The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 60

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072

USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 60

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him," exclaiming that the beautiful aria he had just executed was the veri- table " Old Hundred" and not the "Star Spangled Banner" by a blank sight. Still the Major refused to be quieted, and called for a division of the house, and while thirty-nine voted for " Old Hundred," forty cast their ballots for the " Star Spangled Banner." Verily, there were a few scattering votes for "Barbara Allen " and " The Girl I Left Behind Me," but they were not counted.

The Major was victorious, and, for his musical discrimination, elected Superintendent of the singing school. He took the seat of honor and hoped that harmony would prevail, and among other things stated " that to prevent further confusion or controversy in regard to Prof. Van Gundy's violin solos executed at the opening of these exercises, he would appoint Capt. Ayres, Col. McKelly, Judge Beidler and Capt. Worth, as connoisseurs, to determine and settle all questions that might arise hereafter in regard to their musical identity." This seemed to spread the white wings of peace over the audience, and all went to work at their buckwheat notes with a zeal and earnestness that made it lovely as well as melodious in the old Council House. But this supreme state of affairs only lasted for a short time.

Van Gundy, like all other impressarios, was nervous and excitable, and when some of our then young ladies (who are all forty-nine now), arranged their bustles for a flying leap among the flats and sharps on Gundy's black- board, and got up so high that there was great danger of falling over on the other side, the Gundy presented a picture of desperation, and would sometimes insinuate that the audience before him was worse than the Ingins. This naturally created some little resentment, and before the close of the exercises it was evident that the Council House was entirely too large for a class in singing, on account of the home talent that gathered around an old ash barrel in the corner. The Superintendent thought so, too, and resigned his position. It was also very evident that while you could run a prayer meeting at the Council House, a singing school was out of the question, so Prof. Van Gundy announced "that the 'Sweet Singers in Israel' "-that was the name of the society-" would meet hereafter in the parlors of the Sell's Hotel, two doors north of Abe Trager's blacksmith shop." On the evening designated the Hotel Rocky presented a gay appearance, and Law- yer Sells, who spoke both languages fluently, was on hand to usher in the musical celebrities of our new town. In a few minutes the parlors were so crowded tbat Prof. Van Gundy and his fiddle had to be taken in through a window. Upon his appearance there was a loud yell for " Bonaparte Cross- ing the Alps," which was another of the Professor's solos that would pass muster for either the "Pretty Mer-i-maid," or " Yankee Doodle."

It was usual, at Prof. Van Gundy's singing school, for one of the prom- inent members present to sing a song, and on the evening in question Capt. Ayres was announced for the "Raging Canawl," then one of the flowers in the bouquet of altisonant minstrelsy. Capt. Ayres was then one of our hand- somest young men, who always wore a ruffled shirt and a diamond that threw off scintillations equal to our present electric light. He was, moreover, the impersonation of modesty, and to face that critical audience, with Rocky Sells standing at the front door with a club to keep back the intruders, was a little more than the Captain could undergo, so he excused himself by stat- ing that, in consequence of a large gum-boil on one of his toes, he was not in sufficient voice to do the " Raging Canawl" justice; and from the appear- ance of the animation outside, it might be well for the Professor to take the first mule for Sycamore. By this time the men and boys outside held at

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bay by Rocky, deployed to the rear of the building, entered through the kitchen, and made their appearance among the singers, and you may know their presence created a cheerful pandemonium. Here it was that the tall and aged form of the elder Sells made its appearance, and waving the babel of tongues to silence, got off the following with a touch of parental affec- tion:

" I wish to state to this congregation," said Father Sells "that there is altogether too much hi-lig-i-ty. I am informed by my worthy son, Rocky, that there are many here to-night who have sneaked in through a hole in the cellar for the purpose of spectating. Now I am willing they shall spec- tate, but those who come here to spectate should spectate, and not interfere with those who come here to exercise their exercise; and those who have come here to exercise their exercise should exercise their exercise, and not throw paper wads at those who come here to spectate; and those who come here to spectate should spectate, and not fill the Professor's fiddle with shelled corn and rub tallow on his bow, as it makes the doxology look sick and frightens the children in the next room. I'm an old man from Carroll County, but by the holy Moses, those who come here to spectate must spectate, and those who come here to exer- cise their exercise must exercise their exercise, or somebody will get led out by the eyebrow."

