USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 93
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 93
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346
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
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made a gallant contest for Congress in a district hopelessly Democratic. His opponent was Hon. Win. Sawyer. James stumped the district, and reduced the Democratic majority from 2500 to about 1000.
Not long after, his house took fright, and he was thrown from his buggy and received spinal injuries from which he never recovered.
His busy life terminated at Celina Jan. 1, 1570. He was the proprie- tor of the towns of Van Wert, Paulding. and Celina, all now seats of justice. He was also associated with Horatio Curtis, Samuel Rice, and my self in founding the town of Antwerp in Paulding County. He left a widow and six children-three sons and three daughters. His young- est son, James W., still resides in Celina; the second, Calvin E., resides on a farm three miles east of Celina; and the eldest, Dr. Willshire, in Judsonia. Ark., where he has been elected senator.
The eldest daughter. Amelia, was twice married; her first husband, Captain MeMorray, was starved to death at Andersonville prison, that more than a hell. Her second husband was Mr. Clark Williamson. Her death occurred about a year ago. The second daughter, Mrs. E. M. Ashley, resides at Denver, Col, and the third, Mrs A. J. Hodder, resides in Cincinnati, O. Mr. Riley's widow is still in the enjoyment of good health, and spends most of her time with her daughter, Mrs. Ashley.
To the foregoing account of the life of Mr. Riley by his brother we only add the following observations :-
He was born Feb. 20, 1804. His life was a long and eventful one, and his name will be found identified with the foundation of towns, the sur- vey of lands, public documents, official rosters, and legislative and executive duties. Associated with the seat of justice of Van Wert County, he also beenme associated in like manner with the scats of justice of Mercer and Paulding counties. 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 all 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 bing- raphy. To him the citizens of both counties are deeply and continually indebted, and his name will ever be found among the records of the teri tory as one of the leading. influential spirits who knew how to enter the wilderness and carve out villages which should serve as nuclei for grow- ing, enterprising communities. His death occurred after a busy life of sixty-five years, Jan. 1, 1870. His remains lie in the cemetery east of Celina, on the line of the St. Marys road. A monument marks the spot of burial, and bears the following inscription :-
" In Heaven Rest. Sacred to the Memory of our Father, JAMES WATSON RILEY. Died
Jan. 1, 1870, Aged 65 years, 10 months and 11 days. There never lived a better husband, a kinder father, a truer friend."
OFFICERS.
Mayors.
1861. J. N. Hetzler.
1862. Noah Boetz.
1863. Noah Boetz.
1864. Alfred Le Blond.
1866. Joseph May.
1868. S. S. Snyder.
1870. Hiram Murlin.
Councilmen.
IsMI. Adam Baker, John Lack, John M. Politman, S. S. Suyder.
1.62. M. E. Baker, John M. Pohiman, Alex. Wyckoff, J. W. Rauda- bangh, J. H. Day.
1963. W. E. Baker, John M. Pohlman, J. W. Raudebangh. Alex. Wyckoff, J. H. Pay. 1864. R. W. Small, E. U. Shepherd, Noah Bretz, J. W. Crockett, S. 8. Snyder, Henry F. Juuneman.
1865. Adam Baker, Jacob Winters, S. F. De Ford, Hiram Murlin, S. S. Snyder.
INGG. Hiram Murlin, S. S. Snyder, Adam Baker, S. F. De Ford, Jacob Winters.
1867. A. P. J. Snyder, A. Fanger, Alex. Wyckoff, J. M. Pohlman, Adam Baker.
IN64. Adam Baker, A. P. J. Snyder, J. M. Pohlman, A. Fanger, Christ. Sehanek, R. G. Blake. 1869. M. Winters, A. P. J. Suyder, Alex. Wyckoff, Gideon Le Bloud, Adam Baker, David Murray.
1870. S. S. Snyder, R. G. Blake, John Luck, Peter Schunck, J. K. Brandon, S. B. Shipley.
1871. A. Wyckoff, S. B. Shipley, William Dickinan, L. D. Touvelle, Adam Baker, H. L. Johnson.
1872. Abner Davis, Alex. Wyckoff, William Diekman, Adam. Schunck, L. D. Touvelle, Kiefer Alberry. 1×73. William Diekman, Abner Davis, Adam Schunck, Casper Smith, John Blake, L. D. Toutvelle. 1974. A. Schunek, A. Davis, H. H. Klare, C. Smith, J. Blake, L. D. Tonvelle. 1875. A. Davis, A. Schunck, C. Smith, H. H. Klare, Michael Field- hiser. C. H. Hitchens.
