USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 40
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houses, four extensive founderies, one oil, one paper, two saw, one planing and three flouring mills, two book binderies, three printing offices and one publication office for a paper printed in Urbana, Ohio.
CITY GOVERNMENT.
Under the constitution of 1852 the legis- lature proceeded to classify the cities of the state, which work was carried to such an extreme that many of the cities were final- ly in classes by themselves and Springfield became a city alone in its class. This per- mitted the enactment of legislation applic- able to it only and not affecting any other cities in the state. This whole scheme of classification was declared in 1902 to be unconstitutional, and the new municipal code was adopted in Ohio. Previous to this present code and while Springfield was in a class by itself, legislation such as was desired by its citizens was fre- quently obtained. For a long time per- haps until the latter part of the eighties, the members of the council, as divided into committees, looked after various street affairs, and it became the common saying that when a person desired to go to council it was for the purpose of fixing up the streets in his vicinity. Owing to the city's growth, and perhaps to take away from councilmen the temptation to favor their own vicinities, boards of pu- lic affairs were created, and therewith Springfield chose to have a law enacted that these boards should be of a non- partisan character, that is, composed of an equal number of members from each of the dominant parties.
This condition of affairs was the result
376
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
of a compromise. There were frequently some strenuous times in the council cham- ber. At one time William N. Whitely spoke all day and all night to prevent the enactment of certain measures. At an- other time the sergeant-at-arms was spir- ited away so that recreant members could not be brought in by arrest. Each party, when in the majority, was guilty of out- rageous gerrymander of the various dis- tricts for partisan purposes. On several occasions the Supreme Court had to de- side the legal status of affairs. Under the former law the entire membership of the council was elected by wards. Under the present law a certain number are elected by the city at large and the re- mainder by wards. This will probably de- feat attempts at gerrymander. Under the present system of government the mayor is the executive head of the city Board of Public Affairs, which has charge of streets, water works and various matters of that kind, and consists of three mem- bers. The Board of Public Safety and the head of the Fire Department consists of two members of opposite politics. The city solicitor is the head of the Legal De- partment and appoints an assistant, who is prosecutor of the Police Court; the police judge presides in the Police Court. The Water Works Department is under the control of the Board of Public Affairs. In addition there is a Hospital Board, which is appointed by the Board of Health. There is a health officer appoint- ed by the Board of Health, as well as a dairy inspector. The members of the Board of Education are elected, some by the city at large, and the others from the various wards.
ROSTER OF OFFICIALS.
PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL.
While Springfield was under village government the highest local official was known as president of council, and the following constitutes a list of such of- ficials :
Edward H. Cumming 1834
W. V. A. Cushing
1835
Samson Hubble
1836
Reuben Miller
1837, '38, '39, '40
John Murdock 1841
William Moore
1842, '43, '44
Steven Bell 1845
William Moore _(again)
1846, '47, '48, '49
MAYORS OF CITY.
James M. Hunt. .1850, '51, '52, '53
James S. Goode.
1854, '55, '56
A. G. Burnett. .1857, '58, '59, '60
John C. Miller 1861
W. D. Hill. 1862
J. J. Snyder.
1863, '64, '65
(A) James Fleming. .
1866
J. J. Snyder (again)
1867, '68
(B) Jacob R. McGarry
1869, '70
(C) C. H. S. Showers.
1870
J. J. Hanna ..
1871, '72, '73, '74
Milton Cole
1875, '76, '77, '78
Edward S. Wallace.
1879, '80
E. G. Coffin ..
1881, '82
Charles W. Constantine.
1883, '84
James P. Goodwin ..
1885, '86
O. S. Kelly ..
.1887, 'S8
W. R. Burnett.
1893, '94
P. P. Mast ..
1895, '96
John M. Good.
1897, '98
(D) T. J. Kirtpatrick.
1898
Chas. J. Bowlus.
