The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 57

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076

USA > Ohio > Hardin County > The history of Hardin county, Ohio > Part 57

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The Kenton Herald .- After the removal of Nichols, the publication of the paper ceased, but about 1848-49, the office was again opened up, and the Kenton Herald came forth as the organ of the Democracy of Hardin County. How long it ran, or who its editor was, we are unable to say; but in the Kenton Republican of August 28, 1850, appears the follow- ing card:

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

KENTON HERALD REVIVED.

" The paper that bore this name is about to be re-established. The former editor is brought to the resurrection, and with the same old press and types, will give life, freshness and improved vigor to the bantling in a short time. Its friends may assuredly look for its appearance on or about Saturday week. Persons wishing to advertise, will please forward their favors at the earliest convenience. Place of publication, probably in Mr. Copeland's new building."

There are no files of any of these three papers in existence, as far as we are aware of, and the most thorough investigation has failed to throw any further light upon the subject.

Democratic Expositor. - This was the title of the next Democratic sheet, and was first issued, Friday, August 25, 1851, as the lineal successor of the Herald. It was published by Charles Warner and J. B. Atkinson, and the day of issue was subsequently changed to Tuesday. The Expositor was a twenty-four column sheet, and claimed to be " a family newspaper, devoted to politics, literature, art, science, agriculture, morals, education, amusements, foreign and domestic news, markets, etc." Its price was $1.50 per year, in advance, and it was published about a year and a half.

The Nor'wester .- The Expositor was succeeded by the Nor'wester, which was first issued, Saturday, April 9, 1853, by Will Tomlinson, former- ly of the Georgetown Standard. It was the same size sheet as its pre- decessor, and presented a commendable appearance. On the 24th of Au- gust, 1854, Ezra Williams became owner and publisher; and, September 2, the name of A. S. Ramsey appeared at the head of its columns as editor, and thus remained until February 24, 1855, when he retired, and Mr. Will- iams edited the paper alone. The name of the paper was changed, April 7, 1855, to the Western Courier, with "E pluribus unum" as its motto. In 1856, another change took place, the paper appearing as the Kenton Demo- crat and Courier. Mr. Ramsey again assumed the editorial charge, and it ran until early in 1857, when it, too, ceased to exist. All of these papers were Democratic.

The Hardin County Democrat .- No. 1, Vol. I, of this paper appeared Saturday, February 21, 1857. It was published by J. E. Mumford, and edited by Justus C. Stevens; was thoroughly Democratic in politics, and a good, well-conducted newspaper. It was a twenty-four-column sheet, price $1.50 per annum, in advance, $1.75 if paid in three months, and $2 after the expiration of that time. On the 29th of August, 1857, J. C. Stevens became owner of the Democrat, and he, with L. T. Hunt, were its editors From October 17 to December 26 of that year, the paper was not issued, but, on the latter date, it appeared under the ownership of C. S. and William Myers, with Stevens and Hunt, editors. The Democrat was enlarged to twenty-eight columns, May 8, 1858, and otherwise much improved. F. M. Childs had previously purchased the interest of William Myers, and the firm was Myers & Childs. Soon afterward, Stevens & Hunt became owners of the paper, and remained as such from June 12 until August 28, 1858, at which time A. S. Ramsey purchased it. He continued to publish the Demo- crat until the issue of Friday, February 8, 1861, when O. B. Happersett's name appears as editor and proprietor. Mr. Happersett had been the editor of the Urbana Free Press, and bought the Democrat from Mr. Ramsey, whose well-trained mind and ability as a writer had greatly enhanced the value and influence of the paper.

O. B. and J. C. Happersett published the Democrat, under the firm

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name of Happersett Bros., with the former as editor. Soon after the war broke out, paper, labor, etc., became more expensive, and, February 14, 1862, the sheet was reduced to twenty-four columns, and published at the following prices: $1.25 in advance, $1.50 within a year, and $2 at the end of the year. With the issue of August 8, 1862, the senior partner, O. B. Happersett, retired from the firm, selling his interest to William H. Munnell, and the firm appeared as Munnell & Happersett, editors and pro- prietors. In September, 1862, the Democrat was enlarged to its former size of twenty-eight columns, while its old price was also restored. J. C. Happersett severed his connection with the paper December 5, 1862, selling out to Mr. Munnell, who thus became sole owner. On the 16th of January, 1863, the following motto appeared at the head of the editorial column:

" With, or without offense to friends or foes,

I sketch the world exactly as it goes."

The stars and stripes were placed under the motto, August 28, of that year.