1876. A. Davis. M. Fickthiser, C. H. Hitchens, John Milligan, Con- rad Hierholser, J. H. Day. 1877. A. Davis, J. H. Day, J. Hierholser, Charles Fanger, Luzerne Jones, J. A. Milligan. 1878. C. Fanger, J. H. Day, S. S. Snyder, HI. H. Pulskamp, Alex. Wyckoff, Fred. Stedke.
1879. J. A. Day, Alex. Wyckoff, HI. HI. Pulskamp, Fred. Stedke, S. S. Snyder, C. Fanger.
1880. R. G. Blake, H. H. Pulskamp, D. J. Roop, Edward Landfair, J. F. Timmonds. S. S. Snyder.
1ss1. R. G. Blake, H. H. Pulskamp, S. S. Snyder, William Dickman, John Hopple, Peter Schunck.
Clerks.
1863. T. G. Touvelle. 1×63-71. T. G. Touvelle.
1864-66. Philo Le Blond. 1872-77. Jonathan Shepherd.
1867. Kiefer Alberry. 1878-81. Charles C. Gable.
Present Officers.
Mayor, S. S. Snyder; Clerk, A. E. Murlin ; Treasurer, Chas. Fanger; Marshall, Geo. Hlouser ; Solicitor, A. D. Marsh ; Council, Jacob Kreusch. T. G. Touvelle and Dr. F. C. Le Blond; School Board, Alex. Wyckoff and S. A. Armstrong.
Postmasters of Celina.
Samuel Ruckman.
Levi Dioble.
William MeMurray, corner of Market and Main Streets.
Joli J. Rickley, opposite the St. Charles.
James Bell.
Thomas Williamson, where T. J. Godrey's banking house stands.
A. Le Blond, corner of Market and Main Streets. J. Broadwell, Godfrey's banking honse.
A. J. Linzee, corner of Fayette and Main Street.
William Dickman, corner of Walnut and Washington Streets.
Jacob Hite, corner of Main and Fayette Streets.
Charles MeKer, Walnut and Main Streets, opposite the St. Charles. P. Guffey, Walnut and Main Streets.
William Dickman, Walnut and Fayette Streets.
Court-House.
December 3, 1827. John Pickerel was allowed five dollars for the use of his tavern to hold the Court of Common Pleas.
March 3, 1828. Proposals for the erection of a frame court-house was ordered to be erected twenty by twenty-four feet, two stories high, and to be sold to the best bidder. W. MeChiney received the contract for $291.49, part of which was to include Lot No. 57. to be valued by two disinterested men. The settlement took place March 2, 1829, and the lot was valued at $40.
The work on the court-house was sold to Joshua Warficht for $3 ;. 37 !. which amount was paid May 5, 1831, and included seats, table for the bar, desk for clerks, etc.
September 12, 1%39. The commissioners and auditor met to select thirty-four lots donated by the Proprietors of Celina to aid in erecting public buildings in Celina. Twenty of these lots were soll Nov. 5. 1s29. for $327.25. November 7th eight additional lot - were soll for $292.50.
September 13, 1859. The commissioners resolved to put under con- tract the building of a court house and jail at Celina, and to receive pro posals for that porpose. The court-house was let December 2, 1539, to Samuel Hunter and John McGee for $1350. The records show that the commissioners settled with Messrs. Hunter and Melive on June S. I'll -the building having been completed according to contract.
June 7, 1843. Milton Miller received the contract for plastering the court-house at thirty cents per yard. The court-house was on the serend floor, and was divided into three rooms, viz, a court room and two jury rooms.
The upper story was awarded to W. Brandt for $35 to be plastered. and the fence around the cour thouse to Franklin Linzce for SHA
April 1, 1346. The rooms in the basement story of the court-house
1872. J. M. Davidson. 1874. R. G. Blake. 1876. J. W. Riley. 1878. Joseph May. 1880. Joseph May.
1882. S. S. Snyder.
347- 348.
LUZERNE JONES ESQ. MAIN ST. CELINA, MERCER CO. OHIO.
حدى.
J. W. DE FORD'S RESIDENCE, MAIN ST. CELINA, O.
349
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
given to John Carlen and John Bolton to be plastered. In 1818 the Commissioners insured the court-house in Portage Insurance Company for seven years.
