Coshocton County, Ohio - Chapter 47: Mercantile and Other Industrial Interests, 1881

EarlyTaverns - ^Present Hotels - First Store - Early Merchants - James Calder - Hedge and Hammond - James Renfrew- Benjamin Ricketts - Robert Hay - Present Business Directory - Banking - The Johnson Brothers - Ricketts Bank-^ First National Bank - Commercial Bank - Savings and Building and Loan Association - ^Ferries - Coshocton Iron and Steel Works - Paper Mill - Various Other Industries - Past and Present.

TAVVEEN-KEEPING is one of the first occupations in a new country. Houses of public entertainment were plentifully scattered throughout this county while it was yet very thinly settled. They were often the precursors of hamlets and villages, and always among the earliest features of a locality that aspired to something more than rural environments. Charles Williams, the earliest Battler of Coshocton, engaged at once in this pursuit, and for a number of years was without a rival in providing for the public wants. His tavern stood near the northeast corner of Water and Chestnut streets. An invariable attendant of the early tavern was the bar, which doubtless was a source of greater income than the tavern proper. The journal of Colonel Williams was written upon a few leaves of an old ledger, and from them, are obtained the names of several of his early customers between 1810 and 1820. The principal charges are for whiskey or ferriages, and, if the accounts speak truly, many of them have never been paid. One of the earliest accounts is that of James L. Priest, who is credited with twenty-eight days' work, per son William, at nine dollars per month, nine dollars and sixtynine cents. In 1811, Joseph Mulvain, Israel H. Puker, Benjamin Burrell, Solomon Vail, Chrisley Wise, Allen Moore and Jarret Moore each have a running a!ccount. The other charges were made from 1816 to 1820. The names are John Maholm, Samuel Clark, Jesse Cunningham, Peter Darne, John Barto, Elisha Elliott, Levi Eodruck, James Davis, William Carr, Thomas Harkum, John Michaels, William King, Ephraim Thayer and Strong Thomas.

In 1816, Wright Warner was keeping tavern at the northwest corner of Main and Second streets, now the Central House. Some time before this, Asa Hart was running a tavern on the east side of Second street, ?. few rods north of Chestnut. He died here in 1815, of cold plague. Warner was a lawyer and had been the first prosecuting attorney of the county. He had come here from one of the New England States, and in a few years removed to Steubenville. Thence he went to New Philadelphia, where he was innkeeper for some time. He was succeeded by William Whitten, a blacksmith, and first county treasurer, who is described as a short, stoutly built m^n, of excellent judgment and great natural abilities, though somwhat addicted, as was nearly every one at that time, to the flowing bowl. Wilson McGowan followed Whitten, as proprietor of this hotel. He was a zealous Baptist and often had preaching at the tavern while it was in his charge. He was a quiet gentleman, with winning, persuasive manners,and possessed the elements of leadership. He was afterwards clerk of the court, for a few years; then engaged in mercantile pursuits, at Coshocton, with his son-in-law, Rufus Eldridge.

During these early years there was quite a strife between the denizens of Water street and those of Second street. Water street was first settled, and for a long time embraced the main portion of the town. Colonel Williams, who resided here, was at first a Federalist in politics, but afterward became a Democrat, and was the acknowledged local leader and champion of that party. His tavern became the rendezvous for those of like political faith, while the tavern on

