USA > Ohio > Champaign County > History of Champaign County, Ohio, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume I > Part 95
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115
The plat of Urbana the seat of Justice for the County of Champaign. Each in lot is 6 poles in front and 10 poles back, containing 60 square poles, except the 4 fractional lots around the Public Ground, which is euch 6 poles square, being 30 square poles. The number of acres and perches that is in the Out lots is set down in each lot. The width of the streets is in each street and their different names annexed in writing. Each In and Out lot marked with the letter C. is at this time the property of said county. The Lots marked with the W is the property of Col. William Ward. The Public Ground contains one acre and 61 square poles, being Thirteen poles North and South and 17 poles East and West. The run is to run on a straight direction from the east end of sald town to the Main Ohio street as in the plan of said town is marked and continues said course to Second West street. Thence as marked in said plan. The Lots No. 201-202-211-212 two of said lots marked with the letters C. and two with the letters W. being at the Northeast corner of said town is set apart for tuition and religious purposes. The whole town contains 212 In lots and 4 fractions of lots around the Public Ground. The one half of said lots being the property of the County, and the other half is the property of Col. William Ward, the original proprietor of said land. There is 22 Out lots around snid In lots as in the plan described. The one half the property of the said County and the other half the property of the said Ward. The whole of the Town land contains 160 acres running to the cardinal points. The mid land lying in the North half of section No. 23, Township fifth and Range eleventh East of the Great Miami River.
October 11, 1805.
William Ward, (Seal) Joseph C. Vance (Seal)
This day personally appeared before me John Runyan one of the Associate Judges In and for the County of Champaign, Joseph C. Vance Director for said town and William Ward original proprietor of said Town land and acknowledged the within plan of the town named Urbana and here committed to Record as the law in such case has directed, to be their act and deed. Given under my hand and seal this eleventh day October and year 1805.
John Runyan (Seal)
A study of the plat of 1805 will explain the narrowness of Kenton, Locust, Walnut and High streets. It will also be noticed how Ward and the county divided the lots between them and it must be admitted that the pro-
Digitized by Google
960
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
prietor treated the county very generously. It seems that it was not the original plan to put the court house in the middle of the square, but someone conceived the idea of putting the second temple of justice there and a court house adorned the public square from about 1817 until it was torn down in June, 1840. The bricks of the old court house were bought by Alfred M. Stansbury and used in the house which is now standing in 1917 at the corner of Miami and High streets. The site of the jail remained on lot 111 at the corner of Market and Kenton streets until it was moved to its present loca- tion on north Main street on the rear of lots 16 and 17 in 1830. The present court house was constructed on the south end of lots 16 and 17 in 1839 and 1840. The cemetery lots were designated as 211 and 212, although lots of an equal size adjoining to the north were included in the cemetery ground where all interments were made up to 1856. Ward street was not opened through until later and there were some bodies still remaining in the old ceme- tery until the nineties. In fact there are some remaining in the old ceme- tery in 1917.
THE EFFECT OF THE WAR OF 1812 ON THE TOWN.
The next chapter in the history of the little village is concerned with the War of 1812. From the summer of 1812 until the fall of 1814 Urbana was a military camp and during those two years more than ten thousand men were camped in or adjoining the village at one time or another; never this number at any one time. As might be expected, the village profited very considerably as a result of the presence of the many soldiers and busi- ness flourished because the government was paying its men with specie. "Hard money" was hard to get, and while there was not a large amount of it in circulation, yet it was sufficient in amount to be a distinct benefit to the business interests of the village. During these years there were many mechan- ics and tradesmen as well as a few professional men who settled in the town. Doctor Carter, one of the most eminent of the early physicians of the county, came here with the army and would undoubtedly never have heard of Urbana if he had not been here as a surgeon in the army. The tanners, the woodworkers, the blacksmiths, the tailors, the coopers, the bakers and candle-stick makers were all busy during the three years- 1812-15-and it is fair to presume that several of them became attached to the town and either remained here permanently or else returned to their homes and subsequently located in the town or county. Additional light
96 1
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
on the part the War of 1812 played in the early history of Urbana is given in the military chapter.
