History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 67

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 67

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of 144 feet and a depth of 70 feet. It is three stories in height, the first and second meas- uring 13 feet and the third 16 feet. The whole is surmounted by two handsome towers, the height from the basement to the top of the tow- ers being 101 ft. 3 in. On the the first floor are five schoolrooms and an office for the superin- tendent; on the second floor six rooms, and on the third floor four rooms and the assembly hall, with a seating capacity of 600. Prof. I. C. Guinther has been the superintendent for the past 15 years; the high school is in charge of Prof. Frank C. Honnold with a corps of eight teachers, while in the other departments there are twenty-eight teachers. Out of a school enumeration of 1910 there is an attendance of 1,495. The first class was graduated in 1871, and numbered two, Willis Stentz, who became a banker in Galion, and Samuel S. Pague, who later was appointed a cadet at West Point, and became an officer in the army. The graduating class today frequently numbers fifty, and a standard oratorio is the feature generally given each year.

The growth of the population has far ex- ceeded the capacities of the handsome central building, and ward schools have been erected as needed, the first being made necessary as early as 1879.

The city of Galion is provided with the usual number of fraternal and secret societies. The Odd Fellows were the first in the field, the charter of Galion Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F. being dated March 9, 1853. None of its char- ter members are known to be living today. This lodge met in various rooms until it leased the third floor of the Hofstetter block, situated near the public square. Here it stayed until it built the third floor of the Kesselmeier block, where it has since maintained its quarters. To- day the lodge is in a prosperous condition, owning it's own hall and its room being richly and invitingly furnished. A German lodge of Odd Fellows was at one time organized and continued for some years, but finally the char- ter was surrendered and the members joined Galion Lodge. No. 215. Lebonah Encamp- ment of Odd Fellows was formed here a num- ber of years ago and is still in existence, while the ladies' auxiliary, known as Cassandra Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, instituted many years ago, is also in a flourishing condition.

Masonry attained a permanent footing in Galion when Fidelity Lodge, No. 327, F. & A. M. was granted a charter on October 17, 1860. On October 1, 1868, a second Blue Lodge was instituted and was known as Galion Lodge, No. 414, many of the original members of which are still living. Fidelity Lodge-of whom the only living charter member is Peter W. Weber, met on the third floor of the Hacke- dorn block, while Galion Lodge occupied the third floor of the Mackey block. A few years ago the two lodges were merged under the name of Galion Lodge, No. 414. They have commodious quarters in the Mackey block, but plans are on foot whereby they will soon own their own building and hall. The Royal Arch Masons received their charter October II, 1878, as Crawford Chapter, No. 142. The ladies are represented by membership in Naomi Chapter, No. 47, Order of the Eastern Star.

A lodge of Red Men was at one time organ- ized in Galion but has long since ceased to exist. The Masons and Odd Fellows held sway for a number of years until Galion Lodge, No. 186, Knights of Pythias, was instituted. It was composed mainly of young men and many of its original members are still living. It first met in Howard's Hall, but some years ago leased the entire third floor of the Hackedorn block, which was remodeled into lodge and banquet rooms and richly furnished. This organization is prospering and is increasing its membership.

In 1908 the Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks organized Galion Lodge, No. 1191, and two years ago they purchased their own building on East Main street. Other orders are Galion Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 630, who meet at the Eagles Home, west Main street ; Galion Nest, No. 1154, Order of Owls, 130 East Main street; Galion Lodge, No. 303, Loyal Order of Moose, who meet in the Howard Block.

The first of the so-called insurance fraterni- ties was the railway men's organization known as Division No. 16. Brotherhood of Locomo- tive Engineers, which first met in a part of the third floor now occupied by the armory. This lodge is still in existence and continues to pros- per. Later on the Order of Railway Con- ductors, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Fire- men, and the Brotherhood of Railway Train-

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY

men, all fraternal railway organizations, were organized and continue to exist, wielding much power for the good of their members, as well as the national organizations. Auxiliaries to these organizations are the Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Eclipse Favorite, Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, and Pride of 35 Lodge 79, Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Rail- way Trainmen.

