History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 75

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 75

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The first bill for rent paid by the City of To- ledo, was that of Richard Mott, for the room which the Council occupied from May 1st to November Ist, 1837, the amount being $25.00. At a subsequent period during the occupancy of the room, an agreement was made with Mr. Mott, that the Council should have the same for one year without charge, provided, that during the year no City taxes should be levied. This agreement was carried out, the City pay- ing no rent, and the Council levying no taxes for that year-a plan which could hardly be adopted successfully at this time.

January 29, 1838, the City was divided into three Wards, viz .: First Ward, all that portion lying East of Locust Street; the Second Ward, that portion between Loenst and Madison Streets; and the Third Ward, that part Sonth and West of Madison Street.

February 14, 1838, the pay for the several City officials was fixed, as follows: The Treas- urer, two per cent. upon all moneys received and paid out by him; the Clerk, $100 for 10 months; Marshal, 840; Deputy Marshal, $20; Attorney, $40; Collector, five per cent. on col- lections.

The first statement of the receipts and ex. penses of the City of Toledo will be of interest here. It was made February 24, 1838, covered 103 months of time, and is as follows :

1838. Feb. 19. By cash paid the Mayor for licenses by exhibitors. 25 00

.. ..

By Cash from City Collector. 1,864 93

1837. Sept. 25. To paid W R. Hoyt, bill for furniture for Council-room 4. .€ Sanford & Lott, for stationery : Hoisington & Manning, for

33 00

25 00

Engine House No. 1 .. 68 00

1838. Feb. 13. Toledo Blade, printing char-

ter 30 00

.. Peckham & Co, freight on

eugincs 86 00

1838. Feb. 13. R Mott, Jr., rent of Council-

roomI 25 00

24. Hoisington & Manning, build-

ing Engine-house No. 2. 13 00

C. Comstock, services as Col-

lector

93 00

Treasurer's fees

37 80

Balance in Treasury

1,475 20

$1,889 93

An examination made in March, 1838, showed the contents of the City treasury to consist of the following :

Michigan Bank Notes-Merchants Bank of Jackson County, $100; Lenawee County Bank, $54 ; Cokl Water Bank, $14; Farmers Bank of Genesee County. $20; Jackson County Bank, $39; Saginaw City Bank, $3 ; Farmers' Bank of Sandstone, $103; Lapeer Bank, $10; Bank of Manchester, $49. Edward Bissell's notes, $100; Edward Bissell's check on Lenawee Bank, $600. Total, $993.

A resolution then offered that the Treasurer receive no more Michigan Bank notes, except those of the old Banks of that State, was lost in the Council, on a vote of 3 to 4. How much the character of the City's assets had to do with the liberal balance (apparently) on hand, is a matter of opinion only. The view sung- gested, however, has some support in the fact that at that time lohn Fitch, Esq., as agent of creditors of the City to the amount of $800, made the offer to take, at a discount of 20 per cent., such of the funds then in the treasury as he should deem current ; whereupon, the Conn- cil offered a discount of 15 per cent. At the same time a second resolution not to take any more " Michigan Wild Cat" money, was voted down-4 to 5. July 5, 1838, it was resolved to send all Michigan Bank notes then in the City treasury home for redemption, and those of Banks suspended to the receivers of the same.

February 15, 1838, Judges of Election were appointed as follows: Ward 1, Ezra B. Dodd, Luke Draper, Leander Hill ; 2, Emery D. Pot- ter, Elisha H. Fassett, Joseph B. Gardner ; 3, J. M. Whitney, Austin A. Hill, Oliver Stevens.

May 28, 1838, Ahira G. Hibbard was author- ized to expend $300 " on Lagrange street across Mnd Creek Valley."

March 26, 1838, steps were taken for pro- viding the pioneer hearse of the City.

April 2, 1838, Mayor Berdan, by special message, called attention of the Council to the propriety of preventing " the selling of spirit- ous liquors in small measure by stores and grog-shops in the City," when Alderman E. D. Potter moved the appointment of a Committee on that subject, which consisted of Messrs. Pot- ter, Comstock and Segur. April 9th a peti- tion from 68 citizens, asking for such legisla- tion, was presented. April 23d, an ordinance for such purpose was passed on the following vote : Yeas-Messrs. Chas. E. Brintnall, Stephen B. Comstock, Munson H. Daniels, Leander Hill, and Emery D. Potter. Nays- Messrs. Caleb F. Abbott, Elijah Porter and Daniel Segur.

393

TOLEDO'S START AND PROGRESS.

