History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 134

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 134

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January 1st-Mean, 11.66° below zero; lowest. (9 P. M.), 15° below. January 2d-Mean, 5.33º below ; lowest (7 A. M.), 13° below.

January 3d-Mean, 11º above; lowest (7 .A. M.), 5° below.

January 4th-At 7 A. M., 8º above.

It will be seen that the range from 9 r. M., Decem- ber 31st, to the same hour next day, was 57 degrees.

The effect of this state of things was seri- ously damaging in many directions, and especially to water and steam-pipes, and un- protected contents of vegetable and fruit cellars; while fruit trees were much injured, in addition to the destruction of buds.

Thatextraordinary change extended through- ont the West and South. The thermometer at Chicago, January 1st, stood at 30° below: in Central Wisconsin at 38° below ; at Louisville, Kentucky, at 193º; at St. Louis, at 25° : and at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, 50° below zero. The Mississipi at Cairo was frozen over sufficiently

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

solid for crossing. On the North Missouri Railroad 10,000 hogs were frozen to death, with immense numbers of cattle. Soldiers in different parts of the South suffered very severely from the extreme and sudden change, neither their clothing nor their quarters being suitable for such state of things.

An incident occurring at Green Island, near Put-in Bay, indicates something of the extent of the change in temperature. On the night of December 31st, and at about midnight, the Light-house there took fire, and burned so rapidly that Colonel Charles F. Drake, the keeper, and his household, consisting of Mrs. Drake, a son and female servant, were able to secure but little of the contents. Included in what they saved, was a feather-bed. The women were put into a small hen-house, the only remaining building on the Island, where, with aid of the bed, they were kept from freezing. The Colonel and his son spent the

balance of the night in keeping as comfortable as the burning remains of the building would make them. The fire attracted the attention of the people on South Bass Island-about half a mile distant-and numbers of them came to the shore, expecting to cross and extend relief to the party burned out; but so rough was the water, that no boat would have survived it, and they were compelled to postpone any attempt to cross until morning. When morn- ing came, so great had been the change in temperature within 6 or 8 hours, that they were enabled to cross to Green Island on the ice, formed meantime.

Probably the most extreme change in tem- perature during Summer months, occurred in July, 1846, when on the 10th the thermometer indicated 98°, and the 16th, 32º.

In one year the thermometer on the 4th of July indicated a lower temperature at Toledo than it did on the 1st of January previous.

Marquis Baldwin

CHAPTER II.

PERSONAL MENTION.

MARQUIS BALDWIN was born in Palmyra, Portage County, Ohio, January 22, 1809, being the fourth son of John T. Baldwin, of whose rela- tions and those of his family to Toledo and the Maumee Valley, mention is made elsewhere. Coming to Toledo in 1823, at the age of 14, he entered upon his business life in connection with his brother John, in 1828, in which he was engaged for three years. In 1845 he re- moved to a farm in Washington Township, where he remained for 16 years, since which time he has resided in Toledo. For a few years after his removal to the City he carried on the Grocery and Provision trade, but of late years has lived retired from business and devoted his time to the care and management of his property. Mr. Baldwin was married June, 30, 1839, with Eliza Rebeeea Roe, widow of his brother John. Mrs. Baldwin has had five children, three by her first marriage, as follows : Cornell Roe, born March 6, 1830, died May 3, 1870; Eurania, born September 4, 1832, the wife of Robert Simpson Janney; and Eliza T., born February 14, 1835, the wife of John A. Chase, Both children by her second marriage are dead. Their names were: Mary Louisa, born Sep- tember 8,1840, died July 27, 1845; and Charles J., born November 14, 1846, died February 15, 1849. A conspicuous feature of Mr. Baldwin's father's family was the unanimity of purpose and friendly feeling which animated the father and sons. For years, they labored together in every undertaking, without the least discord, for a common purpose and advancement. "In all these years," says Mr. Baldwin, "we never had a disagreement on financial matters." To Mr. Baldwin it seems almost like the work of magic, when he reealls the remarkable changes which have occurred in this region during the last 65 years. In politics, Mr. Baldwin was originally a Democrat, but since the formation of the Republican party has been allied to that organization. Often urged to accept politieal office, he has ever declined to become an office- holder. His taste and inclinations have never led him to desire political preferment. Natu- rally retiring in disposition, he has found his greatest pleasure in living quietly and without ostentation; and throughout a long life has ever retained the respect and esteem of all wbo know him.

