History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 120

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408

USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 120

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Revs. Benj. Frankland and M. Caldwell of Cleveland delivered addresses.

HOME MISSION.

The Home Mission Sabbath School was or- ganized April 15, 1883. It is wholly unde- nominational, and occupies Union Hall, 316 Erie Street. The officers for 1887 were : L. B. Lake, Superintendent; F. P. Smith, Assistant ; C. A. Langdon, Ricka Wackle, and Fannie M. Eddy, Secretaries. Enrollment in 1887, 298.

DAVID SMITH was born at Kilconquhar, Scotland, in October, 1818. In 1832, when he was 14 years of age, the family left Scotland for America. After two narrow escapes from shipwreck, they reached Upper Canada and . settled at Pickering. When 17 years of age (1835), David went to Buffalo, New York, where, with his brother, James L., he was en- ployed in the engineer's service of the Buffalo and Niagara Railroad. In 1837, coming to Ohio, he was one of the party who surveyed the line of the proposed Toledo and Sandusky Railroad, which never was built. That en- gagement completed, Mr. Smith went to Tecum- seh, Michigan, and aided in the location and construction of the Palmyra and Jacksonburg Railroad (now substantially the Jackson branch of the Lake Shore and Michigan South - ern Road). Locating at Tecumseh in 1839, hc engaged in the newspaper business with his brother, James L., and published the Village Record until 1840, when they sold out. En- gaging in the mercantile trade with Geo. W. Ketcham, David continued in the same there until 1850, when the goods were removed to Toledo. Tho following year, in connection

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

with the late Hudson B. Hall, also from Te- cumseh, Mr. Smith began the mannfacture and sale of lumber, their mill for several years being located on the East Side, and subse- quently removed to the West Side of the River. In this business Mr. Smith continued until the time of his death. The operations of the es- tablishment, from small beginnings, increased to large proportions and was exceptionally prosperous. For 10 years previous to Mr. Smith's death, which occurred March 29, 1876, his eldest son, Wm. H. H. Smith, was associ- ated with him in business. The exceptional success of the establishment was largely due to the strict and correct habits of business, sound judgment and known integrity, which marked its management, and to which the original proprietors both so liberally con- tributed. No firm in the City enjoyed such enviable standing in more eminent degree, than did the firm of H. B. Hall & Co., which never deceived a customer, nor knowingly per- mitted one to be deceived. The business of the establishment, now much enlarged, is con- ducted by Mr. Smith's two sons (William H. H. and Howard M.) Beginning at the age of 17, Mr. Smith's business life covered a period of over 40 years, and throughout was marked by a degree of energy and integrity seldom shown. But it was not in the department of business-honorable as that was-that he com- manded in highest degree the regard of his fellowmen. It was rather in the domestic, the religious and the social relations which he so honorably bore, that his true character found its fullest development. These, far more than the lines of trade, afforded free exercise for his in- born love for meu and his high reverence for his Creator, which from childhood so strongly controlled his life. As husband and father, neighbor and citizen, his keen sense of personal obligation to others, was ever shown in a sacri- fice of self in the interest of others. The home circle always enlisted his fondest interest. Next to that, he most highly cherished his re- lations with Christian people. In all the manifold channels for activity in Christian life, he was habitually and zealously employed. For nearly 40 years a member of the Presby- terian Church, and most of that period an office- bearer-as Elder, Trustee, Sabbath School Superintendent, or Chorister-he permitted no opportunity for usefulness to pass unim- proved. As a member of Building Committees of the First Congregational and Westminster Churches of Toledo, his devotion of time and judgment was specially useful, and the suc- cess of those Societies was largely due to such effective service. In the contribu- tion of material aid, he was no more restrained in his support of religious work, than in the bestowal of personal service. Nor was his active interest confined to Church work; but was manifested liberally in what-

