History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 10

Author: Scranton, S. S
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786

USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 10

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Mr. Riley's life was a long, eventful one and his name will be found iden- tified with the foundation of towns, the survey of lands, public documents, official rosters and legislative and executive duties. He was one of the pro- prietors of the towns of Van Wert, Paulding and Celina-all now seats of justice-and was also associated with Horatio Curtis, Samuel Rice and W. Willshire Riley, his brother, in founding the towns of Antwerp in Paulding County. Throughout these pages the local matter will exhibit his name, showing his activity and enterprise in multiform directions and capacities. To those records the reader is referred for the public services, as exemplified by the public spirit of this ever active man, for greater justice will be done him to allow his public services to appear in connection with the enterprises and offices with which he was identified than if his life acts were compressed in one page of biography. To him the citizens of Mercer County are deeply and continually indebted, and his name will ever be found among the records of the territory as one of the leading, influential spirits who knew how to enter the wilderness and carve out villages which should serve as nuclei for growing, enterprising communities. His remains lie in North Grove Ceme- tery, at Celina. A monument marks the spot of burial, and bears the follow- ing inscription :-

In Heaven Rest. Sacred to the Memory of our Father, JAMES WATSON RILEY. DIED January I, 1870, AGED 65 years, 10 months and II days. There never lived a better husband, a kinder father, a truer friend.

RESIDENTS OF CELINA FOR 50 YEARS OR MORE.

We are indebted to P. A. Ellis, of Celina, for the following list of peo- ple who were residents of Celina in June, 1853, and are now (January, 1907) living here: Mrs. F. C. Le Blond, Mrs. Joseph N. Hetzler, Mrs. Ann E. Snyder, Mrs. William Dickman, Sr., Mrs. Henrietta Juneman, Calvin E. Riley, Mr. and Mrs. James W. Riley, Michael Feldheiser, Sarah Hole, Susan Fanger, Sophia Crockett, Judge Stephen A. Armstrong, Mr. and Mrs. Mar- tin V. B. Greek, Mrs. Elizabeth Hole, Seymour Craig, Mrs. Christian Fan- ger, Susan P. Mack, P. A. Ellis, Kate Estry, Mahala Nungester, Mrs. Mary

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Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McDonald, Philo Le Blond, Broad Trenary, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Pohlman and Mrs. D. H. Richardson.

David Overly will have been a resident of Celina for 50 years in March, 1907. John W. DeFord came here in 1858 and in another year will have lived here half a century.

INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE AND ROSTER OF VILLAGE OFFICIALS.

Celina was incorporated as a village June 2, 1860. The following have served as mayors : Dr. Joseph N. Hetzler, 1861 ; Noah Bretz, 1862; Alfred LeBlond, 1864; Joseph May, 1866; S. S. Snyder, 1868; Hiram Murlin, 1870; J. M. Davidson, 1872; R. G. Blake, 1874; J. W. Riley, 1876; Joseph May, 1878; S. S. Snyder, 1882; Joseph May, 1883; Charles C. Gable, 1892; Eli Bryson, 1894; Joseph S. Metzner, 1898; Edward Landfair, 1900; Franklin S. Collins, 1903; Edward Landfair, 1904; and C. G. O. Miller, 1905.

T. G. Tou Velle was village clerk in 1863. He was succeeded by Philo Le Blond, 1864; Keepers Alberry, 1867; T. G. Tou Velle, 1868; Jonathan Shepherd, 1872; Charles C. Gable, 1878; A. E. Murlin, 1882, serving to September, 1883; H. F. Juneman, appointed September, 1883; Charles C. Gable, 1884; Charles A. Kloeb, 1886 (resigned February 8, 1887) ; Charles C. Gable, 1887 (appointed vice Kloeb and afterwards elected to succeed him- self; Joseph S. Metzner, 1892; August Behringer, 1896; Ralph G. Le Blond, 1900; August Behringer, appointed . February 13, 1901, vice Le Blond; Charles R. Bohrer, 1901 ; Frank Kreusch, 1903; and John M. Winter, 1905.

