History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 77

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There were in procession, by actual count, more than four thousand people, besides the crowds who came in from the different townships, and interested spectators from town who filled the grove. The procession was under the direction of C. R. McCulloch and several assistants. It was five miles long and contained four hundred and nineteen wagons packed with happy children and drawn by four, six, eight, and ten horse teams, many of them handsomely decorated. Several of the wagons were filled with girls beautifully dressed in white. It was a refreshing spectacle to see these passing wagons bearing their beautiful and precious burdens to a day's meeting of enjoyment and encouragement. Many of the wagons con- tained fifty or sixty children, and in one there were as many as eighty-six.

Every school had made an elaborate effort to excel in beauty and tastefulness of emblem and decoration. The day was pleasant, and when eight thousand voices joined in chorus, the grove rang with swelling melody. Rev. J. B. Thompson made the opening prayer, and Dr. Stilwell interested the children with a speech. Other speeches were made by Professors J. Tuckerman and W. W. Ross, and Rev. Mr. Inglf.

A feature of the meeting was the display of banners borne in the procession. The Green Spring school carried a banner painted by General McPherson at the age of seventeen, when he was a teacher in

the first school organized in that place. This much-prized banner was used in a wide- awake procession and afterwards laid aside and forgotten until found a few days before this convention. Another banner was carried by a Clyde school, for which it was painted in 1851, by McPherson while home from West Point on a vacation. The device is a child leading a lion, and has under it the fol- lowing text: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord."

A third banner possessing historic interest was borne by one of the Clyde schools. It was presented to Captain Chapman, on entering the Mexican war, by the ladies of Tiffin, and brought home by him after victorious peace. The interesting horse which General McPherson rode on the fatal 22d of July, 1864, was an object of interest in the procession.

The following schools were represented by delegations: Fremont Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopal, Methodist Mission, Clyde Methodist and Baptist; Butternut Union, South Ridge Baptist, Townsend Centre, Green Spring Union, North Riley Union, Galestown Union, Mt. Lebanon United Brethren, Ballville Union, Maple Union, Centre Union, Wolf Creek Chapel, Tawa United Brethren, Shiloh Union, Eden Chapel Union, Rollersville Union, Hessville Reformed, Madison Union, Jackson Sunday- school, Muskallonge Union, West Fremont Union, Rice Union, Fostoria, Mill Grove. The whole number present connected with the membership of these schools was four thousand seven hundred and fifty-four.

COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.

It is a striking fact in the history of Sandusky county that old institutions, both business establishments and charitable societies, were seriously retarded in their operations by financial embarrass-

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ment. The Sandusky county Bible Society was no exception to the rule, yet general poverty throughout the county made its labor especially valuable. There are rigid necessities of life which must be supplied, but hooks, even the Bible, do not belong to that catalogue. People must eat and have the wherewithal to be clothed first of all things, and, as was seen in a previous chapter, Sandusky county pioneers were scantily supplied even in those necessities. But an association of good people, esteeming the Bible, if not a vital at least a moral necessity, at an early period of our history engaged with spirit and earnestness in the praiseworthy enterprise of supplying to the needy and destitute a copy of the Holy Scriptures.

The Sandusky county auxiliary of the American Bible Society was organized May 24, 1830, at Lower Sandusky, and was officially recognized by the Continental Association on the 2d of the following December. An installment of books, con- sisting of two hundred and fifty Bibles, and six hundred Testaments, besides a number of Bibles and Testaments sent as specimens, was ordered from the American Bible Society the following spring. The work was then formally inaugurated.

By January 1, 1832, every township, and probably every family in the county, had been visited and supplied. The good work, however, was not kept up with that constant and watchful zeal which should attend every educational and reformatory movement. Nothing worthy of mention was effected from January 1832, till July 1835. During this period a flood of immigrants had' been pouring into the county, most of them poor, and some of them wholly destitute. Duty made vigorous work imperative, and the society resolved upon the utmost exertion. A debt, however, to the general society remained unpaid, and nothing effective could be

accomplished without assistance. A donation of fifty German Bibles and one hundred and fifty Testaments was received and a credit purchase made of one hundred and fifty English Bibles and thirteen hundred and fifty Testaments. The finances of the society prevented general free distribution of books and the poverty of newcomers and pioneers prevented their sale. This attempt to resupply the county was practically a failure. In the language of the record, "from this time until February 15, 1840, the society languished."