ever ways promised good to his fellow men of whatever class or creed. There was not a social, moral or civil interest of his fellows, that failed to enlist bis favorable consideration and his active aid. As a member of the City Council and of the Board of Education, as a Trustee of the House of Refuge, and in other positions of public trust, bis services were often sought and always appreciated. It has been truly said of him : " IIe was emphatically a friend of man-ever ready and cheerful in meeting the command to love his neighbor as himself. Thus, he left a name more precious to his family and friends, than earthly wealth. He lived and died a true Christian, and his memory will ever be fresh and grateful in the recollection of a large circle of friends." " Such a life-in all its substantial elements, is a suc- cess, and furnishes an example honorable to the deceased and useful to the living, present and future." Following the death of Mr. Smith, the Sunday School of Westminster (Presbyterian) Church-of which he was the first Superintendent and throughout an active member-adopted a tribute of affection and acknowledgment to his memory, in which it was stated : " We recognize in his sound in- struction, loving watchfulness and judicious management, a prominent source of the bless- ings we now enjoy ; and it is a grateful privi- lege to bear testimony to his untiring fidelity and to commend his high example. Especially would we impress upon all, the great value of the careful study of the Word of God, which, beginning with early childhood, in his native Scotland, was never relaxed, but attended him with increasing devotion to the last. To search the Scriptures, was with him a life-work, and was richly repaid in the well of precious truth ever springing up in his heart and flowing out to refresh and gladden all around him." In 1839, Mr. Smith was married with Miss Sarah B. Mandeville, who, with four children-Wm. H. H. Smith, of Toledo; Mrs. Wm. A. Ewing, of Chicago, Ill. ; Miss Florence and Howard M. Smith, of Toledo-survive him. Subsequently (March 7, 1886), Mrs. Smith was called to re- join the one so long a partner of her younger and more mature life. Sympathizing with and sharing in the works of usefulness which so largely distinguished her husband's life, Mrs. Smith, like him, ever held a prominent place in the social and religious circles where her activities were highly appreciated. This was eminently so, in the different fields of Church and benevolent work, where she is specially missed.

DEMETRIUS NASH TROWBRIDGE. - Among those who have assisted in promoting the manufacturing interests of Toledo, the sub- ject of this sketch deserves recognition as one of the earlier pioneers in developing this source of local prosperity. Mr. Trowbridge is a son

S.h. Trowbridge

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PERMANENT RELIGIOUS WORK.

of Asahel and Betsey (Murray) Trowbridge, and was born at Pike, Wyoming county, N. Y., July 2, 1825. His father was of English na- tivity, and a lineal descendant of a family of that name which settled in Connecticut as early as 1650. His mother was of Scotch descent, her ancestors also being carly settlers in New England. In 1836 Mr. Trowbridge's parents removed to Niagara County, New York, and settled on a farm. On account of the poor health of his father, Mr. Trowbridge remained on the farm assisting his parents until his 21st year. During this period, the laborious work devolving upon him prevented his securing more than the most limited School advantages. For two seasons following his 21st birthday, he successfully conducted a threshing-machine, doing the threshing for the adjoining farmers. In the fall of 1848, in connection with his brother Lyman, he purchased an interest in a shingle-mill at Lockport, New York, in which business he was engaged until 1852. At the latter date he began with the same brother the manufacture of staves at the same place, which was continued until 1863, when they came to Toledo and continued the same business in a factory where the Union Elevator now stands, in East Toledo. In 1864 another brother (Mortimer) became a partner, from which date the firm was known as Trowbridge Brothers. Another mill was built by them at Napoleon, in 1867. In 1874 the subject of this sketch bought out his brothers' interests in the Toledo mill and sold his interest in the Napoleon mill. Mr. Trowbridge then took his son, Frank E., as a partner, and from that time nntil 1880 the business was conducted under the firm name of D. N. Trowbridge & Son. In 1878 the mill at the Union Elevator was abandoned, and a plant established at Le Moyne, on the Toledo & Co- lumbus Railroad, 12 miles from Toledo. In 1880 the son formed a partnership with Joseph M. Spencer, the firm name becoming Trow- bridge & Spencer, which is still engaged in stave manufacturing. Mr. Trowbridge con- tinned the business at Le Moyne until 1885, when he removed to his present location at Dunbridge, on the Toledo, Columbus & Southern Railroad, 14 miles from Toledo, where he has established a Stave and Heading-Mill, Saw- Mill and Hoop-Mill. In 1883 he built an additional mill at Luckey, on the Ohio Cen- tral Railroad, and in 1884 purchased a mill at Defiance. In the former his brother, M. A. Trow- bridge, was partner for a short time, but at the present time his son-in-law, N. B. Eddy, is a partner in both concerns under the firm name of Trowbridge & Eddy. Mr. Trowbridge is at the present time one of the largest Stave manufac- turers in this section, furnishing at his three mills employment to 150 men. The general business office is located on Summit Street. Mr. Trowbridge was married in 1849 to Doro- thy Ann Moag, of Lockport, New York. Four

