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

These old grounds are inclosed by substantial fences, but the untrimmed trees and undergrowth, with the moss-covered tablets and leaning stones, bring sad recollections of how many die and are soon forgotten.

Banks In Ripley

The " Farmers' Branch of the State Bank of Ohio " was organized at Ripley, Ohio, being the first bank in Brown County, in August, 1847, capital stock, $100,000, and continued to transact business about eighteen years. The first President was A. Leggett, and its first Cashier D. P. Evans, who so continued until the closing up of the bank's business. A. J. Stivers was first clerk and teller, and served during all of the time of the bank. Mr. A. Leggett, Mr. Thomas McCague and Mr. James Gilliland severally served this bank as its honored Presidents. It was ably managed, and had the confidence of the public. The writer has many times seen Peter Kinney, then of Portsmouth, Ohio, come off the packet with his black carpet sack, and wend his way to this bank with large bundles of its issue, and go away with his sack filled with gold and silver, then at a small premium. Sometimes he had it hauled away by dray in half- barrel, boxes and bags of silver. Once as high as $20,- 000 of its paper was presented, and that sum in gold and New York exchange promptly paid over its counter.

The First National Bank of Ripley, Ohio, was organized in February, 1864; capital $100,000; afterward increased to $150,000; since then, in April 1879, reduced to $100,000. Its first President was Hon. John T. Wilson, who has continued in that position until the present time. Its first Cashier was Mr. John Bennington, a man highly esteemed for his integrity; he served until his failing health made it impossible to remain longer, and he gave up the position in 1869. He died February 20, 1873. Mr. W. T. Galbreath, its present Cashier, was chosen May 12, 1869. This corporation owns its banking building, a handsome and safe structure with fire-proof vault, double combination lock and burglar-proof safe. The charter expires February 24, 1883. It has enjoyed from the beginning every confidence of the public, and its affairs have been exceptionally well managed, particularly so since Mr. Galbreath's connection with the bank.

The Farmers' National Bank of Ripley, Ohio, was organized February, 1865, and chartered for twenty years, expiring February, 1885; capital $200,000, since reduced to $100,000. Dr. Alfred Beasley, now deceased, was its first President; Daniel P. Evans, Cashier, who continued to serve in that capacity until his death, January 1, 1877. Since then, Dr. E. R. Bell has been its Cashier. James

Gilliland became its President on the death of A. Beasley, and from death of Mr. Gilliland Hon. Chambers Baird has filled that honorable and responsible position. All its first officers are dead. Mr. A. J. Stivers officiated as teller from the organization up to his election as Assistant Cashier, and is now filling that honorable station. This bank has been well managed.

Savings Bank. - McMillen & Reynolds, drygoods merchants, together with some of the farmers on Red Oak, organized a private bank in the year 1852, and continued with divers changes in the management and in stockholders till June, 1876, at which time it suspended, and its affairs were administered upon by officers under assignment laws of the State of Ohio, but afterward closed up under the general bankrupt laws of the United States. The loss to the depositors in Brown County and Adams County, as well as those of Mason County, Ky. (opposite Ripley), was great, and a general shock thrilled the community.

Underground Railroad

Ripley has yet no railroad, but we have fair prospects for an early connection by rail with the outside world. It is confidently believed that work will soon be commenced on a standard gauge road connecting Huntington and Cincinnati through this county, along the Ohio River bank. But the town of Ripley was and is known far and wide as the place where the Underground Railroad had its mouth or entrance. On the high hill some 300 feet above the level overlooking the quiet village stands as of yore the old residence of Rev. John Rankin, who is still living at the ripe age of eighty-nine years. This building, if it could speak, could tell many adventures and hair-breadth escapes. At a window from dark to daybreak was ever the beacon light, easily seen from the Kentucky hills and the river bank, to which star of hope the fugitive's eye rested with delight - once here all was safe. Hundreds of escaped slaves have been fed, secreted and ticketed at and from this depot for Canada. There were plenty of stations along the route through Brown County, where aid and comfort was never denied. Mrs. Stowe, in " Uncle Tom's Cabin," draws upon facts transpiring at this place for that thrilling passage in relation to Eliza's flight, pursuit and perilous escape across the Ohio River. As an evidence of the truth of the statement, a member of Rev. John Rankin's family, his son, Capt. Richard C. Rankin, informs the writer that the river had been frozen over for some time, and people crossing on it. She, coming to the Kentucky bank through the snow at what is known as " Stony Point" (near the Asa Anderson farm, just opposite the Red Oak Creek mouth), and knowing the river to be frozen over, at once stepped into the slush and snow covering the ice, and crossed over safely to Crosby's Point; here she dropped the child's petticoat, which was picked up by the Crosbys the next day. Her pursurers tracked her to where she went into the river, as they supposed, for the weather changed suddenly warm, and the ice melted so that none was to be seen the next day on the arrival of the fiends who were hunting her down.

