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 41
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 41
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UNDERTAKERS .- Tom Hay, Benedict avenue. M. L. Chapple, E. Main. LAWYERS .- O. Bailey, admitted June 4, 1862. G. W. Corwin. C. H. Gallup, admitted April 13, 1858; was prosecuting attorney for Huron county, Mich., from 1860 to 1870, and member of the Michigan legislature from 1866 to 1868. Griffin & Williamson, (Alvin B. Griffin, admitted April 18, 1870, at Norwalk, Ohio; has been clerk of courts. John A. Williamson, admitted May, 1865, at Albany, New York; present member of legislature.) William L. Harrod, admitted March, 1858. O. E. Kel- logg. T. H. Kellogg. C. L. & H. L Kennan. G. W. Knapp, has been pros- ecuting attorney. L. C. Laylin, present prosecuting attorney. Jay Patrick, admitted 1851. E. A. Pray, admitted 1875; present corpo. ration solicitor. Franklin Sawyer, admitted July 27, 1847; has been member of the legislature, register in bankruptcy and prosecuting attorney. Gideon T. Stewart, admitted August 14, 185}; has been county auditor. Charles B. Stickney, admitted August 1, 1844; has been probate judge and mayor of Norwalk; T. R. Strong, admitted June, 1845. L. D. Strutton, admitted May, 1858. William H. Sprague, proprietor of the commercial and law school; admitted September 10, 1873. George R. Walker, admitted April, 1855. William B. Woolverton, admitted 1870: has been prosecuting attorney. C. P. Wickham, admitted April, 1858; has been prosecuting attorney. S. A.(Wildman, admitted April, 1870. D. H. Young, admitted 1845. S. M. Young. Henry Brown, has been county clerk; now out of practice. John Kennan, now out of practice.
ARTISTS .- George Butt, photographer, International Photograph En- larging Company, E. Main. F. B. Foster, photographer, W. Main. A. P. Couch, portrait painter, E. Main.
MILLS .- G. M. Cleveland & Co., Mill street, 4 run stones, steam. Good- now & Warner. E. Main, 4 ruu stones, steam. G. Jacobbs, Medina st., circular saw mill, steam. E. Jacobbs, Enterprise road, upright saw- mill, water.
DRAYMEN. - J. R. Strickland, J. Harley, D. Lee, G. Holmes J. McGinn, J. Smith, M. Saladine.
NEWSPAPERS .- Norwalk Reflector, Wickham & Gibbs, proprietors, W. Main st. Huron County Chronicle, Finley & Dodds. proprietors, E. Main st. Norwalk Experiment, W. W. Redfield. proprietor, W. Main. Norwalk Demokrat, Martin Ruf, proprietor, E. Main.
NEWS DEPOT .- Baxter Trevor, Gallup block, E. Main.
LIBRARY AND READING ROOM .- Rooms in Gallup block, E. Main,
TELEGRAPH OFFICES .- Rooms No. 6 and 8, Gallup Block. E. Main st. Room at railroad depot, Whittlesey avenue.
POST OFFICE .- Frederick C. Wickham, postmaster, Gallup block, E. Main st.
