USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > Century review of Marietta, Ohio. Early history, natural advantages, schools, churches commercial, professional and other interests > Part 2
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Ft. Harmar had been previously built, but the colony projected Campus Mar- ius as an additional protection. This was laid out on Washington and Second streets , parallelogram, 180 ft. sides, with a strong block house at each corner. The S. W. house was occupied by Gov. St. Clair and Winthrop Sargent, Sec. of State; the N. W. for court and public worship, the S. E for private families, and the N. E. for the directors of the Ohio Company. The inside furnished a promenade 144 ft. square with a well 80 ft. deep in the centre. The bastions and palisades were not finished intil Indian hostilities were threatened in 1791, and then a single cannon was nounted in the S. W. and N. E. block-houses, and a clearing made the distance of a rifle shot.
FT. HARMAR .- Joel Buell is said to have been the first settler in the vicinity having squatted on the west side in 1785. In the autumn of that year the govern- ment sent Maj. Dougherty here with a company of troops and Ft. Harmar was laid out in pentagon shape, covering & of an acre, with gardens in the rear. This was not completed till the spring of 1786, and was the first in Ohio, excepting Ft. Laurens in Tuscarawas Co. which was started seven years prior. In 1790 these troops were or- dered to Cincinnati, but when hostilities commenced, Capt. Heart was sent to Ft. Harmar with a company, which was divided to Belpre, Waterford and Campus Martius. The soldiers received $3 per month which was largely spent for strong drink when that could be obtained.
MARIETTA -The east side village was first called Muskingum, then Adelphi ut on July 2nd, 1788, it was officially named Marietta, in honor of Marie Antonette,
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Oil Field near Moore's Junction.
The above field, three miles below Marietta, is a fair illustration of scores of such sections that are found throughout the country for a radius of 40 miles around this city, the production centering here now reaching a million barrels per month. Fuil particulars under "Petroleum Interests."
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the French Queen, who had assisted the patriots in their struggle for independence. A fitting celebration of the twelfth anniversary of Independence was held two days ater. Jas. M. Varnum, one of the territorial judges, delivered the oration. Judge Gilbert Devol and son had speared in the Muskingum, a day or two previous, a pike six feet long and weighing 100 lbs. This was baked. venison and bear-meat barbe- qued and the pioneers had a gay old time. In the first clearing here, a sycamore ree which measured 41 feet in circumference, two feet above ground, was removed and a black walnut was found that was 22 ft. in circumference.
TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT .- The celebrated congressional enactment which passed in 1787 "Ordinance for the Great North west Territory," upon the basis of freedom and democracy, was the nucleus upon which has arisen a majestic empire of states-Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin-in which Marietta has he honor of having been the location for the first organized civil society designed to permanently redeem this then unbroken wilderness from the wilds of nature and he aborigines.
Arthur St. Clair, who was president of Congress in 1787, was appointed as Governor of the Northwest aud arrived here July 9th, 1788. On the 15th he was naugurated with great eclat and read the ordinance before referred to, which is generally concedeu to have been written by Thomas Jefferson, who was chairman of ;he committee on that work.
WASHINGTON COUNTY .- July 26th, 1788, Gov. St. Clair by proclamation, created this county, which practically covered what is now the eastern half of the state. On Sept. 2 the Court of General Sessions was opened in Campus Martius and ;he county of Washington was duly recognized as the seat of law for the Great Northwest. Paul Fearing was admitted to practice law and was appointed District Attorney. Wm. Stacy was made foreman of the Grand Jury. Campus Martius served for several years not ouly as a site for court and jail, but for educational and religious meetings and for a time as a fort of refuge from hostile Indians. From the continuous aggressions of the Whites, the savages grew strong in race sympathy and from the ill advised acts of St. Clair and others, settlement had but fairly com- nenced here when the red-skins were ready to combine and crush out the pale face. A treaty made with the Indians had but little effect to avert hostilities and it was only after their merited chastisement by Gen. Anthony Wayne, Aug. 4, 1794, and ;he subsequent treaty effected at Greenville, Aug. 3, 1795 that their formidable pow- er was broken and developments at this place could go forward with some assurance of safety. A subsequent revolt of a serious nature occurred among the Indians, of Indiana, as late as 1811, which was effectually quelled by Gen. Wm. H. Harrison.
