150 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY "The evil of an excessive multiplication of school districts has been abundantly exemplified in this (German) township. In 1862 we had no less than eighteen school districts, and resolved to ........... reduce the number. Instead of eighteen, we now have eleven sub-districts .......... so that in the matter of schoolhouses we have saved at least $5,000 ............ Instead of eighteen teachers we now need but eleven, a saving every year ...... of $1,000 ....... Instead of little 8x10 rickety wooden shanties heretofore built, we are now able and do erect large commodious and substantial brick houses. In room of niggardly house sites of 30 by 40 feet, we now have a full acre of land to each house, furnishing a site and also a safe and ample playground. Instead of being pushed for means, as formerly, to keep up sixteen or eighteen schools for six months, we now have money, plenty when judiciously used, for from seven to nine months of live vigorous teaching." J. W. Roseborough, himself a teacher in early manhood and throughout his life an interested and strong advocate of better schools, would surely have been pleased had he lived to see the fine centralized schools of Fulton and Chesterfield Township, a change in school policy developed to some extent by the incessant agitation of such men as he, who constantly" used the columns of local papers to further the thought. The editor of the "Fulton County Tribune" wrote, on January 8, 1904: "For a number of years the most ardent friends of the country schools have been advising that the schools of a township be conducted in one building, erected near the center of the township." The beginning of centralization in Fulton county, and indeed in the whole of northwestern Ohio, may be attributed to the defection of the teacher in charge of the school in District No. 3, of Fulton Township, in the spring of 1903. He resigned about two months before the end of the school term. Centralization had been theoretically agitated for many years, but the action of the teacher referred to brought the question before the directors of Fulton Township schools for immediate and practical decision. They decided to arrange for the transportation of pupils of No. 3 District school to that of District No. 2, at Ai, each morning, and return them to their homes each night. It was a success, and in the following year the pupils of District No. 8 were also conveyed to and from the Ai school. Eventually came complete centralization of schools in that township, and the building of the present splendid schoolhouse at Ai. What a striking contrast is that represented by the log schoolhouse of the '30s and '40s, and the massive centralized schoolhouse of today. Maybe, the contrast between the teachers of today and those of the early days would not be so striking. There were many indifferent and incapable teachers in the early days; but some of the teachers were brilliant. A. Holmes Smith, of Delta, one of the earliest and most capable school examiners of Fulton county, and for fifty years connected with the Board of Education, as teacher, examiner, and director, stated that he found many quite brilliant, while others had little knowledge of arithmetic, other than mental. In the '50s there was a general re-examination of teachers, and only the most capable were retained. The Fulton County Board of Education sought to radically raise the standard of education, and candidates for teaching certificates were subjected to much more rigid tests than formerly. Higher sal- HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 151 cries were offered, and this policy brought in many teachers from adjoining counties. Teachers came from Oberlin, Norwalk, Adrian, and other places, and generally those who failed to pass the examiners went into Henry county, stated Mr. Holmes Smith. A teachers' institute was organized in 1857, and among the questions put by examiners to candidates for teaching certificates was: "Do you attend the Teachers' institute meetings?" Applicants soon became of the opinion that attendance at the Institute meetings was an essential to the granting of certificate, consequently, the Teacher's Institute soon became a strong organization. It apparently had its inception in a meeting held on July 25, 1857, "to organize a teachers' association in Fulton county." The first officers were: M. H. Butler, president; Amos Hilton, vice president; J. Brewster, secretary. Among the early school teachers, who gave faithful and generally good service for little pay, must be included: Samuel Durgin, Naaman S. Merrill, Gideon W. Raymond, Samantha Crandall, Flavel Butler, Laura Ranger, Samuel B. Darby, Melvina Howe, Elizabeth Trowbridge, Erastus Briggs, Julia Chamberlin, Caroline Wood, Moses Curtis, Hartley Clute, Jonathan Long, Jonathan Hunt, Augustus Porter, Mary Ann Stevenson, Olive Green, Mortimer Hibbard, Maria Lloyd, Lucinda Rogers, Elizabeth Freeman, 0. B. Verity, Albert S. Fleet, Cornelia Ives, Thomas R. Williams, Michael Handy, Gamaliel Barnes, Amanda Pease, Mary Clough, Lidea Gorsuch, Zerada Leggett, John Deming, Hannah Comstock, John Spillane, Ella Jewell, Libbie Lyon, Nellie Bickford, Emma Davis, Addie DeMeritt, Phoebe Riddle, Sophronia Fluhart, Mrs. Pray, Mrs. Zimmerman, Garret Van Fleet, Lewis S. Hackett, Margaret Fullerton, Martin H. Butler, Joseph Aldrich, Mrs. Curtis, Lucy Crawford, "Rock" Williams, Capt. W. F. Williams, "Aunt Jane" Lutz, Thomas Harvey, — De Wolf, James Burroughs, William Cowan, the Demaresq sisters—Henrietta, Jenette, Mary, and Kate,—Amos Hilton, Joseph Jewell, Ben Bulger, Elizabeth Cole, Emma Springer, Betty Fleming, William Fraker, Gilbert Clark, Lorenzo Bennett, Ruthett Deblin, 152 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY Lemuel Johnson, M. McCoy, F. F. Curtis, William Lewis, Lydia Sanford Daniels, Julia Root Rich, Ann Whittaker, Libbie Roos Haley, Minerva Cottrell, J. B. Lutes, Catherine Fairfield. Some will have reference elsewhere in this work, and the record of others will be found creditable in other county publications. A. few have had especially distinctive careers, or especially long connection with the Fulton county educational system. Samuel Durgin was one of the first school examiners; so also was Martin H. Butler. Thomas Harvey and De Wolf both became state school commissioners. Joseph Aldrich was an early school examiner. "Aunt Jane" Lutz was known from one end of Swan Creek to the other; was wont to pass from house to house, when whole families would be stricken with ague and fever. She would cook, wash, and attend to the personal and domestic affairs of. one stricken household, nursing and feeding them; and then pass on to the next. home; all out of whole-hearted love and affection for her neighbors. Michael Handy and 0. B. Verity became prominent members of the Fulton county legal bar. Addie DeMeritt was a teacher for more than thirty years; Mrs. Phoebe Riddle taught for practically a. generation ; Jonathan Hunt, of Swan Creek, was one of the most advanced teachers of his time; and many others might be mentioned. William B. ("Bill") Cowan, of Pike Township, and James F. ("Jim") Burroughs, of Royalton, bath excellent teachers, were much sought after by the directors of certain school districts in their active days. James F. Burroughs taught fifty-nine winter terms of school in Fulton and Lucas counties, and generally passed the summer months in farming. "Bill" Cowan, in his day, was one of the ablest educators in the county; a remarkable man, in fact, stated Holmes Smith, the school examiner, adding that Cowan was "quite a mathematician." Mr. Smith recollects that Cowan once told him that he had had very little schooling; had had practically no academic training, and had spent most of his early life in farming; yet, he was destined to teach school for fifty-four terms, and to conduct a summer school for teachers with such success that he became the mentor and tutor of some of the most capable teachers of Fulton county. Of the students who attended his short normal course 187 became teachers. Mr. Cowan died in 1913, and as there is nothing in permanent biographical record regarding him, it might not be inappropriate to here briefly cover the deficiency, culling the material from an article which appeared in the "Fulton County Tribune," December 21, 1906. From it, we gather that he was born in 1827, that, in his own words: "The first school I attended was held in a salt box. The mer- chants had large boxes in which to store salt during the summer months, and in the winter they were empty; and as those early settlers had no money to furnish a building, or time to erect one, they were very glad to use these large boxes I did not start school until I was eight years old. From the time I was twelve years old, until I was seventeen, I had but nineteen days of schooling in any one year; but every night you would find me in a corner, near the fireplace, working over my books