Mr. Munnell operated the paper as editor and proprietor till September 4, 1863, when he sold out to Col. Pike, of the Hillsboro Gazette; O. C. Wheeler assuming charge as editor and publisher. This was during the Gubernatorial campaign between Brough and Vallandigham, which was, perhaps, the most exciting period in the history of the State. The Demo- crat adopted as its editorial motto, "The Constitution as it is; the Union as it was; Vallandigham and Liberty;" which remained throughout the cam - paign.

In August, 1864, A. S. Ramsey took charge of the Democrat, after it had ceased publication for some time, and continued as editor and proprie- tor till April, 1865, when he disposed of it to Charles L. Zahm, who at once assumed entire control. After running nearly a year, Zahm concluded that a change of name would help the paper; so. in March, 1866, it was issued under the title of the Democratic Advocate; but, in December, cir- cumstances compelled him to sell out.

Daniel Flanagan purchased the concern, December 13, 1866, and soon after began the publication of the Kenton Democrat (Vol I, New Series), with the motto "Equal and exact justice to all-special privileges to none." It was a twenty-eight column paper, issued every Thursday at $2 per year in advance, $3 if paid within three months and $3.50 at the close of the year. Thus the Democrat continued, with slight change, until March 9, 1871, at which time Vol. VI began with an entire new outfit of presses, type, etc., and enlarged to a thirty-two column sheet, while greatly im- proved in every way. It was now a paper of large dimensions, ably and creditably edited and conducted. It will not be out of place to state here that Mr. Flanagan purchased the paper for the sum of $500, and sold it for more than $7,000. By his ability as a writer, and his shrewd business management, he brought the paper up from absolute worthlessness until it was regarded as one of the best conducted county newspapers in this por- tion of Ohio, attaining an influence in the party and a financial success most gratifying to its owner.

On the 1st of January, 1875, David S. Fisher bought out Mr. Flana- gan. He had been the editor and publisher of the Allen County Democrat for about fifteen years prior to this time, and brought to the aid of his new enterprise a wide experience and a well-grounded knowledge of the busi- ness. He changed the name of the paper to the Hardin County Democrat; thus going back to the title adopted in February, 1857. It was enlarged to

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

a thirty-six-column sheet, and came forth in an entire new dress, bearing at its head the following motto: " A family journal, devoted to literature, news, agriculture and the dissemination of Democratic principles." About three years ago, Mr. Fisher purchased a two-story brick building on Frank- lin street, three doors east of Main, whither he removed his office. Since taking charge of the Democrat, in 1875, it has nearly doubled its circu- lation, claiming at the present time a circulation of about 1,800 copies, and is looked upon as one of the leading Democratic newspapers of North- western Ohio. Its price has always been $2 per year in advance, and its subscription list is now rapidly increasing. The office of the Democrat is up with the times, all its furnishings being of a first-class order, while neat- - ness, punctuality and dispatch pervades the whole establishment.

INDEPENDENT PAPERS.

The Kenton News was a twenty-eight column sheet, published in Tiffin by V. L. Ricketts & Co., and delivered to patrons in Hardin County. It was established in June, 1881, and, in November of that year, sold to D. M. Eveland, who opened an office in Kenton. He ran it only six weeks, when, for want of patronage, it ceased publication. Politically, it was indepen- dent, but it never amounted to much as a newspaper.

The Kenton Wochenblatt, a German weekly, was established by David Riffe and John U. Born, the latter being editor. It was first issued on Thursday, January 7, 1882; is a quarto-sheet, six columns to a page; pub- lished at $2 per year in advance, and claims a circulation of about 700 copies. The Wochenblatt is the first and only German newspaper published in the counties of Hardin, Hancock, Wyandot and Marion, and is, there- fore, a good advertising medium through which to reach the large German population of those counties. It is, politically, independent, and the office is located on North Detroit street, over the post office.

Catholic Local News .- This paper was started by Rev. Anthony S. Siebenfoercher, and first issued November 1, 1878. It was a quarto size, double sheet, three columns to a page, and was commenced for the purpose of furnishing local and general Catholic news of interest to the faithful under his charge; also to supply short instructions on the articles of the Christian faith. It was issued twice a month, for three years, and its cir- culation reached 300 copies, extending into Marion and Logan Counties. Father Siebenfoercher discontinued the paper, because the missions of Ada, Dunkirk, Forest, Mount Victory and Larue were taken from under his charge; and as the welfare of these missions was one of the principal rea- sons why he started the News, he concluded to abandon the enterprise when he had no longer charge of them. The News reached many Catholics whom the priest could not often visit, thereby keeping alive the spark of faith, and assisting materially in building up the Catholic Church in this part of Ohio.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF KENTON.

