Waterville Township (part 1 of 2)

Waterville Township

The vote at the State election, 1840, was as follows: Governor - Thomas Corwin, 118 ; Wilson Shannon. 37. Congress, P. G. Goode, 68; Wm. Sawyer, 37. Representatives State Legislature, George B. Way and John

F. Hinkel, 68; Daniel O. Morton and Loren Kennedy, 37. Commissioners - Eli Hubbard, 68 ; Lucian B. Lathrop, 37. Assessor - John W. Harter, 68; Samuel Durgin,-37. It is noticable that no voter "scratched" his ticket.

1849. Township officers elected : Justices of the Peace, David Smith, Edward D. Sargent. Trustees, N. C. Hall, John Webb, John Vanfleet. Assessor, A. J. Eldredge. Treasurer, Elijah Dodd. Clerk, J.

The next record of bills allowed is that of March 4, ISHM, when S;").09 was voted to Jeremiah Johnson, and 75 cents each to Jfalph Farnsworth, Thomas Shoemaker, J. C. Adams, John Vanfleet, M. S. Vanfleet, Jonas Cleveland and Whitcomb Haskins - all but the first of these claims, evidently, were for services as election officers.

About 1836 the Trustees held their nrceting at the tavern known as the Western Kxchange. It having come to the knowledge of the Trustees that there had " lately come into the Township certain persons on the Canal line, who were not legal residents thei'cof," and th;it one or more of them "were likely to become a Township charge." they issued their warrant to Lewis Eastwood, Constable, January 10, 1838, warning such persons " forthwith to leave said Township." The return made by the Constable January 22. showi'd that he had Tiieantime served such warrant bj- reading the same to 541 different persons ; and by copy to 5 persons, making a total of 546. They seem to have been employed by the contractors on sections 28 to 40, inclusive, of the Wabash and Erie Canal, and all within Waterville Township. The Constable's fees for service of the wan-ant, amounted to S.53.37^. The Tru.stees were John Praj' and Willard (!unn.

A .settlement with the Townshijj Trea.surer, in 1843, showed the treasury to contain - Cash, 1?3fi.27 ; onecitizen'snote,$8.25; one lot of Boots and Shoes, $10.00 ; and one County order, $1.00; total, $55.52. The Treasurer (L. L. Morehouse) was allowed $9.60 for services. Samuel R. Reed, now of Cincinnati, was then Clerk of Waterville Township, and was soon succeeded by J. E. Hall, j'et ol Waterville.

At the same time A. P. Reed was allowed $1.84 for services as Clerk at an election, and for a shroud furnished by him for the body of a boy drowned in the Canal.

On settlement, March 9, 1849, with James B. SteedmaTi, Supervisor of Road District No. 4, the Trustees found in his hands two notes ol residents for delinquent road work ($3.00), and "cash paid in," $0.25; total, $3.25, which was delivered to Elijah Dodd, Treasurer.

In March, 1854, J. E. Hall, Township Clerk, was allowed $13.62 for the preceding year, viz.: For services as Clerk, $7.00; stationer}^, $1.62; for enumeration of youth for School purposes, $3.00; for "clerking for Board of Education," $2.00.

Milita Roll

Methodist Episcopal. - The Methodist Society at Waterville is believed to have been organized the same year as that at Maumee (1834), the first preacher having been Rev. Elam Da}', and the first members Jane Adams, Tliomas Gleason and wife, Harriet Farnswortli, Hannah Cross, John Hoag, Elisha Hanson and Sarah Bailey. John Hoag and Elisha Hanson were leaders of the band. Mrs. Lucina Has kins was with the Class in 1835. In 1840 John Pray and wife and Whitcomb Haskins united with this Church. Rev. John A. Banghman, whose first wife was Mary, daughter of Mr. Pray, was prominent in the \^ork in those dajs of beginning. Joseph E. Hall settled at Watervillo in 1830, and unitcMl witli tLo Cliurcli in 184 k Tiie house of worsliip at Watervillc was commenced in 1841, Kev. lyiljcrtv I'l'entiss, Pastor, and completed in 1S4I, under l!ev. Horatio S. Bi'adle^'. Kldcr Thomas Harkdull was first to preach in the tiinshed buildinif. The first resident Minister of Waterville is believed to have been ilev. Libert}' Prentiss ; the next Rev. John A. Shannon, followed by Rev. Henry Warner. Previous to the organization of this Church, Revs. Henry E. Pilcher and EInatiian C. Gavitt, then of the Michigan Conference, preached there. From that time to 1875, the a])]iointments are believed to have been as follows :

Presbyterian. - In 1837, under the direction of Rev. Benjamin Woodbury, the Presbyterian Church at Waterville was organized, with 10 members - Mrs. Elizabeth Hall, and daughters Sarah and Amanda, Henry Reed, Sen., and wife Elizabeth and daughters Wealthy, Fanny and Temperance, and Hannah Pray and Mrs. Dodd. The only one of these now (18.S8) living, is Miss Sarah Hall.

The present house of worship was built in 1856, corner of North and Main Streets, in the Village of Waterville. It is a wooden structure, 36x50 feet in size, and cost $1,500. It was dedicated in 1856, by Rev. P. C. Baldwin.

The Church has been in charge of the following named Ministers - Revs. Benjamin Woodbury, 1837-42; and since 1842, havebcen Revs. Watson, Atwood, Morehouse, P. C. Baldwin, Charles Richards, G. A. Adams, C. C. Hadley, and Charles Manchester.

German Lutheran. - The first congregation was started on what is known as the " Dutch Road," in the Northern part of the Township, in September, 1866, by the Rev. C. F. Kalding, of Perrysburg, the services being hold in the old School-house on the Hutchinson farm,nearthe Canal Bridge. Previous to that time, the nearest Church was at Maunicc, in charge of Rev. Carl Marlcsch.dicl. The Hrst Churcli .mUfice, a frame building costing about 81,000, was erected about a mile West of the School house, and services held every other Sunday, by Rev. C. F. Kalding.

In 1876, Rev. Tlieo. ..Meier, uf Custer, took charge, and organized a congregation in the Village, giving alternate Sundays to each. The services in the Village were held in the Presbyterian Cliurch until a house was built in 18S6, the building being dedicated September llHh, costing 81, f)00, to which a parsomige is now being added. There is a Suiulay School in connection, with lit) scholars.

At Whitehouse there is a irission service held alternate Sunday afternoons, by Rev. Mr. Meier, in the Union Church, liut asyetnocongrei^ati<jn.

The fii'St School in the Township of which we can find record, was ke|)t in the "Old Red Ox-Mill,^' fi-om 1825 to 182,S, by Deacon Hiram P. Barlow. Among the earlj' teachers are Barlow, Millikcn, Gunn, Hotchkiss, Austin and Eastwood, of whom Mr. Eastwood is the only one known now to be living. In the jear 1832 Miss Olive Gunn taught School in a rude structure, part log and part frame. The Schools at that time were supported largely by tuition paid Ijy pupils, public provision for which pur- ])Ose being inadequate.

The first School-house in the Village was built in 1834, on the spot now u.sed as a dwelling by Peter Ulri( h, on lot 3(i, corner of Main and South Streets, and was kept b}' L. R, A us tin. The second Schoo.l house was built in 1852, on lots ()5 and 66, corner South and Second Streets. In the Fall of 1885 the present building was provide<l for. It is located on the Public Square, and is well ada|)tedto its object, having most of the later improvements in such structures. It was completed in 188(i,at a cost ofSl(),000. The first Teacher in it was Miss Kate Brown, with about 160 pu])ils on the roll.

In the history of the Waterville Schools, no name is more prominent than is that of Elijah W. Lenderson, now of Toledo, who for ten years was an efficient Teacher therein.

The first record found of Township School funds, is that of 1837, when the entire amount collected for Lucas (Jounly was .?1,457.13, of which amount §1,106. til was derived from taxation, and S350.52 from interest on Surplus Revenue. Fromsuch source Waterville Town- sbip tliiit year derived School money to the amount of ^111.14. In contrast with this, may be given the figures for 188G, when Waterville Towusliip received for School purposes, public money to the amount of 111,005.48, of wliich $0,819.08 wa.s expended in support of Schools. During that year a School-house was erected in Waterville Village, at a cost of 18,500, being valued with grounds and furniture at $10,000. The average attendance at that School was 104, with an average enrollment of 114 pupils. The cost per scholar per annum, in 1880, was $9.52.

Temperance

As elsewhere shown, one of the first movements in Lucas County in behalf of Temperance, took place at Waterville, as early as 1837, with which prominent citizens of that locality took active part. The importance of such action, no doubt, was in a great degree eufbrc ed by the serious effects of the use of liquors among the Indians and the laborers on the Canal. It was fortunate for Waterville, that leading business men there were earnestly identified with the work of reform. From time to time, various organizations in that behalf existed, and as at most other points, were temporary in activit}-.

Waterville Division, No. 136, Sons of Temperance, was instituted March 22, 1871, with officers as follows: John Batt, Worthy Patriarch ; Mary B. Singer, Worthy Associate; C. \X. Shoemaker, Recording Scribe ; Susie Heater, Assistant Recording Scribe ; J. L. Pray, Financial Scribe ; Kate Pray, Treasurer; J. E. Hall, Chaplain; M. V. Shoemaker, Conductor ; Addie Hall, Assistant Conductor ; Alice Pray, Inside Sentinel ; Gilbert Stevens, Outside Sentinel ; Thomas Pray, Past Worthy Patriarch; Charles Shoemaker, Deputy Grand Worthy Patriarch. The Division had 69 charter members, and was in active operation for about three years.

White Lodge, No. 52, Independent Order of Good Templars, was organized at Waterville July 8, 1884, with officers as follows; L. H. Lindsly, Chief Templar; Fanny J. Dodd, Vice Templar; Mrs. Lucina Haskins, Chaplain; W. S. Haskins, Secretary; Maftie McQuiHeu, Assistant Secretary; Maria Knaggs, Financial Scribe; W. G. Farnsworth, Treasurer; Torry Isham, Marshal ; Fred. Cobb, Deputj' Marshal; Emma Knaggs, Inside Guard; John Hutchinson, Outside Guard ; Ida Farnsworth, RightHand Supj^orter ; Marj^ Haskins, Left- Hand Supporter; Clara Bayer, Past Chief Templar ; W. G. Farnsworth, Deputy Grand Chief Templar. The Lodge had 30 charter members, which number has been increased to about 75.

The Masonic Order

Wakeman Lodge, No. 522, F. and A. M., was instituted November 1, 1879, by request of Warren B. Gunn, Oscar W. Ballou, Peter Ulrich, J. L. Pray, W. B. Pinkerton, James Marston, G. T. L'ateham, Elijah Dodd, W. S. Saxton, L. W. Pray, Samuel Down, C. H. Noble, S. S. Smith and' Clarence Dodd. The first officers were as follows : W. B. Gunn, Master ; O. W. Ballou, Senior Warden; John L. Pray, Junior Warden ; Samuel Downs, Senior Deacon ; Elijah Dodd, Junior Deacon; T. B. Pinkerton, Secretary; James Marston, Treasurer; George S. Latchara, Tyler; Lewis W. Pray, and Clarence Dodd, Stewards. Officers for 1888 are as follows ; A. L. Vanfleet, Master ; O. Lyon, Senior Warden; J. L. Pray, Junior Warden. The Lodge occupies the upper story of a fine brick block erected in 1880. Its presant membership is about 45.

