Seneca County, Ohio - Chapter 17: Clinton Township and Tiffin City, 1886 (part 3 of 3)

Grand Army Posts. - Leander Stem Post, G. A. R. No. 31. was organized under charter. May 21, 1880, with the following members: E. W. CiuTigan, J. E. McCormack, WiUiam Negele, W. A. Snyder, F. A. Amende, S. H. Dildine, Jacob Wolf, George Brendle, J. W. Neiijel, J. H. Cole, J. S. Helm, H. C. Myers. C. W. Bowe, J. H. Price, W. H. Myers, M. J. Stolzenbach, F. Frederici, L. Hartman, B. Kudor, M. Scannell, M. Cowgill, Ed. Lepper, J. C. Stoner, M. S. Lutz, P. J. Grise, G. L. Gallup. J. A. Norton, R. L. Knapp, John Van Nest, G. W. Rohrbacker, J. W. Parmenter, A. W. Drake and H. W. Yeager. J. H. Cole, the first commander, was succeeded in 1883 by E. W. Cnrrigan. J. F. Zeller was elected commander in 1884. This post was named in honor of Leander Stem, colonel of the One Hundi-ed and Fii'st Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was mortally wounded at Stone River December 31, 1862.

(Leander Stem Post Women's Relief Corps, No. 61, was fonnally organized January 28, 1885, with forty-five members. The following ofiieers were duly installed by Mrs. Gen. Young, of Toledo: President, Mrs. Charles Harmon; senior vice-president. Mi's. John Zeller; junior vice-president, Mi's. Clay Myers; treasiu'er. Miss Kisinger; secretary, Jlrs. James Burger; chaplain, Mi's. J. H. Hebn; conductor. Mi's. Hiram Park; guard. Mrs. Hu'am Clevidence. )

Isaac P. Rule Post, G. A. R. , No. 413, was established under charter March 7, 1884, with the following named members: James U. Cole. R. H. Beaver, W. H. Myers, W. H. Schuler, T. R. McManigle, N. D. Egbert. H. J. Bricker, D. W. Bowersox, C. K. "Walker, E. M. Haines, J. C. Shumaker, A. S. Baker, G. A. Blackwell, W. B. Stanley, J. T. Sterner, William Derr. James Van Nest, Jerry Fransue, John Johnson, C. A. Matthews, S. O. Chamberlain, Daniel Seeholtz. R. A. Gray and L. Montague. James H. Cole was the first commander. The post was named in honor of Isaac P. Rule, of the One Hundred and First Ohio Volunteer Infantry, who was wounded at Chickamauga, September 19, 1863. and died on the 2(ith of that month.

(A Women's Relief Corps, auxiliary to Isaac P. Rule Post, G. A. R. , was organized at the Rule Post headquarters, on the 25th of October, 1884, by Post Commander J. H. Cole. The following officers were elected: President, Miss Sallie Van Nest; senior ^'iee-president. Mi's. Anna Linville; junior ^^cepresident. Mrs. Sarah A. Seeholtz; secretary, Mrs. Vileriett Miller; treasurer, Mi's. Harriet V. Cole; chaplain. Mrs. Lizzie Bowersox: conductor. Miss Mintie P. Cole; guard. Miss Anna E. Bever. )

Clinton Townsfiip

Benevolent non-Secret Societies. - St. Patrick' s Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society was oriranized February 1, 1874, with about seventy-tive members. Charles J. M. Sullivan was the tirst president of the society. S. A. Coom-ad, John Mossony and John E. King have also tilled this position. S. A. Coonrad was first secretary. The names of the old mt^mbei-s of the association are as follows: James Cavanaugh, John Cahill. Frank Collins, Patrick Cahill, James Boler. S. A. Coom-ad, James Croghan. ^I. Carroll, J. Edgeiioii, Hugh Cavanaugh, J. M. Arndt, John Farr(>ll, T. Fitzmorris, M. P. Gear}', JIatthew Geary. M. Gillis, M. Geary, T. Fitzpatrick, William Hays. Isaac Hoffman, M. Hallinan and son, James and Philip Hennessy, John Holland, P. Jordan, Paul Johnson. William Johnson, John Kennedy, William Kiihn, J. B. King, Ed. Kemiv. Philij) B. King, Peter Kintz, J. L. King, Joseph Knott, S. C. King, F. il. Kintz. John E. King, W. J. Kuder, J. T. King, F. Kessler, P. T. King, Henry K(>ssler, William King, John Knott, Frank Killer, W. Kessler, J. J. King, J. Lonsway, J. Lankard, James F. Leahy, John B. Lonsway, Vincent Lonsway. John Leahy, Sylvester Lonsway, Maurice Leahy, Amon Lonsway, Michael Miller, Jr., Alexis Magers. Joseph Miller, John McNamee. John Mc- Cai-tv. John McCue, N.A.Mever, Patrick McCartv. P. O'Donnell. J. O'Connor, T. O'Neil, M. O'Connell. James O'Brien. E. O'SuUivan. T. W. O'Brien. Thomas O'Connor, Felix O'Neil, Joseph Pecher, John G. Patton, L. P. Peu-o, J. J. Patton, Cleophus Pecher, D. Quinn. A. Reilly, C. J. M. Sullivan, John Strausbaugh, Patrick Sweeney, Emmett Sullivan, P. Lughroe and son, G. Lughroe, J. Sweeney, Cornelius Scannell. Patrick G. Scannell, Louis Stone, Edward Sweeney, John Sandys, M. Scannell, J. Thorpe, T. F. Walsh, W. H. ^^'agonhouser.

Knights of St. George, Branch No. 200, C. K. of A. , was organized December 28. 1881, by John Mossony, special deputy, with the following named members: C. J. M. Sullivan. John T. King, Terrence O'Niel, William Steltzer, Jeremiah L. King, Cornelius O' Conner, Cornelius Sugro. Maurice Leahy, John E. King and James Hennessy. The presidents of the branch, since organization, have been John Mossony, Charles J. M. Sullivan. James O'Brien and Joseph L. Banker, with William Steltzer, secretaiy. S. J. Kintz is the present secretary. The Knights numbered thirty-thi-ee in Januaiy, 1884.

Ancient Order of Hibernians, District No. 1. Tiffin. Ohio, was incorporated in June. 1876, with the following incorporating officers: J. K. Bresnin, C. D. ; John Lyons, president: T. T. Collins. Y. P.; William Biu'ke, R. S. ; James Blake, F. S. ; ^^'illiam Colthiu'st, treasurer. This organization, owing to the removal of members and new divisions coming into existence, may be said to have suspended.

