USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 45
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The successive second lieutenants were: William A. Browne, Jr., 1901-04: Robert E. Fissel, who had been a priv- ate in the war with Spain and served in the Sixth United
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States Infantry in the Philippines, 1902-1904; Howard B. Hoel, October, 1904-1906; Roy H. Jamison, December 5, 1908 --; Joseph F. Hascher, April 5, 1910 to January, 1914; David A. Dorman, present incumbent.
Company M has always borne its part well and reflected credit upon the city and county. At the annual tournaments at Camp Perry on Lake Erie, the men have held their own as marksmen, and at the manoeuvers with officers and regulars of the United States army, our boys have lost nothing by comparison. The company participated in the centennial celebration at Eaton in 1908, and at the Wright Brothers celebration in Dayton. July 16, 17 and 18, 1909, and partici- pated in the exercises at the unveiling of the monument to Admiral Stephen Clegg Rowan, at Piqua, Ohio, October 13, 1909. Reference has hereinbefore been made to the com- pany's exacting duties during the disorders at Columbus in 1910. The longest tour of duty was during March and April, 1913, during the destructive floods in southern Ohio, Com- pany M being on duty for a period of thirty days.
A newspaper clipping from a Dayton paper at this period quoting Adjutant General Wood, is to the effect that the Ohio National Guard is one of the best organizations of its kind. The general states that since the troops have been quartered in the city of Dayton not a single complaint has been filed at headquarters against the conduct of the soldiers by civilians.
"This," said the General, "applying to hundreds of raw boys, many of whom have had their first taste of authority while doing guard duty at this place, speaks well for the training they have had at the summer camps."
When asked if he considered military duty of the kind the troops are doing at present as being good from a military standpoint, as the experience derived from the summer mili- tary camps, General Wood said: "The work done at Camp Perry and other places is meant to fit the troops for just such work as this. Without the practical training received at these places the state could not have a body of men sufficiently trained in the rules of military discipline to be competent to cope with a situation like the present.
Proud of His Men.
"I am proud of the Ohio National Guard. To a man its members have done their duty well and faithfully. They
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have been constantly on the job, day and night, and I am sure that but very few men have passed through their lines with- out the proper credentials.
"I am especially proud of the company from Greenville. I am confident that a black cat could not have passed through their lines on a dark night without losing at least three of its nine lives. The commanding officer had as much trouble getting past the Darke county lads as any one. Sometimes I am inclined to think he had more.
"No guard from Greenville ever passed me in my car with- out first compelling one of my aides to clamber out and be recognized."
Post Office, Greenville, Ohio.
A
County Court Hoose, Green.rle. 3
City Hall & Fire Dept. Bidg., Greenville, O.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS, GREENVILLE, OHIO
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE COUNTY SEAT.
The county is the political and social unit of the state, and around its seat of government the proud and patriotic senti- ments of its citizens crystallize. It is well worth while to preserve and cherish the early traditions that cluster about the capital city of Darke county and to foster the fine senti- ments aroused by the contemplation of its various religions, social, utilitarian and public institutions. We have noted the selection of the site of Greenville by the pioneers as a central and desirable location for the county seat-a beautiful, ele- vated, level plain with almost perfect drainage on three sides and such natural advantages as contribute to make it the log- ical and ideal situation for the capital of a rich and thriving shire. The outstanding features of village life here have been dwelt upon at length and we will now notice how Greenville has developed from a small country town to a respectable city of the smaller class. A directory of the town published in 1857 shows the following business and professional firms:
Merchant tailors and clothing-B. D. Dean & Co., and J. Oppenheimer.
Hats, caps and furs-William Mitchell.
Saddle and harness shops-J. Tomilson & Son, Alanson Brown and W. Hart.
Tanneries and leather stores-Dawes & Taylor and J. W. Porter.
Banks-Farmers' Bank, by Winner and Frizell.
Furniture and ware rooms-Juddy & Miller.
Provision and Grocery stores-J. F. Bertsch, Charles Nurmberger, G. A. Katzenberger, J. G. Fisher.
Distillers and brewers-Turner and Brother Distillery and Grist Mill. Piqua pike (now Martin street, just east of Plum), J. C. Katzenberger, Water street (at head of Sycamore).
Liquor stores-Wm. Crandall and G. W. Bloom. Saloon-A. Gutheil.
Hotels-Broadway Hotel, Wm. C. Fitts proprietor (Farm- ers' National Bank) : Cottage House. James Parrish, proprie- tor ; Mansion House. J. A. Corbin, proprietor.
(33)
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Livery stable-J. C. Arens.
