Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1891-05-28
LIBERTY CENTER, o.
STEADY GROWTH.
Is what Ridgeville Corners is
Enjoying and has Enjoyed
for Years

Last week a NORTHWEST rolled over the
Bryan pike, winding around pleasant farms
pleasant both in scenery and the thriving con-
dition of crops in general. Ridgeville was
his destination, and he found it never in a
more prosperous condition. The farmers
who do their dealing at this point all speak
highly of the auspicious outlook for crops
this year, while the merchants, although
complaining slightly of scarcity of money,
were hopeful for better times after harvest.
And their hopes are based on good ground, for
the farmers in and about Ridgeville bear a
high reputation for honesty and prompt lqui-
dation of debts when at all possible, and it
will certainly be possible in a few short
months. They, like all other classes, have
Just survived, financially, a long severe win
ter-a direct result of poor crops and low
prices for farm products last year. But even
taking this into consideration. for good,
solid financial footing, RidgeviIle is away
above the average.
Ridgeville is not metropolis-it is a vii
lage with good business interests, beautiful
residences, and containing several hundreds
terests of their town at heart and are always
willing to make a personal sacrifice for the
advancement of the town.
Frank A. Rowe has but recently purchased
the half interest of William Harmon in the
firm hitherto known as Rowe g. Harmon. He
is now sole proprietor and is manifesting a
hustling disposition highly commendable.-
He has a very large stock of general mer
chandise, consisting of everything from a
spool of thread up to first-class coffin, which
he is offering at greatly reduced prices. Frank
is we'll known throughout Henry county, hav-
ing been a prominent candidate before the
Democratic convention last year for county
auditor. He has given up politics for the
present and will devote his entire time to the
business in which he is now engaged.
The firm of Harmon & Redman is enjoying
a first class custom in blacksmithing and
wagon making. Both gentlemen are accom-
modating, besides being first class mechanics.
1t is the only shop of this kind in the town
and the fact that they have no opposition
speaks plainly the peoples satisfaction with
them and their work.
John Scofield runs large general store. He
is one of the old pioneers of Henry county
and is we'll known throughout its borders. He
moved to Ridgeville township from Inde-
pendence, Cuyahoga county, in May, 1856
RidgeviIle had then butsone house and that
situated on the site of his present business
house. After engaging in the lumber bust
ness for 21 years, during which time he fig
ured largely in the development of the coun-
try, he entered the mercantile business and
has ever since remained in it, having met
with success. He enjoys the implicit conf
about every important Office in the township,
besides being postmaster for number of
years. III. L. Chapman, now in his employ,
is Ridgeville's present postmaster.
The town has an excellent doctor in the
person of II. G. Coy, graduate of the Balti-
more College. He is a physician and surgeon,
who, we are justified in saying, speaking from
personal acquaintance and the opinions of
his patrons, is credit to his profession in
every respect. His practice, already large, is
steadily increasing.
Fred Lather is the jovial harness man who
is doing business and has on hand stock
equal to many harness stores of much larger
towns. He is the patentee o. an improved
hame tug which was patented in 1880. He has
the right for years in Canada and II in the
U. s. The tug is composed of two pieces,
whereby fexibility is secured that makes
the breaking of hame tugs almost an impos-
sibility. Mr.. Lather worked on the patent a
number of years and has truly good thing.
1t is something the people desire and will
meet with ready sale.
John Kline is unning hotel and feed sta
ble, where all translents are comfortably taken
care of. Mr.. Kline has been resident of
Henry county for So years and one among the
first subscribers for the NORTHWEST.
Ridgeville constitutes special school dis
trict and the board of education have wisely
built modern two-story structure at cost
of, approximately, $500. Two religious
hold forth and have good siz-
ed churches and congregations. They are,
the Congregational. presided over by Rev.
and the Methodist, with Rev.
Wilson, pastor.