BIOGRAPHICAL - 25 venerable partner in the struggles of his early manhood and middle life and the joys and peace of maturer years survived him more than eight years and died at her residence in Toledo, April 20, 1882. Mrs. Susan (Wakeman) Scott. was born in Southport, Conn., March 7, 1797, and wa.s the eldest of eight children of Jessup Wakeman and Esther Dimon. Her father gave her a thorough education, taking her in his own carriage, in 1809, from the home in Southport, Conn., to Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, to place her in its noted Moravian school, where she became an accomplished musician. On May 4. 1824. she was married to Jessup W. Scott. For the succeeding six years they made their home in South Carolina and Georgia, and the subsequent removals of the family already have been noted. Edward Ford, president of the Edward Ford Plate Glass Company, of Rossford. Ohio, is a native of the Hoosier State, having been born in the little town of Greenville, Floyd county, Indiana, Jan. 21. 1843. the sixth in a family of seven children—five sons and two daughters—born to John Baptiste and Mary (Bower) Ford. The paternal grandfather was Jonathan Ford, who married Margaret Baptiste. and the father of the latter was John Baptiste. who was married, near Danville. Ky:, to Margaret Schuck. He came from France, and was the first pioneer in Kentucky to introduce the domestic grape. The father was born near Danville, Ky., Nov. 17, 1811 and the mother was a native of Pennsylvania. In early life John B. Ford learned the trade of saddler and shipbuilding at New Albany. Ind.. and followed that vocation for several years. He then became interested in glass manufacture and founded the Star Glass Company. at New Albany. Some fifteen years before his death he removed to Creighton, Pa., where he died at the age of ninety-one years. He is generally known as the father of the plate glass industry. The mother also died at Creighton. Edward Ford was educated in the New Albany public schools and the Bryant Stratton Commercial College, at Indianapolis. Ind. After leaving school he began his business career as a clerk on a steamboat running between Louisville, Ky., and New Orleans, La. He followed the river for several years, when he engaged in the glass manufacturing business, in connection with the Star Glass Company of New Albany. In 1873 he severed his connection with that concern and went to Columbus, Ohio. where he established the Columbus Window Glass Company, with which he remained for about three years. He then went to Jeffersonville, Ind., and engaged in the plate glass business exclusively. erecting there a plant for the Jeffersonville Plate Glass Company. Five years later he went to Creighton, Pa., where his father was then living, and built a plate glass works, which at first was known as the New York Plate Glass Company and later as the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company. Mr. Ford remained with this establishment for thirteen years. as president and manager. but in 1897 he sold out his interest in the concern and went to Wyandotte, Mich., where he became connected with the alkali works owned by his father. In 1898 he came to Toledo and founded the Edward 26 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY Ford Plate Glass Company, which is the largest plate glass works in the United States. The factory at Rossford covers thirty-five acres, all under roof, and is equipped with the most modern machin- ery and appliances for turning out large quantities of the finest plate glass. The officers of the company are : Edward Ford, president; J. B. Ford, first vice-president ; Claud L. Lewis, general manager ; George R. Ford, second vice-president and treasurer, and G. W. DeMaid, secretary and general sales agent. The company employs 600 men, and the works are in operation day and night, the product of the factory going to all parts of the country. The town of Ross-ford was put on the map of Ohio by the establishment of this great manufacturing concern, whose employes and their families alone constitute a town of considerable size. Mr. Ford erected the nineteen-story office building known as the "Ford Building," in Detroit, Mich., and which is built of white glazed brick. He is identified with other prominent institutions in Toledo. He is one of the directors of the Second National Bank and one of the trustees of the Chamber of Commerce. He is an enthusiastic member of the Toledo Yacht Club, in which he holds the rank of rear commodore, and in the spring of 1909 built for himself a fine steam yacht, concerning which the "Toledo Blade" of May 7, 1909, says : "Caroline, the fine steam yacht built for Rear Commodore Edward Ford, of Toledo, and regarded by all local yachtsmen as one of the future flagships of the Toledo Yacht Club, was launched at Lawley's shipyards, in South Boston, Wednesday afternoon. The launching was accomplished without a hitch. The yacht was christened by Edward Ford MacNichol, a grandson of Edward Ford. The event was witnessed by Capt. Ed. Gruber and Engineer J. H. Cunningham, of Toledo, who went to Boston several weeks ago to superintend the completion of the craft. * * * Caroline is 125 feet over all, beam 18.3, and draft six feet. Her motive power consists of a triple expansion engine of 750 horse power, and she is fitted with twin screws. Caroline is equipped with electric lights throughout and contains all the modern conveniences expected in such a craft. She will carry a crew of eight men, with Captain Gruber in command." In his political convictions, Mr. Ford is a firm believer in the principles advocated by the Republican party, and his religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian church of Wyandotte, Mich. While residing in New Albany, Ind., he became a member of the Masonic fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and since coming to Toledo has identified himself with several of the leading social organizations, including the Toledo, the Country, the Middle Bass and the Toledo Yacht clubs. Mr. Ford is universally recognized as one of Toledo's most progressive and public-spirited men, always willing to lend a hand to any movement for the advancement of the city's material progress, or to aid any charitable enterprise for the relief of her poor and needy. Mr. Ford has been twice married. In 1861 he- was united to Miss Evelyn C. Penn. who died in 1870, leaving two children—Mrs. M. R. Bacon, of Wyandotte, Mich., and John B. Ford, of Detroit, Mich. In 1872 Mr. Ford married Miss Carrie J. Ross, of BIOGRAPHICAL - 27 Zanesville, Ohio, and this union has been blessed by two daughters and a son, viz.: Mrs. George P. MacNichol, Mrs. W. W. Knight and George Ross Ford, all of Toledo. Mr. Ford resides at 2205 Collingwood avenue. William Henry Scott, deceased, was at the time of his death one of the oldest and most influential of Toledo's pioneer citizens, and in his demise the community lost a citizen who was a blessing in his spirit of loyalty to public interests and in his generosity to public objects—one whose leadership in good works was an inspiration to all and an occasion of progress in. all helpful institutions. He was indentified with nearly every bit of progress made by the city from the time that he was old enough to think for. himself, and many of the institutions in which Toledo takes pride are directly due to his agitation and intelligent influence. Mr. Scott was born in Columbia, S. C., in 1825, son of Jessup W. and Susan (Wakeman) Scott. The parents are given extended mention on another page of this volume, to which the reader is referred for the ancestral record of the family. William H. Scott came with his parents to the Maumee Valley in 1833, and lived in the city of Toledo during the greater portion of his life, his residence being at Adrian, Mich.,. for a few years. In early manhood he engaged in the handling of real estate as a business, with which line of endeavor he was ever after identified, but he steadfastly pursued intellectual and literary studies during his entire life, and the result of his constant research and observation was of great value to the city in which he made his home. W hen Toledo emerged from its primitive condition and took to drainage, paving, and the creation of parks and fine buildings, he entered into the spirit of each improvement and with wise suggestions aided in the beautifying of the now handsome municipality. He devoted considerable effort to creating an adequate system of parks, and, while all of his suggestions were not carried out, many of his ideas were adopted by the city. One of his pet fancies was the establishment of a boulevard along the line of the old canal bed through the city, and another was the extension of the court-house square to Orange street, thus transforming "Smoky Hollow," through the forbidding part of the city. into a thing of beauty that could have no rival. He served well and faithfully upon many public boards, and to him is due the establishment of the magnificent free library structure at the corner of Madison and Ontario streets. The bill creating the public library institution was drawn by Mr. Scott in 1873, and was introduced in the State legislature by T. P. Brown. With but one exception, this was the first free public library established in the West. For twenty years Mr. Scott served on the library board, the greater part of this time as its president, and when he resigned the position he left a valuable collection of books, well housed in a beautiful building. He resigned with considerable regret from an institution, the growth and perfection of which had been one of the objects of his fondest public desires. He was a zealous worker for education generally, and in the Manual Training School, con- 28 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY ceived by his father, Jessup W. Scott, he had another object for his generous labor. After the death of the father, the three sons—William H., Frank J., and Maurice A.