The Village Of Waterville

The Village of Waterville was platted in February, 1830, and now stands as the second existing plat in Lucas County, that of Maumee City only antedating it, having been recorded in 1818. The original Port Lawrence platted in 1817, was the first in the County, but was subsequently abandoned and vacated. Waterville was platted l\y John Pray, and is located on the West bank of the Maumee River, opposite what then was known as " Pray's Falls," a rapid in that stream. It comprised 50 lots, most of which contained a quarter of an acre each. It had 4 Streets - Water, running along the River; .and South, Wood and Mechanics, running from the River.

In April, 1837, John Pray recorded an addition to the plat of Waterville. It contained 214 lots, in addition to the 50 lots in the plat of February, 1830.

Natural Gas And Oil

Hall, from Portlaiid, Maine, sunk a well aliout t!0 rods North of (he present Ballon Gas Well No. 1. Failing to find oil in sufficient (|uantily to pay, he abaiidonod the well, after horint( to :i dejilli of about 7t)ll feet, usinff the sliale gas eoniing from the liolo as fuel for the last 300 feet, that being the pioneer effort then to utilize Natural Gas as fuel. The same season Eobert Dunlap and others from Detroit, drilled for oil on the Dodd farm, on the West bank ot the Canal, for about 1,100 feet, at which depth the well was abandoned. Several other futile attempts were made.

During the Winter of 188(5-7 Oscar W, Halloa conceived the idea that it was gas, and not oil, that was the natural product of the Earth in Waterville. On investigating the Findlay and other gas fields, he became so thoroughly convinced of the correctness of his opinion, that he opened negotiations with the Toledo and Cincinnati .syndicates to operate in that territory.

The first gas well in the Township is known as " Ballou No I," and is locateil about 1,000 feet South of the first oil well, on the West bank of Maumee, about half a mile Northeast of the Village of Waterville, near the center of River Tract 35. This well was commenced May 24, 1887. The total depth was 1,104, including 37 feet in Trenton rock. With the demonstration usual on such occasions the well was shot June 18, 1887, establishing the fact that Waterville was in direct commuincation with the great gas-belt of Northwestern Oiiio. Since that time nine wells have been drilled for gas in the Township, all but one having proved successful. About half a mile West of the Village Ave wells have been drilled for oil, most of which have given fair returns for the investment. A seemingly fair estimate places the average cost of sinking each well at from 81,200 to »1.500.

The Village Of Whitehouse

The Village of Whitehouse was laid out in the 18(54, the plat having been recorded July 5th. It is located on the North fractional half of Northwest fractional quarter of Section 2, Town G North, Range '.) East. The land was grst entered by Harvj- Kembar, October 6, 1842, and by him conveyed to James Craven, July 20, 1850, who sold it to John R. Osbora Sept. 9, 1.S55. The same month it was conveyeil to Edward Whitehouse of New York, then a Director in the Waliash Railroad Compan}-, whose name the Village bears.

The first Blacksmith Shop in Whitehouse, was that of Michael (ioodman, established in 1858. In the same year, A. J. Eldridge opened there a general .Store, and Alexander Walp was appointed Postmaster. In 1874, the Stoker House (now Union Hotel) was built by John Stoker. Myers & Stone erected a Feed Mill in 1881.

The present.School-IIouse was built in 1877, at a cost of §8,000. It is of brick and stone, and was built to replace a frame house destroyed by fire.

'The Methodist Prutestant Church at Whilehouse was organized in 184(i, the members then being Mr. and Mrs. George Almond, Rev. .lolin Foster, Mrs. Eldridge;, Mrs. Franklin, iMrs. (iilson, Mrs. Huffman, Mr. and Mrs. O. II. Noble. The first (ijuarterly Conference was held at Stony Ridge, near VV^hiteiiouse, November 24, 1849, of which John B. Peat was Chairman, and P. B. Scott Seci-etary. Among the early members wei'e Luke and Wm. Tipton, John Jones, Elisha Trowbridge, Nelson Coulson, John Officer, Alonzo Crosby, Matthew Cowling, Thos. Beney, P. B. Scott, David Lucas and Daniel Hubbell. The first Preachers and Ministers in charge were John B. Peat, Wm. Tipton, John Jones, Klisha Trowbridge, R. H. Davis, J. N. Kidd, S. B. Abbott. M.S. Reynolds, S. Klliott, B. F. Tucker, C. F. Bradley, Ilufus A. Washburn, G. Scott. In 1872 the Society erected a house of worship, at a cost of $1,800.

Whitehouse, from the first, has been a Station on the Wabash Railroad, and a point of local interest, in furnishing limited market for the neighborhood. The following business establishments are now (1888) in operation there:

Stone Quarries. - From very early date, Waterville Township, with other localities of this region, has been prominentin the quantity and quality of its quarrj'-stone. Attention was first definitely drawn to these deposits during the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal, in which work large ([uantities of stone became necessary. The first quarry opened was on the Dodd farm in 1838, since which lime operations there have been continued, the demand of late ^-ears being chiefly for lime, for road-bed and for ballasting.

The next opening is known as the Stony Ridge (Quarry, located two miles West of Waterville. The bed is underlaid with a thick strata of glass sand, for which a rapidly- in-

The most important oiiorations in stone traffic, are those of tlie VVliiteliouse Quarries. What is Icnown as the Pray & Hall (^uari-y, was opened by John Williams and A. Walp, in 1860, on tlie land of J. E. Hall. In 1870, N. 0. Hall and A. Walp assumed management of this Quarry, which continued until 187(i. J. L. Pray and J. E. Hall (Pray A: Hall), merchants at Wliitehouse, then assumed charge of the operations. At this time (1888) the business is wholly in the bands of Mr. Pray, whose facilities are 2)racticall3' unlimited. The (Quarry is about one mile by 60 rods in extent, with all conveniences, including steam power and a mile of rail-track in connection with the Wabash Eailway. ThatEoad, as far West as the Mississippi, has been largely ballasted with stone from this and other Whitehouse Quarries, while other Western Eoads have used the same for like purpose.

The Osborn Quarry was opened in 1865, but not actively worked until 1875, when .John Ej'an commenced operalionsthei-e forEailroad ballast and macadamizing. This Quarry is now (1888) owned and managed b\- O. W. Eyau, with large facilities for shipment.

These Quarries lie East of Wliitehouse, and seem to be practically inexhaustible in supply. They now give emploj'ment for 40 men, being the main indu8tr3- of that locality. Thej- have supplied large c|uantities of foundation-stone for the principal buildings erected in Toledo, as they also did for the new Insane Asylum, near Toledo.

JAMES M. BRIGHAM was born at Oxford, Chenango County, New Y'ork, in 1816, and died in Toledo, May 3, 1869. He was a son of David Brigham, and of Scotch descent. He had one brother, Charles, for some years Editor of the Pittsburgh Commercial, and now a resident of Florida, and two sisters, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Pierrepont. His childhood and youth were spent in Oxford, he being educated at the Academy in that jilace. After leaving School, he became a Civil Engineer, and acted in that capacity in the construction of the Chenango (New York) Canal. In ])ursuit of the same calling, he came to Ohio during the construction of the Miami and Krie Canal. Not obtaining employment in that connection, he taught a District School in Providence, Lucas County, for one Winter. For a time he was in business at Waterville. About 1845, he was appointed Superintendent of the Eastern Division of the Miami and Erie Canal, which position he held for several years and until there was a political change in the management of Ohio Public Works. In 1849, with the late L. L. Morehouse, he formed the partnership of Brigham & Morehouse, so long and so usefullj' identified with the business interests of Waterville, their special trade being the sale of merchandise and Milling. No business firm in Lucas County ever attained to more honorable position than did that, and to its enterprise and high character was Waterville largely indebted for many years. In 1864 these partners, with John B. Ketcham, organized the Wholesale Grocery firm of Ketcham, Brigham & Co., at Toledo, which continued in successful operation until the death of Mr. Brigham, in 1869. In addition to their Waterville 02)erations, Brigham & Morehouse, in 1859, in connection with S. W. Whitmore, formerly a Clerk with them, opened a store at Tontogany, Wood County. In 1868, they disposed of their Waterville Store to H. H. Wakeman & Co. In all that constitutes a true man, a genial and liberal-hearted citizen and energetic business operator, Mr. Bi-igham was fully endowed. An old and specially intimate friend of his most justly speaks of him as "in every position in life filling the measure of an intelligent, honest and large-hearted man." He was of large bodj- and large brain, a genial companion, warmly attached to his friends. Politically, he was a Whig until that partjwas merged into the Eejniblicau organization, after which he acted with the latter. While ever actively interested in political affairs, he habitually avoided official position. His wile, Mrs. Eliza Ann Brigham, now (1888) resides at Oxford, New York. They had one child, Julia (deceased), wife of Ezra S. Dodd, of Toledo.

Lorenzo Lewis Morehouse was born in Charlton, Saratoga Count}', New York, January 27, 1811, and died at Waterville Januarv 28, 1872. He came to Ohio in October, 1837, and took an interest with Elijah Doodin a contract in the construction of the Miami and Erie Canal, in which connection they had a store in Waterville. In 1846 Mr. Morehouse built a Grist- Mill, which is still in operation at Waterville. In 1849 he entered into partnership with James M. Brigham, which continued until the death of that gentleman in 1869, including the Wholesale Grocery house of Ketcham, Brigham & Co. in Toledo. In all his business relations, extending over more than a third of a century of time, embracing vast amounts in trade, and bringing him into contact with a great variety of persons, his character for high personal honor was never questioned. For several years he was County Commissioner; for two years a Eepresentative in the State Legislature, to which office he declined a renomination. It was during the second session of his term in that body that he laid the foundation for the disease which finally resulted in his death, as prior to that time he enjoyed rcibusl and vigorous lionlth. In 1S'?5, Jlr. 3lorelioii.se was married witli Miss ilary Ann Wakcnian, at Saratoga .Springs. Tliey had tour ciiildren - Helen, Sarah, Alice and Mary Ann - all of whom are now dead. Mrs. Jioreliouse died in 1853. September 20, 1855, Mr. Morehouse was married with ilar^'ette A. Sutton, daughter of John B. and Matilda (Feagles) Sutton. One child - a son, Lewis - was born to them, he d3ing in inlancy. The wife survived him but a year, and Aliee only eight months, leaving him without kith or kin.

