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 48
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In May, 1884, the board appears to have taken, for the first time, a part in commencement exercises though the first class graduated in [882), for on the both of that month the men- bers adopted a programme and ordered that the exercises be held in the court-room. J. W. . Sleppey was superintendent and principal in 1883. S. Case succeeded Dr. Tuller as clerk in May, 1884, and in April, 1885. W. S. Haskell 1 - was appointed. In July, 1885, the Ruttan Heat- ing & Ventilating Co. contracted to heat the Central building with steam at a cost of $1,950. In 1885. D. E. Niver was appointed superin- tendent of the village schools. On April 5, 1886. the proposition to issue $0, 000 bonds, to meet the expense of erecting a school house on Ridge street, was submitted to the people, when 343 . two county-seat wars successfully, built a $20,00
votes were cast for and twenty-six against it. In April, 1886, the 45 of an acre iu Lot 326. Block B, Boughton's addition, was added to the school lot, and on May IS bids for building were accepted. Another school house was authorized by the electors, April 1, 1889. when bonds for $14,000 were authorized. D. A. Haylor was appointed superintendent in 1888. On May ;. 1889, the board proceeded to condemn Lots 1 348 to 1356, inclusive; but later it was ascertained that Lots 1348 to 1352 could be purchased at $400 each, and the other lots at $350 each, and authority was given the committee to purchase them. On June 28 the contract for building was awarded to Ducomb & Brown, on their bid of $8, 480, and the beginning of the third large school house was made soon after. In May. 1891, the contract with S. P. Stewart to build an addition to the Central school house for $4,353 was accepted. On November 7, 1893. the question of issuing bonds for $6, 000 to aid in building a $13,000 addition to the main school house was submitted to the people, when 602 votes were recorded for and 188 against it. This opposition came mainly from the Fourth ward. the residents of which desired the building lo- cated there. In January, 1894, A. Graham signed the building contract. on his bid of $8,873.60. and the latest monument, in brick and stone, to the advancement of the school in- terests of Bowling Green, was soon completed. The election of directors in April. 1895, brought 516 women to the polls, and resulted in placing two female members on the board of education. At the spring elections, 1896, C. S. St. John and J. N. Baker were chosen members of the school board.
Modern Buildings. - The large buildings of this city may be said to have been erected within the last seven years. The first brick house, built long ago by Thomas Tracy (the same occupied by Mrs. William Gorrill in recent years re- mained the sole representative of brick construc- tion for some years. Then a residence was erected on North Main street. one or two business houses in the vicinity of Main and Wooster streets, and, by degrees, a few brick dwellings appeared east and west of Main street When Bowling Green became the county seat. the pub- lic buildings were added, but, even in isto, the brick house was the exception, the gabled frame store and dwelling the rule. During the ensume sixteen years, a good deal was accomplished in the residents to raise their village above the ham- let state. Prior to 1883, Bowling Green fought
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court house, a $20,000 school house, four church buildings costing at least $20,000, purchased Fair grounds, park and a town hall, constructed two main sewers, and built a branch railroad to Tontogany. Of course, the Ohio Central road was built, a few stores and dwellings were added to the buildings of the town, the gas reservoir was explored, and newspapers were established prior to 1887, but, with all this quiet progress, the present city, with its broad streets, large business houses and elegant homes, was not out- lined in the imagination of the citizens.
The spring of 1887 may be called the first summer of enterprise here. The transfer of real estate was carried forward with all the spirit of a : for seizing the opportunity and turning it to
new Western town, and the construction of build- ings gave proof of the substantial character of the transactions. A lot on the corner of Clay and Main streets was sold for $2,000, the Mas- sillon Rolling Mill Co. paid $45 a foot for sixty- seven feet on South Main street: while eighty feet in the same neighborhood brought $3.500. Sixty-six acres of the Barton farm sold for $9.000: ten acres of the Ralston farm, for $5,000; five acres of the Watson tract, on North Main street, for $2, 500; nineteen lots in the Lay addition, $6,000; a tract on South Main street at $600 an acre; one lot in Boughton's addition for $375: two lots on Morton avenue, for $925; twelve and one-half acres in the south part of the town for $500 an acre; the Wakefield property on South Main street. $5,600; thirty-four acres west of town, for $7,ooo; sixty acres on North Main street, bonght by J. J. Gaghan, for $24,000, and twenty-four feet on Court street, for $1,000. Many other transfers were made before the suin- mer of 1887 was passed, and the village cast askle its old pastoral ways to become an important business town. Enterprise was carried to such an extent that a document was presented to property owners, setting forth that, when fifty of them agreed to build, all would begin work, and give from fifty to one hundred new buildings to the city.
