History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 95

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first minister chosen. He preached at stated intervals for two years. During this time a prayer meeting service was instituted, and a number of new members added to the church. In 1869 D. W. Marvin succeeded to the pastorate, and in the winter of that year initiatory steps were taker, toward the building of a house of worship. The membership at this time numbered thirty-six. By reaching their charitable hands deep into their pockets and with the assistance of the Presbyterian board of church erection, a comfortable brick house was erected which was dedicated January 30, 1870. A Sabbath- school was organized about this time. From the organization to the present the growth of this church in members and influence has been gradual.

In 1871 E. R. Chase, then a student of the Theological Seminary at Chicago, accepted a call to the pastorate, and was ordained here in June of that year. In April of the following year he was regularly installed pastor.

Elder H. Vincent and wife, two of the most earnest and useful members of the church, were killed by a railroad accident, November 29, 1871. The church in their death sustained a sad loss. David E. Hayes and A. J. Wilder were added to the eldership in 1872. The church was greatly strengthened by a revival in the winter of 1873. On April 6th of that year, twenty-seven were received into the church. Mr. Chase was a young man beloved by all. The church prospered under his care, bit he was not long spared to his labor. A disease of the lungs, contracted in the army, brought him to the grave May 25, 1874.

Rev. A. M. Meili, formerly a priest in the Roman Catholic church, was elected to the pastorate in March, 1875. During the following year troubles of a serious char- acter arose, growing partly out of personal

difficulties and partly out of an effort of the session to enforce stricter conformity to the rules of the church. These troubles grew, and all efforts at peace, even on the part of the presbytery failed. The future of the congregation was doubtful. The pastor resigned in 1876, and all services, including Sunday-school and prayer meeting, were suspended. Some joined other churches, and others withdrew, so that in 1878. only about twenty members could be found out of a flourishing congregation at the beginning of the troubles of eighty communicants. At the beginning of 1878 those yet remaining faithful united with the church at Green Spring and employed the services of Rev. J. S. Axtell. The prayer meeting and Sabbath- school were reorganized and the general church work again set on foot. The former elders having resigned, their places were filled by N. T. Wilder, J. H. Herrick, and H. T. Barnum. These, with the minister in charge, constitute the session of the church .. During the last three years seventeen new members have been added and all have worked peacefully. The church, although it has not grown rapidly in members since the healing of the breach, has increased in energy and courage, and now the foundation seems secure and the outlook favorable for great usefulness.

SPIRITUALISTS.

Spiritualism had for along time a strong foothold in Clyde, but as a society no longer has an existence. The promulgation of the " Woodhull" doctrines caused dissension which has never been over-come. The number of adherents is gradually decreasing. ADVENTISTS.

The Seventh Day Adventist church of Clyde was organized by Elder J. H. Waggoner August 11, 1867. It consisted of the union of two companies of Sabbath

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keepers known as the churches of Green Spring and West Townsend. This union was made at the request of the companies named and also by a vote of the Seventh Day Adventist conference, at the session of August 1 and 2, 1867. At the time of the organization of the Clyde church, O. F. Guilford was chosen elder and William Herald deacon, and ordained at the same meeting by Elder J. H. Waggoner. W. D. Sharp was elected church clerk and William Herald treasurer. W. D. Sharp served as clerk until 1876, when A. A. Hutchinson succeeded and served two years. In 1878 Dora F. Rowe became clerk. She opened the first book of records and recorded the above facts, collected from the scraps left by the previous clerks.

The society built a. house of worship in 1899-78. It was dedicated January 20, 1878, by J. H. Waggoner. Elder H. A. St. John is- the present pastor.

CLYDE.

This beautiful and flourishing village is the veritable fulfillment of a prophesy made during the War of 1812, when an Indian trail along the ridge was the only course of travel through the township. Samuel 'Pogue, a soldier in Harrison's army, drove a stake at the spring south of Buckeye street, which was the spot marked out for his future residence. Here he foresaw a busy town. What was there in the surroundings to inspire such a prophesy? Nothing could be seen save a forest awful in its stillness and its density. A surface, except on the sand bars saturated with water, was surely no encouraging sight. Nor would an occasional glimpse of a hostile savage, caught among decaying logs and underbrush, give hope to anticipation. However this may be there is a growing town where it was prophesied there would be one.

