USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the State of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all other authentic sources > Part 51
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FAYETTE COUNTY HERALD.
The publication of this paper was commenced here December 11, 1858, by William Millikan. November 26, 1868, W. W. Milli- kan, son of the. former gentleman, was admitted to partnership in its management and editorial conduct.
It was the first journal to espouse the cause of Republicanism in this county. In that field, as well as encouraging the upbuilding of . our business and local interests, it has done, and will continue to do, noble and valiant service.
THE NEWS.
Gould & Jones (W. C. Gould and Frank M. Jones) commenced the publication of the News in the second story of MeLean's block, opposite the court house, June 3, 1874. As briefly expressed by its publishers, it was a journal " independent upon all subjects-op- posed to all monopolies." November 28, 1874, the interest of Mr.
578
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Gould in the paper was purchased by Mr. Jones, who continued its publication until March 18, 1876, when he moved the office mate- rial to Mount Sterling, in the adjoining county of Madison, where for a time (about four months, as we are informed,) he still further continued its publication. Mr. Jones subsequently sold the mate- rial to A. Voigt, who removed it to Bainbridge, Ross County, where he published a paper for a season. Mr. Voigt afterward shipped the material to Jeffersonville, this county, where, on the 16th of October, 1880, he commenced (and still continues) the pub- lication of the Jeffersonville Chronicle, the pioneer journal in that village. It is "devoted to Jeffersonville and vicinity, the farmer, mechanic, and business men, local and general news," etc. Office over Howard's harness shop.
FAYETTE REPUBLICAN.
Wednesday, September 17, 1879, T. F. Gardner commenced the publication of the Fayette Republican. In his initial number Mr. Gardner says: "The Republican will advocate the principles of the party whose name it bears. *
* As a journalist, it shall be our aim to chronicle all the local events of town and county, of which we may become cognizant, be they good or bad." And the woefully bad he with gall-tipped pen doth flagellate, to the intense edfication of the truly good.
As indicative of the business changes which have taken place within the interim, we give below the names of those engaged in mercantile pursuits here during 1855, together with the amounts by them invested in business operations, and returned for as- sessment purposes, as shown by the books of the county auditor. We take the statement from the Washington Register of July 12th, of the year mentioned.
O. A. Allen,
$ 800
J. S. & S. S. Blackmore, 992
Baldwin & Sager,
500
Bereman & Beatty,
6,000
B. F. & G. W. Baughn,
-
300
Jacob Dahl,
400
Henry Dahl,
-
200
Ely & Claypool,
2,800
Richard Evans, 350 -
579
UNION TOWNSHIP.
Fitzwilliam & Silcott,
2,300
Thomas Finigan,
1,000
D. Furtwangler
2,500
M. & E. S. Gardner,
1,500
C. L. Getz,
275
Z. W. Heagler,
1,650
Jenkins & Burnett,
1,800
Curran Millikan,
400
Melvin & Wallace,
3,300
Richard Millikan,
750
A. M. Ogle & Co.,
4,943
Jared Plumb, sr.,
1,800
Parvin & Daugherty,
2,000
Robert Stewart,
756
Stengel & Dahl,
250
J. L. VanDeman,
1,734
Worley & Brown,
950
Amos West
2,500
Draper & Son,
850
John Vanpelt,
300
At the meeting of pioneers held here on the 4th of July, there was present, according to the Herald-
Jeremiah Smith,
aged 90 years.
William Robinson,
88
Robert Burnett,
66
85
79 66
William Wells,
66
78
72 66
Isaac T. Cook,
66
75
66
George Hidy,
72 66
Joseph McLean,
66
70
66
John Irion,
72
Anthony Moore,
76
66
Joseph Marks,
72
66
William Merchant,
66
75
66
John Stuckey,
66
70
66
Thomas Bay,
66
79
66
Z. W. Hcagler,
How many of them can answer roll call here to-day ?
68
66
William Taylor,
Hugh MeNeal,
66
85
James Beatty,
580
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
In the Register office, (the Register office that was, but which years agone ceased to be,) there stood for some years, after Elgar B. Pearce took editorial control of that establishment, the first printing-press brought to Washington. It was shipped here from Chillicothe, to which point it had years before been transported from Philadelphia. Its history was known to an old employe of the Franklin Type Foundry, of Cincinnati, who, in 1858, happened to see it here while engaged in business pursuit. It was afterward shipped to that establishment, and is no doubt yet to be seen in the queen city, among the many rare and well-kept relics which there have an abiding place. It was a very quaint-looking institution. Its frame was of mahogany. On it, Judge Bereman printed and executed for the time, much artistic work, and from its bed there rose and spread thoughts caustic and severe; and many truths which bore good fruit sprung therefrom. Glad tidings, and sad as well, emanated from its platen impress-yea, much of joy and woe, of mirth and sorrow, through its lever power, was scattered.
