Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 42

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 42

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 ground laid idle for several years subsequently, when it was purchased by N. H. Fairbanks and his associates and the Fairbanks' Building erected thereon.

GRAND OPERA HOUSE.

In 1881 the Grand Opera House, located on the west side of Limestone Street, a short distance north of the Big Four Rail- way, was completed. It is located on the ground floor and from that time until the erection of the Fairbanks Theatre it occu- pied a commanding position in the theatre line of this city. It has a seating capacity of about 1,200 and is still considered a very good theatre. It occupied a part of the site of the old Leffel Water Wheel Works, which are now situated south of Lagonda Avenue, along the Big Four Rail- way. It was erected by John W. Book- walter, and he took considerable pride in

seeing that its construction was fully up to the times. It has a very large stage and has recently been remodeled so that almost any of the theatrical companies can use it. For a number of years it has been operated by Mr. Lamar Dalie.

FAIRBANKS THEATRE.

The Fairbanks Theatre was erected in 1906 and was opened on Thanksgiving Day of that year with "Ben Hur." It is lo- cated immediately south of the Y. M. C. A. Building. It is surrounded by the Fair- banks Building proper and is partly upon the ground formerly occupied by Black's Opera House. This theatre is thoroughly modern and will seat from 1,500 to 1,600 persons.

THE NEW SUN.

At this writing an opera house is being erected on the northwest corner of Center and Main Streets, called the "New Sun." It promises to be a play house of very creditable arrangements, not quite so large in capacity as the Fairbanks, and will likely be used for entertainments of a class that would not use the Fairbanks or the Grand.

To erect this building there was demol- ished what was known as the old Wigwam. This Wigwam was erected there about 1884. The ground was then owned by Benjamin H. Warder and a number of enterprising citizens erected the building, which was intended for campaign pur- poses. After the erection of the City Hall a building for the campaign meetings was not so badly needed. The Wigwam was converted into a livery stable and latterly

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into an implement store conducted by Frank Muff of New Carlisle.

This is a vaudeville theatre and one of the best in the state. It has a seating ca- pacity of 750 and cost $35,000. It was opened December 1, 1907.

OFFICE AND STORE BUILDINGS.

In viewing Springfield as it exists to- day with respect to its office and store buildings, it will be noted with surprise how many of them have been erected within the last twenty-five or thirty years; few indeed along in the business part of the town would antedate that period.

KIZER BUILDING.

The Kizer Building, along Primrose Alley on the south side of Main Street, was erected in 1853 and was counted as one of the good buildings of its time. On the second floor some of our most noted lawyers had their offices. George Spence was in this building from its erection un- til his death. General Keifer, Judge Hagan, Milton Cole, W. H. Dugdale, George Arthur, Patrick Higgins, A. H. Gillett, W. M. Rockel and other attorneys were at various times in this building.

OLD KING BUILDING.

On the southwest corner of Main and Limestone Streets was the Old King Building, erected a good many years be- fore the Kizer Building. In the lower part the postoffice was located from '61 to '67. In early days it was known as the Lyon property. David King, Sr.,

kept store here in 1842. In the second floor Samuel Shellabarger was at one time located and there also was T. J. Pringle, William M. Hunt, the Cochrans, David and A. P. Linn, Judge William White, C. F. Yakey, A. T. Byers, Frank Right- meyer and other lawyers. This building was demolished when the Gotwald Build- ing was erected in 1892. Before its de- molishment the lower floor was occupied by a hardware store conducted by Phil Wiseman, J. S. Kitchen and others.

UNION HALL BUILDING.

The Union Hall Building was begun June 27, 1850, and in 1874 it was very much improved, assuming its present ap- pearance. In 1905 and '06 a wing was continued back to the alley. The Odd Fellows have occupied this building for many years. Until the erection of the new Johnson Building on West Main Street the Masonic bodies met here also. On the second floor for a considerable period was located the public library. The lower rooms are now occupied by, commencing at the north, Routzahn & Wright's shoe store; Pierce & Co., book store; Leo Braun, jeweler, and H. M. Oldham, millinery.

COMMERCIAL.

In 1875 there was constructed what was up to that time the most modern building in Springfield, although now quite behind in its modern conveniences, to-wit, the Commercial Building. This building was shortly after its construc- tion the principal office building of the town and at various times S. A. Bowman,

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T. J. Pringle, W. A. Scott, D. Z. Gardner, Amos Wolfe, C. S. Olinger and John L. Zimmerman had their offices in this build- ing, Mr. James Johnson, Jr., having been located in this building ever since his ad- mission to the bar.

