Saturday, January 29, 2011

Moull farms


Today we go back in history to the early 1800s.
I live on Moull Street in Newark, Oh. In conversation with a friend, she advised me that she used to live at 300 Moull St. The house dates from the early 1800s and was once known as “Moull Farms.”

The farm house was built by George W. Moull and his wife Elizabeth. It had a door in the middle of the front and two windows at each side, and a kitchen wing to the west. There was a porch along the street side of that wing. The house sat in what is now the middle of Moull St. facing east and had a fence around it. When Moull St was opened up the house was moved to the north side of the street and became number 300. The Moull’s came from Virginia looking for better farm land. They first settled in Licking County in 1830. They owned a general store which offered a wide variety of merchandise, including a horse and buggy for hire.

Moull held the office of City Trustee from 1836 to 1843. Elizabeth died at the age of 15 in 1838 and was buried in the old graveyard located at West Main and Sixth Streets. At the time they had two children: Angeline, born in 1834 and Orlando, born in 1838.

George Moull continued to increase the size of his farm. On March 26th, 1849 he purchased 100 acres of land from the Fleek family. The land had one house and an orchard. In 1850 Moull purchased lots 21 and 22 from Moore’s Addition. It consisted of 3.6 acres each with Log Pond Run crossing through both.

In 1858-1859 the Newark City Directory lists G. W. Moull as being a sign and ornamental painter.

Moull’s household consisted of his new wife Frances, his son Orlando, 21 and his daughter Mary C, 18. His son, George A. Moull, had died two years before on April 14th, 1858 at the age of 13yrs and was buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery. George W. Moull died in 1862 at the age of 53 and was also buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery. Mary C. Moull at the age of 21 inherited 41.70 acres at the death of her father. She and her mother, Frances, continued to live there. Frances died December 5th, 1878 at the age of 72. She was buried next to her husband in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Mary remained on the homestead until about 1900. She then built a cottage for her use on the west side of what is now N 12th st, just North of Moull St.

Orlando married Mary Jones, they had four children: A. Willard, born 1861: Alice (Allie) G., born 1867: Frank, born 1969: and Fredrick, born 1873. Frank died at the age of 11 and Mary died in 1874.

Willard married Hazel Rogers and moved to Pittsburgh. They had three children: William, Orlando and Lillian. Allie G. Moull married Rev. David A. Green and lived in the cottage that had been willed to her by her aunt, Mary C. Moull. Fredrick never married.

Orlando Moull died in 1917 at the age of 79. His will left half of his land, which included all farm buildings, to Fredrick. The other half was left to Willard’s children along with 112ft. of frontage on Moull’s Lane.

MOULL’S GROVE, MOULL STREET AND VACINITY 1905-1918

Some young ladies ask Mrs. Moull if they could pick flowers and she told them as long as they kept the gate shut and didn’t bother the cows, it would be fine.

Children waded in the run and sat on a bank or the edge of the little wooden bridge and watch the birds. Dr. Clyde Adams home sat on the corner of Jefferson Rd. and 12th St; he would often trap muskrats in the run. Sometimes they children would go to the Moull farm for milk, the milk was collected in a tin pail with a lid. Sometimes they would get cottage cheese. Miss Allie would put the cheese in first and then ladled pure cream over the top.

We spent a lot of time on the front porches of their homes. Almost every house had a front porch. People walking by said hello, and often stopped for a visit.

To read more on this article stop by the Licking County Genealogical Society and look at the Moull family history or contact the Licking County Historical Society.

This information was obtained for the Moull family history files at the Licking County Genealogical Society, 101 West Main St. Newark Oh 43055.
740-349-5510
Submitted by Raynola St.Clair

One of The First Black Schools


Today we go back in history to 1851 and Black Schools in Newark.
The first Black school in Newark was held in 1851 in a little old frame house on Elm Street. This house adjoined the William Henry property and the first teacher was Miss Sarah Carey.

Times were difficult and public school funds were non existent. Any books that had anything to do with cows or horses were used. It didn’t make any difference who the author was or how the book varied in topics.

At some point a system of books was adopted and taxes were levied to carry on schools as the result of special efforts of some very special people. Among them were: William Henry, Simeon Carey, Jackson Shackleford, and John Norman.

A teacher by the name of Clark followed Miss Carey and taught for a term or two in the Lott Building on the corner of Church and Fourth Streets.

Here the school was taught successively by Rebecca Brown and Miss Thomas as well as Sampson P. Lewis and Rev. Dudley Asberry.

In 1859, it was decided they should have a public school. It was presented to the board of Education and the board approved. D. M. Guy stated: the frame was raised and quite a number of white people were determined that the people of color should not have a schoolhouse. The structure was torn down. The next day carpenters re-erected it and the following night Brother Shackleford, with revolver in hand determined his people should have and education, walked the street and guarded the little frame all night. The building was completed. Here Miss Dowell, Miss Etta Crane and Miss Hearst taught until the close of the school in 1861.

At the close of summer in 1861, the Board of Education purchased a lot (58 Hoover St) from Mr. Shackleford a brick building was erected. This school was occupied until 1888 when it was closed by the Arnett Act.

The residence is still standing and has become a rental property today.

Information gathered from: The files of The Licking County Historical Society.
Submitted by: Raynola St.Clair

History of The Census

This time history takes us back to the 1600’s when the first Census was taken in Virginia. People were counted in nearly all of the British colonies that became the United States at the time of the Revolutionary War. Of course there was census in Bible times, directed to be taken by God to various men.

