550 - Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott. boys. Peckham died in 1866, at Milwaukee, where he had lived for several years. In the spring of 1836, two other warehouses were put up near the foot of Lagrange street, on the east side. The lower one was occupied by Bissell & Gardner (Frederick Bissell and Joseph B. Gardner). Mr. Bissell continued in business in Toledo till his death, in June, 1870. Gardner was afterwards postmaster, succeeding Judge Potter, in 1839. He removed to Buffalo, and died many years ago. The other warehouse was kept first by Poag & Morse, then Poag & Titus, and afterwards by Robert W. Titus,—the latter still living in Toledo. John Poag went to New York about 1840, and after a few years became one of the firm of Kent, Poag & Co.,—grew wealthy, invested largely in Toledo real estate, which has turned out very advantageously. He returned to Toledo, and died in 1868. The same warehouse (the second story,) was taken by Titus & Co., from New York, in the spring of 18 ;8 (Avery and Walter Titus), for a dry goods and groceries jobbing establishment. They did a good business; but, trying to carry a load of debt, growing out of their New York business in 1837, proved too great a burden, and, after the death of Avery Titus, in 1841, the firm was obliged to suspend. Walter is still living in New York. These warehouses still remain, and are parts of the Novelty Works establishment, Among the permanent boarders at the Toledo House, in the spring of 1836, were Willard J. Daniels, and William P. Daniels, with his wife and two little children—son and daughter, the former, Chat les, now of Lloyd, Daniels & Dennison, and Helen, now Mrs. C. J. Lloyd. Lyman Wheeler was also there—then unmarried. He had recently bought the lot on the corner of Monroe and St. Clair streets, where the Wheeler Opera House now stands,—at that time a very uninviting spot; the swale from Mud creek crossing this lot, as well as the opposite corner where the Collins block is, and continuing thence along through the whole of the block to the Myers' corner, where it crossed Monroe street. Wheeler had great faith in the advancement of Toledo, especially of the Port Lawrence end of the town. Caleb F. Abbott was also there,—a graduate just from Cambridge college, seeking his fortune in the west, as Ohio was then considered to be. Ralph P. Buckland (now General Buckland of Fremont), came soon afterwards, on the same errand, and remained till in the summer. James M. Comstock came about the latter part of March, 1836. His brother, Stephen B. Comstock, had been here since 1832 and was a very old settler by that time. Stephen was in fact One of the pioneers, and became interested, with Oliver & Williams, in tracts 1 and 2, which comprised what was known as Port Lawrence, and he was for some years the agent for the Port Lawrence Company, in selling lots and inducing settlements. He was also postmaster. The latter position he resigned in 1837, being a Whig, to make way for Judge Paton Stephen died in 1853. Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott - 551 Until the spring of 1837, there were no sidewalks any where in the place; not even one of a single plank. Men wore heavy boots, and, in muddy weather, tucked their pantaloons inside. and waded. boldly through the soft soil. It was quite an undertaking to get from either end or the town to the post office—then called Middle Town." It was useless to attempt wearing India rubber shoes; the adhesive character of the mud made a power of suction that would draw off rubbers almost at the first step. It was regarded as a grand improvement, when, by private subscription, a sidewalk of two planks in width was laid on the northwest line of Summit street, from the Toledo House, corner of Perry street, to the American, at the corner of Elm street. The Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad was in course of construction, from Toledo to Adrian. under a charter from the territorial legislature of Michigan. The original plan for the road was to put down wooden rails, of oak studding four inches square, and draw the cars by horses. Even this would have been a great relief and wonderful improvement over the nearly impassable roads through the cottonwood swamp that stretched froth Sylvania to Palmyra. The work on the road had been driven forward with much energy, and was well forward, considering how little means the projectors had to carry it on. By the time the grading was don t‘, the stockholders became possessed of more enlarged ideas, and determined to iron the road. and use locomotive power. To be sure, the Company had no money to buy the iron ; and railroad bonds, and preferred stock, and the various devices by which in these days such work is got through with, were then unknown. However, by giv- ing a liberal bonus in stock, with the obligations of the Railroad. Company, endorsed by some of the directors, and other parties interested individually, the iron was obtained. But such iron ! How the railroad men of to day would laugh at the thin straps, of an inch thick, then spiked down on the old railroads. Yet, .it was as great an improvement over the projected wooden rail, as the H and T rail over the almost hoop iron then aged. In the same way, two little locomotives were purchased, and, early in .1837, a couple of old-fashioned, four-wheeled short cars, and some half a dozen freight cars of the same size, were runn.'ng on the road. There was but little practical knowledge of the management of railroads, this being the first road in operation west of Utica, New York. How this road was got into operation, and kept up, without money or credit, can never be fully explained, and perhaps not entirely understood, even by the parties whose energy and pluck---with possibly some little assurance—carried it along through years of difficulty and embarrassment.