WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP. - 921
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Waynesfield was the first Township in Ohio organized North of the Maumee River. Its original territory lying over against Fort Meigs, embraced Fort Miami; the British Battery on the point opposite Fort Meigs; the scene of the Dade massacre; the land-mark known as Turkey Foot Rock; and spread over a a soft full of historic interest, and saturated with the blood of the early defenders of our Nation, shed in warfare against the British and their Indian allies.
Any historical account of this part of Lucas County would be imperfect, which omitted the early occupation by the French of a fortified Yost at what is now known as Fort Miami. This Post was on the left bank of the Maumee River, on a high point of land, from whence can be seen, spread out like a map, 20 miles of the course of the River, flowing in gentle curves, from the foot of the Rapids away to the Northeast, to w here it reaches the waters of the Bay, 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 grass grown ditches, and bold embankments, and the hollow way leading to the River.
This position had commanding advantages as a military post, and the eye 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 1760, 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 whom preceded the advent of the first Americans by at least a half century.
Waynesfield 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 Wrest by the Township of Monclova. Its present area is about 30 square miles, it having been greatly reduced from its original dimensions by the detachment of portions of its territory to form other Townships. The Township was originally included in the County of Logan, erected by an act of the Ohio Legislature passed December 30, 1817, and was named Waynesfield in honor of General Anthony Wayne. It was also appropriate as including the field in which Wayne had achieved his splendid victories over the Indians, in 1794.
In 1820 the County of Wood was erected from the Northern part of Logan County, and Waynesfield was its only organized Township on the North side of the Maumee River until 1835, when Lucas County was set off from the parts of Wood and Henry Counties lying adjacent to the then disputed boundary of Michigan and North of" the Maumee River. During the << Toledo War " the Commissioners of Lucas County at a special meeting held October 12, 1835, extended the civil jurisdiction of Waynesfield to the Northern boundary of the State as claimed by Ohio; thus practically obliterating, for the time being, the Township of Port Lawrence, which remained in a state of suspended 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, 1836. Monclova was set off, taking another portion of its territory, March 14, 1853; and Adams (under the name of Carey), December 3, 1856. On June 3, 1856, all that part of Springfield and Monclova lying South of the North lice of Sections 25 and 26, Town Two, U. S. Reserve, including all of Private Grant 682, was re-annexed to Waynesfield.
REAL ESTATE RECORD.
The first record made at the Recorder's office of Wood County related to lands in Waynesfield Township, and consisted of the plat of Maumee City prepared by A. I. Wheeler for JoHn T. Hunt, in August, 1818. It contained 109 lots 75x132 feet. Of these, three lots at the Southwest corner of Conant and Detroit Streets were set apart for public ground; and two at the Northwest corner of Gibbs and Detroit Streets were set apart for Church and School purposes. The plat was acknowledged before Seneca Allen, Justice of the Peace for the County of Logan. Mr. 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 Leaming to Ephraim H. Leaming, July 21, 1821, for 160 acres of land in Section 5, Waynesfield Township. The next was the deed of Aurora Spafford to David Hull, dated December 1.4, 1819, of a lot in Maumee for $400.
Following are the names of parties to deeds made at the dates given, for property then
922 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
within the Township of Waynesfield, a large portion of which was within Maumee City
United States to John Askin, 1811; 400 acres at Foot of Rapids, adjoining tract sold Samuel Ewing.
Sanderson P. Day to Levi Omans, May, 1822. This deed was witnessed by H. Powell and D. McMerton, and acknowledged before Almon Gibbs, Justice of the Peace, Maumee City.
United States to Whitmore Knaggs, 1822; 600 acres on River, adjoining tract sold Samuel Ewing.
Samee to Samuel Ewing, 1822; 500 acres on River, next to tract sold to John Askin.
United States to Joseph Pierce, River Tract 19, 112 1/2 acres, 1821.
United States to Lewis Bullock, 160 acres, in Section 5, Waynesfield Township, 1824.
Horatio Connant to Timothy F. Upton, 1828. J. H. Jerome to same, 1830.
Francis Lassell to Chloe Gibbs, widow of Almon Gibbs, 1828.
Ambrose Rice to Chloe Gibbs, lot 35, Maumee ; 1829.
Aurora Spafford to David Hull, lot, Maumee, 1829.
G. B. Knaggs to James Knaggs, of Detroit, 300 acres in Waynesfield, 1829.
Hiram Thebault to Levi Beardsley and James 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, $13. Those lands were at Bear Rapids in the Maumee River.
Ambrose Rice to John Clark, May, 1832, Long Island, Maumee River.
United States to Daniel Strayer, 80 acres in Section 4, Waynesfield Township, 1832.
Robert A. Forsyth to Win. Huber, 1831.
Isaac Silvers to Smith A. Towner, April, 1830,
Solomon Sibley to Elnathan Cory, 1832.
Elnathan Cory to Hiram Higby, 1833.
Ralph Farnsworth to Thos. Shoemaker, 1833.
Ambrose Rice to Nat. Dustin and J. W. Scott, 1833.
Timothy Doane to David C. Doane, 1833.
United States to John B. Beaugrand and J. E. Hunt, 225 acres in lot 595, 1833.
Philander Noble to Alfred Hamilton, 1834.
Wm. Oliver to Peter Isadore and John Burdo, 1834.
Geo. B. Knaggs to Wm. H. Sabin, 1835.
Hiram Higby to John U. Smith, 1835.
John Knaggs to Archibald Mercer, 1835.
Chloe Gibbs' Addition to Maumee City, was recorded in 1835, having 28 lots and 3 streets Conant, Indiana and Sophia.
Chloe Gibbs to Wiley Hamilton, lot 1, Mrs. Gibbs' Addition 1835: $40.
Elnathan Cory to John Brandagee, Isaac Thompson, John D. Wheat, Edward Hallan, Lucinda Caulkins, Archibald Mercer and Joseph Lawrence, lots in Miami City, 1835.
County Auditor to Levi and Washington T. Beebe : lots 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8, School Section 16, Waynesfield; 260 acre', $13,822.34: 1835.
Wm. H. Sabin to Matilda Knaggs, 1835.
Hunt and Beaugrand's Addition to Maumee City, was recorded in 1835, with 172 lots and 12 Streets- Canal, Spring, Hunt, Jackson, White, Detroit, Elizabeth, Dudley, Wayne, John, Sophia, William and Indiana.
J. E. Hunt's Addition to Maumee City, recorded 1835, with 50 lots and 6 Streets-Front, Erie, Detroit, Wayne, Cass, and Kingsbury.
John E. Hunt to Irma Jeffers, March, 1835.
Simon Bartley to David Oren, May, 1835.
David Hubbell to Colby Chew, August, 1835,
Elnathan Cory to John D. Wheat, Edward Hallan, John Brandagee, Isaac Thompson, Archibald Mercer, Joseph Lawrence and Lucius Cautlkins, lots in Miami City, 1835.
Hiram Smith and L. E. Stone to B. D. Collin, 1835.
Hiram Higby to John U. Smith, 1835.
John Knaggs to Archibald Mercer, 1835.
Daniel Hubbell to Jeremiah A. Scott, lot 43, Port Miami, 1836.
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 other land, provided the dam be not over 8 feet in height ; price $405. Jedediah Bishop to Levi Beebe, June, 1836.
