History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 28

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896

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SURGICAL. DEPARTMENT.

The following physicians from Ashland county served in the army :

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

Isaac L. Crane, M. D., as surgeon in the Twenty-sec- ond regiment, three months in 1861, and in the Sixty- third regiment from October, 1861, to January 28, 1863, when he resigned. He also acted as brigade surgeon.

John Ingram, M. D., as surgeon in the Seventy-fifth from the first of November, 1863, until he resigned.

P. H. Clark, M. D., as assistant surgeon in field hos- pitals from June, 1862, at Farmington and Iuka, Missis- sippi, and temporarily in the Forty-third regiment. In 1863 he was transferred to Cumberland and to Camp Parol prison in Annapolis, Maryland, and remained until fall. In December, 1862, he was appointed pen- sion surgeon, which position he now fills.

Oliver C. McCarty, M. D., acted as assistant surgeon in the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth during the one hun- dred days' service in 1844, and was transferred to the One Hundred and Eighty-first, where his time expired November 2, 1864.

Dr. John D. Skilling acted as assistant surgeou in the hospitals at Cumberland and Clarysville, Maryland, from 1862 to 1865, the close of the war.

NOTE .- In preparing the foregoing sketch of Ashland county in the war, a special effort has been made to secure accuracy and impartial- ity.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

NEWSPAPERS, BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES, AND BANKS.

The Mohican Advocate .-- The Ashland Herald, -The Ohio Globe .- The Western Phoenix, -The Ashland Standard. - The Ashland Democrat .--- The Ohio Union .-- The Ashland Times .- The Inde- pendent .---- The Loudonville AAdvocate .- Masonic Lodges,-Odd . Fellows .- The First National Bank .- The Farmers' Bank .- The Loudonville Bank.

THE Mohican Advocate and Hanover Journal is be- lieved to have been the first newspaper published within the present, limits of Ashland county. The office was established in Loudonville, in October, 1834. The editor and proprieto: was a Mr. Rogers. The paper failed after the issue of the sixth number, and further opera- tions were suspended. The sparseness of the settlement and the limited number of subseribers no doubt contrib- uted to the failure.

The Ashland Herald appeared December 30, 1834, some three months after the Londonville Adercate, and was published by J. C. Gilkison. It was neutral in poli- tics. The Herald continued some eight or nine months, and suspended. It seems to have had a fair share of advertising. We find in its list the names of [. M. Pratt, P. M., Cranger & Campbell, merchants, S. Moulton, merehant, John P. Rejnor, insurance agent, Rejvor, I.u- ther & Deming, merchants, A. W. Melsheimer, Golden Eagle hotel, etc.

The Ohio Globe was established by Joshua H. Ruth, in Ashland, a few weeks after the suspension of the Herald. It was the advocate of Democratic principles.

In 1836 it sustained the nomination of Martin Van Buren for the presidency. The advertisers in the Globe were William Wasson, tanner; Ruth & Jacobs, merchants; Rejnor & Luther, merchants; Hugh Davis, tanner ; Samuel B. Whiting, carpenter; Granger & Lang, mer- chants; R. P. Fulkerson, blacksmith. The Globe lived about one year.

The Western Phoenix was established by Thomas White and Samuel McClure, now jadge of common pleas, of Akron, Ohio, a short time prior to the close of the presidential campaign of 1836. It was the advocate of the principles of the National Whigs, and sustained the nomination of General W. H. Harrison. It survived until sometime in 1837, and suspended because of finan- cial embarrassments.

The Ashland Standard was established by R. V. Ken- nedy, in the spring of 1846, after the organization of - Ashland county. It was intended to be the exponent of the bank wing of the Democratic party, as opposed to a hard eurreney, and was conducted with spirit and ability until the spring of 1849, when it suspended, and Mr. Kennedy removed west.

