History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 73

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034

USA > Ohio > Crawford County > History of Crawford County and Ohio > Part 73

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gent, enterprising and industrious, and its railroad facilities are unsurpassed in the whole country. When all this is taken into consideration, there appears no visible reason for Crestline remaining down in the mud and swamps of the "Black Forest." A healthy, rousing business " boom" is all that is re- quired to waft it on to wealth and prosperity. Some suggestions miglit be made as to im- proving and beautifying the city, and acted on with considerable advantage to its general appearance. Its architectural achievements, so far, are not above the average to be found in towns of its size and attainments, and, as to buildings of merit, there are but few, perhaps none, deserving of special notice, except its union schoolhouse. Sidewalks might be im-

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proved as to appearances, and with some safety to pedestrians, streets graded, and a few of the old wooden buildings replaced with substantial bricks. These old wooden build- ings, sooner or later, will terminate in a huge bonfire, and, as often occurs in such cases, destroy perhaps thousands of dollars' worth of valuable property.

As shown in the preceding chapter, Crest- line is thoroughly and decidedly a railroad town. It is these great modern thoroughfares that gave it birth, and to these it is indebted for its existence and growth. Although it is situated in a rich farming country, yet, with Galion, Bucyrus and Shelby but a few miles distant, there was no special necessity for Crestline, except the railroads, and, take these away, it would soon become another edition of Goldsmith's Deserted Village. Its farming community, though prosperous and rich, is scarcely sufficient to save it from a linger- ing death. The location at this point of the shops of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chi- cago Railroad, and the hands employed in these shops, have been the life of Crestline. The Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad. which was chartered in 1848, as early as 1850 deter- mined to make Crestline the western terminus of their road. During the same year, the Ohio & Indiana Railroad was chartered, and, in September, 1852, the Directors of this road fixed their eastern terminus at Crestline. The consolidation of these two roads and one ex- tending from Fort Wayne to Chicago, in 1856, formed the present Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad, and Crestline still ro- mained the terminus of two divisions of this road, as it had been before the consolidation. This caused the erection of large shops at Crestline, and at present these shops employ several hundred men, under the superintend- ence of George W. Lowe. These shops and men have been the means of bringing in other

lines of business, establishing other shops and foundries, and adding largely to the building-up of the place. Of these may be mentioned the Crestline Lock Works, which were established in 1870. A subscription of $8,000 was made by the people for the purpose of putting up the necessary buildings, on con- dition that a certain number of men be em- ployed. An excellent building was erected, and the works opened under the charge of C. A. Faulkner & Co., who ran them one year. John A. Thoman & Co. then bought them, and operated them until 1874, when they failed and went into bankruptcy. A brass foundry was established in 1871, by G. W. Dyar, and is still in operation, doing quite a large business.

The Continental Mills, the only institution of the kind ever in Crestline, were built orig- inally in 1856-57, by Matthew Reed. These mills were improved at different times, remodeled, and new machinery put in, until they ranked among the best mills in the State. In June of the present year (1SS0), they were burned to the ground. The loss to the pro- prietors, L. G. Russell & Co., was heavy, but, nothing daunted, preparations are being made to rebuild them, and doubtless work in that direction will soon be begun. Since the little stores were established by Newman, Hall and Thoman, the mercantile business has grown to be rather voluminous. Several very large dry goods and general stores are now in oper- ation upon a sound business basis, while other lines of trade, common to a town of the com- inercial standing of Crestline, are well repre- sented by stirring and energetic men. A large and growing business is successfully carried on, and, to the casual visitor, there seems absolutely nothing in the way of Crest- line's future commercial prosperity.

A bank was established in the town in 1867, by Riblet, Hayes & Co., the gentlemen com-

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prising the firm being Jacob Riblet, William Hayes and John Newman, with E. Davis as cashier. In 1869, they sold out to John A. Thoman & Co., who organized the Citizens, Bank, an institution that continued in opera- tion until 1873, when it failed. In 1870, a bank was organized by Daniel Babst and Jon- athan Martin, under the firm name of Babst. Martin & Co., J. Babst, Cashier. In June. 1878, they sold to Daniel Babst, Jr., and Jacob Babst, who have since operated it as "Babst's Banking House," J. Babst, Cashier. In 1876, the Farmers & Mechanics' Bank was established by Booth & Stewart. It was carried on by these parties until 1878, when they sold to Stewart & Son, who continue still under the same name. In addition to its busi- ness mon, the place may boast of a number of professional characters, who did, and do still, rank high in their respective callings. Of the medical profession, Dr. William P. Kerna- han is mentioned as the first physician to locate in Crestline. He came about 1851, and practiced medicine until his death, which took place in 1859-60. Dr. A. E. Jenner was the next physician. But, as both the medical and legal professions are appropriately written up in a preceding chapter of this work, we will not go into details here. Among thie gentlemen composing the bar of Crestline, Daniel Babst, Jr., is ranked as one of the ablest lawyers. He is Mayor of the town, and a downright good fellow generally. To him we are indebted for the principal part of the information and historical data from which these chapters on Crestline are written, and whatever the reader finds to be wrong or incorrect in them, he will attribute to Dan; whatever is correct and good, we claim as our own undisputed property.

