History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 24

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions > Part 24

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Probably about 1832, Doctor Beach was succeeded in the mercantile business by Rev. Henderson Crabb, father of Judge O. P. Crabb, of London. In 1834, Doctor Beach and Luther Lane purchased a stock of goods and opened a store in another part of the town. At that early period Amity was one of the most flourishing towns in the northern part of Madison county. There were two good stores in the town, a flourishing woolen factory, a saw-mill, a distillery, a comb factory, besides the black- smith and minor mechanical trades. Plain City at that period did a very small business compared to Amity. But the latter's days of prosperity were numbered. The factory dam was declared a nuisance and had to be torn down, thus putting a quietus on all the manufacturing interests in Amity. Subsequently the railroad was

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built . through. Plain. City and this gave an impetus to the growth of the latter. town, which soon became, the leading trade and business center of . that .. section. ... Since that time Amity has remained a quiet country village, doing a small but. steady. rural trade; the postoffice was a convenience to the community, but with the .. coming of the rural routes this has been adandoned.

Amity now contains a population of about. thirty-five, showing a decline of: two- thirds in the last .thirty years There is only one store. in the village, which : is owned by Clyde Frazell. Clarence Reece is the village blacksmith .... ..:

PLAIN CITY.

Plain City is the largest village in Darby township, and was laid out by Isaac Bigelow in 1818, according to the following record: "July 8, 1818 The plan of West- minster, situated on the south side of Big Darby creek, in Darby township, Madison county, on the road leading from Worthington to Urbana. The above road, which is Main street from letter B, runs east, and is sixty feet wide; the alleys are thirty links wide, and run from Main street north. The lots on the north side of Main street each measure, north, twelve poles, and east, four poles and eleven links . The lots. on the south side of Main street, measure each, south, ten poles, and west, five poles and one link., "June 11, 1818.

DAVID CHAPMAN, Surveyor."

There were no other official acts until 1823, in which year the records disclose that the previous survey was resurveyed, additional territory was incorporated "and ' the original name was changed from Westminster to Pleasant Valley. It is also revealed that,' from 1823 to 1851, the original proprietor made six additions to the village, besides additions subsequently made as follow : Barlow's, Sherwood's First and Second, Amonn's First and Second, Marshal's, Hager & Lombard's, Black & Mooney's, and ' E. I. Bigelow's additions. The name of the village was again changed from Pleasant Valley to Plain City.

For a time Plain City was superseded as a trading point by Amity, in Canaan township. The former town, however," possessed advantages due to location, It' being situated on the Post road, an important west-bound thoroughfare, over which much of the emigrant travel passed. "This, in connection with natural advantages; rendered it much more important and desirable as a business location. ' From ' 1818 to 1850, the growth of Plain City and her business developments were characteristic of doubt and uncertainty as to her future prospects among those of her rivals. But in 'the latter year, the location of the trunk-line railroad through her borders removed all" uncer- tainty and the impetus thus given to her growth, business and manufacturing develop- ments were truly flattering.

The first hotel was kept by Clark Provine,' in a log building located on the same lot as the old National Hotel. This primitive inn was surrounded by under- brush, hazel and plum thickets; but, as the weary traveler neared the spot, he' read with delight the invitation over the door, "Traveler's Inn." The' first dry-goods and grocery store was that of the proprietor of the town, Isaac Bigelow. The first blacksmith was James Goldsberry. The first church was a small brick building belonging to the Meth- odist denomination. The first school house was a log hut on lot No. 14, and Susan Fudger taught the first school.

PRESENT INDUSTRIES AND ADVANTAGES.

· Plain City, located on the main line of the Pennsylvania railroad, has a popula- tion of about 1,500. It is well laid out, having broad, well-paved streets, cement side- walks and many beautiful residences and splendid business blocks. It is well lighted

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by electricity and has cluster lights through the main part of the town. The city has most excellent water and all the advantages of a place many times its size. It has a splendid school building, several fine churches and other public buildings and has a class of people that for hospitality and sociability cannot be excelled anywhere in the land.

