History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 139

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 139

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

veloped a formidable antagonism to the claims of Ohio in the National councils at Washing- ton. The press at Columbus, and, indeed, throughout the State, gave little aid to a cause in which the interests of Ohio and the destiny of Toledo were so deeply involved. At this crisis, Mr. Palmer, not unmindful of the power of the press in shaping public opinion, entered into negotiations for the purchase of the West- ern Hemisphere-the then acknowledged organ at Columbus of the Democratic party (then dominant in both State and Nation), which re- sulted in placing its control in his hands, and thereafter its columns were largely devoted to vindicating the claims of Ohio in her boundary controversy. The title of this paper was sub- sequently changed to that of Ohio Statesman. As the prospect of decisive action on the bound- ary grew brighter at Washington, it created alarm among the opponents of an early and final adjustment of the matter, and it became their policy to admit Michigan into the Union as a State, and leave the question of boundary open for adjudication of the Courts; so as to delay, and in all probability ultimately defeat the extension of the Wabash and Erie Canal to Toledo. To counteract this policy, and urge upon Congress the necessity of making its de- cision final on the question of boundary, MEr. Palmer visited Washington, and gave efficient aid to such influences as led to its defeat, and the final settlement of the matter in the act of admission. On the organization of the Toledo City Government in 1837, Mr. Palmer was nominated and supported by the Democratic party for Mayor, but was defeated by Judge John Berdan, his Whig competitor, by a single vote. In 1840, Mr. Palmer, greatly chagrined at the attitude of the Administration in the contest over the boundary, took charge of the Editorial department of the Toledo Blade, and conducted it through the Presidential cam- paign of that year; and on the inauguration of the President-elect, his name, among others, was presented for appointment to the office of Postmaster, and to that office he was appointed soon after President Harrison's death. Few men now living can remember the almost universal bankruptcy brought upon the newer portions of the country in 1837 by the finan- cial derangements of that period. Mr. Palmer suffered from it in common with many others then resident at Toledo. Struggling for years with embarrassment, he at length yielded to the prospect of recovery by starting anew ; and thereupon, resigned the office of Post- master, and removed with his family to Wis- consin in the spring of 1845. Settling upon lands purchased there, he built the house in which he has ever since resided, in what was then but an insignificant frontier settlement, but now a prosperous, bustling City, with all that can contribute to the comfort and welfare of its denizens. As a citizen of Wisconsin, he

has received repeated marks of the apprecia- tion in which he is held through election toim- portant public trusts, under both the Territorial and State governments. The strength of Mr. Palmer's early convictions as to the important part Railroads were destined to play in the affairs of the country, is shown in the fact that he took an active part in the construction of the first Road built West of Utica, New York, which at the time it was built, was known as the Erie and Kalamazoo, and now forms a por- tion of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway. He was a Director in this Road from the time the Company was organized in 1834, till the year following its completion through to Adrian, in 1836. On his removal to Wisconsin, he became a Director in the Park River Valley Railroad Company-an organization that has since grown into large proportions, and is now known as the Chicago and Northwestern. On being elected to the Senate of Wisconsin, to divest himself of personal interest, he disposed of the stock he held in that corporation, resigned the office of Director, and in the discharge of his legisla- tive duties was made Chairman of the Senate Committee on Railroads. The founding of the Wisconsin Institute for the Edueation of the Blind, was the first legislative act of the kind in that State, and in this Mr. Palmer took an active part. The bill authorizing the expendi- ture of money for the ereetion of a building for its accommodation, fixed upon Janesville as its location ; and the fine edifice erected by the State to carry out its purpose stands in the City of Mr. Palmer's residence-a fitting memento of the initiatory step of Wisconsin in the establishment of institutions for the educa- tion of those whose misfortunes bar them from the benefits of her Common School system, and of the interest the subject of our sketeh has uniformly manifested in all matters pertaining to the welfare of community.

OLIVER STEVENS, son of Gaylord and Millie (Loveland) Stevens, was born in the Town of Lebanon, Madison County, New York, March 8, 1802. His ancestors were of English nativity, and were among the earlier settlers of New England. Oliver was the eighth child of a family of 16 children-ten boysand six girls --- all of whom reached years of maturity. His father and mother both were born near the City of Hartford, Connecticut, but early in their married life went to New York State and be- gan farming on wild, timbered land in Madison County. Upon this farm the subject of this sketch was born, and until he was 19 years of age his life was one of toil and privation. " The Summer after I was seven years old," says Mr. Stevens, " my father hired me out to a neigh- bor for three dollars a month. When I was 16 he hired me out for a term of one year for $90, with two months out of the year for schooling."

