USA > Ohio > Licking County > Granville > The history of Granville, Licking County, Ohio > Part 21
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In 1831, P. W. Taylor, being at the time largely interested in the furnace, erected near it a steam flouring mill. After the completion of the feeder, it was removed about three- quarters of a mile to the southeast, where Phelps' sawmill has long been, and was run by water-power.
About 1840, the diminishing supply of whale oil, used for lights, began to force the search for some substitute. One result was lard oul, obtained by the cold pressure of the lard
283
CORN-SUGAR - CHEESE - CHAIRS.
of commerce. In 1822, General A. Munson erected a press for this purpose. The residuum was used also for making stearine candles. The discovery of petroleum and the distillation of coal oil put an end to this about 1859.
About 1842, was formed a company for making sugar out of cornstalks, in which were General A. Munson, J. W. Houghton, Esq., Captain Joseph Fassett, E. R. Thrall, Nor- ton Case, A. Aylsworth, Henry Taylor and A. Miner. The corn, at a proper stage, was topped and stripped, and after standing to ripen, was run through a mill. The juice was treated with chemicals, boiled down and allowed to crystal- ize. The sugar, however, was not salable.
From 1833 to 1855, and particularly through the decade 1840-50, the cheese factory of Elias Fassett was in very suc- cessful operation under the control of his cousin, Eliphalet Follett. Although located a little way in Harrison Town- ship, the proprietor and agent were both intimately asso- ciated with Granville. There were generally from eighty to a hundred cows on the farm. In 1845, a single cheese, weighing 1000 pounds, was made by Mr. Follett, and in 1846, three several cheeses, weighing each about 500 pounds. The factory turned out about 275 pounds daily.
About 1835, Mr. Joseph Jacobs began the manufacture of Windsor chairs in great variety, with rockers, settees and cradles. He built a factory in the west end of town, but used no machinery except a foot lathe. After Mr. Jacobs, Mr. Langstaff continued the business.
Soon after this a Mr. Williams and his brother, English- men, began the manufacture of brushes, turning out some very handsome articles and in great variety. The enterprise did not survive many years.
Mr. Andrew Merriman came to town in 1832. For about twenty years he carried on the manufacture of boots and shoes, sometimes employing as many as twenty hands at once.
Mr. J. R. Spease also carried on a candy factory, making
284
ROPES - MUSTARD - SILK.
sales over a large territory, and having a large and productive business. 1
In 1835, Mr. Asahel Griffin took possession of the Paige factory and introduced two power looms, making quite a variety of both satinets and full cloths. Having run it for six or seven years, he sold to Mr. William Shields, of New- ark, who converted it to a yarn factory. Other parties held it until the wool-carding business ceased to be in much de- mand. The power at this time is used to turn an iron lathe and other iron works ; while Mr. Charles W. Gunn, living near by, with a one-horse power, runs the only carding machine in the township.
At the foot of the hill on Lancaster road, Mr. Jonathan Wilson had a rope walk which supplied the country around with his manufactures.
Mr. Joshua Linnel for many years had a mustard factory, purchasing the seed in market and grinding it by the power at Griffin's factory. His product found sale over all the State.
The morus multicaulis and silk business found several to try their hand in its culture about 1838. There were some who one day were worth thousands of dollars in mulberry trees and silk worms, who the next day had nothing to do and nothing that would sell. Whole acres were occupied with the growing trees, well cultivated and thrifty, and the silk worms were luxuriating on the leaves in the cocoon- eries. But when the fever of speculation broke, the propri- etors were helpless on their backs.
The manufacture of beet sugar was begun, but the sugar tasted beety, and the people would not buy it.
Hair mattresses, glue, shoe blacking, cut shingles, and various similar enterprises, scarcely survived the first open- ing of the eyes upon daylight.
Sorghum syrup was made with good success during the war and to some extent ever since.
Brooms, wagons, carriages, etc., have been made to consid- erable extent.
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285
OUR COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES.
CHAPTER XLV.
I. BANKING.
Immediately after the close of the war of 1812-15, the Granville Alexandrian Society, acting under their very ac- commodating charter granted in 1807 for library purposes, established a bank. Certificates of stock, aside from those of the library department, were issued; also, bills for cir- culation, and the business seems to have been managed by a distinct Board of Directors. The first year it was accommo- dated in the east front room of Major Grove Case's brick building, corner of Green and Broad Streets. The first entry upon their bill books was the account of a note for $1000, given by S. H. Smith, indorsed by William Stanberry, at sixty days, discounted for $10.67.
