USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 35
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The Daily Tribune.
The first daily newspaper started in Darke county was "The Greenville Daily Graphic," published in 1879 by Ed- ward Hamilton, now city editor of the Daily Advocate, and William Collins, late dramatic editor on the Sacramento Daily Bee. Shortly after the starting of this daily venture Mr. Collins moved with his father's family to Chico, Cal., and after some six months publication, the paper was discon- tinued. George W. Calderwood published a daily paper during the exciting times of the Roberson trial and execu- tion in the summer of 1880. This was a short lived venture as was also the "Daily News" published by Wm. Linn about 1886, and the "Morning Sun" published by Dow Bell during the exciting school board contest of 1892.
The Daily Tribune was started by Samuel R. Kemble in 1890, and is the oldest daily having a continuous history since its establishment. Mr. Kemble came to Greenville from Arcanum, where he had published the Weekly Tribune since 1880 and opened up an office in the Huddle block where the Daily Tribune made its debut in 1890. Later he pur- chased a room on West Fourth street adjoining the Huddle block and established his office there where he issued the paper until 1913, when it was removed to its present loca-
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tion in the Thomas building on South Broadway. Mr. Kem- ble had had a varied experience in life as a soldier and a typo, having seen service in the Civil war as well as on the plains of the west, and having set type on some of the leading city papers of the country. When he returned to Greenville he was well qualified for his task and by industry, tenacity and shrewd financial management succeeded in establishing the first permanent daily paper. In 1892 he resumed the pub- lication of the Weekly Tribune, which has appeared regular- ly ever since, increasing in pretige and circulation. It now has eight pages 18x24 inches in size.
Mr. Kemble was a clear, concise, able and forceful writer, and a keen newspaper man. He died on January 25, 1913, and the Tribune property passed into the hands of George Grosshans, an experienced newspaper man and estimable citizen. Mr. Grosshans is stanchly Republican, liberal in policy in the publication of news items, broad in sympathy, aggressive in public affairs and friendly to advance moral causes. The daily is published with from four to six pages, size 17×24 inches. The office is equipped with a linotype machine and a good rotary press. In June, 1914, as the result of foreclosure proceedings, the Tribune was restored to the Kemble heirs, who now publish it at the new office on South Broadway.
The Advocate.
The Democratic Advocate was established by Wm. A. Browne, Sr., formerly of Covington, Ohio, and Wm. Linn, of Versailles, as a weekly Democratic paper in 1883, the first issue appearing on May 23, of that year. The county had been strongly Democratic since 1857, with majorities mostly varying from 1,200 to 1,500, but a faction had arisen in the party on the question of the election of Chas. M. Ander- son to congress. The Democrat refused to favor the elec- tion of Mr. Anderson, and as he represented a strong follow- ing it was decided to establish a new paper with the result that the Advocate was started as above stated. From its appearance it became a formidable rival of the older paper and continued so to this day. Mr. Linn retired from the partnership in about two years, since which time the paper has continued in the Browne family. The Daily Advocate was started January 3, 1893. as a four page daily and soon grew in favor and prestige, proving the advantage of pub-
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fishing a daily and weekly paper from the same office. It is especially noted for the large number of local news items, featured articles and aggressive policy on local questions. The office is one of the best equipped in Darke county, con- taining two modern linotype machines and a large duplex flat bed perfecting press with a capacity of 6,500 per hour. · Each machine is run by an individual electric motor. The daily now has eight pages 18x24 inches in size, and the week- ly is of the same size. The latter appears each Thurs- day. Mr. Browne has been associated with- newspapers since he was twelve years of age, and knows the business like a book. His sons, William and Walter E., have likewise had extended experience in the busi- ness, and are able assistants in editing and publishing both papers. The office was first located on the upper floor of the Matchett room on the corner of Broadway and Third street. Later the paper was issued for several years from the Meeker building on East Third street near Walnut. In 1909 Mr. Browne purchased the two-story brick room at 307 Broadway in order to get proper accommodations for his large presses and increasing equipment and the papers are now issued from this excellent office.
A German newspaper was established in Greenville about 1886, under the title "The Deutsche Umschau," and contin- ued to be issued for some twenty years. It was published for some time by a Mr. Feichtinger and later by A. T. Knorr and Wm. Triebold. The paper contained eight pages size 15x22 inches and was put forth in a creditable manner. On account of the rapidly decreasing number of citizens who read German only, the paper was finally discontinued and the office and equipment moved to Toledo, where there was a larger German constituency.
