History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 58

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 58

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Jacob Mueller, the father, still prints the Zeitung, and is the dean of all the publishers in Marietta today. Fle is a man of intelli- gence, with a conscience that looks toward the upright in all things. His paper bears the impress of carefulness in editing, it being looked upon as a first-class news bearer and mentor to the Germans of the county. It is well composed in good German, its editor hay- ing a good education in both German and Eng- lislı.

Jacob Mueller was born at Haschbach, Rhenish Bavaria, July 29, 1833, the son of Nicholas and Caroline ( Kreuz) Mueller. Mr. Mueller's parents were well-to-do, and after he had received a common school education at his native place, he was sent to the Latin School at Kusel, where he studied for four years and was graduated with honor, showing excellency

in all branches, particularly in modern lan- guages, in which he stood second.

In 1849 Mr. Mueller came to America by himself, arriving in New York. After spend- ing a few months in that city he went to Al- bany, where he accepted his first money-earn- ing position as an expert violinist in a theatre orchestra of that city. lle became a member of Captain Cooke's Band, one of the foremost musical organizations at that time in this conn- try. Mr. Mueller remained in Albany several months, going from that city to Cincinnati, where, besides following his taste for music, he obtained a position as book-keeper for a brew- ing company. Here he remained for a period of six years, when at the death of his wife, in 1 1866, he came to Marietta, where he has since resided. After coming to Marietta, Mr. Muel- ler engaged with his brother-in-law, F. C. Miller, in the cigar business, and so remained until 1868. March 1, 1869, he took hold of the Zeitung, and first appeared as its owner and editor.

Mr. Mueller is a member of American : Union Lodge No. 1, F. & AA. M .. and Gutten- burg Lodge, I. O. O. F. He is identified with no church as a member, though his wife is a member of the Congregational Church at Cor- nerville. Mr. Mueller never held office. except that of city teacher examiner for a few years. During his life he has exhibited a fondness and great talent for the violin and could play al- most any instrument. For many years he was conspicuous as an instructor, both here and in Cincinnati. While he made that city his home, he was connected with John Robinson's circus as leader of its orchestra, receiving the highest salary ever paid to its leaders up to that time. He was the organizer and leader of Mueller's Orchestra, the first pretentious musical organi- zation of this city, and the first to interpret music of a classical order.

Mr. Mueller was first married, in 1853, to Margaret Miller, of Cincinnati, to whom were born three children, Caroline ( Mrs. Jolin Lehn- hard, deceased 1894) ; Louis (deceased 1899) ;

406

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

and Louise E. ( Mrs. Charles Buck, still living, of Fernbank, a suburb of Cincinnati). The first wife died at Cincinnati in April, 1866, and her remains lie buried in Mound Cemetery, this city.

Mr. Mueller was again married, in 1869. to Elizabeth Buck, born December 27, 1849, eldest daughter of the late Col. William C. Buck, a distinguished soldier of the Civil War. By this union were born: Emma Philipena (Mrs. C. H. Smith) December 25, 1869; Ella Elizabeth, born February 1, 1871; Katharine Caroline, born October 15, 1872; Carl Hugo, born June 30, 1874; FFlorence Clara, born April 28, 1876; Frederick Jacob, born July 15, 1878; Stella Amelia, born March 16, 1880; Albert Leo, born May 29, 1882 ; Gertrude Edith, born October 21, 1884; William Junius, born De- cember 5, 1886; and Theodore, born April 10, 1890.

For a time prior to 1881 there was a rumbling heard in the ranks of the Republican party to the effect that it should have another newspaper-one which should share in the hon- ors of the community and the party ; and Feb- ruary 23, 1881, the movement became vital in the form of the Marietta Leader.

The Leader was first published in a little frame building where now stands the City Elec- tric building; and its editors and proprietors were Frank A. Crippen and Will S. Knox. These two gentlemen, with rather meager means, but many friends, at once installed the paper into the families of Washington County, making a particular hit with local news from country districts, and by giving great atten- tion to the doings of the townspeople. It was not long until a list of large proportions was the happy possession of the new paper. In 1883 Dr. J. F. Ullmann, of Lower Salem, bought into the firm, he buying Mr. Knox's interest. Later, in the year 1883, Crippen & Ullmann sold out to Hon. Theodore F. Davis. who was the owner until 1800, when the former ownership was changed to that of a stock company. During Mr. Davis's incumb- ency he held political offices of honor, being ap- pointed as a trustee of the Athens State IIos-

pital, and being elected to the State Senate from this district. Mr. Davis, who still resides in Marietta, is an ardent Republican, and a worker within the party whose counselings are always listened to with respect.