with the best teacher at my side-my mother ...... When I was seventeen, I entered Milan Seminary ......... for seven months, and then my schooling ended. Ended, yet only begun." HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 153 He taught for several years in the schools of his home county, and when, in 1852, he purchased some land in Pike 'Township, Fulton county, and found farming hard and precarious, he thought again of teaching.. He said: "In the winter of 1854, I taught my first term of school in this county. My first term of school was successful, and after that it was a matter for me to decide which school I would teach in. Two districts in Pike Township were determined to have me teach, and year after year they would overbid each other, until they were paying me fifty-two or fifty-three dollars per month, when I told them they had gone high enough, and to settle the matter I would teach five years in one district, and then five years in the other. This arrangement seemed to be satisfactory, and I followed it until I quit teaching. I taught twelve winter terms in one district, and thirteen in the other." "Bill" Cowan was a man of strong character, frank and emphatic in expression, and quick in decision. He had very many friends throughout the county. So as not to duplicate school history reviewed in the township chapters, this chapter will end with a brief statement of the school system, as now constituted in Fulton county. The re-districting of Fulton county schools, under the new school code of 1914, when the township schools came more directly under county control, is a step toward centralization; and the Fulton County Board of Education hopes to bring such a plan gradually into effect. Under the new code, Professor Biery, superintendent of Wauseon schools, became the county superintendent of schools in 1914, but after he had resigned in 1915, to accept a professorship in a leading college, Professor C. D. Perry was appointed, and is still county superintendent. He has had a distinguished career as an educator in Fulton county, and was recently elected president of the Northwestern Ohio Teachers' Association. His assistants are: E. F. Chase, who is superintendent of the northern 154 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY half of the county, termed the Supervision District No. 1; and H. M. Jay, superintendent of the southern half, called Supervision District No. 2. The present Board of Examiners is made up as follows: H. M. Jay, president; C. C. Smith, vice president; C. D. Perry, clerk. The present members of the Fulton County Board of Education are: C. K. Miller, Fayette; W. L. Biddle, Wauseon; W. B. McClarren, Delta; W. C. Hoch, Delta; and W. J. Weber, of Pettisville, who is president. There. are twenty-four district boards, information regarding which will be found in township chapters. According to "The Annual Statistical Report" of the county superintendent, for the year 1919, the Fulton County Board of Education then controlled eighty-three one-room elementary schools,. and three two-room elementary schools; and in addition eight larger elementary and first grade high schools. There were, in 1919, seventeen rural school districts in the county, seven village districts, and two supervision districts in addition to the two centralized districts, Fulton and Chesterfield. Under ordinary conditions, the school year is divided into two terms, affording, in all, eight months of tuition in the country schools, and nine months in the village schools. Enrollment figures for 1919 are: 2,252 boys and 2,186 girls in elementary grades; and 347 male and 435 female students in the high schools. In 1919, there were 123 high school graduates, and 328 eighth-grade graduates. In that year, the high school staffs consisted of sixteen male and twenty-three female teachers, thirty-five of whom had graduated from college or university, and two had had partial college courses. Three teachers were graduates of a four-year normal course; two of a two-year normal; and the others were graduates of .high school course. The salaries paid to teachers of township high schools, in 1919, averaged $872. In the village high schools, the average was $945. The elementary schools of the county were, in 1919, staffed by four male and 136 female teachers. Of that number, one was a college graduate, three had attended college but had not graduated, 118 had had partial normal school training, twelve were graduates of a four-year and six graduates of a two-year normal course. With one exception, all teachers employed had graduated from high school Salaries paid to elementary rural school teachers averaged, in 1919: $720. Teachers in the village elementary schools were paid an. average of $738. At these rates it is becoming increasingly difficult to get the services of teachers of the standard demanded. CHAPTER VIII THE BANKS OF FULTON COUNTY In the earliest days of the county, banks "sprang up like mushrooms," stated "Charley" Cornell. "Anybody, who felt that way in- dined could start a bank. But they didn't last long, and people got into the habit of banking in their own pockets what little money they could accumulate." Paper was not then as stable as it is today. Pioneer Fulton county men who helped to build the railroad through the county in 1854 had to take their pay in Kalamazoo notes. These they were generally able to pass in trade, but the notes were not good and acceptable tender in payment of taxes. Nothing is on record regarding these early banks, because they were of little consequence, and generally of brief history. Indeed, until the last decade of the nineteenth century, the only two banks of any importance in Fulton county were Barber's Bank of Wauseon, and the Bank of Fayette. The first-named was established in 1863, and the Fayette Bank in about 1871. The Bank of Wauseon began to do business in a small frame building, on the east side of Fulton street south of the railroad, on February 1, 1863. It was founded by Epaphras L. Barber. Naaman Merrill later became a partner, the firm then trading as Barber and Merrill, until 1879, when E. S. Callender became a partner. In that year Naaman Merrill died. A commodious bank building was erected in 1871, on the east side of Fulton street, north of the railroad, and there for very many years the bank headquarters were. In July of 1907 the Bank of Wauseon was reconstructed, taking corporate powers, under the name of the Wauseon Savings and Trust Company, with a capital of $50,000. The partners of the old bank were: E. L. Barber, son of Col. Epaphras L. Barber; H. A. Barber; Sophy H. Barber, and Addie L. Barber. These members of the pioneer Wauseon family, together with W. T. Hudson, were the stockholders and directors of the new bank, E. L. Barber being president, and W. T. Hudson, cashier. The new bank, however, was destined to have a very short life. On April 21, 1908, the doors were closed, temporarily it was stated, Mr. E. L. Barber then making a statement, which read as follows: "The Bank of Wauseon was a partnership composed of E. L. Barber, H. A. Barber, Addie L. Barber, and Sophy H. Barber, and had been engaged in banking in Wauseon for many years. Last July there was incorporated the Wauseon Savings and Trust Company, under the laws of the State of Ohio, with a capital stock of $50,000, for the purpose of taking over the banking of the Bank of Wauseon; and this has been gradually carried on so that at the present time practically all of the banking business is now in the corporation. - 155 - 156 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY The present corporation has securities and assets representing every dollar of deposits, and the issued capital stock. If the securities and assets are not sold at forced sale, and a fair valuation is realized upon them, there will be ample to pay all of the depositors in full. The annual demands upon the bank for money at this time made it necessary for it to either sacrifice its securities, at less than their value, and thus cause an unnecessary loss to its depositors and stockholders, or to place its affairs in the hands of a competent receiver, who could properly preserve and administer the assets in such a way as to realize their reasonable value. The present action was therefore determined upon, and Mr. George W. Close, a banker, and a man of wide experience and acknowledged ability was appointed by Judge Taylor as Receiver of the Wauseon Savings & Trust Company, and gave bond in the sum of $100,000; and the Hon. H. C. Rorick. who has had large experience in financial matters, and is well and favorably known, was appointed by Judge Taylor as Receiver of the Bank of Wauseon, and gave a $50,000 bond. The appointment of these two men by Judge Taylor assures depositors that the affairs of the bank will be honestly and capably administrated." The efforts of the receivers were however unavailing, for the depositors lost heavily eventually. The Bank of Fayette, the other of the two