USA > Ohio > Clark County > The history of Clark County, Ohio, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; general and local statistics; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, V. 2 > Part 4
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
----
566
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
March, 1881, it was made semi-monthly, the price increased to $1 per annum, and the circulation has risen to 50,000 copies. From 1871 to 1875, the edito. rial associate of Mr. Bookwalter in the enterprise was Quincy A. Petts, previ- ously associate editor of the Springfield Daily Republic. In 1875, Mr. Pett. was elected County Auditor, and his place on the Mechanical Nous was filled for the ensuing five years by Mr. Charles S. Kay. In 1881, Mr. Petts resumed his editorial and business relations with the paper, resigning the lucrative office of Auditor for that purpose, and Mr. Kay also retained his connection with the News, which was now enlarged to double its original size. The paper has also on its staff, in various departments, Mr. Owen R. Perkins form- erly city editor of the Springfield Daily Times: Capt. D. C. Ballentine, formerly editor of the Springfield Transcript; W. H. H. Blackman, lato of the American Agriculturist; Messrs. F. M. Bookwalter, Fuller Trump, William Jayne, of New York City, E. L. Buchwalter, Warren C. Leffel and others. Through all these changes, however, Mr. John W. Bookwalter has remained the master spirit and director of the enterprise, infusing into all parts of the work the zeal, energy and enthusiasm, combined with sound and deliberate judgment, which he himself possessed.
The Mechanical News with its recent increase of size, has also enlarged the scope of its design, and now embraces in its topical field all branches of practi- cal science and manufacturing and mechanical industry. It is conducted on the theory, which events are rapidly confirming, that the true interest of the country, politically, financially and morally, lies in the fullest and speediest development of its material resources: and that the more thoroughly the energies of its people, in every section and State, are concentrated in this effort, the more perfectly will they be harmonized. the sooner will past differ- ences be forgotten, and in the unity of purpose which will naturally follow, . the more brilliant and prosperous will be the future thus wrought out for the nation.
The Farm and Fireside is a sixteen page agricultural and home journal --- the first number of which was published October 1, 1877, by P. P. Mast & Co. It entered at that time a new field, and for a time there was doubt of its suc- cess. On June 1, 1879, Messrs. P. P. Mast, J. S. Crowell and T. J. Kirkpat- rick, purchased the subsription lists and good will and removed December 1. 1879, to commodious quarters in the Republic building on Main street, of which they occupy about one-third. The paper was originally an eight-page, but was increased in 1880 to a sixteen-page paper, and is now issued in the highest style of the art preservative, with machinery of the latest pattern and from stereotyped plates.
It has a circulation of 103,000 copies, and goes twice a month into every State and Territory in the Union. Over five tons of paper are used on each edition. This journal has had rapid development, and bids fair to outrank any journal of its kind in the country.
The Live Patron, a weekly now published by R. S. Thompson, was origi- nally started January 1, 1875, by E. L. Barrett & Son, as a monthly magazine entitled the Grange Visitor and Farmers' Monthly Magazine. At the close of the year, a joint-stock company was incorporated under the style of ". E. L. Barrett & Co." In November, 1876. E. L. Barrett & Co. transferred the publication to T. H. Edwards, of Cincinnati, the paper being ander the management of R. S. Thompson, the present publisher.
In August, 1877, John S. Rice, of this city, became a partner, and, in December, 1877, the Live Patron was started as a weekly, and both publications were continued till the end of 1878, when the Visitor list was all turned over to the Patron.
-
------
----
ANDREW NICHOLSON (DECEASED) HARMONY TP.
567-5-68
569
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
March 1, 1879, T. H. Edwards & Co. sold out to R. S. Thompson, who has continued its publication ever since.
It is now one of the most prominent organs of the order of patrons of hus- bandry in the State. Its circulation has gradually increased, until at the close of 1880 it had 11,000 paid subscribers.
SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY.
Searching for the history of persons and institutions is very much like inquiring for the age of the elm at the gate, or the willow by the spring. Now and then some one remembers when it was only "so high," and what was said about it then, and how from a mere twig in some traveler's hand, planted as a careless experiment, it grew and gave beauty and shade.