J. E. Hunt to Rev. L. B. Gurley, April, 1836, lot Hunt's .Addition ; $200. Same lot sold June, 1836, to J. H. Hobart, for $900.
Miami Company to Wm M. Mumford, lots in Miami City, 1836, for $4,750.
Caleb S. Henderson to Henry Tyler, lot 10, Hunt & Beaugrand's Addition $6,500; 1836.
An addition to Maumee City by J. E. Hunt, Levi Beebee, F. E Kirtland and Chloe Gibbs, has made 1836.
Sylvester F. Atwood to Jesse St. John, 1836.
Elisha Mack's Addition to Maumee-1 block of 9 lots, recorded August, 18:36,
Samuel Stiewig to Charles N, Eckles, September, 1836.
Ewing and Rowan's Addition to Maumee City was recorded in July , 1836.
June 14 Elnathan Cory and Horatio U. Phillips, of Dayton, Ohio : John Hollister, Jessup W. Scott and David Ladd, of Perrysburg and Norman C. Baldwin of Cleveland, 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 property, to wit: River tract No. 19, originally granted to Joseph Purie, of Dayton, containing 112 1/2 acres, the Warehouse and lot of David Hubbell and outer property in and adjoining Miami City. The existence of the Company was limited to 13 years and to cease in 1846.
United States to Bernard Cass, September, 1836.
Wolcott's Add. to Miami City, recorded April, 1837.
An Addition to Miami City was recorded in May, 1838, by J. Austin Scott, Jessup W. Scott, Samuel Hawley, Rufus H. Picket, Richard Randall, John Hollister, J. W. Smith, Henry Darling and Wm. P. Reznor. the plat consisted of 8 blocks of 23 lots each, and had 8 Streets-Knaggs, Reznor, Scott, Hollister, Anskin, Detroit, Second and Fourth
Electa Gale to Smith & Crowell. September, 1837.
John F. Hunt to Andrew Young, August, 1837.
Anson Reed to James Pratt, December, 1838.
William Kingsbury to Harmon Kingsbury, March, 1839.
John William born to William H. Merritt, October, 1839.
John E. Hunt to Judith, Ballard (widow), and Samuel W., John H.. James Jr., Charles (all of age), Milton N. and Mary little (minors), children of James Ballard, deceased, Nov., 1839.
James Wolcott to Ira White, December, 1837.
James Wolcott to James W. Shepard, July, 1837.
Samuel M. Young to Luke Beardsall, February, 1838.
Levi Beebe to Emily (Beebe) Fairman, 1838.
John E. Hunt to James Kinney, March, 1828.
J. Austin Scott et al. to Hiram Davis, 1837.
James Wilkinson to Flavel N. Butler, August, 1838.
Horace Waite to Antoine and Daniel Peltier, 1838.
John E. Hunt to Zimri H. Baxter, October, 1839.
Christian Knagy to William Price, August, 1839.
Master Commissioner to George Spencer and J. A. Moore, 1839.
John E. Hunt to Tobias Wolfinger. August, 1839.
In May, 1840, John E. Hunt granted to the Commissioners of Lucas County, lots 163, 104 and 105, the same having been donated for the use of the County building, the County-seat
having then been removed from Toledo to Maumee City.
United States to Leicester Gilbert, August, 1833.
Deborah Smith to William Patton, May, 1840.
Chloe Gibbs to Samuel Whistler, July. 1840.
Isaac H. Bronson to Eli Kitts, April, 1840
Miami City Co. to Lot Bulkley, July, 1840.
I. S. Converse to Philip and Wm. Foresman, 1840.
Rodolphus Dickinson, LaQ. Rawson. Peter Beaugrand, and Sardis Birchard, of Lower Sandusky. to Lucas County, lot 306, Hunt & Beaugrad's Addition, as donation for Court House and Jail, 1840.
In 1841, Leonard K. Barber, of Woodville, Mississippi, gave to George W. Reynolds, of Maumee City, power of attorney "to erect a Custom and Flouring-Mill and Saw-Mill in Maumee City" the former with two to four runs of stones, and the latter with one saw : anti to conduct the operations and business of the same. when constructed. In June, 1842, the firm of S. W. Waters (Stephen W. Waters and L. K. Barber), conferred upon Mr. Reynolds like authority.
Francis Brown to Mary Brown, September, 1841.
Benjamin Hunt to Orren Whitten, April, 1841.
Quintus F. Atkins to Nathaniel D. Blinn, War Club Island, Maumee River, Waynesfield, $600. 1841.
Daniel Cook to Philura Drummond, April, 1842.
County Auditor to T. W. Elicit, Banker, of Albany, New York, 25 lots, Miami, for delinquent taxes, at 95 cents amt 6 mills each : 1842.
John E. Hunt to John Zigler, July, 1842.
John B. Hunt to Arnold G. Sargent, October, 1842.
F. A. Norton et al. to John Brownlee, November, 1842.
Samuel Jay to Peter Waterbury, July, 1842.
Horace Waite to Fritz Hellish, January, 1812.
Alex. H. Ewing to Charles A. Lamb, January, 1842.
Samuel Wagner to Wm. H. Merritt, March, 1842.
J. E. Hunt to Maumee City, 10 acres in River Tract 26, (known as the "Haynes Farm "), for Cemetery or burying ground, May, 1813.
Thomas S. Sabin to Nicholas Engel, May, 1843,
Elijah Herrick to John Kinney, October. 1843.
Ambrose Anthony to S. Walters and G. W, Reynolds, 1843.
John E. Hunt to Daniel P. Blown. June 1843.
J. W, Smith to A. H. Gear, November, 1843.
John E. Hint to John Hale, Jacob Spangler, George W. Renyonlds, R. A. Forsyth, R. H. Lansdale, J. H. Forsyth and J. D. Peckham Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Maumee, lot 15. block 25, Hunt's Addition ; for use of said Society: July, 1843.
John E. Hunt to Robert E. Davis, October, 1843.
John E. Hunt to Israel Champion, February, 1846.
Mathias Nellis to Powell Cramer, January, 1844.
Isaac Hull to Samuel Bigelow, January, 1844.
Scott & Co. to John M. Allyn, May, 1844.
Chloe Gibbs to John K. Cogswell, January, 1844.
Thomas Clark 2d to Amelia C. Waite, August, 1844.
Sheriff to Charles Charter, December, 1844.
Horace Waite to Wm. P. Griswold, December, 1841.
Daniel Williams to Gideon S. Johnson, August, 1844.
John W. Smith to Francis Hollenbeck, March, 1817.
J. Austin Scott to Miami City, 10 lots in block 8, in Scott & Co.'s Addition to Miami City, as donation for a site for Schoolhouses, Churches, and other public buildings, March, 1845.
William Sterne to Thomas M. Lane, May, 1845.
David Higgins to George L. Higgins, January, 1845.
The Sheriff to Artemesia Merrill, August, 1845.
R. H. Lansdale to Amer Matthews, September, 1843.
Samuel Wagner to John C. Allen, October, 1844.
J. W. Smith to Coddington S. Williams, January, 1844.
S. M. Young to Philip Hone, August, 1845.
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP. - 923
Trustee Methodist Episcopal Church, Maumee, to Jacob Spangler, lot 15, block 25, Maumee, 1845.
