USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of Erie County Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 44
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1838-Trustees, Charles F. Drake, John G. Camp and Judah W. Ransom ; clerk, John F. Campbell; treasurer, William B. Smith ; overseers of the poor, Foster M. Follett and John N. Sloane ; constables, August P. Tower and Ros- well J. Jennings.
1839-Trustees, Charles F. Drake, Josiah W. Hollister and Henry Victor ; clerk, John F. Campbell ; treasurer, Foster M. Follett; overseers, Alexander H. Barber and Zenas W. Barker ; constables, Roswell J. Jennings and Orlando McKnight.
1840-Trustees, John Weeden, James N. Davidson and Henry F. Merry ; clerk, William Kelley; treasurer, William H. Caswell; overseers, William A. Simpson and S. S. Hosmer ; constables, Roswell J. Jennings and William Marshall.
1841-Trustees, John Weeden, Abner Root and Alexander H. Barber; clerk, Charles Cochran ; treasurer, William H. Caswell ; overseers, Sidney S. Hosmer and William A. Simpson ; constables, William Marshall and Roswell J. Jennings.
1842-Trustees, John Weeden, Alexander H. Barber and Abner Root: clerk, Charles Cochran ; treasurer, Foster M. Follett ; assessor, Moers Far- well; overseers, S. S. Hosmer, William A. Simpson ; constables, Roswell J. Jennings and Charles F. Drake.
1843-Trustees, E. S. Gregg, Daniel Dibble and Leonard B. Johnson ; clerk, Earl Bell (appointed by trustees, the election resulting in a tie vote) ; treasurer, Alexander H. Barber ; assessor, Zenas W. Barker ; overseers, Will- iam A. Simpson and Charles B. Squire; constables, Charles F. Drake and George W. Smith.
1844-Trustees, E. S. Gregg, David Campbell and Henry C. Williams ; clerk. Waldo F. Converse; treasurer, W. W. Wetherell; assessor, Amos Earl: overseers, Abner Lyman and Moers Farwell; constables, Alonzo Wade and George W. Smith.
1845-Trustees, Charles Barney, Henry C. Williams and Hiram A. Ar- nold ; clerk, Waldo F. Converse ; treasurer, Henry P. Radcliff; assessor, Phi- lander Gregg; constables, Alonzo Wade and John Youngs.
1846-Trustees, William A. Simpson, John M. Booth and Gilbert Harris ; clerk, Charles Cochran ; treasurer, Henry P. Radcliff ; assessor, Jacob S. Sco- field ; constables, Charles Rice and Samuel Austin.
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
1847-Trustees, Philander Gregg, Charles. Barney and Erastus Cooke ; clerk, Charles Cochran; treasurer, Francis Whitney; assessor, John Youngs ; constables, Charles Rice and Washington Dewey.
1848-Trustees, Rollin M. Hubbard, Philander Gregg and John W. Beatty ; clerk, Charles Cochran ; treasurer, James Sanderson ; assessor, Gil- bert Harris ; constables, Theodore C. Barker and Horatio Jennings.
1849-Trustees, Horace Aplin, Alexander H. Barber and Elias H. Haines ; clerk, Jacob Hoombeck; treasurer, Henry P. Radcliff; assessor, Gil- bert Harris ; constables, William Spaulding and John W. Upp.
1850-Members of constitutional convention, James W. Taylor and Jo- seph M. Farr ; trustees, Samuel E. Hitchcock, Robert Hathaway and William B. Smith; clerk, John B. Norris; treasurer, John M. Bailey ; assessor, Will- iam P. Chapman ; constables, Jonas J. Perry and Jacob Hertel.
1851-Trustees, William W. Wetherell, John G. Pool and Chris. C. Keech ; clerk, Gilman W. Pritchard ; treasurer, Warren Smith ; assessor, Thomas C. McGee; constables, Jonas J. Perry and Obadiah C. McLouth.
1852-Trustees, John G. Pool, Chris. C. Keech and Lucas S. Beecher ; clerk, Randall I. Gibbs; treasurer, William W. Jordan; assessor, Charles Cross ; constable, Obadiah C. McLouth ; justice of the peace, Foster M. Follett.
1853-Trustees, Horace Aplin, John G. Pool and William W. Wetherell ; clerk, George J. Anderson ; treasurer, W. W. Johnson. No further record found for this year's officers.
1854-Trustees, J. M. Bailey, Horace Aplin and Solomon C. Moore ; clerk, George J. Anderson ; treasurer, H. W. House; assessor, Louis H. Traub; constables, Jonas J. Perry and Oliver Rice.