Second street developed strong Whig tendencies, and in its proprietor was recognized the leadership of that party. The poUtical warfare which was engendered did not flow and ebb with the coming and departure of elections as at present,^ but was maintained with rancor throughout the entire year. To such an extent was this carried that separate Fourth of July celebrations would be held by the two factions. Each would prepare a big dinner, and the respective adherents of the two parties were accustomed to arrive early in the morning, and spend the day in rough out-door sports and games. An oration would sometimes be prepared and delivered - oftener in the Whig assembly than the Democratic. Colonel Williams usually held his meetings in a sugar grove on the river bank, just below the bridge, and would terminate the festivities of the day with a grand dance. Abundant and excellent music was always provided, and under its entrancing strains and the mirthful sport which accompanied it, the night would glide swiftjy away, and the peep of another day ushered in much too soon for the wakeful scions of liberty. The youthful Whigs, who had spent the day in the opposite camp, and come at night to enjoy the dance, were invariably hooted and driven away. Colonel Williams' house was afterwards kept for a while by his son-in-law, Adam Johnson and then by Thomas H. Miller, another son-in-law. A Mr. Johnson also was proprietor here for a while. A number of buidings on Second street have been used for this purpose. A brick house, built in 1816, occupying the northeast corner of Chestnut and Second streets, was for a long time one of the principal taverns. Ellis D. Jones was among the earliest proprietors. He subsequently removed to Eoscoe, where he remained but a short time, then returned and took charge of the Central House. After Mr. Jones' removal to Kosooe, Oliver Barrett took possession of the house he had vacated and remained there several years, then returned to Zanesville, whence he had come. Judge B. R. Shaw was proprietor here for about five years, beginning about 1838. Alexander McGowan, Alexander Hay and Mr. Pees, from Tuscarawas county, at different times kept tavern here. On the southwest corner of the same streets, now occupied by Buchanan's grocery, stood a frame building in which Samuel Morrison, Mr. Bowers and others kept .publichouse. Thomas B. Lewis for a few years provided entertainment in a rough log building-, which stood on a lot on Chestnut street, now occupied by the Spangler residence. A number of fugitive slaves were passing northward through' this county at one time, under the guidance of a Quaker, and were concealed in a cornfield in Bethlehem township. Their hiding place was discovered by several rowdies in that vicinity,, and, hoping to receive a reward for their capture, the ruffians pounced upon the negroes and beat, them severely, then brought them mangled and bleeding 'to Lewis' tavern. Public indignatioa. was aroused at the shameful treatment the slaveshad received, and the rowdies were obliged to flee the town without their prey. The slaves made good their escape, but were subsequently recaptured in Knox county.

The Central House, at the corner of Main and Second streets, is the oldest tavern in Coshocton. . Except during a few years, when it was rented as a tenement house, it has been used as a tavern for' nearly seventy years. Seward & McCabe have been its proprietors for several years, and ithas recently passed into the hands of William Shaw. ,

The large brick standing on lot 215, Second street, was occupied as a hotel for about twenty years. It was built by John, Joseph K, and William K. Johnson, in 1840, but not used for hotel purposes until 1856, at which time William Tidball took possession of it. He was succeeded by Thomas McBride, and Mr. McBride, in 1865, by W. H. H, Price, who remained its proprietor until 1876, when he left it to take charge of the new Price House. It has since been used for other purposes.

The hotel *it the northeast corner of Main and Fifth streets was built in 1854. The addition fronting the railroad was erected two years later.

Until 1867, it was the railroad eating house., Its first owner and proprietor was "Aunt Letty Thomas,'' a colored woman, who was brought tothis county when sixteen years old, from Washington City, by Colonel William Simmons. In 1860 or 1861, the property was sold to Mr. Sauerbeck, of Alliance ; and his son-in-law, Robinson,.

'became its proprietor. Since his connection with -the house was dissolved, the proprietors have been as follows : Allison Williamson, Seth Gardner, Mr. Hoover, John Christy, Mrs. Hackenson, and G. A. McDonald. Seward & McCabe, the present proprietors, took charge in April, 1881.

The spacious three-story brick hotel on the northwest corner of Sixth and Walnut streets, was erected in 1875, by A. M. Williamc and M. Weisner. S. L. Gardner was its proprietor for six months, and was succeeded by W. H. H. Price, who continued at its head until his death, which occurred April 1, 1880. Then, after a few months, S M Price, his son, took charge of the house, and is its present proprietot.

