USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio. Biographical and Statistical > Part 9
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The second floor may be reached by climbing a grand double iron stair case at the rear of the main hall. It has midway landings and a large stained glass win- dow looks out in the rear. In the southwest portion of the floor away from the din and noise of the street. is the common pleas court room. 35x40 feet in dimensions. It is furnished with amphitheater tiers of seats, and the general public may gain entrance through large double doors. Back of the bar railings are several private entrances for officials and those having business with the court so that they need not push their way through the crowds in the court 100m. The judges' bench is in an archway in the partition dividing the court room from the judges' room, and a room for the law library and for attorneys' consultation with clients.
On this floor also is conveniently located apartments for grand- and petit juries and waiting witnesses. These are handsomely furnished and have cloak rooms and water elosets attached. The clerk's desk in the court room is con- nected directly with the clerk's suite of three offices in the front part of the sec- ond floor. In the northeast corner the prosecuting attorney has a good-sized office and convenient consultation rooms.
To the west of this office and at the north end of the traverse hall there is an office for the county school examiners.
In the northwest corner a room of ample size has been set apart as a circuit court room and immediately adjoining this on the south is a large room for the circuit judges.
The basement has a spacious assembly hall for conventions and public gath- erings. Besides this there is the surveyor's office, a public library room, reading room and janitor's boiler and work rooms most conveniently arranged.
This all sounds nice on paper; to peruse the foregoing pages and reflect over the exertions and hardships endured by the proper parties in building an edifice to be used as a seat of justice to each and every person who might have
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
in some manner and degree, business transactions to perform-, a monument to which the farmer, the merchant, the manufacturer and the daily laborer may point with pride.
But there comes a time when the enjoyment comes first and the privations through which you must naturally pass to reimburse the proper party for this enjoyment comes afterwards. And, indeed, the subject now at hand is no ex- ception. Here is a magnificent structure erected for the people and by the people, but how many of the people had a voice in saying how much of their hard-earned money should be expended for this monument of justice. But I will vouch for the intelligent people of Hancock county, for there are none other than intelligent, that gladly would they step up to the treasurer's window and deposit a portion of their hard-earned cash to help erect a court house which is an honor to the city and county as well as to the people, if the same had been erected and furnished so that the entire cost would have been a reasonable amount. And 1 doubt seriously if there are many who know within $200,000 of the exact cost of the court house, or, in other words, what it will cost when paid for.
For the benefit of our readers I will give in detail the cost of the court house as it was constructed :
W. H. Campfield & Son, contractors. $250.758.62
Conant Bros. et al., furniture 21, 146.79
Weary & Cramer, architects. II,357.4I
Smead & Co., heating. 9.270.00
Howard Watch & Clock Co., clock and bell. 2.775.00
· Hall Safe & Lock Co., time locks, doors, etc. 2,400.00
McHenry & Co., chandeliers 2,260.15
Wm. Burge, superintendent 2,454.56
Statutory group
1,900.00
Bakewell & Midlins, statue (John Hancock) 950.00
Total $305,272.53
It will probably be plain to the reader that there was no money at hand to meet these payments until there could be bonds issued to pay for the same- the money to pay the bonds being raised by taxation, to which fund every tax- payer has, since 1886, contributed a share of his taxes, and will continue to con- tribute until the year 1918.
The following schedule gives in detail the amount of bonds issued and the time of continuance of the same, together with the rate of interest, the premium, and amount of interest accumulating on the same :
April 15, 1886, 100 $1,000 bonds at 412 per cent. premium $1,570. Redeem- able from January 15, 1897, to July 15, 1905. Interest accumulating on same, $65,700.
October 26, 1887, 60 $1.000 bonds at 6 per cent .. Redeemable from October 26, 1891, to October 26, 1894. Interest accumulating on same, $19,800.
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COURT HOUSES.
May 1, 1888, 60 $1,000 bonds at 5 per cent., premium $2,700. Redeem- able one-half May 1, 1913, and one-half May 1, 1918. Interest accumulating on same, $82,500.
June 1. 1888, 15 $1,000 bonds at 5 per cent., premium $450; redeemable June I, 1915. Accumulated interest, $20,250.
August 15 ,1888, 25 $1,000 bonds at 6 per cent., redeemable from February 15, 1890, to 1892. Accumulated interest, $3,750.
December 15, 1888, 28 $1,000 bonds at 51/2 per cent., redeemable December 15, 1894, and December 15, 1895. Accumulated interest. $10,010.
