USA > Ohio > Gallia County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 13
USA > Ohio > Meigs County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 13
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William T. Saul, Proprietor of Far- mers' Dining Room and Sample and Pool Room, Middleport, O.
NOTHING in the world will a per- son grumble more about than a poor meal, or praise more than a good one. The old saying, "you touch a
man's pocket book and you touch his heart," ought to be changed thus "you tickle a man's palate and you have his everlasting friendship". There is no better chance to gain friends than by keeping a first-class restaurant, where a person can get good wholesome food at a small outlay. One of the best dining rooms in this part of the State is that conducted by William T. Saul, on Walnut street, this city. He has been in the business for twenty-seven years, and during his business career he has built up a reputation for cater- ing to the tastes of the citizens of Middleport and vicinity second to none. He has a sample room in connection with his dining room, where every kind of drink, from champaign to beer and soft drink can be procured. He car- ries a full line of tobacco and cigars, and also has a pool table for the ac- commodation of lovers of that sport. Mr. Saul is a native of Ireland, but came to this country with his parents and settled in Middleport when he was fourteen years old, and has been a cit- izen of this place ever since. He is forty-nine years of age and is one of the most respected citizens in Meigs county. Any one wanting a good square meal or a good first class drink of pure liquor will find both at Mr. Saul's. You will always find him on hand and ready to wait on you. His daughter owns the handsome building he occupies, being two stories high, where they have a number of neatly furnished rooms for the accomodation of the traveling public. We say to all, come and see for yourselves that what we have said is true.
Insurance Agency, Clarence D. Sanborn, Office on Mill St., Middleport, Ohio.
THERE is, perhaps, no principle as- sociated with business life which holds a higher importance than that of insurance against a possible loss from disaster or fire, and the business man or property holder who neglects to avail himself of advantages offered
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by some reliable fiduciary institution of this class is of all men most im- provident and unwise. Among those who offer the highest practical advan- tages in general insurance in this city is that of Mr. Clarence D. Sanborn, on Mill St. Mr. Sanborn is a native of Burlingham, this county, and has been in business in this city since Oct. 1890. He represents all kinds of in- surance, from some of the most relia- ble companies of the Union. In life insurance he represents the North Western Mutual of Milwaukee, Wis., one of the best life companies in ex- istance, its policies being secured on all the leading and approved plans. In accident, the Mutual Life Insurance Company, the accident department, and the American Accident, the Fidel- ity and Casuality Company of New York. Also Fire, Tornado, Plate Glass, etc. He does business in all parts of the country, and makes a specialty of farm property. Any one desiring in- surance will find his one of the best agencies in the country, and his com- panies the most reliable.
Richard Schwartz, Meat Market, Locust St., Middleport, 0.
A MONG the industrial operations associated with the thriving town of Middleport, there are none whose operations are of a more interesting character than such as relate to home and table supplies. The leading es- tablishment in this city devoted to supplying our citizens with fresh meat is that of Mr. R. Schwartz. He is a native of Germany, but came to this
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country when a mere boy, and located in Vanceburg, Ky., and was recognized as one of their best business men for a number of years. He came to Mid-
dleport in April, 1891, and opened a meat market, and the good quality of ineats and the gentlemanly way he waits on his customers has gained for him as good a trade as anyone in the city. He keeps a choice stock of beef, veal, mutton and pork, and you will always find choice cuts on hand. He runs a wagon to deliver your meats, and we would ask the citizens of Mid- dleport and vicinity to give Mr. Schwartz a visit and see if what we have said is just right.
St. James Hotel, Mrs. A. Leach, Proprietress, Front St., Middle- port, Ohio.
THE St. James Hotel of this city,
situated on Front Street, is one of the most popular hotels of this section of Meigs county. Mrs. Leach, the proprietress, is a native of Maryland, born near Cumberland. She has been a resident of this state for a number of years. Her husband died four years ago, which threw the responsibility of running the hotel on her. She then took charge and has run it successful- ly ever since. She keeps a neat and nicely furnished house, where anyone can find any number of first-class fur- nished rooms, and the table is second to none. Mrs. Leach is a full cousin to the great and noble Gen. Custer, of which any citizen might be proud. All we ask is that the people give Mrs. Leach a call and they will say that the meals she furnishes are second to none.
Col. T. D. Scott, Miner and Dealer in Coal, Mill St. Extension, Mid- dleport, Ohio.
