The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 158

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Ohio > Union County > The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record; > Part 158

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The medical fraternity at Richwood to-day consists of six members-Drs. E. Y. King, P. H. Bauer, W. B. Duke, R. W. Connell, B. I. Barbee and B. P. Hall.

Dr. King is an allopathist, and located at Richwood in 1866, coming from Fredericktown. Dr. Bauer settled here in 1871. His partner, Dr. Hall, came in the spring of 1882. Dr. Duke is a practitioner of the eclectic school. He has been here since 1875. Dr. Connell, a homœopathist, located in March, 1877, and Dr. Barbee, of the same school, in August, 1880.

ATTORNEYS.

The bar of Richwood is not very strong, numerically speaking, though it has sufficient, legal talent to attend successfully to the litigation that arises here. In olden times, Col. J. B. W. Haynes figured prominently as a pleader before local magistrates, and somewhat later Hylas Sabine and T. B. Cratty were often called upon to represent their neighbors and friends before the justices.

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

Louis J. Blake was the first admitted attorney to locate at Richwood. He is a graduate of Litchfield Law School, and in 1871 opened an office at Rich- wood. Two years later, he removed East, and is now in practice at South Norwalk, Conn. P. R. Kerr came next, and is still practicing. S. S. Gard- ner, in 1877, located here, and is still in practice. The latest disciple of. Blackstone in Richwood is S. W. Van Winkle. He opened his office in the summer of 1882.

SCHOOLS.

Of the early schools of Richwood, only a few facts can be gleaned. The first ones were conducted on the customary subscription plan, and the children of those who could not afford this voluntary per capita tax were deprived of the benefits of the education, which, at best was very meager. The village has had four schoolhouses; one log, two frame and the present handsome and durable brick building. The first school was taught about the year 1834, in an unoccupied cabin, which stood on Lot 8, southeast corner of Franklin and Bomford streets, afterward the residence of L. H. Hastings. William Phillips had the honor of teaching this primitive school. About 1835, the citizens of the village raised a log schoolhouse on Lot 142, Blagrove street, where now stands the residence of C. Huffman. It was rudely furnished, without any of the modern appliances now deemed necessary, and was occupied as a schoolhouse un - til about 1840, when it became too small and too dilapidated to be any longer suited for the purpose. Richwood did not furnish many of the early teachers. They were usually young men and women from Marysville and other surround- ing towns. Mary Waters, from near Prospect, Delaware County, taught two terms here between 1836 and 1839. Other teachers who held sway in this log schoolhouse were Horatio Hickok, Miss Clarissa Price, the daughter of Will- iam Price, Miss Henrietta Skinner, of Marysville, and Miss Matilda Munson, of Norton. The latter taught here during the summer of 1838. John W. Ham- ilton was the teacher during the winter of 1838-39, and Miss Henrietta Skin- ner during the following summer. Cornelius Hamilton taught the winter term of 1839-40. This was probably the last school held in this building.

Another schoolhouse was not erected immediately, but for a few years in- struction was given in the churches of the village. Col. J. B. W. Haynes taught during the winter of 1840-41, in the old Methodist Protestant Church, which stood on Franklin street. The next winter James Dara taught in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Succeeding teachers of winter schools in these churches were James C. Dobey, John P. Graham, C. S. Hamilton, who re- signed on account of sickness and was succeeded by Lucy Johnson, of Marys- ville, Jacob Spafford and John Barber. Miss Johnson was an accomplished and thorough teacher. Under her control, a marked improvement was made in the efficiency of the schools. Her successor, Mr. Spafford, was an energetic and skillful instructor, as was also Mr. Barber, and under their management the Richwood School lost none of the prestige it had gained under their pre- decessor. William H. Ferguson then taught for two winters, in a building which occupied the site of Blake's drug store, Lot 47. H. C. Hamilton, dur- ing the winter of 1849-50, taught in the Methodist Protestant Church. The attendance was so great that the services of an assistant teacher, Miss Jane Thompson, became necessary.

