History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 130

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

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DAVID ROSS LOCKE was born in Vestal, Broome County, New York, September 20, 1833, and died at Toledo, February 15, 1888. His father, Nathaniel Reed Locke, yet living at the advanced age of 94 years, was a Soldier in the War of 1812-15. At the age of 10 years the son entered the office of the Courtland Democrat, to learn the printing business, and while yet young he sat out as a journeyman in search of work, which he found at different points. At Pittsburgh, Penn., he was employed, first as reporter, and then as assistant to the Editor of the Chronicle. In 1852, with James G. Rob- inson, he started the Plymouth Advertiser, at Plymouth, Richland County, Ohio, which they published for two years. In 1856 Mr. Locke started the Bueyrus Journal. Subse- quently, in succession, he conducted the Mans- field Herald, the Bellefontaine Republican and the Findlay Jeffersonian. It was while con- nected with the latter paper, and during the War of the Rebellion, that Mr. Locke com- meneed writing the "Nasby " letters, which subsequently attained extensive circulation and

gave him special prominence throughout the country. In October, 1865, previously bav- ing closed his connection with the Findlay paper, Mr. Locke began his connection with the Toledo press, as stated on pages 640-641. For several years he spent considerable time in the delivery of public lecturesin different parts of the country. He made a somewhat extended trip through Great Britain and the Continent, when he wrote a series of letters ( " Nasby in Exile") subsequently published in a volume. The " Nasby " letters were thus issued, as also were other volumes of his writings-" Ekkoes from Kentucky," "Abou Ben Adhem," "Strng- gles of Petroleum V. Nasby," "Swinging Round the Circle," " Paper City," and " Hannah Jane"-all which 'partaking of the style of satire, were employed to correct erroneous views and sentiments in regard to matters of political, social and practical life. In this de- partment of literature he attained prominence which very few American writers have enjoyed. His habits of labor were exceptionally method- ical and close, enabling him to accomplish re- sults to be secured in no other way. Some months before his death, Mr. Locke's health became seriously impaired, and different steps were taken for its restoration, but without suc- cess, the end occurring as already stated, in the 55th year of his age. He was married while residing at Plymouth, with Miss Martha Bodine, who survives him, as do three sons-Robinson, Edmund and Charles, the former succeeding his father as Editorial Manager of the Blade.

Beside a pioneer in the Nursery business, Mr. Asa W. Maddocks held like position in the printing offices of Toledo. He was an ap- prentice-" Devil," as technically called-in the office of the Toledo Gazette, which very soon succeeded the Herald upon its suspension in September, 1834. He was employed on the Gazette when in 1835 the office was raided, its type piled in "pic," and general wreck wrought with the materials by the " Michigan forces," who took such means for vengeance on the Ga- cette, for its support of the Ohio side of the boundary question. Mr. Maddocks, in 1840, worked on the Manmee City Express ( Henry Reed and S. T. Hosmer, publishers), and sub- sequently as a "Jour" at Adrian and other places.

Silas W. Wilder, a native of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, learned his trade in the office of the Spy, Worcester, Massachusetts. He after- wards published, in succession, the Woonsocket (R. I.) Patriot, the Norfolk Democrat (Dedham, Mass.), and the Pathfinder and the Carpet Bag, Boston. He came to Toledo in 1852, and be- came associated with Josiah Riley, in the pub- lication of the Commercial Republican. Novem- ber 26, 1854, Mr. Wilder died, leaving a wife and three children. He was a man of great industry and unexceptionable habits.

PART X. ANNALS.

CHAPTER I.

EVENTS AND PERSONS.

M UCHI of the most valuable local history consists of facts and events supplied by disconnected records and the memories of per- sons cognizant of the same. Availing himself of these sources of information, the compiler has gathered material which it is believed will be of present interest and permanent value. In the nature of the case, such must be used without special connection as to either subject or time.

