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 35
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 35
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
the head of the department with this new engine, stood E. O. Hill (afterwards master mechanic at the railroad shops), as chief engineer, and many were the tilts he had with other departments and engines of the State, in most cases successfully. Under his management the department attained a great degree of efficiency, which it maintained up to its disband- ment in 1873. It had furnished its hall creditably- had quite a large library, many good pictures, and much other property incident to that department, and its company numbered about sixty.
The increase of risks to property in the corporation, consequent upon its extending its limits, and the natural decrease of the water, had forced upon the citizens the necessity of procuring some more abun- dant supply and efficient protection, and they very wisely combined the two in the adoption of their present system of water works. This system em- braced the supply and protection principles, and very largely superseded the hand engines then in use, and necessitated the reorganization of the whole depart- ment, or rather the creation of a new one to harmon- ize, in its workings, with the changed order of things. The project of a change met with the most violent opposition from the old company, and eventnated in their ignoring the whole thing, and refusing, almost to a man, to have anything to do with it; but an ordi- nance was passed dividing the village into five fire districts, each district to organize a company consisting of fifteen men, and they to elect of their own number a foreman and one assistant, and also to designate one man as policeman, who is to be called into active service in emergencies by the mayor. In addition to these five companies there was created a hook and ladder company of twenty members, with like officers, making the whole department for actual service con- sist of six companies, with a total of about one hundred men. The force is under the direct man- agement of a chief engineer appointed by the council. who is paid fifty dollars a year for his services-the only man of the whole force that is paid-the depart- ment being otherwise volunteers. This arrangement has proved entirely satisfactory, and the organization is one of the most efficient and successful in the State, or, in fact, in the United States, of its class, as the record of the " Rescues," the hook and ladder com- pany, has demonstrated.
In September of 1828, the first national tourna- ment of volunteer firemen was held at Chicago, and among its prizes offered was a championship belt of the United States with a cash prize of five hundred dol- lars in gold, and several individual prizes of less value. The " Rescues" of Norwalk had made an enviable record in the State contests during the season and desired to take part in the national contest, but re- ceived no enconragement or assistance from the city council. They therefore appealed direct to the citi- zens, who generously contributed the funds necessary to make the trial, and they entered the contest. This tournament lasted the whole of one week, and was
participated in by all the various departments of the volunteer service of the United States. The contest of hook and ladder companies was to make a run of three hundred yards-a trifle more than fifty-five rods -running their trucks loaded with the full service of ladders, and all other apparatus necessary for efficient work at a fire, to raise a thirty foot ladder, a man of the company making the full run with them and climbing from the ground to the top.
In this contest there were twelve competing com- panies, among whom were the champions of Illinois and Indiana, who had been under training for months for the struggle. There were to be two runs made by each company, and the average time taken to decide it. The first run was made by the "Monmouths,' the champions of Illinois, who made it in forty-nine and one-half seconds, the fastest time then ever made. The "Rescues" next went over the course and made the run in forty-eight.seconds, beating their strongest competitors a second and a half, and making the fastest time now on record. The other companies in the contest made runs varying in time from fifty to sixty-eight and three-fourths seconds, a difference in time of more that twenty seconds. After an interval of two hours the second runs were made, when the "Resenes" met with an accident to their climber, who, when near the top of the ladder, made a misstep and partial fall that lost him a second and a half, making their time forty-nine seconds, while their competitors had reduced theirs to forty-eight and a half seconds, leaving the "Rescues" a clear second ahead and the winners of the prize, the two runs of the "Rescues" being ninety-seven seconds, while those of the " Monmonths." their elosest contestants, made ninety-eight.
The company met with a perfect ovation on their return home. Toledo felt that they had an interest in them, advancing as they had the credit of the State of Ohio. They were met by that department, taken in carriages and driven over the city. At home they were received by almost the entire population- drawn by their comrades through the city, and given a public dinner. The employes of the railroad gave them their heavy mounted cannon and their large national flag, and in all this whirl and excitement they realized the responsibility of their position as champions of the United States, and conducted themselves in ac- cordance with that responsibilty.
Each of these five fire districts is provided with a neat hose honse, besides the large building and hall for the headquarters of the department for general meet- ings. The first floor of this building is used by the hook and ladder company in storing their trucks and apparatus, and also a hand engine, of which they have control, for emergencies outside of the water works limits. Each of the other five companies is provided with fine hose trucks, uniforms, etc. All the appli- ances necessary for efficiency and for service depend entirely upon the water works, located two miles away-but connected with the department by tele-
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
graph and telephone-and which during their eight years of existence have never failed them.