—gave $60,000 in city property to be devoted to the building and equipment of the Manual. Training School building. And it was largely through the efforts of William H. Scott that this property was sold and the building erected and properly equipped. He was president of the hoard that had this matter in charge for many years, and he was actively interested in the progress of the school and its pupils until the time of his death. He was identified with several other educational institutions. During Governor Young's administration he served as trustee of the Ohio State University at Columbus, for seven years he was one of the board of directors of the Wesleyan College, and while a resident of Adrian, Mich., he served as a director of the schools of that city. In 1876-9. he was vice-president of the Toledo Woman's Suffrage Association. In addition to his activities in these institutions of a public nature. privately he was a director in a number of corporations and banks. and he was instrumental in the organization of the early street railway lines. But in the last three years of his life he paid little attention to active business affairs, his health failing to such a degree that he found it impossible to spend much of his time in his office. He died at his residence, 2505 Monroe. street, in Toledo, March 5, 1901. In 1851, Mr. Scott was married to Miss Mary A. Winans, of Adrian, Mich., and of this union there were born four children—Mrs. Frances E. Waters, of Baltimore, Md.; Susan W., Jane, and Edward Jessup. Maurice A. Scott, deceased, was at the time of his death one of the oldest residents of Toledo. and in the business affairs of life he was considered a leader who had won his way to the top by sheer force of intelligent application and shrewdness. He was born in Ridgefield. Conn., in 1830. and was the son of Jessup W. and Susan (Wakeman) Scott, who are given appropriate mention on another page of this volume. He came with his parents to the Maumee Valley, in 1833. and lived in Toledo the greater part of his life. In 1870, he moved to Castleton on the Hudson, hut took up his residence in Toledo again in 1888. when he built a handsome residence on Monroe street. While his father was editor and part owner of the "Toledo Blade," in 1845-6, Mr. Scott learned the printer's trade. In 1849, he acquired the art of telegraphing and for several years, from 1850, had charge of the telegraph office in this city. r In 1859, in connection with his brother—Frank J. Scott—and William H. Raymond. he ran the Toledo Mills, which had been built by the last named gentleman, the location being at the corner of Jackson and Summit streets. The same year, Maurice A. and Frank J. Scott purchased the greater part of their father's interest in Toledo and Lucas county property and went into the real-estate business. In 1865, the partnership was dissolved, Maurice A. remaining in the business, and he built many business blocks, flats, and residences. He dedicated several parks to the city. Mr. Scott was married, in 1855, to Mary J. Tallant, of Concord, N. H., and of this union one child, Mrs. E. D. Libber, was born. Mrs. Scott BIOGRAPHICAL - 29 died in Castleton, N, Y., in 1858, and, in 1861, Mr. Scott again married. His second wife was Mary B. Messinger, of Boston, and there were two children : -Mrs. William H. Chapin, of Springfield, Mass. ; and Mrs. H. A, Ten Eyck. who died in Albany, N. Y., in 1896. Mr. Scott's social life was somewhat peculiar. While in business he was from the first remarkable for extreme caution, and as he grew older for extreme shrewdness in his judgment of what would be surely remunerative, in his social relations he was in early life noted for wit and a singularly piquant faculty of repartee. At social gatherings, if there were those with him who could stir him to the exercise of that talent he was often most brilliant. Mr. Scott was a millionaire and owned more frontage of desirable downtown property than any other individual in Toledo. Louis Montville, deceased, was a pioneer resident of the East Side, Toledo, and throughout a long residence in that section of the city he won and held the respect of all with whom he came in contact. With perhaps one or two exceptions he was the largest individual holder of East Side property, and the Montville Block at First and Main streets and a quantity of other properties fronting on First, Second and Platt streets were among his holdings, Mr, Montville was born in the state of New York, in 1837, and at the close of the Civil war he came to Toledo from his former home at Watertown, in that state. Soon after his arrival in Toledo he located on the East Side, where he entered upon the contracting business, and he gained .his first financial start in grading East Side streets. He continued in the contracting business until his death, but in later years his work was largely that of pile contracting and at the time of his death he was completing the work on the drydocks for the Toledo Shipbuilding Company. While of limited school training he had a remarkable ability in calculating the value of timber, and he could tell at a glance what would often require long and elaborate calculation by others, He was energetic and industrious, and was held in high esteem by all who knew him. His death occurred on May 27, 1907, and he left a widow, three sons—Fred, of Alger, Ohio ; Louis. of Memphis, Tenn,; George, of Toledo—and two daughters—Mrs. Adeline Sutton and Mrs. Emma Barror, both of whom reside in Toledo. Carl F. Braun, the subject of this biography, was born at Gudensburg, Germany, Aug. 16, 1843. He received a technical education in the Fatherland, having been graduated at a polytechnic school at Cassel. Germany, and in 1862, at the age of nineteen years, determined to. try his fortune in America, In that year he arrived in Toledo, and in 1866 he became a clerk in the hardware house of Roff & Company. As a young man he was alert and energetic, quick to grasp business opportunities, and strictly faithful to the discharge of his duties. His salary at the start was not princely, but he managed to save the greater part of it, with a view to engaging in business for himself ; and, in 1868, he became a member of the firm of Roff & Company. Toledo was then growing rapidly, and in the years immediately following the Civil war the hardware business, as well as other lines, enjoyed a boom. By 30 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY 1873 the firm's business had greatly expanded, and in that year was organized the Bostwick-Braun Company, composed of Carl F. and Geo. A. Braun and Oscar A. Bostwick, and this company became the successors of Roff & Company. The new concern opened a store at the foot of Monroe street, on part of the ground now occupied by the great concrete Bostwick-Braun Building, though the company occupied quarters at the corner of St. Clair and Monroe streets for a number of years, until they moved to their present quarters. Carl F. Braun was in the active management of this immense hardware house until 1904, when he retired, In addition to his interests in this house he was identified with a number of other enterprises, having been a director of the Home Savings Bank and the Citizens Deposit & Trust Company, and at one time he was vice-president of the Home Bank. In 1881 he purchased the old Swan Creek railroad, which had been projected in 1876, but the promoters had experienced some trouble in securing a right of way. Mr, Braun, however, succeeded where his predecessors had failed, He re-organized the company, was elected president, and the road was soon extended from the intersection of Bismarck and Hamilton streets to the old Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis (now the Clover Leaf) track, thus saving considerable time and labor in operating in and out of the city. Mr. Braun was one of the business giants in Toledo in his day, a man of high ideals and unblemished reputation, and his friends were many, He died suddenly at his home, 1615 Monroe street, June 25, 1908, honored and respected by all who knew him, the immediate cause of his death being a stroke of paralysis. On May 22, 1879, he married Miss Elise Lenk, and of this union were born three sons—Walter M., Arthur P., and Carl W., here named in the order of birth. Walter M. and Carl W. are residents of Toledo, where the former is a member of the firm of Stacy & Braun in the investment bond business, and Arthur P., who was a mining engineer in Mexico, died suddenly May 17, 1910. Mr. Braun was by nature intellectually fitted for a business career, and belonged to that class of citizens, who, while advancing their own interests, add materially to the valuation of those interests that surround them. While a success .in business, he was better still, a good citizen. Believing in the future of Toledo, he gave, both his time and influence in behalf of many measures for the common good, Unto this class of men, who have been the real factors in the development of Toledo's greatness, is this volume dedicated. George G. Sinclair, of The Church & McConnell Company, wholesale grocers and cigar jobbers of Toledo, was born in Waterloo, Ind., Nov, 20, 1867, a son of Archibald J, and Ellen M. Sinclair. The former was born in Oneida county, New York, in 1833. The latter was a daughter of Emerson Marsh, of Coldwater, Mich., and a niece of ex-Gov. Cyrus G. Luce, of that State, The paternal grandfather, John Sinclair, was a native of Glasgow, Scotland. He first settled in New York, and later, in 1830, moved to Monroe, Mich. In 1836, he settled in Jonesville, Mich., and en- gaged in the hardware business ; in 1864, he removed to Waterloo, BIOGRAPHICAL - 31 Ind. The latter years of his life were spent in Hillsdale, Mich., where he lived in practical retirement until his death, in 1885. Archibald J.. and Ellen M, Sinclair reared a family of three sons and one daughter, the names of whom in order of birth being A. V. Sinclair, Mrs, J. W. Murray, Harry Sinclair, and George G, Sinclair, the last named being the subject of this review. The father of these children has been in the hardware business at Waterloo, Ind., since 1864, George G. Sinclair was educated in the public schools of his native place, and in 1883 entered his father's store as a clerk, later accepting a position as traveling salesman for a Detroit commission house. After two years spent in that employment he came to Toledo, in 1890, and entered the employ of Berdan & Company, for whom he traveled ten years. At the end of that time, he associated himself with other gentlemen and became one of the incorporators of The Church & McConnell Company, of which he is now department manager and one of the directors. The company does. a very large and extensive business. Mr. Sinclair is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Inverness Golf Club, and also of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he is a Republican, but is not an aspirant for public honors, preferring to devote his time and talents to his business interests, On June 6, 1889, Mr. Sinclair married Miss Mary E. Peck. daughter of Samuel E. Peck, of Waterloo, Ind. Mrs. Sinclair's mother now resides at Tacoma, Wash. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair there have been born two daughters—Agnes M. and Helen M.—both born in Toledo, where they are now attending school, The mother and daughters are members of the Collingwood Avenue Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Sinclair, though not a member, gives his support. The family residence is at 2503 Glenwood avenue, Charles F. Curtis, deceased. was born at Victor, Ontario county, New York, Feb. 19, 1821, He was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Curtis, the former a native of New York State and the latter of Connecticut, The Curtis family is of English descent, but has been represented in America for a number of generations. Charles F. was the eldest of a family of five children, there having been two sons and three daughters born to his parents, He passed the years of boyhood upon his father's farm, and received such advantages as the district schools afforded, afterward attending an academy for two years. On leaving school, Mr. Curtis became a contractor on the New York & Erie railroad, and was thus engaged from 1849 to 1851, He then came to Toledo and soon afterward engaged in the construction' of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana railroad, now known as the "old line" of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, on which he was engaged for the three ensuing years. In 1853, in connection with Benjamin Folsom and August Thomas, he formed the firm of B. Folsom & Company, being in charge of the construction of the road extending from Toledo to Butler, Ind., seventy-one miles in length, of what is now known as the Air Line division of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. His connection with railroad interests covered a period 32 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY of about fifteen years, most of the time as contractor. On May 1, 1857, with August Thomas, he formed the firm of Curtis & Thomas and engaged in the lumber trade, continuing so associated until 1862, when Webster S. Brainard, former book-keeper, was admitted to the partnership, and the firm was changed to Curtis, Thomas & Company. Immediately after the death of Mr. Thomas, in 1868, the firm was again changed, taking the name of Curtis & Brainard, and real estate and vessel property business being added, the firm continued in active operation until the death of Mr. Curtis, Feb. 20, 1900, It did a large business and was recognized as one of the substantial firms of Toledo. At the time of his death, Mr. Curtis was also president of the Toledo Savings Bank & Trust Company and a director of both the First National and the Holcomb National banks, He was a man of large business affairs, and was successful in his financial operations. His business career was characterized by sterling integrity and sound judgment. Mr. Curtis affiliated with the Democratic party, but never sought the honors or emoluments of public office. He was a member of Trinity Church, and for a number of years held the offices of treasurer, junior warden and vestryman, all of which he resigned prior to his death, Mr. Curtis was first married to Miss Julia Moore, of Victor. N. Y. His wife died at Bryan. Ohio, in 1854, leaving a daughter, Miss Ella Moore Curtis, now living with Mrs. Curtis, and in 1894 he was married to Mrs, Mary A, A. Birckhead, of Toledo, who survives him, and who resides at 2636 Cherry street, Toledo, Ohio, James Mansfield Ashley, third Territorial governor of Montana (1869-70), for ten years representative of the old Toledo district in the lower house of Congress. a prominent leader in the anti-slavery movement in the ante-bellum and Civil war days, and the promoter and builder of the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railway, first beheld the light of day near Pittsburg, Pa., Nov. 24, 1822. He was a son of John Clinton and Mary Ann (Kirkpatrick) Ashley. and a grandson of Rev. Benjamin Ashley, for many years a prominent Baptist minister of Norfolk, Va. It is supposed that the family descended from Capt. John Ashley, one of the signers of the second Virginia charter. One William Ashley, in all probability the great-grandfather of James, was master's mate in the Virginia State navy during the Revolutionary war. Therefore it would seem that the Governor derived from his father a Southern and English strain, while from his 'mother's side of the family a Celtic character was obtained. In 1826, when Tames was but four years of age, his father removed with his family to Portsmouth, Scioto county, Ohio, where he established a book-binding business, in which calling he had been apprenticed as a boy in Pittsburg. Here the subject of this review received his educational training, which was necessarily meager and limited, as good books were very scarce in Portsmouth and vicinity at that time. His parents were very religious, and it was the earnest desire of his father, who entered the ministerial profession about 1840, that James become a preacher of the Gospel, but for some cause or other he steadfastly refused, and when about fourteen years of age ran BIOGRAPHICAL - 33 away from home, finding employment, first as a cabin boy and later as a clerk, upon an Ohio river steamboat. Several years were then passed in a roving life, during which time he wandered through a number of states, engaging first in one thing and then another, During his days on the river James M. Ashley, like Abraham Lincoln, when a steamboat employe in his earlier years, was a witness to the darkest side of the slave traffic, and, like the great emancipator, developed an early abhorrence for the entire system and resolved to do all in his power to stamp it out at the earliest possible moment, He often assisted runaway slaves—a criminal offense and an extremely dangerous operation in a then pro-slavery region—and became a component part of the great "underground railway." He finally settled in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he learned the printer's trade and later commenced the publication of a newspaper, the "Democratic Enquirer," which he was soon obliged to sell for want of sufficient capital ; and in 1851 he removed to Toledo, where he established a wholesale drug store at the corner of Summit and Jefferson streets, In 1854 he took an active part in establishing the newly founded Republican party, in the Toledo district, at a convention held in the village of Maumee, this county, He attended an important convention, composed of many of the leaders of this party, which was convened at Pittsburg, early in the year 1856, and in the summer of the same year he was chosen a delegate to the National Republican Convention, which was held at Philadelphia, to nominate, for the first time, candidates for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency of the United States, and to draf t a party platform. At -first Mr. Ashley supported Salmon P, Chase, of Ohio, for the Presidential nomination, but later he cast his ballot for Gen. John C. Fremont, who finally became the official standard bearer of the Republican party in the campaign of that Year. Later Mr. Ashley delivered an address before a vast assemblage in Montpelier, Ohio, which speech marked him as a radical antislavery man and placed him in the front ranks of the Abolitionists. He said : "Conspirators are at this very hour laying broad and deep the conditions which are certain to ultimate in a revolution of fire and blood that must either result in the destruction of this union and government or in the abolition of slavery" ; which, in substance, was Abraham Lincoln's celebrated dictum of 1858: "This nation cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free," In 1858 General Ashley was nominated and elected to Congress, as a Republican, from the Toledo district, and there he continued to serve for ten years, At Washington he soon became recognized as a leader in 'Republican councils and as an uncompromising Abolitionist. During the first session of Congress, after the election of President Lincoln, he introduced a bill providing for the total abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia, but which, because of its radical features, met with but little support, In company with the Hon. Lot Morrill, of Maine, he drafted another bill of less drastic nature. which appropriated $1,000,000 to compensate the slave owners of the District. and this bill was passed April 11, 1861 On Dec. 14 he introduced a prop- 34 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY osition to amend the Constitution of the United States by abolishing slavery. On June 15, 1864, this measure was defeated in the House, but General Ashley later managed to convert enough Northern and Border States' Democratic representatives to secure its passage on a reconsideration. He commenced the impeachment proceedings against President Andrew Johnson, in 1867, by charging him with usurpation of power and violation of the laws of the United States by corruptly using the appointing, pardoning and veto power, and about the same time General Ashley offered an amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing for the election of the president by direct vote of the people. As chairman of the Congressional Committee on Territories he rendered effective service in establishing, naming and organizing, Idaho, Arizona and Montana. In 1868 he was defeated for re-election to Congress, and in 1869 was appointed territorial governor of Montana, but was removed at the end of a year, owing to a disagreement with President Grant. This virtually marked his retirement from the political arena to private life, and he was at this