Fairfield County, Ohio - Chapter 5: Lancaster - the County Seat, 1912

Chapter 5: Lancaster - the County Seat

The Beginning of Things - History of Location, A'aiiie, and Sale of Lots by Ebenezer Zane - First Born - First Schools and Teachers - Mail Routes, Post Office and Postmasters - Commercial Lancaster - Board of Trade - Monbers of Public Boards - Water Works - Fire Department - The Famous Lancaster Bar - An Historic Structure - Pictures on Memory's ITalls - Remarks on Hocking H. Hunter by John T. Brasec, Sr. - Lancaster's Distinguished Visitors - Lancaster Public Library - Municipal Officers - List of Mayors from iS^i to 1912 - Lancaster Country Club - Lancaster - The City Beautiful.

The Beginning Of Things

We are all interested in first things - in the oldest things - whether they be the work of man or of nature. In the founding of a great state, a county or a city, the interest is just as intense, and we of today love to read the names and recall the deeds of those who felled the primeval forest, bridged the stream, and made the valley blossom like the rose. We are interested in them because they made possible the comforts and refinements of today. It is, therefore, not only a duty, but a very great pleasure to begin this chapter on Lancaster with the names and deeds of those who were truly pioneers.

"Ebenezer Zane was the owner of a section of land, one mile square, upon which Lancaster was built. He acquired this section from the Government, as part compensation for opening "Zane's Trace," from Wheeling,

Article of agreement, made and entered into by and between Ebenezer Zane, of Ohio county. Virginia, and the purchasers of lots in the town of Lancaster, county of Fairfield, territory northwest of the Ohio river, now for sale in lots, on the east side of the Hocking river, by Ebenezer Zane.

Section I. - The lots to be numbered in squares, beginning at the northwest corner of the town, and thence alternately from north to south, and from south to north, agreeable to the general draft of the town.

Section II.- - One-fourth of the purchase money will be required to be paid two weeks from the date of this article. The residue of three-fourths will be required on or before the fourteenth dav of November, one thousand eight hundred and two, to be approved by secured notes, bearing lawful interest, from the fourteenth day of November, one thousand eight hundred.

Section III. - Square number sixteen, including five lots situated in the southeast corner of the town, was thereafter to be held in trust, for the use of a graveyard, the erection of a schoolhouse, a house of worship, and such other buildings as may be found necessary, all of which to be under the direction of trustees for the time being.

Also, four lots at the intersection of the two main streets, running east and west, north and south, known by appellation of the center square, are given for the purpose of erecting public buildings not heretofore specified, but under the supervision of the trustees.

Section IV. - Possession will be given immediately to purchasers complying with Section II of this article; when fully complied with, the said Ebenezer Zane and heirs bind themselves to make a deed to the purchasers, their heirs and assigns. If the terms be not fully complied with, the lot shall be considered forfeited, and returned again to the original holder.

Section V. - For the convenience of the town, one-fourth part of an acre, lying west of the lot numbered two, in the square numbered three, including two springs, will be, and are hereby given for the use of its inhabitants, as the trustees of the town may think proper.

Section VI. - In consideration of the advantages that arise from the early settlement of mechanics in a town, and the encouragement of those who may first settle, lot number three, in the twentieth square; number six, in the fifteenth square; number six, in the twelfth square; will be given, one to a to settle, and continue in the town, pursuing their respective trades, for the term of four years, at which time the aforesaid Zane binds himself to make them a free deed.

In testimony of all and singular, the premises, the said Ebenezer Zane, by his attorneys, Noah and John Zane, hath hereunto set his hand and fixed his seal, this fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord 1800.

A full list of the names of the first settlers of Lancaster are here given, the last one dying more than forty years ago. They purchased their lots during the years 18001-2:

It was first called New Lancaster, but it soon became obvious that confusion would arise in the mail service between New Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and New Lancaster, Ohio. To avoid this, the Legislature of 1805 changed the name to that of Lancaster.

line of Berne township, where Maple street is now located, running due north and south, so that citizens residing east of that line, and all of East Lancaster, were in Berne township. By an act of the Legislature, East Lancaster was annexed to Lancaster, and constituted the Fifth ward. By the same act, the boundaries of Lancaster were extended one mile each way, making a square of two

Famous Men And The Location Of Residences Of Some

New Lancaster for years afterwards, and mistakes in sending letters continued to occur, until 1840, Pennsylvania mail being received at Lancaster, Ohio, and letters intended for the latter place, were carried to the former. Lancaster is situated on the east bank of the Hocking river, and in the northeast corner of Hocking township. In 1877, its eastern boundary was parallel with the western miles, which territory was by law annexed to Lancaster township, with a municipal organization independent of the city proper." - Graham's History of Fairfield County.

First Born And Representative Citizens

given quite a lengthy discussion of the relative claims of Hocking H. Hunter who is generally regarded by the people of Lancaster as the first white child born within the limits of the county, and Allen Green, son of John Green and his wife, Mrs. Ruhama Bilderback Green.

Hocking H. Hunter was born August i, 1 80 1, and it is claimed that in the year 1798 Allen Green was born. Still another claimant for this honor is Delilah Shaeffer, who was the daughter of Isaac Shaeffer and was born in 1800. Mr. Levi Stewart, for many years a resident of Lancaster and still living when Dr. Scott wrote his History of Fairfield County, claimed to be 13 months older than Hocking H. Hunter. We have great respect for the writings of Dr. Scott on historical matters. His "History of Fairfield County" was the editor's "boy's own book" and the first history of its kind he had ever seen. These statements are entitled to attention. Dr. Henry Howe is also a writer of authority, as is A. A. Graham, and for this reason we have, in this book, quoted the three authorities upon the question of the first white child born in Lancaster and Fairfield County.

