USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 13
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"He engaged extensively in the clerical labor of the profession-he drew deeds, mort- gages, wills and codicils, agreements and con- tracts ; prepared and settled the accounts of executors and administrators ; attended to liti- gated causes before justices of the peace and to the taking of depositions for senior mem- bers of the bar in their pending cases. He also attended carefully to all business in the courts that was committed to his care. The sum total of his business was large, as much as any young man ought to have done, but it was laborious and poorly paid.
"His student life was extended over this period of time; he revised his elementary studies and extended his legal reading through all the departments of the law. He was a constant attendant on the courts; while in session a careful observer of causes on trial and of the professional conflicts of those who tried them. This was the best law school that he could have attended; he here wit- nessed the practical application of the prin- ciples of the law to the rights of men and learned from great masters in the profession how causes great and small were lost and won.
"It was during this time and by these means that Mr. Hunter became so well rooted and grounded in the law and upon the foundation thus laid he built. Without such a founda- tion or its equivalent no man need hope to attain to that eminence in the profession to which he attained.
"Mr. Hunter's whole professional life, properly interpreted, speaks to his sorrow- ing brethren, who are aiding in the adminis- tration of justice, in this language: 'Re-
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
member that no man is born a lawyer; that only in the state courts, but in those of the the law is an artificial and progressive science, United States, where he labored among his and that he who would become and continue to be a lawyer in the proper acceptation of the term can effect his purpose only by labori- ous and continuous industry and study.' peers for the highest honors and emolu- ment of his profession-and he did not labor in vain." He was a man of the people, easy of access, plain in his mode of life, of fine mind and unsullied integrity.
"And now here in this court, where our departed brother began and ended his pro- fessional life, and while his voice is still lingering in our ears, we again ask that the proceedings read be entered upon the endur- ing records of the court, in order that his name and memory be thereby the better per- petuated."
Hocking H. Hunter departed this life at his home in Lancaster on the 4th day of February, 1872, in the 71st year of his age. He was born near this city in 1801, was educated here and lived here during his whole life.
Mr. Hunter read law with the late Wil- liam W. Irwin and was admitted to the bar in 1824. From that time to his death he devoted himself to the practice of his pro- fession of nearly half a century, when he died in the midst of his labors and briefs.
"Mr. Hunter's mind was eminently judi- cial, strong, discriminating and energetic. He was devoted to labor and very careful in the preparation of his cases. His argu- ments, whether upon questions of law or tact, were clear, strong, direct and ex- haustive. He sought to gain his causes upon their substantial merits and practiced no art to delude court or jury. There was nothing precocious pertaining to his mind; it developed and expanded during the most of his professional life; so that as he emerged from each successive conflict he appeared stronger and better prepared for the next.
"During the last half of his professional life, he was in the front rank of the bar, not
LANCASTER'S DISTINGUISHED VISITORS
"Perhaps Lancaster has been more highly honored than any city in the state, save Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, by the visits of distinguished men of na- tional and world wide reputation.
The Duke of Saxe Weimar visited here in 1825 and carved his name upon the rocks of historic Mt. Pleasant, the "Stand- ing Stone of the Aborgines." Gov. De Witt Clinton, whose name will always be remembered in history as the father of the canal system of the United States, visited Lancaster in 1825, and was the guest of Judge Sherman, then one of the foremost men of the state of Ohio. Daniel Webster spent two weeks in Lancaster in 1833, the guest of Thomas Ewing, then Senator from Ohio. While here, with Mr. Ewing, he called upon Colonel Worthington, liv- ing three miles south of town, and upon Nathaniel Wilson, living three miles west of town at the Historic Locust Grove. During this visit, Mr. Webster and Mr. Ewing drove to Chillicothe. On the way they entered a considerable forest, and found their way blocked by a fallen tree. Mr. Ewing procured an axe with the use of which he was familiar, and soon cut off a log of the proper length, and he and Webster rolled it off the road. Dr. Wad- dell, late of Chillicothe, is the authority for this . incident. Mr. Ewing always had a warm spot in his heart for Chillicothe, and
A FAIRFIELD COUNTY GIRL
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when the great fire of 1852 devastated that city, he made a very handsome contribu- tion for the relief of the sufferers.
Henry Clay was entertained by the citi- zens of Lancaster with an elaborate dinner in the year 1825. Frederick A. Shaffer was always proud of the fact that he once conveyed Henry Clay in his carriage to Wheeling, W. Va.
