The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 59

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

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FIRE PROTECTION AND CITY BUILDINGS.

The earliest record we find of any movement toward providing tire pro-

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

tection in Kenton, was the purchase of some "fire hooks " July 6, 1850, at which time $13.50 was expended in that direction. In March, 1853, Obed Taylor was ordered to buy ladders, hooks, pikes, axes and ropes, to aid in extinguishing fires within the corporation, and about that time a " hook and ladder company" was organized. On the 12th of July, 1858, the Town Council appropriated $500 to purchase a fire engine, hose-reel and 300 feet of hose. A. M. Davis, W. F. Damon and J. M. Brunson were appointed a Committee to make said purchase. They went to Cincinnati and bought the " Reindeer Fire Engine," at second hand, it being one of those primitive concerns operated by hand power. The Reindeer Fire Company, No. 2, was organized in January, 1859, a temporary engine-house - fitted up, and, for the first time, Kenton began to feel her importance as a growing town. We however see by the records that this old engine was continually needing repairs, and was not a very effective fire preventative; but it served the purpose for many years, and, doubtless, did much good.

In May, 1870, a tax was levied for the purpose of erecting a building for the fire department, constructing two cisterns, and to purchase a fire en- gine. Plans for the building were drafted by E. T. Bogardus, and com- prised an engine house, town hall and station house in one structure. The contracts were let in August, 1870, to erect said building on North Main street. D. P. Stevenson was given the carpenter work, at $2,769.96; Am- brose Burkhart the masonry, at $3,000; and Dennis Kelly the painting, at $156. Charles V. Lunney was awarded the contract to build the two cisterns for $900, and Earhart Bloom the iron work for the prison cells for $477. After the building was up, the Council concluded that the fire department was not sufficient for the wants of the town, and, in May, 1871, appointed Asher Letson, Charles Brumm and F. T. Schrader a committee to pur- chase a steam fire engine. The engine, hose and hose carriage were bought of the Silsby Manufacturing Company, Seneca Falls, N. Y., for the sum of $7,850, and, June 22, 1871, John W. Born was appointed Engineer of " Simon Kenton, No. 1," the name given to the new engine. In July, Mr. Born resigned, and Louis Hoofnagle succeeded him, while James Young was appointed Chief Engineer. In July, 1883, a new horse hose-reel, pur- chased of E. B. Preston & Co., Chicago, Ill., was added to the department, at a cost of $650. The construction of the water-works has rendered the presence of engines almost useless at the majority of fires in such towns as Kenton, but even yet they can be often used to good advantage.

During the summer of 1882, the interior of the city building was re- modeled and finished. Prior to that time, the Council had no permanent place of meeting, but their new chamber is not only large and well venti- lated, but creditably furnished. Much credit is due Dr. A. W. Munson, who began and supervised this improvement until completed. The Mayor's office, council chamber, city prison and engine-house are all located in this building, which is a large, two-storied brick, solidly built and well finished. Everything around the building bears the impress of solidity, care and cleanliness, reflecting credit upon the officials in charge.

CEMETERIES.

At the time that Kenton was laid out, a small lot was reserved in the northeast corner of the original plat, now occupied by the residences of Metellus Thomson and George R. Moore. It was, however, never used for burial purposes, but a subscription was taken up, soon after the location of the county seat, and 1 92-100 acres purchased of Jacob H. Houser, located on

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East Franklin street, near the suburbs of the town. The land was partly donated by Mr. Houser, he receiving $20 subscribed by those then residing here. When the ground was selected and surveyed, in which work Daniel Barron assisted, a contention arose as to whose name the deed should be made out in; the Methodists claiming that their church, being the only one then organized, ought to have the title in the name of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Others objected to this, and the ground was deeded to the County Commissioners, who subsequently deeded it back to the Trustees of Pleasant Township. On the 20th of July, 1834, the first interment, was made here, viz., Maria, the infant daughter of Robert McCloud, whose headstone may yet be seen in the northeast corner of the ground. The cemetery was then covered with the primitive forest; a rude wagon track wound through the timber, and so little was known of its exact location, that Mr. Houser had to go with Mr. McCloud for the purpose of pointing it out. This graveyard was used until the purchase of the present cemetery, in 1854, though many interments have occurred there since that date. It now presents a neglected appearance, weed-covered graves and broken headstones denoting little thought of the silent sleepers beneath, who are, seemingly, forgotten in the strife and turmoil of life.