As a municipality the people were also " up and doing," for, as shown in the pages devoted to the transactions of the council, Bowling Green offered aid to manufacturers who would locate within its limits, and otherwise encouraged mann- ufacturing enterprise. In April, 1987, the ques- tion of issuing $:0, 000 bonds to encourage mann - factures, was presented to the citizens, when 2og votes were recorded for the measure and three votes against it. That of expanding $25,000 on gas wells was also carried. By the beginning of December of that year, there was a municipal
gas-plant, furnishing the new glass-works and other industries with fuel and light, without price: The contract for constructing a system of water works was signed that month; the Canastota glass-works were in operation and, in all directions the searchers for oil or gas went forth from the busy town. Lots and farms sold for fabulous prices, and owners, who for forty years were content with little, saw their patience rewarded in a day, and years of labor paid for in an hour. The gas wells, described in the chap- ter on the Oil and Gas Fields, were the prompt- ers of the metamorphosis, while the enterprise of the business men of the town was responsible account.
One-fourth of the newly built business dis- trict was destroyed by fire on August 4. 188 ;. The fire originated in a saloon or bakery, and spread until property valued at $34,250 was destroyed. The value of the property destroyed appears trivial to the moderns, but to the town of that time the loss was a severe blow. Without wailing, the men of enterprise cleared away the ruins and built on a better szale. Little over a vear passed away, when a second fire came to destroy the work of the builders. On October 31. 1888. a fire swept away many business houses, including C. W. Evers' "Sentinel block;" M. P. Brewer's Sentinel office; Rudolph Bros. Gasette office; C. C. Ross' hotel; F. N. Griffith's store; Mrs. James Smith's opera house: Emerine & McCauley's hotel and livery, and several smaller concerns. A week later. McCanley & Emerine, W. R. Mowery, J. R. Rudulph, C. W. Evers and others began the work of rebuilding. On April 19, 1889, the Canastota Glass Works Co. lost heavily by fire, and during the last seven years several Houses, stores, homes and barns have been wiped ont by fire. The ruins of the glass works remain as reminders of the fires. Enterprise has covered the other fire-swept lots with substantial houses, filled up vacant places on Main street with good business buildings, and transformed a lmumlet into a business-like city.
The principal buiklings on the west side of Main street, beginning at the south, are the Dis- ciples churen, erected in 1890: the Elder block, by J. C. H. Elder and Henry Coller, in isSo, the Marschka block, erected in i888; the Phenix & Helfrich block, in 1839; the Tribane building in [803: the Royce block in 18So: the Commercial Bank building, created by A. E Royce In INSS: the Union block, by Chris, Lehman and Bolles I Menaleit 18 ;;; the Lehman block in 1550. the Gaghan block, by Geo. W. Gaghan, in 1988.
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the Exchange Bank building, by J. R. Hankey, ; in 1871; the Kabig building, in 1885; the Cun- ning & Whitehead block, in :893: the Slauson block, in 1893; the Heffelfinger building, by Reed & Merry, in 18;1, remodelled in 1887; Rogers block, built in 1872. The Reed block, the first brick business block here, was erected in 1867 by Norton and Edwin Reed. Reed, Rogers & Man- ville are credited with building on the west side, in 1867, a mercantile and opera house. Kabig & Mckenzie block, erected in 1892, by Frank Kabig and Allen MeKenzie, the Orme block, in 1892, and the Cooley block, in 1393. South of the Disciples church (with the exception of Daut- erman's livery stable), and north of the Cooley block, on this side, are the residences of many of Bowling Green's leading citizens.
