A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. I, Part 19

Author: Reighard, Frank H., 1867-
Publication date: 1920
Publisher: Chicago, New York, The Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 546


USA > Ohio > Fulton County > A standard history of Fulton County, Ohio, an authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and county, Vol. I > Part 19


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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The Farmers and Merchant Deposit Company, a state bank, was organized in May, 1901, with an authorized capital of $25,000. Its principals .werc prominent business men of Swanton, and in that vil- lage the bank was opened for business in May, 1901. Its original officers were: L. N. Pilliod, president ; C. J. Brindley, vice president ; and George R. Ackerman, cashier. Its present directorate is consti- tuted as follows: C. J. Brindley, president; John Caraghar, vice


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president: M. J. Linehan, vice president; George R. Ackerman, cashier; A. B. Lathrop, Casper Murbach, John Rhobasser, F. E. Pil- liod, and A. D. Baker, directors. The Report of Condition, at the elose of business, May 4, 1920, showed the bank then to have had re- source- amounting to $815,603.53, a capital of $25,000, and a sur- plus of $15,000.


There are two Metamora banks. Both were organized in 1901, but the first to actually open for business was the Farmers and Mer- chants Bank. It was organized on July 17, 1901, as a branch of the Farmers and Merchants Bank Company of Sylvania, Ohio, and opened on August 10, 1901, in the store of F. A. Sceley, Meta- mora. The first officers were: A. R. Chandler, president; E. F. Row- ley and Thomas Gibbs, Sr., vice presidents; and W. B. Harris, cashier. The original stockholders included A. R. Chandler, M. Lochbihler, C. II. Heffron, L. L. Ford, F. A. Seeley, Andrew Becker, George Bell, L. J. Newton, W. H. Dennis, and George W. Taylor. In 1902 the bank took corporate powers, as a state bank. Its eapital then was $12,500, and under the following named officers: C. H. Heffron, presi- dent; Miles Kahle and L. L. Ford, vice presidents; F. A. Seeley, cashier. Until July, 1916, the bank was located on the north side of Main street, Metamora, almost opposite Maple street, but in the month named it was moved to its present location, on the corner of Maple and Main streets. The bank report of May 4, 1920, states that the resources then totalled to $381,682.00, that the paid in capital stock was $25,000, with a surplus of $5,800.00. The present officers are: F. E. Broadbeck, president; C. Gestwite, vice president; E. A. Seeley, cashier.


The Home Savings Bank, of Metamora, was established in 1901. and opened for business on September 16, of that year. Its location has never changed, although in view of the steady expansion of bank- ing business done by the institution, the directors a few years ago decided to build a suitable bank building. On December 28, 1918, the new bank building was opened. The bank stockholders have never sought charter of incorporation. The organizers, E. S. Davoll, Ilorace Tredway. H. H. Tredway, S. O. Rothfuss, J. W. Crisman, and A. F. Mitchell, are still its stockholders, and the original president, E. S. Davoll, is still in that office, and, it is stated, the bank has each year been in a position to pay good dividends. Its original capital, which was $2,500, has been increased many times, and the paid-in capital now stands at $12,000. Its resources, on May 4, 1920, were $467,441.06. Its banking house, lot, furniture, and fixtures, are valued at $14,882.00.


The First National Bank, of Wauseon, was organized in 1903. On September 1st of that year, application was made to the Controller of the Currency for authority to organize the First National Bank of Wanscon. Ohio, said application having affixed thereto the signatures of S. O. Rothfuss, F. C. Hoehler, A. D. Gilmore, E. S. Davoll, and F. O. Peak. On October 22, 1903, the Articles of Association and Or- ganization Certificate were executed and forwarded to the Controller of the Currency.


