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the river in boats morning and evening. In January, 1834, Miss Whitney became the wife of Sanford L. Collins, one of Toledo's pioneer merchants.
Another early teacher was Miss Harriet Wright, who in 1835 taught a term of school in the frame building on Erie Street, which was used a little later as the first courthouse of Lucas County. She was born in Vermont in May, 1812, came to Toledo in 1834, and on January 25, 1835, was married to Munson H. Daniels. She died on July 20, 1842.
On October 1, 1838, the city clerk, Charles W. Hill, gave notice through the "Blade" of an election to be held on the third Monday of that month, "to determine upon the leasing, building or purchasing of a sufficient number of schoolhouses, and the leasing or purchasing of a lot or lots, upon which to erect such houses for the schools of the city ; and also to determine how much money shall be raised for such purposes, and for the purchase of fuel for said school-houses."
The result of this election cannot be learned, but it was evidently in favor of the establishment of some sort of a school system, for the October term of the Court of Common Pleas, which met soon afterward, appointed J. Baron Davis and John R. Osborn school examiners. These were the first school examiners appointed in Lucas County. They were supposed to exercise supervision over the schools in the city and the several townships f the county.
In April, 1839, John Berdan and E. S. Dodd advertised in the Toledo newspapers for "a gentleman qualified to take charge of a limited number of scholars." The advertisement did not state whether the scholars were to be taught in a public or private school. About this time the city council elected John Berdan, Samuel B. Scott and Oliver Stevens as school directors, though at that time there were no schools to "direct."
About the middle of June, 1839, a "charity school" was opened in a room over Levi Snell's tailor shop on Lagrange Street. It was under the auspices of the Toledo Benevolent and Charitable Society and was for girls under fifteen and boys under eight years of age. Parents who could afford to pay a moderate tuition fee were expected to do so, but poor people of good report" were permitted to send their children to the school free of charge. The society even furnished books and articles f clothing when necessary. Some thirty pupils were enrolled who paid little or no tuition fees. It seems the school was discontinued after the fall term in 1839.
All this time public opinion was divided on the subject of free public schools. Some twenty-five or thirty years ago an Ohio educator, discussing the inauguration of the public school system, said: "The individual is the creature of social conditions, and so long as conditions were such that only the poorest f the poor rejoiced over the introduction f the common school system, the more opulent ones, with a heartlessness which is too often a companion of wealth, sought to render the movement unpopular by stigmatizing those feeble institutions of learning. Because of this situation, many poor people hesitated to send their children to the common schools, fearing they would be classed as 'paupers.' . . . So, it may be observed, we are more truly democratic today, in this respect, than our fathers, who posed as the especial champions f human equality."
On December 20, 1840, the city council passed "an ordinance for the regulation of common schools in the City of Toledo." By this ordinance each ward was
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constituted a school district, and the council was authorized to elect three school directors for each district. The directors elected were as follows : First Ward—Samuel Allen, John Berdan and Dr. Jacob Clark. Second Ward—Edward Bissell, Levi S. Lownsbury and Peter H. Shaw. Third Ward—William Hoskins, Coleman I. Keeler, Jr., and Joseph Turner. The directors were instructed by the ordinance to take charge of the public schools and "When public money shall be applied to the support f the schools, said schools shall be free for all the white children of the district, under such regulations as may be adopted to secure to each one equal participation therein."
An example of how the opposition to the free school system manifested itself is seen in the result of an election in the spring of 1842. The question of levying a tax was submitted to the voters of the city and on June 25, 1842, the returns were submitted to the council. It was found that in the First Ward a majority had voted against any levy whatever ; the Second Ward had voted for a tax of two mills on the dollar, and the Third Ward for one mill on the dollar, the funds arising from such tax to be used for leasing or erecting school buildings. The result of this election was not calculated to inspire hope in the advance of popular education. It should be remembered that at this time the authorities f the school district furnished only the schoolroom and fuel, each scholar in attendance paying a tuition charge, such tuition fees being used to pay the teacher.
SELECT SCHOOLS
The delay in getting the public school system into working order, and the demand for better educational facilities, led to the opening of several select schools during the decade from 1840 to 1850. In July, 1841, a Miss Howlett opened a select school in a building on the corner of Lagrange and Superior streets. Tuition rates varied from $1.00 per term in the primary branches to $4.00 per term in the higher grades.
It seems that Miss Howlett taught but one term, as in the following December Thomas Dunlap, Jr., was conducting a select school at the same place. Mr. Dunlap was actively interested in educational matters. He was one f the charter members f the Toledo Young Men's Association, which was organized in 1838; taught a select school in 1841-42 ; married Miss Jeannette Allen on May 9, 1842, and in 1844 his name appears as an attorney in the list of members f the Toledo Bar. From 1845 to 1847 he was prosecuting attorney of Lucas County, and from 1858 to 1861 held the office of probate judge.