Following independence, there was an almost immediate need for a census of the entire Nation. Both the number of seats each state was to have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and the states’ respective shares in paying for the war were to be based on population. Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, adopted in 1787.

Our Founding Fathers had concluded that the states’ wishes to report fewer people in order to lower their shares in the war debt would be offset by a desire for the largest possible representation in Congress. Thus, the census would be fairly accurate.

The First U.S. Census—1790
Shortly after George Washington became President, the first census was taken. It listed the head of household, and counted (1) the number of free White males age 16 and over, and under 16 (to measure how many men might be available for military service), (2) the number of free White females, all other free persons (including any Indians who paid taxes), and (3) how many slaves there were.

The Expanding Censuses...
Down through the years, the Nation’s needs and interests became more complex. This meant that there had to be statistics to help people understand what was happening and have a basis for planning. The content of the decennial census changed accordingly. For example, the first inquiry on manufactures was made in 1810; it concerned the quantity and value of products. Questions on agriculture, mining, and fisheries were added in 1840; and in 1850, the census included inquiries on social issues—taxation, churches, pauperism, and crime. The censuses also spread geographically, to new states and territories added to the Union as well as to other areas under U.S. sovereignty or jurisdiction. There were so many more inquiries of all kinds in the censuses of 1880 and 1890 that almost a full decade was needed to publish all the results. Although the census furnished large quantities of statistics, it was failing to provide information when it was most needed. Accordingly, Congress limited the 1900 census to questions on population, manufactures, agriculture, and mortality. Many of the dropped topics reappeared in later censuses as advances in technology made it possible to process and publish the data faster. quantities of statistics, it was failing to provide information when it was most needed. Accordingly, Congress limited The 1900 census to questions on population, manufactures, agriculture, and mortality. Many of the
dropped topics reappeared in later censuses as advances in technology made it possible to process and publish the data faster.

To read additional information check out: http://www.census.gov/history/index.html

Horns Hill Park

COFFEE TIME on Horns Hill
Today we go back in history to Horn's Hill Park.
The earliest history of what became known as Horn’s Hill centered on the burial of a Mound builder of the Adena culture. On October 5 and 6, 1933, Dr. E. F. Greenman, curator of the Ohio State Archeological and Historical Society, conducted excavations of at least three sites on Horn’s Hill and confirmed at least one burial of a prominent Mound builder. A burial vault 30 inches wide, 5 feet long and only 12 inches deep was found. Fragments of human bones, a portion
of a pelvis and of the upper femur, were discovered within the vault. Upon completion of the excavation work, a marker was placed with the inscription “Here Was Buried a Patriarch of the Prehistoric People”. Unfortunately the inscription is missing but the stone marker, which reminds us of a project forgotten by most people, still stands.

In the early history of our county the area was known as Horn’s Mill, and the road was called Horn’s Mill Road because of a mill that was once located there. Apparently Mr. Frank Horn owned some 10 acres in the area that he used as a vegetable garden. The City of Newark acquired the land September 10, 1910 from Harry and Louise Verrill. This information was originally made known by Horace Brown of the city engineer’s office and more recently by Frank Gibson also a former employee in the same department, and Mrs. Stella Horn, wife of Frank Horn. Mrs. Horn remembers “streams of people” using the park on weekends for picnics or other family gatherings. She shared this information in 1984 at the age of 91 in an Advocate newspaper article.

Horn’s Hill Park is Newark’s most unusual and largest city park and encompasses about 102 acres. A bench mark of 840 feet above sea level is located at the southwestern corner of the Water Works Bridge. The land rises abruptly some 250 feet above the surrounding area. The hill’s bench mark is 1,090 feet above sea level. If you count part of the bank at the old lake, it puts the elevation at about 1,100 above sea level. This enables a person looking southward on a clear day to see the town of Hebron which is about 12 miles away.

The top of the hill consists of some 10 acres that once included a lake for Newark’s water supply. As Newark grew, and more water was needed, two large concrete tanks, each holding 1.5 million gallons of water were added. In 1954, two additional tanks were added, and the lake was eliminated. The water capacity today is 6 million gallons of water for the Newark area. During World War II people were not allowed on the Hill for fear that saboteurs would poison the water supply.

In 1932, Mayor Charles F. Martin suggested that the park be developed through unemployed labor due to the Great Depression. Prior to this time, the only way to the top was by foot, horseback and wagon team. Through federal relief programs known as the Civilian Works Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Association, two 18 foot roads, two stone shelter houses and new restrooms were built. The project was completed by the Works Progress Administration and the formal dedication was held in 1934. In 1936, a registration book kept in the superintendent’s office showed that more than 25,000 persons from Ohio and surrounding states, and five foreign countries had visited the park.
No article about Horn’s Hill would be complete without mentioning WGSF-TV the TV station owned and operated by Newark City Schools out of a small building high atop Horn’s Hill. The station existed for thirteen years, from March of 1963 to June of 1976. WCLT’s Bill Clifford had a great commentary on an interview he did with Leland Hubbell, station engineer for WGSF. The written article can be found by searching for WGSF in the news archives at www.wclt.com. Another interesting site, managed by Mr. Hubbell, can be found at http://wgsf.oldgleaner.com/.

Information gathered from various sources by Robert Tharp on behalf of The Licking County Historical Society.
Submitted by: Raynola StClair













Friday, January 21, 2011

Barack Hussein Obama II and His Licking County Ties

Barack Hussein Obama II and his Licking County Ties
 
You got it right! 
 