Temperance Papers.
Papers advocating the cause of temperance and prohibiti- tion have been published in the county at different times. Probably the first of these was the "Crystal Fountain," a semi-weekly publication of eight pages about 8x12 inches in size, started in May, 1857, by Joseph G. Jones, at 50 cents per year, with the motto "Moral suasion for the drunkard- legal suasion for the drunkard maker." The "Sons of Tem- perance" flourished and great changes were effected in public (26)
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sentiment on the drink question. The temperance move- ment of 1877, resulted in the enlistment of many new advo- cates for the cause, probably the most prominent of whom was George Calderwood, who, in the fall of 1879, started the "Daily Gazette" in behalf of the cause with beneficial effect on the following spring election.
"The American Prohibitionist" was also issued for a few. months from Calderwood's office, but was later removed to Columbus, O. "The Transcript," a weekly paper advocating the principles of the Prohibition party, was established by Frank H. Jobes in February, 1891. It was published in the Jobes room, South Broadway. The paper was ably edited and neatly printed, but the limited field of circulation made the venture unprofitable and it was discontinued after two years.
"The Ohio Populist." edited by W. B. Cline and P. J. Fish- back, was issued from this office for a while beginning in May, 1896. It championed the free coinage of silver and the Populistic propaganda of the Omaha platform.
Newspapers Published Outside of Greenville.
"The Versailles Policy"-The oldest and largest weekly paper published in Darke county outside of Greenville is the Versailles Policy, which was founded in 1875 by Cook and Wade under the name of "Versailles Independent." Later its proprietors were Hathaway, then Bidlack and Linn, who changed the name to 'The Versailles Policy." About 1883 I'm. Linn came to Greenville and entered into a partnership with W. A. Browne, Sr., to publish the new "Democratic Advocate." and the Policy passed into the hands of W. J. Swisher, who published it until August 1, 1889, when it came into the ownership of D. W. K. Martin, the present pub- lisher. At the time Mr. Martin became owner of the Policy it was a five column quarto, but under his ownership it has been enlarged from time to time to meet the requirements of a growing community so that now it is an eight page 18x24 inch, seven column paper built on modern lines and having a large subscription list. In almost a quarter of a century ownership Mr. Martin has proved himself an excep- tionally good editor and proprietor, and his paper has proven a valuable factor in promoting the business, social and general
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interests of the thriving village of Versailles and vicinity as well as the interests of the Democratic party.
"The Versailles Leader" was established in 1903 as an independent newspaper by Nathan F. Fahnestock. It is an eigth page 15x22 inch paper, and is published on Tuesday and Friday of each week at $1.00 per year. Mr. Fahnestock is a virile writer and aggressive publisher and his paper has attracted considerable attention and won praise from patrons who desire an independent and public spirited advocate. The fact that such a paper has been published for more than ten years in a strongly Democratic community indicates that the editor is aggressive, persevering and determined to serve the public needs.
Arcanum has had the benefit of a local press for over thir- ty years. The Arcanum Visitor, an independent weekly, was printed about 1876 to 1878 by a man named Wasson and in 1880 Samuel R. Kemble founded the Tribune which he published for nearly ten years. In 1888, the "Arcanum En- terprise" was launched and has been issued for over a quar- ter of a century. It is a staunch Democratic sheet and is owned and edited by C. R. Musson, an experienced newspa- per man. It contains eight pages 13×20 inches in size and is issued every Thursday for $1.00 per year.
The Arcanum Times is an independent eight page paper of standard size, and appears regularly on Thursday. It was established in 1899 and is owned and edited by Smith and Heeter.
Like Arcanum. Ansonia has had a newspaper since 1880. About that time John S. Royer, a prominent educator and writer, founded the Ansonia Mirror. The ownership of this paper passed to Frank H. Jobes, who continued to publish it from September 1, 1884 to the end of 1890. It was a well edited and newsy sheet with high ethical ideals and was very acceptable to the people of Brown township and vicinity. This paper was discontinued, however, in 1891, when Mr. Jobes moved the plant to Greenville, where he established The Transcript, following which the "Ansonia Herald" ap- peared. This paper was published for a while by S. H. Light and Son, who sold it to Collett and Allbaugh. It then ap- peared for two or three years as "The Climax." but was fin- ally discontinued. In 1899 the Herald was re-established by the Lights, who continued to publish it for some ten years when it passed to the ownership of the Herald Printing
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Company, under the editorship of Hiltor R. Millett, whose biography appears in Vol. II. This sheet contains eight pages, size 16x22 and is published every Thursday as an independent newspaper at $1.00 per year, giving Ansonia the benefit of a progressive local press at a cheap price.
