History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I, Part 92

Author: Middleton, Evan P., editor
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 92

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).

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BUSINESS INTERESTS SIXTY YEARS AGO.

The business interests of Mechanicsburg sixty years ago were represented as follow : P. W. Alden, merchant; Chapman & Jones, leather dealer and tannery ; J. L. Carlton, merchant tailor; V. Hunter, mill (flour) ; Thomas Jones, physician ; James & Taylor, drugs; Legge & Sceva, boots and shoes; A. L. Mann, railroad agent and commission merchant ; J. L. Magruder, saddle and harness-maker; William Murray, carriage manufacturer; Thomas Mor- gan, house furnishings; C. H. Newcomb, furniture and undertaking ; J. W. Runion, groceries; S. S. Staley, flour- and grist-mill; R. D. Williams & Brother, merchants.

The business and professional interests of Mechanicsburg during the summer of 1917 were in the hands of the following: American Express Company ; C. A. Armfield, barber; Anderson Inn, hotel; Dr. L. E. Baker, physician ; Mrs. L. A. Baker, millinery ; Boulton and Ware, grocery; John Brinnon, general store and meat market: Frank Brown, restaurant; H. M. Brown and Company, elevator; Mrs. L. C. Brown, millinery ; Buckwalter- Adams & Company, general store ; J. O. Bunch, barber ; Burnham and Hyde, livery and stock dealers; R. B. Byers, dry goods; Pat Caliaghan, grocer; Central Bank; Chinese laundry : Clemans and Alexander, saw-mill; D. G. Colwell, photographer; Edward Conway, blacksmith; Culbertson Brothers, garage, machine shop and carriages; H. H. Darling, blacksmith; Davis and Byers, furniture and undertaking: Dr. H. Dickson, physician; Farmers Bank; H. H. Freeman, automobile repair shop: C. H. Fullerton, tailor shop; F. E. Gannon, grocery store; W. F. Griffin, barber: Gas Company; Green- ville Gravel Company : Hager and Raltus, pool room; W. H. Halley, grocery ; Hanley-Maddox Company, clothing store; Dr. J. C. Hathaway, physician; Mrs. May Hellman, millinery ; W. H. Hunter, hardware : O. C. Hupp and Son, undertakers; E. W. Ingman and Son, tailors; Irwin Hardware Company ; C. M. Jack, florist; Floyd Jobe, baker and confectioner ; Albert Kolb, sec- ond-hand store: C. E. Leavitt, poultry house : Legge & Osborne, hardware; Adolph Lehne, jeweler; F. Locke, grocer; Long Mill and Elevator: Long- brake & Reece. shoe store: Edward M., Loney, grocery store: Magruder & Son, insurance, loans and real estate: C. W. Martin, grocery; C. L. McCorkle, harness shop; D. F. McLaren, coal dealer : Mechanicsburg Cream- ery Company : Mechanicsburg Telephone Company : Mechanicsburg Light and Power Company: Joseph Metzner, meat market: B. F. Moody, stock dealer: P. T. Moore, dry goods : O. A. Ninchelser, physician; H. O. Ogden,

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physician; Ohio Grain Elevator Company; Fred Owen, books and notions; Earl Parson, shoe cobbler; Princess Theater; Dr. W. A. Rebert, dentist; William Richter, restaurant; W. H. Robinson, dry cleaning; S. J. Robinson, blacksmith ; George Sewell, woodworker; O. E. Shaw, editor of News Item; O. E. Shaw, druggist; Sisson-Robison Lumber Company; C. C. Slater, editor Morning Telegram; Dr. E. R. Stockwell, veterinary surgeon; Dr. Wil- liam A. Stoutenborough, physician; L. F. Stoup, variety store; Stuart & Company ; Dr. E. H. Thorpe, dentist; Venrick & Northup, tin shop; T. B. Ware, attorney; James Waugh, barber; Weaver & Bower, farm supplies; Wing's meat market; Wing Brothers Seed Company ; C. A. Wood, attorney.

POSTOFFICE.

The Mechanicsburg postoffice was established only a few years after the village was established; but in the absence of all records little is known concerning the office during the pioneer days. Charles Baxter was appointed postmaster in 1890 and served four years. He was succeeded by Harry Moody, who also served four years and was followed by Tulley Mckinney, who held the office two terms, or until 1906. Edward Byres was the next postmaster and served until in March, 1914. On March 20, 1914, J. D. Yocum received the appointment and is the present incumbent. The receipts of the office have increased from year to year until the office is now on the second class. The receipts noted in the last report were more than eight thousand dollars. Radiating from the office are four rural mail routes, cov- ering one hundred and six miles and serving five hundred people. The people of Mechanicsburg are given excellent mail service, receiving four mails daily and sending out the same number.

