History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 25

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 25

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GILLIVAN.

Gillivan is the only other town in Jefferson township beside the city of Jefferson (a history of the latter being presented elsewhere in this volume), although Glade Run is marked on the county map, but the latter is only a siding on the Pennsylvania railroad. This town was never platted and at present is nothing more than a cross- roads village. The business interests of the town are taken care of by J. Beers, gen- eral merchandise; McCoy Brothers, hardware, and Gladstone Holloway, blacksmith. There are only six dwellings in the village, but as the town lies in the northern part of Jefferson township, with the nearest town five miles distant, the trade of the hamlet is rather good.

RESACA.

There are two small villages within the limits of Monroe township, Resaca and Plumwood. The former of these is located in the northeastern corner of the township and the latter in the south central part, about a mile from the Deer Creek township line. Resaca was never platted and at present contains a population of some thirty per- sons. The business interests consist of two general stores, owned, respectively, by Roy Byerly and Pern Findley. Dr. J. M. Morse is the practicing physician of the village. Howard Lumbard runs a blacksmith shop and William Fenner, a poolroom. This little village is at the corner of four townships, namely, Canaan, Darby, Pike and Monroe, and the business interests of the town have a good country trade.

PLUM WOOD.

Plumwood was platted on December 23, 1895, by Charles F. Sanford. It first bore the name of Sanford in honor of the owner, but this was later changed to Plumwood. The business carried on by this town exceeds any in the northwestern part of the county. It has an estimated population of two hundred people. There are three gen- eral stores, owned, respectively, by S. A. Hillman, Dan Peterman and C. W. Peters, and all do a very nice business. Elsworth Grewell is the village blacksmith. Plum- wood is a great center for threshing outfits, and the following have their headquarters there: James Stockwell, three steam outfits; Ed Stockwell, one, and Fred Glass, two steam outfits and a gasoline tractor. There are also three hay balers working out of Plumwood. Carl Reed operates a gasoline baler and James Dooley and Frank Reed each has a horse-power outfit.

THE HAMLET OF CHRISMAN.

Oak Run township has only one village within its limits. This hamlet is known as Chrisman. It was never platted and at present consists of only a few houses. A Meth- odist Episcopal church is located at that point and is attended by the people of the sur- rounding country. There are no business interests at present.

WALNUT BUN.

Paint township contains but two small towns within its limits. In 1849 the land where Walnut Run now stands was owned by Ephraim Freshour, and in that year he laid off some lots for a town and donated one lot for school purposes. Although the platting was done at a much earlier date, it was recorded on June 17, 1837. The town was first called Newport, and the postoffice always bore the name of Walnut Run. James Coberly erected the first house, in which he lived until his death. The second was built by Elias Forbes as a dwelling for himself. The first blacksmith was James Jewell, who was succeeded by Henry Roland. About 1851-52, John Coberly built a steam saw-mill in the town, with the old-style of upright saw, which, after several years' operation, was supplanted by a circular saw. Elias Forbes was the first wagon-

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maker. The first store was opened by Napoleon Moore, who erected a building and put in a general stock of goods in 1854. The postoffice was established in 1856-57, with James Gossard as postmaster. The village at present contains about one hundred inhabitants.

Florence, the other town in Paint township, is situated on the Pennsylvania rail- road and is the only station on that road west of London in Madison county. . It was never platted and at present consists of only a few houses, an elevator, a general store and the Pennsylvania railroad station and freight depot.

ROBEDALL

There is.but one town, or, more properly, village, in Pike township. Darius Burn- ham surveyed and laid off the first lots for the town. He had the town duly platted, which was recorded at the recorder's office in London on May 18, 1836, under the name of Liverpool. But the business interests of the town began at an earlier period, 1831-32, when one Captain Andrews, of Chillicothe, located on the Worthington road, just west of John Weaver's place, where he purchased about one thousand three hun- dred acres of land. Weaver was quite wealthy, and soon after locating there he erected a building, purchased a stock of goods, and opened up a store, which was the first ever conducted in the township. His place he named "Rosedale Farm," taking the name, presumably, from the postoffice, he having obtained the establishment of an office at his place about 1832, under the name of Rosedale postoffice, he being the first postmaster of the newly created office. Upon the death of Captain Andrews, he was succeeded by A. Simpkins, who was succeeded by Fox & Snodgrass, with Mr. Fox as postmaster.