Attorneys-at-Law-John Wharry, E. B. Putnam, W. Allen, D. L. Meeker, W. M. Wilson, Benjamin Hubbard, J. R. Knox, J. A. Corbin, Charles G. Matchett and David Beers.
Physicians-I. N. Gard, C. Otwell. G. Miesse, A. Ayers, O. E. Lucas, E. Lynch, Z. M. Lansdowne, F. Loewen.
Dentist-W. C. Porterfield.
Barber shops-G. R. Bell, W. Kipp.
Gunsmith-John Sweitzer (South Fourth street).
Fanning mill manufactory-Kerr & Hart (East Third street).
Carriage and wagon makers-J. Greenawalt, E. Bond, John Cox.
Blacksmiths-Jeremiah Reis. John Fettery. WVm. Oswalt.
Joiners and builders-F. H. McCune, George Ullery, J. M. McGinnis, Thomas McGinnis.
Bakeries and confectionery shops-J. R. Clark, D. E. Van- tilburg.
Newspapers and job printing-Greenville Journal, E. B. Taylor, editor and proprietor ; Darke County Democrat, H. Miller, editor : Crystal Fountain. J. G. Jones, editor.
Books and stationery-N. Webb, J. Vanmeter.
Jewelry store-N. Webb.
Tobacco manufactory-L Bornstein.
Daguerrotype artist-A. Yount.
Drug stores-Schmidt & Schlenker, Glines & Hubbard.
Dealers in general merchandise-Workman & Daily, Ar- nold & Davis. F. and J. L. Waring, John Hufnagle, F. Crider. Hardware-S. W. Ullery.
Stoves, copper and Tinware-S. Allen, I. N. Beedle.
Boots and Shoes-J. R. Challis, Biltemier & Co., G. W. Miller.
Fur trader-A. LaMott.
Meat markets-Daniel Zimmerman, Eli Helm.
Bricklayer and plasterer-John Essick.
Miscellaneous-H. Arnold, S. Bachman. C. Biltemier. W. H. Daily. D. R. Davis, E. Dawes, David Erwin, J. D. Farrar, J. W. Frizell, Moses Hart, W. Kerr, Kuntz Bros. saw mill, J. C. Lines, S. F. Perrine, Wm. Schmidt, S. Schlenker. J. A. Schmermund, J. Tomilson, J. Taylor, Charles W. Tait. J. L. Winner. T. H. Workman, F. Waring, J. L. Waring.
Postmaster-C. H. Long.
Justice and mayor's office-J. W. O'Brist.
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County officials-Auditor, J. C. Shepherd ; recorder, D. M. Stevenson; treasurer, J. McKhann; clerk, S. H. Robinson ; probate judge, A. R. Calderwood ; prosecutor, D. L. Meeker ; sheriff, Joshua Townsend; surveyor, John Devor.
The map of the town at this time showed the built up por- tion largely confined between Greenville creek on the north, Fourth and Martin streets on the south, Warren and Mul- berry (Ludlow) streets on the east, and Vine street on the west. There were four or five houses in "Mina Town" (North Greenville) and about twenty in "Huntertown." From Mar- tin street and the West school ground southward to Sater street and from Central avenue to the Greenville and Miami railroad extended the Armstong land of one hundred and eight acres. The porter tannery showed north of the bridge on the west side of Broadway; Dawes and Taylor's tannery on the north side of Water street between Sycamore and Elm streets : a foundry and machine shop on the northwest cor- ner of Main and Elm streets; Sweitzer's gunsmith shop on the west side of South Fourth (now Sweitzer street) street near present end of Fourth street; a pottery just west of the present site of the M. E. church ; a school house just west of the pottery : the court house in the public square with a market-house a few rods to the north; the Greenville and Miami (D. & U.) railway machine shops near the present site of the East school building ; the Christian church on the west side of Walnut street. between Third and Fourth streets, and a school house almost opposite ; the M. E. church on Syca- more, between Third and Fourth streets; the Baptist church on the east side of Elm street, between Third and Fourth streets ; the Episcopal church on the northeast corner of Third and Walnut streets; the Presbyterian church, at its present location ; the Second Presbyterian church, where St. Paul's Lutheran church now stands, on East Fourth street ; the German M. E. church on east Water street. The jail ap- pears on the west side of Broadway between Third street and the first alley south. The business houses clustered about the public square and extended down Broadway to Third street with a few scattered establishments as far south as Fourth street.