In tracing the origin of the Springfield Public Library, we find this thought verified. First the project of having a library for public use manifested itself in the early efforts to form library societies in the years 1820-21, and again in 1828-29. The idea grew, and with the Springfield Lyceum that existed from 1841 to 1853, there came better accommodations and a larger collection of books and papers for the use of all citizens who were willing to pay $3 annu- ally. Following on came the Ladies' Library Association, which existed between 1855 and 1868, with its small and choice selection of books, which was circulated at 5 cents a volume per week. Then the Young Men's Chris- tian Association from 1868 to 1872, gathered into its neat and attractive rooms the libraries collected by the Springfield Lyceum and Ladies' Library Associ- ation, and added other books by purchase, and again gave many of our citizens access to a creditable collection of literature.
But, in 1872, we come to the formation of the present public library. After struggling along for years with the circulating libraries -- already noticed -- which were supported by the labor and generosity of a few citizens, a move- ment was made early in 1872 toward the establishing of a free public library by which the increasing demand for books and literature among all citizens could be supplied, and an educational institution made permanent that would be the pride of our city. The movement which culminated so successfully orig- inated among the workingmen of Springfield, and was speeded on to success by the liberal encouragement and active co-operation it received from the business men and noble women of the city. Articles of incorporation were tiled, the City Council appealed to for help, and finally the Springfield Public Library was placed on a secure basis. The library commenced its existence with about three thousand three hundred volumes, and was formally opened Saturday night, June 8, 1872, by a promenade concert in the opera house which was beautifully decorated for the occasion. Additional exercises were an address by the President of the Board of Trustees, John H. Vorhees; Music under the direction of Andrew Watt; Songs by Miss Macbeth and Miss Barbara Fassler; brief addresses by the prominent citizens and. refreshments furnished by Hutcheson & Co. The library room on the same floor was also arranged so as to present a pleasing appearance. An admission of 10 cents was charged to this opening entertainment and about $100 realized.
The first annual report made in March, 1873, showed the total number of volumes to be 3,840; number of patrons, 1,780; and the circulation for the nine months for which the library had been accessible to the public was 3,840; an average of 139 daily.
In August, 1877, the library was moved into its present location in Union Hall Building, on Market street, and was then enlarged, re-arranged, classified and catalogued anew, and gained also by the change a fine reading room.
-
-
570
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
The ninth annual report gave the net increase in the number of volumes for the year ending March 1, 1881, to be 639, making a total of 6.439 volumes. while the increase in the circulation for the same time has been 7,328 volumes --- the entire circulation for the year being 54.899 volumes, a-daily average of 194. Number of patrons enrolled, 3,933. Total amount received from the city for current expenses was $3,327.59, leaving a balance after expenses were paid of $108.84. The patronage of the reading room, supplied with a fair list of leading periodicals and papers, also showed a similar increase of patronage. The present Board of Trustees are E. W. Mullikin, President; E. L. Buchwalter, Vice President; G. W. Winger, Secretary; James L. Rodgers. Treasurer; and Amos Whiteley and W. A. Scott, Executive Committee.
Persons in charge the past year were R. C. Woodward, Librarian: Mrs. H. A. D. Woodward, First Assistant; Miss Jennie F. Rice, Second Assistant; John Thrasher, Janitor.
The library hours, from 9 A. M., to 9 P. M., every day except Sunday and legal holidays.
Y. M. C. A.
In March, 1868, the Young Men's Christian Association was re-organized, and the financial year began April 1, 1868. It was found at the organiza- tion that there was a nominal library appendage a relic of a former body of similar character of which we have no trace, but there were no books. A Libra- rian and a library committee was appointed, and, after a few months, the asso- ciation appointed a committee of young gentlemen to canvass the city and solicit donations of books. This work was partially done and quite a number of valuable books were given to the association. Among others the following gentlemen contributed liberally:
Rev. J. W. Cassatt, Dr. Whipple, H. Stewart, Rev. A. H. Ross, Dr. Clokey, Willaim Cooper, W. W. Rice and others.
The old Lyceum Library was turned over to the association with the understanding that it should be preserved, and that the organization do all it could to accumulate a public library. The ladies' library was also turned over to the association upon the following conditions set forth in the agreement:
LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF SPRINGFIELD, ) Monday, November 19, 1868.