The War Of The Rebellion

The following commands, as near as we can ascertain, were actively engaged during the rebellion: Company H, Twelfth Ohio Volunteer 'Infantry, was almost entirely made up of the youth and middle-aged men of Union Township. At a meeting of the citizens, held at the old Methodist Episcopal Church on Third street, to discuss and prepare for duty under the exciting situation, Fort Sumter having been fired upon by the enemy, a courier came hastily into the church and announced a telegram, saying that Col. Anderson had surrendered the fort! The meeting then adjourned to Armstrong's hall, where speeches and appeals were made, resulting in the formation of a company (afterward Company H, Twelfth Regiment), with Gen. A rumen, then a resident of Ripley, as its Captain. The next day he went to Columbus, and tendered to the Governor the company, which was accepted. On his return, the company proceeded to Camp Dennison, and on the formation of the regiment, Capt. Ammen was made its Lieutenant Colonel. Soon after, he was transferred, and became the Colonel of the Twenty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Company B, Thirty- fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was mainly made up of our best citizens. Also Battery F, First Ohio Light Artillery, and Company E, Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. Quite a number were in the Eightyninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the Fifty-ninth, Ninety-first and Seventieth, and Company K, One Hundred and Eighty- eighth Infantry. A number also were in the gunboat service, and in the Tenth and Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry, and a large number in the One Hundredth Massachusetts and other colored regiments, as also in other commands, many going into regiments where largest bounty was offered. An active home guard was regularly organized under the militia laws of the State, and did much valuable duty on the border; in addition, there was formed a company of old gray-headed sires known as the "Silver Grays;" the United States musket was altered to raised sight and long range; equipped and with ammunition to match, these old soldiers drilled, stood picket and served in raids when called out, which was frequently the case, not flinching, but eager for the fray. Many amusing incidents might be related, showing how ignorant bankers, clerks, lawyers and many mechanics and others were in the modus operandi of loading and firing their arms.

As regiment after regiment ascended the Ohio River on their way to Virginia, the loyal ladies, men and children thronged River street, with flags, booming cannon and music, cheering on the gallant defenders of our dear old flag. The reputation of Ripley;s people for loyalty, liberality and hospitality and sacrifices during this long and painful struggle in the cause of right is well and favorably known throughout all this section of the county, and many officers and soldiers of the grand old Union army, not only hereabouts, but now in other States, would gladly say amen to all that we have said in this behalf. A long list of officers and soldiers from this township might be here inserted, who lost their lives on the tented field, but the history of the war is the prope® place for details. Me, however, give the list, so far as we can, of those whose remains were moved here from the field of battle, and those who have died since, and are buried in the beautiful Ripley Cemetery. It is as follows: Hiram Palmer, John Dawson, Isadore Schneider, W. W. Liggett, C. P. Evans, Thomas Evans. Dnfore Young. Harry Patterson, John Derstine, "William Shedd, William Devore, A. S. Liggett, Henry Butler, Harvey McNish, Saylem Mayfield, John McNish, Oliver Carr, Henry Sacker. Samuel Stallcup, Henry Zeller, Robert Wright. Nelson Mayfield, Wendell Mischler, Thomas O. Adkins, Samuel Horton, George W. Ross, John Fox. R. Keith, Daniel Fox, G. W. Shaw, William Tomlinson. R. C. Peters, William Lynch, A. M. Ridgway, James Guy, J. Turney, Fred Lewring, Ed Crosby, S. Thompson, James Thompson, Abe Williams, B. F. Crosby. C. S Bradford, E. J. Ramsy, Joe M. Johns. Ira Shaw. John Butts, Alfred Bartlett, Thomas Crawford, N. Wright. R. Easterby, Charles Stacy, Henry Moore, Theodore Cook. Marion Helmet, Ed Fields, William De Pugh, John Woodward, James Wanumser, Jerry Young, Lewis Cook, John Evans, James Hedges. John Dunham, S. B. Coleman, H. C. Lane. In addition to the above, of soldiers in the war of 1812, we find monuments to the memory of Robert Conn. Lieut. Peter Shaw, St. Clair Ross and William Sparks.