1899, '00
M. L. Milligan 1901, '02
Chas. J. Bowlus 1903, '04
James M. Todd. 1905, '08
W. R. Burnett. 1908
(A) Mayor J. J. Snyder was removed and James Fleming was appointed to fill the vacancy. (B) Mayor Snyder. having been re-elected, resigned and J. R. Mc- Garry was appointed to fill the vacancy; Mr. McGarry was afterwards elected for a full term. (C) Mayor McGarry resigned and H. S. Showers was appointed to fill the vacancy. (D) John M. Good, having been found guilty of violating the law in making promises previous to the election, was ousted from office and T .- J. Kirkpatrick was appointed until the next regular election. Mr. Kirkpatrick was candidate for mayor and John M. Good was again a candidate and was suc- cessful, succeeding Mr. Kirkpatrick.
SOLICITORS.
George Spence 1853
A. G. Burnett. 1855
James M. Hunt. 1857
D. M. Cochrau. 1859
J. K. Mower 1867
1889, '90, '91, '92
James Johnson, Jr ..
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
John C. Miller. 1871
A. T. Byers.
1876
F. M. Hagan.
1879
M. T. Burnham
1881
F. M. Hagan
(again) . 1883
A. N. Summers.
1885
A. H. Kunkle
1891
D. Z. Gardner
1899
V. Y. Smith.
.1901
Stewart L. Tatum.
1903-1908
1908 Roger Q. Smith.
There is one instance of a city solic- itor resigning, that of D. M. Cochran in 1866.
TREASURERS.
In 1862 the office of city treasurer was abolished and since then the county treas- urer has been treasurer of the city.
In 1907 the office of city treasurer was created and Frank Rolfes was elected to that position.
The incumbents of the city clerk's office since 1850 have been as follows :
CITY CLERKS.
S. Parsons .1850
William Anderson 1855
G. H. Frey. 1856
T. P. Clarke. 1858
W. F. Cummings. 1861
James W. Cummings. 1862
T. P. Clarke (again) 1867
Charles R. Miller. 1869
John S. Shewalter 1870
Thomas D. Wallace. 1890
S. J. Wilkerson 1892
Philip Huonker 1898
R. N. Lantz 1900
C. C. Bauer.
1902
Under the new municipal code, adopted in 1902, the office of city auditor was created, C. C. Bauer filling the same until the next election, when L. M. Harris was elected.
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The earliest officials to look after the police welfare of Springfield were con- stables of the township. First of these were Hiram Goble and Israel Bayless.
When the village became incorporated a marshal was elected. James B. Berry was the first that served in this official ca- pacity. William H. Hughes was the last. R. F. Hayward served in this capacity for a number of years.
After the Police Department was estab- lished, which was in 1867, the marshal's duty became fixed by ordinance, and he was particularly an officer of the Mayor's Court. At this time the Police Depart- ment consists of thirty-eight men. A battalion system is operated in connec- tion with the department. The policemen are appointed by the mayor from persons recommended to him by the Board of Public Safety. All applicants must pass an examination. When the Police Depart- ment was organized the old Union Fire Company's house on Spring Street was converted into a city jail or station house and served for that purpose until the erection of the present patrol and station house combined, on North Fountain Avenue.
The first patrol house was the gift of Governor Bushnell, and was situated on the northwest corner of Columbia Street and Fountain Avenue. Governor Bush- nell bought this property and fitted it for a patrol house and allowed the city to use the same free of expense for about ten years, when this building was sold to the Traction Company, and until the new building was erected the horses and wagon were kept in Dr. L. E. Russell's stable south of East High Street.
Governor Bushnell was prompted to this act of generosity because he felt that the time had come when the city should have a patrol wagon. He not only fur- nished the building, but also bought the
21
378
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
wagon, and for some time paid the operat- ing expenses.
CHIEFS.
The following is a list of the chiefs of police :
.
John Rea 1869-1870
James Fleming
1871-1876
Fred Schuchman 1876-1885
.James C. Walker.