The subject of a new schoolhouse was then agitated, and, about 1850, a small frame building, containing but one room, was erected on Lot 113, Ful- ton street. Its limits soon became too contracted to accommodate all the youth of the village, and the adjoining Methodist Episcopal Church was called into requisition, to afford room for an overflow department. These buildings were in use until 1860. During this period of about ten years, the following

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

teachers were employed: Julia Brown, of Marysville, William Ferguson, Thomas Barkdull, now a Methodist Episcopal minister of Toledo, Ohio, Israel Kinney, James Eurts, J. S. Gill and John Swartz.

In 1860 or 1861, a large frame, containing three apartments, two on the first and one on the second floor, was erected on the large lot on Sonth Frank- lin street, which has since become the School Subdivision of lots. Jacob Lowe, Mrs. Jacob Lowe and Miss Anna Irwin were the first corps of teachers in this school building. Clinton Case, Cadwallader Walker, Jacob Lowe and Miss Maggie Fisher were subsequent Principals in this schoolhouse. It re- mained in use until the erection of the present schoolhouse in 1875-76.

Until 1867, the schools of Richwood constituted a township school dis- trict. In May of that year, several citizens, wishing the village to withdraw from the township as a school district, gave notice as follows:

NOTICE.

The qualified electors of Subdistrict No. 3, of Claibourne Township, Union County, Ohio, are requested to meet at the post office of Richwood, Ohio, at 2 o'clock, P. M., on Wednesday, June 12, 1867, and there to vote by ballot for or against a separation of said subdistrict from the township, into an Independent District under the law of February 26, 1849, and the law amendatory thereto.

(Signed)

A. J. BLAKE, J. S. GILL, J. J. THOMPSON, T. C. OWENS, J. W. JONES.

J. D. GRAHAM,

In accordance with this notice, an election was held at the specified time, which resulted in a separation from the township.

At a special election for members of the new Board, the following were chosen: A. J. Blake and J. S. Gill for three years; J. D. Graham and T. C. Owen for two years; and G. W. Courts and J. J. Thompson for one year. The Board was organized with A. J. Blake, President; J. S. Gill, Treasurer; and T. C. Owen, Secretary.

The first Board of School Examiners in the new district consisted of W. H. Ferguson, H. Sabine and Prof. William Lowe. The first teachers elected under the new system were Prof. William Lowe, Principal; Miss Martha Graham, Teacher of the Primary Department; Miss Sarah Moore, Teacher of the Intermediate Department.

One of the first acts of the new board was to build an addition to the schoolhouse, a one-story room on the east end of the old building. The parti- tion between the two lower rooms of the old schoolhouse was removed, and the number of departments remained the same as before-three.

The following is the result of subsequent elections for members of School Board: 1868, J. W. Jones and J. J. Thompson for three years; 1869, G. W. Canan and T. C. Owen; 1870, T. P. Cratty and A. J. Blake; 1871, Thomas H. Moore and J. A. Cook; 1872, A. L. Smith and G. W. Canan; 1873, G. B. Hamilton and S. V. R. Young. In 1874 there was no election. Previous elections had been held in the month of June, but by the law the time of elec- tion was now changed to April. In May 1874, T. H. Moore and A. L. Smith resigned as members; W. L. Curry and W. H. Ferguson were appointed to fill the vacancies until the following April. In 1875, W. H. Ferguson and P. E. Barnes were chosen for three years, O. Beem for one year; 1876, G. W. Canan and S. M. Blake, three years, O. Beem, one year; 1877, J. D. Grahanı and H. H. Pringle, three years, Dr. E. Y. King, one year, vice W. H. Fergu- son, resigned; 1878, C. W. Torrey and Dr. E. Y. King; 1879, A. J. Blake and J. P. Slemmons, three years, G. W. Holland, two years, vice C. W. Tor- rey. resigned; 1880, James Cutler and J. D. Graham; 1881. George Smith, T. J. Williams and J. E. Howe. The present Board is constituted as follows: J. D. Graham, President; W. H. Conkright, Secretary; George Smith, Treas- urer; James Cutler, T. J. Williams and J. E. Howe.