In October, 1843, Charles Dodge began a term of school in the room used as a courtroom on the corner f Cherry and Summit streets. Besides the ordinary English branches, he taught Greek and Latin, the French, German and Spanish languages and higher mathematics. For the English course the tuition was $3.00 and for the other languages it was $5.00. Mr. Dodge subsequently became a lawyer and for many years he was active in political affairs.
During the winter of 1844-45, a Miss Jenks conducted a school for girls and young women in a building on the corner of Cherry and Summit streets—probably the same quarters used by Mr. Dodge the year before.
Levi S. Lownsbury started the Toledo Academy in January, 1846, in rooms on the second floor of the Mott building, corner of Monroe and Summit streets. He
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had a considerable number of students enrolled and conducted both day and evening classes. Mr. Lownsbury was a native of New York, received a good education, and after coming to Toledo was somewhat active in general affairs. Besides his interest in educational matters, he was adjutant of the Lucas County regiment of militia in 1839 and the same year was elected to the city council. He was the second auditor of the county, holding the office for four years, after which he practiced law until his death in 1856.
THE AKRON LAW
The Legislature of 1846 passed an act which became known as the "Akron Law," because it was enacted for the benefit of the public schools f that city. At the close of the year 1847 Toledo had four public schools, each enrolling about one hundred pupils. Three of these were taught in buildings owned by the city and the fourth in rented quarters. The value of the three schoolhouses owned by the city did not exceed fifteen hundred dollars, and about the only thing of which the citizens could boast was that one of the buildings was equipped with a bell. Early in the year 1848 Francis Hollenbeck contributed a number of articles to the "Blade," calling attention to the lack of system then prevailing in the management of the schools, and pointing out the advantages of the Akron Law as a means of increasing the efficiency of the public schools. These articles aroused some local pride. Through the influence of Edward Bissell, Thomas Dunlap, Simeon Fitch, Jr., John P. Freeman, Levi S. Lownsbury, C. I. Scott, Dennison Steele, Roswell Stowe and James Whitney a petition was circulated asking for the extension of the Akron Law to Toledo.
Although some of the citizens declined to sign such a petition, there was no open opposition and the petition was forwarded to the Legislature. The legislation asked for was enacted and in May, 1849, the new law was submitted to the voters of Toledo at a special election. A majority of the votes cast was in favor of the acceptance of the law and it went into effect at once.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
As the Akron Law provided for a Board of Education, the first step was to elect the members thereof. Ira L. Clark, Morgan L. Collins, Simeon Fitch, Jr., John P. Freeman, Samuel B. Scott and Decius Wadsworth were elected and the board organized by selecting Ira L. Clark as president. The board was without funds to purchase suitable school furniture, which was sorely needed, but the members advanced sufficient means from their private funds, trusting the city council to reimburse them when the new system was placed upon a secure footing. A room was rented for a central grammar school and steps were taken to establish a primary school in each of the four wards. At the opening of the school term in 1849 the enrollment of pupils reached 489, the largest in the city up to that time.
The board recommended a tax levy of three mills on the dollar for school purposes, which the council refused to approve. This was the first serious check to the inauguration of the new system. In this respect Toledo was no worse than other communities ; in fact public sentiment on the subject of popular education was in advance of most of the western cities. But there was still much
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indifference and the word "taxation" always has an unpleasant sound to many citizens. Nevertheless, the board went bravely ahead and by perseverance succeeded in breaking down much of the opposition. A few years later the Legislature passed an act making boards of education independent in the matter of tax levies and to this fact Ohio owes much f the efficiency of the present public school system.
Another important action of the school board of 1849 was the election of a superintendent of public schools. The members saw that an executive head was essential to success and elected Rev. Anson Smyth, pastor of the Congregational Church, superintendent. Mr. Smyth was an educated man, with a firm belief in the efficacy of popular education. By his diplomacy he awakened a greater interest in the common schools, and by his own energy he inspired his teachers to greater efforts. He continued in charge of the schools until February, 1856; was state commissioner of common schools for two terms, and was subsequently superintendent of the public schools of Cleveland, where he died in 1886.
The first important step toward providing suitable school accommodations was the erection of the Lagrange Street School building, which was occupied in April, 1852. Concerning this building the "Blade" said editorially : "It is an edifice on which every citizen of Toledo has great reason to be proud—a splendid result of the common effort, by which the schools of our city have been raised from a condition of absolute worthlessness, to one embracing all the improvements and perfections of modern energy and investigation. We doubt if any schools in the country were in worse condition than ours, when Rev. Anson Smyth took charge of them ; and we confidently challenge any superintendent in Ohio to make an exhibition of schools now in better condition."