It speaks well for the honesty of those times that the locks guarding the treasures of that bank were very poor; the window shutters were only wood; and a boy with an indus- trious jack-knife could have effected an entrance in ten minutes. No one ever slept in that part of the house. Yet there were deposited large amounts of bank bills as good as any bank bills of the day; and under the counter where the toes kicked against them lay bags of coin, and nobody ever molested them. Silver being scarce, the bank issued frac- tional currency of the denominations of fifty and twenty-five cents.
The next year, 1816, they finished and occupied the stone house on the south side of Broad Street, and just east of the square, where, at two different times, the bank flourished under the above charter and failed. Alexander Holmes was the first president and R. R. Roach cashier. Afterward G. Swan was cashier, and he again was succeeded by Elisha S. Gilman. The bank failed to redeem its notes in 1817. The last entry upon the bill book was under date of August 5th, 1817. [See cut in " Additional Record."]
286
A SECOND FAILURE.
In 1836, the Bank was revived under the same charter. The capital was furnished chiefly by parties in Buffalo, New York. Henry Roop was president and A. G. Hammond cashier. It occupied the same stone building at the south- east corner of Broad Street and the public square, the old iron vault being still in position. Mr. Hammond was suc- ceeded by Mr. A. J. Smith. On the 20th of May, 1837, the Bank suspended specie payments, acting in concert with other banks in Columbus, Cincinnati, Zanesville, Chillicothe, Lancaster and Cleveland. Mr. Roop resigned the presidency October 3d, 1837, B. Brice being vice president. It is said that the immediate occasion of the breaking of the Bank was the loaning of $50,000 to a party in Western New York, per- haps a stockholder, in the bank's own issue, with the under- standing that it should be put in circulation abroad, to come home for redemption in small amounts. But the party fail- ing, the money went into possession of a Buffalo Bank, and immediately came back in bulk, the original packages un- opened. The last recorded meeting of the Directors was March 13th, 1838.
After the failure, Mr. A. J. Smith, who was Cashier at the time, associated with John H. James, Esq., of Urbana, Ohio, Mr. Simeon Reed and others of Granville, opened a Bank of discount and exchange in the dwelling house on the south side of Broad Street, built by Col. Lucius D. Mower, in 1824. The iron vault was taken from its position in the old stone building, placed adjoining the new apartment, and enclosed in solid brick walls in cubic form. They did a large business for some years. Mr. Smith afterwards removed to Newark, carrying with him a share of the Granville business. There he finally failed for a large amount.
In 1852, Mr. Simeon Reed with his son-in-law, Mr. Timo- thy A. Smith, continued the banking business in the same place. Both these parties died in the fall of 1855.
Mr. Wm. S. Wright, acting as administrator of Mr. Reed , continued the business. After the settlement of the estate
287
PRIVATE BANKS - FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
it was in the hands of Dea E. C. Wright, Hon. Elizur Abbott, Mr. Virgil H. Wright, and Mr. Nelson Sinnet. This firm continued until 1860.
At that time Mr. Henry L. Bancroft and his brother, Dr. W. W. Bancroft, bought the interest of the above parties and continued the business in the same place, Mr. H. L. Bancroft having charge of the office, and Mr. Abbott con- tinuing to keep the books for them.
This firm continued until the First National Bank was es- tablished for general banking purposes, under the new bank- ing system in 1864, commencing business in June. Mr. H. L. Bancroft then became president of the new bank, and Mr. E. M. Downer, cashier. The capital stock of this bank was only $50,000, but the deposits were of considerable value. Granville bank bills once more began to circulate, and the business prospered until the stockholders had received in dividends more than twice their investments.
In 1879, from various causes, the business of the bank was curtailed, and the stockholders thought best voluntarily to go into liquidation. The depositors were paid off dollar for dollar over the counter, the bonds deposited at Washington were redeemed with greenbacks, the business of the bank was closed, and the bills in circulation are being redeemed at the Comptroller's office in Washington, the stockholders loosing only by the depreciation of their stock a small part of the dividends they had received in former years.
Meantime the officers of the bank, Messrs. Bancroft and Downer, doing business jointly, had met with heavy losses , in their operations, and were obliged to suspend payment. They, however, recovered themselves so as to be able to meet all legal claims against them, making payment from six to twelve and fifteen months after suspension, and paying both principal and interest.
At the closing of the First National Bank, Messrs. Wright, Sinnet & Wright formed a partnership and continued the
288
NEW BANKS.
business of exchange and discount at the old stand, where they are still operating.
