History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 71

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DR. JOHN W. GROAT studied medicine in the office of Dr. Sampsell, of Elyria, and graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College; he afterwards attended

lectures at Cleveland Medical College. He began practice at Port Clinton, from which place he removed to Fremont in 1866. In 1877 he went to Illinois, and is now practicing in Aurora. Dr. Groat was possessed of remarkable mechanical abil- ities. The attention he bestowed upon mechanical science somewhat impaired his usefulness as a practitioner. He is, how-ever, a man of good mind and training.

DR. H. F. BAKER, present editor and proprietor of the Bellevue Local News, practiced in this city from 1865 until 1868. He had previously been located in Fulton county, and removed from here to Bellevue.

DR. GEORGE LEE practiced in Fremont about three years, removing to Washing-ton, District of Columbia, in 1880, where he is now in practice. He is a graduate of Western Reserve College, and of Lane Theological Seminary. He edited a paper for some time in Minneapolis, and then studied medicine and graduated at Cleve-land Homeopathic Medical College in 1877. His first location was in Fremont.

DR. J. D. BEMIS is a native of Lorain county, Ohio. At an early age he was re- ceived into the office and family of his uncle, Dr. L. D. Griswold, of Elyria. While attending the public schools of the city, he devoted considerable time in his uncle's medical library. After about three years spent in this way, Dr. Griswold was appointed superintendent of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, at Xenia. Mr. Bemus continued his residence in the family, and completed the full course of instruction of the schools of the Home. The study of medicine, as when at Elyria, consumed the odd hours of his time. In 1871 Mr. Bemus was appointed bill-room messenger for the Ohio Senate by Lieutenant-Governor J. C. Lee, and served in that capacity two years. During the State Constitutional

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convention of 1873-74 he served as first assistant sergeant-at-arms, having been ap- pointed to that position by M. R. Waite, president of the convention, now chief justice of the United States. During the school year 1874-75 Mr. Bemus attended Baldwin University. In January, 1876, he resumed the study of medicine in the office of E. C. Perry, of Elyria. His winters were spent in attendance upon lectures and summers in the office at Elyria, until 1 February, 1879, when he graduated at Cincinnati. He opened an office in Fremont in June, 1879, and now has a full and successful practice.

DR. W. CALDWELL, son of Judge William Caldwell, of Ottawa county, a short sketch of whom will be found elsewhere, attended the public schools of his neighborhood and Oberlin College. During the winter of 1860-61 he attended medical lectures at Ann Arbor, and in 1861 enlisted as hospital steward in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to assistant surgeon in April, 1863, and mus- tered out of service January 4, 1865, After the war he located in Michigan for the practice of his profession. He graduated from Cleveland Medical College in the class of 1869. During the winter of 1879-8o he took a special course in New York. In June, 1880, he located at Fremont, where he has since been meeting with flattering success.

DR. C. B. WHITE received his preliminary education in West Virginia, in which State he also studied medicine. He at-tended lectures at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in 1878. He had previously practiced several years in West Virginia and Ohio. He began practice in" West Virginia in 1871. Dr. White located in Fremont in 1879.

DR. A. J. HAMMER was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, Tune 1, 1853. He

graduated at Pulte Medical College, of Cincinnati, in the class of 1880, and com- menced practice at Fremont in September following.

DR. S. P. ECKI was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1854. After attending the common schools of his neighborhood he pursued a course in Northwestern college, Illinois. He studied medicine in Mansfield under J. C. Anderson, and at-tended lectures at the New York Homeopathic Medical college, from which institution he graduated in 1881. He selected Fremont as the field of his practice, and opened an office there in June.

SANDUSKY COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

As an auxiliary to the State Medical so- ciety, the Sandusky County Medical society was organized November 6, 1879, with the following members: James W. Wilson, Thomas Stilwell, Robert H. Rice, Lewis S. T. Gessner, Sardis B. Taylor, John B. Rice, John M. Corey, George E. Smith, M. Stamm, Gustavus A. Gessner.

James W. Wilson was chosen president; Thomas Stilwell, vice-president; Robert H. Rice, secretary; L. S. T. Gessner, treasurer; and Sardis B. Taylor, librarian. The officers have been annually re-elected, and have served without change to the present time.

