House Warming

The Marietta Register, January 2, 1868

Last Thursday evening, James B. Hovey opened his elegant new house, corner of Fifth and Wooster streets, to his friends, including the workmen upon the building, with a sumptuous oyster supper, and a social time generally - a party of over fifty men.

The house is most complete, convenient, comfortable, one to "brag" of - well arranged throughout and well finished, no better work to be found anywhere. It is two stories - eight large rooms and two small ones in the main building; cellar under the whole, with cement floor; rooms finished with hard wood - black walnut and butternut, some pine above - not painted, but varnished; plenty of closets from bottom to top; attic finished, making a very pleasant, large room. The work is all thorough, highly creditable to all concerned. It has all of the modern improvements - gas fittings, marbled-iron mantels, etc.

Architect and Superintendent, M. H. Needham; stone-work by N. S. Alcock; brick made by Thomas F. Jones, pressed and sorted, laid up with white mortar; brick walls built by William Kexel and Lyman Phillips; slate roof by John W. Smith; tin-work by Jacob Seyler; plastering by Adam Weaver; painting, glazing, &c., by John Klintworth and Jacob Stricker; principal carpenters Argalus Pixley, John Ranger, F. E. Jett, John Goodman, Jr., and ___ Nelson.

A Scrap of History

The Marietta Register, April 19, 1883

A scrap of Pioneer history showing how a Washington county boy became a king.

Among the sturdy men who emigrated from Connecticut to Ohio was one named Stephen Guthrie, who located in the settlement called Newbury, at the lower end of the county. His first wife was Sally Chappell and they raised a family of six sons and two daughters. Four of the sons went to Putnam, in Muskingum county, and became prominent men in that town. The oldest daughter [Laura Matilda Guthrie] married Amos Dunham and died at Pomeroy a few years ago. The youngest daughter [Almira Guthrie] was the wife of Walter Curtis, and died at her home in Newbury in 1881.

Mr. Guthrie’s wife died and he married a widow named Palmer [Martha ___ Palmer] who lived in Marietta, who had previous to her second marriage four daughters and two sons, some of whom will be remembered by the older class of your readers. Mary Palmer [Julia Ann Palmer] married Richard Short [Elijah Short] and settled in Lowell, where he died rather mysteriously many years ago. His widow still lives with a daughter [Mary Short Carpenter] in Columbus. I believe Achasa Palmer [Achsah Palmer] married Erastus Guthrie, a son of Stephen Guthrie who occupied the homestead in Newbury for several years and afterward moved to Malta, in Morgan county, where he died and the widow died and was buried at West Columbia, West. Va.

Waterman Palmer went to Pittsburg, became wealthy in the dry goods trade, and was well known to all Washington county merchants who in those days made semi-annual trips to the Smoky City to buy goods.

Walter Palmer, the youngest son, left Newbury, entered the store with his brother, and being a high spirited adventurous youth, became disgusted with the confinement and vexations which generally attend the life of a young clerk, ran away and no tidings from him were received by his anxious family and they supposed he was dead.

Long years after the Palmer family learned indirectly that the brother whom they supposed to be dead, went to South America, became a sailor on the Pacific Ocean and his vessel was lost in a storm. The crew took a boat and after much privation landed on the Sandwich Islands, where they were received with great kindness by the natives.

Walter, with that enterprise and confidence which characterize men in Ohio, made love to the King’s daughter and became his son-in-law. His wisdom, energy and amiable qualities rendered him very useful and influential among the people, and upon the death of the old King was unanimously elevated to the throne, and under his rule reforms were established which elevated the Islanders from a race of savages to a civilized nation. Thus did the truant boy who left Washington county to seek his fortune, become a king and father of the present King Kalulu.

Truly the adventures of this Ohio boy read like a tale of fiction.

C.

In Colored Circles

 The Daily Register, April 8, 1899

A Batch of Good News and Gossip

Miss Allie Jones of Chester Hill is visiting her sister, Miss Susie Jones.

Miss Annie Durban has accepted a position as second cook at the Hotel Boyer.

The Pioneer K. of P. lodge No. 43 heard their annual sermon last Sunday evening at their Castle Hall on Putnam Street. It was largely attended and is pronounced one of the best occasions in which the colored people have participated for a long time. Rev. R. W. Carr delivered a most excellent discourse. Visitors were present from Parkersburg. A collection from the Knights was made for the pastor. The Ladies' Court of Calanthe attended in a body.

Mr. David Justice, employed at Parkersburg, was here last Sunday to visit his fmaily and attend the annual sermon.

John Singer and Sam Fletcher, members of the Parkersburg Lodge, K. of P., attended meeting there last Monday and arranged to take their cards and join Pioneer lodge of this city.

William McIntosh and William Johnston went to Parkersburg last Monday to attend a cake walk. Johnston will be remembered as one of the Mariettians who put a Parkersburg boy to sleep in a "Battle Royal" at the Auditorium. When Johnston entered the room at Parkersburg, a gang of men made for him. He quickly disappeared and was next seen in Belpre, making for Marietta. Johnston "had plenty of money but no excuse" for being in Parkersburg.

Miss Sarah Howell of Gallipolis, who has been spending the winter at Springfield, is now the guest of Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Keys, West Side.

Miss Prudence Armstrong left Tuesday for Parkersburg, from whence she left with Miss Bessie Jackson for Richmond, Indiana, to visit Rev. and Mrs. G. W. Jackson.

Mr. Harry Curtis is confined to the house by a rupture.

Miss Mary Williams, formerly of this city, now of Cleveland, is visiting Mrs. Rose Jackson, Church Street.

