Benjamin Tobias

"The history of Washington can never be written without placing in the front ranks of her most honored, uptight, and distinguished citizens, the name of Hon. Ben Tobias."

~Quote from the obituary of Benjamin Tobias

Benjamin Tobias and his wife Elizabeth came to Washington in 1855 from Pickaway County, Ohio.  Upon his arrival he began the trade of manufacturing farm implements, including plows and wagons.  Business was booming in the growing town, so to accomodate this Tobias built the brick structure known for decades as the "Tobias block" in 1859 (or 1862 depending on the source you believe) at 112-116 Walnut Street.  This building still stands today.  A blacksmith shop was added to the west in 1874, which was razed in the 1950's for the "Tally Ho" buildings. 

In 1879 Tobias was elected as the second mayor in city history, serving for two years.  He would serve in that role again in 1895-1896.  He also served as postmaster, justice of the peace, township supervisor, and served on the board of education for over a decade,  acting as president when the school on Spruce Street was built in 1878.

In 1870 Tobias built a home at 114 East Holland Street.  This home would catch fire in 1880 but Ben would rebuild in the same year.  His rebuild still exists at the spot today.  After Ben died in 1908 and his wife Elizabeth in 1920, the house remained vacant for several years with all of the furnishings remaining perfectly intact.  The word on the street during that time was that it was "haunted."