Early Schools Of Lancaster

There were private schools in log cabin days, near Columbus street, taught by James Hunter, and one on Main Street, taught by Miss Flora Butler as early as 181 2. In 1820, a two-story brick building was erected on Wheeling street for an academy. Gen. P. Beecher, Elnathan Scofield, William W. Irwin, Robert F. Slaughter, John Noble, Thomas Ewing, Charles R. Sherman, Gotlieb Steinman, John Creed, Hugh Boyle were the promoters. John T. Brasee was principal for Howe took charge of it between 1825 and 1830. This first academy, called Lancaster six months in 1825. Samuel L. and Mark Academy, was discontinued and the Howes erected a large frame building on MuU^erry street, where they conducted an academy of their own. They educated many young men. Senator Sherman says of them: "I entered (1835) the academy of Mark and Matthew Howe, then well established and of good reputation and deservedly so.

"The schoolrooms were large and furnished with desks and chairs, an improvement on the old benches with boards in front. Latin was taught but little. From the first, arithmetic, algebra and surveying were my favorite studies and in those I became proficient. We had an improvised theatre in which we acted plays and made speeches. Matthew Howe was the regulator, teacher and dominie. All the boys respected him, for he certainly was a good teacher. Some time in the forties the Howes left Lancaster."

The public schools of Lancaster opened May 30, 1830, on Columbus street, south of Main street in a building then known as the "Old Reformed Church." William Charles was the teacher and Samuel Carpenter, George Sanderson, Henry Dubble were the trustees. Another school was opened on Walnut street, with Louis A. Blair as teacher. In 1838 two more schools were opened, 1842 another, but because the public school fund was small, these schools could run only four months a year. This fact created a demand for private schools and filled Howe's Academy. Henry M. Booth, the father of the distinguished attorney, H. J. Booth, of Columbus, came to Lancaster in 1843 ^"^ conducted a private school. Later he entered the public schools, and taught until his death in to improve the efficiency of tlie schools. As a result the Legislature passed an act (1848) for the support and regulation of the schools of Lancaster, known as the Union School Law. This divided the town into two districts, North and South. The North District built a two-story brick building in 1849. John S. Whitnell was the first superintendent and teacher of the high school. He received $600 per year and his assistant, M. M. Barker, $300. Lancaster became a common school district in 1850 and John Reber, John D. Martin, Robert Reed, John L. Tuthill, Jacob Hite and J. C. Rainey became the first board of education.

First Mail Route And Postmasters

"In 1799, the government established a mail route from Wheeling, Virginia, to Limestone, Ky., to be carried on horseback over Zane's Trace, once a week each way, the whole distance being 226 miles. With the exception of a few cabins at the crossing of the Muskingum, Hocking and Scioto rivers, almost the entire distance was an unbroken wilderness. The line was divided into three routes. The first extended from Wheeling to Muskingum, the second from the Muskingum to the Scioto, and the third from that to the Ohio at Limestone. This was the first mail route in the 'Northwest Territory.' "

Lancaster was not long without a postoffice and a postmaster, for in 1799 Samuel Coates, Sr., was appointed postmaster and kept the office in his cabin and, like Lincoln, carried the letters around in his hat. Upon his death his son served in his stead. As the village grew into a town and the town into a city, better buildings were used for postoffices and better equipment was obtained. Perhaps one of the most noted carriers in the history of the Lancaster postoffice was Gen. George Sanderson. He was the carrier between Lancaster and Chillicothe when a lad of fifteen years of age. He was faithful, earnest and honest, knowing no danger and with a loyalty to his task that knew no bounds. His route was over the old Zane's Trace.

In a few years after the opening of this "Star Route" over the old Zane Trace, the government introduced wagons for the mail service, which were to be used six months in the year; the other six months the mail was to be carried on horseback. Rates of postage in those early days differed greatly from those of today. They were regulated by distance and not by weight. The charge was 514 cents for 50 miles or less; 12^ cents for from 50 to 150 miles; 18% cents up to 300 miles and 25 cents to any part of the United States. Today a letter may be sent from Lancaster to London, England, for two cents, and to the ends of the earth for five cents.

The old fashioned letters were written on iL single sheet and so folded as to form the envelope. This was sealed with wax and thus made secure. If two sheets were used the postage was doubled.

Postmasters Of Lancaster

Early in the history of Lancaster the postoffice was in a cabin at the west end of Wheeling street and remained there until about i860, when it was removed to the City Hall, where it remained until it was removed to the beautiful new federal building on South Broad street. The following postmasters have served the people of Lancaster since 1799: Samuel Coates, Sr., Samuel Coates, Jr., Jacob D. Ditrich, E. Scofield, H. Drumm, Thomas N.

