USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882 > Part 32
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On the 1st day of February, 1868, the society met at the office of Theodore Clapp and elected the following officers:
218
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
Charles H. Bell, president; Oscar Ball, vice- president; J. P. Elderkin, treasurer; J. V. Beery, secretary; B. Inman, John P. Elderkin, jr., Samuel Skinner, Platt Brush, William McPherson, and David Fuller, managers.
On the 6th of February the board met and appointed Samuel Skinner, Oscar Ball, Benjamin Inman, Platt Brush, and William McPherson a committee to prepare a premium list for the fair of 1868.
The fair was held on the 17th, 18th, and 19th days of September, 1868, and the premiums were awarded and paid as usual. This fair was held on the Trotting Park ground, east side of the river.
The officers and directors of the society for 1868, met on the 13th day of January, 1869. Present-C. H. Bell, Platt Brush, Benjamin Inman, David Fuller, George Beck, J. P. Elderkin, jr., and John V. Beery.
The object of this meeting was to consider on the disposal of the old fair ground, and to arrange the distribution of the finances, and pay out the funds on hand. It was, on motion of Platt Brush, resolved that the old fair ground be offered for sale, provided that over fifteen hundred dollars should be offered for it, and the motion was carried unanimously.
Here crops out the intention of the society to abandon the old fair ground, purchased of Morgan & Downs long before. The reasons for this movement were sufficient justification for abandoning the location. First, all the fences and buildings the society might erect there were subject to be annually swept away by the floods in the river. Second, the quantity of ground was insufficient to accommodate the growing demands of the society.
The secretary was ordered to advertise the ground in both the county papers, to be sold on the 29th day of January, 1860, at 2 o clock P. M., at the east door of the
court house in Fremont, and that it should be sold to the highest bidder. After ordering the payment of certain sums out of the treasury, the meeting adjourned.
On the 30th of January, 1869, the members of the society met pursuant to published notice, and elected the following officers for the ensuing year: Benjamin Inman, president; Charles H. Bell, vice-president; Frederick Fabing, treasurer; James S. Vanvalkenburg, secretary; Elijah Kellogg, George Beck, James Parks, and John K. Richards, managers. This meeting appointed the time for holding the next fair to be on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the 7th, 8th, and 9th days of October, 1869.
The old fair ground was sold at auction at 2 o'clock P. M., January 29, 1869, to Canfield & Co., for sixteen hundred and five dollars. Such is the mention of the record on the journal of the society. But the record of deeds shows that the old fair ground was conveyed to Downs & Co. (which is probably another name for Canfield & Co.), by deed dated February 11, 1869, for the consideration of one thousand six hundred and fifty-five dollars,
On the 2d day of June, 1869, the board met upon notice, and Charles H. Bell, George Beck, Benjamin Inman, and Frederick Fabing were appointed to prepare a premium list for the year 1869, which they did.
For this year the results of the fair are summed up as follows:
Amount received from former treasurer $1.32
Amount from State Board of Agriculture 106.00
Amount from rents of ground and tickets sold .. 741.45
$848.77
EXPENDITURES.
Paid expenses and repairs at fair $219.47
Paid printing 66.00
Paid secretary's salary 50.00
Paid assistants 9.00
Paid treasurer's assistants 10.00
Paid premiums to date 54.55
$809.02
Cash balance on hand
$39.75
219
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
The foregoing exhibit of the financial transactions of the year was reported to a meeting of the board, held on the 29th of January, 1870, and was then approved.
On the same day of the above mentioned meeting of the board, after the approval of the treasurer's report above given, the members of the society proceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year, with the following result: President, Benjamin Inman; vice president, Beman Amsden; treasurer, Christian Doncyson; secretary, William H. Andrews. The
directors were David Fuller, for one year; for two years, W. W. Cooper, Green Creek; James Havens, Jackson, H. B. Hineline, Rice; Peter Burgoon, Sandusky; and Samuel Skinner, of Washington township.
At this same meeting, held on the 29th January, 1870, James Parks, Samuel Skinner, and George W. Beck were appointed a committee to report on the purchase of fair grounds.
PURCHASE OF NEW GROUNDS.
At a meeting of the bard of directors of the society, held at the county auditor's office, on the 17th day of March, 1870, the board received the report of the committee above named on the purchase of a fairground, and by a unanimous vote selected the site proposed to be purchased of LaQ. Rawson, and appointed B. Amsden to survey the same under the direction of a committee consisting of James Parks, Peter Burgoon, and Samuel Skinner. The board then adjourned until the 23d day of April, 1870, to meet at the county auditor's office at 10 o'clock A. M. A meeting was duly held at the time and place appointed. The committee and surveyor made their report.
