Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 31

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 31

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of the Council are: First Ward, Elmer J. Hut- chison, B. C. Patterson; Second Ward, Dr. William L. Judkins, Wheat Bell; Third Ward, J. J. Kirk, Elmer Galloway; Fourth Ward, William Hilles, William H. Barlow.

THE POST OFFICE.

The first post office in Barnesville was estab- lished in 1810 with William Philpot as post- master, a position he held for 20 years. Benja- min II. McCall succeeded him and held the po- sition until his death in 1835, when Col. Ben- jamin Mecall was appointed his successor, a po- sition he retained until his election for Senator in 1845, when Joseph Fry was appointed to succeed him, a position he held for four years, when he was removed and James R. Laws was appointed. Two years later Mr. Laws re- signed, and Edward D. Barnes was appointed.

Upon the change of administration in 1853, Mr. Barnes resigned, and Colonel McCall was again appointed, a position he held until 1861, when he was removed, and John H. Piper was appointed in his place. Mr. Piper was removed, and John W. Hays succeeded him. Five years later Mr. Hays was removed and Col. John Milton Lewis received the appointment, a position he held until 1875, when he was succeeded by Samuel B. Piper, who was suc- ceeded in turn by J. W. Hingley in 1886. Mr. Hingley was followed by W. H. Anderson in 1890, and Hamilton Eaton succeeded Ander- son in 1894. Capt. Samuel Hilles was next in order in 1868. The present incumbent, Thomas G. Moore, took charge in 1900.

THE MANUFACTORIES.

Barnesville being an inland city, her facili- ties for the establishment of mining and manu- facturing industries are not equal to those of- fered by the cities along the river front. Nev- ertheless, hier factories and mills are numerous, and are not surpassed by any in the county.

The' oldest industrial establishment in the city is the Watt foundry and car factory, which was established by Joseph and James H.

BARNESVILLE CITY HALL.

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Watt in 1862. A year later, because of the addition of two brothers, Stewart and John WV. Watt, the firm name was changed to James HI. Watt & Brothers. At this time a sawmill was successfully operated in connection with the foundry.

In 1878 the first mining car wheel patent was taken out, which was the joint production of James H. and Stewart Watt. This was further improved by another patent in 1880 and numerous patents since.

The car wheel industry was so successfully conducted that the company began the manu- facture of the cars complete, and on January 1, 1882, the company was organized as a joint stock company, under the name of the Watt Mining Car Wheel Company, with a capital of $53,000. Its first officers were James H. Watt, president; E. J. Gantz, vice-president ; R. Ross Watt, secretary; and Stewart Watt, superintendent.

This industry is the only one of the kind in the State, and one of the largest in the world. Its cars and car wheels are shipped to all na- tions. The number of men at present em- ployed is 135, and additions to the foundry are in course of construction.

The present officers are R. Ross Watt, presi- dent and general manager; John W. Watt, vice-president and treasurer ; P. H. Laughlin, secretary ; and Stewart Watt, superintendent. Much of the success of this great industry is clue to the energy, inventive genius and busi- ness ability of the late James H. Watt.

The next industry in the order of time is that conducted by the Barnesville Window Glass Company, which was organized and chartered in April, 1883, with a capital stock of $60,000, $59,000 of which is paid in. This was the first window glass factory in the State. The original board of directors was thus, con- stituted : C. J. Buchanan, J. W. Bradfield, G. E. Bradfield, R. T. Chaney, James HT. Watt, Arthur Rogers, John Milton Lewis. The first officers were : T. J. Buchanan, president; John Milton Lewis, secretary ; and J. L. Jordan, manager.

When the factory is in full blast, it operates

two furnaces-one of eight pots and one of ten pots-and gives employment to 120 hands. The average length of the blast year is nine months, and the factory has never been entirely closed down, except during the depression of 1893-94. The output of the factory since its organization has been 900,000 boxes, valued at $2,500,000. The present board of directors is constituted as follows : J. W. Bradfield, A. Rogers, G .E. Bradfield, F. M. Melton, R. H. Piper, R. Ross Watt, John Milton Lewis and the present officers are: J. W. Bradfield, presi- dent ; John Milton Lewis, secretary ; and W. D. Jordan, manager. Colonel Lewis has held the position of secretary for nearly 20 consecutive years.

