Columbus City (part 1 of 57)

Columbus City

From the laying out of the Town in 1812, till the close of the Proprietors' Settlement in 1817 - Embracing their Proposals - The Law Establishing the Seat of Government - The sale of Lots - First Settlers - 'Squire Shields - First Lawyers - First Taverns, etc., etc.

From the first organization of the State government in 1803, until 1816, there was no permanent seat of State government. The sessions of the Legislature were held at Chillicothe until 1810, and the sessions of 1810-11, and 1811-12, were held at Zanesville, and from thence they were removed back to Chillicothe, and there remained until December, 1816, when the first session commenced in Columbus.

In February, 1810, the Legislature, desirous to establish a more central and permanent seat of government for the State, by joint resolution appointed five commissioners, namely James Findlay, W. Silliman, Joseph Darlinton, Reisin Beall and Wm. McFarland, to meet in Franklinton on the first day of September, then following, to examine and select the most eligible site for the estab- lishment of the permanent seat of government for the State. On December 11th, 1810, the commissioners made their report and say, " That they have diligently examined a number of different places within the circle prescribed, and the majority of said commissioners are of opinion that a tract of land, owned by John and Peter Sells, situated on the west bank of the Scioto River, four miles and three quarters west of the town of Worthington, in the county of Franklin, and on which said Sells now resides, appears to them the most eligible."^^ Dated at Newark, the 12th of September, 1810, and signed by all the commissioners.

No further definite action, however, was had on the subject until February, 1812, when the law was passed establishing it at Columbus. Various proposals were received, offering inducements for its establishment at different points, and amongst the rest were the proposals of Lyne Starling, James Johnston, Alexander McLaughlin and John Kerr, for establishing it on the '-' high bank of the Scioto River, opposite Franklinton," which site was principally a native forest. Franklinton was then at its apex, and a town of considerably more consequence than it now is, and was one of the sites proposed ; but the plan upon which it was laid out, and more particularly its low situation, were considered sufficient objections to its adoption. Worthington and Delaware were also among the sites proposed.

" To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of Ohio : We, the subscribers, do offer the following as our proposals, provided the Legislature at their present session shall fix and establish the permanent seat of government on the bank of the Scioto River nearly opposite Franklinton, on half sections number twentyfive and twenty-six, and part of half sections number ten and eleven, all in township five, range twenty-two of the Refugee Lands, and commence their sessions there on the first Monday of December, 1817 :

" 1st. To lay out a town on the lands aforesaid, on or before the first of July next, agreeably to the plan presented by us to the Legislature.

" 2d. To convey to the State by general warranty deed, in fee simple, such square of said town of the contents of ten acres or near it, for the public buildings, and such lot of ten acres, for the Penitentiary and dependencies, as a Director or such person or persons as the Legislature shall appoint, may direct.

and Penitentiary, and such other buildings as shall be directed by the Legislature to be built, of stone and brick, or of either - the work to be done in a workmanlike manner, and of such size and dimensions as the Legislature shall think fit ; the Penitentiary and dependencies to be completed on or before first of January, 1815, and the State House and offices on or before the first Monday of December, 1817.

" When the buildings shall be completed the Legislature and us, reciprocally, shall appoint workmen to examine and value the whole buildings, which valuation shall be binding ; and if it docs not amount to fifty thousand dollars, we shall make up such deficiency in such further buildings as shall be directed by law ; but if it exceeds the sum of fifty thousand dollars, the Legislature wdll by law remunerate us in such way as they may think just and equitable.

'- The Legislature may, by themselves or agent, alter the width of the streets and alleys of said town, previous to its being laid out by us, if the}^ may think

Although it was the avowed object of the Legislature to establish a jjcrmancnt seat of government, yet when the time came to act conclusively on the subject, there was a misgiving amongst them, and it became pretty manifest that the bill for the acceptance of the foregoing proposals, would not pass without a limitation clause in it, and it being now just at the close of the session, rather than to have it defeated, or to lie over, the proprietors made their second proposition, of which the following is a copy :

" To the Honorable the Legislature of Ohio : We, the subscribers, do agree to comply with the terms of our bond now in possession of the Senate of the State aforesaid, in case they will fix the seat of govermnent of this State on the lands designated in our proposals, on the east bank of the Scioto River, nearly opposite to Franklinton, and commence their sessions there at or before the first Monday of December, 1817, and continue the same in the town to be laid off by us until the year 1840. These conditional proposals are offered for the acceptance of the Legislature of Ohio, provided

This proposition seemed to satisfy the opposition, and the bill was amended by adding the latter clause to the end of the second section, and then passed.

This last proposition was at some time lost from the file of papers in the State Treasurer's office, and that fact was possibly the means of saving the seat of government at Columbus. From the time of the repeal of the law for the erection of a new State House, in 1840, the subject of the removal of the seat of government from Columbus became agitated, and at the session of 1842-43, a committee of the Legislature was appointed on that subject, who being divided in opinion or feeling, made a majority and a minority report. The majority assumed as a first ground that it had been permanently established at Columbus by the act of February 14th, 1812, accepting the proposals of the proprietors of the town ; and then referring to the conditions of the first proposals, insisted that it could not be removed without a violation of the faith of the State. The arguments of the two reports are principally confined to that proposition - the second proposal not being known of, apparently, by either party. And the compiler of the "Brief History of Columbus," prefixed to Mr. J. R. Armstrong's Columbus Directory, published in 1843, while the subject of removal was still in agitation, was, as a citizen of Columbus, perhaps excusable in giving the proprietors' first proposals, whilst he suppressed the second, which would have upset all the fine arguments in fiivor the permanent location.

The law referred to, accepting the proposals of the proprietors, and establishing the seat of government, was passed the 14th of February, 1812, and reads as foUoAvs :

"Sec. 1. That the proposals made to this Legislature by Alexander McLaughlin, John Kerr, Lyne Starling and James Johnston, to lay out a town on their lands, situate on the east bank of the Scioto River, opposite Franklinton, in the County of Franklin, on parts of half sections numbers nine, ten, eleven, twenty-five and twenty-six, for the purpose of having the permanent seat of government thereon established ; also to convey to the State a square of ten acres and a lot of ten acres, to erect a State House and oflices, and a Penitentiary, as shall be directed by the Legislature, are hereby accepted, and the same, and their penal bond annexed thereto, dated the 10th of February, 1812, conditioned for the faithful performance of said proposals, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, and shall remain in the office of the Treasurer of State, there to be kept for the use of the State.

" Sec. 2. That the seat of government of this State, be and the same is hereby fixed and permanently established on the lands aforesaid ; and the Legislature shall commence their sessions thereat on the first Monday of December, 1817, and there continue until the first day of Mai/, 1840, and from thence until otherwise provided for hj law.

" Sec. 3. That there shall be appointed by joint resolution of this General Assembly, a Director, who shall, within thirty days after his appointment, take and subscribe an oath faithfully and impartially to discharge the duties enjoined on him by law, and shall hold his office to the end of the session of the next Legislature : Provided, that in case the office of the Director aforesaid, shall, by death, resignation or in any wise, become vacant during the recess of the Legislature, the Governor shall fill such vacancy.

the surveying and laying out of the town aforesaid, and direct the width of the streets and alleys therein ; also to select the square for public buildings, and the lot for the Penitentiary and dependencies, according to the proposals aforesaid ; and he shall make a report thereof to the next Legislature ; he shall, moreover, perform such other duties as will be required of him by law. .

" Sec. 5. That said McLaughlin, Kerr, Starling and Johnston, shall, on or before the first day of July next ensuing, at their own expense, cause the toAvn aforesaid to be laid out, and a plat of the same recorded in the Recorder's office of Franklin County, distinguishing therein the square and the lot to be by them conveyed to this State ; and they shall, moreover, transmit a certified copy thereof to the next Legislature, for their inspection.

" Sec. 6. That from and after the first day of May next, Chillicothe shall be the temporary seat of government, until otherwise provided by law."

" That from and after the second Tuesday of October next, the seat of government of this State shall be established at the town of Columbus, and there continue, agreeably to the provisions of the second section of the

" That the Anditor, Treasurer and Secretary of State, shall, in the month of October next, remove, or canse to be removed, the books, maps and papers in their respective offices, to the offices prepared and designated for them severally, in the town of Columbus ; and the Treasurer shall also remove any public money which may be in his office ; and the said public officers shall there attend and keep their offices respectively, from and after that time, any law to the contrary notwithstanding."

On the 19th of February, 1812, at Zanesville, the proprietors, Starling, Johnston, McLaughlin and Kerr, signed and acknowledged their articles of association, as partners, under the law for laying out, etc., the town of Columbus. In this instrument, it was stipulated that a common stock was to be created, for the benefit of the firm ; that Starling w^as to put into said stock half section number twenty-five, except ten acres previously sold to John Brickell ; Johnston was to put in half section number nine, and half of half section number ten ; and McLaughlin and Kerr (who had previously been partners, and Avere jointly considered as one or a third party to this agreement,) were to put in half section number twenty-six ; on which they were to lay out the town, agreeably to their proposals to the Legislature, - the proceeds of the sales to remain in common stock, until they should complete their contract with the State.