* Very few of these men are now living. Among some *John R. Osborn, Esq., furnishes the following note : "At Palmyra, a railroad had been projected, to run as far as Jacksonburg, through the village of Tecumseh. The same road which in subsequent years was completed a branch of the Michigan Southern and Northern ;Indiana Railroad, and is now known as the Jackson Branch. “This road, in connection with the Erie and Kalmazoo Road, was projected and underta 552 - Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott. of the conductors on the trains, were Stephen B. Comstock, Robert Jeffrey, Frederick Bissell, Charles A. King, and Munson H. Daniels. Until the autumn of 1838, almost the entire freighting over the road was carrying provisions, as well as goods, into Michigan, principally flour and pork to feed the people, and corn and oats for horses and hogs. Michigan did not raise enough for its population, owing to the rapid increase of immigration, and was obliged to import from Ohio. But, in 1838, this immigration had fallen off, and then the road began to be used to bring out the wheat crop, which from that time was greatly increased each year. Flour and wheat were then teamed from Jackson, Marshall, Battle Creek, Constantine, and intermediate places, to Adrian, to be brought thence by rail to navigable waters, at Toledo. This was continued till the construction of Michigan State railroads cut off much of the business that had hitherto sought market outlet by this way. The construction and continuance of the Erie and Kalamazoo railroad exercised great influence in settling the supremacy of Toledo as the business place at the west end of Lake Erie, over its several rival towns. The first railroad office was in a little frame building, 14x20 feet, put up by Willard J. Daniels for a barber shop, on the ground next east of Ketcham, Bond & Co.'s present ken by the owners of the main Road, with the assistance of citizens of Tecumseh, Clinton, and other places along the route. "On the 9th of August, 1838, the road was ready to be opened as far as Tecumseh. At the invitation of Mr. Edward Bissell, then the manager of the Eric and Kalamazoo Railroad, a large number of citizens, sufficient to fill one car, took their places for the celebration of the event. Sylvania, Blissfield, and Palmyra, each furnished additional recruits. At Tecumseh, the town was alive with excitement at the auspicious event. Among the Toledoans of the period, who participated in the celebration, were Judge Mason, Daniel McBain, C. F. Abbott, J. Baron Davis, Judge Myers, George B. Way, J. R.LOsborn, J. Avery Titus, Andrew Palmer, G. Weed, and many others. At Tecumseh, the large crowd, greeted by the welcome of the people, made their rallying point at the hotel of General Joseph W. Brown, who so shortly before had marched his troops upon the banks of the Maumee river, in defiance of the pretensions of Ohio. He prepared for his guests a repast of such generous magnitude, that he was not long in winning their grateful recognitions, and, we may add, pardon for any previous unpleasantness he had occasioned to Governor Lucas and the Buckeyes. "The usual after-dinner speeches and toasts followed, the noticeable one of which was a very eloquent and interesting speech of Judge Mason, who had prepared statistics and data to show the productiveness of the country, and the capital lying hidden within extensive and fertile districts, which were now brought into proximity with the lake, and were to pour their uncounted riches into the lap of our aspiring city. Among other things, he particularly dwelt upon the enterprise which had projected such roads in the State of Michigan, and how far in advance the people were here, than in other parts, especially of Ohio, where scarcely a railroad had yet been constructed. He stated, also, in his speech, that the Erie and Kalamazoo Railroad was the first enterprise in America, west of Utica. This enterprise, however, proved to be in advance of the times. The road was just completed to Jacksonburg, and the short distance to Tecumseh was not even ironed with the cheap strap rail of those days, and in a few years it was abandoned. Afterwards, in the year 1857, it was taken hold of by the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Railroad Company, and completed in the most substantial and thorough manner ; and has become one of the principal avenues of trade to the city—fulfilling, at this late period, the prophecies of Judge Mason, and the expectations of the originators." Lucas Co.