W.
E. R. KEMP
was a carpenter and builder of some of the earlier homes and
businesses in Ironton. These
are some of the articles that we found relating to his work.
Researched
by: Sharon M. Kouns and Martha Martin
IR
Dec. 8, 1859 - Union Hall. - Ironton can now boast of one of the
prettiest and neat Public Halls in the country.
Union Hall, so long in an unfinished condition, was sold
last Summer, to a new company, which went to work to complete
it, and it is now nearly ready for opening - will be ready in
course of a week or two. The
company now owning it, is styled D. S. Murdock & Co.” and
consists of D. S. & T. I. Murdock, James Rodgers, Samuel W.
Dempsey, John Ellison and John Campbell.
The building is 96 feet in length by 44 feet wide.
The first story is taken up by two store rooms, the
second by the Public Hall; and the third, which was handsomely
finished and furnished about four years ago, is the Masonic
Hall.
The “Union Hall,” just now being completed, is the
design of its finish is plain, yet neat and tasty - that plan of
W. E. R. Kemp who did the carpenter work.
The stage is raised about three feet, across the end
opposite the entrance, inclined a little to the audience, is 16
feet wide, and the front is ornamented with a beautiful arch.
The audience room, but two broad aisles, convenient for
entrances and exit, and is seated with stationary ____, so fixed
through the centre, between the two slates, that they can
readily be removed if it is wanted.
The sight in the audience room is all clear, save three
small iron pillars. At
the entrance, there is ample standing room at the head of the
stairs, with an ante room one side of the main doorway to the
Hall; and over this part across the entrance end of the building
is a gallery, which contains very eligible seats.
All about the Hall is roomy and it will comfortably seat,
in the regular _____ 700 people - in case of a “crowd,”
1,000 people can find room in the Hall, and from that up to any
required density that can be suffered.
The plastering is a good job done by John Sloat and Jerry
Jamison, and the painting very neat and shows- principally
beautifully grained work; the windows will be frosted and
ornamental, and hung just right for easy ventilation.
D. S. & T. I. Murdock have the (do
not have end)
IJ
Oct. 2, 1867 - Almost Two Fires. - ... house occupied by Johnson
Bro.’s, as dry goods store, next to Union Hall building.
IR
Nov. 11, 1869 - Chisel and hammer are ringing on the stone for
the Union Hall front.
IR
May 26, 1870 - Workmen are now putting up the stone front to
Union Hall.
IR
June 9, 1870 - If the Union Hall is rendered as safe as it is
attractive, by the recent improvements made there, the work will
not have been done in vain.
IR
Mar. 2, 1871 - Opened. - D. S. Murdock has opened a Wholesale
Flour and Provision store, in one of the large and commodious
rooms under Union Hall. ....
IR
Jan. 3, 1861 - The Bank Building. - On New Year’s Day the Iron
Bank was removed to its new building on Second Street.
It is a matter of pride to the town that a structure such
as that should adorn the principal thoroughfare, for in
appearance, in construction and in materials, not many places of
the same size can boast its superior.
The foundation, which rises about four feet above the
ground, is a splendid specimen of masonry, and just after it was
finished looked considerably like a young fort, so strong and
well constructed were the walls.
The brick work would compare with the best in the cities;
it shows that the workmen were masters of the trowel, for every
thing is in straight line and square corner.
The cornice, though heavy, is very tasty; there are
nearly a hundred moulded briskets upon it which of course very
much enriches its appearance.
There are three rooms in the building, the bank room,
proper, and two side rooms, each of which is well finished and
perfectly adapted to the purpose of the building.
The iron vault is placed upon a solid stone foundation
and surrounded by heavy brick walls, to get through which, would
undoubtedly try the patience of the sharpest villain.
The workmen were W. E. R. Kemp, Architect, Stephen White,
Brick Mason, James Allison, Stone Mason, Wm. Cochran, Painter,
and J. Jamison, Plasterer.