pioneer banks was finally liquidated, but not however to the loss of depositors. It was founded in about the same year (1871) in which Fayette became a railroad town, George E. Letcher, who had built a grain house in Fayette and had "made Fayette one of the best grain markets in northwestern Ohio" was the owner of the bank until 1885, when he sold to Arthur and C. L. Allen and J. Trowbridge, who conducted the business, as a private company, until 1913, when they decided to go out of business, which they did, in September of that year closing the bank, "after twenty-seven years of satisfaction to all its patrons." So, in brief, is the history of the two pioneer banks 'of Fulton county. The county has many stable banks today, and an attempt will be made to separately and adequately review, in this chapter, each existing bank. There are thirteen, Archbold, Delta, Fayette, Metamora, and Wauseon each having two, and Lyons, Pettisville, and Swanton one. Somewhat extensive reference will be made in volume two of this work to the lives of some of the prominent Fulton county bankers of today; therefore, in biographical reference, this chapter will deal only with deceased bankers. Colonel Epaphras L. Barber, who died in 1899, was of course the pioneer banker of Fulton county, and he died many years before the bank he founded closed its doors. His life will however be reviewed in an even more appropriate chapter, in that which traces the development of Wauseon, of which he was one of the original proprietors. Naaman Merrill's life will also be reviewed elsewhere. He was one of the pioneer school teachers; was clerk of the courts in 1853; and from being a leading democrat he became an active republican, when that party superseded the whig party in the '50s. Arthur Allen was one of the leading business men of Fayette, to HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 157 which he came in 1865. He held many township offices, and was justice of the peace for many years. The Rorick family has had prominent connection with Fulton county banking, especially with the banks of Fayette. Cosper Rorick, who died in 1911, may be considered to have been the founder of the Fayette State Savings Bank. His home was in Morenci, but he was well-known throughout Fulton county, and, as an obituary stated "a figure familiar in the community for over a half century has been laid to rest, and the citizens mourn the loss of an honorable upright fellow-citizen. and big-hearted friend." Charles C. Greenleaf, one of the founders of the Peoples State Bank of Wauseon, was connected with Fulton county banking for twenty years. He died in 1910. Mr. Greenleaf was one of the leading financiers of the county, successful in business, and esteemed for his steady purpose in life. George S. Clement, partner with Mr. Greenleaf in the milling business they conducted together in Wauseon for very many years, was also one of the organizers of the Peoples State Bank, in 1889, and a director until his death, in 1912. He was "well known as a man of great probity of character, and one who was trusted implicitly by all." Another original director of the Peoples' Bank, Hiram Pritchard, died in 1912. He had lived in Wauseon for almost fifty years, and for many years was partner with F. R. Smallman in the Smallman Grocery. Previously, he had been a building contractor, and in 1864 built the courthouse in Ottokee. L. P. Vernier, one of the founders of the Peoples State Bank of Archbold, and its first president, was the head of one of the pioneer 158 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY families of German Township. He was one of the most progressive merchants of Archbold. There was a bank in Delta as early as 1869. It was called the Bank of Delta, and Dr. William Ramsey, whose life will be reviewed in the medical chapter, was the sole owner of it. Dealing with .direct institutional history, the banks at present (1920) in operation in Fulton county are: the Farmers and Merchants Bank, and the Peoples State Bank, both of Archbold.; the Peoples Savings Bank, and the Farmers State Bank, both of Delta; the Fayette State and the Farmers State Banks, of Fayette; the Lyons Commercial Bank, of Lyons; the Farmers and Merchants and the Home Savings Banks of Metamora; the Pettisville Savings Bank, of Pettisville, the Farmers and Merchants Deposit Company, of Swanton; and the two banks of the county seat, the Peoples State and First National Banks, of Wauseon. The banks all appear to be doing satisfactory business, and to have the confidence of its depositors; and the history of the respective banks is worthy of place in this county record. The oldest of the banks now in operation is the Peoples State Bank, of Wauseon. Its history dates back to 1889, and from an original capital of $15,000 to a combined capital and surplus of $120,000, and resources of more than one million eight hundred thousand dollars. Reviewing its more than thirty years of operation and progress, it appears that early in 1889 a partnership was formed by George D. Green, Charles C. Greenleaf, William H. Eager, George S. Clement, Hiram Pritchard, and Frank Smallman, all active business men of Wauseon. The partnership took the trading name of the Peoples Bank, and on December 10, 1889, having erected a suitable building, on the east side of Fulton street and almost opposite the present location of the bank, it was opened, and from that time until December of 1906 did an ever-increasing banking business, as a private institution. In December, 1906, it was incorporated under the banking laws of Ohio as the Peoples State Bank, and began business as a corporate body on January 2, 1907. In 1910 its capital was increased to $100,000. In May, 1913, the bank decided to build a larger bank building, and with that object purchased the old Eager House, and the work of removing the old building was immediately begun. In due course the magnificent modern bank building of brick and Bedford stone became the place of business of the banking corporation, which has since steadily continued to prosper. Its growth may be realized by figures culled from its official records. Its resources on June 30, 1890, totalled to $129,481.89; in 1900 to $375,339.03; in 1910 to $748,131.54; and in 1920 to $1,831,484.58. It is somewhat remarkable that for a period of twenty-one years there was no change in the directorate of this bank. The first change came when Mr. Charles C. Greenleaf died on April 4, 1910; deaths of Hiram Pritchard and George S. Clement, in 1912, brought further changes in the board, which as now constituted is made up as follows: W. H. Eager, president, F. R. Smallman, vice president; C. D. Greenleaf, G. D. Green, L. H. Deyo, and C. P. Grisier. Mr. Eager has been president of the bank since its establishment, in 1889; and Charles W. HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 159 Struble has been cashier since 1890, thirty years of faithful, valued, and valuable service. The next bank to be established was the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, of Archbold, which was organized, as a private partnership, in 1897, by J. 0. Swisher, Jacob Ehrat, Jr., C. M. McLaughlin, A. J. Vernier, L. D. Gottshall, and I. W. Gottshall. The bank was re-organized in 1919, when it became the Farmers and Merchants State Bank, with a capital of $50,000. The bank ownership however has remained unchanged since its first establishment, the same six co-partners being its present stockholders. Under its re-organization in 1919 the following named men became its officers: J. 0. Swisher, president; C. M. McLaughlin, vice president; A. J. Stamm, cashier. The "Report of the Condition" of the bank at the close of business May 4, 1920 showed its resources to have then been $470,- 231.29; capital stock, paid in, $50,000; surplus, $1,600. The institution does its business in its own modern bank building, on the corner of Main and Depot streets. The building was erected in 1909, at a cost of about $5,000. The Farmers State Savings Bank, under its former name, the Farmers National Bank, of Delta, first opened for business on September 13, 1900. Its organizers were: C. P. Grisier, A. J. Fraker, A. W. Crisman, L. D. Gottshall, A. B. Thompson, A. M. Wilkins, and S. P. Bishop. The first officers were: C. P. Grisier, president; A. J. Fraker, vice president; J. W. Crisman, second vice president; A. P. Grisier, cashier. For the first seven years of its operation, the bank was located on Main street, Delta, in the center of a block, and upon the site where now stands the clothing store of P. C. Smith. The bank building was gutted by fire in 1907, and for six or seven months thereafter, the institution did its business in a temporary frame structure hastly erected over the bank vaults, which had withstood the fire. Meanwhile, a new bank building was in course of construction, and in 1908 was completed, at a cost of about $15,000. Since that year it has been the home of the institution, which on July 