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 36
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Total enrollment 1,263
Average number of boys belonging. .451.4
Average number of girls belonging. .499.5
Total. 880.9
Average daily attendance of boys. 413.7 Average daily attendance of girls. .396
Total.
Per cent of attendauce of boys. .91.6
Per cent of attendance of girls. 92.2
Average. . 91.9
Number belonging at the close of the year.
867
Number of cases of tardiness of boys. .. 975
Number of cases of tardiness of girls. .187
Total. 462
Number of cases of truancy of boys.
.101
Number of cases of truancy of girls. 1
Total. 102
Number of visits. 1,093 2
Number of teachers employed in High School. . Number of teachers employed in Grammar Schools 6
Number of teachers employed in Primary Schools 11
Total. .
19
In the year 1878, an Alumni Association was or. ganized by the graduates of the High School, admit- ting Henry B. Harris and Rolla H. Gleason, who had completed the course of study before graduating ex- ercises were instituted.
The association now consists of forty-three mem- bers, whose names are as follows, given by classes:
1872-Alvira Bevington, Willis D. Colby.
1873-Mary Colby (Ingram), Rosa Crosson (de- ceased), Frank Ferguson, Alice Moore (deceased).
1874-Alice M. Bridenbaugh, Florence Buffington (Lamb), May Fisher, W. Curtis Holgate, Charles H. Strong (deceased).
1875 --- Alice*Downs (Morris), Rebecca C. Heatley, Jessie J. Oliver.
1876-Della Gleason.
1877-Ida M. Bridenbaugh, Mary E. Hardy, Nellie Moore, Mary E. Plattor, William Lauster.
1878-Annie J. Ayers, M. Alice Buffington, F. Nettie Hooker, Isabelle F. Houghton, Fannie Wisler, Frank O. Graper.
1879 -- Ida J. Branson, Alva C. Flickinger, Alice A. Gleason, Julia E. Krenkle, Lucy C. Shead.
1880-Berta Ayers, Emma L. Brown, Lida B. Gor- rell, Gilbert Mallett.
1881-Lila E. M. Brubaker, Mattie C. Squire, Emma Try, William H. Plattor, Annie M Harris, Frances Strong, Karl A. Flickinger, J. Lincoln Tate. 1882-Bertha H. Dittmer, Irena E. Moll, Bessie Kingsbury.
$18,352 15
941
809.7
177
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
PIONEER PHYSICIANS.
DR. JOHN EVANS.
The family of this gentleman was widely known to the old citizens of the Upper Maumeo Valley. He sindied his profession undor the instruction of Dr. Spencer, of Kentucky, and Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia, and commenced practice at Washington, Fayette County, Ohio, about the year 1814 and also conducted in soparato rooms of the same building the mercan- tilo business and an apothecary store. On the 27th of May, 1818, ho marriod Miss Elizabeth Taylor, of Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio.
The Evans family were among the early settlers of kontucky. Samuel Evans (father of Dr. John), re- moved to Ohio from Bourbon County, Ky., when the latter was about seventeen years old. William Tay- lor (father of Elizabeth, who married Dr. Evans), the first settler between the Ohio River and Chillicothe, moved from Pennsylvania to Kentucky when his daughter Elizabeth was about three months old, and from Kentucky to noar Bainbridge, Ross County, Ohio, when she was six or seven years of age. Dr. Evans and family (now consisting of his wife and two daughters) removed from Washington, Fayette County, to Defianco, in February, 1823. They started in a largo double sleigh, but the snow failing, they were compelled to abandon their sleigh and re- sort to wagons. The family reached Judge Nathan Shirley's, on tho Anglaize River, one mile above De- tiance, on the last day of February. Their first loca- tion was at Camp No. 3, five miles below Defiance on tho north side of the Maumee in a double-log cabin, and here Samuel Cary Evans, their first son, was born April 10, 1823. During the summer, the Doctor built a frame house at Dotiance, into which he re- moved his family in the month of November of that year. He made the first brick and the first lime that was manufactured in Defiance, a part of which was used in the construction of his own house and the proceeds of the sale of the surplus lime and brick notted an amount that paid the ontire cost of his house. In the same year, Foreman Evans, his brother, also removed to Defiance. The late Judge Pierce Evans (cousin of Dr. John) removed to the head of the rapids of the Maumee and resided there during the year 1822 and in 1823, and then removed to the farm below Defiance now occupied by his son, Ri- naldo Evans. When Dr. Evans reached Defiance, there were no physicians on the river nearor than Fort Wayne above, and Maumee City below, and his professional visits often extended to the first named place, to St. Marys, on the St. Marys, and to the head of the Maumee rapids. There being no good roads, no bridges over the streams and facilities for ferriage were at points remote from each other, it is diffi-
