The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 60

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1081

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During the war, some young men from the Northern States found, abont thirty miles from Chattanooga, and just beneath Lookout Mountain, a large bank of kaolin, or white clay. After the war, they went south and bought the hill containing it, and commenced the manufacture of drain tile and fire brick. Mr. Lawsbee, of Trenton, N. J. (a place famous for its potteries), becoming in- terested in the different clays, sent an expert to examine the clay. The report being favorable, he, with another gentleman, of Trenton, N. J., in company with Mr. D. H. Clutch and James C. Brown, of Franklin, Ohio, negotiated and bought the bank for $20,000. The first intention was to hold it for specula- tion, but, although they received an offer far in advance of the purchase price, they determined to hold it for the manufacture of ware. Accordingly, a com- pany was organized with Mr. Lawsbee as President; D. H. Clutch, Vice Presi- dent; J. T. Bell, Secretary, and James C. Brown, Treasurer. J. T. Bell, D. H. Clutch and J. C. Brown bought the old malt-house building, which had cost Mr. Burrowes between $30,000 and $40,000, for $6,500 and sold it to the com- pany. In the spring of 1880, work was commenced, four kilns were built. an engine-house and stack and other important additions were constructed. The first foreman was Henry Sims, and he, in conjunction with Mr. J. T. Bell, pushed matters so that ware was produced by fall. The first shipment of ware consisted of three packages and was shipped on September 22, 1880. The number of packages shipped to date is about 1,000, besides several car-loads packed in the car. At the end of the first year, Mr. Sims was replaced by Mr. Roden, who soon produced as fine an article of porcelain and china ware as has been produced in this country. Although a ready sale had been found for the granite and C. C. ware made, the company determined to manufacture porcelain and china alone. A salesman was procured, and soon orders came in faster than they could be filled. They employ about 100 hands and have a pay-roll of almost $1,000 per week.

In the spring of 1881, a company was formed for the manufacture of manila paper. This company consisted of James Leary, D. Adams, R. B. Moody, William Michael and others, and is called the Perrine Paper Company. They have purchased the residence and malt-house of J. C. Schenck on the east of the canal and south of Sixth street, have had a spur switch built by the rail- road company, and, at present writing are getting ready for their machinery. The building was built many years ago for a pork-house, and, after this busi- ness had ceased, was reconstructed into a pork-house by Mr. J. C. Schenck, and the business was continued for several years. The old building formerly occu- pied by J. Mooney, and which is on the east side of the canal, on Sixth street, has, for a number of years, been deserted as a business house and being occu- pied by a great number of poor families, is familiarly known as the barracks.

Mr. John L. Rickard during the time between 1850 and 1860, built a busi- ness block on Sixth street, opposite the malt-house of Burrowes.

Among the prominent business men of early days was Dr. O. Evans, who, besides the practice of his profession, was engaged in mercantile business of various sorts. He was one of the firm of O. H. Schenck & Co., tanners and leather dealers, and, on the death of O. H. Schenck, succeeded to the business, and took as a partner Mr. R. Woolley, who remained in the business until about

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1859 or 1860, when he sold out to Mr. J. J. Turney. The old tanyard was abandoned several years since, and on its site several good residences have been built by Dr. R. P. Evans. The old Doctor still lives, at the age of eighty-five, with his son, R. P. Evans.

The other physicians were David Baird, John Haller and George McAroy. Dr. McAroy was succeeded by his son, William B. McAroy, who still practices. Dr. Haller had a son James who also studied medicine and practiced for a number of years in this place, when he removed to Kansas, where he still re. sides. Dr. W. L. Schenck, one of Dr. Baird's students, also practiced for many years, when he, too, removed to Kansas. At present, we have as resident phy- sicians R. P. Evans, F. R. Evans, O. Evans, Jr., William B. McAroy, Hugh J. Death, allopathists, and J. D. Harriss, homoeopathist.

The post office was early established in the store of J. N. C. Schenck, who was appointed Postmaster. He held the office for many years and was suc- ceeded by James W. Lanier. Then James McEwen held the office for many years, Joseph A. Brown, James McEwen again, J. E. Kinder, John Kell, John Haller, Jason O. Evans, R. F. Ireland and W. F. Barkalow (who still occupies the office). The latter has had a long experience in the business, having clerked for J. N. C. Schenck over fifty years ago.

