USA > Ohio > Gallia County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Meigs County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 10
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C. J. Vincent, Marble Works, Cor. Second & Mechanics Sts.
T HE veneration and esteem which leads to a desire to mark the last resting place of departed friends and loved ones with a suitable stone or monument, has developed a high artis- tic skill in sculpture art, and in orig- inal and beautiful designs, and made our cemeteries ornaments to all com- munities, and places of reverent re- sort and attraction. As a dealer in foreign and American marble and granite, and as designer and an artist in this department, the Vincent Mar ble Works have exhibited that skill and perfection which justify most lib- eral consideration. This is one of the oldest established houses in this part of the State, and was started by Mr. John Proide. Business was conducted
by him until 1877, when C. J. Vincent became proprietor, and has the entire control and management, and under whose skill and ability these works are represented by many beautiful monuments and memorial land marks in the cemeteries of the city and those of various towns and cities in this section of the State. This establish- ment is prepared to supply marble and granite monuments or head stones, construct vaults and execute every description of cemetery work, upon reasonable terms. He will be pleased to have those interested in securing monuments visit his works and ex- amine standard and original designs on hand, or he will prepare designs for special purposes, on reasonable terms. Mr. Vincent is a native of Kentucky, born in 1845, and came to this county in 1858. He learned the trade of stone cutter with his father, and was engaged as brick and stone contractor from 1865 to 1881, and was controlling both of these branches of industry. At this time he turned his entire attention to his marble works. He employs no traveling salesman, but sells direct, less agent's commission. Call and see him and he will save you money.
George Wilhelmi, Dealer in Ready- made Clothing, Merchant Tailor.
WHILE it may not be said that in all respects dress makes the man, it must be conceded that neat and fashionably made clothing not only effects the man as he appears to others, but has much to do in forming self- respect and character. One of the leading merchant tailors of this city is Mr. George Wilhelmi, whose estab- lishment is located on Front street. Mr. Wilhelmi is a native of Germany, where he was born September 1862, and came to this country in 1881. He has been engaged in business in this city five years, and in that time has won wide favor by the ability dis- played in the cutting and neat fits he turns out. He employs six thorough- ly practical experienced assistants
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and carries in stock a full and com- plete line of suitings, piece goods, vest- ing, pants. etc. He also carries a very choice line of gents' furnishings of
every description. And in addition to this he carries a full line of all kinds of ready made clothing, He occupies a fine business room in the Eagle Block, the finest block in the city. The room is well adapted for the display of his stock. All work guaranteed.
W. G. Wright, Horse-Shoer and General Blacksmith, Repairing Done Promptly.
WITH the advance of civilization, many of our mechanical pursuits show marked improvement over form- er years. Especially noticeable in this connection is the blacksmith and his avocation. In former years horse - shoeing was performed by blacksmiths regardless of any knowl- edge they might possess of the proper treatment of the horse or the horse's hoof. Intelligence and humane inter-
ests have brought a change in the old methods. The intelligent and practi- cal horse shoer is now separate and distinct from the general blacksmith Worthy of special mention in this de- partment of our mechanical pursuits, is the well conducted shop of W. G. Wright. By trade he is a blacksmith, an expert worker in iron and steel, and has followed the business for six years at his present location on second street. He learned his trade in Rutland, Ohio, with W. H. Rightmire. Mr. Wright is a practical mechanic and enjoys a large and growing trade. He occupies commodious quarters and has it filled up with forges and every appliance for doing first class work. He has a large patronage from the owners of valuable horses, trotters, track horses, and other valuable fast stock. Mr. Wright is a native of Rutland, where he was born in 1858. He employs one competent assistant. As a reliable and practical horse shoer, his reputation is not con- fined to Pomeroy.
Dr. D. C. Whaley, Dentist, West Side Court Street.