Norwalk may well fell proud of her fire department, and need not hesitate to compare it with any in the larger cities of the State.
WATER WORKS.
The citizens of Norwalk, as the town increased to a goodly size, felt the need of a more adequate sup- ply of water for all purposes, than could be obtained from wells and cisterns, and in 1869, or before that time, the question of erecting a system of water works began to be agitated. Meetings were held, and the council engaged the services of an engineer to make surveys with such an object in view in the future. It was found impracticable to adopt the re- servoir system, which was at first proposed. Surveys were made at Maxville, but would require seven miles of pipe. For similar reasons other places, where water could be procured, were discarded. A com- mittee was appointed by the village council to visit Kalamazoo, Michigan, and examine into the Holly system of water works, which had been adopted, and were in use in that city. They were well satisfied with the results of their examination, and on their return the council passed an ordinance which was published December 20, 1869, submitting the question of es- tablishing the Holly system: of water works, to a popular vote, the cost of the same not to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars. A meeting of the citizens was called at the court house, January 28, 1870, which was enthusiastic in favor of the proposi- tion. The election to decide the question was held February 7th, and resulted in a vote of five hundred and eighty in favor to twenty-one against. The pro- position was to issue bonds for the whole amount, the same to run not to exceed fifteen years at seven per cent. interest. It being feared after the vote was taken that the bonds could not be negotiated with but seven per cent. interest, it was thought best to again submit it to the people, with a change in the rate of interest the bonds were to bear, to eight cent. The requisite notice was given. and the second election was held April 30, 1870, resulting in three hundred and ninety in favor of the works, to thirty- eight against.
The erection of water works being determined on, three trustees were elected at the regular time of hold- ing elections, April 4, 1870; the members elected be- ing O. A. White, S. J. Patrick and John Gardiner. On June 1st, a contract was entered into by the village of Norwalk and the Holly Manufacturing Company, of Lockport, New York, for suitable machinery for the purpose desired, the water capacity to be not less than two million gallons every twenty-four hours, and the machinery to be shipped on or before August 15, 1870. Work was at once begun on a well, filters, and a brick house for the machinery, which were erected at a cost of four thousand dollars. The work of laying pipe was also commenced, but was not completed until the
spring of 1871. It had been decided to procure the water from the east branch of the Huron river, some two miles west from the court house. The machinery was duly placed in position, and on March 30, 1871, a test of the working of the machinery was made. A committee of citizens was invited by the council to visit the works. Visitors were also present from Sandusky, Milan, Fremont, Adrian, Michigan, Mans- field and other places. The test proved entirely satis- factory, and was duly reported in the leading papers of this portion of the State. The citizens, one and all, took great pride in the fact of the establishment of a water works system in the beautiful village, their home.
The building for the machinery is fifty-four by fifty-eight feet. The machinery comprised three engines, one being a rotary for reserve purposes, the others double-cylinder piston engines. Two boilers furnished steam, and six gang pumps forced the water, which runs through a filter of stone, charcoal and coarse sand, into a well twenty-five feet deep and twenty-two feet wide, capable of holding fifty-six thousand gallons of water. A telegraph line runs from the works to town; there is also a telephone attached to the wire.
It was found, after a while, that the Holly engines were not satisfactory, and, in the spring of 1878, two new Worthington low-pressure engines and pumps were placed in position, and were tested, in presence of the trustees, April 22, 1878, proving entirely satisfactory.
The cost of the Holly works was a little more than ninety-six thousand dollars, and the new Worthington engines and pipes have cost fourteen thousand dollars more, making a total cost of about one hundred and ten thousand dollars. In the near future it will be necessary to replace the main pipe with a larger size, as the one now in use causes a great loss in pressure from its being too small. At the present time, it requires a pressure of one hundred and sixty-five to one hundred and eighty-five pounds at the works to produce ninety to ninety-seven and one-half at the court house, which is elevated about fifty feet above the works and two miles distant. The system, as a whole, has proved a good investment to Norwalk, and such defects as it may have will, in time, be remedied.
