Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 35

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 35

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

The first house was built by Jacob Hershey, who was also the first post- master of the village; he was then the proprietor of the "McOwen Mills." (See Mills.)

The Methodist Church was erected here in 1842. Newton Dunkel conducts a grocery and is postmaster at this time. William Lansinger is the manager of the blacksmith shop, Mrs. Zilkey conducts the hotel and Mrs. Heil the restaurant.

NEW CARLISLE.

LOCATION.

In the selection of the site for this pleasant village we have another illustra- tion of the influence that a running stream

Dr. Young in a former history of this county, says that the Indian village of Chinchima was located on the Smith farm immediately west of town. Honey Creek, a branch of the Big Miami, has its source north of the village some five or six miles, and meanders down and around the vil- lage going west into Miami County.

SURROUNDINGS.

New Carlisle is situated on a plateau, some twenty-five feet above the bed of this stream, which affords to it excellent drainage. On this stream the original proprietor built a mill as far back as in 1836, but it has long since been a thing of the past. We have no particular ad- vice at this time that the lands surround- ing the village were in a condition other than is usually found in this fertile val- ley, and no doubt they were originally covered with walnut, oak, hickory and timber of like character. It has been pre- viously stated, in giving the history of the county, that probably the first set- tler was John Paul who afterwards built or located a mill situated a mile or three-

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

quarters northeast of this village, but the founder of the town was William Rey- bourn.

WHEN LAID OUT.

It is said by Dr. Young that it was first laid out in 1810, and the first location was about 80 rods west of the present town (this was in the northwest corner of the Stockstill addition), and it was called York, and that in 1812 Reybourn made his plat and called it Monroe. This plat, however, does not seem to have been re- corded until 1816. In 1828 the name was changed to New Carlisle. This original plat of Reybourn's was lots from 1-54 and extended from the lower part of the town up along Main Street to Lincoln Street. One lot wide on the west of the street and two lots wide on the east. We do not know much about Mr. Reybourn, except that afterwards one of his descend- ants went east and was recently the mayor of Philadelphia. Afterwards, in 1833, John Hay platted lots numbering 55-74, this plat of lots running north on Main Street above Reybourn's plat to Lake Avenue and then south on Church Street to Washington Street. In the same year Elnathan Corry platted lots 75-133, lot 75 being on the southwest corner of Wash- ington and Church Street, and the plat ran from Washington Street as far west as Scott Street, south to Madison Street and some few lots further south along Church Street. In 1842 Corry made another addition of lots 134-181. This plat was west of Scott Street and be- tween Jefferson and Madison. For forty years there was no other platted addition made to the village. New life having been infused into the community by the

building of what was then the I. B. & W. R. R. in 1881, in 1882 J. N. Stockstill made an addition of lots numbering 182-281 which includes that part of the village bound on the north by Lake Avenue on the west by Clay Street and on the south by Wash- ington and on the east by Church Street, further south by the alley between Church and Adams Streets. The same year Forgy & Mitchell made a plat of lots numbered 282-300, being the western part of the town south of Tippecanoe Pike or Jeffer- son Street. In 1884 Sarah Smith, in the west part of the town opposite to the Forgy & Mitchell addition, laid out lots 301-321. In 1887 B. H. Rannels laid out lots 322-359, this addition being north of Washington Street and west of Clay.

INCORPORATION.

The village is about sixteen miles north- east of Dayton and twelve miles west of Springfield. It was incorporated in 1831, but not being fortunate enough to be lo- cated on a road that was traveled much by stage coaches nor railroad prior to 1881 its growth was necessarily slow. Its natural surroundings, however, were such that in early times its founders had hopes that it might ultimately be chosen as the county seat, but its location was not cen- tral enough to make it a formidable fac- tor in the final settlement of this ques- tion. It grew, however, and became noted as one of the most attractive villages in this part of the state, but the absence of railroad facilities after the railroads came was a serious drawback to its growth. It was strictly an agricultural community. When the I. B. & W. was

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built in 1881 the people were aroused from their lethargy and built up great expectations for the future, which has in a measurable degree been fulfilled. The village took on new life, made extensive improvements and now is one of the live villages of the county, compelling South Charleston to put on her spurs to keep her rank as second in size among the vil- lages of this county.

POPULATION.

The population we find has increased but very little. Going back as far as 1880, we find that the census gave the village 872, in 1890, 958; 1900, 995.