C. C. P. Hunt to John Carliss, September, 1845.
A map of Maumee City Cemetery was tiled by Thomas Clark 2d, Mayor, and Chauncey Matthews, Recorder. May 10, 1845. It is situated in the southwest corner of River Tract 26, of
United States Reserve, and contains about 1,800 burial lots, most of which are 12x30 feet in size. Potter's Field is in blocks of 112 feet 9 inches by 8 feet.
David Ladd to George Burkhart, August, 1846.
Amos B. Page to Solomon Johnson, May, 1847.
George Perkins to Edward Mitchell, March, 1847.
Thomas W. Granger to Sarah Galley, April, 1847.
Solomon Johnson to Hartwell Holmes, August, 1848.
United States to Jarvis Gilbert, 1848.
Wm. St. Clair to Peter S. Bell, February, 1846.
John Giger to Patrick O'Brien, August, 1845.
Alfred W. Hamilton to Samuel Cobb, October, 1848.
Estate of Thos. M. Lane to Arumah H. Plant, January, 1841.
Marshal Key to George Wilber, November, 1847.
Henry H. Forsyth to James B. Steedman, October, 1846.
Daniel Foley to James Coney. March, 1847.
Wm. Fairman to Wm. P. Griswold, March, 1847.
Elisha. S. Frost to Abner Backus, November, 1847.
M. R. Waite to Jeannette Nichols, .April, 1848.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The following list of Township officers has been compiled from such records as now exist, dating back only to the Spring of 1845:
Clerk,.-George Richardson, 1845-47; Charles A. Lamb, 1847-52; James M. Felt, 1852-55; Charles A. Lamb, 1855; James M. Felt, 1856; Noe Nelson, 1857-63; W. B. Dick, jr., 1863; Noe Nelson, 1864-66; William Limbrick, 1866; J. F. Allen, 1867 ; Leroy E. Clark, 1868-70; J. F. Allen, 1870; J. D. Ford, 1871; .J. Henry Wyman, 1872-74; W. B. Frost, 1874-76; F. W. Eastell, 1876; J. M. Wolcott, 1877 ; George R. Bosworth, 1878; John McGovern, 1879; ,J. C. Allen, 1880; H. D. Buescher, 1881; J. H. Mollenkopf, 1882; William Martin, 1883 ; J. M. Bates, 1884; J. E. Wilcox, 1885; J. M. Walcott, 1886; Uri B. Taylor, 1557.
Treasurers.-Robert A. Forsyth, 1845-51; Amasa C. Winslow, 1851 ; Daniel Leonard, 1852-54; Elisha S. Frost, 1854; Daniel Leonard, 1855; William Brownsberger, 1856-58; Thomas L. Clark, 1858; William P. Homer, 1859; Arunah plant, 1860; William Brownsberger, 1861-63; Louis Kaiser. 1863-65; Rinaldo Robbins, 1865-67; Helon Horton, 1869-70; B. A. Wright1870-73; A. H. Plant, 1873; Eldred W. Estell, 1874-76; J. H. Wyman, 1876; A. ,J. Taylor, 1877 ; H. D. Buescher, 1878; Louis Kaiser, 1879; A. H. Plant, 1880 ; Patrick McGovern, 1881 ; A. H. Plant, 1882; Louis Kaiser, 1883; J. C. Allen, 1884; P. McGovern, 1885-87; John Mollenkopf, 1887.
Trustees.-Alexander H. Gere, Michael Alsback, Elijah Clark, 1845; Alexander H. Gere, Horace F. Waite, Michael Alsbach, 1846 John C. Allen, Alexander H. Gere, Horace F. Waite, 1847; Horace F. Waite, Daniel Strayer, Jonathan Necley, 1848; Necley, 1848; Edward Mitchell, J. A. Scott, Michael Alsbach, 1849; Alexander H. Gere, Edward Mitchell, Michael Alsbach, 1850; Edward Mitchell, Johnson H. Bateman, Curtis Perry, 1851; Freeborn Potter, Curtis Perry, William Limbrick, 1852; Freeborn potter, Jarathmel Colburn, Daniel Cook, 1853; Jarathmel Colburn, Henderson W. Horton, Hartley Holmes, 1854 ; J A. Scott, Edward Mitchell, Wm. Limbrick, 1855; Edward Mitchell, Neil Daniels, Curtis Perry, 1856; Joseph Longendorter, Curtis Ferry, Abner L. Backus, 1857; Curtis Perry, Joseph Langenderfer, Wm. Limbrick, 1858; George W. Reynolds, Alexander H. Gere, ,Joseph Langenderfer. 1859; George W. Reynolds, Alexander H Gere, Jarvis Gilbert, 1860; A. H Gere, James Howes, Edward H. Hunter, 1861 ; James Howes, Edward H. Hunter, Curtis Perry, 1862; E. H. Hunter, G. W. Reynolds, Curtis Perry, 1863; James Howes, O. Geer, Wm. Limbrick, 1864; Mark: Richardson, Jacob Mollenkopf, M. Richard Lungell, 1865; Mark Richardson, Jacob Mollenkopf, M. R. Lanzell, Mark Richardson, F. Hamilton, A. H. Gere, 1867-68; F. Hamilton, A. H. Gere, Louis Kaiser, 1867; Philip Uhly, George Buskhart, F. Hamilton, 1870; F. Hamilton, Philip Uhly, J. J. Leith, 1871 ; Philip Uhly, A. H. Gere, E. H. Hunter, 1872; A. H. Gere, E. H. Hunter. George H. Baker, 1873; Fred Kleibe, A. H. Gore, E. H. Bunter, 1874; E. H. Hunter, Fred Kleibe, H. D. Buescher, 1875; J. C. Allen, T. O. Ragan, H. D. Buescher, 1876; Jacob Mollenkopf, Fred Graham, William Milton, 1877 ; T. O. Ragan, John Rabb, Henry Borck, 1878; H. D. Buescher, F. Hamilton, .John Raab, 1879; A. D. Williams, Fred Graham, F. Hamilton, 1880 ; William C. Hull, C. Rodd, B. Hahn, 1881 ; Charles Rodd, Wm. C. Hull, J. M. Harbauer, 1882; Wm. C. Hull, J. M. Harbauer, Charles Rodd, 1883; R. Alden, Jacob Mollenkopf, Bennet Hahn, 1884; John Harbauer, Antonia Gignac Jacob Knerr, 1885; Bennet Hahn, Jacob Knerr, It. Alden, 188(1; Patrick Christie, 1887.
.Justices of the Peace.-Horatio Conant, 1835 ; David Strayer, Nathan Rathbun, 1837; Horatio Conant, 183S; Jessup W. Scott, Daniel Strayer, 1840; Horatio Conant, 1841 ; Socrates H. Cately, Daniel Strayer, 1843 ; Horatio Conant, 1844 ; Daniel Strayer, 1846; Thomas Clark, 1847; Daniel Strayer, 1849; Thomas ('lark, Andrew Young, 1850; Thomas Clark, 1852; Matthew McMann, Horatio Conant, Henderson W. Norton, 1853 ; Horatio Conant, Arunah Plant, 1856; Smith Gilbert, 1859; Helan Norton, 1860; Horatio Conant, Smith Gilbert. 1862; A. H. Plant, 1863; William Limbrick, Smith Gilbert, 1865 Helan Norton, 1868; Theophilus L. Clark, 1869; Smith Gilbert, 1870; Helan Norton, 1871 ; T. L. Clark. 1872; Smith Gilbert, 1873; Helan Norton, 1864; T. L. Clark, 1875; Isaac Jay, 1876 ; Albert Alius, 1877; T. L. Clark, 1878; Albert Alius, Henry G. Norton, 1880; T. L. Clark, 1881 ; J. I. Wilcox, 1882 ; Thomas F. Dale, 1883; E. H. Eckert, Hiram Wellze. 1883 ; Albert Alius, 1885 ; J. AI. Wolcott, J. E. Wilcox, 1887.
