USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > History of Ashtabula County, Ohio > Part 56
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There is a school connected with this church, and a fine brick edifice has been erected for it within the past year. The names of the priests are Revs. John Tracy and E. J. Conway.
The St. Joseph's temperance society connected with this ehureh has been pro- ductive of great good. A large number, old and young, are members, and it is the oldest existing temperance organization in the place.
SOCIETIES.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
Rev. Mr. Badger and Mr. Matthew Hubbard were the first early and open ad- vocates of temperance in this place. Rev. John Hall says, " Intemperance gained ground, however, until 1828, when the evil received a serious check from he discountenance of influential citizens, and from the refusal of merchants and inn-keepers to sell liquor by the drachm or small measure."
For years there was but one distillery in operation where there had been from five to seven."
There was a temperance society in the place in 1834.
The Sons of Temperance had an organization in the place, which was established August 16, 1848, and continued until the fall of 1855.
The most remarkable movement, however, was that of the " Women's crusade," in 1875. This took place in connection with the same movement in other parts of the country. The meetings for prayer were held in the lecture-room of the Congregational church, and women, members of the various churches, marched thenee to the different saloons and places of business where liquor was sold. They sang hymns and prayed in each place, but where they were not ad- mitted knelt on the sidewalk in front, and offered up fervent prayers.
As a temperance effort it produced a marked impression. It was novel and strange, and though there are conflicting opinions in regard to whether the movement on the whole proved really beneficial to the cause of temperance, none would question the very excellent motives of the participants.
It is difficult to say how the effort commenced here, except that the movement elsewhere led to the appointment of the meeting of prayer, and after two or three meetings of this kind the ladies determined to enter upon the " Crusade." It should be said, however, that Mrs. Sarah K. Bolton, of Cleveland, a lady of great refinement and of much influence, was present, and led the procession the first day. This was early in the spring; subsequently, the pastors held union meetings on Sabbath evenings. Some of the citizens, also, organized a society, in which large sums of money were pledged for the suppression of the traffic. Mass-meetings were also held, and were largely attended, at which addresses were made by prominent citizens, such as Judge Sherman, Theodore Hall, Esq., and others.
The proprietors of the drug-stores voluntarily sent in written pledges to avoid selling liquors as a beverage.
The ladies, also, presented a remonstranee to the common council, requesting that the saloons be closed by law. The final decision, however, took place at the polls. The largest vote ever registered oeeurred. The issue was on the passage of the McConnelsville ordinance. A small majority was polled, adverse to the passage of the ordinauee, and this ended the public effort ; but the ladies continued their meetings, and an organization that extended through the county was secured. This continued until the " new phase" of temperance appeared. Iu 1877, the National Christian temperance union was organized here. A branch of this was established in this place, under the leadership of Messrs. McCoy, Laing, Jaequess, and others. Mass-meetings were held, and were largely attended, and about twenty-one hundred names were seeured as signers of the pledge.
The society has continued up to this time with great success and popularity. They have a reading-room, and mueh good has been accomplished.
FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
Rising Sun Lodge, No. 22, which is the pioneer of this order in the county, held its first meeting at the house of Benjamin Sweets, in Austinburg, ou Tues-
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HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
day, April 17, 1813, where were present Jno. R. Reed, W. M .; Ezra Kellogg, S. W .; Gad Loveland, J. W .; Gideon Leet, Treas .; Jno. M. Brown, Sec. ; Joshua Woodworth, S. D. ; Manoah Hubbard. J. D. ; Joshua Vidette, Tyler, and some half-dozen brethren. On the 27th day of the subsequent May a meeting was held at the house of Nathan Strong. Subsequently the lodge con- vened at the house of Ezra Kellogg. This body continued to hold regular com- munications until the year 1831, when it ecased labor, the lodge-furniture being placed for safe-keeping in the hands of George C. Loveland. Many of our readers will remember the insane excitement which then convulsed the county. Mr. Loveland retained the property until 1845. in which year the lodge resumed labor. The present charter bears date October 23 of that year, with the follow- ing names : William W. Reed. R. W. Griswold. Samuel Gifford, David Warner, E. W. Mcad, George C. Loveland. V. Hubbard. Rev. John Hall, George Ford, John Rattle, J. B. Watrous, and Josiah Allen. Geo. C. Loveland was W. M., Josiah Allen, S. W .. and Samuel Gifford, J. W. The lodge has prospered finely since the above datc. and, although it has been the parent of many of the lodges in the county, yet has a membership of one hundred. with a library of some two hundred volumes. The officers for 1878 are Geo. Hall, W. M .; A. O. Amsden, S. W .: D. Sloan. J. W. ; H. Loveland, Treas; Henry H. Hall, Sec .; W. H. Bevington, S. D .; J. H. Mann. J. D .; R. C. Warmington, Tyler; and L. C. Newell and C. O. Tinker. Stewards. Regular communications, second and fourth Tuesdays of each month.
