Fayette County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 3 of those read), 1914

County, State And National Representation

There is, perhaps, no better way to indicate the political complexion of Fayette county than to show who was elected here for the various offices, county, state and national, from the early days in the county to the present date, as nearly as can be found by a careful search of the records. In this will be found a list of the governors, Presidents (with vote where it has been preserved), the county officers, etc., including the judges and justices of the peace of today.

In 1824 the Whigs and Democrats appointed meetings at Washington C. H. the same day and evening. One was to be held at Hamilton's corner and the other at the court house corner, and both political parties had secured all the anvils in the villages with which to fire salutes. A party with an oxcart loaded up all these anvils and hauled them to the bank of Paint creek and dumped them over into the stream, near the present iron bridge. This eeneral disarmament prevented them from having the occasion enlivened by Gentian as these anvils when fired much reminded the old soldier and militiamen of real cannon. But instead came the curses long and loud of both parties. Later the blacksmiths had to fish up their anvils, while others looked on and smiled. Then Fayette county was about half Democratic, and continued so till 1840, after which the Whig and Republicans held, and have ever since held, the balance of power.

State Senators

The following served as state senators, representing Fayette and other counties which have been in the same senatorial district, since 1810:

State Representatives Presiding Judges

Before the constitution of 1851 the Ohio judicial system provided for a presiding judge and associate judges, who later, after the adoption of the new constitution, were called common pleas judges. The following served as presiding judges:

Associate Judges

1810-16 - Henry Snyder, William Blackmore and James Mooney. 1817-18 - Thomas McGarraugh, Batteal Harrison and James Mooney. 1819-23 - Batteal Harrison, James Mooney and Thomas McGarraugh. 1824-27 - Thomas McGarraugh, Wade Loofborrow and Joseph L. Gillespie. 1828-30 - Joseph L. Gillespie, James Carothers and James B. Webster. 1831-33- - James Carothers, James B. Webster and Jacob Jamison. 1834-42 - Jacob Jamison, James Carothers and James Sharp. 1843 - Joel S. Bereman, Jacob Jamison and James Carothers. 1844-46 - James Carothers, Jacob Jamison and Daniel McLean. 1847 - James Carothers, Daniel McLean and James Manery. 1848-50 - Samuel F. Yoeman, Daniel McLean and James Manery. 1851 - James Manery, Daniel McLean and James Beatty.

Probate Judges

Since 1880 the county coroners have successively been Samuel Hooker, T. H. Knott, S. C. Roberts, L. F. House, J. M. Edwards, E. M. Burgess, T. J. Grove, S E. Boggs and L- P. Howell.

County Surveyors County Superintendent Of Public Schools

This office was created by the Ohio Legislature in 1913 and Frank M. Allen was the first to hold such office in Fayette county, having been elected in 1914.

District Assessor

This is another new office created in Ohio in 1913, and J. C. Dunn was the first to hold the office. His headquarters are in the basement of the court house. He has charge of the fourteen deputy assessors in the county. The office is one of much importance to taxpayers. Already this officer has discovered much more property that has not been taxed for a third of a century, the taxes on which is enough to pay his salary a long time. In the state there will be millions of dollars of taxes brought to light and paid through this new system.

County Commissioners

1831- - Samuel Sellers, David Creamer and Joseph Parrott. 1832-33 - Samuel Sellers, Merit Jamison and John Stilt. 1834 - John Stilt, Samuel Sellers and James Kirkpatrick. 1835-36 - Samuel Sellers, James Kirkpatrick and George Mantle. 1837 - Samuel Sellers, George Mantle and Isaac Jenkins. 1838 - Isaac Jenkins, Merit Johnson and Samuel Sellers. 1839 - Merit Johnson, Isaac Jenkins and James Shivers. 1840 - Isaac Jenkins, James Shivers and John Hays. 1841- - James Jenkins, William Limes and William Limes. 1842 - lIsaac Jenkins, William Limes and Isaac Cook. 1843- - William Limes, Isaac Cook and Joseph B. Creamer. 1844-46 - Isaac Cook, J. B. Creamer and James Shivers. 1847-48 - Isaac L. Cook, J. B. Creamer and Joseph Mark. 1849- - Joseph Marks, Isaac L. Cook and Jacob A. Rankin. 1850---Isaac L. Cook, Jacob A. Rankin and Robert Eyre. 1851-52 - Jacob A. Rankin, Robert Eyre and Micajah Draper. 1853- - - Jacob A. Rankin, Alfred Bruce and William Knox. 1855 - Alfred Bruce, William Knox and M. Draper. 1856 - Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and John H. Parrott. 1857 - Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and Benjamin Burnett. 1858-59 - -No record.

