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CHAPTER XXV.

MARIETTA—MERCANTILE BUSINESS AND MANUFACTURING.

The First Store in Marietta—Location of Business—Early Business Methods—Character of Mercantile Trade During the First Quarter Century—Monetary Terms—Prices During the Last Century— Prominent Business Men: Dudley Woodbridge, Charles Green, Edward W. Tupper, Joseph Lincoln, Abner Lord, Benjamin Ives Girman, Augustus Stone, William Skinner, Abijah Brooks, Joseph Holden, Stephen B. Wilson, John Mills, Nathaniel Dodge, Robert Crawford, Jason R. Curtis, James Dunn, D. B. Anderson—Hat Making—Jewelry and Clock Making—Book Trade—Drug Trade— Dry Goods—Boots and Shoes—Hardware—Furniture— Taverns Photography—Farming—Manufacture of Fabrics—Furniture Manufacture— Marietta Iron Works—Marietta Foundry—Gas Works— Book Binding—Brewing—Bucket Factories— Mills—Banking—Early Banking Laws—First Bank in the Northwest Territory—The Bank of Marietta—First National Bank—Marietta National Bank— Bank of Marietta—Bank of Exchange—Dime Savings SocietyOil—First Oil Wells—Seneca Oil—Oil Refining and Refineries.

MERCANTILE BUSINESS.*

The first store in Marietta—the first store in the Northwest Territory—was located on the corner of Muskingum

* No attempt is here made to give a detailed mercantile history of the city. If the general growth of business from the beginning to the present is outlined, and the name of the men who have taken a prominent part in trade, and in building up the city, shall be preserved, our purpose has been accomplished. It is not pretended that the dust has been so thoroughly brushed off the past that all the names, even of the more prominent and worthy of the merchants of a period of ninety- three years have been mentioned.

and Ohio streets, and was owned by Dudley Woodbridge. Business seems to have followed the river bank both ways from this point. As we shall proceed with this sketch, the location of stores first around the "point" and then up Muskingum street, will appear. At a later period Ohio street was the line of trade, and it was not until comparatively recent times that Front street was improved. Previous to 1830 Front street was almost a common, the grass and weeds scarcely ever being broken by a team or Vehicle. It will be seen also that in the olden. time Putnam street had a few stores. Business slowly advanced from the river westward, coming over flats and creeks, forming an unbroken line of stores on one side to Putnam, which in the unseen future may become the centre of trade. Green street and the cross streets connecting it with Ohio were avenues mainly to smaller shops and dwelling houses.

Harmar, with reference to the location of business was much like Marietta. The first stores faced the mouth of the Muskingum.

Mercantile business in some form or other had been carried on previous to the opening of the Woodbridge store already spoken of. An agent of Colonel John May, who at that time had a store at Wheeling, was doing business here for the Wheeling house in September, 1788. Colonel May in a letter which indicates that he was carrying on a general business in the western settlements,

says: "Mr. Beck has been dispatched to Marietta—that was four days after I came here—with such goods as was supposed would sell Hear from him about once a week. He is well and doing a moderate business. Our grand plan being broken all to pieces, we shall not make out a great summer's work, for there are many articles which cannot be sold at cost, unless by credit, and that, under existing circumstances, I can't think of doing. Of a great number who went to Kentucky in the trade of ling (ginseng) more than half will be bankrupt. In the way of exchange or barter I have taken other things, upwards of five hundred raccoon skins, some beaver, and one hundred and twenty deer skins and all the cash that would circulate into my hands." This exchange of furs for good was carried on by Pittsburgh and Wheeling merchants at a later day. But it is no where indicated that the business was transacted in a store in the proper sense of that term; supplies were received at stated intervals and distributed among the customers in exchange for whatever they had to dispose of.

Furs and salt were important articles of trade for a number of years. Salt, previous to its manufacture on the Muskingum, was brought to Marietta on pack-horses and sold by the quart or gallon at the rate of eight dollars per bushel. The enormous price and the indispensableness of the article made it important in the trade of the agents and early stores. From an account we learn the price of fur-skins in 1796 : raccoon, two shillings ; one and a quarter pound beaver, twelve shillings; muskrat, one shilling; wildcat, three shillings; fox, two to four shillings; otters, three dollars; bear skins were also in the market Eleven raccoons and three foxes are at

* Journal of Colonel John May.

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one place charged at two pounds, another entry runs : "two others valued at two dollars each." This strange mixing of money turns suggests the conservatism of business usages. Just now while the propriety of adopting the metric system of weights and measures is being much discussed, it will be interesting to note the hesitation with which the decimal system in monetary notation was adopted. The Continental Congress abolished the English system and made the dollar unit of notation in 1786. At the same time the coinage of the gold eagle and half eagle was ordered. A great variety of customs existed during the next fifteen or twenty years. There was not only a difference of usage among different business men, but, as the above quotation shows there was a mixing of the two systems on the same books. Six shillings were taken for a dollars unless otherwise specified. And here again there seems to have been another difficulty in the financial system of the latter part of the last century. A law was enacted in 1792, by Winthrop Sargent, then acting governor of the territory and the judges, regulating the fees of public officers, from which the following extract is taken, showing the inconveniences of having money variable in value and showing also that money must have a basis in intrinsic value. The act reads:

And whereas the dollar varies in its real value in the several counties in the territory, some provision in kind ought to be made, therefore: Be it enacted: that for every cent allowed by this act, one quart of Indian corn may be allowed and taken by the person to whom the fee is coming, as an equivalent for the cent, always at the election of the person receiving the same whether to receive his tee in Indian corn or in species at the sum affixed by the foregoing table of fees; one quart of Indian corn being always equal to one cent, and so on at that rate for a greater or less sum.

Imagine the difficulty of keeping accounts, first, with a mixed system of notation and second with a medium of exchange varying so much in the several counties as to require making an agricultural product the standard of value.

The decimal system was at first used as awkwardly as the metric system would be now by merchants in general. The usual way of keeping accounts was to have four colums headed D, d, c, m, or in some instances five columns headed E, D, d, c, m. Cents in old accounts are infrequently written as fractions of a dollar and the eagle was sometimes used as the unit of value.

A curious arrangement of names is found in the ledger kept by Judge Cutler at Waterford. A copy of the index to this ledger, in which the names are arranged in alphabetical order with reference to the Christian name, will be found in the chapter on Waterford.

The extensive produce and exchange business with New Orleans and other southern cities will be again referred to under the head of navigation and boat-building, as it had an important influence upon those industries. It also accelerated business development in general. This trade began as soon as the Muskingum valley and Ohio river bottoms were improved, and continued until the opening of the Rebellion.

The influence of the southern trade was not confined to multiplying stores and encouraging ship-building. It opened up the market which made the products of the farm more valuable, thus stimulating agriculture and hastening the developments of the county's resources.

