USA > Ohio > Gallia County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 17
USA > Ohio > Meigs County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 17
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of the business in 1883, and under his efficient management it has continued to grow in popular favor among the citizens of this section of the country. His large trade has been built up by an honest career, and by selling pure fresh drugs on small margins. He is the agent for the Bell Telephone Com- pany, whose office is in his store and which has direct connections with all the towns and villages between Racine and Gallopolis. He enjoys a liberal patronage by the people of Rutland and surrounding country.
Hogue Brothers, Machine and Re- pair Shops.
THE individual members of this firm are Messrs. J. L. and Bert Hogue. They were born in this vil- lage in 1856 and 1861 respectively. They have always lived here and have been engaged in their present business all their lives. The premises occupi- ed by their works is a large frame structure 40x60 feet in dimensions and is equipped with all the facilities for carrying on their business accord- ing to the most approved methods. Their machinery is propelled by a twelve horse power engine. They are prepared to repair all kinds of ma- chinery, wagons and farming imple- ments. They manufacture the Ohio Feed Cutter, of which their father was
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the inventor. This machine surpasses all others in the simplicity of struc- ture, and the manner in which it does its work. It is geared so as to be pro- pelled by two men if desired but one man can easily work it, and where once introduced takes precedence over all others. They are also manufactur- ers of the Langstreth Patent Bee Hive, which is constructed with patent mov- able frame, it is a favorite among bee keepers, and can be seen in many of the apiaries of this section of the State. They are prepared to do custom work in sawing and dressing lumber, hav- ing recently added new machinery for the manufacture of drop siding and for matching and dressing lumber of all kinds. They make a specialty of carriage painting, in which they are especially skillful. These gentlemen are both excellent workmen and any work done by them will be executed in a first-class manner. They allow no work to leave their shop until it has been completely finished and thoroughly tested. Equipped as they are with all the latest improved ma- chinery they can safely guarantee satisfaction both as to character of work and as to charges. These gen- tlemen are gifted with an unusual amount of business energy and pluck and are meeting with good success and prosperity in their enterprise. The public would do well to call on or correspond with this firm when need- ing anything in their line.
G. W. Jackson, General Merchan- dising.
T HIS business, so successfully start- ed, had its inception here April 1st, 1891, upon that solid foundation, strictly one price and cash or produce, and is building itsself up upon that sound and permanent foundation, and is already considered as one of the prime factors in the mercantile trade of the village. The store room is one of the neatest in the place, 20x40 feet in dimensions, and admirably arrang- ed for the convenience of his custom- ers and the display of his goods. The
stock carried is complete in every de- partment, and embraces dry goods, groceries, hardware, queensware, glass- ware, tinware. In dry goods the de- partment includes a full line of do- mestic goods for home and personal use, dress goods of all the latest novel- ties and patterns in the newest styles and from both American and foreign looms. The grocery department is complete and embraces all that is needed to make it one of the most com- plete assortments of family groceries in the village ; in fact this department contains the cream of the grocery line. In hardware he carries a line of shelf hardware, table and pocket cutlery. In boots and shoes he has a neat line for men, women and child- ren, and of the best makes. Mr. G. W. Jackson is a native of Virginia; at the close of the war he came to Ohio; in 1869 he engaged as a clerk in Middleport, Ohio; in 1872 he en- gaged in business, in which he con- tinued for nine years, and then sold out and went on the road as travel- ing salesman. January 1, '91 he quit the road and concluded to go into business for himself. He built a neat room, 20x40 feet in dimensions, and has it fitted up in the best style. On each side of the door are fine show windows and two large show cases are utilized for the display of his goods. His carefully selected stock shows that his long business career has not been in vain. He is a shrewd buyer, and the cash system adopted by him en- ables him to undersell all competition. His manner of doing business is ap- preciated by all patrons, he has al- ready secured a large trade in village and surrounding country. The histo ry of the house is replete with enter- prise, industry and success.
S. T. McLain, Blacksmith,
AMONG the sturdy sons of Vulcan, who have hammered their way to respect and competency to the music of the anvil, we notice at some length Mr. S. T. McLain, located
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in this village. Mr. McLain is a na- tive of Pennsylvania, born in 1830, and has followed blacksmithing forty years, and has been a resident of Rut- land thirty-six years. He has a finely fitted up shop with all needed appli- ances for the transaction of this line of trade. His long experience makes him a skilled mechanic. He will do all work promptly and neatly. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity and one of the village's best and most respected citizens.
