USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 47
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FARM AND FIRESIDE.
In 1877 P. P. Mast & Co. issued a small agricultural paper which they called the Farm and Fireside. It was issued orig-
inally, largely for the purpose of advertis- ing the productions of P. P. Mast & Co. In 1879 the paper changed its ownership, although P. P. Mast continued to have a controlling interest; he and J. S. Crowell and T. J. Kirkpatrick became the owners. This firm continued the ownership of this paper until Mr. Mast's death, when Cro- well and Kirkpatrick became the pro- prietors.
Afterwards Mr. Crowell, having pur- chased Mr. Kirkpatrick's interest, became the sole proprietor and conducted the busi- ness under the name of the "Crowell Pub- lishing Company." He continued as sole proprietor and manager until 1906, when the present proprietors, pincipally New York people, became the owners. It has grown to one of the largest agricultural papers of the country, having a circula- tion close on to 500,000. It is issued twice a month and occupies one of the most complete printing establishments in the country, located on the northwest corner of High and Factory Streets.
In 1885 Messrs Crowell and Kirk- patrick started the publication of the il- lustrated monthly periodical known as the Woman's Home Companion. This became a strong rival to the Ladies' Home Journal and has now a circulation of near 250,000.
FARM NEWS.
In 1890 publication of the Farm News began here under the proprietorship of J. N. Garver. It was afterwards sold to the Simmons Publishing Company, who now issue the same from their office located on the southwest corner of Washington and Mechanic Streets. It has a circulation of
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250,000. It is a monthly, bright and newsy.
POULTRY SUCCESS.
In 1895 Arthur D. Hosterman became the principal proprietor of the Poultry Success. It is a journal particularly de- voted to the raising of poultry and has a circulation of about 35,000. This is one of the leading poultry journals in the county.
SPRINGFIELD JOURNAL ADLER.
On September 11, 1874, Louis Weixel- baum and Jacob Schoenthal established the Springfield Journal, a paper published in German. They continued to occupy the sole field until 1890 when Louis Jorth es- tablished the Adler.
The Journal was inclined to be Demo- cratic in its proclivities and the Adler, Republican, although both professed to be independent.
In 1891, Schoenthal having died, Weixelbaum became the sole proprietor of the Journal and on August 1, 1895, he purchased the Adler and its subscription list and changed the name of the paper to the Journal Adler.
The office of the Journal, until after the death of Mr. Schoenthal, was in Black's Opera House Building. Thereafter, hav- ing become connected with the bindery business, it was moved down to its present location in the Bowman Building on W. Main Street. It is a paper fairly well patronized by our German inhabitants and it is edited by a man of ability.
MISCELLANEOUS.
A number of papers of various kinds have in different periods been printed in
this city. In 1841 a religious journal called the Presbyterian of the West was published here edited by Rev. J. Dunlap and Rev. W. D. Smith. This publication was afterwards moved to Cincinnati.
The Gospel Herald was published in New Carlisle in this county in 1843. In 1847 a little pamphlet was published here called the Moss-Covered Bucket, and in 1858 the American Ruralist was published and existed for two years. In 1846 the Western Recorder was issued from the press in this town. The name was after- wards changed, in 1855, to the Western Methodist Protestant and in 1866 to the Methodist Recorder. This paper was afterwards moved to Cincinnati. During the Woman's Crusade, D. C. Ballentine and others edited a paper for a short time called the Daily Leader. The Champion Reaper and Mower Company in 1870 pub- lished a paper called the Illustrated Cham- pion for gratuitous distribution, and about the same time Rinehart, Ballard & Co. published the Illustrated Springfield Thresher to advertise the threshing ma- chine. Somewhat along the same line was Leffel's Mechanical News, which was first issued in 1871. It became quite a noted paper in its line and in 1886 was moved to New York.
R. S. Thompson published the Live Patron and the New Era for a number of years, having quite an extensive circula- tion, especially among the grangers. For a long time it was the official organ of the Ohio State Grange.
It suspended a few years ago. On sev- eral occasions there have been Lutheran publications issued from the various printing offices of this town.
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EDITORS, ETC.
Two of the persons having much to do with newspaper work in Spring- field in former years are still liv- ing, namely, George H. Frey, Sr., and George W. Hastings. Mr. Frey has had a long and active career; for a number of years he was County Com- missioner and was a member of the ' first board of Water Works Trustees be- sides having filled other places of trust. George W. Hastings, by reason of failure of his eyesight, has not been actively iden- tified with business affairs for a number of years past; otherwise, however, enjoy- ing good health at a ripe old age.
