Written by Genealogical Society volunteer Beth Mitchell for the Wilmington News Journal.
When collecting information for articles, I found some items about dreams. I found some in deed books of Clinton County and some in early newspapers. It seems at times there are such great dreams, but sometimes dreams fade away. Some last longer than others.
The Ballou Association of Universalists Agreement of Incorporation appeared in Clinton County Deed Book Z. In checking history, I find there was at one time a congregation of the Universalist faith in Blanchester, Ohio. The document is dated September 2, 1852. Present for the organization of the association was Wm. L. Griffith who was appointed Chairman and S. Renner was appointed Clerk. Several resolutions were written regarding organization of the group. One of the resolutions stated there should be five trustees, one treasurer, one clerk, and other officers as provided in the agreement. Those persons elected to serve were Wm. M. Baldwin, Wm. McFerron, Wm. Terwillinger, Wm. L. Griffith, A. D. Durham, and Gilman Rennor. This document was filed at the courthouse August 25, 1855. It was approved by James E. Johnson, Recorder of Clinton County.
There were many dreams of wealth in the 1850’s as the railroad boom was building and shares were rapidly being sold to those who could afford to buy. Many made money but there were more who joined a venture that never materialized and quite often ended in bankruptcy.
One of those dreams was the Cincinnati, Wilmington, and Zanesville Railroad. Stockholders met at Circleville on May 15, 1851 for the purpose of electing seven directors. Stock represented at the meeting was 17,402 shares with the money value estimated to be $874,100.00. The following directors were chosen. F. Corwin and L. Fitzhugh represented Clinton County. D. McLain represented Fayette County. W. Griswald represented Pickaway County. W. Medill and D. Tallmage represented Fairfield County and D. H. Lyman represented Muskingum County. I have found no further reference to this dream as the agreement was to hire “efficient engineers” as soon as possible so contractors could be chosen and work begun “the following Spring.” I wonder how many folks in those counties lost money.
Building and maintaining roads to get from one town to another was usually a very contentious and expensive project. The landowners wanted the roads but did not want to give up their land for the right-of-way. It was also very expensive for them as they were often responsible for maintaining the road across their property. All able-bodied men were expected to donate a certain number of hours and records were usually kept by the township trustees. Fines or jail time could be levied if they did not provide their hours.
In the Democrat and Herald published April 13, 1838 a notice was published regarding a turnpike coming to Clarksville. The project was called the Cincinnati, Montgomery, Hopkinsville, Rochester, and Clarksville Turnpike Company. On June 18, 1838 proposals were to be presented at Hopkinsville in Warren County. Sometimes these roads could be financed by stockholders and all or a portion of the road would become a toll road. I do not know if this might have been near U. S. 22 of today but it sounds like some of the same towns. Some dreams do come true.