History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 40

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 40

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The road operates ILI miles of track. con- necting at Valley Junction with the Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railroad.

On January 1. 1900. it passed into the

hands of the Pennsylvama Railroad Company, to which system it now belongs.

Ohio L'alley Railroad .- The first love of Marietta in the railroad building line was the Ohio Valley, or rather the Marietta & Cincin- nati & Bellaire Railroad. For this enterprise this city voted $100,000 in 1852. A large part of the road between here and Bellaire was grad- ed and large sums spent on stone work along the line. Then came the pinch for money to complete the road and only the Cincinnati and Marietta division was completed.

The enterprise lay dormant until some time in the "seventies," when a new company was formed to build the road, and it might be said in passing that a company was also formed to build a road from Marietta to Zanesville on the east side of the Muskingum. Gen. Rufus R. Dawes was at the head of this enterprise. Both of these companies relied on the counties, towns and villages along the lines of the re- spective roads to vote money to help build same. This the various municipalities along both rivers had done and the contracts were about to be let for the construction of them when the law under which the votes were taken was declared unconstitutional and both enter- prises fell through. That decision was in the nature of a calamity to Marietta.

Then a few years later General Warner got control of the right of way held by the old M. & C. Railroad which cost $10,000. the money as supposed. having been furnished by the Pennsylvania Company to purchase the same. Then a campaign was inaugurated to raise money by private subscription and to secure donations of the remaining rights of way. An accurate survey was made and all the plans. profiles and grade papers, etc., necessary to let contracts for construction, were prepared. This was in the year 1883.

Marietta had no Board of Trade then and everything was left to one man, General War- ner, who did all the negotiating with the Penn- sylvania Company, and the people were as- sured that the road would be built. Railroad ties were bought and distributed along the line,

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

and so far as any outsider could tell, the road was an assured fact, and we were congratulat- ing ourselves that our hopes were at last to be realized, but suddenly the whole enterprise was dropped, the ties were shipped to the Pennsyl- vania, which road is always needing railroad ties, the plans and specifications were folded up. General Warner went to Congress and all the hopes, enterprise and efforts of the citizens of Marietta went for naught and the enterprise was laid away with this epitaph: "Requiescat in Pace."

The Ohio River Railroad on the opposite side of the Ohio was built about the time the Ohio Valley was abandoned ; whether that had anything to do with the abandonment of the enterprise is not definitely known. There can hardly be any competition between two rail- roads on opposite sides of such a gulf as the Ohio. Impassable except at the ferries, which are few and far between, a railroad on this side of the Ohio would not only hold every pass- enger, but every pound of freight, absolutely as though no such road as the Ohio River Rail- road ever existed. Not only that, but a road along a great river like the Ohio between such cities as Bellaire and Marietta, with the pros- perous communities lying between, would pay from the word go. There is no more promis- ing opening for the investment of money than in building this road.

NAVIGATION OF DUCK FREFK.

"At the last session of the Ohio Legislature. an art was passed incorporating the "Duck; Creek Navigation Company," authorizing said company to improve the navigation of said Creek by slack-water: in pursuance thereof a meeting of the Commissioners appointed 1y said act was held in Salem Township, on the 4th day of May, 1837, to take into considera- tion the expediency of opening hooks to receive subscriptions to the stock of said Company, a majority of said Commissioners being pres- ent, a meeting was organized by calling Harry Hill to the chair, and appointing Joel Tuttle. Secretary. The following resolution was then

offered and unanimously adopted by the meet- ing :

Resolved. That we deem it expedient that books shall be opened, agreeably to the act entitled, "an act to incorporate the Duck Creek Navigation Con- pany" for subscriptions to the stock of said company, at Marietta, Fearing. Salem and Aurelius, in the Coun- ty of Washington, and State of Ohio.

"On motion it was moved that six of said Commissioners be appointed to open the books to receive subscriptions to the stock of said Company, at such time and place as they may (leem expedient. Whereupon, the following persons were appointed for that purpose viz : William W. McIntosh, Selden N. Merriam, James Dutton, James M. Amlin, Harry Hill. Silas Hobby.

HARRY HILL, Chairman. "JOEL TUTTLE, Secretary.