Western Reserve Chapter, No. 65. R. A. M .- The charter of this. also the pioneer in the county, is dated March 5, 1855. and bears upon its face many fa- miliar names. The following is the entire list : George C. Loveland, Moses Dick- ison, Samuel Gifford, Amasa Tyler, F. J. Jones, N. B. Prentice, G. H. Turner, William Willard, H. H. Collins, H. Guthrie. L. D. Kellogg. Henry Guthrie, Jr., Otis Burgess. George C. Loveland was its first H. P .; F. J. Jones, K .; and D. D. Kellogg, S. The membership at present numbers sixty. Officers for 1578: A. L. Rodgers, H. P .; Geo. Hall. K .; E. C. Upson, S. ; A. O. Amsden, C. H .; L. C. Newell, P. S .; P. B. Perigo. R. A. C .; L. K. Amsden, M. 3d V .; C. O. Tinker, MI. 2d V. ; J. M. Wilcox, M. 1st V .; John Ducro, Treas. ; Henry H, Hall, Sce. ; R. C. Warmington, Guard; L. C. Newell and Geo. Hall, Stewards. Stated convocations on the first Wednesday evening of each week. Both bodies meet in Masonic hall, corner Main and Spring streets.
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD-FELLOWS.
Western Reserve Lodge, No. 59, was instituted on the 6th day of March, 1846, with the following charter members : J. I. Post. C. J. Porter, N. M. Fisher, J. S. Fassett, William E. Fowler, J. C. Stoddard, Spencer Shears, and Alfred Hendry. The officers at that time were John I. Post. N. G. ; Spencer Shears, V. G. ; and J. C. Stoddard, Sec. The officers for 187s are William H. Brown, N. G .; George Steere, V. G .; George Palmer, Sec. ; Robert Harris Penn, Sec. ; and W. A. Woodbury, Treas. The membership is seventy-five. Stated meetings, Friday evening of each week. in Odd-Fellows' hall, Williar's block.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Paulus Post, No. 4, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized April 20, 1877. The charter members are as follows: James Shepard, William Seivors, J. A. Gifford, B. F. Sweet, D. J. Smith. G. A. Knapp, T. H. Seivors, J. W. Rowland, A. D. Strong. Omar Gillett, H. H. Bartlett. Jas. K. Stebbins, B. F. Edy. A. F. Sperry, R. C. Warmington, R. W. Hilliard, N. P. Baker, I. D. Cham- berlain, and S. A. Squires. Officers at organization : A. F. Sperry, Com .; J. D. Chamberlain, S. V .; M. P. Baker, J. V .; A. D. Strong, Adjt. ; J. K. Stebbins, Q. M .; Omar Gillett, Chap .; H. H. Bartlett, Surgeon ; B. H. Rickard, O. D .; T. H. Seivors, O. G. Nights of meetings, Wednesday of each week. This post is in a fine condition financially, and is doing much to promote the best in- terests of the order. The membership is forty-four. The officers for 1878 are as follows : A. F. Sperry, Com. ; Albert Henry, S. V .; J. W. Rowland, J. V .; F. A. Pettibone, Adjt .; J. K. Stebbins, Q. M .; Dr. H. H. Bartlett, Surg .; Omar Gillett, Chap .; B. H. Rickard, O. D .; T. H. Seivors, O. G .; D. D. Burnett, S. M .; B. F. Sweet, Q. M. Sergt.
MANUFACTURING.
The first view of the village of Ashtabula, as a manufacturing town, is one presented only a few years after its settlement.
We can picture to ourselves the little hamlet situated in the midst of the forest and along the steep banks of the river,-oue on the east side and one on the west side and one at the Harbor. At this time all of the manufactories of the town were confined to a single grist-mill. This was inconveniently situated and rudely constructed. It was located at the bottom of the hill, in the neighborhood of the spot where MIr. Fuller's livery-stable stands. It was so built beneath the banks
that it was impossible to reach it with teams, but those who carried their grists to it were accustomed to slide their bags down an inclined plane to the door, and then when the grist was ground to draw it up the ascent by mere force. The mill was built by a Mr. Gillman, in the year 1806, and was subsequently owned by Mr. Hubbard, and by hin suad to Amos Fisk, but did not long continue in its place. In 1809 a saw-mill was also erected on Hubbard run, by Matthew and Manoah Hubbard. This was also a primitive structure and yet did good service, from which the settlers obtained their lumber for several years.
