History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 135

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 135

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OBITUARY.

John S. Bntman died in Toledo, March 28, 1842. He was a prominent and successful con- tractor in the construction of the Canal, the late James Myers having been associated with him. Among their jobs, were the locks whereby connection was made with Swan Creek. Mr. Butman's residence had been for nearly 20 years at Milan, Ohio, during which time he had been a contractor on the Pennsylvania Canal. A son, John Butman, still resides at Milan.

Ahira G: Hibbard died in Toledo, March 8, 1842, aged 40 years. He came to Toledo in 1835, and soon thereafter engaged in trade, in the firm of A. G. Hibbard & Co. He gained a prominent and exceptionally honorable stand- ing as a citizen and a business man. In Feb- ruary preceding his death, he was elected Asso- ciate Justice for Lucas County.

Micajah T. Williams died at his residence in Cincinnati, in July, 1844. For 30 years he had been a prominent and active man in public affairs in Ohio. While much of the time a leader in political matters, he was no less a leader in business and educational affairs. As early as 1817, he espoused the cause of Common School education and of Internal Improve- ments, in which he persevered until he saw both interests adopted and well advanced as State policies. For many years he was a mem- ber of the State Legislature, and was both Canal and Fund Commissioner. The Cincin- nati Atlas, at his death, said of him: “ Ohio

owes his memory a debt of gratitude, as one of her principal benefactors." Mr. Williams was closely identified with the early development of Toledo and the Maumee Valley. He was recognized as "one of the earliest of those sagacious men who selected the point near the mouth of Swan Creek, as the best site for a Town on the estuary of the Maumee." In 1817, as believed, he advised the purchase of tracts one and two in the 12-miles Reserve, for the location of the Town plat, and not long after he became interested in those and other tracts near them.

Theodore W. Bissell left Livingston County, New York, in 1824, and went to Tecumseh, Michigan, or to the place which subsequently became Tecumseh, where he took up Govern- ment land, and was married with Miss Cynthia M. Spofford, daughter of Abner Spotford, who, with his family, was among the first settlers at that point-that being the first marriage of white persons in what is now Lenawee County, there then being no clergyman West of Detroit and Monroe. In 1828 Mr. Bissell returned to Lockport, New York, where he remained until about 1837, and then came to Toledo, where his brother Edward had become interested. Not many years thereafter he went to Texas and died there. Mrs. Bissell subsequently was married with W. W. Tilton, who settled at Tecumseh in 1825.

William Hollister died at Buffalo, New York, May 25, 1848, of apoplexy. He was the eldest of 10 brothers. Accompanied by his brother John, he came to Perrysburg in 1816, where for several years. he was engaged in active trade, chiefly with the Indians, there laying the foundation for the ample fortune he subse- quently acquired. His brothers were all active men. He left a wife, the daughter of Major Coleman I. Keeler, of Toledo.

Daniel Swift died at Toledo, September 17, 1849, aged 38 years. He was born at Anster- litz, New York, in 1811, and came to the Maumee Valley in 1835, engaging largely in contracts for the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal, in the vicinity of Toledo. Subse- quently he was actively engaged in merchan- dizing, and in all business, social, domestic and other relations maintained a position of honor and usefulness. He left a wife and two children.

Austin E. Wing died at Cleveland, August 28, 1849. He was for many years a leading public man of Michigan, residing at Monroe. For several years he was a Delegate in Con- gress from Michigan Territory, and thus was a Representative in that body of the disputed territory now within Lneas County, including the site of Toledo. Hle first settled in Detroit, removing from there to Monroe.

Stephen B. Comstock died at Toledo, August 29, 1853. He was among the earliest and most

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prominent residents of Toledo, having gone there from Lockport, New York, in 1832. He was actively identified with the Erie and Kala- mazoo Railroad.

Alexander 11. Ewing died at Cincinnati, August 31, 1847, in his 45th year. He was born at the River Raisin, Michigan, in 1802, from which place the family removed to Piqua, Ohio, during the war of 1812-15. Subse- quently, he went to Cincinnati, where he was successful in business, and where he became prominent in the promotion of moral and re- ligious movements. At the time of his death he was a member of the Second Presbyterian Church. The Cincinnati Atlas spoke of him as amiable and ardent in disposition ; in char- acter, strong and decided ; and in attachments warm and constant. Mrs. Ewing and two of three sons (Wm. A. and Alex. H. Jr.) for some years resided in Toledo, and are now (1888) in Chicago.

