200 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH Under Rev. F. Karge the German Catholics, of Portsmouth so prospered that in 1859 they bought a lot at the corner of Market and Fifth streets upon which to build a church. But they were not financially prepared to carry their plans to fruition until 1864, when the foundation of the church building was commenced and a large schoolhouse actually completed adjoining its site. The corner stone of the new church was not laid until May 9, 1869, and the building was dedicated in July, 1870, having been completed at a cost of $50,000. REV. LOUIS NONNEN In April, 1871, Rev. Karge was succeeded by Rev. Louis Nonnen, a native of Alsace, who, during his pastorate of forty years brought St. Mary's parish from the condition of a debt-ridden, struggling and almost discouraged organization to that of a prosperous, confident and growing church. His death December 28, 1911, caused deep sorrow both within and without the church. In 1871 St. Mary's built the parsonage and in the following year an addition to the school ; within the next two decades installed a large organ, founded the parish cemetery and put modern heating plants in church, school and parsonage. In 1893 the McCord residence, east of the school, was purchased and transformed into the Sisters' Convent, and in 1895 the lofty and beautiful tower, with its harmonious chimes, was added to the church. St. Mary's parish, one of the largest in Southern. Ohio, is in charge of Rev. T. A. Goebel, who succeeded Father Nonnen at his death in 1911, although his formal pastorate did not commence until August, 1912. TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH The Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church of Portsmouth is an outgrowth of Spencer Chapel of 1853, and its successor, the Sixth Street Church of 1866. Until the former year the English speaking Methodism of the city was all concentrated in one society, the church .building of which was Bigelow Chapel, located on the north side of Second Street between Court and Market. In the year 1853 a meeting was held for the purpose of organizing another society. The roll of members was called, each one expressing his or her choice of membership in the old or new society. The following list contains, so far as we are able to learn, the names of those who were the organizers of the new society : Samuel Briggs and wife, Benjamin Fryer and wife, Richard Lloyd and wife, Dudley Day and wife, Simon Drouillard and wife, Aholihab Bentley and wife, William Salters and wife, William Russel and wife, C. C. Hyatt and wife, Silas Cole and wife, Rev. B. L. Jefferson and wife, Jacob Noel and wife, Mrs. Catharine HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 201 Timmonds, Miss Marie Timmonds; Mrs. Barbara Micklethwait, Mrs. Agate Lawson, Mrs. Parmelia Montgomery; Miss Hannah Montgomery, Miss Josephine: Montgomery (now Mrs. Thomas Johnson), Miss Elizabeth Montgomery, George Yeamans and wife, John J. H. Fryer and wife, Jerome Valodin and wife, Father Brown and wife, William Barber, and .Mrs. Amanda Wilhelm. SPENCER CHAPEL Spencer Chapel was .built in the year 1853, on the north side of Seventh Street between Gay and Chillicothe streets, where Allen Chapel of the African Methodist Episcopal Church now stands. The new church was named in honor of the Rev. Oliver Spencer, a former presiding elder of the Portsmouth district, who donated the lot upon which the church was, built. The following were pastors of Spencer Chapel : Rev. Zachanah Wharton, 1853.; Rev. Edward Mabie, 1854 ; Rev. M. P. Gaddis, 1855 ; Rev. T. H. Bradrick, 1855-56 ; Rev. J. P. Given, 1856-57 ; Rev. S. M. Merrill (after- wards bishop) 1857-58 ; Rev. John W. Dillon, 1858 ; Rev. Lovett Taft, 1859-61; Rev. Joseph. F. Williams, 1861-63 ; Rev. John T. Miller, 1863-65 ; Rev. C. C. McCabe (afterwards bishop), 1865-66. SIXTH STREET CHURCH The society having become too large for the church during the pastorate of Rev. C. C. McCabe, it was decided to build a much larger church; any Richard Lloyd and wife donated the lot corner of Sixth and Chillicothe streets. Upon this, lot was built the Sixth Street Methodist Episcopal Church. In the year 1866 the lecture Or Sunday school room was completed and the congregation moved from Spencer Chapel to the then new Sixth Street Church. On December 6, 1869, the official board decided to complete the auditorium, and in 'March, 1870, the contract was let. It was largely due to the interest and labors of the Rev. J. H. Gardner, preacher in charge, that it was completed and dedicated. The total cost of the Sixth Street Church was $43,700. On December 18, 1896, while workmen were engaged in repairing the organ a lamp exploded and immediately the auditorium was in flames. Much damage was done, but the building was not destroyed Before the firemen had ceased their efforts to save the building the lower floor of the Kendall Building, corner Seventh and Chillicothe streets, was secured by the society and services were held there the following Sabbath. Four months after the fire, on Easter Sunday, April 18, 1897, the church was reopened. THE NEW TRINITY CHURCH Within the succeeding decade, however, the sentiment of the church in favor of a new church, located in the eastern part of the city, rapidly 202 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION strengthened. In the spring of 1907 the Sixth Street property was therefore sold and the Turley tract on the corner of Gallia and Offnere was purchased as the site of a new church. Work was begun July 12, 1907, and the corner stone was laid in the following November. Rev. Frank Gillilan Conducted the services. In October, 1908, the congregation of the new Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church worshiped in its magnificent home for the first time. The property, including church, parsonage .(completed in 1914) and real estate, is valued at about eighty thousand dollars. The church membership is some thirteen hundred. The pastors of the Sixth Street and the Trinity Episcopal churches have been as follows: C. C. McCabe, 1866.; I. F. King, 1866-67; A. B. See, 1867-68 ; J. H. Gardner, 1868-71; T. W. Stanley, 1871-74 ; C. M. Bethauser, 1874-77 ; W. H. Sutherland, 1877-78; T. R. Taylor, 1878-79 ; R. H. Wallace, 1879-82 ; T. DeWitt Peake, 1882-84 ; B. F. Stubbins, 1884-86; F. S. Davis, 1886-87; G. W. Fagan, 1887-92 ; A. E. Johnson, 1892-96; T. S. Robjent, 1896-98 ; W. H. Miller, 1898-01; B. R. Wilburn, 1901-06 ; W. C. Hartinger, 1906-12; 'Herbert Scott, 1912-14; C. Lloyd Strecker, 1914- THE SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The origin of the Second Presbyterian Church in the Christian generosity of the old First has been traced. Its first house of worship was dedicated on January 24, 1875, and was located on the northwest corner of Eighth and North Waller streets. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. H. A. Ketchum, who had been Doctor Pratt's assistant pastor at the First Church for about 2 1/2 years. Doctor Ketchum became the regular, pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church . and continued as such for ten years. At the organization of the church in February, 1875, Joseph Riggs, J. W. Weyer, J. P. Bing, 0. C. McCall, P. J. Kline and C. P. Dennis were elected elders and O, C. McCall, R. P. Ripenberick, Irving Drew, J. R. Lane and J. H. Brown, trustees. The first deacons were not elected until the second year—T. M. Patterson, Irving Drew, .J. R. Boal and W. S. Green. Doctor Ketchum resigned in December, 1884, and in the following June Rev. C. L. Work was called to the pastorate. With the increase of membership, it became necessary to have a larger auditorium, and several of the outlying rooms were permanently thrown into the body of the church ; this was accomplished under the pastorate of Doctor Work. Rev. R K. Porter was placed in charge of the church in May, 1890, and ministered to it until .January, 1892. His successor, Rev. S. Gobiet, came in June of that year and remained until May, 1895, and during his ministry the Christian Endeavor Building was erected ; it was dedicated in August, 1894. During the interim of Mr. Gobiet's pastorate and that of Rev. S. B. Alderson occurred the fire of June 9, 1895, which badly damaged the main auditorium ; but 'the church was speedily repaired and was re- HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 203 dedicated in December. In July, 1896, there was also a mysterious explosion which caused a general breakage of windows, as well as considerable apprehension. Doctor Alderson's ministry, which was most advantageous to the church, extended from October, 1896, to October, 1907. BUILDING OF THE PRESENT HOUSE OF WORSHIP Dr. C. S. Robertson came to the field in January, 1909, with the understanding that he was to further the building of a new church edifice along the most advanced lines of thought and practice. Early in that year a committee consisting of Irving Drew, John Richardson, J. E. Williams, W. W. Gates, Jr., and H. W. Heer, was appointed to consider the matter. In the fall the committee made a report recommending the construction .of such a church, and finance and building committees were appointed. By April, 1910, subscriptions amounting to $75,000 were secured, the estimates being for a $105,000 structure. FAREWELL TO THE OLD CHURCH Farewell services were therefore held in the old church on April 24, 1910, thirty-five years and three months from its dedication in 1875. While the new building was progressing, on the corner of Waller and Eighth streets, services were held in a temporary frame tabernacle. The corner stone of the new church was laid July 24, 1910, with appropriate services under the pastor, Doctor Robertson. The congregation occupied the Bible school part of the church in April, 1911, and the building as a whole within the coming year. When entirely completed, the edifice, with its furnishings, had cost $125,000. An outline description of this elegant and modern religious home is thus given : The architecture is a fine example of Tudor or Collegiate Gothic, the tower being a copy of that of the Church of the Magdalen at Oxford, England. The building is constructed of Hummelstown brownstone with a green tile roof, the extreme dimensions being about 165 by 108 feet. The auditorium is entirely separated from the chapel, and seats 855 adults and 200 to 300 more people can be accommodated. The chapel and Bible school building is thought to be the first example of a radiating 'departmental structure, and seats within range of the platform 1,300 people, outside of five rooms which cannot be thrown into combination with the others. The basement is exceptionally large and is divided into kitchen, pantry, boiler and heating apparatus rooms, toilets, bathroom, assembly room, and accommodations for a gymnasium. Other special features are a very roomy front vestibule, men's and women's reception rooms adjoining auditorium, session room, with fireproof safe for records, open porch ways for both chapel and auditorium, a concealed lighting system, and a complete double system of heating and ventilation by steam or hot blast and consequent change of air every 204 - HANGING ROCK. IRON REGION ten minutes. George W. Kramer of New York is architect and this fine structure is: a fitting testimony to his experience gained in designing more than 2,100 churches. Doctor Robertson resigned the pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church in August, 1914, and at this writing. (March, 1915) his successor had not been selected. The records show that its membership is about 975. THE Y. M. C. A. AND Y. W. C. A. The present Young Men's Christian Association of Portsmouth is the second organization of the kind to be established in Portsmouth, the pioneer association having disbanded many years ago. The work RAILROAD Y. M. C. A., PORTSMOUTH which has been in successful progress for some time is under the general superintendence of E. F. Rideout, secretary. One of its most satisfactory departments is that founded in connection with the railroad men of the Norfolk and Western, .the work being conducted in a convenient building on Gallia Avenue, East Portsmouth. The Young Women's Christian Association has a large membership and established a home of pleasant and spacious appearance on Second Street, in a good residence district. The association was founded at a meeting which occurred in the Trinity M. E. Church, in October, 1912. The board of directors there elected Mrs. Margaret P. Everard president, and she still is at the head of the organization. The ladies took possession of the home in September, 1912, arid, although it was not built for the purpose for which it is used, through the assistance of Miss Constance McCockle, Y. W. C. A. organizer, the building—a large two-story and basement brick house—was rearranged and adapted. The family of the home varies from thirty to forty-five members. In HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 205 the basement are the dining rooms, kitchen, pantries, bed rooms and bath room ; first floor, living room, offices, halls, bed rooms and bath rooms; third floor, bed rooms and bath rooms. In addition to the main structure there is a building on the rear of the premises for class rooms, diet kitchen, laundry and bed rooms for the maids employed. A hall for gymnastic purposes, .suppers, socials and plays is also rented, so that the family at the Y. W. C. A. Home has every reason to thank the good ladies of Portsmouth for their practical forethought in their behalf. HOME FOR AGED WOMEN The Home for Aged. Women, on the corner of Front and Chillicothe streets, is a worthy institution more than thirty years old. On. May 7, 1882, in response to a. call from a committee of women suggested by Mrs. Wells A. Hutchins, thirty-five women met to discuss the matter of founding such an institution, and on June 5th the constitution and by-laws were adopted naming the organization the Home for Aged Women. At the time of holding the first annual meeting over eleven hundred dollars had been raised for the purpose, and several entertainments and the bequest of Mrs. Jane E. Calvert nearly doubled that amount before the association purchased the Lodwick property on Fourth Street and formally opened the home in 1884. The 'officers elected in May of 1886 were : Mrs. O. C. McCall,. president ; Mrs. W. A. Hutchins, vice. president ; Mrs. T. J. Graham, second vice president; Mrs.. George 0. Newman, secretary, and Mrs. George Helfenstein, treasurer. In September, 1896, the corner stone of the building now, occupied was laid, addresses being made by Dr. P. J. Kline and Hon. James W. Newman. The lot had been donated by. Hon., John T. Wilson, of Tranquility, Ohio, at the suggestion of John G. Peebles. The building committee consisted of Mrs. Anna M. Reed, Mrs. Charles T. Stewart, Mrs. Mary D. Vorhees, and Messrs. L. D. York, L. H. Murphy and W. D. Connelly. The cost of the home, which contains fifteen rooms, was over $4,200, and it was opened February 22, 1897. Eleven women are now taking advantage of its comforts and atmosphere of quiet and rest. SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES The secret and benevolent societies of Portsmouth are fairly representative of the varied nationalities, religious sects and mental and moral proclivities of its people. Furthermore, as in the case of its Churches, on account of its large colored element, the lines of social division are more numerous and involved. The Masons, the Odd Fellows, and the Ancient Order of United Workmen, as well as orders of less prominence, have strong organizations composed of colored members. Besides the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and other old organizations, those of more recent origin, such as the Elks, the Eagles and the Tribe of Ben Hur, have obtained a firm foothold in Portsmouth. 