History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 91

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 91

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).

Pork

38,658

118

Spirits, casks

21,934

Ashes, pots and pearls bbls

4,847

126

176

Lumber, Black Wal- nut, feet

_2,134,073

38,000

Staves, No

2,504,804

Merchandise, lbs.

403,513

Butter, kegs

3,119

163

Eggs, bbls

568

Wool, bal es.

2,839

Total value exports __ $7,915,344

$30,557

$41,055

IMPORTS.

Tolcdo.

Maumee.

Perrysburg.

Merchandise, tons

23,260

pkgs 210

tons 276

Barley, bus

27,505

Beer and ale, bbls

1,554

136

White Fish and Trout_

10,499

225

285

Salt

102,032

125

Salt, bags

79,080

Lumber, feet

11,837.747

58,000

Shingles, No

6,277,000

Lath

2,569,715

52,000

Total value imports $23,034,367

$16,207

$264,755

Total exports for District, value.

$7,986,866

imports

23,315,677

Aggregate commerce.

$31,302,533

The totals of arrivals and departures of ves- sels at Maumee for 1851, were :

Arrivals, 32; departures, 30; tonnage, 9,443. At Perrysburg-Arrivals, 75; tons, 15,434; departures, 75; tons, 15,434.

Eggs, per dozen

15 00

50 00

Sheep, per head

Cour Tisp

4724

COMMERCE AND TRADERS.

HORACE S. WALBRIDGE was born July 21, 1828, at Syracuse, New York. He is a son of Chester and Mary Walbridge. In 1831, the family removed to Columbus, Ohio, where, as partner in the firm of Bond & Walbridge, the father engaged in mercantile trade. Two years later he made his bome and that of his family-consisting of Mrs. Walbridge and three sons (Iliram, Horace S. and Heman D.)-at what then became the Town of Toledo, where he became interested in real estate. The edu- cational privileges of the place were then meagre enough, at best, but even these were not long enjoyed by Horace, who at the age of 12 years began his business life as clerk for Stephen Marsh, a pioneer merchant in a small way. Soon thereafter he was engaged in like service for Charles G. MeKnight, remaining with him for 18 months. When 14 years old, be went to Palmyra, Michigan, as clerk in the store of Walter A. Titus & Co. In the Winter of 1845-6 he superintended the construction of a Saw-Mill at Ottawa Lake, Michigan, which was designed largely for sawing material for the track of the old Erie and Kalamazoo Rail- road. In the Spring of 1846, he took by Canal to Cincinnati a stock of straw hats, gathered by himself from the French at Bay Settlement, Monroe County, Michigan. Soon returning, he entered the service of Thomas Watkins, then a Forwarding and Commission Merebant at Toledo. While there, and during the grain speculation largely growing out of the Irish potato famine of 1846-7, he was made bearer of special market news to the agent of the house at Adrian, Michigan, when, on horseback, he made the distance (33 miles) in four hours. Mr. Watkins died in August, 1852, when Mr. Walbridge took charge of the business of P. Buckingham & Co .. at Toledo, and the follow- ing Winter traveled largely along the line of the Wabash and Erie Canals, during which time he invested $1,500,000, mainly in bread- stuffs and hog products, one-half of the amount of the currency being forwarded to him by mail from Eastern Banks, without loss. He then was on a salary of $1,000 per year. At the end of the year, he became a member of the firm, continuing as such until its close, February 1, 1857, when it was succeeded by the Commission House of Brown, Walbridge & King (his partners being the late Matthew Brown and Frank J. King). Subsequently the business was taken by Brown, Walbridge & Co., and afterwards by H. S. Walbridge & Co., (Ebenezer Wałbridge a partner), which firm terminated in the Spring of 1868. From the ontset, this house was among the strongest and most successful at Toledo, ever bearing high reputation. In 1865, the house of Wal- bridge, Watkins & Co. was established at Chi- cago, and terminated when the senior partner withdrew from trade at Toledo, and directed his attention to other matters, including real

