350 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY Then ensued one of the wildest eras of speculation. Money was abundant, the coffers of the government were overflowing, the country was prosperous and everybody seemed bent on making a fortune, regardless of whether the orthodox plan of action was followed or not: The State banks loaned out the money which had been deposited with them to the red-hot speculators who were buying government land, and were laying out and building cities in the wilderness, connecting them by railroads and canals. These loans were given on what was supposed to be good security, it generally being real estate taken at its speculative value, or city lots in cities where scarce a tree had been hewn down or a spade had penetrated the earth. But the reaction came all too soon. Hard times oppressed the country, the government had use for its money, and called upon the banks with which it had been deposited to return it again in coin. The banks did not have it they had loaned it out on security to speculators. The speculators had been unable to realize even their investments at the fancy prices at which they had been made. The security proved of little or no value, and the banks were sore distressed to meet their obligations to the government, since specie only would be received. In this cramped condition the banks, in order to save their existence, were compelled to proceed with the utmost caution. Specie payments were suspended. The banks called in their circulation as rapidly as they could, and refused to throw it out again, preferring to await a turn of events and not endanger their lives by having a large irredeemable circulation out. The consequence was a- scarcity of money, and business was greatly cramped thereby. The people were clamorous for relief, and there was an outcry against the chartered banks as being moneyed corporations which only sought their own selfish ends, and had no regard for the welfare of the people. They were declared to be monopolies, and, everything else being free in tHis country, banking should also be free. About this time a general banking law had been passed in the State of New York and numerous banks had gone into operation under it. Without waiting to see how the New York idea would work in practice, the Michigan legislators quickly adopted the same plan, and as a result the celebrated "wild-cat" banks came into existence, making a very bad condition of affairs worse. The system of wild-cat banks had just been organized when the crash came, and well would it have been for the communities affected by these financial institutions if they had been immediately swept out of existence. But they were legal banking houses and were entitled to any measure provided for the relief of honest bankers. Banks that had vested interests to protect were careful in the extreme, discounted sparingly, and then only on undoubted paper. But the wild-cats had no vested interests. Their capital existed largely in imagination, and as their own securities were to a great extent a myth, they ran no risk in accepting almost any security for their nearly worthless promises to pay. Therefore, their notes were in everybody's hands, while those of the chartered banks were almost as scarce as gold. But at length the law, and all the banks with it, collapsed fatally and forever. They BANKING AND FINANCE - 351 dragged down the chartered banks with them, and there was never a more complete financial ruin. When all the banks had been swept out of existence there were bills afloat representing millions of dollars. Many of these were in the hands of bona ride holders, who lost heavily thereby. Many of the bills had never been in use, and were then given away promiscuously. Children used them to play with,. and in the rural districts, where paper hangings were scarce, people used them to paper their rooms. The Michigan bills were engraved by Rawdon, Wright & Hatch, of Detroit, in the best style of their art, and were printed on a good quality of paper, so that they made the walls of a log cabin rather picturesque. They were scattered all over the State of Michigan and Northern Ohio, thrown into old garrets, closets and book-cases. While the Civil war was in progress, thousands of dollars of these bills were resurrected and taken South by Federal soldiers, who found that the people of the South preferred them to Confederate money ; in fact, they were quite as valuable and superior in point of typographical appearance. Many of these bills are yet preserved and are shown as curiosities, serving also as reminders of those exciting times, which in history are regarded as partaking both of the ludicrous and the mournful. Why the banks were called "wild-cats" is not known. The bills of similar banks in the State of New York were known as "red dogs." Whether the two names had any relation to each other we are unable to say. Very likely the name of "wild-cats" was applied to them on some occasion in jest, and it seemed so peculiarly appropriate that it stuck to them and was generally adopted. One authority says that the name was first given to them by Oliver Newberry, who was at one time a leading merchant in Detroit. Some debtor brought in a parcel of these bills to pay up an account. Mr. Newberry refused to take them, and said he would have nothing to do with that "wild-cat stuff." Whether or not Mr. Newberry is entitled to the honor of going down to posterity as the stigmatizer of this species of bank notes is of small moment, but the characterization of them was certainly a fitting one. And looking over the field now, it is hard to understand how men of ordinary wisdom and prudence were led into this wild scheme of universal banking. But they suffered intensely for it. By Jan. 1, 1838. "Michigan money" had come to be a matter of serious concern and of no little discussion in Lucas county. The banks had substantially all suspended payment, without the possession by the public of any proper information as to when or whether they would resume. For a time. this question seriously disturbed business circles. The dealers of Toledo had divided as to the course to be pursued in this matter. On Dec. i6. 1837, a meeting of citizens of Tremainesville and vicinity was held for the "consideration of ,the depreciation of Michigan money, with Horace Thacher in the chair and Cyrus Fisher as secretary. After providing for an adjourned meeting, with delegates from Sylvania. Bedford and Erie, adjournment to Dec. 22, at the house of P. I. Phillips. Tremainesville, took place. At the adjourned meeting, after discussion, it was resolved to stand by the Michigan banks and receive such of their notes as circulated at home. The "Toledo mer- 352 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY chants and dealers" who were discounting such bills at twelve and one-half per cent. were strongly censured for so doing, since such policy was likely to "injure the farmers and merchanics," turn "trade into other channels," and "drive the only currency they had out of the country." They would "ask no discount on such money," nor would "they deal, if within their power to avoid it. with any man who demanded it"—an instance of "boycotting." practiced many years before Mr. Boycott, the Irish landlord, was subjected to the same means for coercion. To what extent local jealousy may have operated to array the Tremainesville business men so actively against the policy adopted by their young and rising competitor, cannot now be definitely stated. The people of Maumee City, also, shared in this currency trouble. A meeting of merchants and other citizens was held in August, 1837, to take measures to prevent injury from the circulation of uncurrent bank notes. F. E. Kirtland, Dr. Oscar White. Timothy Griffith, Owen Williams and James Howe, as a committee. reported resolutions deprecating the embarrassment under which trade was conducted, and specifying the bank notes which they would receive and the rates to be allowed for the same. They proposed that, for the purpose of restoring the currency to something like a par standard, they would charge and exact the following rates of discount on Michigan bank notes : The banks in Detroit and the River Raisin Bank, not bankable in Ohio, 5 per cent.; Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad Bank notes, 8 per cent. ; Washtenaw and Monroe, no sale ; Clinton and Macomb county banks, 25 per cent.; and other Michigan notes. 10 per cent." It was provided that White & Kirtland, Morehouse & Brownlee. and S. A. & J. H. Sargent be a committee to report weekly through the Maumee City Express, "the standard value of Michigan bank notes." It is safe to say that these firms constituted the first recognized authority on the Maumee river for fixing the value of bank currency. The first bank within the present limits of Toledo was the Bank of Manhattan. Its charter was granted by the Michigan State legislature and bore date of March 25, 1836. The legal existence of that institution was called in question in a suit brought by the bank to collect an indebtedness claimed of the late James Myers, of Toledo. The case was taken to the Ohio Supreme Court, where, in 1852, it was decided that the bank never had a legal existence and was not authorized to do business, for the reason that its charter was obtained, in 1836, from a body calling itself "the legislature of the State of Michigan," whereas there was no "State of Michigan" until January, 1837. Furthermore, it was held, "that Manhattan never was under the jurisdiction of Michigan, and that securities given to an unauthorized bank are void." Thus the claim against Judge Myers was not collectible. A statement of the condition of the Manhattan Bank, June 30, 1840. showed its totals to have been $122,052.71. Of its assets, $90,824 consisted of bills discounted : $18,500 special loans on interest ; judgments, $5,426. Of liabilities, capital stock paid in. $50.000 ; circulation, $57,381 ; interest, $951.41 ; deposits, $13.034. W. A. Chamberlain was then the cashier. In October. 