History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c., Part 70

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968

USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio : (including the original boundaries) ; its past and present, containing a condensed comprehensive history of Ohio, including an outline history of the Northwest, a complete history of Richland county miscellaneous matter, map of the county, biographies and histories of the most prominent families, &c., &c. > Part 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

was in operation. Even yet, old settlers look back to the stage-coach days with a sigh of re- gret that they are gone, never to return. The stage routes then were from Cleveland and Sandusky to Mansfield, Mount Vernon and Col- umbus. From the east, the stage came from Pittsburgh, and for a long time the western terminus was at Mansfield, but after a time, the route was extended to Bucyrus. Hiram R. Smith, still living. was a post-office clerk under Mr. McFall. He was only a lad at that time. and relates that the Postmaster at one time sent him to Columbus, on horseback, with a pair of saddle-bags full of silver, to be deposited in the old Franklin Bank there, to the credit of the Post Office Department, at Washington. He was a little over two days in making the jour- ney, as the roads were very bad, and it was all the way through the woods, with only here and there a cabin. Following McFall, came Uriah Jamison, as Postmaster, July 26, 1838, and the location of the office was changed to a frame house, which occupied the present site of Johnston's drug store-first door north of the Wiler House. Jamison was succeeded by Jacob Hammer, in 1841, moving the office to a small building on the present site of H. R. Smith's Opera House. Barney McCarron was the next Postmaster after Hammer ; was appointed No- vember 11, 1845, and removed the office to the North American corner, where he kept it a short time and then transferred it to the building where Rigbey's shoe store is now located. From there, it went across the street, into one of those old buildings that was recently pulled down to make room for the building of the Swigart, Jenner & Scattergood Block, and Jacob Ham- mer kept it. Hammer received his second ap- pointment April 27, 1849. Jacob Reisinger followed Hammer, June 16, 1853, and kept the office in Dickson's Block. Samuel Snyder suc- ceeded Reisinger, November 18, 1859, and kept the office in the same place. George H. Kling was the next Postmaster, receiving his appoint-

ment March 28, 1861, and it was during his ad- ministration that the office was removed to its present location. This block was erected in 1863, and the office has not been moved since that time. Henry P. Davis was Kling's suc- cessor. and was appointed Postmaster by Abra- ham Lincoln Sept. 28, 1864, and held the office nine years. He was followed by the present efficient officer, Thos. E. Douglas, March 12.1873.

The business of the post office, at the pres- ent time, largely exceeds the popular idea of it. It has grown to be a kind of banking insti- tution of no inconsiderable proportions. and will, no doubt, increase in popularity from year to year. as a medium through which the Gov- ernment may reach the people. It was through the post office that Secretary Sherman was en- abled to place a large portion of the + per cent loans, with little expense to the Government and great convenience to the people ; $15.000 of these bonds were sold here. Postmaster Douglas furnishes the following, relating to the business of the office during the year 1879 : Gross receipts, $20,625.70 -this being for stamps and box rent ; total number of money- orders issued from this office. 41,965; the number issued during the year 1879 were 4,618. for which $51,253.62 was paid by the people : and during the same time the post office has paid out $62,352.67, on money-orders ; number of letters registered during the year, 835 ; an average of 2.000 letters (exclusive of drops) are daily mailed at the office, and. during the year over two hundred thousand circulars were mailed at the office ; number of postal cards sold dur- ing the year, 147,837, and about the same num- ber mailed at the office for the same time. In addition to this, the sale of stamped envelopes is large and continually increasing, the number sold in 1879 being 91,000. The business of the post office is looked upon as an index of the devel- opment, civilization and intelligence of a com- munity. This is certainly an encouraging ex- hibit.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER L.

BANKS, INSURANCE COMPANIES, MILLS AND MANUFACTURERS.