The village treasurers since 1882 have been: Charles Fanger, H. F. Juneman, J. F. Timmonds, A. B. Grothjan, William J. Maehlman and George Kistler, who has been treasurer since 1903.

Since 1872 the following have served as village marshal : George Tou Velle, George H. Houser, John G. Blake, George H. Houser, John Woods, John Younger, Thomas Houser and Jacob Weber, the present incumbent.

Since 1882 the following have been solicitors of the village: Archelaus D. Marsh, H. B. Landfair, Byron M. Clen Dening, John L. Loree, R. L. Mattingly, C. G. O. Miller, Henry A. Miller and James D. Johnson, the pres- ent incumbent.

The first Town Council consisted of four members, elected from the village at large, namely : Adam Baker, John Luck, John M. Pohlman and S. S. Snyder. Later it consisted of five members and still later was com- posed of six members-an arrangement that continued for a long while prior to 1892, when the town was divided into four wards and one councilman from each ward and two at large made up the Council. In June, 1895, an ordin- ance was passed, changing the representation from each ward from one to

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two councilmen. When the new code was adopted in 1902, the Town Coun- cil became a legislative body of six members, elected at large. The first Town Council under the new code, elected in 1902 for a term of three years and re-elected in 1905 for another three-years' term, consisted of Henry Lennartz, R. R. Wyckoff, William Cron, Michael Linn, Val. Fortman and Dr. G. J. C. Wintermute. The following have served in the Council from the incor- poration of the village: Adam Baker, John Luck, John M. Pohlman, S. S. Snyder, W. E. Baker, Alexander Wyckoff, George WV. Raudebaugh, James H. Day, R. W. Small, E. U. Shepherd, Noah Bretz, J. W. Crockett, H. F. Juneman, Jacob Winter, S. F. Deford, Hiram Murlin, A. P. J. Snyder, A. Fanger, Christopher Schunck, R. G. Blake, M. Winter, Gideon Le Blond,

STREET VIEW IN CELINA IN 1890 From Howe's "Historical Collections of Ohio."

David Murray, Peter Schunck, J. K. Brandon, S. B. Shipley, William Dick- man, Adam Schunck, L. D. Tou Velle, Henry L. Johnson, Abner Davis, Keepers Alberry, Casper Smith, John Blake, H. H. Klare, Michael Feld- heiser, C. H. Hitchens, John Milligan, Conrad Hierholzer, J. Hierholzer, Charles Fanger, L. Jones, H. H. Pulskamp, Fred Stedcke, D. J. Roop, Ed- ward Landfair, J. F. Timmonds,. John Hoppel, Jacob Kreusch, William Cron, Fred Stelzer, J. G. Blake, D. Guy, D. Rush, V. N. Estry, P. A. Ellis, A. Purtcher, Val. Fortman, Michael Linn, Byron M. Clen Dening, Fred J. Laudahn, William J. Maehlman, George Winter, H. J. McKirnan, Eli Bryson, A. B. Grothjan, Daniel Pifer, A. Zender, S. P. McGriff, George Ayers, George Eichler, J. M. Winter, Ed. Snyder, W. H. Lemm, John Hein, C. M. Clark, Philip Beiersdorfer, Jacob Gerlach, J. A. Roemer, J. L. Mor- row, John Leifeld, Bert. Corwin, A. B. Newcomb, J. A. Hoagland, John J.

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Schellic, George H. Houser, Theophilus P. Taylor, Ed. Wuest, Frank V. Short, W. F. McDaniel, M. V. B. Greek, Abraham Burris, J. M. Howick, R. R. Wyckoff, G. J. C. Wintermute and Henry Lennartz.

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF CELIA.

Mayor-C. G. O. Miller.

Clerk-John M. Winter; deputy clerk, Nora Bryan.

Treasurer-George Kistler.

Marshal-Jacob Weber.

Solicitor-James D. Johnson.