PROMINENT MEN.

Mr. J. N. C. Schenck was born in Bucks County, Penn., January 24, 1778, and was the son of Rev. William and Anna C. Schenck. His mother was a sister of Gen. Cumming, of New Jersey, an officer of the Revolutionary army. His great-grandmother was the wife of the Rev. William Tennant, of New Jersey. Mr. Schenck came to Franklin in 1800, opened a store two years later, and carried on the business successfully for thirty-five years, making this place, for many years, the most important trading-post between Dayton and Hamilton, and became one of the wealthiest men of the valley. He, in conjunction with his brother, Gen. William C. Schenck, Mr. John Patterson, the Maxwells and Deaths and other pioneers, helped largely to build up the town and township. He died October 26, 1867, aged ninety-three, leaving seven children and seventy grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A sketch of Gen. William C. Schenck will be found in the general history of the county.

Robert C. Schenck was born in Franklin October 4, 1809. At the age of twenty-one. he commenced the study of law with Hon. Thomas Corwin, in Lebanon, and was soon admitted to the bar. He opened an office in Dayton, Ohio, and, at the age of thirty-one, he represented Montgomery County in the State Legislature, and has since been frequently elected from his district to Congress, and was also Minister to the court of St. James. At the breaking out of the war, he was made a Brigadier of volunteers, and soon after a depart- ment commander. He took part in the Vienna affair at the beginning of the war, and was censured for allowing his men to be surprised by the enemy, but it was soon found that his movements had been carried on according to orders issued by Gen. Scott. He was also at the first battle of Bull Run, where, during the retreat, his command formed the rear guard, and he remained in the rear when almost all the regimental officers were in flight. He was then assigned a command under Gen. Rosecrans in West Virginia. At the second battle of Bull Run, he was severely wounded in the right wrist, which was permanently disabled. Soon after he was made Major General, and when, after many months, he recovered from his wound, was assigned to the command of, the Eighth Army Corps, headquarters at Baltimore. In 1863, he retired from the army to take his seat in Congress, and, after several terms of service,

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received the appointment above referred to. For several years, he has been seriously ill, but has been reported lately much improved in health.

His brother, James F. Schenck, at an early date entered the navy, and fi- nally rose to the rank of Admiral. He is now living a retired life with his children and grandchildren at Dayton. Ohio.

Lewis D. Campbell was born in Franklin, Ohio, August 9, 1811. He was as a boy celebrated for his interest in reading, saved up all the newspapers that contained speeches. and showed the disposition that influenced the greater part of his after life. He went to the Cincinnati Gazette office in 182S. and worked at printing there until 1831. in which year he located in Hamilton and published a paper there. While engaged in the publication of his paper, he studied law. and, in 1835, was admitted to the bar. He soon had a lucrative practice and became one of the leading members of the bar of his county. In 1848. he was elected Representative in Congress, and again in 1850. 1852. 1854, 1856 and 1870. He was identified with the old Whig party and after- ward with the Republican party, until about 1870, when he joined the Demo- cratic party. While a member of the Republican branch of Congress, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, and served as such during 1856 and 1857. He is said to have filled this position with more credit than had been done by any other chairman. In 1861, he organized the Sixty-ninth Regiment and served with it for about two years, when he resigned. He was appointed Minister to Mexico in 1866. He was elected to Congress in 1870 by the Democratic party. In 1873, he was a delegate to, and Vice Presi- dent of, the Constitutional Convention.

Mr. Samuel Campbell, the father of L. D. Campbell, came to Franklin in or about 1796, and resided in the log house on the corner of Center and Second streets, which house was torn away during the past summer. Mr. Campbell worked at his trade of wheelwright for many years, and finally removed to his farm, on the Lebanon road, about one and one-half miles southeast of town He was killed by the kick of a horse while in the full vigor of manhood. His wife and children resided on the homestead until the latter were married After this, she continued the management of the farm until the marriage of her daughter Mary, to S. B. Woodward, since which he has conducted her busi- ness. She still lives at the farm in full possession of her mental powers, at the age of ninety-five years. Mrs. Mary Campbell is the daughter of Andrew Small, of Centerville, Ohio, one of the veterans of the Revolution, said to have been with Washington at Valley Forge.

