USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of Erie County Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74
His report on the establishment of a homeopathic medical department in the University of Michigan is justly celebrated, and accomplished the purpose for which it was written. In the spring of 1863 he was appointed by President Lincoln consul to Nicaraugua. While engaged in the medical profession, dur- ing the years 1852 and 1853, he built the "Water Cure" at Berlin Heights; in the meantime wrote several books, among which was " Hill's Homeopathic Healing Art," also "Hill's Epitome of the Homeopathic Healing Art," eleven revised editions of which have been published. He was representative in the Ohio Legislature from Erie county during the sessions of 1867, 1868, 1869 and 1870. Dr. Hill died at Marysville, Cal., May 13, 1871, aged fifty-seven years. The doctor was in many respects a remarkable man. Notwithstanding he was cut off when but little past middle age, he had accomplished more than the ma- jority of men under similar circumstances will ever achieve, no matter to what age they are spared. The record of his labors is the best monument to his memory that even filial affection could erect.
Dr. George S. Hill is a brother of the late B. F. Hill. He lived at Berlin Heights, and was a very successful practitioner. He moved into the southeast- ern part of the State many years ago. As it was omitted in the biography of B. F. Hill, it may be mentioned here that he (B. F. H.) was the author of "The American Eclectic Practice of Surgery," and the "Homeopathic Practice of Surgery," both works of real practical merit.
Dr. Morley of Huron, was born December 17, 1860. Studied medicine with Dr. C. S. Morley, at Pontiac, Mich. Graduated at Cleveland Homeopathic College in 1884. At once located in Huron, where he is meeting with flatter- ing success. Dr. Morley gives promise of becoming one of the leading physi- cians of the county.
Dr. Bond of Vermillion, is an alumnus of Detroit Homeopathic College, re-
227
THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
ceiving his degree in 1873. He is esteemed by his patrons and acquaintances for his many excellent qualities of head and heart.
Miss Spalding, a graduate of Cleveland Homeopathic College, practiced medicine a number of years on Kelley's Island, previous to 1873. Miss Spald- ing moved to Kansas with the family of Captain W. A. Webb, and remains there at this date (1888). Dr. Sarah A. Henderson succeeded her on Kelley's Island. Not having Dr. Spalding's address the writer has not been able to ob- tain any further items in connection with her professional history.
Drs. McConly, Alling, Catlin, Simmons and Sweazy, are names familiar to the people of Milan, the last two being engaged there now, and the others at differ- ent times in the past. Of the first three the writer can speak but from a lim- ited acquaintance, enough however to convince him of their ability and success in the profession. The two occupying the field at present are in good practice, which, in an intelligent community, is a sufficient endorsement of professional merit.
It is due to the writer to say that the preparation of this article was un- sought, and attempted with much hesitancy, mainly for the reason that his acquaintance with the profession outside the City of Sandusky has necessarily been comparatively limited, and therefore the little time at his command in which to obtain detailed and correct information of the different physicians who have at one time or another practiced in the county, made it impossible to do exact justice to those whose acquaintance he had been so unfortunate as not to have made. That there are those about whom no reference has been made, or if so, simply to mention their names, is no evidence or test of their comparative influence or ability in the fraternity ; but because I had not, and under the cir- cumstances could not, be more thorough or critical in alluding to them. Of those of whom more has been said, still more flattering mention might have been made, but as the purpose was barely to refer to a few of the characteris- tics of each, if my estimate of their mental and professional status is fairly cor- rect and just, my purpose is obtained; more than this I had no right to expect,
Fraternally, I. B. MASSEY.
1
228
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE GERMAN ELEMENT OF ERIE COUNTY.
A WRITTEN history of this country, as well as any part thereof, would be incomplete without devoting an appropriate space to the German Element, that in years gone by helped materially to develop its resources and is still aiding in a humble way to shape its future destiny for good or evil in a social, moral, and political way.
A political history, strictly speaking, cannot be claimed for the German element in America, and yet in the conglomeration of the diverse elements constituting this Union has it played such a potent factor, that its peculiar traits and characteristics as a nation call for a special recognition. The tenacity in keeping up and preserving the old mother tongue in song and speech and the rigid observance of religious ceremonies and holy days as of old, are most marked.
