USA > Ohio > Williams County > County of Williams, Ohio, Historical and Biographical > Part 38
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POSTMASTERS OF WEST UNITY.
The different Postmasters in West Unity were John Rings, Jared C. Parker, T. S. C. Morrison, M. R. Willett, John Barnhart, William Letcher, Daniel C. Baxter and the present incumbent, Stanley Kent. Mr. Kent has had the office for fifteen years. The first money order issued was October 5, 1868, and given to Mrs. Dr. A. M. Wilber. The amount was $50.
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CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
The township contains seven church buildings, namely, one Quaker, two Methodist, one German Methodist, one Evangelical, one United Breth- ren and one Church of God Bethel. These all are in a prosperous condi- tion. The Presbyterians also have an organization, but as yet have no church edifice.
The town is not behind any of its competitors in the way of schools. The school building at West Unity is universally conceded to be the finest in the county. The style of the architecture is modern, and is a mag- nificent specimen of architectural skill. It is situated on a fine eminence in the southeast part of town, and has two spacious front entrances. The building is 64} feet in length, 54 feet in breadth and 74 feet in height from the base line to the apex of the tower, and to the apex of the main roof of the building, 54 feet. The principal materials used in the com- position of the building are brick and stone. The interior of the first story consists of two large school-rooms, the east room having a capaci- ty for seating eighty persons, and the west room, seventy-two. There are two grand side halls, and elegant and massive stair-cases. The sec- ond story is divided into two large school-rooms, each with a seating capac- ity for seventy-five to eighty persons, and two recitation rooms. The painting is of the highest artistic excellence and was done by H. Shawley, of West Unity. The woodwork, masonry and plastering are of the high- est order, and the contractor, Henry Clay, also of West Unity, performed the work with the most perfect satisfaction. The most remarkable feature is its solid construction and compact snugness with which space is utilized in its erection. Four large furnaces are used to heat the rooms and halls. The architect of this magnificent building is F. O. Fallis, of Toledo, Ohio, not only an accomplished gentleman, but one of the best-informed architects in the country. Our citizens are largely indebted to the mem- bers of our efficient school board, who have labored zealously to build one of the finest and most substantial structures of the kind to be found in Northwestern Ohio. No effort is being spared to make the school one of the best in the history of the schools, and students wishing a practical education cannot do better than by attending the West Unity Graded Schools.
MEMBERS OF BOARD OF EDUCATION, PAST AND PRESENT, OF WEST UNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT.
Members elected on July 6, 1865-Eli Booth, one year; R. P. Hol- lington and E. S. Davis, two years ; G. W. Finch and John Wisner, three years ; John Wisner, Clerk. July 6, 1866-James Richardson and Adam Yesbera were elected for three years. January 7, 1867, Eli Booth
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of G. W. Finch. July 6, 1867-George Rings and D. C. Baxter were elected for three years ; Jeremiah Cline, for one year ; George Rings, President, D. C. Baxter. Clerk. July 6, 1868, Jeremiah Cline and Charles Vogleson were elected for three years, and Eli Booth for one year. July 6, 1869, J. M. Webb and J. N. Runnion were elected for three years; George Rings, Presi- dent; J. N. Runnion, Clerk. On August 4, 1869, bids were received by the board for repairing and remodeling the school building, and the con- tract was awarded to William Newcomer for $995. July 6, 1870, George Rings and A. M. Wilber were elected for three years ; A. M. Wilber, President, J. N. Runnion, Clerk. July 6, 1871, Eli Booth and Jeremiah Cline were elected for three years; A. M. Wilber, President, George Rings, Clerk. July 6, 1872, E. C. Orton, and J. F. Fox were elected for three years ; Jeremiah Cline, President, E. C. Orton, Clerk. July 12, 1873, A. M. Wilber and George Rings were appointed to serve as members of the board until the next annual election. April 6, 1874, two members of the Board of Education were elected for three years, and on April 18, 1874, the board organized under the new law; A. M. Wilber and E. S. Davis were the new members ; J. Cline, President; E. C. Or- ton, Clerk ; Eli Booth, Treasurer. April 5, 1875, E. C. Orton and J. F. Fox were elected for three years ; April 19, the board organized and elected Jeremiah Cline, President ; E. C. Orton, Clerk; Eli Booth, Treas- urer. April 4, 1876, Eli Booth and Jeremiah Cline were elected for three years, and April 17, the Board elected Jeremiah Cline, President ; E. C. Orton, Clerk ; Eli Booth, Treasurer.
