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THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. The organization of the Reliance Fire Engine, Hook and Ladder, and Hose Company took place at the court house Friday evening, September 20, 1872. Officers were elected and preparations made. On November 4, 1872, the city was divided into four fire wards, Court street being the dividing line. The first ward composed that portion of the city lying north of Court street and east of Fayette ; the second ward consisted of the territory lying north of Court and west of Fayette; the third occupied that part of the city lying south of Court and west of Fayette; and the fourth comprised the remainder of the corporation lying south of Court and east of Fayette. Great changes have been wrought in the city and its territory since then. The present fire company is among the good ones of cities of the class in which Washington C. H. is placed. It has seen many fires and been active and always on the alert for the firebugs and their work. At present the crew consists of Chief Gig Paul, who has been in service for the last twenty years and who is the right man in the right place. His assistants are Lem Mayo, Ernest Rodgers and Earl Leach. One team is kept by the city for the use of the department, and in December, 1913, the city purchased a splendid 352 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Ahrens-Fox automobile fire truck of the celebrated makers at Cincinnati, the expense being ten thousand dollars. It is a splendid modern piece of firefighting machinery, and at the fire alarm is on the scene of the fire in wonder fully quick time. It carries a large amount of hose, and has as its chief feature an excellent pump capable of forcing water over the top of the Goddess of Liberty on the dome of the court house if occasion should demand so great a force. The department is equipped with one thousand eight hundred feet of new and six hundred feet of partly worn hose; also any amount of common hook-and-ladder appliances. Aside from the men named, the company is made up of citizen volunteers who act in harmony with the chief and his regular crew of firemen. There are now one hundred and forty-five fire plugs or street hydrants in use in the city. SOME EARLY-DAY COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS. April 13, 1831, by an ordinance it was required of every groceryman who desired to sell intoxicating liquors from his stock to procure a license of the town, which cost him three dollars and seventy-five cents. April 28, 1832, when the town was only a year old, as an incorporation, it was resolved that no license should be given to any person to sell liquor in the limits of the town, after July of that year. May 19, 1833, Henry Phelps, Norman F. Jones, Wade Loofborrow and Jesse Millikan were allowed nine dollars and thirty-seven cents for their interest in the fire engine "Leo," which they had purchased of W. H. H. Pinney. The same year, at an expense of thirty-nine dollars, the town built a fire engine house, eight by fourteen feet in size. In 1834 it was ordered that ten ladders be made at once for the use of the firemen. June 3, 1843, it was ordered that a levy of one mill be made for corporation purposes. March 28, 1845, it was ordered by an ordinance that it was lawful to kill any dog running at large in town for the following three months. It is not stated whether the council were given medals for this act or not. August 7, 1848, the council adopted rules and regulations for the government of Washington Fire Company, which was duly organized under the act of General Assembly, March, 1843. November 15, 1851, the mayor and recorder were instructed to grant the right-of-way through the town to the Cincinnati, Zanesville & Wilmington railroad, the same to run on the north side of East street.
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 353 In 1852 the tax levy was raised to three mills on a dollar. The same year an. ordinance was passed prohibiting the sale of intoxicating drinks in the town. December 2, 1852, one thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars were ordered paid to a Cincinnati firm for the fire-engine, hose, reel and hose carriage. William Burnett was also paid twenty-five dollars for bringing the fire-engine from Cincinnati by wagon. In March, 1855, another liquor prohibition ordinance was passed, but, owing to the courts saying it conflicted with a state law, it was never enforced. July 16, 1858, an ordinance was passed prohibiting the flying of kites within the town, the penalty being a fine of not less than fifty cents and not over five dollars. The boy of today would certainly rebel, on the ground of conflicting with his "personal liberty." As late as 1863 they had to have an ordinance to prevent the running at large of swine in the streets of this town. In 1868 it was unlawful to be a vagrant in the town, and the act of prostitution came in under the same head and subject to the same fine. In 1870 the council passed an ordinance prohibiting the stores and shops from opening on the first day of the week—Sunday, commonly known. In January, 1875, the first regular board of health was created here. May 11, 1875, an ordinance was passed permitting the :Washington Gas and Light Company to establish their works within the city. August 14, 1876, an ordinance was passed prohibiting "fast driving" in the streets. January 4, 1875, the council granted the fire company the right to purchase a steam fire-engine, in place of the old Babcock engine then in use. Union township and the city went "dry" (saloonless) in 1906 by four hundred and twenty-six majority and still remains in the dry column.. OLD TIMES. From an old issue of the Fayette County Herald the following is taken : An old friend from the country, who had lived in the county from the time of its organization, was sitting in our office the other day and looking across the street at the old Parvin building, which was made of hewed logs and weather-boarded up, noticed that the boards were torn off and the logs exposed, said that his mind was carried back sixty years or more, when the old log house was occupied by the late John Popejoy as a tavern ; and, (23) 354 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. said he, "When we youngsters used to come here to muster, we used to buy whiskey of John and pay him in Piatt shinplasters, and he would stick the currency between a crack in the logs and the mischievous young soldiers would take the same currency from its depository and buy more whiskey with it from old John." This log house was the last relic of the olden times in the town and has been long since removed. It was erected in 1811, from logs which were cut from the ground on which it stood. It was the first hotel in Washington C. H. MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES. In the early settlement of Fayette county the work of manufacturing