James Calder came to Coshocton in 1809 or 1810 and opened a regular country store on the west side of Second street, a few doors north of the Central House, on the site now occupied by Shaw's queensware store. He remained a few years, became involved in business and was <jbliged to suspend mercantile operations. Removing across the river he founded Caldersburg, now Roscoe, and soon after moved to a farm about two miles west Of that place. There and in, Caldersburg he spent the remainder of his life. Mr. Calder was (he first merchant of Coshocton. Charles WilUams had for a few years previous kept a very limited stock of dry goods at Tiis tavern but the. amount scarcely warrants him .at that time the title of merchant. His granddaughter, Mrs. Oliver, residing on Water street, 'has the old day-book kept by him in 1807. The usual charges are for lodging or liquor but scat- .tered through it are a few for calico and other -staple dry goods.

Hedge & Hammond was the next mercantile firm at Coshocton. Josiah Hedge and Charles Hammond were citizens of St. Clairsville, Ohio, :and in October, 1810, they entered into a contract with Adam Johnson, also of that place, to open a store for them at Coshocton, commencing October 29^ 1810, he to receive $230 for his services as -clerk during the first year. The store was erected -on the northeast corner of Chestnut and Water streets, the first goods being sold about the 1st of TTovember. The first books of this firm are also in Mrs. Oliver's possession, in a good state of preservation. In 1815, the goods were sold to Williams & Johnson, who remained in business for some years and then disposed of the store. Adam Johnson was a leading character at Coshocton at the time the county was organized, and for years thereafter. He was born in Pennsylvania, and prior to his removal to Coshocton, had spent some time in St. Clairsville as a clerk. He married a daughter of Colonel Williams, and became associated with him in business. He was the first clerk of the court, auditor and recorder, and was at the same time postmaster. He was distinctively a self-made man, and won his way to a position of influence in county affairs, which he kept up to the time of his death in 1829. John Frew was afterward merchant at this corner; and continued in business here many years, afterward removing his store to the opposite side of Chestnut street. He came to Coshocton about 1818, and, was well and widely known as a prominent business man.

James Renfrew was the next merchant. It was about 1815 that he opened a store, in a, frame building, on lot 216 Second street, later occupied by the old Price House. He was born at Lisburn. County Antrim, Ireland, in 1767. In 1820, while in Pittsburgh, where he was accustomed to purchase goods, he married Mrs. Johnson, a widowed sister of Dr. Kerr, of the A. R. Presbyterian church, in that city, and mother of John, Joseph K. and William ,K. Johnson, wellknown citizens of Coshocton, at a somewhat later date. 'William Renfrew, quite prominent as a merchant, and James Renfrew, Jr., were children of Mr. Renfrew by a prior marriage. Mr. Renfrew died in 1882, in the sixty-fifth year of his age.

In 1817, Benjamin Ricketts began mercantile life at Coshocton, in the building previously occupied by James Calder, for the same purpose. He was born near Cumberland, Maryland, July - 30, 1786. During Benjamin's boyhood, his father died, and he learned the trade of a hatter in that place, with Colonel Blair; married Nancy Taylor, and with their little earthly effects, they crossed the mountains, and Mr. Ricketts opened a shop at Zanesville, soon after removing to Putnam. Too close confinement to his occupation made serious inroads upon his health and, under the advice of his physicians, he abandoned the trade and opened a store in West Zanesville. He did not remove to Coshocton until the^ spring of 1820, for a tew years prior to that date operating a store both at West Zanesville and at Coshocton, the latter under the management of his son, T. C. Eioketts, and John Smeltzer. Mr. Eicketts' success in business was attested by the accumulations attending it. In 1827, he disposed of his store to his son, Thomas C. Rioketts, who continued in business uninterruptedly until 1856, and has since resumed it. Subsequent to 1827, Benjamin Ricketts turned his attention to stock and land dealing, and acquired a large estate, in the vicinity of Coshocton. He was always averse to a political life. He was elected and acted as justice of the peace, during his residence in Zanesville; in 1825, was placed in nomination as county commissioner. He and the opposing candidate received a tie vote and, by lot, the office devolved upon Mr. Ricketts. He died July 1, 1857. His wife survived him twenty-three years, dying in her ninetieth year.

