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 78

Author: Leeson, M. A. (Michael A.) cn; J.H. Beers & Co. cn
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1060


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 78


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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Banks. -- The first bank at Perrysburg was that of [. S. Norton. established in the " fifties." After several years of successful business. the house went literally to pieces.


The Perrysburg Savings & Loan Association was incorporated April 3. 1869, with Asher Cook, F. R. Miller, D. Kidder Hollenbeck. J. W. Ross, William Crook, Jr., John G. Knoll, Alfred G. Williams. Horatio A. Hamilton, James F. Stubbs, Gilbert Beach and Lewis M. Hunt, corporators. It was organized May 1, that year. with E. D. Peck, president; J. G. Knoll, vice-president; F. R. Miller, treasurer; J. W. Ross, secretary; Asher Cook, D. K. Hollenbeck and J. W. Ross, committee on loans; A. G. Williams, A. Roach and S. D. Westcott, committee on claims and accounts.


The Exchange Bank was organized in October. 1871, with E. D. Peck, president; H. A. Hamil- ton, vice-president; F. R. Miller, cashier, and N. L. Hanson, teller.


The Citizens' Banking Company, incorporated in 1892, is presided over by Jacob Davis, with J. O. Troup, vice-president, and N. L. Hanson. cashier. The directors are John Perrin, D. K. Hollenbeck, J. G. Hoffman, Jacob Davis, Frank Powell, J. O. Troup, N. L. Hanson. E. L. Kingsbury and F. A. Wetmore.


Modern Houses. - In the chapter on County . Buildings, much is said of what the commission- ers accomplished for Perrysburg in the matter of court houses and jails. In 1868-69, the era of modern building was introduced here. In July, 1869, the contract for building the Masonic Temple was awarded to Alexander Vass at his bid of $2.000. The First National Bank and three brick business houses on Louisiana avenue, with forty dwellings, were erected that veal. After the destruction by fire of the old court house, the citizens of Perrysburg, on April 15. 1872, resolved to rebuild, not only one better than the old, but one also better than the new court house at Bowling Green. The signers of


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the resolutions were W. L. Cook, A. G. Will- jams, Henry E. Peck, James Dunipace, S. Spink, John Eberly, G. B. Kreps, Michael Hayes, L. M. Hunt, A. Roach, G. Beach, John Yeager, J. G. Hoffman, George Getz, D. Lucas, John Schwind, James W. Ross, George Weddell, F. R. Miller, Henry Thornton, J. A. Robertson, J. J. Smith, H. C. Lawrence, J. H. Rheinfrank, A. R. Champney, A. M. Russell, D. K. Hollenbeck, J. H. Pierce, Valentine Schwind, J. F. Raab, George Hoffman, H. M. Morse, et al. In May, 1872, the contract for the new building was awarded to L. B. Stevens on his bid of $13,469, The house was built to emphasize the determi- nation of the town to have the county seat re- established here. Failing in that object, it was used as a town hall, and, after the destruction of the school house, was dedicated to school pur- poses in 1894-95, pending the erection of the new school building.


The Centennial Block, erected for F. R. Miller, in 1875, by H. & S. Thornton, occupies what was known as " The Old Drug Store Cor- ner." Beach, Westcott & Co's. elevator was constructed about the same time.


The Hydraulic Canal, to which references are inade in the transactions of the council, was con- ceived by enterprise solely for the benefit of Perrysburg, and would have proved of incalcula- ble advantage had the plan of construction pro- vided against freshets, and the ownership against clouds in title. This waterway extended from the dam, two miles or more above Buttonwood island, to the foot of Louisiana avenue, or a distance of 51 miles. The width at the bottom was from 25 to 30 feet, and the depth varied from 4 to 6 feet. For about three miles it had a fall of 12 inches a mile, increasing perceptibly toward its end, and offering sufficient power to the eight manufacturing concerns, which were in operation along its banks forty-three years ago. The citi- zens were then paying four mills on the dollar to meet the interest on $10, 000 worth of bonds sub- scribed by them toward this improvement, and further granted the use of Water street to the Hydraulic Co. for right of way. During the early days of the Civil war, the town sold its interest in the canal, men's thoughts were directed toward war rather than toward internal improve- ment, and that waterway, which could have been made the basis for fifty great industries, was per- mitted to fall into decay. The act incorporating the company was signed April 1. 1837, the arti- cles amended January 21. 18445, and the time for completion extended in the Act of February 15, 1849. From 1846 to 1859 the people of Perry's-


burg paid, by direct taxation, the sum of $14, 177 for that work.


