Pultney Township (part 3 of 3)

A description of Canton or Bridgeport at this time is presented by F. Cummings in "Tour Down the Ohio," published in 1807. "On the banks of the Ohio is a new town called Canton, laid out by Mr. Zane last year which has now 13 houses. We here crossed a ferry of a quarter of a mile to Zane's Island, which we walked across upwards of a half a mile through a fertile, extensive afid well cultivated farm, the property of Mr. Zane, some , of whose apples pulled from the orchard in passing were very refreshing, while we sat on

"Gaining the top of the hill immediately over Wheeling, we obtained a handsome birds"- eve view of that town, Zane's Island in fine cultivation, the two ferries across the Ohio, and the pretty little village of Canton (Badge: port) beyond."

In the work of improvement, Colonel Zane associated with him his son-in-law, Elijah Woods, who was very prominent in the early history of the county. Elijah Woods served as clerk of the first courts, and became an active and influential member of the first Constitutional Convention which met in Chillicothe in 1802. After building a home on block No. 2, he operated a ferry across the back river. Mr. Woods was likewise a surveyor and spent much of his time in [the surveying of newly acquired lands, both in Pease township and in adjoining States.

For the accommodation of the many emigrants passing through the settlement, Thomas Thompson built a tavern and conducted a ferry on the north side of Fleming's Run. This was known as the "upper ferry" and the tayern was probably the first in the county. Mr. Thompson's descendants are prosperous farmers and honored citizens of Pease township today.

Among the early settlers are mentioned: Moses Rhodes, Samuel Fitch, Joseph Worley, John Reed, S. Z. Sawyer, Capt. Richard Crawford, a courtly gentleman of the old school, who conducted a tanyard; and M. K. Durant, a hatter. ,

Between 1825 and 1830 Bridgeport became a very important shipping point. Vast quantities of flour manufactured by the 30 grist mills in Pease township and vicinity with great quantities of farm produce and live stock were shipped on flatboats to the Southern markets.

The First Bridge

The first bridge spanning the Ohio and eonnecting Bridgeport with Wheeling was begun in 1836. The contractor, William LeBarron, abandoned the work before it was completed and the Zane Brothers finished it in 1838.

The Incorporation

Bridgeport was incorporated March 14, 1836. Prior to the exercise of corporate authority, Peter Cusick and Hugh McNeely were mayors and James D. Calligan was mayor from 1838 to 1840. Between 1840 and the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, business greatlv increased, and such prominent professional men and merchants as Rhodes Ogleby, 'Warfield Holloway, Junkins & Branum, Anderson & Dewey, Atkinson & Company, T. C. Rowles and Dr. J. M. Todd were conspicuous characters. Today Mr. Junkins also remains of this historic circle.

Bridgeport Town Hall

This shows an increase of 1,573 over the census of 1880, and as an evidence of the growth of Bridgeport in wealth as well as in population we note an increase or's returns in the three wards the year previous of $28,691. tor Pease township for 1902 is Bridgeport corporation, 2.92.

The Mayors And City Officials

porate election of 1847 were elected at irregular times and for irregular terms. For example: Moses Rhodes was mayor from October 6, 1847; B. T. Brow, from November 17, 1847; S. E. Francis, from April 1, 1848; John Gilbert, from May 12, 1848;

The present city officials are: Charles Junkins, mayor; Thomas Thompson, marshal; Frank Rice, clerk ; George C. McKee, solicitor; and James McHugh, treasurer. The Council is composed of six members, namely: C. Winterhalter, Grove Stephenson, E. J. Stephens, Joseph Meister, Michael Miller and Jack © Baugh.

The Postmasters

The present postmaster is Dr. A. J. Heinlein - some of his predecessors were: John Anderson, about 1850; David Howells, from 1856 to 1861; Hugh McNeely, from 1861 to 1865; and then in succession there followed John Crosby, Dr. J. M. Todd, Dr. John Cook, Johnson Brown and R. B. Mitchell.

The Aetnaville Bridge

The Aetnaville steel bridge, which connects Aetnaville and Wheeling, was constructed in 1890 and 1891 at a cost of $150,000. The bridge was built primarily, to afford the electric cars Speedier communication between Wheeling and Martin's Ferry. It has likewise proved very serviceable as a foot and wagon bridge across the "back river." The bridge is operated by a Wheeling company.

