USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 13
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PLAIN CITY FAIR.
Pastime Park, joining the village of Plain City, Jerome township, on the north, is located on the old farm owned in the early days by William McCune, who also operated quite an extensive tannery. The park contains twenty- seven acres of ground, and has a fine race track for matinee races and train- ing horses. The grove of natural forest trees is beautiful, and a great pleasure resort. Chautauqua meetings are held in the park every year. The "City of Tents" during these meetings is quite large and the attendance is numbered by thousands.
Many picnics and Fourth of July celebrations were held on these grounds before the Civil War. Some of the older citizens recall these celebrations held every year in Pleasant Valley and in those days the meetings were patriotic indeed. Usually one good speaker, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, a few patriotic songs, music by a good martial band, made a day of real enjoyment. Long tables were erected, filled with the substantial "fat of the land" and a free dinner for all.
For a number of years this park was used for agricultural fairs and the exhibition of fine bred stock was the principal feature of the fairs. Jerome township has a state-wide reputation for raising fine draft horses which it has had for more than fifty years. Since the establishing of the matinee training course many fine trotters are bred and these meetings attract many horsemen from other sections of the state.
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"Pleasant Valley Stock Farm," owned by Charles M. Jones, noted for breeding fine draft horses and ponies, joins the park on the east.
THE GRANGE.
The Grange was very prominent in Union county for many years be- fore the eighties and then interest in the movement subsided to the extent that it nearly disappeared as a local organization. Within the past few years there has been a revival of interest in the Grange and now there is a county organization with several local organizations in the various townships. In view of the fact that the Grange was formerly a very prominent factor in the agricultural life of the county, it seems pertinent to insert in this connection the following quotation from the History of Union County, published in 1882: "Among the many agencies and influences which have been at work to advance Union county to the front rank of counties in Ohio, the Grange is entitled to notice. The Grange movement, having for its main objects the social, educational and material advancement of the farming classes of our country, took its start a few years after the close of the Civil War.
"One noteworthy feature of the Grange is the admission of women to full membership, and to this fact may be attributed its great success as a social institution. The Grange has done much toward lessening the bur- dens of women in the country households and afforded occasions and facili- ties for social intercourse unknown, or at least uncommon, before its advent. The presence of women at the regular meetings tends greatly to the encour- agement and refinement of all parties. The Grange encourages education among farmers, and in their meetings are discussed questions calculated to improve their condition and contribute to make their homes more attractive. These discussions lead to liberal sentiments, and it is believed that through the liberal teachings of the Grange much has been accomplished in bringing our rural population to the adoption of improved methods in farming, and greatly encouraged the spirit for building our free gravel roads, which at an early day encountered such strenuous opposition.
"The Grange is in no respect partisan, yet in the meetings of the subor- dinate Granges, as in the state and national Granges, men of all parties and sections are brought together and calmly discuss questions of public policy. These meetings and discussions tend greatly to remove sectional prejudices and jealousies, and moderate the asperities engendered in heated political campaigns. The influence of the Grange has been felt in the legislation of our country, notably in the states of Illinois and Wisconsin, where re-
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strictive laws regulating railroads were passed. These were commonly known as the Granger Laws, and much commented upon at first, yet they have stood the test of the supreme court of the United States. In the future, this in- fluence is destined to be felt in the impending contests between the people and monopolies.
"The Grange in Union county was popular in the start, subsequently it lost in membership and some Granges became dormant from various causes, more especially because many looked upon it as merely a money- saving institution, and being disappointed, dropped out. Recently, however, as in other sections of the country, the Grange is beginning to have a healthy growth, and the prospect is that it will be in the near future what it was intended to be, a blessing to the farmers and their families.
"The educational feature of the order is being more thoroughly put into practice now than ever before. The national and state Granges are de- voting a large portion of their revenues toward the payment of lecturers to visit the Granges throughout the land, and any subordinate Grange, by a limited expenditure added to the provisions made by the state and national Granges, can secure the benefit of lectures, essays and addresses, on sub- jects of general interest. Such privileges have been enjoyed by the citizens of the towns and cities greatly to their profit and improvement, but never by the country people until this system was devised by the Grange. That there has been a great improvement following the efforts of the Grange, 110 intelligent observer will deny. The safety of our free institutions depends upon the intelligence and virtue of our people, hence the importance of en- couraging every effort to improve and advance the agricultural classes who constitute the great conservative element of our country."
