USA > Ohio > Erie County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 101
USA > Ohio > Huron County > History of the Fire lands, comprising Huron and Erie Counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 101
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Mr. Bowen, in an early day, engaged in the manu- facture of brick, and was also a brick mason, and followed the trade to a considerable extent, more especially in the erection of chimneys. He burnt the second kiln of brick that were made in Norwich, and built on William Robinson's log house, in the fall of 1834, the pioneer brick chimney in the township. Mr. Bowen's chief occupation, however, has been that of farming, and his life has been one of steady, plod- ding toil, in which his wife has been a cheerful and
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
efficient helper. They are the parents of the follow- ing named children: four sons and four daughters, all of whom survive, to wit: Martha Jane, now Mrs. William Spencer, of Venice, Seneca county, born De- cember 5, 1832; Agnes, now Mrs. Joseph Hoffman, of the same township, born July 6, 1834; John Morris, born March 25, 1837; William Kinsman, born De- cember 29, 1838, both of Norwich; Henry C., born November 2, 1840, residing in Reed township, Seneca county; Sarah Elizabeth, born November 15, 1842, married Henry Gibson, July 3, 1866, who works the farm of his father-in-law; George, born May 29, 1847, whose residence occupies the lot on which stood the first house in Norwich, the old block house, built by the surveyors as early as 1814 or 1815; Melinda Chris- tena, born November 2, 1850, now Mrs. William J. Williams, of Reed, Seneca county.
HARVEY JONATHAN DOOLITTLE,
was born in the township of Montague, Franklin county, Massachusetts, on the 5th day of April, 1815. His parents were Calvin and Polly (Larrabee) Doolit- tle, who removed to Northfield township, in the same county, perhaps one year subsequent to Harvey's birth. When he was eighteen years of age, the family removed to Alstead, New Hampshire, where Mrs. Doolittle died, in September, 1833, and the family was broken up.
The subject of the present sketch remained at Alsted some six years, when he went to Vermont, where he met his fate and was, on April 28, 1844, united in marriage to Miss Emily, daughter of Minor and Huldah (Thurber) Wheeler, who was born in Halifax, Vermont, September 19th, 1818. No chil- dren have blessed this union, though Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle have reared several children; one, William Rieker, married Mary Read, and lives at home, hav- ing an interest in the old homestead. They have one child-Clemmis. In the spring of 1845, Mr. Doo- little and wife came to Ohio, and located in Norwich township, and some four years later purchased the farm, in the second section, which he still occupies, owning sixty-tive acres of land in lot number thirty- four. This farm was unimproved, but by dint of well-directed effort is now nearly all under a profit- able state of cultivation. The substantial dwelling, a view of which appears in another portion of this volume, was built in 1866.
Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, ten years after settling in Norwich, became members of the Church of United Brethren, and have continued faithful and consistent Christians until the present. They are also members of Live Oak Grange, No. 747, which holds its sessions in Norwich township. Politically, Mr. Doolittle be- lieves in whatever will produce the greatest good to the greatest number.
Mr. Wheeler, father of Mrs. Doolittle, died on the 5th day of September, 1823, in Halifax. Mrs. Wheeler remained east until about 1849, when she came to Ohio, residing with her daughter (MIrs. Doolittle), until her death, February 2, 1864.
When Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle reached Ohio, they had little to begin a life in the wilderness with, ex- cept strong hands and willing hearts, but by persever . ing and well-directed effort they have acquired their present competency.
WESLEY RORINSON
is the ninth of a family of eleven, the children of William and Latitia Coleman Robinson, for further data of whom see sketch of Hnriah Robinson in this volume. With the exception of one term at the semin- ary in Norwalk, the education of the subject of this sketch was acquired at common school, and his life work has been that of a farmer. He came with his parents to Norwich township, in the spring of 1832, who located on the farm he still occupies. He is now the owner of four hundred and thirty-five acres of land in the second section. His fine brick residence, a view of which is given in this work, was completed during the summer of 1871, and cost complete nearly five thousand dollars.