At this latter date a reorganization was effected and a better feeling seemed to exist among the members, and more de- termination to carry out the objects of the association. Forty new members were added. There were received at this time from the parent society donations in Bibles and Testaments to the amount of two hundred and forty-three dollars, and by purchase books to the amount of two hundred and eighty-eight dollars. The society was yet embarrassed by debt and sought voluntary contributions. The society was active and efficient from this time on. The county was thoroughly canvassed, the poor sought out and supplied, and those in better circumstances induced to become members and contribute funds. It was emphatically a home missionary organization, and many homes have not yet forgotten timely favor and assistance. Meetings have been held an- nually for the last. forty years. On account of changes in population it is necessary to be constantly watchful in order to carry out the design of the society. In 1862, two thousand six hundred and nine families were visited. Two hundred and nine were found without any part of the Scriptures in their dwellings-one family out of every twelve visited. One hundred and seventy-five of the destitute were supplied. Most of the recipients of the society's

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charity "seemed to receive the gift of God with heartfelt gratitude. Among the destitute families some had lived ten years without a Bible, having been overlooked, probably, in the previous supply." A few instances are on record which go to show the spirit in which the society's charity was received. One said: "I have been wanting to get a Bible for a long time. I am poor and have to live by hard labor. I give you a thousand thanks." Another said. "I thank you kindly for this Bible. I will read it myself, and will also read it to my family." With tears in her eyes a poor wife said: "I have often wanted a Bible, but my husband would never buy one. I have kept house ten years. Oh, how I prize this Bible!" It is more difficult to receive with disinterested thankfulness than it is to give out of the fullness of the heart. It is certainly a subject of congratulation that the society's efforts of charity were received with gratitude and brightened and gladdened spirits depressed by penury. The secretary's report of 1863 says: "There has been something to encourage the society in giving the Word of Life to the destitute in the liberality with which many have responded to the solicitations of the agent. A poor widow being called upon said: `I rejoice to have the good work go on. I have but two cents; I give them freely, and. would rejoice to give more if I had it.

A complete canvass of the county was made in 1874, and another in 1879. N. J. Jones was appointed to make the last canvass, his compensation being rated at one dollar a day. Mr. Jones canvassed the entire county except York, Green Creek and Townsend townships, which have been included in the territory of the Clyde and Bellevue societies for a number of years. In the course of one hundred and fifty days occupied in the canvass, and twelve hundred and eighty-four

miles travel on foot, Mr. Jones visited thirty- one hundred and ninety-nine families. He found two hundred and fifty-two families wholly destitute of any part of the Scriptures; of these, two hundred and thirty-five were supplied, leaving in 1880 less than twenty-five families without the Bible. This was a fitting consummation of the labor of fifty years. The present officers of the society are: Dr. James W. Wilson, president; pastors of the various churches co-operating with the society, vice- presidents; C. R. McCulloch, depositary; John G. Nuhfer, treasurer; John Ellston, auditor; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary.

BURIAL PLACES.

The military cemetery during the War of 1812 was on the hill south of the city. The English soldiers who fell in the trench before Fort Stephenson were buried in the bottom east of the fort and near the river.

The first settlers set apart a lot for cemetery purposes on the hill sloping toward the south, just south of the present track of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail-road. This was the common burial place until Oakwood Cemetery was laid out.

Oakwood Association was formed in 1858, and was composed of the following individuals: S. Birchard, James Justice, Israel Smith, O. L. Nims, David Betts, James W. Wilson, John P. Price, James Valletti, L. Q. Rawson, James Moore, Thowas Stilwell, and Platt Bush. A tract of land containing twenty- three acres was purchased and laid out in lots. Since 1858 Oakwood has been the common burying place of this community. Within the last five years the trustees have been especially diligent in making improvements. Walks and roads have been constructed, lots graded and otherwise beautified. In the year 1878 a residence for the superintendent was erected, at an expense of one thousand dollars, and in 1869 a stone vault was constructed at a

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cost of eight hundred and fifty dollars. The present official board are: Stephen Buckland, C. R. McCulloch, F. S. White, William E. Haynes, and R. B. Hayes, directors; Stephen Buckland president; E. Loudensleger, secretary; C. R. McCulloch, treasurer; and C. Cramer, superintendent.

