USA > Ohio > Ohio early state and local history > Part 8
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covered wooden structure which lasted ten years, then burned, fire having caught from the burning carriage factory of Mr. Van Nest, which was situated where the Loomis foundry now stands. There was one objection to this bridge. It was very dark at night, so finally a lantern was hung at either end.
The third Washington street bridge was made of such mas- sive material that its own weight broke the whole structure down before it was used.
A wire suspension bridge was built in 1853, which finally gave way to the present structure in 1874.
*The present Perry street bridge was built in 1876; the pres- ent Market street bridge in 1883; the present Monroe street bridge in 1892; and the bridge near Riverview Park about 1890.
The Burial Grounds.
On the 19th of August, 1834, Cholera broke out in Tiffin and was confined to the town. Sixty-three died. During the whole time that it prevailed, the wind blew from the North; as soon as the wind changed, the fatality ceased. It was sup- posed to have been brought to New York by Irish immigrants. The old cemetery, now Hedges Park, is the last resting place of many of these victims; also of those who died during the second epidemic of the disease in 1849-1854. Some of the bodies were exhumed and buried elsewhere, but numbers of them remain under the beautiful sod and shrubbery of Hedges Park. This, however, was not the first cemetery in Tiffin. The first one passed away years ago. It lay on the east of Franklin street, near Hudson street. Several beautiful dwell- ings now grace the ground. At first it was an Indian burial ground, but some white people were also buried there. Mrs. Tabitha Stanley attended the first white funeral. The Indians stood around during the ceremony with their blankets drawn over their faces. George Park's wife, an aunt of C. C. Park, was buried in this cemetery.
Greenlawn Cemetery, is the present burying ground. It is a part of land originally purchased from the Government
* All six wagon bridges across the river in Tiffin were swept away during the great flood of March, 1913.
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by Daniel Dildine in 1824. In 1830 he sold his farm to Thomas Coe. Many will remember the beautiful spring at the foot of the hill on this farm. Until very recently it was covered with a white-washed milk house, and all visitors to the ceme- tery were welcome to quench their thirst. In the year 1860 a part of the Coe farm was sold for a cemetery, which has, since that time, been our principal burying ground. Another purchase, from Mr. Kegerreis, has been made recently by the Cemetery Association. This lies just east of the old part, across the road.
Stoner's Cemetery (now Fairmount) is about a mile north of Tiffin.
Duke's Cemetery, (now Pleasant Union) is a short distance south of Old Fort.
St. Joseph's Cemetery is on South Washington street.
St. Mary's Cemetery is on East Market street.
Culver Cemetery, on the old Culver place, contains an acre of ground willed by Benjamin Culver, to the public. At this writing (1912), the old burying ground can scarcely be found for weeds. The markers are all down and some broken. A Revolutionary Soldier, William Harris, lies buried at this place.
Location of the Parks.
Since Hedges Park has taken the place of the old cemetery, what a different view now meets the eye at this place. Instead of an entanglement of tall weeds, briers, and nettles, a mucky place with tombstones down, we now see green sod, beautiful flowers, and inviting path-ways, a suitable monument to that old pioneer, without whom there would probably have been no Tiffin. However, there are two buildings necessary to complete this memorial. The old building at the foot of Jef- ferson street, on the river bank, the first frame structure in Tiffin, the Hedges Court House, jail, church, hall, and what not-all in one, should find this park a last resting place, and grace these grounds to add a finishing touch to the Hedges Memorial. And, lest we forget the early silenced tread of those who have gone before, and to remind us of the purpose
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for which this land was designed, may we not use our influence to have another small building re-instated in this park? This building is the mausoleum of Dr. Eli Dresbach, who was buried in this cemetery. His body was removed to Greenlawn years ago, but the structure he requested built over his grave was left. One of the immediate residents, thinking the building abandoned, moved it into his back yard and used it for a smoke- house. The structure is small and now stands in the rear of Mr. Unser's yard, at the North-west corner of Tiffin and Schoenhart streets.
Besides Hedges Park, we now have Stalter Park, at the corner of Clinton and Ohio avenues;
Riverview Park; which is a part of the old Steiner place in the North-eastern part of the city; and
Meadowbrook Park, at Bascom, which is easily reached by the Interurban cars.