1860 - Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and Thomas B. Thornton. 1861 - Jacob A. Rankin, Thomas B. Thornton and Ira Yoeman. 1862-63 - Ira Yoeman, B. H. Burnett and Jacob A. Rankin. 1864 - No record.

1865 - Jacob A. Rankin, B. H. Burnett and B. F. Thoinas. 1866 - B. H. Burnett, B. F. Thomas and William H. Jones. 1867 - William H. Jones, Allen Haegler and William Clark. 1868 - Allen Haegler, William Clark and Enos Reeder. 1869 - William Clark, Enos Reeder and Curan Millikan. 1870 - William Clark, Enos Reeder and George S. Fullerton. 1871 - -George S. Fullerton, A. C. Johnson and Abram Bush. 1872 - George S. Fullerton, Abram Bush and E. L. Ford. 1873 - Abram Bush, E. L. Ford and R. S. Sutherland. 1874 - Abram Bush, E. L. Ford and H. Ellis.

1887 - R. S. Eyre, Henry Mark and Thomas Parrott. 1888 - Henry Mark, T. P. Parrott and L. C. Mallow. 1889-93- - T. F. Parrott, L. C. Mallow and Henry Fulton. 1893 - L. C. Mallow, Henry Fulton and E. L. James. 1894 - Henry Fulton, E. L. James and E. T. Cockerill. 1895-99 - E. L. James, E. E. Cockerill and N. B. Hall. 1899-01 - F. E. Cockerill, N. B: Hall and E. L. James. 1g01-02 - F. L. James, R. W. Vincent and Charles Sollars. 1902-07 - Robert Vincent, Charles Sollars and Clark Rowe. 1907 - Charles Sollars, Clark Rowe and James Ford. 1908 - Clark Rowe, James Ford and John M. Jones. tg0g - James Ford, John M. Jones and Clark Rowe. 19g10 - J. M. Jones, S. C. Phillips and Add Hays. 19g11 - James Ford, H. F. Brown and Edwin Weaver. 1912 - James Ford, H. F. Brown and Edwin Weaver. 1913 - H. F. Brown, Louis Perrill and Edwin Weaver. 1814 - H. F. Brown, Louis Perrill and Edwin Weaver.

Transportation Before And After Railroads Came

_ In the settlement of early Ohio counties there were no railroads. Transportation was by freight wagons and by boats of various types. The pioneer was working at a great disadvantage in comparison to what the "first settlers" in the far West are. Now the steam horse goes through and scatters circulars broadcast, advertising the quality of land, the chance in town sites, corner lots, etc. Immigration is thus set in operation. The train bears the family and the household belongings, together with teams and farm implements, all ready to go to tilling the virgin soil with. Not so fifty and a hundred years ago in Ohio and Fayette county!

With all that may be said concerning the "soulless corporations" (railways), the fact still remains that the railroads have been the great and allpowerful agencies in developing what was once a wilderness into a garden spot that has come to blossom like the rose.

The First Railroad

During the session of the Ohio Legislature of 1849-50 the member from this senatorial district, Mr. Linton, introduced a bill which authorized the granting of a charter for a railroad, to be constructed from Zanesville to Cincinnati, via Wilmington. The member of the House from Fayette requested that the name of Washington C. H. be included in the charter, but this the gentleman from Wilmington refused to do. The Washington people became indignant and employed Judge Daniel McLain to go to Columbus and work up their interest, and he eventually succeeded in securing the desired change. The company was organized and Judge McLain elected one of the directors. The county commissioners were importuned to issue bonds to the extent of one hundred thousand dollars, and took action on the matter as follows:

Ohio, passed March 5, 1851, entitled 'An Act to authorize the commissioners of Fayette county to subscribe to the capital stock of the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville Railroad Company,' and being fully satisfied that the preliminaries required by said law, in order to the taking of said stock by said commissioners, had all been fully complied with, they thereupon did proceed, for and in behalf of said county, to subscribe to said capital stock _ of said railroad company the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, in all respects as by said act they are authorized and required to do, as by their subscription upon the books of said company, this day made, will fully and at large appear."

