USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Memoirs of Lucas County and the City of Toledo > Part 8
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nois, Freeport and Quincy; in Nebraska, Beatrice, Omaha, and Plattsmouth ; in New York, Dunkirk; in New Jersey, Atlantic City ; in Georgia, Savannah; in Louisiana, New Orleans; in Texas, Dallas and Galveston ; and in South Dakota, Fort Meade and Sturgis. At each of these places the water works systems were designed, con- structed or re-constructed by Mr. Cook, and each plant cost from $15,000 to $1,500,000. The plant at Galveston, Tex., stood through the flood of the great storm of 1901 and saved the lives of thirty- four persons who sought refuge within its walls. That it weath- ered the elements is proof of the sagacity of the man who planned the structure. In addition to those mentioned and other water works plants-a total of sixty-three in all-Mr. Cook either de- signed or personally constructed sewerage systems in the following named cities : Toledo, Ohio, six systems, separate and combined; Marion, Ohio, four systems, separate and combined; Springfield, Ohio, one separate system; Galion, Ohio, one separate system; Hillsdale, Mich., one separate system; Wyandotte, Mich., one sep- arate system ; Jackson, Mich., one combined system; Mount Pleas- ant, Mich., one combined system; Emporia, Kan., one combined system; and at Jackson, Tenn., one combined system. He was continually being consulted by cities and individuals who were eager to have the benefit of his wide experience in such works. But it was to his beloved Toledo that his mind went forth in the closing years of his life, and the last production of his fertile brain was a well matured plan to settle once and for all time the water supply question of the city. His plan was in many respects rad- ically different from anything before suggested in connection with the troublesome question which has so often been before the water works board and the people of Toledo. It contemplated bringing the water for the city's use from the lake, the intake being some distance below Cedar Point, and there were to be two immense mains extending from near the same point toward the city. Two routes were suggested for reaching the stand-pipe after entering the city, one being by crossing the river well up toward where the station is located, and the other by crossing near Ironville. Mr. Cook estimated that his plan would provide 75,000,000 of gallons of water daily, and the estimated cost of the project was placed at
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$1,000,000. The plan had the merit of suggesting a source of sup- ply which is practically inexhaustible, and the further inducement that, when obtained, it would be pure, clear lake water. Mr. Cook was satisfied, from an examination of the intake location and from government charts, that the water obtained by the plan he pro- posed would be absolutely acceptable, but he did not live to give the project the benefit of his earnest support. He was called to the life eternal, Sept. 17, 1902, at the advanced age of seventy-two years. The funeral was held, Sept. 19, conducted by Toledo Com- mandery No. 7, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, the deceased having been a Thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Sanford L. Collins Lodge, Toledo Chapter, Toledo Council, and of Toledo Commandery, Knights Templars. Mr. Cook's was a notable career, honorably lived, and his death was universally lamented through- out the circle of his wide acquaintance. On Oct. 4, 1854, at Marion, Ind., occurred the marriage of Mr. Cook to Miss Eliza Jane Mc- Clure, daughter of Samuel McClure, one of the most prominent citizens of that place. Of this union there were born two children : Charles McClure Cook and Mrs. Nellie (Cook) Cubberley, both of whom are residents of Toledo. The latter is a graduate of the Imperial Conservatory of Music at Vienna, Austria, and is a mu- sician of great natural talent and high accomplishments. Charles McClure Cook, son of Josiah D. Cook, was born at Sturgis, Mich., Feb. 5, 1856, and was but five years of age when his parents moved to Toledo, where he attended the public schools and graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1873. He entered the service of the city, in the fall of the same year, as rod man in the engineering corps in the construction of the Toledo Water Works. He was advanced to the position of assistant engineer, in 1874, and con- tinued in the service of the board of water works until 1878. He was assistant engineer in the construction of the water works at Sandusky, Ohio, during a portion of this time, and, early in the summer of 1878, entered the service of the Pennsylvania company as inspector and assistant engineer. While thus engaged, he su- perintended the erection of the freight house and the replacement of the former wooden bridge with the present iron structure. In 1879, he superintended the construction of the passenger station