The Ashland Democrat was established by William A. Hunter and Jonathan Moffett, in the spring of 1846. The Democrat was the advocate of the most ultra, or hard currency, wing of the Democratie party. A bitter and protracted personal warfare was at once initiated, between the editors of the Democrat and Standard. Mr. Kennedy was a racy and accomplished writer, and a practical printer; while Messrs. Hunter & Moffett were attorneys, and had no knowledge of the printing business. They were unaccustomed to the du- ties of editorial life. The editorial department of - the Democrat, therefore, failed in ability and polish. Mr. Hunter, in his best moods, resented, with a good deal of strength, the ironical assaults of his neighbor. In Feb- ruary, 1848, Mr. Hunter sold his interest in the Democra? to Mr. Moffett, and removed to Williams county, Ohio.

In April, 1848, Mr. H. S. Knapp, of the Kalida Ven- ture, purchased from Mr. Moffett the Democrat, and from William T. Jackson, the Standard: and, having blended the material, changed the names of the papers to the Ohio Union. He continued to edit and publish the Union until the fall of 1853, when the paper was purchased by Dr. John Sheridan, and Mr. Knapp took charge of the Ohio State Democrat, at Columbus, Ohio.

In November, 1855, Collins W. Bush nell purchased the Ohio Union, and changed the name to the Ashland Union, and continued to edit and publish it until his decease, in :856.

In January, 1857, Mr. H. S. Knapp, having returned from Columbus, re-purchased the establishment, and continued its publication until May 30, 1860, when it was purchased by John J. Jacobs. Mr. Knapp declined to support the nomination of Stephen A. Douglass. pre ferring the platform and principles upon which John C. Breckenridge was nominated. Not desiting to enter the campaign, and having many fears as to the future peace of the country, Mt. Knapp preferred to enter, for the time being, the ranks of private life.

115

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

The Union was edited and published by J. J. and F. S. Jacobs for about two years, and John W. McCord became part proprietor. In the fall of 1864, John W. McCord, Benjamin F. Nelson, and John M. Landis, be- came the proprietors, J. J. and F. S. Jacobs retiring. McCord and Nelson soon alter retiring, the paper be- came the property of John M. and James H. Landis, brothers, who continued to edit and publish the same until April 1, 1868, when the concern was purchased by Dr. George W. Hill.

Dr. Hill continued to edit and publish the paper, un- der the name of the States and . Union, until August I, 1872. During the stormy political contests of 1868 to 1872, the question was, "Shall we have such a Union as was intended by the instrumentality of the constitution bequeathed us by our fathers, or shall the old Union be ignored and exchanged for a military gov- ernment, subject to the whims of future military des- pots ?" Pending reconstruction, after the conquests of the war of 1861-'5, the States and Union was the advo- cate of the equality of the States, the liberty of speech, the freedom of the press and the maintenance of the Union.

August 1, 1872, the States and Union was purchased by Messrs. Benjamin F. Nilson and William H. Gates, of Ashland. These gentlemen again changed the name of the paper to the Press. Alberson & Heltman are the present proprietors. The paper has a large list of subscribers, and is well supported. It is Democratic.

The Ashlander was established by William B. Mc- Carty, in the summer of 1850, and continued two years under his management. The press and material, after the suspension of the Ashlander, at the close of the presidential campaign of 1852, passed into the posses- sion of L. J. Sprengle. The Ashlander was a Whig journal.

The Ashland Times succeeded the Ashlander as a Whig organ in July, 1853, L. J. Sprengle being the pro- prietor, and William Osborn, editor. In 1855 Mir. Os- born retired, and was succeeded by Josiah Locke, as editor. He continued to edit the Times until 1857, when Mr. Sprengle became the editor and proprietor, Mr Locke having removed to another part of the State. Mr. Sprengle, November 15, 1875, sold the Times to J. C. Stubb, & Co. J. C. Stubbs & Brother are the pres- ent editors and proprietors.