G. T. Musser, Mill, Cider Press, and Crate Factory.
m R. G. T. MUSSER is a native of Meigs county, born near this vil- lage, in 1858. In early life he worked at various occupations, the most of the time in a saw mill. In 1882 he received an appointment as attend- ant at the Athens Asylum, where he served two years. He took charge of this establishment in July, 1888. His plant here is a large building, 40x20 feet in dimensions and two stories high. It is equipped with a set of buhrs, which he uses in grinding corn and all kinds of feed. He also has a saw and planing mill, a steam hy- draulic cider press, a sorghum factory and a crate factory all under his management. His saw mill has a ca- pacity of twenty-five hundred feet per day, and his cider mill has a capacity of seventy barrels per day. In the sorghum department he uses the old pan system, which is the only true way to produce good sorghum molas- ses. In these departments he does custom work for the public, always guaranteeing satisfaction in every particular. He manufactures large numbers of fruit crates of all kinds, from poplar and sycamore lumber. He always keeps a large supply on hand and is prepared to fill orders promptly from any point and ship in either large or small quantities. He is also the most extensive fruit grower and shipper in this section of the county. He raises large quantities of strawberries and raspberries, includ-
ing all the latest and best varieties, and has about three hundred fruit trees on his farm near this place. Mr. Musser is one of our most enterpris- ing and prosperous business men. He gives constant employment to a number of hands and enjoys the re- spect and esteem of all who know him.
J. N. Rathburn & Sons, Dealers in Merchandise.
IN the village of Rutland will be found one of the most thriving busy marts of trade in Meigs county. The house was established in 1858 and from its start to the present time has maintained a most prominent place among the leading business houses of the county. The large and diversified stock is specially provided to meet the countless demands of do- mestic requirements. The stock here carried comprises dry goods, in large and comprehensive variety, showing most inviting attractions to the ladies, in the latest novelties, styles and pat- terns in dress goods of all kinds, from the light and beautiful summer dress fabrics to the most costly dress goods, from both American and foreign looms. The notion department con- tains all the new novelties in trim- mings, ribbons, hosiery, furnishing goods for both ladies and gentlemen, and all those useful and ornamental articles. The clothing department is one they may justly feel proud of. Here is found in stock as good and complete a line as you would wish to look at, and embraces men's, boys', youths' and children's suits, in all qualities from the cheap and substan- tial every day wear to the finest dress suits. This firm has established in- timate business relations with some of the leading manufacturers of the United States and can offer induce- ments in this line not surpassed by any house in the county. The hat and cap department is complete with every thing in this line, from the
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cheap straw to the fine, nobby hats for gents, and all styles in wool and fur, and their prices cannot be duplicated. The boot and shoe department is one that cannot be surpassed for style, material and price. Buying direct from manufacturers for cash enables them to compete with any contempo- raneous concern in the county. The grocery department is filled to reple- tion. This department of trade stands pre-eminent at the head of all mercantile pursuits; on this branch of industry the civilized race looks for its daily supplies. As at present conducted this house ranks among the best of its class in the county. The stock comprises fancy and stand- ard goods, American and foreign fruits, fresh country produce, pro- visions and supplies for the home and table of every description. The build- ing occupied is a fine two story frame structure, 65x65 feet in dimensions, located on Main street, and divided in two main apartments, dry goods and grocery, and clothing, hats, caps, and boots and shoes. The second floor is used for the storage of duplicate goods of all kinds. This business had its inception in 1858, when it was started by Mr. J. N. Rathburn, the senior member of the firm. In 1880 his two sons, C. F. and M. E. were ad- mitted into the firm. Mr. J. N. Rath- burn is a native of this place, born in 1827, and has been identified with the business interests of the village all his life. His business experience with other attainments gave him the re- quired ability for · some public office, and in 1879 he was elected County Auditor, and assumed the duties in 1880. He possessed in a marked de- gree the traits and qualifications for popular favor, and was re-elected and held the office for a period of ten years. At the expiration of that time he again returned to his native city. This firm brings into requisition long practical experience, and being shrewd buyers, immense sales and small profits have secured to them the large and growing trade of which they may just- ly feel proud.
