USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > Past and present of Wyandot County, Ohio; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievemen, Vol. I > Part 28
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CORPORATE HISTORY OF UPPER SANDUSKY
As already shown, the town was incorporated in February, 1848, but no records are now accessible-doubtless none are in existence-to indicate who the officers were from 1848 to the spring of 1857, or what proceedings took place. Among those, however, who served as mayor during this interval of time, un- accounted for, were William W. Bates, who was the first to occupy that position; next came Bivens, the shoemaker, and subsequently John D. Sears, Esq., who served two terms.
The village officers in June, 1857-the date of the earliest minutes of the proceedings of town council now to be found- were Chester R. Mott, mayor; E. M. Krakau, recorder, or as now termed, clerk; Peter A. Tyler, John Stoker, Peter B. Beidler, James G. Roberts and B. Sullinger, trustees or town council. Ernest M. Krakau, the recorder, who was also known as a surveyor and civil engineer, he having leveled and indi- cated the grade of the principal streets of Upper Sandusky, in September, 1848, died in September, 1857, when John Berry was appointed recorder to fill vacancy.
The present city officials of Upper Sandusky are: Frank Jonas, mayor; Frank Feely, marshal; George M. Fleck, clerk; A. H. Owen, president of council ; Edwin Billhardt, treasurer; W. R. Hare, solicitor ; Robert E. Carter, police judge ; Robert Veith, street commissioner; Dr. O. C. Stutz, health officer.
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Wyandot county officials: Charles F. Close, prosecuting attorney; Joseph Bolish, county recorder; Willis P. Row- land, probate judge; Peter Frank, Jr., county auditor ; J. R. Marguerat, county auditor elect; Daniel Reynolds, county Clerk; M. Newell, county clerk elect; George Keller, sheriff; Charles Fredrick, county treasurer; O. W. Ellis, county treasurer elect; M. E. Foucht, surveyor; W. E. Martin, sur- veyor elect; Henry Kimly, R. S. Ulrich, S. A. Rauck, county commissioners ; A. N. Smith, coroner.
THE UPPER SANDUSKY OF THE PRESENT
Less than a century ago the spot where the beautiful city of Upper Sandusky now stands was a small Indian village situate upon a broad plain and surrounded by forests whose shady depths were known only to the dusky savage as he pur- sued the panting deer or lured the wily turkey to its doom. The Sandusky river threaded its way like a silver thread woven into a mantle of green, between its banks of verdure, on its never-ceasing journey to the sea, its waters free from the litter of civilization and its mighty force unharnessed to the use of man. But time has wrought a change. The beauties of nature have largely been supplanted by those of man, and where once all was quiet save the whoop of the Indian, there is now the never-ceasing activity of a thriving and progressing center.
Upper Sandusky is beautifully, almost romantically sit- uated nearly in the center of Wyandot county, surrounded by one of the richest agricultural districts in the state, and peopled by a thrifty class of energetic and progressive citizens. She is surely destined to become an important city.
Two important railway systems pass through Upper San- dusky-the Pennsylvania running east and west and the Hocking Valley, north and south, thus making her shipping facilities ample for reaching all sections of the country.
Upper Sandusky has wide, well-paved streets and well- kept alleys, excellent waterworks and sewer systems, natural gas, electric lights, fine public buildings and handsome resi- dences.
Upper Sandusky is also the county seat of Wyandot county, and here is located the magnificent stone courthouse,
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which occupies a conspicuous and commanding position in the very heart of the city. The growth of the city was at first slow, but after moving on in an uneventful way for a num- ber of years, it received a new impetus by becoming the junc- ture of the Pennsylvania and Hocking Valley railroads, and the population rapidly increased. In 1850 the population was 783; it now has over four thousand inhabitants. It is with deep interest that the loyal citizens of Upper Sandusky view the rapid stride their city has taken within the past few years, and then contemplate its most promising future with advan- tages more diversified than are to be found in many cities of much larger size.
Upper Sandusky was laid out upon a level plain on the west bank of the Sandusky river, nearly fifty feet above the river valley, and fifty miles from the river's mouth. It has an altitude of 287 feet above the surface of Lake Erie, and is sixty-three miles north of Columbus. Its streets and ave- nues are laid out in the true direction of the cardinal points of the compass, and the location is unexcelled for health and beauty. After the Indians departed in 1843, the town was platted, and in 1845, when the county was organized, Upper Sandusky was designated as the county seat.