This speech was received with such vociferous applause that, before its effect had died away, Prof. Van Gundy bagged his violin, gathered up his patent notes, slid out of the back door and was seen no more. Thus ended the first singing school in Upper Sandusky. The above recital of a true occurrence should not indicate that there was ill-feeling or anything out- side the propriety of a fun-loving assemblage. Those who went there to "exercise their exercise " undoubtedly had their tents pitched toward Zion, but the boys who " got in through the cellar" made it lively, as they always do, and this was done, not maliciously, but to play upon the sensitive nature of the Professor, who made a ridiculous exhibition of himself at every slight annoyance. In the language of a famous French author-" It was fun the gamin wanted, not fight."

CORPORATE HISTORY.

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, unaccounted 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 indicated the grade of the principal streets of Upper Sandusky, in September, 1848, died in September, 1857, when John Berry was appointed Recorder to fill va- nancy.

On the 10th of April, 1858, the following was made a matter of record: "On motion, orders were drawn in favor of P. A. Tyler, P. B. Beidler,

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J. Stoker and B. Sullinger for $10 cach, and an order in favor of J. G. Roberts for $5 for services as Councilman for the last two years. On mo tion Council adjourned sine die." To defray the necessary expenses of the village for the current year, a tax of $500 was levied in 1857. The prin- cipal officers of the town elected since 1857 are shown as follows:

1858-William T. Wilson, Mayor; John Stoker, R. A. Henderson, Henry Miller, John D. Sears and Samuel H. Hunt, Trustees; John Patter- son, Marshal; James McClean, Recorder.

1859-James G. Roberts, Mayor; John Stoker, R. R. McKee, Henry Miller, N. F. Goetz and William Ayres, Councilmen; John Patterson, Mar- shal, and J. A. Maxwell, Recorder.

1860 *- Curtis Berry, Sr., Mayor; James G. Roberts, R. R. McKee, Rob- ert Hunter, N. F. Goetz and Henry Miller, Councilmen; Robert Crary, Marshal; M. W. Blucher, Recorder.

1861-Curtis Berry, Sr., Mayor; R. R. McKee, Robert Hunter, John Seider, N. F. Goetz and William Marlow, Councilmen; James G. Roberts, Recorder; William Ayres, Treasurer; Jesse Brandenburgh, Marshal.

1862-Chester R. Mott, Mayor; James H. Williams, Recorder; Michael Moran, James Griffin, E. Zollars, William Quaintance and Levi Shultz, Councilmen; William Ayres, Treasurer; Daniel Fishel, Marshal.

1863-John Agerter, Mayor; William B. Hitchcock, Recorder; Thomas Dolan, Anthony Christen, James H. Freet, John H. Junkins and Lawrence Bowman, Councilmen; William Ayres, Treasurer, Anton Koppe, Mar- shal.

1864-Peter A. Tyler, Mayor; William B. Hitchcock, Recorder; John H. Junkins, R. R. McKee, C. R. Mott, Thomas Dolan and L. Bowman, Trustees; Anthony Christen, Treasurer; M. Thomas, Marshal. Mayor Tyler died in June, 1864, when John Berry was appointed to that office to fill vacancy.

1865-Robert McKelly, Mayor; Henry Maddux, Recorder; Michael Mo- ran, Chester R. Mott, Christian Engel, George W. Saltsman and Louis Gottfried, Councilmen; Anthony Christen, Treasurer.

