HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 225 Farland bought Mr. Smith's half interest and took charge of the editorial work. The paper under this management of McFarland & Elick was issued from an office located on Second Street, south side, between Court and Market Streets. In the summer of 1870 Mr. McFarland erected the Tribune Building, on the northeast corner of Second and Court streets, into which the office was moved and where it resins at the present writing, August, 1883. Here he introduced the first steam engine used in printing in Portsmouth. In January, 1876, Mr. H. R. W. Smith, who had been in charge of the telegraphic department of the Cincinnati Enquirer, returned to Portsmouth and again became interested in the Tribune. He acted as editor and fhe paper was issued under the old firm name of Smith & Elick until August of that year when Mr. Smith relinquished his interest and returned to his old position on the Cincinnati Enquirer. Mr. Smith had sold his interest in the Tribune to A. McFarland, Jr., who had recently become proprietor of the Portsmouth Republican. The two papers were now consolidated (Aug. 9, 1876), and the firm of McFarland & Elick continued the publishers until Oct. 1, 1877, when W. H. Bonsall leased the office and issued the paper in his own name until Jan. 1, 1881. At this time Mr. Elick sold his interest to Mr. McFarland, but remained in the office as foreman and job-printer. The paper was then conducted by Mr. McFarland alone as editor and publisher until Jan. 1, 1883, when he accepted the position of business manager for the Tribune Publishing Company, which, with its steam power presses and other publishing facilities, had begun to assume large proportions. Feeling the need of recreation after so long a term of editorial service he turned that responsibility over to other hands, and at the present time devotes his attention to the business management. - 15 - The Democratic Enquirer was begun by James M. Ashley and Edward W. Jordan, April 6, 1848. They published two numbers and broke down. Neither of them had a cent of capital, and it did not sustain itself. Captain Francis Cleveland, having disposed of his farm on the west side of the Scioto, where the County Infirmary is at present located, bought them out and continued the Enquirer as a Democratic paper, with Jacob Miller as printer. Miller was taken in as a partner, and Nov. 21, 1849, they commenced the publication of a daily paper, which continued for several years. It was called the daily Dispatch, and was the first daily paper published in Portsmouth; the price, delivered to subscribers, being 10 cents per week. Mr. Miller sold out his interest to Alexander Pearce, and it was published by the firm of Cleveland & Pearce. After a time Captain Cleveland sold out his interest to Mr. Pearce. It changed hands again, and Thompson & Norton published it awhile, and then George W. Nelson became the proprietor, who continued it up to October, 1855. Shortly after Cleveland & Miller got hold of it they changed the name to the Portsmouth Enquirer. Mr. Nelson, the last publisher of the Enquirer, was a very vigorous writer, and showed up the corruption of some of the city and county officials in a manner that had never before been done. Subsequently Mr. Nelson changed the name of the paper to Ohio Pennant and continued its publication a few years when the editor went West and the Democratic party was again left without an organ. The material was afterward used in the publication of a tri-weekly Democratic paper called the Plain Dealer. It was published only through the Buchanan and Fremont campaign, edited by E. M. Horrel, who subsequently went into the rebel army. In 1857 Walter C. Hood brought his office 226 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. from Ironton and started the Portsmouth Times. It was continued until about 1860, and after a rest of about one year was revived by its present able editor, Hon. James W. Newman, in company with his broth er, R. Newman. In the interval J. F. Rate and W. C. Appler issued from the office a Fillmore campaign paper. Under his management this paper has been remarkably successful. It is Democratic in politics and very ably edited. In 1861 the veteran, Sam Pike, began the publication of an ultra Democratic paper which he called the Portsmouth Patriot. The first issue appeared April 18, 1861, but it was unsuccessful, and he was compelled to stop it after a few months. In 1852 Stephen P. Drake started the Scioto Valley Republican. It was independent in politics and an excellent literary paper. It was continued by S. P. Drake and his brother Samuel until about 1863, when it was stopped, both of its editors having gone into the army. About 1866 it was revived as a semi-weekly by Samuel P. Drake and S. F. Wetmore, but sold by them to C. E. Irwin in 1870 and continued as a weekly until 1876. In that year it was purchased by A. McFarland, Jr., and consolidated with the Tribune. The material was afterward used in the publication of the Portsmouth Blade. It was started in September, 1876, by Mr. J. E. Valjean, under the name of the Valley Blade,, which was changed in 1879 to Portsmouth Blade. In January, 1879, new material was secured and the company reorganized. It is published by Mr. Valjean at the present time. The paper is Republican in politics, but is more especially characterized as a sensational paper, voluminous in local news. This feature has given it quite a large circulation, and consequently it is successful from a financial standpoint. In 1874 Mr. Samuel P. Drake again came before the public with the publication of the daily Globe, which was continued for nearly two years; but Portsmouth had before thi repeatedly shown her lack of enterprise b refusing to support a daily paper and this one went the way of its predecessors. In the winter of 1862 Warren and Daniel Davis started a paper called the Portsmouth Gazette. It only lasted about two months, but was revived by the same gentlemen after a few years and continued about two month again, when it was discontinued entirely. In 1878 Messrs. McNichols and Dunning. ton, two young men whose faith was strong, I started the daily Herald, which, after a fitful existence of two short weeks, passed from the field of action, its path marked only by financial disaster. Portsmouth District Quarterly.—This is a religious periodical published quarterly at Portsmouth, by the Methodist Episcopal I church. It was started in 1880, and printed! by Samuel P. Drake. In January, 1882, it was succeeded by the Portsmouth District Recorder, a monthly journal edited by Bev, M. V. B. Ewans. A German paper called the Ohio Correspondent was started in 1855 by Edward Raine. It was published by him until about 1873, when he sold out to Julius Bock, who subsequently sold it to its present proprietor, J. G. Fuchlinger. Other papers have been started and pu lished for a short time in Portsmouth but were of little importance compared with mo of those just given. The daily Herald was commenced b Pheps & Dumas in March, 1855, and con tinued by them until June of the same year, when John Hanna bought the establishmen and continued the publication of the daily Herald and weekly until February, 1856, when the establishment was purchased b Shannon, Spence & Co., and the paper die continued. HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 227 The Scioto was a campaign paper started in 1840. It had but a short life. The Life Boat was a small paper published About 1845, by N. H. Parker. The Path Finder, a campaign paper edited by F. Cleveland, was being published in 1856. In that year Portsmouth had three dailies—the evening Tribune, morning Herald and daily Pennant. The Spirit of the Times was a Republican campaign paper started in 1857. The Daily News was published through the campaign of 1880, by Samuel P. Drake. It was started in the interest of Hon. Henry S. Neal, Republican candidate for Congress from this district. The Portsmouth, Dispatch was started in 1853 or 1854. THE CHILDREN'S HOME ASSOCIATION. This most worthy and benevolent institution was the work of a few Christian and philanthropic ladies of Portsmouth, who inaugurated it in the summer of 1874, and in October of the same year opened the institution for the benefit of the homeless children or Portsmouth and Scioto County./ The work was successfully prosecuted by the association until August, 1877, when, a suitable building having. been erected by the county, it was handed over to a Board of Trustees appointed by the commissioners. There was during this period both a day school and Sunday-school connected with the home, where the education and the morals of the children were carefully superintended. The following were the officers and members of the association: President, Mrs. D. B. Cotton; Vice-President, Mrs. Chas. Lloyd; Recording Secretary, Mrs. H. A. Towne; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. E. F. Draper; Treasurer, Mrs. J. Y. Gordon; Mesdames S. R. Ross, George Helfenstein, 0. C. McCall, Samuel Reed, B: R. Miles, V. Burkel, M. H. Ball, B. B. Gaylord, J. K. Lodwick, W. A. Hutchins, M. Zoellner, John Wilhelm, I. N. Stanger, George Waller, L. C. Robinson, M. A. Gunn, Enos Reed, M. J. Waller, Charles Elden, Rose Stimmell, Jesse Swim, E. Pond, W. P. Martin, S. G. Moore, E. Kehoe, George Johnson, Carrie Hall, Albert McFarland, H. E. Currie, T. J. Graham, William Moore, Charles Winter, 0. F. Moore, A. McGinley, T. II. Pursell, G. D. Selby, John 0. Peebles, A. Pursell, John B. Gregory, P. C. Jams, G. H. Gharky, W. H. Johnson, John Purdum, A. M. Fulton, M. J. Barton, J. M. Tracy, J. M. Nichols; Misses M. J. Terry M. J. Peebles, M. E. Peebles, Thirza G. Spry, M. Firmstone. From the very able report of the Secretary, Mrs. H. A. Towne, the following excerpts are taken, space not allowing for the fall report: “The Home was opened Oct. 12, 1874, in the Hospital Building. In January, 1875, a donation was received from ten young ladies who had a table at a sale, and in February we were generously helped again by the proceeds from tableaux, given by a few of the ladies and gentlemen of the city; and again, in February a spelling match helped materially to raise funds. In April our German friends very kindly gave a concert for the benefit of the Home, and in July a contribution was received from a society of young girls. "During the year ending October,1875,forty-eight children were received, thirty-three of whom were from the Infirmary; good, permanent homes were found for two; five were returned to friends, not parents; three were put out on trial; one sent to the Asylum for Imbeciles; one child was boarded at the Home for a few weeks; one was returned to the Infirmary; there was very little sickness of a serious character and only one death; most of the children were young, their ages ranging from two to twelve years; the majority under eight years. 