Toledo, March 9, 1847, Junius Flagg, aged 45. He came to Toledo in 1833, and with Theo. Bissell, opened one of the first assort- ments of goods for the trade of white people. He had been a clerk of Edward Bissell, at Genesco, New York, before coming to Toledo. He afterwards opened a store at Conneaut, Ohio. Soon after Lucas County was organ- ized, in 1835, he was made its Recorder, which position he held until the time of his death. Junius Flagg (deceased), Frank Flagg, and Mrs. Susan Bangs, were children of his.

Toledo, January 19, 1857, George C. Hertzler, in his 28th year. Few young men in Toledo have in so short a time gained the position in the confidence and esteem of the public, as did Mr. Hertzler. He was born in Marietta, Lan- caster County, Pennsylvania, the family re- moving to Vienna. near Toledo, when he was six years old. He learned the printing trade in the Blade office. In 1846, at the age of 19, he entered the Commercial Bank as bookkeeper, remaining with it until its close, when he be- came connected with the City Bank. His dis- ease was inflammation of the bowels, which proved fatal in 48 hours from the attack.

Matthew Johnson died at Cleveland, October 31, 1861. Ile had for many years been prom- inent as a business man, at Massillon, Toledo and Cleveland. He was at one time President of the Commercial Bank, and a leading citizen of Toledo. Under the Buchanan Administra- tion he was United States Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio. He was much es- teemed in private life, specially social and gen- erous in his aid to the needy.

Colonel John Johnston was among the prom- inent men of Ohio for many years, and es- pecially in connection with the Indian tribes. He first came to the West as an attache of Gen. Wayne's Army in 1793. In 1800 he was sent

to the Maumee Valley as an Indian Factor or Agent, with headquarters at Fort Wayne, and afterwards was made Indian Agent, which po- sition he held for the remarkable term of 28 years, his last connection in that capacity hav- ing been with the Wyandottes, with whom he negotiated the treaty in 1841-2, for their lands at Upper Sandusky. He was found dead in bed at Washington, D. C., February 18, 1861, while there pressing a claim of $15,000 for ser- vices as Indian Agent. He was 86 years of age, and was said to have been a subscriber to the National Intelligencer for 60 years.

Lyman Parcher died at Toledo, May 24, 1862, aged 57. He was a native of Vermont; came to what is now Fulton County in 1836; after- wards lived at Maumee many years ; and while there was elected to the Ohio Legislature, and held different County offices.

Andrew Young of Toledo died in Spring- field Township, July 23, 1863. He had long resided in Lucas County, having been employed as Civil Engineer on the Wabash and Erie Canal during the construction of that work. Ile was a prominent and active member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and of the Ma- sonie order, both at Maumee, his former resi- dence, and at Toledo. He was also an active member of the Democratic party, and is said to have first suggested as the candidate of that party for Common Pleas Judge, in 1854, Thomas M. Cooley, then a resident of Toledo ; since an eminent Jurist of Michigan; and now (1888) President of the United States Inter-State Rail- way Commission. John Fitch was his success- ful competitor.

Dwight F. Stow died in Toledo, November 2, 1854, aged 50 years. His widow, Sophia, died August 28, 1864, aged 60 years.

Thomas Watkins, Jr., a prominent and hon - orable business man of Toledo, died of cholera, August 9, 1852. He was a member of the Board of Trade and of Wapaukonica Lodge, I. O. O. F., which bodies bore testimony to his personal worth.

John D. Campbell was born in Woodbury, New Jersey, in 1824. While young he went to West Point as a Cadet, where he remained for two years, and until by failing health compelled to leave. Afterwards he was employed in the construction of a Vermont Railroad, and on the Pennsylvania and Vermont Central Roads. In 1854 he came West, and under the Superin- tendency of James Moore became connected with the Michigan Southern Road, being As- sistant Superintendent of the Eastern Division of that line. He was also employed in the con- struction of the Air Line branch of that Road. Upon the death of General Superintendent Sam. Brown, in 1858, he succeeded to that po- sition, which he held at the time of his death, which occurred in Boston, August 1, 1863. He