R. H. Rawlings, Harness. Vehicles and Undertaking.
THERE is no industry of more im-
portance to farmers and commun- ity, than that of the harness manufac- turer, and as one of the worthy repre- sentatives of this branch of trade we would mention in particular Mr. R. H. Rawlings, whose factory is located at Rutland, O. Mr. Rawlings keeps con- stantly on hand a large supply of sad- dlery goods, first-class single or double light or heavy harness, nets, robes, dusters, whips, collars, blankets, oils, saddles, and saddlery hardware. His work is noted for its fine finish and the solid manner in which it is put up and he never permits any article to leave his shop until it is finished and thoroughly inspected, and as a result, his goods never fail to render satis- faction. In addition to the harness factory he keeps in stock a large sup- ply of all kinds of vehicles for sale, embracing carriages, buggies, surreys, phaetons, jaggars, road carts, delivery wagons, farm and spring wagons. He is agent for the famous Brown Wagon factory of Zanesville, O., and also for the Milburn farm wagon. He handles the Columbus and Cincinnati buggies, and ten different makes of road carts He keeps vehicles in all styles and prices to suit the buyer, from the cheapest road cart up to the most elegant surrey. They are constructed from the best material and possess all the latest improvements, among which we notice the Excelsior Coil spring, which for ease of carriage and dur- ability has no equal. These vehi- cles are sold on easy terms and at as- tonishingly low prices. He also con- ducts an undertaking department, in which he is prepared to attend to all business in that line. He carries a full line of plain and cloth covered coffins, burial caskets, cases, etc. He keeps a hearse and will attend funer- als at any point promptly and at very reasonable rates. He is prepared to do all kinds of embalming if desired. Mr. Rawlings is a native of Meigs
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County, O., born Oct., 16th, 1847. His early life was spent on the farm. In . October 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 53d, O. V. I., being but a few days past his fourteenth birthday, and no doubt the youngest soldier from Meigs County. A few weeks after enlistment he saw his first experience in battle at Shiloh, taking part afterwards in the siege of Corinth, the battles of Mem- phis, Vicksburgh and Jackson, Miss., and then went to Chattanooga, and helped raise the siege at that place. In 1863 he re-enlisted at Scottsborough and started on the famous Atlanta campaign, at the close of which he im- mediately started with Sherman to the sea. He was discharged before reach- ing his eighteenth birthday, having served nearly four years and taken part in twenty-three regular battles and numerous skirmishes. He learned his trade as harness maker at Middle- port after the close of the war, and opened up a shop here in 1870. He subsequently added the undertaking department and afterwards the vehicle department. This is one of the firms which started from a small beginning but has increased each year and now the amount of business done by it sur- passes any similar firm in Meigs Co. He has made a complete success of every department of his business, and justly merits the large patronage he receives and is perfectly honest and reliable in all his dealings.
W. H. Rightmire, Blacksmith and Dealer in Buggies, Carts and Wagons,
AMONG the members of the brute creation, the horse has been as- signed the place of man's humble ser- vant. In ancient times so highly prized was it that the most precious metal, gold, was used to form the pro- tection for the feet. In modern times the ingenuity of man has kept pace with the greater capabilities of use for which the horse proved to be adapted, as may be seen in the proper shoeing especially adapted to permit
of the performance of the work re- quired with ease to the animal. Mr. Rightmire is a practical horse shoer and has måde the horse's hoof a study and thoroughly understands how to take the proper care of it, so as to pre-