228 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. "The society has been managed by the usual officers, with five standing committees: An Executive Committee, Clothing or Business Committee, School Committee, and one to consider applications for admission, and one to decide upon children leaving the Home for other homes; also, a Supply Committee of two ladies, one appointed each week, when one member of the committee was relieved, each lady serving two weeks. This committee attended to the daily needs and expenditures, principally that of eatables. Thus has the Children's Home been conducted for nearly hree years, entirely under the control of the ladies of the association. And in no sense has it been, during that time, a County Home, and at no time, since the organization of the society, was a private institution contemplated. Only necessities and circumstances compelled the ladies to maintain and control it so long." It was right that the institution should become a public burden, and the county accepted it as such, as soon as they could make arrangements, by the erection of a Home, to receive the charge. This was done, as above remarked, in the fall of 1877, the first Trustees being J. Y. Gordon, John G. Peebles and W. Kinney, and when received thirty-seven children occupied the Home. Since the county opened the charge 365 children have been received and discharged from the Institution, 183 having been taken by friends and relatives, and 182 found homes for by those in charge. There are now seventy-one children inmates of the Home. The officers for 1883 are: Trustees, John G. Peebles, E. E. Ewing and Samuel Reed; Matron, Miss Mary McCord; Assistant Matron, Mrs. Mary C. Smith. The Home is a fine brick building three stories high, and basement, located on the east side of the city of Portsmouth, with grounds handsomely laid out, and the surroundings every way attractive and pleasant. PUBLIC LIBRARY. The first public library in Portsmouth was started in 1831 by a few friends of literature, of whom the center was Miss Eliza Dupuy. Miss Dupuy, who became an authoress of some note, resided on the corner of Second and Washington streets and there wrote her first book— "Morton, a tale of the Revolution." She drew around her a choice circle of literary friends, among whom were Dr. Hempstead, Judge William V. Peck, Edward Hamilton, John Glover, Francis Cleveland and others. This little society, by contributions from their private libraries, presented to the use of the town a very respectable library which was for several years kept on the corner of Front and Market streets. On the evening of Feb. 11, 1839, a meeting of the citizens was held for the purpose of establishing a public library and from it grew what was long known in the town as the public school library. The enterprise was very slow in reaching proportions sufficient to make it of practical value as we learn that in January, 1842, a meeting was held, at which it was resolved to keep up the effort until a library could be secured. This was a library of quite limited proportions and finally a lack of interest allowed many of the books to get lost. The bulk of the library was finally transferred to the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association and were kept until that organization died out, when what remained were taken to the public reading rooms of this city where some still remain, a part having been transferred to the present Public City Library, after its establishment. The present library, which is a great credit to the city, is the work almost entirely of one man, Colonel J. E. Wharton, a brief sketch of whose life is appended_ at the end of this article. Of course, credit is due to many of the citizens who made contributions of books, HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 229 but it is certain the contributions would not have been made had it not been for the efforts of Colonel Wharton. The energy displayed by this gentleman, infirm with age, that was rapidly closing around him, in a measure so fully for the benefit of others, is remarkable. His mode of collecting books was to take a wheelbarrow and, day after day, continue until he had traveled over every street and called at every house in the city for books. When the vehicle was loaded he took them to to the old " Seminary " building, on the corner of Washington and Fifth streets, which belonged to the city, and which had been secured for the purpose of a library. By the time the library was ready for opening, which was in the fall of 1879, it contained about 1,400 volumes. The number has now been increased to 6,233, largely by donation, but since the establishment about $600 worth of new books have been purchased. The library building is a two-story brick, built for and formerly used for one of the city school buildings. The second floor was taken out by the direction of Colonel Wharton, who had charge of the library up to his death, and a railing put around the edge of a floor extending out a few feet from the wall, forming a balcony. Cases for a cabinet were placed around the wall of this upper part but Colonel Wharton's project of filling them with a fine cabinet was interrupted by his death, and the work has never been carried out. A large oil painting of Colonel Wharton hangs from the balcony fronting the door. The library, since the death. of Mr. Wharton, has been in the charge of Miss Nana A. Newton. J. L. Wharton was born at Heath, Mass., in 1809. He served an apprenticeship as printer, and then entered on the publication of a newspaper at Massilon, Ohio. From here he went to Wheeling, W. Va., and established what is now the Wheeling daily Intelligence, the leading paper in that State. The best part of his life was spent here. He was afterward editor of the New York daily Star, the Brooklyn daily Transcript, Parkersburg Times and Mansfield Herald, successively. From Mansfield he came to Portsmouth in 1875, and was for a few years largely interested in business enterprises among which was the Cincinnati & Eastern Railroad. Through his efforts Portsmouth was made a port of entry. He died Nov. 3, 1881. CITY READING ROOMS. In the fall of 1876, Misses Mary and Maggie Peebles, two young ladies of Portsmouth, to supply a need long felt in the city, conceived and undertook the project of establishing free reading rooms. The benevolence of the undertaking and the great utility of its successful accomplishment will be readily assented to by all. The two ladies visited other ladies in the city, whose co-operation they hoped to enlist, and were so much encouraged as to feel assured of success. A house was secured on Second street, the one now used, and the donation of books and money began. The plan conceived and carried out the first year was that the married men should pay the house rent, the married ladies pay for fuel and salary to those in charge, the young men to pay for gas lighting and the young ladies for periodicals and newspapers. After the second year those who were to pay the rent, which was very high, failed in their part, and Mrs. Rachel Hamilton volunteered to pay the rent alone, which she has done up to the present time. David Ramsey and his two daughters, Adelle and Venetia, have been active supporters of the enterprise from the first, and were selected to take charge of the rooms, and still remain in charge. By the donation of a part of the Y. M. C. A. library, which was accepted as a nucleus, private donations at various times and what few books have been bought by the society, the library now contains nearly 1,000 volumes. The tables are 230 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. well supplied with most of the leading periodicals, and with daily papers from Cincinnati and New York. The rooms, which are nicely furnished, are used for various religious and benevolent purposes, such as prayer-meetings for young men, temperance prayer-meetings, etc. The institution has, without doubt, been a great benefit to the city by aiding to invigorate the moral and intellectual tone of the young people. The first officers elected were Mrs. Amanda Purcell, President; Mrs. Geo. O. Newman, Vice-President; Miss Adda G. Dunlap, Secretary; Miss M. E. Peebles, Treasurer. Miss Dunlap served only a month or so, when M. E. Draper was elected to fill the vacancy, which position she still occupies. Mrs. J. W. Crawford has taken the place of Mrs. Geo. O. Newman. The other officers remain the same. INDEPENDENT ORDER OF THE HARUGARI. Germania Lodge, No. 63.—The lodge was organized Aug. 14, 1866, by A. Froehleich and August Rheinhart, of Cincinnati. The charter members were thirteen in number, officered as follows: H. Rosenberg, 0. P.; C. C. Bode, U. P.; Christian Hehl, Scribe; John Hennecke, Treasurer; Charles Dahler, Financial Scribe. The first initiates were Jacob John, John Findeis and Leonard Wilhelm, received Sept. 3, 1866. The lodge had as high as eighty members in 1872, but at the present time the number has declined to forty-five. The order is a beneficial institution for mutual aid, and is very liberal. During the year 1882 over $400 in money were paid out in funerals alone. The lodge is in a prosperous and flourishing condition, with a financial wealth of nearly $3,000 invested in Government bonds and elsewhere in safe investments. The officers at present are: Christian Hehl, E. B.; Christian Stamm, 0. B. ; Peter Hawk, U. B.; Jno. M. Gausle, Scribe; Henry Helwig, Financial Scribe; John Verner, Treasurer. MASONRY. BY JOHN B. LODWICK. The order of Free and Accepted Masons dates back with the early history of Portsmouth. Aurora Lodge, No. 48, was established on the 21st day of August, 1818, by a dispensation from Henry Brush, who was at that time M. W. Grand Master of Ohio, to the following: Brothers Ezra Osborne, Captain Samuel Gunn, Nathan K. Clough, Wm. Daily, George Clark, Robert Scott, Silas Cole, Wm. Oldfield, together with a number of other Masons residing in the town and vicinity, and on the 21st day of September, 1818, the Grand Master being present, opened a lodge in due and ancient form, and on the 24th of the same month the officers were publicly installed in the court-house, which at that time stood in the center of Market street, about opposite the present Portsmouth National Bank. The first officers under the dispensation were: Ezra Osborne, Worshipful Master; N. K. Clough, Senior Warden; George Clark, Junior Warden ; Wm. Daily, Treasurer; Jacob Evans, Secretary; Silas Cole, Senior Deacon; Lloyd Talbot, Junior Deacon; Robert Scott, Tyler. The lodge continued working under a dispensation until the regular communication of the Grand Lodge in 1820, when a charter was granted empowering them to convene as a regular lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. And at the stated meeting, Dec. 26, 1820, the following officers were duly elected to serve the ensuing year: Samuel S. Wilkinson, W. Master; G. S. B. Hempstead, S. Warden; Wm. Oldfield, J. Warden; Marcus Bosworth, Secretary; Jacob Offneer, Treasurer; James Abbott, S. Deacon; Wilson Gates, J. Deacon; James Hammell, Tyler. Brother Dr. G. S. B. Hempstead was