CITY GOVERNMENT.

Mechanicsburg has been fortunate in having at the head of her city government such men as the present mayor, J. S. Neer. Almost without exception the officials have been strong and competent citizens who have striven without selfish motives to further the interests of their town and community. The city officials for 1917 include the following: J. S. Neer, mayor; S. T. Stultz, clerk; M. S. Moore, marshal: William Culberson, William Cheney, D. J. Burnham, Bruce Neer and Frank Adams, council- men.

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SOLDIERS MONUMENT.

Located on the highest point in Maple Grove cemetery is one of the most beautiful soldier monuments in Ohio. The monument stands thirty- two feet high and weighs sixty tons. It was erected at a cost of three thou- sand one hundred dollars. The monument serves as a monument not only to the "boys" of 1861-65, but to the noble and patriotic women who made possible its erection. A little band of women, headed by Mrs. J. S. Moore, worked unceasingly for several years for the purpose and succeeded in rais- ing one thousand six hundred dollars. Through the efforts of the Memo- rial Association, and the aid of B. F. Cummings, the necessary amount was raised. The monument was unveiled by Mrs. J. S. Moore and the dedicatory address was given by Miss Maxon, of Gallipolis.

Nearly every town has produced men and women who have achieved more than local reputations and Mechanicsburg can easily boast of her quota. Among those who attained more than local note, none was better known than the late Joseph Wing, who was known all over the United States as the best authority on the culture of alfalfa. He was so recognized by the gov- ernment, and on several occasions was sent abroad and to various parts of this country in the interest of alfalfa culture. The Wing Seed Company, known throughout the entire Central West, was started by Joseph Wing and stands as a monument to his industry.

Edward Hunt, the son of Mrs. Julia Davis Hunt, is gaining quite a repu- tation as an artist, and bids fair to make a national reputation. Mechanics- burg has produced a song writer in the person of Arthur Longbrake, who has written more than twenty-five songs, all of which have been accepted and published. Odell Williams, a well-known comedian, was born in Mechan- icsburg.

GEORGE W. HUPP.

One of the prime developers of Champaign county was George W. Hupp, who was born in the historic Shenandoah valley of Virginia, in 1813. When eighteen years of age, after the death of his father, he emigrated with his mother to Ohio and settled in the Mad River valley, where he with the family engaged in farming for fifteen years. Upon leaving the farm, Mr. Hupp learned the cabinet-makers trade in Urbana, after which he located in Mechanicsburg and thereafter made that place his home. He was one of the first furniture manufacturers in Champaign county and his products gained a wide reputation for strength and general utility.

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AN ANTE-BELLUM INCIDENT.

Perhaps the most exciting incident in the history of Mechanicsburg occurred on a Sunday sixty-five or seventy years ago, when several negroes were brought from Cawtaba to Udney Hyde, the local "conductor" of the "underground railroad," to convey to Northern limits. As there was then in Mechanicsburg a strong pro-slavery sentiment such a scheme was odious to many of the citizens and when the men arrived on the outskirts of the village with the negroes, they were attacked and a serious encounter fol- lowed, during which the negroes escaped. A part of them returned in the direction from which they had come and the others continued northward. In the encounter the men in charge of the negroes were taken from their horses and severely beaten. The streets of the village were thronged with people, many of whom carried with them long clubs and other weapons which they intended to use to defeat the plans of the Abolitionists in secret- ing the negroes and conveying them to Northern limits. The Abolitionists at that time in Mechanicsburg were very few, in fact, only three, Jacob Ware, Robert Wilson and Udney Hyde. Jacob Ware was doubtless the first Aboli- tionist there. He had seen slaves sold at auction in Southern states and was thoroughly converted to the Abolitionist cause. When he returned to Mechanicsburg, he brought with him some ideas and information not known to the average Northerner, and it was through his influence that the Aboli- tionist cause was furthered in Mechanicsburg and the immediate vicinity.

BIG FIGHT ON THE MAIN STREET.

During the early days in Champaign county there were many men proud of their physical prowess and of their ability to fight. During those days fights were not engendered so much on account of ill-feeling between different parties as for the purpose of displaying the "manhood" and ability of the belligerents. Men who were on friendly terms would meet on a cer- tain date to decide which was the better man physically and with them came their friends and supporters. These fights were not fought on the plan of our modern prize fights with respect to referees, rounds, trainers, etc .. but the fight would be continued until the conquered said the word, "enough."