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PERSONAL MENTION.

. The boys, after becoming 10 or 12 years of age were allowed but two months yearlyfor Schools. When Mr. Stevens reached his 18th year, he had succeeded, by daily studying before and after work, in obtaining sufficient education to teach a Common School, and during the Winter taught in the District School near his home. When 19 years of age he went to Ilalifax, Pennsylvania, a few miles from Harrisburg. IIere for about a year he taught the District School, which position he relinquished to en- gage in clearing the then uncultivated land in Madison County, New York. In 1824 he went with his brother David to the vicinity of Os- wego, New York, where for two years they ex- tensively engaged in clearing land and carrying on an ashery. During this period he visited Michigan, then an almost unsettled region. On his return, be purchased a farm near the pres- ent City of Oswego, New York, where he re- sided until 1832. He then emigrated to Ohio, purebasing 400 acres of land a short distance from the Maumee River, and opposite the pres- ent City of Toledo. There then were barely a dozen dwellings in Port Lawrence and Vistula, while all the cultivated land was immediately adjoining the River. Mr. Stevens was among the first to begin farming beyond the River banks. Of his original purchase, much of which is now within the City, Mr. Stevens still retains over 200 acres. Upon thissame section he continued to carry on farming, and where he resided until about 12 years ago, when he removed to the City (402 Adams Street). Farming has been his sole occupation, with the exception of the years 1837-8, when he carried on the Forwarding business on Water Street. Mr. Stevens has been three times married. First, with Eleanor Mickles, of Oswego, New York, daughter of John Mickles, July 3, 1826. The issue of this marriage consisted of two daughters-Laura, born November 10, 1830, now the wife of John Russell, at present en- gaged in the Tobacco business, Toledo; and Catherine, born May 26, 1833, the wife of William Hill. His first wife died in 2834. His second marriage was with Lavinia Morrison, widow of John D. Simpson, in January, 1836, who died in July, 1858. His third wife was Nancy Parkhurst, with whom he was married July 3, 1871, and who died September 15, 1881. In politics, Mr. Stevens was formerly a Whig, but since the forma- tion of the Republican party he has acted with that organization. Ile has held the offices of Justice of the Peace, Township Trus- tee, Treasurer and Clerk, and for a number of years was School Examiner. In religious be- lief, he is a strong Spiritualist, and has been prominently identified with those who believe in Spirit manifestations. Ile has written sev- oral articles on Spiritnalism, which have been printed in journals devoted to the advancement of that belief. Mr. Stevens has personally

witnessed all the marvelous changes which have occurred in this section of Ohio, and through a continuous residence of more than half a cen- tury, has gained an enviable reputation as a worthy citizen.

HENRY WILLCOX was born June 24, 1802, at Wookey Hole, Summersetshire, Eng- land, where he spent his youth and carly man- hood. Hoping to better his condition in the new world, he sat out, with means of his own procuring, for the United States, in the year 1829, reinforced by his mother's prayers and his father's legacy, consisting of a half-guinea and two silk handkerchiefs, which he retained to the day of his death, wearing one of the latter during his last sickness. On reaching New York, after a long and tedious journey (there were no Ocean Steamers in those days), he found his way to Skaneateles, New York, where, becoming acquainted with several Eng- lish families who had located there, he re- mained for a time. Some of the members of these families remained his life-long friends. The last one known is Robert Clapp, a pioneer of Sandusky County, residing at Clyde. In 1832, Mr. Willcox removed West and settled on land a few miles from To- ledo, in Washington Township. He found that he could not make a success at clearing land, as he was not accustomed to such work. The distance being too far from Toledo to apply himself at his trade, he sold out and removed his family to that then struggling Village of a few houses, and established the Boot and Shoc business, which he successfully carried on. He was in Toledo at the time of the so-called "Toledo War." In 1842 he located land in Algonac, Michigan, and removed there with his family. Finding the country too wild and un- settled, they returned to Toledo for a perma- nent home. In April, 1843, Mr. Willcox pur- chased lot No. 14, Summit Street, near corner of Monroe, and known as No. 55. This property he never disposed of, and it is still held by his heirs. He continued in business for many years. Mr. Willcox was first married in New York, October 31, 1831, with Miss Harriet Corn- wall, who died March 5, 1838, leaving one young child (Charlotte), who long since came to womanhood, and has been twice married, her present husband being Mr. Nicholas W. Eddy, of Toledo. In 1840, Mr. Willcox re- turned East, and at Oak Orchard, September 7th, was married with Miss Matilda Millard, who was born June 24, 1821, and who died October 11, 1843. By this marriage he had three children, Mrs. Matilda A. Lloyd, born September 16, 1842; a son dying in infancy ; and Mrs. Mary J. Wachter, born October 8, 1845. In 1849, Mr. Willcox was married with Miss Hester Buxton, at his old home in England. Ile died at Toledo, March 3, 1880, aged 77 years and eight months. Mrs.

