USA > Ohio > Wood County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids, Ohio : a souvenir of the past and present. July, 1897 > Part 1
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Gc 977.102 G753 1917325
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
SEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02279 7424
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/grandrapidsohios00unse
GRAND RAPIDS, OHIO
A Souvenir of the Past and Present,
JULY, 1897
Where the river bending eastward Leaveth islands in the lee, Shore and islands clad in verdure Maple, elm and willow tree;, Where the gurgling waters answer, To the whisper of the breeze .; On the margin of the river, 'Neath the shadow of the trees ; Where the never falling harvest Lucious fruit and/golden grain, Crown's the summit of the hillocks,
And with gloryifills the plain ; There in beauty, peace and plenty
Is the village of our pen, And from thence whoever wanders Will with gladness come again . G. A. B.
FLOYD D. HUFFMAN,
PUBLISHER
1917325
GRAND e APIDS, HIO.
S [ITUATED on the south bank of the Maumee, twenty-five miles south-west of Toledo. The loca- tion is the most romantic and beautiful in Ohio. Just opposite the village are the historic Maumee rapids. Here was the favorite hunting and fish- ing grounds of the red men; here they built their wigwams, and here they buried their dead. Here the river widens to a distance of 2,000 feet, and here the state, in 1845 built what is known as the Providence dam, ext nd- ing from the south shore to Island No. 1. and from thence, diagonally, to the north shore, making above a slack water of more than eighteen miles in length by one-fourth mile in width, and navig- able at all seasons for ordinary river steamers.
In the fall of 1823 Ambrose Rice, who was county surveyor of Wood county, discovered this beautiful site for a vil- lage, and associating himself with John Hollister, they jointly, on May 14, 1824, secured patent from the U. S. Govern- ment for the fractional quarter section, lying just at the head of the rapids, and upon which the original village was platted. When, however, the patents had been secured, Rice found other matters calling his attention, and with- in a few days he quitclaimed to Hollist- er for a consideration of $140. Hollister held the property until June 3rd, 1833, making no improvements, but seeking a customer. At this date John N. Gra- ham, a shrewd New Englander, being impressed with the natural beauty of the location, gave Hollister $1,200 for a quitelaim of the premises, and im- mediately had a village surveyed and
platted, and to which he gave the name of Gilead,
The Record of the Original Plat re- corded in Vol. "B," page 362 of the record of deeds of Wood county, is as follows:
"Laid out on the south bank of the Maumee river at the head of the Grand Rapids, on the north-east quarter of section seven, in township No. five, north, range No. nine east, in the county of Wood and state of Ohio, under the di- rection of John N. Graham, proprietor, and surveyed by Ambrose Rice, sur- v. yor of the said county of Wood, in the month of June A. D 1833, and pro- tracted upon a scale of 100 feet to the inch; commencing at the intersection of a cross on an interred stone at the north-east angle of lot No. 9 of section No. 5."
"Description .- The streets and alleys cross each other at right angles and have their courses north 13 west and north 77 east; being run at the variation of 3.45 from the lines of the general survey of the township. The streets are each 80 feet wide, except Front street, which is 100 feet wide. The alleys are each 20 feet wide The lots north of Front street are 55 feet wide and 100 feet deep, all of the lots south of Front street are 50 feet wide and 150 feet deep."
"But it is understood expressly that the said John N. Graham reserves to himself, or his heis or assigns, the right to use 40 feet in breadth of Front street opposite and adjoining the mill site for depositing lumber, etc. Provid- ed, also, that the view shall never be obstructed by building thereon; and
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that he reserves in ' like manner the right to turn the course of Shell brook, which passes over the plat, and conduct the same by the western boundry of West street to the Maumee river. There is also granted and conveyed to the purchasers of lots in section No. 7 the right to use the mill race for warehouse purposes."
"I do hereby certify the above to be a correct plat and description of said town of Gilead, by me made as above stated." (Signed). JOHN N. GRAHAM.
"Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of.
J. C. Spink, (Seal).
Jars. Spafford.
"State of Ohio, Wood County, ss:
On this 3rd day of June, 1833 personally came before me, John C. Spink, a Justice of the Peace, in and for said county, John N. Graham, who acknowledged the above plot of the town of Gilead, as laid out and repres- ented above, to be his free act and deed for the purposes therein expressed, and that the streets, alleys and public grounds, as thereby represented, are so intended and considered, and as such "he acknowledges the same.
Given under my hand and seal the ' day and year above written."
(Signed) J. C. Spink, Justice of the Peace. "I do hereby certify the above to be a correct plat and description of the said town by me made as above stated."
