Restoring Historic Blockhouse

The Daily Register, July 8, 1905

 

The old Block House which stands at the corner of Second and Washington streets as a monument to the pioneers and the earlier days of Marietta haw been rented by the Marietta Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The chapter expects to become installed in the new quarters some time during the summer. All meetings and social functions and, in fact, events which have connection with this society will be held there after possession is taken.

Just now the old building, which has stood for so many years, is undergoing a period of restoration. The owner, Miss Minna Tupper Nye, is now here from New York and is personally overseeing the work of preserving and restoring the old structure. When the contractors shall have finished it, it will present a very neat and appropriate appearance. The original color of grey will be given the exterior of the building, and that peculiar shade of blue, which graced the doors, will cover them again.

The old open fireplace, which is large enough to sit in, will be opened and placed in condition for use. The woodwork will be gone over and refinished, and several minor changes will be made throughout the interior. New doors and shutters will be placed in the building, and when it is finished, it will be one of the most attractive places in this part of the country.

Miss Nye, the owner of the building, seems to have taken a very patriotic step in renting the building to the Daughters of the American Revolution, for the fact that it will be the chapter house of that society in the future, in a way, keeps up the historical connection of the place.

The chapter expects to become installed in the new quarters some time this summer.

[This structure is the Rufus Putnam House, now enclosed in Campus Martius Museum.]

Some Reminiscences of the Pioneers

 The Marietta Register, June 19, 1873

It is to be regretted that perfect lists of the early settlers at Marietta have not been preserved. We have lists of those who resided in Campus Martius, the garrison at the Point, and in Fort Harmar at the commencement of the Indian war in 1791. Of the period which followed the war we have a very imperfect record of names.

Among those who, I suppose, came out after the war was Dr. Robert Wallace of Philadelphia, with his family. The exact time of his coming to Marietta we do not know. He was an intelligent physician. He had three sons and three daughters. 

The eldest son was the Rev. Matthew Wallace, a Presbyterian clergyman. He married Deborah, daughter of Dr. Joseph Spencer of Wood County, Virginia. The second son, Dr. David Wallace, was unmarried when he left Marietta. The youngest son was Robert; he was a young man when the family left here. Robert was living, a short time since, in Covington, Kentucky, where he has resided for many years. One of Dr. Wallace's daughters married Charles Green; another married the Hon. Jacob Burnet, formerly of Cincinnati. The youngest daughter was unmarried at the time they left Marietta. She probably married afterward in Cincinnati. The exact time of Dr. Wallace's removal from Marietta to Cincinnati, I do not know - probably 1809. 

Two of the oldest houses in town were built by Dr. Wallace while he resided here. The first is now occupied by Mrs. Smith, tobacconist, on Ohio Street opposite the wharf boat. He resided in this house for some years and kept his office in the front room. After this he built the lower part of what is known as the "Brophy House" on Ohio Street. Here he lived for several years previous to leaving Marietta. The Doctor was well known in Cincinnati.

Charles Greene

Mr. Greene came to Marietta, probably in the latter part of 1788 or early in 1789. He built a house in what was known as Campus Martius, on the Stockade, in which he resided during the Indian war with his wife and his three children, Sophia, Susan, and Charles. His wife's sister, Miss Sheffield, resided with them. She afterwards married Major Ziegler of Wayne's army (who settled in Dayton, Ohio). Mr. Greene was one of the earlier merchants of Marietta and was also engaged, after 1800, in building sea-going vessels: in 1800, brig "St. Clair"; in 1801, brig "Eliza Green"; in 1806, brig "Sophia Green." The brig "St. Clair" went out in the spring of 1801 under the command of Commodore Whipple. She was owned by Mr. Greene and several other businessmen of Marietta and was loaded with flour, pork, and other produce.

Her first voyage was to Havana, where her cargo sold to advantage. Flour brought forty dollars a barrel (the duty was twenty). The yellow fever raged in Havana and hindered their operations somewhat. The next voyage of the vessel was to Philadelphia, where she was sold.

During the continuance of the Territorial Government from 1788 to the organization of the State Government in 1803, there was no registration of marriages; but, as I understand, the second wife of Mr. Greene was Miss Wallace, the daughter of Dr. Robert Wallace. Capt. W. W. Greene who died at St. Louis on the 16th of April, 1873, was their son.