Members have been added since the time of organization as follows: Cyrus E. Harnden, Clyde; John C. Tomson, Rol- lersville; R. S. Hittell, Gibsonburg; D. G. Hart, Gibsonburg; W.

T. Gillette, Millersville; William C. Caldwell, Fremont; A. D. Shipley, Helena; R. S. Shipley, Lindsey; LaQ. Rawson, Fremont; George Lanterman, Bellevue, and U. B. Irwin, Gibsonburg. The membership of this society embraces physicians only of the regular school of practice. Meetings are held once a month, or oftener, at which there is a free interchange of experiences and opinions.

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The society is accumulating a fine library, and already has a valuable collection of books and periodicals, which are pro-cured by annual subscriptions of the mem-

bers and by donations, Space in Birchard library has been allotted to the society where this collection is kept for the convenience of its members.

CHAPTER XXVIII. FREMONT-IMPROVEMENTS.

Building of the City Hall-Laying of the Cornerstone-Birchard Library-City Parks-Fire Department-Street Paving.

T HE stranger is given a favorable im- pression of this city's public spirit and enterprise while passing from the depot to the centre of business. He rides over a Medina paved street, thickly shaded on both sides by thrifty maples. He passes between a quiet park and large, substantial public school buildings and a moment later is in presence of another park on which is located a very fine library building, and an elegant stone front three-story structure for public uses. An old cannon mounted in the centre of this park is a reminder of historic associations. Front street, the main business thoroughfare, presents the appearance of activity and thrift. The good opinion formed is slightly marred, however, by the very noticeable absence of plate-glass store- fronts. Commercial blocks are generally large and in other respects present a good appearance. But it is the mission of history not to comment on what is nor to suggest what ought to be, but only to narrate what has been and to reproduce the story of the growth of what is.

This chapter comprehends so many distinct topics that it is not convenient, nor would it be desirable to preserve any-

thing like chronological arrangement. The subject which naturally comes first to mind is public buildings.

THE CITY HALL.

It is rather a remarkable fact that prior to 1878 this city did not own a public hall. Union hall, Birchard hall, and Opera hall had all been open to the public for meetings, entertainments, etc., but were and are controlled by individuals. The pressing need of a building for the accommodation of the fire department, city officers, and public meetings of a general character was long felt, but no action looking towards the consummation of such an improvement was taken until in 1877, when the city purchased of its individual owners the square formerly included in the old fort. The terms of this purchase are given elsewhere. On June 7, 1877, the city council, consisting of Colonel William E. Haynes, W. B. Sheldon, C. R. McCulloch, James Park, jr., J. B. Dickinson, and A. Young; Mayor J. S. VanNess, and Clerk W. W. Stine, unanimously

Resolved, That the city of Fremont build the first story of a city hall building, and that it be ready for the fire department as soon as practicable.

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In accordance with their resolution work was immediately commenced and by September the foundation was ready for the corner-stone. The occasion of laying the corner-stone, September 14, 1877, was made the most memorable in the history of Fremont. In obedience to common custom, the ceremonies proper were under charge of the Masonic fraternity. The same day was appointed for the reunion of the Twenty- third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and a home visit of the esteemed colonel of that regiment, and President of the United States. Elaborate preparations had been made by the citizens for the accommodation of distinguished guests and great crowds of people, who came from every direction. The day is well remembered. A National salute roused people from their slumbers, and a cloudless sky gave promise of a perfect day. Morning light revealed a brilliancy and elaboration of decoration never before equaled in our history .. Flags fluttered in every direction, and artistic banners bearing patriotic sentiments, added beauty to pro- fusion. Most noticeable was a splendid arch thrown over Croghan street, with the inscription, "Welcome to the Twenty-third O. V. I .. " On the keystone was painted Masonic symbols and over this was an immense gilt eagle, measuring eight feet from tip to tip. To the right of this central arch was a representation of a camp scene, and to the left Ohio's coat of arms. Over the entrance at each corner of Fort Stephenson park was an arch, that at the southwest corner bearing the inscription, "Colonel Hayes, the Soldier and Statesman;" at the southeast corner, "Colonel Rosecrans: He Came at His Country's Call;" at the northwest corner, "Colonel Scammon, Ever at His Post;" at the northeast corner, "Colonel Comly: Honor to the Brave."