The G. and M. railway was the only one reaching the county seat at this date. By the outbreak of the civil war four turnpikes had been constructed, connecting Greenville with outlying villages, greatly increasing its trade facilities
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and making it independent of Piqua and Dayton for shipping advantages. During the Civil war, no doubt, the town made little progress but it was at this time that the Panhandle rail- way was constructed and the old Baptist and U. B. church structure on Elm street was purchased and remodeled by the Catholics. A few years after the close of the war the town took on new life, old structures were remodeled or torn down and replaced by new ones, a foundry and machine shop, and a steam planing mill were constructed, a large three-story brick school building erected, streets graded and improved, and interest quickened in the cause of education. The open- ing up of large tracts of land and the increased market facil- ities of Greenville greatly stimulated trade and caused many business changes.
As an illustration of the activity and progress of this period it is said that in May, 1869, there were more than sixty build- ings being built or remodeled. In 1870 Greenville had 2,520 inhabitants. The next decade was to witness probably greater improvements, for in 1872 the Reformed church was built, in 1873 the McWhinney (Trainor) opera house was built, in 1874 the new court house was dedicated, having been erected at a cost of some $175,000.00. in 1875 the new city building was erected in the public square on the site of the old court house, besides the beautiful residence of Charles Roland, Sr., E. C. Shade (Daniel Henne) and the foundation for the then palatial home of Judge D. L. Meeker, recently torn down.
An important event during this decade was the selling of sixteen acres off the Armstrong commons in 1877, in the south central part of town for $15,000.00. This was soon platted and graded and within three years was half built upon with good residences. Building operations continued during the next decade with unabated zeal.
In 1880 Greenville had 3.535 and the county 40,833 inhabi- tants. In that year a substantial three-story brick building was finished on the southwest corner of Broadway and Third street by Dr. John Matchett and Wilson and Hart, being by far the best business room constructed up to that date. Henry St. Clair opened up a wholesale grocery about 1880. In 1883 the beautiful and commodious East school building and the three story, four room, pressed brick Ohio block, lo- cated on the east side of Broadway between Third and. Fourth streets were completed. The Winner block, a little further south on the west side, the Anderson block corner Broadway
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and Fourth street, soon followed. The Mozart Theater and skating rink on West Fourth street was also erected. The four-story Union block (now Westerfield build- ing) on South Broadway, opposite Martin street was com- pleted about 1891. During this same period the Armstrong plat continued to be built upon, and the new Christian Taber- nacle (1888) on West Fifth street. Besides the Mackinaw (Cincinnati Northern) Railway reached Greenville during this period. By 1890 the town was fairly well built as far south as the Panhandle railway with a string of houses con- necting the suburb of "Huntertown."
In 1890 Greenville had a population of 5473. During the decade from 1890 to 1900 the beautiful new Presbyterian, Lutheran, and Methodist churches were built on Fourth street, the Universalist church on Fifth street. the U. B. church on Wayne avenue, the St. Clair and Bickel residences. It was during this period that the water works and electric light plants, and the North school building (1899) were con- structed. the Mozart department store opened and the Daily Tribune and Advocate started.
In 1900 Greenville had a population of 6,237. Between 1900 and 1910 greater public improvements were made than in any previous decade-putting Greenville out of the class of a backwoods town and into that of a modern city of the smaller class. In 1900 Broadway was paved with vitrified brick from the bridge to Washington avenue, and the cross streets- Water, Main, Third, Fourth and Fifth-one square each way -over a mile in all. at a cost of $66,000.00. Washington Avenue was paved with asphalt blocks as far as the Penn- sylvania Railway in 1901; West Fourth and Switzer streets to the Pennsylvania railway: East Third to Locust street, and South Washington avenue to Sater street, in 1903: East Fourth and East Fifth streets soon after; North Main and North Broadway (Minatown), East Main, East Third and West Main about 1907; Central avenue to Sater street and Martin street to the D. & U. railway in 1910; and Martin street from the D. & U. railway to the corporation line and West Third street to Chestnut street in 1911. so that at this time (1914) there are nearly six miles of paved streets in the city. When the first paving was put down in 1900, about . eighteen miles of sanitary and nine miles of storm sewers were also put in at a cost of $73,000.00. The city now hos some thirty-five miles of improved streets and probably twice
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that in length of cement sidewalks. The Dayton and North- ern Traction (Ohio Electric) line was also built at this time. During this decade the Carnegie Library (1901), the govern- ment building (1909), the new Catholic church (1902), the new Episcopal church (1906), the Masonic Temple (1908), the new Armory, the Breaden, W. L. Meeker, D. W. Bow- man and C. J. Herr residences erected and a large part of the Armstrong addition lying between Central and Grey avenues, and the Pennsylvania railway and Sater street was built up. Besides these the new Anderson, Irwin and Weaver Blocks, the Lohman Carriage and Telescope Works, the Ross Supply Co., the J. Weller Cannery Co., the new Hollinger Fence building, the Western Ohio Creamery Co. plant, the Gem Incubator building( now Knitting Mills) be- sides several large tobacco warehouses were built up and the Richeson and Nelson tile plant greatly enlarged and equipped with new machinery and appliances. Vast improvements were also made in grading and improving lawns and removing unsightly sheds, fences and obstructions. The new concrete Broadway bridge was constructed in 1908-1909 at a cost of some $40,000.00.
