History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II, Part 41

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 680

USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II > Part 41

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the power by constantly trying to walk up the wheel.

But two persons are now resident of this city who worked in this mill. One of these is Mr. John B. Winstandly, the other a lady residing on East Elm street. The wages paid were not ex- travagant. Mr. Winstandly, then a boy, received one dozen of spun cotton per week, the value of which was thirty-seven and a half cents. This cotton yarn he and his brother-who also worked at the mill-allowed to accumulate until they had enough to work up into cloth, and this cloth they had made into clothing. Even at the very low wages paid to employes and the economical manner in which the business was conducted the mill did not pay at New Albany, and was, after a few years trial, moved to Doe run, Kentucky. The building in which the business was done is yet standing, having been moved to the corner of Upper First and Main streets, where it is used as a dwelling by Mrs. Waring.

THE M'CORD AND BRADLEY WOOLEN MILL COM- PANY

was incorporated in 1866, and the main building erected in the following year. Its dimensions were 65x180 feet, and subsequently an addition was built 30x40 feet. It is three stories in height, and cost, with machinery, about one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Cottom speaks as follows regarding the manufacture of woolen and cotton fabrics in 1873:

The wool and cotton, and woolen and cotton fabric inter- ests of New Albany are of very considerable importance. Not less than three hundred thousand pounds of wool are annnally purchased here This was the amount for 1871, and the average price per pound paid was sixty cents. This would give the total yearly business, in this one staple alone, at $180,000. Probably as large a woolen mill as there is in the West is located at New Albany. It has a capital of $250,000,employs one hundred and seventy operatives, annu- ally pays out $75,000 in wages, and produces goods valued at $450,000. This would give the total annual value of the wool and woolen fabric business of the city as $639,000. There is also in the city, owned by the Woolen Mill company, an extensive cotton mill. This mill has a capital of $150,000, and annually produces cotton warps and sheetings of the value of $275,000. The yearly consumption of raw cotton is 600,000 pounds, which, at twenty cents per pound, would cost $120,000, thus giving the annual value of the business in cotton fabrics and cotton at $395,000. The mill employs one hundred and ten operatives, and pays out in wages to operatives $32,000 per annum. The aggregate of the annual business in wool and woolen fabrics, and cotton and cotton fabrics, reaches the large sum of $1,034,000. These interests, by the employment of capital and the use of discreet enterprise, could be indefinitely extended. Both the

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

woolen and cotton mills enjoy a most satisfactory prosperity. Mr. J. F. Gebhart, a thoroughly competent and most enter- prising gentleman, is superintendent of both the woolen and cotton mills.

The following regarding the manufacture of woolen goods in the city is from the Ledger- Standard of 1877:

The manufacture of woolen goods at this city was inaugu- rated by Mr. J. T. Creed & Co., in the building now owned by the Louisville, New Albany & St. Louis Railroad com- pany, corner of State street and Railroad avenne. Mr. J. F. Gebhart, the present superintendent, was the other mem- ber of the firm forming the company. Mr. Creed was a na- tive of this city and had a small amount of capital, but in- domitable energy and pluck. Mr. Gebhart was a stranger here, coming from the East, where he had a large debt hang- ing over him, but which he had resolved to liquidate, if indus- try and economy could accomplish it. The writer of this sketch formed his acquaintance at that time, and calls to mind the assiduity with which he labored. The factory had but fairly been put in operation, when the interest of Mr. Creed was seized and sold to liquidate debts con- tracted while engaged in another line of business. This left Mr. Gebhart to struggle alone against old and new debts, compelling him to borrow money from day to day on the streets. But he met these difficulties bravely, convinced that success must finally crown his efforts. This condition of affairs continued until one of New Albany's noblest men, one of capital, seeing the unequal struggle of the proprietor, and having confidence in his integrity, came to the relief of the establishment. From that period may be dated the days of prosperity which have since been the lot of the con- cern. The firm having established itself on a firm basis, it began to attract the attention of capitalists, and the present company was organized, the machinery purchased, and build- ings erected, which they now occupy. Its growth since that time has been almost marvellous, and it is now one of the largest and most prosperous woolen mills in the West or South, fully justifying the faith of the original proprietor of the enterprise, that here was one of the best points in the country for a manufactory of this character.

