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 121

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726

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 121
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 121

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHANGES.

As a commentary on the changes that time has effected in the affairs of the island, it is interest- ing to point to the five good school buildings that have succeeded the single small one, at which, at an early day, the youth of the few families resident here were instructed in the rudiments of an English education; to the fine stone structure, built, and with the lot donated to the township by Datus and Sara Kelley, and known as Kelley's Hall, (for the use of which no charge was to be made unless admission was charged for at the door); to the four houses of public worship, each now supporting a min- ister, which have succeeded the old school house, and the discourses in which were pioneered by the reading of Blair's sermons as a Sunday exercise, by Mr. Datus Kelley, Mr. Huntington and others; to the Island House, a fine summer hotel, built in 1874, but de- stroyed by fire in 1877, and the two hotels still receiv- ing guests within their hospitable doors; and to the tide of travel, that furnishies employment to the several fine steamers composing the different island lines. All these considerations, unnoticed or nnthought of by the casual visitor, who only sees the current of life as it flows in present channels, is fully appreciated by the early resident here, who has observed all these changes, who now, as at that early day, still makes this pleasant locality his home.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

GEORGE W. WIRES,

whose portrait appears in this work, was born at Orangeville, Genesee county, New York, October 5, 1812. He came to Ohio, and on Kelley's Island was

married to Susan Fox, May 16, 1843. She was born at Gosfield, Essex county, Ontario, Canada. To them have been born ten children, as follows: Charles Cook, born at Danbury, June 11, 1845; Mary J., at Danbury, October 6, 1846, and died at North Bass,

MR GEO. W. WIRES.

August 7, 1863; Adaline A., at Kelley's Island, Sep- tember, 8, 1848; Lovina E., at Danbury, September 30, 1850; William Tell, at North Bass, November 30, 1852; Simon P., at North Bass, September 12, 1854; George W., Jr., December 9, 1856; Olive L., April 20, 1859; Andrew J., March 16, 1861; Elsie Rose, April 17, 1863.

Mr. Wires bought one hundred and thirty-seven and one-half acres of land on North Bass, of Horace Kelley, at five dollars per acre, and moved on to the island, with his family, in May, 1849, and conse- quently was the second permanent settler on the island. They came in a small sail boat, and landed on the south side of the island. They had no roof to cover their heads, but finding some boards and other lumber, which had washed ashore, they soon made themselves quite a comfortable shanty, by placing a pole into a couple of crotches, and setting the boards endwise against it. They found sufficient lumber to make the sides and one end, and thus lived until a more commodious structure, for a home, could be built. They brought with them what was then a great luxury, "a cook stove." This, was set np out- side the shanty, and for a table they used a barrel with a board across the top. Thus they lived, like kings and princes, until their new home should be built. Mrs. Wires says, in referring to these early times on the island, that they were happy days and full of comfort. The eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Wires. Charles Cook, married Mary Hitchcock, No- vember 5, 1863. She was born November 19, 1849, They have born to them: Addie Bell, November 14,

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

1872; Oran, born December 9, 1874, and died in in- fancy: George A., born August 16, 1876.

Lovina E. Wires married George W. Hallock, No- vember 13, 1866, at North Bass. They have one child, Edna P., born August 2, 1877. They now live on the north side of the island.

Mr. and Mrs. Wires are now living on nearly the center of the island, in a beautiful home situated amid luxuriant vineyards; and surrounded by their children and many friends, they are content and happy with their part and lot in life.

ROSWELL NICHOLS.

