History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 103

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040

USA > Ohio > Sandusky County > History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers > Part 103

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appointed in 1876 and served until 1879, when C. C. Cook was appointed. J. L. Painter is present chief. A first-class Silsby rotary steam fire engine was pur- chased in 1875, with a hose cart and one thousand feet of hose, at a cost of about four thousand seven hundred dollars. In May, 1879, the companies were reorgan- ized and formed into one company, under one set of officers, but one division was assigned to the engine, another to the hose, and another to the hook and ladder. The officers elected were John Eichhorn, foreman; John Toomy, first assistant ; William Estnaur, second assistant ; John L. Painter, secretary; William Mayne, engineer and treasurer. The "hooks" were first organized in 1877, more as a sporting company, though active at fires. C. C. Cook was captain; John M. En- right, foreman; Seth H. Cook, assistant foreman; J. C. Morrell, secretary, and Thomas Rudd, treasurer.

SOCIETIES.

The charter of Bellevue Lodge, No. 123, I. O. O. F., was granted July 21, 1848. The following are names of the charter members: William W. Stilson, A. Leiter, M. H. Seymour, R. C. McElhany and P. G. Sharp. The lodge was insti- tuted November 9, of the same year, by Grand Master McElwin, when the follow- ing officers were elected: A. Leiter, N. G .; William W. Stilson, V. G .; W. H. Seymour, R. S .; R. C. McElhany, P. S. ; P. G. Sharp, treasurer. The N. G. ap- pointed C. Cone, Con. ; T. Baker, warden ; F. H. Cone, I. G .; J. Hoover, O. G .; J. L. Hunt, R. S. to N. G .; S. G. Culver, L. S. to N. G .; H. G. Harris, R. S. S .; C. D. Dwight, L. S. S .; B. F. Taylor, R. S. to V. G .; C. L. Cook, L S. to V. G. Meetings are held Monday evenings of each week.

A charter was issued by the Grand Lodge at its session in Mansfield, Ohio, October

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

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26, 1855, for Bellevue Lodge, No. 273, Free and Accepted Masons. The charter mem- bers were: W. B. Disbro, L. W. Frary, L. S. Chandler, M. Peters, D. A. Lathrop, James Cady, W. B. Dimick and C. B. Gambies. The first officers were: W. B. Disbro, W. M .; L. W. Frary, S. W .; L. S. Chandler, J. W.

A charter was issued for Bellevue Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 113, at Dayton, Ohio, on the 17th of Oc- tober, 1868. The charter members were: D. M. Harkness, J. K. Richards, M. A. Severance, W. W. Beymer, W. E. Greene, M. A. Barnes, H. Peck and John Cowles. The following officers were ap- pointed: R. A. Severance, high priest ; H. Peck, king; W. E. Greene, scribe.

Bellevue Lodge No. 957, Knights of Honor, was organized March 8, 1878, with the following charter members: H. N. Richards, R. A. Boyer, F. L. Goodson, R. Greenslade, W. H. Kern, G. S. Lanter- man, H. F. Baker, G. A. Beckwith, H. B. Acker, E. H. Smith, T. H. Wood, J. W. Close, William Mayne, Joseph Sherck, E. W. Dorsey, T. C. Wood, C. D. Smith, W. H. Dimick, Joseph Bannister, Thomas Thorneloe, C. H. Welch. The first offi- cers were: H. F. Baker, P. D .; E. H. Smith, D .; H. N. Richards, V. D .; George A. Beckwith, A. D .; R. Greenslade, chap- lain; R. A. Boyer, guard; F. L. Good- son, R .; W. H. Kern, F. R .; Joseph Sherck, treasurer; W. H. Dimick, guar- dian ; William Mayne, sentinel. The lodge was instituted by H. R. Shomo, grand dictator of Ohio. Meetings are held Wednesday evening of each week in Odd Fellows' Hall.

BANKING.