A question arose as to whether bonds could be issued on a railroad before it was constructed and the commissioners of Clinton county refused to sign the bonds. Meanwhile the contractor, Mr. DeGraff, demanded some assurance that the money would be forthcoming at the proper time, before he would begin operations. He was fully assured on that point and in the fall of 1852 the road was completed from Zanesville to Morrowtown. Judge McLain took a number of trips to the East and purchased iron, which had been manufactured at Sweden. The terminus of the road being Morrow, instead of Cincinnati, the earnings of the road were insufficient to meet the expense. The road went through various hands until the present time, being now known as a part of the Pennsylvania line.

An historic work published in 1881, touching on the subject of Fayette railway systems, said: "Several roads have been projected through this. county, and at this writing there are three in active operation. A number of years ago the construction of a road from Dayton running to Belpre was agitated, and the line surveyed through Fayette county. Bonds for money to assist in the work were issued by the commissioners and a number of people subscribed liberally to the general fund. The grading was nearing completion, when, for reasons known best to those interested, the project was abandoned.

"In 1874 Dayton capitalists conceived the idea of building a road from that enterprising city to the coal fields of southern Ohio. Great interest was taken in the matter, work was begun and hurried to completion, and, in spite of financial troubles, the desired end was reached in 1879. This road was constructed as a narrow gauge and did an immense business after its. completion to the coal fields. In the spring of 1881 it was purchased by the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad Company, who connected it with their extensive narrow gauge system through Ohio and Indiana, and will extend on to the Ohio river shortly.

"In the meantime, Springfield capitalists determined to construct a narrow gauge to Pomeroy, Ohio. Work was commenced and in 1875 the road was finished to Jackson. It was first known as the Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy Railroad, but was sold under mortgage in 1879 to a Springfield syndicate, who changed it to a standard gauge, and changed the name to that of the Springfield Southern. This last company operated it until the spring of 1881, when the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Company purchased the franchise and changed the name to the Southern Ohio."

For near a half century the good citizens of Jefferson township worked for a steam railway through its territory. When the county took a vote to determine whether the taxpayers should aid in the building of the Cincinnati, Wilmington & Zanesville railroad, Jefferson township liberally voted "Yes." The Dayton & Southeastern project was defeated, while the question of voting a certain amount in bonds to aid in the construction of the Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy railroad was decided in the affirmative; however, the bill authorizing the township to issue bonds was declared unconstitutional and for the time being the project was abandoned.

In the winter of 1874-75 the matter was again taken up by William Blessing and C. W. Gray. Meetings were called, speakers secured and thirtyfive thousand dollars was quickly raised. The land owners came to the front most willingly. In the spring work was commenced on the proposed railroad, which road was finished in the autumn of 1877. This line did a fair business, but the following year the road went into receiver's hands, who sold to the Springfield Southern Company.

Present Railroads

In 1914 the railway lines of Fayette county were as follows: Baltimore & Ohio, with twenty-one miles; Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, with twentythree miles; Detroit, Toledo & Ironton, with twenty-eight miles; Pennsylvania (old Cincinnati & Muskingum Valley line), with seventeen miles; the old "Grasshopper" line, now a branch of the D., T. & I. road, with twelve miles. This gives, in main track in this county, a mileage of one hundred and one miles, in round figures.

Evolution Of Agriculture And Stock-Raising

Fayette county may properly be classed among the purely agricultural sub-divisions of the state of Ohio. Its wealth has come from the soil through its annual crops, either sold as harvested or fed to live stock, and of later years largely to swine. On account of the small per centage of loss by cholera, until recent years, and the higher prices which have obtained, it has been a profitable thing to raise swine in the county.

