USA > Ohio > Defiance County > History of Defiance County, Ohio. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, etc.; military record; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; farm views, personal reminiscences, etc > Part 33
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The Crosby House was built for a dwelling in 1869 or 1870, by Mike Shultz. Mr. Crosby, however, had the building converted into a hotel, and con- ducted it for four or five years; after which Mr. Shultz acted in the double capacity of owner and pro- prietor. While in his possession, the building was burned, but was immediately rebuilt, and J. E. Case-
beer became proprietor, who ran it till June, 1883, when it again passed into the hands of Mr. Shultz. Mr. Casebeer moved to Toledo, and re-opened the American House in that city, under the name of the Merchants' Hotel.
The Russell House-This commodious hotel was commenced by Sidney S. Sprague, but his affairs becoming involved, it was completed under the di- rection of a receiver, R. H. Gilson, in 1858. Charles Russell was the first proprietor, from 1858 to 1863, and from him the house received its name, which it has ever since retained. After Mr. Russell severed his connection with this house, he was proprietor for a time of the Forest City House, Cleveland, and at the time of his death, June 1, 1874, was proprietor of the Lake House, Sandusky. Larkin Heacock ran the Russell House from April, 1863, to April, 1866, and was succeeded by Elijah Shipley. who remained in possession until May, 1873. William C. Hutchin- son and Mr. Jackson were each successively proprie- tors for a short time, and in February, 1877, Simon P. Moon became the owner and proprietor. He dis- posed of the property to the Frost Brothers, and un- der their ownership N. H. Webb took possession, June 1. 1877, continuing until December, 1880, when it passed into the hands of Mr. R. H. Harrison. August 15, 1882, he associated with him Mr. William Kirtley, Jr., became connected with the house, and it is now run under the firm name of Harrison & Kirtley.
BANKING IN DEFIANCE.
The present system of banking was instituted by Ahira Cobb and Virgil Squire. These gentlemen were conducting a dry goods store here at the time of the failure of the banking house of R. H. Gilson & Co. The village being left without any banking facilities whatever, they commenced selling exchange upon Eastern points to the different mercantile es- tablishments here, but received no deposits.
In the year 1861, these gentlemen disposed of their stock of dry goods to Christian Harley, who had been clerking for them for some time previous, and opened up an exclusive banking and exchange office. The bank was opened under the name of the Bank- ing House of Cobb & Squire, who were Ahira Cobb and Virgil Squire, Mr. Cobb living in Cleveland, Ohio, and giving no personal attention to the busi- ness. Mr. Squire lived here, and personally managed the business of the bank. The banking room was what is now the rear office of the Russell House, with an entrance on First street. In June, 1866, Edward Squire, a son of Mr. Squire, returning from college, was given a place in the office as partner. This partner- ship continued until 1869, when Mr. Cobb withdrew
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
entirely from the business, Mr. Squire remaining. He then associated himself with James A. Orcutt and Joseph Ralston. These three gentlemen then opened the Defiance County Bank, with a capital paid in of about $20,000, with Virgil Squire as President and Edward Squire as Cashier. The banking room was at this timo removed from the location in the Russell House to the corner of Clinton and Second streets, into a building just completed and owned by M2. George Bruner, of Duncannon, Penn. The increas- ing population of Defiance and its expanding busi- ness enterprises were taxing the limited banking capital of this bank for accommodations. More cap- ital was added and other parties admitted as partners until, in 1871, there was paid in a capital of $50, - 000. During the summer of this year, it was con- cluded best by tho proprietors of this bank to merge the same into a National Bank. They were successful in their application to the Government for a charter, and on January 1, 1872, the Defiance National Bank was opened for business, with a paid-up capital of $100,000, with Virgil Squire as President, Henry Kahlo, Vice President, and Edward Squire, Cashier, and the following Board of Directors: Virgil Squire, James A. Orcutt, Henry Kahlo, John Crowe, Joshua P. Ottley, William Lauster and Edward Squire.
Their statement of condition at the close of their first year was as follows: Capital stock, $100,000; surplus fund, $1,500; circulation, $90,000; deposit, $66,006.44; loans and discounts, $112,861.40; bonds on hand, $100,000; cash fund, $48,000. Their statement at the close of their tenth year was as fol- lows: Capital stock, $100,000; surplus fund, $43,- 000; circulation, $90,000; deposits, $227,187.06; loans and discounts, $308, 414.26; bonds on hand, $100,000; cash fund, $57,760.84.
