USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 74
USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 74
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Frederick Layer is postmaster, and was com- missioned in 1824. There are three stores : that of Theodore Mills and Frederick Layer being the largest. L. S. IIeller and Thomas J. Cusack divide the balance of the business, in the grocery line. The harness maker is A. J. Seydel; blacksmiths, Orrin T. Cole. T. S. Charity, J. K. Partello; wagon makers, Kurtz & Cole ; pumps are manufactured by - Smith. There are no other mechanical industries in the village, except a saw mill built many years ago by S. K. Ruth and M. Kieser, and which has been run, since 1862, by L Pennington.
311
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
PLYMOUTH VILLAGE.
Plymouth, then called Paris, was laid out in 1825, at the junction of latitude forty-one and Beal's mili- tary road, by Abram Trux, Jonn Barney and Lemuel Powers. * It consisted of forty-one in-lots, and lay partly in New Haven township and partly in Plymouth township, (Richland county). The village had a rapid growth. All of the original forty-one lots were sold within two years' time, and several additions were made to the town plat. The first frame building in the village .was erected by William Crall, and the second was built by three young men from Pittsburgh, by the name of Wilson. The third frame was erected and inclosed by Sylvester Kellogg, but was sold to, and finished by Matthew McKelvey, who moved into it the first stock of goods opened in the place. When the plat was laid out it included sixteen log cabins, occupied by Abram Trux, Patrick Lynch, Benjamin Woolly, - Young, Enos Rose, Abner Harkness, A. D. W. Bodley, Harlow Barney, John Barney, Henry Barney, Christian Culp, Hugh Long, B. F. Taylor, W. C. Enos and Lemuel Powers.
Lemuel Powers was the first physician in the vil- lage; W. C. Enos, the first lawyer; Mr. Curtiss, the first taylor; W. B. Moore and John Skinner, the first shoe makers; Hugh Long, the first tanner; Patrick Lynch, the first blacksmith ; Robert Morfoot, the first bricklayer and plasterer; A. D. W. Bodley, the first wheelwright; and Anthony MeLaughlin the first cooper.
A saw and grist mill was built by Abram Trux, soon after the village was laid ont.
The first tavern was built by James Drennan. Two others were established soon after this one, by Jacob Heller and a Mr. Lindsey. Two distilleries were started-one by Lemuel Powers and the other by M. McKelvey. The latter was obliged to discon- tinue his business because of an injury which he re- ceived, and the former, being converted to the total abstinence view, changed his distillery into a hat fac- tory, which he conducted successfully for many years.
Among the oldest settlers of Plymouth village are, Robert Morfoot, W. W. Drennan, B. B. Taylor and B. F. Day. B. Taylor came in, in the year 1821. Drennan, in the year 1825; he was from Pennsylvania, orignally, and married Hannah Brinkerhoff, of Owasco, New York. Morfoot came from Trumbull county. His wife's maiden name was Sarah Heller. B. F. Day arrived in 1836. Another old settler was Andy McLaughlin; his wife, Rhoda, is still living in the village,-Mrs. Marshall. +
THE VILLAGE INCORPORATED.
About the year 1834, the village of Plymouth was incorporated, but as the records previous to the year
1855, are not in existence, the early officers cannot be given. The first mayor was probably A. D. W. Bod- ley, and the clerk, at the same time, Robert Morfoot. We give the officers elected in 1818, as a matter which will sometime be of interest. They are : Mayor, Jacob Culp; clerk, J. C. Beekman; members of coun- cil, W. B. Cuykendall, Wm. McClinchy, H. M. Par- ker, Phillip Upp, J. N. Fleming, L. B. Gunsaullus; su- pervisor, Alexander Clark; treasurer, Daniel Wyandt; marshall, C. A. Beelman.