The C. H. & D. railroad was completed in 1859. The agents from that time to the present are named as follows: F. H. Thompson, J. Powell, C. B. Shepler, W. C. Norton (six years), James Herbert, WV. L. Patchen, T. J. Veitch, F. De Grof, F. J. Sanders and T. M. Franey, who was appointed in IS87.


Bridges .- The first bridge across the Mau- mnee, at Perrysburg, was built in 1839. The Ohio Whig, noticing the project January 12, that year, said: "Our neighbors of Maumee, we un- derstand, are getting out timbers for a bridge, which is to be erected somewhere between Perrys- burg and Waterville. The structure, when com- pleted, it is supposed, will cost $4,000." The


Maumee people may be credited with this bridge, and the abolition of the ferries between Perrys- burg and Fort Miami. It was the pioneer bridge, preceding many years the attempt of the junction railroad company to span the river above it, and also the more successful attempts made below in the neighborhood of Fort Industry.


The Young toll bridge at Perrysburg was the same thing as the old bridge, with a medieval roof. In 1877, the bridge at Waterville was put under construction, and the people determined to make that at Perrysburg free. In October, 1877, Young sold his interests therein for $7,000. and on October 3. Toll-Collector Goss lost his occupa- tion. Subsequently the timbers of the bridge were sold, hauled to Defiance, and converted into inatches.


The modern iron bridge, which, after the loss of a span, was raised four feet to its present level, and the electric railroad structure, con- structed in 1895 as a part of the Wood-Lucas bridge, have nothing in common with the rongh. wooden bridge of 1839. The extension of the electric road from Maumee to Perrysburg was completed May 10, 1895, and motor car No. 8 passed over the track from Perrysburg, via Mau- mee and Toledo, back to Perrysburg. The ferry- men of the Maumee are named in the general chapters on Roads, Railroads, Navigation, &c.


Municipal Affairs .- The town of Perrys- burg, as chartered by the Legislature, February 19, 1833, embraced the territory originally plat- ted under the authority of the United States, and the addition made by Ohio, extending from Front street to the Manmee river. The amendatory Act, passed March 3, 1834, empowered the conn- cil to levy a tax of seven mills on the dollar, in


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addition to the three mills authorized in the char- ter. A good deal of special legislation, on the part of the United States and of the State, has been enacted, on petition of the citizens, some of which proved beneficial. The county commis- sioners, too, seldom wanted for subjects to discuss; for a petition and a remonstrance from Perrys- burg were sure to be presented to the board. The affair of 1857 is not an overdrawn example. In March, 1857, the petition asking for the an- nexation of contiguous territory was tabled, owing to the fact that the commissioners were enjoined from granting such petition. In March, 1859, the State supreme court disallowed the injunc- tion; but other opponents appeared, and a per- petual injunction was taken out, to be in force until three-fourths of the voters of the territory to be annexed would agree to the proposition.


The book containing copies of the old ordi- nances and rules of government, in possession of the clerk, is the only record bearing on the work of the council prior to 1852. From it the fol- ! lowing memoranda are made : In December, 1836, the council appropriated $150 for grading Front street, between Pine and West streets, and Mulberry street, between Front and Third streets, and in bridging Ewing creek-the money to be expended under the directions of David Wilkinson and Jonathan Perrin. That ordinance also provided for the improvement of other +=+ streets, as a former but undated one did for Lou- isiana avenue, from the river to Third street, and for Water street. An ordinance passed in 1838 or 1839 provided that, in grading Louisiana and Indiana avenues, there 'should be alloted for a sidewalk on each side a space of twenty-two feet, and on all the other streets a space of sixteen feet. The ordinance providing for the organiza- tion of a fire department was signed December 12, IS38, and, subsequently, a number of ordi- nances relating to sidewalks, streets and sanitary affairs, were passed, and important ones relating to railroad, road and hydraulic canal improve- ments.


