Brown County, Ohio - Chapter 1: Pleasant Township, 1883 (part 2 of 2)

John D. White for Elders, and William T. McConaughy, James Baker, Ezekiel Miner and Abraham Ellis, Deacons. Elder Richard C. Ricketts was the first regular pastor, entering upon his labors October 24, 1835. In 1855, the membership was greatly reduced through church differences, and, after a time, regular preaching was suspended, and the organization almost destroyed. The old church was finally sold, and the society became almost extinct.

After the disintegration of this society, a few years elapsed without any services, but, early in 1876, the members who still lived at Georgetown secured the miniterial services of Elder J. H. Lockwood, who preached to them in the Georgetown Schoolhouse. During the summer and fall of 1877, these members erected a house of worship on North Main street. It is a frame structure, about 46x60 feet, surmounted by a belfry and bell, and costing, in the aggregate, about $2,000. The building was dedicated November 25, 1877, the services being conducted by Elders Isaac Errett, of Cincinnati; Dr. John Shockey and J. H. Lockwood. The day following, Elders Lockwood and J. Irvin West began a series of meetings, which resulted in numerous accessions, and an entire re-organization was effected December 6, 1877, at which time the following officers: J. W. Laycock, Thomas J. Brown and C. Phillips, Trustees; Conrad Wright and John Haslem, Elders; Thomas J. Brown and C. Phillips, Deacons. The membership at the time of organization was fifty - four; it has now reached eighty-two. Elder Lockwood remained pastor of the church until the spring of 1882, when he was succeeded by J. W. B. Smythe. A Sabbath school was instituted cotemporaneously with the church, with Lee Laycock as Superintendent. It has an average attendance of fifty pupils, and is an interesting and well-conducted school.

The Georgetown Presbyterian Church, as mentioned elsewhere in this chapter, had its origin in the Straight Creek Church, about three miles south of Georgetown. The first preaching in town was held at the court house. September 14, 1829, it was resolved that the Presbytery of Chillicothe be petitioned to change the name of the church to the Presbyterian Church of Georgetown, that the church be incorporated, and that the Trustees, Victor King, James Campbell, James Thompson, James Parker and John Maklem, be authorized to obtain a charter of incorporation. This was not effected until December 21, 1830, at which time the Trustees vrere James Thompson, James W. Campbell, Duncan Evans, Garret Snedaker and George Blair. It was about this time that the first church was built at Georgetown, a brick, occupying the site of the present Presbyterian Church. The earliest pastors divided their time equally between the Georgetown Church and the old Straight Creek Church for awhile, but as the Georgetown congregation increased proportionately much faster than the other, it soon secured three-fourths of the ministers' labors, and finally all. The earliest preaching at Georgetown was proba biy conducted by Rev. John Rankin. He was pastor of the Straight Creek Church for a number of years prior to 1829. In that year, Rev. R. B. Dobens was called, and remained with the church one year. January 9, 1830, Rev. Hervey O. Higby was engaged to preach for a year, and, in October, 1831, Rev. Robert J. Hall was called to the pastorate of the church, and continued in charge until 1836, when Rev. James H. Gass was installed minister. He remained several years. In 1837, the membership was 163; in 1841, it had increased to 197. In 1840, Rev. Moses H. Wilder was called to the church, and remained two years. Rev. L. G. Bingham then preached a year, and was succeeded by Rev. David Gould, who was pastor of the church until 1850. Revs. James G. Hopkins, J. Bole and J. Delamater supplied the pulpit for short periods, and Robert Young also preached awhile. Rev. C. Merwin was installed as regular pastor in 1856, but remained onty a year or two. H. V.