WHEN writing of Middleport's business men this work would not be complete without mentioning the gentleman's name and business which heads this sketch. Mr. Scott operates a mine that supplies the do- mestic trade. He finds a market here in Middleport for all he produces, and being an operator of long years of ex-
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perience, he enjoys a large business. Mr. Scott is recognized as one of Mid- dleport's most enterprising and re- spected citizens, and all who meet the Colonel will find him a good social and first-class fellow.
W. H. Skinner, Dealer in Dry Goods Notions, Groceries and Etc., Cor. Second and Mill Streets, Mid- dleport, Ohio,
THE commercial history of Middle- port discloses no business house which can advance so many claims to public notice and favor as the one whose name heads this article, occupy- ing as it does to-day one of the most conspicuous positions among the best and strongest establishments in any branch of trade in this town, not only on account of the large amount of bus- iness and far-reaching influence of its transactions, but its honorable record through nearly all of the town's his- tory. Mr. Skinner was born in Frank- lin county in the year 1841, but came to this county with his parents when quite young, and has been a constant resident of the county ever since, with the exception of the time when he re- sponded to the president's call and took up arms in his country's defense He enlisted in Co. K, 7th Regiment, Ohio Cavalry, Sept. 12th, 1862, and was discharged with the rank of Ser- geant, July 3d. 1865. He was among the fortunate ones that went through many hard battles without receiving any wounds. He came to this place after the war, and has been recognized as one of Middleport's most enterpris- ing business men ever since. The stock of goods he carries consists of a first-class stock of dry goods, notions, groceries, etc., and Mr. Skinner is al- ways ready to sell you goods as cheap, if not cheaper, than any other mer- chant in Southern Ohio. All we ask the citizens of Middleport, Meigs and Gallia counties is to call and see if what we have said about this enter- prising business is correctly written. T
John Steel, Horse Shoer and Blacksmith.
AMONG the expert workers in iron 'and steel in this city is Mr. John Steel. He is a practical workman in this branch of mechanical industry, competent to meet all requirements in general blacksmithing and horse shoe- ing. He has had five years' experience in his chosen profession and has a well equipped shop. He is patronized by turfmen, farmers, and all owners of valuable horses. He learned his trade in Athens, Ohio. He is a native of Meigs Co., born in 1861. Mr. Steele gives especial attention to horse shoe- ing and has made this business a study and can shoe a horse so as to prevent the hoof contracting, toeing in or in- terfering. He gives special attention to all kinds of repairing, which he does neatly and guarantees all work satisfactory.
R. C. Stewart, Meat Market, Mill Street, Middleport, Ohio.
U/HEN writing of the business men of Middleport, it is with pleasure we notice the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Mr, Stewart is a native of this place. He was one of the noble men who responded to the president's call and took up arms to fight for his country. He enlisted in Company H 14th Regiment, May 1864, and was honorably discharged, Sept., 1864. He bore the reputation of be- ing as good a soldier as ever shouldered a gun. He returned to this place, and has been in the meat business ever since, and on the 1st of May 1891, he rented one of the two rooms built by Wm. Parks, and opened one of the finest meat markets in Southern Ohio. He has one of the latest improved re- frigerators for meat in the warm sea- son. You can always find on hand the choicest cuts of beef, veal, pork and mutton, smoked and salt meats. We will say to the citizens of Middleport, you will find Mr. Stewart one of Mid- dleport's best butchers and respected citizens.
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BUSINESS REVIEW OF
MIDDLEPORT NATIONAL BANK MIDDLEPORT, OHIO.
Established, Nov. 24, 1890.
Charter No. 4472. -
Capital, $50,000.00. - Indiv. Profits, $1700,00.
OFFICERS: F. C. RUSSELL, Pres.
R. D. McMANIGAL,
Vice Pres.
E. C. Fox, Cashier.
L. H. HILSINGER, Ass't Cashier.
DIRECTORS:
F. C. RUSSELL,
R. D. MCMANIGAL,
E. C. Fox,
S. M. HYSELL,
A. S. KERR.
BENEDICT & CO-
BANK BUILDING, CORNER COAL AND SECOND STREETS.
A General Banking Business in All Its Branches Transacted. We Invite Cor- respondence or a Personal Interview with a View to Business Relations.
PRINCIPAL CORRESPONDENTS:
FOURTH NATIONAL,
- CONTINENTAL NATIONAL, - CINCINNATI .
NEW YORK CITY.
FRANK
1000
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MEIGS COUNTY.