November 17, 1890, the stock of the Mari- etta Leader was purchased by George M. Cooke, a native of Marietta and a young man who had had several years' experience in the printing business, and who had been associ- ated with Mr. Davis and the Leader since March, 1885. Possessing a knowledge of the modus operandi of a newspaper, the plant was managed in such a way that every year saw it bring forth fruit.

In 1890 the Leader became a semi-weekly : in August, 1894, it was printed "every-other- day." and April 1, 1895, it made its appearance as a morning daily, since which time it has acceptably occupied the field as such.

August 1, 1900, Mr. Cooke sold his stock in the Leader to a syndicate of men, compris- ing C. C. Middleswart, John Kaiser, H. V. Speelman, John Crooks and T. J. Mercer. Since then, others have bought stock, and the personnel has changed to some extent. H. V. Speelman was editor and manager for sev- eral months, when he was succeeded by J. M. Williams, who still directs operations.

In 1901 the Leader was moved to its pres- ent location, across from the Court House, where most comfortably quartered is as fine a country newspaper office as graces the land. June 11, 1898, a linotype machine was in- stalled in the Leader office-the first in south- eastern Ohio.

J. M. Williams, the present manager of the Leader, was born near Gallipolis, August 14. 1869. the son of James Williams, who fol- lowed farming, and who died when the subject of our sketch was still a child. Mr. Will- iams's mother also died while he was of tender age. Mr. Williams received his education in the district schools of Gallia County, the time spent in gaining his education being very lim- ited. His first business experience was that of messenger boy for the Western Union Tele- graph Company, at a salary of $io a month.

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In less than a year, by his brightness and gen- eral ability young Williams was holding down a telegraph key at Hurricane, West Virginia. From there he went to Huntington, West Vir- ginia. as assistant to the train-dispatcher. From Huntington Mr. Williams went to Charleston, where he was engaged with the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway for a year, when he went with the Western Union Telegraph Company as assistant manager. He remained in this position three years, when he came to Marietta to become manager of the Western Union office in this city, a position which he held with ability, and to the satisfaction of both company and patrons until the fall of 1900.

In November, 1900, Mr. Williams assumed the entire management of the Daily Leader and has conducted its affairs with the same care and ability that distinguished his services in earlier work and other fields. Mr. Will- iams is identified with other concerns in Mari- etta, and devotes himself to the general good of the community. He is at present with the Pioneer Building & Loan Association as a di- rector ; also is a stockholder in the Ohio Valley Wagon Company. He is a holder of oil inter- ests in the American Oil Company, the Dual State Oil Company, the Delta Oil Company, and the Alta Oil Company. He is a stock- holder in the Union Investment Company. He is a member of Harmar Lodge No. 390. F. & A. M. and American Union Chapter, R. A. M. With his wife he is a member of the First Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mr. Williams was married September 22. 1896, to Miss Minnie R. MeMillin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Murray MeMillin. Mr. and Mrs. Williams have one son-Emerson Mari- on, born December 17, 1897. They have a beautiful home on Fairview Heights, built in 1897, where they reside.

agreement between employers and printers on the other daily newspapers of Marietta. In December, 1901, the printers declared a strike to be on, and according to agreement ceased work. The establishment is popularly financed in small holdings owned by members of the trades and labor organizations of Mari- etta. It has been a success from the start, finding general favor among the people who have a friendliness toward organized labor ; and its columns are well filled with advertise- ments of the substantial concerns of the city.

The original stockholders forming the in- corporation were S. E. Blair, Louis Sharp. M. L. Purkey, Joseph Jones, Harry Hill, A. E. Stewart and Frank Ackerman. This company took charge of affairs March 17, 1901. Since starting the company has become much scat- tered, but it is owned entirely by men who are members of labor societies.

The officers of the company are,-Arthur Metcalf, president ; O. P. Hyde, secretary and treasurer : S. E. Blair, general manager.

Mr. Blair, upon whom falls the details of management, was born in Pomeroy, Meigs County, August 29, 1868, the fourth child of Joel M. and Mary Sharp Blair. The subject of our sketch was educated in the public schools of Harmar (now West Marietta ). quitting at the close of the grammar school grades, under the late John D. Phillips. His first work as an earner of money was in the office of the Marietta Leader. This began January 17, 1886 ; and he was connected with the paper, as job printer, until August 1, 1909. March 17, 1901. Mr. Blair, with james I. Gold- smith, bought a job printing office of Messrs. Arbour and Brenan, and they conducted af- fairs until the inauguration of the incorporated company referred to above.