The Eastern Ohio Glass Company was or- ganized July 21, 1899, with a paid up capital of $96,800. The charter members were Josialı W. Doudna, Arthur Rogers, George E. Hunt, Clarkson H. Mckeever, David McVey, Charles Livesey, Thomas J. Buchanan, J. W. Brad- field, Otho P. Norris and William E. Emer- SO11.

When running full, the mill employs 215 men and produces 575 boxes of glass daily. The present officers are: Arthur Rogers, president ; J. W. Doudna, secretary ; T. J. Buchanan, vice- president ; and the directors are: W. E. Emer- son, G. E. Hunt, J. W. Bradfield and Charles Livesey.

The Barnesville Shoe Factory was organ- ized in July, 1900, with a capital of $80,000, which has since been increased to $100,000. It occupies a large four-story brick factory, and gives employment to 150 hands. It is manu- facturing at this time 1,200 pairs of shoes daily, but has a capacity for making 2,500 pairs. The factory is operated by natural gas and illuminated by electric lights and is oper- ated by all modern appliances. Its officers are : II. O. Barber, president; R. D. Hood, treas- urer; P. C. Patterson, secretary; C. F. Hays, superintendent and manager.

There are two planing mills in operation. One conducted by Hague & Woodward for the manufacture of sash, doors, etc., was estab- lished in 1891 and employs about 20 hands.

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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF BELMONT COUNTY,

The Rogers planing mill, which has been in operation for many years, also manufactures all kinds of builders' materials. This estab- lishment also employs between 20 and 30 hands.

There are also two box factories. One con- ducted by E. J. Hutchison, for the manufacture of boxes exclusively, gives employment to 20 hands, with an annual output amounting to $5,000. After many changes since the organ- ization, the factory is now in successful op- eration.

The Barlow box and crate factory for the manufacture of strawberry crates, fruit and vegetable baskets, was established by Barlow Brothers in 1884, but is now operated by James WV. Wise and Samuel W. Dewees. They em- ploy 35 hands through the summer, but a less number during the winter. Their wares are shipped to all parts of the country.

The Hanlon paper factory is one of the new enterprises for the manufacture of paper. The mill is just completed and has entered upon a career of prosperity. The factory is fur- nished with every modern appliance for the manufacture of paper and the firm is conducted by Hanlon Brothers, formerly publishers of The Republican.

The Barnesville Gas & Electric Light Com- pany has a capital of $28,000, and supplies the municipality and all citizens with the gas and electricity used for illuminating purposes. Its officers are: J. W. Bradfield, president and treasurer; Fred Hunt, secretary; and H. D. Timmons, superintendent.

There are likewise in operation the Hilles flour mill and the city flour mill conducted by Williams & Robitzer; the Crescent laundry, conducted by Futhey Brothers, and two cigar factories,-one conducted by Barlow & Com- pany, for the extensive manufacture of ci- gars, and the other enterprise managed by Hleed & Company. There is also a large can- ning factory now in full operation and conduct- ed by Flaccus Brothers, of Wheeling.

THE BANKS.

The First National Bank of Barnesville was

organized February 11, 1865, with a capital of $100,000. Jolin Bradfield was elected presi- dent, and William C. Wilson was chosen as cashier. The following is the list of the first directors: John Bradfield, Francis Davis, John B. Ward, G. M. Jones, Asa Garretson and J. W. Frasier. February 12, 1866, John F. Davis was elected cashier, Mr. Wilson having resigned on account of ill health. On April 3, 1874, John F. Davis resigned as cashier, and E. P. Lee was appointed to fill this vacancy. On June 7, 1875, E. P. Lee resigned as cashier and G. E. Bradfield was elected to fill the po- sition. On June 7, 1875, John Bradfield re- signed as president, and Francis Davis was elected to fill the vacancy. On January 14, 1885, Asa Garreton was elected president. On January 13, 1891, John Milton Lewis was elected president.

