505 - REAL ESTATE SALES AND IMPROVEMENTS
CHAPTER XIX.
REAL ESTATE SALES AND IMPROVEMENTS.
IT would be impractable, in the limited space allowed by this volume, to follow with anything like full notes the advance of Toledo in growth, development and improvement. Hence, the best to be done in that direction will be to make such way marks of these as shall indicate the progress made at different periods.
In an article on "Toledo," the Blade of February 6, 1846, had the following items:
There were then occupied 12 warehouses, 2 and 3 stories high, with two more being built-some of those in use paying as high as $1,500 rent. For nearly a mile Water Street formed a quay along the harbor, where warehouses could be built with no expense but driving piles for foundations and the buildings thereon. Summit Street was graded for nearly a mile ready for paving. Back of that was St. Clair Street, then being graded for residences. Plank Walks had then been built on that Street. Five commodious Church edifices had been built for the Congregational, Episcopal, Catholic, Methodist and German Reformed Societies. There were Schools in the three Districts, a Female Institute under Catholic Nuns, a Female Select School taught by a Protestant lady (Miss Jenks), and a Select School for both sexes under an experienced teacher.
The year 1846 was an important period in the history of Toledo. Three years after the opening of the Wabash Canal, one year after that of the Miami Canal, the stimulating effects of those improvements had then fairly begun to be felt. These, however, would have been more material in their influence, but for the tact that their advantages had been for ten years liberally discounted in speculation. In fact, during the most of that period, there had been little beyond the prospective Canals to save the Town from the fate which so many of its rivals finally reached. On that dependence largely rested the hopes of the residents, who so long held on hoping-sometimes almost against hope that, the Canals once completed, Toledo would enter on a new and more vigorous state. Such expectation was largely justified in the result, though in no degree to meet the wishes or the needs of many. The trade from the Canals, not large at first, increased in volume and local benefits, and soon gave assurance of permanent prosperity.
Among the evidences of increased and increasing growth was the advance then made by the publishers of the Blade (Scott & Fairbanks), in adding to their Weekly edition the Tri-Weekly Blade-the first newspaper in Ohio outside Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus, issued oftener than once a week. It was dated May 16, 1846, and contained an editorial article setting forth facts in regard to Toledo's condition and prospects from which the following is taken
At this point, nearly all the exchange commerce between Lake Erie and the two Canals-known as the Wabash and Erie and the Miami and Erie-is transacted. These Canals stretch through nearly 500 miles of the finest section of this great Valley, and bring us into intimate commercial connection with many large Towns and an extensive country. Some of this-as the Miami country-is well improved ; but most of it is in a state of rapid progression from a wilderness to general cultivation. On the Southeast side of the Maumee the land is heavily timbered and exceedingly rich. On the Northwest is a pleasing variety of openings, prairies and timber lands, possessing every variety of soil. These lands that are not in the hands of cultivators are on safe at prices varying from $1.00 to $5.00 per acre. Farms partially improved are purchasable at a low rate, compared with their intrinsic value.
The site of Toledo, immediately on the harbor, is fine, having a convenient elevation of from S to 30 feet above high water. The plat is considerably uneven, so that when properly graded it will have an agreeable undulation, allowing a rapid movement of surplus water along the Streets. The Harbor is more than half a mile wide and several miles long, affording a depth of from 12 to 30 feet.
Our population is small compared to our business, and our unrivaled means to support a future growth. On the 1st of January it was but a fraction over 2,100.
The facilities provided for the transaction of commercial and manufacturing business are consider able. There are 14 Warehouses, some of them very large ; 3 Flouring Mills, of 4 runs each, in and around the City; 2 Banks, with capital of $100,000 each; public houses and storehouses in abundance ; a line of superb Packets on the Miami and Erie Canal, one of which leaves Toledo and Cincinnati every day and goes through in 60 hours; a tri-weekly line of good Packets on the Wabash and Erie Canal ; a daily line of Steamboats, connecting us with Buffalo ; and a good supply of Canal Boats on both Canals for the transportation of freights. Also, a daily line of Steamers connecting us with Detroit. We have tine Churches and a good supply of Schools of every grade.