The oldest record-book, or Council Journal, in possession of the town, begins January 17. 1852, and closes April 11, 1876. On the first date, J. W. Ross and Elijah Huntington were present as councilmen, and James Murray, sub- sequently attorney-general of Ohio, recorder. In February following, Jairus Curtis, James Spaf- ford, J. W. Ross, E. Huntington and S. D. Westcott were present, with the mayor, treas- urer and recorder, and this rule of full attendance was observed during the year; for the bonds ($50,000) formerly granted to the Junction Rail-


road Co., and the vote of $50,000 to the Dayton & Michigan Railroad Co., recorded October 12. 1852, required the closest attention of the coun- cilmen. In December, the ordinance permitting the State to macadamize a part of Front street as a continuation of the Maumee and Western Reserve road, was adopted, and the business of the year closed with an adverse report from the committee appointed to consider the petition presented by the temperance societies of the town. In March, 1853, six bonds, given to the Junction Railroad Co., amounting to $3, 000, were cancelled by an exchange of sixty shares of stock in the company. This, following the cancella- tion of $16, 800 in bonds to that company in Oc- tober, 1852, was looked upon as very satisfactory. Building sidewalks and planking streets received the authority of the council, and in June, 1853. the following levies were authorized: For inter- est on $10,000 Canal & Hydraulic Co.'s bonds, four niills; interest on $9,000 Junction R. R. Co.'s bonds, five mills; interest on $50,000 Day- ton & Michigan R. R. Co's bonds, twenty-seven mills; and for corporation purposes, three mills. In Jannary, 1854, the town granted to the hydrau- lic company the right of way over or through Water street, and in June, 1854, Third street was granted to the railroad company. On July 8, 1854. the council empowered the mayor to em- ploy attendants for cholera patients, and to take such measures as appeared necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.


In March, 1855, the council donated two lots in the cemetery block platted that year, to the estate of Jarvis Spafford, in recognition of his labors in beautifying the cemetery, and his serv- vices as councilman. At that time the contract between the town and E. D. Peck, agent of the Canal & Hydraulic Co., which provided for the transfer of the town's interest in the canal, was missing, and a similar contract was ordered to be drafted and signed; but the actual sale of such interest was not completed until January 10, 1862, when it was assigned to E. D. Peck. In March, 1862, attorneys Kent and Newton were retained to defend the town in the suit of Fos- dick os. Perrysburg, asking the court to compel the council to levy a tax to pay interest on bonds given to the Dayton & Michigan railroad. In December, 1863, the supreme court ordered the council to levy a tax sufficient to pay interest on the bonds, with overdue interest and compound interest-amounting in all to $15,260. In June, 1864, the council ordered a levy of 7! cents on the dollar, to meet this extraordinary charge. In September following, the town subscribed for


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$70,000 stock in the Dayton & Michigan railroad, to cover the amount of old stock, interest and law costs. Subsequent arrangements show a loan of $14,000 from the Railroad Co., and the purchase of $14,000 in bonds from A. Pardee for $8,400, and $4,000 in bonds from Asher Cook for $3,227, with some smaller bonds. By April 1, 1866, several bonds were cancelled, a saving of $7,424 effected, and the debt reduced to $40,000. The history of these transactions is too lengthy, but so much is recorded to tell how Perrysburg rose above the cry for repudiation of its indebtedness on account of railroad bonds, and to show the effort made to pay them. In July, 1866, there were thirty-six citizens selected to serve as jurors in the mayor's court, a custom which appears to have been introduced about that time. .


In January, 1867, the council adopted a reso- lution, declaring it their duty to use all fair and legal means to retain the seat of justice, and to contest the law and the vote on the question of removal. The township trustees agreed to pay two-thirds of the expense of such contest. In April, 1869, there is a minute showing a pay- ment to James R. Tyler, law agent of the town, in the contest case. In May, 1870, the council authorized the purchase of the old jail, which was purchased in 1872; in November. 1870, the elaborate report of James R. Tyler. S. D. West- cott, F. R. Miller, A. Roach and Asher Cook, on the status of railroad bonds, given by Perrysburg, was made, and in February, IS71, a bond tax of one per cent. was ordered to be levied annually to be applied toward the payment of the principle of such bonds as were given to the D. & M. railroad.


In May, 1882, a Board of Health was es- tablished with the following named members: John Leydorf, George Wittman, J. C. Crane, F. Hollenbeck, J. C. Neff and Thomas Veitch. The improvement of the Mccutchenville road was considered at this meeting, and the contract for macadamizing was awarded to Frank Hennen, on his bid of 77 cents a cubical yard. In the chapters on internal improvements, transactions of the commissioners, county buildings; gas and petroleumn and in others. complete references to acts in which the town was interested is made.