elected Worshipful Master December, 1821, and reelected for the following fourteen consecutive HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 231 years. Brother James Lodwick was first elected Junior Warden in December, 1822, and continued a zealous, active member, always filling an office, and never missing a meeting when in the city, until within two months of his demise, Oct. 11, 1879, aged eighty-two years, and the last twenty-five years of his life and at his death was Treasurer of the lodge. The early years of Masonic work does not show a rapid increase in numbers, as it was during what is known as the " Morgan, or Anti-Masonic, crusade." Its pioneer charter members and patrons, however, ranked among the first in the community, both morally and socially, as the following enrolled list of members will show: Captain Samuel Gunn, Wm. Daily, Dr. Thomas Waller, N. K. Clough, Dr. G. S. B.. Hempstead, Hiram Willson, Silas Cole, Wilson Gates, Marcus Bosworth, Ezra Osborne, Robert Scott, Moses Gregory, Dr. Jacob Offneer, Rev. Stephen Lindsley, David K. Cady, James Lodwick, Washington Kinney, M. Kehoe, Wm. Hall, Eon. Wm. Salters, Jacob P. Noel, Robert Lucas, Arthur C. McArthur, Joseph Waddel, Jonathan Cutler and Captain Shackford. The last named, Captain S., crossed the ocean in a skiff, his only companions being a cat and a dog. All these, with most others who, as pioneers, are identified with the early history of Portsmouth, have passed to " that bourne from whence no traveler returns," Dr. Hempstead, the first Master elected under the charter, being the last survivor. He died July 9, 1883, at the ripe old age of eighty-nine years, the first elected Master and the last called, honored and respected by all. It can without boasting be said that Aurora Lodge has to this day continued her usefulness, selecting her members with such care that in but few cases the mention of a brother's name will call forth a blush. The founders and early fathers of Masonry, above named, have left descendants, children and grandchildren, who are sustaining an active and honorable part in carrying forward the cause which they loved, and bid fair to transmit their trust unimpaired to the coming generations. The first meetings of the lodge were held in 'Squire John Smith's building, on the southeast corner of Front and Market streets, at present known as the Cook or McDowell corner. About the year 1831 the lodge moved its quarters to (the then more central part of town) James Lodwick's residence (building yet standing) on Front street, corner of Pine alley, between Massey and Madison streets, and again in 1843 to the Whitney brick, on Market street, south of Second street; from thence to the Cook building on the west side of Market, between Second and Third, and in 1867 to the Masonic edifice, at present occupied by all the Masonic bodies, on the southwest corner of Washington and Third streets. The corner-stone of this edifice was laid by M. W. Grand Master Win. B. Dodd in 1865. The building was erected by the liberal subscriptions of citizens and brethren, and Aurora Lodge is indebted to Brothers Wm. Salters and Jacob Offneer for a legacy from each by will, the first $1,000, the latter $500. The following brethren have from its organization to the present time (1883) sustained the office of Worshipful Master: Ezra Osborne, Samuel Gunn, Samuel Wilkinson, G. S. B. Hempstead, William Oldfield, James Lodwick, Moses Gregory, A. C. Davis, Geo. Stevenson, Robert C. Jordon, Rev. Jacob Nichols, L. G: Terry, T. J. Pursell, B. F. Coats, Elijah Nicholls, J. H. Johnson, R. W. Farden, Thomas L. Jones and C. S. Caddo. The first Masonic funeral was that of James Burtwell, on the 22d day of September, 1818, the day after the formal opening of the lodge. The remains were escorted to the court-house, where a discourse was delivered by Brother Stephen Lindsley. The procession, consisting 232 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY of seventeen brethren, then repaired to the graveyard, which was on the grounds now occupied by the Portsmouth Iron and Steel Works, overlooking the Scioto River, and west of Madison street, where the remains were deposited with Masonic ceremonies. On the same evening the lodge convened and conferred the degree of Entered Apprentice upon G. S. B. Hempstead and Lawson Drury, making them the first to receive the honor. On the 6th of July, 1867, several brethren of Aurora Lodge organized Portsmouth Lodge, No. 395, receiving their charter in October following. Bro. G. W. Flanders was the first Worshipful Master. Since then the office has been filled by Colonel Wm. Bowles and R. A. Bryan. This, like her parent lodge, is in a healthy, flourishing condition, and her list of members embraces names of note and influence. Royal Arch Masonry,—Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 23, was organized in 1821, and worked under dispensation until 1840, when a charter was granted. The first officers under dispensation were: G. S. B. Hempstead, High Priest; Ezra Osborne, King; Wilson Gates, Scribe; Thos. S. Currie, Captain of Host; A. C. Davis, Princ. Sojourner; Peter T. Lowe, R. A. Captain; John Rowe, Saml. Nixon, and A. C. McArthur, 1st, 2d and 3d Vails. The first officers elected under the charter were in their order : G. S. B. Hempstead, R. H. Pattillo, Wm. Hall, M. Kehoe, Geo. Stevenson, W. Kinney, Jas. Lodwick, Wm. P. Gray, Geo. Shultz, T. S. Currie, Moses Gregory. Since then to the present time the office of High Priest has been sustained by the following companions: G. S. B. Hempstead, R. H. Pattillo, Rev. Erastus Burr, M. Kehoe, A. C. Davis, Robt. Montgomery, Frs. Cleveland, John A. Warner, Thos. L. Jones, Wm. A. Connolley and J. H. Johnson. In 1845 there was enrolled forty-eight members. Of that number but fifteen are now living, and but four under its jurisdiction. Royal and Select Masters. — Solomon Council, No. 5, of Royal and Select Masters was organized Nov. 1, 1839, under a dispensation dated Oct. 21, 1839. A charter was granted at the meeting of the Grand Council, October, 1841, and was surrendered Aug. 9, 1862. The first elected officers were: John Barney, I. G. M.; A. C. Davis, D. I. G. M.; Wm. Hall, P. C. of C. W.; M. Gregory, C. of G.; J. Cutler, Treasurer; Lemuel Moss, Recorder; A. C. McArthur, G. S. and S. Since then, or during its existence, the principal office has been sustained by A. C. Davis, R. C. Jordon, John K. Lodwick and J. C. Kehoe. Knights Templar and Knights of Malta.— Calvary Commandery, No. 13, was organized Jan. 11, 1853, under warrant, with Sir Van Dee Lyn Tracy, Eminent Commander; Sir Samuel Gould, Generalissimo; Sir M. Gregory, Captain of Guard. Assisted by Sir Thomas Orr, of Chillicothe, and Sir M. Z. Krider, of Lancaster. Several councils of Red Cross and commanderies of Knights Templar and appendant orders were held on several successive days and evenings, during which time a number of Sir Knights were created. While acting under a warrant, in addition to the foregoing officers, the follow. ink; were appointed to serve in the office indicated: Sir Kt. Rev. E.Burr, Prelate; Sir Kt. Jas. Lodwick, Treasurer; Sir Kt. Frs. Cleveland, Recorder. And for the following twenty-five years, or until death and infirmity prevent. ed, they were elected to and filled those positions and are the only ones honored by their portraits being placed conspicuously in the hall. The petition for a charter was presented by the following Sir Knights: M. Gregory, V. D. L. Tracy, Samuel Gould, A. C. Davis, L. G. Terry, Thomas C. Lewis, Rev. E. Burr, Robert C. Jordon and John K. Lod-wick, of whom at this time—August, 1883— HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 233 the three last named only survive. The first to receive the " fatal mandate " was Sir V. D. L. Tracy, who was also the first elected officer. The charter was granted at the meeting of the Grand Encampment in October, 1853, and the first .election held under it was in December of that year, when the following officers were elected: Sir V. D. L. Tracy, Eminent Commander, Sir George Stevenson, Generalissimo; Sir Washington Kinney, Captain General; Sir Rev. E. Burr, Prolate; Sir J. L. McVey, Senior Warden; Sir L. G. Terry, Junior Warden; Sir James Lodwick, Treasurer; Sir Frs. Cleveland, Recorder; Sir John K. Lodwick, Standard Bearer; Sir George Johnson, Sword Bearer; Sir Alexander Pearce, Warder; Sir William S. Wynn, Sentinel. Since the organization the following Sir Knights have been elected as Eminent Commanders: V. D. L. Tracy, Samuel P. Drouil lard, J. H. Johnson and John A. Warner. Sir Knight Johnson was elected for thirteen consecutive years. At the present time the order is in a very flourishing condiiton, numbering in its membership 107 members. Germania Lodge, No. 135. — This lodge was organized June 9, 1869, by Grand Master James Turner, from Dayton, Ohio, with twenty-two charter members. The first officers were : J. T. Miller, N. G.   Daniel Clemons, V. G. ; Christian Hehl, Sec. ; H. Rosenberg, P. Sec. and P. J. LeGrand, Treasurer. The order own their own hall, which is handsomely furnished, and the order is in prosperous condition, the membership at this time being eighty. The officers for the present year are : Herman Wessel, N. G. ; Geo. L. Hummel, V. G. ; Christian Hehl, Sec. and P. ; John Findice, Treasurer. CHAPTER XV. BANKS, TELEGRAPH, TELEPHONE, AND MANUFACTURES-COMMERCIAL ARTERY OF THE CITY. BANKS. Portsmouth, National Bank.—This old popular banking house may be said to have emerged from the Portsmouth Branch of the Ohio State Bank of the old constitution at the expiration of its charter in 1866. The Portsmouth branch was chartered in December, 1846, for twenty years, to do business, with a capital stock of $100,000. The officers at first were J. V. Robinson, President, and Eli Kinney, Cashier. In 1855 Eli Kinney sold his interest in the bank to Peter Kinney, at which time Washington Kinney became President and Peter Kinney, Cashier. That arrangement continued up to within a few months of the expiration of the charter, when Peter Kinney was made President and Sam'l Reed became his successor as Cashier. In 1865 the new organization was formed by the leading stockholders of the bank and the same officers were continued in their positions. The new bank was chartered for twenty years to do business, with a capital stock of $250,000, under the above name. The first Directors of this organization were: Peter Kinney, George Johnson, M. R. Tewksbury, L. C. Robinson and Robert Bell, Mr. Kinney was succeeded by Geo. Johnson as President in 1869, and he, at his death in 1875, by John G. Peebles, who still holds the position. Sam'l Reed has been the Cashier to the present time. The present Directors of the bank are: Jno. G. Peebles, Sam'l Reed, Chas. P. Lloyd, Albert T. Johnson and M. R. Tewksbury. The deposits in this bank at the present time reach nearly $400,000. Dividends are made regularly twice a year, in May and November, and in its whole history it has missed but one dividend. Up to the present time the original stock has been paid back in dividends two and three-fourths times, a success that reflects no little credit upon the management of those in charge. First National Bank.