“There have been many changed in the older class of business houses in Portsmouth.”
“The building at the corner of Front and Jefferson streets, occupied by Thomas P Brown and George W Brown respectively, there being two store rooms, was built by BF Conway, and called “Pig Iron Corner,” Mr. Conway being largely engaged in the furnace business. The name “Pig Iron Corner” can be seen cast in the iron pillar on the corner. Mr. Conway eventually failed in business and went to Baltimore.”
“The next building above was built by a man named Givens, and for many years was occupied by J. Hull as a commission and forwarding house, in the old flush times of canal and river.”
“The next building in the block, now occupied as a boarding house by Mr. Beumler, was built by Robert Arthur, and a man named Curtis kept the “Jaybird” saloon therein; a high toned, gilt-edged place, where all the high rollers of the town congregated and drank and gambled with the equally high rolling river and canal captains and clerks, and sports from other places who happened to be in town. Curtis was a dapper, stylish, gentlemanly man, kept an orderly house, and was popular with the “boys”, boys then, those who are still living being now fathers and grandfathers. The “Jaybird” sang a lively song in the old days.”
“The next building was erected by James Lodwick, and is still owned by the Lodwick heirs. It was the famous Lodwick store.”
“The building occupied by Eugene Hacquard and the one just below it was built by Thomas Lloyd, and we believe are still held by the Lloyd heirs.”
“The Stanton and Balmert building was originally two buildings, built respectively by WS Brown and John Clark. The one just below was built by SD Bishop.”
“The building on Market street known as the St. Charles Exchange was built by SR Ross, and the one next south, occupied by Fred Doerr, by Robert S Winn. They are twin buildings.”
“The Brunner store building was erected by James Grimes, father of William and HS Grimes.”
“The Augustin building was erected by WP Martin and occupied by him for many years.”
“The Sanford, Varner & Company building was erected by BL Jefferson, and it broke him up.”
“The Alexander Warner store room was built by MW Thompson, father of HF Thompson.”
“Oakes & Buskirk (Frank Oakes and Abe Buskirk) built what is now HS Grimes’ place of business. That entire block of buildings was called the “Buckeye Block,” and most of the buildings are still held by the heirs of the original builders.”
“The block between the two alleys next below was called “Enterprise Block.” Some of the original builders, out of whose hands the property has since passed, were TN Davey, now of Ironton, LN Robinson, James Pursell, Shackleford & Crichton, and some others.”
“Massie Block was originally built by Newman & McIntyre: William Newman and Daniel McIntyre.”
“The building next to Augustin’s was erected by Conrad Cook, father of Mrs. Charles Burt.”
“Harry Greene’s drug store building was erected by Wilson Morrow, and the building occupied by Blake’s butcher shop by CC Hyatt.”
“The building occupied by Prescott’s wheelbarrow factory was built and occupied by William Hall, father of Mayor Hall and Thomas S Hall. It was a dry goods store.”
“The building owned and occupied by Mike Hook, on Front street, on the alley, below Damarin’s, was erected by Andrews & McVey, and was for years the only drug store in the place. The proprietors were Dr. NW Andrews and his son-in-law JL McVey. The building adjoining it on the east was the Robinson store built, and owned by JV Robinson, whose only surviving children are LC Robinson, Mrs. Hutchins, and Mrs. Turley.”
“We believe it now owned by Mr. Hutchins. This block of buildings from the alley to Jefferson street, was called “Flaxseed Row.” At one time it contained two drug stores, Damarin’s wholesale grocery, M. Kehoe’s shoe store, Robinson’s dry goods store and DN Murray’s combination hardware and book store. The corner building, which preceded the present three story structure, was a two story brick, occupied by “Jake” Elsas as a tailor shop; he was the only Jew in the place. He is now Jacob Elsas, Esquire, the millionaire clothier of Cincinnati, a gentleman honored among all classes, Jew and Gentile.”1