1885-1887
James Ambrose
1887-1889
James Cushman
1889-1892
John McKenna
1893-1894
W. H. Van Tassell.
1895-1897
Stewart L. Black 1897-1899
R. E. O'Brien. .
1899-
Prior to 1887 the mayor of the city of Springfield performed the duties of a police magistrate. In the previous year the Legislature had passed a law provid- ing for the office of police judge, and at the same time a police prosecutor and police clerk were provided for. The fol- lowing persons have filled these offices :
Police Judges-Luther F. Young, 1889- 1891; Charles E. Morris, 1891-1893; O. B. Trout, 1893-1895; William R. Horner, 1895-1899; J. J. Miller, 1899 to date.
Clerks of Police Court-Arthur Mor- rell, 1887-1890; William White, 1890-1893; Stewart L. Black, 1893-1896; George Winans, 1896; Arthur Plank, 1902, and C. E. Schaefer, 1903 -.
Police Prosecutors -- Frank Rightmeyer, 1887 -; William R. Horner, 1891; George S. Dial, 1895; J. J. Miller, 1897; Forest Kitchen, 1899; John M. Cole, 1903, and Albert Busch, 1908.
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
As present constituted J. E. Elliott and Clarence Rhoads are members of this board.
ROSTER OF CITY GOVERNMENT (1907).
Mayor-James M. Todd (W. R. Bur- nett, elect 1908).
City Council-E. B. Hopkins, president (1908, D. F. Snyder) ; John N. Garver, vice president; Frank Crothers, clerk ; James C. Walker, Sergeant-at-arms; First Ward, J. N. Garver (Harry Sel- lers, elected) ; Second Ward, Charles P. Dunn; Third Ward, W. H. Bryant (John M. Good, elected) ; Fourth Ward, D. R. Hayward; Fifth Ward, J. C. Clippinger (Orville Burkett, elected) ; Sixth Ward, Albert Eglinger.
Council at Large-Edward T. Ridenour (Warren Alexander, elected), Pearl A. Lewis (Charles Bauer, elected), John T. Ricks (George E. Kershner, elected).
City Auditor-L. M. Harris.
Treasurer-Clarence W. Arbogast.
Solicitor-Stewart L. Tatum (Roger V. Smith, elected) ; John M. Cole, assist- ant city solicitor (Albert Busch, elected).
Clerk of Council-Frank A. Crothers (William Mahoney, elected).
Engineer-Wm. H. Sieverling (Martin Bahin, elected).
Sealer of Weights and Measures- Frank J. Buchanan.
Superintendent of Markets-N. M. Leatherman.
Weighmaster-John (). McClintick.
Board of Health-William R. Burnett, president; John H. Rodgers, Harry E. Rice, R. C. Rind, R. B. Hoover, R. B. House.
Health Officer-Dr. Henry Baldwin.
Sanitary Marshal-L. O. Keller.
Food Inspector-James K. Kershner.
Board of Public Service-President, A. J. Moyer (C. W. Rich, elected) ; vice
379
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
president, William Sharon (William Trautwein, elected); executive member, Samuel J. Lafferty (Patrick Cafferty, elected) ; clerk, Frank A. Crothers.
A TICKET OF 1861.
City Ticket-Mayor, James L. Torbert, William D. Hill; marshal, Benjamin F. of Buck Creek. It was also found that Best, Martin Carey, Samuel McCoy Horace Perkins, Henry C. Hawken, Grove W. Green; treasurer, Theodore A. Wick, Horace Poole; school board (two to be elected), Dr. M. M. Oldham, Rev. Henry W. Woods, John I. Chorpening, James Johnson, Jr., Joseph Harrison; Third Ward council, Abraham R. Ludlow, John M. Deardorff; assessor, C. Hotsen- piller, Henry Inlow, Henry B. Grove; supervisor, John Click, Lewis Blaser.
WATER WORKS.
$20,350.74, and the building $10,544.37. The stand pipe cost $28,505.87.