Measures are now in progress to remove all local causes of disease, so that the liability of our place to severe bilious disorders, so much exaggerated by common fame, aided by envious rivals, will be numbered with things of the past. Our rapid progress towards the accomplishment of our early expectations of Toledo becoming a great commercial City, we believe cannot be much longer delayed. A few years will suffice to give confidence in its salubrity and to demonstrate its extraordinary advantages for business.
At that time the principal Canal traffic with Cincinnati was by the Doyle &Dickey Line of'
506 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
Packets, which advertised to make daily trips, " Through in 60 Hours! " " Travelers going South, or those from the South wishing to visit Niagara Falls, on their way to New York, Boston or any of the Eastern Cities," were assured that they' would find this route cheaper and quicker than any other route traveled between the Lakes and Cincinnati." The following Packets composed the line: The Empire, Captain E. M. Shafer; the Fashion, Captain M. Van Horn; the Banner, Captain James Savil; the Erie, Captain Joseph Gilmore; the Clarion, Captain J. R. Smith, and the Laurel, Captain Joseph Cathcart. These were " provided with ventilators in their decks," while "the Ladies' Saloons were furnished with sofas equal and not excelled by any Packets in the United States."
Toledo made substantial advance in the year 1847, when its population increased, as estimated, from 2,300 to 3,000. There had been erected 78 buildings, including many for business purposes. At that time, among the several branches of trade and professions, there were 11 Retail Dry Goods Stores, 2 Jobbing Houses, 22 dealers in groceries, provisions, &c., 3 Drug Stores, 9 Forwarding and Commission Houses, 7 Physicians, 17 Lawyers, 3 Breweries, 5 Shipyards, 1 Printing Office, 2 Saloons, 2 Banks, 13 Insurance Offices, 2 Liquor Stores, 9 Hotels, 4 District School Houses, 1 Female Seminary, 5 Churches, 1 Nunnery, I Odd Fellows and 1 Masonic Lodge, 1 Division Sons of Temperance and about 200 Joiners and Carpenters.
The large Grain Warehouse and Steam Grain Elevators of Brownlee, Pendleton &Co. (South east corner Water and Madison streets) were erected, being the first improvement of the kind at the West end of Lake Erie. That firm paid the odd United States Bank $22,000 for 80 feet on the River and Water Street, and expended $18,000 on the building. It held 200,000 bushels of grain, with space in basement for 4,500 barrels. The work was done under superintendence of Horace Saxton, formerly of Norwalk, Ohio. The property was sold to King Bros. (C. A. & F. J. King) in 1854. In 1869 C. A. King erected the present elevators on the same site. The corresponding 80 feet on Summit and Madison was purchased of the same Bank by John Poag, who in 1847 built the block now standing thereon. He paid $1,800 for the site, or $22.50 per foot front. It is now worth $1,000 per foot.
An article in the Toledo Republican of November 24, 1849, headed, " What Toledo Wants," indicates both the situation and the expectations of, that time as to the future of the City. The " wants " stated, were
1. The system of Plank Roads, then begun, fully carried out. 2. The Wabash Canal opened to Evansville. 3. The Railroad opened through to Chicago. 4. A first-class line of Steamers to Buffalo. 5. The completion of the system of Sewerage then commenced.
The present condition and resources of Toledo were thus stated 1. Canal completed within 18 months, 710 miles. 2. Railroad to Chicago to he completed within 18 months, 250 miles. Plank Roads in process of construction, including connection with the Western Reserve and Maumee Road, all to be completed in 18 months, 250 miles. 4. The thoroughfares already completed had made Toledo " the first exporting point on the Lakes."
The year 1852 was noted for an unusual number of valuable improvements in the way of business buildings erected in Toledo. Among these were the following:
By Wm. R. Morris-Brick block 80x120, 4 stories, Southeast corner Summit and Jefferson-cost, $16,000. Thomas Daniels-Brick store corner Cherry and Summit, $3,000. J. F. Schuerman- Brick store next to Daniels, $3,000. Latimer, Andrews & Co.-Brick block for Blade Office, 150 Summit Street, 4 stories, $6,000. Matthew Johnson-Banking building, 4 stories, 154 Summit Street (now Toledo National Bank), $9,000. C. B. Phillips-Brick block, 2 stores, 3 stories, 158-160 Summit Street, $8,000. Judge Miller, of Mt. Vernon-Brick building, 3 stories, 162 Summit, $3,000. J. C. Hall-Brick block, :3 stores, 4 stories, 50x75, 47-51 Summit Street, $6,000. A. B. Waite, Brick block corner St. Clair and Monroe, 3 stories, $4,000.
