Firsts in Lawrence County, Ohio

This section would be great for your family trivia night while learning the history of Lawrence County, Ohio. Do you know who the first child was that was born in Lawrence County? Some newspaper articles also tell of the firsts in Ironton, Ohio.

Let this guide you to little-known facts about our area, and our gratitude goes to Sharon M. Kouns, who compiled this fantastic list for The Lawrence Register.

THE FIRST BARBER IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO – Ironton Register, September 11, 1879 – Gabriel Johnson claims to be the first barber who shaved a man in Lawrence County. He started a shop in Burlington nearly 40 years ago and has been in the business ever since. What a wonderful variety of acquaintances he has scraped up!

THE FIRST BARBER IN IRONTON, OHIO – I.R. AUG. 28, 1884 – Tommy Jim was the first barber in Ironton and had a shop where the S. V. Depot stands.

THE FIRST BICYCLE IN IRONTON, OHIO – Ironton Register, July 4, 1895, The first bicycle ever in Ironton was in the Summer of 1870.

THE FIRST BOOKSTORE IN IRONTON, OHIO – I.R. 18 Jan. 1872 – Frank Hansche, whose father started the bookstore in Ironton, is nowhere.

THE FIRST BRICK HOUSE IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO– I.R. May 15, 1902, under Ye Olden Times – Mr. Ventraux built the brick house in this county (except for the Burlington tavern), just above the Two-Mile creek. Ephraim McGee later owned it.

THE FIRST BRICK TAVERN – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – at Burlington (now standing) was the first brick house.

THE FIRST BUILDINGS IN IRONTON, OHIO – Were built by Thomas Winters, Sr.  He also served in the Civil War. (taken from his obituary 04 Feb 1893). EARLY BUILDERS – I.R. AUG. 28, 1884 – Were Voglesong & Buchanan, W. E. R. Kemp, Mathew Mackey, A. T. Brattin, S. White and T. Winters, Sr.

THE FIRST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO – April 2, 1869, hanging on the courthouse lawn in Ironton.

THE FIRST CHURCH IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – Baptist church near the mouth of Storms Creek.

THE FIRST CITIZEN OF IRONTON, OHIO – Thomas Winters, Sr. 1849 was a carpenter and a builder born in 1815 and died in 1893 (Source was found in his obituary I.W.R. 04 Feb 1893).

THE FIRST COUNCILMEN OF IRONTON, OHIO – I.R. AUG. 28, 1884 – John Campbell, J. S. Rodarmor, Morris Jones, E. J. Folwell, and Hugh Crawford.

THE FIRST COUNTY COURT IN BURLINGTON, OHIO – Lawrence County, Ohio, the judicial system goes back to March 14, 1817, when the Court of Common Pleas met at the house of Joseph Davidson in the town of Burlington.

THE FIRST COUNTY SEAT – I.R. AUG. 28, 1884 – The county seat changed by vote on October 14, 1851, but the transfer was not made until a year later. One thousand forty-three votes for and 697 votes against. (this was the removal of the county seat from Burlington to Ironton)

THE FIRST D. A. R. MEMBER IN IRONTON, OHIO  – Ironton Register, March 19, 1908 – Mrs. S. G. Gilfillan becomes the first member of the D. A. R. in Ironton (as far as the Register could learn). This honor comes through her father, the late L. T. Dean’s ancestor, Nathan Dean, who answered his country’s call in 1776. The Dean family came from England to America in 1637. The old Dean church in England was established in 1400.

THE FIRST DAILY MAIL IN IRONTON, OHIO – I.R. Oct. 23, 1856 – Ironton was blessed with one this week, Commencing last Monday. And for it, we are indebted to the efforts of Ralph Leete, Esq. . . .

THE FIRST FEMALE DENTIST IN IRONTON, OHIO – Jenkins, Dr. Jennie D. – I. R. Oct. 11, 1900 – Miss Jennie Jenkins, who has been assistant to her brother, Dr. W. C. Miller, in his dental office, will enter the Ohio College of Dental Surgery at Cincinnati for a course of instruction in that institution. She leaves tomorrow and will be accompanied by her mother. Miss Jenkins is the only young lady in this section to undertake the profession of dental surgery, and her friends will watch her progress with interest. See also: Miller.