The soil, as has been shown in the chapter on geology, is far superior to that of many sections of the commonwealth. At an early day both fruits and grains were converted into various kinds of distilled and malted liquors, but for many years the farmer has not depended on this source of revenue - indeed has not been permitted to use his grain for this purpose. The days of distilleries have forever passed here. The great products of the soil are demanded in more legitimate and useful channels - that of feeding the nations of the earth. =

The leading industry in all ages has been that of agriculture. The products of the ground, by proper tillage, have fed and will continue to feed the teeming millions of earth's inhabitants. Some countries are better suited for the profitable production of the great crops of wheat and corn than are others. Then the country where these grains are best grown must be the center of agriculture and wealth. The United States census a decade and more ago disclosed the fact that in this country seven out of every twelve persons were engaged in farming pursuits, directly or indirectly. This, of course, included stock raising, dairying and horticulture. The first thing, then, to make a profitable country in which to farm is to have the gift of good, lasting soil. The best of soil will wear out and not many decades since Ohio farmers paid but little attention to keeping the land provided with proper productive elements, by fertilizing. But the time came when it was found that the native soil would no longer produce well, and then it was that, from a self-protective standpoint, men began to husband the soil and take proper care of it. Fayette county has been fortunate in having an original good soil, and also in having intelligent farmers, who have kept the land in suitable condition. Hence we hear it spoken of as one of the banner counties in Ohio. In 1862, over a half century ago, this was listed with fourteen of the best counties in Ohio in the matter of corn production. Fayette was third in rank among these fifteen counties, and produced two million sixty-five thousand seven hundred and thirty-nine bushels of corn that year.

Corn and live stock, horses and cattle, have been, together with the immense droves of hogs in more recent years, the source of this county's great wealth.

Agricultural Statistics Drainage

Many years prior to the settlement of the territory now including Fayette county it was a favorite hunting ground for roving bands of Indians, who occupied the country lying between the old town of Chillicothe, in Greene county, where they had their council house and headquarters, and the Ohio river, and who each year burnt off the grass, which, in some places, grew to a height of six feet. However, as the white settlers gradually came in and the Indians withdrew, the rank vegetation was permitted to grow unmolested, fall down and decay, year after year, until the deep accumulation of vegetable matter producing miasmatic infection to such an extent that the county, during the years from 1818 until 1824, was rendered almost uninhabitable and all who could possibly leave the county did so. On Lee's creek, or between Lee's and Rattlesnake, in the early history of the county, a settlement was formed by the Yocums, Bursons and others which, on account of the extreme unhealthy condition of the same, was totally abandoned and the empty cabins were seen standing as late as 1820. These cabins, it is said, were superior in their structure to any in the county, having been hewn smooth on the outside and the corners neatly dovetailed and carried up straight and square. To such an extent did malaria exist that the county was in danger of total depopulation in some regions, especially north of Washington C. H., in Jasper, Jefferson, Paint, Madison, Marion and the northern part of Union townships, while those south of Washington C. H. were level, but the beds of the streams being deeper better under-drainage was provided.

The problem of drainage and tiling them came into prominence as a means to combat the unhealthy conditions and the failure of nature to provide aid. The pioneers in this enterprise were Judge D. McLain and several others, who cut a few open ditches in the wettest lands, one of which, cut by McLain, emptying into Vandeman's run, was visited by people from a distance as a great curiosity. In about 1840 the open ditches were improved by having wood placed within them and filled in with dirt. These, in turn, were replaced by the tile ditch. ;

The first effort in this direction was made by Judge McLain, who conceived the idea of placing brick on end, closed at the top, and apart at the bottom a distance of six inches. These, however, when the dirt was thrown in, sank into the ground and proved worthless. A kind of tube was then manufactured by hand, which, though a very slow process, was a great improvement upon the open ditch, the wood-covered ditch or the brick.

As the feasibility of tiling was established and the great advantages perceived, the Judge erected a power tile machine, said to have been the first in the United States. In 1856 or 1857, J. W. Penfield procured a patent for a horse-power tile machine and exhibited the same at the state fair in Cincinnati. Judge McLain saw the machine, finally bought it, set it up on his farm and burned a kiln of tile. Prior to the introduction of this invention tile were pressed by a large lever operated by hand. There was much prejudice against the tile, owing to the belief that water could not get through it. This had to be refuted by the actual experiment of placing a closed tile perpendicular in a bed of mortar and filling it with water and not until the water was seen oozing through and running away was prejudice disarmed and the true value of tile established.