OUT of the vast unknown have come floods of pure and healthful thought and knowledge through a touch of the wand of science, but re- sulting in scarcely any one depart- ment in higher benefits to humanity than those which have come through the channels of dental science and art. Among those whose art and appliances justify recognition is Dr. D. C. Whaley, who was born in Wood county, Virginia, in 1828, came to this county in 1832. He is the young- est living child of a Revolutionary soldier, as shown by the records. Ed- ward Whallay (as the name was orig- inally spelled ) was one of the judges on the trial and signer of the death warrant of Charles I, after the Revo- lution. Whallay, Dixwal and Goff fled to America; rewards were offered for their arrest and they were hiding for years in caves and other places of concealment in Connecticut. From this man Whallay, a Puritan refugee,
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MEIGS COUNTY.
the Whalays are direct descendants. When a young man Dr. Whalay be- gan the study of medicine, Dr. W. B. Vanduyn, of Middleport, Ohio, being his preceptor. He afterwards turned his attention to dentistry, receiving a diploma from the Ohio College of Dental Surgery, of which he is an original stockholder. With the ex- ception of a few years, when burned out by the fire of '56, Dr. Whalay has been located in Pomeroy, Ohio, a per- iod of thirty-eight years, occupying the present stand since 1861. From the crude manner of hammering the gold plate on a flat iron and rubbing the teeth on a grind-stone, Dr. Whalay has progressed until he now has as fine, if not the finest, dental parlors
in Ohio. His operating room and laboratory exhibit the utilization of the finest tools, and the newest im- proved appliances (many of which are his own invention) for the execution and operation of every description of mechanical and operative dentistry. In his laboratory is to be found an Otto gas engine, run by gas manufac- tured from gasoline. This adjustifi- cation of the engine is the Doctor's own, and is the only one in the world run by gasoline gas. It is used for propelling the dental lathes, engines, fans, and other machinery. Dr. Whaley brings into requisition that artistic and mechanical skill which commands the confidence of the pub- lic.
The Enterprising Little City of Middleport.
"In every work regard the writer's end,
Since none can compass more than they intend."
T HE author of Ecce Deus says, "History can never be written; only hinted at." Especially so is this the case in an Historical and Business review of Middleport, our topic being rather of the LIVING PRESENT than of the PAST, and we have to deal, mainly, with the facts of the present day in bringing to the public eye the accomplishments, talents and business activities which give healthful vigor to our city to-day. There is, however, much that is instructive as well as interesting in the contemplation of the or- ganization and growth of the city, as we will, in a brief manner, touch upon the chief points of her early history and developments, from a wild domain as we left her in a preceding chapter; the home of the Indian and the haunt of the trapper, to the present time, when she stands, surrounded by a veritable garden spot which is one of the most productive in the State, abounding in a wealth of minerals equaled by few, and possessing natural advantages for manufacture and commerce, which will place her in the front rank of commer- cial centres of Ohio.
The city of Middleport is situated on the Ohio river, 2153 miles above Cincinnati, and adjoining the city of Pomeroy, Meigs County, Ohio. The surface of the country is broken, consisting of rugged hills and pleasant val- leys, many of which are not only grandly picturesque, but thickly inhabited and highly productive in grains and fruits. The hills are full of mineral wealth, among which bituminous coal is the chief product.
But let us view it from a different standpoint, and in accordance, dear reader, follow us to the top of yonder precipice, rising so abruptly from the level plain, some one hundred or more feet in height, now covered with a dense vegetation. The month is April; the year 1797. Now that we have been able to reach the summit by an arduous task, only assisted by the many shrubs on
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MEIGS COUNTY.
its steep slopes was it that we were at all able to reach our present point. But, what a picture! See the beautiful Ohio winding its way down the val- ley. Yes, we can DISTINCTLY see and trace it in its every crook and source, for a distance of eight miles. Then looking up the valley we can see the approach of its waters five miles distant. The month of April, the dense vegetation just bursting forth with new life.
The Ohio teems with fish and the dense luxuriant wood abounds in game, but no city dots the shore of this noble stream; not even a camp fire gleams along its banks. and no maize fields cover the fertile bottom lands or lend va- riety to the wild vernal green. An oppressive stillness hangs over the land, marked and intensified rather than broken, and only made more wierd by the tossing of the waters upon the shores and the soft mysterious sounds echoed from the distance through the long dim aisles of the forest. All nature is love- ly, but with all her pristine beauty, the valley is hushed in the vastness and solemnity of her solitude. Nowhere is human habitation or indication of hu- man life-but, hold? what is this gently approaching us from far up the Ohio, quietly floating with the waters; floating to colonization; to civilization! It is a raft and on it human beings. Yes, we can see them distinctly piloting and guiding the raft. Let us be quiet and watch; one hour has passed, and it is directly even with us, still floating with the currant, perhaps bound for some quiet place far down the river. But, no! it has gently approached the shore, and its occupants landed. Why, it is Benjamin Smith and wife, start- ing hopefully out to begin the battle of life together, and they have floated all the way from the block-house at Marietta, and now land at this place. Mak- ing their way up from the river's shore they resolve to plant their fortunes on this spot. Can they mistake? No, dear reader, for this is indeed a lovely spot. Mr. Smith erects a cabin on the river's bank, on what is now the prop- erty of Mrs. Sally Russel, on Front Street, below the flour mill and claims the land as his, and
HERE, where the beautiful yet dreary 'forest spreads, He a little band of settlers heads ; And now beholds, with patriot joy elate, The infant settlement become a STATE.