John Smelzer was a Pennsylvanian by birth and of German descent. He moved to Zanesville when quite small, with his parents, and there served an apprenticeship in the hatter shop of Mr. Ricketts ; but steady application to this business proved injurious to his health, and he was induced to quit it and accept a clerkship in Mr. Ricketts' store. He came to Coshocton in that capacity in the fall of 1818, and was afterward a partner for a short time, but about 1826 he removed to Roscoe, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for many years. Alexander Renfrew was associated with him in business for a while, and afterward Ransom and Medberry. He finally removed to Piqua, Ohio, where he died. He was a man of prepossessing appearance, a fluent speaker of both English and German tongues, and very popular. He served one term as sheriff.

Mr. Thomas C. Ricketts has in his possession the set of books kept in his father's store from 1818 to 1823. In them are found the accounts of early settlers from all parts of the county. Whisky was one of the chief commodities, retailing at twenty-cents per quart, or seventy-five cents per gallon. Powder and lead were staples in trade. The latter was sold in bars at nineteen cents per pound; powder for one dollar a pound- Coffee was worth forty-five cents a pound; tea, two dollars. Calico was sold at fifty cents per yard ; muslin at thirty-seven and one-half to seventy-five cents. Tobacco was thirty-seven and. one-half cents per pound ; sugar, twelve and onehalf; iron, twelve and one-half; steel, forty-four cents ; nails, nineteen cents ; salt, two dollars per byshel; dried apples, two dollars per bushel- German almanacs are quoted at twelve and one>- half cents; English almanacs at six and onefourth cents; spelling books at twenty-five cents;: flints at two cents. Coal was indirectly dealt in to a limited extent, and brought eight cents perbushel. From the credits it is learned that woodi was worth from twenty-five to thirty-seven' and a half cents a load; wheat, thirty to seventy-fivecents per bushel , corn, twenty cents ; oats, fifteen, cents ; hogs, two cents per pound.

Robert Hay was probably the next merchant in Coshocton. He was born in County Derry, Ireland, in February, 1801. He came to America in 1817 and was employed in stores in Pittsburg for two years, and then came to Coshocton in the employ of James Renfrew. After a clerkship of several yfears he became a partner with Mr. Eenfre-w. He soon after opened a store on the east side of Second street, lot 170 or. 171, on the site now occupied by Dr. S. H. Lee's drug store and subsequently formed a partnership with William Renfrew.

For fifty years he was in business. He was in his store when taken with his last illness No man ever stood higher in the community for truthfulness, honesty, promptitude, and careful, application to business. Trained in the old school of merchants, he was a strict disciplinarian, and despised all trifling and trickery. He always was himself to be found at his business in busmess hours and expected a conscientious devotion to his interest, on the part of his employes, whom he always regarded with kindly interest. For the worthy poor he had always much sympathy, and was especially ready to help them to help, themselves. He served the county for several years as county treasurer but was never inchnea to public station. In the regular prosecution of his business as a merchant and distiller he stead-- ily increased his worldly estate, and by the vast, accretions in connection with the excise ^ }^ the earlier part of the war, left at his death the largest estate ever administered upon in Coshoo- ton county. He married Miss Mary Corbin, of Granville, Ohio, in 1858. She and one child preceded him to the grave and two children survived hira. He died, after a few days' illness. May 3, 1869, at the home of his brother James, which for some time he made his home. - Hunt's Collections.

It would be impossible and undesirable to give' a complete list of the merchants of Coshocton, but among the more prominent of a later date may be mentioned W. K. Johnson & Co., Bachelor & Lamb, Humrickhouse & Co., Jarret Hawthorn, John G. Stewart, Abraham McGowan and Jackson Hay.

