Bellevue City (part 2 of 3)

Their son, Jeremiah Smith, was among the most worthy and highly honored of the citizens of York township. He was born October 15, 1801. On the loth of June, 1835, he married De Lora Knapp, daughter of Alvin and Lovisa (O'Bryant) Knapp. Mrs. Knapp's father, John O'Bryant, was an officer in the Revolutionary war. Alvin Knapp was born at Lebanon Springs, Columbia county, New York, and his wife in the western part of Massachusetts, about fourteen miles from the place of her husband's nativity. Mr. and Mrs Knapp lived in New York State until 1833. At this date they came to Ohio and settled near the centre of York township. They had thirteen children who arrived at maturity, five of whom are yet living. Their names in the order of their ages were: Arad, Chester, Balsoiah, Alanson, Kingsley, De Lora, Mary, Wilson, Sarah F., Henry, Martha, Anna, and Amanda. These were all married and all came to Ohio, but scattered to various parts of the country. Those now living are, Chester, in Cass county, Michigan; Wilson, in Lucas county, Ohio; Henry, in Decatur county, Iowa; Martha (Alexander), Whitewater, Wisconsin; and Mrs. De Lora Smith, York township.

Mr. and Mrs. Jeremiah Smith, jr., had no children. Mr. Smith died August 21, 1874, in his seventy-third year. He was a man of sterling integrity, friendly and courteous in his manners, pure m motive, and honest and fair in all his dealings. He passed through a long life without losing a friend or gaining an enemy by any fault of his own. During the most

Joseph And Amanda B. Birdseye

The oldest son of James Birdseye, whose ancestry and operations in this county are mentioned in the foregoing sketch of Nathan P. Birdseye, was Joseph Birdseye. He was born in Ontario county, New York, November 26, iSoo. His boyhood was spent at hard work on his father's farm. He had opportunity to attend school only a few months during the winter, affording a very limited education.

Mr. Birdseye married, in 1823, Amanda Beach, daughter of Jonathan and Betsy Beach, who were natives of Connecticut. After his marriage Mr. Birdseye purchased a farm in New York, now the site of Rochester, one of the iiiost flourishing cities of the State. Through the failure of a neighbor to meet an obligation on which Mr. Birdseye was security, this farm was lost. He then looked toward the West as a field for the restoration of his lost fortunes. In 1834 he purchased a farm in York township, on which he settled with his family in 1835. ^^ ^^'^^ ^ hard worker, and continued making improvements and adding to his possessions. In partnership with his brother, Nathan P., he discharged a contract for macadamizing the pike between Bellevue and Clyde.

Mr. Birdseye, in 1853, sold his farm in York township and moved to Clyde, where he had purchased a tract of land, now embraced in that part of the town lying between the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad track and the turnpike. As the village grew he sold, in town lots, about fifty acres, a part of which was forest at the time of making the purchase.

This operation showed Mr. Birdseye's business sagacity, and-leads to the conclusion that but for his early misfortune at Rochester, New York, he would have been a very wealthy man

The family of Joseph and Amanda Birdseye consisted of five children - two sons and three daughters. Eliza was born in March, 1824. She died m 1847. ^dalaide was born October 16, 1825. She resides in New York City. Emily was born September 27, 1827. She is married to John Bruen and lives in Santa Cruz, California. Her husband is dead. Gould was born November 26, 1829. He resides in Clyde. Nelson H. was born October 6, 1832. He resides in Clyde.

Joseph Birdseye died April 19, 1868, and is buried in McPherson Cemetery in Clyde. Amanda B. Birdseye is still living in Clyde. She is of genial disposition, afflrble in manners, and possessed of good business qualifications. She manages the estate left by her husband with care and discretion.

Mr. Birdseye, in many of his characteristics, resembling his brother, Nathan P, and at the same time possessing many traits of character differing widely from those of his brother. Both were scrupuously honest in all business transactions, and social intercourse. Both were Whigs, and afterwards Republicans, in politics. They were simple in their manners and determined in their convictions. It was a characterisic of Joseph Birdseye never to withdraw a command, nor to modify an opinion deliberately formed. He was uniformly kind and charitable to the sick or suffering. In him an iron will was coupled with a tender heart.

No family stood higher in York township than the Birdseyes. They were always alive to the welfare of the community, whether in deeds of public improvement or acts of private charity.

Horatio Rogers Adams was born in Montville, Connecticut, May 8, 1802, He was the oldest of three children, and only son of William Adams and Nancy Rogers, who were also natives of Connecticut. When Horatio was about seven years of age his parents removed from Montville to Albany, New York, where they afterwards Hved. William Adams was a sea-captam, was the owner of a number of vessels, and a man of enterprise and thrift. His wife died in the fall of 1820 aged about thirty-seven, and some two years afterward he married Delia Olmsted, an estimable lady of Albany, and sister of Judge Jesse Olmsted, the pioneer merchant of Fremont, Ohio. Of his three children by his first wife (his second marriage being without issue) only one is now living, viz : Sophia Adams, who still resides in Albany. The younger sister, Mary, died in Albany. Neither of the sisters ever married.

Horatio being the only child, and his father well-to-do, was permitted to follow his inclinations, and grew to young manhood surrounded by the social influences of city life. He attended school but little and employed a part of his leisure in fishing, his favorite sport, and in visiting at his uncle, Isaiah Adams's, a farmer living a few miles out of Albany. During these visits he would help in the work on the farm and it was there, doubtless, he formed the desire for the occupation which he subsequently followed. When about eighteen he made his way to Norwalk, Ohio, where a relative of his mother, Frederick Forsythe, was then living. He left home in company with George Olmsted on the ist day of October, 1820, coming to Sandusky on the Walk-in-the-water, the pioneer steamer of Lake Erie. Shortly afterward he made a visit to his friends, the Olmsteds, in Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, being piloted thither through the wilderness by William Chapman, the mail-carrier. There was then no laid-out road west of where Bellevue now stands, which then consisted, accordmg to Mr. Adams' recollection, of but one log-house. We next find him in Columbus, whither he journeyed on foot. He was now thrown upon his own own resources and among strangers, and he found it necessary to do something to earn a living. The first job he found to do was to take a horse for a man a distance of thirty miles, for which service he received one dollar. Of course he had to walk back, but he was well satisfied with his bargain. It was the first money he had ever earned. A short time afterward he went to Worthington, a little village nine miles north of Columbus, where he found employment for a time in a printing office. In Worthington he first met his future wife. Amy R. Bedell. They were married on the 4th day of May, 1823, and a few years afterward settled on Darby Creek, in Madison county. The farm on which they located had been partly cleared by a former occupant, who had abandoned it, and the cleared part had grown over with a heavy undergrowth and practically required a second clearing. The first season he raised a small crop of corn and a few bushels of beans, which found a market in Columbus, twenty miles distant, at fifty cents per bushel. Cotton goods were fifty cents per yard, and other necessaries in proportion. It required a good deal of fortitude and hard toil to keep the wolf from the door during their stay there. While fighting under countless difficulties for a livelihood, Mr. Adams was much distressed by doubts as to the validity of his land title, his farm being embraced in what is known as the Virginia Military District. This tract comprised a large extent of territory lying between the Little Miami and Scioto Rivers, and was reserved by act of Congress for compensation of the Virginia soldiers who had served in the Revolutionary war. Any soldier, or his representative, who held a warrant was at liberty to select his lands wherever he chose within the military tract ; and in consequence of the irregularity with which many locations were made, some locations encroaching upon others, considerable litigation ensued. This circumstance decided Mr. Adams upon disposing of his farm at any sacrifice, and consequently, after living there a couple of years, during which he and his always patient and helpful wife experienced every hardship incident to the lot of pioneers, they removed, in the summer of 1830, to Huron county, and located upon a farm rented of Jeremiah Sheffield, near Amsden's Corners, now Bellevue. He contracted with Mr. Sheffield to build a log-house on the farm, eighteen by twenty feet, in consideration of fifty bushels of wheat, and moved into this house on Christmas Day of the above year.

The following season being very wet, his crops were scanty, and he decided upon making another change. He was offered the farm on which he afterwards lived till his death, in York township, Sandusky county, Ohio, for one dollar and fifty cents per acre, but he hesitated about making the purchase, the "oak openings," as they were called, being regarded as almost worthless for farming purposes. Against the advice of some of his friends, he decided to make the investment. That his decision was a wise one, one of the finest tarms in the county is a sufficient proof.

To this farm on New- Year's Day, 1832, he brought his wife and two children, and all his worldly goods, in an ox-cart, and moved into a log house eighteen feet square, with puncheon floor, clapboard roof and stick chimney. The farm was then an almost unbroken wilderness, and the prospect anything but bright. But attacking his task with his accustomed energy, he soon had a portion of his land in a condition to be cultivated, from which he managed to support an increasing family, while he continued to enlarge the boundary of his clearing. The next ten years were years of hard work, attended by trials and frequent failures, but instead of tending to discouragement it was an experience which only developed the force and determination of a man by nature determined and forcible. In 1842 he erected the house which was afterwards his permanent home, and w^hich is still occupied by his widow. They took possession of this home on Christmas of that year, and it is a somewhat singular circumstance that on each removal they began the occupancy of their new home on one of the winter holidays.

