Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th, Part 54

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927
Publication date: 1973
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > Steubenville > Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th > Part 54

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In 1832 C. C. Wolcott purchased a small rotary engine on wheels, for use about his factory, but whose services were in de- mand whenever there was a fire. The city' had in the meantime purchased an- other small hand engine, which it placed in a frame building on the lot now covered by the Herald building on North Fourth Street, immediately south of the Second Presbyterian Church lot. About the year 1846 the council purchased a larger hand engine, called the "Reliance," and erected for it a one-story brick build- ing on the North Fourth Street lot, and shortly after the "Phoenix," which was housed in a frame structure on the site of the present Phoenix building south of the public square. This building was sur- mounted by a bell tower, ending in a spire. on which stood the tin figure of a man blow- ing a trumpet, which was irreverently dubbed Neddy Price, a well known charac- ter abont town. The Phoenix engine had what was considered a marked ad- vance, namely, a suction pipe, which en- abled it to draw water from a cistern or other reservoir at the same time it was throwing a stream on the flames. The water mains being pretty well extended by this time, hose reels were added to the equipment of the company, and the bucket brigade went gradually out of service. These engines served the city for nearly twenty-five years, and as an athletic exercise could discount a modern gymnasium many times over. The water receptacle was a long box, similar to a wagon bed. from which a square super- structure rose in the center containing the force pump. Lovers extended out in either direction, with a double set of cross bars at each, sthe upper ones being worked by several persons standing on a platform across the engine bed, and the lower ones by an equal number standing on the ground. The engines were drawn to fires by hand power, the companies being vol- unteers, and leading citizens taking a hand in pulling as well as operating the ma- chines, responding energetically to the call

of the captain: "Now, boys, now !" as the flames came spurting from a burning build- ing. It is said that when President Lincoln called for volunteer soldiers for the Union army the ranks of the fire companies were almost depleted. These fire laddies being familiar with scenes of danger and used to discipline soon became thorough soldiers. The annual parade was a great day, the en- gines being gaily decked with flowers, and the procession greeted with flowers and cheers as it passed through the streets.

In 1852 the city council passed an ordi- nance which provided a number of new rules and regulations governing the volun- teer fire department and the citizens in general at fires. By it firemen were ex- empt from labor on the highways and the citizens required to aid in extinguishing fires. A fire warden was appointed, annu- ally, from each ward, whose duty it was to inspect buildings in the ward and see that all regulations were complied with. Three directors were also appointed, whose anthority at a fire was absolute. In the absence of the first, second or third took his place, as the case might be. Four line- men were also appointed to form the peo- ple into lines.

Officers of this volunteer department were required to wear uniforms at a fire or pay a fine of five dollars. No matter where they happened to be. when the alarm sounded, officers must don the uniform and get to the front. This reminds one of the volunteer firemen who proposed dur- ing one of the evening sessions "that a committee be appointed to grease the cart just before each fire."

A fire in the Owesney block on South Fourth Street in the winter of 1869-70 hav- ing demonstrated the inefficiency of the old hand engines, the council, in the following spring, purchased a steam fire engine, to- gether with hose, reel and 1.000 feet of hose from L. Button & Son, of Waterford, N. Y., for $5,270. This engine was placed in the Phoenix engine honse, and Homer Permar elected first engineer, at a salary of $200 per year. Very soon after its pur-

