USA > Ohio > Darke County > History of Darke County, Ohio, from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 46
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The citizens now became convinced of the necessity of pro- viding for adequate fire protection and appealed to the city council to organize a fire department, and procure proper equipment for same. Accordingly, the council passed an ordi- nance on June 1. 1871, creating a fire department consisting of a chief, first and second assistants, three fire wardens, and such men as might be required from time to time. At this meeting bonds were issued for six thousand dollars to pay the expenses of the new department for the years 1872. 1873 and 1874. Rev. D. K. McConnell, of the Christian church, was
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appointed as the first chief with T. P. Turpen first assistant, and F. E. Moores, second assistant, John C. Turpen secre- tary, D. M. Stevenson treasurer, E. J. Hickox engineer.
A Silsby steam fire engine, two hose reels and five hundred feet of hose were purchased at once, at a cost of $7,250-the engine being delivered, tested and accepted by council June 16.
This engine was housed at first in a frame building on lot 59, West Main street, until the completion of the new city hall in 1875, when the outfit was transferred to a room in the north side of that building which had been constructed for the purpose. In those days the engine and reels were run out by the minute men who composed the volunteer force of the department. The three wardens looked after the hose and equipments during fires, protecting the property from dam- age, one assistant chief looked after the engine and the other after the hose reel, while the chief took charge of all.
When the company was organized John T. Lecklider was . mayor, and George W. Moore, J. G. Martini, F. M. Eidson, J. P. Winget and D. E. Vantilburg, councilmen.
A second Silsby fire engine was purchased for $3,450 under an ordinance passed by the council May 21, 1881. With the growth of the department it became imperative that more adequate housing facilities be provided. Accordingly, on February 26, 1883, the council passed an ordinance to issue bonds not to exceed seven thousand dollars for the purchase of real estate for the fire department and for equipment, and on May 28, 1883, authorized the purchase of a lot, forty feet by one hundred feet in size, off the east side of lot number 73 on the northeast corner of Broadway and the public square for $3,500. The old brick building on this corner, the first erected in the county, was soon torn down and a commodious, two story modern fire department building erected with two large exits on the square, stable accommodations for several horses in the rear, and sleeping apartments and a council chamber above.
A second team was purchased about this time and a Game- well fire alarm system installed.
A combination chemical engine and hose wagon was pur- chased in the fall of 1905, at a cost of $1,365. The last pur- chase was a hundred-horse-power American LaFrance triple combinatian, motor fire engine, weighing about eleven thousand pounds with attached equipments, and having a ca-
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pacity of 750 gallons per minute. This engine was delivered January 30, 1914, and cost $9,000.00.
It has a speed of sixty miles and has displaced one of the teams of horses.
Since the organization of the company in 1871, D. K. Mc- Connell, John Winget John Ries, C. S. Mckeon, Taylor Dor- man and James Boyer have acted as chief.
The present firemen are George Hathaway, Louis Hatha- way, C. A. Hufnagle and Benjamin Dunker, and the minute men, George Murphy, Ben Rcam, George Ream and Oscar Nelson.
The Postoffice.
The history of the Greenville postoffice would make a fas- cinating story in which businesss and romance ahe strangely intermingled. In early days the arrival of a letter from an- other section of the state or from the older settlements of the eastern states was hailed with delight and counted an im- portant event in the family. Sometimes the postage on a single letter was twenty-five cents which was paid by the re- cipient. The office was usually in a little store room of some local merchant, who took charge of the mail along with his other affairs, and waited upon his patrons at convenience.