A few years ago the company resolved to erect and put in operation a cotton-mill upon their capacious grounds. This was almost a necessity, to furnish yarns for the manufactory. This enterprise proved as remunerative as the woolen-mill. The capacity of this mill when first erected was two thou- sand five hundred spindles. But this soon proved inad- equate to supply the demand for their own use and the mar- ket, and a large addition was made, increasing its capacity to more than double the original requirements. The yarns manufactured are chiefly made into jeans warp, and it is but justice to the establishment to state that they rank among the best in America. Mr. W. H. Dillingham, of Louisville, Kentucky, is the sole selling agent for these yarns, and he has at no time since their introduction into the market been able to supply the demand for them in his trade. A portion of this cotton yarn is wove into brown sheetings, which is equal to the best and most popular brands in the market.

The unbounded success which has attended this enterprise, when the embarrassments and difficulties which surrounded it at its inception are considered, has demonstrated most clearly that New Albany possesses excellent facilities for the manufacturing of woolen and cotton goods. The city is favorably located, both in regard to the raw material, and

the procurement of fuel. The wool crop of southern Indi- ana and a large portion of Kentucky, finds a market at these mills, and the company has the immense territory west and north to draw upon in addition to the home supply. Coal is to be procured cheaply and abundantly, while cotton can be laid at the doors of the mills at less prices than in the East- ern cities.

These mills are situated in the eastern portion of the city, and occupy a large space in that locality, one of the most pleasant in the city, as though the proprietors were studying the personal comfort and health of their employes in the selection of the grounds for their buildings. The buildings were erected with special reference to convenience in the various processes in the production of woolen and cotton goods. They are all of brick, and substantially built. The machinery is first-class in every particular, and was selected and erected under the careful supervision of Mr. J. F. Geb- hart, who has had large experience and possesses such skill as makes him the " right man in the right place." The chief products of the mill are flannel and jeans, but there is com- plete machinery for the manufacture of blankets, fancy cover- lets, cassimeres, and stocking yarns. All the goods bearing the brand of these mills are appreciated and command the highest prices among dealers from New York to California. The capacity of the mill aggregates ten complete set, which the intelligent reader will readily comprehend enables the company to turn out large quantities of their various prod- ucts. The machinery is all of the best employed in any manufactory in the world.

The paid up capital of the company is $350,000, which will give the public some idea of the character of the works. Upon this capital the company is enabled to pay fair annual dividends, probably the largest dividends paid by any similar institution in the country. The present officers of the com- pany are L. Bradley, president; J. M. Haines, secretary; and J. F. Gebhart, superintendent. It is hardly necessary to speak of these gentlemen as they are all well and favorably known among the people and in a wide district of the coun- try as thorough-going and enterprising men, who are fully equal to manage the affairs of this great mill. The board of directors is composed of the following named gentlemen: W. C. DePauw, R. G. McCord, J. M. Haines, and J. F. Gebhart, under whose direction the affairs of the company are managed. This is the present status of the New Albany woolen and cotton mills.

The woolen mills mentioned in the above ex- tract were first firmly established in 1861, under the firm name of J. F. Gebhart & Co., and lo- cated on Vincennes street. The main building then erected was brick, 50x 120 feet in size, and three stories in height. A twenty-five horse- power engine was put in, and the machinery cost $35,000. The present officers are: Law- rence Bradley, president; J. M. Haines, secre- tary and treasurer; and J. F. Gebhart, superin- tendent.

BANKING.

This business in New Albany dates back about half a century; even prior to this time some little miscellaneous banking was done by the earlier merchants of the place. In 1832 the New Al-

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

bany Insurance company was incorporated, with a capital of $100,000, which for those days was a very large capital. Although organized for the purpose of carrying on a general insurance busi- ness, it was an independent corporation, and in- cluded other legitimate business in its transac- tions, among which was the business of bank- ing.

The original incorporators of the New Albany Insurance company were James R. Shields, Matthew Robinson, Charles Woodruff, Ashel Clapp, Harvey Scribner, Elias Ayers, and Robert Downey. Elias Ayers was presi- dent and Harvey Scribner secretary. The charter was granted for seventy-five years. The powers of this company were much greater, probably, than companies incorporated at a later day; it not only was authorized to insure against loss by fire, lightning, or any other destroying ele- ment or agent, but could also insure the life of a man, dog, cow, horse, ox, or any other living creature or thing. Its charter also gave it other powers and liberties not now granted to corpora- tions, among which was the privilege of loaning money at whatever rate of interest could be agreed upon between the parties.