As Crestline grew in population, wealth and importance, it began to dawn upon the good people that they displayed sufficient style

and greatness to allow of their village being incorporated. This movement was effected March 3, 1858, and the town was incorporated under the law regulating such matters. Un- der this new phase of affairs, David Ogden was elected the first Mayor, and William Knisely the first Recorder: William P. Kern- ahan, E. Warner, Robert Lee, M. C. Archer and William Boals, the first Board of Trustees. The following is a list of the Mayors who have served, in the order named: Next after Ogden, Silas Durand, Samuel Hoyt, Jacob Staley, Dr. J. McKean, George W. Pierce, Na- than Jones. A. E. Jenner. Nathan Jones, Dr. Edwin Booth and Dan Babst. Jr., the present (1SS0) incumbent. P. D. Meister is the pres- ent Clerk.

The first school taught in the town of Crestline was by a man named Edgerton. it is believed, and was taught in the old log school- house. We quote the following on educa- tional matters from a published article fur- nished us by Mr. Babst: "In education, the town has not been neglected. Before the arrival of railroads, a district log schoolhouse stood about one and a half miles northwest of the present site of the town, on the Leesville road. This had been sufficient for educational purposes for many years, and a school was taught there as late as 1850. In 1853, when Crestline began to grow, a two-story frame school-building was erected in the east part of the town, and, shortly aftreward, a similar one was erected in the west part. These two buildings served the purpose until 1868, when the present union-school building was erected. This building, which is an honor and an ornament to the place, was designed by Mr. Thomas, and built by Miller, Smith & Frayer. contractors. The Board of Education, under whose supervision it was erected, were: Jacob Staley, President, D. W. Snyder, John Berry, S. P. Hesser, C. Miller, and Nathan Jones.

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

As an evidence that the people were satisfied with the manner in which the board was conducting the work, the two members whose terms of service expired before the building was completed, were re-elected. The cost of the building and furniture, together with the two lots upon which it stands, was $30,000; and seldom, if ever, was there a better job done for this amount of money. It is located on Columbus, between Union and Cross streets; is of brick, three stories above the basement; seventy-two feet in length by sixty-five in greatest breadth: contains eleven schoolrooms, besides six smaller rooms, used for offices, In concluding the school history of Crest- line, we append the following statistics of this special district: library, etc., and will accommodate 500 pupils. This is the third house of the kind, as to size, in the county, and the first in point of archi- Balance on hand September 1, 1879. $3,761 04 tectural beauty. The children, proud of this State Tax 1,314 84 gift, were admitted within its walls, without Irreducible Fund. 11 68 formal ceremony, April 12, 1869. Adjoining Local tax for schools and schoolliouse pur- poses. 4,447 78 the lots on which the building stands, is the school park, which consists of six town lots, Fines, etc. 168 91 and is beautifully diversified by gravel walks, Total $9,704 30 evergreens and shade-trees. In the center of Amount paid teachers .. $3,249 00 these grounds, an elegant fountain, topped Sites and buildings. 314 75 with reactionary wheels, which scatter refresh- Managing and Superintending 810 00 Fuel, etc 1,152 75 ing showers, forming miniature rainbows, affords illustrative lessons in natural philoso- Total Expenditures. $5,526 50 phy, as well as a cooler atmosphere on sultry Balance on hand September 1, 1880. .$4,177 80 days. Around the base of the fountain are Not only has the intellectual training of the children been well provided for, but the six hydrants for drinking purposes. The building and its surroundings are, indeed, , spiritual needs of the older people of Crest- well calculated, with an efficient corps of teachers, to improve the mental faculties of its pupils in a superior manner. The members of the Crestline School Board furnished a very important factor to the problem of mental culture when they laid out these beautiful grounds; and for this, the generation that is now entering on school life will 'rise up and call them blessed.'"