1866-Robert McKelly, Mayor; W. J. Hall, Recorder; Michael Moran, George W. Saltsman, William Ayres, Peter B. Beidler and Jacob Schaefer, Councilmen; John Cramer, Marshal; Anthony Christen, Treasurer. An- thony Christen died in June, 1866, when R. R. McKee was appointed Treasurer to fill vacancy.

1867-George W. Saltzman, Mayor; William M. Lowther, Recorder; Robert McKelly, Treasurer; Anton Koppe, Marshal; Peter B. Beidler, William Ayres, George Adair, Jacob Schaffer and Michael Moran, Council- men.

1868-Henry A. Hoyt, Mayor; Joel W. Gibson, Recorder; Michael Mo- ran, George Adair, Joseph Hutter, John Seider and Peter B. Beidler, Councilmen; R. R. McKee, Treasurer; Anton Koppe, Marshal.

1869-George Myers, Mayor; Joel W. Gibson, Recorder; J. S. Lowery, P. O'Brien, Jost Gloeser, Peter B. Beidler and John Seider, Councilmen; Ulrich Orsinger, Treasurer; Anton Koppe, Marshal.

1870-J. K. McCracken, Mayor; Peter B. Beidler, Patrick O'Brien, R. A. Henderson, Leonard Stief, Joseph Gaa and L. A. Brunner, Council- men; Anton Koppe, Marshal; Ulrich Orsinger, Treasurer; Henry Wolford, Clerk.

* In May, 1860, 100 citizens presented a petition to this Council, praying for this protection of the "Green Tree," standing on Sandusky avenue, a little north of the front of the jail. This was the tree which was cut down when the street was macadamized in 1874, and under which bones of soldiers of the war of 1812-15 were found.

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

1871-Samuel M. Worth, Joseph Gaa, Jacob J. Stoll, Councilmen; Joel W. Gibson, Clerk; Frederick Ritter, Street Commissioner. In Decem- ber, 1871, the Council appointed the following gentlemen as members of the first Board of Health for the town, viz .: Dr. R. N. McConnell and Dr. A. Billhardt to serve three years; S. Watson and A. W. Brinkerhoff to serve two years; T. E. Beery and John Agerter to serve one year.

1872-Darius D. Hare, Mayor; Josiah Lowery, W. A. Gipson and Peter Beidler, Councilmen; William E. Bowsher, Treasurer; Joel W. Gib- son, Clerk; Christian Tschanen, Marshal.

1873-George Harper, David Ayres, Robert McKelvy, Councilmen; Levi Shultz, Street Commissioner; Joel W. Gibson, Clerk.

1874 *- Darius D. Hare, Mayor; Allen Smalley, Clerk; Jonathan Maf- fett, J. S. Hare and John Seider, Councilmen; George Sting, Marshal.

1875-W. A. Gipson, David Ayres and Jost Gloeser, Councilmen.

1876-Peter B. Beidler, Mayor; Allen Smalley, Clerk; Frank Keller, Treasurer; Peter J. Van Marter, Marshal; W. B. Hitchcock, Councilman First Ward; John F. Myers and Jacob Gottfried, Councilmen Second Ward. The town was divided into two wards (Sandusky avenue serving as the di- viding line) by an ordinance which was approved and passed by the Town Council, May 18, 1876.

1877-Ewald Brauns, G. W. Freet and Michael O'Donnell, Council- men; Benjamin Liebenthal and John F. Myers, Assessors.

1878-Darius D. Hare, Mayor; Peter J. Van Marter, Marshal; Frank Keller, Treasurer; Benjamin Liebenthal, Assessor First Ward; Peter S. Ludwig, Councilman First Ward; Cornelius Stutz, Assessor Second Ward; David Ayres and Jacob Gottfried, Councilmen Second Ward.

1879-P. W. O'Brien, Street Commissioner; Ewald Brauns and Jost Gloeser, Councilmen First Ward; A. G. Ringheisen, Assessor First Ward; Michael O'Donnell, Councilman Second Ward; F. P. Kenan, Assessor Sec- ond Ward.