The first known white settlers of the Manmee Valley, were Gabriel Godfrey and John Bap- tiste Beaugrand, who established a trading post at the foot of the Maumee Rapids about 1790. Other French settlers came, including La Point, Momenec and Peltier. James Car- lin, a blacksmith, and his son Squire Carlin (now of Hancock County) came from Monroe about 1807. At that time six American fami- lies were there. David Hull, a nephew of Gen. Isaac Hull, resided at Maumee.

Near the mouth of the Maumee River, and opposite Manhattan, a small French settlement was established about 1807. It was near to a Village of Ottawa Indians, which is said to have existed from the time of the Pontiac Conspiracy (1763), and the widow of Pontiac, with her son ( Kan-tuck-ce-gun), and his son (Otnssa), were yet there. Mesh-kee-ma, a consin of Otussa, was a Chief on the West side of the River, where he was prominent as an orator. A-bee-wa, a young Chief, was poi- soned, and died while young. At this time, there were in this region about 8,000 Ottawas, living chiefly by fishing and hunting. Ot these, the remnant, made up largely of vaga . bonds, were removed to the West in 1837.

No name is more prominent among the early settlers of the Maumee Valley, than is that of Peter Navarro. He was said to be a grandson of Robert Navarre, a French army officer, who visited this section in 1745. Peter was born at Detroit in 1785, where his father before him was born. In 1807, with his brother Robert he erected a cabin near the mouth of the Maumee (East side), which continued to be his residence while he live.l. Beside Canadian French, he could speak the Pottawatomie Indian dialect, and partially those of other tribes. In woodcraft and Indian methods he was very skillful, while his bearing was over that of a " born gentleman." For several years he was employed by a Detroit house in buying furs of the Miamis near Ft. Wayne, Indiana, whese he made the acquaintance and

friendship of Chief Little Turtle. The war of 1812-15 closed the fur trade, when Peter and his three brothers-Robert, Alexis and Jaquot (James)-tendered their services to General Hull. He also besonghi General Hull to ar- cept the services of the Miamis, which were declined, and they afterwards took part with the British. Before seeing active service, the Navarres were included in the surrender of General Hull and paroled, although they de- nied the right to treat him as a prisoner of war, and at once took an active part for the United States ; whereupon, General Proctor, the British Commander, offered a reward of £200 for Peter's head or scalp. Until the close of the war, he acted as scout for General Har- rison. Ile used to say that the worst night he ever spent, was as bearer of a dispatch from General Harrison, then at Fort Meigs, to Fort Stephenson (now Fremont). Amid a thunder- storm of great fury and fall of water, he made the trip of over 30 miles through the unbroken wilderness, and the morning following deliv- ered to General Harrison a reply. Because his names was not on an enlistment-roll, the law provided no pension for his great service, but by special act of Congress, his last days were made more comfortable by pecuniary relief. At the close of the war he returned to his home, near the mouth of the Manmee River, where he spent the balance of his life, dying in East Toledo, March 20, 1874, in his 89th year. For several years previous to his death he served as President of the Maumee Valley Pioneer Association.

On next page is given a portrait of Peter Na- varre, as passing through a forest in his favor- ite character as a Scout. It is from an oil painting by Mr. W. H. Machen, formerly of Toledo, and now of Detroit, a work of special artistic merit. The likeness is considered a good one by those long acquainted with Mlr. Navarre.