The papers named F. C. Hoehler, S. O. Rothfuss, A. D. Gilmore, E. S. Davoll, and C. F. M. Niles as directors, and the following to


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act as officers: F. C. Hoehler, president; E. S. Davoll, vice presi- dent; S. O. Rothfuss, cashier. On January 9, 1904, authority was given to commence business under charter number 7091, and ten days later, the shareholders adopted a resolution increasing the capital from $25,000 to $35,000. At the first annual meeting of shareholders, held on January 28, 1904, a new board of directors was elected. The new board was constituted as follows: D. K. Shoop, president; F. J. Spencer, vice president; S. O. Rothfuss, cashier; P. J. Lenhart, J. M. Longnecker, H. T. Hall, F. G. Hoehler, E. S. Davoll, C. F. M. Niles, and A. D. Gilmore, directors. The bank did not however open for business until February 15, 1904, and were then able to occupy the new bank building erected at the corner of Depot and Fulton streets.


FIRST NATIONAL BANK, WAUSEON


The building is valued at $15,000, and at that address, 114 North Ful- ton street, the First National Bank has since continued to do its busi- ness: Messrs. Shoop and Spencer are still president and vice president, respectively, but S. O. Rothfuss in 1913 was elected second vice presi- dent, and Henry F. Davis appointed cashier. In 1917 Wayne B. Harris became cashier, and a promising career was cut short on Janu- ary 31, 1920, Mr. Harris then succumbing to sickness. He had not yet reached his third decade of life, yet he had more prominent con- nection with Liberty Loan campaigns during the years of war than had any other Fulton county citizen, and it seemed that a notable banking career was before him. His place as cashier at the First National Bank was taken by Frank Weber, who had formerly been assistant to Mr. Harris. The First National Bank of Wauseon is steadily expanding its volume of business, and a 1920 report of its condition


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shows its resources to be more than a million dollars. Its capital is now $50,000, with a surplus of $15,000.


The Lyons Commercial Bank, a co-partnership, had its inception in 1903, or 1904, the principal organizer being a Mr. Seagreaves, who was connected with the Toledo and Western Railroad Company, the tracks of which were laid through Royalton Township and a station opened at Lyons in 1902. At the outset the bank was an authorized state bank, but in 1908 the original stockholders sold to prominent citizens of Lyons. From that time, the institution has been conducted as a private bank. There is every probability however that, on July 1, 1920, the business will again pass into the state bank category, a move- ment now being in process to make it such, with a capital of $10,000. Its officers in 1908, when the bank passed into the control of local people, were: Charles Holt, president; Fred H. Carpenter, cashier; R. P. Carpenter, secretary and treasurer. A reorganization on March 31, 1911, brought in R. C. Rothfuss, as president, and S. O. Rothfuss, as vice president. Present officers are: H. H. Tredway, president; E. S. Davoll, vice president; H. R. Tredway, cashier.


The Peoples Savings Bank Company, of Delta, was organized on April 14, 1906, as a state bank, with a capital of $25,000. The organ- izers were: J. M. Longnecker, F. Briggs, W. T. Saxton, Hal M. Parker, J. A. Latzer, N. F. Carmon, and Byron Yarnell. The original officers were: J. M. Longnecker, president; F. Briggs, and W. T. Saxton, vice presidents; N. F. Carmon, cashier. The bank opened for business on June 6, 1906, on the north side of Main street, Delta in the store now occupied by McKeen and Company, confectioners. Sixteen months later however the bank was removed to 312 Main street, and that has since been its location. The present members of its directorate are: J. M. Longnecker, president; W. T. Saxton, vice president ; A. T. McComb, cashier; W. L. Biddle, W. E. Fowler, F. J. Shumaker, E. M. Tappan, and C. R. P. Waltz, directors. Mr. McComb has been cashier since February, 1908. The institution has had a satisfactory banking career, and although its capital is still $25,000, it has a surplus of $32,000. Its resources, on May 4, 1920, totalled to $563,285.12, and its deposits to $504,365.15.