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chase it had a chance to demonstrate its 084, making a net loss of $4,007; $49,500 efficiency in subduing a stubborn fire in of the gross Joss was caused by the burn- ing of the Imperial glass plant. the Mears bonded warehouse on lower Mar- ket Street. In the meantime a storm had Reference has been made to the death of Andrew Bickerstaff on March 9, 1885. On July 11, 1888, Patrick McKay, one of the bravest of the original members of the paid department, met his death at a small fire which ocenrred in Kleinman's notion store on the north side of Market Street, two doors west of Fourth Street. In order to get at the blaze the firemen were compelled to gain an entrance from the rear of the building. In jumping over a fence Mckay alighted on an iron rod, which penetrated his abdomen, causing death five days later. Michael McGraw was fatally injured at the Sharp foundry fire, which occurred Janu- ary 23, 1897, and died January 26, 1899. partly demolished the old Phoenix engine house and a new brick structure was erected with mayor's office and council chamber above. The Reliance headquar- ters had also been moved from Fourth Street to a new building on North Street, west of Fourth, where they have since re- mained, a fine building, thoroughly equipped, having been erected in 1909, with quarters also for the hook and ladder wagon. 'About a year after the purchase of the Phoenix engine a steamer was pur- chased for the Reliance Company, with Samuel Martin, first engineer, and James Beans, second. The destructive United States Hotel fire on March 9, 1885, followed By a state law in 1888, the firemen's pension fund was created, which provides that one-half of the tax collected from for- eign fire insurance companies doing busi- ness in the county shall be placed to the credit of such funds. There is now $5,000 in this fund and one pensioner. A fireman receives $40 a month for permanent disa- bility. Should he lose his life his widow receives $20 a month, and each of his ehil- dren under sixteen years old $6 a month. For partial disability a member of the de- partment receives not less than $20 a month from this fund, or more than $30 a month. After serving twenty-five years a fireman may retire on a pension of $30 a month or if he serves thirty years he may be granted a pension of $30 a month, which is exempt from taxation or from excention or attachment. by two other large fires the same year, led to the organization of a paid department on Jaunary 5, 1886. The council appointed Edward Nicholson fire marshal, who was succeeded by W. B. Martin, the present in- cumbent. The other members are: Phoe- nix, James Gill, captain; Vincent Saun- ders and William Singer, drivers; Charles Quimby and James Huffman, horsemen. Reliance, W. A. Shouse, captain; Edward Green and Chester Anderson, drivers; Charles Floto, Frank Weaver, Howard Mc- Donald and M. Kepler, horsemen. Hook and Ladder, Chester Anderson and How- ard MeDonald. There is also a volunteer company of twenty-two, housed in a fine two-story brick building on La Belle View. Ross Thompson, captain, and a similar company on Pleasant Heights, R. Teaff, captain.

As previously stated, the introduction of the high pressure water system put the steamers ont of nse, the equipment now comprising hose wagons, chemical engines, hook and ladder wagon, etc. There are twenty-five alarm boxes, the system being practically rebuilt during 1908. The net cost of operating the department that year was $17,812.88, and the fire loss was $65,- 091, on which there was insurance of $61,-

A feature of discipline worthy of a pass- ing notice in connection with the rapidity of the fire department's movements is that of the horses. It is a noticeable fact that after being in service a short time they can distinguish a fire alarm from any other signal that may be sent in. For instance. a signal is sent in at 2 o'clock each day, but they manifest no excitement when these taps are sounded further than taking their places at the apparatus. But let the gong

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sound for a fire, and something go wrong temporarily, which does not permit the door to open, and they will make a terrible fnss till released. Should an alarm come in while they are being exercised, it is al- most impossible to hold them. They are, in fact, in many ways nearly human and need no urging while en route to a fire.

Some day they will be superseded by antos, as is the case in London, and this interesting feature eliminated.

BANKING AND FINANCE.

It is easily comprehended that a com- munity as active as was Steubenville conld not remain long withont banking facilities. Accordingly, in 1809, Beznleel Wells and William R. Dickenson opened the Bank of Steubenville, the former acting as presi- dent and the latter as cashier. Alexander McDowell was teller. and Benjamin Cnn- ning janitor. The bank continued until 1821. when it became involved to the extent of $150,000, and closed up its business. A few years after the unexpired charter was taken up by Samnel Stokely, James Teaff, A. Doyle, A. H. Dohrman, James Dongh- erty and M. M. Laughlin, with Stokely ns president and O. Ballard cashier, but three years' experience convinced them that the concern was not a paying institution, and it was wonnd np.

In the meantime, in 1816, "The Farmers and Mechanics' Bank" was organized, with John C. Wright, president, and Thomas Scott, cashier. It was started as a private bank, but in 1817, by n special act of the Legislature, was chartered for a term of twenty years. When the charter expired a new organization was effected, under the title of "The Jefferson Branch of the State Bank of Ohio." This continmed until 1865. when it became "The Jefferson National Bank." Its elirter expiring in 1885, it was again reorganized. under the title of "The Steubenville National Bank" until 1902, when its property and franchise were purchased by The National Exchange Bank. The old brick building, with its

Grecian front, was long a landmark on up- per Market Street, and its demolition was not regarded without regret. It main- tained specie payments on its circulation through the panies of 1837 and 1857 nin- terruptedly down to the passage of the legal tender act of 1862. Mr. Seott, the first cashier, held office only a year, and was succeeded by David Moody for thirty- three years, William Spencer, twenty-three years, and Charles Gallagher from April 1, 1874, until his death in October, 1901. Thomas Johnson, Jr., and George P. Harden acted temporarily until the bank was sold. The presidents were John C. Wright, Nathaniel Dike, Dr. John An- drews, William Kilgore, 1852-76; James Gallagher, 1876-84 ;. R. L. Brownlee, 1884- 1902.