children have been born to them, all of whom are living and have reached ages of maturity. In order of birth they are as follows : Helen Augusta, wife of N. B. Eddy; Frank E., Eleanor Elizabeth and Marietta. Politically, Mr. Trowbridge has always been guided by his conviction of right, and no man is stronger in his allegiance to his conviction of duty and the course his conscience approves. A meas- ure or a principle he believes to be founded in the right would receive his support regardless of what other men might do. Moral courage has never been lacking in him to desert any party when he believed it in the wrong. He cast his first vote as a Democrat, but when the Free Soil party came into existence, he at- tached himself to that organization, a step which brought upon him the ridicule and af- most personal persecution of his former party friends. Upon the formation of the Republi- can party he joined that organization and re- mained with it until 1872, when the question of the legal suppression of the liquor traffic be- came a prominent issne. This cause appealed to him as one of the objects most desired for the well-being of society. Accordingly he joined the ranks of the Prohibition party, and from that day to this has been one of the most active members in this section of the country. He has ever been ready, at whatever sacrifice of time and money, to aid in promulgating and instilling in the minds of the people the aims and purpose of a cause he firmly believes will yet be crowned with success. The firm posi- tion taken by Mr. Trowbridge on this question, in the early organization of the Prohibition party, made him at the time one of the very few advocates of the cause in this City. But the idea which was then ridiculed and denounced, he since has the satisfaction to see develop into one of the most commanding questions before the people of this country. While men may differ with Mr. Trowbridge on questions of expediency and methods of carrying out de- sired reforms, still, it is not too much to say, that no man who knows him ever questioned the honesty and sincerity of his motives in any position he assumes, either of a political, social or moral nature. The rare quality of moral courage is the strongest element in his charac- ter, and this naturally enlists the confidence, respect and esteem of all good men. In all that pertains to religious affairs, Mr. Trow. bridge has always been a zealons worker. Ever since he came to Toledo he has been a member of the First Congregational Church, in which for over 20 years. he has been a prom- inent office-bearer. For the last 19 years he has been Superintendent of Allen Street Mission, where his nnremitting labors have materially assistod in the building up of that worthy in- stitution. Every deserving work of charity in this City finds in him an earnest, liberal sup- porter, while on all questions affecting the

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public prosperity, he ever evinces the spirit which should actuate a progressive citizen and well-wisher of the public good.

LAKESIDE CAMP-GROUND.

In the year 1871, it was proposed by a num- ber of older residents of Ottawa County, who, in their younger days, had enjoyed annual Camp Meetings, that there be established a Camp-Ground somewhere in the Island and Peninsula portion of the County. Giving practical form to such proposition, these parties purchased a tract of land on the North shore of the Peninsula, and nearly opposite Put-in Bay, which they, through Reverend Leroy H. Belt, then Presiding Elder of the Toledo Dis- triet, tendered to the Central Ohio Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, within whose bounds the property was located, upon the condition that the same should be adopted and maintained as the Camp-Ground of the Conference. The offer was accepted, and the location was given the name of " Lake- side." Trustees in Trust were elected (partly of Ministers and partly of Laymen), to hold the Grounds, for the purpose named. Both the owners and the Trustees soon found the under- taking to be more than they had contemplated ; but earnest steps at once were taken toward the execution of the plan. A Doek, a Hotel, Dining-Hall, and system of sewerage, water- supply, and lighting of the grounds were soon commenced. In 1872, several Toledo parties took stock in the Land Company. These in- cluded L. M. Skidmore, Chas. W. Bond, J. Vogle, C. A. Croninger, J. W. Hiett, and E. W. Lenderson. To the Church the Land Company deeded theauditorium, parks, sole police control, and power forever to prohibit the sale of lots for purposes adverse to the nature, scope and design of the enterprise ; at the same time binding the Company to furnish water, lighting, ice, sewer- age and boarding and sleeping accommoda- tions; while reserving to itself the right to hold or sell lots as surveyed. The Church was bound to hold meetings on these Grounds for not less than the five following years, and with intermissions of not to exceed two years there- after.