In this building Kinnane & Wren first opened up their dry goods store and Mr. Wren remained there until he moved in the department store on High Street in 1904. M. M. Kaufman occupies the north room below and McCrorey's five and ten cent store the south.

BOOKWALTER.

Along about the eighties or a few years thereafter J. W. Bookwalter erected the building on the southwest corner of High and Limestone Streets. This corner was formerly occupied by the Episcopal Church. For a long time J. E. Adams had a restaurant in this building.

BUCKINGHAM.

About the same time the building on the opposite corner now owned by Chand- Jer Robbins was erected by Dr. Bucking- ham. Before its erection the lot was oc- cupied by Dr. Buckingham's stately old residence. This residence had huge columns in front, taken from southern architecture.

MITCHELL.

The year 1882 witnessed the erection of the first five-story building in Spring- field; this was the Mitchell Block, erected on the northeast corner of High and Limestone Streets. The Baptist Church

used to stand on this corner. Graves' cloak house is in the corner room, while next is the Street Railway waiting room and then Toppy Troupe's cigar store. On the second floor are P. J. Higgins, C. E. Ballard and William H. Griffith, attor- neys; J. S. Elliott, insurance, and C. R. Converse, dentist.

ARCADE.

In 1883 the Arcade was constructed. Perhaps not all of it was finished in that year. It was built in the site of the old Whitely, Fassler and Kelly plant. The corner room was the office and is still in the building. The rooms on High Street are occupied by the When Clothing House; in the corner room are Pursell's tailoring establishment and Long's con- fectionery. On the Market Street space there is Nisley's Arcade shoe store, Alt- schul liquor house, Buchholtz's drug store, Morey & Hoagland's tobacco store, Corry's barber shop, the I. C. & E. Trac- tion Line office, Miller's music store, Becker's meat store and the Pacific Ex- press Company. Fronting the Arcade, beginning at the north, are Ehrenhart's millinery, Limbocker's book store, Hof- man's jewelry store, the Wells Fargo Ex- press Company and Ramsey's tailoring establishment. Nelson's Business Col- lege has for many years occupied the third floor.

JOHNSON.

About the same time that the Arcade was built Johnson's five-story building on West Main Street was erected opposite the First Presbyterian Church. For

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some time after its completion the Masonic orders met on the fifth floor. The lower floor is now occupied by Rosen- steel & Weber, furniture dealers, and by Krapp's grocery. Previous to the erec- tion of the Johnson Building a disastrous fire burned the buildings that were lo- cated on most of the ground.

ZIMMERMAN.

In 1889 John L. Zimmerman purchased from Martin L. Rice ground on East Main Street, where he afterwards erected the eastern part of the building in which he now has his office. In the lower rooms of the building torn down Mr. Rice con- ducted a shoe store; on the second floor there had previously been a hotel con- ducted on the European plan, a Mr. John- ston having operated the same for a time. The lower floor is occupied by the Springfield Hardware Company. In 1891 Mr. Zimmerman added to this build- ing the room on the west now occupied by the Kredel & Alexander clothing store. In 1895 he purchased property which was formerly occupied by the old saloon called "Number Seven," immediately east of Troupe's drug store, and erected a build- ing there, the lower room of which is now occupied by Oscar Young's shoe store. About the same year he purchased prop- erty on Limestone Street, on which for- merly for many years was located J. D. Stewart's grocery, and erected there what is now a continuation of the Gotwald Building. The lower floor is occupied by the Citizens' Bank, the Commercial Club occupying the second floor.

In 1898 he purchased the property on the northeast corner of Main and Lime-

stone Streets. This was on the location of the Old Buckeye Hotel. Afterwards for many years the Baldwins conducted a dry goods store here. Then the property was purchased by a Mr. Jones and remod- eled and for some time he conducted a dry goods store and carpet establishment here, afterwards conducted by Myers & Son.

The second floor of this building at one time was devoted to offices. Before it was remodeled Ed. S. Wallace, James Willis, and other attorneys had their offices there. Afterwards George Rawlins and George Arthur occupied the rooms fronting on Main Street. The lower floor is now oc- cupied by T. H. Sullivan dry goods store. The upper rooms are occupied by Chase Stewart, Earle Stewart, W. G. Campbell and Harry Brenner, attorneys, and others.

GOTWALD.