MANUFACTURERS .- Lewis Morehouse, Union Foundry, plows, plow points and general job foundry, corner Main and Milan streets. A. E. Warner, Empire Iron Works, corner of Main and Medina streets, manu- facture wood-sawing machines, general repairing shop and foundry D. B. Kuhns, Eagle Iron Works, East Seminary street. boiler repair shop and job foundry. M. P. Smith, corner Jefferson and State streets, gen- eral machine repairing. N. H. Pebbles, carriage making and repairing, corner Monroe and Railroad avenue; warerooms corner Seminary st., and Railroad avenue. J. H. Gross, carriage making and repairing, cor- ner Seminary st. and Benedict avenue. E. S. Andrews, carriage mak- ing, E. Seminary st. William Foreman, harness maker, E. Main street. H. Terry, tannery, Corwin street. J. N. Watrous, harness maker; Jo- seph Gibbs, harness maker: S. C. Crawford, rubber bucket pumps; W. C. Corant, carriage trimmer; E. S. Andrews, carriage maker; C. H. Fuller, blacksmith; Lee & Bush, blacksmith; Thomas Galliger, black- smith; P. Hogan, blacksmith, E. Seminary st. D B. Ward, blacksmith, Corwin street. M. Kean, blacksmith. Benedict avenue. Gilson & Law- rence, lumber yard; Brown & Smith, churns; C. W. Smith, turner; C. C. Pearl, book bindery; F. M. Snaveley, carriage painter; F. Stewart, dowell pins: Himmelwright Bros., painters; J. Sharp, carpenter; Wil- liam Bailey, carpenter and builder; William Baker, tinker; S Stultz, blacksmith ; William Shubert, carpenter and builder; Beard & Cortwrite, fanning mills, Benedict avenue. William Cleveland, guns and gun re- pairing, Railroad avenue. H. P. Dillingham, repair shop, Seminary street. Willoughby & Smith, sash, doors and blinds. Benedict avenue. Fisher & Bloxam, ladies' fine shoes, Nicolls' block, corner Seminary and Benedict avenues. S. W. Owen, cooper shop and heading factory, Me- dina street. John Collins, cooper shop, Marshall street. J. W. Lind- sey, painter. Whittlesey avenue. F. Rice, painter, Railroad avenue.
BANKS.
The first bank in Huron county, and the first one in this portion of the State, was organized under a special act of the legislature in 1832, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars. Ebenezer Lane was elected president, Martin Bentley, cashier. The directors were Ebenezer Lane, Timothy Baker, George Hollister, Daniel Hamilton, Picket Latimer and Moses Kimball. Business was begun by the bank in February, 1833. In 1834, John Gardiner was elected first clerk, and Geo. Mygatt succeeded Mr. Bentley as cashier. Mr. Mygatt was succeeded in 1836 by J. R. Finn, in which year the business was closed up by paying back the capital stock to the original shareholders. The franchise was sold to Mr. Burr Higgins and his associates.
The Norwalk Branch of the State Bank of Ohio was organized in the spring of 1847, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, which was afterward increased to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The directors were J. P. Reznor, Timothy Baker, John M. Boalt, John Gardiner and John R. Osborn. Mr. Reznor was elected president, and John Gardiner cashier and active manager. In 1850, Mr. Timothy Baker succeeded Mr. Reznor as president. For eighteen years the bank did a successful business, . and, notwithstanding large losses consequent upon the panic of 1856, closed up its business in 1865, returning the capital stock to the shareholders and paying a dividend during the time of two hundred and twenty-eight thousand dollars.
NORWALK NATIONAL.
The Norwalk National bank, to some extent the successor of the Branch of the State bank, was organ- ized in March, 1865, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. John Gardiner, Amos Wood- ard, John Tifft, C. A. Preston and Timothy Baker,
168
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
were the first directors. The vacancies caused by the deaths of Mr. Preston and Mr. Baker have been filled by C. W. Millan and Theodore Williams. Mr. Gardi- ner was elected president, and Mr. Millen cashier. The condition of the bank will be seen by the last report as given :
Report of the condition of the Norwalk National bank, at Norwalk, in the State of Ohio, at the close of business April 4, 1879:
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts
$127,046 68 583 55
Overdrafts
United States bonds to secure circulation 100,000 00
Due from approved reserved agents. 24,767 53
Due from other National banks
6,323 95
Due from State banks and bankers
670 65
Real estate, furniture and fixtures
6,500 00
Current expenses and taxes paid.
1,336 68
Bills of other banks
2,200 00
Fractional currency (including nickels)
157 16
Specie (including gold treasury certificates).
17,365 18
Legal tender notes.
27,900 00
Redemption fund with United States treasurer (5 per cent. of circulation).
4,500 00
Total
$319,351 38
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock paid in
$100,000 00
Surplus fund.