The number of water takers, the 15th of May, 1879, was about three hundred and seventy-five. There are now in place, for use, some ninety hydrants, about fourteen miles of street mains, and two tanks for the use of the traveling public in watering their teams.
The power at the water works is utilized instead of fire engines, in case of fire on any of the streets in the village. As soon as an alarm is sounded, the signal for fire pressure to be applied is sent over the wire to the engineer at his post, at the water works building. The fire companies respond to the alarm, and as soon as the hose are attached to the hydrants, powerful streams of water can be thrown; thus the
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
water works power answers the same purpose as half a dozen fire engines, and at no additional cost.
Many of the citizens have small rubber hose, which can be attached to the pipes in their yards and used to water the flowers, the lawn and garden, and some- times to settle the dust on the street. Different forms of lawn sprinklers are used, some of them producing a beautiful spray, and serving the purpose of a foun- tain. In addition to these fixtures, there are a num- ber of fine private fountains, in different parts of the village, the power for which is furnished by the aid of the heavy engines, located two miles distant.
The present (1879) officers of the works are as follows: W. A. Mack, president; W. A. Mack, J. M. Crosby, David Stoutenburgh, trustees; M. V. Watrons, secretary; U. Pritchard, superintendent.
CEMETERY ASSOCIATION.
The subject of a new cemetery began to agitate the minds of the citizens during the winter of 1854, and a notice was posted calling a meeting for the pur- pose of organizing a cemetery association. This meeting was called at seven o'clock, P. M., February 1st, in the Court House, the notice being signed by C. L. Boalt, Samuel T. Worcester and C. L. Latimer as committee, they having been appointed at a pre- liminary meeting held previously. At this meeting articles of association were presented. Another meeting was held at the same place February 22d, at which time an organization was effected under the statutes of Ohio, the same to be known as the Nor- walk Cemetery Association. The following trustees were elected: C. L. Latimer, S. T. Worcester, Henry Brown, John Tifft and Giles Boalt. At a meeting of the trustees, held March 1, 1854, at the office of S. T. Worcester, John Tifft was elected president, and H. Brown, clerk and treasurer. Mr. Tifft has con- tinued as president of the association to the present time, and for a number of years has also held the offices of secretary, treasurer and superintendent. The present officers of the association are John Gar- diner, Theo. Williams, Henry Brown, D. D. Benedict, and John Tifft, trustees, the latter holding all the offices of the board.
The original members of the association at its formation, as shown by the signatures to its articles, were H. Brown, Shepherd Patrick,* John Tifft, George H. Safford, Jairus Kennan, * John H. Foster,* Joel E. Mead .* Samuel T. Worcester, O. G. Carter, C. E. Pennewell, G. T. Stewart, O. Jenny, C. L. Latimer, M. Olmstead, Nathan Wooster .* C. E. Newman, E. E. Husted,* Cyrus Lyman,* Stephen Boalt, Jos. M. Farr,* John Whitbeck, Russel M. Wheeler, * Isaac Underhill and D. D. Benedict.
The property selected for the purpose by the board of trustees, was a part of the Gibbs' farm, a mile from town on the old Medina road, and containing
about thirty acres. The original cost was one thou- sand five hundred dollars, which amount was raised by subscription. The deed of the property was given by Henry and Sarah Brown to the association, on the sixth day of January, 1858. Considerable difficulty was experienced in raising a sufficient amount of means to pay for the same, but it was finally accomplished. Five hundred and thirty-four lots have been sold, and one thousand one hundred and twelve burials have taken place to May 9. 1879.
A receiving vault of cut stone and fine architec- tural design, is now being erected under the charge of Dr. Tifft and Theodore Williams, Esq. It is eighteen by twenty-eight feet over all, and fourteen by twenty-four feet inside measurement, and will accommodate twenty-five to thirty caskets.
The first burial in the new cemetery was that of Herbert Barnhart, aged six months and twenty-four days, and was on July 13, 1854.
The affairs of the association have always been managed with marked ability and integrity by its officers, who have served long and well without fee or pecuniary reward.
It has now a permanent fund, mostly invested in real estate security, of about eight thousand dollars, the interest from which is devoted to repairs and improvements.
The grounds upon which the cemetery is laid out, form part of the Captain John Boalt farm, where the youthful days of his sons, Charles L. Boalt, John M. Boalt and their brothers and sisters were passed. There their sister, Sarah was married to William Gal- lup, May 2, 1819. John is now postmaster at Sandusky City, Ohio, and Charles L. and his sister Sarah and her husband, have come back to their old home to go hence no more.