Without narrating tedious details, we may state that the survey and report offered the society twenty acres of land,
fronting west on Elm street, and going near the brow of the hill overlooking the Sandusky valley, but did not include the side-hill. The society desired the hill, and hill-side, and on further negotiation relin- quished a strip about fourteen rods wide on Elm street, and took about twenty-seven acres covering the side-hill, for the sum of about seven thousand dollars. By this purchase the society acquired one of the most convenient and beautiful sites for a fair ground in the State.
Pursuant to notice the members of the society met at the courthouse, in Fremont, on the 10th day of February, 1871, and elected the following officers for the ensuing year.
William E. Haynes, president; Oscar Ball, vice-president; £ William H. Andrews, secretary; John M. Smith, treasurer; David Fuller, B. W. Lewis, Elijah Kellogg, Ben- jamin Inman, Jacob Stetler, and James Parks, directors.
At a meeting held March 11, 1871, Peter Darr was added to the list of directors to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of H. B. Hineline. The board at this meeting also appointed Oscar Ball, B. Inman, David Fuller, B. W. Lewis, Peter Burgoon, and William E. Haynes, an executive committee to transact all business of the society in the absence of the board, and this executive committee was instructed to prepare a premium list for the next fair. At this meeting, it should be noticed, the society adopted a new constitution, the particular changes in which from the former one it is not deemed necessary to particularize, but it made some changes which time and ex- perience had proved necessary to the more successful management of the affairs of the society.
At a meeting of the board, held May 13, 1871, it was ordered that the next fair be held on the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th days
220
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
of October, 1871. Vigorous measures were adopted to prepare the new grounds, and erect suitable buildings for the fair of 1871, the first held there.
The fair was held according to appoint- ment, and the popular verdict was that the society had done a good thing in securing such an admirable location. The results of this fair were reported to the next meeting, held February 3, 1872, and may be briefly stated as follows. The report was made by the treasurer, Isaac M. Keeler, successor to John M. Smith, and shows
RECEIPTS.
Citizens' loan $2500.00
County agricultural fund
2745.00
Nineteenth annual fair and excursion 2465.66
$7710.66
DISBURSEMENTS.
Improvement of new grounds $549.00
Old debts prior to 1871 571.60
Premiums to date 848.50
Expenses of nineteenth fair 498.07
Cash on hand 302.49
$7710.66
At a meeting held at the courthouse on the 3d day of February, 1872, the following officers were unanimously elected: William E. Haynes, president; Oscar Ball, vice- president; Joseph Waggoner, Peter Burgoon, William J. Havens, Peter Darr, W. W. Cooper, and R. P. Buckland, managers.
On the 23d of April, 1872, William H. Andrews was elected secretary, and Isaac M. Keeler treasurer for the year. At this meeting it was resolved to hold the twentieth annual fair of the society on the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th days of September, 1872. The following committee was then appointed to arrange for the fair, namely: William E. Haynes, Oscar Ball, B. W. Lewis, David Fuller, and William H. Andrews. The fair was successfully held at the appointed time. Mr. Edward Tindall reported and proved to the board, accord-
ing to the rules of the society, that at the harvest of 1872 he raised two hundred and twenty bushels of wheat on six and thirty- one-hundredth acres of his land. The land was measured by J. L. Rawson, surveyor, the wheat was measured and the quantity sworn to by Mr. A. Mosier. Mr. Tindall was awarded the premium.
Pursuant to published notice the members of the society met at the courthouse in Fremont, on Saturday, February 1, 1873, and elected the following officers: William B. Sheldon, president; J. R. Gephart, vice- president; Z. Brush, B. W. Lewis, T. H. Bush, J. Fairbanks, and Frederick Smith, managers. Mr. Sheldon refused to serve, and on the 22d of February, 1873, Platt Brush was elected president, and on the same day F. J. Giebel, jr., was elected secretary, and John P. Elderkin, jr., treasurer, for the ensuing year. Mr. Brush declined serving as president, and, on the 3d of May, 1873, the society elected John R. Gephart president. By this election a vacancy was caused in the office of vice-president, and T. H. Bush was elected to that office, which left a vacancy in the board of managers, which was filled by the election of Charles H. Norton. An executive committee was chosen, and the time for holding the next fair fixed for the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th days of October, 1873, and the fair was held accordingly.