The second county organized was Hamilton, Jan. 2, 1790, while Adams and Jefferson were founded in July following. In Dec. 1790, Washington was divided in- ;o townships, which in 1800 comprised Marietta, assessed to pay $342; Belpre, $430; Salem, $94; Adams, $179; Newport, $95. These were largely within the present county limits, while Gallipolis assessed. $799; Newtown, $94; and Middletown $810 are now in other counties. The population of Washington county in 1800 was 5,427; 1820, 10,425; 1840, 20,694; 1860, 36,268; 1880, 43,244 and that of 1900 will be given in our summary, from the census returns.
We can scarcely consider even a brief history of this county complete without reference to Blennerhassett Island, twelve miles below Marietta. Harman Blen- herhassett, an Irish lawyer, in 1796 at about 30 years of age came into possession of
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The old court-house, now torn down, served for77 years, and will be described with the new one on another page. The Ohio Company office shown here was erected about 1790. It is being preserved by the Historical Society. The Torrence shown above is one of the finest boats on the river and was re- cently built in Marietta. Lorena coming through the lock.
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$100,000 through the death of his father, married Margaret Agnew, daughter of the governor of the Isle of Man and immigrated to New York in the fall of 1797, remain- ing there till winter when they came on to Marietta. In March 1798 Mr. B. pur- chased from Elijah Backus, the upper portion of the island comprising improve- ments and 174 acres of land, for $4,500. Within the next two years he erected a beautiful mansion which was made a great social centre. In April 1805, ex-Vice President Aaron Burr visited this luxurious home and induced its owner to engage in his treasonable scheme of establishing a great western empire. In Sept. 1806 he contracted to build transports for 500 men, but the government being apprised of the matter arrested Burr and Blennerhassett for treason.
Early Courts .- The territorial Judges, appointed Oct. 16, 1787, were James M. Varnum, S. H, Parsons and John Armstrong, who with Gov. St. Clair were the supreme power of the Northwest. A militia law was proclaimed July 25, 1788, compelling all able bodied men between the ages of sixteen and sixty to drill and serve as soldiers when called upon. A court of general sessions was opened Sept. 2, 1788, at the residence of Col. Eben Battelle in Campus Martius, Gen. Rufus Putnam, Gen. Benj Tupper and Col. A. Crary officiating as judges. As the people were not disposed to litigation, only routine business was transacted at this time but the book of records as then written by the cierk is still in a good state of preservation, and is an interesting and valuable legal document. In Dec. 1788, Wm. and Seth Comstock were tried for stealing. The court very leniently gave them till next day to settle with the prosecutor, who after receiving $20 was satisfied and the defend- ants were fined $2 each and costs to satisfy justice. Judge Varnum died in Jan. 1789 and Judge Parsons the following November. John C. Symmes appointed to fill the place of the former continued on the bench till Ohio was made a state, and Greene Turner officiated for ten years after the death of Judge Parsons. Joseph Gilman was appointed in 1796 and R. J. Meigs in 1798 serving with Judge Symmes until the territorial government was superseded by Ohio as a state.
Later Courts .- Under the state constitution, adopted in 1851, a system of su- preme, district, common pleas and probate courts was devised. In 1883 the district court was abolished and the circuit court has since been the intermediate seat of law, for errors and appeals, between the common pleas and supreme courts. The Fourth circuit comprises fifteen counties of south-eastern Ohio, having a bench of three judges who hold semi-annual sessions each year in each county.