I. R. May 7, 1903 – GRADUATES AS DENTIST. Ironton Girl Alone in a Class of Eighty-One. – The Cincinnati Times-Star Tuesday morning has a splendid picture of Miss Jennie D. Jenkins and the following comment: “A pretty Ironton (Ohio) belle is the only woman in a class of 81 to graduate from the Ohio Dental College in the class of 1903.

When Jennie Jenkins graduated from the High School at Ironton at the age of 15 years, her mother said that Jennie should be a music teacher, so Jennie tried. She practiced and practiced, but it wasn’t any use, for the music wasn’t there. One day she shut down the piano quietly and, with determination, faced a gently looking mother.

“I’m not going to study music more,’ she said. ‘It’s no use, mother; I’m going to be a dentist.’ “And no amount of persuading could change the girl’s plan. Her brother, Dr. C. W. Miller, of Ironton, was a dentist, and she went down to his office the next morning. To humor her, he taught her how to work in his laboratory.

In a short time, she was so valuable that he immediately recognized her evident bent in the dentistry line. So Jennie and her brother said that Jennie should go to a dental college, and a mother careful of her daughter packed up bag and baggage and came to Cincinnati to live for three years while Jennie learned to pull teeth and acquired sundry other important knowledge in dentistry.

For three years, while her brother boarded in Ironton and only saw a family reunion in dreams, Mrs. Lillie Jenkins and her ambitious little daughter lived at 417 Hopkins street. Following the graduation exercises, Mrs. Jenkins and her daughter return to Ironton, where Jennie’s brother has arranged an office for his little sister. Jennie refuses to go into partnership and office with her brother.

She will be the only woman dentist in Ironton and a distinct novelty in that thriving town. And it’s ten to one that numerous epidemics of toothache will be the customary condition of the entire lot of “best catches” among the beans of Ironton this summer. Miss Jenkins’ father is in the Bessemer Steel Works in Bessemer, Ala.

THE FIRST DOCTORS – Dr. Moore, on Ice, and Dr. Brown, on Paddy. Ironton Register, June 21, 1888

THE FIRST DRAIN TILE, FIRST RED BRICK, AND FIRST FIRE BRICK IN LAWRENCE COUNTY – Ironton Register, May 16, 1901 – Edward Adkins, a blind inmate of the county infirmary, who has been with the institution for the past seven years, is a genius in his particular line. He has made 65 tombstones of potter’s clay for the graves of the infirmary’s deceased inmates and placed 50 of them over them. Mr. Adkins was born in the north of England in 1813 and came to this city about the time it was laid out. He lost his eyesight in 1882. He is credited with introducing the drain tile here in 1849, making the first red brick in Ironton in 1850, and the first fire brick in Lawrence County.

THE FIRST FEMALE POLICE OFFICER IN IRONTON – Beth Ann Rist

THE FIRST FEMALE COMMISSIONED DEPUTY SHERRIFF IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO – Terri Martin worked as a full-time patrol officer in the year 1982/83 – check the mother’s day 2006 edition of the Ironton Tribune for more details.

THE FIRST FIRE ENGINE IN IRONTON – 1865 was first used to battle a fire at the old Ironton House.

THE FIRST FLOUR MADE– I.R. Dec. 01, 1853 – H. C. and R. E. Rodgers has sent us a few sacks of FLOUR made in the Ironton Mills, by which we are informed that these mills have just gone into operation.

THE FIRST FORGE – was at Hanging Rock, built by Andrew Ellison, James Rodgers, and Robt. Hamilton in 1830 and changed to the first rolling mill by Robt. Hannah in 1840.  Ironton Register, June 21, 1888.