The business houses on the east side of Main street, going north, omitting the flouring-mill. are the two-story stone carriage and blacksmith shop, built in 1859-60; the opera house, erected in 1889, by Ira C. Taber and John R. Hankey; the Hankey block, built in 1892; the Froney block of 1892, and the large house crected by him in 1895: the First National Bank block, in 1889; the Buckeye block, for J. R. Rudulph and Kramer & Chaney, in 1889: the Mowery build- ing, erected in 1887. the Trichler block, for Mrs. Theodosia Trichler, in 1889: the Sargent block, The records of the first meeting of the coun- cil are not to be found. The journals of the tile building, erected in 1895-96 on the southeast , council down to 1866 are known to have gone where no mortal can search for them. The tax- levy documents afford very little information. and, of course, the Perrysburg Journa! failed ; to notice such a place as the incorporated village of Bowling Green. From interviews and other sources it is learned that Dr. Lamb was the first mayor, Dr. Rogers, the second. J. D Smith, the third, and Dr. Smith, the fourth. R. M. Culver held the office in 1866; Isaac Clay, IS6 ;: Joseph Hollington, 1869; David Cargo, 18;0; J. W. Canary, 1872; John A. Shannon, 1874: D. W. H. Day, 18;8; John A. Shannon, 1880; M. P. Brewer, 1882; W. M. Tuller. 1884; B. L. Abbott, 1886: A. J. Mears, 1888 and isgo; A. B. Mir- phy, 1891 and 1892; and W. S. Haskell, elected Almer R. Campbell was elected mayor in 1800. in 1893; the four-story stone hotel and mercan- . corner of Main and Wooster streets, for W. H. Milliken; the Lincoln block, built in 1874. by Al- fred Thurstin, remodelled in 1889 for Dr. J. C. Lincoln; the Eagle block, built in 1886 for F. H. Boughton and Mrs. James Smith; the Thurstin building, in 186;, for A. A. Thurstin, remodelled in 1889; the Reed & Merry block, erected in 1888, for Edwin Reed, E. W. Merry and J. H. Sands; the Manshower block, erected in is87: the "Hotel Brown," in 1889, by Paul J. and G. M. Brown (leased by Major MeLyman and conducted by him until March 17, 1896, when I. H. Cottington took charge): the Doctors block, erected, in 188;, for Dr. J. C. Lincoln and Dr. W. M. Tuller: the Orme livery barn, erected in 1887, and the Biggs block, erected in i in November, 1893. vice Mayor Murphy, resigned. 1889. Sonth and north on this east side are dwelling houses, many of which are modern in architecture and conveniences.
On Wooster street, west of Main, south side, are Dr. L. L. Yonker's brick block -- 1892-93 - and the City Hall, noticed in other pages. Opposite are the Clairk block, built in 18S -. and the Union block, built in 18Są by C. F. Button. Beyond these buildings the street is a residence
one, with lines of heavy shade trees and large, modern homes. On Wooster, east of Main, are the Sentinel office, built in 1887 by C. W. Evers; the Wittiner block, erected in 1866 by S. L. Boughton, remodeled in 1889 by Fred Wittmer; the Methodist church and the .. Ross Honse." The Black, Boughton, Brewer and other residences are west of the Ohio Central railroad; while east of that road are several homes. The streets paralleling Main street are favorite residence streets, and are well improved. Outside the bus- iness center Bowling Green may be called a gar- den city. Orchards are common, and almost every one of the older homes has its garden and orchard.
Municipal Affairs. -- The petition for the in- corporation of Bowling Green, dated July 23. 1855, was signed by S. L. Boughton, Alfred Thurstin, G. Z. Avery. Joseph Hollington, Hiram Noyes, John W. Pelton, John C. Woos- ter, W. G. Lamb, Lee Moore, J. M. Lamb, Daniel Noyes, C. P. Rogers, D. L. Hixon, L. C. Locke and thirty-eight others. It was consid- ered by the commissioners September 3. 1855. but not until November 9 did they grant it, ex- cluding, even then, the N. J of S. W. ; Sec. 13. T. 5. R. to, which the petitioners wished to be placed under the village government.
The office of clerk has been filled by F. Il. Hull, 1866; David Cargo, 1867 refused : S Stearns, ISO ;; E. H. Selkirk, 1868: J. D. Bolles. 1869: E. H. Selkirk, 18;4; Jasher Pillars, 1875; W. E. Smith, 18-9 So. Frank A Real. 1880 82. R. S. Parker, ISSE SURE IF Salkinh, 1884 50. 1. C. Taber, 1886.00, and E. H. Selkirk, 1800. B. W. Clayton, elected in iso2, is the present Ursgo!