NOTICE

Is hereby given that one hundred shares have been sub- scribed to the stock of the "Duck Creek Navigation Company," agreeably to the requisition of the 4th section of the act of the Ohio Legislature incorporating said Company, and that a meeting of the stockholders will be held at the school house in Salem township. near the house of Rufus Payne on the 3d day of June. 1837. at 6 o'clock A. M., for the purpose of electing five directors, to manage the concerns of said company. By order of the Commissioners.

May 6. 1837.

JOEL TITILE, Secretary.

COUNTY COURT HOUSE.

The first court was held at the residence of Col. Ebenezer Battelle and subsequently in tie Northwest Block-house. Sometime before the close of the 18th century a Court House was erected at a cost of about $1,000. . \ movement to that effect is mentioned in the records of 1,92, but we cannot find that the appropriation was made until 1708, and the building was erected the next year. The upper story was used for courts and the lower for jailor's resi- dence, with a strong log jail attached. \ new Court House was finished in 1823. 48 by 48. two stories. The north addition was erected in 1854 and the front 24 by 48 was put up in 1876. A petition signed by 19 citizens asked that the old part be located near the center of

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the lot : the commissioners granted the petition. which is still preserved with the original sig- natures. The present Jail was built in 1848.

The movement for the erection of the hand- some Court House, a view of which appears as the frontispiece of this work, was led by the Marietta Board of Trade in 1808, and a vigorous canvass brought a majority of the votes to favor the retirement of the old Court House and the County Commissioners began to provide for the expense. The contract for the new structure was awarded, August. 1900. to W. H. Ellis and HI. C. Kennedy, doing bus- iness as W. H. Ellis & Company, Cincinnati Contractors, who have ha:l large experience in the erection of public buildings and are a thor- oughly reliable firm. Their bid was for $147 .- 000; allowances for extras doubtless brought the cost to exceed $150,000. Washington County now has the most superb structure in Southeastern Ohio. The architects are Sam- uel Hannaford & Sons, of Cincinnati, and the work is under supervision of W. L. Hadley. Henry Strecker and D. R. Shaw, County Com- missioners. The building is faced all around with Bedford stone and required over two mil- lions of bricks in its walls. It has a frontage of 114 feet on Putnam and 141 feet along Sec- ond street. The comb of the roof is 68 feet high, top of the tower 158 feet above the ground and the building makes an elegant home for the courts and county offices. It will be made fireproof and the third floor will be a su )- stantial steel jail.

OLD ESTABLISHED BUSINESS HOUSES.

Some of the more important commercial activities which have done their part toward making Marietti known in the business life of the west should not be omitted in the record of this half century of the city's life. Promin- ent among these stable industries is the 1. 1. Nye & Son Company. Anselm Tupper Nye was born November 9. 179;, in the Campus Martius, and spent most of his life in further- ing interests connected with this city. . 1 foundry was started near the old Fort Har- mar site about 1829 and its projectors sold out to .A. T. Nye, Sr .. in 1830, who associated with

himself his brother, Ichabod H. Nye, and a nephew. Rotheus Maynard, as A. T. Nye & Company. In 1854. the junior partners retired and A. T. Nye. Jr., born December 17, 1832, became associated with his father, the firm name changing to A. T. Nye & Son, the latter being the active partner from thence until his death, January 9. 1800. For many years he was president of the Citizens National Bank, and otherwise largely interested in the city's progress. Succeeding the death of .A. T. Nye, Jr., the A. T. Nye & Son Company was incor- porated by his sons, G. L. Nye becoming presi- dent. H. B. Nye, treasurer : and A. T. Nye ( 30), business manager, all natives of Mariet- ta and grandsons of the founder of the busi- ness.

In 1866 the plant was removed to its pres- ent site on the Point where it occupies an acre of ground, bounded by Muskingum. Post and Monroe streets. The buildings comprise a large foundry. pattern shop, storerooms, offices, etc., and the specialties produced are the cele- brated Leader stoves and steel ranges with all kinds of stove hollow -ware. By prompt meth- ods, honorable dealings, and the intrinsic value of its products this firm commands an exten- sive trade. Employment is given to an aver- age of 30 skilled men, making a pay-roll of about $3,000 per month. Through the depres- sions within the past 70 years, this plant has never ceased to give employment to its men and annualh forward about the usual amount of goods to its customers. It has continued under a direct line of family descent since 1830, its fin mial integrity is unquestioned and the A. I Nie & son Company will de uht- las regen in the future is in the past, in the if ar of Maretta's manufacturing success.