1839, Henry D. Ward resigned BANKING AND FINANCE - 353 his position as cashier of this bank, and Foster M. Follett was appointed. Both were from Sandusky, where they subsequently died. The first banking house within the original limits of Toledo was that of Prentiss & Dow, corner of Monroe and Summit streets, opened in 1843. Subsequently, H. P. Esty succeeded Dow, the firm then being H. P. Esty & Company. Robert W. Titus was connected with the house, and in nature it did a banking or brokerage business. THE PERIOD OF SANE BANKING. The first regularly organized banking institutions located in Toledo were the Commercial Bank and the Bank of Toledo, the certificates of each being filed in the county recorder's office, Oct. 8, 1845, under the act incorporating the State Bank of Ohio and other banking companies, passed Feb. 24, 1845. They were both branches of the State Bank of Ohio and the capital stock of each was $100,000. The necessary papers for the organization of the Bank of Toledo were signed by Moses Y. Beach, of New York ; Zenas Cobb, Jr., of Cleveland, and Charles R. Miller, William Rattle, Horace A. Miller, Timothy L. Miller, and Samuel Rattle, all of Cuyahoga Falls. On Sept. 22, 1845, the bank was formally organized, William Rattle being elected president and Charles R. Miller cashier. The first dividend of 2 1/2 per cent. was declared May, 1, and the second, of 5 per cent., Nov. 2, 1846. The salary of the cashier was fixed at $1,000 per annum. Oh March 29, 1848, Gen. C. B. Phillips was elected cashier, and Morrison R. Waite was president in 1851. In the year 1852, owing to some trouble. the bank was placed in the hands of the Board of Control of the State banks, and it was subsequently sold to S. M. Young, M. R. Waite and others, who continued the business until it was organized. under the National Banking Act, as the Toledo National Bank. which occurred Nov. 19, 1864, with S. M. Young as president and Paul Jones as cashier. The necessary authority from the Controller of the Currency was issued Dec. 6, 1864, and the capital stock was $300.000. The officers of the new institution were : President, S. M. Young : cashier. Paul Jones directors, S. M. Young, M. R. Waite, H. B. Hurlbut, Joseph Perkins and Amasa Stone, Jr. Mr. Young served as president of the bank, including the two organizations, from 1855 until 1890. a period of thirty-five years. being a longer period of like service than that of any other citizen of Toledo. Mr. Jones continued as cashier until April, 1873, when, in consequence of ill health. he resigned and was succeeded by Horatio S. Young, who served until May. 1877. at which time Edgar H. Van Hoesen was elected. Mr. Van Hoesen served as cashier until 1888, when Horatio S. Young again assumed the position. and the latter served until the bank went into liquidation, in 1890. It was located for many years on the east side of Summit. between Madison and Adams streets. The Commercial Bank of Toledo, organized at the same time as the Bank of Toledo, was managed by Matthew Johnson and Joseph Lake. Mr. Johnson was an active, energetic business man and a successful career was predicted for him, but financial disaster overtook him and his bank passed into the hands of a receiver in 1854. 354 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY In October, 1845, Charles R. Miller & Company, exchange brokers, opened an office in Toledo and operated it some years. In December, 1846, Kraus & Company, money brokers, opened an office at the corner of Summit and Monroe streets. From there they removed to the corner of Summit and Jefferson, and subsequently Mr. Kraus, with William H. Smith, succeeded William G. Powers &.Company as owners of the City Bank, of which George C. Hertzler for some time was cashier. The firm of Kraus & Smith continued in business until the fall of 1873, when financial embarrassment caused its suspension, with an indebtedness of about $1,000,000, due largely to small depositors, including many Germans of Mr. Kraus' nationality. The percentage of available assets proved to be comparatively small, and no similar financial disaster in Toledo has caused like distress. In 1851, John Poag and Valentine H. Ketcham commenced a private banking and brokerage business, under the firm name of Poag & Ketcham. The following year the firm became V. H. Ketcham & Company, and afterward John Berdan was admitted, the banking house of Ketcham, Berdan & Company becoming one of the largest and strongest in the city. This firm continued in business until it was practically merged into the First National Bank, Sept. I, 1863. It was the first institution of the kind in Toledo, and among the earliest in the United States. The directors chosen were : V. H. Ketcham, John Berdan, S. S. Hubbard, Joseph K. Secor, Lyman Wheeler, Theodore B. Casey and Horace Holcomb, and the following officers were chosen : V. H. Ketcham, president ; J. K. Secor, vice-president ; John Berdan, cashier. On Aug. I, 1865, John Berdan resigned as cashier and S. S. Hubbard was .elected to fill the vacancy, serving in that capacity until March 5, 1878, a period of nearly thirteen years. He was with the banking house of Ketcham, Berdan & Company from 1856 until the organization of the First National Bank, in which he was teller until his appointment as cashier, in which position he was succeeded by Joseph M. Spencer. who continued in that capacity until he resigned, Jan. 3, 1882, when Spencer D. Carr was appointed. He served until his resignation, Oct. 1. 1887, when Mr. Spencer was re-elected to the position. On Jan. 9, 1866, Horace Holcomb succeeded Mr. Secor as vice-president and continued as such until Jan. 1, 1868, at which time Mars Nearing was elected. Mr. Ketcham held the office of president from the organization of the bank until his death, in July, 1887, and in September following Mr. Nearing was elected to that position. The officers of the bank in 1910 were as follows : Sheldon C. Reynolds, chairman ; Frederick J. Reynolds, president ; Rathbun Fuller, vice-president ; Joseph M. Spencer, vice-president and cashier ; Walter A. Hodge and Charles W. Tanner, assistants to the cashier. The capital of the First National Bank at first was $200,000. This was increased at different times and has been for many years past $500,000. Its surplus and undivided profits are $895,265, with $2,632,632 deposits. From its organization it has been second to no like institution in this section, and amid the trying scenes of repeated panics its credit has never suffered. - In 1904, the bank erected the fine bulding at 312-314 Summit street. BANKING AND FINANCE - 355 In December. 1855, Berry & Day (L. G. Berry and M. W. Day), from Adrian, Mich., opened the Mechanics' Bank in Toledo, and it continued in business here for several years. Raynor & Clark, in the latter part of 1856, opened the Exchange Bank of Toledo. The gentlemen composing this firm were the principal owners of the Bank of Tecumseh, located at Tecumseh, Mich., and they also conducted a banking office at Monroe, Mich. It afterward developed that their principal object in coming to Toledo was to exchange the worthless bills of the Bank of Tecumseh for good Ohio dollars. The failure of the last hamed institution, in 1860, closed the Exchange Bank at Toledo. The Marine Bank was established in Toledo by E. Parmelee & Company in the year 1860, with a nominal capital represented at $100,- 000, but it did not succeed in establishing a successful business and was obliged to close, the depositors being paid in full. George W. Davis, one of the stockholders, determined to reorganize the institution, and, in 1861, purchased the assets of the bank and, with a paid-up capital of $100,000, the Marine Bank of Toledo became a sound financial institution. George W. Davis was president and Nehemiah Waterman cashier, and the bank paid dividends running from 6 to 24 per cent. per annum. Under the United States banking law of 1863, this institution became the Second National Bank of Toledo, being organized as such Jan. 18. 1864, with a capital stock of $100,000. The officers at that time were : George W. Davis, president ; Nehemiah Waterman, cashier. The capital stock of the bank was increased to $150,000, in 1865, and subsequently to $35o,000. Mr. Waterman died in 1872 and was succeeded as cashier by Charles F. Adams, who was elected in January, 1873. Mr. Adams became president of the bank June 7, 1904. succeeding Mr. Davis, who died in the early part of that year. W. C. Carr became cashier Jan. 10, 1905, and has since served in that capacity. 