cult to convey to the mind of the medical practitioner of this day an adequate view of the formidable and oft- en dangerous obstacles that Dr. Evans was compelled to encounter in the discharge of his professional du- ties. The first relief from this exhausting toil was afforded by the arrival at Defiance of Dr. Jonas Colby, in 1822. In 1824, he purchased the stock of goods of Hunt & Forsyth, of Manmeo City, which were brought up on pirogues. This was the first store of considerable importance that contained goods adapted to the wants of the white settlers, although staple Indian goods (except whisky) were included in his general stock. When the family removed to Defiance, there were no regular church services, and, until the court house was erected, no suitable house for worship. The Methodists, however, held services at short intervals, sometimes in private houses, and, when the weather was favorable, in the adjacent groves. The first Presbyterian clergyman was Rev. Mr. Stowe (father of Mrs. William A. Brown, now living at Detiance). During his residence in Defi- ance, Dr. Evans possessed more fully the confidence of the Indians than the majority of those who had had dealings with them. He acquired this confidence by professional ministrations, by fairness in trade and refusing their applications for intoxicating drinks. When the Indian men and women would visit town and the former obtain liquor from mercenary traders and become drunken and crazed, and their brutal nature aroused, the latter would gather up the toma. hawks and knives of their lords and deposit them about the premises of their friend, Dr. Evans. On one occasion the chief, Oc-co-nox-ee, of Oc-co-nox-ee town, on the Auglaize (now Charloe, Paulding Conn- ty), bronght one of his daughters to the Doctor to be treated for some malady which had baffled the skill of the Indian " medicine man." She was received into the Doctor's household and in due time restored . to health. As an equivalent for this service the chief made the Doctor a present of an Indian pony. In 1838, with a view of affording his children oppor- tunities for obtaining better educational facilities, he temporarily removed to Troy, Ohio, and continued there until the fall of 1840, when he removed to Fort Wayne and engaged actively in commercial pur. suits in partnership with his son-in-law, John E. Hill. During his residence in Troy, he had contin- ued business in Defiance, and now from the two stores they supplied the contractors, who were constructing the Paulding County Reservoir, with goods to prose- cute their work. In 1840, he removed the Defianco stock to Fort Wayne and concentrated his business at that point. In the summer of 1842, business called Dr. Evans to Defiance, and while here he was seized with an illness that would have induced an
178
HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
ordinary person to remain and receive medical treat- ment, but his indomitable will had determined him to make an effort to reach his family at Fort Wayne. Leaving Defiance on horseback, he had traveled only about a mile and reached the house of Thomas Warren, when the intensity of his sufferings arrested his progress, and he remained at the house of Warren two or three days. Meanwhile, believing himself, doubtless, that his case was critical, he dispatched a messenger to Fort Wayne to notify his family of his condition. On the message being communicated to his family, his son, Samuel Carey Evans, immediately started to meet his father, and, reaching the bedside, discovered the alarming symptoms of the case, and at once dis- patched a second messenger to Fort Wayne to sum- mon Dr. S. G. Thompson, and also to notify his mother and other members of his family of his fa- *ther's condition. The intelligence being communi- cated, Dr. Thompson and Miss Merica Evans, second danghter of the Doctor, at once set out on horseback, and notwithstanding the bad condition of the roads reached Mrs. Hilton's, mother of Brice Hilton (to whose house, in order to secure more comfortable quarters, Dr. Evans had been removed), within eight hours after leaving Fort Wayne.
Dr. Evans, by this time becoming fully conscious that he could only survive a few hours, dictated the following as his last will and testament (Dr. Thomp- son acting as amanuensis) and which embodied a distribution of his estate adjusted upon such nice principles of justice and affection that no word of complaint or discord was ever uttered by the parties affected by it:
I, John Evans, being weak in body, but sound in mind and memory, knowing the uncertainty of life and the cer- tainty of death, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills. First-I com- mit my soul to God who gave it, and my body to the carth, to be buried at Fort Wayne, in such manner as my family may direct. And I hereby appoint my daughter Merica and my sons Carey and Rush, together with Allen Hamilton, Hugh McCulloch and Pierce Evans, as my executors; and it is my desire that the three last-named executors shall permit my sons Carey and Rush to continue the mercantile business until all my just debts are paid; after which it is my desire that my beloved wife shall have one-third of all my personal and real estate during her life, and desire that my daughter, Eliza Hill, shall receive nothing more until my other children have received one thousand dollars each. After which, I wish the balance of my property equally distributed among my children. And I further desire that my children shall pro- vide for Aley Cumberland [a faithful colored servant of the family] so long as she may live; and it is my special request tliat my friends, the three last-named executors, will not make any public sale of property, but permit my sons to sell at private sale to the best advantage. Signed, sealed and de- livered, this 10th day of August, A. D. 1842.