The eastern section of the county is ably served with news twice a week, on Wednesday and Saturday, by the Bradford Morning Sentinel, an independent Republican paper of eight pages published by A. F. Little. This sheet was also found- ed in 1880 and has proved to be a force in Bradford and vi- cinity. It contains a large amount of local items and adver- tisements and is well edited.
The New Madison Herald is an eight page independent paper published every Friday by O. G. Murray. It was es- tablished in 1894 by Smith and Davis, and was purchased in July 1895 by C. E. Wenger, who published it for some time. An examination of its columns reveals the fact that local enterprise and public spirit are valuable assets in a com- munity, doing much to build up its best interests. Several newspaper men were of prominence, notably John Hatha- way, for many years foreman of the composing room of the
The Hollandsburg News was established in 1907, and is now entering on the eighth year of its history. It is a stand- ard size eight page weekly, and is published every Thurs- day at $1.00 per year by the Williams Company, under the editorship of Dale C. Williams. Harrison and Irelan were the former proprietors. This paper is served by the Western Newspaper Union and is a remarkable illustration of what grit and enterprise can do in a small town to promote its best interests.
Besides these papers the Union City Eagle and Times, pub- lished just across the state line, have some circulation in the county, and help to foster that healthy local pride which tends to strengthen and build up a community. It is doubt- ful if any other county in Ohio of similar population and con- dition has as many local papers as Darke county. This indi- cates an intelligent and progressive citizenship and augurs well for the future of the county.
CHAPTER XIX. FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
Banks.
The history of the development of banks and financial in- stitutions in the Nation, State and County is closely inter- woven with the history of social progress. Banks are indis- pensable to the merchant, manufacturer and farmer for the proper transaction of their business affairs, and building associations are a great aid to the small depositor and home builder. The presence of well established institutions of this kind in a community is an almost infallible indication of sta- bility and prosperity. In spite of the present unpopularity of Wall Street and the excessive number of multi-million- aires, people have generally come to acknowledge that money and monetary establishments are essential to advanced civil- ization, and a financial education is deemed desirable by those who conduct even a small business.
Farmers' National Bank.
The scarcity of money in the early history of the State and county has already been noted, furs and farm produce being the local medium of exchange. Along in the "thirties and "forties" loans were made and notes discounted by pri- vate individuals, among whom John Hufnagle and H. W. Emerson were well known. The gradual but substantial de- velopment of the county and the steady growth of the coun- ty seat, however, soon called for regular banking facilities and in October, 1853, the Farmers' Bank was organized by J. W. Frizell and J. L. Winner, with a capital of $30,000.00. This bank passed safely through all the financial disturb- ances just prior to the Civil War and was organized April 3, 1863. into a national bank under the title of the Farmers' National Bank which it bears today. The first officers of this bank were Washington A. Weston, president. and John L. Winner, cashier. With these gentlemen, H. W. Emerson, G. W. Studabaker and J. W. Frizell were associated as direc- tors, assuring from the beginning a strong and reliable man- agement of the bank's affairs. Previous to this time Mr. Winner had been successively engaged in the hotel, drug and
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dry goods business and had served in the Ohio legislature ; Mr. Weston likewise had an extended business experience in Piqua, Covington and Dayton, had established the first hard- ware store in Greenville in 1848, and had served in the state legislature; Mr. Emerson had been a brigadier-general of Ohio militia, a justice of the peace, and a promiennt broker ; Mr. Frizell had been a school teacher, a lawyer and clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, while Mr. Studabaker had been a prosperous farmer and stock buyer.
