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 25
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Centennial History of Lancaster
city and of the high position it has always held among the cities of Ohio, and proud of the many distinguished men whose fame has shed lustre upon their beloved city.
The situation of Lancaster is beautiful and romantic. Mt. Pleasant, the beautiful and historic mountain, "re- nowned in song and story", the finest landmark of the Hocking valley, is within the corporate limits. At its base, for a hundred years, was the favorite camping ground of the Indians. At its base, John Leith, a pioneer of this county, asserted that he sold goods as a young clerk for a Pittsburgh trader in 1765.
The exploits of Wetzel and his companion, detailed by General Sanderson, is one of the interesting and highly romantic legends of the old mountain. The pretty story of General Reese and his sweetheart, Eliza- beth Sherman, is more than a legend, and will always interest lovers of the romantic. Judge Biddle, of In- diana, a former law-student of Lancaster, made this story and Mt. Pleasant, the subject of a beautiful poem.
This monument methinks should sacred stand As did majestic nature pile it here -- Untouched by civilized or savage hand. Horace P. Biddle.
Mt. Pleasant, and the twenty-seven acres of which it is a part, would make a beautiful park, and in this way it could be preserved for future generations. As it is, it may be soon despoiled of its timber and become a barren rock. It has been suggested as a beautiful spot for a monument to General W. T. Sherman.
The Boys' Industrial School of Ohio is one of the attractions of Lancaster. Situated in a romantic and beautiful country, it is the admiration of all visitors.
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Centennial History of Lancaster
It is now in the fortieth year of its existence. It was founded by Charles Reemelin, of Cincinnati. He vis- ited, while in Europe, a reform school at Mettrey, France, which he thought came near perfection. On his return to Ohio, he induced the Ohio Legislature to pass a law organizing a school upon the model of the French school.
Governor Chase appointed him the first acting com- missioner, his associates being John A. Foote and James D. Ladd. The first two are dead; the last named lives in poverty in Beatrice, Nebraska. The writer was one of the Lancaster committee that es- corted Governor Chase and the commissioners, while viewing the proposed location, as were also General Sanderson, L. Lobenthal, Henry Miers, and John D. Martin.
Three miles, the last half of the route, was through the woods. The twelve hundred acres was all in tim- ber, except one hundred acres where the buildings now stand. Mr. Reemelin gave much of his time to start- ing the institution; but his principal, Mr. Davis, and Colonel Jaeger, the steward, were responsible for de- tails. Mr. Reemelin soon tired of the burden and re- : signed. The governor appointed George E. Howe, acting commissioner and superintendent, in which ca- pacity he served for more than twenty years. He laid the foundation for the greatness of the institution and made for himself enduring fame. He lived to see twenty-two states organize like institutions upon the Ohio model; and five of the men he had trained made superintendents, viz .: Frank Ainsworth, of Indiana, C. W. Ainsworth, of South Dakota, Dr. Buck, of Kan- sas, Kilvington, of Tennessee, and Drake, of Missouri.
Mr. Howe was succeeded by J. C. Hite, G. S. Innis,
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Charles Douglass and D. M. Barrett, the present in- cumbent.
Colonel Jaeger, Van Hyde, Berry, C. M. L. Wise- man, A. Levan, D. B. Kumler, Captain Roby, Will Scott and C. D. Hilles, the present incumbent, have been stewards.
The grounds and buildings have cost the state over $400,000, and the annual outlay now exceeds $100,000 for expenses and new buildings.
The buildings are all comfortable and convenient - some of them quite fine. The new church is a model of taste and comfort, and equals any structure of the kind outside the large cities. The school began with twenty-two inmates, now there are about eight hun- dred.
Lancaster is a name that is as old as English history, known "From time whereof the memory of man run- neth not to the contrary." The houses of Lancaster and York were rival claimants for the throne of Eng- land, and the contest was styled the "War of the Roses."
Lancaster has been the name of a town and county of England from its earliest history, and there are nu- merous towns, cities and counties of that name in the United States.