S. G. THOMPSON,
A. G. EVANS, Witnesses.
JOHN EVANS.
Having performed this last earthly duty, his re- maining moments were consecrated to the service of his Maker, and in endearing expressions of affection for the two members of his family who were present, and in messages to those who were unavoidably ab- sent.
On the following day, August 11, 1842, his death occurred. And thus at the age of forty-eight years the honorable career of Dr. John Evans was brought to a close in the very prime of his manhood. No death that occurred in the valley during that year produced a more general or profound regret. The physician whose skill had prolonged the lives of mul- titudes was unable to heal himself. An obituary of the Fort Wayne Times, of September 17th, 1842, appears below:
" On the evening of the 11th ult., near Defiance, Ohio, Dr. John Evans, of this city breathed his last, iu his forty-ninth year.
" The removal of this highly respectable and en- terprising citizen from the sphere of his earthly la- bors has excited the deepest sympathy and the sin- cerest regrets among a numerous circle of friends and acquaintances; and has cast a deep shade over the hope and happiness of a disconsolate wife and be- reaved family. He is now no more-all that was mortal rests within the portals of the tomb; but his memory will ever live in the hearts of all who knew him. His weight of character, his great moral worth, and exemplary deportment, to each and every rela- tion of life, will be remembered, his virtues admired, and his memory cherished, as long as the qualities that adorn human nature shall be held in proper estima- tion.
" At a very early period in the settlement of North- western Ohio, Dr. Evans located at Defiance. The extended practice and the extraordinary degree of favor which he then obtained, are sufficient evidences of his eminent merit. It may be said with truth in the beautiful language of the poet:
" 'None knew him but to love him; None named him but to praise.'
" After having passed the meridian of life in the practice of a laborious profession, he removed his family for a short period to Troy, Ohio, and thence to this city, with a view of establishing his sons in the mercantile business, and reposing during the remainder of his days, in the midst of his beloved family, and in the enjoyment of an honorably ac- quired competence. He went to Defiance about the commencement of the month (August) for the purpose of transacting some business. While there he felt unwell, and fearing an attack of disease, he started for home, but before proceeding far his progress was arrested by a most severe attack of bilious pneu-
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
monia, which terminated his earthly existence on the seventh day following. During his short but painful illness he was composed and resigned, he expressed a desire to live only on aecount of his family. He aroused from the stupor of approaching dissolution to assure them of his entire willingness to meet his Maker. As his life had been honorable and useful, his death was peaceful and happy."
Mrs. Elizabeth Evans (widow of Dr. John Evans), survived her husband upward of thirty years, re- maining at her home in Fort Wayne, keeping house most of the time up to the time of her death, but died at her son-in law's, Henry J. Rudisill, March, 1874 or 1875, at Fort Wayne, Ind.
JONAS COLBY, M. D.