The Railroads.
In 1841 the first locomotive reached Tiffin over The Mad River & Lake Erie Railroad, now The "Big Four." This was the first railroad in the county. Tiffin has added two others since that time, The Pennsylvania in 1873, and The Baltimore & Ohio in 1874. Fostoria is more of a railroad center than Tiffin. Five railroads reach it: The Lake Erie & Western, The Baltimore & Ohio, The Nickel Plate, The Toledo & Ohio Central, and The Hocking Valley.
When the Nickel Plate was ushered in in 1880, a new town sprang up in the county. It was called New Town for a number of years, then assumed the name of "Old Fort," which is the more suitable one as it stands on ground once covered by Old Fort Seneca. The old town of "Fort Seneca" is situated two and one-half miles south-west of the fort.
Location of Banks.
The first bank was formed July 12, 1847, capital $50,000.00. On August 2 of the same year, the capital was increased to $100,000.00. Its building stood on the North-east corner of Washington and Perry streets, where The City National Bank
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now stands. Later, it occupied the site of the present Com- mercial National Bank, which is a continuation of the same.
We now have four other banks: The Tiffin National, South-east corner of Washington and Market streets; The Tiffin Savings Bank, South-east corner of Perry and the first alley East of Washington street; The City National Bank, North-east corner of Washington and Perry streets; and The Building & Loan, Market street, across from the Court House.
Hotels.
Erastus Bowe, you will remember, built the first tavern in Fort Ball. George Park was proprietor of the first tavern on the Tiffin side. It stood on the North-east corner of Wash- ington and Perry streets, where The City National Bank now stands, directly across from the Shawhan House. The building was a log structure, and the driver of the stage coach blew his horn before reaching the spot. There have been numerous hotels since that time but just a few prominent ones will be mentioned.
The next hotel of prominence was that built by John Goodin in 1831. This was considered a grand affair, had a large open fire place in the dining room, and a very pretentious porch extending from the second story over the street. The county commissioners had this porch removed, however, as it obstruct- ed the view of the stumps in the street and the woods beyond. It was a brick structure, and stood on the east side of Washing- ton street midway between Madison and Market (127 South Washington.)
About the same time, Calvin Bradley built the Central House, also brick, opposite the west end of the Court House, but changed the name to Washington House, in 1832. In 1836 he ventured farther and built a hotel in the woods. This building is still standing in its original form, and is occupied by E. W. Stephenson, (now the site for the new Post Office.) This was considered a very hazardous enterprise, for it was way off from the town. Standing at the corner of Madison and Washington streets one had to look through the woods to see it. Nothing abashed, he gave it the high-sounding name of
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Western Exchange, and in spite of the hill and hollow on either side, where vehicles got "stuck in the mud," it soon became a relay station and trade began to pick up. It was run as a hotel for a number of years. Josiah Hedges finally bought it for a home and lived there until he died. Now after the lapse of seventy-five years, the center of the city is practically there. It will soon be torn down and the new Federal building grace its site. Business blocks are already going up and after ten years, that will no doubt be the hub of the business district.
The principal hotels now are: Empire Hotel, 160-164 South Washington street; Morcher Hotel, 96-98 East Perry street; The Shawhan House, North west corner of Washington and Perry streets. The last named hotel was first built by a man by the name of Mason and called Eagle Hotel. When R. W. Shawhan bought it, he added another story and called it the Shawhan House. After his death Mrs. Shawhan erected this grand new structure on the same site to his memory.
Fire Department.
After the Court House burned in 1841, the people of Tiffin began to feel the need of fire protection. An engine house was eventually built on the Court House square, on the site of the old log jail. William H. Gibson was the leader of the first fire company, organized in 1845, and S. B. Sneath was his assistant. An Independent fire company was also organized in the 1850's. They bought a new hand power engine, the Adriatic, which was a great improvement over the hand power engines of the regular company. This Independent company rented the old frame building owned by John Searles, on the site of the present Post Office, next building west of the Metho- dist Protestant Church, and each year held a firemen's fair to raise funds necessary to meet expenses. About the year 1866 the old Adriatic was sold and a steam engine bought, funds being raised by subscription. Finally, the city bought this steam engine and the Independent company ceased to exist. The old engine may now be seen at Engine House, No. 1. It played an important part in the great fire of 1872, standing in the river and pumping for hours after the other engines
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broke down. After paying rent for the old frame building for some time, the city finally built an engine house for the Inde- pendent company, just where the power house now stands on the Court House square.