An incorporated bank was organized in 1832, under the title of "Mechanics' Fund Association," being managed principally by the treasurer, John Leetch, Thomas Johnson being president. It operated snc- cessfully for over twenty years, when it was bought ont by Robert Sherrard and Thomas L. Jewett, who continued business on the northeast corner of Fourth and Mar- ket Streets, under the name of R. Sherrard & Co. In 1865 it was converted into the First National Bank, but this was wound up in 1868, and the assets sold to R. Sher- rard, W. H. Mooney and James Gregg, operating under the name of the Commer- cial Bank of Sherrard, Mooney & Co. The new building on the northwest corner of Fourth and Market Streets was completed a few years after and occupied by the firm. Mr. Mooney retiring and Mr. Sherrard dy- ing in 1895 the Commercial National Bank was organized with George A. Maxwell, president, and James Gregg, enshier, with a capital of $125,000. It has been very sne- cessful, the statement of June 23, 1909, showing resources of $1,049.398.19. The present board of directors consists of John W. Forney, president : Andrew MeDonald, vice president ; A. S. Buckingham, cashier; Emmett E. Erskine, William Leech, W. S. Walker, William Stone, G. G. Gaston.

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J. J. Gill, Thomas A. Hammond and others in 1873 opened a private banking house on North Fourth Street in the build- ing adjoining Odd Fellows' Ilall, under the title of the Exchange Bank, which, in the following year, was converted into a na- tional bank and removed to the northeast corner of Market and Fourth streets, where it remained about fifteen years, when a twenty-year lease was secured in the Mc- Conville block, on the southeast corner of Fourth and Market, and a fine banking room fitted up. It had come to the front as one of the leading financial institutions of the city, when in 1902 it took a long step forward in the absorption of the Steuben- ville National Bank, whose resources were added to its already imposing list of assets. Increasing business demanded more com- modions quarters, and it was determined to erect a modern banking and business house on the site of the old Steubenville National Bank, which was completed in 1904, at a cost of $175,000. It is one of the finest banking houses in the country, and easily takes the lead of any similar strne- ture in eastern Ohio. Marble wainscot- ting, hardwood finish, bronze and plate glass screens, express elevator, all electric appliances and other features go to make an up to date building. The present capi- tal stock is $250,000, but it sells for more than one hundred per cent premium, and is difficult to get. The board of directors is composed of W. H. MeClinton, president ; David MeCullongh, vice president; D. M. Welday, Thomas JJohnson, Winfield Scott, Charles J. McConnell, J. E. McGowan. Fletcher C. Chambers: Thos. A. Ham- mond, cashier. Its resources on February 5. 1909. were $2,650,934.27.

The People's National Bank was organ- ized in April, 1905, with a capital of $100,- 000, and although one of the youngest financial institutions of the city has pro- pressed in a manner as to indicate the con- fidence of the people. It ocenpies com- modions quarters at 331 Market Street. and its statement showed resources of $614,709.19. The directors are: W. F.

Davidson, president; E. E. Franey, vice president; A. M. Hehus, John MeClave, R. G. Richards, B. Frank Murphy, James T. Sarratt, S. J. Podlewski, H. S. Bristor, F. M. Work, S. R. Stark; L. L. Grimes, cashier.

Among the older financial institutions of the city is the Union Deposit Bank, at 106 South Third Street, which has ocenpied its present location since 1854. At that time II. G. Garrett organized the Union Sav- ings Institute, of which he was treasurer, it occupying the rear end of his dry goods store. It was organized into the U'nion Deposit Bank in 1873, with Mr. Garrett as cashier, and occupying the whole apart- ment. Mr. Garrett retired in 1887, and was succeeded by his nephew, Dohrman J. Sinclair, who still remains at the head of the institution, with Jolm M. Cook presi- dent. A new building replaced the old structure in 1892, giving it one of the largest and best equipped apartments in the city, and the energy and high financial standing of its proprietors have long made it one of the most popular institutions of the city, Mr. Sinclair especially being rec- ognized as the leader in Steubenville in- dustrial prosperity. Plans have been drawn for a large bank and office building on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets, which is expected to materialize in the near future.