Prominent among the very earliest settlers at Toledo, were fohn T. Baldwin and family. This fact, together with their other relations to this region, will make proper brief mention of their movements and experiences in such con- nection. Mr. Baldwin and his family lett. Litchfield County, Connecticut, in 1805, for Northern Ohio, settling at Palmyra, Portage County, on a farm. Here they remained until September 4, 1817 At that time his family consisted of his wife, four sons-Alvah, John, Tibbals and Marquis, and one daughter-

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Uranins. At the latter date the family, Alvah excepted, sat out for Detroit. At Cleveland they took the Schooner Leopard, a 28-ton craft, previously built on the Cuyahoga River,

N. Hawley Merwin, for four barrels of flour, subject to warehouse charges for storage.

Marquis Baldwin, of Toledo, has a joint diary and account book kept by his father for several

PETER NAVARRE, AS THE SCOUT OF GENERAL HARRISON-WAR OF 1812-15.

a short distance above its mouth. This vessel was built with reference to trade at the West end of Lake Erie and the Detroit and Manmee Rivers. At Cleveland, Mr. Baldwin kiffed a fat cow, and sold a hind-quarter of the same to

years, which is replete with local and general interest. As shown by that record, Mr. Baldwin and his family were among the earliest of the traders who came to this region as soon after the close of the War of 1812-15 as the condi-

EVENTS AND PERSONS.

tion of things justified such venture, and he and the most of his family spent the balance of their days in useful and honorable activity here. Citations from Mr. Baldwin's record, necessarily brief, will be found of interest :

Leaving Cleveland, September 6, 1817, the Loop- ard arrived at Detroit, after a tedious passage of 10 days, on the 16th. There his attention was divided between the manufacture and erection of Cider Mills and the limited trathe which the Leopard, chiefly in charge of his sons, was able to seeure. Hle made several mills, while the vessel. until the close of navigation, was kept usually employed in trans- portation on the Detroit River.

April 1, 1818, Mr. Baldwin Jeft Detroit for "Or- leans of the North,"as the settlement on the Maumee River below Fort Meigs, was then called. They arrived on the 3d, and occupied a small house. Here they remained until July, 1818, when they left, going first to Put-in Bay, for the purpose of getting ont a cargo of cedar pickets for the Detroit market, which latter place they reached during that month, and where their former life, substantially, was re- peated until November, when they returned to Orleans, taking up their abode in a portion of Seneca Allen's house. Here their experiences were about as at their former sojourn, the family suffering severely on both occasions from fever and ague-so much so as often to have no one with strength to care for the sick. They all were active at such en- ployment as might be had. Marquis in April, 1819, " dropped " corn for General Vance, a farmer above Orleans.

June 27, 1819, once more discouraged by Maumee life, Mr. Baldwin and family again left ; this time for their old home in Palmyra, where they arrived July 30.

In September, Mr. Baldwin, with John and Tib- bals, took the Leopard at Cleveland and sailed for l'ut-in Bay, there occupying the board shanty of a Mr. Hill, where they got ont timber for Cider Mills, and for use at Detroit, where the father was busy with his mill jobs, while the sons continued traffic with the Vessel, making several trips to Orleans on one of which she was loaded with Corn for Detroit by Jonathan Gibbs. This sort of life was kept up more or less, until 1821, when Mr. Baldwin returned to Palmyra.

On the 10th of February, 1823, Mr. Baldwin, with his family (Alvah only excepted), for the third time, essayed to make a home on the Maumee, with Port Lawrence for his destina- tion. For conveyance for himself, family and goods, he had two ox-sleds and a one-horse sleigh ; Marquis (then 15 years of age) driving two cows. At Black River (now Lorain County), the snow failed them, and they were compelled to take the Lake, then covered with solid ice, which they followed throughout to the Maumee River and up to Port Lawrence, where they arrived, after a passage of nine days from Palmyra.