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and the passenger yards, as well as the replacement of the long trestle works on the easterly side of the river, this being accom- plished by an ingenious arrangement for dredging the river, which at that time was considered quite a novelty. He was then ap- pointed road master of the Toledo division, between Toledo and Mansfield, and later was advanced to the position of engineer of maintenance of way, in which position he continued until 1885. In this time he rebuilt a portion of the Union bridge, of which he was originally in charge in its construction, and which was owned by a subsidiary company composed of the Pennsylvania Railway Com- pany and the Wabash Railway Company. By reason of the con- struction of the various belt lines around the city, this bridge was long since abandoned and entirely removed from the river. In the spring of 1885, Mr. Cook was promoted to the position of engi- neer of maintenance of way of the Little Miami division of the Panhandle road, with headquarters at Cincinnati, and he continued in that position until the fall of the same year, when ill health compelled him to ask for a leave of absence, and he visited Europe in search of health. On returning to America, thoroughly restored, in the summer of 1886, he was appointed chief engineer of main- tenance of way of the entire Norfolk & Western system, with head- quarters at Roanoke, Va., but this position he resigned, in 1888, to become engineer of maintenance of way of the Buffalo, Roches- ter & Pittsburg railroad, with headquarters at Buffalo. While serving in this position he was slated for chief engineer of the system, but within a month of the time the appointment was to have been made there was a change in the ownership of the road and hence the appointment was not made. He resigned his posi- tion with the road, in 1893, to engage in commercial business in Buffalo, in connection with manufacturing in Pennsylvania, and, in 1897, he became district manager of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, for the Northern district of New York. Later he was made associate general agent of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York, in which position he continued until compelled to return to Toledo, in the spring of 1902, by reason of the illness of his father, which resulted in death in September of that year. Mr. Cook became actively engaged in managing the
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affairs of his father's estate, as well as in the handling of his mother's property in Central Indiana, and has since erected three flat buildings in Toledo as well as two structures of the same kind and a commercial building in Marion, Indiana, together with large barns and other buildings on the Cook farm in that State. Having accomplished all of this to his satisfaction, Mr. Cook engaged in the bond business, in 1908, becoming associated with the large and extensive house of J. S. & W. S. Kuhn, Inc., of Pittsburg, Pa., as special representative in Ohio.
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HUDSON FITCH
Hudson Fitch, of Toledo, familiarly known as "Colonel" Fitch, traffic manager of the Toledo & Ohio Central and the Zanesville & Western railroads, was born at Olmsted Falls, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1846. His parents, Smith W. and Maria S. (Fitch) Fitch, were first cousins and were descendants of some of the first families that settled in the Western Reserve. About 1830 four brothers named Fitch came from Connecticut and settled in that part of Ohio known as the Western Reserve, which was at that time a wilderness. Colonel Fitch can trace his ancestry back in an unbroken line to the year 1636, when some of the Fitch family came from England and settled in Connecticut, the last Royal governor of that colony having been a Fitch. Hudson Fitch was educated in the public schools of his native county. On Dec. 28, 1863, he enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and Twenty- fifth Ohio infantry, and although less than eighteen years of age, was soon afterward made sergeant. His faithful performance of duty led to his promotion to the rank of first sergeant and finally to second lieutenant. He followed the fortunes of his regiment in the Atlanta campaign until captured at Atlanta. After a short time as a prisoner of war, at Andersonville and in other prisons, he was exchanged, rejoined his regiment and was mustered out at Camp Irwin, Texas, in September, 1865. That he was a good sol- dier is evidenced by his promotions, and he commemorates his military service by membership in Volunteer Post, Grand Army of the Republic, of Toledo. Prior to the war, Mr. Fitch had begun his business career as a clerk and bookkeeper in a general store, and after being mustered out of the army he again engaged in that occupation. In 1875, he entered the general offices of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad at Cleveland as a clerk, and remained with that company until in October, 1880, when he became associated with the Toledo & Ohio Central. In January, 1881, when the headquarters of the Ohio Central were removed from Columbus