During a LCGS board meeting our webmaster Bill Johns ask if we had seen Barack Hussein Obama’s genealogy line yet.  He forwarded it to us and what fun we had.
 
Barack has 7 ½ siblings from his Kenyan father, 6 living, ½ sister with whom he was raised.
 
Maya Soetoro-NB, the daughter of his mother and her Indonesian second husband.  Obama’s mother was survived by her Kansas born mother, Madelyn Dunham until her death the 2nd of Nov 2008.
 
In “Dreams from My Father”, Obama ties his mothers family to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives of Jefferson Davis: “President of the Confederate States of America ” during the American Civil War.
 
Barack’s Licking County ties come thru his mother’ side of the family.
We begin with Barack, then his mother Stanley Ann Dunham, his great grandmother Madelyn Lee Payne, GG Grandfather Roll Charles Payne, GGG Grandfather Charles T Payne who married Della Wolfley.  Her parents were Robert Wolfley and Rachel Abbott. “Barack’s GGG Grandmother”, she was born in 1835 in Licking County to Jonathan Abbott and Adah Wright.  Adah’s parents were Abraham Wright and Naomi , last name unknown.  Abraham was born 1755 and came to Licking County in 1802.  Abraham Wright was well known throughout Licking County and Ohio .  He built a gristmill on Clear Fork after the War of 1812 near Newton Township line above the village of Chatham .

Some facts from 50 interesting facts about Barack Obama:
His name means “one who is blessed” in Swahili
He won a Grammy in 2006 for the audio version of his memoir, Dreams From My Father
He can bench press an impressive 200lbs
He and Michelle made $4.2 million last year, with much coming from sales of his books
He keeps on his desk a carving of a wooden hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life
 
His father was originally from Kenya . His mother, Ann Dunham, was an anthropologist born in the United States . The couple separated when Barack was two years old and eventually divorced. Barack Obama's father moved back to Kenya following the divorce.
 
Sources: Ancestry.com, William Addams Reitwiesner, Genealogy of U.S. Presidents 2009 by Gary Boyd.
 
I have Wrights, Abbotts, and Perkins in my genealogy line as well.  Could I be related?  One never knows until the research is done.  Now you see how history and genealogy tie together.  I hope this will prompt you to doing some research of your own.  Enjoy!
 
Sources: Ancestry.com, William Addams Reitwiesner, Genealogy of U.S. Presidents 2009 by Gary Boyd.

Licking County and The Temperance Movement

 The Temperance Movement
Ohio Churches were one of the instrumental parts in preparing the way for what President Hoover once termed "the noble experiment."   As early as 1874, at  Hillsboro,  women were fighting to stop the spread of saloons.  Christian women organized o the women's Christian Temperance Union under the inspiring leadership of Miss Frances E Willard of Illinois.   Rev. Howard E. Russell,  in 1893  organized the Anti-Saloon League 
The Temperance Movement wanted to see the consumption and production of alcohol limited or outlawed in the United States.
During the early nineteenth century, many citizens of the United States became convinced that many Americans were living in an immoral manner. These people feared that God would no longer bless the United States.  
 Advocates for Temperance movement encouraged Americans to reduce the amount of alcohol that they consumed.   As a matter of fact they hoped they would do away with alcohol all together.  The largest organization established to advocate temperance was the American Temperance Society.   Would you believe that around  the mid 1830s, more than 200,000 people belonged to this organization.  
Many Ohioans participated in the temperance movement, but temperance efforts in Ohio remained haphazard.  . It wasn’t until  the early 1850s that statewide efforts against alcohol took place .  A woman's temperance convention was held on January 13, 1853 and they drafted a constitution and created the Ohio Women's Temperance Society
During The American Civil War (1861-1865) the temperance movement was weakened.  As the war ended concerns regarding alcohol usage quickly returned. During the late 1800s, the United States was shifting from a national economy based principally on agriculture to a more industrialized one. As a result of this shift, urban areas, including Cincinnati, Cleveland, Canton, Akron, and Columbus experienced tremendous growth. Many Americans, including Ohioans, believed the social ills of the cities, including homelessness, high crime rates, and joblessness, all resulted from alcohol usage. Ohio temperance advocates, like others across the United States, began to use more radical tactics to stop the consumption of alcohol  
The temperance movement continued through the late nineteenth century and into the early twentieth century. Advocates during this time period became much more politically active, primarily through their support of the Progressive Movement. In 1919, the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution went to effect. This amendment outlawed the production and the sale of alcohol in the United States. Prohibition remained in effect until the Twenty-First Amendment in 1933. With the Eighteenth Amendment's repeal, organized temperance movements declined in popularity and in power.
On Dec 27, 1850 Licking County Temperance Society was organized at Temperance hall.  The first union meeting took place at the First Presbyterian church around Feb of 1874 and by March it took full form of political movement.  Like at lot of organizations by Dec 1874 the meetings were little in attendance.
By May of 1878 the Wallace opera House held Temperance society meeting.  Around Mar 1879, Col A. J. Bowen of Maryland, begins a series of temperance meetings at the "Home"
Resources:   History of the State Of Ohio vol VI by Lindley, William I Davis Chronologies Reflecting the History of Newark, Oh 1800 to 1900,   http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org

Tea Time

 Did you know tea was discovered by accident or so the legend goes?  Long ago boiling water was necessary to purify the water for drinking.  It seems dried leaves made their way into such water during a trip Emperor Shen Nong and his court were on.  According to legend it was around 2737BC.  The Emperor tasted the mixture and it was pleasing to his taste buds.