On one occasion one of these big fights took place in the main street in Mechanicsburg. One of the parties lived eight miles below the town and the other lived several miles east. They met as by agreement, pulled off their

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coats and the fight was on. A large and enthusiastic crowd had gathered and the applause and taunts of the spectators urged the participants to their great- est efforts. No rules were laid down for these fights, as the bystanders believed that anything was fair in war. The fight continued for perhaps an hour and the injuries received by both were serious. It is said upon good authority that the eyes of one of the men were gouged from their sockets. He, with the fortitude of a Spartan, deliberately put them back in place and tried to resume the combat, but he was so dazed that his efforts to get at his antagonist were futile thereafter. The injury that this man received was of such a character that he was unable to see for one year. His opponent, however, did not come out of the battle unscarred. While lying on the ground he had been kicked until many of his ribs had been broken, and his flesh had been beaten almost into a pulp. The names of these participants cannot be learned, as much of this story is handed down by tradition. Who was the victor will never be known.

OLD-TIME AUCTIONEERS.

The village of Mechanicsburg has produced two auctioneers of more than usual note. The bid of one of these for distinction is based on the fact that he was perhaps the first auctioneer in this section of the country. His name was Owens. The other auctioneer was an extraordinary one because of a certain ludicrous incongruity in his nature. He was a most ardent ten- perance advocate. Here is where the incongruity of his nature enters, if tradition is to be relied upon. The most striking part of his apparel was a high, commodious plug hat which he wore when he cried sales. The story goes that on one occasion, at least. he had a bottle of whiskey concealed in the crown of the afore-mentioned plug hat. When he felt that he was in need of strength and inspiration, he would excuse himself and step to one side as if to recuperate his energy and wipe the sweat from his brow. While he did so, however, he removed the bottle of whiskey from his hat and took a drink. After he had returned the bottle to its place he would proceed with the sale with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

FIRST COLORED SETTLER.

The first colored person to become a permanent inhabitant of Mechanics- burg was Sandy Lynns, the grandfather of Sarah Reid. It is not known at just what time he came, but if tradition is to be relied upon, it was in the · early forties. Since for several years he was the only colored person in

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Mechanicsburg, he was looked upon with a great deal of curiosity and per- haps with some mystification. It was not until after the Civil War that there were many colored people in Mechanicsburg. After the close of the war, however, there was quite an influx of colored people. From that time until this their number has continued to increase until at present there are about two hundred in Mechanicsburg.

CONTRAST BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT.

John Kain little dreamed, when, in 1814. he laid off a little patch of ground comprising one thousand and twelve square feet and called it a town- site which was later to be known as Mechanicsburg, that at the beginning of the year 1917, his cross roads village could increase to a busy city of more than one thousand seven hundred inhabitants and cover an area of one thousand acres. The contrast between the two dates is so great that it is difficult to comprehend. The whistle of the locomotive and the factory, the rattle of machinery, the tall church spires, the elegant business blocks, hand- some residences, paved streets with their bustling throngs of busy people have taken the place of the silent woods.

The location of any town or city is always the result of some circum- stance, and whatever might have been the conditions that inspired Kain to choose this particular spot, it is quite evident that a more lovely spot or one more generously endowed by nature could scarcely have been found.

THE TEMPERANCE CRUSADE.

At one time the saloon in Mechanicsburg was the most largely repre- sented of all the business interests. There seems to have been a reason for this, because in the early days, and even forty and fifty years ago, drinking seemed to be universal. Men and women, and oftentimes preachers con- sidered it proper to drink. But there came a time in the history of Mechanics- burg when excessive drinking became very obnoxious to a few of the better citizens of the village. Thereupon they sought to abolish the saloon. What is known as the "temperance crusade" occurred in 1871-72.

There were six or seven saloons in Mechanicsburg at that time. As is usually the case the women of the town were the instigators of a crusade against the liquor interests and were very persistent in attacking this evil. Their plan was rather a unique one for that time. But the results were in later years for the best. The plan chosen by the leaders for the elimination

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of the liquor evil was the influence of prayer. The crusaders organized themselves into bands and held prayer services in the saloons when permission was granted them by the owner, and on the outside if he was unwilling for them to enter his place of business. In very few instances, however, was the saloonkeeper willing to have the crusaders in his place of business. There was one exception, when a man by the name of Wilkinson, was asked by the women for permission to enter his saloon, he gladly gave his consent and told them that they should feel free to come and go and to stay as long as they wished. His saloon was located on the east side of Main street near the railroad and was quite a loafing place for the men of the town. But in most cases the saloonkeeper did not wish to be bothered with this praying band of women and permission to enter their saloons was usually denied. Under these circumstances prayer services were held on the street in front of the saloons to which entrance had been denied. Besides, preaching and prayer services were held on the street corners, around which large, enthusi- astic crowds would gather, some for curiosity and some for sincerity of pur- pose.