Ohio Coimcil Catholic Benevolent Legion was instituted at Tiffin, October 26, 1884, with the following members : James V. Magers, S. C. King. S. J. Kintz, King Albert Baumgardner. Patrick N. Cotter, John Hummer, James Hennessy, E. C. Keyes, John E. Williams; J. Kuder, Anthony Halter, Nicholas C. Werling. S. J. Kintz has served as president since organization, and is also Deputy Supreme Chancellor for Ohio. Patrick N. Cotter is secretarj'.

Charles Leiner, Sr. , Julius Kiessling, Joseph Unser, V. J. Zahm, Christian Limbach, Joseph Harter and John Dumont. The following have served as secretaries : Hugo Hasselkus, Albert Barthel, George Brendle, M. L. Albrecht, H. Guggenheim, L. W Zimmer, Adam Schauss, H. Weidling and F. Herbig. The society was incorporated October lU. 1864.

St. John's Benevolent Society was organized ]March 28, 1808. at a meeting of German citizens called by ]\Iichael Kirchner, John Houck and Paul Yallmer. M. Kirchner was elected president; George Spies, secretary; A. Kuebler, treasurer, and A. J. Brickner, vice-president.

Druids. - Humboldt Grove No. 15. United Ancient Order of Druids, may be said to have its origin in the organization of April 29, 1859, when Jacob Zimmer, Leopold Rose, J. C. Spindler. William Wolf, Philip Scheib, G. A. Lautermilch, Guenther Herzer and Benjamin Schimmes established a branch of the order at Tiffin. Its membership is composed almost solely of German citizens.

Temperance Societies. - The Seneca County Union Temperance Society was formally organized December 28, 1841, and pennanently organized Januaiy 4, 1842, with W. S. Green, j)resident; R. Sneath, vice-president; J. H. Brown, secretary; John Andrews, treasui'er.

Tiffin Division No. 171, Sons of Temperance, was reorganized December 10, 1847, under the law of March 11, 1845, with James K. Owen, Holly Lightcap and James Sumner, trustees; J. W. Patterson, P. W. P.; Joel W. Wilson, W. P. and J. Sumner, R. S. The resolution to incorporate was offered by W. H. Gibson.

A new lodge of the Independent Order of Good Temjilars, was organized April 7, 1885, when the following officers were elected, and are named in order of seniority, fi-om W. C. T. to W. Lodge Dept. : W. A. Dallas. Cannie Van Pelt, Emma Huss, E. E. Weller, H. J. B. Ford, G. J. Hiunbert, H. G. Day, L. Montague, Miss L. Woodman, E. Stanton Gregg, Mi's. Humphrey, Miss Maiy Morrison, Miss Onie Biller, E. E. Weller.

In 1874 the Woman's Temperance movement attained the climax. Saloons were visited, prayers offered up, sermons preached. Great niuubers of ladies were engaged in this crusade. Lewis Bang who kept a saloon at Tiffin since 1848, promised to siurender to the crusaders, while Nicholas Bartell suiTendered to a corps of 183 ladies. His saloon equipment realized .?117.73 at the crusader's sale in 1874, and his reformation gave great satisfaction.

Musical Associations. - The Bruderbund was formerly organized in 1853, when a number of German musicians formed a singing class imder the leadership of Chi-istian Kunold. The actual organization of the Bruderbund dates back to February 24, 1854, when Christian IMueller was elected president, Philip Emich, secretary, and William Berger, treasixrer. and twenty-eight other members then formed the society. In 1856 it joined the North American Saengerbund, and participated in the great meetings at Cincinnati, 1856; Detroit, 1857; Pittsburgh. 1858; Cleveland, 1859; Buffalo, 1860; Columbus. 1865; Louisville, 1866; Indianapolis, 1867; Chicago, 1868; Cincinnati, 1870; St. Loxiis, 1872; with the N. W. Saengerbund; Cleveland, 1876; Columbus, 1878;

Toledo, (P. S. A.) 1879; Ala-on, 1880, O. S. ; Dayton, IBS'i; Buffalo, 1883; Spiingfiold, 18S4. The directors have been C. Kiinold, 1853; Charles Boos, 1855; George Spies, 1S57-85. The society now comprises eighteen members, named as follows : Christian AVeiney, Jiilins "Weiuey, John B. Mej'ers and George Bolender, first tenors; ^N'illiam Berger, F. W. Berger, Philip Grummel, Henry Hubach, second tenors; John Merkelbak, Martin L. Albright, Hem-y Gross, Joseph ISIiller, first bassos; George Homan, Francis Ball, Julius Kieasling, Joseph Unser, John Dutt, Peter Pfeiffer, second bassos.

The Philharmonic Society was formally organized at the house of Henry Gross, May 111, 1876, and completed organization May 25, that year. Louis Ulrich was elected president. The members were C. H. Miller, Dr. "Williard, Michael Scanuell, JIary Ebbert. Homer Bricker, Isabella "Wagner, Pauline Wagner, Mollie AN'agner, Francis A\'agner, Hemy Gross, Robert Fisher, Cora Pugh, J. M. Bach (director), Peter Pfeiiier, HaiTy Buskirk, C. Lohr, Mrs. Barnes and Jennie Ford. This society has presented many of the choicest musical compositions to the people.

The Choral Union was organized October 13, 1885, with the object of fostering the practice and study of high-class music. The officers then elected are president. Prof. A. B. Lowe; vice-president. Miss Emma Huss; secretary. Dr. H. L. M'enner; treasurer, Mrs. D. K. Myers; committee on music, Prof. B. F. Griffith, Col. C. D. Sprague, Prof. Charles Goetz ; committee on constitution, etc. , Messrs. Miller and Beam and Miss Huss.

The Washington Band was organized at Tiffin in 183U, and gave a concert at the court house in May of that year. This pioneer band drummed up the militia, and was generally useful. Boos' Band dates back before the war.

MisceUaneous Societies. - The Seneca County Bible Society was organized in 1831. The thii-ty-lirst annual meeting was held at Tiffin, Februaiy 9, 1862, with the late Henry Ebbert, presiding. This society was reorganized May 11, 1885, when the following officers were elected; Dr. L. H. Kefauver, president; C. J. Tingling, secretary; J. F. Marquardt, treasurer, and Robert Lysle, auditor. G. R. Huss was le-elected depository.

The objects of the society are the diffusion of Biblical knowledge by the fi-ee distribution of books of Scripture, and the Scripture as well as religious tracts.

