709 - THE HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
FRUIT CULTURE.
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 specially true as to Apples and Pears. At the fairs of the State Agricultural Society no section bore away as large a portion of premiums, for either quality or variety of fruit. This state of things was due to two facts-1st, the peculiar advantages of soil and climate here possessed ; and, 2d, to the exceptional interest and attention given to that product by many of the early settlers. This was specially 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.
From the first movements in the direction of Horticulture in the Maumee Valley, J. Austin Scott, Esq., was specially prominent. He thinks that he was the first one in the Valley to cultivate fruit trees, and in this he is probably correct. The manner in which he gave the enterprise a start, is worthy of mention. It was about 1838. 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, broad-cast, 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 50 acres on his farm at Fort Miami, which was believed to be the most complete of any then in Ohio. From this 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, has 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 continued 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, September, 1863, large showings were made of fruits from the State of New York, but Mr. Scott exceeded them all in variety and quality.
The first exclusively Nursery business on the River, seems to have been that established in the Spring of 1845, by Abner Morse, of Onondaga Hollow, New York, and James 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-then as Morse Island-on the Bay and in Erie Township, Monroe County, Michigan. The Island was the property of Mr. Morse, who contributed the use of the same to the firm, on certain conditions, for the term of 10 years from May 1, 1845, for the purpose of establishing and carrying on the business of raising for sale fruit and ornamental trees, shrubbery, vegetables and plants ; such business to be under the management and control of the Messrs. Maddocks. Among other provisions of the contract, was one, that in case Mr. Morse " should succeed in purchasing a house at Manhattan," then his partners should "place the same on Scows and remove and place it upon the Island," the latter parties being at liberty to have the choice of " a stove or a flue chimney " in the house when so placed. The right to fish on the Island was reserved to Mr. Morse, so that he did riot thereby interfere with the Nursery. This arrangement continued until 1847, when, the enterprise not proving a success, such of the stock as could be removed was taken to the lands of Fred. Prentice, on the East side of the Maumee River, and nearly opposite the present Round-House of the Wabash Railroad. In 1852, A. W. Maddocks, C. E. Perigo and Fred. Prentice were the proprietors, and continued the business until 1854, when the Toledo Nursery Association succeeded to it-that corporation comprising the three parties named, together with Matt. Johnson, Thos. M. Cooley, John Bates and Henry Bennett. In 1857, this Association was broken up, and largely with its stock, several other Nurseries were started, there then being no less than five establishments of that kind within the present limits of Toledo, to wit: The Great Western
710 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
Nursery, of Fred. Prentice; and the Ohio, of H. A. Ensign and H. G. Ford, East side the River; and the Hickory Grove, of Israel Hall, Upper Broadway, now Fifth Ward ; the Humboldt, of Peter and Carl Lenk, at Tremainesville (grounds now occupied by Lenk Wine Company); and the Toledo, of A. Fahnestock & Sons, Bancroft Street. In 1860, Mr. George Baker became joint owner 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 trade 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 wholly.
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. The earliest record at hand, consists of' a report of an exhibition by the Toledo Horticultural Society, held at Hunker's Ice Cream Saloon, June 14. 1852, on which occasion there was a display of early fruits, with some vegetables. Among the exhibitors of Cherries were the following
Fred. Bissell, T. M. Cooley, Maddocks, Perigo & Prentice, H. Ruetrick, Matt. Johnson, Mrs. Dr. Edward Bliss, and Mrs. Decius Wadsworth. C. D. Woodruff had Gooseberries; Henry Bennett, Radishes ; Gen. J. W. Brown, Cabbage, Lettuce and a vine of Warwick Peas six feet in length. Flowers were exhibited by Mesdames Matt. Johnson, J. W. Scott, Thomas Dunlap, C. E. Perigo, Henry Bennett and Ezra Bliss; by Ezra Bliss ; by Miss M. Young; and by Hansen & Co., and Maddocks, Perigo & Prentice, the latter also showing 43 varieties of hybrid perpetual Moss and Bourbon Roses, with other species of flowers and plants. Mr. Machen had a large variety of paintings from life of native birds and animals, including 175 pieces, mostly of birds in the immediate vicinity of Toledo. Weeks & Dunshee exhibited samples of daguerreotypes from their Gallery in Toledo.
