SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. - 887
SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP.
Sylvania Township, No. 9, of the original survey, lies in the Northern tier of Townships of Lucas Count). It is bounded on the North by the State of Michigan, East by Washington Township, West by Richfield, and South by the Townships of Adams, Springfield and Spencer.
The surface of the Township is chiefly rolling upland, broken only by the Ottawa River (Ten-Mile Creek) and its tributaries, which pass through the Township in a circuitous course from West to East.
Sylvania was originally noted for its fine woods ; hence the name. The timber is mostly gone, and well-cultivated farms have taken the place of ancient forests with which the early Settlers battled sturdily for the thrift and independence enjoyed by the present generation.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
As showing something of who were the pioneer settlers of this Township, the approximate dates of their arrival, and where they located their lands purchased of the Government, is introduced the following record of original entries of land in the Township of' Sylvania, covering a period of three or four years from the date of the first arrival.
TOWN NINE, RANGE FIVE.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sea 3, David White and Wm. Wilson, 1833; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 3, David White, 1832; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 3. Augustus Prentice, 1832; 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 and East 1/2 Southwest Sec. 3, John Leonardson Jr , 1882, 240 acres.
Northwest tract. 1/4 Sec. 3, James Dean, 1832.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 4, Cornelius Mercereau, 1832; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec 4. Silas Smith, 1832; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 4, Erastus Cone, 1832; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 4, Peter Lewis, 1832; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 5, Fred. Leonardson, 1832; 80 acres.
Southwest 1/4 and East 1/2 Northwest 1/4; Sec. 5, Adam Gordinier, 1832 240 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 2, Wm. Wilkinson, 18:33. 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 and Northwest 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 3, John Lambert, 1833; 160 acres. Northwest 1/4 Sec. 3, Jackson Hoag, 1833; 160 acres,
Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 and Northeast 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 4, Silas Smith, 1833; 160 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 6, Adolphus Majors, 1833: 80 acres.
West 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 4, Lyman Smith, 1833; 80 acres.
South 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 4, Philo Stevens, 1838: 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4, Sec. 5, Jacob Harwood, 1833. 80 acres.
Northwest frac. Southwest 1/4 Sec. 4, Edward May, 1831.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 5, Abraham Ritter, 1834, 40 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 5, Enos Beall, 1834; 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Northwest 1/4, Sec. 5, James P. Worden, 1834; 40 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4, Sec. 5, Robert D. Olney, 1834; 40 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 6, Wm. Brock, 1834: 40 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 5, Russell Rowe, 1834: 46 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec 5, Jacob Harwood, 1834; 10 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Sec. 2, Wm. McLain, 1834, 160 acres.
Southwest part Southeast 1/4 Sec. 5, Zepheniah Shaw, 1834.
West 1/2 Southwest frac. 1/4 Sec. 6, Joseph S. Cabott, 1834.
Southeast 1/4 Southeast , Sec. 6, Adolphus Majors Jr., 1834, 40 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 6, Isaac Doty, 1831; 40 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 6 Innis Lewis, 1834: 40 acres.
Part (old survey) Sec. 3, David White, D. R. Miller, 1834
Northwest frac. 1/4 Sec. 1, Abner Rowe, 1835.
East 1/2 Northwest frac. Sec. 1, Wm. Filkins, 1835.
West 1/2 Northwest frac 1/4 Sec. 2, Wm. Prentice, Marcus Baldwin, 1885.
Southeast 1/4 Section 1, Sheldon Lum, 1835: 160 acres.
Northeast 1/4, Southeast 1/4 and Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 6, Allen E. Wilcox, 1835 80 acres.
South 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 6, Samuel Flemming, 1835; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Northeast 1/4 and Southeast 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 6, James St. Whitney, 1835, 120 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 6, Nathaniel Silsbee, 1835; 40 acres.
West 1/2 Northwest frac. 1/4 Sec. 6, Stephen L. Wilkins, 1835
Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Section 6, Edward Doty, 1835; 40 acres.
Northeast frac. 1/4, or Northeast Subd. (new map) Sec. 8, John B. Gee, 1836
East Subd. Northwest frac. 1/4 (new map) Sec. 8, Guillinie Fournier, 1836
West Subd. Northwest frac. 1/4 (new map) Sec. 3, Lewis Moran, 1835.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 12, Hiram Mosher, 1835: 40 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Sec. 12, James S. Cabot, 1834 160 acres.
South 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 12, Mary Ann Bancroft, 1834 8D acres.
Northeast 1/4 and Northeast 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 13, Wm. Bancroft, 18.34: 200 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Sec. 13, Erastus G. Back, 1831; 160 acres.
South 1/2 Northwest 1/4 and Southwest 1/4 Sec. 13, Philo Holt. 1831; 210 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 24, E. G. Back, 1835: 40 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 24, Cyrus Holloway. 1835; 40 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 24, R. Painter, 1833. 40 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4; and southeast 1/4. Southeast, 1/4 Sec. 24, Irvin Green, 1833: 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 24. Zenas Leonard, 1834; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest , 1/4 Sec. 24, John Reynolds. 1834; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 25, E. G. Back, 18:15; 80 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 25, Elizabeth Leonard, 1834; 40 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Sec. 25, Joseph Stow, 1834; 160 acres.
West 1/2 Southeast 1/4 and Southeast 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 25, Hiram Smith, 1834; 110 acres.
TOWN NINE, RANGE SIX.
Southwest 1/4 Southwest 1/4, Sec. 1, Russell Rowe, 1834, 40 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec, 1, William Felkins, 1835; 78 acres.
West 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 1 Abner Bowe, 1835; 188 acre.
Northeast, 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 2, Russell Rowe, 1834; 40 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 2, Enos Beall, 1834; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 3, Cornclia Mercerean, 1832; 80 acres
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 3, Augustus Prentice, 1832; 30 acres
East 1/2, Northeast 1/4 Sec. 3, Uriah Young. 1832; 76 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Sec. 3, James Dean 1832; 152 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 4, Wm. R. Merritt, 1832: 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 4, David White. 1882; 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Sec. 5, Adam A. Gardiner, 1832; 160 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 5, Fred. Leonardson, 1832; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 5, A. G. Gordiner, 1831; 80 acres
Northwest 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec.5. Nathaniel Silsbee, 1832: 39 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 6, Joseph S. Cabot, 1834: 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 and East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 5, John Leonardson, 1832; 268 acres.
South 1/2, Northeast 1/4 Sec. 6, Samuel Fleming, 1835 79 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Northeast 1/3 and Northeast 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 6, Allen E. Wilcox, 1835: 80 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest frac Sec. 7, Joseph S. Heyden, 1835; 76 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 7, Benjamin Joy, 1835, 40 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest fr Sec. 7, Robert McBride, 1835; 76 acres.
East 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 7, Bridget Drake, 1834: 80 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec 7 John Drake, 1834 40 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast, 1/4 Sec 7, John A. Gordinier, 1833; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 See. 8, James Bertholf, 1832; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Northwest 1/4, Sec. 8, David Lewis 1832; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 8, Abram Van Alstine, 1832.; 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Southeast 1/4 See. 9, Aaron B. Watkins, 1833; 40 acres.