The red rose is the emblematic flower of Lancaster, and has been such from the birth of the house of Lan- caster. Let us hope that it will always be the favorite flower of Lancaster people, and that it will grow in favor as the years roll round and continue to bud and blossom upon our lawns, cemeteries and parks. The antiquity of the rose is unquestioned, for we read that it bloomed upon the plains of Sharon. But Solomon's taste for flowers was never gratified by the sight of a bunch of American beauties. His was
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Centennial History of Lancaster
"The modest wild rose of the vale, Its face turned up toward the sky, Sends perfume on the summer gale, And breathes to all with fragrant sigh."
This closes our history of Lancaster and its people.
The author makes no claim to literary merit, but hopes that he has recorded facts and incidents pertain- ing to the history of Lancaster and its old citizens, that will be read with interest by all into whose hands this book may fall.
Imperfect as it is, the work has been a labor of grati- tude and love, and the author wishes to assure his friends and neighbors that, in the preparation of the book to which he now asks their generous considera- tion, he has been constantly guided and encouraged by a grateful remembrance of the kindness and confi- dence of the people of Lancaster for forty-three years, and his love for the old town, where his children were born and educated, and where the wife of forty years lies buried.
"We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths ; In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives. Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best."
-
RUSHVILLE
The following sketch of Dr. Simon Hyde appears in this book for two reasons: Two prominent branches of his family reside in Lancaster; he is one of the best specimens of a self-made man that this county has ever sheltered.
This generation cannot learn too much of the history of the prominent people of forty or fifty years ago. Dr. Simon Hyde, late of Rushville, Ohio, father of Eber Hyde, and Mrs. Dr. Lewis, of this city, was a giant in intellect, a famous scholar and an eminent physician of that period. When quite a young man two of his brothers were sent to college. Young Simon was not of robust health and remained with his parents upon their farm near Norwich, Conn. As his brothers laid aside their books, he took them up and alone and un- aided mastered the college course. He was a fine Latin, Hebrew and Greek scholar, and was especially fine in mathematics. Of the latter, astronomy was his favorite. During his long life he was a student of the Bible, and always read it either in the Latin, Greek or Hebrew. At about the age of twenty-three years, he left his Connecticut home, and made his way the best he could on foot to Ohio. This was about the year 1815. On leaving home he said to his mother: "You will find in my trunk some old papers which you may be interested in after I am gone." Like all mothers under similar circumstances, she lost no time in mas- tering the contents of the trunk. Among other inter- esting papers found, was a complete almanac calculated
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Centennial History of Lancaster
for twenty years, as perfect as any professor of astron- omy could have made it. His first stopping place in Ohio was Franklinton on the Scioto River. He re- mained there two years, but was so afflicted with chills and fever that he concluded to try the hill country, and removed to Rushville, where he continued to reside until his death. There he taught school and completed his medical studies. He became a very popular and successful physician, and his practice extended over a very large extent of country. He would call to see a patient ten miles distant, would then be called upon to go farther, and in this way his trips often extended over two or three days. He was somewhat eccentric, but possessed a generous heart. At about the age of forty years, he married a daughter of William Coulson, then one of the prominent merchants of Fairfield County, residing in Rushville. This union was blessed with eleven children, four dying in infancy. The sons were Dr. William Hyde, of Detroit, Eber, of Lancaster, Solon, of Columbus, Joseph K., of Rushville, and Rod- ney, of Adams County, Ohio. The daughters were Mrs. Dr. Lewis, of Lancaster, and Mrs. Harmon, of Columbus, Ohio. His boys were principally taught by their father, in which employment he spent his leis- ure hours, and in which he took great delight. He was a strong, rugged-looking man, but kind and affection- ate to his family. His daughter Mary (Mrs. Lewis) was educated at Lee Female College, Massachusetts. Dr. Hyde was a man of great endurance, and of great physical strength.
"He never felt fear."