Beside these were some 30 business buildings of wood, costing $30,000, while $30,000 was expended in the erection of dwellings, a total of about $130,000. The lot 162 Summit was bought of C. B. Phillips, by Judge Miller, at $100 per foot front cash, which was considered a fair price. The Blade pronounced that year ".the most prosperous Toledo had seen," and predicted that by 1860 its population would be 25,000. The census of that year made the number 13,768-not the only case of overestimate of prospective population.
Under the heading, " Improvements on the Point," the Blade in September, 1853, stated that, "busy as our little City is, there is no part of it which just now exhibits more evidence of permanent prosperity than does the Point." The locality thus referred to was that of which the Oliver House subsequently became the center. At the time named, Mr. Friend Whittlesey was erecting a fine two-story dwelling, while several other dwellings had been constructed the previous year. Joel W. Kelsey had commenced cutting down the bluff bank of Swan Creek; while the Michigan Southern Railroad Company was removing the bank to the West, to make way for its tracks to the new depot then in process of construction on the Middle Ground, the excavated earth being taken to fill up the low level. The Railway bridge across the River was then being constructed, passengers and freight therefore having always been ferried between
REAL ESTATE SALES AND IMPROVEMENTS. - 507
the Michigan Southern Depot, Water Street, between Adams and Oak, and the Cleveland and Toledo Road Depot opposite foot of Jefferson Street. The change since wrought in cc the Point" and throughout what is now the Fifth Ward, could not have been anticipated by the most hopeful imagination in 1853.
In June, 1858, the following sales of Toledo real estate were made at public auction, to wit
Lot 155, Port Lawrence Division, St. Clair Street, near Madison, sold to R. H. Bell at $39 per foot front.
Lot 301, 120 feet deep and 63 front, on Erie street, East Side, and North of Monroe to C. H. Coy, at $14 per foot.
Lot 591, 100 feet square, corner of Monroe and Eleventh Streets, to T. C. Stewart, at $13.50 per foot.
Lot 665, 100x63 feet, corner Forrer and Eleventh, with front on Railroad Street, to W. M. Riley, for $240.
Lot 714, on Fourteenth, between Washington and Monroe Streets, 100x100 feet, to V. H. Ketcham, at $11.75 per foot front.
Lot 836, on Indiana Avenue, 200. feet square, to W. W. Griffith, for $700.
Two lots of land of nine and sixty-seven one-hundredth acres each-one just beyond the intersection of Indiana Avenue and the Plank Road, at $250 per acre, to Fred. H. Brown ; the other, just beyond, to W. W. Griffith, at $145 per acre.
Sales of Port Lawrence property by order of Court were made in April, 1861, as follows
To H. S. Walbridge, riparian rights in River Tracts 1 and 2, for $1,000.
Lot 484, to James Myers, for $3,22:5.
Lot 35, except 20 feet, to W. J. Daniels, for $1,805 ; South half of let 109, to same for $1,805; and North half of same lot for $4,805.
Southwest half of Northwest half of lot 110, to Fred. Bissell, for $600; Northeast half of Northwest half of same, to W. J. Daniels, for $1,705; Northeast half of Southeast half of same, to W. J. Daniels, for $1,675; and Southwest half of Southeast half of same, to Fred. Bissell, for $600.
Southwest half of Northwest half of lot 111, to John W. Fuller, at $545; Northeast half of Northwest half of same, to C. H. Coy, for $1,670; Northeast half of same, to W. J. Daniels, for $1,650; and Southwest half of Southeast half of same, to J. W. Fuller, for $545.
Northeast half of lot 119, to Fred. Bissell, for $2,575; and Southwest half of same to same, for $2,500.
November 20, 1861, W. J. Daniels sold to Ex-Gov. W. Hunt, of Lockport, N. Y., three-eighths interest in 5412 acres in subdivision 12 of tract 6, lying between Broadway and the River and fronting on Western Avenue ; the price was $20,000, being at the rate of about $1,000 per acre.
In October, 1862, the following sales of Toledo property were made:
To C. A. and F. J. King, 40 feet on Summit Street, Northeast corner with Madison, for $325 per foot.
