History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 102

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 102
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 102

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During the flush times of 1871, the business men and citizens, feeling the need of a home organ to boost the enterprises of pith and moment which were either under headway, or in contem- plation, formed a joint stock company known as the "Martin's Ferry Printing and Publishing Company." This company com- mencod on the 1st of May, 1872, the publication of a six column folio called the Martin's Ferry Commercial, with Mr. Barr of Wheeling, as editor, publisher and printer.

This company soon discovered that bills payable accumulated much faster than the funds to meet them were received. At the end of seven months, or about the 1st of December, the estab- lishment was sold to John J. Ashenhurst and John Clauser. This firm was short lived, Mr. Clauser at the end of a few months retiring.

Mr. Ashenhurst made material changes, first increasing the size to a seven column folio, and changing the name to the Ohio Valley News, and again enlarging to a six column quarto, and making it the organ of the Prohibition wing of the temperance people of eastern Ohio. From causes unknown to the writer, Mr. Ashenhurst became dissatisfied, and on the 1st of Novem- ber, 1874, conveyed the concern to James H. Drennen and John R. Gow. This firm continued to publish the News till Novem- ber 1st, 1876, when Mr. Gow retired, and J. H. Drennen became sole proprietor and editor. Under bis control the News has dis- carded the Prohibition idea as impracticable, but the News is still recognized as the firm friend of Temperance.

The News is independent in politics, but in general favors the policy of the Republican party.

The circulation of the News is slowly but steadily increasing, the loss occasioned by the withdrawal of the friends of Prohibi- tion having been more than made up by other accessions, and its circulation at present is near one thousand.

The publishers of this work are much indebted to Mr. Dren- nen for favors and a helping hand in their labors.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

As a manufacturing town there is perhaps no point on the Ohio river from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati with superior advantages to Martin's Ferry, The town being favorably located with a river front which is capable of improvement by wharfs or quays, where, vessels plying on the river, could discharge or receive freight. The depth of water at this place is favorable to such improvement if business and enterprise of the place require it. Another facility for conveying goods to and from the town is the well managed railroad, the Cleveland & Pittsburgh division. This road gives the place, by its connection at either end with a through line leading from east to west, the advantage of a mar- ket for its produce, in both the castern and western parts of the

country. On the level lands along the river bank there is room for as many manufacturing establishments as may be desired, with sufficient ground for storage of crude materials or manu- factured products. In fact almost every advantage for manu- facturing establishments arc found here.

In 1836 Thomas Wiley and Griffith McMillen manufactured the first threshing machine in this place. The work, which was performed by hand, was well done.

In 1837 an unpretending pottery was erected by William Caliban for the manufacture of earthen ware, which in a short time passed into the hands of Joseph P. Stevens, James Hans and John Dakans, who refitted the establishment for the manu- facture of stone ware, and continued the business for several years. Afterwards Samuel Young purchased the works and carried on the business for a number of years, and then remod- eled and improved the bouse, converting it into a comfortable residence. The same year a small foundery was erected by Thomas Wiley on the site of Swartz & Son's machine shop.

In 1836, a large woolen factory was erected and successfully operated by James Turner, Sr., for about twenty-five years, when it passed into the hands of John Leach, whose son is the present owner, and continues the business. In this establish- ment was put up the first steam engine in Martin's Ferry.

AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY.

In 1845, Benjamin Hoyle commenced to manufacture the "Ralston Separator and Cleaner," also the "Hussey Reaping Machine." His shop was on the corner of First and Hickory streets. In the winter of 1854, he was succeeded by Griffith, Moore & Souders. In 1859, Lavosier Spence purchased the in- terest of Griffith and Souders, and in 1864, bought Moore's inter- est and bas carried on business ever since. His works are known as the

OHIO VALLEY AGRICULTURAL WORKS.

A few years since the Ohio Valley News gave a very full des- cription of the manufacturing interests of Martin's Ferry, and made the following reference to the capacity of this establish- ment.

"L. SPENCE .-- Agricultural implements and engine builder. Capital invested $75,000

Number of hands employed 40

Weekly payments to hands S 480

Annual sales. 60,000

"Mr. Spence is the successor, remotely, of the small establish- ment started by Benjamin Hoyle between the years 1845 and 1850, but it might be difficult for the original proprietor to rec- ognize in the immense establishment of L. Spence any resem- blence of the small affair of early days. Mr. Spence's machines are so well known in the west and southwest, that his name as manufacturer on a threshing machine is a sufficient guarantee of excellence."

