USA > Ohio > Wood County > Commemorative historical and biographical record of Wood County, Ohio : its past and present : early settlement and development biographies and portraits of early settlers and representative citizens, etc. V. 1 > Part 39
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be said that the commissioners, in granting a small sum, considered such a meeting necessary, as the petitioners with, perhaps, one or two excep- tions scarcely understood the first principles of the profession. The meeting was held in Sep- tember, but a convention of the teachers of northwestern Ohio, held at Toledo the same month, overshadowed that at Perrysburg, so thoroughly that, even the local papers said but little on the subject of the Wood county meet- ing. The Institute of 1853, held at Manmice and Perrysburg, was attended by thirty-seven Wood county teachers. The periodical assemblages of teachers, from 1852 to 1857, partook of the social rather than of the educational character. but there can be little doubt of their influence in making many of the crude instructors better teachers.
The records of the Teachers' Institute placed at the disposal of the writer by Prof. Van Tassel, date back to August 2, 1867, when the annual meeting was held at the Presbyterian church, Bowling Green. The officers for that year were Capt. S. S. Canfield, president; William W. Callihan, Nellie Brown and Jane Gorrill, vice- presidents; C. C. Layman, secretary; Helen G. Robins, treasurer; D. A. Avery. John H. White- head and Guy C. Nearing, executive committee. Joseph Clarke, Eliza Love, Ruth Haynes, and John Clarke, the secretary, were among the officers chosen in 1868, but C. T. Pope was chosen temporary secretary in April of that year. In 1869 and 1870. Messrs. S. S. Canfield and John Clarke were elected president and secretary, respectively. In November, 1870, D. A. Avery was elected president, and C. W. Munson, sec- retary. In November, 1871, F. V. Meagley was elected secretary, and Joseph W. Kerr, treasurer. At this time the constitution of the Institute was brought to light and copied by Secretary Meag- ley. Its preamble and nine articles were signed by the following named members: William R. Barton, Francis Dailey, H. L. Gorrill, Robert Place, John Muir, R. M. Donnelly, John Cable, Charles S. St. John, A. L. Muir, J. B. Newton, F. V. Meagley, Helen M. Van Tassel, Ipsie Ralston, Florence Carrick, Nellie Burns, Ella Hull, Apalinda Mercer, Hattie Dubbs, Jennie Eldridge, Edmund P. Thomas, James E. Kerr, Joseph W. Kerr, H. C. Norton, Hattie Foote, Ella F. Evers, Belle Clarke, Nettie L. Bronson. Seth H. Fairchild. Ada M. J. Fairchild, Martha Robinson, Joseph Welton, James Condit, Ella Ralston, Dora Thurstin. B. F. Smith, W. Wade, Jr., Robert Duun, May Steedman, Ettie Wiley, George H. McCartney, H. L. Crane, John W.
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Ebersole, S. G. Ebersole, C. W. St. John, Mag- gie Dunapace, Elain Norris, David J. Cargo, Thomas N. Barkdull, Mary O. Pope, Isaac N. Van Tassel, S. S. Long. Emma Whitaker, Em- ma Loomis, Sarah Brown, Thomas Burns, J. D. Anderson, George W. Callin, Ann E. Poe, George F. Canfield, G. A. Gwinner, Mertie Clark, Lewis Edgar, J. F. Huffman, F. E. Palmer, Henry Wise, Ella Fowler, John Vetter, Helen G. Robins, W. Wright, E. T. Hays, F. J. Oblinger, J. S. Benschoter, E. D. Moffett, Mat- tie Caldwell, Lucinda Caldwell, Mary Lockhart, Clara Lockhart, Ida Gould, Mattie Jackson, Joseph Clark, Rezin Jewell, S. P. Brightley, Rose Call, Maggie M. Vass. Carrie K. Thompson, Carrie S. Fowler, A. R. Knapp, Jaines A. Yates, Emma Frederic, Maggie Muir. Fanny Muir, Anna Forrest, Helen Hitchcock, Libbie D. Hecox, A. D. Newell, George F. Cowden, Lucy E. Powers, Marian Muir, Arcena Cowden, Myron LeGalley. Frank W. Dunn. George F. Wright, Amelia Canfield, Mary Davidson, Alvina E. McQuinn, P. W. Minton, Lucy A. Cass, Albert Brisbin, John A. Shannon, Charles W. Evers, Sophie G. Knoll, Maria Cronker, R. M. Adams, H. M. Canfield, J. H. Callin, W. A. Benschoter, Mat- tie Patterson, Flora J. Donaldson, Albert D. Loe, W. W. Brim, F. P. Minton, Z. L. Tribble, M. F. Cowdery, C. P. Taylor, Dudley A. Avery, D. C. Albaugh, John W. Brownsberger, William Zimmerman, Carrie E. Cellars, Jennie E. Enos, Hattie M. Noyes, Delia M. Younker, and Nancy J. Parker. All the teachers of the county did not sign the constitution at that time, but at subsequent meetings, prior to the close of 1871, many became members.