April 26, 1850. The court-house to be roofed with pine shingles, four inches to the weather. Contract awarded to Wm. Auguster for $110- and the finishing of the court room to Stephen Me Vicker for $110.
July 5, 1>50. The painting awarded to Levi Dibble for $165, to be completed by October 1.
April 15, 1851. The underpinning of the court-house with stone was awarded to Abraham Miller, with walling and digging well.
1859. The court-house insured in the Hartford Insurance Company.
Treasurer's Office.
September. 1958. The Commissioners erected an office of brick for the county treasurer, sixteen by twenty-four feet, with stone foundation.
April 13, 1866. . The commissioners resolved to ereet a court-house fifty-eight by seventy feet. three stories high, including a stone basement -bids to be received until May Is.
April 30. The size of the building changed to sixty by ninety-seven feet.
On May IS the bids not proving satisfactory no contract was awarded, but on March 13. 1867, Mr. Rumbaugh, artist of Lima, Ohio, submitted plans for a court-house, which were adopted; the size of the building to be fifty-six feet six inches by eighty-one feet four inches, two stories high, with main tower sixteen feet square four stories high-a small story, fourteen feet square three stories high -- to be of brick work, with ent stone, plastering, stucco work, carpenter work, roof slating, court room, painting, clock, etc., according to plans and specifications, and to be finished by September 15, 1868.
There were ten bids ranging from $39,000 to $44.350, but the contract was awarded to Messrs. R. G. Blake and F. C. LeBlonde, This con- tract, however, was transferred by consent of the Commissioners to M. P. Gutley on the same conditions.
June 29, 1867. The Commissioners issued bonds to the am .it of $25,000, payable in one, two, three, and four years in $100 and $500 bonds at ten per cent.
January 24, 1868. The Commissioners placed a guard over the old court house and county treasury.
January 22. 1969. The Commissioners sold the old court-house lot (No. 276) to D. MeMurray for $630, and the north part of the lot with the brick building, sixteen by twenty-four, which had originally been erected for the treasurer's office September, 1858, for $500.
April 17, 1869. The total cost of the court-house was $43,773.41, and insured in the _Etna Insurance Company for $20.000.
March 6, 1879. The court-house was insured for $20,000; $18,000 on court-house and $2000 on books and furniture.
October 7. John Raudabangh was directed to place a time meridian in the front part of the public square.
Jail.
December 29. 1825. The Commissioners soll the building of a jail to Asa Hinkle, for which he received lots Nos. 21, 34. 37, 42. and 50, and one hundred and fifty dollars in cash. Settlement took place June 6, 1830. March 4. 1533. it was repaired by covering the inside of the door with sheet-iron. using wrought-iron nails with large heads, set apart at the distance of four inches. This contract includes both the inner and outer doors and frames.
Celina Jail.
July 1, 1842. The building of the county jail was awarded to Gustavus Darnold for $397, to be paid in part in town lots, and to be finished before September 24, 1842.
March 4, 1849. The Commissioners ordered an addition to the jail and debtors' room (which was a frame building), and awarded to H. L. Johnson for $630 ; the plastering to Levi Lipps at 234 cents per yard, and Hezekiah Trenary the iron work at $30.
Sheriff's Residence and Jail.
On December 8, 1839; the Commissioners awarded to Valeau & Jacobs of Cincinnati, Ohio, on January 11, 1560, the contract for erreting a sheriff's residence on the northeast corner of the public square for the sum of $5000; the building to be 341 by 29 feet, elevation 22 fort inches to the top of the cornice ; to be built of brick with a stone foun- dation, and covered with sheet iron.
May 11, Je7%. The Commissioners rented of Mr. Schuyler his house and lot on the corner of Anthony and Walnut Streets, for the sheriff during the creation of the house and jait.
March 21, 1875. Plans and specifications for a new county jail and 37
sheriff's house was let April 30, 1875, which were prepared by T. J. Toland & Son of Delphos, Ohio, and awarded to E. W. Wilson of Van Wert, Ohio, for $25.500, on March 6, 1875. The Commissioners directed Mr. Snyder, Auditor. to procure $25,000 ou county bonds of $100 and $500, payable in 1976-7-8-9 and $0, from Joseph A. Hemann & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio.
March x, 1876. The jail was ordered to be heated with steam, and the contract was awarded to C. Buchler & Co. of St Marys for $935.
October 21, 1576. The Commissioners ordered $10,000 to be issued in jail building bonds, payable in two and three years.
SCHOOLS.
