CHAPTER XXV
COUNTY SOCIETIES AND ORGANIZATIONS
PICKAWAY COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
In August, 1828, the Pickaway County Bible Society was organized, at a meeting composed of delegates from township societies. Rev. William Burton, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Circleville, was chair-man of the meeting and William B. Thrall, editor of the Herald, secretary. After the adoption of a constitution, permanent officers were elected as follows : Guy W. Doane, president; Rev. William Burton, Rev. Jacob Leist, Rev. Henry King, Rev. Shadrach Cole and William Renick, vice-presidents ; Joseph Olds, corresponding secretary; John T. Davenport, recording secretary; Matthew McCrea, treasurer and depositor. These officers were reelected for several years.
The society had in its list of presidents--Philip B. Doddridge, John Lynch, Dr. Marcus Brown, Adam McCrea and John A. Lutz, the two last named each serving a number of years successively. The society some years ago became dormant.
TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION AND INSTITUTE.
In May, 1833, an "Association of Teachers and Boards of Education in Pickaway County" was organized at Circleville. Guy W. Doane was president; Joseph Olds, vice-president ; Arthur Whiteside, secretary, and Sylvester Dana, treasurer. The object of the association was to promote harmony, co-operation and the diffusion of knowledge among the members ; during its existence meetings were held quarterly.
In 1868 the Pickaway County Teachers' Institute Association was organized, at a meeting held in Circleville, July 13th, 23 teachers present. The first regular institute was held in the Union School building (now Everts building) in Circleville, beginning August loth and continuing one week. The instructors and lecturers were : Prof. J. F. Reinmund, superintendent of the Springfield schools ; Prof. J. C. Harper, superintendent of the Bucyrus schools ; Prof. J. C. Hartzler, superintendent of the Galion schools; George H. Twiss, principal of the Columbus High School, and J. J. Childs, one of the principals in the St. Louis public schools. All of these prominent educators are now deceased, Professor Harper dying at his home in Circleville in March, 1895.
Every year since, the institute has held a session of one week. The 38th annual institute, held at the Court House in Circleville, August 27-31, 1906, was the largest ever held, 180 teachers being enrolled. The lecturers and instructors were : Lincoln Hulley, Ph. D., of Deland, Florida, and Prof. Harlan E: Hall, of Mansfield, Ohio. The officers were : T. Otto Williams, principal of the Circleville High School, president; Samuel M. Sark, of Derby, secretary, and W. F. Gephart, of Williamsport, treasurer. In the election of officers for the ensuing year, Prof. T. O. Williams was re-elected president; and Justin M. Ater, superintendent of the schools of South Bloomfield, secretary
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COUNTY BOARD OF SCHOOL EXAMINERS.
Since 1883 the Board of School Examiners of Pickaway County has been constituted as appears below, the membership of the board in each year being given in full. Commencing in 1888 the new board for each year has been organized in September; in previous years it was organized late in April or early in May.
1883--Elisha Warner (president), A. H. Roose, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1884--A. H. Roose (president), elected probate judge and succeeded by M. L. Smith, Elisha Warner, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1885--Elisha Warner (president), M. L. Smith, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1886 M. L. Smith (president), Elisha Warner, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1887--Elisha Warner (president), M. L. Smith, S. L. Grigsby (clerk) ; 1888 M. L. Smith (president), George S. Reichelderfer, John L. 1889- R. T. Dennis (president), M. L. Smith. S. M. Sark (clerk) ; 1890 S. M. Sark (president), George L. Morgan, R. T. Dennis (clerk) : 1891--George L. Morgan (president), John P. Adkins, S. M. Sark (clerk) ; 1892--John L. Heise (president), George L. Morgan. John P. Adkins (clerk) ; 1893--John P. Adkins (president), George S. Reichelderfer, John L. Heise (clerk) ; 1894--John L. Heise (president), John P. Adkins, George S. Reichelderfer (clerk) ; 1895--John L. Heise (president), George S. Reichelderfer, John P. Adkins (clerk) ; 1896--John P. Adkins (president). George S. Reichelderfer, John L. Heise (clerk) ; 1897, John L. Heise (president), J. A. Marburger, George S. Reichelderfer (clerk) ; 1898--George S. Reichelderfer (president) ; W. D. Stout, J. A. Marburger (clerk) ; 1899 J. A. Marburger (president; H. W. Plum, W. D. Stout (clerk) ; 1900 --W. D. Stout (president), J. A. Marburger, H. W. Plum (clerk) ; 1901--J. A. Marburger (president), H. W. Plum, W. D. Stout (clerk) ; 1902--J. A. Marburger (president), H. W. Plum, W. D. Stout (clerk) ; 1903--W. D. Stout (president), A. L. Stump,, H. W. Plum (clerk) ; 1904--H. W. Plum (president). W. F. Gephart, A. L. Stump (clerk) ; 1905--A. L. Stump (president), A. J. Dunkel, W. F. Gephart (clerk) ; 1906--W. F. Gephart (president), A. L. Stump, A. J. Dunkel (clerk).