The College Ohio is published by the stu- dents of Marietta College, and appears monthly during the college year. Its editors are ap- pointed by the literary societies of the College, and it bears in its columns the news of college matters, local and general.

The youngest candidate for favors from the reading and advertising public is the Labor Journal, a paper which was established July 4, 1901, as a weekly newspaper, but which January 13, 1902, appeared as an evening Such is the life of the papers that now ex- daily. The daily was the outgrowth of a dis- | ist in Marietta. In Beverly there is a weekly

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

newspaper-Beverly Dispatch-published by HI. O. Goodrich, and established by Hon. John C. Preston, an attorney of that place. The paper meets with good patronage, and is an institution of the town in which it is located.

In New Matamoras is published the Mail, a weekly newspaper, owned and edited by Ed. B. Hutchinson, who gives it such impulse as the community justifies, and that is considera- ble for a place of its size. J. M. Miller, a young man of Little Hocking, prints the Buck- eye, a sheet which finds popularity in its neigh- borhood.

With the rise and fall of the journalistic tide in Washington County, there have been many barques to appear and disappear, and their voyages bore greater or less interest to the public, in the main a losing venture to the projectors and owners of the crafts. A list of them would appear like this :

The Commentator and Marietta Recorder. a Federalist newspaper, opposing the Gazette, and first issued September 16, 1807, by Dun- ham & Gardiner. In two years the paper was discontinued, dying for lack of patronage.

The Marietta and Washington County Pi- lot, the first Democratic paper in Washington County, and the institution which the Times of today may call its ancestor-although the chain was several times broken-was started April 7. 1826, with George Dunlevy and A. V. D. Joline publishers. At first the Pilot was neutral, but later it stood for the cause of Andrew Jackson. During this campaign a printer in the Friend office got at the forms of the Pilot and transposed its head to read "Li- pot." The Friend, in referring to the change, suggested that at last the opposition sheet had come out with its true heading, and compli- mented it on its display of candor. The Pilot lived until 1830, when in May it was discon- tinued.

John Brough, afterward Governor of Ohio, and his brother, Charles H. Brough, had both worked on the Pilot as printers and they bought the material of that defunct paper, with the result that on January 8, 1831, they issued the Western Republican and Marietta Adver-

tiser. The Broughs, with John as its editor, made a strong paper of the Republican, and they supported the Jackson administration. Later, in the split between Jackson and Cal- houn, the Republican supported the latter, and lost prestige to such an extent that it was com- pelled to suspend, and the plant was taken to Parkersburg. It had an existence of about two years. Later the Broughs started the Cincinnati Enquirer, one of the great news- paper gold mines today.

In 1834 John S. MeCracken started a Democratic newspaper to succeed the Repub- lican, and it lived only about eight weeks when a note was found in the office which read, "I'm off, as the fly said when it lit on the mustard pot."

In August, 1835, Charles B. Flood start- ed the Marietta Democrat, and he published the same until 1838, when the ownership was transferred to Jacob Baughey, who soon failed, and the property became Daniel Radenbaugh's. He issued the Washington County Democrat in April, 1840, but the paper only existed a short time. It was revived in 1844 by J. C. C. Carroll, and passed out of existence within a year.

Washington County had no Democratic paper until 1849, when Amos Layman, a young man just graduated from Marietta College, and reading law at the time, was prevailed upon to undertake the editorship of a new Democratic organ. This he did, and a new outfit was purchased, with which to print the Marietta Republican. This paper was an im- mediate success, and was conducted by Mr. Layman for over five years, when it was trans- ferred to A. W. McCormick, who later became a Republican, and who still lives in Cincinnati. The Republican lived until 1863, when it ceased to be, and there was no Democratic paper in Marietta until the establishment of the Times in 1864 by Walter C. Hood.

The Home Nows, a small quarto, was started January 1, 1859, by E. Winchester, but in 1862 it was purchased by Mr. Stimson, who merged it, with the Intelligencer, into the Register.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

The Marietta Collegiate Magasine, edited by students of Marietta College, was published for three years, beginning in June, 1854.

The Marietta Collegiate Quarterly was edited by students of the College and appeared for one year-1865.