Other engine houses were stationed on Sandusky street, just south of Miami School; on Hudson street, just west of Loudenslager's mill (still standing); on the North side of Main street, opposite Schoenhart street; and on Melmore street, just west of The Tiffin Manufacturing Company. This last named building is still standing.
These small engine houses were later abandoned and a paid Fire Department organized by the city, with headquarters at No. 1, Engine House (N. E. corner of Market and Monroe streets). Just recently a fine new station has been established in Highland Addition, as a protection to the factory district.
The Press.
The first newspaper was The Seneca Patriot. The little hand press upon which it was printed was procured from J. P. McArdle, who claimed it was the first printing press in Ohio. This paper came out as circumstances would permit. Some times the editor was out of paper, sometimes out of ink. This press was brought from the East before 1800. It served in various places in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Ohio, and was brought to Tiffin in 1832 by E. Brown. Where is the old press now?
In its place we have three enterprising papers: "The Ad- vertiser" (Democratic), is a continuation of "The Seneca Pa- triot." "The Weekly News," now under the same manage- ment, occupies the room next west on Court street, both across from the power house on the Court-House Square. "The Tribune," (Republican) is located on the south side of Market street, midway between Washington and Monroe streets.
Three Residences of Public Interest.
We have avoided thus far writing any personal history, or laying stress on any private grounds. There are three resi- dences, however, which we may deem public enough to include
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in this narrative. They are those of Henry Colgate Brish, Dr. Jeremiah Chamberlin, and William Harvey Gibson.
Henry C. Brish and his wife arrived in Seneca county, in 1828, in a little covered carriage, one of the first that came. They brought with them the first piano and the first china. Mr. Brish was sub-agent for the Government in dealing with the Indians, and no doubt understood Indian life better than any other resident of Seneca county. He was the Indian's true friend, his home was always open to them. This friend- ship was appreciated, for when the Senecas sold their Reser- vation to the Government in 1831, at their own request a section was put into the Treaty giving to Gen. Brish a quarter-section of land in the Reservation. Mr. Brish selected his quarter- section and sold it, then bought the south-west half of section eighteen in Clinton Township. He cleared a part and moved onto it. He called it Rosewood, because Mrs. Brish raised rose bushes all around the house. Here they spent the rest of their days, and this house is one of the old land-marks. It is still standing in the original at the corner of Second and Grand avenues.
The other two residences grew historical just before and during the Civil War.
Dr. Jeremiah Chamberlin lived in a small house where Ursuline Convent now stands. It was home and office com- bined. He was very much interested in the work of rescuing the run-away slaves. The home of Dr. Chamberlin was one of the "Underground Railway Stations," where these slaves were secreted until an opportune time for passing them on to the North. The slaves were kept for several weeks until the excitement of their disappearance died away. Among these negroes were fine specimens of manhood. There were those, too, whose flesh had been lacerated to the bone. Stephen M. Ogden, United States Marshal lived just across the alley, now Tiffin street, at the time, but never suspected Dr. Chamberlin, so secretly was the work done (Mrs. Samuel Ink).
One has but to mention Springdale, to think of General Gibson, or to recall that this was the home of Ohio's Silver- Tongued Orator. It is now the residence of William Kildow,
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318 Sycamore street. It was called Springdale because of the beautiful spring at the foot of the hill. Civilization has con- taminated this spring, and its use has been abandoned. The Gibson house stands in its original form although many internal improvements and additions to the rear have been made.
General Gibson's last home, which contains the old Fort Ball spring, at the South-east corner of Lafayette (now North Monroe) and Water streets, is now occupied by Miss Dora Stahl, a maid in the Gibson home for many years. As a re- ward for her faithful service, the General bequeathed to her the use of this home during her lifetime. When the yard at the house was filled up and the river wall built, the little spring was covered, but tile had been placed to reach down to the clear cool water, and a pump placed there. The water from the spring is not used now because of contamination from some source.