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very efficient clerk of Bowling Green. His rec- ord books are quite in keeping with their import- ance, and the advanced conditions under which municipal affairs are now transacted.
The treasurers of the village since 1866 are nanied as follows: D. Cargo, 1866: A. J. Man- ville, 1870; Wallace H. Smith, 1888; J. H. Un- derwood, 1893, and Allan J. Ross, elected in 1 896.
The marshals from 1866 to 18;4 were A. Walker, 1866; Nathan L. Badger, 1867; J. N. Stiner, 1868; P. M. Clifford, 1869; J. T. M. Reed, 1870; A. M. Wyckoff, 1871; Jonathan White, 1871; J. W. Brownsberger, 1872, and M. S. Davenport, 1874. Messrs. Biggs, Fowler and Reed filled the position in later years, while a large number of citizens have aimed to serve the village as guardians of the peace. In 1896 Joseph F. Reed was elected marshal.
The ordinance creating the office of corpora- tion solicitor was adopted March 5, 1883. The office was held by D. W. H. Day, in 1884. On February 13, 1888, the office of city solicitor was created, and N. R. Harrington was elected to fill that office in April following. B. F. James was the incumbent in 1890, and R. B. Moore from 1892 to 1896, and re-elected in 1896.
The trustees of the gas works, elected in April, 1888, were John R. Hankey. Frank B. Roath, Jacob F. Long and Joseph H. Sands. The second city well was begun by them in Au- gust, 1888, L. W. Dougherty being then super- intendent of the gas line until succeeded by J. H. Mohr. In 1890, J. H. Willey was superin- tendent, in April, 1891, R. B. Moore, J. F. Long, A. Graham and John Q. Adams were elected trustees, and served as such until the gas plant was sold to Mr. McDonald, as related in another page.
The councilmen of Bowling Green, elected annually since 1866, are named as follows.
1866- William Callihan, J. V. Owens, A. Ordway, G. J. Rogers, Lucius Boughtou.
1867-Norton Reed, Harrison Huffman, G. J. Rogers, S. L. Boughton, E. Goit.
1868 -- A. Ordway, H. Huffman, Jacob Hall, G. J. Rogers, C. N. Culver. 1869 -Norton Reed, M. S. Davenport, Hugh Cargo, Joseph Howells, J. W. Canary.
1870-A. Ordway, M. S. Davenport, Hugh Cargo, I. V. Owens, Lucius Boughton, A. A. Thurstin.
1871 C. Rogers, Norton Reed, rice Davenport and Thurstin. 1872 -W. A. Whitaker, P. S. Abbott, A. Ordway.
1873-J. B. Newton, W. G. Lamb, C. H. Lehman.
1874 Harrison Huffman, C. F. Button, G. W. Gaghan.
1875-6 George W. Gaghan, R ... V. Dunbar, . V. D. Stewart, C. H. Lehman, E. Goit, J. D. Bolles.
1877 W. M. Tuller, Daniel Newton, E. W. Merry, M. P. Brewer, T. C. Reid, G. C. Nearing.
1878 Chris Lehman, Guy C. Nearing, IL. Huffman, Richard Jones, ciee Merry, Newton and Bolles.
1-79 A. E. Royce, George Kimberlin, M. P. Brewer. Robert Dunn, G. C. Phelps, J. C. Lincoln.
1880
1-81-1. R. Ruduiph, P. H. Garnett, W. P. Brewer.
1882
J. R. Rudolph, P. H. Garnett, S. Case, E. Geit, S. P. Harrison, Geo. White, J. C. H. Eller, Gro. C. Phelps. John A. Shannon, J. R. Rudolph, Geo. W. Gaghan. 1884 -A. J. Orme, Samuel Ross, J. H. Whitehead.
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1885-M. P. Brewer. A. J. Manville, Geo. W. Gaghan.
1886 - M. P. Brewer, George W. Gaghan, A. J. Manville J. H. Whitehead, F. Von Kanel, H. Terry.
1887 - 1. C. Lincoln, J. A. Noble, S. L. Boughton.