1880-Darius D. Hare, Mayor; N. Grundtisch, Marshal; John H. Von Stein,t Clerk; Frank Keller, Treasurer; P. S. Ludwig, Councilman First Ward; Benjamin Leibenthal, Assessor First Ward; Frank Vogel and J. C. Drum, Councilmen Second Ward; A. G. Ringheisen, Assessor Second Ward.

1881-Joseph Keller, Street Commissioner; Henry Altstaetter and Philip Gottfried, Councilmen First Ward; Anton Koppe, Assessor First Ward; Abel R. Hunt, Councilman Second Ward; Adam Stutz, Assessor Second Ward.

1882-Darius D. Hare, Mayor; N. Grundtisch, Marshal; John H. Von Stein, Clerk; Frank Keller, Treasurer; William G. Dumm, Sealer of Weights and Measures; Jost Gloeser, Councilman First Ward; Benjamin Liebenthal, Assessor First Ward; J. C. Drum and John Pausch, Council- men Second Ward; Robert Paessler, Assessor Second Ward.

1883-Joseph Keller, Street Commissioner; John Agerter amd Philip Gottfried, Councilmen First Ward; Benjamin Liebenthal, Assessor First Ward; John F. Myers, Councilman Second Ward; Robert Paessler, As- sessor Second Ward.

1884-Joel W. Gibson, Mayor; Nicholas Grundtisch, Marshal; John H. Von Stein, Clerk; Frank Keller, Sr., Treasurer; Samuel L. Walters, Coun- cilman First Ward; Benjamin Liebenthal, Assessor First Ward; Robert E. Kerr and David Cramer, Councilmen Second Ward; William Michaels, As- · sessor Second Ward.

*Sandusky avenue was macadamized from the railroad to Walker street in 1874.

+Had served as Clerk from April, 1878, by appointment of the Board of Councilmen.

Lewis Straw

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Fire Department .- Although in December, 1857, Peter A. Tyler and Peter B. Beidler were designated as the Village Council's committee to ascertain the "probable cost of a fire engine, hooks and ladders," etc., noth- ing resulted, and the town was without the vestige of any fire apparatus, other than the wells and buckets owned by individuals, until April, 1858, when hooks and ladders were procured at a cost of $75. A wagon for trans- porting the same was purchased in May of that year, and at the same time a shed or temporary building was ordered to be built for the purpose of protecting the fire apparatus. The wagon cost $55; the building $75.

In January, 1860, many citizens petitioned the Village Council to pur- chase a certain fire engine from the people of Findlay, Ohio, for $500, but no further action was taken. In May, 1866, a tax for the purpose of raising money with which to purchase a fire engine was ordered to be levied, and Mayor McKelly with two Councilmen of his selection were instructed to visit "some of the neighboring towns for the purpose of inspecting their fire engines, etc., and their conveniences for supplying their towns with water." Their expenses to be paid out of the corporation funds. One year later- May, 1867-the " Wyandot Chief," a steam fire engine, together with hose and hose cart, was purchased of the manufacturer, H. C. Silsby, for $8, 500. Soon after arrangements were completed for building an engine-house, pro- viding cisterns for a water supply. and uniforming the engine company. Buck- ets, ladders and an ax for the hook and ladder company were obtained under the supervision of Councilman P. O'Brien, in August, 1870. In February, 1872, the same gentleman was authorized to contract for an additional hose cart, which cart was delivered in July of that year.

A building to store fire apparatus and for " calaboose " was erected in 1873, at a cost of $1,445. Soon after the building was provided with a fire alarm bell from the West Troy (N. Y.) Bell Foundry. A Champion Chemical Engine was purchased in the fall of 1879. It was of one hun- dred gallons capacity, and cost $850. Subsequently a company known as the Babcock Engine Company was organized. Prior to that time, the town had an engine company (steamer), hose company and hook and ladder company.

