USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 187
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Cook, Daniel. Young, Samuel M.
The above list includes the names of many persons then residents within the territory subsequently set off to Monclova and Adams Townships.
MAUMEE CITY.
The City of Maumee was incorporated in March, 1838, and the first election held on the 26th of that month. Robert A. Forsyth was chosen Mayor, by a vote of 117, to 56 for Gen. John E. Hunt. The other City officers were as follows:
TRADERS AT MAUMEE.
The names of carly settlers appear in the records of deeds and mortgages and many of them were actively engaged in the attempt to make a large Town out of Maumee as late as 1840 and for a few years thereafter. Some had been Indian traders-as the Forsyths (James H. and Robert A.) and the Hunts, (John E. and Charles C. P.). Some were of French origin. Geo. B. Knaggs was a good type of the social qualities of the French. And there was okdl La Point, a man of large stature and strong frame, whose red flannel shirt, open at the throat, and sleeves rolled up to the elbows, dis- played the hairy arms and the breast of a giant. Hle was the very figure of a French grenadier. He did not know his own age, and seemed to linger on, saving his strength and stalwart bearing, against the time he should join the phantom files of his former companions and march again under his old commander.
In 1838 there resided at Monroe, Michigan, a certain Colonel Anderson, who for some years prior to 1793 was British Indian Agent, resi- dent at Fort Miami. It was said that after the battle of The Fallen Timbers, August 20, 1794, Gen. Wayne's victorious troops feasted on Indian corn raised by Col. Anderson on the River bottom lands near the Fort.
The Towns of Perrysburg and Maumee City had to contend with a natural obstacle to navi- gation in the River called the Rock Bar. This is a bed of rock formed across the River just
-
Hubbell, Daniel.
Swartz, John.
llastings, Reuben.
Trapp. Andrew.
Ilenrich, Chester.
Trapp, John.
Hanson, B.
Van Orden, William.
HIorner, W. P.
Holcomb, Levi.
IJill, George M.
Hill, Robert.
Waite, Horace. Wilkison, James.
Hunt, Benjamin.
White, Oscar.
Ilunt, William.
Williams, A. D.
Hall, Joseph.
Walters, John.
Hall, Elijah.
Walters, Abraham.
Ilitchevek, B. H.
Wilcox, Marcus.
Ilouse, Conrad.
Young, Austin.
Hubbell, Hezekiah.
Ralyale, John.
Drummond, Jared. Dustin, -.
Runyon, W. L.
Eddy, Jacob.
Elliott, John.
French, Wheeler.
Frost, Elisha S.
Searing, Samuel.
Gnagy, Jacob. Gilbert, S. L. Gilbert, Jarvis.
Spangle, Jacob. Steele, Hiram R.
(ireen, Augustus.
Swartz, Christian.
Glifette, Lewis.
Spangle, Rosanna.
Hazard, George S.
Strayer, Michael.
Hunt, C. C. P.
Strayer, Peter.
llull & Keeler.
Strayer, John.
Ilull, Isaac.
Strayer, Daniel.
Henderson, Ilenry.
Silver, Isaac.
Waldron, David. Wolcott, James. Wagner & Thompson.
Ilenderson, C. S.
Zook, Christian.
Steele, Hiram. Steiwig, Samuel. Scott, George W. Seolton, John.
Dwight, Dr. Angustus.
Scott, David B.
LAWYERS.
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP.
above the site of the former town of Marengo. Vessels drawing over six feet could not always be sure of passing, and when increasing commerce demanded vessels drawing 14 feet, the enterprising and hopeful people gave up the contest with the Rock Bar and moved lower down the River. In due time the port of Entry was moved to Toledo and commerce by Lake and River at tho Foot of the Rapids practically ceased.
MAUMEE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The Business Directory published in the Ex- press in 1837, furnishes the following names of persons then in trade and in the professions at that place :
Printers-Reed & Hosmers.
Attorneys-H. L. Hosmer. Daniel F. Cook, Way & Young, Nathan Rathbun, Henry Reed, Jr.
Justices of the Peace-N. Rathbun, Horatio Co- nant.
Physicians and Surgeons-Justus Wright, David B. Scott.