The Catholics in this part of the county buried their dead near the river below this

city until 1853, when a lot of two and one- half acres was purchased in Jackson township. This lot is yet used by the Catholics of that part of the county. In 1863 St. Joseph's church, of Fremont, purchased eight acres for cemetery purposes, located in the southwest part of the town. St. James' church purchased, at the same time, eight acres lying east and adjoining St. Joseph's cemetery.

CHAPTER XXXI. SOCIAL SOCIETIES.

Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Society-Secret and Benevolent Societies.

OMETIME in February, 1874, ex- Governor Hayes suggested the formation of a historical society to his friend, General Buckland, and others. The result was a conference of several persons, who favored such an organization. At this first conference were present General Hayes, General Buckland, L. Q. Raw-son, James W. Wilson, and Homer Everett. These gentlemen, after exchanging views, concluded to make a start in the formation of a society, to the end that the pioneers of the county might be brought together and more intimately know each other and at times enjoy themselves in social intercourse. There was the further intent to so organize that as much as possible the events and the names of persons who were pioneers might be rescued from the oblivion of forgetfulness and kept on record. Accordingly the following call was published in the papers of the county:

SANDUSKY COUNTY PIONEERS.

The old settlers and all other citizens of Sandusky county favorable to the formation of a County Pioneer and Historical Society are invited to meet at Birchard Hall on Saturday, June 6, 1874, at 2 o'clock P. M.

A meeting was held accordingly, at which a constitution was adopted, providing for the name, officers, etc., and also that any resident of the county might become a member by paying one dollar, and that, any person who resided in the county on or before the 1st day of January, A. D. 1830, shall be exempt from the payment of any membership fees or dues.

At this first meeting the following persons, having complied with the constitution, became members, and signed it, to wit: Homer Everett, Thomas Holcomb, George Bixler, Edward Tindall, Robert S. Rice, L. Q. Rawson, Platt Brush, O. A. Roberts, Henry Bowlus, Samuel Skinner, John B. Rice, J. L. Green, R. P. Buckland, James W. Wilson, C. R. McCulloch, H. Lang, F. S. White, and R. B. Hayes.

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On motion the following officers were then elected to serve until the regular annual election, to be held August 3, 1874, to wit: Homer Everett, president; L. Q. Rawson, vice-president; R. B. Hayes, secretary; James W. Wilson, treasurer; H. Everett, R. B. Hayes, H. Lang, Platt Brush, R. P. Buckland, and J. L. Green, executive committee.

On the 3d day of August, 1874, the society met and elected the same officers to serve the ensuing year. The constitution was amended so that, in addition to the members of the executive committee, there should be one person from each township, and the following-named persons were

added, namely: Edward Tindall, Ballville; William E. Lay, Green Creek; David Overmyre, Jackson; Martin Klutz, Madison; Grant Forgerson, Rice; Thomas Holcomb, Riley; Charles H. Bell, San-dusky; David Fuller, Townsend; John F. Bowman, Washington; Rev. C. Cronenwett, Woodville; John B. Mugg, York.

The meeting then, on motion, appointed a basket picnic, to be held on the county fair grounds, in September, 1874. The executive committee designated the 3d day of September as the time for holding the picnic. The meeting was held accordingly, and was eminently successful in the number of attendants from the country, as well as from the city. This first gathering of the pioneers was novel and interesting in many respects. The old settlers were there in goodly number, and the care-worn countenances, silvery locks, and, in many cases, the tottering steps of the venerable participants in the reunion, afforded unmistakable evidence as to whom the county is indebted, at that day, so largely for

Fields of waving, golden grain;

Each flowery field, mead, and verdant plain Decreed to those who toil.

At this meeting the names of Samuel Hollingshead and Augustus W. Luckey

were added as honorary members of the society.

The society has maintained its organization ever since, re-electing, annually, the same officers, with the exception of the secretary, Mr. Hayes being called, in the fall of 1875, to the Governorship of Ohio, for the third time, and, in 1876, to the Presidency of the United States. In his stead the society elected Isadore H. Bur-goon, who has faithfully discharged the duties of his office to the present time.

This society has done much good in several directions. It has annually held its basket picnic, and brought the old settlers of the county into each other's presence and acquaintance in pleasant, social intercourse, and thus increased their happiness. It has promoted reverence and respect towards the early settlers, and made them realize that their toils and hardships are appreciated by the succeeding generations. By the numerous discourses and addresses at these meetings a very good photo, so to speak, of early pioneer life has been placed on the records of the society for preservation. It has preserved the likeness and biography of many of the early settlers in its archives, which will increase in interest as years pass by, and it has been instrumental in furnishing facts for this history.