After this old plant had continued in operation some ten years it was discov- ered that the water supply was not ade- quate to the demands of the city. The supply of water was obtained from the gravel bottom at or beneath the surface
the water taken here seriously affected the water rights of the mill owners below. It was then determined that a new supply must be procured, and the present grounds, consisting of 67 acres all told, were purchased at a cost of $10,290. The cost of engine No. 1 was $31,000, en- gine No. 2 $39,000 and the crane used there $2,380; boilers, $9,736.00; building, $18,213.96. This new pump house was put in operation July 11, 1895, and the daily average of water pumped in 1906 was 3,948,341 gallons. The capacities of the present pumps in gallons are as fol- lows: Gaskill engine, 5,000,000; Rey- nolds engine, 7,000,000, and William Todd engine, 10,000,000.
For some time prior to 1881 there was a good deal of discussion as to the supply of water for the city. Finally, in the year previous, proper legislation was ob- During the past year the total expendi- tures were $76,721.32 and the receipts for the past nine months were $62,503.90. A change in the time for the collection of rents having been made, only the record of receipts for the last nine months was obtained. The present bonded indebted- ness is $355,000. Until the adoption of the new municipal code the Water Works Department was controlled by a board of trustees. Since the adoption of the new code (1902) the department is in the con- trol of the Board of Public Affairs. tained and bonds were issued by the city for the amount of $400,000. A board of water works trustees, consisting of George H. Frey, J. H. Thomas and Oliver S. Kelly, were elected. Under the supervision of this board the old water works and pumping house was estab- lished. This is located immediately east of the Sandusky branch of the Big Four Railway and consists of a tract of 63.71 acres, purchased from Ross Mitchell, in- cluding in this the ground upon which the stand pipe was erected on East Main The following persons have served as secretaries : E. H. Brennan, March 24 to Street. The entire cost of ground was $20,400. The engine and boilers cost June 21, 1881; W. R. Smith, June 21,
380
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
1881, to April 27, 1882; E. C. Gwyn, April 27, 1882, to December 18, 1883; W. R. Smith, December 18, 1883, to May 11, 1898; V. Y. Smith, May 11, 1898, to May 17, 1899; William Myers, May 17, 1899, to May 12, 1901; Ralph Boyd, May 12, 1901, to May 12, 1903; Frank Bolger, May, 12, 1903, to February 1, 1906; F. H. Rolfes, February 1, 1906 --.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
A fire in the Barnett Mills in 1863 or '64, which was more destructive than it might have been had there been a proper handling of the fire department, suggest- ed to the city that it was time to have a paid fire department.
VOLUNTEER COMPANIES.
Prior to that date the various "en- gines," as they were then called, were in charge of companies which were formed voluntarily. In those early days, when there was a fire, it was the duty of every citizen to lend a helping hand, to catch hold of the rope as the apparatus went through the street and to assist in drag- ging it to the fire; also when that was reached, to lend his aid with might and main in the "pumping department," or otherwise, as might be most desirable. The first fire company on record, the "Utility," was organized in 1837 .. Prior to this time fires were extinguished by a bucket brigade. About the time that the village was incorporated each citizen was required to provide one or two or more leather buckets, according to the amount or value of his property, and these were kept in an accessible place so that they
might be easily gotten at if there was a fire. This "Utility" company was dis- banded in 1853 and the greater part of its members afterwards joined the "Nep- tune Company." In 1838, prior to this company's disorganization, there was an- other fire company organized, which had the title of the "Independent Fire Com- pany." This also was disbanded in 1853 and most of its members went over to the "Rover Company." The "Neptune" and the "Rover Company" were rivals for public favor. The original "Rover Com- pany" was organized in 1854. The build- ing that they then occupied was situated on West Main Street, about where the Marshfield Steele property is now located, immediately west of the new Sun Opera House. The "Neptunes" were organized a short time after the "Rovers" and the rivalry between these two companies was carried to such an extent that neither one would attend a fire when the other had preceded it.