Personal Mention

More special mention than has been given seems due to the memory of Waterville's chief pioneer. John Pray was born in Eiiode Island, October 6, 178.3. He was third son of Reverend John Praj*. When 12 years of age lie went to Saratoga, New York ; and at 21, with his brother James, he engaged in the manufacture of potash. In May, 1817, with his brother James and tive-others, he .sat out for the West in search of a site for a Colony, traveling 1)3- .stage to Buftalo, and by a small Sloop to Detroit; thence b}' pack-horses, they proceeded to the point, of destination - the Maumee Vallej'. Following theliiver up to Fort Defiance, thej' found no resident white man lietween Fort Meigs and that place. From there tlicy went to Dayton, Ohio, and thence to Cleveland. At that point, not having found a satisfactorjsite for the purposed settlement, all of the party, save John Pray, returned to New York, wiiile he, uot disposed to abandon his pursuit of a Western home, came back to the Maumee Vallej*, and soon determined to settle at Watei-- ville. In such decision he was greatly aided by the jirospectivc water-power at that point. Returning to New York, he remained there until Maj-, 1818, when he sat out on his return, with his wife, four children and a ne]ihew. They travelled in a wagon to Butfalo, and there took a 15-ton Schooner, Ca])tain Charter, for the Maumee. So scant was the supply of sails, that tlie passengers were required to use their clothes for such. A passage of nine days took tliem to Waterville, where they found temporarj- quarters in an unfinished log-cabin of Mr. Adams, who was among the few settlers who had arrived since Mr. Pray's visit the previous year, all wliom gave cordial welcome to the recruits. There was then no (irist-]\Iill nearer than Monroe, Michigan (some 40 miles). Mr. Praj' at once sat about a change in conditions, and in 1821 he built on Granger Island, the first Grist-Mill on the Lower Maumee. For several years it had customers for a distance ol 45 miles, (Defiance included). Ere long ilr. Pray added machinery for carding wool, a Hemp machine and a Di.stillery. In 1831, he laid out the Village of Wateiwille; and in 1832 removed his mills to the main land ; and in

1^37 built the Columbian House llien the best hotel in that section. Ho purchased largo quantities of lauds, in what are now Lucas, Wood and Fulton Counties. As elsewhere stated, he was of the first Board'of Commissioners of Wood County, in 182U ; was for nine years a Justice of the Peace and was the first Postmaster at Waterville. 'J'he of his home was always "out" to travelers, great numbers of whom gladly acceiitcd the hospitalities thus oxtended. He was well educateil, and thus speciallv fitted to promote both the moral and material interests of the community. Until 47 jears old, he adhered to the religious belief of the Univcrsalists ; but in 1840, he uniliul with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and became an active n\ember of the same. In his 00th year, he closed his long, active and honorable life, dying at Waterville, October 18, 1872. Mr. Pray was married March 21, ;809, with Miss Lucy Dunham, of Smithfiehl, Madi.son County, New Y'ork, who was born at Fort Edwards, Now York, October 28, 1789. They lived together in ha])p\' marital relations for the extraordiiuiry period of (!.'! yeai's, of wliicdi 54 were spent at \Vaterville. Their children were as follows: Harriet, born October 0, 1810; John L., born January 25, 1812; Mary, January 10, 1814; James R.. February 24, 1817; Paris H., May 5, 1819; William K., November 20. 1821; Ozro D., March 4, 1.S24; Thomas, Api-il 9, 1828; Lucy, October 13, 1S31 ; and Caroline, March 18, 1835. Of these the following are now (1888) living : Paris H., al Whitchouse ; Ozro I)., al Grizzly Flats, California: and Thomas, at Waterville.

Among the more ])rominent business men ot Waterville Township for several years past, has been John Lansing Pray, of Whiteliousc. He was born February 17, 1839, at the Pra}- homestead farm, near Waterville. His father was John Lansing Pray, a son of John Pra}-, the pioneer. His mother was Lucina (Cross) Pray, a daughter of Salmon Cross, a pioneer and prominent citizen of Watt'rville. She is now the widow of Whitconib liaskins, one of the first settlers of Watei-ville. The son was educated at the Waterville Public Schools. During the Winter of 1858-59, he taught a School in Illinois, and the following Winter in Wood County. He enlisted in Battery H, First Ohio Light Artillery, Sejitemlier 28,1801, and serveil until the end of the War. He was appointed Bugler lor the Battery, and .served as such until February, 1804, when he was transferred to the United States Signal Service, where he remained to the elo.se. He gained special recognition in the latter capacity, having been, as Sei-geant, placed in charge of the Signal party aceompanj'ing the Fifth Arn\y Corps. Since the War, lew Soldiers have done more than has he toward cultivating and maintaining among the

L'ouutiy's defeuders the true spirit of jjatriotism and social relations. Upon bis return from the field of War, he taught School for one year at Waterville, and afterwards engaged in trade at Waterville with Joseph E. Hall. Subseqcntlj' the firm decided to develoj) the valuable Stone dej^osits near W^hiteliouse, and for that purpose opened quarries and established a Store, their operations in such connection being referred to elsewhere. Mr. Pray, from early life, has been actively identified with interests concerning his fellow-citizens, and by act and influence has contributed much to their moral and material welfare. He was married with Miss Pamelia C. Hall, daughter of J. E. Hall, of Waterville, March 28, 18(36. Their children are John Emmons, Mable C, and Pamelia D., of Whitehouse. The mother died April 4, 1881. Mr. Pray was married May 21, 1884, with Miss Mary E. Singer, a native of Waterville. They have one cliild, Carrie Loui.se.

Henry Eeed, Sen., was born in Eidgefield, Connecticut, March 31, 1784, and died in Toledo, July 27, 1864. He removed to Sharon, Connecticut, in 1804, and to Waterville in 1833. Mrs. Reed died at Waterville in 1857, where Mr. Reed remained until 1859. From his advent at Waterville, Mr. Reed took an active interest in the moral and religious interests of the community. On the first Sabl)ath after his arrival he gave out notice that religious services would be held at a given place, and betook charge of the same, led in the usual exercises, and maintained such appointments until a Church was established, in which he always' was an active member. In the Temperance cause he was also prominent, and in different ways contibuted to the moulding of a sound sentiment among the settlers, the effects of which have been enjoyed tbei'e ever since. He was for several years As.sociate Judge of the County, and served in other public capacities. Notwithstanding the embarrasments attending the charge of a lax'ge family in a country so new, Mr. Reed was enabled to rear bis family to a degree of intelligence, usefulness and influence rarelj' seen even under more favorable circumstances. It is quite safe to state, that no other family of settlers in the Maumee Valley constituted as liberal an addition in numbers to the population, as did Mr. Reed. It included the j^arents and 12 children. The names of the latter now living, are as follows: Henry, at San Francisco, California ; Samuel R., Cincinnati: Frederick, New York City; George, Forest, Florida: Alexander, Walla Walla, Washitigton Territory; and Mrs. W. P. Gregory, Omaha, Nebraska. Those who died were - Elizabeth, wife of Abner L. Backus, Toledo; Abraham P., Elias, Mrs. Frances Lamb, Louis, and Mrs. Temperance

Oscar W. Ballon is a son of Orson and Emily (Underwood) Ballou. He was born in Waterville, October 1, 183G. His parents both dated their residence in Waterville Itaek to 1818 - the very start of settlement at that point. His father held a leading position in the Township for many vears. He was a Major in the Ohio forces during the " Toledo War ^' of 1835. Oscar W. served in Company I, 14th Ohio Infantry, at the outbreak of the Rebellion in 1861. His brother, Orson G., Lieutenant, Company F, lOOtb Ohio Infantry, was captured and died from starvation in Libbj'^ Prison. Mr. Ballou's political views and action have always been with the Democratic party. He hasfor man}' years been actively identified with 2)ublic affairs at Waterville, having held nearly every office in the Town, being at this time President of the Board of Education and a member of the Council, with both of which bodies he has been connected since their organization. As elsewhere stated, he took the leading part in the develojiment of natural gas, which now promises so much for the future, not of Waterville alone, but of Maumee, Toledo and other points whose interest therein is yet to be shown. Mr. Ballou was married September 20, 1863, with Miss Lina, daughter of Lewis and Amanda (Hall) Eastwood, who was born in Waterville, September 25, 1843. Her parents came to that Township in 1831, thefitther now being the oldest man there. Mr. Ballou has two chiklren - Clifford G., born September 10, 1864, wlio was graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware, with highest honors, in 1888, and is the only College graduate of Waterville; and Minnie O., born October 31, 1870.

Hiram P. Barlow came to the Maumee Valley in 1810, settling at Orleans (Fort Meigs). Subsequently he took a farm at Presque Isle, on the North side of the River, and near to Turkey-Foot Rock, where he built a house. He taught School at Orleans during the winter of 1816-17, and is believed to have been thefir-st School teacher in the Maumee Valley. He was married with a daughter of Victory Jennison, one of the early settlers at the Foot of the Rapids. Mr. Barlow, near Waterville, built (for John Pray) the first Distillery, and one of the first Grist. Mills, in the Valley. The Mill was driven by ox-power. The first waterpower Mill was built at Brunersburgh, now Henry County, by Mr. Perkins. The first Saw-Mill was that of Learning, father of Thos. Learning, at Monclova, in 1812. Driven away by the Indians as the Mill was nearly completed, Mr. Learning returned to find it in ashes. Subsequentlj- he rebuilt, a short distance from the former site, and where a Mill now stands.

W:i}-nesfiel(l was tho first Township in Oiiio orgaiiizeil Nortli of tlie Maumce River. Its original lerritorj- lying over against Fort Meigs, embraced Fort Jlianii ; the British Battery on the point opposite Fort iMeigs ; the seone of tlie Dade massacre; the land-mark known as Turkey Foot Rock ; and spread over a soil full of historic interest, and saturated with the blood of the early defenders of our Nation, shed in warfare against the British and tlieir Indian allies.

Any historical account of this ])art of I^ucas County would be imperfect, which omitted the early occupation by the French of a fortified Post at what is now known as Fort Miami. This Post was on the left bank of the Maumee River, on a high point of laud, from whence can be seen, spread out like a map, 2(1 miles of the course of the River, flowing in gentle curves, from the foot of the Rapids away to the Northeast, to where it reaches the waters of the Ba}', which skirt the distant horizon with a silver line and conduct the River to Lake Erie. To this day, the lines of the British Fort built on the same site, are clearly legible in grassgrown ditches, and bold embankments, and the hollow way leading to the River.

This position had commanding advantages as a military post, and the e) e of the French Engineer was quick to mark it and make it part of the system of fortifications intended to reach from the great Lakes to the Mississippi and to secure the dominion of France over the water-shed of the Lake region and the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys. At this Fort was established the first permanent settlement of the white man in Ohio. When France surrendered her American possessions to England in 1700, an English garrison occupied the old French Fort, fortified it in a regular manner and called it Fort Campbell. Mementoes of French occupation remain on the River from its head waters at Fort Wayne to the Maumee Bay, in the names of the descendants of the oldest families, some of w^hom preceded the advent of the first Americans by at least a half century.

Waj-nesfield Township lies on the Southeastern border of Lucas County and is bounded on the North and East by Springfield and Adams Townships, on the Southeast by the Maumee River, and on the West by the Township of Monclova. Its present area is about 30 s<|uare miles, it having been grcatlj- reduced fi-om its original dimensions by the detachment of portions of its territorj' to form other Townsliips. The Township was originally included in the County of Logan, erected by an act of the Ohio Legislature passed Deccmbei- 30, 1817, and was named Waynesfield in honor of

Gcnci-al Anlhony Waj'ne. It was also ap])ropriatc as including the field in which Wayne had achieved his splendid victories over the Indians, in 1704.