Council-Dr. G. J. C. Wintermute (president ), R, R. Wyckoff, Henry Lennartz, Val. Fortman, William Cron and M. Linn.

Board of Public Affairs-M. J. Hemmert (president ), John E. Ham- burger (secretary) and James D. Johnson; clerk of the board, George A. Petrie. Jacob Gerlach and S. S. Scranton will take the places of Messrs. Hamburger and Johnson in 1907.

Board of Health-Dr. Joseph Sager (president), Joseph Depweg ( sec- retary ), Dr. D. H. Richardson, C. A. Wyckoff and Dr. L. D. Brumm.

Board of Education-Frank V. Short (president), W. W. Shock (sec- retary), John W. Loree, Samuel J. Vining and William Pumphrey.

Board of Trustees, Free Public Library-Mrs. Elizabeth S. McKim (president), John M. Schlosser (secretary and treasurer), Patrick E. Ken- ney, W. E. Tou Velle, and Elizabeth Cook; librarian, Myrtle Crockett.

Board of Trustees, Law Library-Thomas J. Godfrey* (president ), C. S. Younger (secretary), James H. Day, R. L. Mattingly and W. E. Tou Velle; treasurer, J. M. Schlosser ; librarian, Frank V. Short.

FIRE DEPARTMENT. i

Henry Weisman is chief of the Celina Fire Department, at a salary of $50 per month; he was appointed to this position October 15, 1906, and has served in the department since 1904. Val. Freeman is driver of the team and is a paid employee of the department at $45 per month. The equipment con- sists of a team, wagon, hose and ladders. The department does not have a steam engine as a sufficient pressure is maintained in the water mains.

POSTMASTERS OF CELINA.

The names of those who have served as postmasters of Celina from the time the postoffice was established to the present time are as follows: Samuel

*Deceased.

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Ruckman, Levi Dibble, William McMurray, John J. Rickley, James Bell, Thomas Williamson, A. LeBlond, J. Broadwell, A. J. Linzee, William Dick- man, Jacob Hight, Charles McKee, P. Guffey, John Dickman, John W. McKee, W. E. Tou Velle, Jacob Kreusch, C. A. Wyckoff and C. A. McKim, the present incumbent.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS.

Until 1884, when it was destroyed by fire, the Court House that pre- ceded the present one was used as a Town Hall. In 1890 the present hand- some Town Hall, or "City Building" as it is usually called, was constructed at a cost of about $20,000, the contractors being Kreusch & Fanger, resi- dents of Celina. The structure is a large, commodious building, constructed of brick with red sandstone trimmings. A considerable portion of the building is given up to the City Opera House, a nicely decorated assembly room with a seating capacity of about 500. A large council chamber, mayor's office, township office, city bastile, water works and electric light plant offices, and quarters for the Celina Fire Department take up the remaining space in the structure. At the time it was erected, Joseph May was mayor; Charles C. Gable, clerk; H. F. Juneman, treasurer; while B. M. Clen Dening, William J. Maehlman, Fred J. W. Laudahn, George W. Winter, D. Pifer and C. Schlosser constituted the Town Council.

In 1895 the present water-works building in the north end of town was erected and plant installed at a total cost of $50,000, under the supervision of J. P. LeBlond, John Milligan and C. D. Hierholzer, who constituted the first Board of Water Works Trustees elected. The water supply is obtained from drilled wells.

In 1900 in connection with the water-works plant and in the same build- ing an electric light plant was installed at a cost of nearly $50,000. Both the water and electric light plants are owned and operated by the city under the immediate control of the Board of Public Affairs, on which board the following named gentlemen have served: J. P. LeBlond, John Milligan, C. D. Hierholzer, D. Pifer, L. D. Brumm, M. J. Hemmert, Jacob Gerlach, S. S. Scranton, John E. Hamberger and James D. Johnson.

Celina Free Public Library .*- To the Shakespere Club the credit is given for establishing a library here. One evening in the spring of 1897, the club invited those whom they thought would take kindly to the library move-

*For much of the information respecting the early history of the Celina Frce Public Library appearing in this article, we are indebted to the Celina Daily Standard.