Brig. Gen. O. C. Maxwell was born on his father's farm, about two and one-half miles southeast of Franklin, February 7, 1837. Craig, as he was familiarly called, came in early manhood to Franklin, and was engaged as clerk with his uncle, James Maxwell, in his grain house. He was also. for a time, himself a grain dealer, but finally entered a dry goods house and after- ward entered into a partnership with M. V. Barkalow in the shoe trade. Here. at the age of twenty-four, he was when the war broke out. He had been Or- derly Sergeant of the Franklin Grays, and, as Second Lieutenant, he went with his company at the call of the President. A vacancy occurring by the resignation of P. S. Turner, First Lieutenant, Maxwell was promoted to this and held the office until the close of the three months' service. After the return home of the company, more soldiers being called for, he obtained a Captain's commission, and re-enlisted many of the three-months' boys. His company was assigned to the Second Ohio, and became Company B of that organization. His commission as Captain bears date of August 31, 1861. For gallantry on the field, he was promoted to the rank of Major, December 24, 1862, and, on December 31, 1862, was again promoted for gallantry to Lieutenant Colonel.

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Receiving severe wounds, which disabled him, he was discharged, February 1, 1864. While at home, he was elected Auditor of Warren County, by over 2,- 000 majority, but, recovering from his wounds, he re-entered the service, March 14, 1865, as Lieutenant Colonel of the One Hundred and Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to Colonel October 22, 1865, and was mustered out with his regiment October 24, 1865. He had. on March 13, 1865, been brevetted Brigadier for gallant and meritorious service. After the war, he received a medal bearing the appropriate inscription, with the motto of the State of Ohio, " Imperium in Imperio," which medal was given to but four other persons in the State. Upon recommendation of the best men of the district, he was appointed by the President Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Third District of Ohio, and he retained the office for eighteen months, when, not agreeing with the administration, he resigned. He was wounded in the leg at Perryville, and was crippled for life; wounded in the throat at Stone River and received several minor wounds, from the effects of which a naturally strong constitution brought him safely. He died on December 5, 1872, in his room at the Phillips House, Dayton, having, in a state of desperation, caused by financial difficulties, taken his own life by a shot from his revolver. Thus died, at the age of thirty-six, one of Warren County's noblest soldiers and warmest-hearted citizens. His death was a sad shock to his friends, who were many, for, by his genial and courteous manners, he had endeared himself to all associated with him.

Capt. John F. Gallaher was raised near Red Lion, Warren County, and came while a young man to Franklin, where he worked at his trade of carpen- ter. He went to Camp Dennison while O. C. Maxwell's company was there, and enlisting, was chosen as Second Lieutenant. He served with gallantry, but was captured, and, with many others, consigned to the Southern prisons, ending up at last with the noted Libby. While bere, he, iu conjunction with others, made their escape by tunneling under the street. Capt. Gallaher was the planner and the first to pass through the tunnel, and was also one of the few to reach home. He served with his regiment until the close of the war. After the war, he was in the revenue business for several years, and finally was obliged to retire and take a trip to the South for the benefit of his health. He became active in the interests of the town, was one of the Council and also one of the original stockholders in the Franklin Paper Company. He died a few years since of consumption.

Col. John Kell was a native of Germany. He spent his life mostly in America, and when the Mexican war broke out was a resident of Steubenville. He came to Franklin about 1856, and opened a tailor shop. He was made Postmaster by Buchanan. Having been in the Mexican war, his military pro- clivities manifested themselves in the interest he felt in all military affairs. He organized a company, which, from their uniform, was called the Franklin Greys-Captain, J. Kell; First Lieutenant, P. S. Turner; Second Lieutenant, O. C. Maxwell; Orderly, I. M. Snell. This company became celebrated for its pro- ficiency in drill, and when the war broke out, almost all of its members enlisted and the company retained its organization. When they returned from the three-months' service, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and entered the service. He was killed at the battle of Stone River. His body was brought home and buried with Masonic rites in the cemetery east of the canal.