time financially a poor man. But, observing that a railroad extending northwest from Toledo, across the peninsula of Michigan, would serve as an outlet for a valuable and productive territory, then largely without such facilities, he soon took steps to construct such a line, he went East, where he interested men of capital in the project and secured valuable terminal facilities in Toledo from the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at a figure far below their real value, With his son, Tames M. Ashley, Tr., he constructed the proposed road, which became known as the Toledo, Ann Arbor & North Michigan railroad, and they also established and operated a fleet of train-carrying ferry boats between the terminal of the above railroad, on the shores of Lake Michigan, and Gladstone, Wis. The Toledo, Ann Arbor North Michigan soon became one of the important transportation lines of the Northwest and enabled General Ashley to retrieve his shattered fortune, In 1890 he re-entered the political arena and again received the Republican nomination for Congress in the Toledo district, but as there was no live or important issue in the campaign which seemed to warrant his return to politics, and as he had left the Republican ranks to support Greeley for the Presidency in 1872, and Tilden in 1876, he did not receive the active support of all the party leaders in his district, and consequently was defeated at the polls. In 1892 he was again the Republican nominee for the same office, but was again unsuccessful. The worries incident to the memorable railway strike, in 1893, tended to undermine the health of General Ashley and, in the following year, he became afflicted with a severe attack of diabetes, from which he never fully recovered, and, Sept. 16, 1896, he went to his reward, leaving his bereaved widow and four children to mourn his loss. In 1851, General Ashley was happily united in marriage with Miss Emma J. Smith. of Portsmouth, Ohio, of which marital union were born three sons and one daughter : namely, James M., Henry W,, Charles S,, and Mary, the last named of whom is the wife of Edward R. Hewitt, BIOGRAPHICAL - 35 of New York City, James Mansfield Ashley was the possessor of an unusually excellent constitution and physique, and during the days of early manhood and middle life he stood exactly six feet in height. He was always of a strikingly handsome appearance and attracted attention wherever he went. James Melvin, deceased, was a native of the State of Massachusetts, haying been born in the historic old town of Concord, Dec. 20, 1826, He was a direct descendant of the Melvins who came to New England soon after the Mayflower touched the rock-bound coast, laden with the Pilgrim Fathers. His ancestors were among the ardent supporters of the American colonies from the beginning of the Revolutionary struggle against England, and it is of historical interest that his grandfather, Amos Melvin, was one of the guards in Concord town on the night that Paul Revere made his famous ride from Boston—the night preceding the day upon which the embattled farmers "fired the shot heard “round the world." He, whose name introduces this memoir served his country with the same loyalty as did his ancestors, and in the dark days of 1861, when the integrity of the Union was threatened, at the first call for troops, in April, 119 enlisted in the Sixth Massachusetts infantry and with it served a three months' enlistment. Later, he re-enlisted in the Thirty-third Massachusetts infantry, and performed his duty nobly in all the marches, campaigns and battles of that command for a period of two years, at the end of which time his health became impaired and he was discharged from the service on account of disability. Returning then to his Massachusetts home, as soon as the condition of his health would permit he resumed the thread of a peaceful life. In 1870, he came to Toledo and immediately opened a men's and boys' clothing establishment, with quarters at what is now 231 Summit street, under the name of the Boston Square Dealing Store. By careful attention to the details of the business and strict integrity he soon secured a permanent hold upon the clothing trade of Toledo and vicinity, and as the James Melvin Clothing Company the establishment has grown to be one of the most exclusive in its line in the city, Mr. Melvin served the city as a member of the board of aldermen for one term and as a member of the board of education for two terms. In his public, business and domestic life, his name stood for integrity and purity, and in these days of "high finance," when financial gain is placed before every other consideration, his life record, stainless on every page, stands out with peculiar significance. He was a member of Forsyth Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and of Anthony Wayne Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution, He had been a member of the Unitarian Church of. Our Father from the time of its organization, and served as treasurer of the church board for many years. In his death, which occurred June 23, 1906, Mr. Melvin left a sorrowing wife and two daughters—Mrs. Clifford Taft Hanson, of Toledo, and Mrs. J. Alan Hamilton. of Buffalo, N. Y, Mrs. Mary Lacey, sister of Mr. Melvin, lives in the old home at Concord, Mass. 36 - MEMOIRS OP LUCAS COUNTY Peter Hoffman Birckhead, deceased, was a native son of the State of Maryland, though he contributed the major portion of his life's activity to business and social interests within the city of Toledo, He was born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 13, 1827, and was the son of Dr, Lenox and Mary (Hoffman) Birckhead, who were both natives of the State of Maryland, where they lived out their allotted time. The father who was educated in medicine in Edinburg and Paris was a practicing physician in the city of Baltimore and its vicinity for many years, and then, later in life, divided his time between the practice of his profession and farming, He took a loyal interest in public affairs but never sought the honors of public office. In the war of 1812 he served as a volunteer in defense of Fort McHenry, the occasion being the one immortalized by Francis Scott Key's poetical production, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The Birckheads were professional and commercial men in and around Baltimore for a great many years. The progenitors of the family came originally from Basil, Switzerland, the migration being first to England and thence to Maryland, The early ancestors left their European home on account of their religious views, Dr. Solomon Birckhead, the paternal grandfather of the subject of this memoir, was a practicing physician during his entire life in Baltimore, where he died at an advanced age, The maternal grandfather was Peter Hoffman, also of Baltimore, Md,, and his occupation was what was known in those days as "merchant shipper," dealing in groceries, teas, and coffees, and doing an export and an import business, The Hoffman family is of Holland descent, with trading instincts, and for generations the members of the family were merchants. To Dr, Lenox Birckhead and wife there were born seven children, of whom Peter H. was the eldest, and the others were Jane, Louisa, John, James, Susan, and Mary, all deceased. Peter H. Birckhead received his educational training in Baltimore, where he was afforded the advantages of the schools of that period. At an early age he began his independent career by entering the employ of Hoffman & Sons (the senior member of which firm was a maternal uncle), grocery merchants and shippers, of Baltimore, and he remained so engaged until 1852,, He then removed to Michigan, where, in company with a Mr. Ferris, he conducted a saw mill, cutting timber from a tract of land owned by his father, Two Years later, in 1854, he came to Toledo and, in company with .a Air, Woolsey, engaged in the stave and cooperage business, with an office and yard located at the foot of Lagrange street, the location now being a part of the site of the Vulcan Steam Shovel plant, The business was eventually merged into the Vulcan Iron Works, of which establishment Mr. Birckhead was the president at the time of his death, He was held in high esteem in the business community and was one of Toledo's most prominent citizens, On June 21, 1888, after having led a useful arid industrious career, and after an illness of more than six months, which he bore patiently, Peter H. Birckhead passed to the life eternal, thus depriving the family of a. loved member, for he was always attached to his home, and was a devoted and BIOGRAPHICAL - 37 indulgent husband and father. Among his most intimate friends were Charles F. Curtis and Valentine H. Ketcham. He was a consistent and worthy member of Trinity Episcopal Church, and in politics he voted consistently with his convictions, giving his support to the principles of the Democratic party. Mr. Birckhead was twice married, the first time to Harriet Steinbrenner, of Philadelphia, Pa., and of this union there were born two children—Lenox Birckhead, who is located in Milwaukee and connected with the Bucyrus Steam Shovel Company, and Harriet Antoinette, who also lives in Milwaukee, with her brother. On Dec. 26, 1865, Mr. Birckhead was married to Miss Mary A. A. Titus, daughter of Israel and Adaline Titus, of Toledo. Selah Reeve Maclaren, deceased, was for many years one of the leading men of affairs of the city of Toledo, and his success in the business world was the natural sequence of industry, clearness of perception, fixedness of purpose and strength of wills And to the surviving members of his family he left the heritage of a good name, which he valued above riches, In the death of Mr. Maclaren, which occurred Jan. 29, 1905, Toledo lost one of her best citizens. Prominent in business and active in Christian fellowship, he had much to do with the building up of the city and advancing its interests in varied. ways. Mr. Maclaren was born in New York City, June 11, 1846, the son of a Presbyterian minister, and when eight years of age was taken to Fall River, Mass,, where he received his education. On April 14, 1865, although not nineteen years old, he left his boyhood home to come to Toledo, and upon arriving here entered the