At least twenty thousand people thronged the streets by ten o'clock, and many of the most distinguished men of the Nation participated in the ceremonies. Nine bands of music entertained the crowds, and the brilliant uniforms of Knights Templar added impressiveness to the day's scenes. Ten o'clock was the hour appointed for laying the corner-stone. Masons began to assemble at half-past eight, and at half-past nine the Grand Lodge of Ohio was in session in Brainard lodge-room. At the same time war veterans and members of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry were holding a reception in Birchard Hall, where, at to o'clock, President R. B. Hayes, General Phil. Sheridan, Senator Stanley Matthews, General J. D. Cox, Secretary McCrary, and General E. P. Scammon arrived, and from there walked to the City Hall foundations while the Masonic procession was parading the streets in the following order:

Light Guard Band.

Walbridge Light Guard. Masonic Commanderies.

Erie of Sandusky. Shawnee of Lima.

DeMolay of Tiffin. Grand Lodge of Ohio. Mayor and City Council. Other Guests.

After marching through the principal streets they halted at the City Hall foun- dations; where President Hayes, General Sheridan and a number of other distin- guished men and a dense crowd of spectators had already assembled. It was with difficulty that the marshals succeeded in forcing back the crowd to get sufficient standing-room for the Masons. Their efforts were watched by General Sheridan with a merry twinkle in his eye. Not only the adjacent streets and a large pile of bricks lying near, but the high bank along the park and even the roofs of build- ings were crowded with eager spectators. The heavy corner-stone lay ready and in

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its foundation was the usual box of me- mentoes.

The corner-stone is inscribed as follows, on the east side:

A. D. 5877, A. D. 1877. SEPT. 14. G. A. WOODWARD, Grand Master of Masons of Ohio.

J. C. JOHNSON, Architect. D. L. JUNE & SON, Builders.

The following is the inscription on the north side:

FORT STEPHENSON. 1813. Col. GEORGE CROGHAN. 1877. R. B. HAYES, President of the U. S. J. S. VANNESS, Mayor.

CITY COUNCIL.

C. R. MCCULLOCH, J. W. PARK, JR.,

WM. E. HAYNES,

WM. B. SHELDON,

A. YOUNG. J. B. DICKINSON.

The following articles are deposited in the corner-stone:

Silver coins of 1877, programme of the day, copies of the Democratic Messenger, Fremont Journal, and Fremont Courier, School Report for 1877, photograph of Colonel Croghan, list of notables present, population of the city, list of churches and pastors, photograph of City Hall, picture of Fort Stephenson, copy of invitation to promenade concert and programme, copy of premium list of Sandusky

County Agricultural Society for 1877.

Time of the organization of the Masonic bodies of the city of Fremont, Ohio.

Fort Stephenson Lodge, No. 225, Free and Accepted Masons.

Brainard Lodge, No. 336, Free and Accepted Masons.

Fremont Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons.

Fremont Council, No. 64, Royal and Select Masters.

Address of Isaac M. Keeler, delivered before Brainard Lodge, February 22, 1876.

Masonic Calendar City of Fremont, 1877. Masonic Circular of Invitations to Lodges.

The city programme of the day, and report of the meetings held on Wednesday and Thursday.

The ceremony was conducted by C. W. Woodward, of Cleveland, G. M. of Ohio, in accordance with the ritual of the order, assisted by A. T. Brinsmade, D. G. M .; R. E. Richards, D. G. S. W .; R. H. Rice, D. G. J. W .; O. Bale, P. M .; G. H. Bell, P. M .; C. Doncyson, P. M .; W. W. Ross, P. M .; O. E. Phillips, P. M .; J. C. John-son, P. A .; Rev. G. W. Collier, D. G. C .; I. M. Keeler, D. G. T .; W. H. Andrews, D. G. S .; S. P. Meng, D. G. S. W .; E. S. Thomas, D. G. J. W .; J. F. Heffner, D. G. S .; W. G. Hafford, D. G. S .; T. F. Heffner, D. G. T.

There was no speech-making, but at the close of the ceremony President Hayes mounted the stone and said:

Ladies, gentlemen, and fellow-citizens: For the purposes of the city of Fremont we erect here on this ground made illustrious by the victory of Col- onel Croghan in his gallant combat with the British, a City Hall. The corner-stone has now been laid. The ceremonies in connection with it are now ended and I am requested to announce that the further public exercises of the day will take place immediately after dinner, at the park in front of the court-house.