The following are the names of the teachers now employed in the Crestline schools, accord-

ing to grade: Mrs. Anna M. Mills, Superin- tendent; Joseph H. Snyder, High School De- partment; John M. Talbott, Senior Grammar; Nancy Jane McWhirter, Junior Grammar; Isabella Lovejoy, Intermediate; Emma Scott and Laura Stahle, Secondary; Lillie Kuhn, Ina Roger, Melissa Culver, Mattie S. Robin- son, Primary ; J. J. Beichler, Languages, prin- cipally German. The present Board of Edu- cation of the town: William Robinson, Pres- ident; F. M. Anderson, Secretary; Benjamin Heffelfinger, Treasurer, and Reuben Stahle, George Stoll and Louis Holcher.

line have been well attended to, there being at this time no less than seven churches in the town, occupied by as many different denominations. The Gospel was introduced into the community by those pioneer Chris- tians, the Methodists. They have the oldest organization in the town. In 1844, a society of the Methodist Episcopal denomination was formed in what was then called Minnerly's Schoolhouse (now McCulloch's), and, as will be seen, some years before the laying-out of

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HISTORY OF CRAWFORD COUNTY.

Crestline. The moving spirit in this relig- ious enterprise was John Lovitt, and, owing principally to his influence, was the organiza- tion of a society effected. The church which is standing on Thoman street was the first one erected by this denomination. It was built in 1854, through the personal exertions of Mr. Minnerly, David Thrush, David Kerr, Francis Conwell, Mr. Howland, Francis Peppard and David White, who, with their wives and por- tions of their families, were a few of the first members. The present membership is about 250. The Sunday school connected with this church is one of the largest and most active in the town, with an average attendance of over 200.

The Trinity German Lutheran Church was the next in chronological order in formation. It is located on Main street, and was organ- ized about the year 1851, in the schoolhouse. The original members of this society were Michael Webber, Henry Lambert, George Hass, B. Faltz, John Keller and others. In 1861, they erected the present church edifice, at a cost of $3,000. The first minister was the Rev. Mr. Meiser, who was followed by Rev. Hatsberger, H. Smith, Haley and Martin Berkley, in the order named. The latter, Rev. Mr. Berkley, is the present Pastor, and his society comprises about seventy members. An active Sunday school is connected with the church, conducted by the officers, with a mem- bership of about sixty. Its organization as a Sunday school is coeval with that of the church.

Recently, a division occurred in this church, on the ground of a difference of opinion in some matters of belief or usage. This re- sulted in the formation of a new church. In 1879, Peter Sleenbecker, Michael Reh, Charles Christman, C. Morkel and others, becoming dissatisfied regarding some matters, we be- lieve, of church government, withdrew from

Trinity Church, and organized a second Ger- man Lutheran society, and erected a church on East Mansfield street, at a cost of $4,000. Their first meetings, before the erection of their new church, were held in the old Ger- man Reformed Church, which kept its doors open for them. Rev. Mr. Shultz, of Galion, was their first minister, and was followed by Rev. Mr. Voegele, their present Pastor. Their Sunday-school was organized about the same time as their church, its present membership being about thirty. Numerically, the church is not strong.

The English Lutherans were the next in the field. In 1854, a society of this denomination was organized by the Rev. A. F. Hills. The original members of this organization were David Lichtenwalter, A. W. Stine, William Knisely, David Keplinger, E. Warner, David McCartel, D. Minich, Jane McCartel, Hannah Stine, Elizabeth Warner and Isaac Miller. Their early meetings were held in the private residences of the members, though the pres- ent frame church was erected about the same year the organization of the society occurred. Rev. Mr. Hills was the first Pastor, followed by Revs. A. B. Kirtland, D. I. Foust, H. K. Fenner and B. F. Crouse, the present minister. The membership at this time is about 170. The Sunday school is large and active, num- bering about 160 pupils, under the superin- tendence of Henry Eskley.

The German Reformed Church was organ- ized in 1858, by Rev. M. Stern, of Galion. It is situated in the northwest part of town, is of brick, and was built in 1862, at a cost of $1,900. Of the original members, we may mention David Bluem, Philip and Frederick Eichorn, and Joseph Bender. Their meetings were held in the English Lutheran Church until the erection of their own building, in 1862. Their first minister after Rev. Stern was Rev. John Rettig, followed by Rev. John

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Winter. The present Pastor is Rev. F. W. Marcus, and his flock consists of about 130 members. The organization of the Sunday school was cotemporaneous with that of the church, and now numbers 125 pupils, under the superintendence of William Lampert.