employ of N. Reeve & Company, lumber dealers, whose place of business was at the corner of Adams and Water streets. After faithful service as an employe for a period of six years, in 1871, at the age of twenty-five, he formed a: partnership with H, C. Sprague and they engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of Maclaren & Sprague. Later, when the firm became incorporated, Mr. Maclaren was made president. He was also president of the Franklin Printing & Engraving Company and of the Holcomb National Bank, having been re-elected to the presidency of the bank a short time before his death. Fraternally he was prominent in Masonic circles, and for years he was active in the Young Men's Christian Association movement, having for some time filled an official position in the association. His deeply religious nature found constant expression in good deeds and in active membership in the congregation of his choice. When he first came to Toledo he united with the First Presbyterian Church, and when the Westminster Church was founded he took his letter to that organization and for a number of years was one of its prominent members. Later he became a communicant of the Collingwood Avenue Presbyterian Church. Mr. Maclaren was twice married, first in 1874, to Miss Margaret Moore, of St. Clair, Mich., and of this union two daughters were born : Mrs. Joseph R. Bailey, of Fairmount, W. Va., and Mrs. Edward B. Yaryan, of Gulfport, Miss. The second marriage occurred in 1888, and was to Miss Anna 38 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY C. Beach, sister of Mrs. Samuel M. Jones, Of this marriage was born a daughter, Christine, who died in 1901. Major Ezra B. Kirk, deceased, was one of Toledo's best known citizens, and although his duties as a Regular Army officer caused his absence for the greater part of the time, he always took a keen interest in the welfare of his home city and contributed in every way possible to its progress and prosperity. Major Kirk was born Aug. 8, 1830, in Lawrence township, Stark county, Ohio, on a farm. He left home at the age of fifteen years, being possessed of a common-school education, and went to Cleveland, where he learned the tinsmith trade. After several years in that business he took a position in a wholesale shoe house in the Forest City and in 1854 came to Toledo, where he opened a shoe house on Summit street. He left Toledo in 1858 and went to New York City, where he engaged in the same business, and on April 19, 1861, enlisted with the first call for troops in the Seventy-first New York National Guards, for three months. This regiment, also known as the American Guard and Vosburgh Chasseurs, was a New York City organization and was one of the eleven uniformed militia regiments sent to the relief of Washington upon the outbreak of the war. It left the State on April 21, 1861, reached the capital on the 27th, and was mustered into the United States service on May 3. It was first quartered in the inauguration ball room, whence it was ordered to barracks in the navy yard. It participated in the occupation of Alexandria, Va., May 24, and first came under fire in the attack on the batteries at Acquia Creek. It took part in the attack on Matthias Point and rendered excellent service at the first battle of Bull Run, where it served in the Second brigade (Burnside's), Second division (Hunter's), Army of Northeastern Virginia, being among the last to leave the field and retiring in good order. Mr, Kirk was mustered out with his regiment, July 30, 1861, at New York City, and immediately returned to Toledo, where he re-enlisted in the Fourteenth Ohio infantry for three years, and was elected first lieutenant of Company C. With this regiment he first saw service in Kentucky and in October, 1861, went into quarters at Camp Dick Robinson. About this time rumors were rife that the Federal forces stationed at or near Wild Cat were surrounded by the Confederates. The Fourteenth, with Barnet's First Ohio artillery, started at once for that place, making forced marches .through the deep mud and driving rain, and reached there on the morning of Oct. 21, but the enemy shortly abandoned the field and retreated, In the charge which carried the works at Mill Springs the Fourteenth was the first regiment to enter, and pushing on after the flying enemy it reached the bank of the river in time to fire into the rear of the retreating column as it was boarding the steamer, With his regiment Lieutenant Kirk was with the army that shared in the slow advance upon Corinth, He was in the march from Nashville to Louisville, but on Oct. 9, the brigade with which the regiment was acting was detailed to guard headquarters and the ammunition train, and hence he did not participate in the battle of Perryville. The following winter he BIOGRAPHICAL - 39 spent at Gallatin and other points in Middle Tennessee, and in June, 1863, his regiment formed a portion of Rosecrans' advance on Tullahoma and Chattanooga. At Hoover's Gap a brisk engagement ensued, in which he participated with his regiment. On Sept. 19 he marched upon the field at Chickamauga and his regiment was immediately deployed in line of battle. The regiment was engaged in hot and close contest with the enemy from 9 a. m. to 4 p, m. Being then relieved, it replenished its ammunition boxes and again entered the fight, continuing until sunset. In the brilliant assault on Missionary Ridge the Fourteenth bore a gallant part, charging and capturing a Confederate battery of three guns, which General Hardee in person was superintending. In December, 1863, Lieutenant Kirk was appointed captain and assistant quartermaster of volunteers, and served as such until July 28, 1863, when he was appointed captain and assistant quartermaster in the regular army. He received the brevet of major and lieutenant-colonel of volunteers for faithful and meritorious service in the field in the quartermaster's department. He served as chief quartermaster of the Third division, Fourteenth corps ; chief quartermaster First division in reserve corps, depot quartermaster Chattanooga, Tenn.; chief quartermaster district of the Etowah ; depot quartermaster Nashville, Tenn.; and after the close of the war, in 1863, quartermaster at Fort Lyon, Col.; Fort Supply, Indian Territory ; Fort Dodge, Kan. ; Forts Buford and Bismarck, N. D, : Omaha, Neb.; Jeffersonville, Ind, ; Atlanta. Ga.; and Buffalo, N. Y., where he was retired, Aug. 8, 1894, having reached the age limit and having served over thirty-three years in the army, During the progress of the war-1861-3—he served on the staffs of the following general officers : Maj.-Gen. James B. Steedman, Maj,-Gen, John M. Schofield, Maj.-Gen. James M. Branan, and Brig.-Gen. John T. Croxton, After his retirement from the army. in 1894, he returned to his home in Toledo, and in 1896 was elected to the city council from the old Tenth ward, serving three terms, one year of which period he officiated as president of the body. Socially he was an active worker in the Lincoln Club. Major Kirk died May 27, 1903, and is survived by a widow and one daughter, Miss Maud Kirk. C. Locke Curtis was a member of the newspaper fraternity of the city of Toledo for a number of years, and although now engaged in other pursuits, manifests a live interest in journalistic and kindred matters, and in the preparation of the chapter on "The Press of the County" for this publication gave the publishers the benefit of his long experience by editing and revising the "copy." Mr. Curtis was born in Auburn, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1860, and attended a district school in Tompkins county, New York, while working on a farm. He prepared for college at the old Ithaca Academy and entered Cornell University in 1879, in which institution he was graduated with the class of 1883, receiving the degree. of Bachelor of Arts. He came to Toledo in the fall of the same year and arranged to enter the law office of Brown & Geddes, as a clerk, but was persuaded by his uncle, David R. Locke (Nasby) to 40 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY change his plans and accept a position on the "Toledo Blade" as a reporter. He remained with that paper until 1889, when he resigned to enter the life insurance business as an agent for the Aetna. In the years 1891-2 he was again numbered with the newspaper fraternity, working on the "Toledo Commercial," which at that time was being published by Patrick C. Boyle. of Oil City, Pa. Mr. Curtis resigned his position with the "Commerical" to accept employment with the Equitable Life insurance Company, but in 1895 he was appointed to and accepted the position of city editor of the "Blade." In 1901, he became associate editor of the same paper, and from that time until 1908 had charge of the editorial page of that leading and widely read newspaper, In the last named year he finally severed his connection with the journalistic profession and accepted the district managership of the Aetna Life Insurance Company, with headquarters in Toledo, To the duties of that important position he now devotes his entire attention. General John W. Fuller, a brigadier-general of volunteers in the Union army during the great Civil war, and for many years a resident of Toledo, was born at Cambridge, England, July 28, 1826, and died at Toledo, March 12, 1891. In 1833, he was brought to the United States by his father, a Baptist minister and a graduate of Cambridge University, England, under whose personal supervision the son was educated. The father settled at Utica, N. Y., where the boyhood and early manhood of General Fuller was passed. Upon arriving at the years of maturity, he embarked in the book-selling and publishing business, and became one of the leading merchants of Utica, In 1859, he had the misfortune to lose his establishment by fire, and soon afterward removed to Toledo, where he again engaged in the book trade, both as dealer and publisher, his house soon taking a front rank in that line of business. At the breaking out of the war, he was prompt to espouse the cause of the Union, and when Governor Dennison, of Ohio, appointed Gen. Charles W. Hill as brigadier-general, the latter selected Mr. Fuller as his chief-of-staff, His first service was in West Virginia, and while at Grafton, engaged in drilling raw recruits, Gen. T, J. Cram, of the regular army, wrote to Adjt.