Editor Tribune: Sixty years have passed since the writer answered an advertisement in the columns of The Tribune's honored predecessor, The Ironton Register, resulting in his employment as a boy in the Register office. That was on February 6, 1874. I remained in the service of the Register twenty-seven years, until moving to Chicago.

        I think the service might as properly be referred to as service to the community; for although material gain is the primary object in the publication of any newspaper, I am sure the service such a publication gives its community, both in social matters and in financial good; far outweighs the financial benefit to its owners.

        This is especially true of the smaller community and a clean paper. Such a paper the Ironton Register was, under the guiding hand of the late E. S. Wilson.

        One's start in life's work is but typical of the experience of the great majority. Somewhere, each begins his serious duties. The beginning may be planned, or may seemingly come by chance. Who knows whether it is ever, or how seldom, by chance? Seemingly of small importance at the time, the start may determine the whole source of life. It grows in importance as we reflect upon it. I hope the similar events in the careers of all my readers will remain equally pleasant in their remembrance. I have had continuous employment in printing and publishing throughout the long period, in agreeable work of a character to be helpful to others.

        Twenty years ago at this time, I sent the Register a letter reminiscent of the former happy and industrious days. Again when fifty years had passed, the Register published a like message sent from Los Angeles, of fond remembrance and of affectionate greeting to friends and readers, remaining after so long a time who might remember.

        Now it is sixty years. May I once more address through your columns such as may be reached of the dwindling company of acquaintances and friends in the Register family of those years?

        To them and to all who are younger or new in the community, dear to a countless number who have gone forth to distant places, this former resident sends his cordial greetings.

        Fond memories of the old home town and its friendly folk illumine our day-dreams and come to us at night. We know it is so with very many more. Perhaps a hundred former Irontonians reside in the Los Angeles community alone.

        What changes have come about in sixty years? In the community. In personal affairs and family. In conveniences of living. In transportation. In conventions and social standards. In manufacture and business. In state, national and world affairs, and in general knowledge as the scope of one's hearing is almost any home extends literally to the ends of the earth.

        We have come to know that the affairs of each nation and each inhabitant affects in some degree the fortunes and well being of every other.

        Advancements in the last half century seem greater than in all the ages past. It may appear so because we have lived in this period. But the more recent developments are so complex and revolutionary, so stupendous and far reaching, so at variance in some cases with previous teachings and practice, and so swiftly cumulative, we have ceased to be astonished while frequently startled.

        From this solemn contemplation we jerk back to the sweeter memories and the simpler existence of youthful days.

        Then, the "Old Brick" school in Ironton was standing, on the Kingsbury site. The high school had one teacher, and afterward two. Part of the time, its principal was also the school superintendent. Superintendents changed frequently. Saul Wood and Jos. Le Sage were successively long time janitors. They suffered more devilment from the kids than did the school heads.

        "East Ironton" then had a few scattered houses not many blocks ("squares" we called them) beyond Adams street. The direction is now known as south because of the confusing diagonal position of Ironton on the map. The Deaconess Hospital was then the W. D. Kelly home, and the grounds included a deer park with a fine herd.

        "Kelly's Graveyard" was the principal cemetery. Processions marched all the way to that hallowed spot on "Decoration" days, headed by the Silver Cornet Band. I wish I could name it members. I remember when beautiful Woodland, where so many now sleep, was laid out. When "Big Etna" furnace was built. It cost more than a million dollars and sold at auction for ten thousand. The recent happy sale of the Belfont properties though for so small an amount brings this to mind.

        Every church now standing in Ironton was built in my time, as well as some that have been razed. So every school building up to the Ironton High School. So probably three-fourths of the business places of every kind. The occasional launchings of steamboats and other large river craft built by Mike Wise above Vernon street, were gala occasions and beautiful sights.

        I remember when Emerson McMillin, then a young school teacher and later one of the eminent and wealthy men of the nation, labored in laying the first gas mains in Ironton and assisted in the installation of the gas works, becoming the company's secretary. That was in 1867. My father was the town's first gas fitter.

        When palatial river packets like the Fleetwood and Bostona arrived at the Ironton wharf from Cincinnati each morning on schedule time. When a railroad on one side of the river or the other was a far-off dream. When the Scioto Valley railroad came to town following the high pressure exerted by its promoters to secure the franchise through the streets. When the Iron Railroad sold for $500,000.

