History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 5

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923

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give security to be approved by the clerk of the court, to prosecute such appeal to effect, and abide the deter- mination of the court thereon.

Scc. 12. And be it further enacted, That the cor- poration shall be allowed the use of the county jail, for the confinement of such persons, as by any law of the corporation may be subject to imprisonment; but no person shall be imprisoned, under the authority of the corporation unless for the non-payment of fines and penalties assessed or imposed upon them: Pro- vided, no person shall be imprisoned more than twelve hours for one offense, and all persons so imprisoned, shall be under the charge of the sheriff of the county.

This act shall take effect, and be in force, from and after the first day of April next.

JOHN POLLOCK. Speaker of the House of Representatives. THOMAS KIRKER,

Speaker of the Senate.

December 24, 1814.

No records are extant as to the results of the first election that was ordered to be held. It may, however, be taken for granted that the officials of the town were duly chosen on the first Saturday in April, 1815. The organiza- tion thus formed continued until 1853, in which year, on March 25th, the Town Council passed the following resolution :

Resolved, That the town of Circleville, by its Council, does hereby determine and elect to be classed as, and to become a city of the second class, under the provisions of the act of the General Assembly of this State, passed May 3, 1852, entitled "An Act to provide for the organization of cities and incorporated villages, and the act amendatory thereto, passed March, 1853."

The first officers of the city of Circleville, elected on April 4, 1853, were as follows: Mayor, Z. R. Martin; treasurer, Wilson Baker; solicitor, Henry N. Hedges, Sr .; marshal, Samuel Barncord; councilmen-William Van Heyde, William Doane, W. W. Bierce and Allen Myers.

CITY GOVERNMENT.

Under the Ohio code of 1902, all distinc- tions of class and grade in the cities of the State were abolished and the same municipal laws now apply with equal force to all cities,

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

no matter what their size. Circleville, there- fore, is governed on the same plan, as Cincin- nati, Cleveland and Columbus.

The elective offices are those of mayor, president of Council, solicitor, treasurer, audi- tor and members of Council. All these of- ficers are elected for terms of two years each. In addition to being the executive head of the city government and the chief conservator of the peace, the mayor exercises jurisdiction in State cases the same as a justice of the peace, and has exclusive jurisdiction as to all viola- tions of city ordinances. The president of Council is acting mayor in the absence of the mayor from the city or when the latter is un- able to attend to his duties, but has no judicial functions. The duties of the solicitor and treasurer are the same that usually pertain to these offices. The office of auditor was created by the new code. It is his duty to keep the books of the city, to exhibit accurate state- ments of all money received and expended and of all property owned by the city and the in- come derived therefrom, and of all taxes and assessments; at the end of each fiscal year, or oftener if required by the Council, it is his duty to examine and audit the accounts of all officers and departments. The State depart- ment prescribes how all these accounts shall be kept and sends examiners at intervals to ex- amine the books of the city.

There is one councilman for each of the four wards of the city and three councilmen-at- large. The powers of the Council are legis- lative only. The Council also determines the number of directors in the Board of Public Safety and the Board of Public Service fixes the salaries of municipal officers. The council elects its own clerk.

The administrative functions of the city are performed by the elective officers already men- tioned and by five boards, as follows: Board of Public Service, Board of Public Safety, Board of Tax Commission and Trustees of Sinking Fund, Board of Health and Trustees of Library Board. All are appointed by the mayor except the Board of Public Service, whose members are elected by direct vote of the people. The Board of Public Safety has

charge of the police and fire departments. The Board of Public Service has charge of all work on the streets, street lighting, sewers and gar- bage disposal and attends to the maintenance of all public buildings and properties. These boards have the power to make contracts for their respective departments, when the expense is $500 or less, provided such expenditures are within the appropriations made by the Council. The functions of the Board of Tax Commis- sion and Trustees of Sinking Fund are those of two separate bodies, whose membership. however, is identical. The appointments to this board are so distributed that not more than two members belong to the same political party. The board passes upon the tax levy made by the City Council, with power to approve or reject, but cannot increase the tax levy. The Trustees of Sinking Fund, whose duty it is to provide a sinking fund for the city, certify to the Council the rate of tax necessary to provide funds for the payment of bonds and other obligations, and register all bonds issued by the city. The duties of the Board of Health are to abate nuisances, prescribe and enforce quarantine regulations, etc., etc. The board appoints a health officer. The Trustees of Library Board have charge of the Public Library. The city engineer is appointed by the mayor and the chief of the Fire Depart- ment fills the office of weighmaster.