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ment to meet them at the Calvin E. Riley home. There papers were read and a general discussion of the suggested work followed. The same season the club conducted a lecture course, from which the surplus funds were to be expended for books. While the course was a success, the surplus funds were not extensive and so a book "shower" was given at Riley's Hall. The books. obtained that night, together with a donation from E. M. Ashley, of Denver,. Colorado, formed the nucleus of Celina's first permanent library. Miss Grace. Riley, now Mrs. Griffith, Miss Cora Snyder and J. T. Kenney carried the books to the Town Hall and then and there the library assumed shape and form in the township trustees' room. Miss Riley and Miss Snyder had charge- the first afternoon it was opened. The library was maintained through the efforts of the Shakespere Club from that time until the new Public Library was opened. Among those who have made important donations of books: to the library may be mentioned the following: W. L. Blocher, of Dayton,. Ohio, W. F. McDaniel, of Washington, D. C., and W. S. Lipps, former resi- dents of Celina; and Mrs. Olivia Paul, Ford Lewis and Dr. Joseph Sager, of Celina. Aside from these books, the major portion of the volumes that now stand upon the shelves of the new library have been bought by the Shakespere Club.

The History Club of Celina, which had always been in sympathy with a free public library and which had aided in supporting the one started by the Shakespere Club, brought forward the idea that Celina ought to have a library building, so the members of this club started in to secure a building for the stock of books that their younger sisters were gathering together in such goodly numbers. After hard work the sum of $500 was raised by various entertainments given by the club. About this time the Shakespere and His- tory clubs held a joint conference to discuss the subject of a library building, which was caused in a large degree by the report that the village authorities needed the space occupied by the library in the Town Hall. The Shakespere Club reported that they also had a surplus of $500 to be devoted to the project. As the $1,000 of the two clubs was not a large enough amount to buy even a site for a library, it was decided to ask Andrew Carnegie for assistance. , He promised to donate a sufficient amount to build and furnish a building, provided a site was assured and a guarantee made that the library would be maintained by the town authorities. There was considerable trouble in se- curing an eligible site, but finally there came a chance to secure the property on the corner of Main and Fulton streets, where the building now stands, for the sum of $2,200. In order to secure this site meant the raising by the ladies of $1,200 more and they at once started upon their quest for subscriptions. The Altrurian Club entered into the movement at this time and assisted in raising the money. John W. De Ford, S. A. Bowman, W. E. Tou Velle and 6

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other citizens of Celina began to interest themselves in the movement, as the enthusiasm and faith of the members of the clubs rose. The Board of Edu- cation, through whom the funds for the maintenance of a public library are obtained under the Harris library law of Ohio, agreed to make the needed levy. At last the site was bought, the levy was assured and the Town Council guaranteed that the library would be maintained.

On January 1, 1904, Andrew Carnegie's secretary, James Bartram, re- sponded to the appeal of Samuel J. Vining, acting as clerk of the Board of Education, for a library donation by writing that the sum of $10,000 had been set aside for the Celina library fund. The work of erecting the building was intrusted to a board of trustees elected by the Board of Education and made up as follows: W. E. Tou Velle, S. A. Bowman, Patrick E. Kenney, J. M. Schlosser, Mrs. Elizabeth S. McKim (president of the History Club), Elizabeth Cook (president of the Shakespere Club) and Mrs. J. F. Dysert, succeeded by Mrs. W. C. Stubbs (president of the Altrurian Club). Andrew DeCurtin designed the building and John Tennent was the contractor. The new building and its furnishings represent a total cost of $12,000, Mr. Carnegie having generously added $2,000 to his original gift of $10,000. It is a model structure with all modern conveniences, built of Bedford stone with tile roof. The annual levy made by the Board of Education maintains the library and the citizens have access to the books without any charge. It was formally opened on Tuesday evening, January 1, 1907. The work of cataloguing the books and getting them in order was performed by Miss Myrtle Crockett, Celina's first librarian, under the supervision of Miss Alice Smith, of Van Wert.