Mr. Robinson was united in marriage on April 5, 1846, to Miss Mary, daughter of Isaac H. and Sally Cassady Bennett, of Reed township, Seneca county, Ohio, by whom the following children were born: William, who was born March 30, 184 ;. He married Susan Bennington. Isaac H., who was born Febru- ary 8, 1849; married Isadore Bramble. George A., who was born November 26, 1852, married Francis E. Eddy; and Daniel Bennett Guy, who was born June 19, 1855, and remains at home unmarried. The chil- dren all reside in Norwich township. Some twenty years since Mr. Robinson united with the Church of the United Brethren, and continues until the present a worthy Christian.
He became a member of Richland Lodge No. 201, Free and Accepted Masons, which holds its sessions at Plymouth. Ohio, in the fall of 1858, and still affiliates there. In the fall of 1876, he became an Odd Fellow in Centerton Lodge No. 607. He was one of the charter members of Live Oak Grange No. 747 of Norwich township. He was elected Master on its organization March 23, 1814, and now occupies that position. Some ten years since MIr. Robinson made purchase of some American Merino sheep, and has since devoted considerable time to the breeding of this fine variety. He has now a flock of one hundred and fifty-two.
Mr. Robinson is a democrat in politics, and in the local affairs of the township has filled many import- ant offices, among which he is now serving his twelfth year as justice of the peace.
A.B.GILSON
ADA B. GILSON
ELLA S. BAKER
MRS.A.B. GILSON.
RESIDENCE OF A.B.GILSON , NORWICH TP, HURON CO., OHIO.
HISTORY OF TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN ERIE COUNTY. SANDUSKY CITY .*
In 1812, the Hon. Zalmon Wildman, of Danbury, Connecticut, having an undivided interest in section one of Canon township (now Richmond) to which had been annexed one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three acres of land off the east end.of the frac- tion lying between town six, range twenty-three (Per- kins), and Sandusky bay, to give to that section an equal average value with all other sections of the "Fire-lands," located his whole interest in the.annexed fraction, by proceedings in partition, amounting to one thousand two hundred and eighty acres. This one thousand two hundred and eighty acres were known as "The City Tract". The war of 1812 inter- vened.
PORTLAND.
In 1816, Judge Wildman laid out a small village plat on the south shore of the bay, at about the center of the tract, and gave it the name of Portland. He immediately put up a two-story frame building, which was finished early in 1817. It afterwards was known as "the old white store." It stood on ground now covered by the east end of "Reber's block." In the summer of 1812, William B. Smith built the first dwelling house on the ground, next west of the hotel now known as "Scott's American." In the fall of the same year, Cyrus W. Marsh put up a section of the rear part of what he afterwards named "The Steam Boat Hotel." It afterwards received the name of "Porter's Verandah", then "Raymond's Hotel", then its present name, "Scott's American." Mr. Marsh was the first tavern keeper in the place. He came to Sandusky from Greenfield, Huron county, Ohio, in which he first settled. He came there from Trumbull county, Ohio. The first brick was built, also, by William B. Smith, in front of the frame he had before put up. It still remains. The first stone dwelling was built by the late Eleutheros Cooke in 1821-2, which is now occupied by Olds & Hunting- ton, as a bookstore, on lot two, Columbus avenue. This small village was called "Portland," but was, in fact, the beginning of Sandusky City. The ground embraced by the village plat was widely known as "The Ogontz Place", in memory of an Indian chief. of the Ottawa tribe, who had dwelt on the place with
his tribe, more or less, during the latter part of the last and fore part of the present century. The southern shore of the bay and "Peninsula", on the opposite side, had been occupied at times by several tribes, but mostly frequented by the Wyandots and Ottowas.
During the fore part of the eighteenth century the French traders were with the tribes, but about the middle of that century, they were succeeded by English traders. In 1810-12, an American trader by the name of John Garrison became the trader there. But none of these traders are entitled to the name of "pioneer white settlers" of the place. They were only " squatters " for trade purposes.
The late Judge Isaac Mills, of New Haven, Con- necticut, setting up a claim to an interest in the "City tract", a compromise followed by which he ac- quired an interest of an undivided fourth part.
SANDUSKY CITY.