Society for Pi-evention of Cruelty to Animals, of Tiffin, was organized by Dr. Douglass, agent of the State Society, September, 1885. The object of the organization is to co-operate with the parent society in can-ying out its work in enforcing the laws against criieltj', and in creating a more humane public sentiment. The following officers were chosen: Dr. E. J. McColhim, president; J. S. ]\Iorris and C. J. Tingling, vice-presidents; Fred L. Wenner, treasurer; John L. Lott, secretary; Kora F. Briggs, agent. The officers, with AV. P. Noble, Michael Scannell, H. E. Simons, of the Tribune, and J. M. Naylor, are the original members of the association.

The Union League was organized April 1, 1863, with John K. Hord, president; G. J. Keen and William L. Myers, secretaries; John Robbins, corresponding secretary, and Lewis Baltzell, treasurer.

The Tiffin Prohibition Club was organized August, 1 885, with the following officers: President. Rev. R. B. Moore; vice-president, Kev. N. Shujip; secretaiy, HaiTy Cromwell; treasiu'cr, Treeuary.

The AV. H. Gibson Clul), a reorganization of the Toiing Republican Club, was effected October 5, 1885, with George B. Stone, president; "William H. Good, J. F. Ken- and E. W. Currigan, vice-presidents; Fred L. "Wenner, secretaiT; \\. J. Davwalt. treasui-er.

The Geitnan Eeading Club, or Deulsche Leseverein, was the first German nonreligious society organized at Tiflin. The readings, however, began to obtain a religious character, and the society merged into a controversial club, which argued it out of existence. It dated back to 1845 or 1S4G.

The German Dramatic Company, or Die Deutsche Theater -gesellschaft, was organized about 1849. and gave several entertainments in the old Methodist Episcopal Church near Mai'ket Street bridge.

Prescott Library, of Tiffin, was organized Febniaiy 7, 1848, with William Toll, chairman, and Leander Stem, clerk. E. G. Pennington, Dr. A. Hepburn and Henry Ebbcrt were chosen trustees. This library was the pioneer collection of books for the use of the citizens.

Young Mens' Christian and Library Association, of TifBn, was organized May 30. 1S6S, with S. K. Kii-kwood, president; J. G. Gross, vice-president; N. L. Brewer, D. P. Dildine and Kobert Lysle, secretaries; George R. Huss, treasui'er.

There are many private collections of books in the city, extensive and valuable, while the law libraries teU us that the history bf bibliolatry should be added to that of the chiirch, since such a worship is in existence here.

Banks, Insubance, Etc

The first notice of a bank at Tiffin appeared in Mai'ch, 1843, under the heading ' ' Fanner s Bank of Seneca County. ' ' This, however, was nothing more than the ' ' Bank of Terra Firma, ' ' referred to in Chapter X.

The Labor Insurance Company was partially organized in May, 1847. John Keller, G. Bernard, Daniel Gettinger. Elisha Mustead, Levi Davis, Sidney Sea, William Stanley, Lloyd Norris and Benjamin Tomb were among the active members of the Seneca Farmers and Mechanics Society, of that time.

The Seneca County Bank, as told in Chapter XII, was opened November 13, 1847, with §100,000 capital. Its first advertisement, December 15, 1847, was signed by W. E. Chittenden, cashier. In May, 1857, he was elected cashier vice Chai-les L. Johnson, who resigned to accept the superintendency of tho Tiffiu & Fort AVayne Railroad. The suits against this company were poncliug so hit o as April, 1861. In 1804 Judge Lang's bill, providing for the redemption of certiticates issued by Receiver Claypolo, of this concern, was passed by the Legislature and approved.

James I. Claypolo. receiver of Seiioea County Bank, received notice November 1, 1801, that Ml'. Pittinger, of Tiffin, was appointed receiver. He refused to reeognizo the authority of the Auditor and Secretary of State in the matter, and continued issuing certificates. Under tho act of 1801, holders of the Seneca County Bank, circulating notes and receiver' s certificates, were ordered to present such to the State treasiu'er for redemption before July 1, 1865; but great numbers were never offered for redemption.

Ohio Savings Institute was a bank organized at Tiffin September, 1880, on the - Individual Liability' ' principle. Josiah Hedges was president, and Luther A. Hall, cashier.

The Bank of Tiffin was organized in September, 1858, with Evan Dorsey and A. G. Sneath, proprietors. In 1859 Mr. Dorsey was succeeded by R. W. Shawhan, who, with Mr. Sneath, conducted the bank until 1805, when it was consolidated, so to speak, with the National Exchange Bank, in March of that year.

First National Bank of Tiffin (successor to Tomb, Huss & Co.) was chartered March 10, 1805, with Benjamin Tomb, president; John T. Huss, cashier; Benjamin Tomb, George E. Seney, John T. Huss, Thomas B. Tomb and George R. Huss, directors. The other stockholders were L. F. Singer, E. L. Hamilton, John G. Gross, Robert Nelson, James S. Yerk, Charles M. Yerk, George W. Cunningham, I. L. St. John, Hemy Ebbert, Stephen Dorsey. H. H. Souder, John L. Osborne, Samuel Hemn, Michael Sullivan, William Gallup and Henrj' Zahm. This banking house continued in existence until October 10, 1875, when Huss shot himself. On the true condition of the finances becoming known a receiver was appointed in the person of Warren P. Noble, who paid the creditors 60 per cent of the amounts claimed by them.

Tiffin National Bank, formerly the National Exchange Bank (successor to the Tiffiu Bank), was chartered March 17, 1805, and the office opened April 1 in the Tiffin Bank office.* J. D. Loomis was president; A. G. Sneath, cashier;

E. B. Searles, assistant cashier. Hhe directors were R. W. Shawhan, J. M. Naylor, A. B. Hovey, G. M. Ogden. Abel Rawson, Robert Smith. H. A. Buskirk and E. T. Sticknev. The other stockholders were J. H. Pittinger. John Swigert. J. H. Good, S. B. Sneath. W. M. Naylor, Levi Da\-is. J. A. McFarland. This bank ended its corporate existence February 28, 1885, and was succeeded by the Tiffin National Bank, with the same capital and officers. J. D. Loomis is president and J. W. Chamberlin. cashier. Tho directors are A. BuskLrk, J. D. Loomis, J. M. Naylor, George D. Loomis and R. W. Shawhan.

Tiffin Saving and Building Loan Association was incoiiiorated December 18, 1867, with the following named members: John T. Huss, A. H. BjTes, Robert Lysle, William Kline and Liither A. Hall. The capital was $300,000.

Seneca Building Association of Tiffin was incorporated December 22. 180SI, with Samuel J. Ku-kwood, O. C. Zeller, John Van Dorn, O. T. Locke and N.

Mechanics' Building Loan Association was organized January 19, 1871, with the following members : John H. Ridgely, William G. Blymeyn, O. T. Locke,

-April 23, 1878, it was discovered that the cashier, Oliver Cromwell Zeller, had left Tiffin, taUsg with him S4S,782.47 of the banli's money.