This fair was a financial failure, for an entry on the journal shows that afterwards the executive committee met, and ascer- tained by the treasurer's report that the disbursements exceeded the receipts by the amount of seven hundred dollars, and that the treasurer had paid the excess of expenditures out of his own private funds. The committee authorized a loan to be made by the society for the amount, to be paid, with eight per cent. interest, on the 2d day of November, 1874.
221
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
On the 7th day of February, 1874, pursuant to the provisions of the constitution of the society, and to printed notice, the society met at the county auditor's office, in Fremont, and received the treasurer's report, which shows the following receipts and disbursements:
RECEIPTS.
1873.
March 22, cash on hand
$23.63
August 27, cash from excursion 208.75
October, cash receipts from fair
2,687.00
Cash, city of Fremont 100.00
Cash, loans 689.50
$3708.88
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid interest on loan
$200.00
Paid premiums on class 17 617.00
Paid improvements on grounds 538.56
Paid premiums 818.00
Paid expenses during fair 425.00
Paid band for music 50.00
Paid sec'y salary and expenses 90.00
Paid L. Q. Rawson, on land.
561.06
Paid printing, etc 222.55
Steamer and band for excursion 185.00
Balance on hand 73
$3,708.88
On the 27th day of February, 1874, the society met at the county auditor's office and elected the following officers, to serve the ensuing year, namely: R. P. Buckland, president; W. W. Stine, vice-president; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary; W. H. Andrews, treasurer.
The president was instructed to appoint an executive committee, to consist of five members. The committee was afterwards appointed, and consisted of the following persons : C. A. Norton, W. W. Stine, B. W. Lewis, Joseph Waggoner, and E. W. Amsden.
During the summer and autumn of the year 1874 an amphitheater or grand stand was erected on the fair ground, which af- forded visitors an excellent view of the ground, and all the proceedings of the fair to be seen by the eye. It also afforded shelter from the rain and shade from the
often uncomfortable rays of the sun.
The contract for this building was awarded to Mr. A. Foster, of the city of Fremont, at the price of one thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars.
It was also arranged and ordered by the board that there should be several new features in the fair of 1874, such as a special premium for the best pair of draught horses, and mules, also for single horse or mule. The first were offered a premium of twenty dollars, and the second ten dollars, to be tested on the ground by the dynamometer. Premiums were also offered for plowing, dragging, and drilling contests, to be put under the charge of D. C. Richmond, of Erie county, then member of the State Board of Agriculture.
The fair of 1874 began September 30, and continued four days, with the following financial result:
RECEIPTS.
Received from former treasurer $179.96
From loan of C. Norton 3,000.00
From loan of W. W. Stine. 350.00
From loan of Bank of Fremont 175.00
From annual fair 4,291.40
From J. M. Raymond, pasture 24.00
From State Board of Agriculture 227.52
$8,047.68
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid F. J. Geibel, secretary, 1873 $21.50
Paid F. S. White, trustee citizens loan 2,500.00
Paid F. S White, interest on citizens' loan 200.00
Paid C. A. Norton, interest on loan 45.00
Paid L. Q. Rawson, on ground
1,088.00
Paid B. Donahue, for loan 400.00
Paid B. Donahue, loan interest 23.29
Paid Bank of Fremont, loan and interest 318.20
Paid W. W. Stine, interest 6.53
Paid I. M. Keeler, expenses to Columbus. 15.00
Paid premiums to date 1,682.00
Paid fair expenses
253.71
Paid permanent improvement on grounds 840.40
Paid Bank of Fremont on note
150.00
$8,042.68
Cash on hand February 5, 1875
$3.28
Here it will be noticed that the fair of 1874 shows a marked increase in the re- -
222
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
ceipts and disbursements of the society.
In an elaborate report made by the secretary, Isaac M. Keeler, of the fair of 1874, to the State Board of Agriculture, held at Columbus, Ohio, January 6, 1875, he says, among other things:
The exercise of horses on the half mile track during a portion of each day, attracted a large crowd, and some excellent time was made.
Further on the report says:
The results of the fair of 1873 were unfortunate to the society, for instead of decreasing the sum of its indebtedness, it added considerably thereto, and left a bad feeling among former friends of the society. The officers of 1874, therefore, felt the greater necessity for economy in expenditures, and at the same time to make the exhibition so attractive as to induce the people from all parts of the county to show their interest in the society by being present at the annual fair. The total indebtedness of the society at this time cannot be far from four thousand five hundred dollars.