TAX-PAYERS, 1838.
Following is at list of the persons assessed for taxation on personal property in Waynesfield Township in the Spring of 1838:
ON HORSES AND CATTLE.
Alsbach, Michael. Hefflebower, John.
Allen, George. Hale; John.
Maker, Achilles. Johnson, George W.
Brine, George. Jerome, Jona. H.
Beatty, Henry O. Jackson, Morris.
Beebe, Levi. Jackson, Richard.
Bealls, David. Johnson, Solomon.
Bails, Williams. Johnson, Martin.
Bennett, George W. Johnson, Almon G.
Black, Adam. Johnson, W.
Beardsall, Luke. Jerome, Levi.
Bunting, Marmaduke. King, James.
Bentley, David. Kirtland, George.
Bird, Peter. Kingsbury, William.
Burdo, Peter. Kitts, Eli.
Brice, William. Kaag, George.
Converse, Mattes W. Killam,------
Carpenter, Lucius. La Pearl, Alexander.
Chase, Samuel. Limbrick, William.
Cochran, F. D. Moorehouse, Silas.
Camfield, Clement. McNees, John.
Charter, Dennis. Merrick, A.
Cately, Socrates H. Marolf, Jacob.
Cable, George. Marsh, Artemas.
Collins, Freeman. Peckham. J. D.
Cass, Bernard. Pierson, John.
Charter, Eli. Pratt, Amos.
Conant, Horatio. Porter, Elhaman.
Coter, Conrad. Poucher, Solomon.
Clark, Alfred. Prouty, David.
924 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
Crane, Paine. Rowen, Edward.
Clark, Elijah. Rew, Fred. A.
Dwight, Dr. Augustus. Rhodes, David.
Drummond, Jared. Ralyale, John.
Dustin, - Runyon, W. L.
Eddy, Jacob. Steele, Hiram.
Elliott, John. Steiwig, Samuel.
French, Wheeler. Scott, George W.
Frost, Elisha S. Scolton, John.
Gnagy, Jacob. Searing, Samuel.
Gilbert, S. L. Spangle, Jacob.
Gilbert, Jarvis. Steele, Hiram R.
Green, Augustus. Swartz, Christian.
Glifette, Lewis. Spangle, Rosanna.
Hazard, George S. Strayer, Michael.
Hunt, C. C. P. Strayer, Peter.
Hull & Keeler. Strayer, John.
Hull, Isaac. Strayer Daniel.
Henderson, Henry. Silver, Isaac.
Hubbell, Daniel. Swartz, John.
Hastings, Reuben. Trapp, Andrew.
Henrich, Chester. Trapp, John.
Hanson, B. Van Orden, William.
Horner, W. P. Waldron, David.
Holcomb, Levi. Wolcott, James.
Hill, George M. Wagner & Thompson.
Hill, Robert. Waite, Horace.
Henderson, C. S. Wilkison, James.
Hunt, Benjamin. White, Oscar.
Hunt, William. Williams, A. D.
Hall, Joseph. Walters, John.
Hall, Elijah. Walters, Abraham.
Hitchcock, B. H. Wilcox, Marcus.
House, Conrad. Young, Austin.
Hubbell, Hezekiah. Zook, Christian.
Zeigler, John.
MERCHANTS' CAPITAL, MONEY AND STEAMBOAT STOCK.
Acker & Kanada. Williams, C. A. & A. D.
Bangs, John J. Boyington & Gannett.
Crowell, Freeman W. Cook, Daniel.
Cary, Austin. Doane, David C.
Day, John F. Forsyth, James H.
Forsyth & Hull. Forsyth, Robert A.
Griffith & Tylers. Gower & Clark.
Hunt, John E. Hackley, A. S.
Horton, -. Knaggs, George B.
Moorhouse & Bromley. Mudge, Edmund.
Mack, Elisha. Noble, G. C.
Ressigne, R. Rumney, Richardson & Co.
Sargent, S. A. & J. H. Scott, J. Austin.
Spencer & Moore. Van Voorse, Abram.
White, Ira. Williams, O. & Co.
PHYSICIANS.
Beatty, A. Dwight, Augustus.
Lansey, Peter. St. Clair, William.
Scott, David B. Van Avery,
LAWYERS.
Cook, Daniel. Young, Samuel M.
The above list includes the names of many persons then residents within the territory subsequently set off to Monclova and Adams Townships.
MAUMEE CITY.
The City of Maumee was incorporated in March, 1838, and the first election held on the 26th of that month. Robert A. Forsyth was chosen Mayor, by a vote of 117, to 56 Fr Gen. John E. Hunt. The other City officers were as follows:
First Ward : Councilmen-Robert A. Forsyth, Daniel Cook, Wm. Kingsbury, Wm. St. Clair Assessor-Robert Gower.
Second Ward: Council - James Wolcott, Levi Beebe, Daniel R. Stebbins, T. T. Woodruff. Assessor -Ira White.
Third Ward: Council-J. Austin Scott, Geo. Kirkland, Jos. J. Bingham, Geo. B. Knaggs. Assessor -Amos Pratt.
At a meeting of the City Council, March 29th, the following officers were chosen, to wit: President Council, James Wolcott; Treasurer, Daniel Cook; Recorder, Henry Reed, Jr.; Marshal, F. E. Kirtland.
The name of the City corporation was changed to South Toledo in 1871. In July, 1887, it resumed the name of Maumee, drooping the word City, but retained the City organization as before.
The City government for 1887 was constituted as follows:
Mayor--J. M. Wolcott.
Treasurer--J. A. Mollenkoff. Clerk-F. D. Crane.
Councilmen--1st Ward, P. Dowling, J. J. Miller; 2d Ward, C. M. Scheily, J. A. Smith ; 3d Ward, F. Borck, H. S. Smith.
Marshal-Philip Hartman.
Board of Education-John E. Wilcox, President ; J. M. Wolcott, Secretary ; C. M. Scheily, 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 years 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 large stature and strong frame, whose red flannel shirt, open at the throat, and sleeves rolled up to the elbows, displayed the hairy arms 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 phantom files of his former companions and march again under his old commander.
In 1838 there resided at Monroe, Michigan, a certain Colonel Anderson, who Fr some years prior to 1793 was British Indian Agent, resident at Fort Miami. It was said that after the battle of The Fallen Timbers, August 20, 1794, Gen. Wayne's victorious troops feasted on Indian corn raised by Col. Anderson oil 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
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP. - 925
above the site of the former town of Marengo. Vessels drawing over six feet could not always be sure of passing, and when increasing commerce demanded vessels drawing 14 feet, the enterprising and hopeful people gave up the contest with the Rock Bar and moved lower down the River. In due time the port of Entry was moved to Toledo and commerce by Lake and River at the Foot of the Rapids practically ceased.