Hon. Hiram L. Sibley, on the circuit bench since Feb. 1897, had for fourteen years prior been common pleas judge in this field. He located in Marietta in 1865 and has spent most of his time here since. Thomas Cherrington of Ironton and Daniel A. Russell of Pomeroy are associates with Judge Sibley on the circuit bench.
Common Pleas .- Continuing the record from William's history, J. P. Brad- bury was succeeded by Rudolph de Stiguer of Athens who died in office and Joseph M, Wood was elected to fill the vacancy and is still on the bench. For the other judgeship, S. S. Knowles was succeeded by Judge Sibley, and when the latter was promoted to the circuit bench he was followed by D. Warren Jones of Gallipolis; and Hon. Henry W. Coultrap of McArthur, O. comes to the bench under a law estab- lishing an additional judge for the third subdivision of the Seventh judicial district. He is a native of Vinton Co. where he grew to manhood. He graduated from the Ohio University in 1871, and has been in the practice of law since 1875. Judge Coultrap was elected to his present responsible position in 1894, practically without
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RESIDENCE OF DR. HILDRETH.
INFIRMARY ASYLUM.
ICE FLOW OVER THE DAM.
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INFIRMARY BARNS.
opposition and last fall re-elected for another term. Three sessions of court are held here each year continuing until all necessary business is disposed of.
Probate Judge .- This office was first held by government appointment and to show the chirography we reproduce the following fac simile of the first page of re- cords now preserved in the probate court room:
Marietta 17 December 1789 .~ Received a Commission from Arthur Ablair Esquire. Governor and Commander in Chef in and over the Territory of the United States "north west of the River Olo, appointing the Subscriber Judge of Probate for the bounty of Washington the Territory aforesaid , and on the 22 day of Devem look the Bath of Office before the Governor , which is indoved on the Commission . ~ aten~ Joseph Gilinano
Later this branch of court was merged with the common pleas until it was again made distinct, under the constitution of 1851, and Thos. Ewart was the first elected probate judge. C. T. Frazyer was in office when Williams history was being com- piled; F. J. Cutter was elected in 1881; Wm. H. Leeper '87; D. R. Rood '93; and Chas. H. Nixon was elected for three years in '99. Judge Nixon is a native Mariettian educated in her college and was a deputy in the office when elected to the Probate Judgeship. Archie A. Schramm a teacher from a pioneer German family was ap- pointed as deputy in the office the present year.
COURT HOUSES .- The first court was held at the residence of Eben Battelle and subsequently in the N. W. blockhouse. Sometime before the close of the eigh- teenth century a courthouse was erected at a cost of about $1,000. A movement to that effect is mentioned in the records of 1792, but we cannot find that the appropri- ation was made till 1798, and the building was erected the next year. The upper story was used for courts and the lower for jatler's residence, with a strong log jail attached. The old part of the courthouse shown in the engraving, pg. 16, was torn down Aug. 1900 to give p'ace to a new one. It was finished in 1823, was 48x48, two stories. The north addition was erected in 1854 and the front 24x48 was put up in 1876. A petition signed by 19 citizens asked that the old part be located near the centre of the lot the commissioners granted the petition which is still preserved with the original signatures. The present jail was builtin 1848 and will soon
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LOOKING UP FRONT STREET, JULY FOURTH.
give place to the new one in third story of the coming courthouse. The court-house bell, cast in 1802 by Brazilia Davidson of Norwich, Conn. is still sound and will be hung in the new court-house.
STATE OFFICIALS .- Washington county was the residence of Arthur St. Clair Governor of the Northwest Territory. who remained in office till 1803; Return J. Meigs from Marietta was Governor of Ohio 1810-14, when he was appointed P. M General by Pres. Madison. John Brough who learned the printer's trade in this place and edited the Republican 1831-3, was elected governor in 1863 and died before the expiration of his term.
