USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 22
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A discussion arose in the Democratic party in 1840, as to the best method of making nominations of candidates, one faction in favor of the delegate system, and the other in favor of nominating by popular vote. Mr. Rosenberg started a paper in the interest of the delegate system, which he called the Hancock Farmer. So great was the feeling that in 1844 there were two Democratic tickets put in the field, and by this division, the Whigs were enabled to elect some of the officers.
Mr. Rosenberg was a plain, terse, and forcible writer. He was a man of strong impulses, and nothing could swevre
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Bishop-Mungen.
him from what he believed to be right. He died in Findley in 1844, and was buried in the old grave yard, but his re- mains have since been removed to Maple Grove Cemetery.
On the 24th of January, 1839, Mr. Henry Bishop pur- chased the Courier and published it until July Ist, 1845. We can ascertain but little about the private life of Mr. Bishop. He was born and raised in Franklin County, Ohio. He received a good English education. and was a man of sound practical common sense. He was rather an eccen- tric character, and when he went to take his seat as a mem- ber of the Ohio Legislature, to which he was elected in 1851, he wore a hunting shirt and leggins. He was not a remarkable writer, his productions being rather illogical. After disposing of the office in 1845, he removed to his farm in Eagle township, and was drowned in Eagle Creek, June 18th, 1855.
On the 1st of July, 1845, Mr. William Mungen pur- chased the Courier, and conducted it until November, 1849, when he rented it to W. M. Case, (better known as " Mood Case,") for one year. But as Mr. Case was one of those good-natured, worthless fellows, Mr. Mungen was obliged to do most of the writing during that time. Mr. Mungen, then after control of the paper for a short time, rented it to B. F. Rosenberg, and in the spring of 1851, sold one half to Henry Brown, and shortly after sold the remaining half to A. Blackford.
Mr. Mungen was born in Baltimore, Md., May 12th, 1821, came to Ohio in 1830, received a common school education, and studied Latin and German and physical sciences to some extent at home. Studied and practiced law, was elected Auditor of Hancock County for two terms, and to the Senate of Ohio in 1851. Entered the Union Army in
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History of Hancock County.
1861 as Colonel of the Fifty-Seventh Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. During the time he has resided in Ohio he has held several local offices. He was elected to the 40th and 41st Congresses of the United States. Mr. Mungen was a clear, forcible, logical writer. He is at present prac- ticing law in Findley.
Henry Brown entered into partnership with Mr. Mungen in the publication of the Courier in the spring of 1851. On the 1st day of January, 1851, Aaron Blackford pur- chased Mungen's interest, and continued until the fall of 1854, when Mr. Brown sold to Blackford, and at the end of one year Mr. Brown assumed the entire control of the paper, and edited it until January 1857.
Henry Brown was born in Albion, Orleans County, N. Y., and was educated at the Albion Seminary. He came to Ohio when about seventeen years of age, and taught school for several years. He then read law with W. P. Noble, at Tiffin, O. He was elected Auditor of Hancock County in 1851. He is a nervous, excitable man, and a hard worker. He was a prolific writer, and carried conviction at his pen's point. He has held the office of Prosecuting Attorney sev- eral terms, and is now practicing law in Findley.
In January, 1857, Benjamin Franklin Rosenberg pur- chased the Courier, and conducted it successfully until July 18th, 1861. Mr. Rosenberg was born in Bedford, Pa., and at the age of two years came with his parents to this place, where his father, Jacob Rosenberg, established the Courier in 1836. In 1847 "Frank " commenced an ap- prenticeship to the art of printing with H. K. Knapp, in the office of the Kalida Venture, in Putnam County. Mr. Knapp sold the Venture. and established the Standard at Ashland. "Frank" went with him. From there he went
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Rosenberg-Hollabaugh.
into the office of the Seneca Advertiser, published by John G. Breslin, in Tiffin, O. In the same office was W. W. Armstrong, now one of the editors of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Finishing his trade he returned to Findley and was engaged with Mr. S. A. Spear, on the Home Com- panion, in the capacity of foreman. In 1854 when A. M. Hollabaugh started the North- West at Napoleon, Ohio, "Frank" went with him. Sometime afterwards he estab- lished the Sentinel at Ottakee, the pioneer paper of Fulton County. He then went into the office of the Shelby Coun- ty Democrat, which Mr. Hollabangh had just purchased. He succeeded Mr. Brown in the ownership and management of the Courier, which he sold to Mr. Hollabaugh in 1857. Mr. Rosenberg died in Findley, October 4th, 1869.