Mr. Grant Wooten of Columbus, who has been visiting his parents at Rainbow, will return to Columbus Monday.

Mr. T. R. Burton, employed at the Boiler Works, was laid off this week on account of a sprained back from heavy lifting.

Mr. Robert Mason, recently married, will move into the Sam Fletcher house, Eighth Street, Monday.

Ami Armstrong had his neck bandaged this week as a result of a choking received from Willie Montgomery who mistook him for a burglar and thought he was trying to get into the Montgomery house. Ami is an uncle of Willie and the mistake is regretted.

From Cutler

The Marietta Register, March 13, 1879

Mr. Editor:

Seeing sketches from about every village throughout the county, I think it expedient to drop you an item from this quarter, which may interest a part of your several readers. Though our town does not consist of immense proportions, it affords two well-regulated stores, a watch and jewelry shop, hotel, village school, and the homes of several well-respected families.

Since we are remote upon the "Old Line," we have the visits of Rariden semi-weekly, with his variety train, which adds materially to our commercial interest, as well as to the facility of the traveler. Pat is a good fellow, and by his willingness to accommodate and genial disposing character has won the respect and confidence of the public which is richly merited. We only regret that he cannot run a daily train.

We are favored with medical assistance by Dr. Trickle, who hailed recently from Meigs County, and intends making his permanent home with us. He comes well-recommended and is fast building up a practice, which, we trust, will be lasting and remunerative.

Samuel Algeo, a late resident of Washington County, who left here in company with J. H. Newell to find a home in Kansas, is among us on a visit for a short time. He brings a flattering report of his new home, which he intends to adorn on his return with a wife, since he has just married a Miss Jennie Ladd, of Athens County.

We regret the loss of one of our best citizens, Conrad Miller, aged 72 years, died February 12th, having been a resident of Washington County 42 years. He was one of the pioneers who took the west side of this county from the stump. The honest dollar by honest labor ever being his motto, he succeeded in gaining considerable property which he leaves to his heirs.

M.D.L.

 

Over One Hundred Years Old

The Marietta Register, January 4, 1872

Felix McGee [Felix Magee], over one hundred years of age, who lives in Salem Township, came down to Marietta on the Duck Creek Railroad on Monday. He was born in Ireland; came to this country in 1820, the year that George the Third of England died; and settled in the Duck Creek Valley over fifty years ago. He has full possession of all his faculties, good eyes, good hearing, good legs, and looks as if he was good for twenty years to come.

"Jerry," Well Known Figure for Generation Dies at the Infirmary

 Marietta Daily Times, April 15, 1912

This morning at 2 o'clock Jerry Haggins, colored, died in the County Infirmary after an illness of several weeks with gangrene. The trouble which resulted in his death was caused by his being frozen in a small hut in which he made his home for the past 15 years.

In the death of "Jerry," one of the best known characters of this vicinity passes. For years and years he had been a familiar figure on the streets of Marietta and but few people who have lived in the city, particularly among the business men, for any length of time did not have a speaking acquaintance with him.

There is no one in the city who knows much of the early history of Jerry. He always shunned anybody who attempted to pry into his personal affairs, and it is said that he became angered if any person asked his age.

About the only facts that he disclosed to any persons was that he was born in the South and that he was a slave before the Rebellion. Near the close of the war, or shortly after, he walked over the mountains to this part of the country and crossed the Ohio River at New Matamoras. After living there a short time, he came to Marietta where he made his home the balance of his life.

When he came to Marietta he was a man of indeterminate age. During the early part of his residence in this city he worked for Swift & Fuller in a blacksmith shop which was situated in the rear of what is now the J. W. Dysle Co.'s drug store on Front Street.

When a young boy, he had lost one of his legs through "white swelling." He was a very large man, being something over six feet tall and had all his life been very powerful. He was respected by all who knew him, for thought he had his faults, he was a law abiding citizen in almost every way.

"Jerry" was a person who appreciated the many favors which had been done for him, and so long as he was able he was a hard working man. A prominent man said this morning that, when a boy, he was compelled to pass the blacksmith shop in which Jerry was employed, but on account of his stature and the fact that he was physically disfigured, the boy was scared of him and always gave the shop a wide berth at all times. One day the lad's father took him to the shop, and shaking from head to foot, the youngster shook hands with Jerry. From that time forth, the boy no longer feared the big man, for the latter spoke so kindly to him and always treated him so well that the two became fast friends.

During the past few years, Jerry had been incapacitated so that he had been unable to do work of any kind. He was forced to spend much of his time at the county infirmary, but during warm weather he always wanted to come away from the institution.

One day Charles G. Dawes met Jerry on Front Street and shook hands with him. After releasing his grip from Mr. Dawes hand, Jerry found a dollar in his palm. He had received money from various people, but this was the first time that he had ever received a dollar from anybody. He was completely overcome with gratitude and sincerely thanked his benefactor. After Mr. Dawes had passed on, Jerry remarked, "I don't know who that gentleman is, but I do know he is a gentleman and I'll vote for him sure."

As far as is known, Jerry had no living relatives. His funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon from the chapel in Oak Grove.

Memories of Marietta

The Marietta Daily Times, November 18, 1933

W. G. Sibley, friend and acquaintance of many Marietta residents, writes interestingly of Marietta men of the 1870s in his column, "Along the Highway," in the Chicago Journal of Commerce. He says:

There is one place we can always write about, and that is beautiful old Marietta, where for seven years we were an academy boy and a college student. Our memory goes back to the men of Marietta in the 1870s, and of them we shall write. They were great men in our youthful eyes and (many of them) really superior individuals, whose sons and grandsons adorn great cities today. 