Mr. Greene, while living in Marietta, built a house on Ohio Street, afterwards occupied by Moses McFarland as a public house. A portion of it is still standing. Part of it was torn away to build a three-story brick for Skinner & Thomas. Mr. Greene's eldest son settled at Dayton at an early period and was killed in an unfortunate street fray.

A.T.N. [Anselm Tupper Nye, 1832-1899]

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.

Lovell Buys Cram Home

The Marietta Daily Times, June 21, 1919

One of the biggest real estate deals ever consummated in Marietta was closed Saturday morning when W. J. Cram disposed of the fine residence property, "Hemlock on the Muskingum," to J. A. Lovell.

The consideration, although not made public, is understood to have been $32,000.

The property, which consists of about 24 acres, has two fine dwellings on it, and is one of the most beautiful and magnificent in the Muskingum valley. After making some improvements and additions, Mr. Lovell and family will occupy the residence about the first of September. Mr. Cram and family have made their home in one of the residences while Miss Grace Cram occupied the other.

Mr. Cram, who had owned the Muskingum River property for 21 years, on Thursday purchased from the Marietta City Board of Education, the old Franks property on Second Street. He will begin at once to improve this property, but will retain the colonial style of architecture.

The sale was made by the Flanders Bros. Real Estate Agency.

 

German National Bank Buys Eight Story Skyscraper

 The Register-Leader, April 10, 1916

Takes Over Building at the Corner Second and Putnam Which it Occupies

On Saturday, April 8th, a deed from The German Bank Co., an Ohio corporation, which owned the eight story fireproof, concrete steel building at the corner of Second and Putnam streets, was filed for transfer, conveying the lot and building to the German National Bank.

This building was erected in 1906 and was then considered to be quite a little in advance of the needs of the city for office buildings.

The construction, as will be remembered, was carried out by Dickison and Beardsley, under supervision of W. T. mills, architect, of Columbus, Ohio. As a striking example of the growth and progress of the city, it can now be said that this building is full occupied.

The building is equipped with two independent elevators, one of which is on direct current, and the other on alternating current, insuring continuous elevator service.

The fire-proof feature is a very attractive one to occupants, as solid concrete floors make each story independent of others, and a solid fire wall protects everything from adjoining property on the east, and streets and alleys adjoin the building on the other three sides, making all rooms "outside" rooms.

Word has just been received by the officials of the bank that the new equipment and furniture for the extension of the public lobby in the banking room and addition of six windows for the transaction of business, will be shipped April 26. This equipment will double the lobby space of the bank and give an entrance on Second Street as well as Putnam Street, which will be installed by The Art Metal Construction Co. of Jamestown, New York. It will consist of bronze and marble to correspond with the present equipment.

Two Sites for School Meet Favor

Marietta Daily Times, April 16, 1923

That the survey commission from the extension department of Ohio State University will recommend at least two possible sites for location of Marietta's proposed new high school building is learned from good authority, and it is expected that a formal report will be made to Superintendent Skinner and the Board of Education during the present week. One of the locations is on Seventh Street near the end of Tupper Street extension, and the other is on what is commonly known as Cisler's hill, on the east side of Seventh Street opposite the Marietta chair company plant.

The commission is said to have given first choice to the site at the head of Tupper Street and this would include the J. S. Goebel place with portions of both the Bartlett Estate and the Thomas Cisler homestead. The commission is very favorable impressed with this site, describing it as one of the best for high school purposes to be found in the state of Ohio.

Goebel Place Too Small

The Goebel property in itself would not be quite large enough for a High site and the additional ground would embrace a narrow strip off of the Southeast side of Beverly Place - the Bartlett estate - and a good plat of ground from the Cisler place to the north of the Cisler brick plant.

The second available site advised by the commission, on Cisler's hill, is described as ideal for the needs of the occasion, except that the approaches to it would have to be more elaborate and their construction would mean an expenditure of more money than would be required for similar work on the other site. It likely would mean the building of a viaduct either from Putnam Street hill or from Butler Street, either of which would lead directly to the proposed school grounds.

Cisler Hill Advocated

There has been a feeling for some time that the Cisler hill site is the logical one for the proposed high school, and its advocates have had a double purpose in mind. The opening of this territory by construction of a viaduct or other similar approach would make available a fine lot of building territory almost in the heart of the city and would give prospective home builders a chance for an outlet that long has been needed.

Walnut Hills and the territory adjoining it on both sides would afford building space for hundreds of homes, as the ridge winds around a half-circle and drops down to the rear of Norwood a distance of considerably more than a mile.