- Recollections of Richard Mott - 553 store. A small platform reached from the rear of the office to the track, without any roof, and as such unprotected from the weather as are at this day all the stations on the Hudson River Railroad, including Albany. For the first year, the track terminated at Monroe street, at the head of Water street, crossing the block from about the corner of John Muihany's store to the rear of Roff & Co.'s. During 1837, the track was extended along what is now Water street, to the foot of Lagrange street, over the water the whole way, piles being driven to support it,—the line varying from 50 to 200 feet from the then line of shore. Water street was not filled in till 1843. In 1842, the Toledo House was enlarged by the addition of another story, with great, awkward, wooden columns put up in front, but considered very grand, and its name changed to that of the "Indiana House," and was for some years, under its new name, kept by Robert N. Lawton, who had previously had charge of the American. The completion of the Erie and Wabash, and the Miami canals, had drawn much of the travel and business towards the mouth of Swan creek, making the Indiana House the better location. Much of the travel between New York, and Cincinnati, and St. Louis, was by lake from Buffalo, and thence by canal packet boat from Toledo. The " packet dock," still retaining the name in front of the present St. Charles Hotel, was then a very lively business spot. Packet lines started from this dock on both canals, generally crowded with passengers, there being no competing lines of railroad on either side. The packets had for agent at Toledo, William J. Finlay, who there began his business career. The opposite bank of Swan creek terminated in high bluff, not far from the artesian well on Ottawa street. No improvement had then been made on that side, the trees extending to the edge of the bank. Possibly some of the ladies of Toledo who, when children, attended Miss Alice Jenks' school, may remember a May-day pic-nic, given to the scholars on the 1st of May, 1844. It was held in the woods, out of sight and hearing of the town, in a secluded spot, a few rods beyond the present Oliver House. A small frame house was standing on the point near the site of the Wabash Railroad Car Shops. This belonged to John Baldwin, and was the only dwelling on the shore between Swan creek and John and George Knaggs. What is now known as the " Middle-Ground." was a wild rice swamp, commencing about opposite the foot of Monroe street. The lower end was under water during the fore part of the season, till the long grass began to show itself, becoming quite thick by autumn. It became shoaler till near the Cleveland railroad bridge, where there was land barely above water, and a little further south were two fishing stations, used in the spring and autumn. But what soil there was above water, was too low and wet for any attempt at cultivation. Even then it was foreseen, by some of the residents of 554. - Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott. Toledo, that this middle-ground would prove to be the right place for railroad purposes; but even the sanguine expectations of that day of wild speculation, did not anticipate the preent business importance of the location. Even later, when it was brought More the managers of the Michigan Southern Railroad, there was strong opposition to the plan before its adoption. It was feared that the expense would be too great, and it was confidently urged that the whole could never be wanted. In 1837, Andrew Palmer & Co. put up a warehouse, some 120 feet northeast from Monroe street, and carried on forwarding business in it for some years, the firm being a part of the time Palmer, Bush & Co. This warehouse passed into other hands, and was burned in 1853. Andrew Palmer left Toledo in 1845, for Wisconsin, where he is still living. Peter Palmer is in Lockport, and the other partner, William H. Bush, returned to New York. Two other and larger warehouses were put up in 1838, each of them having three stories. One in the rear of B. Meilink's furniture store,—this was burned in 1840. The other, then belonging to Hezekiah D. Mason, is known as the Godard. warehouse, and now belonging to Young & Backus. In 1840, the old red warehouse was built at the corner of Monroe and Water street, originally 40 feet front, but another 40 feet were added in 1842,—the whole still standing. The Daniels warehouse, at the foot of Jefferson street, dates from 1843. The four stores on the southeast corner of Summit and Monroe streets, are the oldest substantial brick structures on either or the two streets. They were begun in 1842, and finished during the next year. The bluff at this place was 20 feet high, and had to be dug away to make room for the block. It is said there was a small military post [Fort Industry] on this bluff,—a block house,—probably as far back as the time when the British government held possession on the river, which they did as late as 17 G. Soon after the digging was commenced, two skeletons were found, which, from remnants of shoes and buttons, were supposed to have been soldiers belonging to the little garrison. In the spring of 1844, the corner store was opened