206 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION AURORA LODGE No. 48, F. AND A. M. The Masons invaded the field by the establishment of Aurora Lodge. No. 48 on August 21, 1818, by a dispensation from M. W. Henry Brush, grand master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio. A petition for such a lodge had been presented by Ezra Osborn, Nathan K. Cough, George Clark, Robert Scott, William Daly, Samuel Gunn, Silas Cole and Hiram Wilson, and they, with other Masons, met in their lodge room on the day named, when Grand Master Brush placed their organization on the records. On the 24th of the same month the officers were publicly installed at the courthouse. A charter was granted to the original petitioners in 1820, empowering them and, their successors to convene as a regular lodge of Masons under the title of Aurora Lodge No. 48. Its successive worthy masters have been as follows : Samuel Wilkinson, 1820 ; William Oldfield, 1821 ; G. S. B. Hempstead, 1822 ; William Oldfield, 1823-24; Ezra Osborn, 1825 ; G. S. B. Hempstead, 1826-39 ; George Stevenson, 1840-41 ; A. C. Davis, 1842; George Stevenson, 1843-44; Moses Gregory, 1845-46 ; A. C. Davis, 1847 ; George Stevenson, 1848 ; R. C. Jordan, 1849- 50 ; L. G. Terry, 1851-52; A. C. Davis, 1854; William Oldfield, 1855-56; Jacob Nichols, 1857 ; George Stevenson, 1858-62; T. J. Pursell, 1863 ; George Stevenson, 1864-65 ; Elijah Nichols, 1866 ; B. F. Coates, 1867; J. H. Johnson, 1868-73; R. W. Farden, 1874-76 ; W. A. Connelley, 1877- 79 ; T. L. Jones, 1880-82; C. S. Cadot, 1884-85 ; F. B. Kehoe, 1886 ; George Padan, 1887-88; D. B. Thurlow, 1889 ; A. J. Fuller, 1890-91 ; Edgar F. Draper, 1892; John A. Ives, 1893; B. F. Vincent, 1894-95 ; J. S. Dodge, 1896; W. B. Altsman, 1897 ; J. S. Rardin, 1898 ; R. G. Bryan, 1899; J. C. Adams, 1900; Charles F. Calvin, 1901 ; George P. Roberts, 1902- 05 ; Henry Scott, Jr., 1906-07 ; F. M. Baggs, 1908-09 ; Harry Johnson, 1910; Edward B. Campbell, 1911; D. A. Grimes; 1912 ; W. E. Clayton, 1913 ; J. D. Crepelin, 1914; George C. McClure, 1915. Aurora Lodge No. 48 has a membership of more than five hundred and fifty. MOUNT VERNON CHAPTER No. 23 Mount Vernon Chapter No. 23, R. A. M., was organized under a charter granted October 18, 1839, and has a present membership of 290. Its living past high priests, with the years of their service, are as follows: John A. Warner, 1888 ; F. B. Kehoe, 1889 ; E. F. Draper, 1890 ; Samuel M. Johnson, 1891 ; D. B. Thurlow, 1892 ; W. B. Altsman, 1897 ; R. G. Bryan, 1900; E. F. Draper, 1902-05; John A. Ives, 1906 ; E. E. Knox, 1907; A. J. Fuller, 1908 ; W. E. Clayton, 1909 ; W. F. Whitney, 1910 ; Harry Johnson, 1911; George Gableman, 1912; D. A. Grimes, 1913 ; B. F. Vincent, 1914; Henry Scott, Jr., 1915. The chapter has a membership of 290. HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 207 CAVALRY COMMANDERY NO. 13 On the evening of October 5, 1852, at a meeting of the Knights Templar of the City of Portsmouth held at the Masonic Hall, then located on the west side of Market Street, between Second and Third, in what was known as Cook's Building, the Cavalry Commandery was formed with the following officers : V. L. D. Tracy, grand commander ; Samuel Gould, generalissimo ; Moses Gregory, captain general. A dispensation was granted by the Grand Encampment convened at Chillicothe on the 22nd of October. The first encampment, after the receipt of the dispensation, was opened January 11, 1853. On the 17th of that month Grand Commander Thomas Orr, of Chillicothe, appointed Erastus Burr as prelate, James Lodwick as treasurer and Francis Cleveland as recorder. The records show that Sir Burr, Sir Lodwick and Sir Cleveland were annually elected, and served in the same positions until death or infirmities of age disqualified them from taking an active part in the duties of the office. Sir Lodwick filled the office of treasurer until his death, which occurred on October 11, 1879 ; Sir Burr, the office of prelate with an intermission of two years until 187.1, and Sir Cleveland that of secretary with an intermission of three years until 1873. They are the only members who have been honored by having their portraits hung conspicuously in the asylum. On the evening of February 4, 1864, the eminent commander announced that he had been authorized by Grand Master Sir Kent Jarvis to install Sir E. Burr as grand prelate of the Grand Encampment of Ohio, and the appointee being present, he was installed as such, according to the prescribed form. The following members of the commandery have been elected to and held offices in the Grand Commandery of the state 1898, Sir Francis Cleveland, Em. Gr. Capt. General ; 1865, Rev. Sir Erastus Burr, Em. Gr. Prelate; 1855, Sir A. G. Davis, Em. Gr. St. Bearer.; 1856, Sir Francis Cleveland, Em. Gr. St. Bearer ; 1873, Sir J. H. Johnson, Em. Gr. Warder. On Thursday morning, March 8, 1883, occurred the saddest event, perhaps; in the history of the commandery. The Sir Knights to the number of forty-one had assembled at the asylum for the purpose of attending the funeral services of their deceased captain general, Sir Knight Thomas L. Jones, whose remains were to be interred in the cemetery at Jackson, Ohio. They had proceeded to the residence of Bro. W. F. Whitney on East Ninth Street, and had 'escorted the remains of the deceased to All Saints Episcopal Church (where the church service was to take place), under the charge of the warder, Sir Knight J. 0. Murfin. The church service had been partly performed, when near the close of the singing of the first hymn, Sir Murfin sank from his feet into the seat beneath and passed to the reward that awaits the valiant Templar, full knightly with his armor on. Thus within the sacred walls of God's house lay the bodies of two of the officers of the commandery at the same moment still in death. 