USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > Lancaster > Centennial history of Lancaster, Ohio, and Lancaster people : 1898, the one hundredth anniversary of the settlement of the spot where Lancaster stands > Part 14
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Wise was transferred to Basil and Winchester, and Rev. Henry Williard became the pastor, and so re- mained for eight years. He married a daughter of John U. Giesy. In 1845 the present church was partly built, but was not completed until during the pastorate of Rev. P. D. Schory, from 1853 to 1859. This ven- erable man is still a resident of Lancaster. He mar- ried the widow of an old Lancaster pioneer, Jacob Green. Among his many accomplishments, not the least, is his knowledge of and taste for horticulture and gardening. Emanuel Giesy was for many years the leader in this congregation. Rev. W. A. Hale, a distinguished divine of Dayton, Ohio, was pastor of this church from 1872 to 1878. During his pastorate the membership was two hundred and twenty-five. Rev. Hale has achieved quite a reputation and is highly esteemed in Dayton. He is at present a member of the Ohio Board of State Charities.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church was organ- ized in the year 1835. The Rev. Sherlock J. Andrews was the first pastor. Henry Stanbery, Wm. J. Reese, Mrs. Judge Sherman, Mrs. John Reber, Mrs. D. Kutz, Mrs. W. J. Reese, and Mrs. Judge Van Trump were among the early members. In the year 1845 the cor- ner-stone of a church building was laid and the build- ing of the same placed in charge of D. Sifford. For want of funds, or for other good reasons, the building was not completed until the year 1852. September 26th of that year the building was consecrated to the worship of God by Bishop C. P. McIlvaine. It was, and still remains, a handsome and well furnished:
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church, and at the time of dedication had been paid for.
This congregation was never a large one, but among its members were zealous, earnest Christians and rep- resentatives of many distinguished families of Lan- caster.
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
This church was organized in the year 1847, Rev. E. Leonhardt, pastor. The church building on Chest- nut Street was built in the year 1851. This church has had a slow but healthy growth and now numbers two hundred and ninety members. The preaching at first was exclusively German, but both English and German are now spoken. The present pastor, Rev. C. A. Kaumeyer, is popular with his people.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH
The first Catholic society was organized by the Do- minican Fathers of Perry County, Ohio, and a small frame house of worship was erected in the year 1820 on Chestnut Street, near the canal. The first brick edifice, now used as a schoolhouse, was erected in the year 1841, on High Street. The present commodious and elegant structure was built in the year 1864.
The priests of the Dominican order had charge of this congregation until the year 1839. In that year Rev. J. M. Young became the first settled pastor, in which capacity he remained for fifteen years. He re- tired about the year 1854, and was soon thereafter in- stalled as Bishop of Erie.
Rev. N. E. Pilger is the present pastor, and has held that relation thirteen years, since 1884. His congre- gation or membership number about one thousand six hundred. The membership of this church has always
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been large, and among the number many of Lan- caster's most widely known families.
The lot for church and graveyard near the old canal for the first church was donated by Thomas Fricker; in addition to this he made a subscription.
In this graveyard, now the Tatge lot, his first wife and a daughter were buried, and other pioneers rest here. There is no semblance of a graveyard there now, but the dead are there.
THE UNITED EVANGELICAL CHURCH
This society laid the cornerstone of Maple Street Chapel May 29, 1894, and the church was dedicated November 4, 1894, by Bishop Dubs, of Chicago.
The membership is about two hundred and twenty- five, and the present pastor is W. W. Sherrick.
TRINITY EVANGELICAL CHURCH
This building was built in 1872. This society was organzed and in a flourishing condition before the Evangelical Church became disrupted and the two branches became known as the Esher and Dubs factions.
This society has possession of the original church building, and has been sustained so far by the courts. Rev. W. H. Munk is pastor.
OLD SCHOOL BAPTIST CHURCH
Rev. George DeBolt was a missionary Baptist preacher in Lancaster as early as 1811.
Isaac Church and wife, and James Lowry and wife were the first members. Rev. White, father of Dr. J. White, was the first pastor, and the Rev. Samuel Car- penter was the pastor for many years. The New
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School Baptist, or Missionary Baptist Church, was or- ganized in 1842. Rev. J. M. Courtney was the first pastor. The families of Creed, Latta, White, Slocum, and Mrs. Tallmadge were members of this church.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
The writer is not able to state when the African M. E. Church was organized. It has been for many years a large and respectable society. John C. Viney has long been one of its leading members.
