714 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY
CHAPTER II.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES AND TRI-STATE FAIR ASSOCIATION.
AT a meeting of citizens of Lucas County, held at Swanton, November 15, 1849, a County Agricultural Society was organized, with the following officers: President-Sanford L. Collins; Vice President-Wm. Trowbridge; Secretary-John G. Flinch; Treasurer-W. G. Dewey ; Managers-A. H. Stone, of Spencer; C. W. Hill, of Port Lawrence (Toledo); A. Butler, Chesterfield (now in Fulton County) ; George Taft, York (now in Fulton County).
The Lucas and Fulton Agricultural Society, representing the counties of Lucas and Fulton (the latter then recently created and largely of the territory of the former), held its first fair at Toledo, October 16 and 17, 1850. The premiums consisted mainly of subscriptions to the Ohio Cultivator, Albany Cultivator, Hinds' Farriery, and other publications and books, and diplomas. A few cash premiums were given, the highest of which was $3.00 (for best bull). The best farm of 40 acres received $2.00, and a diploma and a copy of Stevens' Book of the Farm; best three acres of wheat, Stevens' Book ; best 10 lbs. butter, 81.00 and Miss Beecher's Domestic Economy, etc. The Awarding Committees included the following persons:
Toledo-Leverett Bissell, Mr. and Mrs. Salter Cleveland, Chas. O'Hara, R. C. Daniels, Samuel S. Read, s. B. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Edward Bissell, Mrs. Dr. Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. M. R. Waite, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Mason, R. H. Bell, C. B. Phillips, Henry Bennett, B. F. Stickney, Chas. E. Perigo, Mayor Brigham, Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Smith, Benj. Farley, Mrs. P. F. Berdan, Mrs. D. O. Morton, Mrs. James Myers, Mrs. R. W. Titus, Fred Bissell, L. T. Thayer. Sylvania--Mr. and Mrs. Benj. .Joy, Mrs. Win. F. Dewey, John U. Pease, James White, Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Warren, Erastus Moore. Springfield--Harvey Kellogg. Maumee City- Mr. and Mrs. S. M. Young, J W. Smith, J. H. Jerome, J. M. Felt, Jona. Neeley, Chester Cook, Capt. Perry, P. H. Boyd, W. Dewey, Elisha Mack, Mrs. Geo. W. Reynolds, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Scott, Mrs. F. L. Nichols, Mrs. O. D. Ranney, J. C. Allen, E. S. Frost, Chas. A. Lamb, J. I . Stmt, D. P. Brown. Adrian J. W. Scott, B. F. Strong. Washington-N. A. Whitnev, Sands Ketcham, Thos. P. Whitney, Lyman Haughton, James S. Whitney, P. J. Phillips, J. W. Collins. Waterville- Mr. and Mrs. John Van Fleet, L. L. Morehouse, Henry Reed, Sen., Taros. Shoemaker. Oregon Oliver Stevens, E. H. Fassett. Chesterfield -W. E. Parmelee, David Lee, Harlow Butler. Spencer, Wm. Taylor, Chas. Courser, Richfield - Pliny Lathrop, John G. Klinck, Palmyra - Mr. and Mrs. Volney Spaulding, Perrysburg - John Bates, Eber Wilson, Providence - S. G. Roach.
At the annual meeting of the Lucas and Fulton District Agricultural Society, October 14, 1852, the following officers were chosen:
President--Nehemiah Allen; Vice President-- Henry Reed, Sr., Secretary--Chas. E. Perigo; Treasurer-- Thos. C. Mayhew; Managers--Matt. Johnson, of Toledo; J. Austin Scott, of Maumee; L. B. Lathrop, of Sylvania; Harvey Kellogg, of Springfield; and John Van Fleet, of Waterville.
In October, 1854, the following officers of the Lucas County Agricultural Society were elected:
President-Joel W. Kelsey; Vice President Charles E. Perigo Secretary--Thos. M. Cooley; Treasurer--Matthew Johnson; Managers--J. Austin Scott, L. B. Lathrop, Edward Bissell, Sen., O. C. Wilson and Henry Breed.