When the pioneer fathers and mothers of Hardin County located along the Scioto, the Blanchard, Hog Creek. Tymochtee and smaller tributaries physicians were almost "as rare as angels' visits;" and though malarial diseases and " milk sickness " reigned supreme throughout the Scioto Val- ley, yet the pioneer was compelled to apply his own remedies or ride for miles through an unbroken forest to some small hamlet where a doctor might be found. Soon after the site of Kenton was selected as the county seat of Hardin County, we find two physicians, named Clark and Blodgett,

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

locating in the town, the former coming in 1833, and the latter in 1834. Neither remained very long, but Dr. Clark is remembered as one of the pioneer school teachers, to which profession he had to resort for his sup- port, as the practice of medicine was not "a gold mine " in those early days. Dr. Blodgett was a native of Massachusetts, and, in 1834, erected a small frame house immediately north of where the Methodist Episcopal Church now stands, but stayed only about a year, and then left for a more congenial clime, as he was a man of delicate constitution.

Prior to 1840, only three other physicians located at Kenton, viz., Drs. Usher P. Leighton, Samuel Watt and Koontz; but of the last-mentioned little is known further than that he came in 1838-39, and practiced medi- cine about four years, then removed from this vicinity. Taking into con- sideration the brief periods that Drs. Clark and Blodgett remained in Ken - ton, and that they founded no practice or left little if any impress upon the institutions of the town, it will be only justice to accord to Dr. Leighton whatever honor belongs to being called the "father of medical practice in Hardin County." He was a native of Maine, came to Ohio in 1831, and read medicine with Dr. Sampson, of Mccutchenville. In the winter of 1833-34, he attended lectures at Bowdoin Medical College, Brunswick, Me., and, in the spring of 1835, graduated from Brown's University, Providence, R. I. He then came West, and in March, 1836, located in Kenton, where he practiced his profession until his death, August 26, 1878-a period of more than forty-two years. Few men were so well-known as Dr. Leighton; his field of practice during the pioneer days extending throughout this and adjoining counties. He was a good financier, and accumulated a large estate, to which he principally devoted the latter years of his life, though still clinging to his profession, and taking a deep interest in the progress and development of medical science.

Some three years after Dr. Leighton's location in Kenton, or in the fall of 1839, Dr. Samuel Watt opened an office in the village. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, read medicine with Dr. Wilson, of Cadiz, Ohio, and began practice about 1828. During his residence in Kenton, he was recognized as a good physician, and continued in practice until within a few years of his death, which occurred in October, 1876. He, like Dr. Leighton, reared a family, some of whom are yet prominently identified with the interests of the town.

In the decade between 1840 and 1850, inclusive, many physicians came and went-some remaining during their lives, while others soon removed to other fields. Of these, we find that Dr. W. W. Durbin came to the county in 1840-41, locating east of Patterson, in Jackson Township. About 1842, he removed to Kenton, where he practiced many years. He at one time resided in a small house on Carroll street, where the Union school building now stands. It is said, by old settlers who knew him well, that though a good doctor, he was very intemperate. On one occasion, he had a cholera patient at his house, whom he had brought there for treatment, and when night came on the Doctor got drunk, lay down beside his patient, and woke up in the morning to find that the man had been dead for some hours. He subsequently went back to Columbiana County, Ohio, where he had read medicine, and also spent a portion of his time traveling, but about 1872-73, he returned to Kenton, where he died a few years ago.

The three next physicians to open offices in Kenton were Drs. G. W. Kishler, J. A. Rogers and A. W. Munson, the two latter being yet residents of the city. Dr. Kishler came about 1844, from Perry County, Ohio, but

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

in 1846-47, he went as a Surgeon into the Mexican war, and never re- turned to this county.

Dr. J. A. Rogers, a native of Greene County, Ohio, entered the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1842, and in May, 1843, came on horseback from Champaign County, Ohio, and located in Kenton. He con- tinued in the practice of his profession until 1856, when he engaged in the drug business, but still remained in practice for a few years, though gradu- ally abandoning the active duties thereof. Dr. Rogers has ever since fol. lowed the druggist's trade, and his store is one of the largest and most complete drug houses in Hardin County.