The subject of this sketch was the son of David Nichols and Mary Johnson, and was born at Char- mount, Franklin county, Massachusetts, December 9, 1806. Here he lived, battling with the stern realities of New England farm life, until he was twenty-eight years of age. He was married to Achsah Scott, January 16, 1831. She was the daughter of James Scott and Achsah Dickenson, and was born at Lebanon, New Hampshire, March 29, 1806. They commenced their married life at Charmount, where they lived three years, from which place, in May, 1834, they moved to Northfield, Ohio, where they remained ten years, and then moved to North Bass, one of the Bass islands, in Lake Erie. They arrived here in a sail boat, May 22, 1844. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Nichols, with one child, and Mrs. Nichols' mother. They were the first family who settled upon the island, and were the only family for five years. Here they commenced actual pioneer life, with all its hardships and privations, located as they were on an island isolated from the outside world. In the fol- lowing September, Mrs. Nichols' mother went back to Northfield, and for five months Mrs. Nichols saw

no woman's face save her own. Thus, almost solitary and alone, did they live for five years, until another family made its appearance on the island.

They had remained but a short time on the island when Dr. C. D. Townsend, who now lives upon the island, then a young man, made his appearance, as agent for A. Champion, of Rochester, New York, who then owned the island. Of this agent, Mr. Nichols leased the whole island, consisting of about eight hundred acres, for a term of ten years, the con- sideration being that he (Nichols) should pay the taxes.

A few years later, Mr. Nichols bought of Horace Kelley, who had purchased the island, one hundred and fourteen acres of land, at a little less than five dollars per acre. Upon this, he built a residence, where they now live. . They have had born to them two children: David I., born July 4, 1834, at North- field, Ohio. He married, April 22, 1855, Catharine Becker. To them was born, September, 1857, Achsah Violanta. She married William Dell Smith, November 6, 1872. They had Angie C., born April 4, 1874; Roswell N., born February 2, 1826; Rollin D., born December 10, 18:7. David I. Nichols en- listed as a sharpshooter in the war of the rebellion, in 1863, and died at Nashville, Tennessee, in August, 1864.

Sarah J., the only daughter of Roswell and Achsah Nichols, was married to Proctor Graham, April 2, 1844, by whom she had one son, Menzo W., born April 20, 1845; second, she married G. W. Cushma, in 1850; to them was born Benjamin F., January ~, 1851; Achsah, born January 14, 1854; Laura C., February 7, 1858; James A., September 21, 1860: Erastus D., October 9, 1862.

Mr. and Mrs. Nichols are living quietly in the enjoy- ment of their pleasant island home, surrounded by many neighbors and friends, as the rich reward of their early toil and labor.

PUT-IN-BAY .*

THE WINE ISLANDS OF LAKE ERIE.

THE ROMANCE OF AN ISLAND.

" And glitters o'er the liquid miles, The jeweled ring of verdant isles, Where generous Nature holds her court Of ripened bloom and sunny smiles."

To the imagination there is something attractive in the very name of island. Robinson Crusoe on the main land would lose the crown of his glory. It is the island, the island, that fills the boyish heart with wondering interest. For children of a larger growth, Reade takes up the tale, and his hero and heroine (but ordinary mortals in London) are invested with a strange romance when thrown together upon an is- land. Young love reads, young love dreams, and young love wishes-

" For thee and me, Alone sweet isle amid the sea."

The representative Lady. type of the many isolated hearts who gave their love to some unattainable ideal, lived upon an island. The master, whose exquisite words are like chords of music, placed her, knowing what he did,

" Where the lilies blow Round au island there below: The island of Shalote."

"Isles of the blest!" sighed the ancients, as they looked out over the unknown ocean, seeing in the hazy clouds of the horizon the purple shores of ever- lasting rest. And who among us, when traveling sad and weary over the waters, has not fallen into silence at the sight of far, blue islands, mingling the Psalm- ist's wish : "O that I had wings like a dove: for then would I fly away and be at rest," with dreams of the star islands in the sea of infinite space, whither we may be going after death, and where our loved ones may even now be awaiting us.

The islands forming the township of Put-in-Bay are ten in number, viz: Ross Isle, alias South Bass, alias Put-in-Bay; Floral Iste, alias Middle Bass Isle; Isle St. George, alias North Bass; Rattlesnake Isle, Sugar Isle. Strontian, alias Green Island; Glacial Isle, alias Starve Island; Ballast Isle, Gibraltar and Buckeye Island.