Lieut. A. D. Schenck was born near Franklin in 1843. He became, while a mere boy, a member of the Franklin Greys, and, when the war broke out, went with the company, although but little past seventeen. He re-enlisted with Capt. Maxwell, and served with such gallantry that he was taken from his Ser-

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geant's position to a place in the military academy of West Point, being ad- mitted without an examination. He graduated with honor and was appointed First Lieutenant of artillery. He has been stationed at various points, being for some time on detached duty at Iowa University as teacher of history and military tactics. He is now on duty at Washington, D. C.

Lieut. William Kell, son of Col. John Kell, served with his father from the beginning of the war until the death of his father; he remained at his regi- ment until it was mustered out, when he located in Lebanon as a tailor. Nu- merous friends of his father made some efforts in his behalf, which resulted in his appointment to a Lieutenancy in the regular army.

Peter M. Dechant was born in Franklin, Ohio, in 1848. He attended the public schools until about sixteen years old, and then went to Notre Dame University. at South Bend, Ind., where he graduated with the honors of his class. He immediately entered a law office in Dayton, and, after two years spent in study, entered the bar and opened an office in Franklin. He soon ac- quired a reputation in law, and, being nominated for the State Senate by the Democratic party, was elected by a large majority, receiving many Republican votes at home and throughout the district. So arduous were the labors of the campaign, however, that his health was impaired, and, after serving one year in the Assembly, he came home and gradually declined until death carried him away in early manhood.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION AND PUBLIC LIBRARY.

In 1837 and 1838, there was a library under the charge of Mr. E. P. Cole, but it was probably scattered and its volumes lost. Several attempts were made to establish libraries, but-they were either unsuccessful or benefited but a few. In the year 1872, the writer, feeling the need of something beneficial for the youth of the town, had the following published in the Franklin Adver- tiser of November 16:

"Our town is now in a prosperous condition. Schools running along smoothly, business lively, public works going on briskly, and yet our young men must stay at home evenings or pass their time loafing about saloons or groceries. All this because our citizens have not established a public reading- room and library. We believe the establishment of such an institution would do much to prevent drunkenness and debauchery, and, while these were pre- vented, would do much toward furnishing valuable information, not otherwise to be acquired, to our youth and even to all ages. The only objection that can be urged against the project is, that it would cost something. To be sure it would; and so do cigars, beer and billiards cost something. The young man does not like to sit around his boarding-house, and consequently takes refuge in a saloon, where there is a good fire, spends his money for 'that which satis- fieth not,' and is worse for the evening. We want a branch of the Young Men's Christian Association to make a home where an evening may be pleas- antly spent and the person none the worse afterward. Who will set the ball rolling?" .

This was published in the paper, and the sentiments were re-echoed by many hearts, but the results were not seen for many months.

Early in 1874, the women of Washington C. H., Fayette Co., Ohio, en- tered upon the famous crusade against the saloons, and in less than a week the women of Franklin resolved to follow the same course. They held a meeting at the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Monday evening, January 19, 1874, Charles Butler, President, and W. C. Reeder, Secretary. At this meeting, the manner of working was explained by Rev. S. Brewster. The women resolved to adopt the same plan, and, during that week, took the street in a body and