In the early store everything marketable was bought and everything necessary to the comfort of enlightened people kept for sale, much after the fashion of the better class of country stores of the present time. In the progress of the growth of the city, business divided into its several natural departments.

Having hinted at the location and methods of business, we shall now attempt to outline its development, which began in earnest after the Indian war in 1795, after a paralytic period of more than four years.

Hon. Dudley Woodbridge, proprietor of the first store in the Northwest Territory, was born in Stonington, in 1747. He graduated at Yale college in 1766, married Lucy, daughter of Elijah and Lucy (Griswold) Backus, of Norwich, was bred to the bar, but on coming to Marietta in 1788,* engaged in mercantile business. He died at Marietta in 1823. The business at an early period was placed in charge of Dudley' Woodbridge, jr., who came to Marietta in 1794 and was for more than fifty years a prominent merchant. His business during most of this period was located on Ohio street. Many of the men mentioned in this chapter were his partners and were benefitted by his friendship. He was the senior in the firm of Dudley Woodbridge, jr., & Co., of which Harman Blennerhassett was one of the partners. He was strong in his opinions and prejudices, but always sympathetic and charitable in the presence of want and distress. He was born November so, 1778, and died in his seventy-fifth year. In his older years he was an enthusiastic worker in the Congregational church and Sunday- school. For a number of years he taught a large Bible class.

The second store in Marietta was opened by Charles Green, who came to Ohio the latter part of 1788, or early in 1789. During the Indian war he owned and lived in a house in Campus Martins. His place of business was on Ohio street, below Post, in a building erected for the purpose. About 1796 he erected a building further up the river. He also engaged in ship-building early in the century, and was bankrupted by the embargo act.

General Edward Tupper came to Marietta with his father, General Benjamin Tupper, in 1788, being at that time seventeen years old. After the close of the Indian war he began merchandising on the corner of Putnam and Second streets. His wife was Berthia, daughter of William Pitt Putnam. Mr. Tupper was brigadier general of militia for the counties of Washington, Athens and Gallia. In 1807 he built the residence commonly known as the Ward property, on Putnam street. In 1809 or so he removed to Gallipolis.

One of the most successful of the early business men was Major Robert Lincoln, who was born in Massachusetts, in 176o. He was at Farmer's Castle during the Indian war, and at its close engaged in business in Marietta, on Ohio street. He at one time owned all the land on Ohio street between Post and Front, and several

* New England Historical and Genealogical Register.

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lots on Front. In 1807 he erected, on the corner of Front and Ohio streets, what was then the finest building in town. It was originally a large, square, brick house, with ornamental mantels and stucco ceilings. The building was arranged both for dwelling and business house; but Major Lincoln died about the time it was finished. Colonel John Mills did business in this house for many years. Frequent remodelings afterwards has left only the back walls of the building unchanged.

Colonel Abner Lord began business in Marietta about 1800. He emigrated from Lynn, Massachusetts, to Vienna, West Virginia, soon after the Indian war. Colonel Lord's store was in a building which stood at the foot of Front street, on the river bank. This house was afterwards occupied as a store by Joseph Holden. In the spring freshet of 1827 or '8 a torch was applied and the burning building sent floating down the river. Colonel Lord removed to Franklin county in 1811, where he died in 1821.

The name of Benjamin Ives Gilman is closely identified with the early business enterprises of the west side of the Muskingum. He came with his father, Judge Gilman, from Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1789. The family was distinguished for social and intellectual culture. Benjamin Ives was married in 1790 to Hannah Robbins, of New Hampshire, a lady of culture and education. Mr. Gilman opened a store in Harmar in 1792 and continued in business until about 1812. His store, which was patronized by nearly all who lived on that side of the river, was in a stone building, erected for the purpose, located at the upper end of the square. Mr. Gilman was also engaged in ship-building and banking. An extensive tract of land in Warren township, known as the Gilman farm, was owned by him. In 1813 he engaged in business in Philadelphia, where he died in 1833.

Mr. Gilman was succeeded in Harmar by Colonel Augustus Stone. Colonel Stone had been engaged as a surveyor under General Mansfield in laying out Government lands. About 1809 he opened a store near the foot of Oliver street. Four years later he moved to Harmar, where his store was largely patronized until reverses overwhelmed him in 1842. He died at an advanced age in 1879.

Colonel Levi Barber will be remembered as one of the early merchants of the west side. His store fronted the Muskingum. His residence was a double brick house, which is still standing.

William Skinner, father of D. C. and William Skinner, prominent business men of a later date, was one of the early merchants of Harmar, he was also one of the directors of the bank. His son, Daniel C., carried on the business in Harmar for some time, and afterwards, in partnership with Weston Thomas, engaged in business on Ohio street, Marietta.

James Whitney, whose name frequently appears in the history of early Methodism in Marietta, was one of the early merchants in Harmar. He was by trade a shipbuilder and worked for Benjamin Ives Gilman, in his yard. After the embargo act had ruined the business, Mr. Whitney opened a store below the square.

Abijah Brooks was, for a short time, a prominent merchant in Harmar. He began at Watertown, afterwards removed to Waterford, and then to Harmar, where he had a store on the corner of Ohio and Monroe streets. He built the Exchange hotel about 1837, which proved an unfortunate investment. His store was sometime afterwards closed.

The extensive mercantile establishment now owned by Colonel W. C. Moore• was established by the Marietta Iron company.

Joseph Holden was prominent among the early business men. He came to Marietta in 1803 and opened a store in 1807. In 1837 he was succeeded by his sons, William, Joseph and James, who carried on the business under the firm name of W., J. & J. Holden, until January, 1843, when William retired. In 1852 James became sole proprietor. He closed the business in 1857. A sketch of Joseph Holden, sr., will be found in the chapter of general biography.

Stephen B. Wilson had a store in the early part of the century on the corner of Post and Muskingum streets in a building erected by Earl Sproat. He was a native of Virginia and married a daughter of Dr. Joseph Spencer of Vienna. Noah L Wilson, his son, was at a later period one of the prominent merchants of the place. He began as a clerk under Colonel Mills.

Opposite, on the corner of Montgomery and Muskingum, a store was kept by Mr. Avery, who began business before the Indian war.

Colonel Ichabod Nye opened a store in 1810 in a brick building erected for the purpose, on Putnam street, just above Front. He continued for many years in mercantile business.

John Mills entered the list of Marietta business men in 1815 in partnership with Dudley Woodbridge. His connection with mercantile trade continued until 1865. From 1835 until 1847, he was in partnership with Noah L. Wilson and W. F. Curtis; from 1847 to 1850 the firm was Mills, lams & Dana; in 1850 the firm became, Iams, Dana & Co.; in 1865 Mr. Mills closed his business with the firm of R. P. Iams & Co.