CHURCHES AND OTHER BUILDINGS
The churches of Lancaster are handsome, commodi- ous structures, creditable to the good taste, liberality and public spirit of those who worship therein.
The first three brick buildings erected in Lancaster have been mentioned. Thomas Ewing built the first commodious brick residence about the year 1824. Gen. Samuel F. Maccracken built the first really fine pretentious house in the town in 1833. It is still in a state of fine preservation, and is now owned and occu- pied by John G. Reeves. General W. J. Reese built the next fine house and was soon followed by Henry Stanbery. Builders say that Michael Garaghty's house, built about the same time, though not so pre- tentious, was one of the best built houses in Lancaster; it is now owned and occupied by Mrs. John R. Mu- maugh. H. H. Hunter's dwelling, once in the suburbs, and built in 1844 by Henry Orman, was a fine residence. Col. Van Trump and D. Tallmadge built stately homes west of town. There are many modern dwellings in the city, but none to compare in splendor and in capacity for entertainment to the grand old mansions mentioned.
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POSTMASTERS OF LANCASTER
Here follows a list of those who have served the peo- ple of Lancaster in the capacity of postmaster in the order named: Samuel Coates, Sr., Samuel Coates, Jr., Jacob D. Deitrick, Elnathan Scofield, Henry Drum, Thomas U. White, Daniel Sifford, Henry Miers, James Cranmer, John C. Cassel, Benjamin Connell, John L. Tuthill, C. M. L. Wiseman, J. M. Sutphen, Charles H. Williams, Jonas Shallenberger, Chas. B. Martin, and W. E. Newman, the present incumbent.
MAYORS OF LANCASTER
Lancaster was incorporated as a city of the third class in the year 1851. Those who were elected to the office of Mayor, were in the order named: W. P. Creed, John D. Martin, Silas Hedges, Alfred McVeigh, K. Fritter, Samuel Ewing, Tall Slough, Philip Bena- dum, John D. McCormick, Wm. Vorys, Samuel W. Rainey, H. C. Drinkle, Hugh Cannon, Chas. W. Par- ido, Abram Beery H. W. Carpenter, and James Wil- lock, the present incumbent.
HONORED CITIZENS
But two of the honored citizens of Lancaster of the period of 1825, remain with us - Henry Orman, and Jacob Beck, now past ninety-three years of age. They have lived long and useful lives, with honor untar- nished. For more than seventy years, the best people of Lancaster have been their friends. Secure in the affection of their families, they serenely await the sum- mons that shall soon call them hence.
Jacob Beck was county treasurer for six years, and
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was a long number of years, a public administrator of great ability. Hunter and Stanbery were his ad- visors and warm personal friends.
HENRY ORMAN
Mr. Orman was a native of Maryland, and was born June, 1804. He was a carpenter by trade. When nineteen years of age he bid adieu to the scenes of his youth and set out on foot for the western country.
He landed in Somerset, Ohio, in 1823, where he re- mained one year.
In 1824 he came to Lancaster. Here he worked as a journeyman for two years, and in 1826 set up for himself. He worked by the month for the two years named at eighteen dollars and his board. It was the good old custom then for employers of every grade to board their employees.
He worked upon the frame market house and town hall in 1825.
He was always an ardent politician, but one term in the town council was the only office he ever held.
July 23, 1828, he was married to Miss Ann Beck, the daughter of a pioneer. They were both members of the Lutheran Church. Henry Orman was a good citizen and a good mechanic. He built the fine resi- dence of H. H. Hunter, the Rising Block, and many other good houses. His sons, who succeeded him in business, Jacob B., Thomas, and George, built the new courthouse.
Mr. Orman has been all his life a member of the Masonic Fraternity, his name having been presented by Judge Sherman.
Henry Orman is the only surviving member of the
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Grand Commandery of Knights Templar, which as- sembled in Lancaster in the year 1843.
He is living at a great age, honored and respected by all who know him. Those he knew in youth and middle life have gone to their reward, but their chil- dren are here and respect the friend of their fathers.
For fifty years Henry Orman was one of the best known men upon the streets of Lancaster.
SAMUEL S. RICKLY
Henry Orman in his long business career employed many worthy young men. Of this number S. S. Rickly, now a prominent banker of Columbus, is one, and worthy of mention and remembrance. Mr. Or- man employed him as a carpenter at the time he built the Tunis Cox or Eckert house on Wheeling Street, now occupied by Wm. L. Martin.