Dr. A. W. Munson came with his parents to Hardin County in 1838 ;- subsequently read medicine with Dr. O. Ferris, of Marion County, Ohio, and, during the summer of 1844, began practice in Kenton. In the fall of the same year, he removed to Wyandot, Wyandot Co., Ohio, where he re- mained until 1850, in which year he returned to Kenton, where he has since followed the practice of medicine. Dr. Munson graduated at Cleveland Medical College in the class of 1853-54. Drs. Rogers and Munson are the . two oldest physicians of Kenton, their medical experience in this town going back to 1843 and 1844 respectively; but Dr. Munson has, doubtless, spent a greater number of years in active practice than any other living physician in this portion of Ohio. He was Assistant Surgeon of the Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry from December, 1861, until April, 1863, and Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from March, 1865, until mustered out in the following Sep- tember.

The years 1845, 1846 and 1847 brought to Kenton Drs. Latham, Thomas S. Mills, J. F. Ankeny, J. C. Wiseman and William McKean. The first mentioned came from Columbus, Ohio, in 1845, and only stayed about a year. Dr. Mills came from Iberia, Ohio, in 1845, and laid out an addition to Kenton in June of that year. But he, also, remained only about twelve months. Dr. Ankeny was from Millersburg, Holmes Co., Ohio, and lo- cated in Kenton in 1845. Soon after coming, he formed a partnership with Dr. J. A. Rogers, in the practice of medicine, and, in the spring of 1849, went to California. Dr. Wiseman was " a Thompsonian, or Botanic Doctor, " who settled in Kenton about 1846, where he practiced his peculiar school of medicine until his death, in 1851. Dr. Mckean came from Richland County, Ohio, in 1847, and continued in the practice of his profession un- til his death, November 3, 1852. Many of our readers will, doubtless, re- member these pioneer physicians, though some of them remained here but a very brief period.

From 1847, up to and including 1850, there were Drs. Michael Holmes, J.S. Dimmiti, Henry Russell, William Jones, J. Y. Cantwell, George Watt, W. W. Moore, J. M. Chesney and Delong. About 1848, Dr. Holmes located in Kenton, coming hither from Highland County, Ohio. He practiced in this vicinity until his death, which occurred on his farm, a short distance east of Kenton, whither he had removed some time prior to this event. Dr. Dimmitt came to Kenton from Clermont County, Ohio, about 1848. He was a young, single man, and subsequently married a daughter of David Goodin's. After two years' practice, he removed to lowa. Dr. Russell read medicine in the office of Dr. Driesback, of Tiffin, Ohio, and, in 1848- 49, came to Kenton. He was a young man of considerable ability, and, after practicing here about five years, went to Cincinnati, and there died. Dr. Jones was a native of Southern Ohio, who first began practice at West

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Liberty, Logan Co., Ohio; thence removed to the village of Round Head, and, about 1848-49, came to Kenton. He was a man of eccentric habits, and religious turn of mind, and finally quit his profession to preach the Gospel. This not proving sufficiently remunerative, he abandoned preach- ing and returned to the practice of medicine in Kenton, where he died. Dr. Cantwell came from Mansfield, Ohio, in 1848-49, but stayed here only a short time, and then returned to Mansfield. Dr. George Watt came to Kenton from Xenia, Ohio, in :1849, and practiced his profession at this point, about two years. He then returned to Xenia, subsequently took up dentistry, and has become prominent in that calling. Dr. W. W. Moore re- mained but a brief period in 1850. Dr. J. M. Chesney was a native of Mercer County, Penn .; studied medicine with his brother, William M., at Mar- seilles, Wyandot Co., Ohio, and, about 1849, began practice at Huntersville, in this county. He soon removed to Kenton, and formed a partnership with Dr. McKean, and, about 1854, removed to Marseilles, Ohio. There were three brothers named Delong, who practiced medicine in Hardin Coun- ty. H. P. and Allen Delong had an office in Kenton a short time, but were first at Wheeler's Crossing as early as 1844-45, and subsequently at Round Head. The Dr. Delong who lived in Kenton, and was a partner of Dr. Leighton's, went to California in the spring of 1849.

