USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > History of Coshocton County, Ohio, its past and present, 1740-1881 > Part 71
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
became its proprietor. Since his connection with the house was dissolved, the proprietors have been as follows: Allison Williamson, Seth Gard- ner, Mr. Hoover, John Christy, Mrs. Hackenson, and G. A. McDonald. Seward & MeCabe, the present proprietors, took charge in April, 1881.
The spacious three-story brick hotel on the northwest corner of Sixth and Walnut streets, was erected in 1875, by A. M. Williame and M. Weisner. S. L. Gardner was its proprietor for six months, and was succeeded by W. H. H. Price, who continued at its head until his death, which occurred April 1, 1880. Then, after a few months, S MI Price, his son, took charge of the house, and is its present proprietor.
James Calder came to Coshocton in 1809 or 1810 and opened a regular country store on the west side of Second street, a few doors north of the Central House, on the site now occupied by Shaw's queensware store. He remained a few years, became involved in business and was obliged to suspend mercantile operations. Re- moving across the river he founded Caldersburg, now Roscoe, and soon after moved to a farm about two miles west of that place. There and in Caldersburg he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Calder was the first merchant of Cosh- oeton. Charles Williams had for a few years pre- vious kept a very limited stock of dry goods at his tavern but the amount seareely warrants him at that time the title of merchant. His grand- daughter, Mrs. Oliver, residing on Water street, has the old day-book kept by him in 1807. The usual charges are for lodging or liquor but seat- tered through it are a few for calico and other staple dry goods.
liams & Johnson, who remained in business for some years and then disposed of the store. Adam Johnson was a leading character at Coshocton at the time the county was organized, and for years thereafter. He was born in Pennsylvania, and prior to his removal to Coshocton, had spent some time in St. Clairsville as a clerk. He married a daughter of Colonel Williams, and became asso- ciated with him in business. He was the first clerk of the court, auditor and recorder, and was at the same time postmaster. He was distinet- ively a self-made man, and won his way to a posi- tion of influence in county affairs, which he kept up to the time of his death in 1829. John Frew was afterward merchant at this corner, and con- tinued in business here many years, afterward removing his store to the opposite side of Chest- nut street. He came to Coshocton about 1818, and was well and widely known as a prominent business man.
James Renfrew was the next merchant. It was about 1815 that he opened a store, in a frame building, on lot 215 Second street, later occupied by the old Price House. He was born at Lis- burn, County Antrim, Ireland, in 1767. In 1820, while in Pittsburgh, where he was accustomed to purchase goods, he married Mrs. Johnson, a widowed sister of Dr. Kerr, of the A. R. Pres- byterian church, in that city, and mother of John. Joseph K. and William K. Johnson, well- known citizens of Coshocton, at a somewhat later date. William Renfrew, quite prominent as a merchant, and James Renfrew, Jr., were children of Mr. Renfrew by a prior marriage. Mr. Renfrew died in 1832, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.
Hedge & Hammond was the next mercantile In 1817, Benjamin Ricketts began mercantile life at Coshocton, in the builling previously oc- cupied by James Caller, for the same purpose. He was born near Cumberland, Maryland, July 30, 1786. During Benjamin's boyhood, his father died, and he learned the trade of a hatter in that place, with Colonel Blair; married Nancy Taylor, and with their little earthly effects, they crossed the mountains, and Mr. Ricketts opened a shop at Zanesville, soon after removing to Putnam. Too close confinement to his occupation made serious inroads upon his health and, under the firm at Coshocton. Josiah Hedge and Charles Hammond were citizens of St. Clairsville, Ohio, and in October, 1810, they entered into a contract with Adam Johnson, also of that place, to open a store for them at Coshocton, commencing Oeto- ber 20, 1810, he to receive $230 for his services as clerk during the first year. The store was erected on the northeast corner of Chestnut and Water streets, the first goods being sold about the 1st of November. The first books of this firm are also in Mrs. Oliver's possession, in a good state of pres- ervation. In 1815, the goods were sold to Wil- I advice of his physicians, he abandoned the trade
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
and opened a store in West Zanesville. He did not remove to Coshocton until the spring of 1820, for a few years prior to that date operating a store both at West Zanesville and at Coshocton, the latter under the management of his son, T. C. Ricketts, and John Smeltzer. Mr. Ricketts' success in business was attested by the accumu- lations attending it. In 1827, he disposed of his store to his son, Thomas C. Ricketts, who con- tinned in business uninterruptedly until 1856, and has since resumed it. Subsequent to 1827, Benja- min Ricketts turned his attention to stock and land dealing, and acquired a large estate, in the vicinity of Coshocton. He was always averse to a political life. He was elected and acted as justice of the peace, during his residence in Zanesville; in 1825, was placed in nomination as county commissioner. He and the opposing candidate received a tie vote and, by lot, the office devolved upon Mr. Ricketts. He died July 1, 1857. His wife survived him twenty-three years, dying in her ninetieth year.