First, there were the lawyers, always interesting to us because our father was one of them. There were Judges Loomis and Knowles, General Richardson, who refused an election as attorney general during the Civil War; T. W. Ewart, Brigham, Alban Davies, Judge M. D. Follett and Colonel R. L. Nye, W. G. Way and Fred J. Cutter.

Then there were the newspaper publishers - R. M. Stimson and E. R. Alderman of the old Register, Theodore Davis of the Leader, and S. M. McMillan father of the violinist - all conspicuous men, the last proprietor of The Times, the only newspaper survivor after nearly sixty years.

Among the business men of that period we knew Cadwallader and Bennett, the photographers; M. P. Wells of Bosworth, Wells and Company, the senior Turner and his clever sons, Charles and Fred. Mr. Wells made himself historical by building Marietta's wonderful system of shade trees. One ornament to the town was General Edward Benjamin Dana Fearing, a gallant soldier, General Dawes and General Warner were both business men and congressmen in turn. Down Front Street were the Glines bookstore, the Sniffens, with Jake Pfaff, the caterer, on Putnam whose escalloped oysters, chocolate cake and ice cream were famous; McCaskey, the druggist, who brought the "cigars of our daddies" to town; George Eels, the shoe man and postmaster; Asa Waters, the banker; Fred Wehrs, a capable grocer, who had everything good to eat.

The town was fortunate in its preachers. There were Doctor Boyd, the Episcopal rector; Doctor Addy, the Presbyterian; Mr. Lusk, the Unitarian, and Doctor Hawkes, who presided over the Congregational Church - all gifted and pious leaders in intellectual affairs.

One man who stands out in our memory is Ben McKinney. Father told us once he was the cleverest Democratic politician in southern Ohio. His political office was the sidewalk in front of the court house where his plans and stratagems were discussed and determined. With George Wieser we thought that what McKinney did not know about politics was not worth knowing. Now his capable sons control the destinies of The Times, since the redoubtable Sam McMillan moved away from Marietta. Their daily compares with the Cincinnati papers of the 1870s in interest and volume.

There was another group of men we knew in our college years. They were, for the most part, clustered around Flat Iron Square, facing the levee, and so convenient to river travelers. There was "Windy" Wood, "Billy" Smith, the National House bar, and sundry saloons up Front Street with which we were familiar. One of them was the Philharmonic Hall, in which students liked to imbibe beer and music together, run by the Becker boys.

Physically Marietta, excepting street improvements and the court house, has not changed so very much. The old city hall stands, an example of ugliness in public buildings, to remind one of the scandal in its erection. The one marked change to us is the disappearance of the Ward home on the lower block of Putnam Street. Fronted by a row of stately and magnificently great sycamore trees, its large lawn, filled with flower bushes, was a lovely asset to the city. Diagonally across Second and Putnam by the old jail stood a huge forest monarch whose kindly shade protected the chain gang that broke rock for street repairs long before brick and concrete streets were dreamed of.

Marietta's old city hall, "an example of ugliness in public buildings."

We must not omit from our business acquaintances Eugene Warner, James Nye, A. T. Nye, the gifted Mrs. Peddinghaus who conducted a successful jewelry store, nor W. F. Curtis, the Reckards, the Browns, the elder Mills and his son John, nor S. A. Cooper of the chair factory - nor George M. Woodbridge and Doctor Hildreth, who kept records of physical phenomena.

The college families - Andrews, Rosseter, Beach, Manatt, Biscoe and Gear - were, of course, social leaders in the community, and made Marietta famous for culture. And there was the elder Oldham, a pillar of Democracy in his time.

Chewing Tobacco Has Been "Staff of Life" for 108 Year Old John B. Bane

The Marietta Daily Times, April 12, 1948

By Roberta S. Burson, Times Staff Writer

Chewing tobacco may be considered a bad habit, but for John B. Bane of Wade, Ohio, it has been a "staff of life" for about 108 years.

The Civil War veteran, Washington County's oldest resident and one of the country's few remaining Civil War veterans, chuckled about his life-long habit during an interview Friday.

"I've been chewin' since I was just a small lad," he said, a puckish smile crossing his silver-bearded face.

"My grandfather held me on his knee and let me such his plug tobacco to make me puke," he went on in a strong voice. "Why, I was such a poor, sickly child I could hardly stand alone."

He wagged his white head and a half-smile tugged at his mouth, half hidden by a white mustache. "I have used tobacco ever since."

Lives With Daughter

Fully clothed, lying propped up on an old-type brass bed in the living room of the small cottage overlooking the Ohio River which he occupies with his daughter, Mrs. Lilly Hess, the kindly-faced old gentleman presented a character study which might have fit a prophet.

Blue eyes, dimmed by age yet possessing an amazing keenness, peered out from beetling eyebrows and from beneath a dark, heavy melton cap. Light and dark shadows, playing from windows on either side of the bed, touched his cheeks which were a little hollow, lending mysterious beauty to the almost ageless qualities of his handsome, well-preserved features.

"Yes, I was in the Civil War," he said slowly. "I was a blacksmith by trade, but since last November I've been in bed mostly. Legs played out on me."

Recalls Old, Old Memories

His kindly face mirrored a thousand memories that occurred more than 86 years ago. "I went out as a substitute during the Civil War for my stepdaddy and foreman, Jim Connor. I was about 17-18 years old. Was with the 38th regiment here at Newell's Run, working as a hostler. Took care of 12 head of horses."

He spread his hands, made huge by years of blacksmithing. "I didn't have much time to fool around. Had to be ready so's I could take hay anytime it was wanted to the horses. I had to carry the hay in my arms."