On that, the first printing press used here, it required two pulls to complete the impression of one side of the paper, each page of the form being run under the platen separately. Then two hun- dred and fifty to three hundred sheet impressions per hour was con- considered quite rapid work, but to-day, in the Herald office, with power-press facilities, one thousand sheets per hour can be printed. Then the size of the newspapers published here was 18x26 inches; to-day they are 28x44. Of reading matter one paper of to-day will contain as much as six did then ; yet the subscription price then was greater than now.
WOOLEN . MANUFACTORIES.
In the early settlement of this county the work of manufactur- ing woolen goods was all done by hand, hand-cards, the common spinning wheel, and the loom; and if any fulling, it was done by the feet on the floor.
The first of the advance was said to have been a set of roll- cards, propelled by horse power, introduced about the year 1814 by a Mr. Lupton, from Clinton County, Ohio. This manufactory was located in the eastern part of Washington. The business was
581
UNION TOWNSHIP.
continued some three or four years, when the machinery was sold and removed out of the county.
In the year 1825, Dr. Thomas McGarraugh and Joseph Elliott erected a building in the most central part of town for the same purpose. It was limited in capacity, and continued for some three years, when it was sold to Andrew Holt, who purchased a lot near the old grave-yard, and erected a large frame building in which to carry on the business. After running it two or three years, in about 1830 he sold to Eber Patrick, who continued in the same place-with the exception of one or two years, while it was in the hands of J. Webster-until the year 1843, when he sold the premises and entire machinery to John and ,William Robinson, who immediately introduced steam power. They also added fulling, dyeing and finishing.
In 1832, Judge D. McLean purchased a full set of cards, with an outfit for dyeing, fulling, and finishing. His building was on lot number five, Court Street. He continued the business for five or six years, and then sold out to Mr. Walker, formerly of Washing- ton, who removed the machinery to Indiana.
Samuel Lydy bought one set of cards of E. Patrick, and intro- duced steam power-having purchased boiler and engine from Y. Green-probably the first brought to this county. In a short time it was purchased by Robert Robinson & Son (Henry); and was con- trolled by them until 1845, when the building and power were sold to Weller & Mizer for a blacksmith shop, and the niachinery was abandoned and sold for old iron. Soon after this, J. & W. Robinson purchased the premises of Eber Patrick, and added some spinning machinery, yet on a limited scale. In 1848, James Pursell and J. Bohrer bought the interest of William Robinson. Again ma- chinery was introduced for carding, and also a new jack for spin- ning.
In 1850 the firm was known as Pursell & McElwain. They added to the machinery, and by procuring skilled workmen kept, or rather increased, the home manufacture. But with the im- provements necessary for the development of the county came the railroad from Cincinnati to Zanesville, and compelled its removal.
In 1855 it passed into the hands of B. Pursell and George Wher- ritt, and was removed to a school building on lot number twenty- one. In 1856 it was purchased by B. Pursell and George Easterbrook. In 1857 it was sold to George Price, an experienced
582
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
manufacturer, who anticipated an improvement, but for want of means only added a small twister for making stocking yarn. He continued the business until the close of the year 1860.
In 1861 it passed into the hands of I. C. Van Deman. The home manufacture had been, largely diminished by the introduc- tion of foreign ready-made goods, but that dark year, when all home productions were at extremely low prices-corn as low as fifteen to sixteen cents per bushel, and wool twenty-five cents per pound-attention was turned somewhat to home work. By secur- ing competent workmen, the business was again increased, and soon it became necessary to enlarge the building. In 1864, D. Clark, a former manufacturer in London, whose mill was destroyed by fire, became a partner. The improvements began were com- pleted, and more machinery purchased. Another set of machines, with eight power looms and a larger twister, was added. In the early part of 1866 D. Clark sold his one-half interest to J. Dews. He also was a practical manufacturer. The increase of business under his persevering and skillful management, necessitated the introduction of the latest improved machinery, in order to manu- facture the finest class of wool grown in the county. To this end, the large brick building, first built for a distillery, and afterward used for a hub and spoke factory, was purchased, and the machin- ery moved into it in the winter of 1867-8. More machinery was added as means could be procured. An effort was made to secure a company for the purpose of increasing the facilities for manu- facturing, but capital seemed to be otherwise directed.