At the annual Fair of this Society for 1854, premiums were awarded to the following named persons:
Domestic Animals--Edward Bissell, Sen., Marvin Haughton, A. Eddy, James Conlisk, E. B. Doty. S. Tillotson, A. J. Nichols, Peter Latshaw, Wm. Blaney, E. C. Blodgett, James Young, Garret Chase, P. C. Lewis, Warren Colburn, Gershom Crabb, Horace Kellogg, J. B. Murphy, Ira R. Grosvenor (Monroe). Poultry--C. W. Hill, W W. Howe, R. W. Titus, Fred H. Brown, S. L. Bailey, Sidney Bissell. Farm implements-J. W. Kelsey, J. Jessup, J. T. McClaskey, Crops and Grain-S. Bristol, S. Tillotson. Butter, Cheese and Bread--Maria Hangliton. A. J. Nichols, Mrs. A. D. Pelton. Domestic Manufactures --Mrs. J. Willey, Mrs. A. Stephan, S. Bristol. Needle Work-Mrs. S. Demmon, Mrs. H. Demmon, Miss Julia Brown. Mrs. H. E. Eagle, Miss Mar v Swift. Miss :M. Young, Miss Ervina Halsey, Julia A. Sloan, Mrs. A. Stephan, Hannah Bates, Mrs. O. Mather, and Isaac DeBruine. Plants and Flowers-Toledo Nursery Association, Miss M. Young, Mr. Arnold. Fruits-Toledo Nursery Association, J. Austin Scott, Henry Reed, Sr. Vegetables--S. Bristol, A. D. Pelton, C. W. Hill, Horace Kellogg, F. Leonardson. Carriages, & c --A. B. White (3). Saddles, Harness, &c.--J. A. and W. M. Unthank. Chairs and Cabinet Work--A. N. Cole. J. R. Smith (Adrian). Daguerreotypes, Drawings, S. Dunshee, A. B. Weeks, Augusta Titus, W. H. Machen. Miscellaneous- Andrews & Jaeger, P. W. Piper, Bivins & Hall. Farms --Free Leonardson, W. M. White. Sweepstakes-Cattle, Sheep. Horses. and Fruit--Ira R. Grosvenor, Latshaw & Johnson, John Fay, A. Eddy. Peter Latshaw, J. C. Lewis, Gershom Crabb, Will. Sutton, Toledo Nursery Association.
A Lucas County Agricultural Society was organized in 1857, and held its first fair in 1858. The cash premiums on that occasion amounted to $140 only, the list consisting chiefly of dipo-
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES - 715
mas, the Ohio Farmer, the Ohio Cultivator, the Scientific American, the American Veterinary Journal, the Country Gentleman, the Rural New Yorker, the Albany Cultivator, and the Michigan Farmer. Five premiums of $5 each were awarded, the other cash premiums being $3, $2 and $1. The first premiums of the second classes were as follows:
1. J. R. Knight, Short-Horn Bull ; 2. A. C. Harris, Devon Cow; 3. S. Southard, Grade Bull; 4. F. L. Nichols, Native Cow ; 5. A. J. Nichols, Oxen; 6. A. Reed, Horse (Morgan Messenger); 8. S. G. Crabb, Buck (Long Wool); 9. R. C. Thompson, Buck (Merino); 10. W. W. Howe, Boar; 11. J. W. Kelsey, Pheasant Chickens; 12. A. C. Harris, Sod Plow ; 13. David Trappe, Wagon ; 14. Whitaker &Phillips, Cook Stoves; 15. L. J. Bush, Churns; 16. Mrs. Crampton, Rag Carpet; 17. Mrs. Demond, Needle Work; 18. Mrs. F. L. Nichols, Rolls of Butter; 19. Miss Eliza Whitney, Bread ; 20. Moore & Pugh, Coach Harness ; 21. Glidden & Parker, Marble Mantels ; 22. Read & Cummings, Furniture; 23. Toledo Blade Bindery, Blank Books; 24. J. M. Wagar, Men's Clothes; 25. Mrs. Moses Colby, Dahlias; 26. Avery S. Hill, Landscape Drawing; 27. F. Leonardson. Wheat; 28. N. A. Whitney, Potatoes; 29. Amasa Bishop, Apples; 30. C. D. Woodruff, Eave-trough Fastenings.