The proposition of the Perrysburg Gas & Pipe Line Co., inade to the council, May 24, 1888, was simply that the corporation should purchase, at cost, the interests of the company, paying for same out of available funds, and by bonds. The proposition was accepted the same day, and $1,000 appropriated to defray one-half the cost


of drilling a new well. On June 12, a further appropriation of $600 toward the expense of drilling well No. 2 was made. These acts of the council were - questioned by economists and lawyers so that the gas question was submitted to a vote, July -5, 1888. There were 286 votes cast for the measure, and twenty-six contra. and on this authority the " gas fund " ($14, 500) was created, by transferring that sum from the "Way Library Fund." A board of gas trustees was also created-Alfred G. Williams, Nathaniel L. Hanson, John H. Rheinfrank, John G. Hoff- man and John Munger being the members thereof. On August 1, 1888, the sum of $6,556.61 was paid to the Gas & Pipe Line Co., and on the 28th of that month the proposition to purchase the Toledo Natural Gas Co.'s plant, at Perrysburg, was discussed. The refunding ordi- nance and a series of financial transactions fol- lowed, and in March, 1890, the Northwestern Ohio Natural Gas Co. purchased the plant from Perrysburg.


The first mayor was John C. Spink, who served until 1835, when John Hollister was elected. Henry Darling, elected in 1837, signed the ordinance for the drainage of the town, May 5, 1839, when Daniel H. Wheeler succeeded him. John C. Spink was mayor in 1846; W. H. Hop- kins in 1848-49, and Addison Smith was elected in May, 1849. The ordinance record and old newspapers warrant these names and dates. The journal of the council gives the personnel of local government from 1853 to 1896, the first name being that of the mayor, the following names, in each line, being those of councilmen:


1853-Willard V. Way, Henry P. Averill, S. D. Westcott. J. W. Ross, N. D. Blinn, J. Spafford. 1854-James Murray, Jarvis Spafford *. S. D. Westcott, Asher Cook, E. Graham, John Yeager. 1855-E. D. Peck, E. Graham, J. S. Norton, S. D. Westcott, N. D. Blinn, G. W. Baird. 1856-James Murray, Andrew Bloomfield, John Powers, I. P. Thompson, J. S. Norton, E. Graham.


1857-James Hood, W. V. Way, Andrew Bloomfield, J. S. Norton, J. A. Hall, J. J. Parks.


1858-George W. Brown. Peter Cranker, Addison Smith, A. Bloomfield, J. S. Norton, S. D. Westcott.


1859 -- Jesse S. Norton, Julius Blinn, J. J. Parks, G. B. Kreps, H. H. Dodge. S. D. Westcott.


1860-James W. Ross, George W. Brown, Julius Blinn, J. S. Norton, G. B. Kreps, S. D. Westcott.


1861-James W. Ross, George W. Brown, L. P. Tefft, J. G. Knoll, J. F. Stubbs, S. D. Westcott.


1862-E. Graham, G. B. Kreps, George W. Brown, J. W. Ross, I .. P. Tefft, J. G. Knoll. 1863-James W. Ross, N. D. Blinn, Peter Cranker, George B. Kreps, J. M. Hirth, G. W. Brown .**


1864-Frederick R. Miller, E. D. Peck, Gilbert Beach, Goo. B. Kreps, W. V. Way, I. F. Claflin. 1865-Frederick R. Miller, E. D. Peck, Asher Cook, George B. Kreps, W. V. Way, A. G. Williams.


* Died in 1854. ** Died in July, 1863.


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1866-67-Frederick R. Miller, E. D. Peck, W. H. Jones, P. S. Slevin, Andrew Roach, A. G. Williams.


1868-Asher Cook, E. D. Peck, A. M. Thompson, Peter Cranker, Andrew Roach, A. G. Williams.


1869-Asher Cook, Henry E. Peck, A. G. Williams, Israel Thornton, John Yeager, Alex. Vass.


1870-James R: Tyler, t John Robertson, William Crook, Peter Cranker, P. W. Parkhurst, . A. Roach, S. D. Westcott.


1871-James R. Tyler, Peter Cranker, Asher Cook and S. D. Westcott.


1872-John H. Rheinfrank, George Hoffman and John Eberly.


1873-74-John H. Rheinfrank, John G. Hoffman, John Eberly, J. Holliger, A. Cook, A. Roach, A. R. Champ- ney, F. R. Miller.