Warren became pastor in 1858, and continued as such until 1866. The membership in 1861 had decreased to seventy -seven. After Rev. Warren's pastorate, the church was supplied for awhile by Revs. Joseph Swindt, Alexander Parker, W. H. Rogers, D. E. Bierce and H. W. Guthrie; and Rev. Erwin Ca ton became the next regular pastor. He was succeeded by the present minister, Rev. S. A. Vandyke, in 1873. The present church edifice was erected in 1853, at a total cost of about $7,000. The present membership is 114. A flourishing Sabbath school is regularly conducted. It at present is under the superintendency of George N. Woodward, and has a membership of 118.

The Ruling Elders of the church have been John Evans, Jonathan Moore, James Thompson, William King, James Campbell, Duncan Evans, Victor King, Garret Snedaker, William Buckner, William Griffin, Philip J. Buckner, John Donaldson, Samuel Martin, C. Snedaker, John Salisbury, It. A. Bower, S. W. Evans, Newton Parker, J. M, Barn«s, W. P. Maklem, W. R. Parker, G. E. Matthews, J. H. Wills and W. J. Evans. The last five constitute the present session.

A Regular Baptist Church was founded at Georgetown in 1837. In that year, a brick edifice was erected on Market street, just east of the cemetery. Elder Aaron Sargent was the first minister, and the pastoral relation continued between him and this congregation for more than twenty years. The earliost -influential members were Job Egbert, W alter Leach, Thomas Jennings, Basil Norris, their families, Henrietta Baker and others. Though organized with a small membership, the church grew steadily for awhile, at one time attaining a membership of about one hundred and fifty. Subsequent to Aaron Sargent, his son, James Sargent, H. H. B. Spencer, B. Y. Seigfried, Wenham Kidder,

A. White, Rev. Mason and Rev. Lindsey have had charge of the .church. Many members removed from this vicinity to other localities, and others were removed by death, till finally the membership became too greatly reduced to maintain a pastor regularly, and, about 1874, regular services ceased. Occasional meetings were held, however, until early in 1881, when, by order of the remnant of the once flourishing congregation, the Trustees, C. G. Turner and

The Second Baptist Church (colored) was organized July 7, 1868, as the Anti- Slavery Baptist Church of Georgetown, by Elders S. D. Fox and Triplet, and Licentiates R. Burr and George Davis. The name was afterward changed for its present one. At its origin, there were scarcely more than half a dozen members, but the church books now enroll about seventy. The first Deacons elected were Amos Young and John Sharkelford. The'pastors and their terms of service have been R. Burr, eight years; E. E. Burr^ono year; D. B. Green, two years; G. W. Burr, six months; W. H. Steward, present pastor, entered upon his duties in the spring of 1882. There have been a few times of brief duration when the church was without a minister. The organization was ef fected and services held for about three years in tho Union School building, then for several year the preaching was conducted in the dwellings of the members, and, since 1874, the schoolhouse for colored pupils, on Water street, has been occupied by them. The congregation is now engaged in constructing a frame house of worship, 28x38, at the extreme south end of Water street. A successful Sabbath school is in operation.

Georgetown Lodge, |No. 72, F. & A. M.,was first chartered in 1824, and, on the 24th of June, 1825, Rev. John Rankin delivered an address before the members, which was well received, the lodge paying him $10 for the lecture.

In 1827, Thomas L. Hamer was Master of this lodge, and Jesse R. Grant held the same position in 1830. In 1832, the charter was surrendered and the lodge discontinued. Seven years later, however, in 1839, a new charter was granted, under the old name and number, and the lodge thus organized has continued to the present. As originally instituted in 1824, the lodge was officered as follows: Robert Allen, W. M. ; Jesse, R. Grant, S. WT. ; John Lindsey, J.