12 carriers covering 320 miles of territory RURAL ROUTES FROM LANCASTER jaily, cxccpt Suudays and legal holidays, and During Postmaster Pickering's first term serving about 8,000 country people, who now (about 1898) he took hold of the rural de- claim Lancaster as their postoffice. The sallivery work with a vigorous hand and was ary of the rural carriers at the Lancaster office one of the first postmasters in Ohio to start is about $11,000 annually, the service. The first route was established route in Fairfield County at Amanda. Within The new Federal Building was begun in two years, twenty-seven routes were estab- January, 19 10, and was occupied on May 30, lished in Fairfield County and thereupon 191 1- The total cost of building and grounds Postmaster Pickering filed an application with was $78,500 - $75,000 paid by the Governthe postoffice department through Congress- ment and $3,500 paid by private subscription, man Emmitt Tompkins, for the establishment Furniture and fixtures $6,700 in addition to of complete county service in Fairfield County, above. The Lancaster postoffice is second this being the first application for complete class. Salary of Postmaster $2,700. We county service filed in Ohio. Owing to a con- have twelve rural carrier routes out of Lantemplated change of Fairfield County from the caster - the largest number perhaps of any Twelfth to the Eleventh Congressional Dis- second class office in Ohio. The following is trict, Mr. Tompkins lost sight of the matter, the list of employees - not counting rural carand a few other counties whose claims were riers : Miss Gretchen Silbaugh, assistant postmore vigorously pushed by their congress- master; Miss Frances H. Smith, money order men, came into complete county service be- and register clerk; Miss Florence McCutcheon, fore Fairfield. But after Fairfield County general delivery and stamp clerk; Michael Efwas settled into the Eleventh Congressional finger, chief mailing clerk; Byron L. Cave,

Commercial Lancaster

"In commercialism Lancaster has made great progress in the last twenty years, as is shown by the large increase in the number of the employees of the different transportation companies entering this city. The two steam railroads, the Hocking Valley and the Pennsylvania lines, have doubled their forces in the last few years, while the addition of the Scioto Valley Traction Company, operating between here and Columbus gives cheap and quick facilities from Lancaster to the Capital City.

This city prides itself upon having the best equipped and up-to-date stores of any city in Southern Ohio, with the same population. Only a few years ago the travel of buyers from here to Columbus was enormous, but our business men are wide awake and instead, Lancaster is the trading point for many miles around, the electric line making this possible, and also better service on the steam lines.

We have four banks - The Hocking Valley National, The Fairfield National, The Lancaster National and Farmers and Citizens, all as sound as old Mt. Pleasant.

Lancaster's fame as a merchant tailoring center is known all over the South and West, thousands of dollars worth of made-to-order clothing being shipped from here during the spring and fall months each season. W. H. Radebaugh & Son are the heavy shippers of clothing in the far Southern States, having a representative in that part of the country the year round. H. G. Trout, Harry Vorys, Gerhard Miller & Co. are also large shippers of clothing to other states.

This city has also several up-to-date readyto-wear clothing establishments, which enjoy a large patronage, foremost being Joe Mattox, Al Wittekind, Highland & Fricker, Gerhard Miller & Co., Peter Miller Sons, H. G. Trout and John Miller. All carry stocks that are equal to those of large city stores.

The dry goods stores have made wonderful progress in the last ten years. C. W. Woodin & Co. have one of the finest rooms in the southern part of the State. Foremost in their line is their carpet department in which they are one of the largest wholesalers in the State. They make shipments to the largest cities in Ohio and many other States, this being a central point for a branch of the large carpet industries. George M. Hickle and McFee & Miller also do a thriving business in the dry goods and ready-to-wear lines.

The manufacturing interests have made wonderful advancement in this city in the last twenty years, when the Hocking Valley Manufacturing Company and the Eagle Machine Company were the only plants of any consequence here. They have both enlarged their plants in recent years and now turn out large quantities of farm implements.

Foremost along the manufacturing line are the shoe factories controlled by H. C. Godman of Columbus. The first shoe factory was established in this city during the gas boom back in 1889 - the Getz factory - which has grown largely and now occupies a two-story building on Forest Rose avenue. Three other plants belonging to the Godman interests - The Fairfield Shoe Company, The Ohio Shoe Company and The Lancaster Shoe Company - are immense concerns situated on North Columbus street. These factories are the mainstay of Lancaster's manufacturing interests, giving employment to twelve hundred people the year round, including men, women.

boys and girls. These factories when running full time, which they do the greater part of the year, turn out twelve thousand pairs of shoes a day. Mr. John Schmidt is the efficient superintendent, while Mr. Charles Hutchison looks after the business affairs.

The glass factories furnish employment for hundreds of our laboring people. We have two factories that turn out several car loads of table glassware per day and there are also two window glass plants. They are The Cole Glass Company, The Columbus Plate and Window Glass Company, The Hocking Glass Company and the Lancaster Glass Company, the former two being the window glass plants. Another feature of the window glass business is that glass is now made at the Columbus Plate and Window Glass plant by machines, the first concern of this kind in Ohio making window glass exclusively by machines.

Other manufacturing interests in this city are the Carbon Works, Leather Board Works, Pennsylvania Railroad shops, Lancaster Lens Company and the Pyrometer Works, all of which give employment to a large number of men.

The several Building and Loan Associations that we have, have made it possible for Lancaster people to own their own homes in great numbers, and it is authentically stated that at least seventy-five per cent, of our people are possessed of a home that they can call their own.

Lancaster has three hardware firms that have no superior in any city of her size. The Martens Hardware Company and The Frank Winter Hardware Company are the pioneers, with also J. H. Goldcamp & Company, who entered the field some years ago. They all enjoy a large patronage in this and adjoining counties.

mention in a history of this kind, not heretofore mentioned, who are always working for the best interests of their home town are E. H. Bininger & Sons, Chris Keller, Charles Towson, E. P. Schleicher, George Zink, C. F. Kirn, A. J. Kesinger, John Mayer, James Davidson, James McManamy, John Gardner, A. Bauman, George Matt, H. R. Boving, Edward and Will Bletzacker, Sexauer Bros, and B. F. Antill." (W. D. Nothacker).