Around 800 AD a book on tea called “The Cha Ching” was written by LULU.  In it he told how to grow and prepare tea.

Tea made its way to Japan , then to Europe before or around 1560 AD.  Tea was expensive to because of the high cost of shipping.  B

By 1652 tea was being served in England .  King Charles II and his wife both loved tea.  By this time tea was a popular drink in many countries.

It seems the British were custom to only two meals a day, however, legend has it that because of tea, Anna the Duchess of Bedford, introduced the afternoon meal with tea.

High Tea was the main meal of the day and the wealthy also had Low Tea for the enjoyment of special tidbits.  Of course one must have fitting conversation and a fitting display of tea, tidbit and tea sets that were pleasing to the eyes as well.

Tea Gardens were common in those days, with wonderful concerts, flowers, and games.

Around 1690AD America began to sell tea.  Tea Gardens, Tea Courts and Tea Dances began to spring up all across America and England . 

Colonial women were no exception to the love of tea.  Well you can just about guess the rest from here with Boston being one of the main trading centers for tea.  Smuggling began to take place as the British tea was taxed to heavily.  We know the Indians used, herbs, spices and used tea also.  People began to purchase tea from the Indians and as a result the tea tax was introduced in 1767.  Rage escalated and Indians threw hundreds of pounds of tea into the Boston Harbor , or so it seemed.  The Indians were actually men from Boston who dressed as Indians, and we know this as the Boston Tea Party.

Aren’t we thankful to Thomas Sullivan who made the first tea bags?  Now we can brew tea one cup at a time and whatever flavors our little hearts desire.

One hot afternoon at the 1904 Worlds Fair an Englishman by the name of Richard Blechynden became discouraged when is hot brewed tea wasn’t selling.  One can imagine the desire to have a cool refreshing drink during this hot weather.  A good cold summer drink must have ice and so Mr. Blechynden did just that, added ice.   

While doing research a couple of weeks ago I came across an ad for The Newark Central Tea Co. on 3rd St .  Maybe my ancestors shopped there.

Have your own old fashioned tea party this season and better yet have one for the little ones and continue this wonderful tradition.

Sources:  http:/www.victorianbazaar.com/tea.html


How Newark Ohio Got its Name

While doing some research I came across some Minnie Hite Moody articles and found one on Newark, Oh and how the towns name came to be.
 In 1666 a Christian man named Abraham Pierson came from Newark-on-Trent a town in England, yes that is correct, England!  He had the calling to spread the good word about England and the world.  He set sail and came to New Jersey with his followers and settled the vast wilderness. Abraham's followers thought highly of him and decided it only fitting to name this new settlement Newark.
 As time ticked on the settlement became larger and another fine gentleman by the name of William C. Schenck decided to call Newark his new home.   There was a section of Military Land for sale at two dollars and acre it was a junction of the forks of the Licking River.  William C. Schenck along with G.W. Burnet and John Cummins decided to purchase the land and check it out.  Well much to their joy it was a great place to start a new town.  Since William C. Schenck came from Newark, New Jersey it was decided to call the new town New Ark.  The land was surveyed and platted out, then recorded at Lancaster.  Lancaster was the county seat of Fairfield County and included New Ark.  Soon after the plat was drawn they decided to spell New Ark as one work, hence, Newark! 
Did you know the square was once called the commons, make sense to me. History says there were ponds around the wooded commons the center was just a little higher ground. The ponds were of course named after the home owners or business owners that the pond was in front of.  Such names as Sherwood, Kennedy, Gault's Tavern and Cully's Tavern were given to the ponds.  North Park Place and South Park Place were the busiest streets of all, they were named in 1874.  The square has taken on many changes over the years. 
I remember a newspaper article my mom showed me about my great-grandmother  riding in a horse and bugging.  The horses were spooked and my great-grandmother Angie (Nethers) Wright jumped from the wagon and her dressed got caught and she was dragged to death by the run away horses.  What a terrible sight that must have been. 
There were newspaper offices, grocery stores, gristmills, an iron foundry, a wool factory, a bookstore, hardware stores.   By 1900 there were also  construction companies, tractor manufacturers, and companies working with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The  Heisey Glass Company was also here and I know many of us had ancestors that worked there.
I thought it was interesting to learn that  The American Bottle Company was the largest beer bottle manufacturer in the world and employed more than 2,500 people in the first decade of the 1900s.  There have been a lot of well known people and business's that have come from our great city and there is a wealth of history here.
Ref: Minnie Hite Moody Ohio History Central  http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org

Women's Liberal Club

The Old Time Kuster Restaurant

The fame of the restaurant and cafe, which for years has been the leading eating house in Newark and is known as the Kuster Restaurant, run and managed under the firm name of Kuster and co, has extended to all sections of Ohio.  the business which is located at Nos 26-28-30 north park place has been est may years and enjoys the good will and patronage of more people in Newark and Licking County than all the other restaurants in the city combined.  The Kuster co is composed of jos Kuster Sr, J W Hohl and Mrs Ida Lawlor, the latter being the business mgr and to her excellent business qualities and foresight the trade has increased greatly in the past few years.  Mrs Ida T Lawlor gives all her time to the many little details which help to make a large est of this kind a success and that her efforts have borne fruit is evinced by the large patronage enjoyed.  The renowned dinners given each month by the beech Island club, which is famed for its hospitality and fine spreads is the work of Mr Jos Kuster who always superintends the preparation of the different meats and trimmings for these affairs, giving them the same attention he does with each meal as it is prepared at the restaurant every day in the year.  The est occupies an entire building, two stories in height, containing large and well appointed banquet rooms, ladies and gents dinning rooms and lunch counters, all of which enjoy the best service obtainable.  Mr Joseph Kuster Sr by whom the business was est is a native of Germany, where he was born in 1837.  He has been a resident of Newark for many years and is considered one of the most substantial businessmen of the city.  He is honored member of the Knight of Pythias.
Reference:  Chalmers Pancoast, Google Books, N N Hill, Licking County Public Library