Soon after the old graveyard was platted, the Methodist Episcopal Church bought the point of land between Columbus and Carroll streets, at the eastern terminus of the latter, and laid it out for a cemetery. This was used for several years, when it was abandoned and the Methodists buried their dead in the public ground. Most, if not all, of the bodies were sub- sequently removed, the land sold, and it is now covered with private resi- dences.

Grove Cemetery Association .- On the 17th of August, 1854, Hugh Let- son, Daniel Barron, Samuel Smith, Samuel Campbell, David Snodgrass, David Thomson, George Fry, William Cary, Day Pugh, James S. Robinson, James Bain, William L. Walker, C. H. Gatch and others met at the court house for the purpose of forming a cemetery association, with Hugh Let- son in the chair, and Samuel Smith, Secretary. The persons present formed themselves into a corporate body, to be known as " Grove Cemetery Asso- ciation," and elected the following Board of Trustees: David Thomson, Day Pugh, Luther Damon, William Cary and James Bain, with C. H. Gatch as Clerk of the Board. On the 24th of August, 1854, William Cary and David Thomson were appointed a committee to purchase of William Dodds ten acres of land located one mile east of Kenton, between the Mar- ion and Marseilles pikes, at a price not exceeding $50 per acre. The com- mittee bought the ground, and the Board ratified said purchase, September 12, 1854. Edward T. Bogardus drew a plan of the cemetery, which was adopted October 2, 1854, and the first sale of lots took place on the 12th of the same month. By-laws, for the government of the association, previous- ly drafted by Col. A. Root, Samuel Smith and C. H. Gatch, were adopted December 2, 1854, and, on the 4th of January following, William Cary was chosen Treasurer.

There now occurs a break in the records from February 1, 1855, to April 4, 1864. We understand that the association elected its Trustees regular- ly, and that it was in active existence during this time, but as there were no minutes kept of its transactions, we are unable to tell who these Trust- ees were. On the latter date, a meeting was held, with James Bain in the chair, and G. A. Stewart, Secretary. Three Trustees were elected, viz .. B. R. Brunson, W. F. Damon and Lazarus Zugschwert; William Cary, Treas-

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

urer; William C. Ross, Clerk and Superintendent of Cemetery. In the fall of 1864, land was purchased for a roadway, on the west line of the ceme- tery, running from the Marion to the Marseilles pike; and Charles Kauf- man, by order of the board, made a new plat of the cemetery. In April, 1865, Lazarus Zugschwert succeeded himself as Trustee; W. F. Damon was his own successor in April, 1866; B. R. Brunson was again chosen in 1867; Lazarus Zugschwert in 1868; W. F. Damon in 1869; B. R. Brunson in 1870; William C. Ross in 1871; D. J. Mentzer in 1872. William C. Ross served as Clerk of the Board from April, 1864, up to July, 1872, while William Cary was Treasurer of the association from its organization until its transfer to the corporation of Kenton in 1874. From the 4th of April, 1864, up to the time of said transfer-excepting from April until October, 1872, when D. J. Mentzer was President-B. R. Brunson held the Pres- idency of the board, and was the leading spirit in beautifying and enlarg- ing the cemetery. The association was re-organized October 17, 1872, and B. R. Brunson, D. J. Mentzer and J. A. Rogers were elected Trustees, and re-elected October 18, 1873. Upon the re-organization, Thomas Espy was chosen Clerk of the Board, and served in that capacity until the town took control of the cemetery. On the 16th of April, 1873, twenty-five acres of land lying east of the graveyard were purchased of Misses Martha and Sarah Glenn, for the sum of $3,600. It extended from the north line of the old ground south to the Marion pike. Early in 1874, Grove Cemetery was transferred to the Corporation of Kenton, the association again re-organized, and, in April of that year, the following Trustees were elected for three, two and one years respectively: D. J. Mentzer, J. A. Rogers and B. R. Brun- son. The latter succeeded himself in April, 1875, but soon afterward removed to Indianapolis, and William Gillmore was appointed to fill vacancy until the next election. From that time up to the present, the following Trustees have been chosen: April, 1876, J. A. Rogers and William Gillmore; April, 1877, D. J. Mentzer; April, 1878, William Gillmore; April, 1879, Dorr White; April, 1880, D. J. Mentzer; April, 1881, Asher Letson; April, 1882, Joseph Ichler; April, 1883, D. J. Mentzer. The term of service being three years, and the office rotary, but one Trustee is chosen each year, unless a vacancy should occur, through death, resignation or removal. Dr. J. A. Rogers was Clerk of the board from April, 1874, until April, 1879, when he was succeeded by Dorr White, the present incumbent. In Feb-

ruary, 1879, the Trustees bought five acres of William Schrader, lying im- mediately south of the Catholic Cemetery, which was purchased by that church in 1872. In September, 1882, another lot of five acres was added, thus making forty-five acres in one body, besides St. Mary's Cemetery, which is located between the north and south portions of Grove Cemetery. Twelve acres and a half were sold off the eastern part in February, 1883, leaving Grove Cemetery with thirty-two and one-half acres, mostly laid out in handsome lots, many of which contain beautiful monuments, mark- ing the last resting-place of those who sleep in this " city of the dead."