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In November, 1871, Apalinda Mercer was
elected secretary, and James E. Kerr, president. In 1872, Helen M. Van Tassel and C. P. Taylor held the respective offices; in 1873, Mrs. E. E. Barton and James E. Kerr; in 1874. Mrs. Barton and Guy C. Nearing; in 1875, Helen M. Van Tas- sel and S. S. Canfield; in 1876, Kittie M. Smith and S. S. Canfield; in 1877, A. R. Knapp and James E. Kerr; in 1878, A. Brisbin and J. E. Kerr; in 1879, C. S. St. John and R. M. Don- nelly; in 18So, 1881 and 1882. Kate Brown and R. M. Donnelly, and in 1883. Samuel Given and R. M. Donnelly. The second record book of the Institute closed November 19, 1883, with a list of 133 members (of whom only 54 were male teachers) enrolled by the secretary, A. L, Muir. Among the names are but few of those which appear in a former page, as signers of the con- stitution. Many old Wood county names, how- ever, are given, showing that the interest in the objects of the Institute grew with its age. George H. Withey was elected president in Angust. 1884. with A. L. Muir, secretary. J. P. Baker won the first prize for spelling, and A. L. Meir and Lola Shropfer, the second prizes. The same of- ficers were re-elected in 1885. while in 1886 the secretary was re-elected. with E. A. Balliner, president. The presidents since that year are named as follows: I. N. Van Tassell, 188; and 1888; W. H. Richardson, 1889; J. C. Solether. 1890; W. F. Ries, 1891 and 1892; W. M. Wal- termire, 1893; E. A. Balliner, 1894-5, and J. N. Baker, 1895-96. The secretaries, since the close of Mr. Muir's last term, have been Hattie Gould, 1887; Alice Matthews, 1888 and i889: Alta De- Riar, 1890 and 1891; Katie Wetzel. 1893 and 1894; Anna Laney. 1894-95, and Eva Peugh, 1895-96.
CHAPTER XXI.
PIONEERS OF WOOD COUNTY-MAUMEE VALLEY PIONEERS ASSOCIATION-MAUMEE VALLEY MONU- MENTAL ASSOCIATION-LICENSED TRADERS-SUGAR MAKERS-WOLF SCALPS.
0 N May 7, 1864, was organized, at Toledo, the Maumee Valley Pioneers Association, with Peter Navarre, president; Dr. Hora- tio Conant, Nathaniel B. Blinn and Dr. Oscar White, vice-presidents; Henry Bennett, recording secretary; J. Austin Scott, correspond- ing secretary; James M. Comstock, treasurer; Emery D. Potter, Sr., Samuel B. Scott and
Noah A. Whitney, trustees. In 1865 Mavor Brigham took the place of Trustee Potter, and Brice Hilton that of Dr. White, these being the only official changes. At that time county his- torians were appointed, Willard \ Way being named for Wood county. In 1866, John F. Hunt, John U. Pease and Horace Sessions were chosen vice-presidents; Messrs. Whitney and
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Brigham, with Francis L. Nichols, trustees; Henry Bennett, recorder; Willard V. Way, cor- respondent, and James M. Comstock, treasurer. In 1867, John E. Hunt, Willard V. Way and W. C. Holgate were elected vice-presidents: Charles T. Wales, recorder, and John J. Minor, corre- spondent, who, with Trustees Whitney, Brigham and Bennett, were the officers of the society until 1874, when John E. Hunt was elected president, vicc Peter Navarre (deceased); Dr. E. D. Peck. Willard Trowbridge and Henry Bennett, vice- presidents; Mavor Brigham, Chauncy D. Wood- ruff and Willard V. Way, trustees, and Charles T. Wales, secretary and treasurer. In 1877, Asher Cook was chosen a vice-president, and Thomas Dunlap, secretary, and in 1878 Thomas H. Leaming succeeded John E. Hunt (deceased) as president. In 1887 William B. Gunn was president and Ruel Alden, secretary of the asso- ciation.