woolen goods was all done by hand, hand-cards, the common spinning wheel and the loom, and if any fulling, it was done by the feet on the floor, The I first advance was said to have been a set of roll-cards, propelled by horse. power, introduced about the year 1814 by a Mr. Lupton, from Clinton county, Ohio. This manufactory was located in the eastern part of Washington C. H. The business was continued for some three or four years. when the machinery was sold and removed out of the county. In the year 1825 Dr. Thomas McGara and Joseph Elliott erected a building in the central part of town for the same purpose. It was limited in capacity and continued for about three years, when it was sold to Andrew Holt, who purchased a lot near the old graveyard and erected a large frame building in which to carry on the business. After running it two or three years, in about 183o, he sold it to Eber Patrick, who continued in the same place with the exception of one or two years, while it was in the hands of J. Webster, until the year 1843, when he sold the entire premises and machinery to John and William Robinson, who immediately introduced steam power. They also added fulling, dyeing and finishing. In 1832 Judge D. McLain purchased a full set of cards, with an outfit for fulling, dyeing and finishing. His building was on lot No. 5, Court street. He continued the business for five or six years and then sold out to Mr. Walker, formerly of Washington C. H., who moved the machinery to Indiana. Samuel Lydy bought one set of cards of E. Patrick and introduced steam power, probably the first in the county. In a short time it was pur. chased by Robert Robinson & Son (Henry), and was controlled by them until 1845, when the building and power were sold to Weller & Mizer for a blacksmith shop, 'and the machinery was abandoned and sold for old it FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 355 Soon after this J. and W. Robinson purchased the premises of Eber Patrick and added some spinning machinery, yet on a limited scale. In 1848 James Pursell and J. Bohrer bought the interest of William Robinson. again machinery was introduced for carding and also a new jack for spinning. In 1850 the firm was known as Pursell & McElwain. They added to the machinery and by procuring skilled workmen kept, or increased, the home manufacture. But with the growth of the county came the railroad from Cincinnati and compelled the removal of the factory. In 1855 it passed into the hands of B. Pursell and George Wherritt and was removed a to a school building on lot No. 21. In 1856 it was purchased by B. Pursell and George Easterbrook and in 1857 was sold to George Price, an experienced manufacturer. In 1861 it passed into the hands of I. C. Vandeman. The mill successively changed hands until 1880, when it was abandoned and the machinery sold and removed to Fort Scott, Kansas. What was the old distillery property was, in 1863, converted into general wood-working factory, known as the hub works, sometime known as the handle factory, by Bybee & Shoemaker. This plant stood at the foot of Court street on the creek. The first season it was operated the force of men employed was twenty-five and the monthly pay-roll was one thousand dollars. Here were produced all kinds of tool handles, such as spade hand, fork handles, hammer handles, pitchfork handles, and all kinds of hard and soft wood turning was executed. They also made wagon and buggy hubs and spokes. Some years before 1880 there had been a small stamping works here, conducted by a local man, but in that year a company was formed, comprising Daniel McLain, James Pursell, Stimpson Brothers, M. S. Sager, Mills Gardner and George Dahl. The capital stock was twenty thousand dollars. Numerous articles of metal were stamped out for the market. Heavy presses were in operation and an extensive trade was worked up in the line. The Herald of October, 1881, has this concerning the old mill : "The old mill, the first grist mill of the place, on Paint creek, known as the Millikan mill, has been running sixty-six years under the family name. It was built by Jesse Millikan, Sr., one of the pioneers of Wahsington C. H., and has been operated by some member of the Millikan family ever since 1815. For many years it was run by use of an undershot water wheel, and later an improved wheel was installed and used until 1851, when steam was introduced first in the mill, and after a number of years it was run 356 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO partly by steam and part of the time by water, but late years by steam entirely. The same engine and forty-foot boiler first employed is still in use having been in actual service thirty years. The mill has excellent machinery, and was for years operated day and night in order to keep up with the custom it had from far and near. John Millikan is now superintendent of the mill." INDUSTRIES OF 1901. The files of the newspapers disclose the following concerning the various important industries in Washington C. H. in 1901 : The J. J. Wills great lumber mills, established in 1896, running day and night to keep ahead of their orders from all sections of the ,country and for export transactions. Seventy-five workmen were constantly employed and from thirty to fifty car loads of lumber were shipped out each month. Only the best and finest grades were shipped. The same company also operated an immense chair factory Which used up the smaller, but none the less valuable, pieces of lumber here cut. Here the annual output was immense. One hundred and ten men were employed in the chair factory alone. This factory was burned in May, 1900, at a loss of fifty thousand dollars, but was rebuilt again. The Wonder Stove Factory was in operation and produced many kinds grades and sizes of heating stoves. The annual output was twenty-five thousand dollars. Sixty men were constantly employed in these stove works. The Washington Milling Company, by 0. E. and W. W. Gwinn. were making three hundred and fifty barrels of family flour daily. They also operated their immense grain elevator in connection with their mills. The Ludlow Soap Factory, owned and operated solely by Hon. Mills Gardner, was among the great industries of that day. The Washington Ice Company, producing artificial ice, had a capacity of fifteen tons daily. They stored seven hundred tons for reserve stock for summer use. Clarence Baer was then manager. The Washington Mitten Factory was in full blast and their product went all over the central Western states. White Brothers' shoe factory was then running, successfully. Also Rachel's carriage factory and two firms were doing an immense business in the manufacture of farm and garden fertilizers. These were M. Hamm & Company and the Dahl, Miller Company. The Smead hot water heating plant was then in its infancy and a much-talked-of concern and interested the public generally. Col. Isaac D. Smead was the inventor and owner of the