September 25, 1894, 30 $1,000 bonds at 5 per cent., premium $450 ; redeem- able September 25, 1907, 1908, 1909. Accumulated interest, $21,000.
This makes a total amount of money received for bonds of $318,000, to- gether with $5,170 premium, making $323,170 received. Of this amount $30,000 was refunding bonds, leaving $293,170 actual money received from sale of court house bonds. But, however, in redeeming said bonds the county through its taxpayers must pay back $288,000, together with the interest of $223,010, mak- ing the entire cost of our court house reach the enormous sum of $511,010-a very expensive luxury.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY. .
Court House, Showing Both Fountains.
CHAPTER XV.
THE JAILS.
On the 12th day of June, 1830. John P. Hamilton and Charles McKinnis, commissioners, agreed upon the building of a county jail, and ordered the county auditor to advertise the same, to be let to the lowest responsible bidder on the 3d day of July, 1830. The dimensions of the jail were agreed upon July 26, 1830, and was ordered built upon the following plans :
"Said jail to be 16 feet in width and 24 feet in length, with a partition in the center ; the timber to be white oak. 12 inches square : the building to be pro-
The First County Jail.
vided with two doors and three windows." This building was erected about . midway between the present court house ground and the Farmers' National Bank; said building costing about $250.00.
On the 12th day of January, 1852, the county commissioners entered into a contract with Thomas Mccrary for the construction of a county jail and sheriff's house : the building to cost $4.743, and to be completed by the 13th day of April, 1853. On the 10th day of February, 1852, the county commissioners purchased lot No. 58 in The addition of Abraham W. Swab for $175. The build- ing still stands at the same location, being situated north of the present county jail, and being the third residence north of the present jail. The premises are now owned by Lana Weber.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
On the 4th day of February, 1879, the county commissioners contracted with B. F. Kimmons for the purchasing of lots 29 and 30, situated on the north- west corner of Main Cross street and Broadway, for $5,000.00. March 4 of the same year the deed was signed and turned over to the commissioners.
On the 10th day of April the contract for the erection of the county jail and sheriff's residence was let to Jacob Karst, of Defiance, for $17.264. The archi- tect was J. C. Johnson, who drew the plans for the construction.
The Present County Jail.
The jail and sheriff's residence situated northwest from the court house and immediately across the street is one of the finest in the state and consists of a parlor, sitting-room, kitchen, pantry, sheriff's office and hall, two female departments, with closets attached, and sixteen cells for the incarceration of prisoners.
CHAPTER XVI.
HANCOCK COUNTY INFIRMARY.
On April 1. 1867, the question of purchasing a site for a county infirmary and the building of the same was submitted to the voters of Hancock county, and it being decided by a vote of 2,253 against 745 to build an infirmary. The county commissioners on the 2d day of May purchased of George Heck the northeast part of Section 15 and the southeast part of Section 16, in Liberty town- ship, consisting of 225 acres, for $17,100. Soon after John Guise was authorized to draw plans for the new infirmary.
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Hancock County Infirmary.
March 4, 1868, the contract was awarded to John Shull for $12,393 and the contract entered into on the 7th day of March.
The county infirmary is situated about two and one-half miles west of the city of Findlay, and will compare with any in the state considering the rank of the county.
The main building is 40 feet wide by 75 feet long, four stories high, includ- ing basement. The basement is eight feet in the clear, constructed of stone, of which three feet is below the surface of the ground. The walls of the basement
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
are two feet thick. The second floor walls are seventeen inches and the partitions 12 inches in thickness. The second story is eleven feet in the clear. The third and fourth stories are each ten feet in the clear and the outside walls thirteen inches in thickness. The building is covered with a slate roof.
On the 7th day of May, 1869, the commissioners contracted with D. C. Fisher for the erection of an insane department for the sum of $3,370.50. This new structure is twenty-two feet wide by forty feet long. The foundation is three teet below the surface and eighteen inches above. The building is twenty feet four inches above the foundation, making the entire height twenty four feet and ten inches. This building is divided into small apartments and is used for the insane and partially demented inmates of the infirmary.
Since the erection of this building there has been erected a large barn and various sheds, together with a requisite number of outbuildings to make the place a convenient one as well as to add to its value. The farm has proven itself to be of good oil productive qualities and for several years the entire expense of the infirmary has been paid by the income from oil. This institution is manipu- lated by three infirmary directors, elected by the people (one each year), and by a superintendent and matron appointed by the directors.