John Smelzer was a Pennsylvanian by birth and of German descent. He moved to Zanesville when quite small, with his parents, and there served an apprenticeship in the hatter shop of Mr. Ricketts; but steady application to this busi- ness proved injurious to his health, and he was induced to quit it and accept a clerkship in Mr. Ricketts' store. He came to Coshocton in that capacity in the fall of 1818, and was afterward a partner for a short time, but about 1826 he re- moved to Roscoe, where he was engaged in mer- cantile pursuits for many years. Alexander Renfrew was associated with him in business for a while, and afterward Ransom and Medberry. He finally removed to Piqua, Ohio, where he died. He was a man of prepossessing appear- ance, a fluent speaker of both English and Ger- man tongues, and very popular. He served one term as sheriff.
Mr. Thomas C. Ricketts has in his possession the set of books kept in his father's store from 1818 to 1823. In them are found the accounts of early settlers from all parts of the county. Whisky was one of the chief commodities, retail- ing at twenty-cents per quart, or seventy-five cents per gallon. Powder and lead were staples in trade. The latter was sold in bars at nineteen
cents per pound ; powder for one dollar a pound. Coffee was worth forty-five cents a pound; tea, two dollars. Calico was sold at fifty cents per yard; muslin at thirty-seven and one-half to sev- enty-five cents. Tobacco was thirty-seven and one-half cents per pound; sugar, twelve and one- half; iron, twelve and one-half; steel, forty-four cents ; nails, nineteen cents ; salt, two dollars per bushel; dried apples, two dollars per bushel. German almanacs are quoted at twelve and one- half cents; English almanacs at six and one- fourth cents; spelling books at twenty-five cents; flints at two cents. Coal was indirectly dealt in to a limited extent, and brought eight cents per bushel. From the credits it is learned that wood was worth from twenty-five to thirty-seven and a half cents a load; wheat, thirty to seventy-five cents per bushel , corn, twenty cents ; oats, fifteen cents; hogs, two cents per pound.
Robert Hay was probably the next merchant in Coshocton. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, in February, 1801. He came to America in ISI7 and was employed in stores in Pittsburg for two years, and then came to Coshocton in the employ of James Renfrew. After a clerkship of several years he became a partner with Mr. Ren- frew. He soon after opened a store on the east side of Second street, lot 170 or 171, on the site now occupied by Dr. S. H. Lee's drug store and subsequently formed a partnership with William Renfrew.
For fifty years he was in business. He was in his store when taken with his last illness No man ever stood higher in the community for truthfulness, honesty, promptitude, and careful application to business. Trained in the old school of merchants, he was a strict disciplinarian, and despised all trifling and trickery. He always was himself to be found at his business in business hours and expected a conscientious devotion to his interest, on the part of his employes, whom he always regarded with kindly interest. For the worthy poor he had always much sympathy, and was especially ready to help them to help. themselves. He served the county for several years as county treasurer but was never inclined to public station. In the regular prosecution of his business as a merchant and distiller he stead- ily increased his worldly estate, and by the vast accretions in connection with the excise tax in the earlier part of the war, left at his death the largest estate ever administered upon in Coshoc-
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
ton county. He married Miss Mary Corbin, of Granville, Ohio, in 1858. She and one child pre- ceded him to the grave and two children survived him. He died, after a few days' illness, May 3, 1869, at the home of his brother James, which for some time he made his home .- Hunt's Collections.
It would be impossible and undesirable to give a complete list of the merehants of Coshocton, but among the more prominent of a later date may be mentioned W. K. Johnson & Co., Bache- lor & Lamb, Humrickhouse & Co., Jarret Haw- thorn, John G. Stewart, Abraham McGowan and Jackson Hay.
Mr. Hunt mentions the following as the mer- chants in Coshocton in 1856, all the stores being on Second and Chestnut streets:
T. C. Rieketts, dry goods; R. & H. Hay, dry goods; If. Meek, dry goods; A. N. Milner, dry goods; J. W. Dwyer, dry goods; Dryden & Co., drugs and books; William MeKee, drugs and books; S. Harbaugh, hardware; F. X. Fritchcy, grocery; Mrs. E. Hawley, grocery; H. N. Shaw, boots and shoes ; Cassingham & Shaw, leather and findings; G. F. Wilcoxen, boots and shoes; J. Waggoner, furniture, and R. M. Hackenson, drugs.