In 182tl (he County of Wood was erected from the Noi'thcrn part of Logan County, and AVaynesfield was its onlj- orgatiized Townshi]) on the North side of the Maumee River until 1S35, when Lucas County was set ort' from the parts iif Wood and Henry Counties lying adjacent to the then disputed boundary of Michigan and North ol the Maumee River. During the "Toledo AVar" the Commissioners of Lucas Countj- at a special meeting held October 12, 1835, extended the civil jurisdiction of Waj'nesfield to the Northern boundary of thi' State as claimed by Ohio; thus pi-actically obliterating, for the time bi'ing, the Tow nship of Port Lawrence, which I'emained in a state of sus2)cnded animation for three days, and during the State election. That crisis having passed, it was restored October 15, 1835, to its proper jurisdiction.

The next reduction of the area of Waynesfield was effected by the erection of Springfield, June 20, 183G. Monclova was set off, taking another portion of its territory, March 11, 1853; and Adams (under the name of Carey), December 3, 185(J. On June 3, 1850, all that pari of Springfield and Monclova lying South of the North line of Sections 25 and 20. Town Two, LT. S. Reserve, including all of Pi-ivate Grant 682, was re-annexed to Waynesficld.

The first record made at tiic Recorder's office , of "Wood County related to lands in Waynesfield Township, and consisted of the plat of Maumee City prepared by A. I. AVheeler for John E. Hunt, in August, 1818. It contained 100 lots 75x132 feet. Of these, three lots at the Southwest corner of Conant and Detroit Streets were sot ai)art for public ground; and two at the Northwest corner of tJibhs and Detroit Streets were set apart (or Church and School purposes. The plat was ackTiowledged before Seneia Allen, Justice of the Pea(-e (or the Count}' of Logan, ilr. Allen then resided at Orleans, below the site of Fort .Meigs.

The first transfer of property recorded in Wood County was the deed of Thomas Learning to Fphraim U. Ijcaming, Jul}- 21, 1821, for 100 acres of lainl in Section 5, Wajnesfield Township.

Sauderson 1". Dav to I^evi Omans. May, 1822. This deed was witnessed hv II. Powell and D. McJlerton, and acknowleilged hefore Almou Gihbs, .lustice of the Peace, Maumee

Hiram Thebault to Levi Beardsley and .Tames O. Morse, 160 acres ; same- tract granted to Thebault (a half-breed Ottawa Indian), by the treaty in 1831, with that tribe; price, $5,000. Also, to same, 4 acres ; being an Island in Maumee River, opposite the foregoing tract ; price, $l;j. These lands were at Bear Rapids in the Maumee River.

Elnathan Corv to John Brandagee, Isaac Thompson, ,Tohn D.. Wheat, Eiiward Hallan, Lucinda Caulkins, Archibald Mercer and ,Toseph Lawrence, lots in Jliami City, 1835.

H\int and Beaugrand's Addition to Maumee City, was recordcrl in 1835, with 172 lots and 12 Streets - Canal, Spring, Hunt, Jackson, White, Detroit, Elizabeth, Dudley, Wayne, John, Sophia, William and Indiana,

Elnathan Cory to John D. Wheat, Edward Hallan, John Brandagee, Isaac Thompson, Archibald Mercer, Joseph Lawrence and Lucius Caulkins, lots in Miami Citv, 1835.

Jacob Gnagy to Smith A. Towner, 1836, 30 acres in Section 22, together with privilege of erecting a mill-dam across Swan Creek and flowing water back on grantee's other land, jtrovided the dam lie not over 8 feet in height ; price $405.

June 14, 18:J6, Elnathan Cory and Horatio G. Phillip.s, of Dayton, Ohio ; John Hollister, Jessup W. .Scott and David Ladd. of Perrysburg, and Norman C. Baldwin of Cle\e!;inil, formed and constituted what was known as the " Miami City Company." The stock was divided into 1,536 shares of $400 each. The object of the organization was the ownership and management of certain pro)>erty, to wit : River Tract No. 19, originally granted to Joseph Purie, of Dayton, containing 11214 acres, the Warehouse and lot of David Hubbell and other property in and adiiviuing Miami City. The existence the Company was liniiird to 11 years and to cease in 1846.

An Addition to Miami City was recorded in .May, 18:18, by J. Austin Sriitt, Jessuj) W. .Scott, Samuel Hawlcv, Rufus 11. Picket, Richard Randall, ,lohu Hollister, J. W. Smith, Henry Darling aud Wm. P. Reznor. The plat consisted of 8 bbicl^s of "23 lots each, and had 8 Streets - Knaggs, Reznor, Scoil, Hollister, Askin, Detroit, Second and Fourth

John E. Hunt to Judilli Ballanl iwidow), and Samuel W.,.Iolin H., James Jr., Charles (all of age). .Milton N. and Mary .lane (minors), children of James Ballard, deceased, Nov., 1S39.

In May, 1810, John E. Hunt eranted to the Commissioners of Lucas County, lots lli;i, 104 and 105, the same having been donated for the use of llie Covmty building, the County -seat having then I.ieen removed from Toledo to Maumee City.

Rodolphus Dickinson, LaQ. Rawson. Peter Beaugrand, and .Sardis Biiehard, of Lower Sandusky, to Lucas County, lot loti. Hunt tfc Beaugrad's .Addition, as" donation for Court House and Jail, I84II.

In 1841, Leonard K. Barber, of Mississippi, gave to George W. Reynolds, of Maumee < "ity, ]>ower of attt.irney "to erect a Custom and I'loaring-Mill an'd .Saw-Mill in Maumee City," the former with two to fotir runs of stones, and the latter with one saw ; and to conduct the operations and business of the same, when constructed. In June, 1842, the firm of S. AV. Waters (Steiihen W. Waters and L. K. Barlier), conferred upon Mr. Reynolds like authority.

John E. Hunt to John Hale, Jacob Sjianglcr, George W. Reynolds, R. A. Forsyth, R. H. Lansdale, J. H. Forsyth and J. D. Peekham. Trustees of the Methodist Episcfipal Church. Maumee, tot 15, block 25, Hunt's Addition; f(jr use of said Societv; July, 1843.

J. Austin Scott to Miami <'ity, 10 lots in block 8. iu^.Scott & Co.V Addition to Miami City," as donation for a site for Schoolhouses, Churches, and "other public buildings, March, 1845.

Tax-Payers, 1838 On Horses And Cattle

Williams, C. A. & A. D. Boyington & Gannett. Cook, Daniel. Doane, David C. Forsyth, James H. Forsyth, Robert A. Gower & Clark. Hackley, A. S. Knaggs, George B. Mudge, Edmund. Noble, G. C.

Maumee City

Tlie City of Maumee was incorporated in March, LS38, and the first election held on the 26th of that month. Robert A. Forsj'th was chosen Maj'or, by a vote of 117, to 50 for Gen. John E. Hunt. The other City officers were as follows :

At a meeting of the Cit}' Council, Marcli 29th, the following officers were chosen, to wit : President Council, James Wolcott; Treasurer, Daniel Cook; Recorder, Henry Reed, Jr.; Marslial, F. B. Kirtland.

The name of the City corporation was changed to South Toledo in 1871. In July, 1887, it resumed the name of Maumee, dropping the word ('itJ^ but retained the City organization as before.

Board of Education - John E. Wilcox, President; J. IM. Wolcott, Secretary ; C. M. Schelly, Treasurer ; Charles Rodd, Frank D. Crane and Coleman Keeler.

Traders At Maumee

The names of early settlers appear in the records of deeds and mortgages and many of them were actively engaged in the attempt to make a large Town out of Maumee as late as 1840 and for a few j'ears thereafter. Some had been Indian traders - as the Forsyths (James H. and Robert A.) and the Hunts, (John E. and Charles C. P.). Some were of French origin. Geo. B. Knaggs was a good type of the social qualities of the French. And there was old La Point, a man of largo stature and strong frame, whose red flannel shirt, open at the throat, and sleeves rolled up to the elbows, displayed the hairy ai'ms and the breast of a giant. He was the very figure of a French grenadier. He did not know his own age, and seemed to linger on, saving his strength and stalwart bearing, against the time he should join the jihantom files oi his former companions and march again under his old commander.

In 1838 there resided at Monroe, Michigan, a certain Colonel Anderson, who for some years prior to 1793 was British Indian Agent, resident at Fort Miami. It was said that after the battle of The Fallon Timbers, August 20, 1794, Gen. Wayne's victorious troops feasted on Indian corn raised by Col. Anderson on the River bottom lands near the Fort.

The Towns of Perrysburg and Maumee City had to contend with a natural obstacle to navigation in the River called the Rock Bar. This is a bed of rock formed across the River just above the site of llic t'oriner town of Marenyo. Vessels drawing over six feet could not always be sure of i^assiiig, and when increasing commerco demanded vessels drawing 14 feet, the enterprising and ho]iefiil ]ioo])!o gave up the contest with the Rock Har and moved lower down the River. In due time the ])ort of Entry was moved to Toledo antl commerce b}' Lake and iJiver at the Foot of the Rapids pi'actically ceased.

The Business Directory published in the Express in 1837, furnishes the following names of por.sons then in trade and in the ]irofes8ions at that i)lace :

Forwarding and Commission Merchants - Hunt & Converse, S. A. & J. H. Sargent, White & Kirtland, D. Steele, For.syth & Hazard, Bingham & Furncy.

Merchants - Spencer & JMoore, Elisha Mack, Itanney, Hichardson & Co., O. Williams, Acker & Kanady, Ira White, Smith & Crowell, Boynton & Gannett, H. A. Hacklev, A. Gary, Gower & Clarke.

Until 1833, the transportation business of Maumee and Perrysburg was done principally by two small Schooners - the Eagle and the Guerriere - both owned by John lloUister and Captain David AVilkison ot Perrysburg. During that year a small Steamboat (the General Brady) commenced running between these I" o places and Detroit. In 1834, the Steamboat Oliver Newberry, a second-class boat, made a few trips to those Towns, as did the Detroit, a boat of the same class and size. Two small boats, the Gen. Jackson and Major Downing, made theira]ipearance the .samo.season, running to Detroit, and the Schooner Merchant wa.s built and commenced making trips to Bufl'alo. In Maj', 1835, the Steamer Com. Pei-ry, Capt. Wilkison, came out. Several large Schooners were built Between 1835 and 1838, the Monroe and Olivei- Newberry were purchased, the Gen. Wayni^ built, and otherSteamers secureil. The Steanilioat aridvals at those Towns in 1837 was about 300, and of Schoonei-s 103.