On the 25th day of July, 1857, the Courier passed into the hands of Mr. Hollabaugh, who edited it until March, 1861.
Alpheus M. Hollabaugh was born in Frederick County, Md., October 16th, 1832, and came to Findley in 1837, where he received a good common school education. He learned his trade as printer with John G. Breslin, Tiffin, O. Before his connection with the Courier, he had edited and published the North- West, at Napoleon, and the Shelby County Democrat at Sidney, Ohio, and in 1865 was con- nected with a paper in Gallipolis, Ohio, and also at Van Wert. He was a good printer, and possessed some ability as an editor, but wss more windy than logical. He died in Findley of consumption on the 4th day of February, 1871.
In March; 1861, Messrs. L. Glessner & Son assumed charge of the Courier, and continued until January Ist. 1865.
Lewis Glessner was born in Somerset County, Pa., Sep-
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tember Ist, 1811, and when six years old moved to Colum- biana County, Ohio, and settled in the woods, where he re- mained at farm work. He learned his trade in New Lisbon, and removed to Delaware, O., in 1833. He came to Findley in the spring of 1861. He in connection with his son, W. L. Glessner, published the Courier until January 1st, 1863, when he sold out, and removed to Newark, O., where he took charge of the Newark Advocate, which he pur- chased. In May, 1866, he again took control of the Courier.
W. L. Glessner was born at Delaware, O., September 27th, 1840, and at the age of eighteen entered the office of the Shield and Banner at Mansfield, Ohio. In 1861, in company with his father, L. Glessner, he entered into the business of editing and publishing the Courier. In 1865, he took entire control of the paper, which he held until May 1866. Shortly after disposing of the Courier, he pur- chased the Toledo Record, but failing in this, he went to the Wheeling ( Va.) Register, and finally to New York City. In 1868, in company with C. C. Stone, he purchased the Clinton (Ill.) Register, and is yet publishing that paper.
In May, 1866, Mr. L. Glessner again took charge of the Courier, which he continued until his death, March 13th, 1869, since which time the Courier has been published by his widow, Mrs. Georgiana Glessner, under the editorial control of F. II. Glessner.
Mr. L. Glessner was a strong partisan, a most estimable and genial gentleman, a fine writer, a correct business man, and scrupulously honest in all his dealings.
When the Courier came into his hands in 1866 it was a thirty-two column paper printed on a hand press. In 1868
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Glessner.
the paper was enlarged to a thirty-six column, a Campbell Power Press put in the office, to which, in a short time, steam was added. Just previous to his death, Mr. G. had finished a fine block on east Sandusky street, into a part of which he had removed the office, and the paper has now in connection with the newspaper press, ample job rooms, where all kinds of plain and fancy job work is done neatly. The present circulation of the Courier is about seventeen hundred copies weekly.
(The foregoing facts are extracts from an article by F. H. Glessner, at their anniversary, ten years ago, with the addi- tion of more recent facts by the AUTHOR.)
WESTERN HERALD.
On the 1st day of January, 1845, John T. Ford issued the first number of this journal, of which he was editor and proprietor. In politics the Herald was devoted to the in- terests of the Whig party. The office of the Herald was in the second story of the frame building on the south-east corner of Main and Sandusky streets, now occupied by L. A. Baldwin, as a produce store. Under Mr. Ford's man- agement the Herald obtained a circulation of four hundred. This was doing pretty well in a county where the Democ- racy had a majority of more than a thousand votes in a voting population of not much exceeding three thousand voters. The Herald was a weekly journal, and was a rather spicy sheet.
The paper was under Mr. Ford's control until November, 1845, at which time he sold one half interest to James M. Coffinberry, of Maumee City, under the condition that Mr. Ford should be the publisher, and Mr. Coffinberry should take editorial charge. In the spring of 1846 Mr. Ford dis-
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History of Hancock County.
posed of his entire interest in the Herald to Mr. Coffin- berry. Whilst Mr. Ford was connected with the paper, William F. Gilkeson and Gideon R. Nightingale did the composition and press-work, and William L. Howell and Pat G. Duncan, son of Gen. Andrew Duncan, were the first boys employed in the office.
