USA > Ohio > Fairfield County > History of Fairfield County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 16
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Industries
One of the chief manufactories of Balti- more is the paper mill. In 1893 the Fair- field Paper Company built this mill. It was built to make paper out of straw. After it had run three or four years, there was an injunction served on them for pol- luting the water in the creek. As a re- sult, the mill was turned into an old paper and wood pulp mill. In 1909, a company
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was formed, which took the mill and in 1910, this company built one of the largest corrugated paper factories in the country. It is now running and so is the paper mill. Joseph Smart built the paper mill. Local and foreign capital built the corrugated box factory. C. M. Wagner, A. Hans- barger and N. H. Carpenter of Baltimore are members of this company and the re- maining stock is held by Coshocton, Ohio. people.
C. and E. E. Hansbarger, general mer- chandise; C. J. Betz and W. R. Osburn, groceries and dry goods; J. A. Kumler, druggist ; A. E. Johnson and Co., furniture and undertaking ; Baltimore Hardware Co., George H. Lohr and W. W. Fultz; C. A. Thomas, bakery; J. W. Jones, grocery and postmaster; G. E. Miller, restaurant ; W. L. Buchanan, hotel; J. H. Gierhart, meat market; H. E. Johnson and H. C. Swarner, tailors; Harvey Swarner, jewelry store ; store; and the Buckeye Planing Mill Co., A. J. Keller, president and manager.
The following tailors have plied their trade in Baltimore the last 70 years: Mr. Burkey, Isaac Smurr, James Black, James Horn, Frank Littlejohn, Henry Schaertzer, Joseph Trovinger, James Terrence, Jacob Kaiser, Frank Gibson, H. Brown, Frank Gehring, William Luby, Pete Bitlich, H. E. Johnson, H. C. Swarner.
Physicians
W. Dreisbach (the son of Prof. Herr Dreis- bach, the lion tamer).
Among the very early physicians of Baltimore were Dr. S. S. Gohegan, Dr. William Quinn and Dr. Helmick, later Dr. Hummell and Thomen. Dr. Helmick Jr. is now a successful practitioner at Commer- cial Point, Ohio.
Dr. H. I. Hummell was born near Car- roll in 1839. While quite a young man he read medicine, and settled in Baltimore
The following stores and places of busi- in 1859. He attended lectures for two ness are found in Baltimore (1912): W. years after he came to Baltimore and at
the end of that time, March 28, 1861, he was married to Mary Holmes who was born at Carroll, October 6, 1838. To them were born two children, a boy and a girl, both of whom died in infancy. He was a candidate for representative two different times. He was a life-long Democrat, and a recognized leader of his party. Mrs. Hummell died May 13, 1904, aged 66 years, seven months and seven days. Her hus- band, the doctor, died June 18, 1904, and was buried at the old Betzer cemetery west of Carroll. Dr. Hummell enjoyed a large and lucrative practice for many years. He always had hosts of friends, to whom he was generous to a fault. He was a con- stant reader of current events, as well as along professional lines. There are hun- dreds of people living today who were made to feel his ability in the sickroom, and who remember him as a generous-hearted friend. In the busy days of his practice he was always neat, clean and correctly attired, with a cheerful greeting for every one.
From an authentic source we have been able to get the names of the following Dr. Benjamin K. Thomen was born in 1831 and graduated in 1860 from the Cin- cinnati Medical College. He practiced medicine for 40 years, a faithful, earnest doctors who have served the people of Baltimore: Drs. Sprague, Hore (son-in- law of Sprague), Fisher, J. E. Miller, Her- man Heston, J. W. Whittier, J. Peters, C. worker and a fine Christian gentleman.
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Dr. Thomen has a wide influence for good. He was a leader among his people, in church and in the daily walks of life, dur- ing his long practice. On account of ad- vancing years he has retired from active practice, and is living in Cleveland with his son, Dr. A. A. Thomen. He has ever been a faithful, consistent member of the Method- ist church.
The doctors and dentists practicing to- day (1912).
Dr. Charles M. Alt was born December . Glazer. Frequently, at sunrise, wagons 16, 1868 and graduated from Starling Med- ical College, April 7, 1895.
Dr. John W. Whittus was born in April, 1875, graduated from Ohio Medical Col- lege.
Dr. Hanley Ashton was born in 1881, graduated in 1906 from Starling Medical College and is located at Basil, Ohio.
Dr. P. P. Sperry, D. D. S., graduated from Ohio Medical College in April, 1902.
Edward P. Sparks graduated from Ohio Medical College in 1898.