The officers of the Society, for 1853, were as follows-President, Jessup W. Scott ; Vice President, Dr. Ezra Bliss; Secretary, C. E. Perigo ; Treasurer, Thomas Dunlap ; Executive Board, M. Johnson, C. W. Hill and J. M. Whitney.
An exhibition by this Society was held June 28, 1854. At that time its officers and committees were as follows:
President-Fred. Bissell. Vice President-Henry Bennett. Secretary-C. E. Perigo. Treasurer-A. D. Pelton. Executive Committee-William Baker, Thomas M. Cooley, D. Wadsworth. Committee on Shade Trees-Matt. Johnson (Chairman), C. W. Hill, J. W. Kelsey, J. W. Scott, W. H. Peabody. On Fruits -T. M. Cooley, Mrs. A. C. Harris, Mrs. D. Wadsworth, C. E. Perigo, G. W. Scott, Darwin E. Gardner. On Vegetables-Gen. J. W. Brown, Mrs. Henry Bennett, Mrs. S. L. Collins, Charles Williams, H. Ruetrick. On Roses-Wm. Baker, Mrs. M. Johnson, Mrs. E. Bliss, Mrs. C. E. Perigo, Miss Mary Mott. On Cut Flowers-Bernard Arnoldt, Mrs. M. R. Waite, Mrs. Thomas Dunlap, Miss Elizabeth Bissell, Mrs. Nehemiah Allen. On Greenhouse Plants-F. Hansen, Mrs. Leverett Bissell, Mr. Brand, Truman C. Everts. On Miscellaneous Articles-Mrs. Joseph R. Williams, Mrs. John Fitch, Mrs. H. S. Walbridge, Mrs. W. W. Williams, Mrs. E. F. Platt.
At an annual meeting of this Society, held February 4, 1861, the following officers were chosen:
President, J. Austin Scott ; Vice-President, Peter H. Shaw ; Secretary and Treasurer, James H. Campbell ; Board of Managers, Israel Hall, Chas. Kent, Peter Lenk and Dr. W. W. Jones.
Geo. Powers, J. W. Ross and W. F. Pomeroy, of Perrysburg, were elected honorary members. Mr. Scott exhibited 34 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.
1862. President, J. Austin Scott ; Vice-President, Peter H. Shaw; Secretary and Treasurer, A. A. Fahnestock ; Directors, Israel Hall, H. T. Dewey, F. L. Nichols, A. Fahnestock, Henry Plessner, D. E. Gardner, Geo. Baker.
1863. President, A. Fahnestock ; Vice-President, Israel Hall ; Secretary and Treasurer, Henry Plessner ; Directors, Chas. Kent, James M. Comstock, F. L. Nichols, O. C. Wilson, A. A. Fahnestock, J. Austin Scott, P. H. Shaw.
GRAPE GROWING
The adaptability of this region, in soil and climate, for the growth of Grapes, though known, was not appreciated for many years after settlement. To 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. The first vines set for cultivation there were by Charles Carpenter on Kelley's Island, in 1843. The crop increased very slowly for 15 years, there having been in 1858 only 16 acres of vines. In 1860 there were 62 acres in bearing, and a total of 230; acres set. These were owned by the following named persons:
Addison Kelley, 23 1/2 acres ; Charles Carpenter, 11 3/4 George Kelley, 11 3/4; Louis Beattie, 10 1/4 ; Frank and Norman Kelley, 9 ; Charles Kelley, 8 1/2; Augustus Shideler, 8 1/2; Henry Harris, 7 1/2; Charles B. Wells, 8 ; Fred Shippel, 6 3/4; Edward Ward, 6 1/2 ; Thos. Roach, 6 1/4 ; James Hamilton. 6 1/4; J. E. Woodruff & Sons, 6 1/4; Mrs. Adeline Estes, 6; M. Datus Kelley, 5 1/2 ; Erastus Huntington, 5 1/2; Herman Koster, 5 ; Henry Lange, 4 1/2; Ohlmaker & Becker, 4 1/2; Barna McGettigen, 4 1/2,
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Geo. C. Huntington, 3 1/2; Simon Huntingdon, 3 1/4; Capt. Geo. W. Orr, 3 ; S. A. Davis, 3 ; A. J. Eldred, 3; Oscar Dean, 2 3/4; estate of Pat. Martin, 2 3/4; Jos. Lincoln, 2 1/4 ; Andrew Cameron, 2 1/2 ; E. P. True, 2 1/4; Jacob Batche, 2 1/4; Hugh Cattenaugh, 2; Michael Myers, 2; A.Mantey, 2; B. J. Lerrey, 2; Mitchell Hamilton, 2; Thos. Quinn. 2; O. D. Warden, 2 ; Datus Kelley, 1 1/2; Adam Shard, l 1/2; John Rauft, 1 1/2; John Martin 1 1/2; W. S. Webb, 1 1/4; John Hameline, 1 1/4; Fred. Gehukens, 1 1/4 ; John Hawse, 1 1/4 ; Joseph Shiebly. 1 ; John Monighan, 1 ; S. S. Dwelle, 1 1/4 : A. P. Duyring, 1 ; John Baumlar, 1 ; Jacob Lawton, 1 ; A. S. Kelley, 3/4; John Boos, 3/4 ; Anton Rooch, 1/2; ; John Houser, 1/2; Total 230 1/2 acres, of which 69 1/4 acres were set in 1859, and 99 1/4 in 1860
The cost of fitting the ground, setting the plants, trellising and cultivating until the vines were in bearing, was then $300 per acre. The maximum of returns to that time, was $1,100 per acre for a year. The average yield was about $600. In 1859 Grapes sold at the vineyard at seven cents per pound, and the Juice at 90 cents to $1.00 per gallon. Unimproved land on the Island was then worth $100 to $200 per acre.
There were in bearing on Put-in Bay Islands, in 1862, 26 1/2 acres of Grapes, belonging to F. J. Smith, Warren Smith, Louis Harius, Reveri St. John, David Hammond, Louis Dethenrider, Conrad Brookner, John W. Holland, Lucas Myer, M. Burggroff, S. Miller, C. Rue, Joseph Miller, John Lentz, A. Wochle, C. Colwell, P. Vrooman.
There were set out there in 1862, 74 1/2 acres, of which 17 acres were by J. W. Gray, of Cleveland, 15 by L. Anthony, 6 by Dr. S. S. Lungren, of Toledo, 4 by Wm. Rieberg, 3 by J. S. Palmer, 2 by Simon Fox: and lessor amounts by Geo. Bigford, Robert Fox, T. Launster, Christ. Beck, G. W. Lentz. Geo. Fox, D. Murray, 'John Stone, Milan Holler, W. Dodge and V. Doller.
The extent to which Grape production and Wine manufacture have been prosecuted on these Islands, is shown by the following statistics for 1884, '85 and '86 as returned by Township Assessor to wit:
The price of grapes was variable during these three years. Its range probably averaged from 3' to 4 cents per pound, thought at times much below- these figures. The common belief now is, that Grape production on the Islands has probably passed its highest success as a business.