The earliest white inhabitants known to have occu- pied these islands were French-six families. They lived on Ross, or Put-in-Bay island, previous to the war of 1812, when the British and Indians drove them to the main shore. They did not return to the islands. When on the islands, they cultivated the soil, and raised splendid wheat. One of their wheat fields is

now (1879) covered with a second growth of forest trees, forty feet high.

PERRY'S VICTORY.

In the latter part of August, 1813, Commodore Oliver Hasard Perry cast anchor in Put-in-Bay, with his fleet consisting of the brig Lawrence, of twenty guns; the Niagara, Captain Elliot, of twenty; the Caledonia, Lieutenant Turner, three; the schooner Ariel, of four; the Scorpion, of two, and two swivels; the sloop Trippe, and schooners Tigress and Porcupine, of one gun each: making a fleet of nine vessels and fifty-four guns. On the morning of the 10th of September, the enemy were discovered bearing down upon the Amer- ican squardron, which immediately got under weigh, and stood out to meet them. The superiority was de- cidely on the side of the British. The Americans had three more vessels, but that was much more than counterbalanced by the size of those of the enemy, and the number of their guns. Their fleet consisted of the Detroit, Captain Barclay, of nineteen guns and two howitzers; the Queen Charlotte, of seventeen guns, Captain Fennis ; Lady Provost, Lieutenant Buchan, of thirteen guns, and two howitzers; the brig Hunter, of ten guns: the sloop Little Belt, of three; and the schooner Chippewa, of one gun and two swivels; in all. six vessels and sixty-three guns. The Americans stood out of the bay. The British fleet had the weather-gage; but the wind soon after changed. and brought the American fleet to wind- ward. The line of battle was formed at eleven, and fifteen minutes before twelve, the enemy's flag-ship. the Queen Charlotte, opened her fire upon the Law- rence, which she sustained for ten minutes, before she could approach near enough for her carronades to rc- turn. She, therefore, bore up, making signals for the other vessels to hasten to her support, and about twelve. brought her guns to bear upon the enemy. The squadron could not be brought up to her as- sistance, and she was compelled to fight for two hours, with two ships of equal force. The contest was, not- withstanding, kept up with unshaken courage, and devotion which deserves admiration. By this time, the Lawrence, which had so long borne the fire of the whole British force, had become entirely unman- ageable: every gun was dismounted. and. with the ex- ception of four or five, her whole crew either killed or wounded. Captain Perry now, with admirable presence of mind, resolved to shift his flag. He manned his small boat, taking his flag, passed through the con- centricated fire of the enemy, unhurt, to the Niagara. At this critical moment, the wind had freshened.

* By Dr. C, D. K. Townsend.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

Perry now bore down upon the enemy with a fresh ship, leaving Captain Elliot to bring into action the rest of the fleet. Perry passed ahead of the Detroit, Queen Charlotte and Lady Provost, poured a de- structive broadside into cach from his starboard, and from his larboard guns into the Chippewa and the Little Belt. In this manner. cutting through the line, he was within pistol shot of the Lady Provost, and rained so heavy a fire as to compel her men to run below. At this moment. the Caledonia came up, and opened her fire; several others of the squadron were enabled, soon after, to do the same. The issue of a campaign. the mastery of the sea, the glory and renown of two rival nations matched for the first time in a squadron, were the incentives to the con- tests. It was not long before the scale turned in favor of Perry. His flag-ship, Lawrence, bearing in mind the injunction-"Don't give up the ship"-the remnant of her crew, with bleeding hands, spread her flag to the breeze, and with failing breath rejoiced.

The "Queen Charlotte," having lost her captain and all her principal officers, by some mischance ran foul of the "Detroit." They were compelled to sus- tain, in turn, an incessant fire from the "Niagara" and the other vessels of the squadron. The flag of Captain Barclay was soon struck, and those of the "Queen Charlotte," the " Lady Provost," the " Hun- ter " and the "Chippewa " came down in succession. The "Little Belt " attempted to escape, but was pur- sued by two gunboats and captured.