By the death of Virgil Squire, in May, 1874, the Presidency of the bank became vacant, and was filled by the election of James A. Orcutt. Henry Kahlo retiring, Joshua P. Ottley was elected Vice Presi- dent.
The Board of Directors at this time, A. D. 1883, are James A. Orcutt, Joshua P. Ottley, Edward Squire, Joseph Ralston, Benjamin F. Southworth, Charles E. Slocum and B. W. Slagle. James A. Orcutt, President; Edward Squire, Cashier; F. J. Sheah, Assistant Cashier.
The Merchants' National Bank of Defiance .-- During the fall of 1875, the idea of a second bank in Defiance was agitated by some of its citizens, and on the 24th of December, of that year, the "Defiance Savings Bank" was chartered, with the following- named gentlemen as incorporators, to wit: William C. Holgate, Edward P. Hooker, John S. Greenlee, Alexander S. Latty and Adam Wilhelm, who also
constituted its first Board of Directors. This bank was opened for business March 1, 1876, with a sub- scribed capital of $50,000, and the following as officers: William C. Holgate, President; Adam Wil- helm, Vice President; Benjamin L. Abell, Cashier, the latter for several years an employe. and latterly As- sistant Cashier of the Defiance National Bank. This bank did a constantly increasing business until March 1881, when its capital was increased to $100, 000, and in, April of the same year itre-organized as " The Mer- chants' National Bank of Defiance." The following was its condition as reported to the Comptroller of the Currency, January 1, 1883, to wit: Liabilities- Capital stock, $100,000; surplus funds and undivided profits, $1,599.73; circulation, $90,000; dividends unpaid, $4,000; deposits, $161,084.48; due to other banks, $400.97; unpaid taxes, $1,719.51; total, $358,804.69.
Resonrees-Loans and discounts, $163,272.71; United States bonds, $100,000; other bonds, $2,000; cash funds, $87,601.58; furniture, $1,430.40; - re- demption fund, $4,500; total, $358,804.69.
The following-named gentlemen now constitute its Board of Directors, to wit: William C. Holgate, Henry Newbegin, Adam Wilhelm, Lewis Teidman, J. P. Buffington, Edward P. Hooker and Benjamin L. Abell, and its officers are William C. Holgate, Presi- dent; Benjamin Abell, Cashier.
INDUSTRIES.
Turnbull Wagon Company is the most extensive manufacturing interest of Defiance, the works of which are located in the northeastern portion of the city. They were erected in 1876, by D. B. Turnbull and his sons, F. A. and David H. Turnbull. For several years the business of the firm was confined to the manufacture of various kinds of agricultural wheels. About four years ago, the manufacture of wagons was commenced, and, quite recently, of bug- gies and carriages. In October, 1882, a stock com- pany, consisting of the original proprietors and a number of Toledo capitalists, was organized, with a capital stock of $300,000, all paid up. C. F. Curtis is President; A. H. Wood, Secretary, and M. Neer- ing, Treasurer. The value of the buildings exceed $75,000, and the grounds and machinery together are worth as much more. From four to five hundred men are employed, and the works run at their full capacity throughout the year. They manufacture daily about two thousand wheels and fifteen wagons.
Planing Mills .- The first planing mill at Defiance was started about 1862. by Hamilton Davison & Son, and operated by them until 1872, when they sold it to Charles C. Strong and Samuel F. Cheney. A general
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
line of planing mill business is transacted, including the manufacture of sash, doors, blinds, etc. Two years ago, a machine shop was added to the establish- ment, where, in addition to the general repair work, lathes and the various machinists' tools are manufact- ured. Of the other two planing mills now in opera- tion in Defiance, that of Karst & Tenzer was started by Peter Kuntz in 1872, and that of Kuhn & Ulrich subsequently. The latter firm has also been engaged for several years in the manufacture of tobacco boxes.
Hoop and Stare Factories .- Defiance is unex- celled as a place for the manufacture of wooden articles from native timber. Its three rivers and two canals afford it the means of bringing logs and timber from a wide scope of country at a trifling cost, and one of the industries thus fostered is the making of hoops and staves.
The Defiance Hoop and Stave Company, of which John Marshall, John S. Greenlee and Louis Marshall are the members, started in business at Defiance in June, 1882, in the northeast portion of the city, on the banks of the Maumee. When running at full force, seventy-eight men are employed; 18,000 patent coiled elm hoops, for kegs and half barrels, and 25,- 000 staves are daily produced. The former find a market chiefly in New York, Philadelphia and Bos- ton; the latter in St. Louis.
