This story was written by Genealogical Society volunteer, Beth Mitchell in May 2023.
How did you feel when you opened your Wilmington News Journal June
29, 1978? Count the years! Forty- five years ago the article proclaimed
Jack McCall leaving the Melvin service station and restaurant after
thirty-one years. This means they opened in 1947. They saw many
changes in Clinton County.
The first paragraph reads: For 31 years Pauline and Jack McCall have
served coffee and lunch, sold groceries, gasoline, and serviced
automobiles for those in the Melvin crossroads vicinity. This article will
use most of the names found in the article. More problems were
solved and plans made while sitting at the counter in McCalls than
many of us can remember. Many of the names will dredge up
memories of the “local watering hole” and the locals who gathered to
talk.
Pauline recalled, “We missed the big snow of ’51 because we were
marooned on US 68 ourselves.” Jack added: “And a few years ago
when the ice storm struck the county, we were the only ones with
electricity. The Deans down the road brought their baby and stayed
here.” Mr. McCall also added: “A few years ago we were about ready
to leave for Canada and the whole area flooded. We all went across
the highway to help ‘Wil’ Fisher move fertilizer.” This demonstrates the
attitude of neighbor helping neighbor in small communities. It seems
sometimes “we now don’t have times for things like that”.
Do you remember any of these names? Chintzy Dabe – his name was
Clifford, “Pappy” Bowles was there most every day, Mark and Craig
Beam usually came in with Jim Harris and Wayne Ellis.
Pauline states she baked pies every day and the hours were long. She
also named Betty Jandes as working there 20 years and Eva Moon for about 16. Georgianna Bernard was “a big help”. Mary and Jay Hull
took over management of the business. Do you have any special
memories? Do you have a favorite story of that place?
In the News Journal published July 29, 1957 an article headlined
Reeseville Celebrates 100 Years of Community Life. Graduates of
Reesville High School were being honored. Mrs. Willis Heironimus, a
lifelong member of the community, gave some history of the school.
Names mentioned in the article were first settlers Absalom and Samuel
Reed who came to the area in 1803. The town of Reesville was laid out
tore by Moses Reese [Rees] July 11, 1857. Originally it was just called
Cross Roads.
Those honored were Cora Morgan and Milton Bernard – class of 1893;
Flora Morgan and Mrs. Mayme (Charles) Reeder – class of 1894. Mrs.
Printis Spear served as master of ceremonies. An addition to the village
was made by David Puckett on December 9, 1866 and another was
made by C. Rhonemus in 1874. The first postmaster was J. E. Barr.
Jonathon and Henry Ruckers opened a general store and soon Christian
Rhonemus added another general store. Robert Taylor was a tailor.
The first sawmill was built by William Wilson. Benjamin and James
Jarolds built a grist mill in 1861 and later sold it to Henry and A. Bloom.
A. Bloom was the grandfather of Raymond Bloom. The first school was
established in 1814 and James Ferguson was the teacher. More presentations of community activity were made by Donavin
Woodmansee, Anna Hatfield. Donna Gibson, Mrs. Ora Wical, and Mrs.
Herbert Bowermaster. More history of the school was presented by
Laura Hinkie. Ada Adams provided music. Linda Woodmansee, Rosalee
Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Roberts also made presentations. Is
anyone related to the folks named? Please do not let our history die.
Embrace it!