There has been an increased interest in the Grange in Union county within the last two years. In November, 1913, the county, or Pomona Grange, was organized with Sylvester Wilson as Pomona Master. It is interesting to note that Mr. Wilson is the youngest man in Ohio holding this position. Under his leadership the Grange is once more assuming a promi- nent place in the agricultural life of the county. When the local organization was effected in the fall of 1913. there were only fifty-three members in the county ; at the present time the eight subordinate Granges of the county have a total membership of nearly three hundred. The local organizations of the county with their officials are as follows :
Richwood Grange, No. 1875: Worthy master, Clarence Kinney : over- seer, H. G. Prettyman; lecturer, Mrs. Mame Sidle; steward, C. B. Phelps : assistant steward, Elmer Cowgill : chaplain, Mrs. Charles Bowers ; treasurer.
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Fred Sidle ; secretary, R. B. Dildine; gate keeper, WV. A. Douglass; Ceres, Nellie Eddy; Pomona, Hazel Staley; Flora, Fanny Davis: lady assistant steward, Mrs. W. H. Perry; organist, Gladys Flesher ; trustees, O. E. Durfey, Clay Stiggers and William H. Lake.
York Grange, No. 1910: Worthy master, Lloyd Worthington ; over- seer, James Sherman ; steward, Yale Rhoades ; gate keeper, Emery Morrow; chaplain, Mrs. Louie Thompson ; lecturer, Eva Hoover ; Ceres, Mata Morris; Flora, Marie Hornbeck; Pomona, Ellen Harris; assistant steward, Ellis Bosart; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Nettie Hanawalt; secretary, Edwin Morrow ; treasurer, George Harris ; business agent, Dr. Charles Thompson.
Allen Grange ( Pottersburg), No. 1827: Worthy master, L. W. Shaw; overseer, Blaine Evans; treasurer, E. L. Bonor ; lecturer, Mrs. L. W. Shaw; chaplain, O. E. Edwards; assistant stewards, Ethel Leonhard and Harold Kent ; gate keeper, Charles Warford; Pomona, Fay Burton ; Ceres, Mildred Kent : Flora. Opal Dunbar ; steward, Bruce Buxton : organist, Lina Newman; secretary. Earl Blake.
Irwin Grange, No. 1880: Worthy master, Grant Gault; overseer, Ed. Stoddard; steward, Guy Baker; secretary, Yate Roots; treasurer, Asa Crandle ; gate keeper, Wilson Wible : lecturer, Mrs. George Crandle ; chaplain. Mrs. Ed. Stoddard; assistant stewards, Mr. and Mrs. Gail Davis; Pomona, Gladys Fenner ; Flora, Esther Shea; Ceres, Mary Sparks.
Claibourne Grange, No. 1807: Worthy master, Llewellyn Jones ; over- seer, Howard Langstaff : lecturer, M. M. Cameron; steward, Clyde Cramer ; chaplain, Ethel Reed : treasurer, Mrs. M. G. Baker ; secretary, George Hart- ley ; lady assistant steward, Anna Jones ; gate keeper. T. T. Van Aucken.
Milford Center Grange, No. 1814: Worthy master. Charles H. Gran- man : overseer, J. C. Robinson ; lecturer, Mrs. Lottie Coe; steward, Richard Granman; assistant steward, LeRoy Wood: chaplain, Albert Burnham; treas- urer, M. E. Vance ; secretary, Mrs. Jennie R. Burnham : gate keeper, D. A. Mitchell: Ceres, Mrs. Birdie Myers; Pomona, Ina Mitchell; Flora, Mrs. Harrison E. Robinson ; lady assistant steward. Ethlyn Burnham.
The officers of the county organization are as follows: Worthy master, Sylvester Wilson; overseer, Mason Baldwin; lecturer, Mrs. L. W. Shaw; steward, Howard Langstaff; assistant steward, Lou Baldwin; chaplain, M. E. Vance; treasurer, L. W. Shaw ; secretary, George Mitchell ; lady assistant steward, Mrs. Charles Loveless; gate keeper. Charles Hoopes; Ceres, Opal Austin : Pomona, Mrs. Willis Wyble; Flora, Lena Newman.
CHAPTER IX.
BANKS AND BANKING.