Prominent among the early settlers of this County, were John Phillips and his family, consisting of two sons (Philip I. and Henry), and seven daughters. They came in 1826,

making the entire journey from Onondaga County, New York, with their own team. The' elder son (Philip 1.) made a trip for observa- tion the preceding year, when he bargained for what is known as the " Machen Tract," now within the City limits and on Collingwood Avenue, but such trade was never consum- mated. They purchased the property since known as the "Richards farm," one-half of which is now embraced in Woodlawn Come- tery. In 1828, the health of Philip I. had be- come so far impaired by malarial disease, that he was compelled to leave, when he returned to the East, where he regained his health, and returned to Ohio, bringing with him a wife and a nephew (Charles B. Phillips), then eight years of age. The latter grew up with such advantages as a new country afforded. While yet young, he entered upon a business activity, which continued for nearly half a century. At one time he was Cashier of the Bank of Toledo; afterward, with C. A. King and Alva Buckingham, owned and condneted the Grain Elevator now owned by C. A. King; then became a partner with John HI. Whitaker in the Wholesale Hardware trade (from 1856 to 1876); during that time, in connection with Mr. Whitaker and Wm. Wil- mington, running the Toledo Car Works; was largely interested in real estate, and building different valuable blocks. He was for many years actively identified with the Militia sys- tem of the State, serving in every grade from 4th Corporal to Brigadier-General. In 1864, he commanded the 130th Regiment, Ohio Voi- unteer Militia. The elder members of the Phillips family lived and died in the County, except the youngest daughter ( Mrs. Orren W. C. Bronson, the mother of John P. Bronson, of Toledo), who resides at Lansing, Michigan.

Among the early settlers of Toledo, was William H. Raymond. He was born at Storm- ville, Dutchess County, New York, in 1817, whence the family removed to Patterson, New York, in 1826. When 19 years of age (in 1836), he came to Toledo, as a clerk in the Store of V. II. Ketcham, who then had recently en- gaged in trade there. In 1838, Mr. Raymond went to Michigan and Indiana, in search of a new home, but soon returned to Toledo and re- sumed the service of Mr. Ketcham, continning the same until 1844, when he engaged in the Flour and Lumber business, operating mills in the manufacture of both. He was also, for some years, prominent in merchandise trade,

[675]

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

and otherwise identified with the business of the City. Meeting with financial reverses, Mr. Raymond in 1864 removed his family-then consisting of wife and five daughters-to San Francisco, California, where he now resides. He engaged in Silver Mining, purchasing what came to be known as the " Raymond and Ely" mine, which was made to produce 7 per cent. per month, but ere long was ruined by a sub- terranean overflow of water, leaving its owner penniless. Nothing daunted, he continued work- ing and hoping for ultimate success. His inter- est in Toledo was not severed by his removal. While in prosperity (in 1873), he purposed en- dowing the " University of Arts and Trades," and to that end authorized the purchase of the Church building at the corner of Adams and Tenth Streets (afterwards known as Raymond Hall), for use in the beginning of the work of the University, toward the cost of which he contributed the sum of $15,000. This property is now owned by the Central Congregational Church. Samnel A. Raymond, a brother of William II., and four years his junior, came to Toledo while young; went to St. Joseph, Michigan, for a few years; and returned to Toledo, where he was in business, including the Lumber trade. He was a Representative in the Ohio Legislature of 1857-8; and was Collector of Internal Revenue for the Toledo District. He left Toledo in 1866, for California, and now resides in San Francisco. Henry Raymond-youngest of 11 children of the same family-passed his early years in Toledo. When scarcely 18 years of age, he volunteered in the Union Army, to defend the Nation's life. Ile was married in Toledo with Miss Isabel Hammell, and in 1866 went to Nevada. and engaged with William H. in Silver mining. Subsequently, he removed to Oakland, and thence to Santa Cruz, California, where he now resides. Of this family were six sisters, two of whom married Augustus and Frederick Jud- son ; one is the wife of Judge George R. Haynes, of Toledo; and Miss Emily Raymond, author of a work, entitled " About Chautauqua," is now in California.