CHAPTER XVII.
HANCOCK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
On the 30th day of August, 1851, a number of farmers and friends of agri- culture congregated at the court house and after discussing the project of organ- izing a society, adjourned until the first Saturday in October, at which time an organization was effected. The first fair was held on October 15, 1852, on rented grounds north of the river on what was known as the Brunner brick- vard.
On February 9. 1859, eight acres of land in East Findlay lying in the north- east corner of Blanchard street and Blanchard road, was purchased of J. H. Wil- son for the consideration of $800. The first fair on the new gounds was held October 5. 6 and 7, 1859.
May 20, 1868, the old fair ground was sold to Samuel Hoxter for $1,750, and a new site purchased of Timothy Russell and John Powell for $3,000. This new location was situated on South Main street about one mile south of San- dusky street, and comprised 29.40 acres of ground.
The first fair was held on the newly purchased grounds October 1, 2 and 3, 1868.
On the IIth day of June, 1890, the county commissioners sold the beautiful grove on South Main street to O. A. Ballard, A. H. Balsley, George Cusac, F. H. Glessner, Adam Fulhart and Lemuel McManness for $26,500. These beautiful grounds comprising a portion of the east half of the southeast quarter and part of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 24, T. I N., R. IO E., was one of the most beautiful in the state and on these grounds the Agricultural soci- ety had many a successful fair, both financially and socially. But $26,500 was a tempting morsel to the county and the same was accordingly sold.
July 6, 1891, the county commissioners purchased the north part of the northeast quarter of Section 36. T. I N., R. Io E., of J. G. Hull for $10,500. This tract is situated about one mile farther south than the old grounds and con- sists of a large farm of 70 acres, having sold 6.30 acres August 31, 1891, to Theodore Gibson for $925.57.
After the new fair grounds were paid for the balance of the sale money was used in improving the grounds ; and not only was the amount of $15,925.57 used in improvements, but one-fourth of a mill of a blanket tax was levied over the entire county in 1893 to help replenish the funds of the Agricultural society, besides the county commissioners set aside various amounts at divers times from the dog fund to help along the good cause.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Residence of Richard Gohlke, Findlay.
CHAPTER XVIII.
HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
That old Hancock county has ever rallied to every need of the national gov- ernment no one will deny. A spirit of patriotism has ever pervaded every hamlet and home within her borders. When the president issued his call on April 26, 1898, for 125,000 troops to wrest Cuba from the tyrannical rule of Spain, 200,000 men offered their services and many a young patriot was disappointed because his services were not required of him. It was a mighty uprising for a nation that all felt was looking to ours for protection. A premonitory thrill seemed to sweep the country as in the memorable days of the early sixties. Ours is a country that has ever despised profligate despotisms and tyrannical rule. Scarce- ly a year had passed since 1875 without the plea of the Cuban patriot was heard throughout the entire country. It was in congress and the press that the enormities of Spanish despotism and cruelties had been most passionately dwelt upon. During the last ten years a group of daring men arose in the island of Cuba who were in a great measure harassing the Spanish force on the island, but their greatest achievement was the forcing of their deeds and their heroism upon the attention of the entire civilized world. The journals of the old as well as this country rang daily with protests against the oppressive rule and cruelties of the Spanish monarchy. President Cleveland, in the last years of his administration, warned the Spanish ministry that the patience and tolerance of the people of the United States had been dangerously tried; that it behooved wise men to make such a change in the conduct of affairs in the island as would give contentment to the majority. The heritage of woe left the islanders by Captain General Weyler was too much for diplomacy to reconcile with the methods of civilized government. The crisis was reached when the battleship Maine was blown up in Havana harbor. This noble ship had gone to the islands on a peaceful mission and was blown up at 9:45 p. m., February 15, 1898. The country was horrified and thrilled from center to circumference by this appalling disaster. Two hundred and sixty-six noble lives had been snuffed out in an instant. The country was chagrined at the awful calamity. One of our largest battleships with 266 men had been destroyed almost within sight of our shores. Americans have never been known to tolerate such an atrocity nor did they tol- erate it in this instance. Affairs took form rapidly. On historic April 19, Pres- ident McKinley, with the concurrence of congress, issued an ultimatum to Spain by which they must cease their warfare and withdraw their army from Cuba or take the consequences. As no particular attention was paid to this, war was formally declared on April 25 and the president called for 125,000 volunteers