In 1902 Fayette street was paved with brick and the following year Livingston street was paved, after which Walnut and East, Market streets were improved in like manner. Main street, upon which most of the business of the town is done, was paved in 1905. All these streets were paved with a hard-burned brick except East Market, which was paved with asphalt block. In 1906 the contract was let for the paving of West Market street. With this street paved, all the principal streets of Celina, so far as business is con- cerned, will be paved. No nicer or better thoroughfares can be found in a town of its size anywhere in the country.

MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS.

Celina has a limited number of manufacturing establishments, chief among which is that of The Mersman Bros., Brandts Company, manufactur- ers of both medium and high-grade extension dining tables, who give em-

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS 109

ployment the year round to 125 men in the factory and 10 traveling sales- men on the road. Shipments are made to nearly every State in the Union and to Canada, the annual business amounting to over $200,000. The busi- ness was established in 1900 by J. B. Mersman, who at that time manufac- tured beds and parlor tables. At a later date the manufacture of dining tables was added and this has been the specialty of the company ever since. Before many months will have passed, the company will have the largest table fac- tory in the United States. In 1901 J. B. Mersman sold the business to his sons, Edward H. and Walter J. Mersman, and Henry Lennartz, who con- ducted the business under the firm name of Lennartz & Mersman Brothers. In 1904 Edmund Brandts purchased one-half of Mr. Lennartz's interests, but the firm name was continued until May, 1906, when the Mersman brothers and Mr. Brandts purchased the remainder of Mr. Lennartz's interest, the firm becoming Mersman Brothers & Brandts. In September, 1906, the busi- ness was incorporated as The Mersman Bros., Brandts Company, under the laws of Ohio with a paid-up capital stock of $150,000 and the following offi- cers : Edward H. Mersman, president and manager ; Walter J. Mersman, vice- president and superintendent ; and Edmund Brandts, secretary and treasurer. The board of directors consists of five members and includes the officers above mentioned, together with Albert Mersman and Hugo Brandts.

Buggies, surries, stanhopes and bikes are manufactured by William Cron, who has been in business at Celina for many years and has built up a lucrative trade. His is the largest carriage factory in Mercer County. A large force of men is employed in building carriages and also in general blacksmithing.

A. B. Grothjan conducts an extensive business in general blacksmithing, in connection with the building of carriages, buggies and all kinds of vehicles.

John Leifeld has also built up a large trade in the manufacture of car- riages, buggies, surries and all kinds of vehicles, in connection with general blacksmithing.

The wood-working factory of the Ames Bending Company was brought here from Indiana some five years ago. The company enjoys a nice busi- ness and gives employment to quite a force of men. The plant has a capacity of two car-loads per day.

The Crampton Canning Company recently established a factory here for the canning of tomatoes, peas, sweet corn and other vegetables, for which this locality is justly noted. Employment is given to a large force in the canning season.

Estry & Stephenson operate a planing-mill and lumber business, which has been established for over 30 years. In 1880 Timmonds & Estry came into possession of the plant. In 1892 Edgar E. Stephenson purchased Tim-

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monds' interest and the firm became Estry & Stephenson as at present. The business includes dealing in lumber and planing supplies and all kinds of building materials.

BANKS.

The town has three banks, which furnish all the capital that the town requires for the ordinary purposes of carrying on its trade. All are recog- nized as safe depositaries for the money and valuables of its customers. Each and every one of them are looked upon as being honestly conducted by safe and reliable men.

The Citizens' Banking Company, the oldest of the banks, was organized on May 1, 1873, as the Citizens' Bank of Celina. In 1897 it was incorporated as the Citizens' Banking Company. The bank is capitalized at $50,000, has a surplus fund of $10,000, and has over $500,000 on deposit. John W. De- Ford was cashier from the organization of the bank for 25 years, when he became president, which position he now holds. Henry Lennartz is cashier.