In 1818, these joint proprietors laid out a much larger plat, and gave it the name of Sandusky City. It was bounded: north, by the bay; east, by Meigs; west, by Shelby; and south, by Monroe streets. To this, many additions have been made from time to time, designated by as many fancy names, such as "Western Liberties," "Southwark," etc. The city having broken over all these additions, the bounds of the city, in 1872, were extended to the original limits of the fraction, between the north line of Perkins township and Sandusky Bay, five miles in length and about two miles in width, containing about four thousand acres. The whole area is generally level and unbroken. The part covered by the original plat of Sandusky City was mostly prairie, with clusters, or small islands, of small second growth of timber of various kinds, but mainly of oak and hickory and hazel bushes. There is a very gradual ascent from the bay shore to the central park. to an elevation of thirty or forty feet. Here it is nearly an exact level, but soon begins a very slight descent to the east and south. The whole fraction constituted the township of Portland for many years before it was all included in the city. The west part of the fraction was heavily timbered: the east portion was mostly prairie, with occasional islands of timber, mostly of small growth.
(431)
* By F. D. Parish.
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
THE SOIL.
The soil is a rich black loam. A small part, mostly embraced in the original city plat, is underlain by limestone, at a depth of from a few inches to several feet. The stone, at a greater or less depth, is to be found in all parts of the present city bounds. Within the original city plat, and in some parts of the present bounds, are found extensive quarries of the limestone snitable for building, paving streets and making lime. Such as are unfit for these purposes are used in con- structing docks. The stone is of a light gray and blue. They are found in layers of an inch to several feet in thickness, increasing in thickness as the depth increases. Both stone and lime are exported in great quantities.
PIONEER SETTLERS.
The first settlers were William B. Smith, Moses Farwell, Cyrus W. Marsh. These were certainly there as early as 1817. During 1818, they were re- enforced by the following: John Weeden, George and Wesley Anderson, Lyman Farwell, Samuel and Leicester Walker, Abner Lyman, Ebenezer Ransom, Hector Kilbourn, Captain Ezra Wells, Joshua Martin, - Haskins, Benjamin Grey, Isaac Darling, Nathan T. Jennings, William Townsend, William Hull, Daniel Newton, - Clemons and his sons, John, Andrew, Alexander and Elijah, and Benajah Wolcott. Between 1818 and the spring of 1822, accessions were made as follows: William Kelley, Wyat and Alfred Hartshorn, Darius C. Henderson, John Wheeler, James Galoway, Sylvanus A. Cone, William J. Bills, Frederick Devoe, John N. Sloane, John G. Grunlief, Galen Atkins, David and John K. Campbell, Sarah Henderson, Abner Root, Eleutheros Cooke, Milton Jennings, Thomas McGee, Amos McLouth and F. D. Parish, and probably a few others.
The first merchant was Zalmon Wildman (by Moors Farwell). then followed William Townsend and Jen- nings & Darling. McMurry and Wm. Kelly, drug- gists. Tavern keepers: 1. Cyrus W. Marsh; 2. E. Wheeler and Galloway; 3. Mrs. Sarah Henderson and hers on-in-law, Colonel Abner Root. John N. Sloane, jeweler. Darius C. Henderson, John G. Grunlief and Colonel Thorp, bakers. Samuel and Leicester Walker, and Abner Lyman, carpenters and Joiners. Wm. Kelly, stone mason. S. H. Stearns, Samuel Penne- well, tanners and curriers. Galen Atkins, shoemaker. Milton Jennings and Alexander Clemons, cabinet makers. Abner Root, saddle and harness maker. Sylvanus A. Cone, butcher.
The first physician was George Anderson, who com- meneed practice in 1818. He was from the State of New York, having been a pupil of Dr. White, of Cherry Valley. He was the only physician in the place for many years. He died of the cholera in 1834.
Elentheros Cooke was the first lawyer in the place. He had resided in Bloomingville three or four years, removed to Sandusky in the fall of 1821. F. D.
Parish followed in the spring of 1822. The next accession occurred about 1825-6-Lucas S. Beecher and John F. Campbell; others appeared from time to time, too fast to admit of enumeration.
EDUCATION.
Early attention was given to this subject by the pioneers. The first school was opened in a log cabin, on lot one, Wayne street, in 1818. Miss Sallie Stimpson was the teacher. It was sustained by those who furnished the scholars. In 1819 or '20, Messrs. Jennings & Darling put up a small frame school house on the west end of lot number seven, Washing- ton Row, on the south end of which now stands the Cooke house. The lot was sold in 1828, and the pur- chaser made terms with the owners of the school honse, and converted it into a dwelling. In the same year, Isaac Darling built a similar school house on ground now covered by the Episcopal Church. This was nsed both for schools and religious meetings by all denominations, until 1836, when it was removed to Mr. Darling's lot, number eleven, on Wayne street, where it now constitutes a part of the southern dwell- ing on that lot. Schools up to this time, and even later, were select schools, sustained by such as sent scholars. A widow lady, by the name of Boyse, taught select schools for many years with great suc- cess.
