History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 155

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 155

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CHARLES L. YOUNG was born in Albany, New York, November 23, 1838. He is the son of Eli and Eleanor (Thomas) Young. The father was of Dutch ancestry and was born at Caughnawaga, Montgomery County, New York. The mother is of Welsh descent, and was born in Albany. The family remained in that City until the outbreak of the late Rebellion, when they removed to Buffalo, the father then retir-

ing from active business life, and dying there in 1876, aged 70 years. The son's education was obtained at different Institutions in his native State, and chiefly at the Albany Academy and Professor Charles H. Anthony's Classical Insti- tute, in the same City, where he was graduated. Early in life, it became his purpose to adopt the legal profession, from which his mind was turned by the War of the Rebellion, and in which he was so injured as to forbid the pur- suit of sedentary life. In April, 1861, he guarded recruits as a Zouave cadet. In May, 1861, assisted by the Hon. J. K. Porter, LL. D., he took an active part in recruiting men for Gen- eral Sickles's Excelsior Brigade, subsequently so distinguished for its service. He was commis- sioned First Lieutenant June 13, 1861, and assigned to First Regiment, Excelsior Brigade. He became an officer of General Siekles's Staff, and through Mcclellan's Peninsular Campaign served on the Staff of General Joe Hooker. Alter the battle of Williamsburgh he was pro- moted to a Captainey, dating from May 6, 1862. He was recommended as Major by Generals Hooker and Nelson Taylor, July 28, 1862, following the Peninsular Campaign. Gen- eral Hooker, in recommending him for promo- tion, wrote : " Captain Young, late of my Staff, has been in all the engagements with his com- mand, and has been distinguished for good conduct and gallantry. He is an excellent officer, and in all respects deserving of your favorable consideration. He is a young officer, but with his present experience is qualified to fill a Majority in any Regiment." In Pope's Virginia campaign (1862) he commanded his Regiment, which participated in the memor- able battles of Bristoe Station, Groveton, Bull Run and Chantilly ; and he was probably the youngest officer in command of a Regiment. After this eampaign General Sickles an- nouneed the subject of this sketch an Assistant Inspector General in the Third Army Corps. During the battle of Chancellorsville (May 3, 1863), and when engaged in executing an order from the Corps Commander (General Sickles), he was struck near the jugular vein by a fragment of a shell, severing the external carotid artery, and at the time was supposed to be fatally wounded. On May 2d, at Chan- cellorsville, after the line of the Eleventh Corps broke, and the Second Division of the Third Army Corps, under Major General Berry, pressed forward in the line of battle, General Sickles ordered Major Young to re- main with General Berry and report the sitna- tion. Upon General Berry's suggestion, this yonng officer passed along the entire line of battle, directing that breastworks be thrown np. So, when on the third morning of May, General Stonewall Jackson threw his exultant and almost irresistible legions against Hooker's old Division, he found an artificial wall, together with a living one, more than a match

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Charles& Young

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for bis splendid generalship. It was here that General Berry lost his life. After convey- ing this intelligence to General Sickles, and while riding back over the field with an order to General Whipple, commander of Third Division, Third Army Corps, Assistant In- spector General Young was wounded. The story of how the young soldier, with the assist- ance of an orderly, found an ambulance, and in turn reached a steam transport, and finally, the hospital at Washington, where he recov- ered, is something remarkable. In response to a general order for all officers to return to the front, when the Gettysburg campaign opened, with an unhealed wound, he was again in the field. lle was again disabled in the spring of 1864 in the Wilderness campaign, but did not leave the field. He was with his com- mand in all the battles in which it engaged, including Grant's campaign of the Wilder- ness (Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and other historie engagements). Ile served on the Staff's of Generals Hooker, Sickles, Wm. R. Brewster and others, as Aide-de-Camp; as Provost Marshal, as Assistant Adjutant Gen- eral and Assistant Inspector-General ; was in the Inspector-General's Department of General Hancock's Second Army Corps. At Spottsyl- vania, May 12, 1864, in response to a call for volunteers by General J. H. Hobart Ward, Assistant Inspector General Young, and As sistant Adjutant General Ayres of General Mott's staff, galloped upon the breastworks at the "bloody angle." These were the only volunteers, and only General Ward and Young returned, Ayres fell, riddled with bullets. IFe (Young) was commissioned and brevetted Lieu- tenant-Colonel after close of war, " for gallant and meritorious services during the war of the Rebellion." On January 14, 1878, he was ap- pointed Quartermaster General and Commis- sary General of Subsistence on Governor R. M. Bishop's Staff, with rank of Brigadier-General, with consent of the Senate of Ohio, and ac- companied the Governor on his official visit to the Dominion Exposition of Canada. He located in business at Buffalo, in 1866, remain- ing there until coming to Toledo in 1869, as representative of the large Lumber firm of Sears, Holland & Co., established in 1835. He became the manager of that firm at Toledo. In 1873, upon the death of F. P. Sears, the Toledo branch was reorganized as Nelson Holland & Co., General Young being the resident partner and manager. In 1884 this firm was burned out, when its business was transferred to Young & Miller (C. L. Young and Geo. A. Miller), which firm has been, and still is, active and success - ful in the extension and management of the trade. Politically, General Young has always been a Democrat, and since his residence in Toledo has been repeatedly urged to accept public positions. En 1883, he was candidate for Mayor of Toledo, not being