This resulted finally in the "Rovers" giving up their old organization and forming a new one, which was in fact an independent company, accepting and ask- ing no favors from the city. It enrolled in its membership some of the very first and best of Springfield's citizens and the rivalry between the "Rovers" and the other companies which were acting under city authority was continued with a good deal of intensity on both sides. Some- times it was friendly and at other times hardly so. Before the reorganization of the "Rover Company" the "Neptunes" had the central part of the city for its territory and the "Rovers" the western part. This Ied to the organization of the "Union Company" in 1856. This com-
-
381
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
pany had for its particular territory the eastern part of the city. This company was sometimes nicknamed the "Dutch Company," mainly from the fact that Daniel Huben and George Seibert, Ger- mans, were the principal organizers. The "Neptune Company" was organized in 1856, with Jerry Klinefelter as president. The "Union Company" had for its en- gine-house the building that was after- wards for many years used as the city jail or station-house, south of the post office on Spring Street. The "Neptunes" had for their building a structure that was demolished to make way for the Arcade, and was situated on High Street, immediately west of the Wren Depart- ment Store. When the "Rovers" became an independent company they abandoned their old engine-house on West Main Street, and a new company was formed and they bore the name of the "Silver Grays"; they received this name no doubt from the fact that most of their members were somewhat advanced in years, old Mr. Tegarden being a leading person in its organization. Dr. H. H. Seys was its president and captain. James C. Walker, present sergeant-at-arms of council, was a member of this company, as was also Captain William E. Moore. All of these companies, with the exception of the "Rovers," disbanded about the time that the paid fire department was established. The "Rovers" continued their organiza- tion until about fifteen years ago. The last fire they attended was in 1873, when the Ferrell, Ludlow & Rogers Manufac- tory on South Limestone Street was afire. When they disbanded they presented a $25 gold piece to each of their members. Perhaps no company was ever organized
in the city of Springfield in which its members took a greater pride than the "Rovers" Fire Company. To mention this company to any of its comparatively few survivors is to instantly get an ex- pression of enthusiastic admiration as to what it did, and to hear it emphatic- ally asserted that those were "great old times." It was their aim to throw water eight feet higher than the steeple on the First Presbyterian Church, and they speak with pride of a run that they made to a place in the country five miles west of Springfield, where they saved a man's house, and of the elegant entertainment they had on their way back at the resi- dence of Colonel Peter Sintz. A group picture of the members of this company is hanging in the rooms of the Historical Society of this county.
PAID FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In 1866 the paid fire department was organized, an ordinance having been passed in 1864 authorizing bonds to the amount of $12,000 to be issued to pay for a steam fire-engine. In honor of the coun- cilman who introduced this measure, the first fire-engine was called "Jacob Myers." The old engine-house formerly occupied by the "Neptunes" was for a time used by the new department. In 1876 the engine-house now known as the Central was established on South Market Street at a cost of $18,000.
About the same time property was purchased where the Western is now situ- ated and converted into an engine-house. Thus matters continued until the city water works were established and then it was thought that the water pressure from the pumping-house would be sufficient for
382
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
all fires. However, it was plainly demon- strated, when the Krell French Piano Works were destroyed by fire in 1902 (this was the north wing of the Great East Street Shops), that this could not be relied on. An agitation was then be- gun for the purchase of engines, and the city again became the possessor of sev- eral steam-engines, and now possesses what might be considered a very well- managed and adequate fire department. When the department was first organized the first president of the old "Rovers" was chosen as its head. A. R. Ludlow served for several years, or until 1871, when R. Q. King was elected, the latter serving until 1880. J. C. Holloway suc- ceeded him, and in 1882 he was succeeded by William E. Moore, Jr., who served un- til December, 1884; E. W. Simpson served from that date until 1895, and George Follrath from 1895-1905, when the pres- ent incumbent, Samuel F. Hunter, suc- ceeded to that position.
In 1881 the signals used for the fire alarm were contained in thirty-one boxes ; there are now one hundred and twenty- four.
The following is a roster of the pres- ent department (1907) :
Chief Fire Department-Samuel F. Hunter.