Clifton M. Nichols deserves more than a passing notice when speaking of news- papers of Springfield, Ohio. For more than thirty-five years he was in the editor- ial harness, all that time practically with the old Republic, and of him it can be said that his aim was always to make a news- paper that was clean and truthful, earn- estly upholding the principles of the party to which he belonged-the Republican. After he left his editorial work he became secretary of the Board of Trade and con- tinued in that position until his death in 1903.
Mention should likewise be made of Charles E. Folger, who as reporter and editor was an active newspaper man of this town for thirty years or more. Mr. Folger was for a time on the Gazette then on the Press Republic and then again on the Gazette, having retired from that paper upon Mr. Kirkpatrick, a gentleman of much originality, energy and ability, becoming the owner.
Republic for some six or seven years pre- vious to his becoming postmaster in 1898. One of the brightest newspaper men this city ever had was Mr. George W. Perkins who edited the Globe while it was owned by the Winters Company. He afterwards went back to his native state, Kentucky.
D. T. West, who was owner of the Sun- day News, was for a long time actively identified with the press of this city.
In the writing of spicy editorials and the trenchant use of the English language he was perhaps without superior. Major W. H. Dugdale for a time was editor of the Democrat. He left the city in 1881.
Coates Kinney, the famous author of "Rain on the Roof," and other poems, for a time was largely interested in editor- ial work on the old Republic.
Robert T. Nelson, who afterwards be- came prominently identified in newspaper work in Los Angeles, California, was the first editor of the Gazette.
Captain D. C. Ballentine, now in Wash- ington, D. C., for a long time was editor of the Transcript and the Democrat. Cap- tain Ballentine was a writer of force.
R. S. Thompson wielded the editorial pen with ability in his paper the New Era. He is still living in the city engaged now in other business.
A. D. Hosterman, the present owner of the Poultry Success, and John N. Garver, have made a success of a number of pub- lications, at different times.
Harry Rice, now the proprietor of a Xenia paper, for the past fifteen years has been connected with the newspaper work of our city.
John A. Reid and Chas. A. Warren have James H. Rabbitts was editor of the been connected with our local papers for
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near a score of years, as has Fred Wal- lace now with the Sun.
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES.
BOARD OF TRADE-COMMERCIAL CLUB.
For some time leading men of Spring- field had felt the need of some organiza- tion that could look after the welfare of the city, generally. This need was more keenly felt in the strenuous times that fol- lowed the business depression occurring in the latter part of the eighties.
The great East Street Shops had been standing idle for a number of years. The plant of the Armstrong Bros., boiler makers, was in like condition, so was the plant of the Springfield Manufacturing Company operated by E. W. Butt, in the southern part of town, and several others of a lesser character. The old Gray Malleable Works and the shops of the Champion Machine Co., now occupied by the Superior Drill Co. and the Foos Gas Engine Co. were likewise or nearly quite unoccupied.
To induce business firms to locate and start work in these vacant factories, and inaugurate enterprises of a kindred char- acter for the welfare of the city generally, a large number of business men organ- ized, in 1889, the Board of Trade and in- stalled as secretary the veteran newspaper man, Clifton M. Nichols. This organiza- tion continued in existence until 1904, when it was absorbed by the Commercial Club. This latter club was organized by a younger and perhaps more vigorous set of men, than those who composed the Board of Trade. Both the Commercial Club and the Board of Trade had for their object the advancement and fostering of
Springfield's material interests. This club was organized in November, 1897. For the remainder of the year 1897, Theo- dore Troupe, was president and D. T. West, secretary. In 1898 S. J. Wilkerson was president, D. T. West continuing as secretary. In 1899 A. F. Sparks served as president, and J. F. Kitchen as sec- retary. In 1890 W. H. Schaus was presi- dent and J. H. Long secretary. In 1891 J. Frank McGrew was president, Long continuing as secretary. In 1902 E. B. Hopkins was president, Long still con- tinuing as secretary. In 1903 R. B. House was president, Long still secretary. In 1904 Chas. S. Kay, who had previously served as president of the Board of Trade, was elected, Long continuing as secretary. In 1905 John L. Plummer was president, and George H. Knight, secretary. In 1906 N. H. Fairbanks, was president, Knight continuing as secretary. In 1907 W. H. Stackhouse was president, and Dr. W. A. Barber, secretary, and in 1908, John N. Garver was elected president and James G. Stewart, secretary.