THE FIRST FOUNDRY IN IRONTON – Ironton Register, July 13, 1876 – The Ironton Foundry was the first iron industry started in this town and has since been one of our reliable and prominent institutions. The structure was built in the Fall of 1850, with John and Hiram Campbell marking the foundation lines. A. O. Sheppard did the brickwork; Hammond Howe constructed the suspension roof, and Thos. Winters did the carpentering work. The structure was enclosed when cold weather came, and in the Winter of 50-51, the carpenters fitted up the exterior. The first melt was in May 1851.

 The foundry then employed 22 molders. Some of these came from Mt. Vernon Furnace, where the company had been engaged in a profitable foundry business. The names of those who came in from Mt. Vernon at that time were William Levering and Jeff. Gustin, John Alexander, Dan McDaniel, Wm. Hayes, Wm. and Thos. O’Neil, Philip Isaminger, John, William and Alex Wilson, Wm. and John Sterne, Henry, Arch, and James Steece, Sol. Isaminger and P. I. Moyer. W. C. Frailey, the present foreman of the foundry, started as a foreman at the beginning and has continued ever since, except for an intermission of six months. Wm. Dundon was cupola tender for 22 years.

Of the original molders, only three or four are left, but several of them currently have sons engaged there. The firm originally was Campbell, Ellison & Co. It changed four times afterward – Campbell, Woodrow & Co., Campbell, Mears & Co., Olhaber & Co. That the foundry may be rebuilt** and continue its operations in this place is every citizen’s strong hope and desire.
*John and Hiram Campbell were cousins.
** The Disastrous Fire – Ironton Foundry in Ruins – I. R. July 13, 1876.

THE FIRST FUNERAL HELD IN MEMORIAL HALL – Was that of Thomas Winters, Sr. Even though the Spencer congregation had been holding services there for several months.

THE FIRST HEAT – I.R. Aug. 28, 1884 – John Mathews, Sr. Made the first heat in the Lawrence Mill.

THE FIRST RESIDENTIAL USE OF NATURAL GAS IN IRONTON, OHIO – July 3, 1899.

THE FIRST HORSE MILL – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – near Union Landing built by Rev. John Kelly.

THE FIRST LIBRARY IN IRONTON  – Ironton was incorporated on Jan. 29, 1851 – I.R. Aug. 28, 1884. Before 1852, Dr. Briggs had helped to organize a library society which was then in operation with a small but well-selected lot of books for circulation among its members. In 1852-54 a new association was formed, into which the existing library was merged, and its books were transferred. The membership embraced nearly all the heads of families in Ironton with an annual membership fee of $3.00.

This association opened the public reading room and library, and 300 new books and other reading materials were placed there. Owing to the financial depression, which lasted six years, and the Civil War, the library suspended operation. These books were boxed to await more favorable times and, in 1865, were destroyed by fire.

The names of men connected with the library organization were; Dr. Briggs, John Campbell, Rev. Joseph Chester, J. O. Willard, Edward Jordan, H. S. Neal, C. G. Hawley, Ralph Leete, and Dr. Sloan. Then before the Briggs Library was started, another attempt was made for a public library or, as we called it, a reading room. That was along in the ’90s.

THE FIRST JUDGE – after the Associate Judge title was abolished. When Common Pleas Court became a separate institution, about 1912, the late Judge E. E. Corn became the county’s first judge.

THE FIRST LAWYERS – Luther Blodgett and Solomon Beckley. Ironton Register, June 21, 1888.

THE FIRST LOCOMOTIVE – I.R. Aug. 28, 1884 – The Essex was the first locomotive on the I.R.R. It arrived Nov. 1851.

THE FIRST MAYOR OF IRONTON – I.R. AUG. 28, 1884 – Was J. M. Merrill.

THE FIRST METHODIST CHAPEL – was built in 1820 at the mouth of Two-Mile. Ironton Register, June 21, 1888.

THE FIRST METHODIST PREACHER WHO VISITED THIS COUNTY – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – Rev. Shinn of the Baltimore conference.

THE FIRST MILL – In 1812, Joshua Willis was building the Wilson Water Mill at Marion [Aid] in Lawrence county.