On the 8lh of May, 1874, Mr. and Mrs. Adams celebrated their golden wedding. They had been married fifty years the 4th of May the previous year, but as sickness in the famrly prevented them from assembling that year, the reunion was postponed until the next year, and held on the 8th of May, which was Mr. Adams' seventysecond birthday. It was a happy occasion to all, and to the aged pair in whose honor it was held, an event second in interest only to their nuptial day. They had lived to see a large farm brought from a wild condition to a high state of cultivation, having increased in value a hundred fold, and to raise a family of children esteemed for their intelligence and moral worth.

Mr. Adams united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1829, and ever afterward was an active member and devoted Christian. His family was brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord,

He contributed with Uberality to the support not only of the church to which he belonged, but to that of others as well, and there is hardly a church in the region where he lived so long that has not been the recipient of his benefactions. His business record was unimpeachable. It was characterized by energy, perseverance, and the strictest integrity, which was an integral part of his nature.

He stood the embodiment of all that was upright, honest and honorable. A conspicuous quality of his mind was the faculty of humor. He had a keen sense of the comic and the ridiculous, and he enjoyed nothing more than a visit with friends, for whose entertainment he would relate, in his droll way, some humorous incident, usually in connection with his pioneer experiences. In manner he was to some extent eccentric and blunt, but he was always courteous, and to those who knew him best he had a nature as tender and sympathetic as a child's. Mr. Adams, from force of habit, continued his labors, more or less, on the farm long after reaching an age when most men are compelled to rest. In June, 1879, while at work in the field, he was overcome with the heat, which resulted in an affection of the brain, and after suffering intensely, mentally and physically, many months, he died March 22, 1880, aged nearly seventy-eight.

Amy R. Adams

AMY R. ADAMS. Amy Rosalia Bedell, daughter of Benjamin L. Bedell and Sally Burr, was born in Manchester, Vermont, January 31, 1804. When Amy was quite small her mother married for her second husband Smith Bull, and about the year 1810 the family removed from Vermont to the vicinity of Plattsburgh, New York. There they lived until the fall of 1815, when they removed to Worthington, Ohio. Mrs. Bull had by her first husband two children, a son and daughter. Burr and Amy. Burr Bedell was born September i, 1802, and at the time of his death, a few years since, was residing at Clayton, Michigan. By her second marriage she was the mother of twelve children, viz: Huldah, Mason, Rosetta, Thomas, Smith, Sally, Squire, Alfred, Orrin, Henry, Anna, and Alonzo. Mrs. Bull died in Urbana, Illinois, in October, 1852, surviving her husband some twelve years. She was born in Adams, Massachusetts, August 2, 1782.

The strongest influence in the shaping of the character of our subject was that of her mother, who was a woman of much strength and excellence of character, capacity, and directness of purpose. Her early years were spent in a country home, where her time was divided between a brief attendance at the rude district school and the exacting duties of home life on a farm. - After, the removal of the family to Ohio, through the perseverance of her mother she was sent out where she could work for her board and go to school. Possessing a naturally bright mind and an insatiable desire for knowledge, the opportunity thus afforded for its gratification was improved to the utmost, and although her education at this time was very limited, she made rapid progress in her studies, and at the age of sixteen she began to teach school. Looking back to this time she says those were halcyon days and remembers them only with tender and grateful emotions. Mrs. Adams taught altogether, though not continuously, for a period of seven years, continuing to teach for a time after her marriage. For a time after she began to teach she continued at intervals to attend school and had recitations to different instructors ; so that finally she attained a considerable proficiency in the branches of study in use at that day. From the time she began to teach she supported herself entirely by her own exertions. She had a laudable ambition to better her condition in the world, physical and intellectual, and she possessed m equal measure the necessary determination and perseverance to accomplish it. An incident in the beginning of her career as teacher will illustrate this. She went to Columbus for the purpose of securing a school. A friend endeavored for some time to find one for her, but failing to do so suggested as an alternative that shj accept a vacant position as chambermad in a hotel. This suggestion she emphatically refused to entertain, and said slie knew she was capable of something bettt r. Considerably discouraged, but no less determined in the attainment of her object, she was about to return to Worthingtoi when another friend interested himself in her behalf and soon brought her the welcome announcement that he had secured for her a room in which to teach and two scholars, and that she could begin tb ,- next day. The room was in a sma 1 building not far from where the Neil House now stands, and the scholars were his own children. Beginning in this small way the number of her pupils speedily increased and before her first term closed she had a school of sixty scholars, and required an assistant.

At the age of nineteen she was married to Horatio R. Adams, and in the hopefulness ol youth they entered upon that journey of mutual cares and joys, which at its termination by the death of her husband, spanned by nearly seven years more than half a century.

In all the vicissitudes of the early yea's of their married life, when struggli:! .,^ against poverty and adversity, Mrs. Adams was the true helpmeet of her husband, sharing the hardships and privations as

Well as the simple pleasures of frontier life. Mr. Adams in later years often referred to the heroic conduct of his young wife during that trying period, whose Christian fortitude had smoothed the rugged path by which a virtuous independence had eventually been gained.

Mrs. Adams is endowed with more than ordinary intellectual gifts. She is a woman of ideas and originality of thought and possesses a happy faculty of expression, both by speech and pen. She has written much in both prose and verse, and her productions evince a high degree of literary talent. The religious element in her character is predominant. For more than sixty years the Divine Word, the entrance of which irradiated her soul when a girl of fourteen, and dispelled the darkness of doubt and sinfulness, has been a lamp to her feet and a light to her pathway. From her loyalty to her Master she has never swerved. She early connected herself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has always remained a firm adherent of its faith and practices, and been a useful member. A good and useful woman, with remarkable endowments of mind and character, improved by high Christian culture, producing those graces which adorn society, the church, and the world, such is the subject of this sketch to those who know her best. We who thus know her feel the power of her single, earnest faith, the beauty and reward of a life "hid with Christ in God." Since the death of her husband Mrs. Adams has had the oversight of the farm, and although seventy-eight years of age, carries it on with admirable success.

Mr. and Mrs. Adams were the parents of nine children, two of whom died in infancy. The others are as follows: Lucia, born in Rochester, New York, April 22, 1828, is now the wife of Dr. William Mc-

Cormick, and resides in Grass Valley, California; they have two children liv- 'm^, Horatio and Jessie, and one (Willie) deceased. William, born in Lyme, Huron county, Ohio, in 1831, married Martha T. Pennell, and resides near Grand Rapids, Michigan; they have two children - Charles and Julia. Delia, born August 31, 1833, now widow of Upton F. Vore, and resides m Chicago; she has four children - Delia, Horatio, Upton, and Milton. Sophia, born in May, 1837, now widow of John S. Berger, and resides in Bellevue, Ohio; she has one child, Binnie, at present attending school at Oberlin, Ohio. Julia, born July 11, 1841, now the wife of H. H. Queen, and resides in Toledo, Ohio; they have two children - Florence and Waldemar. Frank, born June 27, 1846, died September 8, 1866. Florence, born November 29, 1848, now the wife of H. Z. Williams, to whom she was married September i, 1870. They have two children, Julia and Amy, born respectively May 16, 1872, and November 14, 1874. All the children except the two oldest were born at the old homestead in York township.

Gurdon Woodward

was of English ancestry and New England birth. His parents were Abishai and Mary Spicer Woodward. The Woodwards settled in New London, Connecticut, at an early day in the history of that State, and Abishai Woodward, the father of Gurdon, was a leading citizen of the town of New London during and following the revolutionary period. Though not of the number whose losses from fire by British soldiery were compensated by a donation of western lands made by the State, yet he became the owner, by purchase, of a large amount of these claims, and, upon the partition of the Firelands, he acquired proprietorship of more than four thousand acres, all lying in sections one and four of what now is Lyme township. The father of eleven children, he gave to each an equal, undivided interest in these lands. To the ownership, by his father, of western territory, is due the fact of Gurdon's coming to this locality. Mr. Woodward, Sr., came into the possession of his lands November g, 1808, the date when partition was efifected, and died the following year.

Gurdon Woodward was born February 2 1, 1795, i" New London, Connecticut, and at the age of fourteen, immediately after the death of his parents, went to reside at Whitestown, New York. There he learned the trade of millwright. His educational advantages were not the best, yet he made wise improvement of such as were afforded, and acquired a thorough knowledge of the practical branches then taught, and, for his day, was more than an average scholar.

Upon the outbreak of the last war with England he volunteered his services in behalf of his country, served her with fidelity, and, at the close of the war, received an honorable discharge at Sackett's Harbor, New York. This was in 18 15. He had at this time reached the age of twenty years. His mind now turned with eager thoughts toward the distant West. At Whitestown, New York, lived at this time a young lady to whom he had become attached. Miss Mary Shepard Savage, youngest daughter of John and R.achel Shepard Savage. She became his betrothed. Amos, the oldest brother of Gurdon, who was the youngest son, had married Rachel, the oldest sister of Mary, who was the youngest daughter.

Betsey and her husband, Mr. George Sheffield, located in the same year, he came on to Lyme in the spring of 1817, and made a selection of his lands. His first night in Lyme township, then Wheatsborough, was spent by the remains of an Indian carnp fire - his dog and gun his only companions - upon the very ground which was afterwards to be his home during many years of his life. His dreams that first night must have been filled with thoughts of far-away Whitestown, and of the loved one who awaited there his return.