It is the custom of this club to have an annual picnic some time in June or July and a banquet at the installation of offi- cers, each year. The last banquet was held February 6, 1908, at the Lagonda Club House. The speakers were Mayor J. S. Reyburn of Philadelphia, who is a native of Clark County, and Mr. Schermerhorn, manager of the Detroit "Times." Mr. Reyburn in his address took exceptions to some of President Roosevelt's actions in reference to cor- porations. He was replied to by Mr. Schermerhorn very vigorously, and al- though the audience was made up of man- ufacturers and persons who might pos-
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY .
sibly be inclined to take exceptions to ganization. The building was opened in Roosevelt's policies, yet by a very large majority of the individuals composing it, expressed its sympathy with the speaker who was defending the President.
Mr. Schermerhorn's address was, in wit and the choice language used, prob- ably never excelled at any former banquet.
The club has been a potent factor in the welfare of the city of Springfield. Per- haps not accomplishing all that its found- ers or members might desire, yet it is the hope of all that it may live and "make Springfield flourish."
LAGONDA CLUB.
This club is a social organization and was incorporated in 1893 with an author- ized capital stock of $25,000. Shortly after its organization it purchased the old Cavalier corner, on the northwest corner of Spring and High Streets, and erected thereon the present well arranged and equipped club-house. Springfield is hard- ly large enough to support a social club of this character, without more or less difficulty. The members of the Board of Directors have on several occasions ex- perienced some trouble in keeping the or- ganization going. The building is an ornament and contains excellent facilities for banquets and assemblies. As a mat- ter of course it is generally patronized only by the wealthier people. Recently in the banquet hall a number of banquets have been given for outside organizations.
October, 1894. The present officers are E. O. Bowman, president, Percy Norton, first vice-president, I. W. Wallace, second vice-president, F. M. Farmer, secretary, and W. S. Rabbitts, treasurer.
COUNTRY CLUB.
Somewhat akin to the Lagonda club in the purpose of its organization is the country club. This body was organized in 1906 with a capital stock of $15,000. It had its inception in the desire of some of our well-to-do city people to have a place in the country for pleasure and recreation in out-door sports. They purchased the old Ward farm, latterly owned by Will- iam S. Thompson, about half a mile above the city limits on the Urbana Pike. This farm is partly located in the valley and partly on the uplands. On the ridge go- ing from the valley to these lands, a most excellent view is had of the Mad River Valley. On this ridge the club built its club-house and in the adjoining fields have golf grounds. The place is one of beauty and well adapted for the purposes to which it is applied. Mr. Robert H. Foos has been very active in the welfare of this club and it owes much of its present con- dition to his energetic effort. Robert H. Foos is president, Elmore Ross, treasurer, and Robert Rodgers, secretary.
LITERARY CLUBS.
E. O. Bowman, and his brothers, J. E. That there may have been literary clubs formerly in the city of Springfield of which there is now no record is not im- probable. As a matter of course, there and Border, Robert Foos and his brother William, Charles Bauer and his brothers, Pearly M. Cartmell, Percy Norton, W. A. Scott, and others, participated in its or- are now and always have been such clubs
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and societies connected with the educa- tional institutions, but we refer to the clubs unconnected with institutions of that character. A general literary club was in existence during the seventies. This club was composed of both men and women. Just who belonged to it or who organized it is not known. It is presumed that the Rodgers, Warders, Brooks, Bishops, and others of literary taste were connected with it.
MEN'S LITERARY CLUB.
In 1891 the Men's Literary Club was organized by B. F. Prince, Judge J. K. Mower, Rev. Dr. Fullerton, Dr. John H. Rodgers, Judge F. M. Hagan, General Keifer, J. S. Crowell, Charles Kay and others. This club has continued very suc- cessfully to the present time, and com- prises in its membership, men of the class of those mentioned, who assisted in its organization. Its membership is limited to thirty. It meets on alternative Monday evenings. Rev. Dr. R. H. Hume is presi- dent at this time.
YOUNG MEN'S LITERARY CLUB.
This club was organized in 1896, W. W. Witmyer being chiefly instrumental in putting it on a solid foundation. Its membership is composed of a younger class of men, and is limited to thirty-five; and it holds its meetings on the second and fourth Friday evenings of each month, except during the summer months of June, July, and August. This club, like the Men's Literary Club, has a social feature connected with it in that it meets at the house of the members and such member is host of the club for the even- ing. Dr. W. B. Patton is its president.
MISCELLANEOUS.