MAUMEE BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The Business Directory published in the Express in 1837, furnishes the following names of persons then in trade and in the professions at that place:
Printers-Reed & Hosmers.
Attorneys- H. L. Hosmer. Daniel F. Cook, Way & Young, Nathan Rathbun, Henry Reed, Jr.
Justices of the Peace-N. Rathbun, Horatio Conant.
Physicians and Surgeons-Justus Wright, David B. Scott.
Forwarding and Commission Merchants-Aunt &
Converse, S. A. & J. H. Sargent, White & Kirtland, D. Steele, Forsyth & Hazard, Bingham & Furney.
Merchants-Spencer & Moore, Elisha Mack, Ranney, Richardson & Co., O. Williams, Acker & Kanady, Ira White, Smith & Crowell, Boynton & Gannett, H. A. Hackley, A. Cary, Gower & Clarke.
Clothing, &c.-B. D. Coffin.
Groceries and Provisions-G. C. Noble, A. G. Williams, R. Hastings, Allen & Gibbons, Griffith,
Tilers & Co., James Howe.
Watches and Jewelry-J. J. Bangs.
Tailors-J. S. Michael, G. S. Case.
Bakery-John Cholett.
Carriage and Wagon Maker-T. T. Woodruff.
Cabinet and Chair Factory-J. Creed & Co.
Painter and Chair Factory--J. Woodruff.
Sash and Blinds-J. F. Shephard.
Hotels-Jefferson House, Wm. Kingsbury; Washington House, J. W. Converse; Central House, Allen
Gibbons; American House, Woodruff& Clarke.
In January, 1839, the following appeared:
Forwarding and Commission-Smith & Co., James Wolcott & Co.
Hardware, Hollow Ware, &c.-W. Wiswell.
Merchants-G. H. Nitchie & Co., G. W. Richardson.
Wholesale Grocers--Clark & Fargo, C. A. Williams.
Washingtion House-Chas. D. Foster.
Central House-Elijah Clark.
TRADE OF MAUMEE AND PERRYSBURG.
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 Hollister and Captain David Wilkison of Perrysburg. During that year a small Steamboat (the General Brady) commenced running between these two 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 their appearance the same season, running to Detroit, and the Schooner Merchant was built and commenced making trips to Buffalo. In May, 1835, the Steamer Com. Perry, Capt. Wilkison, came out. Several large Schooners were built Between 1835 and 1838, the Monroe and Oliver Newberry were purchased, the Gen. Wayne built, and other Steamers secured. The Steamboat arrivals at these Towns in 1837 was about 300, and of Schooners 103.
At that time Lake freights for Fort Wayne, Indiana, came entirely via the Maumee River, and chiefly Perrysburg and Maumee; and it is probable, that the first combination for the control of transportation rates, was one of which Fort Wayne merchants complained, at a meeting held March 25, 1837, with Francis Comparet 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 others who are transporting goods from the East, to adopt, in order to secure themselves from oppression by a combination of the Forwarding Merchants of Maumee and Perrysburg." G. F. Wright stated that the rates referred to were nearly 100 per cent. higher than were charged at any other point on the Lake. Samuel Hanna referred to the rule of the Forwarding Merchants requiring prepayment of all charges before forwarding property. The result of this movement is not recorded.
NEWSPAPERS.-The first newspaper in Maumee was the Express, the first number of which appeared March 25, 1837. It was published by an association of citizens, for whom Calvin Frary acted as agent. The Editor was Henry Reed, Jr. It was a neat, well-printed sheet, 22x33 inches in size, and in typographical appearance and contents was specially creditable to both Proprietors and Editor, and to the Town whose interests it was intended to represent. No rival or neighboring Town had a more creditable representative in its Press, than did Maumee City. After the issue of six numbers the name of Mr. Frary as Publisher disappeared and that of J. 11. 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 H, L. and S. T. Hosmer, the editorial department remaining with Mr. Reed, Mr. S. T. Hosmer having charge of the mechanical branch. Mr. Reed and H. L. Hosmer were then partners in the practice of the law at Maumee City.
The following persons were the local agents of the Express in December, 1838: Waterville Orson Dudley; Damascus--Abram P. Reed; Napoleon-Hazael Strong; Florida-H. Gleason; Independence-B. B. Abel ; Defiance Horace Sessions; Brunersburg-Brice Hilton; Monclova-Daniel Strayer; Lockport-A. F. Hull.
926 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
It would be both impracticable and unprofitable to follow the varying course of the Maumee 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 with others. After the Express, came the Maumee River Times - published jointly at Maumee and Perrysburg, by H. T. Smith, which, in changed forms, was continued until the removal of the office to Toledo, in 1855.
The New Era, published 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 New, Era is independent in politics and devoted to news and home interests.
CHURCHES.- Itinerant Methodist preachers were among the early white workers in the Maumee Valley, doing special and temporary service ; but it was not until 1830, that permaneat shape was given to religious work by that denomination. The first Class 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 Jackson. The Society was organized by Rev. E. H. Pitcher, of the Michigan Conference, with Rev. 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. Commager, of Toledo). Jacob Spangler united the following year. The first house of worship for this Church was built in 1837, with subscriptions obtained in 1836, by Rev. L. B. Gurley, then the Presiding Elder-Rev. Orrin Mitchell being the preacher when the building was erected. To that time services were held in the School-house built it) 1822 or '23. The first parsonage at Maumee and in the Valley 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 iii 1848, Rev. Wm. S. Lunt being then the pastor. Rev. David Burns was the first Minister who resided at Maumee. On the occasion of the celebration of the 100th 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 parsonage. 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, Rev. T. N. Barkdull furnished many facts of the early history 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. Mary S. Hunt; Mrs. Eliza M. Horton ; Jacob Spangler and wife ; Mrs. Elizabeth Neeley, who came in 1841; Geo. W. Reynolds, who came in 1841 ; and Mrs. Frances W. Hull, who united in 1842.
The Presbyterian Church at Maumee City 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 Beebe, a prominent business man of that place, wrote his son-in-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 be had just leased to a Columbus firm. There were then 50 new buildings being gotten under way. All mechanics and laborers were employed. The Episcopal Church, at the upper end of the Town, was being constructed ; the Methodist edifice nearly completed ; the Presbyterian Church expected Rev. Mr. Reed, then at Tiffin, to become its Pastor ; while a deep religious interest pervaded the Town. Mr. Parker (a brother of Joel Parker, of Massachusetts), was then temporarily preaching in the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Beebe was that year a representative to the Presbyterian General Assembly from the Maumee Presbytery.
The City in 1888 had five Churches-St. Joseph's (Catholic) Church, Pastor, Rev. J. P. Mertes; St. Paul's (Episcopal), supplied by Rev. G. S. May, of Defiance; Presbyterian Church, Stated Supply, Rev. Mr. Hustis ; Methodist Episcopal, Rev. Wm. V. Marsh, Pastor ; Lutheran Church, supplied from Perrysburg. 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 Griswold, G. M. The charter members were Eber Ward, Almon Gibbs, William Griffith, 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.; R. McKnight, J. W.; Ambrose Rice, Secretary ; David M. Hawly, Tyler. Present officers: J. H. Wyman, W. M.; O. N. Gunn, S. W.; William Perin, J. W.; S. Spaulding, S. D.; John Binckley, J. D.; H. B. Lautzenheiser, Secretary ; George H. Blaker, Treasurer; J. E. Wilcox, Tyler.