THE FIRST NEWSPAPER IN IRONTON, OHIO – Ironton Register, Dec. 3, 1868 – We have been looking over an old volume of the Lawrence County Gazette, the first paper ever printed in this county. It was edited by Mr. W(yatt). C. Wheeler… Ironton Register, September 11, 1856 – The first show of a newspaper in this county was a paper printed at Portsmouth. The publication commenced on March 1820, by C. Hopkins, under the style of “Scioto Telegraph.”

In October 1820, Mr. Hopkins enlarged the paper and added to its title “Scioto Telegraph and Lawrence County Gazette,” issued simultaneously at Portsmouth and Burlington. The first paper printed in this county was the “Lawrence County Gazette,” in 1845, by W. C. Wheeler. It existed until December 1849 or January 1850.

THE FIRST PACKING HOUSE IN PROCTORVILLE – Ironton Register, January 9, 1879 – Frank Suiter has the first packing house in Proctorville and is doing brisk business in the pork and beef line.

THE FIRST PASTOR OF BAPTIST CHURCH IN LAWRENCE COUNTY – Ironton Register, September 18, 1856 – Obituary of Christian Yingling states: – Rev. John Lee, first pastor of “Storms Creek Church” the Baptist Church of Ironton.

THE FIRST POSTMASTER – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – Thomas Kerr was the first Postmaster.

THE FIRST POSTMASTER IN IRONTON WAS CALEB BRIGGS – Dr. Caleb Briggs, whose name is borne by Ironton’s (Lawrence County-present) Public Library, was Ironton’s first Postmaster. It is disclosed by records made available by John Roberts on North Fourth Street. Dr. Briggs was named Postmaster on January 14, 1850, during the term of Zachary Taylor as President. He served until July 6, 1853, when Benjamin F. Cory was named during the term of Franklin Pierce.- 1941

THE FIRST POST OFFICE – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – Burlington was the only post office in Lawrence County, Ohio, until 1821.

THE FIRST POST OFFICE IN IRONTON, OHIO – near Third and Lawrence, during the years when that neighborhood was the principal section of Ironton. In 1853, it was moved to Union Hall at Second and Lawrence. In 1859 was located on Second and Railroad. Later, it was located near Campbell and Center, next to Second and Center, and in 1900 was moved to the present Goldcamp building at Fourth and Center. The present Federal Building was completed in January 1193 during the term of Jeremiah Davidson as Postmaster. –1941

THE FIRST SERMON – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – was by Robert Scott in 1802.

THE FIRST PUBLIC WELL IN IRONTON, OHIO – I.R. Aug. 28, 1884 – was the one on 6th & Buckhorn. It was put down by private subscriptions in early 1853 and cost $164.

THE FIRST RAILROAD COMPANY IN LAWRENCE COUNTY -The Iron Railroad Company was incorporated on March 7, 1849. – The first locomotive on the Iron Railroad – Ironton Register, August 28, 1884 – The Essex was the first locomotive on the I.R.R. It arrived Nov. 1851.

THE FIRST WOMAN WHO RODE THE FIRST TRAIN TO ETNA – Ironton Register, February 2, 1910 – Mrs. Louise G. Black, residing at 137 Railroad Street, who has reached the ripe old age of 80 years, informs the Register that she has the distinction of being the first lady that ever rode out on the Iron Railroad to Etna Furnace. She says she won’t remember the date, but it was fully sixty years ago and on a Saturday when it was made known that the first train was to be out to Etna.

THE FIRST RESIDENTS OF LAWRENCE COUNTY – Ironton Register, September 18, 1856 – Andrew Yingling, the father of Christian, settled in 1798 in what is now Lawrence county. The same year, Rev. John Kelley settled with his father, Luke Kelley, just below. At that time, “Sammons,” as he was called (Simmons was the true name), a relative of C. W. Simmons, present treasurer of Lawrence county, lived in a cabin opposite Big Sandy. Next below, in order, came the cabins of Andrew Yingling, Luke Kelley, James Kelley, Vincent Ferguson, Peter Van Bibber, and George Stewart – all that there were in what is now Lawrence county.