20,000 00
Undivided profits
4,201 54
National bank notes outstanding
80,395 00
Individual deposits subject to check
$66,567 66
Demand certificates of deposit.
45,077 25
111,644 91
Due to other National banks.
2,776 84
Due to State banks and bankers
333 09
Total
$319,351 38
FIRST NATIONAL.
The private banking company of Baker, Kitridge & Company, began business in December, 1857, and continued to the 1st of February, 1864. The com pany was composed of Geo. G. Baker, Wm. F. Kitt- ridge. Henry Brown and D. A. Baker.
This company was succeeded by the First National Bank of Norwalk, which immediately began business with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The directors were G. G. Baker, W. F. Kittredge, Henry Brown, D. A. Baker, W. O. Parker, Fred Sears and J. C. Curtiss, Jr. Mr. G. G. Baker was elected presi- dent, and Mr. Kittredge, cashier. The present direc- tors are D. A. Baker, W. O. Parker, H. Brown, G. M. Cleveland and D. A. Baker, Jr. D. A. Baker, president; D. 1. Baker, Jr., cashier.
Report of the condition of the First National Bank of Norwalk, at Norwalk, Ohio, at the close of business April 4, 1879:
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts.
$89,103 10
Overdrafts
2.136 03
United States bonds to secure circulation
50.000 00
United States bonds on hand. 19,800 00
Due from approved reserve agents
17,447 12
Due from other National banks.
10,034 75
Due from State banks and bankers
3,789 08
Furniture and fixtures
2,000 00
Current expenses and taxes paid
1,621 58
Checks and other cash items.
2,133 54
Bills of other banks ....
5,000 00
Fractional currency (including nickels).
183 43
Specie .
11,032 58
Legal tender notes ..
12,500 00
Redemption fund with United States treasurer (5 per cent. ยท
of circulation).
2,250 00
Total
$229,031 16
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock paid in
$50,000 00
Surplus fund
21,500 00 3,812 18
Undivided profits.
National bank notes outstanding
40 540 00
Individual deposits subject to check.
3105,016 10
Demand certificates of deposit.
4,929 00
Time certificates of deposit.
2,230 00
Due to other National banks
658 82
Due to State banks and bankers
315 06
Total
8229,031 16
RAILROAD SHOPS.
The most important of the mechanical industries connected with Norwalk are the shops of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad. They were constructed by the Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland Railroad, which was a Norwalk enterprise incorpor- ated in 1850. The commissioners met at the court house September 24, 1850, and elected the first board of directors as follows: Charles L. Boalt, president; Timothy Baker, George S. Baker, E. B. Perkins, Alvin Coles, Frederick Chapman and Matthew John- son.
The road was opened January 24, 1853, forming the last links in the chain of roads from Chicago to New York and Boston. It was a financial success, being built considerably within the estimated cost, and returning to its stock holders a dividend of five per cent. six months after the opening of the road. After various consolidations with rival and connecting companies it came under the control of the present company.
The various shops are substantially constructed, mostly of brick, and occupy about fifteen acres of land at the head of Railroad avenue, between Huron street and Whittlesey avenne. The total valnation of the property situated within the corporation, as appearing on the tax duplicate, is five hundred and ninety-five thousand nine hundred and fifty-two. dol- lars. Nearly seven hundred men are employed who are engaged in the construction and repairing of cars and locomotives. In the past four years six of the largest and best express locomotives owned by the company have been turned out at a cost of forty-four thousand dollars.
In connection with the shops, a class of those em- ployees who desire (attendance being compulsory on the apprentices), are taught drafting, a school being maintained by the company and instruction furnished free of expense to the scholars.