At the close of Hayes' announcement loud calls were made for Sheridan, but he quietly slipped away without making any public response.

The ladies of Fremont distinguished themselves on this occasion by spreading a magnificent dinner. We append the Journal's comments:

The members of the regiment then proceeded to Opera Hall, where they partook of an elegant dinner provided for them by the ladies of Fremont.

The hall was grandly and tastefully decorated, and the long tables were loaded with the very best the season afforded, and which the skill, and the pains, and the money of the citizens of Fremont

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could procure, and the whole was arranged in such excellent taste that it looked like a banquet good enough for a feast of the gods.

Upon the wall on the left hung a large portrait of President Hayes in the centre of a waving scroll in- scribed "Union Forever," and immediately below, in one grand group, were the names of all the States of the Union, each on a separate shield, the whole creating an impression at once pleasing and gratifying to the friends of the President.

At the further end of the hall, in addition to the fine landscape painting in the centre, there was on either side, in beautiful lettering, a list of the battles fought by the Twenty-third and associated regiments. Among them were the following: Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Kearnstown, Cloyd Mountain, Clark's Hollow, Lynchburg, Opequan, Antietam, South Mountain and Giles' Court House.

The proceedings of the afternoon were devoted exclusively to the veterans. The occasion was the subject of so much newspaper comment at the time, and the unreserved efforts of our citizens resulted in such triumphant success, that a partial record of the day deserves a place in this volume.

At 1 o'clock P. M. the Twenty-third regiment, preceded by the Light Guard band, of Toledo, were conducted to the city park by the committee of arrangements, the mayor and city council, followed by other bands and a vast concourse of people. President Hayes marched with them. In the line behind him was led his old war-horse, twenty-seven years of age, and enjoying the so well-earned ease and rest on the farm of his former rider.

The speaker's stand was tastefully dec- orated, and not far from it stood a beautiful evergreen monument surmounted by a cross, in honor of the gallant dead.

The platform was soon reached and filled. General Sheridan escorted Mrs. Hayes, and that lady was assigned a prominent position.

It is seldom that so many men whose names are familiar to the people are gathered upon one platform as were to be seen on the speakers' stand:

President and Mrs. Hayes, Secretary McCrary and wife, Chief Justice Waite, General Phil Sheridan, General W. S. Rosecrans, General J. D. Cox, General S. S. Carroll, General J. H. Duvall, Generals F. H. Devol, Scammon, Barnett, Kennedy, Swayne, Buckland, and Gibson, Senator Matthews and Major Mckinley.

The public square was soon packed full by a dense crowd of spectators, and thou-sands were unable to get within hearing distance. It is estimated that about fifteen thousand were present in and around the square during the afternoon exercises, and the crowds down town did not seem sensibly diminished;

As soon as the Twenty-third regiment, the several bands, speakers and others were as comfortably seated as the circumstances would permit, and the crowd had partly quieted, General R. P. Buckland, same forward and said:

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN :- YOU will now please come to order. The exercises of the afternoon will commence by the introduction of Chaplain Collier to whom you will listen for a few moments.

Chaplain Collier then stepped forward and said:

It seems to me that these exercises could be com- menced appropriately by taking off our hats, rising, and joining in singing:

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below,

Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,"

Let every one that can sing, sing this song of praise to the giver of all good.

The vast multitude then stood and sang those solemn words with more than usual interest, after which they were led in prayer by Chaplain Collier.

After prayer General Buckland introduced Hon. Homer Everett, who delivered the welcoming address on behalf of the home committee of arrangements.

The orator of the day was Hon. William Mckinley, whose polished address, was

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highly eulogized by the daily press of the State.

We now come back to the City Hall building. The first story was completed at an expense of two thousand eight hundred dollars, and paid for from receipts from rents, and without special taxation. Under authority of a special legislative enactment, the council resolved to submit to a vote of the people the proposition of issuing bonds to the amount of twelve thousand dollars, bearing seven per cent. interest, for the purpose of completing the building. The vote was taken on the 18th of March, 1878, and almost unanimously carried, and the bonds issued accordingly.

The following were the municipal officers under whose management the building was brought to completion: Council -William E. Haynes, James Kridler, S. P. Meng, James Park, jr., D. Reinick, William B. Sheldon, J. P. Thompson, and C. N. West; J. S. Van Ness, mayor; William Kridler, jr., clerk; M. D. Baldwin, solicitor; J. W. Moore,- marshal; J. S. Rawson, engineer; E. Underhill, chief of fire department; and J. C. Johnson, architect.