Retrospecting, we find German emigration in its earliest infancy forced. Refugees in its proper meaning were the small number of pioneers that crossed the ocean a century or more ago. They were stripped of all earthly posses- sions, and yet are thankful in their pious devotion, that God did spare their bare lives, a repetition of so-called Christian tolerance so well illustrated in his- tory in the persecution and expulsion of the Salzburger and Moravian sects. Without a home, a country of their own, or any protection, an easy and ready prey for the sharks of Holland and England, they had only one desire-to sever completely the ties of former bondage and oppression.
It cannot be said that the first immigrants bettered their condition materi- ally in their new home ; they entered a servitude bordering closely on slavery, but notwithstanding all this they felt contented, their final efforts culminated in the acquisition of a home and a few spare acres of land to provide them- selves. and families with the necessaries of life. It may sound harsh and offen- sive to the national pride of to-day, and yet it is an indisputable fact, that Germany furnished for a long time the English colonies not only with bought up and conscript soldiers-Hessians-but almost entirely with the rude hands for manual labor.
The German colonists of the eighteenth century became the coolies of this country. The star of glory at one time so bright in the old home dictating the pol cy of all other nations, had lost its lustre and its power. The bloody wars, following the Reformation and the Thirty Years War in special, had sapped and taken the life blood of this nation, and had destroyed its power, progress, and energy for more than one generation. Devastation was over all; the noble guilds that in years of former prosperity were so actively engaged in the
* By Dr. E. Von Schulenburg, Sandusky, Ohio.
7
229
THE GERMAN ELEMENT.
erection of the beautiful structures, that by their lavish adoration of sculpture and exquisite masonry call loud for praise from the connoisseur of to- day. Their work was finished ; the peasant had neither horses nor oxen to cultivate his land, nor even the seed for sowing; the highways had become impassable in the many years of ceaseless war, and the potentates and rulers of the small parcels of land were remorseless and deaf to the appeals of their subjects as long as the taxes were promptly paid in order to keep up their own luxurious life. They styled themselves rulers " by the grace of God," and the kingdom or duchy had become their personal property. Only one way was left open to escape all this misery-emigration-the peasant and burgher alike had become so powerless and enervated, that to make front against their common oppressor was entirely out of the question. Flight then in the dark hours of the night, flight to safely reach the frontier. The first German' emigrants gave up their fatherland without pain or tears, they had so completely lost confidence in themselves and the old home régime, that they blindly and hope- fully accepted the inducements held out by foreign countries.
The German emigration did in course of time assume larger proportions and directed itself mainly to the shores of this country. Germany"so much in need of hands to commence the work of national reconstruction, through a false policy, gave to America a good share of its best productive power, but received only as a just retaliation French manners and vices, French luxuries, and an army of adventurers.
The impetus of German emigration in its infancy may with a certain amount of correctness chronologically be given in the following order : Religious op- pression and persecutions (Moravians, Mennonites, and Lutherans), famine and pestilence, over-population in certain districts, inability to make a living and a desire for a better existence. There has been a great deal of nonsensical talk in misinformed or prejudiced papers and books about an inborn proclivity of the Germans to change their domicile on the slightest pretext, but the perti- nent question may be excusable, will any one give up a home and sever forever all family ties, if even a shadow of happiness is left to share in the old beloved home ? The expectations of the German settlers became realized in a meas- ure. Fertile acres by the millions, the primitive wilderness, waiting only for the strong arm of the pale faced Teuton to carve out a home of his own choice, and as a God sent blessing, liberty in religion and in speech and equality be- fore a common tribunal of law. Verily, our forefathers had a trying time of it, but they were neither afraid nor ashamed to work, and hardened by many exposures and surrounded by the contrasting perils of the frontier life, did they live out their expectancy of three score and ten, and long enough to harvest, in many instances, the fruits of their own honest and energetic work. In a short time, thanks to their inborn saving trait, they became freeholders and prosperous on a piece of land that seemed inadequate to fsupport their Dutch
30
230
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
or English neighbors. Peasants, common laborers, servants, and disappointed merchants made up the bulk of the German emigration at the beginning of the present century, but none of them truthfully expressed the true inwardness, the character and genius of their nation ; they represented it to a certain extent by their independence, by a multitude of dialects and everyday habits, and yet they were destined in their physical and moral healthfulness and strength to become a most valuable factor. An amalgamation of the different elements of this country by means of intermarriage and closer social intercourse was nec- essary to transfuse new blood, new life and vigor into this country.