1855-Trustees, John M. Bailey, Horace Aplin and Peter Gilcher ; clerk, John G. Pool; treasurer, Harrison W. Houk ; constables, Nicholas Smith and Oliver Rice; justice of the peace, George S. Patterson.
1856-Trustees, Peter Gilcher, John M. Bailey and Alexander H. Barber ; clerk, John G. Pool; treasurer, H. C. Bush ; constables, Jonas J. Perry and Enoch Weller.
1857-Trustees, John P. Thorp, William T. West and S. S. Hosmer ; clerk, Rush R. Sloane; assessor, Jacob Winterstein ; constables, Jonas J. Perry and Enoch Weller.
1858-Trustees, S. S. Hosmer, John P. Thorp and William T. West; clerk, Rush R. Sloane; treasurer, James Alder; justice of the peace, Horace Aplin ; assessor, Chris. C. Keech ; constables, Jonas J. Perry and Enoch Weller.
THE BANKS AND BANKERS OF SANDUSKY.
Tradition-we have no record-says that the first attempt at the founding of a banking house in Sandusky was made by some of the prominent busi- ness men and capitalists of the town in the year 1834; and the result of that
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
effort was the establishment, under the laws of the State, of the Bank of San- dusky. As was provided by law, the subscription books were duly opened by the commissioners, and the day fixed upon which the books would be closed. At the time designated it was found that less than one-third of the stock had been subscribed, and it became absolutely necessary that " some- thing be done," and that at once. In this extremity, Oran Follett, who was already a subscriber for a considerable amount of the stock, came to the res- cue and agreed to take the balance at par value, amounting to something over seventy thousand dollars. He knew, or felt satisfied at least, that the stock could be easily disposed of to New York capitalists, and did make a sale of such part of it as he could not conveniently carry. This timely act on his part made possible the establishment of the bank. A board of directors was chosen and a full complement of officers, William Townsend, then a leading merchant of the town, being elected president. The banking house was lo- cated on Water street, on the ground now covered by the West House.
Mr. Townsend remained president for two years, when he was succeeded by Mr. Follett, under whose management the institution prospered for several years, and until Congress passed the "Specie act," by which a radical change in the management was necessitated. About this time, too, the eastern stock- holders desired to sell their interests, and for the purpose of purchasing, Mr. Follett made a journey to New York State, only to find that Burr Higgins had preceded him and bought the stock. After this the bank was short-lived, and, putting it modestly, soon went into liquidation.
Immediately following the dissolution of the Bank of Sandusky, in 184;, another was started, and known as Sandusky City Bank. In this a number of persons were interested who had held stock in the old bank, but that insti- tution lived but little longer than its predecessor, although its ending was quite different. Its affairs were wound up about 1854 or 1855.
About the year 1850 the Union Bank opened for business, but shortly afterward passed into the hands of Freeland T. Barney, Lester S. Hubbard and William D. Durbin, under the name of Barney, Hubbard & Durbin. This firm managed the affairs of the institution with a good measure of success unti: the death of Mr. Durbin, in 1863, after which the firm changed to Hubbard & Co., Lester S., Rollin B., Watson and Langdon Hubbard becoming proprie- tors and owners. This firm did a banking business for only a few months, when, in January, 1864, their business was merged in the Second National Bank, a further mention of which will hereafter be made.
The Moss National Bank is the junior, save one, of the banking houses of Sandusky at this present time, but it was the direct outgrowth of the fir -: National Bank established in the city, and among the first of the United States. But let us observe and note the events that led to the founding of this enter- prise.
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
Augustus H. Moss came from Oneida county, N. Y., to Sandusky in the year 1837, and established a mercantile business on Water street. He was thus engaged until the 8th day of June, 1850, when he opened a banking business in the city, conducting it alone for three years. On the 10th of June, 1853, Augustus H., Truman and Horace O. Moss, under the firm name and style of Moss Brothers, succeeded to the business. Under the careful and successful management of this firm the bank was conducted for a period of ten years, or until the passage of the national banking act of Congress.
The firm had carefully noted the progress made by the advocates of this act ; they saw the advantages of such a system, and being actuated by motives of patriotism, and a desire to support the general government in its endeavors to establish a uniform and safe system of banking throughout the country, therefore immediately upon the final passage of the law an application for a bank charter was filed with the proper officers at Washington; but, owing to some defect in the certificate of authority, or charter granted by the depart- ment, a delay was experienced in the premises, so that when the charter was granted it was numbered sixteen, whereas, had the proceedings on the part of the government been in due and correct form the charter of the First National Bank of Sandusky would have been numbered "two " in the stead of that it in fact received, and would have been preceded in organization only by the First National Bank of Washington.