FIRST BANK-APPLICATION FOR A CHARTER-PATTERSON & CO .- MR. PURDY'S BANK-THE STURGES BANK- RICHLAND NATIONAL-FIRST NATIONAL-MANSFIELD BANKING COMPANY-MANSFIELD SAVINGS BANK-THE RICHLAND MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY - THE MANSFIELD MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY -THE MERCHANTS' AND MANUFACTURERS' INSURANCE COMPANY -THE AMERICAN MUTUAL ACCIDENT ASSOCIA- TION-THE EARLY MILLS OF MADISON TOWNSHIP-GILBERT, WAUGH & CO .- HICKS, BROWN & CO .- THE AULTMAN & TAYLOR COMPANY-THE MANSFIELD MACHINE WORKS-CRACKER BAKERY-BOX FACTORY- THE WESTERN AND BUCKEYE SUSPENDER COMPANIES-TRUNK FACTORY - MANSFIELD WOOLEN MILLS -MANSFIELD LUMBER AND BUILDING COMPANY-PAPER MANUFACTORY-PATTERSON, CREIGH & CO .- G. W. FORNEY & CO .- OTHER INDUSTRIES.

THE banking business of the city, like every other business at the present date (January. 1880), has settled down on a solid basis. the city now containing three banking institutions. all doing a safe and profitable bus- iness. The first establishment of this kind was started as early as 1816, on Main street, at the southwest corner of the square, where the old Farmers' Bank was afterward, for many years, located. John Garrison was President, and a Mr. Elliott. Cashier. A charter was applied for and a member elected to the Legis- lature. purposely to see that the bill for that purpose passed. The bill had passed to a third reading, when a member moved its indef- inite postponement. The Richland member thinking it was on its final passage, voted aye, and defeated his own measure by his own vote. It was indefinitely postponed by a majority of one, and the bank never obtained a charter. So far as can be ascertained, this was the end of the banking business until 1846. when Messrs. James Patterson & Co. started on the west side of the square, about where the Farm- ers' Bank is now located. This was not a bank of issue, but simply a bank of deposit, and the daily accumulation of cash was taken every evening to the vault in the store of

E. P. Sturges for safe keeping. Mr. Patterson conducted the bank several years, when he died, and it passed into the control of Conn, Sherman & Co., Messrs. Andrew Conn and C. T. Sherman having been for some years inter- ested in it. It did business for a time on the west side of the square, and then moved to the first room south of the Wiler House, where it continued until abont 1854, when Conn having moved away, it closed up its affairs. The first really permanent institution of this kind was started by Mr. James Purdy, in 1847. In 1846, a law creating the State Bank of Ohio was passed. Mr. Purdy was active in procur- ing the passage of this law, and immediately determined to take advantage of its benefits and establish a branch in Mansfield. As this was the first bank, a little history of it may be interesting.

Money to establish banks could not be gath- ered up on the streets in those days, but Mr. Purdy succeeded in finding thirty men in the county who were able to pay in $30,000 in specie, Mr. Purdy agreeing to take their stock off their hands, if at any future time they should desire it. He was aided in the estab- lishment of this bank by G. Armentrout, Will- iam Granger, David Anderson and others.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Soon after he commenced operations, C. T. Sherman made an attempt in the same direc- tion, and also obtained the requisite amount of stock. According to law, but one branch could be established in a county. Both parties pre- sented their claims to the Board of Control. For some reason, the Farmers' was the one accepted.

The bank was organized August 4, 1847, by the election of J. Purdy, William Granger, Da- vid Anderson, John Shauck and Messer Barker, Directors. James Purdy was elected President, and John Rhodes, cashier. The latter continued as cashier until May 6. 1850, when he resigned, and J. M. Rhodes was appointed. He resigned in 1851, and H. Colby was appointed and contin- ued until the expiration of the charter, and the bank was merged into a national bank. They obtained a circulation of $60,000, which was more than the business of Richland County then required. When gold was discovered in Cali- fornia, they established a bank in Sacramento, from which they obtained coin. It was shipped to New York and placed to their credit. In the general smash-up in New York in 1857, they sustained a heavy loss of deposits. In 1865, the shareholders of the old bank trans- ferred their stock to the Farmers' National Bank, and Mr. Purdy was elected President, a position he yet retains, making him, probably, the oldest bank president in continual service in the State. The bank passed safely through the panic of 1873, though hard pressed and losing heavily by the dishonesty of its cashier. Mr. Purdy has been extensively engaged in other banking operations outside the city.