The subject of this sketch was born in Henni- ker, N. H., December 20, 1806. His parents were of English descent, and his early life was spent on liis father's farm. The New England farmer of that day was able to give his children but few educational ad- vantages beyond those of the ordinary distriet school, consequently when Dr. Colby, at the age of eighteen, entered the medical department of Dartmouth College he was obliged to support himself by teaching. But by perseveranee and economy he succeeded by his own efforts in fitting himself for his profession. Not con- tent with merely fulfilling the requirements necessary to obtain a diploma which only necessitated his at- tendanee at two courses of leetures, he took a third course in order the better to prepare himself for the work of his life. After practicing medieine three years in his native State, he removed to Defiance, Ohio, in 1832. For many years after his location in Defiance, his life was one of unusual hardship. even for a pioneer physician. The country was new and sparsely settled, making long rides necessary, where streams had no bridges, and roads were only trails, the nearest places at which there were physicians being Fort Wayne and Maumee, and his praetice ex- tending over several counties, running north to Fay- ette, near the Michigan line and south to Fort Jen- nings. On one occasion he rode 118 miles in twon- ty-four hours, and at another time had no sleep for three nights and four days, except what he could catch on horseback In times of high water, he was obliged to swim his horse across the streams in cold weather or warm. But being blessed with a good constitution and an iron will, he was able to endure such hardships as most men nowadays would shrink from. In 1837, he was apointed Postmaster of Defiance, and held the office several years. In 1839, he was appointed by the United States Government to accompany as physician a tribe of Indians that were being sent from Northwestern Ohio to the
country beyond the Missouri River. Starting out from Defiance, they went down the Maumee River to Mau- mee City, then took lako vessels from there to Cleve- land, from there by eanal boats down the Ohio Canal to the Ohio River, thence down the Ohio River to the Mississippi, thence up the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, taking several weeks to make the trip, which can now be made in twenty-four hours. About the same time, he was appointed Associate Judge of Will- iams County, this being before the organization of Defiance County, and he discharged the duties of this office for five years. During the late civil war, he earnestly espoused the cause of the Union, serving as Chairman of a Military Committee, and as Examin- ing Surgeon for Defiance County, holding a commis- sion as Military Surgeon with the rank of Major; for a number of years after the war he was examining Surgeon for pensions. Five years after settling at Defiance, he was married to Almira Hull (first white child born in the Maumee Valley), of Maumee City Ohio, who is still living at Defiance. To them were born six children, three boys and three girls-Cer- nelia E., who married Charles Kahlo, of Logansport, Ind., State Senator from Cass County; George F., who died in infaney; Aliee A., married J. S. Alexan- der, attorney at law, Indianapolis, Ind .; Mary C., married John C. Ingram, eashier of Logansport Bank - ing Company, Logansport, Ind. Of the two boys now living in this city, Ferris W., the oldest, is en- gaged in the real estate business. He was married, September 14, 1870, to Miss Anna L., daughter of J. P. Ottley, of this city. They have two children, Hattie C. and Flora M .; Willis D., unmarried, of the firm of Colby & Seott, is engaged in the wholesale and retail drug business. The boys, Ferris W. and Willis D., are graduates of the New York College of Pharmacy of New York City
One who knew Dr. Colby many years says he could never be indueed to turn aside from his profes- sion for the purpose of making money. He had no ambition to be called a rich man by his neighbors and never desired more than a comfortable living. But the good judgment, coupled with caution, delibera- tion and method, which characterized him in the prae- tice of medicine was so manifest in all his business dealings, it may be said of him that he could not help acquiring a handsome property. He made no vent- ures, he incurred no debts. The profits of a lucra- tivo practice and of an economical life, were simply carefully invested, generally in real estate, and he realized slowly but surely by the enhancement of its value. But what is better than riches or real estate, he leaves as a legacy to his family the name of hav- ing been strictly honest and honorable in all his bus- iness affairs. He took only his due. His word was
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
as good as his note, and the latter equivalent to the money. Although a man of few words and one with whom strangers found it difficult to become readily acquainted, he possessed a kind heart and had a word of encouragement for all who sought his advice. As a physician, he was prompt and attentive. As a sur- geon, he was bold and self-possessed, and in either place he was successful to an unusual degree. He continued the active practice of his profession up to the day of his death, May 28, 1876.
THE DEFIANCE COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION.
This association was organized in 1880, and is at present composed of the following members: L. G. Thacker, M. B. Stevens, A. Berchtold, W T. Harris, W. S. Powell, J. J. Reynolds, R. W. Finch, J. V. Lesnet, H. H. Zeigler.
This association is auxiliary to the State Medical Society, to which it sends delegates, as well as to the American Medical Association, with which it is in harmony, being governed; by the same rules and re- gulations.
A physician, to become a member of this associa- tion, must be a graduate of some recognized medical college, which teaches the science and art of medicine in its entirety, and does not confine its instructions to the limits of any exclusive dogma or pathy. This as- sociation meets on the first Tuesday of each month, and has for its object the advancement of medical knowledge among its members by discussions, essays and free interchange of thought on subjects relating to the science of medicine.
SOCIETIES. MASONIC.
The institutions of Masonry are well established in Defiance, working the degrees and orders up to Knights Templar. The " disinterested friendship," " unbounded hospitality, " and " good, square work " of the Defiance brethren, are " known of all men."
THE BLUE LODGE.