As the first definite action by the Toledo City Council on a matter which has ever since, is now, and promises long to be, a source of division and controversy, it is deemed proper here to record the law on that subject thus adopted at the outset of Toledo's municipal history. It is as follows :

AN ORDINANCE to prohibit the selling or giving away of any Ardent Spirits, to be drank at any of the places therein named, and to prohibit disorderly assemblages and riots.

SECTION 1. Be it ordained by the Mayor and Conn- cil of the City of Toledo, that from and after due publication of this ordinance, it shall be unlawful for any storekeeper, trader or grocer within the limits of the City of Toledo, to sell or give away any ardent spirits, to be drank in any shop, store, grocery, out- house. yard or garden, owned or occupied by the person selling or giving away the same; except by inn-keepers duly licensed by the Court of Common Pleas of the County of Lucas.

SECTION 2. That it shall be unlawful for any person within the limits of said city to sell or give away any ardent spirits or other intoxicating liquors, to any child, apprentice or servant, without the con- sent of his or her parent, guardian, master or mis- tress. or to any Indian.

SECTION 3. Any and every person offending against the provisions of either of the above sections, shall forfeit and pay to and for the use of said City, any sum not exceeding $50, not less than $25, in the discretion of the Court having jurisdiction thereof, together with the cost of suit.

May 22, 1838, the Couneil provided for a ferry across Swan Creek, at the place near Superior Street where Harmon Crane formerly had a ferry ; for which purpose a " scow boat, with rope and other necessary appointments," were to be supplied by the Street Commissioner, the whole not to exceed $100. Mr. Crane was elected as ferryman, and the charges were fixed as follows :

For each person, 3 cents ; man and horse, 6 cents ; single horse and vehicle, 9 cents ; two horses or two oxen and vehicle, 1212 cents; each additional horse 3 cents ; each head of cattle, hogs, &c., 1 cent. The ferryman was to have one-half of the receipts and pay all expenses, including repairs.

May 26, 1838, it was resolved " that all appli- cations for the privilege to exhibit natural or artificial curiosities, caravans, circuses, or the- atrieal performances within the City," be re- ferred to the Mayor, who was to charge such license as he might see fit.

The first step taken for protection against infectious disease was the appointment, August 9, 1838, of a Council Committee to " take charge of all persons infected or subject to be infected with the small-pox."

Provision was first made for a corporate seal for the City, October 26, 1838, viz .: " A scroll- seal, with the letters ' L. S.' inserted therein."

A bill for "cleaning out ditch from the River to the Canal in rear of the Post Office" ($40.25), was allowed November 26, 1838.

The petition of citizens asking that the Coun- cil " regulate the weight and quality of bread

and the selling and measuring of wood," was denied, November 26, 1838.

January 21, 1839, provision was made for employing a Surveyor " to survey and lot out the grounds given the City for burial purposes by the Port Lawrence Company," and that the same be fenced.

The first regular survey of the City and a map of the same were provided for March 21, 1839.

On the retirement of Mayor Berdau, March 6, 1839, the Couneil tendered him its thanks " for the impartial and dignified manner in which he had presided over that body."

In June, 1839, the matter of blank books and stationery was considered by the City Council, and a resolution adopted authorizing the Clerk to proeure of Sanford & Lott, of Cleveland, " upon the eredit of the City," oue substantial full-bound record, containing eight quires, ruled, and lettered " Tax Records, City of To- ledo;" one half-bound book of three quires, let- tered " Tax Duplicate, City of Toledo;" one half-bound three-quire blotter ; one ream best ruled cap paper ; one-half ream second quality ruled eap-paper ; one-halfream best ruled letter paper; 100 good quills; three bottles of ink; and one-half pound of wafers. Such stock of stationery-aside from wafers-would not now last very long.

In December, 1839, the City Council allowed the following pay to Assessors of property for taxation : To M. H. Daniels, $25.50; P. H. Shaw, 818; E. H. Fassett, $18; Luke Draper, $6. At the same time L. S. Lownsbury was paid $5 for prosecuting cases for the City; Dr. Jacob Clark, 83, for services at three elections ; and C. W. Hill, $33.15, for services as City Clerk.

The first recognition of, and aid granted by the City to, a military Company, consisted in an appropriation of $150, for the " Toledo Citi- zens' Corps," for the purchase of equipments, July 29, 1839. The Company probably was the predecessor of the Toledo Guards, organized in 1840.