When the Dayton & Springfield Trac- tion Line was built, a spur was con- structed from Medway to New Carlisle, and so the people now have good facilities for reaching either Springfield or Dayton.

EARLY RESIDENTS.

It is said that Jonathan Taylor and J. S. Mussey were early merchants of the place and that it had three churches, built as early as 1830, and that Dr. Robbins was the physician in that year.

Elnathan Corry was the grandfather of our fellow townsman .J. Quincy Smith and lived at this old homestead. The Corry family has been prominent in the affairs of the village from that date until the present. Among other old time residents may be mentioned Cyrus Lowman, whose father built the second stone house that was erected in Clark County. Cyrus lived in the vicinity of the village and during his entire life of more than fifty years was closely identified with its affairs.

Another old time settler and one of great prominence in the village was Dr. John N. Stockstill. He commenced the practice of his profession in this village in 1842. He has been dead some fifteen years. The old homestead still standing on Main Street in its day was one of the finest residences of the town. Another old time physician of the place who was here for a half century was Dr. Isaac Miranda, who came here in 1851. During his life- time he was prominent in township and village affairs. Another person who is well remembered by the oldest people of the village is E. T. Weakley. He was a Virginian, proud of his ancestry and strong in his Democratic principles, set- tling here in an early date, and posses- ing considerable wealth. The politics of the village are generally Republican, but Mr. Weakley and Dr. Miranda ably ad- vocated and maintained the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Weakley as- sisted in the organization of the New Carlisle Bank, and was well known in this and surrounding counties.

Horace N. Taylor was a life-long resi- dent of this place. His father, Ezra G., came here in 1829 and from that time on - until his death was one of the leading citizens. The younger Taylor for quite a while conducted a store under the firm name of Garver and Taylor. He was postmaster under Benjamin Harrison and for a long time was township clerk. He has been dead for some five or six years. Dr. Benjamin Neff was quite an active and distinguished citizen of this place from the time that he came here in the early 60s until his death in the early 90s. He represented this county in the state Legislature from 1871-1875, and conducted

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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY

a drug store where T. J. Marinda is now located. His son Charles for some time was cashier of the New Carlisle Bank.

Perhaps the most noted enterprise that the town ever had was the Smith Nursery. This was formed originally by Wm. H. Smith who came here in 1864, and in 1890 the industry had grown to be quite an extensive one. Some time after Mr. Smith died, and this industry has ceased to be an important factor of the village.

Another person who was for a long time an active business man from this town, conducting a nursery likewise, was Thomas Brown, who commenced the busi- ness as early as 1846, and continued it as late as 1884. W. U. Scarff south of the village is now extensively engaged in this business.

A person who brought considerable dis- tinction to the village of New Carlisle was the Rev. Thomas Harrison, who came here in 1852 and took charge of the select school that had been organized two years previously by the Rev. Berger. This school was afterwards called the Linden Hill Academy. Mr. Harrison was a

thinker of some power, as his works in defense of religion and the Bible prove. His fame became noised around and his school became somewhat distinguished, sending forth a number of persons who were afterwards prominent in various walks of life. He remained here until 1865, when the school was abandoned, be- ing succeeded by the New Carlisle High School, and the Rev. Harrison took up other fields of labor.

continued pioneer pastorate in this vicin- ity. He was the father of a number of children distinguished afterwards in pub- lic life. H. H. Williams being Common Pleas judge of Miami County, E. S. Will- iams a member of Congress from that county, and J. C. Williams having served as Mayor of this village and being still living, an honored citizen of the place.

BANKS.

The first banking concern that New Carlisle had was known as the Bank of North America, and was organized in 1852, by Phil Baker, Wm. Robinson, Wm. Timmons, David Lehman, J. C. Stafford and Ezra G. Taylor, the latter being cashier. It was founded on Virginia bonds, and went under in about one year. It was located in a blue brick building, corner of Washington and Main Streets.

The New Carlisle Bank was organized in 1883 by C. S. Forgy, E. T. Weakley, Samuel Hamlet, Dr. Isaac Miranda, Dr. Benjamin Neff and others with a capital stock of $15,000. Charles H. Neff was its first cashier and C. S. Forgy its first president. For a time afterwards Sam- uel Hamlet was president. It subsequent- ly became the property of J. V. Forgy, J. Q. Smith, Mrs. M. M. Saylor and C. H. Saylor, the present owners. Mr. Her- bert S. Forgy is cashier. The last state- ment shows that it had $96,000 deposits.