Since then the increase in the number of mercantile houses has been large, and the business of Coshocton, as it existed in the spring of 1881, is hereunto subjoined :

No regular banking was done at Coshocton prior to 1852. Many years before this date, however, owing to a great scarcity of change, it was customary for merchants to issue their scrip, or "promise to pay," in very small amounts, ranging perhaps from five to seventy-five cents. They were made payable when presented in sums of five dollars or more. They proved a great convenience to the merchants and to. the public as well, and had an extended circulation. The principal merchants, too, were accustomed to receive deposits from their customers and buy and sell eastern exchange. The , business continued to grow on their hands until it culminated in the establishment of a regular banking business by W. K. Johnson & Co., about 1852, and by T. C. Ricketts in 1853.

The Johnsons, consisting of three brothers, William K., John and James K., were representative business men in Coshocton county during the period of its rapid development. They were from Tyrone county, Ireland, emigrating to America in 1818. After a brief stay in Baltimore,' the family came to Pittsburgh, where a brother of Mrs. Johnson - Rev. Dr. Kerj-- was living. In 1819 or 1820, Mrs. Johnson was mar- ried to James Renfrew, and the family removed to Coshocton, where the boys received a business training under the guiding hand of their stepfather. Of William K. Johnson, Mr. Hunt says in his Historical Collections: _

He had the confidence of the whole community, and his name was a synonym for integrity, sobriety, diligent application to business, and great prudence. By all the sons of the Emerald Isle, especially, he was looked to as a wise counselor. His approbation of any matter of town and county interest was regarded as quite important to its accomplishment. His views ,and actions have very largely shaped the social and business aflfairs of the region where for nearly forty years he lived and labored. He was for many years a member of the board of education, and of the town council of Coshocton. He was postmaster for some fifteen years. He was connected with the Steubenville and Indiana railroad, as a director, from its organization until his death. While not uninterested in political affairs, he had little ambition in that line. He married, in 1836, Miss Elizabeth Humrickhouse, who, with six children, survived him.

John Johnson learned the tanners' trade under the direction of Mr. Renfrew, and also worked at saddle and harness making. He represented the district of which Coshocton county was a part in 1842 and 1843 as State senator, and was also a member of congress in 1851-'53. He was a member of the convention which framed the present State constitution. His health was not firm for some years before he died, and on this and other accounts he was not so much engaged with public afiairs in his later years as in earlier ones. With limited education, his industry and native shrewdness and caution enabled him to achieve a considerable degree of business and political success. He died February 5, 1867.

After the death of William K. Johnson, the banking firm became J. K. Johnson & Co., John Johnson being junior partner. After the latter's death, David and John H. were received into the firm, and the business was thus conducted until their removal to New York City, abotit the 1st of January, 1872. Since then the bank has been operated by John G. Stewart, on the southeast corner of Main and Fourth streets. The banking house of the Johnsons was at this place.

T. 0. Ricketts started his banking house in the Hawthorne building, on Chestnut street, and at first in the room occupied by his store, but in a short time it was removed a few doors west, to the corner of Chestnut and Second streets. He afterwards removed it to Main street, near Fifth, continuing in the banking business individually until January, 1872, when the First National Bank was organized, with T. C. Ricketts, president, and Baxter Ricketts, cashier. It commenced business in March, 1872.

Two years later the First National Bank was organized, Jackson Hay becoming president, and H. C. Herbig, cashier. These ofl&cers continue to the present. The orignal capital was $50,000; this was afterwards increased to $110,000 in order to meet the demands of business, but it has since been returned to its original amount. In March, 1881, the bank withdrew its circulation and has since become a private banking house, doing business under name of Commercial Bank.