Nathaniel Dodge, of Hampton Falls, New Hampshire, came to Ohio for permanent settlement in 1804. He was a Revolutionary soldier and firm supporter of Washington. He purchased considerable property in Marietta where he died in 1838. Two of his sons entered into mercantile business in Marietta. Oliver Dodge was for a time a partner of Augustus Stone, in Harmar. He was afterwards captain and owner of a steamboat. He died in Marietta in 1836. Nathaniel, second, began business on Ohio street in partnership with Jonathan Crane. When this partnership dissolved Mr. Dodge engaged in business in Parkersburgh where he died. Mr. Crane removed the business to Muskingum street above the Phoenix mills. He continued business here until his death in 1821. Robert Crawford took charge of the store and managed it for the family after his death. Mr. Crane was a native of Hampton Falls, New Hamp-

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 367

shire. Three of the daughters of Nathaniel Dodge, first, married Marietta merchants; Sally married Jonathan Crain; Rebecca was first wife of Colonel Augustus Stone, and Hannah first wife of D. P. Bosworth.

Hat making was once a lucrative trade. Hat shops were as common and necessary in a town as shoe shops. The first hatter in Marietta of which we have any knowledge, was Seth Washburn, who had a shop on Ohio street. From the accounts of James Dunn we learn that a Mr. Scott carried on the business in Harmar. Jason R. Curtis was the first manufacturer and tradesman in this line, whose business was of a permanent character. He began during the War of 1812. In 1818 he associated in partnership James Dunn who had a shop up the river, and visited the towns down along the river, selling his goods. At a later period he worked for Mr. Scott, of Harmar, and for Mr. Curtis. He continued in partnership with Mr. Curtis until 1825, when the business came under his control. In 1839 John Allison bought the shop or store as it had by this time become. Mr. Allison continued in business about five years, during which time his store was political headquarters. He was appointed register of the treasury by President Lincoln, and served in that important capacity for a period of twelve years. Three stores at present make a specialty of hats and furnishing goods: S. C. Wilhelm, established in 1877; W. A. Sniffin, 1877, and W. B. Mason, 1880.

During the pioneer years clock makers like hatters travelled about the country hunting purchasers for their manufacture, and doing repairing. A Mr. Harrison was one of this kind of tradesmen. D. B. Anderson was probably the first practical jeweler. He came from . Utica, New York, and started a store on the corner of Front and Ohio streets, in 1817. He continued in business until 1854, when his son, D. B. Anderson, jr., came in charge, and has since been doing business on the corner of Front and Butler streets. J. W. Baldwin has been in this branch of business for some time. J. Whittling established a store in 1877.

S. and W. Slocumb, while in the shoe business, were agents for the American Bible society, and handled school and general books. The first book store, proper, was opened by Gurley & Cross, and McCoy & Stephens succeeded. From 1852 J. C. McCoy was proprietor until 1856, when C. E. Glines bought the stock, and has continued in the trade ever since. T. W. Morse opened a news depot in 1875. He also sells miscellaneous and school books.

In the early history of Marietta drugs were kept only by doctors whose offices were called apothecary shops. The first drug store was owned by Dr. Rignier, and was located on Ohio street, in "Flat-iron square." Dr. Regnier sold to Dr. John Cotton in 1818, who continued the business until his death in 1847. His son, J. D. Cotton, continued the business until 1850, when J. H. Hawes was associated in partnership, and the store was removed to near the corner of Front and Ohio streets. In 1851 the firm became Cotton & Buell, and in 1854 the store was removed to the Holden building on the opposite side of the street. Edward W. and William H. Buell purchased the store in 1856, and in z866 removed to the new building which they had erected a short distance above the old stand. E. W. Buell sold to W. H. Buell in 1869, and the firm changed to W. H. Buell & Co. in 1874. E. B. Perkins opened a drug store on the south side of Front street in 1848. This store was owned by Curier & Stimson, William Glines and others until 1864, when Hollister & Allen took charge. A. L. Curtis has owned the business since 1868. William Kayless opened a drug store on Front street, between the bridges, in 1856. He sold to Harte & Pearce, and they to Pearce & Treim. Theodore Treim now owns the business. A. J. Richards opened a store on the corner of Second and Green streets in 1875. Dr. J. C. Bartlett opened a store on Front street, near Putnam, in 187o. He sold to C. B. McCaskey in 1879.

Weston Thomas began business on Ohio street as early as 1820. He formed a partnership with D. C. Skinner and built a house on Ohio street, between Second and Front, where they had a store for a number of years. William B. Thomas succeeded.

Luther Edgerton began business with Dudley Woodbridge. He was for many years a successful merchant.

Abner L. Gitto opened a dry goods store in 1837 in the Clarke and Curtis building on Front street.

Samuel Shipman began business as a clerk under Colonel Mills in 1832. In 1837 he formed a partnership with his brother Charles and opened a dry goods store on Green street. In 1860 Samuel came into possession of the entire business and continued it until his death in 1880.

W. F. Curtis began a long and successful business career in 1841. He engaged more than any other merchant of his time in the southern trade spoken of in the introduction to this chapter. Mr. Curtis' name appears frequently in the sketch of banking.

The firm of William and Silas Slocumb were once prominent among Marietta business houses. Theirs was probably the first regular shoe store. They also carried on the manufacture of shoes on an extensive scale. Their cotemporaries in this branch of industry were W. L. Rolstan and Mr. Fisher, who remains in the business.

S. R. Turner began the dry goods business about 1850. In 1865 the firm became S. R. Turner & Son, and in 1881 S. R. Turner & Company. The store is situated on Front street, and is one of the largest and best stocked in the city.

Groceries have, until comparatively recent years, been kept in connection with other classes of goods. The principal individuals and firms now engaged in the grocery business are G. C. Best, established 1865; J. D. Otterbim, 1865; Jasper Sprague, 1862; Charles Weis, 1868; E. G. Brigham, 1871; F. R. Brenan, 1874; J. S. Stowe, jr., 1880; Lewis Hamlin, 1880, C. Schenkberg & Co., 1880.

The three-story building between Second and Third streets on Ohio, was erected by Wylis and Joseph E. Hall, about 1833. They occupied it as a boat store, having also a wharf boat. Their trade was largely with merchants in the surrounding country. Nearly all the

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goods for merchants on the Muskingum were received here.

Daniel P. Bosworth and George H. Wells began the hardware business in Marietta in 1840, on the north side of Front street. On the opposite side of the alley were two stores in the Holden building, one a dry goods store belonging to P. Fleming, the other a grocery, conducted by William Holden. In 1845 the firm became Bosworth, Wells & Co. The dry goods store just mentioned was purchased the same year, and the grocery two years later. In the spring of 1859 the firm began the erection of a block on the corner of Front and Monroe streets, now occupied by their stores. On the ninth of May of that year the old buildings burned, and the business was carried on, until the completion of the new block, on Ohio street.