Mr. Ford was long a resident of Hancock County, but never engaged in the newspaper business after he disposed of the Herald. Mr. Ford assisted Engineer Weeden in locating the Branch Railroad; he also assisted the Con- tractor Beach in its construction. A track-layer from the main line by the name of French, ironed seven miles of the road, and under the direction of Engineer Swigart, Mr. Ford completed that part of the work, and drove the last spike on its completion. He was five years clerk in the depot at Findley, and eleven years conductor on the road, succeeding N. E. Childs, who was the first who held that position. The travelling public remember Mr. Ford as the patient, good-natured, accommodating conductor on the old " strap iron " road. He is now residing on a farm near Chillicothe, Mo., enjoying the peaceful life of a farmer.
In November, 1845, J. M. Coffinberry became part owner of the Herald, and the name was changed to Findley Herald about a year later. Mr. Coffinberry purchased the interest of Mr. Ford, and conducted the paper for about three years, when he in turn sold to Dr. David Patton. The circulation at this time was about five hundred copies. Judge Coffinberry says that at the time he purchased the paper, and whilst Mr. Ford was connected with it, it was printed on an old wooden Ramage press, but that he subse- quently purchased a second hand press of John C. Gilke- son, of Mansfield.
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Judge Coffinberry.
Judge Coffinberry was born at Mansfield, Ohio, in 1818. He studied law with his father, the old "Count," who at the time was located at Perrysburg, and on his admission to the bar, practiced law with his father in Maumee City. He was elected and served as Prosecuting Attorney of Lucas County. After he severed his connection with the Herald, he resumed the practice of law in Findley.
In 1855 he took up his residence in Cleveland, where he at once took a front rank at the bar, and such was his rep- utation for legal ability, that in 1861 he was elected one of the Common Pleas Judges of that city, which office he filled with credit to himself, and to the entire satisfaction of his constituency.
As a writer and editor, he was clear, comprehensive, and incisive, as a lawyer, he was learned, eloquent and logical, as a Judge, he was upright, clear and forcible in his rulings and decisions. As a citizen, he is held in the highest es- teem, and as a business man, he has been entirely success- ful.
This paper changed proprietors and name very often, and we are only enabled to give the names, without vouching for the accuracy of the order in which they are given. Dr. Patton was succeeded in his proprietorship by W. P. Resz- ner; then came Robert Coulter, who changed the name of the paper to the Journal. A man by the name of Lyon -his initials I do not remember-became owner, and the paper was then called the Home Companion, and was a literary newspaper. Mr. Samuel A. Spear became proprie- tor, and during his ownership the name was changed to the Jeffersonian.
Mr. Spear was a thoroughly educated gentlemen, a fine writer, firm in his convictions of right, and bold to defend
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them. D. R. Locke became proprietor, and whilst conduct- ing the paper here, commenced writing the "Nasby Let- ters," which have made him so famous. The paper passed into the hands of L. G. Thrall, who disposed of it to Locke's -C. N. & O. T .- and I. S. Chamberlain. Chamberlain re- tired and W. G. Blymire succeeded him. This firm sold out to W. P. Miller & Co .- the Company being E. G. De Wolfe, present Post Master and one of the publishers of the Re- publican. During the time that the Lockes' published the paper it was called the Hancock Jeffersonian, but Mr. De Wolfe changed it to the Findley Jeffersonian. Mr. Miller sold out to O. J. DeWolfe, and the paper was con- ducted by De Wolfe Bro.'s, until they in 1877 sold out to A. H. Balsley, the present publisher.
THE DAILY JEFFERSONIAN.
On November 15th, 1880, the initial number of the " Findley Daily Jeffersonian" was issued by the propri- etor of the Weekly Jeffersonian, without however any fixed idea of making it a permanent publication, but rather as an experiment. The interest with which it was received and the success with which it was met, determined the pro- prietor to continue it, and it has now completed its first year, with a promise of long continuance.
Its present circulation is six hundred copies, about four hundred of which are circulated in the city, and nearly all of the balance at the various Post Offices in the county. The paper is a spirited little sheet, and gives a large amount of local news, as well as a synopsis of the latest telegraphic dispatches.
A. H. Balsly, the proprietor, was born in the city of Pitts- burg, Pa., December 15th, 1828, and whilst a resident of
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The Findley Republican.
that city, acquired a thorough knowledge of the art of printing, and his first practical experience as an editor was in a subordinate position. His first venture for himself was as editor and proprietor of the Grand River Record, at Painesville, O. He then became editor of the St. Clairs- ville Independent. Afterwards for thirteen years he pub- lished the Plymouth Advertiser.