Ot Bridgeport did not develop until 1872 and 1873. Previous to that, there were the Smith & Son flour mill, the Diamond Mills, the Belmont foundry, Bages & Sons' sawmills, employing an aggregate of probably 200 hands.

with W. H. Tallman, secretary, and Louis Jones, manager. The directors were: W. W. Holloway, Louis Jones, A. G. Robinson, L. Spence, A. J. Baggs, T. R. Moffat, W. B. Simpson. The number of hands employed at the beginning was between 200 and 250 and the annual product was 10,000 tons of T-rails and bar iron.

The mill has been so successfully managed that today it is the greatest steel plant in the Upper Ohio Valley. The mill is now operated by the United States Steel Corporation, with E. G. McMurtric, of New York, as president, and J. A. Topping of Bridgeport, vice-president. H. L. Cooke is division superintendent of the district, and has personal supervision of the mill. When in full operation, the mill employs 2,500 men, and produces 88,400 net tons annually of black sheets and painted and formed roofiing. The pay roll averages $75,000 per month.

The Crystal Glass Company of Bridgeport was organized the 31st day of August, 1888. The first board of directors consisted of J. N. Vance, W. T. Burt, Thomas Mears, Ed. Muhleman and N. Kuhn. The officers were: J. N. Vance, president, and Ed. Muhleman, secretary. The present officers are: A. W. Herron, vice-president; G. Roy Boyd, secretary; and W. Pomeroy, treasurer. The directors are FT. Stephenson; LB. Martin PL. W. 'Herron, A. L. Strasburger and Addison Thompson. The stock outstanding is $146,- 880; the approximate output is about $450,000 per annum; and the number of employees'is 600.

In addition to the above there is the Scott Lumber Company, which is probably the largest factory of the kind in the county. It operates a branch house in Martin's Ferry and employs nearly 100 hands and keeps from 15 to 18 teams constantly employed.

The leading flour mill today is the Aetna, the successor of the Diamond mill, and is extensively operated with all the modern appliances for the manufacture of flour.

in 1847, with a capital stock of $100,000. The directors of this branch of the old State Bank were Jacob Holloway, Ezekiel Harris, Henry Kennon, John Warfield, John Kinsey, James Y. Patterson, John 'K. Newland, James A. Gray and Hugh McNeely, with John C. Tallman as cashier.

Under the efficient management of these officials, the bank withstood the crash of 1857. Its affairs were wound up by limitation in 1863, and the First National Bank took its place, with a capital of $200,000.

The original directors of the First National Bank were Crispan Oglebay, W. W. Holloway, Finley B. McGrew, Hiram W. Smith and Ebenezer P. Rhodes. W. W. Holloway was chosen president and J. C. Tallman was retained as cashier, a position he held during his life, with W. H. Tallman, assistant cashier. The capital stock was subsequently reduced to $100,000. The present officers are: William Alexander, president; L. Spence, vice-president; and F. W. Henderson, cashier. The board of directors, January, 1902, was as follows: L. Spence, J. J. Holloway, Samuel A. Junkins, William McComas, J. C. Heinlein, N. Kuhn, N. K. Kennon, William Mann and William Alexander. The deposits of the bank, on November 25, 1902, when a report was made to the Comptroller of the Currency, amounted to $506,681.31.

Since the above was written it has been announced that the charter of the First National Bank will expire early in 1903, and the bank will be re-organized under the name of the Bridgeport National Bank without any interruption in business. The officers of the new organization will be: J. J. Holloway, president; J. C. Heinlein, vice-president; and F. W. Henderson, cashier.

tal ot $50,000. The first officers were: C. McKee, president: vice-president; R. R. Barnett, cashier; and Fred Fox, teller. The directors were George C. McKee, John T. Scott, Thomas T. Frasier, Eli Bailey, John Stewart, William Koehnlein, C. W. Apenzeller, Eli Gilmore and R. B. Mitchell. l The present officers are: John T. Scott, president; Thomas T. Frasier, vice-president ; Henry Fox, cashier; and J. O. Perry, teller.

Dr. Affleck And Dr. Todd

Dr. J. G. Affleck was a genial, generous hearted Scotchman of great literary ability. He was said to possess the finest library in the county, and knew more of its contents than any other man in the State. The Doctor at different times published four newspapers and while pursuing his medical practice was a regular contributor to many papers and magazines. His literary work continued until his death.

Dr. J. M. Todd was a man of strong convictions and pronounced views upon all questions of public policy. While engaged in the practice of his profession, he took an active part in municipal affairs and, while foremost in advocating every policy looking to the advancement of the town or county, he was an intense partisan and uncompromising in his hostility to the opposition. Like his colleague Dr. Affleck, Dr. Todd was a man of superior literary ability, and was a constant contributor to the local and medical press upon all historic, economic, or professional questions.