Sub-district No. 4, of Jefferson Township, was established at Celina, a public meeting being held for this purpose.
On March 13, 1:59, John Brandon and John Lusk were elected school directors.
March 9, 1860, same school directors re-elected.
August 31, 1461. The qualified voters met and elected three directors, viz., Milton M. Miller for three years, Abner Davis for two years, and Hiram Muilin for one year.
The Sub-board of Directors and those of Celina having met, and after a full discussion entered into an agreement that the territory lying out- side of the incorporated village should be attached for school purposes. They also entered into an agreement with regard to the Union school- house.
April 13, 1863. W. E. Baker elected for three years; Hiram Marlin April 11, 1864; 1. W. Wyckoff and Abuer Davis April 17, 1865; S. S. Snyder April 14. 1966. The Board was composed of S. S. Snyder, Abber Davis, A. W. Wyckoff, George Petre, J. M. Day, and J. K. Brandon. September 14. 1566. S. F. De Ford was elected Superintendent and teacher of High School ; April 15. 1-67, A. W. Wyckoff and Joseph May elected Directors; April 6, 1568, F. C. LeBlond and S. S. Snyder; April, 1869, R. G. Blake and George Stuck ; April, 1-70, M. M. MiHer and J. K. Brandon. August 20, 1870. S. A. Armstrong was elected Superin- tendent. April, 1871, George Petre and J. B. Perwessel.
June, 1871. The Board resolved to have the German language taught. and elected Theodore Gunthers, and J. F. Randehayht was elected the Superintendent.
April, 1872. R. G. Blake and T. J. Godfrey elected Directors on July 8, 1812; JJ. W. Williams elveted-Superintendent.
April. 1873. M. M. Miller and Dr. J. N. Hetzler Directors.
July 7, ISTS. The Directors gave notice of the schoolhouse to be let, and to receive proposals for the same, and on August 16. 1>73. it was awarded to Rouzer & Gill, bonds being given for the execution of the work.
April 10, 1974. Christian Schunck and Edward Landfair, Directors. April, 1975, R. G. Blake and T. J. Godfrey; April. 1876, M. M. Miler, Geo. Petre; J. F. Randolph, Superintendent. April, 1877, George Petre and Jacob Kreusch; April. 1878, H. H. Pul-kamp and R. G. Blake; April, 1879, J. H. Day and T. G. Touvelle, Isso; S. S. Snyder and Da- vis Guy, Iss1.
February 27. 1574. The Board of Directors passed a resolution to close the school for the purpose of building the schoolhouse, with the under- standing that the present teachers should have the preference when the school should be resumed. Dr. J. N. Hetzler was appointed Superinten- dent, to see that the contractors take no privileges that the contract does not allow.
April 10, 1874. Messrs. Rouzer & Gill notified the Board that they had disposed of their interest to Messrs. Gable, Sanders & Company, and made an estimate of the work done to that date. The Board complie & with the request. and the estimated work amounted to $4119, and directed four bonds of $1000 each to be issued accordingly.
It appears from the records that charges were occasionally made as the work progressed.
June 10. 1874. The Directors directed a slate roof with the best felting cloth, which was awarded to Bovinger & Brothers at $t per square, and to receive bonds in payment.
The Board contracted for seats: Rooms Now. 1 and 2. 8420; Nos. 3 and 4. 8385 ; Nos, 5 and 6, 8350-bond- to be riven for the same.
August 4. The Board paid the contractors ; m in bonds on account of work done.
September 19. They contracted for a few the one around the court-house, with Mr. Long. October 5, 1876. The Board of Director- I the school house from the contractors as being finished in a with the plans and
specifications, and bonds were accordingly .. . t. The whole amount of bonds were $24,592.00.
June 21, 1575. An insurance of $10,000 was placed upon the building. The Board designated the schools as follows: August 17, 1877, Pri- mary, Nos. I and 2; Intermediate, No. 3; Grammar, No. Land No. 5; High School, No. 6.
The German Department scholars to be graded into classes.
350
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
SOCIETIES.
Celina Lodge of True and Accepted Masons, No. 241.
The Masonic brethren residing in Celina, Mercer County, Ohio. be- Jieving it to be their doty as well as their desire, presented a petition to the M. W. William B. Hubbard, Grand Master, on May 24. 1:53. The petition was signed by Smith HI. Clark, R. L. MeGinnis, E. T. Williamson, F. C. LeBlond, L. C. Finley, Daniel Hartroff, M. M. Miller, William Hunter, aud granted by the Grand Master.