208 - HANGING ROCK IRON' REGION The living past grand commanders of Cavalry Commandery No. 13 are as follows, the year when they commenced service also being given : John A. Warner, 1883 ; W. C. Silcox, 1888 ; S. M. Johnson, 1889 ; D. B. Thurlow, 1890 ; E. F. Draper, 1891 ; F. B. Kehoe, 1892 ; John Peebles, 1894 ; J. G. Neill, 1896 ; J. P. Purdum, 1897 ; A. J. Fuller, 1898 ; Thomas Doty, 1900 ; J. C. Homer, 1900 ; R. C. Bryan, 1901 ; W. F. Whitney, 1902 ; John A. Ives, 1.903 ; C. F. Schirrmann, 1904 ; W. B. Altsman, 1905 ; George P. Roberts, 1906 ; B. F. Vincent, 1907 ; L. W. Bragdon, 1908; J. T. Micklethwait, 1909 ; John Jones, 1910 ; E. E Knox, 1911; W. F. Zottman, 1912 ; Henry Scott, Jr., 1913 ; George Zottman, 1914—. The commandery is 260 strong. SOLOMON COUNCIL. No. 79 Solomon Council No. 79, R. and S. M., which was chartered September 22, 1894, has a membership of 265. Its past illustrious masters are : Sam M. Johnson, 1893 ; W. B. Altsm.an, 1899 ; J. C. Adams, 1.901 ; S. M. Johnson, 1902 ; A. J. Fuller, 1903-06 ; J. P. Purdum, 1907-08 ; E. F. Draper, 1909 ; John A. Ives, 1910 W. F. Whitney, 1911; W. D. Hosz, 1912 ; F. M. Baggs, 1913 ; E. E. Knox, 1914 ; Harry Johnson, 1915. THE MASONIC TEMPLE The fine Masonic Temple in Portsmouth has been the headquarters of the order and furnished complete accommodations for the meetings of its various bodies since its completion in 1906. THE INDPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has a strong following in Portsmouth and is represented by two lodges—Scioto No. 31 and Portsmouth No. 416—Orient Encampment No. 6 and Canton Orient No. 67 ; also a Rebekah lodge. Scioto Lodge No. 31 was instituted June 4, 1844, and the temple was dedicated in 1875. Its first officers were James Malcomb, noble grand ; Thomas S. Currie, secretary ; A. C. Williams, treasurer. The lodge has a present membership of 270, with Ernest S. White as noble grand ; Robert E. Cox, recording secretary ; John R. Lynn, financial secretary, and James S. Lynn, treasurer. Orient Encampment No. 26, which was instituted in N6veMber, 1847, has a membership of about one hundred and fifty, and the following officers : Chief patriarch, Wesley G. Carson ; high priest, Leonidas. S. Kern ; senior warden, Frank Golick ; scribe, Truss M. Lynn, and treasurer, Dallas Lemon. Portsmouth Lodge No. 416 was instituted in 1869, has a membership of 180 and is officered as follows : J. T. Hobstetter, noble grand ; George HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 209. Vogel, recording secretary ; Charles A. Rice, financial secretary, and. Charles Wiget, treasurer. Canton Orient No. 67, Patriarch's Militant, was mustered into service in July, 1889, and has a membership of forty. Present officers : Lewis A. Shelton, commandant ; Henderson Cottle, lieutenant ; J. T. Hostettor, ensign ; T. M. Lynn, clerk ; Alfred A. Hanson, accountant. THE TRIBE OF BEN HUR Portsmouth Court No. 109, Tribe of Ben Hur, was instituted in November, 1960, with fifty-two members—Albert Fresch, chief, and Fred Ruhlman, scribe. With the opening of 1915 Charles Spratt went into office as chief and Thomas McLaughlin as scribe. The present membership is about eleven hundred. In 1914 the Portsmouth Court won the state prize banner for the largest increase of any similar organization in Ohio. OTHER FLOURISHING ORDERS The Knights of Pythias have two flourishing lodges—Massie Lodge No. 115, organized in 1878, and Magnolia Lodge No. 390, founded in 1889. McPherson Council No. 317, Royal Arcanum, was organized in 1879 ; Portsmouth Lodge No. 154, B. P. Q. E., was instituted in 1890, and Court Rusk No. 1,085, Foresters, in 1894. All of these bodies are strong and growing. THE G. A. R.. AND AUXILIARIES The spirit of patriotism was always active in Portsmouth. Bailey Post No. 164, G. A. R., organized in 1881, was for years one of the strongest Civil war organizations in Southern Ohio, and A. J. Finney has been active in maintaining the post, as its members gradually fell away with the coming of the years. Its auxiliaries—Woman's Relief Corps No. 43 and Jacob H. Smith Camp No. 26, Sons of Veterans—have also been active to the extent of their strength. WOMEN'S CLUBS AND FEDERATION The women of Portsmouth have not only been in the front ranks of the religious and moral champions of the community, but have been prominent in literary, civic and other progressive movements whether affecting their sex directly or indirectly. In March, 1903, four of the leading clubs of the city organized as the Portsmouth Federation of Women's Clubs; the organizations which then combined their forces and formed a central body, representing a membership of 200, were the Women's Literary Club, organized in 1891, and a charter member of the State Federation ; the New Century Club, organized and federated Vol. I-14 210 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION in 1902 ; the Home League Club, founded in 1903, and received into the state body in that year; and the Progress Club, of 1906, which also became a member of the State Federation. Since the organization of the Portsmouth branch the following have been its presidents : Mrs. Elida Kline, 1903-04 ; Miss Margaret Firmstone, 1904-05 ; Mrs. Clara Pursell, 1905-06 ; Mrs. Mary S. Cotton, 1906-07 ; Mrs. Loise Grice, 1907-08 ; Mrs. Alice Brown, 1908-09 ; Mrs. Elizabeth Hard, 1909-10 ; Mrs. Ella, Locke, 1910-11; Mrs. Cornelia Treuthart, 1911-13 ; Mrs. Gertrude Grimes, 1913-14 ; Mrs. Bertha L. Sellards, 1914-15. TRADE AND LABOR UNIONS On account of its prominence as an industrial and railroad center, Portsmouth supports numerous trade and labor unions, about thirty being active within its limits. The employees of the shoe factories are especially well organized, and among the railroad men are several strong brotherhoods of locomotive engineers, firemen, carmen and trainmen. CHAPTER VII BANKS AND BUSINESS COMMERCIAL BANK OF SCIOTO-PORTSMOUTH BRANCH OF STATE BANK -PORTSMOUTH NATIONAL BANK-FIRST NATIONAL BANK—FARMERS NATIONAL BANK-CENTRAL SAVINGS AND CENTRAL NATIONAL BANKS-THE SECURITY SAVINGS BANK-PORTSMOUTH BANKING COMPANYOHIO VALLEY BANK - EARLY BUSINESS MATTERS - FIRST BRICK HOUSES-FIRST AMUSEMENT HALL—HENRY CLAY ENTERTAINED—FIRST REAL FACTORIES -MASSIE CONVEYS THE RIVER FRONT—THE PORTSMOUTH IRON WORKS-THE GAYLORD ROLLING MILL-MARTIN B. GILBERT, WHOLESALE GROCER- GEORGE M. APPEL-THE BURGESS IRON AND STEEL WORKS-WORKS REBUILT AT NEW BOSTON-PORTSMOUTH STEEL COMPANY-WHITAKER -GLESSNER COMPANY-AS A SHOE MANUFACTURER-DREW, SELBY AND COMPANY-THE DREW-SELBY COMPANY -THE IRVING DREW COMPANY-THE EXCELSIOR SHOE COMPANY-THE EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION. Although the fact that a city is the county seat cuts little figure in its general standing after it is firmly planted in the financial and commercial world, it has a decided bearing on the problem of " getting a start in the world." So it happened with Portsmouth, as with hundreds of other western towns, that soon after that matter was settled permanently in her favor her career was launched as a progressive business community. Nothing so redounds to the substantial name and dignity of a young town as the establishment of a bank therein. COMMERCIAL BANK OF SCIOTO Not more than a dozen little stores had appeared in Portsmouth before the Commercial Bank of Scioto had been chartered by special legislative act of December 16, 1817. It was capitalized at $100,000 and organized by Thomas Waller (president), Elijah McIntyre (cashier), William Kendall, William Lodwick, John Brown, Jr., Jacob Offnere, Joseph Waddel, Josiah Shackford, Nathan K. Clough, John H. Thornton, William Daley and John R. Turner. Doctor Waller died in 1823 and Mr. Turner succeeded him as president. In 1838 the bank had a. paid-in capital stock of $275,000, with notes in circulation amounting to $128,000. It made an assignment in January, 1843. - 211 - 212 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION PORTSMOUTH BRANCH OF STATE BANK The next financial institution of substantial standing was the Portsmouth branch of the Ohio State Bank, which was chartered in December, 1846, for twenty years, with a. capital stock of $100,000. J. V. Robinson was its first president and Eli Kinney, cashier. In 1855 Mr. Kinney sold his interest to Peter Kinney, who became cashier, Washington Kinney assuming the presidency. This arrangement continued until within a few months of the expiration of the charter in 1866, when Peter Kinney became president and Samuel Reed, cashier. PORTSMOUTH