In addition to the above fraternities, the Royal Arcanum is represented by Crawford Council, No. 20. The Independent Order of Foresters has three lodges-Court Galion, 1360, Court Daisy, 74 and Court Mohawk, 4755. The Royal Foresters, No. 102, also maintain an organization here and all Forester Courts meet in the Howard Block. Camp No. 3766, Modern Woodmen of America; Galion Tent, No. 407, Knights of the Maccabees; Galion Hive, No. 230, Ladies of the Macca- bees ; Peace Home, No. 14, and Galion Home, No. 178, Home Guards of America, are some of the insurance lodges which are doing an active and progressive work in this city and its environs.

The first patriotic organization in this city, having its origin in the Civil war, was Dick Morris Post, No. 130, Grand Army of the Re- public, which today has about 60 members. Its Ladies' Auxiliary is known as Dick Morris Corps.

Star Council, No. 106, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, has been in exist- ence for 21 years and has the third floor of the Dennig block under long lease, sub-renting its handsomely appointed lodge rooms to other lodges.

Hope Council, Daughters of Liberty and Bell of Liberty Council, Daughters of America, are ladies' lodges of a patriotic character, the latter being closely allied with the Junior Order and the former with the order of United Amer- ican Mechanics, which has no lodge here at present.

There are several fraternal organizations in Galion fostered by the Roman Catholic church, all of a beneficiary character. The Catholic Knights of America were the first to organize a branch here, but the members afterwasd be- came affiliated with the Catholic Knights of ·

Ohio, maintaining St. Joseph's branch, No. 7, and Branch No. 92. St. Francis Council, No. 1234, Knights of Columbus, was organized about four years ago and is a flourishing insti- tution.

The Catholic Ladies of Columbia maintain a strong organization. Other fraternal organi- zations are Galion Council, No. 476, United Commercial Travelers; Galion Tribe of Ben Hur, Knights of Honor, D. K. U. V., and Galion Lodge, No. 1226, National Protective Legion.

The first burial ground in what is now the city limits of Galion, was there long before the first settlers had set a foot in this hunting region of the Indians. On the south bank of the Whetstone, west of Market street, was an Indian village occupied by members of the Wyandot tribe, while across the river was an Indian burial ground. Many interments had been made there long prior to the arrival of the first settlers, but with the incoming of the white man the Indian village was abandoned and the graveyard was seldom if ever used. The graves were generally quite shallow, and whether it was their aversion to work or an Indian custom, when one of their number died in winter, the bodies were placed on posts driv- en into the ground, and properly protected left to remain there until spring, when a very shal- low grave was dug and the Indian buried. After the Indians left many of the graves were opened by the younger men among the settlers in the hope of finding something of value, but in no case was anything found beyond the weapons of some warrier. Still the desecra- tion of these graves enabled some of the early physicians to secure skeletons, which they transferred to their offices.

After the pioneers arrived it was the custom there, as all over the country, for the settlers to bury their dead in some favorable and pretty locality on their own land, but John William- son and James Nail conceived the idea of estab- lishing a graveyard in some central locality. The site selected was in the northeast quarter of section 31, on the north side of Main street just east of where the German Reformed church stood 20 years ago. This land belonged to Samuel Brown. It was a dense forest cov- ered with sugar trees and underbrush and they bought one acre for $5.00. The cash was paid

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and Mr. Nail states that a deed was made out acres. The rapid growth of the town after 1850 led to several propositions for a new and larger cemetery, but it was not until thirty in the name of John Williamson and others, dedicating the site for burial purposes, but the deed was never recorded. After securing the . years later that definite action was taken, and ground, a man by the name of Frederick Se- the site of the present Fairview Cemetery se- cured, a tract of 80 acres near the northeastern part of the city. It was appropriately named Fairview, being on high ground, overlooking the city. It was laid out in fine drives, addi- tional trees planted, and Galion's city of the dead demonstrates the taste and progress of that enterprising city, and reflects credit on the management of the Fairview Cemetery As- sociation. dorus was employed for $14.00 to chop down a number of the trees, clear away the under- brush, and make the ground fit for use. This was probably in 1825, several years before Galion was laid out. Nail states that in every transfer of the farm from that day to this the acre was consecrated to the dead. The first or second grave dug in this ground was for a child of James Nail, and he has eight members of his family buried there; two wives, and six children. The last burial was that of John Williamson. The graveyard had long since been abandoned, but he desired to be buried by the rest of his family. During all of Mr. Nail's life the ground was kept in repair by him and his last payment for that purpose was in 1866, when a payment of $25.00 was made to H. C. Carhart and James W. Gill for the last fence that was ever placed around the lot. At the time the graveyard was started, just south of it were several graves that had been dug on the Leveridge farm, the first burial there being that of John Leveridge, who was killed by a falling log while erecting the Williamson cabin in 1819; this was undoubtedly the first burial in Polk township. Several of the Lev- eridges were buried on this site, which is now Main street. The ruthless march of time made the ground where this first graveyard was located too valuable and the remains of the dead were carefully taken up and removed to Union Green Cemetery, one block north, which many years previous had been laid out as the cemetery of the city of Galion. In this cemetery rests Disberry Johnston, the pioneer who came to this county in 1817 with a wife and 17 children.