1875-John H. Rheinfrank, James R. Tyler, John Eberly, J. H. La Farree, J. G. Hoffman, Clemens Leaf, A. Roach.


1876-John H. Rheinfrank, James R. Tyler, M. A. Trow- bridge, D. Donaldson, J. H. La Farrce, Clemens Leaf, A. Roach.


1877-John H. Rheinfrank, James R. Tyler, M. A. Trow- bridge, J. M. Hirth, J. H. La Farree, S. D. Westcott, A. Roach.


1878-E. A. Higgins, George Boetsch, L. C. Wilson, F. A. Wetmore, J. H. La Farree, S. D. Westcott.


1879-E. A. Higgins, A. G. Williams, D. Lucas, A. Vass, J. H. La Farree, į Hiram Wiltse, Geo. Boetsch. 1880-J. H. Rheinfrank, A. G, Williams. D. Lucas, A. Vass, T. G. Hoffman, W. Barton, Jairus Curtis.


1881. J. H. Rheinfrank, C. Finkbeiner, E. L. Kingsbury, Cook, J. G. Hoffman, W. Barton, Jairus Curtis. 1882-J. H. Pierce, D. Klingler, F. Frenchel. F. Hirth, A. Cook, C. Finkbeiner, E. L. Kingsbury.


1883-J. H. Pierce, John Cranker, C. A. Kreps, Geo. Witt- man, D. Klingler, F. Hirth, F. Treichel.


1884-Fred. Yeager, Thomas Mchan, D. K. Hollenbeck, John G. Hoffman, C. A. Kreps, George Wittman, J. Cranker.


1885-Fred. Yeager, George Boetsch, George Munger, Jacob Davis, T. Mehan, J. G. Hoffman, D. K. Hollen- beck.


1886-J. H. Pierce, Nicholas Werdertz, E. L. Kingsbury, C. Boetsch, C. Finkbeiner, G. Munger, J. Cranker.


1887-J. H. Pierce, William Schlect, John Amon, J. Leydorf, E. L. Kingsbury, C. Finkbeiner, J. G. Hoffman. 1888-Isaac S. Bowers, George Munger, B. Trombla, A. G. Williams, J. Amon, J. Leydorf, W. Schlect.


1889-Isaac S. Bowers, Charles F. Chapman, W. Barton, George W. Hoffman, George Munger, B. Trombla, A. Williams.


1890 -James R. Tyler, I. S. Bowers, J. H. Rheinfrank, George Munger, C. F. Chapman, W. Barton, G. W. Hoffinan.


1891-James R. Tyler, J. Davis, P. C. Rav, J. H. Rheinfrank, Thomas Roether, G. Munger, I. S. Bowers.


1892-Andrew Roach, R. Danz, J. Amon, I. S. Bowers, J. Davis, T. Roether, P. C. Ray.


1893-Andrew Roach, E. L. Blue, R. Danz, I. S. Bowers, J. Amon, D. K. Hollenbeck, C. F. Chapman.


1894-D. K. Hollenbeck, George W. Hoffman, E. L. Blue, W. Barton, N. L. Hanson, Harry Wilds, C. F. Chap- man.


1896-F. E. Bowen, N. L. Hanson, J. G. Hoffman, William Crook, George Munger, Wm. Schlect, F. S. Bowers.


The clerks of the town since incorporation are named as follows: John Webb, 1833; S. C. Sloane, 1837; and Hiram Davis, 1845. (In 1839, David Ladd. D. C. Doan, Johu Bates, Horace Hall and John Ziegler were trustees, and W. W. Irwin, marshal). The clerk in 1849 was


J. W. Ross, and the clerks from 1852 to 1896, as shown by council records, have been: 1852, James Murray; 1854, Henry H. Dodge: 1855-57, Isaac P. Thompson; 1856, F. R. Miller; 1858. Sylvanus Jefferson; 1860-61, F. R. Miller; 1862, A. G. Williams; 1863-66, Geo. Strain; 1868-69, J. M. Hord; 1870, F. J. Oblinger; 1870 (Nov.). D. K. Hollenbeck; 1872, James Hayes; 1872 (June), George Weddell; 1873, D. K. Hollen- beck; 1874, T. J. Webb; 1876, Fred Yeager; 1878, George S. McKnight; 1882, T. B. Oblinger; 1884, S. D. Westcott; 1886, T. B. Oblinger; 1888, W. E. Escott; and in 1892, T. M. Franey, who is now (1896) the corporation clerk.