Long Ago in Downtown Newark

 Boy I thought genealogy research was addictive; I don't know which is worse history or genealogy!  I can't make myself stop......
I wanted to check out some information on the Newark Square and in doing so discovered that there was once house and a brick building on the site where the Midland Theater is today.  The first photo I came across shows a wood framed 2 story house with a woman and man standing to the left of the front stoop and a man in a chair on the left side of the stoop or porch.  It is really a landing with a step, well there is also a woman in a rocker on the right side with a young boy standing beside her.
I found a later photo of a brick building on the same site that housed Heipley Tailor Shop, News Depot, and Tobacco shop.
The Midland Theater opened in 1928.
Down the east of the Midland Theater was a well known restaurant called Kuster.
The restaurant was well known for its huge buckwheat pancakes with maple syrup and country style sausage.  If you wanted a good serving of roast possum and yams this was the place to go.  Many folks went there for wonderful spareribs and sauerkraut also.  At time you might find the overflow of guest from the Warden Hotel taking refuge in the upper room of the restaurant to catch a good night's sleep. The business was named after Joseph Kuster Sr a native of Germany and was born in 1837.

Further north on St RT 13 and the point of Mt. Vernon Rd and Elmwood Ave there was once a school called Whittle Point School as this was the location of Whittle Point.  A tavern later took up residence in the building once the school had closed.  John Duncan's Cavalry Troop made it a regular hang-out.

I found that Elmwood Ave was once called Young's Lane.  This area was actually called Hayesburg back in the 1820's.  It was named after two families by the name of Hayes.  Apparently there was a lady by the name of Barbara Shoe who had the notion she was "chosen" to be the keeper of "The Key to Heaven" by the Lord.  It wasn't uncommon to see her kneeling and praying as she held onto the large wooden key.  As the story goes while she was praying and singing hymns others would stop and join her.

I love to try and imagine the scenery back then and determine which buildings till exist today.  Newark has many wonderful old building and I wonder what events took place in and around them.

As always I hope you find this interesting and it brings you joy to learn or be reminded of our great history in Newark Ohio.

Resources:  Chalmers Pancoast History of Licking County, William Davis Chronicles and Licking County Public Library, files from The Licking County Genealogical Society, N N Hill Licking County History and Newark

The Jewett Car Company

Imagine riding the interurban railway.  I think it would be wonderful!
The Jewett Car Company moved to Newark Ohio from Jewett Ohio in 1897.  It seems the company began there in 1893 and found Newark to be a better location.
It was located on South Williams Street.  The graceful arch-windows and the elegant well built wooden cars made them not only well known but desirable.  In 1917 France had an ambulance delivered to them and that ambulance was built by none other than the Jewett Car Company of our very own town.  How about that!
The company received orders from Brooklyn Union Elevated RR, Salt Lake & Ogden Railway and from New Castle Indiana and Toledo Ohio.
The President of the company was a gentleman by the name of William Shrewsbury Wright and the Secretary/Treasurer  John Glover, purchasing agent-W. B. Winegerter Arthur Vanatta the office boy.
One day in December of 1901 Mr. Glover’s bloody body was discovered by Arthur Vanatta as he was sweeping the office.  Apparently Mr. Glover had shot himself in the head and no one knows why.   Then in December of 1909 the company had a major fire in the planning-mill area and needless to say it did great damage.
The company survived and in May of 1915 William came to work as normal in his automobile but wanted to check out some problems he was having so he hung his coat on a post and began.  In doing so he never suspected he was about to be shot at by a former employee Charles Morris.  He was only 4 or 5ft away from William and he missed, the two struggled and Mr.  Winegerter step in to help.  All in all Morris popped of 3 shots at William Wright grazing his cheek and William left hand, the third shot his William’s coat.  
Several things lead to the end of the company including the automobile.  Other factors were the competition from larger car builders such a J. G. Brill & St. Louis Car Co.  The Jewett Car Company was ask to make munitions (War materiel, especially weapons and ammunition) for WWI, but the company’s major financial backer  was a German nationalist and would not extend the loan as it might lead to harm for millions in Germany.  By the end of WWI business had dropped and the interurban era was over.  They went out of business in 1919.
You car buffs might find it interesting to know that the company also made the rear end for the Russell axle.
I enjoyed looking at the interurban cars pictures.  They show the inside and out and one can just imagine what it was like to take part in that journey of time. 
Many cities used the Jewett Car Company!  They made over 2000 cars and shipped to Canada and 26 other states.
REF: Newark Advocate archives, Google books, Wikipedia, www.midcontinent.org builders of Wooden Railway Cars