The present officials of the city of Circle- ville are as follows: Mayor, George R. Has- well; president of Council, George R. Curl; solicitor, Charles W. Murphy ; treasurer, Jacob Merz; auditor, Fred R. Nicholas; city engineer, J. H. Sweetman; weighmaster, J. M. Baer ; health officer, James J. Egan; Members of Council-Thomas R. Bell (First Ward), John W. Lowe (Second Ward), Albert L. Redman (Third Ward) (president pro tem), George W. Limebaugh. (Fourth Ward) and John C. Goeller, C. Ernest Salter and John F. Carle, councilmen-at-large --- Fred R. Nicholas (clerk) ; Board of Public Service-Noah Myers (president), Mathew Lynch and E. M. Stout-E. E. Stout (clerk) ; Board of Public Safety-J. F. Krinn (president) and J. T. Kirkendall-Thomas D. Krinn (clerk) ;

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HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

Board of Tax Commission and Trustees of Sinking Fund-W. G. Jacob (president), Ir- 'vin F. Snyder (vice-president), C. D. Hess and Charles A. Smith-Fred R. Nicholas (clerk) ; Board of Health-George R. Has- well (president ex officio), S. M. Lewis (presi- dent pro tem), C .. F. Lehman (secretary), W. B. Wilder, Dr. George T. Row and W. L. Krimmel; Trustees of Library Board-Aaron R. Van Cleaf (president), Dr. Thomas Black- stone (vice-president), Dr. G. W. Heffner (secretary), Gustavus A. Schleyer, B. F. Ben- ford and T. O. Williams.

From the year 1853, when Circleville was classified as a city of the second class, fourth grade, to the present time, the following have served as mayors : Z. R. Martin, 1853-55 ; John Boyer, 1855-57; Z. R. Martin, 1857-59; J. B. Evans, 1859 (elected by Council to fill unex- pired term of Z. R. Martin, who retired Febru- ary 18, 1859); Alfred Williams, 1859-61; Jason Case, 1861-67; John Walke, 1867-69; John N. Brunner, 1869-73; George R. Miller, 1873-75 ; Jason Case, 1875-77; Israel P. Todd, 1877-81 ; Abram Millet, 1881-85; J. Wheeler Lowe, 1885-89; W. E. Bolin, 1889- to his death, June 27, 1890; J. Wheeler Lowe, 1890-91 (elected to fill unexpired term of W. E. Bolin) ; J. Wheeler Lowe, 1891-93; Lee M. Hammel, 1893-97; W. C. Rowe, 1897-1901; George R. Haswell, 1901.

Reuben P. Dresbach became city clerk in 1861 and served continuously to 1897, a period of 36 years.

The members of the police and fire depart- ments are all under civil service. The members of the Police Department are as follows: H. S. Sheets, chief; James H. Throne, captain ; P. J. Mogan, sergeant ; and J. L. Cummins, W. H. Warner, John Myers and Thomas Mc- Manamy, patrolmen.

Circleville has had a paid Fire Depart- ment since the year 1881, when the present system was introduced, under Mayor Abram Millet. Before that date the city was protected from the ravages of the fire fiend by a volunteer department, consisting of about 130 members divided into four companies, which in 1879 were under the leadership of Chief Engineer

H. H. Nicholas, who was aided by Ist and 2nd assistant engineers. Circleville Company, No. I, consisted of 40 members, having in charge the steam engine "Circleville." Buckeye En- gine and Hose Company, No. 2, consisted of 40 members, having in charge the steam 'es- gine, "Buckeye" and one or two hose carts. Niagara Hose Company, No. I, consisted of 20 members, having two hose carts in charge. Scioto Hand Engine Company consisted of 30 colored members having charge of the "Scioto" hand engine and two hose trucks. These companies disbanded when the new sys- tem went into effect.

The members of the first paid Fire Depart- ment were as follows: Levi Hammel, chief; Andrew Rudel, engineer ; J. M. Baer, assistant engineer; William Todd, stoker, and James Trego and William Mason, drivers. The first chief, who was a night policeman, had charge of the department only during fires. At all other times the department was under Engineer Andrew Rudel. Levi Hammel, after holding the position of chief a short time, resigned, and was succeeded by W. F. Tolbert. Subsequently Levi Hammel again became chief, with full charge of the department at all times, his work as night policeman having been discontinued. Chief Hammel held the position until May, 1889, when the present chief, J. M. Baer, was appointed, who has since held the position. Chief Baer was a member of the old volunteer department, being a member at the time the department was made a paid one. With the exception of six years spent in other pursuits, he has been on the force for 25 years. The other members of the department are as fol- lows: John S. Baer, assistant chief and en- gineer; William Miller and W. R. Clark, drivers; and George Stout, assistant. John S. Baer has been a member of. the department since March 12, 1882; William R. Clark, since December, 1890; George Stout, since April, 1904; and William Miller, since March, 1905- The chief has power to call on "minute-men" to assist at fires when necessary, such men receiving pay for their services when so en- gaged.