Tlc Marietta Manufacturing Company DE- commenced in 1856 by W. F. Robertson & Company and has been operated as & foundry ever since under various firm names, It took its present title in 18go and a year later was incorporated with a capital stock of $75,000. The present officers are Alla Winsor, presi- dent and secretary : J. 11. McConnell, superin- tendent; W. S. Dve. treasurer. The works cover about an acre of ground, fronting on

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

Fort and Putnam streets and extending back to Franklin street. This is a complete foun- dry with pattern and machine shops and has made a single casting which weighed Io tons. The president is a native of the county and looks after the wholesale trade: the superin- tendent is a native Mariettian, for 30 years a machinist, while the treasurer was also born in this county and has resided in the city for IO years past. The trade of the Marietta Man- ufacturing Company extends well over Ohio and adjacent states, the product being stoves and ranges, iron and brass castings, plows and repairs. In the well-furnished machine de- partment a specialty is made of compound and condensing engines, pumps, etc., for the steam- boat trade. Fifty to 60 inen are employed and this solid industry is an important factor in Marietta's growth and continued prosperity.

The boiler plant of Henry Strecker has been in operation since 1867, when it was es- tablislied by George Strecker. He was suc- ceeded in 1898 by Henry Strecker, the present owner, one of the present County Commis- sioneis. The works are located on Fort street. above Lancaster, and occupy almost an acre of land. When in full operation about 12 men are employed. Marine boilers are a specialty, many of the large Ohio River boats having been fitted out here.

There is no question but what the Marietta Chair Company is entitled to first place among the industrial concerns of this city, from the magnitude of its operations and probably in point of age. The chair business which was started here in 1820 was succeeded by the pres- ent organization in 1856. It is the leader in Marietta industries. Although its employees are all union men, the liberality with which they have been treated and the frankness with which they have been consulted has always met their approval and the firm has a record of "no strikes."

Jolın Mills, president and treasurer, is a son of Col. John Mills, the family having been among Marietta's most enterprising citizens. J. H. Grafton, secretary and general manager, quires.

has been identified with the company for 32 years, and is now the vice-president of the Na- tional Chair Association and president of the Central & Southern States Association. Mr. Grafton's efforts in the upbuilding of Marietta are well known. The "Marietta Chair Com- pany, through its catalogues, has done much to advertise the fame of this city abroad and its magnitude of operations has been a great fac- tor in the continued prosperity of the place; in short, the institution has been conducted on the broad-gauge principles, of which any city might well be proud. A large sawmill here is run by the chair company.

Thomas Cisler & Son, brick manufactur- ers, located on East Putnam street, are the pioneer brick works of Marietta. Established in 1858. the business has been continued on the same site ever since. The works are equipped for turning out about 25.000 building and pay- ing bricks per day. The material from which the bricks are made is a superior quality of shale, gas is used for fuel and the bricks are burned in both up and down-draft kilns. The premises comprise about 25 acres and upon a sightly knoll near the works Mr. Cisler has erected a commodious structure in which the office of the firm is located. This industry is an illustration of Marietta's feasibility for man- nfacturing and a credit to its owners.

G. M. Knox & Son. Ship-building began in Marietta in 1800, continuing brisk until stopped by President Jefferson's "Embargo Act" in 1808. The first brig, Ho tons, was named the "St. Clair" and was built for Charles Greene & Company by Stephen Devol. In 1832 ship-building was again revived by Cap- tain William Knox. He turned out about 35 boats, which were among the finest built in their time. In 1865 G. M. Knox purchased an interest in the business, and in 1887 H. D. Knox was taken into partnership. The boat- vard is situated two squares below the mouth of the Muskingum River. It gives employ- ment to from 30 to 50 lands as occasion re-

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MARIETTA POST OFFICE.