To. S. M. Young, SO feet on Summit Street, Nos. --, between Madison and Jefferson, North Side, for $250 per foot.
To M. C. Worts, 34 feet on Summit, Northeast corner of Oak, at 150 per foot.
To Vincent Hamilton, 35 feet on South side Water Street, between Madison and Adams, for $80 per foot.
April, 1863, sales were made as follows;
Southwest half lot 588, Port Lawrence, $600; lots 453, 454, Vistula, $1,600; lots 455, 456, Vistula, $2,000 ; lots 649. 650, 651, 652, Vistuta $3,560; lot 493, Vistula, $600; North half lot 83, Vistula, $125; lot 389, Vistula, $2,200; lot 238, Port Lawrence, $840; lots 381-387, inclusive, $5,000; lots 182-187, inclusive, and 201-206, inclusive, Williams' Addition, $273; 20 feet lot 444 and 40 feet 445, Port Lawrence, $1,200; lot 70, Hill's Addition, $500.
Sametime-J. P. Kilbreth, sold to E. B. Ward, Detroit, 8,177 acres in Oregon Township, near mouth of Crane Creek, for $14,996, or $1.83 per acre, H. D. Cornwell to E. B. Ward, 320 acres, East half Section 7, Town 10 South, Range 10 East, $1,920.
In January, 1863, C. A. King purchased 15; acres on Dorr Street, East of Ketcham's Addition, for $270 per acre. The brick block (40 feet) on Summit Street, near Adams, known as the Scribner Block," sold at that time for $7,000 ; and the Hanks building, 60 Cherry Street, to J. W. Scott, for $7,500.
In February, 1863, Washington Hunt and Hiram Walbridge purchased 600 feet River front, commencing at the South line of the property then occupied by Hall, Smith & Co., lumber dealers. The price paid was $36,000, or $60 per foot. The West end of Cherry Street Bridge is on this property.
Public sale was made June 2, 1863, of lots in Oliver's and Hall and Morris's Additions to Toledo. Among the parcels sold and prices paid were the following:
Oliver's Addition-Lot 48, $355; 612, $365; 343, $177; 707, $170; 619, $140; 668, $104; 657, $116; 568, $123; 559, $195; 245, $100; 624, $150; 433, $360; 453, $195 548, $203; 518, $60 525, $67; 527, $61; 529, $95; 531, $100. Hall and Morris's Addition-Lot 31, $150; 1, $59; 2, $111; 57, $77; 34, $130; 35, $125; 32, $145; 33, $236; 36, $135; 37, $146 ; 38, $144; 39, $140 ; 40. $125 ; 4, $31 ; 5, $200; 6, $145; 7, $151; 8, $137; 9, 113l ; 12, $146; 51, $125; 13, $120; 15, $128; 27, $142; 41, $120; 45, $120; 30, $233; 46, $155; 18, $200; 50. $121 ; 17, $220 ; 55, $139 ; 58, $130; 62, 1p125; 64, $180; 234, $531 ; 67, $82; 79, $200.
The foregoing sales averaged 33 per cent. above the appraisal of the property. The stimulus incident to the rapid increase of currency caused b5- heavy war expenditures which were then met chiefly by the issue of Government notes, had then fairly begun to take effect. The results were seen, not only in appreciated values as shown by sales, but even more in the large amounts of lands then being platted for market. On nearly every road leading to the City, property was being thus prepared for sale.
An important sale of property in Dunlap's Addition to Toledo (bounded by Jefferson and Madison and 10th and 11th Streets), took place December 23, 1865, when the following lots were sold to the parties and for the prices named, to wit
Lot 1, to Dennis Coghlin, for $940; lots 6 and 7 to F. J. King, for $2,000 each ; 8 and 9, to G. A. Bishop, ror $1,620 each; 10 and 11, to Wm. Roff, for $1,820 each ; 12 to Calvin Bronson, for $1,535; 13 to Dennis Coghlin, for $1,705; 14 to Wm. Roll, for $2,200; 15 to J. A. Corbusier, for $1,700; 16 to same, for $1,800
508 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
17, 18, 19 and 20 to Toledo Board of Education (for school purposes), for $1,340 each ; 21. to Minot I. Wilcox, for $1,310; 22 to same, for $1,225; 23 to Dennis Coghlin, for $935; and 27 to F. J. King, for $1,500.