The department is equipped with a combi -.

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nation hose and ladder truck, carrying 130 feet of ladders and 850 feet of 21/2-inch hose and 100 feet of I-inch hose; two 6-gallon Holloway fire extinguishers; one 2-horse hose carriage, which carries 1,200 feet of 21/2-inch hose; two steam fire engines that are kept in reserve; and two span of horses. The Game- well fire alarm system is in use, with 24 boxes. The department, in case of fire, connects with the fire hydrants, 152 in number, which give a stand-pipe pressure of from 60 to 65 pounds. If this pressure proves insufficient, the pumping station of the Circleville Water Supply Com- pany furnishes direct pressure, with a limit of 175 pounds. There are 37 public cisterns lo- cated throughout the city, especially in por- tions where there is danger of large conflagra- tions. These cisterns hold 1.000 barrels of water each. The two steam fire engines kept in reserve would, in case of emergency, pump water from these cisterns, or would get their water supply direct from the canal or from Hargus Creek, if the fire were near.

THE $50,000 BOND ISSUE.

Fifteen years ago, Circleville made its first and last experiment in the matter of voting money for the purpose of securing the estab- lishment here of new manufacturing plants. On February 27, 1891, a movement for the in- creasing of the city's importance as a manu- facturing center, inaugurated the preceding year, culminated in the passage of an enabling act by the General Assembly of Ohio. This act provided that in a city of the fourth grade of the second class, which at the Federal census of 1880 had a population of 6,046 or might have such population at any subsequent census, might issue bonds in any sum not exceeding $50,000, bearing interest not to exceed six per cent., and running not more than 20 years. The proceeds arising from the sale of these bonds, which were not to be sold below par, were to be expended for the purpose of aiding and encouraging manufacturing establishments to locate in the said city. Before the bonds could be issued, however, it was necessary that the question of issuing same be submitted to a

vote of the qualified electors of the city. If such bond issue were approved of by two- thirds of those voting at the election, whether general or special, then the Council, with the consent and approval of the Board of Con- trol, might issue and sell said bonds for the purpose named. If the election proved favor- able to the issuing of the bonds, the Council was to present a written statement of its in- tention to issue bonds to the probate judge, who was to appoint a Board of Control, consisting of six members, not more than three from any one political party, who were to serve without compensation for such period as might be necessary to dispose of the proceeds of the bonds. It was also specified in the enabling act how the Council was to pay the principal and interest on the bonds by tax levies.

At the general election held April 7, 1891, 1,218 votes were registered in favor of the proposition to issue bonds, while only 190 were cast in the negative; the number of votes necessary to carry the proposition was 1.053. On April 21, 1891, Probate Judge Jacob P. Winstead appointed the following to serve as members of the Board of Control; Joseph P. Smith, Samuel B. Evans, Thomas K. Brun- ner, William J. Weaver, George W. Bauder and Amos Beach.

Communications were received from quite a number of companies, who wished to secure some of the benefits of the bond issue and lo- cate their plants at Circleville. A promoter came and put several propositions before the Board of Control for consideration. These were investigated by the Board of Trade, then in existence, and the three best propositions were favorably reported to the Board of Con- trol. The best enterprise at that time appears to have been the Isaac Half Lounge Company, of Marysville, Ohio, with which concern negotiations were entered into, which resulted finally in articles of agreement being drawn up between it and the City of Circleville, acting through the City Council and the Board of Con- trol. A $17,000 issue of bonds was ordered sold and, according to the agreement, $5,000 was paid the company, which proceeded to erect its building. Later the machinery was put in,

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HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

and the balance of the $17,000 was paid the company according to the contract. The com- pany soon failed, owing to its cramped condi- tion caused by litigation arising at Marysville. The lounge factory is now used by John C. Goeller as a broom factory.

An issue of $15,000 of bonds was ordered sold and the proceeds were paid to the Circle- ville Glass Company, which was to be operated by Leopold Mamburg, F. C. Fuller and V. H. Ketchum, of Toledo, who were to locate, equip and fully operate a sheet glass plant of 10-pot capacity. The glass factory ran for only a short period. The building was afterward dis- mantled.