There were two small log houses on the ground when the town was laid out, after which Mr. Burnham erected the first frame house, a part of which was used for a dwelling and the other part finished up for a storeroom. John and David Snyder put in the first stock of goods in this newly-erected building and continued business a few years, after which they moved away. The next store opened there was by Foster Griffin, who commenced trade by putting in a small stock of goods and running a moderate trade; his leading business, to which he gave most of his attention, was deal- ing in cheese. Finally, Henry Burnham entered into a partnership with Griffin, but this connection existed only a short time, Burnham withdrawing, and L. D. Mann entered into partnership with Griffin, but in a short time Mann withdrew, after which Griffin continued in business alone for several years. About 1837-38 Griffin became postmaster, the office being moved from the country, where it was first established, to Liverpool, but it retained its original name of Rosedale, and remained permanently located in the town until it was abandoned and covered by a rural route. The name of the town has since remained Rosedale. The first blacksmith to locate in the town was a Mr. Creamer. The first physician was Doctor Curl; the next, Dr. Jeremiah Converse; then another, Doctor Converse. Later, Dr. William Adams began the practice of medicine there, and he was followed by Dr. J. C. Kalb and Doctor Carter. The first shoemaker was Edsel Carr. The first saddle and harness shop was a branch of the plant of MeGruder & Reed, of Mechanicsburg, Ohio.

Rosedale is situated in the northwestern part of the county, about the center of Pike township. Although it has been handicapped by the lack of a railroad, still it is a very thriving little business center for the country people of that vicinity. At present the business interests of the town consist of the general store of E. M. Mccullough & Sons and the blacksmith shop of John and Joseph Roseberry. It has a population of dxty people. The centralized township high school for Pike township is also located there, a first-grade high school, with seven teachers. The present school building was

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erected in 1905 at a cost of twelve thousand dollars, and is modern and up-to-date in every respect. Seven wagons are used to carry the children to and from the school, and the present enrollment is one hundred and serenty.

MT. STERLING ..

Pleasant . township . contains but .. one town and. two villages . within its limits. . Mt. Sterling is. situated in the southeastern part of the township and also of Madison county. John J. Smith came to this county from near Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, and .pur- chased quite a large tract of land in Pleasant township, -embracing the ground upon which Mt. Sterling now stands. After over twenty years of, pioneer work, there was no town or village in the township, and Smith, about 1828, surveyed and laid off some lots for a town. The same was platted. and duly recorded at .London on June 26, 1829, under the name of Mt. Sterling, after Smith's favorite town, Mt. Sterling, in his native state. The first house. erected was a small frame house built by . Jacob Alkire, . and just opposite. to it, on Columbus street, Alkire erected the second house. ... The first tavern was built and conducted by Andrew .J. Mure, who was succeeded. by ... Benjamin Leach, and he by Robert Abernathy. Soon after, a second hotel was built and con- ducted by John Peterson, located where Levi Southward's livery barn later stood. Mr. Mure also opened the first store .. Wilson & Graham were the first to keep a general stock of merchandise. William D. Wood and Wesley Howard were two early merchants. The first carpenter was James Baker, who was quite an early settler and became some- what prominent in the early. progress of the place. Stephen. S. Beale, the first shoe- maker of the town, was a native of Virginia, and settled there about 1834; he followed the shoemaking trade for fifteen years, after which he entered upon farming and became wealthy, owning as much as one thousand acres of land. William Atkins and Otho Will- iams were the first blacksmiths. The first physician was Dr. J. Gregory; the next, Doctor Leeds, after whom came Dr. D. E. McMillan, who located there in 1837. . The postoffice was established about 1840, with Rowland Wilson as the first postmaster. .

The town was incorporated on March 12, 1845, and the first election held on August 15, 1845, the following being elected to the first. offices in the town: Lewis Timmons, mayor; Smiley Hughes, clerk; N. R. Stanford, marshal; John Merrill, Dr. Samuel McClintick,. C. W. Cozens, R. W. Evans and Dr. William McClintick, councilmen. The present officers are: J. N. Waldo, mayor; George W. Tanner, clerk; O. J. Ray, treas- urer; Dr. E. W. Elder, Laban Fulton, Glenn. Johnson, J. N. Waldo and Homer C. Wilson, councilmen.

THE TOWN'S BUSINESS INTERESTS.