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to Toledo, he became a resident of the latter city. In railroad work, as in his military service, Colonel Fitch's conduct has been characterized by an intelligent and conscientious discharge of the duties assigned him, and his fidelity and energy have been rewarded by successive promotions to better positions and salaries, until he now holds the important office of traffic manager, as above stated. On all questions relating to national policies, he affiliates with the Republican party, but in local affairs he is broad-minded enough to rise above mere party considerations and vote for the man he deems best fitted for the office. This independence of thought and action marks the highest type of American citizenship, of which Colonel Fitch is a worthy example. He is a member of Rubicon Lodge, Free & Accepted Masons, and is a Thirty-second degree member of the Scottish Rite Consistory. He also belongs to the Business Men's Club and the Country Club, of Toledo, and in all the societies with which he is associated he is regarded as a useful member. It has been said that every man has a hobby, and Colonel Fitch's hobby is outdoor sports, particularly horseback riding. He keeps a fine saddle horse, and derives great pleasure from his rides about the city. His vacations are chiefly spent in the West, where he enjoys riding about with the cowboys, sleeping with them on the ground at night and otherwise roughing it, returning to his work with new vigor. Notwithstanding he has passed the age of three score years, he is still hale and hearty, nearly six feet tall, of splendid physique and commanding appearance, and there is no doubt that his well preserved manhood is due in a great measure to his out- door exercise. On Nov. 11, 1868, Colonel Fitch led to the altar Miss Mary Odell, a native of Twinsburg, Summit county, Ohio, though the greater part of her early life was passed in the city of Cleveland, where she was educated, and where she and her husband were married. Colonel and Mrs. Fitch reside at the Monti- cello, one of the best family hotels in Toledo, located at the corner of Michigan and Monroe streets, and both have a host of friends among the best people of the city.
Hillard Eller,
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WILLARD EZRA ALLEN
Willard Ezra Allen merits recognition in this compilation by reason of his standing as one of the successful representatives of the manufacturing interests of the city of Toledo, as well as for the reason that he is a citizen of sterling worth and one who enjoys uniform popularity in the community which is his home. Mr. Allen is a native of the neighboring Ohio county of Lorain, where he was born on a farm, in what was then called Camden, but now Kipton, Aug. 15, 1860; and he is a son of Charles Willard and Ruth E. (Beach) Allen, the former of whom was born Oct. 18, 1835, near Brockport, N. Y., and the latter July 12, 1837, in Auburn, N. Y. Both families were early founded in America, the paternal in New England, which was the generous and beneficent cradle of much of our national history, and the maternal in New Jersey, the citizenship of which State has exercised a wholesome influence in the affairs of our common country. The first Ameri- can ancestor of this immediate branch of the Allen family was one William Allen, who emigrated from England in 1635, and settled at Salisbury, in the county of Norfolk, Massachusetts. One of his descendants was Ezra S. Allen, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this review. Ezra S. Allen was born near Brock- port, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1812, and devoted the greater part of his comparatively short life to agricultural pursuits. In 1836 he removed to Lorain county, Ohio, and settled on the farm which is still known as the "Old Allen Homestead," and there he suc- cumbed to the grim reaper, March 18, 1841, at the early age of twenty-nine years. The maternal great-grandfather of Willard E. Allen was Benjamin Beach, who married Jane Allen, daughter of Capt. Job Allen, a well-known military and political leader of the early days in New Jersey. Benjamin Beach operated iron mills and mines during the Revolutionary period at various places in New Jersey, and he maintained one of his forges at Valley Forge, in Pennsylvania, where Washington and his army were encamped
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during the dreary winter of 1777-78. Ralph Beach, who is asso- ciated with Thomas A. Edison, at West Orange, N. J., in the construction of the new Edison electric street car, has in his pos- session a cannon ball that was cast at Valley Forge by his ancestor, Benjamin Beach. The maternal grandfather of Mr. Allen, whose name was also Benjamin Beach, was born at Rockaway, N. J., Dec. 11, 1771, and in his youth became an iron worker, being con- nected with his father's interests in the iron mines of New Jersey, which are still owned by members of the Beach family. Later he removed to the vicinity of Plattsburgh, N. Y., where he met and married his third wife, Mary Holcomb, whose father and brothers were active in the War of 1812. He followed agricul- tural pursuits there for a time, and then moved to the vicinity of Auburn, N. Y., where he died Oct. 1, 1838. Charles Willard Allen, the son of Ezra S. Allen and the father of Willard E., was less than a year old when his parents removed from the Empire State to their new home in Lorain county, Ohio, and there he grew to manhood, early devoting his attention to the basic industry of agriculture, to which he maintained an unswerving allegiance throughout the greater