The banking business is among the last enterprises introduced into any new country. The pioneer usually has but little if indeed any money to deposit, and as a general rule his credit is not good enough security for a loan. The forests must be cut down and many crops raised and marketed before there is any demand for a banking business. Again, at the date Union county was organized the money of the realm was very scarce, there being less than six dollars for each person in the United States. As a me- dium of exchange coon skins, deer skins, whisky, honey and various pelts and furs were taken by the dealer for his goods. This kind of barter did not require any bank. On account of a state bank, the "red-dog," "wild- cat" and other paper money circulated freely in this county, and the Bank Detector, a little booklet issued, told the value of such paper money from week to week. Some was worth par, while other series of bills were down as low as ten per cent. of their face value. By reason of this there was always a strain on business transactions. A man who sold dressed pork in the afternoon, too late to get his money and pay for the goods he needed. was restless until the following morning, when the "dector" came in by mail and told him how much this bill was worth in the markets of the country. Gold and silver cut but little figure in those early days. Banks were estab- lished on little or no capital and no law really controlled them. They run for a time, but most of them failed. Under a later banking law and still later, under the present banking system, the country has been blessed with good money -- one dollar whether it be paper, silver or gold, is now worth as much as any other dollar of our money. The per capita in the country has gone up to about thirty-four dollars, a sufficient amount to make all business transactions made with paper money comparatively safe.
FIRST BANK IN THE COUNTY.
The Bank of Marysville was established in 1854 by Andrews, Evans & Woods, whose advertisement appears in the Marysville Tribune under date of February 14. 1855. In April, 1863. another advertisement shows the
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proprietors to have been at that date, W. W. Woods, D. D. Welsh and C. S. Hamilton. They were at that time "agents for the sale of United States Government Five-Twenty Bonds." In September, 1869, T. J. Buxton, a member of the firm, retired for the purpose of entering into the same business at Minneapolis, Minnesota. James Fullington and C. Phellis became part- ners with Judge Woods, under the firm name of Fullington, Phellis & Woods. This is the oldest banking house in Union county. In 1872, they erected a new bank building-the finest then in this county. It was a three-story brick structure with the Odd Fellows hall on the upper floor.
Its report to the state in 1913 gives the capital to be $50,000; surphis, $11,500; individual deposits subject to check, $283,450; time certificates, $374.336. Its resources and liabilities at the date just named amounted to $688.565.26. Its bank building and lot was value at $7.000.
The date of the present organization was August 23, 1890. The pres- ent officers are as follows : President, W. C. Fullington ; vice-president, John C. Asman, Sr., and Benj. M. Rutan ; cashier, H. E. Conkright.
The Farmers Bank of Union County went into operation April 20, 1868, with the following officers : Directors, Levi Longbrake, A. James Ster- ling and Dr. J. M. Southard; cashier. Joseph Newlove. At first the bank was located in the Robinson block, three doors east of the public square. but early in the seventies it was removed to a handsome brick building at the southeast corner of the square. In 1882 the proprietors of this bank were Joseph Newlove, J. M. Southard, Levi Longbrake, Edward Weller and Thomas Martin: cashier. C. W. Southard. In 1904 this institution was merged into the Union Banking Company.
THE CITIZENS HOME AND SAVINGS COMPANY.
This institution was incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio. September 17, 1889, with an original capital of one million dollars, author- ized. It has been increased to two million dollars, authorized capital. Its first officers were H. W. Morey, president: J. E. Davis, vice-president ; E. F. Sawyer, secretary; C. S. Chapman, treasurer; W. T. Hoopes, attorney. At this date ( 1914) the officers of the company are as follows: Charles Braun, president ; J. L. Reagle, vice-president ; E. F. Sawyer, secretary ; W. C. Fullington, treasurer ; James E. Robinson, attorney. The present direc- tors are W. P. O'Brien, J. L. Reagle, Charles Braun, Joseph Bainer and Louis Linzinmeire.
The September, 1914, statement issued by the company shows the amount
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of resources and liabilities to be $270,476.80. The paid up stock and divi- dends was at that date $130,945.50; running stock and dividends, $34.030.05 ; deposits and accrued interest, $85, 135.26.
Their offices are located on East Fifth street in the Liggett building.
The Peoples Bank was organized early in April, 1874, and included among its stockholders A. J. Whitney, W. H. Robb, J. B. Whelpley, C. Houston, A. S. Chapman, F. T. Arthur, A. T. Carpenter, S. B. Woodburn, B. W. Keys and C. S. Chapman. It commenced its business in the room formerly occupied by the Bank of Marysville, which had shortly before re- moved to its new quarters. Its capital was then $20,000. Its first president was A. J. Whitney and its first cashier was C. S. Chapman. It is a private bank subject to the state banking laws. It still carries a capital of $20,000, and has a surplus and profits of $4,000. The bank is in a leased room. The offices of president and cashier are now held by C. S. Chapman.