In the beginning Judge McLain manufactured tile for his own use alone, but, in order to introduce the article and to persuade others to improve their lands, he made some for others, in small quantities, to test their value. In about 1850 he began tiling his wettest lands on a systematic basis. The tile was laid about three feet below the surface, so that water when reaching the tile would be completely filtered and all sediment removed.

This fortunate system of land drainage has reached a wonderful stage of development in Fayette county today. Hardly a farm is without tiling and systematic drainage of the crop land. A farmer now has little to do with stagnant pools in his land. The water sinks quickly after a heavy rain and is carried off in proportionate quantities. Crops are practically doubled on this account.

County Agricultural Societies

Of agricultural societies there has been no end in Fayette county. They began to exist in an early day, comparatively speaking, and for a time were successful. Then the state fairs interfered with them, and the local societies began running largely to horse racing at the fairs and this soon displeased the better, more practical type of farmers and they did not bring in their exhibits as before, hence the county fairs went down. Then within a few years more enterprising men took hold of the matter and formed other county societies and held creditable annual exhibits again.

A new agricultural society was formed in Fayette county January I1, 1901, and its officers and directors were as follows: Jacob Cockerill, vicepresident and from Perry township; Samuel Zimmerman, Green township; S. L. Sollars, Concord township; James Ford, Jasper township; Howard Hagler, Jefferson township; J. M. Kleever, Paint township; John Salmon, Madison township; Charles Persinger, Marion township; Capt. T. F. Parrott, Wayne township; Benton Garinger, Union township; Dr. E. M. Boggess, Washington; H. S. Sanderson, president; Solon Loofborrow, vice-president ; are usually largely attended. The exhibits of the products of the soil, the array of fine blooded stock and the races draw large crowds. The present officers of the society are: R. G. Jefferson, president; Mart L. McCoy, vicepresident; James Ford, treasurer; W. B. Rogers, secretary. By townships the directors are: M. L. McCoy, Union; James Ford; Jasper; B. L. Sollars, Concord; Howard Hagler, Jefferson; J. M. Klever, Paint; R. G. Jefferson, Madison; H. Wilson, Marion; Oris Hagler, Wayne; E. E. Cockerill, Perry; Jesse In Cross, Green:

The fair grounds are located about a half mile from the court house, are well improved and furnished with all that makes a successful annual exhibit.

Hog Cholera Epidemics

During the last few years Fayette county has been scourged by hog cholera, perhaps as much as, if not indeed more than, any Ohio county. Tens of thousands of valuable swine were lost by this dread animal disease. In 1913 so alarming was this trouble in Ohio that the Legislature, prompted by petitions from farmers and stock men, appropriated twenty thousand dollars to experiment with certain suposed remedies, and Fayette county was selected as the location in which to make such tests. This is all under state supervision and in this county, where cholera was the worst, the treatment is free. In three townships there were twenty-nine thousand hogs being treated with this specific, and the results the present season (1914) are very satisfactory, scarcely no hogs having died, and still the work goes on. The test commenced in December, 1913, under state direction. i

Corn Shows And Institutes

Fayette county has long been noted for its excellent farmers' institutes and its annual corn shows, held in various parts of the county. The agricultural extension schools have accomplished a wonderful work in advancing the science of agriculture in these parts of Ohio. At the seventh annual corn show held at Jeffersonville in 1913, one hundred and fifty farmers received instructions. Enthusiasm was great and the corn contest was spirited. The best corn in the county was exhibited and was greater than ever before in the county's history. There were one hundred and seventy-seven entries of high grade corn. H. W. Bussert made many winnings, and carried off four "firsts" and won out on "sweepstakes." F. E. Eichelberger came in close behind with three "firsts" in the various classes of corn exhibits.

Banks And Banking

Banking is not among the pioneer institutions in any new country, at least such was not the case in the settlement of countries a half century and more ago. Barter was the rule, and it was a time when the per capita of money in this country was very low. Money, as a real true circulating medium, was indeed scarce. We had to depend upon Spain, with her Spanishmilled dollar, on England for her smaller silver coins, and on "red-dog," "wild-cat" and other cheap paper notes or scrip, put in circulation from various sections of the country, for what money we did possess. This all went for taxes and hence there was little use for banks or banking in Fayette in those years.