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY AND FAIRS.
In June, 1833, the County Commissioners called a meeting of citizens in Circleville, to organize an agricultural society, which meeting was duly held, an organization effected and officers elected, viz.: Thomas Renick, president; Thomas Huston, vice-president; William P. Darst, recording secretary; Samuel S. Denny, corresponding secretary ; Matthew McCrea, treasurer; and William Millar, William Renick, Jr., Elias Florence, George Radcliff, Peter Parcels and Robert Campbell, directors. The records of the original organization were long since destroyed. In 1853 the association made a new start. The fair, held the first week in October, was the best ever held in the county. The officers of the society at the time were : Joseph B. Renick, president Dr. Marcus Brown, vice-president; Dr. P. K. Hull, secretary ; George W. Gregg, treasurer ; and Nelson Franklin, A. L. Perrill, Felix W. Renick, George Metzger and Joseph Shoemaker, managers. During this year the managers decided to purchase fair grounds and appointed Drs. Marcus Brown and P. K. Hull to devise the plan for the purchase, which resulted in securing the grounds north of Hargus Creek, extending to the Royalton turnpike, and west to the Columbus turnpike, now North Court street. The Fair Ground Association organized in 1858, purchased the grounds, which were leased to the Pickaway County Agricultural Society. The trustees of the Fair Ground Association were : Dr. Marcus Brown (president), George W. Gregg (secretary), A. L. Perrill, Harness Renick and Nelson J. Turney. Some very successful fairs were held. on these grounds, but in the latter years of the society's existence the interest in the exhibition slackened. The last fair held there was on September 18-19-20-21, 1883. The grounds were shortly afterwards sold, and is a beautiful residence portion of Circleville known as "Park Place."
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In 1895 a company was organized with W. E. Morris as president and A. J. Grigsby as
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secretary, which gave a stock fair and races on the grounds now known as Zwicker Park, East Main street, Circleville, which continued three years.
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In the fall of 1904 the merchants and other business men on West Main street, Circleville, projected a "Pumpkin Show," which included all grains, fruits, vegetables, manufactured articles, bread, butter, etc., all kinds of artistic and fancy work, live stock, etc. This was a successful exhibition and was repeated in October, 1905, and also on October 19-20, 1906. The displays extended to other connecting streets and increased in size and interest.
TEMPERANCE ORGANIZATIONS.
In the early days of Pickaway County, sobriety , and temperance were the exception rather than the rule. Distilleries on every hand converted the native corn into whiskey, which found a ready market both at home and abroad. It was even the custom to serve whiskey with meals at the taverns and the man who abstained wholly from the use of liquor was indeed a rara avis. But there finally came about' an improvement in the situation. The distilleries disappeared one by one, as a market for the farmers' corn was secured and gradually a temperance sentiment was worked up, which finally crystalized in the organization of lodges of Sons of Temperance and of the Independent Order of Good Templars. Throughout the county there was scarcely a village and hamlet in which there was not one of these organizations. Most of these societies flourished from 30 to 50 years ago. They served their purpose and finally ceased to exist, after they had assisted in creating a public sentiment in opposition to intemperance and the liquor traffic. The work was then taken up by the women, who in the Ohio "Crusade" of 1873 worked wonders in bringing about the desired reform. The Woman's Christian Temperance Union was then organized and took up the work that had been so nobly inaugurated.
We are indebted for the following account of the work of the W. C. T. U. in Pickaway County to Miss Josie R. Hewitt, of Darbyville, who is now serving her 14th consecutive term as president of the county organization.
THE WOMAN'S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION
Was organized in Pickaway County in the spring of 1890 by Mrs. Helen Burns, State organizer/ It has steadily grown in interest and kept in touch with State, national and world's work, it being the largest organization of women in the world. The bow of white rib-bon links together this organized army of Christian women into the W. C. T. U., which is the crystalized force of "The Crusade" of 1873.