They were to have a common agent, to make sales and superintend their whole business. Each party was to pay into the hands of this agent the sum of $2,400 annually, on the first Monday of January, for five successive years, and such further sums as might be necessary to complete the public buildings. Each party was to warrant the title to the land by such party respectively put into the stock, and each to receive a mutual benefit in all donations they might obtain on subscription or otherwise. And when they should have completed their contract with the State, and be released from all obligations on account thereof, a final settlement and adjustment of their accounts was to take place, and the profits or losses to be equally divided between them.

John Kerr was appointed the first agent for the proprietors, in April, 1812, and continued as such until June, 1815, when he declined serving any longer, and Henry Brown was appointed, and continued their agent until the close of their business, in the spring of 1817.

The agreement of the proprietors having been faithfully abided by, and their undertaking completed, was finally canceled in April, 1817, when a division of the unsold property, and of obligations for lots sold, etc., took place, and each party released the other from all the obligations of their articles of association, and also released and quit-claimed to each other all the remaining parts of their several tracts of land originally put into the common fund, that remained unsold.

The amount of the donations obtained on subscriptions, is variously stated at from fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. And, pursuant to an agreement with Rev. James Hoge, now known as Doctor Hoge, he deeded to the proprietors eighty acres of land off the south end of half section number eleven, in order to enable them to complete the plat to the size and form desired. Of the lots laid out on this grant, the proprietors retained onehalf, and deeded the balance back to the Doctor. And, pursuant to a similar contract with Thomas Allen, and for the same purpose, he deeded to the proprietors twenty acres out of the south-west part of half section number ten, they deeding back his portion of the lots, and retaining the balance as a donation.

Thus the town plat, including out-lots and reserves, (which reserves have many years since been laid out into additions of in-lots,) covered the whole of half sec-

McLaughlin and Kerr's half section (number twentysix) was the southern part of the original town plat, bounded on the south by South Public Lane, (the eastern part of which is sometimes called the " Livingston Road,") and on the north by a parallel (east and west) line, commencing at the river a little south of State street, and crossing High street at the north-east corner of Dr. Goodale's brick block, and crossing Town street at an acute angle between Third and Fourth streets, including all between those two lines, from the river to the eastern boundary of the out-lots. Starling's half section (number twenty-five) also extended from the river to the eastern boundary of out-lots, and included all between the north line of McLaughlin and Kerr's half section, above described, and a parallel line from a short distance in front of the penitentiary, due east, crossing High street between Long street and Mulberry alley, and intersecting Broad street ,at the eastern extremity of the out-lots. Although half section number nine was put into the common fund by Johnston, no part of the town plat was laid out on it. It lies between the penitentiary grounds and Olentangy Creek. The east half of half section ten, put into the fund by him, and on the south end of which lots were laid out, buts on the north line of Starling's half section, (number twenty-five,) from Water street to Center alley, bounded east and west by due north and south lines, cutting the lots obliquely. The part conveyed to the proprietors by Allen, also buts on Starling's north line, immediately west of Johnston's, just described, and the part conveyed to them by Dr. Hoge, also buts on Starling's north line, immediately east of Johnston's land.

The contract being closed between the proprietors and the State, and all the preliminaries now arranged, in the spring of 1812, the town was laid out, under the direction of Joel Wright, Esq., of Warren County, an agent of the State, appointed for that purpose, and Joseph Vance, of Franklin Count}^, as assistant.

The streets all cross at right angles ; those running northward, bear twelve degrees west of north, and consequently those running eastward, twelve degrees north of east. High street is one hundred feet wide ; Broad street is one hundred and twenty feet, and all the others eighty-two and a half feet wide ; and the alleys generally thirty-three feet in width. The in-lots are sixty-two and a half feet front, and one hundred and eighty-seven and a half feet deep. The out-lots on the east, contain about three acres each.

or more out-lots, north of the town, which are represented on the record by a separate plat. These contain a trifle over two acres each, and from part of these lots they conveyed to the town an acre and a half for a graveyard.

The time and terms of sale being agreed upon, the same was advertised far and near, and in a way calculated to attract bidders from a distance. The following is a copy of the advertisement :

'' On the premises, commencing on Thursday, the 18th day of June next, and to continue for three days, in and out-lots in the town of Columbus, established by an act of the Legislature, as the permanent seat of government for the State of Ohio.

a Terms of Sale. - One fifth of the purchase money will be required in hand ; the residue to be paid in four equal annual installments. Interest will be required on the deferred payments from the day of sale, if they are not punctually made when due. Eight per cent, will be discounted for prompt payment on the day of sale. The town of Columbus is situated on an elevated and beautiful site, on the east side of the Scioto Ptiver, immediately below the junction of the Whetstone branch, and opposite to Franklinton, the seat of justice for Franklin County, in the center of an extensive tract of rich and fertile country, from whence there is an easy navigation to the Ohio River. Above the town, the . west branch of the Scioto affords a good navigation for about eighty miles, and the Whetstone branch as far as the town of Worthington. Sandusky Bay, the only harbor on the south shore of Lake Erie (except Presque Isle) for vessels of burthen, is situate due north from Columbus, and about one hundred miles from it. An excellent road may be made with very little expense from the Lower Sandusky town to the mouth of the Little Scioto, a distance of about sixty miles. This will render the communication from the Lakes to the Ohio River through the Scioto very easy, by which route an immense trade must, at a day not very distant, b'e carried on, which will make the country on the Scioto River rich and populous. The proprietors of the town of Columbus will, by every means in their power, encourage industrious mechanics, who wish to make a residence in the town. All such are invited to become purchasers.

Pursuant to this notice, public sale of the lots commenced on the 18th of June/^ 1812, and continued three days. The lots sold were principally on High and Broad streets, and were generally struck off at from two hundred to a thousand dollars each. The only cleared land then on, or contiguous to, the town plat, was a small spot on Front, a little north of State street ; another small field and a cabin on the bank of the river, at the western terminus of Rich street ; a cabin and garden spot in front of where the penitentiary now stands, occupied by John Brickell; and a small field south of the mound, on the tract which two years after was laid off by John McGowan, as an addition to the original town plat, and called " South Columbus."

Immediately after the sales, improvements commenced rapidly, generally small frame houses and shops, enclosed with split clapboards instead of sawed weatherboards, which w^ere not generally attainable. Both proprietors and settlers were too much occupied with their own individual and immediate interests, to attend much to the clearing off of the streets and alleys ; and for several years the streets remained so much impeded by stumps, logs and brush, that teamsters were compelled to make very crooked tracks in winding their way through them. Gradually, however, they were cleared by the inhabitants, for fire wood and building materials, until about the year 1815 or '16, a sum of about two hundred dollars was raised by subscription, and appropriated to the removal of the remaining obstructions from High street. Soon after the town was incorporated, and the streets were gradually improved by authority of the town council.

There are now but two men remaining in Columbus who were here at the sale of the lots, in 1812, and purchased property, and have remained citizens of the place ever since, viz : Messrs. Jacob Hare and Peter Putnam, and each one still owns the lot he purchased at that time, over forty-five years ago. Amongst the first settlers, however, were George McCormick, George B. Harvey, John Shields, Michael Patton, Alexander Patton, William Altman, John Collett, Wm. McElvain, Daniel Kooser, Christian Heyl, Jarvis Pike, Benjamin Pike, George Pike, Wm. Long, Townsend Nichols, and Dr. John M. Edmiston. Dr. Edmiston was the first physician to locate in the new town - Doctors Parsons and Ball practiced in Columbus, but resided in Franklinton. About the year 1815 or '16, Dr. Parsons removed over to Columbus, where he resided ever after.

ing to the Worthington Manufacturing Company, and kept by Joel Buttles, in a small brick building, on the west end of the lot now covered by the Broadway Exchange building; and one belonging to McLene & Green, kept in a cabin, on the south side of Rich street, just east of where Mechanics' Hall now stands. About where Mechanics' Hall stands, in two or three cabins connected together. Christian Heyl kept a bakery and house of entertainment, where he continued until about the year 1818, when he erected the front part of the tavern building lately known as the " Franklin House," now the " Nagle House," where he kept a respectable hotel until the spring of 1841. The first tavern, however, was kept on the lot where the " Johnston Building " now stands. It was commenced about the spring of 1813, by Volney Payne, in a two story brick house erected by John CoUett, for that purpose ; and the house was kept successively by Mr. Payne, Collett, John McElvain, and Collett again, until about the year 1818, when he sold out to Robert Russell, and Mr. Russell kept it a number of years, then James Robinson, and then Mr. Russell again, until about the year 1844, when the tavern was discontinued.

Soon after the tavern was opened at Collett's house, Daniel Kooser opened a tavern on Front street, south of State, and a Mr. McCoUum opened another on Front north of Broad street, where the " Erin go Bragh House " is now kept. In the meantime, various other establishments, known as houses of entertainment, had sprung up, which were, in reality, little else than drinking shops, such as in after years were denominated gro- - ceries. At the north-east corner of High and Rich streets was an establishment of the latter kind, kept by William Hay, about the years 1815 and '16, that was famous for company drinking and quarreling; so much so that it obtained the appellation of " The War Office;" and from thence the cases of combat were generally carried to 'Squire Shields, to be " disposed of according to law." The 'Squire was rather an eccentric old genius, from the Emerald Isle, and disposed of business in short order. He was a preacher : first of the Methodist, then of the New Light Order, and could preach a good sermon on as short notice as any other man ; he could lay as many brick in a day as a common bricklayer would in two ; and in surveying and platting of lands, and also in his official business as a Justice of the Peace, he was equally expeditious ; but in all things, rough and careless, apparently disdaining precision.

