History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 147

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

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3,700

4,041

Sandusky

Erie

13,000

15,838

Springfield

Clark

12,652 20,730

Steubenville

Jefferson

8,107

12,093

Tiffin

Seneca

5,648

7,879

Toledo

Lueas

31,584

50,137

Urbana

Champaign

4,276

6,252

Van Wert

2,625

4,079

Junetion

Auglaize

Paulding

198

Xenia

Greene

6,377

7,026

Youngstown

Mahoning

8,075

15,435

Zanesville

Muskingum

10,011

18,113

The three Cities of Toledo, Columbus and Dayton were settled as follows: Toledo, in 1832; Columbus, in 1812; and Dayton, in 1796. This shows their present ages, respectively, to be 56, 76 and 92 years. Their growth in popu- lation from 1840 to 1880, is shown in the lol- lowing table :

Year.

Toledo.

Columbus.

Dayton.

1840

1,232

6,487

6,067

Pendleton

Riley

Putnam

Portage

Liberty&Por'ge Wood

304

Rising Sun

Montgomery

Wood

344

Swanton

Swan Creek

Fulton

335

Sherwood

Delaware.

Defiance.

195

Sylvania

Lucas ...

523

31,693

31,336

30,366

Whitehouse.

Waterville

Lucas.

55-4

Weston

Wood

69%

MISCELLANEOUS STATISTICS.

Population of Cities of Ohio having 4,000 and over of inhabitants in 1880:

1845 6.

Jannary 1st 1,925

1840

2,153

1847, returned August 1st

2,774

1852.

January 1st

6,412

1×53.

December 1st

8 497

1860,

June

13,768

1865,

December 1st

19,509

1866,

September 7th

24,40]

1868,

June 20 30,068

TOWNS AND VILLAGES IN NORTHWESTERN OHIO.

Population.

Name of Village.

Township.

County.

1880. 1870. 1860.

Pomeroy

Meigs

5,824

3,457

4,428

Leipsic

Liberty

Mark Center

Mark

Matamora

Amboy

Melbern

Center

Millbury

Lake

Milton Center

Milton

Perrysburg

Wood

1,909 1,835 1,494

1850

Increase, per eent. . 1870

260

Fort Jennings

Jennings

Gilboa

Blanchard

2,952 2,28911,004

Columbus Grove.

Farmer

Warren

Trumbull

Fulton

185

145

Increase

739

OHIO'S CENTENNIAL.

As shown above, much the oldest of these Cities in settlement is Dayton, which was among the first points attracting settlers from the South and East in the Great Miami Valley, whose rich agricultural resources soon gave life and prosperity to many Villages. Thus started, Dayton was in position to receive spe- cial benefits from the Miami Canal, connecting her with the Ohio, and constituting her the second commercial point in Southwestern Ohio. This special advantage was largely removed by the Railway system, which soon divided Day- ton's trade with many neighboring places, and thus checked its growth. Columbus, from its real start, was chiefly dependent for growth upon advantages as the Capital of the State, its population being materially angmented by the inmates of the varions State institutions. Be- tween 1860 and 1880, the City's advance was greatly stimulated by the remarkable develop- ment of manufactures, chiefly in iron, caused by cheap and abundant coal and iron. To that canse, chiefly, is to be attributed the ex- ceptional growth of that City during the period named, an advantage which is not likely to operate as effectively in coming years As stated elsewhere, Toledo's tvo chief sources of growth, aside from its Like position. have been the advantages she possessed in both Canal and Railway facilities. Fortunately, these two sources of strength were joined from almost the start-the Erie and Kalamazoo, the pioneer Railway of the West, in 1836, followed by the Miami and Wabash Canals in 1843 and 45. These powerful agencies have continued in their aids to the present, thongh the Canals have been largely reduced in force. To other advantages, the City for some years past has been receiving increased strength from the manufacturing interests so rapidly developed, which promise, from this time on, to be more effective than will be those of Columbus.