In 1852, the banking-house of E. Sturges, Sr .. & Co. started in a little frame, 10x20 office on the corner of Main and Third. where Bige- low's drug store is now located. They after- ward moved into the MeFall corner. The part- ners were E. Sturges, Sr., S. B. Sturges and A. L. Grimes ; S. B. Sturges withdrew in 1859. In 1857-58. Mr. Benjamin Blymyer, C. L. Avery

and E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. erected the brick block. where Blymyer's stove and tin store, and Scatter- good's dry-goods store is, and to which the bank was moved from the McFall corner. Here they continued business until 1867, when they con- solidated with the Richland National Bank. This latter bank was organized in 1865, with a cash capital of $100,000, which was increased to $150,000 when consolidated with E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. The officers of the institution were : A. L. Grimes, President ; D. Sturges, Vice President ; J. M. Jolly, Cashier ; R. H. Rowland, Teller. It first started in the old frame building. which was pulled down in the summer of 1879 to make room for the new block of Scattergood, Jenner & Swigart; and, in 1867, was moved into the room occupied by E. Sturges, Sr., & Co. The Richland National closed up its affairs, or sold out to the Farmers' National Bank. Janu- ary 1, 1876.

The Mansfield Herald of May 25, 1864, an- nounces the fact of the organization of the First National Bank of Mansfield, with a cash capital of $100,000, with the privilege of in- creasing to $300,000. A meeting of the stock- holders was held on the 16th of the month, and T. T. Woodruff, W. S. Hickox, B. Burns, H. C. Hedges and L. J. Tracy were elected Directors. T. T. Woodruff was made President ; L. J. Tracy, Vice President; and W. S. Hickox. Cashier.

The history of this bank is written indeliby in the memory of the majority of Mansfield people. It ran along very smoothly for nearly a decade ; its officers changed occasionally, but its cashier, W. S. llickox, was always at his post, and was looked upon as a man of high character and business capacity. He was a leader in the Sunday school. church and society ; was trusted and respected by the community, and pointed out to young men as a model, and a shining ex- ample of a self-made man. Older and wiser heads may have been shaken at times, at the display of wealth by the cashier, yet the man

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

continued to grow in popularity and power until the crash came on the 26th of September, 1873. It was the old. old story of misplaced confidence. If Mr. Hickox was not dishonest, his weakness bordered so closely upon it as to justify the community in calling him a "thief." which was done with considerable unanimity and earnestness.

The excitement and indignation of Mansfield people. and especially of those immediately in- terested in the bank. knew no bounds. and after withstanding the storm for a time the cashier fed to parts unknown. and is yet a fugitive from justice. The failure of this bank dis- closed to the astonished gaze of the public, the incapacity. dishonesty and knavery of other men in the city. who had before occupied high positions of trust and responsibility. This was the beginning of the financial panie of 1873. and although Mr. Hickox must be held to great responsibility in this matter. he was but the representative of an unnatural and diseased condition of society. and came to be the door, as it were. through which the public gazed upon the rottenness and corruption that for years had been gathering, and which was no more than skin-deep. It was like a carbuncle on the human body, which must burst and discharge its corruption. before the healing process can take place, and this bursting and discharge in the case of Mansfield came through the First National Bank. as was natural. It took several years for this great carbuncle to gather. burst and heal. and the process was very painfnl ; but it has been accomplished. leaving only a few sears.