The Commercial Bank Company is the successor of the Celina Building & Loan Association, the first building and loan association organized here, on February 2, 1870. Two years later, Thomas J. Godfrey, with Dr. D. Milligan and his son, bought the entire stock of the association, surrendered its charter and proceeded to organize a banking house, which came into being in February, 1874, as Milligan, Godfrey & Company. This was later suc- ceeded by Godfrey & Milligan, which firm continued until 1888, when Calvin E. Riley became a partner. The business was incorporated in 1893 and on January 1, 1901, it was merged into the Commercial Bank Company. This financial institution is capitalized at $50,000 and has a surplus fund of $10,000. Calvin E. Riley is president and J. B. Pulskamp, cashier.

The First National Bank began business January 1, 1901, and is the first and only national bank in the town or county. The deposits of this bank on September 4, 1906, were $639,419.42. The bank is capitalized at $50,000 and has a surplus fund of $17,500. James H. Day is president and C. H. Howick, cashier.

NEWSPAPERS.

The first newspaper was established in Celina, August 4, 1848, and bore on the first page, "J. S. Millard, Printer, L. G. Smith, Publisher." In 1850 the paper passed into the hands of W. L. Blocher and S. S. Snyder and was published by this firm under the name of The Western Standard until 1854. A. P. J. Snyder came to Celina in 1851 and worked in the office as composi- tor until 1854, when he bought Judge Blocher's interest in the paper. The partnership lasted until 1865, when the paper was sold to D. J. Callen. In

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1866 A. P. J. Snyder again took the office and became sole owner of the newspaper that has attained long life under the name of the Mercer County Standard.

In 1895 and 1896 the Standard was a twice-a-week publication. It then resumed the weekly form.

After Mr. Snyder's death in 1901, the publication of the Standard was continued under the management of his son, F. A. Snyder.

In December, 1905, the publication of the Daily Standard was begun in connection with the Weekly and this marked a new era in local newspaper enterprise.

The Standard points with pride to the fact that it is one of the oldest newspaper plants in Northwestern Ohio and that its long career has been devoted exclusively to the upbuilding of Celina and Mercer County.

The Western Democrat, now the Mercer County Observer, was estab- lished in September, 1874, by J. B. Perwessel & Company, D. J. Callen being the editor, who was succeeded by J. G. Loughridge.

J. E. Blizzard purchased and took possession April 27, 1876, and changed the name to the Mercer County Observer. L. S. Jameson & Com- pany, in August, 1880, purchased the establishment. They sold it in 1893 to G. S. Harter, who sold it to the present owners, Gilberg & Chapman, in July, 1895. The paper is Republican in politics and the only Republican newspaper in the county.

The Bote, a weekly German paper, was established in 1883 by Mr. Stelzer, who was owner and proprietor for a long time. It is now edited and published by George J. Pulskamp.

The Democrat was established in 1895 and is a weekly sheet, Demo- cratic in politics. It was formerly published by Carlin & Phillipps, but is now owned and published by Charles Carlin.

The Advocate was established a few years ago by the present proprietor and publisher, George Phillipps, who was formerly interested with Charles Carlin in publishing the Democrat.

SCHOOLS.

Until the fall of 1859, school in Sub-District No. 4, of Jefferson town- ship, at Celina, which sub-district was established some years before by virtue of a public meeting held for this purpose, was taught in various build- ings, chiefly, however, in the old Presbyterian Church on East Fayette street. Two teachers were usually employed in the winter season and one in the summer. In 1859 a brick schoolhouse on the west side of town, containing four rooms, was built and two teachers employed. This house answered the purpose for 15 years. In the early '60's an agreement was entered into, by

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the terms of which the territory in the sub-district lying outside of the incor- porated village was attached to the village for school purposes. An agree- ment was also entered into with regard to the Union schoolhouse. In June, 1871, the board resolved to have the German language taught and accord- ingly appointed Theodore Geithouse as German teacher.

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History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 10

Author: Scranton, S. S Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 786

Author: Scranton, S. S
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786