Officers were subsequently chosen for 1858-9, as follows:
President, J. Austin Scott ; Vice President, Thos. Shoemaker; Secretary, A. C. Harris ; Treasurer, J. W. Kelsey ; Directors, F. L. Nichols, C. A. Crane, W. W. Howe, C. D. Woodruff, Jas. Gilbert, Jas. McCabe, A. B. Mead, Wm. Taylor, Pliny Lathrop, E. Gordinier, Philo B. Scott, Geo. Allen, Edmund Lees, S. L. Collins. Delegate to State Society, D. E. Gardner.
In 1859, this Society held its second fair at Toledo.
In 1860, officers were elected as follows
President, Russell C. Daniels; Vice-President, J. C. Messer ; Treasurer. Galen Norton ; Secretary, Wm. C. Earl; Directors, T. S. Merrell, Carey ; Hiram Wiltse, Springfield ; Luther Whitmore, Oregon ; Jona. Lundy, Manhattan; G. Crabb. Washington ; R. C. Thompson, Sylvania; Pliny Lathrop, Richfield ; Wm. Taylor, Spencer; J. Gilbert, Maumee ; J. C. Wales, Swanton; John Wilson, Providence ; Thos. Shoemaker, Waterville; John Weible, Monclova ; D. E. Gardner, Toledo.
1873-President, Ed. Upton ; Vice President, J. C. Messer ; Treasurer, E. W. Lenderson ; Secretary, Anson Trowbridge; Directors (for two years), W. G. Norton, Adams; L. C. Gibbs, Richfield ; John Weible, Monclova; Thos. Secor, Washington ; Chas. Vanfleet, Waterville; T. S. Merrell, Maumee ; A. B. Waite, Toledo. At this meeting it was resolved to invite officers of Agricultural Societies and other friends of Agriculture in Northwestern Ohio, Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana to meet the officers of this Society, for the purpose of taking into consideration the organization of a Society and establishing a District Fair near Toledo. The receipts of the Society for 1873 amounted to $1,669.26; expenditures, $1,627.38. Number of members, 289.
1875-President, R. C. Thompson ; Vice President, G. W. Norton; Treasurer, E. W. Lenderson ; Secretary, Anson Trowbridge ; Directors, S. W. Cass, Adams; Charles B. Howard, Richfield ; John Weible, Monclova; A. Van Wormer, Washington; T. S. Merrell, Maumee ; J. C. Messer, Oregon ; A. B. Waite, Toledo. An excursion by Steamer to Detroit occurred in August, which netted the Society $294.45. An addition of 23 acres to the Society grounds was made this year at a cost of $30.500, which was paid for by the County, under special act of the Legislature, The receipts of the year amounted to $2,271.53, and expenditures to $2,521. No. entries at fair, 1,072.
1877. President, S. S. Ketcham ; Vice President, Wm. Vanfleet; Secretary, Chas. A. Webb; Treasurer, E. W. Lenderson ; Assistant Secretary, Mrs. J. M. Gloyd ; Directors, S. W. Cass, Adams; J. S. Clark, Richfield; Cornelius Van Fleet, Monclova; Thomas Secor, Washington; O. W. Ballou, Waterville; D. W. Maginnis, Oregon ; J. W. Kelsey, Toledo.
In July, 1877, the Board of Directors made an arrangement with the Tri-State Fair Association of Toledo, under which the grounds of the Society were turned over to uses of that Association, and the annual fairs of the Society were indefinitely suspended, which arrangement has continued to this time (1888).
At the annual meeting of the Society in 1881, the fair grounds were released to the Tri-State Fair Association for the period of 10 years.