There are a number of other clubs in the city, notably those in the various churches. There is a very progressive club of that character connected with the First Congregational Church; the mem- bers of Christ Episcopal Church have also a men's club, and the Lutheran Churches of the city have such organizations known as Lutheran Leagues. These organiza- tions connected with the churches are fully as much, if not more, of a social as of a literary character. Various other clubs are found in the city which possess some literary characteristics.
WOMAN'S CLUB.
I find in Mrs. E. L. Buchwalter's ad- dress at the Springfield Centennial that the first woman's club here of which there is any record was the one known as the Worthington Scientific and Literary Cir- cle. It was organized in 1878 by Mrs. Ruth A. Worthington, who was at that time principal of the Springfield Semi- nary. It had a limited membership of thirty. Afterwards there was organized the Traveller's Club, in 1888, by Mrs. J. W. Murphy. This club at first had thirty members, this number afterwards increas- ing to forty. After this came the Fort- nightly Club, founded in 1891. This club during its existence was one of the best in the city. Afterwards came the Mon- day Afternoon Club, and following this, in 1893, was the Tuesday Club. These four clubs in 1894 met and organized what is today known as the Woman's Club, and is today undoubtedly the leading club of that character in the city.
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There are also a number of other clubs among the literary women of Springfield existing at this time. The Woman's Club has a large and influential member- ship composed of active and associate members. It is instrumental in bringing distinguished lecturers to our city. At present it meets at the parish house of Christ Episcopal Church.
Mrs. E. L. Buchwalter has had the distinction of serving on state and na- tional organizations of this character.
AUTHORS.
In the consideration of literary matters, we should make some brief reference to Springfield authors. We find, upon in- vestigation of this matter, that it is ex- tremely difficult to gather information. No doubt there have been others than those here mentioned whose names we have not been able to secure. Among the best known are:
General J. Warren Keifer, "Slavery and Four Years of War."
Hon. John W. Bookwalter, “Canyon and Crater," "Siberia and Central Asia."
C. M. Nichols, "Life of Lincoln," "Summers Campaign (1864) etc."
Mrs. Willis Baines Miller, "Mrs. Cherry's Sister"; "His Cousin"; "The Doctor"; "Pilgrim's Visions"; "The Silent Land" etc.
Mother Stewart (E. D.), "The Cru- sader in Great Britain," "Memories of the Crusade."
R. T. Kelly, "History of the Kelly Fam- ily."
Mrs. Georgia Runyan, "Four Hundred Years of America."
Dr. John Scott, "Land of Sojourn."
Rev. Dr. Alexander Clark, "'Work Day Valley."
Christianity," "Gospel in Trees," "Old Log House."
Anson A. Gard, "My Friend Bill."
Mrs. Belle Braine, "Holding the Ropes," "Redemption of the Red Man," "Transformation of Hawaii."
Robert Braine, "Messages from Mars."
Prof. E. S. Todd, "Sociological Study of Clark County, Ohio."
Thomas F. McGrew, "Letters from Europe."
Prof. H. F. R. Hoefdoerfer, "Introduc- tory Studies in German."
Mrs. Lydia Heck Wiggins, "Life and Works of Paul Lawrence Dunbar."
Rev. Dr. M. J. Firey, "Infant Bap- tism."
Rev. G. N. H. Peters, "Theocratic Kingdom." (3 Vol.)
Elliot B. Henderson, Poems of various characters.
Lawrence Russell (Dramatic).
Kate Kaufman, "As Nature Prompts."
Dr. George P. Hackenberg, “Medical Consultation Book."
Dr. Samuel Sprecher, "Ground Work of the System of Evangelical Lutheran Theology."
R. S. Thompson, "Temperance."
W. H. C. Dodson, "Original Poems."
J. J. Greer, "Beyond the Lines," "A Yankee Prisoner in Dixie."
Paul Showell, Poems of various char- acters.
Professor M. Diehl, "Life of Dr. Keller."
Rev. J. B. Helwig, "Romanism."
Wad Beach, Indian History.
W. T. Coggeshall, "Poets of the West," etc
J. R. Dodge, "Red Men of the Ohio
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Dr. B. F. Prince, "The Springfield Cen- tennial."
Oscar T. Martin, "History of Spring- field."
Harry Rice, "Eve an Evangelist." (In press.)
Virgil Coblentz, "Handbook of Phar- macy."
David H. Bauslin, "The Ministry an At- tractive Vocation."
· In the line of law literature might be mentioned George S. Diehl, and his work on "Religious Corporations."