After the first year it was deemed best to associate other Conferences with the one own- ing these rights. The Articles of Association under which the Church became corporate, were then so changed that such other Confer- ences might at any time participate in owner- ship and management. The North Ohio, the Central German, and the East Ohio Confer- enees all have since become' thus associated, and under their united management and eon- trol, Sabbath School Encampments," Camp-

Meetings and Lecture Courses are there an- nnally held. Upon the Grounds a commodi- ous Dock, a fine Hotel, several Dining-Halls, a good Store, Ice-houses, Meat-shops, &e., have been erected by the Land Company, and two large auditoriums-one for the English and one for the Germans-have been ereeted. Over 350 Cottages have been put up by individual owners, so that Lakeside has become a " Village in the Woods." Many families have their permanent houses here. Hence, there are es- tablished a Post-Office, Church and School.

Water transportation was the only means for getting to and from Lakeside for several years ; but as the certainty and pleasure of this means of travel depended upon the weather, a Railroad has been constructed to Marblehead and Lakeside from Danbury, where it forms a junetion with the Lake Shore Railway. The stock of the Land Company is now principally owned by two men resident at Lakeside-Messrs. Samuel R. Gill and Barney Jacobs-who spend most of their time attend ing to the demands of this fast growing enter- prise. People of all denominations have their Cottage-houses here, and upon the platform at Lakeside are annually heard speakers without regard to seet or political association; and in the annual programmes of entertainment, Religion, Education, Social Reform, all are eultivated and encouraged alike. To these Grounds annually flock thousands of people for recreation, instruction and pleasure during the heated season of the year, the Grounds being open from July to September. These Grounds were dedicated by the eloquent and talented Rev. Dr. Eddy, since which time they have been visited by about all the most noted speakers of the country.

The first President of Lakeside Association was Rev. Joseph Ayers, who served one year ; the second was Dr. F. S. Hoyt, who served two years; the third was Rev. E. Y. Warner, who served three years; the fourth was Rev. Leroy H. Belt, who served seven years; the fifth was Rev. C. Case, who served one year; and the next, Rev. Manchester, who served one year. The present incumbent (1887) is Rev. John Mitehell. Of the Lakeside Land Company, E. C. Griswold is now the President; S. R. Gill the Secretary, and Barney Jacobs the Treas- urer.

Rev. B. T. Vincent is Superintendent of the Sunday School Encampment. Here, under Dr. Vincent, as at Chautauqua under his brother, Dr. John H. Vincent, are all the modern Sun- day School methods tanght. The success of the Lakeside enterprise, in the religious, scientific and social advantages furnished by it, as well as in the financial aspect, is quite exceptional ; with every prospect of further growth in the same direction for many years to come.

PART IX. LITERARY.

CHAPTER I.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

T HE first public movement in this section in behalf of Common School Education, con- sisted of a meeting of the friends of that cause, held at the Presbyterian Church in Perrysburg, November 17, 1837, which was called to order by Mr. Henry Bennett, when S. R. Austin was made President, and P. H. Crowell, of Maumee City, Secretary. The President stated the ob- ject of the meeting to be the improvement of Common Schools in the Manmee Valley, by elevating the standard of their character ; when Messrs. Ilickox, Henry Darling and S. R. Aus- tin were appointed a committee on resolutions. The afternoon meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Jones of Maumee City The com- mittee reported a constitution, when Messrs. Henry Reed, Hickox and Sadler addressed the meeting on the deficiencies and means of im- proving the system of Common School Educa- tion. Rev. Mr. Birdsell addressed the meeting on the necessity of having professional Teach- ers, and the duties of Trustees, Directors and private individuals. Messrs. John C. Spink, Elijah Huntington and Henry. Darling were appointed a committee to recommend officers for the Society. The name of the organization then was the "Educational Society of the Maumee Valley ;" its object, " To improve the condition of Common Schools, and to elevate the standard of edneation by disseminating in- formation on the subject, and adopting such other measures as may be deemed advisable and conducive to these objects." The officers chosen were: President, Dr. H. Conant, of Maumee City ; Vice President, John Evans, Defiance ; Hazael Strong, Napoleon ; Jessup W. Scott, Miami; Andrew Coffinbury, Perrys- burg, and Pierre M. Irving, Toledo. Recording Secretary, S. R. Austin ; Treasurer, John Webb, Perrysburg.

At that time there were in Ohio about 8,000 School Districts, in which about 490,000 schol- ars were taught for over two months of the year, although the greater portion were in School during the Winter months only, the Summer Schools being chiefly in the Cities and Towns, and attended mainly by young chil- dren. The annual expenses of the School sys- tem of Ohio then, for tuition, books, fuel, etc., were about $500,000. The State Superintendent, Samuel Lewis (to whom the people of Ohio are deeply indebted for the advanced educational system they now possess), estimated that at least 5,000 regular Teachers-to serve through the year-were required, to support whom the

sum of $200,000 was necessary, or $125,000 more than was then provided. "This," says Mr. Lewis, "might be supplied by various taxes-such as tavern and grocery taxes. These should be taxed high, and then if men will drink, the money paid by the drinking man will principally go to educate his children." Ohio then had 3,000 School Districts without School buildings.