The Dry Dock
One of the interesting features of Balti- more in the early days was the Dry Dock. The Canal was completed in 1829 and in the early '40s, James Thorn built the first Dry Dock. The first boat built at this dock was the Truro and the last one was the Star which was built by J. W. Whitely. James Thorn had charge of the dock for five or six years when he sold it to Mr. Beaty who kept it less than two years. J. W. Whitely was the next owner and he had charge of it till about 1870 when he sold it to Samuel Rader. After running the dock two years he sold it to R. C. Soli- day who owned it when the last boat went through the locks.
This Dry Doek was considered the best one between Cleveland and Portsmouth and, very often, from five to thirty boats could be seen in the doek waiting for re- pairs. Sometimes from 30 to 50 boats were in this dock over the winter to be painted and repaired.
From 1840 to 1875 Baltimore was a great grain shipping point. There were five large warehouses owned by Wing & Coulson, Alspach, Reed, Cohegan and Brown & loaded with grain could be seen standing, waiting their chance to unload, one-fourth mile in each direction, north, south and east and west.
The boats took the grain to Cleveland and brought back loads of lumber and gro- ceries so they had loads each way, and made plenty of money.
The only one living who worked on the Dock is A. L. Gierhart, now of Tiffin, Ohio. The following who worked there in the 60's are all gone: J. W. Whitely, J. N. Hol- land, Christ Barelew, Samuel Rader, Samuel Weller, R. C. Soliday, Wm. Culp, E. H. Wright, Joseph Codner, Jonathan McCalis- ter.
The information about the Dry Dock was given to the editor by B. B. Holland and he learned many of the facts from his father.
The First National Bank of Baltimore, Ohio .- A. Hansbarger, president; I. N. Carnes, vice president ; C. M. Wagner, cash- ier: J. W. Fenstermaker, assistant eash- ier. This bank was organized under the National Banking laws in the year 1905 with paid up capital of $25,000. Its doors were open to the publie for business April 1, 1905, with the following officers and di- rectors : A. Hansbarger, president: I. N.
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Carnes, vice president; C. M. Wagner, 1,365 horses alone. In 1907 they added real cashier ; John Bright, T. D. Ketner, E. B. estate to their business and have made a success of it. They handle lots of southern land in Texas and Oklahoma, also in and around Columbus, as well as in Fairfield County. Their business has exceeded a million dollars a year for several years. The firm consists of Charles F., William H. and Floyd M. Lamb, sons of Worthington M. Lamb. Wagner. Due to the growing business in the year 1908, the directorate was increased to seven in number, electing W. C. Hans- barger ard J. R. Johnson, and employing J. W. Fenstermaker, son of James Fenster- maker as assistant cashier. This bank is a strong financial factor in the community, the capital stock being owned by some of the most influential people in the com- THE "MESSENGER." munity.
The following compose present board of directors and officers: A. Hansbarger, president; I. N. Carnes, vice president ; E. B. Wagner, J. R. Johnson, T. D. Ketner, W. C. Hansbarger, John Bright, C. M. Wagner, cashier; J. W. Fenstermaker, as- sistant cashier. The cashiers are home boys reared on the farm and have the push and energy that knows no defeat. They have the able support of a board of di- rectors, business men and farmers ; as their financial records will show, their cry has been no defeat but on to victory.
Lamb Brothers-Stock Dealers, Balti- more, Ohio .- The firm of Lamb Brothers was organized in 1894 by Charles F. and William H. Lamb for the purpose of buy- ing and shipping fat stock. They soon be- came the leading shippers of Fairfield County. In 1896 they added to their busi- ness. Their monthly stock sales were a suc- cess from the beginning, the amount sold running from fifteen to thirty thousand dol- lars. The sales were held on the home farm, two miles east of Baltimore, up to 1902, when they built their large barns and stockyards at the rear of the Toledo & Ohio Central depot in Baltimore. In 1905 F. M. Lamb, the younger brother was taken into the firm and in that year they handled
The first newspaper published in Balti- more was called "The Messenger," and its first issue came out on Thursday, Noven- ber 18, 1886, the work upon this first issue being done by Mr. B. B. Holland. It was first owned by William L. Mains. Mr. Mains sold to P. G. Evans in 1887; he kept it only a very short time, selling to George Sull, who in 1888 moved the paper to Rush- ville. October 1, 1889, D. B. Kumler and William Burton started the "Fairfield County News" and conducted it under that name until June 1, 1893, when Mr. E. O. Weist bought the paper and changed the name to the "Twin City News." Mr. Weist is still editor and proprietor and issues the paper weckly at Baltimore. It is a neat, newsy sheet, with a wide circulation and a good advertising department.
Gas Companies of Baltimore and Basil.