He rubbed his bearded chin thoughtfully. "Daggone. I believe I've forgot the name of my commanding officer entirely," he said regretfully. "I was 21 years old when I got out of the war. After that I went home and took up blacksmithing again." His face lighted. "I did blacksmithing ever since I was big enough and strong enough to life a hammer to an anvil. His voice seemed to swell with pride as he added, "I expect I've been as good a blacksmith as ever worked. Made hundreds of pounds of horseshoe nails."

His voice softening, he spoke of his mother, Lucy Tice Weaver Bane Connor, who bore him three months after the death of her husband, Dr. Jim Bane, which occurred on a ferry boat as he was en route home from a medical case.

Born in Virginia

"I was born in Virginia," he continued. "When I was about two months old I was brought to Noble County by my grandfather, George Tice, a farmer and trader. We lived on what was known as Demmy's Run, near Lebanon. Lived there 19 years. The rest of the time I've lived here in this county."

A wistful note crept into his voice. "I never was out of the county to do a day's work that I know of. Hobbies? Play?" He scoffed. "I never had a chance to learn to play. I never got to go to school, but I learned a lot in the war. If I had the chance I would have been a doctor or a preacher - I don't know which." He sighed and added in a low tone, "I never got away from home to learn anything in the world. I never go to any elections. Voted about once."

Referring to World Wars I and II, and to the general strife prevailing throughout the world today, the old blacksmith voiced his opinion of the situation brought about by the actions of people in six short words: "I call it just plain hoggishness."

Has Thirty-Four Grandchildren

In reference to his own life, Mr. Bane spoke briefly of his first wife, Sarah Catherine Bowersock, who has been dead 44 years, and of his second wife, who is also dead. With the aid of his daughter he counted 34 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a number of great-great grandchildren - descendants of his four daughters and one son.

As for his philosophy of life and reasons for his longevity, the old smithy who was born the year Martin Van Buren was defeated for the office of presidency of the U.S. by William Henry Harrison, Whig candidate from Ohio, and his running mate, John Tyler, both of "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too" fame, gave a thoughtful and sincere reply. "I always charged myself to live as near right as I could," he said slowly. "Christian ways and everything else. I don't know that I've told anyone a lie, or done any mean act of any kind." A reverent note tinged his voice. "My mother raised me like that."

Has Never Worn Glasses

Healthy to an unbelievable degree, the more-than-a-century-old man can boast of having never worn glasses and to having four of his own teeth. He chuckled as he displayed them. "I can eat pretty near anything that comes before me, and I drink lots of coffee," he said.

Looking ahead to the future and to his birthday which comes on July 1, the Civil War veteran who has outlived 25 presidents of the United States, who has seen the abolition of slavery, the annexation of Texas and Oregon, the advent of the railway, automobile, and airplane, and who has lived through the Civil War, the War with Mexico, World Wars I and II and other conflicts - offers a challenge to the months and years ahead.

"I feel fine down to my legs," he said. "There are so many things I want to do, if my legs would just let me."

He sat up in bed and gave a hearty handshake. "One of these days they may be stronger. I'll be 109 years old come July 1. come around and visit me then, and," he smiled slyly, "you can bring me a new pair of trousers for my birthday - size 32-34."

The Marietta Daily Times, November 1, 1948:

Oldest Resident In This Section Dies at Home

John B. Bane, Civil War Veteran and oldest resident of this section of Ohio, died early Monday morning at his home at Wade at the age of 109.

Mr. Bane was born July 1, 1839, in Virginia and was brought to Ohio when he was quite young. He lived in Noble County in his early life. He had also lived in Pennsylvania and in West Virginia before moving to Beverly where he lived until about 12 years ago when he moved to Wade. He was a blacksmith in his active life.

Mr. Bane's wife, Mrs. Mary Bowersock Bane, died in 1904. Son and daughter are Edward Bane of St. Clairsville and Mrs. Lillie Hess of Wade. There are 34 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a number of great-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Doudna and McClure's. Burial will be in Beverly cemetery.

Death of Lilly Martin Spencer

The Daily Register, May 24, 1902

A Famous Artist Who Formerly Lived in Vicinity of Marietta

New York, May 23 - Lilly Martin Spencer, a noted artist, whose paintings years ago achieved for her worldwide reputation, died yesterday [May 22, 1902] at 226 West 114th street at the age of 77 years.

Mrs. Spencer came to America with her parents when she was 5 years old. Her father was a scholarly Frenchman, instructor of the young Dukes of Exeter and Devonshire. They lived in Marietta, Ohio. At the age of 12 years Lilly Spencer was considered a marvel, and Nicholas Longworth, the Cincinnati millionaire, who had heard of her, offered to send her abroad to study. She refused to do so, because he stipulated that she must abstain from all original work for seven years and spend that time studying old masters. He remained her friend, however, and after she married and came to New York, she opened her studio under his patronage.

Among her most notable paintings are the allegorical representatives of "Truth Unmasking Falsehood," for which Senator Sprague of New Jersey offered $20,000, an immense sum at that time.

Up to a few weeks ago Mrs. Spencer still worked at her easel. Among her recent paintings are portraits of Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Robert Ingersoll. Her masterpiece is considered to be "Algeria," from "Childe Harold."

*     *     *     *     *

Scores of Marietta people will remember Mrs. Spencer when she lived here, and how even in childhood her work was marvelous. It is told that when she resided in a house near Devol's Dam she covered the very walls of the building with exquisite paintings and for many years the house was a place constantly visited by sightseers.