'When the Second National Bank and the Merchants' National Bank consolidated, May I, 1907. Edwin Jackson was elected president of the combined institutions, which retained the name of the Second National Bank, but he died in June of the same year, without having qualified or served as president. M. W. Young was elected president of the bank Jan. 14, 1908, and is still serving in that capacity, the complete list of officers being as follows : Morrison W. Young, presideht ; T. C. Stevens, first vice-president ; T. W. Childs, second vice-president W. C. Carr, cashier ; C. W. Cole and F. A. Chapmin, assistants to the cashier. The bank now has $1,000,000 capital, with surplus and undivided profits of $1,290,000, deposits of $6,100,000, and total resources of $10,000,000. The Northern National Bank was organized Nov. 30, 1864, under the National Banking Act, by Matthew Shoemaker and his associates, with a cash capital of $150,000. It was first located on Summit, between Jefferson and Madison streets, and Mr. Shoemaker was the first president. with E. T. Mortimer as cashier. The business of the bank demanded more commodious quarters, and when the Produce Exchange was erected an elegant banking room was constructed, having two large fireproof vaults with ample space for a "safe deposit" safe, 356 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY which was supplied, and the bank located in quarters adapted to the business. The growth of Toledo and increase of business determined the stockholders to increase the capital of the bank to $300,000, and still later to $1,000,000, which represents the amount of capital, according to the statement of Jan. 31, 1910. The surplus and undivided profits on that date were $343,643, and the deposits were $4,062,870. The officers of the bank are as follows: I. E. Knisely, president ; F. B. Shoemaker, first vice-president ; J. K. Secor, second vice-president ; A. F. Mitchell, cashier ; H. M. Bash, assistant cashier. Cyrus H. Coy started a broker's office in Toledo soon after the beginning of the Civil war and succeeded in building up quite a large business and establishing a reputation that gained the confidence of the people. Not being satisfied with private banking, he organized the Commercial National Bank of Toledo, Sept. 9, 1875, with a capital stock of $100,000. The president was Cyrus H. Coy and the cashier was H. S. Halstead. The bank continued to do business until July 6, 1882. when the board of directors decided to go into voluntary liquidation. The business of the bank was closed, the depositors and stockholders were paid in full, and the Commercial National Bank ceased to do business. Mr. Coy, however, concluded to make the attempt of continuing the banking business as a private bank, under the firm name of C. H. Coy & Company, but owing to bad investments and the holding of a large amount of unsalable real estate, he was forced to make an assignment, which proved a disastrous failure, as the creditors received only about 30 per cent of their claims. The Toledo Savings Bank & Trust Company, designed to be a depository of savings, was organized May 8, 1868, as the Toledo Savings Institution. It commenced business July 21 of the same year, with Richard Mott as president and A. E. Macomber as cashier, and a capital of $100.000. On June 18, 1874, it was reorganized under its present name, with the following officers : Richard Mott. president ; Edward Malone, vice-president ; John J. Barker. cashier. M. D. Carrington served as vice-president from 1875 to 1878, when he was succeeded by Thomas Vanstone. According to the statement of Jan. 31, 1910, the capital of the bank is $300.000, the surplus and undivided profits are $351.224, and the deposits are $2.240,301. The officials of the bank at this time are as follows : C. L. Reynolds, president ; T. T. McDonnell, vice-president, and C. B. Fisher, cashier. On Dec. 14, 1868, the Northwestern Savings Depository was organized by H. S. Walbridge, Richard Mott, James M. Comstock, Valentine Braun, E. H. Van Hoesen and A. E. Macomber. Mr. Walbridge was the president and Mr. Van Hoesen the secretary and treasurer. This institution continued until January, 1875, when it was changed to the Northwestern Savings Bank, with H. S. Walbridge, Richard Mott, Heman D. Walbridge. Conrad Huberich, A. E. Macomber and E. H. Van Hoesen as directors; Mr. Walbridge as president and Mr. Van Hoesen as treasurer. In 1877 the bank was merged into the Toledo Savings Bank & Trust Company. The Merchants' & Clerks' Savings Institution was organized in 1870. for the purpose of affording prudent persons a suitable place BANKING AND FINANCE - 357 for the deposit of their savings, and at the same time encouraging such to add to their deposits by the payment of fair interest on the same. It commenced business in the rear of the room occupied by the Northern National Bank, at 99 Summit street, Feb. to, 1871. The first board of directors consisted of Oliver S. Bond, Matthew Shoemaker, James Secor, Frederick Eaton, L. M. Skidmore, C. L. Luce, N. M. Howard, John H. Whitaker and E. H. Wright, and the first officers consisted of Matthew Shoemaker as president and Oliver S. Bond as secretary and treasurer. The salary of the last named official was placed at $800 a year, and he was required to furnish a suitable room, safe, and counter, free of all expense to the bank. The first dividend, declared Nov. I. 1871, was 6 per cent., which was at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum. In April. 1873, the bank was moved to 78 Summit street, where it occupied a room of its own. In 1892 it was again removed, to 338 Summit street, remodeling the building so that, according to a hewspaper clipping of that time, it was the finest building on Summit street. In March, 1910, it was moved to temporary quarters, at 342 Summit street, where it remained during the rebuilding of the structure at 338 Summit, returning to the last named location about Sept. I. It now has a beautiful modern stone and concrete building, which it occupies exclusively for banking purposes. In April, 1878, the rate of interest paid on deposits was reduced from 6 to 5 per cent. per annum. Mr. Shoemaker, the first president. continued in office for a period of fourteen years, and was succeeded, in 1884, by John A. Moore. On Jan. 3, 1888, Mr. Bond. who had been the secretary and treasurer from the start. was elected as president, and E. Louis Schomburg as treasurer. The latter gentleman. from the first, had served as teller. The present officials of the bank are as follows : Oliver S. Bond, president E. L. Schomburg, vice-president Walter C. Bond, cashier. According to the statement of Jan. 31. 1910, the deposits amount to 51.528.777. The capital stock of the bank is $150,000. and dividends to the stockholders since its incorporation have amounted to 352 per cent., or $528,000, in addition to which there has accumulated a surplus and other undivided profits of over $228,000. Keeler. Holcomb & Co.. as a banking institution, was formed in 1870. by Salmon H. Reeler and Horace H. Holcomb, for the purpose of doing a private banking business. After a few years, Elijah H. Norton became a member of the firm, and continued as the cashier of the bank until his death, which occurred in September, 1886. The business was then continued by the other partners, under the name of the original firm, until 1891, when it was chartered as the Holcomb National Bank. with Horace H. Holcomb as president and J. V. Shoemaker as cashier. This arrangement continued until 1905, when the name was changed to the National Bank of Toledo, and it so remained until July 1. 1907, when the business was absorbed by the National Bank of Commerce. The Merchants' National Bank was organized under the National Banking Act, in the year 1871, with a capital stock of $300,000, and commenced business in a part of the Fort Industry Block. Wilson W. 358 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY Griffith was the principal organizer of the institution and was its president for many years. The first cashier was Gen. Charles C. Doolittle. The purpose of the bank was largely to assist merchants and manufacturers, and a very large number of that class of citizens became interested as stockholders and depositors. Mr. Griffith continued as president until 1882, when he was succeeded by W. 0. Parker, who served for one year, and then Reed V. Boice was elected. George Milmine was the vice-president until January, 1873, and subsequently that position was filled as follows : 1873 to 1883, by N. M. Howard ; 1883 to 1886, by Frederick Eaton ; to 1887, by J. B. Baldy ; and in that last named year Minot I. Wilcox was elected to the position. General Doolittle served as cashier during all of those years. Minot I. Wilcox became the president of the institution in 1893. On May I, 1907, the bank was consolidated with the Second National Bank and ceased to exist as an independent institution. Spitzer & Co. is a private banking institution, doing a general banking business but making a specialty of county and city municipal bonds. In 188i C. M. Spitzer, L. Weidman and J. W. Weidman, under the firm name of Spitzer, Weidman & Co., established the business. In 1882 the Messrs. Weidman retired and were succeeded by A. L. Spitzer, the firm becoming Spitzer & Co., as it now continues. In 1885 John B. Ketcham 2d established a private banking house in Toledo, which was continued until Jan. 1, 1888, when it was merged into the Ketcham National Bank, then organized, with a capital stock of $250,000. It commenced business at the southeast corner of Madison and St. Clair streets. The members of the board of directors were G. G. Hadley, J. B. Ketcham 2d, J. H. Doyle, I. N. Reed, John Berdan, I. N. Poe, E. W. Tolerton, E. C. Shaw, W. 0. Parker, E. L. Barber and Philip Schmidt, with the following officers : J. B. Ketcham 2d, president ; S. H. Waring, cashier ; Elbert D. Ross, assistant cashier. Mr. Ketcham served as president of the institution until 1894. when he was succeeded by Epaphras L. Barber. In 1892 Spencer D. Carr was elected vice-president of the bank and served as such until the retirement of Mr. Barber from the presidency, in 1898, when he was elected to that position, and still continues to fill the same. Several years ago, by a vote of the board of directors, the name of the institution was changed to the