Prior to 1794, Marietta's.only communica- tion with the East was by private messengers. In the spring of that year a route was estab- lished between Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and an office opened here with R. J. Meigs. Jr .. as first postmaster. The post came by this place every two weeks. In 1798 the first route was established between Marietta and Zanes- ville, the trip requiring from two to four days. Four years later a route was made to Cincin- nati via Athens. In 1825 the service had vast- ly improved, but weekly mail was yet consid- ered upto-date. The postmasters here for 20 years past have been S. L. Grosvenor, ap- pointed 1882: E. S. Nye, 1886: E. R. Alder- man, 1890: Henry Roeser, 1804: and M. M. Rose. 1898. Mr. Rose was chairman of the Republican County Committee prior to his ap- pointment and favorably known in Marietta. About a ton of mail now passes through this office each day. The employes are : . A. D. Mc- Coy, assistant postmaster, with seven clerks, eight city carriers, and four rural carriers. The system of free rural delivery is being rap- idly extended over the county. Last year the earnings of this office were a little more than $31.000. and if the present rate of increase continues until 1904. it will have reached the $40,000 limit, which would place it among the offices of the First Class. The Post Office now occupies commodious quarters in the new St. Clair Building on Putnam street, almost di- rectly opposite the new Court House.

CITY HALL.

The need of a City Hall appears to have been felt for several years before any definite measures were resorted to for supplying the deficiency. The City Council decided in 1871 to erect a substantial brick building of a suffi- cient size to accommodate the city offices and the Fire Department, and afford a place of meeting for their body and their successors in office. The contract was awarded to W. W. McCoy, he being the lowest bidder, unon Sep- tember 15th, and preparations were immedi-

ately begun for the work. It had been the in- tention of the Council to build upon the com- mons. now commonly called the Park, at the corner of Front and Putnam streets, but there was objection made to this location. An appeal to the court resulted in an injunction restrain- ing the Council from building on the common, and thereupon the present site of the City Hall was purchased of M. P. Wells, Esq. Work had been begun here when the City Council, finding that there was much interest manifest- ed in the matter, and a very general desire that the building should be much larger than had been contemplated, called a special election for the purpose of securing an accurate expres- sion of public opinion. The ballot- were pre- pared so as to read, "City Hall. ves, " and "City Hall. no." The vote was very nearly unani- mous for building a City Hall, and it being understood that the majority were in favor of a building which would answer all possible re- quirements and be an ornament to the town. the plans and specifications were changed, and a new contract made with Mr. McCoy. The building committee consisted of Michael H. Needham, George S. Jones, and Dudley S. Nve. They examined several city halls in neighboring towns and reported plans which were adopted October 3. 18;1. Work was im- mediately begun and the building was finished and ready for occupancy by the first of February. 1873. The building cost about $70,000, nearly all of which amount was ex- pended in Marietta. The Hall was formally opened February 4th, with a presentation by amateurs (all Mariettians ) of Bulwer's drama, "The Lady of Lions." A congratulatory ad- dress to the people upon the completion of the building was delivered by Gen. Rufus R. Dawes before the curtain was raised. Two other entertainments were given upon the even- ings of February 6th and 7th. The proceeds of the three, which amounted to about. $1.000. was invested in scenery, which was presented to the city. In 1804 the building was re- modeled at a cost of $17.000, making a com- modious and complete opera house, which seats an audience of 1,500 and bring- a steady reve- mne to the municipality.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

MARIETTA TOWNSHIP IN 1833.

( From the American Friend.)

The township of Marietta is eight miles long on the Ohio River, and from two to six miles in breadth. It returns about 11.720 acres for taxation, and contains about 2,000 inhabi- tants. The town, as has been before stated, is situated at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio, and extends along each bank. Hav- ing hertofore alluded at large to its general features, we proceed more into detail, and state, as far as is in our power, the statistics of Marietta.

The public buildings are the Court House. Jail, Market House, Bank Building, Library Hall, Female Academy, Collegiate Institute. and four houses of public worship.

The Court House is a large and handsome building, square in front. twee stories high. capped by a handsonte cupola. The upper story contains a spacious and convenient court room, with two jury rooms, the ascent to which is by a neat flight of stone steps. Below, two transverse halls divide off four fireproof of- fices, used by the auditor, recorder, clerk, and sheriff.

The Jail is in the building formerly occu- pied as a Court House. Its occupants are never numerous.

The Market House is a small but neat building in "Second." on "Ohio" street. It is in general fully supplied with every variety which the season affords.

The Bank of Marietta is a large building, two stories in height, with an ornamental front, which is copied from the United States Branch bank in the city of New York. The banking room directors' room, guard room, and vault occupy the ma- jor part of the basement, while the remainder, with the whole upper story, is finished off neatly as a dwelling house. The banking institution is one of the best in the State, affording to farmers great accommoda- tion and its stockholders a liberal dividend. Its discounts for the year 1832 amounted in the aggregate to the sum of $325.489.