The Union Banking Company of Marysville was established October I. 1890, as a state banking institution. Its first officers were Philip Snider, president ; J. C. Asman, vice-president : C. S. David, cashier ; G. L. Sellers, assistant cashier. The first capital was $35,000. The first quarters were in the Houston block. It has succeeded to a good degree in serving its patrons in a satisfactory manner during all these years since its establish- inent. Its present capital is $55,000. Its present officers are as follows : E. F. Southard, president ; J. C. Asman, vice-president ; F. J. Asman, cash- ier ; F. R. Holycross, assistant cashier. The building in which this bank is situated, on the corner of Fifth and Main streets, is leased property. Here one finds all the modern methods of commercial banking transacted in a highly successful manner.
A branch of the Union Bank is the Deposit Bank of Raymond. estab- lished December 26, 1904. with Harry Dague as cashier, later succeeded by the present cashier, George B. Hush. A substantial cement block building was erected and has been used from the establishment of this bank.
The Commercial Savings Bank, No. 115 North Main street, Marys- ville, was organized September 10, 1909, by Charles Braun, Louis F. Blue, Charles W. Southard, Dr. O. H. Thorp, Dudley T. Thornton. The first capital stock was $25,000, which has been increased to $35,000. The orig- inal officers were Charles Braun, president : Louis F. Blue, vice-president ; Charles W. Southard, cashier. The present officials are Louis F. Blue, president : Charles A. Morelock, vice-president ; Charles W. Southard, cash- ier : C. I. Simms, assistant cashier. All branches of banking are trans- acted. The statement issued according to law, at close of business October
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31. 1914. shows that this bank had on that date liabilities and resources amounting to $300,630. It had individual deposits subject to check, $106,- 435 : time certificate of deposits, $115,526. The business is now in a flour- ishing condition and all citizens in the county have great faith in the ability of the men at the head of this financial institution.
MILFORD CENTER BANKS.
The Milford Center Bank was organized in 1878 by James Fulling- ton and Charles Phelps. The first cashier was French Garwood. The pres- ent officers are A. Boylan, president ; F. G. Fullington, cashier; Louis A. Michel, assistant cashier. The capital stock of this bank has always been $10,000. It is a private banking concern, operating under the Ohio bank- ing laws, with an individual responsibility of $400,000. It is one of the solid banking houses of this section of Ohio. Their report in 1913 showed resources and liabilities amounting to $179.507. Its officers are: President. A. Boylan; cashier, F. G. Fullington; it is owned by A. Boylan and F. G. Fullington, with Fullington Bros. as trustees.
The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Milford Center was organized in 1907 with a capital of $25,000. Its president is L. F. Erb: cashier, G. F. Reynolds ; vice-president. A. L. Burson. The directors in 1913 were L. F. Erb, A. L. Burson, J. Charles Gross, H. E. McConnell and J. K. Boer- ger. Its liabilities and resources at the date last mentioned were $176.354.
The first bank in Richwood was opened in 1866 by J. M. Davis and G. Allen, with Mr. Davis as its manager. The capital was limited and the in- stitution only survived about one year. In 1867 the Bank of Richwood was organized with G. B. Hamilton, president. He was succeeded by W. H. Conkright, and he in turn by James Cutler in 1880. B. L. Talmage was the first cashier. The stock amounted to $20,000, and James Cutler, B. L. Talmage. W. H. Conkright. B. Cahill and the estate of Nicholas Money held the stock.
In April, 1906. it was reorganized as a state bank, and the name changed to the Richwood Banking Company. The present capital and surplus is $31,000. and the undivided profits are $21,000. It was chartered as a state bank May 2, 1906. Its location is on the corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets. The officers in 1914 were as follows: C. McAllister, president : C. G. Johnson, cashier : Charles L. Handley, assistant cashier ; R. C. Peet, teller. Their last reports show resources and liabilities of $342,234.46. The de-
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posits amount to $290,170.31. They have alway owned their own banking building, value at $3.900.
It may be added that those connected with this bank have the confidence of all with whom they transact business.
The Union County Bank was established January 1, 1874, with T. P. Cratty, president, and A. J. Blake, cashier. J. Q. Roads and S. M. Blake were the original stockholders.
The First National Bank of Richwood was organized August 8, 1908, by L. J. McCoy and others of Wilmington, Ohio. H. J. Brooks was the first president ; Ed. A. Schambs, vice-president ; L. J. McCoy, cashier. The same officers are still serving and Frank Graham has been added as the assistant cashier. The original capital was $25,000, which has been in- creased to $40,000. The surplus is now $10,000, with undivided profits amounting to $3,000. The amount of total resources is $355,000. The deposits in November, 1914, were $262,000. The bank building was erect- ed in the same year in which the bank was organized.