The first company organized was in 1886. A well was started in the John Neff tile yard lot where Prof. J. J. Wagner now lives. They drilled 1,500 feet, got a showing of gas when they lost their tools. They worked about eight months and then aban- doned the well, having spent $5,800. The officers of this company were-A. J. Mus- ser, president ; J. M. Bowling, secretary and treasurer. Had they gone down 1,900 feet
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they would have gotten a good well, as struments could . only measure 12 million and afterwards good wells were drilled in within three hundred feet of the well they had.
The next company organized was the South Liberty Gas and Oil Co., capital $25,- 000, which was incorporated in July, 1908. They put their first well down on the old Bibler farm between Baltimore and Basil. They drilled in a 5,000,000 gas well on the 26th of January, 1909. The first officers were -A. J. Weaver, president; H: L. Finkbone, secretary; John Bright, treasurer; A. J. Wagner, A. T. Keller, D. S. Cook and O. J. Weist, directors. They have put down ten wells and are furnishing Basil with gas. The present officers are-D. W. Alt, president ; Jay Brown, secretary; G. W. Kumler, treas- urer ; A. J. Weaver, H. L. Tussing, Jeff Roley and H. L. Finkbone, directors.
The Baltimore Oil and Gas Co. was in- corporated February 8, 1909, with I. N. Carnes, president; W. H. Lamb, vice presi- dent; E. C. Wilson, secretary and C. M. Wagner, treasurer. The present officers are- W. H. Lamb, president; J. R. Johnson, vice president; C. M. Sands, secretary; and C. M. Wagner, treasurer. They have put down about 10 wells and have never got a dry hole. After the first well was drilled in by the South Liberty Co., the old gas companies, such as the Columbus Natural Gas Co., The Columbus Light and Fuel Co., the Springfield Gas Co., the Logan Gas Co., all got in the field, and at least 125 wells have been drilled in Liberty, Walnut and Greenfield townships.
The Ohio Fuel Co. have put down a num- ber of wells and have only drawn one-this is the only company that takes good care of their wells.
The largest well was put down on Lige Holland's land at the creek bridge near the old tan yard by the Baltimore Co. The in-
this well exceeded that amount. The com- pany let it become salted and lost the well. The flow of gas after three years is much diminished and many wells have been pulled, but there are many remaining that are good producers.
SOCIETIES
Baltimore Lodge, No. 475, F. & A. M .- This lodge was organized early in the year 1873 and worked under a dispensation until October 22, 1873, when a charter was granted with the following charter members: Har- rison Applegate, master, W. W. Lucky, Sr. W., D. H. Sands, Jr. W., William Myers, Wil- liam Cook, Daniel Albright, John H. Schaertzer, Thomas Smurr, Louis Shearer, J. R. Brant, Elias K. Grube, John Sands, G. W. Watson, J. W. Buchanan, E. F. Holland, Bal- timore Lodge is in a flourishing condition, with a present membership of 75 in good standing. The lodge owns its own home, which is located on the second floor on the north- west corner of the public square. The total membership of Baltimore Lodge since insti- tuted is 165 (Dec., 1911).
Baltimore Lodge, No. 202, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 11, 1852. The charter mem- bers were Casper Fidler, A. L. Simmons, H. L. Nicely, William Potter, J. Bartolomew, William J. Smart, J. Ketner, J. Schlooser, James Pugh, Job McNamee, Thomas M. Watson, John H. Weakly, Frederick Graff, William Paul, Elijah Warner. The number of members in July, 1882, was 92. In 1876 the lodge erected a neat and commodious brick hall, at a cost of $2,000. In 1911 there were 50 members. The lodge is in a flourish- ing condition and hold regular meetings every Tuesday evening of eaclı week.
Col. Val Cupp Post, No. 263, G. A. R .-
PAPER MILL, BALTIMORE
MAIN STREET VIADUCT, BALTIMORE (Constructed by Enos S. Miller as county commissioner)
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OLD U. B. CHURCHI, BALTIMORE
NEW D. B. CHURCH, BALTIMORE
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This Grand Army post was instituted at byterian nor the Reformed people have an or- Baltimore, Ohio, October 2, 1882, with the ganized congregation in Baltimore. following charter members: A. L. Gierhart, Jesse Schlusser and Rev. Gardner were at one time pastors of the Presbyterian church, while Rev. Gilpin, Rev. From, Rev. H. H. Sands, Rev. Strassner and Rev. Christman were pastors in the Reformed church. Among the early members of the Presbyterian were E. J. Johnson and wife, John Outcalt, Frederic Outcalt, Richard Sutphen, James Outcalt and Jonas Messerly. Among the members of the Reformed church were Jacob Kellenberger, Daniel Geselle, John and Mary Freidley. S. S. Weist, William Cook, J. W. Jones, James Buchanan, Geo. W. Allis, John Bright, W. A. Wright, A. W. Snyder, Amos Smith, James Outcalt, W. W. Oliver. Number of members since the organization has been IOI; deaths since the organization, 48. The post holds regular meetings the second Wednesday afternoon of each month. Col. Val Cupp Post, No. 263 and the Woman's Relief Corps of the same name, No. 232, were named in honor of Col. Valentine Cupp, who was killed Baptist at the battle of Chickamauga.