The 'Squire was remarkable for his equanimity of temper, or his ability to control it. On one occasion, when in his office, one of his rough customers very abruptly called him a liar, to which the 'Squire coolly re- plied in his broad Irish brogue : " Poh, man, we are all liars - I can prove you a liar !" at which the other bristled up as though he was for fight - " Prove me a liar ! prove me a liar ! can you ?" The 'Squire making no further replj^, turned to a file of notes that had been sued before him, and picking out one of his hero's notes and presenting the name to him, asked if that was his signature ? to which the man replied : " Yes ; and what of it ?" The 'Squire reads : " Three months after date, I promise to pay," etc., "And did you pay?" "I will pay when I am ready !" was the reply. " There, Sir," said the 'Squire, " I have proved you a liar under your own hand ;" and returning the note to its place, without further ado, sat down to his writing.

could prove it, the 'Squire replied, with the utmost sang froid : " I dare say. Sir, that you could get twenty men to swear that, hut that ivould not make it so." He removed with his family to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in 1821, where he died a few years after.

In the year 1815, David S. Brodrick opened a respectable tavern in frame buildings, at the south-east corner of High and Town streets, with the sign " Columbus Inn;" and in the spring of 1816, James B. Gardiner opened a good tavern, for that time, in a wooden build- ing, fronting on Friend street, just west of High, on what was afterward known as the Howard lot. In the spring of 1818, Brodrick having retired from public life, Mr. Gardiner removed to that stand, and hoisted the sign of the " Rose Tree " in full blow, with the Scripture quotation, " The luilderness shall blossom as the rose.'' This stand was afterward kept by various landlords, amongst whom was Samuel Barr, whilst owner of the property. It was for a time known as the " Franklin House ;" afterward as the " City House." The old wooden buildings were removed some years since, to give place to the Deshler building, which now occupies the corner.

The first school taught in Columbus was in a cabin that stood on the public square, (teachers name not now known;) then succeeded as teachers, in 1814-15, and so on, Uriah Case, John Peoples, W. T. Martin, a Mr. "VVhitehill, Joseph Olds (afterward a distinguished lawyer and member of Congress), Dr. Peleg Sisson (while acquiring his profession), Samuel Bigger (afterward Governor of Indiana), Budolph Dickinson (for a number of years a member of the Board of Public Works, and member of Congress), Daniel Bigelow Orange Da- vis, a Mr. Christie, Rev. Mr. Labare, Cyrus Parker, H. N. Hubbell, Andrew Williams, and a number of others, not now recollected, who were all teachers of common subscription schools, in Columbus, before the introduction of the present free school system.

In the spring of 1815, the census of the town was taken by James Marshal, Esq., and amounted to about seven hundred. By this time, there were some half dozen or more of stores, amongst which were those of Alexander Morrison, Joel Buttles, Henry Brown, Delano & Cutler, and J. & R. W. McCoy ; and a printing office, issuing a weekly paper, which has been noticed under the head of "Newspapers."

The first lawyers to locate in Columbus, were David Smith, Orris Parish, David Scott, and Gustavus Swan, about the year 1815. Shortly after, succeeded John R. Parish/^ T. C. Flournoy, James K. Cory,-]- William Doherty,J and others.

* Mr. Parish died in June, 1829, in the 43d year of his age. He was a man of vigorous mind, and an able lawyer and legislator, and for a time quite popular. But he had his frailties.

t Mr. Cory died the first day of January, 1827, in his 29th year. He was a promising young lawyer, from Cooperstown, New York, and had resided in Columbus some seven or eight years.

The Columbus post office was established in 1813 ; was made a distributing office in 1838. Will be noticed under the head of '' post office."

The first market house was erected in 1814, by voluntary contributions of property holders in the vicinity of its location. It was a substantial frame, probably fifty feet in length, and proportionable in width and height. It was situated in the middle of High street, a little south of Rich street. It continued there until after the town became incorporated. Immediately after the incorporation the subject of a new market house, and the dence in Columbus in 1816. He subsequently, in 1820, married a daughter of Gen. McLene, and made Columbus bis residence the balance of his life. He possessed a turn of mind for public business, and being a man of fine appearance and pleasant address, became popular, and filled some highly respectable and lucrative oflBces. He was for seven years in succession Clerk of the House of Representatives in the Ohio Legislature - one session at Chillicothe and six at Columbus. The Clerks then received five dollars per day while the members received three dollars. He was also for a number of years Adjutant General of the State of Ohio. He was afterward United States Marshal for the District of Ohio four years. He had, however, previous to this, and since bis residence in Columbus, prosecuted the study of the law, and been admitted to the practice.

In 1831, he was elected Senator for the District of Franklin and Pickaway Counties, and was at his first session chosen Speaker of that body - a compliment rarely bestowed on a new member. But he was competent to the place, and filled it to the general satisfaction of the Senate.

proper place for its location was agitated. Rich street, Town street, State street and Broad street were all proposed as sites. Property holders on Broad street were strenuous in favor of it, arguing its greater width than any other street, and drawing the inference therefrom that it must have been designed in the plan of the town for the market house. Joseph Miller, who bought and erected the front of the building afterward known as the " Buckeye House," as early as 1816, it is said, was influenced in his purchase, and made large improvements in the confident belief that the market house would be established nearly in front of his house. But about the year 1817, it was determined by the Council in favor of locating it on State street immediately west of High ; and pursuant to contract, John Shields erected the new market house. It was a two story building, something larger than the old frame, the under story of brick for a market house for the town, and the second story was a pretty well finished frame, divided into two large and well finished rooms, and belonged to Shields. Thus he furnished a market house for the town for the privilege of having rooms of his own over it.

These rooms he rented out for various puposes : one was occupied as a printing office, and the other was for a time used by himself, and occasionally others, to hold preaching in. After some years Shields sold out to John Young, and by him the rooms were appropriated to amusement and gaming. The first billiard table kept in town was in the upper part of this market house.

About the year 1829 or 1830, the Council bought out Young's interest, and the building was removed and a larger market house, without any rooms above, was erected on the same site - Elijah Ellis contractor. This building continued until the erection of the present market house on Fourth street.

On the tenth of February, 1816, the town was incorporated as " The Borough of Columbus," and on the first Monday in May following, Robert W. McCoy, John Cutler, Robert Armstrong, Henry Brown, Caleb Houston, Michael Patton, Jeremiah Armstrong, Jarvis Pike and John Kerr were elected the first Board of Councilmen.

James B. Gardiner, who was the wit of the day, composed the following off-hand, doggerel verse with reference to their occupations, with which he would occasionally amuse himself by repeating to the members :

Mr. Gardiner was very apt in writing amusing and satirical verse, and was in the habit of using the signature " Cokeley," until he was familiarly known by that name to all his acquaintances, and was frequently so addressed by his jocular friends.

He removed from Columbus to Greene County about the year 1823, and while there, represented that county in the State Legislature. He afterward returned to Columbus, and in 1834, was elected State Printer for three years. He died in April, 1837, aged 48 years.

The Franklin Bank of Columbus was incorporated by an act of the 23d of February, 1816, and on the first Monday of September in the same year, the first election for Directors was held, when the following gentlemen were elected, to wit : Lucas Sullivant, James

Presidents. Cashiers

* This gentleman, whose true name was Barzillai Gannett, had left his home and family in one of the eastern States under unfavorable circumstances, and obtained an appointment by the name of Benjamin Gardiner, as Quarter-Master in the Army, and was stationed at Franklinton during the war. He was grave and dignified in his appearance and manners, and obtained a high reputation in the church and society generally, and married into a respectable connexion in this county. But unfortunately for him, his history followed him, and to avoid a prosecution for bigamy, he left clandestinely, and was never heard of except perhaps by a few confidential friends.

of December, in the same year, the Legislature commenced its first session in the then new State House in Columbus. The proprietors having finished the public buildings and deeded the two ten acre lots to the State, agreeably to their proposals, at this session they presented their account for the erection of the public buildings ; and by an act passed the 29th of January, 1817, the Governor was authorized to settle and adjust the account, and the Auditor required to draw on the Treasurer for the balance found due after deducting the fifty thousand dollars which the proprietors were by their proposals bound to give.

In the settlement, after deducting from the charge for carpenter work some six or seven per cent, and the fifty thousand dollars, there was found a balance of about thirty-three thousand dollars due the proprietors, which was paid by the State, and thus closed this heavy and responsible enterprise.

From about 1817, generally, till the City organization in 1834, embracing Proprietors' titles - Early Manufactures - Additions to the Town - Deaths of Proprietors - Ohio Canal - Insurance Company - Clinton Bank - Cholera in 1833.