Southwest 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 9, Nathaniel Aden, 1534, 40 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Southwest 1/4 and Northwest 1/4 Southeast 34 Sec 9, Benjamin Tubbs, 1833 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 9, Enos Beall. 1831 acres,
Southwest 1/4 Southwest 1/4, Sec. 10, Aaron R. Watkins 1833 40 acres.
West 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 10, Stephen Watkins, 1838: 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 10, Eliza Hallett, 1832: 80 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 11, Wm. N. Hudson, 18:38; 40 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 11, Daniel Brown, 1831; 40 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Sec. 11, Ira Faucher, 1834: 160 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4, Sec. 11, Oliver Olney, 1823; 80 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 11 Philander Cogswell, 1834; 40 acres,
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 12, Curtis Cogwell, 1834; 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 12. Rufus Conant, 1833; 40 acres.
West 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Northwest 1/4 and Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4, Sec. 11, Thos. Garfield, 18:34, 160 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4, Sec. 12. Alson Wing, 1834; 80 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 12, Sardinus Welch, 1834: 80 acres,
Northwest 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 13;. Townsend Ellis, 1835: 40 acres.
South 1/2 Northeast 1/4. Sec. 13, William Coats, 1831: 80 acres.
East 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 13, Joseph A, Coats, 1834: 80 acres.
West 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 13, Ralph Coats, 1884; 80 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 13, Rufus Conant 1833; 40 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 13, Amos Miner, 1834; 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southwest , Sec. 13, Nelson B. Rowley; 1834 80 acres.
West 1/2 Southeast 1/4 and E 1/2, Southwest 1/4 Sec. 13. Adna Rowley, 1831; 160 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4, Sec. 14, Eli Bancroft, 1883; 40 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec 11, Harvey Hinman, 1834; 80 acres.
888 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
East 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 14, Oliver Miller, M. B. Savage, 1834; 80 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec.14, Joshua Morton, 1834; 40 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 14, Wm. Bancroft, 18:32; 40 acres.
Northwest 1/4, West 1/2 Northeast 1/4, Northwest 1/4 Southwest and Northeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 15, Walter Crafts, 1834; 324 acres.
East 1/2, Northeast 1/4 Sec. 15, Philander Parker, 18.34; 40 acres.
West 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 15, Samuel D. Wiggins, 1834; 80 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 and East 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 17, Jacob Gordinier, 1835; 120 acres.
Southwest 1/4 and Northwest 1/4 Sec. 17, Remington Cooper, 1834.
East 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 17, George W. Bullock, 1833, 80 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 and Southeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 26, George D, Bascomb, 1834; 80 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Northwest 1/4 and West 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec.26, John Young, 1834: 80 acres.
Whole Section 29, C. E. Dedley, S. P. Jermain, 1835; 640 acres.
West 1/2, Northwest 1/4 Sec. 30, Erastus G. Back, 1835; 78 acres.
South 1/2 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 30, David Colwell, 1834: 77 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 17, Phelini Parker, 1834, 40 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest frac. Sec. 18, 1835; 78 acres.
Southeast 1/4, Southeast 1/4 Sec. 18, Charles McCormick, 1835; 80 acres.
W 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 18, Milton M. Morris, 1835, 80 acres.
East ½ Northeast 1/4 Sec. 18, Gardner Cooper, 1834; 80 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 18, Remington Cooper, 1834; 40 acres.
West 1/2 Northeast and East ½ Northwest 1/4 Sec. 18, Warren Burnham, 1834: 158 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Sec. 18, George Galloway, 1834: 158 acres.
West 1/2 Northwest 1/4 sec. 19, Goodrich Griffin, 1834; 79 acres.
West 1/2 and Southwest 1/4 Sec. 19, Zenas Leonard, 1834: 79 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast 1/4, Sec. 19, Joon C. Percival, 1834; 80 acres.
Northwest 1/4 Northeast 1/4 and Northeast 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 19, George Pick, 1834: 79 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 19, Calvin Tremaine, 1834; 119 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Southwest 1/4 Sec. 19, Isaac Tremaine, 1834; 39 acres.
Southeast 1/4 Southeast 1/4 Sec 19. Silas Long, 1834: 34 acres.
East 1/2, Northeast 1/4 Sec. 20, Luke Draper, 1835; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 20, C. Halloway, John Hinman, 1834; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Northwest 1/4, Sec. 21. Jos. D. Hayden, 1835; 80 acres.
West ½ Northeast 1/4 and East 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 21, W. and J. James, 1835; 60 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 21, B. Blackledge and Stout, 1834; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 22, Blackledge and Stout, 1834; 80 acres.
Northeast 1/4 Sec. 22, Eli Hubbard, 1833; 160 acres.
North 1/2 Northeast 1/4 Sec. 24, Daniel S. Bacon, 1835: 80 acres.
East 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Sec. 24, Brice Dille, 1825; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Southwest 1/4 and Southwest 1/4 Sec. 24, Jedediah Jessup, 1833; 240 acres.
South ½ Northeast 1/4 Sec. 24, Augustus T. Andrews, 1835; 80 acres.
West 1/2 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 25, Geo. D. Bascomb, 1834: 80 acres.
East 1/2 Northeast 1/4 .Sec. 25, Justus Brown, 1833; 80 acres.
Southwest 1/4 Northwest 1/4 Sec. 26, Charles Allen, 1834; 40 acres.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Many names in the above list became prominent in the affairs both of Sylvania Township and the County.
Adam A. Gordinier was nearly 100 years old when he died in 1881. Until his death, he was a lessee of land on the Mohawk River, New York, which he had held from an early time at 12 1/2 cents per acre per year. His son, Edward Gordinier, was one of the Commissioners of the State for the erection of the Northwestern Ohio Insane Asylum, and is now (1888), unhappily, an inmate of that institution. He is a man of pure life and much usefulness.
Enos Beall removed to Lagrange, Indiana, where he became Probate Judge. he died at Fremont in that State. William was a Surveyor by occupation ; and from about 1834 to 1857 was engaged largely in surveying in this section of' country. he died at Blissfield, Michigan, about 1860. The only one of his children now surviving in this County is his daughter, Mrs. Fitch Dewey, of Toledo.
Benjamin Joy came to Sylvania from Genesee, N. Y., as agent for the lands of Messrs. Wadsworth, who were among the most enterprising and wealthy residents of the Genessee Valley. One of Mr. Joy's daughters (Mrs. Earle) is residing near Sandusky, Ohio.
Eli Hubbard was a leading man in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and held many offices of responsibility and trust in the Township. He was universally respected and esteemed for leis probity and character. he died before the War of the Rebellion.
Haskel D. Warren was a useful and highly esteemed citizen. Few men have been more public spirited or generous to the poor. He was one of the earliest Merchants of Sylvania, having followed that business continuously from 1835 till 1870, in which year he died. He was interested both in Free Masonry and Odd Fellowship, and was a Knight Templar. Mr. Warren was noted for his liberality to many poor settlers, who purchased goods of him on trust when the settlements were new and money scarce.