The following table, giving the population of Lake points, as shown by the census in 1830, and 50 years later, has interest, as indi- cating something of hopes realized, and not a little of " great expectations " disappointed :

1830

1880

Buffalo

3,652

155,134

Erie, Penn

1,329

27,737

Cleveland

1,076

160,146

Sandusky City

400

15,838

Huron

400

1,038

Fremont

361

8,446

Perrysburg

182

1,900

Maumee City

250

1,783

Toledo.

50,113

Detroit.

116,340

Chicago

100

506,000

Milwaukee

115,587

Totals

10,072

1,160,062

In 1815, Elkanah Watson, a special friend of Dr. Franklin and the Adamses, made an esti-

mate of the population of the United States for the succeeding 90 years, which compares with the results to this time, as follows :

Estimate.

Results.

1820

9,025,734

9,633,561

1830.

12,833,645

12,866,020

1840

17,116,526 17,069,565

1850

23,135,363

23,191,876

1860

31,753,834

31.445,080

1870

42,328, 132

38,558,371

1880

56,150,241

50,155,783

1890

77,526,989

1900

100,350,985

OHIO'S CENTENNIAL.

March 12, 1886, the Legislature of Ohio passed an act " to provide for the holding of a Centennial Exposition at the Capital of the State, in September, 1888, demonstrating the material and educational progress and growth of the State during its first century." The reasons for and purpose of such movement, are set forth in the preamble to the act, which is as follows :

WHEREAS, The year 1888 marks the end of a cen- tury since the first permanent settlement was made in the State of Ohio; and whereas, this century has been one of greatest progress in the history of civil- ization, a progress in which Ohio has taken a leading part : and, whereas, it is not only practicable but de- sirable. that the people of Ohio should commemo- rate in some appropriate manner the close of the first century of our history, and the beginning of the second.

Under authority thus given, arrangements are now in progress for such celebration, to commence September 4, and close Oc- tober 19, 1888. Following is the Board of Directors, under whose management the Expo- sition is to take place :

Governor J. B. Foraker, President.

H. T. Chittenden, Columbus, Vice President.

S. H. Hurst, Chillicothe, Director General.

L. B. Harris, Upper Sandusky. Treasurer.

W. S. Foster, Urbana.

C. D. Bailey, Gallipolis.

J. C. Levering. Leverings.

Henry Taleott, Jefferson.

L. N. Bonham. Columbus, Secretary.

A. A. Graham, J. W. Fleming, Columbus, Assist- ant Secretaries.

The scope of the Exposition is shown by the following named departments :

1. History and Archirology. 2. "Science and Edu- cation. 3. Fine and Industrial Arts. 4. Agriculture. 5. Horticulture. 6. Floriculture and Forestry. 7. Live Stock. S. Miningand Metallurgy. 9. Mechan- ies and Machinery. 10. Manufactures. 11. Mer- chandise. 12. Commerce and Transportation. 13. Printing and Journalism. 14. Woman's Work. 15. Public Services and Charities.

The Directors, in their announcement of the proposed Exposition, state that it

Will be demonstrative of a most' wonderful his- tory. The first century in the life of our State has been, perhaps, the most wonderful in the history of the race. The clearing away of the wiklerness : the

7440

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

hardships of our pioneer life; the growth of our population ; the development of our vast resources ; the accumulation of wealth ; the building of Hourish- ing Cities ; the establishment of Public Schools ; the endowment of Colleges and Universities ; the build- ing of our vast Railway system ; the development of Arts; the advancement of general Education; our contribution to the defense of the Nation's life ; the building and enrichment of a million homes ; the in- vention and application of labor-saving machinery ; our great improvements in animal industry-all these things are the material of a wonderful history, which we would combine and crystallize in the great indus- trial Exposition of our first centennial year.

The Exposition will be held about two miles Northeast of the State House, in the City of Colum- bus, on a beautiful platean comprising over 100 acres. the property of the State of Ohio. It will be opened with grand and imposing ceremonies, in which the military of Ohio will take an important part. The

President of the United States and the members of his Cabinet ; the Governors of each of the States of the Union and their staff's; the Senators and Repre- sentatives in Congress; the Vice President and Su- preme Court of the United States ; leading Historians, Poets, Orators, Statesmen, Teachers, Editors, Minis- ters, Soldiers, and citizens from all sections of the country ; the officers of State and the members of the General Assembly of Ohio, will be each personally and officially invited to be present and participate in the splendid ceremonies of the day.