The Corners

The Marietta Register, September 14, 1865

William Corner of Cornerville is one of the oldest residents of this county and is one of the prompt-paying subscribers to the Register - prompt also, every other Corner. He was in our office the other day to "pay in advance," as usual, and after the Yankee style, we asked him a "power" of questions. He will be 77 years of age, Feb. 3d next - and is now a "sounder" man than the majority who are fifteen years younger. It is pretty certain that no "life insurance" will give us his length of years. He is "well kept" because he has lived as a man should live - although he didn't tell us this. Next Sunday it will be seventy years since he arrived in this county, with his mother - coming on Sept. 17, 1795.

Seventy years! A long time to look ahead. Who of us will see that day, seventy years hence? That would make one now in the prime of thirty an even century of age. Too old, by considerable, yet 69 years less than the reputed age of the English Henry Jenkins. The child now of ten would then be advanced into the "seve and yellow leaf" of fourscore. But before then, one after another of us, now so full of life and energy, will drop off, and only for a day, shall we be missed!

To look back seventy years - it was then the Administration of Washington, the first President of the United States - who has been "gathered unto his fathers" almost sixty-six years. Now it is the Administration of Andrew Johnson, our seventeenth President. And what changes within that seventy years! The great Napoleon had just then commenced his career, but has now been dead more than forty-four years. Our great Generals Grant and Sherman were born a quarter of a century since that. Steamboat navigation was then unknown; the railway had not seen the light by thirty years; and the telegraph so wonderful, but now so common, was nearly a half a century later than the day when the Corners arrived at Marietta.

Gen. Rufus Putnam had planted the first colony in Ohio, here in Marietta, only a little over seven years before that; but he died over forty years ago, at the age of 86. Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., then lived in Marietta, but it was fifteen years thereafter before he became Governor of Ohio; and he lived still fifteen years after that, nine of those years as Postmaster-General, still since his death, a generation and over one-third of another have passed.

Hold! We began to talk about the Corners. They came from Cheshire, England. The heads of the family that came here were George Corner and his wife. Their sons were William, Matthew and George - we do not know the order of their ages. William was the father of the present William Corner, and died at Bedford, Pennsylvania, on the route here. His wife married the second time in this county, to Col. Israel Stone, the father of our venerable fellow-citizens, Col. Augustus Stone and Benjamin F. Stone. John B. Stone, of McConnelsville, is the son of this second marriage.

The family of William Corner, Sen., consisted of George, Sarah, Mary, William, Maria, and Edwin. Sarah married a Mr. Flagg, and still lives in Delaware, this state. Maria married Richard Miner and died over fifty years ago. Mary married a Mr. Woodward and died in this county. Edwin, long a citizen of McConnelsville, now lives in Columbus and was born in Pennsylvania on the route here.

George, it will be seen, is a favorite name with the Corners - the oldest that came here being George Corner; and he had a son George; a grandson George; and George S. Corner is his great-grandson. How many little Georges there are is more than we know; and the Georges to be goes still further beyond our knowledge.

Of the character of the Corners as citizens - well, we know that they pay promptly, and, of course, honestly for all they get, and that proves all other things to be about as they should be, in nine cases out of ten. Besides, one of them sold us some bushels of potatoes, once upon a time, that had just come out of the pit, and before any of them had been used in his own family; but when they did begin to use them it was discovered that they had become, some of them, internally bad, and he came to make reparation before we had well found it out! Not every man who brings articles to market is quite that particular.

We beg pardon of the Corners for thus meddling with their affairs - a quiet people, too independent to seek notoriety. It is due perhaps, to say that this is a dish of our getting up, not theirs.

Suburban Residences

The Marietta Intelligencer, February 9, 1859:

We are glad to see a beginning made towards covering the slopes of our beautiful hills with tasteful residences. Few towns can compare with Marietta in beauty of location, if we consider the town plat alone, and regard the hills which border the Muskingum on either side, merely as pleasant objects on which the eye may rest. The citizens of many a Western city would gladly pay a handsome price for such hills merely to look at; and we always prize them higher after being subjected to the monotony of view presented by so many of our towns.

But these hills, beautiful as they are by nature, may be made more so by art. Whoever erects thereon a handsome edifice and surrounds it with those marks of taste and beauty which are the natural surroundings of a fine house on such a site, deserves the thanks of all our people. He is a public benefactor.

Our twin sister across the Muskingum has taken the lead of us in this matter. But we are glad to learn that the example set by the Messrs. Putnam is about to be followed by one of our citizens. Mr. William F. Curtis has purchased from the College a beautiful lot, fronting on Seventh street, between Greene and Butler, and is making preparations to erect a tasteful house. His enclosure embraces fourteen or fifteen acres, and his house will be placed near the center. This will give him ample scope for ornament. Rightly laid out and cared for, these grounds may be made extremely beautiful.

Of the view from them, it is not necessary to speak. A finer prospect than is here presented to the eye on a pleasant day in May or June, is rarely to be met with on either continent.

William Curtis House on Orchard Street

The Marietta Intelligencer, June 22, 1859:

Improvements in Harmar

The following, as near as we can ascertain, is a statement of the improvements which are making upon the other side of the Muskingum this season. Their number is greater than we supposed, even exceeding that of improvements in Marietta; though they are not quite so extensive.

Douglas Putnam - Large stone dwelling at the end of Putnam St., on the side of Harmar hill. The main building is two stories high, and 80 feet front by 68 ft. deep; the observatory four stories high, and 15 ft. square, commanding an extensive and beautiful prospect; and the office and library two stories high, 30 ft. by 19. There is a brick building in the rear for a wash-room and store-room, two stories high, 32 ft. by 28; and a fine two-story frame building at the side, for a stable, 28 ft. by 36. John Slocomb is the architect and master builder. Nelson Alcock was superintendent of the stone work, Joseph Jones, of the brick work, and Henry Miller, plasterer. The building will be completed by fall.