Thus, after a contest of three hours, was this im- portant naval victory achieved, in which every vessel of the enemy was captured. Perry returned to Put- in-Bay with the combined fleets, and from there made his memorable report to his government: "We have met the enemy and they are ours." We have been thus particular in giving this historical event in this connection, because it was strictly within the juris- diction of, and the waters of, Put-in-Bay township. The officers slain in the battle were buried on the shore of the bay. Both American and British lie side by side in peace. A willow tree, set by their comrades, mark their graves; their monument-the country.

The islands now assume the dignity of values. Island No. 1-Ross Isle, alias South Bass, ulias Put- in-Bay. Island No. 2-Floral Isle, alias Middle Bass Isle. Island No. 3-Sugar Island. These three islands were attached to Avon township, Lorain county, to equalize values in the distribution of the sufferers' lands by the State of Connecticut, known as the Con- necticut Reserve. Pierpont Edwards, of the State of Connecticut, drew Avon township, and became pos- sessed of the three above described islands. His son, A. P. Edwards, in the year 1831, first took possession of the islands. In 1832, Mr. Edwards built the Put- in-Bay dock: 1833, he put in the west dock, and in 1834 built the first frame house, known as the Manor House. The business of the islands for several years was agriculture and the manufacture of cord wood. In 1853, Mr. Edwards sold to the United States gov-

ernment Strontian, alias Green island, for the sum of one thousand dollars. In 1854, the government built the first light house on Green island. This light house was destroyed by fire on the evening of 1863 and morning of 1864; rebuilt in 1864.

Phillip Vroman was the first school director, and built on South Bass isle the first school house in 1855; also, on Isle St. George, a frame school house in 1857. A. I. Jones was the first school teacher in Put-in- Bay. In 1854, J. D. Rivera purchased South Bass isle, Middle Bass isle, Sugar island, Ballast, and Gib- raltar islands, for which he paid forty-five thousand five hundred dollars. Mr. Rivera continued to make improvements by clearing land and building houses for his tenants.

Now we come to a new era in the business of the group. Actual settlers commenced the purchase of the land, until now very little had been done toward the improvement of the islands; in fact, it was not known what was the best use to put the lands to. Farming would not pay-the seasons, as a general rule, being too dry. It was not known then that such a climate was a perfect paradise for the vine. Grapes will not bear wet feet; they love the islands, and will make them their permanent home. In 1858, Phillip Vroman, Esq., L. Harms, Esq., Lawrence Miller, Esq., and J. D. Rivera commenced the culti- vation of the vine. Several acres of vineyard were set, and their success was all that could be desired. The same vines are in a healthy, flourishing condition at the present time. The three or four pioneers com- mencing the business as an experiment in 1858 on Put-in-Bay isle, have increased to seventy-one grape growers, practical and successful, as the result of five hundred and fifty acres of vineyard on the island, and the vintage of 1878-one million two hundred and thirty-one thousand pounds of grapes-gathered on Put-in-Bay island alone shows. The varieties on Put- in-Bay are: three hundred and ninety-three acres of Catawba, fifty-four acres of Delaware, ninety acres of Concord, and some twelve acres miscellaneous, -Ives, Nortons, Clinton, etc.

Within the last three years the cultivation of the peach has begun to assume the importance it deserves. Sixty acres are now set to peach trees, and more will be put out annually. All fruits, of whatever kind, raised on the islands, possess a superior quality over like, and all kinds, grown on the main shore. The quality of the soil, natural drainage, and surrounding climatic influence, has settled the fact.

The first post office was established in 1860, V. Dollar, postmaster.