In 1880, a new banking company was formed who fitted up a new room three doors west of the old stand, and opened another National Bank, with Mr. H. L. Bancroft as president and Mr. E. M. Downer, cashier, the officers of the old bank resuming their former position. As a peculiar privilege they were allowed to take the name of the old bank, viz: "The First National Bank of Granville," though the business of the two banks is entirely separate. So it comes about that we have two banks in successful operation as we close our records in 1880.
II. MERCANTILE ENTERPRISE.
Captain William Stedman came from Marietta about 1808, bringing with him a small stock of goods, which he opened in the southeast room of Esquire Gilman's new house near the town spring. Being of an active temperament, preferring out-of-door life, and being a practical bricklayer, he did not long continue to sell goods. He went to Newark and built the first jail of the county, and in 1815 put up the stone bank in Granville.
Soon after Mr. Stedman, Messrs. Pelton & Butler brought to the place a wagon load of goods, which they sold from house to house, taking hogs in payment; they being about the only circulating medium that could be conveniently used. These they drove to Worthington, where they were slaugh- tered, and shipped down the Scioto, their ultimate destina- tion being New Orleans.
The next merchant whose name is preserved was Ralph Granger. He came in the fall of 1812, with a small assort- ment of goods which he displayed in a small cabin room, near Mr. Horace Wolcott's, east of town. Selling out to advantage, he replenished his stock and came to town, occu- pying a small room about where Mr. Parson's store now is. He continued to traffic, having at different times his brother
289
EARLY MERCHANTS.
Lewis, Alfred Avery and Anthony P. Prichard for partners, and sometimes running a hoiel at the same time.
In 1815, Seth Mead and Hiram Boardman had a store in the east part of town.
In 1816, three new stores were opened. Munson & Wol- cott were just east of the stone bank. Mr. Chester Griffin, son of Joab Griffin, and brother of Apollos Griffin, opened a store on the north side of Broad, where he continued to trade until his death in October of the following year. Hon. T. M. Thompson, coming from Steubenville, brought a small stock of goods which he opened at the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets, A. P. Prichard being his salesman. He soon removed the store to his land in Mckean Township.
In 1818, O. & L. Granger were selling goods in the east wing of the frame tavern in the east part of town.
About this time an association was formed among the farmers, called the Licking Exporting Company, the object of which was to open the way for disposing of their pork to better advantage. Elias Fasset, then a young man, was em- ployed as clerk; the hogs belonging to the Company were put into the care of Colonel Chauncy Humphrey, and driven to Sandusky. There they were slaughtered during the win- ter, the pork packed and shipped to Montreal and sold, net- ting the Company $1.25 a hundred.
Soon after the death of Mr. Chester Griffin, Colonel Lucius D. Mower and Mr. Apollos Griffin, brother of Chester, having been together through the southern country as far as to New Orleans, trading and selling goods, returned with a stock of goods and opened a store. Afterward separating, each had a store : Mr. Mower in connection with the furnace business, in which he bought an interest, and Mr. Griffin in company with a Mr. Humphrey. Griffin & Humphrey had the building near the stone bank building. In 1819, the firm was Griffin & Gilman, Mr. Humphrey having sold his inter- est to Elisha S. Gilman, just before cashier of the bank. Mr. Griffin, on account of ill health, did not long remain in the
290
EARLY MERCHANTS.
store. Captain Joseph Fassett had an interest in it for a short time. Eventually the stock was purchased by Colonel L. D. Mower. Spelman & Avery was another firm in 1819.
In 1820, Mr. Matthew Adamns opened a store just west of the frame tavern, north side of Broad Street. . The firm at one time was Adams & Case. Mr. Sereno Wright had a sınall stock of goods in the northeast room of his dwelling, on the south side of the public square, and Mr. Charles Sawyer, a saddler, also began trading with a few articles which were inost in demand, his stand being on the south side of Broad Street, and where now is the residence of Mr. E. M. Downer. His store was a red frame building, his saddler's shop being above the store.
In October and November, 1822, Colonel L. D. Mower put up the brick building on the south side of Broad Street, in which now is Mr. D. French's saddlery, and brought on a large and fine stock of goods. .
In 1823, Messrs. Fitch and King advertised in the Wanderer a fine assortment and large stock of goods. Granger & Prichard also constituted a firm at this time.
In 1825, Mr. A. P. Prichard bought a fraction, 18 x 30 feet, off the northwest corner lot at the intersection of Broad and Prospect Streets, erected a small one-story building, and commenced selling drugs. He was a practical chemist and kept quite a laboratory. This building was the theater of considerable business until 1830, when it was removed to the rear of the Congregational Church and became a dwelling.