Located in a splendid farming country, amid prosperous and progressive farmers, Plain City is a good shipping point and tens of thousands of dollars worth of live stock and produce is shipped from that place every year. It has some manufacturing institutions and a flour-mill and grain elevator. Plain City has two banks, an opera house, a newspaper, picture shows and beautiful chautauqua grounds where a chau- tauqua is held every year. Another great yearly event is the corn show which is held in October and is attended by large numbers of visitors from over the country. The Plain City Matinee Club comprises many noted horsemen and nearly all the promi- nent business men in the town are interested in it. J. W. Price a well-known resident of Madison county is one of the leading members of this club and a prominent breeder of road horses. B. E. Thomas, F. B. Mccullough, C. M. Jones and many others are members of this club, which has a fine half-mile track.

The Ormerod-Jones Company, prescription druggists, has a fine store. The First State Bank is another solid institution there and is thoroughly modern. It has a large and steadily increasing patronage. Among the leading merchants are Horn & Milliken, who have a large general dry-goods store, J. A. Tedrick is a general dealer in hardware, stoves, agricultural implements, buggies, wagons, harness and general supplies. Joseph Nunamaker is another leading hardware dealer and has a fine store, where he carries a full line of hardware, farming machinery, buggies, etc. He makes a specialty of heating and plumbing. Charles Rice, baker, also has an ice cream parlor. H. L. Smith, proprietor of the Variety Store, carries a full line of dry goods, ready-to-wear garments, a full stock of dishes and glassware and a general line of notions of all kinds. Another large firm is the Howland Brothers, hardware and furniture store, well and favorably known all over that part of the county. The Purity Ice Cream Manufacturing Company does a wholesale and retail business and also handles candies, tobacco and fruits. George Elias conducts a dry- goods and notion store and also carries a line of ready-to-wear goods, shoes, etc. Currier & Cron, grocers, carry a full line of staple and fancy groceries, vegetables, fruits, meats, etc. The Farmers' National Bank, one of the strong, reliable institutions of Plain City, has a handsome bank building with modern fixtures and equipment. Harry Bault, practical horseshoer and general blacksmith, has been in busi- ness there for a number of years and has built up an enviable reputation as a high- class workman. E. G. Scott, the jeweler, makes a specialty of watch repairing, and carries a line of watches and jewelry. I. B. Huffman conducts a general garage and handles a full line of accessories and general supplies for automobiles. The Paris Cleaners and Dyers have a well-equipped establishment. J. Quin Converse, jeweler and book dealer, is one of the old established business men there. He carries a full line of watches and also a large line of silverware, magazines, books, stationery, etc. Mr. Converse is president of the Converse family reunion. As there are many Converse families located all over the county, these reunions are pretty large affairs, and very enjoyable. L. C. Alder conducts a harness and general repair shop and also has a line of boots and shoes, etc., and handles bicycles and supplies. Andrews & Wilcox conduct a general livery and feed barn. They also have an automobile service. A. C. Hiatt, general grocer, has been in business there for years. C. D. Ferguson, funeral director and embalmer, carries a full line of automobile accessories and conducts a

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well-equipped garage. F. B. Mccullough conducts a large clothing and gents' furnish- ing store and carries a full line of boots, shoes, etc. Mr. McCullough is interested in fine horses and is the owner of several trotters.