The business was successful, and gradually grew in the direction of banking until, in 1857, the Bank of Salem was organized, its charter having twenty years to run. It was at this time that Mr. John B. Windstandley became con- nected with the institution, and has remained its leading spirit from that time to the present. He was made assistant cashier January 1, 1857, and subsequently cashier, which position he held un- til the expiration of the charter in 1877, when he, with others, organized the present bank known as the New Albany Banking company. The first location of this institution, in 1832, was at the corner of State and Main streets, in the old Bently building, yet standing. The bank was removed to its present location, on the corner of Pearl and Market streets, about 1870. It is only during the last four or five years that this institu- tion has done an exclusive banking business. Its present officers are J. B. Winstandley, presi- dent; Isaac S. Winstandley, secretary and cashier; Alexander Dowling, W. W. Tuley, Louis Vernia, Paul Reising, J. B. Winstandley, and G. C. Can- non, directors. The present cash capital is $100,000.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

This was the first regular banking institution organized in New Albany. It began business in 1834, as a branch of the State bank of Indi- ana. Its first location was on the south side of Main street, between Bank and Pearl streets, where Conner & Sackett's insurance office is at present located. The first officers were: James R. Shields, cashier; Mason C. Fitch, president ; General Alexander Burnett, Mason C. Fitch, John Brown, Frank Warren, and - Franklin, directors. The present substantial stone bank building on the corner of Main and Bank streets was erected in 1837 by the above named parties, at a cost of about $40,000 the stone being taken from the knobs. To this build ing the bank was transferred in the latter part of the year 1837 and early in 1838; its capital stock was $200,000 and its charter had twenty years to run. After the expira- tion of the charter in 1854, the bank was merged into the Bank of the State with the same capital as before. It settled with the stockholders paying to them a handsome divi- dend, and began business anew with the same officers and managers.

In 1863 the bank was merged into the First National bank of New Albany, and again a satis- factory settlement of its affairs was made. In the new bank Walter Mann was cashier, and John J. Brown, president. The directors were : J. J. Brown, William S. Culbertson, Peter R. Stoy, Walter Mann, and John S. McDonald. The present officers are: J. J. Brown, Morris Mc- Donald, W. S. Culbertson, P. R. Stoy, Alexander Dowling, directors; J. J. Brown, president; W. N. Mahon, cashier; Ben B. Stewart, teller. Dividends for 1881 twelve per cent. The capital stock is $300,000; surplus $85,000. This bank has always been largely successful, Its stock being worth at present $1.35.

About the close of the war in 1865, two banks were organized here; one, the

NEW ALBANY NATIONAL BANK,

was organized January 4, 1865, its location at that time being on the corner of Pearl and Main streets, where the Merchants bank is now located. The officers were-James M. Hains, president; Harvey A. Scribner, cashier; and W. C. DePauw, James M. Hains, Randall Crawford, Clark

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

Devol, and John Briggs, directors. The present directors are W. C. DePauw, James M. Hains, John Briggs, John McCulloch, Silas C. Day, Moses Irwin, and N. T. DePauw. The other officers are unchanged. This bank did business at their first location until 1869, when, having purchased the brick block on Main, between Pearl and State streets, the bank was moved to its present location. The capital stock of this bank was at first $300,000, but in July, 1874, was increased to $400,000. This was found, however, to be more capital than could be profitably employed, and in January, 1880, the capital stock was reduced to $200,000.

It is a safe and successful institution. Divi- dends for 1881 twelve per cent. 1

THE MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK

was established three days after the New Albany National above mentioned-that is, January 7, 1865-its officers being A. S. Burnett, president, and James R. Shields, cashier; and the directors A. S. Burnett, James R. Shields, Lawrence Bradley, J. Hangary, and Robert G. McCord: Mr. Shields is a son of Patrick Shields, the first settler of Georgetown township, and one of the first in the county. James R. Shields had been connected with the bank at Corydon for several years, of which Judge Thomas C. Slaughter was president. The Merchants National bank was first located on Main street, between Pearl and Upper First streets, and remained there until they purchased the present location on the cor- ner of Pearl and Main streets. The brick build- ing on this corner was destroyed by fire in 1868, and the bank erected the present brick at a cost of $12,500. The capital stock was then $200,- 000, but February 23, 1878, it was reduced to $100,000. Directors-J. H. Butler, N. T. De- Pauw, C. H. Fawcett, J. K. Woodward, Jr., Ed- ward C. Hangary. Officers-President, John H. Butler; cashier, Edward C. Hangary; teller, Charles E. Jones. The total dividends of the current twelve months' business will aggregate twelve per cent. The surplus fund is $48,000.