MASONIC.

Masonry was instituted in Lower San- dusky during the early years of the history of the village. Daniel Brainard, Harvey J. Harman, David Gallagher, and others of that jolly coterie of village wits and friends held meetings in a three-story building which stood on the present site of June's foundry. They paraded the streets on several occasions, and gave the lodge considerable prestige. But the anti-Masonic frenzy, which spread over the country like wildfire in consequence of the reputed murder of Morgan in New York,

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

compelled the suspension of meetings here as well as at many other places. After the bitterness of feeling had died away, a few of the old members who survived, and several other Masons who had in the mean-time located here, desired that the lodge should be reinstituted and work resumed.

FORT STEPHENSON LODGE.

The grand master, W. B. Hubbard, was appealed to, and a dispensation received May 12, 1852, directed to J. F. Simpkins, Daniel Brainard, and J. W. Smith, author- izing them to organize a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be known by the above title. A regular meeting for organization was held May 27, 1852, at which officers were chosen as follows: J. F. Simpkins, W. M .; Washington B. Smith, S. W .; Daniel Brainard, J. W .; J. S. Olinsted, secretary; D. Gallagher, treasurer; L. Caul, S. D .; A. Gusdorf, J. D .; H. B. Burdick, tyler. Besides these there were present at this meeting J. W. Main, P. Brown, and O. True.

At a session of the Grand Lodge, held in Chillicothe October 19, 1852, a charter was issued to Fort Stephenson lodge, its number being 225. The charter is signed by W. B. Hubbard, grand master, and B. F. Smith, grand secretary, and others. The lodge prospered and grew so rapidly that in less than ten years it was thought expedient to divide. Such a measure was made almost imperative by the fact that a large proportion (more than half) of the membership was German, and desired to work in the German language. In 1861 seven members withdrew for the purpose of establishing a new lodge, and in December of the following year a resolution was unanimously adopted making German the language in which all the proceedings of the lodge should be conducted. This rule has been adhered to ever since.

Fort Stephenson lodge has been presided over by the following masters: J. F.

Simpkins, till November, 1852; Daniel Brainard, till December, 1855; F. Wilmer, till November, 1858; C. Doncyson, till November, 1859; F. Wilmer, till July 19, 1877; C. Doncyson, till December, 1878; Lorenz Dick, since December, 1878.

BRAINARD LODGE.

A charter was issued to Brainard Lodge dated February 11, 1861, which bears the following names: John F. Simpkins, Lewis Canfield, Samuel M. Ellenwood, Homer Everett, E. F. Hafford, Oscar Ball, John H. McGee, George W. Steele. The dispensation which was read at the first meeting, held February 11, 1861, designated John F. Simpkins to act as master, L. Canfield, senior warden, and S. M. Ellenwood, junior warden. Masters since organization have been elected as follows: December, 1862, Homer Everett; 1863, L. Canfield; 1864 and 1865, Oscar Ball; 1866, H. W. Bristol; 1866 to 1871 inclusive, Robert H. Rice; 1872, W. I. Norton; 1873, J. P. Elderkin; 1874-76, W. W. Ross; 1877-79, S. P. Meng; 1880, E. Stanley Thomas. The lodge occupies a handsomely furnished room in the third story of the block corner Front and Croghan streets. The membership is active and energetic.

FREMONT CHAPTER.

A charter was issued February 2, 1855, to Fremont Chapter, No. 54, Royal and Accepted Masters. The charter members were: Francis B. Bell, George R. Brown, William Hamer, William S. Russell, James W. Foster, J. S. Olmsted, Ferdinand Wilmer, L. Canfield, I. M. Keeler, E. F. Hafford, B. J. Bartlett.

FREMONT COUNCIL.

No. 64, Royal and Select Masons, was chartered February 7, 1856, with the fol- lowing officers: E. F. Hafford, T. I. M .; J. V. B. Ames, D. Q. M .; S. P. Meng, R. C. W.

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DRUIDS.

The first society entirely German in its membership was established in Fremont in 1859, as a lodge of the United Order of Druids. It was chartered as Schiller Grove, August 15, 1859, with the following members: Charles Billinger, George Homan, Jacob Zorn, Charles H. Shade, C. G. Rumoff, James Unkrich, Jacob Fowler, Jacob Fretzel, Christoph Rosbach, Christian Michael, Joseph Magrum, and William Schrader.