The Board Of Trade

The Board of Trade has assisted very largely in the growth and prosperity of Lancaster. The object of the Board of Trade is to foster and encourage and develop the mercantile and manufacturing interests of Lancaster and its suburbs; to inculcate just and equitable principles in trade; to establish and maintain uniformity in commercial usages; to collect, preserve and circulate useful information concerning the city, its trade, industries and advantages; to study the workings of the great system of transportation, upon which our commercial and industrial prosperity so much depends, and to endeavor to remedy by all proper means the defects and abuses therein, so far as they injuriously affect our interests ; to obtain fair and equable rates of freight to and from Lancaster, and prevent, if possible, discriminations in favor of other cities; to secure the abatement of unjust charges and insure prompt settlement of damages on goods shipped ; to encourage wise and needful legislation and oppose the enactment of laws which might injuriously affect our manufacturing and commercial interests ; to forward the improvement of Lancaster by the erection of needful public buildings; and generally to strive with united effort to increase the wealth, industries, influence trade and population of the city of Lancaster and suburbs.

Their efforts along these lines have been uniformly successful, as is shown by the number of new industries secured directly by their efforts. Four glass factories, four shoe factories, a carbon works, a cement works, a new government building and many small industries have been added to Lancaster because of the systematic efforts of this body. The organization of this board was effected through the zealous efforts of Mr. Gust A. Kraemer, who canvassed the town and secured the cooperation of the leading business men. The first officers and board of directors were Gen. J. G. Reeves, president; B. F. Dum, vice president; James Griswold, secretary; F. C. Whiley, treasurer. \V. B. Maccracken, A. Bauman, Peter Miler, P. Rising, J. B. Orman, Gust A. Kraemer, S. J. Wright, Samuel Whiley, Theo. Mithoff, Sr., E. L. Slocom were the board of directors.

Members Of Public Boards

Officers of Board of Trade - Chris. Keller, president, and D. B. Tidd, secretary. There are about fifty members, among whom are the following: George Matt, E. H. Bininger, J. G. Reeves, H. B. Peters, J. A. Davidson, Frank Raitze, George Rising, C. H. Towson and others.

All cities the size of Lancaster are under what is known as a Board of Control. This board is made up of three members. The Mayor who is the president and has the power to appoint two other members. C. H. Sexaur is the president, R. F. Brown director of service, Ira B. Bumgardner is director of safety.

The members of the Board of Health are W. S. Eckert, C. L. Fultz, G. M. Bell, C. H. Towson and F. P. Welty, of which the Mayor is the president, W. S. Eckert, vice president, George Cunningham, secretary, and Dr. J. P. Hershberger, health officer.

The Lancaster Water Works is owned by the city and comes under the management of the director of service. D. E. Hoffman, superintendent; George Cunningham, secretary.

Lancaster owns her Natural Gas Plant which is managed by the director of service. C. M. Rowlee is superintendent; E. W. Mossman, secretary, and Wenzel Helwig, assistant secretary.

The Commercial Club

This organization now takes the place of the Board of Trade and does the work usually done by that organization. The officers and executive committee are as follows: Dr. F. P. Barr, president; J. L. Denny, ist vice president ; C. H. Sexauer, 2d vice president ; J. H. Littrell, secretary; W. E. Joos, treasurer; J. H. Goldcamp, E. R. Bletzacker, J. T. Oberderfer, O. L. Ballinger, J. H. Tobias and B. F. Antill. The above named eleven compose the executive committee that performs the same duties that would devolve on a board of directors.

Water Works

The Water Works plant is owned by the City of Lancaster, and the system is under good supervision and well managed. It. is operated under the direction of Superintendent of Water Works, D. E. Hoffman, a competent official who has served in his present capacity since 1903. The water works come under the management of the director of service, who is R. F. Brinn. The secretary of the Water Works is George Cunningham. . The original installation was made in 1878; the cost to date is $136,976.58. The cost of

In 1878 a pumping station was erected on West Chestnut street near the Hocking Canal and a stand-pipe constructed at the corner of East Chestnut and High streets. Water was used for fire purposes only, being drawn from the canal. This water supply was abandoned in 1882 when the present pump-house on West Wheeling street was erected and a spring at the station was enlarged to make a well fed by a tributary infiltration gallery, which was extended north to West Fifth avenue in 1894. In 1898 the present reservoir, a 2,500,000 gallon storage basin, size 100 feet by 210 feet with a maximum depth of 19 feet located on Walter's Hill one and one-third miles northeast of the pump-house and congested district, was constructed, and at this time the standpipe was abandoned. The city owns a tract of three acres on this hill, which is about as high as Mount Pleasant and here is the reservoir and a keeper's dwelling. The basin is very substantial, being of heavy masonry and concrete in sand rock excavation. A fourfoot-nine fence, to keep out small animals, surrounds it. The reservoir is connected to the distributing system by a 16-inch waterpipe on Xorth High street. The reservoir is connected with the system at all times, e-xcept when being cleansed, which is done once in four years ; it was cleaned in 1909. The reservoir has no overflow pipe, the keeper being paid to care for it and to notify the engineer at the pumping-station when it is full.