Douglas Putnam House, later known as The Anchorage

Levi Barber - Two story frame dwelling, just finished, on Franklin St. There are two parts to the building - one 30 ft. by 16, and the other 15 by 24. William Barnet, builder.

Thomas Turner - Frame cottage, with stone foundation, 34 ft. by 36. William McCoy is contractor for the frame work, and Samuel Cox for the stone work.

E. Locker - Two story frame dwelling, 36 ft. by 24 - on Main St., between Putnam and Lancaster. The work on the building is done by the day, there being no contractor.

G. W. Sharp - Frame dwelling - on Franklin St. There are two parts to the building - one two stories high, the other, a story and a half, together measuring 36 ft. by 22. J. S. Sharp, builder.

N. Cordry - Frame dwelling of the same size and location. E. S. Morton, builder.

David Putnam - Two story frame dwelling, 14 ft. by 28, with kitchen in the rear, 12 ft. by 14 - on Clinton St. William McCoy, builder.

William McCoy - Two story frame, 20 ft. by 40 - on Franklin St. - to be used for the present as carpenter shop, for the owner.

Putnam, Pool & Co. - Two story frame, 32 ft. by 80, in the rear of their establishment, to be used as a ware house and stable by the manufacturing Company. The work on the building is done by the day.

Chapin & Bro. - Addition to their sawmill, on Ohio St., of two stories, 21 ft. by 73. The old part is to be raised 6 feet.

Isaac Spaulding is altering a ware house on Ohio St. into a fine dwelling house, 45 ft. by 20, and improving his former dwelling.

John Bartlett - Addition to house on Ohio St., on one side, one story, 32 ft. by 10 - on the end, two stories, 16 ft. square.

Gardner Hall - Two story frame dwelling, 24 ft. by 18, on Franklin St. George Locker, builder.

S. N. Cox - Frame cottage, 16 ft. by 24, on Franklin St., William McCoy, carpenter.

Josiah T. Hart - Two story frame dwelling, 16 ft. by 24, in McCoy's addition to Harmar. William McCoy, builder.

Gilbert Wood - Frame cottage, 16 ft. by 24, on Wood St. William McCoy, builder.

Harmar in 1875, D. J. Lake's Atlas of Washington County, Ohio. Note changes in street names. Ohio Street later became Virginia Street.

Reminiscences

Marietta Daily Leader, January 9, 1896

Nahum Ward, who lived on Putnam Street, was noted for his gentlemanly appearance. He was always neatly dressed, and in all respects a fine appearing man. He built the Unitarian Church, and after its completion, gave it to the congregation to be theirs as long as God was worshipped in unity. The building was quite complete, furnished in all respects with a fine organ and organ screen.

William S. Ward, too, was a grand assistance in building up the Society. He frequently had the building painted at his own expense and all repairs needed were done by him.

John Brophy occupied the building on Ohio Street with the pillars in front. He was an Irishman by birth. In his drunken sprees, of which he had many, he used to tell of those who owed him, calling them by name. His wife was a good member of the Catholic Church and many bequests from her kind hand were known only to herself. Mr. C. G. Best clerked for the Brophys for many years.

Mr. Beman Gates published the "Intelligencer" for many years. He was a rigid temperance man, and to my knowledge, refused an advertisement from a liquor dealer with cash accompanied. He was, I think, a music teacher in his youth. He married one of the daughters of Charles Shipman, who then lived on Front Street.

Bosworth's Career a Tribute to Ambition

 The Marietta Daily Times, December 2, 1922

Born right here in Marietta, Ohio, educated on the stage, hardened on the sea and strengthened by an extensive experience as ranchman, boxer, and wrestler. Such, in brief, is the history of Hobart Bosworth, star of "The Sea Lion," that is being shown at the Hippodrome today.

Bosworth's early stage career saw his playing in company with such famous actresses as Henrietta Crossman, Amelia Bingham and Julia Marlowe; and the experience gained during this portion of his life was invaluable to him later on. 

During succeeding years, when his health threatened to break down, he turned to an outdoor existence, gaining his living on the sea, in the valleys of the west and the rings of California. The training he gained from his pugilistic experience has stood him in good stead for almost all his pictures show him in the role of a masterful character who wins his way to the top by sheer physical prowess.

Such a role is supplied Bosworth in his present production. "The Sea Lion" mingles love interest and vivid heart appeal with its combats. Nela Nelson, the character Bosworth portrays, is after all, intensely human; and the pent-up emotion finds relief in the thrilling climax that brings to him the realization of his wife's undeviating love.

[View The Sea Lion on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvqhUgj8Z1Y]

 

Phillip D. O'Neal

The Marietta Register, June 10, 1869

Phillip D. O'Neal [Philip Duncan O'Neal], the subject of this sketch, died at his home in Belpre, May 26, 1869, aged 38 years, 1 month, and 18 days. His history is one of peculiar interest. Although not a member of any church, yet he was one of her strongest defenders and would never suffer an attack upon her without speaking in her defense. He contributed liberally of his means to benevolent purposes.

He was a son of Joseph and Emma [Eunice] O'Neal. Born April 8, 1831. Married December 6, 1858. One year previous to his marriage, he built a store-house in Belpre and commenced business, which continued for three years. Afterwards sold out and built the steamboat T. S. Conley during the summer and fall of 1859. From this time on he met with many difficulties which few men would endure, but being a man of great perseverance and strong nerve, he was able to withstand what few men could do. For four years and two months he was absent from his family.