General Jackson was more than once a guest at Lancaster hotels. Gen. William H. Harrison was the guest of Lancaster in 1836 and again in 1840. In 1836 he was entertained at the country home of David Rokohl on the Columbus road.
James G. Blaine spent the summer of 1840 as the guest of Thomas Ewing's fam- ily in Lancaster, and was here on two or three occasions during his public career, the guest of Judge P. B. Ewing. His last memorable visit was made when a can- didate for the presidency.
Thomas Corwin, Governor Metcalf, General Leslie Coombs, and Cassius M. Clay have been guests of Lancaster. Later President Garfield, General Sheridan, Co- lumbus Delano, Governor McKinley and W. J. Bryan have honored Lancaster with their presence."
Wiseman's Centennial History of Lan- caster, 1898.
1
LANCASTER PUBLIC LIBRARY
"Of the making of books there is no end." The world cannot get on without good books. They are the silent instructors of the race, and the good book, as well as its author, en- dures through the ages. Long ago, old Rich- ard De Bury said in his "Book about Books." "Towers crumble to earth: but he whose book lives can never die."
"The records show that as early as 1834,
a good library was in existence at Lancaster and with such a board of directors as Thomas Ewing, William J. Reese, Robert McNeill, John T. Brasee, Hocking H. Hunter, M. Z. Krieder, George Reber, P. Van Trump, Henry Stanberry, William Medill and Samuel F. MacCracken, the only wonder is that so meri- torious an undertaking was ever allowed to lapse. But it did. Just when and how we do not know, but for a considerable period and up to the year 1878, little other besides recog- nizing the need, had been done toward secur- ing the funds for the re-establishment of a library in Lancaster. In June, 1878, Mr. Kin- nis Fritter called a citizens' meeting at the City Hall, and after full discussion a commit- tee was appointed to solicit books and money.
Later this committee appeared before the City Council reporting subscriptions of $2,- 000, whereupon the City Fathers arose to the occasion, ordered a tax levy for the support of a free library for Lancaster and appointed a board of trustees to serve for two years. This first board consisted of Dr. Elmer Jack- son, Hon. Silas Wright, Prof. E. B. Andrews, Kinnis Fritter with ex-officio members Mayor John McCormick, president of City Council : F. C. Whiley, president of the School Board and John Gravett, all of whom evinced great interest in the matter, and soon the library was in a most flourishing condition, and from the date of its formal opening in September. 1878, was much appreciated by the citizens at large. In June, 1878, Miss Lavina Busby was appointed librarian and in 1898 Miss Ella Hite was made assistant librarian and both are ably filling those positions ( 1912).
The library has very comfortable quarters on the second floor of the City Hall. The present trustees are H. G. Trout, president ; James A. Tobin, secretary ; James T. Picker- ing. John Graham, Dr. George O. Beery and
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Judge J. G. Reeves. The annual report which follows gives an estimate of the value of this library to Lancaster.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LANCASTER PUBLIC
LIBRARY, YEAR ENDING DEC. 31, 19II
To the honorable Board of Library Trustees. Gentlemen,
The thirteenth Annual Report of the Li- brarians of the Public Library, together with statistical tables, is herewith respectfully sub- mitted.
The library is in excellent shape and classi- fied according to the most approved plan of the A. L. A. Association. The shelves are over full, but we hope to shortly have relief when the proposed improvements are exe- cuted. In comparison with other institutions of its class, our library stands equal with any and many of our books are beyond the average of much larger libraries.
The circulation is still increasing and is much greater than that in many other libraries in towns of this size. This is perhaps owing to the number of new books purchased during the year. We registered quite a number of new names and only 122 persons have moved away.
The Reference Department is worked harder than any other part of the library, es- pecially by clubs and the schools. We also have numerous calls from debaters and school teachers from the county.
The reading room is exceedingly well pat- ronized, the number of readers is great, al- though not so many in any one day. The magazines, newspapers and illustrated papers are read continually. People who wish a quiet place to read do not find the stairs a hindrance.
The tabulated statement which accompanies
this report will show more clearly than words the conditions of the various departments.
Number of volumes now in the library.