The First National Bank of New Car- lisle commenced business March 3, 1903. The original directors were I. K. Funder- burg, Frank Fissel, Fed. D. Shelton, Dr. Cook, Charles McGuire and Isaac Free- man and W. A. Higgins. The above also

The Rev. Henry Williams while living south of the village deserves more than a passing notice by reason of his long and constitute the present board, except that

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J. I. Stafford has taken the place of I. K. Funderburg. It was organized under the United States banking laws, which per- mitted National Banks to organize with $25,000 capital. According to its last statement, it had $56,903 of deposits and $95,834 of assets. The present officers are Frank Fissel, president, Dr. Cook, vice- president, and William Fissel, cashier. Mr. William H. Sterrett has been one of the moving spirits of this institution. Prior to 1906, Mr. Pierce was cashier.

In 1882 Charles F. King started a building and loan association, of which Chas. McGuire has been secretary for a number of years.

MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES.

The first mill was built by William R. Reybourn in 1836, northeast of the vil- lage. Latterly the one owned by a Mr. Meeks was built at this place. There is now conducted at this location, by C. A. Smith & Son, a feed store; steam-power however is used.

The next mill was built near the rail- road after the building of the I. B. & W. Railway. It was erected by a Mr. Rals- ton, the village raising a bonus of $5,000. Afterwards it was conducted by the Pierces, the Funderburgs, later by John 0. Brown, and finally by a man by the name of Rosell. Then a mill was built by David Nysewander and Joshua Rust as a woolen mill; it was afterward owned by John Collins, Isaac Funderburg and John Scarff. Both of these structures were burned down. The Superior Pump Factory was built in the eighties; John M. Winger and others were interested in it.

Now there is conducted at the railroad

station an elevator and general imple- ment business, by Stewart A. Muff; also another elevator by J. B. Peffley.

FIRES.

Much of the business part of New Car- Jisle owes its modern appearance to the three disasterous fires that have visited the village in a space of ten years. The first, which occurred in . 1889, burned out the buildings on the west of Main Street, north of the hotel. Afterwards in 1891 a fire broke out in a stable behind the City Hall and all that part was burned out from and including the City Hall down to the Odd Fellows' Building. Then, in November, 1896, a conflagration, supposed to have orig- inated in a small feed store from fire used in a jollification over Mckinley's election, burned all that portion of the village lo- cated between the Weakley Block and the Odd Fellows' Building. The most notable loss in this last fire was that of the Opera House, which had been built by Mr. Bert Lowman and the Stockstill boys. It was a very commodious building for the vil- lage of New Carlisle, costing $15,000, and was a serious loss to the community for the reason that, not having proved a business success, it will probably be many years before the village has another build- ing so elegantly equipped for entertain- ments or presenting so handsome an ap- pearance. Since these various fires all the space burned has been built up.

HOTELS.

The hostelry now known as the Carlisle Inn was the first hotel of the village, and, according to information now available, was established by John A. Hay, prior

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to 1830. He was successively followed as landlord by James Mitchell, William Forrer, Sheldon Weakley, George Garst and by the present proprietor, J. M. Kis- singer. General Fred Funston was born in this hotel. The next hotel was one es- tablished by a man by the name of Vance in 1840. Afterwards Joe Keef was land- lord of this hotel and later William Forrer, and it then ceased running. On the present location of the Staley House was formerly a hotel by the name of the Pauly House.

The Staley House is at present conduct- ed by Mary A. Staley. Recently, imme- diately south of the New Carlisle Bank, the Holwager House has been opened, the same being conducted by Elizabeth Holwager.

POST OFFICE.

I am not advised as to when the post office was established, but the following information in regard to the successive postmasters is kindly given by the pres- ent postmaster, Dr. E. C. Miller :

Buchanan's administration from 1856 to 1861, Thomas Wise, postmaster. Abra- ham Lincoln's administration from 1861 to 1865, Richard Hubbard, postmaster, and on down to his death in 1873; then Mrs. Hubbard, his wife, filled the office as postmistress until Grover Cleveland's ad- ministration. when T. J. Miranda was ap- pointed postmaster and served a short term. He resigned and Frank Hughes was appointed in 1887 and died in 1888, when H. N. Taylor was appointed and served over seven years. Then Grover Cleveland began his second term and A. M. Kissinger was appointed and served four years, and on June 25th, 1900, E. C. is believed, in Dayton.

