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 15^th 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 2^nd st and Canal Street.

Resources: Chalmer Pancoast “Our Home Town Memories” and Nola Rogers (my mom the walking computer and encyclopedia)