Story & Sanborn, Jewelers, Mill St. T THIS is one among the most popu-
lar houses of its kind in the city of Middleport. The individual mem- bers of this firm are S. S. Story and B. H. Sanborn, both natives of Meigs county. They occupy a nice and con- veniently arranged room, where they carry a complete line of clocks,
watches, diamonds, and precious stone settings ; engravings, mountings, and general repair work a specialty. They also have spectacles and can suit the old, young and middle-aged. Their honorable business methods have se- cured for them a large and increasing trade. Anyone needing anything in this line will do well to call and see them.
J. W. Talbott, Wholesale Grocer, Corner Second and Rutland Streets.
IN order to show more fully than has heretofore been done, the active com- mercial forces and vast resources of our city, Meigs and Gallia counties, this work is issued and especially commended among those establishments whose trade and influence are not confined to either this or Gallia counties. We notice especially the wholesale house of Mr. J. W. Talbott, located on the corner of Second and Rutland streets. Mr. Talbott is a native of Athens county, born in the year 1848, and came to Langsville, this county, twelve years ago and taught in the public schools at that place. His business qual- ities prompted him to start a general store in that place, and later he was ap- pointed postmaster, during the Grant administration. He was financially suc- cessful and came to this city and started a dry goods and grocery store, which he operated very successfully for thirteen years, and during the Cleveland ad- ministration he served this city as postmaster with marked ability. He sold out his retail store last July and established the large wholesale establish - ment which he now oper- ates. The premises com- prise two of the finest bus- iness rooms in the city, each 75x25 feet in dimen- sions, and completely stocked with the finest grades of staple and fancy WHOLESALE GROCER groceries and grocer's sun- Iries, imported and domes- tie cigars, a full line of J. W. TALBOTT. plug, fine cut and smoking tobaccos and all smokers' supplies. A full line of canned and bottled goods. The facilities this house enjoys for meeting the re- quirements of trade are unsurpassed and dealers will find it advantageous to establish business relations with him. To the merchants of Meigs and Gallia. counties and W. Va. we would say that Mr. Talbott can furnish goods as cheap, if not cheaper than any other wholesale house on the river. The accompanying cut gives a fair illustration of the exterior building. We ask you to give him a call and see if our picture is overdrawn.
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The Herald, L. O. Smith, Editor, F. C. Russell, Proprietor
ONE of the strongest and most in-
fluential papers in Meigs county is The Herald, edited by Mr. L. O. Smith. It is a 30x44 sheet, Republi- can in politics, devoted to news, liter- ature, and the local interests of this part of the State and Meigs county. Its editorials evince a clear concep- tion of subjects treated and its adver- tising columns show an appreciation of its advantages in this respect by the business men of the place. Its mechanical department embraces new- est appliances for the execution of every description of book, commercial and job printing. It is an eight page, six column sheet, with a circulation of 1200. Mr. Smith is a native of Connecticut, and has been connected with the press longer perhaps, than any other person in Meigs county. On the first of February, 1864, he took charge of The Telegraph, then owned by Mr. T. U. White, it being the only paper in the county at that time. Subsequent changes in which Mr. Smith was interested are given un- der the head of "The Press." Mr. F. C. Russell, the proprietor of the paper, is one of the county's most influential citizens, and is a lawyer by profes- sion. He is also president of the Mid- dleport National Bank. He tends to the duties of his profession and leaves the paper to the care of Mr. Smith.
E. N. Thompson, Restaurant and Confectionery, Second Street, Middleport, Ohio.
THE leading and most influential establishment of its class in this city is that conducted by E. N. Thomp- son, whose place of business is located on Second Street, near the corner of Walnut. Mr. Thompson is a native of this place, and is twenty-seven years of age. He went in the confectionery business one year ago, and has had a first-class trade ever since. He is as-
sisted by his wife, to whom much of the popularity of the house is due. Mrs. Thompson was for a number of years a saleslady for her father, Mr G. Michael, the veteran dry goods merchant of Middleport, which makes her first-class assistant for Mr. Thompson, who has fine business qual- ities, and is making a success in the sale of confectionery, fruits, soft drinks, cigars and tobacco. Mr. Thompson has in connection with his store, an elegantly fitted room for the people, where you will always find ice cream and oysters in season. He con- trols the trade of Middleport in this line. Give Ed a call and see if we are right.
DEGER
Rtoeger
QEQMANA KENNY N. Y.