A glance over the ground, in 1840, would show the pike filled with white

covered wagons, carrying the goods and families of emigrants to the West; at the cross roads, Hamer's double log tavern, on one corner, McPherson's blacksmith-shop within a short distance; Amos Fenn's cabinet-shop, and two small stores. On the ridge to the west and southwest were flourishing farms; to the south, where the business center of Clyde now is, an untouched forest:

The term of "Bang All" had passed out of use and Hamer's Corners was the only name known to travelers or residents.

Clyde, as we see it to day, is the creature of the two railroads which cross here, af- fording better facilities for transportation than any, other point in the county. The first town lots were laid out by William Hamer and Philip Beery. The construction of the railroads was the death blow not only to the name, but also the hamlet of Hamer's Corners. Mr. Hamer had surveyed, in town- lots, the land extending from the pike as a base line toward the south, so far as the junction of Maple and Main streets, being a triangular tract. This is recorded as "Hamer's addition to Centreville," from which it appears that Centreville had become the accepted name of the place, although the post office was never so known. On the same day, February 6, 1852, Philip Beery had surveyed a small tract recorded as "Beery's addition to the village of Centerville," lying south of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern track and east of the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati.

In July, 1852, Lyman Miller fell, in with the growing spirit of founding a town, and remembering the prophesy of his step-father, Samuel Pogue, laid out a large tract west of the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati track, which is recorded as Miller's "Addition to the town of Centreville," but the papers were dated "Clyde," which shows that the name had been

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changed, probably about the time the survey was made.

A public meeting was field for the purpose of naming the infant Town, there being much difference of opinion. A number of names were proposed, but the three most favored were Centreville, Hamersville, and Clyde. The last was the proposal of Dr. Treadway, whose personal popularity had perhaps as much weight with the assembled citizens as the beauty and brevity of the name. It is in the traditional history of the town that a few of the older heads were slightly sore because of the treatment their suggestions had received in the town meeting. Clyde had a large majority and was the name known in the records of the county, post office department, and railroad offices thereafter.

The next addition was made by George R. Brown, in September, 1852. Adjacent lands have since, from time to time, been added, as growing industries have increased the population.

A notable feature of the plat of this village is the irregularity of streets and lots. This condition of things is produced by following the direction of the railroads, which cross at an angle of about seventy degrees. The street system is still further complicated by the angling roads, which were laid out before the existence of the town. The streets in Miller's addition are parallel with the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad; those of Brown's addition run with the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati railroad. The streets of Ames' addition follow the county road leading north, and those of Hamer's addition are laid off with reference to the pike. This irregularity in the system of streets detracts somewhat from the simple beauty the place might have, but the luxuriant shading more than supplies the loss. The sidewalk of every avenue is

hidden from the burning sun by the foliage of thrifty maples and elms.

Clyde was incorporated a separate and independent borough under the laws of Ohio March 8, 1866, and a village government organized soon after that time-in April-with John M. Lemmon, mayor. Succeeding mayors have been: Joseph Zepernich, to June, 1871; S. W. Reed, till April, 1872; Z. Perin, till April, 1880; since which time J. B. Bush has filled the office.

TAVERNS AND HOTELS.

It is reliably stated that at one time there were eight public houses of entertainment between Clyde and Fremont. This was during the days of the mud road from Bellevue to Perrysburg.

A line of stages was early established to Sandusky over the north sand ridge, intersecting the State, road at the site of the cemetery. This crossing became a popular place for taverns. The first tavern-keeper of note and prominence was William Hamer, whose name the place bore for more than a quarter of a century. Mr. Hamer begun to keep tavern on the Corners about 1826. The building was a double log structure, with the cracks well filled and a sawed board floor, and withal quite comfortable. In this respect it contrasted favorably with the two first taverns in the township, Benton's and Baker's, which were built six or seven years before, when boards were not to be obtained at any price. William McPherson's black-smith shop, and in a short time a small store, gave the Corners a village appearance, and the residents bestowed upon it the name Hamer's Corners. This, however, is not the name by which the outside world knew the place. Bang All was the more common designation. The landlord of the corners is not to be held accountable for the condition of things which gave origin to this disagreeable pseudo name.