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
When the schools opened in the fall of 1849, under the new Board of Education and the superintendency of Rev. Anson Smyth, the high and grammar schools were located in a frame building on Summit Street, near Adams, where they remained until the attendance grew to such proportions that larger accommodations were necessary. Then the grammar school was removed to a new frame building, erected for the purpose, on Superior Street, between Adams and Jackson. Early in 1853 plans for a high school building were approved by the Board of Education. These plans contemplated a main building 56 by 102 feet, three stories in height, so constructed that two wings could be added as the growth of school population demanded. Only the main building was undertaken in 1853. It contained twenty-six rooms on the first and second floors and a large hall on the third, with a seating capacity of 1,500. An early city directory says :
"The site selected for the high school was on the upland, beyond the canal, in Adams Street, one of the most sightly and central locations in the city. J. W. Scott generously- donated to the city Fart of the site and the remainder was contracted for by the Board f Education."
That part of the site donated by Jessup W. Scott is the end of the block facing Adams Street, where the building formerly known as the Manual Training School was located. The entire block, bounded by Adams, Michigan and Tenth
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streets and Madison Avenue, is now occupied by the Woodward Technical School, which is frequently called by the old name, "Central High."
The plan adopted in 1853 also provided for a tower, in which was to be placed a clock with dials seven feet in diameter and a large bell, upon which was inscribed : "Toledo High School, May 1, 1854," on one side and on the other "To Learning's Fount the Youth I Call." This bell is still preserved as a relic at the Scott High School.
August 11, 1853, was a red-letter day in the educational calendar of Toledo, for on that day was laid the corner-stone of Toledo's first high school building. The committee of arrangements consisted of E. B. Brown, Charles W. Hill and Matthew Johnson ; John Fitch was master of ceremonies, and Gen. Joseph W. Brown was marshal of the day. A parade, in which the fire department, city officials, civic societies, etc., took part, moved through the principal streets to the building. The ceremony of laying the stone was performed by the grand master of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Addresses were delivered by Rev. H. B. Walbridge and Lorin Andrews, agent of the State Teachers' Association.
One man connected with this ceremony deserves more than passing notice. Charles W. Hill, who was one of the committee of arrangements, came to the city before it was incorporated and for many years was actively identified with Toledo's progress. He held the office of city clerk in 1838-39 ; was elected captain of the Toledo Guards in 1840, and in June, 1842, was commissioned brigadier-general of militia ; helped to organize the Toledo Plank Road Company in 1848 ; was a member of one of the early volunteer fire companies ; was elected a member of the Board of Education in 1851, and from 1855 to 1878 was president of the board. He was named in the deed of trust, executed by Jessup W. Scott and his wife in 1872, as one of the first board of trustees of Toledo University. Much of the excellence of Toledo's present public school system is due to the intelligent and disinterested labors of Mr. Hill.
In 1857 the first high school class graduated. It consisted of three members —Amos W. Crane, Olive Parmalee and William H. H. Smith. One year later the graduating class numbered eleven, to wit : Apphya C. Avery, William Corlett, Charlotte A. Coy, Delia Curtis, George A. Forsyth, Ella A. Hanks, Fannie M. Hanks, Emerson E. Hasty, John L. Johnston, Margaret E. Lillelund and Fannie E. Love. William Corlett was still living in 1922, a resident of Waterville. The high school was now an established institution and it was a powerful agent in converting the opponents of a public school system to the opposite view. After 1858 there was no opposition worth mentioning to the levying of taxes for the support of the common schools.
MODERN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
It would be tedious and unnecessary to trace in detail the development of the public school system—the erection of each new schoolhouse, the various changes in the board of education, etc. Suffice it to say that Toledo has kept pace with her sister cities in educational matters. When the old Central High School was destroyed by fire in 1896, no time was lost in erecting a new building on the site. It was completed in 1898 and is known as the Woodward Technical School. Ten years later its crowded condition made it incumbent upon the Board of Education to provide more room for high school purposes.
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Accordingly, the board, early in October, 1908, adopted a resolution providing for a bond issue of $500,000 for the erection of two new buildings, one of which should be on the East Side. The proposition wis submitted to the electors of the city at the election on November 3, 1908, and was approved by a substantial majority of the voters. With the proceeds derived from the sale of the bonds two new high schools were established—the Scott High School, on Collingwood Avenue, between Machen and Winthrop streets, and Waite High School, on Second Street, between Morrison Drive and Broadway. The former provides ample high school facilities for the western part of the city, and the latter takes care of the young people of East Toledo.