Endurance, perseverance, a limited greed for earthly possessions were then as they are now, marked traits of the Germans ; their aspirations were for a home of their own, and in this respect they differed greatly from the true Yankee, who is ever ready and willing to sacrifice almost anything provided it brings a mercenary gain or is a bargain. For the first time then in his life is the German put on his own feet, no red tape, no barriers, no passport or policeman at every move or step, the rigidly enforced etiquette of the old home has become a dead letter. For the first time in his life a free man amongst a multitude of freeholders, welcome, but obliged to depend from now on upon his own judgment, energy, and strong arms for all the necessaries of life. The proverbial "help yourself" becomes the true guiding angel from this day on, on which his foot touches the soil of this free country. He passes the first years of probation hard and ceaselessly working day after day, and by and by the language of the foreign country, so similar to the sounds of home, is mastered and with it his interest in common as well as national questions be- comes aroused ; the poor despised German feels proud to be placed on a level "vith the rest, and deposits his first ballot as a true and loyal citizen, well know- ing its importance, and year by year does he learn better to understand and to appreciate the numerous blessings everybody is welcome to in this country, provided he is willing to live up to its laws. The leaders of the Anarchistic and Socialistic movement seem utterly to forget, that not more than a century ago the routine work of a happy and well contented laborer in the old home ceased only with the looming up of the stars, that it was impossible for him ever to better his condition in life and to give to his children such an excellent education as is furnished in this country, even to the most humble subject as free as the air we breathe. We have no serfs, thanks to God! No slaves any more ! In this country all work in the different branches of industry, and al- though keenly competed gives to all, excepting a spendthrift, more than one chance to get well enough along in life ; and it is an indisputable fact that the much cursed and maligned monopolist started out in life as impecunious as the so-called and big-mouthed reformer, the only perceptible difference being that the one knew how to save his earnings and properly invest them, the other only how to squander. Many instances may be cited of German immigrants
231
THE GERMAN ELEMENT.
that landed on the shores of this country almost penniless and in years of hard 'abor did they earn a competency, but it was their enterprise, fair dealing and hard work that made them such, and a score or more of German families could be named in this little county of Erie that in a short time have been elevated from obscurity and poverty to richness. May they deservedly enjoy it to their heart's content! Wealth brings comfort and comfort brings ease, but many would gladly have given up a good share of their wealth had they only learned in their younger days the art of how to properly enjoy it. As a rule the wealthier classes of Germans in Erie county have been instrumental in building up its branches of industries, formerly unknown or at least much neglected, such as the wine, grape, and the fish business. In these branches of trade many thousands of hands are employed in the busiest seasons.
The American continent was, excepting its geographical location, as unknown , to the first German settlers as to the crew that embarked under Columbus on August 3, 1492, at Palos in the fragile ships. The Germans had no object in view; they did not come to perfect any idealistic ideas, neither did they have any outlined work; they presented rough, unhewn blocks, that should fit themselves after repeated dressing and become a useful material in building up a great nation. Please glance over American history : Go back to the war preceding the Declaration of Independence-go back to 1812, and the bloody war of secession-and the names of loyal German- American citizens will be found in great numbers, and many of them in the front ranks, who were as willing as the rest to sacrifice their blood and lives for the preservation of the Union and of peace ! Two generations had to go down into their graves before an amalgamation of the German, and the inborn element could be consummated from that day on, though the German offspring became a true American citizen, not only in name, but in body and soul.