In 1828, a stone building was commenced by an association of individuals, designed for an academy and other purposes, as the owners might from time to time determine. The builders united in a joint stock company, in shares of twenty dollars each. Fifty-two persons subscribed for one to ten shares each. The building was of stone, three stories. in height. It remained, however, mostly in an unfin- ished state. In 1834, the first floor at the east end was finished into one room, with desks and raised seats, and used by the Congregational Church for meetings; and it was used, for a time, by Miss Niells, for a select ladies' school. In 1838-9, by arrange- ment with the stockholders, it was appropriated for a temporary court house for the then newly organized county of Erie. It was nsed as such for over thirty years, till the present new court house was finished. It is now used by the city schools. Soon after the erection of this academy building, the schools were organized under the State laws, and the schools of the city, from primary to the high school, compare favorably, to say the least, with those of other cities in the State.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
As early as 1821, a library association was organ- ized, and a small number of books collected. F. D. Parish was the librarian till 1840, when the books then remaining were transfered to the Sandusky Lyceum association. Afterwards the library passed into the hands of the young men's library association, and, by the latter, it was transferred to the ladies'
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
library association. This is now the only public library of the city, save those connected with the schools.
RELIGIOUS AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS.
The present First Congregational Church was or- ganized in 1819, by the name of "The First Christian Church of Sandusky." It has been claimed that the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed in 1818. There is, however, no evidence of its formation that year. It is plainly inferable, from the fact of its being recorded as "The First Christian Church of Sandusky," that the Congregational was the first organized in the place; that no other Christian church then existed in the place. But it is certain that a Methodist Church or class was in existence at an early day in Sandusky. The few members of each of these churches worshiped together in temporary places, until 1830. When there was no preaching, the Sab- bath exercises were mostly conducted by Samuel Walker, Congregationalist, and Wm. Kelley, Metho- dist. In 1830, the Methodist Episcopal Church erected the first church building in the place. It was a small, one-story frame building, and stood on ground now in part covered by a still smaller building of stone, south of the "Bently" building, now owned by the Germans. This small stone edifice was put up by the Wesleyans in 1849-50.
: §The First Congregational Church edifice was com- menced in 1835, and finished in 1836. It was of stone, forty by sixty feet, with single tower, and occu- pied ground now covered by the west end of the present enlarged structure, built in 1856. The Epis- copal edifice was also put up in 1836; is of stone, and has been since much enlarged. The present towers were added in 1856-7. The church was organized in 1835.
The next church formed consisted of the late John Beatty, Esq., and his associates, who seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church, leaving but two male members (D. H. Tuttle and Daniel Van Fleet), and a few females. The new body was named "The Methodist Society," more generally known, however, as "Beatty's Church." The edifice is now owned by a German church, on the northwest corner of the West block; was put up also in 1836, principally by Squire Beatty. The upper part of it, however, was not finished off till 1856, which was done by the Baptists, who had purchased it. After a few years, most of the seceders returned to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and the "Methodist Society " was changed to "Wesleyan Methodist," and occupied the basement of the Beatty edifice, till it was sold to the Baptists, in 1856. It then built the small stone edifice before refered to.
In 1852, the First Presbyterian Church was organ- ized, mostly by a colony from the Congregational church. The church edifice was built in 1854-5. In 1854, the Baptist Church was organized, and in 1856, it purchased the Beatty edifice, and finished off and occupied the audience room for several years.
The edifice was finally sold to a Protestant German Church. The Baptists now own the small frame building next south of the Episcopal Church.
In addition to the above, there are five (perhaps more) Protestant German churches of different de- nominations, each of which has a house of worship, mostly of stone.