Put-in-Bay Township was organized at the June session, 1861, taken from Van Rensselaer, and com- prises ten islands, viz : Ross, alias Sonth Bass, alias Put-in-Bay Island, one thousand five hundred acres ; Floral Isle, alias Middle Bass, seven hundred and fifty acres : Isle St. George, alias North Bass, seven hundred and fifty acres ; Rattlesnake, sixty acres ; Sugar Isle, thirty acres : Strontian, aliax Green Isle,

LORENZ MÜLLER.

The subject of this sketch was the son of Lorenz Verena Müller, and was born at Schopfheim, Wiesenthal, Baden, Germany, Sept. 11, 1831. At the age of twenty-one years he came to America, and in 1854 located on South Bass (Put-in-Bay) Island, where he was married, May 26, 1860, to Henriette, daughter of Henry and Henriette Foye. She was born at Braunschweig, Germany, June 30, 1842. She came to this country with her parents in 1854, and with them to South Bass Island in 1855, where she still resides, on the east part of the island, in the beautiful home which her husband and herself so industriously built up. They had born to them four sons, as follows :

George Frederick, born May 2, 1861 ; Frank Joseph, born Sept. 1, 1862; Henry Theodore, born Oct. 11, 1873; Lorenz, born Oct. 26, 1875.

We can, perhaps, pay no better tribute to this estimable man than to quote a few lines written by one who knew him well, and published at the time of his death :

PUT-IN-BAY, Feb. 28.

It is painful in no small degree to record the death of Lorenz Müller, of this place. He was engaged in hauling materials for a new building, and by overwork, it is sup- poscd, brought on bilious pneumonia, which terminated his life in eight days. Had he known the nature of his dis- ease, his life might have been saved ; but he mistook it for common cold, and thought to work it off as he had often done before. This so aggravated the disease that, when he gave up, he was past all help, and told his physician that his case was hopeless. The doctor, Charles D. Townsend, encouraged him, and soon both entertained hopes of his

recovery ; but the disease set in again with renewed energy, and soon brought him to death. He died on Friday, Feb. 26, 1875, and was buried on Sunday, the 28th. His funeral was attended by over three hundred persons, being the largest ever seen on these islands. He was comparatively a young man, and with high hope and great energy to com- plete the schemes of his life. The whole community is deeply moved by his death, partly because it was so unex- pected, but mainly because of the great esteem in which he was held by his friends and neighbors. His whole life was a practical commentary on the noble virtues of an upright man. He commenced his course at the bottom round of the ladder, and, by honest industry and fair means, acquired a handsome fortune. But the peculiar beauty of his life is that, while earnestly and eagerly engaged in the pursuit of wealth, he never manifested a sordid selfishness so common in business-life, but always so dealt that, while his property increased, others could not but rejoice at his pros- perity, aud no man ever said of him that he acquired his gains by sharp dealing or unfair means. His honesty and liberality were the remark of all who knew him. No poor man seeking to rise by his own endeavors ever asked of him assistance and did not receive it. Indeed, they did not, in his neighborhood, have to ask assistance; it was rendered without. And many owe their success in life to his helping hand. In his death this community has lost one of its most loved, most able, and most important men. It does not often fall to the lot of man to be so deeply and so extensively mourned at his death as is Lorenz Müller.

SIMON FOX.

John Fox was born March 20, 1793, and married Rachel Stuard, who was born in February, 1796. They had twelve children, as follows: Charles, born July 8, 1814; James, born July 12, 1816; Mary Ann, born Oct. 9, 1818; Susan, born March 12, 1821; Simon, born Dec. 13, 1823; Peter, born April 7, 1826; Barbara, born June 21, 1828 ; Julia, born Jan. 4, 1831; Margaret, born March 4, 1833; Jane, born Jan. 31, 1836 ; William, born March 19, 1838 ; Adaline, born March 9, 1841.