Approach is Great Need

All that is needed to open up this territory and make it highly desirable is a suitable approach from the main part of the city, and the high school project worked out to this end would result in a broad-gauge civic improvement of far-reaching effect upon the whole city, it is felt by friends of the plan.

Various surveys that have been made by postal employes, the census bureau and other agencies in the past have show the center of population of Marietta community to be in the vicinity of Putnam and Sixth streets, so that the findings of the University Commission in its work a week ago but affirms the fact, and the selection of one of the sites to be recommended would appear to be logical.

  

Woolworth Company Starting Work

Marietta Daily Times, April 2, 1924

Work is starting this week on remodeling of the Union Block, which is to house the F. W. Woolworth Company's five and ten cent store in Marietta, and it is expected that the place will be open for business within 60 days.

The store will occupy two-thirds of the Union Block, the parts that are owned by the Blume estate and by Carrie Greenway. A new front will be put in, an elevator will be installed, and it will be made a thoroughly modern building.

A building permit was granted to a representative of the company on Wednesday. It is estimated that the repairs to the building will cost $13,000.

The Stockade - Campus Martius

 The Marietta Leader, August 30, 1890

To the Marietta Leader:

The size and location of the "Stockade" built by the Ohio Company at Marietta and called by them "Campus Martius" is thus defined by Dudley S. Nye, Esq., in presenting the Woman's Centennial Association with a section of one of the picketts which were placed around the fort for its greater protection during the Indian War.

Mr. Nye writes, "The 'Butt' or piece of wood now in possession of your Society presented by me for preservation through you, is the butt or lower end of one of the picketts in the outer wall, or protection around the 'Stockade' or 'Campus Martius', (so called by the Ohio Company), situated between Second and Front, and Washington and St. Clair streets in Marietta, Ohio.

The 'Stockade' or Fort was about 200 feet square. Outside of Corner Block Houses (and settlers houses between), there was around all a row of 'picketts,' made of trunks of trees set in the ground, close together, upright, and about 12 to 14 feet high and from 12 to 15 feet from the buildings.

When Washington Street was being widened and graded, or the wagon way widened by digging down the hill, 1843-44, I saw distinctly in the face of the cut the line of the picketts, the butts of which had been left in the ground (when cut down at the close of the Indian War) all so decayed that they would not hold together, except this butt which I took from the earth nearly opposite the Ohio Company's Land Office (on the opposite side of the street, owned and occupied by my father, Arius Nye, as a Law Office) and near the middle of the Southeast front of the Stockade. The butt has been in my possession ever since."

Mr. Nye lived from childhood to manhood in the General Rufus Putnam house, corner of Second and Washington streets, owned by his father. He is perfectly familiar with all the ancient landmarks of Campus Martius, now nearly all obliterated, and is probably the only person in Marietta who can define them from personal observation.

A.

Old Warner Homestead Is Sold for $15,000

 Register-Leader, December 14, 1918

J. D. Dinsmoor, Oil Man, Buys Stately Residence Here for His Daughter

A contract for the sale of the old Warner homestead was executed Friday afternoon, whereby J. C. Dinsmoor, wealthy oil producer of Williamstown, purchased the property for his daughter, Mrs. D. B. Berlin, of North Dakota, who before her marriage was Cora Dinsmoor, and who with her family will occupy the residence, which is one of the finest in the city. Mr. and Mrs. Berlin, who have come here from North Dakota to locate, will occupy the property about the first of March, at which time it will be vacated by the Okey family, Mrs. David Okey being one of the Warner heirs from whom the property was purchased. Mr. Dinsmoor paid $15,000 for the property.

The Warner home was built and moved into by General Warner [Adoniram Judson Warner] in 1873. The property has some historical interest from the fact that during his residence there of about fifteen years, Gen. Warner was prominent in politics in the state and country. It was while living in the homestead that he served three terms in Congress and at the same time was engaged in the discussion of political and economic questions.

Many Distinguished Guests

During the occupancy of the property by General and Mrs. Warner a number of prominent men of the state and country made the house their headquarters from time to time on their visits to Marietta, sometimes as long as a week at a time. Among these distinguished guests at the Warner home was Judge Alphonso Taft of Cincinnati, father of the former President, William H. Taft, who visited with General Warner in company with his son, William P. Judge Taft was here campaigning at the time and remained for a week at the Warner home.