The newspaper of the village treated the crusaders with the utmost courtesy and granted to them one column of the paper to use for promoting their interests. The woman chosen to do the editorial work for the cru- saders was F. Rachael Ray, who was also secretary of the organization. She contributed several articles to the paper and was secretary of the orgnization for some time. But in the course of time the leaders disagreed as to proper policies, and this led to the resignation of F. Rachael Ray. When the organ- ization of the crusaders thus became partly disrupted, the enthusiasm and interests of the members seemed to wane. Finally the demonstrations in the saloons and on the streets ceased. It is not the intention of the historian to comment on the results attained at that time, but doubtless the few women living now who were leaders in the crusade feel amply rewarded for their efforts.

MECHANICSBURG BOY SCOUTS.

The Boy Scout movement in Mechanicsburg began in January, 1912. but for various reasons was not then very successful. The idea of a Boy Scout organization was not revived until January. 1913. when Thomas C. Erwin passed the necessary qualifications of a scout. The first permanent or- ganization was formed on January 15. 1913. The commission received from national headquarters was made out to H. C. Rogers, scout master, Bert Highlands and A. G. Welshimer, assistants. A. G. Welshimer served as

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assistant for one year and was succeeded by Thomas C. Erwin, who was elected on October 1, 1914, and is in charge at the present time.

The first meeting of the Boy Scouts was held in the office of Bert High- lands, the superintendent of the city schools. The meetings continued to be held there until a suitable place could be secured down town. After looking at several rooms, a room above the Burg hardware store was secured and fitted up as a club room. The organization has been able through the help of the citizens of the town to equip the room with carpenter tools, benches, and other equipment necessary to provide training for the boys after school hours and on holidays.

The organization began with a membership of about twenty and has grown until the membership now numbers about twenty-eight. One of the inducements that was attractive to the boys was the idea of an annual camping trip. The first camping trip was near Clifton, on the line between Clark and Greene counties. The men in charge were H. C. Rogers, A. G. Welsh- imer and Bert Highlands. This camping trip lasted for a period of one week.

The camping trip for the second year was taken to the same place and was extended over a period of thirteen days. It was on this trip that those in charge gained some valuable experience, in that they did not require all of the boys to remain in camp the full length of time. Since that time, however, the fact is made clear to the boys that they are required to remain in camp the full period of time. During the same summer numerous week- end "hiking" trips were made to places near Mechanicsburg. In order that the boys might be given a more varied experience, a new site was chosen for a camping ground in 1916. The site chosen was Dunraven Park, located near Dublin, on the Scioto river. The camp lasted for a period of twelve days and was under the supervision of C. H. Rogers, Thomas C. Erwin, and Bert Highlands. On this camping trip Mrs. Bert Highlands acted as chief cook for the troop.

The matter of finance was one of the obstacles that somewhat hindered the progress of the Boy Scout meetings. The ways of raising money have been numerous. At the time of organization a chicken supper was given at the Methodist Episcopal church and one hundred dollars was raised at that time. On February 8, 1916, a benefit show was given under the auspices of the boys to remain in camp the full length of time. Since the increase in the price of paper and rags, the boys have been interested in gathering up old papers and old rags, for which they receive from forty to seventy-five cents a hundred.

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CHAPTER XXXVI.

ST. PARIS.

David Huffman was the original proprietor of the townsite of St. Paris, which was surveyed and platted in September, 1831. It was the intention to call the village New Paris, but upon learning of another place in the state by the same name, the prefix, "Saint", was adopted instead of "New". The first house erected on the site was that of David Huffman, the proprie- tor of the townsite. The first frame house worthy of mention was built by John Falkner shortly after the village was laid out. Among the first taverns was the one kept by William Rosebro and known as the LaRue tavern. Jacob Protsman was the proprietor of the first blacksmith shop, which stood on Main street. One of the early grocers was Dan Putman, who had a store on West Main street. After the Columbus & Piqua railroad was built through the village the growth of the town was comparatively rapid.