At Port Lawrence Mr. Baldwin settled in the old log Warehouse at the foot of Monroe Street, built in 1817. There they remained until 1833, when John Baldwin purchased lot 11, Summit Street (North side), and next to the corner of Monroc, and built thereon a brick two- story building, the lower part of which he occupied until 1836 as a Provision Store, the

family living on the second floor. In 1:36 John built on Superior Street, between Wash. ington and Lafayette, Marquis remaining with him, and the father and Tibbals going on a farm, a part of which is now the site of the Manhattan Flouring Mills. Afterwards they removed to Grassy Point (on the River be tween the Wabash Round-House and the Lake Shore Railroad bridge). Subsequently, the family returned to Town, where the father died in 1838, John having preceded him in death in 1837. Tibbals then returned to Pal- myra, where he died. Alvah, taking the farm at Palmyra in 1823, remained on it until his death, February 22, 1886, at the age of 90 years and 6 months. Marquis never left Toledo after the return in 1823, which, at the end of 65 years, is yet his residence. He is the last member of the family living. The brother John occupied a prominent and honorable position here, in both business and public trust, having been one of the three first t'ounty Commissioners.

The experience of Mr. Baldwin and his family was in some respects peculiar. t'aller to meet reverses in business, his removal to the West was made in the hope of recovery of losses. Farm-life failing to secure such end, he adopted the varied business shown in his history, without special financial success. But the condition thus given the family greatly developed the energy and industry of all. Thus, we find in Mr. Baldwin's accounts, charges for the making of pants, shirts and other garments by Mrs. Baldwin, and shoes by lohn; while the other members were constant in contributing by all means available to the common fund. John and Tibbals largely managed the Leopard, while the father was em- ployed in making Cider Mills and other work ; Marquis, the youngest, doing his share of work according to his years-the household labors taxing the utmost strength of the mother and daughter. The record of this family is cited, not so much as exceptional, as because it shows something of the trials and privations common to the mass of pioneers who opened up the great West to civilization and wealth.

From Mr. Ballwin's carefully kept accounts, we are enabled to learn something of the prices current at the outset of civilization here :

In April, 1818, bis charges for transportation of freight from Miami to Cleveland, contained the fol- lowing : Wood, per cord, $2.00 ; Fish, per bbl., 75 cents ; Pickets, per 100, $12.50. Between Miami and Detroit-Passengers, with baggage equal to three barrels bulk, $5.50; Salt Pork and Fish, per bbl., 50 cents ; Corn, per bushel, 10 cents ; Shingles, por MI, 50 cents; Furs, per pack, 75 cents. From Put-in Bay to Detroit-Cargo of Lumber, $30.00.

Of articles of trade, the prices of the following are given : Ploughs, $15.00 ; Flour, per 100 lbs., $4.00 ; Potatoes, per bushel, 62gc .; Bacon, per lb., 20c .; Butter, 312c .; Beef Steak, 10c .; Pork, iste .; Bread, 12gc .; Shoes, $2.50; Castor Hats, $7.00 ; Tin-pans, 25c .; Nails, per lb., 25e .; Salt, per bbl., $8.00; Fish,

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

per bbl., $10.00; Rosin, per lb., 25c .; Tar, per gallon, $1.50; Whisky, per quart, 50c .; Chickens, each, 25c .; Tin plates, 31le .; Pine boards, per 100 feet, $3.00; Buffalo robes, $6.00; Tobacco, per lb., 50c .; Cider, per bbl., $8.50; Apples, per bbl. (October, 1818), $1.50.

The rates for labor are indicated by Mr. Baldwin's charge of $3.00 for footing a pair of boots; and those of Mrs. Baldwin-for making woolen pantaloons, $1.50; for linen do., 50 cents; and for making fine shirts, $1.00 each. Ordinary laborers were paid $25.00 per month and board. Sailors got the same.

Mr. Marquis Baldwin furnishes the following as among the residents of this section when his father's family went to Orleans, in 1818, to wit :

At Maumee-John E. Hunt and Robert A. For- syth, merchants; Jonathan Gibbs, James Carlin, Dr. Iloratio Conant. and a Frenchman, named Pelkee.

At Miami-Daniel Hubbell and Wm. Herrick.

At Perrysburg-John and Frank Hollister, mer- chants ; Coleman I. Keeler, Sen., John Webb, David M. Hawley and Wm. Wilson.

