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 191

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 191
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 191

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

OLD STORES.

The first store in Smithfield, as before mentioned, Was opened by William Wood on the corner of Fourth and Main streets.

The second one was started by Thomas Fleming in the build- ing now occupied by the post office. Mr. Fleming had formerly kept a country store some two and a half miles east, in Wells township, but when the village began to grow he removed to it and did business there.

William Matthews was probably the third to enter the mer- cantile business. He located on the corner of Main street, oppo- site the Grant House. The property is now owned by Mrs. Naylor.

Blackston & Ladd were next in the list of mercantile houses. Their store was in a building on a lot now owned by Rezin Jones and Edith McGrail. Blackston lived in a house near the store, while Ladd remained on the farm adjoining the village. Richard and William Purviance were the next. Their store was in the building now occupied by Shane & Bro. Finley B. McGrew kept a store in the building on the north corner of Fourth and Green streets, now owned by Evan Purviance. Thomas McGrew carried on a store in the house now owned and occupied by Charles Mather. These early mercantile houses all appear to have done a large and profitable business.

TANNERIES.

The first tannery in Smithfield was started by a man named Moore as early as 1804. Belford Griffith managed the estab- lishment. It appears probable that Moore started it to give Griffith a start in business. It was on the west of town, in a field now owned by Dr. Bates. Not a vestige of it remains.

LEWIS CAREY started the second one as early as 1809. It was located at the extreme east side of the village at the termi- nus of Tanner street. It went down many years ago, and noth- ing remains to denote the place where it stood. The property is now owned by David Hayne.

WILLIAM SHARON, the father of Senator Sharon, put in opera- tion the third tannery. about 1817. It was situated on the prop- erty now owned by William A. Judkins, at the south end of town. He continued the business until 1844, when he sold the stock and rented the yard for three years to George Lee, after which it went down.

JOHN WOOD was the fourth to start a tan yard. He located it on West street, about 1822, but dying soon after, the property was purchased by two cousins, each named John Hobson, who carried on the business for a while, but not succeeding very well, it suspended, and for a time was idle, but in 1846 was pur- chased by George Lee, who transferred his stock from the Sharon yard to it, and subsequently sold to John and Rollin Cole. Their brothor, Jediah, carried on the business for a while, when it finally went down. The building, which was a substantial frame, was removed to West street, and is now occupied by Isaae Lewis as a blacksmith shop. The land is owned by William Vena.

JOHN WHITE .- The fifth tan yard was opened out in 1838 by Phipps & White. It is situated near the eastern extremity of South street-just south of where the Sharon yard was located. John White subsequently became sole proprietor, and still ear- ries on the business. It is now the only tannery remaining in Smithfield.

DOCTORS.

WILLIAM BURRELL was probably the first doctor to locate in Smithfield. He came about 1806 or 1807, and lived on High street, on the property now owned by Evan Purviance. Wil- liam Judkins, who was the next, came a few years later; still a little later came Anderson Judkins, a brother of William. They practiced in partnership, and lived in the house now owned by William Purviance. The next were William Leslie and his son John. They came sometime from 1818 to 1820.

BLACKSMITHS AND HATTERS.

William Carr was the first blacksmith, and Abel Carey the first hatter.

MILLS.

The first mill was a hand mill, constructed in 1804 by Isaae Wickersham, to which the neighbors gave the significant title of "bettersome," because it was some better than the old tin grater. In 1808 James Carr built a horse mill, which was still better, and in both these mills half bushel grists were received and ground, toll being taken by the quart.

This horse mill was located on the lot now owned by H. M. Ong. It was afterwards removed to another lot in the northeast. part of the town and changed to a tramp mill, where a boy named Dempster was caught in the cogs of the wheels and crushed to death. The building was afterwards converted into the jeans factory. The old well of water which furnished the fac- tory is still in use and supplies. an engine that runs a pair of buhrs that are used for grinding corn and making chop feed, and for running some other machinery.

There was also a hand mill on Perrin's run.

FIRST WATER MILLS.

It is not certainly known when or where the first water mill was built. It was probably built by James McGrew, on Piney Fork, not later than 1812. McGrew became embarrassed in building it, and it passed into the hands of Jacob Ong, and has since been known as Ong's mill. There were two or three other mills built in close proximity of time with the Ong mill.

551

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

One of these was built two or three miles further up the creek by John Lee ch, and another still further up, built by Abner Hntton in 1807, which makes it the oldest water mill in the township. There are now but two mills in operation in the town- ship.