During the succeeding six years, from 1850 to 1856, the following phy- sicians opened offices in Kenton, viz .: Drs. Edwin Ashton, G. W. Kemp, O. L. Rider, Horace Lawrence, Solomon Kraner, I. E. Nagle, W. H. Phillips, J. F. Hance, A. S. Cowden, Charles Steyer, C. I. Neff, Frederick Sagebiel and M. M. Stimmel. Some time in 1851-52, Dr. Ashton came from Mansfield, Ohio, to Kenton. He practiced medicine here several years; thence removed to Lima, Ohio, where he now carries on a drug store. Dr. Kemp succeeded Dr. Wiseman in the Thompsonian or botanic system of practice. Upon the breaking-out of the civil war, he went into the army as Surgeon, and after its close located at Marseilles, Ohio, and now belongs to the allopathic school. Dr. Rider, an eclectic physician, came to Kenton about 1852, but stayed only a brief period. Dr. Lawrence came to Kenton from Greene County, Ohio, in 1852. On the 13th of May, 1854, while on a visit to a patient, he met with an accident from which he never re. covered consciousness, and died on the 19th of June following. It is not positively known how he met his death, whether by being thrown from his horse or that a falling limb struck him while riding through the forest. He was found lying in the roadway, with his skull fractured, but unable to speak, and lived for more than a month, dying without being able to give any account of the affair. Dr. Kraner read medicine with William McKean; attended lectures at Starling Medical College in 1852-53, and began prac- tice in Kenton during the latter year. In 1855, he removed to Round Head, where he continued in the practice of his profession until his elec- tion to the office of Probate Judge, in 1872. He has not since followed the practice of medicine. Dr. Nagle was a Pennsylvanian, who came to Ken- ton, about 1853. He clerked in a drug store, and, though a physician, never practiced in this locality. Dr. W. H. Phillips was born in Washing- ton County, Penn .; began the practice of medicine in 1849, and, in 1854, lo- cated in Kenton. He graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, Ill., in 1856, and, for nearly thirty years, has been actively engaged in the prac- tice of his profession in Hardin County, still ranking as one of the leading practitioners and contributors to medical science in this part of the State. He was Surgeon of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer In-

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fantry, from December, 1862, until May, 1864, when he resigned the posi- tion and retired to private life. Dr. Hance was an eclectic physician, who came to Kenton in about 1854, and practiced here a few years, then re- moved elsewhere. Dr. Cowden came from Greene County, Ohio, in 1855, entered into partnership with Dr. Phillips and practiced medicine here two years; thence removed to Iowa. Dr. Stever was a graduate of Leipsic Medical College, Germany, and, in 1853, opened an office at Dunkirk, Ohio; thence, about 1855, removed to Kenton, where he practiced his profession until his death in 1863. Dr. Neff read medicine in the office of Dr. Mun- son, and, in 1856, formed a partnership with Dr. Leighton. In 1857, he re- moved to Lima, Ohio, and, during the war, was Examining Surgeon for that district. Dr. Sagebiel was a native of Germany, and began the practice of medicine in Kenton in 1856, dying here in October, 1859. His son, Herman, is the present Postmaster of Kenton. Dr. Stimmel is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, whence he received his diploma in 1853. In 1856, he came to Kenton, and continued in prac- tice, until 1868, when he removed from the county. In 1872, he returned to Kenton, where he has since been in active practice. He was Surgeon of the Twenty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry about two years, and of the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio National Guard, during its four months' term of service in 1864.

In the following eleven years, from 1857 to 1867, inclusive, Drs. J. N. Green, William Watt, P. H. Loring, William Green, William M. Chesney, J. S. Pollock, J. W. Binckley, Henry Carver, C. H. Smith and Jesse Snod- grass began practice in Kenton. Dr. J.N. Green belonged to the eclectic school of medicine, and came in 1859. He went into the army, and soon after the close of the war settled in Indiana. Dr. Watt was a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, and a son of Dr. Samuel Watt, previously mentioned. He read in the office of Dr. W. H. Phillips, graduated from Starling Medical College in February, 1861, and immediately commenced his medical prac- tice in Kenton. In April, 1863, he was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Forty-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until mustered out in June, 1865. Dr. Watt remained here, following the duties of his profession, until his death. He died, February 11, 1878. Dr. Loring was recognized as a young man of fine mind, and extensive knowledge of medical science. He located in Kenton, in 1861, and soon took a leading place among the older and more prominent members of his profession. Near the close of the war, he received an appointment as Surgeon of United States Volunteers, and selling his effects was preparing to enter upon the duties thereof, when he was taken sick and died. Dr. William Green was born in this county, his family being pioneers. He began the practice of medicine about the beginning of the war; remained a year or so in Kenton; then got an appoint- ment in a Tennessee regiment as Surgeon, and subsequently settled at Greenville, in that State. Dr. William M. Chesney is still a resident of Kenton, though not in active practice. He is a native of Mercer County, Penn. ; there read medicine, and graduated from Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, in the class of 1848-49, subsequently locating at Marseilles, Ohio. In 1863, he opened an office in Kenton, and followed his profession until 1880, when, on account of ill-health, he retired from practice. Dr. Pollock came from Logan County, Ohio, to Kenton, in 1863, went into the army in his capacity as a physician, and, after coming back, returned to Logan County, where he now resides. Dr. Binckley, a physician of the homœo- pathic school of medicine, began practice at Kenton in October, 1864. He

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 57

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076