Two years of heroic toil were now spent in fitting his chosen heritage for the advent of her who, at the expiration of that time, was to be his bride. A log house was erected and portions of the land cleared and fenced. The day finally came when he retraced his steps to his former home, Oneida county, New York, and there, at the village of Whitestown, on the 14th day of April, 1819, he united his fortunes in holy matrimony with those of Miss Mary Shepard Savage. Westward the star of love, as of empire, took its way. Waiting only to receive the congratulations of their friends, the happy pair started for their Western Ohio home, the husband, however, coming some weeks in advance of his wife, who came accompanied by Amos Woodward, Gurdon's oldest brother. Their journey hither, thus taken separately, was their only wedding tour, and the first days of their wedded life - in their wilderness home - their honeymoon. Those first summer days which the young bride, then only eighteen, passed in the rude but comfortable home which her lover had, with dauntless perseverance, prepared for her, must have been in striking contrast to the life she had spent in her father's home in Whitestown. Yet who can doubt that they were happy days ?

With energy and determination, enduring many severe privations, and denied innumerable comforts to which both had been accustomed, they strove together to better their worldly fortunes, to improve the condition of their farm and its surroundings, to beautify their home, and to make life attractive. Heaven smiled benignantly upon their constant love and patient labor. Seven children blessed the former, and as a result of the latter, the rude log cabin, in which their wedded life began, gave place, in time, to a large, substantial and comfortable dwelling - at the time of its erection, perhaps, the best in the township. Their beautiful home they christened "Woodlawn." Here they dwelt together for forty years, and here were born to them all their children: Lucy, Abishai, Amos, William, Mary, Rachel, and Julia M.

In 1859 Mr. and Mrs. Woodward removed to Bellevue, and, purchasing the Dr. Lathrop property, on West Main street, spent there the remainder of their days, receiving kind attentions from relatives and friends. Each lived to a ripe old age, the former dying December 8, 1874, in the eightieth year of his life, and the latter February 25, 1879, nearly seventy-eight years of age.

On the fiftieth anniversary day of their marriage, April 14, 1869, their relatives and numerous friends assembled at their pleasant home to celebrate their golden wedding. It was a time of joyous greetings and hearty congratulations. The aged pair could look back upon a happy, wellspent life, and regard with pleasure their present condition, blessed with every comfort that heart could wish. Death had robbed them of three of their children, Lucy, William, and Julia, and hence their happiness was tempered with sad recollections, but their surviving sons and daughters were all happily situated in life - a fact that must have been of great gratificJ/CcxyU^f cJ cation to them. In their decHning years, their four children and their grandchildren ministered to them with devoted attentions; and rarely in this life is seen so marked an exhibition of filial affection as was shown Mrs. Woodward by her sons and daughters during the four years of her widowhood.

Of the children, Lucy became the wife of George Sheffield; Abishai married Mary Amsden, the second daughter of Mr. Thomas G. Amsden, and is vice president of the Bellevue bank, and universally esteemed by his fellow-townsmen ; Amos married Arabella, eldest daughter of Mr. Frederick A. Chapman ; is vice president of the First National bank, and a man of wealth and influence ; William died at about the age of fifteen ; Mary became the wife of Rev. Mr. Hamilton ; Rachel married Mr. Boardman, who died some years ago ; a man of culture and intelligence, and a resident of Lincoln, Illinois, at the time of his death; Julia M. died in early womanhood.

Gurdon Woodward was a man of marked and clearly defined characteristics. Of commanding person, he was possessed of sound judgment, a strong will and an inflexible purpose. In politics, he was a staunch adherent to the Democratic faith, and never swerved from fidelity to party and Jacksonian principles. In religion, though not a communicant, he was active in church affairs, and liberal in sustaining its service. He was ever a kind and devoted husband and an affectionate father. Of Mrs. Woodward's religious and domestic life the biographer can say nothing more to the purpose than to quote the following just words taken from an obituary notice published in the Standard of the Cross, at the time of her decease, and written by one who knew her intimately : "Amidst the trials and deprivations of pioneer life, she ever retained the grace and culture of her early Ufe. She loved the church, and as soon as opportunity offered, received the apostolic rite of confirmation by Bishop Mcllvaine. There was nothing ostentatious in her piety, yet she did not hide it under a bushel, but let her light shine before others. She took a deep interest in all that related to the prosperity of the church. She loved with a pure and earnest affection. In every relation of life she was admired and loved, but it was as a Christian woman that they who loved her best, love now to think of her. In her decease the community in which she lived has lost a generous benefactor, the church a devout and exemplary member, and her domestic and social circle a most kind and warm-hearted relative and friend. ' Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth, yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors.' "

Bourdett Wood

BOURDETT WOOD, the eldest son of Jasper and Elizabeth (Boylston) Wood, was born at Manlius Square, New York, on the 19th day of February, 1803. The Woods are of English origin. Four brothers came to this country about two centuries ago, three of them settling in Massachusetts, and one in Virginia. Aaron, the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, with three brothers, had emigrated to the State of New York a short time preceding the Revolutionary struggle, and had settled on the German flats just above Schenectady. All four of the brothers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war, and took part in the memorable battle of Monmouth. Aaron Wood was the father of seven children, as follows: Thaddeus, Benjamin, Jasper, Rebecca, Dorothea, Aaron, and Homer. Thaddeus was a lawyer of distinction and ability. He was, in his time, not only the recognized leader of the bar in Onondaga county, where he resided, but was esteemed as one of the best lawyers of the State. He was an active participant in the war of 1812, and, by reason of meritorious service, was elevated to the rank of brigadier general in 1818, and to the rank of major general in 1820. Jasper Wood, the father of Bourdett, was born in the year in which the war for Independence was declared, 1776, at Lenox, Massachusetts, where he lived until fourteen years of age, when he went to New York State in the service of a Mr. White, the founder of Whiiestown, near Utica, that State. Here he continued to reside for eight or ten years, and then removed to Manlius Square, where he remained until 1815, the date of his removal to the Far West. After a temporary stay at Erie, Pennsylvania, of one year's duration, he came on with his family to Huron county, and settled at Bloomingville. Here he purchased a large tract of land, consisting of about one thousand eight hundred acres, for which he paid about two thousand dollars. Soon after this, the Government lands in the adjoining county of Sandusky came into market, and were sold to purchasers at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. This reduced the value of Mr. Wood's lands so as to render them comparatively worthless. He died in 1821. He was a man of rather superior education and abilities; was a good surveyor, and could speak the Iroquois language with considerable fluency. His wife's name was Elizabeth Boylston, whom he married May 3, 1802. The Boylstons were also English people, and were among the first settlers of Boston. They gave their name to many places connected with the early history of that metropolis, such as Boylston Common, Boylston Square, etc., Boylston Bank, Boylston street - places that are still thus designated. The Boylstons were a very intelligent and well-to-do class of people, and many representatives of the family are now living in Massachusetts, all occupying honorable stations in life.

Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Wood were the parents of six children: Bourdett, Adaline, Julianne, Juliette, Worthington, and Aramenta. Mrs. Wood died in 1834.

At the age of sixteen he was bound for a term of four years to Judge Timothy Baker, of Norwalk, Ohio. After an expiration of two years, his father having died, through the kindly efforts in his behalf, made by Mrs. Baker, he was released from this service. The maintenance of his father's family chiefly devolved upon him, and he was brought in close contact with the utmost severity of labor.

Mr. Wood has been a successful man. To trace his career and bring to light the discovery of how he accomplished so much in the direction of getting on in the world, is an interesting undertaking. His father died when Bourdett was a young man of eighteen years of age, and not only left him no inheritance, but placed him in a position where he must, by the labor of his own hands or the employment of his own wits, provide, not for himself alone, but for others dependent upon him for the necessaries of life. Could the young man, the day after his father's death, have had his future career in life disclosed to him ; could he have seen himself standing on the verge of that career, penniless and seemingly powerless, and then have followed his course through a term of fifty or nearly sixty years, to behold himself the possessor of hundreds of thousands of dollars of this world's goods, he would undoubtedly have disbelieved the revelation. Yet this is what he has accomplished. The acquisition of great wealth furnishes in itself no marvel, for many men become possessors of it. Some inherit it; some have it thrust upon them by kind fortune or good luck; and some obtain it by a systematic course of robbery^ in which knavery, extortion, and theft, in its various forms, have their part to play.

After leaving the service of Mr. Baker, Mr. Wood's first employment was in working for Charles F. Drake, of Bloomingville, for two months, for a barrel of salt and a side of sole leather, each of which was equivalent to about three dollars and fifty cents, and would buy a good two year old steer. The following summer he raised five or six acres of corn. This he was persuaded to apply in the payment of a colt, which Mr. Caldwell had obtained at a cost of eleven dollars, and for which Mr. Wood was influenced to give twentyfive dollars. About one-half this money he got together by putting up four tons of hay for Mr. Caldwell, at one dollar and fifty cents per ton, and by chopping twentyfive cords of wood at twenty-five cents per cord. In piling this wood he showed himself to be a novice, for he made but about fifteen cords of it, the wood being put up very closely. Eben Dennis, who was present when it was measured, and who took a friendly interest in the boy, said to Bourdett, slyly : " You are a little fool to pile wood in that way ; now you go ahead and chop more, and by and by, when the old man Caldwell is not around, I'll come and show you how to cord wood." He did so, readily extending the pile so as to include the requisite twenty-five cords. In process of time he got his colt paid for, and was by and by enabled to buy an old horse, and then exchanged his colt and horse for a yoke of oxen, thus providing himself with a team. In 1823, at the age of twenty, he raised a fair crop of corn, and then went sailing. He sailed to Sault St. Marie, and acted in the capacity of cook. The mate had laid in a barrel of whisky to supply the soldiers in garrison at St. Mary's, and Bourdett was promised half they could make if he would draw the whisky for those who purchased it.