The matter of the removal of the County- seat from Toledo to Maumee being then ae- tively canvassed, the Toledo City Council in 1839 provided “ a contingent fund of $80, to defray the expenses in preventing such re- moval," and appointed Andrew Palmer, Daniel Segur, Jacob Clark and H. D. Mason, to ex- pend the same.

The building of a sidewalk on Monroe Street, was in March, 1840, declared to be inexpedient, until " the condition of the treasury " should become better known to the Council, and the Summit Street work, then in progress, should be completed.

April 20, 1840, license was granted to Wm. Consaul to keep a ferry across the Maumee River, from the foot of Adams Street, for which he was to pay the City Clerk 50 cents.

394

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

The first instance in Toledo in which a defi- cient fund was relieved by borrowing from an- other fund, took place AApril 21, 1840, when a Sidewalk fund was created, in order that money might be borrowed from the general fund for the relief of the Summit Street sidewalk.

July 6, 1840, the Council resolved to suppress horse-racing and " inordinate driving " within the ('ity.

A resolution wasadopted November 16, 1840, for " cutting, clearing and burning the brush on Mud Creek, as soon as the Creek may be frozen sufficient to do the same to advantage." This stream, as elsewhere stated, traversed the low grounds between Cherry and Monroe Streets, in a measure parallel with and near to Summit Street.

April 20, 1840, the Council passed an ordi- nance defining the duties of the City Attorney and fixing his compensation and that of the City Marshal. The former was to be "in the broadest sense of the term, the Attorney and Counselor and Legal Agent on all occasions, and under all circumstances." For every suit which he managed in the Mayor's Court, he was to receive the sum of $3.00, and such other pay as the Council should deem reasonable. The Marshal was allowed 50 cents for each attend- ance on the sessions of the Council, and other compensation as that body might deem just.

April 21, 1841, a Committee was appointed to report plan and estimate for a suitable build- ing for a City Hall.

The invitation of the Toledo Guards for the Mayor and Council to partake of "a cold colla- tion " with that Company, July 5, 1841, was accepted, with thanks and " assurances of the high consideration in which the Company was held."

October 12, 1841, the Council adopted reso- lutions of high appreciation of the public ser- vices and private worth of John Berdan, the first Mayor of the City.

In May, 1843, Joseph Jones was paid by the City the sum of $1.00, for taking an enumera- tion of the population of the Second Ward of Toledo.

May 15, 1843, the City Marshal was allowed 25 cents for serving notice for special meeting on two members of the Council -mileage, five cents ; two readings, 20 cents.

February 3, 1846, the Council appropriated the sum of $200, for sending an agent to Wash- ington to secure the location at Toledo of a proposed Naval Depot for the Lakes, and also to secure the removal of the Port of Entry of Miami from Maumee City to Toledo.

The brief abstract thus given, is designed only to indicate something of the circumstances under which Municipal Government was com- menced in Toledo, and the resources at hand for such beginning. The ways and means named are in striking contrast with those which attend present operations; but whether

in all respects they are now better, is matter for consideration.

JACOB ROMEIS, Representativein the Con- gress of the United States from the Tenth Dis- trict, Ohio, was born in Weisenbach, Bavaria, December 1, 1835. His parents, both of German nativity, were John and Elizabeth Romeis. The family came to the United States in 1847, and settled at Buffalo, New York. The father had been a farmer and a linen weaver, but on coming to this country he was more or less em - ployed in the quarry interest of the State of New York. He died in 1869. The son was then 13 years of age. He had attended the Village School in Weisenbach, as required by law, from his sixth year until the family left for America. At Buffalo he attended a City School for one year and a German Protestant School for a time after his first communion. The cir- cumstances of the family were such as to throw him on his own resources for support when he was about 14 years of age, at which time he secured a position as Cabin-Boy on board the Propeller Oregon, Captain Thomas Watts, running between Buffalo and Toledo and De- troit, his first visit to Toledo being in August, 1849. From 1850 to 1856, he was employed on passenger Steamers commanded by Captains Watts, Hazard, Perkins, Pheatt, Willoughby and Goldsmith, the last named having aided him to a position as Train Baggageman on the Toledo and Wabash Railway, in 1856. After two years' service in that capacity, he was pro- moted to that of Conductor on "Mixed " (freight and passenger) trains, and in 1863 to the charge of a passenger train. In 1871 sick- ness compelled him to leave the Road for a time, when he was appointed General Baggage Agent, a position of special responsibility, the entire force of Baggagemen and all baggage being under his direction and care. Such was the success in this position that he was ap. pointed Depot Master at Toledo, and given charge of all passenger train-men on the Eastern Division of that Road, extending from Toledo to Danville, Illinois. This position he continued to hold to the full satisfaction of the management of the Road, until he was elected to Congress in 1884. In every place assigned him he had fully met the expectations of his employers, and every step in his promotion came unsought by him. Mr. Romeis, so far from being a politician in the professional sense of the term, had, from youth, been averse to political activity, and deemed himself as exer- cising the elective franchise in the true sense of that right, by selecting for support the names of candidates on all tickets whose election he deemed most assuring of the public good. He was first a candidate for public office in April, 1874, when, largely through the efforts of Rail- way associates, he was nominated for Alderman