About 1828 and for several years later, it is said, the post- office was located in a little frame building on the southeast corner of Water and Sycamore streets. Abraham Scribner is mentioned as one of the early postmasters. The office was later located in a frame building just east of the present site of the new government building, then later across the street from this point in a small brick building on the rear of the present traction office lot. For several years prior to the civil war it was located in the Hufnagle building on the north- west corner of the Broadway and the public square. It is said that John Jobes acted as postmaster here about 1840, and a certain Captain Smith, about 1855. Smith was suc- ceeded by John S. Shepherd, who moved the office into the H. A. Webb room, on Broadway near Third street. O. H. Long succeeded Shepherd. In September, 1861, E. W. Otwell became postmaster, and removed the office. it seems, into the Harper building, one door south, and later into the old Peb- bledash home of his father, Dr. Curtis Otwell, on the south- west corner of Broadway and Fourth street (court house site). He was succeeded in the fall of 1865 by J. W. McCabe, who
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DARKE COUNTY
mnoved the office to a little frame building on West Main street on the present site of the H. St. Clair Co., wholesale grocery. Ham Slade succeeded McCabe, but was elected county clerk in 1868, and his unexpired term was filled out by George Perry. In 1871 we find the postoffice in the Waring building on the west side of the public square (Craig's tin shop), and Henry Stevenson, holding the office. Stephenson died during his incumbency and was succeeded by his wife, during whose term the office was located in the opera house on Third street (about 1874 to January, 1879), and then in the rear of the Allen building on Fourth street opposite the court house. Daniel Heim succeeded Mrs. Stevenson during the first Cleveland administration when the office was located in the Roland building on the northeast corner of Fourth and Broadway. Here the office remained and here George Perry, Daniel Heim, Isaac Hiller. Alonzo Jones and William Halley served successively in the capacity of master of the mails. until the completion of the new government building on the southeast corner of East Main street and the public square. January 1, 1910.
Free mail delivery was started in Greenville on Monday, May 16, 1898, with L. O. Lecklider, W. R. Pruner and Walter Maines as carriers, and A. Kellogg and Cassius Stoltz as sub- stitutes. At that time two deliveries were made in the busi- ness section and in the residence section daily. With the growth of the city and the increase in business, a demand arose for a building adequate for the needs of the city, and a committee of representative citizens, including A. N. Wilson. John C. Clark, James I. Allread and Charles M. Anderson were sent to Washington, D. C., to lay the city's claim before the senate finance committee. Through the active co-opera- tion of Harvey C. Garber, then the representative of the fourth congressional district, their efforts eventuated in the . securing of an appropriation of some thirty-five thousand dol- lars for the construction of a government building, provided that the citizens furnish the site. Several eligible sites were inspected by an agent of the government including the Kat- zenberger property on the southeast corner of Main street and the public square. As usual in such cases there was strong competition between the residents of the older northern and the rapidly developing southern section of the city over the location of the proposed building. This was soon stopped. however, by a committee of business men with interests cen-
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tering in the neighborhood of upper Broadway and public square, who purchased a plot of ground practically 101 feet by 126 feet in size, on the above mentioned corner and had it transferred to the United States of America, on March 5, 1907, for the consideration of one dollar.
The old brick building which had been erected by Potter in 1832 and occupied by the Katzenberger brothers as a gro- cery for many years was soon torn down. The work of exca- vation was soon commenced, and the building completed in 1909.
The new structure is of the colonial style of architecture, carried out in detail with small window panes, pillared en- trances, deep white cornices and roof ballustrades and dor- mers. The walls are built of red pressed brick and the roof is pitched low. There is an entrance on Main street and one on the public square. The building is heated by low pressure steam, lighted by electricity and equipped with sanitary closets, shower baths, hot and cold water in the basement. A high marble wainscot surrounds the vestibule. There is a large lobby on the Main street side which also extends past the public square entrance. It has an artificial mozaic floor and is faced with quarter sawed, paneled oak wainscoting. The main work room is on the southeastern side of the building. It is well lighted and equipped for the numerous clerks and carriers. The money order and register and postal savings division is on the east side. The postmaster has a separate room facing the public square. The office was trans- ferred to the new building by Postmaster Wm. E. Halley, January 1, 1910.
Mr. Halley was succeeded by Mr. Adam H. Meeker, the present incumbent, October, 1913.
The office force now comprises the postmaster, the assis- tant postmaster, Mr. Joseph C. Katzenberger, five clerks, five city carriers, two janitors, one messenger and eleven rural carriers. James Perry and Osborn Wilson are the mailing clerks : Kitty Spain, money order clerk; Ella Calderwood, stamp clerk; Tillie Dunn, auxiliary. Walter Maines, J. J. O'Brien, Ora Ganger, Charles Brumbaugh, and Jesse Bruss are the city carriers, and Elam Miller the messenger.
The postmaster now receives a salary of $2,700.00 and his assistant $1,300.00 per year.
The gross receipts of the office in 1913 were about $23.000.00.