Besides. the three high schools, Toledo had in 1922, forty-eight other public school buildings. At the election in 1920 the voters of the city authorized the board to issue bonds (as needed) to the aggregate amount of $11,000,000 to erect new school buildings, made necessary by the rapid growth of the city and the corresponding increase in the school population. The year 1922 was the banner year in the history of the city for expansion of school facilities. Eight buildings of great capacity and with the latest improvements in construction were in course of construction or approaching completion, namely, the Libbey High School, the Oakdale-Whiteg, Webster, Lewis Avenue, Ontario, Alexander Hamilton, McKinley, and Longfellow. The new South Side High School, called after Edward Drummond Libbey, cost approximately a million and a quarter dollars. It accommodates two thousand scholars. The old high school site at Adams and Michigan streets has recently been sold for $1,000,000. The block bounded by Monroe and 'Washington and 15th and 16th streets was bought as the site of the proposed new Woodward Technical High School, to be built out of the proceeds f the sale f the old site. A half block on the west side of Monroe and extending from 16th to 17th was also purchased as the site f a proposed building to take over the capacity of Washington and Jefferson schools. A great deal of land was also bought adjacent to fifteen ward schools to enlarge playgrounds. During the school year of 1921-22 there were l,234 teachers employed in the public schools and the number of pupils enrolled was 31,572.
TOLEDO UNIVERSITY
The institution known as the Toledo University dates its beginning from October 21, 1872. On that date Jessup W. Scott and his wife, Susan Scott, executed a deed of trust conveying to the Toledo University of Arts and Trades 160 acres of land in Adams Township, near the city line, the estimated value of which was $80,000. The object of the trust, as set forth in the deed, was :
"To establish an institution for the promotion of knowledge in the arts and trades and the related sciences, by means of lectures and oral instruction; of models and representative works of art; of cabinets of minerals ; of museums, instructive of the mechanic arts ; and of whatsoever else may serve to furnish artists and artisans with the best facilities for a high culture in their respective occupations, in addition to what are furnished by the public schools of the city. Also, to furnish instruction in the use of phonographic characters, and to aid their introduction into more general use, by writing and printing. And also, to encourage health-giving, invigorating recreations."
The trustees f the proposed university, as named in the deed, were: Jessup W.
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Scott, William H. Scott, Frank J. Scott, Maurice A. Scott, Richard Mott, Sarah R. L. Williams, William H. Raymond, Albert E. Macomber, Charles W. Hill, and, as ex-officio members f the board, the mayor and superintendent of public schools in the City of Toledo and the governor of the State of Ohio. Richard Mott was chosen as the first president of the board of trustees. A few months later the original deed was amended in such a way as to permit the trustees to use the funds of the institution in connection with any city or state fund for public education. It is said this change was made at the suggestion of Frank J. Scott, who was a careful student of educational systems and had arrived at the conclusion that all educational work should be based upon the free public school system. This change in the deed made possible some years later a radical change in the management f the university.
On April 1, 1873, the trustees purchased the property known as Raymond Hall, at the corner of Tenth and Adams streets. The purchase was made at public sale and William H. Raymond gave to the trustees the sum of $15,000 for the purpose. It was this generous donation that led the trustees to give the building the name of Raymond Hall. The university received another large gift soon after the death of Jessup W. Scott, which occurred on January 22, 1874. His widow and her three sons—all members of the board of trustees—knowing it was Mr. Scott's intention further to endow the institution, united in conveying to the board real estate in the City of Toledo valued at $50,000.
Frank J. Scott spent some time in Europe in the summer of 1873 and brought back with him a valuable collection of books, engravings, etc., with a view to establishing a School of Design in connection with the university. The death of his father in January, 1874, caused some delay, but
on January 14, 1875, the school was opened in Raymond Hall, under the direction of William Young. Lessons of two hours each were given on five evenings of the week, and also a lesson on Saturday, to persons interested in the arts and trades. Mr. Young left Toledo in May, 1875, and C. J. Shipley took charge of the school. He was succeeded by E. O. Fallis, one of the city's leading architects, who conducted the school for several seasons. It was finally abandoned for want of funds.
On January 18, 1884, the trustees decided to offer the university, with all its appurtenances, to the City of Toledo, provided the city would assume the trust under the powers conferred upon municipalities by the laws of Ohio. The tender was accordingly made to the council and after full consideration that body accepted the trust on February 7, 1884. An ordinance to that effect was passed soon afterward.
MANUAL TRAINING
In the proposition to present the University of Toledo to the city council, the board of trustees outlined a plan for the introduction of manual training, which was one of the principal inducements for the council to take over the institution. Most of the old trustees were re-appointed by the council and Albert E. Macomber, a member of the board, urged the establishment of a manual training school, to be modeled after the school in St. Louis, of which E. M. Woodward was the principal. The council and the Board of Education voted to levy a tax of two-tenths of a mill on the dollar for the purpose of establishing a manual training school. One of the larger rooms in the high school building was set apart for the school, which was opened under the superintendency of Ralph H. Miller, a graduate of Woodward's school in St. Louis.