When it was proposed to change the name of Paris to that now in use, it was opposed by some, because "Plymouth was a damned Yankee name," " a cursed Puritan name," etc. But the name was adopted, nevertheless, and with it much of the principle which is always associated in imagination with the word. The village took an early stand upon the temperance question, and for many years was avoided by a cor- tain class, because it was "fanatical upon the drinking question." Robert Morfoot raised the first building in Plymouth, that went up without the aid of whisky.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
In the same year it was laid out, the people of Paris, built a small house, which, according to the terms of the subscription, was to be used for school and religious purposes. All denominations were en- titled to its occupancy. Aaron B. Howe was the first teacher, and is said to have had an excellent school, which was so well appreciated that many came from a distance of from two to three miles to attend it. A Mr. Brown succeeded Howe as pedagogue.
Mr. McKelvey, in 1830, erected a small building and established a seminary for young ladies. He pro- cured competent teachers, and the school became quite popular and useful. The young ladies of the surrounding country, very generally took advantage of the opportunity offered them of acquiring an edu- cation at this seminary. An additional school house was built in 1832, and this, with "the old red school house," as the one first built was called, subserved the needs of the village until 1851, when the union school house was erected. This building, it is said, gave the children of Plymouth better accommodations than were at that time afforded in any of the villages of Huron or Richland counties. This was replaced with the present structure in 1875.
PLYMOUTH PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The superintendents who have had charge of the schools since their organization as union schools- April 6, 1849,-have been as follows: In 1850, C. L. Royce was chosen as the first superintendent, and continued as such until August 4, 1853, when Solomon Spaulding was elected as his successor. J. Markham was elected June 22, 1854; J. B. Getman, June 6, 1857; Allen Armstrong, March 4, 1864: J. Markham, re-elected September 5, 1865; W. A. Gunsaulius, clected August 9, 1866; Richard Parsons, July 24, 1821, and C. W. Butler, the present superintendent,
* For the facts here given, in relation to the early history of Plymouth village, the historian is largely indebted to W. W. Dreunan, Esq.
t Other early settlers are mentioned in the history of the township, which includes half of the village.
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
July 6, 1875. On September 13, 1875, the schools were opened in the new building, six rooms being ocenpied, and an enrollment of three hundred and fifty pupils. There are six teachers employed, beside the superintendent. The system of instruction fol- lowed is similar to that of the most approved schools, very simple, yet practical, the main object being,- first-to give the pupils a good, common business ed- ucation. There is not a rigid adherence to the plan of any particular text book, the work being provided by the superintendent each month. The course of study consists of thirteen years ; after eight years are spent in the study of the common branches, there remain five years for the completion of the higher studies of the course. The schools are in excellent grade, there being two grades, of one year each, in each room, except in the high school, which has three grades. Since the re-organization of the schools and adoption of a course of study, in 1875, there has been one class of six graduated-in June, 1817. Hereafter there will be a class each year. A concise report of the schools has been issued each year, since 1875, showing the condition of the schools at the end of the partic- ular year.
The schools are in a thriving condition. The corps of teachers, at the present time, stands as follows: Superintendent, C. W. Butler ; high school, Mrs. C. W. Butler; A grammar, Miss Kate Tubbs; B gram- mar, Miss Nora Reed ; A primary, Miss Stella Billstein; B primary, Miss Sarah Tucker: C primary, Miss Mary Culp.
Board of Education: S. Bloom, president; Solomon Spear, secretary; Wells Rogers, treasurer; Josiah Wyandt, George Hoffman and A. F. Plank.
SCHOOL BUILDING.
At a meeting of the Board of Education, March +, 1824, it was decided to submit to the voters the pro- priety of building a new school house. The vote was taken, April 14, and resulted by a large majority in its favor. The building is a brick structure, three stories high, and a basement. There are, at the present time, six regular school rooms, a recitation room and a superintendent's office in use. The rooms are all well furnished, lighted, heated and ventilated; halls wide and roomy, and the building, as a whole, one of the finest in the State. Its cost was about twenty-five thousand dollars.
DEMOSTHENEAN LITERARY SOCIETY.
This society was organized in the fall of 1875, in connection with the high school. It enrolls about one hundred and fifty members, counting both present and absent members. Its efforts have been attended with a marked degree of success. Its hall is well furnished. Since its organization, the society has purchased an organ, chandeliers, books, and a com- plete set of Zell's Encyclopedias. It is regarded with much pride by the patrons of the school.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PLYMOUTH.