The first official record found pertaining to Public Schools in Toledo, was made October 18, 1836, when the Trustees of Port Lawrence Township laid off the Township in 16 School Districts. James M. Whitney was then Town- ship Clerk.

By act of the Ohio Legislature, passed in 1837, the Public Schools within the City of To- ledo were committed to the care and manage- ment of the City Goverment ; and accordingly, September 25, 1837, the Council divided the City into three School Districts, as follows :

No. 1-That part of the City Easterly of Locust Street.

No. 2-Between Locust and Adams Streets. No. 3-The territory West of Adams Street.

As nearly as can now be ascertained, the first female teacher, if not the first teacher, in Toledo, was Miss Harriet Wright, a niece of Governor Silas Wright, of New York. She was born in Vermont, May 8, 1812, and came to Toledo in 1834. In 1835, she taught a School in the frame building on Erie Street, elsewhere shown as the first Court-house of Lneas County. January 25, 1835, she was married with Mun- son II. Daniels, then of Toledo, and soon there- after the first Sheriff of Lucas County. Mrs. Daniels died in Toledo, July 20, 1842, aged 30 years. She was a member of the Baptist Church, which denomination then had no or- ganization in Toledo. She was a woman of superior qualities and highly esteemed. At the approach of death she said, " I am prepared to die. I have no desire to live, but for my husband's sake."

Following Mrs. Daniels were various teach- ers, male and female, in the three Districts, without classification as to studies, books or other system. Very imperfect record can be found of these.

From the files of the Blade, it is learned that October 1, 1838, Charles W. Hill, City Clerk, gave notice for an election to determine " npon the leasing, erecting or purchasing of a suffi- cient number of School-houses, and tho leasing

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

or purchasing of a lot or lots on which to erect such houses for the Schools of the City; and also how much money should be raised for such purposes, and the purchase of fuel for School-houses." The result of this vote is not ascertained.

The extent of School privileges found here in 1839, may be judged by the fact, that in April of that year John Berdan and E. S. Dodd jointly advertised for " a gentleman qualified to take charge of a limited number of scholars."

In 1839, the City Council elected John Ber- dan, Samuel B. Scott and Oliver Stevens as School Direetors.

The pioneer Charity School of Toledo was opened in " the room over the Tailor-shop on Lagrange Street" (the shop of Levi Snell), on the 17th of June, 1839, under the superinten- dence of " the Benevolent and Charitable So- ciety." It was designed for Girls under 15, and Boys under eight years of age. Children of " indigent parents of good report," were sup- plied with books and articles of clothing when necessary. Moderate compensation from par- ents able to make such, was expected. For particulars, reference was made to the resi- dence of Samuel Allen, near the School-room. During the Fall term there were taught 12 children at half price; eight at less than half; and some at one-third price; beside 10 gratui- tously, and also furnished with books and clothing to fit them to attend. It seems at that date there was no Public School in Toledo.

December 20, 1840, the City Council passed " an ordinance for the regulation of Common Schools in the City of Toledo," by which pro- vision was made for three Directors for each Distriet in the City (the Districts being the Wards), in whose charge would be the Public Schools. It was also provided " that in all cases during the period when the public money should be applied to the support of the Schools, said Schools shall be free for all the white chil- dren of the District, under such regulations as may be adopted to secure to eael one equal participation therein." In this connection, it should be borne in mind, that at that time, none but "white children" had in Ohio or elsewhere in this country, any "rights which white men were bound to respect "-it then being unlawful in this State even to em- ploy a eolored person for common labor. At the time named, the City Council elected the following School Direetors, to wit : 1st Ward- John Berdan, Jacob Clark and Samuel Allen ; 2d Ward-Peter H. Shaw, L. S. Lownsbury and Edward Bissell. 3d Ward-Coleman I. Keeler, Jr., Wm. Hoskins and Joseph Turner.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 120

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903 Publication date: 1888 Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company Number of Pages: 1408

Author: Waggoner, Clark, 1820-1903
Publication date: 1888
Publisher: New York and Toledo : Munsell & Company
Number of Pages: 1408