(Signed). Ambrose Rice, Surveyor.
Perrysburg, June 3rd, 1833
"Filed for Record June 3rd, 1833."
In 1833 and 4 Graham built a dam and mill race, and also a saw mill with a set of burrs for grinding corn attach-
ed.
In 1836 James Purdy, an attorney of Mansfield. Ohio, secured the premises for a consideration of $40,000. Purdy continued the improvements of Gra- ham, widening and deepening the mill race and building a new dam across the south channel to Island No. 1. He en- larged the mill and put in two saws, 80 that he was able to turn out about 3,000 feet of lumber daily.
In February, 1837 Purdy sold the property to Lysander Spooner, the con- sideration named in the deed being $55,000. No money was paid down, but seven notes were given, as follows: 3 notes of $5,000 each, all payable at July 1, 1837, and 4 notes' of $10,000 each, the first payable January 1, 1838 and the others following each six months thereafter. It will be remem- bered that a few years prior to 1837 the banking laws of the country were ar- ranged upon the plan of that large class of good people who argue that wealth can be created by the stroke of a pen or the stamp of a coin. Under this beautiful system all that was nec- essary to start a bank was a printing press and plenty of paper and ink. In those good old days money grew on eyery bush, as the saying is; in fact money was so plenty that nobody cared particulary to have it, and the business of the country was done almost entirely upon credit. Finally, however, about March, 1837 some fellow over in York State wanted his money, and, not car- ing for the "Red Dog" and "Wildcat" varieties, he demanded coin. Well, there wasn't coin enough in that coun- try to satisfy his little claim, and his debtors attempted to get coin on their little claims some place else where there wasn't anything but CONFIDENCE to be
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had, and their debtors tried it in turn, and behold it was found that the "Red Dog" and "Wildcat" were creatures of wind. Now, in consequence of that fellow over in York state wanting his money, Mr. Spooner's money turned to ashes, and he could not pay Mr. Purdy. Then Mr. Purdy brought suit in fore- closure and for damages. Now, to ill- ustrate the difference of values in SOFT monoy times and HARD money times, the fractional quarter section which Mr. Purdy paid $40,000 for, and which he sold within six or eight months for $55,000, was appraised in 1842 by order of the court and found to be worth about $14,000; and two years later, in 1844, the whole business would not have brought half that sum. However, Mr. Purdy won his suit, got his proper- ty back, and also a judgement for $50- 000 damages. This big judgment, like a fiat dollar, looks very nice on paper, but when it is known that it was utter- ly worthless, and that Mr. Purdy had to pay all the costs of the suit, then that's different.
In 1845 the state dam was built, and, in consequence, Mr. Purdy's wing dam was rendered entirely useless, How- ever, a compromise was effected by the state building the "Gilead Side-Cut," . making the finest water power in the country, and, what was of more value, making the village a canal port witlı navigable waters from the Ohro river to Lake Erie. Right here the question arises as to how Front street, which Mr. Graham's plat and description declares to be 100 feet wide, become only 80 feet in widtlı, as it is at this date. Did the construction of the side-cut encroach so far on the lots in Section No. 7, that the owners thereof, past and present, determined to have their 100 feet in
depth of lot in any event, and thus took part of the street-or how was it?
In 1848, Mr. Purdy built the big, grist mill, the best in the country, and the people scattered over many miles of country came to Gilead to mill. This and many other local enterprises gave a great impetus to trade, and from 1848 to 1873, with little exceptions, the vil- lage prospered. In 1868 the people thought the name "Gilead" entirely too modest for our immensity, and the name Grand Rapids was chosen. -
Who Were the Pioneers?
Few communities can boast of pro- gentors equal in intelligence and sturdy integrity with those of Grand Rapids and vicinity. The first settlers were largely from York state, First of in- portance we have the Howards, Thomas and his three sons, Edward, Robert and Richard, the first being the father of Hon. D. W. H. Howard, who resides in Fulton county, and who knows more of the early days of the Maumee Valley than any other person now living. In 1831 William Howard, a brother of Thomas, came from Seneca county, N. Y. He was the father of Charlotte Howard (afterwards Mrs. Wm. Pratt) who taught the first school in this (then Weston) township, for which slie received the quite moderate salary of one dollar per week, and "boarded 'round." Then there were the Pratts, Jonas and William, together with their sister, Jane, the latter living at this date, and known, esteemed and loved by the entire community, as Aunt Jane Hinsdale.