The articles of association provided for the first board of directors of the First National Bank as follows : Augustus H. Moss, William S. Pierson, Homer Goodwin, Wildman Mills, and Jay Osborn Moss. The capital stock of the bank was one hundred thousand dollars, divided into one thousand shares. The first officers were as follows : President, Augustus H. Moss; vice-presi- dent, William S. Pierson ; cashier, Horace O. Moss; assistant cashier, Jay Osborn Moss. The bank wasopened for the transaction of business on the Ist day of July, 1863. Under the efficient management of these men the af- fairs of the bank were conducted and continued in successful operation for the term of twenty years ; and that period of its existence was perhaps remarkable for the fewness of radical changes, both in its directorate and immediate officers. Augustus H. Moss remained president and Horace O. Moss cashier through- out the life of the charter. William S. Pierson continued vice president until the time of his death, when Jay O. Moss succeeded to the position.
Having lived to the end of its charter it became desirable to, in a measure, effect a reorganization for a further continuance of business, but that the full honor and credit of its most excellent standing might be awarded to those to whom it was due, a change in the corporate name of the institution became necessary. To accomplish this end the First National Bank, as a body cor- porate, liquidated its business and passed out of existence, and on the 20th day of October, 1883, the Moss National Bank of Sandusky, with a capital stock of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, took its place.
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
The directors were Homer Goodwin, James Woolworth, John T. Johnson, Augustus H. Moss, and Jay O. Moss. Augustus H. Moss was elected presi- dent, and Jay O. Moss, vice-president. Charles H. Moss was appointed cash- ier, and Augustus C. Moss, actuary.
At the present day the above named officers remain, except that Horace O. Moss is cashier, and Charles H. Moss, assistant cashier. The present board of directors is as follows : Augustus H. Moss, Charles N. Ryan, Homer Good- win, Horace O. Moss, J. O. Moss, John T. Johnson, Augustus C. Moss, James Woolworth, and Charles H. Moss.
The surplus of the bank is $40,000.
The Second National Bank. This institution had its origin in the banking house of Barney, Hubbard & Durbin, which was in turn succeeded by the firm of Hubbard & Co., also private bankers, to whose business reference has been heretofore made. The latter firm was in business from May, 1863, until Jan- uary, 1864, when the Second National Bank of Sandusky opened its doors for business.
The Second National Bank was incorporated November 24, 1863, with an authorized capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, in shares of one hundred dollars each. The first board of directors was composed of the fol- lowing persons : Rollin B. Hubbard, Lester S. Hubbard, Watson Hubbard, William T. West, Halsey C. Post, Lester H. Latham, James H. Stead, Chris. C. Keech, and William A. Simpson. The first officers were Lester S. Hub- bard, president, and Andrew W. Prout, cashier.
Lester S. Hubbard continued as president of the bank until the time of his death, July 12, 1875, when he was succeeded by Rollin B. Hubbard. After the term of the bank's charter had expired, it was renewed and business con- tinued without interruption and with little or no material change in manage- ment. The present officers are as stated heretofore, and the directory com- prises these persons : Watson Hubbard, C. C. Keech, George A. Cooke, H. C. Post, R. B. Hubbard, H. J. Donahoe, A. J. Stoll, John Whitworth, and A. W. Prout.
The Third National Bank of Sandusky was an institution founded and opened for the transaction of a general banking business on the 10th of Octo- ber, 1872. It cannot be said to have been the outgrowth of any former simi- lar business, but rather an original enterprise, necessitated by the growing manufacturing and mercantile business of the city and vicinity.
The first board of directors comprised the following persons : Peter Gilcher. Jacob Engles, Henry J. Donahoe, Philip Graefe, Christian F. Schoepfle, George J. Anderson, and Lawrence Cable. The last named, Mr. Cable, was elected president ; Jacob Engles, vice-president ; and George J. Anderson, cashier. The capital stock of the bank was, and now is, one hundred thousand dollars.
From the time of the starting of the bank to the present, Lawrence Cable has ably filled the office of president. Mr. Anderson resigned the cashiership
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
after about a year's service, and Henry Graefe was appointed in his stead. The latter continued until January, 1884, when he was, in turn, succeeded by Frederick P. Zollinger.
Upon one occasion, during the cashiership of George J. Anderson, this bank was the victim of a forged draft to the extent of twenty-five hundred dollars, but through the prompt action of Mr. Cable, the president, the forger was overtaken just as he was about to leave the city, and compelled to deliver up his ill-gotten gains. His story was so exceedingly plausible, and his pro- testations of innocence so well feigned that the president did not seek to arrest and detain him, but rather to recover the cash. Subsequent events, however, clearly proved that the person was an expert criminal, and not a "minister of the gospel," as he had proclaimed himself.