D. F. Holston's hoop factory is located at the junction of the Wabash and B. & O. Railroads, and turns out daily, when running at full capacity, 32, - 000 patent steam coiled barrel and keg hoops, which are used principally for nail kegs, sugar. lime and salt barrels; 10.000 feet of elm timber is consumed daily. and forty men and boys are employed. The buildings are ample, and a large business transacted. The first coil of hoops was made at the factory April 17, 1879.
Crow & Hooker and Trowbridge & Eddy are each engaged in the manufacture of staves on an ex- tensive scale. The former firm began business in June, 1882: the latter has been in operation for several years. Each employs about twenty-five hands, and each turns out about 25,000 staves per day. A few years ago, it was thought that the man- nfacture of staves and hoops had reached the maxi- mum point at Defiance. but more are being made in this city at present than ever before.
Hubs, Spokes, Forks. Wagons, etc .- The Defiance Manufacturing Company, with a capital of $100,000, is incorporated, and has William C. Holgate as Presi- dent and E. P. Hooker, Secretary. It is one of the chief manufacturing establishments of Defiance, and annually sends forth from its factory a vast quantity of hubs and spokes.
Another factory is that of Haller & Gibson, re- cently set in operation. It manufactures patent wooden forks, and is making preparations for the manufacture of extensive agricultural works.
John Marshall is proprietor of a factory where single-trees, felloes and wagon gearing are made. The timber used is hickory, ash and oak.
Peter Dickman is engaged in the manufacture of wagons, and does a large business annually.
The American Wood Preserving Company, which has extensive works in several cities, owns and oper- ates a branch at Defiance, where the principal busi- ness is the hardening of elm railroad ties by treating them to a prepared solution.
Other manufactories of wood, on a somewhat smaller scale, are in 'operation, and, taken all in all, Defiance is, perhaps, unequaled in the State as a manufacturing city of this kind.
Furniture .- William Hoffman and C. Geiger, under the firm name of Hoffman & Geiger, have a furniture factory on Perry street, where they started in business in 1859, and have since continued. About fifteen men are employed, and the furniture manu- factured both supplies their retail home trade and also finds its way to foreign markets.
The Defiance Machine Works, one of the largest manufacturing institutions, has been in operation since 1872. They are successors of a foundry which was operated for many years at the same place. The foundry and machine shop was built in 1850, and leased to Kimball & Frank, the former a molder and the latter a machinist. Peter Kettenring, a young man who had learned the molder's trade with this firm, in 1856 leased the shop. Two years later, Strong Brothers & Orcutt became its operators. It was burned in 1864, but rebuilt by "Kettenring & Strong, who in 1869 admitted William Lauster as a partner. In 1872, a stock company was organized and chartered. Mr. Kettenring has been its Presi- dent to the present time. The works manufac'nre wood-working machinery, engines, boilers, shafting, etc., together with all kinds of castings. In 1882, an extensive brick addition was made to the build- ings. About one hundred and twenty-five men are employed.
Defiance Woolen Mills are situated on the Miami & Erie Canal, and derive their power from the canal. They were first 'built by William Gibson, of St. Mary's Ohio," in 1861, and operated for him by Alexander Bruner, of Defiance, until destroyed by fire in July, 1864. After the fire, the walls and site were purchased by Francis Jarvis, of Piqua, R. C. Gib- son, of St. Mary's, and Alexander Bruner, of Defiance, who at once proceeded to erect the present mills.
The firm name was Gibson, Bruner & Co., and
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
the mills did a variety of work, manufacturing cas- simeres, satinets, jeans, flannels, blankets and yarn, besides doing a large amount of custom work for the farmers and wool-growers of this and adjoining counties. In the early history of the mills, R. C. Gibson sold his interest to James Johnson, of Piqua, who in turn sold to Francis Jarvis, and the firm name became Jarvis & Brunner, with Mr. Bruner as Superintendent. They were run under this name for three years, when Francis Jarvis purchased the interest of Alexander Bruner, and the firm name was changed to Francis Jarvis & Son, and operated by James J. Jarvis, who has since been owner and sole proprietor, and under whose able management the mills have achieved a reputation second to none in the West. The pro- duction for the past three years has been principally in knitting yarns, and the goods are always sold ahead of production in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. They annually consnme 100,000 pounds of wool, which is bought principally in Ohio markets. The capacity of the mill will be increased with the demands of trade.