Chapman, Harkness & Company for some years prior to 1852, Harkness & Company from 1852 to 1868, and H. M. Sinclair from 1868 to 1873, carried on a business comprising some of the features

of banking; but it was not until 1871 that a house was established with the clearly defined object of doing a strictly banking business. On the 22d of May, of 1871, was organized the banking firm of Wood, Woodward & Company, Bourdette Wood, Abishai Woodward and E. J. Sheffield be- ing the partners. The firm opened their bank in the room now occupied by the - First National Bank, but in 1875 pur- chased of Mr. Woodward the site of the present building, and erected the fine brick block wherein the bank is now located. In September, 1876, the bank was incorporated by act of the State Leg- islature, and commenced business October 2, 1876, as a stock company. The capi- tal stock with which the bank organized was one hundred thousand dollars, Messrs. Wood, Woodward and Sheffield becoming the largest stockholders. The company included many of the leading business men in the place, and several of the ablest farmers in the vicinity. A board of direc- tors was chosen September 23, 1876, con- sisting of Bourdette Wood, Abishai Wood- ward, E. J. Sheffield, Andrew Smith, A. C. Beckwith, and the following year two more directors were added, viz .: D. M. Harkness and J. B. Higbee. Bourdette Wood was chosen president; Abishai Wood- ward, vice-president; and E. J. Sheffield, cashier; and these gentlemen are the pres- ent officers, with Thomas Woodward, jr., as teller. The stockholders of this bank in number represent not less than one million three hundred thousand dollars, two of the directors, Mr. Wood and Mr. Harkness representing, together, three- fourths of a million.

The First National Bank was organized September 30, 1875, the capital stock be- ing fifty thousand dollars. The directors are: J. T. Worthington, Dr. Amos Wood- ward, J. B. Higbee, William McKim, Joseph Egle, and J. K. Richards. J. T.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

Worthington is president, and E. H. Brown cashier.

FLOURING MILLS.

The manufacture of flour has been an industry of considerable importance to Bellevue for many years. There are two large mills owned by Higbee & Com- pany. The old mill was first built in 1849 by J. B. Higbee and a Mr. Lawrence. In 1859 the mill was burned, Mr. Higbee then owning the property alone. The loss involved him to a considerable extent, but he succeeded in effecting a compromise with his creditors and soon rebuilt the mill and resumed business. Since then the mill has been enlarged and improved, and Mr. Higbee associated with him in the business his son, J. A. Higbee.

In 1873 or 1874 the Higbees purchased the mill of H. M. Sinclair & Company and received Mr. T. L. Branan as a part- ner.

DISTILLERIES.

Soon after the settlement of the county a small distillery was started near Bellevue. The grain used was ground at Clear Creek, and the still was run by hand. This was previous to 1836.

In October, 1849, Chapman, Harkness & Company built the first large distillery, with a capacity of sixty bushels of grain per day. This was run until 1852, when it was sold to D. M. Harkness, who formed a partnership with L. G. Harkness and H. M. Flagler. It was then increased to a capacity of six hundred bushels of grain daily, and was run under this management until 1864, when it was purchased by H. M. Sinclair. Since that time it has not been run continuously, and is now aban- doned as a distillery.

In 1853 Chapman, Woodward & Com- pany built another distillery, with a ca- pacity for six hundred bushels daily. This distillery has been run most of the time since built, and is still in operation.

The original cost of these distilleries was not far from thirty thousand dollars each.

THE FARMER'S ELEVATOR.

Early in 1875 the farmers living in the vicinity of Bellevue formed a joint stock company for the purpose of erecting an elevator that should be under their own control, and from which they could ship their grain if they thought best, or could sell on the street if prices offered suited them. The charter members of this com- pany consisted of seventeen persons, and stock was subscribed to the amount of five thousand dollars.

A building about twenty-four by sixty feet was erected, and completed Septem- ber II, 1875. An engine house was also built, and an engine provided for hoisting grain and running a cleaner and a mill for grinding feed. The cost was about nine thousand dollars, a part of it being paid from the earnings of the elevator after its completion. The building and attach- ments were put in charge of John Decker, who, the first season, received and shipped some four hundred thousand bushels of grain.

On the night of April 10, 1878, the ele- vator was burned. A new one was im- mediately commenced, and was in running order about August t, 1878, but the feed- mill and cleaner were not replaced. Mr. Decker continued as manager until No- vember, 1878, when Messrs. Wood & Close took charge. The Ist of January, 1879, they leased the elevator, the stock- holders reserving the right to use it for their own grain, on paying the lessees one cent per bushel for elevating and storing.

The stock company is managed by a board of directors, consisting of nine per- sons, three of whom form an executive committee. It is believed by the mem- bers of the company that since the erection of the elevator, prices for grain have ruled

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY}

firmer, and thus the patrons have received benefit from the investment.

There are two elevators in the building, both run by horse power, two horses being used. This is found much more eco- nomical than an engine, and answers the purpose equally well.