The Miners' & Mechanics' Bank of Sav- ings was organized in 1872, with quarters on North Fourth Street, above present Odd Fellows' Block, and afterwards re- moved to Cookson Building. at present Fiest's Confectionery. From thence it was removed to its present quarters in Gallagher Block, 106 Sonth Fourth Street. As its name indicates, it is a bank of sav- ings, every depositor becoming a stock- holder and sharing in the profits of the con- cern. Its investments are real estate mort- gages and other approved securities. Since its organization it has paid ont abont three quarters of a million in divi- dends, the present deposits aggregating $1,500,000. The directors are: David Me-

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SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' MONUMENT, UNION CEMETERY, STEUBENVILLE

JEFFERSON COUNTY COURT HOUSE, STEUBENVILLE

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NATIONAL EXCHANGE BANK. STEUBENVILLE

CITY BUILDING, STEUBENVILLE

STEUBENVILLE WATER WORKS

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Gowan, president; A. M. Helms, W. S. Walker, Edward Nicholson, Geo. S. Haw- kins, J. A. Kitheart, John Bentz, Thomas Barclay, Alfred Day, Winfield Scott. John Potter is secretary and treasurer, succeed- ing John W. Cookson and S. B. Campbell.

Closely allied to savings institutes are building and loan associations as instru- ments affording opportunity for small in- vestments, and at the same time providing facilities for loans to those wishing to re- pay on easy terms, especially the great army of renters, who, by paying bnt little above the average rental, are enabled, in the course of a few years, to seenre a home. During the later sixties and early seventies there were two building and loan associations in the city, Steubenville and Jefferson, which did a fairly successful business, but the demand falling off, and the operations under the then existing statutes not being satisfactory, they were wond up without loss to the stockholders. The present Steubenville Building & Loan Association was originated by William MeD. Miller, and incorporated on March 28, 1888. The capital stock of $200,000 was subscribed in April of that year, and it became necessary to double the capital stock to meet the requests of subscribers. In two more years the capital was in- creased to $800,000, and then shortly after- wards to the present anthorized capital of $2,000,000. The shares of stock are $200 each, payable by weekly payments of 25 cents a share. Since its organization the company has handled over $2,500,000 and made more than two thousand loans to home getters. The present board of direc- tors is composed of S. A. Lanbheim, pres- ident; William MeD). Miller, secretary ; Al- bert G. Lee, treasurer; W. H. Hehns, vice- president ; Jolm Carlisle, James Brettell, W. M. Beall, James P. Parks. R. J. Mor- rison. The assets amount to $415,000. The Jefferson Building & Savings Com- pany was organized in 1897, and since that time has worked its assets np from $53,- 455.31 to $393,332.43, a truly remarkable record, comparing favorably with the best

organizations in the state. Its headquar- ters are in the sonthwest corner of the courthouse basement, and the directors are John W. Forney, president; A. C. Black- burn, vice president; Hugh S. Coble, secre- tary ; Dr. J. A. McCullough, Charles J. Me- Connell, John McClave, W. S. Walker,

Morelli Bros, conduet a private banking room at 112 North Sixth Street, dealing chiefly with foreign brokerage and steam- ship traffic.

The capital and resonrees comprised in the city's existing financial institutions noted above aggregate fully $8,000,000.

When James Collier and family came from California, about 1849, he and his sons shortly after organized a private banking company. under the name of Citi- zens' Bank, occupying a building erected for the purpose on the southenst corner of Market Square. The concern failed in 1859, with serions loss to stockholders and depositors. The building was afterwards purchased by the county and used as of- fices for the anditor and treasurer until the completion of the new courthouse, in 1874. It was then sold to the Jefferson Fire In- surauce Company, a local organization, which carried on successful operations for a number of years and then ocenpied a room at 319 Market Street, afterwards the Herald printing office. This company tore down the old building and erected the pres- ent structure (since enlarged). This com- pany qnit business in 1882 and the prop- erty was purchased by the Jefferson Tron Works and used for its main office for sev- eral years, when it was sold to Edward Sprague and. Joseph Carnahan and con- verted into a job printing establishment. now operated by the H. C. Cook Company.

In 1873 Capt. John F. Oliver opened a private bank on North Fourth Street, which he conducted abont a year, when it was discontinued and the room ocenpied by the Miners' & Mechanics' Bank. Many years ago there was a Steubenville Fire Insurance Company, which finally went ont of business.