In 1892 the Gotwalds erected the build- ing now located on the southeast corner of Main and Limestone Streets, on the site of the old King Building, Mrs. Gotwald having been a King and daughter of the person who erected the former building. This building is occupied, on the corner, by the Springfield Savings Bank, then the Merchants & Mechanics Building & Loan Association on Limestone Street, and by David Herr, undertaker. In the upper floors are Drs. Smith, Lupfer, and Min- nich, dentists, and Dr. Gotwald; John L. Plummer, Frank Krapp, George A. Beard, Ollie Miller, and E. S. Houck; Thomas McCormick and James P. Good- win being in the adjoining Zimmerman Building.

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KING.

In the same year, 1892, the Kings erect- ed the King Building, on the west side of Fountain Avenue. In the old brick build- ing demolished Wm. H. Pretzman con- ducted a bakery for many years. The lower floors of this building are occupied by F. Desormoux & Co., plumbers, and "The Famous" millinery store.

BUSHNELL.

In 1893 Governor Bushnell erected the Bushnell Building, which is perhaps the most substantial building that has been erected in Springfield at any time. In 1903 he completed the "Annex" leading over on Fountain Avenue. The lower floor of this building is occupied by the First National Bank and by Kinnane's dry goods store. On the other floors are a number of attorneys, namely: Oscar T. Martin, Paul C. Martin, J. F. McGrew, W. Y. Mahar, James G. Stewart, A. I. Zimmerman, John B. McGrew, James B. Malone, H. W. Stafford, E. L. Arthur, Wm. M. Rockel, Edward J. Lynch, Walter Weaver, Forest Kitchen, George C. Raw- lins, Clem Collins, Judge F. M. Hagan, E. O. Hagan, and H. L. Toulmin, patent attorney.

WREN'S DEPARTMENT STORE.

In 1903 the first department store was erected in Springfield, principally by Rob- ert Johnson. To make way for the new building some old buildings were demol- ished. In the rear was a large livery sta- ble that for many years was conducted by Benjamin Holloway and son Christy, and

afterward by John E. Swords. On High Street, Toppy Troupe for a long time con- ducted a cigar store. This entire building is now occupied by the Wren Department Store.

FAIRBANKS.

In 1906 there was commenced the erec- tion of Springfield's first sky-scraper- the Fairbanks Building. This building is in process of erection at the present time; it will be nine stories high and promises to mark the beginning of a new era in the erection of public buildings in this city. Including the 8th and 9th stories, it will furnish 200 office rooms.

DIAL.

In 1870 Judge E. G. Dial and Columbus Hauk erected the Dial Building, imme- diately north of the Bookwalter Hotel. Judge Dial's son George now controls the building, having his law office therein. The third floor is devoted to lodge pur- poses.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

The last quarter of a century has wit- nessed quite a growth in our financial in- stitutions. Springfield in its earlier days was not a wealthy town. It was not until the results of the various industries began to be counted in dollars and cents that our financial institutions began to assume the importance that they now possess. At this time perhaps no city in the state can boast of sounder or better managed finan- cial institutions than can Springfield. At no time has there been any action on the

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part of any of them that would shake the confidence of the most critical depositor. They are all conducted with ability and, so far as an observer can say, carefully and honestly.

MAD RIVER NATIONAL BANK.

The first bank of Springfield was or- ganized in 1846 and was incorporated as the Mad River Valley Bank of the State of Ohio. This bank was located on the north side of Main Street, the second door east from where its successor is still trans- acting business. It began with a capital of $100,000. Its first president was Levi Rinehart and its first cashier James Clay- pool.

This bank was succeeded by the present Mad River National Bank, which was in- corporated on Jan. 11, 1865, with a cap- ital of $200,000. The first officers were John Bacon, president, Thomas F. Mc- Grew, cashier, and Samuel F. McGrew, teller. The directors were John Bacon, John W. Baldwin, William Berry, Charles M. Clark, and James S. Goode. The cap- ital was afterwards, on April 1st, 1878, in- creased $100,000 and in 1869 the building now occupied by the institution, imme- diately east of the Bushnell Building, was erected. James S. Goode, John H. Thomas, and Thomas F. McGrew have been presidents. At present, William S. Thomas is president and Samuel F. Mc- Grew is cashier, the directors being James Carson, W. S. Thomas, Frank J. Webb, Ed. N. Lupfer, and S. F. McGrew.

In its last statement (Sept., 1907) its assets and resources were $1,229,168.65; capital stock being $300,000; surplus fund $60,000 and undivided profits $54,955.92;

National Bank notes outstanding $100,- 000; individual deposits subject to check $536,221.79.