WATER WORKS.

The village of Bellevue is situated in a comparatively level country, with no hills and no elevated land from which to obtain water by means of springs or natural res- ervoirs. Underlying it is a limestone for- mation, full of cracks and seams, by means of which the surface water is effectually drained off, thus forming a fine system of drainage for farms, but giving the town the reputation of a dry place. On the purchase of a hand fire engine, in 1869, cisterns were built in various parts of the town, but the supply of water was not thought adequate. About that time the subject of some system of water works was agitated, and the village authorities caused an experimental well to be bored, but the drill became stuck and it was given up.

In 1872 the village council submitted the question of a reservoir, to be fed by a large ditch on the eastern border of the corporation, to the people for a vote, which resulted almost unanimously in its favor, only two votes being recorded against the question. An ordinance was then passed authorizing the construction of water works, and providing for the issue of bonds for the village, not to exceed the amount of forty thousand dollars, the same to expire in 1880. A special election was held July 5, 1875, for the election of three trustees, for one, two, and three years. J. W. Goodson, A. B. Smith, and B. Moore were elected, and immediately proceeded to work out the plan. A lot of five acres was purchased from McKim and Bates, with the right of way to the

ditch before mentioned. Two more acres were subsequently added to the first pur- chase, making the present area seven acres. In digging out the reservoir, the dirt was piled up around the sides, making a substantial embankment. The gravel in the side of the ridge was struck in some places, and when the reservoir is full the water filters through the gravel into the ridge for a great distance, forming an almost inexhaustible supply, for one sea- son at least.

In 1875 water conductors were laid through Main street, but it was found that there was not sufficient pressure to furnish all the water that was needed. In 1877 a tank house of brick was built, thirty-two feet high, and surmounted by a boiler iron tank, twenty-five feet high and eighteen feet in diameter, capable of holding fifty thousand barrels of water. A Knowles engine and pump were purchased for the purpose of forcing the water into the tank.

POWER HOUSE.

In 1871 some of the capitalists of Bellevue conceived the idea of erecting a large building, putting in an engine and suitable machinery, and renting to any persons or companies, who required power for manufacturing purposes, such part of the building as they might need for carry- ing forward the business in which they were engaged. A subscription paper was started and the names of eighty-seven persons were obtained. It was the inten- tion to start with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, though it was found that this amount would not be required, and but thirty thousand dollars were called in. Some few of the signers of the subscrip- tion did not finally take shares, though eight hundred and thirty-six were taken.

A contract was made August 8, 1871, for a building forty by one hundred and fifty feet, two stories in height, and thirty. feet to the roof. This was completed in

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the fall of the same year. An engine house was also built, twenty by thirty feet in size, the total cost being about thirty thousand dollars, including the land on which the building was erected.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

NATHAN P. AND MARY A. BIRDS- EYE.

Industry, strength, and sagacity build up estates; worth of character is a sure foundation of public esteem ; acute busi- ness capacity and fine moral sensibilities are the elements of a complete man whose life makes mankind better and by whose living human welfare has been promoted ; such a man was Nathan Phelps Birdseye.

The Birdseyes of this country are de- scended from Rev. Nathan Birdseye, a Presbyterian clergyman, who came to America in the eighteen century and died at Meriden, Connecticut, in his one hun- dred and fifth year. He preached on the centennial of his birth. This worthy pa- triarch's family consisted of six sons and six daughters.

James Birdseye, father of Joseph and Nathan P. Birdseye of York township, was born in Connecticut. In early life he removed to Ontario county, New York, where he married Phebe Phelps, by whom was born a family of four sons and one daughter. James Birdseye came to San- dusky county on a prospecting tour in company with William McPherson and Norton Russel in 1822. He entered one eighty-acre lot and returned to New York. Two years after, accompanied by his son, Nathan P., he came to Ohio, and the fol- lowing year entered upon the discharge of a contract with the State for grading a portion of the Maumee and Western Reserve road. He received in payment

a large tract of State land in York town- ship. Mr. Birdseye was also contractor and builder of the first bridge across the Sandusky River. Having completed his contracts on public works, he returned to New York, leaving his son, Nathan P., on the farm in York. For a period of eight years from 1824, our, subject lived alone, all the while enlarging his fields and reduc- ing the cleared land to a better state of cultivation. The first cabin in which he lived was built by a man named Harman. In 1828 he erected a frame house, which was occupied for a short time by Dr. L. G. Harkness. Mr. Birdseye married, April 8, 1832, Mary Ann Christie. This name carries us back to one of the earliest pioneer families in the county.