Betore there was an organized Methodist Episcopal Church in Bridgeport, different ministers visited and preached in the place, among whom were William Lamden, Wesley Browning, S. R. Brockunier, Thomas

Battelle and the celebrated Lorenzo Dow. It is probable that the first Methodist sermon preached in Bridgeport was delivered in an old log tavern located at the north end of the town and kept by a Mr. Thompson. The home of Elijah Woods was opened also to these men of God as a preaching place. The first men to unite with the Methodist Episcopal Church in these early days were Noah Scott and John Bailey. The first Methodist class was organized in Bridgeport in 1833 with Noah Scott as leader, appointed by Rev. Mr. Kent. This class met at the home of Squire Bloomfield and consisted of seven members: Squire Bloomheld and wife, John Graham, Thomas Hukill, and wife, and James and Jane Putnam. The next preaching place was in a small brick building near the National Pike, built by Joseph McConnaughy.

In 1835 Bridgeport was taken up as a regular appointment by Revs. David Merriman and J. C. Taylor, pastors on the St. Clairsville circuit. In 1842 it was made a part of the Martinsville circuit and remained a part of that circuit until 1853 when Martin's Ferry was: made a station and Bridgeport became the head of Bridgeport circuit with Scotts and West Wheeling. It was made a station in I870.

In 1839 á lot was purchased from Joseph Kirkwood to which a warehouse was moved and fitted up for a place of worship. The trustees of this first church property were: Joseph McConnaughy, Joseph Wilson, David Trueman, Thomas J. Hukill, Walker Hunter, Noah Scott and Henry McGregor.

In 1849 the brick building now owned by the colored Baptists oí Bridgeport was erected and continued the place of worship until 1892. At that time a beautiful site on the corner of Bennett and DeKalb streets was secured, upon which a church edifice and parsonage were erected. This property, now valued at $25,- 000, is clear of debt.

The following ministers have been appointed pastors of Bridgeport since it was taken up as a regular preaching place: I. N. McAbee, John W. Minor, P. M. McGowen, S. Cheney, James Drummond, William Cox. Thomas McCleary,

West Bridgeport, Scott's and West Wheeling Methodist Episcopal Churches. - The West Bridgeport charge is presided over iy Rev. John A. Wright.

It consists of three appointments: Toe West Bridgeport, Scotts and West Wheeling. The West Bridgeport Church was built in 1872 under the ministry of Rev. William Peregoy. It is a brick structure worth about $2,500. It -was dedicated November 10, 1872, by Rev. W. B. Watkins. There is also a parsonage at West Bridgeport, the rental value of which is $900. The pastor's salary 1s $750. The following preachers have served the charge since its formation: namely, David E. Hówell, William Peregoy, J. Q. A. Miller, W. P. Robins, H. Appleton, Baker, N. C. Worthington, J. S. Secrist, T. J. mounts Wo Meek, DA. Pierce, A. T Lane. F. I Sweeney, W. D. Stephens, R.. S. Strahl, D. F. Holtz and John A. Wright. The church is lighted by electricity and is heated by a furnace. There is no debt of any kind on the church.

was built in 1834. There was a preaching place here for many years before the church was built. J. B. Finley preached here when 1t was called Scott's appointment.

The West Wheeling Church is also brick, and was built in 1845 and rebuilt in 1879, and remodeled in 1888. In this year gas was put into the church both for illuminating and heating purposes.

The official members of the West Bridgeport Church are as follows: Stewards, - W. S. Kidney, Ralph Simpson, Mrs. J. D. Wilson and Mary J. Conaway; trustees, - ]ohn D. Wilson, Robert Simpson, John Porter and James McConnaughy; class leaders - Otho Kidney, Ralph Simpson and Edward Wilson; Sunday-school superintendent, Otho Kidney. The official members of the Scott's, or Lansing Church are as follows: Class leader, John B. Pyle; Sunday-school superintendent, Christopher Giffin; stewards, - John B. Pyle, J. C. Bell and L. Liston; trustees, - same as above with the addition of Ebenezer Worley and E. T. Kinsey. The officials of the West Wheeling Church are as follows: Class leader, Rev. A. E. Fortney; Sunday-school superintendent, Joseph A. Pyle; stewards, - Rev. A. E. Fortney, J. S. Pyle and Emma Dixon; trustees, - A. E. Fortney, W. F. Fortney, J. S. Pyle, Emma Dixon and Harry Lyle.