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In 1885 the trustees sold part of the property given by Mrs. Scott and her sons and with the proceeds erected a new wing to the Central High School, on the end next to Adams Street, for a manual training school. When the building burned in 1896, the walls of this wing were not seriously damaged and were used in the construction of the new Woodward Technical School. The passerby on Adams Street may still see the inscription "Scott Manual Training School," carved in the stone over the entrance. Manual training, of or both boys and girls, is now a part of the course of study on all the Toledo high schools, and in some of the graded schools. From a booklet issued by the University authorities in the spring of 1922, the follow-ing extract is taken :
"From 1885 to 1906 the University really was a polytechnic school doing pioneer work in the field of manual and industrial training. The effectiveness of its work is indicated by the fact that its fame attracted visitors from all sections of the country. About the year 1903 the work of the manual training school was taken over by the public schools of the city. It had been the idea of the founder of the University that its work should be beyond and supplementary to the work of the public schools. The University, therefore, took steps to enlarge the scope of its activities. In 1904 the College of Pharmacy was established, and during the next few years more or less temporary affiliations were made with a number of local professional schools. In 1909 the University was reorganized. The same year was marked by the establishment of the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Law. In 1910 the College of Industrial Science was established, while in 1914 the College of Commerce and Business was organized. In 1916 the Teacher Training work of the University was reorganized under the control of the Teachers' College, now known as the College of Education.
"The University of the City of Toledo is maintained by an annual levy granted by the city council and is governed by a board of directors consisting of nine members, three of whom are appointed by the mayor f the city biennially for terms of six years. The board has full charge of all
University property and funds, determines the policies f the University, and elects the proper officers f administration and instruction."
About the time the University was reorganized in 1909 it was located in the building formerly occupied by the Illinois Public School, at the corner of Eleventh and Illinois streets. A large addition was built to the south end of the old school-house to meet the requirements f the growing attendance. In 1921 the board of directors began the erection of a new building on the original Scott donation of 160 acres, now between Hill and Nebraska avenues, in the western part of the city. This building was occupied during the spring semester in 1922. It is known as Science Hall, contains the library of over 8,000 volumes, shops, laboratories, drafting room, etc., and is pronounced by educators one of the best arranged school buildings in
ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE
In September, 1898, St. John's College was opened under the direction of the Jesuit Order, "for the higher education of the aspiring Catholic youth of Toledo and vicinity." It is one of fifteen educational institutions maintained in different cities of the United States by the Missouri Province of the Jesuit order and was incorporated on May 22, 1900. The original chapter was amended and the scope of
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the college was extended on August 29, 1903, when the authority to grant degrees was ratified by the secretary f state.
The several buildings comprising the college are located on Superior Street, just north of Walnut. The principal departments are the academic, the commercial and the collegiate. The institution is equipped with a library of several thousand volumes, which is free to all students. A meteorological observatory, provided with all the necessary scientific instruments, adds to the value of the college. The course of study is that usually found in schools f its class.
On June 19, 1922, the twenty-fourth annual commencement exercises were held in Westminster Hall, Bishop Stritch presiding. At that time it was announced that the college would celebrate its silver jubilee in 1923, in connection with which an effort would be made to raise funds for the erection f the first of the new college buildings on the site recently purchased at West Bancrft Street and Parkside boulevard.
MISCELLANEOUS SCHOOLS
In addition to the schools and colleges above mentioned, the City of Toledo has its quota of church and private educational institutions. A parochial school is maintained by the Catholic Church in each of the parishes. According to the "Official Diocesan Year Book" for the year ending on October 1, 1921, the enrollment in these schools during the preceding school year was 9,151, and the number f teachers employed was 182. Of these, five were lay teachers and the others were members of different religious orders. The history of these parochial schools is contemporary with that of the parish, as in almost every instance the school was established as soon as the parish was organized, and in many cases the schoolhouse was built before the church.
Besides the parochial schools and St. John's College, the Catholics have the Cen-tral High School on the corner of Cherry and Page streets, in the building formerly occupied by the Toledo University ; the Notre Dame Academy, at 1111 West Ban-croft Street, conducted by the Sisters of Notre Dame ; the St. Franciscan Convent near the intersection f Lagrange and Dexter streets, and the St. Ursula's Academy and Art School at 2413 Collingwood. The last named institution, conducted by the Ursuline Sisters, was established in December, 1854.