In the year 1825 it is said that no less than six distilleries could be seen within the radius of one mile from the village tavern.
Prior to this time the centre of trade was upon the east side of the creek, but at about this date an impetus was given to the business of the west village, consequent, in part, upon the removal first of the post-office and then of the stage- offices ; several new business houses were opened, and the west side obtained an advantage over the east side which it ever afterwards tenaciously held.
The tannery business was one of the leading industries in the early history of Ashtabula, and several of the best citizens of the place were connected with it. In 1817. Mr. Matthew Hubbard crected at the Ox-bow, on Ashtabula creek, a saw-mill, and soon after a carding-mill. Both of these, especially the latter, were of great benefit to the early settlers. Prior to this time the people were com- pelled to obtain their cloth at the cost of great labor and time. The flax and wool had to be prepared and the eloth manufactured from them by hand, and the method was tedious and laborious. This carding-mill was hence a great blessing to the people. It continued iu operation for many years, uutil finally woolen manufactories were established.
A saw-mill, owned by Mr. Hall Smith, up to about 1825 stood where the Fisk & Silliman mill now stands.
The building of vessels became an important branch of industry at an early day, aud furnished employment to a great many men. From 1815 to 1825 there was about an average of one vessel per year built at this place.
THE MANUFACTURES OF ASHTABULA
were written up by Mr. A. F. Sperry, the editor of The Ashtabula News, for 1873-74. We borrow from his record the following particulars, supplementing it with other and later facts pertaining to the manufacturing interests :
The Ashtabula Mills, Messrs. Fisk, Silliman & Co., proprietors -The present company purchased the mills some twelve years ago. The building was put up about thirty-two years ago by E. Harmon. It was built of cobble-stones found on the farm of the builder. The size is 50 by 65, and is four stories high ; beside this an engine-house 15 by 45, one story high, and a warehouse two stories high, 30 by 70, and a shed containing seventy stalls. For water-power there are four American turbines; beside these there is an eighty horse-power steam-engine. There are four run of stone, two with four aud a half foot buhrs, aud two with four foot buhrs.
The mills can run by water-power ten months in a year with nine foot head.
The sales of flour will run to nearly two hundred thousand dollars per year. This mill, with its predecessors, is the oldest manufacturing establishuient of the place.
The Phoenix Iron- Works .- Reuben Tower was the original proprietor of the Ashtabula steam-foundry, and carried on business just north of the Ashtabula, Jamestown, and Franklin railroad-crossing, for a number of years. January 1, 1845, he sold the business to J. B. Crosby, who removed the same to the present location of the Ashtabula armory-building. Here he carried on this industry, for twenty years, and then sold out to Messrs. Morteagle & Hill. In 1872; Messrs. Seymour, Strong & Sperry, then the proprietors of the Phoenix foundry, purchased Morteagle & Hill's business, and removed it to the Phoenix foundry and merged it with that business.
In the year 1850, Messrs. Oshill & Chapin erected the old Phoenix foundry- building near the present site of Thorp & Pfaff's carriage-works, and carried on the foundry business until 1852, when Rice & Butler became their successors. In 1857, Johu B. Galpin became the owner. In 1860, Galpin sold to Miles Rice. In 1869, Rice sold to Seymour & Strong, and in 1872 this firm was en- larged by the admission of O. B. Sperry. Thus did Seymour, Strong & Sperry become the exclusive proprietors of the foundry business in Ashtabula. This firm continued the business until 1873, when C. O. Tinker purchased Mr. Sey- mour's interest, and Mr Sperry having previously purchased Mr. Strong's in- terest, the firm now came to be Tinker & Sperry. In January, 1874, Mr. Tinker bought Mr. Sperry's interest. A short time prior to this, Mr. Tinker had as- sociated himself with Mr. Frank Gregory, for the purpose of carrying on the foundry and machine business, and had selected as a location the present site of the Phoenix works on Fisk street. Mr. Tinker consolidated the old Phoenix busi- uess with that of Tinker & Gregory. The business was couducted in the old
PHOENIX IRONWORKS CO
OMU N D RY
PHOENIX IRON WORKS CO.
S
5
M. S
PHOENIX IRON WORKS, LOCATED ON FISK ST. NEAR A.Y. & P. R.R. DEPOT. ASHTABULA, OHIO.
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HISTORY OF ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO.