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HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

Willcox survives him, and in 1885, was mar- ried with Mr. Wm. Whitlock, Artist and Por- trait Painter, of Toledo.

SYLVESTER BROWN, son of Hiram and Julia (Marsh) Brown, was born in Livingston County, New York, March 17, 1821. His father was a native of Vermont, being born in Shafts- bury, September 18, 1795, his ancestors being English, and settling in New England. He was a Tanner and Currier, which business he carried on at Caledonia for 12 years. In 1825 he emigrated to Monroe, Michigan, where for nine years he was engaged in the same busi- ness, and also in trade in Boots and Shoes and Saddlery, and furnished Saddles for use by the United States Army during the Black Hawk War in Illinois, in which he was Lieutenant of a Company commanded by Captain Levi Humphrey. In 1832, the father decided to close up his Monroe business and engage in farming. He then removed to and settled on a farm of 160 acres, now within the Sixth Ward, Toledo, where he continued to reside until his death, November 16, 1852. Here the youth of Sylvester was spent, attended by the experiences common to pioneer farmers' sons. His educational privileges consisted of attend- ance at a local District School during the Winter months, and two terms at the Perrysburg Academy. When 19 years of age, he left his father's home and began the battle of life as an apprentice in the Repair Shop of the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad t Toledo. There he remained until the operations of the Shop were suspended by the embarrassment of the Company, in 1842-43, when he obtained employment for a year as Engineer in the Manhattan Saw-Mill. He then engaged with Hollister & Co., of Perrysburg, in the purchase of Furs through this region. In 1844 he held the position of Second Engin- eer on the Steamer St. Louis, owned by Hollis- ter & Co., running between Buffalo and Chicago, which he held until the Summer of 1847, bis

Winters meantime being spent in the purchase of Furs for that firm. In 1848 he was First Engineer of the Propeller Hercules, plying be- tween Buffalo and Chicago, continuing as such for two seasons, when he became Engineer of the Steamer John Hollister, Captain Charles I. Keeler, running between Perrysburg and De- troit, which position he held nutil the death of his father in the Fall of 1852, which made necessary his return for the care of the farm, which has since been his business, in connection with Gardening. In 1863, Mr. Brown was instrumental in raising the first Company of Ohio National Guards, under the revised Mili- tary laws of the State, of which he was Captain. It came to be Company A, First Regiment, Ohio National Guard. As the One Hundred and Thirtieth O. V. I., the record of this Regi- ment is given elsewhere in this volume. Upon his return from the field, Captain Brown rc- signed, and has since taken no active part in military matters. He was twice married-first with Julia Ann Whitmore, who died May 12, 1854, leaving one child, Arthur H., born Sep- tember 8, 1846, and now living in Jefferson County, Kansas. His second marriage was with Adeline Stockwell, November 16, 1854. Four children were born of this union-Hiran W., December 24, 1856; Laura A., December 9, 1858, who married Alexander E. Forster, and died March 9, 1885; May A., born May 2, 1862, now Principal of Lincoln School, Toledo; and George S., born September 4, 1858, and died March 4, 1882. In politics Mr. Brown was originally a Whig, and subsequently a Repub- lican. He has held various Township offices, but while strongly attached to the principles and policy of his party, he has had little in- clination or time for public office. Having sold for $600 per acre, the land for which his father paid $1.25, Captain Brown proposes soon to make his home in Toledo. The case of Captain Brown well illustrates what may be attained of common esteem and success in life by early practice of industry and economy, with life- long regard for justice and the rights of others.

Sylwester Brown

CHAPTER III.

MAUMEE VALLEY PIONEER ASSOCIATION.

FOR many years there was manifested among the survivors of the early set- tlers of the Valley of the Manmee, a desire for organized action, looking to both the collection and preservation of historic faets, as well as the revival of early relations and sentiments arising in common experience. No definite step toward such action, however, was taken until the Spring of 1864, when a call was issued for a gathering of Pioneers at To- ledo, May 7th.