Parochial schools are conducted in connection with seven of the Lutheran churches, to wit : Emanuel, at Buckeye and Erie streets ; St. James', 2426 Center Street ; St. Lucas', at Frank Street and Walbridge Avenue ; St. Petri's, on Hawley Street, near Nebraska Avenue ; Salem, at 1125 Huron ; Martin Luther; at 617 Nevada Street ; and St. Mark's, at 603 Woodville Street. These schools were established soon after the churches were organized. (See chapter on Church History).
The Toledo Hebrew School is located in the Jewish Educational building, on the northeast corner f Linwood and Southard avenues.
The Law Kindergarten was opened in September, 1883, by Dr. Mary E. Law and her sister, Emma L. Law. It began with seven pupils, but in 1888 a training department was added, for the benefit f teachers who desired to qualify for kinder-garten work, and another sister—Mrs. H. G. Bissell—was added to the teaching staff. A little later two special instructors were added. In September, 1896, the school was moved into its own home at 2313 Ashland Avenue, where it has been con-
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ducted since. It is founded upon the principles advanced by Frederich Froebel, founder of the kindergarten system, and its graduates have been uniformly successful.
At the Toledo Museum of Art classes are taught the theory of color and design, interpretative drawing, etc. The Toledo University and the Law Kindergarten give credits for work done at the museum. (See chapter on Public Buildings.) The Tri-State University, on the second floor of the Meredith building, corner of Michigan and Jefferson, and the Davis Business College, at Fifteenth and Adams streets, teach shorthand, typewriting and business principles, and there are several private schools in the city, the principal work of which is to prepare young men and women for entering college.
TOLEDO PUBLIC LIBRARY
The Toledo Public Library dates its beginning from 1864. In that year the Toledo Library Association was organized and a subscription library was established. Among the early members of the board of trustees were Charles A. King and William C. Scott. These gentlemen saw that a subscription library was in the nature of a luxury and of no benefit to the masses, who were not able to share in its support and benefits. They urged that the library be turned over to the city, on condition. that it would receive adequate support, believing that a free public library would be an important factor in the education of the people. The consent of the members of the association was obtained and a bill was presented to the Ohio Legislature providing for a public library, free to all the citizens of Toledo, and sustained by taxation. The bill passed and was approved by Governor Noyes on April 18, 1873. On June 24, 1873, the provisions of the act were accepted by the Toledo City Council in a resolution deeming it "essential to establish a library and reading room and make provisions for their maintenance."
Mr. Scott and Mr. King were on the first board of trustees appointed by the city in June, 1873,
and both continued on the board for twenty years, when Mr. King's tenure was terminated by death and Mr. Scott soon afterward resigned. As soon as the council accepted the act of the Legislature, the association turned over to the city 4,878 volumes, two lots on Forrer Street, and $105 in money. The act provided that the Toledo Board of Education should turn over to the new public library all books and documents in its possession not required for the use of the public schools. This added 1,320 volumes, so that the public library began its career with a nucleus of 6,198 volumes.
The new library was opened in the King block, on the corner of Summit Street and Madison Avenue. On December 22, 1884, the city council passed an ordinance authorizing a deed to be executed by the city, giving to the library trustees a portion of the old Miami & Erie Canal bed, between Madison and Jefferson avenues, "for the purpose of a public park and the erection f a suitable building for the purpose of a public library." The deed was executed, but the property conveyed was never utilized for the purposes mentioned. In 1888 the growing necessities of the library demanded more room and another act of the Legislature authorized the trustees to issue bonds for the erection of a building. Accordingly, the board purchased a site on the corner of Madison Avenue and Ontario Street for $14,000 and issued bonds to the amount f $75,000 for a building. This building was opened to the public on June 23, 1890.
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A large addition has been made to the main library building and seven branch libraries have been established in different parts of the city for the greater convenience of patrons. During the year of 1921 there were 1,032,524 books taken from the library, including repetitions, and at the beginning f the year 1922 the number of volumes was, in round numbers, 127,000. Toledo was one f the first cities in the Middle West to establish a free public library, and the institution has been kept abreast of library progress. The card catalogues are open to visitors and a corps of courteous attendants can always be relied on to give intelligent assistance.
At the meeting of the city council on June 21, 1922, the library was transferred to the board of education. Concerning this change the "Blade" said : A development and expansion of the library system is expected to be effected by reason of added revenues through special taxation which the board will be authorized to levy by a recent state statute. The library system will pass to the control of the board of education the first week in January, 1923. Under the terms of the ordinance, the city can, on due notice, cancel the trusteeship effected at any time it feels that its finances are in such condition that it can adequately administer library affairs to the best interests of the public.
"The property valuation of the library system is $1,500,000. Under the new law, the library board can levy a special tax not exceeding two mills. The city set aside $132,825 for the operation f the libraries for the current year."