concern. FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 357 The Washington Machine Shops were doing a large business. Another great industry, in its line, is the canning factory, where immense quantities of corn, etc., are annually canned and placed on the general markets of the world. This has been in operation a number of years. re have been several organized corporations in this factory, but a organization was effected in 1912, better than ever before. The capital and prime movers in this factory were capitalists from Circleville. In the canning season, which is necessarily a few weeks at most, employment is given to many men, women and young people. It is a strictly up-to-date plant, whose brand of corn is known far and wide. The original plant cost forty thousand dollars. That was sold in 1911 to Circleville capitalists. The original company were forced into the hands of a receiver and it. was sold at twenty-five thousand one hundred dollars. The packing house plant of C. H. Brownell & Sons is one of the largest in this section of Ohio, and here. tons and train loads of poultry are bought, packed and shipped to the far-away markets of the country. They have a modern plant and produce their own ice for refrigerating purposes. Unlike the ordinary packing' plant, this is clear thoroughly sanitary and throughout and is operated on a modern business system, with none but the best of help employed. Among the produce here handled may be named butter, eggs, poultry and calves. THE GREAT COMBINATION SALES STABLES. Perhaps the largest single barn , or sale-stable for live stock in all America is at Washington C. H. The company which built it was incorporated in November, 1905, with a capital of fifteen thousand dollars. Its first officers were : H. F. Dahl, president ; William Worthington, treasurer ; Charles Willard, secretary. It was designed for a public sale stable where public sale of horses, cattle and hogs might he held. It is a building one hundred by six hundred feet in dimension. The shares of stock were issued in sums of one hundred dollars each and were freely taken by home people. The structure is a favorite of the stock lovers and buyers and sellers all over Ohio. Immense sales are here had. The building is nicely heated by steam and lighted by electricity. Galleries are provided for spectators and purchasers, including the ladies. The location of this barn is at the foot of Fayette street. In 1907 the original corporation failed to agree and the company was 358 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. reorganized and is still in existence, but owned individually, carrying. On the enterprise of public stock sales. PROPOSED CAR LINES. A traction car line was proposed from Washington C. H. to Maysville, Kentucky, in 1903 and great promises were held out and work commenced, but this, like two or three other similar projects, fell through. Such a line is needed and may in time enter the city from one or more directions. The same year an attempt to secure a street car line here was made. In fact, the preliminary work was all done, several car loads of ties and steel rails were unloaded along the proposed route, which was to run from the cemetery on down throughout the city, running on different streets and having a total of four miles in the corporate limits. The Appleyard construction Company held contracts and were to have twenty-five thousand dollars for the work of completing it by July 4, 1903. Messrs. S. W. Cissus James A. McLean, J. W. Cissna Willis and Capt. E. A. Ramsey held a three-years: franchise on the line, which, however, was abandoned and never constructed. There have been numerous interurban lines projected through this part of Ohio, some of which had marked Washington C. H. as one of the point on the line, but so far nothing has materialized. NATURAL GAS PROSPECTED FOR. In 1902 there was much enthusiasm and excitement over boring for oil and natural gas in this city and other sections of the county. A company was formed with a capital of forty thousand dollars at Washington C. H. B. object was to drill for oil and gas and lay pipes in the streets for heating al lighting purposes. Several wells were sunk, including a very deep one Buena Vista. Many thousand dollars were expended, but no paying gas or oil was ever obtained and the enterprise was finally abandoned. A few rears later pipes were laid and natural gas was piped into the city from caste and southern fields, so that the city has the advantage of such natural products, for both heat and light. The Standard Oil Company secured a franchise by which these pipe lines entered the city. The Washington Gas and Electric Company was organized and incorporated May 11, 1875„ and at first they charged ten dollars per thousand cubic feet, a very exorbitant rate, but by 1901 it was lowered to one dollar and thirty cents for illuminating purposes and one dollar for cooking uses. FAYETTE. COUNTY, OHIO - 359 At first "oil-gas," made from crude oil, was used in the manufacture of the gas supplied the city. BUSINESS INTERESTS IN 1913-14. The list of business factors in Washington C. H. in the above date run as follows: Five banks (see banking chapter) and the usual number of retail and wholesale stores, with factories, etc., as follows : Washington gas and electric light plant ; Washington Milling Company; Bachert's carriage factory; Byron Sign and Mirror Works; Craig Manufacturing Company ; tile works, by James L. Dodd ; buggies, by W. B. Erskine ; hard woods and manufacture of same; Hagerty Shoe Company ; cement blocks and silo works, A. C. Henkle; Inskip Manufacturing Company; Ireland Manufacturing Company; brick-making plant, by J. E. Lamus & Company ; E. L. hiller, fertilizer factory; New Wonder Company, makers of heating stoves; mill work, by Parker & Wood; Purcell Blacking Company ; Washington Concrete Block Company ; Washington Manufacturing Company; broom factory, by J. B. York ; the artificial ice company's plant ; the Brownell Packing Company, and possibly a few more lesser concerns. Both the water works and electric lighting plants are private corporations, and have never been under municipal control or ownership, only so far as the franchises are concerned. THE WASHINGTON CEMETERY. Perhaps no one thing bespeaks More for the refinement and intelligence of any given community than to note the interest manifested by a . community in properly caring for its departed dead. This distinguishes the savage from the enlightened and civilized peoples of the earth. To see the living go weekly, monthly and annually to the silent city of the dead, and there smooth down the mounds, plant flowers and, with true affection and tenderness, make pleasing and attractive the graves of those who have been there entombed, sleeping the sleep that knows no waking, is an index of Christian civilization. Washington cemetery was platted in 1856 by Hon. James Puesell, Judge Daniel McLain, Capt. J. H. Robinson, Curren