It works along many lines to secure better laws, better living, better men and women and better homes and stands for the overthrow of the liquor traffic--the direct cause of nine-tenths of the evil in the world--making nearly every effort for better things a battle against the saloon.
The motto is "For God and Home and Every Land."
Pickaway County has a membership of over 200 enrolled and has to active unions. The first union was organized by Mrs. Helen Burns at South Bloomfield in the spring of 189o, with 18 charter members, with Mrs. Valeria Hixson, president. A Loyal Temperance Legion was also organized, with 35 children enrolled. On September 26, 1905, Miss Jeannette Fuller, State organizer, reorganized the Union at South Bloomfield, of which Mrs. Elizabeth Ater is now president.
The second union Mrs. Burns organized in Ashville, with eight charter members, with Mrs. Lew Morrison, president. On February 7, 1896, Miss C. S. Burnett, national organizer, reorganized the Ashville union, with Mrs. Hannah Strader as president. The work is now under the leadership of Mrs. Lucy Kline as president.
Mrs. Lillian Cole Bethel, of Columbus, organized the union at Commercial Point, May 26, 1890, with 20 charter members, Mrs.
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Thomas being elected president. This union has kept up the work since its beginning. Mrs. Sarah Beckett, the faithful president, has held the office for several years.
Mrs. Bethel organized the New Holland union, June 12, 1890, with 10 charter members, Mrs. Charles McCafferty being elected president. On March 11, 1901, Miss Anna Quinby reorganized the New Holland union, with Mrs. Lizzie S. Meeker as president, who still holds that office.
Mrs. Bethel organized a union at Darbyville, August 20, 1890, with 10 charter members,. Mrs. Sallie R. Kirkendall being elected president. Since Mrs. Kirkendall moved away, Mrs. Wilda Carpenter, Mrs. Libbie Wright and Miss Josie R. Hewitt have in turn served as president, and the union now has a paid-up membership of 45--the largest union in the county.
On the 27th of August, 189o, Mrs. Darlington Snyder, of Reynoldsburg, president of the 21st District of Ohio, composed of Franklin, Madison and Pickaway counties, called together the five unions--South Bloomfield. Ashville, Commercial Point, New Holland and Darbyville--in convention at Ashville and organized the county union, by electing the following officers : President, Mrs. Valeria Hixson; vice-president, Mrs. Thomas; recording secretary, Mrs. Ella Magley; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Hinton; treasurer, Mrs. Sallie R. Kirkendall.
Four departments of work were taken up: Juvenile work, Mrs. Missouri Gusman, superintendent; scientific temperance . instruction, Mrs. Ella Magley, superintendent; Sabbath observance, Mrs. Sallie R. Kirkendall, superintendent; unfermented wine, Mrs. Mary Smiley, superintendent.
The county meetings were held quarterly for the first two years. Mrs. Valeria Hixson, Mrs. Mary Smiley, Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Ella Magley in turn served as president, each moving out of the county. Mrs. Margaret Helmick was then appointed by the district president to fill the vacancy and at the following election of officers Mrs. Helmick was elected, serving one year. On August 25,1893, . the county convention was held on the Darbyville campground and Miss Josie R. Hewitt, who had occupied the office of recording secretary, was elected to the presidency.
Mrs. Lillian C. Bethel, then district president, organized the Williamsport union in August, 1893, with 11 charter members. Mrs. Valeria Hixson, who was the wife of a Methodist minister, had again moved into the county. was elected president and the work has been kept up continuously. The union now has a membership of 32 enrolled, with Mrs. Layerna Radcliff as president.
Miss Josie R. Hewitt, county president, organized a union at Five Points, March 20, 1895, with seven charter members, with Mrs. Mary McCafferty as president. This union did splendid work for several years.
The Derby union was organized by Miss. Hewitt, July 6, 1895, with Mrs. Ella Allen as president. Miss Katie Redman is the last president.
Miss Hewitt organized the Circleville union, September 28, 1895, that being the 56th birthday anniversary of Frances E. Willard. president of the national and founder of the world's Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Lizzie C. Blackstone was elected president and 15 charter members were enrolled. The work has grown and the membership enlarged. Mrs. Abbie Gusman now holds the presidency.