Fayette has two banks, and both came into existence in 1906 . The Fayette State Savings Bank was opened on October 8, 1906, and its principal organizers and stockholders were members of the Rorick family, so well-known and so closely associated with Fulton county. C. Rorick. Sr., of Morenci, Michigan, and at that time president of the First National Bank of Morenci became president of the Fayette bank; G. Acker became its vice president; and G. H. Crane its cashier. Other original directors were: H. C. Rorick and Sidney Spitzer, of Toledo: J. C. Rorick, of Wauseon; Albert B. Forester, of Morenci; W. D. Murphy, and D. W. Griffin, of Fayette. The bank was opened in a building almost opposite its present quarters. Their present bank building was formerly known as the Co-operative Building. It cost the bank organizers $3,750, and it was purchased prior to the opening of bank in 1906. The former occupant however had a long lease, and until its expiration the building was not available for bank- ing purposes. In 1911, Mr. C. Rorick, Sr., died, and Dr. E. H. Rorick of Fayette, became president. He was succeeded two years later by


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a relative, H. C. Rorick, president of the Spitzer-Rorick Trust Com- pany, of Toledo. He is still president, other officials and directors being: J. C. Rorick, 'vice president; G. H. Crane, cashier; M. B. Badger and E. R. Crane, directors. The Fayette State Savings Bank has grown in resources from $26,674.00 in 1906 to $367,627.64 in 1920. Its capital stock is now $12,500, and there is a surplus of $15,000.


The Farmers State Bank was founded on November 10, 1906, and occupies its own substantial brick building, in the old Kendall Block. Its facilities, in banking room, vaults, and such like, are quite mod- ern, and its management seems to be conservative yet progressive. The original officers were: C. P. Grisier, president; J. A. Mattern, vice president ; C. D. Hause, cashier; G. K. Russell, C. K. Miller, J. Bodley Brink, J. Grisier, W. A. Gunsaullus, J. Riley Wise, J. H. Stoner, and E. B. Gambee, directors. The only changes in directorate are that Dr. E. H. Rorick is now a member, and also second vice president, and Messrs. Brink, Wise, and Gunsaullus are no longer members. The capital is now $25,000, with surplus of $20,000. Its resources at the close of business on February 28, 1920, totalled to $515,871.92.


A state bank was organized by leading citizens of Archbold in 1907, the new bank taking the name of the Peoples State Bank Com- pany. It began to do business in October, 1907, under promising aus- pices, and its growth has been steady. Its capital has always been $25,- 000, paid in, and in February, 1920, the surplus fund stood at $7,100, and the resources at $477,814.57. The original stockholders were: L. P. Vernier, E. E. Hallett, J. C. Nofzinger, E. Rupp, J. Rupp, John Gigax, J. Baumgartner, David Snyder, A. M. Buhrer, Fred Flory, S. C. Schantz, N. J. Rychener, G. D. Wyse, J. Wyse, and John H. Miller. The original directorate was as follows: L. P. Vernier, presi- dent ; J. Rupp, vice president; S. C. Schantz, secretary and cashier ; John Baumgartner, G. D. Wyse, S. C. Nofzinger, E. E. Hallett, and A. M. Buhrer, directors. The 1920 directorate is: J. H. Miller, president; F. A. Geesey, vice president; S. C. Schantz, cashier; S. C. Nofzinger, N. J. Ruchener, J. Monroe, and G. J. Vernier, directors. Mr. Schantz has been cashier since the establishment of the bank, in 1907.


In March of 1909 the Pettisville Savings Bank, a private bank- ing company, with a capital of $5,000, was organized by D. K. Shoop, F. J. Spencer. G. D. Wyse, Simon Rychener, J. S. Rychener, G. Mc- Guffin, S. O. Rothfuss, R. C. Rothfuss, J. B. Meister, and W. J. Weber, all of whom, excepting J. S. Rychener and R. C. Rothfuss, still have connection with the bank. The original and present officers were and are: John B. Meister, president; George McGuffin, vice president; William J. Weber, cashier. The bank opened for business on Sep- tember 1, 1909, and its volume of business has developed satisfactor- ily. The Report of the Condition of the bank at the close of business May 4, 1920, showing resources of $223,496.73, a capital of $7,000, and a surplus of $1,530.08.