by A. Ralston & Co. (Alex. Ralston and and Solomon Linsley), as a drug store. Ralston did not remain long, when the firm became S. Linsley & Co., which firm was succeeded by West & Van Stone, the present occupants,—the stand having been used in one line, for the same business, during the same period. Where Smith & Simmons now are, was leased by Charles O'Hara for a wholesale grocery. Afterwards, it was taken by V. H, Ketcham & Co. for their business, which was continued there for some years by their successors, Secor & Berdan. The Poag block on the corner of Madison street, was put up in 1849; and the Deuel block about the same time. As early as 1832, attention was turned towards the place where the Wabash and Erie Canal and the Miami Canal, would probably Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott - 555 enter Lake Erie, or the Maumee river. Not long afterwards, some of the more enterprising men of Buffalo, who were engaged in the forwarding business on the .Erie canal. and owning large vessel and steamboat interests on the Like, looking to the further extension of their business, became interested near the mouth of the river, where is now Manhattan. Among these parties who had planned to make Manhattan the business point, was Isaac S. Smith, of the then firm of Smith & Macy, of Buffalo. He had never seen the proposed location, till, in the year 1834, he came up to look at the prospects generally, and then, for the first time, visited the rival sires, from Maumee to Manhattan. He was not long in perceiving the generally superior advantages of Vistula and Port Lawrence, and advised his associates to look to these places as the more advisable for their purposes. Under his advice, Smith & Macy, and Pratt & Taylor, agreed to join in the purchase of property there. Henry W. Hicks, of New York, also, was joined with them equally in the project.—Smith, acting for the others, sought out Edward Bissell, whose sagacity at once grasped the advantages of having such parties for coadjutors. They arranged for a purchase from Oliver & Williams of a large interest in the Port Lawrence tracts, also, and then it was agreed to unite the two opposition villages of Vistula and Port Lawrence, as one town, under the name of Toledo. From this time the growth of the place was encouraging. It was then all a forest, from near Locust street toJefferson street—the original settlements having been on and near Lagrange street, in Vistula, and about the mouth of Swan Creek, in Port Lawrence. These woods were cut away, opening the space between the two places. The next yar, 1835, the forest was cut on the low ground, back of Port Lawrence, and along the sides of Mud creek. This low ground was apparently a swamp, difficult to reclaim; and it remained much in that condition till 154O, when a partially successful attempt was made to drain it by a sewer along the line of Oak street, where is the present .enlarged sewer. Mr. Hicks had active capital, and it was used freely in buildings, and various improvements, and in giving a start generally. The project of the railroad to Adrian, received a new impetus, and was pushed ahead rapidly. The steamboats on the lakes, owned and controlled by the two Buffalo firms—Smith & Macy, and Pratt & Taylor—commenced to stop on the way to Detroit, that being as far as they were regularly run. An occasional trip, however, would be made to Green Bay and Chicago—once, perhaps, by each boat during the season. These boats, on their returns from the Upper Lakes,"—as Lakes Huron and Michigan were called,--were always decked out with evergreens, tied to flag-staff, mast head, and bow sprit, as an indication of the fir off regions they had visited. Notwithstanding the adhesion of these firms to Toledo, there wag stilt a strong Buffalo interest, backed by capital, that favored Mans battan, and considerable improvement was made there in building 556 - Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott. wharfing, etc. This influence was kept up for some years for Manhattan, and did not fully die out till 1844, or 1845. One of the Toledo forwarders (M. L. Collins,) was given the use of a large warehouse in Manhattan, rent free,—this was in 1843,—and several canal boats were sent up from the Erie canal, to form a line for him to run there. These boats made one trip from Manhattan to Lafayette and back. Their second trip was from Manhattan and back to Toledo. They then went by river to Manhattan, for the third start. After that, Mr. Collins quit his free-rent warehouse, and returned to Toledo, with his entire line. It was not till June, 1836, after the boundary-line dispute between Ohio and Michigan had been settled by Congress in favor of the former, by which it acquired the strip of land including Toledo and Manhattan, that Ohio went energetically at work with her canals —the Indiana portion being then nearly finished. Then came the struggle for its terminus on the river. Maumee City and Perrysburg, being settlements counting over twenty years' existence, had confidently claimed the terminus as the proper and natural one, being at the head of navigation. Manhattan urged, in favor of its location, nearness to the lake, and consequently more