estate. In 1869, Mr. Walbridge was appointed one of the Trustees, under the Ferguson Bill, in the construction by the City of Toledo of the Toledo and Woodville Railroad, of which Board he was President for five years, and dur- ing the building of that line. Mr. Walbridge has tor 20 years been prominently identified with the Banking interests of Toledo. He was Presi- dlent of the Northwestern Savings Bank during its operation ; was one of the first Directors at the organization of the Second and of the Northern National Bank, of each of which for some time he was a Director; is now and for many years has been Vice President of the Toledo National Bank. He was one of the three Toledo citizens, who, with seven other parties, secured the construction of the Colum- bus and Toledo Railroad ; and was one of five by whose action, largely, Detroit and Toledo con- uection with the Canada Southern Railway was made. Mr. Walbridge has long been reeog- nized among the more enterprising and liberal citizens in the promotion of the manufacturing interests of Toledo. In 1868, with Matthew Shoemaker, he was active in establishing the Union Manufacturing Company, one of the most prosperous industrial enterprises in the City. Of the Maumee Rolling Mill, com- menced in 1882, and completed in November, 1884, he was a leading stockholder and man- ager. From the date last named, as the result of extreme depression in the Iron trade, the operation of this Mill was suspended, and it was burned April 9, 1887. It was rebuilt of iron the same year, and supplied with natural gas as fuel, resumed operations in February, 1888, giving employment to 500 men. Vari- ous other industrial enterprises have been pro- moted by Mr. Walbridge's aid. For many years he has been largely interested in real estate, dealing in much of the most valuable property in the City, including Englewood Addition, in the Eighth Ward. Through his efforts chiefly, the superior burying-place, Woodlawn Cemetery, adjoining the City, was provided. Politically he has been a Repub- lican since the organization of that party. He has held no political office, though frequently serving in local positions. For several years he was a member of the Toledo City Council, and is now, under appointment by the Gov- ernor, a member of the Toledo Board of Elec- tion. He was President of the Lincoln Club of Toledo in 1864, and of the Grant Club in 1868; was the Republican candidate for State Sena- tor in 1879. In consequence of a Democratic majority in the District he was not elected, though he ran over 1,000 ahead of the Repub- lican ticket in Lucas County. It is proper here to state, that ample ground for contest was furnished him, through the illegal style of ballots used by the Democrats in Henry County at that election; but accepting the result as the will of the voters, he declined to

472%

. HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

dispute it, and his opponent took his seat. But for bis positive declination, no doubt Mr. Wal- bridge would have been elected to Congress in 1850. Probably no citizen of Toledo has been longer or more usefully identified with the religions, moral and benevolem work of the City. than has Mr. Walbridge. For 30 years past a Vestryman of Tririty Protestant Episco- pal Church, he has contributed largely to its prosperity, and to that of other Churches of that and other connections. As an officer and liberal supporter, he was prominent in the organization and success of the Protestant Orphans' Home. the Home for Friendless Women and the Protestant Hospital. He was President of the Toledo Society for the Sup- pression of Vice; and has been ready with means for whatever cause promised the moral or material welfare of his fellow-citizens, irre- spective of sect. creed or party. Mr. Walbridge was married with Miss Isabella D. Watkins, at New Bedford, Massachusetts, October 18, 185-4. They have had five children, of whom three are now living-Thomas H., of the firm of H. S. Walbridge & Co., Dealers in Real Estate; Mrs. N. Grace, wife of Arthur J. Secor ; and Miss Mary D., all of Toledo.

DENISON BILLINGS SMITH was born at Stonington, New London County, Connectient, October 17, 1817. During that year his par- ents removed to Stockbridge, Massachusetts. At the age of 13 years, the son left home for employment in the store of his eldest brother, and Dean Richmond, at Salina (now Syracuse), New York. Remaining there until March, 1836, he left for the Maumee Valley, reaching Per- rysburg April 15th, where he engaged as clerk with the same brother and John Hollister, and continued as such until June. 1838. He then engaged in business for himself, at Miami, or Lower Maumee. It was a small forwarding business, to both the East and the West, and also in furnishing supplies to contractors in the construction of the Canal. He continued this business until 1841, when he formed a co- partnership with George S. Hazard, now of Buffalo. The new firm added to the old busi- ness that of Wholesale trade in iron, glass and tobacco from Pittsburg, and in grain from farmers. In 1844, the year after the comple- tion of the Wabash Canal, it becoming evident that itstraffic would meet that of the Lake at Toledo, Mr. Smith moved to that place. He then purchased one-half interest in a line of Canal Boats, which had been sent here from the Erie Canal, by Bronson & Crocker, of Oswego. The business of Mr. Smith then be- came that of Transportation and Grain Com- mission, which was materially inereased in 1845 by the completion of the Miami and Erie Canal to Cincinnati. The line of purchased Boats was added to by purchase and construc- tion of others, until it furnished facilities not