History
870
Poetry
256
Biography 270
Humor 88
Music
39
Art
II5
Religion
285
Political and Social Sci-
ence 164
Science and Education 472
Travels 407
General Literature
595
Reference Books
35℃
Bound Magazines 838
Boys' and Girls' Books 2,015
Fiction
2,839
Historical Fiction
313
Public Documents
1,07I
Total
10,987
New Books
Purchased by Trustees .. 492
Purchased by Lecture-
Course Com. 70
Purchased by Librarians. 41
Bound Magazines 28
Donated
42
Total .673
Number of Books worn
out
356
Number of Names reg-
istered
434
Number of Names with- drawn I22
Number of Persons now
registered 5,785
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Number of books circu-
lated 52,275
Increase over last year .. 1,937
Greatest number in one
„ day 390
Average circulation 172.5
Number of Magazines and
Newspapers received. . 46
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS
The government of a city is a very im- portant factor in the lives of the inhab- itants, and therefore, in the growth and prosperity of the community. Municipal government has enlisted the attention of the greatest minds of the Old as well as of the New World. Volumes have been writ- ten upon the subject and yet there are many unsolved · problems.
The great cities of the world have always been the centers of culture, art, re- finement and knowledge, as well as of vice and corruption. To such an extent has this been true that we have come to think of Greece as Athens; of France as Paris ; of Austria as Vienna; of England as London ; and of the United States as Chicago and New York. Likewise when we think of Fairfield County we naturally think of Lancaster, her leading city and the county seat. The government of any city, or country, never rises above the average in- telligence of its people. Fairfield County and Lancaster have always had a high de- gree of intellectuality of good strong com- mon sense. Her officers, city and county, have been men of that type, and their work has kept pace with the increasing demands of the age. No county of the eighty-eight counties of Ohio has a better record of gov- ernment than Fairfield. Her officers have been faithful to the people-honest and
truc. Under Chapter IV the reader will find the roster of County Officials from the organization of each office-and below is given a list of present-day Municipal Offi- cers of Lancaster, with full list of mayors of the city.
The members of the Lancaster City Council for 1912 are as follows : President, H. R. Roley; president pro tem, Jacob Lutz; clerk, D. B. Tidd; Charles Miller, R. F. Henry, Henry G. Miller, Max A. Mil- ler, Charles Motsch, Jacob Lutz and W. B. Showalter.
The present city officers are as follows : Mayor, C. H. Sexauer; auditor, W. D. Nothacker; solicitor, Van A. Snider; treas- urer, Frank H. Beck; engineer, John N. Wolfe; public service, R. F. Brown; public safety, Ira Bumgardner; chief of police, Henry Wallace; chief of fire depart- ment, Charles Landerfelt; park commis- sioners-M. A. Daugherty, Geo. P. Rising and C. F. Kirn; sinking fund trustees-A. B. Kiefaber, C. P. Cole, H. K. Beck and Jacob DeMuth.
MAYORS OF LANCASTER FROM 1831-1912
1831-Joseph Grubb. 1832-William Ingmond.
1833-George Sanderson.
1834-William J. Reese.
1835-George Sanderson.
1836-37-William J. Reesc.
1838-George Sanderson.
1839-John Creed.
1840-41-William J. Reese.
1842-43-George Ring.
1844-George Sanderson.
1845-Henry Miers.
1846-Daniel Sifford.
1847-48-George Sanderson. 1849-50-John D. Martin.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
1851-54-William P. Creed. 1855-56-S. A. Hedges.
1857-58-A. McVeigh. 1859-62-Kinnis Fritter.
1863-66-Samuel Ewing. 1867-74-Tall Slough. 1857-76-P. C. Benadum.
1877-78-John D. McCormick.
1879-80-William Vorys.
1881-84-S. W. Rainey.
1885-86-H. C. Drinkle. 1887-90-H. Cannon (died in office).
1890-92-C. W. Parido.
1893-94-H. W. Carpenter.
1895-A. M. Beery (died in office).
1895-C. W. Parido.
1896-98-J. F. Willock. 1899-1900-George Cunningham.
1901-02-L. G. Silbaugh. 1903-05-S. W. Rainey. 1906-07-L. H. Pursell. 1908-1913-C. H. Sexauer.
LANCASTER COUNTRY CLUB.
On the third of February, 1909, the Lan- caster Country Club was organized and in- corporated under the laws of Ohio. Fol- lowing its organization, the Country Club acquired a beautiful tract of sixty-one acres of rolling land, situated two miles south of Lancaster along the line of the Lancaster Traction & Power Company, B. I. S. Divi- sion.
A club house was built during the sum- mer of 1909 and the grounds put in shape for a golf course. Two excellent tennis courts occupy the part of the grounds im- mediately in front of the broad porch which extends the full length of the house.