Millikan, Alfred Ogle and a few other citizens. Land was purchased of Judge McLain. First ten acres were set apart for burying ground purposes, but soon it was increased to thirty acres. It was surveyed and platted by Capt. John M. 360 - FAYETTE COUNTY; OHIO. Bell. Lots sold at from ten to forty dollars each: As soon as organized by the Washington Cemetery Association, the grounds were wisely turned by over, under lawful provisions, to the city and township, who have, through a board of trustees, ever since had charge Of the same. The first superintendent was W. B. Ely, who held the position many years and was succeeded by James Hohnes, who held it fourteen years, up to 1897. Under him the first real improvements upon these Sacred grounds was effected, Next came George Gossard, who made an enviable record in that he went about improving after the latest methods and put the grounds in most excellent condition. Now one finds one of the handsomest cemetery grounds in all Ohio, outside the very large cities. Beautiful driveways, lawns, artificial lakes, fountains, rare and beautiful shrubs, trees and flowers make the place to compare very favorably with the gloomy appearance of many another Ohio burying ground. The fountain was erected in 1892. A good stone vault for receiving purposes is here much appreciated by those who went to inter only temporarily. During the present year (104) there is being finished a spacious and massive stone structure known as the Washington Memorial, which is really a modern constructed masoleum, which is the property of a company incorporated for the purpose. The Doctor Judy Memorial is another improvement. The corner stone of this building was laid with Masonic rites in October, 1905. The address was given by Dr. J. C. Arbuckle. Hon. Mills Gardner acted as grand master, and placed the square copper casket in the stone, after the imposing Masonic ceremonies. The stone was then anointed with wine, corn and II also receiving the blessing of the grand master. In this casket were dedepoited copies of the local newspapers, the Masonic calendar, a copy of Bible, and the square and compass; Dr. Judy's diploma, a photograph and a few of his cherished relics made up the contents of the box. POSTOFFICE HISTORY. A postoffice was established at Washington C. H. in 1813 and, according to recent records furnished by the ,department at Washington, D. C. the following have served as postmasters from that day to this: Jesse Millikan, July, 1813; S. A. Smith, September, 1835; Wade Loofborrow, September 20, 1838; S. F. Yeoman, June 12, 1841; J: C. Bell, December 12, 1842; Richard Millikan, April 28, 1849; C. H. Bell, May 30, 1853, John Sanders, November 11, 1858; James F. Ely, February 28, 1859; Edgar Plumb, April 10, 1861; H. S. Robinson, April 23, 1866; T. D. McElwain,
WENDLE MAUSOLEUM, WASHINGTON CEMETERY
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 361 December 20, 1883 ; J. W. Deer; March 22, 1887 ; C. D. Smith, August 17, 1889; R. B. Palmer, August 29, 1894; J. G. Gest, January 28, 1899; John H. Cullhan, April 10, 1907, still serving. This office is of the second class; It became a free delivery office in 1891. Its first rural free delivery system to country routes became effective in 1900. Its business has greatly increased since the days of postal savings, parcel post, and other modern facilities afforded by the postoffice department. During the year ending June 30, 1914, the business of this post-office, aside from its large money order business, amounted to. $24,721.62. Postal savings deposits in October, 1914, were $815.00. Since January, 1907, the postoffice has been kept in the Soldier's Memorial Hall block on Court street. The following are the members of the office force of employes : Postmaster, John H. Culhan; deputy postmaster, Glenn B. Rodgers ; clerks, Howard C. Allen, James E. Bush, Walter W. Miller. Mary C. Pinkerton, Walter H. Robinson ; substitutes, Everett E. Corr, Charles V. Sexton. Rural carriers (October, 1914), Wheeler G. Bay, Perale Shears, John W. Wayer, William Stukey, E. E. Welsheimer, Curtis W. Roler, A. J. Thompson, E. M. Neal, H. A. Wiatt, Edward M. Ortman: substitutes, D. W. Ellis, T. A. Gray, Roy Thompson, D. E. Mershon, R. C. Mershon, Frank E. Wiatt ; city carriers, Billie E. Paul, M. M. Barrere, Logan Buzick, H. D. Smith, Robert F. Wilson ; substitutes, W. T. Bray, Harry E. Sprenger. This office is well kept under the administration of the present postmaster. Perhaps no office in Ohio is looked after in better manner. The numerous mails received and discharged every twenty-four hours are handled with dispatch. Under an order from the department, in May, 1911, the office is not required to be open on Sunday, though the lobby is open for those who may have lock boxes. An appropriation has been made for eighty thousand dollars for a United States postoffice building at this point. The site has been secured at the southeast corner of Market and Hinde streets. The grounds cost about fifteen thousand dollars, so the building will cost about sixty-five thousand dollars and is supposed to he completed in 1916. In these days of fast-flying mail trains over the various steam roads that gridiron this county, it may not come amiss to mention the fact that in 1838 Postmaster S. A, Smith, then postmaster in. Washington C. H., advertised his "mail arrangements" as follows : Eastern mail arrives every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings, and closes at 9 o'clock P. M. ; 362 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Western mails arrive every Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights; Chilicothe mail leaves every Tuesday and Friday at 12 m, and arrives Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 P. M. The mail from Washington C. H. to Decatur, via Hillsboro, leaves every Friday at 12 M., and returns every Monday at 12 M.; Columbus mail departs every Tuesday at 5 A. M., turns every Thursday at 8 P. M. THE CYCLONE OF 1885. A terrible cyclone visited Fayette county on the evening of September 8, 1885, killing six persons, injuring others and destroying property amounting in value to almost a half million dollars. This storm had its origin in Greene county and struck Fayette county in Jasper township, arriving at Washington C. H. by five minutes past eight o'clock P. M., leaving a track of devastation for the twelve miles of its pathway in this county. One writer described it as looking like a huge elephant's trunk, the lower end of which dipped down, first to the right then to the left hand. Another said it sembled "a great luminous hornet's-nest, whirling in the heavens in franti fury." Henry Howe, the noted Ohio historian, mentions this storm in language as follows : "About five minutes past eight the rain commenced falling in torrents and the storm burst upon the town with terrible roaring, amidst which could be heard the falling of walls, crashing of timbers and