W. ; Joseph Davidson, Treasurer; George B. Bailey, Secretary; William V. Powell, S. D. ; Samuel G. Sperry, J. D. ; Francis Myers and Franklin Shaler, Stewards. In addition to the foregoing officers, the following members subscribed to the by-laws of 1824: Levin Hurley, T. L. Hamer, Joseph Stableton, John Wylie, John Dunn, John J. Higgins, John Ferrier, Charles White, John H. Shepherd, William Hill, Horace Bayles, Terry Wamacks, James Loudon, William K. Byrne, John W. Odell, Thomas Middleton, James Baker, John A. Wills, Enoch Ellsberry, William Shepherd and John D. White. The meetings of this lodge were held in the tavern, where the American House now stands, on the northwest corner of the square. The charter was surrendered because of the bitter opposition to Masonry which prevailed so extensively just after the disappearance of Morgan, and the accusation of his murder against this order. The excitement ran high at Georgetown, as elsewhere, and anti- Masonic officers were nominated and elected in Pleasant Township. A Mason was a doomed man, politically, aod, under the pressure, the lodge succumbed. It was re-organized September 3, 1838, by the installation of the following officers: John D. White, W. M. ; Terry Wamacks, S. W. ; James Loudon, J.

W. ; William Blanchard, Treasurer; George B. Bailey, Secretary; Russell Shaw, S. D.; John Allen, J. D.; James Baker, Tiler. P. L. Wilson was fche first member elected and received into the lodge. The first meetings were held in the old court house, then in the second story of the old brick house on the south side of the square, now occupied by Mrs. Carr B. White. About 1849, the Masonic Block, on the east side of the square, was erected by a number of stockholders, who were members, and the lodge has since had its home there. The present officers are: John Lefabre, W. M. ; L. B. Leeds, S. W. ;

Louis F. Roth, J. W.; R.W. Evans, Secretary; Henry Brunner, Treasurer; I. L. Ronsheim, S. D. ; Charles McKibben, J. D. ; Jacob Fley, Tiler; Henry Brunner, Steward. The lodge meets every Thursday, on or before the full moon.

Georgetown Chapter, No. 52, Royal Arch Masons; was granted a warrant of dispensation October 22, 1852. The original members were Peter L. Wilson, John D. White, John Allen, Gideon Dunham, Hanson L. Penn, John J. Higgins, W. M. Gates, Robert Allen, H. Barr, David Barr, B. F. Sallee and W. B. McCormick. Its present membership is fifty-four. Its regular meetings are held on Thursday, after the full moon. P. L. Wrilson, one of the charter members, has been elected Grand King of the Grand Chapter of Ohio. He has also been Deputy Grand Puissant of the Grand Council. The present officers of the chapter are: George M. Wood, H. P. ; L. B. Leeds, Sr., King;

D. B. Thompson, Scribe; C. B. Fee, Captain of H. ; A. Armstrong, R. A. C. ; Marsh Patton, G. M. of Third Vail; F. D. Blair, G. M. of Second Vail; Ford Rish, G. M. of First Vail; N. J. Thompson, Treasurer; I. L. Ronsheim, Secretary; Henry Brunner, Steward.

Barrere Council, No. 25, was granted a charter October 12, 1867. Its original membership comprised the names of A. Sallee, H. L. Penn, S. G. Boyd, R. C. Sallee, David Barr, John P. Biehn, F. J. Phillips, John J. Higgins, John Allen, A. Mehafiey and P. L. Wrilson. The corps of officers now serving are: David Tarbell, Thr. 111. M. ; Fred Risch. Dep. 111. M. ; John Lafabre,

B. Leeds, Recorder: Henry Brunner, Sentinel. The membership is now thirty- three ; the time of meeting, every Monday night previous to full moon.