On April 5, 1876, the Board of Education met and passed a resolution " that it was necessary for the proper accommodation of the pupils of the district to purchase a site and erect a house thereon, and in order to do 80, it was necessary to levy a greater tax than the board were authorized by law to levy, and that a proposition be submitted to a vote of the voters of the district." An election was called and a tax of $10,000 was car- ried to build a good, substantial brick schoolhouse, by a vote of 108 for and 77 against said tax. The contract was awarded to Henry Clay, of West Unity, February 6, 1877, for $9,300, and the building was com- pleted according to contract, on the 10th day of August, 1877.
April 2, 1877, E. S. Davies and A. M. Wilber were elected for three years, and April 16, the board organized and elected Jeremiah Cline, President ; E. C. Orton, Clerk ; Eli Booth, Treasurer. April 1, 1878, E. C. Orton and J. F. Fox were elected for three years, and April 15, the board organized with Jeremiah Cline, President ; E. C. Orton, Clerk ; Eli Booth, Treasurer. April 7, 1879, J. N. Runnion and G. H. More were elected for three years, and T. M. Ritchey for two years, to fill a
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M. J. Sauder
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vacancy occurring by the death of Eli Booth ; and April 21, the board organized with T. M. Ritchey, President; E. C. Orton, Clerk ; E. S. Davies, Treasurer. April 5, 1880, E. S. Davies and A. M. Wilber were elected for three years, and April 19, the board organized with T. M. Ritchey, President ; J. N. Runnion, Clerk ; E. S. Davies, Treasurer. April 4, 1881, E. C. Orton and T. M. Ritchey were elected for three years, and April 18, the board organized with T. M. Ritchey, President ; J. N. Runnion, Clerk ; E. S. Davies, Treasurer.
TEACHERS OF WEST UNITY SCHOOL FROM 1865 TO 1882.
1865, Mrs. A. S. Eckis, Principal, Mary Booth, Thomas Chambers, Sarah Tenis. 1866, Mrs. A. S. Eckis, Principal, Miss M. Ayers, Miss An- na Dennings, Maggie Ayers. 1867, Ellen Miller, M. Booth, E. G. Richard- son, Ellen Smith. 1868, Ellen Smith, Olive Wilber, Mary Wisner. 1869, Olive Wilber, Miss Clifton, Miss Booth. 1870, W. D. Henderson, Mrs. W. D. Henderson, Miss Hoffmaster. 1870-71, E. Thompson, Principal, Tine VanDevort, E. G. Richardson. 1871-72, Mr. Chambers, Princi- pal, Mary E. Henderson, E. G. Richardson, Mrs. Bell D. Riggs. 1872- 73, Miss Angie Ball, Miss Mina Hodges, Dr. Bostater, Mrs. H. J. Clay, W. B. Greek. 1878-74, E. P. Ewers, Principal, William Boltoser, An- gie Finch. 1874-75, E. P. Ewers, Principal, William Boltoser, Angie Finch. 1875-76, E. P. Ewers, Principal, O. P. Gay, Angie Finch. 1876-77, E. P. Ewers, Principal, O. P. Gay, Angie Finch, Mariah Cos- let. 1877, E. P. Ewers, Principal, O. P. Gay, Hattie Loveless, Mariah Coslet, Luella McGrew. 1878, E. P. Ewers, Principal, Lida Henry, S. B. Willitt, J. C. Farley. 1879, E. P. Ewers, Principal, E. A. Taft, J. C. Farley, Julia F. Wilson. 1880, E. P. Ewers, Principal, E. A. Taft, J. C. Farley, Julia F. Wilson. 1881, T. J. Sanders, Principal, E. A. Taft, Vina C. Ferguson, Julia F. Wilson.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
There are at present five societies in the place : Superior Lodge, No. 179, A., F. & A. M .; West Unity Lodge, No. 638, I. O. O. F .; Knights of Honor, --; Rebekah Lodge, and the Murphy Temperance Band.