Water from the infiltration gallery was used for both fire and domestic purposes until 1903, when for sanitary reasons fourteen si.xinch wells were drilled in a tract of land northwest of the western corporation line and a pumping-station built near the site of these wells. The new supply being inadequate water from the infiltration gallery was also used both pumping stations being used. In 1906, appreciating the need of an adequate supply of pure water, a systematic search was instituted and after numerous test wells had been drilled at different points in and about the city, it was determined to sink wells in the city's property near the Wheeling Street station. This was done and the present supply opened up in 1907. After having been proved adequate, other sources of supply were abandoned and the West Side Station dismantled and sold in 1909.

There are six eight-inch wells drilled to a depth of 90 feet located in an acre of ground owned by the city at the corner of West Wheeling and Front streets, the latter being on the filled-in bed of the old Hocking Canal. The Harris Air Lift System is used, with an Ingersoll-Rand duplex air compresser with a capacity to lift 2,000,000 gallons a day. The combined capacity of the wells is 3,000,000 gallons daily and it is considered adequate for all present and future demands. There are 159 public fire hydrants. The system as a whole is considered much above that ordinarily found in the smaller cities.

Fire Department

The Fire Department is full paid and under the control of the chief, subject to the general supervision of the Director of Public Safety and the Board of Control. The first organization was a volunteer organization, which was formed about 1853; it was changed to a paid department in 1899. Charles A. Landefelt, the chief, has been identified with the department since 1896 and has been Chief since 1900. He is assisted by six men. The expense of the department and the maintaining of the fire alarm system was in 1909,

$7,471.26. The greatest need of the Fire Department is more stations, more men and more apparatus, for the entire department is inadequate for a large conflagration.

The Famous Lancaster Bar

The old Bar of Lancaster had no equal west of the Allegheny Mountains. In fact there was not to be found in all the courts of this country a Bar of equal numbers that could stand in comparison with that of Lancaster. These nine great names fall naturally into two great divisions, or groups, according to the time in which they were prominent.

Thomas Ewing, born 1789, near West Liberty, Ohio County, Virginia; came to Lancaster from Athens County, Ohio, in 1815; admitted to the bar in 181 6; died in 1871.

Henry Stanbery, born in 1803 in New York City; came to Lancaster from Zanesville in 1824; admitted to the bar in 1824; moved to Cincinnati in 1851; died in 1881.

John Trafford Brasee, born in 1800 at Hillsdale, New York; admitted to the Bar at Gallipolis, 1826; came to Lancaster from Gallipolis in 1833; died in 1880.

John Scofield Brasee, born August 19, 1832, at Gallipolis, Ohio ; came to Lancaster in 1833 ; admitted to the Bar in September, 1854; died February 23, 1905.

An Historic Structure

The old law office of Judge Brasee was the first brick structure erected in Lancaster. It was built by Judge Elnathan Scofield and has been occupied by five generations of the Brasee family. Attorney Charles D. Brasee is moving his law office from the building on Main street formerly occupied by his father, Judge John S. Brasee, to the Maccracken Block. The building that is being vacated has been occupied as a law office by four generations of the Brasee family. It was erected by Judge Elnathan Scofield and was the first brick building in Lancaster. It was at first occupied by Judge Scofield as a dwelling, and his daughter, Mrs. John Trafford Brasee, was born there. Later he built on the corner of Main and Columbus streets and lived there for years. The small brick structure has been used for a law office by Judge Scofield, Judge John Trafford Brasee, Judge John Scofield Brasee, and by John T. Brasee and Charles D. Brasee.

At one time the late T. W. Tallmadge was associated with Judge Trafford Brasee in business and occupied this office. The building has been occupied by the Brasee family continuously since it was erected, except for a short time when Judge John S. Brasee had offices in the Hocking Valley Bank building.

During this time the building was used as a gunshop by Herman Peter, who shot and killed Philip Betz directly in front of the building. Peter is serving a life sentence in the penitentiary for the crime. The building is now owned by Rev. Smith, who purchased the property from Mrs. James Stanberry, a daughter of Judge Scofield.

"Lancaster's 'Hall of Fame' bears on its portals many honored names. Gen. Beecher was in Congress for a decade. W. W. Irwin also served his state in a similar capacity, and later was judge of the Supreme Court. Charles R. Sherman was elected to the Supreme Bench in 1823. William Medill was repeatedly honored by his friends aliH neighbors at Lancaster, not only being a Member of Congress, but as Governor of Ohio, and Comptroller of the U. S. Treasury.

"Dr. T. O. Edwards served in Congress from this district, also C. D. Martin, who later went to the Supreme Bench. H. H. Hunter declined the honor of Judge of the Supreme Court, even after he had been elected to that position. Charles T. Sherman served as U. S. District Judge for Northern Ohio; Ed. F. Hunter, Common Pleas Judge of the State of Washington, and John Hunter was Chief Justice of Utah Territory. Robert F. Slaughter served in the Legislature of Ohio in an early day and was afterwards Common Pleas Judge. The Ewings and the Shermans, of world wide reputation, claim Lancaster as their home. Thomas Ewing, Sr., was twice a United States Senator, besides holding cabinet portfolios, first secretary of the Treasury under President Harrison and again Secretary of the Interior under President Taylor. Gen. Thos. Ewing, Jr., was a most eminent lawyer of New York and one of the founders of the Ohio Society of New York.

"Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman was a Lancaster boy, and old residents recall with what fervor his townsmen applauded his "March to the Sea" and his countless other deeds of daring during the Civil War. To the nation he was the conquering hero, the Great General; to Lancaster he was all this and more, for he was 'born there.'

"John Sherman served his country in almost every capacity. For a long series of years he was Senator from Ohio and reflected honor on the State, and on his loved Lancaster as well, for he never forgot the friends of his youth. He was twice in the cabinet, was Secretary of the Treasury under President Hayes and again Secretary of State under President McKinley.