National Bank of Commerce, and it is a power in the commercial affairs of the community. It has a capital stock of $1,000,000 ; surplus and un. divided profits, $249,048 ; deposits, $6,556,726. The officers of the bank are as follows : Spencer D. Carr, president ; W. W. Edwards and R. B. Crane, vice-presidents ; George W. Walbridge, cashier, and W. L. Lamb, assistant cashier. The Union Savings Bank was organized in May, 1888, with a capital stock of $300,000, the officers being as follows : James Secor, president ; William H. Maher, vice-president, and Leander Burdick, cashier. In 1894 Frank T. Lane became vice-president of the institution and served as such until 1902, when he was elected to the presidency. Mr. Lane was succeeded as vice-president by Christopher Daudt, and, in 1903. Joseph D. Dempsey was chosen assistant cashier. BANKING AND FIN ONCE - 359 According to the statement of Jan. 31, 1910, this bank has a capital of $250,000; surplus and undivided profits, $226,372, and deposits, $1,090,919. Its officers are as follows : Frank T. Lane, president ; W. H. Maher and Christopher Daudt, vice-presidents, and Leander A. Burdick, cashier. The East Side Bank Company was organized in 1891, with a capital of $100,000. M. T. Huntley was the president, G. W. Barnes the vice-president and H. R. Klauser was the cashier. One year later George W. Barnes became the president, with J. C. Messer as vice-president, and in 1893 Mr. Messer was elected to the presidency and Sandford W. Cook vice-president. This arrangement prevailed until the death of Mr. Messer, Sept. 21, 1903, and the vacancy thus caused was filled by the election of H. R. Klauser as president and William E. Brown as cashier. The bank closed its doors in the fall of 1909 and went into involuntary bankruptcy. The Home Savings Bank Company was organized in 1892, with a capital of $250,000, and opened for business Dec. 20. 1893. Although the times were somewhat unpropitious, owing to the prevailing industrial depression, it enjoyed flattering success from the start. Herbert Baker has been the president of the institution from its organization to the present time, the first vice-president being Carl F. Braun and the first cashier Dean V. F. Manley. In July, 1903, J. G. Mitchell was elected vice-president, and in January, 1906, Walter B. Snyder became cashier, which office he resigned later in the year, W. H. Yeasting succeeding him. The present .officials are: Herbert Baker, president ; J. G. Mitchell and Marion M. Miller, vice-presidents ; W. H. Yeastihg, cashier. In the statement of Jan. 31, 1910, the capital stock of the bank is given as $250,000. the surplus and undivided profits ,152.592, and the deposits $1,913,337. The Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Company was incorporated in November, 1896, with an authorized capital of $350,000. David Robinson, Jr., was elected as the first president, with Dennis Coghlin, George E. Pomeroy and Joseph L. Wolcott as vice-presidents and Tames J. Robison as cashier. In 1900 Edward Ford was elected vice-president. and in 1905 George A. Weber became secretary, treasurer and cashier, with C. E. Kirschner as assistant. The officers at the present time are : James J. Robison, president ; David Robison, Jr., chairman of the board ; William Hardee and John Cummings, vice-presidents ; E. H. Cady, cashier, and Frank E. Kennison, trust officer. In the statement of Jan. 31, 1910. the capital stock of the bank is given as $850,000, the surplus and undivided profits $515,324, and the deposits $5,671,026. The Commercial Savings Bank was organized in 1898, with a capital of $100,000, and the following corps of officers: M. V. Wolf, president ; A. M. Chesebrough, vice-president ; Carey B. Close, cashier. In 1899 J. K. Secor succeeded to the vice-presidency, and in 1903 David Harpster became president. Other changes in the officials have been made from time to time, and the present corps is constituted as follows : George W. Close, president ; Carey B. Close, vice-president and treasurer ; John D. R. Lamson, vice-president and chairman of 360 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY the board ; J. W. McMahon, vice-president ; Dallas P. Dildine, vice-president and in charge of a branch office in West Toledo; F. E. Stewart, secretary and assistant treasurer. The statement of the bank, Jan. 31, 1910, was as follows : Capital stock, $200,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $18,679 ; deposits, $1,290,324. The Auburndale Savings Bank was organized Aug. 3, 1898, with a capital stock of $50.000. The president of the institution was F. D. Suydam, the vice-president was F. E. Southard, and the cashier was E. F. Rowley. In 1899 the capital stock was increased to $100,000. and the name of the bank was changed to the Central Savings Bank Company. At the same time F. E. Southard was elected president, R. A. Bartley and A. B. Tillinghast. vice-presidents, and Burton Southard, assistant cashier. In 1899 the Union Central Savings Bank was incorporated, with a capital stock 0f $50,000, and the following corps of officers : J. P. McAfee, president ; James Melvin, vice-president.; John Milligan, cashier, and J. E. McAfee and A. Milligan, assistant cashiers. The Rossford Savings Bank Company was organized Oct. 31, 1900, with a capital stock of $25,000, and the following officers : Joseph Henry, president ; E. M. 'Warner, vice-president : J. E. Baird, cashier. This institution was absorbed by the Union Central Savings Bank Company, in 1902, and a short time thereafter the assets of the last named concern were purchased by the Central Savings Bank Company. At the time of this purchase the Central Savings Bank Company increased its capital stock to $300,000, and the following corps of officers were installed : L. S. Baumgardner, president ; F. E. Southard, first vice-president ; A. B. Tillinghast, second vice-president ; R. A. Bartley, third vice-president ; E. F. Rowley, cashier, and P. A. Milligan, Burton Southard and W. E. Irwin, assistant cashiers, the last named gentleman remaining in charge of the Auburndale branch of the bank. The institution continued in a prosperous condition until 1907, when it was absorbed by the Continental Trust & Savings Bank Company. The Continental Trust & Savings Bank Company was organized June I, 1901, as the Lucas County Savings Bank Company, with a capital stock of $50,000, and William S. Wright as president. In 1902 Andrew Emerine became president, J. N. Ricard vice-president, R. W. Wallace cashier, and F. E. Stewart assistant cashier. In 1904 0. A. Browning and E. T. Affieck were elected vice-presidents, first and second, respectively, and in 1905 the assets of the American Savings Bank Company were purchased. The last named institution was organized in 1902, with E. G. Ashley as president, Dr. 0. Hasencamp and Peter Parker vice-presidents, E. H. Bradford cashier, and Harry B. Ruhl assistant cashier ; and it continued under such management until 1905, when it ceased to exist, as already stated. In 1905 the officers of the Lucas County Savings Bank Company were as follows : E. T. Affleck, president ; Will W. Morrison, first vice-president ; R. W. Wallace, second vice-president, and J. E. Alvord, cashier. In 1907, at the time of the absorption of the Central Savings Bank Company, the name of the institution was changed to Continental Trust & Savings Bank Company, and the capital stock was increased BANKING AND FINANCE - 361 to $200,000. E. T. Aftieck was elected chairman of the board, L. S. Baumgardner became president, Will W. Morrison first vice-president, Irving Squire second vice-president, I. E. Gardner secretary, and E. F. Rowley treasurer. According to the statement of Jan. 31, 1910, the capital stock of the bank is $200,000, the surplus and undivided profits are $6,521, and the deposits are $799,493. The officers are : Will W. Morrison, president ; D. A. Yoder, vice-president ; J. E. Alvord, secretary-treasurer, and C. A. Mathias, assistant treasurer. The Broadway Savings Bank Company was organized in August, 1900, with a capital stock of $25,000, and with J. P. McAfee as president, C. B. Phillips as vice-president, and W. R. Edgar as cashier. In 1902 C. B. Phillips was promoted to the presidency and John S. Good became vice-president, which arrangement prevailed until 1904, when George G. Metzger succeeded to the presidency. The bank was forced to close its doors in 1908, and considerable litigation followed the failure of the institution. The Dime Savings Bank & Loan Company was incorporated in November, 1900, with a capital stock of $100,000. W. H. H. Reeder was the president, J. S. Hallaran and I. I. Millard were the vice-presidents, and A. B. Hood cashier. In 1902 R. V. Hodge became the cashier of the institution, and it has continued in successful operation, practically under the same management, up to the present time, the officers now being as follows : W. H. H. Reeder, president ; J. S. Hallaran and F. W. Bainbridge, vice-presidents, and R. V. Hodge, cashier. According to the statement of Jan. 31, 1910, its capital stock is $115,100, its surplus and undivided profits are $31,524, and its deposits amount to $1,097,886. The Dollar Savings Bank Company was incorporated in 1901, with a capital stock of $250,000. The president was Clark A. Browning, the vice-presidents, first and second, respectively, were Clarence A. Leeper and Charles S. Burge, and the cashier was Charles M. Edson. In 1906 the capital stock was raised to $500,000 ; in 1908 A. A. Moody became cashier, and with this exception and one or two changes in the minor officials, the hank remained under its original management until December, 