S. S. Tubbs, Dealer in Sewing Ma- chines and Musical Instruments. Second Street.
A! MONG the most reliable dealers in sewing machines and musical instruments is Mr. S. S. Tubbs, who is a native of Meigs county, born in 1841, and located in Middleport in 1856. During the war of the rebellion he enlisted as a member of the 18th Ohio, 75th, 9th Veteran reserve and went to the front, serving with credit to himself and country four years and a half. He occupies a nice business room 18x56 feet in dimensions, and carries the largest stock of leading popular sewing machines, and sewing machine needles, shuttles, parts, oil, etc. in Meigs county, and is able to suit patrons and insure to them the best machine for the purposes de- sired, for manufacturing or domestic
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MEIGS COUNTY.
use, fancy work or fine embroidery, as he deals directly with the manufactur- ers of these machines, and patrons do not have to pay the cost of middle- men. He is able to give his patrons the most favorable terms, and can of- fer special inducements in low prices, while he guarantees each and every machine sold to be as represented. He also carries pianos, the Emerson man- ufactured in Boston, and the Bush and Gerts, and all kinds of organs. Any person who contemplates the purchase of a sewing machine, piano, or organ will certainly advance their own interest by calling on this firm before making a purchase.
Walnut St. House, Geo. Womeldorff Prop., Cor. Second and Wal- nut Streets.
DURING the past twelve years this popular and most efficiently con- ducted house has been under the con- trol of its present management, Mr. Womeldorff, who is a native of this State, born in 1824. He has a keene conception of the business and enjoys a most liberal patronage from tran- sient as well as regular boarders. The house is nicely furnished and neatly garnished throughout, and the sleep- ing apartments are most scrupulously clean, and no one could desire to sit down to a better or more bountifully supplied table than is to be found at the Walnut Street House. The build- ing occupied is a large two story brick 50x113 feet in dimensions, and has the best sample rooms in the city. Mr. Womeldorff employs seven assis- tants. The rates to transient guests are but one dollar and fifty cents per day, while reduced rates are given to regular boarders. Board can be had by the day, week or meal.
Geo. Womeldorff, Livery, Feed and Sale Stable, Walnut Street.
ONTRIBUTING to the comfort, convenience and pleasure of every community is that branch of mercan- tile pursuits, known as the livery and feed business. In this line we notice Geo. Womeldorff's livery, feed and sale stables, which for the past seven years have been the leading establishments of the kind in this city, and which are entitled to the most liberal consid- eration in this review of the promi- nent industries of Middleport. The premises occupied are 35x75 feet in dimensions, two stories high. At present Mr. Womeldorff has eight choice roadsters on hand for livery purposes, and is prepared at any time to furnish first-class single or double rigs for pleasure, driving, parties or funerals, etc. Commercial travelers desiring to be transferred to any of the surrounding towns, can be accommo- dated with first-class baggage wagons and drivers, and the outfit of these stables will be found to be second to none in the country. Boarding for horses can be secured at all times at reasonable rates. Mr. Womeldorff is a native of meigs Co., born in 1863.
H. W. Webb, Proprietor Middleport Saw and Planing Mill Com- pany, 381 Second St.
THE superior advantages possessed - by Middleport as a manufacturing and distributing center are well at- tested by the location in the city of many establishments whose manufac- tures find a market far from home, and which could not be successfully
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conducted unless favorable freight rates could be obtained. A fitting il- lustration of this fact may be found in the successful working house of H. W. Webb, whose office and planing mill is located at 381 Second street. The business was established in 1862 by S. D. Webb, father of the present proprietor. During the years 1883 to 1889 Mr. S. D. Webb served as Coun- ty Commissioner. During these years the affairs of the county were econom- ically administered, with a view to the best interests of the people at large. During these years the entire control of the business of this house devolved upon Mr. H. W. Webb, though only fourteen years old. February 2nd, 1891, Mr. S. D. Webb retired from the business and H. W. Webb became sole proprietor. The yards and mills cover an area of eight lots. The mills are spacious and commod- ious and are equipped with all the modern wood working machinery, tools and appliances known to the trade. Fifteen experienced workmen are employed and the machinery is operated by a superior sixty-horse power engine. Mr. H. W. Webb does all kinds of planing, matching, mould- ings, brackets, etc., handles large quantities of doors, sash, blinds, etc., and does every description of work in hard wood or pine. He also handles extensively pine, spruce and hemlock lumber, building timber of all kinds, shingles, lath, pickets, posts, and other specialties connected with the trade. He makes a specialty of shin- gles and lath in wholesale lots and is prepared to supply dealers or large contractors with this line in car lots. He is also extensively engaged in con- tracting and building. He will con- tract and complete a building of any kind from a barn to the finest private residence or public building ; dig the cellar, put in the foundation, erect buildings, paint and plaster, all com- plete, on the most reasonable terms. Mr. Webb is a native of Middleport, born in 1871. Though young he is thoroughly familiar with all the de- tails of this business, and for one of
his years brings into requisition rare executive abilities. He is highly honored and respected both in business and social circles, and may well be ranked among the prominent young business men of the county.