The first meeting under the dispensation was held June 16, 1953, in a ball prepared for the occasion. The officers named in the dispensation were Smith H. Clark, Worshipful Master, Robert L. MeGinnis, Senior Warden, and E. T. Williamson, Junior Warden F. C. Le Blond was appointed Treasurer, Wm. Hunter Secretary, L. C. Finley, Senior Deacon, M. M. Miller, Junior Deacon, and D. Hartroff, Tyler.
The Grand Lodge of Ohio being in annual session Oet. 20, 1:53, at Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, granted the charter prayed for in their dispensation on May 26, 1853, the charter being signed by the following Grand Officers: L. V. Bierce, R. W. G. M .; W. B. Dodds, R. W. D. G. M .; Matthew Carro, R. W. G. W .; M. D. Brock, R. W. J. G. W .; Jno. D. Caldwell, R. W. G. Secretary.
Under the charter the following brethren have filled the office of Wor- shipful Master, and accordingly rank as Past Masters; South H. Clark, 1853. U. D .; William Hunter, 1854; William Hunter, 1>55; William Hunter, 1956; Smith HI. Clark, 1857; Smith H. Clark, IS58; Smith I. Clark, 1859; Smith H. Clark, 1860 ; A. P. J. Snyder, 1861; W. E. Baker, 1862; Philo Le Blond, 1843; T. J. Godfrey, I>64; J. N. Hetzler, 1-65, 1866, 1867, 1868; A. Wyckoff, 1869, 1870; J. N. Hetzler, 1871. 1872, 1873; Thos. J. Godfrey, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877, 1878; D. J. Roop, 1879; Thos. J. Godfrey, 1880.
1
Celina Chapter, No. 120.
A dispensation was granted Dee. 3. 1869, to Companions F. C. Le Blond, Philo Le Blond, Joseph N. Hetzler, Theophilus G. Tourelle. G. Le Blond, John W. De Ford, A. P. J. Snyder, James Johnson, Hiram Shaw, S. R. Mott, J. M. Davidson, C. W. Alexander, John D. Ralston, John P. Dysert, and N. M. Shanklin. Officers under the dispensation were, Dr. Joseph N. Hetzler, II. P .; Gideon Le Blond, K .; James H. Day, S.
The charter was issued September 14, 1874, and signed by the following officers: Charles C. Keifer, G. H. Priest; J. A. Riddle. D. G H. Priest ; W. F. Radensten, G. K .; J. A. Rettegy U. S. ; John D. Caldwell, G. Secretary.
Ollieers installed under the charter: Companion Joseph S. Hetzler, High Priest; Companion F. C. Le Blond, King; Companion James Johnston, Scribe.
Celina Lodge, I. O. O. F.
.
Was constituted at Celina, Mercer County, Ohio, by MI. W. Bro. John A. Lee, Grand Master of the State, on July 20, 1867.
The Grand Officers' names attached to the charter are John A. Lee. M. W. Grand Master; James A. Semple, R. W. Deputy Grand Master; Henry Lindenberg. R. W. Grand Warden: 1. D. Winshell, R. W. Grand Treasurer: W. C. Earl. R. W. Grand Secretary.
The ball is situated at the corner of Main and Fayette streets. in the third story of the building creeted by William Dickman, and is band- somely furnished. The following constitute the list of Past Grands who have faithfully discharged the duties of the office of Noble Grand, and are consequently members of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the 1. 0. O. F. of the State of Ohio.
----
Past Grands .- M. M Miller, Keefers Alberry, Jonathan Shepherd, S. A. Armstrong, M. M. Schuyler, J. F. Timmonds, C. Fanger, William Dickman, A. Fanger, S P. MeGrid, J. P. MeAfec. M. Fieldtheiser, George Smith, and M. V. Alberry. The present officers, Jan. 3. 1880, are J. F. Timmonds, N. G .; L, E. Prentiss, V. G .; M. Schuyler, Secretary ; S. A. Armstrong, P. Secretary, and William Dickman, Treasurer.
Knights of Pythias.
A society of K. of P. was organized at Colina September 8, 1881. and instituted as Celina Lodge No. 129, K. of P., by C. D. Holdings, P. G. C. of Dayton.