"The United States Government called for another of Lancaster's sons when John W. Noble was asked into President Harrison's cabinet as Secretary of the Interior; and Henry Stanberry, as Attorney General of Ohio, and later filling the same position for the United States when Johnson was President, reflected credit on himself and his office by reason of his distinguished services.

"Colonel Moore was chosen Governor of Washington Territory. Gen. Hugh Ewing was sent by the United States Government to represent this country at the Hague.

"Henry J. Reinmund was Insurance Commissioner of Ohio under Gov. Hoadley, C. C. Miller was State School Commissioner when President McKinley was Governor of Ohio. Governor Nash appointed A. I. Vorys Insurance Commissioner as Governor Bushnell had previously honored George Ewing with a seat on the Board of Pardons.

"Richard Outcalt, the "Yellow Kid" cartoonist of New York, was born at Lancaster and his memories of old times and the quaint elders of his boyhood are more than hinted at in some of his best work.

"Judge Sherman's daughter married Gov. Thomas W. Hartley, his granddaughter became the wife of Senator Don Cameron of Pennsylvania, and still another granddaughter is Mrs. General Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A. ; another married Judge Samuel Reber of St. Louis, while a fifth is Mrs. Judge Granger of Zanesville.

"Others of whom Lancaster is justly proud are John C. Kinkead, governor of Idaho ; Charles F. Rainey, Land Commissioner of California ; A. R. Keller, Indian Agent under President Hayes at Helena, Mont. ; Hon. Thomas Ewing, Jr., Governor of Kansas in the days of reconstruction ; Lieut. George Hunter in the Philippines; Capt. Albert D. King, of the Third Cavalry; Capt. L. H. Palmer, of Company I, Fourteenth Regiment, O. V. I., U. S. A., who distinguished himself at Porto Rico; Thomas King of the U. S. Treasury Department; and Theodore Tallmadge, Pension Agent at Washington, D. C.

"Lancaster and Fairfield County have sent out not a few missionaries and ministers of the Gospel in almost every denomination. Bishops Merril, Foster and Morris of the Methodist Episcopal Church and Bishop Young of the Catholic Church were once residents of Lancaster. Rev. Abraham Reck established the First English Lutheran Church sixty years ago. Jacob Reinmund, Samuel H. Giesy, Martin Wilhelm, George and William Smith, W. W. Trout, Andrew F. Berry, J. M. Work, of Cincinnati ; William Harrison, missionary' to Liberia; Miss Mary Shockley, who was

In addition to the above there should be mentioned H. J. Booth, the distinguished attorney of the city of Columbus ; T. C. O'Kane, the sweet song writer; Prof. J. A. Bownocker, Prof, of Geology O. S. U. and State Geologist; Prof. Earl Hyde, the distinguished young geologist; Prof. Kellerman, the noted botanist; Prof. Miller, graduated from Yale in 1910 with Ph. D., now engaged as a professor in the State Agricultural College, Manhattan, Kansas.

Closely Following Upon The Death Of Their Associate, The Late Hocking H.

REMARKS OF JOHN TRAFFORD BRASEE^ SR., UPON THE OCCASION OF THE MEMORIAL EXERCISES HELD BY THE LANCASTER BAR; CLOSELY FOLLOWING UPON THE DEATH OF THEIR ASSOCIATE, THE LATE HOCKING H. HUNTER (march 4, 1872.)

Hocking H. Hunter

"I was long acquainted with Mr. Hunter. Our acquaintance commenced in the early part of the year 1824, prior to his admission to the bar, and was continued to his death. From 1833 to i860 inclusive we practiced mostly in the same courts and were frequently engaged in the same cases. I may therefore with propriety say that I not only knew him long, but I knew him well.

education was unfinished; his means were limited ; he then or soon after had a family dependent upon him for support. But these were not all; there was no opening for him or any other young man at this bar, it was already full, if not crowded. It was filled with men of great ability and experience. First among them in age was Philemon Beecher, one of Nature's great men - a man who possessed a round philosophical knowledge of the law. Next was William W. Irwin, a good lawyer, a man of pleasing and courteous manners, who had been upon the bench of the Supreme Court, and who had a widespread reputation. Next was Charles R. Sherman, a man of great legal learning and fine ability, and who as an advocate had no superior west of the Allegheny mountains. Last was Thomas Ewing, a man of profound comprehensive intellect, of varied and great energy of character, who, although the junior of the others named, if not their superior, was at least the peer of the ablest of them. These four distinguished men had the good will of the important legal business of this and surrounding counties, and it was obvious that they would possess and enjoy it as long as they desired to do so.

"This remained the condition of things, with varying circumstances from time to time, until 1832. Then there was not only a change, but a revolution in the Lancaster bar. General Beecher, by reason of bodily infirmity, had placed himself upon the retired list. Judge Irwin had served a term in Congress, lost his practice thereby and was never able to regain it. Judge Sherman went upon the bench of the Supreme Court and died in that service. Mr. Ewing went to the Senate of the United States, which was in efifect a withdrawal from domestic business on his part.

"Then there was an opening for Hunter, for which he had been preparing and waiting for eight years. He was well prepared to fill that opening and in his turn he soon became master of the situation.

"I have said that at this time Mr. Hunter was well prepared to assume the onerous duties of the profession and to conduct business with credit to himself and advantage to his clients. How and by what means he became so under the circumstances surrounding him, forms the most interesting and instructive part of his professional life.