Simon Fox, the subject of this sketch, was the third son of John Fox and Rachel Stuard, and was born at Gosfield, Essex Co., Ontario, Canada. He married, Oct. 11, 1857, Elizabeth Sullivan, who was born at North Williamsburg, Dundas Co., Ontario, Canada. They have children as follows: Nannie, born at Put-in-Bay, July 15, 1858; Diantha F., born Jan. 13, 1864, and died Nov. 20, 1875; Frank W., born September, 1867; Stnard, born Nov. 13, 1873.

Simon Fox came to North Bass in 1852, and, in conjunction with his brother Peter, bought two-thirds of the island, from which they sold off from time to time to actual settlers. Simon still retains fifty-five

acres on the east side of the island for a permanent home. Having great faith in the climate and soil for grape-culture, he planted out, in 1860, the first acre of grapes on the island, and has steadily in- creased until he has now twenty acres under cultiva- tion. Besides the grapes, he pays considerable atten- tion to other fruits, of which he has an abundant supply in their proper seasons. In addition to his farm and vineyards, he carries on a fishing business, the annual sales of which are about $2000.

Mr. Fox's beautiful home is located on the east side of the island, his residence standing but a few hundred feet from the lake, the land gradually slop- ing down to the water's edge. He has a tower which overlooks the island and gives a beautiful view of the whole group. A windmill throws water to all parts of his extensive grounds. These, in connec- tion with his wharf, fish- and boat-houses, all models of neatness and convenience, make this one of the most homelike and desirable spots on the island. Here, amid these beautiful surroundings, lives Simon Fox, with his estimable family, dispensing hospitality to all who may chance to come within their domain.

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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.

twenty acres ; Ballast Isle, ten acres ; Gibraltar, five acres ; Buckeye Isle and Glacial, alias Starve Island, about two acres each : three thousand one hundred and twenty-nine acres in the township.

The first election' for township officers was held in 1861 : Trustees John Stone, Esq., William Rehberg, Esq., and Peter Fox. Esq .; justices of the peace, Simon Fox, Esq .; clerk, V. Dollar, Esq .; treasurer, Philip Vroman, Esq .; constable, William- Axtel, Esq .; supervisor, George Caldwell, Esq. ; twenty- five votes polled. There is at the present time, 1879, a voting population of two hundred in the township, and a population of one thousand three hundred. There is a nice church and parsonage on Put-in-Bay. Also, the islands are well supplied with first-class school-houses and teachers. Put-in-Bay Island Wine Company built their cellar in 1871, with a storage capacity of one hundred and twenty-five thousand gallons. In 1878 the company pressed seventy-five thousand gallons. The principal private cellars are Max Van Doren, eight thousand gallons ; Lawrence Miller's estate, stone-arched cellar, twenty thousand gallons ; also, Casper Schraidt's cellar, fifteen thous- and gallons capacity.

Hotels .- Put-in-Bay House commenced in 1864. Messrs. Moore & West made additions to the Manor House in 1868; Captain Moore sold to Dr. Elder. The new firm, Messrs, West & Elder, made exten- sive improvements ; in 1870, Colonel Sweeney pur- chased the interest of Dr. Elder, changing the firm to Messrs. West & Sweeney. Shortly after parties from Cincinnati purchased an interest, and the new firm of Messrs. Sweeney, West & Co. was started. The hotel had now grown to the capacity of eight hundred guests, with a possibility of one thousand. This house was destroyed by fire August 31, 1878. Beebe House .- Henry Beebe, Esq., purchased of Captain Cooper his hotel in 1871, and immediately commenced the erection of the present building. It is pleasantly located, fronting the bay, and can ac- commodate four hundred guests. The Hunker Hotel is pleasantly situated, fronting the grove on the bay, built in 1871, A. Hunker, proprietor, and can accommodate one hundred and fifty guests. There are several others of less pretensions, besides private boarding houses, where visitors may find a quiet home. In 1864, A. B. Richmond established the Put.in-Bay Museum, with a collection of ten thousand curiosities collected from all parts of the world.

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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 121

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams, W. W. (William W.)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : Press of Leader Printing Company
Number of Pages: 726