The Independent, neutral, of Londonville, was estab- lislied in 1867 by Rev. Robert Lockhart, and continued until the fall of 1874, when the paper was transferred to Mansfeld, where, in a few months, it suspended publi- cation. The Independent was the organ of temperance reform and prohibition, and was very extreme in its ideas:

The Loudonville Advocate, neutral, was established by Joshna H. Ruth in the fall of 1872, and is still published by him as editor and proprietor. It is a neat and hand- somely printed journal, and contains a fine selection ot reading matter each week. Mr. Ruth is one of the old !- est practical printers in this part of the State, having ed. ited the Ohio Globe at Ashland in 1835-6.

In the summer of 1875 the Hayesville Journal, neu- tral, was established, Mr. J. B. Paine, editor, and E. T. Fairchilds, local editor. The paper is owned by a joint stock company. It has a patent outside, is next in ap- pearance, and contains eight pages. The Journal is in- tended to forward the interests of the Vermillion Insti- tute, and is mainly devoted to literature and news.

BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. MASONIC LODGES.

Hanover Lodge, No. 115, at Loudonville, was estab- lished by a dispensation from the Grand lodge in 1843, George H. Stewart, Adolph Klemm, Nathaniel Haskell, John Ewalt, W. J. Cullen, P. B. Griffith, E. B. Fuller, and Jacob Booth, being petitioners. On the evening of Oc- tober 28, 1844, the first regular officers were installed. They were, George H. Stewart, W. M .; N. Haskell, S. W .; P. B. Griffith, j. W .; W. J. Cullen, S. W .; E. B, Fulier, S. D .; A. Klemm, J. D .; Jacob Booth, Treas .; - , Sec .; L. E. Huston, T. At that time there were fifteen members. The lodge now contains about seventy-five members.

Ashland Lodge, No. 154, was established by a dispen- sation of the Grand lodge, which met at Zanesville Octo- ber 19, 1846, Charles R. Deming, Lorin Andrews, Ben- - jamin F. Whitney, William A. Hunter, Luther M. Pratt, James McNulty, Bela B. Clark, George W. Urie, Sage Kellogg, and Wells Kellogg being petitioners. Charles R. Deming was appointed first M., Lorin. Andrews, first S. W., and B. F. Whitney, first J. W. At a meeting held May 7, 1847, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The first lodge met in the third story of the county jail until 1859, when the lodge was transferred to the Miller building, on Main street, where it remained until 1875. when a new room was completed and occupied in the Cowan block, on the corner of Main and Orange streets. Ashland lodge now contains about one hundred mem- bers.

Ashland Chapter, No. 67, was formed by a warrant of dispensation granted by the M. E. G. H. Priest, to com- panions C. R. Deming, G. W. Urie, R. H. Chubb, H. Humphrey, Wells Kellogg, Henry Spafford, Andrew Miller, H. D. Ruth, and Daniel Campbell, June 13, 1855. Rev. Rolla H. Chubb was appointed first. H. P .; Charles R. Deming, the first K .; and George W. Urie, the first S. The chapter occupied the lodge room in the jail, until it was transferred to the John Miller hall, on Main street. The first meeting was held June 19, 1855. The chapter adopted a constitution and by- laws, which were approved by the Grand Chapter Octo- ber 2, 1872. The stated meetings are held on the first Tuesday evening of every month. .

Sullivan Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 313, was chartered October 20, 1859. The charter members were: Harlow P. Sage, George W. Kilburn, DeWitt Prince, Alexander Masters, Henry Someners, James Beever. John Camp- beil, A. Il. Palmer, Thomas Parker, Shadrach Bn r. Calvin Bryan, Leonard Brown, C. B. Houck, Daniel Campbell, jr., and Hiram Thurston. The present num ber of members is about fifty.

116

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

ODD FELLOWS.

The dispensation for Mohican Lodge, No. 85, of the Independent Order of Old Fellows, at Ashland, was granted by the Grand lodge of the State of Ohio, to Matthew Clugston, James Sloan, Jackson Wolverton, John Clark, S. and J. Hayes, and John Musser, petition- ers, December 26, 1846. The lodge was organized May 10, 1847, by Thomas C. McEwen, D. D. G. M. ; but five members were present. The first officers were: John Clark, N. G .; Jackson Wolverton, V. G .; John Musser, R. S .; H. J. Hayes, P. S .; James Sloan, Treas. The lodge room was in the third story of the Boffen- myre, or Freer, block, on the north side of Main street, below the Miller house, until 1875, when it was trans- forred to a new and ciegant room over the First National bank, ou the corner of Orange and Main streets. The present number of members is ninety.