Dawes Arboretum

I think most of us have enjoy Dawes Arboretum over the years.  Many things are happening such as night hikes, educational classes, picnic and plenty of programs.
As a child we went there many times and as I grew older would continue to take my brothers and sister there(Ramona (Mona Mason), Raymond Davis, Roderick(Rod) Davis).  My children( Jessica Rhinehart, Nina StClair, Travis StClair) enjoyed it as well and now my grandchildren (Breahna Rhinehart, Jaylyn Burchard, Audrie Link, Travis and Trevin StClair).  I imagine the Dawes knew that visiting would be a family tradition.  My friend Mary (Ree) Shaw and I go there to read the bible or do genealogy research and it is so relaxing. 
Beman Gates Dawes was born in Marietta, Ohio, on January 14, 1870. His father was Rufus Dawes and his brother, Charles Gates Dawes.  Charles was quite a man and how many of you know he was sworn is as Vice President on 3/4/1925 at the age of 60, he was a Republican. He served from 1925 to 1929.
  Beman Gates Dawes liked farming and engineering.  He successfully ran for the United States House of Representatives (Republican).  In 1909, Dawes was very interested in the oil and electric railway industries   He became the president and chairman of the board of directors for the Pure Oil Company in 1914.  
Dawes set up an endowment to create the Dawes Arboretum, located near Newark, Ohio. The purpose of the arboretum was to educate children about trees and give them an appreciation of nature in general.  Mr. Dawes died May 15th 1953 in Newark.
Charles Gates Dawes was born on August 27, 1865, in Marietta, Ohio and graduated from Marietta College in 1884. Later Charles earned a law degree from the Cincinnati Law School in 1886.
Charles Dawes established a law practice in Lincoln, Nebraska. He was skilled in law esp in dealing with public utilities and financial institutions. He was also knowledgeable in the banking industry.  In 1898 President McKinley appointed Dawes as Comptroller of the Currency for the United states Treasury Department.
In 1902, Dawes was unsuccessful in seeking election to the United States Senate as a Republican from Illinois.. He returned to his law practice, but with World War I's outbreak, Dawes enlisted in the United States Army. He eventually attained the rank of brigadier-general. When the war ended Dawes decided to resign from the armed forces.  Later 1921, he was the first director of the Bureau of the Budget he also served on the Allied Reparations Commission and helped Germany restore its economy. As a result of his efforts, Dawes received the Nobel Peace prize in 1925. In 1924, Republican Calvin Coolidge chose Dawes as his vice-presidential candidate. Coolidge and Dawes won the election of 1924.
From 1929 to 1931 Charles Dawes became the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain.   He also served as chairman of President Herbert Hoover's Reconstruction Finance Corporation. In 1932, Dawes retired from politics and focused his interests on banking. Charles became President of the City National Bank and Trust Company from 1932 until his death on April 23, 1951.
This spring and summer you should take advantage of the freedom to roam Dawes and enjoy the fresh air.  I know I Mary and I will.
References: Wikipedia, Newark Advocate, dawesarb.org

Where Was Gingerbread Row

Where was Ginger Bread Row
 
Ginger  Bread Row was only a block long but did it pack the power.  You can bet the temperance movement had a battle on their hands on this block of downtown Newark.
It was well known for its wickedness and was like a busy port because of the canal.  A very busy place from  1825 into the 60’s.  While in today’s time you can find folks around the court house catching a wink or two at night, Gingerbread Row was home to many homeless, criminals, drifters and canalers who were let’s say quite ornery. 
When I think of Ginger bread I think of gingerbread cake and cookies.  Hemmmmmm did this have anything to do with how Ginger Bread Row got its name?  Why yes it does!  The bakers on Ginger Bread Row did make cakes.  Legend has it that it went quit well with beer, rum, hard cider and rot-gut whiskey.
Whew, sounds like the wild side of downtown Newark, wouldn’t you agree.  I can just picture the battle between the women with their hands on their hips and toes a tappin carrying on and threatening those well shall I say uncontrollable bunch unable to talk plainly or stand up straight.  On the other hand Saturday night was a big deal, why those canal folks provided plenty of booze and rowdiness’.  Pull up a chair get the popcorn and set back to watch the crowd.  Free entertainment and I am sure many had a jolly good time of it.  As a matter of fact they had the entire section lit up with torches.
Now hold on to your hats folks you gotta read this next part!  Would you believe the strong men of Hog Run, yes that is right, Hog Run would come to town along with folks from Mary Ann Furnace and Hanover (the Little Natchez Under Hill).  They came for what was called “General Muster Day” and it all took place on Ginger Bread Row.  It was a time to settle all those disputes and quarrels that had been building up, yep just have it out until you came to some kind of agreement.  I am trying to picture this in my mind and I see people standing on the sidelines rooting for their pals and I see them moving their arms and punching as to help their buddy win this brawl.  Well with all that fussing and the carrying on the Temperance movement did at other times I find out they overlooked all of this.  Well until later another movement of the temperance called “Fantastics” ended the great General Muster Day.
  Now wouldn’t you think that with the name Ginger Bread Row this area was filled with craft shops and baked goods?  Oh I must be oh so blind, why silly ol me.  Guess I will be checking places out before I travel to make sure it is what I think it is, how about you?
After all that drinking and carrying on they just about took a bath in whiskey and hard cider (you know there had to be some wasp and bees in here somewhere).  I mean it was poured over them to heal their wounds, Ouch!
Ginger Bread Row was one block from the square on the south side around South 2nd st and Canal Street.
Resources: Chalmer Pancoast “Our Home Town Memories” and Nola Rogers (my mom the walking computer and encyclopedia)