The present bridges over the Tuscarawas and Walhonding rivers were finished in the years ]837 and 1838, respectively. A bridge across the Tuscarawas had been built in 1832, through the efforts of a number of the citizens and petitions to the county commissioners, but it survived the floods only one year and was then swept away. Before that the main reliance for crossing the river was by ferry. The streams were then higher and deeper than now, and high waters prevailed during a much greater portion of the year. The river was scarcely ever fordable in winter, and for only a part of . the summer. It has been mentioned that the proprietors of the town reserved to themselves the right of all ferries within the bounds of the town plat. John Matthews, one of the original proprietors, transferred this right to Colonel Williams during Matthews' lifetime only, it seems. Colonel Williams did not attend to the ferry personally, but employed men to run it for him. One of the earliest of these was Abraham Miller, son of George Miller of Lafayette township. Somewhat later, John Crowley performed these duties, and after him Samuel Morrison, a nephew of Williams. The ferry under Williams was at the foot of Chestnut street; and was one of the most remunerative occupations then attainable by the residents of Coshocton. The authorized charges were, for footman, six and one-quarter cents ; horse and rider, twelve and one-half cents; loaded two-horse wagon, seventy-five cents. At Matthews' death the ferry was sold to a company consisting of Robert Hay, William K. Johnson, Samuel Burns and Joseph Burns. By them the ferry was moved farther up the stream and a rope ferry established. These men were heartily in favor of a free bridge, and lent their aid to its erection. "

The Coshocton Iron and Steel Works, located on South Fifth street, is the largest and most extensive manufacturing establishment in the county; it has been in operation about ten years. A stock company was formed in May, 1861, for the manufacture of springs, axles and iron bridges, and duly incorporated. The principal holders of the company were Houston Hay, T. C. Kicketts, F. E. Barney, Lewis Demoss, J. W. Shipman, E. T. Spangler, John Davis, J. A. Barney, Coshocton Planing Mill Company, Rue & Son, T. H. Burrell, J. B. Ingram, Willis Wright, N. Renfrew, W. J. Moflfat, J. D. Nichols, Samuel Moore, J. C. Pomerene, William Stanton and Cassingham and Crowley. The officers elected were - Houston Hay, president; F. E. Barney, vice-president ; T. C. Rickets, treasurer, and they, with Lewis Demoss, John Davis, E. T. Spangler and James W. Shipman, constituted the board of directors. John A. Barney was made secretary. The extensive buildings as they now stand were at once erected, and James W. Shipman, who had previously operated an establishment of this kind in the State of New York, was placed in the general management of the works. After a brief career of between two and three years, the affairs of the company became greatly involved, and in January, 1874, an assignment was made. The causes which led to this were various. The machinery of Mr. Shipman's former establishment had been purchased at a high price, and, proving wholly insufficient, a considerable outlay for new machinery became necessary. The company was organized with a capital of $100,000, but not more than twothirds of this amount was ever paid in. This was mostly expended in buildings, machinery, etc., and the working capital had to be borrowed, at high rates of interest. High wages were paid, and large salaries for which, in some cases, little service was rendered. High prices, too, were paid for material. A boiler explosion in June, 1872, entailed a loss of about $10,000. The officers remained about the same up to the time of the assignment, except that William Ward was elected director, vice Shipman, and also secretary in place of John A. Barney. Mr. Ward was appointed assignee, and under him the work in progress was finished, requiring about six weeks. The works then remained idle until they were sold in August, 1874, at the third offer, to Houston Hay for $33,334. Mr. Hay immediately resumed the manufacture of axles, and about six months later work was commenced in the spring department.

In April, 1876, J. W. Dwyer associated with Mr. Hay as partner in this latter department but about two years later this partnership was dissolved and Mr. Hay has since been sole proprietor of the works. The manufacture of iron bridges has not been resumed since the failure of the company. The work in the spring department is done under contract. Since Mr. Hay's connection with the works the quality of the manufactures has established a reputation for them which insures an easy and continued sale wherever they are known. Columbus, Toledo, Cincinnati, Louisville, Chicago and St. Louis, are the principal shipping points, but the manufactures find their way westward as far as the shores of the Pacific. About ninety workmen are now employed in the works. William Ward has su- pervision over the works, Farley Connerty is foreman in the foundry, A. D. Howe in the axle department and Horn and Kronenbitter are the contractors in the spring department.