The First Presbyterian church, of Plymouth, was organized by Rev. William Matthews, February 22, 1819, and consisted of the following named members, there being forty-one in all-twenty males, and twen- ty-one females : Mr. and Mrs. Levi Bodley, Mr. and Mrs. Abram Van Houten, Mr. and Mrs. George Mack, Mr. and Mrs. John Bodley, Mr. and Mrs. William Vanfleet, Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. David Bodley, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Dewit, Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Bodley, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Conklin, Mr. and Mrs. William Gut- tery, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bodley, Mr. and Mrs. James Davis, Mr. and Mrs. George Garret, John Conklin, William Bodley, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gunsaullus, Levi Gunsaullus, Abram I. Brevier, Sophia Bodly, Hannah Bodley, Dinah Bodley, Jane Bodley and Mary Morrow.
Nearly all of the above named persons came to Ohio from the State of New York. The following named persons were the first elders of the church- ordained as such July 10, 1819: Mr. Levi Bodley, John Conklin, Abran Van Houten and David Gun- saullus.
As first organized, the church was under the care of the Richland presbytery, but in August, 1838, it withdrew from that body and united with the preshy- tery of Huron. It continued to hold this relation until September 16, 1826, at which time it returned to its first love, uniting with the presbytery of Wooster, which embraces in its territory the greater part of what was once known as the Richland presby- tery. This relation the church still holds. The first church edifice was a log building, erected in 1824 or '25. It stood about a mile and a half south of the present village of Plymonth.
In 1823, fourteen members, two of them being elders in the church, withdrew, and formed the Associate Reformed church, which has since ceased to exist.
Worship was continued in the log "meeting house" until about 1836, at which time the church began to hold its services in the brick school house, situated within the present village of Plymouth, and now occupied as a dwelling house. In 1839 the present church edifice was begun, and finished in the fall of 1840. It was remodeled in 1820, and is now a very convenient and comfortable building.
In 1853, twenty-two members withdrew, and formed the Congregational church of Plymouth. The organ- ization of the Associate Reformed church, in 1823, for a short time seriously retarded the growth of the church. The same is trne in regard to the organization of the Congregational church. But for the most part, during its sixty years of existence as a church, it has been greatly prospered. It has enjoyed a number of very interesting revivals, one of especial interest in 1866, which resulted in the addition of over fifty persons to the church. Another during the winter just closed, of equal interest; up to the present date,
John Loveland
Calista Loveland
RESIDENCE OF JOHN LOVELAND, NEW HAVEN TP., HURON CO., O.
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
forty-one have united with the church, and more will follow soon.
The following is a list of ministers who have served the church since its organization, with their time of service, in cases where it could be ascertained. The dates, possibly, may not be exact: Rev. Wm. Mat- thews, from 1819 to 1823: Rev. Robert Lee, 1823; Rev. E. Conger, from 1824 to 1827; Rev. Jacob Wolf, eighteen months; Rev. E. P. Salmon, for only three months; Rev. James Robinson, two years; Rev. Daniel Higgins, four months; Rev. E. Conger, from 1836 to 1848; Rev. Jonathan Cochran, twenty-two months; Rev. William Dempsey, from 1850 to 1851; Rev. William Bridgeman, two years; Rev. J. M. Hayes, from 1853 to 1856; Rev. J. B. Fowler, from 1857 to 1862; Rev. J. S. Edwards, one year; Rev. T. J. Keep, six months; Rev. John D. McCord, from 1865 to 1868; Rev. J. K. Kost, from 1868 to 1813; Rev. E. W. Childs, one year; Rev. J. H. Jones, from 1844 to 1878. The Rev. C. E. Barnes, serves the church at present, having commenced labor with the charge in July, 1818. The present officers are as follows: Elders, Caleb Brevier, Charles Conklin, James Reed, A. Bodine, J. H. Packer, Dr. T. S. Seeley; trustees, Thomas Willett, T. S. Seeley, A. H. Hutchinson. The church has a membership of one hundred and fifty-one persons, and has no debt.
