USA > Ohio > Gallia County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 18
USA > Ohio > Meigs County > Illustrated historical and business review of Meigs and Gallia counties, Ohio, for the year 1891. > Part 18
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W. S. Reed, General Store.
m R. W. S. REED, the subject of
this sketch, is a son of S. S. Reed, a prominent farmer of this town- ship. He was born near this village in 1865, was raised on a farm and at- tended the district school. In the winter of 1882-83 he attended the National Normal University at Leban- on, Ohio. He afterwards taught school for several years in which he was very successful. In 1890 he was married to Miss Mabel E. Warner. In 1891 he purchased his stock of goods from E. E. Roberts, whose father had been conducting the mercantile business here for thirty-six years.
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He immediately moved them into the present room. The premises occupied is a substantial structure 24x60 feet in dimensions and two stories high, wherein may be seen one of the finest displays of general merchandise that can be found in Meigs county. The different lines carried consist of dry goods, clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes, ladies' and gents' furnish- ing goods, white goods, fancy goods and trimmings, hardware, glassware, queensware, stoneware, furniture, gro- ceries, proprietary drugs and patent - medicines, wall paper, ready mixed paints, etc. His display cf dry goods will bear favorable comparison with the leading establishments of our large towns and cities. Here may be found all the latest novelties in popu- lar fabrics, and suitings, for ladies, misses and children. In the shoe de- partment may be found an elegant as- sortment of ladies' fine hand-turned and kid button shoes, also men's hand- turned shoes. A specialty is made of men's kip, double sole and top boots, made especially for farmers; also a complete line of rubber goods. He carries a full line of staple and fancy groceries, including sugars, syrups, pure spices, canned and bottled goods, home and table supplies, all of which are the freshest and best the market can afford. In the furniture depart- ment he keeps a full and complete line of household furniture, comprising not only the common grades, but fine upholstered and polished goods; wal- nut, cherry, antique oak bed room and parlor suits, common and extension tables, wardrobes, dressing cases, lounges, mattresses, spring beds, office desks, etc. Space will not admit of further specifications, but each de- partment is complete within itself. Since embarking in his present busi- ness he has exhibited a spirit of fair and liberal dealing that has already won for him an enviable reputation in commercial circles. In his private character he is wide awake and open to conviction and a gentlemen whom it is apleasure to meet.
M. A. Stewart, General Store.
THAT the style and character of a
community may be closely approx- imated by the style and character of the stock of goods carried by mer- chants who cater to its wants, is a well known fact, and judging from the large and varied stock of goods car- ried at all times by Mr. M. A. Stewart this community is evidently far above the average in wealth and enterprise. This firm, which is one of the leading establishments of Meigs county, not only in the comprehensiveness of its stock but in the amount of business done, dates its existence back over the past fifteen years. It was first known as Warner & Stewart, the individual members at that time being W. B. Warner and M. A. Stewart. Mr. Stew- art afterwards purchased his partner's interest, and for the last seven years has been the sole proprietor of this large establishment. The various lines of goods carried embrace everything that is necessary to make life comfor- table and happy, such as dry goods ready made clothing, boots, shoes, hats and caps, hardware, glassware, tinware, stoneware, queensware, mill- inery goods, groceries, stoves of all kinds, harness, furniture, farming im- plements, staple drugs, and patent medicines, ladies' and gents' furnish- ing goods, notions, etc. In the dry goods department, we notice not only the staple articles in dress goods, and gents' piece goods, but the newest and most fashionable fabrics, from both foreign and American looms. In the ready-made clothing department may be found men's and boys' business and dress suits, cut and made in the latest styles, by the leading clothiers in the country. The hardware department embraces everything properly belong- ing to that line, including the Osborn mowers, Malta and Bissel chilled plows, blacksmith supplies and tools, house furnishing goods, and carpen- ter's tools. | [Space will not allow us to particularize further, but each de- partment is complete within itself, of-
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fering inducements equal to if not surpassing those offered by the lead- ing establishments of our great com- mercial centers. This firm also pays the highest cash prices for all pro- ducts of the farm, such as corn, wheat oats, hay, straw, poultry, eggs, rail road ties, hoop poles, tan bark, etc., thus proving a vast benefit to our com- munity, in not only supplying our needs, but opening up a market that brings the ready cash for all the pro- ducts of the farm. Mr. Stewart was born in Meigs County, O., near this village, in October 1835. He received a good common school education, and at the age of twenty-one launched in- to business for himself. In 1861 he, like thousands of other business men, went to the front at a great sacrifice. He enlisted in Co. C, of the 63d. O. V. I. He had his first experience in the battle of New Madrid. He afterwards took part in all the principal battles of that division of the army, and was shot through the leg, in front of At- lanta, on the 22d of July, 1864, which totally disabled him for further ser- vice, and on the 11th day of November he received an honorable discharge. He enlisted in the service as a private and as a recognition of his faithful- ness to duty, he was repeatedly pro- moted, first as. Second Lieutenant then First Lieutenant, and finally as Cap- tain of his company. Mr. Stewart has been recognized for many years as one of the leaders in Meigs County's com- mercial interests, and his large trade in this community has been built up by honest dealing with the public, and by selling goods on small margins, which has verified the old adage that the only true road to success is by making large sales and small profits. He received the appointment of Post Master in the spring of 1889.