From Captain John Boalt the property passed to Samuel R. Gibbs, grandfather of P. C. Breckenridge, present sheriff of Huron county, whose family occu- pied it until purchased for its present use.
But prior to any of these occupants, prior to the first settlement of the white man in "New Connec- ticut:" prior to the records of history or tradition, it was a favorite resort of a race of people whose origin and fate are shrouded in mystery; that they existed, and at some time in the unrecorded past frequented this beautiful spot, is beyond question, for they left behind them enduring evidence of their workman- ship and primitive habits. Nearly forty years ago, when our present " city of the dead" was a cornfield, and the writer a little boy, he gathered many speci- mens of what are called Indian hatchets and Indian arrow-heads from that very spot. Now well-kept avenues and foot-paths, sightly monuments and hum- hle head stones, ornamental shrubbery and stately shade trees, and our sacred dead, are there.
Again in the cycles of time it is the resort of an- other race of people, not with weapons of war and destruction, but armed with floral tributes and com- memorative garlands; and there, one by one, in end-
*Those marked with a * have found a last resting-place in the grounds they provided for at that time
JOHN TIFFT, M.D.
The medical profession is the most arduous of all professions, and particularly is this the case in new and thinly-settled localities. Therefore, when we find a man who, for upward of a quarter of a century, and with persistent perseverance and labor, worked in the capacity of family and general physician, many traits of character of an admirable nature are presented. Away back in 1833, when Huron County was comparatively new, and the country consequently but sparsely settled, Dr. John Tifft removed here, and, until 1859, uninterrupt- edly practiced medicine in and around Norwalk.
John Tifft is the son of John and Martha (Rose) Tifft, the former of whom was born at Exeter, R. I., Oct. 11, 1775, and the latter at Stephentown, Rensse- laer Co., N. Y., April 26, 1775.
John Tifft, the sub- ject of this sketch, was born at Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., June 11, 1808. He received most of his literary education at the district schools, completing the same at Anburn Academy. On leaving the latter insti- tution he chose the prac- tice of medicine as a profession, and entered the office of Joseph T. Pitney, M.D., at Au- burn, for its study. He remained with Dr. Pit- ney about two years, and then attended the Berkshire Medical Insti- tute, at Pittsfield, Mass. (a branch of Williams College), from which he was graduated with honors, receiving his diploma, Sept. 5, 1832. He practiced his profession for about one year in York State, and then, in 1833, removed to Norwalk, Ohio, where he commenced a practice which subsequently developed into an extensive and lucrative business.
From 1833 to 1846, Dr. Tifft continued in the allo- pathic school, but in the latter year he changed his mode of practice, and soon became as successful in the homœo-
John sifft
pathic as he had been in the regular school. In 1859, losing his wife, he retired from active work, and has since attended to the management and supervision of his property. He is among the oldest living practi- tioners in Huron County, as he has been among the most successful. He has been twice married,-first to Louisa Fitch, of Auburn, N. Y., in May, 1833, who died Sept. 19, 1859; second, to Nancy V. Earl, Nov. 4, 1862, who is still living. He is a Democrat, and always belonged to that political faith. In 1860 he was chosen one of the delegates to the Charleston and Balti- more Conventions. He has held various offices, both professional and political. He was elected one of the trustees of the Homeopathic Medical College of Cleveland ; was treasurer of Nor- walk township for sev- eral years; a member of the corporation council, and mayor of the village in 1872-73. He has oc- cupied the offices in the Cemetery Association of trustee, president, secre- tary, and treasurer, and to him is due, in a large measure, the present suc- cess of that well-man- aged institution.
In these various posi- tions of honor and trust the doctor has invariably given satisfaction. He brought the same integ- rity and ability to the fulfilment of his various official duties that made his professional life both popular and successful. All public enter- prises and interests tending to the material development of the community in which he has lived so long, and attained a reputation so credita- able, meets with his ardent support and aid.
He is public-spirited, honest, and fair in his deal- ings with his fellow-men; and, though affiliated with no particular religious denomination, yet he possesses all the essential qualities of the Christian gentleman and the enterprising citizen that he is.
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HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
less march, we lay away our dead, and as time rolls on we follow them.