Mr. Thomas Daniels, now by many years the Nestor of Toledo Druggists, came to the City with his father's family in 1837. His first employment here was as clerk in the Drug Store of Dr. Charles McLean-the building (313 Summit Street) now occupied as a Bakery. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Daniels applied for admission to a private School tanght by Hiram Walbridge, then a young man, but the term was just closing, and Mr. Daniels, then a boy of 15 years, had no further School privileges. At the time of his coming here, the Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad had recently commenced business. Edward Bissell then lived in the frame building yet standing at the corner of Summit and Vine Streets. He was the chief manager of the Railroad, and his office and

that of the Railroad Company were in the small frame building near his residence. The balance of the space bounded by Cherry, Sum- mit and Vine Streets and the bluff in the rear, constituted Mr. Bissell's garden.

OFFICE OF EDWARD BISSELL, AND ERIE AND KALAMAZOO RAILROAD.

When Mr. Daniels came, a large tree stood near the center of the crossing of Summit and Cherry Streets ; while from lluron Street, out, no stumps had been removed from Cherry Street, the teams being compelled to find their way as best they could. The road connecting Upper and Lower Towns lay along the bank of the narrow bluff between the River and Mud Creek, at Oak Street being wide enough only for the road. Mr. Daniels has skated from about the corner of Superior and Orange Streets, by circuitous route, mainly on Mud Creek, to Monroe Street. At Adams Street, the width of the original ridge is seen in the space between the South side of Summit and the site of Trinity Church, immediately below which lay Mud Creek.

AMASA BISHOP. One of the earliest set- tlers in Lucas County was Amasa Bishop, who came from Woodstock, Conn., in 1824, and purchased 160 acres of land surrounding his late residence, corner of Detroit Avenue and Monroe Street, Toledo. Mr. Bishop was born in Woodstock, Windham County, Connecti- cut, February 20, 1799. He was a son of Ebene- zer and Sally (Lyons) Bishop. His father was a physician, and practiced his profession for several years at Woodstock, and died at Woodstock in 1834. The subject of this sketch passed the early years of his life in working on his father's farm and gaining an education in the Public Schools of that period. At the age of 25, with the earnings that patient industry had accumulated, he left his native place de- termined to seek his fortune in what at that day was the " far West." His journey was long and tedious, several weeks being spent upon the route, attended with all the priva- tions and hardships endured by the early pio- neer in a country at that time almost without white inhabitants. At that period, said Mr. Bishop, there were only about 125 white per- sons in the Territory now embraced by Wash-

Armasa. Bishop

677

PERSONAL MENTION.

ington, Sylvania, Oregon, Adams and White- ford Townships, in this County and in Monroe County, Michigan; while in the original limits of the City of Toledo resided but seven white families. For several years after Mr. Bishop's removal to this section, little increase in the population was made. Mr. Bishop's purchase of land was made from the Government, the deed being signed by John Quincy Adams, then President. April 19, 1835, Mr. Bishop married Catherine Barnes, a daughter of William Barnes, of Middlesex County, Mass., who was a descendant of one of the earliest English families which settled in that part of the State. The issue of this marriage has been four children-Charlotte A., born January 20, 1839; Edwin, born Jannary 28, 1841, who died from the effects of a wound at the battle of Winchester, while serving the Union cause during the Rebellion. The next child, Austin, was born December 2, 1842, and now resides next to his father's late residence. The last child, Emily Adelia, born in 1846,died in infancy. Mrs. Bishop died November 1, 1876. Mr. Bishop, at the advanced age of 87 years, enjoyed good physical health, and unimpaired mental vigor. His personal recollections of all the marvelous changes which have taken place in this portion of Ohio, made him an interesting narrator of the stirring scenes from the period of the first white settler down to the present. Mr. Bishop ever evinced the warmest interest in all that tended to advance the material pros- perity of the home of his adoption. By his liberality, largely, the location of the Milburn Wagon Works was secured, he donating all of the original land upon which the Works were erected, thus enhancing the value of property in that section of the City, and assisting the establishment of an enterprise which has been of immeasurable benefit to the City. In politics Mr. Bishop was originally a Whig, and upon the formation of the Republican party naturally drifted into that organization, and ever took a keen interest in public affairs, but never was a seeker of political office. At one time he was Township Assessor, and held other minor local offices of trust, without profit. From 1860, Mr. Bishop was a member of the Monroe Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and was long the oldest living member of the same. He was ever an active and consistent adherent of the Church, serving for many years as Class- Leader, Steward and Trustee. He heard in 1833 the first sermon preached in what is now the City of Toledo. The preacher's name was Elijah HI. Pilcher, and the discourse was deliv- ered in the house of Elkanah Briggs, on La- grange Street. Ifis practical interest in the Church of his choice and its great work, was indicated by a donation of $23,000 to the Ohio Wesleyan University, beside liberal sums to other institutions and enterprises. For many years his health was feeble, as the result of ex-