IJ
Dec. 4, 1867 - Mr. D. H. Clark, of Millersport, has purchased a
beautiful building site on Fourth street, below Mr. Samuel W.
Dempsey, where he is erecting a beautiful residence.
W. E. R. Kemp has the contract. (Aug. 1884 states D. H.
Clark’s house was built in 1867) [IR Apr. 30, 1874 - D. H.
Clark is repairing and remodeling his residence on 4th st.,
which presents a handsome appearance, although not yet complete.
IR
Dec. 9, 1893 - The pleasant home of Mr. and Mrs. D. H. Clark on
south Fourth street was the scene of a happy event Wednesday
evening. The
occasion was the wedding of their daughter, Mrs. Hattie Clark
Simpson, to Mr. John C. Murdock...Mr. Murdock and his bride
..for their home already prepared by the groom on Center
street..] [IR Sept.
2, 1899 - Dennis Hayes Clark died at the family home on south
Fourth street - funeral held at the residence on the corner of
Fourth and Washington streets.]
IR
May 6, 1869 - Bank Building - The upper end of Rodger’s Block
will shortly be torn down, to make way for the splendid new
structure in contemplation.
W. E. R. Kemp has the contract to build the whole thing,
and is rapidly perfecting his arrangements.
IR
May 16, 1872 - City Council. - Kemp and Cleveland were granted a
permit to build on the Triangle.
IR
May 16, 1872 - A Fancy building is to be put up on the Triangle,
without delay. Kemp
and Cleveland have the contract.
Lampman will occupy it with his jewelry store.
IR
Sept. 4, 1872 - The Dolly Varden building on the Triangle is now
finished, except a glass case to set over it to keep it from the
weather.
IR
Feb. 20, 1873 - Location of the new furnace. - Our readers will
be gratified to learn that the question of the new furnace to be
built by the Etna Iron Works has been settled and that Ironton
is surely the lucky place.
The Directors met last Tuesday evening and decided upon
the Kemp lands near the Old Hecla Landing, scarcely a half mile
above the corporation line.
The tract of land which they have secured is about
fifteen acres. The
company purchased from Thos. and C. T. M. Kemp, and about five
acres from John A. Witman.
- Everyone will concede the excellence this action of the
Directors. The site
chosen is near the upper terminus of the Iron Railroad and is
favorably situated in reference to river landing.
There was much anxiety felt in this community upon this
subject, and the fear lest that institution would be located out
on the railroad, or some miles below town, prompted much
speculation on the matter.
IR
Dec. 4, 1873 - John
A. Witman’s new house above town is the largest frame
residence in all this region.
IR
Aug 6, 1874 - Large Residence. - A visit was paid last Monday to
J. A. Witman’s residence (large article - get copy - smk)
IR
Apr. 30, 1874 - The
foundations for the engine house and boiler house of the Etna
Iron Works is completed and the Thomas W. Means brought the
engines from Pittsburg on Saturday.
IR
June 4, 1891
- Etna Iron Works. - Mr. Hartman, a furnace expert, is here as
the representative of the purchasers of the Etna Iron Works, to
examine the property, its resources and facilities for making
iron. He has been
here a week and has been diligent in inspecting every part of
the vast property. ...
The sale of Etna works has not yet been confirmed, but there
seems to be no doubt but the Court will favorably act in a few
days.
IR
June 25, 1891
- Confirmed. - The sale of the Etna Iron Works has been
confirmed. Now, if
we knew what the report sent here to investigate was, we could
tell what the future of Etna Iron Works would be and how soon it
would begin.
IR
Feb. 5, 1874 - Kemp-Town has eight residences and one shingle
mill, says an enterprising correspondent.
IR
July 23, 1874 - Mr. Turner Kemp has graced his farm just above
town with a beautiful $7,000 brick residence.