. Mt .. Sterling has a population of - about one' thousand . two hundred: " The country for many miles around is fertile and produces immense crops, and the farmers are prosperous and up to date. The Baltimore & Ohio railroad' from Columbus to' Cin- cinnati runs through the town and makes it a good shipping point. A great amount of live stock and grain is shipped from the place every year and the two great grain elevators do a big business. Mt. Sterling has a fine high school, and also a splendid grade school, with a large enrollment. The churches are well attended. The town is lighted by .electricity and has waterworks, an opera house, a fine public library, halls and other public buildings. One of the oldest corn festivals or corn shows held in the state is given there annually in January. , Another event of great interest is the chau- tauqua, , which is held annually. Mt. Sterling has a baseball team that it is proud of, the team being composed of a splendid set of ball players.

,. Mt .. Sterling has a. live set of merchants.and business and professional men, who 1 take a great interest in the progress and welfare of their town. The arm of Clock & Boyd handles a full line of dry goods, carpeta, curtains, boots, shoes, clothing, hats,

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caps and household goods. T. R. Dille has a large hardware store and carries a general line of everything in the hardware line. Gilbert S. Carpenter, gents' furnishing goods, has a fine store and carries a full line of goods. A. J. Tannehill, druggist, has a mod- ern store and does a flourishing business. H. Clay Johnson & Company, dealers in all kinds of footwear, carry a full line. W. O. Mendenhall, grocer, enjoys a big trade. George A. Boice sells dry goods, notions and groceries. G. D. O'Day handles cameras and supplies, fishing tackle, baseball goods, bicycles and sundries, and a general line of sporting goods. F. H. Hott is the proprietor of the bakery. W. E. Waldo deals in buggies, harness and harness supplies. Mies Olive E. Silverthorne conducts a millinery establishment. The Citizens National Bank, with a capital of about a quarter of a mil- lion, has considerably over a half million dollars in resources. H. J. Taylor is the cashier. Bowman & Reynolds, furniture dealers, also conduct an undertaking estab- lishment. The Hotel Richard serves the needs of the traveling public. Ed. Nett, the proprietor of a garage, also has a machine shop. Jones & Jones, grain merchants, have a. large elevator and also sell four, lime, coal, cement, fencing, etc. Dr. G. M. McDon- ald, a well-known dentist, is the manager of the Rockley Airedale kennels, breeders and importers of these high-class terriers. J. €. Parkinson, meat market, does his own butchering. The Mt. Sterling Lumber Company does an extensive business. The Car- ter Fence Company ships goods all over the country. The First National Bank is among the "Roll of Honor" banks. Mrs. D. N. Erskine carries a full line of millinery. W. L. Hastings, watchmaker and jeweler, also handles men's shoes. W. E. Erskine conducts a general garage and is the agent for cars - Schryver & Neff conduct an insur- ance, bonding, real-estate and loan business. J. O'Brien, merchant tailor, also has a cleaning and pressing establishment. The Gerlach harness store handles all kinds of horse, goods. Ed R. Johnson conducts a plumbing shop and does general work in that line. E. T. Snyder, who conducts a furniture store, is also an embalmer and under- taker. The Park restaurant is conducted by Mrs. Mattie Runyan, who conducts a con- fectionery and ice cream parlor in connection. The Sterling Grain Company are dealers in grain, coal, cement, hay, straw, feed, salt, posts, wire fence, sewer pipe, drain tile, implements, high-grade fertilizers, buggies, wagons, etc. Blessing's Smoke House is a barber shop, cigar store and poolroom combined. G. W. Thomas is the proprietor of the B. and O. livery barn. The Security Building and Loan Company is steadily increas- ing its business. Wilby Cowan, proprietor of a dry-cleaning and pressing establishment, has a shoe-shining parlor and laundry agency. S. E. McDilda does all kinds of uphol- stering. The Mt. Sterling Monument Company has a fine display room. W. C. Dyer, a dealer in agricultural implements of all kinds, is a specialist on such subjects as fer- tilizer requirements, balanced rations for stock, soil requirements and other farm ques- tions

Antioch and Mckendree are two small villages in Pleasant township. These ham- lets have no business or professional interests, and only a few houses to mark their location.

BEDALIA ..

As Range township became thickly settled and the people advanced in the various improvements, from which spring, as an outgrowth, all towns and villages, so there have sprung into existence three villages. Sedalia is the largest of these villages, with Range, or Danville, and Chenoweth following in order.