About 1884 F. A. Crippen and his brother, John Crippen, started a daily evening news- paper, calling it the Daily News. It lived but a few weeks, when it was discontinued, and the proprietors satisfied themselves with print- ing a weekly which ran for a few months, when its publication was discontinued. The latter was called the Dollar Weekly News, and it was the first weekly to be issued at that price in this locality. The plant of the News was bought by Hon. Theodore F. Davis after the death of the News.

In the spring of 1894, John H. Snodgrass conceived the idea of starting a daily morning paper in Marietta. This conception took form in the Marietta Daily Dispatch. It found a field immediately, but in a few weeks the Regis- ter became a daily, and in less than a year the Leader also issued a daily, making an opposi- tion tide which the Dispatch could not stem. In June, 1895, the Daily Dispatch ceased to be, and its editor issued a few numbers of a semi- weekly, then quit, and the outfit was returned to the type foundry whence it came.

Along in the latter "nineties," Prof. J. L. Mills started a paper which was to appear weekly, and which he called the Iterator. Pro-

fessor Mills had an idea that he could print and circulate a paper without subscribers. Ile figured that his advertising would pay for issu- ing a paper weekly, so, printing 5,000 copies each week, he caused them to be passed around -attending to much of the circulating person- ally. This work Mr. Mills did for several months, when he concluded that the game was not worth the candle, and he discontinued the Iterator.

In 1899, Dr. John McBurney, of Cam- bridge, desired, on account of failing health, to dispose of a county educational paper called the Ohio Teacher, which he had published at his home for 19 years. It was purchased by Prof. Martin R. Andrews and Supt. H. G. Williams, and the office was moved to Mari- etta. At the time of this transfer the Ohio Teacher had a large subscription list from the counties near to Guernsey. The new owners immediately established agencies and pushed the paper to all parts of the State, at the same time changing from the newspaper to the mag- azine form and materially increasing its size. It now has a circulation of about 6,000 pretty well distributed over the State. In 1902, Superintendent Williams accepted a call to take charge of the new Normal School at Athens, Ohio. Professor Andrews therefore sold out his share in the Ohio Teacher and Superin- tendent Williams removed the office of publica- tion to his new home.

CHAPTER XVI.

BANKS AND BANKING.

We are indebted for the greater portion of the descriptive and statistical matter contained in this chapter to the Centennial number of the Marietta Register.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

The articles of association of the First Na- tional Bank bear the date November 14, 1863, and the signatures of Beman Gates, William F. Curtis, John Newton, J. B. Hovey, M. P. Wells, D. P. Bosworth and A. B. Battelle. These seven gentlemen were prominent Mari- etta business men, and between them held all of the original stock of the bank, and consti- tuted the first Board of Directors. On De- cember 4, 1863, the Comptroller of the Cur- rency, Hon. Hugh McCulloch, authorized the new institution to commence business. The "National Banking Act" had become a law on February 25th of the same year, and this bank was one of the first to organize under it. Its number is 142. Since that date nearly 6,000 national banks have been organized. Beman Gates was elected president, William F. Cur- tis, cashier, and Dr. H. B. Shipman, teller. The new bank opened its doors early in 1864 in a small room in a building then standing on the site of the Colonial Block. In January, 1865, the building at the corner of Front and Greene streets was purchased of D. C. Skin- ner, and after a complete remodeling was occu- pied in November. Here the bank remained

until May of the present year, when, the busi- ness having been transferred to temporary quarters in the Bellevue Hotel Block, the building was torn down to give place to the magnificent structure which has been erected on that corner, and which the bank hopes to occupy early in 1902.

The capital of the bank was increased from $50,000 to $100,000 in May, 1864, and to $150,000 in July, 1872. Here it has remained since. The surplus for many years after the last increase of capital stood at $30,000, but on November 1, 1900, it was increased to $150,000, and the undivided profits now amount to nearly $75,000 more. The policy of the present management is to build up a large surplus and undivided profit account, rather than to pay large dividends to its stock- holders. During the nearly 40 years of its existence, the First National Bank has been a tower of strength in this community, and during the more recent years has been recog- nized not only as the leading financal institu- tion in Southeastern Ohio, but as one of the strongest, most progressive, and at the same time, one of the most conservative banks in the entire Ohio Valley. Its business has grown immensely, until its individual deposits aver- age more than $1,000,000, and its volume of business aggregates about $60,000,000 per year. The following is a condensed statement of the condition of the bank at the close of business December 10, 1901 :

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

RESOURCES.