smashing of glass, while the earth seemed to sway and reel under the force of th discordant elements. This lasted about one minute, when the storm pass-over, but the rain continued to fall in torrents. "The entire western, southern and central parts of the town were swept by the storm and within that territory, which included the business portio very few escaped injury and loss by property destroyed. "Along the course of the storm in the county whole farms were destroyed, buildings blown down and fields mowed dean of all vegetation: corn not only blown from the stalks, but in some instances completely husked; patches of timber literally mowed down and barns and stock and stacks blown to atoms. On the farm of Jesse Bush, three miles from Washington C. H., blades of straw were found blown end-wise into trees to the depth of a half inch; in another place a piece of pine fence-board Was found with a piece of tarred roofing paper driven into it three-fourths of an inch and firmly imbedded. A train of cars standing on the bridge on the Southern Ohio railroad was blown from the track. An apple tree in the yard of FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 363 Mrs. Lou Harris, the milliner on Fayette street, was driven from two to three feet into the ground without breaking a single bough of it. A carload of tin roofing and cornice was gathered up on a farm eighteen miles distant from Washington C. H., where it was kept by dealers. "Besides these curious freaks of the great storm, illustrating the power and which are verified by thoroughly trustworthy parties, may be mentioned one of numerous cases of heroism which transpired. Miss Lucy Pine, a school teacher, was left in charge of her sister's children, two boys respectively a year and a half and three years of age. The babies had been put to bed; when the storm came up Miss Pine rushed to them and as the roof I been taken off, she leaned over the bed, receiving the weight of the fall-joist upon her back, and thus saved their lives. By pressing down the gs of the bed she was enabled to extricate them and herself from their bons position." This wind destroyed the First Baptist and Catholic churches, the massive brick chapel at the Catholic cemetery, a part of which high walls are ill standing, as left by that storm a quarter of a century ago, and may easily be seen from the railroad trains as one enters or departs from the city. It also destroyed many of the best business blocks in the city, proper. There are now placed behind glass, in a huge frame attached to the hallway of the court house, some twenty or thirty photographic views of the wreckage caused in and near Washington C. H: LAST SWEEPING CONFLAGRATION. The last great fire in the city occurred on the eve of one of the closing days on 1911, when a fire originated in the large department store of Mr. Stutson, at a point somewhere in the basement, among boxes and waste paper. It was at eight o'clock in the evening on Saturday, when the store was all aglow with lights and the busy clerks were waiting on customers. As soon as it was known that the fire was serious, all the lady clerks and others put on their wraps and headed for the streets. The home fire company did all in its power and neighboring cities were asked to assist and did so promptly, but before the fire could be checked over two hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of property, in the center of the business portion of the city, was destroyed. Fifty-six insurance companies had losses to pay, but even then the actual loss to owners was not half covered, all items of yalue counted in. A half square of business blocks was totally ruined. This section of the city included the Masonic building, Stutson's great de- 364 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. partment store, the Fayette County Hardware store, Dahl-Millikan wholesale grocery store, building and total contents, the Imperial Hotel, Judy’s building and others. The militia company was ordered out to keep the spectators, from getting too near the fire, and being injured. It was a night long to be remembered in the city. Several accidents occurred, but no deaths. Many were the heroic acts of that memorable evening. The light, inflammable materials of the department store caused that building to be consumed within a half hour, and soon thereafter the walls fell to the earth, the front falling into the street. In the stock, as well as in that carried by the hardware and wholesale grocery, there was a large amount of fireworks and ammunition, cartridges, etc., which were fired off, making bad wreckage and consternation among the people present. Floor after floor of the Masonic building fell in and with that was the loss of much valuable secret society prope and office fixtures of business and professional men. Among the ammunition were seventy-five thousand rounds of cartridges. Where stood those buildings, within a year or so were reared latter be and more nearly fire-proof structures, so today the passerby would not know of that awful fire of 1911. PUBLIC LIBRARY. The Carnegie public library at Washington C. H. is another one of the institutions of the place that the people take a just pride in. It was. made possible through the gift of Andrew Carnegie, of Pittsburg. Prior to the founding of this permanent library the city only had a small circulating library. Agitation was first begun in 1899 and efforts were made to induce the great library giver to aid in furnishing such an institution for this city. In 1901 the following letter was received from his agent in New York City "A. S. Ballard, Esq., Washington Court House, Ohio : "Dear Sir—Replying to your letter—if the city of Washington will provide a suitable site and pledge itself by resolution of council to support a free library at a cost of $1,200 a year, Mr. Carnegie will be pleased to provide a $12,000 room for a free library. "Respectfully, "JAMES BERTRAM, "P. Secretary." FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 365 The proposition was at once accepted and the building was constructed after the usual Carnegie plans for libraries in cities of this class. It stands on the Corner of North and East streets. The president of the library board the time was Col. B. H. Millikan. The Jenkins lots were secured of at a two thousand eight hundred dollars. This is a valuable property is handsomely supported by a small annual tax levied on all taxable in the city. Its total cost was twenty-five thousand dollars. In 1904, when it was thrown open to the public, it contained four thousand five hundreds volumes. In the autumn of 1914 it had six thousand volumes and numerous magazines. etc., additional. The board was then made up as follows: President, Earl Barnett ; treasurer, Miss Gertrude Gardner ; secretary, Hitchcock ; Miss Florence Ustick, D. Chaffin. The librarians have been, since the present library was opened, Miss Kate M. Dixon, Corene Metz, Bessie B. Kerr and the present efficient librarian, Miss Mary Elizabeth Johnson, who entered upon her duties February 9, 1914. BIOGRAPHICAL