Jonas Pratt married the widow of Win. Griffith in 1831. He was sheriff
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of Wood county. In 1836 they moved on to the farm a mile above this village and where Mr. Pratt died, 1852. The descendants of Jonas Pratt are among the best known and most highly esteem- ed citizens of the "Rapids" to-day. Jane, the eldest daughter, married Geo. P. Crosby. She is still living and re- sides with her son, Frank A. Crosby,on Front street. Caroline married Dr. Watson, recently deceased, and now resides in her elegant home at McComb, O. Mary married Stephen S. Laskey. She has been deceased some years. Ann married B. F. Kerr, who is known as the most prosperous, and lead- ing business man of the village to-day. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr are barely in the prime of life, have a family they may well be proud of, and their home is per- haps the finest in Wood county. Wm. Pratt married Charlotte Howard, here- tofore referred to, and for many years lived upon the big farm which adjoins the corporation limits on the west. Both are deceased. Jane Pratt married Francis Hinsdale, who was the first merchant of considerable standing in the community. Mr. Hinsdale died in 1851. Aunt Jane Hinsdale resides with her brother-in-law, Geo. P. Hinsdale, at Toledo. She has had a motherly care for Grand Rapids and its people for nearly fifty years, and is one of the grandest women ever created.
Of the Howards who were particularly identified with the village, Anjanette, daughter of Edward, and sister of D. W. H., here-to-fore referred to, married Geo Laskey, who succeeded Francis Hinsdale as the leading merchant, and who for nearly forty years was one of the most successful and distinguished business men in North-western Ohio. Ho was a state senator in the fifties.
Mr. Laskey amassed a large fortune and retired from active business some years ago. He and Mrs. Laskey now resides in their elegant home on Collingwood avenue, Toledo.
Later than the foregoing came a con- siderable number, who as business or professional men have been intimately connected with the affairs of the village in the past. There was Emanual Ar- nold, who built the first tannery in this part of the country. He began business early in the thirties. He was of a stern, taciturn disposition, but a man of the strictest integrity. He has been dec- eased many years. Then there was William Gruber who operated Mr. Purdy's grist mill for many years, 'and who was the father of Mrs. John H. Fisher and Mrs. Jay L. Gillett, his only children yet living. Nicholas Gee was among the first traders, and was in partnership with Francis Hinsdale when the latter first began business.
Among the early physicians were Dr. Burritt, Dr. Breene, Dr. J. N. Mead, Dr. G. W. Bell, Dr. Wm. M. Bell and Dr. A. J. Gardner. Then there were the McDonald's, Seth, John and Clark, who were engaged in various enterprises; milling, merchandising, etc. Geo. Hos- plehorn was a miller at Otsego, and later at the Rapids. He afterward en- gaged in the grocery trade. Chas. Buoklin was in trade liere in the early fifties and was succeeded by Jerry At- kinson and B. L. Ashley. Robt. Mead, brother of Dr. J. N. Mead, did a grocery business here in an early day, and after- ward kept hotel. T. J. Sterling opened the first blacksmith shop of any import- ance. The Cloud brothers had a tin shop in the old Hinsdale stand,and were succeeded by James J. Vorhes and R. C. O'Donald. Jacob Heeter came about
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'56, and for years did the boot and shoe making for a big scope of country. Jeremiah Peters was among the first stone cutters, and the foundation of the Purdy mills still stands as a monument to his memory. Capt. John H. Fisher was on the ground at a comparatively early date Ne for a time engaged in boating, then engaged in trade; after- wards he did an extensive saw milling and lumber business. The Capt. at this date resides on his farm adjoining the village on the east. Jacob Hachenber- ger, though something beyond the three score and ten years alloted to man, is still actively engaged in the cabinet and undertaking business which he opened here nearly fifty years ago.
In the carpenter and cabinet making line were Alphens and Chas. Davis, Samuel Bossard, Allen Bortle, Lewis Bortle, Joshua Randolph, and others. In hotel keeping we have first the How- ard House or "Stone Tavern, " the stone part of which was taken down years ago by D. W. H. Howard and the stone hauled away to his Fulton county estate. Then the Hutchinton Heure which stood at the top of the hill on Main street. It was a large double frame and was torn down by the Aruolds years ago. In the fifties Warren Lamb opened a hotel in a new frame building which is now a part of the Jerry Huff- man stand Robert Mead succeeded him. Clark McDonald opened the first drug store, and was succeeded by Beardsley & Watson. Dr. Gardner opened about 1860, and has been here continuously since. The "Rapids" never was a desirable location for lawyers; the writer remembers but two of any standing, Major Mckinley, not the president, but an old veteran of the Mexican war. was the first and had his
office in the side room of Bucklin's store. Then came John E. McGowan, afterwards a Captain in the Union army, and now publishing a paper in Tennessee.