Circleville was one of the Ohio towns touched' by the fire of "The Crusade" and like other cities of the State would not let the spirit of a holy war against the saloon die down, so kept in touch with the movement which, in 1874, in the city of Springfield was organized into the Ohio Woman's Christian Temperance Union. No record was kept of the, part Pickaway ,County had in this; the work was new and it took time to make and develop plans for this new State organization, born in Ohio, and soon to be taken up as a national organization and the same name adopted--Woman's Christian Temperance Union--of which Mrs. Harriet C. McCabe, of Delaware, was author. In studying the history of the organization from its beginning, Circleville had some part in the
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founding of this work, for the fifth State convention was entertained in the city of Circleville in 1878, with Mrs. Mary A. Woodbridge, State president, giving the annual address. That was before the time of county or local unions and in all probability this fifth State convention had much to do in establishing permanent plans of work, financial basis, etc., and had the records been carefully kept some important events of the early history of this now world-wide organization could be credited to Circleville and Pickaway County.
Miss C. S. Burnett, national organizer, organized a union at Pherson February 1896,
INSERTED PICTURE OF MISS JOSIE R. HEWITT
with 20 charter members. After keeping up their work for several months under the presidency of Mrs. Emily Proctor, whose death was a severe blow to the union, they transferred their membership to Darbyville.
Miss Anna Quinby organized a union at Atlanta, March 12, 1901, with 13 charter members with Mrs. Helen Campbell, president.
Miss Jeanette Fuller, one of the now many State organizers, founded the union at Tarlton, September 15, 1905. Mrs. Charles Barr is the president. Miss Fuller also organized the Orient union, September 25, 1905, with :Mrs. D. I. Jenkins as president.
In the 16 years of its work, the county union has by its quiet education of public sentiment helped to raise the moral standard and has stood in hearty co-operation with all Christian forces for the best interests of the county. From the adoption of four departments of work at the beginning, it has now taken up 18 out of the 40 special departments of the national organization. The work is so closely linked together from local union to State, national and world's work that a county history cannot be written without touching the whole field of work.
Some excellent work has been done by some of the unions in the "Y" work which is the young people's auxiliary. Williamsport, Derby and Darbyville for several months had flourishing "Y's."
The Loyal Temperance Legion, the Senior for all over 13 years of age, and the Junior for all children under that age, has also been a special work in these years. Darbyville has an L. T. L., with Mrs. Lissa Hewitt Hill as superintendent and Mrs. Jessie Miller and Mrs. Sophronia Bowman, assistants. Pauline Carpenter, aged 12, is the president. South Bloomfield Senior is led by Miss Loutie Browne and the Junior by Miss Ida Calder and Mrs. Elizabeth Ater. Maurice Ater, four and a half years old, librarian, is said to be the youngest officer of the L. T. L. in the State.
The last annual county convention was held all day and evening of September 20, 1906, at Ashville and the following county officers and superintendents were elected : President, Miss Josie R. Hewitt, Darbyville (elected for the 14th consecutive year) ; vice-president, Mrs. Mary H. Dunlap, Circleville; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Amanda R. Carpenter, Darbyville; recording secretary, Miss Ethel M. Hornbeck, Circleville; treasurer, Miss Mary Scott Work, Circleville. The following are the superintendents : Evangelistic--Mrs. Libbie Wright, Ashville; State and national papers--Mrs. Cora Dauntz, Orient; press--Mrs. Louise Miesse, Circleville; sacramental wine--Mrs. Jane Pherson, Pherson; mothers' meetings--Mrs. J. A. Knight, Orient; social meetings and red letter days--Mrs. Mame Weidinger, South Bloomfield; medal contest--
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Mrs. Abbie Gusman, Circleville; Sabbath observance--Mrs. Adda Prushing, Commercial Point; franchise--Mrs. Lizzie C. Blackstone, Circleville; Sunday-school--Mrs. Ida Noggle, Ashville; flower mission--Mrs. Sallie Davis, Darbyville; medical temperance and hospital work--Mrs. Mary H. Dunlap, Circleville; anti-narcotics--Mrs. Margaret Helmick, Commercial Point; scientific ternperance instruction in public schools--Mrs. Lissa Hewitt Hill, Darbyville; temperance literature--Miss Ethel M. Hornbeck, Circleville.; Christian citizenship--Mrs. Wilda Carpenter, Darbyville ; secretary of Young Woman's Work--Miss Drusie Heiskell, Williamsport, secretary of Loyal Temperance Legion--Miss Loutie Browne, Darbyville.