The building was completed in February, 1879, and dedicated on the 21st of that month to the use of the public. The occasion was one of general enjoyment. The fire company had charge of the ceremonies, and Chief Underhill presided at the dedicatory meeting. Professor W. W. Ross delivered an address, and Hon. Homer Everett recited the growth of the fire department.

Professor Ross, in his address, said:

The total cost of the building, including steam heating apparatus and furniture, is fourteen thousand one hundred and seventy-eight dollars, and inclusive of the city stables adjoining, about sixteen thousand dollars, the bonded indebtedness incurred being twelve thousand dollars. No one, I think, who surveys this structure can question that every dollar of this money has been judiciously and economically expended, that for the cost we have an admirable

City Hall building. There is another occasion for congratulatory pride, in that the architect who conceived and designed it is one of our own citizens, with a reputation, however, fast becoming State and general. To him our thanks are due for the tasteful conception and successful completion of his design. [ ought, however, in justice to him, to say that his ideal was necessarily qualified by the expenditure it was thought wisdom to ask at the hands of the people. For the first time in the history of our city we have a city hall, with good acoustic properties, commodious and attractive, and whose free use is guaranteed to our citizens on all appropriate occasions, for meetings, lectures, festivals, and entertainments under the auspices of home organizations. For years our city officials and our fire department have been without suitable accommodations. Hereafter they will be occupants of the most beautiful structure in our city.

The uses to which this building this evening is dedicated are among the most vital to the interests of our city, both moral and material. The City Hall building is to the city what the Capitol building is to the State and the Nation. We have in our country three forms of government, National, State, and municipal, all of them possessed to some extent of legislative, executive, and judicial powers. The vast growth of American cities occasioned by the influx of population both from the country and foreign lands, is rapidly throwing upon our city governments a responsibility even greater and more delicate than that devolving upon the State government itself.

The first floor of the building is used by the fire department and for a city prison. On the second floor are offices for the city clerk, mayor, city engineer, city solicitor, and a council chamber. The third story is a commodious, well seated hall, for public meetings, entertainments, etc. The front is of Amherst stone, tastefully ornamented. This building excels in architectural beauty any other structure in the city.

BIRCHARD LIBRARY .*

Birchard Library derives its name from the late Sardis Birchard, of Fremont, who was its founder. Early in the year 1873 Mr. Birchard indicated to several citizens that he was about to set apart, in property and money, the sum of fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing a free library for the benefit of the city of

* By E. Bushnell, D. D.

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Fremont and the county of Sandusky. He designated the following gentlemen to act as a board of trustees, viz: The Hon. R. B. Hayes, L. L. D., General R. P. Buckland, L. Q. Rawson, M.D., Rev. E. Bushnell, D.D., James W. Wilson, M. D., Col. William E. Haynes, Thomas Stilwell, M.D., Hon. E. F. Dickinson, ex-officio, being mayor of the city of Fremont, and William W. Ross, A. M., ex-officio, being superintendent of the public schools of Fremont.

These gentlemen held their first meeting at the office of the mayor on the evening of July, 1873. At this meeting measures were taken to secure a fitting room in which to open a library, to procure a suitable librarian, and to effect a corporate organization.

February 13, 1874, the board of trustees met, and adopted articles of association, forming themselves into a literary and benevolent association under the name and style of "The Birchard Library." All the trustees affixed their names and seals to the articles, and ex-Governor R. B. Hayes was elected president; Dr. J. W. Wilson, treasurer, and W. W. Ross, secretary.

By the articles of association, and ac- cording to the wish of Mr. Birchard, the mayor of Fremont and the superintendent of public schools of the same are ex-officio trustees of the library. Any vacancy which may occur among the other trustees, is to be filled by appointment of the Court of Common Pleas of Sandusky county. Or, if the court shall fail to appoint, a majority of the trustees present at a regular meeting may do so.

Birchard Hall was selected as a fitting place to locate the library for the present. Jessie E. McCulloch was chosen librarian, and Governor Hayes, Rev. Dr. Bushnell and W. W. Ross were appointed a committee to select and purchase books.

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History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 71

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