Though in her very infancy, Fayette county, during the War of 1812, sent many supplies to the American army during its operations in the Northwest. Especially was this true in live stock. A good deal of money was put into circulation as a direct result of this medium of exchange. In these transactions the government paid partly in specie, but mainly through the banks of Cincinnati, the Miami Exporting Company, Bank of Cincinnati and John H. Piatt's bank. Piatt was a heavy army contractor and his notes obtained an extensive circulation during that last war with Great Britain.

A peculiarity about the money put in use in the Miami and Scioto valleys before and after the War of 1812 was what was termed "cut money." This kind of medium originated, it is believed, in Kentucky, the object being to keep silver in home circulation, where it was current at par in most transactions, though not receivable for public lands or merchandise outside of the county. The Spanish milled dollar, or quarter, was taken to the blacksmith, who, placing it on his anvil, with a cold chisel cut it into two, four, and sometimes five pieces, keeping the fifth for toll and yet having four quarters left. Occasionally it was cut smaller and the names of the parts were quarters, bits and fips. Again one would then often hear the terms, eleven-penny bit and five-penny bit, hence eleven-pence, fip-and-a-bit - undoubtedly derived from the English custom and brought into this country from Pennsylvania. After 1812 this was prohibited.

The name "Sharp-shins" arose from the sharp edges exposed after cutting on the anvil. Sharp-shins could not be well carried in the pocket, hence were carried in a leather bag or sack.

Shortly after the beginning of the War of 1812 state banks were established in Ohio and shin-plasters (paper money) became the general medium of exchange, all other kinds of circulating mediums soon disappearing.

The first bank established in Fayette county, at Washington C. H., was known as the Fayette County Bank, with James Pursell as its cashier. Its books were opened for business in October, 1858 - fifty-six years ago. It was located on the north side of Court street, near the western corner of Fayette street. It was housed in a small, one-story brick building, which stood on ground east of and adjoining that upon which the People's and Drovers' Bank of today stands. Later it was changed to the south side of Court street, in the second story of the brick building west of and adjoining what was then known as the Kirk House, now the Arlington Hotel block. There its business was transacted until 1867, its assets then being transferred to the First National' Bank, that concern having purchased all interests and holdings in the pioneer banking house.

The First National Bank

What was the First National Bank of Washington C. H. (now out of business as a corporation by that name) was organized by the election of a board of directors, as follows: Daniel McLean, Thomas B. Thornton, Wilham McElwain, Anthony Allen, Curan Millikan, James Beatty and Charles Vanpelt. Afterward Daniel McLean was elected president and Thomas A. Claypoole was appointed cashier, he being the first really practical banker in the county. He had previously been connected with the old Fayette County Bank. The books of the First National Bank were opened for business in March, 1864, and hence it was one of the earliest in the country, as the act creating such banks was passed in January of that year.

At the date of its organization this bank carried a capital of $75,000. Its paid-up capital, however, was only $50,000. The following year, in January, the capital was increased to $100,000, and in July, 1871, the paid-up capital of the concern was $200,000. By consent of the stockholders, in 'November, 1875, the business of the Fayette County National Bank was transferred and consolidated with that of the First National Bank, making its combined capital $300,000. In April, 1878, the First National was changed to a private bank, and its charter surrendered to the government. The newly organized concern was then styled, as now, the Peoples and Drovers' Bank.

Bank Of Fayette

The Bank of Fayette (Pavey & Claypoole - Madison Pavey and Thomas A. Claypoole, special partners) commenced business February 1, 1867, in rooms located on the south side of Court street. Pavey purchased Claypoole's interest in this bank in February, 1870, and about one year later transferred the entire business to A. C. Johnson, who subsequently disposed of the same to the Fayette County National Bank.

The Merchants And Farmers Bank

This institution was organized in January, 1872, by the election of directors as follows: M. Pavey, E. lx Ford; A. M. Stimson, J. W. Sayre, Henry Kirk, James Willis and George Dahl. M. Pavey was soon elected president, and Morris Sharp appointed cashier. This bank commenced business in April, 1872, on the north side of Court street, in the west room of what was known as the Wilson House.