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Hamer, like all good hosts, sold whiskey, but for that reason is not to be blamed for the unfortunate reputation the place in early times acquired for drunken rows and general banging of eyes. Mr. Hamer's kind hospitality is remembered by some of the guests of his house. Old men are not few who regret that the good log tavern days have passed away. Whatever else may be said of the benefits conferred by industrial and social developments, it must be admitted that the homely hospitality of the days of slab benches and cheap whiskey has been lost. There was a romance about the old tavern which clings to the memory of old men and fires the imagination of generations born since the decay of pioneer institutions.

It was the practice of the period for travelers to attend to their own horses. Generally the log barn was of sufficient size to accommodate all, but in busy seasons it was not uncommon to hitch to the hind end of the wagon. The first business of the traveler was to water, wash, and feed the horses, while the female portion of the caravan took care of the babies and engaged lodgings. The men having tended their teams made straight-way for the bar, where all bodily aches and pains were banished by a full glass. No time was lost in establishing an acquaintanceship, either among the women who formed a cheerful circle around a large log fireplace or among the men who were drinking each other's health in the bar- room. The supper bell brought all together around a table bearing steaming cornbread, well roasted venison or pork; and other staple articles of food. Supper over, the more sober and orderly retired early to their beds, while some of the gay and festive spent the early evening in cracking jokes and spinning yarns between drinks, winding up sometimes, though not frequently, in a drunken row. The rising

sun generally found travelers on their journey. Horses were fed by the break of day, and after partaking of a cornbread breakfast the travelers repaired to their wagons and began the day's travel which, in muddy seasons, was sometimes not further than the next tavern. These taverns were everywhere much alike. We have applied these remarks to Hamer's only because it was the main point between Bellevue and Lower Sandusky.

The first frame tavern was built by Mr. Smith and afterwards owned by Wesley Anderson. After the railroad was built the junction House, the oldest tavern in the present village of Clyde, was built by Lyman Miller.

In 1867 Henry Nichols, seeing the need of a comfortable hotel for the accommodation of the general public, and at the same time an opportunity for a profitable investment, began the erection of the Nichols House, which is now the only hotel, properly speaking, in the village. In 1871 this property passed into the hands of Josiah Barnet. After several changes William H. Kauffman became proprietor in 1873, and in 1875 purchased the property. He brought with him the experience necessary to the successful management of a hotel. He was for a number of years connected with hotels in Columbus and Indianapolis, and was afterwards, until coming to Clyde, proprietor of the Murray House, Springfield, Ohio, of which town he is a native.

MERCHANDISING.

It is not easy to say who opened the first store at the Corners, nor is it of any consequence. The Corners has been a trading point for fifty years. A man named Turk opened a store at an early day. Previous to 1845 stores were kept by Wesley Anderson, William Hamer, Mr. Bohl, Fred Vandercook, and E. M. Cook. Darwin E. Harkness began busi-

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ness in 1840, in a small room on the pike. He had previously been doing cabinet work.

One of the busiest places in the little village was William McPherson's black- smith shop. This forge drew to the Corners considerable trade, for had it been presided over by one less skilled, farmers would have gone to Bellevue or Fremont more frequently than they did, The largest store at the Corners was opened by P. B. Beery, in 1851. Mr. Beery was a trained merchant and a man of tact. He had been in business in Sandusky and Fremont as a clerk previous to coming to Green Creek. One of Mr. Beery's clerks, Mr. William H. Bacon, has since been a successful merchant in Clyde.

The building now occupied by Norton Russel as a residence was used in 1848 by Mr. E. Ames for a store. Jonathan Ames soon after purchased the stock and removed the business to a small room on the opposite side of the street.

Mr. Beery sold his business in 1857 to Curtis, Bacon & Co. In 1854 W. H. and B. R. Bacon began business on the south side of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad, and in the following spring removed to the first brick business block in the village, which had just been completed the three-story block nearly opposite the post office where they engaged in trade till 1866, when Powers & Joseph succeeded. B. R. Bacon removed to Kansas City; William H. the following year opened a store on the south end of Alain street. From 1873 to 1878 he engaged in farming; since the last named date he has been, in the dry goods trade.

D. E. Harkness, the oldest merchant in Clyde, is a son of Dr. William G. Harkness, who is mentioned under another head. He has never pushed an extensive trade, but has always been successful.