A. T. Nye opened a hardware store on Front street in 1848, and continues in the business as senior partner, the firm name at present being Nye Hardware Company. Next to Bosworth, Wells & Company, this is the oldest hardware establishment in the city.

Stoves are handled by the hardware trade, but there are also special stove and tinware stores. Luthinger, Reck & Co. began business in 1874, Theis & Etz in 1879.

In 1867 the firm of Smith & Rodick opened a hardware store in the Booth building on Front street. The members of the firm were John Smith and Henry and Bernard Rollick. In May, 1871, Mr. Smith died and in January, 1872, the firm name changed to Rodick Brothers. Their business increased rapidly, making it necessary for them to provide more commodious rooms. In the summer of 1878 the large, three-story brick building, a view of which is given on another-page, was erected exclusively for their own use. Their store is one of the largest and best arranged in the State. They do both a both a wholesale and retail business.

The first furniture store in Marietta was atarted by. Dana & Gray in 1855. Previous to that, furniture was made and sold in cabinet shops. Cabinet-makers of an early period were James M. Booth, Alexander Hill, Samuel Griggs, and a few others less known. The store started by Dana & Gray came into possession of J. W. Stanley in 1856. He continued the retail furniture business until 1881. Other stores are owned by Martin Schmidt, successor to Finley & Company, and Lewis Goebel.

TAVERNS.

Public houses of entertainment are either the strangers' paradise, or a place of persecution. This was as true in the eighteenth as it is in the nineteenth century, although the lapse of time has effected a transformation in their character. The good old familiar word tavern has given place to the more high-sounding term, hotel, and a stiff mind-your-own-business air reigns where once was good cheer around hospitable fireplaces. The ideal landlord was, in the olden time, a jolly, good natured host, who looked after the comfort of his guests. The snob of self assumed importance who now too frequently stands behind the hotel counters in our smaller cities was then an unknown nuisance.

The first tavern was erected in Marietta by General Joseph Buell. It stood on the corner of Front and Green streets, and was the first frame house built north of the Ohio river. The timbers for its construction were cut and hewn on the Monongahela, and floated down the Ohio. It seems strange that building material should be brought to a country full of the best timber. But it must be remembered that here tools were scarce and laborers few.

This house was painted red, and received the name of "Red House." Red was the prevailing color for houses, as the paint was cheap and durable. The tavern was in charge of Levi Munsel, and for several years was the principal house of entertainment in the settlement.

A building framed at the same place, and occupied as a tavern by Stephen Shepard, stood where G. C. Best's store on Ohio street is now located. The building was removed in 1822, to make room for the present two-story brick block. The Shepard House was a gay place during the period of early settlement.

Further up the river was the McFarlan House, built as early as 1797. Moses McFarlan was a favorite among the flat-boatmen, and his house was a place of happy revelry. The bar in all those taverns was handy, and the whiskey cheap.

The Brophy House, a few doors farther up, will be remembered by many yet living. It was opened by Casper Smith, a German, whose wife had a cake shop in the same building. Smith died, leaving a good sized bag of gold, and his wife soon after married John Brophy, an Irishman, who carried on the business. The cake shop was made a bakery, and the small inn a jolly tavern. Mr. Brophy became. quite wealthy. His house was Democratic headquaters.

Amos B. Harvey and Sampson Cole are also numbered among Marietta's landlords.

The hotel now known as the Brown House was built in the beginning of the century by Colonel Abner Lord for a residence. Caleb Emerson, Samuel Hoit, Rev. John Willard, and Dr. John Cotton resided in this house. After the death of Dr. Cotton in 1848, it was purchased by Charles Bizant and converted into a tavern.

The National House was built by A. W. Reckard.

The building now occupied by Mr. Gross, and known as the St. Cloud hotel, was built by Thomas Barker for a residence.

The Central House, on Second street, was built by Mrs. H. Reese, and opened as a hotel in 1880.

PHOTOGRAPHY.

W. P. Bennett opened a photographic gallery in 1862, and has been engaged in the art since that time. He has a valuable collection of pioneer photographs.

Cadwalleder & Tappan were at first located over the Bank of Marietta on Front street. In 1866 T. M. Tappan bought Mr. Cadwalleder's interest, and in 1868 Mr. Cadwalleder repurchased the instruments and has since been proprietor. In 1873 he removed to the Eell's building. A branch was opened at Parkersburgh in 1880.

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TANNERIES.

Marietta has had and still has peculiar advantages in the tanning industry. The material chiefly used in the process of leather-making is bark, and in quality and quantity of this material Washington county is peculiarly well favored. The first attempt at more than a rural business was made by Thomas Vinton, of Philadelphia, who constructed the necessary apparatus on the lot bementween Front and Second streets, near Sacra Via. Through inexperience in business and ignorance of the science of tanning, Mr. Vinton was unable to make the business a success.

In 1848 a firm, consisting of William L. Rolston, D. L Skinner, Noah Wilson and William Nye, purchased the property from Mr. Vinton and began operations in 1845 after making many additions and repairs. This company, with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, soon found itself in possession of the largest business of the kind west of the Alleghany mountains. From 1860 to 1866 the firm of Skinner, Rolston & Co. had the reputation of having the model tannery of the west. About fifteen hundred cords of chestnut and oak bark were consumed annually, and the establishment had a capacity of five thousand skins per month. Agents of the firm were posted throughout the west for buying hides. St. Louis, Keokuk, Hamilton, Des Moines, and other Mississippi river towns being the principal points. Rough leathers were marketed in New York and Boston, fine leather in the west. Burning the tan was first successfully practiced in this establishment—a department of the business upon which advanced tanners had spent a great deal of money in experiments.

Another branch of industry carried on by this firm was the manufacture of quercitron. Black oak bark was easily obtained, and during the war the demand for this material was heavy. Tons of it were sent from Marietta to the eastern markets.

The death of William Nye made a reorganization of the firm necessary. In 1866 the buildings, grounds and machinery were sold at administrator's sale for eighteen thousand dollars; the stock invoiced twenty-five thousand dollars. This sale placed the establishment in the hands of A. Spencer Nye, of Chillicothe. The trade soon declined, and now the largest tanning establishment in Ohio is standing idle.

The first tannery in Marietta was established by Colonel Ichabod Nye in 1791. It was first located in the north part of the city. The business was afterwards permanently located on the corner of Sixth and Putnam ,streets, where it was continued till about 1820.

It is impossible even to name all who had previously engaged in this industry. Otis Wheeler was located on Green street, between Third and Fourth as early as 1826. James Furguson converted the Presbyterian church building on Third street below Green into a tannery after it had ceased to be used for the purpose for which it was built. The tannery on Second street near the Duck Creek railroad is an old stand. It was operated by J. H. Dye for twenty years and by him transferred to its present owner Mr. Meiser, and extensive business was estab lished in 1856, by John C. Fell, located near the Muskingum river. In the year 1862 the property was purchased by C. G. Fell, who continues to carry on the business. This tannery has one hundred vats and when operated to its full capacity, consumes five to eight hundred cords of bark annually. It has a capacity of fifteen hundred sides per annum.