William B. Warren, of Sylvania, for many years an active Railroad man and Merchant, and Foster R. Warren, are the two remaining sons of Haskel D. Warren. They are among the most prominent of the older citizens of the Township. Of the brothers and sisters, Horace resides in Dakota; Joseph in Fulton County, Ohio ; Alfred and Susan in Toledo; and Julia, wife of Miles Lathrop, resides in Sylvania.
Peleg T. Clark, long an active man in the business and affairs of the Town, was born in Waterville, Maine, in 1809. In May 1832, he went to Flat Rock, Michigan, where for nine years he was a trader among the French and Indians. He came to Sylvania in 1841. In 1836 he was married with Clarissa P. White, youngest daughter of Gen. David White. They had six children. Mrs. Clark died in 1851. He was married with his second wife, Mrs. Schofield, of New York, in 1860. They had one daughter. He was Clerk of the Courts of Lucas County from 1858 to 1864. His second son, James W. Clark, was his Deputy in the Clerk's office. He was a promising young man and had nearly finished his course at Harvard when he sickened and died, much lamented by his parents and friends. Mr. Clark died in 1887.
John Usher Pease died at Sylvania, February 12, 1870, he was born at Parsonsfield, Maine, August 1796. In his 17th year he "bought his tune'' (the remaining four years of his minority), of' all uncle, and enlisted as a Drummer Boy in the War of' 1812. He was at the battle of Plattsburgh, Lake Champlain. With limited School privileges, he fitted himself' to teach, which he did in Western New York, where he was married with his first wife, Who moon died, bearing one child, a daughter (Mrs. Hetty C. Wilson). His Second wife was a daughter of Gen. David White, who with Judge William Wilson, were the founders of Sylvania Village, where in 1835, Mr. Pease and family settled.
SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. - 889
He engaged in mechanize trade with Wm. Bancroft, whose wife cooked the first meal of vituals prepared by a white woman at "the Forks," as Sylvania was then called; while their daughter (Mrs Dr. Joel Green) was the first white child born at that place. Mr. Pease soon became prominent in political affairs, acting with the Democratic party, and held several public offices, including County Treasurer, Associate Judgeship, and Justice of the Peace. Of decided Anti-Slavery sentiment, he co-operated with the Free Sailors and then -with the Republican party, until deafness and general decrepitude compelled cessation of active life. He was a Free Mason, though not affiliating with the order during his latter years. Though too old for military service at the outbreak of the Rebellion, he was the first one at Sylvania to give a bounty to an enlisted Soldier. He suffered much, but patiently, during the last months of his life.
About 1835 Erastus Morse and wife came to Lucas County and settled where now stands the Village of Sylvania. At first he was engaged in farming and lumbering; but about 1848, he erected a large stone Tavern near the center of the Village, which he kept for several years, but afterwards sold out and went to Missouri. When the Rebellion broke out be raised a Company which was attached to the 22d Missouri Regiment. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and on the 20th of December, 1862, while out with a detachment of' troops on a scout along the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad, he was killed by a volley of Rebel bullets. Mrs. Morse survived him, returning to the neighborhood of Sylvania, where she died of dropsy, in September, 1863, aged 55 years.
Andrew Printup died at the residence of his daughter, in Adams Township, April 6, 1870, aged 67 years and 5 months, leaving two sons and three daughters. He was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., October 23, 1802, and came to Toledo in September, 1835, settling on his farm a little West of Sylvania. His grandfather was a Revolutionary Soldier. he was active and enterprising in the improvement of his farm. He began his religious life in 1837, as a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he held several official positions. About 1865 he united with the Congregational Church at Sylvania, holding such relation at the time of' his death. He had been Justice of the Peace and Postmaster at Sylvania. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity.
Russell C. Thompson died in Philadelphia, September 27, 1876. He, was born in Stonington, Conn., in 1809. His chief educational privileges were limited to a single tenn in a country School. Bred to farming, he continued in that calling. In 1831 he was married with Miss Matilda Clendening in the State of New York, where he resided until 1844, when he removed to Adrian, Mich. In 1846 he came to Sylvania and located on the farm which constituted his home until his death. He was appointed Superintendent of the County Infirmary in 1850, and acted as such until 1860. About 1856 his wife died, and in 1858 he was married with Mrs. Jeannette Knapp, who vet survives him. For four years he was President of the County Agricultural Society. About 1861 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and in 1871 as Representative in the Ohio Legislature, in both of' which positions he continued until his death. He was a man of remarkable energy and industry, with a knowledge of human nature which qualified him for special influence with his fellow men.. His death was sudden and unexpected, although his health had been delicate for some time.
INITIAL EVENTS.
The first log-house in Sylvania Township was built by General David White if, 1832. It stood upon the North bank of Ottawa River, in Sylvania Village, near the site of' his later residence, since owned by Peleg T. Clark.
The first frame building erected was a .store, built by Elkanah Briggs, and occupied by H. D. Warren.
The first stone building was erected by Judge William Wilson, for a stoic, and occupied by himself and W. F. Dewey, firm of Wilson & Dewey.
The first orchard was planted by Gen. David White.
The first Durham or improved stock were introduced into the Township by the Wadsworths, through their agent, Benjamin Joy.
The first interment ill the present Cemetery was that of the remains of John Harroun in 1835. The grounds were purchased of S. W. Allen. Previous to the laying out of this burial place, some bodies had been buried on a sandy knoll South of the River, where, also, some Indians had been buried. Indians were numerous here when the first settlers came, and when it, was decided that they should be removed to the West, the remnant of them carne and made night hideous -with a farewell dance around the graves of' their kindred.
The first white child born in the Township was Libbie Bancroft, in 1834. She was married with J. -Wing Allen, and is now a widow, residing in Kansas.
The first School-house was built by General White at his own expense.. It was a frame building, about 18x24 feet in size, and stood on land owned by J. H. Parker, ill the rear of the present High School building'. It, was used also as a Meeting-House; but when the Railroad was built ill 1836, the running o, cars on Sunday, in close proximity, so annoyed General
890 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
White, that he had the building removed to the opposite side of the Town, where it served as Church and School-house for several years.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
The first Town meeting of which we find record, was held April 2, 1838, when the following officers were elected
Trustees-Pliny Lathrop, Andrew Printup, Elijah Rice.
Supervisors of Highways--District 1, Samuel D. Wiggins ; 2. William M. Nelson ; 3. William M. Leonardson ; 4. John Harroun ; 5. Benjamin Joy; 7. George Gaby ; 8. David Hendrickson ; 9. Marcus Bennett.
Clerk-William M. White.
Treasurer--Daniel L. Westcott.
Overseers of Poor-David White, Joel Green. Fence Viewers-John Harroun, Benjamin Joy, Elkanah Briggs.
Constables--Porter Kelsey, Adolphus Majors, Oliver Root.
At this election 91 votes were cast.
At a Town meeting for the election of Justices of the Peace for the Township of Sylvania, hold May 5, 1838, the following named persons were elected : Pliny Lathrop, John U. Pease. The Judges of election-Andrew Printup, Pliny Lathrop, Wm. M. White, "certify that the number of electors at this election amounts to thirty-four."