Among its members were the following named residents of Wood county, the date being that of settlement: Mrs. H. B. Andrews, 1823; Henry Bennett, 1833; Nathaniel D. Blinn, 1825; Calvin K. Bennett, 1835; John Bates, 1832; Andrew Bloomfield, 1833; Gilbert Beach, 1835; William H. Bennett, 1833; Richard Bumford, 1838; R. Bloomfield, 1842; Mrs. Henry Ben- nett, 1833; Bradford Barlow, 1824: Asher Cook, 1835; Jeremiah C. Crane, 1827; Joshua Chap- pell, 1823; David Creps, 1833; Mistress Rox- anna Crane, 1818; William L. Cook, 1835: G. W. Creps, 1833; Dr. Horatio Conant, 1816; James Dennison, 1834; Joseph W. McNeal, 1834; Rob- ert. A. Forsythe, 1816; John Fay, 1833; Robert Fenton, 1834; Isaac Hull, 1814; John E. Hunt. born at Fort Wayne, 1798; Robert A. Howard, Mt. Gilead, 1823: Francis Hollenbeck, 1842; Hezekiah L. Hosmer, 1837; Charles V. Jennison, 1818; William O. Keeler, born 1833; L. C. Locke, 1835; George S. Mcknight, 1820; Albert Moore, 1832: Guido Marx, 1849; D. Newton, 1840; Eveline Newton, 1850; George Powers, 1835; Dr. E. D. Peck. 1834: Mrs. E. D. Peck, 1844; S. Perrin. 1838; George N. Parsons, 1837; James W. Ross, 1834; J. Austin Scott, 1835: Jessup W. Scott, 1832, Shibnah Spink, 1833; H. T. Smith, 1838: Mrs. Aurora Spafford, first white woman married in the Valley: E. Tuller, 1839; Thomas Tiernan, 1839: Perry Thomas, 1835; Wesley S. Thurstin, 1836; I. Van Tassel, 1829; H. Warner, 1835; George Weddell, 183 ;; John Webb, 1822; Chauncey D. Woodruff, 1835; Willard V. Way, 1834; Eber Wilson, 1823; Martin Warner, 1836; David Wilkison, 1818; Thomas J. Webb, 1828. The Wood County
Pioneer Society claims as its members many of the old settlers named above.
The Pioneer and Historical Association was in the zenith of its usefulness in August, 1884, when Capt. L. Black was secretary, with Robert Fenton, C. W. Evers, Daniel Barton, Joel Foote and Asher Cook, members of the executive com- mittee, and Dr. A. J. Manville, treasurer. The oldest citizen of this county, W. H. Ewing, of Plain township, was president.
The Maumee Valley Monumental Association was incorporated July 28, 1885, and organized August 7, that year, with D. W. H. Howard, president; Asher Cook, vice-president: Gen. John C, Lee, secretary, and Foster R. Warren, treasurer. Changes were made in the constitu- tion, and August 25, 1885, M. R. Waite, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, was elected president: D. W. H. Howard, Richard Mott, and Asher Cook, vice-presidents; while the secretary and treasurer of the first organization were re-elected. In 1887 the president and sec- retary were re-elected; R. B. Mitchell was chosen treasurer, and R. C. Lemmon, D. W. H. Howard and S. H. Cately, vice-presidents. AAmong the residents of Wood county who were members of this association, may be named: Asher Cook, Joel Foote (1829), D. W. H. Day (1851), I ... Black, George C. Phelps, R. W. McMahon, J. B. Newton, E. W. Poe, A. W. Adams, J. H. Whitehead. R. M. Donnelly. W. A. Benschoter, T. C. Beard, M. F. Miles, R. W. Huffman, S. Henderson, G. W. Hill, J. F. Stubbs, F. J. Oblinger, John Ebberly (1848), T. J. Sterling (1830), James O. Troup, M. P. Brewer, George Knaus, George M. Brown, B. L. Abbott, J. V. Culver. J. H. Mitchell, Paul J. Brown. F. H. Thompson, Frank M. Young. H. C. Uhlman, H. G. Strausser, Edwin Tuller and J. Austin Scott. The object of this association was to urge the United States Congress to authorize the building of monuments on the battlefields of the Maminee. and to set off the site of Fort Meigs as a National Park.