The First Presbyterian Church of Bridgeport was organized August 9, 1850, by Rev. Benjamin Mitchell and Rev. James Alexander. The following persons united with the church upon certificates from other churches: Henry Wells, Mrs. Margaret Wells, Miss Eliza McConahey, Mrs. "Margaret Kirkwood, Vincent Mitchell," Mrs. Barbara Campbell, Mrs. Barbara Thompson, Mrs. Sarah Large, Miss Adeline Large, Stephen Laughran, Mrs. Jane Laughran, Robert Theaker, Mrs. Mary S. Theaked Miss Rebecca Newland, William Alexander, Nelson Theaker, Mrs. Kitty A. Theaker, Thomas C. Theaker, Mrs. Mary Theaker, Edward W. Martin, - 20 in all. Nelson Theaker and Henry Wells were elected ruling elders, and Robert P. Theaker and William Alexander were elected deacons.

Rev. James Alexander was pastor of the Martin's Ferry Church from which most of these members brought certificates. He continued as pastor of the two churches for some time, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Boyd. He was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Chalfant who remained pastor for 17 years. He in turn was succeeded by Rev. C. C. Hayes as pastor for Six years. Rev. J. A. Donahey is the present pastor, and William Alexander, John I. Scott and Thomas J. Davis are the elders. The trustees are: George C. McKee, Thomas Frasier, Thomas Duncan, Fred Fox, A. J. Blackford and William Clark; treasurer, Charles Enlow. - St. Anthony's Catholic C hurch. - The Catholic congregation in the village of Bridgeport was first organized by Rev. Joseph Touhy in the year 1885, then pastor of St. Mary's Church in Martin's Ferry. At this time there could be found but about one dozen of Catholic families in Bridgeport. Nevertheless, though but few in number under the leadership of their wise pastor they soon acquired two lots on Whitly street in Kirkwood and soon erected there a modest little frame building where they might gather for religious worship. Father Touhy held services here for these few faithful ones on one Sunday of each month. But after about two years from the time of its first organization, the membership had grown sufficiently large that they should have more frequent service and consequently an arrangement was agreed upon by Bishop Watterson of Columbus, Ohio, Bishop Kain of Wheeling, West Virginia, and the superior of the Cappucian Fathers at St. Alphonsus' Church in Wheeling, by which these latter Fathers promised to send a priest from their church in Wheeling every Sunday to Bridgeport to give the people religious services. For two years Father Martin, O. M. Cap., filled this office. When scarcitv of priests did no longer permit these Fathers to continue this work, Bishop Watterson of Columbus assigned Father Joseph A. Weigand as pastor of Bridgeport, and he continues there to this day, - since January 21, 1890. a new site for a church had been purchased,

In the same year in which Father Weigand Was assigned as the first resident pastor of St. Anthony's Church, a new frame building was erected on the newly acquired church property, which was temporarily used for a church until two years later, when it was.found expedient to build the large and beautiful brick edifice in which the congregation has now been worshiping since: September, 1892. During this same month and year, the temporary church Was converted into a school building and the Sisters of Charity from Nazareth, Kentucky, were introduced to teach the children attending the parochial school. Since that time the congregation has been steadily on the increase so that it numbers at present about 100 families with about an equal number of children attending the parochial school. Besides the 100 families there belong to the congregation about 125 single men employed in the various public works; so that the congregation numbers from 200 to 250 voting members. As to nationality, the membership consists of American born, of Irish, Germans, French, Italians, Hungarians, Polish, Slovak, Krainars, Bohemians, Croatians and Syrians, but nearly all naturalized citizens of the United States.

The church property of the congregation consists of a handsome brick church, adjoining which is a commodious pastoral residence, a sufficiently commodious school building and a convent to accommodate the Sisters teaching the parochial school.

Connected with the church are the following organizations: The C. M. B. A., a beneficial and insurance society for the men; the St. Barbara Society, also for men, but especially for the miners, being likewise of a beneficial character, and mostly composed of Slavonian speaking men; the Knights of St. George, another organization of similar nature and to a large extent made up of Tyrolese Italians; Anally, the Moeller Club, intended principally for the younger men of the parish and designed to give them a place for mutual enjoyment and them with good literature and other means of encouragement to cultivate a taste for what is noble and dignified, and thus to keep them away from more dangerous places. Each of these organizations numbers from 25 to 75 members.

The church at Bridgeport is also attended by all the Catholic families living north on the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railway as far as Holloway and west as far as the County Infirmary.

District schools were maintained as early as 1835. and John Sterling were teachers previous to that time. Dr. McCoy, Moses Rhodes and Dr. J. G. Affleck were trustees.

a very successful teacher, inspiring his scholars and constantly pointing them to higher attainments as well as instilling a desire among parents for better schools and accommodations for higher education. He afterward became an eloquent minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, having appointments in Pittsburg and other cities. He died in the midst of a very useful life, honored by all who knew him.