In February, 1872, Mr. Dews died, and his interest was immedi- ately withdrawn. Not only his capital, but his skill was missed, yet the business continued.
In the summer of 1875 more capital was procured, and the business increased. This firm was known as J. C. & E. B. Van Deman, and in 1876 Van Deman & Jones. Water Street being dedicated to two railroads-the Dayton & Southeastern and the Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy-communication was cut off for retail trade, and not having sufficient capital to increase to general wholesale trade, in 1880 the machinery was sold and removed to Fort Scott, Kansas. At this time there is not a woolen mill in the county for general manufacture.
583
UNION TOWNSHIP.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
DR. O. A. ALLEN.
Dr. O. A. Allen, druggist, Washington, was born in New Jersey, July 1, 1825, and is a son of John P. and Jane (Adams) Allen, both natives of New Jersey. The family, consisting of five sons and three daughters, immigrated to this state in 1831. Our subject was married in March, 1852, to Jane Jenkins, of this county. Two children have been born to them: Lucy, now Mrs. E. A. Ramsey, and William J. The doctor is a member of Temple Lodge No. 227, I. O. O. F., and also a member of the Baptist Church, being at present clerk of the organization. At one time he was clerk of the village of Washington. He studied at Granville College, and completed his medical education at the Cleveland Medical College, graduating in 1854, and commencing practice in the spring of that year. He has continued as a druggist and physician to this day.
JOEL BARRETT.
Joel Barrett, painter and paper-hanger, Washington, was born April 14, 1843, at Newmarket, Highland County, Ohio, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah Barrett. His father is a native of Penn- sylvania, and his mother of New Jersey. Their family consisted of four children.
Joel, our subject, was married June 26, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Johnston, daughter of Samuel B. and Rebecca Johnston, of High- land County. They are blessed with seven children : Lizzie, Ellen, Nettie, Jennie, Ralph, and Ida, living, and John, who died some years ago. Our subject enlisted in Company B, 60th O. V. I., and served one year, when the whole regiment was captured at Har- per's Ferry, and subsequently paroled, when he re-enlisted Com- pany B, 2d Ohio Heavy Artillery, and remained with them until the close of the war. He was mustered out in 1865, came home, and engaged in painting and paper-hanging alone until 1880, when he formed a co-partnership with Mr. Curtis; and since that time, under the firm name of Curtis & Barrett, they have been doing an extensive business. He is an Odd-fellow, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. Received his education in Highland County,
584
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
where his life was spent up to the time of entering the service of his country.
GEORGE J. BAILEY.
George J. Bailey, liveryman, Washington, was born in Newport, Rhode Island, December 8, 1848. He is a son of James E. and Harriet Bailey, natives of Rhode Island, where they still reside. They have two children : Joseph H. and George, our subject, who was married October 2, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Hathaway, daugh- ter of John and Ann Hathaway, of Clarke County. They have two children: Joseph P. and Charles S. . Mr. Bailey served one summer's cruise on board a government steamer, under the com- mand of Lieutenant Miller. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He received his education in his na- tive place, leaving there at the age of thirteen years, and clerked in Boston and New York City for three years, when he came West and engaged in the livery business, which he has followed since.
CHARLES C. BLAKEMORE.
Charles C. Blakemore, sewing machine agent, Washington, is a son of William H. Blakemore, who was a native of Virginia, but came to Ohio about the year 1824, and bought and settled on a farm in this township, where the village of Culpepper now stands. He married Miss Ann Millikan, daughter of Captain John Milli- kan, who died at Chillicothe, of cold plague, during the year 1812. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, three of whom died in infancy. Frank L. and Wyatt D. both went West at the close of the war, being single at the time, but married and settled in Taylor County, Iowa, and are engaged in farming, occupying positions of honor and respect in their county. Keziah C. is the wife of Colonel H. B. Maynard, whose biography appears in this work. Amanda J., married to C. A. Beery, of Chil- licothe; Emma, married to W. E. Bonfoy, of East Walnut Hills, Cincinnati; Anna M., married to Nathan Snyder, who is now de- ceased. She remains a widow, and lives in Xenia.