With great pleasure do I recall the happy days of my youth, when I was brooding over the tales and legends, so masterly written by Grimm and Musäus, of the sunken countries and cities-of Vineta, on the Baltic Sea. Tradition says, that on a bright night, when the waters are calm, the towers of this sunken city were plainly seen at the bottom of the sea and the tolling of the bells could be distinctly heard in the stillness of the night. Many of the old settlements of the first German pioneers are buried alike; tradition, entries in the old family Bible or church record, dilapidated and broken up slabs in the remote corners of a neglected church or grave-yard, tell in a faint way the story of a century or more ago. It was with the utmost reverence that the writer of this chapter opened two years ago the old time-worn chest which the great-grandfather of his children had willed to him as a small token of his love. Old books dating back to the time when their ancestors came to the shore of America as refugees, nearly two hundred years ago-old, but priceless books-an almost complete list of works first printed in America in the be- loved mother tongue, by Sauer, of Germantown, Pa.
IC
232
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
German emigration assumed the most gigantic proportions in the middle of the present century. As it will undoubtedly interest the general reader, an authentical list, taken from the record of the Statistical Bureau at Washington, is given below :
1820, German emigrants.
968
1853, German emigrants
141,945
1821,
383
1854,
215,009
1822.
.€
148
1855,
71,918
1823,
183
1856,
71,028
1824,
2 30
1857,
91,781
1825,
450
1858,
45,310
1826,
511
1859,
46
41,784
1827,
432
1860,
6.
54,491
1828,
1,851
1861,
31,661
1829,
597
1862,
27,529
1830,
66
1,976
1 863,
33,162
1831,
2,413
1864,
67,276
1832,
10,194
1865,
83,424
1833,
6,988
1 866,
115,892
1834,
17,686
1867,
133,426
1835,
8,311
IS68,
66
123,070
1836,
20,707
1 869,
124,788
1837,
23,740
1870,
91,779
1838,
11,683
1871,
. 107,201
1839,
. 6
21,028
1872,
. 155,595
1840,
29,704
1873,
133,141
1841,
15,291
1874,
..
56.927
1842,
20,370
1875,
36,565
1843,
14.441
1876,
31,323
1844,
20,731
1877,
..
27,417
1845,
34,355
1878,
31,958
. 846,
57,561
1879,
..
43.531
1847,
66
74,281
1 880,
..
134,040
1848,
58,465
1881,
249,572
1849,
60,233
1882,
6 6
250,630
1851,
88,196
1852,
145,918
Total in sixty-four years. . . . . 3,817, 195
This' list will speak for itself. Conclusions may be drawn by every one that is familiar with the history of his nation.
The ravens of Kueff Hæuser desert their former habitation; Barbarossa sleeps!now in peace-once more a solid and an undivided empire in strength and power as of old. The price was dear, and many thousands of our brave sons were 'laid to rest in a strange land ; once more did the bloody wars of 1866 and 1870 take the life-blood of this nation, but when King William placed the emperor's crown of a once more united country on his silver hair in the halls of Versailles, it was another just retaliation, when he remembered in that eventful hour, with tears in his eyes, the humiliation of his country and
1850,
63, 182
1883,
180,812
66
.
233
THE GERMAN ELEMENT.
his own beloved parents in the dark hours of 1806. Once more were the reins of supremacy placed in the hands of a ruler, that had proven not only a de- fender of his and his people's rights, but a protector and preserver of peace. From that day on has the flag of our old fatherland given ample protection to her sons, that are scattered over all the world's creation, as outspoken as the stars and stripes we now adore.
And still they come, the Teutons, but not as refugees as of a century ago stripped of all earthly possessions,-they come now of their own free will, with means, and the same strong and muscular arm that cleared the wilderness so many years ago. The light so conspicuously displayed by the goddess of lib- erty, at the main port of this country, seems to draw them nearer and nearer.
The German element form about the seventh part of the total population of this country ; entire counties and cities are almost given up to them. San- dusky city has a German population of nearly one-half, and New York city has become the third largest German city in the world, and yet the strength and influence of the German element is far less than should proportionately be expected. The Germans confront in this country an inborn nation that has for two centuries not only accepted and welcomed, but digested the diverse ele- ments of the old world ; an inborn element, that in all those years had become powerful and strong, and it cannot reasonably be expected that it abruptly should change their habits, ways of Sabbath consecration and all existing laws, simply to please a foreign-born element, far less to obey their dictations. Fif- teen hundred years is a long while ; in that time laws, traits and a once com- mon language change to such an extent that the link of close relationship may seem entirely defunct, and yet blood will tell and call for recognition at first sight. The Anglo-Saxons and the Germans meet once more after 1,500 years of separation, and, strange as it may seem, on a newly discovered continent, to join hands to build it up mutually for their combined interest and glory.