North School Building
GREENVILLE, OH O
East School Bultding
Carnegie Library, Greenville, O.
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Greenville is one of the few second-class offices in Ohio now housed in a government building.
Greenville Public Schools.
The social and intellectual progress of Greenville and Darke county is well indicated by the transition from the little log house to the modernly planned and equipped pressed brick school building.
The development of the Greenville schools up to 1880 has been reviewed in another place, from the old log school house on Elm street, and the first two brick grade schools, the private schools, the establishment of the high school in 1869, and the first few years of the history of that institution. The growth of the city and the advancing requirements of High school work soon called for the erection of another school building. In response to this demand a fine lot comprising some three acres was purchased on East Fifth street, between Montgomery and Green streets. about 1881, and a beautiful large brick building with two graceful towers, two stories high and with mansard roof was constructed in 1883 at a cost of some $75,000.00. This building was intended primarily for a high school-an assembly room, a laboratory, an extra rec- itation room and a large auditorium on the second floor being set aside for the use of this department, while the rooms down stairs and the east room up stairs were devoted to the lower grades for the convenience of the pupils living in the eastern section of the city. Since being remodled this build- ing has fourteen regular session rooms and one assembly room. From 1867 to 1888, Prof. J. T. Martz continued at the head of the schools and by his scholarship, discipline and tenacity of purpose established an enviable reputation for Greenville educational institutions. In 1888, Prof. F. Gillum Cromer, now president of the Miami Valley Chautauqua, became superintendent, and held this position until 1895. During his incumbency he introduced several of the advanced ideas of education, including the savings bank, the fire drill, and a circulating library, and revised the curriculum. C. L. Brumbaugh (now representing Franklin county, Ohio in con- gress), became superintendent in 1895, and held that office until 1899. During this period four good sized classes were graduated and a demand developed for a sectional grade school to accommodate the pupils living in North Greenville.
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This demand was met by the purchase of a lot on North Main street, between Wayne and Spring streets and the erection of a modern one story, four roomed, grey brick school, with central dome, large corridor, scientific lighting and ventilation, at a probable cost of some twenty-five thous- and dollars. Prof. E. M. Van Cleve (now superintendent of the Ohio Blind commission), was the able and enthusiastic superintendent from 1899 to 1903. During his incumbency the Carnegie library and museum was built, and became an important auxiliary to the schools. Prof. Van Cleve was a good literary student and did much to build up the library and revise and strengthen the curriculum. Prof. J. W. Swartz served from 1903 to 1905. During this period the "Depart- ment Plan" was gradually introduced, by which all seventh and eighth grades, except one room at the North building were organized into a department of four teachers. Prof. Swartz also paid special attention to the development of athletics in the high school. Prof. W. S. Rowe served from 1905 to 1906. In the fall of 1905 the board introduced the de- partment of household arts, furnishing a very complete equipment for domestic science. Manual training and the kindergarten were made possible through the thoughtful be- quest of the late Mr. Henry St. Clair, who purchased the equipments for these departments and had them installed under the direction of the board of educaion, in the summer of 1905. Prof. James J. Martz succeeded to the superin- tendency in the fall of 1908, and served until his resignation in the spring of 1914. Prof. Martz is a son of the late Jacob T. Martz, the first superintendent, a graduate of the Greenville high school (class of 1891), a graduate of Ohio Weslyan Uni- versity, and had several years of experience in high school work before assuming this responsible office. During his term several important changes and improvements have been made including the remodeling and moving of the old West school building, the erection of the Henry St. Clair memo- rial hall (which now houses the department of industrial art. household arts, manual training and kindergarten), and the erection of the new South school building. This latter build- ing was erected in 1911. at a cost of some $25,000, on a fine lot located south of Sater street between Washington and Wayne avenues, and was built to accommodate the grade pupils of the rapidly growing south side. On account of its late construction it embodies many of the latest ideas of
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school architecture. It was designed by Howard and Mer- riam, and constructed by E. E. Bope, following the erection of the memorial hall by those builders. It contains eight reg- ular grade rooms, besides two large play rooms and toilet conveniences in the basement.