At that time Lake freights f »r Fort Wayne, Indiana, came entirely via the .Maumee River, and chiefly Perrysburg and Maunu'e; and it i.s probable, that the first combination for the control of transportation rates, was one of wliich Fort Wayne merchants complained, at a meeting held March 25, 1837, with Francis Conij)aret in the Chair, and Joseph Sinclair as Secretary. Wm. G. Ewing stated " the object of the meeting to be to consider what course it was necessary for merchants and otherff who are transporting goods from the East, to adopt, in ortler to secure themselves from o])])ression by a combination of the Forwarding Merchants of IMuumee and Perrysburg." G. F. Wriglit stated that the rates referred to were nearly 100 per cent, higher than were chai-ged at any other point on the Lake. Samuel llanna referred to the ruleof the Forwarding Merchants requiring prepayment of all charges before forwarding projierty. The result of this movement is' not recorded.

NEW'SPArERS. - The first newspaper in Maumee was the Express, the first number of which ajijieared March 25, 1837. It was published by an association of citizens, for whom Calvin Frary acted as agent. The Editor was Henry Heed, Jr. It was a neat, well-ju'intod sheet, 22x33 inches in size, and in tyj)i>graphical a|)- pearance and contents was specially creditable to both Proprietors and Editor, and to the Town whose interests it was intended to re])- rcscnt. No rival or neighboring Town had a more creditable representative in its Press, than did Maumee Citv. After the issue of six numbers the name of Mr. Frary as Publisher di.sappeared and that of J. H. Brown was substituted. That gentleman had recently been connected with a paper at Tiffin. Two weeks later the Express passed into the hands of Henry Reed, Jr., and II. L. and S. T. Ilosmer, the editorial de])artment remaiinng with Mr. Reed, Mr. S. T. Ilo.smer having charge of the mechanical branch. Mr. Reed and 11. li. Ilosmer were then partners in the practice of the law at Maumee City.

Tlie following ))ersons were the local agents of the E.rpress in December, 1S38: Waterville - Orson Dndlej'; Damascus - Abram P. Reed; Napoleon - Hazael Strong; Florida - H. Glcason; Independence - B. B. Abell; Defiance - Horace Sessions; Bruner.sburg - Brice Hilton ; Monclova - Daniel Strayer ; Lockport - A, F. Hull.

It would bo both impracticable and uiiprofitablo to follow the vaiying course of the Mauuiee Press for the half-century following its advent. In common with all Western Towns, it had many newspapers, published by many proprietors, which in character did not compare unfavorably witli others. After the Express, came the Maumee River Times - published jointly at Maumee and Porrysburg, by II. T. Smith, which, in changed forms, was continued until the removal of the office to Toledo, in 1855.

The Neic Era, publislied weekly at Maumee, was established in February, 1872, by P. C. Holt & Co., who were succeeded by J. E. Wilcox. The latter conducted it until 1881, when the present Editor and Proprietor, F. D. Crane, assumed the management. The Neic Era is independent in j^olitics and devoted to news and home interests.

Churches. - Itinerant Methodist preachers were among the early wliite Morkers in the Maumee Valley, doing special and temporary service ; but it was not until 1830, that perma nent shape was given to religious work by that denomination. The first Cla.ss at Maumee City was organized at the house of James Jackson in 1834, which stood on the " Point" on lower Broadway. Mr. Jackson came to Maumee in 1831, as an Indian Agent, under appointment of President Jaclvson. The Society was organized by Kev. E. H. Pilcher, of the Michigan Conference, with Eev. Elnathan C. Gavitt, now of Toledo, as junior preacher. The members of the Class were James Jackson, wife and daughter Maria (Mrs. Dr. Oscar White, of Toledo), Mrs. Mary S. Hunt (wife of General J. E. Hunt), and Miss Sophia Hedges (Mrs. Henry S. Comniager, of Toledo). Jacob Spangler united the following year. The first house of of worship for this Church was built in 1837, with subscription.s obtained in 1830, bj' Eev. L. B. Gurley, then the Presiding Elder - Eev. Orrin Mitchell being the preacher when the building was erected. To that time services were held in the School-house built in 1822 or '23. The first parsonage at Maumee and in the Valle}' was erected in 1844, but was not long occupied as such. It yet stands at the corner of Dudley and Williams Streets. The second parsonage (now in use) was built in 1848, Eev. Wm. S. Lunt being then the Pastor. Eev. David Burns was the first Mini.ster who resided at Maumee. On the occasion of the celebration of the lOOth anniversary of Methodism in England (in 1838), §41.50 was collected from the Maumee Church as a centennial fund, beside the donation of a lot by General Hunt and wife for a pai-sonage. Until 1856 the Maumee Church stood first in the Maumee District, after which time Toledo took precedence.

On the occasion of the re-union of the Waterville and Maumee Churches, at the latter place, in September, 1875, Eev. T. N. Barkdull furnished many facts of the early historj' of Methodism in the Maumee Valley. At that time there were living many pioneer Methodists of that region, including the following: Mrs. Almira Forsyth, daughter of Isaac Hull, who came to Maumee in 1815; Mrs. Marj- S. Hunt; Mrs. Eliza M. Horton ; Jacob Spangler and wife ; Mrs. Elizabeth Neelej-, who came in 1841 ; Geo. W. Eeynolds, who came in 1841 ; and Mrs. Frances W. Hull, who united in 1842.

The Presbyterian Church at Maumee Cit}' was organized in 1820, and its semi-centennial was recognized January 23, 1870, at which time but one of the original members survived - Dr. Horatio Conant.

In a letter dated Maumee City, March 8, 1838, Levi Beebc, a prominent business man of that place, wrote hissonin-law, Elizur Fairman, Brownville, Jefferson County, New York, on the subject of the latter's coming to Maumee to open a Hardware Store, of which there was none there at that time. Mr. Beebe set forth the advantages of the locality in strong terms. He owned several business buildings, one of which he had just leased to a (Jolumbus firm. There were then 50 new buildings being gotten under way. All mechanics and laborers were eniploj-ed. The Episcopal Church, at the upper end of the Town, was being constructed; the Methodist edifice nearly completed ; the Presb3-terian Church expected Eev. Mr. Eeed, then at Tiffin, to become its Pa.stor ; while a deep religious interest pervaded the Town. Mr. Parker (a brother of Joel Parker, of Mas.sachusetts), was then tem])orarily preaching in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Beebe was that year a representative to the Presb}*terian General Assembly from the Maumee Presbytery.

The City in 1888 had five Churches - St. Joseph's (Catholic) Church, Pastor, Eev. J. P. Mertes; St. Paul's (Ej)iscopal), supplied by Eev. G. S. May, of Defiance; Presbyterian Church, Stated S;ipply, Eev. Mr. Hustis; Methodist Episcopal, Eev. Wm. V. Marsh, Pastor; Lutheran Church, supjilied from Pei'rysburg. A Baptist Church existed here for some time, but was disbanded.

Masons. - Northern Light Lodge, No. 40, F. and A. M., was chartered December 12, 1818, the charter being signed by Chester Griswohl, G. M. The chai'ter members were Eber Ward, Almon Gibbs, William Gi-ifHth, S. H. Thurston, Charles Gunn, Sheldon Johnston, David Johnston, 'William Preston, J. C. Adams. Cannot find any record of officers until June 12, 1822, when we have the following - Horatio Conant, W M.; John T. Baldwin, S. W.; E. McKnight, J. W.; Ambrose Eice, Secretary; David M. Hawly, Tyler. Present officers : J. H. Wvman, W. M.; O.'N. Gunn, S. W.; William Perin, J. W.; S. Spanlding, S. D.; John Binckley, J. D.; H. B. Lautzenheiser, Secretar}' ; George H. Blaker, Treasurer; J. E. Wilcox, Tyler.

Banking In Maumee

As clsewliore stated, the first Uank of issue in Lucas County, was the Bank of JManliallan, oi-gaiiized and acting under an alleged charter by a body calling itself the Legislature of the Slate of Michigan, but which had no legal existence as such. The second Banking institution in the County, and the first one legally org.uiized, was the Mauniee Citj- Insurance Company Bank, at Maumee. It was chartered bj- the OhioLegislature in 18H8, with a ca]iital stock of S250,(i(l0, in shares of SldO each. The stockholders were as Ibllows :

As seen above, the cntei-prise was mainlj' in the hands of Kentuck3- parties - largely from Louisville, they representing two-thirds of the c;i]iital stock. It was organized with James H. Forsj-th as President, and J. T. Guthrie as Cashier. Of the stock, five per cent. (§12,500), was paid in, constituting the working capital of the Bank, which went into operation in i8l!8. The disastrous financial condition then common to the entire country, and esjiecially to the West, left but a small field for the opera tion of such an institution, and November 14, 1839, it was placed in the hands of M. R. Waite and Elisha Mack, for liquidation, and by them was closed up. The question of theauthority of the Company to issue bills for circulation was raised in the Courts, and is uiider.stood to have been decided in the negative.

Four denominations of bills-Sl 00, S2.00, 13.00 and S5.00 - were issued, ]iayable, respectively, to Horatio Conant, John H.James (of Urbana, Ohio), John Ilollister (of Perrysburg), and John E. Hunt or order. Of the ?5.00 bills, as high in number as 20,722, had been prepared March 4,1839, makinga total of §103,- 610 of that denomination.

The competition between the Tow^ns which in l.s3(i were struggling into existeiico on the Maumee, stai'ted a ([uostion as to where the "llciid of Navigation " of the River for l^ake cralt was to become finally fixed. As a curiosity ot the times, a notice in liio .Ahiumoe Express, published in February, 1838, is given. It ajipears that at that time :i petition was circiihited at Maumee City iind Perrysburg, asking the Legislature tobuild a Canal from Man. haittan to the Foot of the Rajiids, to be connected with Penysburg by an acqueduct. This Canal was to be 20 feet deeii and 200 feet wide.

The propriety of this measure was ur;{cil by the petitioners on the l^cfrislaturc on .several prrouuds, one iif which was, that they were owners of hiiul at Maumee and riiTy.sburg and residents of tliose Towns; that they hiid ptirehaseil the lands on which they lived at high prices from the Stale of Ohio and made costly improveineiits thereon, in the finii belief tluit said Towii.s wen' at the head of iiavi.i,'ation of the Maumee Kiver, and thereby a contract was implied between the petitiuneis anil tlie State of Ohio, that the said River would be iuivij;able for I.aUe Vessels to said Towns. They tlierefore asked tlial " the said Towns be made the head of navigation, according to the terras of the contract before set forth ; " and this they did "the more boldly, because they were aware that the people of the Towns of Toledo and Manhattan made their settlements at those places under the belief that the ^fauiiiee liiver was not navigable to any iioint above; and that in consideration of such lieiief and the implied contract deiieiiding thereon, the servants of the people have solemnly de<'lared that tlie said Towns of Toledo and Manhattan are at the liead of navigation aforesaid ; and that every act of your petioners tending to iirove to the contrary, is a sin against them and an insult to the sovereign State of Ohio in the persons of her faitlifid and disinterested officers. " < In such grounds, the petitioners asked the State to Iniild the Sliip Canal to teeptlie Tow ns of I'eriy.sburg and Mauniee at the head of navigation, according to the terms of " tlie implied contract, aforesaid." The editor of the L'.rprfss appears to have had little hope of the success of this movement. The names of the authors and pmnioters of this iietition are not lueiitioiicd. This relic of the luist, testifies to the local feeling formerly prevailing among rival settlements on the ISiver.