By reference to the last annual report of the direc- tors, it will be seen that twenty-five million six hun- dred and eighty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty-one pounds of freight was shipped and forty-two thousand seven hundred and forty-one passengers taken from this station. The amount of money paid out to employees the greater part of which finds its way into Norwalk markets, is upwards of eighteen thousand dollars per month. These facts taken with that, that they possess six hundred thousand dollars taxable property, gives one an idea of the influence that they
112,175 10
169
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
have on the prosperity of Norwalk and of the gloom in which the last curl of smoke floating away from the stacks would enshroud the town.
GASLIGHT AND COKE COMPANY.
The Norwalk Gaslight and Coke Company was or- ganized May 6, 1859, by C. L. Boalt, John Tifft, G. H. Safford, E. A. Coon and W. O. Parker, with a capi- tal stock of thirty thousand dollars. Mr. C. L. Boalt was elected president; Theo. Williams, treasurer and secretary. The stock of the company has always been a good investment and is now worth a considerable premium and cannot be bought in market.
STONE QUARRY.
The stone quarry of Wm. Perrin, on Rattlesnake Creek, has been worked for forty years. The stone obtained is a hard blue sandstone and is now found fifty feet below the surface of a very superior quality. The stone used in the construction of most of the bridges and buildings throughout the county was ob- tained at this quarry.
The quarry on "Reed's Creek." near the south line of the town, was the first one opened, and from there the stone was obtained for the first buildings in Nor- walk in 1818. It is upon the old James Cole farm. The stone is of a superior quality for building pur- poses, and a very durable flagging stone is obtained near the surface.
DAUNTLESS MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
Among the most interesting and valuable industries of the place, that of the Dauntless manufacturing company stands prominent.
The factory is an extensive brick pile on Whittlesey avenue, just north of the Lake Shore railroad. The original buildings were constructed in 1852, by Mr. N. S. C. Perkins, and have quite a history of their own. They were occupied by him for a number of years in the manufacturing of steam saw mills and engines. At the completion of the railroad, the eastern factories introduced their machines, which they were able, with their greater facilities, to offer at prices with which inland factories could not com- pete, necessitating an abandonment of the business, and working havoc with this and other kindred in- dustries through the northwest. But the road, in turn, brought the desired facilities, and again the fires were kindled and the welcome din and rattle of machinery were revived.
Early in 1860 the buildings were enlarged to their prensent size. The furore and excitement created by that wondrous piece of American mechanism the sewing machine, were at fever heat.
That the machine was, as yet, in a crude state, was apparent to skilled eyes and inventive brains. With many others, Mr. Perkins turned his attention in this direction. The factory might aptly be designated a nursery of sewing machines. The first machine con- structed on the premises was the single thread
"Gardner," being the first sewing machine manufac- tured in the west; and subsequently the " Little Giant," which survives to our day as the "Common Sense."
These were succeeded by the "Moore," which be- came such a formidable rival to the best of the eastern machines that the huge monopoly called the "Sewing Machine Combination," determined to crush it out, and did so. The next machine manufactured by Mr. Perkins was one of his own invention, and bear- ing his own name. In 1864 Mr. W. A. Mack, inventor of the Domestic, called in with his designs. Mr. Perkins' experience enabled him to discern its advantages, and a partnership was immediately formed for its construction. The Domestic became widely and popularly known, and was manufactured for a number of years by the firm, until it was absorbed by a powerful eastern company. After many experi- ments and trials, the present machine, appropriately named the "Dauntless," was produced, and in 1825 a company was organized for its manufacture. The machine has met with splendid success, and has given to Norwalk a wide-spread notoriety.
In the present time of business depression, the number employed has not filled the capacity of the factory; but we are glad to state that the merits of the Dauntless are being appreciated and that the orders received are compelling the company to crowd in new forces, which will tend to enliven the city and add greater significance to its history.
EUREKA FANNING MILL.
The Eureka fanning mill, patented and owned by Mr. B. Cortrite, is manufactured by him at his shops on East Main street, the shops and store houses occupying about two acres of ground adjoining the tracks of the L. S. & M. S. Railroad. The factory is run by steam power, the different parts of the mill being made and stored ready for putting together. The mill has been very largely manufactured and has met with universal approval-being extensively used through Ohio and the West.