The Presbyterian Church of Crestline was organized February 20, 1855, in a small schoolhouse, by Rev. I. N. Shepherd, of Mar- ion, Ohio, and Rev. Silas Johnston, of Bucyrus. Previous to this, however, Rev. Luke Dor- land had collected the Presbyterians of the place, and preached to them at various times and places for six or eight months. After the organization, meetings were occasionally held in the different church buildings already erected. The principal original members were John S. and Jane Smith, Alexander, Martha J. and Margaret Patterson, John and Mary White, Sampson Warden, John and Eliza Jane Banbright, P. and Mary Mansfield, and Samuel R. and Isabella Graham. The present church was erected in 1866-67. Rev. J. P. Lloyd was the first minister after the organization was effected, and continued in charge thirteen years. He was succeeded by Rev. James Shields, who remained seven years. The present Pastor, Rev. W. W. Macamber, succeeded Rev. Shields, November 18, 1879. The church at this time has a membership of about 200. A. M. Patterson is Superintend- ent of the Sunday school, which is a large and active one, embracing 175 pupils, and was organized August 12, 1862.

The St. Joseph's Catholic Church is located on North street, and dates its organization back to 1858, though services were held by different ministers of the church many years before this organization, in the houses of Catholic members. The few Catholics scat- tered among the early settlers of this place were frequently visited in this way, meetings held, and their spiritual wants administered

to before they were gathered into a church. The church was organized by Father Galla- gher, of Cleveland, who was Pastor at Mans- field at the same time. The early meetings were held principally in the houses of Mike Dunn, Laurenz Raindl, who, with Patrick Dunn, Mr. McNamara, J. A. Barrel and Thad- deus Seifert, were the original members. The present frame church was erected in 1861, at a cost of $1,000. The membership numbers about 100 families, and the Sunday school about 200 children. There is a day school in connection with the church, with 170 pupils in daily attendance.

Those secret and benevolent orders which exert so great an influence for good on society, are fully represented in Crestline. Freema- sonry, the oldest of all the benevolent institu- tions, originated so long ago that no history tells of its beginning, is highly moral in its teachings, its main constituents being, a " belief in God, hope in immortality, and charity to all mankind." It is represented in Crestline by Arcana Lodge No. 272, and Crest- line Chapter, No. SS. The former was organ- ized under its charter October 26, A. L. 5855. This instrument of authority from the Grand Lodge of Masons of Ohio, was issued by M. W. William B. Dodds, Grand Master, and John D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary. The following are the charter members: J. R. Straughan, Erastus S. Spencer, Matthew El- der, J. McCluny, E. C. Gregg, J. J. Bening, George Bewson, A. P. Cann, John Newman, John Franz, John A. Thoman, J. Warden, J. Eldington, H. A. Donaldson and H. Gusle- man. The first officers were, J. R. Stranghan, Worshipful Master: E. S. Spencer, Senior Warden; and Matthew Elder, Junior Warden. The lodge now numbers sixty-one members, and is officered by J .C. Williams, Worshipful Master; John Donnelly, Senior Warden; Hugh Harrop, Junior Warden; E. T. Cox,

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Treasurer; David Ogden, Secretary; and J. J. Kirtland, Tiler.

Crestline Chapter, No. SS, was chartered October 15, 1864, by M. E. Thomas J. Larsh, Grand High Priest, and John D. Caldwell, Grand Secretary. The charter members were, M. C. Archer, David Ogden, John H. Berry William Boals, Benjamin Eaton, R. Lee, John McGraw, William McGraw, Thomas Boorman, J. S. Potter, W. H. Shamp, H. W. Stocking and J. H. Brewster. The first offi- cers were: M. C. Archer, High Priest; David Ogden, King: J. H. Berry, Scribe; and Robert Lee, Secretary. The Chapter las, in connec- tion with Arcana Lodge, an excellent hall, well appointed and furnished. The present officers are: David Ogden, High Priest; Nathan Jones, King; T. B. Fowler, Scribe; and D. W. Snyder, Secretary. There was a Commandery of Knights Templar in Crestline at one time, but this body has been removed to Mansfield.

Amici Lodge, No. 279, Knights of Honor, was chartered on the 5th of September, 1876, with the following charter members: S. R. Graham, C. W. Jenner, G. R. Edwards, H. A. White, D. L. Zink, W. H. Carlisle, E. S. Bag- ley, D. H. Caffell, Daniel Babst, Jr., O. S. Campbell, E. M. Freese, G. W. Zint, Truemen Daily, B. F. Miller, J. J. Kirtland, C. A. Spencer, C. F. Frank, William Jones and R. M. Carnes.