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

In 1868, William Lowe was re-elected Principal of the schools. In 1869, G. W. Buell was elected Principal, and re-elected the following year. In October, 1870, an additional room being needed, the basement of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church was secured, and a primary school established there. with Miss Etta Clark as teacher. In 1871, J. W. Sleppy was elected Princi- pal. He held the position two years. In 1873, S. J. Flickinger was elected, but his eyes failed him and he resigned. O. J. Richards succeeded him, in November, 1873. He was re-elected in 1874. John Kelb was Principal in 1875-76. In 1873, another apartment became necessary to accommodate the increasing attendance, and a room on the second floor of D. F. Parson's build- ing was procured, at a rental of $8 per month.

At a meeting of the Board, January 6; 1875, a resolution was passed, to submit to the qualified voters of the district the question of authorizing the Board to issue bonds to the amount of $20,000, bearing seven per cent interest per annum, payable semi-annually, and to levy a tax of $20,000 to meet the payment of the bonds for the erection of a new schoolhouse, the bonds to run ten years. February 3, following, the election was held, and resulted-Yes, 134; no, 49. Some disagreement was manifested in selecting a site for the proposed edifice; but Lots 141, 142 and 143 were finally purchased for $600. J. Mozier, of Toledo, architect, prepared plans and specifications, which were accepted; notice for proposals was issued, and the bid of Woodward & Son, to furnish all material and complete the building for $15,895 was accepted. The purchase of additional lots, grading and other expenses, aggregated the total cost of the building about $20,000. Its erection was commenced in 1875 and completed in 1876. It is a large, handsome, brick edifice, containing eight departments; is surrounded by a broad, deep lawn, and presents, in a village the size of Richwood, marked evidence of enterprise and prosperity.

The first school term in the building began in the fall of 1876. R. M. Boggs was Superintendent; Mrs. Minnie M. Corey, Teacher of the Grammar School; Mrs. R. E. Connell, Intermediate Teacher; Mrs. J. P. Brookins, First Primary Teacher, and Miss Dora Armstrong, Second Primary Teacher. In Octo- ber, 1876, Miss Anna Smedley was engaged as Assistant Teacher of the High School. At present there are eight departments-A. B, C and D Primary; A. B, C and D Grammar, A and B grades of the Grammar constituting one de- partment, and the High School.

Mr. Boggs, at the expiration of three years, was succeeded by A. E. Glad- ding, who served as Superintendent two years.

P. R. Mills, the present Superintendent, was elected in 1881, and re- elected the year following. The schools are in a high state of efficiency. The High School course extends through three years.

The branches pursued are as follows:

Junior Year-First Term, Algebra, Physiology and Latin; Second Term, Algebra, Physical Geography and Latin; Third term, the same.

Middle Year-First Term, Geometry, Physics and Latin; Second Term, the same; Third Term, Geometry, Civil Government and Latin.

Senior Year-First Term, Arithmetic, General History and Latin; Second Term, Trigonometry, English Literature, Grammar and Latin; Third Term, Surveying, English Literature, Grammar and Latin. Rhetorical work is con- tinued monthly throughout the entire course.

Three classes have graduated from this course, as follows:

1880-Edwin S. Gill, Mary V. Finley, Frank Stubert, Julia Torrey.

1881-James S. H. Hoover.

1882-J. S. Blake, Bessie Blake, Minnie Beem, Clara Bowers, Nellie Burgner, Mamie Godman, Fannie Godman. Jessie Graham, Will Graham, 32

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

Clara Hamilton, Charles King. Zora Fadely, Ida Lake, Littie Layton, O. E. Loveless, Willis Young.