William Christie, son of Andrew and Abigail (Hopper) Christie, was born in Orange county, New York, where he mar- ried Mary Slauson. Their family consis- ted of three children-Andrew, Abigail and Mary Ann. Soon after marriage Mr. Christie moved to Tompkins county, New York, and in 1817 came to Lower Sandusky, making the entire journey from Black Rock by water. There were only about twenty-five families in the village at that time. Mr. Christie was a carpenter by trade and found ready employment. His first engagement was on a frame store building for Jaques Hulburd. A year or two later the first brick house in Lower Sandusky was built, and Mr. Christie did the carpenter work. This house is yet standing, and has for years been known as the Beaugrand property. In 1822 Mr. Christie entered two eighty-acre lots in York township, and in February of the fol- lowing year joined the pioneers of that part of the county. The only son, Andrew, died in 1822, and is buried in the old cemetery at Fremont. He was a young man of superior intelligence, and was em- ployed at writing for Auditor Rumery and

N. P. Birdseye.

Eng. by A.H. Ritchie.

Mrs. N. P. Birdseye.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

other officials. Mr. Christie himself was not spared long to his family and new farm; he died August 1, 1826, leaving two daughters to support a widow's afflic- tion. The two daughters, Abigail and Mary Ann, have never been separated at any one time for a longer period than three months. Mrs. Christie died at the home · of her danghter, Mrs Birdseye, November 2, 1846.

The old Christie farm in York township has never changed ownership, except by inheritance to the daughters. The orig- inal patent was issued in 1822, by James Monroe. The family cherish this old homestead, made doubly dear by the re- posing ashes of their parents.

Nathan P. Birdseye was born in Hope- . well, Ontario county, New York, January 27, 1804. His education was such as the common schools of his native State af- forded. He was the only member of the family who desired to come to Ohio, and by inheritance and purchase came into possession of the large tract of land in York township, taken by his father in pay- ment of services on public works. After his marriage he united with his own estate that belonging to his wife, and to further increase his possessions and advance his lands in value by means of improvements, was the constant aim of his industrious life. For twelve years he kept a house of entertainment between Bellevue and Clyde, at the same time superintending extensive farming operations. He was an accumulator of real estate, but speculation of no kind received his attention. Before retiring from his active labors, Mr. Birds- eye could look over farms embracing in all more than one thousand fertile acres, with the proud consciousness of honestly earned ownership. His virtues of char- acter are well summed up by his intimate friend and physician, Hon. John B. Rice, in an obituary published after his death,

which occurred 13th day of August, 1881 :

The demise of such a man as Nathan P. Birdseye calls for something more than the bare mention of the fact that one who had so long lived in our inidst, is dead It is paying but a just tribute to his memory that there be placed on record, by those who knew him well, an acknowledgment that he lived in such a manner as to deserve and win the respect and affec- tion of all good men.

He was of strong frame; industrious, prudent and „thrifty; clear-headed, firm, persevering, benevolent and tender-hearted. He possessed, indeed, in a re- markable degree, the traits which distinguish the good old New England stock whence he sprung. He was a farmer, and loved the land which, through years of trial and labor, he saw transformed froni forest to orchard and field. Until enfeebled by disease and advancing years he found actual enjoyment in the work of his farm, laboring in the fields with his hired men whom he treated as equals.

Mr. Birdseye was a man of earnest convictions. He looked upon mankind as a brotherhood, and regarded individuals not from appearances but ac- cording to their acts. He was originally an anti- slavery Whig, but joined the ranks of the Repub- lican party at its organization. During the war he was active in the cause of the Union; encouraged enlistments, and contributed freely toward the sup- port of the families of those who were fighting the battles of the country. In religion he was a Univer- salist. His natural love of his kind made him hope and believe that

Good, at last will fall, At last, far off, will come to all.

Mr. Birdseye acquired riches; his landed property was large, and includes some of the finest in this coun- ty. But he gained by honest industry and thrift, he never wronged or oppressed any man. His word was as good as his bond. He continually performed the uncounted deeds of neighborly kindness.

In early times when there was much sickness in the country, he would, after laboring on his farm all the day, watch with those stricken by disease, through every night in the week. At other times when a whole family were down with contagious illness, he entirely neglected his own work, and gave all his care to nursing the sick. He practiced, too, the ancient hospitality which is so little the fashion now-a-days. To the stranger overtaken by storm or by night, no matter what his condition, he always gave food and shelter, and he never knowingly allowed the hungry to pass his house unfed.