The present surplus of the Third National Bank is thirty-two thousand dollars. Its officers are : Lawrence Cable, president; R. E. Schuek, vice- president; Frederick P. Zollinger, cashier; and J. M. Schumacher, teller ; board of directors : Lawrence Cable, Henry J. Donahoe, R. E. Schuek, Will- iam H. Gilcher, Norman Kelley, Jacob Kuebler, and C. G. Neilsen.
The Citizens' National Bank. This institution is the youngest of its class. in Sandusky, having been incorporated on the 20th of February, 1884; but, notwithstanding its recent organization, its business has been of such magni- tude that its management has declared an annual dividend of eight per cent. for four successive years, and the bank now has an accumulated surplus of five thousand dollars.
The first board of directors of the Citizens' Bank comprised these men : George A. Marsh, Homer Goodwin, Truman B. Taylor, Albert E. Merrill, William Schade, Philip Graefe, George Feick, Gustavus Graham, and Joseph Kronthal. The officers were: president, A. E. Merrill; vice-president, Gus- tavus Graham; cashier, Henry Graefe. The original capital stock of the concern was authorized at three hundred thousand dollars, but the bank has thus far transacted its business with a single hundred thousand.
Mr. Merrill has held the presidency since the organization of the bank. John Krupp succeeded to the vice-presidency in January, 1886. Mr. Graefe still continues as cashier. The present directors are William Schade, Joseph Kronthal, Vincent Kerber, William Graefe, John Krupp, George A. Marsh, Albert E. Merrill, George Feick, and Truman Taylor.
LOCAL IMPROVEMENT COMPANIES.
Sandusky Gas Light Company and Sandusky Electric Light, Fuel Gas and Supply Company .- Prior to 1854 there had been a growing public sentiment in favor of establishing a gas light plant in the city ; but nothing definite was done until May II, of that year, when a charter was granted to the company first named in the heading of this chapter.
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396
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
The original incorporators were A. V. Barringer, Earl Bill, J. A. Camp, L. S. Hubbard and E. B. Sadler. The company's application was certified by F. M. Follett, as notary, and Rice Harper as clerk of court; Wm. Trevitt signing the charter as secretary of State.
The original capital stock of $75,000 was advertised for sale in the col- umns of the Daily Commercial Register and the Sandusky Daily Mirror. Subscriptions to the amount of $42,750 were taken, and on May 24 an organ- ization was effected, the five incorporators being chosen as directors. E. B. Sadler was elected president, J. A. Camp secretary, and L. S. Hubbard, treas- urer. The works were erected by J. Lockwood & Co., on the grounds still occupied by the company. In April, 1855, the first semi-annual report shows that ninety-one private consumers were taking gas, and that the city was using seventy street lights. A dividend of three per cent. was declared the first year.
Wm. H. Hudson was elected superintendent in June, 1855, to hold the po- sition at the pleasure of the board, which he did to their satisfaction until his retirement in 1874, when L. Moss took charge until 1878, following T. Taylor. who, after a short term, surrendered the position to the present efficient manager, Mr. Thomas Wood, who is known as an able advocate of electric lighting and fuel gas, if not as substitutes for coal gas, at least as valuable auxiliaries in meeting a popular demand. In 1857 C. Leonard became president of the company, in 1858 S. B. Caldwell succeeded him, in 1860 A. H. Moss followed, and in 1865 W. A. Simpson was chosen, the last named gentleman filling the position until 1886, when A. J. Stoll was elected to this important office.
. The first franchise was for twenty years, and in 1874 the city granted a franchise for ten years, with the stipulation that the city might purchase the property during that time at an appraiser's valuation, otherwise the franchise to become perpetual. The city did not purchase the plant and the franchise is now perpetual.
The capital stock was increased in 1874 to $115,000, and about $40,000 spent in improvements. In 1880 the stock was increased to $125,000, and in ISSS to $250,000. In 1886 a new company, having substantially the same stockholders as those represented in the gas company (which remains un- changed), was organized under the name of the Sandusky Electric Light, Fue. Gas and Supply Company, with H. C. Post as president, C. C. Keech vice- president, A. W. Prout treasurer, and Thomas Wood superintendent and sec- retary. The last two gentlemen holding corresponding positions in the g4> company.
The capital stock now aggregates $270,000, the increase being the initi ... step in the introduction of fuel gas and incandescent lighting.
