organized to construct a foot and wagon bridge between Bellaire and Benwood. But owing to some differences as to the point of location, the Council has not yet granted the charter and the work is in abey- ance.

The Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad, extend- ing from Cleveland to Bellaire on the south and Cleveland to Beaver on the north, was chartered in 1836. It progressed slowly for want of money and active work did not begin for 11 years thereafter. In 1849 the work on the main line was begun and completed to the river under the supervision of Joseph and Silas Chamberlain.

In 1853 the Bellaire and Beaver divisions of the road following the course of the river were put under contracts and were completed and opened for business in 1856. After the panic of 1857 the value of the stock ran down, when the road passed under the control of the Pennsylvania Company, by whom it is still operated on the basis of 6 per cent interest on the par value of the stock, viz: 147.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

There was a period in the history of this road, when its maintenance was largely due to the tireless efforts of W. W. Holloway of Bridgeport. But for the financial aid ren- dered by Mr. Holloway during the panic of 1856-57, the road would inevitably have been obliged to suspend. This road also terminates in Bellaire and since it passed into the hands of the Pennsylvania Company it has been very successfully operated.

As a local road, it is probably one of the most profitable in the State, touching as it does all the mining and manufacturing towns bordering upon the Ohio River from Bellaire to Pittsburg.

The Bellaire, Zanesville & Cincinnati Rail- way was organized in 1875. The purpose of the company was to build a railroad from Bel- laire to Athens, Ohio, through altogether the roughest country in the State, viz: Belmont, Monroe, Washington and Athens counties. The work of raising the necessary funds was entrusted to Col. J. HI. Sullivan, the builder of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.

The road was completed to Woodsfield as a narrow gauge at a cost of $11,500 per mile and in 1882 it was extended to Caldwell in Noble County and Zanesville in Muskingum County.

It passed into the hands of a receiver in 1887. In 1890 was re-organized and Hon. S. L. Mooney of Woodsfield was elected presi- dent.

The road changed hands in 1902 and is now known as the Ohio River & Western Railroad. This road is a valuable tributary to the stream of trade entering into Bellaire.

The Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Rail- way .- One of the most important roads in the county is the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway, extending from Lorain on the north to Bellaire on the south, a distance of 161 miles.

This road passes through one of the richest mining and agricultural districts in the State. It was constructed from Dennison in Tusca- rawas County to Bridgeport in 1876, following

the line of Wheeling Creek through Belmont County.

The road was then known as the Cleveland, Tuscarawas Valley & Wheeling Raihvay. But for the efforts of prominent citizens and directors in vigorously pushing the work of construction, the road would not have been extended to the river.

Its capital stock is $5,650,000 and funded indebtedness, $1,170,000. Millions of tons of coal mined in Belmont County are shipped over this road annually, and new coal organizations are created almost monthly for the develop- ment of new territory. Within two years the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad has obtained a controlling interest in the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling and it is today operated by that com- pany. This road is also a valuable tributary to the trade of Bellaire.

The Ohio Valley Railroad was organized in 1889 with a view of penetrating the undevel- oped territory bordering the Ohio River south of Bellaire and has been completed to Pow- hatan in York township.

THE SCHOOLS.

The first school house in Bellaire was erected in 1839 on Pultney street; this build- ing was afterward converted into a residence.

In 1860 the School Board purchased the old shoe factory, and fitted it up for a school house. This continued in use until 1871, when the large and costly school building was con- structed, just west of the old . building at a cost of $21,000, exclusive of furniture. Some of the first teachers were Vincent Milligan, Jacob Davis, Richard Merrill and Thomas Munnell.

The superintendent in 1865-69 was William R. Gooderl. Upon entering the new building, HI. N. Mertz was chosen superintendent. llis Sticcessors were: R. S. Page, 1871-72; I. C. Tuttle, 1873; A. W. Melville, 1874-75; A. P. White, 1875-76; J. T. Duff, 1876-80; E. S. Cox, 1880-82; B. T. Jones, 1883-85. The superintendent in 1902 is James R. Anderson.

BELLAIRE HIGH SCHOOL.

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The first Board of Education we have a rec- ord of was organized in 1874-75, and was composed of John S. Cratty, president; John Archer, Josephus Gorby, Isaac Booth, Uriah Venning, George W. Hogue, clerk.

Today there are seven school buildings that cost an aggregate of $24,015.78. There are 41 teachers employed, with an enrollment of 1,725 scholars.

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 24

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: McKelvey, A. T., 1844- ed
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490