The capital of the bank is $100,000 in U. S. bonds, with a surplus of $50,000. The follow- ing are the officers in 1902 : John Milton Lewis, president ; G. E. Bradfield, cashier ; directors,- Elwood Phillips, B. F. Bowen, R. H. Piper, T. S. Bradfield, R. H. Howard and Charles P. Dobbins.

The People's National Bank was organized in 1883 with a capital stock of $100,000. The officers at organization were: Dr. J. S. Ely, president ; G. E. Hilles, vice-president ; and A. E. Dent, cashier.

The directors of the bank at the time of or- ganization were : J. A. Judkins, John K. Reed, J. W. Judkins, J. W. Laughlin, M. S. Wilson, WV. Thornberry, Thomas Parker, Isaac Beard- more. The bank has a surplus of $25,000, and there are 100 responsible stockholders. The officers for 1902 are: Dr. J. S. Ely, president ; T. J. Buchanan, vice-president; and Otho P. Norris, cashier. The directors are J. W. Doudna, J. B. Giffen, J. A. Judkins, J. D. Mc- Keever, John K. Reed and J. W. Judkins.

DR. CAROLUS JUDKINS.

In the practice of medicine, as of law, the first representatives of the profession came from the Southern States. Dr. Carolus Jud- kins was a member of the Society of Friends,

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and engaged in the practice of medicine in Virginia. But his detestation of slavery im- pelled him to seek a home in Ohio. In 1810 he came to Barnesville and entered upon a ca- reer as a physician and surgeon that won him a widespread reputation.

The circuit of his practice extended over a radius of 20 miles, in the pursuit of which he traveled over dangerous bridle-paths and through dense forests, carrying his medical case in his saddle bags.

In 1820 Dr. Judkins associated with him Dr. James Stanton, the father of the eminent Secretary of War. Subsequently his two sons, Joel and Nicholas, became associated with him in practice. The children and grandchildren of this illustrious physician have been and are today prominent and successful in the practice of medicine in Barnesville.

HON. JOIIN DAVENPORT

Was one of the most notable men of Barnes- ville. As merchant, statesman, and jurist, he was foremost in his day and generation.

Migrating from the Valley of Virginia in 1818, Mr. Davenport entered upon a success- ful business career in Barnesville. Eight years later he entered the field of politics, and was elected to Congress, where he became a warm personal and political friend of Henry Clay. In 1830 he was elected to the General Assem- bly of Ohio, where his vigilance in the joint convention corrected an error that secured the election of Hon. Thomas Ewing as United States Senator. The following year the Legis- lature elected Mr. Davenport associate judge for Belmont County for the full term. Not- withstanding his activity in county and State affairs, Mr. Davenport was also intensely en- ergetic in the cause of education and religion. He was a pillar in the Methodist Episcopal Church and the first superintendent of the first Sabbath-school in the township.

THE CHURCHES.

The First Methodist Episcopal Church .- While the first settlers of Warren township

were Friends and the first church erected in the township was a Friends' Meeting House, the first resident of Barnesville was a Metho- (list preacher, Rev. James Rounds. The first religious services held in the village were "Methodists' Meetings," conducted by this pio- neer preacher in his humble log home at the corner of what are now Main and Chestnut streets.

These meetings continued until 1810, when the first Methodist log church was erected and dedicated to the service of God. In the con- struction of this old church, the members and friends contributed the hewn logs and two great stone chimneys were built upon the out- side of the building with immense fire-places within. The seats were slabs without backs, and the walls were ceiled and a little circular pulpit stood between the great open fire-places.

In this humble place of worship Methodism was planted and it grew with such rapidity that in 1824 the head of every family in the town but five were members of the church.

In this pioneer church the first wedding in the village was celebrated,-that of Robert Mills to Patience Shaw, which was performed by Rev. James Rounds.

Some of the prominent Methodists of those pioneer days were: William Philpot, a local preacher named Rev. Avery West, Robert Ogg, Philip Dyer, Archibald Cole, William Harper, Jacob Snyder, Nathan Riley and Rev. 7. Barnes.