WHEREAS, An arrangement having been concluded between this Association and the Young Men's Christian Association, by which the Ladies' Library Association have agreed to put their library into the possession, care and management of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association, with the understanding and agreement of both associations that the lat. ter will receive it. and endeavor to extend the sphere of its usefulness by new purchases of standard books, and widening the circulation of books among those who have not hereto- fore availed themselves of the benefits of the library : and it is further understood that the Ladies' Association shall be permitted to have and enjoy the same right and privileges in the use of said library and the enlargement thereof which they have heretofore had under their constitution and by-laws ; it is therefore
Resolved, That the officers of the Ladies' Association, viz., the President, Vice Presi- dent, Secretary and Librarian, be, and are hereby authorized and instructed, to deliver said library and appurtenances to the said Young Men's Christian Association, on the terms and conditions aforesaid.
J. W. GUNN. MRS. M. MASON.
C. G. FOLGER. MR. M. J. STONE. M. W. PLATTENBURG. MISS S. RODGERS. MISS M. E. MILLER.
The books were assorted, classified, labeled and re-numbered, constituting a library of 870 volumes. On the 12th of November, 1869, J. W. Gunn sub. mitted the following report to the association: "The number of books is now nearly two thousand, and the patronage is greatly increasing; a number of new books have been lately added, and the library is on such a basis as hence-
--
-
571
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
forth to be a great public good." The receipts of the library had been used in paying the Librarian and purchasing new books. The library was increased by donation and purchase from 870 volumes to 1,610 since it was received from the Ladies' Library Association. Early in the spring of the year 1871. the association finding that the lecture course was not going to return sufficient profit to clear it of debt, determined, very reluctantly, to close the reading- room as it was the chief source of expense, but to continue the library in the rear room. It was found that the front room could not be readily rented separ- ately from the back one, and the association was notified that it must either rent both or give up both. No other room being found which was suitable for the purpose of the association, and, at the same time, within means, the asso- ciation determined to store away its library, pay off its debt by the sale of the furniture and the voluntary subscriptions of its working members, and there- after attempt no work requiring financial support.
The association was therefore abandoned for several years.
The present organization of this body began in Mechanics Hall, on West Main street. March 16, 1878. The reasons for such an organization are well given in the following preamble of the association: "We, the young men of Springfield, actuated by a desire to promote evangelical religion among the young men of this city and its vicinity, and impressed with the importance of concentrated effort to aid in accomplishing that object, and desirous of forming an association in which we may together labor for the great end proposed, hereby, etc., etc."
Provision is made under the constitution of the association for three classes of members, namely, actiive, associate and sustaining. The active membership consisting of young men, who are members, in good standing, of some evangel- ical church, and been elected by a two-thirds vote of the members present at the business meeting following that meeting at which their names have been proposed.
Any person may become a sustaining member by the annual payment of $5 into the treasury of the association. Only active members have the right to vote and hold office. All resident Pastors of evangelical churches are entitled to active membership.
The first officers of the association were James Caldwell, President; Ralph Atkins, Vice President; E. A. Coombs, Recording Secretary; L. M. Miller, Corresponding Secretary; E. F. Limbocker, Treasurer. Officers for the year 1879-80: John A. Rice, President; D. Mitchell, Vice President; J. F. Mitch- ell, Recording Secretary; Thomas King, Corresponding Secretary; Samuel Kirkpatrick, Treasurer; and Francis Cunningham. General Secretary. The present incumbency are: Thomas J. Kirkpatrick. President: E. P. Christie, First Vice President; B. F. Funk, Second Vice President; James H. Miller, Recording Secretary; L. M. Frankenburg, Corresponding Secretary; W. J. Funkey, Treasurer; Francis Cunningham, General Secretary.
The association continued to occupy, for a time, the hall in which its organization was effected, then removing to Freid's Hall, on East Main street, remaining until about January 1, 1880, at which time they moved to the fur- nished room in the city hall building, corner High and Market streets. On April 1, 1880, they made another change, going to No. 13 East Main street, having two rooms on the second floor, which rooms they now occupy. The main room in which the meetings are held while not elegantly, is very com- fortably furnished, making for the young men a very pleasant and inviting place to assemble.
There is, at present, no library connected with the association, but we understand that arrangements are now being made to provide for one.