Swan House, H. A. Swan. Prop'r.
AS one of the creditable establish- ments of the pleasant little village ware, long Bottom we are pleased to give
liberal mention to the Swan House, which is conducted by Mr. H. A. Swan This popular hotel dates its existence back to 1882, when it was founded by the present proprietor, and since which time it has been constantly growing in popularity among the traveling pub- lic. The building is very pleasantly located, commanding a view of the Ohio River for three miles, and the guests find it a source of untiring pleasure in watching the passing and repassing of boats along this beauti- ful stream. The sleeping apartments of this house are furnished with nice clean beds, while the dining room is under the personal direction of Mrs. Swan, and we would venture the as- sertion that a better meal than is served up here would be hard to find. The genial landlord understands exact- ly how to make his guests feel at home. Boats and trains arrive and depart all hours of the day and night, and the tired traveler will find this an ideal place to spend the night or rest over Sunday. The rates are one dol- lar per day and special rates are given to regular boarders. Mr. Swan was born near this village in 1840. He is a son of Mervin Swan, a well known business man of this section. While quite young he learned the cooper trade in his father's shop. He worked at his trade until 1861. when he enlist- ed in Co. C of the 63d, O. V. I. He took part in all of the battles of the campaign from New Madrid to Iuka, Miss., and then went with Sherman to the sea, and received an honorable dis- charge in July 1864, serving nearly four years. He entered as a private and was promoted to first Orderly Ser- geant. At the close of the war he re- turned home and engaged in the lum- ber business for awhile, and afterwards engaged in mercantile business, at Douglas, West Va. In 1868 he mar- ried Miss Mary Curtis. There have been five children born to them, all of whom are at home.
01 L
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BUSINESS REVIEW OF
Portland and Lebanon Township.
1 EBANON is bounded on the north by Olive and the Ohio river, on th east by the Ohio river, and on the south by the Ohio river and Letart and on the west by Chester and Sutton. In area it contains twenty- eight sections and sixteen fractional sections. It has a river frontage of fourteen and one half miles. and is eight miles in length from north to south, and five in width, at its greatest part. There are two extensive bottom lands on the Ohio; Portland and Great Bend bottom, which are very fertile, but the balance of the land in the township is exceedingly hilly, much of it being diffi- cult to cultivate. A vein of coal, three feet in thickness, of fair quality, has been found near the mouth of Old Town creek, and a sand stone occurs which can be used for building purposes. These are about the only minerals of im- portance that are known to exist. Old Town creek is the largest stream with- in the township and drains most of the western portion. In the east are Lank's Run and Groundhog Creek, and in the northeast, Long Run, and Dewitt's Run.
Caleb Price, Andrew Anderson, Peter Nisonger and Elijah Runner, were the first settlers to locate in the township, and the time of their settlement here was about 1790, or a little later. Peter Nisonger is generally regarded as the first comer. The township was organized a short time previous to 1819, and election was held in that year. At the time of the election it had only 27 voters, showing a small population. In 1880 there was a population of 2,020. The first child born within the township was Wm. H. Buffington, and the first grist mill was erected in 1820, or thereabouts, on the Ohio River, by Uriah Gandee, however, it was only a floating structure, and Joseph Buffington has the honor of erecting the first permanent mill, on Groundhog creek, in 1820.