elected, though running against great odds and coming within 87 votes of success in a total vote of about 10,000. The only public office held by him was that of Park Com- missioner, of which Board he is President. During the serious Railway Strikes of 1877, General Young wasactive in support of law and order, and co-operated effectively toward the organized steps taken for the protection of the public peace. January 9, 1880, he received from his comrades of the Grand Army of the Repub- lic, the Ohio National Guard and other fellow- citizens, a General officer's sword, belt and sash, of superior material and workmanship, with appropriate inscription. Upon the death of General Ilooker, the family presented General Young with the sash worn by that officer throughout the War, as a memento to him as a former Staff officer of " Fighting Joe." He was an active member of Forsyth Post No. 15, and is now of Toledo Post, No. 107, Depart- ment of Ohio, Grand Army of the Republic ; on the Staff of Commander-in-Chief Earn- shaw, in 1879; was a member of the Na- tional Council of Administration in 1880; was elected Senior Viee Commander-in- Chief of the National Encampment in 1881 ; and was subsequently a Financial and Property Trustee of Forsyth Post. He is also a member of the following military organ- izations: The Third Army Corps Union ; the Second Corps Club; the Society of the Army of the Potomac; the Society of the Army of West Virginia ; a Charter Companion of the Ohio Commandery of the Loval Legion ; Vice President of Toledo Soldiers' Memorial Asso- ciation ; a Director of the Gettysburg Battle- field Association : an Honorary Member of the Ohio State National Guard Officers' Association ; and an Honorary member of the Continental Guards, of New Orleans. He is a member of De Molay Masonic Lodge 498, of Buffalo, New York. General Young was married January, 1871, to Miss Cora M. Day, of Boston, a daughter of Albert Day, M. D. Her ancestors were among the more prominent families of New England. Her grandfather, General Jotham Moulton, of York, commanded the Eastern Division of the Revolutionary Army at Bunker Hill; his grandfather (Colonel Jeremiah Monl- ton) commanding at the reduction of Nor- ridgework, Maine, in 1724, and participating in the siege of Louisburg, in 1744. Her father is an eminent Physician, and represented Boston in the State Legislature. During the War, Mrs. Young helped to establish the first "Contraband" (Colored) School opened in Boston, which gratuitous work was continued until her health became impaired. Since com- ing to Toledo she has been actively identified with various works of Christian charity and benevolence-including Forsyth Post Auxil- iary Society and Woman's Relief Corps No. 1; the Toledo Home for Friendless Women (Old

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Ladies' Home), and the Adams Street Mission. Is now National Senior Vice-President of the Woman's Relief Corps, Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic. Three children have been born to General and Mrs. Young- Emma (deceased), Nelson Holland and Eleanor Martha. General Young formerly was a mem- ber of the Protestant Episcopal Church, but is now connected with the Central Congre- gational Church, Toledo, Rev. H. M. Bacon, D. D .. Pastor. His paternal ancestors were among the earliest attendants on the Reformed Dutch Church of New York ; while his moth- er's family were identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was one of the founders of the Merchants and Manufacturers Exchange, Toledo, and has been actively connected with various movements having in view the growth and prosperity of Toledo; as also whatever promised the promotion of sound morals and good order among his fellowmen.