·
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
for the approaching war of humanity. Space forbids us going into detail, but suffice it for us to say that about 160 of the stalwart young men of Hancock coun- ty responded to the call. The country was in a tumult and Findlay was daily thronged by thousands anxious to get the latest telegraphic news regarding the situation. Company A, Second regiment, Ohio National Guard, was rapidly recruited. The company was commanded by Captain Lafferty and Lieutenants Barnd and Biggs. The company left Findlay on the 8:40 south bound T. & O. C. train for Kenton on the morning of April 26 and arrived in Kenton at 10 o'clock. Here the company spent two days in the Catholic school building, while the regiment was being mobilized at that place. The morning of April 26 will long be remembered in Findlay. Probably 15,000 people cheered the boys as they marched to the depot headed by the K. of P. band. Bells were rung, whistles blown and flags were hung at half mast. Old veterans forgot their infirmities and with streaming eyes and gallant tread followed the boys to the depot. How vividly did the old boys recall the stirring events of former days and consider the awful calamity of war. Tears were in evidence on every side as Findlay saw her gallant company off. Certainly no better specimens of young manhood ever marched away than those in line that morning, and they were worthy of all the homage they received. Two days later the entire regiment left Kenton for Camp Bushnell at Columbus. Here the regiment was rapidly drilled as it was generally thought that they would see active service in the near future. The regiment was mustered into the U. S. service on May 10, and left Columbus for Chickamauga Park on the following Monday, May 16, where it arrived on the 20th, having spent two days in Chattanooga. May 25 President McKin- ley issued a call for 75,000 additional men, and, accordingly, Private John Arnold returned to Findlay and enlisted 37 recruits to fill company A to its full quota. These men reached the park on June 26. The company left the park on August 28 and went to Camp Poland, Knoxville, where it remained until November 16. On this date the company was sent to Camp Fornanse, at Ma- con, Georgia, where it was mustered out on February 10, starting for home on the same day. Findlay was reached on the following Sunday morning before daylight. A banquet had been prepared on Saturday evening for the boys, but their arrival was much later than was expected and consequently they did not reach Findlay in time to enjoy it. The boys had returned without any victories to their credit, but they had done their duty and obeyed orders-all any man can do. It was a sad disappointment that the national government had not required their active services in the field. However no man need be ashamed, who proffers his life if it need be, to maintain his country. The sacrifice had been freely of- fered but Providence had not required it at the hands of the national govern- ment. A second company had been organized under John F. Altman as captain and J. S. Downey and J. L. Zeigler as first and second lieutenant. However they were never called out. Not one of the Findlay company died while in camp. A few days after the company left Findlay a grand flag-raising was held at the court house. This was on Saturday afternoon. April 30. The flag was
.
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HANCOCK COUNTY IN THE WAR WITH SPAIN.
of silk and was II by 22 feet in dimensions. Speeches were made by Colonel J. A. Bope and John Poe. Captain J. R. Tussing was chairman of the celebra- tion. In Arcadia and McComb like celebrations were held. Quite a few of the young men of the county enlisted with other military organizations outside the county, among which were B. L. Dukes, Will Bolton, Charles W. Damon and Harry Farquhar, who were members of the First Ohio volunteer cavalry. Among the Hancock county boys who lost their lives while in the service were Thomas Holden, who died of fever in Porto Rico; John Dillon, who died while on his return from the Philippines of fever at San Francisco, and George Hess, who was killed while in action in the Philippines. Among those that have joined the great majority since returning home are John E. Umwick, Walter Carter, Harry Radabaugh, Harry Farquhar, Burnard Maxwell and Harry Goodman, three of whom were killed by accident. As the years beat upon the citadel of life may Providence spare the lives of our citizen soldiery and may they live lives of usefulness to the country they have helped to honor and protect in times of its greatest need. Soldiers who obey orders receive the plaudits and gratitude of a thankful nation. Comrades, let us obey the orders of Him who rewards the faithful with the prize of all prizes-eternal life. When we obey the last trumpet call may we "fall in" on the right hand of Him who is the light of the eternal city of Paradise.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
South Avenue, Maple Grove Cemetery.
CHAPTER XIX.
PHYSICIANS OF THE COUNTY.
BASS RAWSON.