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
We give below a list of Justices of the Peace, Clerks and Treasurers elected for the Township since 1838, with dates of service
1838, Pliny Lathrop, John U. Pease. 1839, Andrew Printup, Pliny Lathrop, Wm. M. White. 1840, James White, John Harroun. 1841, John U. Pease. 1546, James White, Russell C. Thompson. 1849, John B. Corey. 1850, David Harroun, Samuel Gordinier. 1851, Stephen Porter. 1853, Andrew Printup, Peleg T. Clark. 1857, Daniel Brown. 1858, Moses King, Anthony Bordeaux. 1868, Wm. Bryan. 1869, Reuben Sawyer. 1871, R. C. Thompson. 1873, O. Holloway. 1874, R. C. Thompson, Peleg T. Clark. 1875, O. Stickney. 1878, Peleg T. Clark. 1881, Theodore P. Hoadley. 1881, Miles Lathrop. 1884, Aaron B. West. 1885, George Vetter. 1887, Aaron B. West.
CLERKS.-- William M. White, 1838-42; John B. Corey, 1842-45; William F. Dewey, 1845; Clark D. Warren, 1840; Washington H. Huling, 1847-49; Horace Green, 1849-51; Joel Green, .Jr., 1851 ; Peleg T. Clark, 1852-58; John U. Pease, 1858; Don A. Pease, 1859 ; W. H. Holing, 1860; W. F. Dewey, 1861-65Francis H. Brown, 1865; Isaac Thorp, 1866; William Bryan, 1867; Charles H. Green, 1868-70 ; William Bryan, 1870-81 ; Calvin H. Haggaman, 1882; Aaron B. West, 1883-87 ; Lester B. Decker, 1887.
TREASURERS.-The following served as Township Treasurers for the years named : D. L. Westcott served as Treasurer till 1841, when Dr. Horace Green was chosen to fill the office. Haskell D. Warren was elected in the place of Dr. Green April.5, 1847, and served till 1852, when Foster R. Warren was elected Treasurer and served till 1857, when Fitch Dewey was elected, who filled the office two- years. Foster R. Warren was again elected in 1859, and held till 1561, when W. D. Moore was elected. He served till 1868, when W. H. Huling was elected. Mr. Huling served in the office till 1872. W. D. Moore then took his place and was Treasurer till 1880, when Foster R. Warren was elected and held till 1884. Washington H. Ruling was then elected and served one year. A. W. Bellows, 1885-7.
This Township has been well represented in the offices of Lucas County, having had three County Treasurers-John U. Pease. Benjamin Joy, and Foster R. Warren. Peleg T. Clark was Clerk of the Courts six years, and William F. Dewey served as County Auditor.
PIONEER MEETING.
February 22, 1859, pioneers of the Township of Sylvania and Richfield, Lucas County; of Amboy and Royalton, Fulton County; and of Whiteford, Michigan, met at the house of Ellis Parker, in Sylvania, the same being "married persons, who had emigrated there prior to 1836." There were present 60 persons, pioneers. After a dinner, the Meeting was addressed by different members. A historical account of the settlement of that region was read by Wm. M. White, when the time was occupied by others in brief' statements of their several experiences and hardships.
The first settlement of any of the Townships named, was made by Gen. David White and Judge Wm. Wilson, in the Spring and Summer of 1832. They made their location at the month of the three forks of the Ottawa River, now Sylvania, then entering the lands on which that Town stands. During that time 10 or 15 families came into the Township of* Whiteford, then under the jurisdiction of Michigan-including what are now Sylvania, Richfield, part of Springfield to the Fulton County line, and Whiteford. They laid out Sylvania and Whiteford Villages. In 1833-34 considerable additions were made to the settlement, the increase continuing for 20 years.
"The Toledo War" came on soon after the settlement of that section had fairly begun, in which conflict most of the settlers were "good and loyal subjects of' the Sovereign Territory of Michigan;" and they have been of Ohio, since by law they were set off to that, jurisdiction.
It was resolved by the meeting to hold such a meeting annually, and to include Washington Township, Lucas County, within their circle. For this purpose John CT. Pease, Wm. F. Dewey and Will. W. White were appointed a committee of arrangements. No record is found of such subsequent meeting.
TRANSFERS OF LAND IN SYLVANIA.
Adam Gordinier to Jacob Gordinier, 1834.
Ezra Brailey to Benjamin Tables, 1834.
Chas. McCormick to Benjamin Joy, 1835.
Rebecca Bell to Wm. Bancroft, Amos Miner and Delavan Dewey. July, 1838.
Augustus Prentice to Cornelius Mercereau,1834.
Eli Hubbard to Orlando Rathwell, 1834.
Eli Doty to James Ready, October, 1835.
Benj. Thorp to D. M. Severance, April, 1835.
Horace Thacher to Abram Hitchings, August, 1835
SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. - 891
David White to David Harroun. October, 1835.
Stephen Watkins to David Harroun, October, 1836.
Peter Lewis to Henry Phillips, April, 1836.
John A. Gardner to H. D. Mason, March, 1836.
Cyrus Holloway to Luke Draper, November, 1835.
Wm. Wilson to Wm. F. Dewey, May, 1836.
Same to Wm. Bancroft, May, 1836.
Same to Beebe Comstock, February, 18:i5.
Estate of Wm. Wilson to W. W. Wilson, March, 1841.
Same to Elijah Mice, March, 1841.
Same to Amos Miller, March, 1831.
Same to Joel and Timothy Green, July, 1840.
February 11, 1849, H. D. Warren leased to Sylvania Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a room in the second story of the building on lot No. 3, Sylvania Village, for 10 years.
Darius Mills to Orin D. Hill, December, 1835.
Elijah Rice to Sylvester Bennett, February, 1837.
Squire B. Johnson and George Hale to Sylvester Bennett, April. 1837.
David White to Wm. F Dewey, February, 1837.
Thos. Cor lott to Isaac Street. January, 1837.
Benj. Roop to W. D. and W. D. Wilson, January, 1837.
W. McMillan to Peter Smith, February, 1836.
Elkanah Briggs to Wm. T. Smith, July, 1836.
An addition to the Town plat of Sylvania was filed March 24, J837 by Delavan D. Hawes, Coleman I. Keeler, and Davis. It contained 31 lots.
Cyrus Holloway to Wm. Bancroft, October, 1837.
Hezekiah Culver to Timothy E. Green, December, 1837.
Elijah Rice to Elisha K. Brown, February, 1837.
Same to Bennett Wightman, February, 1837.
James A. Craits to Warren Burnham, December, 1837.
Wm. F. Dewey to Asa Minor, May, 1836.
Samuel Alcott, John Van Blarcum and Ira Smith to George H. Rich, August, 1836.
Wm. F Dewey to Waters Shepley, August, 1837.
Harvey Herman to D. L Westcott, October, 1838.
Jedediah Tuttle to Daniel Tuttle, January, 1836.
Wm. F. Dewy to Wentworth West, September, 1837.
Luke Draper to Israel L. Converse, December, 1838.
James Wilkison to Lyman G. Hoxie, February, 1839.
Hezekiah Culver to Heman H. Smith, April, 1839.
David White to Aaron Cadwell. February, 1839.
Elijah Rice to Elkanah Briggs, April, 1839.
John U. Pease to James Dean, Andrew Printup, Isaac Lewis and Townsend Ellis. Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Sylvania, lot 63. Whiteford; price $50 ; April, 1837.