-Gen. C, P. Buckingham : "There is a young man at Grafton by the name of John W. Fuller who knows more about military matters, the drilling of men, etc., than any one I have .yet met in the service, and I hope that you will recommend him to Governor Dennison as the colonel of the next Ohio regiment sent to the field." This recommendation was made without Mr, Fuller's knowledge, and he was somewhat surprised when he received a telegram from the adjutant-general of Ohio, ordering him to report at Columbus to assume the command of the Twenty-seventh Ohio infantry. Within two weeks, Colonel Fuller selected from a disorganized mass of 2,000 men the material for his regiment, which was mustered in, Aug. 18, 1861, for three years, and two days later left for St, Louis; Mo. He took part in the campaign of that year against the Confederate General Price and, in February, 1862, joined the Union forces under Gen. John Pope for the reduction of New Madrid and Island No. 10, where BIOGRAPHICAL - 41 he received the commendations of his superior officers for the bravery he displayed and the magnificent manner in which he handled his men. Shortly after this, he was assigned to the command of the "Ohio Brigade," composed of the Twenty-seventh, Thirty-ninth, Forty-third and Sixty-third Ohio regiments, which he led in the hotly contested battle of Iuka, Miss,, in September, 1862. The following month, he again distinguished himself at the battle of Corinth, where he checked the charge of the enemy and broke the Confederate line, for which he was personally thanked by General Rosecrans, in the presence of the brigade. In December, he defeated the redoubtable. Forrest in the action at Parker's Cross-Roads, Tenn., after which he was in command of the post of Memphis until October, 1863, During the winter of 1863-64, his command guarded the Nashville & Decatur railroad, most of the men of the Twenty-seventh re-enlisting at this time and enjoying their veteran furlough. In the spring of 1864, the brigade was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee as the First brigade, Fourth division, Sixteenth corps, and, July 17, Colonel Fuller was promoted to the command of the division. Prior to that date, he had participated in the various engagements of the campaign leading up to the investment of Atlanta, particularly the actions at Dallas, Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain and Nickajack Creek. On the morning of July 22, while the Sixteenth corps, General Dodge commanding, was moving to the extreme left to extend the lines still farther about the beleaguered city, it encountered General Hardee's Confederate corps, which had made a detour the night before with a view of attacking General McPherson in the rear, and it was Fuller's division that commenced the historic battle of Atlanta. In the engagement that followed the first attack, it became necessary for Fuller's division to change front while under fire, in order to repel a charge from the rear. In executing this movement the column gave way, when Fuller seized the flag of the Twenty-seventh and advanced toward the enemy, indicating with his sword where he wanted the new line formed. His example was contagious. With a cheer the Twenty-seventh swung into line, the other regiments of the brigade and division quickly following, and the day was saved. For his valor and skill on this occasion, Colonel Fuller received his promotion to brigadier-general. After fighting at Ezra Church and Jonesboro, his brigade was transferred to the Seventeenth corps (General Blair), as the First brigade, First division, and started on the famous "March to the Sea." In the campaign of the Carolinas, which followed the' fall of Savannah, General Fuller's command distinguished itself at the Salkehatchie River, Cheraw, and numerous other engagements, and was present at the surrender of General Johnston. He then marched with Sherman's victorious army through Richmond to Washington, D. C., where he participated in the grand review, after which the old regiment was mustered out. On March 13, 1865, General Fuller was brevetted major-general of volunteers "for gallant and meritorious services," but, Aug. 15, he resigned and returned to Toledo, In 1874, he was appointed collector of 42 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY the port of Toledo by President Grant ; was reappointed by President Hayes, and held the office until 1881, but the greater part of his life after retiring from the army was passed in mercantile pursuits, as the senior member of the wholesale boot and shoe house of Fuller, Childs & Co., on Summit street, At time of his death; he was a director of the Merchants' National Bank and the Toledo Moulding Company, and was a stockholder in several other corporations. Before the war he was a Democrat, but after that he voted and acted with the Republican party. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Toledo and took an active interest in its welfare. He also belonged to Toledo Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Ohio Commanders, Military Order of the Loyal Legion. On Sept. 2, 1851, General Fuller married, at Utica, N, "Y., Miss Anna B. Rathbun, who was born in that city, June 20, 1826, the daughter of Josiah Rathbun, and of this union were born six children : viz., Edward C., who at the time of his father's death was manager of the Ohio Pipe Company, of Columbus ; Jennie R., who lived with her parents Rathbun Fuller, an attorney of Toledo Mrs. Thomas A, Taylor, of Toledo ; Frederick C,, of the firm of Furstenberg & Fuller, of Toledo; and Irene B. Rathbun, Frederick C,, and Jennie R., still -reside in Toledo, Mrs. Anna a Fuller's death occurred June 4, 1901. Leander Solomon Baumgardner, for more than forty years identified with the mercantile interests of Toledo, as the head of the firm of L. S. Baumgardner & Company, was a native of the Buckeye State, having been born in East union township, Wayne county, Ohio, Feb, 10, 1831 He was a son of Peter and Catharine (Heller) Baumgardner, the former of whom was born in Baden-Baden, Germany, and came to this country in 1812, when he was fourteen years of age, and the latter was a native of Hellertown, Pa,, of German descent. In 1830, the family removed to Wayne county, Ohio, and, when Leander was but ten years old, he was bound out to a farmer, one of the provisions of the contract being that the boy was to be allowed to attend school during the winter months, each season, Unfortunately; this provision was not observed by his master, but, in spite of this, the boy so well improved his limited opportunities that, before he had attained to his majority, he was qualified to teach in the common schools, and he followed that vocation for two seasons. He continued in farm work until he was in his twenty-second year, when he formed a partnership with his older brothers—J, H. and T. P. Baumgardner —and opened a store for the sale of drugs, stationery, musical instruments, etc., at Wooster, under the firm name of J, H. Baumgardner & Company. That was in 1854, and they met with such success in their undertaking that, three years later, they erected a building of their own. This building was called the "Arcadome Building," on the top floor of which was a public hall, the first of its kind in Wooster. After removing into this building, the firm began the publication of a newspaper, chiefly as a medium for advertising their business, Leander S, and J, H. Baumgardner being- in charge of its editoral management, In 1865, Leander S. dis- BIOGRAPHICAL - 43 posed of his interest in the store, purchased a farm at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit county, Ohio, and lived there for a year, but, not liking rural life, he came to Toledo, in 1866, and established the firm of L. S. Baumgardner & Company, for the wholesale trade in notions, gents' furnishings, etc., which was a success from the beginning. The firm still bears the name under which it began, and it is probably the oldest established concern in Toledo that has been conducted continuously without change since it was started, as well as being one of the largest wholesale dry-goods houses in Northern Ohio. Throughout his long and useful life, whet ever he lived, Mr. Baumgardner was deeply interested in every movement for the advancement of the community, While at Wooster, he was one of the organizers of the Wooster Library Association, which developed into a useful and successful institution, He was one of the leaders in the establishment of the Tri-State Fair Association, and was its first president, This association began without working capital, but, through Mr, Baumgardner's executive ability, it took in, during the seven years' of his service, over $260,000, and accumulated permanent improvements worth at least $60,000, unencumbered. He was an active factor in the organization of the Merchants' & Manufacturers' Exchange, which for several years played a conspicuous part in the promotion of the commercial and industrial affairs of Toledo. He served as president of the Continental Bank & Trust Company ; was' a director in the Northern National Bank ; president of the Fremont Furniture Company, and was an extensive owner of Toledo real estate. Most of his holdings in this respect consisted of residence property, though he built, and. at the time of his death, owned Collingwood Hall, which, by the terms of his will, remains the property of his widow during her life. and at her death is to go to the Old Ladies' Home. Politically, he was a Republican and was active in public affairs. In 1879, he was the candidate of his party for the office of mayor, but was defeated, along with the entire Republican city ticket, though he had the satisfaction of receiving a large number of Democratic votes, At the same time, he lost many of his own party because of his open and courageous opposition to what is known as the saloon or liquor element. In 1880, he was prominently mentioned as the nominee of his party for Congress, but the choice of the convention fell upon Hon. James M. Ritchie, to whom Mr. Baumgardner gave loyal and active support. One of Mr. Baumgardner's greatest achievements was in connection