Respectfully

A. H., Newearly

395

TOLEDO'S START AND PROGRESS.

from the Seventh Ward. Toledo, and was elected by a handsome majority. So successful was he in the discharge of the duties of the office, that in 1876 he was re-elected, and in 1877 chosen President of the Board of Aldermen In 1878 he was nominated for a third term, but positively declined. The next year he was nominated for Mayor of the City, under circumstances which led him to accept, when he.was elected. During the term, he devoted himself so effi- ciently to the duties of the office, and especially in connection with the finances of the City, including a substantial reduction in expendi- tures, that he was re-elected in 1881, and again in 1883. During this term, so strong had become his hold on the confidence of the people, both in Toledo and elsewhere, that he was nominated for Congress as the candidate of the Republicans, against Frank H. Hurd, then in the zenith of his personal strength. The Dis- triet was strongly Democratic, that party having therein a majority of abont 2,500. The campaign was one of the most active and earnest known in the District, in which the personal qualities of candidates were made specially prominent. No attempt, whatever, was made to disparage the character of Mr. Romeis, efforts in that direction having been confined to attempts at belittling his literary attainments in connection with the English langnage and his knowledge of American methods. As a self-supporting and self respect- ing citizen-a trusty, industrious agent- and faithful, efficient publie officer-he was beyond even attempt at disparagement. The result was the election of Mr. Romeis, by a majority of 239 votes, against the 2,500 Democratic ma- jority in the District. Mr. Hurd made a bitter and persistent contest for the seat, evidently relying for success upon partisan support from the large Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. In this he was disappointed, since, after full investigation, the Democratic Committee on Elections reported Mr. Romeis to have been legally elected, which decision was approved by the House, by an overwhelming majority. In 1886 the two candidates were again pitted against each other, when the former decision of the electors was re-affirmed in the decisive majority for Mr. Romeis of 1,588 over Mr. Hurd. The vote in Lucas County then stood as follows: Romeis, 8,887; Hurd, 6,653; giving the former a majority of 2,234; while the Republican majority in the County on Secretary of State, at the same election, was only 368. Mr. Romeis recognizes, in the issue of Protection or Free Trade, the most important question of National policy, and his attachment to the Republican party rests chiefly ou the position of that organization on that issue. His view of the matter was succinctly given in a speech, while the Free Shipping Bill was under discussion in the House of Representa- tives. He then said :

Mr. Chairman, I have been a wage-worker for 35 years or more as a Sailor and Railroad man. I laid aside the lantern to take a seat in the Halls of Con- gress, and when I leave i expect to take up one of these vocations again. But while I have a voice and a vote in this House, I shall not give it for a propo- sition that will in my opinion destroy the capital invested in American industries, thereby throwing out of employment thousands of workingmen who are directly dependent upon that capital. For that reason I shall vote against this bill. [Applause.]

Itcannot be said that Mr. Romeis is an orator. He never has practiced or studied that art; while in neither his native nor his acquired tongue has his acquisition been such as to justify attempt in that direction. But he early learned, and always has practiced the straight- forward, frank manner of expression, which, more than the highestattainment in art, reaches the judgment and favor of men. But more than that, has his like simple and direct manner of action, in private and public affairs, com- mended him to the confidence and favor of his fellow-citizens. Habitually considerate of the opinions and feelings of others, he has never left them in doubt as to his final judgment and purpose. Strictly honest and frank in his own action, he has sought to be just in his estimate of the action of others. To these qualities, and to their uniform manifestation in his active life, is chiefly due the remarkable degree of favor which he has received at the hands of those who have known him longest and best.