The Union Green cemetery was located on land donated by Jacob Ruhl. Prior to this the Nail-Williamson cemetery was used. Just north of this cemetery is the Catholic cemetery. After the Lutheran church was built near the cemetery in 1840 that church added more land, and in 1861 a final addition was made to it on the south side by Daniel Riblet. This addition brought the cemetery ground up to Church street and made it a block in size, about five

As in the early history of most towns, Galion had no regular fire department. When a fire broke out it was extinguished-if, indeed, it was extinguished before it had burned itself out-by the voluntary efforts of all the able bodied citizens who could handle a pail, two lines being formed and the full pails or buckets of water being passed along one line to be emptied onto the fire, and then returned along the other line to be refilled. This plan, how- ever, was adopted and a regular brigade formed only after the futility of unconcerted action had been several times demonstrated. Later a crude engine came into use, which con- sisted of small rectangular boxes supplied with pumps. The boxes held from one to three bar- rels of water and were set on low trucks. From four to six men could work at the levers. There was no suction and the lid of the box had to be kept shut while pumping. It was soon dis- covered, however, that it was just as effective to throw the water on the fire directly from the pails as to use this clumsy apparatus, and therefore it was soon abandoned and finished its career as a garden sprinkler. It had cost the village $100, the money being lent by Jacob Riblet. This inefficient machine was named the "Protection," which at this day seems rather humorous.

About 1853 the council purchased a more efficient apparatus in the Phoenix hand-engine -that is, it was more efficient whenever a fire happened to break out in the immediate vicinity of where it happened to be located, for being low built and tremendously heavy it was not an uncommon thing to see it hopelessly stuck in the mud, with the foreman and crew making desperate efforts to extricate it, while the exul-

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tant fire fiend was making havoc with property, perhaps only a block or two distant. This ma- chine had been built for use on the better streets of Cleveland, but as steam fire-engines were just then coming into vogue, that city did not want it, and Galion secured it at a bar- gain. The engine could throw a considerable volume of water to a good height. Jacob Rib- let, however, had opposed the purchase of the Phoenix engine, on account of its heaviness, thereby proving himself to be a man of con- siderable perspicacity, and after it had been purchased in the face of his opposition, he bet the company a keg of beer that the engine could not throw a stream of water to the top of Wimmie's block, and on the occasion of the trial ascended to the roof of the building so that he might be in a suitable position to ren- der an accurate judgment. But apparently hav- ing some latent consciousness that he might have made a rash bet, he took the precaution to provide himself with an umbrella. In so doing he again justified his reputation for sa- gacity, as he had abundant occasion to use his weapon of defense against the copious stream that the triumphant fire fighters hurled over the building, paying particular attention to the spot where he stood in vain defiance. Even the umbrella was no protection, and he was compelled to seek safety in flight. The deluge of water was promptly succeeded by a deluge of beer, Mr. Riblet doubtless partici- pating in the festivities. Thus was the honor of the Phoenix vindicated. But such triumphs were not exactly of the sort for which the city had purchased the engine, so in the year 1856, the Phoenix was traded to Button & Blake of Cincinnati, for the "Niagara," the authorities paying to the Cincinnati firm $800, as the dif- ference in value between the two engines. The new machine was housed in a new and substan- tial brick building, which had been built the year previous on Atwood street, a tax of 6 mills being levied. A dozen cisterns were also built. As one hose-cart was found inadequate to carry all the hose needed, a second was pur- chased.