Confidence Lodge, No. 807, I. O. O. F., was instituted June 25, 1856. The charter members were William Shields, David Thomas, W H. Sly, Benjamin Sells, John C. Shepherd, J. H. King, Jeremiah Lavcock and John Brockhaus. In 1859, the lodge was meeting in the now residence of Judge J. P. Biehn, on the east side of the square. Later, it occupied the west room of the second story of the Evans building, southwest corner Main and Main Cross streets. In 1866 or 1867, it removed to room it now owns, in the Arn Block, southwest corner of the square. W. HjSly, one of the first members, has since been Grand Master of the State Lodge: In April, 1873, the lodge purchased ten and one-half acres of land a mile north of Georgetown, and converted it into a beautiful cemetery, which is becoming the final resting-place for many of the silent dead for miles around. Seventy-four lots have been sold up to September, 1882. The purchase was not made as a business venture, but because of the need at Georgetown of a new cemetery. Quite a considerable tract has b^en sold to the Pleasant Township Trustees. The revenues in excess of the actual expenses are used in improving and adorning the grounds. There are now about sixty -five active members in the lodge. Its officers at this date are: Cyrus Edwards, N. G. ; J. W. Lawwill, V. G. ; T. J. Leeds, Secretary; I. L. Ronsheim, Treasurer.

A lodge of Good Templars was instituted at Georgetown March 15, 1875, by P. M. Weddell, G. W. O. T., and Jay Pinney, G. W. S. E. The charter members were P. P. Ellis, Carr N. Waterman, Lizzie Kearns, Lee Markley, Emma Blair. Anna Campbell, Lizzie Marshall. Lu Miles, Henry Higgins, Sallie Matthews, B. C. Boude, Mrs. Boude, C. D. Miles, Charles Blair and

A lodge of the A. O. U. W. was organized at Georgetown March 24, 1875, with a membership of fifteen. Its first officers were H. C. Loudon, M. W. ; Michael Brunner, G. F. ; E. E. Roney, Overseer; David Tarbell, P. M. W. ; Jacob Risch, Recorder; J. R. Moore, Financier; Dr. Y. Stephenson, Receiver; W. A. Snedaker, Guide; John G. Rose, Watchman; L. Arzeno, J. W. Evans and Matthias Arn, Trustees. The lodge enjoyed a prosperous reign of several years, when it surrendered its charter and passed into nonentity.

The American Hotel was built by different parties. Allen Woods erected the corner portion probably in 1820. It was a brick structure, containing two rooms, and north of it was a vacant space twenty feet in width, beyond which John Smith and James Crawford had erected a small brick building, which subsequently became a part of the hotel. The space between the two buildings was afterward built over by Crawford for Allen Woods, and the three parts were united in one, constituting the front of the present building. The property passed into the hands of Peter, L. Wilson (Mr. Woods' son-in-law), piece by piece, and he built the entire rear portion. Mr. Wilson had located in Lewis Township in 1818, but removed across the river to Augusta, Ky. , from which point he came to Georgetown in the winter of 1821 - 22. He commenced as landlord of the American in 1827, and continued to administer the affairs of that well-known hostelry until 1847, when he rented it, and finally, after several parties had occupied it, sold it to John McColgin in the fall of 1851. The latter gentleman repaired and refitted it, the building, about that time, suffered some damage by fire. The next proprietor was Artus Pepper, who was succeeded, about the 1st of November, 1862, by Esq. John Jenkins, after whom the building was called the "Jenkins House." In February, 1866, John Dillen became proprietor, and was followed by William Norris, who assumed charge December 2, 1867. Dillen was succeeded by George Shields, and he by B. F. Stump. The next and present proprietor is W. N. Bingamon, who uses only a portion of the building for hotel purposes.

Another building used as a hotel in early times, and, until within a year or two, stood on the south side of the square, where the bakery is now located. James Yandyke was host at this stand prior to 1827. Other proprietors who succeeded him were Thomas Kirker, Osmus Johnson, David Crawford and Richard Bingamon.

The National Union Hotel, at the northwest corner of Pleasant and Main Cross streets, was erected by Edward Lewis in 1863. The roof had just been placed on at the time of Morgan's raid. Mr. Lewis died in 1868, and his son, J. J. Lewis, became proprietor of the house, continuing until 1878. His mother, Mrs. M. M. Lewis, then had the management of the house until the fall of 1882, when she sold it to John M. Richards, who took possession No-

Since 1877, a portion of the Biehn House, on the north side of the square, has oeen used for hotel purposes. The first proprietor here was Michael Brunner, who remained in charge about a year and a half, and was succeeded by John Pierce. His successor, Albert Kautz, the present proprietor, assumed control in the spring of 1882.