Mr. Spence is now turning out of his works about 65 thresh- ing manchines per year. He manufactures the "Ralston Ma- chine," or double cleaner, as it is usually called, and the Pitts' patent -about an equal number of cach. He also makes portable and stationary engines, heavy machinery for all purposes, and does a large amount of repairing and miscellaneous work. Dur- ing the year 1880 he expects to mannfacture what is known as the traction, or self-propelling engine for threshing machines.

HOYLE & BROTHER'S THRESHING MACHINE WORKS.

In 1857 Benjamin Hoyle built the shop on the corner ot Second and Hanover streets, and run the works as a repair- works. At the same time E. J. Hoyle and James Griffith man- ufactured the "Ralston Separator and Cleaner," and other agri- cultural implements. In 1861 Benjamin Hoyle was succeeded by Griffith & Co., who continued the manufacture of this ma- chine until 1865. E. J. Hoyle & Bros, succeeded them in 1872, and in 1873 the latter firm sold the building to J. Medill & Co., and purchased an establishment on Water street, between Jeffer- son and Washington streets, where they still continue the busi- IIOSS. Their works are well fitted up for the manufacture of their machine. Being reared in the business, and having the benefit of their father's genins and experience, they have pro- vided themselves with the facilities, and are enabled to con- strnet a threshing machine that is excelled hy none in the coun- try. They have their patents on all improvements, and are doing a substantial and reliable business-employing about tif- teen men, and turning out from twenty to twenty-five machines

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

per year. They also do a general repairing and jobbing busi- ness. and have a good local trade.

OTHER WORKS.

In 1855 A. D. Rice purchased Wiley's interest, and he and C. Swartz enlarged the works, adding improved machinery from time to time, until it became the Belmont Agricultural Works. the most extensive at that time in the place. In 1865 Swartz & Sons bought Rice out, and in 1866 the establishment was con- sumed by fire. In 1867 it was rebuilt.

Henry Heberling commenced to build the Ralston Separator and Cleaner in the shop where Spence & Baggs' foundry is lo- cated, in 1847. In 1854 Findlay Taylor was associated with Heberling, and continued the business nntil 1857. Joel Haben- sack purchased Heberling's interest. Taylor was superseded by Habensack & Reyner in 1869, and in a short time suspended business.

In the fall of 1857 H. N. White and Wilson Wiley commenced operations. They built the threshing machines called the "Ground Hog," and continued for one year, when White became sole propoietor. In 1860 he began manufacturing the Ralston Separator and Cleaner, and still continues the business.

In 1849 William frame built threshing machines, pumps and other useful implements, propelling his machinery by horse- power, in the shop now owned by H. N. White, between Fayotte aud Clay, on Third street.

Previous to the year 1845, the work was mostly done by hand, and it was about this time that steam engines were introduced.

BUCKEYE STOVE FOUNDRY.

In 1853 James and Cadwallader Wells commenced the manu- facture of agricultural implements, and finding some difficulty in procuring the necessary castings, or thinking that the possos- sion of a foundry gave their rivals an advantage over them, es- tablished a second foundry in the village. In 1857 Henry Wells succeeded them. He took in a partner, after carrying on the business five years, his brother Alexander, and together they embarked in the manufacture of stoves and castings of all kinds, under the title of the Buckeye foundry. The increase of trade compelled them to extend their facilities, and from a room 30x40, in which they done their casting, they enlarged it to 60x120 feet, where they continued doing an extensive business until 1873, when Spence, Baggs & Co. became their successors, and who are at present carrying on a successful trade.