The Farmers Deposit Bank, of Richwood, was organized in August, 1884, with W. H. Conkright, president. and H. E. Conkright, cashier. Its original capital. $10,000, has been increased to $30,000. The officers are Bent Cahill, president; J. F. Wood, cashier ; I. Z. Zuspan, assistant cashier : directors. C. D. Sidle, Edward M. Blain, John D. White, H. C. Duke, Thomas Parish, H. E. Conkright and Bent Cahill. Their bank building was erected in 1897. General banking is transacted in all of its branches.
WV. H. Conkright died in 1893 and was succeeded by Bent Cahill as president in 1894. It was a private bank until 1910 and then incorporated as a state bank.
CHAPTER X.
TIIE NEWSPAPERS OF UNION COUNTY.
Ohio and Union county owe much to the influence exerted by the news- paper press. Newspapers have long been the greatest force in forming public opinion. In the early days in Union county nothing but monthly and weekly publications were obtainable, but the pioneers made good use of such papers as they could secure. Both secular and religious papers were found in a ma- jority of the cabin homes in this county and their influence for good upon the rising generations cannot be well overestimated. As soon as the daily paper appeared as a common factor in town and city, the people here took such papers without any great urging. Today the farmer has his daily paper dropped off at his very door yard each forenoon by the free rural carrier system. Great is the contrast since the days of weekly papers getting in here to the homes of the pioneers of Union county, perhaps a week or more old. with news from distant points of the globe, possibly six weeks old, and still labeled "Latest News."
The oldest newspaper in this county, with its genealogy running away back through the chain of links made up of the Argus, Union Gasette, Union Star and Flag of Freedom, is the present well-known publication, the Marys- ville Tribune.
Perhaps no better or more authentic account of the newspapers in this county prior to 1880 can be had today than to quote what was written in that year by that industrious journalist, John H. Shearer, then editor of the Tribune, who published a daily that fall during county fair time. His his- tory of the various papers in this county read about as follows:
"The first paper in the county was issued at Marysville on February 20. 1839. eighteen years after the town had started, just having been declared the county seat. Stephen McLain and Robert McBrathey were the pub- lishers and William C. Lawrence was the editor. The title of the paper was Our Freedom and Union County Advertiser. After running a part of a year the title was changed to the Union Star. and was continued by the same publishers until about the middle of the second volume, when the nanie Mc- Lain was dropped out of the paper and it was issued by McBratney. The
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Star was continued until about May 1, 1841, when the office was purchased by John Cassil, who changed the name to that of Union Gasette. Mr. Cassil was the editor and J. E. Wilson was the printer. The paper, after the pub- lication of a few minbers, was removed, in May, 1842. to Bellefontaine, and Thomas M. Robb became its editor while this arrangement lasted. The paper was sent to Marysville each week and distributed to the subscribers. About May 30, 1843. the press was moved back to Marysville, Mr. Cassil again assuming editorial control and published the paper until May, 1844. The Gazette was Democratic in politics during the time Mr. Cassil had con- trol of it.
"The Gazette establishment was purchased of John Cassil by P. B. Cole and W. C. Lawrence in May, 1844. and the name of the paper was changed to the Argus and espoused the cause of the Whig party. Six weeks later the name was changed to The Argus and 'Union County Advertiser. Cole and Lawrence ran the paper just one year and then sold to James S. Alexander, who ran it five or six weeks and stopped its publication. It was then resold to John Cassil. Mr. Cassil published the paper irregularly for about a year, changing it into a Democratic paper.
"In June. 1846. P. B. Cole purchased the office again and became its editor. He changed it back to a Whig paper and continued its publication under the foremanship of David W. English until September, 1849, when he sold the establishment to C. S. Hamilton and he in turn established the Marysville Tribune. David W. and George English were the early printers on the Tribune and continued as such until October 16, 1850, when Eckert & Cassil became printers and remained such until April 5, 1851. The printers then were J. G. Cassil and C. C. P. Davis. These gentlemen pub- lished the paper until December 1, 1852, when Eckert dropped out and the printers were Cassil & Plumb; but these dropped out in February, 1853, and J. W. Dumble became printer. About the first of December, 1853. John B. Coats bought the office and became the editor. with C. S. Hamilton as asso- ciate editor, and J. W. Dumble and P. B. Plumb, printers. Mr. Plumb later became United States senator front Kansas, to which state he removed in 1854. Mr. Plumb dropped out in January, 1854, and J. G. Cassil became foreman of the office. In June, 1854. Hamilton became disconnected as as- sociate editor and on the first of December of the same year Coats sold the press to Samuel McBratney and D. S. Parker, who became the editors. March 25. 1855. Parker retired from the paper and C. S. Hamilton again assumed control, leaving the business department to McBratney, J. G. Cas- sil continuing as printer. This association as editor, publisher and printer
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