1887. President, S. S. Ketcham; Vice President, Wm. Van Fleet; Secretary, E. W. Lenderson. Directors-G. W. Norton, Adams; Wallace Ford, Richfield ; J. W. Kerr, Monclova; Thomas Secor, Washington ; O. W. Ballou, Waterville ; J. E. Wilcox, Waynesfield; J. C. Messer, Oregon ; J. W. Kelsey, Toledo.
The Lucas and Erie Counties Agricultural Societies had a joint festival at Put-in Bay, August 16, 1871. Representing the former, were R. C. Thompson, President; Ed. Upton, Vice President; J. C. Messer and G. W. Norton, of the Executive Committee ; and T. S. Merrell, Harvey Kellogg and S. S. Ketcham, in charge of the excursion. The Erie Society was represented by Calvin Caswell, President; A. J. Mowry, Vice President; S. M. White, Jr., Secretary; A. W. Prout, Jr., Treasurer; and most of the Directors. Colonel D. C. Richmond, of the State Board, was present. From Lucas was a large delegation of citizens, while some 1,500 persons were present from Erie County. The time at the Island was spent socially and informally.
At the Ohio State Fair of 1868, premiums were awarded to competitors from Lucas County, as follows:
Gates, Skidmore & Co., Hand Rakes ; Whitaker, Phillips & Co., Hay and Straw Forks; Heckman & Gerber, Polybladed Knife ; Russell & Thayer, Iron Column for building; Ballard & Rood, Galvanized Cornice and Brackets; R. W. Rigby & Co., Bed-room Furniture ; E. Erb, same; Trowbridge Brothers, Coopering Material and Work; West & Truax, Ornamental Window Glass ; Henry L. Phelps, Display of Cake ; Bronson & Messinger, Fine-cut Tobacco ; Moore & Cole, Horse Drapery; ; J. Cooper Price, Gents' Shirts and Goods; T. H. Hough & Co., House Furnishing Goods; Mrs. M. Dixon, Napper Bed-spread ; J. A. Granger & Co., Cotton Batting ; C. Schansenbach & Co., Dry Goods; Mrs. M. C. Thatcher, Agricultural Wreath ; Eaton & Backus, Dry Goods; T. J. Brown, Books; North & Oswald,
716 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
Photographs ; C. H. Stark, Graining ; E. W. E. Koch. Ornamental Rock Work ; W. W. Whitney, Melodeon (two sets of reeds).
During the Fall of 1865, 17,129 barrels of Apples were purchased at and shipped from Toledo, by about 12 dealers. Richards & Brown handled 3,531 bbls. ; Nelson & Holt, 3,025; J. Lyon, 2,788; Bivins & Flynn, 2,000; J. P. Wallace, 1,360; Bolles & Garrett, 850. The aggregate was equivalent to 51,387 bushels. The prices ranged from $1.00 to $1.30 per bushel, the average being about $1.12 1/2, or $3.37 1/2 per barrel, and the aggregate $57,812.50. The shipments were mainly for the Eastern States, where the crop was light.
As a means for protection from petty thievery, the farmers and gardeners living out Dorr Street, from Toledo, in 1878, organized what was known as the Swan Creek Mutual Protection Society, with the following members:
Harvey Kellogg, T. S. Merrell, E. Mulford, J. G. Cass, Wm. M. Demott, Ellison Demott, Thos. Watts, S. D. Wilcox, Richard Dustin, Perry Wood, F. Y. Hall, John Wood, C. B. Holloway, Edmund Lees, Dennis Sage, E. L. Wood, Ezra Holt, Josiah Albon, Hiram Wiltse, Samuel Coble, Harry Gunn, David Tripp, Josiah Clark, Jere. Reynolds, A. D. Jones, Levi Manly, John Shaner, Silas J. Cothrell, Geo. W. Norton, Henry Driver, J. E. Wilcox, A. B. Bradley, Samuel Wagner, Predom Martin, H. W. Cass, Clark B. Gunn, Wm. Bates, J. B. Griffin, Thos. Sage.