part of his active career. He received his rudimentary education in the district schools of the neighborhood in which he lived, and finished with a course at Oberlin (Ohio) College. He then remained for some time upon the home farm, after which he entered the employ of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company and assisted in the construction of the first railroad bridge across the Maumee river at Toledo. Again returning to the old homestead in Lorain county, he was there engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1874, when he removed to Monroe county, Michigan, and purchased a farm in Erie township. To the improvement and cultivation of this landed possession he continued to give his attention until 1907, when he practically retired from active participation in affairs and took up his resi- dence in the city of Toledo. One year later he removed to Oberlin, Ohio, but in 1909 returned to Toledo, where he now maintains his home. He is a man of sterling character, strong both phys- ically and mentally, despite his advanced age, and upon the record of his long career as one of the world's noble army of workers
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there rests no blemish. His life has been one of consecutive indus- try, and he gained success through his own well-directed efforts. He is a Republican in his political proclivities, and has been active in promoting the interests of that party, casting his first vote for Gen. John C. Fremont for President, and he and his good wife have been life-long members of the Baptist church. On Nov. 3, 1858, he was happily married to Miss Ruth E. Beach, who, after a period of fifty-two years of wedded bliss, in the evening of life is enjoying with him the fruits. of their combined efforts and industry. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Mary (Holcomb) Beach, and is the youngest of twenty-four children born of the three marriages of her father. Her early education was secured in the district schools, and after attending the Auburn (N. Y.) Seminary she became a teacher at the age of fifteen. Later she entered Oberlin College, where she completed her education. At the age of seventy-three years she is in the enjoyment of excellent health, and she is the only survivor but one of her father's numer- ous family. The mother of the late Hon. Charles P. Griffin, who so long represented Lucas county in the Ohio legislature, was a sister of Mrs. Allen. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Allen there were born six children, of whom the following specific mention is appropriately made in this connection: Willard E. is he to whom this review is more particularly dedicated; Rufus W. is a partner in the firm of Granger & Allen at Oberlin, Ohio; Marietta is the widow of Fred E. McCaskey and resides at Toledo; Theodore B. is the senior member of the firm of T. B. Allen & Co., oil producers, of Toledo; Laura B. is the wife of Wallace Wash- burn, of Syracuse, N. Y., and Charles J. resides in Toledo.
Willard Ezra Allen, whose name initiates this biographical review, secured his early educational training in the district schools of Lorain county, Ohio, which he attended from the age of six to fourteen, when his parents removed to Monroe county, Michi- gan. From then until his nineteenth year he contributed his quota to the work of the home farm, increasing his services as his ability and physical powers justified, and in the meantime tak- ing up and continuing various studies, preparatory to teaching. At the age of nineteen he secured his first school-a four months'
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winter term, at a monthly stipend of $18. The school was located in Bedford township, Monroe county, four miles from his home, and he walked that distance twice daily during the continuance of the term. The following summer he taught another term in Erie township, and in these pedagogic endeavors he earned the first money that enabled him to enter Hillsdale Col- lege, at Hillsdale, Mich. He matriculated in this institution of learning in September, 1880, and after completing the fall term he again resumed teaching, taking charge of the same school in which he had labored the previous winter, and at a salary increased to $24 per month. In addition to his work as teacher he continued his college studies during the winter months and re-entered col- lege for the spring term of 1881, successfully passing the final examination for the year with his class. He was chosen president of the Freshman class near the close of his first year in college, and in 1883 he entered the Junior Oratorical Prize contest of the Alpha Kappa Phi Society for what was then known as the Melendy Prize. He selected as the subject for his oration, "Poetry Among the Arts," and at the end of the contest he was awarded the honors of the occasion. Up to the time of completing his college work the vacation periods were devoted by Mr. Allen to the agency business, beginning in the summer of 1881 with a pocket dic- tionary as the article for sale. He succeeded in disposing of a copy to the first customer called upon, and although a profit of but one cent was realized from the transaction at the close of the first day's work his profit on sales made amounted to nearly one dollar. In four days the little city of Hudson, Mich., had been thoroughly canvassed and a net profit of $15 had been accrued by the ambitious and energetic salesman. From that time on, book selling and other agency work, pursued during the college vaca- tions, became the source of sufficient revenue to enable Mr. Allen to pursue his course of study. In 1884 he entered the subscrip- tion book publishing field, opening his first office at Hillsdale, Mich., and among other books which he published was one entitled "Anecdotes of the Rebellion," of which more than 30,000 copies were sold. In 1890 he became associated with George F. Cram, the map and atlas publisher of Chicago, the style of the firm