The Coshocton paper mill, situated between Fifth street and the Tuscarawas river, was built in 1863 by Thompson Hanna. He soon after turned over the business to his son and son-inlaw, Daniel W. Hanna and Bobert Sinclair, who operated it until 1866 when they failed. This was caused by a lack of working capital and a boiler explosion in 1866. (By this explosion John Freeman was killed and John Sherrod seriously hurt). After remaining idle about two years the mill was sold to Peter Hough, who ran it for a year or more, becafne involved and retired from the business. It was then leased temporarily to several parties, and in May, 1871, was purchased by John W. Cassingham and A. D. Harvey of Coshocton, and Hugh McElroy of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 1875 Cassingham and McElroy bought Mr. Harvey's interest and ,are still its successful proprietors. Wrapping paper is the kind manufactured and it finds a market chiefly in Pittsburghi^ J. S. Smart, a man well known in paper circles, is the present surperintendent of the mill. Thomas Arthur, the foreman, has been connected with the establishment from the start.

The Coshocton Planing Mill Company commenced operations in 1869. As originally composed the company consisted of Addison M. Williams, Martin Weisner and W. H. Robinson, Jr. Mr. Robinson soon after withdrew, and Dr. William Stanton was for a while a partner. For some time the firm has been Williams & Weisner. The building first used was Jackson Hays' old warehouse, from Canal Lewisville, which the company took down, hauled to Coshocton on wagons, and re-erected. Very considerable additions have been made to this original structure. The mill stands on the southeast corner of Walnut and Cherry streets, east of the freight depot.

Across Walnut street from the planing mill stands the Coshocton city mills, erected in 1875, by Charles and George Bolch. The latter withdrew in September, 1875, and for a year Charles Bolch was sole owner and proprietor of the mill. C. F. Burns was then received as a partner in the mill, and in November, 1878, Garret Treadway also. In August, 1880, R. F. Sayer, Daniel Snyder, George Bolch and Charles Craig became the proprietors of the mill and owners of the property. The mill contains a run of five buljrs, and does an extensive business, both in custom and merchant work, large quantities of flour being shipped to Baltimore and elsewhere.

The gas works were built in the winter of 1873-^ by a stock company, representing a capital of $25,000. The contractor was B. Van Steenberg, now of Logan, New Jersey, and was also at the outset the heaviest stockholder. He, soon after disposed of his interest to Houston Hay. The company was organized in 1872, with P, E. Barney, L. Demoss, John G. Stewart, H. N. Shaw and W. E. Hunt as directors. At this time the directors are Houston Hay, James Wilson, Joseph Rue, L. Demoss and James R. Johnson. J. G. Stewart is president, and Henry Herbig secretary and treasurer. Isaac McNary has been superintendent of the works from the start. The amount of gas furnished by these works has been steadily increased since the works were estab- . lished.

Carriage and wagon manufactories are now carried on by E. McDonnald, V. 0. Jeffries and James Stewart. In 1857 Mr. McDonnald and Alexander Manner erected a carriage manufactory on lot 209 West Walnut street. Two years later McDonnald purchased his partner's interest in the works, at the same time selling to Mr. Manner his interest in a hotel, which had become their property. He remained in possession of the factory, except during a few months, when Judson. Hughes, of Zanesville, controlled it, until 1869, when he erected the extensive shops now standing on lot 140, Third street, near Main. He has since continued the manufacture of carriages at these shops. During the last ten or eleven years he has built, on an average, about sixty vehicles a year.

The works of V. 0. Jeffries are located on Second street, between Chestnut and Locust. He has had possession of the shops for several years, succeeding Jeffries & VanAllen.

tween Main and Walnut, by G. A. Pieflfer & Sons, of Dresden. In 1873 Alexander Manner bought these premises at assignee's sale, and operated here for a while, but has since ceased manufacturing. George Schley, at one time, was an extensive wagon maker, and subsequently J. Glover, C. W. Frew, A. Fritz and others have also at one time or another been engaged in this business.

The Coshocton Foundry, located on North Fifth street, was built about 1871 by Edward Kirk. It afterwards passed into the hands of T. C. Ricketts and was operated by Kirk and Robert Hay, then by Eicketts & Evans, and still later by Hirt, Palm & Evans. After standing idle for two years it was purchased in January, 1881, by W. PI. King, who is now carrying on a general and extended line of business here.