Another prominent visitor at the Warner home was Cyrus W. Field of New York, the promoter of the Atlantic cable, who was interested with General Warner in some coal lands and railroad lines. Judge Stanley Matthews of Cincinnati was also a frequent visitor at the Warner home. Senator Allen Thurman of Columbus was another celebrated guest. Several speakers at the Centennial in Marietta made the Warner home their headquarters during the celebration, among these being Randolph Tucker.

Gen. Warner, the original owner of the property was in the Civil War and an officer in the 10th Pennsylvania Reserves. He was severely wounded in the Battle of Antietam, also afterwards was injured in Gettysburg battle by a fall off his horse.

This deal will recall to the minds of many of the older residents the activity of General Warner. He built the Cleveland and Marietta Railroad and was responsible for the line and the success of the enterprise was due largely to his energy and activity.

The Warner homestead is a brick building and is one of the best constructed homes in Marietta. The site on which it is located contains about four acres. It is located in about the center of the population of the city.

Extensive changes were made to the Warner home on Butler StreetM by its new owners, including having the brick walls covered with stucco. When Marietta College acquired it in 1929, renowned architect J. Fredrick Larson redesigned and enlarged the structure to serve as a women's dormitory. It was named for Dorothy Webster Mills (1810-1894), who had come to Marietta from Massachusetts in 1835 as a teacher in the Marietta Female Seminary.

New Church in Harmar

 The Marietta Intelligencer, August 29, 1839

We understand that those members of the First Congregational Church in this place who reside west of the Muskingum, propose to withdraw from this body, and form themselves into a separate church. This arrangement is entered into, not because of any difficulty - for we believe the most amicable feeling exists in the church - but from an earnest desire to sustain the regular preaching of the gospel in their own town and by a minister of their own denomination. Probably in the course of the next year, they will erect a convenient house of worship, and such an one we doubt not as will be an ornament to their thriving town.

Take Notice

 The Ohio Gazette and Virginia Herald, March 27, 1809

Those persons who belong to the Religious Meetinghouse Society, and the second religious society in Marietta, are respectfully requested to meet at the house of Levi Munsel, innkeeper in said town, on Wednesday the 29th of March instant, at six o'Clock in the evening, to transact very important business relative to the Brick Meeting House, now erecting in this town: And all other persons, who are, or who may wish to become, interested in said house and the promotion of so laudable an object, are also desired to attend at said meeting.

Building Committee:

Jeremiah Dare

William Green

Edwin Putnam

Marietta, March 15th, 1809.

Progress of Improvements

The Marietta Leader (Semi-Weekly), April 19, 1890

We never noticed before that people took any remarkable interest in shovelers, gravel-trains, dumps, fills, trestles, etc., but since the terminal company began the construction of the union depot and the approaches through the low ground, we find a great deal of interest manifested in all these things. Mr. Dale has at times had an efficient corps of citizens hovering around this improvement, watching with great interest the progress of the work.

It is safe to say that every stone in the depot foundation has gone to its place by unanimous consent. Mrs. Gross has also had a good audience at her hotel site where she is putting up the new St. Cloud. These are not mere idlers. They are as a rule, business men and others passing to and from places of business. It may safely be said that every man in Marietta capable of doing anything can find work. Numerous buildings are projected with plans more or less perfected. Never before in the history of this city was there anything like the impetus to business, building and improvement as there is now. Not even in oil times and the inflated period subsequent to the war was there anything like it.

In those days the price of real estate ran up to fabulous figures. All kinds of building material was high, labor was high, it cost more to live, but what came of it all. The collapse that followed left us worse off than before the boom struck us. The present forward movement is very different. It seems like the reserve strength of accumulated energy moving forward, steadily but surely. There is an active demand for good building sites and good dwelling houses, also a great demand for good tenements at good rentals.

The College also partakes of the general advance of the community, as is natural, and during the coming summer a fine new building [Andrews Hall] for the Marietta Academy will be built at a cost of about $25,000. Natural gas being an assured fact and the supply practically unlimited, we can offer inducements to manufacturers unequaled in any other city.

Efforts should be made at once to secure the location here of new manufacturing establishments. These we must have if we hope for growth with any expectation of realization.

*  *  *

It is rumored that the space above the new depot, formerly used by the Sheriff for a garden, will be thrown open for public use. The old barn will be moved back next to the Armory [on Putnam Street]. The Terminal Company will fill the lot to grade and lay it out in walks and flower beds. What will become of the "penitentiary" now on this lot, where the prisoners have been accustomed to pound stone, we have not learned.

