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CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 463 CHAPTER XXXIII RUMLEY TOWNSHIP BOUNDARY—TOPOGRAPHY - POPULATION - ORGANIZATION — EARLY SETTLEMENT—RAILROADS-VILLAGES. Rumley Township on the northern boundary of Harrison County, is bounded on the north by Carroll County, on the east by German Township, on the south by Archer and a small section of German Township, and on the west by North Township. It is four and one- half miles from north to south and five miles from east to west. There are many small streams hardly large enough to be dignified by a name on the map, but of much value, beauty and utility to the dwellers of the township. Among the larger of these streams may be named Alder Lick Fork. POPULATION While the present United States census returns are not made public at this time, it may be stated that in 1890 the population was 1,368 ; in 1900 it was 1,586 and in 1910 it was 1,562. The latest census, that of 1920, gives the township's population as 1,416. ORGANIZATION This civil township was organized in March, 1833, when the subdivisions of Harrison County were bounded and described as they stand today. For these more than four score years the people residing in this part of the county have been fully abreast with the times in which they have lived, labored and achieved in trying to build well and worthily in both township and county government. EARLY SETTLEMENT Before 1814 the following had settled in Rumley Township: Samuel Buchanan, 1806, from Washington County, Pennsylvania ; David Custer, 1811: Emanuel Custer, 1812, from Allegheny County, Maryland; George Custer, 1804, from Fayette County, Pennsylvania ; Andrew Hendricks. 1812, from Allegheny County, Maryland ; John and Joseph Hendricks, 1813, from Somerset County, Pennsylvania ; Adam Kimmel, 1813; Leonard Kimmel, 1807, from Somerset County, Pennsylvania: John Lowmiller, 1808, from Pennsylvania ; Joseph McLain. 1812, from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania ; John Miller, 1806, from Frederick County, Maryland; Abraham Noffsker, 1806; Abraham Pittenger, 1813, from New Jersey ; John Rough, 1812; Jacob Turney, 1813. 463 464 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES THE VILLAGE OF JEWETT The village of Jewett is situated in the southeastern portion of Rumley Township, on both the Pennsylvania and Lake Erie and Wheeling Railroad lines. It was platted by John Stahl and first called "Fairview." It was platted January, 1852, filed for record January 9th. It was incorporated as a village in April, 1886—see municipal history later in this chapter. The population of this place at various United States census periods has been as follows: In 1900 it was 748; in 1910 it was 917 and official returns for the 1920 census enumeration gives it 852. Jewett is the home village and community of many of the early pioneers of Harrison County, the descendants of whom still reside there and important factors in a social and business way. The churches and lodges, each having interesting history, will be treated in special chapters on these subjects for the entire county-see elsewhere. COMMERCIAL INTERESTS It is not always an easy matter to determine just who were the first to engage in various business lines in any given village or city, but from the best memory of old settlers and native-born citizens in Jewett, it is believed that the business has been carried on chiefly as follows : The pioneer general dealer was probably Jacob Richey, who established a general merchandise store there before the Civil war period and is well remembered by men now living who were born in the county. He was still in trade in the sixties. Other early dealers in general merchandise were: J. C. Booth, Buchanan & Anderson, then John Reed, after which the business was carried on by Buchanan alone, then by H. F. Wilson, who was succeeded by Spence & Sawvel, which firm is now known as Spence, Roberts & Co. James A. McKee is a general merchant today also. In the grocery trade the present business of B. Frank Thompson was established by C. H. Thompson, then C. S. Beetham, then as Thompson Brothers, but at present is known as the store of B. Frank Thompson. Another firm doing a grocery business in Jewett is that of A. L. Purviance, which was first operated by M. L. Hauck followed by George Harriman. Other present-day grocers are : S. V. Host, Howell Brothers, the "Greek-American" grocery and fruit store which was established in the winter of 1919-20 by a Grecian. The present bakery business is in the hands of Orr Brothers, who also carry a supply of family groceries. The restaurant of Jewett is conducted near the depot by George Traylor and he also conducts the only hotel of the village. J. A. Copeland, however, runs a rooming house, sometimes known as the second hotel of the village. The hardware trade is in the hands of R. M. Harding, who succeeded his father, John Harding; the other present dealer is the firm of Stewart Brothers. CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 465 In the line of furniture it may be said that the first real furniture dealer of the place was M. Kersell, who was followed by W. S. Vasbinder, merged into Mikesell & Vasbinder, followed by H. W. Porter, who also carries on the undertaking business of the village. The above were all undertakers as well as furniture dealers. The banking of Jewett is conducted by the State Bank, a history of which appears in the chapter on banks and banking in this volume. This was founded as a private bank in 1898, by R. W. Reed and others. The millinery business is in the hands of two sisters, Miss Zoo McMannis and Mrs. Johnson. The phyicians are Drs. W. L. England and A. C. Grove. The dentist of the community is Dr. Frank Dennis. A creamery and ice cream plant is conducted by a home stock company, and is managed by Charles McMannis. The "village blacksmiths" are now R. L. Braden and a Mr. Lightell. The shoe repairing business is conducted by Albert Hauck and R. Henry Toner. A small, but most excellent machine shop is operated at Jewett by William Lucas. An automobile garage is run by Hennis & Lappan. Meat Markets—I. A. Stewart and Howell Brothers. Ice—This commodity is now being supplied by the creamery and is usually shipped in from outside points ; at one time the village had a fair sized ice house. The barbers of the place at present are J. F. Hosterman and; Charles Snyder. Pool halls are operated by J. M. Hanna and Charles Snyder. The feed store is conducted by J. H. Devore and he also buys grain in a small way. Tombstone and monumental work is executed by J. A. Copeland. The enterprising druggist of Jewett is Doctor England. An excellent flouring mill, propelled by a gas engine, furnishes a good quantity as well as a fine quality of family flour. At first this was a steam mill built by Uriah Simmons and was of the old- time mill-stone type of mill. It was changed to a "roller process" mill by Lucas Brothers, and its present proprietor, Ross Thompson,, changed from steam to gas engine power. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT April, 1886, Jewett became an incorporated "village" under the Ohio law. The original mayor was S. R. Devore and the first clerk was C. W. Reed. The list of mayors is as follows: S. R. Devore, J. R. Roberts, John A. Roberts, R. W. Reed, John C. McMannis, W. K. Haverfield, C. Totten, R. W, Reed, three terms ; J. C. Landkrohn, six months ; J. A. Copeland, present mayor. The various persons holding the office of village clerk have been : Messrs. C. W. Reed, J. P. Stewart, A. Hauck, J. O. McGrew and present clerk, T. N. Osborn. 466 - CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES The 1920 village officers are as follows : Mayor, J. A. Copeland; clerk, T. N. Osborn; treasurer, W. E. Roberts ; marshal, E. E. Salmon; health officer, Dr. W. L. England; councilmen, J. A. McKee, John Devore, E. L. Sawvel, H. W. McNamee, E. H. Collins and David Hosterman. Jewett has had a water-work system provided after a unique plan. Many years ago, a few of the citizens of the village conceived the idea of conducting the water from a fine spring on the hillside within the limits of the village, to a point at the foot of the hill and on the main street. From this pipe a few residents got permission to tap this pipe and convey water to their own houses. Years passed and as the supply of water was needed in other portions of the place, others were allowed to connect up with this pipe. Finally a few men got control by legal permission and they improved the system to a certain extent, and supplied the village with its water for a small amount yearly. But for the last five or six years the village government again took control of the water interests of the place and in 1918 bonds amounting to $30,000 were voted for the establishing of a regular modern system by which numerous drive wells are being sunk and have been sunk by which an inexhaustible supply of water is obtained. The people of this village are supplied at present with gas light and gas heat by the American Gas Company, who have recently doubled the rates on their commodity. COAL MINING An excellent grade of soft coal is found lying all around this village. It has been mined by drifting in to the hillsides from away back to an early date. While some coal is now being shipped in for home consumption, yet most of the coal used is produced from home mines. It cannot be classed among the "mining towns" of the county, however. RAILROAD INTERESTS The railway interests of this village are great and of late growing to be more than ordinary in their scope. The railways are the "Pennsylvania" lines and the Wheeling & Lake Erie. The latter are now in the midst of making large changes at the village of Jewett, and vast improvements are being planned for the near future. They have already secured a strip of land more than one mile in length adjoining the village platting and will put in scores of side tracks on this land, also large machine shops for division purposes. Just what the nature of these proposed improvements will be, no one but those on the "inside" of railroad circles can even conjecture The Pennsylvania railroad was constructed through Jewett in 1853 and one of its officers was named T. L. Jewett, for whom an early locomotive on this road was named, also the village bears his name today. The Cadiz branch of this system was completed to Cadiz in 1854. CARROLL AND HARRISON COUNTIES - 467 THE POSTOFFICE Jewett postoffice is now a third class postoffice—was made such under Postmaster McMannis. It is equipped with all postal facilities and departments the money order, savings department, parcel post, etc., with three rural free delivery routes extending out from the village into the surrounding country. The carriers on these routes are veterans, two having served from the establishment of the routes eighteen years ago, while the other carrier has been in service for fourteen years. Their names are James Harriman, route one ; J. Lee Mikesell, route two ; Harry E. Thompson, route three. The building in which the office is kept is leased to the government, commencing in 1909. The property belongs to the Jewett State Bank. The following have served as postmasters at this point since the establishment of the postoffice: B. P. Scott, 1860-63 ; James Aiken, 1863-67; Philip Jolley, 1867-70; George Wirt, 1870 ; Dr. McGuire, N. B. Winnings, A. O. Arbaugh, commenced in 1884; Dr. W. L. England, 1888-92 ; A. O. Arbaugh, four years, and was succeeded by J. C. McMannis who held office eighteen years, and was succeeded August, 1915, by present postmaster, A. O. Arbaugh. GENERAL APPEARANCE To the stranger who chances to pass through the village of Jewett the place indicates thrift and sobriety, and a clean, neat village wherein are to be seen numerous well-built business houses and many fine "homelike" residences, the homes of pioneers and their children and grandchildren, with occasionally a few new corners to the place, but each and all, seem intent on doing all in their power to make a good village. NEW RUMLEY What is known as New Rumley, situated in section 4 of this township, was platted by Jacob Custer, August 16, 1813. It has hence been known for more than a century as a country village of Harrison County. It was in this neighborhood that was born the famous cavalrymen and Indian fighter, General Custer, of whom mention is made in this work. |