Concord Lodge, No. 325, at Hayesville, was estab- lished by a dispensation from the Grand lodge of Ohio, May 14, 1857, J. Kinninger, William L. Smith, William G. Galioway, Nicholas McCool, and M. Mclaughlin peti- tioners. The lodge was instituted July 27, 1857, by R. W. G. Alexander E. Glenn. The first officers were: Joseph Kinninger, N. G .; W. L. Smith, V. G .; M. Mc- Laughlin, recording secretary; W. G. Galloway, treasurer. The present membership is about sixty.

Sylvan Lodge, No. 240, was established at Loudonville, by charter from the Grand lodge of the State of Ohio, April 20, 1854, John Taylor, David E. Stockman, A. P. Mather, C. Hilderbrand, and Aaron Yarnell petitioners. The lodge is in a flourishing condition. The members are mostly of German descent, and number about sixty.

BANKS.

The First National bank of Ashland originated in the "Ashland Bank," an institution of discount and deposit, established in 1851, under the name and style of Luther, Crall & Co .-- the partners then being Hulbert Luther, Jacob Crall, James Purdy, William S. Granger, George H. Topping, and Jacob O. Jennings. The insti- tution was ably managed until 1863, when, under a law of Congress, it was merged into the First National bank of Ashland, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, so- cured in United States bonds deposited in the treasury at Washington. It was authorized, under the law, to is- sue bank notes to the amount of forty-five thousand dol- lars, for circulation. The First National bank has been wisely managed, and sustains a high reputation as a bus- iness institution. Its quarterly statements show that its resources are ample to meet promptly all its liabilities. For the quarter ending December 31, 1875, the total amount of its resources was four hundred and fifty-three thousand five hundred and ninety-two dollars and ninety cents. This sum includes loons ard discounts, two hundred and sixty-nine thousand nine hundred and forty dollars and fifty-eight cents; United States bonds, sixty thousand and Afty dollars: due from other banks, thirty-two thousand five hundred and thirteen dollars and forty six cents; due from United States treasury, two thousand two hundred and fifty dollars; banking house, 1

safe, and fixtures, forty thousand dollars; other real es- tate, three thousand four hundred and fifty-seven dollars and fifty cents: expenses, and cash on hand, forty-five thousand three hundred and eighty-one dollars and thirty-six cents. The present stockholders are: Ashland -- Jacob Crail, J. H. McCombs, Jonas Freer, J. O. Jen- nings, Sherman W. Becr, L. J Sprengle, R. D. Freer, Jacob Cohn, William Osborn; Mansfield -- William Bird and Nancy Mitchell; Loudonville -- J. H. Sanborn. Jacob O. Jennings, president; Joseph Patterson, cashier.

The Farmer's bank was established in Ashland in the summer of 1875, and is owned by Jonas and Randolph Freer, brothers, the former being president and the latter vice-president. The liability of the stockholders is un- limited. It is a bank of discount and deposit. It is lo- cated on the south side of Main street, three doors west of the town hall building. N. B. Dressler is cashier.

The Loudonville bank was organized about the year 1867, by a joint stock company as a bank of discount and deposit, Nathaniel Haskell being the principal stockholder and president. At his deccase, a nephew, Mr. George C. Haskell, by will of Nathaniel Haskeli, became the prin- cipal stockholder and manager of the bank. At his decease, in January, 1875, the institution was reorgan- ized under the name and style of the Loudonville Bank- ing company, with a capital and assets of three hundred thousand dollars. G. Schauweker, president; William Garrett, vice-president, and J. L. Quick, cashier.

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CHAPTER XXXVIII.

STATISTICS.