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE LEADING PAST AND PRESENT MANUFACTURING INTERESTS OF KENTON- FLOUR MILLS-KENTON FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS-SAW AND WOOLEN MILLS-COOPER SHOP AND STAVE FACTORY- BREWERIES -CARRIAGE AND WAGON SHOPS-MARBLE WORKS-PORK PACKING HOUSE-PLAN- ING, SCROLL MILLS AND LUMBER YARDS-TANNERIES-IRON FENCE COMPANIES-SCIOTO STRAW BOARD COMPANY-KEN- TON GAS COMPANY-KENTON WATER WORKS COMPANY- DICKSON'S GRAND OPERA HOUSE- BANKS-TELE- GRAPH, TELEPHONE AND EXPRESS OFFICES- THE SCIOTO IMPROVEMENT-HOTELS - DESCRIPTIVE REVIEW OF KENTON IN 1:83-CONCLUSION.

D URING the first years in the history of Kenton, little was done toward building up its manufacturing interests. It is true that many of the early settlers brought with them to their new homes in the wilderness, bor- dering the Scioto, a knowledge of the most useful trades, and some of them began at once to manufacture, on a small scale, those articles which the pio- neer times demanded. We find that William Furney and Emi P. Hurd opened blacksmith and repair shops; James Elam and Luther Damon made furniture, the former being soon succeeded by James Faught and Emanuel Shoard; Andrew Barnes and Hugh Letson were the pioneer tailors; Rob- ert B. Truman began to make boots and shoes; Robert Smith, Ezra I. Williams, James Scott, James Johnson and James Moffat followed the car- penter business; Jacob Pine manufactured brick; William Ferguson oper- ated a tan yard; and John Kaiser carried on the hatting trade, making to order the head gear of the pioneers. Doubtless a few others were for a time engaged in ministering to the wants of the settlers by plying some of the trades; but the names given are those best remembered by the few pio- neers or their descendants who are yet left to tell the story of those early days. The reader will bear in mind that, with the passing years, some fac- tories, or rather shops, have come and gone, leaving no impress upon the minds of the citizens, and giving little or no impetus to the town in their fleeting career. It is not our intention to speak of such, but only to men- tion those that proved a boon to the pioneers or have done most during the past and present in enhancing the wealth, growth and prosperity of Kenton.

Ross Grist Mill .- In 1833-34, Col. John Ross settled on a farm north of Kenton, where he lived until about 1839 or 1840, when he erected a two- story frame grist mill, 30x40 feet, on the northeast corner of Wayne street and the alley immediately north of G. R. Moore's residence. It had two run of buhrs, was operated by horse-power and was one of those primitive concerns that did the grinding for the pioneers ere the more modern mills were built. Most of the early settlers in this vicinity patronized the "old Ross Mill," carrying their small grists of corn or wheat on horseback, and often waiting until it was ground, so that the little ones who were anxiously

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

wishing for a corn cake or biscuit might be made happy. This mill was run till 1849-50, when the machinery was taken out, and it is now used as a residence, though much resembling " the haunted house of old."

Snow Cloud Mills .- In 1844, John Espy erected a frame distillery on the site of the " Snow Cloud Mills," which stands on South Main street, near the north bank of the Scioto River. He operated this distillery over a year before he erected the flour mill, having his grinding done at the old Ross Mill on Wayne street. In 1846, the present "Snow Cloud Mills " were built by Mr. Espy and operated by him in connection with the dis-

tillery, until 1854, when he sold out to James Davis. The engines and. boilers of this mill were hauled with teams from Mount Vernon, Ohio, and it is said to have been the first steam flour mill of Hardin County. In 1849, the boilers were taken out and used as chimneys until 1881, and sold for old iron in the winter of 1882-83. After Mr. Davis, several parties owned the property, but, in the spring of 1881, Thomas Espy purchased the interest of George Leighton, and, during the summer, remodeled the whole concern. He, however, left in the old machinery which his father had put there during his ownership, and the same old engine, purchased in 1846, still furnishes the power for grinding. The distillery ceased opera- tions about the close of the war. The mill is now owned by Conrad Ochs, is three stories high, and has a capacity of thirty-five barrels every twenty- four hours.

