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Importance Of Smithies In Early HamiltonBy ALTA HARVEY HEISERsmith shop in 1822 and contin- South Third street—at “No. 5ued for many years although he Pearl street.” This was ealled did not confine himself to this “Commercial Row,” and Mr.smith shop the bridge.at the east end ofWe have spoken of the im-j Dorcas, but Isaac Wiles was a there were at least four new portance of mills in the early man of means and a prominent smithies in Hamilton. George W. settling of our county. Most of figure in pioneer Hamilton. In Stall had a shop in 1816, George the trades followed were inter- 1805, when William McClelland Snider and lsuac Watson haddependent. For this reason, the mills would have been of little service had there been no blacksmiths, who made the tools usedby farmers in planting, tending and harvesting their grain. Blacksmiths also shod the horses used on the farms and for hauling grain to the mills. If blacksmiths did not make all the wagons in which the grain was taken, they at least made necessary repairs.Isaac Wiles and Samuel Dorcas are the earliest names foundamong those of Hamilton blacksmiths. Both were doing business in 1S00. Little is known of Mr.1was sheriff, Mr. Wiles forged *‘irons” to chain prisoners to the floor of the Fort building still in use as *a jail. He also was alocksmith, made “kees” and repaired guns. Farly blacksmiths did the work of many who later specialized in various branches of the original smithies’ activities.Before the close of 1800, athird blacksmith is said to have started a forge in the village. This was Edward Murphy, twenty years of age. He lived to be one hundred, and followed his trade until quite old.During the next score of years,theirs in 1S18, and John Jenkins had his in 1819. At an earlier date, Mr. Snider was a “journeyman waggon maker,” which business he continued at his shop iiust north of Murray’s tavern, which was near the northwest corner of Front and Dayton streets. Isaac Watson continued in business at least until 1S31. He mended plows, spliced gudgeons, and evidently made the cold and stone chisels which he sold. Mr. Jenkins had his shopfrom 1819 till 1825, perhaps earlier and later.Joseph Watkins had a black-line of work. An early bill wasfor ‘ ‘ whealboirow, e x e 11 r e e,spoakes, lage and rave and putting on irons.” The last item may have meant putting iron rims on wagon wheels. In 1836', R. Watkins was associated with him. Their work on John Woods’ farm implements amounted to$352.75.First Coal YardIn 1840, Joseph Watkins started the first coal-yard of which we find a record. It was on “High street north of the Ba.sin.’’ This was some venture, as wood was almost the onlv fuel used until a much later date. At that time, stone coal brought 1834c a bushel, and just “coal” sold for 15c. Mr. Watkins did not entirely give up the smithyWatkins was sandwiched in be-Supplied Andironssame laws but with separate trus- ;lt; tees, Thomas Fawcett (also given 11as Fosset) took possession of theIn 1824, William Smith wasIover the coal and wagon making establishment.In 1823, Thomas Burns had a sickle factory at the stand which became almost a permanent blacksmith shop under the management of many smiths. This was “at the east end of the Miami bridge,” on the west side of South Water street (Monument avenue). Mr. Burns also conducted an oil mill and advertised for flax seed. Once he asked fora thousand bushels. It cannot besaid wdiether or not he discontinued his sickle factory, but before business, but in 1841 he started i the elose of 1823 William Richa general merchandise store on | was doing business in the black-, j blacksmith shop on the commons, j below the bridge, paying rent totween similar stores, one con- l“e whitesmith at this shop, and ,jlecorporation. His known dates advertised for old brass. This is are from 1827 to 1843. He firstsufficient evidence that Mr. Rich was found on “Main street, northearly of Blair’s hotel”—the hotel wasand- at the northwest corner of Highfire- and Mainducted by Bell and Hawley and the other by Bigham and Wilson. Le wis and Hutchinson tookand Mr. HamiltonforSmith suppliedhomes with brasstheir largeopenirons places.The land occupied by the blacksmith shop on South Water street was in a splendid locationfor such a business. It was near the market house, convenient for farmers living west of the river, and near the beginning of the roads leading to Cincinnati, Lebanon and Dayton. When Hamil-ton was under county law, with the sheriff holding the highest office, land owned as “commons” was controlled bv the county com-missioners. At about the timeI(Second) streets.Next week, we shall tell of the blacksmiths who followed Mr. Fawcett' at this popular stand near the bridge.HOWELL CLEANING PLANTIS LOOTED BY THIEVESTheft of a quantity of clothing and drapes, value undetermined, early Thursday morning from the Ifowell Dry Cleaning company plant, 519 Chestnut street, was reported to police by Robert Howell, proprietor. The intruders entered the building bv smashingThe loot!that Hamilton and Rossville were glass from two windows, incorporated together under thei included six pairs of trousers, one,
Newspaper Details
Hamilton Cincinnati North Journal
Hamilton, Ohio, US
Sat, Oct 26, 1940
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Patrick M.
USA 02 Feb 2021
Other Publications Near Hamilton, Ohio
Hamilton Evening Democrat
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