J. AUSTIN SCOTT. Young Ohio was situated at a point of confluence of the tides of migration. Her early population in one current came from New England and New York; in another, from Pennsylvania; and in a third, from Virginia and Kentucky. The result has been a mingling of forces and a conflict of ideas. Political parties, for instance, have been pretty evenly matched in numbers; and as a consequence, strong men necessarily have come forward on both sides to contend for the mastery, in both State and National affairs. But the effect of this stir and life, is also seen in the men who, not seeking public place, have been content to build up the strength and character of the various communities where they lived in the State of their choice. The latter are no less worthy types of much that is best in the State. Such a representative man is the subject of this sketch. J. Austin Scott, the son of Jere. and Amelia Wakeman Scott, was born April 13, 1806, at Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut, where his ancestors had lived for three generations. Both of his grandfathers-David Scott and Jessup Wakeman-were active Patriots in the Revolutionary War. His father was too young to serve; but four uncles were Patriot Soldiers. Austin was sent to the District School at in early age; after leaving which, he went to a School kept by a graduate of Yale, where he acquired a good knowledge of mathematics. Coming into young manhood, he taught the School of the District in Winter, and worked on his father's farm in Summer, and afterwards taught the Village School in the Town of Ridgefield. He next became clerk of a country store-keeper, and had pretty much the entire charge of store, Post Office and the compounding of prescriptions. These several duties were too confirming and in May of 1833, he came West on a visit to Perrysburg, where his brother, Jessup W., had recently settled. The nest year Mr. Scott purchased the Miami of the Lake, a newspaper then just started at Perrysburg, and the first one published in the Maumee Valley. He soon sold one part of this property to James M McBride, and another part, to Henry Reed Jr., of Maumee City. The paper was published a few months by Scott; McBride & Reed, and was then sold to Mr. McBride. In the Summer of the same year, the First Presbyterian Church of Perrysburg was formed, of which Mr. Scott was one of the nine original members. The next year he shared in the perils of the "Toledo War," by accepting a Captain's commission front Governor Lucas. Having been made the agent of the Miami and Higby Land Companies, Mr. Scott removed to Miami, across the Diver from Perrysburg, where the' hard times " of 1837 found hint building a Steamboat, the Chesapeake, which cost when completed, $68,000. , It was built on his farm near Fort Miami. From this enterprise he was just able to escape without
712 -HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
financial failure, and at once set to work with his brother George, to clear the land for a farm (on tract 578, Private Grants). Together they cleared 150 acres. Mr. Scott planted one third of this with trees-Apple, Peach, Pear, and Quince-and soon had one of the finest orchards in the State, and it may be stated in this connection, that not a year has passed since his boyhood, in which he did not plant trees. For the next 20 years, though owning and conducting a Warehouse business at Miami, Mr. Scott found his delight, and finally his chief occupation, in the cultivation of fruit. He was a member of the first Maumee City Council, in which capacity he served for 16 years; 12 years of which time he was the President. He was also President of the Maumee City School Board for a number of years.
In order to give his children the advantages of good Schools, Mr. Scott removed to Toledo in 1859. where he had invested somewhat in real estate. Soon after he settled in that City, he was elected a member of the Board of Education, where he served for several terns, and with Charles W. Hill, Matthew Shoemaker, H. J. Hayes, James Myers, E. D. Potter, J. R. Osborn and others, aided largely in making the Public Schools the pride of the City.
After a life of 34 years in the Maumee Valley, Mr. Scott, on account of the ill health of his wife, removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1868, and occupied the beautiful residence where he has continued to live for 20 years. The same public spirit which characterized his early and middle life, has been shown in his advancing years. As President of the Cemetery Company, and of the Horticultural Society in Ann Arbor, and as Director in a Bank and a Manufacturing Company, and in other places of trust, he has richly deserved the confidence and respect universally given him. He continues to take the liveliest interest in Toledo and its welfare.
Sturdy independence, sterling integrity, and special activity in connection with the Church, characterizes the life of Mr. Scott. For more than 40 years he has held official positions in the different Churches with which he has been connected; and for nearly 30 years (in Toledo and Ann Arbor) that of Deacon.
Mr. Scott has been twice married. His first wife was Ann A. Crocker, of Connecticut, who died in 1840. In 1847 he was married to Miss Sarah S. Ranney, of East Granville, Massachusetts, who died in 1883. No children of the first marriage survive. Of' the second, Mr. Scott's children are Austin, Professor of History in Rutger's College, New Jersey; Evart It., a successful Fruit Grower in Ann Arbor ; and Mary H. and Ranney C. Annie Elizabeth (a daughter of much promised died at Toledo at the age of 12 years.
ISRAEL HALL, although no longer a resident of Ohio, was prominently identified with the early growth of Toledo, in which City he resided for many years. He was horn in Vermont, of Quaker parentage. In 1844 he was married with Olivia, daughter of Hon. Otis Bigelow, of Baldwinsville, New York. Mr. Hall became a resident of Syracuse immediately after his marriage, and engaged in the Hardware and Iron, business there. Having purchased considerable property in Toledo, which he found it impracticable to dispose of, he became a resident of that City in 1857, and for many years was known as one of Ohio's leading Nurserymen. His Broadway property, then known as the " Hickory Grove Nurseries," has now become an important Railroad center Subsequently, he platted and sold the Camp Ground property, now called Cottage Park. He also platted and sold the farm adjoining the present site of the Milburn Wagon Works. He was one of the original owners of the Boody House, Toledo. Although now 74 years of age, he has recently completed the block known as the Toledo Law Building, for which he was his own architect, and which, for convenience, is unsurpassed in the City. In 1870 he removed, for educational purposes, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he now resides, although retaining property interests in Toledo.