This was demonstrated on one occasion in a very singular and dramatic manner. He was called to visit,
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Centennial History of Lancaster
in great haste, one of the Wilsons just west of West Rushville, and as he approached the old bridge over Rush Creek, not so high as the present one, he saw a drove of cattle near the west end. He pushed on, how- ever, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the drover, who urged him frantically to stop. Seeing the Doctor determined to cross first, he took off his coat and met him in the center of the bridge and caught his horse by the bridle. The Doctor very coolly dismounted, re- marking: "I will teach you better than to stop a doc- tor in a hurry to visit a patient", picked the drover up, raised him over the bridge railing, and dropped him into the water some ten feet below. Then as calmly as he got down, he mounted his horse and rode off. Dr. Hyde died at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. His life was pure and honorable, devoted to his family and to the good of his fellowmen. The poor and unfortunate always found in him a friend. The good that he did lives after him.
Greater is he that easeth men of their pains than he that taketh cities .- Oriential Proverb.
INDEX
INDEX
Abrams, Henry, 52 Alkire, Wesley J., 278 Alkire & Collins, 313 Anderson, Levi, 275 Anderson, Jesse, 339 Anandt, Christian, 359 Andrews, Prof. E. B., 262 Arnold, Daniel, 330 Arnold, Henry, 91
Bain, Whiley & Co., 298 Banks, 83-88 Bauman, Andrew, 300 Bauman, Martin, 350 Baumaster, Charles, 353 Baumaster, Jacob, 353 Bates, Thomas, 277 Baxter, Samuel, 348 Beatty, W. S., 311 Beck, Geo. G., 271 Beck, Geo., Sr., 327 Beck, Jacob, 214 Beck, Jacob, Sr., 326 Beck, Martin, 328 Becker, Ernest, 292 Beecher, Gen. Philemon, 25 Beery, Samuel, 310 Bell, Henry, 367 Bentley, Geo., 350 Bigelow, Dr. John M., 247 Binninger, Philemon W., 293 Binninger, Wolfgang, 294 Bitler, Geo. J., 362 Black & Coles, 303
Blaire, Henry F., 368 Blaire, Wm. Guy, 368 Block, Jacob, 302 Bodenhamer, Wm., 340 Boerstler, Dr. Geo. W., 240 Bope, Philip, 276 Borland, Charles, 234 Boving, F. J., 110 Boyle, Hugh, 28 Brasee, John T., 160
Brennaman, A., 301
Brink, Henry W., 353 Brock, Geo. W., 313
Brough, Gov. John, 127
Browning & Noble, 296 Brumfield, Wm., 362 Buechler, Dr. Michael, 375
Butch, L. C., 294 Bush, Daniel, 298 Butterfield, Isaac, 349
Campbell, Rudisell & Co., 268 Card, W. J., 194 Cannon, Hugh, 321 Cannon, Samuel, 346 Carpenter Family, 60 Carpenter, Rev. Samuel, 97 Carpenter, Dr. Paul, 244 California Adventurers, 385 Carter, George, 363 Cassel, John C., 236 Cassel, Wm., 366 Celebration, Fourth of July (1837), 178
402
Index
Cemeteries, 227-229 Citizens of 1837, 175 City Officers of 1840, 184 Church, Isaac, 358 Churches, 198-210 Churches and Other Buildings, 210 Clarke, Dr. Ezra, 247 Clarke, Joshua, 108
Claspill, Robt. O., 364
Claspill, Robt. R., 334 Claspill, Geo. W., 334
Claspill, Mrs. Ruth Ann, 65 Clay, Henry, 98, 386
Cless, Henry, 308
Colerick, Hon. David, 93
Cook, Robert, 373
Collins, John A., 313
Collins, (P. H.) & Co., 313
Colored Citizen, The, 215