He had the good fortune to obtain quite a nice little sum of money in his sailing operations. This money he invested in calves. In 1825 he worked in the Bloomingville brick-yard for Dr. Strong. In 1826 he returned to Manlius, New York, and was employed in making water lines for the Oswego Canal, the building of which had at that time just been commenced. In 1827 he bought fifty-seven acres of land for two hundred and fifty dollars, a part of the old Wood homestead in Oxford, now owned by his son Thomas. On this purchase he was enabled to pay sixty dollars. In 1829" he carried the mail from Sandusky to Bucyrus, receiving four dollars and fifty cents per trip.

On the ist day of January, 1829, he was married to Miss Rhoda, daughter of Mr. Seth Harrington. Industrious and frugal, Mrs. Wood fumished valuable assistance to her husband in his efforts to get a start in life. He soon found himself the possessor of surplus funds, which he generously loaned to his neighbors upon application. Finally, old man Coggswell said to him: "Charge for the use of your money. It is no use to keep a cow unless you milk her." Adopting this sage advice, he began to loan money in small sums, and the accruing interest soon began to tell in his favor. About the year 1840 he began to buy and sell stock. He and Uncle Nat. Chapman associated themselves together in the business of buying horses and sheep, for cash, in Holmes and Tuscarawas counties, bringing them to Huron and Erie counties, and selling them on credit to responsible farmers. And in 1844 he and Mr. Chapman began the purchase of Western lands. About this time they secured fifteen hundred acres of the Wyandot reservation, and in 1853 they bought twenty-three hundred acres in Iowa, mostly in Tama county. He began the purchase of lands also in Erie county, buying and selling, and always reaping a gain.

In 1846 he removed to Bellevue with his family, and from this time forward made money-lending the leading specialty of his business. In 1871 he associated himself with Abishai Woodward and E. J. Shefifield in the banking business, under the firm name of Wood, Woodward & Co., and when the bank was reorganized as a stock company-, Mr. Wood was made president of the institution - a position he still retains.

Mr. and Mrs. Wood are the parents of the following children: i. Jasper, born November 15, 1829. He is a resident of Bureau county, Illinois, and a very successful farmer and stock raiser. 2. Emeline Adelia, born May 6, 1831. She is the wife of Peter G. Sharp, and resides near Stockton, California. 3. Richard Boylston, born December 2, 1832, was killed at the battle of Tunnel Hill, Georgia, February 25, 1864. He was captain of a company of cavalry soldiers, and a gallant soldier, a brave and efficient officer. 4. Henry Bourdett, born July 25, 1834, died April, 1873. 5- Elizabeth Malvina, born March 19, 1836. She is the wife of Adam Burgett, a wholesale boot and shoe merchantof Toledo, Ohio. 6. Benjamin Lester, born June 21,1838. 7. Florella Sophia, born September 7, 1840, died May 14, 1866, of consumption. She was a young lady of much attractiveness and superior mental qualities. 8. Thomas Corwin, born April 27, 1842. He resides in Bellevue. 9. Susan C, born August 7, 1844. She became the wife of W. W. Williams April 9, 1868, and died of consumption November 5, 1872. In the Western home in which she lived during her wedded life, she won many friends, by whom her memory is cherished with pleasing recollections. 10. Julia Louisa, born February 28, 1847. She is the wife of James B. Wood, of Bellevue, Ohio, whose home she renders blessed.

On the ist day of January, 1879, the relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Wood assembled at their residence in Bellevue, and celebrated with them their golden wedding. The occasion was one of the pleasantest, to all participants, that ever took place within that quiet village.

Mr. Wood is now in his seventy-ninth year, but possesses as much vitality as the average man of fifty. He has hardly ever known a sick day, and the prospect that a dozen years or more may yet be added to his days is not discouraging. Physically so sound and well-preserved, he is no less so mentally. He attends to all the details of his extensive business, and, though his memory is becoming treacherous, his judgment is as unerring, his discernment as acute, his reasoning faculties as sound, as they ever have been.

Mr. Wood is a man of clearly-defined traits of character and mental characteristics. In manner often abrupt and blunt, he nevertheless possesses a kindliness of heart that is rarely found beneath so rough an exterior. No man in need, whom he believes to be deserving, has ever appealed to him in vain. Schooled in the methods of money-lending, and having become naturally cautious and careful as to his securities, he has loaned money to hundreds of people who had no security to offer him, and toward whom he has stood wholly in the light of their benefactor.

He is not a member of any church, but Mrs. Wood has been for many years a faithful and consistent member of the Protestant Episcopal church, and is active in her zeal for its prosperity.

Source changes here: from History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with Portraits and Biographies of Prominent Citizens and Pioneers, by Everett, Homer, published 1882; 23,078 words in this source stream.

Its Location

About one-half of the village lies in ; Huron, and the other half in Sandusky county. The county line road, or that part of it lying within the corporate limits of the village, being called West street, divides the town into nearly equal divisions. The centre of this road is the western limit of the Firelands and of the Western Reserve. The eastern half of Bellevue is situated in the extreme northwestern part of Lyme township, and the western half in the southwestern part of York township, Sandusky county. The southwestern corner of Erie county, and the northeast corner of Seneca county, lie adjoining the extreme northeast and southwest limits of the village. The town is situated on the southern branch of the Toledo and Cleveland ^division of the Lake Shore railroad, the New York, Chicago & St. Louis railroad, and the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad.

Its Name

The post office was first known as York X Roads, and the village was called Amsden's Corners, in honor of T. G. Amsden, its first merchant. It continued to be so known until the year 1839, when, upon the completion of the Mad River & Lake Erie railroad to this point, it was changed to Bellevue. The prevailing opinion among the old settlers is that it was so named in honor of James H. Bell, the civil engineer who surveyed the route through this place for the Mad River road. Some, however, claim that the proprietors of the road, and the chief residents of the town agreed upon the name of Bellevue because the signification of the word made it an appropriate name for the village, which, by reason of its location and surroundings, well merited a name which means "a beautiful view." At all events the name has a musical ring, and no resident of the place can regret that it was so called.

Its First Settlers

The year 1815 marks the date when Mr. Mark Hopkins, the first settler within the corporate limits of Bellevue as now established, came to this locality. He came hither with his family and accompanied by a bachelor brother, from Genessee county, New York, and built a log house on land now owned and occupied by Peter Bates.

Elnathan George, from the same place, was the next settler. He purchased one acre of land embracing, with other contiguous ground, the lot whereon now stands the Tremont House. He gave a cow in exchange for his purchase. Here was built, by Mr. George, the second building of the town, in the year 1816. In the following year he built an addition to his dwelling and opened his house as a tavern.

The third new-comer was Return Burlingson, who selected land on the Sandusky county side, and in the year 1817 built him a log dwelling, and started a blacksmith shop. His purchase comprised what is now known as the Herl property. Mr. Burlingson was a resident of Bellevue for many years, but finally left for California.

This year, 1819, marks the date of the arrival of two very important new-comers, men who were identified with the history of the village, and to whom, more than any other two men, was it indebted for its prosperity. These men were Thomas G. Amsden and Frederick A. Chapman. The Chapmans came first to Ohio in 1814, soon followed by Mr. Amsden, and, establishing their headquarters at the mouth of the Huron River, carried on a very successful traffic with the Indians, exchanging with them goods and articles of which the red men stood in need, for pelts and furs. Besides trading with the Indians, they were engaged in hunting and trapping. They were daring and intrepid, full of push and energy, with excellent business abilities, and though they were young men, they accumulated considerable means for those days. Mr. Chapman's father and brother followed him to Ohio in a year or two after his own arrival and settled at or near the present town of Huron, in Erie county. In 1819 Mr. Amsden and Mr. Chapman came to this locality and began the purchase of property at this point, and did all in their power to attract settlers hither.

However, they continued their traffic with the Indians and French, and for two years Mr. Amsden made his headquarters at Carrion River, now Port Clinton. In 1821 he established himself at Detroit, and during the latter part of 1822 he car-

! ried on a mercantile business at Green Bay for Daniel Whitney. Iji 1823 he re- ! turned to this locality. He brought from 1 Boston a stock of goods, and, in part- , nership with Mr. Chapman, opened the ! first store at this point in November, 1823.

' This was Bellevue's pioneer store, and the business was carried on in the building j erected by Mr. Burlingson, which stood ! on ground now occupied by the town hall. They opened a store at the same time at Castalia, Mr. Chapman taking charge of j the business at that point, and Mr. Ams- I den of the business at this point. It was at this time that the village received its name of "Amsden's Corners."

In the meantime Charles F. Drake had settled here, and in the year 1822 purchased of the Government the east onej half of the southeast quarter of section twenty-five of what now is York township, embracing the greater part of the present village on the Sandusky county side, and in 1823 Captain Zadoc Strong entered j for Dr. James Strong the eight acres next | west. Mr. Nathaniel Chapman was among j the first citizens of the place. Like his | brother, he had traded with the Indians, j and when he arrived here for the purpose of making this his home, he had some means.

He purchased a large tract of land, a part of it lying within the present limits of the village. He was a man of strong, native ability, and was always recognized as one of the leading men of the town. He possessed the ability to accumulate property, and died worth a good many thousands of dollars. He dealt largely in real estate, and in the purchase and sale of sheep, horses, and cattle. He and Mr. Bourdette Wood together purchased large tracts of land in the West. He was universally esteemed for his sound business I integrity, and for his liberality in the sup- ^ port of benevolent enterprises. He do- nated the lands upon which the old Baptist church stands, and, in many ways, proved himself a staunch friend of all institutions whose object is the enlightenment and elevation of man.