LUCAS COUNTY LIBRARY
The Lucas County Library, located at Maumee, owes its establishment to John M. Ormond, of Maumee. In February, 1915, he conceived the idea of utilizing the old courthouse for a library and wrote to the Carnegie Corporation, asking for assistance to carry out his plans. That organization declined to put any money into an old building, but stated that, if there was a need for a public library in Maumee, it would aid in the erection f a new building, provided the village would give it proper support. An application was formally made, on a form furnished by the Carnegie Corporation, and on March 15, 1915, the village council passed a resolution granting the old courthouse grounds for library purposes.
Mr. Ormond and his associates then presented the matter to the board of commissioners of Lucas County, which accepted the site and agreed to provide for the maintenance of the Lucas County Library. On September 29, 1915, the Carnegie Corporation offered to give $10,000 for the building, upon certain conditions, which were complied with, and plans for the building were approved.
On March 14, 1916, the county commissioners appointed as trustees, John M. Ormond, W. H. Harris, C. T. Hanson, W. W. Farnsworth and W. B. Woods, to take charge of the erection f the building. and the establishment of the library. In June, 1917, Miss Jessie Welles, of Toledo, was tentatively engaged as librarian. Later she was joined by Miss Emilie Mueser, of Brooklyn, New York, and they catalogued the books, etc. In January, 1918, the library was formally opened to the public. Miss Welles had already returned to Toledo and in June, 1919, Miss Mueser resigned and Miss Victoria Bronson, f Cleveland, was made librarian. The num-ber of volumes in the library on June 1, 1922, was 8,445. The building stands upon the spot where Colonel Dudley fought his battle with the British and Indians on May 5, 1813, during the siege of Fort Meigs.
CHAPTER XXI
COMMERCIAL TOLEDO
INDIAN TRADERS-EARLY TOLEDO MERCHANTS-MODERN RETAIL TRADE- NUMBER OF STORES IN 1922—DEPARTMENT STORES-THE WHOLESALE TRADE-GROCERS-DRY GOODS-HARDWARE, GLASS AND PAINTS-SHOES- DRUGS-MISCELLANEOUS JOBBERS-THE GRAIN TRADE-FLOUR MILLS- ELEVATOR CAPACITY-THE COAL TRADE.
The first merchants in the Maumee Valley were the Indian traders. Inspired by the prospects of rich profits, these men brought stock of bright-colored cloths, knives, hatchets, steel traps, small mirrors and other trinkets, to exchange for the Indian's raw furs. Some times firearms, powder and lead were added and, unfortunately for the red man, whisky was too often a prominent article of this early commerce. Occasionally a shrewd Indian would get the best of a transaction, but as a rule the trader sold his goods at exorbitant profits and paid low prices for skins. Several wealthy American families—notably the Astors—can trace the beginning of their fortunes back to the days of the fur trade.
Mention is made elsewhere of the early French trading post, established near the foot of the Rapids in 1680, and of the trading house of Godfroy & Beaugrand at the mouth of the Maumee in 1790. During the closing years of the Eighteenth and the early years of the Nineteenth centuries, trading posts were opened at various points along the Maumee between Fort Wayne and Lake Erie, particularly in the vicinity of the Lower Rapids, which was a favorite gathering place of the Indians.
EARLY TOLEDO MERCHANTS
In 1823 John Baldwin and Cyrus Fisher brought a stock of goods to Toledo (then called Port Lawrence) and opened a store in the old warehouse, built by the town proprietors in 1817 at the mouth of Swan Creek. This was the first mercantile concern in the town. A large portion f their stock consisted of goods intended for the Indian trade. But, in anticipation of an increase in the population, they also carried staples suited to the needs of the white inhabitants. In 1828 Mr. Fisher sold his interest to his partner and the business was carried on by John Baldwin and his brother Marquis until 1833. In that year John Baldwin built a two-story brick building on the north side of Summit Street (the second lot from Monroe), in which he opened a provision store. Subsequently he removed to Superior Street near Washington.
When Cyrus Fisher withdrew from the partnership in 1828, he bought a quarter section of land near the old United States turnpike, where he opened a store in the fall of 1829 (See Tremainesville).
As narrated in Chapter XVII, Lewis Godard, a Detroit merchant, pursuant to
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an agreement with Benjamin F. Stickney, opened a store late in the year 1831, with Sanford L. Collins in charge. This was the second store in Toledo, as the limits of the town were at that early day, the Fisher store being far outside. In the summer of 1832 Mr. Godard erected a building on the corner of Lagrange and Summit streets and formed a partnership with Elkanah Briggs, under the firm name of Briggs & Godard. The following year Mr. Briggs purchased his partner's interest and became the sole proprietor.