This sale was made the more important by the subsequent improvement of several of the lots purchased in the erection thereon of substantial and elegant residences, and the location of the Jefferson Street School Building.
In December, 1865, sales were made of lots in H. P. and E. S. Platt's Addition, East Toledo, as follows:
Lot 109 to W. L. Haskins, for $315; 110 to Timothy Tredwell, $330; 107 to same, $320; 108 to Geo. E. Pomeroy, $375; 106 to M. A. Scott, $355; 105 to Geo. Stebbins, $290; 104 to G. S. Thurber, $290; 190 to C. R. Miller, $260; 66 to W. L. Haskins $335; 65 to Oscar White, $330; 64 to M. A. Scott, $290; 33 to 1. K. Seaman, $455; 205 to J. W. Fuller, $225; 26 to same, $395; 133 to John Quinn, $285; 84 and 85 to J. W. Fuller, $300 each.
In December, 1805, Coleman I. Keeler sold to Wm. B. Messinger blocks 34 and 39 and East half of block 18, Manhattan, for $12,000; Geo. W. Reynolds sold front part of Private Grant 581, United States Reserve, 116 acres, to Coleman I. Keeler, for $10,000; and A. B. Wright sold to same, central part of said Grant (65 acres), for $6,000. Mr. Keeler sold 25 lots (Nos. 124, 125, 126, 127, 143, 140, 163, 164, 136, 137, 153, 154, 155, 170, 171, 172, 180, 185, 186, 187, 194, 199, 200, 211), Manhattan, for $500, or $20 each.
At a sale of property in Spring Grove Addition, East Toledo, May 23, 1874, lots were sold as follows:
Nos. 88 and 89, $500; 79 and 86, $570; 53. $280; 69, 72 and 77. $840; 37, $220; 33, $205; 92, $266; 99 and 100, $500; 6, $;228, 55, $350; 64, $350; 87, $290, average of sales, $251.60 per lot.
Sales were made at auction during May, 1874, in King's Addition, East Toledo, including the lots named below, the price being per foot front: No. 1, $8.15 ; 2, 3 and 4, $8.00; 10, $9.25; 11, 12, 13, $7.00; 42, $9.50; 47, $7.50; 49, $8.75. Total sales, 50 lots.
Prominent among the owners of real estate in Toledo, at an early day, was an association known as the "American Land Company," composed of John B. Jones, Ami C. Lambert, Edward N. Nicholl, Chas. Butler and Erastus Corning, most of whom lived in New York City and Albany.
The list of lands subject to taxation in Port Lawrence Township, in the year 1838, contained the following names of owners, and number of parcels of lands as there given
PORT LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP.
Andrews, A. T., 1. Corneau, Peter.
Briggs, Elkhanah, 3, Cone, Erastus, 2.
Brown, Daniel, 2. Cowell, Moses.
Brown Orlando, Curtiss & Stillman.
Bartlett, Townsend, 23. Clark, Charles, et al., 2.
Bissell, Edward, 12. Cheney, Roswell, 2.
Baldwin, John T., heirs of Cranker, Peter.
Bissell, Fred. Collins, S. L. & Co., 5.
Bush, B. H. Deshetler, John.
Burton, C. Daniels, W. J. & Myers, 2.
Burton, D. Evans, Alvin, 2,
Bernor, Lewis, 3. Evans, Charles, 2.
Bowman, Baxter. East Manhattan Co.
Bush, Jonathan. Ewing, A. H., et al.
Comstock, S. B., et al., 5. Fisher, Cyrus, 2.
Collins, J. W. & Co, Forsyth, Robert A.
Comstock, D.D., heirs of, 6 Glenn, Nathaniel, 2.
Converse, John P. Greenwood & Brockbank.
Gunn, Christopher, 3. Palmer, Andrew
Guion, heirs of, et al. Peckham, et al.
Gardner, John B. or A., 2. Pinney, James P.
Hollister, John. Page, Sherman
Hunt, John E. Patterson, C. S.
Holmes, heirs of. Showier, James.
Hatch, Israel T. Sutphen, J. V. D.
Harvey, Henry, et al. Smith, Silas.
Jessup & Heywood. Swelia, Benjamin.