Miller was appointed and his second term expires December 13th, 1908. New Car- lisle was a fourth-class office up to and during a part of Taylor's service as post- master, and then it was made a third- class. When the present incumbent, E. C. Miller, became postmaster in 1900 there was one rural route connected with the office-J. F. Brubaker, carrier-and the salary of the office was $1,200. At the present time there are five routes, and the salary of the postmaster is $1,600. The post office building occupies one of the most prominent corners in the town, it being leased to the department for ten years, and on October 1st, 1906, there was installed a complete and up-to-date set of post office fixtures; room heated by fur- nace and lighted by the latest improved gasoline lighting system. The staff at present is as follows: E. C. Miller, postmaster; Thomas E. Miller, assistant postmaster; J. F. Brubaker, carrier, No. 1; W. H. Kilpatrick, No. 2; W. C. North, No. 3; E. P. Funderburg, No. 4, and B. W. Quick, No. 5. The rural routes alone col- lect and deliver nearly a half-million pieces a year; this does not include the general delivery in the town.

ATTORNEYS.

Charles M. King, who founded the New Carlisle Building & Loan Association in 1883, was perhaps the first attorney who had his office located in this village. In the following year he went back to Springfield, where he died in 1885.

About 1885 B. H. Rannells located in the village and continued in the active practice here for some ten or fifteen years, at this time residing, however, it

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About 1890 Horace W. Stafford, who had recently been admitted to the bar, opened an office in the village and con- tinued here for a year or so, when he moved to Springfield and afterwards be- came prosecuting attorney of the county.

In 1895 W. S. Robison located in the village and for a time was actively en- gaged in the law practice. Afterwards he accepted services for the traction com- pany, in which line of practice he is still engaged.

For a time Mr. Swadner, now located at Osborne, kept an office in this village.

PIONEER ASSOCIATION.

In 1889 the New Carlisle Pioneer As- sociation was organized. About the same time there were other pioneer associations organized throughout the county, most of which have long since ceased to exist. The New Carlisle association, however, continues in active operation, Mr. J. C. Williams being president at this time.

Annually, about the 18th of August, this association holds its meetings, gener- ally in the Smith Grove, west of the vil- lage. At the last meeting (1907) Senator Foraker delivered one of his forcible and eloquent addresses.

In the history of Bethel Township will be found a list of the pioneers who were present at that meeting. General Keifer, a native of Bethel Township, introduced Senator Foraker. It was a beautiful day and the meeting was a decided success.

NEWSPAPERS.

On several occasions newspapers were started or gotten out in the village, but it

remained for J. M. Hoffa, in 1883, to es- tablish the present "New Carlisle Sun" upon a substantial basis. He continued there for some six or eight years, when the property passed into the hands of other parties and finally became the prop- erty of the present proprietor, Mr. J. A. Alexander. It is a paper that well repre- sents the village. However, owing to the daily rural delivery and other facilities for circulating the papers of Springfield and Cincinnati, it is a matter of con- siderable difficulty to maintain a news- paper in a village of its size.

J. C. Williams has materially contrib- uted to the success of this paper by his timely articles on matters of public in- terest.

CEMETERY.

The New Carlisle Cemetery Associa- tion was organized October 3, 1856, and is located immediately south of the vil- lage, and presents a very creditable ap- pearance.

J. V. Forgy is president of the organi- zation at this time; J. I. Stafford, secre- tary, and E. C. Miller, treasurer. The last report showed that there were no debts and a balance of $900 in the treas- ury. The custodian is Jethro Davis.

PRESENT ESTABLISHMENTS.

In the grocery line, Robison & Ray are located west of the post office on Jefferson Street, J. N. Corry on Jefferson Street and Mr. Hitchcock on the same street; Black Brothers and J. W. Martin on Main Street ;- C. D. Shelton, notions, etc.

Among dry goods dealers there is C. F. McGuire, who likewise runs a boot and

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shoe store; Trostle & Son conduct a fur- niture establishment; Helvie & Doom are undertakers; George Hahn and Mart Kis- singer run livery barns; Isaac Ulery and Brown Miller Brothers conduct a hard- ware business; Mr. Baker and Ink Make- ly have tin and stove stores ; Cort Frahne conducts a cement block manufactory ; Elias Clase a feed store ; C. S. Goodall has a lumber yard; J. H. Brown & Mull, W. S. Hatten, Frank Ulerick and A. A. Stephens conduct blacksmith shops; T. J. Miranda and W. A. Higgins, drug stores ; Simon Cradlebaugh has a machine shop on Clay Street and Smith & Son where the old mill used to be; Samuel Reller is proprietor of a confectionery and restau- rant; T. F. Hess is a cigar manufacturer.