vent contracting, splitting, toeing in or inteferring. He gives prompt atten- tion to all kinds of reparing, which will be done with neatness and dis- patch. He is also an extensive dealer in buggies, carts and wagons and keeps on hand a full supply from the best manufacturers and can offer induce- ments to buyers both as to quality and price. He is agent for the celebrated Whitley Mower and can confidently recommend it as the best mower made. He also keeps for breeding purposes some famous stallions, among which we note the fine styled horse "Gold Buckle" and "Jim Pearson !" Bay stallion, sired by Wilson's Blue Bull (75), the sire of sixty-five performers in the 2:30 list. Dam Lauretta by Mambrino Pilot, sire of 11 and grand sire of 33 in the 2:30 list. 2d dam Puss Prall (by Mark Time) dam of Lady Stout, with three year old record 2 :29, also dam of Jeb Stuart, sire of 5 in the 2:30 list. 3d dam by Webster he by Lance, son of American Eclipse. There are but few horses with such an ancestry as Jim Pearson, and his in- dividual merits and excellence are in perfect harmony with his rare breed- ing. He is a magnificent animal in every sense of the word: his color, form and style, are faultless ; he stands 15 hands 3 inches high, and weighs 1075 pounds ; has faultless head and ears, with strong character stamped on every feature. Although possessing great courage his disposition is per- fect. In Pearson centers the blood of
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the greatest trotting families. His sire, Blue Bull, is the sire of more per- formers in the 2:30 list than any horse that ever lived, and bears the proud title of premier trotting sire of the world, while his dam, (Lauretta,) was sired by the great Mambrino Pi- lot, who was both a trotter himself, sire and grand sire of trotters. Mam- brino Pilot was Mambrino Chief, (sire and grandsire of 79 performers in the 2 :30 list,) his dam by Pilot, Jr. sire of dams of Maud S. 2:083, and Jay-Eye-See, 2:10. Pearson's 2d dam (Puss Prall) was the greatest matron of her time, and the first mare to give to the world a three year old that could beat 2:30. He is closely related to the fastest trotters and pacers and promises to be a great sire, as the colts he already has are large, fine and very speedy.
Pearson will serve a limited number of mares at the stable of W. H. Right- mire, Rutland O. If any mares are sent to me, I will keep them on reas onable terms. You will find Jim Pear- son registered in Wallace's stud book, volume 5, No. 2694. And standard. Rule 6th. Mr. Rightmire is a native of the village, born in 1842, and has been brought up a blacksmith, and is a fine worker in iron and steel. Call and see him. Satisfaction guaranteed.
L. P. Wright, Postmaster.
R. L. P. WRIGHT, the subject m of
this sketch, was born in Athens county, O., in .1840. He came
to Meigs county with his parents when but nine years of age. He grew to manhood on a farm near this vil- lage. At the out break of the rebel- lion he was the first man to enlist from Rutland township, and one of the first in Meigs county. He enlist- ed in Co. F 18th, O. V. I. April 17th, 1861. At the expiration of his term of enlistment, which was in July of the same year, he re-enlisted in the 7th, Ohio Battery of light artillery, where he served until the close of the war. His first experience in battle was at Shiloh. He afterwards took part in all the battles of Grant's cam- paign from Shiloh to the surrender of Vicksburg, including the famous bat- tle of Jackson, Miss. He was serious- ly injured at Bolivar, Tenn., for which he receives a pension. As a recogni- tion of his faithfulness to duty, he was promoted to the rank of 2nd Sergeant and his entire period of ser- vice was four and one half years. In 1882 he received the appointment of guard in the Ohio State prison, where he served two and one half years, and in 1890 he was appointed Post Master of this village. In his official capaci- ty he has rendered entire satisfaction to all, regardless of political affilia- tions, and as a citizen he is universally respected by all who know him.
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LONG BOTTOM.
HE pleasant little village of Long Bottom is situated in Olive township in the rich alluvial valley of the beautiful "La Belle Reviere," two miles north-east of the mouth of the Shade River and is in one of the richest agricultural districts in Southern Ohio. The community is financially in a most flattering condition, and the place is noted for its wealth and enterprise.
SETTLEMENT OF OLIVE TOWNSHIP.
Olive township was named in honor of Olive, daughter of Major Reed. Samuel Coleman and Joshua Knapp, were the first settlers about the year 1778, or ten years prior to the first settlement at Marietta. Among the other early settlers were Robert Collins, Samuel Reed, John Ray, John Coleman, Thomas Coleman, Abraham Kimes, Thomas Raridon, William Whiteside, William Buff- ington, Matthias Landon, James Wiley, Bennett Oakley, Matthew Dodderer, John Shields, John W. Fellows, Ebenezer Green, William Caldwell, Ezra Hoyt, Phillip Hetzer, Major Reed, William Reed and John Dewey. The principal villages of the township are Long Bottom and Reedville. Reedville was laid out by Major Reed about the year 1855, and is located near the Ohio River in the eastern part of the township.