Since 1910, the beautiful St. Clair memorial building, the Coppock residence, the new Krickenberger, Thomas and Trainor business rooms, besides many artistic and substantial residences have been constructed and the city continues to expand in all directions. The population of the city is now about seven thousand, the number of separate plats and addi- tions included is about seventy and the amount of territory embraced in the corporate limits, about 1,035 acres, or one and six-tenths square miles. It is probably the most solidly and subsequently built up cities of its size in the state of Ohio. While reviewing the city's progress a brief sketch of the es- tablishment and growth of the various public utilities and city institutions is in order.
As the county seat grew into the proportions of a city the question of an adequate suppy of wholesome water, both for domestic use and as an additiona precaution in case of fire, agitated the citizens, and much discussion, pro and con, was engaged in by the press and the people. As a result a board of trustees was appointed and an election called in the summer of 1892 at which the citizens voted favorably on the proposition to issue $75,000.00 in bonds to construct and install a proper water works system,
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including wells, pumping station, stand pipe, fire hydrants, mains, etc. A bond issue of $5,000.00 passed the coun- cil November 30, 1892, and one for $75,000.00 on De- cember 12, 1892. A tract of 7.58 acres, being a part of the bottom land of the John H. Martin farm, about one-half mile west of the city, was purchased December 12, 1892, and a tract of 2.69 acres afterward for the total sum of $1,145.50. It seems that this place was decided upon on account of the body of water above the site which could be made available in case of fire, and the comparative proximity to the city. Nine six-inch wells were sunk at first. In the summer of 1893 a neat and substantial brick pumping station was erected a short distance from the south bank of the creek, two com- pound, duplex, condensing pumps with a capacity of 1,500,000 gallons each were installed and proper connection made with the wells at a total cost of some twenty-three thousand dol- - lars. About eleven and a half miles of pipe were laid at first, which has since been increased to eighteen miles. For emer- gency use a large brick tower with superimposed water tank with a total height of about one hundred and twenty-five feet was constructed on a lot near the northeast corner of Chest- nut and West Third streets. There are now fourteen wells in service with an estimated capacity of 800,000 gallons. The water was examined by the state bacteriologist in 1906. The analysis showed "a ground water of good quality as re- gards its pollution from organic pollution. The number of bacteria was very low, intestinal bacteria were absent, and chemically there was no evidence of any sewage pollution." A report from the state board of health issued about this time, showed the water safe, and, except for iron and hard- ness, satisfactory for domestic and municipal use."
Three engineers are now employed at the pumping sta- tion, two at $65.00 per month each, and one at $66.00 per month, one superintendent at $1,000.00, one superintendent's helper at $720.00 and one clerk at $480.00 per year, to operate and maintain the plant, and attend to the collection of charges from consumers. There are now 1,703 services, and 1,500 consumers with an annual estimated consumption of one hun- dred and twenty million gallons. Much of this water is used to operate the automatic flush system attached to the city sewers, and to supply the public drinking fountains operated in the business section of the city. On account of the short- age in the supply in exceptionally dry summer seasons
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steps have been taken by the city to secure an increased water supply, by installing a filtration plant, and utilizing the water from Greenville creek. Johnson and Fuller have drawn plans for a settling and purifying plant with a capacity of 3,000,000 gallons daily and it is the intention of the depart- ment to have this installed this season. The result desired is to secure a supply of two thousand gallons per minute, or three million gallons per day, which will be ample for fires or any purpose.
Mr. John P. Lucas is the efficient superintendent of this ex- tremely valuable public utility having held this important office of public trust since January 1, 1896. During this time the system has been greatly enlarged and extended and Mr. Lucas has striven to make the plan adequate to the increasing public demands, and conduct it in a thorough and business-like manner. Mr. Karl Schmermund is clerk of this department.
The Greenville Electric Light & Power Co.