William M. Rockel, "Questions Selected from Supreme Court Reports," "Ohio Mechanic's Lien Law," jointly with Judge Charles R. White, "Complete Guide for Township Officers," "Complete Ohio Probate Practice," "Ohio School Code," "Guide for Executors and Administra- tors."
Of authors who are not now but have been sometime residents of this county, might be mentioned Rev. Dr. E. A. Steiner, author of on the "Trail of the Immigrant." "Tolstoi the Man," etc .; Rev. C. H. Small "Cornerstones of Faith."
Rev. L. S. Keyser, Books on Birds and Bird Life.
Rev. Dr. Henry Tuckley, "Latter Day Events," etc.
Rev. Thomas Harrison, some time pro- fessor at New Carlisle, "Testimonies in Favor of Religion."
Dr. Isaac Funk, a native of this place, now of the well known publishing firm of Funk and Wagnalls, New York, is the editor of several volumes published under his supervision of which we would es- pecially mention the Standard Dictionary.
Prof. Edgar F. Smith, some time pro-
fessor of Wittenberg College, later of Jef- ferson University, Pennsylvania, has sev- eral works on chemistry.
SECRET AND FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS.
Perhaps no country in the world's his- tory will have shown a period of such rapid growth as that of the United States in the last thirty years, and along with this general growth there has been a very great growth in the number and kind of secret and fraternal organizations. Whether the rapid increase in wealth and the concentration of power into the hands of the comparatively few, have caused men to feel a weakness when standing alone, and thus look to association and organiza- tion to enhance their prospects in life, or whether these organizations result from other causes, might be questioned, but whatever the cause, the fact is that there has been an extraordinary growth in these secret and fraternal organizations. Even the power of the church, as shown in some denominations, has not been able to lessen this growth of fraternal organizations.
It is now generally the case, that while many protestant denominations do not en- courage membership in these fraternal or- ganizations. they do not oppose it, while the Catholic church, bitterly opposed to them, has societies of a very similar char- acter, composed of and to some extent controlled by the church organization. Few if any persons now living, have a personal recollection of the exciting time that was created by the abduction of Mor- gan in 1826. This episode created a very strong anti-secret society feeling, that was more particularly pronounced, because of the accompanying circumstances, against
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HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY
the Masons. The feeling was so strong that it exercised a material influence upon the election of public officials. It so man- ifested itself in Clark County, that a Ma- sonic lodge, which had been created here in 1829, disbanded and no other was formed for nearly twenty years there- after. In New Carlisle the bitter feeling against Masons was such that the charter and some of the paraphernalia was taken out of the lodge-room by a member and buried, some portions of which were only returned a year or two ago. It will be im- possible in a work of this character to describe in detail the organization and membership of the very great number of societies in Springfield and Clark County. Suffice it to say, that they are found in the City of Springfield and in every village within the county limits.
MASONIC.
In a previous history of this county it is stated that the first Masonic Lodge opened in this vicinity, convened at the Court House on September 20, 1809, at which Samuel Simonton and Jona Bald- win were present. This was an Urbana lodge named Harmony Lodge No. 9. In the same year it was decided to divide this lodge, which at that time comprised mem- hers from Springfield, Dayton and Ur- bana; thereafter Urbana and Springfield were together, and in 1810-'11-'12-'13 and '14 meetings were held alternately at Urbana and Springfield.
In 1814 the Urbana people proposed to surrender their charter and a new lodge, named Harmony No. 8, was chartered, to be held at Urbana, and those at Spring-
field were to apply for a new charter, which they did in 1815. This lodge was called Morning Star No. 27. As stated before, this lodge was disbanded in 1829. Its first officers were S. M. Hinkle, M .; Oliver Armstrong, S. W .; C. Shipman, J. W .; Ira Paige, Secretary.
In 1848 General Anthony, who was very prominent in Masonic circles, and others, made application for a new lodge; this was chartered in 1848 and was named Clark Lodge No. 110. Charles Anthony, M .; J. M. Kills, S. W .; A. M. Taylor, J. W.
In 1871 another Masonic Lodge was or- ganized called Anthony Lodge after Gen- eral Anthony, and numbered 455.
Springfield Chapter, R. A. M., was chartered in 1851. Springfield Council, R. S. M., No. 15, was organized in 1852; Palestine Commandery K. T. No. 33 was chartered in 1878.
New Carlisle and South Charleston both have Masonic lodges. That at South Charleston was chartered in 1850 and is called Fielding Lodge No. 192. That in New Carlisle was chartered in 1831 and is named New Carlisle Lodge No. 100, and now has the distinction of being the oldest Masonic Lodge in Clark County.
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