This institution was established September 2, 1899, by William Worthington, with an original capital of $12,500, which has been increased to $100,000. The first officers were A. R. Creamer, president; W. E. Treland, vice-president; William Worthington, cashier. The present ofhcers are: William Worthington, president; Dr. W. E. Ireland, vice-president ; Robert Howatt, cashier; Fred O. Cline, assistant cashier. This bank does business in a leased building. It is an unincorporated bank and has been very successful in its transactions. It has an individual responsibility of $2,000,000. Having the confidence of the people, it has grown from its first inception, and is looked upon as one of the county's safest and strongest

This financial institution was established in April, 1907, by Charles 'U. Armstrong, with a capital of $25,000, which has been increased to $50,000. The date of its charter was April 10, 1907, and was the first regular savings bank in Fayette county. It does business in a leased building. The first officers, as well as the present ones, are: George Jackson, president; Jesse F. Cross and Reuben Rankin, vice-presidents; Frank A. Chafin, counsel; Charles U. Armstrong, secretary and treasurer. One of its last statements (September, 1914) shows their resources and responsibilities to be $463,- 385.01. Of this amount there is $370,236 in loans and discounts; cash and due from other banks, $90,037. The earned surplus is $32,000, undivided profits, $3,420, and deposits, $377,889.01.

The Commercial Bank

This bank was established in 1883 and now has a capital of $50,000. A. S. Ballard was, until his death, October 13, 1914, its president. Its vicepresidents are H. B. Dahl and W. B. Sharp; its cashier is W. P. Barnes.

This institution is one of the county's solid financial houses, having in 1914 deposits amounting to over $500,000. Its surplus and undivided profits amount to $100,000, while its loans run high as $500,000.

The Peoples And Drovers Bank

Another of the pioneer institutions in Washington C. H. is the Drovers Bank, which was established as the successor to the old First National Bank, established in 1864. The Peoples and Drovers Bank dates its own history from 1878. The early history of its predecessor, the First National Bank, has already been given in this chapter. So it may truthfully be stated that the Peoples and Drovers Bank is the oldest banking house now doing business in the city or county. It is an unincorporated concern, but under the state laws is subject to inspection and regulation by the banking department of the state. No bank stands higher in this section of the commonwealth than does this pioneer institution. It is ably managed by safe, conservative business men who most thoroughly understand modern banking methods. Its stockholders are individually responsible in the aggregate of more than a million dollars. They now have a paid-up capital of $100,000 and a surplus of $30,000. One of the directors and stockholders, Frank Johnson, has been connected longer than any man in the county with banking, beginning in this bank in 1873, and has never been absent for any length of time during all of these years.

The present directors are Humphrey Jones, Frank Johnson, E. O. Mc- Cormick, William H. Thornton, Norman McLean. The officers are: Humphrey Jones, president; William H. Thornton, vice-president; Roy T. Mc- Clure, cashier. The bank had for its home until 1867 the center of lot No. 18, facing Court (now Main) street, old National Bank site, and then moved to its present site, at the west quarter of lot No. 5, Court street.

The Midland National Bank

The Midland National Bank, at Washington C. H., is now the only national bank in Fayette county. It was organized in June, 1892, and has a capital of $50,000, with surplus and profits amounting to $56,662.67. It is the depository for Fayette county and the city of Washington C. H. Their statement for September 12, 1914, shows resources and liabilities to the amount of $709,098.39. . There were then deposits amounting to $552,435 ;. circulation of $50,000; cash on hand, $36,715.65.

The present officers are S. W. Cissna, president; Josiah Hopkins, vicepresident; M. S. Daugherty, cashier; Scott Hopkins, assistant cashier. The directors were S. W. Cissna, Scott Hopkins, Josiah Hopkins, Viola Stuckey and M. S. Daugherty. This is classed among the best institutions doing a banking business within Fayette county today.

The Farmers Bank Of Jeffersonville

The Farmers Bank of Jeffersonville is an unincorporated concern, organized or established in 1893, with a capital of $20,000, same as it is now carrying; the surplus, however, is now $20,000. The deposits amount to (in October, 1914) $207,850.53. The amount of loans were $197,232.65.

