Kemp Lands

• 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 of this action of the Directors.  The site chosen is near the upper terminus of the Iron Railroad and is favorably situated near the 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 the 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
• IR Apr. 30, 1874 – The foundations for the Etna Iron Works’ engine house and boiler house are completed, and Thomas W. Means brought the engines from Pittsburgh on Saturday.
• IR Dec. 25, 1890 –    Etna Iron Works. – Mr. Neal went to Cincinnati last week and got an order from the U. S. Court to sell the Etna Iron Works property in several parcels the next time it is offered.  The two furnaces, Etna and Sarah, will be one division; the furnace lands of Etna and Vesuvius another part; and outlying farmlands a third parcel.  The next sale will be in Ironton, at the door of the Court House, U. S. Marshal Simmons crying the sale.  The sale will take place sometime this winter.
• 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 that 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 the future of Etna Iron Works and how soon it would begin.
• [IR Dec. 31, 1891 – The Closing Year. – … The Etna Iron Works property has been disposed of, and examinations are being made looking into the operation of Alice’s furnace.]
• 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 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.  There 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 an end)
• IR June 9, 1887 – Social in T. W. Kemp’s front yard Friday evening, June 10th.  All invited.  Admission free.  The benefit of Whitwell Sunday School.
• IR Mar. 13, 1890 – Thos. W. Kemp has deeded his seven acres on the river side of the pike to the N. & W. and will give possession on April 1.
• IR June 1, 1899 – Thos. W. Kemp is still seriously sick though he reported being somewhat better this week.

Ohio Real Estate Co. Now Owns Kemp Lands

IR Jan. 7, 1904 – Ironton Register Jan. 7, 1904 – Deal Closed

Messrs. Chas. I. Zukle, of Phillips, W.Va., and E. W.
Martin, of St. Marys, W. Va., two of the gentlemen interested in the
development of the T. W. Kemp lands in Whitwell were in the city Monday, making
some arrangements for the opening up of the lands as soon as the weather
breaks.

The men interested in the movement have organized under the title of the Ohio Real Estate Company.  They have closed their option on the Kemp lands, comprising of 23 1/2 acres and owned by Mrs. Abigail Warne, of Washington, Pa.  The City Council has agreed to stand 75 per cent of the cost of opening and grading the streets through the property, the dedication of the streets having long been sought by the city, as it will open up direct thoroughfare through to Woodland cemetery.

The new company proposes to spend several thousand dollars in improvements on the property, such as walks, grading, curbs, etc., and in the spring will conduct a sale of the lots.

• 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.

• IT Mar. 8, 1964 – Commission Tells Board To Sell Kemp Property – The County Commissioners advised M. B. Edmundson, of Child Welfare Board (Children’s Home) Saturday to take legal action to dispose of the Carrie Kemp property, 8th and Heplar streets.  The action was taken by the commissioners who opposed the renovating of the property to house offices for the Welfare Board employees. – Mr. Edmundson explained that the board had attempted to sell the Kemp property (recently bequeathed) and was informed that the board did not have this authority.  He pointed out that the board had to obtain a declaratory judgment before the property could be sold. … Mr. Edmundson said there were sufficient funds in the Kemp estate to renovate that property and move the offices there.  … Commissioner Louis N. Bryant and W. H. Kaiser told Mr. Edmundson that they wished to study the situation…. [photo – Board’s Request – The Carrie Kemp property at 8th and Heplar streets, which, along with the Ironton woman’s estate was bequeathed to the Child Welfare Board (Children’s Home) is shown above.  The issue, whether to renovate the house or to sell it was discussed at the County Commissioners meeting on Saturday.  Story on Page A-1. (Tribune Photo)