MORRIS SHARP. The success of men in business or any vocation depends upon character as well as upon knowledge, it being a self-evident proposition that honesty and uprightness is held in higher value than the opposite qualities. Business demands confidence, and where that is lacking business ends. In every community some men are known for their upright lives, strong common since and moral worth rather than for the wealth or political standing they may possess. Their neighbors and acquaintances respect them, the younger generations heed their example, and when they "wrap the drapery of their couches about them and lie down to pleasant dreams" posterity listens with reverence to the story of their quiet and useful lives. Among such men of a past generation in Fayette county was the late Morris Sharp, who was not only a progressive man of affairs, successful in material pursuits, but a man of modest and unassuming demeanor, well educated, a fine type of the reliable. self-made American, a friend to the poor, charitable to the faults of his neighbors and one who always stood ready to unite with them in every good work and active in the support of laudable public enterprises. He was a man who in every respect merited the high esteem in which he was universally held, for he was a man of public spirit, intellectual attainments and exemplary character. Morris Sharp was born in Aberdeen, Brown county, Ohio, on August 30, 1838, and was the son of Morgan and Frances (Warren) Sharp. These parents were natives, respectively, of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky. and were the parents of three children, namely : Morris, to whom this memoir is chiefly devoted ; Susanna, who married J. H. Baker. of Jamestown, and Samuel, who died in early childhood. In 1851 Morgan Sharp and his wife came to Jamestown, Greene county, Ohio, where they settled and remained some years, eventually removing to Washington C. H., where they made 368 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. their home with their son Morris until their deaths. Morgan Sharp had passed an active and strenuous life, having served as a pilot on steamboats running from Cincinnati to New Orleans for twenty-two years, during which period he lived at Aberdeen, Ohio, and Covington, Kentucky. After, 1851, for some years, he and his son Morris were engaged in the mercantile business at Jamestown. was a man of; strong character and enjoyed universal respect. Morris Sharp's paternal grandfather, Samuel Sharp, was born in 1780 and died in Jamestown, Ohio, in 1846. He and his wife, whose maiden name had been Susanna Cook, moved from Fayette county, Pennsylvania, to Brown county, Ohio, and thence to Jamestown, which was their last resting place. They were the parents of nine children, Morgan, Eliza, Thomas, Lydia, Henry, Susan, Samuel, Melissa and one who died in infancy. Susanna Cook was, on the maternal side, descended from the Copes, whose history dates back to Oliver Cope, who came from. Wilshire, England, and settled near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, locating with his wife and children, on Naaman's creek in about 1688. Morris Sharp was about nine years of age when his parents removed from Aberdeen to Covington, Kentucky, whence they went to Jamestown. Ohio, and in the schools of the latter place he received his education. Upon leaving school he became associated with his father in the mercantile business, but a few years later, on account of the failure of his health, he was compelled to change his vocation and for several years he was engaged in the banking business there, serving as cashier of the Farmers' and Traders' Bank, from 1867 to 1873. In the year last mentioned Mr. Sharp came to Washington C. H., and became cashier of the Merchants' and Traders' Bank and later president of the Commercial Bank, which he organized. He quickly be recognized here as, a man of unusual business ability and sagacity and numbered among the foremost citizens of his adopted city. He remained closely and actively identified with banking interests here up to the time of his death, which occurred on February 5, 1905, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. Besides his bank holdings, Mr. Sharp had other material interest, being the owner of extensive tracts of farm lands. His career was a long, and useful one, and although he devoted his attention primarily to his individual affairs, as is quite natural and right, he never allowed the pursuit of wealth to warp his kindly nature, but preserved his faculties and the wartmth of his heart for the broadening and helpful influences of human life, being to the end a kindly, genial friend and gentleman, with whom it was a pleasant FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 369 to associate. Through the long years of his residence in this locality ne was ever true to all trusts reposed in him and his reputation in a business way was unassailable. He commanded the respect of all by his upright life and engraved his name indelibly on the pages of Fayette county's history. His career was complete and rounded in its beautiful simplicity ; he did his full duty in all the relations of life, and he died beloved by those near to him respected and esteemed by his fellow citizens. Morris Sharp was a big man in other spheres than in the business world. He was a man of strong and honest convictions, his actions being ever the result of careful and conscientious thought, and on the great questions of the day he he took a definite stand. The cause of temperance found in him an earnest and eloquent advocate, who gave no thought to self when by his that effort the cause of temperance or prohibition could be advanced. His ability and active efforts were recognized and he was placed in nomination for the governorship by the Prohibition party. That he was a man of more than ordinary strength is shown by the statement that he polled more votes than any other candidate on the Prohibition ticket has ever received in the state of Ohio. Religously, Mr. Sharp was an earnest and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, supporting the various activities of that society and serving a great many years as superintendent of the Sunday schools in the different towns in which he lived. On October 15, 1861, Morris Sharp married Madeline Baker, who was born in Jamestown, Ohio, on the loth of December, 1838. She is the daughter of William G. and Thirza A. (Larkin) Baker, her father being a native Kentucky and her mother of Ohio. They are both deceased, Mr. Baker in dying Jamestown, Ohio, when eighty years old and Mrs. Baker at Washington C. H., at the advanced age of eighty-seven .years. Mr. Baker was of man of versatile talents, being successful as saddler, merchant and farmer. They were the parents of seven children, Mrs.. Sharp's