THE SECOND NATIONAL BANK

was chartered August 12, 1874, and began busi- ness in the basement of the Merchants' National bank building. Lawrence Bradley was presi- dent, M. A. Wier cashier, and Lawrence Brad- ley, M. A. Wier, R. P. Main, Robert G. McCord,

and S. W. Waltz, directors. There has been no change in these officers up to the present time. About two years after starting in business the bank purchased its present location on the north side of Main street, between Pearl and State streets. The building is a substantial brick, and the bank is doing a safe and paying business, a regular semi-annual dividend being paid to its stockholders. Its surplus is $20,000, and its capital $100,000. The directors at present are: Lawrence Bradley, M. A. Weir, R. P. Main, R. G. McCord, S. W. Waltz. Officers: President, Lawrence Bradley; cashier, Merrill A. Weir; teller, Edward B. Lapping. Total dividends of the year twelve per cent., or six per cent. semi- annually.

The following from Mr. Cottom's pamphlet shows the number and condition of the banks of New Albany in 1873, just before the panic:

New Albany has five regular banks, three of them National banks, and therefore banks of issue. These banks have a united capital of $1,300,000, as follows: First National bank, capital $300,000; New Albany National bank, capital $300,000; Merchants' National bank, capital $200,000; Bank of Salem, capital $200,000; Savings bank of Brown, Culbert- son & Co., capital and deposits $300,000. The last regular quarterly report of the First National bank showed its total resources to be $937,512.03, showing the very large business transacted. The quarterly report of the Merchants' Nation- al bank shows its assets to be $483,528.35. The quarterly re- port of the New Albany National bank gives its entire re- sources at $813,357.38. The total resources of the Bank of Salem foot up $450,000; while the total resources of the banking house of Brown, Culbertson & Co. are $300,000. The total circulation of the New Albany banks is as follows: First National bank, $522,400; Merchants' National bank, $178,422; New Albany National bank, $268,500. Total cir- culation of the three National banks, $969,322. Total re- sources of all the banks of New Albany, $2,984,397.76. The individual and United States deposits of the National banks of the city are as follows : First National bank, $189,898; New Albany National bank, $141,842.50; Merchants National bank, $52,263.65. From these figures it will be ob- served that the banks of New Albany are not only upon a most solid and substantial basis, but that their resources are sufficiently ample to enable them to meet all the demands of business, and aid in those manufacturing enterprises that are so rapidly giving this city reputation abroad. Every banker in New Albany of any note, whether as a large shareholder or officer (except two officers), is also a large stockholder in one or more of the manufactories, and the money of the banks is liberally furnished in loans lo aid these industrial establishments and build them up.

MEDICAL.

Probably no city in the State or among the river cities of the West has less use for physi- cians than New Albany. The health of its in- habitants is proverbial ; and this is without

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

doubt owing in a great measure to the very ex- cellent water that the people of New Albany use. As a general thing the river towns and cities of the West are supplied with water from the stream upon which they are located, which, with all its impurities, would seem to be a sufficient cause of disease, as water enters so largely into the com- ponent parts of the human system. Not so with New Albany ; her people are as free from the destructive influences of river water as any in- terior town ; and not only this, but the water they use is exceptionally pure and wholesome. It is a soft spring water resting upon beds of limestone, and is found under every part of the city. This of itself is enough to discourage the medical fraternity ; yet there are doctors here as elsewhere, and no doubt they find something to do, for even the good water and pure air is not proof against old age, abuse and ignorance.

The place has been considered a healthy one ever since it was established in the woods, in 1813, yet in those earlier years there was consid- erable sickness arising from the swampy, and therefore malarial nature of the adjoining grounds ; from the fogs that rested on the river ; from the great amount of decaying vegetation prior to the clearing up and draining of the country, and probably from some other causes. Contagious diseases have occasionally made their appearance, and although, probably, not as malignant or fatal as in other places, have caused considerable distress.