        When the Ironton Plow factory followed by Henry's mill, was where the Crystal Ice factory is now. When Park Avenue was Olive street and when "Cory's tunnel" was blasted through the hill.

        I recall the great occasions of county fairs in the fair grounds out by the "iron bridge." The bridge which I understand is now an antique in the hands of Henry Ford. I vaguely remember when my grandfather, James Amlin, was postmaster at Ironton in wartime. When a big fire below the railroad on Second destroyed the Register office and Wright's drug store.

        I retain distinct impressions of some local incidents of the civil war, and although too young to realize all it meant. I remember the deep sorrow when President Lincoln was assassinated. His birthday, now so widely honored, approaches as this is written.

        In my boyhood, the block bounded by Fifth, Sixth, Washington and Adams was the "Dempsey field," and circus tents were pitched there. In winter, a pond in the field and extending across Washington street furnished good skating. Storms creek when firmly frozen and Ebert's pond were larger centers for the sport.

        The balloon ascension from Market Square by the intrepid Donaldson was a thrilling event. Clad in tights, he scared away to the east and hung by his knees from a trapeze. Market Square, where there were tri-weekly country markets, later became the site of Memorial Hall. The markets were largely patronized, and prominent citizens with their market baskets could be seen there regularly.

        A great barbecue was held there, I think in the Grant & Colfax-Seymour & Blair campaign. Ox roast and everything. The market benches were tables, I never have seen since, so many pies.

        A boiler explosion at the Lawrence mill when a number of men were killed was a tragedy long to be remembered. The rolling mill was afterward moved to Virginia in a boom time development.

        Also the lynching party in the Court House yard when a man was hanged following the murder of Chemist Beggs; the Gates murder trial(reported verbatim for the Register by the late John K. Richards), and the burning of the old Court House--all occasions of great excitement--remain vividly in mind. "Jack" Richards was lately out of college, was an able stenographer and of course an exceptional court reporter. Besides his service on the Gates case he was forced to be a witness of the lynching as he chanced to be passing the Court House, and gave us a wonderful account of that.

        It was a great step toward recovery in the depression period of another day when a company of men headed by H. A. Marting, then a quiet but vigorous dry goods merchant, bought the practically defunct "Old Mill" and ran it successfully until sold for a good price to the Republic Iron & Steel.

        When Miss Clara Campbell of Ironton sued the Arbuckle coffee man in Pittsburgh for $50,000 for breach of promise (and got it), the New York Herald telegraphed a request for five hundred words on the Campbell family; for which story they sent me twice the amount of my bill, together with a letter of thanks from James Gordon Bennett.

        John Campbell, the founder of Ironton, was a figure whom none who knew him will ever forget. He walked with a staff, as did John and Isaac Peters--all iron masters of the early days and all as plain as an old shoe. I can distinctly see in my mind's eye the familiar figures of these men and of a host of others.

        Would it not be interesting to call to mind men of the past now gone to their reward who had their part in the activities and development of the Ironton community and the fortunes of its people? This thought has come to me since beginning this letter, and from memory alone I have prepared a list of a large number of such men whom I remember, who have passed from earth, and whose personalities rise before me with identifying face and form in almost every case.

        There are many more not recalled at the moment, and a greater number whom others will recall. The number I can mention rather amazes me. I hope to list if published my inspire others to add other names for their own satisfaction, and in respectful memory of those whose lives and actions are thus brought to mind.

        Also in many instances the gracious and estimable wives and family members of these men are remembered. The mind cannot grasp the extent of the influence of the noble and devoted, women and mothers of the past, and of those still living.

        The old home community still holds surviving descendants and relatives of many of those thus named. Others are scattered far and near, I am confident that they and others among the older present or former residents who may read this will find pleasure in recalling incidents and associations which the mention of honored names calls forth.

        There will be minor errors in the list as well as many omissions. Some are not mentioned because in my long absence from Ironton I am uncertain as to whether their earthly toils have ended.