1909, when it was absorbed by the Ohio Savings Bank & Trust Company, and its existence ceased as an independent concern. The Dorr Street Savings Bank was organized in July, 1901, with a capital stock of $50,000, and with Charles E. Sutton as president, James Melvin as vice-president, and J. Albert McAfee as cashier. In 1906 Ernest Roberts became the cashier of the institution, succeeded in 1907 by Burton Southard, and the hank continued in operation until 1908, when it was forced to suspend, in the wake of the panic of 1907. The Security Trust Company is the oldest institution of a trust character in Lucas county and was the direct result of the existence of conditions prevailing prior to 1898. C. F. M. Niles, who had been prominently connected with banking institutions in the South and West, moved to Toledo about the first of January, 1898, and, finding that no institution organized exclusively for trust purposes was in existence here, took up the matter for such an organization with many 362 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY of the prominent bankers and leading business men. As a result of his efforts, it was decided to launch upon the financial sea a trust company which would have the support and interest of the leading citizens of this city and vicinity. A temporary organization was effected, but it was found that under the existing laws it would be necessary to have enacted by the State legislature a law providing for the organization of such a company in Toledo. Such a bill was prepared by Mr. Niles and his associates, and, in due time, the measure was passed extending the operation of the Trust Company Act to Toledo. About this time the war with Spain broke out, and this occasioned some delay in completing and perfecting the organization of this financial enterprise, and it was not until October, 1898, that the Security Trust Company opened its doors for business. The company was incorporated, however, June 14, 1898. and the first officers were as follows : P. B. Shoemaker, president ; Noah H. Swayne, vice-president ; John J. Barker, vice-president ; C. F. M. Niles, secretary and treasurer. Later. H. W. Cummings was chosen assistant secretary and treasurer. The directors were Maurice A. Scott, S. C. Schenck, S. R. Maclaren, S. D. Carr, Noah H. Swayne, C. M. Spitzer, O. A. Browning, J. K. Secor, F. B. Shoemaker, Edwin Jackson, W. J. Colburn, John J. Barker, G. H. Breymann, Adolph Brand and C. F. M. Niles. The records of the bank disclose a rather unique and most interesting situation, for it appears that the first board of directors and trust committee included in its membership five bank presidents, four bank vice-presidents, two cashiers and three common pleas judges, and it would appear that, so far as the personnel of the bank was concerned, it had what may be termed an "embarrassment of riches." About two years later the State Savings Bank Company was organized, having some of the same stockholders and directors as the Security Trust Company, and, after numerous conferences, it was decided to merge the two institutions. On Nov. 13, 1903, the Security Trust Company and the State Savings Bank were consolidated and merged, forming what is now known as one of the best financial institutions in Northwestern Ohio, and incorporated as The Security Sayings Bank & Trust Company. A great majority of the original stockholders of these two banks continue as owners of the stock of the consolidated company, and it is safe to say that no banking institution could have a stronger lot of stockholders than is possessed by The Security Savings & Trust Company. The Security Trust Company was organized with $200.000 capital stock and the State Savings Bank with $50.000 capital stock. The merged banks now have a capitalization of $250.000. with nearly $100.000 of accumulated surplus and profits, having paid dividends of 6 per cent. semi-annually to the shareholders. The deposits of this institution have increased greatly since its organization and now .are well past the $2,500,000 point, and the bank has weathered every storm and has always enjoyed a most enviable reputation. The present officers of the bank are : C. F. M. Niles, president ; A. D. Gilmore, first vice-president ; 0. A. Browning, second vice-president ; John Daiber. third vice-president ; R. H. Scribner, secretary and treasurer ; W. J. Wedertz, assistant BANKING AND FINANCE - 363 treasurer. The directors are C. A. Russell, C. H. Gates, M. W. Young, H. W. Cummings, J. A. Barber, O. A. Browning, John Daiber, H. R. Wilson, A. D. Gilmore, R. H. Scribner, J. H. Spielbusch, C. F. M. Niles, Rathbun Fuller, E. T. Affleck and H. C. Uhlman. The Mechanics' Savings Bank was organized in July, 1902, with a capitalization of $50,000, and with F. C. Strutz as president and H. E. French cashier. This arrangement continued until about 1905, when H. A. Stafford was made cashier, H. E. French vice-president, and F. C. Strutz continued as president. In 1909 Mr. Strutz resigned the presidency of the institution and George Miller was elected his successor, H. E. French becoming cashier in 1910. The present officers are as follows : George Miller, president; H. E. French. vice-president and cashier. According to the statement of Jan. 31, 1910, the capital stock of the bank is $25,000, the surplus and undivided profits amount to $7,302, and the deposits are $115,115. The Market Savings Bahk Company was incorporated in December, 1903, with a capitalization of $100,000—J. T. Smith, president John J. Vollmayer, first vice-president E. P. Hubbell, second vice-president, and William G. Vollmayer, cashier. The officers remain the same at present, with the exception that William F. Donovan is the second vice-president. According to the statement of Jan. 31, 1910, the capital stock of the bank is $73,035, the surplus and undivided profits amount to $9,491, and the deposits are $422,401. The People's State Savings Bank is the youngest of the banking institutions of Toledo. It was incorporated by W. H. Tucker, David Harpster, P. J. Dolan, W. J. Von Ewegen and 0. D. Tiffany, in 1908, and soon after its orgahization the following directors were elected : \V. H. Tucker, C. L. Van Brimer, J. S. Metzger, P. J. Dolan, J. L. Parks. A. S. Mitchem. Julius Comte, Peter Gendron, Dr. J. D. Salvail, P. McCrory, David Harpster, C. J. Karg, Lyman Ames, Dr. V. 0. Moore, H. J. Rohrs and O. D. Tiffany. The work of building a banking house was then undertaken and 0. D. Tiffany was given the charge of financing the proposition, as well as that of completing the hank building already in course of construction. The banking house was completed April 1. 1909, and on May i of the same year the bank had its opening. About 2,000 people were present upon the occasion, and the bank started under very auspicious circumstances. During the first year of its existence about a thousand people opened accounts with the bank, and its resources total over $250,000. It has a capitalization of $50,000, and its deposits amount to $115,000. The officers of the bank are as follows : W. H. Tucker, president ; J. D. Salvail. vice-president ; 0. D. Tiffany, cashier, and J. S. Griss, assistant cashier. In conclusion, it may be said that, notwithstanding the laxity of the early laws and ofttimes unfavorable conditions, the city of Toledo has been fortunate in escaping the dire effects of bank failures and the misdeeds of dishonest bankers. But few exceptions mar this bright page in the city's history. In the great panic of 1893 not a single one of Toledo's banking institutions failed or suspended, and in the panic of 1907 they suffered no loss, either financially or in the con- 364 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY fidence of their patrons, though there was some falling off in the deposits. It may be said in fact that the banks of no city in the State enjoy a more deserved prosperity or have a more enviable reputation for financial soundness than those of the city of Toledo. CHAPTER XVI AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED INTERESTS. EARLY STATISTICS-CHANGE IN PRODUCTIONS-LATER STATISTICS ON AGRICULTURAL WEALTH-RISE AND DECLINE OF THE SHEEP INDUSTRY-THE MANUFACTURE OF BUTTER-GREAT POTATO GROWING REGION-FRUIT RAISING-THE NURSERY INDUSTRY-GRAPES AND WINE-LUCAS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY-TRI-STATE FAIR ASSOCIATION-THE GREAT FARM FACTORY. When the tide of immigration turned to the Maumee valley, in 1836 and 1837, Lucas county was practically a wilderness, heavily timbered, and offered to the pioneer settler who desired to produce crops the hardest kind of work in felling the forests and clearing up the land for agricultural production. How well this was done we leave it to our readers to realize, in the present state and condition of the gardens and farms. We are not able to present the statistics of early production in Lucas county, as the state did not provide for the publication and preservation of annual agricultural reports until several years after the formation of the county. In 1857, however, the number of acres in the county, including the improved and unimproved land, was given at 208,595 acres, and in 1860 only about 30,000 acres were reported as under cultivation. In 1870 the cultivated land had increased to 53,080 acres, and the unimproved land had correspondingly decreased, that reported as "uncultivated land" amounting to 45,713 acres, and 7,28o acres being reported as "pasturage." In 1880 the number of acres of agricultural land owned in the county was given as 111,703 acres, of which 69,255 acres were cultivated, 27,737 acres were given as wood land, 4,402 acres were listed