"He engaged extensively in the clerical labor of the profession - he drew deeds, mortgages, wills and codicils, agreements and contracts; prepared and settled the accounts of executors and administrators; attended to litigated causes before justices of the peace and to the taking of depositions for senior members of the bar in their pending cases. He also attended carefully to all business in the courts that was committed to his care. The sum total of his business was large, as much as any young man ought to have done, but it was laborious and poorly paid.

"His student life was extended over this period of time; he revised his elementary studies and extended his legal reading through all the departments of the law. He was a constant attendant on the courts; while in session a careful observer of causes on trial and of the professional conflicts of those who tried them. This was the best law school that he could have attended; he here witnessed the practical application of the principles of the law to the rights of men and learned from great masters in the profession how causes great and small were lost and won.

"It was during this time and by these means that Mr. Hunter became so well rooted and grounded in the law and upon the foundation thus laid he built. Without such a foundation or its equivalent no man need hope to attain to that eminence in the profession to which he attained.

"Mr. Hunter's whole professional life, properly interpreted, speaks to his sorrowing brethren, who are aiding in the administration of justice, in this language: 'Re- member that no man is born a lawyer; that the law is an artificial and progressive science, and that he who would become and continue to be a lawyer in the proper acceptation of the term can effect his purpose only by laborious and continuous industry and study.'

"And now here in this court, where our departed brother began and ended his professional life, and while his voice is still lingering in our ears, we again ask that the proceedings read be entered upon the enduring records of the court, in order that his name and memory be thereby the better perpetuated."

Hocking H. Hunter departed this life at his home in Lancaster on the 4th day of February, 1872, in the 71st year of his age. He was born near this city in 1801, was educated here and lived here during his whole life.

Mr. Hunter read law with the late William W. Irwin and was admitted to the bar in 1824. From that time to his death he devoted himself to the practice of his profession of nearly half a century, when he died in the midst of his labors and briefs.

"Mr. Hunter's mind was eminently judicial, strong, discriminating and energetic. He was devoted to labor and very careful in the preparation of his cases. His arguments, whether upon questions of law or tact, were clear, strong, direct and exhaustive. He sought to gain his causes upon their substantial merits and practiced no art to delude court or jury. There was nothing precocious pertaining to his mind ; it developed and expanded during the most of his professional life ; so that as he emerged from each successive conflict he appeared stronger and better prepared for the next.

.only in the state courts, h\it in those of the United States, where he labored among his peers for the highest honors and emolument of his profession - and he did not labor in vain." He was a man of the people, easy of access, plain in his mode of life, of fine mind and unsullied integrity.

"Perhaps Lancaster has been more highly honored than any city in the state, save Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland, by the visits of distinguished men of national and world wide reputation.

The Duke of Saxe Weimar visited here in 1825 and carved his name upon the rocks of historic Mt. Pleasant, the "Standing Stone of the Aborgines." Gov. De Witt Clinton, whose name will always be remembered in history as the father of the canal system of the United States, visited Lancaster in 1825, and was the guest of Judge Sherman, then one of the foremost men of the state of Ohio. Daniel Webster spent two weeks in Lancaster in 1833, the guest of Thomas Ewing, then Senator from Ohio. While here, with Mr. Ewing, he called upon Colonel Worthington, living three miles south of town, and upon Nathaniel Wilson, living three miles west of town at the Historic Locust Grove. During this visit, Mr. Webster and Mr. Ewing drove to Chillicothe. On the way they entered a considerable forest, and found their way blocked by a fallen tree. Mr. Ewing procured an axe with the use of which he was familiar, and soon cut off a log of the proper length, and he and Webster rolled it off the road. Dr. Waddell, late of Chillicothe, is the authority for this incident. Mr. Ewing always had a warm spot in his heart for Chillicothe, and

Henry Clay was entertained by the citizens of Lancaster with an elaborate dinner in the year 1825. Frederick A. Shafifer was always proud of the fact that he once conveyed Henry Clay in his carriage to Wheeling, W. Va.

General Jackson was more than once a guest at Lancaster hotels. Gen. William H. Harrison was the guest of Lancaster in 1836 and again in 1840. In 1836 he was entertained at the country home of David Rokohl on the Columbus road.

James G. Blaine spent the summer of 1840 as the guest of Thomas Ewing's family in Lancaster, and was here on two or three occasions during his public career, the guest of Judge P. B. Ewing. His last memorable visit was made when a candidate for the presidency.

Thomas Corwin, Governor Metcalf, General Leslie Coombs, and Cassius M. Clay have been guests of Lancaster. Later President Garfield, General Sheridan, Columbus Delano, Governor McKinley and W. J. Bryan have honored Lancaster with their presence."

Lancaster Public Library

"Of the making of books there is no end." The world cannot get on without good books. They are the silent instructors of the race, and the good book, as well as its author, endures through the ages. Long ago, old Richard De Bury said in his "Book about Books," "Towers crumble to earth ; but he whose book lives can never die."

a good library was in existence at Lancaster and with such a board of directors as Thomas Ewing, William J. Reese, Robert McNeill, John T. Brasee, Hocking H. Hunter, M. Z. Krieder, George Reber, P. Van Trump, Henry Stanberry, \Villiam Medill and Samuel F. MacCracken, the only wonder is that so meritorious an undertaking was ever allowed to lapse. But it did. Just when and how we do not know, but for a considerable period and up to the year 1878, little other besides recognizing the need, had been done toward securing the funds for the re-establishment of a library in Lancaster. In Jutie, 1878, Mr. Kinnis Fritter called a citizens' meeting at the City Hall, and after full discussion a committee was appointed to solicit books and money.