NATIONAL BANK At that time the institution was re-chartered for twenty years, with a capital of $250,000 and under the name of the Portsmouth National Bank. The first directors of the organization were Peter Kinney (president), George Johnson (vice president), M. R. Tewksbury, L. C. Robinson and Robert Bell. Mr. Kinney was succeeded by Mr. Johnson as president in 1869 and he, at his death in 1875, by John G. Peebles. Mr. Peebles continued to be at the head of the institution until his death in 1901. In the meantime Charles B. Taylor had succeeded Mr. Reed as cashier and Mr. Reed had become vice president. FIRST NATIONAL BANK The First National Bank had been organized in August, 1863, with a capital of $200,000. Its original officers and directors were as follows : Percival C. Jams, president ; James Y. Gordon, cashier ; Benjamin B. Gaylord, Louis C. Damarin and John P. Terry. Its charter as a national bank was No. 68. In December,' 1905, a merger was effected with the Portsmouth National, under the name of the First National Bank, and soon afterward Simon Labold, who had been cashier of the old First National, was elected to the presidency of the consolidated institution, and A. M. Damarin, who had been its vice president, became an associate with Mr. Reed in the vice presidency of the concern. In 1913 the finest office building in Portsmouth, and one of the handsomest in Southern Ohio, was completed by the First National Bank as its financial home. The bank is capitalized for $300,000; has a surplus of $150,000, undivided profits of $25,000, and deposits amounting to $2,000,000. FARMERS NATIONAL BANK The Farmers National Bank was also a product of Civil War times and weathered many storms for more than a quarter of a century before HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 213 it succumbed. A firm of brokers, Thomas Dugan and .Company, had built up a large business in Portsmouth during the war. George Davis, one of its leading members, believing that its transactions would be facilitated by an auxiliary bank, secured a charter from the government, in May, 1865, under the name of the. Farmers National Bank. Its capital stock of $250,000 was taken by about sixty of the residents of the city and county, and the first board of directors chosen comprised Messrs. Dugan and Davis, William Hall, George W. Flanders and P. J. Dunham. Thomas Dugan was elected president and J. NI. Wall, cashier. Mr. Davis afterward became president and thus continued until his death in 1894. The bank suspended and made an assignment two years later. CENTRAL SAVINGS AND CENTRAL NATIONAL BANKS The Central Savings Bank began business in June, 1893, with a capital stock of $30,000. Its original president was the late Hon. James W. Newman, who continued to be at its head until his death in January, 1902. Levi D. York was then made president and George Fisher, vice president, the latter being succeeded by S. S. Halderman. In 1905 an incorporation was effected as the Central National Bank, and the following officers have remained unchanged : President, Philo S. Clark ; vice presidents, Frank L. Marting and S. S. Halderman ; cashier, George E. Kricker. The cashiership has been in Mr. Kricker's hands from the organization of the Central Savings Bank. The Central National has a capital of $100,000 and surplus and undivided profits of $75,000. THE SECURITY SAVINGS BANK The Security Savings Bank was incorporated in 1903 and its officers have always been : George D. Selby, president; L. W. Baker and A. H. Bannon, vice presidents, and H. W. Heer, cashier. Its capital stock is $100,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $108,000 ; deposits, $900,000. PORTSMOUTH BANKING COMPANY The Portsmouth Banking Company was incorporated in 1905, with a capital stock of $50,000. This has been increased to $100,000 and the deposits have reached a large figure. Officers from first to last : F. B. Kehoe, president ; E. J. Daehler, vice president ; John W. Snyder, cashier. OHIO VALLEY BANK The Ohio Valley Bank is an institution in good standing, of comparatively recent origin, and is managed by the following officers : W. R. Fee, president ; J. J. Brushart, vice president; Filmore Musser, cashier. 214 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION EARLY BUSINESS MATTERS Until the early '30s Portsmouth did not take on a metropolitan air as a business center, her first industries and wholesale houses of any magnitude dating from that period. But numerous steps were taken and many earnest men worked faithfully for the best commercial interests of the town for thirty years previously. The town was first built up in the extreme southwest corner of its present site, near the isthmus which rose some twenty feet above the surface of the peninsula. There Elijah Glover built and conducted the first tavern, in the east end of which Eli Glover afterward kept a book store and printing office. Near by, General William Kendall kept the first store. That was also the locality where the first Court of Common Pleas was held, John Brown's warehouse and David Gharky's cooper shop serving its ends of justice for several years before the courthouse was completed in 1816. The principal business of the town, for a score of years, was transacted .at or near the "neck," and when a business building was erected at the corner of Market and Front streets it was said to 'be too far from the center of town. But log cabins and frame buildings soon became scattered over the plat. Dr. Thomas Waller had gone up as far as Front Street, above Court, and built a hewn-log residence, afterward weather-boarded. FIRST BRICK HOUSES Three citizens built brick houses at about the same time in 1808— Colonel McDonald, Jacob Clingman and Duncan McArthur. As Portsmouth boasted no brick kiln at that time, the raw material was brought from. Maysville, Kentucky, on a keel-boat. But very few brick houses were erected during the first two decades, nearly all being one-story frames made of hewn logs. Most of the early stores were on Front Street near the western end, then called Ohio Street. The new settlers usually came down the river by boat from other settlements along the line, or directly from Virginia, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey. A few came by way of Chillicothe, having traversed the forests of the interior of the state. Until 1810 the country was so little opened and the population so sparse that Portsmouth numbered but three or four hundred people, and business for the most part was but an interchange of products and commodities classed as the necessities of life. FIRST AMUSEMENT HALLS Then came the first impetus enjoyed by the town in consequence of its choice for county-seat honors. Among other well-known buildings erected during this period was the three-story brick built by Mr. Smith, the father of L. P. N., Charles and Joseph Smith, afterward prominent HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 215 in the city. In the third story of the building, long the largest in Portsmouth, was the first public amusement hall. HENRY CLAY ENTERTAINED A large frame building was erected on Front, between Market and Court streets. It was afterward converted into a hotel, conducted by John Peebles, father of John G. It was in that house, in 1827, that a public reception was given in honor of Henry Clay, who stopped over night while on his way to Washington. FIRST REAL FACTORIES The first manufacturing establishment of any consequence was the cotton spinning factory of David Gharky started in 1818. It was