Many instances might be related to show his power of endurance. On one occasion, when his boat was tied to shore in a bayou, two very large trees fell across it and came very near sinking it. During the war, he was conscripted by the Confederate authorities, but being of a quick and comprehensive mind, soon found favor with the officers and was placed in charge of the sick and wounded soldiers. After this he was placed in command of a steamboat, which position he held for some time, but on account of his Union proclivities, they thought it not safe to continue him in this position.

In February 1864, he received an appointment from the Confederate Government to buy supplies and pay for them in cotton. In this way he had more liberty and, taking advantage of it, came to Natchez, then in possession of the Union army. Here he got passes to come North, sold 1,000 dollars Confederate money for $100 in greenbacks; with this he came home, arriving there February 24, 1864, after an absence of over four years. He remained at home only one week and reported back again to his superior officer.

In 1865, the Confederate Government owed him $65,000, which he invested in cotton and sugar. During the Banks expedition, our Government destroyed 100 hogsheads of his sugar. He also lost during the war, 50 bales of cotton at Natchez. At one time he sent $20,000 worth of cotton to New York, which was burned up in a commission house.

In the spring of 1866, he came home again, and in the fall bought the steamboat Rattler, loaded her with produce and started for Red River. When on the Mississippi River, the boat was sunk with her entire cargo - less $8,000. Then he went to New Orleans, where he had another small boat; run her during the winter. He collected on some of his old claims $2,000, which he deposited in the First National Bank of New Orleans for safe keeping until he should start home.

On Tuesday he was to start home and intended to draw his money on Monday. Saturday the Bank broke, and he lost his $2,000. This was his hardest stroke, yet he stood it without a murmur. He came home again to his family and for one year he did no business, but in the fall of 1868, bought the store of E. E. Cunningham, which he prosecuted with all the vigor of his younger days, up to the time of his last sickness. He did a good business and was liked by everybody. On the morning of May 26, 1869, he closed the labor of life.

E. E. C.

 

Marietta Woman, Wife of Famous Arctic Explorer, Passes Away in Washington

The Register-Leader, July 26, 1920

A telegram received by Rev. George R. Gear Saturday night from the Associated Charities in Washington, D.C., states that information concerning the relatives of Mrs. Lilla Stone Pavy, wife of the late O. P. Pavy, famed Arctic explorer, is desired by that organization.

According to the telegram, Mrs. Pavy, was was well advanced in years, died in Washington of the infirmities of old age. The Washington organization sought to find relatives or close friends who could give directions as to the disposal of the body. The telegram would indicate that Mrs. Pavy, who was at one time well-to-do, died in destitute circumstances.

Mrs. Pavy was the daughter of the late Reverend and Mrs. Marsena Stone, both deceased. Rev. Stone was at one time pastor of the First Baptist Church here [1869-1872]. His daughter, Mrs. Pavy, graduated from Marietta High School. Later the family moved to Washington and the daughter was united in marriage to Mr. Pavy. While here, Rev. Stone built the house at the corner of Fourth and Scammel, now occupied by Frank McKinney.

The Stones and Pavys were well known in social circles, both in Marietta and Washington until a few years ago. Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Pavy gradually dropped her local connections and stopped corresponding with her friends. Mrs. Pavy had two brothers, William and George Stone. William is thought to be dead and the residence of George is not known. 

Mr. Pavy received a large amount of publicity a few years ago on account of his expeditions into the Arctic regions. It is thought that upon his death his widow was left in poor circumstances and that rather than depend upon her friends for help, she concealed her identity and worked for her support.

Rev. Gear sent word to Washington that the body should be buried there. He stated Monday morning that in all probability, Mrs. Pavy is the last member of her family.

[Lilla May Stone Pavy was born in New York in 1852. She was working as a teacher of literature and music when she married Octave Pierre Pavy in New Orleans in 1878. Octave Pavy died while on the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition in 1884. Lilla married again in 1891 to Homer W. Case in Nebraska. The marriage was unsuccessful and she reverted to her birth name, as listed on a state census of 1915 in Newark, New Jersey, where her occupation was listed as "Bible writer." According to her obituary in the "Washington Times," August 1, 1920, Lilla May Pavy, aged 68, died of pneumonia at Walter Reed Hospital.]

     

Bosworth House

The Marietta Register, August 25, 1870

D. P. Bosworth has moved into his new house, Third Street, above Putnam.

Home of Daniel Perkins Bosworth at 316 Third Street.

1850 Census Statistics

Marietta Intelligencer, August 15, 1850:

1850 Census Statistics of Barlow

The Deputy Marshals of this County are now busily engaged in performing the duties of their appointment, and we hope to make weekly reports of their proceedings. By favor of B. F. Stone, we are enabled this week to give an abstract of the census returns of Barlow.

The increase of population in that township is greater than we expected, being over 20 percent. Two facts are worthy of special notice. 

1st. The number of families in the township exceeds the number of dwelling houses only two. We doubt whether there are a score of townships in Ohio in which only one dwelling house in a hundred has two families.

The rate percent of mortality is almost unprecedentedly small, less than 4-5 of one percent!

From Mr. Stone's items we copy as follows:

The population of Barlow is 1,062. There are in the township three ministers and three churches. The value of church property is $800. The church buildings will seat 875 persons, viz: Old School Presbyterian, 375; New School, 200; Methodist Episcopal, 300.

There are in the township 188 dwelling houses and 190 families. There were eight deaths in the year ending June 1, 1850, viz: two of consumption, one disease of the heart; one dropsy; one tonsillitis; one erysipelas; one scarlet fever; and one inflammation of the head. The ages of the persons deceased were 71, 38 26, 19, 16, 4, 2, and 2.