G. Meister owns the largest tannery now operated in Marietta. It is located on Green street at the corporation line. Mr. Meister began in 1861 on a small scale, tanning about twenty-five hides per week. His establishment at present has a capacity of one hundred hides per week and consumes more than seven hundred cords of bark annually. Most of his hides are purchased in the city markets. The business is carried on to such an extent as to belong to the permanent industries of the town.

WOOLLEN MILLS.

For a long time the scheme was cherished by some of the most prudent and far sighted business men, of making Marietta a centre for the manufacture of wool. A trial, lacking nothing so far as investment of capital goes, was finally made by two wealthy companies. The bank accounts of each tell the result. The conditions seemed to promise success. Marietta, with abundant water, good transportation facilities, and located in the centre of an excellent wool producing territory, is apparently peculiarly adapted to this industry. Why, then, the failure? The reasons commonly assigned are, want of practical experience, prejudice throughout the west against home manufactured goods, and overpowering eastern competition.

The manufacture of woollen fabrics, during the period of early settlement, was a tedious and laborious process. The work was at first entirely done by hand. At a later period carding-machines were introduced while the washing and picking of the wool, spinning and weaving came under the list of domestic duties. The carding factories had connected with them machines for fulling and pressing the cloth. These factories were found very useful, and one or two were located at every centre of trade.

A factory for working cotton was built at Marietta in 1813, by a joint stock company, of which William Woodbridge, Joseph Holden, and S. P. Hildreth were directors. The building was located on Putnam street, between Fourth and Fifth, and was afterwards converted into the old academy. Dr. Nathan McIntosh and E. S. McIntosh, of Beverly, laid the brick. The property was afterwards purchased by Colonel Ichabod Nye, who carried on the business several years. About the same time Griffin Green built a factory on Fifth street. The machinery of both was run by horse-power.

Another horse-power machine was started about 1840, on Third street, below Green, by Joshua Taylor, and at a later period Mr. Hoff engaged in the business on a small scale.

But the enterprise which attracted attention, and from which great results were expected, was undertaken in 1850, by a joint stock company, with a capital of thirty thousand dollars. The lot on the "Point" was purchas-

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ed in January, and a large three-story brick building erected during the spring and summer. Six sets of the best machinery then in use was purchased, and business was commenced early in 1851, under the management of Robert Crawford and Mr. Fargo. The establishment was run to its full capacity for about two years. During the year 1853 the burden was found too heavy to carry, and operations were suspended. In 1857, Skinner, Rolston & Company purchased the building and machinery, at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. Confident of being able to make the business a success, this firm put in repairs to the value of ten thousand dollars. The business was conducted for a few years on extensive, and, taking into account the income, on an expensive scale. The enterprise was finally abandoned, and the property, in 1866, sold to A. T. Nye & Son for other purposes.

MARIETTA CHAIR COMPANY.

The Marietta chair factory is the most successful and extensive business enterprise ever located at Marietta. The manufacture of furniture was first extensively engaged in by L. D. Dana and William J. Gray, in 1855, in a building erected for the purpose on the corner of Putnam and Seventh streets, on the site of the main building of the present company's works. The firm of Dana & Gray continued to manufacture furniture until January 18, 1866, when the present incorporated company was formed, with John Mills, president, and A. S. Cooper, secretary and treasurer. When this company took charge of the establishment, it had a capital stock of thirty thousand dollars, seventy-five workmen were employed, and the annual product was seventy-five thousand dollars. The policy of adding the net profits to the capital stock was adopted, and in January, 1874, the company was found to possess a capital of ninety thousand dollars.

On the tenth of February, 1874, a disastrous fire occurred. The entire factory, including machinery and a large quantity of stock, was destroyed; the warehouses alone were saved. The loss was estimated at forty-five thousand dollars, insured for fifteen thousand.

This unfortunate circumstance did not lose to Marietta her most important industry. The company soon began the erection of the large and commodious building now occupied. The plan was designed by John Mills, jr. This structure is excellently adapted to the purpose for which it was built. It is five stories high, and in size one hundred and seventy by fifty-four feet, and is as nearly fire-proof as practicable.

A peculiarity in the method of management is worthy of mention. The company furnishes all the machinery and power. The work is then contracted, the workmen being employed by the contractors. Each department is operated separately, the work passing from one to the other, after an examination by the superintendent.

This factory has built up an excellent reputation. Its products, a general variety of chairs, tables, etc., find a ready market all over the country. The factory proper occupies a floor space of fifty thousand feet; the warehouses, thirty thousand, two hundred and fifty workmen and one hundred caning girls are given regular employ ment. The value of the product for the year ending July, 1880, was about two hundred thousand dollars. The officers of the company are: President, John Mills; secretary and superintendent, A. S. Cooper; treasurer, John Mills, jr.; foreman, J. M. Eells; directors, John Mills, John Mills, jr., J. M. Eells, J. W. Stanley and M. D. Follett (for estate of S. Shipman).

MARIETTA IRON WORKS.

A company of which William H. Brown, John G. Stevens, John A. Williams, and B. S. Higley, were the leading members, was formed in 1866, for the purpose of building a rolling-mill. The officers chosen were William H. Brown, president; B. S. Higley, secretary and treasurer; John A. Williams, superintendent. Property was purchased and mills erected in Marietta township, about one mile below Marietta. Operations during the first two years were confined to the manufacture of bar and hoop iron. In 1868 the property was purchased by a new company, composed of William P. Cutler, R. R. Dawes, William H. Brown, B. S. Higley, and J. G. Stevens. Operations were at once enlarged by the addition of a mill for the manufacture of railroad iron, fishplate, and spikes, making the capacity of the entire mill thirty thousand tons per annum. The first officers of this firm were William H. Brown, president; B. S. Higley, secretary. In 1870 R R. Dawes became president and T. D. Dale secretary and treasurer. From 1868 to 1873 the mills were operated to their full capacity, turning out nearly one million dollars worth of iron per annum, and employing two hundred and fifty men. It was the largest manufacturing industry during these years the county has ever had.

In 1873 a change of officers took place. The firm of Moore, Waters & Co., purchased the property, and in January, 1874, sold to J. A. Warner, who was at the head of a new company known as the Marietta Coke and Iron Company. James McArthur was vice-president and T. D. Dale secretary and treasurer. This company operated the works until 1876, when it succumbed to the general stagnation in the iron trade.

MARIETTA FOUNDRY.