propelled by horse-power and superintended by Edward Cranston, a machinist. As stated, Mr. Gharky established a cooper shop at even an earlier day. His partner in that enterprise was John Simpson. It is said that the firm contracted with a farmer to build a windmill. It was put together in, the shop and when completed was found to be so large that there was no way of getting it out without removing part of the building. By tearing the chimney away the machine was given passage to the outer world. It was never learned who was responsible for the Miscalculation. Portsmouth's first flour mill was put in operation in 1818 by Josiah Shackford, Daniel Corwin and others. At that time the town had a dozen business and industrial establishments, several of which were wiped out by the fire of February, 1820. But the town had acquired confidence and better buildings than the old were soon erected. MASSIE CONVEYS THE RIVER FRONT In 1829 occurred an event of much importance to the business interests of the town, viz., the conveyance to the city by Henry Massie of the boat-landing site between Front Street and the river. A misunderstanding as to his intention regarding that property had arisen, and for several years the question was one of anxiety on the part of those interested in the welfare of Portsmouth. Much correspondence passed between the town authorities and Mr. Massie, and in 1827 James Lodwick was sent by the council to confer with the owner of the site at his residence in Louisville, Kentucky. In July, 1829, Mr. Massie's proposition to convey to the town the river front for $2,400 was accepted ; besides the strip of land and wharf- 216 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION age between Front Street and the river, the purchase included a tract of land west of the town limits on the river bank. THE PORTSMOUTH IRON WORKS In 1830 Portsmouth had a population of 1,378. Several manufactures of small magnitude were in operation, and in the following year the iron and steel plant, long known as the Gaylord Mill, was established. It was the first iron works west of Wheeling and at once gave Portsmouth a substantial industrial standing. The Portsmouth Iron Works were built by John Glover and Jacob P. Noel, who leased for the site of the plant a small plat of land between Front Street and the river, east of the landing. The Hanging Rock Iron Region had already been opened and a number of blast furnaces FLOOD WALL ALONG THE OHIO RIVER AT PORTSMOUTH were in operation at Ironton and vicinity. The early establishment of such an enterprise at Portsmouth was induced by the convenience of transportation, the near location of fuel and the abundance of raw material of a superior quantity. The products of the mill were bar-iron, sheet-iron and nails. THE GAYLORD ROLLING MILL Glover, Noel and Company operated the Portsmouth Iron Works until 1834, when they sold to Thomas G. Gaylord, who, within a few years, had disposed of his interests to Benjamin B. Gaylord, John P. Gould and Abram Morrell. Under the management of Gaylord and Company, which firm continued until 1872, the capacity of the mill was greatly enlarged and many improvements made in machinery and manu- HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 217 facturing processes. The business was reorganized into a stock company, known as the Gaylord Rolling Milt Company, in 1872. Of the latter corporation Benjamin B. Gaylor, who had long been actively managing the works, was made president and general manager. They were continued under that management until 1878, when owing to the financial depression and the retirement of Mr. Gaylord, the plant was closed for several months. It was then leased to a new organization, the Portsmouth Iron and Steel Company, by which it was afterward conducted. John P. Terry became president of the company in 1881, and John G. Peebles was vice president for a number of. years. But the greatest prosperity of the industry was when it was operated as the Gaylord Mill. Mr. Terry, president and general superintendent of the Portsmouth Iron. and Steel Company, and long one of the leading men of the town and city, had been one of Portsmouth's pioneer merchants in the wholesale business. In 1837-41 he conducted a wholesale boot and shoe store. MARTIN B. GILBERT, WHOLESALE GROCER But the leading merchant in the wholesale business, and perhaps the foremost business man in Portsmouth for many years, was Martin B. Gilbert. When he was a youth the Gilbert family came to the town from Marietta, where the father had been engaged in the grocery business. That was in 1830. Martin was his father's clerk and partner until the withdrawal of the senior member of the firm in 1846, after which he formed partnerships with his brothers. Between 1830 and 1850 the furnishing of supplies to the steamboats plying the Ohio River was very extensive and lucrative, and that branch of trade made the Gilberts rich. GEORGE M. APPEL Martin B. Gilbert became a partner in the business in 1838, the location of the establishment being at No. 177 West Front Street. After his father's withdrawal from the business in 1846 he was the acknowledged head of the enterprise, until his death in November, 1887. A month later the firm of M. B. Gilbert and Company was organized, George M. Appel, one of the partners, having become connected with the Gilbert establishment, twelve years before, in the humble capacity of ice-wagon driver. He afterward became general manager of the business, and in January, 1899, when it was incorporated as the Gilbert Grocery Company, was chosen president. Under Mr. Appel's careful and energetic management the business developed into one of the largest of its kind in the middle west. A great accession to its volume was accomplished by the purchase, in November, 1890, of the business of Damarin and Company, one of the oldest firms in Ohio. In 1898 the Gilbert' Grocery Company occupied a massive four-story building on West Second Street, built expressly for its use. Mr. Appel died suddenly on the 12th of January, 1915 ; and, although he had never been in public office, no citizen of Portsmouth 218 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION was more widely known or honored. His activities outside of his intense business labors were personal and uplifting, and not intended for public exploitation. No man ever did more for charities than he, or more persistently kept his good deeds hidden. The following from the Portsmouth Daily Times is a touching condensation of a flood of personal tributes paid to the practical Christianity of George M. Appel at the time of his death : "Where some people are wont to portray their worthy acts, George M. Appel was just as anxious to hide his ; where some clamor for publicity, Mr. Appel abhorred notoriety. He was that splendid type of citizenship that did not allow his left hand to know what his right hand did—one whose early resolve in life to do good wherever he could, was rigidly carried out because he found that this in itself was the true essence of life. "And he died when most men are in their prime. His rather early death might be traced to the tremendous struggle he put forth to rise above adverse circumstances. And after all it is as Mr. Appel wished. Through his entire life he has never compromised a right with a wrong. He never halted between the good and the bad—his influence was ever with the right, his path of duty plain and marked—and one that he trod with religious fidelity. A tireless worker, yet he ever found time to give his counsel and aid to any