After disposing of this, he in 1868 went to Fremont, O., and became proprietor of the Fremont Journal. This paper he sold in the fall of 1875, and in May 1876, he pur- chased and took charge of the Findley Jeffersonian, to which he added the Daily Jeffersonian. Besides these two papers Mr. Balsley is interested in the publication of the Milan Advertiser, and the Carey Times.
Mr. Balsley is a practical printer, a good business man, and a ready and forcible writer.
THE FINDLEY REPUBLICAN.
The first copy of the Republican was issued as a seven column folio, February 5th, 1879, by J. M. Beelmon and J E. Griswold, editors and proprietors. On the 18th of July, 1879, Griswold retired from the firm, disposing of his inter- est to J. M. Beelmon, who enlarged the paper to an eight column folio. On the Ist of January, 1881, a partnership was formed by and between J. M. Reelmon, E. G. DeWolfe, formerly of the Jeffersonion, and Jason Blackford, and an improved 32x50 inch Campbell Press, and other material purchased, making it one of the best equipped newspaper and job offices in the county, and the paper was issued as a nine column folio.
On the 17th of October, 1881, Mr. Blackford wishing to devote his entire time to the profession of the law, disposed
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History of Hancock County.
of his interest to his partners, who are the present proprie- tors. The paper is Republican in politics, and is fast win- ning its way to public favor, by its fearless independence in local, as well as in State and National politics. As an ad- vertising medium it is already recognized. Its circulation is increasing, and it bids fair to prove a successful news- paper venture.
Eli G. DeWolfe, editor of the Republican, was born in Centerville, Butler Co., Pa. In 1850, he commenced to learn the printing business in the office of the Butler Whig, and completed his trade in the office of the Pros- pect Record, at Prospect, in the same county. Owing to poor health he was compelled to relinquish the business until 1862, when he became editor of the Pike County Republican, published at Waverly, Ohio. He, however, sold that office to accept the position of foreman in the Ohio State Journal office at Columbus, O., in 1866, and in September, 1868, he assumed editorial control of the Findley Jeffersonian.
He disposed of the Jeffersonian office in 1868, and was appointed Post Master at Findley by President Grant, and was re-appointed by President Hayes in 1880. In 1881 he assumed the editorship of the Findley Republican. As a political writer Mr. De Wolfe is bold and aggressive, freely criticising the acts of officials, and pointing out any defects in their conduct of public affairs. His articles on all sub- jects are fairly written, and in ability compare with the best efforts of the average newspaper man.
There were several other newspaper ventures in the town, amongst which was a German paper by Zwanzie, but it only lived about a year, and was then removed to Lima. The Barnd Bros. engaged in the newspaper business, independent
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Property Journal.
at first, but afterwards espoused the cause of the Granger movement. This however failed, and the paper became an advertising medium, under different names, such as Re- porter, Property Journal, etc., and has finally been re- moved to Fostoria.
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History of Hancock County.
HOTELS.
" JOY HOUSE."
This hotel occupies the two south first floor rooms, and the entire second and third stories of the building on the south-west corner of Main and Sandusky streets. The building was built by a joint stock company, and when fin- ished, two rooms on first floor, and a part of the second and third stories was opened up by the late S. T. Heffner, as a hotel, called the "Dixon House." Indeed the entire block covering a square, of two hundred feet each way was called the " Dixon House Block."
There were four business rooms on the first floor facing on Main street, which with the two occupied as hotel, made six ground floor rooms. Heffner was succeeded as landlord by Dick Ellis, and he by John Fisher. Stewart Sprague leased the house and conducted it for many years. Finally A. & D. Joy, of the Gault House, at Carey, purchased the two south rooms of H. P. Gage, in whose hands it was, and opened up the "Joy House." They have very mate- rially enlarged its capacity as a hotel, by the addition of quite a number of parlors and sleeping apartments. It is a first class hotel in every sense of the word, and merits and receives a full share of patronage.
This building stands on the site of the old White Hall Tavern, kept by Henry Lamb, and which was burned down many years ago.
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Commercial House-Sherman House.
COMMERCIAL HOUSE.
This is a three story brick building, fifty feet wide, and two. hundred feet long, situated on the south-east corner of Main and Main Cross streets, on the site of the old "Findley Caravansary, by John Reed," and the present building was. formerly the " Reed House."
This hotel is in one of the most eligible and convenient locations in the city, being directly opposite the Court House, and in the immediate vicinity of many business houses. With the additions lately made to it, it has become one of the largest and most imposing buildings in the town. After the death of Eli S. Reed, the builder, the property passed into the hands of Samuel Renninger, who, after con- ducting it for some years, leased it to Henry Guntner and Truman Woodworth, who were succeeded by E. B. Belding, and he by Jasper Constable. Mr. Renninger then sold the premises to Henry C. Deitsch, the present proprietor.