CHAPTER IX INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


In reviewing the history of institutions and societies of Fulton County, it will not, probably, be thought improper to refer first to the Fulton County Fair, which of all the institutions of the county, saving of course those of religious purpose, is that in which the people in general seem to take greatest interest. That must be so, when it is realized that for many years the average attendance at the annual fair of the Fulton County Agricultural Society has been more than twenty thousand persons. And the days spent at the Fair are to most people probably happy memories; recollections of pleasurable rcunions with old friends; of days made bright by spirited, yet friendly com- petition with one's neighbors; and by a wholesome pride in the agricultural development and excellence of the home county.


THE FIRST FAIR


Sixty-two years have passed since the first fair was held in Fulton county, and to the stimulus engendered by its competitions may surely be attributed some of the agricultural development of the county. As to the first fair :


"The idea of a fair for Fulton County came of a pleasant ride to another fair" stated an article published in the "Democratic Ex- positor" of Wauseon, some years ago. "One beautiful day, early in the autumn of 1857, while Mr. and Mrs. Dresden W. H. Howard, together with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Camp, of Cleveland, were driving from the Howard homestead, near Winameg, to Adrian, to see the fair there, Mr. Howard suddenly exclaimed: 'Why can't we have a fair?' Mr. Camp replied that they could if they only said that they would. The attractiveness of the Adrian fair. . . took such a hold on Mr. Howard that he resolved to start the ball rolling in Fulton County immediately.


"Accordingly, as soon as he got home, he called a meeting of his neighbors, and so filled them with his own enthusiasm that the county agricultural society was then and there organized. It was determined to hold the fair the next year.


"For a site, ten acres of land were leased on the farm of Dr. Welcome C. Robinson, just east of Ottokee. When the time came for getting the grounds' in shape for the first exhibition, teams and labor were offered gratis by nearly everybody in the vicinity, and it was only a little while until a suitable place and commodious buildings were ready.


" At first, the people did not seem to know what was expected of them in the way of exhibits. For instance, a horticultural hall had been provided, but the only flowers to be seen in it were the blossoms of a white tea rose, furnished by Mrs. Howard. Perhaps one reason for this lack of interest in bringing things to exhibit was due to the fact


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that only subscriptions to agricultural papers, such as the Farmer's Review, were offered for premiums, as money was lacking. The next vear, however, Mrs. Joe Willey, wife of the pioneer merchant at Phillips' Corner, or what we now call Siney, saw to it that plenty of flowers were provided for this hall. Naturally there was no race course on this small plot, but recreation was furnished by plowing matches between the farmers; and probably more interest was shown in these matches than is now manifested in horse races.


"When the ten-year lease of the Robinson tract was about to expire, some of the younger men in the society, notably Elder L. L. Carpenter, were ambitious to buy a suitable site of forty aeres, and have a raee course. The older men ... hesitated somewhat at assuming such a considerable undertaking, but finally acquieseed if, as the 'Colonel'


RACE TRACK, COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS.


said, they would buy early, so that they could get the land cheap. The result was the purchase of the present grounds, with Elder Carpenter, Oliver Verity and 'Colonel' Howard. . assuming the chief responsibility. "We of today can little appreciate the amount of work necessary in converting this land, from a muggy swamp, into a high and dry exhibition grounds, with an excellent race course."