FREDERICK PRENTICE was born in Port Lawrence, December 22, 1822, in the first frame house erected in what is now Toledo. It stood within what are now (old numbers) 33, 35, 37 and 39 Summit Street. His father, Joseph Prentice, with his family, came from Brooklyn, New York, in 1814, and first settled in Ashtabula County, Ohio, whence he soon came, by sledges on the ice, to the Maumee. Upon the commencement of operations by the Cincinnati parties, for starting a Town here, in 1817, Mr. Prentice was employed by them, and erected the building already referred to and the old Warehouse shown on page 46(3. It is said that the name Port Lawrence was given that ''own, at his suggestion. Frederick is believed to have been the first white child born in Port Lawrence. About 1825 the family removed to the East side of the River. where the father died May 6, 1845, aged (34 years. The widow (Eleanor) survived hint about 10 years. The son's early advantages were slim, indeed. With no Schools nearer than Fort Wayne or the River Raisin, his educational privileges were meager enough. When he was 15 years old, the father became helpless, throwing the care of the family largely on Frederick, with very limited means for such serious responsibility. Through intimate relations with the Indians, he acquired a knowledge of their tongue, and became interpreter for Indian agents and
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traders, by which means, and attention to hunting and fishing, he was enabled to maintain the family in comparative comfort-meantime greatly aided by an industrious, intelligent, and prudent mother. His best hunting ground was within what is now the Fifth Ward, the deer being most abundant where now stands the Oliver House; Southeast corner of Broadway and Ottawa Street. At 18 Frederick engaged in furnishing the Town and Steamboats with wood, and also in the supply of ship-timber for New York. At length he began to deal in wild hinds, buying in large quantities and selling to settlers, in which he was successful. In 1847, a portion of his lands on the East side of the River were devoted to a Nursery, in which A. W. Maddocks and C. E. Perigo were associated with him. The establishment was an important advance in anything of the kind then known in this region. He continued in that business for several years. About 1857 he became interested in Lake Superior property at what is now Ashland. At the very outset of the Oil (Petroleum) movement, Mr. Prentice took an active part in the same. The financial collapse of' 1857 proving too much for him, he was compelled to close up his business. While casting about for other engagements, his attention was accidently called to the then recent success of Col. Drake, in boring for oil near Titusville, Penn., by which GO barrels of oil a day was produced, then worth $1.00 per gallon. The story was generally discredited, as absurd, but Mr. Prentice visited that locality, for investigation. He there soon found proof of the correctness of the report. Deciding to begin operations on his own account, he employed an old salt-well borer, who had a "divining-rod," by which reliable indications of the presence of water had been given, and which, as the owner believed, would serve equally in the case of oil. Proceeding to Franklin, 20 miles from Titusville, he there found that a man named Evans had that day ' struck oil," and he and his daughters were found busy in dipping oil from the well, each two-gallon bucket counting $2.00 to him. Mr. Prentice proposed to buy Evans's well for $40,000, but the owner would not sell as he could "dip that amount out of his well in a month." Wells continued to be bored, and to such extent that in a short time, crude oil was sold at eight cents per barrel. instead of $1.00 per gallon. Suffice it here to state, that Mr. Prentice soon organized a company for operations in oil and oil lands, and with such success that, with improved facilities for refining and a sudden market demand, oil because again valuable, so much so, that in 1864, he sold 8,000 barrels for the sum of $11,000 cash, or $14.00 per barrel. He sold one lot at $18.00 per barrel, cash. The vicissitudes of the business ere long made it undesirable, and with large profits accumulated, Mr. Prentice disposed of his interests there. Subsequently he engaged in an enterprise for boring for oil in South America, which did not meet his expectations. Of late years his business operations have been largely in New York, which is now his headquarters. Few men have shown more enterprise and energy with equal contrasts in success and disappointment.