History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 78

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 78

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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 haye 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 can- vass, and twelve hundred and eighty-four

miles' travel on foot, Mr. Jones visited thirty-one hundred and ninety-nine fami- lies. 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-presi- dents; 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 cem- etery 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 improve- ments. Walks and roads have been con- structed, lots graded and otherwise beauti- fied. In the year 1878 a residence for the superintendent was erected, at an ex- pense of one thousand dollars, and in 1869 a stone vault was constructed at a

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

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. Mc- Culloch, treasurer; and C. Cramer, super- intendent.

The Catholics in this part of the county

buried their dead near the river below this ; adjoining St. Joseph's cemetery.

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 pur- poses, located in the southwest part of che town. St. James' church purchased, at the same time, eight acres lying east and

CHAPTER XXXI.

SOCIAL SOCIETIES.

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

SOMETIME in February, 1874, ex- Governor Hayes suggested the forma- tion 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 forma- tion 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 pos- sible the events and the names of persons who were pioneers might be rescued from the oblivion of forgetfulness and kept on record. Accordingly the follow- ing 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, provid- ing 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 re- sided in the county on or before the Ist day of January, A. D. 1830, shall be exempt from the payment of any member- ship fees or dues.

At this first meeting the following per- sons, having complied with the constitu- tion, 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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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

On motion the following officers were then elected to serve until the regular an- nual election, to be held August 3, 1874, to-wit: Homer Everett, president; L. Q. Rawson, vice-president; R. B. Hayes, sec- retary ; 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 so- ciety 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, Ball- ville; William E. Lay, Green Creek; David Overmyre, Jackson; Martin Klutz, Madi- son; 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 according- ly, 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 un- mistakable 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 organi- zation 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 succeed- ing generations. By the numerous dis- courses and addresses at these meetings a very good photo, so to speak, of early pioneer life has been placed on the rec- ords of th 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 build- ing 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-Ma- sonic frenzy, which spread over the coun- try like wildfire in consequence of the re- puted 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 or- ganization 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. Olm- sted, 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 Decein- ber 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 presid- ed 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 Ever- ett; 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 Wil- mer, 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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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

DRUIDS.

The first society entirely German in its membership was established in Fre- mont 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 Ma- grum, 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 mem- bers: 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. Weis- becker, L. Dick, Charles Klegin, F. Rich- ards, J. Baumann, Christian Neeb, I. Younkman, Dr. M. Stamm, John Buchler, John Renchler, Charles F. Geisin, and C. W. Tschumy. This lodge has a mem- bership 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, 1. 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 ad- vanced 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 institu- tions, whether social, political, religious, or moral, are the creatures of this mystic force, and have been controlled, modified, reformed, and perfected under its pro- cesses, so that their present excellence has been graduated from rude and simple originals. Under this law of the social or- ganization, 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 de- pendence, and to promote a spirit of fra- ternity which knits them together in spite of the partition walls set up to estrange and separate them. Althoughi but feebly supported in its inception, it has con- quered its way by persistent effort, and to- day 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 trans- fer 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.

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

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 rec- ord 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 char- ter 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 Rich- ard Williams; John E. McCormic, Cas- per 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, Sun- mit county, Ohio. After the formal insti- tution 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.

The Pease building was occupied about one year, when the lodge was removed to

the Morehouse building, owned by Theo- dore Clapp, on the southeast corner of Front and Garrison streets. Here they remained about two years, when they again removed to a room in the third story of Buckland's "old block," on Front street. This room they occupied from 1850 to March, 1870, when another change was made to the present large, com- modious, and beautifully appointed rooms in the Foster block, Front street.

The lodge continued to increase in membership until 1876, when, numbering one hundred and sixty-two contributing members and thirty-five past grands, some of the brotherhood evidenced a desire to withdraw and form a new lodge. In June of the same year the matter took tangible form in the institution of McPherson Lodge, No. 637, with twenty-nine charter members, a history of which will appear elsewhere in this work. Since that time both lodges have worked harmoniously to- gether, as brothers of one great family, in cherishing the sentiments and diffusing the divine principles of friendship, love, and truth.

The following summary has been care- fully compiled from records and annual grand lodge reports, from February 5, 1847, to July 1, 1881, and is approxi- mately correct :

SUMMARY.

MEMBERSHIP.

Contributing menibers January, 1850. 37

Admitted by initiation from January, 1850, to July, 1881. 270

Admitted by card from January, 1850 to July, 1881 73

Admitted by reinstation. 20

Total membership to July, 1881. 400

Withdrawn by card. 104

Dropped 114

Die 26

244

Present membership. 156

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

RELIEF.

Number of brothers relieved to July, 1881 344

Number of widows relieved to July, 1881. 9

Number of brothers buried by the lodge.

Total 377

Amount paid for relief of brothers from Jan- uary, 1347 to July, 1881 $4731 10

Amount paid for relief of widows 89 93

Amount paid for burial of deceased broth-

ers 639 40

Amount paid to charitable purposes. 73 50

Total. $5533 93

FINANCE.