The village grew so rapidly that by the spring of 1816 it began to plan for incorporation. It is not known how many people there were in the village in 1816, but the fact remains that it was a village of sufficient size to have a spirited contest for mayor and a number of other officials. Dur- ing the fall of 1815 and the spring of 1816 the commissioners were planning a fine new brick court house to be erected in the public square, other brick buildings were rising around the square, and what was a virgin forest ten years previously was now assuming the airs of a city. The square was lined with business houses or dwellings, usually the buildings being a combina- tion of storeroom and dwelling. It is probable that most of the storekeepers around the square lived in the same building in which they dealt in salt and furs. If photography had been in use in 1816 and a picture could have been taken of the public square and some of the main streets they would have presented a distinctly rural appearance, and yet Urbana was the most prosperous town within a radius of forty miles.
INCORPORATION IN 1816.
But whatever the size of the village may have been in the winter of 1816, its leading citizens began to agitate the question of incorporation and as a result it was decided to incorporate. The records do not state whether a vote was taken on the question and as far as is known the election held on Saturday, March 2, 1816, for the first officers was called by a group of citizens. At this election the following officers were elected : George Fithian, mayor ; A. R. Col- well, recorder; William Neal, treasurer; William Mahlin, marshal; John Wal- lace, assessor; John Reynolds, W. H. Fyffe, William Glenn, Daniel Hel- mick and William Ward, Jr., trustees. The judges of election-George Hite (Hitt), Simon Kenton and Anthony Patrick-certified to the elec- tion of these first officials of the town of Urbana. All were elected for a period of one year only and a tenure of one year was the rule until the town was advanced to the rank of a city in 1868.
More than a hundred years have passed since the first village council organized itself for business on the night of March 15, 1816. The first meeting was held at the house of John Fitch and, after being called to order by the new mayor, the various officials were inducted into office. The council appointed a committee to draft by-laws to govern itself, the committee being composed of Mayor Fithian, Abraham Colwell and Daniel
(61)
Digitized by Google
962
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
Helmick. The minutes of the town council from March 15, 1816, to March, 1834, are accessible, but for some reason they are lacking from that time until April, 1855.
The minutes of the meeting of the council do not set forth many facts of historical value. It is noted that on March 27, 1816, an ordi- nance was passed which forbade the discharge of firearms within the corpo- ration limits, fast driving on the streets, all theatrical shows, sleight-of- hand shows and "living animal shows". Evidently the town had been afflicted with some kind of a show that did not meet with the approval of the staid council; but it is not evident why the prohibition should have been pronounced against the exhibition of animals. Shows of various kinds, including circuses, were traveling up and down the Mad river valley as early as the thirties, and the papers in the forties have flaming announce- ments of "georgeous and spectacular shows". The "fast driving" of 1817 must have been done on horseback, since there are many references to the stumpy condition of the streets as late as the twenties. The public square contained a few fine trees scattered around and so thickly scattered that they formed an abundant shade in the summer time. John Reynolds, the village postmaster and banker, and undoubtedly the wealthiest man in the town, was elected mayor in the spring of 1817, but it is evident that he did not or would not serve. At a meeting of the council on the first of July a resolution was passed fining Reynolds two dollars "for not serving as mayor". Mayor Fithian held over until March, 1818, when Moses B. Corwin, one of the first lawyers in the county, was elected. During the next sixteen years (1818-34) there were only five mayors, although each was elected for only one year at a time. The succession follows: William Ward, 1818-20; Thomas Gwynne, 1820-22; Jonathan E. Chaplin, 1822-25; Evan Banes, 1825-26; Mathew Magrew, 1826-35. Of this number Ward was a farmer, Gwynne a merchant, Banes a physician and newspaper editor and Magrew a farmer.
FURTHER MUNICIPAL DETAILS.