" In union there is strength." There are many vital questions to be de- cided in a fair and unprejudiced way by a coming generation ; questions to match in battle, civilization and rudeness; intellectual power and genius against stupidity ; but it is to be hoped that religious questions will never en - ter the race, and that the horrors of inquisition and religious intolerance and persecution that came at one time very near strangling the new- born babe and destroying the future prosperity of this country, may not be repeated.
The fathers of independence, and the framers of our constitutional laws, were in the right by ignoring, entirely, in their declarations all religious mat- ters, holding that every one had a perfect right to accomplish his salvation in a way that suited him best. They did plainly foresee, that by granting the ut- most liberty in this direction, emigrants would come from all parts of the world to the shores of America, and that it would have been much like the work of a Sisyphus to regulate by law the spiritual welfare with the worldly, alike.
234
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
If we, to come to a close, correctly understand the mission of the German ele- ment in this country, we must come to the conclusion that its future prosper- ity is not to be found in a strict exclusiveness and in fantastic dreams of a Utopia. Our final mission is to become more closely amalgamated, and to unite with the inborn element, and to preserve at the same time the many laudable traits of the Teutonic race. Let us preserve our love for the home circle, domestic felicity, our love for everything sublime in arts, our classical music, our gold mine of poetry, our mother tongue, and song and speech, and feel contented that our influence in political, social and every day affairs will become greater in the proportion we make ourselves better understood. There will be nothing regretted then, if we lose our name as a distinct nation. It is useless to simulate ; whoever emigrates gives up his fatherland, and cannot claim it with any more right than he could claim two fathers. The name German-American becomes less and less distinct from year to year, and will, .by gradual transmutation, become as defunct in the course of time as the aborigines of the wilderness and the buffaloes of the plains.
More has been said in the foregoing lines than was originally intended, but as the incorporated sentiments are the key to understand properly the mission of the German element, it will be duly appreciated.
REMINISCENCES AND OLD LANDMARKS.
The time that has passed since the pioneer first walked in the wilderness by the side of the river and creeks, is almost fourscore years. Strange and startling scenes, in life dramas, have been enacted before and since then. The Indian, glorying in his wild freedom, and holding undisputed possession of the forest, has here lain in wait for the deer to come and drink. Human blood has flowed by the side of the streams. The white man came, and with hard labor rolled together the logs for a humble home. The prattle and the laugh- ter of little children mingled with the songs of birds. The sound of the ax was heard along the shore, and the crushing of falling timber shook the earth. The forest melted away before the march of the army of peace. The country was dotted with human habitations ; a village grew up and became a busy mart. The church and school-house appeared. Where once were no sounds but those of nature, there had come the hum of industry, the bustle of trade, a hurrying.to and fro, the greetings of man with man, the activity impelled by varied human interests. There were births, marriages, deaths, the ever occur- ring joys and griefs of humanity ; the change and mutation of life and time. The old log-houses well nigh faded from existence ; the houses and landmarks of old Portland rolled away. Men who were babies when the country was new, grew old and went down to their graves. It is the fulfillment of a hard task that the writer came in possession of such facts, that are little, if any, known, excepting to a few more closely interested. It is a great pleasure to him to
L
235
THE GERMAN ELEMENT.
present to the reader of to-day carefully trimmed outlines of the characters of those men and women whose lives were passed in preparing the wilderness for the present generations. Wherever we failed to come into possession of a cor- rect family record, we have striven to perpetuate, at least, the names of those who bore the brunt in the great struggle of subduing a new country, who sur- mounted its obstacles and faced its dangers bravely. The hard work has been persistently carried on for many months. May these offerings, with all their imperfections, find a warm place in the hearts and homes of his German fel- low men, and may the living generation learn from the past something about the contentedness, frugality and honesty of the good old time.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.