The West Unity Lodge, No. 638, I. O. O. F., was organized May 12, 1876, with thirty charter members. The following were the first officers elected : David Kosier, N. G .; George H. Pierce, V. G. ; J. C. Poucher, R. S .; S. T. Wagner, P. S .; David J. Grindle, T .; Jonathan Fidler, W .; J. T. McCarnes, C .; Frank Gross, I. G .; O. E. Shipman, O. G .; E. Dawson, R. S. N. G .; J. P. Dick, L. S. N. G .; J. C. Smitley, R. S. V. G .; Henry Shawley, L. S. V. G .; Charles Garris, R. S. S. ; D. M.
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
Burns, L. S. S. In May, 1882, the membership was sixty. The officers, May, 1882, were : W. H. Spencer, N. G .; Paul A. Coulon, V. G. ; Henry Clay, R. S .; E. Dawson, P. S .; John McGrew, T .; Levi Kun- kle, W .; S. T. Wagner, C. ; Thomas Smithurst, I. S .; Marion Marks, O. G .; David Kosier, R. S. N. G. ; A. L. Shaffer, L. S. N. G. ; Jacob Shultz, R. S. V. G. ; J. W. Pettitt, L. S. V. G .; Emanuel Shaffer, R. S. S .; Eugene Boillot, L. S. S.
The West Unity Lodge, No. 178, F. & A. M., was organized August, 1849, with the following charter members : W. A. Hunter, Daniel Lan- gel, William H. Ozier, Jacob Landis, John Stubbs, Sr., Benjamin Smith, Adison McNair, Seth Lindsley. H. H. Peppard was the first man who was taken into the lodge after it was organized. The lodge now numbers about seventy members, with the following officers : William Grindle, W. M .; W. S. Brown, S. D .; O. S. Webb, J. D .; J. C. Poucher, S .; David Holtzberg, T .; William Coslet, S. D .; G. W. Hart, J. D .; James Ronk, T.
The West Unity Lodge, K. of H., was organized September 15, 1879, with forty charter members. Their present membership is fifty.
The Murphy Temperance Club was organized at West Unity in the year 1875, with about 100 members. Since then the number who have signed the pledge amount to about 600. The club is in a prosperous con- dition, and they hold their meetings every Tuesday evening. The present officers are as follows: C. F. Grisier, President ; B. F. Neff. Vice President; Moses Colon, Treasurer ; Miss Susie Fidler, Secretary ; M. E. Moor, Assistant Secretary ; Elmer Webb, Mrs. G. H. Nitchey, Mrs. J. P. Stockton, Executive Committee.
Royer Post, No. 109, G. A. R., Department of Ohio, was organized at West Unity September 8, 1881, with thirty-three charter members. The first officers were as follows : William Coslet. Commander ; H. H. Peppard, Senior Vice; George W. Mondy, Junior Vice; W. S. Brown, Quarter- master; A. M. Wilber, M. D., Surgeon ; Rev. John Poucher, Chaplain ; C. W. Hinman, Officer of the Day ; George W. Grindle, Officer of the Guard; M. V. Mondy, Adjutant. The Post was named in honor of John Royer, who enlisted with Company C, Sixty-Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was killed about ten miles from Decatur, Ala., while trying to get back to camp after several days of hard travel in routing out the " Johnnies." His death was witnessed by Henry Clay of this place, who was standing by his side at the time, and who was picked out for their next man, but by a little time gained in talking, and a rifle-ball from one of our soldiers, Mr. Clay came out without a scratch. The object of this organization is to preserve and strengthen the kind feelings which bind together the soldiers, sailors and marines who united to
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suppress the late rebellion, and to perpetuate the memory and history of the dead; to assist such former comrades as need help, and to extend needful aid to the widows and orphans of those who have fallen. The officers are elected every year. The number of members May 22, 1882, was sixty-seven. The present officers are : William Coslet, Commander ; H. H. Peppard, Senior Vice; George W. Mondy, Junior Vice; George Rings, Quartermaster; A. M. Wilber, M. D., Surgeon ; T. M. Ritchey, Chaplain ; George W. Grindle, Officer of the Day; James Stevenson, Officer of the Guard; W. S. Brown, Adjutant.