Sees fruitful orchards and rich fields of grain, And towns and cities rising on the plain, While fair Ohio bears with conscious pride New, laden, vessels to the ocean's tide.
Did he ever imagine while building this rude hut, that he was planting the germs of civilization, so soon to be manifest, and that a thriving city should spring up from where before only savage feet had trod? Such was des- tined to be and this same fertile valley is the valley upon which the thriving little city of Middleport now stands.
But return with us, dear reader, to the top of this same cliff. What a transformation ! Surely this is not the same point we visited not one century since? But, yes, it is; there is the same river in its numerous meanderings
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.and this the same rock we sat upon that memorable day in April, 1797. But, what is this extending along the river bank and fairly covering the fertile valley for a distance of several miles?
MIDDLEPORT.
Here directly beneath our feet is the Union School Building, where the youth of the town daily went their way and received their early training. To the right many blocks down the river the smoke is curling black and thick from the steel plant, and jets of steam from the great engine at the flour mills at the head of Mill St., together with the clatter of machinery at the Ohio Mach- ine Works and the usual hum drum of the city's industries combined, lead one to remark, that "the founders of civilization in this little spot builded more wisely than they knew." But let us return once more to the scene before us. Instead of the dense wood are open fields, fruitful orchards, farm houses, fences and newly plowed fields in all directions. All is civilization and industry. Just across the river is the village of Clifton, with its church spires pointing to the heavens, and two miles up the river on the Ohio side is the city of Pom- eroy, the county seat, extending for a distance of some miles along the river and directly opposite, on the West Virginia shore, is Mason City, and two miles from us, down the river, on the W. Va. shore, is the village of West Columbia, and still two more miles further down is plainly visible Camden. Thus we are able to take in at a glance the conformation of the country for miles around and treated to a view of a landscape to tempt and demand the best efforts of an artist. This is the month of April, the year 1891. Just ninety-four years since we saw this a wilderness, from this same point. If civilization can trans- form the wilderness into one homogeneous mass of buildings and industries,- then, what is civilization ?
NAME.
After the settlement made by Wm. Smith, other families came in and set- tled at various points along the river. Among them were Benson Jones and family; Judges Brewster and Higley and families; and David Thomas and family. Thus the settlement grew from year to year, we know not how, until the year 1802, at which time the admission the State into the Union attracted attention and many were the families to locate. Some of them were John Miles, Abijah Hubbel, Felix Benedict, Caleb Gardner, James Phelps, Joel Higley, Sr. and Jr., Daniel Rathburn.
In the year 1837, the town was laid out by Dr. W. B. Van Duyn and Ben- jamin Smith and the name Vinton given it. But the next year, there being another place in the State of the same name, it was changed to Sheffield. This was the part of the city now below Mill street. That part of the city lying above Mill street was laid out by Philip Jones, on his own property, some years after Sheffield and called Middleport, perhaps, for the reason that it was in the middle, i. e. between Sheffield and Pomeroy.
FIRST EVENTS.
FIRST SETTLER.
The first settler on the present site of Middleport was Benjamin Smith, who settled on the river bank on Front street, and erected a hut in April 1797,
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MEIGS COUNTY.
on what is now the property of Mrs. Sally Russell. The hut has long since disappeared and the present structure is among the oldest in the town.
BIRTH OF THE FIRST CHILD.
The first child born in Meigs county was born in Middleport, in the hut above spoken of, August 27, 1797. This was the son of Mr. Smith, the first, and to whom they gave the time honored name of John Smith.
FIRST STORE.
The first store opened in the place, was opened by Dr. W. B. Van Duyn and Benjamin Smith, and the firm styled Van Duyn &Smith. This was general merchandising and the store room was located on Front Street just below the Middleport Flour Mills, in the year 1835.
FIRST SCHOOL.
The first school was opened in the year 1837, with Henry Barton as "knight of the rod" and many of the youth of that day here received their early train- ing.
FIRST POST OFFICE.