as "land lying waste," and 7.539 acres as pasture land. In 1890 the acres of cultivated land were 70,035, wood land 19,535 acres, land lying waste 2,188 acres, and 8,946 acres in pasture. In 1900 the total agricultural land owned in the county amounted to 102,582 acres, 76,152 acres were given as cultivated land, 14,549 acres as wood land, 3,171 acres as land lying waste. and 8,710 acres as pasturage. In 1908, which is the last report available, the total agricultural land owned in the county was 97,868 acres, of which 59.566 acres were cultivated, 7,763 acres were in wood land, 5,411 acres were in land lying waste and 25,128 acres are devoted to pasturage. As was natural in the settling of a fertile region of this character, the number of farms constantly increased, and a gradual increase has - 365 - 366 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY been shown in each decade, the average size of the farms being about eighty acres. It is interesting to note from statistics of production the growth of the county from the pioneer state to the state of intensive agriculture. When a country is first settled up the large areas of land induce the production of wheat and other cereals, and also the keeping of large numbers of sheep, which can thrive on the pasture of the wild lands which exist in the early history of a county. But as settlement proceeds and intensive agriculture develops, we see a gradual decline of the cereal and sheep crops, and an increase in crops that requilre more brains and give better value for the skill employed than the primitive agricultural occupations. The report of 1851 shows that there were 5,076 cattle of all kinds in Lucas county, and these included a large number of what are commonly denominated work oxen, and which are very plentiful during the pioneer days in any agricultural community. These of course rapidly declined with the advance 'of the farming industry, and it is very doubtful if a single pair of work oxen could be found in the present domain of Lucas county. But during the same period the number of milch cows increased considerably. In 1858 there were 7,638 cattle of all kinds reported in the county and in 1860 the number had increased to 8,961. In 1870 the number had decreased to 7,294, and in 1880 the high-water mark was reached, with the figures 10,317. From this point the decline began, and in 1890 the number was 10,271, of which number 5,369 were milch cows. In 1900, 6,878 cattle were reported, 204 of which were beef cattle, 5,248 milch cows and 1,426 other cattle. In 1908 there were 164 beef cattle, 6,405 milk cows and 897 other cattle, making a total of 7,466. The rise and decline of the sheep industry in Lucas county, as sheep pasture flourished and then passed away, is interesting. In 1846 there were 10,859 sheep in the county, in 1851 there were 8,922, and seven years later, in 1858, the number had been reduced to 5,853. This decrease, however, is stated in the agricultural report to have been due entirely "to the ravages of dogs." In 1860 there were 6,991 sheep in the county. In 1870 the number had increased to 8,470. In 1880 the number was 8,166 and from this point the decline began. In 1890 the sheep numbered 6,084, in i900 but 2,466, and the report of 1908 showed another decline to 1,708. When one studies the economic causes that have brought about these changes, the sophistries of the political agriculturists and the fallacies of their argument become apparent. The variations in the annual production of wheat is also interesting. In 1860 the county produced 137,148 bushels ; in 1870, 117,207 bushels. In 1880 the high-water mark was reached, the county raising 346,002 bushels, but in 1890 the production had decreased to 220,751. In 1900 the figures were given. at 246,565, and in 1908 a still further decrease was shown, to 194,632 bushels. Just as the production of the above crops, which are preeminently those of a pioneer country, decreased, so the crops that require skill and care in the management increased, and also with them AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED INTERESTS - 367 those cereals that are used exclusively as food for live stock. The report of 1858 shows the production of corn to have been 128,613 bushels ; that of 1860, 339.360 bushels ; and each decade showed a gradual increase until, in 1890, the county grew 2,446,190 bushels of corn. Since that time the growing importance of Toledo as a city and the increased demands for the products of truck farming has caused a diminution of acreage devoted to the raising of corn. But in 1908 there were 839,512 bushels produced. In 1860 the county grew 82,466 bushels of oats. Heavy increases followed in each decade until, in 1900, the county grew 641,083 bushels. The production of wool in the meantime, starting in 1846 at over 40,p00 pounds, and in 1870 reaching 34,020 pounds, had steadily decreased—under all kinds of tariff and other legislation, whether alleged to be favorable or unfavorable—until, in 1900, the figures were 15,618 pounds, and in 1908, 11,723 pounds. No branch of agriculture requires more skill and intelligence in production than the manufacture of butter and the production of milk. In 1860 the county produced 136.388 pounds of butter, but in 1908 it produced 466,015 pounds. In 1890 there were 506,692 gallons of milk reported as sold for family use, 1,277,495 gallons in 1900, and 1,093,879 in 1908. In 1880 we have the first record of the production of eggs, the county in that year having produced 188,228 dozens. In 1900 it produced 382,908 dozens, and the last report, which was of 1908, shows a production of 502,070 dozens. Horses on the farms increased from 3,645, in 1860, to 8,499, in 1890, but then began a decline in the number, and in 1908 there were only 4,133 reported. From the reports, one of the industries that has never received much attention in Lucas county seems to be the growing of tobacco. There is no mention of any production of the narcotic weed until 1900, when twenty-five pounds were reported, but in the report of 1908, i,000 acres are reported to have been devoted to the industry and 26,859 pounds of tobacco produced. In the meantime Lucas county has been helping to make the Maumee valley a great potato-growing region. Very few people in the county realize the extent of the potato industry in their midst. In 1860 the county produced 110.099 bushels of potatoes, and an increase has been shown in every decade until, in 1900, the county produced 280,703 bushels, and in 1908 the production was 358,335 bushels, this being a larger production than many northern Michigan counties that are classed as potato districts. The country adjacent to Toledo has at the present time hundreds of acres of garden land in the highest state of cultivation, both under glass and in the open. producink. in the winter as in summer, thousands of dollars' worth of garden truck. These products are not only sold in Toledo, but are shipped in all directions—north, east, south and west—to help feed the ever-increasing population. The data of the development of agriculture in Lucas county is the life story of the pioneers who cleared away the forests, and of the 368 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY sturdy and faithful workers who have been their successors. Concerning them much information is given on other pages of this work. What has been achieved in the seventy-five years since the 0rganization of the county, as well as what are the principal lines of farm work, are told in the figures of the crops of the present, some of the statistics of which have already been given. In them it will be seen that the great crop of Lucas county is corn, to which 20,454 acres were devoted in the spring of 1908. The crop of course varies from year to year, but, in 1908, it was, as already stated, 839,512 bushels. The wheat crop comes next in the line of cereals, for, as is well known, wheat does best in the drift lands of the northern part Of the State. In fact, the glacial drift throughout the old Northwest Territory has made possible the great wheat crops and the wealth of the country, in the past. Lucas county had 8,289 acres in wheat in 1908, and the yield was 194,632 bushels, according to the agricultural statisticians. Over 13,000 acres are devoted to meadow hay, with a product of 15,344 tons, and 2,818 acres to clover, with a yield of 3,283 tons of that sort of hay. These figures, we suppose, are given approximately, as everyone is aware that statistical figures of this sort are no more than approximations at the best. The potato crop, in 1908, was 358,335 bushels, and the onion crop 112,211 bushels. The yield of oats was 428,943 bushels, of rye 24,367, and of buckwheat 3,332. There was no broom corn reported in the county, but there were eighty gallons of sorghum made. The maple syrup production was estimated at eighty-three gallons, and the bees made 6.649 pounds of honey. At a very early date in its history Northwestern Ohio occupied a prominent position in the growth of the larger kinds of fruit. This was especially true as to apples and pears. At the fairs of the State Agricultural Society no section bore away as large a number of premiums for either quality or variety of fruit. This state of things was clue to two facts—first, the peculiar advantages of soil and climate here possessed ; and, second, to the exceptional interest and attention given to that product by many of the early settlers. This was especially the case in and about both Maumee City and Perrysburg, and between those places and Toledo, each side of the river having at early dates well cultivated orchards, judiciously stocked