ROLL OF HONOR.
Following is a list of the fallen heroes of the rebellion, the war of 1812, and of the Revolutionary war, who enlisted from the vicinity of West Unity, or were buried in its cemeteries or in other parts of Brady Township :
Third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, Company H .- William Bohner was wounded at Atlanta, Ga., August, 1864, and died October 5, 1864, at Charlemagne, Tenn. ; William Venanda enlisted in 1862 and served to the close of the war and died February 18, 1870; William Rings died at Murfreesboro, Tenn., in March, 1863; Sanford Moss was killed; Julius Lenoir was killed; Richard Russell enlisted in 1863, served to the close of the war, and died October 23, 1867, at West Unity.
Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company C .- Edward Brown died February 15, 1879, at West Unity, Ohio; John Bates was killed at Jonesboro, Tenn .; John Royer was killed near Decatur, Ala., in 1863; George Caddel was killed at Jonesboro, Tenn .; Jesse Emig, Sergeant, was killed at Jonesboro, Tenn .; John Yoha was killed at Somerset, Ky., February 1, 1862, and buried on the field ; James H. Beaty died July 7, 1862; J. P. Cline died at Danville, Ky., spring of 1862; Jesse Emerick was killed at Jonesboro, Tenn .; William Clark died at Somerset, Ky .; J. G. Betts was killed at Jones- boro, Tenn., September 1, 1864; William Kincy, Corporal, was killed at Jonesboro, September 1, 1864; John F. Davies died May 5, 1862; Francis M. Masters was killed at Jonesboro and buried on the battle-field ; Hinman Webb, no record ; Henry Wasnich died on the field at the battle of Shiloh and Millsprings, February 27, 1865; George W. Combs was wounded September 1, 1864, and died September 15, 1864.
Sixty-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry .- Thomas Spencer died February 5, 1863. Company C- Oscar Ayers died at Savannah, Ga., April 5, 1862. Company E-David Reader died in the service.
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
Company G - Charles Rolland died April, 1862, at Shiloh; George Clinger, transferred to New Battery and served to the close of the war ; killed July 3, 1875, by premature discharge of cannon in celebrating our national independence ; William Vanosdale died May 18, 1865; James Woodsworth was killed in action July 22, 1864; John E. Chamberlain was drowned in the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky .; Aaron M. Bradley died June 14, 1862, at Pittsburg Landing, Tenn .; Nelson Gleason died at Crum Landing March 1, 1862; Archibald McCoueghey died July 15, 1863, at Vicksburg, Miss .; John A. Wolverton served out his time and died May 15, 1882 ; Benjamin Kunkle was killed in action July 22, 1864. Company K-David Miller died at Manceta, Ga., October 10, 1862.
One Hundredth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry .- Company C-Frank Ewers, Captain, taken prisoner and died at Charleston, S. C. Glad Ewers was killed on the march to Atlanta, Ga., August 6, 1864. Abner Gish, taken prisoner at Limestone Station, sent to Belle Island, and died at Galesburg, N. C. John Webb, taken pris- oner at Limestone Station, sent to Belle Island, and died at Richmond, Va. Ambrose Baldwin, taken prisoner at Limestone Station, sent to Belle Island, and died in Richmond, Va. William Baily, taken prisoner at Limestone Station, sent to Belle Island, and died in Richmond, Va. A. J. Dunscomb, killed at Franklin, Tenn. George W. Ely, Corporal, killed at Atlanta, Ga., August 6, 1864, buried on the battle-field. Daniel Hardinger died in the service. Turner Wynn, Orderly Sergeant, pro- moted to Second Lieutenant, taken prisoner, sent to Andersonville, escaped, and died at Savannah, Ga. Samuel Troxler, taken prisoner, and died in Andersonville. Hugh Troxler, wounded on the march to Atlanta Au- gust 6, 1864, and died at Knoxville, Tenn. Ross Moss, wounded before Atlanta, August 6, 1864, and died from the wound. Eli Johnson, died while in the service. Watson Webb, wounded at Atlanta, and died at Salem, Ohio, after the war. S. A. Derby, served in Company C, until 1866, when he received a commission as Captain in the First United States Heavy Artillery (colored), and died August 7, 1879. John Gares, died at Fort Mitchell, October 1, 1862. Orlan Masters, killed at Lime- stone Station. E. Tenn., September 8, 1863. Company H-George Har- lin, died at Lexington, Ky. Tod Mclaughlin, died while in the service. Daniel H. Ely, died April 18, 1863.