The panic and its consequences have been briefly referred to elsewhere. The Directors and stockholders took possession of the bank. appointed a receiver. and wound up its affairs as rapidly as possible. Many good. honest and trustworthy citizens were dragged down to ruin by the failure.

The other two banks, the Farmers' and Rich- land National, fearing a run, and consequent

ruin, determined, if possible, to save themselves, and the next day the officers and Directors of these banks met and passed the following reso- Intion :

Resolved, That in view of the monetary crisis, and suspension of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cin- cinnati, Chicago, Toledo, and banks of other cities ; and also in view of the welfare of our various friends and depositors, it is hereby agreed by the undersigned na- tional banks of this city, that we temporarily suspend currency payments, exceeding $50 on all balances."

This was signed by the cashiers of these banks. and checked a run which would probably have caused them to close their doors.

October 28. the first official report of the con- dition of the First National Bank was published by the receiver. in which it appears that the as- sets were $246.767.91 ; liabilities, $398,559.48. which would indicate a loss of more than $150,- 000. The expenses of settlement and of the litigation that followed. probably increased this amount somewhat.

The Mansfield Banking Company opened for regular business. July 12, 1873. on the corner of Main and Third streets, where it is still in operation. The first officers were : James Dick- son. President : John S. Neal. Vice President ; J. M. Sharp. Cashier : E. R. Rockwell. Teller. Some changes have since been made in these officers.

In February, 1873. the Mansfield Savings Bank was opened in an elegant new block on the corner of Main and Fourth streets, where it yet remains. Its officers were : Barnabas Burns. President ; M. D. Harter. Vice President ; R. Brinkerhoff. Cashier ; and S. A. Jennings. Teller. The only change made in these officers has been the retirement of Mr. Harter, and the election of William Stevens as Vice President.

In addition to a regular banking business. this bank added a savings department, and thus supplied a long-felt. but never before enjoyed want, to the people of Mansfield. The bank was organized under a general law of Ohio. passed February 26, 1873, and its stockholders

Truly Yours H. L. Panish

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

comprise a large number of names well known in Richland County. Deposits are received from $1 up to any sum, not exceeding $500, and the de- positor receives 5 per cent interest, payable semi- annually. The high character of its officers and Directors, the ability and skill displayed in the conduct of its affairs, have won the confidence of its patrons, and are a sufficient guarantee of the future solidity and permanency of the insti- tution. It has won its way fairly to a solid, paying, and it is believed. enduring, business. The following names comprise its Directors : John B. Netscher, Fred. M. Fitting. Ezra Osbun, R. C. Brown, M. D. Harter, E. W. Smith, C. Welty, Nelson Ozier, Wm. Stevens, Wash. Mc- Bride, Isaiah Boyce. John Hamilton, James Meeds, W. M. Hahn, W. P. Clarke, B. Burns, J. M. Condon, Peter Snapp and James Hughes.

The Richland Mutual Insurance Company was chartered in 1851 and is the oldest of the three com- panies established here. Its incorporators . were Judge Parker, Charles T. Sher- MANSFIELD SAVINGS BANK. man, Robert Bentley, Thos. W. Bartley, James Weldon, Andrew Conn. E. ! Hahn. Its capital has increased from $50,000 P. Sturges and J. H. Cook. Its first President to $360,000, which speaks well for the energy of its managers. It is 'in careful hands and is one of the permanent institutions of the city. was Andrew Conn. The office is now in the Opera Building, and its business is confined to the State of Ohio. Its management has been The American Mutual Accident Association of Mansfield filed its certificate of incorpora- tion with the Secretary of State February 12, 1880, and has, therefore, but just entered upon its business career. R. Brinkerhoff is President, and J. H. Emminger, Secretary. Its officers have given bonds for the faithful performance very judicious and careful, and its losses promptly paid. Its capital having accumulated to the amount of $1,200,000, it is one of the safest and most reliable companies in the State. The President is J. H. Cook ; Secretary, R. Smith, and General Agent, N. S. Reed.