Mr. Rickly spent the years of his young manhood in Lancaster at a time when many brilliant men made it their home, and he must have received some intel- lectual inspiration from his surroundings.
He has lived a long life, and the success that comes of industry, energy, perseverence, and intellect, is his.
Like his unfortunate friend, Henry Orman, he is now totally blind, but bears it all with becoming cheer- fulness. Life is not a blank nor existence a burden. Every day finds him in the discount room of his bank directing its business. His memory recalls the events of his life and the pages he has read, and he can say with Wordsworth:
" For oft, when on my couch I lie, In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye, Which is the bliss of solitude."
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JACOB BECK
Mr. Beck is in many respects the most interesting character that Lancaster has produced. He has just passed his ninety-third birthday and is in full posses- sion of his mental faculties. He was born in the Canton of Basel, Switzerland, the 25th of June, 1804 .. In 1806, with his father and mother, he emigrated to America, landing in Philadelphia August 10th of the same year. They settled temporarily in Pennsylvania.
In the month of April, 1810, they started west and landed in Lancaster May 5th. Here he was reared and educated and here he spent the most vigorous years of his life. In his father's shop he acquired the trade of a blacksmith, which he followed successfully for many years.
In the year 1822 he was confirmed and became a member of the Lutheran Church, and for seventy-five years he has led a consistent Christian life, and has been a trusted and influential leader in his denomina- tion. He was for many years a member of the Board of Trustees of Capital University, their pioneer college in the West.
In the year 1830 he was elected treasurer of Fair- field County, which office he filled for six years. Leav- ing the treasurer's office, he purchased a farm near town and removed his family to his new home, where he has since resided.
Mr. Beck possessed unusual business qualifications and was especially adapted to the settlement of estates, the amount of this class of business that came to him be- ing unusually large. This business brought him into very frequent contact with Ewing, Stanbery, Hunter,
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and Brasee, and throughout their lives he had their confidence and esteem.
One of the pleasant memories that gives him com- fort in his old age is that he was intimate with, and shared the friendship of the four greatest men of Lan- caster, of their time.
In his blacksmith shop he learned the lesson of his life, long before Longfellow beautifully expressed it,
" Thus at the flaming forge of life Our fortunes must be wrought."
Mr. Beck is a man of rare good common sense, honest, frugal, and industrious-with these good quali- ties he could not but be successful in business.
He has lived a long, useful, and honorable life, illus- trating the virtues that adorn and ennoble human nature.
THE COLORED CITIZEN
The colored population of Lancaster has always been quite large and respectable. The first settlers came with their old masters from Virginia, as early as 1810. They were always treated kindly and consider- ately, and were afforded opportunities to better their condition. At the same time there was always a pro- slavery sentiment in a more or less mild form in Lan- caster; notwithstanding that a large pioneer element of able men came from New England. William Peters, Scipio Smith, John Ampy Jones, and Nelson Smith were intelligent, useful and popular citizens. As the Anti-slavery sentiment grew and spread over the country, the pro-slavery sentiment was increased in Lancaster. In the year 1848 the colored people pro- posed to have a Sundayschool celebration, for which great preparation was made. John B. Reed painted
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their banners, and all things were ready for the dis- play to take place on the first day of August. As that was the anniversary of West Indian emancipation, it was soon noised abroad that the real object was the celebration of that event. Great excitement prevailed and even the conservative people of Lancaster were af- fected by it. At midnight, July 31st, the house of Nel- son Smith, the headquarters of the colored people, was mobbed by the rough element of the town. The house was badly wrecked and the furniture destroyed. The one hundred or more visiting negroes from Chilli- cothe and Circleville hastily left the town. Dan Brown, a school teacher and son-in-law of Scipio Smith, drew his rifle upon one of the leaders of the mob, but was prevented from firing by Mrs. Nelson Smith. William Slade, cashier of the Hocking Valley Bank, was the only man in town brave enough to de- nounce the outrage, which he did in vigorous lan- guage. Henry Stanbery, Attorney-General of Ohio, was here on a visit and reproved Slade for his incen- diary language. It was found necessary to place a guard around Slade's house that night. During this year (1848) Joshua R. Giddings, the Anti-slavery apostle, was advertised to speak in Lancaster and the day named, but the temper of the people was such that the appointment was withdrawn. This was the situa- tion of the colored man in Lancaster before the war. Emancipation and the right of suffrage has made a wonderful change.