The interior of the club house is equipped with all the modern conveniences. A kitchen and dining room, cloak rooms,
a living room and large dance hall occupy the main floor, while the locker rooms and shower baths are in the basement.
The Country Club was organized for "social recreation, and the promotion of out-door games and amusements."
The resident membership is limited to one hundred and is now complete. There are (in 1912) in addition to the resident members, thirty-three women members, six junior members and four out-of-town members.
The Board of Governors for 1912 com- prises McClellan Martens, president ; Chris Keller, vice president“; P. R. Peters, secre- tary; W. E. Thimmes, treasurer; C. S. Hutchinson, E. C. Rutter, A. S. Thomas, C. F. VonStein and Samuel Whiley.
LANCASTER-THE CITY BEAUTIFUL
The location of Lancaster is ideal. Originally on the east bank of the Hock- hocking, she now spreads her area on both sides of that historic stream, covering more territory than was once the council town of the famous Tarhe and Wyandot braves. Part of the city rests in the fertile valley, and another part sits like a queen upon the hill-tops, reminding the student of ancient Rome. Still another part nestles at the foot of grand old Mount Pleasant, from the summit of which a most wonderful view of the city and valley can be gained. Within the very heart of the city, and ex- tending to the gates of the beautiful Forest Rose Cemetery, are the Fairfield County Fair Grounds-so widely known for their beauty and great crowds of people at "Fair Time."
Around these grounds-now worth a hundred thousand dollars-cling the ro- mantic story of "Forest Rose" and "Cold
-
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
Spring Rescue ;" of the valiant scouts and Indian fighters, Wetzel and Maywood, a story so full of interest, sympathy, action and power, that it was put into lasting form by the genius of Emerson Bennett. Lan- caster is well planned; she has many miles of broad streets, lined with neat and com- fortable houses, and in some places adorned by stately old mansions, recently built and beautiful residences, schools, churches and public buildings.
The spacious Public Square-the gift of Ebenezer Zane-now adorned by the im- posing City Hall Building, commands the attention and admiration of every visitor. The New High School Building, the stately edifices of St. Mary's Catholic Congrega- tion and the new and beautiful Protestant Churches of the City-all add to the fame of Lancaster, once the home of the great- est Bar west of the Alleghenies; of great generals, orators and statesmen. And the Lancaster of today strives to maintain the glories of that former day.
In 1831 Lancaster was incorporated with the following municipal officers, one mayor, one marshal, one recorder, one treasurer,
and a board of trustecs. The following interesting item from the "Ohio Eagle" of June, 1827, shows the finances for the vil- lage of Lancaster for two years from April 20, 1825 to April 23. 1827.
"Amount of income from all sources for two years, $888.141/4 ; total disbursements for all purposes for two years, $932.881/2 ; show- ing a balance against the treasurer of $44.7414 ; signed, Benjamin Connell, treas- urer; attested, Gottlieb Steinman, recorder."
No records are to be found between 1831 and 1851. In the year 1851, Lancas- ter was made a city of the third class. The last ten years Lancaster has had a most steady and healthy growth, as is at- tested by the United States census returns -not a guess at population but knowledge.
The census of 1890, the returns were 7,555 The census of 1900, the returns were 8,991 The census of 1910, the returns were 13,093
This growth includes people who, at- tracted by employment, have decided to make Lancaster their home, and they have bought property and are among the best citizens.
CHAPTER VI
TOWNSHIPS AND TOWNS
History of Each Township-Schools-Tcachers-Churches-Noted Incidents and Events- Local Industrics-Historical and Descriptive Sketches of the Various Towns and Villages.
AMANDA TOWNSHIP
Amanda Township lies in the southwest part of Fairfield County. It is bounded on the north by Bloom Township, on the east by Hocking, on the south by Clear Creek, and on the west by Pickaway County. The land is rolling. Clear Creek traverses the township from north to south, Walnut Creek and Turkey Run flow west and drain the western part of the township.
"Muddy Prairie," about one half mile by three-fourths, in the southeast corner of the township, was a tract of country, which, in early days could be shaken perceptibly for rods around by treading heavily on the ground. It was low and marshy and cov- ered with peat. It has been drained and is very fertile soil. Another portion-about 60 acres in the southwest corner of Section 20, was called "Shaking Prairie." It also has been drained by improved methods and raises excellent crops. The soil of the township is rich, consisting of clay and a rich black loam.