Licensed Traders. - Lists of the early traders or merchants, peddlers and tavern-keepers, of Wood county, to whom licenses were granted by the court of common pleas, is here given. Many illicit dealers in liquor and merchandise were their contemporaries, but of them the record does not speak, except when they were presented to the grand jury as criminals, or to the warden of the penitentiary as convicts.
The old tavern-keepers, licensed by the county, were: Daniel Hubbel, at Port Miami, from May 4, 1820, to May, 1834; Peter G. Oli-
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ver, at Maumee, from May 4, 1820, to May, 1822; Samnel Spafford, in Waynesfield township, in 1820 and 1821, and from 1821 to 1832; Francis Charter, at Orleans of the North, from October, 1820, to May, 1825; Almon Gibbs, at Maumee, from November, 1820, to May, 1822: Moses Rice, in Auglaize township, from 1820 to 1824; Charles Gunn, in same tewnship, from October 1821, to 1827; William Vance, at Fort Findlay, from 1822 to 1826; Horatio Conant, at Maumee, from June, 1822, to 1826; Isaac Richardson, in Waynesfield township, from December, 1822, to 1827; Samuel T. Loyd, at Maumee, from May, 1828, to the summer of 1829; Thomas Leam- ing, at Perrysburg, in 1828-1829; William Houser, at Maumee, 1829-30; Antoine LePoint, at Waterville, from April, 1829, to 1832; James Wilkison, at Manmee, from November, 1830, to 1836; John Pray, at Waterville, 1831-33; Guy Nearing, near Miltonville, 1832-33, and in 1839-40; Alexander McCollough, 1832-33: Ed- ward Howard, at Grand Rapids, 1832-33: Jarvis Spafford, Perrysburg, from April, 1832, to 1854; Ephraim Morse. from April, 1834, to 1838; Frederick Stoneburm, 1834-35; Orrin Cook, 1834-35; Joseph Creps, from October, 1834, to 1845; Henry Marker, 1834-35; William H. Sloan, 1835-36; Peter Minor, 1835-36; Robert W. Mackey, 1835-36, and 1841-44; Epaphrodi- tus Foote, 1835-1845; Lyman Dudley. 1835-36: Isaac Russell, 1835-40; Caleb Adams, 1835-36; Sylvester Hill, 1835-36; Adam Hemperly, 1836- 38; John Sheplar, 1836-47; Leonard Blinn, 1836-38; Jacob Kline, 1836-39: Moses P. Mor- gan, 1836-38; H. H. Hall, 1836-43; Robert Cowen, 1836-37; David Ross, 1836-46; Joseph Logan, 1837-38; Eli Manville, 1837-38; Samuel D). Towner, 1837-38; Daniel Cole, 1837-38; Henry Elder, 1837-41; William H. Morse, 1838- 46; Jeptha Nearing, 1838-39; David Stahler, 1839-40; John M. Hannon, 1839-41; Orange Howard, 1839-42; Adam Ross, 1839-43; Charles Kussell, 1839-40; George W. Baird, 1839-41; Chester Blinn, 1839-42; Christian Musser, 1840- 41; Joseph Ralston, 1840-42; M. Hanline, 1840-42; Ephraimi Simmons, 1840-45: David A. Craft, 1840-41; Charles McCine, 1840, 1842; Loomis Brigham, 1840-41: Samuel McCrory, 1841-45: William Kelly, 1840 -- 46; Bela M. Bur- nett, 1841-42; Richmond Shaw, 1841-44; Rob- ert Avery, 1843- 44; S. G. Baker, 1843-44; S. H. Stedman, 1843 44; Simeon Eaton, 1844-47; V. Wood, 1845 -46; M. Myers, 1846-47, and E. Kellogg, 1846-47. This list embraces seventy- four names of people, among whom are a few men who watched the destinies of the young 12
county. Alinon Gibbs, who died in 1822, was an Abolitionist in his quiet way, and his death may be credited to the troubles bred by his de- fence of the negro, Patrick, whom he rescued from neighbors, who wished to carry him South.