The Benner Furniture Company, of Union City, Indiana, was given -the proceeds from the sale of $18,000 of bonds and the erection of its building in the south part of the city was commenced but the building was never com- pleted by this company, which fell into diffi-

SOUTH COURT STREET, CIRCLEVILLE, IN 1886. The Second Court House, Built in 1845-47. is shown on the left: the Old Circle was a Few Hundred Yards Distant Farther Up the Street.

From Howe's " Historical Collections of Ohio."

culties at Union City, through suits for claims brought against it. By subsequent transfers the unfinished building came into the posses- sion of the Winorr Canning Company, and it was rebuilt and is now included in the plant of the Pressing & Orr Company.

FRANCHISES GRANTED BY THE CITY SINCE 1880.

In 1891, a franchise was granted to the Circleville Light & Power Company, to erect poles and wires for the purpose of furnishing

light, heat and power to users throughout the city.

On April 8, 1893, a grant was made to the Midland Telephone Company, under which franchise the Central Union Telephone Com- pany (the Bell company) now operates.

On March 20, 1895, the Buckeye Natural Gas Company was given the privilege of lay- ing pipes in the streets, alleys, etc., for the pur- pose of conveying natural gas to the consumers.

On July 18, 1900, a grant was made to the Citizens' Telephone Company.

J. M. Wilson, representing the Columbus & Southern Electric Railway Company, was, on March 6, 1901, granted a franchise for an electric line on Court street.

On January 23, 1903, the Scioto Valley Traction Company, was granted a franchise to build a street railroad through the city.

ADDITIONS TO THE CITY OF CIRCLEVILLE SINCE 1869.

Wayne Griswold's, March 3, 1869.

W. E. Delaplane's, March 3, 1869.

B. H. Bostwick & J. A. Lutz', January 11, 1870.

B. H. Bostwick & J. A. Lutz', November 16, 1870.

T. O. Donovan's, November 16, 1870.

Edward Smith & G. W. Gregg's, December 21, 1870.

T. O. Donovan & C. F. Krimmel's, April 10, 1871.

B. H. Bostwick's, June 7, 1871.

Lewis Palm's, November 17, 1880.

McCrea's, October 18, 1882.

I. N. Abernethy's, February 20, 1884.

R. B. Cowling's March 7, 1888.

Half & Heffner's, February 3, 1892.

Ebert's (Cedar Hill), April 6, 1892.

Circleville Land & Improvement Company's (First ), April 6, 1892.

J. R. Baume's, June 1, 1892.

Crist & Howard's, August 16, 1893.

I. N. Abernethy's (North Addition), July 19, 1899.

RECENT CHANGES IN THE CORPORATION LIMITS.

In 1891 the corporation limits were ex- tended so as to take in considerable territory on the north, extending to the north line of Forest Cemetery. In the same year the cor- poration limits were extended in the south- eastern part of the city. In 1892 the southern corporation limits were still further extended.

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VIEW OF THE MAIN STREET IN COMMERCIAL POINT

CIRCLEVILLE HOME AND HOSPITAL.

COMMERCIAL POINT HIGH SCHOOL

CITY BUILDING, CIRCLEVILLE

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

In 1906, by a decree of the Court of Common Pleas, about 200 acres of land lying along the Scioto River have been detached from the corporation limits.

The city has one main line of sewer, which was originally put in by the County Commis- sioners and runs from the Court House to the Scioto River. . It was later purchased by the city and several lateral mains connected on each side.

The buildings owned by the corporation of Circleville are the following: City Build- ing, Engine House, Market House and "City Cottage," a building bought for the home of the city marshal, but not used as such for sev- eral years.

THE CITY BUILDING,

Located on the corner of Franklin and South Court streets, opposite the Court House, was built in 1860-61. It is a brick structure, three stories high, 38 feet in width, fronting on Court street, by 75 feet in depth on Franklin street. William Doane was the designer of the plan and the superintendent of construction. The front part of the lower story was formerly occupied as an engine room of the Fire De- partment but is now under lease to W. R. Hosler and is occupied by the meat market of the W. R. Hosler Packing Company and J. P. Antill's retail confectionery. The mayor's office is in the west end, fronting on Franklin street. The Council-room is situated in the second story. The Board of Public Service, city engineer, city auditor and the Police De- partment are also accommodated in this build- ing. In the basement under the mayor's office is the city prison. The building cost $15,000, which included the cost of the furniture for the mayor's office and Council-room and the city prison.