In June, 1S37, tiiqieared the tmnouneement that the Steamboat tien. Wayne, C'apt. IL C. Williams, would "leave the head ol the Ra]iid,s every day at 1 p. m, for the foot of I''lat IJock, where there would be coaches and teams to convej' passengers and freight to Defiance." Passengers leaving Maumee City and Perrysburg in the morning, arrived at Defiance same day. Returning, left Defiance at G A. M., and reached the head of the Raiii<ls at 12 m., wliero coaches wore ready for .Maumee and I'errysburg. Also, "a Barge fitted uj) for ]>asseiiger8 or IVeight," left Defiance every Friday for Fort Wayne, running through in three days. During high water, the Steamboat ran between

Initial Facts

The first Post Office North of the Maumee, was located at Maumee Citj' in 1817. The names of tiie earliest Postmasters now remembered are those of Charles C. P. Hunt and George W. Woodward. Tiie former was Postmaster in 1833, and was succeeded by the foll(jwing: George W. Woodward, Wire,

The Wolcott dwelling, built bv James Wolcott, one of the pioneers of the Maume Valley, in 1834-36, stands on the North bank of the river at Fort Miami. Tiie situation is sightly, overlooking Perrysburg on the opposite bank. The building is somewhat antiquated in style compared with modern architecture - two stories high, about 28x40 feet in size, with a portico supported by turned columns in front. The structure is built of hewed logs, clapboarded on the outside and lathed and pla.stered within. Samuel Wagner, now living in Toledo, worked on this house in 1S3(). The columns wei'o turned b\- a Mr. McMurray, who had a Chair Sho]) on Mi'. Wolcott's place. Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott lived and died in this old mansion. (She was a daughter of Captain Wells, a<lo]ited son of the famous Chief, Jjittle Turtle.) Their daugliter Mary, widow of the late George Gilbert, now resides at the mansion.

There is yet standing on the bank of the Maumee River, and on the farm of Coleman I. Keelcr, about one mile below Maumee, the oldest fi-ame building in the Maumee Valley'. It is a two-story dwelling, and was erected by Whitmore Knaggs, of Detroit, in 1818. Dr. Horatio Conant and John J. Leavitt were the first white persons who ever slept in the building. They came up the River in a small sailboat, reaching the mouth of Swan Creek in the night. Adverse winds and the darkness of the night prevented them from proceeding with their vessel, and thev cast anchor, but concluded to walk up through the wood.s to Maumee. On arriving at this house, then in process of erection, having encountered so many difficulties on their journey, they resolved to make up a bed of the shavings and remain in tlie new building until morning. The Doctor said they slept soundly, and in the morning proceeded to the completion of their journey. It was the first time Mr. Leavitt had been "to Maumee, but the Doctor had theni-esided there about 18 months. This old building is yet a

Pioneers Op Waynespield

Previous to the War of 1812, there were a few American settlers- in the Township, among whom were theEwings - Samuel Ewing and his brothers- whose names appear in the carl3' records. Ephraim Learning was in the Township and had built a Saw-Mill on Swan Creek, at what is now the Village of Moiiclova, before the war. When the war broke out the Indians drove him away and burned his mill; but he returned and rebuilt it in 1817.

Among the early settlers were Whitmore Knaggs, Jeremiah Johnson, Almon Gibbs, James Wolcott, (who married the daughter of Captain Wells, being the grand-daughter of the fiimous Chief, Little Turtle), Gen. John E. Hunt, Robert A. Forsyth, James Gilbert, Benjamin Farnsworth, William Kingsbury, Samuel Couch, Huntington Larabee, Samuel Cass, W. M. Hickox, William Beals, James Wilkinson, Norman C. Baldwin, George B. Knaggs, Horatio Conant, Isaac Hull, and many others. Personal sketches of some of the more prominent of the early settlers are given below

George B. Knaggs was one of the well known people of the Townshi]i in early days. He owned and oecujiied land adjoining Miami. His father, Whitmore Knaggs, was a noted Indian Interpreter and .spoke six or seven Indian languages, besides English and I-french. He resided at Detroit at the time of Hull's surrender. He was known to have great infiuence with the Indians, and to be loyal to the United States; therefore, he was ordered by the British Commandant to leave, and thereupon joined the first Corps of our Army that advanced to the frontier. He was guide to General Winchester, and was at the massacre of the River Raisin, -where he barelj' escaped death. An Indian w;irrior whom Knaggs had befriended, interfered for his protection. Cajit. Knaggs died about 1835, at his farm near Detroit. His widow, Mrs. Josette Knaggs, whose maiden name was Labadie, and who was of French descent, survived him, and died at Detroit October 30, 1852. Capt. Knaggs was at the battle of the Thames, and saw Tecumsch when he approached Col. Richard M. Johnson, and saw the latter shoot " The King of the Woods," as Tecumseh called himself. A brother of Capt. Knaggs, who lived on the River Raisin, and a neighbor named Labadie, were also there, an<l brought Colonel Johnson off the field when wounded. George B. had two brothers, John and James W. His grandfather George Knaggs, was an officer in the British Armv and was living in Fort Miami when Whitmore Knaggs was born there. George Brown Knaggs was a man of agreeable

In 1829, Col. John H. Ivinzie, then sub- Indian Agent of the Winnebagoes, was married with Miss Juliette A. Wolcott, a relative of Judtre James Wolcott of Maumee Uity, and grand-daughter of Oliver AVolcott, Secretar}' of War under President Washington. They first went to Fort Winnebago, at the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin Eivers, where they remained for a year or two, and I'emoved to Fort Howard, at Green Bay. In 18o4 the}' went to Chicago, then a village of (iOO whites, among several thousand Indians. From the first Mrs. Kenzie so fully devoted her.selfto the moral and religious wellbeing of the people aI)out hei', that in a sketch ot her life it was stated that " no woman in the Northwest was more widely known than Juliette Kinzie," and that when the history of the early days of Chicago should be' written, " her life ami labors as a member of Christ's Church ; as a woman of the highest culture, most refined taste ; as a faithful wife, devoted mother, kind and generous neighbor and true American lad}', would illuminate its brightest pages."

Col. Anderson, British Indian Agent, for many 3'ears stationed at Fort Miami, resided at Monroe, Michigan, in 1838. Ho was on the Maumee River for some years previous to 1793. It was said to have been Indian corn raised by him on which Gen. Wayne's troops feasted after taking the Fort, in 1791.

Hiram P. Barlow came to the JIaumee Valley in 181G, and settled at Orleans (Fort Meigs!) He taught a School there during the Winter of 1810-17, and is believed to liave been the first School teacher of the Maumee Valley. Afterwards he took a farm at Presque Isle, near the Turkey Foot Rock, where he built a house. He married a daughter of Victory Jeuison, an early settler at the Foot of the Rapids.

Isaac Hull was one of the pioneers of the Maumee Valley. He came West from Massachusetts about 1801, with his father, who was a brother of Governor Hull of Michigan. Daniel Hull a brother of Isaac, was the first Sherifl:' of Wood County. Isaac H\dl, in 1827, was married with Chloe Spafford, daughter of Major Samuel Spafford, Avho was prominent in the War of 1812. His powers of physical endurance were extraordinary, behaving walked " between suns" (in one day) from Maumee to Defiance, a distance of 50 miles. He died at Maumee Cit}- in December, 1864, leaving his widow and two sons - S. S. and W. R. Hull.

DANIEL F. COOK. Few names have been longer identified with the history of Lucas County, than has that of Daniel F. Cook, who for more than 50 years has resided at Maumee.

He was born in Waterville, Maine, September 5, 1814. His father, Daniel Cook, was born in Kingston, Massachusetts, in 1785, which Town originall}^ was part of PI\-mouth ; he tracing his ancestry directly back to the Pilgrim Fathers. In 1809 he was graduated at Bi-own University; studied medicine, and in 1S12 was a])pointed a Surgeon in the rniled States Army, serving in .Maine. Altei' the War, ho practiced his profession at Waterville for a time, wdien he engaged in mercantile and banking jiursuits, continuing the same until failing health made necessary a change both of business and climate. In 1834 he came W-esl, and located at Maumee Cit}', as the point most fully meeting the demands of his case. His family then consisted of his wife and three children. Of these, a daughter, Clara Ann Neal, in February, 1835, was married at Waterville, Maine, with W. B. S Moore, subseiiuently Ignited States Senator from that Slate. She died in 1853. Two sons, Charles and Daniel F., accompanied their parents to the West. At that time Maumee was regarded as the most promising place oCall tlu; .^Iaunlec Valley. There Mr. Cook passed the i-oniaining years of his life, dying in 1803, at the ago of 78 years. His widow survived him but five years. Charles was long a merchant at Maumee, where he died in 1852. Daniel F. Cook was graduated in 1833 at Waterville (Maine) College, now Colby University. In 1834 be entered Harvard Law School, spending there two years. Returning to Maumee in 18.35, he was about a year thereafter admittcil to the Bar of Ohio, and commenced his jirof'essional life at that place. In 1845 he was aiimitted to |>ractice in the Supreme Court of the United States, u|)on the motion of Judge E. D. Potter, then Rejiresentative in Congress from this District. The local contemporaries of Mr. Cook in the early years of his practice included Samuel M. Young, Morrison R. Waite, Hez. L. Hosmer, Thomas Dunlap and Horace F. Waite. The vigorous period of his practice continued until the removal of the st!at of justice from Maumee to Toledo, in 1852, although he jiursued the same until 18(J5. Meanwhile, he directed his attention to dealing in real estate, with which and with farming interests he has been for many years largely identified in both Lucas and Wood Counties - his ])resent agi'icultural holdiuffs asirreiratiu!; 28 farms. In 1854 Mr. Cook was ap])ointed a ( ommissioner of the County and in 1855 was elected to the same office, serving until 1858. He has frcipu'ntly sei'vcd his neighbors in local official ])ositi<>ns, including those of Councilman and City Alloi-- nej' for several j'cars ; while for three terms he was an efficient member of the Board of Rducation. In his earlier years he was active in ]>olitical matters, in which he took much interest. Jn 1 8li(; he joined Mr. K. B. .Mitchell in fountlin<r the lianking House of Cook iV

Mitchell, will) whicli ho remaiiicil until 1872. The test of character involved in an active life of half a centurj^, such as Mr. Cook has been called to meet, is one which could be borne by true merit only. The many who have had business relations, and the many who have enjoyed social contact with him, will bear cheerful witness to iiis unswerving integrity in the one sphere, and to his kindly and generous spirit in the other, where the genial impulses find lullest expression. His energies and his means have always been quick in response to demands in behalf of enterprises looking to the public good ; while in the domain of private life, his course has been one of quiet, unobtrusive citizenship. So, it is safe to say, that the name of Daniel Francis Cook ma\- justly have place among the ))ioneers, to whom Lucas County ever will be indebted for its advance in growth and prosperity. Mr. Cook was'married with Mrs. Abby (Bosworth) Frost, at Mauniee, November 10, 1858. She was born in Genesee County, New York, July 11, 1818, and died Feb ruary 12, 1888. No children arc now living.