6, 1914, liquidated as a national bank, reorganizing as a state bank on the same day. Under the reorganization the following named stockholders became officers: C. P. Grisier, president; A. J. Fraker and J. W. Crisman, vice presidents; W. C. Hoch, cashier; W. H. Fraker, assistant cashier. There has been one change since that year, A. J. Fraker resigning, and W. H. Fraker being. appointed second vice president. The capital stock of the bank has always remained the same, $25,000, but its surplus is now $25,000, and its resources, on February 28, 1920, totalled to $680,829.01. Present directors, in addition to officers above-stated, are: A. B. Thompson, S. P. Bishop, A. M. Wilkins, and Chas I. Fraker. The Farmers and Merchant Deposit Company, a state bank, was organized in May, 1901, with an authorized capital of $25,000. Its principals were prominent business men of Swanton, and in that village the bank was opened for business in May, 1901. Its original officers were: L. N. Pilliod, president; C. J. Brindley, vice president; and George R. Ackerman, cashier. Its present directorate is constituted as follows: C. J. Brindley, president; John Caraghar, vice 160 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY president; M. J. Linehan, vice president; George R. Ackerman, cashier; A. B. Lathrop, Casper Murbach, John Rhobasser, F. E. Pilliod, and A. D. Baker, directors. The Report of Condition, at the close of business, May 4, 1920, showed the bank then to have had resources amounting to $815,603.53, a capital of $25,000, and a surplus of $15,000. There are two Metamora banks. Both were organized in 1901, but the first to actually open for business was the Farmers and Merchants Bank. It was organized on July 17, 1901, as a branch of the Farmers and Merchants Bank Company of Sylvania, Ohio, and opened on August 10, 1901, in the store of F. A. Seeley, Metamora. The first officers were: A. R. Chandler, president; E. F. Rowley and Thomas Gibbs, Sr., vice presidents; and W. B. Harris, cashier. The original stockholders included A. R. Chandler, M. Lochbihler, C. H. Heffron, L. L. Ford, F. A. Seeley, Andrew Becker, George Bell, L. J. Newton, W. H. Dennis, and George W. Taylor. In 1902 the bank took corporate powers, as a state bank. Its capital then was $12,500, and under the following named officers: C. H. Heffron, president; Miles Kahle and L. L. Ford, vice presidents; F. A. Seeley, cashier. Until July, 1916, the bank was located on the north side of Main street, Metamora, almost opposite Maple street, but in the month named it was moved to its present location, on the corner of Maple and Main streets. The bank report of May 4, 1920, states that the resources then totalled to $381,682.00, that the paid in capital stock was $25,000, with a surplus of $5,800.00. The present officers are: F. E. Broadbeok, president; C. Gestwite, vice president; E. A. Seeley, cashier. The Home Savings Bank, of Metamora, was established in 1901, and opened for business on September 16, of that year. Its location has never changed, although in view of the steady expansion of banking business done by the institution, the directors a few years ago decided to build a suitable bank building. On December 28, 1918, the new bank building was opened. The bank stockholders have never sought charter of incorporation. The organizers, E. S. Davoll, Horace Tredway, H. H. Tredway, S. 0. Rothfuss, J. W. Crisman, and A. F. Mitchell, are still its stockholders, and the original president, E. S. Davoll, is still in that office, and, it is stated, the bank has each year been in a position to pay good dividends. Its original capital, which was $2,500, has been increased many times, and the paid-in capital, now stands at $12,000. Its resources, on May 4, 1920, were $467,441.06. Its banking house, lot, furniture, and fixtures, are valued at $14,882.00. The First National Bank, of Wauseon, was organized in 1903. On September 1st of that year, application was made to the Controller of the Currency for authority to organize the First National Bank of Wauseon, Ohio, said application having affixed thereto the signatures of S. 0. Rothfuss, F. C. Hoehler, A. D. Gilmore, E. S. Davoll, and F. O. Peak. On October 22, 1903, the Articles of Association and Organization Certificate were' executed and forwarded to the Controller of the Currency. The papers named F. C. Hoehler, S. 0. Rothfuss, A. D. Gilmore, E. S. Davoll, and C. F. M. Niles as directors, and the following to HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 161 act as officers: F. C. Hoehler, president; E. S. Davoll, vice president; S. 0. Rothfuss, cashier. On January 9, 1904, authority was given to commence business under charter number 7091, and ten days later, the shareholders adopted a resolution increasing the capital from $25,000 to $35,000. At the first annual meeting of shareholders, held on January 28, 1904, a new board of directors was elected. The new board was constituted as follows: D. K. Shoop, president; F. J. Spencer, vice president; S. 0. Rothfuss, cashier; P. J. Lenhart, J. M. Longnecker, H. T. Hall, F. G. Hoehler, E. S. Davoll, C. F. M. Niles, and A. D. Gilmore, directors. The bank did not however open for business until February 15, 1904, and were then able to occupy the new bank building erected at the corner of Depot and Fulton streets. The building is valued at $15,000, and at that address, 114 North Fulton street, the First National Bank has since continued to do its business. Messrs. Shoop and Spencer are still president and vice president, respectively, but S. 0. Rothfuss in 1913 was elected second vice president, and Henry F. Davis appointed cashier. In 1917 Wayne B. Harris became cashier, and a promising career was cut short on January 31, 1920, Mr. Harris then succumbing to sickness. He had not yet reached his third decade of life, yet he had more prominent connection with Liberty Loan campaigns during the years of war than had any other Fulton county citizen, and it seemed that a notable banking career was before him. His place as cashier at the First National Bank was taken by Frank Weber, who had formerly been assistant to Mr. Harris. The First National Bank of Wauseon is steadily expanding its volume of business, and a 1920 report of its condition 162 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY shows its resources to be more than a million dollars. Its capital is now $50,000, with a surplus of $15,000. The Lyons Commercial Bank, a co-partnership, had its inception in 1903, or 1904, the principal organizer being a Mr. Seagreaves, who was connected with the Toledo and Western Railroad Company, the tracks of which were laid through Royalton Township and a station opened at Lyons in 1902. At the outset the bank was an authorized state bank, but in 1908 the original stockholders sold to prominent citizens of Lyons. From that time, the institution has been conducted as a private bank. There is every probability however that, on July 1, 1920, the business will again pass into the state bank category, a movement now being in process to make it such, with a capital of $10,000. Its officers in 1908, when the bank passed into the control of local people, were: Charles Holt, president; Fred H. Carpenter, cashier; R. P. Carpenter, secretary and treasurer. A reorganization on March 31, 1911, brought in R. C. Rothfuss, as president, and S. 0. Rothfuss, as vice president. Present officers are: H. H. Tredway, president; E. S. Davoll, vice president; H. R. Tredway, cashier. The Peoples Savings Bank Company, of Delta, was organized on April 14, 1906, as a state bank, with a capital of $25,000. The organizers were: J. M. Longnecker, F. Briggs, W. T. Saxton, Hal M. Parker, J. A. Latzer, N. F. Carmon, and Byron Yarnell. The original officers were: J. th. Longnecker, president; F. Briggs, and W. T. Saxton, vice presidents; N. F. Carmon, cashier. The bank opened for business on June 6, 1906, on the north side of Main street, Delta, in the store now occupied by MaKeen and Company, confectioners. Sixteen months later however the bank was removed to 312 Main street, and that has since been its location. The present members of its directorate are: J. M. Longnecker, president; W. T. Saxton, vice president; A. T. McComb, cashier; W. L. Biddle, W. E. Fowler, F. J. Shumaker, E. M. Tappan, and C. R. P. Waltz, directors. Mr. McComb has been cashier since February, 1908. The institution has had a satisfactory banking career, and although its capital is still $25,000, it has a surplus of $32,000. Its resources, on May 4, 1920, totalled to $563,285.12, and its deposits to $504,365.15. Fayette has two banks, and both came into existence in 1906. The Fayette State Savings Bank was opened on October 8, 1906, and its principal organizers and stockholders were members of the Rorick family, so well-known and so closely associated with Fulton county. C. Rorick. Sr., of Morenci, Michigan, and at that time president of the First National Bank of Morenci became president of the Fayette