T. S. Waring succeeded J. L. Winner as cashier in 1873, when the latter purchased the Exchange Bank, an institution which had been established by Frank McWhinney in 1869, and continued in business until 1880, when it was closed. James M. Lansdowne, who had served as cashier of the Ex- change Bank throughout its history, became cashier of the Farmers' National Bank in the fall of 1889 and served until his death in 1898. Geo. W. Sigafoos who was serving his second term as county auditor, resigned that position and be- came cashier January 31, 1901, and is still serving in that capacity. Howard S. Kolp is assistant cashier ; Conrad Kipp is president, H. Ed Hufnagle, vice-president, and D. W. Bow- man, S. Corwin Riegel and Joseph Menke members of the board of trustees. This bank is a member of the American and state banking associations, and is reported in the Bankers' Register in January, 1913. with a paid-up capital of $84,000.00 surplus and undivided profits of $140,000.00, deposits $450,- 000.00.
This bank is located on the southwest corner of Broadway and the public square in a handsome stone faced building erected in 1882, and is doing a substantial business.
Greenville National Bank.
The Greenville National Bank is the successor of the Bank of Greenville, which was organized by Hufnagle, Allen & Co., February 22, 1876, with a capital stock of $200,000.00, the stockholders being held individually liable. The first officers were John Hufnagle, president; Judge Wm. Allen, vice-president, and L. L. Bell, cashier. The directors were John Hufnagle, Judge James M. Meeker, John Devor and L. L. Bell. Messrs. Hufnagle, Meeker and Bell were large own- ers of real estate in the county. Judge Allen was a promin- ent attorney and had served the Fourth District in Congress
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during the thirty-sixth and thirty-seventh terms, and John Devor was prominently connected with the Greenville Arti- ficial Gas Company. In 1885 this bank was re-organized under the state law as the Greenville Bank Company, and opened up for business on August 10th, with a capital of $31,- 500 and over $100,000.00 of deposits. The officials elected at that time were Wm. S. Turpen, president; R. B. Jamison, vice-president : Geo. H. Martz, cashier and F. T. Conkling, teller. E. W. Otwell and John C. Clark served as directors with Turpen, Jamison and Martz. Frank T. Conkling who had been with the bank since its organization in 1876, was made cashier in 1893, and served in this capacity until his death in the summer of 1913. In the thirty-seven years of liis connection with this bank he made for himself a fine record as a financier with a reputation extending throughout the county. The Greenville Bank Company was made a Na- tional bank February 10. 1904. The Bankers' Register in January, 1913, gives it a paid-up capital of $100,000.00, sur- plus and undivided profits $179,000.00, deposits $400,000.00, loans and discounts, stocks, bonds and securities $580,000.00. Adelbert Martz, who had been with the bank for over twenty years, was made cashier to succeed F. T. Conkling, deceased, on July 4. 1913. The other officers now are: John H. Koes- ter, president : T. A. Lecklider, vice-president : Thos. Leck- lider, Jr .. assistant cashier A. T. Marker, teller.
The directors are: W. A. Browne, Sr., J. H. Koester, T. A. Lecklider, H. A. Snorf, M. A. Maher, J. C. Elliott and W. E. Nelson. This bank has been located on the northwest corner of Broadway and Fourth street in Greenville, since its or- ganization.
The Second National Bank.
The Second National Bank of Greenville, Ohio, was organ- ized May 14. 1883, was granted its charter July 3, 1883, and opened for business on July 31, of that year. The first offic- ers were Wm. K. Kerlin, president: Robert A. Shuffleton, cashier : David L. Meeker, John Devor, J. H. Martin, Henry St. Clair and Augustus F. Koop, directors. The financial standing and business qualifications of these men insured a success of the enterprise from the beginning. Mr. Kerlin had been a prosperous farmer and had served two terms as county treasurer ; R. A. Shuffleton had been a successful hardware merchant and man of business ; D. L. Meeker had been a suc-
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cessful attorney, and had served two terms as probate judge; John H. Martin had served as county clerk and had had con- siderable business experience ; Henry St. Clair had established the first wholesale grocery in Darke county, and was laying the foundation of the largest private fortune in the county ; and A. T. Koop had been for several years a prosperous hard- ware man, and was well and favorably known in the com- munity. He succeeded R. A. Shuffleton as cashier and served about ten years.
This bank has continued to do a good business since its establishment and has a conservative reputation. It is a member of both the American and State Bankers' Associa- tions, and is rated in the Bankers' Register of January, 1913. as follows: Paid-up capital, $100.000.00, surplus and undi- vided profit $115,000.00; deposits, $300,000.00; loans and dis- counts, stocks, bonds and securities. $390,000.00. The pres- ent officers are Jas. A. Ries, president : D. W. Bowman, vice- president : S. A. Hostetter, cashier ; Gales L. Helm and W. B. Marshall, assistant cashiers: Rolla W. Culbertson, clerk. The directors are J. A. Ries, D. W. Bowman, S. A. Hostetter. W. B. Pickering, A. J. Landis, E. E. Ortlepp and E. Culbert- son. This bank is located on the east side of Broadway, two doors north of Fourth street.