IR
Nov. 26, 1874 - W. E. R. Kemp goes to the Shenandoah Valley this
week to revisit the scenes of his childhood.
Mrs. Kemp goes with him.
IR
May 7, 1874 - W. E. R. Kemp has the contract for building F. D.
Norton’s $12,000 residence.
IR
Jan. 7, 1875 - W. E. R. Kemp got the contract for the proposed
city building. His
bid was $1,047.82. The
highest bid was Levi Henry’s $1,263.
There were seven bidders.
IR
Apr. 20, 1876 - County Commissioners. - The bids for enlarging
the Infirmary were opened, as follows:
Jno. W. Porter, $4,600; Geo. Hamilton, 4,675; Kafer &
Bro., $4,850; Robt. Shore, 4,800; Main & Thomas, 4,464; Jno.
R. Shore, $4,887; W. E. R. Kemp, $4,119.
The contract was awarded to W. E. R. Kemp.
IR
June 8, 1882 - Awarded. - The following are the bids on the
contract for building H. A.Marting’s residence and stable:
House
Stable
W.
E. R. Kemp
2650.00
488.00
Enterprise
Co.
2599.00
485.00
Evans
& Chase
2604.00
448.00
T.
W. Hall
2641.00
441.00
J.
W. Porter
2850.00
417.50
J.
W. Main
2936.00
514.00
The
contracts were awarded to Enterprise Co. for the house, and to
J. W. Porter for the stable.
IR
Aug. 30, 1883 - W. E. R. Kemp says he keeps 13 carpenters at
work now.
IR
Oct. 4, 1883 - A plat has been prepared laying off the strip of
land on the river side of the pike above town between the elm
tree and T. W. Kemp’s property where he lives, into lots.
John Campbell and H. S. Neal are the owners of the
property laid off. Thee
are about 60 lots in the piece, half of which front on the pike
and half toward the river, with an alley between the two rows of
lots, (do not have end)
IR
May 26, 1887 - L. M. Henry and W. E. R. Kemp adjusted the loss
on John Hannon’s house. They
agreed upon $316.
IR
July 28, 1887 - Mr. Frank Prine is here from Columbus to work
for W. E. R. Kemp on B. F. Ellsberry’s house.
IR
Mar. 8, 1888 - Mr. Selb is receiving bids for his new business
block on the corner of Second and Olive, and will award the
contract this week. The
building will be 44 x 72 feet, divided into two store rooms with
iron fronts, the barber shop occupying the corner room, with
living rooms at the rear and overhead.
Both floors of the other half of the block will be for
store purposes. Mr.
Kemp made the drawings.
IR
Nov. 17, 1887 - BEGUN WORK - The Platting Commission appointed
by Council to plot the territory in the Whitwell Annexation has
entered actively upon the discharge of its duties.
Several meetings have been held.
The Commission organized by electing John Campbell,
President and J. R. C. Brown, Secretary.
A resolution that the streets of Ironton, 4th,
5th, 6th, &c., shall be extended in a
straight line through the new territory, and that the cross
streets in Nixon’s, Donohoe’s, T. W. and C. T. M. Kemp’s
and the Second National Bank additions be extended as started
was adopted. The
City Engineer was directed to make a survey of Seventh street as
extended and place stakes at the intersection of cross streets
for the Commissioner’s inspection.
The propriety of making a wider avenue than the present
street, either of 7th 8th or 9th
streets is being considered.
IR
June 7, 1888 - Merchants Block - W. E. R. Kemp has the contract
for rebuilding Merchant’s Block.
There will be four store buildings, with no connections
between them, and fire walls to separate the roofs.
No space will be left between the new buildings and the
Opera House block. Each
of the stores except where the stone front is standing, will
have cast and galvanized iron fronts, and will have large plate
glass windows and recess entrances.
The design provides for a grand center staircase in the
back part of each store room except the corner room, and big
skylights over the stair landing, the arrangement being that
each store shall occupy both the first and second floor.