Charter members : J. C. Porterfield. J. P. Me Afec, Charles Winslow, J. W. De Ford, J. W. Lowe, J. W. Pickman, J. W. Riley, G. E. Na- gester, A. J. Knox. G. W. Williams, Edward Shaffer, S. R. Kimble, Win. Soyder, C. H. Snyder, Harmon Myers, W. W. Timmonds, V. H. E-try, C. C. Gable, Eli Brison, G. W. Smith, John Nichol, P. A. Ellis, J. W. Mckee.
Officers : J. W. Lorve. C. C .; Charles Winslow, V. C .; G. E. Nungey. ter, I'relate; C. C. Gable, M. A .; J. P. MeAfece. K. of R. and S .: C. H. Snyder, M. of E .; J. W. Diekman. M. of F .; G. W. Williams, I. G .; Edward Shaffer, O. G .; J. W. Mckee, P. C.
Although yet in its infaney, the order is in a prosperous condition and gives promise of future growth and energy.
Le Blond Post No. 175,
Grand Army of the Republic, was organized December 7, 1881. Names of Charter members: D. J. Roop, Frank M. Work, J. W. Riley, I. B. Robbins, P. Cegrand, James Hedrick, Israel Cook, John A. Walter, L. S. Jameson, G. J. C. Winterinute, J. H. Murphy, G. Le Blond, D. Rush, M. V. B. Greek, John Hess, J. F. Timmonds, S. R. Beam, S. C. M. Bar- ren, John Hopple, J. Charter, W. H. Smith, Hiram Long, C. H. Hitch- ens, C. W. Bodkin, C. R. Coats, D. D. Keller, Abraham Stephens, L. H. Clark.
Officers : D. J. Roop, Commander ; J. W. Riley, Senior Vice-Com- mander ; J. H. Murphy, Junior Vice-Commander; J. F. Timmonds, Adjutant; G. J. C. Winterinte, Sorgeon ; L. S. Jameson, Chaplain ; Peter Cegrand, Quartermaster; C. W. Bodkin. Officer Day ; John Hop- ple, Officer Guard; 1. Cook, Sergt .- Major; H. Long, Q. M. Seigt .; S. R. Beam, Aide-de-Camp.
NEWSPAPERS.
Western Standard, afterward Mercer County Standard,
was established in 1848 by Messrs. Hunter & Barrington. It was pub- lished as a weekly paper until the spring of 1550, when the partners sold it to Messrs. Blocher & Suyder. This firm published it until 1>54, when it passed into the hands of Snyder & Brother, who published it until 1865, and then sold the establishment to D. J. Callan & Co. This firm published it for fifteen months, and in 1866 Mr. A. P. J. Snyder became sole proprietor and changed its name to " Mercer County Standard."
It was printed on a Washington hand press until September, 1550, but now on a Campbell power press. The office also has one of Gordon's and one of Allen's job presses, M. C. Hardy's paper cutter, six cabinets of every variety of type, with all the modern improvements. It was commenced as a 20-column paper, then 24, afterward 28. and by degrees as the interests of the community demanded, it has now reached a 32- column paper, with a capital of 83500. As an editor, Mr. Snyder devotes his time to the interest of his paper, and thereby promotes every interest of his county. Strenuously attached to his political principles. and endorsed as a good and true man, he labors earnestly for the pro- motion of the interests of the city and county.
The Western Democrat, now Mercer Observer. was established Sep- tember 11. 1874, by J. B. Perwessel & Co., D. J. Callan being the editor, who was followed by J. G. Loughridge. J. E. Blizzard purchased and took possession April 27, 1876, changed its name to the " Mercer County Observer," and sold the establishment to L. S. Jameson & Co. in August, 1880. It has a Washington press, a Standard press. card cutters, six cabinets containing every variety of type, with cuts for all kinds of work. Capital invested, 82200.
It is Republican in its principles, and the present editor, with his ac- customed zeal, energy, and perseverance, entered the field, believing that the principles he espoused were the true and correct principles of the American government, which alone could insure happiness and pros- perity to the country. Since then the " Observer" has met with that encouragement which it deserves.
Celina Independent.
On retiring from the "Observer," Mr. J. E. Blizzard at once undertook the establishment of a new paper in Celina. The first number appeared under the title of the " Celina Independent," bearing date of Saturday, November 19, ISSI, and under the motto, " Independent in all things, neutral in nothing." It is a 2s-column paper, devoted to the dissemina- tion of general news, the interests of the county, and under all circum- stances to be "independent in politics." At this writing but one number has appeared, so that the enterprise is in its infancy, and has its history to make before it can be written.
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