The additions which have been made to the town include the following : David Huffman, October 6, 1832: James Huffman and Lemuel Taylor. July 1, 1850: John Snapp, April 23, 1851 ; John Walker, ten lots. March 17, 1852; John Snapp. March 17. 1852: John Huffman, July 27, 1853: John Snapp. sixteen lots, November 8, 1854: Jeremiah H. Klapp, March, 1855: J. S. Leedom, July 3, 1855: Hamilton, Apple & Richeson, thirty-one lots, March 26, 1855: D. W. White, ten lots, 1856: D. W. White, eight lots, January 2, 1857; D. W. White, five lots, October 14, 1857: D. W. White, January, 1858; David Scott, March 24, 1859: B. F. Golden, April 22, 1864; B. F. Golden, April 25. 1864: B. F. Golden, July 27, 1864; B. F. Golden, April 2, 1868: Samuel Bowersock, September, 1867; John Poorman, March 9. 1874: Ezra Furrow. April 7. 1874: David Strock, April 7, 1874: Ezra Fur- row, October 11, 1879: John McMorran. June 8, 1881 : A. E. Davis, March 17, 1882; Furrow. Rhodes and Barley, July 12. 1882: North Park Place, August 14, 1882: McMorran and D. C. Gondeis, July 12, 1882; Wm. C. Moore. November 2, 1886; D. Dugan, April 26, 1888.

On February 8, 1858, a petition signed by fifty-seven persons was pre- sented to the county commissioners asking incorporation of the village. The

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first mayor was John F. Riker. The officials at the present time consist of the following: Asa Taylor, mayor; Cory Landingburg, marshal; John H. Myers, clerk : M. Powers, treasurer: Ira Hollis, Charles Kizer, W. B. Hill, S. E. Kite, James E. Kite and O. B. Proctor, councilmen.

POSTOFFICE.

The postoffice dates from a few years after the village was laid out. The name of the first postmaster cannot be ascertained with certainty, but among the early postmasters was Jesse Long. Among others have been the following: "Daddy" Wort, Captain Beard, N. Scott, George Kelley, John French, Aaron Riker, William Huffman, J. J. Leedom and J. H. Biddle, the present incumbent, who was appointed on March 17, 1914. Radiating from this office are five rural mail routes, which serve two thousand one hundred and one patrons. The total receipts shown on the last report were $7,833.94. Eleven mails are received daily and nine sent out.

ST. PARIS SCHOOLS.

The first school in the village was held in the house of David Huffman, and the first school house used by the people of St. Paris was a log structure built in 1830 on the land now used as a cemetery, a short distance north of town. Some years later the location of the school was changed to the site of the present school building standing a short distance northwest of the corporate limits of the village. Among the teachers who taught in this early day may be mentioned Messrs. Thatcher, Faulkner, Gardner, Wiant, John Russell, and Miss Sally Armstrong.

The first school within the present St. Paris district was a frame build- ing erected in 1851, a part of which is now used as a residence. Dan Deach and D. W. White were members of the first school board under the free- school system and the first teachers to serve were Thurza Furrow and William Stapleton. In 1860 an intermediate and a secondary high school were estab- lished on the second floor of a building erected by the Sons of Temperance. The first high school teacher was Marion Ross, who later enlisted in the Union Army and served as one of the famous scouting party that attempted to break the Confederate railway connections at Big Shanty. He was captured and was later hanged as a spy at Atlanta, Georgia.

In 1867 a three-story brick building was erected. It was opened on September 5, 1868, for school purposes. James G. Blair was the first superin-

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tendent. The other teachers were Mary Woods, grammar grades; Sarah Armstrong and Miss Drury, intermediate and primary, respectively. Blair was followed by E. D. Whitlock, W. W. Evans, F. M. Porsh and G. W. Snider, in the order given. In 1880 the present school building was erected. The first superintendent in the new building was A. Powell, who was succeeded by the following in the order named : T. S. Dixon, W. M. Howes, G. W. Miller, L. I. Morse, J. M. Reason, G. E. Stevenson, D. C. Bryant, J. H. Fortney, W. C. Coleman, and J. M. Turner, the present incumbent. The teachers who assisted Professor Turner during the past year include the follow- ing : Blanche Lowther, Florence Wyman, Harvey Loudenback, Bertha McBeth, Tillie Kiser, Verda Klapp, Christina Nitchman, Glenn Frye and Florence Jones. The enrollment for the school year was two hundred and seventy- one, sixty-eight of whom were in the high school. With the erection of the new seventy-five thousand dollar school building, the finest in the county, St. Paris will doubtless become quite an educational center, and the result- ing influence will surely serve as a reward for those who have labored for better schools.

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History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I, Part 92

Author: Middleton, Evan P., editor Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Middleton, Evan P., editor
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Indianapolis, B.F. Bowen
Number of Pages: 1196