Forwarding and Commission Merchants-Hunt & Converse, S. A. & J. II. Sargent, White & Kirtland, D. Steele, Forsyth & Hazard, Bingham & Furney.
Merchants-Spencer & Moore, Elisha Mack, Ran- ney, Richardson & Co., O. Williams, Acker & Kan- ady, Ira White, Smith & Crowell, Boynton & Gan- nett, II. A. Hackley, A. Cary, Gower & Clarke.
Clothing, &c. - B. D. Coffin.
Groceries and Provisions-G. C. Noble. A. G. Williams, R. Hastings, Allen & Gibbons, Gritlithi, Tylers & Co., James Howe.
Watches and Jewelry-J. J. Bangs.
Tailors-J. S. Meacham, G. S. Case.
Bakery-John Cholett.
Carriage and Wagon Maker-T. T. Woodruff.
Cabinet and Chair Factory-J. Creed & Co.
Painter and Chair Factory-J. Woodruff.
Sash and Blinds-J. F. Shephard.
Hotels-Jefferson House, Wm. Kingsbury ; Wash- ington House, J. W. Converse ; Central House, Allen & Gibbons; American House, Woodruff & Clarke.
In January, 1839, the following appeared :
Forwarding and Commission-Smith & Co., James Wolcott & Co.
Hardware, Hollow Ware, &c .- W. Wiswell.
Merchants-G. H. Nitchie & Co., G. W. Richard- sou.
Wholesale Grocers-Clark & Fargo, C. A. Wil- liams.
Washingtion House-Chas. D. Foster.
Central House-Elijah Clark.
TRADE OF MAUMEE AND PERRYSBURG.
Until 1833, the transportation busmess of Maumee and Perrysburg was done principally by two small Schooners-the Eagle and the Guerriere-both owned by John Hollister and Captain David Wilkison of Perrysburg. During that year a small Steamboat (the General Brady) commenced running between these two places and Detroit. In 1834, the Steamboat Oliver Newberry, a second-class boat, made a few trips to those Towns, as did the Detroit, a boat of the same class and size. Two small boats, the Gen. Jackson and Major Downing,
made theirappearance the same season, running to Detroit, and the Schooner Merchant was built and commenced making trips to Buffalo. In May, 1835, the Steamer Com. Perry, Capt. Wilkison, came out. Several large Schooners were built Between 1835 and 1838, the Mou- roe and Oliver Newberry were purchased, tho Gen. Wayne built, and other Steamers secured. The Steamboat arrivals at these Towns in 1837 was about 300, and of Schooners 103.
At that time Lake freights for Fort Wayne, Indiana, came entirely ria the Maumee River, and chiefly Perrysburg and Maumee ; and it is probable, that the first combination for the control of transportation rates, wasone of which Fort Wayne merchants complained, at a meet- ing held March 25, 1837, with Francis Com- paret in the Chair, and Joseph Sinclair as Sec- rotary. Wm. G. Ewing stated " the object of the meeting to be to consider what course it was necessary for merchants and others who are transporting goods from the East, to adopt, in order to seenre themselves from oppression by a combination of the Forwarding Merchants of Maumee and Perrysburg." G. F. Wright stated that the rates referred to were nearly 100 per cent. higher than were charged at any other point on the Lake. Samuel Hanna re- ferred to the rule of the Forwarding Merchants requiring prepayment of al charges before forwarding property. The result of this move- ment is not recorded.
NEWSPAPERS .- The first newspaper in Mau- mee was the Express, the first number of which appeared March 25, 1837. It was published by an association of citizens, for whom Calvin Frary acted as agent. The Editor was Houry Reed, Jr. It was a neat, well-printed sheet, 22x33 inches in size, and in typographical ap- pearance and contents was specially creditablo to both Proprietors and Editor, and to the Town whose interests it was intended to rep- resent. No rival or neighboring Town had a more creditable representative in its Press, than did Maumee City. After the issue of six numbers the name of Mr. Frary as Publisher disappeared and that of J. H. Brown was substituted. That gentleman had recently been connected with a paper at Titfin. Two weeks later the Erpress passed into the hands of Henry Reed, Jr., and 11. L. and S. T. Hosmer, the editorial depart- ment remaining with Mr. Reed, Mr. S. T. losmer having charge of the mechanical branch. Mr. Reed and II. L. Hosmer were then partners in the practice of the law at Mau- mee City.