. The Mansfield Mutual Fire Insurance Com- pany was incorporated Aug. 5, 1873, with a capital of $50,000, and commenced business Jan. 1, 1874. The incorporators were, H. R. Smith, John Wood. F. E. Tracy, M. D. Harter, E. P. Sturges, J. B. Netscher and M. Black. It does business only on the mutual plan and not out- side of the State. Its capital has increased to $220,000. Its President is John Wood; Treas- urer, M. D. Harter ; Secretary, J. H. Emminger.

The Merchants' and Man- ufacturers' Insurance Com- pany was organized Oct. 12, 1876, through the per- sonal efforts of Mr. M. E. Douglas, former Secretary of the Richland Mutual. Its Board of Directors were L. J. Tracy, H. C. Hedges, M. R. Diekey, H. M. Wea- ver, H. H. Sturges, W. B. Mercer, S. R. Harris, Henry L. Curtis, H. B. Curtis and M. E. Douglas. The Presi- dent is L. J. Tracy ; M. E. Douglas is Secretary and Treasurer, and J. W. Hahn, General Agent. Messrs. H. L. Curtis and W. B. Mer- cer have retired from the directorship and their places have been filled by B. F. Crawford and W. M.

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

of their duties according to the laws of the State, and from the well-known business char- acter and integrity of these officers, the success of the institution is assured.

To get grinding done was one of the most difficult problems for the early settlers to solve. It required capital and skilled workmen to build a mill, and as both were scarce, mills were cor- respondingly scarce. All sorts of expedients were resorted to, corn being frequently grated and ground by hand between two stones. A

mill was considered a public blessing, and was resorted to by the early settlers from great dis- tances. The earliest settlers in Madison Town- ship were compelled to go first to Mount Ver- non for this purpose, carrying their grists upon their horses or mules, if so fortunate as to own one of these animals, otherwise being compelled to pack the grist themselves on foot.

The first mill in the township was built by Jacob Newman, on Rocky Fork, about three miles southeast of Mansfield, where Goudy's mill is now located, and where the first settle- ment of the county occurred. It was a saw- mill, but he shortly afterward erected the first grist-mill in the township. For some time, however, this mill ground only corn, and the settlers were compelled to go to Mount Vernon, and afterward to Fredericktown, for flour.

Among the first settlers in Mansfield, was Clement Pollock, a wheelwright, who erected the first mill in Mansfield. It was located near where the new jail is to be erected, and was a tramp-wheel mill, propelled by three yoke of oxen. He sawed lumber and ground corn. This Pollock, or his brother Robert, also erected a carding-mill, in those days, on Fourth street, on the lot now occupied by T. J. Robinson. It was propelled by horse power, and simply pre- pared the wool for the spinning wheel.

The first saw-mill propelled by water power was erected by an Irishman by the name of

John Wright, near the planing-mill of McVay & Allison, on the opposite side of the stream from that establishment. This was about 1820. Afterward, Henry Leyman built a grist-mill near it. This was the first grist-mill in Mans- field, propelled by water. Later, John R. Rob- ison owned this mill, improved it, and for many years it did the custom-work for Mansfield and vicinity. Sometime about 1866 or 1867, it came into the possession of John Damp, who added steam to the power, putting in a thirty- five horse-power engine, and called it the Rich- land City Mill. It was, while in his possession, destroyed by fire, about 1868.

Not long after Wright erected his mill, Mr. Robert Bently, Sr., built a saw-mill and after- ward a grist-mill, on his farm, about two miles south of Mansfield, obtaining water from a fine spring on his farm. This Bently mill was in use a great many years, but has gone into de- cay. After that came what has been known as the Tom Clark mill, a little west of town, on Toby's Run. The present City Mill, of Gil- bert, Waugh & Co., was built in 1847, for a warehouse. This was about the time the San- dusky & Mansfield Railroad was completed, and the track was laid up to this warehouse. The old Sturges & Tracy warehouse, and the old building where Niman's furniture shop is, once a warehouse, were built about the same time. What is now the City Mill was purchased by Burger & Brubaker, who put in mill ma- chinery, and converted it into a flouring-mill. Dr. Joseph Hildreth once had an interest in it. In 1865, it was purchased by Gilbert Brothers, who conducted the business for three or four years, and sold an interest in it to Mr. J. M. Waugh, and the firm became Gilbert, Waugh & Co. They have greatly improved it, and do a large business, having kept the mill in opera- tion, night and day, for the last three years.