For the first few years the town improved rapidly. Emigrants flowed in apparently from all quarters, and the improvements and general business of the place kept pace with the increase of population. Columbus, however, was a rough spot in the woods, off from any public road of much consequence. The east and west travel passed through Zanesville, Lancaster and Chillicothe ; and the mails came to Columbus by cross lines, on horseback. The first successful attempt to carry a mail to and from Columbus, otherwise than on horseback, was by Philip Zinn about the year 1816, once a week between Chillicothe and Columbus.

of lots by title bond. Upon receiving a third, fourth or fifth of the price agreed upon in hand, and annual notes for the balance without interest if punctually paid, otherwise to bear interest from date, they executed a bond binding themselves to make a deed when the notes were paid ; and it frequently happened that after one or two payments and a small improvement had been made, the whole would fall back to the proprietors. The lots for sale all being in the hands of the proprietors, and their giving time on the payments, kept up the prices at from two to five hundred dollars on any part of the town plat, and prices did not fall much below this until after the year 1820, when owing to the failure of two of the proprietors, McLaughlin and Johnston, as also of numerous other individuals who had possessed themselves of lots, there was such an immense number offered at forced sales by the United States Marshal and Sheriff, and so very little money in the country, that after being appraised and offered, and reappraised and offered again and again, they finally had to sell. And lots which had years before been held at two and three hundred dollars, were struck off and sold at from ten to twenty dollars, and sometimes lower, even down to seven or eight dollars, for a lot on the extremities of the plat.

property, about the year 1822 or 1823, the title of Starling's half section, on which the town was in part located, was called in question. It had originally been granted to one Allen, a refugee from the British Provinces in the time of the American Revolution. Allen had deeded it to his son, and the son had mortgaged it, and it was sold at Sheriff's sale to satisfy the mortgage, and Starling was the purchaser.

It was now claimed by the heirs of Allen, who took various exceptions to Starling's title. First as to the sale from the old man Allen to his son ; also to the authentication of the mortgage by the son, and paticularly to the sale of the Sheriff to Starling, on the ground that there was no evidence that an appraisement had been made as required by the statutes of Ohio, and suit was brought by ejectment against some of the occupants who owned the most valuable improvements, first in the Supreme Court of Ohio, and then in the United States Court for the District of Ohio.

Mr. Starling defended the suits, and first engaged Henry Clay, who then practiced in the United States Courts at Columbus, as attorney. But owing to his appointment as Secretary of State, he was called to Washington City, and gave up the case, and Henry Baldwin, then of Pittsburgh, was next engaged, who conducted the defense with great ability, and about the

The suit against Starling's half section was scarcely decided, when a claim was set up against Kerr and McLaughlin's half section. They had bought from one Strawbridge, who conveyed by an attorney or agent, and the deed ran thus : That the agent conveyed for Strawbridge, instead of Strawbridge conveying hy

Thus the defect in Kerr and McLaughlin's title was merely technical. But it was contended that this was not Strawbridge's deed, but the deed of the agent who claimed no title.'=' And about the year 1826, a quitclaim was obtained from Strawbridge's heirs, by some man purporting to be a New Yorker, upon which a suit was brought in ejectment, as in other cases, against one or more of the occupants of the most valuable lots. But by a suit in chancery to quiet title about the year 1827, this was all set right, and the title, of Kerr and McLaughlin sustained.

*In March, 1851, an act was passed by the Legislature of Ohio to remedy such defects in conveyances, by which this technical distinction under the common law has been abolished.

The years 1819 and 1820, to 1826, were the dullest years in Columbus. But soon after this Columbus began to look up again. The location of the national road and the Columbus feeder to the Ohio Canal gave an impetus to improvements, and by the year 1830, the prices of property and the improvements of the town had very considerably advanced.

Although Columbus always possessed a reasonable amount of wealth and of money-making talent, the attention of its capitalists never was until of late years much turned towards manufacturing, but more directed to speculating upon the productions of others, by buying, selling, etc., than to creating new or additional wealth. The early efforts in the way of mills and manufactories, further than the common branches of mechanism, generally failed, either for want of capital or want of judgment and skill in their construction and management. The first mill erected within our present city limits was a saw mill on the Scioto, some ten or fifteen rods below where the Penitentiary now is, in 1813, by John Shields and Richard Courtney. It passed through several hands in a few years - was considered a good property, but soon went to ruin, and for the last twenty years or more not a vestige of its remains has been perceivable.

a flouring mill, on the run at the south-west corner of the town, a few rods west of Ball's tannery. The water was brought from east of High street in a race along the side of the bank, near the south end of Hoster's brewery, and let on to an overshot wheel. This mill, after standing some twelve or fifteen years, and being owned by several individuals in succession, was suffered to go to ruin, and there have been no remains of it perceivable for many years.

Along this hollow have been in succession a number of breweries, distilleries, tanyards and ashery, that have disappeared. At the present time there are two large breweries, one owned by Messrs. Hoster & Silbernagle, and the other by John Blenkner, and some three or four tanneries.

In 1819, Moses Jewett, Caleb Houston and John E. Baker erected on the Scioto, just above Rich street, a saw mill upon a new patent plan. The saw was circular, and was to cut constantly ahead with no back strokes. It was an experiment, and cost them a good deal, without ever answering any valuable purpose.

In 1821, Col. Jewett and Judge Hines commenced the manufacturing of cotton yarn by horse power in a frame building on Front street, between Rich and Friend ; and after experimenting with that some time, and also with the circular saw in the mill, the spinning machinery 'was removed into the mill, where the spinning was continued by water power a few years. But finally the whole concern was abandoned, and for near twenty years there has not been a vestige of the building to show where it stood. The frame on Front street where they first commenced the cotton spinning was for many years known as the " old factory."

About this time. Judge Hines having invented a machine for dressing hemp, in an unrotted state, in 1822 he and Wm. Bain constructed and put in operation one of the machines at the south-east corner of High street and South Public Lane. It was propelled by horse power, on a tread wheel. It after some time passed into the hands of Lafayette Tibbitts, who worked it until the fall of 1824, wdien he failed, and the whole concern went down.

About the year 1822, a woolen factory, for carding, spinning and weaving, was commenced by Ebenezer Thomas and others, on the west end of the lot now owned by Col. S. W. Andrews, corner of High and Noble streets. It was worked by horse power on a tread wheel. It passed through the hands of different owners, without profit to any. About the year 1834 or '35, the building and machinery were removed, and reerected by George Jeffries, on the west abutment of the canal dam, where it was worked by water power, some two or three years,

About the year 1831 or '32, John McElvain erected a steam saw mill at the head of the canal, where Hunter's ware house afterward stood. It was worked by different persons (it is believed without much profit) for some seven or eight years, when the engine and machinery were disposed of, and the ware house erected over it - the mill frame answering as part of the ware house. In 1843, the ware house was totally consumed by fire, but was subsequently rebuilt. The first successful manufacturing establishment, other than common mechanic shops, was the foundry and plow manufactory of Mr. Ridgway, established in 1822.

In 1824, the county seat was removed from Franklinton to Columbus ; and the courts were held in the U. S. Court House until 1840. The Court of Common Pleas then (1824) was composed of Gustavus Swan, President, and Edward Livingston, Samuel G. Plenniken, and Arora Buttles, Associates ; A. I. McDowell, Clerk ; and Robert Brotherton, Sheriff.

As already observed, the original town was laid out in 1812. In the summer of 1814, John McGown's addition was laid out, and called " South Columbus " - surveyed and platted by John Shields.

In 1832, a five acre lot of land near the head of the canal, owned by John McElvain and others, was laid out into lots, and called " McElvain's addition."

In February, 1833, Otis and Samuel Crosby's first addition (between Town and South streets) was laid out ; and in November of the same year, their second addition (between South street and South Public Lane) was also laid out.

About the years 1831 and '32, Robert Brotherton and John M. Walcutt, who owned a few acres of an original reserve, sold out some building lots on Town street, which was generally called " Brotherton and Walcutt's addition." They did not have their lots platted, but sold by metes and bounds, as lands are conveyed. The lots, however, were subsequently platted, agreeably to the sales, and recorded.

In 1835, Judge Heyl and Dr. Parsons had a small addition of lots laid out in the south-west corner of the town, called " Heyl and Parsons's addition."

Kerr's heirs, laid out into lots what they called on their recorded plat, " The allotment of the central reservation j" but which was more commonly called " Kelley and Northrup's addition." Since which there have been so many small additions and sub-divisions of out-lots into building lots, that it would be more tedious than interesting to trace them any farther.

Of the four original proprietors, John Kerr died in 1823, leaving a young family, and a large estate; which, however, did not long remain with his heirs, after they arrived at age.

Alexander McLaughlin failed in business about the year 1820, and never again rose from his fallen fortune. He had once been considered amongst the wealthiest men of the State. In his latter years, he obtained a support by teaching a common country school. He was a sensible man, with a fine business education and qualifications ; but he had over-reached himself before the depression of business and prices of real estate, which took place from 1817 or '18, to 1824 and '25, and his large landed estate was sold under the hammer (figuratively speaking) for a mere song. He died about the year 1832 or '33.