MEMORIAL HALL

Was erected jointly by the city of Circleville and the Soldiers' Monumental Association of Pickaway County, in 1890-91. This was the

culmination of a movement inaugurated over 20 years ago to erect a Soldiers' Monument. On May 17, 1886, an act was passed by the General Assembly of Ohio, authorizing the commissioners of Pickaway County, to erect such a monument. On March 19. 1889, an- other act was passed, which contained the same provisions as the first act and extended the time for doing the same. According to the terms of this act, also, the County Commis- sioners were authorized to pay to the order of the trustees of the Soldiers' Monumental Asso- ciation of Pickaway County all funds raised in the county, and then in the said county treas- ury, for the purpose of purchasing a site and erecting thereon a building to be knows as a monumental or memorial hall, to perpetuate the memories of the soldiers and sailors of the county, who served in the wars of the United States. The title of the site and of the build- ing to be erected thereon were to be vested in Pickaway Countly, and it was further pro- vided that this site and all buildings thereon should be under the control and management of the trustees of the Soldiers' Monumental As- sociation, who were to be the building com- mittee. The act also provided that if the city of Circleville donated a sum, in connection with the the amount controlled or received by the trustees of the association, that would be sufficient to erect the building, the trustees were empowered to execute to the city of Circle- ville a lease for such part of the building, and fix such time and upon such terms, as might be agreed upon, to be used for public library and armory purposes.

A contract was then drawn up between the city, the Library Board and the Soldiers' Monumental Association of Pickaway County, which was signed by the contracting parties on May 19, 1890, and ratified by the City Council on May 21st. The term of lease for library and armory as provided was for 99 years, with privilege of renewal, forever. Plans for the building were furnished by H. C. Lindsey, of Zanesville, architect. On Septem- ber 8, 1890, the contract for labor, material and construction was let to James Duvault, of Zanesville, his bid being $27,838. On the 22nd

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HISTORY OF PICKAWAY COUNTY

of September, James A. Graham of Circleville was appointed superintendent of construction. The site was purchased of Mrs. Myra Ballard, for $5,500. The amount contributed by the city was $25,000, while $12,000 came from the Soldiers' Monumental Association.

The building is a three-story, pressed-brick structure trimmed in stone, located on the south- west corner of Main and Pickaway streets, the ground dimensions being 92 by 106 feet.

On the first floor are located the Armory (comprising a drill room, 60 by 60 feet, of- ficers' room and gun room), and the quarters of the Public Library, which comprise a stack room 29 by 44 feet; children's room, 28 by 15 feet, which also contains the circulation desk and librarian's office; and two reading rooms, 25 by 32 and 23 by 35 feet, respectively. On the second floor are an assembly hall, 60 by 90 feet; a relic room and the lodge room of Groce Post, G. A. R. This latter room is 60 by 28 feet in dimensions; its walls are in- laid with marble tablets inscribed with the names of the soldiers of Pickaway County. A dining room, a kitchen and a circular bal- cony overlooking the assembly hall are on the third floor. Storage rooms and the furnace are in the basement. The building is heated and lighted with natural gas; it is also wired throughout for electricity.

Memorial Hall was dedicated on the after- noon of December 29, 1891, by appropriate exercises, the ceremonies being opened by an invocation by Rev. William MacMillan, of Lancaster, late of Circleville. M. B. Rad- cliffe, president of the Soldiers' Monumental Association, made an introductory address, which was followed by a concise sketch of the progress of the Public Library, given by Mayor J. Wheeler Lowe. Hon. Samuel F. Hunt, judge of the Superior Court in Cincinnati, was the orator of the day. Assembly Hall was filled. The committee on dedication was con- stituted as follows: President and officers of the Soldiers' Monumental Association; com- manders of Groce, Morrison, Ferguson, Par- sons and Wyatt posts, G. A. R .; mayor of the city, president of the Library Board, presi- dent of City Council, president of the Board of

County Commissioners; Col. Milton Morral, Capt. John W. Lowe, Charles W. Murphy, W. R. Duvall, Hon. Aaron R. Van Cleaf, Hon. Joseph P. Smith, W. B. Marfield, G. C. Bayer, Col. Samuel W. Courtright and Col. Charles E. Groce. On the evening of dedication, a fair began which continued the remainder of the week, the proceeds of which were devoted'to buying furniture for the library and assembly room. The Public Library was opened in this building on September 12, 1892.

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History of Pickaway County, Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 5

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Number of Pages: 923

Author: Aaron R. Van Cleaf
Publication date: 1906
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 923