paternal grandparents were William and Mary (Winans) Baker, who were natives of Kentucky and early settlers in Jamestown, Ohio. Their children were Mathias, Elizabeth, William, Lydia, John, Jacob, Douglas, Andrew, Mary, Hillary and George. The maternal grandparents were David and Nancy (Harper) Larkin, who came from Harper's Ferry and settled in Clark county, Ohio. They had five children, Eliza Ann, Thirza, Synthia, Perry and Oliver. Mrs. Sharp was married on the 27th of June, 1911, to Prof. William W. Davies, who is referred to specifically elsewhere in this work. She is a (24) 370 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. lady of culture and refinement, who, because of her hospitable ways, her cheerful disposition and kindly attitude towards all whom she meets, is popular in the circles in which she moves. She is an earnest supporter of all local movements for the betterment of the community and has been an effectual worker in religious and charitable fields for many years. ELI CRAIG. The life history of him whose name heads this biographical review is closely identified with the history of Fayette county, which has been practically his life-long home. He began his remarkable career in this locality in the pioneer epoch and throughout the subsequent years he has been closely allied with its interests and Upbuilding. His life has been one of untiring activity and has been crowned with a degree of success fully commensurate with his efforts. He is of the highest type of progressive citizen, and none more than he deserves a fitting recognition among those whose enterprise and ability have achieved definite and commendable results. The cause of humanity never had a truer friend than Mr. Craig. In all the relations of life—family, church, state and society—he has displayed that consistent Christian spirit, that natural worth, that has endeared him alike to all classes. His integrity and fidelity have been manifested in every relation of life, for he early learned that true happiness consisted in ministering to others. The and his influence example of such a life is always an inspiration to others, and his influence has long been felt in Fayette county, whose interests he has always had at heart and which he has done so much to promote during his active life here. Eli Craig is the scion of a long line of honorable ancestry, his forbears having been identified with the settlement and development of the Buckeye state. It is a family tradition, and probably correct, that his paternal great-grandfather was a soldier in the War' of the Revolution. The latter's son, John Craig, the subject's grandfather. was a native of New Jersey, as was his wife, Sarah Ann Cooley. After their marriage they came to Ohio, settling in the edge of Ross county, where he became a pioneer farmer, but died in young manhood. His widow passed away in middle life. They were the parents of the following children: David S., John, William, Thomas J., Thompson (who is still living, at the age of eighty-seven years) and one who died in infancy. David S. Craig, the subject's father, was but four years of age when FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 371 bought to Ohio by his parents, the family settling near Greenfield, where he grew to manhood. When five years old he began attending school and gained a good practical education. After completing his studies he learned the shoe-maker’s trade, which vocation he followed for many years. Eventually he bought a small store in Greenfield and, in connection with his regular employment, engaged in general merchandising. He was a man of versatile abilities and also learned the difficult trade of oil-cloth printing, at which he worked to some extent. Afterward he moved to Staunton, of which he was one of the first settlers, and there he carried on a successful business for some years. His death occurred there in 1869, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. From 1851 to January, 1854, he had lived in Indiana, where he ran a shoe shop and general store, but on his return to Ohio he bought out his brothers at Staunton, remaining in the business there during the remainder of his life. Later he associated with him his sons, Eli and William, under the firm name of D. S. Craig & Sons. After his death the sons continued the business under the same name until 1871, when it became Craig Brothers, with the addition of a younger brother, David H. David S. Craig married Sarah West, a native of Adams county, Ohio, and the daughter of Eli and Sarah (Guffin) West, natives, respectively, of Delaware and Kentucky. Eli West came to Fayette county, Ohio, in 1820. To him and his wife were born seven children, Elizabeth, Wesley, Amos, Sarah, Eli H., .Elsie and Spencer. To David S. and Sarah ( West) Craig were born ten children, namely : Eli, the immediate subject of this review; Williams John W., deceased ; Sarah Ann, who married William H. Rowe ; David H., of Duncan, Oklahoma ; Elizabeth J., wife of Thomas N. Craig, of Washington C. H., and four who died in infancy. The mother of these children lived twentytucfive years after the death of her husband, dying at the age of eightytucone years. Religiously, David S. Craig and his wife were originally members of the Methodist Episcopal church, hut later he and others broke away from the mother society and identified themselves with what was then known as the Radical Methodist church, now the Methodist Protestant church, in which he was licensed to preach in 184o. However, after going to Indiana he reunited with the Methodist Episcopal church, to which faith he remained loyal during the remainder of his life. Eli Craig was born near Good Hope, Fayette county, on January 10, 1833,and he was reared under the parental roof, his education being secured in the district schools of the neighborhood. At the age of thirteen years he began clerking in his father's store and remained with him for many years, 372 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. finally, as stated above, being admitted into partnership in the business. While living at Staunton he served as township treasurer and as a member of the school board, and also served as postmaster for seventeen years. Mr. Craig came to Washington C. H. in the fall of 1872 and on the day of his of his arrival he was appointed county treasurer to fill a vacancy. He discharged the duties of that office with eminent satisfaction for two years, and at the end of his official term he again engaged in the dry goods business, as a continuation of the partnership with his brothers, Williams and David H. However, so satisfactory had been his public service, that in 1878 he was, by the suffrages of his fellow citizens, again chosen to the office of county treasurer, and was re-elected in 1880. Mr. Craig has continued in the dry goods business to the present time, a period of over forty years, his sons, Thomas H. and David S., having been associated with him