The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-03-31
THE OLDEN TINES.
Somerset FOrty-Three Years Ago.
No. 2.-May, 1888.

W. S"--sAoJs AoSOs
There is nothing so relished by the
old citizens of a town, as the past begins
to fade from their memory, as to be re-
minded OF events that occurred in their
early days. We realize, when the years
are beginning to press npon us, that life
is but "span," yet within that span are
bound up many hours of pleasure. pain
and sorrow, to which memory clings
| with a tenacious grasp. We would not
part with even the memory of our sor-
rows, for they seem to make up a full
share of life's history, and they linger
in the reeesses of our recollections, and
would fain make us happy in the very
remembrance of them.
There are few of your readers who
have a distinct recollection of Somerset
forty-three years ago. Probably you
cannot now count fifty persons in your
entire village who made up the one
thousand population of two-sco and
three years ago. What change so
short a time works in the condition of
a town as we'll as in the condition of
families. You have not one person do
| ing business in Somerset who was in bu-
siness in 1833-the year propose to un-
| fold 10 some extent in this communica-
tion. A few are still lingering on the
verge of time, but they are only abiding
the summons whose unrelentIng demand
has been calling the death roll for the
last six thousand years, and Fastening
each in his turn to join the innumerable
throng of the spirit world. Less than
dozen of years will in all probability
bring the last probationer among the
business men Of Somerset in 1888 to his
final rest.
In looking over some old files of the
"Western Post" of 1888, find some ad-
vertisemenls and notices to which | pro
pose TO advert.
John F. Mopller-the father of nu-
merous family, we'll known TO most of
your readers-was engaged in the dry
goods business in the frame building on
the north side Of East Main street, be-
tween the corner brick and the hotel.
William Wright and Henry Filler, Sr.,
were in partnership in the saddling busi-
meas, on the south side of East Main
street, nearly Opposite the residence of
DIR. Pardee. They took hides, -four,
wheat, oats, corn, clover-seed, fax-seed,
and all kinds of country produce, for
their work.
E. Teal and N. Delong were also in
the "saddlery business" but dissolved
partnership on the Goth of April, 1888
the business being continued by N.
Delong. They too dealt in country pro-
duce-the legal tender of those days,
with the exceptions.
George and Adam Spurck were en-
gagged in purchasing horses for the East !
ern market.
Samuel Beatty, tall, gangling,
good natured man, was carrying on a
brisk business in the tin and copper
ware trade. In long poetical ad-
vertisement, setting forth the merits of
his goods, he begins thus:
"Ye men of families and wives so fair,
That love to see and have god ware,
To dress your deserts off neat,
And re-replenish them replete,
Come now and buy while they are cheap,
Ware that will your life time keep"
And he closes with the usuaI. PROPOSE |
tion: , |
And now in barter for this ware,
I'll take such things you can spare;
Such as old copper, rags and pewter,
Feathers, beeswax, or country sugar,
And sometimes cash t" keep jingle
To correspond with this commingle."
Beatty kept his establishment two
doors east Of John f. Moeller's dry |
goods store. in an old frame on the alley, |
where the brick building adjoining the
hotel now stands.
Ream, Morris & Ritchey kept dry
goods store on the south side of West
Main street. adjoining Martin Scott
then the Peter Dittoe property.
Charles C. Hood KEEP. dry goods
store in the old brick, northeast corner