Adjoining the Toledo House, which stood on the northwest corner of Summit and Perry streets, W. J. Daniels & Company began business in 1835. Roswell Cheney, Jr., was one of the early-clerks in this store. Opposite the store of Daniels was the firm of Daniels & Goettell, composed of Munson H. Daniels and Henry W. Goettell, who began business the same year (1835) in a frame building hurriedly erected for their accommodation. Later in the year they began a three-story brick block on the corner of Monroe and Summit streets. On the first floor of this block were two store rooms and in 1836 they moved into the one on the corner. The building was destroyed by fire in October, 1860.
In the "Gazette" of March 12, 1835, appeared the advertisement of A. K. Gibson & Company, who announced that they had a full and complete assortment of family groceries "on the wharf next to A. Palmer & Company." This is said to have been the first exclusive grocery house in Toledo. Two years later William Anderson, Comstock & Erwin, Douglas & Jennings, George H. Rich and G. B. Spicer were all operating grocery stores. In March 1922, there were 904 grocery stores in the city.
The same issue of the paper (March 12, 1835) carried the advertisement of Sin-clair & Wilkinson, merchant tailors, whose shop was over the store of Collins Brothers at Tremainesville. There may have been a tailor in Toledo earlier than this date, but if so he failed to leave a record. In 1837 Snell & Cornell opened a tailor shop on St. Clair Street, in the "Upper Town," and E. Jacobs, merchant tailor, was located on Summit Street, in the "Lower Town." Ready made clothing made its appearance in the city about this time, the principal clothiers being F. Lyon & Company, on Monroe Street, and V. H. Ketcham, on St. Clair Street, in the "Lower Town." In 1838 Mr. Ketcham formed a partnership with Levi Snell, but it lasted less than one year, Mr. Snell selling his interest to S. S. Ketcham and opening a store of his own.
Prior to 1838 the general merchants kept a few schoolbooks and small stocks of foolscap paper. In that year the first exclusive book store was opened by Erastus Roys & Company. One statement in the advertisements of this early book and stationery house may seem quaint to the people f the present generation, when business men buy their steel pens by the gross, or use fountain pens. That was the announcement that the firm carried "a complete supply f quills and ink." When the early settlers wanted a pen, all they had to do was to catch a goose, extract a quill from the wing, and with a sharp knife fashion a pen to their taste. One of the qualifications f the early school teacher was to be able to make quill pens. Roys & Company made it unnecessary to catch the goose. Ink was made in early days by boiling oak or maple bark and adding to the decoction a little copperas. "Store ink" was rarely used.
Between the years 1838 and 1850 a number of new mercantile concerns were opened in Toledo. Among these early merchants were : Bissell & Gardner, John
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M. Boalt, E. B. Brown & Company, Brownlee, Pendleton & Company, H. A. Carpenter, Carlos Colton, Curtis, Watkins & Company, Henry Eagle, Field & King, Alonzo Godard, Granger Brothers, Edward Haskell & Company, B. F. Hollister, Ludlow, Babcock & Brownlee, George McKay & Company, Mitchell & King, Mott & Comstock, Palmer & Bush, B. P. Peckham & Company, Smith Bronson & Company, Stalham Wing and Thomas & Schwartz.
MODERN RETAIL TRADE
The early stores belonged to that class known as "general." On one side of the room were shelves for the dry goods, which consisted chiefly f calico, bleached and unbleached muslins, ginghams and perhaps a few bolts of worsted dress goods. In another section was the grocery department, in which the staples were coffee, tea, sugar, rice and spices. (Canned goods and prepared cereal foods were then unknown.) The stock of queensware was composed mainly f cheap plates, cups and saucers, meat platters, glass tumblers, pitchers and earthen-ware crocks and jars. Cut glass, dresden and Haviland china were not used by the pioneers. In the hardware section were nails of different sizes, axes, shovels, pitchforks, table cutlery, pocket knives and—do not forget the trace chains. Suspended from the ceiling were. various articles of trade, for the pioneer merchant utilized every available foot of space. In many f the early stores "arrangements" existed more in theory than in practice. Side by side with a case of boots —men wore boots in those days—might be found a keg f nails, a coil of rope, a barrel of sugar or a quintal of salt fish.
By 1850 the business of merchandising began to be specialized. Then came dry goods stores, clothing stores, hardware stores, drug stores, etc. This division was the natural outgrowth of a constantly increasing population and the growing demand for goods of different kinds. Under the changed conditions a single merchant could not keep in stock "a full line of general merchandise" without a large outlay of capital. At the beginning of the year 1922 there were over three thousand retail establishments in Toledo, exclusive of second hand stores, pawn shops and a few minor concerns, whose trade was limited to certain classes or occupations. Principal among these were the following :