Old Flat Iron Building is Being Torn Down

The Register-Leader, March 19, 1923

The building on the flat iron corner on lower Front Street is being dismantled preparatory to the building of a new structure. The old building had been one of Marietta's landmarks, having been built more than a hundred years ago, being one of Marietta's first business blocks.

A number of our readers will remember the time when that corner was the busiest place in Marietta, with Ohio Street and Greene Street as the business center. While much of the business has scattered, it is still a busy thoroughfare, more especially so since the building of the Ohio River bridge and the Norwood development.

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.

The Old Johnson House

The Marietta Register, September 21, 1871

The old "Johnson house" on Fifth Street, just below Washington, has been bought by James Stevens, who is repairing it.

This house has an interesting history. It was built (except the weather boarding) out of materials from the original Stockade, erected on Washington Street in 1788, by the first settlers here. The logs inside of the weather boarding are now partly exposed.

It was also the first house in which the Methodists in Marietta held their meetings in the early part of this century. It was then the residence of Jonas Johnson, the most active and prominent Methodist of this place in those days.

The first Methodist meeting in town was a Camp Meeting held near the Stockade Landing in 1804, at which Mr. Johnson was converted. On the organization of the Methodists Church here in 1805, he became the first Class Leader. Tradition tells us that his house used to be stoned, when meetings were held there, the windows broken, squibs fired, and the chimney covered with boards to smoke and annoy the worshipers.

Houses and Lots for Sale in Marietta

 The Marietta Intelligencer, September 16, 1847

The undersigned offers for sale many eligible Town Lots with Dwelling Houses, worthy the attention of those who desire a residence in Marietta, among which are the following:

Ward's Brick Block - being four distinct two-story dwellings on Second Street, above Scammel - built in modern style, with outhouses convenient; excellent well water, and cisterns to each.

Also, the Darrow House and Lot, corner of Putnam and 5th streets. A large and commodious two-story Frame House near the College - very suitable for a Boarding House - good well and soft water on the premises.

Also, the Johnson House and lot, on Fifth, above Worcester Street, nearly opposite Major Clark's, a large and roomy two-story frame, pleasantly situated, with a good sized Barn.

Also, a small Frame House and Barn, and lot No. 419, on 7th below Washington St.

Also, a small Frame House, and lot No. 321, Washington St.

Also, Frame House and Lot No 322, Washington St. - a very desirable residence.

Also, a large two-story Frame House and lot No 133, near Vinton's Tannery.

Also, a large modern built, two-story Frame House and lot, being the northern part of lot No. 501; Second below Wooster Street; now occupied by Mr. Kelley.

Also, the Kelley House and lot, No. 514; 2d below Wooster streets; a very neat and comfortable residence.

Also, the Gidley House and lot; a two-story frame near the Foundry, Harmar - good cellar, cistern and barn.

Also, the McCoy House and lot, 40 feet by 33, on town lot No. 9, Harmar - a two-story Frame, fronting on the common.

Also, the Skinner Mansion House and lot, No 6, large and commodious, recently fully repaired, fronting on the river - is one of the most desirable residences in Harmar.

The foregoing property will be sold low. Terms liberal. Title undisputed.

Nahum Ward

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.

Union Chair Factory - Messrs Dana & Shipman

Marietta Intelligencer, April 19, 1857

This is one of the most extensive chair Factories to be found anywhere in the West. It was commenced three years ago this spring and completed ready for operation early in the following fall. The principal building, that containing the machinery, is constructed of brick, 60 feet long by 38 wide and three stories high; it is strongly built and well lighted. The machinery is propelled by a single engine of 20 horse power, put up by A. T. Nye & Son, of Harmar. The dry-room, as it is termed, i.e. the place where the lumber is dried, after being sawed into shape, is built directly over the boiler and warmed partly by the heat arising from it and partly by the escape steam, which passes through a series of parallel pipes under the floor. The whole building is also heated in cold weather by steam. 

In the lower story, the rough lumber is cut into the required length and shape for seats, legs, backs &c., preparatory to being consigned to the dry house; and here also, the heavier kinds of turning are done. Among the novelties in this room is a circular saw, known as the concave saw, with the periphery inclined to one side and shaped somewhat like a wooden bowl, for sawing out the backs of rocking chairs. It was formerly the custom to steam and then bend these, but the liability to break was so great that they are now sawn into the proper shape. These concave saws are of comparatively recent invention.