James Johnston, commonly called Col. Johnston, failed about the same time, and in the same way as Mr. Mc- Laughlin. He left Columbus, and went to Pittsburg

Lyne Starling, the surviving one of the four, after the settlement of the proprietors' accounts with the State, and amongst themselves, about the year 1818 or '20, made a pleasure tour through Europe, and then returned and spent the balance of his life principally in Columbus. He lived a , bachelor, and died quite wealthy, in the fall of 1848, aged sixty-five years. He had, some half dozen years before his death, donated $35,000 to the erection of Starling Medical College, and was in return complimented by having the College named after

On the 4th of July, 1825, a celebration of the commencement of the Ohio Canal, took place at Licking Summit, at which Governor Clinton, of New York, pursuant to invitation, attended, accompanied by Solomon Van Rensselaer, and Messrs. Rathbone and Lord, who made the first loan to the State for canal purposes. On the Wednesday following. Governor Clinton was escorted into Columbus by Gen. Warner and suite. Col. P. H. Olmsted's squadron of cavalry, Capt. Hazel's light infantry, Capt. Andrew McElvain's rifle corps, and Capt.

O'Harra's artillery ; together "with other citizens, to the State House, "S'vhere he was addressed by Gov. Morrow with a cordial welcome to Ohio's fertile and productive lands, and her capital.

To which Gov. Clinton made an appropriate reply, eulogizing our State, and our canal enterprise, and closing with this sentence : " In five years it may, and probably will be completed, and I am clearly of the opinion, that in ten years after the consummation of this ivorJc, it tvill produce an annual revenue of at least a million of dollars ; and I hope this remark may be noted, if any thing I say shall be deemed worthy of particular notice, in order that its accuracy may be tested by experience."

Alas, for the Governor's prediction ! Gov. Clinton w^as, perhaps, one of our most able and practical statesmen. But his prediction here only shows the truth of the old saying, " that it is the easiest thing in the world to be mistaken;" and that the predictions of those, however high in position, who with confidence attempt to peer far into the future, should always be received with great caution.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies at the State House, Gov. Clinton was escorted to Mr. Robinson's tavern, sign of the Golden Bell, on the lot where the Johnston Building is now erected, and partook of a public dinner.

At the session of 1833-34, the Clinton Bank of Columbus was chartered, and in October, 1834, the first Board of Directors was elected, and consisted of Wm. Neil, Christopher Neiswanger, David W. Deshler, Denias Adams, John Patterson, Jesse Stone, Noah H. Swayne, Joseph Ridgway, Bela Latham, William S. Sullivant, William Miner, 0. W. Sherwood, [and Nathaniel Medberry.

William Neil was elected President, and John Delafleld, jr.. Cashier. Mr. Neil continued President until January, 1846, when he was succeeded by William S. Sullivant, who was continued as President until the charter expired, first of January, 1854. Mr. Delafield was succeeded as Cashier by John E. Jeffords, in January, 1838. Mr. Jeffords died in April, 1842, and David W. Deshler was then appointed Cashier, and continued until the expiration of the charter. During the last nine or ten years of the bank, W. G. Deshler served as teller, and David Overdier as book-keeper.

After the expiration of the charter, some half dozen of the principal stockholders in the old bank formed themselves into a new private banking company, and continued to do business as such in the same room. They style their institution " Clinton Bank/' merely dropping from the old name the words " of Columbus." They redeem the notes of the old Clinton Bank of Columbus. In the summer of 1833, the cholera made its first appearance in Franklin County. It first broke out in the early part of the summer, in a neighborhood on the canal, in Madison Township, where it proved very fatal, but was confined to the space of a fcAv miles only. On the 14th of July, it made its first appearance in Columbus, and continued until about the first of October. A Mr. Stagg, who resided at the west end of Rich street, opposite the Jewett block, was the jBrst victim. During its prevalence, there were about two hundred deaths in Columbus, notwithstanding the whole population of the town was not much, if an}^, over three thousand, and it was supposed that one third had fled to the country. Much sickness from fevers also prevailed at the same time, and one disease would frequently run into another, so that in many cases it was impossible to determine to what disease to attribute the death of the patient; though it is believed that about two-thirds of the deaths were attributable to cholera. Out of the whole number, the Board of Health discriminated one hundred as being of cholera proper. The number that was more or less attributable to cholera, has been variously estimated at from one hundred to one hundred and fifty. The mortality and terror of this season far surpassed any pestilence that ever afflicted Columbus, before or since. Other parts of the county, beside the town and the neighborhood above alluded to, were not more sickly than ordinary seasons.

Among those who fell victims to the epidemic, were the following well known citizens : The Horton Howard family, consisting of the old gentleman, his wife and daughter, two grand children, and son-in-law, Mr. Little ; James Woods and wife, C. C. Beard and wife, Ebenezer Thomas, William John, John B. Compston, Benjamin Sweetzer, Henry Jewett, Nimrod Rochester, Mr. White, coachmaker, and his wife, and Mrs. Zachariah MiUs.

The City in 1834 - First Theater - History of new State House - Removal of Courts and OflBces in 1840 - Balloon Ascensions - Banks - Gas "Works - Bailroads - Cholera in 1849, etc. - Walcutt's Museum.

In February, 1834, Columbus was incorporated as a city ; and in the spring of the same year it contained the following official, professional and business men and houses, to wit :

State Officers

Timothy Griffith, Chief Clerk in Auditor's Office. Wm. W. Gault, Keeper of the Ohio Penitentiary. N. Medbury, Superintendent of new " Zachariah Mills, State Librarian. Samuel C. Andrews, Adjutant General. Christopher Niswanger, Quarter-Master General.

Officiating Clergymen

In the fall of 1835, the first theater was erected in Columbus. It was a large frame building, on the west side of High street, between Broad and Gay ; and in the winter following it opened with a corps of dramatic performers, under the management of Messrs. Dean & McKinney, and it was occupied during the winter seasons, under different managers, until about the year 1841, when it finally closed. In 1843, the building was purchased by M. J. Gilbert, Esq., who had it

* This was not the stand lately known as the Franklin House, but was situated at the corner of High and Town streets, where the Deshler buildino; now stands.

remodeled, and for a time it was kept and known as the " City Hall." It was then cut in two, and part removed, and the whole converted into private dwellings.

January 26, 1838, the Legislature passed an act providing for the erection of a new State House on the public square in Columbus, which was the occasion of a grand illumination of the city. Col. Noble, who kept the National Hotel, where the Neil House now stands, had the candles in his front windows so arranged as to form letters and spell NEW STATE HOUSE. In pursuance of said act, Joseph Ridgway, jr., of Columbus, Wm. A. Adams, of Zanesville, and Wm. B. Van Hook, of Butler County, were, by joint resolution, appointed commissioners for carrying the law into effect. They were required to give notice in certain newspapers, and offer a premium of five hundred dollars for the best plan, to be approved by the Legislature, upon which said house should be erected. A number of plans were furnished by various competitors for the premium, and Henry Walters of Cincinnati, received the premium, though his plan was not adopted ; but from the various plans furnished, the commissioners formed and adopted one somewhat different from any of the plans presented.

In the spring of 1839, the commissioners appointed Wm. B. Van Hook, one of their own body, superintendent of the work. The high board fence was put up, and a good work shop erected on the square, and other preparations made for working the convicts within the enclosure, in the cutting of stone, etc., a vast quantity of which, obtained at Sullivant's limestone quarry, had been delivered on the ground during the preceding year. And on the fourth of July, 1839, at a suitable celebration, the corner stone of the new edifice was laid, and the foundation subsequently raised to a level with the earth, when the inclemency of the weather stopped the work, as was supposed, until the succeeding spring. But during the session of 1839-40, after the Legislature's investigation of certain charges against Wm. B. Lloyd, a member from Cuyahoga County, for forgery in altering certain accounts and papers, a friend of Mr. Lloyd's drew up the following statement of confidence etc., in said Lloyd :

^^ Dear Sir - The undersigned, convinced beyond doubt, that the charge lately circulated against yourself is totally unsustained by the testimony relating to the matter ; and the act charged, one of which it is impossible you should be guilty, beg leave, respectfully, to assure you of our undiminished confidence in the integrity of your character, and to express to you our sincerest wishes for your future happiness and prosperity."

Which was signed by sixty-three citizens, principally young men of Columbus, as papers of the kind are generally signed, more through compliance to the wishes of the individual who presents the paper, than anything else. And this note, unexpectedly, to many, at least, of the signers, appeared in the Ohio State Journal of the 17th of February, with the signers' names appended. This publication gave offense to many members of the Legislature, who had voted to censure Lloyd, and under this excited feeling, on the 18th of February, Mr. Flood, member from Licking, introduced a bill into the low^er House, to repeal the act providing for the erection of the new State House, which was finally passed, and became a law on the 10th of March, 1840. The whole cost, as far as the preparations and work had progressed, appears to have been $41,585.22. This amount of the puhlic money, a majority of the savans were willing to throw to the wind, in order to gratify a spirit of personal resentment towards a few citizens of Columbus.

Immediately after the passage of this repealing act, the removal of the seat of government from Columbus was mooted, and the committee of the Legislature ap- pointed on the subject, made a majority and a minority report - both elaborate productions. The minority report concluded with the following resolutions :

" Resolved hy the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That the Governor be requested to issue his proclamation, setting forth that the time has arrived for the permanent establishment of the seat of government, that all portions of the State may have an opportunity of offering such inducements as they may deem proper for its permanent location at such point as may be designated.