Col. Val Cupp Woman's Relief Corps, No. 232, was instituted at Baltimore, Ohio. June 13, 1894, with the following charter members : Sarah Jones, Martha Arnold, Rebecca Rude- sill, Meda Buchanan, Matilda Gierhart, Hulda Cook, Ellen Showers, Rebecca Weist, Mary Outcalt, Carrie Hansbarger, Mary J. Show- ers, Caroline E. Montgomery and Anna C. Chapman. The number of members at the present time is 26. The corps holds regular meetings on the afternoon of the first Wednes- day of each month.
BALTIMORE CHURCHES
Presbyterian
The Presbyterian church had a society here at an early date. History records a brick build- ing belonging to the congregation. The edifice is said to have been used in subsequent years for a schoolhouse. A frame church building belonging also to them was still standing about forty years ago. This building was sold to the Reformed Church people and was repaired by them, and for some years they had a fine congregation, as well as a flourishing Sunday school. At this date (1912) neither the Pres-
The Baltimore Baptist church was organ- ized about 1832. The first building-a brick structure-was practically destroyed in 1835, the gable end of the church, during services, being blown in and resulting in death to three individuals and injury to several others. The pulpit being in that end of the building, the minister had a narrow escape from death.
It was about that time that the building yet standing (see note) and now occupied by the United Brethren people was erected. Henry and Hannah Goss deeded the land for a church site about 1834. No services by the Baptist people have been held in this building since 1885 and the last Baptist association here was in 1877. Among the old members were Joseph Stouder, John Hite, Abraham Hite, Joseph Hite, John Bibler, Jacob Bibler, Abraham Bibler, Joseph Bibler ( father-in-law to J. W. Chapman), William Wing, William Lamb, Samuel Hite. J. C. Hite, Hannah and Deborah Clark, W. W. and Susan Nash, Malissa Gole- gan, Robinet Cheney and family.
The following are some of the pastors who have served the congregation: Stephen Alton,
*Since this writing the old Baptist church has been replaced by a fine brick edifice.
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Lewis Madden, James Brigham, J. W. erality present came off more than conqueror, Heistand, Nehemiah Martin, Lorenzo Kyle for the total amount asked-$2,500-was raised at the morning service. and Harvey McLaughlin.
Methodist Episcopal
In 1901 the Methodist people of Baltimore, Ohio, began to make preparation for the building of a new house of worship. Sun- day, December 20, 1903, witnessed the culmi- nation of their efforts. A magnificent struc- ture, suitable in every way for the needs of a large and flourishing congregation, now stands completed-the best gift Methodism can leave to its children.
The elements were in a state of warfare, the congregation consequently small, but the spirit of love and loyalty, of consecration and duty, was present at each service. Promptly at ten o'clock the opening service was begun. The most intense interest was manifest, plainly proving that large congregations can not cor- ner the spirit of enthusiasm. Led by the choir, the congregation joyfully offered their praise to God in song and then declared their faith in God by repeating the Apostles' creed. The Rev. C. M. Prior then invoked God's bless- ing upon this people assembled and univers- ally. Professor Gordon favored the audience with a well rendered vocal selection. Follow- ing this number the Rev. R. T. Stevenson, D. D .. Professor of History and Literature in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, delivered a most telling discourse, deal- ing with the growth and extent of God's king- dom.
Immediately at the close of the sermon, the pastor, J. H. Westervelt, announced that there was a debt of $3,500 to be met before the church could be dedicated to God's service. A small congregation, the most disagreeable sabbath of the year, an enthusiastic people --- such were the conditions, but the spirit of lib-
At seven o'clock the doors were opened for the final services of the day. Dr. Stephen- son preached a splendid revival sermon; the remainder of the debt was raised with com- parative ease and, upon the suggestion of the pastor a fund was raised for a new organ. Subscriptions for over thirty-five hundred dollars had been handed in: the debt was paid, a new organ for the Sunday school room had been provided for, and the people were enthused. How could we help breaking forth into "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow ?"