Keeler, Coleman 1. Sibley, Wm., heirs of, 3.
Knaggs, George B. Stevens. Oliver.
Knaggs, John, 2. Stickney, B. F., 2.
Knaggs, James W., 2. Scott, J. W., et al.
Kunkle, Conrad, 2. Sullivan, James.
Leybourn, John, heirs of. Thomas, Levi, heirs of. 2.
Lewis, Peter, 5. Tervener, William.
Lewis, D. Whitney, Noah A.
Lewis, Catharine, 2. Whitney, Michael T.
Myers, James. Worden, Nancy.
Michigan School Lands. Whitney, Thos. P., 2.
Mercereau, Henry, 2. Whitney, James S.
Mulholland, Daniel. Wakeman, Maurice, et al.
Mason, Hezekiah D., 3. Williams. H.
Mott, Richard. Worden, Isaac B.
Merritt, Nancy. Whitney, Milton D., 3.
Mott, Richard, et al. Wadsworth, Decius, et a1.,2
McKay & Fitch. Wilkison, Wm.
Mickens, Peter. Wilkison, John J., 2.
Navarre, James. West, M. W., 3.
Oliver, William, et al. Walbridge, Heman.
Oliver, William, 3. Whitlesey, Elisha, et al. 2.
Phillips, Henry, 2. Wade, Benj. F.
Phillips, Philip J., 2. Whitman, Swanton.
PORT LAWRENCE DIVISION OF TOLEDO.
Bissell, Edward, 40. Myers, James, 12.
Bissell, Frederick, 30. Mott, Richard.
Birchard & Van Gorder. Myers & Hicks.
Butler, Charles, 70. Moffett, Lemuel.
Baldwin, John & Co., 8. McKnight, C. G.
Belknap, Frederick. Giddings, J. R.
Carley, Jeremiah E. Oliver, Wm., 45.
Comstock, Stephen B., 30. Pitcher, Theophilus.
Card, Platt. Palmer, Andrew.
Comstock, Calvin. Porter, Converse.
Cheney, Roswell. Shaw, C. G.
Chapman, W. H. Stevens, Oliver.
Carr, Thomas. Smith, Ira.
Clark, Sarah G. Smith & Macy, 10.
Daniels, Harriet. Swift, Albert.
Daniels, W. P. Stow, Amos.
Daniels, Russell C. Spaulding, Volney.
Daniels & Goettell. Turner, Joseph W.
Dent, Ashbell. Union Hotel Co.
Fasseg, Wm. Wilder, Horace.
Foster, Richard. Williams, Jos. R.
Keeler, Charles G. Whitney, James M.
Lathrop, W. H. Wheeler, Lyman.
Lynde, C. W.
VISTULA DIVISION OF TOLEDO.
Allen, Samuel, 2. Daniels, Harriet.
Ayers, John B. Draper, Luke, S.
Bissell, Edward, 330. Dart, Ashbel.
Bowman, Baxter. English, Joseph.
Bissell, Frederick, 35. Eddy, Samuel, 5.
Berdan, John & Co., 8. Foster, Richard.
Baker. Wm. Flagg, Junius, 3.
Butler, Charles, 75. Fassett, John, 2.
Baldwin, John & Co., 8. Fox, Merceno.
Belknap, Frederick. Greenwood, Richard.
Bevins, Wm. Gillman, A., 2.
Bush, Isaac. Gillman & Wright, 2.
REAL ESTATE SALES AND IMPROVEMENTS. - 509
Calkins, James, 4. Howland, Charles, 3.
Chapman, Calvin. Hawes, D. D.
Carr, Thomas. Irving, Ebenezer, 9.
Clark, Sarah G., 2. Giddings, J. R.
Irving, Pierre M., 19. Smith & Macy, 80.
Jones, Anthony S. Swift, Albert.
Mason, Hezekiah D., 17. Scott & Richardson.
Mott, Richard, 3. Sill & Cook, 2.
Moffatt, Lemuel. Stow, Amos.
Manning, Gabriel. Spaulding, Volney, 3.
McKnight, C. G., 2. Stickney, B. F., 104.
Marshall & Eddy, 8. Theological Institute,
Murray, James P. Windsor, Conn., 4.
Nicholas, --- 4. Tilden, Myron H., 3.