The following persons were the local agents of the Erpress in December, 1838: Waterville- Orson Dudley; Damascus -- Abram P. Reed ; Napoleon - Hazael Strong; Florida- II. Gka. son; Independence-B. B. Abell; Defiance- Horace Sessions; Brunersburg-Brice Hilton ; Monclova-Daniel Strayer; Lockport-A. F. Ifull.
926
HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
It would be both impracticable and unprof- itable to follow the varying course of the Mau- mec Press for the half-century following its advent. In common with all Western Towns, it had many newspapers, published by many proprietors, which in character did not compare unfavorably with others. After the Express, came the Maumee River Times - published jointly at Maumee and Perrysburg, by II. T. Smith, which, in changed forms, was continued until the removal of the office to Toledo, in 1855.
The New Era, published weekly at Maumee, was established in February, 1872, by P. C. Ilolt & Co., who were succeeded by J. E. Wil- cox. The latter conducted it until 1881, when the present Editor and Proprietor, F. D. Crane, assumed the management. The New Era is independent in politics and devoted to news and home interests.
CHURCHES .- Itinerant Methodist preachers were among the early white workers in the Maumee Valley, doing special and temporary service; but it was not until 1830, that perma nent shape was given to religious work by that denomination. The first Class at Manmee City was organized at the house of James Jackson in 1834, which stood on the " Point" on lower Broadway. Mr. Jackson came to Maumee in 1831, as an Indian Agent, under appointment of President Jackson. The Society was organ- ized by Rev. E. HI. Pilcher, of the Michigan Conference, with Rev. Elnathan C. Gavitt, now of Toledo, as junior preacher. The members of the Class were James Jackson, wife and daughter Maria ( Mrs. Dr. Oscar White, of To- ledo), Mrs. Mary S. Hunt (wife of General J. E. Hunt), and Miss Sophia Hedges ( Mrs. Henry S. Commager, of Toledo). Jacob Spangler united the following year. The first house of of worship for this Church was built in 1837, with subscriptions obtained in 1836, by Rev. L. B. Gurley, then the Presiding Elder-Rev. Orrin Mitchell being the preacher when the building was erected. To that time services were held in the School-house built in 1822 or 23. The first parsonage at Maumee and in the Valley was erected in 1844, but was not long occupied as such. It yet stands at the corner of Dudley and Williams Streets. The second parsonage (now in use) was built in 1848, Rev. Wm. S. Lunt being then the Pastor. Rev. David Burns was the first Minister who resided at Maumee. On the occasion of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Methodism in Eng- land (in 1838), 841.50 was collected from the Maumee Church as a centennial fund, beside the donation of a lot by General IIunt and wife for a parsonage. Until 1856 the Maumee Church stood first in the Maumee Distriet, after which time Toledo took precedence.
On the occasion of the re-union of the Water- ville and Maumee Churches, at the latter place, in September, 1875, Rev. T. N. Barkdull fur-
nished many facts of the early history of Meth- odism in the Manmce Valley. At that time there were living many pioneer Methodists of that region, including the following : Mrs. Almira Forsyth, daughter of Isaae Ilull, who came to Maumee in 1815; Mrs. Mary S. Hunt; Mrs. Eliza M. Horton ; Jacob Spangler and wife; Mrs. Elizabeth Neeley, who camein 1841 ; Geo. W. Reynolds, who came in 1841; and Mrs. Frances W. Hull, who united in 1842.
The Presbyterian Church at Maumee (ity was organized in 1820, and its semi-centennial was recognized January 23, 1870, at which time but one of the original members survived-Dr. Iloratio Conant.