In connection with General Gibson, we also remember "Camp Noble," on River street, about where B. F. Cockayne now lives, No. 208. From this place the famous 49th Regi- ment started for the war. On the Court House Square stands a beautiful memorial to this brave man. The bronze figure shows the "Silver Tongued Orator," for his influence was even greater in time of peace.
Conclusion.
When Seneca, the ninth county out of the fourteen from the land ceded by the Indians to the United States in February 1820, was formed, land sold for $1.25 per acre. Yet very little was entered by speculators so that the population of Seneca county, from the first, was of a permanent and industrious character. We shall conclude with Mr. Butterfield's conclu- sion in 1848:
"What then may not be anticipated from a county that has its whole surface covered with the richest soil? That has a climate temperate and healthy, and streams rapid and numer- ous? With so much intelligence, activity, and zeal among its farmers, mechanics, and merchants, with the few years that have passed as a precedent we may safely conclude that it
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will still continue to increase in population and wealth, ever ranking among the first with the counties that surround it, in all that appertains to greatness and importance. Such is the condition and such are the prospects of Seneca county."
How well Mr. Butterfield prophesied, the present and future generations may judge.
ARROW-POINTS IN SENECA COUNTY HISTORY.
On the original Culver place, now the Smith farm, about five and one-half miles north of Tiffin, just across the river from High Banks, stands the first frame house built in Seneca county.
The first teams driven along the Kilbourne Road, after it was surveyed, were those of Thomas Baker and Ezra Brown.
In 1855-1856, about 240 acres of land on the Melmore Road, two and one-half miles from Tiffin, were bought and improved by the county to be used as a County Infirmary.
An investment which proved to be a failure to the stock- holders, was the establishment of plank roads in 1869. One led from Lower Sandusky (Fremont) to Upper Sandusky, thence to Columbus; another, from Tiffin to Melmore; and another from Fremont to Fostoria. Heavy planks were laid side by side and toll gates were established. But the toll collected failed to keep up expenses of operating the roads. The planks began to rot and were finally piled in heaps and burned. Pike roads were then made.
The Clinton House was the first hotel of prominence in Fort Ball. It stood where The Holt House now stands, at the South-east corner of Sandusky and Adams streets.
The first drill-grounds and race-track were on the Spicer Place in the neighborhood of High Banks, six miles north of Tiffin. The second drill-grounds were located in Fort Ball, diagonally across from McNeal's corner. They extended from this point to the river and were inclosed by a rail fence. Here the raw militia, in working clothes, with sticks for guns, and Sidney See for leader, drilled during the 1860's. Before and
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during the Civil War, the soldiers drilled in the large tract of bottom land west of the Monroe Street School building.
As early as 1819, Paul Butler erected a mill where Spencer's mill stood later, on Water street. This was soon demolished by floods.
In 1822, Mr. Spink, of Wooster, opened the first store on the Tiffin side. Milton McNeal opened a store in Fort Ball in 1823.
The first tannery on the Tiffin side was started in 1827, where No. 1 Fire Department is now located (North-east corner of Market and Monroe streets).
In the early days, Johnson's ashery was on the South side of Perry street, near Rock Creek.
Stevens & Dildine established the first foundry. It stood west of the south end of the Monroe street bridge. They made a cannon for a Fourth-of-July celebration. In testing it, an explosion resulted in which the front of the building was demolished, one man killed, and several injured. This was the end of the foundry.
When the Land Office was brought to Tiffin, it was located in a two-story frame building, at the North-east corner of Washington and Perry streets.
The first Tiffin Post Office is still standing at No. East Market street. It originally stood on the west side of Washington street, just South of the corner of Washington and Perry streets. Mr. Plane was the first Postmaster, and he had to go over to Fort Ball in the dug-out for the mail; and he brought it home in his bandana handkerchief. The mail could not be brought across the river because there were no bridges.
When Hugh Welch moved to (now 594) South Washington street in the early days, he named the place "Sleepy Hollow." The original hollow is still in the yard, but the street has been graded and filled in.
The log jewelry store of Philip Seewald stood on South Washington street. The number of the building now occupy- ing the spot is No. 275.
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There formerly was a tannery on the north side of Market street, east of where Circular street meets Market, owned by Poorman & Miller.