        In many instances, identifying circumstances could well be given, but are withheld for the sake of brevity, except for a partial and imperfect grouping by occupations. No name is repeated, although many might properly appear in more than one group. The list follows:

        Iron Industries--John Campbell, Albert and Charles Campbell, Hiram Campbell, John W. Campbell, James Allison, W. D. Kelly, Lindsey and Ironton A. Kelly, W. C. Amos, Robert Scott, C. Culbertson, John G. Peebles, Robert Peebles, C. Ellison, John Ellison, S. W. Dempsey, John Peters, George, Will H., Ptolmey, John and Charles Peters, Isaac Peters, Henry W. Peters, J. W. Humphreys, E. B. Willard, Dr. McGovney, Geo. N. Gray, Oscar Richey, Wm. M. Bolles, W. H. McGugin, W. N. McGugin, S. Johnson, B. C. Johnson, Fred and Frank Johnson, H. A. Marting, S. B. Steece, J. H. Moulton, John M. Norton, Geo. P. Rogers, Wm. Rodgers. E. J. Bird Sr., S. S. Littlejohn, Thos. Parker, James Bull, James Hudson, D. W. Vogelsong, F. D. Norton, B. H. Burr, L. T.Dean, George T. Scott, Geo. H. Fisher, Fred Hunter, Paul Remington, Chas. Richey, C. D. Richards, Chas. Brandt, C. A. Humphreys, J. A. Humphreys, Adam Owrey, John B. Hastings, J. H. Bothwell, Jonathan Jordan, John Jordan, S. H. Curry, W. W. Truby, Wilson Jenkins, Will and Frank Jenkins, D. Williamson, J. Gillogly, James Thomas, Wesley, George and Isaac Thomas, Geo. B. Davies, Evan M. Davis, Cris. Matthews, D. J. James, A. Brawley, John Coats, James Levering, John Hayes, W. B. Skelton, Frank Skelton, James Todd, Wm. Todd, John Garrett, Jas. O. Henry, D. Redman, J. K. Hastings, James Price, W. G. Lambert, Reuben Lambert, John Charlton, Thos. Charlton, Chas. Bick, John D. Jones, R. Tyler, W. C. Frailey, J. D. Foster, James Alexander Sr., and Jr., Gillen Alexander, H. G. Hopkins, Thos. Price, C. H. Myers, Wm. Jordan, Chas. Matthews, Crad Reese.

        Physicians--B. F. Cory, E. Arnold, Jona Morris, N. K. Moxley Sr., and Jr., James Moore, Wm. Moore, W. F. Willson, G. G. Gray, R. L. Gray, J. M. White, Dr. Kilmer, Dr. Rinehart Sr., and Jr., O. Ellison, Jno. S. Henry, I. N. Brown, Van Dupuy, W. E. Eakman, A. Royer, G. W. Livess, J. W. Lowrey, Clark Lowrey, W. M. Merchant.

        Drugs--C. B. Egerton, D. C. Peters, T. B. Ball, J. E. Warfield, Dr. Morris (Railroad St.), J. L. Barbour, Thos. C. Davies, D. Linn Goosh, Emil Arnold, J. W. Slater, A. Robinson, A. Winters, Samuel Sample, H. E. Norton, John H. Lucas, Ernest Merrill.

        Dentists--E. C. Sloan, J. Cox, Otto Arnold, Harry Jenkins, R. L. Gray.

        Grocers--D. S. Murdock and son, W. A. Murdock, T. I. Murdock, D. H. Clark, George Clarke, Sam Clark, R. W. Magee, W. W. Kirker, Wm. Hamilton, B. Butterfield, I. B. Murdock, John T. McKnight, H. Pancake, W. S. Sisson, Chas. Cox, Thos. Winters, Thos. Winters Jr., A. H. Harris, F. E. Hayward, ?. W. Berkley, H. L. Amos, John Isaacs, Wm. Fillgrove, M. Halloran, R. Barron, C. B. Clark, Albert Clark, E. F. Hannan, D. T. Miles, S. Cronin, D. T. Davis, D. K. Burkett, P. Murphy, Wm. Marting, John Sherman, Thos. Johns, Bruce Rumble, W. H. Sharp, George Dickscid, W. T. McQuigg.

        Clothing--Geo. Newberger, J. M. Ferguson, M. Seeberger, M. Weil, J. Kaufman, H. Dettmar, A. J. Brumberg, A. H. Mittendorf, C. A. Bergman, C. Ketterer.

        Dry Goods--D. W. Richards, C. Alderman, S. Ward, W. L. Bickmore, Jos. Ward, James Small, J. A. Raine, John Sanford, J. T. Davis, D. C. Davies, Chas. Carpenter, Thos. Kelly, C. H. Harmison, James Grooms.