His daughter Angeline, in 1846, married the Rev. James M. Morrow, a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a chaplain in the late war for about two years, and was connected with the Ninety-ninth Ohio infantry. While in the service he came home several times on various benevolent errands for the soldiers of his regiment - the last time, in December, 1863. Returning January 4, he was fatally injured in a railroad collision near Dayton, Ohio, to which place he was taken, and died there February 12, 1864. His widow resides in Bellevue.

The Growth Of Bellevue

From 1825 to 1840 the growth of the village was slow, and it was not until about the time of the building of the Mad River railroad to this place, in 1839, that the advancement of the town received any considerable impetus. This was an event of no little importance to the prospects of the place, and in 1835, in view of the approaching completion of the road, the land of the village on the Huron county side was purchased of Gurdon Williams by F. A. Chapman, T. G. Amsden, L. G. Harkness, and others, who lent their best efforts to the advancement of the place. The decade from 1830 to 1840 witnessed a number of important arrivals in Bellevue - men who became permanently identified with the town, and to whom its rapid prosperity was in no small measure due. Dr. L. G. Harkness, who had been a practicing physician in the western part of York township, came in 1833. Abram Leiter came the same year. J. B. Higbee and Benjamin and David Moore came in 1835. William Byrnes came in 1835.

H. H. Brown was at this time the hotel keeper, and was very active in his efforts to assist the growth of the place. In 1835 | the population of the village could not j have exceeded a hundred people, while in 1840, a year after the completion of the Mad River railroad, it numbered not less than five hundred, apd at the date of its incorporation, 1851, about eight hundred.

Cuyler Green came here from New York State at the age of twenty-two, where he was born March 10, 1811. Upon his ar- | rival he was engaged as salesman for Chapj man & Harkness, and afterwards superin- * tended for Chapman & Amsden the old stone tavern, since called the Exchange hotel. He built the old stone blacksmith shop that for so many years stood where the Bellevue bank building now is. In ; later years he became the landlord of the Exchange hotel, and then of the Bellevue House, and then purchased the farm on the pike, two miles east of town, now known as the Richards farm.

In 1852, the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland railroad was located through Bellevue, and in the following year completed, and the cars came whistling through here from the four points of the compass - north, south, east and west. New impetus to the life of the village was given by this event, and the town rapidly increased in population. The country had also been rapidly settled, and Bellevue, situated in the midst of a fine wheat growing country, came to be an important market for the shipment of grain. The Higbee flouring mill was erected in 1850, and other manufacturing enterprises were soon established. The Mad River road was lost to the place in 1855, but the detriment to business on this account was not serious. The town continued to enlarge and populate, while the surrounding country in every direction became thickly settled with an industrious farming population.

Incorporation

The town was incorporated by act of Legislature January 25, 1851, its charter limits embracing an area of about one mile from east to west, by about one-half mile from north to south, the centre of the area being the central point of intersection of Main street with the county line. In the month of February, 1851, the following were chosen the village officers : Abraham Leiter, mayor ; S. L. Culver, recorder; Thomas G. Amsden, Eliphalet Follett. Benjamin F. Mc- Kim, David Armstrong and Joseph M. Lawrence, trustees. The corporate limits were enlarged in 1869, so as to be about one mile and a half from east to west and from north to south.

Distinct Classes Of Population

The village has a population of about twenty-five hundred inhabitants. This population embraces not less than four distinct classes of people, each of which is represented by about the same number of individuals. First there are those of American birth, whose parents came to this region at an early day, from New England or New York State, and who were the real pioneers. Representative families of this class are the Chapmans, the Woodwards, the Harknesses, the Woods (the Bourdette branch), the Sheffields, the Greenes, the Bakers, etc. Second, there are the Pennsylvania people; many of whom came, at an early day - a thrifty, sober, industrious class. They are represented by the Moores, the Hilbishes, the Sherchs, the Leiters, the Boyers, the Kerns, etc. Third, came the English, England born, of whom may be mentioned the Greenslades, the Wills, the Heals, the Fords, the Mavnes, the Joints, the Radfords, etc. ; and the Germans, who perhaps outnumber any other one class. Of these may be mentioned the Egles, Ruffings, the Biebrichers, the Liebers, the

Webers, the Ailers, the Setzlers, etc. The Yankees were the first to arrive, then the i Pennsylvania Dutch people, then the Germans, and lastly the English.

First Congregational Church

This church was first organized on September 20, 1836, by a committee from the Presbytery of Huron, and was started ' as a Presbyterian church on what was known as the accommodation plan, - that is, a church under the care of a Presbytery, but which received and dismissed its members, and transacted other business, not by a vote of the elders, but by a vote of the whole church.

! The number of male members at the ! organization was nine; five of these brought letters from the church at Lyme, Ohio; three from churches in the State of New York, and one from Norwalk.

Among many important resolutions adopted on the day of the organization, was one declaring that the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors was an immorality which, if practiced by any member of this church, made him liable to discipline the same as if guilty of any other immorality.

The church continued under care of the Presbytery ten years, and then, so far as we are able to learn from the records, with much unanimity, decided to separate itself from its Presbyterial connection, and become a regular Congregational church. This action was taken March 7, 1846.

The first pastor called by the church after the reorganization was Rev. A. I). Barber, who was installed by a council October 19, 1853. Mr. Barber's salary was four hundred dollars, and parsonage, which shows that the society had a parsonage at that time. This pastorate con- ! tinued five years. In the following year 1 after Mr. Barber's departure, the church called the Rev. James W. Cowles, and offered him a salary of seven hundred dollars. Mr. Cowles served the church about three years, and was succeeded on October 30, 1863, by Rev. John Safford.

During this pastorate the house of worship was removed, enlarged and repaired. The work was completed in the fall of 1865, and immediately afterwards the church invited Mr. Safford to become its installed pastor with an increase of three hundred dollars in salary. Mr. Safford accepted the call, but seems to have continued in the pastoral relation only about a year.

When the house of worship was originally built, it seems that the pews were sold with the understanding that the buyers became permanent owners. This arrangement was a source, afterwards, of much inconvenience to the society. The owners were not all induced to give their pews up again to the society until some time in 1868.

After the departure of Pastor Safford, in 1867, the Rev. S. B. Sherrill was called and was acting pastor from December, 1867, until some time in 1873, a period of nearly six years. The successor of Mr. Sherrill was the Rev. J. W. White, whose letter accepting the call of the church is dated February 28, 1874. Mr. White's labors did not begin until some time after this acceptance, and closed near the end of 1878, continuing with the church a little more than four years. Within two months after Mr. White's resignation, the church called Rev. S. W. Meek, who was installed in the pastoral office by the council on February 11, 1879, having begun his labors with the church on the 1st of January, previous.

The church has been blessed at various times in its history by revivals. In the year 1 8^4, during the pastorate of A. D. Barber, thirty-seven were received into

! Again, in 1861, the church was visited by a revival which resulted in the addition of twenty to the membership. In the year 1865, during the labors of Mr. Safford. seventeen were received into membership; and in 1870, under Mr. Sherrill's labors, twenty-three connected themselves with ; the church. In 1873, the year that Mr. Sherrill closed his labors, forty-five names were added to the roll.

The Methodist Episcopal Church

of Bellevue, was formed in the year 1839. The first class was composed of James Anderson, his wife, Betsy, and daughter, Melissa; Alvin Anderson, his wife, Harriet, and daughter, Adaline; and Mann and daughter. Meetings were held at this time in the stone school-house, standing on the site at present occupied by the school-building near the Episcopal church. In about 1835 this church erected a substantial brick edifice, at a cost of some five thousand dollars. This building is at present owned by the German Lutheran society. After organization, however, the church fitted up a room in the second story of the warehouse, standing where the Richards and Egle block now stands, and this was occupied until the building of the church as before stated.

The present elegant church edifice was completed during the summer of 1868, and was dedicated by Bishop Simpson on August 17, of that year, and cost, including real estate and parsonage, some thirty thousand dollars. Among the largest contributors to the erection of the church are: Messrs. Anderson, Higbee, Williams, Dole, Adams, and Huffman. The first resident minister was Rev. Oliver Burgess, who remained two years. Father Anderson gives from memory, the following names of ministers who have preached to this church in Bellevue: Wilson, Camp, Pierce, Hill, Cooper, Fast, Start, Fant, Pounds, Breakfield, Thompson, Worden, Spafford, Morrow, and Cables.

In 1852, when the minister's "historical record" begins, the church reported a membership of two hundred and twelve, and three hundred scholars in attendance at Sabbath-school, Rev. Samuel Beatty, pastor. September 18, 1852, it was formally organized as a station, with the following board of stewards : H. R. Adams, Alvin Anderson, Jesse Haskell, W. W. Stilson, J. B. Higbee, Orrin Dole, and Barney Campbell. Its leaders were Jesse Haskell,

B. Campbell, O. Dole, David Williams, and W. Curtiss. * Superintendent of Sabbath-school, W. W. Stilson. 1853 - William M. Spafford, pastor. He was succeeded in 1854 by Rev. Wesley J. Wells. The following are the pastors from that time to the present (1881): 1855 - John Mudge; 1857 - William Richards; 1859 - Asbury B. Castle; 1861 - Daniel Stratton; 1862 - Simon P. Jacobs; 1863 - E. Y. Warner; 1865 - Garretson A. Hughes; 1868 - E. Y. Warner; 1871 - Elvero Persons. He was succeeded by Rev. Searls. T.