It will be observed that S. F. McGrew has been with this institution for over forty-three years continuously.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

In July, 1851, a state bank was organ- ized under the free banking laws of Ohio, which was called the Springfield Bank. It was located on the east side of Main Street, across the alley immediately north of the Commercial Building. Oliver Clark was president of this bank and William McMeen, cashier. Dr. John Ludlow, Will- iam Rodgers, R. D. Harrison and Oliver Clark were directors. It had a capital of $75,000, which in 1855 was increased to $150,000. In 1853 Oliver Clark died and Dr. John Ludlow succeeded him as presi- dent. In 1856 Mr. McMeen resigned as cashier and the late C. A. Phelps assumed that position. In 1864 the institution was reorganized as a national bank with a capital of $200,000 under the name of the First National Bank, and with the same officers as had been at the head of Spring- field bank.

Dr. John Ludlow continued president until his death when he was succeeded by his son-in-law, Asa S. Bushnell. C. A. Phelps remained cashier until ill health compelled him to resign about 1900, when A. R. Cobaugh succeeded him. He re- mained in that position for a short time when his health gave way and he was suc- ceeded by the present cashier, Geo. W. Winger. Oscar T. Martin is now presi- dent, and Richard H. Rodgers, Theodore Troupe, Edward C. Gwyn, John L. Bush-

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nell, Oscar T. Martin, and J. S. Crowell, Elder. The last statement of this bank constitute the board of directors.

At its last statement its resources and liabilities were $2,115,669.35; its capital stock paid in $400,000; surplus fund, $225,000; undivided profits $33,628.71; na- tional bank notes outstanding $225,000; individual deposits subject to check, $995,- 275.31.

In 1894 the bank was moved from Lime- stone Street to its present commodious quarters in the Bushnell Building.

CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK.

In 1859 William Foos and Gustavus Foos established a private banking house under the firm of Foos and Brother in the Fisher Building, at the southwest corner of Main and Limestone Streets. This bank was absorbed when the Second National Bank was organized in Decem- ber, 1863. William Foos was president of the reorganized bank and G. S. Foos was cashier, the directors being William Foos, G. S. Foos, H. O. Williamson, H. M. Sheppard, T. R. Norton, John Foos and Charles Rabbitts. Foos afterwards retired to a large extent from the manage- ment of this bank and Amos Whiteley be- came president, with J. G. Benallack, cashier. The stockholders in 1898 con- cluded to go into liquidation, thereupon the Citizens Bank was organized with Ed- ward L. Buchwalter as president and Mr. Benallack as cashier. Mr. Benallack died in 1906 and was succeeded as cashier by Frank E. Hosterman, the present incum- bent. The present directory consists of Edward L. Buchwalter, P. E. Montanus, Chas. S. Kay, Edward S. Houck, D. F. Snyder, F. M. Bookwalter, and D. N. for a time.

(Sept. 1, 1907), shows the resources and liabilities to be $768,561.23; capital stock $100,000; surplus fund $36,000; undivided profits $7,705.03 ; national bank notes out- standing $50,000; individual deposits $446,475.41.

The bank has occupied its present quarters in the Zimmerman Building on Limestone Street since its organization. There was a private bank in the Murray House (Cherry) corner conducted by R. D. Harrison, Daniel Hertzler and others, under the name of Hertzler, Harrison & Co., in 1854, which continued for about four years.

LAGONDA NATIONAL BANK.

In 1870 Frye, McMillen & Co., operated a private bank called the Commercial Bank. This institution was succeeded by the Lagonda National Bank, which was chartered April 15, 1873, with General Keifer as president, Christopher Thomas, vice-president, and D. P. Jeffries, cashier. The directors at that time were General Keifer, John Howell, George Spence, E. T. Weakley, Michael Shaffer, and D. P. Jeffries. The bank commenced business in the building which was then part of the old Republic Building next the alley on the north side of Main Street and now occupied by the Bushnell Building.

In 1881 the corner northeast of Main Street and Fountain Avenue, known as the old Moore corner, was purchased for $10,000 and the present bank building con- structed. During the time that General Keifer was in Congress in his first period prior to 1884, John Howell was president,

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In 1906 D. P. Jeffries died, and Frank 000; surplus fund $25,000; undivided W. Harford, who had been connected with profits $7,512; national bank notes out- standing $97,700; individual deposits $275,125.49. the bank for many years, succeeded him as cashier. The present directory is com- posed of General Keifer, C. H. Pierce, Robert Johnson, W. H. Bitner and J. J. SPRINGFIELD SAVINGS BANK. Hoppes.

The last statement (Sept., 1907) of this bank shows its resources and liabilities to be $777,595.41; capital stock $100,000; surplus fund $60,000; undivided profits $30,646.32; national bank notes outstand- ing $98,350; individual deposits $364,- 639.14.

SPRINGFIELD NATIONAL BANK.