While it is not the privilege of the compiler to present in this volume the highly valuable evidences of the wonderful advance of Ohio, to be produced on that auspicious occasion, it is deemed proper to make brief mention of the plan of such event, leaving to succeeding histo- rians the record of results.

CHAPTER III.

RECORD OF NATIONALITY.

AS seen, by statistics elsewhere given, the A population of Lucas County, in 1880, was 67,377. Of these, 50,023 were native, and 17,354 foreign born-the latter consisting of Germans, 8,267; Irish, 3,284; from British America, 1,688 ; England, Wales, and Scotland, 1,551; France, 419.

As shown, the Germans now constitute about one-half the foreign born population of the County. This has been the fact for many years. The vanguard of that nationality appeared at the very outset of permanent settlement, and was followed by increasing numbers, who have been identified with every branch and depart- ment of industry and trade. At request of the writer, Hon. Guido Marx prepared, evidently with great expenditure of time and labor, a statement showing something of the part borne in the history of the City and County, by the nationality of which he is a recog- nized representative. So much of his valuable paper as space (unexpectedly limited) will al- low, is given herewith.

Next in numbers and prominence in this connection are the Irish people, who from the first were identified, not only with the de- velopment and improvement of the locality, but in religious, educational, governmental, political and other departments of usefulness ; and it is much regretted, that something like just mention of the part borne by them has not been found practicable in this connection.

In such special mention of the two nation- alities named, the writer is not unmindful of the thousands who have come from other countries, to bear parts equally honorable in the great work of establishing and advancing civilization and improvement here. England, Scotland and France have been specially liberal in such contributions; while other countries, proportionately, have borne credit- able part in the work.

THE GERMAN ELEMENT. BY GUIDO MARX.

This element had a large share in the settle- ment of this County and the development of the City. One of the first white owners of the real estate on which the City was founded, was a German-Martin Baum, born in 1765. He was with General Wayne as a Hospital Stew- ard in his campaign against the Indians on the Maumee River, and took part in the battle of Fallen Timbers. He was, according to Ratter- mann's History of the German Pioneers, one of their most prominent representatives in the

State of Ohio; the fourth Mayor of Cincin- nati ; the founder of the first Bank there, of the first Sugar Refinery, of the first Foundry, and the first Steam Flouring Mill in Ohio. With others, he bought in 1817, tracts 1 and 2, now the heart of Toledo, having been appointed Trustee of the property of the two Companies (the Baum and the Piatt) organized in Cin- cinnati to purchase lands of the Government at the public sale in this section. After the ad- justment of the titles to this property, Martin Baum became the joint owner, with Major William Oliver and Micajab T. Williams, in that part of it known as Port Lawrence. Mr. Baum died in Cincinnati, December 14, 1831.

EARLY SETTLERS .- In consequence of the uncertain title to much of the land in this sec- tion, little of it was taken up by actual settlers until 1824. when these claims were ad- justed. From then to 1832, many German names are recorded as having entered tracts of 80 and 160 acres. So, Joh. Fr. Cobian, in 1824; Heinr. Roop, in 1826; Jac. Geilrath, in 1829; Michael and Daniel and Johann and Peter Strayer, Andreas Trapp and Christian Forke, in 1831; and Peter Weiss, Louis Zumreber, Johann and Abraham Walter and Martin Walters, Christian Gnagy and Lucas Leonard, in 1832. These were farms taken up in Towns 1, 2 and 3; and an equally long list of names could be given of entries in Town 9. In 1832, Jacob Keller settled in Adams Township, where he died in 1873. In the same year Joseph See- man took his abode on the East Side of the River, and Heinrich Gottlieb Neubert in Port Lawrence. The latter was born in Saxony ; hence, his sobriquet of "Old Sax." He had served under Napoleon, and lost his right arm by the fall of a tree while working on the Canal. A widower, he married the widow of Johann Peter Brehm, about 1840, who bore him a son in 1841-Henry G. Neubert, whose name we shall have occasion to mention in this his- torical sketch as a Soldier. From a subse- quent marriage of his father after the death of bis second wife, a half-brother, William, was born in 1846, who also distinguished himself as a Volunteer in the 27th Ohio, during the War of the Rebellion. The father died in February, 1853.