MARTIN'S FERRY KEG AND BARREL WORKS,

Of which D. Park, Jr., and Thomas Mears, are the proprietors, were originally erected by Woods, Strong & Co., in the year 1856. Soon after their erection, the firm became Woods, Sharp- less & Co., and in 1860 they were succeeded by I. R. Cline, who conducted the establishment until 1864, when it passed into the hands of Smallwood and Winning. Iu 1868 the firm became Cline & Hornbrook, who managed the concern until 1870, when 1. R. Cline became sole owner of the factory, and remained as such till 1874. At this date the establishment was purchased by the present owners, who conducted it successfully until No- vember 8, 1878, when the works were totally destroyed by fire. The fire did not, however, interfere with the enterprise of the firm, for in ninety days afterward they had the present struc- ture completed, and the works again in full operation. It is a brick structure, built in the most durable manner, 189 feet long, 30 feet wide, and one story high, iron roof and iron trusses and purlines, being absolutely fire proof. The works are the most extensive and substantial of any of the kind in the Ohio valley, and have sixty men employed. Products-Nail kegs, flour, fruit, glass and halt barrels. Daily capacity, 3,000 kegs and 1,500 barrels. The products of their factory find ready sale at the different manufacturing establishments in Wheeling and vicinity.

BELMONT FURNACE.

For many years prior to 1857, much was said about the exist- ence of iron ore in the hills adjacent to Martin's Ferry. Some tests had been made, and it was claimed that it was of superior quality. Iv that year a company was formed, consisting of Cyrus Mendenball, George K. Jenkins and Moses Meudenball, who purchased a small tract of land containing 50 acres, known to bo underlaid with iron ore ( three miles from Martin's Ferry); at the same time obtained from Ebenezer Martin a lot adjoining

town, containing one and a half acres, and proceeded to erect thereon the pioneer blast furnace of Belmont county. This is thought to be the first furnace erected south of the iron region of Pennsylvania, or north of Lawrence county, Ohio, from whence our founders and rolling mills, were at that time, in a great measure, supplied.

About this time the abundance of bituminous coal underlying our hills, began to attract attention, and the Mendenhalls and Jenkins purchased coal privileges amounting to from 125 to 150 acres.

After the furnace was erected it was discovered that the loca- tion selected was unfavorable, as on one or more occasions dur- ing the dry seasons their supply of water failed, and it was found necessary to baul water from the river, whilst all the pro- ducts of the furnace had to be hauled by wagons to the railroad or river. After running for about eight years, it was deter- mined to pull the whole thing down and remove it to the pres- ent site, east of the railroad, and sufficiently near the river to secure at all times a full supply of water; and avail themselves of the advantage of cheap transportation by river either for raw material or manufactured products.

During the erection of the furnace on the present location the Mendenhall brothers-who had purchased the interest of Mr. Jenkins-became members of the company owning and oper- ating the Benwood Rolling Mill, putting in the furnace in its unfinished condition, said to be valued at $60,000, as so much stock in the united manufacturing enterprise, since which time the Martin's Ferry furnace has been kept constantly in blast, except the necessary stoppages for repairs, and has been perhaps as successful in the manufacture of A No. 1 iron and as profit- able to its owners as any furnace in the western country,

CULBERTSON, WILEY & CO.'S FOUNDRY.

This establishment, undor the present owners, has been in existence about seven years. Previous to the formation of the present company this foundry changed hands frequently. It was started in 1837, When first operated it produced almost exclusive- ly castings for agricultural implements but the present firm, find- ing that the demand for heavy castings for rolling mills, blast fur- naces, &c., could only be supplied in limited quantities, added extensively to their building, now covering the one-half of the square on the corner of First and Locust streets. They are prepared to melt from 15 to 25 tons of metal daily. They have also added an engine shop to this already extensive business. The first steam engine built in Martin's Ferry was by Wiley & McKim, in 1861. The latter named is a mechanic of superior skill and large experience. There is capacity well arranged for thirty workmen in this department. They manufacture por- table and stationary engines, mill machinery, &c., &c.

STEAM SAW MILL.

This mill is erected on the river bank at the lower end of See- ond street. It formerly stood on the river bank about three hundred yards above the blast furnace, and was built by Elias Hill and John Fisber. Soon after it was finished there was a rise in the river and it was washed off its foundation and floated down the river about two hundred yards. It was replaced ou its foundation and operated by different parties. In 1870 J. & S. B. Williams purchased the mill and removed it to its present site, where they refitted it and made many improvements in machinery and otherwise. A large sum of money was expend- ed by them in erecting trussel-work to form a lumber yard. In about 1854 they lost a number of their log's by high water, and in the winter of 1872-3, the ice broke up on the river and took off over $1,000 worth of logs which they never heard of after- ward, as well as one raft, which was caught up two miles below Bellaire and was wintored there and finally brought back with a loss of one-third of the whole raft, and towing the raft back cost the full worth of the logs. Another loss was sustained by the destruction of the lumber yard, and by other misfortunes. Notwithstanding the reverses sustained the Messrs. Williams have made the mill a success.

