West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 154 by Charlie Miller
From West Jefferson 1934 Centennial
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- The search for material for the “Centennial” edition of the West Jefferson News has brought to light the diary of one John Melvin, who at the time was Auditor of Madison County in 1853, lived in West Jefferson, commuting to his work in London on the Pennsylvania R. R., Mrs. Melvin going over on the six o’clock train taking supper with him and returning at 9 or 9:15 o’clock. The trips were made on freight and mail trains, with scarcely any mention of a passenger train. Some excerpts from the diary follow: March 12, 1853, he went to Columbus, “Got money changed and R. R. tickets for my wife to go to N. Y.” Monday, April 4, 1853, “Staid at home it being election day—Temperance ticket carried in Jefferson town—Township went whiskey.” Evidently, Mr. Melvin’s office was housed in the old log courthouse since he makes reference to exhibiting plans and specs for the courthouse. August 2, 1853, “Commissioners today contracted with “Tumbull to build new court house for $26,975.00 to be finished July 1st, 1855.” Sunday, August 21st, “Wife and I went to a Baptist meeting at 3 p.m. My wife and I went to a camp meeting and returned at 7 p.m.” Saturday, September 17. “Went to London at 9 a.m. Whig county convention met today; was a delegate; did not work.” On Monday, November 14, he moved his office to the Phifer building and continued his work there while the new courthouse was being constructed. On December 15, 1853, Mr. Melvin says he gave up the keys to the house in Jefferson.
Dr. Amos F. Green – A native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio when 16 and settled in Lithopolis and worked on a farm. He later enlisted in the Regular Army, where he was on duty in Montana. He returned to Columbus, where he worked for Blackwood, Green & Company. Later, he became a fireman on the B&O Railroad. He could no longer resist the desire that he had to become a doctor; with the assistance of Dr. Turney, the Railroad Physician, he entered the Starling Medical College while working part-time for the railroad. He graduated in 1894. He was located in West Jefferson in 1905, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was a member of the Methodist Church, was mayor of West Jefferson for six years, and served as County Coroner. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias, Modern Woodmen of the World, Odd Fellows, thirty-second degree Mason, and Aladdin Shrine. His death occurred in May 1929.
- Cletus Murray, “Judge” as he is familiarly known, is a junior member of the firm of John Murray &Son. After completing his college work at Georgetown University and Ohio State, he became a member of the grain firm in 1922. He is serving his second term as Commander of the American Legion post, is a past president of the Business Men’s Association, and a former councilman. He is a member of the executive committee in charge of the Centennial. Fishing and hunting are his hobbies.