Olmstead, Oliver P., 3. Van Blarcum, John, 15.
Porter, Elijah, 3. Williams, Joseph R., 44.
Prescott, Oliver, 2. Way, Geo. B.
Redding, George, 2. Woodruff, Lorenzo E., 7.
Root, James, 4. Walbridge, heman, 5.
In a letter written in January, 1870, the late, Jessup W. Scott furnished the following interesting facts touching values of real estate now in the very heart of Toledo
In 1827 or 1828, the Southwest fractional quarter of Section 36, embracing the ground on which M. A. Scott's Block on Adams street, Judge Potter's house, on Jefferson street, stand, and having its center near the high School Building, and containing 86 acres, was entered, as Congress land, at $1.25 per acre, by Judge John Hollister of Perrysburg. Within the next live years, it was sold by him three times-the first two sales at $3 per acre successively failed, because the purchasers were unable to pay, so the land was taken back by Hollister. The third sale was made to Dr. J. V. D. Sutphen at $6 per acre, after the demonstration by Major Stickney and partners to start Vistula, at Lagrange Street. In June, 1832, Dr. Sutphen sold to Jessup W. Scott, 70 acres of this tract at $12 per acre. In 1835, Scott sold to Edward Bissell, for himself and others, an undivided half of the seventy-acre piece for $6,000.
Dr. Sutphen changed his investment by purchasing the West half of the Northeast quarter of Section 35. embracing the Swayne Tract, the ten acres where Judge Fitch lives, and land of Wm. H. Scott and others, bounded "rest by Collingwood Avenue, for which 80 acres he was to pay $480. In 1835, Sutphen sold it to Scott & Wakeman for $30 or $35 per acre. In 1835, J. W. Scott sold an undivided half to N. H. Swayne at $200 per acre. On division with Wm. H. Scott, who then owned the other half, Scott took the North 37 acres and Swayne the balance, a little less than 43 acres, the section being short measure.
In 1834, the lots on the corner of Monroe Street and Market Space were offered for $50, and the North corners of Summit and Monroe for $25 conditioned that a two-story house painted white, was to he put till thereon, in a green time-say one or two years. A half-acre piece about, where White's Hall stands. with a log house on it was offered the some year for $50 to my brother, J. Austin Scott, who was looking for good bargains, but failed to see one in that piece of ground.
The above first named 70 acres, wit bout improvements, are now (1887) worth the gross stun of $1,600,008. This estimate is based on actual sales made during the past few years, and is under, rather than over, the present salable value. It makes the present value per acre about $22,000. The most valuable property in the 70-acre tract is now on Adams Street between the Court House Square and Superior Street; and is worth from $200 to $400 per foot front, or about $50,000 per acre. The best residence property on the tract is on Madison, between Tenth and Seventeenth Streets, and is now worth (100 feet deep) say $80 per front foot, or at the rate of $20,000 per acre including Streets. The lowest priced property in the same tract is that on and adjacent, to Oak Street, and is now worth from $8,000 to $10,000 per acre, including Streets. The Swayne tract, now Swayne Place, bought in 1838 at $200 per acre, has of late years been selling at the rate of about $15,000 per acre; and the whole 160 acres which Colliugwood Avenue bisects North and South, has an average value of $10,000 per acre, on the basis of the sales of the past year. It may here be stated that portions of the tract bought by Mr. Scott in 1832 at $12, and now of the average value of $22,000 per acre, have not changed hands during the intervening 55 years, save as such portions passed to the heirs on Mr. Scott's death in January, 1874.
JOHN W. HIETT was born in the Shenandoah Valley (Jefferson County), Virginia, Nov. 11, 1824. He is a son of George and Lydia Hiett. His parents were Quakers, as were their forefathers, who came from England about 170 years ago, and settled in the Shenandoah Valley. Front early (lays they were actively identified with every cause having in view the promotion of sound morals, justice and good government. They were among the organizers of the first Anti-Whiskey and Anti-Slavery Societies in Virginia, and served their day in support of' those great reforms, when that required a degree of' courage for which there is now comparatively little demand. When the son was yet a child, the family removed to Ohio, and settled near Tiffin, Seneca County, and he passed the earlier years of his life amid dense forests. His educational privileges, in common with most children of pioneers, were very limited. When he was 15 years old, the family returned to their former home in Virginia, where School advantages were better. he attended and was graduated at Jefferson Academy, and chose teaching for his vocation. In 1847 he opened the second Free School of that. State. Returning to Ohio in 1851, he spent some tine at Oberlin College, when he was appointed Superintendent of Public Schools at fremont, Sandusky County, and first organized the system of Graded Schools at that place. He was subsequently a Student and a Teacher in the Normal Department of the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, and afterwards was for 10 years a Trustee of that institution. He was also Superintendent of' the Public Schools at Delaware.