Cardú
572
1
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
Three religious meetings are held during the week, namely: Monday evening, Thursday afternoon and Saturday evening. The association, yet in infancy, is giving daily evidence of the great and good work it is destined to accomplish.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
There were early manifestations of the tendency of man to associate him- self with others in bonds of secret fellowship. The mystic symbols, the grip and the password of fraternal feeling followed the pioneer to the settlements on the frontier. We therefore find an early recognition of the Masonic order, the oldest of fraternities. The members of the order were scattered, and it was difficult to obtain a sufficient number, during the early years, to organize a lodge at one place. The scarcity of membership made it necessary to have one lodge for Springfield, Dayton and Urbana. This was Harmony Lodge. No. 9. The earliest record that we find of this lodge is of a communication held in the court house in Dayton on the 1st day of September, 1809. A number in the margin of the record indicates that this was the third communication that it ever held. Harmony Lodge then held its regular meetings alternately at Day- ton, Springfield and Urbana, at least once a month at each place. At the first meeting held, there were but four persons present-one officer, two officers pro tem., and one visitor.
At the first Masonic Lodge ever opened in Urbana, at a meeting convened in the court house on September 20, 1809, Samuel Simonton and Jonah Bald- win, of Springfield, were present in an official capacity. During the fall and winter of 1S09, meetings were held about every two weeks, alternately in the towns of Urbana, Springfield and Dayton. Those in Urbana were held in the court house; in Springfield, at Samuel Simonton's residence; and in Dayton, sometimes at the residence of Hugh McCullum, at other times in the court house.
As this was at a period prior to easy locomotion and the railroad, and also the stage-coach was unknown, it was quite difficult for the Master to travel from place to place to hold meetings. In view of this, at a stated communica- tion held in Springfield December 9, 1809, there was a resolution proposed and adopted that Harmony Lodge, No. 9, F. & A. M., be divided, and accordingly the warrant was surrendered to the Grand Lodge.
Those members of the fraternity at and in the vicinity of Springfield and Urbana petitioned the Grand Lodge for a warrant empowering them to hold meetings at Urbana and Springfield altercarely, and those brethren residing near Dayton and Troy likewise petitioned for authority to hold lodge at those places respectively, the name of their lodge to be St. John. These petitions were accordingly granted by the Grand Lodge, in session, January 1 to 5, 1810. During the years 1810, 1811, 1812, 1813 and 1814, the meetings were held alternately at Urbana and Springfield, with tolerable regularity, and had work in conferring degrees at almost every meeting.
At a stated commuication, held in Springfield March 11. 1811, the peti- tions of Joseph Vance Gunn, George Fithian and James M. Reed were pre- sented and referred to proper committees, and at the next regular communica- tion, held in Urbana April 16, 1811, they were all duly initiated as Entered Apprentices. During the latter part of the year 1514, the brethren of Harmony Lodge proposed to surrender their charter, ou account of the inconvenience of holding the lodge alternately at Urbana and Springfield, and they accordingly petitioned the Grand Lodge, for two new charters --- one for Harmony, No. 8, to be held at Urbana, and one of a new lodge to be held at Springfield.
In 1815, a dispensation was granted to those members of the order in Springfield to hold a lodge, which was called Morning Star Lodge, No. 27,
---
-----
.
578
CITY OF SPRINGFIELD.
the charter for which was granted in 1818. That lodge seems to have been discontinued, as there is no record of what became of its charter, or what was done thereafter. The meetings of this lodge were held over Dr. Needham's drug store.
In 1825, a new dispensation was granted for the restoration of Morning Star Lodge, and in 1826, the charter was issued to Charles Anthony and others for the permanent establishment of this lodge, but the number was changed to 80 in the charter.
In 1828, Morgan was abducted, and the storm of opposition to secret socie- ties which broke out in Western New York rapidly spread to this locality. The popular feeling upon the subject became intense. From almost every pulpit, Freemasonry was denounced as being allied to Satan and opposed to Chris- tianity and good morals. And politicians, being ever ready to profit by any popular excitement, promptly made anti-Masonry a political issue. Old party ties and affiliations were ignored. and there were but two factions -- Masons aud Anti-Masons. Such was the popular indignation that it was deemed prudent to disband the lodge, temporarily at least. This was done by Morning Star Lodge in 1829.
The first officers of this lodge were M. M. Henkle, M .; Oliver Armstrong, S. W .; C. Shipman. J. W .; Ira Paige, Sec'y.
Clark Lodge, No. 101, was chartered in 1848, and has always been in a flourishing condition. Its appointed officers were Charles Anthony, M .; J. M. Kills, S. W .: A. M. Taylor, J. W.
Anthony Lodge, No. 455, so called after Gen. Charles Anthony, who was one of the most prominent Masons of the State, was chartered in 1871. It has a large membership. The officers first elected in this lodge were George W. Burt, M .; James E. Stewart, S. W .: J. W. Rowley, J. W.