RAKE FACTORY

On the bank of the river east of Ohio avenue, between Han- over and Walnut streets, is situated the rake factory of Henry Warwood, formerly ot Pittsburgh, who settled in Martin's Ferry in the year 1854. He purchased a lot on Hanover, between Ohio avenue and Second streets, upon which there was a tin and a blacksmith shop. The tiu shop be converted into a dwelling house, and commenced to manufacture rakes, hoes and miners'

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

tools in the blacksmith shop, continning in that location for about fourteen years. The demand for his manufactures having increased from year to year, he was compelled to increase his facilities ; wherenpon he purchased his present location, erected a large shop and supplied it with machinery suitable for the purpose, among which are four olivers, which are worked by treadles ; a machine which combines shears, punch and power press ; also a trip-hammer for forging sledges, wedges and var- ious other tools in use by miners. ,The works are run by steam power. He makes a specialty of the manufacture of rakes, which are known all over our land, wherever the people make gardens. At the time Mr. Warwood commenced the business in Martin's Ferry, it was a new enterprise, but by energy and un- tiring effort he has built up quite an extensive trade.

STAR PLANING MILLS AND LUMBER YARD.

This place was established in 1852, by Hiram and Moses Grove as a foundry, and in 1856 was purchased by J. Kerr and James Moore, who fitted it up for a planing mill. About the year 1860 Mr. Kerr bought Moore's interest, and became indi- vidual owner of the whole concern. He conducted it success- fully until the fall of 1865, when A. G. Campbell bought one- half of the mill, and the firm assumed its present title, J. Kerr & Co. Soon after this organization, the building was remodled and enlarged to its present dimensions : 100 feet front and 50 feet deep, wholly of brick and concrete. Products : all kinds of building material, such as doors, sash, shutters, window and door frames, dressed flooring, siding, shingles, lath, brackets, &c. Formerly they confined themselves exclusively to shop work, but for the past four years they have been doing an ex- tensive business in the line of contracting and building. Both members of the firm are skilled mechanics, having made it a life occupation. They employ from eight to twelve men, most of whom are practical workmen. This firm has acquired an enviable reputation in its line of trade.

THE GLASS BUSINESS.

The first glass house in Martin's Ferry was erected in 1849 by Messrs. Ensell & Wilson, on a part of the ground now occu- pied by the immense structure of the Excelsior Glass Works. Ensell & Wilson run it as a bottle factory till 1852, when a new company was formed under the title of Wallace, Giger & Ensell. After this it passed into the hands of Dites & McGranigan. who after running it for a short time were succeeded by Hohn & Sonner, of Pittsburgh.

In 1861 Mr. Michael Sweeny, with Mr. James Phillips as part- ner, under the name of M. Sweeney & Co., built a small furnace on the site of the present works. ' For want of means the enter- prise was likely to fail, when Col. James McCluney, of Wheel- ing, put his shoulder to the wheel, and with Mr. Sweeney pre- pared to enter upon a scale of business worthy of the latter gen- tleman's skill and experience. They continued in the small establishment at Martin's Ferry, and in addition leased the old North Wheeling factories, and the work went bravely and suc- cessfully on. Glass making then was not a science; it was largely a process of guess work.

In 1863 the working capital of the firm was increased by the addition of Joseph Bell to the partnership, under the title of Sweeny, Bell & Co. The work was carried on with cver increas- ing succes until 1867, when Mr. Bell retired.

In 1868-9, Sweeny, McCluney & Co., having completed the factory, vacated their Wheeling works, and concentrated their energies and capital at Martin's Ferry. The factory is situated immediately on the bank of the river east of Ohio avenue, be- tween Hanover and Carlisle streets, is 235 feet long, 105 feet wide, and has three furnaces, with ten extra large pots in each. There are eight large temporing furnaces. On the outside are four coke ovens, where the fuel is manufactured, and the gas works (Conley patent) from which the whole building is lighted.