Dr. Horatio Conant came to the Valley and settled at Maumee City in 1816. He was one of the first regular members of tiie medical profession to settle at the Foot of the Eapids. His ride extended Irom Fort Wayne on the Southwest to Fort Ball on the Bast, and to the Eivcr Eaisin on the North The small hamlets scattered over the vast unoccupied expanse of the Valley at that time had no one else to look to for help in sickness. The Indian ti-ail was tiie only highwaj' through the unbroken forests and wide sjireading swamps. A physician's visit might mean an absence from home of days, and might involve the loss of a horse and saddle-bags - to say nothing of losing one's way - and all the exposure to inclement weather and the hardships of camping out in the wilderness. No bridges crossed the streams. The traveler lorded or swam them, and was forced to make long detours around impassable swamps. To all these requirements of the time, the good Doctor was always ready to respond. It is safe to say, he was known and welcomed in every settlement and log cabin through all the region above indicated as a very present help in time of trouble. (Further mention of Dr. Conant is made on on pages 541-544.)

John Brownlee died at Maumee City, December 27, 18(53. He went to that place in 1836, and engaged in business with his brother Alex. B. In 1843, ho came to Toledo, and entered the firm of Ludlow, Babcock it Brownlee. Afterwards he was in the firm of Brownlee, Pendleton & Co. He was well esteemed in business circles and I'lscwhere. His age at death was 49.

November 25, 1864, aged GO^ycars. He was a . native of Michigan and came to Maumee at an early date, having commenced business there as a merchant, in 1816. He was a man of unusual ability and integrity. His religious character was well established by a long and consistent life.

JOHN CHURCH ALLEN was born in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, January 27, 1809. His father James Allen was born at tho same place January 25, 1783; his gran<lfather having been liorn there in 1762, and his greatgrandfather in 1719. His mother's name was Cynthia Cottell, who bore four sons and three daughters. His ancestors suffered from depredations by the British during the War of the Eevolution, their property being taken from them by force. The father established on the Island of Martha's Vineyard the first nail factorjr in the United States During the "War of 1812-15, being unable to obtain stock or sell his nails, he was forced to suspend operations, when (in 1815) with his father and their families, he came to Ohio, and settled at Zanesville, arriving there after a tedious passage of six weeks. The father of John C. died at Zanesville in 1847, and his mother in 1863. March 10, 1835, John C. Allen arrived at Maumee, whei'e,thefollo\vingyear, heopened aProvision Store; and soon thereafter, he opened a Hotel (the Central House). He continued in moreantile trade until 1872 - a ])eriod of 36 years. He was a member of the first City Council of Maumee; was the fourth Mayor of the City, and for 20 years the City Treasurer. He was Assistant Count}' Treasurer, under Frederick E. Kirtland, who was in office when the Maumee Court House was first occupied. For many years he was an active and useful mcmbei- of the School Board of Maumee. Throughout a long life of activity, he bore among his fellowcitizens the character of a man of strict integrity and usefulness, and is permitted, after a residence thereof 53 \ears, to continue in the enjoyment of their res])ect and esteem. Mr. Allen was married with Miss Nancy Kirtland, of Parkman, Geauga Count}', September 30, 1839. She was born in Geauga County, March 8, 1817. Her parents were Frederick and Sophia (Parkman) Kirtland, having lieen married in September, 1808, and fjeing among the earliest pioneers of Northern Ohio, settling there in 1806. Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Allen are members of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Maumee, the former having been bajitized by Bishop Chase, the pioneer Bishop of tiie Diocese of Ohio. They had 10 children : Lois S., born August 17, 1840, wife of W. E. Carr, now residing in Illinois; John Church, Jr., born Fchruary 28, 1842, and died July 31. 1855 ; Olive K., born November 27, 1843, who married E. J. Leppelman, in 1867, and Henry Jenf kins in 1873, she dying in "^Vusliiiiglon, D. C, March 9, 1886; James F.,boru October 7, 1S45, married with Chira J. Barnes, now residing at Klyria, Ohio; Noah N., born September 7, 1847, and died April 14, 1S70 ; Francis E., born February 2(1, l.SJd, now practicing tiie Law at Eastervilie, Iowa, was married May 12, 1874, witli Emma Gillett ; (Jeorge C, born .ranuar^- 25, 1852, married with Maggie McCiilla, Sejiteniber :}, 187G, and resides at Eastervilie, Iowa ; Henry A., born May 14, 1855, married with Ilattie Nailor, June 3, 1877, and resides at Eastervilie; Charles B., born April 15, 1857, married with Elida Warner, November 29, 1877, resides at Hector, Ohio ; and Ijucv M., born March ot(, ISGO. Two of the sons (Janu^s F. and Noah N.) served creditablv as Volunteer Soldiers in the Union Army in the War of the Eebellion.

Henry i). Kingsbury was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, July 19, 1818. He is a son of Alvah and Lj-dia Kingsbury^. In 1820, the family removed to Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio, malcing the distance with an ox team and covered wagon. They settled on a farm owned b}' Jabez Kingsburj', father of Alvah. The first School attended by Henry was when he was eight yeai-s old, the distance being three miles. At 14 he attended a Select School taught bj- Judge Frieze, father of Mrs. Pamelia Berdan, widow of Judge John Berdan, first Mayor of Toledo. November 22, 1835, with a brother (William M. G. Kingsbury), he started for Maumee, where they arrived on the 25th, stopping with an uncle, William Kingsbury, who had come there in 1832. He there found work at 88.00 per mouth, with board, and soon came to Toledo and was employed b}- Peter H. Shaw, Brickmaker, to chop wood at 815.00 per month. In July, 1836, he worked for the Manhattan Comj)any, in connection with buildings and other improvements. In the Winter of 1837-38, he became a Clerk in the Hotel at Manhattan. In 1830 he entered the employ of the (Jhio Eailroa<l Company, having charge ot the construction of the section 15 miles East from Ma uhattan, which was made ready for the iron in 1840. In November of that j-ear he took the contract to build a portion of a proposed Ilailroad from Manhattan to Monroe, Michigan ; and inl841, contracted for a section of the Ohio Eailroad between Black and Ilocky liivers. West of Cleveland. Of §16,800 due from these two Companies, lie received the value of Sl,0tl0. In 1843 he removed to Toledo, and for a short time rented and kept the Franklin House (alias .Mansion House). In 1851, he rented the Ohio House, afterwards the Kingsbury House, which he conducted until 1858, he having been elected Sheritl'. being reelected in 1859. Upon the outbreak of rebellion in April, 1861, he was the sixth man to enlist at Toledo, lie served as (|)uarlerinaster of the Fourteenth Ohio Intimtry for the Ihri'cmonths service, and then raised a Company (A) foithree years, in the same, which he commanded until made Major in .iuly, IS62. He was promoted to LieutenaTit-tJolonel in December, 1S62. In M;irch. 1864, in recognition of tlie good conduct of the Fourteenth Kegiment at Chickaniauga and Mission liidge, he was made Brevet Brigadier-General. Throughout the brilliant service of that command, he bore iii.s full share of responsibility and activity, gaining a high record for bravery and effective work. While yet in tlu' Arm}-, he was again nominaloci Sherirt', and was elected in Octol)ei-. 18()5. ami re-elected to a fourth term in ].S(;7. the only case of the kind in the histoi-y of Lucas Count}-. Politically, General Kingsbury was originally a Whig, and has acted with the I'epulilicans since the oi'ganization of that ]iiii-ty. His father died of cholera, in 1852, and his mother of same disease, in 1854, both dying at Toledo He was married in November, 1840, with Miss Harriet E, Van Orden, of Manhattan. They had five children, of whom three died while young. Tho.se now living are MaryL., wife of Henry S. Corwin, of Duluth, Minnesota; and (Jharles II., of Maumee, for some years past the home of the familv.

Augustus Davenport Williams

AUGUSTUS DAVENPORT WILLIAMS was born in Tolland County, ('onnei-ii<-ut, November 24, 1SI)6, His fiither, William Williams, was a native of the .same place, having been born in 1763, and was married with Sarah Burt, of Long Meadow, jrassadiusetts. They liad nine children : Nathan, Mary Burt, William, Sojihiah .M., David Burl, Augustus D., Thedocius Dickernian, Charles Albert and Mortimer Hall. The father iliod in 1845, the mother surviving until February, 1861. The grandfather (Nathan Williams), was among the earliest graduates of Vale College, and was Pastor of the Congregational C!hurch at Tollatid for over (iO years. Augustus's father entered Yale, but for ill health was compelled to abandon the course of Stud}'. The pulpit of the Tolland Church was filled by the fiamily foi- a long ]icriod of years from the tinu! of the Deertield massacre. Mr. Williams is able reliably to trace his ancestry back to Pev. Stephen Williamsof Deertield, a brotbei- of Roger Williams of Phode Island. He came to Ohio from Connecticut, in the fall ot ls:il, returning on horseback in the winter of 1832. In A]jril, 1834, with his fathei-'s family, lie came back, and landed on the banks of the Maumee, where a very few Frenchmen and Indians i-onstituted most of the settlers. Ho began larming on Big Island (between Maumee ami Perrysburg). Not long thereafter he built at Maumee a Hotel, which he named the Washiri'^ton House. His first boarders were Doctor

Daniel Cook ami familj'. In February, 1835, Mr. Williams was married with Sarah M. Carr, of Gallipolis, Ohio, who died in February, 1830. In .Tanuary, 1841, be was married with Julia A. Chamberlain of Maumee, who was born October 20, 1813, in London, New Hampshire. Tliej' have two ehildren-^Burt, born iMarch V2, 1843; and Marj' Frances, born August 15, 1847. The former served in the War of the Rebellion as volunteer in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Oliio Infantry. Mr. AViiliams has a brother (Charles A.), a Wholesale Commission Merchant, in Augusta, Georgia ; and a sister, Mrs. Sophia M. Clark, at Cedar Keys, Florida. The former is a life-long Anti-Slavery man, and during the Rebellion was lo3al to the Union and remained South. A son of his was drafted for the Confederate Arm}-, when the father got him away and on board a Siiiji for JSew York, where he was arrested as disloyal, but was discharged on taking the oath of allegiance to the Union. The father got into some trouble from having offered to ])ay for a rope to hang Jeff. Davis. Mr. and Mrs. Williams are members of the Presbyterian Church, at Maumee, of which the former has been for many j-ears an Elder.

Early Marriages New Maumee

It would not be desirable here to follow in detail the changing conilitions of Maumee for the (50 years of its existence as a Town and a City. The record of early hopes and struggles; of subsequent advance and confidence; and of later fttilure and disappointment, even if here presented, would be of no practical benefit. Suffice it now to state, thtit few localities in the enterprising West had advantages equal to those of Maumee. The list of those who gave life and energy to the \ oung Town, enibrticed names of men of prominence and character, who omitted no effort for the promotion of its prosperity; as did like actors in later years ; but the changing conditions of trade, ehieflj', proved too much for them, and Maumee's greatness - as pictured in fancy did not come.