THE STARCH COMPANY
The first company organized by citizens of Lancas- ter upon a large scale for the purpose of manufactur- ing, was the Lancaster, Ohio, Manufacturing Com-
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pany. This company was organized for the purpose of manufacturing starch from Indian corn.
The promoter was Charles Colgate, an adventurer from New York. He represented himself as thor- oughly versed in the business of manufacturing, and was backed by his brother, the great soap man of New York, and other well known New York friends of his to the extent of fifteen thousand dollars. The reputa- tion of his backers was such and the appearance and conversation of the man so pleasing that his word was taken and the company organized without farther investigation.
The articles of incorporation were signed by Joseph Work, Sr., James Gates, G. G. Beck, C. Dresbach, and D. Tallmadge, June 20, 1856.
The first directors were John T. Brasee, Darius Tall- madge, J. C. Kinkead, Thomas Sturgeon, P. B. Ewing, G. G. Beck, and Wm. Latta, elected June 27, 1856.
The stockholders disagreed upon some matters per- taining to the management, and July 2, 1856, the new Board resigned and what was termed the D. Tall- madge faction retired from the company.
A list of the stockholders is here given, which shows that the best business men of Lancaster were in this enterprise.
Jno. T. Brasee,
E. C. Kreider,
P. Van Trump,
T. W. Tallmadge,
Wm. Medill,
Jas. Gates,
B. F. Reinmund,
Em'l Giesy,
D. Tallmadge,
P. B. Ewing,
Jno. R. Mumaugh, Henry Orman,
G. G. Beck,
Jno. Radebaugh,
Jos. Parker, John Shaw,
Jos. Work, Sr.,
Jno. Effinger,
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Jno. D. Martin,
C. D. Martin,
Gilbert Devol, Wm. Latta,
J. C. Kinkead,
Thos. Sturgeon.
The trouble was finally adjusted and John Reber, D. Kutz, George Kauffman, Henry Miers, Thos. Ewing, and others, took the stock of the retiring members, much to their regret in after years.
The new Board, Jno. T. Brasee, Geo. Kauffman, G. G. Beck, John Reber, Henry Miers, and P. B. Ewing, organized July 26, 1856, and elected G. G. Beck presi- dent, and C. M. L. Wiseman, treasurer and secretary. These officers continued to the end.
A lot was soon purchased and in the course of a year a magnificent building was erected and fully equipped at a cost of $66,000, the capital stock of the company being but $60,000. Charles Colgate, the pro- moter, was elected superintendent.
He did not prove to be a good, level-headed business man. The building and equipment cost at least $26,000 more than he had given the Board of Trustees to expect. He was his own architect and made his own plans, and so completely had he impressed the Board with confidence in his ability, that things ran on without check until it was too late.
The expense of building and equipment was far be- yond the expectations of the Board, and his manage- ment of the factory, once in operation, fell far short of their expectations, being operated at a loss from the beginning. In two or three years he was deposed and the factory was run for a year or more by G. G. Beck as superintendent. They were in too deep water to continue long, and the business was closed up in 1860.
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Such, in brief, is the history of the most expensive manufacturing enterprise of Lancaster, managed by its best talent.
The history of the plant emphasizes the fact, that men of ability can be imposed upon and cannot well manage a business they do not understand.
The entire capital was sunk in this enterprise, not one dollar being restored to the stockholders.
KILLING OF LITTLE AND MICHAELS
The death of John Little and Tip Michaels, soldiers of the Seventeenth Ohio Regiment, at the hands of John See, was the most unfortunate and deplorable tragedy that ever stained the annals of Lancaster. During the war for the Union there were men in Lan- caster who sympathized with the South. This was known to the soldiers and it excited their ire. In February, 1864, the Fairfield Boys of the Seventeenth Ohio Regiment were home on furlough. Our best citizens contemplated the meeting of the boys and the men they disliked with much anxiety. The crisis came on the 20th of February.
John See and his son, George, with others were in Steck's saloon on that fatal day. Joshua Whitely, Sylvester Courtney, John Little, Tip Michaels, and Lyman Barnes entered the saloon and ordered drinks. The boys then turned to George See and an exciting conversation ensued. Soon there was a general row, and John See drew his pistol, as he afterwards alleged, and fired to kill Whitely and Courtney, but, instead, killed John Little and Tip Michaels. A general fight followed the shot of See, and in the confusion both he and his son escaped by the back door, mounted their horses, and were off for the hills. The report of the
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pistol shot was heard upon the streets and the saloon was soon filled with people. During this confusion the Sees got a good start and were well out of town before any one had presence of mind enough to pro- cure horses and follow them. A half dozen soldiers finally found horses and went in hot pursuit. George See was overtaken two miles from town and brought back on the same horse with Lew Richwine. The streets were full of excited people and all the soldiers were there, all anxious to get at See. It was pitiful to see the distress of the poor man seemingly in the pres- ence of immediate death ; for no one in that vast crowd expected, and but few, in the excitement of the mo- ment, wanted anything else.