J. W. Wells & Son, Agricultural Implements, Cor. Second and Mill Sts., Middleport, Ohio,
R
EPRESENTING an industry of
vital importance to residents of rural districts, Messrs. J. W. Wells & Son's establishment and trade inter- ests become of the utmost importance to communities like this and is entit- led to more than brief notice at the hands of the reviewer. Mr. J. W. Wells has been in this business for the past fifteen years and during that time has done one of the largest busi- nesses of any house of the kind in southern Ohio. His son was in busi- ness with him a number of years ago but retired to follow other pursuits, but one year ago returned to this bus- iness. It is said of this firm that they have sold more goods in the past year than any other firm in this or Gallia county. Their sales amount- ing in the aggregate to an enormous number. They represent the well known Deering binder, reaper and mower, of Chicago, and in these spec- 'ialties they have in stock or will ob- tain on short notice anything pertain- ing to the wants of the agriculturist. They represent the best makes of stationery and farm engines, saw mills, threshers, clover hullers, culti- vators, riding or walking plows, drills, horse rakes and forks, stackers, har- rows, etc., also repairs for the same. They are also agents for all the best buggy and cart companies, among them them the factories of Colum- bus and Cincinnati; also the best wagon makers, representing a full line of carriages, buggies, surreys, phaetons, carts, spring and farm wagons; also agents for the best fer- tilizers in the country. To the farmers and citizens of Meigs and Gallia coun- ties we would say that the enterpris-
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MEIGS COUNTY.
ing firm of J. W. Wells & Son is the leader in this line. They are agents for the best road machine in the world, known as the American Road Ma chine, of Kennett Square, Pennsylva- nia. Call and see this popular firm, dear reader, and see if what we have said is true.
Wells & Amos, Middleport Nurseries.
T HIS is one of the industries that has been wonderfully improved in the last one hundred years, and we might add, in the last fifty years, at which time a nursery was a rare thing in this great State of Ohio. The or- chards at that time were propagated by the person planting the seeds of the fruit he chanced to get. The fruits
of that day were of a very poor qual- ity and only used for making cider. The improved varieties that we have today were unknown at that time. Budding and grafting at that time were not thought of. But look at it to-day, the business is so much im- proved that we have green fruit all the year round. All this must be credited to the honest nurseryman. Any person owning a small tract of land can raise the finest luxuries that go to make up the articles that a good housewife needs to set a first-class table, and the owner of a small piece of land can set his table equal to that
of a king. The nurseryman, like every other business man, has strong competition. There are so many dis- honest men in the business, who come around and make big representations of how large a nursery they represent and how many acres it contains, and of their company being incorporated and their fruits being trade marked, and so on, and so on, which is all a fraud, but they keep traveling on, blowing year after year and humbug- ging the farmer. This kind of fruit tree men generally change their terri - tory every year, and seek new vic- tims in new fields. Not so with Wells & Amos, who head our sketch. They are permanently located here and are old, reliable business men. Although the nursery was only established three years ago, they have built up for them- selves a large and increasing trade, and you will find them honest nur- serymen who pack their trees true to name and guarantee them to be such, and they are perfectly reliable. They cut their own buds and superin- tend the whole business in person and are the owners of the only first-class nursery in this county. The individ- ual members of this firm are J. W. Wells and L. D. Amos. Mr. Amos is a thoroughly practical nurseryman, having been engaged in this business all his life, and is fully up with the times, and when any improvement is made or any new kind of fruit is in- troduced they secure them and have them in stock. Their stock consists of the finest grown apple, peach, pear, plum, cherry, apricot, quince, rasp- berries, strawberries, and a full line of all kinds and varieties of ornament- al trees and shrubs. We wish to say to the readers of this review, those of you who are thinking of planting an orchard or any kind of trees will do well to consult these gentlemen, as their trees are fine and acclimated and do much better than trees brought from a distance. Their nursery is ยท located two miles south of Middleport, on the C. H. V. and T. R. R., and by addressing them you can get their catalogue and prices.
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