Finding aid for the Collection of Athens, Ohio business ledgers

History of Athens Businesses and Businesspersons

Joseph B. Miles was engaged in mercantile and milling businesses in Athens, Ohio, beginning in 1808. He left Athens with his family in 1843. Captain Charles Devol lived in Washington County, Ohio, and served as a magistrate for several years. Due to the scarcity of medical people, he acted as a doctor and dentist. He died from paralysis on August 28, 1845 in Chauncey, OH while on a business trip. Dr. Leonard Jewett moved to Athens around 1804 or 1805 to open a business in medications and liquor. In 1806 he was elected to the Ohio State Senate and held that position until 1811. His other political offices Athens Township Trustee (1809 - 1810) and Athens County representative to the Ohio State House of Representatives (1809 - 1810). At the onset of the War of 1812 he was commissioned as a surgeon and was assigned to the staff of General Tupper. After the war he returned to Athens and resumed his medical practice. Ebenezer Currier settled in Athens in 1806. He was an early mercantile merchant of the town. He was politically active serving in town and township offices, justice of the peace, county commissioner, county treasurer, four-time member of the State Legislature, and an associate justice of the court of common pleas. David M. Clayton worked in dry goods, hardware, and groceries. Clayton also served as post master in Athens, Ohio, from 1861 to 1865. Josiah Coe bought 500 acres in the northwest Territory in 1803. He moved to Athens County in 1806 and set up a milling business in Nelsonville. He served on the first grand jury in the County and was a contributor to the first, log courthouse. He was a large dealer in real estate and a founder of the Athens Presbyterian Church. Ohio Conference High School of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Springfield, Clark County, Ohio was recognized by an act of the Ohio Legislature on March 7, 1842. The school, however, traces its origins to an act by the Legislature on March 1, 1834 establishing a high school in the town. A Board of Trustees purchased a lot on E. High Street, the present site of the Springfield Seminary. Peter A. Sprigman, owner of the land, proceeded to solicit subscriptions for the erection of a school building. In 1835 the school was organized under Milo G. Williams as principal. The plan of the school was to be a preparatory and collegiate course through the junior year. In 1841 it was proposed to transfer the school to the Methodist Church. The Reverend Solomon Howard became principal of the school in 1845 and, for the third time, it admitted girls and boys. The school continued until 1871 when it was sold to the Springfield Board of Education for $27,150. The Athens Post Office was first established in January 1804 and the first postmaster was Jehiel Gregory. The office was kept at his house, across the Hocking River east of Athens. Dr. Eliphaz Perkins took over in the spring of 1804 and the post office was moved to State Street. William McVay was born on March 4, 1841 in Athens County. He lived on a farm in Waterloo Township as a sheep breeder. His business and showing took him to Hebardsville, Albany and as far as Columbus. Daniel Grosvenor was a native of Athens County. Grosvenor was a merchant of food, household and farm supplies. He also was a member of the Ohio Republican Association and ended up holding office in the Treasury Department. He left Athens around 1880.

Scope and Content

The collection of Athens, Ohio business ledgers includes two ledger books, two account books, five day books, a matriculation book, and a scrapbook. The collection covers 102 years of mercantile business representing eight men of Athens County. The books note customer accounts and merchant purchases and trades. The Grosvenor ledger also contains the minutes of the Athens County Republican Central Committee from July through August of 1876 as well as a list of the Allusiory members of the Committee. The McVay book also includes a family birth record dating back to 1840. The Post Office, school book and the Miles ledger include Ohio University accounts.

Statement of Arrangement

Subject Terms

The following terms have been used to describe this collection.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

Researchers are requested to cite collection name, collection number, and Ohio University, Athens, Ohio in all footnotes and bibliographical references.

Other Finding Aid

A paper copy of the folder list is available.