Later this committee appeared before the City Council reporting subscriptions of $2,- 000, whereupon the City Fathers arose to the occasion, ordered a tax levy for the support of a free library for Lancaster and appointed a board of trustees to serve for two years. This first board consisted of Dr. Elmer Jackson, Hon. Silas Wright, Prof. E. B. Andrews, Kinnis Fritter with ex-of!icio members Mayor John McCormick, president of City Council; F. C. Whiley, president of the School Board and John Gravett, all of whom evinced great interest in the matter, and soon the library was in a most flourishing condition, and from the date of its formal opening in September, 1878, was much appreciated by the citizens at large. In June, 1878, Miss Lavina Busby was appointed librarian and in 1898 Miss Ella Hite was made assistant librarian and both are ably filling those positions (1912).

The library has very comfortable quarters on the second floor of the City Hall. The present trustees are H. G. Trout, president; James A. Tobin, secretary; James T. Pickering, John Graham, Dr. George O. Beery and the year. We registered quite a number of Purchased by Trustees . . 492 new names and only 122 persons have moved Purchased by Lectureaway. Course Com 70

The government of a city is a very im- R. F. Henry, Henry G. Miller, Max A. Milportant factor in the lives of the inhab- ler, Charles Motsch, Jacob Lutz and W. B.

prosperity of the community. Municipal The present city officers are as follows: government has enlisted the attention of Mayor, C. H. Sexauer; auditor, W. D. the greatest minds of the Old as well as of Nothacker; solicitor, Van A. Snider; treasthe New World. Volumes have been writ- urer, Frank H. Beck; engineer, John ten upon the subject and yet there are N. Wolfe; public service, R. F. Brown; many unsolved ' problems. public safety, Ira Bumgardner; chief of The great cities of the world have police, Henry Wallace; chief of fire departalways been the centers of culture, art, re- ment, Charles Landerfelt; park commisfinement and knowledge, as well as of vice sioners - M. A. Daugherty, Geo. P. Rising and corruption. To such an extent has this and C. F. Kirn; sinking fund trustees - A. been true that we have come to think of B. Kiefaber, C. P. Cole, H. K. Beck and Greece as Athens ; of France as Paris ; of Jacob DeMuth. Austria as Vienna ; of England as London ;

Lanc.'Xster Country Club

On the third of February, 1909, the Lancaster Country Club was organized and incorporated under the laws of Ohio. Following its organization, the Country Club acquired a beautiful tract of sixty-one acres of rolling land, situated two- miles south of Lancaster along the line of the Lancaster Traction & Power Company, B. I. S. Division.

A club house was built during the summer of 1909 and the grounds put in shape for a golf course. Two excellent tennis courts occupy the part of the grounds immediately in front of the broad porch which extends the full length of the house.

The resident membership is limited to one hundred and is now complete. There are (in 1912) in addition to the resident members, thirty-three women members, six junior members and four out-of-town members.

The Board of Governors for 19 12 comprises McClellan Martens, president; Chris Keller, vice president; P. R. Peters, secretary; W. E. Thimmes, treasurer; C. S. Hutchinson, E. C. Rutter, A. S. Thomas, C. F. VonStein and Samuel Whiley.

Lancaster The City Beautiful

The location of Lancaster is ideal. Originally on the east bank of the Hockhocking, she now spreads her area on both sides of that historic stream, covering more territory than was once the council town of the famous Tarhe and Wyandot braves. Part of the city rests in the fertile valley, and another part sits like a queen upon the hill-tops, reminding the student of ancient Rome. Still another part nestles at the foot of grand old Mount Pleasant, from the summit of which a most wonderful view of the city and valley can be gained. Within the very heart of the city, and extending to the gates of the beautiful Forest Rose Cemetery, are the Fairfield County Fair Grounds - so widely known for their beauty and great crowds of people at "Fair Time."

Spring Rescue ;" of the valiant scouts and Indian fighters, Wetzel and Maywood, a story so full of interest, sympathy, action and power, that it was put into lasting form by the genius of Emerson Bennett. Lancaster is well planned ; she has many miles of broad streets, lined with neat and comfortable houses, and in some places adorned by stately old mansions, recently built and beautiful residences, schools, churches and public buildings.

The spacious Public Square - the gift of Ebenezer Zane - now adorned by the imposing City Hall Building, commands the attention and admiration of every visitor. The New High School Building, the stately edifices of St. Mary's Catholic Congregation and the new and beautiful Protestant Churches of the City - all add to the fame of Lancaster, once the home of the greatest Bar west of the Alleghenies ; of great generals, orators and statesmen. And the Lancaster of today strives to maintain the glories of that former day.

and a board of trustees. The following interesting item from the "Ohio Eagle" of June, 1827, shows the finances for the village of Lancaster for two years from April 20, 1825 to April 23, 1827.

"Amount of income from all sources for two years, $888.14^/4; total disbursements for all purposes for two years, $932,883/2 ; showmg a balance against the treasurer of $44.74% ; signed, Benjamin Connell, treasurer; attested, Gottlieb Steinman, recorder."

No records are to be found between 1831 and 1851. In the year 1851, Lancaster was made a city of the third class. The last ten years Lancaster has had a most steady and healthy growth, as is attested by the United States census returns - not a guess at population but knowledge.

This growth includes people who, attracted by employment, have decided to make Lancaster their home, and they have bought property and are among the best citizens.