In July, 1880, the Village Council exchanged the first steam fire en- gine for a new one, also a Silsby, paying besides the sum of $2,500. In June, 1882, the Junior Hook and Ladder Company was admitted to the fire department with the same privileges, compensation, etc., as other members; the membership being limited to sixteen men, officers included.

BANKS AND BANKERS.

Upper Sandusky's first bank was established in 1854, by Harper, Ayres, Roberts & Co., a firm which consisted of George Harper, David Ayres, James G. Roberts, John D. Sears and William C. Hedges, the, latter of Tiffin, Ohio. This was a private institution, with a capital stock of only $10,000. It ceased operations in 1859, when the business of the firm was settled in a satisfactory manner. Henry Davis succeeded this firm, and did a banking business in the same room-Roberts & Groff's corner-for about one year.

In 1860, Sylvester Watson established the Exchange Bank, a private in- stitution, which existed until Saturday, October 31, 1863, when it sus- pended. However, on Monday, November 2, 1863, the First National Bank was organized, into which the Exchange Bank was merged. The National was really organized August 15, 1863, but did not commence operations until the time stated above. The stockholders and the funds invested by

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

each were as follows: Thomas V. Reber, $5,000; M. H. Gillett, $10,000; Sylvester Watson, $27,000; David Harpster, $3,000; John D. Sears, $2,000; Milton Morral, $1,000; David Straw, $3,000; McDonough M. Carey, $1,000; William Miller, $2,000; Daniel Smith, $2,000; F. F. Fowler, $1,000; David Ayres, $3,000; and Mrs. M. C. Wigton, $1,000.

The first officers of the bank were Thomas V. Reber, President; Syl- vester Watson, Cashier; M. H. Gillett, Thomas V. Reber, Sylvester Watson, F. F. Fowler, David Harpster and John D. Sears, Directors. In 1865, the capital stock was increased to $105,000, in which J. G. Roberts in- vested $5,000. He had been Assistant Cashier from the date of the bank's organization. In October, 1874, he was chosen Cashier, and at the same time Sylvester Watson was elected President. The present Directors are Sylvester Watson, Thomas V. Reber, John D. Sears, David Straw, James G. Roberts and David Ayres. This bank has been one of the most suc- cessfully managed and substantial institutions in this part of Ohio. Its losses will not exceed $2,000, and it now has a surplus fund of $47,000.

The Wyandot County Bank was organized in the early days of 1867, and on the 1st day of April of that year its doors were opened for business. The original stockholders were L. B. Harris, I. H. Beery, T. E. Beery, J. A. Maxwell and George W. Beery, each of whom controlled capital stock to the amount of $8,000. George W. Beery has served as President of the bank since its organization.

On the 1st of September, 1868, T. E. Beery sold his interest to the other stockholders. Subsequently, or April 1, 1869, Mr. Maxwell, the first Cashier, sold half his interest to the remaining stockholders, and Ed A. Gordon succeeded him as Cashier. In June, 1877, Mr. Maxwell sold the remainder of his stock to the bank. No other changes or transfer of stock have occurred. This bank has been ably conducted and occupies a promi- nent place among the monetary institutions of this section of the State.

Central Bank .- In 1860, R. R. McKee established a private banking house in Upper Sandusky. He was succeeded in the business by R. R. McKee & Co., and on the 3d of March, 1873, the last mentioned firm were succeeded by those composing the Central Bank, the latter being the first bank started under the new State law. Ultimately-during the early days of 1884-while John S. Rappe was serving as President, and William H. Frederick as Cashier, the Central Bank failed with but meager assets, thereby entailing great losses, in the aggregate, upon many depositors.

MANUFACTURING INTERESTS.

The Stevenson Machine Works .- In November, 1865, George B. Steven- son removed from Canton, Ohio, to Upper Sandusky, and purchased a small fourdry, a one-story frame building, of John Carns. The building stood who site f the present works. Mr. Stevenson was a machinist by trade, und be continued, in an unimportant way, as founder and machinist until 136, whe :. he invented the Wyandot Chief, a direct acting circular saw mill, and hegan the manufacture of them.