Much of the information contained in this sketch of the schools of Rich- wood was kindly prepared by Mr. A. J. Blake, to whom, for this and many other favors, our thanks are due.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Richwood Gazette was ushered into the world August 16. 1872, by J. H. Vaughan and W. H. Nicholson, with J. H. Vaughan as editor. November 13. 1873. Mr. Vaughan became sole publisher, and remained alone in charge of the paper until October 20, 1879, when it was purchased and edited by Robert Smith and W. Ferguson. Just two years later, Mr. Smith purchased the interest of his partner. and exactly one year afterward, or October 20, 1SS2. he disposed of a half-interest to George W. Worden. During the first year. Friday was the day of publication. It was then changed to Thursday, and has so remained ever since. In politics, the Gazette is independent. It is a local paper, aims to present its readers with all home news of interest, together with a choice selection of miscellaneous matter, and is devoted to the interests of its town and county. Its circulation exceeds eight hundred copies.

The second journalistic venture was made by J. S. Blake & Bro .. January 28, 1882, by issuing the first number of the Richwood Reporter. The enter- prise has proved a success, and indicates that there is ample room in Rich wood for two newspapers. The Reporter is independent in politics, and is published every Saturday. Although, at this writing, it has not yet completed its first year. it has already attained a worthy subscription list, and bids fair to rank among the permanent institutions of Richwood.

HOTELS.

William Sirpless was the first citizen of Richwood to provide entertain- ment for the wayfaring stranger. He made no pretensions to inn-keeping, but only accommodated those, at his log residence. who desired temporary lodging and board. David Houk succeeded him. His dwelling house served him as a tavern, but he made tavern-keeping a business. His house stood on the west side of Franklin street, just north of Merriott's store. Mr. Houk removed to Eaton, Ohio. in a few years. Jesse Reed afterward kept hotel at the same place.

About 1843, J. B. W. Haynes became a village host, at the northeast cor- ner of Franklin and Bomford streets. A few years later, he crossed Franklin street, and occupied Houk's old tavern stand, then built a two-story frame on Lot 97. where Miller's store now stands. R. C. Bigelow succeeded him as landlord here.

About 1848 or 1850. John Mulvain erected a hotel where the Parsons House now stands, northwest corner of Franklin and Blagrove streets. It has since changed hands repeatedly, and has always since been occupied as a hotel. Since it has come into the possession of the present proprietor, D. F. Parsons. it has been extensively remodeled and enlarged.

In the winter of 1854-55. R. W. Weisz, then a merchant, built a hotel now known as the Beem House, and in June. 1555, moved into it as landlord. He sold it. in 1866, to John Meyer. In 1869, it was used as a grocery store for awhile, then sold to J. J. Goldsmith, who restored it to its original in- tended use. O. Beem was the next proprietor. He then rented it for a year to J. Campbell. and in 1877 J. W. Gaston purchased it. It has since been conducted by A. Faris & Son.

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

BANKS.

The first bank in Richwood was opened, in 1866, by J. M. Davids and G. Allen, with Mr. Davids as manager. The capital was limited, and the bank survived only a single year.

In 1867, the Bank of Richwood was organized, with G. B. Hamilton.

President. He was succeeded by W. H. Conkright, and he in turn by James Cutler, the present President, in 1880. B. L. Talmage was first and present Cashier. The stock amounts to $20,000, and the stockholders are James Cut- ler, B. L. Talmage, W. H. Conkright, I. and B. Cahill and the estate of Nich- olas Money.

The Union County Bank was organized and began business January 1, 1874, with T. P. Cratty, President, and A. J. Blake, Cashier. J. Q. Roads and S. M. Blake were each original stockholders, and the latter is still a mem- ber in the bank. J. P. Brookins is book-keeper.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

In about the year 1842, J. S. Gill. Sr., began the manufacture of wooden bowls on an extensive scale at Richwood; first on Lot 36, Clinton street, and afterward on Lot 438, South Fulton street. His factory burned here in 1869, but he rebuilt, and proceeded again with the manufacture for a year or two, then removed the establishment just across the Indiana State line, near Dixon, Ohio. This was the only manufacturing enterprise of any magnitude that is not represented to-day.