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left Adrian, his residence, July 23d, on a pleas- ure trip to Boston, being in remarkable general health and exuberant spirits. In such condi- tion (July 29th), he arranged for a trip to New York and Saratoga, and retired at night. Soon thereafter he was taken with severe pain, which seemed to be a temporary attack of colic, but which continued, with increasing severity, and terminated in his death, August 1st. The re- mains were taken to Adrian, Michigan, of which City he was the Mayor at the time of his death, where they were interred amid special and general demonstrations of respect for the deceased. Mr. Campbell was in many respects a remarkable man, and especially for his indomitable, persistent energy ; his excep-

tional executive ability, and his extraordinary physical and mental endurance-qualities which alone could have directed with success a Railway in the financial embarrassment which attended the Michigan Southern Road during most of the time of his management. Such was the fame of his Railway service, that in 1862, he was tendered the position of Military Super- intendent of all Railroads under Government control for War purposes, with rank of Briga- dier General. The position had special attrac- tions for him, but the Directors of the Michigan Southern Road were so unwilling for him to leave, that he was induced to decline the ap- pointment, when General Haupt was assigned to the place. Mr. Campbell's hold upon the subordinate employes was remarkable, and al- though one of the severest of men in the cxac- tion of fidelity and enegetic service, he was re- spected and beloved by all. Hisregard for them was shown a short time before his death, when, being told that his end was near, and asked if he had a message for the employes of the Road, he promptly responded, "Tell them I love them ; God bless them !" About 1,000 of them, with President Gilbert and several Directors of the Company, together with 5,000 or 6,000 citizens, were present at the funeral. This remarkable coincidence is given in connection with Mr. Campbell's relations to the Railroad : Some months before his death, he said to Schuyler Colfax, then a Director, " The Road is now about out of debt, and when I can give its long- suffering Stockholders a dividend, I intend to retire." This purpose was made good, for the first dividend for many years was declared on the 1st of August, in New York; and on that very morning, in Boston, Mr. Campbell surren- dered his trust to a power higher than Di- rectors.

Mrs. Maria Waite, wife of Peter F. Berdan, died at Toledo, September 3, 1864, aged 33 years. She was the only daughter of Hon. Henry M. Waite, of Lyme, Conn., and sister of Chief Justice and Richard Waite. She was married in 1852, and had resided at Toledo 12 years at the time of her death, where her many superior personal qualities attached to her a

large circle of warm friends. She left a hus- band and five daughters, Mrs. Walter Shepard, of Buffalo, N. Y .; Mrs. E. C. Bodman, Mrs. Oliver Rogers, Mrs. Rufus H. Baker (now de- ceased,) and Miss Julia, of Toledo.

James Dana Smith died at Toledo, June 6, 1864. He was a son of Col. James Smith, one of the oldest residents of Lyme, Huron County. He was born at Southington, Conn., Feb. 26, 1820. His business life began at Milan, Ohio, about 1844, where he was engaged in produce and commission business. In 1860 he came to Toledo, and engaged in the same trade. Not long thereafter, in connection with Capt Geo. Rogers, he established a Ship-yard at Toledo. He was a man of inflexible integrity and sound judgment. No member of the Board of Trade had a higher personal standing than had he. He left a wife and three children.

George True, United States Consul at Fun- chal, Madeira, died at that place, February 24, 1864. He was born in Maine, and with the family came to Ohio, settling at Mount Vernon, while he was young. Of literary turn of mind, he early directed his attention to letters. At one time he published a literary journal, the Genius of the West, at Cincinnati. In the winter of 1856-7, he came to Toledo, and be- came the Local and Commercial Editor of the Blade, and continued as such until the sum- mer of 1861, when he accepted the position of Secretary for Brigadier General C. W. Hill, in command in Western Virginia. In February, 1862, he was appointed Consul. He died of virulent small-pox-being the only case of that disease occurring on the Island in many months, and not followed by any other. He had formerly been the subject of two success- ful vaccinations. Mr. True was a man of high character and exceptional ability as a writer. He left a wife and two children, who returned to Mt. Vernon.

Roswell P. Ainger, for several years the pro- prietor of the Island House, at the Union Depot, Toledo, died there December 2, 1864, aged 58 years. Previously he kept the hotel at Cleveland which took his name, and is now known as the Kennard Housc.

Stephen T. Hosmer died in New York City, March 5, 1865, aged 58 years. He was among the earliest printers in the Maumec Valley. In 1840, he published the Maumee River Times at Maumec City, afterwards selling his interest in the same to H. T. Smith, and coming to Toledo as a "jour," employed on the Blade. About 1843 he started the Reveille, a Whig paper, at Perrysburg. In 1849, in connection with his brother, Hez. L. Hosmer, he became a publisher of the Blade, but cre long went to New York, to act as proof-reader on the Herald, where he remained until his death.

Christian Hertzler died at Toledo, January 6,

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1865, aged 72 years. Born in Lancaster County, Pa., he came to Monroe County, Michigan, in 1834, and settled on a farm, now the site of Vienna, which Village he laid out and named. He was a man of high charcter and special energy.