Daniel Beatty taught the first school in Lebanon, sometime about the year 1815, and since that time the educational affairs of the township have so large- ly increased, that thirteen good schools are now supported.
Sterling Bottoms, three quarters of a mile north of Portland, was the first post office, of which J. J. White became post-master, in 1844. There are now three post-offices; one at Portland, another at Great Bend, and the third at Hazael, in the northern part of the township.
uf, of-
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Lebanon is supplied with religious associations, there being six churches within the township; one Baptist, two United Brethren, and three Methodist. Two Sabbath schools are also supported, one at Portland and the other at Great Bend.
HISTORY OF PORTLAND.
Portland is located on the Ohio River, forty miles above Pomeroy. The village was laid out in 1830, and the land upon which it stands was at that time owned by E. W. Browning. The first house was built and occupied by John Martin, and stood near the river bank. There was at that time a jboat yard here, operated by William Barringer and a man by the name of Proctor. Of the early residents of Portland but few are living, among whom we find Mr. and Mrs. William Barringer, Mrs. Katharine Anderson and Mrs. Sarah Price. In the vicinity of this village there are numerous ancient fortifications and mounds, which are vivid reminders of the once powerful aboriginal race that inhabited the valley of the Ohio. Some of these mounds have been opened and many articles of various kinds have been found, such as stone axes, beads, rings and bracelets. There was also a large copper plate on which were inscribed hiero- glyphics which no one has ever been able to decipher. During the years of the rebellion there was a battle fought near this village between the Morgan Raiders and the union troops, there being about twenty men killed on both sides. It was here that Morgan was practically demoralized and several thou- sand of his men held prisoners. The citizens of Portland have an unusual amount of thrift and enterprise. There are one hundred and fifty inhabitants, a school of one room, and an M. E. Church. The adjacent lands are well adapted to all kinds of fruits and grains. Upon the whole it is a very desir- able place to live.
Portland's Live Business Men and Merchants.
R. Allen and Son, General Store.
AS one of the most creditable and enterprising institutions of Meigs county we are pleased to mention in particular the general store of R. Allen & Son, which was established here in 1881 by the present manage- ment. They occupy a large room, 20x 42 feet in dimensions, which is com- pletely filled with an excellent stock of goods, embracing everything neces- sary to make life comfortable and happy. The principal lines being dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps, hardware, queensware, glass- ware, milinery goods, ladies' and gents' ·
furnishing goods, trunks valises, umbrellas, parasols, notions etc. In the dry goods department, to which special attention is devoted, we notice a display of new goods which bear favorable comparison with the stores of our large towns, and cities, not only in staple articles in ladies' dress goods, but latest novelties in popular fabrics and suitings from both foreign and American looms. In the notion de- partment will be found all the useful and ornamental items usually found in this line. The grocery department embraces all the freshest and best table supplies the market can afford. In fact every department is complete within itself and the articles kept are
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guaranteed to be as represented and are sold at bottom prices. The time has long since passed when it was necessary for us to make long journeys to the large commercial centers to purchase goods, for our country and village merchants hold out induce- ments which are equal if not superior to those offered by the city merchants, who are burdened by heavy taxation, high rent and other expenses connect- ed with city life, from which the vil- lage merchants are almost entirely free. The management of the busi- ness devolves upon the senior member of the firm. His father has charge of a large store in Hartford city, W. Va. Mr. Allen is a native of Kiddermin- ster, England, born in 1856, his father coming to America the same year. He was engaged as clerk in his father's store until taking charge of the busi- ness here, in 1881. He has built up a large trade in this section of the country, and enjoys the confidence and esteem of all who know him. He is asissted in the store by Mr. C. L. Henderson, who has been in his em- ploy for nine years.
Gale House, Mrs. M. J. Gale, Proprietress.