One of the most notable and best remembered periods of this character was in 1822, when the little town was nearly depopulated by a severe and, it seemed, almost uncontrollable fever. The same disease would probably make but little im- pression to-day with the greater experience of the doctors and their better insight into the nature and causes of disease, but the disease was at that time illy understood and it became very fatal. Louisville was likewise afflicted, and people who could get away from these places left and went into the interior, or into the country, until the disease should subside. This disease disap- peared with the disappearance of the hot weather, but while it lasted it was probably the severest season of sickness ever experienced by New Albany.

The cholera which swept over the entire coun- try in. 1832-35, taking almost every city and

town in its course, and depopulating many, did comparatively little damage in New Albany. It visited the place but did not get the firm hold that it did in other places, especially on the river, as the river towns generally suffered exceedingly with this scourge. Again in 1850 and 1851, when the river cities and towns suffered exceed- ingly from diseases, mostly of a bilious and in- termittent character, New Albany was compara- tively free and healthy. The mortuary statistics of the city will compare favorably with those of any other city of the West.

The first resident physician of New Albany was Dr. Ashel Clapp, who made his appearance in 1818. He was a young man of ability and energy and canie to the then backwoods village to stay. He secured boarding in the family of one of the proprietors of the town, Joel Scrib- ner, and was not long in making up his mind to marry one of the Scribner girls. He soon be- came a prominent, influential, and much respect- ed citizen, and a successful practitioner. He identified himself with the material interests of the town and city, built up a large practice, and remained in the place until his death. He reared a family, and his son, the present Dr. William A. Clapp, succeeded him, and has main- tained the reputation of his father to the present time. William A. is now a gray haired man with a large practice. Dr. Ashel Clapp's first of- fice was opened on Main street, between State and Pearl, where the New Albany National bank is at present located, and his son's office is at present but a few doors from this same place.

Of the physicians who successively located in New Albany and became permanent and suc- cessful practitioners may be mentioned Dr. P. S. Shields, Dr. S. E. Leonard, Dr. W. C. Cooper, Dr. Stewart, Dr. C. L. Hoover, and Dr. Dow- ling, father of Alexander Dowling, one of the ablest lawyers in the State, all of whom are dead. These were all men of superior ability, culture, and attainments.

Of those living who have been residents long enough to indicate permanency, there are Drs. John Sloan, a gentleman of much skill and large practice; W. A. Clapp, S. J. Alexander, John Lem- on, E. P. Easley, S. C. Wilcox, C. N. Nutt, H. B. Lang, and George H. Cannon, all of the allo- pathic school and all thorough practitioners, though the two first named are the oldest in the

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HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

profession in New Albany. Dr. Burney, a col- ored physician, is also of this school. He has established a fair practice and is much respected by the members of the profession.

As a matter of course the eclectic and homeo- pathic schools are also represented in New Al- bany, Dr. W. M. Wilcox being a prominent and permanent representative of the former, and Dr. T. Meurer of the latter. These gentlemen have established a successful practice. There are several other practitioners in these two divis- ions of medical science who have yet a business and a reputation to make, though some of them are becoming popular and are on the highway to future success.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH,

W. C. DE PAUW.

Washington Charles De Pauw, of New Albany, was born at Salem, Washington county, Indiana, on the 4th of January, 1822. As the name indi- cates, Mr. De Pauw is a descendant from a noble French family, his great-grandfather, Cornelius, having been private reader to Frederick III., of Prussia, and author of several works of note. Charles De Pauw, the grandfather of W. C. De- Pauw, was born in the city of Ghent, in French Flanders; when he arrived at the proper age he ,was sent to Paris to complete his education, and there became acquainted with Lafayette. At that time the struggle for American independ- ence was just beginning. He became infatu- ated with the American cause, joined his fortunes to those of Lafayette and started with that renowned commander to this country. He served throughout the war and by the close be- came so thoroughly imbued with the love of America, he sought a wife in Virginia. Thence he moved with the first tide of emigration to the Blue-grass region of Kentucky. In that State General John De Pauw, father of W. C. De- Pauw, was born. On arriving at man's estate he removed from Kentucky to Washington county,

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History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. II, Part 41

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co. Number of Pages: 680

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 680