The fine brick four-story mill of Hicks Brown & Co., located near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad depot, was built in 1876, and is

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

52x72 feet. It manufactures what is called " the new-process flour "-simply the flour sep- arated from the outside of the wheat kernel, without being ground, crushed or powdered, as it is claimed mills have been doing ever since mills were made. The machinery of this mill was purchased and placed in the mill with the view of carrying out this principle to perfec- tion. It commenced operations in February, 1877, under the management of John Staub and Hicks Brown. In September of the same year, this partnership was dissolved, and the mill passed into possession of the present pro- prietors, Messrs. Hicks Brown and M. D. Har- ter, under the firm name of Hicks Brown & Co., who have since increased its capacity 50 per cent, and established a trade which requires the running of the mill day and night, and the employment of about twenty persons.

Some idea of the amount of this business may be gleaned from the fact that they are paying out yearly to the farmers of Richland County about $200,000 in cash for wheat, beside the wheat they get in exchange for flour. Of this flour, a very small part, comparatively, is marketed at home, as the entire population of the county could not consume the product of this mill. It is shipped to the seaboard cities, Boston alone taking nearly half of what is made ; Philadelphia, also, taking a large share. The mill is conceded to be one of the most complete in the country, yet the wide- awake proprietors are continually on the look- out for improvements, both in machinery and method, being determined that their flour shall stand in the front rank as to quality. Several improved machines have been added, and other additions are contemplated. The magnificent Harris-Corless engine, which operates the ma- chinery, is of the renowned Centennial pattern, and is capable of turning out 300 barrels of flour daily. Their brands of flour are "Brown's Best," "Belle of Richland," "Brown's May- flower " and "Brown's Charter Oak," which

they intend shall become justly celebrated, and kept up to a high standard of excellence.

The largest manufactory in the city, if not in this part of Ohio, is the Aultman & Taylor Company, manufacturers of threshers, steam engines and their component machinery. The Company has been established about thirteen years. In 1867, Mr. C. Aultman, of Canton, Ohio, President of C. Aultman & Co., of that place, and Mr. Henry H. Taylor, of Chicago, General Western Agent of C. Aultman & Co., conceived the idea of building a better style of threshing machine, in many respects, than had ever been seen in the market. Few men in America, perhaps, knew as much about thresh- ing machines, in 1867, as they, and their very knowledge of the great room for improvement led them to consider the propriety of getting out something better. Having built up the reputation of an endless-apron thresher, until it stood at the forefront of the endless-apron or Pitts style of machines, they could not but finally discover and acknowledge the essen- tially faulty, and therefore wasteful, principle of separation in that class of machines. Mr. Taylor, who had for years been interested in building a vibrator style of thresher, knew what wonderful merit there was in it if per- fected, and that it could be rendered the lead- ing machine in the market. With this view, Messrs. Aultman & Taylor formed a copart- nership and began to look for a location for their factory. After carefully weighing the ad- vantages of a large number of localities, they selected Mansfield, Ohio. The grounds for the selection of Mansfield were: 1. It was the geographical center of the best hardwood dis- trict of the country, and they had determined from the start to locate where an abundant supply of the very best material could be had, as it was their aim to have their thresher win the reputation of being built from the best material obtainable. In this matter, time has demonstrated their wisdom, as to-day, if any

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Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co. Number of Pages: 968

Author: Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Mansfield, O. : A. A. Graham & co.
Number of Pages: 968