One Hundredth and Eleventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Com- pany C-Henry C. Landon, wounded May 3, 1862, near Dallas, Tenn., and died June 6, 1862, from the effects of the wound. Spencer C. Gillet, died at Knoxville, Tenn., May 2, 1862. Justice W. Wallace, died November 17, 1862. Moses Bates served out his time, and died September 2, 1875. Andrew Knour was wounded at Franklin, Tenn., and died December 19,
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1864. M. A. Mann served his time out, and died at his home in Brady Township, Williams County, Ohio. Company K-Oliver Pike, died, April 11, 1863, at Bowling Green, Ky.
One Hundred and Eighty-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, Company F-Joseph D. Clark, died December 5, 1864. Madison R. Johnson, died October 10, 1864. Adam Strasbaugh, died August 16, 1864. Lewis W. Rhoads, died September 7, 1870. W. G. Smitley, died November 16, 1864.
Miscellaneous Regiments-Wilson D. Voglesong, Company F, Eight- eenth Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, died June 25, 1862. Ben- jamin Snow enlisted in an Indiana regiment, was wounded at Bull Run, and died in June, 1863, from the effects of the wound, at West Unity, Ohio. William Fisher, Company B, One Hundred and Twenty-first Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died February 12, 1864. Joseph Wasnich, Company A, Eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed at Petersburg, Va., June 17, 1864. Sylvester Fish, Forty-fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, killed at Pleasant Hill, Ga., June 17, 1864. James Fish, Forty- fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, killed June 27, 1864, on Kenesaw Mountain. Albert Betts, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died October 6, 1864. James W. Cook, One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Ohio National Guard Volunteer Infantry, in the 100-day service, died December 8, 1865. Joseph Parker, Company H, Forty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, died December 13, 1865. John F. Ansbaugh, Sixth Ohio Battery, died September 10, 1866. Jacob E. Carmichael, Company K, One Hun- dred and Thirteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for three years, discharged in June, 1863, on account of disability, and died March 18, 1875. Mifflin Hanim enlisted in Sixth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Cav- alry, served three years, and died May 21, 1880. David Grindle enlisted in September, 1861, in Company I, Thirty-sixth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and was discharged April 24, 1864, and re-enlisted in the One Hundred and Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, March 14, 1865, for one year, and was discharged by general order from the War Department; died in December, 1881, at West Unity, Ohio. Shelly Gish, Hoffman's Battery, Company C, Ohio Volunteers, United States Army.
Mexican War-George U. Juillerat entered the regular army Feb- ruary 1, 1848, for one year in the war with Mexico, and died February 1, 1859, at West Unity.
War of 1812-Justice K. Rockwell, died at West Unity. Isaac Ritchey, died at West Unity, in 1879. Joseph Runnion enlisted for three months, served out his time faithfully, and died at West Unity April 15, 1874.
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HISTORY OF WILLIAMS COUNTY.
Revolutionary War-Abraham Hagerman, served in the Revolution, and died in Brady Township.
EXTENT OF PRESENT BUSINESS.