"Midway," long since known as Sedalia, was the first to come into existence as a town. At quite an early date a road was opened through from east to west, passing through Range township and subsequently becoming a general thoroughfare, over which droves of cattle .passed from the west to the eastern markets. Travel and traffic kept increasing, and hotels and stores for their accommodation were soon in demand to meet

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these increasing wants. On this great thoroughfare from east to west, in Range town- ship, was a central point, which was half way between Chicago and Philadelphia. It is also a middle point between several of the towns of closer proximity. Hence, from these circumstances of its position, geographically considered, it was given the name of "Midway."

The land upon which the town is located was owned by William .Morris, Frank Thompson and Lockhart Biggs. The exact date of the laying off of the first lots can- not be definitely stated, but the records at London reveal that it was surveyed and laid off in lots, and that the town was platted and laid off by Holt, Morris and Blue, under record of June 13, 1833. Also, January 18, 1838, was recorded Ward's addi- tion; again, on October 30, 1868, an addition by J. Q. Minshall; on January 6, 1869, an addition by Cyrus Timmons; on May 8, 1876, an extension by the council, and on Feb- ruary 15, 1879, an addition by Levi Counts. It appears that there were two small cabins built there before the town was laid out-one on the corner where later the hotel stood, built by William Oliver. After the laying out of the town, the first house was built by Isaac Newman, and was occupied by John Blue as a hotel. He was suc- ceeded by Joseph Wilmuth, and he by W. T. Garrard. This house then ceased to be used longer for hotel purposes, but two others were erected, probably at nearly the same date, one by Richard Smith, who was succeeded by James Williamson, and he by Mr. Jackson; then Thomas Green, Elihu Watkins, and last by David Small, after which the property went into ownership as a private residence. The other hotel was erected by L. D. Rowe, and was kept by John McElhaney, who was succeeded by the following persons, in the order, respectively, as their names appear : Mrs. Elizabeth Watkins, James Blizzard, A. J. Thacker, Isaac Byers, A. Miller, Caroline Morris, Charles Bailey, A. Miller, Carty Ellers, W. C. Wheaton, John Timmons, Benson Hedley, E. C. Duff and Isaac N. Fisher. Thus this enterprise has been carried on by different parties, and in an early day, when this great thoroughfare was doing its greatest business with stock dealers, and its varied travel and traffic, the hotel trade was a very profitable business. There was the meeting place of the Eastern stock buyers and the Western stock sellers, and there they left hundreds of dollars with the landlords of the hotels for their accom- modations. But when the railroads passed through the county, and stock ceased to be driven in the old slow and tedious way, and was transported by steam from the West to the East, then this road, with its numerous hotels, lost its prestige and the attention of the people was turned to other channels of business.

SPLENDID NATURAL ADVANTAGES.

The first postmaster in Midway was James Williamson. The first store was opened by William Holt, who kept a general stock of merchandise, tinware, etc. The first blacksmith was a Mr. Boss. Doctor Clark was the first practicing physician of the town, and he was followed by Doctors Lemon, Garrard, Darling, Atkinson, Fields, Seaton and others. When the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad was built the town took on a new life and has since continued to hold its place among the towns of Madison county. The name of the town was later changed to Sedalia and it has since continued to be known by that name. It is located in a splendid farming community and has many advantages. It has a large grain elevator and warehouse, owned by Vent & Riddle. Sedalia is well supplied with good schools and churches, has a high school, a group of the Madison county Young Men's Christian Association and a good, live class of mer- chants and business men.

The department store owned by C. C. Hewitt carries pretty much everything that is needed in that community. The Sedalia Auto Company handles automobiles and acces- sories, and does painting and general blacksmithing. M. C. Price & Son, dealers in

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groceries, also carry a full line of candies and cigars. The Farmers Bank of Sedalia has a good surplus and is a solid institution. George Dorn is the cashier. J. R. Jones is proprietor of a cement-block factory located in the old Dick Williams shop. Alfred Moore conducts an ice-cream parlor and confectionery store. H. L. Steele is proprietor of a general store and operates a barber shop. The Sedalia House is conducted by Sherman West, who also has a livery and feed barn in connection. Sedalia has a population of three hundred and fifty people, and the present (1915) mayor is J. N. Ford.

DANVILLE.