The warevoom, built in 1869, is 50x150, stands on the south side of the street from the factory, and is connected thereto by a covered bridge. Both buildings have iron roofs, and the whole premises is provided with an effective fire apparatus. The base- ment of the warehouse is the store-room for the vast supplies of materials commensurate with the productive capacity of the works.

From the material room to the wareroom above it, evory thing moves in one continuous circle, not a single retrograde movement, not one unnecessary handling of goods. the line of goods manufactured embrace an extensive variety of pressed,

blown and cut ware, as well as lamps and lamp chimneys. By far the most generally useful and beneficial arrangement to both employer and workman is the air blast cooler. Large pipes, about fifteen or twenty inches in diameter, pass over head all through the factory ; at intervals tubes project from the under side of these pipes ; to the tube hose are attached, and air, driven by the fan, is made to play upon the moulds, by which uniformity of temperature is preserved, and the ware is easily removed without knocking. The moulds themselves are prevented from scaling, thus lessening the cost of cleaning and injury. Last but not least, it serves as a ventilator, keeping the factory cool, and the operators comfortable in the hottest of the season. Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and other cities have at last been made to pay tribute to the genius that constructed the immense Excelsior Glass Works. Another valuable improve- ment introduced by Mr. Sweeney, is in the construction of the moulds. The inside surface is chilled, which renders the metal susceptible of the smoothest polish, and gives to the moulded arti- cles a sharpness of outline almost equal to cut ware. In his long connection with the glass business, Mr. Sweeney's continued effort had been to economize productions, to lessen the cost, and yet improve the quality of goods, to provide for the comfort, and elevate the character of employees as a class. In 1875 Joseph Bell, as president and general manager, took charge of the works, and continued the busines till July, 1876, when the works suspended for necessary repairs, and owing to failing health he was compelled to resign the following August. After snndry improvements and repairs, the works started under the administration of the following officers: President, George Adams; superintendent, Samuel P. Hildreth ; secretary, John F. Miller ; managers, James Shipman and Henry Sweeney. The Excelsior Glass Works ave the most extensive, and possess the largest manufacturing capacity of any this side of the east- ern cities, and are now operated by a Wheeling company.

OHIO CITY IRON AND NAIL WORKS.

The projectors of this establishment, consisting of leading citizens of Martin's Ferry, encouraged by the success of iron workers and producers in the vicinity, and especially by the lib- eral donation of twenty-one acres of land by William Clark, Esq., on which to erect a rolling and nail mills, organized the above company, June 17, 1873, On the first day of March, 1874, the Ohio City Iron and Nail Works Company, in the midst of the panic, commenced to manufacture nails, and the mill was steadily in operation up till about the first of May, 1876, when, in consequence of the low price of the manufactured articles and the stringency of the money market. the company closed operations and leased the works to the Benwood com- pany, who are running them successfully with profit up to their full capacity. The mill is complete in all its arrangements.

POPULATION.

The population of Martin's Ferry in 1840 was 300; in 1850, 500; in 1860, 1,220; in 1870, 1,876; in 1873, 3,256; in 1879, about 4,000. There are about five hundred and sixty-four houses, exclusive of smoke-houses, stables and other out-build- ings ; of these, two hundred and two are of brick, three hundred and fifty-five of wood, and about seven of concrete. Five hun- dred and twenty contain families, and the remainder are public buildings, store rooms, shops and offices. The reason for the great proportion of frame honses seems to have been owing to the rapid increase of population by emigration within a few years. A wooden house can be erected in a shorter time than a brick, and at seasous when brick work cannot be done. The dwellings are generally two stories high, and built in a neat and simple style.

There are four clergymen, three attorneys, seven physicians, twenty-four groceries, six druggists, six dry goods stores, two hardware merchants and a goodly number of other establish- ments and shops.

SCHOOLS.

Martin's Ferry, then Martinsville, was organized into what was known as a union school district, under the law passed Feb- rnary 21st, 1849, on the 14th of May, 1853. The first Board of Education under this organization was elected May 28, 1853. They were Rev. James Alexander, Joel Wood, David Park, J. D. McCoy, Hiram Smith and Chas. Eusell.

On the 27th of July, 1853, the Board decided to build a school honse. The contract was awarded to James Kerr, who erected

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 102

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728