Several factors have contributed to the rapid development of the public school system, and the gradual increase in the number of graduates, among which might be included the following: the Boxwell-Patterson law, making it possible for rural grade graduates to enter any high school in the county, without conditions : the popular demand for higher education; the broadening and strengthening of the high school courses ; the employment of specialists as instructors in the various branches of the curriculum; the greatly im- proved equipment and conveniences, and the holding of an- nual institutes. These things have all acted favorably in the Greenville schools as shown by the fact that the enrollment in the high school has increased from 155 in 1900, to 303 in 1914. While the total enrollment has increased from 1,076 to 1,352 during the same period. With four modernly equipped brick buildings, the Carnegie library and the Memorial build- ing, all located with special reference to the conveni- ence of the pupils of the various sections of the city. Greenville has a school system that is probably not excelled by that of any city of its size in the state of Ohio. The high school has been certified by the Ohio School commissioner as "first grade" for several years, permitting its graduates to en- ter the freshman year of some of the best colleges and uni- versities of the United States without condition. Within re- cent years special development has taken place in the grades in the departments of music, drawing, applied art, manual training, and the progressive study of English literature. In the high school great progress has been made in these same departments, besides domestic economy, modern and ancient languages, history, science, mathematics, art, expression, pedagogy, commercial training and athletics.
The total number of graduates to date is 744, of whom 479 were girls and 265 boys. 150, or more than one-fifth of the entire number, have been graduated in the last three classes.
The monthly pay roll shows the following items :
(34)
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DARKE COUNTY
Superintendent's saary
$ 255.55
High school tuition
1,379.16
Grade tuition
1,750.00
Library employees
135.00
Janitors
325.00
1
1 1
1
1 1
$3,844.71
The following schedule of teachers for the school year of 1913-14 shows one superintendent, five principals, besides twenty-two grade, nine high school, two kindergarten and four special teachers, a total force of forty-three. Practically all of the high school instructors have taken courses covering a period of from one to five years in some standard Ameri- can college or university, while nearly all of the grade teach- ers are graduates of the high school, and have had special normal or college preparation.
East Building.
O. E. Bowers, principal ; Carrie Rush, Lillian Hoel, Mabel Turner, Alcie Allen, Mary Studebaker, Anna Stephens, Esther Gaskill, Isabel Ketring, Louise Hall, and Nannie Eller, grade teachers ; Onda Ridenour, kindergarten.
West Building.
J. B. Long, principal ; Margaret Mannix, Kitt Townsend, Lucile Kerlin, Klyde Whiteley, Elsie Black.
North Building.
Mary Stallman, principal; Edith Dininger, Lelia Miller, Grace Reed.
South Building.
Clara Heckerman, principal; Elizabeth Lynch, Estella Mong, Lucile Fitzgerald, Cena Davis.
High School.
Minor McCool, principal, biology; Frederick Roehm, Ger- man: E. F. Babb, mathmetics; Ophelia G. Byers, English ; H. H. Howett, history: Harry Metzger, science; Myrtle Boyer, phonography and typewriting; Inez Osborn, Latin :
1
1
1
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DARKE COUNTY
Alma Polk, English; Nelson E. Thomas, algebra and com- mon branches.
Special Teachers-Memorial Hall.
Anna Bier, industrial art; Grace Cowles, domestic econ- omy ; L. Evelyn Roberts, music ; E. W. Bowers, manual train- ing; Mary C. Ferris, kindergarten ; J. J. Martz, superintend- ent.
Members of the board of education-John Mong, presi- dent ; Dr. W. T. Fitzgerald, J. E. Williams, clerk ; J. O. Win- ters.
Prof. F. C. Kirkendall, formerly of Chillicothe, Ohio, has been chosen to succeed Prof. J. J. Martz, resigned, as super- intendent.
Lodges.
The social and fraternal life of the citizens of the county seat has found partial expression in various lodges, societies, clubs, etc., organized from time to time since the founding of the town.
The Masonic order is now represented by three organiza- tions, viz., Greenville Lodge No. 143, F. and A. M., which received its charter October 20, 1847 ; Greenville Chapter No. 77, R. A. M., chartered October 17, 1857, and Matchett Coun- cil No. 91, Royal and Select Masters, chartered October 4, 1904.