bank ; G. Acker became its vice president; and G. H. Crane its cashier. Other original directors were: H. C. Rorick and Sidney Spitzer, of Toledo; J. C. Rorick, of Wauseon; Albert B. Forester, of Morenci; W. D. Murphy, and D. W. Griffin, of Fayette. The bank was opened in a building almost opposite its present quarters. Their present bank building was formerly known as the Co-operative Building. It cost the bank organizers $3,750, and it was purchased prior to the opening of bank in 1906. The former occupant however had a long lease, and until its expiration the building was not available for banking purposes. In 1911, Mr. C. Rorick, Sr., died, and Dr. E. H. Rorick. of Fayette, became president. He was succeeded two years later 133 HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 163 a relative, H. C. Rorick, president of the Spitzer-Rorick Trust Company. of Toledo. He is still president, other officials and directors being : J. C. Rorick, vice president ; G. H. Crane, cashier; M. B. Badger and E. R. Crane, directors. The Fayette State Savings Bank has grown in resources from $26,674.00 in 1906 to $367,627.64 in 1920. Its capital stock is now $12,500, and there is a surplus of $15,000. The Farmers State Bank was founded on November 10, 1906, and .occupies its own substantial brick building, in the old Kendall Block. Its facilities, in banking room, vaults, and such like, are quite modern, and its management seems to be conservative yet progressive. The original officers were: C. P. Grisier, president; J. A. Mattern, vice president; C. D. Hause, cashier; G. K. Russell, C. K. Miller, J. Bodley Brink, J. Grisier, W. A. Gunsaullus, J. Riley Wise, J. H. Stoner, and E. B. Gambee, directors. The only changes in directorate are that Dr. E. H. Rorick is now a member, and also second vice president, and Messrs. Brink, Wise, and Gunsaullus are no longer members. The capital is now $25,000, with surplus of $20,000. Its resources at the close of business on February 28, 1920, totalled to $515,871.92. A state bank was organized by leading citizens of Archbold in 1907, the new bank taking the name of the Peoples State Bank Company. It began to do business in October, 1907, under promising auspices, and its growth has been steady. Its capital has always been $25,000, paid in, and in February, 1920, the surplus fund stood at $7,100, and the resources at $477,814.57. The original stockholders were: L. P. Vernier, E. E. Hallett, J. C. Nofzinger, E. Rupp, J. Rupp, John Gigax, J. Baumgartner, David Snyder, A. M. Buhrer, Fred Flory; S. C. Schantz, N. J. Rychener, G. D. Wyse, J. Wyse, and John H. Miller. The original directorate was as follows: L. P. Vernier, presi- dent; J. Rupp, vice president; S. C. Schantz, secretary and cashier; John Baumgartner, G. D. Wyse, S. C. Nofzinger, E. E. Hallett, and A. M. Buhrer, directors. The 1920 directorate is: J. H. Miller, president; F. A. Geesey, vice president; S. C. Schantz, cashier; S. C. Nofzinger, N. J. Ruchener, J. Monroe, and G. J. Vernier, directors. Mr. Schantz has been cashier since the establishment of the bank, in 1907. In March of 1909 the Pettisville Savings Bank, a private banking company, with a capital of $5,000, was organized by D. K. Shoop, F. J. Spencer, G. D. Wyse, Simon Rychener, J. S. Rychener, G. McGuffin, S. 0. Rothfuss, R. C. Rothfuss, J. B. Meister, and W. J. Weber, all of whom, excepting J. S. Rychener and R. C. Rothfuss, still have connection with the bank. The original and present officers were and are: John B. Meister, president; George McGuffin, vice president; William J. Weber, cashier. The bank opened for business on September 1, 1909, and its volume of business has developed satisfactorily. The Report of the Condition of the bank at the close of business May 4, 1920, showing resources of $223,496.73, a capital of $7,000, and a surplus of $1,530.08. CHAPTER IX INSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY In reviewing the history of institutions and societies of Fulton County, it will not, probably, be thought improper to refer first to the Fulton County Fair, which of all the institutions of the county, saving of course those of religious purpose, is that in which the people in general seem to take greatest interest. That must be so, when it is realized that for many years the average attendance at the annual fair of the Fulton County Agricultural Society has been more than twenty thousand persons. And the days spent at the Fair are to most people probably happy memories recollections of pleasurable reunions with old friends; of days made bright by spirited, yet friendly competition with one's neighbors and by a wholesome pride in the agricultural development and excellence of the home county. THE FIRST FAIR Sixty-two years have passed since the first fair was held in Fulton county, and to the stimulus engendered by its competitions may surely be attributed some of the agricultural development of the county. As to the first fair : "The idea of a fair for Fulton County came of a pleasant ride to another fair" stated an article published in the "Democratic Expositor" of Wauseon, some years ago. "One beautiful day, early in the autumn of 1857, while Mr. and Mrs. Dresden W. H. Howard, together with Mr. and Mrs. Henry Camp, of Cleveland, were driving from the Howard homestead, near Winameg, to Adrian, to see the fair there, Mr. Howard suddenly exclaimed: 'Why can't we have a fair?' Mr. Camp replied that they could if they only said that they would. The attractiveness of the Adrian fair.. . took such a hold on Mr. Howard that he resolved to start the ball rolling in Fulton County immediately. "Accordingly, as soon as he got home, he called a meeting of his neighbors, and so filled them with his own enthusiasm that the county agricultural society was then and there organized. It was determined to hold the fair the next year. "For a site, ten acres of land were leased on the farm of Dr. Welcome C. Robinson, just east of Ottokee. When the time came for getting the grounds in shape for the first exhibition, teams and labor were offered gratis by nearly everybody in the vicinity, and it was only a little while until a suitable place and commodious buildings were ready. "At first, the people did not seem to know what was expected of them in the way of exhibits. For instance, a horticultural hall had been provided, but the only flowers to be seen in it were the blossoms of a white tea rose, furnished by Mrs. Howard. Perhaps one reason for this lack of interest in bringing things to exhibit was due to the fact - 164 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 165 that only subscriptions to agricultural papers, such as the Farmer's Review, were offered for premiums, as money was lacking. The next year, however, Mrs. Joe Willey, wife of the pioneer merchant at Phillips' Corner, or what we now call Siney, saw to it that plenty of flowers were provided for this hall. Naturally there was no race course on this small plot, but recreation was furnished by plowing matches between the farmers; and probably more interest was shown in these matches than is now manifested in horse races. "When the ten-year lease of the Robinson tract was about to expire, some of the younger men in the society, notably Elder L. L. Carpenter, were ambitious to buy a suitable site of forty acres, and have a race course. The older men . . . hesitated somewhat at assuming such a considerable undertaking, but finally acquiesced if, as the 'Colonel' said, they would buy early, so that they could get the land cheap. The result was the purchase of the present grounds, with Elder Carpenter, Oliver Verity and 'Colonel' Howard. . assuming the chief responsibility. "We of today can little appreciate the amount of work necessary in converting this land, from a muggy swamp, into a high and dry exhibition grounds, with an excellent race course." "Among the early members of the society, in addition to Colonel Howard, Judge Verity, and Elder Carpenter, were O. Merrill, A. B. Robinson, E. H. Patterson, Joseph Shadle, Joel Brigham, L. G. Ely, S. G. Aumend, James Turner, H. C. Adams, Albert Deyo, A. B. Thomson, Richard Scott, Elliot, Isaac and Meek Bayes and Clark Standish. These men guided the society through it first three or four decades of active operation. The first fair grounds were situated in Dover Township, about a half mile east and nearly half a mile south from Ottokee. The second and present, location was on marshy; unimproved, and, in parts, densely wooded land, on the west road leading 166 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY from Wauseon to Ottokee. The improvements for the first year were made at an expense of about fifteen hundred dollars, and subsequent erection of buildings, fences, enclosures, and the construction of race track cost the society several thousand dollars. And in addition, many of the public-spirited men who were active in carrying through the project to definite success gave much of their time and labor gratuitously. They