C. Warner succeeded him, remained three years, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Pepper, who was appointed at the Wellington conference, in 1879. The prosperity of the church seems to have declined under Mr. Pepper's charge, and during the latter part of his pastorate the pulpit was filled by a stated supply, Mr. Pepper making a trip to Europe. In September last the conference appointed Rev. O. Badgely pastor, who is now officiating.

Protestant Episcopal Church

Before there was any parish organization in Bellevue, the Rev. Ephraim Punderson officiated from the year 1842 to that of 1847; but not until April, 1851, was the parish duly organized by Rev. Dr. Bronson. Messrs. T. G. Amsden and

John Grimes were chosen wardens; Messrs. F. A. Chapman, G. Woodward, and G. W. Sheffield, vestrymen; and, on September ! 10, 1851, this parish, was received into j connection with the Protestant Episcopal j church.

In the spring of 1852 Rev. R. K. Nash ! was chosen rector, and the church build- ! ing was begun and enclosed. Mr. Nash i having resigned in 1854, the building rei mained unfinished. In the spring of 1857 an effort was made to open the church,

| and a rector was called. Rev. M. Hamili ton took charge of the church on the first ! Sunday in July, 1857. j Improvements were made in the old i church building, and the old debt paid off,

| 1869, the parish became self-supporting, and the following year repairs and improvements were made, at a cost of one thousand four hundred dollars.

The first Sunday-school was organized by the Rev. M. Hamilton in 1857. In 1881 George A. Holbrook succeeded to | the rectorate of the parish.

: Some, a goodly number, were also memj bers of the Zion's church, in Thompson 1 township, Seneca county. In February, 1862, Rev. Eli Keller commenced to | preach in Bellevue. Services were held i in the old school building, owned by Mr. George Weikert, afterwards in the old Methodist Episcopal church, then again in the old school-house. At this time, a , weekly prayer-meeting was well sustained, and a Sunday-school organized. August 16, 1862, at a meeting held at the chapel, it was resolved that a church should be built in, or near, Bellevue, and measures taken to select a site and procure building funds. The corner-stone of the church was laid on the 19th of June, 1864. On the 19th of June, 1865, the church was dedicated; sermons by Rev. M. Kie'ffer, D. D., and Rev. H. Rust, D. D. The ceremonies of laying the corner-stone were performed by Rev. E. Keller, the pastor.

Some time in the fall of 1865, the St. Paul's Reformed congregation was organized by the election of a consistory of elders and deacons. Since 1865 the following persons served respectively as elders, deacons, and trustees, viz: Jacob Bunn, Levi Korner, D. S. Arnold, John Hilbish, H. Kimmel, Isaac Kern, elders, John Bunn, David Hoch, Moses Miller, Joseph Zieber, John Bowman, Aaron Walters, William Knauss, John Deck, Benjamin Bunn, W. C. Smith, William Aigler, and J. Ferdinand Smith, deacons; David Hoch, Harrison Wilt, Elias Schmidt, Henry Stetler, John Deck, Aaron Walters, Jacob Aigler, and Frederick Smith, trustees. The Sunday-school was organized in the old Weiker school-house ; superintendent, a Mr. Albert. Since 1865 Mr. John Hilbish has been the superintendent, with the exception of one year, when Rev. J. H. Derr officiated as head of the school.

In the year 1872, July 1, Rev. Eli Keller resigned the pastorate, having served the people for a period of eleven years. He was succeeded by Rev. Joshua H. Derr, on the 1st of December, 1872. His pastorate continued for four and a half years, closing his services June 3, 1877. During this pastorate the congregation suffered serious damage to their church edifice by a severe storm, which took off about one-third of the roof and also broke down the gable end to the square. This much injured the ceiling and the interior in general. A cost of about one thousand

The congregation owns the cemetery adjoining the church, and a large and comfortable parsonage. The present pastor, Rev. N. H. Loose, took charge of the congregation August 1, 1877. The interests of the church are prosperous and encouraging.

Evangelical Lutheran Church

St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized January 7, 1866, under the laws of the State of Ohio. The directors were Adam Zehner, Christian Engel, and Philip Biebricher. The trustees were Jacob Beiler, Charles Beiler, and John . Weis. Rev. Jacob Dornberer was instrumental in its organization, and remained its pastor three years, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. Buechler, who has remained as pastor twelve years. At its organization there were thiity-nine members. The present membership is about fortyfive. They also have a prosperous Sunday-school of some seventy members, under the superintendence of David Meyers. Soon after the organization of the church, the present building was purchased from the Methodist society for two thousand dollars. Since that time some six or seven hundred dollars have been expended in refitting and repairing it.

Salem Evangelical Church

This church was organized in Bellevue under the ministration of Rev. L. W. Hankey, in the summer of 1875. The congregation purchased the building formerly occupied by the Baptists, for three thousand dollars. They then expended six or eight hundred dollars in repairing and refitting it. At first, and until the spring of 1879, the church was a mission. At that time it was cut loose from missionary aid, and is now self-supporting. The present membership is about seventy-

D. C. Eckerman, was in charge a little more than two years, and W. F. McMillen, who is the present pastor. There is connected with the church a Sunday-school of seventy-three members, of which the pastor is superintendent. Regular services of the church are held twice each Sunday. The church government is very similar to ; that of the Methodist Episcopal, but there are some differences on minor points.

Church Of The Immaculate Conception

About 1852 Rev. James Vincent Conlin, stationed at Sandusky, established a mission at Bellevue, and held services some three or four years, when Rev. Punshell, of Norwalk, came, and then for a short time Father Boff officiated. Father Tighe, of Sandusky, came, and bought from J.

B. Higbee the building they now occupy as a church, and perfected an organization. The first resident priest was Rev. James Monaghan, who remained some seven or eight years. While in charge he bought a house of Rev. Mr. Flagler for the use of the priest. Father Mahony came next, and remained some five years. He purchased ground for burial purposes, and built a school-house. Father Mears next came: he bought a house and lot on the corner of Centre and Broad streets, with the intention of building a church. He remained about three years, and was succeeded by Father Bowles, who also remained three years. The church was then attended by Father Rudolph, of Clyde, for about three months, when Father Molloy came, and officiated for three years. Father Cahill succeeded and officiated three years, to the entire satisfaction of the parish. The congregation comprises about one hundred and ten families. The church still owns the lot bought by Father Mears, and at one time it owned the lot on which stands the present union school building.

It is greatly to be regretted that the records of the early history of the Bellevue schools have been lost. The data for the following article have been furnished by some of the older citizens, and are as correct as can be ascertained outside of the school records. The first building that was used for school purposes was a little log-house that stood on the Herl property, just west of Mr. John Baker's residence. Here a school was opened in the fall of 1827, by a gentleman named Harris, from Milan. In the following year (1828), Miss Clemence A. Follett (now Mrs. Frederick Chapman) taught school in the same 1 building. In those days the village was known as Amsden's Corners, and consisted of the Exchange hotel, a frame building just east of it, a double log-house, where Mr. Greenslade's store stands, the houses now occupied by Dr. Harris and Mr. John Reis, and a few scattering loghuts. The scholars came to Miss Follett's school from the country for miles around, walking to school along the trails of the woods, and bringing their dinners' with them. In this school the girls spent half an hour each day in learning to sew. It was a pleasant little school, ana Mrs. Chapman still recalls with delight the days she passed as teacher in the log schoolhouse. In the following year, 1829, Miss Julia Follett taught in the same log schoolhouse.

The next school of which we can find any record was taught in the old stone school-house that stood on West Main street, where the brick school-house now stands. The land was donated by Chapman & Amsden, and the building was probably built by the Chapmans - Nathaniel and Frederick - Dr. L. G. Harkness and Mr. Thomas G. Amsden, as we find these names are closely associated with the early educational interests of the town as well as with its business arid social interests. The stone school-house was built about 1832. In the fall of 1835 Mr. J. B. Higbee commenced to teach in this building, and taught two years. Mr. Higbee seems to have been a successful teacher; at least he was not carried out by the boys, which misfortune did happen to the gentleman who preceded him. Wo are unable to learn who succeeded Mr. Higbee, but the building still continued to be used for school purposes until the old brick school-house was built, after which the stone school-house was unoccupied for several years. For some years before the old brick was built, the increasing number of pupils compelled the directors to rent rooms in different parts of the town to be used for school-rooms.

At one time a school was taught in a frame building that was built for a warehouse by James Bell. It was afterwards moved, and the upper rooms used for school-rooms during the week-days, and by the Methodist society for services on Sunday. About the same time Miss Town, now Mrs. Kent, of Toledo, taught a very successful private school for girls, on Monroe street, in the house now occupied by Mr. James Purcell.

In 1845 the number of scholars had increased to such an extent that the school directors saw the necessity of providing better accommodations than those afforded by the stone school-house and rented rooms, so they purchased of Chapman, Amsden, and Harkness the lot on which, the same year, they built the old brick school-house. The contract for erecting the building was let to Mr. A. Leiter. It was at first intended to build only a onestory building, but while in process of erection Mr. J. M. Lawrence offered to raise it to a two-story building, provided the upper rooms could be used for the Baptist society. His proposition was accepted, the directors, at the same time, reserving the privilege of buying the upper part when the growth of the school required it. The building was used as a district school until 1851, when the present system of union schools was organized in accordance with the law of 1849.