SENATORS .- Robert Oliver was senator from this district 1799-1803; and suc- ceeding John Irvine* comes Gilbert Smith,} A. W. Glazier, Theo. F. Davis, Chas. S Dana, and John H, Riley elected 1897, was succeeded by Sam'l H, Bright of Hocking county. Col. Riley is a native of Jackson Co. W. Va. and came to Marietta in 1882 since which he has been one of Marietta's most public spirited citizens and will have mention in several departments of this pamphlet .
REPRESENTATIVES .- Paul Fearing and R. J. Meigs were representatives from this county 1799-1801, E. Cutler and Wm. R. Putnam, 1801-3. * Since 188] Henry Bohl, '83: John Strecker, Jr., '85; Henry Roeser & Fred J. Cutter '89; G. A. Wood, '91; W. B. McGill, '95; W. H. Leeper, '97; C. C. Middleswart, '99, The latter was born in Lawrence tp. in 1870, graduated from Marietta College '94, from law department of Ohio University in 1898 and a year later was elected representative for this county.
*Williams History makes a complete codification of officials from this county up to 1880 and these we shall not reproduce, but endeavor to bring the record from that date up to 1900.
¿Senators and representatives have sometimes been for two or more counties, in which case we give only those from Washington county.
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PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS .- Paul Fearing was appointed District Attorney at the first term of court .* David Alban '79 died Feb. 15, 82; and J. W. McCormick appointed 5 days later; L. W. Ellenwood, '82-5, J. W. McCormick,'85-8; J. C. Preston 91-4; J. C. Brennan '97. Mr. Brennan attended Marietta College and graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. He was elected city solicitor in 1894.
CLERKS .- Return J. Meigs was appointed first clerk of court, Sept. 1788 and the early records are yet very legible. It became an elective office in 1851 .* Christian H. Etz elected 1880; J. M. Mitchell,'83; W. G. Barthalow, '86-9; L. E. McVay, '92-5; Orlando Trotter, '98. Mr. Trotter is a native of the county and was a armer when elected. His son Elmer E. has assisted in the office since his father ;ook charge Aug. '99 and this year was appointed deputy.
SHERIFFS .- Ebenezer Sproat served as sheriff Sept. 1788.1802 *D. B. Torpy elected 1880; I. R. Rose, '84: A. B Little '88; W. P. Dye, '92; J. S. McCallister '96, in old resident of Marietta is just closing a second term in office.
COMMISSIONERS. -- The usual business affairs of the county are in charge of ;hree commissioners, one of whom is elected each year to serve for three years. In examining the records of a hundred years ago, we find that Oliver Rice, Wm. R. Putnam and Gilbert Devol were at the helm in 1798. A tax of . 375 for each $100 ap- praisement was levied "to defray the expense of building or repairing court-house, prisons, work-houses, bridges, etc." This would indicate that some kind of a court- house was in existence at that time, but when or how built no present records show. Wm. R. Putnam was authorized to notify non resident land owners of the tax, by in advertisement in Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Portsmouth and Hartford papers. Foremen of the Grand Jury were allowed 64 cents per day and other jury- nen 50 cents each. Justices 75 cents per day for court attendance.
The commissioners elected since * 1880 have been Philip Mattern, '81; B. J. Williamson, '82; J. M. Farson, '83; J. M. Murdock, '84: Mason Gorby, '85-8; Murdock lied and Thos. Fleming elected for 1 yr. and again '87; J. W. Thorniley, '86-9; J. A. Gage, '90; S. S. McGee,'91-4; C. M. Grubb,'92-5; John Randolph, '93-6; W. L. Hadley, 97; Henry Strecker, '98; D. R. Shaw, '99, of Vincent, in Sept. 1900, took the place f John Randolph.
AUDITORS .- This office was created in 1820, Royal Prentiss serving the first ive years .* B. B. Stone, elected '81-4; D. H. Merrill'87-'90; W. A. Patterson,'93-6; C. . Chamberlain, '99. The coming Auditor is a Mariettian and served for several ears as money order clerk in the P. O. G. E. Bowers, formerly a teacher in Liberty p. has been reappointed as deputy as his four years service makes him familiar with every detail.