possessed by any other of that day. It was run in connection with Steamers and Vessels to Buffalo, and with Vessels to Oswego. The marters first occupied in Toledo by Mr. Smith, consisted of what for many years has been known as the "Old Red Warehouse," yet standing on Southwest corner of Monroe and Water Streets, built by Richard Mott, in 1840. The next location was the "Daniels Ware- house," Southwest corner of Jefferson and Water Streets. In the Winter of 1845-6, Charles Butler, of New York, built for Mr. Smith at the foot of Cherry Street (Southwest side), a Warehouse of greatly increased capac- ity, and with facilities for handling grain of marked improvement on anything theretofore known in the West. The business of the Canals, as of Toledo, rapidly increased. In 1849, the first Board of Trade was organized. This was done in the office of an Elevator, built by General Joseph W. and Egbert B. Brown, on the present site of King's Elevators, at the foot of Madison Street (East side). Of this Board Mr. Smith was chosen President, and Matthew Brown Vice President. Since 1844-now 44 years-Mr. Smith has been identified with the commerce of Toledo, and is the oldest living representative of its early and later progress. Itis safe to state that of all the hundreds of his business associations for that long period no one has in more eminent degree commanded and retained the confidence and es- teem of acquaintances, than has he ; while no one has been more enterprising or more unstinted in the employment of time and means for the advancement of the commercial interests of the City. In September, 1877, he was elected Sec- retary of the Toledo Produce Exchange. and bas since held that position, to the full satisfac- tion of that body. As Secretary of the Board, he has prepared a daily Circular or Prices Current, which, from the first, has in high de- gree commanded the attention and confi- dence of dealers, at home and abroad, and is now largely accepted as authority in matters of current interest and of financial policy. Mr. Smith united with the Protestant Episco- pal Church, at Maumee, in 1842, being con- firmed in the Court House by Bishop Mellvaine, of the Ohio Diocese. Coming to Toledo in 1844, he was elected as Vestryman of Trinity Church at Easter meeting, 1845, and for most of the succeeding 43 years, he served as Ves- tryman and Senior Warden. It is safe to say, that no other member of that communion has been more sincerely or more actively devoted to the welfare of the Church, than has he. July 8, 1843, Mr. Smith was married with Mary Sophia, eldest daughter of General John E. Hunt, at Maumee, who died June 14, 1857. Of this union six children were born, of whom four are living. The second died in infancy, and the third (Rev. Frank Smith, of the Prot- estant Episcopal Church) died in 1879, aged

Sincerely

fonteously your

472.

COMMERCE AND TRADERS.

30 years. His living children are-Mary G .. wife of Ralph W. Baker ; Julia E .. wife of Geo. E. Welles; and Denison B., Jr., all now of Duluth, Minnesota ; and Virginia, wife of James Robison, of Wiehita, Kansas, January 29, 1862, Mr. Smith was married with Julia E. Hunt, sister of his first wife.

WILLIAM T. WALKER was born near the City of Dublin, Ireland, December 28. 1825, and is of English and Welsh ancestry. He was ed- ucated by private tutor until his 14th year, when he entered a wholesale Grocer and Wine Merchant's office in Carlow, as junior Clerk. Here so rapid was his promotion, that at the end of four years he had passed through the different grades of service and became Book- keeper. In 1845 the failing health of his father, then living at Athy. in the County of Kildare, necessitated his return home, where he re- mained until after his father's death in 1846, when heaccepted a Government position on the staff of the Government Engineering Depart- ment, established to furnish work for the relief of the people made destitute by the failure of the potato crop. In this connection he served as inspecting officer and surveyor of work done on the public works until the abandonment of the service in the Summer of 1847. In the Fall of that year, having been disappointed at not get- ting a position in the Army at home, he emi- grated to the United States. At that period the Mexican War had attractions for him, and lie accordingly enlisted in the Second New York Volunteer Infantry, and some time after- wards was ordered to Vera Cruz, Mexico, with a detachment ofrecruits. Instead of the service

he expected to participate in on the field, he was detained with others at Vera Cruz, as a clerk in the Surgeon General's office there. much to his discomfiture. He served during the War and in July, 1848, returned to the United States with the last detachment of the Regiment, and was mustered ont the 31st day of the same month, and soon thereafter sailed for England, where he passed the Winter of 1848-9. In the Fall of 1849 he returned to the United States, and soon after his arrival became foreman on the Public Works at Buf- falo. He subsequently became connected with the New York and Erie, Erie and State Line, the Buffalo and State Line, and the Buffalo and Canandaigua Railroads, as Foreman or Clerk, and on the latter as Manager.