In October, 1872, the corporation purchased the Star steam fire engine of Ahrens & Co., Cincinnati, at a cost of $4,599. Another hose- cart was also purchased at Akron, Ohio. This

engine and hose-cart were housed in the City Hall building.

The fire alarm system is used, twenty-four signal boxes being erected throughout the city. The department now has an abundance of hose, hook and ladder trucks, and the water supply is ample.

Previous to the year 1859 Galion was with- out any system of illumination, which, taken with the intolerably bad condition of the streets, made getting around town after dark a decid- edly hazardous undertaking. Lanterns were necessarily used to a large extent, but at best could only prove a very imperfect substitute for a good lighting plant. About the year mentioned a gas manufactory was established near the railroad on Main street, the works being constructed by William Stephenson. About two miles of wooden pipe were put down and answered their purpose for about twelve years. Among the principal stockhold- ers of the company were Dr. John Reisinger, William, Hays, Martin Sponhauer, Joel, David and Jacob Riblet and others. Assess- ments were frequent but no dividend was ever declared, and the stockholders lost all they put into it, but they had the satisfaction of having the first gas in the county for illumina- ting purposes. The old factory was sold at sheriff's sale and bid in by Wm. Hays, who sold to Miller & Kuhn, of Pennsylvania. They en- larged the works, replaced the wooden pipe with iron, and put down considerable more pipes. In 1872 they changed the location of the plant, building new works on East Church street. A few years later the concern was made a stock company, Miller & Kuhn, how- ever, retaining a controlling interest. The city is today lit by electric lights.

One of the greatest drawbacks of Galion in its earlier history was the lack of paved streets and good sidewalks. The roads in the vicinity were as bad as they could be and during mild winters and in the spring were in a semi-liquid condition. About the first sidewalk put down, of which there is any record, consisted of a double row of logs, slightly raised from the ground, which extended around the square, the upper surfaces of the logs being hewn flat. As the town spread out board walks were put down and an occasional brick, but little done

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with the streets. In the spring of 1880 a pe- tition, signed by a majority of the resident property holders, was sent to the city council, demanding that Main and Market streets be graded and paved in some manner. Plans were drawn up under the direction of F. L. Krause who had been elected city engineer, and it was decided to pike both streets, the improvements on Main street to extend from about one and a half blocks west of the square, over the C., C., C. & I. Railroad on the east, and those on Market street from the square on the south to the depot on that street. The cost was esti- mated at $30,000 and the contract was awarded to Gray & Co., of Cleveland. Tlius was in- augurated a much needed improvement, which has since been extended to other streets.

The following report of City Civil Engineer A. O. Theobald, published last year, shows Galion's present condition with respect to the important question of public improvements :

'Galion has invested $153,632.00 in public improvements in the last year and expended $69,164.00 for similar purposes in the two years prior. This grand total of $222,000.00 invested by the city of Galion and its tax payers to better the condition of our city is a record of which perhaps no town of equal size can boast. It naturally follows how and where have these improvements been made. In the years 1908 and 1909 Galion was roused from her comatose condition by the paving of West Main street, and the taking of the first and greatest step the city has even taken in the path of modern sanitation. The Trunk Line sewer or out-fall sewer was constructed, giv- ing the city an outlet for all future sanitary sewer construction for the east and west ex- tremes of the city, as well as the north and south sides. The three miles of out-fall sewer constructed at the cost of approximately $22,- 000, carries the sewage of the entire city to a point approximately one mile west of the city, where it will be purified and disposed of in one of the most modern of Sewage Disposal Plants, the construction of which is now nearing com- pletion.

"Following the paving of West Main street and the construction of the Trunk Line Sewer came the improvement of South Columbus street, an improvement that adds much to the beauty of that thoroughfare.

"The question of a disposal site for the antic- ipated sewage and the necessary sewer laterals now confronted the authorities. The site was purchased and the work was started on the construction of the Sewage Disposal Plant in the month of May, 1910.

"In the following months plans were pre- pared for districting the city, and districts Nos. 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and II, covering al- most the entire city, were prepared by the en- gineering department. In the fall of the same year actual work was started on the laying of all the mentioned district sewers, aggregating 17 3/10 miles of pipe.