In the southern part of the township Frederick Leathers is considered the first settler. He settled near Amanda and kept
one of the first taverns in the township. It was located on the old Chillicothe road. This tavern was sold to Isaac Griffith and in 1858 it burned.
In 1800 Andrew Barr and five sons came from Chester County, Penn., and settled two miles west of Amanda. Their descend- ants still live in the township.
Only one railroad crosses Amanda town- ship and that crosses the southeast corner with the only station in Amanda.
The first telephone company seeking a fran- chise was the Central Union Telephone Com- pany, they came here in 1883 and constructed an exchange and operated from that time up to the present.
The Lancaster Telephone Company obtained a franchise in 1900 and installed a telephone exchange and at first met with great encour- agement from the people of the town and lo- calities to which they built in the county, but the development of farm companies and free county service retarded their growth and has practically left their business in a condition which will limit their opportunities to exist.
"I am unable to obtain any information as to the time the Western Union telegraph com- pany installed their office at Lancaster; all I
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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
know is that I learned the business with A. Y. Barks, who had taken the place of George Clark, a Lancaster boy, who had been pro- moted to a better office. This occurred in 1868 when I was attending the grammar room taught then by Samuel Knabenshue, father of Roy Knabenshue, the noted aeronaut. In connection with this, it may be well enough to mention that no part of the country turned out more expert operators than did Lancaster ; among the stars were Geo. Clark, Newt Fos- ter, John Flood, Albert Bowser, Jim Blair and Will (Buck) Scott, who is now copying the United Press in Detroit."
ROYALTON
Royalton was the first village in the township and was laid out in 1810 by Lem- uel and Jedediah Allen. The Allens named the place Royalton in honor of the county from which they came. It has never grown, as have some of the villages in the county.
Cedar Hill is a little village in the west- ern part of the township.
AMANDA
Amanda was named by William Hamil- ton, the first surveyor of Fairfield County. Its beginning dates back to about 1830, when Samuel Kester is recorded as a pro- prietor of the "Village of Amanda," which was nothing more than a couple of build- ings at the crossing of Main and Maple Streets, which marked its location as ten miles west of Lancaster. Its substantial growth began in the year 1850, when the Z. F. C. Railroad was completed, placing it upon a direct route of commerce between Zanesville and Cincinnati. In the first days of the Zanesville and Cincinnati Railroad it is said that 400,000 bushels of grain were
annually shipped from Amanda. Being a level country, the grain within a radius of nine miles was all brought to this point.
It is thought that it was about this time that the first schoolhouse was completed, upon the site of the present AAdam Nye residence. It was crudely constructed of mortar and brick, with long interior benches for recita- tion and the study of the only text-book, the Testament. The present school building site was deeded for school purposes by Miss Anna Griffith. The present school building has been just completed at an approximate cost of $25,- 000. It contains a seating capacity of 350 pupils, in addition to one playroom and one spacious laboratory well equipped for physics, botany and agriculture, one splendid library room containing 500 volumes, and a superin- tendent's office. At present the teachers are all college trained. O. C. Minnich is the present superintendent.
There are at present three churches and four parsonages in the village limits. The Methodists, organized in 1834, held their first services in the present Lutheran Church. In 1884 the present brick structure was erected and dedicated. The present pastor is Rev. J. H. Redmon. The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1838 by Rev. Dr. Hogue of Co- lumbus, O. Rev. William Jones was the first pastor, and services were first held in what is now the A. H. S. Gymnasium. In 1873 the present brick building was erected and dedi- cated. Rev. W. A. Sears is the present pastor.
The Lutheran Church was organized in 1884 by Rev. Fishburn. The church was re- built in 1892. Rev. Dittmar is the present pas- tor. Sunday school was inaugurated in Amanda in the year 1860 by the Rev. Mr. Thorn. The United Brethren Church main- tain a parsonage in the village also. The charge lies outside the corporation limits.
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HISTORY OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY
Amanda's commercial and mercantile prog- ress has been of an enduring and substantial nature. There are at present seven general stores, two drug stores, two meat markets, one hardware, one large furniture store, one jewelry store, one farm implement store, two grain elevators, one flouring-mill, one large canning factory, a glove factory, two harness shops, two hotels, and a new and modernly constructed bank, property valuation $15,000. The bank was organized in 1904 to meet the growing demands of the business interests of Amanda. Amanda is a splendid shipping point. The village has a total population of about five hundred.
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