^^ Resolved, That all propositions for the permanent establishment of the seat of government, at any point in the State, be sealed, and directed by the persons making the same, to the Governor, by the first day of August next, who shall open and communicate the same to the next General Assembly."

These resolutions were, on the 6th of March, 1843, agreed to in the Senate, by a vote of eighteen to sixteen. But were, on the next day, rejected in the lower House, by a vote of thirty-six to twenty-nine.

In the spring of 1848, W. A. Adams, of Zanesville, and Joseph Ridgway, jr., and Samuel Medary, of Columbus, were appointed Commissioners to direct and control the work, and Russell West was by them appointed architect. In 1852, Edwin Smith, S. H. Webb, and E. P. Stickney, were appointed Commissioners - West continued as architect. In 1854, the Board of Commissioners were, Stickney, Smith, and James J. Faran, in place of Webb - N. B. Kelly appointed architect in place of R. West, resigned. In the spring of 1856, a new Board of Commissioners was appointed, consisting of Wm. A. Piatt, of Columbus, Jas. T. Worthington, of Ross County, and L. G. Harkness, of Huron County.

The Commissioners, it appears, did not employ a regular clerk prior to 1850; but Mr. Ridgway, one of the Board, had acted as secretary and clerk, until the appointment of Mr. Jas. K. Linnel, in the spring of 1850 ; and Mr. Linnel continued as clerk of the Board until the spring of 1856, when Robert Hume, Esq., was appointed.

The first session of the Legislature in the new State House (which was, however, but an adjourned session,) nominally, commenced on Monday, the 5th of January, 1857. But the evening of the 7th of the same month having been determined upon for the great State House

From about the year 1830 until 1836 or 1837, while the general speculation excitement prevailed, Columbus prospered - by increase of population, improvements and business generally. About 1837 might be considered the culminating point, from whence embarrassments began to be felt by the trading community generally ; business became dull, and the prices of real estate and the productions of the country began to decline. And from 1840 to 1843 or '44, was a period of unusually dull times in Columbus. Then gradual improvement followed, and from 1846 or '47, to 1853, the old career of wild speculation was acted over again, with the addition of various enterprises not before entered upon. During this time, the railroad fever prevailed, and a vast amount of capital was invested in that way - perhaps beneficially for the country at large - but not so geneerally to the individual stockholders. It will be seen, also, that nearly all the turnpikes and plank roads of this county were made, or commenced during this period, and that the same remark is generally applicable to them, as well as to the railroads.

From 1849 to 1853, notwithstanding the prevalence of the epidemic that prevailed during that period, there were more good improvements made in Columbus than at any previous period of the same length ; amongst which were the new market house, the Gwynne Block, and many other improvements in that neighborhood; numerous good buildings on High street, north of Broad, and the fine residences on the east end of Town ; and the increase of population was in proportion with the improvements.

The county seat having been removed from Franklinton to Columbus, in 1824, the courts were held in the United States Court House, from that time until 1840, and the county offices were kept in various hired rooms for some four or five years, and then in a building contiguous to the court house, erected by the county for that purpose. In the summer of 1840, the courts and the county offices were removed to the then new court house, on the corner of High and Mound streets. This building, it was considered, constituted a first rate court house and jail, but the offices were too contracted ; the cost of which appears to have been about $41,000, exclusive of the ground. The two lots upon which the building stands having been bought by contributions of the citizens of the south end of the town, were donated to the county, in the spring of 1838. Four years after, in 1842, the County Commissioners purchased the third lot, so that the county might own the entire block. ^ On the 4th of July, 1842, was the first balloon ascen- sion from Columbus. Mr. Clayton, a celebrated aeronaut, then of Cincinnati, Ohio, made a beautiful ascent from the State House yard, where a vast concourse of people had assembled to witness the spectacle. He arose, it was supposed, to the height of from one to two miles. The balloon at first bore southward,' then about due east, and landed safely about five miles east of Newark ; and he returned to Columbus about two o'clock, on the second day.

The second balloon ascension, was also by a celebrated aeronaut, Mr. "Wise, of Pennsylvania. On the 4th of July, 1851, pursuant to an engagement with Mr. Kinney, he made his ascent from an enclosure prepared for the occasion, and other amusements of the day, at the corner of Broad and Seventh streets. There was a very large concourse of spectators, and the ascension as fine as could have been wished. He landed safe and sound about six miles from his starting point, and returned to the city the same evening.

The State Journal of the next day says : " Too much praise cannot be given to Mr. Kinney and Mr. Wise for their services in catering to the public taste in this most interesting and beautiful exhibition."

The third balloon ascension from Columbus, was by a Monsieur Godard, on the 29th of October, 1857, from the enclosure of the Capital City Fair Grounds, a short distance southeasterly from the Lunatic Asylum. This ascension was also made pursuant to an engagement by Mr. John M. Kinney. Mons. Godard is a Frenchman, and was engaged to come from the city of Philadelphia, to make an ascension on horseback. This ascension Avas only intended as a preliminary one to the great horseback ascension, which was to come off two days after ; but which, owing to a disappointment in obtaining gas, did not come off at all. But this ascension Avas a grand one. Mons. Godard, his brother, Mr. Huntington of the Exchange Bank, and Robert H. Thompson, of the post office department, all ascended - three of them in the car, and one of the Godards suspended by his feet to a rope some fifteen or twenty feet long, hanging below the car with his head downward, and in that position, waving a flag as he was carried through the air. They all landed safely, near Taylor's Station, some eight or nine miles east of Columbus.

In February, 1845, the banking law, to incorporate the State Bank of Ohio, and other banking companies, was passed. Books were immediately opened, and the requisite amount of stock soon subscribed for three new banks - the Exchange Branch and the Franklin Branch of the State Bank; and the City Bank, based upon State stocks.

City Bank Of Columbus

This Institution went into operation near the same time as the Exchange and Franklin Branch Banks ; under the same law, but a different provision of it ; which authorized Independent Banks, secured by the deposit of State stocks with the Treasurer of State. This bank was located in the same building as the Columbus Insurance Company, and, to a great extent, the stockholders in one of these institutions were also in the other ; and so also with the directory of both institutions, which became in their business much mixed up together.

Joel Buttles was the President of the bank until the time of his death, in the summer of 1850. Then Robert W. McCoy was President until the time of his death, January, 1856. Thomas Moodie was Cashier during the whole existence of the Institution.

Finally the bank and Insurance Company both failed ; the Insurance Company in 1851, and it was in the month of November, 1854, that the bank suspended, and closed its doors. The public lost nothing by the notes, they being secured, as above stated. But it was ruinous to the holders of stock, which was nearly all sunk. The charter of the bank, however, is still kept alive by the annual election of officers - probably with the view of some time commencing business again.

At the legislative session of 1837-8, the Mechanics' Savings Institute, a bank of deposit, etc., was incorporated, and soon after went into operation in Columbus. Wm. B. Hubbard, Esq., President, and for a time Warren Jenkins, then Thomas Moodie, Cashier. It was continued till about the time the City Bank commenced business, when the former was discontinued, or merged in the latter.

Are the Exchange Branch and Franklin Branch of the State Bank of Ohio, above named, and three pretty extensive Private Banks, or Brokers' Offices, viz : The association doing business under the name of " Clinton* Bank," "Miller, Donaldson, & Co., Bankers," and "Bartlit & Smith, Bankers." But a few years since there were four regular chartered banks in the city . One has failed, as before stated ; the charter of another expired by limitation, and it appears hard to obtain a new bank charter under the present Constitution.

Columbus Gas Light And Coke Company

By an act passed the 21st of February, 1846, Joel Buttles, Samuel Medary, Charles Scott, James S. Abbott, D wight Stone, John Miller, James D. Osborn, James Westwater, S. D. Preston and William Armstrong and their associates were incorporated by the name of the Columbus Gas Light and Coke Company, for the purpose of lighting the streets and buildings of the City of Columbus. The company to be governed by a Board of not less than five nor more than nine Directors,

On the 6th of December, 1848, the company held their first meeting for the election of five Directors, when John Miller, D. W. Deshler, J. Ridgway, jr., John Lockwood and Wm. A. Gill were elected. Mr. Miller was chosen President, Mr. Ridgway Secretary, and Mr. Deshler Treasurer. Subsequently Mr. Gill was President of the Board. The buildings and necessary preparations being made, on the 14th of May, 1850, the City Council passed an ordinance granting the privilege to the Company of using the streets and alleys for the purpose of laying their gas pipes and conveying the gas through the city. And as a consideration for this privilege the Gas Company are to furnish such quantity of gas as may be required by the City Coun-

The Company went into operation in 1850, and appear to have succeeded well. They have increased their capital stock to near $100,000. They have increased the number of Directors from five to seven. The office business is principally done by a Secretary. In the spring of 1851, Joseph C. Vance was appointed Secretary. In the spring of 1852, he left the city, and Captain Henry Z. Mills was appointed Secretary in his place.

The present officers of the Company are, William A. Piatt, President ; John F. Bartlit, John L. Gill, John Miller, D. W. Deshler, Peter Ambos and Dwight Stone, Directors.