The first superintendent of the union schools was Rev. Mr. Waldo, an eccentric old gentlemen. He wore a wig which, of course, furnished endless sport to his pupils. He was also in the habit of lecturing his scholars every morning before beginning the day's work.

During Waldo's administration, in the year 1851-52, Miss Gardner was assistant superintendent, and the two lower grades were taught by two sisters, Mrs. Covil and Miss Wilkinson. Mr. Waldo was succeeded in the fall of 1852, by Mr. Harvey Holton, who is well and favorably remembered by many of our citizens. Mr. Holton was superintendent several years and was a successful teacher. His assistant in the high school was Miss Celestia Gould, now Mrs. Spencer Boise. Mr. Holton was succeeded by Mr. Jerome Drury who taught two years, from the fall of 1855 to the spring of 1857. He was succeeded by Mr. Edward Bradley, who was superintendent for one year in 1857-58. In the fall of 1858, the Hubbard brothers came to Bellevue, and secured positions in our schools, Dwight Hubbard as superintendent, and E. B. Hubbard as teacher in the stone school house. Mr. Dwight Hubbard held his position one year and one term from the fall of 1858, to December, 1859. His place was supplied during the remainder of the school year by Mr. Henry Bramwell for the second term, and Dr. Cornell for the third term. The last superintendent in the old brick school-house was Mr. Ellis, who held the position from the fall of i860 to the spring of 1862. After the high school building was built, the old brick school-house was sold, and has since been used as a tenement-house.

In 1850 the "old stone" school-house, which had been unoccupied for several years, was refitted, and continued to be used for school purposes until replaced by the present brick building. During these years several teachers were employed; among others was Mrs. Eliza Cook, who taught in the stone school-house two years, in 1856 and 1857, until her marriage with Mr. David Williams in the fall of .1857.

In the same building, Mr. E. B. Hubbard, who is now a prominent druggist of Tiffin, taught three years, from the fall of 1858 to the spring of 1861. Mr. Hubbard is remembered as a very successful teacher, and still keeps up his interest in educational matters, being at present president of the board of education of Tiffin, Ohio.

The German school was first started as a private enterprise in i860, and was held in the house now used as a residence by Mr. John Warren. The first German teacher that taught here was Mr. Ludwick, who is considered as the best German teacher that we have ever had. The German school was partially united with the union schools in i860, but received for a year or two only fifty dollars from the public funds. Mr. Ludwick was followed by Mr. Cobelli, who taught the German school after it was moved to the "old stone" school-house. Mr. Menges succeeded Mr. Cobelli, and taught for several years, and was a successful teacher. Mr. Menges was followed by Mr. Rabe, and

Mr. Rabe by Mr. Beck, who resigned in October, 1875. Mrs. Beck was employed as assistant in the German department at the same time. Her place is filled by Miss Bessie Radford, who has had charge of the English branches in the German department since October, 1875.

Mr. Jacob Frenz succeeded Mr. Beck in November, 1875, and retained his position nearly three years. Hisr successor, Mr. Henry Ebertshauser, is the present i principal of the German department. The I German schools occupy the two lower | rooms of the school building on West I Main street. The classes recite alternately in English and German branches during the day.

The high school building was erected in | 1861, although it was not ready for use j until the fall of 1862. The contract was so poorly filled that the contractor was obliged to put on the second roof within a year, and before the board of education would accept the building. Mr. Edward , Bradley was the superintendent at the j opening of the high school building in the fall of 1862. Mrs. Bradley taught at the same time in a lower grade, and also during the following year. Mr. Bradley was superintendent one year in the high school building. After him came Mr. Highland, j from September, 1863, to June, 1864; Mr.

1867, to June, 1868; Mr. Loveland, from September, 1868, to June, 1869; Mr. L. j C. Laylin, from September, 1869, to June, 1875; Mr. E. E. Phillips, from September, 1875, t0 June> *877; Mr. J. M. Greenslade, from September, 1877, to the present time. The Bellevue schools now occupy two buildings - the high school building and the brick school building on West Main street, which was built in 1871, and enlarged in 1875. These buildings are i not large enough to accommodate the number of pupils, so that the board ' of education will enlarge the high school building, which will even then afford only temporary relief. The schools ; which started with four departments in 1852, now have nine, and most of these having two grades.

For several years previous to 1877 the course of study which had been prepared for the schools had been disregarded altogether, as not being suited to the wants of j the schools. The result was that the teachers and scholars worked at a disadvantage ; and their efforts were ill-directed, or entirely wasted. The evil effects of j this lack of system was especially noticea- : ble in the high school, where the scholars pursued such studies as were agreeable, without any regard to previous training, or the relation of the different studies to each other. The board of education, recognizing the value and necessity of systematic work in our schools, at a meeting held on the 29th of July, 1877, adopted the present course of study, and rules and regulations of che Bellevue public schools, and ordered them to be published. The schools are at present in excellent condition. In the lower grades the aim is to give thorough instruction in the common branches. In the high school all of the studies are pursued that are commonly found in a good high school course. Especial attention is paid to the languages and the natural sciences. Through the liberality of the board of education, the superintendent has been able to accumulate considerable apparatus and supplies for the illustration of the natural sciences.

Among the oldest practitioners of medicine in the township were Doctors Stevens, Otis, Boise, and Charles Smith, of Lyme. Contemporary with them, and earlier, were Doctors Kittredge, Sanders,

Dr. L. G. Harkness was the first physi cian prominently identified with the history of Bellevue. He was born in Salem, Washington county, New York, April 1, 1801, educated for his profession in the State of his nativity* and came West in 1823. He located upon the ridge, in Lyme township, and became associated, professionally, with Dr. Stevens. He removed, afterward, to the village of Bellevue, and not long after abandoned his practice. He continued to reside here.

In 1835 Dr. Daniel A. Lathrop came to Bellevue from his birthplace, Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and almost immediately became a very successful practitioner, taking up Dr. Hark ness' ride, and having all of the business which that physician formerly attended to upon his hands. He not only took Dr. Harkness' place, but filled it, and enjoyed as extensive a practice, perhaps, as any physician who ever located in the village. It extended over a long term of years, too, and really did not terminate until a short time before the doctor's departure from town, in 1861, though he was not actively engaged in the pursuit of his profession for two or three years previous to this date. The doctor returned to Montrose, Pennsylvania, where he is now located. He is a graduate of a Philadelphia college.

The physicians who followed him were numerous. We shall only speak of those most prominently identified with the history of the town. Dr. Gray came in and remained a short time. Dr. W. W. Stilson was m\ practice for a number of years, and removed to Clyde, where he is at present in practice. Dr. Amos Woodward, a native of Lyme, began practice in 1846, and after six or seven years retired, though he continued to reside in the village, and has long been one of its leading citizens. Dr. Charles Richards, now of j Binghamton, New York, came in soon after Dr. Woodward began practice, and read medicine with Dr. Lathrop, afterwards entering into practice.

Dr. John W. Goodson, now in Sterling, j Rice county, Kansas, began the study of medicine in Bellevue about 1840, and completed his professional education at Buffalo, there receiving his diploma. He immediately returned to Bellevue and entered into practice. He had a lucrative practice and accumulated a fine property. He was for a time assistant surgeon of the Seventy-second regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was with Grant's army before Vicksburg. The doctor was a native of England, and was born on the 4th of July, 1817. He came to this country when a lad thirteen years of age.

Dr. Ralph A. Severance began practice in Bellevue in 1854. He was a native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and read medicine there with Dr. Brigham, who was afterwards in charge of one of the great asylums for the insane. He attended lectures in New York city, and graduated from Bowdoin college, Bowdoin, Maine, with the class of 1831. He first went into practice at Rockingham, Vermont, and remained there twenty-three years, coming directly from that place to Bellevue in 1854.

Dr. J. J. Hartz, who came to Bellevue in 1852, was one of the most eminent men of the profession who have practiced in this part of the State. He was born in Versailles, France, in 1798, and received his medical education at the University of Heidelberg. After coming to this country he travelled through the South, was for a short time a resident of Charleston, and a transient resident of Texas. For a number of years before coming to this village he was located in Portage county, and at Upper

Sandusky, in both of which neighborhoods he had a very extensive practice. He rendered efficient service at Sandusky during the prevalence of the cholera there, going upon the request of some of the local physicians. During the whole of his long service in the profession in Bellevue, he was regarded by all as a man of marked ability in his profession, and as a gentleman of rare worth in all of the affairs of life. He was a man of liberal culture outside of medicine, and was a remarkable linguist, speaking with fluency seven languages. He was ever the courteous, polished, dignified gentleman, and won the admiration and esteem of all. He died, in 1865, of consumption, such of his patients as were able coming to see him, whom he treated even up to the hour when he breathed his last - such was their confidence in his skill. He was a surgeon as well as a physician.

Dr. H. L. Harris, born June 30, 1819, in Oxfordshire, England, is a graduate of the Starling Medical College of Columbus, and received his diploma in 1858. Next to Dr. Severance he is the oldest practii tioner in the place. He was in practice 1 in South Bend, and in 1849 removed to Flat Rock, where he remained until 1859 when he came to Bellevue.

Quite a number of physicians have practiced in Bellevue for a short term of years and then removed to other points. Among the present physicians who have been in practice in Bellevue for some time are Dr. Severance, Dr. Harris, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Sandmeister, and Dr. Lanterman.