were later recognized and rewarded by election to life membership of the society; and of these original life members only two now survive: Lucius P. Taylor, of Pike Township, now in his one hundred and fourth year; and the Hon. L. G. Ely, of West Unity, Williams county. He was president for very many years, and scarcely missed attending a meeting of the 'fair board, making the journey from his home in West Unity with unfailing regularity. RAISING THE PIONEER LOG CABIN, ON THE FAIR GROUNDS One of the most interesting events in the history of the Fulton County Agricultural Society was that which took place in 1885, when a log cabin, similar to those of pioneer days, was raised on the fair grounds by eighty-four pioneer residents. James H. Sherwood, pioneer journalist of Fulton county, was himself much interested in the happening, and the following was written by him, and published in his newspaper, the Wauseon "Republican": "A grand day in the history of the Fulton County Pioneer Association was Tuesday last, the enthusiasm and interest attending their `log cabin raising' that day on the Fulton County Fair Grounds, being a matter of surprise to everyone. It is estimated that 1,000 people were present, and although no special effort was made to entertain them, beyond the spectacle of the raising itself, yet the universal expression of those who attended was that they had passed the day most delightfully. The old pioneers seemed to have regained some of the vigor of their earlier years, and engaged in the work with all the energy of former days. Wells Watkins, D. L. Buler, W. H. Beatty, and a Mr. Nixon, all men nearing seventy years of age, were corner men at different times during the day, their work showing that they had not forgotten the art of carrying up .a corner in proper shape. To Ralph Herrick, son of Elijah Herrick, one of the younger pioneers, and his father's substitute in the work of the day, belongs the honor of carrying a corner from the ground to the top, he being the only man remaining at his post during the entire raising Despite the faithful labor bestowed upon it, night came and found the cabin incomplete, and the work was deferred until the 22nd inst." It was then finished 'with appropriate ceremonies. It was indeed a great event; one which took the pioneers back forty or fifty years, to the time when, if they did not "blaze the trail," they certainly "built, and lived in, cabins of roughly hewn logs, made without the use of nails, and endured the hardships of winter in those rude homes"; and they entered joyously into the preparations for the log raising on the Fair grounds. Every pioneer was to bring one log, which was to be of buckeye, if obtainable, otherwise of hickory or oak. And in the names of those who furnished logs and other requisites for the cabin is found a list of eighty-four HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 167 of the valiant pioneers of the county. As published, the participants in the log raising were: "Thomas Lingle, D. W. H. Howard, Jesse Pocock, Osias Merrill, James Fenton, G. W. Grisinger, Wells Watkins, 0. A. Cobb, Riley McMannis, 0. B. Verity, Joshua Shaffer, Hosea Shadle, Alonzo Marks, J. M. Huff, H. S. Persing, L. G. Ely, A. H. Jordan, William Lemmon, John Jacoby, A. S. Fleet, John Butler, Jerry Williams, John Conaway, J. B. Murray, Daniel Miller, E. H. Patterson, David Ayers, Allen Shadle, John McQuillen, Richard Shadle, C. H. Losier, Thomas Mikesell, Jefferson Ow, George Tappan, Winfield Tappan, Joseph Aldrich, J. S. Biddle, Harrison, S. D. Spring, Willard Crout, Stephen Eldridge, John Williams, William Struble, W. Mauley, S. J. Salsberry, Elijah Herrick, John Kimerer, John A. Rupert, Jacob Krontz, Cora Spillane, S. C. Biddle, Valentine Winslow, Chester Herrick, Joseph Shadle, Harvey Shadle, Jerry Miller, Eli Phillips, Jacob Funk, Josiah Lee, C. E. Bennett, Henry Scott, E. H. Cately, George Gasche, Jerry Tedrow, Norman Munger, A. B. Thompson, John Nobbs, R. Briggs, John Atkins, A. Waffle, L. W. Brown, Samuel Losure, Katie Minnich, John Harrison, Calvin Biddle, A. Hoffmire, S. S. Carter, Elisha Viers, Thomas ardley, Delos Palmer, Albert Bell, Dr. Hy. Herriman, J. W. Willets, and John L. Minnich." Thereafter for many years, at Fair-time, the old pioneers would meet, and, in the prompting environment of the log cabin would delight in talking of old times; but as the years passed, and the pioneers' ranks became thin, the Fair managers thought that the usefulness of the log cabin had been served, and that its site might be given to other and more modern uses. The thought of the raising of the cabin inspired Mrs. Lydia Carter Aldrich, a poetess of considerable note and a member of a pioneer Fulton county family, to write a stirring poem, "The Cabin." It was hung in the old cabin, among pioneer portraits and relics, during Fair-time of 1906. The cabin was used for the last time in that year, and the poem was published in the "Republican" on October 12th of that year. It is here reproduced in full, so as to, if possible, perpetuate in future generations of Fulton county people, the true spirit of reverence they owe to their pioneer fathers, by whose self-sacrifice the swamp and wilderness were converted into what Fulton county now is. The poem reads: For a. glimpse of the life that was theirs, in that time, This cabin was built by the old pioneers, That the young, who now live in palatial homes, Might drift back, in dream, to those earlier years. To 'The Simple Life,' rich in the blessings of love : See the stalwart young farmer, with oxen and plow— The scant-acred clearing—beginning of Home— The wife, with contentment enthroned on her brow, While mother-love beams, with excusable pride, On her boy-baby, toddling o'er the rude puncheon floor; O, treasures of hope, and ambition's wild dreams! The realms of queenship could give her no more. 168 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY To a cabin like this, in the wilderness built, Where red men and wolves prowled unpleasantly near, The young wife was bro't from her home in the east, To make this rude but a dwelling of cheer. He who blazes the road for the car wheels of Progress. Has ever the soul of true manliness shown:— Those earliest coming to pioneer Fulton, Were the bravest and noblest the county has known. Ere the cabin is razed, to make room for 'The New'— Ere its puncheons and logs become rubbish for flame, Just sit in its shelter a moment for rest, While memory recounts to you pioneer names; There's Howard and Waffle, and Chatfield and Shadle, And Canfield, and Aldrich, and Andre and Waid, And others who joined in this spirit of home-love, And out of the wildest, these lovely grounds made. This spot was by nature unsightly and rude, But 'cat-hole' and prairie—its forest and fen Were wrought into beauty, possessing a charm That wins from their business the busiest men. E'en women will break from the fetters of care— Have time for enjoyment each day of the Fair, And children—all ages, from little to big, Are out for a 'good time', in holiday rig; Their colors are bright as the poppy-bed's bloom, No spot on the grounds for a shadow of gloom, Unless it should be round the cabin—grown old— Late rule has decreed that, for this, it be sold:— Converted to fuel, or any vile use That pleases the buyer, and without excuse To the ashes of those who had builded it there, Invoking Posterity's tenderest care. A Mecca was this, where the Pioneers met, Looked over the 'relics', clasped hands with old friends ; Recounted some scenes (which they could not forget) With the glow that Life's sunset, in its retrospect lends. Tho' the Cabin is doomed, with all things that decay, The 'Rockery', firm with the labor of years, Let stand as an altar-place, sacred I pray, Lit with Memory's flame for the old Pioneers Few of the pioneers were still living when the cabin was torn down, so that few had to feel the keen pangs that some unfortunately had to experience. In commenting on the incident, one paper stated that when "this old land-mark was destroyed old men wept like children, for as Dr. William Ramsey, the veteran physician of HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 169 Delta, has said : 'a connecting link between the past and present has been destroyed'." It is, however, here recorded for posterity. In 1883, another Fair company was organized, a stock company, which traded as the Northwestern Ohio Fair Company. It owned a ground on the outskirts of Wauseon, but eventually the company was liquidated, having failed to attract sufficient public support. The Fulton County Agricultural Society has always been sufficiently near to being a paying concern to be considered as permanently established. And its annual Fair meetings have in most years been successfully carried through. A. F. Shaffer succeeded Mr. Ely as president, and in about 1909, T. H. Fraker of Delta became president. He has since held the office. S. W. Sipe is vice president; C. A. Knapp is treasurer, and