The second story is devoted to machinery for planing, mortising and otherwise finishing the work ready for putting together. There are several curious newly invented machines in this room, which do their work with surprising rapidity and accuracy. Almost every process, from the lumber taken in the rough state till the chair is turned out perfect and complete, is performed by machinery, at a saving of expense which can hardly be calculated. On the third floor the chairs and bedsteads are put together, smoothed off and made ready for the paintshop.

The factory has power and machinery sufficient to enable the proprietors to turn out fifteen hundred chairs per week, when pushed to its utmost capacity. At present, owing to a  scarcity of lumber and other causes, they are manufacturing only about 750 chairs per week and 25 bedsteads. There are in the employ of the Company, at this time, about 75 persons; 50 or 60 of these are employed in or about the factory, and 15 or 20 girls and boys, engaged in cane-bottoming chairs, do their work at home.

The kinds of chairs manufactured are entirely cane and wood seated; but of these there is an almost infinite variety, plain, fancy, arm and rocking chairs, and ranging from $5 to $45 per doz. in price. The bedsteads are of the plainer kind known as the common and cottage bedsteads.

Messrs. Dana & Shipman find market for the greater part of their manufactured articles within fifty or eighty miles of Marietta. The Muskingum Valley trade is almost entirely monopolized by them, and they supply the towns up the Ohio as far as Steubenville, including Wheeling. They also ship a considerable amount to Cincinnati and St. Louis. The home trade we are informed is constantly increasing, and it is their design to foster and encourage it as much as possible.

One fact eminently worthy of note, in relation to this establishment, is, that all the machinery -  and much of it is of a very superior character - was made in this city at the foundries of Owen Franks, and A. T. Nye & Son. The patterns for the machines were designed and made by the ingenious and skilful machinist of the establishment, Mr. H. S. Eddy. Mr. A. S. Dimmock is the prompt and faithful foreman, who has entire charge of the manufacturing department. The finishing department is under the charge of J. M. Eells and F. H. Wesselman, whose work bears good evidence of their experience and taste in this branch.

Besides the main building of which we have spoken, there are three large frame structures - the finishing shop, 60 feet by 30, where the chairs and bedsteads are painted, gilded and varnished - a storage building for unfinished work, 70 by 24 - and an extensive warehouse, 100 by 26 feet, for storing the work that is ready for market.

The lumber used at this factory is poplar, sugar-tree, beach, black walnut and sycamore. It is all derived from this immediate vicinity, and gives employment indirectly to a number of men, in cutting, sawing, and bringing it to town.

Of the character of the work turned out by this establishment, we can safely say that it is much superior to most of that manufactured at the east. The stock is of better quality - the work is for the most part heavier - and it is put together in a much more substantial manner. Their cane-seated office armchairs are decidedly the best we have ever seen; they are made wholly of oak, the back and arms being of one entire piece, the ends bending down in front and fastening in the seat, which gives them great strength and firmness.

The enterprising gentlemen composing the firm, after a hard struggle under many difficulties and embarrassments, are now beginning to reap their reward in the constant enlargement of their business, and in the extended reputation their manufactured articles are acquiring abroad. As we have before stated, they control nearly the whole trade along the Muskingum valley to Zanesville, up the Ohio to Steubenville, and down the river to Cincinnati. This trade, which is daily increasing, they will be sure to retain, while at the same time they are distributing their wares in the far west, and rapidly extending the area of territory which is supplied by their factory. They are now well established, and with their present experience, their energy, perseverance, and good business habits, they must succeed.

Corner of Putnam and Front Streets

The Marietta Register, August 10 1865:

Public Sale of Valuable Real Estate!

Will be sold at public auction on the 14th cay of August, A.D. 1865, on the premises themselves the following real estate, to-wit: All the landed property belonging to the estate of Mrs. Mary S. Jackson [Mary Sophia Meigs], deceased, situate in the city of Marietta, Ohio, and vicinity, and commonly called "The Meigs Property;" that is to say - 

- A lot on Ohio street in Square No. 68.

- Lots Nos. 566, 567, 568, 569 in Square No. 37.

- Lots Nos. 593, 594, 598, 206, in Square No. 45, situate on Front and Scammel streets, which lots will probably be subdivided into 60 feet lots fronting on the principal streets and running back 180 feet to an alley.