The first named has a membership of about 240; the sec- ond about 185 and the last about 100 of Greenville's represen- tative citizens. For many years the Masons met in a hall which they had fitted up on the third floor of the Koester building on the northwest corner of Broadway and Third streets. They recently removed to the new rooms which they had constructed and fitted out in the building now known as the Masonic hall on the southeast corner of Broadway and the public square, at a cost of some fifteen thousand dollars. The lodges are in a flourishing condition. In recent years they have conducted the ceremonies incident to the placing of the corner stones of the Carnegie library building, the Episcopal church and St. Clair memorial hall and are quite active in the ritualistic work of the order.
The Odd Fellows are now represented by a strong subordi- nate lodge of some 340 members, besides an encampment and Daughters of Rebekah organization. The original organiza-
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tion was known as Greenville Lodge No. 195, I. O. O. F., and was instituted March 15, 1852. In 1873, this lodge erected the present Trainor opera house, with a fine hall on the upper floor at a cost of some $20,00.00. This venture proved un- profitable and the heavy indebtedness incurred finally led to the division of the lodge and the establishment of another known as Champion Lodge No. 742, which was instituted July 22, 1885, with thirty-five charter members. These lodges continued separately until January, 1909, when they were consolidated as Champion Lodge No. 742. This lodge has met for several years in an upper room of the Ohio block, but expects soon to be housed in fine and commodious quar- ters in the remodeled Turpen building, formerly known as the Turpen House.
Greenville Encampment No. 90, I. O. O. F. represents the higher work of Odd Fellowship and now has a membership of about 100 members. Bee Hive Lodge No. 266, Daughters of Rebekah was organized as an auxiliary to Greenville Lodge No. 195 in 1889, with about ten members. In 1909 it was merged with the Seven Star Lodge, an auxiliary to Cham- pion Lodge, and the consolidated lodge retined the name "Bee Hive." This has been one of the most active ladies lodges in the city.
Greenville Lodge No. 161, Knights of Pythias was insti- tuted May 16, 1883, with 33 charter members and now has a membership of about 380. being probably the strongest lodge numerically in the city. Besides the regular lodge there is a separate organization known as the uniform rank, which places special emphasis on the drill features of the order, and the Pythian Sisters, all of whom meet in the elegantly fur- nished lodge room on the upper floor of the Anderson build- ing on the southeast corner of Broadway and Fourth streets.
Little Turtle Lodge No. 119, Improved Order of Red Men was chartered August 14, 1889, with ninety-five charter mem- bers, and now has a membership of about 250. A lodge was originally organized in October, 1870, which flourished for a while but finally surrendered its charter in May, 1875. The present lodge, however, has continued its organization for nearly a quarter of a century. Its meetings are held on the upper floor of the Union block on South Broadway opposite Martin street.
The Junior order is represented in Greenville by Gen. Wm. H. Lawton Council No. 147. Junior O. U. A. M., which
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DARKE COUNTY
meets on Monday night at 331 Broadway. This lodge was chartered October 8, 1901, with 21 members and now has a membership of about 170. This order now has ten lodges in Darke county.
Greenville Council No. 28, Daughters of America was chartered January 9, 1904, with 25 members and has grown in about ten years to a membership of about 115.
The Knights of the Golden Eagle have a lodge which meets in their rooms on Broadway.
There are two fraternal insurance orders in the city : Wayne Camp No. 4449, Modern Woodmen of America, was organ- ized January 7, 1897, and now has 66 members including sev- eral substantial citizens.
The Knights of the Maccabees have recently organized a lodge under the number 417.
The United Commercial Travelers have an active organiza- tion, made possible by the large number of traveling salesmen who have chosen Greenville for their home.
The Elks organized a lodge about 1907, known as Tribe No. 1139, B. P. O. E. Their wigwam is in the upper floors of the Moore building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Third street where meetings are held on Monday night. The present membership is about 160.
Besides these orders there is a Grand Army Post and W. R. C. mentioned elsewhere.
Literary Societies.
The ladies of Greenville have manifested their literary pro- clivities by the establishment of seven clubs as follows :
The Dickens, organized in 1891.
Columbian, organized in 1892 and federated in 1895. It has twenty active members and this year they are studying Austria and Hungary and meet Tuesdays. President, Mrs. J. J. Martz ; secretary, Mrs. E. F. Babb ; treasurer, Mrs. Lillian Conkling.
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