The Druids have a hall on State street, painted in the Oriental style of Christian art.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.

Fremont Lodge, No. 95, was chartered in March, 1875, with the following members: H. R. Shomo, P. F. Heffner, James Kridler, Byron Schoville, A. F. Price, C. Strausmyer, J. K. Heffner, Perry Close, E. B. Belding, C. M. Dillon, D. H. Brinkerhoff, E. F. Hafford. This lodge meets in Odd Fellows' Hall.

Humboldt Lodge, No. 852, Knights of Honor, is a German society, and was chartered January 1, 1878. The following were charter members: P. Knerr, Charles Schade, Joseph Zimmerman, John G. Weisbecker, L. Dick, Charles Klegin, F. Richards, J. Baumann, Christian Neeb, L. Younkman, Dr. M. Stamm, John Buchler, John Renchler, Charles F. Geisin, and C. W. Tschumy. This lodge has a membership of forty-two. Its hall is one of the finest in town.

AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR.

A lodge of the American Legion of Honor was organized in Fremont in 1879, and is now one of the most prosperous societies of its class in the city.

CROGHAN LODGE, NO. 77, I. O. O. F .*

Like all other institutions devised for the benefit of mankind, Odd Fellowship is

the fruit of progressive civilization. By this power it has been wonderfully advanced and developed in the expansion of its capabilities, and the enlargement of its field of labor. It has grown, as many other orders of kindred character, formed in a good degree upon its example, out of the demand for auxiliaries, by the physical as well as the moral needs of men.

Progress and civilization, which are practically correlative terms, are always moving under the light of accumulating experience, never losing sight of the grand object of their exalted mission-the amel- ioration of humanity. All our institutions, whether social, political, religious, or moral, are the creatures of this mystic force, and have been controlled, modified, reformed, and perfected under its processes, so that their present excellence has been graduated from rude and simple originals. Under this law of the social organization, united co- operation against the trials of life has been introduced, as alike the instinct of common humanity and the suggestion of a wise Providence. It has enabled men to uplift and succor each other in adversity, free from public dependence, and to promote a spirit of fraternity which knits them together in spite of the partition walls set up to estrange and separate them. Although but feebly supported in its inception, it has conquered its way by persistent effort, and today it stands on a foundation as firm as the "eternal hills."

Who can calculate the value of such in- stitutions, not only to their immediate membership, but as substantial supports? Their withdrawal would be seriously felt, not only as a loss of an immense moral power in society, but also from the fact that their absence would necessarily transfer the burdens which they bear to the public. Among the many tributaries to the general welfare of this character which

* By W. V. Marsh, secretary.

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are noiselessly, yet most effectively diffus- ing blessing upon humanity, Croghan Lodge, No. 77, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the pioneer of Odd Fellow-ship in Sandusky county, has made a record fully verifying the scriptural quotation that "By their works ye shall know them."

A brief statement from the records of the lodge will abundantly verify this fact:

Croghan lodge was instituted Friday evening, February 5, 1847, by the Right Worthy District Deputy Grand Master Henry G. W. Crouse at, then, Lower Sandusky, Sandusky county, Ohio, in an upper room of John R. Pease's building, situated on Front street, on the site of the present block of Roberts & Sheldon.

The petitioners who applied for a charter in May, 1846, and at the installation of the lodge became charter members, were: N. S. Cook, D. H. Hershey, W. M. Stark, B. W. Lewis, and A. E. Wood, five in number, of whom Past Grand B. W. Lewis is the only surviving member.

The district deputy grand master was assisted at the installation by Past Grands T. H. Sheldon, George Rumpp, and Richard Williams; John E. McCormic, Casper Parsons, Chester R. Johnson, and R. W. Ruthman, all of Seneca Lodge, No. 35, Tiffin, Ohio, and Mr. Conner, of Apollo Lodge, No. 61, Middlebury, Summit county, Ohio. After the formal institution and presentation of charter, the first election was held to provide officers for the current term, which resulted as follow: H. S. Cook, M. G .; D. H. Hershey, N. G .; W. M. Stark, secretary; B. W. Lewis, treasurer. Their installation followed in due and regular form. For the purpose of giving the new officers instruction in the initiatory work, the district deputy grand master held an initiation, Mr. John Smith being the candidate.

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History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 77

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