Odd Fellowship, although far more modern in its origin than Freemasonry, made its appearance in Crestline some time before it. Crestline Lodge, No. 237, was instituted under charter February 23, 1854 The charter members were, John I. Kert, G. W. Keplinger, W. P. Kernahan, William Knott, William Boals, M. C. Archer, Elijah Johnson, William McGraw and Daniel Laugham. The first officers were: William Knott, N. G .; W. P. Kernahan, V. G., and G. W. Keplinger, Sec- retary. There are now seventy members in

good standing on the books, and the officers are: David Brandt, N. G .; F. Delp, V. G .; George Stoll, Treasurer; W. Ladd, Record- ing Secretary, and H. Ogden, Permanent Sec- retary.

Crawford Encampment, No. 187, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 15, 1875, by J. W. Parch, Most Worthy Grand High Priest. The charter members were F. C. Berger, G. G. Cruizen, F. Newman, J. W. Sanders, E. Davis, John Snyder and J. H. Becker. The first officers were: John H. Becker, C. P .: F. C. Berger, H. P .; George G. Cruizen, S. W .: E. Davis, S .; John Snyder, Treasurer. There are on the rolls the names of twenty members. and the following is the list of officers at present: D. W. Brant, C. P .; M. Shumaker, H. P .; J. P. Sheelrud, S. W .; J. Taggart, S .: J. H. Becker, T., and F. Delp, J. W.

Jackson Lodge, No. 516, I. O. O. F. (Ger- man), was instituted July 3, 1872, by Henry Lindenberg, Grand Representative. The charter members were F. Newman, Jacob Staley, George Stoll, J. P. Zimmermacher, J. H. Becker, Adam Neff, John Bauer, John Ecinger and John Cook. The first officers were : George Stoll, N. G .; Jacob Staly. V. G .; J. H. Becker, Secretary, and F. Newman, Treasurer. The present officers are: John Schart, N. G .; John Herbertshauser, V. G .; Philip Grinenstein, Secretary, and J. H. Becker, Treasurer.

The people of Crestline take great pride in their water-works, and, indeed, it is an enter- prise to be proud of. There is nothing like a bountiful supply of good, pure water. No poison bubbles on its surface, no blood stains it, nor does its foam bring madness and mur- der. Pale widows and starving orphans weep not burning tears in its depths. But every- where it is a thing of beauty, and gleams in the dew-drop, sings in the summer rain, and shines in the free ice gems, until they seem

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turned to living jewels. And always it is beautiful-that beverage of life, health-giving water. The tomb of Moses is unknown, but the weary traveler slakes his thirst at the well of Jacob. The gorgeous palace of the wisest and wealthiest of monarchs, with cedar and gold and ivory, and even the great temple of Jerusalem, hallowed by the visible glory of the Deity himself, are gone, and of the archi- tecture of the Holy City not one stone is left upon another. But Solomon's reservoirs are as perfect as ever, and the pool of Beth- saida commands the pilgrim's respect at the present day. The columns of Persepolis are moldering into dust, but its cisterns and aque- ducts remain to challenge our admiration. And if any work of art shall still rise and flourish, we may well believe that it will be neither a palace nor a temple, but some vast aqueduct or reservoir, built for the benefit of of human kind. And, if any name is deserving who, ineverlasting honor, it is that of the man, his day, sought the happiness of his fellow-men rather than their glory, and linked his name to some great work of utility and benevolence.

In 1871, the necessary legislation was ob- tained to enable the town to issue bonds for the construction of the works. In September of the same year, the work was commenced by constructing a dam at the springs from which the water is brought. These springs are in Richland County, of the very purest water, and in sufficient volume to afford a supply to a much larger city than Crestline, the actual discharge of the springs being ninety gal- lons of water per minute. The water is brought a distance of about four miles from the springs, through wooden pipes, into a reservoir, and supplied by mains laid through the city. The springs are at an elevation of about 170 feet above the level of the town, which gives sufficient power and pressure to carry into the highest buildings, or throw a

stream over them, through hose attached to hydrants. The total cost of construction, in round numbers, was little short of $100,000. There were bonds issued to the amount of $80,000, which, with three years' interest, increased the cost to very nearly the sum first mentioned.

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History of Crawford County and Ohio, Part 73

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1034

Author: Perrin, William Henry, [from old catalog] comp; Battle, J. H., [from old catalog] comp; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852- [from old catalog] comp; Baskin & Battey, Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1034