from carefully trained nurseries. That the interest in that line of industry has not wholly subsided, evidence is given in the agricultural reports of 1908, wherein the fruit yields of Lucas county were estimated as follows : Thirty-five thousand bushels of apples, 4,777 bushels of peaches, 2,259 bushels of pears, 380 bushels of plums, 1,200 bushels of cherries, and 94,033 bushels of other small fruits. Three hundred and thirty-six acres were devoted to vineyards, from which were produced 510,550 pounds of grapes. and 15,118 gallons of wine were manufactured. From the first movements in the direction of horticulture in Lucas county J. Austin Scott was specially prominent. It is said that he was the first one in the county to cultivate fruit trees, and the statement is, probably correct. The manner in which he gave the enter- AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED INTERESTS - 369 prise a start is told by another writer substantially as follows : It was about 1838, and Mr. Scott then lived near . old Fort Miami. The country at that time was without young trees for transplanting, and they had to be started from the seeds, which also were scarce. To supply himself with these Mr. Scott resorted to the cider mill of Aurora Spafford, below and near Fort Meigs, where he obtained pomace, from which, by washing, he obtained the seeds of apples. These he sowed, broadcast, and thus secured seedlings, which he replanted in rows. Then, as opportunity offered, he obtained scions of the choicest varieties of apples. and budded or grafted them himself. These he gathered from several different states. From a nursery thus obtained, Mr. Scott planted an orchard of fifty acres on his farm at Fort Miami, and it was believed to be the most complete of any then in Ohio. From his orchard, at one time, he took to the Ohio State Fair no less than 170 different varieties of apples—all correctly labeled—for which he obtained the first premium, as he frequently did for eight or ten years thereafter. His brother, George W. Scott, assisted in the care and culture of the nursery. It is doubted, if any other horticulturist in the country, by his own efforts and with such inadequate facilities, ever attained the success shown in Mr. Scott's case. That gentleman took a leading part in the organization of the first horticultural society in this section, was its first president, and cohtinued in its management while it existed. He also was a vice-president of the Ohio Pomological Society and procured a session of the same at Toledo, where its members were entertained by the citizens. At the Ohio State Fair at Cleveland, in September, 1863, large showings were made of fruits from the State of New York. but Mr. Scott excelled them all in variety and quality. The first exclusively nursery business on the Maumee river seems to have been that established in the spring of 1845, by Abner Morse, of Onondaga Hollow, N. Y.. and lames and Asa W. Maddocks, of Toledo, under the firm name of Maddocks & Son. The locality selected for the purpose was what is now known as Guard Island, on the bay and in Monroe county, Michigan. But the enterprise not proving a success there, such of the stock as could be removed was taken to the lands of Frederick Prentice. on the east side of the Maumee river, and nearly opposite the place where the roundhouse of the Wabash railroad was located. In 1852 A. W. Maddocks, C. E. Perigo and Frederick Prentice were the proprietors, and they continued the business until 1854. when the Toledo Nursery Association was formed, comprising the gentlemen named, together with Matthew Johnson. Thomas M. Cooley. John Bates and Henry Bennett. In 1857 this association was dissolved and, largely with its stock, several other nur- series were started, there soon being no less than five establishments of that kind within the present limits of Toledo. They were known as the Great Western Nursery. of Frederick Prentice the Ohio, of H. A. Ensign and H. G. Ford, on the east side of the river The Hickory Grove, of Israel Hall, on Upper Broadway : the Humboldt, of Peter and Carl Lenk, at Tremainesville : and the Toledo, of A. Fahnestock Sr. Sons, on Bancroft street. In 1860 George Baker became joint owner 370 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY with A. Fahnestock, the firm being Fahnestock & Baker. Two years later Mr. Baker became sole proprietor and continued the business until 1880, meantime having a trade never exceeded in extent by that of .any other establishment at this point. A chief embarrassment to the nursery business here seems to have been found in the great fertility of the soil, which produced excessive growth in the yearling trees, whose immature wood was unable to withstand the winter's frost, as do young trees even in more severe seasons when grown less rapidly in soil less fertile. The result was that the business gradually yielded to the competition of more favorable conditions, and finally ceased entirely. Fruit culture has been materially promoted in this county and region by associated action of those concerned and interested in its successful development. A Horticultural Society was organized at a comparatively early day, and an exhibition was held by the Toledo Horticultural Society, at Hunker's Ice Cream Saloon, June 14, 1852, on which occasion there was a display of early fruits and some vegetables. The officers of this society, in 1853, were : Jessup W. Scott, president ; Dr. Ezra Bliss, vice-president ; C. E. Perigo, secretary ; Thomas Dunlap, treasurer ; and M. Johnson, C. W. Hill and J. M. Whitney were members of the executive board. Another exhibition of this society was held June 28, 1854. At an annual meeting of the society, held Feb. 4, 1861, Mr. Scott exhibited thirty-four kinds of apples from his orchard at Miami, one of which (a Russet) was named "Fort Miami," having originated from suckers taken by Judge Aurora Spafford from old Fort Miami. The adaptability, in soil and climate, of this region for the growth of grapes was not appreciated for many years after settlement. To a greater or less extent that fruit was cultivated, but not as generally as the conditions justified. The importance of the matter was suggested by the success attending the culture of grapes on the neighboring islands in Lake Erie. The first vines set for cultivation there were by Charles Carpenter, on Kelley's Island, in 1843. The crop increased very slowly for fifteen years, and in 1858 there were only sixteen acres of vines. In 1860 there were sixty-two acres in bearing and a total of 230 acres set. The cost of fitting the ground, setting the plants, and trellising and cultivating until the vines were in bearing was then $300 per acre. To continue the recapitulation of Lucas county agricultural statistics, in the way of live stock the county had, in 1908, 4,133 horses, 7,466 cattle, 6,574 hogs and 1,708 sheep. The wool clip was 11,723 pounds. The milk sold was 1,093,879 gallons, in addition to that used by the owners of cows, and over 466,000 pounds of butter were made. The eggs gathered were estimated at 502,070 dozens. According to the figures of the State Board of Equalization of Taxes, in 1900, there were 119,022 acres of arable or plow land, 13,632 acres of meadow or pasture land, and 59,056 acres besides, classed as uncultivated or wood land, making a total of 191,710 acres of farm lands, which were assigned a valuation for taxation by the State board of $5,964,000. AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED INTERESTS - 371 No county in Northwestern Ohio, probably, possesses better elements to guarantee prosperity to an agricultural organization than does the county of Lucas. Except the waters that form river and creek channels, there is not a waste acre in the county. An agricultural society was founded Nov. 15, 1849, at a meeting held at Swanton, and the following officers were then chosen : Sanford L. Collins, president ; William Trowbridge, vice-president ; John G. Klinck, secretary ; W. G. Dewey, treasurer ; and as managers, A. H. Stone of Spencer, C. W. Hill of Port Lawrence (Toledo), A. Butler of Chesterfield (now a township in Fulton county), and George Taft of York (also now in Fulton county). The Lucas and Fulton County Agricultural Society, representing the counties of Lucas and Fulton (the latter then recently created arid largely of the territory of the former), held its first fair at Toledo, Oct. 16 and 17, 1850. The premiums consisted mainly of subscriptions to the Ohio Cultivator, the Albany Cultivator, Hinds' Farrier'', and other publications and books, and diplomas. A few cash premiums were given, the highest of which was three dollars, for the best bull. The best farm of forty acres received two dollars and a diploma and a copy of Stevens' Book of the Farm; best three acres of wheat. Stevens' book ; best ten pounds of butter, one dollar and Miss Beecher's Domestic Economy, etc. In 1854 an annual fair of the Lucas County Agricultural Society was held, and in October of the same year the following officers were elected : Joel W. Kelsey, president ; Charles E. Perigo, vice-president ; Thomas M. Cooley, secretary ; Matthew Johnson, treasurer ; and J. Austin Scott, L. B. Lathrop, Edward Bissell, Sr., 0. C. Wilson and Henry Breed were selected as managers. The above mentioned organizations having ceased to exist, a Lucas County Agricultural Society was organized in 1857, and it held its first fair in 1858. The cash premiums on that occasion amounted to only $140, the list consisting chiefly of diplomas, the Ohio Farmer, the Ohio Cultivator, the Scientific American, the American Veterinary Journal, the Country Gentleman, the