At that meeting Judge Emery D. Potter was called to preside, and Henry Bennett was appointed Secretary The object of the meet- ing was stated by the Chairman, when, on mo- tion of Jessup W. Scott, a Committee of three was appointed to present a constitution for a permanent association of Pioneers, the same consisting of Mr. Scott, Sanford L. Collins and Richard Mott.

Peter Navarre, the oldest living resident of the Maumee Valley, was present, and briefly addressed the meeting.

The Committee reported a constitution which was adopted and circulated, receiving the sig- natures of 75 Pioneers then present, who pro- ceeded to organize an Association. Mr. Na- varre, by virtue of seniority in residence, was declared the President, and the following per- sons were chosen for the positions named : Vice Presidents, Dr. Horatio Conant, Nathaniel B. Blinn, and Dr. Oscar White ; Recording Seere- tary, Henry Bennett ; Corresponding Secre- tary, J. Austin Scott ; Treasurer, James M. Comstock ; Trustees, E. D. Potter, Sen., Samuel B. Scott and Noalı A. Whitney.

At a meeting of the Association held July 4, 1864 (Dr. White, Vice President, in the chair), William Prentice, who came here in 1818, gave many facts of historical interest, including the following :

The first Vessel built on the River was the Schooner Eagle, by Capt. David Wilkison; the first Steamboat (the Detroit) in 1833, and the second (the Commodore Perry) in 1835; the first upper-cabin Steamboat (the General Wayne) in 1839.

In 1828 there were on what in 1864 were the lim- its of Toledo, 38 persons, in 10 families, to wit : Major B. F. Stickney, Wm. Wilson, Joseph Trombly, Bazil Trombly, Seneca Allen, John Baldwin, Joseph Pren- tice, Hiram Bartlett, Dr. J. V. D. Suntphen, C'aptain Forbes, and Joseph Roop.

The nearest Postoffice was theu at Tremainesville, and Major Stickney carried the mail between Tre- mainesville and the River for $3.75 per quarter year. In 1833, a Postoffice was established at Toledo (then just formed of Port Lawrence and Vistula), with

Stephen B. Comstock as Postmaster. The population of Toledo at that time numbered about 100.

February 22, 1865, the Association met in Toledo, when M. R. Waite delivered an address on the early history of the Maumee Valley, which was requested for publication. A letter was read from Hiram Walbridge, of New York, expressing his regret at not being able to at- tend the meeting, and referring to the fact, that it was then nearly a third of a century since, as a mere lad, he first visited the Valley of the Maumee, and nearly a generation since he sev - ered his association with it. He stated that " no other section in the West had fought its way to recognition under greater obstacles than attended the settlement of the Manmee Valley." But " time had vindicated the sagac- ity and wisdom of those who, from its begin- ning, predicted its brilliant future." Ohio had " many communities of which she might justly be proud ; but in her future there would be none that would better illustrate the energy of her citizens, their enterprise and what well- directed efforts may secure, than would the rising intelligent commercial community of Toledo."

Many new members of the Association were obtained at this meeting.

July 5, 1865, a meeting was held at Toledo, with Mavor Brigham, Vice President, in the chair, and Henry Bennett as Secretary. The following officers were chosen :

Vice Presidents-Brice Hilton, of Defiance ; Dr. Horatio Conant, of Lucas; and Nathaniel B. Blinn, of Wood county. Trustees-Mavor Brigham, Samuel B. Scott, and N. A. Whitney. Recording Secretary- Henry Bennett. Corresponding Secretary -- J. Austin Scott. Treasurer-J. M. Comstock.

A committee of one from each County were appointed, to gather and present facts and relics connected with the early history of the Maumee Valley, to wit :

Willard V. Way, of Wood County; Dr. Oscar White, of Lucas; John Powell, of Henry; Dr. Jonas Colby, of Defiance; Win. A. Stevens, of Williams ; George Skinner, of Putnam; Robert A. Howard, of Fulton ; Horatio N. Curtis, of Paulding; and James Watson Riley, of Mercer.

The Association met July 1, 1866, Peter Na- varre and John E. Hunt acting as President. The following named members were reported as having died since the organization of the As- sociation, May 7, 1864, to wit :

Henry Reed, Sr., James Myers, Robert A. Forsyth, Isaac Hull, Morgan L. Collins, Platt Card, John Bates,

[699]

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Robert Gardner, George W. Knaggs, Josiah Miller, Albert V. Stebbins, and John P. Rowe (the latter of Erie, Monroe Connty, Michigan).

Officers were chosen, as follows :

Vice Presidents-John E. Hunt, John U. Pease, and Horace Sessions. Trustees-N. A. Whitney, Ma- vor Brigham, and Francis E. Nichols. Recording Secretary-Henry Bennett. Corresponding Secretary -Willard V. Way. Treasurer-James M. Comstock.