"Among the early members of the society, in addition to Colonel Howard, Judge Verity, and Elder Carpenter, were O. Merrill, A. B. Robinson, E. H. Patterson, Joseph Shadle, Joel Brigham, L. G. Ely, S. G. Aumend, James Turner, H. C. Adams, Albert Deyo, A. B. Thomson, Richard Scott, Elliot, Isaae and Meek Bayes and Clark Stan- dish. These men guided the society through it first three or four decades of active operation. The first fair grounds were situated in Dover Township, about a half mile east and nearly half a mile south from Ottokee. The second and present, location was on marshy, un- improved, and, in parts, densely wooded land, on the west road leading


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from Wauscon to Ottokee. The improvements for the first year were made at an expense of about fifteen hundred dollars, and subse- quent erection of buildings, fences, enclosures, and the construction of race track cost the society several thousand dollars. And in addition, many of the public-spirited men who were active in carrying through the project to definite success gave much of their time and labor gratu- itously. They were later recognized and rewarded by election to life membership of the society; and of these original life members only two now survive: Lucius P. Taylor, of Pike Township, now in his one hundred and fourth year; and the Hon. L. G. Ely, of West Unity, Williams county. He was president for very many years, and scarcely missed attending a meeting of the fair board, making the journey from his home in West Unity with unfailing regularity.


RAISING THE PIONEER LOG CABIN, ON THE FAIR GROUNDS


One of the most interesting events in the history of the Fulton County Agricultural Society was that which took place in 1885, when a log cabin, similar to those of pioneer days, was raised on the fair grounds by eighty-four pioneer residents. James H. Sherwood, pio- ncer journalist of Fulton county, was himself much interested in the happening, and the following was written by him, and published in his newspaper, the Wauseon "Republican":


"A grand day in the history of the Fulton County Pioneer Asso ciation was Tuesday last, the enthusiasm and interest attending their 'log cabin raising' that day on the Fulton County Fair Grounds, be- ing a matter of surprise to everyone. It is estimated that 1,000 people were present, and although no special effort was made to entertain them, beyond the spectacle of the raising itself, yet the universal expression of those who attended was that they had passed the day most delightfully. The old pioneers seemed to have regained some of the vigor of their earlier years, and engaged in the work with all the energy of former days. Wells Watkins, D. L. Buler, W. H. Beatty, and a Mr. Nixon, all men nearing seventy years of age, were corner men at different times during the day, their work showing that they had not forgotten the art of carrying up a corner in proper shape. To Ralph Herrick, son of Elijah Herrick, one of the younger pioneers, and his father's substitute in the work of the day, belongs the honor of carrying a corner from the ground to the top, he being the only man remaining at his post during the entire raising ... Despite the faithful labor bestowed upon it, night came and found the cabin incomplete, and the work was deferred until. . . the 22nd inst." It was then finished 'with appropriate ceremonies.


It was indeed a great event; one which took the pioneers back forty or fifty years, to the time when, if they did not "blaze the trail," they certainly "built, and lived in, cabins of roughly hewn logs, made without the use of nails, and ...... endured the hardships of winter in those rude homes"; and they entered joyously into the preparations for the log raising on the Fair grounds. Every pioneer was to bring one log, which was to be of buckeye, if obtainable, other- wisc of hickory or oak. And in the names of those who furnished logs and other requisites for the cabin is found a list of cighty-four


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of the valiant pioneers of the county. As published, the participants in the log raising were:


"Thomas Lingle, D. W. H. Howard, Jesse Pocock, Osias Merrill, James Fenton, G. W. Grisinger, Wells Watkins, O. A. Cobb, Riley McMannis, O. B. Verity, Joshua Shaffer, Hosea Shadle, Alonzo Marks, J. M. Huff, H. S. Persing, L. G. Ely, A. H. Jordan, William Lem- mon, John Jacoby, A. S. Fleet, John Butler, Jerry Williams, John Conaway, J. B. Murray, Daniel Miller, E. H. Patterson, David Ayers, Allen Shadle, John McQuillen, Richard Shadle, C. H. Losier, Thomas Mikesell, Jefferson Case, George Tappan, Winfield Tappan, Joseph Aldrich. J. S. Biddle, Charles Harrison, S. D. Spring, Willard Crout, Stephen Eldridge, John Williams, William Struble, W. Mauley, S. J. Salsberry, Elijah Herrick, John Kimerer, John A. Rupert, Jacob Krontz, Cora Spillane, S. C. Biddle, Valentine Winslow, Chester Her- rick, Joseph Shadle, Harvey Shadle, Jerry Miller, Eli Phillips, Jacob Funk, Josiah Lee, C. E. Bennett, Henry Scott, E. H. Cately, George Gasche, Jerry Tedrow, Norman Munger, A. B. Thompson, John Nobbs, R. Briggs, John Atkins, A. Waffle, L. W. Brown, Samuel Losure, Katie Minnich, John Harrison, Calvin Biddle, A. Hoffmire, S. S. Carter, Elisha Viers, Thomas Wardley, Delos Palmer, Albert Bell, Dr. Hy. Herriman, J. W. Willets, and John L. Minnich."


Thereafter for many years, at Fair-time, the old pioneers would meet, and, in the prompting environment of the log cabin would delight in talking of old times; but as the years passed, and the pio- neers' ranks became thin, the Fair managers thought that the useful- ness of the log cabin had been served, and that its site might be given to other and more modern uses. The thought of the raising of the cabin inspired Mrs. Lydia Carter Aldrich, a poetess of considerable note and a member of a pioneer Fulton county family, to write a stirring poem, "The Cabin." It was hung in the old cabin, among pioneer portraits and relics, during Fair-time of 1906. The cabin was used for the last time in that year, and the poem was published in the "Republican" on October 12th of that year. It is here reproduced in full, so as to, if possible, perpetuate in future generations of Ful- ton county people, the true spirit of reverence they owe to their pio- neer fathers, by whose self-sacrifice the swamp and wilderness were converted into what Fulton county now is. The poem reads:


For a glimpse of the life that was theirs, in that time, This cabin was built by the old pioneers, That the young, who now live in palatial homes, Might drift back, in dream, to those earlier years.


To 'The Simple Life,' rich in the blessings of love :-- See the stalwart young farmer, with oxen and plow -- The scant-acred clearing-beginning of Home- The wife, with contentment enthroned on her brow, While mother-love beams, with excusable pride, On her boy-baby, toddling o'er the rude puncheon floor ; O, treasures of hope, and ambition's wild dreams ! The realms of queenship could give her no more.


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IHISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY


To a cabin like this, in the wilderness built, Where red men and wolves prowled unpleasantly near, The young wife was bro't from her home in the east, To make this rude hut a dwelling of cheer.


He who blazes the road for the car wheels of Progress. Has ever the soul of true manliness shown :- Those earliest coming to pioneer Fulton,


Were the bravest and noblest the county has known.


Ere the cabin is razed, to make room for "The New'- Ere its puncheons and logs become rubbish for flame, Just sit in its shelter a moment for rest,


While memory recounts to you pioneer names; There's Howard and Waffle, and Chatfield and Shadle, And Canfield, and Aldrich, and Andre and Waid, And others who joined in this spirit of home-love, And out of the wildest, these lovely grounds made.


This spot was by nature unsightly and rude, But 'cat-hole' and prairie-its forest and fen Were wrought into beauty, possessing a charm That wins froin their business the busiest men.


E'en women will break from the fetters of care- Have time for enjoyment each day of the Fair, And children-all ages, from little to big, Are out for a 'good time', in holiday rig; Their colors are bright as the poppy-bed's bloom, No spot on the grounds for a shadow of gloom, Unless it should be round the cabin-grown old- Late rule has decreed that, for this, it be sold :- Converted to fuel, or any vile use That pleases the buyer, and without excuse To the ashes of those who had builded it there, Invoking Posterity's tenderest care.


A Mecca was this, where the Pioneers met, Looked over the 'relics'; clasped hands with old friends; Recounted some scenes (which they could not forget) With the glow that Life's sunset, in its retrospect lends.




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