Between 1812 and 1820 many valuable addi- tions were made to the church. Prominent among these were Panter Laws; Benjamin H. McCall, father of Colonel McCall; Hon. John Davenport, the prominent statesman and ju- rist heretofore referred to; Jolin Gibson, the wealthy merchant, who contributed lavishly to the support of this feeble chuch; Nathan John, a noted character and an intense Meth- odist of the old school, who conducted the Sabbath-school through a session of three hours without any intermission; John Brown : Charles Scurr, John Price, who, as heretofore noted, was the local preacher who introduced the cultivation of tobacco into Eastern Ohio

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(today Methodist preachers are prohibited from the use of tobacco) ; William Price, John Reed and William Hill.

In 1820 the little log meeting house was too small to hold the large congregation and a more commodious brick church was erected on the same site. In the winter of 1835-36 a re- vival was conducted during the ministry of Rev. Mr. Waddell, the celebrated orator of whom a writer has said, "So powerful was his oratory upon the people that the whole congre- gation seemed a mass of mourners and nothing was heard but prayers and shouts and excla- mations of praise." Two hundred probation- ers were received during the revival, which spread to every Methodist society within a radius of 20 or 30 miles. Another memorable revival was held in 1848, conducted by Revs. Best, Flowers and Wolf. The continued in- crease in membership necessitated the erection of a larger church. So in 1856 a new and capacious brick church, with a seating capacity of 256, was erected. The cost of this structure was $.1,000. This church was built during the ministry of Rev. John Coil.

Thirty-three years later when the member- ship had reached 700 the corner stone of the present beautiful and costly church edifice was laid with most impressive ceremonies. Upon September 28, 1890, this church was dedicated to the service of God by Bishops Thoburn and Joyce. The cost of this new church complete was $25,935.83. The pastor of the church during the erection of the building was Rev. C. E. Manchester. The membership of the church today is upwards of 950. The pastor in charge is Dr. A. J. Hiatt, and the Sabbath- school superintendent is T. J. Rogers. The trustees are Charles P. Dobbins, T. G. Wilson, J. W. Judkins, Ross Dent, C. II. McKeener, E. P. Lee, E. E. Coburn, J. W. Doudna and A. P. Hicks. The parsonage trustees are : G. E. Hunt, B. C. Patterson, Joseph Knox, J. R. Price, A. T. Warrick, Joseph Leap, F. R. Yocum, W. E. Sharp and S. E. Hague. The stewards are: J. S. Howard, J. W. Cassells, J. A. White,, J. L. Woodward, J. W. Fowler, J. W. Hlingley, J. A. Judkins, E. L. Cunnard, E.

C. Morbon, B. P. Reed, W. S. Hobbs, Abel Williams and D. O. Shepherd.

The Presbyterian Church .- The early his- tory of Presbyterianism in Barnesville is unique, in that a commodious house of worship was erected before an organization had been formed. Prior to 1840 Mr. and Mrs. James McLeish were the only Presbyterians in the community. The number gradually increased until in - 1857 they felt themselves strong enough to build a church. A committee was selected, consisting of David McCartney, John Bradfield, Dr. Hoover, H. R. Brown and Will- iam Alders. They decided to raise $1,600. The amount was subscribed in one day and the work of construction began the same fall. The total cost of the property when completed was $2,000.

The organization of the church took place January 15, in 1859, with 23 members, and was supplied with preaching by the presbytery until June, 1862, when Rev. William R. Kirk- wood was installed pastor. He was followed by Rev. J. P. Caldwell in 1866; Rev. Charles H1. McClelland in 1871 ; Rev. D. H. Lafferty in 1875; Rev. Alexander St. Clair in 1877; Rev. W. E. Mack in 1879; Rev. Samuel H. Wallace in 1881; Rev. J. L. Reed in 1886; Rev. J. A. Donahey in 1891; Rev. Allan Krichbaum in 1893; and the present pastor, Rev. E. A. Cul- ley, in December of 1899.