THE FIRST ROAD SURVEYED was from Burlington to the mouth of Symmes. – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888.

THE FIRST FRAME SCHOOLHOUSE – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – was in township 1, section 16, range 16, in 1820.

THE FIRST AND ONLY SALT WELL – from which salt was made was on Symmes creek, Windsor Township, section 31. Ironton Register, June 21, 1888.

THE FIRST SCHOOL TEACHERS – Radey Root and Thos. Rose was the first school teacher. Ironton Register, June 21, 1888.

THE FIRST SHEET IRON – I.R. DEC. 18, 1856 – On Monday of this week, the Ironton Rolling Mill, H. Campbell & Co. made about a ton and a half of beautiful Sheet Iron. Geo. P. Rogers, agent; John Pritchard, manager.

THE FIRST STORE IN IRONTON, OHIO – I.R. Aug. 28, 1884 – was Irwin & Kelly’s, where the Belfont Furnace now stands.

THE FIRST NEWSPAPER – I.R. SEPT. 11, 1856 – The first show of a newspaper in this county was a paper printed at Portsmouth. The publication commenced on March 1820, by C. Hopkins, under the style of “Scioto Telegraph.” In October 1820, Mr. Hopkins enlarged the paper and added to its title, calling it “Scioto Telegraph and Lawrence County Gazette,” issued simultaneously at Portsmouth and Burlington.   The paper printed in this county was the “Lawrence County Gazette,” in 1845, by W. C. Wheeler. It existed until December 1849 or January 1850.

THE FIRST PAY-PHONE SERVICES IN IRONTON, OHIO – The year 1881. Local calls were 10 cents, and long-distance calls were 25 cents.

THE FIRST RESIDENTS OF LAWRENCE COUNTY – see the obituary of Christian Yingling I.R. Sept. 18, 1856 – Andrew Yingling, father of Christian, settled in 1798 in what is now Lawrence county. The same year, Rev. John Kelley settled with his father, Luke Kelley, just below. 

At that time, “Sammons,” as he was called (Simmons was the true name), a relative of C. W. Simmons, present treasurer of Lawrence county, lived in a cabin opposite Big Sandy. Next below, in order, came the cabins of Andrew Yingling, Luke Kelley, James Kelley, Vincent Ferguson, Peter Van Bibber, and George Stewart – all that there were in what is now Lawrence county.

THE FIRST SHERIFF OF LAWRENCE COUNTY – John Kelly, was elected in Burlington on March 4, 1817.

THE FIRST HEBREW SCHOOL IN LAWRENCE COUNTY – Opened in Ironton on September 3, 1874

THE FIRST SHOVELFUL OF EARTH FOR THE EXCAVATION FOR MEMORIAL HALL – I.W.R. 11 Feb 1893 – Was performed by Thomas Winters, Sr.  He lived to see the building completed and occupied, and then his remains were the first to be carried through the portals to their final resting place.

THE FIRST STEAMBOAT – on Ohio landed at Kouns’ Landing, at no other point in the county. Ironton Register, June 21, 1888.

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN IRONTON, OHIO – Ironton Register, Nov. 26, 1868, The first Thanksgiving services ever observed in this city were held in the building now known as the Frame School House. The services were conducted by Rev. Dan Young or Rev. Jos. Chester, but we cannot determine which pastor had the honor positively.

THE FIRST WHITE MALE CHILD BORN IN LAWRENCE COUNTY, OHIO – Ironton Register, April 12, 1894 – James Miller, known for years by the people of Rome Township as being the “first white male child born in Lawrence county,” died last Thursday. At dinner time, his daughter found him lying on a sofa in his usual condition and resting so quietly that she concluded not to disturb him but to carry his dinner to him. When she returned with the dinner, the old man was dead. Mr. Miller was Constable in Rome Township for a quarter of a century.

THE FIRST WHITE MEN WHO BUILT CABINS – Ironton Register, June 21, 1888 – Wm. and James Canter, who were here before the surveyors came in 1796 and lived on lot 1328 in Rome Township.