Bellevue Cemetery

This cemetery was begun about the time of the first laying out of the village of Bellevue, in 1835, on land given for the purpose by Messrs. Chapman, Harkness and Amsden, who were the first proprietors of the land on which the town is now situated. The first burial in this ground was that of Rebecca Christopher, who died March 20, 1836. At the time of giving the land for this purpose, the owners fenced it.

In 1855 the village authorities purchased something more than five acres of land and made an addition to the cemetery, which now contains over seven acres. The old part was laid out in good form as far as practicable, with walks and paths between the lots, but no uniformity had been observed in first laying it out, and it was not possible to arrange it according to the best order*, still it was much improved. The addition was laid out in good shape, and lots staked off, which have been disposed of from time to time. When the last purchase was made a board of trustees was elected, consisting of W. H. King, mayor of the village at the time, Barney York, Lowell Chandler, and D. Moore, for terms of one, two, and three years. One trustee is now elected yearly. Most of the religious denominations of the town bury their dead in this cemetery, as it is situated in a better location than any other ground in the vicinity. D. Moore is superintendent of the cemetery, and has acted in that capacity most of the time since its organization.

Fire Department

In June, 1870, the village council of Bellevue purchased a second-hand hand fire engine, a hose cart and several hundred feet of hose from the authorities of Tiffin, for the sum of about three hundred dollars. A fire company was organized with Dr. J. W. Goodson, foreman; Charles Nicolai, first assistant; B. Benn, second assistant, and J. H. Webber, secretary. In 1874 the council appointed as chief of the fire department A. B. Smith, who served in that capacity one year. In 1875 William R. West succeeded him, he also remaining one year. Charles Nicolai was when C. C. Cook was appointed. J. L. Painter is present chief. A first-class Silsby rotary steam fire engine was purchased in 1875, with a hose cart and one thousand feet of hose, at a cost of about four thousand seven hundred dollars. In May, 1879, the companies were reorganized and formed into one company, under one set of officers, but one division was assigned to the engine, another to the I hose, and another to the hook and ladder. The officers elected were John Eichhorn, foreman; John Toomy, first assistant; I William Estnaur, second assistant; John L. Painter, secretary; William Mayne,

The charter of Bellevue Lodge, No. 123, I. O. O. F., was granted July 21, 1848. The following are names of the charter members: William W. Stilson, A.

Bellevue Lodge No. 957, Knights of Honor, was organized March 8, 1878, with the following charter members: H. N. Richards, R. A. Boyer, F. L. Goodson, R. Greenslade, W. H. Kern, G. S. Lanterman, H. F. Baker, G. A. Beckwith, H. B. Acker, E. H. Smith, T. H. Wood, J. W. Close, William Mayne, Joseph Sherck, E. VV. Dorsey, T. C. Wood, C. D. Smith, VV. H. Dimick, Joseph Bannister, Thomas Thorneloe, C. H. Welch. The first officers were: H. F. Baker, P. D. ; E. H. Smith, D. ; H. N. Richards, V. D. ; George A. Beckwith, A. D. ; R. Greenslade, chaplain; R. A. Boyer, guard ; F. L. Goodson, R.; W. H. Kern, F. R. ; Joseph Sherck, treasurer; VV. H. Dimick, guardian ; William Mayne, sentinel. The lodge was instituted by H. R. Shomo, grand dictator of Ohio. Meetings are held Wednesday evening of each week in Odd Fellows' Hall.

Banking

Chapman, Harkness & Company for some years prior to 1852, Harkness & Company from 1852 to 1868, and H. M. Sinclair from 1868 to 1873, carried on a business comprising some of the features of banking; but it was not until 1871 that a house was established with the clearly defined object of doing a strictly banking business. On the 22d of May, of 1871, was organized the banking firm of Wood, Woodward & Company, Bourdette Wood, Abishai Woodward and E. J. Sheffield being the partners. The firm opened their bank in the room now occupied by the First National Bank, but in 1875 Pur_ chased of Mr. Woodward the site of the present building, and erected the fine brick block wherein the bank is now located. In September, 1876, the bank was incorporated by act of the State Legislature, and commenced business October 2, 1876, as a stock company. The capital stock with which the bank organized was one hundred thousand dollars, Messrs. Wood, Woodward and Sheffield becoming the largest stockholders. The company included many of the leading business men in the place, and several of the ablest farmers in the vicinity. A board of directors was chosen September 23, 1876, consisting of Bourdette Wood, Abishai Woodward, E. J. Sheffield, Andrew Smith, A. C. Beckwith, and the following year two more directors were added, viz.: D. M. Harkness and J. B. Higbee. Bourdette Wood was chosen president; Abishai Woodward, vice-president; and E. J. Sheffield, cashier; and these gentlemen are the present officers, with Thomas Woodward, jr., as teller. The stockholders of this bank in number represent not less than one million three hundred thousand dollars, two of the directors, Mr. Wood and Mr. Harkness representing, together, threefourths ot a million.

The First National Bank was organized September 30, 1875, the capital stock being fifty thousand dollars. The directors are: J. T. Worthington, Dr. Amos Woodward, J. B. Higbee, William McKim, Joseph Egle, and J. K. Richards. J. T.

Flouring Mills

The manufacture of flour has been an industry of considerable importance to Bellevue for many years. There are two large mills owned by Higbee & Company. The old mill was first built in 1849 by J. B. Higbee and a Mr. Lawrence. In 1859 the mill was burned, Mr. Higbee then owning the property alone. The loss involved him to a considerable extent, but he succeeded in effecting a compromise with his creditors and soon rebuilt the mill and resumed business. Since then the mill has been enlarged and improved, and Mr. Higbee associated with him in the business his son, J. A. Higbee.

Soon after the settlement of the county a small distillery was started near Bellevue. The grain used was ground at Clear Creek, and the still was run by hand. This was previous to 1836.

In October, 1849, Chapman, Harkness & Company built the first large distillery, with a capacity of sixty bushels of grain per day. This was run until 1852, when it was sold to D. M. Harkness, who formed a partnership with L. G. Harkness and H. M. Flagler. It was then increased to a capacity of six hundred bushels of grain daily, and was run under this management until 1864, when it was purchased by H. M. Sinclair. Since that time it has not been run continuously, and is now abandoned as a distillery.

In 1853 Chapman, Woodward & Company built another distillery, with a capacity for six hundred bushels daily. This distillery has been run most of the time since built, and is still in operation.

Early in 1875 the farmers living in the vicinity of Bellevue formed a joint stock company for the purpose of erecting an elevator that should *be under their own control, and from which they could ship their grain if they thought best, or could sell on the street if prices offered suited them. The charter members of this company consisted of seventeen persons, and stock was subscribed to the amount of five thousand dollars.

A building about twenty-four by sixty feet was erected, and completed September 11, 1875. An engine house was also built, and an engine provided for hoisting grain and running a cleaner and a mill for grinding feed. The cost was about nine thousand dollars, a part of it being paid from the earnings of the elevator after its completion. The building and attachments were put in charge of John Decker, who, the first season, received and shipped some four hundred thousand bushels of grain.

On the night of April 10, 1878, the elevator was burned. A new one was immediately commenced, and was in running order about August 1, 1878, but the feedmill and cleaner were not replaced. Mr. Decker continued as manager until November, 1878, when Messrs. Wood & Close took charge. The 1st of January, 1879, they leased the elevator, the stockholders reserving the right to use it for their own grain, on paying the lessees one cent per bushel for elevating and storing.

The stock company is managed by a board of directors, consisting of nine persons, three of whom form an executive committee. It is believed by the members of the company that since the erection of the elevator, prices for grain have ruled

There are two elevators in the building, both run by horse power, two horses being used. This is found much more economical than an engine, and answers the purpose equally well.

Water Works

The village of Bellevue is situated in a comparatively level country, with no hills and no elevated land from which to obtain water by means of springs or natural reservoirs. Underlying it is a limestone formation, full of cracks and seams, by means of which the surface water is effectually drained off, thus forming a fine system of drainage for farms, but giving the town the reputation of a dry place. On the purchase of a hand fire engine, in 1869, cisterns were built in various parts of the town, but the supply of water was not thought adequate. About that time the subject of some system of water works was agitated, and the village authorities caused an experimental well to be bored, but the drill became stuck and it was given up.

In 1872 the village council submitted the question of a reservoir, to be fed by a large ditch on the eastern border of the corporation, to the people for a vote, which resulted almost unanimously in its favor, only two votes being recorded against the question. An ordinance was then passed authorizing the construction of water works, and providing for the issue of bonds for the village, not to exceed the amount of forty thousand dollars, the same to expire in 1880. A special election was held July 5, 1875, for the election of three trustees, for one, two, and three years. J. W. Goodson, A. B. Smith, and B. Moore were elected, and immediately proceeded to work out the plan. A lot of five acres was purchased from McKim ajnd Bates, with the right of way to the

| In digging out the reservoir, the dirt was piled up around the sides, making a substantial embankment. The gravel in the side of the ridge was struck in some places, and when the reservoir is full the water filters through the gravel into the ridge for a great distance, forming an almost inexhaustible supply, for one season at least.

In 1875 water conductors were laid through Main street, but it was found that there was not sufficient pressure to furnish all the water that was needed. In 1877 a tank house of brick was built, thirty-two feet high, and surmounted by a boiler iron tank, twenty-five feet high and eighteen feet in diameter, capable of holding fifty thousand barrels of water. A Knowles j engine and pump were purchased for the I purpose of forcing the water into the tank.