Tiffin Savings Loan Association. - A building association was organized February 12, 1873, at TiflSn, with the following members : WaiTen P. Noble, C. Gever, John G. Gross, J. Neligh, J. A. Blair-, Edward Jones and Jacob F. Marquardt. incoiisorators. The capital stock was S200,000.

Tiffin Savings Bank Association was organized March 1, 1873, with the following members: John G. Gross, John Neligh, Jacob F. Marquardt, Edward Jones and George "\V. Bachman. The capital stock was $100,0(10. This company organized with John G, Gross, president, and D. D. Dildine. cashier, who conducted it for four years, when it merged into the Commercial Bank.

Home Building Association of Tiffin was incorporated Januaiy 30, 1 874, with the following members: D. P. Dildine, J. A. McFarland, A. C. Baldwin, N. G. Hayward and George Gassman.

Clinton Building and Loan Association was organized May 5, 1874, with E. H. Swander, John H. Foulk, "\V. T. Knouse, Edward Knouse and Thomas Swander. members.

Commercial Bank of Tiffin was incoi-jjorated May 12, 1876, with Warren P. Noble, S. B. Sneath, J. M. Kaull. HeiTaan Bust, J. G. Gross, J. A. Blair, Edward Jones, Charles Geyer. John A. McFarland, A. G. Sneath, I. L. St. John and Christian Mueller, members. The cajjital stock was §100,000. The officers are W. P. Noble, president; S. B. Sneath, cashier; John B. Rimyan, assistant cashier; and the directors: W, P. Noble, Charles Geyer, E. E. Titus, I. L. St. John. J. M. Kavill and S. B. Sneath.

Pioneer Notes

The fii-st business established within the coiinty was Erastus Bowe'a tavern in 1817, on the north bank of the river, in the center of what is now Washington Street. The locality was called Pan Yan.

The lirst fi-ame house erected at Tiffin was that of 1822 by Josiah Hedges, which was used as a store the ensuing year. Here courts were held until 1828, and here was the old Masonic Hall in 1847. This building, which stood where the Advertiser office now is, was pm-chased by P. H. Ryan about 1856. and moved to a point near the mouth of Eock Creek, where it was used as a pork jiacking house for sometime; was then used as a carpenter shop, and later converted into a box factory. Spink, of Wooster. opened a store at Tiffin in 1822. Milton McNeal opened a general store at Fort Ball, and was followed by Edar & Bowe, butchers. In December, 1825, John and Benjamin Pittinger opened their store; two years later Henry Cronise opened a stock of dry goods ojjposite the present store of J. M. Naylor; Jiilius Feldnagel opened his tavern subsequently. Among the advertisements in the Patriot, in 1832, were the following business notices: Moses D, Cadwallader canned on tailoring in the building erected by Richard Sneath, knovm as the Mechanics' HaD, C. Bradley advertised his meat market at the new market, front of the ice house. Joseph Biggs, was ahat mamifacturer; John Searles and James C, Miu'rey, appraisers, and Thomas McMillen, justice of the peace, advertised a stray horse, Drs. E. Dresbach and R. C. J. Carey established a branch of their Fort Ball office in Mechanics' Hall, August 3, 1832. Dr. James Fisher opened a drug store; Jacob Shoemaker advertised Jacob Koontz as an absconding debtor; Mercer & Ebbert advertised their hat store. Keller, Grose and Cronise advertised their patent giimming and cutting machine; Calvin Bradley leased the Washington Hotel from Richard Sneath, August 9, 1832. George W. Gist, administrator of Dablah Litt, advertised personal property for sale. SherifiF

Diiviil Bishop advertised for sale the one-tliird part of Section 20, Town 3 north. Range IT), in Delaware Laud District, formerly owned by Alex Nntt, and surveyed by David Risdon.

In March. 1882, one William Brish opened a tavern at Fort Ball without a license. He was brought to trial in October, T832, but the indictment was quashed. In December, 1832, Hezekiah Graff and Eli Stem entered into partuersliip for the purpose of caiTying on a saddle and harn(>ss business at Tiffin. This partnership was dissolved in June, 1834, but in 18315 Mr. Graff sued his fi-iend for one-half th(> value of working stock. In 1833 a number of mercantile houses were opened at Tiffin, and many mechanics' shops estab; lished. In October, 1835, Thomas J. McCleary and Jonathan Whitehead brought a S5.()()0 stock of goods from New York to Tiffin, and carried on business as J. Whitehead & Co., in a house adjoining Joel Stone's tavern, and the back room and cellar of the tavern, the rent of all being $100 per year. In 1 837 this partnership was brought into the couils. Abel Itawson was appointed receiver.

The business circle of Tiffin in 1847-48. was made up as follows: R. W. Shawhan. northwest corner of Washington and Market; Rufus W. Reid, whtnv Griimmel's store is; Cronise Bros., where SeewahVs store is; Rmnmell & Snyder, near Seewald' s store ; Robert Crum, Baldwin & Pride, Commercial Row; Andrew Glenn, near alley; Jesse Shriver, in the Empire Block; RoUa Johnson, northwest corner of Perry and Washington; W. D. Scott, south of Hubbard's store, in Seney's building; George Tajdor, Einstein & Hobbs, Howard & Naylor, present stand; E. Ayres & Co., where the Gross Block is, and Ebbert & Seney. Sidney Sea, Jr. , and M. D. Scott are now in business on State Street, Chicago.

The medical circle, in 1847-48, comprised Drs. Ely Dresbach, Henry Kiihn, J. A. McFarland, Andrew Hepbui'n, James Fisher. B. Raymond, Jacob Staub and S. '\^'. Bricker.

The bar of Tiffin comprised Abel Rawson, Warren P. Noble, M'illiam H. (xibson. R. G. Pennington. William Lang,' William C. Hedges, Sitlney Sea, J. P. Pillars, Luther A. Hall, Jesse Stem. Richard Williams, Joel W. ^Vilson.

In 1847 the hotels were Smith's Clinton House, at Fort. Ball; the American, the Ohio, the National and the Washington House, at Tiffin. At this time. Fort Ball boasted of three dry goods stores, two groceries and one harnessmaker.

Pioneer Manufactures. - In this part of the history of Tiffin, the names of traders, jirofessioual men and manufacturers, identified with the city diu'ing its earlier years, are given, and where it was found possible to base a sketch of an industry on something authentic, a history of such industry is given.