In a letter dated Maumee City, March 8, 1838, Levi Beebe, a prominent business man of that place, wrote his son-in-law, Elizur Fair- man, Brownville, Jefferson County, New York, on the subject of the latter's coming to Maumee to open a Hardware Store, of which there was none there at that time. Mr. Beebe set forth the advantages of the locality in strong terms. He owned several business buildings, one of which he had just leased to a Columbus firm. There were then 50 new buildings being gotten under way. All mechanies and laborers were employed. The Episcopal Church, at the upper end of the Town, was being constructed; the Methodist edifice nearly completed ; the Pres- byterian Church expected Rev. Mr. Reed, then at Tiffin, to become its Pastor; while a deep religious interest pervaded the Town. Mr. Parker (a brother of Joel Parker, of Massachu- setts), was then temporarily preaching in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Beebe was that year a representative to the Presbyterian Gen- eral Assembly from the Maumee Presbytery.
The City in 1888 had five Churches-St. Joseph's (Catholic) Church, Pastor, Rev. J. P. Mertes; St. Paul's (Episcopal), supplied by Rev. G. S. May, of Defiance; Presbyterian Church. Stated Sapply, Rev. Mr. Hustis ; Meth- odist Episcopal, Rev. Wm. V. Marsh, Pastor ; Lutheran Church, supplied trom Perrysburg. A Baptist Church existed here for some time, but was disbanded.
MASONS. - Northern Light Lodge, No. 40, F. and A. M., was chartered December 12, 1818, the charter being signed by Chester Griswold, G. M. The charter members were Eber Ward, Almon Gibbs, William Griffith, S. H. Thurston, Charles Gunn, Sheldon Johnston, David John- ston, William Preston, J. C. Adams. Cannot find any record of officers until June 12. 1822, when we have the following-Horatio Conant, W M .; John T. Baldwin, S. W .; R. McKnight, J. W .; Ambrose Rice, Secretary ; David M. Hawly, Tyler. Present officers : J. H. Wyman, W. M .; O. N. Gunn, S. W .; William Perin, J. W .; S. Spaulding, S. D .; John Binekley, J. D .; H. B. Lautzenheiser, Secretary; George Il. Blaker, Treasurer; J. E. Wileox, Tyler.
ODD FELLOWS .- Maumee Lodge, No. 682,
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP.
was instituted July 17, 1879. Charter officers: J. F. Fleming, N. G .; Robert Alvins, V. G .; Louis Wolfinger, Secretary ; and Andrew Nuh- ter, Treasurer. Present officers : Andrew Nuh- fer, N. G .; C. H. Gumer, V. G .; O. C. Gecre, Recording Secretary ; Henry Alyn, Permanent Secretary. Members, 90.
BANKING IN MAUMEE.
As elsewhere stated, the first Bank of issne in Lucas County, was the Bank of Manhattan, organized and acting under an alleged charter by a body calling itself the Legislature of the State of Michigan, but which had no legal ex- istence as such. The second Banking institu- tion in the County, and the first one legally organized, was the Maumee City Insurance Company Bank, at Maumee. It was chartered by the Ohio Legislature in 1838, with a capital stock of $250,000, in shares of $100 each. The stockholders were as follows :
Names.
No. Shares.
Amount.
Sam'i K. Page, Kentucky
500
$50,000
John Remick Kentucky.
250
25 000
John Stivers, Kentucky.
250
25,000
James Guthrie. Kentneky
100
10,000
Joseph T. Guthrie, Kentucky
210
21,000
Francis C. Fillay, Kentucky
100
10,000
Paul C. Fillay, Kentucky
100
10,000
Naham Aldrich, Kentucky
50
5,000
Philo II. Taylor, Fort Wayne
100
10,000
James HI. Forsyth. Maumce
183
18,200
Elisha Maek, Maumee
485
48,500
Chas. C. P. Hunt, Maumce
40
4,000
Gico. B. Knaggs, Maumee
200
Robert A. Forsyth, Maumee
1,000
Thomas Clark. Manmee.
10
1,000
Wiu. Richardson, Maumre
10
1,000
Nicholas Arthur & Son, Maumec.
50
5,000
H. A. Carpenter, Manmee
50
3.000
2,500
$250,000
As seen above, the enterprise was mainly in the hands of Kentucky parties-largely from Louisville, they representing two-thirds of the capital stock. It was organized with James H. Forsyth as President, and J. T. Guthrie as Cashier. Of the stock, five per cent. ($12,500), was paid in, constituting the working capital of the Bank, which went into operation in 1838. The disastrous financial condition then com- mon to the entire country, and especially to the West, left but a small field for the opera tion of such an institution, and November 14, 1839, it was placed in the hands of M. R. Waite and Elisha Mack, for liquidation, and by them was closed up. The question of the authority of the Company to issue bills for circulation was raised in the Courts, and is understood to have been deeided in the negative.