The largest establishment in Richwood at the present time is the saw mill and planing mill of Beem & Biddle. In 1873, L. C. and Benjamin F. Biddle stationed a portable saw mill on the site of their present mills, and in the fall of that year built a two story frame mill, using the upper story for a carpen- ter shop. In 1874, George Johnson purchased the interest of B. F. Beem, but in a short time Orin Beem became a partner, and soon after Mr. Johnson sold his share to his two partners, L. C. and Orin Beem. December 1, 1875, Orin Beem retired from the firm, and C. N. Biddle became the junior member of the firm, which has since been Beem & Biddle. A stationary boiler and engine was substituted for the portable engine in the winter of 1874. The mill, with all the lumber, was totally destroyed by fire June 26, 1876, at a loss of $3,000; no insurance. The energetic, but now involved, owners rebuilt at once, mostly by their own labor, and, by their strictest economy and utmost industry, running night and day, during the ensuing winter they cleared themselves from all pecuniary liabilities. In the fall of 1877, they built the planing mill, 30x60 feet, mainly from the cullings of the saw mill. They adopted the novel method of making one boiler furnish the power for both saw and planing mill, by conveying the steam from the saw mill boiler to the planing mill engine, one hundred feet distant, through an underground pipe. Besides supplying the home market, the saw mill, in 1876, began to furnish Barney & Smith, car builders, Dayton, Ohio, with their oak lumber, and Aultman & Taylor, of Mansfield, with ash and hickory lumber for threshing machines, besides shipping lumber elsewhere.

Foreseeing that the supply of

this lumber would soon be exhausted, the firm, in 1880, sought a market for elm lumber, as the most available in this locality. In that year they began the manufacture of wheelbarrow trays for the Revolving Scraper Company, of Columbus, Ohio, and this year (1882) have entered into a contract to fur- nish it with 100,000 wheelbarrow sets for $44,000, a set consisting of tray, handles, legs and strips. To meet this demand, their facilities must be in- creased, and over $6,000 was expended for new machinery, including a new Corliss engine. The lumber is taken from the stump, and to assist in prepar-

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HISTORY OF UNION COUNTY.

ing it a saw mill has been erected in Jackson Township. About thirty men are employed at the mills throughout the year. Besides fulfilling this con- tract, Beem & Biddle do a general line of work in the saw and planing mill business.

Loveless, Howe & Bishop are the proprietors of a woolen mill on East Ottaway street, which was built in May, 1869, and has been operated since. Manufacturing is carried on, however, only during a portion of each year, and is chiefly confined to yarns and satinets. Besides this, the firm deals ex- tensively in wool. It has offices in surrounding towns, and in the aggregate, buys from three to five hundred thousand pounds of wool annually. Hides, pelts and furs are also handled largely, the purchases amounting to about $12,000 per year. The mill was built by Messrs. T. S. Loveless and J. E Howe. C. O. Bishop became a partner in March, 1881. There is but one grist mill at Richwood, now operated in the name of D. H. Roland. Naman Price, as early as 1836 or 1838, constructed a tread grist mill on the site of the present mill. It consisted of a large inclined wheel, perhaps forty feet in diameter, from which the motive power was obtained by placing on one side of the wheel from two to four oxen, whose weight would cause it to revolve. A

saw mill was afterward attached, and operated by the same power. This rude, primitive structure, which, however, fully supplied the milling necessities of the first settlers, was remodeled by John Fields, and steam power added. He had two runs of buhrs, and his business was confined to a little custom work. It afterward came into the possession of Thomas Dutton, and from him was purchased by G. W. Canan, in 1864. Mr. Canan rebuilt it, and added greatly to its facilities. It contains four run of buhrs, and its work is chiefly custom. Mr. Canan sold it in 1879, to the present proprietor.