On the 19th day of January, 1894. the Greenville Electric Light & Power Company was incorporated. Its incorpo- rators were A. W. Rush, A. J. Klinger, A. E. Bunger, Z. T. D'orman and Charles E. Wright. The amount of capital stoc': included in its corporation was $15,000.00. On the 21st day of March, 1894, the organization was completed and the fol- lowing stockholders and citizens of Greenville elected as its first board of directors: A. J. Klinger. D. L. Gaskill, A. C. Robeson, J. M. Bickel, Charles J. Herr, W. A. Hopkins, L. C. Anderson, Z. T. Dorman and A. F. Markwith. The board or- ganized by electing D. L. Gaskill as president, E. C. Wright as secretary and Charles E. Wright as treasurer.
No action was taken by the company in 1894 but in the spring of 1895, a contract was made with the city of Green- ville for the lighting of the streets, in which the city of Green- ville took seventy-six open arcs at a cost of $84.50 each per year, and made a contract with the company for that light- ing to run for ten years. The stock of the company was in- creased ao $30,000.00, and the company at once proceeded to the erection of its plant in the city of Greenville. Thirty-two thousand dollars were spent in its construction at that time and the plant began operation in October of 1895.
From time to time the stock of the company was increased as the growth of the company required, until at present it has
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$115,000.00 of stock fully paid up and has one of the largest and best generating statoins in western Ohio. Its lines now cover seventy-five miles of long distance transmission in addi- tion to the lines within the city of Greenville, Ohio. It has one thousand kw. capacity and furnishes current for Brad- ford, Gettysburg, Ansonia, New Madison, Eldorado, West Manchester, Lewisburg, Brookville and Union City.
The company has followed the plan of keeping its officers so long as they were willing to serve and of the original board of directors, D. L. Gaskill, J. M. Bickel, Z. T. Dorman and A. C. Robeson still remain on the board. D. L. Gaskill has served continuously as president since its organization, and in 1896 W. S. Mecker was elected secretary and has continued in that office since that date. Vacancies on the board of direc- tors have only arisen by the sale of their interest in the com- pany or by death.
The company has kept apace with the progress of the elec- trical industry and its reputation is national for good service and progressive ideas.
The present executive officers are D. L. Gaskill president, WV. S. Meeker secretary, W. G. Bishop treasurer and S. M. Rust superintendent. Some of the employees of the company have been with the company since its organization.
As a public utility it feels the responsibility that a utility should have in advancing the interests of the city in which it is located and stands readv with its means and its business to assist the city of Greenville in every way possible.
The Greenville Home Telephone Company.
The telephone company was organized June, 1900; capital stock $100,000.00. During the first year, 240 telephones were installed with a few miles of toll line. In January, 1914, the company operated ten exchanges with 4,400 subscribers' sta- tions, with several miles of iron and copper toll line circuits connecting with U. S. Telephone Co. and Central Union Tele- phone Co., and A. T. & T. for long distance service.
Number of employees in office of exchange, 75; wire chief, inspector and linemen, 15. Names of present directors : J. A. Ries, C. R. Leftwich, W. D. Rush, G. F. Schermund, S. A. Hostetter, L. J. George, Conrad Kipp, S. C. Riegel, and B. P. Conkling.
President of the company, Conrad Kipp; vice-president, C.
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R. Leftwich, treasurer ; G. F. Schmermund, secretary and general manager, W. D. Rush.
The old Bell telephone system, which had been operated for probably twenty years, was giving service to about 300 sub- scribers in 1900. In August, 1911, they had fifty-five sub- scribers in Greenville with twenty-one toll stations. The toll stations and subscribers' stations at that time were discon- tinued and all the property was taken over by the Greenville Home Telephone Company. Telephone rates are $2.00 and $1.00; business $2.00 and residence and farm $1.00.
The Fire Department.
The fire department dates existence from a destructive fire in the early part of 1871. In the early days, the business rooms were mostly two stories in height and were scattered in location so that fires were readily controlled. However, on the night of December 13. 1855. the Buckeye House, on the southeast corner of Broadway and the public square (Ma- sonic Temple site) took fire in the third story and burned to the ground, causing a total loss to the proprietor, J. L. Win- ner. By a concurrence of favorable circumstances the fire was confined to this one building, but the public was stirred and the purchase of a hand fire-engine and organization of a fire fighters brigade was discussed. No action was taken and the matter was dropped until after the big fire on the night of April 21, 1871, which started in the livery barn of George Stevens (known as the "Flying Dutchman") just east of the present government building and spread eastward to the Blottman building and Tod and Snyder's stable on East Third street, scattering fire brands on the Christian and Lutheran churches, and causing a loss estimated at from fifteen to fifty thousand dollars.
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