The year 1837 was a conspicuous one to the little village as it was, also in this year the first post office was opened, with Elias Cole as the first Post Mas- ter.
FIRST PHYSICIAN.
The first physician was Dr. W. B. Van Duyn. He was the son-in-law to Benjamin Smith, the first settler. He married Miss Elizabeth Smith, and their descendants are still living in the city.
FIRST MILLS
The first flour mill in the city was the Grant Mill, and is the same as the Middleport Flour Mill Co. The building has been remodeled several times and new additions built, but is on the same site, and, so speaking, is the same build- ing.
FIRST BURIAL PLACE.
The first burial place was in the upper part of the city, and is now the property of Dr. Swan. It was given by Philip Jones for that purpose, Jones owning all the property in the upper end of the city at that time.
FIRST HOTEL.
The first hotel, or properly speaking, "inn," kept in the town was kept by Jacob Fultz, who first came down the river in a boat and sold from it some groceries and liquors, and later started an "inn" on the corner of Second and Rutland Streets. Many stories are told of this, the first inn keeper in Middleport, how he would seek custom from the unwary farmer from the back-woods, and entice him to trade his produce for liquor. The second hotel in the town was kept by J. W. Mathews, on the corner of Coal and Front Streets, where the Paragon Steam Laundry now is, about the year 1850.
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FIRST DRUG STORE.
The first drug store was kept by Hugh Kennedy, on Rutland street, which was then the principal street of the town.
FIRST BLACKSMITH
The first man to sound the "music of the anvil" in the town, was a Mr. Davis, also on Rutland street
FIRST RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The first religious societies organized in the town were the Society of Christians and the Society of Methodists. These were organized about the same time, but there is no doubt the Christians were the first, however, it is not clear.
FIRST RAILROAD.
The first Rail Road was the Columbus, Hocking Valley and Toledo. GENERAL STORES
Geo. Wameldorff sold a general line of merchandise in a frame building on Rutland Street, in 1847. Also two other parties sold general merchandise on the same street, viz : Dr. H. R. Wilson and A. M. Barlow. Geo. Wameldorff still resides in the city and owns and operates one of the leading hotels, the Walnut Street House, noted elsewhere in this work.
FIRST GROCERY.
The first exclusive grocery store was kept by Geo. Wameldorff, Sr., at the head of Second St., in 1857.
FIRST JEWELER.
The first worker in silver and gold was Philip Huber, whose stand was on Second St., between Walnut and Rutland.
FIRST ICE CREAM SALOON.
Alfred Gardner was the first to season and crystalize the cream for the town folk. He kept on the north side of Rutland between Second and Front Sts.
GROWTH OF BUSINESS.
Business seems to have gone from Rutland on down Second to Mill St., Rut- land having been the principal business street at the earliest date. No doubt Mill St. will be the principal business street in a few years, as business is now drifting in that direction.
RECAPITULATION.
To give an idea of the diversity of her interests, we annex a table giving an analysis of the trade and business interests of the city at the present time. Agricultural Implements 1. Book Stores 1.
2. Boots and Shoes 4.
Bakers
3. Brick Manufacturers 2.
Banks
1. Barbers
3. Cigar Manufacturers 1.
- Blacksmiths
4. Clothing and furnishings -
2.
.
Art Stores
1. Carriage Manufacturers -
-
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MEIGS COUNTY.
Confectionery and Fruits
2.
Liquors
8.
Dentists
1.
Livery
4.
Dress Makers
3. Marble Works
-
1.
Drugs
3. Meat Markets
- 3.
Dry Goods
6. Merchant Tailors
4.
Flour and Feed
2.
Millinery
3.
Flouring Mills
1.
Musical Merchandise
2.
Foundries and Mach. Shops
1.
Newspapers
2.
Furniture, Retail
1.
Notions and Toys
-
2.
Furniture Manufacturers
1. Photographers
1.
Groceries, Wholesale
1. Physicians
4.
Groceries, Retail
8.
Planing Mills
1.
Gen'l Merchandise
8.
Printers and Publishers
2.
Hardware
2.
Sewing Machines
1.
Harness
2. Stoves and Tinware
2.
Hotels and Restaurants
6.
Tinware -
- 3.
Insurance
3.
Miscellaneous 17.
Jewelers
3.
Laundries
-
1.
140.
-
THE PRESS IN MIDDLEPORT.