The eldership has been as follows: William Alders and John George, elected in 1859; R. E. Frasier, in 1862; Joseph Harper, in 1864; J. W. Kennon, in 1865; Isaac T. Woods, in 1860; Daniel J. Speer and James Jeffrey, in 1874; Dr. W. J. McCalvin, G. W. Sheppard and J. W. Laughlin, in 1881; Dr. A. Trimmer, J. M. Yarnell and William Tidball, in 1887; Peter Giffen, D. C. Kennon, C. J. Howard, Dr. G. W. Riddile and Sanmel Hilles, in 1892; J. S. Harrison, Arthur Rogers and Isaac R. Lane, in 1898.

The congregation has grown steadily until now, in 1902, it numbers 325 members. It has a well organized Sabbath-school, with Hon. C. J. lloward as superintendent ; a Junior Christian Endeavor Society, a Westminster

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League of 100 members, and two ladies' so- cieties,-the Missionary and the Christian Circle.

The present house of worship, now ap- proaching completion, is a stone structure, with all modern conveniences, costing $30,000. Work was begun on it in August of 1901.

Dr. Doddridge, an eminent Episcopalian di- vine of the pioneer period, speaking of the work of the primitive churches, says :

"To the Presbyterians alone we are in- debted for almost the whole of our literature.

"They began their labors at an early period in the settlement of our country and have ex- tended their ecclesiastical and educational es- tablishments so as to keep pace with the ex- tension of our population-with a Godly care which does them honor.

"And were it not for the herculean labors of the Methodist Society many of our remote settlements would have been at this day almost in a state of barbarism.

"There is scarcely a single settlement in the whole extent of the Western Country which has not been blessed with the ministry of this people-and to this ministry the public moral- ity and piety are immensely indebted."

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1873. Its first pastor was Rev. C. E. Green, who was an itinerant, and the first elder was Rev. Mr. Thompson. At the time of organization, there was a member- ship of 25. A machine shop on South street, near the railroad, was fitted up for a church at a cost of $1, 100.

The pastor serving the congregation in 1902 is Rev. G. J. Cotton, and the official board is as follows : Stewards,-William King, Joseph Wilson, James Earley, F. H. Jackson, Prof. B. O. McMichael, Jessie Lynn and Addison L.ce; trustees,-Robert Cowen, Ross Cowen, F. 11. Jackson, B. O. McMichael and Thomas Simmons; class leaders,-William King and Albert Shipp. The membership of the church at present is 71.

THE SCHOOLS.

The first public school in Barnesville was

opened in the fall of 1828 by Enoch Thomas. Before this date, subscription schools had been taught by Messrs. McKay, Folke and Brook.

For 20 years succeeding 1830, "The Little Brick School House" was the seat of learn- ing for Barnesville youth. In 1854 the people voted to erect a union school house of five rooms.

The first superintendent was I. T. Woods. Following him were J. A. McEwen, W. H. Kennon, et al. The list, beginning in 1873, is as follows :

J. M. Yarnell 1873-1882 1882-1887

H. L. Peck.

C. S. Richardson 1887-1888

Arthur Powell. 1888-1800

Joseph Rea . 1890-1892

E. M. Van Cleve. 1892-1899 S. H. Layton. . 1899-1901

C. E. Shimp L. E. York . 1902-

1001-1902

Since 1870 the following have been presi- dents of the Board of Education: J. S. Bracken, R. C. Graves, A. C. Hague, S. B. Piper, E. J. Gantz, William Hilles, C. J. How- ard, Dr. J. A. Judkins, G. E. Hunt, J. S. Har- rison, Otho P. Norris, Charles P. Dobbins.

The members of the Board at present are: Charles P'. Dobbins, president ; J. W. Wellons, clerk; Otho P. Norris, R. H. Howard, J. A. White and S. B. Piper.

The library of 1,200 volumes is well stocked with choice literature, representing the best in poetry, biography, history, travel, fiction and science.

SECRET SOCIETIES.