Many points of interest in and near Upper Sandusky are pointed out to strangers, among which we note the sites of old Fort Ferree, the Indian council house and jail, the Indian mill, the Indian spring, the old mission church, etc. The "Nine Oaks," on the Carey road near Upper Sandusky, are famed as marking the spot where the Indians convened their court martial, which tried, convicted and sentenced Colonel Crawford to be burnt at the stake, 1782.
The rural free mail delivery system was inaugurated in Wyandot county in April, 1900. There are now eight rural carriers from Upper Sandusky. These routes have caused the discontinuance of postoffices at Belle Vernon, Tymochtee, Pious, Lovell and Warpole.
Parcel post delivery was inaugurated January, 1913, and during the first week there were nine local parcels delivered from the Upper Sandusky office of over three pounds each, and 122 smaller incoming packages were delivered, making a total of 131. There were ninety-nine outgoing packages dispatched, the postage amounting to $9.49.
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Wyandot county's present magnificent courthouse was completed and dedicated August 24, 1900, and cost $200,000. It is one of the finest in the state.
The county jail was completed in 1888 at a cost of $40,000. It is a large and commodious building and does credit to the county.
The Elks' home is worthy of more than a mere mention. A few years ago the Elks purchased the Kirby, later known as the Berry homestead-the site of the old Overland inn-or Indian tavern, on which is located the Kirby spring. They have spent several thousand dollars in remodeling and add- ing to the old residence, and have made of it a handsome club and lodge building and are now engaged in beautifying the grounds.
A chamber of commerce was organized in Upper Sandusky about three years ago, and now has a membership of nearly three hundred.
There are three school buildings in Upper Sandusky-the high school, the south side and the first ward, each commodious in structure and of which further notice will be found in another chapter in this work.
The schools of Upper Sandusky will compare very favor- ably with the best, and have borne such an important part in the moral and intellectual development of the community, and sent out scholars equipped with such literary accomplish- ments and wide influences, that an earnest effort will be made to set forth the part they have taken in our historical progress.
Teachers: Superintendent, R. J. Kiefer ; principal, high school, C. W. Johnson; others, E. H. Hartle, O. L. Broderick, Eula Young; principal's building, Margaret Garwood; prin- cipal First ward, Anna Eisinger; average attendance, 635; school population, 928; grade teachers, 16.
The Masonic bodies, viz. : Blue lodge, chapter and council, occupy the new temple on West Johnson street, that cost them $15,000. Other secret bodies are: The Red Men, Catholic Knights of Columbus, the Odd Fellows and the Rebeccas, Modern Woodmen, Knights of the Maccabees, Ladies of the Maccabees, the Eagles.
Industries : The Ohio Manufacturing Company, the Stephen House Finishing and Lumber Company, the National Steam Pump Company, Stoll Casket Works, Buckeye Foun- dry and Manufacturing Company, United States Cereal Com-
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pany, John Seider & Son's Wagon & Buggy Company, Central Ohio Buggy Company, Union National Drug Company, Blazer Tile Works.
Business: Dry goods, four ; clothing, four ; hardware, five; grocers, eight ; piano, organs, etc., two; furniture, two ; hotels, three; farm implements, three; drugs, four; boots and shoes, four; stoves and furnaces, two; jewelers, three; harness and saddlery, two; elevators, two; brick yards, two; and the usual accessories.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The Upper Sandusky Fire Department was organized May 15, 1867, at a meeting held for that purpose at Allen Kelly's hall. After an organization was effected, the follow- ing officers were elected: Chief, Jonathan Ayers; assistant chief, W. J. Harper; engineer, Patrick O'Brien; secretary, A. J. Stiffler ; treasurer, John Monier. At this meeting sixty men became members of the department.
The Upper Sandusky Fire Department at the present time consists of twenty-eight members: Chief, Theodore Bolish; assistant chief, Carl Mueller; secretary, Frank Sybach; treasurer, Frank Strasser; trustees, John Snyder, Frank O'Neil, and Edward Katzemneger; janitor, Jacob Dellen.
The equipment of the department consists of two hose . carts, 1,500 feet of hose, hook and ladder wagon, four ladders, buckets, etc .; also, a Babcock chemical engine.