The building of the Ong mill must have been at an early date for the friendly Indians were among his customers, and it is re- lated that his son Finley and the Indians used to engage in shooting at a mark.

THE FIRST SHOEMAKER.

Joel Hutton was the first shoemaker in the neighborhood or township. He first worked at his trade while living on his land, doing the work of the whole neighborhood. He then re- moved to the village, where he followed his trade.

TEACHERS.

There are some doubts about who taught the first school, but the probability is that it was a Mr. Shackelford, then Miss Ar- milla Garretson was next. She was a decrepit lady, being des- titute of lower limbs from the knee down, with but one arm, all from natural causes. It is not certain what years she taught. Joel Hutton was the next teacher. He taught in the winter season.

These schools were all taught in the Friends' meeting-house. The next teacher was James Tolletson, an Irishman, who taught in a log house that stood near the brick building of the old Smithfield Bank. After this school the first school house in Smithfield was built. It was on the same lot of land the present school building stands on. This house was used for school pur- poses until about 1839, when the second one was built, which was used until 1858 or 1859, when a third house was built that proved defective, and was only used till 1867, when the fourth and present building was erected.

PORK PACKING.

The pork packing business. was one of the earlier industries of the place. It was probably commenced as early as 1815, and soon became one of the principal money products of the farmer, and so continued for many years. It was a considerable item of trade as late as 1865 ; in fact there is still something done in the business.

Benjamin W. Ladd was the first to engage in the business, and carrying it on with success, other parties were soon prompt- ed to engage in it also, until finally all the merchants in the place were engaged in the pork trade.

There was a considerable amount of wheat sold, so that pork and wheat were the staple products of the farmer, and so con- tinued till about 1845, when wool growing commenced, and has continued to increase until it is now the great source of the farmer's revenue.

The method of preparing the pork for market and shipping it, was by building log houses and inserting many tiers of joists with spaces for cross sticks, to which the pieces of meat were hung. The houses being filled, and the meat smoked, it was taken down and packed in wagons, and hauled to Baltimore and Rich- mond, where it found a ready market.

The village was incorporated in 1832, and the incorporation act amended in 1833, Its officers consist of a Mayor, six councilinen, recorder and marshal.

The following is a list of the Mayors since 1832 :

1832-37, William Blackiston ; 1838-39, Charles Barnes ; 1840, Louis Kinsey ; 1841, F. M. Talbott ; 1842, John C. Phipps ; 1843, Jacob Ong; 1844-46, William Gassaway; 1847, John Irvine; 1848-50, William Whitten: 1851, William Gassaway ; 1852, John Gilmore, 1853-54, John Irvine; 1855-56, William Mat- thews; 1857-60, John Irvine; 1861-64, D. M. Allen ; 1865, Wil- liam Vermillion; 1866, Cuthbert Glover; 1867, H. M. Sanborn ; 1868, Jesse Litten; 1869, John Young; 1870, John Irvine; 1871-72, D. M. Allen ; 1873, H. M. Sanborn ; 1874, W. B. Whit- ten ; 1875-77, G. W. Lee; 1878-79, John White.

SMITHFIELD LODGE NO, 182, F. &. A. M.

Was chartered October 15, 1849. The first three principal officers were: Charles Mather, W. M. ; N. A. Adams, S. W. ; John Gilmore, J. W.

The officers of the Grand Lodge of the State of Ohio, who signed the charter, were: W. Kreider, M. W. G. M .; F. M. Keith, R. W. D. G. M .; Henry A. Dodge, R. W. S. G. W .; Hugh Fervor, R. W. J. G. W. ; B. F. Smith, R. W. Grand Sec- retary.

SMITHFIELD ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER NO. 81

Was chartered October 17, 1859. The three principal officers were: Charles Mather, H. P .; Amos Jones, K .; George W. Drake, S.

The Grand officers who signed the charter were : George Rex, G. H. P. ; P. Thatcher, Jr., D. H. G. P. ; Harvey Vinal, G. K. ; J. A. Kiddle, G. S. ; John Caldwell, Grand Secretary.

The present officers of the lodge are: W. K. Sutherland, W. M. ; William Merriman, S. U .; John U. Sutherland, J. W .; William H. Mckinney, S. D. ; Jacob Rush, J. D .; Armstrong Maly, Treasurer; William Vermillion, Secretary.

Present number of members, eighty.

ODD FELLOWS.