At the session of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Ohio, held at Steubenville, Octo- ber, 1849, dispensation was granted to James M. El- der, Ephraim A. Greenlee, Jacob J. Greene, James Cheney, Peter Zimmerman, M. H. Curtis, Joram Al- len and David Taylor for a lodge of Masons at the town of Defiance and naming therein James M. Elder as the Master; E. A. Greenlee, Senior Warden; and J. J Greene, Junior Warden, of the new lodge. Not having any near neighbors to assist in instruction and work, a Lecturer was engaged and the whole of that winter was devoted to learning the work-lect-
ures. The first work was done March 22, 1850, when John M. Stilwell and William Semans were initiated. Since that time the records show that degrees have been conferred on more than three hundred brethren.
At the session of the Grand Lodge held October, 1850, at Cincinnati, the work and proceedings of the new lodge were approved, and a charter issued, with the name Tu en-da-wie (signifying in the language of the Wyandots, the junction of two rivers), and numbered 195. The charter named (at request of the lodge) as first officers thereunder, David Taylor, W. M .; Erastus H. Leland, S. W .; and John W. Stil- will, J. W.
Masters who have been elected to preside since are: Chauncy Coston, Erastus H. Leland, Jacob J. Greene, John W. McKim, Henry Handy, Lake E. Myers, Isaac Corwin, Charles M. Thrall, Henry Newbegin, Joseph Ralston, W. G. Blymyer, Elmer White, Livingston E. Beardsley and E. Squires.
The number of members, as reported to the Grand Lodge last October, was 127, and the dues then paid amounted to $57.50-not more than ten lodges out of 520 on the roll paving in a larger sum.
The first funeral attended by the fraternity was that of James M. Elder, Past Master, who was buried with Masonic honors June 13, 1855.
The anniversary of St. John the Evangelist, Dec .. 1859, was observed by public procession, installation of officers, and the delivery of an address by Judge Dunlap, of Toledo, with a re-union of Masons and their families in the evening at the Russell House, but then recently opened.
The lodge rooms are spacious, and in the various equipments, conveniences and adornments not often excelled.
The present officers of the lodge are: Edward Squire, W. M, ; F. G. Brown, S. W .; George Mallett, J. W .; J. P. Ottley, Treas .; W. T. Hill, Sec .; O. F. Ensign, S. D .; M. S. Holston. J. D .; F. W. Ditt- mer, Tiler.
THE CHAPTER.
In the annual communication of Grand High Priest Thomas J. Larslı, to the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, held at Columbus, October, 1864, he says: " On the 13th day of January last, I issued a dispensation to Companions Jacob J. Greene, Isaac Corwin, Lake E. Myers, John Paul, Henry Hardy, Henry C. Bouton, James G. Haley, William J. Jack- son and Jacob Fegtley, for the establishment of a chapter at Defiance, in Defiance County, to be called En-sa-woc-sa Chapter, No. - , and appointed the first named companions to be the first High Priest, King and Scribe of said Chapter;" and in the pro- ceedings of said grand body, page 18, the Committee
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HISTORY OF DEFIANCE COUNTY.
on Charters and Dispensations report that " they have examined the dispensation, records and by-laws of En-sa-woc-sa Chapter, U. D., located at Defiance, Ohio. Their records are very well kept. Wo recom- mend that the by-laws be approved and that a charter be issued to said Chapter;" which recommendation was adopted, and the number given to the new Chap- ter was 89. The name selected was the Pottawato- mie name for the locality, and said to have the same signification as Tu-on-da-wie. The High Priests of the Chapter have been J. J. Greene, Henry Now- begin, Joseph Ralston, W. G. Blymyer and Frank (1. Brown.
THE COUNCIL.
On the 20th day of February, 1869, Puissant Grand Master Charles Brown, issued a dispensation to Companions Jacob J. Greene, Joshua P'. Ottley, Louis Degginger, Isaac Corwin, John L. Scott, Henry Newbegin, George W. Deatrick, F. W. Ditt- mer and Lako F. Myers, for a Council of Royal and Se. lect Masters at Defiance, Ohio, and at the grand coun- cil held at Cleveland, in October of that year, a charter was granted to said Companions affixing the num- ber 55.
The namo selected for the new Council was Oc-co- nox-en, the name of the Chief of the Ottawa tribe of Indians resident in this vicinity, removed west of the Mississippi in 1832. The new Council was con- stituted and officers installed the succeeding Decem. ber, by Deputy Grand Master Calvin Halliday, of Lima.
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