—The First National Bank of Portsmouth, Ohio, commenced business Aug. 8, 1863, with a capital of $110,000, P. S. Jams, President, and James Y. 40 Gordon, Cashier, being the sixty-eighth Na tional Bank organized in the United States, John P. Terry was elected President Jan. 9, 1878, and was succeeded by Emanuel Miller, January, 1879. The original charter expiring Feb. 24, 1883, the same was renewed for twenty years from that date. June 18, 1883, Mr. Miller was succeeded as President by James Y. Gordon, and Charles E. Jewell appointed Cashier. The capital and surplus of the bank is: $242,000, July 1, 1883. Farmers' National Bank. —A firm of brokers, Thomas Dugan & Co., had built up a large business in Portsmouth, during and soon after the late war. George Davis, of this city, was one of the leading members of the firm, and thinking their business would be - 234 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 235 facilitated by a banking organization he, in nnection with Mr. Dugan, secured the establishment of the above institution in May, 1865. It was chartered as a National Bank to do business, with a capital of $250,000. The stock was taken by between sixty and seventy men of the city and county. The Board of Directors consisted of Thomas Dugan, Geo.. Davis, Wm. Hall, Geo. W. Flanders and P. J. Dunham. Thomas Dugan was elected President and J. M. Wall, Casher. Mr. Wall has retained this position to the present time. At the end of one year Mr. Dugan sold out and Dr. J. M. Shackleford was elected President. After remaining in the position two years, he was succeeded by Geo. Davis, who is still President. The Directors at the present time are: Geo. Davis, L. C. Robinson, Jno. Kennedy, Wm. S. McColm and J. L. Watkins. Mr. Watkins is Vice-President of the bank and bookkeeper. The bank has accumulated a surplus of $50,000 and since its organization has missed but two dividends. Those were in 1873 when all the banks suffered more or less. The proceeds of that year were added to the surplus fund. The deposits in this bank have been constantly increasing in the last few years and are now larger than ever before. Citizens' Savings' Bank.—Although three banks were already in business in the city,this institution was undertaken by nineteen capitalists of the city, in the year 1875. The bank was chartered under the laws of the State to do business, with a capital of $50,000. This was soon all paid up and has remained the capital stock to the present time. The directors, at the first election, chose D. N. Murray as President, C. F. Searl, Vice-President and John W. Overturf, Cashier,who have held their respective offices continuously ever since. The Directors at the present time are: D. N. Murray, John W. Overturf, C. F. Searl, Jeremiah Cranston and Daniel R. Spry. The enterprise has been successful. PORTSMOUTH STREET RAILWAY. This enterprise was projected by a few of the business men and capitalists of Portsmouth. The company was organized in the year 1875, with the following officers: W. Q: Adams, President; S. E. Varner, Superintendent; J. 0. Murphin, Treasurer and Secretary. The capital stock was $25,000. After its organization the company at once began constructing the track and making all necessary preparations to begin active operation, so that by the following March (1876) business was opened, the first car being put on March 30. The track at that time extended, as now, from the corner of Front and Jefferson streets along Front, Market, Second, Chillicothe and Ninth to the Cemetery hill. The line beyond Ninth on Chillicothe street to the Scioto Valley Depot was constructed in 1881. The entire extent of track now is about four and one-half miles. Four cars are run regularly, making passage each way every fifteen minutes. Two additional cars are kept in readiness fort extra occasions. Eight men and fifteen horses are constantly employed. The officers of the company at present are: James Skelton, President; Enos Reed, Superintendent, and S. J. Williams, General Manager. CANAL BUSINESS. The canal, which was commenced in 1825, and completed in 1832, and was once an important factor in the national progress and prosperity of Portsmouth, has dwindled down until it has little business, and less interest in the future of the city. The port of Portsmouth increased in importance, yearly, after the canal's completion up to 1842, when the toll at this point for that year amounted to $37,325.16, and for a few years longer stood the fourth in the list of ports on the canal. 236 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. Newark was first; Cleveland, second; Roscoe, third, and Portsmouth, fourth. On the opening of railroads the canal business here began to droop, and in 1862, twenty years later, the toll reached only $3,552.24. A daily line of packets was put on June 1, 1837. Regular lines of freight-boats leave for Columbus now twice a week and this is the smallest freight point on the line; toll receipts about $1,000 a year, and water rents $600. TELEPHONE EXCHANGE. The Southern Ohio Telephone Exchange Company was organized in May, 1880, by a stock company, and the officers were Colonel William M. Bowles, President; R. Matthews, Secretary and Treasurer, and Floyd L. Smith, General Manager, controlling the territory of Scioto and Lawrence counties. July, 1, 1883, they transferred their property to the Central Union Telephone Company of Chicago, the officers remaining the same as before the transfer. The central exchange or office is on the corner of Market and Second streets. They have connection with Sciotoville, Wheelersburg, Haverhill and Ironton, and all the furnaces within an area of eighteen or wenty miles from Ironton and from Portsmouth. One of the largest pieces of wire is the connection with Ashland, Ky., across the Ohio River, which is 2,400 feet.. It is one of the largest single wires in the country. At Portsmouth they have 135 boxes, and at Ironton, 115. It is expected at an early date to connect with Chillicothe and Jackson. The General Superintendent's Office is on the corner of Market and Front streets, Portsmouth, Ohio. WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY. A telegraph line was opened about as soon as the branch road was completed, or about a year later, in 1853. Since that time Portsmouth has been connected with the outside world by a lightning line. The office here is under the charge of H. Warren, and is located in Room 3, of the Biggs House. ADAMS EXPRESS COMPANY. What is now the Adams Express Company was, when first started, the Hamden Express Company, from 1855 to 1858. Its office was on the west side of Market street between Second and Third streets, a Mr. Cramer being the agent. He remained several years and was succeeded by Phillip Emlich, who had been up to that time a route agent. The Hamden Express was finally merged into the Adams Express Company, when Emlich was succeeded by W. H. H. Cadot, who retain the agency nearly four years, when he was superseded by Sanford B. Jenning, and he by John C. Neal, who gave up his position in 1876. John B. Swift then took charge, and held the office until March, 1883, when Wm. J. N. Clough became agent, and L. H. Newton, assistant, who are both holding their positions at this writing. BALTIMORE & OHIO EXPRESS. The Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore, the Ohio & Mississippi, and the Baltimore & Ohio Express companies, one and the same, opened their express office in this city in 1878. It is located in the southeast corner of the Biggs House and is under the charge of Floyd L. Smith, who has held the position since 1881. The business of the company is conducted over the routes of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads, its branches and its leased lines. MANUFACTURES. Portsmouth, Iron, and Steel Company. These works, originally started in 1831, wer the first iron works established west of W hee ing. In the year 1831 John Glover and Jaw P. Noel began their construction, havin leased for that purpose the little plat of lan HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 237 between Front street and the river, east of the landing. The Hanging Rock iron region, which extended over a part of this county, had already been opened up and blast furnaces were in operation in the vicinity. This early establishment of such an enterprise here was induced by the convenience of transporting facilities and near location of fuel, and an abundance of raw material of a superior quality. The name under which it started was the Portsmouth Iron Works. The products were bar-iron, sheet-iron, nails, etc. The mill was run by Glover, Noel & Co. until 1834, when they sold to Thomas G. Gaylord. He sold, in a few years, a partial interest to Benjamin B. Gaylord, John P. Gould and Abram Morrell. After a few years this company, under the name of Gaylord & Company, greatly improved and enlarged the capacity of the mill. Under this arrangement, with but few changes, except a constant increase of business and work done, the concern remained under the same name until it was reorganized into a stock company in the fall of 1872, at which time the name was changed" to the Gaylord Rolling Mill Company. For a long time the works had been operated under the direction of Benjamin B. Gaylord, who, upon reorganization, was made President and General Manager. They were continued under this management until. 