The Population of Acbland County .-- The Value of Real and Persona! Property .- The Industries of the County .-- The Amount of Tos- ption .- The Future of the County.

THE population of the county has fluctuated con- siderably in the last twenty years. This is attributable to many causes, among which is the late war. Prior to 186, the size of farms averaged from forty to ove hun- dred and sixty acres. There were also many families oc- cupying small farms At the opening of the war, and during its progress, the major part of the able bodied young and middle aged men entered the service. For the first eight years after the opening of the contest, a'l tbe surplus products of the farmers commanded unusual- ly high prices, and the agriculturalist was enabled to purchase the smaller farms adjoining the homestead. The inferior buildings, previously erected thereon, were re- moved or destroyed. The result was, that at the close of the war hundreds of returning soldiers were compelled to quarter in the villages and towns, or remove from the county. This and the mortalny attending the war, reduced the population about two thousand in the de. cennial period between 1860 and 1870. 'The voluntary migration of a portion of our people westward is another

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HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

cause. The actual population of the county by town- ships, in ISSo, is as follows:

Montgomery, including towns .4,628

Orange,

1,451

Vermillon,

.2,200 .2,289

Giren,

HI mover, 2,317

1,488

Perry.

1,493

Mohican,

1,695

Lake, .. 886

Mifflin,

8.49

Milton, 1,194

Clearcreek, 1,154

Ruggles, .. 726

'froy, =

715

Sullivan, :

817

Total .. 23,811 The population of Ashland city, Montgomery townsbip .... . 3.004

From the first settlement of the territory now con- stituting Ashland county, the people have progressed quite rapidly in all that contributes to their intelligence, prosperity and contentment. The agriculturalist oc- cupies fertile lands that yield abundantly; and few counties, of the same area, can exhibit more culture and wealth. The county is estimated to contain two hun- dred and sixty-seven thousand four hundred and forty- three acres of land, which is divided as follows:

Lands subject to annual cultivation, including villages ACRES.

and towns. 160,359

Meadows and pasture lands. 31,891

Wood and uncultivated lands 75,190

The value of these lands in 1874.

$ 6,045 010

Value of estate in towns.

1,067,034

Value of chattel property. 4,247.987

· Total.

$13,360,031

The actual cash value of the real and personal pro- perty will exceed twenty million dollars. The best farm lands sell readily from sixty dollars to one hundred dol- lars per acre, depending somewhat upon their location.

The question of taxation is one of much importance to a free people. Taxes, economically expended, in the enforcement of just and equitable laws, cannot be the subject of criticism and complaint on the part of the tax payer. The grand duplicate of Ohio shows that in 1874 Ashland county was required to pay the following taxes : For State sinking fund $ 10,688 02

For general revenue 6,680 02

For asylum fund.

12,024 02

For common school fund. 13.350 03

For county purposes.

16,033 04

For poor purposes.

8,016 02

Fer bridge purposes

9.352 02

For road purposes

12,287 =7

For township purposes

8,453 33

For township and sub-district school-house and for school purposes

51,669 17

For other special taxes

For city, town, and village ... 10,710 41

Total. $162,874 55

It will be seen that much the greater proportion of this amount arises in local taxation. It will, therefore, be, in the future, a question for the economist to investi- gate and settle so as to prevent abuses in that direction.

Very few men fally appreciate the effect of adding five or ten mills to the aggregate of taxation, but when the sub- ject is fairly presented, and the effect of such increase shown, it will be less difficult to enforce lessons of economy.

No subject can be more interesting than that of the industries of the county. The prosperity and happiness of the people depend largely upon the industry, frugality and intelligence of the farmer and mechanic. Let us look at some of the results of each of these branches of industry :

VALUE.

Horses, 8,507.

5+1,743

Cattle, 21,200

293,245

Males, 89. 3,850

Sheep, 56, 154. 1 |0,210

Hogs, 20. 131. 48,831

Carriages, 4, 178

168,170

Watches, 955.

15,853

Pianos . .