The land where Danville now stands was formerly owned by Daniel and Joseph Counts, the latter owning the northeast corner between the cross-roads, and the former owning the northwest corner, and all south of the federal road. About 1827-28, a stock dealer, Daniel Brown, who, had been buying stock and driving to the Eastern markets, proposed to open a store at the cross-roads. Daniel Counts gave him a piece of land to erect a house upon, and assisted in putting up the building, a hewed-log house. When the building was completed, Brown put in a small stock of goods and continued in trade there about three years. He was succeeded by Joseph Counts, a brother of Peter Counts, who. continued in trade two or three years, at the end of which time he removed to Ross county. Finally, Daniel Counts gave several lots to individuals for the purpose of erecting houses, and the result was the beginning of a town. From the fact that both the proprietors of the town, Brown and Counts, were named Daniel, the new town received the cognomen of Danville. About 1836-37 a build- ing was erected by the McClimans Brothers for a hotel, .. which was kept by Andrew Willoughby, who was succeeded by John Justis. Danville enjoyed a similar trade and prosperity to that of Midway from the stock dealers, and the trade and traffic of those early days. The first blacksmith in the town was James Counts, a brother of Peter Counts. The first shoemaker was William Mitchell, a one-legged man, a Frenchman by birth, who served during the War of 1812 with Perry on the lakes, was taken prisoner and subsequently .was released and settled in Danville. The town was duly laid out and the plat recorded at London on October 18, 1848, by Daniel Counts. This town has had no natural advantage to further its growth and has not been accommodated with a railroad, hence its growth has not been rapid. The present business interests of the town consist of a general store, owned by J. M. Pampsey, and a blacksmith shop, oper- ated by David Weaver.

Chenoweth is the third town in Range township. It was never platted and con- siste of only a cluster of houses. The business interests of the town are a grocery store, owned by. Truitt & Truitt, and a blacksmith shop owned by Frank Fast.

BOUTH BOLON.

South Solon, the only town within the limits of Stokes township, is located on the Dayton, Toledo & Ironton railroad and is in the west central part of the township. It was laid out and platted on December 23, 1831, by J. K. Hudson and Andrew Doug- las. The latter built the first house and was the first blacksmith in the village. John Noland opened the first store, and was. the pioneer in the mercantile trade. Doctor Simmerman, a root and herb doctor, and possessed of some Indian blood in his veins, was the first practicing physician, and was quite skillful in treating diseases under his system. The town grew slowly for many years, as it had no railroad or other stimulus to promote its growth or to create business. The entire township was without a rail- road for many years after its organization, and. all grain, stock and farm products were hauled to some. distant market or for shipment. As a result of this, when the farmers were at these foreign markets they made their purchases of dry goods and groceries for home consumption; hence there was little inducement for men of means

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or business ability to locate or invest at South Solon. Things were at a standstill until 1878, in which year the Springfield Southern railroad, since known as the Day- ton, Toledo & Ironton railroad, was built and passed through the village, connecting it with Springfield and the coal fields of southeastern Ohio. This opened a way for shipping the products of the country and made, as it were, a- home market for all classes of goods. John Hudson erected a warehouse and grain elevator, after which the farmers hauled their grain there and shipped their ^tock from the home market. This created quite a business. Men were in demand, and this created a demand for houses. Merchants found an opening for the profitable investment of their capital. From this time the town has experienced a steady growth. The railroad, which at first was a narrow-gauge line, was, in 1880, transformed to a standard-gauge road and is doing quite a live and thriving business. South Solon at present has a population of about five hundred. One of the finest centralized school buildings in the state, recently completed there at a cost of over twenty thousand dollars, has eight departments and along with domestic science and manual training it has first-year work 'in high school. South Solon is a pretty place, having wide streets, cement sidewalks, some beautiful residences and a number of good churches. The Titus Elevator Company located there handles an immense amount of grain every year." R. C. Brant, who has a general merchandise store, has been there for many years. The Farmers & Traders Banking Company does a large business and is one of the best-equipped banks in the county. L. C. Titus is an auctioneer and a general dealer in grain, wool and all sorts of farm implements, real estate, etc. The South Solon Hardware Company, of which H. C. Whitaker and F. W. Knowles are the proprietors, handles general hardware supplies. Smith Jenks & Son are butchers and conduct a meat market. The Park Hotel provides for the needs of the weary traveler. John W. Black conducts an ice cream parlor, lunch counter and confectionery store. Charles Lower, who conducts a barber shop, has been in business for twenty years. J. R. Stronp, mayor and justice of the peace, 18 the editor of the South Solon News. Mayor Stroup is an old newspaper man. W. P. Bainter has a general repair shop. Clemens' restaurant is one of the popular eating places. There are also a number of other business enterprises, including two good livery barns and one or two garages.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 25

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

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