Business Interests

The first bank of Georgetown, and the only one prior to the First National, was opened by Penn & Phillips in January. 1856. John W. King soon secured an interest in the business. A general banking business was carried on until November 15, 1878, when, under the name of F. J. Phillips & Co., the bank suspended.

The First National Bank of Georgetown was chartered May 23, 1882, with a capital of $50,000. The first stockholders were John Markley, James H. Dunn, H. C. Loudon, John A. Tweed, Joseph Cochran, W. S. Whiteman, James C. Dunn, J. P. Biehn, E. B. Fee, R. L. Fite, C. P. O'Hara, P. L. Wilson, John M. Markley, John M. Thompson, John Jennings, J. P. Helbling, Adam Stephen, W. J. Thompson, Robert Conn, L. G. Fee, H. B. Higgins, and W. J. Jacobs. Joseph Cochran was elected President; W. S. Whiteman, Cashier; and James C. Dunn, Teller. The bank owns a neat business room on North Main street, and is rapidly gaining a successful and extensive banking business. A large number of deposits have already been made, and the amount is constantly increasing.

The woolen factory on East Main Cross street - Outlot 15 - was erected in 1863 by Warner & Ramey. Very soon after, J. B. Thomas owned an interest, and, during its existence of nearly twenty years, it has frequently changed hands. Thomas and William A. Pepper, W. N. Ramey and Dr. James Sidwell, each for a time owned a share of the factory; W. T. Gilbreath, assignee of W. N. Ramey & Co., sold it to Alfred Jacobs and J. N. Henning. Since then the different members of the firm have been William Jacobs, W. J. Jacobs, Robert Young, E. W. West, T. J. Brown, George Inskeep, W. A. Dudley. Since 1875, the firm name has been R. Young & Co., composed at present of Robert Young, W. A. Dudley and W. A. Young. The building is a large four-story frame, equipped with all the modern machinery necessary to manufacture yarns, jeans, blankets and flannels. It is, perhaps, the leading industry of Georgetown at present, and gives employment to eighteen hands.

The grist-mill, standing nearly opposite the woolen factory, on Outlot 14, the site of Jesse R. Grant's tannery, was built in 1873 by F. F. Steinman and Christian Single. Two years later, Mr. Single purchased the interest of his partner, and has operated the mill since.

The Georgetown Building and Loan Association was incorporated February 22, 1879, the articles of incorporation being recorded on the 24th of March following. The association was organized under legislative acts of May 1, 1852, and May 9, 1868; capital stock, $100,000. The incorporators were L. B. Leeds, Sr., John Lafabre, Henry Brunner, G. Pickard, L. B. Miles, B. F. Woods, E. B. Fee, A. Armstrong, S. P. King, A. D. Crouch and Michael Brunner. The institution is yet in existence.

William Butt is supposed to have been the first Postmaster of Georgetown. He settled here in 1821. Peter L. Wilson filled the office several years in Jackson's administration, and wa3 succeeded by John Blair. B. C. Baker,

David Crawford, James Allen, John G. Brose, George D. Evans and James T. Morgan each held the position after Blair. Alfred Armstrong was Postmaster under Buchanan; George Kearns was appointed in 1860, and retained the position till 1872. Since then, Mrs. J. M. Bailey, Mrs. L. B. Powers, Mrs. Jane Crute, Charles F. King and Irving McKibben successively held the office until 1879, when George Kearns, the present Postmaster, again received the appointment.

The growth of Georgetown has been slow but steady since the date of its foundation. It is pleasantly located upon an elevated, rolling table land. Its population in 1870 was 1,037; in 1880, 1,293.