ODD FELLOWS.-Maumee Lodge, No. 682,
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP.- 927
was instituted July 17, 1879. Charter officers: J. F. Fleming, N. G.; Robert Alvius, V. G.; Louis Wolfinger, Secretary; and Andrew Nuhfer Treasurer. Present officers: Andrew Nuhfer. N. G.; C. H. Gumer, V. G.; O. C. Geere, Recording Secretary; Henry Alyn, Permanent Secretary. Members, 90.
BANKING IN MAUMEE.
As elsewhere stated, the first Bank of issue in Lucas County, was the Bank of Manhattan, organized and acting under an alleged charter by a body calling itself the Legislature of the State of' Michigan, but which had no legal existence as such. The second Banking institution in the County, and the first one legally-organized, was the Maumee City Insurance Company Bank, at Maumee. It was chartered by the Ohio Legislature in 1888, with a capital stock of $250,000, in shares of $100 each. The stockholders were as follows :
Names. No. Shares. Amount.
Sam'l K. Page, Kentucky 500 $50,000
John Rearick Kentucky 250 25,000
John Stivers, Kentucky 250 25,000
James Guthrie. Kentucky 100 10,000
Joseph T. Guthrie, Kentucky 210 21,000
Francis C. Fillay, Kentucky 100 10,000
Paul C. Fillay, Kentucky 100 10,000
Naham Aldrich, Kentucky 50 5,000
Philo H, Taylor, Fort Wayne 100 10,000
James H. Forsyth. Maumee 183 18,500
Elisha Mack. Maumee 485 48,500
Chas. C. P. Hunt Maumee 40 4,000
Geo. B. Knaggs, Maumee 2 200
Robert A. Forsyth, Maumee 10 1,000
Thomas Clark. Maumee 10 1,000
Wm, Richardson, Maumee 10 1,000
Nicholas Arthur & Son, Maumee 50 5,000
H. A. Carpenter, Maumee 50 5,000
2,500 $250,000
As seen above, the enterprise was mainly in the hands of Kentucky parties-largely front Louisville, they representing two-thirds of the capital stock. It was organized with James H. Forsyth 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 1838. The disastrous financial condition then common to the entire country, and especially to the West, left but a small field for the operation of such an institution, and November 14, 15:39, it was placed in the hands of M. R. Waite and Elisha Mack, for liquidation, and by them was closed up. The question of the authority of' the Company to issue bills for circulation was raised in the Courts, and is understood to have been decided in the negative.
Four denominations of bills-$1.00, $2.00, $$3.00 and $5.00-were issued, payable, respectively, to Horatio Conant, John H. James (of Urbana, Ohio), John Hollister (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, Making a total of $103,610 of that denomination.
PROPOSED FULFILLMENT OF CONTRACT.
The competition between the Towns which in 1836 were straggling into existence on the Maumee, started a question as to where the "Head of Navigation " of the River for Lake craft was to become finally fixed. As a curiosity of the times, a notice in the Maumee Express, published in February, 1838, is given. It appears that at that time a petition was circulated at Maumee City and Perrysburg, asking the Legislature to build a Canal from Manhattan to the Foot of tile Rapids, to be connected with Perrysburg by an aqueduct. This Canal was to be 20 feet deep and 200 feet wide.
The propriety of this measure was urged by the petitioners on the Legislature on several grounds, one of which was, that they were owners of land at Maumee and Perrysburg and residents of those Towns ; that they had purchased tile lands on which they lived at high prices from the State of Ohio and ramie costly improvements thereon, in the firm belief that said Towns were at the ]read of navigation of the Maumee liver, and thereby a contract was implied between the petitioners and] the State of Ohio, that the said liver would be navigable for Lake Vessels to said Towns. They therefore asked that "the said Towns be made the head of navigation, according to the terms 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 antler the belief that the Maumee River was not, navigable to any point above ; and that in consideration of such belief and the implied contract depending thereon, tile servants of the people have solemnly declared that the said Towns of Toledo and Manhattan are at the head of navigation aforesaid ; and that every act of your petitioners tending to prose to the contrary, is a sin against them and an insult to the sovereign State of Ohio in the persons of her faithful and disinterested officers." On such grounds, tile petitioners asked the State to build the Ship Canal to keep the Towns of Perrysburg and Maumee at the head of navigation, according to the terms of " the implied contract, aforesaid." The editor of the Express appears to have had little hope of the success of this movement The names of the authors and promoters of this petition are not, mentioned. This relic of tile past, testifies to the local feeling formerly prevailing among rival settlements on the Riser.
UPPER MAUMEE NAVIGATION.
In June, 1837, appeared the announcement that the Steamboat Gen. Wayne, Capt. H. C. Williams, would "leave the head of the rapids every day at 1 P. M. for the foot of Flat Rock, where there would be coaches and teams to convey passengers and freight to Defiance." Passengers leaving Maumee City and Perrysburg in the morning, arrived at Defiance same day. Returning, left Defiance at 6 A. M., and reached the head of the Rapids at 12 M., where coaches were ready for Maumee and Perrysburg. Also, "a Barge fitted up for passengers or freight," left Defiance every Friday for Fort Wayne, running through in three days. During high water, the Steamboat ran between
928 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
the head of the Rapids and Fort Wayne. The agents of the line were O. H. Harris, Providence ; G. C. Mudgett & Co., Brunersburg; and White & Kirtland and S. A. & J. H. Sargent, Maumee City.
Beside this Steamboat route, was a daily through Stage-line between Maumee City and Defiance. The mail passed twice a week.
INITIAL FACTS.
The first Post Office North of the Maumee, was located at Maumee City in 1817. The names of the earliest Postmasters now remembered are those of Charles C. P. Hunt and George W. Woodward. The former was Postmaster in 1833, and was succeeded by the following: George W. Woodward, Wire, Daniel Williams, P. C. Holt, Leroy E. Clarke, E. C. Moore, John A. Church.
The Wolcott dwelling, built by James Wolcott, one of the pioneers of the Maumee Valley, in 1834-36, stands on the North bank of the river at Fort Miami. The 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 plastered within. Samuel Wagner, now living in Toledo, worked on this house in 1836. The columns were turned by a Mr. McMurray, who had a Chair Shop on Mr. Wolcott's place. Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott lived and died in this old mansion. (She was a daughter of Captain Wells, adopted son of the famous Chief, Little Turtle.) Their daughter 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 T. Keeler, about one mile below Maumee, the oldest frame 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 month of Swan Creel, in the night. Adverse winds and the darkness of the night prevented them from proceeding with their vessel, and they east anchor, but concluded to wall, up through the woods 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 the 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 then resided there about 18 months. This old building is yet a substantial looking, old-style farm-house, and with proper care might be made to last well toward another half century.
PIONEERS OF WAYNESFIELD.