JOHN HENRY PUCK, son of John Henry Puck, was born in Wood County, Ohio, May 18, 1842. His parents were of German nativ- ity, and were born at Hanover, North Ger- many. Emigrating to America in 1837, they settled on a farm in Wood County. The son remained with his father, assisting in the cul- tivation of the farm. with limited educational privileges, until 1861, when he came to Toledo, and engaged as apprentice in the Sash, Door and Blind factory of H. A. Boyd & Co., where he remained for six months. Ile then secured a clerkship with Brigham & Foster, Hardware dealers. September 12, 1862, he enlisted for three years as private in Company G, 37th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, whose re- cord is briefly given elsewhere in this volume. He was wounded twice-first at Vicksburg, in June, 1863; and again at Jonesboro, August 31, 1864, the latter wound being in the neck and right shoulder, incapacitating him for active service. He was granted a furlough for three months, when he rejoined the Army at Savan- nah, Georgia, and was mustered out with the Regiment and participated in the Grand Re- view at Washington, in May, 1865. Returning to Toledo, he resumed his trade with HI. A. Boyd, continuing in such capacity until 1868, when Mr. Boyd transferred his business to six of his employes, Mr. Puck included. the firm name being Eldridge, Weil & Co., which con- tinued for one year. Mr. Puck then engaged as foreman in the similar establishment of Keeler, Baird & Bivins, continuing with them until 1870, when that firm was suecceded by the Western Manufacturing Company, of which Mr. Puck was made the Vice President, which position he held until February, 1887, and was then elected Secretary and Treasurer. The business was continued at the old factory (cor- ner Water and Oak Streets), until 1872, when they moved to corner of Water and Vine

Streets, where they occupied the building known as the " Old Red Factory." The main portion of the present factory was erected in 1875. The establishment now consists of a brick structure, 82x132 feet, three stories high, occupied by 70 workmen. Mr. Puek is a mem- ber of Toledo Post, No. 107, G. A. R., and takes an active part in its operations. For many years he has been a prominent member of the German Lutheran Church. Since becoming a voter, he has acted with the Democratie party. In 1882- 83 he represented the First Ward in the Toledo Board of Education, discharging his duties with acceptance and eredit. The high regard in which he is held by the people of Lucas County, was indicated in 1885, when they elected him as a Representative in the State Legislature. While in that body, he introduced and advocated a bill, empowering the Toledo Board of Education to levy taxes for School purposes independent of the Tax Commissioners or other authority. It is known as the " Puek Educational Bill," was passed only against strong opposition, and is now regarded as a measure of much value to the City School sys- tem. He also introduced the bill permitting the State to expend $40,000 in the erection of monuments to the memory of the Ohio Soldiers who fell at the battle of Gettysburg. In both business and private relations, he has ever maintained positions commanding the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Puck was married December 7, 1865, with Anna Westerhause, of Toledo. They have had five children, of whom four are now living-Lena, Frederick I., Margaret, and Almida.

VESSEL SUPPLIES.

The demand for supplies of Lake and Canal crafts, began with the opening of traffie in those lines of trade, although they were small in each at the outset. Up to 1848, the main dealers in that line were George S. Breed & Co., then located on Water Street. In February, of that year, Wm. O. Brown, at the corner of Jefferson and Water Streets, opened a store for the sale of Vessel Supplies. Wheeler & Boos were in similar trade at that time. In 1864, Mr. Brown disposed of his establishment to Read & Wilcox, who were succeeded by Wilcox Brothers

MINOT I. WILCOX was born in Jefferson County, New York, April 7, 1829. He i a son of Oliver Wilcox, who was born in Connecticut, in 1780. The grandfather (also Oliver Wilcox), born in Rhode Island in 1747, was in early life a New Bedford Whaler. The father of Minot was married with a lineal descendant of General Nathaniel Greene, of Revolutionary fame. Accompanied by two brothers, he sat out in 1809, for the new settle- ments in Western New York, and in 1810

Ingaby Philly. A. "