The Deutsche Pionier, published in Cincin- nati in September, 1883, to which we are in- debted for valuable information concerning these oldest settlers, gives the names of 18 Suabians who formed a Company in Cincin-

[741]

742

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

nati in 1833 to farm in what is now Adams Township, having bought there 2,025 acres of Government land, and divided it up among themselves. Many of them carried out their intentions. Among the arrivals of 1834 are

mentioned Heinrich Siebert, Jacob Seifert, Johann Wolt. B. 11. Busch, Heinrich Hertzler and Solomon Wolfinger; and in 1835, Heinrich W. Goettel, who, in company with M. H. Daniels during the following year, built the double three-story brick building on the South- west corner of Summit and Monroe Streets, which they occupied as a store.

Abraham Hartmann, Mrs. Kayser, Levi Schnell ; three brothers Schaal-William, Karl and Fritz; Karl Mertz and Johann Jacob Vogelsang, are mentioned as new-comers dur- ing that year

In 1836, Adam Huster, Jacob Meyer, Martin Weber, Johann Wilhelm Bieber, Georg Abt and Georg Engel arrived in the fast-growing community at the junction of Swan Creek with the Manmee River.

During the next few years, there was not quite so large an influx of German immigrants; but we can mention as having settled here in 1837, the name of Johann Peter Brehm, who came from Flonheim, near Alzei, in the Grand Dukedom of Hessia. He brought with him his wife Katharina, nee Stump, and daughter Eliza- beth, the latter then two years old, who in 1853 was married with Guido Marx, to whom she bore 13 children, 11 of whom are living, and destined, according to the words of our Cincinnati authority. "to propagate genuine German blood, and good German mind and spirit." While enjoying the advantages of the best educational facilities which this country affords, they will also be an honor to the land of their birth, to which they all are sincerely devoted. Their grandfather on the mother's side (Brehm) was a mason and bricklayer, actively engaged at his trade in the building up of the new City until his death, which occurred within a few years.

The names of Adam Grosser, Johannes Fro- mann and Christopher Quade, are remembered as having also arrived during 1837; the last mentioned commenced a Grocery Store in Manhattan, where he died in 1842; also, that Matthias Boos went into the business of selling provisions, subsequently starting a Bakery with his brother-in-law, John Schmidt. Mr. Boos afterwards went into partnership with Lyman Wheeler, for rectifying whisky and making vinegar. Only the names of Peter Henni and Michael Steinhart are given as having commenced farming during 1838 and '39 in the vicinity of the City ; but many more must have begun then to make Toledo their home, for Edward Klinge, the father of Mrs. Rosa L. Segur, when he arrived in 1840, found it profitable to start a second Brewery, having been preceded in that business by John Vogel-

sang. The latter's Brewery was on Michigan Street, near Cherry, while Mr. Klinge, in part- nership with Lyman Wheeler, erected his on Monroe Street, near where Wheeler's Opera Honse now stands. He carried it on after- wards in partnership with Charles Vischer, who came from Wuertemberg. At that time Henry and John Goettel were engaged in the Dry Goods trade. Mr. Schoenaeker had a hotel on Summit Street, near the mouth of Swan Creek; Henry Schertz was engaged in grading and as contractor, and Daniel Scharf- enberger and Levi Snell were Merchant Tailors; while Charles Schaal had a Grocery Store on Water Street, near Elm. Mrs. Rosa 1. Segur, to whom we are indebted for some of these notes from the recollections of her mother, Mrs. Klinge, writes :

" Large numbers of laborers of German nation- ality found employment upon the costly system of grades, then put in operation by the City, who had previously aided in excavating the Wabash and Erie Canal ; also in the hard, rough work, requisite to build a City in the wilderness. The helpful spirit which characterizes pioneer society predominated among the early German settlers of Toledo, and in sickness, sorrow and adversity, they stood by each other as though of one family."