On the whole, the fair of 1874 was a success, and awakened a new interest in its support.
Pursuant to notice, the society met at the county auditor's office, and, after hearing the treasurer's report, and ordering it referred to a committee, a resolution was passed at this meeting to amend the constitution, so that thereafter there should be thirteen directors of the society. One thereof should be chosen from each township, there being twelve townships, and also one director at large. Thereupon the following persons were unanimously chosen directors for the ensuing year: J. K. Richards, of York township; Levi Cowell, of Riley; W. G. Hafford, of Ballville; Platt Brush, of Sandusky; Adam Bair, of Scott; John Sandwish, of Woodville; Casper Stausmire, of Madison; David Fuller, of Townsend; R. B. Hayes, Fremont, director at large.
Of the preceding board the following directors held over and were also part of the board for 1875, namely: Henry Ludwig, of Jackson township; Joseph Waggoner, of Washington; S. S. Rathbun, of
Green Creek; and Fred Smith, of Rice township.
On the 13th of February, 1875, the board met and elected the following officers: William W. Stine, president; Charles A. Norton, vice-president; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary; Henry Baker, treasurer.
A premium list was prepped and adopted by the board at their meeting, May 1, 1875.
The board of directors appointed the time for holding the annual fair to be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, September 21, 22, and 23.
An extended premium list was prepared and the fair was held according to ap- pointment. This year the fair was not as successful as the year before. The entries for exhibition were about one hundred and fifty less than at the fair of 1894. Another injurious fact was the unfavorable weather of the first two days, which greatly reduced the entries, the attendance, and the amount received at the entrance gates.
RECEIPTS.
Cash received from treasurer $11.78
Cash received from city of Fremont 100.00
Cash received from annual fair 3,438.14
$3,549.92
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid interest on loans $ 182.67
Paid premiums on class 18 417.00
Paid annual premium list. 818.25
Paid L. Q. Rawson, on land 615.95
Paid permanent improvements 575.00
Paid printing and stationery 180.00
Paid Light Guard Band, music 75.00
Paid secretary, for services 50.00
Paid Bank of Fremont, note, 101.75
Paid bills of 1873 and 1874 72.00
Paid expenses of the fair 437.00
Paid cash in treasury 30.00
$3,549.92
The wheat crop of 1875 was reported not to be as good nor as large as that of 1874, but was, notwithstanding, above an average crop.
223
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
The fair was actually held four days, the last two of which brought fine weather and greatly increased the attendance and swelled the receipts, and also rescued the society from the losses of the first two days.
SHADE TREES.
This year the board, to encourage the planting of shade trees along the highways in the county, offered premiums for their planting. To the owner planting the best row of not less than forty trees, twenty dollars. For best row containing not less than twenty- five trees, ten dollars. The trees were to be planted during the year ending June, 1876, and the premiums to be awarded at the annual fair, in 1876.
Pursuant to notice published, the members of the society met at the auditor's office, on the 5th day of February, 1876. A committee was duly appointed to report the names of seven directors, whose time had expired, and one director at large. This committee consisted of Henry H. House, Joseph Waggoner, James Wickards William J. Smith, and Nehemiah Engler, who reported the following names: W. B. Lewis, director at large for one year; W. D. Stine, one year; Casper Stausmire, William J. Smith, James D. Benner, S. S. Rathbun, W. H. Hineline, and E. A. Beebe, each for two years. The directors holding over were J. K. Richards, Levi Cowell, W. G. Hafford, P. J. Gossard, and John Sandwish. This board met on the 12th of February, 1876, and. elected the following officers for the year: General R. P. Buckland, president; J. P. Elderkin, vice- president; Henry Baker, treasurer; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary.
Afterward, Vice-President Elderkin being about to remove from the county, resigned his office, and Henry Coonrod was elected to fill the vacancy. The premium list was agreed to and duly published.
The fair was held October 3, 4, 5, and 6, 1876. The number of entries for premiums was eleven hundred and seventy-five. The membership tickets, at one dollar each, were twelve hundred and seventy-eight. The total receipts of this fair amounted to three thousand two hundred and seven dollars and forty cents. The premiums paid, including races, amounted to one thousand four hundred and thirty-seven dollars and seventy-five cents. The more particular items of disbursement are not given, but the fair was a success, as the receipts appear to embrace no loans.