As previously stated the records from 1834 to 1855 are missing and there are no official records to indicate the succession in the mayoralty dur- ing that period. It is known, however, that Magrew served after 1835, but how long is not known. Nelson Rhodes appears in the record as mayor in 1855 and may have been serving for some time previously. He was fol- lowed in April, 1856, by William C. Keller, who died in office in May,
Digitized by Google
963
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
1857, the vacancy being filled by the council with the appointment of E. L. Small. Judge William Patrick succeeded to the office in April, 1859, and served continuously until April, 1866. George B. Coulter then took up the reins of government and continued in office until his death in September, 1867. The council elected Leander H. Long, a preacher, chaplain in the Civil War, and a prominent man in Urbana for half a century, to fill out the vacancy caused by the death of Coulter, and he served until the town advanced to the rank of a city in 1868.
Urbana was raised to the rank of a second-class city, as defined by the Legislature of Ohio, following a census taken by A. C. Jones on February 4, 1868. The state law provided that any municipality might be raised to the rank of a second-class city when it reached a population of five thousand and Urbana had been trying for several years to reach a point where it would be entitled to this honor. According to the accounts from the local newspapers in 1868, Jones proved a very conscientious enumerator and if any inhabitant escaped his vigilant eye it was because he was not in the town on that day. A local historian in commenting on the thoroughness of his work said "he made a clean sweep, missing not a man, even counting the tombstones and everything that had any relation to the human race." But his return showed a total of 5,124 and, officially, all of this number were recorded as belonging to the human race-and actually living on the day the census was taken.
The result of the census, showing that Urbana had more than five thousand inhabitants, entitled it to the rank of a second-class city and steps were at once taken by the officials of the village to provide for such changes in its government as the change in rank brought about. On February 25, 1868, the old council divided the city into three wards and provided for an election to be held on the first Monday of April, 1868. for the first set of city officials.
SOME STRENUOUS MAYORALTY CAMPAIGNS.
As a result of this first city election the following officials were elected : Cyrus Snyder, mayor; Joseph C. Brand, Jr., and Thomas J. O'Roarke, councilmen for first ward; John Helps and R. H. Cheatham, councilmen for second ward; David Powers and John H. Ayres, councilmen for third ward. Cyrus Snyder, first mayor of the city, was a lawyer and died in Washing- ton, D. C. Reverend Long succeeded Snyder two years later, the tenure then being two years, and served one term, 1870-72. The mayors since
Digitized by Google
964
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
that time, with their politics and years of service are as follows: Joseph C. Brand, Republican, 1872-76; Charles H. Ganson, Republican, 1876-78; Jeremiah Deuel, Democrat, 1878-80; Joseph C. Brand, Republican, 1880-82; Charles H. Ganson, Republican, 1882-88; W. R. McClellan, Democrat, 1888-90; Charles H. Ganson, Republican, 1890-98: James B. Johnson, Repub- lican, 1898-1902; Samuel L. P. Stone, Democrat, 1902-03; James B. John- son, Republican, 1903-died in office on December 19, 1905; Robert Young. Republican, served as mayor by virtue of being president of the city council, 1905: William R. Wilson. Republican. 1906-08: E. L. Bodey, Democrat, 1908-10: W. R. Wilson, Republican. 1910-12; David M. Green, Republican, 1912-died in office, October 23, 1914: Marion R. Talbot, Republican, Octo- ber 23, 1914, to January 1, 1916: George A. Talbott, Republican, January 1, 1916, and candidate for re-election.
The mayoralty campaigns have often been marked by strong and, at times, even violent political fights. National affairs are usually lost sight of, as they should be, and the election is decided solely on questions of local moment. Party lines are broken by voters who are "straight" at national and state elections, and a Democrat or Republican is elected mayor as the voters may think the one or the other will make a good mayor. In at least one case there were two mayors for a time: The Legislature in 1902 had passed an act changing the time of elections from the "even" to the "odd" years, with the result that in 1903 Urbana had two mayors who were claim- ing the office-Samuel L. P. Stone and James B. Johnson. Stone had been elected in the spring of 1902 and assumed the office in the following April. Acting on the theory that the new law provided for an election in the fall of 1903, the city authorities ordered an election for the fall of that year and James B. Johnson was elected. Both mayors undertook to administer the affairs of government, both appointed a chief of police and there was a general duplication of officials. This state of civic chaos continued until the attorney-general decided that Johnson was the legal incumbent. Stone quietly withdrew upon the decision of the attorney-general and made no effort to contest his seat.