Friendship Lodge, No. 89, F. & A. M .- About the year 1826 a few Masons of Barnes- ville and vicinity began to agitate the question of organizing a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in this place. A room was procured on the southeast corner of Main and Arch streets, now owned by William Kinney, a part of said building being occupied as a grocery. Samuel P. Hunt, a clerk in Davenport's store, was appointed to prepare the necessary papers and draw up a petition to the Grand Master of the State, praying for a dispensation author- izing the establishment of a lodge. The peti-

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tion was signed by the following Master Ma- sons, viz. : William Clark, Zadoc Davis, Charles Scurr and John Hance, of Barnesville; James Gilliland and Henry Tillett, of Fairview; and William Mason, Cornelius Okey, Daniel O'Connor and Levi Johnson, of Monroe County, Ohio. A recommendation from Bel- mont Lodge, No. 16, F. & A .M., of St. Clairs- ville, Ohio, was also secured. The petition, with all the accompanying papers and the fee of $40, was enclosed and forwarded to Samuel Wheeler, the Grand Master of the State. After waiting a reasonable time, he was written to, and in due time an answer was received from him in which he stated that he had not received the said petition nor the enclosed fee of $40. This was quite a serious matter for the breth- ren at that day, but having made up their minds that a lodge was needed in Barnesville, they immediately proceeded to prepare the pa- pers a second time. Belmont Lodge, No. 16, furnished another recommendation. To in- sure the safe conveyance of the fee of $40 when sent the second time, they divided or cut two $20 bills into equal parts and enclosed two of these parts with the petition to the Grand Master. On hearing from him that he had received the application and remittance, they enclosed the remaining parts of the bills in a second communication.

Owing to the anti-Masonic excitement that prevailed throughout the State, they were doomed to a further disappointment. The Grand Master, instead of forwarding the dis- pensation for a new lodge, wrote them that on account of the feeling that was arising against the order, he would prefer not to grant the prayer of the petitioners, but would refer the matter to the Grand Lodge at its next annual communication. The time fixed for this meet- ing was "the second Monday of January, 1827."

At the fall election of the year 1826, the people of Belmont County elected Jolin Daven- port as State Senator. A request was made of the Master of Belmont Lodge, No. 16, Mr. Carothers, that he would give his proxy to Senator Davenport that he might sit as a mem-

ber of the Grand Lodge and be in position to look after the interests of the petitioners for a new lodge. This request was readily granted by Mr. Carothers, and he at once forwarded his proxy to Senator Davenport at Columbus, Ohio. The petitioners for the new lodge for- warded to Senator Davenport an order on the Grand Master, asking him to hand over to Sen- ator Davenport all the papers referring to the matter. On January 8, 1827, Senator Daven- port, in the Grand Lodge, presented the petition from sundry Masons in the county of Belmont, praying for a dispensation to hold a lodge in Barnesville, under the name of Friendship Lodge, which petition was referred to the com- mittee on charters and dispensations. On Jan- nary 9, 1827, Mr. Sherman, from the said com- mittee, reported that they were of the opinion that it was expedient to grant the petitioners a dispensation as by them prayed for. The Grand Lodge thereupon passed a resolution that a dispensation be granted for the estab- lishment of Friendship Lodge in Barnesville, Ohio.

On February 16th Benjamin Bloomfield, who was the first master of Friendship Lodge, was notified that Grand Master John M. Good- now would visit Barnesville on or about Febru- ary 27, 1827, for the purpose of instituting the new lodge and the latter asked that all the nec- essary arrangements be made for that purpose. He stated that owing to the bad roads it would take him about two days to reach the place, and that he would come by the way of St. Clairsville and bring the jewels of Belmont Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., along with hini and as many of the brethren as could be per- suaded to come from there to assist in the ceremonies of instituting the new lodge. An invitation was sent to Cambridge Lodge, No. 66, to come on that occasion. On the day ap- pointed Grand Master Goodnow, with six or eight of the brethren, came in from the west. At an early hour in the evening, the brethren repaired to their lodge room, where Grand Master Goodnow, with the assistance of the visiting brethren, instituted Friendship Lodge. with Benjamin Bloomfield as W. M .; Samuel

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Centennial history of Belmont County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 31

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