Kenton Mills .- In 1866, John Espy and William Ochs began the erection of a four-storied frame flouring mill on the northwest corner of Main and Walnut streets. It is 56x66 feet, with a brick engine room 25x50 feet. Espy & Ochs operated this mill till 1868, when Mr. Espy sold his interest, and soon afterward his son Thomas assumed his place in the firm. Thomas Espy and William Ochs ran the mill until the incorporation of the " Kenton Milling Company," February 5, 1880, who have since operated the concern in connection with the "Espy Mills." In the spring of 1882, the complete Hungarian roller process was put into the mill, which has now a capacity of 125 barrels every twenty- four hours.

Espy Mills .- In the fall of 1878, John Espy bought a site for a new mill on the southwest corner of Detroit and Walnut streets, a portion of which was occupied by the woolen mill. Mr. Espy arranged his plans for the erection of the structure, but ere they were carried into effect he was taken sick and died. In the spring of 1879, Thomas Espy took up his father's unfinished work, and erected the fine brick building known as the "Espy Mills." This enterprise was operated by him until the organization of the Kenton Milling Company, February 5, 1880, Thomas Espy, Presi- dent; John C. Ochs, Secretary; Thomas Espy, William Ochs, J. F. Gram- lich, H. M. Shingle and W. B. Gramlich, stockholders, with a capital stock of $80,000. In the winter of 1882-83, the complete Hungarian roller process was put into this mill, giving it a capacity of 250 barrels every twenty- four hours. The building is four stories high, 50x80 feet, with an engine room 25x50 feet. As already mentioned, the " Kenton Milling Com- pany " operate both the Kenton and Espy Mills, employing altogether twenty-five men.

The only flouring mill, besides those already mentioned, that has ever been operated in Kenton was erected in 1848-49 on the southeast corner of Frank- lin and Mill streets, by Christopher Kautz, Peter Grassley and Michael Wolf. It was subsequently purchased by Nelson Miller, who sold it in 1852 to John Pfeiffer. A distillery was also operated in connection with this mill, and,

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after running both until 1865, Mr. Pfeiffer sold out to James M. White, who about a year afterward disposed of the property to the Schindewolf Brothers. They operated both mill and distillery until 1868, when they ceased business and sold the machinery. John Pfeiffer again became owner of the building and lot, which, in 1869, were bought by William Campbell and converted into a stave factory. The old structure was burned down in 1872-73.

Kenton Foundry and Machine Works .- In 1844, Earhart Bloom estab- lished a small foundry on the southeast corner of Main and North streets, and there, on the 3d of May, 1845, he made the castings of the first plow ever manufactured in Hardin County. In 1856, Mr. Bloom erected the present two-story brick machine shop on Main street, immediately in front of the old frame foundry. It is 26x54 feet, and here he began with eight hands to manufacture the different classes of work commonly turned out of such factories. Soon after, he built the brick foundry and blacksmith shop, 30x80 feet, on the site of the old foundry, and carried on the business un- til June, 1877, when he sold out the machinery and furnishings to Lewis Bloom, John W. Born and David Newcomb, under the firm name of Bloom, Born & Co. In 1878, the new firm erected a one-story brick office and en- gine room. They manufacture brick presses, field rollers, sawing machines, etc., employ ten hands and do an annual business of $15,000, a large part of their trade being repairing.

Saw Mills. - John G. Ott and Peter Grassley erected a steam saw-mill in 1841-42, on East Columbus street, nearly opposite the new school build- ing, which they ran several years, then moved it across the Scioto River, and immediately east of Solomon Kraner's residence, on the river bank. In 1854, it was removed to North Washington, and there continued in opera- tion for many years. This was, doubtless, the first saw-mill operated in Kenton, and must have supplied a long felt want in this vicinity.

In 1845-46, Dr. U. P. Leighton built two saw-mills on the south bank of the Scioto River. The first one was located on the site of the water- works reservoir, and the other at the north end of the old fair ground, where a dam was constructed across the river. He ran these mills for six years or more, but they proved a financial loss to him, and after renting one to B. R. Brunson for a short time, both were abandoned and subse- quently torn down. The experiment demonstrated the fact that water mills did not pay in this vicinity, and that they could not successfully compete with those operated by steam. In 1847, James Faught built a steam saw- mill on the south bank of the old channel of the Scioto, and immediately east of where Detroit intersects Espy street. It passed into the hands of John P. Holliday, who sold it to John Espy in 1854. Mr. Espy ran it about twelve years, when he disposed of it to William Sheppard. He con- tinued to operate the mill for a couple of years, when it ceased business and was subsequently torn down.