THE PRESS
Shortly after the county of Wyandot was created the first newspaper was established in Upper Sandusky. It was called the Wyandot Telegraph, and its editor and publisher was John Shrenk, who had previously published a paper in Bucy- rus. The Telegraph was a five column folio, and its first issue was March 8, 1845. The first office was in the old council house, but when that building was taken for county purposes, the office had to be removed, and while the new location was being put in readiness Mr. Shrenk worked off one issue of his in the open air under an apple tree. For want of sufficient
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patronage the paper was discontinued after an existence of a few months.
The Democratic Pioneer commenced publication in August, 1845. Its editor and publisher was William T. Giles, and this paper was also a five-column folio. The Pioneer con- tinued under this management until 1849, when the estab- lishment was sold to Josiah Smith and Elijah Giles. This paper had quite a checkered career which is too elaborate to follow in this sketch. However, the name had been changed to the Wyandot Pioneer, when in 1866 Pietro Cuneo became editor and proprietor. In 1869, Cuneo changed the name of the paper to the Wyandot County Republican. He was the first publisher in Upper Sandusky to introduce steam power.
A number of other newspapers have been started in Upper Sandusky, but only existing a short period. The Tribune was started in 1849 and discontinued in 1851. Another short- lived paper was the Herald. The Democratic Union news- paper was first issued in 1857. After a number of years of publication and many changes, the Union was in 1903 absorbed by the Republican, and the paper is now known as the Wyan- dot Union-Republican, and is issued tri-weekly. Sherman A. Cuneo, son of Pietro Cuneo, is the editor and publisher.
In 1879 the first number of the Weekly Chief was issued by H. A. Tracht, who is at present the editor and publisher of the Daily Chief.
OAK HILL CEMETERY
For several years prior to the founding of this cemetery, the people of Upper Sandusky and vicinity had deeply felt the want of a suitable place for the interment of the dead, and efforts were made at various times to secure such a place, but no effective measures were taken to that end until 1874, when an association was organized and Oak Hill cemetery established by purchasing thirty acres of land on the Rad- nor road, one and a half miles south of Upper Sandusky. It is situated upon a tract of high table land bordering and over- looking the Sandusky valley. Its elevated position furnishes it perfect drainage, which with a subsoil composed mainly of sand and gravel and an undulating surface covered with an abundance of native forest trees, makes it a suitable resting place for the dead, with its picturesque and beautiful settings.
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The grounds were surveyed and platted and the cemetery formally opened and dedicated, on the 4th day of October, 1876.
Prior to the opening of Oak Hill cemetery, the Old Mis- sion burial ground had been the principal place of interment.
THE FLOOD OF 1913
Wyandot county was but little affected by the recent flood as compared with the damage to adjoining counties.
Upper Sandusky is over forty-five feet above ordinary water stage in the river. The worst experience her people had was flooded water works, throwing them out of commis- sion for probably fifteen days. These water works are down near the river, and though "leveed" for ordinary high water, this flood submerged levee, basin and works. It points to the necessity of a new site, of better water, free from the sewage of other towns on the river above. Already agitation to that end has been begun.
The damage by the flood was confined to the valley, to fences, loss of stock, etc. But one important bridge was taken and that was the covered bridge across the river at Upper Sandusky, and known as the Old Indian Mill bridge. It was a modern structure but needed repairing. Some damage was done to other bridges over the Sandusky, and to some smaller bridges over other streams in the county, some being carried away. The loss will not exceed fifty thousand, and the money for replacement is in hand-or will be shortly.
There was no loss of life. The flood was the highest ever known here, no former record coming any way near it.
The loss to the Pennsylvania railroad will be consider- able in the damage done to the great fill across the valley, the stage of water being such as to saturate the bank and cause it to go down in the flood in slides. The south track had to be condemned.
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The following statement shows the efficiency and progress of educational affairs in Ohio within the past half century. In 1853 an act passed the Legislature to provide for the reor- ganization, supervision and maintenance of common schools.