David White to Ambrose Beach, June, 1839.
Isaac Washburn to Thos. P. Child, July, 1839.
Wm. Knox to Thos. J. Cromwell, September, 1839.
United States to Irvine Green, October. 1835.
John A. Gordinier to John A. and Garrett Vrooman, November, 1839.
Herman H. White to Thomas Van Fossen, June, 1839.
Levi W. Bradley to Andrew Printup, March, 1842.
Coleman L Keeler to James and Barthena White, Executorsof the estate of David White, August, 1831.
Delavan D. Hawes to Susan Phillips, October, 1841.
Treasurer Monroe County, Michigan, to Carlos Colton, 40 acres, far $1.13 delinquent taxes, 1838.
Joseph Hoop to George Parker, August, 1841.
Daniel Tuttle to Geo. and Geo. W. Clark, March, 1842.
David W. Hawley to Marion Wilson and Lavoney Wilson, October, 1840
Isadore Burdo to John Burdo, May, 1836.
S. W. Allen to Thomas C. Allen, January, 1842.
Levi W. Bradley to Hiram Parker, March, 1843.
David White to Cyrus Holloway and John Harroun, April, '34.
Cyrus Holloway to Oristen Holloway, September, 1841.
Emily Decker to Martha Ruling, October, 1843.
H. D, Warren to Ethan Streeter, January, 1843.
Hiram A. Newcomb to George Redding, Oliver Custer, Ira S. Clark and James, White to Sarah Newcombe, .June, 1831.
United States to Sheldon Lust, March.1844.
Julia Wilson to Horace Green, April, 1843.
Estate of Ekanah Briggs to Samuel L. Briggs, September, '43.
Adam Clum to John C. Pease, January, 1841.
County Auditor to Adam Haas, March, 1844.
Daniel B. Curtis to John U. Pease, April, 1844.
Horace Green to Wm. Cory, May, 1844.
Ambrose Salsbury to John B. Cory, June, 1844.
John B. Cory to Robert Talbert, July. 1844.
Horace Hollister to James Hollister. Oristen Holloway and Horace Hollister, Directors of School District No. 6, Sylvania Township, a donation of 9 square rolls of twit in Section 13; October, 1844.
Blandina Dudley and Sylvanus P. Jermain to Frederick Bissell, December, 1843.
John U. Pease to Andrew Printup, Eli Hubbard; Thos S. Cosgrove, S. W. Allen and Gardner Cooper, Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Parsonage in the Sylvania Circuit, for $140, lot 54 in the Village of Whiteford, on which Rev. Mr. Yourtee then resided, June, 1844.
Estate of David White to Wm. Andrew, September, 1845.
Erastus Morse to A. W. Newcombe, May, 1844.
Elliott Acres to Nathaniel Crockett, July, 1845.
Alfred Hopkins to Abda Dolph, October, 1845.
Horace Green, for $85, to Sylvania high School Company, H. D. Warren, David Harroun, Benj. Joy, Wm. M. White and Horace Green. one-half acre of land on Ohio Avenue, Village of Sylvania, September, 1845.
Abram Jessup to Lyman B. Stone, February, 1840.
John A. Vrooman to Rhial B. Vrooman, September, 1844.
Horace Green to Erastus Pitcher, June, 1846.
Peter Bertholf to Isaac Bertholf, March, 1846.
Horace Green to Charles Anderson, February, 1846.
Milton P. Pomeroy to Daniel Christy, Tune, 1847.
Phebe Hopkins to Milton P. Pomeroy, January, 1845.
Adam A. Gordinier to Edmund Gordinier, December, 1844,
Estate of Lyman B. Stone to Ephraim R. Thornton, Jan., '45.
Walter Crafts to Phebe Hopkins, April, 1844.
Matilda Miller to Giles W. White, October, 1847.
Erastus Pitcher to Washington H. Ruling, December, 1846.
Horace Green to Charles Anderson, February, 1846.
Elijah Rice to Samuel. Pershall, October, 1846.
Robert D'Isay to School District No. 7, Sylvania Township (Daniel Brown and Wm. Watson, Directors), a lot 4 rods square,
in Section 25, Sylvania, donated for School purposes, May, 1848.
Nathaniel Crockett to Almon D. Ellis, September, 1847.
Horace Green to Rufus Squires, June, 1848.
Ezra B. Brailey to Isaac Denman, April, 1847.
H. D. Warren to Smith G. Warren, December, 1847.
James White to Mary Clark, October, 1846.
T. U. Pease to Elijah A. Warren, September, 1848.
Almon D. Ellis to Andrew G. Lathrop, November, 1847.
Dorcas Dessenbury to Socrates Howard, November, 1848.
Jeduthan E. Scott to Win. Ripley, February. 1849.
Joel Green to Wm. H. Cooper, September, 1848.
Mary Bywater to Elisha Benton, March, 1849.
Cyrus Holloway to John Harroun. April, 1835.
Geo. B. Miner to Ellis Parker, July, 1849.
TAX-PAYERS IN 1838.
Following is a list of residents of Sylvania Township, who were taxed on personal property in the Spring of 1838
ON HORSES AND CATTLE.
All, John. Leonardson, Wm.
Allen, Shadrack W. Leonardson, Frederick.
Bartholf, Peter. Lewis, Isaac.
Briggs, Elkanah. Langenderfer, Catherine.
Bird, Thomas and Charles. Lathrop, Lucian B.
Bennett, Marcus. Lathrop, Pliny.
Comstock, Beebe. Lathrop, Emma.
Cooper, Gardiner. Melona, William.
Cooper, Remington. Minor, Amos.
Clark, Joseph. Manly, Elias.
Cadwell, Aaron. Munson, Eli.
Cory, J. B. Printup, Andrew.
Coe, Enoch. Pease, John U.
Cosgrove, H. T. Parker, Hiram.
Cole, Aaron H. Parker, Simeon.
Carson, Charles. Percival, James.
Dewey, Wm. F. Root, Oliver.
Durfey, Daniel. Hoop, Joseph.
Ellis, Townsend. Sperling, Charles S.
Fairchild, Benjamin. South, Benjamin,
Fairchild, Leonard. Stow, Dwight F .
Fuller, Willard J. Smith, Hiram.
Farley, James. Saxon, Henry.
Gardner, Adam. Snyder, David S.
Green, Joel. Titsworth, Joseph.
Green, Horace Dr. Tumilson, William.
Harwood, Henry. Taylor, William.
Higgins, Samuel B. Van Austin, Abram.
Harroun, David, .Jr. Woolen, Zerah.
Harroun, John. White, David.
Hawes, Delavan D. White, William M.
Horton, Caleb. White, James,
Hillman, Harvey. Westcott, Daniel L.
Hubbard, Eli. Warren, H. D.
Hawley, David W. West, Wentworth.
Holloway, Cyrus. Wilson, Julia.
Hollister, James. Wilson, William.
Hendrickson, J. Wadsworth, W. W.
Hendrickson, David. Wolfinger, Jacob.
Jesup, Jedidah. Yates, Abram it. Kelsey, Porter.
MERCHANT'S CAPITAL AND MONEY.
Bancroft, Wm., $50. Paige, James S., $200.
Dewey, & Green, $300. Rice, Elijah, $500.