David Anderson died at Toledo, January 8, 1865, aged 57 years. He had been a resident of Toledo for about 10 years, and engaged in the book trade during that time, Gen. J. W. Fuller being a partner. He was a man of much energy and decision of character, a quality manifested among other ways, in a strong sympathy for fugitive slaves from the South, and an " agent of the Underground Railroad,' as active friends of that class were then called, several of them having found shelter at his residence in both Cincinnati (his former home) and Toledo. He left a wife, three sons. Mrs. Anderson was a woman of superior worth and usefulness.

Albert V. Stebbins died in Toledo, Septem- ber 2, 1865. He was born in Saybrook, Conn., Jannary 17, 1811, and first came to the Man- mee Valley in 1837, as one of the contractors for the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal, an important section of that work near Napoleon having been constructed by him. He then purchased and settled on a farm in Henry County. In 1842 he was elected as Associate Judge by the State Legislature. Subsequently he constructed the portion of the Plank Road between Toledo and Swanton, and was a contractor on the Toledo and Wabash Railroad between Maumee City and Defiance. In 1850 he was a member of the State Consti- tutional Convention, and in 1852 removed to Toledo, and built the block on Summit Street between Jefferson and Monroe, now known as the " Bee Hive." Judge Stebbins was a man of sound judgment, and an exemplary citizen.

Mrs. Jerusha, wife of Elijah Crane, and mother of Joel W. and Elijah G. Crane, of Toledo, died at Cleveland, December 15, 1865. aged 74 years.

Samuel B. Seott died at Toledo, December 18, 1866, aged 54 years. He was born in Sara- toga County, New York, in 1812; came to Toledo in 1835; first engaged in merchandise trade. About 1846, in connection with Richard Mott, he opened an office on the dock, as Com- mission Merchant, continuing there until 1860. Ile held various public offices, as member of the CityCouncil, and Board of Education, City Clerk, etc. Originally he was a Democrat, but became an active Republican on the organization of that party in 1855. His widow, Mrs. Marion L. Scott, survived him until April 26, 1887, when she died at the residence of her son, Albert E. Scott, Toledo, aged 74 years.

Luke Draper died at Toledo, October 17, 1866, aged 75. He came from Loekport, New

York, in 1884; was for a long time in the Drug and Provision trade, and for some years was Associate Judge of the County. He was highly esteemed. His wife died in February, 1881, aged 81 years. She lived in Buffalo at the time that place was burned by British troops in 1812.

Darwin Earl Gardner died at Toledo, August 5, 1867, in his 48th year. He was born at Norwalk, Ohio, January 28, 1820. His father, Dr. Wm. Gardner, was one of the earliest settlers of that place. The family soon re- moved to Canton, Ohio, where the father died. Choosing the legal profession, Darwin read law with General John Crowell, then of War- ren, since of Cleveland ; was admitted to prac- tiee in 1841; settled at Marietta; went to Cleveland in 1850, and came to Toledo in 1852. In 1855-6 he engaged in banking, as a meni- ber of the firm of Earl, Gardner & Co. He in- vested successfully in Toledo real estate; was a member and President of the State Agricul- _tural Society; and was Deputy Collector of Customs from 1861 to 1866. In 1842, he was married with Miss Elizabeth P. Putnam, of Marietta, who died in 1846. In 1852 he was married with Miss Sarah A. Williams, daughter of James Williams, of Norwalk. He had been for 27 years a professor of the Christian reli- gion, and at his death was a member of the First Congregational Church, Toledo. Hle was a man of unusual ability, and took an active in- terest in the moral and material welfare of his fellow-men. Mrs. Gardner and a daughter now reside in Toledo ; his eldest children, Wm. P. and Elizabeth, having died. James resides in California.

John Poag died at Toledo, December 17, 1867. He was a native of Ohio, and an adopted son of Francis Graham, a pioneer merchant of Huron County, and subsequently in business at Ashland, then in Richland (now Ashland) County. Mr. Poag, while young, went to New York, where he rose to special prominence and success as a merchant, at one time a mem- ber of the well-known house of Kent, Poag & Company. About 1837 he invested in Toledo property, and subsequently built the "Poag Block " (Southeast corner of Summit and Madison Streets). Mrs. Poag died some years before her husband. They left two daughters and one son, John Poag, now a resident of Toledo.