Smithfield Lodge No. 591, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 27 1874, with the following charter members: John A. Penn, John M. Boyd, William W. McConnell, A. B. Conaway, H. O. Con-, away, Jacob Barkhurst and John P. Heaton, by A. C. Deuel, M. W. G. Master of R. W. G. Lodge of Ohio.

It was first instituted and held its meetings in an upper room next door north of the First National Bank on Fourth street.

The first officers were John A. Penn, N. G .; --- -, V. G .; John W. Boyd, secretary ; William W. McConnell, treasurer ; H. O. Conaway, permanent secretary.

The lodge was subsequently moved further north on Fourth street to the opposite side of the street into a second story room of Wm. Ekey's block. The present officers are M. B. Cole, S. P. G .; Isaac Gosset, N. G. ; W. P. Noble, V. G .; J. N. Richardson, secretary ; David V. Adrian, treasurer.

There are but two of the charter members left of the original number, John M. Boyd and John A. Penn, both P. Grands, the latter being the founder of the lodge.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

In the winter of 1863-4, Joseph H. Cope conceived the idea of organizing a bank in Smithfield under the act of Congress, entitled an act to provide a National currency, secured by a pledge of the United States bonds. Mr. Cope had large experience in banking, having been associated with the Mt. Pleasant branch of the State of Ohio as director and president for a period of about twenty years, and a portion of the time was also a member of the State Board of Control, which met at Colum- bns. Mr. Cope labored arduously and continuously during the winter and spring of 1864, meeting with considerable opposition, there being a vast amount of prejudice to be overcome. Many of the wealthier citizens declined having anything to with it, and prophe- sied that a bank could not be sustained in Smithfield, and that if one should be organized it would be but a short time until it would meet the fate of the old bank organized in 18 -. But Mr. Cope, being a man of indomitable will and perseverance, continued on with his work until June 24, 1864, when the stockholders received their certificate of organization, authorizing them to commence banking with a capital stock paid up of $63,000, with privilege to increase to $100,000, which increase was made dur- ing the year 1864. On the 24th day of June of that year the stockholders met and elected the following persons to serve as directors, to wit : Joseph H. Cope, Charles Mather, Joseph Jones, William S. Bates, Elisha Cooke, Jr., Nathan Hussey, H. S. Black, C. D. Kaminsky and Joseph Hammond, three of whom are still directors, to-wit, William S. Bates, C. D. Kaminsky and H. S. Black.

At the annual meeting for the election of directors, held Jan- nary 11, 1865, William Sharon was elected director instead of Joseph Jones. Mr. Sharon served as director from 1865 to 1875, when he declined a re-election on account of his being unable to attend the meetings of the board. At the annual election held January 12, 1875, Cuthbert Glover was elcted to fill the vacancy cansed by Mr. Sharon's declining to serve. Mr. Glover is still a director. Elisha Cooke. Jr., served until April, 1868, when he severed his connection with the bank, and removed to Oska- loosa, lowa. At the annual election held January 12, 1869, James M. Newlin was elected to succeed Elisha Cooke, Jr., and is still a director. Joseph Hammond served as director from the organization ofthe bank until 1875. And on January 12, 1875, John Cole succeeded him, and is still a director. C. Mather served as director until 1876 ; and in January, 1877, John Gal- braith succeeded him and still remains. Nathan Hussey served as director until his death, September, 1877, and at annual elec- tion in January, 1878, Mifflin Ong was elected to till his place.

552

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

Joseph H. Cope served as director until February, 1879, when death called him hence; and on the 4th of March, 1879, the board of directors appointed William Vermillion to fill the vacancy caused by the death of J. H. Cope. On the 24th day. of June, 1864, the first board of directors organized by electing J. H. Cope, president, which office he filled until his death. James C. Scott was elected cashier, but only served a few months when William Vermillion succeeded him and still remains in said of- fico, having served as cashier nearly fifteen years. In 1871, C. D. Kaminsky was elected vice president, which office he held continuously until March, 1879, when he was elected president to fill the vacancy caused by the death of J. H. Cope; and at the same time H. S. Black was elected vice president. The bank has been successful-making 8 and 10 per cent. dividends.

SHERMAN HOUSE.