At Orleans-Wm. Ewing, James McElrath, Jacob Wilkison (Tavern-keeper), Samuel Spafford, Seneca Allen, Martindale, James Murray, Aurora Spafford, Gen. Vance. Samuel Wilkison, Amos Pratt, James Wilkison, David Wilkison, - Broughton.

Up the River. East side, four or five miles-Guy Nearing, Isaac Richardson (murdered) *.

Up the River, West side-David HIull, Isaac Hull, Joseph Hull.

Still further np-The Prays, Franeis Manor, and - Gunn. Others may have been there, who are not remembered.

Mr. Marquis Baldwin also furnishes the fol- lowing statement of what was found at Port Lawrence, when his father's family arrived there in 1823:

At the foot of Monroe Street. North side, the log- warehouse belonging to the Cincinnati Company, with a frame addition thereto. The back part of this building became the residence of the Baldwin family for some 10 years. On the South side and at the foot of the same Street, stood the Warehouse of D. C. Henderson, also built in 1817-a frame struc- ture, much dilapidated, and in 1823 unocenpied. A small frame house stood on Perry Street, just back of the Alley, between Summit and St. Clair, and owned and occupied by Joseph Prentice, the father of Frederick Prentice. A log-house stood near the present site of the Police Station-owned and oc- cupied by Joseph Trombley. A hewed log-house, on the North side of Summit Street, near Jefferson, owned and occupied by Wm. Wilson. Remains of Fort Industry were vet on Summit Street, Irom near Jefferson, two-thirds the distance to Monroe Street, and to the bluft in the direction of the River. Pickets of the fortification were yet standing.

Down the River, and on what is now Stickney Ave- nne, stood the brick dwelling of Major B. F. Stickney

* Mr. Richardson was killed July 22, 1830, a few miles above Perrysburg, by Geo. Porter. It seems that Richardson, keeper of a hotel at the Maumee Rapids, was sitting in the piazza of his house, con- versing with a guest, when he was shot in the head from a corner of the house, and expired without a groan His guest received in his breast a portion of the charge of shot. The murderer, Porter, was taken the next day, when he confessed the act, expressing his gratification thereat. He bore a bad character, and had for some years been on unfriendly terms with Mr. Richardson. Porter was tried for the erime, convicted and hung.

-the only residence then on what became the Vis- tula plat. Back from the River, and now on Colling- wood Avenue, was Noah A. Whitney's house. Next, the log house of Major Coleman I. Keeler, Sen., near the rear end of the lot now owned by J. W. May's heirs. Eli Hubbard's house stood out Lagrange Street, on the North side of Ten-Mile Creek, Thomas Bishop lived nearly opposite Mr. Hubbard. Win. Sibley lived near the present residence of Peter C. Lewis, now Washington Township ; and next West, was Andrew Jacobs, on the Prairie Road. Then John Walworth, where J. C. Harris lived ; and one other house, occupied by a Mr. Owens, on the Smith farm on Half-way Creek.

A little below the Manhattan Mill, Franeis Love- way ; and near the mouth of the Maumee River, Leo Guire.

About where Ironville now stands, lived the five brothers-Jacob, Peter, Francis, Alexis and Antoine Navarre.

Such constituted the population between Maumee and the Bay Settlement (now Vienna), in 1823. The same year Cyrus Fisher and John Baldwin brought a small stock of Dry Goods to Port Lawrence, being the first store opened within the present limits of Toledo. During that year, John Baldwin owned the Schooner Vermilion, and sailed her between Port Lawrence and Buffalo.

In 1827, '28 and '29, John Baldwin & Co. sold Dry Goods in the building at the foot of Monroe Street.

About 1828 Alvin Evans was on what is now the Ed. Upton farm, Washington Township.