Lee, William, $500. Warren & Westcott, $1,000.
892 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
PHYSICIANS.
Green, Horace. Minor, Amos.
Smith, Hiram.
MILITIA ROLL, 1844.
List of persons liable to military duty in the Township of Sylvania in 1844
John Bellman. Isaac Lewis.
George Rogers. Abraham Ware.
Levi W. Bradley. Jedediah Jessup.
Ira E. Lee. J. L. Hendrickson.
Clark D. Warren. William Lee.
Isaac Bartholf. Bebee Comstock.
Ira C. Smith. Alexander Fox.
William Cooper. Almond Ellis.
Zurial Cook, Jr. Stephen Porter.
Henry Fisher. John Showler.
Horace Hollister. William Seely.
Sherwood Snyder. E. R. Thornton.
William Comstock. Charles Straight.
Elisha Pleastead. Warren Parker.
William Melony, Jr. Horace Green.
Stephen Ripley. Wm. P. Hopkins.
Joseph Kemble. James Van Horn.
Hiram Parker. John Van Horn.
Hiram A. W. Newcomb. Alonzo Parker.
Ellis Parker. Adolphus J. Majors.
John I. Gordinier. Timothy E. Miner.
Erastus Williams. Fred Leonardson.
Erastus Morse. Wm. M. Leonardson.
Harris Huling. John S. Leonardson.
William Wiggins. William Gordinier.
Daniel B. Curtis. Benjamin Joy.
Elijah Durfee. Richardson Lester.
Cornelius Mersereau. John Call.
Foster Warren. Rhial B. Vrooman.
Charles Anderson. Elisha Kimble.
TOWN PLATS.
The original plat of Whiteford was laid out by General David White, and recorded by him July 11, 1835. It lay on the East side of what is now Division Street, Sylvania, that being the dividing line between the lands of General White and William Wilson, on the West. The plat of Whiteford contained nine Streets South, Main and Erie, running East and West; and Saline, Clinton, Church, Eagle, Summit and Division, running North and South. The Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad (now the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern) passed through Main Street, which was made to conform to the tract of that Road. There were 138 lots in the plat.
The original plat of Sylvania, made by Wm. Wilson, L. W. Allen, William F. Dewey and D. D. Harris, was acknowledged before C. D. Wing, Justice of the Peace, June 13, 1836. The pint bears the signature of Samuel Divine, County Surveyor. It has five Streets running North and South-Ohio Avenue, Railroad Street, Michigan, Elm and Poplar; and eight running East and West-North, Indiana and Mill Streets, North of the River; and High, Spring, Market and South Streets, South of the River. The lots, mainly, are 4x10 rods.
An addition to the Town plat of Sylvania was made by Delavan D. Hawes, Coleman I. Keeler and others, March 24, 1837.
The business part of the Town has been chiefly built on the Wilson plat. Both of the original Towns, with large additional area, are included in the present incorporated Village of Sylvania.
VILLAGE OF SYLVANIA.
The Village of Sylvania was incorporated in April, 1867, the first charter election being held on April 17th, at which the following officers were chosen : James W. Clark, Mayor; Win. Bryan, Clerk; George M. Crandall, Jason McGlenn, Foster R. Warren and J. J. Ritchie, Councilmen. The Council was duly organized April 20, 1867. The following named persons have served as officers of the Village
Mayors -James W. Clark, 1867; 0. Holloway, 1868; Wm. Bryan, 1869; R. Sawyer, 1870-71 ; Smith G. Warren, 1872-73; 0. Holloway, 1873-76; Miles Lathrop, 1877-80; Stephen G. Bennett, 1881-82; Miles Lathrop, 1883-84; F. 0. Peak, 1885-87.
Clerks -Wm. Bryan, 1867; O. Holloway, 1868; G. H. Green, 1868-70; Will. Bryan, 1870; C. H. Hagaman, 1871-76; Wm. Bryan, 1876-82; C. H. Hagaman, 1882-84; J. 51. Hopkins, 1884; L. B. Decker, 1885-87.
Officers for 1887: Treasurer, A. W. Bellows; Councilmen, R. Blanchard, T. Cosgrove, E. Harroun, T. B. Hank, E. M. Hogan, A. Reger ; Marshal, Albert Carls ; Street Commissioner, Patrick Hogan.
SCHOOLS.
The first School in the Township was taught in a frame house built at Whiteford by General David White, in 1834. Few Districts were laid out until after the passage of the School law of 1837. We find in the Township records the following certificate under date June 2S, 1838
I have appointed Lucian B Lathrop, Pliny Sanderson and Oliver Root, to act as School Directors in District No. 5, in the Township of Sylvania, till the annual election in September next, according, to the provisions of the new School law for organizing new School Districts.
Wm. M. WHITE, Township Clerk.
Eli Munson and Benjamin Fairchild received a like appointment for School District No. 8, January 4, 1839.
The number of Districts in the Township in 1888, is six. The average number of persons of School age in the Township for the decade ending with 1886, was 300 (12 being colored) ; showing an average of 50 for each District.
HIGH SCHOOL.
In 1844 John U. Pease, Haskell D. Warren, William Bancroft and Horace Green, associated themselves for educational purposes, and procured a charter from the State Legislature, tinder the name and style of "The Sylvania High School Company." The object of the association was declared to be "the establishment of a High School in the Town of Sylvania, and to promote and afford therein instruction
SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. - 893
in the usual branches of a sound, practical and liberal education, and in the languages, arts and sciences."
In accordance with the provisions of such act, the incorporators met at the office of John U. Pease, in Sylvania, on the first Monday in May, 1844, and completed their organization. We find the following names attached to the Constitution in the Company's records
Amos Miner. Isaac Lewis.
John B. Cory. C. Anderson.
A. J. Majors. William Corey.
James White. W. F. Dewey.
John U. Pease. Horace Green.
Elijah Rice. Wm. M. White.
Stephen Porter. Paul Hawes.
John Leonardson, Jr. C. D. Warren.
Daniel B. Curtiss. W. H. Ruling.
David Harroun, Jr. Frederick Leonardson.
H. A. W. Newcomb. Erastus Morse.
H. D. Warren. Rhial V. Vrooman.
William Lee. John A. Vrooman.
T. E. Miner. William Wilson.
Je'ediah Jessup. B. W. Bradley.
Daniel Durfee, John Emery.
Benjamin Joy. J. W. Pomeroy.
Daniel Delvin. Peleg T. Clark.
Zuriah Cook, Jr. Isaac Tremaine.
Beebe Comstock. James Dein.
The following officers were elected by ballot:
Amos Miner, President ; John B. Corey, Vice President ; William F. Dewey, Secretary; James
White, Treasurer; Benjamin Joy, Horace Green, Eli Hubbard, John U. Pease and David
Harroun, Trustees.