Messrs. Ralph Granger and William Wing having pur- chased the unfinished building of Mr. George Case, at the east corner of Broad and Prospect, proceeded to finish it, and it became the leading hotel. For a time the east room was used by Mr. Elias Fassett for merchandise, (probably the furnace store). When the room was wanted for hotel business, the store was removed to the corner of Broad and an alley, now occupied by Carter & Carter, and was for many years the furnace store.
291
EARLY MERCHANTS.
In 1829, Colonel L. D. Mower and A. P. Prichard formed a partnership and did a good business at the Prichard stand. The next year, Colonel Mower having added by purchase to the width of Mr. Prichard's lot, put up the two story brick building which still stands. When Colonel Mower died, his brother, Horatio, had succeeded him in the partnership; and Horatio dying, the third brother, Sherlock, took the Mower interest, and was in the store as long as he lived; being there when the famous burglary of 1835 was perpetrated.
In 1830, Mr. Simeon Reed, who had before lived in the place and removed to Johnstown, returned, and at once entered upon a successful business career, having an interest in the furnace and its store; and continued a prominent business man of the place until his death in 1855.
Mr. Hezekiah Kilbourn had by this time opened a store in the old bank building, where he traded for several years, the firm at one time being H. & A. Kilbourn.
In 1831, the steam flouring inill was erected near the furnace in which P. W. Taylor had one-half interest, Elias Fassett one-fourth, and Alfred Avery one-fourth ; this being probably the furnace company also; and the little store at the corner of the alley and Broad became known as "the Steam Mill Store."
In 1833, the steam mill was removed to the feeder, where Phelps' saw mill was, and water power was used instead of steam. Mr. Justin Hillyer, Jr., had an interest in it.
Messrs. Frederick Cook & Co., George Abbott and his brothers, Elmer and Elizur, and D. & S. Wright were en- gaged in general merchandise ; the latter succeeding to their father's business. The store had been removed some time before to the small building just east of the stone bank building. This small room was probably put up by Mr. Alfred Avery at an early day, and soon after this time it was removed to Fair Street, near Sugar Loaf, and did service as a dwelling ; and in its place Mr. Wright erected the two- story building which still stands there, used as a bakery.
1
292
. EARLY MERCHANTS.
About 1834, Walter Thrall, Esq., opened a store in the brick building erected by Colonel Mower in 1822, now Mr. D. French's saddlery.
Mr. Christopher C. Rose had long been running a small grocery on the north side of Broad and near the public square. About this time he erected a two-story frame build- ing on the east side of this lot, having two business rooms in front, and dwelling apartments in the rear. In an upper room, accessible by a flight of stairs on the outside, the "in- fant school " was accommodated at one time. Mr. Rose continued his grocery in the west room, and the east room was successively occupied by George Abbott & Co., Mr. Hollister, and D. & D. Humphrey, and others hereafter . mentioned, all in general merchandise. This building still stands in loco, accommodating the meat shop and saloon ; having been lowered, however, so that the floor instead of three or four steps above, is now nearly level with, the side- walk.
At one time previous to 1844, D. Humphrey, S. Reed and T. A. Smith constituted a firm under the style of "T. A. Smith & Co."
Mr. Darwin Humphrey afterward bought the steam mill corner and erected a fine brick store, where he traded for several years, having as partner at one time a Mr. Giddings. Avery & Taylor were in partnership at this time.
It is said that Jake Reily had a decisive influence in starting one of our merchants in a prominent business career. Being out together on one of Reily's professional tours, the companion won a large stake at cards. Jake took him aside and said to him. "Now, -, you go right home and settle down in business, and never play another game of cards. You won't always have Jake Reily at your elbow." The young man took his advice, went home, abjured cards, and at once began a career of prosperity. If a professional gambler would speak thus at one time, why not at all times? And why would it not have been good policy for himself also?
Mower & Prichard about this time added school and mis-
293
NEW SYSTEMS.
cellaneous books to their stock, S. Mower having suc- ceeded L. D. Mower, deceased. The steam mill store firm was Reed, Jewett & Co., as mentioned in another chapter.
In 1835, Messrs. Merriman & McBride put up a frame building just west of C. C. Rose's grocery on the corner, Mr. Merriman using the west room for shoe business, and Mr. McBride the east for a saddlery. This now stands right north of the Town Hall, being used as a dwelling.
Two warehouses were erected on the banks of the feeder about this time ; one by a Mr. Case [Deaf Case] near Griffin's factory ; the other by Wilson & Case [Henry Case], at the head of navigation near the Lancaster bridge. The latter was afterward removed to the flat fifty rods below and re- fitted by Justin Hillyer, Jr., for storing wheat.