enterprise that had for its object the betterment of mankind. He was ever ready to do more than his share that the world might be brighter and a better place in which to live. "Now that he has passed away, the Associated Charities have lost one of their mainstays. Few know it but Mr. Appel was a mainspring of this worthy organization that has dispelled the gloom in many a home through its good offices. Mr. Appel was the one upon whom this organization relied with implicit faith. He was ever ready with a willing hand and a willing heart when called upon. " The little children, the boys and girls of the schools—those at least whose parents were unable to provide them with all the necessities of life—have lost a true friend in the death of this man. Even as this tribute is being written, there are boys and girls in this city whose feet are being kept warm and dry in shoes that Mr. Appel furnished them and they know it not. Some few weeks ago Mr. Appel caused to be distributed hundreds of pairs of shoes to the various schools in the city and the discerning teachers were the only persons to know who gave them. The parents did not know, the children did not know and most surely the public did not know. It was just one way Mr. Appel had of doing good. "And what a great work Mr. Appel did during the 1913 flood. A Only those who came in close contact realized what a vast amount of good he did do. The big plant of the Gilbert Grocery Company, which stands as a monument to Mr. Appel's indefatigable industry, was thrown open. Men and women came there for groceries. Some had money—others had not. But no baskets went away empty, for Mr. Appel had given advance notice that all must be cared for—the good the food would do was paramount with Mr. Appel—the monetary value was entirely lost sight of. "Perhaps the fact that Mr. Appel was born of parents in adverse HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 219 circumstances had much to do with the charitable life that he lived. A poor boy, one who was subjected to the knocks and bumps of life probably instilled in him the noble resolve that when he became able he would help lighten the burdens. When a mere youth, those who know him say it was no uncommon sight to see him rendering what assistance he could to some poor widow whose load was too heavy for her to bear.. " The Y. W. C. A. and the Y. M. C. A.—these two worthy institutions were never overlooked by Mr. Appel. He contributed to both freely and took a keen interest in their success. "Mr. Appel treasured the many friendships that he made. His men loved him—they were ever anxious to do their work well—not because of a driven purpose so much as because they loved him. The force of men with which he surrounded himself and which helped him to build up such a thriving business, were loyal in the truest sense. They trusted implicitly in him and theirs was in a broad way, a labor of love—a labor that was well rewarded not only in the pay envelope, but in the knowledge they were working for a man who, while exacting in efficiency, nevertheless had uppermost in his mind their happiness and welfare. "Whatever Mr. Appel considered worth doing was worth doing well. It mattered not to him how many business cares forced themselves upon him—he never shirked a single one of them. What he purposed he performed, and could ever be relied upon to be at his post of duty." THE BURGESS -STEEL AND IRON WORKS The Whittaker-Glessner Company (successors to the Portsmouth Steel Company), operating the great plant at New Boston, which adjoins the city on the east, is the outcome of the industry established in 1871 as the Burgess Steel and Iron Works. L. C. Robinson and George Davis were presidents of the original organization. L. D. York joined the company in 1881 and was long the superintendent of the works. The capital stock was originally $150,000. As first operated, the mill was located at the corner of Third and Madison streets and had a capacity of 3,500 tons annually, but on June 7, 1898, when the plant was burned the output had increased to 50,000 tons. It was estimated that the loss was nearly half a million dollars—$250,000 on the plant and about as much more on unfulfilled contracts. Five hundred men were thrown out of employment, and the fire was a severe blow to Portsmouth as a city. WORKS REBUILT AT NEW BOSTON At the time of the fire, Levi D. York was president, J. E. Jones vice president, and B. F. Vincent, secretary and treasurer, of the Burgess Steel and Iron Works, which took their name from Charles Burgess, one of the incorporators. A movement to rebuild was immediately set on foot, and by agreement the site of Yorktown addition to New Boston was 220 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION purchased and platted by President York. The new plant was completed in 1899 and at once placed in operation. PORTSMOUTH STEEL COMPANY In 1900 the plant was sold to the Crucible Steel Company of America and was closed down. It was purchased by the Portsmouth Steel Company in 1902, the officers of the corporation being as follows: W. L. Glessner, president; N. E. Whittaker, vice president; B. F. Vincent, secretary, and Henry Thomas, general manager. Mr. Glessner continued, as president until 1909, when the capital stock of the company was purchased by the Whittaker-Glessner Company. WHITTAKER-GLESSNER COMPANY At that time Alexander Glass became president and Andrew Glass, general manager, and no change has been made in those offices. At the INDUSTRIAL SECTION OF PORTSMOUTH annual meeting of the stockholders held February 2, 1915, the property of the Portsmouth Steel Company was sold to the Whittaker-Glessner Company, and the plant has since been operated under the formal style of the Whittaker-Glessner Company, Portsmouth Works. Besides the officers named, A. C. Whittaker, W. L. Glessner and E. C. Ewing are vice presidents ; N. P. Whittaker, secretary, and G. W. Hocking, treasurer. About three acres are covered with the buildings of the plant, which consists of seven open-hearth furnaces with a capacity of 200,000 tons per year ; a complete blooming department, in which the ingots are heated and rolled out into bars ; large machine shops ; a gas producing HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 221 plant to supply heat to the furnaces ; and electric light and power plants. It was the original intention to make quite a specialty of the manufacture of plates, but in December, 1914, that plant was abandoned and the plate mill, which had been installed in 1905, was dismantled. Within the past five years important extensions have been made in other lines. In 1909-10 a blooming mill was erected, as well as five sheet and three jobbing mills, including a modern sheet-galvanizing equipment For the manufacture of steel bars, a mill was added in 1914, and changes and additions have been made from time to time in the open-hearth department. AS A SHOE MANUFACTURER Portsmouth has become better known, however, as a manufacturer of shoes than of either iron or steel. The manufacture on a large scale is of comparatively recent years and three great plants remain of the various enterprises which have been placed on foot. DREW, SELBY AND COMPANY On January 1, 1880, Irving Drew, George D. Selby and Bernard Damon organized the firm of Drew, Selby and Company, and began the manufacture of misses' and women's shoes in the Huston Stone Front on Second Street. The original capital was small, but it was increased with the growth of the industry. During the first year the company employed fifty