District No. 2 of the Town of Sylvania having taken steps towards the erection of a School building, it was proposed by the High School Company to co-operate with the Directors of the District in making the house suitable for the purposes both of the District and the Company. Accordingly, such arrangement was made. The building was located centrally, on the \Vest side of Division Street, occupying the same site as the present School building. It was about 40x60 feet in dimensions, two stories high, and surmounted by a tower or belfry. It was opened in the Fall of 1844, the High School department occupying the upper story. Anion- the principals who taught there while it was Under the Company's management, were Professors Gifford, Daniel L. Westcott, and Rev. J. B. Taylor. The School numbered among its pupils more than the average Village student--such as the following : Ira E. Lee, of Toledo, E. Ii. Wilson, of Bluffton, Indiana; Almeda Doty, of Topeka, Kansas; Chester H. Harroun, of Toledo; Don A. Pease and Foster R. Warren ; James W. Clark, son of Peleg T. Clark, who died in Toledo. The School continued to be managed by the Company until about 1850, when settlement was made with the stockholders and a dividend declared. The stock was finally disposed of to the Township Board of Education and the School passed wholly under the management of the Town Board. It has been a free graded School since 1872, with the departments of High, Intermediate and Primary. The roll in May, 1887, showed an attendance in all grades of 102 pupils. J. C. Jones was their Principal and Superintendent; Miss J. M. Collinson, Intermediate Teacher ; and Miss Lillie Young, Primary Teacher. The Board of Education, at that time, were: Daniel Donovan, President; Thomas Cosgrove, M. D., Foster R. Warren, Francis Elliott, Alonzo Bellows and Cornelius Driest; J. C. Jones, Clerk.
Aaron B. West taught the School for 1 years. He has been prominently identified with educational affairs since he came to the Town in 1866, from Toledo, where he had been Teacher in the Public Schools.
The present School building is a fine brick structure. It was erected in 1869, at a cost of $15,000.
CHURCHES.
CONGREGATIONAL.-This Church was originally organized as " The First Presbyterian Church of the Town of Whiteford," at a meeting held for that purpose in the School-house, November 8, 1834. Following is a record of the original members, and of' what Churches they had been members in the East : Joel Green and wife, Philonielia ; Simeon Green and wife, Sibyl ; Elijah Rice and wife-all from the Congregational Church in Marion, New York. Robert Smith and Nancy, his wife, of' the Presbyterian Church of Ovid, New York. Nathan G. Watkins and wife Amy, of the Presbyterian Church of Naples, New York, and Mrs. Sally Hollister, of the Presbyterian Church of Rome, New York. Others not having then received their letters, joined soon after, among whom were David White and his wife Bertha, and daughter Clarissa ; William M. White, Jane A. White, Eliza ballet, George Peck, Alta Plumb and others. Wm. M. White and Nathan G. Watkins were chosen Elders, and William M. White, Clerk. Time first communion in this Church was administered on Sundae following the organization.
The Church increased rapidly in members and influence. But owing to certain unsatisfactory rules, prescribed by Monroe Presbytery, with which it was connected, the CHurch in 1844 adopted the Congregational forum of government, and has since been known as " First Congregational Church of Sylvania." Under the new organization, Jedediah Jessup and Elijah Rice were chosen Deacons, and William Lee, Joel Green and William M. White Standing Committee; and William M. White, Clerk.
Gen. David White was influential in founding this Church, and was an active and prominent member of it during his life. In the original plat of the Town of Whiteford, which he laid out, is time following reservation : "Lot No. 17, 3 chains wide and 5 chains and 20
894 - HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
links long, is set apart as a meeting-house and parsonage lot, forever."
David White came from Palmyra, New York, in 1831, and brought his family in 1832. He was the founder of the Town and the active promoter of is welfare while he lived. He built the first mills in the settlement upon the Ottawa River, near his residence, and in business and educational matters was one of the foremost men of the Town. Among his many interests none lay so near his heart as the Church of his choice, in which total abstinence from all intoxicating liquors was made a condition of membership. This is quite remarkable considering that liquor was so freely used by Church people and even Ministers in those days. But the Church adopted the abstinence pledge " by a unanimous vote."
Peleg T. Clark united with this Church by letter in 1847, and the same year was elected Clerk and member of the Standing Committee.
The congregation met for worship in the School-house and High School building until the summer of 1851, when their edifice was completed and occupied.
Following is the succession of Pastors with dates of their service
Rev. Mr. Worthington, 1834-39; John Walker, 1834-37; L. D. Parker, 1839; J. S. Tomlinson, 1840; C. C. Foot, 1841 ; J. H. Thompson, 1842-43; William L. Buffet, 1844-48; J. B. Taylor, 1848-53; L. P. Mathews, 1853-55 ; W. Sharpley, 1855; J. G. W. Cowles, 1858; A. R. Lyons, 1859; Rev. Russell, 1860-62; William Bridgman and S. M. Judson, 1862; D. W. Frarey, M. Bardwell. and President Mahan, 1864; S. M. -Judson, 1865-67; John Emmons, 1867-60; William Maclaren. 1869; Robert McCune 1870-76; E. R. Loomis, 1876-79; J. C. Thompson, 1879-81 ; J. C. Cromack, 1881; G. J. Powell, 1882; A. E. Thompson, 1883; D. A. Bunker, 1884; Chas. Manchester, 1884 ; S. R. Dole, 1885.
This Church in 1887 had 60 members, and the Sabbath School 75.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.- Rev. Elnathan C. Gavitt claims to have preached the first sermon delivered in Sylvania, in the Mill of Gen. David White. which stood near the residence of the latter. A Class was formed there as early as 1834, and not long after the first Methodist Church was "built in the woods." It is still standing, though remodled, and is part of the residence of N. B. Heath, on Summit Street.
The minutes of the Toledo Circuit, under date of November 9, 1836, show that the "Whiteford Class " paid $1.50 for the quarter preceding. For the quarter ending May 26, 1837, the Class paid $5.13 ; and for the quarter ended August 13, 1837, $4.73.
In 1836 Rev. Ira Chase was Preacher for the Toledo Circuit, which then embraced Toledo, Tremainesville, Norton, Bedfbrd, Stony Ridge, Tillotson, Hopewell, Big Woods, Vienna and Sylvania (then called Whiteford). Sylvania Circuit was formed from Toledo Circuit in 1842. It now (1888) embraces Sylvania, West Sylvania and Farley (Richfield), with a Church edifice in each place.
The present Church building in Sylvania was erected in 1863, under the ministry of Rev. Henry Boyer. The new brick parsonage was built in the summer of 1875, the building committee being W. B. Warren, N. C. Scott, J. Poucher, J. J. Richie and Harvey Kellogg.
The Circuit Preachers and Pastors who have served the Church are given below.
Ira Chase, 1836; Wesley Brock, 1838-9; Austin Coleman, 1840; John Tibbals, 1841; E. R. Hill, 1842; Samuel Yourtee, 1843-4; S. H. Aldeman, 1844; Thos. J. Pope, 1845; William Thatcher, 1846; John L. Johnson, 1847; Octavus Waters, James Wilcox, 1848; Alanson Foster, A. H. Waters, 1849; .James Evans, John Crabbs, 1850; George G. Lyon, D. W. Ocker, 1851; John A. Shannon, William C. Price, 1852; William Thacker, Ambrose Hollington, 1853-4; A. B. Poe, H. Warren, 1855-6; E. B. Morrison, John R. Colgan, 1857; H. L. Nickerson, 1858; S. D. Shafer, 1859-60; John R. Colgan, 1861 ; Martin Perkey, 1862; Henry Boyer, 1863-4; L. D. Rogers, 1865-6; , R. H. Chubb, 1867; C. G. Ferris, 1868-70; John S. Kalb, 1870-71; I. S. Lunt, 1872; John Poucher, 1873-75; B. B. Powell, 1875-77; J. H. Later, 1877-80; F. Marriott, 1881 ; Joseph Wykes, 1882; John C. Miller, 1883-4; Ashford Hall, 1885.