The old merchants who were granted licenses were Hunt & Forsyth, at Fort Defiance, licensed in December, 1820 and 1821; William Hollister, Jr., & Co., at Maumee, licensed December 27. 1820, and 1821 ; Antoine LePoint, in Waynesfield township, 1821 to 1827; John and George Knaggs, in Waynesfield township, from March 26, 1821, to May, 1823; Daniel Hubbell, at Port Miami, from May 4, 1823, to 1826; James Wy- man, at Fort Defiance, 1822-23; Timothy S. Smith, at Ft. Defiance, 1822-25: Titus B. Pal- mer, at Orleans, 1821-23; John E. Hunt. at Maumee, 1822-26; John Hollister & Co .. at Fort Defiance, October, 1823; at Maumee May. 1822, to 1825, when they established a house at Orleans; Robert A. Forsyth, at residence, 1832 to 1827: Almon Reed, at Perrysburg, 1824 to 1826; Daniel Lakin, at Waterville, May, 1827. to 1829; Benjamin H. Kirk, merchant and ped- dler, 1829-30; Philander Brown, the first grocer. May, 1830; and William H. Sloan, April. 1834. to 1835, when he established a tavern. Sixteen merchants, big and little, held the field of Wood county down to 1835. A few peddlers appeared here from time to time, in the face of the pro- hibitive license of $50 annually, to share with the merchants in the profits of trade. The first peddlers were William C. Waite. who was here in 1824; Norman Sackett, 1825; John N. Sloan. 1825; Griffith Jones, 1832; Washington Tracey, 1835: John L. Smith, 1835: Smith & Co., 1836, and Alinon Case, 1836. When the license was increased from $20 to $50 annually, the peddlers ceased to come here, with rare exceptions, yet the mercantile interests made little or no progress; while the liquor interests made rapid advances.
Sugar Makers. - The Indians were the pur . veyors of sugar and honey in the early days, and important customers of the early traders. In the summer of 1862, James L. Gage, writing on Defiance in olden times, made some general refer- ences to Wood connty of 1824-26. He says: ". There were on the Lower Maumee quite a num- ber of mongrel French and Indians, and m the fourteen counties there were more Indians than whites. These savages were mostly a degener- ate, drunken remnant of Ottawas and Potta- watamies. There were, however, a few Wyan- dots and Miamiis, who were splendid specimens of physical man. The sugar consumed in Will- iams and Wood counties at that time was mostly
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made by these savages, but it was a nicst filthy article, in as much as they would boil their game with it, and that, too, I was told, in an undressed condition. They brought this sugar in bark vessels. called "mococks," holding from thirty to fifty pounds each. They were shaped so as to be carried like a knapsack. They used small brass kettles for evaporation. These Indians also brought in most of the honey that was used. It was always strained, but it was strained through their blankets, which were never washed after straining the honey."
Wolf Scalps .- At the close of 1835 the wolf- scalp business was considered deserving of a sep- arate journal, and from November 2, that year, to December 13, 1858, a number of scalps were re- turned for bounty. Ke Corngosh, Missaukee, Aausk, Waseon, Pakee, Johnson Quson, Osauge, hunted here in 1835-37, earning $29.75. the bounty being $4.25 a scalp. That they were the ordinary, lazy, semi-civilized species of red men may be conceived, for they permitted many of the old settlers to excell them in the chase. Such pioneers as Daniel Phenicia. James Jones, John McMahon, Jonathan Hay, James Pember and ; their battles with the wolves.