1878, when, owing to the financial depression and the retirement of Mr. Gaylord, on account of failing health, the works were closed for a few months. They were then leased to a new organization, the Portsmouth Iron and Steel Company, by whom they have since been run. The present officers of this company are: John P. Terry, President; John G. Peebles, Vice-President, and Louis Terry, Secretary. The manufactured products are almost all kinds of steel, sheet and bar-iron, spikes, " T " rails, angle-iron, etc., making a specialty of steel and iron boiler plates and boiler rivets. The aggregate value of the products is from $600,000 to $800,000 annually. Portsmouth Foundry and Machine Works. —On the corner of Jefferson and Third streets Messrs. Wilburn and Ward started a blacksmith shop and plow manufactory in about 1840. After operating on a limited scale for a few years this firm was dissolved and business stopped. After a short suspension the business was revived by a new firm, that of Ward, Murray & Stephenson, Mr. Ward being of the old firm. This firm invested a considerable amount of capital, set up new machinery and began the manufacture of machinery proper. They built a foundry on the first alley corner below Jefferson street; also put up a larger blacksmith shop on Jefferson street at the first alley above Third, and the car shop, since converted into and at the present time used for a boiler yard. This establishment manufactured all the cars, both passenger and freight, for stocking the railroad between Portsmouth and Hamden. After a few years' successful operation under this management D. N. Murray bought out the interest of John L. Ward, after which the firm became Murray & Stephenson. Under this proprietorship the manufacture of cars was abandoned and the shop converted into a boiler manufactory. Their foreman in the boiler works was John R. McLean, father of the present proprietor of the Cincinnati Enquirer. This firm of Murray & Stephenson now owned a foundry, machine shop, blacksmith shop, boiler shop and a pattern shop, and were engaged in the manufacture of nearly all kinds of machinery, including boilers and engines. Their works occupied the eastern end of the square bounded by Jefferson, Third and Fourth streets. In this condition, in 1863, Messrs. Wm. and E. B. Moore purchased Stephenson's interest in the concern and it 238 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. became known as that of Murray, Moore & Co. They bought the property lying on the east side of Jefferson street, between Third and Fourth, and built upon it the present foundry, which is one of the largest in the State for machine casting, ranking only second or third in size. They afterward extended their territory on the south of Third street, purchasing the quarter at the southwest corner of Third and Jefferson, on which they located the office. This firm did a very successful business, and were extensively engaged in the manufacture of iron and brass machinery, engines, boilers, etc., on the contract plan, making no specialties. In 1872 the Messrs. Moore purchased the one-half interest in the concern from D. N. Murray, who had been the chief proprietor for twenty-one years, and had it incorporated as the Portsmouth Foundry and Machine Works, by which name it is known at the present time. Mr. Murray's interest was bought at the rate of $138,000. The incorporators were Wm. Moore, E. B. Moore, J. H. Ricker, George Johnson, J. W. Ricker, all constituting the Board of Directors. Win. Moore was elected President, E. B. Moore, Vice-President and Henry Prescott, Secretary and Treasurer. Since that time J. H. Ricker has retired; George Johnson having died his interest passed to his heirs and he was succeeded as Director by Henry Prescott; John Williams was made a Director in place of J. H. Ricker. Henry Prescott, as Secretary and Treasurer, was succeeded by Isaac It:- Lane, who also bought his stock and became 4 Director. In 1876 Messrs. Prescott and J. W. Ricker bought the interest of Isaac R. Lane, but in 1881 both retired as stockholders and were succeeded by Jno. M. Moore and Enos L. Moore. Jno. M. Moore succeeded Mr. Prescott as Secretary and Treasurer. This new firm has built a new boiler shop and has transformed the old foundry building on Third street, below Jefferson, into a machine shop. They are the originators of and have in use in their shop a steam boiler riveter, only two of which are extant. Burgess Steel and Iron Works.—This extensive manufacturing establishment was started in 1871 by the present company, which consists of George Davis, L. C. Robinson, G. W. Weyer, M. H. Ball, John R. Williams and a few others who hold a smaller interest. L. C. Robinson was elected President, and held the position two years, when George Davis became his successor, and holds the position at the present time. E. N. Hope is acting Treasurer and Secretary. and L. D. York, Superintendent, Mr. York having been added to the firm in 1881. All grades of steel and the finer grades of iron p.m produced. The product is abouf 7,000 tons annually. Two hundred and twenty hands are employed besides six teams. The raw material used is the pig-iron of this and adjoining counties. The iron and steel produced is shipped to points in nearly every State except the Eastern States, where they are all sold through regular agencies. The establishment covers a space of 200 x 300 feet in size. The machinery is run by nine engines of different sizes, and includes five steam hammers, seventeen furnaces, eleven of which are puddling, the others heating furnaces, three drains of rolls, an open heating furnace of nine tons capacity, and one crucible of twenty-four pots. Three heats are made in twenty-four hours. Eight-tenths of the products of the establishment is steel. Two sets of men are employed. The Nichols Furniture Co.—This company is the outgrowth of the house of J. R. Nichols, which started in business in the year 1843, from small beginning and slightly primitive style. Mr. Nichols's machinery was of simple kind, and his motive power was the horse. From this beginning has grown the great manufacturing and wholesale bus' HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 239 ness, whose sales now cover a heavy trade in the South and all the neighboring States as well as Ohio. In 1875 the name was changed to the Nichols Furniture Company. J. B. Nichols is still the sole proprietor, but is assisfed in the management by his two sons, C. Y. and J. B. Nichols, Jr., who have charge of the salesroom and shipping department. The factory is a substantial brick structure, three stories high, with frontage of 125 x 50, and a wing 40x50. The depth of the lot is 260 feet, and is located on Mill and Front streets. They give employment to from fifty to sixty hands. The trade the present year has a very promising outlook of a large increase. The salesroom and office are at 136 W. Second street. In connection with the factory is a sawmill and lumber yard, a large portion of his logs being purchased above and rafted down the Ohio River. The mill has a capacity of 10,000 feet per day. Portsmouth, Woolen Mills.—This establishment, the only one of the kind in the city, was founded by Wm. Maddock in 1847. It fell into the hands of his sons, the Maddock Brothers, who were succeeded in 1880 by the present owners, Enoch J. Salt & Co. Additions of room and machinery have been made at different times, until now it is a business of considerable magnitude, sending its manufactured products to nearly all parts of the United Stafes. The mills consist of three sets of woolen machinery, a knitting department, dye house, machinery for custom work, and 'a bleaching house separate from the main building. The capacity is about 3,000 pounds of yarn daily. The building, situated on the corner of Fourth and Chillicothe streets, is a large brick, 115 x 132 feet in size, and three stories high. The products of this mill are yarns, hosiery, jeans and blankets. Yarns and hosiery are made a specialty. About seventy-five hands are constantly employed. Mr. Chas. R. Maddock, a well-schooled and thorough mechanic in this business, is superintendent of the mill. Ohio Stove Company.—This company was organized in the year 1872, and started business the following year with a paid-up capital of $24,000, and an authorized capital of $50,000. The President was J. L. Hibbs,, Secretary and Treasurer, F. E. Duduit; Board of Directors, J. .L. Hibbs, H. S. Bundy, J. D. Clare, S. E. Varner, C. Gerlach, J. P. Randolph and F. E. Duduit. The factory is located on Eleventh street. The business has rapidly developed and is now one of the largest establishments of the kind in Southern Ohio, while outlook for a heavy increase is very promising. Their coal stoves are Buckeye, Our Home, Improved Home, Monarch, etc. The wood stoves are the Valley Gem, Harris Cook, Pilot and, Peerless, with numerous other patterns of less note. Hollow-ware and all stove utensils are manufactured. Their salesroom is at 135 West Front street. They work from fifty to sixty-five hands the year around. Present officers are President, J. D. Clare; Vice-President, A. M. Damarin; Secretary and Treasurer, J. R. Clare; Directors, J. D. Clare, A. M. Damarin, J. R. Clare, L. W. Baker and John Bridwell. Portsmouth Shoe Manufactory.—In 1869 R. Bell started a shoe factory in Portsmouth, making about 100 pairs per day. He was succeeded by his son-in-law and others under the firm name of Rifenberick, Drew & Gregg. They continued about two years, when, in 1873, a joint stock company was formed, called the Portsmouth Shoe Manufacturing Co. The company consisted of the following men: Irving Drew, Fred Drew, George Paden, Henry Paden, Henry Cook, Nicholas Reeg, Valentine Dressler, John Bourgholtzer, Nicholas Ames and Wm. Koblens. At the present time the stock has all passed into the hands of the Paden brothers—George, Henry and Albert. The manufactory is located on Front street, 240 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. between Market and Court, where they do a business ranging from $125,000 to $175,000 a year. Employment is given to 125 hands, and four salesmen are kept on the road, traveling through Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and other parts of the West. The product is limited to ladies' fine shoes. Boot and Shoe Manufactory.—This manufacturing company was first formed under the firm name of Irving Drew & Co., the company being Bernard Damon and Henry Cook, and commenced business in January, 1877. It was organized into a manufacturing company in 1879 under the style of Drew, Selby & Co., the partners being Irving Drew, G. D. Selby & Bernard Damon, who still continue as the proprietors. Jan. 1, 1881, they secured the three-story brick building on the corner of Third and Jay streets, 90 x 60 in size, and fitted it up with the latest improved machinery where they are at present located. Their specialty is ladies' fine wear. They employ 140 hands and have four traveling salesmen. Their trade is with all the adjoining States, besides West and South. They started with, a capacity of eighty to one hundred pairs per day and it now reaches 400. Portsmouth Wagon Stock Company.—This establishment was founded in 1882. It is situated on the north side of Eleventh street, between Washington and Chillicothe. streets. A joint stock company was formed, incorporated in December, 1881, containing eighteen members, of which John B. Rattinghaus was chosen President, C. S. Cadot, Secretary and Treasurer, and C. W. Cotton, Vice President and Superintendent. Among the stockholders are numbered some of the most enterprising capitalists in the city, and the undertaking was one of large proportions from the start. At this time the products are valued at from $75,000 to $100,000 annually. The products are carriage, wagon and cart wheels of all sizes and grades, also locust and elm hubs, spokes and bent rims. The main building of the establishment is 50 x 100 feet with an L 35 x 40 feet. Each are three stories high. The machinery is all of the most modern and improved patterns. The work produced is of a fine quality and finds sale in many parts of the Union. Soap Factory.