The location and construction of the Railroads also gave a new impetus to improvements, particularly in the north end of the city. The Columbus and Xenia Road was constructed in the years 1848 and 1849, and the first passenger train passed over it on the 26th of February, 1850. Soon after, an invitation was extended to the Legislature, then in session, and they took a pleasure excursion over the road, to Cincinnati and hack.

however, by lease and contract, has certain rights and privileges in the same. The lot where the office is, and the office itself, belong to the Columbus and Xenia Company, exclusively.

By the month of February, 1851, the C, C. & C. Road (i. e., the road from Columbus to Cleveland,) was so far finished as to be in running condition, and pursuant to an arrangement between the Railroad Company and the Cleveland authorities, a grand celebration of the opening of a direct railroad communication from Cincinnati to Cleveland, was to take place at Cleveland, on the 22d of February, and invitations were extended to the Legislature, and to the City authorities of Columbus and Cincinnati, and numerous other citizens to attend the celebration ; and on the 21st, the excursion party first passed over the road. The 22d was spent at Cleveland and on the 23d the party returned highly gratified.

In the spring of 1852, the Central Road being finished as far as Zanesville, on an invitation of the Zanesville authorities to the Legislature, the City Council of Columbus, and certain others, a free pleasure excursion was had over the road to Zanesville, where the party was received and hospitably entertained by the citizens of Zanesville, and they returned the same night.

On the Columbus, Piqua and Indiana Road, the first train passed over the road from Columbus to Urbana on the 4th of July, 1853, and in the fall of the same year, the trains ran as far as Piqua.

In 1849, the cholera again made its appearance in Columbus. It broke out in the family of Mr. George B. Smith, in the Jewett block, near where it commenced in 1833. On the 21st of June, Mr. Smith's son, a boy six or seven years old, was taken and died suddenly. The next day Mr. Smith and his wife, and Mrs. Kinney and a Mr. Sanders. The alarm now spread, and the disease also spread all over the town. Many of the citizens left. A Board of Health was immediately appointed, consisting of Messrs. Isaac Dalton, N. W. Smith, Geo. B. Harvey, W. W. Pollard and James Cherry, who were diligent in the discharge of their duties - procuring mediqal and other assistance, where it was needed, and made daily reports. The disease continued until about the middle of September, and the Board reported 162 deaths by cholera, in that time. There doubtless were some omissions, and the true number may have been somewhere between that and 200, beside 116 deaths in the Penitentiary, which are noticed in the chapter under that head, - deaths other than by cholera not included in the above.

Many well-known citizens were carried off by the epidemic this season, amongst whom were Dr. B. F. Guard, Dr. Horace Lathrop, Gen. Edgar Gale, Samuel Preston, Abraham Mettles, Wm. Cook and son, Robert Thompson and wife, Dr. Isaac F. Taylor, Christian Karst, Joseph Murray, Esq., Bernard Berk, Christian Hertz and John Whisker.

In 1850, this terrible disease again prevailed. The first case this year was Mrs. Robert Russell, who died on the 8th of July at the United States Hotel on High street. The disease immediately spread and raged with about the same virulence it had the preceding year, and continued till near the middle of September.

The Board of Health this year consisted of George B. Harvey, Isaac Dalton and W. W. Pollard, assisted by T. J. McCamish, and others occasionally. They made regular daily reports from the 24th of July to the 4th of September. In that time they reported 209 deaths by cholera and 93 from other diseases, in all 302. And then the disease had prevailed over two weeks before the commencement of the reports^ so that the number of deaths from cholera this year was probably near 225, and from other diseases, according to the classification made by the Board of Health, probably about 100. The population of the city, according to the census taken this year, was 17,871, of whom it is supposed about one fourth had left.

Amongst the well-known citizens who paid their last debt to nature during the epidemic this year, were Elijah Converse, David S. Doherty, Emanuel Doherty and Wm. Doherty, John Willard and son, Wm. G. Alexander and wife and two or three children, James B. Griffith's son and three daughters, John Barcus, Joseph Bidgway, jr., Bobert Owen, Timothy Griffith, Dr. James B. McGill, Henry Wass, Isaac Taylor, Hinman Hurd, William Henderson, Mrs. Wm. S. Sullivant, Mrs. Geo. B. Harvey, Mrs. Matthew Gooding, Mrs. E. B. Armstrong and Miss Fanny Huston.

In 1852, it returned again, but was light in comparison with 1849, and 1850. The first case this year was Philip Link, who died on the 16th of June in the southeastern part of the city. Amongst the victims to that fatal disease this year were William English and wife. Nelson Compston, Miss Henrietta E. Gale, John

In 1854, it again appeared. It this year commenced in the fore part of June, at the north end of the town, and did not spread very generally. Amongst the victims were John Leaf, wife and son, Mr. Westwater's two children, Jonathan Ream, and Jonathan Philips and daughter.

In July, 1851, Captain Walcutt first opened his Museum in Columbus. It then consisted of only six or seven wax figures and a few paintings. It for a time attracted as much attention and patronage as could be expected from so small a collection. He has been since then constantly adding to it, until it now comprises over twenty good wax figures, two or three hundred specimens of beasts, birds, fossils and other curiosities, and about one hundred fine oil paintings, presenting quite a respectable collection. But those of our citizens who saw it or heard of it in its infancy are not aware of its improvements, and do not seem to fully appreciate it.

Of the adult persons residing in Columbus when the writer settled here in April, 1815, there are now remaining in the city Messrs. Jeremiah Armstrong, Jacob

Hare, George B. Har.vey, Peter Putman, and one lady, Mrs. Mary Peoples, and two colored persons, Caleb and Aggy Lewis ; and in the vicinity Gen. Olmsted and Judge Heyl, wife and brother.

Of those who removed from a distance and settled in Columbus, the next five years, there are still living in the city, Messrs. John M. Walcutt, Jonathan Neereamer, Moylen Northrup, D. W. Deshler, William Armstrong, James Harris, Henry Butler, Thomas Wood, Hugh McMaster, Jared Shead, Cyrus Fay, Joseph Leiby, Jas. Cherry, P. B. Wilcox and Eli W. Gwynne.

Source changes here: from A Centennial Biographical History of the City of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio .., by Lewis Publishing Company, published 1901; 520,830 words in this source stream.

Preface

itifciAtAJAiAUfa ^ jj-p q{ ^i^g depths of his mature wisdom Carlyle wrote, " History is the essence of innumerable biographies." Believing this to be the fact, there is no necessity of advancing any further reason for the compilation of such a work as this, if reliable history is to be the ultimate object.

The section of Ohio embraced by this volume has sustained within its confines men who have been prominent in the history of the State, and even the nation, for a century. The annals teem with the records of strong and noble manhood, and, as Sumner has said, "the true grandeur of nations is in those qualities which constitute the greatness of the individual." The final causes which shape the fortunes of individuals and the destinies of States are often the same. They are usually remote and obscure, and their influence scarcely perceived until manifestly declared by results. That nation is the greatest which produces the greatest and most manly men and faithful women; and the intrinsic safety of a community depends not so much upon methods as upon that normal development from the deep resources of which proceeds all that is precious and permanent in life. But such a result may not consciously be contemplated by the actors in the great social drama. Pursuing each his personal good by exalted means, they work out as a logical result.

The elements of success in life consist in both innate capacity and determination to excel. Where either is wanting, failure is almost certain in the outcome. The study of a successful life, therefore, serves both as a source of information and as a stimulus and encouragement to those who have the capacity. As an important lesson in this connection we may appropriately quote Longfellow, who said : " We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while we judge others by what they have already done. " A faithful personal history is an illustration of the truth of this observation.

In this biographical history the editorial staff, as well as the publishers, have fully realized the magnitude of the task. In the collection of the material there has been a constant aim to discriminate carefully in regard to the selection of subjects. Those who have been prominent factors in the public, social and industrial development of the counties have been given due recognition as far as it has been possible to secure the requisite data. Names worthy of perpetuation here, it is true, have in several instances been omitted, either on account of the apathy of those concerned or the inability of the compilers to secure the information necessary for a symmetrical sketch; but even more pains have been taken to secure accuracy than were promised in the prospectus. Works of this nature, therefore, are more reliable and complete than are the "standard" histories of a country.

To the Hon. J. J. Bright, a reliable citizen of Columbus, are we indebted for the very interesting introductory chapter on the "Posthumous Biography of Franklin County."

Biographical History

HE responsibility of preparing a preface to the introductory chapter of the posthumous biographical history of Franklin county which the publishers of this work have assigned to me is a duty the performance of which I approach with ditfidence and distrust. The numerous obstacles necessarily incident to the collection of miscellaneous facts inseparably connected with the life and history of various individuals are of difficult comprehension to those who have had but little or no experience in this respect. It should be a duty paramount to all others with every biographer to guard against error which may mislead and misstatement which may disparage the life or character of his subject. Many or most of the subjects whose sketches are embraced in this chapter have been dead for many years. Some of them died perhaps beyond the recollection of but few who are living to-day. The source of information concerning them and their life work and history - to the writer - has been recourse to the recollection and memory of those who yet live in the community, and to periodical publications at diffierent times and in various forms, which are necessarily subject to the inaccuracy and uncertainty which the lapse of time is so likely to produce.