Rural New Yorker, the Albany Cultivator, and the Michigan Farmer. Five premiums of five dollars each were awarded, the other cash premiums being three dollars, two dollars and one dollar. In 1859 this society held its second fair at Toledo, and it continued an active organization until in July, 1877, when the board of directors made an arrangement with the Tri-State Fair Association of Toledo, under which the grounds of the society were turned over to the uses of that association, and the annual county fairs were indefinitely suspended. The Tri-State Fair—general in its scope, but, from Toledo's geographical situation, special as to Northwestern Ohio, Southeastern Michigan and Northeastern Indiana—had its origin in the failure of the Ohio State Board of Agriculture to carry out the engagement to hold a series of State fairs at Toledo, to begin in 1877. Upon being disappointed in that proposed arrangement, and not being willing to abandon the movement for a fair at Toledo, the local committee turned its attention to the plan of organizing a permanent association. Their efforts met with such success that on July 5, 1877, a meeting 372 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY of subscribers to the necessary fund was held and a board of directors chosen, consisting of L. S. Baumgardner, David Robison, Jr., S. S Ketcham, Frederick Eaton and T. P. Brown. On the following day the directors met, decided upon the name of "Tri-State Fair Association," and engaged for its headquarters rooms in the Hall Block, northeast corner of Jefferson and St. Clair streets. The offer of the Lucas County Agricultural Society, to turn over to the association its grounds, was accepted. An election of officers was then had, as follows : L. S. Baumgardner, president ; T. P. Brown, vice-president ; C. A. King, treasurer, and E. W. E. Koch, secretary. L. S. Baumgardner, T. P. Brown, C. A. King, Frederick Eaton, S. S. Ketcham, Henry Brand and D. Robison, Jr., constituted the executive committee. So vigorous was the young association that its first annual fair was held in the September following, and it proved successful beyond expectation. The result was the permanence of the arrangement, with yearly improvement and enlargement. The Lucas County Agricultural Society, however, maintained its organization, and participated in the management of the annual exhibitions. In 1907 the lease of the grounds to the Toledo Exposition Company—as the association managing the annual fairs was called—was cancelled, and on Oct. 8, 9 and 10 of that year the Lucas County Agricultural Society held its first exclusive fair in a period of thirty years. Since that time interest, attendance and exhibits have increased, until indications point to an equal if not greater success than that which attended the old days of the "Tri-State" exhibitions. At different times throughout the county are held farmers' institutes, with speakers of State reputation, and the gatherings add materially to the social life of the rural communities. We have given in a brief and concise manner the position that agriculture occupies in Lucas county affairs, and we doubt if very many of its inhabitants have realized its comparative importance. The city of Toledo and the lesser municipalities of the county are engaged in the very laudable effort of endeavoring to attract to their respective limits various manufacturing concerns, and the county properly boasts of its industrial plants ; but the annual product of the cackling old hen on the farms in Lucas county rivals the product of many of the factories, and the old hen never closes down her industrial plant nor runs short hours on account of industrial depression. She is everlastingly at it. year after year, without intermission. The great farm factory of Lucas county is annually producing millions of dollars' worth of finished product, and at the same time the farmers are not following out a course of farming that depletes the soil. The productivity of the land is being constantly increased by the intelligent husbandmen of the county, and the future will see this great farm factory gradually increasing its production. Whether the times are good or poor, this factory is run for the full output, and the effect of the large production of wealth by the agricultural interests will contribute in no small measure to the prosperity of the city of Toledo and Lucas county in general. CHAPTER XVII. BENCH AND BAR. By Harvey Scribner. FIRST COURT IN THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY-THE OLD BENCH AND BAR- COUNT COFFINBERRY-DANIEL 0. MORTON-HIRAM WALBRIDGE-EMERY D. POTTER-MORRISON R. WAITE-REMINISCENCES OF THE LUCAS COUNTY BAR-MEMORIALS TO DECEASED LAWYERS -MORRISON R. WAITE. CHARLES KENT. MORGAN N. ODELL, JOHN FITCH. JAMES M. HUESTON, JAMES J. FRENCH. EZRA S. DODD, JOSEPH D. FORD, WILLIAM BAKER, EDWARD BISSELL, AND OTHERS. The first court held northwest of the Ohio river, under the forms of civil jurisprudence, was opened at Campus Martius (Marietta), Sept. 2, 1788. On April 7, preceding, Gen. Rufus Putnam, with forty-seven men, had landed and commenced the second settlement in what is now the State of Ohio. General Harmar, with his regulars, occupied Fort Harmar. Governor St. Clair, and also Gen. Samuel H. Parsons and Gen. James M. Varnum, judges of the Supreme Court, arrived in July, 1788. The Governor and Judges, constituting the government, had been employed from their arrival in examining and adopting such of the statutes of the States as, in their opinioh, would be adapted to the situation of this new colony. The government had made appointments of civil officers for the administration of justice, and to carry into effect the laws adopted. Some idea may be given of the character of the early settlers of Ohio by describing the order with which this important event—the establishment of civil authority and the laws—was conducted. From a manuscript, written by an eye witness, the substance of the following is obtained. The procession was formed at the point (where most of the settlers resided), in the following order : 1. The High Sheriff, with his drawn sword. 2. The citizens. 3. The officers of the garrison at Fort Harmar. 4. Members of the bar. 5. The Supreme Judges. 6. The Governor and. clergy. 7. The newly appointed Judges of the Court of Common Pleas—Gens. Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper. They marched up a path that had been cut and cleared through the forest to Campus Martius Hall [stockade], when the whole procession countermarched, and the Judges—Putnam and Tupper—took their seats. The clergyman, Rev. Dr. Cutler, then invoked the divine - 373 - 374 - MEMOIRS OF LUCAS COUNTY blessing. The sheriff, Col. Ebenezer Sproat (one of nature's nobles). proclaimed with a solemn "0 yes, 0 yes, 0 yes," that "a court is opened for the administration of evenhanded justice—to the poor as well as the rich, to the guilty and innocent, without respect of persons ; none to be punished without a trial by a jury of their peers, and then in pursuance of the laws and evidence in the case." Although this scene was exhibited thus early in the settlement of the State, few ever equalled it in the dignity and exalted character of its principal participators. Many of them belong to the history of our country, in the darkest, as well as the most splendid periods of the Revolutionary War. To witness this spectacle, a large body of Indians was collected from the powerful tribes then occupying the almost entire West. They had assembled for the purpose of making a treaty. Whether any of them entered the hall of justice, or what were their impressions, we are not informed. THE OLD BENCH AND BAR. Hon. Hezekiah D. Mason was in Toledo during 1835, but, although a well educated lawyer, he did not engage in practice. Caleb F. Abbott opened an office in the winter of 1835-36, and Richard Cook, in the spring of the same year, commenced practice, forming a law partnership, the following summer, with George B. Way, the last named gentleman having been here previously, but not engaged in his profession. During a portion of the year 1836, Tappan Wright, son of the late John C. Wright, of Cincinnati, was engaged in the practice of law in Toledo. It was some time during this year that John Fitch commenced his professional career. In 1837, Daniel O. Morton, John R. Osborn. and Myron H. Tilden—the last two named from Norwalk—opened law offices. Mr. Morton, under the administration of President Pierce, was appointed United States Attorney for the District of Ohio. He was also one of the commissioners who formed the first code of civil procedure under the present Constitution of the State. He established a high reputation as a lawyer, and died in 1859. William Baker (having formerly practiced in Norwalk) removed to Toledo in November, 1844, and opened an office, and in 1847, the law firm of Tilden & Baker was formed. Judge Tilden removed to Cincinnati, in 1850. On the first Monday in December, 1837, Mr. Osborn was elected Clerk of the Ohio Senate, and with Cooper K. Watson, of Tiffin, as his only assistant—with the exception of a slight additional force employed during the last three weeks of the session—discharged the whole duties of the office. In 1839, he returned to Norwalk and remained until 1853, representing his district in the State Senate at the session commencing in December, 1844. In 1853, he was invited to take charge of the law department of the then projected Wabash Railroad, which position he held until the day of his death. Among the early lawyers who were students in Toledo. and were admitted to the bar here, were Thomas Dunlap. Daniel McBain, Charles