The officers of the Society were: President, S. D. Wilcox ; Secretary, C. B. Holloway ; Treasurer, J. E. Wilcox ; Captain, Perry Wood ; Lieutenants, A. D. Jones, H. W. Cass, J. B. Griffin.
TRI-STATE FAIR ASSOCIATION.
The Tri-State Fair-general in its scope, but from Toledo's geographical situation, special as to Northwestern Ohio, Southeastern Michigan and Northeastern Indiana-had its origin in the failure of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture to carry out the engagement to hold a series of State Fairs at Toledo, to begin in 1877. Such engagement, on the part of that Board, was understood to have been induced by the fact, that for the three years preceding that date, its Fair (held at Columbus) had not been successful, It seems, that in June, 1887, a Committee of the State Board met a called meeting of citizens of Toledo, when they made statement of the situation, and stated that, upon providing suitable grounds, etc., Toledo could have the Fair. The outlay involved was $10,000. Steps were at once taken by the meeting, which resulted in the early provision of the requisite means, when a Committee of citizens visited Columbus to close the arrangement with the State Board. Meantime, it seems, the citizens of Columbus had been moved by passing events, to steps which induced the State Board to disregard its virtual engagement with Toledo, and to continue at the former City.
Not willing to abandon the movement for a Fair, at Toledo, the local Committee turned its attention to the plan of organizing a permanent Association, and with such success, that on the 5th of July, a meeting of subscribers to the fund was held, when a Board of Directors was chosen, consisting of L. S. Baumgardner, David Robison, Jr., S. S. Ketcham, Fred. Eaton and T. P. Brown. On the day following the Directors met, decided upon the title, "TriState Fair Association," and engaged for its headquarters, rooms in the Hall Block, North east corner of Jefferson and St. Clair Streets. The offer of the Lucas County Agricultural Society to turn over to the Association its grounds, was accepted. An election of officers was then had, as follows
President, L. S. Baumgardner ; Vice President, T. P. Brown ; Treasurer, C. A. King ; Secretary, E. W. E. Koch.
Executive Committee-L. S. Baumgardner, T. P. Brown, C. A. King, Fred. Eaton, S. S. Ketcham, Henry Brand and D. Robison, Jr.
So vigorous was the action of the young Association, that its first annual Fair was held in September following, and proved successful beyond expectation. The result was the permanence of the arrangement, with yearly improvement and enlargement.
In 1878, James H. Maples became the Secretary, and in 1879 was succeeded by the late Colonel Albert Moore, who was succeeded in 1880, by John Farley. Meantime, John Cummings became the Vice President, and George W. Davis the Treasurer. In January, 1884, Mr. Baumgardner, who had, with special efficiency and success, acted as President to that time, tendered his resignation, and was succeeded by T. S. Merrell. Mr. Farley at the same time resigning, Charles Reed became the Secretary. The officers for 1888, areas follows:
President, Fred. Eaton ; Vice President, G. G. Hadley; Treasurer, Geo. W. Davis; Secretary, John Farley.
Board of Directors-Geo. W. Davis, John Cummings, Fred. Eaton, S. S. Ketcham, T. J. Charlesworth, J. C. Messer, T. S. Merrell, Ed. Upton, James Dority, David Robison, Jr., Frank I. Young, George R. Hudson, Wm. Kline, M. J. Enright, G. G. Hadley.
The Tri-State Fair Grounds are located on Dorr Street, about 2 1/2 miles from the center of the City, and are readily accessible by steam and horse cars. They contain about 50 acres of ground admirably suited for the purposes of a Fair. The annual expenditure for Premiums, &c., is about $25,000. The financial success of the enterprise, as is common with such, has been largely dependent upon seasons and the conditions of the weather at the time of exposition; but it may be stated, that few of its class have been more fortunate in that respect; while the general character of its exhibitions has been such as to give to the Association a strong and increasing hold upon the public interest.