The Hotel Smith is a leading hotel at Plain City and is popular with the traveling public. Howland Bros. have a large, modern hardware and furniture store. Moon & Sheehan have a large grain elevator and handle hay, coal, grain and cement. Martin & Strickland, dealers in hay, grain and coal, also handle salt, lime, cement, plaster, brick, sewer pipe, building blocks, etc. The B. E. Thomas Company, wholesale and retail dealers in grain, wool, coal, live stock, clover seed, etc., operate a large elevator and their trade extends all over the county. B. E. Thomas is one of the promoters and leaders in the corn show that is held there every year, being its vice-president. J. W. Bowers, a former Madison county commissioner, is the district agent for the Home Insurance Company of New York. Crayton's store is a grocery and variety store doing a general business. In addition Mr. Crayton handles automobiles and accessories. W. D. Booth conducts the Cottage restaurant. The Beach-Chandler Company, lumber dealers, also handle cement, roofing, shingles and asphalt. F. M. Walters is one of the leading druggists. J. E. Strayer, lawyer, is a "live wire" and takes great interest in the progress of his home town. Walter F. Mooney, another of Plain City's solid citizens. handles country produce. Henry Wenzel is the photographer. H. O. Hutchinson is the proprietor of a self-serve restaurant. Jones & Douglass conduct a pool room and bil- liard parlor and handle soft drinks, cigars and tobacco. George Mellic, barber, is located near the square in the rear of the Farmers National Bank. Charles H. Ackley has a plumbing shop and does electrical work. There is also an old gentleman associated with Mr. Ackley who is called by the name of "Daddy" Stevens, who sharpens and adjusts lawn mowers. Fravel & Grewell are engaged in insurance and real-estate business and in the loaning of money. Mrs. Jennie Weaver conducts a millinery"store in the Black block. James W. Strapp, merchant tailor, also does dry cleaning and repairing. L. B. Robinson is the general agent for Ohio for Webster's New Interna- tional. Dictionary. C. G. McCann is one of the leading grocers. L. R. Waits is proprietor of the "Bank" barber shop. Dr. M. J. Jenkins has been in the town for thirty-three years and is identified with many of the city's activities. Doctor Jenkins served two terms in the Ohio Legislature, as representative from Madison county. Robinson & Baker, clothing, shoes and gents' furnishings, carry a full stock. Hudson & Jackson, two enterprising young women, who are conducting a millinery store, also carry a line of notions for women's wear and a complete line of wall paper. The Strickland-Corbin Company, grocers, have a complete line. Mr. Strickland is one of the active business men of the city and is identified with a number of organizations. I. B. Frederick does horseshoing and general .blacksmithing.

The town clock which was was placed on the Barto & Keiser building, located on the corner of Main and .Chillicothe streets, was donated to the town by Samuel Taylor. It was installed at a cost of eight hundred dollars and is a great addition to the town. Saturday, November 15, 1902, after the completion and installation of the clock, an ox roast was given and a general celebration was carried out to com- memorate the gift.

Kile or Kileville . postoffice, the only other town, or more properly, village, in Darby township, is located in the extreme northeast corner of the county, on the Toledo & Ohio Central railroad. It was platted on October 2, 1895, by James Kile. and is only a small "stop" on the above road. The business interests at present consist of a general store owned by Ralph Smith and an elevator operated by Fred Kile. C. S. Williams is the blacksmith and postmaster.

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LAFAYETTE

Lafayette, the only town, in Deer Creek township, is situated in the center. of the township, on the Columbus, London.& Springfield Electric railway, The branch line of this road, which runs through London, leaves the main line. at this place. At the time of the organization of Deer Creek township, there was no town or village within its limits, and there were but few roads of which the principal one was the old stage route, from Columbus to Springfield,: a horrible mud road, in which stage coaches and wagons often mired .hub deep, and had to be pried out with rails, which. often delayed them on their journey, besides severely trying the good nature of the passengers. . This mud road and stage route .. passed through the center of the township and through the Gwynne farm. In . 1816, Thomas Gwynne commenced laying off lots for a town on .the east side of Deer creek, one and one-half miles northwest of where Lafayette is now situated. This town . was : named Lawrenceville, but was always better known as "Lim- erick." In. the first two or three years of. the town's. existence the following families had settled there : . Isaac Jones; who came from Tennessee; James Criswell, who was the first blacksmith, a very: peculiar and eccentric character, who was succeeded by John Wiseman ;. Zacariah Jones, a brother of Isaac Jones, and also from Tennessee; Gilman Lincoln; Angus Ross, who, about 1816, erected a frame house and kept the first . and only tavern the town ever had; Jesse Abbey and. Henry Clay were also. early settlers. In one room of Isaac Jones' house,. Gwynne placed a small stock of groceries and such. other articles as the simple needs of the people of that day demanded .. But the prog- ress of the country was ever onward, and improvements were rapid. In 1836-37 the national road or turnpike was completed through Deer Creek townstrip, in consequence of which the stage route and all travel from Columbus to Springfield and the west was transferred from the old mud road to the national pike. In consequence of this new and substantial. road, there was a great increase in travel, and this missed "Limerick," which was thus thrown off the main thoroughfare. The town at once began to die, and Lawrenceville, or Limerick, has long since become extinct; the land embracing the town lots was purchased by Eli Gwynne and turned into a pasture field, and now not a vestige remains. to indicate that there was ever a town located there. Such are the constant changes of time.