When Kirkwood was separate and apart from Bridgeport, a district school was held there in the basement of the Methodist Episcopal Church and other places. J. C. Tallman, John Warfield and W. W. Holloway were then serving as directors. J. C. Tallman from the time he first came to Bridgeport was an intelligent and untiring worker for every educational interest. He did much for the.advancement of higher education for the masses. Kirkwood was taken into the incorporated village of Bridgeport and immediately a school building was advocated. It was sucessfully carried out amid strong opposition. The primary 'object

A site was selected in Kirkwood and immediate action taken for the erection of a commodious school building. The school district was then working under what was known as the Akron law. W. W. Holloway, John C. Tallman, W. W. Atkinson, E. P. Rhodes and J. G. Affleck were members of the School Board in 1866. The new building was completed in 1867, and Captain Griffith of Columbus was chosen superintendent, with his wife, a trained and most efficient primary teacher, as assistant. Some differences in regard to teaching languages caused Captain Griffith to resign, much to the regret of the great majority of the patrons of the school, who recognized in him an excellent organizer and proficient superintendent.

Rev. A. B. Castle of the Methodist Episcopal Church then took charge of the school for a time and was succeeded by John Taylor for two years.

The Board of Education at this time consisted of Hon. Ross J. Alexander, Dr. John Cook, Dr. J. M. Todd, Burget McConnaughy, W. W. Holloway and William Alexander. T. E. Orr was employed as superintendent, and under his management the schools were brought up to a standard equaled by few in the With the building of the Aetna iron mills and a large increase in population, an additional building was needed in Aetnaville. Soon another was required in the west.end of Bridgeport for primary grades. These new schools were well established by Superintendent Orr, when he gave notice to the Board that he would tender his resignation at the end of the school year to go into other business. James Duncan was employed in his place and remains superintendent at this writing.

And Representative Citi Zens

The present Board of Education is: John T... Scott, president; Thomas Hill, treasurer; William Koehnline, Elias E. A. Thomas and Thomas McGoff.

When the law was passed giving the coiored children a place with the white children all schools, W. W. Holloway introduced a - resolution to admit them to equal rights in our public schools, which was finally adopted. Bridgeport was the first place in the county to

In the Bridgeport district today there are four schools with 21 rooms and an average daily attendance of 799. Twenty-four teachers are required for instruction in the various departments. The expenditures for 1901 amounted to $16,532.65. * officers at organization were as follows : George Giffin, W. M.; George Pitney, S. W.; Peter Hathaway, J. W.; Jemes COX m SEI Robert Howell, J. D.; Henry Crawford, secretary; R. J. Alexander, treasurer, and W. T. Steadman, tyler.

The officers of the lodge in 1902 are as follows: John Shane, W. M.; Joseph Burtoft, 5. W.; Joseph Moore, J. W.; Charles Enlow, S. D.; Charles Marsh, J. D.; James Cox, secretary; Frank Henderson, treasurer, and Robert Giffin, tyler. The membership of this lodge is 100.

Clement Lodge, I. O. O. F., was organized March 23, 1849, with a membership of six not including the officers, and the first officers were: Edward Heatherington, N. G.; Elias Dew, V. G.; W. H. Robinson, Secretary and J. D. Sterling, treasurer. The order had no permanent lodge room until 1859 when a hall was properly fitted up in the First National Bank building. Its membership in 1879 was 50. Today it is 75. Its officers for I902 are: Walker Hinesman, N. G.; H. J. H. Spencer, V. G.; James Burtoft, secretary; Park Loe, chaplain; F. Zeiglehofer, warden; Albert Young, treasurer; A. T. Mandry, R. S. N. G.; J. Ro Williams, Ri S. V.G.; W. A. King, V. S. N. G.; and Charles MODUA So NV

Belmont Lodge, K. of P. of Bridgeport has a membership of 175 in 1902. Its officers are: Frank Stone, P. C.; Thomas HU OG oT Neininger, V. C.; George Smith, prelate; John Morris, M. F.; Fred Coss, W. Mandl, Fi Harrisomel -G:

Branum Post, No. 22, G. A. R., of Bridgeport was named after a brave comrade who gave his life in the defense of his country during the War of the Rebellion. The post now numbers about 40, and the officers for 1902 are: Post commander, A. E. Fortney ; senior vice commander, B. McConnaughy; adjutant, R. H. Clayland; chaplain, Rev. J. A. Wright, and officer of the day, Robert Giffen.