|
The settlement which has developed
into the city of Crooksville was begun
as far back as 1846. History tells us
that in that year Larzalere Burley
(father of W. N. Burley, who is prom-
inent in the business to-day) built here
the first pottery, a very small affair,
known as a "Blue Bird." This was be-
fore the days of railroads, and the
product of the infant industry was
transported by wagon and found a
market in Chillicothe, then the largest
nearby city, and in other towns.
In 1867, Joseph E. Crooks came to
this locality and also engaged in the
pottery business, operating another
"Blue Bird," that is, a plant operated
as they were before the days of steam
and machinery.
|
Crooksville to-day has the distinc- tion of being one of the largest pro- ducers of clay products in Ohio. These products are shipped to all sec- tions of the country. These, with the extensive coal mines in the vicinity, make it one of the busi- est cities in the State. Crooksville is surrounded by one of the finest agricultural sections in this or neighboring States, and the tillers of the soil are in a most prosperous and substantial condition. Improvements are to be seen upon every hand, and very recently an order was passed by the Council that the sidewalks of the main street should be graded and paved with concrete. There is an abundant supply of water and natural gas, and the city is well policed. The streets of the resident portion are lined with attractive homes and the numerous shade trees bordering the walks lend a very pretty and peace- ful appearance. |
In 1904 he was appointed School
Examiner by Judge Hynus, and in 1907
reappointed. He has served in all
nearly six years, and his ability has
attested itself in all the work of the
Board.
Mr. Taylor has served as Mayor of
Crooksville, and in many other ways
shown his civic pride. He married
Miss Chestoria Moore in 1887 and six
children have blessed the union. As
scholar and man of business, Professor
Taylor has already made his mark in
the world. Fraternally, he is a Mason
and Red Man, and in religion a Pres-
byterian.
REV. FATHER B. J. MATTES, Father B. J. Mattes was born in
Upper Bavaria, Franconia, Germany.
He received his education at the paro-
chial schools in Rock Island, Illinois,
and Baltimore, Maryland, and gradu-
ated from the Pontifical College Jo-
sephinum, Columbus, Ohio, in 1893,
and from seminary of same name
and place in 1900. He was ordained to
the priesthood of the Roman Catholic
Church, June 29, 1899, by His Emi-
nence, Cardinal Satolli, Apostolic Del-
egate. He was professor at the Pon-
tifical College and Seminary for one
year, from which he graduated, and
was preparing himself to take a course
|
in philosophy abroad, but was advised,
on account of ill health, to take up
parochial work. For a time thereafter
he was chaplain of the Hospital at St.
Anthony. His first church charge was
near Marietta, Ohio, and in February,
1906, he came to Crooksville, and has
been rector of the Church of the
Atonement since.
In addition to his charge here a mis-
sion is maintained at Moxahala, where
a handsome church has been erected
in the Spanish mission style.
Father Mattes, since he has been in
Crooksville, has shown great interest
in the welfare of the city, and is ever
ready to do his share toward advanc-
ing its interests.
|
|
SHERMAN T. GRIMES, MAYOR OF CROOKSVILLE |
|
||
|
PROF. JOHN E. TAYLOR |
The subject of this sketch is among
the progressive public-spirited citizens
of Crooksville. He is a native of Perry
County, was born near Lyonsdale, in
1869, and is a son of John and Emily
Taylor. His education was obtained
in the New Lexington High School,
and in the National Normal Univer-
sity, Lebanon. His ambition prompted
him first to teaching, and in 1888 he
began that work, following it with
great success until 1902, mostly in
Perry County, serving as Principal of
the Crooksville West Side School.
Impressed with the industrial develop-
ment and bright future of Crooksville,
he abandoned pedagoguery to help es-
tablish and take stock in the Globe
Stoneware Company, in which he holds
the important position of secretary and
general manager.
|
|
|
Next Page