>From the same pamphlet "prepared by a Committee appointed by the Social Civics Club of New Petersburg, Ohio - August 9th, 1967" Early Businesses = The first merchants to enter business in New Petersburg were John HULITT and Enoch OVERMAN, who formed a partnership as general merchants previous to 1830. Next were PIKE and WORLEY partnership entering active competition. Prominent business men were: General Merchants: William ELLIOTT, John OVERMAN, Jesse JOHNSON, Isaac SIMPSON, Thomas MONTGOMERY, Jephthah JOHNSON, Elisha MACKERLAY, George W. McMILLAN, A. MILLER, Charles D. BROWNING, Benjamin PEARCE, Jacob PEARCE, MEAD and GLASSCOCK, Martin TRAUMSTEIN, James SMART, James LISK, M. ROCHHOLD, Daniel KELLY, B. TURNER, Nathan PEARCE, Charles PEARCE, H.H. GRAY. Grocer and postmaster James W. FARLEY Grocer Parker GORDON Blacksmith D.R. Cunningham W. Wright Wagon Makers Abijah and George CUNNINGHAM Shoemaker David POWELL Tanner Nicholas CARPER ] Tanner Shoemaker Benjamin PEARCE Butcher Nicholas CARPER, Jr. Lawyers Thomas ELLIS E.G. MOSIER Casket maker and Undertaker located east of Petersburg on a farm, 1875 - 1890 Ellis HIATT David THURMAN kept a hotel as early as 1820. About 1824 Abner JESSUP opened a tavern northeast of town near the HULITT farm. Jacob PEARCE operated a hotel in the Enoch FAIRLEY property known as Helen Wood Home, now Hobart GOOKS. Burl EUBANKS operated a hotel on the Mose PEARCE home across from the Land Mark Mall. Joseph SPARGUR settled near New Petersburg in 1804 where he built a grist mill. He later sold the mill to Jacob WORLEY and he and his direct descendants operated the mill for almost 100 years. Other mills in Paint Township were the CRAWFORD's, east of New Petersburg. Their mill was later owned and operated by the MERSHONS. B. MURDOCK was a general merchant. In the early 20th century anything that was wanted, "Bosh" MURDOCK could unearth it someplace in his store. George W. PEARCE was the town's oldest businessman. He retired in 1943, having been in business for 66 years. The first school was erected near the present home of Harold HAMILTON in the early 1830's, costing $69.00 The first teacher was Abner THORNTON, who received $11.00 per month. About 1860, a two story brick school was built on the site of the present school and by 1900 two more rooms were added making four rooms in all which were in constant use until it burned April 5, 1939. The present building was dedicated in January 1940. The Oddfellows was organized at an early date. In 1895, they built a large hall. The upstairs was equipped with a stage, tables and chairs. Many community suppers, plays, etc..., were held there. Some of the leading members at the time of the hall's dedication were George and Carry GRIM, John W. MONTGOMERY, Ellis and (Thomas) Wallace HIATT, George PEARCE, Marion WILLIAMS, Giles SETTY, and Dick DIXON. The Junior Lodge was formed by a group of young men about 1903. They met in the new Cunningham building on the southwest corner of the Public Square. Their lodge rooms were on the second floor while Neville Carper's store occupied the first floor. They had snazzy uniforms and organized a brass band. Their big contribution to the community was the Junior Picnic held annually in a large grove on the CRAWFORD farm. One year they had a balloon ascension -- a great event in those times. It was a beautiful day, the balloon went high in the air, the man made a perfect ejection landing in a corn field near Gilboa Cemetery. Some of the lodge members were Pearce SHIVERS, Neville CARPER, Bert HAMILTON and Gail WOLF.