During the following period-from 1840 to 1848 -- the German element gained considerable by new accessions, but space will allow the mention of such only as have become specially prominent in business pursuits or public affairs. Among these are Frede- rick Puck, who, in 1870, with the brothers Witker, founded the Western Manufacturing Company ; Philipp Redding, still carrying on the Saddlery and Harnessmaking ; and Andreas Stephan, who first in Milan, Ohio, and then in Maumee City, started a Tannery. In 1850 he moved the same to Toledo, and changed it three years later into a Brewery. He was an active, public-spirited man, whose name we shall meet again in various official positions. Mis- fortune, in various ways, compelled him to seek a home in the far West. Jacob Landman, born in 1823, arrived in America in 1839. After various ex- periences in Philadelphia, Cincinnati and Vicksburg, Mississippi, he came to Toledo in 1847, where he opened a Clothing Store with David Heinsheimer, which they carried on until 1855, when they returned to Cincinnati. Mr. Landman came back to Toledo in 1860, engaging first in the Grocery, and afterwards the Liquor trade. He has taken a lively interest in public affairs since he came here.

More true to his original occupation, but taking a less active part in political matters, was Joseph Roe- mer, who since his arrival in Toledo, was first in the retail, then in the wholesale Clothing line. His first partners were William Kraus and his brother Lehman Kraus, who, with a third, the elder brother, Jacob, took up their abode in Toledo about the same time, for better or for worse. Jacob Kraus was a very careful, straightforward, and strictly honorable man, who raised a family of six children, with whom he lived alternately after the death of his excellent wife, and after going out of active business. He died at Logansport, Indiana, January 23, 1886, aged 78. The next elder brother, William, experienced a con- siderable change in fortune. Among his first enter- prises in Toledo was that of a Distillery, which he carried on with W. W. Howe, until it was destroyed by fire the second time, about 1857. He then opened a Bank with Charles J. Wood, and continued therein after the latter's death, with Win. HI. Smith as a

743

THE GERMAN ELEMENT.

partner, and under the name of City Bank, until it met a disastrous failure in 1873. While his star was in the ascendancy, Mr. Kraus was a very influential citizen, being elected to the Mayoralty and appointed by the Court as Trustee of the Toledo and Wood- ville Railroad. He never recovered from the mis- fortune which overtook him, and died in Toledo in December, 1883. The younger brother, Lehman Kraus, attended very closely to the business of manu- facturing and selling Clothing, and with good finan- cial success, until he was compelled, by failing eye- sight, to retire.

The brothers Joseph and Henry Thorner came to Toledo about the same time as the foregoing, and to- gether in 1853, carried on the Great Western Clothing Store, near the foot of Perry Street. Joseph en- gaged afterwards with George Meissner in the Barley trade and Brewers' supplies, while Henry associated for a while with A. Graff in selling Dry Goods, then with E. Epker, MeNamee, and also Cohen in Liqnors.

G. Goldsmith and Louis Wachenheimer belong also to the carly arrivals increasing this part of our colony.

Of those not engaged in trade, but in various other occupations, we find mentioned further on Daniel Nitschke, who became the manager of the Book-binding department of the Blade Printing and Paper Company ; Paul Hoffmann, who went to farm- ing; and the brothers George, Jacob and Martin Tanner; also A. Henning (the father-in-law of Fritz Opitz, and grandfather of Rheinhold Opitz), who died here in 1876, SS years old ; and who, by his fiery eloquence and poetical talent, stirred up many a soul during the Slavery agitations and the times of War. The names of others will be met with in the ennme- ration of the vocations which they filled.