Previous to the War of 1812, there were a few American settlers in the Township, among whom were the Ewings-Samuel Ewing and his brothers-whose names appear in the early records. Ephraim Leaming was in the Township and had built a Saw-Mill on Swan Creek, at what is now the Village of Monclova, 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 famous 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 Township in early days. He owned and occupied land adjoining Miami. His father, Whitmore Knaggs, was a noted Indian Interpreter and spoke six or seven Indian languages, besides English and French. He resided at Detroit at the time of Hull's surrender. He was known to have great influence 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 barely escaped death. An Indian warrior whom Knaggs had befriended, interfered for his protection. Capt. 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 Tecumseh 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, and 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 Army and was living in Fort Miami when Whitmore Knaggs was born there. George Brown Knaggs was a man of agreeable
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP. - 929
social disposition, and his fine presence and French accent made him a. marked figure at all social gatherings.
In 1829, Col. John H. Kinzie, then sub Indian Agent of the Winnebagoes, was married with Miss Juliette A. Wolcott, a relative of Judge James Wolcott of Maumee City, and grand-daughter of Oliver Wolcott, Secretary of War under President Washington. They first went to Fort Winnebago, at the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin Rivers, where they remained for a year or two, and removed to Fort Howard, at Green Bay. In 1834 they went to Chicago, then a village of 600 whites, among several thousand Indians. From the first Mrs. Kenzie so fully devoted herself to the moral and religious well being of the people about her, that in a sketch of her life it was stated that `1 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 and 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 lady, would illuminate its brightest pages."
Col. Anderson, British Indian Agent, for many years stationed at Fort Miami, resided at Monroe, Michigan, in 1838. He was on the Maumee River for sonic years previous to 1793. It was said to have been Indian corn raised by hint on which Gen. Wayne's troops feasted after taking the Fort, in 1794.
Hiram P. Barlow came to the Maumee Valley in 1810, and settled at Orleans (Fort Meigs.) He taught a School there during the Winter of 1816-17, and is believed to have 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 Jenison, 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 1804, with his fattier, who was a brother of Governor Hull of Michigan. Daniel Hull a brother of Isaac, was the first Sheriff of Wood County. Isaac Hull, in 1827, was married with Chloe Spafford, daughter of Major Samuel Spafford, who was prominent in the War of 1812. His powers of' physical endurance were extraordinary, he having walked << between suns" (in one day) from Maumee to Defiance, a distance of 50 miles. He died at Maumee City 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 originally was part of Plymouth; he tracing his ancestry directly back to the Pilgrim Fathers. In 1809 he was graduated at Brown University; studied medicine, and in 1812 was appointed a Surgeon in the United States Army, serving in Maine. After the War, he practiced his profession at Waterville for a time, when he engaged in mercantile and banking pursuits, continuing the same until failing health made necessary a change both of business and climate. In 1834 he came West, and located at Maumee City, 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, iii February, 1835, was married at Waterville, Maine, with W. B. S Moore, subsequently United States Senator from that State. 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 of all the Maumee Valley. There Mr. Cook passed the remaining years of his life, dying in 1853, at the age 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 he entered Harvard Law School, spending there two years. Returning to Maumee in 1835, he was about a year thereafter admitted to the Bar of Ohio, and commenced his professional life at that place. In 1845 he was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, upon the motion of Judge P. D. Potter, then Representative 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 scat of justice from Maumee to Toledo, in 1852, although he pursued the same until 1865. 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 present agricultural holdings aggregating 28 farms. In 1851 Mr. Cook was appointed a Commissioner of the County and in 18.55 was elected to the same office, serving until 1858. he has frequently served his neighbors in local official positions, including those of Councilman and City Attorney for several years; while for throe terms he was an efficient member of the Board of Education. In his earlier years he was active in political matters, in which he took much interest. In 1866 he joined Mr. R. B. Mitchell in founding the Banking House of Cook &,
930 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
Mitchell, with which he remained until 1872. The test of character involved in an active life of half a century, 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 his unswerving integrity in the one sphere, and to his kindly and generous spirit in the other, where the genial impulses find fullest 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 may justly have place among the pioneers, 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 Maumee, November 10, 1858. She was born in Genesee County, New York, July 11, 1818, and died February 12, 1888. No children are 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 the medical profession to settle at the Foot of the Rapids. His ride extended from Fort Wayne on the Southwest to Fort Ball on the East, and to the River Raisin 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 trail was the only highway through the unbroken forests and wide spreading 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 forded or swain 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, 1863. He went to that place in 1836, and engaged in business with his brother Alex. B. In 1843, he came to Toledo, and entered the firm of Ludlow, Babcock & Brown lee. Afterwards he was in the firm of Brownlee, Pendleton &, Co. He was well esteemed in business circles and elsewhere. His age at death was 49.
Robert A. Forsyth died at Maumee City, November 25, 1864, aged 69 years. He was it 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 the same place January 25, 1783 ; his grandfather having been born there in 1762, and his great-grandfather in 1719. His mother's name was Cynthia Cottell, who bore four sons and three daughters. His ancestors suffered from depredations by the British daring the War of the Revolution, their property being taken from them by force. The father established on the Island of Martha's Vineyard the first nail factory 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, where, the following year, he opened a Provision Store; and soon thereafter, he opened a Hotel (the Central House). He continued in mercantile trade until 1872-a period 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. Ho was Assistant County 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 member of' the School Board of Maumee. Throughout a long life of activity, he bore among his fellow citizens the character of a roan of strict integ city and usefulness, and is permitted, after a residence there of 53 years, to continue in the enjoyment of their respect and esteem. Mr. Allen was married with Miss Nancy Kirtland, of Parkman, Geauga County, September 30, 1839. She was born in Geauga County, March 8, 1817. Her parents were Frederick and Sophia (Parkman) Kirtland, having been married in September, 1808, and being 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 baptized by Bishop Chase, the pioneer Bishop of the Diocese of Ohio. They had 10 children : Lois S., born August 17, 1840, wife of W. R. Carr, now residing in Illinois; John Church, Jr., born February 28, 1842, and died July 31.1855 ; Olive K., born November 27, 1843, who married E. J. Leppelman, in 1867, and Henry Jen-
WAYNESFIELD TOWNSHIP. - 931
kins in 1873, she dying in Washington, D. C., March 9, 1886; James F., born October 7, 1845, married with Clara J. Barnes, now residing at Elyria, Ohio; Noah N., born September 7, 1847, and died April 14, 1870; Francis E., born February 20, 1850, now practicing the Law at Easterville, Iowa, was married May 12, 1874, with Emma Gillett; George C., born January 25, 1852, married with Maggie McCulla, September 3, 1876, and resides at Easterville, Iowa; Henry A., born May 14, 1855, married with Hattie Nailor, June 3, 1877, and resides at Easterville; Charles E., born April 15, 1857, married with Elida Warner, November 29, 1877, resides at Hector, Ohio ; and Lucy M., born March 30, 1860. Two of the sons (James F. and Noah N.) served creditably as Volunteer Soldiers in the Union Army in the War of the Rebellion.