"In the spring of the year 1911 all laterals under construction were finished and again the authorities followed the wishes of the citi- zens, and the spirit of public improvement was not allowed to become idle. The city having been provided with the proper sanitations and safeguarded, our attention was again turned to the matter of street improvements. East Main and North Market, Atwood and Railroad streets being prepared and the former two streets are at the present time under construc- tion. With the above named streets improved the city of Galion can boast of a record of three and a half miles of paved streets in three years.

"The city is being rapidly provided with storm sewers and at the present time the Eleventh District relief sewer is being con- structed at a cost approximating $7,000.

"This unparalleled record of public improve- ment during the past few years has transformed the city of Galion. But a few years ago she had only a meager amount of public improve- ments, whereas today, with her rapid strides forward during the past few years, she stands head and shoulders above her sister cities and today she can justly point with pride to the wonderful progress made. The result of this forward movement is already reaping a har- vest, for on every side may be seen the con- struction of fine modern homes and the erec- tion of substantial business blocks. With her excellent improved streets, her efficient sewer- age system and fine water supply, Galion is rap- idly becoming a city of beautiful homes, as well as marching forward in mercantile and indus- trial lines."

The first bank in Galion was a private insti- tution conducted by John S. Davis and John

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U. Bloomer. This was established in 1852, their office being the first block east of the square, and the bank was successful from the start. It was reorganized in 1863 and moved to the northwest corner of the Square and Main street, Davis and Bloomer both remain- ing as members of the new bank. On Febru- ary 22, 1864, it became the First National Bank, with a capital stock of $50,000, C. S. Crim being president and J. U. Bloomer, cash- ier. E. M. Freese is president and H. L. Bod- ley cashier at the present time.

The Citizens' Bank was organized in 1866 by Mt. Gilead and Galion parties, Gen. John Beatty being the first president and J. H. Green cashier. Their office was on South Market street, but in 1875 they bought their present location on the corner of the square and South Market street. In 1872, they became the Citi- zens National, with a capital stock of $60,000. In 1878 J. H. Green became president, and A. H. Lowe cashier, a position he has held ever since; D. Bachelder succeeded J. H. Green as president in 1895.

Another bank was the Hays bank, started by Galion capital, with William Hays as presi- dent, and O. L. Hays as cashier. It be- came The Galion National, and O. L. Hays succeeded his father as president, and some years ago it was compelled to sus- pend. The bank was located at the northeast corner of the Square and Main street.

On May 15, 1905, the Commercial Savings Bank Co. was organized with Mark Cook as president, and J. W. Cupp, as cashier. The capital stock was $50,000. On February I, 1907, A. H. Laughbaum succeeded J. W. Cupp as cashier. Their bank has always been at their present site, northeast corner of the Square and Main street.

The Citizens' Building Association of Galion was organized August 2, 1872, with David Mackey, president; J. G. Meuser, secretary; Citizens National Bank, treasurer, and with David Mackey, C. E. Klopp, F. A. Keen, S. G. Cummings, A. M. Brown, James Marsh- mann and J. J. Schaefer as directors.

The present building and loan companies are the Home Savings and Loan Co., of which A. W. Monroe is secretary, and the Galion Building and Loan Association, J. W. Geer, secretary.

Travelers were first cared for as early as 1817 by Benjamin Leveridge in his little log cabin, and then followed William Hostord with his double log cabin, and finally in 1824 this was run as a regular tavern by Asa Hos- ford. Later Jacob Kuhl had his tavern on the Square and John Kroft a tavern a block east of the Square, about where the road to Mans- field bore to the north, afterward abandoned, and the road run straight east as it is at present. The Jacob Ruhl tavern later passed into the hands of Michael Matthias, and in 1848 it was run by David and Joel Riblet, the latter having been a driver on the stage line between Mans- field and Bucyrus. In 1851, David and Joel Riblet put up a brick building on the southwest corner of the Square and Main street, and here they started a store, but the next year the building was rented by Brown & McMillan and they started the Western House, and it has been run as a hotel ever since, the name being changed later to the Central Hotel. While Brown & McMillan were in charge, an addition was built by the Riblets, and in 1856 Smith Ferris took charge of it, and a third story was added.

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History of Crawford County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 67

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850- Publication date: 1912 Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1302

Author: Hopley, John E. (John Edward), 1850-
Publication date: 1912
Publisher: Chicago,Ill., Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1302