ready accessibility for sailing vessels, which would not be liable to the tedious delays from head winds in the narrow channel of the river, to the towns above it. At this time, most of the freight was carried in sailing vessels of 60 to 120 tons, and tugs were unknown and unthought of; so that it would often take as much or more time for sailing vessels, with head winds, or none at all, to get from or to the mouth of the river to the foot of the rapids, as for the voyage to Buffalo. Toledo held that her better harbor, deeper water,—nearness enough to the lake to be reached by sailing craft, even with head wind, at any time,—placed her ahead of Manhattan, as did the rock bar near Maumee, and the general shoaling of the river, in that direction, place her ahead of the latter place, and of Perrysburg. Another town was started, in the early part of 1836, intented to obviate the rock bar difficulty. This was Marengo, located some three miles below Maumee and Perrysburg, and below the bar. A steam saw mill was built—streets laid out—on paper chiefly—and some houses and stores put up, and a claim boldly made for the place as combining all the advantages of the other villages. Considerable property changed owners here, on a sort of lottery venture. Many residents of Maumee and Toledo, are at this day hardly aware that such a place as Marengo ever existed on the river ; and except by a few of the older ones, its once location could not be found,—there being now no sign of town or village, where its site was. As an offset to Marengo, Stephen B. Comstock, although largely interested in the Port Lawrence portion of Toledo, immediately made a paper city on river tracts 12 and 13, near the mouth of Del- Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott - 557 aware creek, and some three miles up the river from Toledo, having all the public squares, market places, railroad depots etc., so easily made on maps. Drawing from the same line of history, the name of Austerlitz was bestowed upon the paper town. Strange as it may seem, there was a readiness to invest even in Austerlitz lots, then covered by a dense forest, and as bare now of any city indications as is Marengo. On the south bank of the river, Isaac Street had a town under way. Here too was a saw mill in operation, bossed by Frederick Prentice,—a store, a tavern, and several dwellings, so that the place had the appearance of quite a flourishing new settlement. Friend Street called his town Oregon. He favored the bringing of the canal in on the bayou, near the Michigan Southern Railroad roundhouse, and having this bayou for the canal basin, and then making a cut from it to the river about where Mitchell & Rowland's saw mill now is. Street was patient and persevering, and held to the faith that his town would be a success, till about 1840. There remain as few signs of its location as at either Marengo or Austerlitz. Its site is now occupied by the Prentice nursery. Many people were drawn into these wild projects, who should have been sagacious enough to have kept clear of them. There seemed to prevail an epidemic for buying town lots, that attacked many at the sight of a handsomely lithographed map, that was, incurably, proof against every remedy other than inevitable experience. One of the objections operating strongly against Manhattan, was the fact that the channel of the river ran along near the opposite bank. So, to obviate this objection some of the believers in the theory that great cities, like New York, grew up near the entrance of rivers, made a map of Lucas City, supposed to have stood where the Manhattan Iron Works now are,—the said map being the only existence it ever knew. Yet, here, too, many lots were sold, the purchasers doubtless indulging in the Micawber-like hope that something might turn up from them. In the struggle between the rival towns, it became necessary for Toledo and Manhattan to make a common cause, to prevent the stopping of the canal at Maumee. Some of the present citizens of Toledo had originally cast their fortunes at Maumee,—among them, General John E. Hunt, Jesup W. Scott, Samuel M. Young, Morrison R. Waite, and others. It is easy to understand how powerful were the influences which men of so much ability and energy could bring to bear in favor of their own location. Notwithstanding this formidable array for ending the canal at the foot of the rapids, the down-river parties prevailed, ending in a sort of triple compromise, locking the water in at all three of the places—Maumee, Toledo, and Manhattan, and bringing it to the two latter, on what was called the high level, that they could have the advantage of the water power for milling and manufacturing purposes. By this plan, the nominal terminus of the canal was at Manhattan, locking into the 558 - Lucas Co.