In 1834, Mr. Ralph Parsons came to the place from Suffield, Conn., and opened a store in a small room near the corner of Broad and Mulberry. This lot he afterward bought, and erected a large store building and the dwelling where his family still reside. He did much to introduce a new system of doing business, to the mutual benefit of himself and patrons. The credit and produce system had made due bills and orders a large factor in the circulating medium. Mr. Parsons dealt on the cash system, with low prices and small profits. Since the opening of the canal, produce and live stock could be sold for cash, which made the new system possible. He afterward received to partnership Mr. Henry L. Bancroft. Finding they were too far from the business center, they removed to an eligible stand among the business houses east of the square. They then bought out G. Adams & Co. (Dr. S. Spelman), who were trading next door to them, and separated, Mr. Parsons retaining one room, and Mr. Bancroft the other. Mr. Bancroft received to partner- ship his son-in-law, W. P. Kerr, and son, B. R. Bancroft. In time, this firm was dissolved, the business being continued by B. R. Bancroft, the father becoming interested in bank- ing, and Mr. Kerr in teaching. In 1869, Mr. Parsons erected
294
LATER MERCHANTS.
a fine brick building for his store. He died in 1874, and the business is continued by his son, George C. Parsons. For several years past Mr. B. R. Bancroft has resided in Ana- heim, California.
In 1838, Mr. Alfred Avery, as the administrator of the Mower estates, succeeded to the partnership with A. P. Prichard. Mr. Prichard afterward bought the entire busi- ness, and finally limited his trade to drugs, having also the care of the telegraph office. At his death, his sons, Anthony P. and William, succeeded to the business, and then An- thony bought the entire interest. In 1873, he sold to Messrs. Bryant & Black, the latter having charge of the telegraph office. In 1880, Mr. Bryant retains the drug interest, while Mr. Black has the telegraph office, with depot and express . business, at the Granville station of the Ohio Central R. R.
In 1839, Jarvis Case opened a store at the Case homestead, corner of Broad and Green Streets.
Not far from 1840, Mr. Henry D. Wright succeeded his brothers, D. & S. Wright; and he again was followed by his nephew, Moseley Wright, son of Sereno. In 1853, the stand was used by the co-operative store. Mr. William S. Wright purchased the stock in 1857. A year or two later he built the large brick store building on the east side of the Public Square and north of Broad, and occupied it under the firm, William S. Wright and Sons. In 1861, this firm sold to Follett & Wright (Austin W. Follett and William Wright). William Wright then sold his interest to George Follett, and Follett Bros. was the firm. The succession at this stand has been since : Dilley, Park & Co .; Dilley & Goodrich ; George Goodrich; Goodrich & Craig, and R. F. Craig, who is the present occupant.
In 1842, Reed & Adams were in partnership, and A. P. Prichard had received to partnership his son, Gilman, the firm being Prichard & Son.
In 1850, H. R. Green entered into partnership with Darwin Humphrey at the old steam-mill stand, which partnership
295
LATER MERCHANTS.
continued eighteen months. In the spring of 1854, he bought the stock of I. Smithyman & Co., who were trading in the east room of the C. C. Rose building, which building had come into possession of J. R. Spease. In 1857, Mr. Green added fifty feet to his own building, standing between the two former locations just named, making a salesroom 16 x 70, and moved the stock into it. In the fall of 1858, the business was transferred to his son, H. B. Green. In 1871, the building was refitted, making a salesroomn 32 feet front and 55 feet deep, with two large show windows. Here Mr. Green continues still to deal in dry goods, ready-made clothing, etc.
In 1837, Mr. G. B. Johnson came to the place, and soon afterward, Mr. James Fosdick. After a season of clerkship in the store of Avery & Fassett, these two young men were both received to partnership. Ere long the business was chiefly entrusted to the junior members of the firm, the senior partners giving their attention largely to outside busi- ness. Mr. Fassett removed to Cleveland, and thence to New York City, where he engaged in brokerage. Mr. Avery also went to New York and engaged in wholesale dry goods busi- ness. At one time the firin consisted of Alfred Avery, Dr. S. Spelman, G. B. Johnson and James Fosdick, under the style, "Spelman, Johnson & Co." At another it was J. Hillyer, Jr., E. Fassett, A. Avery, G. B. Johnson and J. Fosdick, under the style of "Fassett & Co." Mr. Jeremiah Munson was in the firm for a time about 1847.
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