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH
was organized in the year 1840. Its original mem- bers were : S. H. Trangor, Felix Fenner, Jacob Harmon, John Gross, David Ganoung, Charles W. Powers, Simon Turner, Felix T. Fenner, A. T. Hills, G. A. Hills, A. Denison, Jacob Plank, Peter Miller, William Miller, Jacob Miller, Elizabeth Fenner, Matilda Fenner, Caroline Light, Maza Light, Mrs. J. Miller. The first officers were: Deacons, C. W. Powers, David Ganoung; elders, S. H. Trangor, Felix Fenner. The pastors of the church have been, P. P. Lane, Erastus Eastman, J. Crouse, G. H. Peters, D. Summors, J. Selmser, J. O. Hongh, M. T. Willhelm, S. F. Breckenridge, J. H. Slough, G. W. Miller, (the last being in charge at the present writing). The church was built in 1843, at a cost of one thousand and six hundred dollars, and has been improved and repaired several times since. An addi- tion was made in 1860, at a cost of three hundred dollars, and two years later the auditorium was frescoed at a cost of five hundred dollars. The mem- bership of the church is fully two hundred. Present officers: Elders, S. H. Trangor, Samuel Fenner, J. Brinkerhoof; deacons, Tobias Trangor, C. Fenner,
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
of Plymouth, came into being at an early day, but not until sometime after an organization had been effected at New Haven. The first house of worship was erected about the year 1831, and answered the needs of the congregation until 1867, when a fine brick structure was raised, at a cost of about eight
thousand dollars. S. R. Parker donated a one and a half village lots, and another was purchased by the society. Rev. D. D. T. Mattison ix, at the present writing, in charge. The officers are as follows: Trustees, S. R. Parker, Jr., Amos Upp, B. Runnells, J. W. Bell, S. S. Holtz, G. M. Eidt, John Emmer- son; class leaders, Joseph Beachan, Amos Upp, G. M. Eidt, David W. Slocum; stewards, John Emmer- son, William Kirkpatrick, Marvin Seaton. The church has a membership of about ninety persons.
PLYMOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH
was organized at the Lutheran meeting house in 1846, the members then subscribing being: Thomas Bodley, Ephriam Robbins, Harley Thair, James Doolittle, Luman Knapp, William Enderby, Joshua Rutman, Barbara Rutman, Susan Petit, Sarah Rutman, Sarah Enderby, Betsey Rutman, Eliza Rob- bins, Emily Robbins, Prudence Case, Lonisa Case, Ann Knapp, and Susan Inkes. This church has at present no organization.
THE CONGREGATIONAL
is another of the now inactive churches in Plymouth. It was an outgrowth of the Presbyterian church, and was organized in 1851 with twenty members. Rev. E. P. Salmon being its first minister. A house of worship was built in 1853.
ROMAN CATHOLIC.
St. Joseph's Roman Catholic, was organized in 1872, by Rev. Father MI. Pitts. A neat frame church building was erected the same year. Those who were active in starting the movement, which resulted in . its establishment, and who have since been the promi- nent supporters of the church, were: Joseph Mitlen- buler, Wentzel Waller and Jacob Stracker.
SOCIETIES.
PLYMOUTH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized June 15, 1855, with the following corps of officers : President, John Bodine; vice presidents, Messer Barker and Levi B. Sharer; treasurer, R. McDonough ; secretary, D. R. Locke (Nasby). In 1820, the organization was made a joint stock company. It has thirteen acres of land, located in the northwest part of Plymouth. The grounds are nicely laid out, und the company holds, annually, fairs which are regarded as among the most interest- ing in this part of the country. The present officers are as follows : President, J. K. Brant; vice president, Joseph Conley: treasurer, A. B. Gilson, with S. W. Thomas and Wesley Robinson as assistants; secretary, J. Frank Beelman: general superintendent, Philip Upp.
HURON ENCAMPMENT, NO. 36, I. O. O. F.