Of the pioneers not immediately identifled with the village, but who were of the community, and whose descend- ants Bre still with us, we have on the banks of Beaver Creek: James Donald- son, Alex Brown, John Mc Kee, John Carson, Henry Kimberlin, Alex Peugh and James Martin Then in the same general direction were the Croms, the Dulls, the Walters, the Guyers, the Rowlands, the Bortles, Benj. Olney and others. Down the river was Joel Foote, John Fowler and Ed. Gallagher. Up the river was Bela Bennett, Patrick Reagan, John Savage, (succeeded ly Selah A. Bacon), Jonas Pratt, J. G. Culbertson and the Daileys. On Big Creek were the Hockmans, the Shep- herds, the Weavers, Jacob Beaver, Mc- Clures, Foltzs, Wilcoxes, Jerry Bortle, the Kinneys and others. On the Lucas county side was Peter Manor, or Minor, as the old gentleman signed himself. Peter Manor was raised by the Indians and when they ceded their land to the U. S. they reserved one section at the head of the Grand Rapids for Peter Manor; and a goodly portion of that land is still owned by the widow of his son Frank, a most excellent lady, who resides there. Few, if any, of the Lucas county side remain. The vast majority are mouldering in their tombs, and their descendants are scattered.
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Chr. Photo Eng.Co
WILL.
KATON BROS.
William W. and Clyde E. Katon, sons of John J. and Charlotte R. ( Kerr) Katon, were born on the home farm ,in Grand Rapids .township, "Will" on Nov. 8, 1870 and Clyde Janvary 16. 1876. The boys grew up on the farm and attended the com- mon schools . until Clyde was about twelve years old, when, on account of the father's health the farm was Rapids. "Will," who was now about eighteen, began elerking in the gener- al store of Mr. B. F. Kerr, and Clyde entered the Grand Rapids schools and graduated ,therefrom. "Will" was employed with Mr. Kerr about four years, when, on January 5, 1893, he married Miss Flora, daughter of Sam'l . Henry and Margaret (Guyer) Weav-' er. an J leased the home farm. About the same time Clyde started in the the retail grocer y trade, having , had some experience in the business as
CLYDE. . : an employee of Fred Heeter, of this place,and J. E. Clark, of Weston. In the spring of 1897, "Will" joined Clyde in the purchase of the, big Housley grocery and meat market, and which they are operating at this date under the style of "Katon Bros."
The Katon Bros. are young men of .. . correct habits and good business . ability. They carry a heavy stock, of line of Provisions, Tobaccos, Cigars, : Confections, Queensware, Glassware, Foreign and Domestic Fruits, etc. They make a specialty of fresh meats, and with two mammoth refrigerators are able at all times to serve their customers with steaks, roasts, cutlets. .etc., which are perfect in condition, clean, healthful and appetizing. They pay the highest price for country -i
produce. When in the Rapids .call at the big grocery store of the Katon Bros. "The best of everything at the :... lowest possible price," is their motto.
leased and the family removed to the " standard groceries, everything in the ...
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Engico
JAMES H. WILLIAMS,
Was born April 9, 1856 at Middlesex, Ontario, son of Edward and Elizabeth (Sharpe) Williams.
Mr. Williams was educated in the home schools, and, upon growing to manhood, learned the carriage making trade. In August, 1886 he married Amanda, daughter of James and Lydia (Louks) Rolph. In 1888 he came to the States, locating at Oak Harbor for a time, and afterward removing to To- ledo. In Sept. 1890, he came to Grand Rapids. Mr. Williams is a natural artist, and his off-hand drawing has received much favorable comment for the past several years. For a time he confined his talent to artistic sign-wri- ting, but about two years ago he erected the portrait studio on Beaver street and engaged in the business of photography. In this business he has made an unqual- ified success, and is numbered today among the leading photographers of the county. A large number of .the cuts in this work are from photographs
by Mr. Williams.
It seems to be the impression among many good people that a camera, pre pared plates and a few chemicals, with a knowledge of the manipulation of the same , is all that a person requir. s to become a photographer. There never was a greater mistake; the proper light- ing and posing of the subject is an absolute necessity in good portraiture, and requires the eye of an artist; the remainder of the work is purely mec- hanical. And here lies the secret of Mr. William's success-he is an artist.
His gallery is fitted with the modern accessories, and he has that great desid- eratum, a north light, and can secure a depth and softness in his back-grounds, not other wise to be had.
The ordinary photographer simply makes prints, not portraits; the figures are flat, hard, and frequently distorted. Any person can do this kind of work with a week's practice. The artist, properly lighting and posing his subject, secures a deep, soft back-ground, and his figures are round, full and lifelike. All of Mr. Williams' work, whether portrait, group or landscape, bears the distinctive mark of the artist, not the . mere mechanical operator. His prices are very low for the class of work done.