Charles C. Blakemore, our subject, was born in 1839, and is a na- tive of this county. He spent his first years with his parents on the farm, but removed with them into Washington at the age of
585
UNION TOWNSHIP.
ten, and has been a resident of the town ever since. For more than twenty years Mr. Blakemore has been engaged in the sewing machine business-indeed, he is the pioneer sewing machine agent in the county. He married his first wife, Miss Jenny Cox, daugh- ter of Isaac Cox, of Hamilton County, in 1865, with whom he lived nine years, when she died. Mr. Blakemore remained single three years, when he married Mrs. Phobe J. Haus, daughter of John Mallow, Esq., of Ross County. They are residing in Washington, on Main Street, in a nice residence of their own, and are without children. Mr. Blakemore has been quite successful in the selection of amiable wives. He is a man of some peculiar traits of charac- ter, possessing an inherent love for fine horses, which seems to have been a trait of character possessed to a great degree by his father. Few men in the county are so fond of a good horse as is he, and but few men are capable of handling one so skillfully. He is a straightforward, honest, upright man. In politics, he is a Republi- can; in religion, a Methodist. His father served the county as coronor and sheriff, and died July 20, 1870. His mother died May 3, 1874, at the house of Colonel H. B. Maynard, in Washington. The Blakemores are regarded as one of the prominent families of the county.
JOHN SARGENT BURNETT.
John Sargent Burnett, farmer and stock-raiser, Seldon, is a son of Robert and Susanna Burnett, who were natives of Virginia, came to Ohio in 1810, and settled for the winter on the waters of Herod's Creek, in Ross County, where they remained until the spring of 1811, when he removed to this county, and settled about half a mile east of Sugar Creek, where Henry Bush now lives, on the south side of the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Railroad, remaining here for some two years, when he removed to a farm about one mile northwest from Jasper Station, where he remained until his death, which event occurred December 9, 1878, in the ninety-first year of his age. His wife died in 1839. He married his second wife, Catharine Caylor, in 1844, who died in 1876. By his first wife he had eleven children, six sons and five daughters. Sidney died when a young woman; Harry married, and lives in Clinton County, near Sabina; Rebecca is the wife of Jacob Mark, Esq., living near Jasper Mills; Naoma was married, but is now
41
586
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
dead; Thomas married, lived in Washington, and died in 1870, and his widow and children still remain in the same place; Catharine, wife of Joseph Plum, lives in Washington; Elihu married and re- moved to the State of Iowa a few years ago; Absalom married, and lives in Peru, Indiana; Susanna married, moved to Allen County, and died; Jesse was a twin brother to John S., and died in infancy.
The subject of our sketch was born October 21, 1817, and mar- ried Sarilda Feagins in February, 1846. She is the daughter of Richard Feagins, who is one of the pioneers of the county, being in his eighty-fifth year. He lives with Mr. and Mrs. Burnett, who now own and occupy the old homestead, where Mr. Feagins has lived for so many years. Mr. Feagins has been much of a man in his day, but now is becoming quite feeble, both in body and mind.
Mr. and Mrs. Burnett are the parents of three children, two daughters and one son. Mary Catharine married David Toops, and is a widow. They had but one child, Oliver Edwin, a sprightly lad, eleven years old, living with Mr. and Mrs. Burnett, who are much delighted with him. Richard Henry married, and lives on his father's farm, and is without children. Susanna married Bar- ton L. Stevenson. They live in the house with Mr. and Mrs. Bur- nett, and have one son, Alonzo Edgar, four years of age, a child of superior intellectual development for one of his years.
In 1849, Mr. Burnett was elected to the office of county surveyor, in which official capacity he served for fifteen years. He was elect- ed justice of the peace for Jasper Township in 1846, and served for three years. He taught school for a number of his earlier years. Was educated at Athens, in this state, and is an intelligent, well- informed man, being more than an average in this respect with the men of his age. He owned and lived on a farm but a few miles north of Jasper Mills most of his married life. In the year 1876 he disposed of it, and purchased his father-in-law's farm, on the east bank of Sugar Creek, in Union Township, a little north from the Cincinnati and Muskingum Valley Railroad. This farm con- tains one hundred and twenty-one acres of choice land. The fam- ily moved here in the spring of 1876. Mr. Burnett is a Republi- can in politics, a Christian gentleman, kind and affable, and much interested in the Sunday-school, education, etc.
587
UNION TOWNSHIP.
ABRAHAM BUSH.