There are now two Roman Catholic churches in the city, the first having been organized in 1846. In 1848 its stone edifice ou Tiffin avenue was built, and en- larged in 1853. It consists mainly of Irish and a few others who choose to have services conducted in the American language. That society has put a very large and costly edifice of stone on the corner of Columbus avenne and Jefferson street, with a parsonage of stone adjoining. The second one, consisting of Germans, was organized in 1855. Their first stone edifice, on the corner of Jefferson and Jackson streets, was built in 1856. They have put up a second one, now just finished, the largest and most expensive church struc- ture in the city. It stands on the northwest corner of the same streets.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
The first movement in this reformation was made by F. D. Parish. The meeting was held on the even- ing of January 1, 1831. A constitution and pledge of abstinence from ardent spirits were adopted and signed by Isaac Darling, Rev. William Runnels, Sam- uel Pennewell, R. J. Jennings, John Beatty, Isaac Booram, Moors Farwell, F. D. Parish, John N. Sloane, John Davis and James Forman. First officers: F .. D. Parish, president; Farwell, Sloane and Darling, vice presidents: Samuel Pennewell. secretary. Other names were soon added. The enterprise has met with various and signal success, and the struggle still con- tinnes. Other societies have since been formed ex- cluding all liquors that produce intoxication.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
What are known as secret societies are too numerous in the city to admit of enumeration, or to be named. They generally claim to be benevolent societies, but the public being excluded, that character is not gen- erally conceded to them. A Masonic society existed in the place as early as 1822. The original members, as remembered, were Hector Kilbourne, George An- derson, William Hull, William Kelly, William P. Smith, and Leicester Walker. After the occurrence of the Morgan affair in the State of New York in 1826, the society was not known to have meetings for twenty years or more. Others have greatly multiplied since that time. As understood by the writer, these secret clubs have no valid claim to the character of benevolent organizations, certainly not outside their membership.
There has been organized a truly benevolent society called the " Calvary Hospital," or some similar title. It is understood to have originated by the Rev. Mr. Farr, late rector of Grace church. Yet it is said not
55
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
to be of sectarian origin or character. Other benev- olent societies exist in the different Christian churches.
In 1833 the late Major John G. Camp and O. Follett, of Buffalo, New York, and Thomas Neill, of Maryland, by purchase, became joint proprietors of one-eighth undivided interest in the then city plat. This for a time had a favorable influence in the increase of population and in stimulating the business of the city. But several years thereafter, there ap- peared 'a conflicting claim of an interest in the whole "city tract." by other parties, from which followed a litigation in the courts of the State for several years. This in some degree retarded the growth of the place. The controversy was finally compromised and fully settled, and the titles in the tract became unques- tionable.
LOCAL TRADE.
It has been already stated that from the beginning there was considerable trade in stone and lime. The fish and ice trade had their origin with the settlement. All and each of these branches of trade have kept pace with the growth of the city, and the improve- ments of the country. They have now become very heavy, the different articles being exported to all parts of the State and country. There are several firms in each branch of the trade. The lumber trade has also grown into large proportions. There are now five or six different yards, where all descriptions of lumber, principally pine, to any amount and variety wanted, can be obtained. The Baltimore and Ohio railroad is doing an extensive transportation trade of coal and iron ore, from the upper lakes and the south, to and through the city.
MANUFACTURING.
The manufacturing interests of the city have not received the attention their importance demands. There are, however, in active operation, several establishments in which are made almost every kind of articles, composed mainly of wood.
Messrs. James and Chester Woolworth have one for the making of handles for almost every article of which handles necessarily constitute a part.
Messrs. Woolsey & Son (successors to Hubbard, Pierce & Woolsey) make principally hubs and spokes for carriages and wagons. The Sandusky Wheel Company also produce the same articles, and all other parts of carriages and wagons.
W. F. Converse, and others, manufacture various kinds of agricultural implements, and some other articles, with a foundry connected.
The Sandusky Tool Company make carpenter and joiner's tools of all descriptions, and have recently added other articles, such as agricultural implements, including a patent hoe of extra excellence and value.
The export trade of these establishments is very extensive, extending, not only to all parts of our own country, but to foreign lands-to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, etc.
Mr. J. C. Butler also manufactures window frames, sash, doors, etc., and does a large and thriving busi- ness in this line. He has a planing machine in con- nection. There are other planing machines in suc- cessful operation.
George Barney (successor to Klots & Kromer) has a very extensive foundry and machine mannfactory, of large proportions, and is doing a heavy business in his line. There is, also, a file factory, by Mr. Byer, of some importance.
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