The treasurers for the same time were: 1853, Addison Smith: 1855, Lewis M. Hunt; 1857-60. Shibnah Spink ; 1858, George B. Keeps; 1861, A. Bloomfield; 1866, Valentine Schwind: 1867, John Holliger; 1872, Fred Yeager: 1874. W. L. Cook; 1878, C. B. Shepler; 1881. John Cranker; Fred. Eberly; 1887, J. H. Rheinfrank; IS90, C. A. Hampton; and 1896, Godfried Schwind.


In 1896, Ben. Zingg was elected marshal.


In 1896, N. L. Hanson, E. D. Ross. E. L. Kingsbury, James Hayes, John Thornton and Jacob Davis were members of the school board. Fire Department .- The first fire department was organized in 1838, under authority given in the ordinance of December 12, that year. The sum of $150 was appropriated to purchase fire implements for the use of the Hook and Ladder Company, and steps taken to have the Firemen's Association incorporated. The Legislature grant- ed a charter the following year. On October 23, 1871, the council empowered Marshal Charles to organize a fire patrol, and under this authority WV. F. Pomeroy, Ira Knoll, Thomas Carlin, Henry Hillabrand, Al. Charles, James Driscoll. John Buck, D. Van Hellen, Nathan Teffts, John Fisik, L. Simons, Sardis Bellville, Thomas Veach, A. L. Scott, F. Cranker, H. H. Houston, Joseph Bruce, John Chappel, and one or two others were employed as night patrols. The Perrysburg Fire Company, No. 1, was organized May 14. 1872, with the following named members: A. L. Scott, John Otterbacher, George Boetsch, Val. Schwind, Thomas Carlin, Frank Rhody, Charles Fechler, Henry S. Cook, Asher Cook, Frank Thornton, John B. Webb, P. W. Carney, Henry, Andrew and Fred. Hillabrand. George Heckler. John F. Nelis, L. Haywood, Rufus Ney, High Banks, Henry Eichler, William Sweet, Samuel Pence, Ben. Gregory, J. G. Hoffman, Peter Haas, Valentine Schwind, Samuel L. Webb, Aaron Knoll, P. G. Thomas, William Spafford,


t Asher Cook, councilman. I Jairus Curtis, cire Wiltse, in 1979.


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1. M. Charles, W. J. Robeaudeau, Thomas Hels- ley, Peter Buckhouse, Philip Rapp and Einil Vogt. In June, 1872, the engine and hose com- panies were uniformed, the " Mchawk," a steam engine, was here, and by July 4, of that year, Chief Engineer James M. Charles commanded two fully-equipped fire companies.


The pioneer fire company of 1838 had no serious business to attend to from December 8, that year, when the Law, Freeman and Stetson buildings were burned, until 1845.


Fires .- The fire of April 4, 1845, originated in C. D. Woodruff's tin shop, and destroyed the buildings on the southeast corner of Front street and Louisiana avenue, owned by Capt. David Wilkinson, and the dwelling of Benjamin F. Kirk. The Wilkinson block was occupied by J. A. Hall & Co., George Powers & Co., and S. C. Doan. The fire of April 13, 1872, which destroyed the old court house, valued at $12,000; Mrs. Fred- erick's house, valued at $1, 500; Thompson & Hitchcock's stave works, valued at $6, 500, and other property, suggested the organization of the present fire department.


Cemeteries .- The old cemetery on Maple street and Indiana avenue was opened in the " twenties." The dust of the greater number of tenants was inoved to the new cemetery, but in May, 1895, headstones bearing the following names and dates were still to be seen: Richard H. Blinn, 1829; Julian Green, wife of Michael Green, 1830; Eliza A. Bentley, 1834; William S. Smith, 1835; W. B. Wood. 1836; Mary Russell, 1837; Charles Walter, 1838; Leonard Blinn, 1839; Maria Ziegler, 1841; Jamies Shaw, 1844, and Sophia Knox, 1846.


The City cemetery, or new burial ground, received its first tenant (after survey) May 5, 1849. From July 3 to August 19, 1854, its ground received the great majority of those who were carried away by the cholera, and every year since that Old Father Time has contributed tenants. From March 24, 1865, to April 1, 1877, according to William Crook's statistics, there were 363 interments. During the year ending March 29, 1878, there were fifty-seven burials, and the succeeding year, fifty-eight. This average has been maintained with strange precision.




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