But Maumee is not dead. She only sle^jt. An awakening lias taken place, and a new condition of things arisen, and from a cause as little dreamed of as if it were miraculous. The discover}' of natural gas in this region, and its success as fuel had but fairly become known, when, in the Spring ot 1887, a movement \vas made for the introduction of that element of growth and wealth into that place. Means were provided by the City for securing requisite gas territory, boring wells and piping gas to and throughout the City, the cost of which was estimated at S75,00O. Already (July, 1888) this work is well advanced. Several imjjortant manufacturing establishments have been secured, with good prospect for additional ones; and a changed condition seems fairly established for Maumee. As indicative of the cost and value of the new fuel, it maj* here be stated, that hetiling and cook stoves average to pay 812.00 per year; a 10-Pot Glass Factory, $300 ; Paint and Oil Works, 820(1; Cotton Mills, §100; a Woollen Mill, 850 ; Flouring Mill, «50. The gas suppi}' is found near Waterville, some six miles South of Maumee, where six wells have been bored, to which others are to be added as the demand mav ari.se.

The Township of Munhattan was organized in June, 1840, and was bounded as fidlows : On the East by the West line of Sections li) and 30 in Town 9 South, Range 9 East ; Soutli by the South line of Sections 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 in Town 9 South, Range 8 East; West liy the Easterly line of the City limits of Toledo and the West line of Sections 6, 7, 18 and 19, in Town 9 South, between Ranges 7 and 8 ; and North by the Harris line.

This Township was maintained until 1874, when its territorj' was divided between the City of Toledo and Oregon Township, and the name Manhattan, as of an existing entity, entirely ceased to be. The writer much regrets his inability to make more .satisfuctorj' mention of this Township, which fact is due to inability to find requisite records. »

Town Of -Manhattan

As already stated, for many years the great disturbing question among the many Towns along the Maumee River, was as to the point at which the Canals would enter that stream, tlie decision of which was e.xpeeted to settle definitely and finally the question as to the location of the chief commercial City of the Maumee Valley. For a time the question rested with Maumee, Port Lawrence and Vistula. In 1833, the latter two were united in Toledo, which became the chief rival of Maumee for the Canal outlet. About this time several leading men of Buffalo engaged in the Forwarding business on the Erie Canal and Lake, with a view to the extension of their connections, became interested in property near the mouth of the Maumee River. The parties consisted of Jacob A. Barker, Horatio N. Holt, Chas. Townsend, Geo. Coit, Sheldon Thompson, John L. Kiniberly, John T. Hudson, Geo. P. Barker, John W. Clark and Stephen G. Austin, all of Buffalo, N. Y.; Geo. W. Card of Willoughby, Ohio, and Piatt Card, of Manhattan. The.se parties wereowners of diverse tracts of land on the Maumee River and near its mouth ; and desirous of selling the same, and believing that could be more advantageously done by consolidating the whole into one interest and connecting therewith certain public and useful improvements, they determined to consolidate their property for such purpose. This they did, and in October, 1835, organized "The Maumee Land and Railroad Company," with a capital stock of §350,000, divided into shares of -8250 each. For the management of the business, three Trustees were appointed - John W. Clark, Stephen G. Au.stin and John T. Hudson of Buffalo. The stock was divided as follows : J. A. Barkerand H. N. Holt, jointly, 200 shares; C. Town.send

This Comjiany at once purchased all the lands between Vistula and the month of the Maumee Jviver, and soon laid out the Town of Manhattan, and actively entered upon extensive improvements at that point. Their work consisted of docks, buildings, warehouses and a s])aeious hotel. These improvements were well advanced by the Spring of 183(i, when the holed was opened by a Mr. I'atterson, wliose daughter, Mrs. Clotilda B., widow of David B. Mooney, now resides in Toledo.

Manhattan now became an active competitor for the Canal outlet, and the" contest deejiened." The outcome of the struggle was then gratifying to Manhattan, inasmuch as the real "terminus ' was fixed at that place with onl^- " side-cuts " at Toledo and Maumee.

On the 1st July, 1837, the Company's arrangements were essentially changed. Its nominal capital stock was increased from StSaOjOOO to 82,000,000, divided into 4,20(1 shares of §500 each, which increase was divided among the stoekholders.

In July, 1837, the same parties, with Daniel Chase in place of Geo. W. Card, oi'ganizeil what was known as the " East Manhattan J>and Comjiau}','' the object of which, chiefly, w'as to manage and dispose of certain lands on the East side of the Maumee River and neai' its mouth, including the reservation of Fish quagun and his son Wa-sa-ou of the Ottawa tribe; the reservations of Au-to-kee; the Navarres, and Aush-kush and Kee-tuck-ee, and other lands. The nominal capital stock of the Company was S9(i0,000, in shares of S2O0 each. The property was to consist of lands, the ])roceeds of the same, and stock in the (_)hio Ituilroad (.'onipany.

No serious obstacle to JIaidiattan's advance to the position of Metropolis of Maumee \'alley, could nowbe seen, with Manhattan as the stamipoint. Its " natural atlvaniages " as the nearest available point for Lake traffic, with the real terminus of the Canals, left no doubt as to where trade was to center. So confident were the managers of the Company that the final .settlement of the vexed question hatl been made, that ere long, and before essential results were reached, they practicall_v withdrew from the contest, feeling confident that Jlanhattan would take care of her.self. The untimely adoption of this policy, was attributed to diti'erent causes, but the pi-obahle one is said to have arisen in the anxiety- of a ])ortioii of the stockholders (chiefly Ohio residents) for early realization of profils. To what extent this was due to disjiroportion of capital to stock subscriptions with thcni, cannot now bo dcfinitol3' stated. However that may be, the result was not long in coming. A leading dependence for success had been the line of Lake Steamers, controlled by the Buti'ulo stockholders, which were expected to stop at Manhattan and not at Toledo. Tliis practice did not continue long, as the owners of the Boats soon learned that their loss of trattic more than offset their interest in Manhattan. The result was, that lessees of their Warehouse (M. L. Collins and others) abandoned them and removed to Toledo. Such action was accepted as a signal for a general stampede. At that time there were there about 500 inhabitants, most of whom hurriedly left. A few mistakenly held on, hoping the Company, even yet, would change its policy. At that time a Bank had been established, a newspaper (the Advertiser) started, and a fair complement of stoi-es, shops, etc., tor a j'oung and growing Town. The Manhattan Comjjany had opened roads in different clirections, built a bridge across Ten- Mile Creek, and otherwise invited trade.

Next to Manhattan's position with relation to Lake tratiic - if not even before that - was its dependence on the Ohio Railroad to the East, and like connection with Monroe and Detroit. The history of the first named of these projects is given elsewhere in the chajiter on Hallways.

As a Town, Manhattan reached its end April 24, 1848, when, upon application by two-thirds of the lot owners, the Court of Common Pleas vacated the plat of the Town, save the Streets and Alleys in the same, which were reserved for public use. No one appeared in Court to object to such action. John W. Clark, Stephen (Jr. Austin and John T.Hudson represented the owners in the proceedings for vacation. The plat was then a little more than 10 j^ears old.

For 25 3-ears after the vacation of the plat of Manhattan the property remained unimproved, and largely unnoticed. Meantime an attempt was made by purchasers of lands there to revive interest in that locality; but without full success. In 1875 more earnest action in the same direction was taken in the construction of the Erie Street and North Toledo Railroad, by parties interested in North Toledo (late Manhattan) propert}'. Some 10 yctirssince the North Toledo Engine Works were established, but were not successful. The location of the Toledo and Ann Arbor, Wheeling and Lake Erie, and Cincinnati, Jackson and Mackinaw Railways, through North Toledo, including the erection of abridge across the River, somewhat strengthened that section. Man}' dwellings and stores, together with two School-houses and a Methodist Church, have been erected. The Libhie Glass Works and those of the Toledo Window Glass Company, and the movement

Personal Record

As showing something of tlie residents of the Township and Town of Manhattan, the following record of transfers of real estate and other matters is here given :

In July, 1835, Wa-.sa-on-o-qiiit, Chief of the Ottawa Tribe of IncUans, for .f 2,030, sold to TlattCard, a tract known as Wa-sa-on-o-quit's Reservation, ut the mouth of the ^lamnee River, granted to that Chief under the treaty of February, 1833. and containing 1()0 acres. Four residents of Mauioee certified that the price paid was a fair consideration for the same.

In May, 183(>, Aush-cusli and Kee-tuck-kee, Chiefs of the Ottawa Tribe of Indians, for .12,000 .sold to Daniel Chase, UiO acres, consisting of lands reserved to them under the treaty of 1833, and lying on the North side of Ottawa Creek, and above the place where Aush-cush then lived.

Piatt Card to Benjamin F. Tyler, .sold 200 shares of stock in East ilunhattan Land Companv, for $40 000, September, is:',7; and 200 shares Maumee Land and Railroad Company, for $100,000 at the same time.

The Manhattan Ferry C'om]);iny was organized in August, 1840, and consisted of James L. Chase, Jonathan Lundy and Robert C. Denman. It was organized under a charter granted by the Ohio Legislature, for establishing and maintaining a ferry across the Maumee River at Manhattan.

The Maumee Land and Railroad Company sold Town Lots as follows : To Elizabeth Weeks, Ma}', 1839; to Solon Corning, July, 1839; to A. E. Hart, June, 1838; to Fred Wright", May, 1839; to Abiram H. Squire, June, 1838; to John L. Edmunds, June, 1838; to Newton E. Crittenden, same time; to Francis M. Frino, same time ; to Geo. W. Walbridge, July, 1839; to James H. Meachison, 1839; to Jacob Seffert, .tune, 1838; to Samuel Fletcher, October, 1838; to Erasmus D. Dunning, June, 1.838; to Isaac C. Vaugh, November, 1838; to Chas. Stebbins, July, 1839; to Amos Pratt. June, 1838; to Fred W. Clark, June 1838; to Robert Hart, June, 1838; to Mack Punly, September, 1838 ; to Patrick Forrester, November, 183.s; to Wui. Hall, June, 1838; to Lucius C. Rouse, March, 1840; to Sanuiel P. Carrol, July, 1841; to EHzabetb Coruwell, May, 1839; to Wm. Himrod, November, 1.840; to JamesM. Warren, December, 1841 ; to Shibna Nichols, 1830 ; to Owen Smith, August. 1.842; to Jonathan Lundv, April, 1,S42; to Fred. Miller, IMay, 1838; to Sarah F." Prentice, December, 1842; to Wm. West, June, 1838; tci Hudson Kellogg, .\pril, 1842; to Geo. Hastings, fJctober, '39 ; to ilary Ragan, June, 1844; to Thos. L. (Gilbert, Jr., July, 1.840; to Scth Wright, February, 1843; to Archibald and Levi Allen, June, 1838; to Julia H. Swift, June, 1838; to Clement Carpenter, July, 1839; to Harry V. Mann, July, 1845.

Individual Index

This Index lias been made as full as was found to be practicable ; and with the specifications of omissions notod below, it is believed the reader will readily find any name desired.