Phoenix building until the present new and elegant buildings on Fisk strect, near the Ashtabula, Youngstown and Pittsburgh depot, were erected at a cost of eleven thousand eight hundred and fifty-five dollars. This was in November, 1874. Tinker & Gregory having removed the foundry, tools, and fixtures to the new shops, continued the business until December 15, 1876, when they sold out to the incorporated company known as the Phoenix iron-works company. Present officers are : President, Charles Tinker; Superintendent and Manager, C. O. Tinker; Secretary and Treasurer, O. B. Clark. A view of the works of this important manufacturing industry may be scen in this volume.
E. A. Hitchcock's Buildings, situated on Prospect street, on line of Ashtabula, Youngstown and Pittsburgh Railroad, which are occupied by him in the manu- facture of butcher's skewers, by McGuire Brothers & Company in builders' and carriage hardware, and by Snyder & Harris, bent shafts, etc., were completed and first put in operation in June, 1877, and occupy an aggregate space of one hun- dred and thirty-four feet by two hundred and sixty-four feet ; the entire cost of which was ten thousand dollars. The aggregate power of the three engines used iu propelling the combined machinery of the entire concern is one hundred horse. The proprietor of the buildings has two thousand dollars invested in the business, employs fifteen hands, and turns out eight thousand skewers per day. McGuire Brothers & Company have a capital invested of fifteen thousand dollars, ten of which is in machinery.
A. G. Snyder's Establishment .- His manufactory of shafts and poles began in Ashtabula about 1867. Mr. Snyder then had only two thousand dollars capital and employed two hands. His business in 1873 amounted to over thirty thousand dollars a year. He now occupies the brick building which is still called " Hitch- cock's shop," but which has nothing in common with the old establishment. Mr. Snyder buys the best selected hickory, and keeps a large quantity on hand all the time for use. The shafts are first sawed to outline shape, then planed, then steamed, and then undergo the operation of beuding. Mr. Snyder uscs au ap- paratus of his own invention, with which three mnen can knock off and bend one pair of shafts per minute. One hundred of these forms are now in use. A round- ing-machine then takes the shafts and rounds off the corners. Formerly this work was done by hand with hard labor at the rate of one dozen pair a day per man. Machinery does the work, and men are left to scholarly pursuits. The establishment now turns out fifteen dozen pair of shafts per day and finishes ten dozen pair a day. About twenty workmen are engaged.
L. M. Crosby's Fanning- Mill and Wash-Board Manufactory .- Is situated on Elm street, and represents a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. This includes building, machinery, and real estate. The making of fanning-mills was begun by the present proprietor in the year 1858, when he turned out fifty mills, which were made entirely by hand. From this the business rapidly increased, and machinery was soon added. In the year 1867 his facilities for production had so iucreased that he was able to manufacture twelve hundred and fifty mills. So much for industry and energy. The average number of workmen employed in this establishment is ten ; average monthly pay-roll, four hundred dollars. The propelling power is a twenty-horse engine. The wash-board branch is yet in its infancy, but promises great results. Some two thousand dozen have already been sold, and they are rapidly increasing in favor. There is also a planing-mill in connection. This is conducted under the firm-name of Crosby & Newell, the junior partner having supervision of this department.
Ohio Mills-Flour and Feed Establishment .- This manufactory, which is shown in another part of this volume, is located on Centre street, at the crossing of the A. J. and F. and A. Y. and P. R. R., first began business on the 13th day of January, 1876, with only a single run of stone for grinding feed, etc. ; was operated in this manner for about one year, when another run was added, and with improved machinery for both merchant and custom grinding. The engine is of thirty-five horse-power, and cost, with machinery, four thousand five hun- dred dollars. They manufacture three grades of flour, and do an aggregate yearly business of ten thousand dollars, with perhaps one-half of that amount merchant grinding. They have excellent railroad facilities, and load and unload cars direct from a switch which connects with the mill. The mill is doing a large business, running a portion of the time night and day, and, from the rapidly-increasing patronage, we judge the work must be first-class. The proprietors are Messrs. Wm. Seymour & Son, the latter of whom attends exclusively to the grinding. These gentlemen are, we learn, energetic, of good ability and character, and are building up, by their honorable method of doing business, an enviable reputation.
Culley Manufacturing Company .- The planing-mill connected with this manu- factory was established some thirty years since; but the principal business-that of making sash, doors, and blinds-was begun by Q. Z. Culley, in the year 1867, and is now an incorporated company. The entire capital invested, including buildings, machinery, real estate, etc., is fifteen thousand dollars. There are ten workmen employed, at an average monthly pay of four hundred dollars. The
engine is of sixty horse-power, and the yearly sale of sash, doors, and blinds (esti- mated) is thirty thousand dollars.