Mr. Deitsch has made many valuable improvements, the most considerable one being an addition on the east along Main Cross street, one hundred feet long, and thirty feet wide. The first floor, facing on Main Cross street, will be. occupied as business rooms, and sleeping apartments will be arranged in the second and third stories. When entirely completed, it will be one of the best arranged and conve- nient hotels in the country. Mr. D. is getting a full share of the traveling public.
SHERMAN HOUSE.
This is the building known as the "Schwab House," in ye olden times. It is a three story brick, situate at south- east corner of Main and Front streets. It has changed
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hands several times since the death of Mr. Schwab, and is now owned by T. J. Stackhouse, who, after occupying it for several years, leased it to a Mr. Edmunds, the present land- lord.
The hotel has always had the reputation of being a good stopping place for the hungry, who desired a good square meal. It is very extensively patronized by the country peo- ple, and is a good stopping place for any class of people.
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Banks-First National.
BANKS.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF FINDLEY.
This Bank was organized in the spring of 1863, and it capital stock-fifty thousand dollars-was all subscribed for and invested in bonds of the United States. This was prior to the decisive battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg were fought, and at a time when many of the shrewd and care- ful capitalists of the State were timid, fearing the final re- sults of the war, and hesitated in taking National Bank Stock, knowing that the same would be invested in United States securites.
E. P. Jones, the President, and Chas. E. Niles, the Cash- ier of the Bank, were original subscribers to the stock, and have held the offices named, ever since its organization. During, and for several years succeeding the war, this bank was the designated depository, and Commercial Agent of the United States, for the Fifth Congressional District of Ohio, and as such received and disbursed millions of dollars of government money, without the loss of a cent to the govern- ment or the bank.
The bank has ever enjoyed the reputation of strength and solidity, having never in all its career suspended for one moment the payment of its deposits, not even in the pan- icky times of 1873. It has loaned hundreds of thousands of dollars, to our stock dealers, grain merchants, business men and farmers, and has thus aided materially in the great commercial interests of our town and county.
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The present Directors of the bank, are E. P. Jones, C. E. Niles, J. H. Wilson, J. F. Burket and G. W. Kimmel, names which should be a sufficient guarantee that the business of the bank will continue to be carefully and safely managed.
FARMERS BANK.
This Banking institution was organized by G. W. Hull, Peter Hosler and J. G. Hull, and commenced business in the room lately occupied by the defunct Hancock Savings Bank, on the first day of January, 1880. Peter Hosler is President, G. W. Hull, Vice President, J. G. Hull, Cashier, J. C. F. Hull, Assistant Cashier, and Will. Hosler, Teller. It is a bank of deposit and discount, with a capital of $60,000.
The President, Peter Hosler, was for four years Treasurer of the county, has been a most successful farmer, and is the owner of a very large tract of valuable lands in the county and town. G. W. Hull, the Vice President, is also Prsident of the Crawford County Bank, at Bucyrus, O. The Cashier was a farmer until he entered the bank here.
The well known character of these men, gives the bank a reputation for solidity and fair business transactions, which commends it to public favor.
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Fire Department.
FINDLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The Village Council passed an Ordinance, April 27th, 1856, for the establishment of a Fire Department, section one of which ordinance provided that "The Fire Depart- ment shall consist of one Chief Engineer and two Assist- ant Engineers, and one Captain for each regularly organ- ized company, or engine house."
The first engine was a small affair, called the "Tom Thumb," and was, from its diminutiveness, of but little con- sequence at a fire. The village authority disposed of this and bought a second hand engine, called "Jenny Lind," which from its awkard construction and mammoth size, was so unwieldy as to be of but little more use than was "Tom Thumb." It was known as a double decker, the men who worked being placed on top of the engine, and working in a row boat fashion.
In 1856 a new second hand engine of the then mondern style was purchased, with the necessary hose and reels. This was one of the most approved patern of hand engines, and has done most efficient service on more than one occasion. In 1859 another hand engine was purchased of the L. But- ton manufacture, and named after the maker. About this time the "Jenny Lind " was dismantled, and the running gears were converted into a hook and ladder truck, and a company formed to operate it. The L. Button is a second class machine, and proved to be a valuable addition to the fire apparatus of the town.
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