—The soap and candle establishment of Henry Zottmann was first located in the eastern part of the city near the river bank. The high water interfered with the works, which were then very small, and higher ground was resorted to farther back. The old site has since been entirely Washed away. In 1865 the present factory was built. It is a brick building 30 x 70 feet, and two stories high. The machinery is run by a six horse. power engine. Three brands of soap are made, Eagle, Model German and the I X L, —all laundry soaps. Candles are also manufactured. The business amounts to about Wheelbarrow Company.—The Standard Wheelbarrow Company was organized in June, 1882, and so far have done a successful business. They employ from twelve to sin. teen hands, have first-class machinery, and have the capacity of turning out ten dozen per day. They also mount grindstones, and such other work as comes naturally in their line. The officers of the company are M. R. Tewksbury, President; Henry Prescott, See. retary, Treasurer and Superintendent, and Joseph Horning, Vice-President. Portsmouth Brewery.—This establishment, situated on Second street, between Madison and Scioto, was started in 1840 by Henry Muhlser and run by him many years until his death. It was then run by his widow for short time until her marriage with Frank Kleffner, in 1868, after which he was the sole proprietor until 1878. In that year August Maier purchased a one-half interest and since that time has been one of the proprietors. In 1880 Conrad Gerlach became a third partner in the concern. In 1882 Gerlach an HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 241 Kleffner retired and Henry Roettcher, of Cincinnati, having bought their interest, became a partner of Mr. Maier, who are the present owners, under the firm name of Roettcher and Maier. Mr. Maier, who has had an experience of fourteen years in the business, acts as foreman. They manufacture about 10,000 barrels of beer annually. Their trade embraces a circuit of about fifty miles in every direction, besides the supply of a good trade in Portsmouth. The Lumber Trade—H Leet & Co.—In the first settlement of the West there were no saw-mills to convert the native timber into lumber, and very few were found in the county prior to 1810. When lumber began to be used for buildings a large portion of it was shipped on rafts down the Allegheny and Ohio rivers from Pennsylvania and Western New York. The introduction of the lumber trade in Portsmouth was about 1830, when a Mr. Chamberlain, a New York lumberman, came here and contracted with James Lodwick to open an office and handle his lumber on commission. Mr. Lodwick continued to handle lumber for other parties for several years until finally he engaged in the business for himself, which he continued up to about 1850, bringing all of his material from the lumber regions of New York and Pennsylvania. In the year 1850 Frank Martin started a planing mill for custom work, the first started in Portsmouth, and ran in connection with it a small lumber yard. He afterward took as a partner Daniel Rhodes, but they continued only a short time. Late in the year 1850 EL and R. Leet, two brothers, came from Potter County, Pa., and began the lumber trade on a larger scale than it had formerly been conducted. The growing demands for lumber gave the trade greater proportions, and the trade thus opened, in which H., Leet has been constantly identified from that time, has been one among the leading business interests of the city. After three years H. Leet bought his brother out and continued alone until 1857, when he took as a partner H. L. Chapman, the firm name becoming Leet & Chapman. The partnership lasted but a few years, when it was dissolved, and H. Leet was again alone until 1864, when he sold out and removed to Western New York. After an absence of five years Mr. Leet returned and again engaged in the lumber business, starting in connection with it a planing mill for custom work. This mill was burned in 1871, together with a considerable amount of lumber in the near vicinity. It was replaced by. the present one, much larger than the other, though still doing only custom work. In 1873 Carl Lehman, who had long been acquainted with the business, was taken in by Mr. Leet as a partner, and the firm became as it now stands, H. Leet & Co. This firm still confines itself to the custom trade, which amounts to from $45,000 to $65,000 a year. In connection with all kinds of lumber they handle shingles and lath, and with the aid of the planing mill, furnish most all of the material required by contractors, which makes up the most of their business. Their trade is supplied principally with domestic lumber and the white pine of Michigan. Some is still brought from the Allegheny lumber region of Pennsylvania and New York. The stock of lumber kept on hand ranges from 200,000 to 800,000 feet. Portsmouth Coopering Establishment.—The establishment is situated on Second street, between Jefferson and Madison, on the . sme lot on which was built the first church and school-house in Portsmouth. It has been owned from the first by Joseph Hornung, started by him in 1868. The first building was a frame which was used for eighteen years, when it was replaced by a brick. This as well as the old frame stood back from the street. In 1870 the present - 16 - 242 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. shop was built in front of the old one, and in 1878 seventy feet addition was built, making the entire establishment 120 feet deep. Twenty-one hands are employed most of the time. All kinds of tight work is produced, the products being sent to the West, St. Louis, Kansas City and other points. The shop is capable of turning out 15,000 pieces a year. Eberhardt Stove Foundry.—This establishment was started in 1853 by H. Eberhardt and John Noel. Eberhardt was a practical molder, having worked at that trade in Cincinnati ten years. They operated together about fourteen years, when Mr. Eberhardt bought his partner out, and has since conducted the business alone. A stove store was opened in 1855 on Market street, between Second and Third, and has since been run in connection with the foundry. All the latest and most approved patterns of stoves are made, the foundry turning out from 5,000 to 6,000 stoves a year. In the works and as salesmen in the store and on the road, about fifty hands are constantly employed. Reitz & Co.'s Stone Works.—These works are situated on the west side of Massie street, extending from Front to Second. They were started in 1865 by John Reitz, who died two years later at the age of fifty-three. Since that time the establishment has been managed by his son, Ignatius Reitz. Freestone, limestone and marble are sawed into any shape ordered for building purposes. Twenty-five hands are employed, and the product of the works amounts to about 40,000 cubic feet of stone annually. The cutting is done by sand-saws run by heavy steam-power. The goods are sold chiefly in Ohio, Indiana, Old and West Virginia, Pennsylvania and some in Chicago. J. H. Wait & Son—Furniture Co. —This establishment, situated at Nos. 120, 122 and 124 Jefferson street, was started at Portsmouth in 1847. Comparatively limited in the start it has grown almost constantly to the present time, and now employs about 100 men. The work produced, for which the man. ufacturers enjoy a good reputation, embraces all kinds of furniture, and finds market in many of the large cities of the Union. It is one of the industries in which Portsmouth may well take pride. Dice's Carriage Factory.—This manufac tory was started by John Dice and Miles Forbes, who continued together until 1866, when Mr. Dice became sole proprietor, and still continues as such to this date. A three story brick building was erected in 1868 on Second street, between Market and Jefferson! where he also has his office and salesroom. Carriages, buggies, spring-wagons, etc., are manufactured, keeping some twenty-five hands constantly employed. The work turned out finds a ready sale in the country around and in the adjoining States. Carriage Manufactory. — The carriage manufactory of Thomas Nichols and Geo. P. Welch, under the firm name of Nichols & Welch, was started in 1877, at 109 W. Front street. Later they removed to their present place of business on Third, street, between Court and Washington, a two-story franc building, the front of which is office and sales. room. They are employing fifteen hands, besides their own time and labor, and a manufacturing everything in the line of carriages, phaetons, wagons, hacks, etc. The have, in connection, a large repair shop. The firm have been successful thus far, and the business future is bright. Johnson Hub and Spoke Co.—This com pany, manufacturers of wheels and wheel material, was started first in January, 1868, b S. G. Johnson, John 0. Peebles, and Benj. Gaylord, under the firm name of Johnson Peebles & Co. In 1872 Messrs. J. H. Rhodes and S. G. Johnson bought the interest of Messrs. Gaylord & Peebles, the firm names now becoming Johnson & Rhodes. In 1877, S. G. Johnson and his brother, T. N. Johnson, HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 243 bought out Mr. Rhodes, when the firm name became Johnson & Brother. S. G. Johnson died in February, 1880, when the surviving brother bought his interest from the heirs and became the sole owner, taking in his son, T. N. Johnson, Jr., as a partner. The firm name is now Johnson & Son, but was incorporated in April, 1882, under the name of the Johnson Hub & Spoke Co. They employ about seventy-five men, doing a business of ut $80,000 a year. Their manufactured articles are sent North, West, South and East, shipping also largely to England. By the use of good material and skilled workmen they have acquired an enviable reputation for first-class work, and have the satisfaction of seeing their trade constantly increasing. The shops are situated on North Chillicothe street. Portsmouth Fire-Brick Company.—This industry may be ranked among the successful enterprises of the Lower Scioto Valley, and under the careful management of W. Q. Adams it is gradually and steadily becoming stronger in its standing, and more and more complete as a factory. The largest building is the dry-house, which is 150 x 80 feet, and about half-way along this building, on the outside, is built the smoke-stack, which is seventy feet high, five feet at the base inside, and ten feet outside; and at the top, six feet inside and eight feet outside. This stack is said to contain more brick than any other in Portsmouth, and is for the purpose of drawing heat through the underground brick flues, which run from the outside of the building to the center flue. This keeps the floor of the dry-house almost hot and dries the brick very quickly. They use the up and, down draft kilns for burning the brick, which are considered the best. They have four of these kilns which are operated by a forty-eight horsepower engine, and manufacture about 12,000 bricks daily, each brick being stamped Solid Crown. The clay, which is mostly obtained from Carter County, Ky., is first burned in a kiln, then ground in three revolving pans, which have a capacity of 4,000 bricks per day. They employ from fifty to sixty hands, and have a capital of $50,000. CHAPTER XVI. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PORTSMOUTH. Mary A. Allmann, teacher of vocal, and instrumental music, Portsmouth, is the daughter of Lawrence and Dorothea (Wopschall) Allmann, natives of Germany. At the age of nine years she commenced the study of music and has since pursued it diligently, first learning it in German and then in English, and for the past fourteen years has been engaged in teaching. Her father was born in 1810 and came to America in 1833. Her mother was born in 1816 and came to America about 1838. They were married in 1838 in New York City, and came to Portsmouth in 1848, where Mr. Allmann died Jan. 4, 1865. Their family consisted of ten children, five of whom are still living—Mary, our subject; Frank, a saddler in Portsmouth; Margaret, widow of Theodore Lehmann; Katie, widow of Frank Kricker, and George, a frescoe painter in New Haven, Conn. Elizabeth, Joseph, and three children named John are deceased. Charles E. Amann was born in Baden, Germany, in 1836, and in 1848 came with his father to the United States and located in Portsmouth in 1859. He has been identified with the drug business of Portsmouth since 1863. In 1879, with Daniel R. Spry, he bought the drug store of H. Kantzleben. They were together about a year and a half, when the store fell into the hands of its present owners, Charles E. and Frank Amann, the firm name being Amann Brothers. Mr. was married Jan. 4, 1857, to R. Winet, native of Bethlehem, Ohio. They have but two children— Charles E., born March 3, 1858, and Frank, March 13, 1860. Benjamin Ball was born April 27, 1814, in Schenectady County, N. Y., a son of John Ball, also a native of New York. His father came to Scioto County with his family in 1824, and about 1830 he moved to Lawrence County, where he died in 1837. Our subject began to work for himself when eight years of age by helping farmers, etc., and at the age of nineteen came to Portsmouth, where he has since resided. He has been engaged in various pursuits, but for many years has been teaming, doing a general transfer and job business. He was married Feb. 28, 1836, to Susan, daughter of William and Frances' Barbee. She was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 181e. They had a family of twelve children, all living except one, who died in infancy—Mary Frances a clerk in Akron;} George William, a carpenter in _Pennsylvania; Elizabeth Ann, of Akron ; John Claudius, a carpenter and engineer, married and living in Fredonia, N. Y.; Emma Jane, of Akron; Juliet; now Mrs. Theodore Burkhart, of Missouri; Charles H., married, a bricklayer of Portsmouth; Benjamin F., Sarah Ellen, Flo ence May, and Albert. Mrs. Ball died Nov,! 2, 1876, aged nearly sixty-one years. She was a woman of great strength of character. William Henry Ball was born near Ironton, Ohio, July 14, 1828, where he lived till he was seventeen years old. He then went, to Iowa and engaged in farming, etc., two years, since which time he has resided in Portsmouth, with the exception of two years, and has been engaged in farming to some ex- - 244 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 245 tent, and teaming ever since he came to the place. He was married in 1850, to Sarah Ann Barbee, who died July 23, 1862. They were the parents of six children—William, who died in 1853, aged eighteen months; Emily, a graduate of Portsmouth High School, and at present Principal of the Union Street School; Lucy Jane, born in 1856, and died in 1873; Charles Wesley, born in 1858, and died when eighteen months old; Albert H. and Harry (twins), the former in the C., W. & B. express office, and the latter a graduate, now engaged in teaching and studying law under N. J. Dever. Mr. Ball was again married March 16, 1865, to Jane St. Clair, a native of Pennsylvania, who has borne him four children—Fred S., born Feb. 14, 1866; Anna, aged sixteen years; William H., aged fourteen years, and Arthur C., aged eight years, all attending school, at present. Mr.. Ball was a member of the Home Guards during the war. In politics he is a Republican. P. G. Balmert, manufacturer of cigars, Chillicothe street, opposite Market place, was born in Germany, March 2, 1846, and came with his father, Samuel Balmert, to the United States in 1854. His father died in Portsmouth in 1876, aged fifty-six years. Mr. Balmert was married in 1869 to Mary A. Schafer. They have had eleven children, nine now living—Charles, Lucy, Bertha, Flora, George, Simon, William, Ida, and Mary. Mr. Balmert purchased his present place of business in 1876.. He keeps a full line of chewing and smoking tobacco, plug 'and fine cut, and cigars of all grades. He employs eight hands, doing a large and lucrative business. S. P. Balmert, junior member of the firm of Stanton & Balmert, wholesale liquor dealers, 161 and 163 West Front street, was born in Germany, in 1848, and came with his father, Simon Balmert, to the United States in 1854, locating at Franklin Furnace, Ohio, and four years later came to Portsmouth. His first work was in a cigar store, where he remained three years. He then clerked in a grocery store three years, in a hardware store three years, and on the river steamers nine years, as Captain and Clerk, and in 1877 became associated with Mr. Stanton in the wholesale liquor business. He is a stockholder of the Portsmouth and Pomeroy Packet Company, and a director and stockholder in the Portsmouth Wagon Stock Company. He was married in May, 1880, to Louise Kricker. They have two daughters—Emma and Margaret. Mr. Balmert is a member of the German Benevolent Society. Robert Baker, contractor and builder, Chillicothe street, between Second and Third streets, Portsmouth, was born in Kent, England, in 1831, a son of Robert Baker, Sr. He came to the United States in 1848, locating in :Portsmouth, and at once began. working at the carpenter's trade. In, 1856 he began contracting, and during the busy season employs from twenty to twenty-five hands. He has built over 100 houses in Portsmouth, including residences of Mr. G. Davis, L. C. Damaim, and S. Reid, the Fourth Street Schoolhouse, postoffice, and block of stores occupied by Davis & Thompson. He was married in 1856 to Cornelia Wilson. They have six children—John, a traveling salesman for a New York silk house; William, assistant bookkeeper at Scioto car shops; Robert, working with his father; Nettie, Jennie arid Mary. John C. Barber, son of John Barber, is a native of Portsmouth. His grandfather, Uriah Barber, came from Pennsylvania to Portsmouth in 1796, and died in 1846, aged ninety years. He was twice married, and had a family of twelve children—John, Isaac, Samuel, Washington, Michael, Polly (Mrs. William Raynor), Jane (Mrs. Laqua), Joseph, William, Louisa (Mrs. Samuel Briggs), Miranda (married Mr. Briggs after her sister's death), Amanda (Mrs. Ezra Noel). John, the eldest son, married Vealet Swords who came with 246 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. her father, William Swords, from Virginia, and located in Alexandria in 1803. They had a family of twelve children—Uriah, Nathaniel, William, Archibald, Marian, John C., Samuel, Mary (Mrs. Wm. Warren, of Virginia), Barbara (deceased), Missouri (Mrs. James Tritch), Catherine (deceased), and Emma. John Barber died July 16, 1849, aged sixty-nine years. John C. Barber was married in May, 1867, to Grace Kidd, of Kentucky. They have one child—Edna, aged seven years. Mr. Barber enlisted April 16, 1861, in the First Ohio Infantry, and participated in the first battle at Bull's Run. He has been an engineer on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad twenty years, and for the past thirteen years has run Engine No. 50. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. Agnes I. Barklow is a daughter of Stout and Sarah Jane (Jeffords) Barklow, her mother being a member of one of the oldest families in ,Portsmouth. She was educated in the High School of Portsmouth, from which she graduated in 1874, and the two years after graduation she spent in recreation. Since then she has been constantly employed in teaching in the Portsmouth school, where her ability as a scholar and disciplinarian is recognized as among the first in the county. As a teacher she is peculiarly competent. Being complete mistress over herself, she has power over her scholars, which insures perfect order and consequent improvement. Josiah Barlow was born Sept. 26, 1843, in Banesville, Belmont Co., Ohio, and lived with his father, Charles Barlow, until Dec. 22, 1865, when he was married to Anna Barbee, daughter of Eli Barbee, au early settler of Portsmouth. Mrs. Barlow died April 5, 1883, at fhe age of thirty-seven, leaving a family of four children—Charlie, Floyd, Mollie, and Earl. She was a member of the Sixth Street Methodist Church. After his marriage Mr. Barlow engaged in farming for five years, in the Scioto bottoms, after which he moved back to Portsmouth, and formed a partnership with John Geggory, in grading and filling streets. They graded a number of streets in Portsmouth, and the same year built the mile race track. He then worked on the Lake Shore & Tuscarawas Railroad in Stark County, and he, in connection with Wm. McGeowns, built the first three miles of the Scioto Valley Railroad as sub-contractors under Mr.Geggory, in 1880. He was then elected Street Commissioner, which position he now fills. He owns the Biggs House Hack and Omnibus Line. Mr. Barlow's father was born in England, and came to the United States at the age of eleven years. He came to Portsmouth in 1849, and was by occupation a teamster and contractor. He built the schoolhouse on the corner of Second and Chillicothe streets, and graded the principal streets of Portsmouth. He also followed farming for many years. He died July 6, 1870, aged forty-nine years. Josiah Barlow is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is also a member of an Independent Order of Mechanics, John Baron was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Aug. 27, 1842, a son of John V. Baron. His father was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1811, and came to the United States in 1837. He spent the first two years in New York City and Buffalo, and then came to Ohio, where he worked on the Ohio Canal two years. In 1841 he was married, in Piketon, to Helen Geng, a native of Germany, and the same year removed to Portsmouth, where he died Dec. 7, 1875. His wife is still living. They had a family of six children, five now living. John, Kate, Barbara, Elizabeth (now Mrs Anton Matter), Mary. Margaret is deceased John Baron began to learn the tinner's trade when fifteen years of age, and worked at five years. He then with his father engage in the stove and tinware business, manufacturing the latter. After his father's death carried on the business in his own name HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 247 1879, when lie began dimishing his stock of stoves, and purchased a stock of hardware. e keeps a complete stock of choice goods, occupying three floors. His salesroom is 19 x 50 feet. Mr. Baron