The year 1849 brought, in quick succession, a large immigration, and of a character quite different from any former one The enthusiasm and unselfish patriotism kindled by revolutionary aspirations in Europe, unsatisfied by their partial failures, were transplanted to these shores and sought vent in active participation in all philanthropic movements. The new comers of that and following years entered with considerable zeal into the different arteries connected with the life of the Common- wealth. For some of these they were fitted, for some others they were not. All had first to learn the lan- guage and the ways of the country to which they transferred their allegiance ; but we can henceforth mention only the names gathered from the public records, and are able to do this only in periods of several years apart, and even then, many meritorious citizens who have lived and died here during these 50 years, can not be here remembered for the want of space.

CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS.

The religious sentiments and wants of the early settlers were undoubtedly among the first causes which prevailed upon German immigrants to gather in congregations; and intimately connected herewith was the desire to carry on snch exercises in their native language and to maintain the same. Catholic Priests and Missionaries belonging to the Diocese of Detroit, were the first to administer to these require- ments as early as 1833; and from then to 1843, spiritual assistance was rendered by visiting Priests from Norwalk and Glandorf. In the latter year the first mention is made of a German Catholic community ; but in 1849 their services were still held in the same edifice with their English- speaking co-religionists. In 1851, Father Karl Evrard started a separate German organization, and in 1853 the ground was bought on the corner of Cherry and Michigan Streets, on which, during the

following year, St. Mary's Church was erected. Father Evrard remained in charge until 1860, when he went to Titlin, Ohio. His place has been occu- pied for many years now by Rev. Wm. Kockerols, with several assistants. A second Catholic com- munity (St. Peter's) exists since 1870, near the corner of Upper St. Clair and Canal Streets, under the guidance of Rev. Peter Dannenhoefer, and a third, that of the Sacred Heart, in East Toledo.

The German Protestants met as early as 1836, in private dwellings, but had no regular services per- formed until 1841, when Rev. Kroneuwirth came every four weeks from Woodville and spoke to audiences made up of different confessions. This condition lasted but a few years. In 18Is, the first Methodist community was founded, under the pastorship of Peter Schneider. It built a spacious brick Church in 1863 on Ontario Street, and re- placed it in 18St by one larger and more bandsome. In 1858, it was administered to by Rev. Sebastian Barth; in 1870, by Rev. Henry G. Lich ; in 1880, by Heinrich Jend ; and in 1887, by E. F. Wunderlich, and is now called the Methodist Emanuel Church. The same denomination had in 1880, on Segur street, another congregation (Zion's) under Rev. Pullman ; Jas. Kern officiating in 1886. The Reformed Church owned an edifice on the corner of Scott and Allen Streets, of which, in 1858, Rev. Henry Ashmeyer was Pastor; and in 1870, Ang. Toensmeyer. To the Lutheran Church, of which, in 1858 Johann Dorfer was Pastor ; and the St. Paul's Lutheran Evangelical, on Erie Street, founded in 1857, by Rev. Charles Markscheffel, and over which he presided until 1873, when he founded St. Peter's, on the corner of Ne- braska Avenue and Hawley Street, we find added in 1870 the United Brethren, Karl Schneider, Pastor in 1873; and Carl Schiller, in ISS6. The Evange- lische Gemeinschaft, corner of Division and Vance Streets, Karl F. Negley, pastor; and Martin Koehler as Pastor in 1880 of the Presbyterian Church on Allen, now Canton Street. between Baker and North. Also, in 1870, the Lutheran Salem Church, Ch. E. Bode, Pastor; and G. F. Rausch in 1886; and St. John's Lutheran, Rev. John Deindoerfer, Pastor; and Charles Beckel, in 1886. These Societies were increased from 1880 to 1886 by several more, the Evangelical Lutheran Trinity, I. W. Querl, Pastor; St. John's Lutheran. under Rev. Chr. Prottengeier ; St. Marcus Evangelical Lutheran, Reformed, John Klag, Pastor ; and the East Toledo Methodist Mis- sion. We count in all. at the present time, 18 Christian German Churches, and two Jewish Syna- gogues.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 147

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