The present municipal code adopted by the General Assembly in 1902 worked a complete change in municipal affairs in Ohio. Under this code most of the city officials are placed under civil service. The only elective officers in the city are the mayor, auditor, treasurer, city solicitor and coun- cilmen, all the others being appointed, either by the mayor or the civil service director. There can be no question that the present method of select- ing such officials as the city engineer, plumbing inspector, street commis-
:
965
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
sioner, etc., insures a higher grade of men; again, the fact that these officials are not removable except for cause takes them out of politics, another rea- son why the new municipal code makes for a better city government.
TEMPESTUOUS ADMINISTRATION OF MAYOR GREEN.
Probably the most tempestuous administration since the Civil War was that of Mayor David M. Green, who served from January 1, 1912, until his death on October 23, 1914. Historians have never agreed as to the character of Napoleon Bonaparte and local authorities have never been able to come to any general agreement concerning the attainments and achieve- ments of Mayor Green. He appears to have been an uneducated, but well- meaning man, anxious to do what was right, but a catspaw in the hands of unscrupulous enemies and injudicious friends ; and yet despite every charge that was brought against him it is generally conceded that his heart was in the right place. Elected by the Republicans in the fall of 1911, he failed of re-nomination two years later, and was induced by the "wet" element of the city to run as an independent candidate. His opponents were both known as "dry" advocates, Nelson M. Rhodes being the Republican and E. L. Bodey the Democratic candidate, but Green easily defeated them.
Green began his second term in January, 1914, and within a month he was threatened with impeachment by the very men who had been his sup- porters two years before. Green became stubborn and his stubbornness developed into obstinacy, with the result that he was in imminent danger of losing his seat. "But the mayor weathered the storm, although he got considerably water-logged while steering his craft through the troubled seas of Urbana politics, missing both the Scylla of Republican "drys" and the Charybdis of Democratic "drys". His followers organized the Urbana Inde- pendent Club with Richard Johns as president and Jacob Huston as secre- tary. The club had two hundred and twenty-five members and was a flour- ishing organization during the spring and summer of 1914. A glance at the local papers of that period gives a graphic picture of this club and its workings; and hints of mysterious conferences. Machiavellian schemes, of stovepipes and dictagraphs throw a mantle of mystery over the club's whole career of a few months. With the death of the mayor in October, 1914, the club had no excuse for existence and its obsequies followed shortly after those of the man who had been responsible for its transitory career.
Mayor Green discharged city officials at his pleasure and at one time in his career as mayor appointed his brother-in-law, J. D. McCarthy, as service
Digitized by Google
966
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
director, but the appointment was so severely criticised that McCarty even- tually resigned; not, however, until the council had reduced his salary to the minimum. At another time the mayor dismissed all of the members of the civil service commission and appointed a whole new board; at another time he suspended the police chief, the fire chief and the entire police force. But sufficient has been told to indicate in a general way the tempestuous character of his administration. There is no question that the criticism heaped upon the mayor hurried him to an untimely grave.
PRESENT CITY ADMINISTRATION.
Mayor Green died on October 23, 1914, and on the same day Marion R. Talbot succeeded to the office by virtue of being president of the city. council. Mayor Talbot (no relation to the present Mayor Talbott) served until January 1, 1916, a total of four hundred and thirty-five days, during which time he heard four hundred and eighteen cases and assessed fines and costs and collected in licenses the sum of $2,684.44. Mayor Talbot made an unusual record in collecting fines and when he retired from the office his books showed less than fifteen dollars in outstanding fines and costs. The records during his short term show that his several years of experience as a county official and state examiner stood him in good stead.