Addresses were made by W. V. Way and M. R. Waite-the former on the early history of the Valley, and the latter on titles to Toledo property.

An annual meeting of the Association was held at Perrysburg, February 22, 1867. In the absence of President Navarre, Vice President Hunt presided. Some changes were made in the organization. The deaths of George A. Carpenter and Samuel B. Scott, of Toledo ; and of William Houston, were announced. An ad- dress was delivered by Willard V. Way, of Per- rysburg, on the question of boundary between Ohio and Michigan, known as the "Toledo War." A dinner at Norton's Exchange fol- lowed the meeting.

June 24, 1868, a meeting was held at Toledo. In the absence of President Navarre, Vice Pres- ident Conant presided. Four members were re- ported as having died during the year pre- ceding, viz .: Ebenezer Walbridge, of Toledo; Horace Sessions, of Defiance; N. D. Blinn, of Wood ; and John Consaul, of Lucas, Officers were chosen as follows :

Vice Presidents-Gen. Jolm E. Hunt, of Toledo ; W. C. Holgate, of Defiance ; and W. V. Way, of Per- rysburg. Recording Secretary-Charles T. Wales. Corresponding Secretary-John J. Minor. Treasurer -J. M. Comstock. Trustees-N. A. Whitney, Mavor Brigham and Henry Bennett.

It was resolved to procure steel portraits of Peter Navarre, and of such other members as might be found practicable.

No meeting seems to have been held, from June, 1868, until May, 1874, when officers were chosen, as follows :

President-John E. Hunt (Mr. Navarre, meantime, having died); Vice President, Dr. E. D. Peck, Perrys- burg; Willard Trowbridge, Fulton county ; Henry Bennett, Lncas. Trustees-Mavor Brigham, Chauncy D. Woodruff, Willard V. Way ; Secretary and Treas- urer-Charles T. Wales.

A meeting was held February 22, 1876, at Perrysburg, President Hunt in the Chair. Asher Cook read an enlogy on the life and character of Willard V. Way; and Judge Dunlap read a compilation of Gen. Hunt's personal ex- periences, entitled "Sixty Years Since," in- eluding a large amount of historical facts and incidents, occurring during the General's long residence in the Maumee Valley, beginning at the very opening of the War of 1812-15. Officers were chosen as follows: Vice Presi- dents, Dr. E. D. Peck, Willard Trowbridge,

and Henry Bennett ; Trustees, Mavor Brigham and Asher Cook; Secretary and Treasurer, Thos. Dunlap.

February 22, 1877, the Association met, with President Hunt in the Chair. Memorial ad- dresses and remarks were made of different deceased members-Asher Cook, upon Dr. E. D. Peck ; Rev. Robt. McCune, upon Russell C. Thompson, of Lucas County ; Mavor Brigham, upon Thomas Corlett, of Toledo; Francis Hol- lenbeck, upon Jonathan Perrin, of Perrysburg ; Charles Kent, upon Peter Navarre; Thomas Dunlap, upon Mrs. John E. Hunt. Judge E. D. Potter delivered the annual address, which was replete with local history, reaching back to 1785. Judge Dunlap read reminiscenees of history prepared by General Hunt ; and N. M. Howard spoke of his early life in the Manmee Valley. A letter was read from Hezekiah L. Hosmer, at San Francisco, California, referring largely to former personal relations in the Man- mee Valley. Officers were chosen as follows : Vice Presidents-Willard Trowbridge, of Ful- ton county ; Henry Bennett, of Lueas; and Asher Cook, of Wood. Trustees-C. D. Wood- ruff, Mavor Brigham and N. M. Howard. Secretary-Thomas Dunlap. A dinner was eaten by the members at the Boody House, at the close of which brief addresses were de- livered by J. C. Lee, J. R. Osborn, Clark Wag- goner, Charles Kent and Rev. E. C. Gavitt.

The Association met at Defiance February 22, 1878. President Hunt having died, Thomas II. Leaming, the oldest resident member, was called to the chair. A memorial of Hazel Strong, of Henry County, was read by Wm. Sheffield; and a memorial of Gen. Hunt, by Thomas Dunlap; when the annual address was delivered by Wm. C. Holgate, of Defiance. The officers of the preceding year were re- elected, with Mr. Leaming as President. Asher Cook addressed the meeting on the life and character of Gen. Anthony Wayne; and Rev. E. C. Gavitt on the early Christian missions in the Maumee Valley. Many new members were received at this meeting.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 139

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