A business review of Portland would not be complete without liberal mention of the Gale House. The pro- prietress Mrs. M. J. Gale is a daughter of Anthony R. and Mary A. Jenkins, who were born in Tyler County, Va., in 1805 and 1810 respectively. They came to Ohio in 1807 and 1810 and lo- cated near Cheshire, Gallia County where they lived until 1857, and again removed to a fine farm near Portland, Ohio, where he lived the remainder of his life. Mr. Jenkins was known as one of Meigs County's most prominent and prosperous farmers, his beautiful home on the banks of the Ohio River, being one of the finest and most system- atically conducted in the county. He died in March 1862, and was fol- lowed in 1890 by his wife at the ripe
old age of four score. There were born to them twelve children, of whom Mrs. Gale, the subject of this sketch, is the fifth. She was born in Gallia County, O., in 1838. In 1870 they moved to this village and took charge of the hotel. In 1875 her husband died leaving her in charge of the bus- iness. The Gale house is located at the corner of Main and Locust street. It is a substantial frame structure, well adapted to its purpose, and the attractions offered to the public and regular boarders justify special con- sideration so far as well furnished and ventilated rooms, clean and comfort- able beds and a well provided table go, and this house offers home comforts that are unsurpassed by similar estab- lishments of our larger towns and cities. To any one who has once en- joyed the comforts of this house no invitation is needed, but those who have not should avail themselves of this invitation and they will receive courteous attention and first-class en- tertainment at reasonable rates. Mrs. Gale is the mother of three children who are located as follows : Mrs. Rev. J. F. Bell of Madison, New Jersey ; Prof. L. M. Gale, a prominent teacher of North Branch, Minnesota, and Miss Ronhie, who is also teaching at North Branch, Minnesota.
George W. Gale.
THE subject of this sketch is a son. of L. M. and Eliza Gale, and the sixth child in a family of seven. His father was a native of Virginia, and was the son of a prominent planter, by whom he was given a liberal educa- tion. He followed teaching for sever- al years when a young man, and af- terwards graduated from the college of William and Mary. He took up the study of medicine, but at the breaking out of the war of 1812, he left college to enlist in the service of his country, under General Hull, and afterwards served under General Dear- born, and was finally promoted as a member of General Harrison's staff, where he served until the close of the
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war, taking part in all the principal battles of the Lake Erie campaign. He was married to Miss Eliza Barnett, who proved to be a devoted wife and loving mother. He died and was fol- lowed a few years later by his wife. Of the seven children born to them there are four living, located as fol- lows : Miss Dorcas, a prominent teach- er in the college of Mason City, West Virginia ; Mrs. Andrew Hood, of Pom- eroy, O., Mrs. Dr. Ross, of Taze's Val- ley, West Virginia, and George W. Gale, who resides at Portland, Ohio. George was born in Meigs county O., in 1841, was raised on a farm and at- tended school at the district school-
house. At the outbreak of the rebell- ion, he enlisted in Co. G of the Fourth Virginia Regiment, Col. Sadburn, com- manding. His first experience in bat- tle was at Fayetteville, Va., and a few days later he took part in the battle of Charleston. A short time afterwards his regiment was taken to Vicksburgh, where he remained until receiving his discharge on account of disability, which was in August, 1863. He re- ceives a pension of twenty-four dol- lars per month, to which he is justly entitled. He is one of Portland's re- spected citizens and can always be found attending to his own business.
Portland Flouring Mills.
Manufacturers of and Dealers in
FANCY FLOUR
OF ALL KINDS.
AS one of the leading commercial industries of Portland, we would men- "tion The Portland Flouring Mills, which hold a prominent position among the most efficiently conducted mills of this section of the state. This mill, which is three stories in height and 40x60 feet in dimensions, not includ- ing the boiler and engine room, is equipped with improved roller process ma- chinery which was manufactured by the Case Manufacturing Company of Columbus, Ohio. It also has one set of buhrs which are used to grind corn and feed. The flour manufactured by this firm is of an excellent quality and very popular for its bread making qualities wherever introduced. They man- ufacture two grades, the White Foam and Amber, both of which are in constant demand by local dealers along the Ohio River. The machinery is propelled by
a thirty-five horse power engine and has a capacity of twenty-five barrels per day. Mr. M. T. Adams, the proprietor, is a miller of many years of experience and understands his business thoroughly. He is a native of Meigs county, born near this village in 1848, and has been connected with this mill for eleven years. He is an enterprising business man and a good citizen. This firm pays the highest cash price for wheat, and orders for flour will receive immediate attention.
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BUSINESS REVIEW OF
George Thomson, Skiff Builder.