Paul D. Butler erected a saw-mill on the Sandusky, between Tiffin and New Fort Ball in 1819, which was the first manufacturing industry in the county. Previous to 1821 this very primitive mill was discontinued, and part of its timbers cairied away by the great tlood of that year. In January, 1847, a still greater flood carried away many relics of pioneer settlement.

The Rock Creek Saw-mill was erected in 1822 Ijy Josiah Hedges, about one-quarter mile east of the original town of Tiffin, twenty-seven rods southeast of the intersection of I-^ast Market and Circular Streets.

The Hedges Grist-mill, on the SandusW River, was constructed in 1822, about one-half mile north of the original town. This was conducted by AVilliam Hunter for a number of years. From 1847 ttf 1852 it was operated by George W. Cunningham, in connection with the Lugenbeel Mill, south of Tiffin.

In 1825 Jesse Spencer erected a saw-mill in the old town of Oakley, and constinicted a dam. His entire property was sold to Josiah Hedges. Junp 1 (j, 1825. A reference to the case of Spencer i-s. Hedges will give many particulars relating to this old mill.

The Rock Creek Saw-mill was erected in 1826 by Josiah Hedges, at the intersection of Circular road and East Market Street, on the site of the old mill. This was rented shortly after to Joseph Janey, and was subsequently operated by Uriah P. Coonrad and Chris. Y. Pierson. fi'om August 3, 1832, until its destruction by lire in 1833. The mill-dam was subsequently vised for supplying the water-power of the city mills. About 1836 Mr. Hedges constructed another mill opposite William Hianter's.

The Lugenbeel Flouring-mill, built by Andrew Lugenbeel in 1835, was operated by George W. Cunningham from 1847 to 1852. This is still standing near the Tiffin Water-works, and the ancient mill-dam still gives evidences of its solidity.

The Shoemaker Mill, built in 1845 by R. M. Shoemaker, was operated ft-om 1855 to 1858 by George W. Cunningham. Its location was one mile north of Washington Street bridge, now operated by Speck & Sons.

The John Keller Mill, built in 1848, was taken charge of in 1858 by George W. Cunningham. This mill burned down January 4, 1S60. Its location was two miles and a half down the river from Washington Street Mill.

William Campbell and J. S. Robinson conducted a cabinet and chair factor}' separately after the dissolution of their partnership. June 23, 1832.

The first Tannery was established about 1827, on the northeast corner of Market and Monroe Streets, by Andrew Frintchey, who died of cholera in 1 834.

In 1848 Christ Mueller and Val. Schmidt established a lager beer brewery at Tiffin, and in 1854 built a new breweiy on River Street. In 1860 Mueller purchased Schmidt's interest, and converted the old brewery into a malt house. Schmidt died in 1865, having, jointly with Mueller, the credit of establishing the first lager beer brewery in Ohio. This is known as the Clinton Brewery.

Jesse Wolf's Foundiy, which some allege to have taken the place of Allen's Brewery, came next, then the Loomis k, Nyman Foundiy in 1847, and following this all the iron works mentioned in the history of the city's modern manufacturers.

The first brick yards were established in lS:{()-:il, one Ijy John Strong near the east end of Tiffin Sti-eet, and the other at Fort Ball. At the former yard the brick for St. Mary's Chiu-ch W(>re luannfactured in 1881 by Hennessy. Kenny & Delaney; those for John Goodiu's hotel were also made in that yiud,

Peter Van Nest, said to be the pioneer carriage builder of Ohio, established a carriage factory- near Allen's brevvery, opposite the first Methodist Episcopal Church, which was destroyed by fire January 2tj, 1854, when the tii'st free bridge was destroyed.

Manufacturing Industries, 1885

The business houses of Tiffin, including hotels, stores, saloons and manufactiu-ing establishments, numbered in 1884 412, and to-day there are about C)0(>, a significant comparison. Together with the . several business houses, there are 8 newspaper offices, 24 law offices, 23 justices' and notaries' offices, I'J physicians' offices, and about 15 offices devoted to insiu'ance and abstract of title business. The leading factories are named in the following lists: Foimders and Machinists - Tiffin Agricultural Implement AN'orks, Loomis & Nyman's Fountb'v, and the National Machinery Coni])any"s AVorks. Furniture manufacturers and dealers - Enterprise Manufacturing Company, School Furniture Manufactimng Company, Grummel & Son, Fiego Bros., Charles AV. Horn and Hem-y Lemp. Harrow maimfaetiu-ers - O'Brien Bros. Manufactui'- ing company. Hominy mOl of J. P. Baker; potteries of J. Eidt & Son and Francis X. Schultis; potash factory of Henry Trefflieh; repair sho])s of Bucher & Leichti; saw-mills of Frank Flumerfelt, David Martin and Martin Moser; creamery and butter factory of Buskirk <fe Company; sash, door and blind factories of the Enteqirise Mamifacturing Company, the Tiffin Manufac turing Company, the Tiffin (Union Chm-n Company, Solomon Kaup and ^\'illiani B. Stanley; Ohio Stove Company; water elevator factory of L. Vannette; boiler factory of John Canty: marble and granite works of Joseph Harter, Thorn & Co. and H. W. Yeager; bent wood works of Fishbaugh & Co. and F. Smith; woodenware works of the Tiffin Churn Company, and box factory of Kol)ert H. Whitlock & Co. ; wagon hound factory of Fishbaugh & Co. ; boot anil shoe factory of "William A. Sponsler; brick and tile factories of Alber Behm and^Villiam and Otto Heilman, late John Heilman: broom factory of Sedon Straub: breweries of H. Hubach (City Brewery) and C. Mueller (Clin ton Brewery); distillery of Andi-ew J. Brickner, C. K. Bowman; carnage and wagon works of Heniy Crooks. Lewis Delhi, Glassner & Shock, Blasius Hepp. Kuder & Fiy, O'Brien Bros. Manufactimng Company, P. Van Nest's Sons, and H. S. Wenner & Co. ; church fiunitm-e factories of the Tiffin Manxifacturing Company; cigar factories of August Dressell, Benjamin Schinnes, F. J.. SchneckenbiU'ger, Charles ^'eimer and Bernard A\"elter; woolen mills of E'. S. ltockv\'ell; cooperages of Wendell Kuhn, A. Miller and Samuel Mundwiler; gas and electric lights - Tiffin Gas Light and Tiffin Edison Electric Light Companies; flouring-mills of W. S. Bacon; Clifton Roller Mills, P. J. Hyatt, Kimmel & Keller and McAdoo & Co. ; tire brick and fire clay manufacturing works of the Tiffin Gas Light Company; tinware works of George Ernest, Joseph L. Ranker and Ed. R. Stephenson, the soap works of the Titfin Soiip Company: in December, 1883, the Tiffin Stove Polish Company was organized, of which A. L. Flack is general manager; there is also Jacobs Neckyoke manufactory.