The same year (as recollected), Capt. David Wilkison built the Schooner Eagle, on Swan Creek, and at the foot of Washington Street, Port Lawrence. In 1832-33 the Steamboat Detroit was built at the same place, by the Detroit Navigation Company; Tibbals and Marquis Baldwin doing the iron-work, and John Baldwin sailing her as Master in 1834. In 1831 Sanford L. Collins came here as clerk in a new Dry Goods and Grocery Store, for which was fitted up the Wilson Block-house, on Fort Industry Grounds.

In the Spring of 1810, Jacob Woodruff left Griersburgh (now Darlington), Pennsylvania, for Ohio, accompanied by his wife and six children, of whom Nancy (16 years of age), was the eldest. Ile stopped first in what is now Summit County ; the next year went to Cleve. land, and to the mouth of Black River (then in Huron, now in Lorain County), where he put up a cabin. Cleveland then was in its begin- ning, with one store, that of Nathan Perry, and a small tavern. At Black River, John S. Reed had a small trading post, beside whom was Jonathan Seeley-the three families con- stituting the entire white population of that locality, with a plenty of Indians, whose be- havior depended upon the quantity of whisky obtained at the trading-post. In the Summer of 1811, Mr. Woodruff went to the mouth of Vermillion River, where was the single family of a Mr. Sturgeon, who kept a ferry. In the Fall of 1811, Nancy Woodruff accompanied a

EVENTS AND PERSONS.

family named Young, who were removing from Cleveland to Cold Creek (now Castalia, Eric County), the passage being made in the Sloop " Sallie," Capt. Abijah Baker, stopping where Venice was located some years thereafter- Sandusky then being called the " Ogontz Place," the Town plat not being made for some six years thereafter. At Cold Creek, then, were Major Frederick Falley, and Mr. Snow (who was subsequently killed by the Indians, and whose daughter Eletta was taken captive at the same time). In December, 1811, Miss Woodruff was married with Captain Abijah Baker, the Captain of the " Sallie." The same Winter the young couple moved to Iluron River, as also did the Woodruff family, when they put up log-houses on the River below the Abbott place (afterwards the County- seat of Huron County). In June, 1812 (War with England, meantime, having been declared), Captain Baker set sail from the Huron River for the foot of the Maumee Rapids, where he expected a load of General Hull's Army bag- gage for Detroit, his wife accompanying him. As they entered the Maumee, its banks seemed alive with noisy Indians. Darkness overtook them when near the mouth of Swan Creek, where they anchored for the night. With them was John Laylin (of Norwalk, Ohio). They landed and examined Fort Industry on the bluff near the month of Swan Creek. A small Schooner met them on its way from the foot of the Rapids with the Army baggage which Captain Baker was expecting for his Vessel. llis disappointment was relieved, however, when he subsequently learned that the loaded Schooner was captured by the British. On the vessel was Dr. Reynolds, a Surgeon of General Hull's army, who afterwards was killed at Detroit. Captain Baker continued his way up the Maumee to the foot of the Rapids, where he obtained a cargo of flour (probably belonging to an Army contractor), for Erie, whence the voyage was made, when they returned to the Iluron River, in time to participate in the his- torical flight of the settlers of that section to the South, upon hearing of IInll's surrender and the probable approach of the British and Indians. The Woodruff's stopped at Mt. Ver- non, but Captain Bakerand wife, on two horses, returned to Pennsylvania, he enlisting in the Army and dyingat Williamsport, that State, in 1813. Mrs. Baker soon returned to Ohio with an infant son, whose name was Abijah Wood- ruff Baker, and who in after years came to be extensively known as a printer and publisher, having started many newspapers in Ohio and elsewhere. He lost his life in the War with Mexico. In 1818 Mrs. Baker was married with T. K. Rudulph, in Knox County, and soon was again a widow, with another son and a daughter. In 1831 she again married, Thomas Morrell being her third husband, who died in 1848, when Mrs. Morrell came to Wood County,

to make her home with her son, J. R. Budulph, and daughter, Mrs. George Williams. She died at Bowling Green, December 7, 1878.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 130

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