Superintendent of Telegraph-Michael M. Duffy.
Central Steam Fire Company No. 1- Engine-house west side of South Fountain tain. Avenue, between Jefferson and Washing- ton ; H. M. Rankin, captain.
Engine Company No. 2-Engine-house east side of North Factory Street, be- tween Columbia and North; C. M. Mof- fett, captain.
Engine Company No. 4-Lagonda Avenue, between ·C., C., C. & St. L. Rail- road and Florence; J. Edward Bryant, captain.
Engine Company No. 6-Southeast cor- ner Mound and Glenn Avenue; E. J. Perkins, captain.
Chemical Engine Company-Engine- house west side of South Yellow Springs, between Pleasant and Dibert Avenue; William Fanning, captain.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 -- Engine-house west side of South Foun- tain Avenue, between Jefferson and Washington.
Hook and Ladder Company No. 3- Northwest corner Clifton and Boler; H. T. Evans, captain.
Southern Steam Fire Company No. 3. Engine-house northwest corner Clifton and Boler; H. T. Evans, captain.
Hose Company No. 4-East side La- gonda Avenue, between C., C., C. & St. L. Railroad and Florence.
Hose Company No. 5-South side Main, near Park; L. L. Metcalf, captain.
Hose Company No. 6-Southeast cor- ner Mound and Glenn; E. J. Perkins, captain.
Hose Company No. 7-South side Cecil, between Fountain Avenue and Lime- stone; Pat H. Lawler, captain.
Hose Company No. 8-West side South Yellow Springs, between Pleasant and Dibert Avenue; William Fanning, cap-
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC.
MARKET HOUSE.
The first city building that Springfield had was what was called a market house.
ZIMMERMAN LIBRARY
HAMMA DIVINITY HALL
DORMITORY
MAIN COLLEGE BUILDING
FOUR VIEWS OF WITTENBERG COL
385
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.
It was a long wooden structure with two rows of stalls, side tables and a pavement between. According to the ordinance this building was located on West Street and South Street, South Street being the pres- ent Main Street.
This structure served for a market house until the building of the old City Hall, which formerly stood on the espla- nade immediately west of what is now the Arcade Building, fronting on High Street. It was built in 1848. The lower part of the building was arranged for market purposes, having stalls in the cen- ter and along the sides. On the upper floor there was a hall used for town meet- ings, public conventions and similar gath- erings. This building, including the bell, cost, $7,800.
A great many meetings of various kinds were held in this building from the time of its erection in 1848 until, its de- molishment in 1888. West of it there was a pavement extending to the railroad. Market wagons were backed up to this pavement on both sides. If the walls of this old building could have spoken, stories of many interesting events occur- ring in the history of the city might have been told. County conventions were often held here, and the fights, quarrels and enthusiasm attending such meetings were frequently seen here. Here some of the most distinguished public speakers in the country poured forth their eloquence. It is interesting to know that in the same year in which this hall was erected a town clock was placed upon the spire of the First Presbyterian Church. Excel- lent photographs of this old building are in existence.
PRESENT CITY HALL. :
The present city building, one of the finest in the state of Ohio, was begun in 1888 and finished in 1890. It extends - from Fountain Square to Center Street. In architecture it is not to be surpassed anywhere, and to a native son of Spring- field, Charles Creager, now deceased, is due the credit for its design. It cost $250,000. Though it has been in use now for almost twenty years, it shows few signs of age or wear and bids fair to re- flect honor and credit on the city of Springfield for a century to come. The building is one of the largest and hand- somest in the county used for city pur- poses, extending from square to square, fifty feet in width. The entire first floor is used for grocery and market purposes. In the west end are the police headquar- ters and Police Court. Next to these is the City Hall. In the east end are the other city offices-those of auditor, solic- itor, mayor, the water works, Board of Public Service, clerk, engineer, health of- ficer, sanitary marshal, dairy inspector, etc. Next to these is the council cham- ber. Over these is the Armory Hall.
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