people and turned out one hundred pairs of shoes daily. In 1881 the factory was moved to the northeast corner of Third and Gay streets, where the first power plant in Portsmouth for the manufacture of shoes was installed ; previously all the machines had been operated by foot or hand. Mr. Damon retired from the firm in 1883 and in 1891 the firm erected a factory at Seventh and John streets ; additions were made in 1895 and 1898 and at other times, until the plant is one of the most extensive of the kind in the United States. In 1897-99 Drew, Selby and Company erected for the Excelsior Shoe Company a large four-story and basement building, to which they furnished power, light and heat, and made a later addition to the original plant. THE DREW-SELBY COMPANY In 1892 J. M. Graham, William W. Gates, Jr., and Pearl E. Selby were admitted to the firm, the name of which remained the same. But in April, 1902, Drew, Selby and Company was succeeded by the corporation known as The Drew-Selby Company. The company has a capital stock of $960,000, of which $260,000 is preferred. It employs, in average seasons, about 1,800 hands and transacts a business of $3,500,000 222 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION annually. Its officers are as follows : President and general manager, George D. Selby ; first vice president, Irving Drew ; second vice president, S. P. Selby ; secretary, M. W. Selby ; treasurer, Jared J. Rardin ; superintendent, P. E. Selby. THE IRVING DREW COMPANY The Irving Drew Company, manufacturers of ladies' shoes, succeeded to the business of the Star Shoe Company in 1902, and has since developed one of the best known factories in the country. To trace the origin of the business it is necessary to note the enterprise started by Titus, Heer and Company in May, 1893. At that time the firm had commenced the Manufacture of children's shoes with an outfit which had been purchased of Drew, Selby and Company ; the factory was located in what was known as the Gaylord Rolling Mill Store, near the corner of Washington and Front streets. In January, 1894, the Star Shoe Company succeeded to that business, being officered as follows : J. J. Rardin, president; S. 0. Titus, secretary, treasurer and general manager ; Chris. Uhl, vice president ; A. Titus and Irving Drew. Two .years later the company purchased the Padan Brothers' plant on West Front Street and moved into it. When the firm of Drew, Selby and Company was changed into a corporation in April, 1902, Mr. Drew sold enough of his stock to give George D. Selby a controlling interest, and afterward devoted himself more especially to the development of the Irving Drew Company. After severing active relations with the Drew-Selby Company he purchased the business and plant of the Star Shoe Company and changed its name, as before mentioned. He became its president ; W. S. Kennedy, vice president ; R. I. Drew, secretary ; and W. W. Gates, Jr., treasurer. The business was reorganized with a view of manufacturing a fine line of ladies' shoes, which aim has been accomplished. There has been no change in the officials, with the exception that L. T. Spencer, one of the directors, has succeeded R. I. Drew, deceased, in the secretaryship. The main building of the present plant is on Eleventh Street, a massive four and five-story structure, whose total frontage is over four hundred and forty feet. The present output of the plant is about $1,500,000 annually, with a capacity of $2,500,000, and the business is capitalized at $600,000. THE EXCELSIOR SHOE COMPANY The large plant of the Excelsior Shoe Company, at Eleventh and Hutchins streets, is devoted to the manufacture of men's, boys' and youths' shoes ; its "Boy Scouts" shoes have a very wide reputation. The company was incorporated in January, 1889, under the Ohio laws, with a capital stock of $10,000 and the following officers : F. D. Euth, presi- HANGING ROCK IRON REGION - 223 dent ; W. G. Williams, vice president ; A. T. Holcomb, secretary ; J. E. Williams, general manager and treasurer. The plant started in business in an old three-story brick business block on Front Street with a capacity of fifty pairs daily. In February, 1891, the capital stock was increased to $25,000, and W. G. Williams, brother of the general manager, was taken into the firm as vice president. In 1892 the business had grown to such an extent that the management thought it advisable to hunt larger quarters and succeeded in leasing what is known as the old. Miller block, corner Third and Gay streets. At this same time, D. C. Williams, another brother of the general manager, was taken into the firm and made secretary and treasurer. D. C. Williams' association in business with his brothers was of a short duration, as his death occurred in April, 1908, at which time he was vice president of the corporation. D. C. Davies was also taken into the firm in the year 1892 and elected to the office of president, which position he still holds. The business continued to increase during these years until in 1896 they moved to more extensive quarters and occupied a new building erected for their requirements at Findlay and Gallia. In May, 1900, the capital stock was increased to $150,000 and in January, 1903, W. G. Williams was made secretary and treasurer, and in this same year, the capital stock was increased to $300,000. In the year 1907, J. W. Bannon, Jr., was taken- into the firm and elected secretary of the company, W. G. Williams continuing to fill the position of treasurer, which office he still holds. At the death of D. C. Williams, his brother, J. E. Williams, succeeded to the vice presidency, retaining the position as general manager. In the same year the capital stock was increased to $600,000, and the management has continued the same without a change up to the present time. In April, 1913, the capital stock was again increased to $900,000, and in the same year plans were laid for a permanent home and larger quarters. The dream of years of the general manager, J. E. Williams, who is .the father of .the business, became a realization with the completing of the mammoth new plant May 1, 1914. It is a massive building, of red brick, 330 by 50 feet and five stories high, with a floor space of 140,000 square feet. Light and power are furnished by its own electric plant. The value of the plant is $250,000 and it houses more than one thousand employees. The Excelsior Shoe Company has also a large branch factory at Ironton. THE EMPLOYERS' ASSOCIATION In prosperous seasons the shoe factories of Portsmouth employ over four thousand hands. To this number are to be added -the employees of the other minor industries, which would bring the total well along to five thousand. There have been a number of rather serious strikes of late years and the employers of labor have organized an association for arbitration and protection. It was formally effected in March, 1907, 224 - HANGING ROCK IRON REGION under the name of the Employers Association. The organization comprises about thirty members. Its first officers were as follows : John E. Williams, president; John Peebles, first vice president; Irving Drew, second vice president ; George E. Kricker, treasurer ; George Walters,. secretary. In April, 1908, Frank M. Baggs was chosen secretary and has thus continued. Mr. Peebles was elected president in 1910; Mr.. Drew first vice president and W. S. Walker, second vice president. Since Mr. Walker's death in' 1914 there has been no election for the office which he held ; at least, the vacancy had not been filled up to February; 1915.