Bass Rawson, the first permanent physician in Hancock county, was born April 17, 1799, in the town of Orange, Franklin county, Massachusetts. He is one of the five brothers who removed from Massachusetts at an early day and settled in Ohio, four being physicians. In his boyhood he worked on a farm and attended a country school. From the farm he went to learn the trade of hat- ter, which he worked at until he was about twenty years of age, but, his health somewhat failing him, he determined to relinquish it and engage in the study of medicine. With this end in view, he entered an academy at New Salem, Massa- chusetts, which he attended several terms. In the meantime he taught school for the purpose of earning money to defray the necessary expense of his educa- tion. At the age of twenty-five he married and immigrated to Ravenna, Ohio, where he remained a few months. He then removed to Otsego county, New York, and located at Richfield. Here he again taught school. Previous to his leaving Massachusetts he had studied medicine for a few months, but on his re- turn to the east he took up the study seriously, with the intention of qualifying himself as a physician, Dr. Thomas, of Richfield, becoming his preceptor. In the winter of 1826-27 he attended medical lectures at Dartmouth college, New Hampshire, and at the close of the collegiate term returned to his father's house at New Salem, and continued the reading of medicine with Dr. Brooks, of Orange. In June, 1828, he removed to Ohio and practiced a little more than a year with his brother, Dr. Secretary Rawson, who resided in Medina county, Ohio. In September, 1829, he removed to Findlay, where he settled permanent- ly in the practice of his profession. The place had been but recently settled, and only twelve white families resided within its limits, the Indians being more numerous than the whites. Here the doctor practiced, without cessation, for over sixty years. He was a member and earnest supporter of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Rawson was a Republican. On December 28, 1891, he breathed his last, and passed into the beyond, where his. reward for good to his fellowmen was awaiting him.
WILLIAM H. BALDWIN.
William H. Baldwin was born in Champaign county, Ohio, January 16, 1810. and settled in Findlay, Ohio, in the fall of 1832. Having studied and attended lectures at Cincinnati, he entered the medical profession in early life and rose to
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
a very respectable rank as a physician. His high reputation and success gained him a very large practice, which extended into adjoining counties, as well as all over the one in which he lived. His extensive practice necessitated long and frequent rides, and those who enjoy the advantages and improvements of the present day know but little of what those rides involved: there were but few well-beaten roads and scarcely any bridges ; streams had to be forded, swamps and marshes had to be crossed, and large tracts of country often under water had to be traveled; but distance, difficulties and ceaseless labors neither dis- couraged nor checked this faithful physician in his untiring efforts to relieve the afflicted, honor his profession, and supply the wants of those dependent on him for support. Dr. Baldwin was married April 19, 1835, to Mary J. Patterson, who was born July 13, 1817, in Harrison county, Ohio, daughter of John Patter- son, who came to Findlay in 1834. In all the relations of life Dr. Baldwin was considerate, respectful, just and honorable, and enjoyed the highest esteem of all the people; but hard and indefatigable labors at last produced their effects ; the vigorous constitution was impaired, and he who had been the embodiment of health, and had so successfully practiced the healing art upon others, became prematurely old and feeble, as all can testify who saw him totter on his staff dur- ing the few years before his death, which occurred December 14, 1868.
CHARLES OESTERLIN.
Charles Oesterlin, physician, was born in Weinsburg, Kingdom of Wurten- berg, October 5, 1807. When quite young he attended school at Laufen on the Necker. At fourteen he entered the gymnasium at Stuttgart, from which he graduated at the age of eighteen in a thorough literary, scientific and classical course. He then went to Dubingen, where he engaged in medical studies un- der an able professor. In 1832 he came to America, and after spending some considerable time in traveling through the country, located in Ashland, Ohio, in 1834. September 30, 1836, he came to Findlay, where he engaged in his pro- fession until his death, which occurred January 18, 1889. In 1846 he embarked in merchandising here for two years, at which time he retired; from 1848 to 1862 he served in the councils of the city; in 1871 he was elected to the legislature and filled that office for one term. In 1863 Mr. Oesterlin visited his native land, and again in 1876, when he was recalled by the loss of several thousand dollars through the breaking of the Findlay Savings Bank company. In June, 1885, along with his estimable wife, who has always accompanied him, he again started for his old home in the Fatherland, but got sick in New York and did not cross the ocean, but returned home. Mr. Oesterlin has ever been an ardent supporter · of all measures tending to advance public interest. He was probably the first to advocate boring for natural gas at this place and was one of the stockholders of the Findlay Natural Gas Company.
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