James Respectfully Kommen the Puck

July yours

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located permanently in Jefferson County, where they settled and began the work of pioneer life in the forest. Oliver served in the American Army in the War of 1812 15, partic- ipating in several operations, including the engagements at Sackett's Harbor, New York. He died in Jefferson County, in 1868, aged 88 years, 24 years after the death of his wife. Their children were 13 in number, of whom the youngest two were twins. Minot being one of these. His boyhood was passed upon his father's farm, with such limited School educa- tion as he was enabled to acquire during occa- sional respites from arduous toil upon the not overfruitful homestead. At the age of 16, he obtained employment with a Ship Joiner in the neighborhood at 89.00 per month. An ap- prenticeship of one year qualified him to set up as Ship Joiner on his own account; which he followed for a year. At the suggestion of a brother-in-law (S. S. Read), who was operating a mill at Black Rock, he joined the latter, and after working in the mill two years, accom- panied Mr. Read to Toledo, in 1850, where he was employed for two years by Read & Thomp- son, in the old Premium Mill (now the Armada Mill). In 1852 he was clerk for Thomas Wat- kins, a Grain Dealer, and in 1853 he leased and took the management of the Manhattan Mill in connection with S. S. Read, which establish- ment was first made profitable under bis direction. In December, 1864, Read & Wilcox bonght the Vessel Supply store of Wm. O. Brown, on Water Street, and carried on the business there and on Summit Street until 1860, when the partnership was dissolved. In that vear Leonard and Minot I. Wilcox founded the firm of Wilcox Brothers, which, beginning at the corner of Madison and Water Streets, was transferred in 1868 to the location now occupied by the Wilcox Cordage and Supply Company, on Water Street. Wilcox Brothers continued in business until the death of Leon- ard, in May, 1880. M. I. Wilcox conducted the business alone until the incorporation, in 1886, of the Wilcox Cordage and Supply Company, of which he was chosen President. The steady growth of the business of the house from 1860 to the present time, bears testimony to the efficiency which marked its management. Mr. Wilcox has been interested in different indus- trial enterprises. For 12 years past, he has been at the head of the firm of Wilcox & Co., manufacturers of Steam Dredges and Steam Shovels. He has been a Director in the Merchants National Bank since its organ- ization, is now its Vice President, and has been otherwise identified with the prosperity and growth of Toledo. For 10 years he was an active and efficient member of the Volunteer Fire Department of the City, taking an active part in the organization of Relief Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 (composed mainly of Merchants and Clerks), of which he was elected

Foreman in 1860, and continued as such until the disbandment of the Company upon the introduction of the Paid Department, in Jann- ary, 1866, when the members of the Company testified their appreciation of his services by the presentation of a silver box. Under the three-months call for troops in 1864, Mr. Wilcox enlisted in the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio Regiment (Colonel C. B. Phillips), and received a Major's commission. The name of Mr. Wilcox, for 30 years, has been familiar with Shipping men along the Western Lakes, by whom it has been respected, as it has been and is by all classes with whom he has had business relations. He was married in 1855 with Miss Emma Finney, a daughter of Harry Finney, deceased, of New York, and niece of the late President Finney, of Oberlin, Ohio.

AGRICULTURAL SUPPLIES.

The demand for Agricultural Implements in this County, as in all sections, was small dur- ing the earlier years of settlement. But little beyond a few axes, hoes, plows, harrows, scythes, sickles and cradles, was required by the pioneer farmers, and these were supplied chiefly by the merchants at the several points of trade. As settlement and improvement advanced, the demand for these increased, with corresponding supply. At the outset the sickle was vet in use, but ere long was succeeded by the cradle-a great improvement-and much later came the mowing and reaping machines, separators, cleaners, grain-drills, horse-rakes, corn-shellers, &c.

As early as 1856, Henry Philipps had an Agricultural Warehouse for the supply of farmers with implements, seeds, &c. Following him were L. J. Bush & Co. (R. B. Mitchell, partner), who opened a similar establishment in Toledo in 1860. Since that time different dealers have been in the same branch of trade, the number in 1887 reaching 12 establishments, as follows: Arbuckle & Ryan, Birdsall & Co., S. W. Cass & Co., Johnston Harvester Com- pany, Merrell & Co., D. S. Morgan & Co., Homer Overmyer, Parmelee & Crosby, H. Philipps & Son, J. A. Shepard, Toledo Mower and Reaper Company, and Toledo Plow Company.

THOMAS SCOTT MERRELL, son of Jacob M. and Sylvia Spencer Merrell, was born in Westmoreland, Oneida County, New York, June 18, 1830. His father was born in Hart- ford, Connecticut, March 4, 1789, and died at Westmoreland, November 29, 1866. The mother was born in Peacham, Vermont, April 23, 1800, and died December 24, 1884. The sou remained on the farm with his father until 17 years of age, when he decided to assume the responsi-