George W. Robinson, discounted the savages as hunters, as seen in the disbursement of $161.25 for scalps from November 2, 1832, to the close of October, 1837. In 1838 only $29.75 was paid as bounty; but in 1839, the sum of $68.25 was paid; in 1840, $36.50; in 1841, $70.25; in 1842, $49.25; in 1843, $73.50; in 1844, $95.75; in 1845. $98. 50; in 1846, $80. 75; in 1847, $27.75 : in 1848, $50.00; in 1849, $59.00, and in 1850, $33.75. From 1851 to 1858, wolves were scarce --- only forty-seven scalps being presented to the commis- sioners, on which a sum of $4.25 was paid for each. The only Indians named in the latter record are James Thomas and Packenon, each of whom presented only one scalp. Michael Myers, who should have been named in 1835, proved a successful wolf hunter in after years. William King received $15.00 for six young wolves; To- bias Wood, $20.00 for eight scalps; while Casper Wyckoff, Dave Burget, John Carter, Orange Howard, Alexander Brown, David Whitney, Johu Ellsworth, William Sweeney, Samuel Shriner, William Noel, Pierce Mercer and Peter F. Fer- ciot brought in niany scalps as testimonials to
CHAPTER XXII.
WOOD COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES-COUNTY FAIRS AND FAIR GROUNDS-WOOD COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY-WOOL GROWERS' ASSOCIATION-WOOD COUNTY SHEEP-BREED- ERS' ASSOCIATION -- WESTERN HORSE THIEF ASSOCIATION-PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY-COUNTY COUNCIL PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY-WOOD COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION-SOME ANNCAL FAIR STATISTICS-WOOD COUNTY FAIR COMPANY-FARMERS' INSTITUTE.
A T Bowling Green, June 9, 1851, was or- Center -- A. B. Bradley and Peter Klopfenstein:" Portage-Joseph Clark and Samuel Johnson; Webster-John Fenton, Jr., and George Kel- logg; Troy-H. L. Wood and Thomas Gorrill; Lake-John La Farree and Isaac Allen; Mout- gomery-Wilson Holcomb and William Chap. man; Perry -- Samuel Chilcote and J. G. Willard; Plain-J. W. Norton and Elijah Elliott;# Free- dom -- James Pember and H. A. Harris. John McMahanº was elected president; W. R. Peck, " vice-president: E. Elliott," recorder: George Powers", correspondent, and John Bates, " treas- 1 urer. Elijah Elliott presided in 1851, Benja- min Olney, " David Ladd." Edwin Gorton." Henry Hood# and John Groves being managers. ganized the Wood County Agricultural Society (under a call issued by the farm- ers and mechanics of Middleton township on April 26, 1851), when a constitution of twelve articles and by-laws of five articles were adopted. The committees appointed to collect information were as follows: Perrysburg-S. Jefferson# and James Hood;" Middleton-Henry Hood" and Henry Sarvis;" Washington-Edwin Tuller and John Bamber;# Weston-A. P. Donaldson and G. E. Guyer; Milton-Daniel Barton and Alvin Clark; Jackson -- J. B. Dunn and John Dubbs: Henry-W. W. Wiley and Jackson Wal- lace; Bloom-Edwin Gorton" and John Russell; Liberty- Lewis H. Cass and John C. Wooster;# . The signers of the constitution, other than those
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whose names are marked # as above, were Lee Moore, Simeon Eaton, David Whitney. Martin Warner, Jr., James Vangorder, Emilus Wood, John M. Hannon, Addison Fay, George Mercer, H. A. Payne, Galusha Lyon, Daniel Newton, Byron Bassett, John Hood, Patrick McIsaac, Mahlon Meeker, N. D. Blinn, Henry Hanford, J. R. Tracy, Theron Pike, Justus Simons, Nathan Moore, Henry Groves, H. P. Barnthistle, Will- iam Gorrill, Henry Huff, James Bloom, Henry Shively, Collister Haskins, Sidney L. Brewster, Caleb Lord, S. W. St. John, Asher Cook, George L. Warner, M. B. Tracy, G. J. Poe, Joseph Stokeley, Thomas Jolly, William Minton and N. W. Minton.