Four denominations of bills-$1 00, $2.00, $3.00 and $5.00-were issued, payable, respec- tively, to Horatio Conant, John H. James (of Urbana, Ohio), John Hollister (of Perrysburg), and John E. Hunt or order. Of the $5.00 bills, as high in number as 20,722, had been prepared March 4, 1839, making a total of $103,- 610 of that denomination.
PROPOSED FULFILLMENT OF CONTRACT.
The competition between the Towns which in 1836 were struggling into existence on the Maumee, started a question as to where the " Head of Navigation " of the River for Lake craft was to become finally fixed. As a curi- osity of the times, a notice in the Maumee Express, published in February, 1838, is given. It appears that at that time a petition was cir- enlated at Maumee City and Perrysburg, ask- ing the Legislature to build a Canal from Man. hattan to the Foot of the Rapids, to be connected with Perrysburg by an acqueduct. This Canal was to be 20 feet deep and 200 feet wide.
The propriety of this measure was urged by the petitioners on the Legislature on several grounds. one of which was, that they were owners of land at Maumee and Perrysburg and residents of those Towns ; that they had purchased the lands on which they lived at high prices from the State of Ohio and made costly improvements thereon, in the firm belief that said Towns were at the head of navigation of the Maumee River, and thereby a contract was implied between the petitioners and the State of Ohio, that the said River would be navigable for Lake Vessels to said Towns. They therefore asked that " the said Towns be made the head of navigation, according to the terms of the contract before set forth : " and this they did " the more boklly, because they were aware that the people of the Towns of Toledo and Manbat- tan made their settlements at those places under the belief that the Maumee River was not navigable to any point above; and that in consideration of such belief and the implied contract depending thereon, the servants of the people have solemnly declared that the said Towns of Toledo and Manhattan are at the head of navigation aforesaid ; and that every act of your petioners tending to prove to the contrary, is a sin against them and an insult to the sovereign State of Ohio in the persons of her faithful and disin- terested officers." On such grounds, the petitioners asked the State to build the Ship Canal to keep the Towns of Perrysburg and Maumee at the head of navigation, according to the terms of " the implied contract, aforesaid." The editor of the Express ap- pears to have had little hope of the success of this movement. The names of the authors and promo- ters of this petition are not mentioned. This relie of the past, testifies to the local feeling formerly pre- vailing among rival settlements on the River.
UPPER MAUMEE NAVIGATION.
In June, 1837, appeared the announcement that the Steamboat tien. Wayne. Capt. I. C. Williams, would " leave the head of the Rapids every day at 1 P. M. for the foot of Flat Rock, where there would be coaches and teams to convey passengers and freight to Defiance." Passengers leaving Maumee City and Perrys- burg in the morning, arrived at Defiance same day. Returning, lett Detiance at 6 A. M., And reached the head of the Rapids at 12 M., where coaches were ready for Maumee and Perrys- burg. Also, " a Barge fitted up for passengers or freight," left Defiance every Friday for Fort Wayne, running through in three days. Du- ring high water, the Steamboat ran between
4
928
HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
the head of the Rapids and Fort Wayne. The agents of the line were O. H. Harris, Provi- dence; G. C. Mudgett & Co., Brunersburg; and White & Kirtland and S. A. & J. H. Sar- gent, Maumee City.
Beside this Steamboat route, was a daily through Stage-line between Manmee City and Defiance. The mail passed twice a week.
INITIAL FACTS.
The first Post Office North of the Maumee, was
located at Manmee City in 1817. The names of the earliest Postmasters now remem- bered are those of Charles C. P. Hunt and George W. Woodward. The former was Post- master in 1833, and was succeeded by the fol- lowing: George W. Woodward, Wire, Daniel Williams, P. C. Holt, Leroy E. Clarke, E. C. Moore, John A. Church.