REGISTER & RECORDER .- Registers were appointed by the Governor up to 829 when it was made an elective office, term three years. The first conveyance, ecorded Sept. 10, 1788, is from Sam'l H. Parsons to Eliphalet Dyer, to a tract under urisdiction of the state of Conn. west of Pa., in north lat. 40° 12 seconds west 3 niles, south 2}, east 3 miles, north 2} miles, for a consideration of $974. En Parsons vas first register .* Jas. Nixon served 1867-82: J. P. Ward elected '81; J. W. Steele 37; J. W. Athey, '93 has just closed a second term giving place to G. W. Bonnell of frandview who came to the office well recommended. He has for deputy Miss adie Miner.
TREASURERS. - Jonathan Stone served as treasurer of Washington county up o 1801, receiving 5 per cent for his trouble .* Jobn Holst elected in 1879 was fol- owed by Walter Thomas '83; T. J. Conner, '85; G. W. Stanley, '89; G. J. Lund '93; H. 1). Bode '97 is serving a second term. Mr. Bode is an old citizen of this county and ad been engaged in mercantile business, for eighteen years prior.
* See page 20.
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SIDE VIEW - County Infirmary.
COUNTY INFIRMARY.
CORONERS .- Charles Greene was territorial coroner and the office with the state constitution became elective. F. E. McKim was elected 1889; O. M. Willis 95; J. B. McClure 99. Dr. John McClure is a native of the place attended Marietta College, and graduated from the Medical dept. of the Ohio University in 1896, and is now associated with Drs. Hart & McClure in practice.
SURVEYORS .- Levi Barber served as county surveyor 1805-16 .* D. F. Dufer elected '80; A. A. Hollister '86; Wm. Eldridge '92; D. F. Dufer '95; Levi Bartlett, '98 still officiates. Mr. Bartlett's father was an old time surveyor of this region.
THE COUNTY INFIRMARY .- In every community there are these, who, either by accident or by some force of circumstances are unable to care for themselves. With the advancement of civilization better provisions are being made for these. In Washington Co. the poor were cared for by the township authorities until 1840. The first movement for securing a county poor-house began in 1835, and in '38 the present location, then comprising 198 acres, was purchased. Since then about 50 acres more has been added. Small buildings were built from time to time until 1882-3, when the present large structure was erected at a cost of about $24,000. In 1850 the name poor-house was changed to county infirmary by act of Legislature. The inmates average from 90 to 100, although at times, before small children were taken to the Home, there were as many as 115. J. M. Bell and wife served as super- intendent and matron for 1882-3, '88-'90, and returning to this charge for the third time in'99. Joseph Campbell and wife served in 84; William Hill and wife 85-7; Geo. Reed and wife '91-6; and J. F. Briggs and wife 97-8. The present directors are Wm, Schnaufer, Wm. Cranston and G. W. Smith, under whose supervision the affairs of the poor are being well cared for. The excellent satisfaction given by the superin- tendent and matron is best attested by the fact that they have recently entered upon a third term.
THE CHILDREN'S HOME is situated on the east bank of the Muskingum river, two miles from the courthouse. This was the first home in the state estab- lished under the Act of March 20, 1866, and was opened April 1, '67. The nucleus of a home had been started in 1857 by Catharine A. Fay, who was born at Westfield, Mass. 1822, married to A. S. D. Ewing Aug. 9, '66 and died April 4, '97. Prior to 57 Miss Fay was a teacher and missionary among the Indians, and being in sympathy with the needs of indigent children, she purchased 15 acres of land some ten miles from Marietta and induced the directors of the county infirmary to give their wards into her keeping, at $1 per week each. Her family grew rapidly during the civil war and through Miss Fay's influence the Legislature was induced to pass a bill which granted the privilege for any county to build and maintain a home, When the present site was purchased, Mrs. Ewing's family, 33 in number, was transferred to it and placed in charge of Mrs. A. G. Brown who was matron for the first year. Rev. Ira M. Preston and wife had charge the second year, Dr. Simeon D. Hart and wife from '69 till Mrs. Hart's death in '84, when Miss E. A. Nixon became matron, while Dr. Hart continued as superintendent until S. L Grosvenor came in '88, A. P. Bell and wife '92. Mr. Bell died in '93 and his wife continued the management until J. L. Jordan and wife took charge in '94. Prof. Jordan came to the work from the superintendence of the west side schools and his management has given excellent satisfaction.