Loans and discount- .$1, 101.526 94

Overdrafts

3.006 57

U. S. bonds to secure circulation

150,000 00

U. S. bonds to secure U. S. deposits 50,000 00

Other bonds

41,545 00

Premium on bonds

17,500 00

Banking house and other real estate

61.800 00

Due from reserve agents and other banks

.$149.320 43

Cashı

105,470 03

5 per cent. redemption fund. 7.500 00

$262,290 46

$1,687.668 97

LIABILITIES.

Capital

$150,000 00

Surplus and undivided profits

221,704 74

Circulation

148,200 00

Individual deposits

$1.057.178 98

Bank deposits

60.585 25

U. S. deposits 50.000 00

$1, 167.764 23

$1,687.668 97

The officials of the bank have been connect- ed with it for many years. William W. Mills is the president, succeeding Beman Gates in June, 1887. Col. T. W. Moore has held the position of vice-president since January, 1895, succeeding M. P. Wells, who died in Septem- ber, 1894. Joseph S. Goebel is cashier, and George C. Best is assistant cashier. The lat- ter has been connected with the bank since 1869, while Mr. Goebel has served it contin- ually for nearly 29 years. The Board of di- rectors consists of the president, the vice-presi- dent and Charles Penrose, W. D. Devol and John Mills.

The other employees are as follows: Rob- ert N. Payne and John C. Otto, tellers; Ilarry M. Ilart and George M. Knox, individual book-keepers ; John L. Lehnhard, general book- keeper : Harry Wendelken, clerk: Fred M. Reed, messenger; Miss Laura Best, stenog- rapher.

The new building is a modern structure in every respect, and in its interior appointments will be superb and probably unexcelled by any like edifice in the Ohio Valley. The banking room proper is a very large, well-lighted room,

and when completed with marble floors, ma- hogany counters and furniture, will be beauti- ful. A massive chrome steel-lined vault for money and securities, with 221 safe deposit boxes for the use of customers, has been erect- ed by the Diebold Safe & Lock Company of Canton. The metal alone in this impregnable vault weighs 25 tons. Two other fire-proof vaults for books and storage purposes are on the banking floor, while on other floors fire- proof vaults have been constructed for the use of the River Gas Company, the Buckeye & Eureka Pipe Line Company, the Ohio River Bridge & Ferry Company, who are to occupy offices in the building.

In immediate connection with the banking office is a reception room for ladies, a custom- ers' room, president's room, directors' room, coupon rooms, and a multitude of conveniences to facilitate business and make it attractive.

The new home of the First National Bank will be in keeping with the solid, substantial character of the institution.

TIIE CITIZENS NATIONAL BANK

Opened December 9, 1889, in their build- ing, at No. 123 Putnam street, with $50,000 capital. Harlow Chapin, president; Theo- dore F. Davis, vice-president ; E. M. Booth, cashier. Mr. Chapin died in September, 1891, and was succeeded January. 1892, by A. T. Nye, president, and D. B. Torpy was elected vice-president. In February, 1893. the bank removed to the corner of Putnam and Second streets, the buildinig now occupied ; the cap- ital was increased to $100,000, June 1, 1895. Mr. Nye died in January, 1899, and E. M. Booth, the present president, was chosen, and Thomas M. Sheets was elected cashier and , Charles T. Booth, assistant cashier. Present officers and employees: E. M. Booth, presi- dent: D. B. Torpy, vice-president ; T. M. Sheets, cashier : C. L. Booth, assistant cashier ; C. A. Steadman, H. L. Limshall and C. E. Oesterle, bookkeepers: J. E. Brigham, mes- senger. Directors: D. B. Torpy. B. F. Strecker, Jacob Wittig, Frank Weber and E. MI Booth.

4t 2

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

RESOURCES.

Notes and bills $398,895 83

U. S. bonds

35,000 00

Banking house

18.000 00

Cash and due from banks

211,558 16

$063.453 99

LIABILITIES.

Capital stock

$100,000 00

Surplus and profits

39,885 38

Circulation

35,000 00

Deposits, individual

451,829 22

Deposits. bank

36,739 39

$663,453 99

THIE GERMAN NATIONAL BANK

Opened for business in Wittlig's jewelry store, August 1, 1899, and in the following November moved into their present quarters at No. 212 Front street. The present officers have been with the bank since it started. The bank has done a conservative general banking business and has accumulated a good surplus for the time it has been organized. The fol- lowing are the officers and directors :

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 58

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