Mr. and Mrs. Williams are highly esteemed socially, and have a large circle of friends and acquaintances. They have a handsome home, and two pretty children.
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AUGUSTINE PILLIOD, JR , Was born Nov. 24, 1861, at Napoleon, Ohio, son of Augustine and Emma Pilliod. About 1867 or 8 Mr. Pilliod, Sr., removed to Toledo, and opened, and for years operated, the great Pilliod Flouring Mills, well known all over North western Ohio. In To- ledo, our subject grew to manhood, receiving his education partially iu the public schools and later at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. At Toledo, under the instructions of Calvin Harding, the noted expert, he learned the milling trade. It is a notable fact that all of the five sons of Augustine Pilliod, Sr., are at this date owners and operators of large, first-class flouring mills. L. N. and F. E. are located at Swanton, Ohio. Charles J. has a 250 barrel mill at Angola, Ind., and a 125 barrel mill at Orland, Ind. Henry has a 125 barrel mill at Fremont. Ind., and "Tine," our subject, is the owner of the big Providence Mills, with a capacity of 75 barrels per day, and using the
"long process." All of these men are practicable millers as well as mill owners. Their father was for years one of the leading millers of the country. He departed this life at a comparatively recent date.
In June 1881 A. Jr , married Grace E., the accomplished daughter of Geo. H. and Adaline (Harrison) Nort. In 1886 he purchased the Providence Mills, which he refitted with the la- test improved machinery, and of which ne has made a grand success, "Pearl" flour being found on sale at almost every point for miles around.
Mr. Pilliod is a live active man, de- lighting in games of skill and endur- ance, and is a leader in all athletic sports In his younger days he was for six years a member of the famous Myers-afterward Toledo Cadets, and later served as Ist Sergeant of "C" Company, 16th Regt. O. N. G.
. Mr. and Mrs. Pilliod are among the leaders of society in Grand Rapids, and their handsome and cosey home has been the scene of many delight- ful entertainments. Their union has been blest with three bright, intellec- tual children, Bessie, Hazel and Leo.
When the state built the Provi- dence dam, and ruined Manor's water- power, a compromise was effected by the state entering into an agreement making the state water perpetually free to Mr. Manor, his heirs and as- signs. 'Thus,at no expense for power, the Providence Mills have a great ad- vantage over all other mills in the country. They can give their cug- tomers the greatest returns for the least money.
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JOHN G. HUNTER.
Was born on the home farm in Cham- paign county, Ohio, in June, 1850. Son of Nathaniel and Helen (Purdy) Hunter. He remained on the farm until he had attained his majority. He was educated at Urbana and at the well known Normal school. at Lebanon, O. On May 24, 1871 be married Mary E., daughter of Chas. C. and Margaret (Strayer) Cookston. In 1872 he opened a drug store in Delaware, Ohio, which he conducted for two years, when, finding the con- finement irksome, he sold out and went on the road as a traveling sales- man. About 1875 he returned to the farm and went into the business of breeding and exhibiting the celebra- ted "Rambolette Merino" sheep, a business in which he is well known in Central Ohio. Mr. Hunter is still owner of a goodly flock of these sheep, all full pedigreed, and which he will
exhibit at the larger fairs this fall. In the fall of '94 Mr. Hunter moved to Neapolis. O., for the purpose of clearing up some farm lands he owned in that vicinity. In April, 1896 he purchased the hotel property in the Rapids, which he refitted, and where he is conducting the best hotel the town has ever had. Mr. Hunter is pre-eminently a hotel man, always pleasant, prompt and obliging. He is a credit to the town, and is rapidly building up a good trade.
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hunter has been blessed with two children, Maude, who is now a young lady,and Charley, who is one of the brightest boys in town.
There is no other business which will advertise a town so well as a good hotel, and, unfortunately for Grand Rapids, there has existed here for many years a custom that has rendered the existence of a good hotel impossible of continuance. On the occasion of every considerable gath- ering of the people it has been the custom of one or other of the church societies to inaugurate and advertise cheap eating stands, thus robbing the hotel of its legitimate business, and of the chief profit there is in conduct- ing a hotel business in a small place. It is extremely easy to make a profit on donated provisions and donated services. Seen in its true light, the custom is not only detrimental to the best interests of the town, but is un- christian. It is understood that, as soon as the business will warrant it, M :. Hunter will erect a fine building, with all the accessories of a modern hotel. Every business man and every one owning property in the village should help to hasten the time.
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