Loomis & Nyman's roiindiy may be said to have been founded by Jesse "Wolf, who sold his buildings and machinery to Philetus Xyman and J. D. Loomis. in 1847. In 1848 the new prnjirietors enlarged the works, and subsequently added the manufacture of saw-mill machinery, plows and steamengines, to the old-time work of the foundiy. After the destruction of the Yan Nest Cairiage Shops, the new linn purchased the site, extended the old building and erected a new building. During the last ten years special attention has been given to well-boring machinery, and the linn has the reputation of being among the most extensive manufactiuers of this class of machinery in the United States. The steam engines used in the Tiffin Agi-ieultin-al Works, and in the O'Brien CaiTiage ^^'orks, were manufactm-ed here. George D. Loomis became a member of the tirm in 1879. This industry gives constant emjjloyment to twenty-five men, and for a great part of the year to fifty men. Tiffin Agi-icultural "Works of Smith, Barnes & Co. were established in 1858. south of the German Catholic Chiu'ch, and the manufactui'e of agricultural implements was carried on there until 1873.

Tiffin Agricultural Works Company was incorporated February 1,1865, with Abel T. Barns. N. il. Barns, George Shannon, E. C. Umsted, and Michael Sullivan, members. The capital stock was placed at $50, 000. In Februaiy. 1873. the stock was increased $25,000, and in March $15,000, making a total $90,000. In 1872-73 the present buildings of the company were erected on Harrison and Minerva Streets, at a cost of over $90, 500, including machineiy. The presidents of the companv since 1865 have been A, T. Barnes, 1805-70; C. C. Park, 1870-72; E. C. Umsted, 1872-75; George Shannon, 1875-82; B. G. Atkins. 1882-85. The secretaries since 1865 have been: E. C. Umsted, 1865- 70: B. G. Atkins. 1870-82: R. Atkins, 1882-85. N. M. Barnes was superintendent fi'om 1858 till his death in 1874. William H. Hall, the present superintendent, was appointed in 1874. The company gives employment to 125 men, the majority of whom are skilled mechanics. Horse-rakes, corn-shellers, haytedders, brick machines, etc. , are manufactured. The value of annual product is about $175,000.

Saffell & Baldwin Chui'n Manufacturing Company was established in 1864, with building on site of present Union Company' s Works. They carried on business until 1876, when they reorganized as the Tiffin Union Chiu'n Company.

Tiffiii Union Churn Com]){iny was incoi-porated February 9, 1876, with A. C. Baldwin, president ; HaiTison Noble, vice-pre.sident, and C. H. Baldwin, secretary, who have been re-elected annually down to the present time. The Ijuildings wore erected in 1875, on the east side of Washington Street, along the river bank, at a cost of about $18,000. The machineiy now in use is valued at about $12,000, and the annual product at $50,000. The industry gives employment to sixty hands.

O'Brien Bros. Manufacturing Company was established at Galva, 111., by James O'Brien, in 1855, and conducted there until 1859, when he, with William S. and Joseph P. O'Brien, established their works at Prineeville, 111. From this time iintil 1865 the maniifactiu'e of wagons and carriages Avas carried on there. In 18(')5 the machineiy was moved to Kewanee, 111. the firm was reorganized as a stock company imder the name of O'Brien Bros. ManufactiU'ing Company. This industry, employing fifty-five men, was 'mo\^d to Tiffin January 1, 1882, where five acres of ground and 500,000 brick donated by a few citizens toward the establishment of such works. In September, 1881, work on the buildings was begun, and completed in January, 1882, at a cost of $50,000, including machineiy, some of which was moved from Illinois. The business is now undor the management of James O'Brien, ^Villiam S. and Joseph P. O'Brien, brothers; John E. , Henry E., and George N.. sons of James O'Brien, and Eugene N. O'Brien, son of William O'Brien. This industry employs KM) men, including the Jlessrs. O'Brien, not one of whom is a ch'one member, eaeh filling a dejiartment in the office or shops. Such an industry has brought to Tiffin a great numl)er of skilled workmen, and one of the most enterprising manufactiu'ing firms in the entire A\'est. The business is owned to-day by J. M. Kaull, vice-president of the Commercial Bank, refeiTed to in the history of l)aukiiig. The main Iniilding is ^00x54 feet, three stories, all brick, on stone foundation, with iron and asbestos roof. They extend fi-om South Greenfield Street to the Baltimore & Ohio and Northwestern Ohio Railroads, from which roads side-tracks enter the grounds. M'agons, caiTiages, and \nbrating harrows are the special manufactures. Their wagons, find a ready market all through the A\'est to the 'Pacific. Their carriages are favorably known in the East and 'West. The harrow was patented by W. S. O'Brien in 1S05, renewed in 1874, and forms one of the most i)oj)ular farm implements in use. The engine is a fifty horse-power stationary, manufactm-ed l)y Loomis & Xyman. of Tiffin, for the works. The first floor consists of suite of offices, carriage repository, shipping and receiving department, wood-working department, engine room, l)lacksmith department; ca])acity seventy-five hub wagons and fifty carriages per week. On the second-floor are the dry-house, oiling room, finishing department, carriage ware-room, trimming department. On the third floor is the wagon jiaiuting department, carriage paint shop, etc. This immense establishment is the foiuih one tuected under the su])ervision of ^Ir. O'Brien. Every department is caiTied forward to the finishing jioint.

Clifton Steam Flouring-mills were built in ISfiO by George M'. Cunningham, who conducted this industry until INTS. when the mills became the projxn'ty of the National Exchange Bank. The pro])erty was piu'chased by W. .S. Bacon (who owned the Bloomville Mills) in 1S7U. The capacity is about 150 barrels per day. The mill is eqtiipped with thirteen sets of rollers, and a full line of modern machinery, di'iven by a seventy-five horse-i)ower engine. The mill, a three-story brick building, stands on the bank of the river, corner of "Water and ^^'ashington Streets. The industry gives employment to seven hands.

McAdoo. Einsel & Shears' Steam Flouring-mill was erected in 1S84. and opened in January, 18S5. The full cajiacity of the mill is 200 barrels every twenty-foiu- hours, in which about 1.000 bushels of wheat are used; at present the mill is running about seven ban-els an hora\ The jilant was designed by H. B. Shears, and he and Eobert McAdoo and Noah Einsel are the owners of the mill.