Prof. Samuel Maxwell had a large two story brick school house for boys and this with the 100 acre farm was purchased for $18,000 as the start of the home under * See page 20. 23
First Children's Home.
Nursery of Children's Home.
Holstein Herd.
Old Part of Children's Home.
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ounty auspices. Subsequent additions and improvements have raised the value to 30,000 and make a beautiful country home. The three story brick erected about 882, is used for school purposes on the second floor and boys dormitories on the first. The girls sleeping apartments are on the ground floor of an addition to the old part, ind a row of one-story frames has been erected for nursery, bakery, laundry, store 'oom, etc. all being connected by a porch and the entire premises are made as home- ike as possible. Homes in good families are found for the children as fast as practi- ;able and constant watch is kept over each to insure their proper treatment to the nå that they may grow up to be useful citizens. The managers have constantly in view the real objects of the home and endeavor to make the children feel that this s indeed a large family and a true home, rather than to realize that they are indig- ent or under unusual restraint. Since its organization this home has received and cared for over 1300 children, about 1250 of whom have been placed in good homes and many of them have grown up to useful citizenship.
The usual public school money is supplemented by the trustees and a school xept up for ten months in the year. The children are usually in excellent health, appear happy and are better cared for in every way than in many homes of the and. A herd of about 20 Holstein cattle is kept for milk and butter and consider- able of the farm is used for bay and grazing purposes, while the rest is properly. tilled to raise supplies for this large family. The Holsteins and home buildings are shown in our illustrations and speak for themselves. A system of water works is operated by a windmill, proper plumbing and sewerage is found throughout the buildings and the system of sanitation prevailing makes it a very healthy place. Few deaths have occurred in the family and none for three years past.
This home is an honor to the state and one in which the people of Washington county take pride. The following well known business men constitute the board of trustees: S. J. Hathaway, W. A. Sniffen, L. W. Ellenwood, and W. F. Robertson, who with the superintendent and matron J. L. Jordan and wife deserve to be com- plimented upon the excellency of the Washington County Home.
Marietta Incorporated Jan. Ist, 1801.
At a town meeting held Sept. 1st, 1800, Gen. Putnam, Paul Fearing, Benj. I. Gilman, and Wm. Rufus Putnam, were appointed a committee to apply for incorpor- ation. The Act creating the Town of Marietta was passed Nov. 3d, approved by the governor Dec. 2nd, to take effect Jan. 1st 1801. The first officials were Rufus Put- nam, Chm .; David Putnam, Clk .; Ichabod Nye, Treas .; Rufus Putnam, Griffin Greene, and Joseph Gilman, councilmen. It will be unnecessary for us to continue the succession of officials as the list can be found complete in the city ordinance book. The above plan of town government continued until 1825, when another charter was obtained which changed to election of a mayor and reduced the area to. about the present size. Harmar was made the second ward and Marietta east-side was first and third wards, each being entitled to three councilmen. The nine coun- cilmen were elected by the voters and they in turn elected the officers from their number. On account of local disaffection the west side secured a separate corporate existence in 1837, but was reunited to Marietta in 1890. Marietta chartered as a city of the second class, Oct. 29, 1853, and charter amendments with protective or- dinances have been passed from time to time, which were all codified and published in 1893. The population of Marietta in 1880 was 5,444, and of Harmar 1,571, making
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