The planing mills of S. M. & A. J. Blake were started by S. Carter and S. M. Blake about 1871. In the spring of 1874, A. J. Blake acquired an in- terest, and during the winter of 1878-79 Mr. Carter retired. Since then, the firm has been as at present. It began on a small scale, and has ever since gradually but steadily increased in business.

Four grain warehouses are in operation. That of Camp, Randall & Lyon, now superintended by T. J. Williams, does an annual business of from 150 to 200 car-loads, in grain, coal, seeds and salt. The warehouse was built by E. Thompson, soon after the railroad was constructed, and was operated by Thompson & Graham for some time.

H. D. Gill became a dealer in grain and seeds in September, 1879, and now does a business of over 100,000 bushels per year.

O. P. & L. Lennox started in business in August, 1881, and annually buy and ship large quantities of grain. D. H. Roland, also, deals largely in grain.

Camp, Randall & Lyon, in 1871, built a flax mill at a cost of $7,000. It was operated for about ten years. Flax has ceased to be a crop in this local- ity, and the mill suspended business from lack of material.

Three large tile manufactories at Richwood are in operation. They are owned by C. J. & L. G. Monroe, Martin Scheiderer and Horn Brothers.

The mercantile business of Richwood is now represented by four dry goods stores, three clothing stores, three groceries, two bakeries, two jeweler stores, one provision store, one furniture store, two hardware stores, three drug stores, one tin and stove store, two boot and shoe stores, three millinery shops and one merchant tailoring establishment.

There are also here three meat markets, three livery stables, two lumber yards, two harness shops, one carriage repository, one repair machine shop, three blacksmith shops, several shoe shops and a cooper shop.

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CLAIBOURNE TOWNSHIP.

SOME EARLY INCIDENTS. *

July 4, 1838, was observed in Richwood in old pioneer style. The people turned out en masse; a martial band was employed, consisting of James Lan- don, Cyrus Landon and Payne Landon. They were paid 50 cents each, and came on foot, carrying their drums from Prospect, a distance of six miles. Rev. Jacob Young delivered the oration. In the morning, while the people were gathering, a foot-race was arranged between William Bennett and Ben- jamin M. Hamilton. The latter was young and quick in his motions; he had been in the habit of outrunning his schoolmates, in Muskingum County, and gave out word that he could outrun any one in Richwood. Bennett was an old hunter, and once a very powerful man, in which respect he was like all his brothers. They started, from what is now the center of town, and ran south, on the Marysville road. At first, Bennett allowed Hamilton to lead him by twenty feet or more, but, when about half way, began to lope off something like a deer; and in a few jumps he was in the lead. He then turned and ran backwards, calling on Hamilton to "come on," and not to be discouraged! Bennett won the race, making half the distance backwards. He then said he could beat Hamilton any distance, and carry old man Cade-who would weigh over two hundred pounds-on his back.

In the summer of 1842, when, I was twelve years old, and was a small boy, carrying the mail from Richwood to Marysville and back every Friday, I chanced to see an old-fashioned militia muster at Pharisburg. Capt. Westen- hoover was in command. The ground was wet and muddy; the Captain had on a large, bell-crowned beaver hat, and & blue spike-tailed coat with a great many brass buttons. He was in his bare feet, and had his home-made pants rolled up to the knees. As I came into Pharisburg from Marysville, Capt. Westenhoover came, leading his company south, with David Welsh in the lead and the Scott boys next. At what is now the south part of town, the Captain countermarched his company, and started north, and all went well until they came near the cross-roads, and to a large oak stump that was near the road. At this point, Welsh gave a knowing wink to those around, and then aimed for the stump and fell over it, and was followed by all the company, until they all lay in one pile around the stump, with their broom-sticks and corn-stalks in their hands, and raising a roar of laughter. This broke up the muster in a row.

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The History of Union County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its townships, towns military record;, Part 158

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1254

Author: Durant, Pliny A. [from old catalog]; Beers, W. H., & co., Chicago, pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, W. H. Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1254