The gas company's real estate comprises nearly an acre of land on Law - rence, between Market and Water streets, covered, except sixteen square rods,
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THE CITY OF SANDUSKY.
with buildings. Nothing but the land remains of the original plant which was provided, of course, with facilities proportioned to the skepticism of investors, and to the limited demand for gas at that time. There were at first but six retorts, and perhaps two or three miles of mains, all told. But by 1869, when Mr. Wood engaged with the company, the capacity had been increased one hundred per cent. and a gas-holder capable of storing 32,000 feet, erected. At the present writing there are between fourteen and fifteen miles of main pipe, thirty-six retorts, and two gas-holders, with a combined capacity of 100,000 cubic feet.
There are two engines in use, one of one hundred and twenty-five, and the other seventy-five horse power. Barney & Kilbey, who built the two engines, will soon finish one of one hundred and fifty horse power for use by the Elec- tric Light and Fuel Gas Company, in supplying the incandescent lights. The Electric Light, Fuel Gas and Supply Company, at first more directly for elec- tric lighting, was organized in 1886, with a capital stock of $10,000, after- wards increased to $20,000.
The first street electric lights were put in position in 1886, and soon be- came so popular that by 1888 the whole city was lighted with the arc electric system, one hundred and seventy-five being required for this purpose. The electricity is generated by five dynamos, and fifteen miles of wire conducts the electric current throughout the city.
The gas company has an extensive plumbing and gas fitting establishment in the Sloane block, and with the electric light company gives regular em- ployment to thirty men, and furnishes occasional work for nearly as many more. Wages to hands run from $1.50 to $2.50 per day, according to the class of work performed.
Among public improvement enterprises these companies take high rank, from the fact that their efficient officers have kept up with, if not ahead of, the progressive spirit of the times. They were among the first to introduce elec- tric lighting, and demonstrate its practicability to less enterprising corpora- tions.
The Sandusky Street Railway Company .- This corporation was brought into life under the provisions of the laws of Ohio, during the latter part of Au- gust, 1881, the incorporators being W. E. Ludlow, A. J. Stoll, John C. Zollin- ger, Clark Rude, John T. Beecher, and W. E. Haekedorn. From these, officers were chosen as follows: president, W. E. Ludlow; vice-president, John C. Zol- linger ; secretary, W. E. Haekedorn, and treasurer Clark Rude. The capital stock of the company was fixed at $75,000. The first board of directors com- prised these persons : W. E. Ludlow, Clark Rude, A. J. Stoll, John Homegard- ner, John T. Beecher, Jolın C. Zollinger and W. E. Haekedorn.
This company seems to have performed no further act than the organiza- tion above stated, and all work of construction therefore fell to their successors.
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398
HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.
On the 8th of May, 1883, the company sold their franchise, and all rights un- der it, to Messrs. C. WV. D. Miller, A. W. Bishop, A. H. Pomeroy, Thomas Curchward, S. H. Dewey, L. D. Alcott and P. W. Barrett, all of Berea, O., who, having become the stockholders of the concern, elected the following board of directors : C. W. D. Miller, A. W. Bishop, A. H. Pomeroy, P. W. Bar- rett, and subsequently Thomas Curchward, L. D. Alcott and S. H. Dewey. A. W. Bishop was chosen president; Thomas Curchward, vice-president; A. H. Pomeroy, secretary and treasurer, and C. W. D. Miller, superintendent.
Under this organization the work of construction and equipment was com- pleted. The line of the road commenced at the foot of Columbus avenue, and from thence to the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern depot by the way of Columbus avenue, Haye's avenue and North Depot street. The road was completed and put in operation in the month of August, 1883.
This company continued in the management of the road until the 23d of January, 1885, at which time they sold their franchise and acquired property, and a new organization was effected by the selection of another board of direct- ors as follows : Augustus H. Moss, J. O. Moss, Augustus C. Moss, Charles V. Olds and Clark Rude, all well known business men of Sandusky. Charles V. Olds was elected president, Augustus H. Moss, vice-president, Augustus C. Moss, secretary and treasurer, and Clark Rude, superintendent.
As the road was then formed it was operated by this company until May, 1885, when an extension was built, continuing the line from its terminus at the Lake Shore depot, west to Camp street; thence through Camp to West Wash- ington; thence east to Washington Row; thence to Columbus avenue, striking the original line, and following it to its terminus at the foot of the avenue. This extension made a "belt line," a trifle more than three miles in length. It was completed and put in operation about the Ist of July, 1885.
In July of the succeeding year, 1886, another extension was built, reaching from Haye's avenue south through Columbus avenue to the fair grounds. A still further extension of this last line will be made, probably, in the near future, as far as the Soldier's and Sailor's Home.
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