In 1840 the nursery of John Pittenger stood where the Auditorium now stands on Market street.
In 1840 the Democrats held their campaign meetings in the Court House; they seemed to have control of nearly all the offices and thus crowded the Whigs out. The Whigs then built a log cabin just across Court street (then an alley). Each farmer brought a log and the building was completed in one day. The outside of the cabin was decorated with coon skins, and a barrel of hard cider stood at the door.
In 1844 various poles were erected on the Court House Square and elsewhere by both Parties. The Whigs erected Ash poles, and the Democrats Hickory poles. The first Hickory pole, however, was raised as early as 1832, during Andrew Jackson's campaign.
Dr. Henry Kuhn was the first Mayor of Tiffin, in 1836. His residence stood where the jail now stands, on the Square.
The first stone house built in Tiffin is still standing on Water street, just east of the Warren P. Noble Residence (North-east corner of Washington and Water streets.) It was built of stone left from the old stone jail on Madison street, by the man who constructed the jail, in 1844.
A piano factory was started on Market street, on the South Creek bank, where Washburn's livery now stands, during the 1850's. One fine piano was made and exhibited at the State Fair at Columbus, where it took the first prize. On its return, it was purchased by Mrs. Tabitha Stanley. Shortly after- ward the firm made an assignment and, as far as is known, this was the only piano made. It was called "The Barnhart Piano Company."
Henry Clay at one time stopped at the Norris House (which stood at 69-71 South Washington street). Eli Norris was the proprietor.
John Staub, a pioneer hotel keeper, at one time entertained Charles Dickens. Just where he was keeping hotel at the time
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is not known. Dickens came by stage-coach from Upper Sandusky, then to Lower Sandusky (Fremont). He remained but a few hours in Tiffin, yet must have visited several places. Verbal history from different people tells us he visited the Holt House in Fort Ball, at the residence of Richard Sneath on Market street (where Loschert's grocery now stands, No. 62), and at the "Western Exchange" (formerly built by Calvin Bradley for a hotel at No. 215 South Washington street) etc. He evidently made good use of his time while here. Dickens started on his American tour in the Spring of 1842.
About 1849, the building recently torn down, but for years used as the first public library in Tiffin, was built by John D. Loomis. The new Carnegie Library (Public) is taking its place.
In "The National Hall Block" (Nos. 69-71 store-rooms now stand there on South Washington street), the second the- atre was conducted on the third floor. It was first known as "National Hall," then "Noble's Opera House." After the New Grand Theatre was built on South Washington street, a few years since, Noble's Opera House was abandoned and used for other purposes.
The Baptist church was organized in 1857, and held ser- vices in Webster Hall until the church at No. 98-100 Perry street was built. When the present church at the South-east corner of Perry and Jefferson streets was being built in 1889, the first church building had been sold and services were again conducted in the Gross Block, which is on the same site as was Webster Hall, at the South-east corner of Washington and Perry streets.
The Tiffin Water Works plant is situated just south of the city along the river. The water is pure and wholesome, being supplied from drilled wells, except in time of drouth, when the river water is turned in also.
Three Orphan's Homes in the county are located as follows:
Evangelical Orphan's Home at Flat Rock; Junior Order United American Mechanics' National Orphan's Home, just North of Riverview Park, Tiffin; and St. Francis Home (Cath- olic) in the south-eastern part of the city, on Melmore street.
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Our two hospitals are new Institutions: Kentucky Mem- orial Hospital, under the supervision of Junior Order United American Mechanics, on the Home grounds; and Mercy Hospital (Catholic) in process of building, on West Market street.
The present Fair Grounds are situated just west of the city on the Tiffin, Fostoria & Eastern Interurban line. The first Fair Grounds were on the south side of Market street and occupied the large curve of land inclosed originally by Rock Creek, which reached Market street again, where Circular street now meets Market. The course of the creek has been changed here. The second Fair Grounds were where Camp Noble later was located (208 River street), and the third Fair Grounds occupied the large vacant space on the north side of East Market street, just a short distance east of where the railroad crosses Market street. The present grounds are the fourth location of the buildings and equipment of the Seneca County Fair Association, and in a few years, no doubt, they will be crowded out of here also, and will be compelled to move farther from the rapidly growing community.
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