THIS firm was established here in
1871 by George Thomson, Sr., the father of the present proprietor. . The business was conducted by him until 1880, when it was taken charge of by his son George, who has been doing a thriving business, having established a trade in skiffs which extends from the head waters of the Ohio to the mouth of the Mississippi. His skiffs are compactly constructed and are models of neatness in appearance.
He uses nothing but the best lumber that can be procured and his work always sells on its own merits when once introduced. His terms are one dollar per foot and an extra charge of $1.50 is made for a yawl stern. Mr. Thomson is a native of Monroe coun- ty, Ohio, born in 1850. He came to this village in 1868 where he has been engaged in his present business since. He is a gentleman in whom confidence may well be placed and any one desir- ing a neatly finshed durable and light running skiff will do well to forward their orders to this firm.
LANGSVILLE.
HE village of Langsville is situated on the K. & M. R. R., the second station from Middleport, and has a population of about two hundred souls. It is beautifully located in a rich agricultural district and has good schools, churches and some very active business interests. Mr. Benj. Lang, was the first post master and the village tooks its name from him. It has a good flouring mill, two general stores and several other business enter- prises.
Langsville's Enterprising Business Men.
E. Barton, P. M. Langsville, 0.
AMONG the prominent business men of Langsville we take pleas- ure in mentioning Mr. E. Barton, who is a native of this place, born in 1852. He has always taken an active part in politics, and is recognized as one de- serving official trust and public con- fidence, and was appointed post-ınas- ter Dec. 1889, and took possession of the office Jan. 1st, 1891. He brings into requisition those accomplish- ments which secure popular favor and is filling the office to the full satisfac- tion of the public at large and the best interests of the Post-office de- partment.
A. Bradley & Son, General Mer- chandising.
THIS extensive and influential busi- ness was established first in 1879, and continued up to 1884, when Mr. Bradley sold out and went west and located in Eldorado, Kan., where he remained seven months, and while there was engaged in the hotel busi- ness. He sold out his hotel business and came back to Ohio and located in Van Wert, Ohio, and engaged in the grocery business, in which he con- tinued seven months. Selling out this business he engaged in the wholesale produce and commission business in
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Huntington, W. Va. In 1889 he closed out this business and returned to his native place and opened up at his pre- seat location and took into partner- ship his son, who is a harness maker by trade, and still manufactures har- ness to order and does all kinds of re- pairing. Mr. A. Bradley gives his attention to the lumber business and makes a specialty of filling orders for all kinds of heavy lumber for bridges and all kinds of buildings. The prem- ises occupied embrace a room 20x50 feet in dimensions, while on the second floor is fitted up a fine hall. The stock carried embraces a full line of dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, caps, hardware, tinware and queens- ware. The dry goods department contains a full line of domestic goods, ladies' dress goods, furnishing goods for both ladies and gents, trimmings and hosiery. The grocery department is replete with a full line of the choic- est and freshest groceries. This house being under small expense can sell goods at lowest prices and are of- fering big inducements to cash buyers. Give them a call and see for yourself.
Langsville Roller Mills, M. J. Rutherford, Prop.
THERE is certainly no department of our business system to which we may properly devote more extended notice, and which relates more directly to personal and home needs, as well as the general prosperity of our busi- ness interests, than that in which Mr. Rutherford is engaged. Up to com- parative recent date no improvement had been made in the milling business, but in this, American inventive genius saw opportunity for improvement, and as a result we have now the complete roller system or gradual reduction process, whereby our cereals are re- duced to a higher grade of bakers' and family flour. Mr. Rutherford has had ten years experience in this line of trade. The building occupied is a substantial frame building and the machinery propelled by a forty horse power engine and boiler. It is fitted
up with the newest machinery and ap- pliances and includes purifiers, brand dusters and the short bolting system and three double sets of rolls, and has a capacity of twenty-five barrels per day. The principal brands manufact- ured are "White Rose" and "Choice Family," for which these mills have become celebrated, and which hold the highest standard of excellence in all markets in which they have been in- troduced and are special favorites with dealers and consumers. Mr. Rutherford is a native of this county. Three years ago he fitted this mill with an entire new outfit and has now a large and growing trade. He also deals in grain, meal and mill feed and transacts merchant's grinding, but gives his special attention to grinding and exchange.
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