His store at the Corners, from 1840 to 1857, had a substantial patronage. In 1857 he removed to the new business centre, and maintained a steady trade till 1876, when E. M. Harkness purchased the store and succeeded to the business, which he still conducts. In 1878 the veteran merchant, not content with rest, again opened a store at the north end of Main street.

Powers & Joseph continued trade till about 1874, when Powers died. Joseph has been a successful merchant. The largest store ever opened in Clyde was established by Taylor & Richards, in 1872. After the fire of 1873 they occupied a double room in the new block now occupied by W. H. Bacon. Their stock was equal in quality and variety to any store in Northern Ohio, outside of Cleveland and Toledo. For the past few years Mr. Richards has been the sole proprietor, but on a smaller scale.

There are at present four dry goods stores. W. K. Bartlett was the pioneer in the hardware business. His store was in a little room in a frame building, which stood on the corner of Main and Buckeye streets, about 1858. Subsequent dealers were James Vandercook, S. B. Mann, William Wicks, W. C. Andrews, and Frank Rader.

The first drug store was opened by Dr. Eaton, on the pike. William Miller purchased the stock, and about 1860 removed to Main street. He died in 1865. Dr. Luse engaged in the trade a short time, and after him it passed through various hands, till it ceased to exist. H. H. Rabe has been in the drug trade on Main street since 1862. Rushton & Moll opened a store a few years later, which has for a number of years been owned by H. B. Tiffany. M. A. T. Pope completes the list of present druggists in Clyde.

In boots and shoes, groceries, and other

Hors. Cynthia Mc Pherson.

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branches of trade there is fair and honorable competition between a number of creditable stores in each department.

The Clyde Banking association was organized October 1, 1870, B. Kline, D. E. Harkness, A. Richards, and F. W. Parkhurst being the partners. Mr. Kline has since retired.

MILLS AND MANUFACTURING.

Clyde stone mill, the oldest mill in the village, was built by a stock company in 1863. It is now owned by Lawrence & McConnell.

Hunter & Miles built the Star mill in 1870. C. Hunter is now the exclusive proprietor.

An edge tool factory was established by Hunter & Brigham in 1869. Ten men are employed throughout the year.

W. A. Hunter established a bath in 1874 with complete modern furniture. A well-used bathing establishment contributes more to the beauty and health of a town than is commonly supposed.

Clyde, during the last five years, has become an important point for the manufacture of brackets and other similar novelties. Wilbur Finch and George Super began the business in the summer of 1876 by making, on a small scale, work-baskets and paper-holders. Mr. Super continues the business. He employs three hands.

Hutchins & Brother began the manufacture of toilet brackets. Their patent double-frame bracket and glass has an extensive sale and employs ten hands in its manufacture.

D. F. Beck fitted out an establishment with suitable machinery and began making toilet brackets in the fall of 1876. He makes thirteen different styles, and has machinery which enables him to work up common walnut cord wood into the most handsome chamber decorations.

John W. Wolcott employs twelve hands in the manufacture of slat work novelties.

His patent work-basket, particularly, com- mands a ready sale. He has just patented, and is preparing to manufacture on an extensive scale, a kitchen table which combines many features valuable to the housewife. Mr. Wolcott came to Clyde in the spring of 1868 and started a sash and blind factory which he operated one year, and then engaged in the lumber business until the manufacture of novelties received his attention.

The Mefford Fruit Company was established in 1878 with a capital of three hundred thousand dollars, which includes the Mefferd patent for drying fruit. D. M. Mefford was elected president of the company and has had general charge of the business. The establishment at Clyde has a capacity of three to five hundred bushels of green fruit per day. Establishments of this kind are of greater consequence to a town than at first glance might be supposed. It created an active market for all kinds of staple fruit, and not only benefits the producers, but brings to the town a large trade which would otherwise be lost. If public patronage is the proper ground on which to estimate merit, the success of the Mefford process has already been established beyond contradiction.

SMALLER INDUSTRIES.

There are in Clyde two carriage shops, two planing mills, a number of blacksmith shops, cabinet shops, etc. The first black-smith was William McPherson, who carried on the trade until failing health necessitated his retirement. The first cabinet-maker was Amos Fenn; he "picked up" the trade, but became an efficient workman. Darwin Harkness did a prosperous business in this line for some time.