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becoming "The Cram-Allen Publishing Company," with offices located in the Illinois metropolis. In 1893 Mr. Allen severed his connection with this publishing company to accept an appoint- ment by Governor Altgeld as special Illinois representative to the International Irrigation Congress which convened at Los Angeles, Cal., in October of that year. He was chosen as a member of the National Executive Committee on Irrigation and served in that capacity for the period of one year. In the spring of 1894 he organized the Morning Daily News Company at Los Angeles, Cal., and began the publication of a paper which later became the official organ of the People's Party in Southern California. He disposed of his interest in this newspaper in 1895 and returned to his former home, where he spent the ensuing three years in developing certain inventions. In 1898 these inventions formed the basis for the organization of the Allen Manufacturing Com- pany of Toledo, which was incorporated in 1901 under the laws of the State of Ohio, with Fred E. McCaskey as president, and Willard E. Allen as secretary and treasurer. This company has for years manufactured a number of specialties, the most impor- tant of which is the Allen Bath Apparatus. After the death of Mr. McCaskey, in 1905, Mr. Allen became the sole proprietor of the concern, and has continued as such up to the present time. He is also interested in several other establishments in Toledo, as well as being the owner of valuable real estate interests in the city. It will be seen from the foregoing that Mr. Allen's career has been an exceedingly active one, and the success that has attended his efforts has been due solely to his native ability and energy. He has gained a high standing in his home city as a man of large affairs, and is identified with various organizations, such as the Business Men's Club, the Chamber of Commerce and the Toledo Credit Men's Association. Fraternally he ranks high in the Masonic order. He became a Master Mason Oct. 5, 1885, and at the present time is a member of Rubicon Lodge, No. 237; Fort Meigs Chapter, No. 29; Toledo Council, No. 33; Toledo Com- mandery, No. 7; the Miami Lodge of Perfection; Northern Light Council, Princes of Jerusalem ; Fort Industry Chapter, Rose Croix H. R. D. M .; Toledo Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal
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Secret, and of the Ancient Arabic Order, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Zenobia Temple. He is also a member of the auxiliary Order of the Eastern Star. He has membership in the Sons of the American Revolution; the oratorical society, Alpha Kappa Phi, of which he is an alumnus, and of the Greek letter fraternity, Phi Delta Theta, Michigan Gamma. He is a member of the Toledo Yacht Club, and his interest in the beautiful and artistic is shown by a liberal support given to the Toledo Museum of Art. In politics he gives a consistent support to the men and measures of the Republican party, but has never been an aspirant for public office, as his business interests demand all of his attention. The religious faith of himself and wife is expressed by membership in the Ashland Avenue Baptist Church, of Toledo, where they are regular attendants. Mr. Allen is a very pleasant and affable man, perhaps a little brusk in business intercourse, but beneath the exterior are to be found all the attributes of the true gentleman, faithfulness to his friends being a prominent characteristic. He is one of the popular citizens of Toledo, where his circle of friends is only circumscribed by the list of his acquaintances. One of the busiest of the busy men of the city, when the hour comes for closing his office he lays aside his business cares and in the privacy of his home thoroughly enjoys the companionship of his wife and children, to whom he is exceedingly devoted. On Nov. 3, 1900, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Augusta L. Sutton, widow of the late Isaac Sutton, of Toledo, Ohio. To her first marriage were born two sons-Raymond Alden and Samuel Wayne. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Allen have been born three children, as follows: Frederick Willard, born Jan. 21, 1902; Ruth Etta, born Jan. 26, 1904; Sterling Ezra, born Oct. 26, 1906, died Feb. 24, 1910. The family home, one of the most beautiful residences in the city, is located at Collingwood Villa, 3015 Col- lingwood avenue, Toledo, Ohio, and is the center of gracious hos- pitality.
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