The organizers of this bank were Henry L. Hire, J. R. Vanorsdall, Ira D. Booco, Nathan Creamer, Eli Mock, James P. Font, Eli Smith, Jacob Bush, John A. Parrett, D. W. Kessler, A. R. Creamer. At first the officers were elected as follows: J. R. Vanorsdall, president; Ira D. Booco, vicepresident; S. M.. Taggart, cashier. The officers are now: Nathan Creamer, president; Eli Mock and J. R. Vanorsdall, vice-presidents ; G. H. Garlough, cashier; Louis A. Kessler, assistant cashier. The banking house is situated on the corner of Main and High streets and is a brick structure. A few years 'sinee it suffered loss by a fire, which destroyed the large plate-glass front windows. This institution is in a flourishing condition and has the confidence of the entire community, both in and outside the village of Jeffersonville.

Citizens Bank Of Jeffersonville

The Citizens Bank was organized at Jeffersonville in the autumn of 1906, with a capital of $25,000, the same as it now has. Its surplus is now $5,000 and its deposits amount to $175,000. It was the first banking concern in Fayette county to establish a savings department, which today is a prominent feature of its business transactions. This bank was organized by Ira D. Booco and Silas M: Taggart. The original officers were: Ira D. Booco, president; E. L. Janes, vice-president; Joseph Straley, vice-president ; Silas M. Taggart, cashier. The officers in 1914 are: President, Joseph Straley ; vice-presidents, N. C. Wilcox and Frank Snodgrass; cashier, Silas M. Taggart.

The latest report on this bank shows that it is flourishing and its commercial and savings departments are operated in an up-to-date manner. The efficient cashier, Mr. Taggart, has been engaged in banking at Jeffersonville for thirty years, and has trained several young men in the business who now hold excellent positions of trust in various cities of the country.

The Farmers Bank Of Good Hope

The Farmers Bank of Good Hope was organized as a state banking concern in 1910 by William Thomas Steers. Its first officers were: President, E. D. King; vice-president, Isaac Cory; second vice-president, S. B. Heppes; directors, George T. Moore, Wo T. Stears, R.. J. Holdren S28. Boggs, A. H. Taylor.

The 1914 officers and directors are: E. D. King, president; William Thomas Steers, cashier; 'directors, S. B. Hoppes HH. Dy Johnson, Wor. steers) Raf. Holden, i. ©, Smalley, SA Boges.

The original and present capital stock is $25,000. It was chartered in 1910 under the laws of Ohio. It owns its own fine brick banking house, erected at a cost of about $3,700. The condition of the bank today is excellent. From August, 1913, to August, 1914, there were seventy-two new accounts opened in this bank. Safety deposit boxes are for rent.

Three per cent. per annum is paid on deposits left at this place for a stipulated time. The August 4, 1914, statement, as shown in the reports made to the state banking department, shows this bank to have had at that date resources and liabilities amounting to $95,818.83. The loans and discounts amounted to $78,668.41; deposits, $65,069. 84.

The Milledgeville Bank

The Milledgeville Bank, located at Milledgeville, Jasper township, was. organized in 1903. Its first officers were: C. E. Ford, president; W. E. Smith, cashier. There were twenty stockholders, with a personal responsibility of $500,000. The officers at this date (fall of 1914) are: R. H. Fichthorn, president; W. E. Smith, cashier, with Fern Fichthorn, assistant cashier.

At first the capital was $4,125, which-has been increased to $20,000. It is purely a private banking house. It suffered loss by a fire that occurred in the town April 13, 1912, but immediately resumed its business.

Peoples Bank Of Bloomingburg

This is a private concern, and did not see fit to furnish the author with data. It made a showing of resources and liabilities in 1912 of $110,196.

The Iqi2 Financial Showing

The reports of the various banks in Fayette county in 1912 made the following showing: Total amount in resources and liabilities, $3,487,712.40. This amount was divided among the banks as follows: Midland National Bank, $645,096; Commercial Bank, $557,275; Washington Savings Bank and Trust Company, $402,166; Fayette County Bank, $545,767; Peoples and Drovers Bank, $681,087; Farmers Bank of Jeffersonville, $206,112; Citizens Bank of Jeffersonville, $169,552; Peoples Bank, Bloomingburg, $110,196; Farmers Bank of Good Hope, $73,172.