The first movement toward establishing a foundry in Marietta was made by two men from Pittsburgh in 1829 —one a Mr. Dobbin, a machinist, the other Larkin McElfresh. They contracted with Mr. Augustus Stone for a lot of ground on the west side of the Muskingum, at the foot of the Lancaster road. They were unable to pay for it, but by the assistance of Colonel Stone and James Whitney they succeeded in borrowing two thousand dollars from the bank of Marietta. With this money they built a foundry room and put up a stack. They commenced manufacruring in the latter part of 1829. But want of means interfered with their success. The property passed into the hands of Colonel Stone and James Whitney. A. T. Nye purchased it from them in 183o, and commenced what has proved to be a permanent business. The building afforded floor room for only five or six molders. The metal was reduced in what was known as a hot-air furnace, which remained in use until about

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 371

1840. Mr. McElfresh was retained as founder. Mr. Dobbins returned to Pittsburgh. Attention was first given to the manufacture of hollow-ware—dinner-pots, stew-kettles, spiders, dog-irons, grate bars, and cast plows, an article just introduced into the country. Previously the "Hog Nose" and " Bar Shear" were the only plows in use. Mr. Nye purchased of the Woods' Sons the right to manufacture the Jethro's wood cast-iron plow. At this time Marietta was the only place in northeastern Ohio where they were manufactured, and they came into general use in Washington, Athens, Gallia, Meigs, Lawrence, Scioto, and Jackson counties.

The salt makers on the Muskingum had experienced great difficulty in obtaining a clear article of salt. They had been using kettles manufactured at Dillon's furnace on Licking creek. Mr. Nye began the manufacture of salt kettles, using the Scioto county iron, which proved satisfactory, and this branch became a large part of the business. Fulton & Mizer, Clemens & Sherwood, Luther D. Barker, Alexander Simmons, and M. Hook, all extensively engaged in the manufacture of salt, purchased their kettles at the Marietta foundry.

The character of the work of this establishment varied with the wants of the country. In 1832-3 fanning- mill irons were in great demand. The manufacture of seven and nine plate heating stoves began about the same time, also several forms of cooking stoves, all for wood. The manufacture of coal stoves did not begin until about 1856. Castings for mills were also turned out.

In 1854, A. T. Nye, jr., was associated in the business and the firm name became A. T. Nye & Son. In 1866 the old woollen mill property on the east side of the Muskingum, near the mouth, was purchased, a molding room was built on Post street, end the following year the business was removed. Stoves and hollow ware have been manufactured almost exclusively during the last five years. During 188o about eight hundred tons of iron were consumed.

FRANKS' FOUNDRY.

Owen Franks built a foundry and machine shop on Second street in 1840, and engaged in the manufacture of engines, stoves, plows and general machinery. In 1845 boat-building became an important part of the industry. Between 1845 and 187o about twenty large cotton steamers for the southern rivers were built by Mr. Franks, and supplied with machinery from his foundry. In 1850 the old buildings were removed, and the present commodious three-story shop erected. At present particular attention is given to the manufacture of engines and plows.

STRECKER'S BOILER WORKS.

George Strecker engaged in the manufacture of steam boilers in 1867. His shops located in Harmar, employ twelve men, and involve a capital of ten thousand dollars. Boilers of all kinds are manufactured, and repairing is an important branch of the business.

GAS WORKS.

An act was passed by the Ohio legislature March 6, 1857, incorporating the Marietta Gas company with a capital stock of fifty shares, one hundred dollars each. The incorporators named in the act are Z. Gingre, A. T. Nye, C. B. Hall, J. B. Hoval and A. T. Nye, jr. The first officers were: A. T. Nye, president; C. B. Hull, treasurer; A. T. Nye, jr., secretary. This company constructed the works, and continued to furnish gas at four dollars per thousand cubic feet until the beginning of 1867, when, on the ninth of January, the works passed into the hands of a new company, or rather a reorganization of the old company. The incorporators of the second company were: John Mills, D. C. Skinner, Beman Gates, Charles B. Hall, C. R. Leonard, Samuel Shipman, Thomas F. Jones, A. T. Nye, jr., and William Ward; capital stock, twenty-five thousand dollars. The officers elected were: Samuel Shipman, president; C. K. Leonard, treasurer, and Charles B. Hall, secretary. Colonel John Mills was elected president January I, 1880. The present (1881) stockholders are: Charles B. Hall, Samuel Shipman, J. R. Waters, M. D. Follett, John Mills, D. C. Skinner, Mrs. C. K. Leonard, Mrs. Charles B. Hall and James K. Hall.

The works are now operated under a ten years lease by Emerson McMillan. Murray McMillan is superintendent. A controlling interest in the stock of the first company was owned by non-residents who dropped out upon the organization of the second company. The works are located on Green street, and mains extend through all the principal streets of the city.

BOOKBINDING.

Bookbinding was first carried on in Marietta by Silas Slocomb in 1835. Mr. Slocomb was at that time engaged in the manufacture and sale of shoes and made bookbinding merely a contingent business. The industry was afterwards for a time connected with the book trade by Crawford & Gurley, J. C. McCoy, and J. C. Glines.

In 1870 G. K. Jenvey was associated with Mr. Glines. The business was owned from 1874 till 1881 by E. R. Alderman and G. K. Jenvey, and conducted under the name of the Marietta bindery. G. K. Jenvey has been proprietor since January, 1881.

LOCK WORKS.

In 1871 a company was organized and buildings erected in Harmar for the purpose of engaging in the manufacture of locks. Of this company C. A. Falkner was president, and Dr. C. C. Warner, secretary and treasurer. The business was seemingly successful for nearly two years. Business was suspended in 1873 with great loss to the stockholders. The property was purchased in 1881 by the firm of W. T. Robinson & Co. at less than one-third the original cost.

BEER MAKING.

The first brewery in Marietta was located on the corner of Sixth and Montgomery streets. It had been occupied in the manufacture of common beer for several years, when, in 1860, B. E. Stoehr began to make lager beer. The brewery on Second, near Washington street, was built by a Mr. Heldt in 1865. It was owned and operated by G. N. Castle till 1869, from whom it passed

372 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

into the hands of Rapp & Brother in 1869. George Schneider purchased the property in 1879, and has since been operating the establishment to its fullest capacity.

The old brewery on Montgomery street has been standing idle for some time.

BUCKET FACTORIES.

The shops in Harmar now owned by Putnam, Sons & Co., were established in 1850, by Darwin E. Gardner, who purchased land and erected buildings for general manufacturing purposes, in the upper part of the bottom. In 1852 the property was purchased by Putnam, Jewett & Co., and the works enlarged, and wooden-ware made a specialty. The shops came into possession of Pool & Co., in 1856, and during the same year were destroyed by fire, the loss being about thirty-five thousand dollars. The buildings were subsequently rebuilt, and the manufacture of engines became a large part of the business. Since 1864 the firm has been Putnam, Sons & Co. The manufacture of engines has been suspended. Capacity of bucket works, two thousand pieces per day.

MILLS.