James C. Hall died at Toledo, November 13, 1868. He was born in Cincinnati, November 20, 1812, where he lived until his removal to Toledo in 1859. He was for many years en- gaged in mereantile trade at Cincinnati, having been among the pioneers of jobbing business at that point. He was one of the first, if not actually the first, President of the Chamber of Commerce of that City. Actively identified

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with all public enterprises, he was specially helpful in the construction of the first Telegraph line to Cincinnati; the Ohio & Mississippi Railway (of which Company he was President); the City Water Works and other improve- ments. At Toledo his spirit of enterprise was also manifested and specially beneficial to the City. At the time of his death, he was serving on his third term as State Senator, in which capacity his long business experience and gen- eral intelligence made him very useful, both to his immediate constituents and to the State. He left a wife (Mrs. Harriet O. Holmes, who died in 1887), a son, Wm. O., and a daughter, Miss Harriet Hall, now residents of Toledo.

Gideon W. Weed died at Toledo, June 12, 1869, aged 54. He came to Toledo from New York about 1836, as clerk in the store of Titus & Co. Subsequently, he was for several years years in business, and held different positions of public trust. He left a wife and several children, who still survive him.

. George R. Williams died at Toledo, February 7, 1870, aged 64. Was born at Long Point, Canada West, October 26, 1806; sailed on the Lakes from 15th to 34th year, commanding the Steamer Thames, when burned by the "Patriots" in 1837. Commeneed in commission business at Port Stanley, 1840, and became well known. Came to Toledo in 1862, and engaged in grain business, soon after being joined by his son, Edgerton R. Williams. In September, 1869, Mr. Williams, in consequence of ill health, withdrew from business, leaving it to his son. Deceased always bore a high position in busi- ness and social circles. He left a wife and two sons, and two daughters, and was buried at Port Stanley.

Truman H. Hoag died at Washington, D. C., February 5, 1870. He was 54 years of age, having been born in Onondaga County, New York, in 1815. When a young man, he went to Syracuse, where he held a clerkship in a store and in the Canal Collector's office. Thenee he went to Oswego, and was in the em- płoy of Bronson & Crocker, commission mer- chants. Mr. Hoag came to Toledo in 1849, as the agent of that house. In 1851, he first en- gaged in business, as the head of the house of Iloag, Strong & Co. In 1858, with Henry D. Walbridge, he formed the firm of Hoag & Wal- bridge, which continued for some 10 years, when Mr. Hoag retired from aetive business. Though never an active politician, Mr. Hoag was identified with the Democratic party, and was the candidate of that party for Mayor in 1867. In 1868, he was elected over James M. Ashley, Republican, as member of Congress, by a ma- jority of 912, with a Republican majority of 638 on the State ticket in the District at the same election. His service in Congress was limited to an extra session in the spring of

1869, and a few weeks of the regular session beginning December 1, 1870-affording very little opportunity for the manifestation of the qualities which he was believed to possess. Le left a wife and two children-llenry W., who died at Toledo in 1882, and Mrs. Wm. L. Malcom, of New York.

Frederick Bissell died at Toledo, June 6, 1870. He was born at East Windsor, Conn., August 5, 1799. When young he learned the engraver's trade, but never followed it as a business. In 1827, he went to Lockport, New York, and engaged in the Dry Goods trade. Coming to Toledo in 1836, he became the senior partner in the Forwarding and Commission firm of Bissell & Gardner. In 1844, he en- gaged in the Dry Goods trade, and continued the same until 1852, when he returned to the Commission business, which he continued until his death. Mr. Bissell was a brother of Edward Bissell, and throughout his residence at Toledo, maintained an honorable position as a citizen and business man. He never was married.

James M. Comstock died at Toledo, July 7, 1870. He was an early settler of Toledo, having gone there in 1836. Throughout the 34 years of his residenee, he maintained the character of an honorable and useful citizen in his private and public relations. He left a wife and two children.

Calvin Bulloek died in Toledo, March 5, 1870. He was born in Royalston, Mass., Sep- tember 21, 1829, being a cousin of Governor Bullock. For some years he was with his father in merchandising, but from poor health was compelled to relinquish that busi- ness, and in 1857 he came to Toledo, to enter the employment of the Toledo and Wabash Railway, in the Treasurer's office, where he remained until compelled to relinquish the same by illness, being at the time Assistant Treasurer of the Company. He was eminently a Christian gentleman, faithful and strict in meeting every personal obligation, in business, in the Church, in society, and wherever duty called him to act. His was eminently of the stern, yet conscientious New England mould of mind and fidelity of conscience which brooked no compromise or dallying where conviction had indicated the right. Never obtrusive or otherwise offensive, he yet never swerved from duty. At the time of his death he was an Elder of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Toledo. He left a wife and one child.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 135

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