The Gas Works were built in 1875, and manufact- ure gas from petroleum, under patents granted to J. D. Patton, a citizen of Defiance County. The works are located nearly midway between the business cen- ter of the city and the B. & O. depot. The works and appartenances occupy the point of land between the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad and Clinton street, from which point the distributing pipes extend in all di- rections, reaching all the principal streets and bridges of the city and crossing the river at three different points. The aggregate length of these iron pipes is between four and five miles. The original cost of the works was $25,000, represented by that amount of paid-up stock, which is nearly all owned by citi- zens of Defiance County. Hon. Alexander S. Latty is President of the company, and John W. Stratton Sec- retary. The down-town office of the company is on Clinton street, opposite the court house.
The Defiance Mills were erected by William Se- mans, in 1846, and then comprised two run of stone. Two years later, Frederick F. Stevens became his partner and the mnills were completed, two run of stone being added. In 1858, Mr. Semans sold his interest to William A. Brown, and in 1859 Mr. Stevens disposed of his to David Taylor. Mr. A. Wilhelm, the present proprietor, purchased a half- interest from Mrs. Sessions, of Painesville, Ohio, and afterward rented, then purchased Mr. Brown's interest. He admitted his son, John R. Wilhelm, as a partner, and the style of the firm is now A. Wil- helm & Son. The mill was then doing a business of about $30,000 a year. Last year it amounted to $96,000, and will be increased this year. About
1875, Mr. Wilhelm replaced the old overshot wheel with a turbine, and added an elevator with a storage capacity of about 20,000 bushels. Extensive im- provements have since been made, and a 135-horse- power Corliss engine has recently been purchased. The capacity of the mill is 150 barrels per day.
Palamo Mills are situated on the canal, from which it derives its power; were built by Judge Pal- mer in 1852; sold to Edwin Phelps, who in 1871 sold to David Boor. The last-named gentleman, in . January, 1873, added steam power, the engine being sixty-five horse-power; but finding this insufficient, returned to water-power, grinding about 125 bushels per day employing five or six hands. In 1876, L. D. Renolett bought a half-interest, but retired January, 1881, since which time David Boor & Son have run it, adding recently a 100-horse-power engine and four run of stone.
The Ashery and Pearl-Ash Business was es- tablished in Defiance by E. F. Lindenberger abont thirty years ago, who had previously had experience in this at Evansport in connection with his other occupa- tions. The business prospered and grew larger until 1870, when Louis Tiedeman was taken in to partner- ship. In 1875, the partnership was dissolved, and the firm was known for a short time as Lindenberger & Hardy, but owing to the death of senior partner in the fall of that year, Mr. Teideman repurchased the business and has since continued the same up to date. The factory is located on Clinton street, south of the schoolhouse, and is said to be the largest factory of its kind in the United States, shipments being made to Boston, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, St. Louis and other points. Mr. Teideman a few years ago took into partnership Mr. D. Diedneck, whose factory is located on the north side of the Maumee, and whose capacity is 100 casks of pearl ash per annum. The products of these factories are used in the manufacture of chemicals and of flint glass. The business consists in the conversion of lye into pearl ash. The first process is to convert the lye into black salts. This is done by evaporation in shallow pans. Five hundred bushels of ashes are used, from which one ton of black salts is obtained. The home supply of ashes not being sufficient, black salts are purchased at various points in the neighbor- ing States. The black salts are put into a scorching oven, having a capacity of 2,000 pounds. Ten hours' brisk fire convert the black salts into " scorchings," an impure white salt, which is put into the settler and dissolved in hot water, then run into a vat, from which, after settling, the liquid (or salts dissolved) is drawn off into kettles and boiled about ten hours, by which process it is converted into pure white salts. From this the salts go to the pearling oven, which
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
is similar to the scorching oven, and also has a ca- pacity of one ton per day. After ten hours, this process is completed, when from the rear of the oven is taken the pearl ash, which is now fine, pure white and free from grit. The business of the establish- ment averages about $75,000 per year, an amount known to be larger than any other factory in the United States, not even excepting the large factories in New York and Boston. In 1874, its quotation of prices were known to control the markets of the Unit- ed States.
NEWSPAPERS IN DEFIANCE.
The first five paragraphs of this history of the press are extracted from the Democrat of March 2, 1850.
The Defiance Banner, a Whig paper, was pub- lished and edited by John B. Seamans, Esq., an at- torney as well as printer, during 1838-39. The first number was issued August the 5th, 1838. The pub. lication was continued about nine months, when it was forced to suspend, although it had the public printing and other patronage of several counties. The Banner was an imperial sheet, with six columns of long primer type, new or nearly so, with brevier for advertisements. This was the first newspaper in this region of Ohio, was ably edited and merited a better fate.