—Recollections of Richard Mott. river by side cuts at Maumee City, and at Toledo. The Toledo men were rather satisfied at this arrangffement,bement, believing superiority of their location would evtntua7leventuallyhe whole business, and their faith in this respect has been fully justified, by the working result. It was believed by many at the time, that money was used by the down-river parties, in this matter,—that " ring," perhaps, bringing to bear more potent arguments than the up-river "ring" produced; but this may be placed in the category of the many charges of British gold as having been used by successful political parties, often made after election, by the defeated. [From memoranda relating to former political parties, and conflicts, the following are selected :] It was during Mr. Edgerton's 2d term in congress, that the Kansas-Nebraska bill,—rescinding the Missouri Compromise, was passed, he, with several other sagacious democratic members, uniting in determined opposition to the measure. They foresaw the probably disastrous effect it could not but have on their party. The party, nevertheless, adopting it as a party measure, Edgerton was not re-nominated in '54. He, however, would not permit his name to be used as a candidate before a mass convention, called at Defiance in Sept., 1854-, by the freesoilers and opponents of the Kansas-Nebraska bill, although urged to do so; but, like Potter, remained faithful to his political organization. The Defiance mass convention, in 1854, put in nomination Richard Mott, of Toledo, who, greatly to his own surprise, as well as that of the convention, was elected. This convention had been called for the purpose of uniting whatever free soil strength there might be found to exist in the northwestern part of the state, and with little or no expectation of overcoming the previously great democratic majority in the district. The Toledo Blade, then owned and edit ed by Joseph R. Williams, was greatly instrumental in bringing about the revolution that gave the republicans the ascendancy in the district, which is still maintained. The plan of spreading republican or free soil speeches made in Congress, was also actively kept up under the frank of the member who, in this way, flooded the district with the fullest information on the subject of slavery, and thus aided in keeping unimpaired the republican ascendancy. As has been said, the Blade, under the management of its able editor, was an early and earnest advocate of fee soil principles, and an efficient opponent to the slave power, as then known and felt. Williams' fearless course soon gained for the paper its character as a leading exponent of radically liberal principles, and it became a power in the northwest.. Edgerton's refusal to bolt, in 1854, and his adherence to his party, were mainly the causes that procured for him the nomination in 1856. The republican ideas had, however, by that time become Lucas County—Willard J. Daniels - 559 much more prevalent, and even he who had so resolutely opposed, throughout, the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, popular and able as he was, could not succeed as the candidate of the party which had repealed it. From that period, the district has rightly been counted upon as sure for the republicans, and of the most radical stripe. In 1858, James M. Ashley was nominated and elected, and re-elected for each term, till 1868; and the loss of his election that year was owing to other than causes indicating a falling off in the republican strength, as was shown by the result of the election in 1870. At the earlier city elections in Toledo, party lines were not much regarded, till, in 1840, the whigs called a convention as such, and put up Myron H. Tilden as candidate for Mayor. Immediate opposition was made to the movement, and another convention was called to select a candidate, without reference to politics, which nominated James M. Whitney, also a Whig, as the citizens' candidate, the democrats voting for him en masse, and some Whigs; but Tilden was elected by four votes. From that time, the city officers have been generally selected as party candidates, with fluctuating success, the Whigs generally .holding the ascendancy, till 1845. From that time, the democrats, with occasional defeats, were most of the time in power, till 1861. The republican success since then, in the city, is much indebted to the German population, a large portion of whom seem to have attached themselves to the party as upholding advanced and radical views, in sympathy with their own. WILLARD J. DANIELS. The subject of this sketch was born in Addison County, Vermont, in May, 1813, and first visited Toledo in the autumn of 1832. When he came to the place, he was in his 19th year. lie entered, into the mercantile business with his brother, the late Munson H. Daniels, in a store on the corner of Summit and Lagrange streets. In the following year (1833), he purchased of S. B. Co restock, agent of the Port Lawrence company, the east 26- feet of Lot No. 10, in the Port Lawrence Division, for which he paid twenty-five dollars in goods—this being the first real estate purchase he ever made. On this lot he erected a store. At the same time he purchased Lot 19 for fifty dollars; also, 60 feet on Summit, and 100 feet in the rear of dock front on the river (the former being the lot recently occupied by Bronson & Messinger, for their tobacco store) for seventy five dollars; also, about the same time, Lot 44, corner of Monroe. and St. Clair streets, for fifty dollars, and many other lots, in the Port Lawrence Division, at proportionate rates. His aim, in