Buckeye Lake and Cranberry Bog

Grab your cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate, sit back and enjoy! 
Today’s story is about Buckeye Lake and Cranberry Bog.  I believe it was a place of family get outings just like Baughman Park. 
7000 years ago and 1000 miles later a great glacier moved its way to Jacksontown.
The great valley was filled with water from the melting glacier and “Buckeye Lake” became reality.  
As a child I went to the amusement park many times and skied on the lake.  My husband “Lester or Bud St.Clair” took our children there to swim, picnic and watch the boats.  We now take our grandchildren and hopefully they will do the same.  No video games or television sets, just pure relaxation and fun. 
Cranberry Bog is an interesting spot.  Many times there will be a swamp area and it is filled with peat moss and other plant life, as is the case with Cranberry Bog.  When the water levels rise and lower so does the bog.  In doing my research I found that around 1830 the bog was 420 acres.  Bogs tend to be broken from the changes weather temperatures and boat activity. 
Slowing down the boat activity around the bog is just about the only way to preserve it.
So over the years it had broken down to 15 acres.  It is federally protected and you no longer have the freedom to come and go.  I am sure J-me Braig would be happy to take you on a tour.
I spoke of plant life on the bog, well of course some of that are cranberries and another is the Pitcher Plant.  An insect eating plant that captures its’ prey when they land on its’ sticky flower.
I would so love to see pictures of the family events that took place there.  Who knows how much longer we will get to enjoy it.
Would you believe me if I told you that bogs tend to have a lot of acidity (probably from the cranberry bushes or vines) to them and anything or anyone that falls into them is preserved.  Yep, it sure is and bogs in other countries have found “Bog People” that are hundreds of years old and still have hair and their fingernails.  Like a mummy would be I suppose.  Rumor has it that there are 10 to 12 “Bog People” at Cranberry Bog.  Could they be Indians? 
Another article I enjoyed reading was about the “Grocery Boat” at Buckeye Lake”.  I would think this was a custom for many canals at the time.
I am sure the people in the area including the children were happy to have the boat services.
The “Grocery Boat” came 3 times a week and you could get everything from candy, to fabric and even furniture.  That would be like a large truck coming down our streets and selling just about anything we could want.  The boat at Buckeye Lake started running in 1914 for about 35 years by two brothers named Harvey and Russell Bower.  They used ice to keep the food items save and later purchased a fridge.  The boat had removable shelved in the middle and bins around the edge and was 24 feet long.  I bet it was like seeing the ice cream truck coming. I am sure the people and visitors of the lake greatly appreciated the Bower brothers very much.
Well I hope you will visit the lake this summer with your family and maybe tour the museum and Cranberry Bog.  I have been to the museum but still have never went to the bog, once more adventure to add to my summer schedule. 
Resources:
Story of Buckeye Lake by-Joseph Simpson
Thhttp://books.google.com/books?id=XfVDAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=the+buckeye+lake+story+by+joeseph+simpson&cd=1#v=onepage&q=&f=falsee 
My Buckeye Lake Story by- Donna Fisher Braig
Wikipedia

Son to the Captain of the Granville Militia

WILLARD WARNER JR.
I decided to write about a family in Granville that my mother-in-law “Mary St.Clair” has taken care of in past years. They are the descendants of Willard Warner Jr.

Willard Warner Jr. was born the 24th of September 1826. There were many offices held by the active Warner family. Judge Luke Knowlton was a loyalist in the Revolutionary War and the Maternal grandfather of Willard Warner Sr. One accomplishment made by Warner Sr. took part in was serving as Captain of the Granville Militia.

Willard Warner Jr. traveled like many others to California for the great gold rush.
This is the life of Mr. Warner Jr!
1845 - Graduated from Marietta College
1849 – arrived in San Francisco California for the gold rush
1852 – settled in Cincinnati Ohio and ran a grocery store
1854 - became General Manager of the Newark Machine Works
1856 – married Eliza Woods
1861 – became active in recruiting men for the 76th Ohio Infantry
1862 – left Ohio with his regiment
1863 – promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel
1864 – General Sherman appointed him Inspector General for his army
1865 – became Brigadier-General and later Brevet Major General.
He returned to Ohio and became State Senator.
1866 – moved back to Alabama to his cotton plantation
1868 – he was elected a representative to the Alabama Legislative and
later was elected to the US Senate from Alabama.
1871 – Named “Collector of Customs” for the Port of Mobile Alabama. Warner
turned down the position of Governorship of the New Mexico and also the position at United States minister to the Argentina Republic
1873 – Willard Warner Jr. moved to Tecumseh Alabama and build Tecumseh Iron Works, a blast furnace manufacturer. He named it after his good friend William Tecumseh Sherman. Warner held the position of President and General Manager
1890 – He then moved to Chattanooga Tenn. As if he hadn't done enough already he was in banking, had a wagon company, a textile mill and a casket factory
1897 – Once again politics filled his blood and he was elected to the Tennessee General Assembly
1906 – On November 23rd Willard Warner Jr. passed away doing what he loved best-working. Mr. Warner was working as his desk at the time of death while he was working at the Chattanooga Coffin & Casket Co.

Willard Warner Jr. came from a long line of hard working men and stayed very active all his life. He now rest at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

References: Granville Historical Society archives

The Dewey Dexcimal System and The Library

Since the beginning of time documents and fact finding have been an important part in preserving our education and history. From ancient tablets to the new technology of today, people will rely on many sources to do their research. Much of this was done as a desire to pass on information.