510 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
In 1800, assisted by Mrs. Hiett, as Preceptress, he opened the Elm Grove Normal School at Maumee, which after one year was changed to Central Ohio Conference Seminary. His health failing in 1864 he came to Toledo, and became one of the proprietors of the Toledo Commercial. Since that time he has been a resident of Toledo, engaged in general business, devoting most of his time to dealing in real estate. He has been actively identified with nearly every movement having for its object the building up of the City, serving for some time as Secretary of the Merchants and Manufacturers Exchange. His active connection with the general interests of Toledo, has enabled him to be specially useful in gathering and arranging facts and statistics hearing upon the advantages and growth of the City. Mr. Hiett from early years has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been both active and prominent, as indicated by his relations to the Educational work of that denomination. In Toledo, and as a member of St. Paul's Church, he has been specially identified with Bible instruction. In 1872 he was a Delegate to the first General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held at Brooklyn, New York, to which laymen were admitted in such capacity; and in 1876 was again a member of that body at its meeting in Baltimore. In 1861 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio. Mr. Hiett was married August 3,185S, with Miss Mary E. Beecham, daughter of Joseph Beecham, of Plymouth, Ohio. Four children have been born to them-Ella F., Irving B., Oliver N. and Russell M. Hiett. Mr. Hiett's father died at Fremont, in the 83d year of his age. His mother is living with her daughter, Mrs. Dr. Kenyon, in the suburbs of Toledo, in the 90th year of her age.
JAMES WILSON HONE was born at St. Catharines, Upper Canada, June 18, 1824. He is a son of John W. and Margaret (Charlesworth) Hone, who were natives of the State of New York, and having but recently removed to St. Catharines, had not lost their American citizenship. Both 'his grandfathers- Christopher Hone and John Charlesworth-were Soldiers in the Army of the Revolution, each ,serving throughout the seven years of Colonial struggle for the independence their descendants now enjoy. The former was born near Albany, New York, and the latter in New York City, being of Scotch-Irish parentage, In 1833, Mr. Hone's parents removed to Northwestern Ohio, settling in the Maumee Valley. where they passed through the trials of privation, hard labor and sickness incident to such life. School advantages were very meagre, while the limited means of the parents made it necessary that the son at an early age begin his life of self-reliance. When but 15 years of age, he shipped " before the mast " on a Vessel plying on the Lakes, and for seven years experienced the hardships, dangers and poor pay incident to the position of the common Sailor of that time. In 1846 he permanently located at Toledo, and in 1847 became Master of the Schooner Temperance. For 12 years he continued in command of that and other Vessels, including the Ottawa and the Hiawatha. By the exercise of the closest economy he was enabled during that time to save a sum sufficient to purchase an interest in a Vessel, and in time, by like prudence, was able to secure an interest in several crafts. For several years he was co-owner with Dennison Steele in the Schooner Minnie Kinnie, which plied between Toledo and Buffalo. In 1860, after 21 years of active service on the Lakes and River, Captain hone abandoned navigation, and has since directed his attention to dealing in real estate. He is politically a Democrat, but takes little active interest in political matters, except as they specially concern the public welfare. The only official position held by him was that of member of the Toledo City Council from the Sixth Ward, to which he was elected in 1875, serving for two years. Of quiet and reserved disposition, his chief enjoyment is found within the circle of his own household. Captain Hone was married December 25, 1850, with Miss Harriet W., daughter of Hon. James Parks, of Sandusky County. They have had seven children, of whom five sons are now living. Their only daughter, Minnie H., a remarkably brilliant and promising young woman, died in 1881, at the age of 21 years. She had but recently graduated from the Toledo High School with highest honors, and her loss was a severe blow to her parents and a grief to a large circle of acquaintances. A son, Charles C., died in June, 1882.