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Prior to the passage of this act the common schools had become inefficient in their character, and the laws so often amended as to render them incapable of being understood, or receiving a consistent judicial construction. It was for this reason that the first general assembly, under the new constitu- tion of 1851, revised the school laws and passed the reorgan- izing act of March 14, 1853. This act introduced radical changes in the school system-changes which have given the common schools a deservedly high character for their excel- lence. The provisions of the act, with slight amendments, remained in force for twenty years, when most of its pro- visions were embraced in the codification of the school laws in 1873, and are still operative. By the close of the year 1855, the free graded system was permanently established, met with hearty approval, and received high commendation and sup- port from an influential class of citizens.
Public high schools were not known in Ohio before the middle of the century. Long before that, however, many private academies had been founded to furnish an education superior to that given by the district school. The few colleges founded in the first half of the century also maintained pre- paratory schools, which, doing work similar to that of the academy, bridged over the chasm between the ungraded school and the college proper.
A law passed in 1848 provided for a board of six directors, who should have full control over all the schools of the town. It authorized the board to establish a number of primary schools and one central grammar school; to fix the terms of transfer from one to another; to make and enforce all neces- sary rules; to employ and pay teachers; to purchase appa- ratus; to determine and certify annually to the town council the amount of money necessary for school purposes; to pro- vide for the examination of teachers.
In the early schools of Ohio, as of every other state, all the pupils sat and recited in one room and to a single teacher, and any systematic gradation or classification was impossible even if proposed. The chief impediment was the lack of suitable and sufficient school buildings. Where two or more schools existed within a village or city the pupils were divided geographically, not by grades, among the several schools. Pupils of all ages and degrees of advancement sat in the same room. The first systematic gradation and classification of
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, UPPER SANDUSKY
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pupils in Ohio was in Cincinnati, between 1836 and 1840, by virtue of a special law, dividing the city into districts and pro- viding for a building in each district. In each building the pupils were separated into two grades, studying different sub- jects and grades of work. This was followed in a few years by the establishment of a central high school. In Cleveland the first free school was established in 1834, and in 1840 the schools were graded.
The school system of the state may be briefly explained as follows: Cities and incorporated villages are independent of township and county control, in the management of schools having boards of education and examiners of their own. Some of them are organized for school purposes, under special acts. Each township has a board of education, composed of one member from each subdistrict. The township clerk is clerk of this board, but has no vote. Each subdistrict has a local board of trustees, which manages its school affairs, subject to the advice and control of the township board. These officers are elected on the first Monday in April, and hold their offices three years. An enumeration of all the youth between the ages of five and twenty-one is made yearly. All public schools are required to be in session at least twenty-four weeks each year. The township clerk reports annually such facts con- cerning school affairs as the law requires, to the county auditor, who in turn reports to the state commissioner, who collects these reports in a general report to the Legislature each year.
A board of examiners is appointed in each county by the probate judge. This board has power to grant certificates for a term not exceeding two years, and good only in the county in which they are executed; they may be revoked on sufficient cause. In 1864, a state board of examiners was created, with power to issue life certificates, valid in all parts of the state.
THE CHURCHES OF UPPER SANDUSKY
The First Presbyterian church was organized with seven members, at a meeting held in the old Mission church, in 1845, by the Rev. Mr. Hutchinson, of Bucyrus. Prior to that time, however, a Mr. McCain had preached in the same church edi- fice at irregular intervals. The congregation built a small Vol. I-20
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frame house of worship in 1847, which was occupied for a number of years. In 1866 they built a brick structure at a cost of $12,000. Later they erected a larger and handsomer edifice. This church is located on the corner of Seventh and Johnston streets. Membership 160. Membership of the Sunday school, 200. The elders of the church are: Frank Beidler, Charles Colmery, Prof. Kiefer, Samuel Black and Philip Weimer. Rev. Clarence B. Wible, pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Upper Sandusky was organized in the autumn of 1845, with the following members as the first board of trustees: Andrew M. Anderson, Guy C. Worth, James B. Allen, Joseph Cover, Alexander Voluntine and William Myers. At a meeting of the board of trustees in June, 1846, it was decided to build a church edifice, and a lot on the northeast corner of Seventh and Johnston streets was purchased, and a house of worship was erected in 1847. This frame house of worship was used until 1859, when a new one was erected at a cost of $4,500. The present handsome stone church edifice was built in 1898, at a cost of $20,000, upon the site of the former ones. Although the Methodists had no church organization until 1845, yet its founding in Upper San- dusky dates back to the Indian mission, 1816, with John Stew- art, first missionary, with meetings in the old Mission church. The present pastor is the Rev. J. W. Holland. Sunday school superintendent, A. B. Whitney.