24,225

Merchants' stock

201,945

Manufacturers' stock

74.540

Non-taxable bonds

16.805

Moneys

410,384

Book's credits

1, 151,162

Stocks not taxable 4.000

Dogs taxed, 825. 4.150

Banks and other corporations 2,399. 154

Other taxable personal property. 276,565

Total. $4, 164,0448

This is a stupendous sum, but falls short of the ac- tual value of the property enumerated perhaps a half million of dollars. This discrepancy arises from the fact that no property is valued at its actual cash value for taxation. There are other branches of industry equally interesting to all classes ; and we will now give further details.

The following are the products for 1874 :

Wheat, acres. 24,727 bushels. 386,444 $366.444

Corn,

21,512 =

725,830. 435.498

Onts,

15.533

454.988.

232,494

Barley,

229

3.711. 3.711

Irisl: potatoes,

915

63,718. . 50.974

1,096. 1,09h

Hay

16,143 tons

15.091. 112,537

Clover

.. 14.287 bush. seed 4.450. 17.82.4

Fl.ex

1,666 "

9.873

19.740

'Tobacco,

pounds, 30.

Butter,

6.44.897

128. 979

Cheese,

1.033,668

105.300

Sorghum, gallons, 532

532

Maple sugar, pounds,

51 577. 3.410

Maple molasses, gallons, 10.833

251,821 100,720

Apples,

bushels,

184,274 45.453

Peaches,

130.

320

Pears,

1, 355.

1.356

Grapes,

pounds,

156,720

04.03-

Wine, gallons,

172

250

Total $1,757.200

The greater proportion of the foregoing products is sold and consumed within the limits of the county. From these exhibits it will be seen that the occupation of our people is largely agricultural. It is true, that the manufacture of wool, leather, and machinery, forms a part of the industries of our people; and it would be

1.231 . 1.231

Rye.

350

Sweet

Wool, pounds,

3.602 15

Jackson,

HISTORY OF ASHLAND COUNTY, OHIO.

interesting to give those items, if it were possible to ob- tain the figures. In gathering statistics, these items have been overlooked by statisticians, and we deprived the pleasure of their publication.

In conclusion, it will be seen that while our people possess fertile lands, pure water, and a healthful climate, they are rapidly advancing in all the arts of civilization, and can look with pride to the future.

CHAPTER XXXIX. MEDICINE AND LAW.

The Early Physicians .- A List of Those who have Practiced in the County. - Medical Societies. - Ashland County Lawyers.

THE history of Ashland county would be incomplete without a notice of the learned professions. The healing art is the custodian of the highest interests of the people, and the educated physician, properly devoted to his profession, has it within his power to contribute largely to the elevation of society. It has been truly observed, that every scholar realizes, in whatever direction his energies may be employed, there is still much beyond his reach, and, that in advancing, he discerns ever more clearly his own mental deficiencies. This is especially true of the learned and accomplished physician. None but the charlatan or mountebank rushes in where the accomplished physician would hesitate to advance. So long, therefore, as the people place more value upon a horse or a cow than upon the life of a human being, professional accomplishments will be antagonized by the sounding clatter and impositions of the pretender. If a farmer have a house, a barn or a mill to construct, he seeks to employ a skilful and trustworthy mechanic. If a member of his family becomes ill, why not act upon the same principle, and employ the educated physician ? The charlatan always finds friends, and those who prac- tice delusions and impositions in medicine, are ingeni- ons in the adoption of means to entrap the credulous. Their nostrums, like the frogs of Egypt, are ennitied into the very bread-trays of alinost every family. It is in vain that true men warn the public against the flattering deceptions practiced by patent nostrum venders.

For the first six or eight years after the pioneers began to locate along the rich valleys of this county, they were compelled, in critical cases, to go to Wooster, Mt. Ver- non, or Mansfield, for a physician.

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History of Ashland County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches, Part 28

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros Publication date: 1880 Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams Number of Pages: 896

Author: Hill, George William, b. 1823; Williams Bros
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: [Cleveland] Williams
Number of Pages: 896