This is the oldest botel in the township, and perhaps the oldest hotel, continuously used as such, in the county. In 1804, Jo- siah Glover, who came from Baltimore, hewed the logs and raised and covered the building that still forms a part of this house. Without completing his house he went back to Maryland, and remained there until 1808, when he returned to Smithfield, fin- ished it and opened up a hotel, which he ran until 1820, when he leased it to Mr. Duvall for two years. At the expiration of the term of the lease Mr. Glover again resumed the business himself, which he continued until his death, about 1850. After Mr. Glover's death his son, Cuthbert Glover, assumed control and continued the business until 1863, when he sold to Jobn Gil- more, who conducted it until 1864, when he sold it to Jesse Lit- ten, who took possession October 1st of that year. Mr. Litten has continued the business ever since and makes it an excellent bouse. This house has had several additions made to it since it was first built in 1804, but the old log building is still an inte- gral portion of the structure.

LEADING BUSINESS HOUSES IN SMITHFIELD.

CHARLES MATHER.

This is the oldest established house, and the oldest business man, in Smithfield. This house is too well and favorably known for its integrity and honest dealing to need more mention here. For its history, see biographical sketch of its proprietor else- where in this volume,

JONES & MCKINNEY

Are the leading men in the drug business. The store was first opened by Sturgis & Beresford in 1859, and was carried on by them but a few years, when they sold to Clancy & Scott. This firm continued but a short time till Clancy sold to Scott, who continued the business about five years, when he sold to Jones & Bates. This new firm increased the stock and removed to a larger building, and continued as a firm until 1874. when Bates retired, and the present firm of Jones & MeKinney was estab- lished. The new parties still further increased the business, and it is now the leading drug store in the country. Mr. Jones, the senior member of the firm, also represents the Atna Fire In- surance Company, in which he does an extensive business.

MILLINERY AND NOTION STORES.

O. NEWLIN & Co. (Oliver Newlin and Mrs. Annie Ramsey), dry goods, notions, millinery goods .- This house, which was cs- tablished in 1875, cannot be excelled for the beautiful and artistic arrangements for the display of its contents, as well as for the neatness and beauty of the goods themselves. The proprietors keep everything in the neatest order, and are genial and affable. Mrs. Ramsey, who has charge of the millinery department, is perfectly familiar with the art, and for good taste and judgment has few equals and no superiors. This establishment re- ceives, as it deserves, a liberal patronage from an appreciative public.

GALBRAITHI BROS., Merchants .- This firm carries on a large mercantile business. They keep a heavy stock of all kinds of goods and have a large patronage.

PETER BARGER

does a general blacksmithing and repairing business; also, man- ufactures wagons, &c., &c.

GRANT HOUSE.

This house was formerly carried on by George Naylor, now by Thomas Burriss. It is well patronized.

SHERMAN HOUSE.

This is one of the oldest hotels in the country. It was built in 1805, and carried on for over half a century by Mr. Glover. In 1864, it fell into the hands of its present proprietor, Jesse Letten, who is a popular landlord.

HENRY C. WOOD

started a livery stable in 1870, which he is carrying on with en- terprise and profit.

A. BOWMAN

opened up a boot and shoe manufacturing business in 1876, and is doing a business that gives satisfaction to himself, as well as to all his numerous customers.

MERCHANT TAILORS.

JAMES A. ONG commenced this business in 1843. He learned bis trade with William Mosgrove, and continued the business until the time of bis death, August 26, 1875. His son, A. Ong, still carries on the business at the old stand.

C. C. MCKELVEY

Commenced business in the spring of 1879, in merchant tailor- ing. His father was in the same business some years before.

WAGON AND CARRIAGE MAKING.

DAVID ADRIAN commenced business in wagon and carriage making about 1870. He is doing a thriving business, and by promptness and good work merits an extensive patronage.

MUSIC STORE.

N. M. Ong, April 1, 1879, opened a music store, in which he keeps everything pertaining to the business. He bandles nono but first-class instruments and musical merchandise, and guaran- tees satisfaction in everything be sells.

CIGAR MANUFACTORY.

A. GASAWAY docs an extensive business in the manufacturing of cigars, and fancy groceries, candies, &c.

JONATHAN C. HARRISON

Keeps groceries, confectionery, &c., is doing a good business in bis line, and is a pleasant, genial gentleman to deal with. Store in the postoffice building.

BUSINESS HOUSES.

The village at this time contains 4 dry goods stores, 3 gro- cery stores, 1 dry goods and notion store, 1 planing mill, 6 blacksmith shops, 2 drug stores, 2 saddle and harness shops, 3 shoe makers, 1 tin shop, + wagon makers' shops, 1 cooper shop, 3 tailor shops, 3 millinery shops, 1 silversmith and inventor, 1 cigar manufacturer, 1 music store, 2 hotels, 2 doctors, 1 dentist, 1 huckster, 1 bank (First National), 1 butcher shop, 1 mill for grinding corn, chopping meal, &c., 2 undertakers, 1 justice of the peace, 1 mayor, 1 postmaster ; population, 700.