The First English Evangelical Lutheran church was organ- ized by Rev. Jacob Schaner, at a meeting held at the house of George C. Wolford, February 5, 1849. Prior to that time, however, or on the 29th of January, 1849, a meeting of the members of this denomination had been held at the "old In- dian council house," when and where Rev. J. Schaner and D. Harbaugh officiated.
Fourteen members originally signed the church constitu- tion, which number were soon increased to thirty-five, among whom were Michael Miller and wife, George C. Wolford and wife, Samuel Smith and wife, Benjamin Taylor and wife, John Furlinger and wife, Daniel Sterner and wife, and their children-Julia, Michael and Emanuel Sterner-Samuel, Jo- siah and Ephraim Miller, and Mrs. Dr. Watson.
This first church edifice, a brick structure, size 35x50, was built in 1851. It stood upon the northwest corner of Finley and Fifth streets, and cost $1,400. A new church was built
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in 1879, upon the northeast corner of Eighth street and Wyan- dot avenue. It was constructed of brick and trimmed with sandstone. A handsome church edifice now occupies the same site. The denomination is without a pastor at present, but services are conducted by the Rev. Dr. J. W. Byers.
Trinity Evangelical church was organized with fifteen members, by the Rev. John Hannecker, in August, 1860. Prior to that time, however, meetings had been held at the home of Christian Rief in the fall of 1858, and at the Metho- dist church in 1859, by Revs. Freck, Lambert, Freese and Downey. Only two members of this denomination lived in the town in 1858, four in 1859, and fifteen in 1860. In that year they built a church edifice at a cost, including the lot, of $2,000. It was built of brick, size 35x50 feet, and stood upon lot No. 219. In 1884 the membership numbered fifty-two, with a prosperous Sunday school. The membership now numbers 160, with a Sunday school of 331. At present they have a beautiful new stone church, costing about $20,000. It was dedicated January 21, 1912, by Bishop S. P. Spreng, D. D. This church is located on the corner of West Wyandot avenue and Seventh street, one block from the public square. Rev. A. F. Beery is pastor of the church, and E. F. Stephan, superintendent of the Sunday school. This church has a fine Young People's Society, a Young People's Alliance, a Woman's Missionary Society and a Ladies' Aid Society. The following are members of the official board: Class leader, William Guthrie; assistant, J. Heldenbrand; trustees, Samuel Althouse, John F. Kuenzli, Frank Paessler.
Trinity Reformed church of Upper Sandusky was organ- ized in 1852. This church has quite a history. Rev. August Winter was the first Reformed minister here, who stood in regular connection with the Synod of the Reformed church of the United States, but the exact date when he came is not known. How long he labored or when he left, the records also fail to show. After him came Rev. J. J. Brecht, who remained but a brief period. When Mr. Brecht withdrew, Rev. Peter Joeris was elected pastor of the charge, consisting of Upper Sandusky and the Emanuel's congregations, and commenced his work here about the year 1852. In that year, he effected the first permanent organization of Trinity Re- formed church of Upper Sandusky. Pastor Joeris remained until about the year 1858 or 1859. After he left, the charge
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was vacant until the year 1862, when Rev. J. Klingler came as a supply from Ada, continuing so for four years. Finally, in 1865, the church was reorganized, and in 1866 the first church-an unpretending brick edifice, 26x50 feet-was built on North Fifth street, at a cost of $2,500. Mr. Klingler continued, in the main successful, service until 1875, a period of about fourteen years. During his ministerial labors also, the old-time "Mud Church," in Pitt township, was replaced by a neat brick building. These two congregations were al- ways served by the same pastor.
Rev. C. Wisner succeeded Mr. Klingler, and was shepherd of the flock for about five years. During this period, he placed the finances of the Upper Sandusky congregation on a firm basis, paid an old church debt and procured a parsonage. Rev. E. D. Miller succeeded Mr. Wisner, April 1, 1881. In the spirit of his predecessors, he carried the work successfully forward, and under his charge the church edifice was re- built and enlarged in the summer of 1883. The remodeled building was rededicated December 9, 1883, which event was noticed in the columns of the Weekly Chief as follows:
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