1888 -Robert Dunn, Geo. W. Gaghan, A. E. Royce, E. W. Merry, rice Boughton, resigned.
1889-A. Froney, T. C. Reid, W. R. Noyes.
1890 -A. E. Royce. Robert Dunn, S. R. Brown.
1891-W. S. Haskell, L. T. Van Tassel, A. Fronev.
1892-D. J. Cargo, D. E. Niver. J. S. Giles, with W. H. Mul- liken and Amos Neifer.
1893-Lucius Boughton, B. P. Stratton, W. S. Haskell, A. B. Farmer, vice Haskell.
1894-M. P. Brower, C. W. Evers, A. Graham, 1. L. Hankey, cire Milliken.
1895-G. C. Dauterman, E. A. Barton, I. L. Hankey, with G. E. Mercer, C. W. Evers, M. P. Brewer, A. Graham and B. P. Stratton.
1896 -- C. W. Evers, M. P. Brewer, E. A. Barton and i. L. Hankey were elected.
In 1882, the question of purchasing grounds for park purposes was submitted to a committee of the council, who received from George Woos- ter an offer to sell that part of his grove, north of Thurstin avenue, for $1, Soo. In October, the resolution to purchase grounds for a park was adopted, and December 4, 1882, the sale of $3,000 bonds and the adoption of an ordinance for the purchase of grounds were recorded.
The contract with Ferris & Halliday for the construction of waterworks, was signed Decem- ber 19, 1887, by the contractors, Benjamin L. Abbott, mayor, and Ira C. Taber, clerk of Bow- ling Green, subject, however, to the vote of the people. The contract came to naught; but early in 1892, another contract was entered into, which was carried out by June of that year.
The "Nine O'Clock Ordinance" passed in August, 1884, won for the council the thanks of the W. C. T. U. A year later, the question of lighting the streets was discussed, and the Natural Gas Co. asked to give prices. In December, 1885, the anti-explosive ordinance was adopted.
The resolution providing for the issue of $25,000 bonds, the proceeds to be invested in drilling gas wells and sapplying gas to the people of the village, was adopted in April, 1887. . At the same time, the resolution providing for an election on the issue of $to, coo bonds, the pro- ceeds to be expended in the encouragement of local manufacturing industries, was agreed to. On April 13. the council voted to buy a tract of land for $6, 500; on April 25, authority was given to expend $1,000 on a water well, on April 20. the celebrated offer to manufacturing enterprises
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was made, and, on May 19, 1887, the first con- tract with manufacturers was entered into by the village. The council also rendered every aid in procuring right-of-way for the C. H. & D. R. R., and in every way worked enthusiastically in the interest of modern Bowling Green.
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In the summer of 1888 many improvements, such as widening and macadamizing Main street, and constructing a great sewer therein, were under way; the repeal of the prohibition ordi- nance; the closing of saloons at a certain hour; opening new streets and contracting with glass and other manufacturers, occupied the attent- ion of the councilmen. In January, 1889, the proposition to establish an electric-light plant and supply the village with thirty lights for $3, 000 annually, was submitted to Councilmen Lincoln, Royce and Dunn. In March, 1889, the franchise was given to the Silvey Electric Light Co. In October, 1890, it was ordered that the proposi- tion to sell the city gas plant be submitted to the voters; but there is nothing on the minute book to show the action taken by the citizens. On November 21, however, the bid of A. C. Mc- Donald is recorded. He offered $6,500 for all the property and plant, which sum was accepted November 24, 1890. A year later a contract for the electric lighting of the city was made with Elias H. Mcknight, and January 26, 1892, the contract for water works was entered into with Isaiah W. Newcomer. The subject of building a city hall was discussed in council March 31, 1892, and a resolution declaring such a building necessary was adopted. On April 18 Messrs. Froney, Haskell and Niver were elected a build- ing committee, and on the 25th bonds for $20, - 000 were issued to meet the expense of the house .- the first for $500 being payable March 1, 1893. and the last for $500 on September 1, 1912. In April, 1892, the $150 bid of H. W. Sterling for the old town hall was accepted; on June 26 the water works were reported complete, and the present city building practically finished; and in September the issne of $12,000 six-per-cent. bonds was authorized to refund or meet the debts of the village, the first bond for $300 being made payable March 1, 1896, and the last, for a like sumi, September 1, 1915.