This mill was favorably received, and the business of their manufacture increased so rapidly that, in 1868, Mr. Stevenson erected the present shops. The main building is 36x100 feet and two-stories in height. The foundry is 36x80 feet, with an L 20x30 feet, which is used as a blacksmith shop. The material used in their construction is brick.

In the spring of 1869, Col. Cyrus Sears was admitted as a partner, and the firm of Stevenson & Sears continued until January 1, 1872, when Mr.

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Sears sold his one-half interest to Jacob Juvinall, John R. Layton, J. K. McCracken and D. S. Miller. The firm of George B. Stevenson & Co. then existed until April. 14, 1874, when Mr. Stevenson purchased the half interest owned by his partners, and thereafter conducted the business alone until , November 1, 1881. At that time George W. Beery, Roe Stevenson and John Agerter became partners, and under the title of the Stevenson Machine Works, Messrs. Stevenson, Agerter & Co., have since operated as proprietors.

The buildings first erected cost $15,000, and the machinery $5,000. Since the organization of the present firm, a warehouse 30x60 feet, one-story high, with slate roof, has been erected at a cost of $1,000. The firm em- ploy forty men, and continue to manufacture the saw mills already men- tioned, besides the famous Stevenson engine. This engine was invented by Mr. Stevenson in 1875. He has since made valuable improvements upon the same, which are covered by three patents. In 1883, the firm manufact- ured and sold forty-five engines and eleven saw mills, which represents an annual business of more than $100,000. Their engines have been shipped to points extending from New Jersey to Nebraska, and from Lake Superior to Georgia. The Stevenson engine was awarded the first premium at the Ohio State Fair. By his enterprise, Mr. Stevenson has been the cause of circulating more than $2,000,000 in the town of Upper Sandusky.

The Upper Sandusky Straw Board Company was organized December 29, 1881, with S. H. Hunt, S. H. White, Samuel Lee, John Thompson, R. McKelly and T. E. Beery as members, who invested $60,000 in the enter- prise. The officers consist of S. H. Hunt, President, and S. H. White Secretary and Treasurer, while all the stockholders are recognized as Direc- tors.

In the summer of 1882, the building owned by the company was erected on the east bank of the Sandusky River, near the line of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne &. Chicago Railroad. It is of brick, roofed with slate, and contains an engine room, 125x35 feet, one story high; a bleaching room, 40x50 feet, two stories in height; a boiler room, one story, 30x45 feet; a machine room, one story, 135x35 feet; and a ware room, one story, 30x40 feet. Power is derived from two engines of 120 and 30 horse-power re- spectively.

The company began operations September 1, 1882, with five beating en- gines of 700 pounds capacity each; two rotary boilers or bleachers, fourteen feet in diameter, and each having a capacity of bleaching four tons of straw at each filling; a No 7 Ross cutter, capable of cutting four tons of straw per hour. In short, the works have capacity for the manufacture of ten tons of straw board per day. They manufacture their own gas, and have a steam pump which takes 1,000 gallons from the Sandusky River per minute.

The building cost $15,000, the machinery $55,000, and the real estate, twelve acres, $5,000. When in operation, thirty-two men, and from ten to fifteen teams are employed. Twelve tons of straw are used per day. The products are shipped principally to Eastern cities.

The Upper Sandusky Mills were completed and began operation- about September 1, 1858. They were built by James G. Roberts and Joseph H. Groff, who owned and operated them until 1869, when Jacob Purkeypile became the owner. Subsequently, Chester R. Mott, Dallas C. Pierson and Michael Moran were part owners at different periods. In 1876, James Kerr and his son, Robert E. Kerr, purchased a three-fourths interest. Three years later, they purchased the other one-fourth, and since that date

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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.

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The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 60

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway Number of Pages: 1072

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072