- Also lot No. 2 in Square No. 22, opposite the old graveyard.

- Lots Nos. 39, 64, 65, 105, 1005, 1006 in Square No. 5 on Front street, opposite the tanyards.

- Also lot No. 597 and parts of lots Nos. 595 and 596, fronting on Front street, 150 feet, running back to an alley 180 feet, including the old Mansion House, office &c.

- Also that valuable property at the corner of Putnam and Front streets, now occupied by Joseph L. Stephens and others as business rooms, owned by David Barber, Esq., in common with the devisees of Mrs. Mary S. Jackson, deceased, fronting on Front street 180 feet, running back 45 feet. Will be sold in lots to suit purchasers. The present lessees are to have one month to remove their wooden structures.

- Also a valuable 8 acre lot lying between the Fair Ground and the Muskingum River, subject to the present tenancy.

- Also another 8 acre lot and some fractions, making together 11 acres and a fraction, say 85-100 of an acre, on the river bottom adjoining lands of A. T. Nye, Esq., and others, subject to the present occupancy.

- Also that very desirable and valuable tract of land on the Muskingum River, 5 miles from the city, adjoining James Ward's lands, at the first lock on the river above the city, known as Duvall's Lock [Devol], containing 13-3/4 acres.

- Also 50 acres of valuable timbered land, 1 mile east of Duvall's Lock and adjoining lands of W. B. F. Duvall and others, with some oil prospects.

- Also three other tracts of timbered land on the west side of the Muskingum River, near the said Duvall's Lock, one tract containing 68 acres, being part of 100 acre lot No. 12, R. 9, T. 3.

- Another tract contains 72 acres, part of 100 acre lot No. 13. Also, lot No. 14, part of 100 acre lot No. 14, containing 80 acres. All very valuable for timber, and together the making of a good up-land farm. These lands have been in request for oil purposes.

- We also propose to sell that valuable estate situate in the Ohio River, opposite Marietta, known as Kerr's Island, or Triplit's [Triplett] Island, (lately called Jackson's Island), estimated to contain near 200 acres of very superior land. Propositions have been made by oil men to bore on this property.

Terms of Sale - One-half cash in hand; the residue in two equal payments of six and twelve months, with interest from day of sale, secured by mortgage on the premises so sold.

James M. Jackson, Executor for himself and other heirs of Mary S. Jackson, deceased.

 

*     *     *

The Marietta Register, August 31, 1865:

The Sale of the Business Corner of Front and Putnam Streets

Two weeks ago we published the amount of the sale on the 14th inst. of the part of a lot on the lower corner of Front and Putnam streets, this city - viz: 171-1/2 feet on Front street by 45 on Putnam, including the old two-story brick building, for the total amount of $11,350. The details of the sale may be of interest to many of our readers. It was sold in seven divisions, facing Front street, each 45 feet deep, as follows:

1. To West & Varley, corner, with brick building, 46 feet on Front and 45 on Putnam, $4,500.

2. To Martin Wendelkin, 23 feet, $1,280.

3. To John Schramm, 21 feet, $1,285.

4. To J. G. Theiss & Bro., 27-1/2 feet, $1,310.

5. To Fred. Wehrs, 16-1/2 feet, $1,085.

6. To Lewis Leonhart, 18-3/4 feet, $1,005.

7. To John Leonhart, 18-3/4 feet, $885.

The ground only was sold, except on the corner - the frame buildings on divisions 2, 3, 4, and 5, belonging to persons who held leases, to expire in four weeks after the sale. Divisions 6 and 7, next to the canal, have no buildings on them at present. The property was sold at auction by the representatives of the Meigs Estate, David Barber holding a part interest therein.

Omitting the corner, the rest of the ground sold for $49.60 per front foot, 45 feet deep; or $1.10 per square foot for the whole ground.

It should be noted that, while this property is valuable, yet it is not in the main business part of Marietta. It is on one of the two chief business streets, but above the heavy trade, yet valuable for retail stands.

The brick building, we may state, was erected about the year 1817 by Henry P. Wilcox - the same who built the house where Col. Mills now lives; and who left Marietta within a few years after.

*     *     *

The Marietta Register, February 23, 1886:

Guitteau Corner

"Hallo, Mister, are you hunting up old things yet? If you are, you will see a great lot at the Guitteau Corner," was the greeting of a friendly teamster who stopped his span of horses to give me the good news.