In 1853 he became Book-keeper for the house of Chamberlain & Crawford, Canal Line and Steamboat Agents, of Cleveland, in one of their branch establishments at Rochester, Pennsyl- vania, where he remained four years, part of the time as resident manager of their transpor- tation business. In 1857. at the urgent solici- tations of the senior member of the firm, who entertained the highest opinion of his ability and trustworthiness, he removed to Cleveland

to act as shipping agent of the firm. He re- mained in that office one year, when he received the appointment of agent of the Northern Transportation Company's line of Steamers at Toledo. Here his business ability and manage- ment soon built up an immense traffic for the line, and in the actual management of which he was identified until the company dissolved in 1880. In the meantime he established a Com- mission House in Toledo, with P. Chamberlain of Cleveland, and HI. 1. Hayes of Toledo, and up to 1886 had two or three other partners. Mr. Walker for many years has taken the warmest interest in Free Masonry. He first joined the order at Rochester, Pennsylvania. in 1853, being made a Master Mason in Rochester Lodge, No. 229; a Royal Arch Mason in Fort Meigs Chapter (Toledo). No. 29, and a Royal and Select Master in Toledo Council, No. 33. Ile is also a Knight Templar in Toledo Com- mandery, No. 7, one of the largest Masonie bodies of the grade in the State, of which he has been for two years Eminent Com- mander; also a member of the bodies at Toledo, and the Ohio Consistory at Cincin- nati of the "Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masous." As a Mason he has held office in one grade of each and every Masonic body but one in the City of Toledo-the high- est in the gift of the Commandery K. T .. and is now the second highest in the Grand Command- ery of K. T. of Ohio : and has been for years the representative of the Grand Commandery of the State of New Jersey to the Grand Com- mandery of Ohio, is now also G. Sec. of A. A. Rite in Toledo. For many years he has been an active member of the Masonic Relief Asso- ciation of Northwestern Ohio, of which he has been Director and Vice President, and is now President. In Masonry he has attained the 32d degree.

Mr. Walker is a progressive, public spirited man, and is and has been prominently identified with many local institutions-a Director for many years and in 1879 and in 1884 President of the Produce Exchange ; one of the origina- tors and a Director of the Toledo Soldiers' Me- morial Association, has been its President for two years and in which he now holds the office of Treasurer ; has been a Director for many years of the Toledo Fire and Marine Insurance Com- pany ; helped to organize the American District Telegraph Company, and has for years been a Director and Vice President ; and is now Secre- tary of Masonic Temple Association, an organi- zation which purchased the ground and erected the present Masonic Temple on corner of Supe- rior and Adams Streets; is now Vice President of the Ohio State Association of Mexican War Veterans; has been from the organization a Director of the Toledo, Columbus and Southern Railroad Company, and is now its Vice Pres- ident; and has been since 1884 a member of the Loyal Legion of the United States, Cincin-

47:21

HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.

nati, Ohio, Commandery, a membership of which he is especially proud. In all these varied and responsible positions he has ever been an active and positive force.

A Republican since the birth of that party, he has ever been a staunch believer and advoca- tor of the principles and doctrines of the party. He was first elected member of the Toledo Com- mon Council in 1875, and again in 1877; in 1880 was elected to the Board of Aldermen. He served as Vice President of the Council for two years, and as President of the Board of Alder- men one year. During his service in Council and as Alderman he was Chairman of the Committee on Ways and Means except one year. In 1886 he was appointed City Auditor and at present fills that office. His appointment was received with approval by the citizens of Toledo, who recognized in him a man eminently fitted for the position.

Mr. Walker was married to Julia Barrell, of Evans, New York, who died in 1870, leaving six children. Hle remarried in 1871 Rose Jen- nings, of Adrian, Michigan, to whom two sons and a daughter have been born.

SHELDON CLARK REYNOLDS, the youngest of ten children of Jesse and Sarah Sheldon Reynolds, was born in Essex County, New York, November 29. 1835. His father, a farmer by occupation, was born in Dutchess County, New York, September 15, 1793, and died December 10, 1853. He served during the War of 1812.15. Mr. Reynolds' mother was born September 6, 1794, and died July 20, 1851. The boyhood of the son was passed upon a farm, his educational advantages being limited to attendance at the District School. At the age of 14 he went to Bridge- port, Vermont, where for two years he resided with his sister. It was during this period that the principal portion of his School education was received. In the Winter he attended the Village Schools, while his spare time from labor during the Summer was devoted to studying under the direction of his sister. At the age of 16 he commenced his business career, by entering the employ of his brothers (W. R. and W. B. Reynolds), engaged in the general Dry Goods business at Jackson, Michi- gan. After three years of service, marked by economy and good management, he purchased the business interest of his brother W. R. Reynolds, and became a partner with his re- maining brother, under the firm name of W. B. & S. C. Reynolds. This relationship continued for one year, when W. B. sold his interest to W. R., and the firm became known as W. R. & S. C. Reynolds. For the succeeding 14 years, the firm remained unchanged. The subject of this sketch during this period displayed those natural business traits, which since in a wider field of commercial activity have made him so successful. Year by year the extent of their