Since then the increase in the number of mer- cantile houses has been large, and the business of Coshocton, as it existed in the spring of 1881, is hereunto subjoined :
Dry Goods-Hay & Mortley, J. Pocock & Sons, Mrs. W. W. Walker, Sturgeon & Selby, Wright, Biggs & MeCabe, J. Klein.
Groceries-C. C. Eekert, Rue & Son, George Lorenz, Ed. Mortley, George Ayres, Alfred Bunn, W. S. Hutchinson, Charles Eckert, Samuel Gam- ble, F. LaSere, Boyd & Wier, Maro Smith, B. Bachman, Mrs. C. Schweiker, C. Zugschwert, B. A. Stevenson, John Heinzle.
Drugs-Dr. S. H. Lee, W. A. Johns, Dr. J. An- derson & Son, J. F. Compton, M. W. MeNaughton, L. K. Anderson.
Clothing-T. B. Haek, D. M. Moore, A. Berko- witz, I. Wertheimer & Co.
Boots and Shoes-J. G. McGaw, Joseph R. Hay, Thomas Lear, E. Martter, William Watson.
Hardware-Ricketts & Jacobs, E. McDonnald, Bonnet Brothers.
Jewelry-W. W. Bostwick, W. W. Burns, John A. Bostwick.
Furniture-J. Waggoner. D. Rose & Son.
Stoves and Tinware-Benjamin Coe, A. Weis- ner, E. H. Lynde.
Millinery-Mrs. George Lorenz, Mrs. H. Mur- phy, J. Duncan, Miss Sallie Clark.
Chinaware-B. R. Shaw.
Music and Books -. J. Glover.
Agricultural Implements-MeDonald & Han- lon, Elfiott & Marx, S. H. Moore, Bonnet Brothers. Saddlery-A. N. Compton, S. J. Stevenson.
Grain and Lime-A. H. Thompson, J. Mulli- gan.
Wholesale Liquors-M. McManus, A. Hertz- berg.
Pumps and Gas Fixtures-C. A. MeNary.
Marble-Thompson Brothers.
Pianos, Organs and Sewing Machines-J. A. Compton, R. T. Compton, J. W. Shaw.
Sewing Machines-J. A. Jones, John Barkhurst.
Meat Markets-Haller Brothers, Charles Hozle- ton, Shaw & Tidball, C. W. Handel, Hughes & Mirise.
No regular banking was done at Coshocton prior to 1852. Many years before this date, how- ever, owing to a great searcity of change, it was customary for merchants to issue their serip, or "promise to pay," in very small amounts, ranging perhaps from five to seventy-five cents. They were made payable when presented in sums of five dollars or more. They proved a great con- venience to the merehants and to the public as well, and had an extended eirculation. The prin- eipal merchants, too, were accustomed to receive deposits from their customers and buy and sell eastern exchange. The business continued to grow on their hands until it culminated in the establishment of a regular banking business by W. K. Johnson & Co., about 1852, and by T. C. Ricketts in 1853.
The Johnsons, consisting of three brothers, William K., John and James K., were representa- tive business men in Coshoeton county during the period of its rapid development. They were from Tyrone county, Ireland, emigrating to America in 1818. After a brief stay in Balti- more, the family came to Pittsburgh, where a brother of Mrs. Johnson-Rev. Dr. Kerr-was living. In 1819 or 1820, Mrs. Johnson was mar-
434
HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
ried to James Renfrew, and the family removed to Coshocton, where the boys received a business training under the guiding hand of their step- father. Of William K. Johnson, Mr. Hunt says in his Historical Collections:
He had the confidence of the whole commu- nity, and his name was a synonym for integrity, sobriety, diligent application to business, and great prudence. By all the sons of the Emerald Isle, especially, he was looked to as a wise coun- selor. His approbation of any matter of town and county interest was regarded as quite im- portant to its accomplishment. His views and actions have very largely shaped the social and business affairs of the region where for nearly forty years he lived and labored. He was for many years a member of the board of education, and of the town council of Coshocton. He was postmaster for some fifteen years. He was con- nected with the Steubenville and Indiana rail- road, as a director, from its organization until his death. While not uninterested in political affairs, he had little ambition in that line. He married, in 1836, Miss Elizabeth Humrickhouse, who, with six children, survived him.
He died Monday-having been in his place of business the Saturday previous-December 10, 1860, aged fifty-one years.