since 1883; During the past two years his two grandsons, Walter D. and Clarence F., also have been admitted to the firm, which is still known as Craig Brothers. The business, which is one of the oldest in Fayette county, is widely and favorably known in all parts of the county, many of the patrons of the store coming from distant parts of the county. About forty persons are on the company's payroll, which is unmistakable evidence of the extent of the business Eli Craig is a man of marked public spirit and every movement that has promised to be for the advancement of the public welfare has had his unreserved support. When the Children's Home was established he was one of its first trustees and took an active, and prominent part in the completion of that splendid institution. After about ten years' service he resigned from the board, though his interest in the home never ceased. Politically, Eli Craig was originally a Whig, but later became a ,Republican, which party he has ever since given his support. Fraternally, he is a member of Temple Lodge No. 227, independent .Order of Odd Fellows, to which fraternity he has belonged for fifty-seven years. Religiously, he has long been a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and as a trustee for over forty years. On the 17th day Of June, 1858, Eli Craig married. Mary A. Burnett and they became the parents of two sons, Thomas H. and David S. Thomas H. married Eliza 0. Pine and they have six children, Walter D., Clarence F., Mary W., Winchell, Harold and Robert. David S. married Nina Maynard and they have three sons living, Maynard, Paul S. and David S. The subject also has a great-grandson, Thomas T. Mrs. Mary Craig, who is a native of Fayette county, is the daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Bush) Burnet, FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO - 373 who were natives of Virginia and early settlers in Fayette county. They were the parents of twelve children, and after the death of his first wife the father married again, having one child by the second union. Eli Craig has reached the advanced age of more than eight decades, heaven having lengthened out his life beyond the Psalmist's allotted three score and ten until he has been permitted to witness the vicissitudes of the most remarkable epoch in the world's business and inventive history, in all of which he has been an interested spectator, and, indeed, has played no inconspicuous part in pushing forward the wheels of progress in his own locality. There is no doubt but that his long life has been due mainly to his sterling character, conservative habits and pure thinking. Even-tempered, patient, scrupulously honest in all the relations of life, hospitable and charitable, he has deservedly won a high place in the esteem and a warm place int the affections of the people with whom he has lived and mingled for so many years. JOHN H. CULHAN. No sturdier or better citizens have ever come to our shores than have is of those sone of Ireland who have made their homes in this country. Fortunate indeed is the community which receives these people and incorporates them in its body politic, for wherever they are found they are always industrious, upright and willing to do their share toward the advancement of the material and moral welfare of the community in which they reside. In the old country they learned those habits of industry which insure success, and upon their on emigration to this country they never fail to bring along these same habits which made them independent in their old home. John H. Culhan, while a native of Ohio, has all of those sterling characteristics which mark his Irish parents. He has made his own way practically since he was ten years of age and is afine type of the self-made man. He is a man of strict integrity and was built up a reputation for honesty and uprightness during his long residence in Washington C. H. John H. Culhan, the son of Michael and Jane (Harvey) Culhan, was born in Hillsboro, Highland county, Ohio, December 22, 1856. His parents were natives of Ireland and married in Brooklyn on coming to the United States. Later they settled in Hillsboro, Ohio, where the father died in 1861 being only about thirty-three years of age at the time of his death. Michael 374 - FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO. Cuhan served in the regular army in his native land before coming to America. He and his wife were both devout members of the Catholic church. After his death in 1861, his widow married Michael McMahan, and to her second marriage one son was born, Michael, who is now living in Hillsboro, Ohio. Michael Culhan and wife were the parents of four sons : James of Bedford, Indiana.; John H., with whom this narrative deals: Robert of Seneca, Illinois, and George, of Russell, Ohio. John H. Culhan was only five years of age when his father died in 1861, and when about ten years of age he went to live on a farm in Brown county, but returned to Hillsboro three years later, where he attended the public schools for a short time. He then went to live with a man by the name of James Clark at Hillsboro, where he remained until he was nineteen years old, when he went to Cincinnati to learn the carriage and blacksmithing trade, but remained there only a few months. In 1875 he came to Washington C. H., where he has since resided. He followed the blacksmithing trade for a few years and then engaged in the restaurant business. folowing that occupation until he received his appointment as postmaster in May, 1907. Upon the expiration of his first term of four years he was reapointed and is still filling this position to the entire satisfaction of the patrons of the postoffice. Mr. Culhan has been twice married. His first marriage occurred April 18, 1883, to Lucy Long, the daughter of Alexander and Martha (Boher) Long, whose death occurred February 2, 1887, leaving no children. On November 26, 1888, Mr. Culhan married Sallie A. Collins, the daughter of Edward and Mary (Coleman) Collins, and to this second union have been born two children, Jane Prudence and Mary Alice. Jane is a teacher in the public schools of Washington C. H. and Mary is a student in the local high school. Mrs. Culhan was horn at Clarksville, Clinton county, Ohio. Her parents were natives of Ireland and early settlers in Clinton county, this, state, where they died. Edward Collins and wife were the, parents of five children who lived to maturity: Sallie A. ; James; Mary, deceased. who was the first wife of Attorney-General T. S. Hogan ; Miss Alice Collin, and Thomas, deceased. Politically, Mr. Culhan is a Republican and has always taken an active interest in the welfare of his party. He served on the hoard of reviews of his county for several years. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons at Washington C. H., and holds membership in the Royal Arch chapter. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, being a charter |