Previous to 1811 there were no mills at the mouth of the Muskingum; Marietta and vicinity was dependent upon the mill at Devol's dam, which ground very. Considerable flour was supplied in wet mills on Wolf creek. The organ and building of a steam mill at He an important enterprise. This company consisted of David Putnam, William. Skinner, Fearing, Oliver Dodge, and Benjamin substantial stone building was erected in Om This mill was successfully operated for some time, but after water power had come into effectual use, the ground of competition with water-mills was found unequal The dividends of the company were small. The property, in 1847, was purchased by the Marietta Bucket company, which was organized that year.

In 1838 John O. Cram built a mill on the east bank of the Muskingum. This mill was successfully conducted by him until his death, 1860. The firm then became Cram & Conley, and in 1865 changed to Conley, Hall & Co. In 1871 Mr. Conley sold his interest to W. L. Rolston, and the firm name became Rolston, Hall & Co. The mill was in the meantime greatly enlarged and improved by the addition of modern machinery. The members of the firm at present are: W. L Rolston, Joseph E. Hall, C. B. Hall, and James Wilson. The machinery is driven by water power transmitted by a turbine wheel fifty-two inches in diameter. During seasons of high water steam is applied. There are eight run of buhrs, capable of producing three hundred barrels of flour per day. It is chiefly a merchant mill, and employs in all departments twenty men.

The mill on the Muskingum near the foot of Washington street was built by John Wentelker about 1850. After several changes of ownership it passed into the possession of Strauss, Elston & Co., in 1878. This mill has a capacity of about one hundred barrels per day.

In 1853, the firm of Smith, Chapin & Buzzard converted the old saw-mill in Harmar into a grist-mill. This mill is located below the lock and is now owned by Dirk & Co.

There have been saw-mills in Marietta since the year of the first settlement. They were of the kind known as whip-saws, and were very simple in construction and correspondingly slow in operation. The more substantial of the early houses were made of logs sawed to an equal thickness and carefully joined at the corners. Some old buildings made in this way are still standing. Saw-mills, as population increased, became so numerous that it is impossible to mention more than those which became permanent industries.

The Marietta planing-mill, located on Third street below Green, was built in 1850 by a company consisting of J. E. Hall, O. Franks, J. O. Cram, George H. Richards, and R. P. Robinson. J. E. Hall, at different times, bought out the other partners, and now owns the mill. The business, which consists in handling all kinds of lumber and shingles, and manufacturing doors, sash, blinds, etc., was conducted by John and George B. Hall from 1867 till 1876, since by John Hall. About twenty men are employed.

George F. Elston & Co., built a saw-mill at the foot of Sacra Via in 1860. It was purchased by the Marietta Chair company in 1874, and is occupied in general custom work and sawing-chair stock. The product for 1880 as thirty-four thousand dollars.

SMALLER MANUFACTURING.

William L. Bay is engaged in the manufacture of wagons, carriages, etc., on Second street. He has a complimentary local and general trade. Kelly & Brother also have a carriage factory on Second street. John Muisenhelder, Wilson & Morse, and Joseph A. Whitehead in Marietta, and W. B. Hollister, of Harmar, are engaged in the manufacture of tombstones and monuments.

BANKS AND BANKING.

Banking, in the early history of Ohio, was greatly disturbed by too much State interference. Banks were considered an important source of revenue, and the several laws regulating their establishment and management were framed with a view to making them profitable institutions to the State. The Bank of Marietta was subject to each of the several laws passed prior to 1845, and a sketch of those laws will give us a glimpse of the inside history of the corporation.

The earliest bank chartered was the Miami Exporting company, of Cincinnati, the bill for which was passed in April, 1803. Banking was with this company a secondary object, its main purpose being to facilitate trade, then much depressed; nor was it till 1808 that the first bank, strictly speaking, was chartered. During the same session the proposition of founding a State bank was considered and reported upon. It resulted in the establishment of the Bank of Chillicothe.

From that time charters were granted to similar institutions up to 1816, when the great banking law was passed, incorporating twelve new banks, extending the charters of old ones, and making the State a party in the

HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO - 373

profits and capital of the institutions thus renewed without any advance of means on her part. This was done in the following manner: Each new bank was at the outset to set apart one share in twenty-five for the benefit of the State, without payment, and each bank whose charter was renewed was to create for the State stock in the same proportion. Each bank, new and old, was yearly to set out of its profits a sum which would make, at the time the charter expired, a sum equal to one twenty-fifth of the whole stock, which was to belong to the State, and the dividends coming to the State were to be invested and reinvested until one-sixth of the stock was State property. The last provision was subject to change by future legislatures.

This interest of the State in her banks continued until 1825, when the law was so amended as to change her stock into a tax of two per cent. upon all dividends made up to that time, and four per cent. on all made thereafter. But before the law of 1816, in February. 1815, Ohio had begun to raise a revenue from her banking institutions by levying upon their dividends a tax of four per cent. This law, however, was made null with the banks which accepted the terms of the law of 1816. After 1825 no change was made until March, 1831, when the tax was increased to five per cent.

Two important acts have since been passed by the legislature, to which we can only refer. In 1839 a law was passed appointing bank commissioners, who were to examine the various institutions and report upon their condition. This inquisition was resisted by some of the banks, and much controversy followed, both in and out of the general assembly.

In 1845 a new system of banking was adopted, embracing both the State bank and its branches and independent banks.

BANK OF MARIETTA.

The first corporation in the State which exercised banking powers exclusively, was chartered February to, 1808, as the Bank of Marietta. The directors named in the charter were Rufus Putnam, president; Benjamin I. Gilman, William Skinner, Paul Fearing, Dudley Woodbridge, Earl Sproat, and David Putnam. This charter was for the term of ten years.

The bank began business with David Putnam cashier in the stone building on the west bank of the Muskingum river, a short distance above the dam and dock.

In 1813 the bank was moved to the Marietta side of the Muskingum, and occupied a one-story brick building located on the lot on Front street, above the Congregational church, where the residence of Charles R. Rhodes now is. About the time this change was made David Putnam resigned the cashiership, and was succeeded by David S. Chambers, who served in that capacity until 1815, when Alexander Henderson was elected to that position. While Mr. Henderson was cashier occurred the only attempt at bank burglary or robbery in Marietta. An attack was made upon Ceorge W. Henderson, a clerk, one dark, rainy night, while he was on his way to the bank to retire. The robber struck a heavy and unexpected blow, but the carrier of the keys was protected to such an extent by an umbrella that a severe stunning was the only result. Mr. Henderson raised the alarm and the robber made his escape.