John Johnson learned the tanners' trade under the direction of Mr. Renfrew, and also worked at saddle and harness making. He represented the district of which Coshocton county was a part in 1842 and 1843 as State senator, and was also a member of congress in 1851-'53. He was a member of the convention which framed the present State constitution. His health was not firm for some years before he died, and on this and other accounts he was not so much engaged with public affairs in his later years as in earlier ones. With limited education, his industry and native shrewdness and caution enabled him to achieve a considerable degree of business and political success. He died February 5, 1867.
After the death of William K. Johnson, the banking firm became J. K. Johnson & Co., John Johnson being junior partner. After the latter's death, David and John H. were received into the firm, and the business was thus conducted until their removal to New York City, about the 1st of January, 1872. Since then the bank has been operated by John G. Stewart, on the south-
east corner of Main and Fourth streets. The banking house of the Johnsons was at this place.
T. C. Ricketts started his banking house in the Hawthorne building, on Chestnut street, and at first in the room occupied by his store, but in a short time it was removed a few doors west, to the corner of Chestnut and Second streets. He afterwards removed it to Main street, near Fifth, continuing in the banking business individually until January, 1872, when the First National Bank was organized, with T. C. Ricketts, presi- dent, and Baxter Ricketts, cashier. It com- menced business in March, 1872.
Two years later the First National Bank was organized, Jackson Hay becoming president, and H. C. Herbig, cashier. These officers continue to the present. The orignal capital was $50,000; this was afterwards increased to $110,000 in order to meet the demands of business, but it has since been returned to its original amount. In March, 1881, the bank withdrew its circulation and has since become a private banking house, doing business under name of Commercial Bank.
In August, 1868, the Coshocton's Savings, Build- ing and Loan Association was incorporated. Its directors have been F. E. Barney, James M. Burt, William E. Hunt, Hiram Beall, Thomas Campbell, T. C. Ricketts, E. T. Spangler, J. B. In- graham, J. G. Stewart, D. L. Triplett, H. Hay, J. C. Pomerene, and J. S. Wilson. J. W. Cassing- ham was secretary through all its history. J. M. Burt, J. G. Stewart and D. L. Triplett, have served as president, and T. C. Ricketts and J. G. Stewart, as treasurer. It practically discontinued busi- ness in 1875, having at that time, by installments of stock and profits, nearly $100,000 of assets, which were paid out to the stockholders.
The present bridges over the Tuscarawas and Walhonding rivers were finished in the years 1837 and 1838, respectively. A bridge across the Tuscarawas had been built in 1832, through the efforts of a number of the citizens and petitions to the county commissioners, but it survived the floods only one year and was then swept away. Before that the main reliance for crossing the river was by ferry. The streams were then higher and deeper than now, and high waters prevailed during a much greater portion of the year. The
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
river was scarcely ever fordable in winter, and for only a part of the summer. It has been mentioned that the proprietors of the town re- served to themselves the right of all ferries within the bounds of the town plat. John Matthews, one of the original proprietors, transferred this right to Colonel Williams during Matthews' life- time only, it seems. Colonel Williams did not attend to the ferry personally, but employed men to run it for him. One of the earliest of these was Abraham Miller, son of George Miller of La- fayette township. Somewhat later, John Crowley performed these duties, and after him Samuel Morrison, a nephew of Williams. The ferry under Williams was at the foot of Chestnut strect, and was one of the most remunerative occupa- tions then attainable by the residents of Coshoc- ton. The authorized charges were, for footman, six and one-quarter cents ; horse and rider, twelve and one-half cents; loaded two-horse wagon, seventy-five cents. At Matthews' death the ferry was sold to a company consisting of Robert Hay, William K. Johnson, Samuel Burns and Joseph Burns. By them the ferry was moved farther up the stream and a rope ferry established. These men were heartily in favor of a free bridge, and lent their aid to its erection.