George A. Talbott, the present mayor assumed the office on January 1, 1916, and no better statement of the general condition of the city in the year 1916 can be given than his report to the council for the first year of his administration. He explains the improvements that have been made and the improvements projected; the money collected and the money spent ; and a general estimate of the growth of the city along governmental lines. The historian submits this annual report of the mayor for the year 1916 without change from the original, believing that the mayor, as the head of the city, is in a better position to speak of the record which has been made during the year than any other person. It follows:
MAYOR'S REVIEW OF 1916.
The first year of this administration has passed and is to be judged by Its works. That it has been a year of action can be seen in the various improvements throughout the city. This has been made possible by a council that has been harmonious and pro- gressive in its deliberations, No council in years has been freer from strife and bitter- news. This feeling of good will has prevailed in all departments. It has been a source of great pleasure to see the harmony that has existed between the members of this body. and the spirit displayed in the transaction of the city's business. Has it ever occurred to you that we have been made the custodians of an eight and a half million dollar cor
-
-
967
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, OHIO.
poration, and our administration that of a public trust. We should be more careful in the expenditures of this trust fund than we would our own private affairs, because of the confidence reposed in us as the servants of the people. How well the work has been done can be seen in a review of the deeds accomplished.
In the way of improvements we have completed the paving of Miami and Court streets, together with the storm sewers constructed in those streets and the additional storm sewers in Locust street and In the ditch from Scloto to Church streets. The great Improvement to these thoroughfares will be commended by all. The work was finished in good time and according to specifications and contract. I have been told by other con- tractors that Urbana had better paving at a lower cost than any other city near ua. Whether this be true or not we know the work was done promptly and without any friction between contractor and city. This would Indicate good feeling on the part of both.
Another improvement made that has added to the beauty of the city was the cover- ing of the town branch on West Water street. This adds greatly to the looks of the street and makes West Water one of the most desirable residential streets in the city. It is my earnest desire to see the improvement extended to East Water street and the town branch covered to the intersection of Cemetery avenue. No greater Improvement could be made and one that would add more to beautifying our city.
The grading and construction of sidewalks on Hill street is another commendable piece of work. For years the residents of that part of the city have been forced to wade through mud going to and from their homes and to the Baptist church. Now they have concrete walks and can reach their homes and church with comfort.
A number of minor improvements made have added to the convenience and comfort of the people. No longer do you see Monument Square used as a switching yard for interurban cars, nor snow piled In the streets until removed by the rays of the sun. It is hauled off the streets by cars the same as other cities.
The moral standing of Urbana has never been at a higher standard than at the present time. During the holiday week there were but four arrests for drunkeness, and not one of the four was a resident of this city. This would Indicate that our standard of morality was of the highest type. This can be accounted for by the fact that our people have been employed during the year. It is when men are Idle that crimes are committed. We do not claim that there are no violations of law and ordinances. but it has been curtailed by the watchfulness of an efficient police force. It has not been the policy of this administration to fill the city treasury with fines and costs collected from our unfortunate fellowmen, but to temper justice with mercy. It is not the mission of a city to fill its treasury at the expense of some of its unfortunate people, but it is the duty of a city to build up and help Its citizens. There is no individual so hardened but what has a tender spot in his makeup. Let us apply the golden rule and extend the helping hand to the unfortunate. It may be the means of changing a career and start- Ing the individual on a new life.
One of the prides of our city should be the municipal water works plant. For years this was a bone of contention between the city and the water works corporation. and led to years of litigation and heavy expenses. This culminated In the city purchasing the works and assuming the operation of the plant. The wisdom of this move is being proven every day. Various improvements have been made to the machinery and operat- ing facilities. Today we have one of the most complete and up-to-date plants in the country. Notwithstanding the grent cost in making these Improvements and bettering the facilities, the plant has been more than self sustaining. The income has been suffi- cient to meet the operating expenses and set aside a fund sufficient to meet the maturing bonds each year. This year we paid ten thousand dollars that become due, and the
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.