MASONIC.
Sylvania Lodge, No. 287, F. and A. M., was chartered October 23, 1856. The charter members and officers were as follows:
William B. Warren, Andrew Printup, H. D. Warren, Foster R. Warren, Benjamin Joy, William Watson, William McCann, Benjamin Sumner, Jenks Morey, Elias Richardson. Lucian B. Lathop, W. M.; William B. Warren, S. W.; Andrew Printup, J. W.
The present officers (1888) are as follows: A. W. Bellous, W. M.; S. L. Kimbell, S. W.; W. H. Glann, J. W.; Win. Smith, Treasurer; L. A. Gillett, Sec'y; A. Cherry, S. D.; Chas. Reynolds, J. D.; J. G. Taylor, A. J. Glann, Stewards ; N. S. Root, Tyler; T. P. Hoadley, J. G. Taylor, W. H. Glann, Finance Comttee ; Win. Smith, Chas. Reynolds, Geo. Fowler, Grievance Committee.
This Lodge in 1888 numbered 58 members. Communications held in Masonic Hall, over the Post Office, Ottawa Street.
TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
Sylvania Union, No. 1, Daughters of Temperance, was instituted at Sylvania, January 3, 1849, and the following officers chosen: Mrs. Lucy H. Rice, P. S. ; Mrs. E. H. Dowey, A. S.; Mrs. Catharine K. Green, R. S.; Mrs. C. Stout, A. R. S.; Miss S. Hubbard, F. S.; Miss J. L. Green, C.; Mrs. A. B. Warren, A. C.; Mrs. R. Cook, G.; Miss A2. Warren, A. G.
Sylvania Lodge, No. 49, Good Templars, was organized March 16, 1885, with S. G. Bennett as C. T.; Mrs. Olive Thornton, V. T., and L. B. Decker, Secretary. Officers for 1887: J. E. Emery, C. T.; Miss Gladys Parker, V. T.; E. W. Leonard son, Treasurer; Miss Clarissa Bryan,
SYLVANIA TOWNSHIP. - 895
Secretary; Minnie Van Ormer, F. S.; Miss E. Dolph, Chaplain ; Charles Scott, M.; Miss Lillian Parker, D. M.; Wallace Mersereau, I. G.; Bert Mersereau, O. G. The Lodge and furniture were burnt in the fire of 1887,
FIRE OF 1887.
On April 26, 1887, occurred a fire in Sylvania which destroyed most of the business portion of the Village. Following is a list of the principal property destroyed :
Washington Lenardson, General Store; the Misses Roberts, Milliners; Milton Veasy, Grocer; William W. Cowell, Harness and Carriages ; William B. Warren, Groceries and Agricultural Implements; Dr. W. A. Frost, Physician and Surgeon ; Dr. F. B. Hanks, Drugs, Oils and Paints; Owen, and Clark & Son, Meat Market and Groceries; William Bryan, Postmaster, Post Office and residence; W. H. Huling, General Store ; Temperance Hall and Lodge of K. G. R.; S. M. Judson, General Store ; William Chapel, Barber and Stationer; Orson Adsit, Groceries ; William B. Warren & Son, Furniture and Undertaking; Andrew Reager, Boot and Shoe Shop ; John H. Parker, Groceries.
This fire was a severe blow to the business of the little Village. But most of the burned places have been or will be rebuilt.
BALLOONING.
As a young man named Moag, residing six miles from Toledo, and in Sylvania. Township. was searching a piece of woods for missing sheep on the farm of Salmon Miner, in March, 1859, he discovered articles of clothing, bones, etc., which satisfied him that a human body had been consumed or decayed at that point. The next morning the neighbors turned out and proceeded to the spot, where were found the articles named by the boy, including various bones, boots and clothing. In the pockets were found a silver watch ; a ,jack-knife ; a purse with $136 in money; and a letter ad dressed to a Mr. Thurston. Inquiry at Toledo soon recalled the fact of the loss of an aeronaut of that name, who made an accidental ascension from Adrian, Mich., September 16, 1858, the circumstances which were as follows:
At 8:30 A. M. of the day named, in company with all associate (Mr. Bannister), Mr. Thurston made an advertised ascension, and successfully landed at Riga, on the Lake Shore Railroad, between Adrian and Sylvania. Stepping from the car, they proceeded to unfasten it and remove the netting from the balloon. which, turning over, rested, neck upward. Mr. Thurston got straddle of the main valve, a wooden frame, fixed to the top of the gas-sack (containing 2.5,000 feet of gas), and was engaged in forcing back the valve, which opened inward, at the same time requesting Mr. Bannister to untie the neck of the bag. The latter, then busy with the netting, neglected to do this, and the moment the netting was off, the sack suddenly arose, with Mr. Thurston clinging to the valve. Mr. Bannister instantly grasped for the ascending balloon, but Mr. Thurston cried, "Hold on, Bannister! She will soon come down again," supposing the neck of the sack to have been untied. But not so. Up the balloon ascended. and when last seen by Bannister, was full two miles high, and sailing rapidly Northward. A few days thereafter, the balloon was found at West Tilbury, Canada West, with the disc of the valve torn three-fourths of the way round. It was assumed that the silk around the valve had given way, thus precipitating Thurston to the earth. No tidings had been received of him at the time of the discovery in Sylvania. It was then remembered, that on the day of the ascension, a boy in the neighborhood of Mr. Miner's farm told a neighbor of having seen some object fall into the same woods, to which his attention was called by a whistling sound; while another boy, at the same time, saw something passing over, very high, and seeming to be a kite. Investigation at Adrian soon shored the remains in question to have been those of the lost aeronaut. The watch had stopped at 11:40. showing the time of the fatal fall. The remains of Mr. Thurston, with the articles found, were taken to Adrian and delivered to the administrator of his estate.
In this connection may be mentioned the former experience of Mr. Bannister. In 1854, with little experience in ballooning. Ire constructed a large balloon at Adrian, with which, after several attempts, he made all ascension-so perfect, in fact, he badly froze his feet from getting too far up, and was crippled thereby. He hired his balloon to Timothy Winchester, of Milan, Ohio, who in July, 1855, ascended from that place, and landed near Hudson, Ohio, a distance of 125 miles from his starting point. On this trip he ascended until he became insensible, and remained so until, by descent. the balloon reached an atmosphere admitting of respiration. Bags of wet sand with him, for ballast, were frozen. October 4, 1855, Mr. Winchester made an ascension from Norwalk, Ohio, leaving at 2 r. m., and drifting to the Northwest, soon passed out of view. He had expressed the desire to ascend higher and go further than any other aeronaut, and he supposed he had a gas supply for three days, while he had but 25 lbs. of ballast. The last seen of him was as he passed over the Lake, near Vermillion, Erie County. No tidings were ever received of the particulars of his fate