Colonization Society, 102 Connell, Benjamin, 302 Connell, John, 318
Connell, John M., 238
Converse, James, 13 Cowden, David, 334
Cranmer, James, 346
Creed, John, 296
Crider, Dr. H. L., 257
Crim, Samuel, 303 Cutchall, James, 373
Daugherty, M. A., 148, 232 Davidson & Brasee, 302 Davis, Dr. O. E., 246
Deitrick, Jacob D., 69 De Long Brothers, 295 Denning & Parker, 350 Denton, Simeon, 365 Develling, H. W., 309 Devol, Gilbert, 361 Dodson, T'hos. G., 344
Douglass Club, 378 Drinkle, Peter G., 369 Drum, Henry, 352 Dubble, Henry, 356 Dubble, Capt. John A., 129
Duke of Saxe Weimar, 97, 385 Dumont, Julius W., 270
Early Days and War of 1812, 72 Eckert, Geo. L., 307 Education, ( Board of in 1876), 146 Edingfield, Thomas, 347
Edwards, Dr. Tom O., 242
Effinger, Samuel, 95
Effinger, Dr. Michael, 245
Embich, Jacob, 331 Embich, P. B., 314
Embich, Phillip, 331
Ewing, Thomas, 75
Ewing, Gen. Thomas, 253
Ewing, P. B., 231
Fall, John C., 315
Ferguson, Capt. Wm. F., 374
Fielding, Robert, 290
Fischel, D. K., 344
Financial Items, 224
Fismer, Wm., 353
Fire Fiend in Lancaster, The, 226 Flood, John C., 366
Flowers, Dr. F. L., 251
Foster, David, 338
Foster, Frederick A., 96
Foster, Perry D., 304 Freeman & Richards, 312
Friesner, Levi, 297
Fricker, Thomas, 330
Fromlet, A., 324 Frost & Durbin, 314
403
Index
Gardner & Cherry, 300 Garaghty, Micliael, 27 Gaster, Jacob, 371 Gates, James, 289 Gebelein, John, 334 Gebelein, Henry, A., 306 Geiser, James, 340 Geiser, Wmn., 340 Gibbs, John, 337 Giesy, John, U., 326 Green, Jacob, 35 Griswold, Samuel, A., 259 Griswold, Victor Moreau, 248 Gromme, John J., 173 Grubb, Joseph, 351
Guseman, Adamı, 340 Guseman, Mrs. Catharine M., 64 Guseman, Jacob, 339 Guseman, George, 340 Guseman, John, 339
Hamilton, Col. W111., 377 Hanson, Hiram, 336 Hard, Daniel, 333 Harrison, Gen. Wm. H., 71, 386 Henley, Capt. J. C., 305 Herman, James, 365 Herr, Samuel, 332 Hire, H. C., 294 Hite, Jacob, 341 Hocklocking River, 8 Hocking Valley Hop Company, 381 Hocking Valley Railroad, 118 Hoffman Family, The, 307 Holt, Jacob, 348 Honored Citizens, 211 Hood, George, Sr., 337 Hopkins, L., 278 Hopkins & Symonds, 304 Howe's Academy, 132
Huber, Col. Christopher, 370 Hunter, Amos, 338 Hunter, Capt. Joseph, 12 Hunter, Hocking H., 156 Hyde, Dr. Simon, 395
Imhoff, Frederick, 332 Insurance Agents, 225 Introduction, 7 Irvin, Wm. W., 26
Jones, John Ampy, 376 Joy, Henry B., 357 Julian, E., 274 Julian, Mrs. Sarah, 115
Kauffman, George, 267 Keller Bros., 297 Keller, Capt. A. R., 258 Keller, Jacob, 297 Kendall, Francis, 277 Killing of Little and Michaels, 219 Kindler, Martin, 340 King, Wmn. L., 324 King, William and Christian, 32 Kinkead (J. C.) & Co., 305 Kinkead, Willianı, 368 Koehler & Myers, 357 Kraner, P. H., 304 Kreider, Dr. M. Z., 195 Kurtzman, Joseph, 363 Kutz, Daniel, 273
Lancaster, 19 Lancaster in 1805, 53 Lancaster in 1815, 53 Lancaster in the War, 221 Lancaster Academy, 132 Lancaster Bar (1830-1850), 130 Lancaster and General Sher- man, 124
404
Index
Lancaster Institute, 190 Lancaster Lateral Canal, 191 Lancaster Mechanics, Some, 325 Lafeare, James, 333 Latta, John, 94 Latta, William, 283 Lehman, Christian, 322 Levering & Cassel, 296 Levy & Block, 301 Lewis, Dr. J. W., 248
Lilly, Frank, 359 .