In 1816 the charter, although not yet having expired, was extended, under the banking act of 1816, to January 1, 1843. Benjamin Putnam became cashier in 1822, and continued to hold the office until his death in 1825. William B. Barnes discharged the duties of the position until Arius Nye, esq., was elected in May, 1826. The bank purchased the lot and commenced the erection of a building on the north corner of Putnam and Front streets in 1831. This building was designed for a banking house and residence for the cashier or other officers. The first vault was constructed in this building, and when the place of business was removed April 1, 1833,

from the old building, the on first safe was thrown out as a valueless article. This safe, merely a heavy plank chest, barred with iron and secured by a padlock, is now in possession of the Bank of Marietta, and has been, for several years, exhibited as a relic at the Cincinnati expositions. A. T. Nye, who succeeded his brother Arius as cashier in 1838, occupied the residence part of the building from 1833 until it was sold to Joseph Holden. Business was suspended at the expiration of the charter on the first of January, 1843.

The successive presidents of this bank were Rufus Putnam, Benjamin I. Gilman, Dudly Woodbridge, Levi Barker, and John Mills. Of the last named gentleman an old citizen and banker has written : "The name of Colonel John Mills was long and favorably connected with this institution, he having served as president for many years, and in that capacity established the reputation of an honest, liberal and sagacious financier."

THE BANK OF MARIETTA,

a branch of the State Bank of Ohio, was organized and commenced business November 3, 1845, under the name of the Bank of Marietta, with John Mills president and Noah L. Wilson cashier. Business was conducted in the building occupied by the preceding bank for about two years, when the block on the east side of Front street, a few doors north of Green, was purchased and fitted up with a heavy vault and other modern furniture. On December 12, 1848, J. R. Crawford was appointed assistant cashier, and on December 12, 1849, I. R. Waters became clerk. February 4, 1831, I. R. Waters was appointed assistant cashier in place of J. R. Crawford, resigned. February 4, 1857, Noah L. Wilson resigned the cashiership and I. R. Waters was elected to the office. Colonel John Mills continued president until near the close of the charter, when the institution closed its business and gave place to the Marietta National bank, which began business March 14, 1865.

FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF MARIETTA.

Under the act of Congress "to provide a National currency secured by a pledge of United States stocks, and to provide for the circulation and redemption thereof," approved February 25, 1863, articles of association organizing a National bank in Marietta were entered into November 14, 1863.

374 - HISTORY OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

The First National Bank of Marietta was fixed upon as the name of the association. Fifty thousand dollars was then subscribed as the capital stock of the bank, to be increased (subject to the limitations of the act) to two hundred thousand dollars. On the same day the stockholders (seven in number) proceeded to elect seven directors, as provided in the articles of association. The directors at once elected a president and cashier and appointed a committee to prepare by-laws, to be submitted to the directors at their next meeting.

On the twenty-fifth of the same month the committee reported by-laws, which were adopted. At the same meeting the stockholders were "required to pay fifty per cent of their subscriptions forthwith," which they did and more too, some paying the entire amount. A certificate to the amount paid, and that the necessary provisions of the law preparatory to commencing business had been complied with, was delivered to the comptroller of the currency on the third of December, and that officer, the next day, issued his certificate of authority for the association to commence banking.

The number of the bank on the offrcial list is one hundred and forty-two. The room now (1881) occupied by Adams Express company, on Front street, was rented and fitted up for temporary use during the month of December, 1863, and on the fourth of January, 1864, the bank commenced business there.

The first circulating notes of the bank were received from the comptroller of the currency February 18, 1864. In November, 1864, the building at the corner of Front and Green streets, known as "Holden's corner," was purchased, a plan of alterations and improvements was adopted and committeee appointed to supervise the work of reconstruction and of building a vault for the safes and books of the association. During the summer of 1865 this work was carried on, and early in November of that year, the bank took possession of the new building.

CAPITAL STOCK.

As stated above, the bank commenced business with a capital of fifty thousand dollars. The next month, February, 1864, the directors voted that the capital stock might be increased fifty thousand dollars before the first of the succeeding May. This increase was promptly taken. In May, 1872, another increase of fifty thousand dollars was voted and taken by the then stockholders. The capital has not been changed since the payment of the second increase in July, 1872, but remains at one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Semi-annual dividends have regularly been paid the stockholders—the one of November, 1880, having been the thirty-fourth since the bank was organized.

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

During the first three years of the bank's existence the number of directors was seven. At the stockholders' meeting in January, 1867, the articles of association were so amended as to reduce the number, and since that time the board has consisted of but five members.

The list of directors (arranged in the order of their election) at this time, January, 1881, is as follows: Beman Gates, M. P. Wells, J. \V. Andrews, C. B. Wells, and John Mills. Mr. Gates has been a director from the organization of the bank, also M. P. Wells, except during the year 1865. Mr, Andrews was first elected in 1867. C. B. Wells was elected in 1869, to succeed D. P. Bosworth, who had been a member (except for the year 1866), from the organization of the bank until his death in June, 1869. Colonel Mills was elected in September, 1877, to succeed Silas Slocomb who died the preceding July, after having served in the board ten and a half years. It thus appears that no changes have been made in the board of directors during a period of fourteen years, except to fill two vacancies caused by death.

Mr. Gates has been president from the date of the organization. The first vice-president was John Newton. He was elected in January, 1865, and held the office two years. He was succeeded by M. P. Wells, who still holds the office. William F. Curtis was the first cashier, and held the office through the years 1864 and 1865. Daniel P. Bosworth succeeded Mr. Curtis, and held the office three years—from January, i866, to January, 1869. Edward R, Dale entered the service of the bank as teller in 1865, was elected assistant cashier in June, 1867, and was promoted to the cashiership as successor to Mr. Bosworth, in January, 1869. He is still cashier. Edward M. Booth was first employed in the bank in November, 1866, as teller, In 1870 he succeeded Mr. Dale as assistant cashier, and yet holds the office.

THE MARIETTA NATIONAL BANK

organized with Douglas Putnam president and I. R. Waters cashier, and began business in the rooms formerly occupied by the Bank of Marietta, on the fourteenth of March, 1865. January 8, 1867, F. E. Pearce was appointed cashier in place of I. R, Waters, resigned. I. R. Waters was elected president in place of Douglas Putnam, resigned, January 18, 1870. F. E. Pearce resigned the cashiership January 31, 1871, and D. G. Mathews was appointed to fill his place. Charles B. Hall became vice-president January 28, 1873, A. B. Waters became cashier August 31, 1875. Business was continued without any change until March 2, 1876. On that date the Marietta National bank, having closed up its business, the

BANK OF MARIETTA

was organized, as a private bank, with I. R. Waters president and A. B. Waters cashier. The business has been continued in the same building, purchased by the Bank of Marietta in 1847. A large fire and burglar proof Hall safe was purchased April 1, 1880. A striking contrast is presented when this heavy iron safe, with massive doors secured by combination and time locks, is compared with the wooden chest of which it is a successor.

BANK OF EXCHANGE.

The firm of Benedict Hall & Co., consisting of George Benedict, Charles B. and John Hall and G. G. Mathews, opened a banking house on Green street, in the Booth building, in 1854. This association closed up its business in March, 1859.