The corner building will have two double offices on the
second floor, with an entrance on Center street.
IR
June 28, 1888 - Moses Haynes, another old citizen, died last
Friday. He had been
a resident of Ironton since 1854..... He was at one time in
partnership with W. E. R. Kemp in the carpentering business and
helped build many of the older homes. ... He was born in
Covington, Va., 75 years ago....
IR
Oct. 30, 1890 - Death of Mrs. C. T. M. Kemp. - ...Mrs. Adelia
Kemp, wife of the late C. T. M. Kemp, died at her home in
Whitwell. Her age
was 54 years... [Maiden name was Johnston, sister to Seliman,
Frank and the late Col. Sam’l C. Johnston]
IR
Feb. 18, 1892 - RE Transfers
Mary
A. Kemp to Fidelia B. Wait.
pt. lot 4, Kemp’s dower estate
$600.
IR
May 5, 1892 - Bids. - A roomful of contractors and other
interested parties gathered at T. D. Shirkey’s office Tuesday
night to see the bids opened for the I. O. O. F. temple.
There were four bids for the whole work as follows:
T. R. Hall, $27,900; D. C. Jones, of Columbus, $33,500;
J. F. Ewing, of Fostoria, $35,700; Kemp & Foster,
$27,105.86. The
contract will be awarded to the latter firm, with some minor
changes in the plan to reduce the cost.
IR
May 21, 1896 - Improvements. - Joseph Lloyd will build a four
room addition to his home, on 5th near Jefferson, with front
porch, new front stairway and hard wood finish.
Llewelyn Williams has the contract to build, from plans
by Mr. Kemp.
IR
Feb. 21, 1901 - A Whitwell Blaze - The frame residence at 593
South Fifth Street, near Kemp avenue, owned and occupied by
Frank Compton and family, was almost totally destroyed by fire
about 8 p.m. last Friday...Mrs. Kelly, a neighbor, discovered
the damage...The residence of Abraham Wagner was slightly
damaged...
IR
Aug. 22, 1901 - Mrs. Karl Kemp returned Friday from a visit of
two weeks with relatives at Gallipolis.
IR
Dec. 18, 1902 - Mrs. K. C. Kemp is home from a 2 week’s visit
with friends and relatives in Gallia county.
IR
Dec. 25, 1902 - Wm. Bonham, a prominent attorney of Fairfield,
Ill., is visiting his cousin, Mrs. Karl Kemp.
IR
Mar. 3, 1904 - Kemp Lands - Which Were Recently Purchased By The
Ohio Real Estate Company Will Shortly Be Improved and Placed on
the Market for Sale. - Ironton is shortly to witness important
movements in the real estate line, to be inaugurated by the Ohio
Real Estate Company, the corporation which some weeks ago
purchased the well known Kemp property in the Fourth Ward.
Several unsuccessful efforts have been made at various
times to secure this property, which has long been in demand for
residence purposes, and the new owners propose to put it into
desirable shape and market the lots without delay.
- The active purchasers connected with the deal are C. I.
Lirkle, S. H. Bowman, and S. A. Moore, bankers from Philippi, W.
Va., who are in the city today, completing arrangements for
grading and making other improvements on the property which will
be placed in the best of condition.
For this purpose a large sum of money will be expended.
A number of local gentlemen are associated with the
company, among whom are A. H. Mittendorf, Captain J. F. Morgan,
J. F. McConnell, F. L. McCauley, F. _. Martin, T. C. Edwards,
Jas. I. Gorman, E. J. Merrill, F. C. Tomlinson, D. C. Davies and
W. A. Murdock. The
property, which is very favorably situated is one of the best in
the city.
SWI
June 4, 1907 - Items of General Interest from South Side - ...
Thos. Kemp, who has been the guest of his daughter, Mrs. Park
Warren, of Pittsburg, has returned home.