At the instance of a friend who the night before had told me of this wondrous find in the old house at the corner of Front and Putnam streets, I had hunted up Mr. John Mankin and from him was promised the sight of all he had taken home, and now to know that many old things were with Capt. West and Mr. Buck started me for their coal office. They kindly allowed me to look over all they had gathered, but one thing I had heard of was not among them - the leather mail bag of 1820. 

Soon I traced this to Postmaster Grosvenor. Finally, and with his consent, I had a full look at it and contents. Now I propose telling your readers all about what I saw, excepting two things - that don't concern the dwellers here-abouts in 1886.

First I will speak of the building. As early as 1816 it was built by Gov. R. J. Meigs and Mr. Henry P. Wilcox. The north room was occupied as a store and the south room as the Post Office. The store goods were owned by Gov. Meigs, and Mr. Wilcox was Postmaster from 1818 to 1825. And right here I will answer a question often asked me about Marietta Postmasters, who they were, and when they served.

Gen. Tupper distributed letters from 1788 to 1794, I believe. R. J. Meigs, Jr., handled the mails from 1794 to Oct., 1795. Josiah Monroe from Oct. 1795 to 1800. David Putnam from 1800 to 1802. Griffin Greene from 1802 to 1804. Phillip Greene from 1804 to 1806. Griffin Green, Jr., from 1806 to 1815. Sam Hoit from 1816 to 1818. H. P. Wilcox from 1818 to 1825. David Morris from the summer of 1825 to late in 1825. Daniel H Buell from 1825 to 1829. A. V. D. Joline from 1829 to 1841. Abner L. Guitteau from 1841 to 1850. F. A. Wheeler from 1850 to 1853. Nathaniel Bishop from 1853 to 1857. A. D. McCormick from 1857 to 1861. Sala Bosworth from 1861 to 1870. William B. Mason from 1870 to 1878. S. L. Grosvenor from 1878 to 1886. Each one of these men, excepting A. Guitteau in his second term, represented the party in power during his employment as Postmaster. But I am away from my subject.

This old building has been variously occupied since the days of Wilcox. At one time John K. Joline taught school in the north part of it. The Jolines printed a paper in it. A. V. D. Joline occupied the south part of the building for a Post Office. Abner L. Guitteau used the building for a Post office and grocery for several years. The Marietta lodge of Free Masons occupied the upstairs for years. Mr. Elijah B. Guitteau, Mr. Stephens, Mr. Brigham and others at times had salesrooms in it.

It has recently changed hands and is being overhauled from cellar to garret, and many old papers and curious things have been brought to light. Notably the papers of Gen. Wilcox, dating back to 1810, Gov. R. J. Meigs, H. P. Wilcox, A. V. D. Joline, John K. Joline, &c.

I have only time to speak of a very few of them. It would not have answered for us fellows who live in find houses and don't pay our debts to have lived seventy years ago around here. Listen:

"Mr. Silas Cook: Sir: - You are requested to stay the service of the writ of attachment until Saturday at 10 o'clock. I will be accountable for General Wilcox so far as to deliver his body on that day. In the suit of J. M. vs. Joseph Wilcox - 17 Nov., 1813. Timothy Buell, Sheriff."

Within the remembrance of the writer, a nicely dressed gentleman with ruffled shirt was in jail bounds for five months for debt. 

There used to be wolves as well as dogs around here. Read:

This agreement made between Joseph Wilcox and Thomas Reynolds of Marietta, witnesseth that I, Thomas Reynolds, take this 6th day of July, 1812, one ram of the merino breed, said ram is 7/8 blooded, has horns of a middling size, with a hole in each ear on the following conditions: (viz.). Then followed the conditions, the last of which is that said Reynolds is to secure said ram from the wolves and dogs, but said Wilcox insures the life said ram against all unforeseen accident and natural death.

Another:

Article of agreement between Joseph Wilcox and Samuel Shepard. Said Samuel Shepard takes of said Wilcox a part of a square of land situated in Marietta called the Elevated Square. Said land is to be put in flax and corn - 1-1/2 acres to be put flax. Furth conditions unnecessary to copy, signed Marietta, 10th March, 1811.

And so on I could write of interesting things contained in these papers, but the morning bell for six o'clock is ringing and I must close.

Postage in those days for a double sheet letter from Philadelphia to this place was fifty cents; now it is four cents.

W.