As has been said, fortune smiled upon him. But he rendered the equivalent by the labor of his own hands, and that honest kind of economy which has been commended by good men in every age. It came to him as praise of his memory will come, as the love and faithfulness of dear wife and child, and

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friends; came when disease attacked him, and his work was being finished-as the promised reward of a well-spent life.

Mrs. Mary Ann Birdseye was born May 17, 1810. She attended school in Lower Sandusky during her father's residence there, and afterwards continued her stud- ies in the seminary at Norwalk. She taught school four terms before her marriage-two terms in Bellevue, during which time she made her home at the res- idence of Thomas Amsden, and two terms in her home district in York. As a teach- er she is very kindly remembered by those who were benefited by her instruction. She possesses a cultured imagination and has written some poetry, which, for im- agery has real merit.

It is not necessary to say that the home presided over by a woman of Mrs. Birds- eye's generous, womanly disposition was a model for regularity and concord. Dur- ing the war her sympathies naturally went out toward the soldiers. She was during all that sad period president of the Clyde Ladies Aid Society, and contributed of her means and labors to the cause. Mr. Birdseye was careful at the same time that no soldier's home in his community should suffer for support. They had no sons to send to the field of battle, but their benev- olent labor at home was no less useful and appreciated.

Mrs. Birdseye is a remarkably well pre- served lady. Her face beams with intelli- gence and good nature, and she holds in memory with exceptional correctness the scenes and events of by-gone years. A visitor is particularly impressed with her cheerfulness of temperament. She re- members and narrates with pleasure amus- ing incidents, but, unlike many old peo- ple, has little to say of the rougher side of pioneer life, a full share of which she ex- perienced.

Mrs. Birdseye enjoys her quiet home in

Fremont, having with her her constant friend, companion and sister, Miss Abigail Christie, who was born December 7, 1806. She has near her, for comfort and support, her only child, Cornelia, wife of Isaac Amsden, who was born December 16, 1832. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Ams- den consists of five children.

THOMAS GATES AMSDEN.

The subject of this sketch was a con- spicuous character in the history of Belle- vue for more than thirty years. Thomas Gates Amsden was born in Ontario county, New York, October 8, 1797. His father, Isaac Amsden, was a Revolutionary soldier. After the war he settled on a farm in Ontario county, on which the son was accustomed to hard work, being given the advantage of a short term of schooling each winter.

During the War of 1812, when the Governor of New York made a call for militia to defend Buffalo, Thomas, then in his seventeenth year, responded bravely to the call in place of an older brother. Bravery and courage, which were predom- inating characteristics of the man, thus early found expression in the boy.

In early life Mr. Amsden came West, and in company with F. A. Chapman and one or two of his brothers, engaged in the hazardous business of hunting and trapping and trading with the Indians. They finally entered the employ of Gen- eral Whitney, who at that time was con- ducting Indian stores at many of the frontier posts of the Northwest. Mr. Amsden was stationed at Green Bay, where he was quite successful, and won the confidence of his employer to the degree that, in 1823, General Whitney gave to himself and Mr. Chapman letters of credit on the great Boston house of

Được by A. H. Ritchie.

Thomas G. Amsden.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

A. & A. Lawrence, to the amount of a general stock of goods calculated to the wants of pioneer trade. This stock, placed in a log cabin, was the first store in Bellevue. General Whitney, in the same way, had started eight other clerks in busi- ness, but his kindness on the whole cost him considerable money, for, as he . told Chapman & Amsden afterwards, they were the only two who paid for their stock and made a success in trade.

So popular did the store of Chapman & Amsden become that the place received the name Amsden's Corners, the last named member of the firm being best known to the customers. For several years from 1823 they continued general merchandising. Their goods were at first adapted to trading with the Indians, who were then the principal inhabitants. As the Indians decreased, and the whites multiplied, they continued the business, increasing it as trade demanded. Begin- ning in a log hut, they finally carried it on in a more pretentious frame building, the first of the kind in this region, a part of it being occupied by Mr. Amsden as a family residence. This building was eventually torn away to make room for the stone block now occupied by the First National Bank.

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History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 103

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887 Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams Number of Pages: 1040

Author: Everett, Homer, 1813-1887
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : H.Z. Williams
Number of Pages: 1040