Minimum receipts from 1847 to 1881 $23192 66

Expenses from 1847 to 1881 18866 03

Balance $4326 88

List of Past Grands to July, 1881, in nearly the regular order: N. S. Cook, D. H. Hershey, W. M. Stark, John Bell, R. P. Buckland, sr., John I .. Greene, sr., C. R. McCulloch,* James S. Fouke, O. A. Roberts, J. F. R. Seibring, W. H. Mor- gan, James H. Hufford, G. WV. Steele, G. C. Canfield, S. Buckland, D. L. June, C. M. Fouke, I. M. Keeler, T. Clapp, 1). W. Krebs, S. Buckland,* John McKee, N. Haynes, John Flaugher, J. R. Bartlett, L. Gelpin, E. H. Underhill, Joseph Rum- baugh, George Reymond, John Bell,* John P. Moore, Aaron Bennett, L. M. Jackson, Charles H. Krebs, H. L. Pen- nell, H. R. Shomo, S. P. Meng, A. D. Wiles, C. K. Phelps, B. W. Lewis, James Kridler, D. L. Camfield, Henry Lesher, James H. Fowler, F. K. Tetter, David Otto, George Beck, Henry Stacy, S. E. Anderson, H. R. Tucker, G. M. Tyler, John T. Beck, J. C. Rosebaugh, T. F. Seigfried, R. Hermon, William Foresythe, John Treat, John L. Greene, jr., D. S. June, T. M. Hobart, H. R. Finefrock, M. A. June, C. E. Reiff, E. H. Morgan, I. Walborn, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Henry W. Kent.

Following is the present list of Past Grands of Croghan Lodge, July 1, 1881 :

R. P. Buckland, sr., C. R. McCulloch, James H. Hafford, S. Buckland, D. L. June, I. M. Keeler, E. H. Underhill, Jos. Rumbaugh, John P. Moore, George J. Krebs, H. R. Shomo, B. W. Lewis, David Otto, George Beck, Henry Stacy, S. E. Anderson, H. L. Pennell, M. R. Tucker, John T. Beck, T. F. Seigfried, R. Her- mon, William Foresythe, John Treat, John L. Greene, jr., D. S. June, T. M. Hobart, H. R. Finefrock, M. A. June, C. F. Reiff, E. H. Morgan, I. Walborn, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Henry W. Kent.

M'PHERSON LODGE I. O. O. F.

In 1876 the lodge had grown so large that it was thought better results could be secured by division. The Grand Lodge was applied to, and on May 11, 1876, a charter was issued to McPherson Lodge No. 637. The lodge was formally insti- tuted June 29, 1876, with the following members: George J. Krebs, John W. Greene, John Pero, C. B. Tyler, John P. Thompson, S. P. Meng, A. Alfred, George Maycomber, W. B. Kridler, jr., Charles B. Greene, James West, Henry Coonrod, James Park, S. J. Ludwig, H. R. Bowlus, G. W. Heberling, Charles Thompson, Benjamin F. Evans, J. H. Robinson, James Kridler, Charles Moore, Henry Lesher, Frank Q. Ickes, S. A. Wilson, P. Knerr, Samuel Ridley, J. C. Rosebach, W. S. Witmer, and James S. Fowler.

FREMONT ENCAMPMENT

was chartered in May, 1855, with the fol- lowing members: D. W. Armstrong, T. G. Amsden, A. J. Knapp, Samuel Z. Cul- ver, David Moore, A. D. Wiles, Theodore Clapp, J. F. R. Sebring, W. W. Seely.

Lincoln Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, was chartered May 21, 1880.

In concluding this brief and abstract re- port, it affords great pleasure to be able to say that both lodges are, at the present, in a most healthful, progressive, and thriv-

* Passed the chair twice.

Bureau. Eugnawing & Printing.

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HISTORY OF SANDUSKY .COUNTY.

ing condition, both in membership and finance.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES.

An able historian has observed that na- tive talent is about equally distributed in all nations, but it goes to waste wherever the surroundings are not propitious. Intel- lectual strength, to be useful, must have cultivation, and be associated with good moral qualities ; great occasions are neces- sary to make it prominent in an individual. This is a somewhat abstract theory, but it is a legitimate deduction from the career of that one citizen of Sandusky county who has filled the highest office provided for by the Constitution of the Nation.

It is our purpose to give only a bare outline of the life of the ex-President whose home is within the limits of this city. His biography is beyond our scope, it is a part of the history of the country. But so much of his time, when not en- gaged in the performance of public trusts, has been spent here that a sketch of his career falls within the legitimate sphere of local history.

Rutherford B. Hayes is a descendant of George Hayes, a native of Scotland, who, after living for a time in Derbyshire, Eng- land, came to America in the latter part of the seventeenth century and located at Windsor, Connecticut. Rutherford Hayes, of the fifth generation from George Hayes, was born in West Brattleboro, Vermont, in 1787. He is spoken of as a man of florid countenance and sandy hair, as having a great fondness for athletic sports and of popular manners. He married, in 1813, Sophia Birchard, of Wilmington,

Vermont, a lady of fine intellect and lovely character. In 1817 Mr. Hayes, with his family, came to Ohio, the trip be- ing made in a covered wagon and con- suming forty-seven days. They settled at Delaware, where, in July, 1822, Mr. Hayes died, leaving a wife and one daughter. Rutherford Birchard Hayes was born on the 4th of October following. The es- tate and management of family affairs was entrusted to Sardis Birchard, Mrs. Hayes's brother, who was then a young man, and took a loving interest in his sister's welfare. Mr. Birchard became very fond of his nephew, and at the age of twelve years took him under his im- mediate charge, sending him to school and afterwards to Kenyon college. During this school period Mr. Hayes spent a large part of his vacation time at the residence of his uncle in Fremont. His sister had married William A. Platt, of Columbus, and his mother made her home in that city. Mr. Hayes graduated from Kenyon with the first honors of his class. During the course he kept a diary in which is recorded not only casual events of college life, but his estimates of persons with whom he come in contact, and occasionally lets drop a remark about himself and his as- pirations. Mr. William D. Howells, in his biography, observes concerning this jour- nal :

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History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with portraits and biographies of prominent citizens and pioneers, Part 78

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