Little & Dresbach, 323 Little, John N., 347 Little, Samuel, 348 Lippen & Lobenthal, 279 Lochman, Christopher, 336 Lotteries, 89 Lyons, John, 288
Maccracken, Samuel F., 57 Martin, John D., 229 Masonic, 192 Matlack, John, 346
Matlack, Samuel, 347
Matthews ( Henry) & Co., 268 Mayer, Frederick, 295 Mayors of Lancaster, 211 McDonald, Walter, 335 McManamy, James, 306 McManamy, Tole, 329 McNeill, Dr. Robert, 194 McNeill, John Bowman, 266 McVeigh, Alfred, 235 Medill, William, 106 Merchants Who were not Early Pioneers, 267 Miers, Henry, Jr., 372 Miers, James, 372 Meyer, Geo., 341 Military, The, 163 Miller (Peter) & Brother, 286 Miller, Dr. G. K., 248
Miller, John, 301 Miller, John M., 351 Miscellaneous, 197 Mithoff, G. A. & Theodore, 290 Moerlein, Wm., 363 Mumaugh, John R., 263 Munlux, William, 348 Myers & Anspach, 275 Myers & Brother, 300 Myers & Getz, 355 Myers, Geo., 363 Myers, Rev. Jacob, 316 Mytinger, Charles, 336
Natural Gas Plant, 379 Neibling, Christian, 69 Nester, Philip, 322 Newman, Wesley, 147 Newspapers, 103 Noble, Col. John, 73 Nourse, Charles, 147 Nourse, John D., 238
O'Donnell, James F., 369 Old Landmarks, 176 Olds, Dr. Edson B., 286 Orman, Henry, 212 Outcalt, Jesse, 307
Parsons, Joel S., 148 Pearce, John, 339 Pearce, W. B., 365
Perry, Alvah, 375 Peters, Old Billy, 376
Peters, Gideon, 364 Peters, Rev. Chas., 376 Pitcher, Abraham, 374 Political Meetings, 185 Pool, James, 354 Postmasters of Lancaster, 211 Pratt, James M., 364 Preface, 5 Price, John H., 349
405
Index
Professional Men not viously Mentioned, 229 Prominent Merchants, 102 Prominent Merchants of 1840, 180 Prominent Men and Events, 100 Public Library, 117, 378 Pursell, Wm., 343
Quinn, Rev. James, 15
Radebaugh, Joel, 265
Rainey, Chas. F., 325
Rainey, John C., 342
Reber, John, 151
Reber, Peter, 31 Reck, Rev. Abraham, 174 Red Lodge, 186
Reed, Andrew, 303
Reed, John B., 345
Reed, Robert, 334
Reed, T. N. & T. U., 277
Reed, Thomas, 115
Reese, Mary Elizabeth, 113
Reese, William J., 111
Reeves, Josiah & J. D., 272
Reinmund, Joseplı, 281
Reinmund, B. F., 282
Review, A Brief, 381
Richards, Wm., 333
Rickly, Samuel S., 213 Ring, George, 70 Rising, Philip, 278
Sherman, Gen. W. T., 118 Shinplasters, Era of, 88 Shoff, Jacob, 324 Short, Adam, 350 Shutt, Wm. H., 349
Ritchie, Win. A., 317
Rokolıl, Christian, 71
Rokohl, David, 71
Rudolph, Christian, 371
Rudolph, Samuel, 373 Rushville, 395
Sager, Col. Chas., 358 Sanderson, Gen. Geo., 14
Pre- | Sanderson's ( Gen.) Recollec- tions, 38 Saxe, Dr., 248 Schleich, John D., 366 Schleicher, Louis, 296 Schneider, Charles, 257
Schools, 132 School, High, 140 Schools of Lancaster, History of, 134 School Board, Members of, 145 School Superintendents (since 1876), 145 School Supervision, 142