Springfield Chapter, R. A. M., No. 48, was chartered in 1851. The officers of this body first elected were George Keifer, H. P .; Charles Anthony, K .: C. D. MeLaughlin, Scribe.
Springfield Council, R. & S. M., No. 17, was organized by charter in 1852. The first officers were George Keifer, T. I. G. M .; Joshua Boucher, D. I. G. M .; Jacob Kills, P C. W.
Palestine Commandery, K. T., No. 33, was chartered in 1878. Its first officers were John W. Parsons, E. C .; O. B. Williams, Gen .; John A. Reifsni- der, Capt. Gen .; Thomas Sanderson, Rec.
David's Templar Masonic Lodge (colored). No. 15, was organized in 1865, with the following charter members: J. J. Whetsell, Carter Fillmore, Edward Lyle, Henry Brown, William Radden, William Hayden, George Dourgins, Robert Perrin. M. Armstrong and J. Johnson. Their place of meeting was over the old post office, southeast corner of Main and Limestone streets.
On the 9th of April, 1877, the lodge was re-organized, and the name changed to that of Champion Lodge, No. 15. Their lodge room is in Deardoff's building, southeast corner of Main and Center streets, where they have one of the finest lodge rooms in the State. The lodge is working under the M: W. Grand Lodge of F. & A. M .. for the State of Ohio, Colored Masons, and its juris- dictions. The following are the charter members: L. C. Filhnore, W. M .: A. J. George, S. W .: W. Robertson, J. W .: Washington George, Treasurer: Elias C. Smith. Secretary: William Haydon, S. D .: Edward Clark, J. D .: Lewis Read, S. S .: H. Brown. J. S .: Robert Perrin, Chaplain; E. L. Eslick, Tiler. The membership now numbers fifty-nine.
A dispensation was granted. January 19, 1871, to the following Sir Knights. to organize Wilson Commandery, No. 2, Knights Templar (colored): J. J. Whetsell, B. F. Henderson, George H. Shaffer. J. J. Booth, William
----
--
574
HISTORY OF CLARK COUNTY.
Raden, Griffith Eglor, S. H. Thomson, J. W. Moore, Washington George and B. F. Johnson.
On June 24, 1874, by order of the Grand Commandery of the State of Ohio, the Commandery was instituted. The following are the officers at pres- ent: Andrew J. George, Eminent Commander; J. W. Moore, Generalissimo; William Hayden, Captain General; B. F. Henderson. Prelate; George Beard, Sword Bearer; William Dickson, Standard Bearer; William Robinson, Warder; Griffith Eglor, Treasurer; Edward Dyle, Recorder.
Ephraim Lodge, No. 146, I. O. O. F., was instituted on the 25th day of February, 1850, by Grand Master William C. Earl, with the following charter members, to wit: James Bacon, Cornelius Baker, A. R. Wright, Henry Hollen- beck, A. L. Runyan, Chandler Robbins, George Watson, William Watson, Leon- ard B. Sprague and George W. Turner.
The first officers of the lodge were A. L. Runyan, Noble Grand; Henry Hallenbeck, Vice Grand; George W. Turner, Secretary; A. R. Wright, Treas- urer; James Bacon, Warden; A. A. Blount, Inside Guardian; La Fayette Ban- croft, Outside Guardian; Cornelius Baker, Right Supporter to Noble Grand; George Watson. Left Supporter to Noble Grand: C. W. Ward, Right Sup- porter to Vice Grand: William White, Left Supporter to Vice Grand: Leonard B. Sprague, Right Scene Supporter; and James A. Bean, Left Scene Sup- porter.
A. A. Blount, La Fayette Bancroft, C. W. Ward, James A. Bean and Will- iam White were elected and initiated members of the lodge, and John S. Har- rison was admitted on card on the night of institution.
Of the charter members, two, Henry Hollenbeck and Leonard B. Sprague, are still members in good standing; two, George and William Watson, are members of Clark Lodge, No. 166, at South Charleston; three, A. R. Wright, Chandler Robbins and George W. Turner, have died; two, James Bacon and Cornelius Baker, are still living, but are not at present active members of the lodge.
Of the members initiated the night of the institution, only one, Will- iam White, is now a member in good standing. Two, C. W. Ward and James A. Bean, have died: and two, A. A. Blount and La Fayette Bancroft, are still living, but are not at present members of the lodge.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.