The first newspaper printed in Middleport was established by Mr. D. D. W. Davis, who worked as a journeyman in the Telegraph office at Pomeroy a short time in 1864. The material with which it was printed had formerly been used on the Pike County Press, had lain idle for some time, and was pur- chased at a low figure. The first number of his paper was issued November 1st, 1865, and was called the Middleport Gazette. It was a small folio, the pages measuring 12{x19} inches, and was the largest size that could be print- ed upon his press, which was one of the "Smith" pattern. The Gazette was published under his name until January 19, 1867, at which time he sold a one- half interest in the establishment to H. C. Teeter; then the Gazette appeared with Davis and Teeter as publishers for some two months, when Mr. Davis sold his remaining half interest to L. O. Smith, in March following. On the 20th of March, 1867, it was enlarged to a seven column paper; the name was changed to Meigs County Press, and the firm name changed to Teeter & Smith. At this time the first addition to material was made, both in body and job type, and the old "Smith" press was shipped off, while a "Washington" of sufficient size to permit of still further enlargement, took its place. On the 1st of Dec- ember 1868, H. C. Teeter purchased the half interest of L. O. Smith, and con- tinued the publication until May 19, 1869, at which time the paper appeared with the name of N. I. Behan as publisher and editor. On the 2nd of June, 1869, Mr. Behan added another column to each page, having purchased new body type and added job material. Mr. Behan was sole publisher until March 23, 1870, when Mr. Porter brought on his job office from Beverly, which was added to the Press establishment, and the paper appeared under the firm name of Behan & Porter. It was so continued until October 5, 1870, when the job office was withdrawn, and Mr. Behan made some further addition of job ma- terial and remained sole publisher of the Press until its suspension.
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BUSINESS REVIEW OF
The first issue of the Meig's County News appeared under date of Novem- ber 22, 1871, with E. S. Branch as publisher, and was printed on what was for- merly the Press material, to which had been added a small job office, which Mr. L. O. Smith brought to this place, consisting of a cabinet of new job type and an eighth medium job press. On July 22, 1874, Mr. Branch sold the News to G. W. Chase, who conducted it about six months, when the office passed into the hands of Behan and Teeter, who in 1875 sold to a stock company by which the concern was transferred to J. W. Dumble. In 1878 the Democrats of Meigs County organized a stock company and issued the Meigs County Herald, with a Mr. Shepard as editor. As usual with all newspapers, with too many mixing in the management, all was not smooth sailing and Shepard was superseded by Geo. Wise. Still there were too many interested, and finally the office passed into the hands of F. C. Russell, who first installed his brother A. S. Russell, as editor, who was succeeded for a time by Charles Huntley, then A. L. Russell was again in charge; then Will Huntley, and finally the name of W. C. Russell, youngest son of F. C. Russell, appeared as editor. The St. Louis Convention, which renominated Grover Cleveland, having pronounced . in its platform against the protection wing of the party, the Herald became a Republican pa- er, with W. C. Russell as editor. On November 8, 1889, Mr. L. O. Smith, for many years a newspaper man and well known among our citizens, became ed- itor of the Herald, with F. C. Russell, proprietor, and the paper has steadily grown in public favor, and is among the best weeklies in the county. In 1882 or 1883, Farrell & Butler started a neutral or independent paper called the "Bee." Farrell afterwards became sole owner and then removed the office to Pomeroy, where a fire soon closed out the establishment.
Middleport's Many Industries. How Her En- terprising Business Men Conduct Business.
3-THE BIG THREE-3
Domestic Dry Goods, Ladies', Misses' and Children's Dress Goods, Notions, Carpets, Shoes and Groceries, Cor, Fourth and Mill Streets.
This house, as at present constituted, dates its inception here to October, 1885, and has always exerted a strong influence over the dry goods trade of Meigs county, and its honorable methods of dealing with the public, com- bined with its push and energy, has kept it in the front rank and built for it one of the best trades in Southern Ohio, being the recognized leader in Meigs county. "THE BIG THREE" Stores are nicely located at the corner of Fourth
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ÈEJ ORY GOODS J NOTIONS
SHOES
MATEI
UND
and Mill streets, and are among the finest business rooms in the entire coun- ty, that part of the build- ing to the right being erected in the year 1886, and that on the left in 1890. The premises were built by Mr. Talbott for his especial purpose, with large plate glass fronts, a two story brick, one of the finest business blocks in the city, as the accompa- nying cut shows. Mr. B. E. Talbott, the proprietor f "THE BIG THREE" stores, is a native of Ath- ens county, born Nov. 16, 1860. He entered the house as a clerk for his
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