The Fire Department of the present time, with its steam engine and elaborate hose carts, was organized in 1888. to take the place of the old fire company of 1883. A few small fires suggested the organization of a body of fire-fight- ers, and in April, 1883, the council considered the question, approved of the plan, and in May appointed A. Ireland, chief engineer. Before
the close of the fall of that year, the men were called into service, and acquitted themselves so well, that on October 22, the council passed a vote of thanks to the members of the company. In July, 1885, the purchase of fire apparatus was authorized, and for over two years the little de-' partment battled with sundry little blazes. The big fire of August, 1887, however, showed its utter uselessness in a great emergency, and the people called for reorganization; hence, in Jan- uary, 1888, the beginnings of the present fire department were made. Thirty-one members were enrolled, with George W. Gaghan, chief; Rev. J. H. Palmer, foreman; J. D. Bolles, first assistant; Bert Froney. second assistant; Aus. Harrison, secretary; C. B. Eberly, treasurer: George C. Ordway, foreman of the hose company, and Win. Shemenour, foreman of the hook and ladder company. A few years later the system of water works was completed, and the depart- ment was reorganized to meet the new and better conditions. The fire of October, ISSS, referred to in this chapter, pointed out clearly that the department, as organized in January, 1888, was unable to cope with any serions contlagration.
The Gas Company .- The story of the dis- covery of gas here is related in the chapter on the Gas and Oil Fields; but little is said therein of the men who drilled for the fluid, and tendered its use to the public. Their names may be given here as the original members of the Bowling Green Natural Gas Co., organized April 11. 1885: C. W. Evers, E. W. Merry. Chris, Leh- man, M. P. Brewer, S. L. Boughton, Dr. J. C. Lincoln, E. W. Poe, Roath & Co., T. Alexander, Luther Black. Orrin Henry, J. O. Troup. W. M. Donaldson, R. M. Donnelly, Rogers & Man- ville, James W. English, Jasher Pillars, R. P. Morrison, B. R. Taber. W. A. Wiggins, J. H. Crane, Norton Reed, Mary H. Leet, J. D. Bolles & Co., George C. Phelps, Dr. W. M. Tuller, R. W. McMahan, S. Case, J. H. Watson, A. E. Royce, R. S. Parker, George W. Gaghan, F. A. Baldwin, W. A. Benschoter, R. C. Kinney George Smith, George M. Brown, Dr. J. H. Whitehead, F. Von Kanel, J. C. H. Elder, L. T. Van Tassel. j. R. Hankey, Henry A. Lease, Edwin Reed, R. S. Thurstin, J. H. Sands, .1. W. Rndulph and Brownyar & Martin. Gas mains were in all the principal streets by October 1. 1885, and gas for illuminating and fnel purposes supplied to houses, stores and factories-the lime- kilns being large consumers. In 1800 or 6; the town issued bonds, and went into the gas basiness, to supply factories and, incidentally, , few consumers. When the supply began to fail,
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the city sold its lines and wells to the B. G. Nat- nral Gas Co., above mentioned.
An Explosion .-- The explosion of the Ohio & Indiana Torpedo Company's nitro-glycerine mag- azine of 520 quarts of explosive, occurred at 10:15 o'clock on the night of December 6, 1895. The magazine stood in a grove on Austin Fow- ler's farm, two and one-half miles southwest of the city, and only 300 feet away from the Brad- ford Company's store-house. The shock was felt throughout northwestern Ohio. In Wood county much damage was done, such as the Breakage of glass, disarrangement of oil-pipe con- nections with tanks, etc. The damage to win- dows on the east side of Bowling Green's main street; at Tontogany and villages in central Wood county ; and to the farm houses in the neighbor- hood, was said at the time to amount to a few thousand dollars; while the magazine, 300 feet away, was untouched. G. A. Smith, the manager of the Ohio & Indiana Company in this field, a fearless and intelligent worker in nitro- glycerine, could not explain the cause of the es- plosion. A hole, eight feet in depth and twenty -. five feet in diameter, and shattered and uprooted trees, speak of the power of the glycerine. The fact that the stuff in the Bradford Company's . shin of $3.000 was borrowed from William Hood. magazine was frozen accounts for its escape from total annihilation.
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