tended days of activity; but he was able to maintain some degree of vigor, until within the year 1887, when vitality gradually failed until the end of life, which came to him on a Sabbath morning (January 8, 1888), the day of all the week on which he would have preferred to enter upon " the rest." Appropriate services were held at the Church he so long loved and served, when the remains were deposited in Woodlawn Cemetery, quite near to the locality where his active life was spent.

David Burritt Scott was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, October 31, 1803, in a house built by a great-great-grandfather, about 1690. Ile lived there, working on a farm when old enough for such service, until 20 years of age, having the school privileges common to those days. At 21 he started on horseback for Columbia, South Carolina, where he studied medicine, receiving his diploma in 1827. Thence he went to Central Georgia, and there successfully practiced medicine for about nine years, when he returned to the North, coming to Lucas County in 1837. Here he had been preceded by his brothers Jessup W. and .l. Austin Scott. From Butlalo to Toledo, he made the passage by the steamer Commodore Perry, Captain David Wilkison. He settled at Miami, where he made investments and directed his attention to farming and real estate. Some 30 years since Dr. Scott removed to Toledo, which has since been his residence. He purchased lot 268, Port Lawrence Division, for 8450 ; hell it until rentals had reimbursed his investment, and then sold it for $16,000. He also purchased lots now occupied by the Penn- sylvania Railroad Depot (foot of Chestnut street), for $6,000, and sold them for $14,000. Also, purchased lot 768, Port Lawrence (Indi- ana Avenue), for 81,200; which is now held at $11,500. While in Georgia, Dr. Scott was married with Miss Mary Ann Finney, of the Calhoun family, who died at Miami in 1848. They had four children-May Elizabeth (Mrs. John H. Moulton) ; Charles B., now in Santa Monica, California ; Julia S, wife of Courtland Brown, Toledo; and Jessup W., of Santa Monica, California. In 1851, Dr. Scott was married with Miss Lydia W. Knight, of Man- mee, his present wife.

William Laughlin was born September 15, 1808, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. He came from Massillon, Ohio, to Toledo, in 1846, and started a Saddle and Harness Shop in a building on the present site of the Merchants' Hotel, 103 and 105 St. Clair Street. He soon built a shop on the East side of Summit. Street, next to the site of the Merchants' National Bank. In 1840, renting his shop, Mr. Laugh- lin purchased a Canal Boat and took charge of the same. Subsequently, he built others, which were run on both the Miami and Wa- bash Canals-sometimes freighting and some- times trading in produce. He was thus eu-

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

gaged until 1856, when he disposed of his Treasurer, serving for a few months and in boats, and for some years was engaged in the . October of same year was elected to that office Lumber trade at Toledo. Hle still resides in the City. for two years. In 1861, he was appointed Deputy Postmaster at Toledo, and continued as such until 1866. Since the latter date his attention has been chiefly directed to the man- agement of his farm interests. When 14 years of age, he made profession of the Christian faith, and united with what is now the West Toledo Methodist Episcopal Church. This re- lation he has held for over 50 years, with active usefulness, much of the time serving as Trustee and Recording Steward. As a relic of early times, the following certificate will be of interest in this connection :

Among the very earliest white settlers of the Maumee Valley, was Paul Guire, a Frenchman, born near the mouth of the River, April 13, 1815. His grandfather was born in France, and settled at Detroit in 1772, where Paul's father was born. When 60 years of age (1875) Mr. Guire had not been more than seven miles from the Bay Settlement, the place of his birth-never was in a Railroad car, or on a Steamboat, although the latter had been daily passing within his sight for the most of his life, which had been devoted to farming, fish- ing and hunting. He had six children.

A man named llaile, with his family left St. Lawrence County, New York, in August, 1827, for the West. At Buffalo they took passage on board the Steamboat Niagara, Captain Stan- nard, for Toledo. After passing two nights on the Lake, they reached Toledo the third day, being September 1st. Subsequently Mr. Haile stated that the Town then consisted of a wharf, a small frame storehouse and four or five dwell- ings. He was offered four acres on the hill, in what is now the heart of the City, for his team. Declining such offer he proceeded on his trip, and afterwards invested in a City named Singapore, of which it is said not a single building now remains.