Henry D. Kingsbury was born in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, July 19, 1818. He is a son of Alvah and Lydia Kingsbury. In 1820, the family removed to Brunswick, Medina County, Ohio, making the distance with an ox team and covered wagon. They settled on a farm owned by Jabez Kingsbury, father of Alvah. The first School attended by Henry was when he was eight years old, the distance being three miles. At 14 he attended a Select School taught by 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 $8.00 per month, with board, and soon came to Toledo and was employed by Peter 11. Shaw, Brickmaker, to chop wood at $15.00 per month. In July, 1836, he worked for the Manhattan Company, in connection with buildings and other improvements. In the Winter of 1837-38, he became a Clerk in the Hotel at Manhattan. In 1839 he entered the employ of the Ohio Railroad Company, having charge of the construction of the section 15 miles East from Manhattan, which was made ready for the iron in 1840. Ira November of that year he took the contract to build a portion of a proposed Railroad from Manhattan to Monroe, Michigan ; and in 1841, contracted for a section of the Ohio Railroad between Black and Rocky Rivers, West of Cleveland. Of $16,800 due from these two Companies, he received the value of $1,000. In 1843 he removed to Toledo, and for a short time rented and kept tile 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 Sheriff, being reelected in 1859. Upon the outbreak of rebellion in April, 1861, he was the sixth man to enlist at Toledo. He served as Quartermaster of the Fourteenth Ohio Infantry for the three months service, and then raised a Company (A) for three years, in the same, which he commanded until made Major in July, 1862. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in December, 1862. In March, 1864, in recognition of the good conduct of the Fourteenth Regiment at Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, he was made Brevet Brigadier-General. Throughout the brilliant service of that command, he bore his full share of responsibility and activity, gaining a high record for bravery and effective work. While yet in the Army, he was again nominated Sheriff, and was elected in October, 1865, and re-elected to a fourth term in 1867, the only case of the kind in the history of Lucas County. Politically, General Kingsbury was originally a Whig, and has acted with the Republicans since the organization of that party. His father died of cholera, in 1852, and his mother of same disease, in 1854, both dying it 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. Those now living are Mary L., wife of Henry S. Corwin, of Duluth, Minnesota; and Charles H., of Maumee, for some Sears past the home of the family.
AUGUSTUS DAVENPORT WILLIAMS was born in Tolland County, Connecticut, November 24, 1806. His father, William Williams, was a native of the same place, having been born in 176:3, and was married with Sarah Burt, of Long Meadow, Massachusetts. They had nice children : Nathan, Mary Burt, William, Sophiah M, David Burt, Augustus D., Thedocius Dickers an, Charles Albert and Mortimer Hall. The lather died 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 Church at Tolland for over 60 years. Augustus's father entered Yale, but for ill Health was compelled to abandon the course of Study. The pulpit of the Tolland Church was filled by the family for a long period of years from the time of the Deerfield massacre. Mr. Williams is able reliably to trace his ancestry back to Rev. Stephen Williams of Deerfield, a brother of Roger Williams of Rhode Island. He came to Ohio from Connecticut, in the Ball of 1831, returning on horseback in the winter of 1832. In April, 1834, with his father's family, he came back, and landed on the banks of' the Maumee, where a very few Frenchmen and Indians constituted most of' the settlers. He began farming on Big Island (between Maumee and Perrysburg). Not low, thereafter he built at Man in cc a Hotel, which he named the Washington Rouse. His first boarders were Doctor
932 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
Daniel Cook and family. In February, 1835, Mr. Williams was married with Sarah M. Carr, of Gallipolis, Ohio, who died in February, 1836. In January, 1841, he was married with Julia A. Chamberlain of Maumee, who was born October 20, 1813, in London, New Hampshire. They have two children-Bart, born March 12, 1843; and Mary Frances, born August 15, 1847. The former served in the War of the Rebellion as volunteer in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio Infantry. Mr. Williams has a brother (Charles A.), a Wholesale Commission Merchant, in Augusta, Georgia; and a sister, Mrs. Sophia M. Clark, at Cedar Revs, Florida. The former is a life-long Anti-Slavery man, and during the Rebellion was loyal to the Onion and remained South. A son of his was drafted for the Confederate Army, when the father got him away and on board a Ship for New 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 pay 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 years an Elder.
EARLY MARRIAGES.
At Maumee, Sept. 14, 1837, Samuel A. Sargent and Mary Steele.
Perrysburg, Sept. 14, 1837, Will. Earl and Helen Thompson.
Maumee, June 6, 1838, C. C. P. Hunt and Mary Ann Creed.
Monclova, June 30, 1838, Truman W. Crowell and Ellen L. S. Dover.
Marengo, July 4, 1838, Alfred Clark and Cassandra Edmonds.
Maumee, July 29, 1838, Thos. Clark 2d and Mary F. D. Williams.
Springfield, Feb. 13, 1838, James Gilbert and Nancy F. Wood.
Maumee, March 8, 1838, Moses Robinson and Lucy Southworth.
Springfield, April 8, 1838, Oliver W. Alverson and Harriet Trumbull.
Perrysburg, April 19. 1839, Stephen L. Gilbert and Julia Willard,
Mamnee. Nov. 5, 1838, Dennison Steele and Hattie R. Coles.
Houndsfield, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Nov. 14, 1838, James F. Smith and Isabel Crowell.
Maumee. Dec. 18, 1838, Nathaniel Gilbert and Livonia Robbins.
Waynesfield. Dec. 27, 1838. John Schwartz and Elizabeth Strayer.
Perrysburg, Jan. 3, 1839, Edward Bloomfield and Frances Blinn.
Hamilton. N. Y., Sept. 29, 1838, A. J. Hackley and Hannah Blishl.
Somers, Ct., Oct. 10, 1838. Geo. Powers and Augusta Peek.
Maumee, March 21, 1839, Wm. Richardson and Amelia Nelson.
DEATHS.
Napoleon, O., Dec. 4, 1838, Sarah Eliza, wife of N. H. Hawley, aged 22.
Maumee, Dec. 18, 1838, Louisa E., daughter of Nathaniel Burham, aged 22.
Waterville, Dec. 20, 1838, John L. Pray, aged 27.
Perrysburg, Jan. 21, 1839, melon, wife of William Earl.
Maumee, Dec. 17, 1837, Mrs, Harriet Copeland, aged 28,
Cleveland, Sept. 22, 1838, Levi Beebe.
Maumee, Sept. 21, 1838, N. M. Cuthbert, aged 23.
Waynesfield, March 7, 1839, Catharine, wife of Peter Strayer, aged 64.
Maumee, July 14, 1838, Frances E., daughter of Henry Reed, Jr., aged 4 years.
Maumee, Dec. 9, 1838, David Coles, aged 46.
NEW MAUMEE.
It would not be desirable here to follow in detail the changing conditions of Maumee for the 60 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 failure and disappointment, even if here presented, would be of no practical benefit. Suffice it now to state, that few localities in the enterprising West had advantages equal to those of Maumee. The list of those who gave life and energy to the young Town, embraced 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, chiefly, proved too much for them, and Maumee's greatness-as pictured in fancy did not come.
But Maumee is not dead. She only slept. An awakening has taken place, and a new condition of things arisen, and from a cause as little dreamed of as if it were miraculous. The discovery of natural gas in this region, and its success as fuel had but fairly become known, where, in the Spring of 1887, a movement was 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 875,000. Already (July, 1888) this work is well advanced. Several important 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 play here be stated, that heating and cook stoves average to pay $12.00 per year; a 10-Pot Glass Factory, $300; Paint and Oil Works, $200; Cotton Mills, $100; a Woollen Mill, $50; Flouring Mill, $50. The gas supply 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 play arise.