He was taken from the horse, knocked down and trampled upon until apparently dead. The crowd was so great and pressed so close that men could not strike, and this is all that prevented immediate death. A few brave men saved his life. Dr. P. M. Wagenhals, William P. Creed, Henry Springer, and others opened the way, pressed the soldiers back, and carried the ap- parently lifeless body to the office of Dr. Wagenhals, where he was restored to consciousness.
In the darkness of the night he was carried to the residence of John D. Martin, where he remained until able to be turned over to the care of his family. John See was pursued a few miles but succeeded in eluding his pursuers and hiding in a neighboring barn. In a few weeks the soldiers returned to the army. John See returned to Lancaster, was indicted and tried by a jury of twelve men before Judge Van Trump and acquitted. The verdict was the subject of much cen- sure, and it was denounced by a large number of peo- ple, but no farther trouble followed. The soldiers on
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this same vacation mobbed the office of the Ohio Eagle. The office was pretty thoroughly gutted and the type thrown out of the windows on to the pavement. Chas. Roland, the editor and proprietor, took the matter very coolly ; he made an estimate of his losses amounting to about one thousand two hundred dollars, and pre- sented his bill to the city council. The claim, without much discussion, was favorably received and promptly paid. One member of the council could not see his way clear to pay it legally, but he said he would vote for it for good fellowship. This was an exciting day in Lancaster, and many feared that it would not end without violence and bloodshed. Fortunately for our town, night came without any further trouble and everybody breathed easier. Whitely was indicted for assaulting George See with intent to kill, and was also indicted for mobbing the Eagle office. He was tried and acquitted on both charges. He proved he was not present when the Eagle office was mobbed. After the killing of the boys, men who had any fear of vio- lence from the soldiers were not often seen upon our streets. Those who read the accounts of those event- ful days can have no adequate conception of the in- tense excitement that prevailed here, during those four weeks and the weeks that followed, until the trials were over. But the counsel of cool-headed men prevailed; quiet was restored and men returned to their peaceful occupations.
LANCASTER IN THE WAR
Lancaster furnished a large number of soldiers for the Union Army from 1861 to 1865. Of the number enlisted, sixty-three were, at the start or before the close of the war, commissioned officers. We give their
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names as it is an index to the patriotic spirit of the times. Men of both political parties are in this list, and they were brave and true. Those marked with a star were killed in battle or have since died.
*Gen. W. T. Sherman,
*Major-Gen. Thomas Ewing, Major-Gen. Hugh Ewing,
*Brigadier-General Chas. Ewing,
*Captain Ezra Ricketts, Captain D. P. Sullivan,
Captain B. H. Showers,
Captain Levi Cornwall,
*Colonel John M. Connell,
*Colonel L. M. Dayton, of Sherman's Staff, Captain John Sears, Captain W. E. Felton,
*Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. Ebright, Major W. G. Clark,
*Captain Joseph Bury,
Captain J. M. Sutphen,
Captain Zack Heed,
Colonel H. B. Reese, paymaster,
Major Andrew Davidson, assistant surgeon,
*Captain J. W. Stinchcomb, Captain J. T. Weakley,
*Captain E. A. Richards,
*Captain Leo. Noles,
*Brigadier-General by Brevet J. A. Stafford, Captain A. Ogden, Captain W. H. Walker,
*Colonel Newton Schleich,
*Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. Hunter,
*Captain J. C. Henly,
*Captain John Van Pearse,
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Captain Isaac Butterfield,
*Major H. H. Giesy,
*Major A. H. Perry, Captain L. R. Carpenter, Captain John G. Reeves,
*Major Hooker, Major H. W. Carpenter assistant surgeon, Captain Seth Weldy,
*Captain B. J. Butterfield,
*Captain Geo. E. Blaire, Lieutenant C. H. Rice, Lieutenant Chas. Young,
*Lieutenant Geo. C. Rainey, Lieutenant Irvin Linn, Lieutenant Theodore C. Michaels,
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