Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1930-03-13
KNOXVILLE
UnionviIle As Seen BY The Writer
Fifty Years AGO


time the following description re-
mains clear in our mind. The once
thriving village received it's name
by being built at the union of the
two Meigs creeks namely Big Meigs
and Dyes Fork, and has the honor
of being the former home of what is
now the mammoth factory of Brown
Manly Plow Co., Malta, O., as the
first double shovel plow was manu-
factured by Mr.. Brown in this vii
lage, this being the first step in the
history of this big concern in the
manufacture of farm implements.
This proves what can be accomplish
ed by progressive minds, conserva
tive, systematic and energetic prin-
ciples, coupled with a determination
to succeed. Fifty years ago there
were 20 dwellings, all occupied,
some with large families; the popu-
lation was something over 100 per-
sons. About 65 pupils attended the
village school. At that time DR..
Hiram j. Noyes, a resident Of the
village, attended the sick. and pull
ed or tried TO pull all aching teeth.
There were three blacksmith shops,
operated by Victor Craig, VIM. j.
and Charles BoZman. There were
three large general stores, operated
by Huse Harper, David Hutchison,
and the grange store, managed by
John w. Barkhurst, who was later
treasurer of Morgan county. One
saloon existed, and was operated by
Thomas Martin. millinery store
was conducted by the Havener sis
ters; one tailor shop; boot shoe
and harness shop, operated by Amos
Adrean who worked every day and
far into the night, making footwear
from the famous "Outcalt leather"
A large wood and wagon shop, and
undertaking shop. was owned and
operated by VIM. S. Nelson At that
time Mr., Nelson was claimed to
have one of the finest funeral out
fits in the county. There was also
a large flour mill and saw mill, own
ed and operated by Henry Alex
ander and his son Wesley The large
building was owned by the |. o. O.
+. and the M. f.. congregation. There
was also a Masonic hall where the
Masons held regular meetings,
their membership being later trans
ferred TO Reinersyille. On location
where the writer now lives, stood
the large two story hotel owned and
operated by David r. Buchanan,
and there was a feed stable in con
nection both doing good business.
Mr. Buchanan was also the Justice
of the peace, and later postmaster.
Street lamps were located on one
side Of the street, from the l. O. O.
t. hall to the bridge. and the lamps
were kept burning every night,
which was quite convenience to
the public. John f. Ball was the
boss carpenter and cabinet maker Of
the village, and constructed a large
number OF buildings. which are
standing today as monuments OF
his handiWork. At the time when
all OF these industries were doing
business, it was a very common oc-
currence in walking from the bridge
TO the |. O. O. +. hall in the even
ing TO meet 90 people in that dis
tance. But time has changed con-
ditions, not only here, but in all
rural districts. Not one person 4
have named is now living, and all
we can boast OF at this time is one
large general store, owned and op-
Grated by J.. II. Wickersham Four
families now reside within the vii
lage limits. The fine large building
owned Jointly by the |. O. O. F. or
der and the NJ. f. congregation, is
with no regular church services, but
the L. o. o. F. still hold regular
meetings each Saturday night. We
can boast of our fine large two-room
school building, with it's large play
ground, and we believe the most
troll
township for centralized school.
without going to the expense OF
building elsewhere at an added ex-
pense to the taxpayers. Yes. Tn
ionyile. as we have noted was a
busy place until on May 8, 1879,
disastrous tire consumed almost an
entire block. Almost the entire (,
populace OF the village We're absent {
the funeral OF Miss Fulton
at Pleasant Grove church Fire
started in the roof OF the hotel.
soon spreading TO other buildings.
and the general store of Huse Harp
er, the Havener millinery store
and the Masonic hall. all being re
duced to ashes before the fire was
checked. As above stated, no help
was available until a messenger was {
dlSpatGned morse back to Pleasant
Grove, 10 notify the people that (
their homes We're on fire there be- :
ing no telephone or automobiles at :
that time, and the fire had made
great progress before help could ar
rive, Although there were several
hundred persons here in a short
time, practically nothing was saved
from any Of the buildings. Later {
David Buchanan rebuilt on the same /
foundation. and c. II. Whitney built \
the fine large store room and dwell I
ing now owned by j. II. Wicker {
sham This disastrous destruction S
by fire probably started the decline 5
IN business way, and also helped /
70 reduce the population to a GER i
tain percent. But for several years {
the village could still boast of being ,
a good business center. The lure Of
the city however gradually called
the growing generation until the S
present conditions exist {
Nyal's cold capsules. guaranteed
TO break up your cold.-The Stan
berry Pharmacy.