Probably the first foundry in Coshocton was the one started by George E. Con well and Morris Burt. The building used was the one now occupied by Mr. Jeffries as a carriage shop, on Second street. It afterward came into the possession of . J. C. Maginity, who afterwards entered into a partnership with the Roses, owners of the Roscoe foundry. The Roscoe foundry soon became the principal, and after a time, the only one operated by the firm. Another foundry was started about 1868, by Hiram Taylor and W. H. King, near the Tuscarawas river bridge. After a time they removed to Roscoe and it was abandoned.

The first tannery was started about 1808, by Andrew Lybarger, on the northwest corner of Second and Walnut streets. . This yard afterwards passed into the hands of John and Joseph K.Johnson, who operated it for a series of years. At a still later date it was owned by Andrew J. Wilkin and James Dryden. It was abandoned quite a number of years ago.

There is now a tannery, located on Water street between Main and Walnut, operated by McClain & Koontz. John Taylor erected a machine shop at this place about 1845, and carried it on for many years. The shop then stood idle for some time and was purchased by Cassingham & Shaw, who converted it into a tannery. It was sold to Mr. Loose, and from him passed into the hands of the present owners.

establishment was bought by W. H. Robinson, Jr., ar^d C. Skinner, torn down and replaced by a larger building known as the Coshocton Soap Works. For a short time it was owned and operated by D. Adams, but was repurchased, and is now conducted by C. Skinner & Co.

T. Hager manufactures cigars, on Main street. G. F. Palm began the manufacture at this place in 1878, and a j'ear or two later, sold out to Mr. Hager. Gaumer is also engaged in this business, on Second street. J. K. March was the first to manufacture cigars to any considerable extent, beginning in 1870.

The first brewery in Coshocton was started in a building on the west side of Second street, between Locust and Sycamore, about' 1852, by L. Mayer. In 1866, Lewis Beiber built the brewery on North Fourth street, near the river. Itwaa afterward operated by Charles Boes, but has since been discontinued.

Among the manufacturing establishments that have formerly had a place in Coshocton may be mentioned the fanning mill factory which. was operated about 1848, for awhile, by William M. Green, on lot 172 Main street, where W. W. Bostwick's jewelry store now stands. Josiah Dewey, for some time, was extensively engaged in the manufacture of chairs, on the northeast corner of Second and Locust streets. Prior to 1850, he sold the establishment to A. Ordway, who continued it sometime longer. James Taylor, about. 1840, started a woolen mill, on Walnut street, between Water and Second. He finally went to- California, and the mill went down.

Dr. Samuel Lee, about 1826, started a carding, mill on the lot which is situated at the southeast corner of Main and Fourth streets. It continued in operation for eight or ten years. A grist mill was for a time attached to it. The motive power' was furnished by an ox, the machinery consisting, of a tread-mill. Many years before this, Charles- Williams built a little tread-mill on the lower part of lot 216, Chestnut street, wher»the grists of many early settlers were ground. The machinery was removed to a small mill on Cantwell's run, across the river. In 1882, a large steam flouring mill was built at the southwest corner of Main and Second, streets, by James and William Renfrew and Robert Hay. It contained four run of buhrs. In 1839, the mill was consumed \>y fire, but the following year it was rebuilt and operated by different parties, usually with indifferent or ill success until 1850, when the building "was leased to Robert Hay, Thomas Love and John Hay, for the purpose of carrying on a distilling business. Love & Hay^ - Samuel Love and Robert Hay at first, but afterward Thomas Love and Robert Hay - had commenced operations in this line at Rosooe in 1837. The loss of their mill there by fire caused its removal to Coshocton, where the business was conducted on a much larger scale than formerly. In 1865, Robert and James Hay retired from the firm, and after a little while the manufacture ceased entirely. In its d>y this distillery was the most active and extensive industry in the village. Its capacity was 300 bushels per day, which would produce, on an average, 1,050 gallons of whisky.