business transactions increased, which ex- tended beyond the line of their original en- terprise. During the latter years of this business in Jackson, the yearly transactions of the firm reached a sum above half a mil- liou dollars. In 1869, W. R. and S. C. Rey- nolds disposed of their business interests in Jackson, and in the same year W. R., W. B. and S. C. Reynolds purchased the Armada Flouring Mills in Toledo, and commenced the manufacture of Flour under the firm name of Reynolds Brothers. At this date the subject of this sketch removed his family to Toledo, and took full charge and management of the Mills. No change occurred in the personnel of the firm until 1872, when W. B. Reynolds sold his interest to his remaining brothers. From the time the Reynolds Brothers took control of the Armada Mills until they disposed of it in 1875, the venture was a complete snecess. Previous to their proprietorship, the largest yearly product had not exceeded 20,000 bar- rels ; while under the personal supervision of Mr. Reynolds it reached over 100,000 barrels. In 1875 Reynolds Brothers sold this Mill property, at which date S. C. Reynolds em- barked in the Grain Commission trade, a business in which he has become so well known in the commercial world by his extensive operations. Associated with him at the com- mencement of this venture, was Charles L., a son of W. R. Reynolds. Later on Mr. Rey- nolds' son, Fred J., and J. H. Bowman were added to the firm. Mr. Reynolds has been since the formation of the house virtually sole manager and conductor of its business. In 1875 2,000 car-loads of grain were handled by the firm, while in 1885, it reached the amount of 85,000 car-loads-a larger quantity, as believed, than was handled by any other man or firm in the United States. Mr. Reynolds was the first Grain Merchant to bring grain to Toledo from West of the Mississippi and Mis- souri rivers. He is a member and the largest stockholder of the Produee Exchange, and was among the first to start the movement which resulted in the erection of the Produce Ex- change building. one of the finest stuctures in the City. In politics Mr. Reynolds is a Demo- erat, but has never taken much interest in political affairs. Until recently Mr. Reynolds had taken comparatively no relaxation from his engrossing business duties; but in 1884, the state of his health indueed him to take an extended Ocean voyage. He returned greatly benefited by the trip, and has since purchased a fine Steam Yacht, named the Sigma, an oc- casional trip in which forms his principal recreation. Mr. Reynolds was married No- vember 16, 1856, to Martha A. Simpson, of Watertown, Wisconsin. Four children have been the issue of this marriage, of whom but one son, Fred. J., born August 25, 1857, is now living, the others having died in infancy.

473

COMMERCE AND TRADERS.

The following table gives the Lake shipments from Toledo of the articles named, during the years 1840, 1841, 1842 and 1843, to wit :

1840.

1841.

1812.

18-13.

Wheat, bus

85,000

127,898

116,730

187,860

Flour, bbls

51,000

45,784

37,280

59,368

Pork,

1,200

7,063

8,445

1,901

Ashes, casks

600

1,302

1,672

2,786

Value exports.

$381,000

$521,000

$358,000 $665,000

Salt (imported), bbls

11,000

17,000

24,000

35,000

The following table shows the shipments of the articles named at Toledo, Sandusky, Cleve- land and Chicago for the year 1851 :

Toledo.

Sandusky.

Cleveland. Chicago.

Corn, bus

2,783,149

712,151

906,653 2,575,334

Wheat

1,639,744 1,800,397 2,141,943

293,149

Flour, bbls.

245,233

147,951

656,040

41,539

Pork

42,356

5,564

13,580

16,407

Wheat and flour

bushels

2,868,909 2,540,152 5,432,143

500,844

Lard, bbls

27,165

766

4,314

4,468

Salt, bbls

102,032

37,263

92,270

87,052

Salt, bags

79,080

2,469

50,947

60,000

PRICES CURRENT.

As indicating something of the fluctuations in values which have attended the opening and progress of trade and improvement in Lucas County and the West, a few citations are here made of prices current at different dates.

The earliest list of prices current at hand is given in the Blade of May 16, 1837. It was " corrected weekly by Palmer, Bush & Co.," and was as follows :

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History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Part 91

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