In consequence of the construction of the national road, there was a great increase in travel, and on October 1, 1834, William Minter, who owned a large tract of land on which the town of. Lafayette is now situated, commenced to lay off lots for the town, which was named Lafayette, in honor of General Lafayette. The first house was a small frame house erected by Joseph Bell, and others were soon built. The great amount of travel made a demand for public entertainment, and Calvin Anderson opened up and conducted the first tavern. Soon a second tavern was in operation, kept by John McMul- len ; then a third, built by Stanley Watson and kept by a Mr. Coleman; and, finally, a fourth, kept. by Joseph Bell. These all did a good business, as stageload :after stage- load of passengers drove up. The first store was kept by William Warner. who later resided in . London. The second merchant was Alfred Russell; and the third, Stanley Watson. These were succeeded by Abraham Simpson and others. The first blacksmith was Jacob Snider, whose son was the first child born in the town, 'and in honor of which was named. Lafayette by Mrs. William Minter. Dr. Samuel McClintick was the first physician, and Doctor Anklin the second. These were succeeded by . Doctors Fields, Rogers, Beach, Hornback and others. The first postmaster was John Minter. In 1881 the. township: erected a large brick township house, two stories high-a hall above and the town house.below. This building is pleasantly located on the corner of the-main square, and speaks well for the public enterprise of the citizens of Deer Creek town- ship. The interurban line has a stop there, and this has aided the town materially.

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The population of the town at present numbers seventy-five. There are three good gen- eral merchandise stores operated by W. O. Huff, Bethard Brothers and Minter & Lan- nigan. George Dildine is the village blacksmith.

LILLY CHAPEL. .

In 1850 a Methodist church was erected on land owned by Wesley Lilly, in Fair- field township, and in consequence of this gift of a site to the church it was given the name of "Lilly Chapel." This church prospered and drew the early settlers from that part of the county, although the idea of making a settlement there was not then con- sidered. In 1871 and 1872 the Short-Line railroad, from Springfield to Columbus, appeared in prospect, and in the latter year Thomas Durflinger opened a store at Lilly Chapel in anticipation of the railroad. He also hoped for a station to be established if the road should actually go through that place. In 1873 the railroad was completed, and, sure enough, a station was established and called Lilly Chapel.

The town was platted on August 28, 1871, by Henry Gilroy and Henry Lilly and the town was named Gilroy. But as the station and locality had previously been desig- nated as Lilly Chapel, in consequence of the church erected there and bearing that name, and as, in 1873, Henry Lilly originated a petition for a postoffice under the name of Lilly Chapel, which was granted by the postoffice department on the establishing of a postal route over the railroad, the town has ever been known and recognized by the name of Lilly Chapel. The first postmaster, Thomas Horn, was succeeded by C. L. Bales, and he by George Leiter. Thomas Horn built the first house after the laying out of the town and engaged in the mercantile trade. He also was the first local agent of the railroad company. David Wright was the first blacksmith, he having opened a shop in a house erected by Henry Lilly. The first physician, Doctor Taggart, who located there in 1880, remained only a few months. In the spring of 1881, Doctor Schofield located there and was the neighborhood physician for many years.

Lilly Chapel began to grow and prosper, and, as its location was in an excellent farming district, it soon took on a very businesslike air. In 1885 it contained a popu- lation of two hundred inhabitants There were three general stores, one grocery, two blacksmith shops, employing four workmen, with a wagon and buggy shop combined. There were two steam sawmills, one of which had two engines and did a large busi- ness furnishing the material for the manufacture of wagons and buggies. The largest business of that day was carried on by two grain elevators, one of which was built by Pringle Brothers in the fall of 1877 and the other by the "Farmers' Association," the latter of which was managed by J. C. Byers & Company, and both of which did an extensive business. In 1876, prior to the erection of these elevators, four farmers, Henry Lilly, John Horn, Thomas Horn and Thomas Gorby, erected a corn-sheller and elevator for a neighborhood convenience, for shelling and shipping corn. This proved so successful and beneficial in its operations that it resulted in the building of the above mentioned elevators. These elevators received grain from a large scope of country and were a great convenience and source of profit to that section of the county. In 1878 a large tile factory run by steam power was erected, and immediately began doing a large business, at that time probably being one of the best in Madison county.