In the portrayal of historical facts pertaining to the various subjects whose biographies are here given, the writer has not upon the one hand sought unduly to magnify the achievements, or embellish the character with fulsome praise or flattery, or upon the other to detract a scintilla of merit, or pluck a single flower from the garland which adorns the brow of these venerable men whose zealous lives and sturdy co-operation for the welfare of their

Dr. Lincoln Goodale was a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, where he was born February 25, 1782. His father, Nathan Goodale, was an officer in the Revolutionary war, and a few years subsequently to its close emigrated to Ohio and located at Marietta in the year 1788. Here he remained until 1794, when he moved to Belpre, fourteen miles below, on the Ohio river, and opposite the "classic isle" of Blamerhassett, a spot of ground rendered forever famous by the exploit of Aaron Burr in the year 1806. together with the graphic description of, and touching allusion to, the same by the distinguished priest, William Wirt, in the celebrated and sensational trial of Burr on a charge of treason before Chief Justice Marshall at Richmond, Virginia, in the following year.

]\Ir. Goodale had scarcely lived a year in Belpre when he was captured by a band of Indians who at that early day infested the neighborhood, and was taken to Sandusky, Ohio, where he died in captivity a few years afterward. Thus at twelve years of age our subject found himself alone and friendless in a region of country affording but few opportunities for advancement or promotion for a youth so early in life cast upon his own ingenuity of resource to solve the problem which was to contribute in no small degree to the success wdiich crowned the subsequent years of his life. Selecting medicine as a profession, he began a course of study at Belpre. and in 1805 came to Franklinton (now a suburb of Columbus), where he commenced the regular practice of his chosen profession. Here he continued to live until he moved to Columbus in 18 14, and embarked in the business of general merchandising and land speculation. This venture provedi eminently successful and resulted in the accumulation of a large fortune during a period of thirty years in which he was engaged in it. He was liberal, generous and philanthropic. He was particularly attached to the home of his adoption, and his love for Columbus was munificently attested in after years by a donation to the city of an extensive plat of ground comprising forty acres dedicated to the uses and purposes of a public park, which bears his name. The park is situated in a beautiful and fashionable part of the city, and has been appropriately and handsomely adorned with shade and ornamental trees and shrubs and flowers of various kinds, together with numerous carriage drives. A handsome bust of the donor in bronze presents itself to view near the main entrance supported by a granite monolith. Though Dr. Goodale has been dead for more than thirty years, his many ^'irtues and liberal deeds still linger in the fond recollection of many persons who have been the recipients of his generous bounty, while the city of Columljus cherishes him as one of her greatest benefactors.

Philo Hopkins Olmsted was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, the 26th of February, 1793. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and bore upon his person to the time of his death the evidence of many hard-fought battles. He left his New England home for the "far west," as Ohio was then called, in the fall of 1808, and arrived at what is now known as Blendon Four Corners about the middle of the following December, the journey requiring about six weeks. On the journey from Connecticut to Ohio the crossing of rivers, and points at the crossing were as follows: The North river at Newburg, New York; the Delaware river at Easton, Pennsylvania; the Susquehanna river at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and the Ohio river at \A^ellsburg, West Virginia.

For several years after the arrival of our subject with his father in Columbus he labored and worked for the benefit of the family in the clearing of land, the raising of crops and in such other ways as were of benefit and service to the household interests until about the year 181 1, when he received from Colonel James Kilbourne an offer of employment in connection with a newspaper, the Western Intelligencer, which was then published at Worthington, twelve miles north of Columbus. The name of this paper was afterward changed to the Ohio State Journal and transferred to Columbus, where it has ever since continued under the same name.

Mr. Olmsted was married, in 181 7, to Miss Sarah Phillips, of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania. Twelve children were born of this union, all of whom excepting one are now deceased.

Colonel Olmsted was many times honored by his fellow citizens with testimonials of their confidence and respect, and in all his official relations maintained a character of scrupulous probity and uprightness. He was a member of the city council from 1819 to 1822 and from 183 1 to 1834. During his last term in the council he was elected mayor of the city and served for one year. He was elected mayor of Columbus in 1837 to fill the unexpired term of Warren Jenkins, and was re-elected in 1838. The latter years of his life, relieved of the anxieties and perplexities of business, were passed in the enjoyment of his family awaiting the slow but sure advance of a fell malady which had already marked him for its own. He died at Columbus February 20, 1870, where he had lived for more than half a century, loved and respected by the community in which he had Wxtd so long, and to whom he had endeared himself by the disclosure of a multitude of virtues which adorns the character of a pious Christian and noble, conscientious fellow citizen.

Charles H. Olmsted, of Columbus, is a son of the preceding subject, being the fifth child and the last of his line in a family of twelve. He was born in the year 1825, and is by continuous residence the oldest citizen of Columbus, with but a solitary exception. He has lived in the city all of his life, now covering a period of seventy-six years. He was, as he informed the writer, present at the laying of the corner-stone of the state-house in the year 1839, and was also present at the laying of the corner-stone of the recent addition tv) the State-house in 1899, the interval covering a period of just three-score years. He is; still sprightly in step and lithe in motion, with every prospect of livinor another score of years.

Lyne Starling was born in Mechlenburg county, Virginia, in 1784, removed to Kentucky in 1794, and came to Franklinton in the year 1806. Sliortly after his arrival he was employed in the county clerk's office, receiving a position the duties of which he was eminently qualified to perform by reason of his superior qualifications proceeding from fine educational accomplishments previously acquired. Subsequently to this he was appointed clerk of the circuit and district courts of the United States and also of the supreme and common-pleas courts of Franklin county.

Mr. Starling is said to have been the first of the pioneers of Franklinton and its neighborhood to engage in the flatboat traffic down the Scioto (then a navigable stream for crafts of this character) to the Ohio, thence south to New Orleans. The venture proving successful and remunerative, it was engaged in by others quite extensively, but in some instances attended by disastrous results. He was a large contractor with the government during the war of 1812 and furnished great quantities of supplies to the army under General Harrison which assembled at Franklinton and Urbana during that year. Mr. Starling was a shrewd, sagacious business man and was one of the original proprietors of the city of Columbus. A large part of the city of to-day is located upon grounds originally owned by him and embraces niost likely the purchase made by him shortly after his arrival here from Kentucky. He seems not to have possessed much fondness or taste for politics, and did not aspire to any political office. His great wealth, and the exclusion to some extent which usually accompanies it, no doubt contributed to inspire a feeling of envy and perhaps jealousy on the part of the sovereigns of that early day who were so potent at the counting of the ballots. Some time previous to his death he donated quite a large sum of money to the endowment and construction of a medical college in Columbus which bears his name and is still in successful operation. At the halls of this institution many of the eminent men in the line of their profession throughout the state of Ohio are said to have been graduated. Some of them have attained a high degree of professional perfection which is highly complimentary and creditable to their alma nuiter. Mr. Starling was a joint donor with John Kerr in the presentation to the city of Columbus of the beautiful plat of ground embracing about ten acres on which the state-house stands. He died in 1848, in the sixtyfourth year of his age, and was by his special direction buried in the old graveyard at Franklinton; but, when in after years the beautiful Green Lawn cemetery was laid out and established, his remains were removed to it, where the ashes of one of the early pioneers of Columbus now repose in peace.

Samuel S. Cox was born in Zanesville, Ohio, September 24, 1824. He was a man remarkable in many distinctive features of character. In point of personal charm and social characteristics he possessed attractions which endeared him to his friends and. commanded th^ resi2ect and admiration of all who came in contact with him. He was a descendant of a long and noble line of Anglo-Saxon Celtic ancestry. His grandfather, General James Cox,

Ezekiel T. Cox, the father of Samuel S., was a native of New Jersey and moved from that state to Zanesville, Ohio, in the beginning of the last century. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Judge Samuel Sullivan, of Zanesville, whose marriage to Ezekiel Cox was productive of thirteen children, Samuel S., our subject, being the second child from this union. Hia early education was acquired in the common schools at Zanesville. He afterward attended college at Athens, and still later was a student at Brown University, at Providence, Rhode Island, where, with the highest honors, he graduated in 1846, with the degree of Bachelor and Master of Arts. ]\Iany years afterward the same institution complimented him with the honorary degree of LL. D. Having adopted the law as a profession, he v;ent to Cincinnati, where he continued its practice for several years.

In 1846 he was married to Miss Buckingham, of Zanesville, and shortly thereafter made a tour of Europe, where he remained a few years. Upon his return he published a history of his trip containing an account of his travels and observations abroad which is said to have first turned his serious thought in the direction of journalism. He was for a time the editor and part owner of the Columbus Statesman, a Democratic paper, in the conduct and publication of which he disclosed marked efficiency as an editorial writer. It was during this period of his journalistic experience that he wrote the article which gave him the soubriquet of "Sun Set."

]\Ir. Cox was elected to congress from the Columbus district in 1856 and was continuously re-elected and returned to congress from this district until 1865. During this interval he was honored by membership on several important committees. In 1865 he removed to New York and commenced the practice of law. After a residence there of three years he was elected to congress from the city, and for a number of congresses thereafter successively re-elected and returned as a metropolitan member. As a scholar and a writer Sunset Cox occupied a high and enviable reputation. He is said to have used and spoken the English language more correctly and more in accordance with syntax and grammatical accuracy than any other congressman of his day.