There are three houses of public worship in Marietta.

The Congregational, which is the largest, is perhaps one of the first built in Ohio. It was planned by and erected under the super- vision of Gen. Rufus Putnam. It is two stories high and furnished with a wide gallery ex- tending around the sides and front. The front of the building presents a large gable flanked by two towers, which contain the staircases to the galleries, and a large clear-sounding bell, a present from: the old Masonic Society in this place. The officiating clergyman is Rev. Mr. Bingham.

The Methodist Church is a neat one-story building on Second street, perfectly plain in its appearance, and embowered in a cluster of beautiful trees. It accommodates a very large congregation and is usually filled to overflow- ing. The present officiating clergymen are Rev. Mr. Poe and Dr. Roe.

The New Methodist Church is a handsome edifice, erected on Point Harmar, within a few months past. Its size is 50 by 30 feet. The front is ornamented by lancet-pointed win- dows, and presents an exceedingly neat ap- pearance.

The Episcopal Church is now being built on a commanding situation, in Scammel street, corner of Fourth street, on the rise of ground ascending to "the plain." It is to be finished in the Grecian Doric order-the front being a vestibule of 10 feet projection, adorned by four massive fluted columns supporting a rich and heavy pediment. The size of it is 60 feet by 40. The building is of brick, which is to be stuccoed in imitation of marble, and the ascent to it will be a handsome flight of steps the whole width of the building. The clergyman officiating is Rev. Mr. Wheat.

This much for our public buildings. They are indeed ornamental to the town. The rural beauty of Marietta has often induced the ob- servation that "but little business is done here ; the houses are too clean." In answer we sub- mit facts, premising them by one remark, that Marietta is extended over a large space ( there being no less than 1.075 lots in the town) and the coal smoke which arises from our fur-

MARIETTA FROM HARMAR HILL.

MARIETTA IN 1830.

FROM A PAINTING BY CHARLES SULLIVAN: COPIED BY PERMISSION OF PRESIDENT W. W. MILLS, OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MARIT TTA.)

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naces and mills, instead of overhanging the town in one dense black cloud, is driven off by the gentle breezes induced by the current of the rivers. Again, the business of Marietta is not done, as in other towns, by a continued rolling of carts, wagons and carriages alone. Our thoroughfares are the swift Muskingum and the broad Ohio, and where, in other towns, is only heard the incessant rumbling of wheels. in Marietta these sounds are responsive to the echo of the boatman's horn, or the steamboat bell. But to particulars. During the past months of the present year, no less than 40 flatboats have left town filled with produce, and manufactures. Keel-boats constantly ar- rive and depart laden ; while steamboats contri- bute in by no means the least degree to the farther exports and imports of Marietta. The more extensive branches of business pursued here we name as follows :

The steamboat yard. owned by Messrs. Whitney and Stone, at which an extensive business is done in the construction of boats. We insert the names and tonnage of the boats built here, with pleasure, and if, perchance, it meets a traveler's eye, he may recollect their speed, their strength and beauty.

Steamboat "Rufus Putnam." 70 tons, built for J. Greene; built by C. Barstow. 1822.

Steamboat "Mechanic." So tons, for a company : 1.11 It 1823.

Steamboat "Red River." 150 tons, for Captain Kim- ble of New Orleans: by Whitney & Stone. 1821.

Steambopt "Marietta." 150 tons, Whitney & Stone. woners; built 1824.

Steamboat "Coosa." ISo tons, for J Hagan, Now Orlen : by Whitney & Stime. 1825.

Steamboat "Warrior," 120 tons, for B. Harner; by Whitn y & Store. 1825.

Steamboat "Muskingum," 360 tons, for J. Rie: by J. Hatch, 1825.

Steamboat "Oregon." 225 tons for Whitney & Stone: by Whitney & Stone. 1820.

Steamboat "Cherokee," 182 tons, for J. Jones; by W. & S. 1826. Steamboat "Erie," 10 tons, for Edgeby : by N. Drown. 1826. Steamboat "Isabella," 180 tone for D. Green : by W. & S .. 1827. Steamboat "Atlantic." 420 ton. W. Beach; by W. & S .. 1829. Steamboat "Herald." 80 tons, for J. Clark. by W. & S .. 1820. Steamboat "Java." So tons, Fear'rg & Company, in 18.30.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 40

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490