The closing feature of the day was the dedication of the church to the service and worship of Almighty God. In behalf of the board of trustees, Rev. J. H. Westervelt pre- sented the church for dedication, after which the prayer of consecration was read by Dr. Stevenson. Brothers Espy of the United Evangelical Association, Hopper and Mont- gomery of the United Brethren, and Prior, a former pastor of the church, were present and assisted in the dedication exercises.
The church has been dedicated and will here- after be closely connected with the interests of our community. It is a joy to us, as well as a source of pride, speaking, as it does, of the prosperity of Methodism in Baltimore. In a little more than a year we have raised al- most $9,000 for our new church, besides meet- ing in full our current expense. We have been able to consummate our plans and desires be- cause of the abiding presence of our Heavenly Father.
Early in the year of 1892 a strong desire arose in the minds and hearts of the leading spirits of the church for a new church build- ing. This was during the last year of the
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pastorate of the late Rev. A. F. Hixon. Sev- eral meetings were held at which the ques- tion of building a new church was thoroughly discussed. To test the matter the pastor and several official members were authorized to take subscriptions for the object in view. None were able to give largely but all gave willingly until a total subscription of $3,200 was secured. At this point the Senior Dorcas Society pledged themselves and have since raised the sum of $1,000. Using this sub- scription as a basis, a building committee of five was appointed to devise ways and means whereby a church might be built. This com- mittee consisted of Dr. B. K. Thomen, S. S. Weist, C. A. Thomas, W. R. Osbourn and S. T. Keller, together with the pastor as an ex- officio member.
As quickly as circumstances would permit, plans and specifications were secured. Here the first hitch occurred, in the overlooking of the fact that the building trades were being crowded with work to their utmost capacity for execution and that prices for labor and material were consequently at their highest point. Plans were formed and matured for the removal of the old church from the site which it had occupied for almost seventy years during the delay incident to the neces- sary change in building plans. We have been compelled to worship in a building whose beauty has been marred seriously by breaks in the plastering, and discolored walls, to say nothing from the inconveniences we have suf- fered from uncarpeted, and consequently cold floors. God has been with us, however, and today we can rejoice in that, like the Apostle Paul, we have been forgetting the things of the past and continually looking forward unto those things which were before.
In February of 1901, the committee began to work in earnest. Contractor W. W.
Bope, the son of Jacob Bope who, in 1838, built the church which we have discarded, was secured, and in April we began the work of excavation. Too much cannot be said in honor of those of the building committee, church membership, and friends, who so generously gave of their labor in order that we might be saved the cost of excavation. The spirit of earnest devotion has characterized the entire work. Especially is S. S. Weist to be honored for the careful oversight which he has given throughout the entire time consumed in the erection of the church.
Dr. B. K. Thomen, I. N. Carnes, and the members of the building committee have a warm place in our hearts by their close at- tention to the decoration and detailed matters relating to the thorough completion of our church. The building completed is generously commended by visiting ministers and laymen as one of the finest to be found in any small Ohio town. In closing this sketch of our church enterprise, too much cannot be laid upon the generosity of our friends who so kindly donated our splendid art glass windows, the Dorcas Society, who have donated $1,000 for the purpose of our elegant oak pews, pulpit. furniture and the construction of the church, the Junior Dorcas Society for the gift of a new bell. Without exception, all have labored earnestly and conscientiously that they might present to Almighty God a building suitable for his worship and worthy of Baltimore Methodism.
Methodist
"The most reliable authorities we have been able to consult in their statements concerning the founding of a Methodist church in Baltimore, agree in placing the date of the Society's organization as 1829. Seventy-four years ago, during the pastor-
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ate of Rev. Zacariah Conull, the local class of the Methodist Episcopal church was or- ganized. Among the charter members ap- pear the names of Lyman Terell, Amos T. Swazy and William Taylor, together with the names of their wives. The pastors of our society in the early days were Zacarialı Conull, Lenn White and Samuel Hamilton. From the records on hand nothing can be gathered pertaining to the growth or influ- ence of the church at this early period; with no stated meeting-place, public wor- ship was observed at the homes of the sev- eral members.
As the spirit of the Lord began to work in the hearts of men and souls were gar- nered for the Master, the spirit of church loyalty and enterprise developed. The need of a place set apart for the exclusive use of a house of God, began to be felt. Men began to bestir themselves. Undaunted by their small numbers, they united their ef- forts. Shoulders were willingly bent to the burden. Materials were gathered together, and within a few months after the organi- zation of the society, a small brick building was erected. It was located upon the same spot where for almost eighty years Balti- more Methodism has held sway.
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