ALEXANDER HUNTINGTON NEWCOMB, is a son of Eleazer and Sarah (Taylor) New- comb, and was born at Waterloo, Seneca County, New York, August 6, 1824, being the eighth ot a family of nine children. His father was a Carpenter and Joiner by trade. When the son was about a year old, his parents re- moved to Rochester, New York, where they re- mained eight years. After a short residence in Buffalo and at Detroit, the family, in the Fall of 1835, came to Toledo, then a young City just struggling for life and recognition. The father died at Sylvania in 1840, the mother living until a few years since, and dying at the age of 88 years. The limited School privilege of Alexander's childhood greatly circumscribed his educational acquirements, he attending for but three months after he was 12 years old, when he sat out upon life's activity. His first work was that of carrier for the Blade in its earliest days. When 12 years old, he became a clerk in a store, where he remained for two years-subsequently occupying like position in a Drug and Hardware Store. When 18 years old, he began an apprenticeship at the Painter's trade, which being completed, he opened a shop on the Southwest corner of Sum- mit and Adams Streets, and for more than a quarter of a century was successfully and ex- tensively engaged in house, sign and orna- mental painting, graining, &c. During a por-

396

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

tion of the year 1856, he was engaged in the Hardware trade on the corner of Monroe and St. Clair Streets. Mr. Newcomb was among the earliest members of the Independent Fire Department of the City, being connected with old " No. One," and remained actively in that relation until the organization of the paid Department. Ile was one of the organizers of the first Hook and Ladder Company of Toledo, in 1847, and now is one of three surviving members of the same. With a love for the military, he joined the Toledo Guards in 1844. Two years later, he was one of six of that Com- pany, to tender their services to the Governor for the Mexican War, but the required number had been supplied when their offer was re- ceived. The Toledo Guards did much toward awakening and maintaining a military spirit among the young men of Toledo. Many suc- cessful officers during the War of the Rebellion received their first military training in that Company. While a member of the Gun-Squad ot the Guards, Mr. Newcomb lost his left arm in firing a salute at a Democratie meeting, September 24, 1856. He remained with the Company until it was disbanded in 1861. Prior to the formation of the Republican party, Mr. Newcomb was a Whig in polities, but has since been connected with the former, and has always been an active supporter of its policy and action. In 1857 he was elected as Justice of the Peace, serving with credit for three years. In 1860, he was chosen Mayor of Toledo, in which office he was earnest and efficient in the maintenance of law and order and sound morals as the Chief Magistrate of the City, in which he was supported by the better element of the City, although frequently brought in collision with the vicious and the lawless, whose combined action, irrespective of political affiliations, was sufficient to defeat bim when a candidate for re-election in 1862. In 1865 he was appointed as Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, serving until 1869. It is probably in connection with the Masonie Order, that Mr. Newcomb has become most widely known. He received the first three de- grees of Masonry in Toledo Lodge, No. 144, in 1851, and soon thereafter filled the Senior

Warden's chair; and in 1854 was elected Wor- shipful Master of the Lodge, continuing as such to and including the year 1860. From 1863 to 1869, and several times since, he has served in the same capacity, making a total of 14 years in that position, and longer than has any other member of the Order in Toledo. In 1857, with five others, he was appointed by Benj. F. Smith, Grand Master, to revise the ritual, which service, after 12 days of labor, produced a " work" which, with few changes, remains the standard in Ohio. At the same time, he was appointed as District Lecturer, for the Third District, including 15 Counties in Northwestern Ohio, which position he held until 1869. In 1867 he was chosen Senior Grand Warden, and re-elected in 1868. Atthe session of 1869, he was elected Most Worship- lul Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio; and in 1870 and '71 was re-elected. At the re- ception tendered the Grand Master of England at Washington, in 1871, given by the Grand Masters of the several States, Mr. Newcomb represented the Order in Ohio. He was among the projectors of the Masonie Temple Association, and has been, throughout, a mem- ber of the Board of Directors. He was Super- intendent of construction of the Temple throughout that work. He was also one of the originators of the Masonie Relief Association, of which he has been a Director from the first. Since April 20, 1886, he has been the Secretary of the Association. In 1866 he was presented by the members of Toledo Lodge, No. 144, with a beautiful gold watch, as a testimonial of appreciation of his services to the Lodge. For many years Mr. Newcomb was connected with the Congregational, and afterwards with the Methodist Church ; but investigation and care- ful reflection have drawn him to the Spiritual- istie faith. His influence has always been on the side of the right, in whatever cause. He was married May 14, 1848, with Susannah Horner, of Toledo. Five children have been born to them, of whom but two are living- Rosanna, born in 1849, widow of the late Dr. Wm. Douglass, and George H., born in 1851, now Cashier for the Michigan Central Town House at Toledo.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 75

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