NEWSPAPERS.

SMITHFIELD INDEPENDENT .- In March, 1875, C. M. Hayne started a job printing office-the first established in the town. It was located in the old Matthews building, corner of Fourth and North streets. The job office was in successful operation nearly a year when in obedience to a desire for a periodical, the Smithfield Independent wasstarted. It was a weekly 8-page paper, size 26x40, using what is known as the " patent inside." It was established at the instance of John A. Penn, William Vermil- lion and David Adrian. C. M. Hayne was editor and proprie- tor. The first number appeared February 14, 1876, and it was published regularly until December, 1877, when, for want of sufficient patronage, it was forced to suspend. Its successor is the Herald, published at Utica, Licking county, Ohio. The Independent was well liked and gave general satisfaction, but it

Mrs. M. COPE.

Mr. W. M. COPE.

RESIDENCE OF W. M. COPE, SMITHFIELD, JEFFERSON CO. O. DWELLING 52 FEET FRONT, 5 8 FEET BACK.

553

HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES.

was exclusively a local paper and there was not enough local trade to sustain it. The people not realizing what a benefit it could be made to the town and neighborhood, adopted a foolish system of economy in their dealing with it, and instead of gen- erously patronizing it, gave their patronage to the larger papers of the county, and turning their cold shoulder on their home paper-froze it out. The agricultural society never gave any work to it.

SMITHFIELD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This society is a joint stock company, which was incorporated in 1871, with a capital stock of $4,000 in eighty shares of $50 each. Its officers are a president, vice president, treasurer, sec- retary and twenty-one directors. All the officers are elected an- nually, except the directors, who hold for three years. The ob- ject of the society is the improvement of agriculture, horticul- ture and mechanic arts.

It bought twelve acres and a half of land of Joseph H. Cope for $150 an acre, immediately north of the village of Smithfield, enclosed it, put up the necessary buildings and held its first fair in September, 1871. The total cost of land and improvements was $7,000.

The grounds are beautifully located, well watered and pro- vided with halls and stalls, that afford ample accommodations for the display of live stock and other articles that are usually on exhibition at these annual fairs. The race track is one-third of a mile in length, and is considered one of the best in eastern Ohio. The fairs are usually well attended, ranging from three to five thousand persons a day, with receipts aggregating eighteen to twenty-five hundred dollars each annual fair.

The premiums annually paid amount to twelve or sixteen hun- dred dollars, while the operating expenses are from four to five hundred dollars. This includes printing, police, gate keepers, officers' salaries, and all other necessary expenses. The society has been in operation eight years, and has no doubt been con- ducive of good results, judging by the number of good horses, cattle, sheep and hogs that are to be seen in the neighborhood of Smithfield.

The business affairs of the society are well managed, its of- ficers being men of experience and well calculated to discharge the duties of their respective positions. The present secretary, R. F. Henderson, has held that place, with the exception of one year, since the organization. The society at this time is in a very prosperous condition, and its debt nearly liquidated, with every reason to believe its future usefulness will be increased.

The annual meeting for the election of officers is held at Smithfield the last Saturday in October, and they are installed into office the last Saturday in December following. The execu- tive committee consists of the vice-president, secretary and three members of the board of directors,

VILLAGES.

YORK.

This village was laid out by David Updegraff, in 1815. In earlier years it was a place of considerable business and trade, but since the introduction of railroads it has fallen off to a very insignificant village. There is, however, one store in the place, which does a prosperous business ; there are also two blacksmith shops and a wagonmaker's shop.

ADENA.

This small village is situated in the southwest corner of the township. It was never laid off as a town, but lots have been sold from time to time and buildings erected upon them-a store and a few mechanics' shops started. The Presbyterians have a good church here. It is a neat but very little village.

POSTOFFICES.

This office was established in 1805 in the township. Abel Carey was the first postmaster. The following list it is believed contains all of the postmasters down to 1879: Abel Caroy, 1805; William Blackiston, 1829; Thomas Odbert, --; George M. Fleming, served two months and resigned; John Irvine, 1841 ; Charles Barnes, 1841-1845 ; Joseph MeGrew, appointed, declined ; Robert Leslie, 1845-1849 ; John Hobson, 1849-1851;

70-B. & J. Cos.

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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 191

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