Ripley Fair

The late Mr. Alexander Campbell, of this county, was the pioneer in Brown County agricultural fairs. He, with Mr. Reason Shepherd, George Snedaker and others of Red Oak, received their first lessons at the Ohio State Fair, held at Cincinnati in September, 1850, and the following winter plans were made to organize a Brown County Agricultural Society, and an adjunct to the State Board. The first fair was held in the town hall (now school building) of Ripley for the show of fruits, flowers, domestic manufactures and light mechanical work, etc. , whilst the exhibition of stock took place in what was known as the " horseshoe bend " in Red Oak Creek, adjoining Ripley. This fair proved a success, both as to finances and as an organization. According to previous understanding among the friends of the enterprise, the fairs were to be held alternate!) at Ripley, Russellville and Georgetown. The next fair was held at Russellville: but at the Ripley fair previous it was suggested that the election for officers ought to be held at Georgetown, in order, as a speaker said, to interest the people up there in the fair; it was so ordered, and at that election (an unusually bitter cold day) very few persons were enabled to attend from this part of the county, and the result was that a Board of Directors was chosen in favor of locating permanently the fair at Georgetown.

The fair at Russellville proved a success, and being compelled to either submit to a total disregard of the founders of the institution in relation to what was considered an element of strength, to wit: the migratory feature, or set up for themselves, the real workers and friends of the enterprise called a meeting to be held at the town hall in Ripley on February 17, 1853. At this meeting, the following preamble to the constitution afterward adopted appears of record:

Whereas, Agriculture, horticulture and the mechanic arts are the oldest, the most honorable, profitable and healthful employments in which man can engage, and are essential to our happiness, prosperity and independence as a community; therefore, for the purpose of improvement in these arts and sciences, and for our own elevation and improvement in knowledge as agriculturists and mechanics, we associate ourselves together and adopt the following constitution.

"Under this arrangement, horticultural and annual fairs were held up-to 1854. Then is was that our public-spirited men, A. Leggett, S. Hemphill, D. P. Evans, C. Baird, C. Ridgway, A. B. Martin, David Dixon, H. Kellogg. George Sibbald, Alexander Campbell, John Porter, B. E. Tweed, J. A. Campbell, F. F. Shaw, A. Dunlap, J. Kelley, R. N. Jenkins, C. F. Campbell, David Gaddis, W. B. Campbell, R. P. Bennington, Robert Fulton, Samuel Martin, A. Fulton, J. Bennington and others, saw the importance of the fair to the town and vicinity and to the community at large, and grounds were purchased adjoining Ripley (the present beautiful grounds (and August 4, 1855, a joint-stock company was formed, stock subscribed, 50 per cent called in at once, and contracts let for fencing, erecting buildings, etc., all of which was accomplished, and the first fair under the new organization held October 8, 9, 10 and 11, 1855. With the exception of the years 1861, 1862 and 1863, when from our border position during the rebellion it was thought nob advisable to hold fairs, the association has held annually these exhibitions, and has kept pace with the growing interest of the same, increasing the premiums, and offering additional inducements and beautifying the grounds, until now this ranks among the foremost in Southern Ohio. This fair may now be styled an Ohio and Kentucky fair. Some of the stockholders and officers reside in Kentucky, and, as is well known, much of the fine stock and many handsome articles exhibited at this fair come from that State.