Early in the history of Odd Fellowship there was instituted an encampment, called Hnron Encamp-
40
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
ment, No. 36, located at New Haven, and dividing the jurisdiction between Norwalk, on the north, and Mansfield, on the south. For many years the organization flourished, but finally, by reason of its funds becoming low, and because of dissensions among the members, it became feeble. It was removed to Plymouth, with the hope that it might there have a more vigorous life, but its misfortunes followed, and about the year 1856 its charter was surrendered by W. W. Drennan, J. W. MeLaughlin and William Knott, who were the principal officers at that time. The charter was returned upon the petition of J. M. Beelman, William Davis, C. Eschbaugh, John Wetz, John E. Hunter, H. B. Silliman, John H. Ferguson, F. Portman and J. W. McLaughlin, and the encamp- ment was re-instituted, July 1, 1825. The following officers were at that time elected : C. P., H. Beelman; H. P., C. Eschbaugh; S. W., J. M. Beelman; J. W., John Ferguson; scribe, J. M. Lazier; treasurer, F. Portman. Present officers : C. P., J. M. Lazier; H. P., G. Gilbert: S. W., John Metz; J. W., F. Port- man; scribe, G. Miller; treasurer, H. B. Silliman. Night of meeting-first and third Wednesday of each month.
PLYMOUTH LODGE, NO. 93, I. O. O. F.,
was instituted by Thomas Spooner, G. M., August 25, 1847. The first officers were : N. G., Robert MeDonough; V. G., R. O. Pier; recording secretary, A. Powers; permanent secretary, J. W. Beekman; treasurer, Walter Burns. The lodge was in good con- dition until 1864, when the charter was surrendered. It was returned in 1871 by John A. Lee, Deputy G. M., and the lodge was again organized, with the fol- lowing charter members : Daniel Bremer, Christian Eschbaugh, John Metz, Jacob Buck, T. Portner, J. W. Mclaughlin. The officers elected were as follows: N. G., C. Eschbaugh; V. G., John Metz; recording secretary, D. Brenner; permanent secretary, J. W. MeLaughlin; treasurer, Jacob Buek. The officers in position March 1, 1879, are: N. G., John Metz; V. G., John Snyder; recording secretary, William Jones; permanent secretary, J. W. MeLaughlin; treasurer, William McClinchy. Night of meeting, Friday of each week.
RICHLAND LODGE NO. 201, F. AND A. M.
The charter for this lodge was granted October 19, 1851. The original members were: James Drennan, Erastus S. Spencer, Rouse Bly, II. L. Kirtland, B. F. Day, Marshal Webb, Messer Barker, Samuel Buch- anan, John Weldon. First officers: W. M . James Drennan; S. W., Erastus S. Spencer: J. W .. Rouse Bly. The hall and charter of this lodge were destroyed by fire in May, 1871, and the charter was reissued October 19th of the same year. The present officers of the lodge are: W. M., J. W. Webb; S. W., G. Burgoyne: J. W., Solomon Spear; Treasurer, G. W. Hoffman; Secretary, J. W. MeLaughlin; S. D., T. J. Webber: J. D., Jacob Culp: Stewards, Jacob Beel-
man and C. W. Buller: Tyler, William McClinchy. Stated communication on Monday evening on or next preceding full moon in each month.
PLYMOUTH CHAPTER NO. 118, R. A. M.
The charter was granted for Plymouth Chapter October 16, 1869. Charter members: O. W. Williams, D. B. King, P. L. Brink, Wells Rogers, H. Graham, J. G. Street, Solomon Spear, J. K. Kost, J. T. Barr, J. W. MeLaughlin, J. W. Webb, T. L. Barr, B. F. Day. The first officers were: H. P., O. W. Williams; King, J. W. MeLaughlin; Seribe, H. Graham. Fol- lowing are the present officers of the organization: H. P., J. W. Webb; E. K., J. K. Smith; E. S., L. S. Heller; C. O. H., P. S. Brink; P. S., G. Burgoyne; R. A. C., J. C. Fenner; G. M. 3rd V., J. G. Street; G. M. 2nd V., William McClinchy; G. M. 1st V., W. H. Bullock; Treasurer, Wells Rogers; Secre- tary, Solomon Spear; Chaplain, J. W. McLaughlin; Stewards, W. H. Burke and L. D. Vinson; Guard, J. W. MeLaughlin. Stated communications on Friday evening, on or next preceding full moon.