The Springfield National Bank was or- ganized Dec. 29, 1881, with P. P. Mast as president, John Foos, vice-president, and C. A. Harris, cashier; the directorate be- ing John Foos, E. G. Dial, F. W. Foos, Conrad Nagle and P. P. Mast.

This bank was at first located on the north side of Main Street, second door east of Center, and continued there until the completion of the Gotwald Building, on the southeast corner of Main and Lime- stone, when they moved into their present commodious quarters in that building. P. P. Mast continued to be the moving spirit in this bank until his death, when he was succeeded by C. R. Crain, and he was suc- ceeded by Wm. F. Foos, the present in- cumbent. C. A. Harris was succeeded as cashier by F. S. Penfield and he in turn by William S. Rabbitts; the present directorate being Wm. F. Foos, Conrad Nagle, W. H. Schaus, George S. Dial and W. S. Rabbitts. The last statement of this bank shows its resources and liabil- ities to be $558,922.68; capital stock $100,-

This institution was incorporated Janu- ary 4, 1873, under a special law of Ohio, and began business in a room on the south side of Main Street, the second or third door west of Fountain Avenue. It after- wards moved into a room in the old Re- public Building, located where the Bush- nell Building now stands, and about 1883 or '84 purchased the ground now occupied by the Springfield Building and Loan As- sociation, and built the building thereon. In the year 1889 this bank purchased the ground on which its present building is lo- cated, on E. Main Street, for $20,000, and erected thereon its present commodious building. It is undoubtedly one of the saf- est and soundest financial institutions in Ohio. The law under which it is organ- ized is such that its money can only be loaned on first mortgage and then to the extent of only one-half of the ground val- ue. Its first president was B. H. Warder, John H. Thomas was vice-president, and the trustees were Marshfield Steele, Will- iam Thompson, E. W. Mulligan, A. C. Black, William Conklin, Thomas Corcora, and Conrad Nagle.

W. S. Fields was for a long time presi- dent, and he was succeeded by the present incumbent, W. S. Wilson, who had been acting for some time previous as cashier. Upon his promotion Edward Harford was made treasurer and cashier. W. H. Blee is at present vice-president. The Board of Trustees are John W. Parsons, Joseph

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B. Cartmell, Charles L. Bauer, T. W. sen as secretary. Mr. Clingerman served Ludlow, Geo. Krapp, Sr., and Frank C. in this capacity until 1888, when Charles Johnson. The vacancy caused by the Stout was elected secretary and still con- death of Amaziah Winger remains un- filled.

The last statement, July 1, 1907, shows resources and liabilities to be $2,792,576 .- 06, of which amount there is due depos- itors $2,644,913.79; surplus $125,000; un- divided profits $22,662.27.

SPRINGFIELD BUILDING & LOAN ASSOCIA- TION.

Prior to the organization of this com- pany there had been operated building and loan associations in the City of Springfield on what was called the ter- minable plan. The plan was not a very satisfactory one, and besides there had been some irregularities in management, that made the establishment of a building and loan association here a matter of con- siderable difficulty.

The "Springfield" is entitled to be called the "Pioneer" in this city of the modern building and loan associations. It was organized in June, 1884, with a cap- ital stock of $500,000. The first board of directors were P. J. Cole, H. C. Laybourn, Andrew Burnett, D. L. Corner, J. M. Win- ger, C. H. Pierce and William M. Rockel. This board organized by selecting Will- iam M. Rockel as president, Andrew Bur- nett vice-president, John M. Winger treasurer, and C. M. King secretary and attorney. For some time the growth of the association was not very rapid. Mr. King died in 1885 and at the following election William M. Rockel retired from the presidency and C. H. Pierce was elect- ed, John B. Clingerman having been cho-

tinues in that position, Mr. Pierce also be- ing president at this time.

The present board of directors are J. C. Kellar, and John T. Ricks, B. F. Prince, Robert Johnson, Theodore Troupe, Harry Burleigh and C. H. Pierce. Frank Har- ford has remained its treasurer since about 1888.

Later this association increased its capital stock to $1,000,000 and then $5,000,000.

The last statement (July, 1907) showed resources and liabilities to be $1,314,360 .- 22; surplus fund of $54,889.54.

This association commenced doing busi- ness first in a back room upstairs over Fried's Jewelry Store. From here it was moved to the rooms upstairs on Fountain Avenue over Leuty's meat store, and from there across the street to a room down- stairs, immediately north of the alley, where it remained until 1901, when the old savings bank building was purchased on E. Main Street. The association moved into their own building in April of 1901.

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 42

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