The Citizens' Bank.
This is a private bank and was established January 1, 1902, by Westerfield Bros., well known and prosperous wholesale merchants and Chas. Schreel, a man of considerable business ability, all men of well known integrity and financial respon- sibility. In its twelve years of business it has transacted considerable business and is rated by the Bankers' Register of 1913 as having a financial responsibility of $150,000.00. Its present officers are Enoch W. Westerfield. president ; Marion W. Westerfield, vice-president; S. O. Westerfield, cashier; Wm. H. Tillman, assistant cashier. It is located in the Westerfield building ou South Broadway. opposite Mar- tin street.
The increase of the towns in the county in size and the gradual expansion of business and financial transactions in recent years has called for the establishment of more banks at convenient points. In response to this demand, banks have been established in recent years at Versailles, New Mad-
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ison, Arcanum, Ansonia, Gettysburg, Rossburg and Pitts- burg. According to the Bankers' Register of January, 1913, these banks were rated as follows :
Versailles.
First National Bank. Established 1891. President, R. W. Douglas; vice-president, D. F. Douglas ; cashier, C. B. Doug- las. Paid-up capital, $30,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $8,000. Deposits, $175,000. Loans and discounts, stocks, bonds and securities, $150,000.
Peoples' Bank Company (State Bank). Established 1897. Member American and State Bankers' Associations. Presi- dent, L. C. Klipstine; vice-president, Joseph Manier, Sr .; cashier, E. C. Manier, and assistant cashier, A. F. Prakel. Paid-up capital, $40,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $10,- 000. Deposits, $175,000. Loans and discounts, stocks, bonds and securities, $175,000.
New Madison.
Farmers' Banking Company (private). Established 1889. Member of American and State Banking Associations. Pres- ident, - Richie; vice-president, W. R. Hageman ; cashier, J. D. King : assistant cashier, C. Hartman. Paid-up capital, $30,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $6,100.
Ansonia.
Citizens' Bank Company (state bank). Established 1903. Member State Bankers' Association. T. J. Hostetter, vice- president and assistant cashier; F. S. Kiser, cashier. Paid- up capital, $25,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $5,000. Deposits, $74,000. Loans, discounts, stocks, bonds and se- curities, $66,000.
First National Bank. Established 1908. Member of State Bankers' Association. President, E. E. Vance; vice-presi- dent, J. W. Hufnagle ; cashier, A. J. Comstock. Paid-up cap- ital, $25,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $1,500. De- posits, $105,000. Loans and discounts, stocks, bonds and se- curities, $101,000.
Arcanum.
First National Bank. Established 1893. Member of Am- erican and State Bankers' Associations. President, M. M. Smith; vice-president, H. J. Niswonger ; cashier, C. C: Tay- lor ; assistant cashier, G. F. Riegle. Paid-up capital, $50,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $30,000. Deposits, $213,000.
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Cash and due from banks, $49,000. Loans and discounts, stocks, bonds and securities, $242,000.
Farmers' National Bank. Established 1902. President, W. J. Dull ; vice-president, Ed Ammon ; cashier, O. O. Smith ; assistant cashier, L. L. Muller. Paid-up capital, $50,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $24,000. Deposits, $212,000. Cash and due from banks, $46,000. Loans and discounts, stocks, bonds and securities, $240,000.
Gettysburg.
Citizens' National Bank. President, A. F. Myers; cashier, F. P. Lehman ; assistant cashier, A. W. Fair. Paid-up capi- tal, $30,000. Surplus and undivided profits, $19,000. De- posits, $119,000. Cash and due from banks, $50,000. Loans and discounts, stocks, bonds, securities, $134,000.
Pitsburg.
First National Bank. Established 1909. Member of State Bankers' Association. President, G. Reisley ; vice-president, C. O. Niswonger ; cashier, G. S. Dennison ; assistant cashier, C. O. Niswonger. Paid-up capital, $25,000. Surplus and un- divided profits, $4,000. Deposits, $60,000. Cash and due from banks, $12,000. Loans and discounts, stocks, bonds and securities, $75,000.
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