On the 2d day of November, 1876, at night, floral hall, the pride of the fair grounds, was totally consumed by fire, which was said to be no doubt the work of an incendiary. It was, however, fully insured.
In the secretary's report to the State Board of Agriculture, on the fair of 1876, the following showing is made:
RECEIPTS.
Amount received for tickets of membership, single tickets and tickets to the grand stand. $2,672.90
For booths, refreshments, stands and per-
mits
357.00
From other sources
437.25
On hand from 1875
39.42
$3526.64
DISBURSEMENTS.
Paid premiums $1,438 00
Paid permanent improvements 1,057 16
Paid fair expenses 928.00
Paid balance to new account.
103.48
$3526.64
This must have been a prosperous year for the society, for the fair made by this showing more than a thousand dollars' worth of permanent improvements, paid all expenses and left a balance of one hundred and three dollars and forty-eight cents, in the treasury. Besides the items of receipts given in the secretary's annual report to the State Board of Agriculture, the State Board had paid
224
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
the society one hundred and twenty-seven dollars and fifty-one cents, and the insurance on floral hall was paid into the treasury on the 3d day of February, 1877, amounting to one thousand dollars, which amounts do not appear in the secretary's report, and were no doubt standing to the credit of the society for the succeeding year, or promptly applied to the society's indebtedness. These two items were probably received too late to be included in the financial report of 1876, though paid in before the annual election of officers.
This fair was remarkable for a better exhibition of horses, cattle, and sheep than any preceding one, also for a better exhibit of mechanic arts, and of machinery, among which latter the Hubbard mower and reaper, manufactured by the Fremont Harvester works, was prominent; also June & Company's portable engine, manufactured in Fremont, and invented here. Lehr Brothers, also of the city of Fremont, had on exhibition agricultural implements and other articles, which did great credit to the growing manufactures of the county. At this fair it was shown that the farm products of grains, seeds, vegetables, butter, cheese, etc., were greater and better than ever before. Fruits, excepting peaches, were fine and in great variety. The hay crop was unusually abundant and good. Potatoes were what is commonly expressed as a short crop.
In the report of 1876, the secretary es- timates the value of the fair grounds and improvements, the land being about twenty- eight acres, at fifteen. thousand dollars, which is generally thought to be a low estimate.
Lewis Balsizer, of Riley township, raised on seven and one-eighth acres, two hundred and forty-eight bushels of wheat by weight, and on seven and one-eighth acres five hundred and thirty bushels of corn,
and being the only one who made an entry for premium on these crops, took a premium of ten dollars on each. It is not improbable that other farmers raised an equal and even greater quantity per acre than Mr. Balsizer, but did not see fit to make the entry for the premium.
We have mentioned that the property of the society was estimated at fifteen thousand dollars at the close of the year 1876. On the 17th of February, 1877, the secretary, Mr. Isaac M. Keeler, endeavored to ascertain accurately the entire indebtedness of the society, and after doing so stated it to be, on the 17th of February, 1877, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight dollars and thirty-two cents. This showing indicates a healthy financial condition, which promises well for the future.
Assets in real property $15,000.00
Debts
1,900.00
Net balance on real estate $13,100.00
At a meeting of the members, held at the auditor's office, on the 17th of February, 1877, the following directors were elected, to wit: At large-Hiram Pool, Ballville township. For two years-W. D. Stine, Sandusky; Fred Smith, York; Joseph R. Clark, Riley; James Wickard, Ballville; D. S. Tinney, Scott; Henry Herman, Woodville. For one year-T. D. Stevenson, Madison, to fill vacancy.
The directors holding over were: William J. Smith, Jackson; James D. Benner, Washington; S. S. Rathbun, Green Creek; W. H. Hineline, Rice; David Fuller, Townsend.
This board of directors met on the 3d day of March, 1877, and elected the following officers: L. Q. Rawson, president; W. W. Stine, treasurer; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary.
The executive committee was then chosen, consisting of the following-named persons: C. H. Bell, W. W. Stine, W. H.
225
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
Hineline, James D. Benner, James Wickard, and Hiram Pool.
The board, at their meeting April 25, 1877, resolved to encourage the planting of Osage orange hedge, and offered a premium of twenty dollars for the best forty rods, and ten dollars for the best twenty rods.
At the same meeting the president and vice-president were appointed a committee to select the place and decide upon a plan for a new floral hall. The plan for the hall was made by J. C. Johnson, architect, and the place chosen near the site of the one destroyed by fire.
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