with the Citizens' Electric Light Company. When it became seriously embarrassed he was called to the presidency, and by the exercise. of good business diplomacy effected a by consolidation of the United States, the Brush and, the Thompson-Houston companies, with a capital stock of $150,000. As president of the new company thus formed, he placed it on a paying basis, at the same time giving to the people better lighting facilities than they had ever before enjoyed. For nineteen years before he died, he had been in the habit of spending his winters in Florida, and his death occurred March 3, 1909, at Bradentown, Fla., Bright's disease being the immediate cause of his taking off. On March 44 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY 11, 1909, the directors of the Northern National Bank adopted memorial resolutions, which paid a just and generous tribute to Mr, Baumgardner's talents. and energy as a business man and citizen, and which were spread upon the minutes of the meeting, where these resolutions form part of the permanent records of the bank. Mr. Baumgardner's remains were brought to Toledo for burial, and, on the day of his funeral, David S, Robison, Jr., of the Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Company, eulogized him as follows : It pained me greatly to learn of the death of my old friend, Leander S. Baumgardner, We were children, boys and men together, both having been born in Wayne .county, Ohio, and there is no person living whom I have known so long and so intimately as him. I do not remember ever having known any person who was so uniformly the same, whether in his social or business life ; he had no excesses, no extremes ; he was of unusual equipoise. In all his business life he was fair and honorable, and, I believe, would have preferred to suffer loss himself than make an error whereby anyone should lose through him in any transaction. He had always the interests of the city of Toledo at heart, and manifested it in every way when opportunity presented itself ; and if opportunity did not offer, he would create the opportunity. He was always active in public enterprises and a leader among leaders. It cannot be otherwise than that he will be greatly missed, not only by his family and his immediate friends, but also by all who knew him in his business and everyday life, He has left too many monu- ments among us of his perseverance, beneficence and industry, to city, church and state, to summarize them, and they cannot be forgotten, As we stand today in the presence of his taking off, and in the passing cortege, the whole city acclaims with one accord : `Thou bast gone from among us forever !' and I can say : 'Go, sainted friend, Farewell ! Hail ! and Farewell,' " On April 25, 1858, Mr. Baumgardner married Miss Matilda E, Miller, daughter of David Miller, of Akron, Ohio, who survives his death. Mr. and Mrs. Baumgardner were for years members of the Trinity Episcopal Church, of Toledo, and Mrs. Baumgardner was ever active in the actual work of her church and the dispensation of true charity to the unfortunate. Since the death of her husband—the companion of more than half a century—she finds her greatest solace in this work, as she dwells alone in the old home at 406 West Woodruff avenue, patiently waiting for the call of the Master to join her loved one in the Great Beyond. William V. McMaken, internal revenue collector and custodian of the Federal Building, at Toledo, and a brigadier-general in the Ohio National Guard, was born in New .York City, Feb, 11, 1857, a son of Ezekiel Vance and Anna C, (Smith, nee Munson), McMaken, the father a native of Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, and the mother of West Winsted, Conn. In 1864, the family removed to Toledo, where the father was postmaster, from 1870 to 1874, under President Grant. He died, in November, 1889, and his wife died in November, 1902. Mr. McMaken's paternal grandfather was a pioneer Kentuckian, born in a log cabin, a soldier in the War BIOGRAPHICAL - 45 of 1812, and one of the early settlers of Butler county, Ohio. His maternal grandfather (Munson) was a soldier in the Continental army in the Revolutionary war, William V, McMaken was educated in the Toledo public schools, graduating at the high school with the class of 1874, After leaving school, he was employed for some years as a clerk in a mercantile establishment, and then became a member of the real-estate and insurance firm of Fox McMaken, with offices at No, 9, Spitzer Arcade, He inherited the martial spirit and, while a boy, would drill his playmates, who were armed with broomsticks as guns. In 1870, he aided in organizing the celebrated "Toledo Cadets," which company became widely known as the best drilled body of men in the country. It created a sensation on the occasion of Gov. William Allen's inauguration, at Columbus, in January, 1874, and was a prominent feature at various other public demonstrations in the State. At the time the company was organized, the members were all too young to be included in the regular State militia, but as soon as they were of the proper age the "Cadets" were mustered in as part of the Ohio National Guard. Mr. McMaken was captain of this famous company for nineteen years, when he was elected colonel of the Sixteenth regiment, Ohio National Guard, receiving his commission as such from Governor Bushnell, June .27, 1897. When the Spanish-American war began, the following spring, the regiment became the Sixth Ohio infantry, and was mustered into the 'United States service as such, May 12, 1898, It remained in that service until May 24, 1899, when it was mustered out, at Augusta, Ga,, having spent four months in Cuba, part of the time at Cienfuegas, under Maj,-Gen, John C, Bates, During the latter portion of his service in Cuba, Colonel McMaken served as military governor of the district of Trinidad, by appointment of General Bates. Upon being mustered out as above stated, he returned to Toledo, his command being immediately assigned to duty as the Sixth regiment, by Governor Bushnell, On Dec. 5. 1899, Colonel McMaken was elected by the members of the First brigade, Ohio National Guard, and received his commission as brigadier-general, which rank he still holds. At various times and places, during his military career. he has been called upon to render service to the State. He was with his regiment at the Cincinnati riots ; participated in the work of the militia at the time of the Wheeling coal-miners' strike ; was selected to command the troops in case Governor Nash found it necessary to call out the militia to suppress a prize fight at Cincinnati ; at the obsequies of President McKinley at Canton. in September, 1901, he commanded the provisional brigade formed for the special military escort ; and during the recent strike of the street-car employes, at Columbus, he was in command of the troops called to the scene of trouble. General McMaken is an unswerving Republican in his political views and he has several times been the recipient of honors at the hands of his party. For two terms he was recorder of Lucas county ; was county treasurer for two terms, being the incumbent of the office when war. was .declared against .-Spain ; was the nominee of his party for mayor of Toledo, in the campaign of 1901, and, Feb. 46 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY 1, 1908, was appointed to his present position of Collector of Internal Revenue and custodian of the Federal Building in Toledo, He is a Thirty-second degree Mason, a past exalted ruler of Toledo Lodge, No. 53, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, belongs to the Sons of the American Revolution, and to Egbert Command, Spanish War Veterans— On Oct. 31, 1883, -General McMaken married Miss Georgie, daughter of the late Hon. C. M. Dorr, who for nine years was mayor of Toledo, Mr, Dorr died, April 19, 1870, and his wife, Mrs. McMaken's mother, died Jan. 5, 1892. Of their children, three are living: viz, Mrs. McMaken, Mrs. Henry Lockwood, of Chicago, and Mrs, George C, Cone, of Toledo, Mrs. McMaken graduated at the high school, in the same class as her husband. She is a Daughter of the American Revolution, General and Mrs, McMaken have two daughters—Myra Dorr and Carrie Dorr McMaken. The former graduated at the Toledo High School, with the class of 1902, and the latter with the class of 1903, Miss Carrie also graduated at Miss Law's manual training school, of Toledo. in 1908, and is now a teacher in the kindergarten department of the public schools. Sylvanus Pierson Jermain was born at Adrian, Mich., and moved to Toledo, in 1871, He has, for twenty years. been treasurer of the 'Woolson Spice Company. a concern of national repute as one of the world's largest coffee and spice dealers. For many years he held no public office, but during that long period he was active in all movements toward the betterment of the city government and municipal affairs, by the application of scientific principles and political economy, Haying never sought public office, he has, however, been called to it from time to time, but has clone most of his public work as a private citizen. He has been prominently identified with useful affairs of a public nature of almost every character, His opinion has been sought, his advice taken ,and influence felt in every circle connected with civic affairs. His chief public service was at the time of the carrying of the vote which secured Toledo's present park and boulevard system, comprising 1,500 acres which, with his twenty years' labor in this field of municipal betterment, has caused him to be the recognized "Father of the park and boulevard system of Toledo," After many years' labor as a private citizen, in the cause of the public parks, be was appointed to the Board of Park Commissioners by the late widely known and beloved Samuel M. Jones and served four terms as president of that board. Briefly summarized, the other public works which he originated or led to successful results were as follows:* The original Manufacturers' Association and its outcome the Chamber of 'Commerce, 1897: the movement for the more scientific burning of soft coal and smoke prevention; the agitation which resulted in the placing of telephone, telegraph and other wires underground, in the