        Shoes--Thos. McCarthy, H. Simon, John E. Jones, J. D. Powers, E. C. Brooks, H. Flehr, R. and H. Goff, J. E. Buchanan, Thos. Butler, David Upp, Stephen L. Powers.

        Attorneys--E. Nigh, W. H. Enochs, B. Garvey, S. P. Calvin, R. Leete, Wm. Leete, Evan F. Williams, W. S. McCune, E. V. Dean, R. B. Miller, W. W. Johnson, Thos. Cherrington, John K. Richards, H. S. Neal, P. C. Booth, Thos. N. Ross, W. D. Corn, W. S. Forgey, G. W. Keye, John Hamilton, John S. George.

        Banks--George Willard, Halsey C. Burr, H. B. Wilson, E. W. Bixby, R. Mather, W. S. Kirker, Chas. Lintner, C. B. Taylor, Lon Moulton, Geo. Roetting, George Richey, I. C. Dovel, Josh Austin.

        Newspapers--H. M.Adams, Albert Lawson, Andrew Robinson, John Combs, E. S. Wilson, W. B. Tomlinson, Thos. G. Brown, L. P. Ort, C. Feuchter, Jas. I. Gorman, C. H. Moore, Jos. H. Campbell, John T. McCarthy, James McCarthy, George W. Wilson, G. H. Holliday, Thos. Hamilton, R. E. Stroup, Tal G. Williams, Wm. Sharp, Thos. Argo, John Argo, Wm. Scott, Frank P. Scott, Wm. Simmonin, Mike McKenna, A. D. Bruce, Dennis Sullivan.

        Lumber Mills--Peter Newman, H. Spanner, V. Newman, M. Wise, R. N. Fearon, V. J. Drayer, F. J. McConnell, Harry Campbell, S. H. Nigh, Wm. Nigh, Frank Rodarmor, P. S. Hart, D. Delaney, M. Mackey, Francis Prime. Carpenters, W. E. R. Kemp, Dan Jones, L. M. Henry, J. P. Shipton, T. R. Hall, Jos. H. Raine, C. Roetting, J. W. Porter, F. Demarro, Wm. Nolte, A. McLaughlin.

        Brick men-S. White, Joshua Ashcraft, Wm. Conley, M. Schreiber, Sam Cook, Henry Cook. Tinners, etc., J. A. Witman, J. Sherer, J. T. Turnbull, Leslie Alexander, Geo. O. Berg, J. C. McGugin. Plasterers-J. E. Jones, J. Jamison, W. H. Dunn. Painters-Wm. George and Jas. Cochran, M. Shannon, John Miller.

        Ministers--James M. Kelly, John Kelly, H. Calhoon, John Dillon, E. E. Moran, James Mitchel, J. E. Radisell, Mr. Bradley, J. H. Gardner, S. C. Frampton, C. C. McCabe, J. R. Sowers, Mr. Kelfer, J. H. Young, J. E. Moore, F. S. Davis, J. S. Postle, W. V. Dick, Geo. H. Geyer, W. D. Marah, Homer J. Smith, F. A. Ashley, Mr. Lovejoy.

        River men--D. Crumlish, Wash Kerr, U. B. Scott, G. C. Knight, George Knight, Wm. Bay, George Bay, A. W. Carner, T. T. Johnson, James Kirker, Wash Sheppard, S. M. McClure, Eugene Sheppard, Lewis Sheppard, W. G. Bradford, R. W. Pritchard, Wm. Hafle, H. A. Meade, Thos. Hopkins.

        Officials--Mark S. Bartram, John N. Thomas, G. C. Varnum, H. R. Browne, Auditors; P. R. Polley, G. W. Thompson, Probate; John Snyder, S. C. Crossley, J. A. Turley, Wm. Betts, J. H. Simmons, Treasurers; W. S. Merrill, T. W. Rose, L. D. Markin, Frank C. Gates, Sheriffs; C. C. Bowen, D. C. McConn, W. A. Belcher, C. E. Belcher, Clerks; W. H. Donohoe, Recorder; John M. Corns, A. T. Brattin, A. M. Collett, Thos. L. Collett, Mayors; Thomas Golden, James Craig, E. Brammer, J. W. Henthorn, Justices; Jas, T. Egerton, J. R. C. Brown, Engineer; Geo. H. Davis, Clerk; Lewis Morgan, Taylor Collier, Jonas Rodarmor, John Culkins, Wm. George.