PLYMOUTH LODGE NO. 70, K. OF H.
The charter members of this body were: J. W. Mc- Laughlin, A. Hershiser, H. B. Silliman, H. Saviers, C. Eshbaugh, S. R. Bloom, S. S. Smith, C. Waite, J. H. Ferguson, J. N. Beelman, O. Tyson, J. Westfall. They organized January 28, 1875, by the election of the following officers: P. D., J. W. MeLaughlin; D., H. B. Silliman; V. D., A. R. Hershiser; A. D., S. S. Smith; Guide, J. W. Beelman; Reporter, J. H. Fer- guson: Financial Reporter, C. Eshbaugh; Treasurer, H. Saviers; Sentinel, S. R. Bloom. Following are the officers of 1879: P. D., D. H. Seiler; D., M. B. Beelman; V. D., S. R. Bloom; A. D., C. W. Butler; Guide, C. A. Beelman; Chaplain, J. G. Rhodes; Re- porter, Solomon Spear; Financial Reporter, J. A. Beelman; Treasurer, J. M. Lazier; Guardian, J. F. Beelman; Sentinel, G. Gebert.
THE PLYMOUTH GIRLS' LITERARY SOCIETY
was organized November 12, 1873. The members were thirteen girls, from twelve to thirteen years of age, their object being to procure a library for their own use. The first officers were : Ida Getman, pres- ident; Arte MeDonough, vice president ; May Culp, secretary; Celia Schonberg, assistant secretary; Rena Billstein, treasurer. Meetings were held each week. The first effort to raise funds was a fancy fair held December 17. 1873. The net profits of this fair were forty-five dollars, with which a book-case and a few books were purchased. By means of socials, festivals, etc., the number of volumes has been increased to six hundred. The present officers are: Lou Strong, president: Rena Billstein, vice president: May Culp, secretary: Jennie Culp, treasurer. The society has now a pleasant room, over the First National bank, and the library is open to all.
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
MANUFACTURES.
The village has always been a progressive one. To- day it possesses acquired advantages, unexcelled by those of any place of its size. It has fine schools, flourishing churches, a well ordered population to support them, varied manufacturing interests, and a live class of business men. Following are the most important of the manufacturing establishments:
MARBLE WORKS.
The first marble works in Plymouth were estab- lished in 1850, by B. Vinson, who did business in an extensive way, operating in Bucyrus, Norwalk, and other towns, as well as Plymouth, up to the time of his death, in 1874, when his son, L. D. Vinson, took charge of the industry. Afterwards, it came into the posses- sion of H. S. Vinson, who at present conducts it. He has both a theoretical and practical knowledge of marble working, and has made many improvements in this branch of manufacture, introducing, among other things, a new, and superior polish, and a system of monument models, to be supplied to dealers, and by which they can take orders for work. Many handsome specimens of Mr. Vinson's work are to be seen in the towns of northern Ohio.
THE NOVELTY WORKS.
This establishment, known also by the name of "Northern Ohio Bracket Works," occupies the upper portion of the foundry building, near the B. & O. R. R. station. It was started in 1871, by Beelman and Bros., and is now managed by B. F. Beelman & Bro., who have composed the firm for the past three years. The articles manufactured are brackets, mirror frames, etc., and they are sold largely to dealers throughout the United States.
THE PLYMOUTH MACHINE WORKS.
The firm conducting this manufacture, H. J. Kroenke and J. S. Farr, took possession, in 1876, of their present building, near the B. & O. R. R. station, erected in 1869 by a joint stock company, for a handle factory, and has since then done an active business in the production of portable and stationary engines, saw mills, road scrapers, lifting jacks and miscellaneous machinery.
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