West Unity contains two hotels, one newspaper and job office, three dry goods stores, four grocery and provision stores, one saw mill, one flour- ing mill, one woolen factory, one knitting factory, one dental office, two saloons, two drug stores, five physicians, one planing mill, one oar factory, one cooper shop, two barber shops, one wholesale paper house, two cloth- ing stores, two meat markets, two tin shops, one harness shop, one furni- ture store, one cigar and tobacco store, two cabinet shops, two hardware stores, one photograph gallery, three blacksmith shops, two boot and shoe shops, two livery and feed stables, one bakery, two tailoring establish- ments, two wagon and carriage shops, four carriage painting shops, two millinery and fancy goods stores, one jewelry shop, one musical in- strument and sewing machine dealer, two agricultural implements and farm machinery stores, one carriage store, one bank, one insurance com- pany. Besides these, all the trades are represented by first-class me- chanic -.
MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY.
The Brady Mutual Fire Insurance Company was organized June 12, 1875, but issued no policies until December following. The company was re-organized June 9, 1877, under an act of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, passed March 30, 1877. The company does business in Fulton and Williams Counties, but the business center is located at West Unity, where the officers of the company reside. This company only insure farm property, and no property will be taken that is already insured by any other company. Each member is required to pay 15 cents on every hundred dollars insured when he enters, and then pay his proportion thereafter. The whole number of policies now in force is over nine hundred, and the amount of property at risk over $900,000. The company has been very successful, and the rate of insurance has been quite a saving to the farmers. The present officers are as follows : S. A. Brownwell, President; George W. Money, Treasurer ; William H. Shil- ling, Clerk ; Adam Drum, Ephraim Sears and Adam Knaur, Directors.
HOTELS.
The Pifer House has been the resort of the weary traveler for many years. Everything about the premises is in tip-top shape. and additions and improvements are constantly being made. The house being clean throughout, and having been thoroughly re-fitted and re-furnished with all modern improvements, is one of the most comfortable and cozy stopping-
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places in the country. The landlord, Elwood A. Pifer, is courteous and accommodating to his guests, thereby making them feel at home. In con- nection with this hotel is a first-class feed and livery stable.
The popular Kenyon House was erected in the year 1874. It is a large and commodious building, well arranged to accommodate the travel- ing public, and for entertainment of boarders cannot be excelled by any place in the county. The house is kept by Mrs. S. M. Kenyon, a lady who understands how to keep a first-class house.
UNITY MILL COMPANY.
The flouring-mill and woolen factory in this place are owned by this company. The mills were erected in 1865, by George Rings, L. Grant and others, at a cost of $15,000 for building and machinery. In 1871, Rev. John Poucher bought out Mr. Grant's interest, and has been a mem- ber of the firm ever since. The present owners are George Rings, John Poucher and E. S. Davies. The woolen factory is under the supervision of Mr. M. Kelley, a gentleman who understands the business thoroughly. In 1881, a knitting department was added, in which eight to twelve hands are employed. Some of the finest knitting work in the country is done at this factory. The flouring-mill has a wide reputation for doing good work and taking only such toll as rightly belongs to it. The proprietors, being honest in their dealings, have secured patrons from many miles away. The mill is kept running most of the time, some days grinding as high as two hundred and fifty to three hundred bushels of wheat. New and modern improvements have lately been added, and the mill is now one of the best in the country.
MERCHANDISING.
A. P. Grisier, whose store is in the brick Mason building, on north side of Jackson street, came to West Unity in 1872, and engaged in the grocery and provision trade. In 1877, he purchased the stock of dry goods, clothing, groceries, etc., owned by G. H. Pierce. This stock was sold out in a few months, his sales amounting to as high as $600 a day, and requiring eight or ten clerks to do the work. His present building is in the heart of the town. The general appearance of the store, as well as the countenances of the employes, argue a good business, and the prin- cipal of the firm is daily extending it. He has made his mark upward. Mr. Grisier has also a fine general store at Fayette, Ohio.
Ely & Smith .- This firm is situated in the Hinman Block, and they have one of the finest general stores in Northwestern Ohio. They commenced busi- ness in 1880, and are really the outgrowth of the old firm of Hollington & Elliott, who started in business here in 1860. Mr. Ely was in their employ
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