It is a fitting memory to be recorded that Charles L. Boalt was the most active member of our commu- nity in organizing the association and procuring the site. And Dr. John Tifft, its one president and su- perintendent, and for some years, also secretary and treasurer, is entitled to the credit of having carefully guarded its financial interests, and judiciously directed its improvement.
ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL.
The cemetery connected with St. Paul's (Episco- pal) church was one of the very earliest in use for that purpose in the township. It comprises about four acres of ground near the center of the village, on West Main street, and the grass-covered mounds in this home of the dead, are very thickly strewn over its surface. At the present time, and since the or- ganization of the Norwalk cemetery association, this ground has been but little used. The oldest stone in the yard bears the following inscription :
CAROLINE TICE. Died, March, 1820, AGED NINE MONTHS. "I am the first come here to lie Children and youth prepare to die."
The property on which stands the church and the ground used for burial purposes, was a part of the original Starr and Canfield tract, which at an early day came into the possession of White. Tweedy and Hoyt, who sold this lot for the above named purpose, for the sum of sixty-one dollars The deed for this property is recorded in volume V. of records, page 610. The grantee in the deed is St. Paul's Episcopal church.
No record has been preserved of the burials in this old burying ground, and it is not known how many there are, and probably it never will be known until each grave gives up its dead.
Whole families lie there with no one left to tend and trim their graves; and the present busy genera- tion, with all its interests centered upon the ever- changing affairs of life, passes by unheeding; but nature, more kind, is rapidly hiding the neglect un- der a dense copse of hazel and blackberry bushes.
ST. PAUL'S CATHOLIC.
The cemetery belonging to St. Paul's Church, (German Catholic), was purchased about the year 1870. and comprises a little more than five acres, situated on South West street. From the date of its purchase, until the present time, 1879, there have been about sixty interments.
ST. PETER'S CATHOLIC".
St. Peter's cemetery, belonging to the First Ger- man Catholic Church, was established with the church in 1841, the first burial taking place while the church was in process of construction. Up to
the present time there have been about five hundred interments.
ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC.
The Irish Catholic cemetery, belonging to St. Mary's parish, is located near the extension of Main street, at some distance from town. The property contains about three acres, and was purchased about 1868, since which time it has been used as a church burial ground.
SOCIETIES.
SOLDIER'S AID SOCIETY.
Very early in the year 1861, the citizens of Norwalk began to work for the soldiers. A part of the Eighth regiment had been collected, quartered and drilled there. On the Sabbath before they left, religious ser- vices were held in their camps, and the occasion, so new and affecting, called forth the most profound sensations of sorrow and apprehension. Some days previously, the ladies had been engaged in supplying these soldiers with such necessaries and Inxuries as the deepest interest could suggest. Immediately after their departure, a society of both sexes was formed, the object of which was to follow those who went. from the vicinity, with aid and comfort in any form, and by any means that could reach them ; thus secur- ing, as was hoped. an unbroken intercourse with them. A quarterly subscription among the gentle- men, was established. the first installment of which is dated May 18, 1861. The officers elected were: Charles B. Stickney, president ; J. C. Curtis, secre- tary ; David H. Pease, treasurer ; Mrs. G. G. Baker. Mrs. J. W. Baker, Mrs. O. Jenney, Mrs. C. E. Pennewell and Mrs. S. T. Worcester, board of direc- tors-the last named secretary of the board. From that time till November. 1862, something was contin- nally being done, but the difficulties in the way of reaching the regiments, after they went into actual service, and the consequent irregularity of the quar- terly payments, seriously obstructed progress. In the meantime, a society had been organized in Cleve- land, through which, as a medium, it was believed that the regiments could be reached. Application was per- sonally made to that society, by the secretary of the board, in Norwalk, for assistance in sending a box of hospital stores to the Eighth regiment, then in West Virginia ; the surgeon of that regiment having, by letter, applied for immediate aid. The request was cheerfully granted ; the box sent, received in time, and earnest. thanks therefor returned. This occur- ence awakened new life, and eventually led to the formation, in August, 1862, of the Alert Club, to collect funds, and in November of the same year, to the transfer of all the offices to the ladies. At the time of the transfer, Mrs. J. M. Farr was elected president ; Mrs. D. II. Pease, secretary ; and Mrs. T. S. Worcester, treasurer. The work then went on prosperously, funds were ample. the contributions sent forward, large and valuable, and mostly trans-
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