"The Barometer, much reduced in size, having but, four columns, the first number of which appeared September 21, 1839, was neutral as to politics, and was issued from the same office by Maj. Seamans, who was also editor. The publication of the Barom- eter was continued nine months, when it was sold to G. W. Wood, of Fort Wayne, who had then just sold the Sentinel office to Nelson, and with the materials bought here commenced the publication of the Times where the same materials and editor are to this day. The neutrality of this nine-months affair was with difficulty sustained during the excitement of the spring of 1840, for the editor himself says in his number of May 23, that it was by an effort, nay by a constant concession of efforts. We can't and we shan't publish a neutral paper any longer.'
" The next in order was the North- Western, the first number of which was issued June 1, 1843, by J. B. Steedman & Co., and edited by H. S. Knapp, at that time also connected with the Kalida Venture. The North- Western was Democratic in politics, was printed on long primer type, entirely new, as also were the press and other materials. The publication was discontinued in the summer of 1844, and the press- and materials removed to Logansport, Ind., having been purchased by S. A. Hall, who has since pub- lished at that place the Democratic Pharos.
This was succeeded by the present Defiance Dem- ocrat, the first number of which was issued July 17, 1844, by A. H. Palmer, Esq., and by him edited.
" The materials, which were very extensive for a western office, had been previously used at Toledo, in the publication of the Register. Mr. Palmer sold out the office the succeeding spring to Samuel Year- ick, whose connection as editor and proprietor com- menced with the thirty-fourth number of Vol. I, March 6, 1845. An interest was purchased by J. W. Wiley, and after May 28, 1846, Vol. II, No. 42, it was edited and published by Yearick & Wiley. In the spring of 1847, Mr. Wiley having been appointed to a Lien- tenancy in the Fifteenth Regiment United States Army, his interest was bought back in May by Year- ick. The publication of the Democrat was continued by Mr. Yearick until the office was disposed of, on March 3, 1849, to Hon. J. J. Greene, who continued its publication until December 3, 1873, when it was purchased by Elmer White and W. G. Blymyer. In July, 1878, these gentlemen sold the office to George P. Hardy, who conducted it until April, 1879, when White & Blymyer again assumed control. In July, 1881, Mr. Blymyer retired from the office, hav. ing disposed of his interest to Frank J. Mains. The office is now managed by White & Mains. It will show for itself as to size, type, etc., and is and has been Dem- ocratic in politics.
" A second Defiance Banner, Whig also in politics, was started and published by R. R. Thrall. The first number was issued October 4, 1849, upon au imperial sheet, with bourgeois and brevier type. The press and materials are those used by Blaker in the publi -. cation of the Standard at Bryan, in 1846-47."
The county seat was removed to Bryan in 1841, and the new county of Defiance was created at the session of 1844-45, and commenced April 7, 1845.
The last number of the Defiance Banner was dated September 23, 1852. From that time until 1856, Defiance published no Whig paper. Some time in that year (1856) a paper callled the Defiance Star was started. What time in the year I am unable to find any record, and a copy of the Star cannot be found in the county. It was a six-column folio, Re- publican in politics, and earnestly advocated the elec- tion of Gen. John C. Fremont for President. The subscription price was $1 per year. It was published about a year and then sold, I think to George Wea- mer, who continued its publication in the same size and price, only changing the name to Defiance Re- publican. In 1861, Weamer sold it to N. C. A. Ray- houser, who published it about a year and sold it to W. R. Carr. May 23, 1862, Carr began the publica. tion of the Defiance Constitution, a seven-column folio, at $1 per year, Republican in politics. Carr
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
soon reduced it in size to a six-column folio. In 1863, A. J. Warwick purchased it, and published it several years, raising the subscription price to $1.50 per year. J. D. Baker then purchased it and pub- lished it until 1867, aud sold it to Francis Brooks.
Decomber 7, 1867, Francis Brooks began the pub . lication of the Defianco Weekly Express, a seven-col- umn folio, at $2 per year, Republican, in politics. In 1869, Brooks enlarged it to an eight-column folio, and in a short time changed it to a five column quarto. In 1872, he again changed it to a seven column folio, and in the latter part of the same year to an eight-column folio. In the summer of 1873, he changed it to a small five-column quarto, and in the latter part of the same year enlarged it to a six- column quarto. In 1874, he sold it to Frank B. Ainger, of Bryan, Ohio, who, in connection with Lee H. Rudisill (for a time), published it until 1877, when it was sold to the present proprietor, Mr. Frank C. Culley. Mr. Culley published it as a six-column quarto until February, 1878, when he enlarged it to a nine-column folio. In the fall of 1882, the paper was enlarged to a seven column quarto.
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