is a member of the St. Mary's German Catholic Church. Adam Bauer was born in Prussia, Feb. 2, 1834, a son of Henry Bauer, who came to the nited States in 1850, landing in Portsmouth, Aug. 3. He located in Bloomfield, now Webster, Scioto Co., Ohio, where lie still :resides, aged seventy-five years. He had three sons—Adam, John W. and John Nicholas. Adam commenced life in America by digging ore. He attended school but a half day in America, but by hard study is now a well-educated man. In 1851 he began to work on a farm. He was afterward employed in repairing the railroad, and had worked but eighteen months when he was appointed foreman, and the following August was appointed to take charge of a construction train. He left his position to enlist in Company C, One Hundred and Sixth Ohio Infantry, and after serving three years was again appointed to the same position. In March, 1868, lie was appointed Roadmaster of the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad. He was married Nov. 28,1858, to Minnie Kalbow, a native of Germany. Of seven children born to them but three are living—George David, mail agent on the S. V. R. R.; Charles F. and Minnie Dora. Mr. Bauer is a member of the Odd Fellow Lodge and Encampment and for three years has been Representative of this district. His brother, John W., was Roadmaster in Eastern Kentucky, and was killed by falling material in a tunnel, Christmas night, 1875. He was about forty years of age, and left a widow and eight children, now residing in Portsmouth. His brother, John Nicholas, was born Feb. 25, 1843, and is a farmer of Scioto County. Homer Bedell, deceased, was born at Fredericktown, Knox Co., Ohio, Oct. 15, 1836, a son of Henry Bedell, of New Jersey. He learned the machinist's trade in Norwalk, Ohio. In 1861 he came to Portsmouth, and worked a short time for Murray & Moore. He then made gum-barrels a short time, and subsequently worked for Murray & Moore nine years. In 1872 he was employed as second engineer at the water-works, remaining eighteen months, when lie was taken .with tumor of the brain. He gradually lost his sight, and for eight months was blind. He died Nov. 12, 1874. He was married Sept. 6, 1864, to Sarah, daughter of Alfred R. Prowitt. They had a family of four children. Mr. Bedell was a master mason. He was a natural mechanic, and a man honored by all who knew him. Elias Benzing was born in Schwenningen, Koenigreich, Wuerttemberg, Germany, July 5, 1835. He received a good education, and was reared by Christian parents. Nov. 10, 1852, he located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was one of the original members of the First German Presbyterian Church. Immediately after his conversion he felt an especial love for the cause, and felt that he was called to preach the gospel. He declined a good business position, and entered Lane Theological Seminary, from which he graduated. He was licensed to preach May 8, 1863, and ordained April 7, 1864. He went to Cleveland and organized the Second German Reform Church, which has had a steady and healthful growth. In 1866 they built a house of worship, and in 1868 a parsonage. Dec. 5, 1871, he was received a member of the Cleveland Presbytery. He. left the church there in 1872, with a property of $10,000. Too constant labor as a pastor, missionary and teacher of parochial school had brought on a serious throat trouble, and by the advice of his physician he gave up preaching nearly a year, but after a few months rest was employed as City Missionary, with a salary of $900 a year. Oct. 18, 1873, he received a call 248 - HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY. from the First German Presbyterian Church, Portsmouth, and Nov. 4, 1873, entered his present field of labor. He also serves a church in Buena Vista and one in Green Brier, Adams County. From the beginning of his ministry to July 1, 1883, Mr. Benzing baptized 387 children, confirmed 197, received 407 members into the church, solemnized 105 marriages, attended 158 funerals, made 6,000 missionary visits, and traveled 18,500 miles. He has reason to believe that his work has not been in vain, but that souls have been saved through his ministrations. Four young men have entered the ministry under his administration. Charles F Best was born Feb. 24, 1853, in Cincinnati, Ohio, a, son of Karl Best, who was born in Germany. He came to Portsmouth in 1857, and attended school till he began clerking for J. L. Hibbs & Co., in the hardware store, with whom be remained from 1867 until 1874. From 1874 till 1878 the was Assistant Postmaster, after which he was in the employ of the R. R. Mail Service running from Columbus to Portsmouth the first two years, and from Ashland, Ky., to Columbus, Ohio, the next two years. From April, 1882, till the following April he was Assistant Postmaster with L. C. Damarin. He was married Nov. 5, 1879, to Mary A., daughter of Frederick Walter, of Portsmouth. They have one child—Rosa. Henry Beumler, boarding house and saloon, was born in Hanover, Germany, July 5, 1828, a son of Stephen Beumler. He came to the United States in 1854, stopping first in Wheeling, W. Va., where he worked in the coal mines three months, and then removed to Greenup, Ky., and remained ten years. In 1865 he came to Portsmouth and opened his boarding house on Front street. He was married in Wheeling, in 1854, to Catharina Kilborn, a native of Germany. She died in 1880, at the age of forty-six years. They had a family of eight children—Sady, Augustus, George, Henry, Sophia, Charles, Mary, Kafe, Mr. Beumler is a member of the Harugari German Society. Stephen D. Bishop was born in New Haven, Conn., Feb. 23, 1813, and came to Portsmouth in 1829. He was by trade ti tailor, and had a clothing store in connection with working at his trade. He died July 13, -1874, and his memory is dear to many who were his friends during the many years he was in business in Portsmouth. He was married in 1860 to Mrs. Serena Lalendorff, widow of Charles Lalendorff, and daughter Samuel Kidd. She had two children by her first husband—James Henry and Oliver, Mr. Bishop's children are—Stephen D., Mary Ann, Charles A. and William Nelson. John H. Blankemeyer, merchant tailor, Chillicothe street, between Sixth and Seventh, Portsmouth, Ohio, was born. in Hanover, Germany, in 1825, and came to the United States in 1845, locating first in St. Louis, where he remained two years. He then went to New Orleans, and remained eighteen months. In the fall of 1848 he went to Cincinnati, and in 1852 came to Portsmouth, He learned the tailor's trade in Germany, and worked as a journeyman eighteen years. After coming to Portsmouth he opened his present place of business. He keeps a full tine of cloths, cassimeres and gents' furnishing goods. He employs three workmen it the shop and five outside. He was married in 1848 to Anna A. Shlademan, of Oldens burg, Germany. They have five children-John, Lizzie, William, Herman and Anna They lost five children in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Blankemeyer are members of the German Evangelical church. He is a member of the Harugari Lodge. Louis Blomeyer, son of Louis Blomeyer, was born in 1829 in Hanover, Germany, He learned the shoemaker's trade, at which he worked till 1847, when he came to America He worked in Portsmouth, Cincinnati and HISTORY OF LOWER SCIOTO VALLEY - 249 Ashland, Ky., a short time and then returned to Portsmouth, where he has resided about twenty-eight years. When he came to Portsmouth he was engaged as a hand in the roiling mill, and is at present foreman of the mill. He was married in 1851 to Mary Kiefer, a native of Germany. They have eight children—Hannah Mary, wife of Henry A. Brodbeck, of Portsmouth ; Adolph Louis, a street car conductor in Chicago; Louisa, wife of William G. Reimenschneider, Principal of the Portsmouth public schools ; Mary A., wife of Charles Locker ; Allie, Clara, Hattie and Verena. Mr. Blomeyer is a member of the German Methodist church, of which he has been Trustee for the past twenty years. He has been a Class-Leader for twenty-two years, and Sabbath-school Superintendent seventeen years. Alfred Boyer, Treasurer of Scioto County, Ohio, was born near McConnellsville, Fayette Co., Pa., Oct. 16, 1833, the son of Jonathan and Jemima (Tipton) Boyer. When he was a year old his parents came to Ohio and settled at Scioto Furnace, and when he was ten years old they removed to a farm in Harrison Township. When he was twenty-one years of age, in 1854, his father gave him an ox team and wagon, and he went to work at the Harrison Furnace. In 1850 he worked at the Scioto Furnace, and in the spring of 1856 went to the Jackson Furnace, Jackson County. During the season of 1857 he was at the Bloom Furnace in Scioto County, and in the spring of 1858 was employed as collier by Allen Cole and John Paul, remaining with them five years. He then worked at the Empire Furnace a year, and in the fall of 1865 removed to a farm he had purchased in Harrison Township, where he still resides. He has 152 acres of fine land. In 1880 he was elected Treasurer of Scioto County, and re-elected in 1882, his term expiring in September, 1884. April 11, 1856, he married Temperance, daughter of Allen and nettle (Burt) Purdy. Their children are - Alice, Amanda, Isaporbelle, William, Duncan, Viola, Jonathan, Luella, Wilson, Halley and Oren. Mr. Boyer is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of Western Sun Lodge, No. 91, Wheelersburg ; Mount Vernon Chapter, No. 23, and Calvary Commandery, No. 13, Portsmouth, and Sovereign Consistory, S. P. R. S., Cincinnati. He is also a member of Scioto Lodge, No. 5, I. O. M. Vincent Brodbeck was born in Germany, Jan. 17, 1817, a son of Anthony Brodbeck. When he was eight years of age his mother died and he was bound to an uncle, where he had very little school advantages, and by hard work and ill treatment lost his health. When he was fourteen years of age he hired out by the season. In 1835, with his father and family, he came to the United States. They were fifty days at sea on the sailing vessel Bolivar. They landed at New Orleans in November, where Vincent worked at the carpenter's trade for $1.75 a day. March 1, 1836, they moved to Natchez, and he worked on the railroad a month. They then started for Troy, N. Y., where an elder brother, who had preceded them to America by eighteen months, resided, but the canal being broken they were obliged to stop at Portsmouth, and through the advice of Vincent concluded to remain. The latter worked two weeks for McDowell, Davis & Co., and then went to Gaylord's Rolling Mill and remained till August when his father persuaded him to take charge of the boarding house. In 1838 he opened a grocery store, which he carried on over forty years, retiring from business in June, 1881, when he sold out to J. M. Wendlekin. He was married Nov. 2, 1838, to Ottilia Mees, a native of Germany. They have three children—Elizabeth B., wife of Joseph Hornung; Rosa Ellen, wife of Herman Hems ; Ottilia, wife of J. M. Wendlekin. Mr.