Lilly Chapel is the railroad center for that section of the county, and since it 18. located in the midst of a rich and productive country. it is an excellent shipping point for all kinds of farm products. The population of the town at present numbers three hundred and seventy people. It has an up-to-date bank, the Farmers Bank, a lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, two churches, German Lutheran and Methodist Episcopal, and a second-grade high school. Bonds to the amount of forty thousand dollars were voted in the spring of 1915 for the erection of a new high school building. to be completed for the school year of 1916-17 and to be one of the most modern and

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up-to-date school buildings in the county. M. C. Fitzgerald is the present postmaster and E. J. Belton, the railroad agent. The business interests of the town are repre- sented by two general stores, owned, respectively, by Brough Ritchey and F. O. Morris; M. C. Fitzgerald, hardware store; W. H. Horn, confectionery; Farrar & Wood, elevator, which does an extensive business; Samuel Horn, garage, and J. W. Story, blacksmith.

THE VILLAGE OF BIG PLAIN.

Big Plain is the second town in Fairfield township in point of size, but it is first in point of age. It is situated in the central part of the township and was laid out in the spring of 1849, by Thomas Chappel, Robert Thomas and William D. Pringle. This was about the time of the great excitement over the discovery of the rich gold mines in California, and in consequence it was given the name of California. The town was laid out in the midst of a very rich country, possessed of an excellent soil and the name seemed very appropriate and suggestive. Near this town were the large prairies known as the "Big Plains," and upon the establishment of the postoffice in this town, as there was an office elsewhere in the state called California, the department gave the town the name of Big Plain, the name soon being adopted for the town, in order to prevent confusion, and California was dropped.

Doctor Holmes erected the first house in the town. He was the first postmaster and also the first physician to locate in the town. Prior, however, to the laying out of the town, Doctor Davis, a practicing physician, had located about three miles northeast of California, and he was, perhaps, the first resident physician in the township, although it is said that he never had a very extensive practice. Peter Trout bullt the second house in the village. The first store was opened by James Parks and the first black- smith shop by William Riley.

Big Plain grew rapidly for a time, and there was quite an extensive business car- ried on there. It is located in the heart of a thriving community, and is surrounded by beautiful farms and a wealthy class of people. It is a town of two hundred popu- lation and does quite an extensive local business, regardless of the fact that there has been a great exodus of people from the smaller to the larger towns. There is a Meth- odist Episcopal church in the town; a Knights of Pythias lodge and the township house is located there. The business interests are taken care of by Charles Funk, Fremont Buffington, F. D. Edwards and Harley Carter.

KIOUSVILLE.

Klousville, in Fairfield township, is located at the south line of the township bor- dering on Pleasant township. This small village was originally known as Warnersville, receiving this name from the fact that the tract of land was owned by Mr. Warner. About 1867 David Lane, a huckster by occupation, opened a small store there, which in 1872, he sold to R. Watrous, who continued in business at that point until 1881. In January, 1881, Watrous sold out to J. S. Bowers. He carried on the business one year and then sold to William Watrous & Brother.

In the fall of 1874 a postoffice was established there and it was also called Warners- ville, with R. Watrous as postmaster. This office existed until 1879, when it was dis- continued, as it was not self-supporting. But in the spring of 1881 it was re-established under the name of Kiousville, with J. S. Bowers as postmaster. In January, 1882, William Watrous became postmaster. This postoffice later was abandoned and the territory thus served is now covered by a rural route, but the name of the town remains Kiousville. Jesse Bowers built the first house in the village and was also the first blacksmith. He was later succeeded by Lienry Bowers. This little village grew very slowly, and at present consists of a few houses, with a general store, managed by F. P. Daniels, and a blacksmith shop, owned by E. B. Mitchell.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 24

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207