Carl F. Orth, is secretary. Other directors now are: Orlo Whittaker, Will Standish, Ellsworth Shade, Albert Lloyd, J. C. Geesey, W. L. Biddle, R. D. Miller, C. A. Knapp, Charles Arnsberger, Dan Clingaman, George A. Lew, Sr., E. G. Dalley, D. W. Williams F. J. Spencer, and E. B. Beatty. Of late years, boys' and girls' clubs have been encouraged, with much credit to the Fair board, and such activities give a distinct interest to the annual fairs. Also, the remarkable development of Fulton county, as a dairying centre, is strikingly evident at the yearly meets. Fulton county now, in its exhibits of Holstein-Friesian cattle at the annual fair, leads almost all other counties in the state. While watching the race track events, it will interest many to know that thirty-five years ago, Richard Shadle, then seventy years old, "and a most highly respected citizen of Ottokee" for the greater part of his life, now of course ended, "held the plow which first broke the ground for the race track. Four yoke of oxen were used, and it required many days of hard toil before Mother Earth was got into any kind of shape for a racing circle" stated the record. The history of the many granges of Fulton county would be too voluminous to here record. Briefly, the movement in this county began in 1873, and grange organizations came rapidly into being in most agricultural centres of the county. Some however were of brief existence. The most prominent promoters of the movement were: M. H. Hayes, J. H. Brigham, and Wesley A. Blake; and others prominent in the various townships included: George Gasche, Lafayette Ely, George Roos, Albert Deyo, S. H. Cately, and S. B. Skeels. The first subordinate grange to be organized was Fulton Grange, No. 217, which was instituted on November 15, 1873, in York Township, S. B. Skeels being master. North Star Grange was organized, in Wauseon, December 7, 1873, with Colonel J. H. Brigham, master. Aetna, Ottokee, Chesterfield, Gorham, Champion, Franklin, and Royalton granges came into existence in 1874. The Fulton County Pomona Grange was organized, in Wauseon, September 2, 1876, W. H. Williams, of Chesterfield, having the honor of being elected its first master. The histories of most of the subordinate granges would necessarily be very similar, therefore, as much for general as for individual record, a review of the history of one only—of the Chesterfield Grange, No. 367, which was organized on January 12, 1874, is given. The facts were compiled by Miss Olive Roos, who wrote: 170 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY "William A. Williams became interested in the Grange, by hearing the matter discussed in Wauseon. He talked with the neighbors he met, but being engaged in teaching school could not give it the time necessary to work it up, and at his request Ambrose Combs spent some time, and a meeting was appointed at his house (where Amos Fay now lives). “M. H. Hayes, of Wauseon, deputy state master, was there and explained the object of the organization. The majority of those present became charter members, as follows: J. H. Turner, David Marks, F. A. Denson, Richard Roos, F. B. Sheffield, Morris Smith, Peter Romans, John Roberts, A. Combs, William A. Williams, A. M. Lee, Eustace Leggett, Joseph Johnson, Josiah Lee, Lester L. and, Chester Welch, and their wives; Mrs. Mary Mead, Edgar Mead, and C. H. Stutesman. They proceeded then and there to organize and take the pledge of membership, electing and installing officers as follows: William A. Williams, W. M. ; Josiah Lee, W. S. ; Eustace Leggett, W. S.; A. M. Lee, secretary; F. B. Sheffield, gatekeeper; Mrs. A. M. Lee, Pomona; J. H. Turner, W. 0.; Joseph Johnson, chaplain ; David Marks, A. S.; Ambrose Combs, treasurer; Mrs. J. H. Turner, Ceres; and Mrs. David Marks, Flora. "The next meetings were held at the homes of William A. Williams and J. H. Turner. In the meantime, Mr. Roberts offered the use of his cheese factory (situated opposite the house of the Delevan Gillis place, now owned by Oliver Onweller) until needed in the spring, and the arrangement was made. Then they arranged with J. H. Turner to build a cheap building on the W. A. Williams place, which had been moved to the roadside on the same farm now owned by Mr. Jennings. Mr. Turner had the hall ready by the time Mr. Rob- erts wanted the factory, the members paying for it by subscription. The hall was used that summer without plastering, and when that work was done in the fall by Frank Denson, the building made a very comfortable meeting place. It was seated with benches, until they could procure funds to reseat it with chairs. "The present Grange hall was built by J. H. Turner, and was dedicated by Col. J. H. Brigham on June 6, 1886. This grange is said to have the finest hall in the county. In 1904, the grange celebrated its 30th anniversary, in a very appropriate manner. After a sumptuous dinner had been served, a program arranged by C. T. Stutesman ......... "It is said that among the charter members J. H. Turner was the most prominent until he moved to Morenci. The ground for the first hall was leased by the late Peter Romans, and the land where the present hall is was deeded to the grange by the late Darwin Gillis. The grange recently purchased a fine piano for its hall, and the order is in a very flourishing condition." The granges of course have their practical uses, but they serve as another of those channels through which flow the constant stream of good neighborliness. Prominent early members of the pioneer granges of the county were: G. P. Roos, G. W. Roos, R. P. Boody, A. M. Lee, O. B. Verity, J. D. Aldrich, J. L. Chatfield, Joseph Shadle, J. W. Howard, G. M. Tappan, J. M. Sindel, W. H., E. M., and E. S. Strong, R. H. Scott, W. P. Garrison, John Borton, L. G. Ely, H. S. HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 171 Parsing. There were of course many others who had prominent connection with the early granges, to which belonged most of the prominent agriculturists of the county. Another of the strong organizations of the county is the Farmers' Institute, which for many years has had annual meetings, at which are discussed not only matters that bear directly on agricultural problems and progress, but upon the general life. For instance, centralization of township schools has been the subject of interested and animated discussion. Speakers come from various parts of the state, and from other states, to address the gatherings, and the agriculturists of the county benefit much by the functioning of the Farmers' Institute. Another organization of agricultural purpose, but of recent establishment, is the Fulton County Farm Bureau, the purpose of which is to help solve the farmer's problems, and to improve agriculture in all lines, having the social welfare of farm life well in view, as well as crop production. R. A. Cave became county agent in 1918, and still holds that capacity. The officers now are: C. L. Shreves, of Wauseon, president; W. B. McClarren, of Delta, vice president; Harmon Gasche, of Wauseon, secretary-treasurer. The various departments, and their respective heads, are: T. L. Aumend, of Wauseon, farm crops; E. J. Krieger, of Swanton, soils; C. D. Perry, of Wauseon, boys' and girls' club work; George Knapp, of Delta, livestock ; W. L. Biddle, of Wauseon, dairy ; Frank H. Reighard, of Wauseon, legislation; W. B. McClarren, of Delta, fertilizer; and D. B. Simpson, of Wauseon, good roads. The Bureau now has about 650 members. A historical association was organized in 1883, and took the name of the Fulton County Pioneer and Historical Association. Prominent in the organization were Michael Handy, L. G. Ely, D. W. H. Howard, Albert Deyo, Joseph Shadle, and James S. Dean. Meetings were held twice yearly for some years, but it ceased to function eventually, and its transactions, which should have been faithfully preserved, cannot now be traced. Most of the pioneers who were prominent in the early meetings of the association have passed away. The last officers seem to have been Mrs. John S. Butler, who was daughter of Chesterfield Clemons, and was honored by election to the presidential office. She died some years ago; Charles F. Handy, secretary. He was a worthy pioneer, Civil War veteran, was seventy-six years resident in the county, and for twenty-five years a justice of the peace. He died in 1917; and George D. Newcomer, treasurer. He is still alive, and states that the small sum left in the treasury of the association in 1917 he contributed to the Red Cross, when funds for war purposes were solicited in its behalf in that year. So, has passed away the one society which had as its object the preservation of historical records of pioneer days in Fulton county. In 1903, the Fulton County Humane Society was organized, with sixteen members. No members were added in fifteen years, and of the sixteen only twelve were alive in 1918, and of that number only two were resident in the county in that year. In 1910, Mr. Charles Gingery, of