real estate purchases, was to get as near the mouth of Swan creek as 'possible. In 1836, in company with his brother, R. C. Daniels, they erected a 560 - Lucas County- Willard Daniels. three-story brick store on lot twelve, corner of Summit and Monroe streets—the ground now being occupied by Lenk's block. Willard J. and Munson H. Daniels erected the first wooden store, adjoining the Toledo House. They paid $25 for the lot, No. 10 of 26 feet front, which would now sell readily for $26,500. At the meeting of the Vistula and Port Lawrence interests, heretofore referred to, called for the purpose of consolidating the interests of the two towns, the question of a name for the places thus to be united, was a subject of debate. Several names were proposed, when finally Mr. Daniels suggested that of " Toledo,"—having derived some knowledge from historical reading of this old capital of Spain. There then being no city or town having this name upon this continent, was one of the strongest reasons for its adoption ; and here it may be proper to insert the following from Appleton's Cyclopaedia, Vol. XV.: " Toledo was the ancient capital of Spain. It stands upon a rocky height, upon three sides of which the river flows in a deep and narrow channel, crossed by two stone bridges about one hundred feet in height, one of which was built by the Moors. The surrounding country is undulating, and generally barren, and the heat in summer is very great. The appearance of the city is remarkably picturesque. The cathedral, founded in 1258, stands in the centre of the town, and is one of the finest in Spain. It is of the purest Gothic style, 404 feet long, and 204 feet wide, with a spire 324 feet high. The palace of the Archbishop (who is the Primate of Spain,) adjoins the cathedral, and contains a library very rich in ancient manuscripts. The Alcazar, or royal palace, is in a very dilapidated state. The principal manufactures are woollen and silk goods, oil, leather, and the sword blades for Which the town is so famous. The swords of Toledo attained great celebrity in the time of the Moors. AC-cording to tradition, Toledo was founded by Jewish colonists, in the sixth century B. C., and called Toledom, 'mother of people.' It was taken by the Romans in 192 B. C., and sonic portion of the walls, and an ampitheatre, erected by them, still remain. It was taken by the Goths in A. D. 467, and made the capital of Spain in 567. The Moors captured it in 711, and under them it made great advances. Alfonse VI., of Castile, and Leon, wrested it from the Moors, after a terrible siege, in 1085, when it was again made the capital of the Christian kings, and, at one time, had a population of 200,000. It afterward suffered many sieges, which, together with the removal of the Court to Madrid, have been the chief causes of its decline." In the summer of 1834, Mr. Daniels erected a warehouse on the 100 feet dock purchase above mentioned, and in 1835-36, erected the Palmyra Mills, near Adrian, Michigan. In 1836, during the Presidential contest between Van Buren and Harrison, Mr. Daniels and Judge Potter were joint proprietors of the Toledo Blade, and their money saved the paper from suspension, and continued it for several months, in the local interests of the place. Subsequently the Lucas County— Frederick Prentice -561 establishment passed into the hands of Fairbanks & Willard, two young printers from Detroit. Fairbanks has been, during many years, one of the editors and proprietors of the Cleveland Herald. The first school house in Toledo was built in 1834, at the expense of Willard J. Daniels, Stephen B. Comstock, and Stephen Bartlett. It yet stands on the ground near the African church. The first school teacher was Mrs. Munson H. Daniels. Her maiden name was Harriett Wright, and she was a niece of Silas Wright, of New York. The first Court of Lucas county was held in this school building. In January, 1838, Mr. Daniels married Miss Caroline Walbridge, of Toledo, who died in the fall of 1849 ; and in December, 1855, (having, in the meantime, in the fall of 1853, removed to Lockport, New York,) married, at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Miss Isadore E. Hopkins. As a member of the City Council, a director of the Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad, and in all the public schemes that affected the interests of Toledo, Mr. Daniels has taken a prominent part. He yet holds large real estate interests in Toledo, and in Lockport, New York, the city of his present residence. Although, at the age of fifty-nine, his mental and bodily vigor exhibit no signs of decay, and he appears as ready to engage in private or public enterprise as when he commenced his business career in Toledo forty years ago. FREDERICK PRENTICE. Joseph Prentice and family removed from Brooklyn, New York, to Ashtabula, Ashtabula county, Ohio, probably in 1814, and remained here a short time ; and from thence to the mouth of Swan Creek—making the trip from Ashtabula to the Maumee with sledges on the ice; stopping at nights at Indian towns, as there were then few white settlements on the shore, between the two points. Soon after his arrival, Mr. Prentice connected himself with the Cincinnati