The Crops of 1849 were very short. The estimate is that the wheat fell short 7/8, oats 1/4, and potatoes 1/2. The potato crop was cut short by rot. As to the wheat crop, Mr. Stone says: "You may think reporting the crop of 1840 [1849] was 7/8 short is a wild idea, but I verily believe that no person could with any degree of propriety say that the calculation is far from the fact."

The usual average of crops in Barlow is estimated as follows: Wheat, 12 bushels per acre, Corn 30; oats 20; Potatoes 85.

The average wages paid for hands per month with board is $10. Day laborers 50 cents and board; carpenters, 87 cents and board. Weekly wages of female domestics with board $1.

Mr. Stone concludes his letter with a remark to the truth and justice of which every man who knows anything of the people of Barlow will subscribe. He says: "I do not believe that a more kind and hospitable, or a more industrious people, can be found in this or any other country, than I found in Barlow township, Washington County, Ohio."

Probably a larger proportion of the inhabitants of Barlow are Scotch, or of Scotch descent, than of any other township in the county. They are industrious, frugal, hospitable, and scrupulously honest. The township also has some of the Yankee leaven and we suppose, a sprinkling from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia. We presume the native Buckeye now predominates.

One fact more we may state in regard to Barlow. We presume there is no township in the county, and but very few in the State, in which so large a proportion of the citizens are free holders, nor one in which so few persons can be found who ever lack the necessities and comforts of life. Poverty, such as exists to a greater or less extent in nearly every township, is a thing unknown in Barlow.

Marietta Intelligencer, August 22, 1850:

1850 Census Statistics of Belpre, Warren, Beverly, and Ludlow

By favor of B. F. Stone, we are enabled to give some statistics of Belpre township. The population is 1,623 , an increase of over 20 percent since 1840. 

There are 270 dwelling houses and 278 families in the township. 

The number of deaths in the year preceding June 1, 1850, was 14, as follows: of consumption, 6; cholera infantum, 2; scrofula, 1; dropsy in the head, 1; putrid fever, 1; nervous fever, 1, unknown, 2. The ages of the persons deceased were as follows: 52 years, one; 33, one; 31, two, and 26, 25, 23, 22, 10, 6, and 3, each one; two, 1 year; and 1 less than one year.

There are four churches in Belpre, and one resident minister. The number of persons accommodated by the church buildings, and the value of the buildings, is thus stated:

Methodist, upper Belpre, 200 persons, $300 value.

Methodist, lower Belpre, 250 persons, $300 value.

Universalist, 250 persons, $300 value.

Congregational, 300 persons, $500 value.

Crops. The usual average crops are stated thus:

Wheat, 16 bushels per acre; Corn, 45; Oats, 25; Potatoes, 105. Last year Potatoes were short 1/4 and wheat about 7/8.

The increase of population in Belpre is greater than we anticipated. We shall look for the agricultural and other statistics from there with interest. Belpre is Mr. Stone's township, and he very modestly declines saying half so much in its praise as he might. We venture to copy from his letter, communicating the facts given above, one paragraph:

"Perhaps we cannot say with our Barlow neighbors that we are all industrious, to a man, yet the fact that there is a steady increase of wealth in the township proves that the majority of the people are industrious and prosperous, and sir, if you do not believe what I say about the increase of wealth in the township, I will refer you to the Auditor's books, and there you will find a steady increase of personal property, moneys and credits, new structures &c. brought upon the duplicate for taxation."

Correction for Barlow: There was an error in our statement last week as to the value of church property in Barlow. It is $1,900 instead of $800.

Warren - Beverly - Ludlow

Col. A. Stone has completed the census of Warren township and returns 1,425 inhabitants, an increase of 50 percent since 1840!

Mr. Lewis H. Green has completed the census of Ludlow, and sends us the following report:

The whole population is 1,051, an increase of nearly 100 percent since 1840! The number of males is 559; females, 492. Married within the year, four. Died within the year, 15. Born in the State of Ohio, 577. Value of real estate (by owners), $94,000. Other statistics will be published at an early day.

The "Huckleberry-Knobs," as a citizen of Columbus once styled this part of Ohio, are "coming out." We shall by and by see if the population of the "knobs" has not increased faster in the last ten years than that of the "fertile" counties in the center of the state. We want to compare the rate percent of mortality, too. We think the returns will show that Marietta is the healthiest town in Ohio and that the rate percent of mortality in the county, in the year ending June 1, 1850, was less than one half the average of the state.

The following is a table of the returns so far made in this county, compared with the returns of the last preceding census:

Barlow - 1840, 880; 1850, 1,062

Belpre -  1840, 1,296, 1850, 1023

Beverly village - 1840, 317; 1850, 526

2nd Ward, Marietta - 1840, 858; 1850, 1,635

Warren - 1840, 931; 1850, 1,425

Ludlow - 1840, 539; 1850, 1,051

Census Items

The Marietta Register, August 25, 1870

Palmer Township returns:
  White males - 281
  White females - 303
  Colored males - 3
  Colored females - 1
  Total - 587
  Loss in ten years - 34

Fairfield Township
  White males - 403
  White females - 421
  Colored - 0
  Total - 824
  Loss in ten years - 19

Decatur Township
  White males - 622
  White females - 595
  Colored males - 112
  Colored females - 108
  Total - 1,437
  Gain in ten years - 215

Wesley Township
  White males - 646
  White females - 660
  Colored males - 106
  Colored females - 112
  Total - 1,524
  Gain in ten years - 20

We have before given Union - total 862; Barlow - 1,190; Watertown - 1,458. Muskingum was largely taken from Union Township, since 1860, so that no comparison of gain or loss can well be made there. The net gain in the other six townships is 197.