business district : the ordinance for cheaper municipal lighting ; the proper granting of public franchises; the considerable improvement of the fire department equipment, in new engine houses and high pressure water mains, in the business district ; the equipping, in 1899, of, Toledo's first children's playground; the establishing, in 1898, of one of BIOGRAPHICAL - 47 America's first public golf courses, in Ottawa Park ; the organization of the Inverness Country Club and the Ohio Golf Association, serving several terms as president of each : and the authorship of the Ohio Park Law, of 1907. He is active in the annual Children's Play Festival in Toledo parks, which is popularly known as "romping day," when the Character Trophy, presented by Mrs. Russell Sage, receives each year its honor roll. In 1909, he was appointed a member of the Committee on State Laws of the Playground Association of America and, in 1910, he was appointed and served on. the commission for a new city hall. For many years, he has written frequently upon public projects for the local newspapers, in the formation of public opinion and the crystallizing of it for practical results, and in the other necessary efforts for founding and maintaining those varied municipal institutions, which help to solve the serious human problems of the modern city. Henry L. Thompson is one of Toledo's young and hustling business men, well and favorably known, and the success which he has already achieved is an illustration of what may be accomplished by conscientious endeavor and faithful performance of duty. Mr. Thompson was born at Perrysburg, Wood county, Ohio, May 28, 1871, and he is the son of James W. and Sarah (Lawrence) Thompson, both of whom were also horn in Perrysburg. The father died at that place, when a young man, the date of his demise being Dec, 24, 1879, and the mother is now a resident of the city of Toledo. There were two children born to these parents, a son who is the subject of this review, and a (laughter who is the wife of J, V. Davison and resides at No, 448 West Woodruff street, Toledo, She was also born in Perrysburg and was educated there, being graduated in the high school of that place with the class of 1892. Henry L. Thompson was educated in the schools of Perrysburg, and early in life recognized the fact that he must depend upon his own exertions and become the architect of his own fortune, On April 1, 1890, when scarce nineteen years of age, he entered the employ of the Bostwick-Braun Company, at Toledo, and his duties were those comprehended by the term "office boy." As is usual in such cases, he was given the custody of the broom, and his skillful handling of that utensil and the faithful performance of other duties assigned him soon led to his promotion to positions of greater responsibility. Successively and successfully he passed through the different grades until he became vice-president of the company, which office he is now the incumbent of, and in addition to his interest in the Bostwick-Braun Company, he is a director in the Toledo Plate and Window Glass Company. The Bostwick-Braun Company was established in 1855, was incorporated in 1893, and deals in hardware, iron, steel, metals and tine plate, and in railway and factory supplies. Mr. Thompson's interest and activity in commercial affairs is evidenced by the fact that he is a trustee of the Chamber of Commerce of Toledo, and socially he is a member of the Toledo Club, the Country Club, the Yacht Club, and the Masonic Club. He has taken the various degrees in the Masonic order, and had reached the Thirty-second when but twenty-eight 48 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY years old. His Blue Lodge membership is with the Sanford Collins lodge, in Toledo, and he also has membership in the Zenobia Shrine. In politics, Mr. Thompson takes an independent position, claiming allegiance to no party organization, but he takes an intelligent interest in public affairs and votes .for the men and measures that meet his conscientious approval after an unbiased consideration of the subjects in issue, On June 14, 1900. Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Kate E. Stone, daughter of S. E. Stone, of Cleveland, Ohio. Mrs. Thompson was born, reared, and educated in the Forest City, and is a graduate of Miss Middleburger's school, at Cleveland. The residence of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson is at 212 Irving street, Toledo. Albert E. Macomber was born Sept. 10, 1838, in Taunton, Bristol county, Massachusetts, the son of John H. and Prudence C. (Pierce) Macomber, both of Massachusetts nativity. The family of Macomber is of Scotch descent, but was established in Massachusetts in early Colonial times. Progenitors of the family were proprietors' in Plymouth Colony as early as 1640, Mrs. Abner B. Cole, who was a resident of Toledo for many years prior to her death, was Mr, Macomber's only sister. He received his preliminary education at the graded and high school at Taunton, and, in 1857, entered the Michigan State Agricultural College at Lansing, After two years at that institution he became a student in the Law Department of the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 1862. He was admitted to the bar in Ohio and located in Toledo for the practice of the law. Shortly afterward he became associated in partnership with Edward D, Moore and later with Terence J, McDonnell, under the firm name of Macomber, Moore and McDonnell, The partnership, widely known in Northwestern Ohio for many years, continued until 1892.' In 1867 Mr. Macomber became interested in the real estate business, in which he remained until his final retirement, in 1902. He platted large additions in the south and west sections of Toledo and developed them into substantial and desirable residence districts. With great shrewdness he foresaw the growth of Toledo into a great city and contributed largely toward its advancement, by the courage and foresight with which he became a pioneer in the substantial improvement of outlying property. His real-estate business became so large, and his many interests in other public and private enterprises in Toledo grew to such an extent. that he gradually discontinued his law practice until his connection with the law firm became merely nominal. To Mr. Macomber is due much of the credit for the establishment of the Toledo Manual Training School. Having become interested in industrial education at a time when it was just taking form, he determined to establish such a school in Toledo as would serve the needs of the times and anticipate the demands of the future. Mr, Macomber was selected by Jessup W. Scott as a life trustee of the University of Arts and Trades. Realizing that it was Mr. Scott's desire to promote in the most direct way the cause of industrial education, and conceiving the real field for successful endeavor to be among the children of the public schools, Mr. Macomber succeeded by sheer force of enthusiasm in BIOGRAPHICAL - 49 organizing a local movement, assisted and. supported by the entire Scott family, that soon took practical form in the establishment of the Scott Manual Training School. For many years he gave his whole time and energy to the upbuilding and development of this institution, and as an active trustee its welfare was the main interest of his life until the management of the school passed by legislative enactment under the control of the Board of Education. Mr. Macomber was one of the influential organizers of the Toledo Savings Bank and Trust Company, and for many years remained upon its Board of Directors. This substantial and conservative institution has amply justified the expectations of its founders, and has been for many years one of the foremost financial institutions of the city. Mr, Macomber was one of the pioneer owners of the Monroe Street Railway Company and the Lagrange Street Railway Company, now part of the system of the Toledo Railways and Light Company. He also established the Auburndale Brick Works, which, after twenty-five years of operation, is now.operated in accordance with the most progressive methods of the brick business. He was one of the founders of Woodlawn Cemetery, on whose Board of Directors he has served since its organization, Always taking an active interest in public affairs, Mr. Macomber rendered distinguished service as a leader in the Board of Aldermen at the time when the entire city was agitated by the acrimonious contest over the city pipe line. He also gave ten years of valuable service as a trustee of the Toledo Work House, In 1897, Mr. Macomber, having taken his two sons into partnership with him, continued his business under the name of A. E. Macomber & Company until his final retirement therefrom, During his entire career he has been prominently identified with the most important efforts for public improvement in the city of Toledo. His life has been characterized by zeal and energy in all of his undertakings. He has been faithful, able and wise in the administration of ''both public and private affairs, He has conceived and directed many of the best public works in this city, and he will be gratefully remembered in Toledo for what he has accomplished, In 1871. Mr. Macomber married Miss Sara Haviland, daughter of Dr. Samuel T. S. Smith of New York, and has since resided at the family residence at 1517 Monroe street. Mr. and Mrs. Macomber are members of the Unitarian church, of which Mr. Macomber was for many years a trustee, Two sons were born to them—Irving E. and Franklin S, They succeeded their father in the control of his business, which they continued and enlarged with great success. Both sons early made their mark, not only in business, but in public life. The untimely death of Franklin S. Macomber, in December, 1908, at a time when his career in public life was the most promising of any man in Toledo, was 'the cause of almost universal public sorrow. The older surviving brother, Irving E. Macomber, who owns and controls the business of the Macomber Brothers Company, is now president of the Board of Education, and has done a basic work in the reconstruction of the public school system. Mr. Macomber, although entirely retired from active participation in public and private affairs, still retains