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ilities of independent life. To this end, he bought of his father the remaining four years of his minority, and afterwards worked out at $10.00 per month until he earned enough to pay the debt in full. Meantime, he attended School for one Winter, doing chores to pay for his board. In the Spring of 1849 he engaged to drive horses on the Erie Canal (between Buffalo and Albany), at the close of the season working his passage to Buffalo, where he took the Steamboat De Witt Clinton for Toledo, the hull of which craft now (1888) lies near the East shore of Maumee River, above Cherry Street bridge, Toledo. The Lake passage in- volved four days of time. Stopping a short time at Toledo, Mr. Merrell passed on to Cin- cinnati, arriving there in his 19th year. worth $6.00 in cash. He found employment as fire- man for an engine at $1.00 per day, being soon promoted as Engineer. He was there three years, for two of which he was a member of the Cincinnati Fire Department. In 1851 he re- turned to Westmoreland and managed his father's farm until 1856, when he again started for the West, in search of a location. After careful examination in Kansas and Nebraska, he returned to Lucas County, as the best locality he had seen, and soon purchased what was known as the "Bissell Farm," now in Adams Township. There be made his home for eight years, meantime making a success at farming. In the Spring of 1865, he sold the farm and purchased a half interest in the Foundry and Machine Shop of Mitchell & Son, at Maumee, the chief business of which con- sisted in the manufacture and sale of plows and other agricultural implements, which was a marked success. At the end of five years he became sole proprietor of the establishment, and successfully conducted it for five years more, when he removed to Toledo. There he engaged in the Agricultural Implement and Seed trade, at 40-44 Superior Street, which from the first was prosperous, his sales in one year attaining the aggregate of $200,000. January 1, 1885, turning the business over to his brother, J. II. Merrell, and his son, J. B. Merrell, he accepted the charge, as President, of the Turnbull Wagon Works, at Defiance, which he yet retains .. The stock of the Com- pany is held mainly in Toledo, and its business has been eminently prosperous. Mr. Merrell was one of the originators of the Tri-State Fair Association, of which he was President from January, 1884, until January, 1888, when he declined re-election. He is yet a Director and member of the Executive Committee of the same. He was active in the organization of the Toledo Spice Company in 1885, and acted as its President for two years. He served for several years as Trustee of Adams Township, while residing there. In 1868 he was elected as a Commissioner of Lucas County, and re- elected in 1871, serving for six years. He was

a member of the Maumee City Council for tive years, and of the Board of Edneation of that City for six years. In 1885 he was elected to the Toledo Common Council, representing the Second Ward for two years. While in Adams Township, he united with the United Brethren Church; at Maumee was connected with the Presbyterian, and at Toledo with First Congre- gational Church, which relation he yet sustains. The uniform success which has marked his business life, has been dne, largely, first, to the limitation of his operations to affairs which he understood, and thus was able to control; and second, to the sound financial policy of " owing no man anything." Mr. Merrell was married with Miss Ellen Williams, at Richland, Oswego County, New York, September 8, 1853. Mrs. Merrell's parents were from Wales, and were on the Atlantic passage to America, when she was born, May 27, 1832. They have seven children-Kittie M., born in Adams Township, September 14, 1858; John B. and Jennie, born in Adams, July 19, 1862; Alfred H. and Harriet, born in Adams, August 10, 1864; Fanny, born in Manmee, January 11, 1869; and Sylvia, born in Maumee, February 16, 1872. Kittie M. was married with Albert O. Case, at Maumee, November 30, 1877, whose daughter, Nellie E. Case, was born in Toledo, January 28, 1879. John B. and Ida Coburn were married at Whitewater, Wisconsin, October 22, 1885, their daughter, Marguerite, being born in Toledo, July 23, 1886.

FISH TRADE.

As shown in the artiele on Game (Part II, Chapter 4), the Fish supply of the Maumee River became prominent at a very early period. As there shown the matter of trade in the same was discussed as early as 1815. For many years that interest inereased in im- portance, the product coming to be a material dependence for food, not with settlers along the River only, but with those for distances in the interior. Fishing as a business, in time came to be followed; and in consequence, dealers in the same ere long appeared at Toledo and other points. Among the latter were Wm. J. Finlay, J. C. and J. H. Davis, St. John & Buck, D. Y. Howell, and J. G. Nor- ton & Co. The principal varieties of Fish taken were Piekerel, Black Bass and White Fish.

Until the Winter of 1872-73, no steps were taken in regard to the Fish supply in the waters of the State. At that time the Legis- lature provided for the protection and propa- gation of Fish, and appropriated the sum of $1,000 for that purpose; but nothing was then done to thatend. In 1853 Dr. Theodatus Garlieb, at Cleveland, hatched the first fish (Trout) pro- duced by artificial means on this continent.

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 155

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