A meeting was held July 26, 1851, when it was resolved to hold a fair at Bowling Green. The fair was held October 15 and 16 in a grove north of Wooster, on Church street; prizes were awarded, and the following named officers were elected: Elijah Elliott, president; W. R. Peck, vice-president ; George Powers and William Hood, secretaries; and John Bates, treasurer. In 1852 a show of farm products was made at Per- rysburg, and in 1853 at Bowling Green. The fourth annual fair was held at Portageville, in October, 1854; but owing to the season of cholera preceding, and other causes, the meeting was far from being successful. The fifth annual fair was held at Portageville, in October, 1855; but the attendance was small, as the prevalence of chills. fever and ague militated against success, as they did in 1854. S. W .. St. John was chosen presi- dent; C. Haskins, vice-president: Lee Moore, treasurer; Elijah Elliott, recorder: S. Johnson, correspondent; John Fay, John Groves, Daniel Newton, George E. Olney and Jeremiah Knowles, managers.
In 1856 and 1857 Bowling Green was the site of the fair, and in the latter year a committee was instructed to locate suitable grounds. Their selection was discussed in July, 1858, when there were five directors for Bowling Green and two for Portageville. On this vote the fair of that year was held at Bowling Green, but the location was so unsatisfactory to many that the friends of Portage organized a separate agricultural society, and made an exhibit there in .. Sargeant's Grove" in 1859. In 1860 Perrysburg was selected, and the year after the war land was purchased at Tontogany, and permanent fair grounds estab- lished there.
The presidents of the society from 1851 to the present time, so far as Secretary Avery can give the names, are written as follows: John Mc- Mahan, 1851; Elijah Elliott, 1852: David Ladd,
1853; Martin Warner, 1854: S. W. St. John, 1855; George Williams, 1857; Lee Moore, IS;8; Tobias Rudesill, 1859; John Bates, 1860; Daniel Newton, 1863, George Powers, 1865; J. W. Ross, 1872; Edwin Tuller, 1874: Ed. B. Bever- stock, 1877; H. C. Strow, 1879; Edwin Tuller. ISSI; C. W. McDonald, 1882; C. A. Powers, 1884; Edwin Tuller, 1886; Frank Powell, 188 ;: Joel Foote, 1888; and Frank Powell, 1889-94.
The office of secretary has been filled by the following citizens: Elijah Elliott, recording, and George Powers, corresponding, 1851; George Powers and William Hood, 1852; Elijah Elliott and S. Johnson, 1855; Elijah Elliott, A. P. Donaldson, and George Powers, 1857; Samuel Johnson and George Powers, 1858; S. Johnson and Martin Warner, 1859; J. W. Ross, 1863: Martin Warner, 1865; J. O. Avery, 1873; George Powers, 1874 (died during term of office); J. O. Avery, 1874; W. H. Wood. 1875: J. O. Avery, 1878; George S. Kuder, 1887, and J. S. Mat- thews, 1889.
In February, 1885, steps were taken to con- solidate the Wood County Fair Company (which bad started a fair at Bowling Green in 1881) and the Agricultural Society. By the terms of the agreement, the consolidated societies hold their fair jointly on the Bowling Green Co.'s grounds. though each, by the terms, retains its charter.
Wood County Fair Association .-- The incor- porators of this association, who signed the arti- cles May 2, 1881, were Eari W. Merry, John R. Hankey. C. H. Lehman. A. E. Royce. A. J. Manville. J. B. Newton, R. W. McMahan, James V. Owens, A. W. Rudolph. F. H. Boughton. D. W. H. Day and R. S. Lease. The objects of the association, as set forth, are the promotion and advancement of agriculture, horticulture, stock-growing and the mechanical and fine arts. On May 6, 1881, the Secretary of State signed the act of incorporation and one of the most suc- cessful organizations, known in this county, was launched. On July 11, 1881, the following named officers were elected: A. J. Manville. president : M. P. Brewer, secretary; and Earl W. Merry, treasurer, with T. H. Lawhead, R. W. McMa- lian. R. S. Lease and J. W. Canary, directors. In November, the deed from Charles and R. W. Gorrill. for the W. ! of the N. E. F of Sec. 24, T. 5, R. 10, except the north 20 acres, was accepted, and an order to pay them $1. 500 cash, and a note, at two years, for $2. 500. made on the treasurer of the association. In January, 1982. J. R. Hankey took the place of R. S. Lease on the directory. At this time rules for the govern- ment of the society were adopted, and, in March
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