Abram Bush, farmer and ex-county commissioner, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, November 10, 1816, and is a son of Abraham and Phoeba Bush, both natives of Virginia, who immigrated to Ohio, in the year 1810. He came to Fayette County, in 1811, and cut the road through the wilderness from Washington Court House to, Sugar Creek, and the original farm still remains in the Bush family ; they had a family of seven children. Abraham the sub- ject of our remarks was married, in 1839, to Miss Catharine Bush, daughter of Daniel and Susannah Bush, of Fayette County. They have four children : Annetta, Gilbert L., Charles F., and Serepta. He was elected county commissioner, in 1871, and held the office six years, and was, also, township clerk for eighteen years of Jef- ferson Township, and two years a trustee. He is now farming three hundred and fourteen aeres of land, in Jefferson Township, and raises a great many cattle and hogs. He received his educa- tion in Fayette County, where he has lived from his birth.
CISMORE CARR.
Cismore Carr, farmer and stock raiser, Washington. His parents were Joshua and Susy Carr, who came from Virginia, to this coun- ty, in 1814. They are both dead. Mrs. Carr survived her hus- band many years. They were the parents of four children: two girls and two boys. Jason. M., married and moved to the State of Missouri, and died there. Mary Susy was married to Captain E. Henkle, and died some years since. Their biography appears in this work. Mary Jane was married to Henry Baughn, and lives in the neighborhood. Cismore, the subject of this sketch, was born October 28, 1818, on the very spot of ground where he now resides. He spent his earlier years in the vicinity of his residence. Mr. Carr remained unmarried until February 23, 1870, when he mar- ried Miss Margaret Jane Isgrig, daughter of Madison Isgrig of Missouri. They were married in Missouri, but came to his home in this county at once. They have four children : Christine Jane, Mary Susy, Wilber Jason and Harman. Mr. Carr owns and lives on a number one farm, containing three hundred and ten acres, situated three miles west from Washington, midway between the
588
HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
Wilmington and Plymouth pike. His house is built on a hill or elevation one hundred or more feet above the town of Washington. This is one of the most beautiful locations for building purposes in the county, being on the divide between the waters of Paint and Sugar creeks. Mr. Carr, all his life, has been a very active, ener- getic industrious man ; but few men in the county have performed so much hard labor as Mr. Carr. For a number of years past, he has devoted much time and energy in the late fall and early winter in the purchasing and shipment of hogs on commission for Cin- cinnati parties and elsewhere. Mr. Carr, for years, has had certain interests which has called him west. He has been west thirty- eight times. "All of these trips may not have been very remuner- ative; but some of them most assuredly proved very profitable, for it was thus that Mr. Carr secured a most estimable wife, which certainly is no small thing, especially for an old bachelor to do. In politics he is a Republican.
JACOB CARR.
Jacob Carr, farmer and stock raiser, Washington, is a son of Joab and Elizabeth Carr, natives of Virginia. They immigrated ยท to Ohio, on horseback, in 1815; came to Fayette County and set- . tled where the subject of this sketch now lives, in 1818; where the father died in 1824, and the mother in 1832. They were the parents of four children-three sons and one daughter: George, married, and living in Clinton County; Joab, married, and living in White County, Indiana; Mary Susan, died in 1832.
Jacob, our subject, was born October 7, 1817, on the spot where he now lives. January 22, 1842, he married Miss Polly Herrod, daughter of Samuel Herrod, of Madison County, Ohio, who raised a large family, all of whom, including the father and mother, are now dead, except Mrs. Carr and one sister.
Mr. and Mrs. Carr have had nine children-four sons and five ,
daughters-born unto them: Matilda A., wife of William Thorn- ton, of Madison County; Salathiel H., married, and living on the home farm; Elijah Scott, married, and living in Millidgeville, this county. Ellen A., married to Elam Thornton, and living in the neighborhood; David M., married, and living in the vicinity of his father; Amanda Jane, married, and living in Clinton County; Angeletta, married, and living in the neighborhood, and Susan and
589
UNION TOWNSHIP. .
Jesse Sherman, who are single, and remain at home with their parents.
June 2, 1881, the entire family, consisting of father, mother, and nine children, appeared before an artist in Washington, and had their negatives taken for a family picture.
Mr. Carr owns and lives on a most excellent farm, containing one hundred and thirty-one acres, located two miles west of Wash- ington, between the Wilmington and Palmer or Jamestown pikes. Here he has lived all his life, raised his family, and expects to re- main the balance of his days. Mr. Carr has never had a law suit, and has never paid a dollar as fees to a lawyer. Was elected assessor of his township in 1855, and has assessed the township fifteen times, and assisted to do the same work five times. Sold pork in the early part of his farm life at one cent per pound, and delivered corn in Washington at ten cents per bushel. In politics he is a Republican, and is a straightforward, honest, truthful man. The family are well-to-do, and much respected by all who have to do with them.
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