Schultz, Henry, 366 Schur, Charles, 357
Scofield, Elnathan, 30
Scott, Dr. Hervey, 252
Searles, John, 311 Shaug, Dr. John M., 26
Shaeffer, Baltzer, 337
Shaeffer, Frederick A., 328
Shaeffer, Jacob, 329 Shannon, Robert, 342 Shaw, Salmon, 372 Shaw, Virgil E., 235 Sherman, Chas. Robt., 53
Sherman, Hon. John, 125
Sifford, Daniel, 269
Sites, Geo. D., 351 Slade, Wmn., 245 Slaughter, Robert F., 24
Slevins & Phelan, 274 Smalley, Mahlon1, 318 Sınitlı, Benjamin, 67 Smith, George, 338
406
Index
Smith, Geo. H., 269 Smith, Geo. H., Jr., 294 Smith, Joel, 361 Smith, John C., 335 Smith, Nelson, 196 Smith, Stephen, 332 Snider, John S., 373 Society Leaders, 183 Some Local Happenings, 116 Spencer J. Wright & Co., 312 Springer, Henry, 283 Stafford, Gen. J. A., 360 Stallsmitlı, John, 356 Stanbery, Henry, 105 Starch Company, 216 Steck, F. A., 345 Steinman, Gotlieb, 69 Steinman, Perry, 375 Steele, Col. C. F., 265 Stewart, William, 320 Stinchcomb, James W., 236 Stortzman, Isaac, 333 Strentz, Wendell, 355 Strode, Geo. H., 354 Stull, John, 331 Sturgeon, Timothy, 35 Sturgeon, Thomas, 36 Stutson, Alvord, 319 Sunday Schools, 191 Swiler, John, 371
Tallmadge, Darius, 154 Taxes, 177 Teachers in 1895-6, 146 Temperance, 187 Thiel, Dr. Casper, 244 Thompson, Lewis, 313 Titler, Peter, 329 Townsend, William, 94 Trout, Horatio G., 284 Tuthill, John L., 288 Tuthill, John C., 320
Ulrich, Jacob, 158 Upfield, William, 352
Vagnier, Victor, 300 Van Trump, Col. P., 192 Visitors, Distinguished, 385 Vorys, Isaiah, 332
Wagenlıals, Dr. P. M., 250 Wagenhals, Rev. John, 255 Wagner, Ferdinand, 359 Wait, Dr. H. H., 247 Walter, Jacob, 360 Weakley, Henry, V., 264
Weakley, James, 336
Weakley, Oliver P., 350 Weaver, Adam, 38 Weaver, Christopher, 325 Weaver, James, 311
Weaver, John C., 275
Webster, Daniel, 386 Weddings, Some, 182 Wetzel, Jacob, 323 Wetzler, Thomas, 256 Whiley, Samuel, Sr., 298
White, Thos. H., 319 White, Thos. U., 289 White, Dr. James, 239 Whitman, Hon. H. C., 233 Whitmiller, John, 363 Wilhelm, Samuel, 355 Williams & Ackley, 277 Williams, Dr. John, 149 Williams, Wm. E., 360 Willock, John G., 313 Wilson, Dr., 37 Winter, Conrad, 352 Wise & Hilliard, 306 Witte, Augustus, F., 170 Wolfe, Salem, 377 Wolfe, Stephen Decatur, 345 Woltz, Jesse, 331
407
Index
Wood, John, 295 Work, John, 306 Work, Joseph, Sr., 310 Worrell, Geo., 341 Wright, Edwin, 342 Wright, John H., 370 Wright, Josiah, 342 Wright, Silas H., 237
Wygum, Geo. J., 309 Young, Jacob, 346 Young, Nicholas, 347 Younghans, Justus, 341 Youngkin, John, 358
Zane, Col. Ebenezer, 16 Zane's Agreement, 20
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