FOUNDING OF LONG BOTTOM.
This active little business centre was laid out by David McKee about the year 1866. The village has grown gradually from the start and now has fine public schools, and good business houses, churches and every precaution taken to make it a pleasant place of residence.
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Some of Long Bottom's Most Active Business Enterprises and Her Wide-Awake Business Men.
Long Bottom Flouring Mills. J. Adams Proprietor.
IT is universally conceded that among our manufacturing and in- dustrial pursuits there are none which take precedence of the thoroughly equipped flouring mills which are found in every village. Not only, therefore, as one of the leading enter- prises of this village, but as holding a position among the most efficiently conducted mills of this section of the State, are we justified in the full and
extended notice we accord this establishment. The plant, which is a frame building 50x60 feet in dimen- sions and three stories high, was built in 1858, by I. H. Fellows, but the ma- chinery was remodeled in 1889 by Mr. J. Adams, the present proprietor. It is now equipped with the latest im- proved roller process or gradual re- duction process. The work was done by the Barnard and Leas Manufactur- ing Company of Moline, Ill. It has a capacity of fifty barrels per day. Mr. Adams is a miller of many years' experience and thoroughly under- stands his business. He manufactures two grades of flour, viz., "White Lily" and "Sweet Home" which are very popular and always in demand where once introduced, finding a ready sale in our local markets and in popular 'favor with dealers and consumers. The influence of this mill is largely
felt by our business men, drawing trade from a distance which would be di- verted to other places. Mr. Adams is a native of Meigs county, Ohio, born near Tupper's Plains in 1834. He was raised at Adams Mills, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits and conducted a general store for twenty years, In 1859 he married Miss Mary E. Hannum. He came here in 1889 and took charge of the mill. Mr. Adams has for many years been recog- nized as one of our leading farmers. He has served as Justice of the Peace for several terms and is now Notary Public. All legal business coming un- der his jurisdiction will receive prompt attention.
Prof. W. C. Merritt, Supt. of Long Bottom Seminary.
T HE accompanying cut is a fair re- presentation of Prof. W. C. Mer- ritt, Sup't of Long Bottom Seminary, at Long Bottom, O. Prof. Merritt is a native of Meigs county, Ohio. He was born in Columbia township Sep- tember 26th, 1866. By close applica- tion to his books he was enabled to pro- cure a teacher's certificate at the early age of sixteen and immediately enter- ed his chosen profession, that of teaching. After having taught for several years and desiring to elevate himself to a higher plane of usefulness, he entered the National University at
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Lebanon, Ohio, in the fall of 1888 from which he graduated August 14th, 1890, receiving the degree of "Bache- lor of Science." He took charge of the Long Bottom schools in the fall of 1890, and the present year under his management has been one of the most prosperous in the history of the schools, which speaks well for him, as Long Bottom has been particularly noticeable for many years for the ex- cellent character of her schools and the large number
of well qualified teachers turned out there- from, of which the citizens are justly proud. Prof. Merritt has had over fifty months of experience in the
schools of Meigs and Vinton counties, during which he has never been known to fail at a teacher's examination but on the contrary has often made suffi- cient grades for a higher class certi- cate than his experience would allow. He is assisted in the work by Miss Emma Hawley as teacher of the inter- mediate and Miss Susie May Caldwell of the primary department, both of whom are young ladies of considerable ability and to whose efficient labors the success of the school is largely due. The prospects for the coming Normal session, which opens Aug. 17, are very flattering and arrange-
ments are being made by which board and other accommodations can be ob- tained at the lowest possible rates. Able assistants will have charge of all the departments and scholars of all ages and grades will be received. All live and progressive teachers and those preparing to teach should avail themselves of the opportunity of at- tending this session, as a complete re- view of all common branches will be had and classes will be formed to suit any who may wish to study the high- er branches. The session will last ten weeks. The school building is plea- santly located on an eminence com- manding a good view of village and river. The rooms are large, well fur- nished with good apparatus and library to which all students have free access. The village is above the average for morality and intelligence and the lo- cation is healthy. It is accessible by both river and rail. Parents can safe- ly entrust their children to Prof. Mer- ritt's keeping, as he is a consistent christian and earnest worker in the church and a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He is the founder and editor of the Young Folk's Depart- ment of The Tribune.
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