LUMBER YARD.
The lumber yard and planing mill of D. E. More- house on Medina street, is one of the oldest of Nor- walk's industries. Mr. Morehouse began business at the present site in 1855, and has continued it with success. In 1865, the mill and stock were almost en- tirely destroyed by fire. The mill was immediately re-built and the yard re-stocked. Mr. Morehouse handles upwards of two million feet of lumber annn- ally, which he has ample facilities for storing, to- gether with a proportionate amount of lath and shingles. In connection with the planing mill, which is a large two-story brick, are substantial buildings for sash, door and blind manufacturing, which are worked to their full capacity. The many specimens of the work which adorn our fine resi- dences and business blocks testifying to the quality
22
170
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
and the appreciation of home productions. For the accommodation of smaller manufactures, Mr. More- house has convenient rooms supplied with power. They were occupied in 1825 by a firm manufacturing harness hames, and afterwards as a washboard fac- tory.
For a number of years previous to the present occu- pation, extending back to 1834, this site was occupied by Mr. G. T. Morehouse as a brickyard and foundery. The brick used in the g eater part of the earlier dwelling houses and business blocks, were made there.
PEDRO BED.
The Pedro Cot Bed was invented by Mr. O. A. White, one of Norwalk's well-known business men. It is now manufactured by Messrs. White & I. W. Bostwick.
The Pedro, like many other of the most substantial and solid comforts afforded to man, comes to him in an unpretentious form. In keeping with the pro- duction, the factory on Benedict avenue is plain but most convenient. The many merits of the bed have already won for it a firm demand among the staple productions of the country, and will undoubtedly de- velop another large and attractive industry.
TOBACCO FACTORY.
The Norwalk tobacco factory occupies the large three-story brick block fronting on West Main street, and extends in the form of an L around the brick block of C. E. Newman to Hester street, making one of the most roomy and commodious factories in this town. It was started in April, 1823, by Mr. F. B. Case, and contains all the various departments for storing and preparing the different brands of chew- ing and smoking tobacco, and affords employment to about sixty men. The fact that Mr. Case manufac- tures on an average four hundred thousand pounds annually, shows that we do not all altogether concur with "little Robert Read" in his opinion on the "filthy weed."
GAGER & BALDWIN'S HORSE-RADISH MILL.
Since the year 1876 Norwalk has had in her limits a quiet little factory that has turned out, in a way of its own, "prepared smartness" for mankind in a shape and form never utilized before.
The horse-radish mill of Messrs. Gager & Baldwin on North Prospect street is an oddity, which has no rival in the world. It is only recently that this well-known root has been prepared in a way that would preserve its pungency, and render it fit for table use at all seasons. The firm had twenty acres of ground occupied in 1878 in raising the plant. It is taken, when of proper size, to a dry-house, and after a certain amount of drying and other prepara- tion, is ground to flour in a mill, or grated. It is prepared for market in various ways, being mostly put in bottles hermetically scaled. In addition, the
firm manufacture pumpkin flour for culinary pur- poses. The pumpkins by a somewhat similar process are worked into flour, which is put in neat packages for the market. Both productions are oddities which are attracting universal attention and bid fair to become staple goods in the market.
THE A. B. CHASE ORGAN.
The A. B. Chase Organ Company, another of Norwalks far famed industries, was organized under a charter grauted September 1, 1825, with an author- ized capital stock of fifty thousand dollars. The stock was soon taken, and the following officers were elected: A. B. Chase, president; L. L. Doud, seere- tary and treasurer; H. R. Moore, an inventive and experienced organ builder, general superintendent.