Hiram Kettle, A. N. Kettle and C. H. Curl, under the firm name of H. & A. N. Kettle & Co., built a frame saw-mill south of the Scioto River, be- tween the Round Head pike and the Indianapolis, Bloomington'& Western Railroad, in March, 1873. This firm ran the mill until 1879, when C. H. Curl became sole proprietor. In 1880, Kallison Collins obtained an inter- est, and the firm of Curl & Collins has since carried on the business. They buy native hard woods, employ sixteen hands, and their sales average $12,000 per annum. The works contain saw, planing and scroll machin- ery and do a fair share of the business in their line.

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Kenton Woolen Mills .- About 1846-47, Gilbert Seamon erected a woo. en mill on the south side of North street, between Main and Detroit. He afterward added a planer to the mill, which was the first operated in Kenton. After remaining here about ten years, he built the "Kenton Woolen Mills " on South Detroit street. In 1878, these mills were pur- chased by John Espy for the purpose of getting a site for the present Espy flouring mill. The woolen mills were in operation until 1882, when they were closed and have not been running since that time. The property is owned by the "Kenton Milling Company," and will, doubtless, be opened whenever the markets will justify the manufacture of woolen goods in this locality. The machinery, however, is old, and would require considerable - financial outlay ere it could successfully compete with the more modern constructed mills.

Cooper Shop .- In 1851, George Kane purchased the old Methodist Episcopal Church which stood on the southeast corner of Ohio and Wayne streets, and began the manufacture of barrels, buckets, and all classes of cooper work. He ran it about a year, then sold out to William Campbell. The old frame structure was burned down in the fall of 1879, and, the fol- lowing year, Mr. Campbell erected the present brick shop on the old site, where he employs seven hands.

Stave Factory .- In 1869, William Campbell purchased the building on the southwest corner of Franklin and Mill streets previously used as a flouring mill and distillery. He fitted it up for a stave factory and occu- pied it in the manufacture of staves until the fire of 1872-73 destroyed the building and machinery. He immediately built the present factory, 40x80 feet, with an engine room 20x40 feet. It is the first and. only stave factory ever established in Kenton, covers a quarter of a block, gives employment to twelve hands, and the annual sales average over $20.000.

Breweries. -- In 1851, Joshua Holzwarth erected a frame brewery on West Franklin street and ran it until 1858, when he sold out to Francis Quis. Soon after, John Steiner became a partner in the business, and sub- sequently Henry Meyer bought the interest of Mr. Quis. In 1864, Philip Fisher and Fred Rost purchased the brewery of Steiner, who had become sole proprietor, and, after some four or five years' partnership, Fisher bought out Rost. He continued to operate the brewery during the succeeding two years, but, in the meantime, began the erection of another brewery some dis- tance west of the old one. Before it was finished, he took in Joseph Wolf as a partner, and, together, they ran the business for about three years, when Fisher sold his interest to Jacob Meyers. It was operated by Wolf & Meyers until the death of the latter, which dissolved the partnership. The brewery has not since been operated by Mr. Wolf, but Lentz & Roffer made beer there about three years, also Knox & Sturtz, one year. The building is still owned by Mr. Wolf and occupied by G. M. Wagner as a pop factory. After Mr. Fisher disposed of his interest to Jacob Meyers, he built a small brewery on the north bank of the Scioto River, just south of Young's lum- ber yard, which has been owned and operated since 1876 by Anthony Kayser, who erected the two-story brick addition, after coming into possession of the property.

Carriage and Wagon Factories. - In 1845, Harris Pool started a small shop on the corner of Franklin and Cherry streets, which he ran until 1849, at which time he went to California, and his brother Wilham suc- ceeded him in the business, another brother, John, subsequently becoming a partner. In 1858, they erected a part of the present factory. on the

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southwest corner of Franklin and Wayne streets, which has been enlarged through the passing years whenever the growth of business demanded more room. In 1867, Theodore Schrador obtained an interest in the firm, and under the name of Schrador & Pool, began the manufacture of light work. In 1871, Mr. Schrador retired from the firm, which then became Pool Brothers, and has so remained up to the present. The main factory is a two-story brick, 33x100 feet, with a frame show-room, 25x33 feet. Twelve hands are employed in this factory, and their annual sales of new work average about $7,000.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 59

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