As an illustration of the rapid change in

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the first five years of the present century the value of factory products increased from $4,547,049, in 1900, to $12.369,677, in 1905, or 172 per cent, the greatest increase during this period of any city having a population of 8,000 or over in the state. Daring the same period the capital invest- ed in manufacturing industries increased from $2,302,563 to $12,627,048, or 448 per cent, an unprecedented record.

GRAVEYARDS AND CEMETERIES.

While the forefathers as a rule pos- sessed rugged constitutions, yet they were subject to the ordinary aihnents of man- kind, and the private burying grounds of the first settlers were soon displaced by graveyards and cemeteries. There was an old Indian burying ground on the present site of the La Belle iron works, from which bones were dug up while making ex- cavations for the mills. When the city was laid out Bezaleel Wells donated two lots at the corner of South and Fourth Streets for a pablic burying ground, but this soon becoming crowded several of the religious organizations secured tracts adjoining each other on South Fourth and Fifth Streets, extending from the junction of these two streets nearly to the present site of the Carnegie Library. This became known as the "old graveyard." The tracts were controlled by the different re- ligions societies of the town, although ev- erybody could be buried there without re- gard to religious proclivities. The M. P. Charch had a graveyard at the upper end of the town, where the traction carbarn now stands, and the First and United Pres- byterian and St. Peter's R. C. had grave- vards around their respective churches. By 1853 the necessity of making further provision for interments was so apparent that in November of that year there was held a meeting of the official members of the different religious bodies, at which a committee was appointed to select a tract of ground outside the city limits for ceme- tery purposes. This committee was com-

posed of Dr. C. C. Beatty and Col. Geo. W. MeCook, of the First Presbyterian Church; Rezin Permar and Frederick Frye, First M. E .; Dr. John Andrews and Alexander Beatty, St. Paul's; William Me- Donald and David McGowan, United Pres- byterian; Joshua Manly and Kinsey Swords, Methodist Protestant; Ambrose Shaw and John MeCracken, Hamline. A tract of fifty acres was selected on the Hus- croft farm, on Market Street extension. and on February 25th a Union Cemetery Association was formed with a capital stock of $10,000, divided into 1,000 shares of $10 enel :. While the movement naturally emanated from the different church bodies, yet the organization was and is entirely secular, not under the control of any religious organization or organizations singly or collectively. The churches, how- ever, were encouraged to become stock- holders, ns several of them did, and the original subscribers or their assigns had the first choice of lots up to the value of their stock, which thereafter ceased to be of any intrinsic value, as the entire income of the cemetery is devoted to the care of the grounds, with sneh enlargements and improvements as have been necessary. A general pienie was held on the grounds ou July 4, 1854, and religious services were conducted by Rev. George Buchanan, of the U. P. Charch. The first board of trus- tees was elected on July 15, 1854, com- posed of James Collier, president ; David McGowan, Kinsey Swords, C. C. Beatty, Joshma Manly, Geo, W. MeCook, Sr., Dr. John Andrews; D. L. Collier, elerk. A por- tion of the ground was platted by John D. Slack, an expert landscape gardener, and the fomedation laid for probably the most beautiful rural cemetery in the country. The St. Paul's, M. P., U. P., Kramer and Presbyterian organizations each pur- chased an acre of ground for special nse of their own members. The Presbyterians afterwards turned their tract over to the cenzetery association, retaining a perceat- age on lots sold; the others, however, still keep their tracts. The other graveyards

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in the city were now abandoned, the one at South and Fourth Streets being converted into a school site and the "Old Grave- yard" divided into building lots. Some six hundred transfers were made to the Union Cemetery, but years after, during excavations for sand and building pur- poses, fragments of bones were exposed to view. A few years later the original area of the cemetery was more than doubled by securing a long ravine leading to Fourth Street extension, now Lincoln Avenue. Through this have been constructed beau- tiful walks and driveways. in fact, making a park which has always been free to the public, without any expense to the city. Other additions to the cemetery have brought up the total area to about 250 acres, and thousands of dollars have been spent in the construction of roadways and bridges, as well as as providing for se- pulchral needs for many years to come. All this has been done out of the proceeds of the sale of lots and income from other sources, including a donation of $10,000 from the late C. C. Beatty and gifts from J. H. Hawkins and David McGowan. The two main entrances are a mile and a quar- ter apart, with a neat lodge house at each.

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Century History of Steubenville and Jefferson County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, 20th, Part 54

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927 Publication date: 1973 Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 584

Author: Doyle, Joseph Beatty, 1849-1927
Publication date: 1973
Publisher: Chicago : Richmond-Arnold Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 584