Bo'ttinan Distillery, known as ' ' No. 51'' in the register, is located on the south terrace of the river, on the site of the old AVagner-Brickner Distillerj-. The pr<iduct is seventy gallons of whisky per day.

roputation for the mills. The best material only is used in the woolen goods produced, the best modern machinery has been introduced, and skilled workmen, only, are employed in the higher branches of the manufacture. JIi\ Rockwell is in partnership with his brother in woolen-mills at Dryden, N, Y. , established in 1870. The industry at Tiffin gives employment to about 100 hands. The buildings and machinery are valued at §50,000.

(Constantine ^^'oolen Mills Company was organized May 4, 1871, with J. Gilliland, James J. Hedges, Michael Scannell, Aaron Kreader, W. C. Hedges, John G. Gross and H. J. Grouse, members, to conduct the manufactiu-e of woolen goods at Constantine, Mich. )

Whitlock Box Factory was established at Tiffin in 1883, by E. H.Whitlock, owner of the Richmond & Danville, Va. , Tobacco Box Factories. The buildings w(»re completed in 1S8-4, and since that time this industry has employed from thirty to forty men. One million feet of lumber, principally sycamore, <ire manufactiu'ed annually, but the capacity of the works is much larger. The material is prejiared here, and shipped to his other factories to be put togethei'. Franklin HaiT\ood is manager at Tiffin, and representative of the owner in Ohio.

Tiffin Creamery, the latest addition to local manufacturing indiistry. was established in the fall of 1885, by A. Buskirk & Sons, on the Buskirk faim, south of Tiffin. It has a capacity of 1.500 pounds of butter per day. and the cream will be gathered fi'om all i)arts of the county.

Thom & Reverts' Marble Works were consolidated with H. W. Yeager's works in March, 1885, when the two stocks were combined, and one of the most extensive marl)le monument establishments in the State formed.

The first dye-hou.se at Tiffin was established about 1870, at the south end of Tiffin, by G. J. Rhorbacker. He canned on the business here for a few years, when he moved to Sandusky.

Tiffin Steam Dyeing "Works were established by. G. W. Rhorbacker in 1875. After three changes he moved to the present location on ^\'ate^ Street, in rear of the Noble Building, known as the Riverside Block.

National ^Machinery Company of Tiffin was organized and incoiporated October 17, 1882, with the following named members: William R. Anderson, Perry M. Adams, W. P. Noble, James A. Blair-, J. M. Naylor and J. W. Chamberlin. The works of this company front on South Greenfield Street, extending back to the railroads. The indust.i-y gives employment to a large number of skilled workmen.

Tiffin Tool Company was organized and incoi-porated September 30, 1882, with J. H. Frost, H. Jacobs, C. H. M\iencher. J. J. Butts and John Jacobs, incorporators, for the piu-pose of manufacturing farm and garden im}ilements and various machineiy tools. The cajjital stock was placed at -SoO.OOO. This institution is more familiarly known as the Combination Tool Factoiy, or the Sandusky Hoe Company. They occupied the large building of Adams & Letterhos on Market Street, continuing theie until their new buildings in the Second Ward were completed.

Tiffin Manufactiu'ing Company was organized November 27. 1874. with the following members: Jacob Schoeber, Levi ^^'en-ick. W. H. Gibson. W. H. Keilholtz, Charles Geyer, Martin Wagner. Harrison Noble, George W. Bachman, C J. Yingling and Lewis Seewald. The objects of the company were to establish a sash, door and blind factory, and the manufactm-e of church fiu'nitiu'e, and kindred goods.

Enterprise Manufactm-ing Company of Tiffin was incor])orated May 7. 1881. with J. W. Love, H. J. Stolzenbach. Charles Ernest, John Ernest, D. K

Frederici, Frank Frederici. Peter Swope and Joseph Secrist, members. The object of the company was to carry on the mainifacturo of sash, doors, blinds, im)klings and furniture. The works have been well established and a large trade made.

Ohio Stove Company was incorporated April 28, 1879, with John M. Myers. Omar "Wilson, Jacob Martin, Thomas J. Kintz and A. J. Brickner, members. The manufacture of stoves, hollow ware and castings was the object of organization. The industiy to-day is one of the leading ones in this section of the State, and its location, near the Indiana, Bloomington & Western and the Baltimore & Ohio depots, is always the scene of busy manufacturing life.

Excelsior Fork Company was organized Januaiy 11, 1867, for the«ianufactiu-e of pitchforks and hay-elevators. The Ohio Stove Works Company was incorporated July, 1807. A company under the name " Tiffin Paper Mills." organized February 27, 1873, and another company - "Tiffin Paper Mill" - was incorporated the same day. In March, 1873, a company Icnown as the "Ohio Stove Company" was organized; in May, 1873, the Ohio Shoe Factory Company was incorporated, and in November, 1873, the Machine Works of Tiffin: December 1, 1873. the Tiffin Shoe Factory Company was organized; in May. 1874, the Ohio Ceramic Works Company was organized, and March 14, 187(), the Sovereign Co-operative Trade Company. In earlier years, between 18')") and 1807, the Ohio & West Virginia Petroleum and Mining Company, and the Tiffin Gold and Mining Company of Colorado were incorporated; and in November. 1868, the Young America Manufacturing Company of Dakota, and in 1872, the Tiffin Car Works. Again in October, 1883, the Tiffin Soap Company was organized.

Tiffin Natural Gas Company was organized in July, 1885, with B. W. Wilson, J. J. Flick, J. W. Brown and M. F. Baldwin, members. In September. 1885, J. E. Brownyar, of Bradford, Penn.. came to Tiffin with a view of aiTanging with the company to begin work. From what has been vreitten in the chapter on the geology of the coimty, there can exist little doubt regarding the success of the eutei-prise at Tiffin.

Tiffin Gas Light Company was organized in 1856, with Edward Gwynn and others, incorporators, Mr. Gwj'un subscribing for 1,150 shares and B. G. Pennington and others for 50 shares of $25 each. An ordinance of the council gave the new company many privileges, and with the capital and those jjrivileges they established their works on Rock Creek, near Peny Street bridge. In 1860 John GwA'un, a lawyer of Tiffin, purchased his brother's interests; ten years after he sold the works to George E. Seney and the late John T. Huss, and in 1875 Judge Seney became sole owner. The works are conducted by John M. Bate, on principles of economy which inure to the benefit of the consiuner as well as the manufactm-er, the former receiving a good light for the smallest possible consideration.

Coal Yards

The first coal yard established at Tiffin was that kept by Jacob Shriver in 1864 or 1865, near the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Depot. W. B. Stanley opened one near the Indiana, Bloomington & Western Depot. Lawson, Greenleaf and Buskirk followed in the ownership of the Shriver Yard. Stanley's Yard was purchased in 1882 by Dildine & Glick. A coal yard was established near the Pennsvlvania Railroad Depot by Crooks & Blish, which is now owned by J. F. Zeller.