The Wolcott dwelling, built by James Wol- cott, one of the pioneers of the Maume Valley, in 1834-36, stands on the North bank of the river at Fort Miami. The situation is sightly, overlooking Perrysburg on the opposite bank. The building is somewhat antiquated in style compared with modern architecture-two stories high, abont 28x40 feet in size, with a portico supported by turned columns in front. The structure is built of hewed logs, clapboard- ed on the outside and lathed and plastered within. Samuel Wagner, now living in Toledo, worked on this house in 1836. The columns were turned by a Mr. McMurray, who had a Chair Shop on Mr. Wolcott's place. Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott lived and died in this old man- sion. (She was a daughter of Captain Wells, adopted son of the famous Chief, Little Turtle.) Their daughter Mary, widow of the late George Gilbert, now resides at the mansion.
There is yet standing on the bank of the Maumee River, and on the farm of Coleman I. Keeler, about one mile below Maumee, the oldest frame building in the Maumee Valley. It is a two-story dwelling, and was erected by Whitmore Knaggs, of Detroit, in 1818. Dr. Horatio Conant and John J. Leavitt were the first white persons who ever siept in the build- ing. They came up the River in a small sail- boat, reaching the month of Swan Creek in the night. Adverse winds and the darkness of the night prevented them from proceeding with their vessel, and they cast anchor, but con- elnded to walk up through the woods to Mau- mee. On arriving at this house, then in pro- cess of erection, having encountered so many difficulties on their journey, they resolved to make up a bed of the shavings and remain in the new building until morning. The Doctor said they slept soundly, and in the morning proceeded to the completion of their journey. It was the first time Mr. Leavitt had been to Maumee, but the Doctor had then resided there about 18 months. This old building is yet a
substantial looking, old-style farm-house, and with proper care might be made to last well toward another half century.
PIONEERS OF WAYNESFIELD.
Previous to the War of 1812, there were a few American settlers in the Township, among whom were the Ewings-Samuel Ewing and his brothers - whose names appear in the early records. Ephraim Leaming was in the Township and had built a Saw-Mill on Swan Creek, at what is now the Village of Mon- clova, before the war. When the war broke out the Indians drove him away and burned his mill; but he returned and rebuilt it in 1817.
Among the carly settlers were Whitmore Knaggs, Jeremiah Johnson, Almon Gibbs, James Wolcott, (who married the daughter of Captain Wells, being the grand-daughter of the famous Chief, Little Turtle), Gen. John E. Hant, Robert A. Forsyth, James Gilbert, Ben- jamin Farnsworth, William Kingsbury, Sam- uel Couch, Huntington Larabee, Samuel Cass, W. M. Hliekox, William Beals, James Wilkin- son, Norman C. Baldwin, George B. Knaggs, IToratio Conant, Isaac Hull, and many others. Personal sketches of some of the more promi- nent of the early settlers are given below
George B. Knaggs was one of the well known people of the Township in early days. He owned and occupied land adjoining Miami. Ilis father, Whitmore Knaggs, was a noted Indian Interpreter and spoke six or seven Indian languages, besides English and French. He resided at Detroit at the time of llull's surrender. He was known to have great in- fuenee with the Indians, and to be loyal to the United States; therefore, he was ordered by the British Commandant to leave, and there- upon joined the first Corps of our Army that advanced to the frontier. He was guide to General Winchester, and was at the massacre of the River Raisin, where he barely escaped death. An Indian warrior whom Knaggs bad befriended, interfered for his protection. Capt. Knaggs died about 1835, at his farm near Detroit. His widow, Mrs. Josette Knaggs, whose maiden name was Labadie, and who was of French descent, survived him, and died at Detroit October 30, 1852. Capt. Knaggs was at the battle of the Thames, and saw Tecumseh when be approached Col. Richard M. Johnson, and saw the latter shoot " The King of the Woods," as Tecumseh called himself. A brother of Capt. Knaggs, who lived on the River Raisin, and a neighbor named Labadie, were also there, and brought Colonel Johnson off the field when wounded. George B. had two brothers, John and James W. Ilis grand- father George Knaggs, was an officer in the British Army and was living in Fort Miami when Whitmore Knagg's was born there. George Brown Knaggs was a man of agreeable
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