Swan Creek Township, was appointed County Humane Officer, at a salary of twenty-five dollars a month, payable from county funds. In 1918-, Prosecuting Attorney Stahl notified the Commissioners to stop payment, whereupon Mr. Gingery, it was soon after- 172 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY wards stated, declared his willingness and determination to continue the work without pay. Out of county funds also, of course, has come the sums necessary, from year to year, to maintain the Fulton County Home, or as it was formerly known the Fulton County Infirmary, at Ottokee. When it was decided by the October election of 1869 that the county seat should be removed from Ottokee to Wauseon, it was evident that a good and commodious building used as a court house at Ottokee would soon become vacant, and idle. Therefore, the commissioners of the county, in March, 1874, the Ottokee courthouse having been vacated, and the new Wauseon building opened, decided to establish a county institute, or home, for the destitute poor, and to set apart the old court house at Ottokee for that purpose. Three hundred nearby acres of land were purchased, a large and commodious barn was built, and the refitted courthouse was ready for occupancy, as a poor home, on May 1, 1874, it being thought that the cultivation of the 300 acres of land would probably in time, make the institution self-sustaining, or nearly so. James S. Riddle, one of the first directors of the. Infirmary, wrote "A Short History of Fulton County, Ohio," in 1883, and the following information, regarding the Infirmary, is extracted from that history : "In March, 1874, the County Commissioners established the County Infirmary, and appointed 0. A. Cobb, of Dover; P. R. Lewis, of Swan Creek and J. S. Riddle, of Franklin, as Infirmary directors. They were notified by the Auditor of their appointment, and they were requested to appear before the Commissioners on the 9th of April, give bonds, and be sworn into office. Accordingly they met, and were severally sworn into office, and organized by appointing J. S. Riddle, secretary. They met at the Infirmary, the Commissioners with them to counsel and instruct, and appointed O. B. Verity as superintendent. They had everything to provide for the carrying on of th.e institution, HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY - 173 and no money to buy with; but the Commissioners came to their relief and transferred some other funds, for the time being, and helped them to make a start. The first inmates were taken in on the 2nd day of May, 1874. "At the October election following, P. R. Lewis, of Swan Creek, was elected director for three years; S. B. Skeels of York for two years; and J. S. Riddle for one year. In 1876, J. S. Riddle was elected for three years. In 1876, J. H. Turner of Chesterfield was elected in S. B. Skeels' place. In 1877 Stephen Eldridge, of Dover, was elected in Place of P. R. Lewis; in 1878, 0. A. Cobb, of Dover, was elected in place of J. S. Riddle ; and E. H. Patterson, of Dover, was elected in place of Stephen Eldridge in the year, 1880. "O. B. Verity and Mrs. Verity served as superintendent and matron very acceptably for nearly five years, when, desiring to be relieved, John Whittaker and lady were appointed to the positions. "Some complaint was made at first that the poor farm was too much expense, but when we take into consideration that the farm was to be cleared, fenced and ditched, and all the farm utensils, household and kitchen furniture to purchase, the expense was not as much as for similar. institutions in adjoining counties. The institution is now in a prospering condition and the inmates have always been treated humanely." The present brick structure was built in 1894, and was occupied on Christmas Day of that year, thirty-five to forty charges sitting down to their Christmas dinner in their new home. The building was erected at a cost of about $40,000, was well built, and has since splendidly served the purposes for which it was intended. There are now twenty-three male and eight female inmates, and the accommodation for them consists of : two single rooms and nine double rooms, two of which are for three beds, in the men's wing; and two single, and eight double rooms in the women's wing. There is also a sitting room for the women inmates. In addition, there are the spacious general living rooms, dining hall, sitting room, and parlor. The sanitary condi tions are excellent, and the building is lighted by electric supply from Wauseon. Those of the inmates who are strong enough, take part in farm work on the agricultural estate of the institution. Altogether there are 294 acres, 271 of which are improved, and tillable, and in most years successfully tilled. In 1919 the sale of farm produce yielded $6,884.45, which contributed subtsantially to the cost of maintaining the institution. In 1919, the total cost of maintenance was $11,312.75. Formerly, the County Infirmary was controlled by a board of directors, elected by the voters of the county, but latterly the institution has been under the direct control of the county commissioners. Of the later directors, the service as such of Mr. A. R. Shaffer is deserving of special mention. He was a very efficient director for many years, retiring in 1904. The superintendents have been: 0. B. Verity, for about five years; John Whittaker, for about eight years; S. S. Atkinson, for eight years; Charles Hartman, for fifteen years; H. B. Smith, for four years; W. S. Egnew, for two years; and B. F. Jones, since 1916. The institution also has two other employees, as farm hands. Charles Hartman and his wife, who retired in 1909, had excellent records as superintendent and matron, and the present super- 174 - HISTORY OF FULTON COUNTY intendent has also given every satisfaction, proving himself in every way capable of properly managing such an institution. The older fraternal orders, such as the Masonic, Oddfellows and Pythian Orders, are well represented in Fulton county, and the detailed histories of many local lodges will be given in the township chapters. Another fraternal order quite strong in Fulton county is the Ancient Order of Gleaners, of which Mr. H. II. Hough was one of the chief state officials, being now Supreme-Vice-thief-Gleaner. It is a fraternal organization of agricultural character, and the lodges in Fulton county are mainly in agricultural centres. The lodges are, as listed by Mr. Hough: Pike Centre Arbor, located in Pike Township; Lyons Arbor, at Lyons, Royalton Township; Ai Arbor, Fulton Township; Swanton Arbor, Swanton; Oak Shade Arbor, situated at Brailey, Swan Creek Township ; York Centre Arbor, York Township; Chesterfield Arbor, Chesterfield Township; Franklin Arbor, Franklin Township; South Fairfield Arbor, at Whiteville, Amboy Township; Ai Arbor, Delta; and the Ottokee Arbor, No. 851, Dover Township. Among the Wauseon societies are two active women's organizations, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Women's Club, of Wauseon. The Wauseon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized on April 18, 1903, at the home of Mrs. Clara H. Newcomer, who became the first regent. The other original officers were: Mrs. Charlotte Ham, vice regent; Mrs. Mary S. Greenleaf, recording secretary ; Mrs. Maria S. Green, treasurer; Mrs. Mary C. Edgar, historianMrs. Helen Outcalt, registrar; Mrs. Ellen Brigham, chaplain ; Mrs. Harriet B. Sohn, chorister. The members, in 1920, are: Resident: Mm. Carrie (Light) Ackerman, Mrs. Celia (Brigham) Bennett, Mrs. Elizabeth (Lucas) Brigham, Mrs. Helen Brigham, Mrs. Elsie ( Allen) Campbell, Mrs. Lura (Hollister) Campbell, Mrs. Grace (Struble) Cole, Mrs. Mary (Lord) Collins, Mrs. Minnie (Waid) Darby, Mrs. Minerva (Clement) Davies, Miss Ruth Davies, Mrs. Grace (Pritchard) Deyo, Mrs. Orpha (Darby) Dimke, Mrs. Edith (Shaw) Dudley, Miss Marjorie Dudley, Mrs. Flora (Hilton) Eager, Mrs. Eliza (Ham) Edgar, Mrs. Chloe (Ruppert) Edgar, Mrs. Mary (Dimond) Greenleaf, Miss Anna Louise Greenleaf, Mrs. Catherine (Barnes) Ham, Miss Adeline Augusta Howard, Mrs. Lillian (Strong) Johnson, Mrs. Sarah (Hultz) Kenyon, Miss Fanny Kenyon, Miss Lola Knapp, Miss Jessie Knibloe, Mrs. Florence (Spring) Maddox, Mrs. Agnes (Howard) McClarren, Mrs. Helen (Newcomer) Outcalt, Miss Mabel Read, Mrs. Anna (Biddle) Ruppert, Mrs. Fanny (Eager) Standish, Mrs. Pauline K. Stozer, Mrs. Eva (Marsh) Struble, Mrs. Mary (Read) Touvelle, Mrs. Clara (Montgomery) Ham. Nonresident: Miss Carrie Allen, Mrs. Lizzie (Knapp) Ames, Mrs. Mary Denman, Mrs. Ella (Bradley) Gosline, Miss Ethel Hoover, Mrs. Mary Nachtrieb, Miss Florence Scott, Mrs. Elvira (Taft) Lee, Miss Elsie Ely, Mrs. Mary (McClarren) Bruce, Mrs. Alice (Ely) Boothman, Mrs. Nell (Biddle) Petteys, Mrs. Cora (Bindle) Hatt, Mrs. Gladys (Waid) Walker, Mrs. Myrtle (Flick) Roberson, Miss Lillian Hough, Mrs. Florence (Riddle) Howe, Mrs. Florence (Boothman) Arnold, Mrs. Lena (Montgomery) Roos, Miss Mildred Curry, and Mrs. Mabel G. (Flick) Altstetter.