The buildings occupy two acres of ground on the east side of Newton street, adjoining the track of the Lake Shore Railroad, which affords them opportunity of receiving supplies and shipping direct. The main building is a three-story structure, forty by one hund- red feet, to which are joined spacious boiler and engine rooms, stock and dry houses. The company sold their first organ on July 25, 1876, and have con- structed upwards of two thousand. Believing in the old maxim that "True merit ever achieves success," none but educated and experienced workmen are em- ployed, and all that inventive genius has perfected in their Ime of machinery, is to be found at command. The fact that this company was organized in, and successfully worked through the greatest and most disastrous of all financial crises that have visited our country, is in itself sufficient evidence that the basis and production are sound and healthy, and that Nor- walk may well be proud of being the home of the company.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
In presenting the foregoing as a history of Norwalk, it is proper to state that in the limited time allowed for its preparation, it has been impossible to verify every statement of fact made; but so far as time and opportunity permitted, none but the most trust- worthy sources of information have been consulted.
For valuable information and assistance in prepar- ing the work, the writer desires to acknowledge his great obligation to "Scattered Sheaves, by Ruth" (Mrs. M. F. C. Worcester) published in the Firelands Pioneer, and her report of the different solliers. aid societies; to a history of the schools prepared in 1876, by Theodore Williams, Esq .; to a history of the Protestant Episcopal Church published in 1876, by Charles E. Newman, Esq .; for other church histories furnished, to Rev. J. S. Broadwell, Rev. J. D. Williamson, J. W. Baker, Esq., Rev. Peter Kolopp, Rev. A. C. Ullrich, Rev. T. F. Halley, Prudden Alling, Esq., (written by himself two weeks before his death) Rev. J. W. Cowan, Rev. A. Eilert, Rev. E. Hathaway; Judge F. Wickham, and M. Barker, Esq .; to E. A. Pray, (. L. Merry, C. W. Flinn, S.
171
HISTORY OF HURON AND ERIE COUNTIES, OHIO.
T. A. Van Sciver and D. T. Hall for histories of different secret societies; to Isaac Underhill, Esq., Miner Cole, Esq., O. A. White, and many other citi- zens for favors and information ; to the different county officers for facilities in searching the public records, and to the Young Men's Library and Reading Room Association for the use of many books for reference.
C. H. GALLUP.
NORWALK, OHIO, May 16, 1879
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JOHN GARDINER, NORWALK.
John Gardiner was born at Gardiner's Point, for- merly known as Millstone Point, New London county, Connecticut, September 15, 1816. His grandfather, Benajah Gardiner, removed from Rhode Island to Plum Island. in the east part of Long Island Sound, where he remained a few years; thence he removed to Millstone Point in the year 1787. His wife was Miss Charlotte Raymond, of Montville, New London county.
Lebbens W. Gardiner, son of Benajah, and father of John Gardiner, was born April 30, 1786, on PIum Island, and his wife was Miss Eunice Latimer, a daughter of Pickett Latimer, of New London. The ancestors of the Gardiner family came from England and settled originally in the State of Rhode Island. The mother of John Gardiner died in 1819, leaving three children, Charlotte, John and Julia, and the family then separated; John and Julia going with their grand parents, at Millstone Point, and Charlotte with the Latimers, north of New London-the father, L. W. Gardiner, after the death of his wife, follow- ing the sea as captain of a clipper coasting schooner, sailing from New London to Baltimore, Wilmington,
New Orleans and South America. He died at Nor- walk, March 9, 1862. As soon as John was old enough, he attended school at Durfee Hill, about one mile from his home across lots, which was kept as a district school about six months during the year, and when not attending school he worked on the farm.
In 1831, Mr. Gardiner went to school at Bacon academy, Colchester, where he remained a year, mak- ing navigation his principal study, with a view of following the sea-as New London was at that time largely and prosperoasly engaged in the whale fishery and West India trade, and sent annually a fleet of ships to the Pacific ocean for whale, and to the north seas for whale and seal. At Bacon academy, Mr. Gardiner formed the acquaintance of the present chief justice Waite; Hon. John T. Waite, M. C., of Norwich: Hon. Lyman Trumbull, ex-senator, of Illi- nois, and Commodore Rogers, United States navy, who were then preparing for college.
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