Most of us are familiar with the Dewey Decimal system used in our libraries today. Melvil Dewey came up with the system in 1876.

For years the library as well as the librarian have been looked upon as an educational tool. As the importance of education grew to graduate levels the need for more sophisticated libraries also grew. Libraries soon became part of universities everywhere. What an asset to any school, college or church.

The Licking County Public Library came to be many years ago under a different name.  About 1871 the Ladies Circulating Library started operation, however in 1880 made its home in the Courthouse. On March 16th 1908 some of the same ladies took part in persuading the Newark city Council for a public library. These ladies were part of a group called Monday Talks Club which according to Dan Fleming (Reference Librarian and the Licking County Library) was one of the oldest clubs at the time.

With only $50 designated to pay a librarian, the future of the library looked dim. Later that same year, the Auditorium Theater (then called the Soldier and Sailors' Memorial Building) allowed the library to use one room. 
One founding members of Monday Talks was Florence King and her father had donated land for the Soldier and Sailors Memorial.  Another founding member of Monday Talks was Martha Wright and she also  founded "the Ladies Circulating Library." This group donated 400 volumes to the public library.
Most funding came from donations and fundraisers except the salary for the first librarian, Abagail Gabriel and that was paid by the city. One hundred and five West Church street would house the library next and that was in 1920. In 1930 the library became even more popular do to the Great Depression and in 1938 believe it or not the first bookmobile took to the streets. The library was once again moved this time to 88 West Church St, this was in 1950.
 
Hopefully everyone has visited the library that is now located at 101 West Main Street. With many computers available, a reference library, videos and a children's area it is quite a busy place just about anytime you stop by.
 
Inside the Licking County Library on the second floor is housed the Licking County Genealogical library. 
 
The LCGS has marriage and death records, Licking county atlas, family files, books on family history, many donated by people doing their own family research or left by their estates. Census records, obituaries, cemetery records, county history and much much more. To appreciate what the Licking County Public library and the Licking County Genealogical Society as well as the Licking County Historical Society has -  one must check it out for themselves. The Licking County Historical Alliance (a group of Licking County historical societies, The Works, Dawes and LCGS) all have great resources available to the public. It is the desire of  these organizations to preserve our history and provide education of the past as well as keeping our heritage alive.

In today's society one would be lead to believe that the library is no longer as valuable.
However, that is not the case at all. Many libraries today have computers available to those who don't have access to one at home, not to mention the ink it would take to print out articles to refer back to. Libraries today are often not only full of hands on information but also provide a relaxing, quite atmosphere to do your pleasure readying or studying. Many also provide study rooms, conference rooms and programs for all walks of life. As through all of time the library is still the best place to go for research. As many of us have found out the computer is also a very important tool for our education and research purposes but you can't find everything on the world wide web, sometimes you still have to hit the pavement and head to your local library.


Licking County Public Library – Dan Fleming
Licking County Genealogical Library


Licking County Woman Flies Around The World

Who was Amelia Earhart?  Well we know she was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone.  She also made an attempt to fly around the world but came up missing.
Who was Geraldine “Jerrie” Fredritz Mock?  She was another woman among many women pilots.  However, she was the first one to complete her mission of flying around the world alone.  Jerrie Mock was from Newark, Ohio. She survived the Great Depression, WWII, and the Cold War   at Depression, World War II, the Cold War
1925 – November, 22nd, Geraldine was born
1932 – Jerrie had the flying bug at age 7 (her mother’s maiden name was Wright)
1945 - She married Russell Mock and they had 3 children.  This ended her schooling with Ohio State University’s Aeronautical Engineering program.
1956 – She took her first flying lesson.
1961 – Jerri was the first woman to be licensed by Ohio to manage an airport. She also managed Logan County Airport at one time which was was located in Illinois.
 
1964 – Jerrie to flight for 29 days and approximately 22,860 miles to complete her trip around the world.  This trip came about by Jerrie’s desire to do something of interest.  Her husband supported her desire in the decision.

Al Baumeister and Russell bought a 1953 Cessna-180 for her journey.
After many additions and revisions to the Cessna that would allow her to travel 25 hours before refueling.  The Cessna was named “Spirit of  Columbus.”  Apparently a friend named Brigadier General O. F. Dick     Lassiter and John Peck” Eddie Rickenbacker’s personal mechanic” gave her advice concerning her flight.  Jerrie needed a sponsor and the Columbus Dispatch did just that.  Can you imagine being a 38 yr old mother of three children heading out on this journey and later telling your classmates that your mom took on such a task.
1983 - According to records I found in 1983 she lived at 1130 Moundview Ave, Newark, Oh 43055.  Isn’t it exciting when you discover someone famous had lived in the very same house you now live?  Hope this is a nice surprise for the homeowners who live there.
1992 – Records show her living in Quincy Florida
During her flight around the world she mistakenly caused such ado while in route to Cairo Airport that truck of soldiers and soldiers on the ground with guns quickly surrounded the Cessna-180.  She had landed in Egypt at a secret military base, not the intended destination of the Cairo Airport.  Whew!  They were no accustom to seeing a woman pilot.
 As a child she wanted to see a baby elephant, which she did in Sri Lanka and also road and camel in Egypt.  Jerrie was most ecstatic when she met Suchria Ali, a commercial glider pilot and Pakistan’s’ most famous woman flier.
 Geraldine Mock wrote a book called: Three-eight Charlie.  She was always interested in the life of Amelia Earhart.
Jerrie was inducted at the 19th Annual International Women in Aviation Conference, held from March 2008