Erastus Bowe kept the fii-st tavern at Fort Ball. EHsha Sniitli kept a tav em at Fort Ball for some years prior to 1826, and William Montgomery carried on one in 1826.

George Park erected a log-house on the south side of East Periy Street for purposes of a hotel or tavern, the first in the city. His next building, which stood on the site of the National Hall Block, was a two-story frame, in which Eli Norris carried on hotel business. John Staub was also interested for a time in this building as lessee.

Calvin Bradley's hotel, what is now Remele's meat market, was established as the Centra] House and pm-chased by R. Sneath in 1826. In 1832, Mr. Bradley leased the hoiise fi'om Sneath and changed the name to " Washington House."

The Western Exchange Hotel, south of the original town, was erected in 1836 by Calvin Bradley, and the building is still standing on South Washington Street. This was also used as Bradley's stage station.

John Goodin, who settled at Tififin in 1828, erected the lirst brick hotel building on Lot 86 in 1832, and conducted it until the building was leased to T. J. McCleary. This house stood where Loser's confectionery store now is, and John Kriedler. H. Lease, Orrin Hart and others carried on hotel keeping in it for years. Goodin removed to Hardin County, where he was interested in his brother David's extensive business.

The Shawhan House was erected by R. W. Shawhan in ISoO, and opened by John Staub in December of that year. In 1854 French & Smith were proprietors.

In 1859 there were no less than seven hotels at Tiffin, namely, the American House, Davis House. Franklin House, Holt House, A. R. Yan Dorn' s and the Shawhan House. Since that time the Shawhan House has been transformed into a modern hotel; the Lang House was erected on East Market Street, opposite the court house, in 1874; the Empire House on South Washington Street was built, the Commercial on Market Street, and a number of smaller houses were added to the hotels of the city. The Zellers, now of Defiance, have been connected with the Shawhan House for many years. In May, 1885, John O. Plank sold the lease and furniture of this popular hotel to J. S. Morris, superintendent of the Northwestern Ohio Railroad, whose son, Frederick P. Morris, is manager, with W. T. Zeller and William Eichert, clerks.

Miscellaneous

Telegraph, Telephone and Express Companies. - The first telegraph line was constructed in 1849, along the line of the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad. Since that time the Western Union and the Bmlington & Ohio Telegraph Companies have opened offices here.

. TiflSn Telephone Company was organized April 27, 1881, with the following named members: Omar A\'ilson, John M. Myers, A. J. Brickner, E. S. Myers and C. D. Sprague. Almost all the important business houses and offices of Tiffin are now connected by telephone, while outside towns and villiiges are brought within speaking distance.

Railroads. - The railroads entering Tiffin are the Baltimore & Ohio, the Indiana. Bloomiogton & Western, and the Northwestern Ohio, latter operated by the Pennsylvania Company with J. S. Morris, superintendent, all of which are referred to in Chapter XI.

Tiffin Water-ivorks were established in 1878, under authority of a State charter and an ordinance of the city, granting the company the right to lay down water mains, and giving the exclusive right of water supply for twenty-live years. The system adopted is that known as the --Holly Direct Pressm-e System;"' the works were constructed by S. L. Wiley & Company and were transferred to Tiffin Water-works Company, on completion and acceptance l)y the city.

The pumps used are the Holly Quadruplex Pumping Engine, operated by water-power; capacity, 3, 000. 00(1 United States gallons in twenty-fom- hom-s. There is also a Knowles & McGowen pump operated by steam, combined capacity of which is 8,0(K1,000 United States gallons in twenty-foui- hoiu's. The power is in duplicate by water and steam. Piunping station is located on the west bank of the Sandusky River, about one mile and a quarter southwest of city at the old Liigenbeel Flouring-mill.

The network of piping consists of cast and wrought pipe, about fifteen miles in length'; there are two water mains separately connected with this network in the city, one sixteen-inch and one twelve-inch, one on the east and one on the west side of the river; there are 107 hydrants and about 350 water consiuners. The first officers were S. L. Wiley, president and manager, and M. Scannell, superintendent. The present officers are M. Scannell, president and manager, and George ^'dliam Ballon, treasurer and secretary'.

Places of Aiiiiisement. - Tiffin Opera Hovise Company was organized December 9, 1878, with the following membership: Scudder Chamberlain. O. P. Snyder. A. L. Flack, G. Ernest. W. P. Noble. J. M. Kaidl. J. A. Blair. J. F. Bunn. George E. Sehey. John McC'auley. J. M. Naylor. Edward Jones. M. Kirchner. S. B. Sneath and C. Mueller.

The National Hall, which took the place of the old Methodist Episcopal Church as the home of the drama, buUt by William C. Hedges, in 1802. forms the leading place for the drama in the city. Where this building stands was "Rat Row,'' comprising the American House, Abbot's, Gallup' s and Gipson's stores and Dresbach's and Rawson's offices.

Roller Skaiing jRuifcs. - This novel diversion, which has. in many instances, won the attention of old as well as young away from the business office, school or home, was established at Tiffin in the fall of 1884, by Messrs. Ross & Bowers, of Boston. Mass. The amusement was known as "the skating rink craze." So gi-eat was the support tendered to the new enterprise, a competitor appeiired in ^lay, 1885. and a new rink was constructed on the west bank of Rock Creek, fronting on Market Street. Whether the roller skate is an established institution, like base ball, remains for the future to decide. During the winter of 1 88-1-85 it appeared to have gained many admirers.

The Tiffin Board of Trade was organized in January, 1881, with the following named members: G. E. Seney. Harrison Noble. S. B. Sneath. Thomas J. Kiutz. Pern' M. Adams, J. A. Blair, S. Chamberlain, A. C. B;irbour, A. J.

Conclusion

In the pages just written every branch of life connected with the city, from the earliest times, finds a notice without elaboration - a statement of fact without exaggeration. Many points of interest in the city's history being so interwoven with the county, it was deemed well to give them a place in the pages of the general history, and thus many interesting incidents and names cannot be found in this chapter.

There is no history of failure attached to the city. The men who settled here knew no such word as fail ; conseqtiently it is a story of success, following industry, perseverance, toleration and intelligence. We could name 300 men to whose liberal policy and untiring zeal the city is indebted for its growth and position among the lai'ge towns of the Northwest. To the wisdom and policy of him who selected the location, and fostered eai'ly manufacturing and business enterprises, a great deal of Tiffin' s success is due, but the great achievement which placed the cit}''s business and social life on their present substantial footing must be credited to oiu- own times and men, to their enterprise and virtues.