A veteran tradesman of the present time is Oliver M. Mallernee. He was born in Harrison county, Ohio, in 1836. Having learned the blacksmithing trade, he came to Clyde in 1857. In 1861 he enlisted

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as army blacksmith in the Third Ohio cavalry, and served till 1864. After the war he again worked at his trade in Clyde for a period. He then turned his attention to farming. He is now in the marble and monument trade in Clyde. Mr. Mallernee married, in 1866, Mrs. Elijah West, whose maiden name was Mary Blake.

POST OFFICE.

William McPherson was the first commissioned postmaster in the township, the name of the office then being Harrier's Corners. He was followed by D. E. Harkness, who gave the villagers the benefit of a free delivery. Taking the mail in his hat, he would walk around to the taverns and stores on a distributing tour. There were at this time two mail lines, one along the pike, the other on the north ridge road to Sandusky. Succeeding postmasters have been Jacob McCleary, D. E. Harkness, J. W. Wales, W. H. Reynolds, J. B. Bush, J. P. Fish, J. B. Fellows, R. B. McPherson, and Mrs. Z. Perin.

FRATERNITIES.

Five of the leading orders in the United States have flourishing lodges at Clyde. They are all fortunate in having a large and enthusiastic membership.

MASONIC .*

Monticello Lodge NO. 244 was chartered October 18, 1854, with the following members: William M. Harrison, Charles G. Eaton, Jacob McCleary, William, S. Rupell, William Hamer, James W. Forster, Henry Burdick, John N. Rupell, and George R. Brown. A dispensation had been granted by the Grand Lodge of the State December 3, 1853, authorizing William M. Harrison, worshipful master; Charles F. Eaton, senior warden, and Jacob McCleary, junior warden, to assemble and work as a lodge of Master Masons. The first election under the charter, in

1854, resulted in the choice of W. M. Harrison, W. M .; C. G. Eaton, S. W .; Jacob McCleary, J. W .; W. S. Rupell, secretary; William Hamer, treasurer; P. B. Beery, S. D .; William Hinton, J. D .; Robert Clapp, tyler.

The succession of worshipful masters has been; W. M. Harrison, C. G. Eaton, W. M. Harrison, William E. Lay, J. B .. Stark, William E. Lay, A. B. French; J. W. Forster, E. T. Gettings, R. F. Patrick, A. B. French, F. M. Ginn.

The following Clyde Masons have re- ceived the Knight Templar degree: William E. Lay, Frank Rader, Tiffin comandery; W. H. Kauffman, Springfield; and W. M. Harrison, Orlin W. Harrison, and Eli Miller, Sandusky.

Acadia Lodge, No. 42, Free and Accepted Masons (colored), received a dispensation and was organized June 21, 1870, with the following officers: T. G. Reese, W. M .; G. R. Taylor, S. W .; D. Whitsell, J. W .; H. Winsor, treasurer; Edward. Simpson, secretary; S. Manby, S. D .; C. Wood, J. D .; Peter Points, tyler. The lodge was instituted December 10, 1872. This was the most notable occasion of the kind which has ever taken place in the town. Colored Masons were present from Toledo, Cleveland, and other surrounding towns and cities. The lodge disbanded July 13, 1875, at which time there were twenty-four members.

ODD FELLOWS.

A charter was granted to Clyde Lodge, No. 380, May 10, 1866. The lodge was instituted August 3, 1866, by Right Worthy Grand Master Daniel Fitchen. The charter members were: Matthias Benner, George B. Fuller, Richard F. Patrick, S. M. Reynolds, George T. Bell, W. W. Stilson, B. R. Bacon, George Smith, Peter Upp, N. K. Taylor, Joseph Barnett, John McMartin, James McMartin, A. T. Smith, G. R. Brown, and W. W. Whitton.

*Information furnished by W. M. Harrison.

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The past noble grands of this lodge are: Matthias Benner, George B. Fuller, R. F. Patrick, W. W. Stilson, E. T. Gettings, Henry Baker, E. F. Drake, Albert Stark, Charles Wright, B. F. Rodgers, G. P. Humphrey, N. H. Taylor, N. B. Mason, John Malcolm, George H. Brace, J. G: Bruncker, Henry Bobst, George Carlton, G. W. Dwight, S. B. Taylor, W. S. Vale, John Gazly.

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History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 95

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