SAMUEL BLANCHARD is a descend- ant, successively, of three Samuel Blanchards. His mother was Mercy (Ewers) Blanchard, and he was born in Great Valley, Cattaraugus County, New York, September 20, 1823. Both parents were born in Massachusetts, the father being a brother of Thomas Blanchard, the noted inventor, of Massachusetts, who died in 1864. The son was but three months old when his father died. He remained with his mother until he was seven years old, when he was given to an aunt, the wife of Horace Thacher, with whom he made his home until he arrived at manhood. In June, 1834, the family came to Toledo, which has since been Mr. Blan- chard's home. His educational privileges were chiefly such as were found in log School houses, but were so fully improved, that he was enabled to qualify himself at an early date to teach School, which he did in the years 1843 and 1844, in District No. Six, Bedford Township, Monroe County, Michigan, his cer- tificates authorizing his employment as Teacher bearing the signatures of Farley MeLouth and C. F. W. Rawson (the latter still living). For some time Mr. Blanchard served as a Clerk of Horace Thacher, then County Recorder, the office being in Maumee. Subsequently, he acted as Deputy County Auditor, and in other capacities in the County offices at Maumee and Toledo. In 1857 he was appointed as County

THIS CERTIFIES, That Samuel Blanchard was re- ceived, on trial, into the Methodist Episcopal Church, on Toledo Circuit, Michigan Conference, May 26, 1837. AUSTIN COLEMAN, Circuit Preacher.

Politically, Mr. Blanchard was originally a Whig, with which organization he acted until the Republican party was organized, of which he is now an earnest supporter. He has ever taken a deep and active interest in what- ever concerned the moral or material well- being of his fellow-citizens, and, as occasions offered, has co-operated in such measures as promised the common welfare. Throughout his active life, he has avoided the use of alco- holic drinks and of tobacco in every form, and has been an active friend of the Temper- ance cause, as of all movements for the pro- motion of public and private morals. June 8, 1851, Mr. Blanchard was married at Maumee, with Miss Esther A. Potter, daughter of Captain Freeborn Potter, at one time a member of the Ohio Legislature. They have four living children-Freeborn P., Samuel S., Fred L., and Julia B. Blanchard, all residing in Toledo.

As part of the personal history of Toledo, may be mentioned the fact that the eminent singer, Emma Abbott, in this City is believed to have received her first substantial support in the struggle for professional success which has been so marked. She was born in Wiscon- sin, in 1850. When 18 years of age, she went to Chicago, hoping there, by singing in a choir, to obtain means for the development of the musical talent which she was confident she possessed. This plan was defeatedfrom the fact that she could not read music. Thence she sat out for New York, hoping there to meet en- couragement in some form. On her way she stopped over at Toledo, arriving there January 29, 1869. Here she met with the same em- barrassment as in Chicago, from inability to read music, although her voice was admired. It so happened that during her stay in Toledo, M. Strakosch's Concert Troupe, including Miss Kellogg, were in the City, and she visited the hall, and during the concert arranged with M. Strakosch that after the concert, she should

Dam' Slanchard

679

PERSONAL MENTION.

have a hearing by him and the members of his company. Subsequently, taking the stage with M. Strakosch, with Miss Kellogg and the others for her audience, she rehearsed several of the pieces she had learned by the car. Suffice it to say, that the result was all Miss Abbott could wish, and far more than she dared to hope for. The test over, she repeated her history and her purpose, when Miss Kel- logg at once told ber that she had a superb voice, in which judgment M. Strakosch heartily joined. The result then was, that Miss Abbott was invited to a seat in Miss Kellogg's private carriage and accompanied her to the Oliver House, where it was arranged that she should proceed to New York, with letters to promi- nent musical parties, which would secure her all adequate assistance in the pursuit of her ambition. In time a situation opened for her in the choir of a Baptist Church, and then in that of Dr. Chapin's Church. Her subsequent professional career need not here be recited. The case is worthy of mention, for the general interest taken in the history of successful pro- fessionals ; but far more as an encouragement for patient, persistent, hopeful effort in the pur- suit of a worthy ambition by the young, against whatever obstacles may be met.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 134

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