The Coshocton Iron and Steel Works, located on South Fifth street, is the largest and most extensive manufacturing establishment in the county ; it has been in operation about ten years. A stock company was formed in May, 1861, for the manufacture of springs, axles and iron bridges, and duly incorporated. The principal holders of the company were Houston Hay, T. C. Ricketts, F. E. Barney, Lewis Demoss, J. W. Shipman, E. T. Spangler, John Davis, J. A. Bar- ney, Coshocton Planing Mill Company, Rue & Son, T. H. Burrell, J. B. Ingram, Willis Wright, N. Renfrew, W. J. Moffat, J. D. Nichols, Samuel Moore, J. C. Pomerene, William Stanton and Cassingham and Crowley. The officers elected were-Houston Hay, president; F. E. Barney, vice-president; T. C. Rickets, treasurer, and they, with Lewis Demoss, John Davis, E. T. Spangler and James W. Shipman, constituted the board of directors. John A. Barney was made secretary. The extensive buildings as they now stand were at once erected, and James W. Shipman, who had
previously operated an establishment of this kind in the State of New York, was placed in the general management of the works. After a brief career of between two and three years, the affairs of the company beeame greatly involved, and in Jan- uary, 1874, an assignment was made. The causes which led to this were various. The machinery of Mr. Shipman's former establishment had been pur- chased at a high price, and, proving wholly insuf- ficient, a considerable outlay for new machinery beeame necessary. 'The company was organized with a capital of $100,000, but not more than two- thirds of this amount was ever paid in. This was mostly expended in buildings, machinery, etc., and the working capital had to be borrowed, at high rates of interest. High wages were paid, and large salaries for which, in some cases, little service was rendered. High prices, too, were paid for material. A boiler explosion in June, 1872, entailed a loss of about $10,000. The of- ficers remained about the same up to the time of the assignment, except that William Ward was elected director, rice Shipman, and also sec- retary in place of John A. Barney. Mr. Ward was appointed assignee, and under him the work in progress was finished, requiring about six weeks. The works then remained idle until they were sold in August, 1874, at the third offer, to Houston Hay for $33,334. Mr. Hay im- mediately resumed the manufacture of axles, and about six months later work was commenced in the spring department.
In April, 1875, J. W. Dwyer associated with Mr. Hay as partner in this latter department but about two years later this partnership was dis- solved and Mr. Hay has since been sole proprie- tor of the works. The manufacture of iron bridges has not been resumed since the failure of the company. The work in the spring depart- ment is done under contract. Since Mr. Hay's connection with the works the quality of the manufactures has established a reputation for them which insures an easy and continued sale wherever they are known. Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Louisville, Chicago and St. Louis, are the principal shipping points, but the manufac- tures find their way westward as far as the shores of the Pacific. About ninety workmen are now employed in the works. William Ward has su-
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY.
pervision over the works, Farley Connerty is foreman in the foundry, A. D. Howe in the axle department and Horn and Kronenbitter are the contractors in the spring department.
The Coshocton paper mill, situated between Fifth street and the Tuscarawas river, was built in 1863 by Thompson Hanna. He soon after turned over the business to his son and son-in- law, Daniel W. Hanna and Robert Sinclair, who operated it until 1866 when they failed. This was caused by a lack of working capital and a boiler explosion in 1866. (By this explosion John Free- man was killed and John Sherrod seriously hurt). After remaining idle about two years the mill was sold to Peter Hough, who ran it for a year or more, became involved and retired from the business. It was then leased temporarily to sev- eral parties, and in May, 1871, was purchased by John W. Cassingham and A. D. Harvey of Cosh- octon, and Hugh McElroy of Pittsburgh, Pennsyl- vania. In 1875 Cassingham and McElroy bought Mr. Harvey's interest and are still its successful proprictors. Wrapping paper is the kind manu- factured and it finds a market chiefly in Pitts- burgh. J. S. Smart, a man well known in paper circles, is the present surperintendent of the mill. Thomas Arthur, the foreman, has been connected with the establishment from the start.
The Coshocton Planing Mill Company com- menced operations in 1869. As originally com- posed the company consisted of Addison M. Wil- liams, Martin Weisner and W. H. Robinson, Jr. Mr. Robinson soon after withdrew, and Dr. Wil- liam Stanton was for a while a partner. For some time the firm has been Williams & Weis- ner. The building first used was Jackson Hays' old warehouse, from Canal Lewisville, which the company took down, hauled to Coshocton on wagons, and re-erected. Very considerable ad- ditions have been made to this original structure. The mill stands on the southeast corner of Wal- nut and Cherry streets, east of the freight depot.
Across Walnut street from the planing mill stands the Coshocton city mills, erected in 1875, by Charles and George Bolch. The latter with- drew in September, 1875, and for a year Charles Bolch was sole owner and proprietor of the mill. C. F. Burns was then received as a partner in the mill, and in November, 1878, Garret Treadway
also. In August, 1880, R. F. Sayer, Daniel Sny- der, George Bolch and Charles Craig became the proprietors of the mill and owners of the prop- erty. The mill contains a run of five buhrs, and does an extensive business, both in custom and merchant work, large quantities of flour being shipped to Baltimore and elsewhere.
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