These grounds comprise twelve acres lying in the beautiful valley of the Ohio River above Ripley. A growth of twenty-one years in maple, cherry, locust and other shade trees adorn the premises. A floral hall, octagon, eighty feet in diameter, in the handsomest style of architecture; a mechanical hall, large, airy and well arranged; a dining hall, with kitchen and other arrangements in hotel style; a lady's dressing room; over one hundred stalls for horses and cattle, besides pens, etc., for sheep and hogs; booths, officers' quarters, etc., ail in artistic beauty, and "the airy, fairy and most beautifully arranged band and Judges' stand, the finest in Southern Ohio. All combined make this one of the most attractive fair grounds in Ohio.

All this has been accomplished, not in a day, but by the untiring energy of the farmer, stock-raiser, artisan, mechanic, and lover of the fine arts during the long period of a score or more years, and by the efficiency of the Board of Managers, most of whom have had charge of its interests for years, and therefore justly entitled to the honors.

Much of the above information is obtained by an examination of the records kept by F. F. Shaw, the present Secretary, who, with the exception of two years, has officiated in that capacity since 1853.

Ripley Gas Light And Coke Company

This company was organized in the spring of 1860, and work commenced at once. A gentleman by the name of Runyan, a practical gas-works man, came here and superintended the construction of the works, assisted by Mr. Nathaniel Cradit, the present efficient Superintendent. On the 27th day of September, 1860, the gas works buildings were completed, and seventy-five dwelling houses and sixteen village street lamps lighted by gas.

The first officers were Chambers Baird, James Reynolds, Mr. Runyan, Daniel P. Evans and N. Cradit, Directors. Of these, C. Baird was chosen President; N. Cradit, Secretary, Treasurer and Superintendent of the works.

Gas is now furnished to private consumers at $2.50 per thousand feet. A special extract is made between the company and the Town Council of Ripley for gas at a specified price per post for a given number of nights in the month, and certain hours of the several days of the month when gas is used. This contract is only by the year, and changes as different persons compose each succeeding Council, and price of coal changes.

Ripley Building And Savings Association

We, the undersigned citizens of Brown County, Ohio, do hereby associate ourselves together to become a body corporate under the sixty third, sixty-fourth and sixty-fifth sections of "An act to provide for the creation and regulation of incorporated companies in the State of Ohio," passed May 1, 1852, for the purpose of raising money to be loaned among the members and depositors, for use in buying lots or houses, building and repairing houses, and for other purposes, under the provision of an act passed May 9, 1868.

In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 17th day of March, A. D. 1873. Signed: Samuel Gregg, M. J. Chase, J T. Creekbaum, B. S. Norris, John K. Greenhow, Harvey Palmer, J. K. Yance, F. M. Green, J. P. Parker. Then follows a certificate of F. F. Shaw, Justice of the Peace, of the acknowledgment of these persons, etc., of same date. Then follows the certificate of R. H. Higgins, Clerk of Court of Common Pleas of Brown County, as to commission and signature of said Justice. This

America, Ohio, Office of Secretary of State. I, A. T. Wikoff, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true copy of the certificate of incorporation of the "Ripley Building and Savings Association," filed in this office on the 28th day of March, A. D. 1873. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the great seal of the State of Ohio, at Columbus, the 28th day of March, A. D. 1873.

The first officers of the association were S. Gregg, President; Dr. E. R. Bell, Vice President; F. F. Shaw, Secretary; J. Reynolds, Treasurer; Directors, W. L. Mockbee,, William Maddox, B. S. Norris, J. K. Yance and J.K. Greenhow. The first meeting was held April 14, 1873. There were 517 shares actually subscribed, making $103,400. The amount paid weekly is 25 cents upon each share, and 10 cents monthly on each share. By the accumulation of these small sums, which were weekly loaned out; the small sums not otherwise loanable were put out upon interest, this not only being safely deposited, but drawing a small interest. By this means many poor sewing women and the wise young men of the place have noW a small sum saved which would otherwise have been spent foolishly in all probability. The last annual report shows that the association will dissolve within a few months. The President and Secretary have continued in their respective offices from the beginning to the present time. The present Board is composed as follows: Presidents. Gregg; Vice President, J. Kelly; Secretary, F. F. Shaw;

Trades And Professions

Meat dealers - Helbling & Keowler, George Frank, John Schwallie, Jacob Geiger, Martin Wetzel. There are cattle and stock dealers not included in the above.