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visited the saloons, praying and singing, and, in a few weeks, had the saloons about whipped out, when the men intermeddled and tried the law, failing, as they usually do, in such cases. At a meeting held in the Baptist Church, the Secretary called up the article he had published more than a year before, and was much surprised when Mr. W. A. Boynton arose and stated that he had been authorized by a party to subscribe any amount sufficient to duplicate the united subscriptions of the citizens toward establishing a reading-room, library and Young Men's Christian Association. Accordingly, within a few weeks, about $2,000 were subscribed, which amount was duplicated by Mrs. Ruth Schenck, whose husband, William T. Schenck, had, before his death, Novem- ber 10, 1872, expressed a desire to see some such institution founded. When organizing, some of the subseribers objected to leaving the disposal of every- thing to the branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, and accord- ingly the first subscription list was dropped and a new one taken, which equaled in amount the former one. The association was finally organized April 1, 1874, with J. V. Perrine, President; C. E. Denise, Secretary; E. B. Thirkield, Treasurer; Rev. S. Findley, D. D., Rev. T. M. McWhinney, J. V. Perrine, E. B. Thirkield and W. A. Boynton, Trustees, who hold the permanent fund and select the books for the public library. Mary M. Tibbals was appointed Li- brarian and held the office until the fall of 1880, when she resigned and was succeeded by Miss Nealie Evans, who still fills the position. In order to make the library a success, it was necessary that some room be permanently secured. Accordingly, the trustees leased the north room on the second floor of the Odd Fellows building, for a term of twenty years at the rent of $100 per year. A partition was put in, forming two rooms, the one in the east end being used for meetings of the Board of Trustees, the managers and for a weekly prayer-meeting. The west room was fitted with book-cases, newspaper racks, tables and well lighted by handsome chandeliers. Tables for the con- venience of readers, a clock and chairs, all costing about $1,000. The library was purchased during the summer of 1874, and, in the fall, over 1,000 volumes decked the shelves. These are arranged is six classes-miscellaneous litera- ture, religious and scientific, travels and biography, fiction, history and poetry, juvenile fiction and works of reference. During the past year, about 200 vol- umes have been added, making the number exceed 1,200. The east room is 20x31 feet, the west room 20x43. Both rooms can be thrown into one for lect- tures, etc. A Sunday school, conducted by the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation, for colored'persons, meets here each Sunday afternoon. Mrs. Schenck made additions to her original subscription until it reached almost $6,000, be- sides the amount subscribed by citizens. The room is open during the fall and winter from 2 P. M. to 9 P. M. every day, and, during the summer, on Satur- days only during the same hours. Tickets for individuals are sold at $1, and family tickets for $3-good for one year.

TEMPERANCE MOVEMENTS.

Franklin has been prominent in all movements for the promotion of good. In 1837 and 1838, there was a Moral Reform Society to discourage gambling, and, a few years after, when the Washingtonians were having their movement Franklin had a large society, and, although but few drinking men were re- formed, it had a good effect and made noble men of several who were fast be- coming mere wrecks. The Sons of Temperance were strong enough, in 1848, to unite with the lodge of Masons in building one-half of the third story of the schoolhouse. The Temple of Honor and the Sons of Temperance have each had lodges at various times, and later, the crusade and the Murphy movement have carried popular opinion with them and made it hot for the sellers and the consumers of intoxicating liquors. B

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FRANKLIN SUSPENSION BRIDGE.

When the first river bridge was built at Franklin we have been unable to learn, but, in 1844, an effort was made to replace the bridge then standing. This old bridge was subject to toll, and one-half curving down stream and the other up, did not re-assure those crossing it, so far as safety was concerned. In 1844, the county furnished half the amount required to build a bridge, the citizens making up the balance. The old bridge which looked so dangerous was so strongly built that it was a difficult matter to tear it down; the east end was chopped off, the west burnt off at the abutments, and, in 1848, a large truss bridge with a double driveway was built. This was to be self-supporting, but soon settled so much that a pier was placed under it and arches put in. It was never a good bridge, and, in 1872, the Commissioners determined that it must be replaced as the money required to repair it would, in a few years suffice to build a new one. Advertisements for proposals to build an iron bridge resulted in a contract with J. W. Shipman & Co., of Cincinnati, for a suspension bridge, 320 feet long, with twenty feet roadway. The towers are thirty-eight feet high, and each consists of four columns, of Phoenix column iron. The cables are of steel wire and each is composed of 343 strands, the whole cable having a diameter of seven inches. The masonry is constructed of Dayton stone, and is of a very substantial character. The abutments were built in the fall and winter of 1872. The old bridge was used as long as pos- sible, and only torn away in the spring of 1873, when it became a hindrance to the workmen on the new one. The wire and iron work was done in the summer of 1873 under the superintendence of Roebling & Sons, of Trenton. · N. J. The bridge is stayed by strong wire cables and stiffened by an iron truss. The whole cost was $43,900. Messrs. J. W. Shipman & Co. kindly donated four massive iron lions, which ornament the anchorage piers.

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The History of Warren County, Ohio, Part 60

Author: W. H. Beers & Co. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1081

Author: W. H. Beers & Co.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1081