PHYSICIANS.

The present physicians of the town are Drs. Ben Davis, Frank Stafford, J. H. Cook and C. E. Evans. In the past there have been Drs. Miranda, Stockstill, Shackleford, Hood, Robbins, Weinans and Smith.

MAYORS OF THE VILLAGE.

The fire two years ago having de- stroyed all the official records, the follow- ing is given from memory and tradition as a list of some of the persons who have served as mayors: Richard Hubbard, James Stafford, Dr. H. H. Young, Dr. Fred McNeil, Cyrus Lowman, Dr. J. G. Hensley, Maurice Motz, A. P. Mitchell, George W. Pierce, W. E. Robinson, H. B. Rannels, J. C. Williams, W. H. Sterrett, J. W. Martin and the present incumbent, A. P. Mitchell.

SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.

New Carlisle has the distinction of having the oldest Masonic lodge in Clark County. New Carlisle Lodge No. 100 was chartered January 5, 1831. Previous to this time there had been a Masonic or- ganization in Springfield, but that organi- zation, during the anti-Masonic feeling created by the abduction of Morgan, lost its charter, and when a new lodge was organized in Springfield it was after the creation of the New Carlisle lodge. Dur- ing the excitement created by the Morgan abduction the New Carlisle lodge thought it prudent not to meet for a time. In the meantime some of the jewels and the charter were secreted along the banks of Honey Creek, the charter having been only discovered and returned to the lodge at a comparatively recent date. New Car- lisle Chapter No. 57 was chartered No- vember, 1868, and New Carlisle Council No. 30 afterward.

Caritus Lodge No. 505, Odd Fellows, was instituted in 1872, and the New Car- lisle Encampment No. 222 in 1880; since which date Tecumseh Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Honey Creek Council No. 195, junior, and the Grand Army of the Re- public, Friendly Sons of Rest and other organizations have come into existence.

Other matters of interest relating to churches, schools and early inhabitants will be found in the history of Bethel Township. At this time the question of natural gas is being agitated, an ordin- ance having been passed allowing the granting of a franchise in the village; likewise a water works system is in con- templation, and New Carlisle bids fair to

M. P. CHURCH. CATAWBA

SLATE WORK

TREASON IC-BLD

NEW. CARLISLE O

MASONIC BUILDING, NEW CARLISLE

HOTEL, CATAWBA

E.SIDE MAIN-ST. NEW-CARLISLE,O.

EAST SIDE MAIN STREET, NEW CARLISLE

TOWN HALL, CATAWBA

SCHOOL BUILDING, NEW CARLISLE

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become an up-to-date, modern village in every respect.

The hourly service upon the traction line to Springfield and Dayton make it a very desirable residence locality. At the last election the following persons were selected as officials for the village :

Mayor, A. P. Mitchell. Clerk, J. E. Johnston.

Council, J. W. Marshall, F. B. Ulrick, A. C. Fraber, C. M. Evans, John Shets and H. S. Forgy.

Marshal, Myron Kester.

Treasurer, Thomas Swanger.

Cemetery trustees, E. C. Miller, J. I. Stafford and J. V. Forgy.

NEW MOOREFIELD.

New Moorefield is the principal village of Moorefield Township and is located on the Clark and Union Turnpike, seven and a half miles northeast of Springfield. Its name does not appear on Colonel Kizer's map, made in 1850, and it was probably about this time that the place received its name. It is on Buck Creek and the Dela- ware branch of the Big Four railway.

In 1840 there was a mill built by Hugh Wilson at this place, and in 1850 he start- ed a store. In 1842 there was a saw-mill started near the same place. These have been succeeded by a grist-mill, which is now operated by John W. Yeazell. The township house is located at this place. The first platted addition was made by Eliza Yeazell in 1883, lots numbering 1-27. and was principally that part that is south of the turnpike.

In 1892 Louise D. Wilson platted an ad- dition in said town. The Methodist Church and the schoolhouse, together

with the township building, are the prin- cipal buildings of the village. Demont Stepheson and Oscar Huffman severally conduct groceries. The village was never incorporated. It has a population of per- haps 150.

Dr. Banes was the first physician, and Dr. McClintock attends to the people now in that capacity.

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 35

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 1086

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086