Ashtabula Plow-Handle Works, Wm. A. Ellis, proprietor, first began opera- tions on Prospect street, in the mouth of September, 1864. This was destroyed by fire in the spring of 1873, and the subsequent fall the present fine brick establish- ment on West street was started. The amount of capital invested in building and real estate, three thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine dollars; machinery and tools, four thousand two hundred and ninety-eight dollars ; stock, four thousand two hundred and twenty-six dollars; average workmen employed, six; size of engine, twenty-five horsc-power ; capacity of works, ten thousand pair of haudles per month.
Carriage Manufactories .- Frank D. Fickinger began, in the spring of 1876, the manufacture of fine carriages, wagons, sleighs, and everything pertaining to the business, in the buildings formerly occupied by Wm. G., Benham, on Main strect. This gentleman has invested at present twelve thousand dollars, which is divided equally between buildings and stock. He employs an average number of twenty workmen, and his monthly pay-roll aggregates the sum of seven hundred dollars. Has also in connection a harness-shop, and in both branches of the business he strives to excel, and has already put into the market some as fine carriages as are built in the State.
Mr. Fickinger has deservedly won an excellent reputation in regard to the character of his vehicles. He has ever prided himself on producing the best buggies and carriages offered to the public in the locality which his business reaches, and with this end in view purchases only the very best materials, and keeps only skilled workmen. By this wise course, and by strict attention to busi- ness and by honorable dealing, he has built up for himself a large and remunera- tive business, which is constantly increasing. Mr. Fickinger has recently attached to his business a sale-stable, and is making this feature of his business a specialty. Last year he made sale of more than a hundred horses. Mr. Fickinger is a driving, thorough-going business man, and enjoys the confidence of all with whom he deals.
Messrs. Thorp & Pfaff, a view of whose carriage-manufactory appears in con- nection with the history of the township, began business in November, 1875, in the brick building on East Main street, formerly occupied by the Phoenix plow- works. These gentlemen are both practical workmen, and attend personally to the building of all work. They came to Ashtabula strangers, but by their fair and honorable dealing, and the building of only strictly first-class work, have gained the confidence of the public, and, as a consequence, have built up a large and increasing trade. Their specialty is fine carriages. They have some four thousand dollars invested in the business, and employ eight workmen.
G. Zeile's Tannery is located on the corner of Park and Vine streets, and was established in 1866. Entire capital invested, ten thousand dollars ; average yearly business, eleven thousand dollars. Three hands are employed. The products of this tannery are principally sold in the rough. There are also of other manufactorics a tile-works owned by George Russell and a steam saw-mill and planer owned by J. H. Bugbee.
BANKING.
The Farmers' Bank of Ashtabula, a branch of the State Bank of Ohio, or- ganized in 1847, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, was the first bank in this township. It went into operation in February, 1848, occupying a room over the store of George C. Hubbard, until the completion of the present banking-house, in the summer of that year. Its first board of directors was Lemuel Moffit, R. W. Griswold, H. J. Hulbert, Q. B. Austin, Buckley Hubbard, O. H. Fitch, F. Carlisle, H. E. Parsons, and G. W. Gould. L. Moffit, Esq., was presi- dent, and Joseph Wheelock cashier. On the 1st of January, 1849, O. H. Fitch was elected president, which office he held until the expiration of the charter of that bank, in 1866. Mr. Wheelock resigned his office in September, 1850, and A. F. Hubbard, who had previously been teller, was elected to fill the vacancy. The bank continued to do a prosperous business until it was closed by the expira- tion of its charter.
The Farmers' National Bank of Ashtabula was organized February 14, 1865, under the national banking law, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Its first officers were O. II. Fitch, presideut, and A. F. Hubbard, cashier, who have been continued until the present time, and its first directors, O. H. Fitch, H. E. Parsons, George Willard, S. H. Farrington, E. S. Alvord, A. F. Hubbard, R. B. Munger, T. T. Moffit, and J. R. Stanhope.
In 1872 its capital was increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, its present amount. Its present officers are O. H. Fitch, president ; H. E. Parsons, vice-president ; A. F. Hubbard, cashier ; and C. C. Booth, teller ; and O. H. Fitch, H. E. Parsons, George Willard, J. M. Franklin, and L. P. Collins, directors.
The Ashtabula National Bank was organized June 24, 1872, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. The first officers were Henry Fassett, presi-
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