        Schools--A. C. Hirst, A. M. Van Dyke, J. B. Battelle, R. S. Page, C. F. Dean, H. A. Farwell, Mr. Surface, Superintendents; M. B. Ryan, Geo. M. Clary.

        Railroads--Samuel Richards, Sam'l Richards, Jr., J. T. Martin, R. H. Ellis, S. D. Lawrence, D. L. Ogg, McCabe Austin, Robert Royer, C. C. Clarke.

        Saddlery and leather, Henry Wilson, Wm. Nixon, James Nixon, Hugh Russell, F. A. Dupuy, Book stores, John Carlile, Jere Davidson, James Reed, A. T. Dempsey, George Cox. Bakers, Wm. Gonder, Henry Cole, J. Ensinger, A. Geoltz, John Handley. Jewelers, E. Bixby, George Lampman, Clay Henry, Jacob Hugger.

        Furniture-D. Nixon, Martin Gillen, B. F. Ellsberry, H. M. Campbell, Val Simmons, Undertakers-Geo. F. Buchanan, John H. Gholson, A. Hanichen, C. L. Pixley, John Bingaman. Hardware, W. M. Kerr, T. N. Davey, W. P. Smith, H. D. Newcomb, David Harris, W. and J. Bester.

        Meats-Henry Horn, John Bittman, F. Cronacher, E. Horschel, J. Q. Leighty, John Boll, Henry Vogel. Feed, J. E. Young, Brice Henry. Tobacconists, H. Spangenberg, Ross Sharp, E. F. Moore. Photographers- L. L. Hitt, H. F. Heaton, Carl Kemp, M. Mudge.

        Hotels-Chas. E. Hambleton, W. T. St. Clair, G. W. Sample, J. M. Strobel, Col. Moffett, D. Massie, Col. Hughes, Charles Clutts, W. H. H. Miller, Various manufacturers-W. D. Henry, John B. Goldcamp, Park Harris, John Harris, R. S. Dupuy, James Dupuy, Lee Ebert, Joseph Fisher, W. S. Witman, H. C. Wray. Livery, Davis Dillon, Doc Davis, Evan H. Jones, Nicholas McMahon, Thos. Russell.

        Not Classified--Thos. S. Kirker, Wm. Daniels, Jas. M. Neal, Walter Bixby, Hal Bixby, Professor Newton Brown, John G. Lane, Geo. H. Myers, P. Constable, B. R. Lane, Felix Brammer, John Hunter, R. Butler, H. M. Francisco, Edwin Rodgers, Ben F. Thomas, Will Thomas, John C. Thomas, D. W. Hopkins, C. W. Austin, John Raine (4th and Vernon), Thos. Baxter, Joseph Raine (Park Ave.), E. Lawton, Jas. E. Lawton, Dan H. Lawton, Ezra M. Lawton, Major James Allison, Sandridge Allison, T. Lewis, J. P. Shaw, C. Wesley Knight, Frank H. Knight, A. H. Ricker, Ned Ricker, Ham Davidson, Perry Scott, W. W. Pritchard, D. W. Hopkins, G. W. McConn, A. Breeden, A. A. Jenkins, Charles Brice, A. Selb, J. Cal Snyder, John Clark, Robert Clark, E. B. Walburn, H. D. McKnight, C. R. Crawshaw, Frank R. Culbertson, Jesse R. Norton, Hugh Dunne, W. W. Pritchard, Jos. W. Dempsey, Will Dempsey, D. Haney, George Brawley, Thos. Kemp, C. T. M. Kemp, John M. Edwards, J. P. Shaw, A. L. Rogers, George Rogers, James F. Peters, J. F. McConnell, Mark Watts, George Long, F. Becker, Peter McMahon, R. Blackwell, J. C. McFadden, Pleasant Savage, Oscar Rea, Ezra Hill, Jos. Lloyd, B. R. Lane, Morrell Sharp, George Wagner, Captain Edward Kirker, Will and Tom Raine.

        Some well remembered colored citizens, Gabriel Johnson, John Robinson, Albert Holt, Frank Jones, Ben Reynolds, Frank Reynolds, Charles Robinson, Charles Eubanks, Eben Holt, Henry Brooks.

F. B. Lawton.

Ironton Sunday Tribune, February 18, 1934, Sunday, Page 8.