Company, composed of Major Oliver, Micajah T. Williams, and others, the original proprietors of the old " upper town," and took charge of their building arrangements. He erected the first warehouse [described elsewhere in the reminiscences of Richard Mott], also the first frame dwelling house in Toledo. His residence was first in the warehouse, and then into the dwelling above mentioned. The latter building was only a few rods from the former, and the ground is now occupied by the block embracing the numbers 33, 35, 37, and 39 Summit street. It was at his suggestion that the town at the mouth of Swan Creek was named Port Lawrence, in honor of the gallant naval officer who bore that name ; and here it may not be out of place to mention that Swan Creek, according to the statement of Mr. Prentice, was so named by the Indians, in consequence of the numerous swan that, every spring and autumn, reveled upon its bosom. - 35 - 562 - Lucas County—Frederick Prentice. The precise date at which Mr. Prentice reached Toledo cannot, by reason of a destruction by fire of certain manuscripts, be given ; but it was a brief period subsequent to the war of 1812. It was in the first frame house erected in Toledo, above referred to, that Frederick Prentice, on the 6th of December, 1822, was born; being the first white child born in Port Lawrence, now Toledo. In his settlement with the company, Mr. Joseph Prentice selected the southwest portion of the tract on the east side of the river, to which he removed with his family in about 1825, and where they resided until his death, which occurred May 6th, 1845; at the age of 64 years ; that day being also the anniversary of his birth. Mrs. Eleanor Prentice, his widow, remembered by the old society of the lower portion of the valley as a most estimable and exemplary lady, survived her husband about ten years. There is not, probably, in the Maumee Valley, a gentleman whose business experience has been attended with fluctuations so marked, and yet so generally successful, as that which has characterized the business career of Frederick Prentice. During his boyhood, there were no schools nearer than the river Raisin, or Fort Wayne ; and consequently his means of education, other than the instruction imparted by his mother, were very limited. At the age of thirteen years, his father became physically infirm, by reason of a sprain in the back, caused by a fall ; and this misfortune imposed upon Frederick, mere boy that he was, almost the entire support of the family; but the rough life he had led made him more of a man, and better fitted for the responsibilities he had assumed, than many lothers whose years alone indicated manhood. As pork was $60 per barrel, flour from $25 to $30, calico from 60 to 75 cents per yard, and labor only 50 to 75 cents per day, for able-bodied men, the self-imposed task of supporting his parents and himself by days work, seemed greater than even his stout heart could bear. Having been, from infancy, associated with Indians—an Indian woman having been his nurse—he had acquired even a better knowledge of their language than of the English. He therefore addressed himself to the business of interpreter for Indian agents and traders, and also to, hunting and fishing ; and froth these several occupations he derived sufficient means to maintain his family in comfortable circumstances—receiving, however, the efficient aid, as Mr. Prentice says, of one of the best mothers, house-keepers, and cooks, that ever blessed a son. As good a hunting ground as the country then afforded, was on and around the place now within the city plat of Toledo, where he states he has killed many a deer, wild turkey, and other game. The neighborhood where now stands the Oliver House, appeared especially to be a favorite haunt for deer. In these pursuits, and attending school winters, he continued, until he had attained the age of 18 years, when he engaged in the business of supplying the 'Toledo market, and river steamboats, with wood, and also hewn ship timber for the Lucas County—Gen. John E. Hunt - 563 New York and other markets. He also made extensive purchases of wild land, taking the timber off, and then selling, in limited tracts, to actual settlers,--a policy that proved not only advantageous to purchasers, but hastened the development of the region on the southeast side of the river, embracing a district of six or seven miles eastward and southward, within which limit more than one-half the land was, originally, or is now, held by him ; and many, on that side the river, now in opulent worldly circumstances, acknowledge their indebtedness to Mr. Prentice for his forbearance, and monetary aid, at a time when his friendship was of the highest value to them. Like most business men, who have been. engaged in enterprises of considerable magnitude, Mr. Prentice, at one time of life (1857), met with financial reverses, which made it necessary that he compromise with his creditors; and although the disaster was caused chiefly by endorsements, after he recuperated, some five or six years later, he notified his old creditors that, although there had been a legal settlement of their claims, he felt under moral obligations to.abandon the terms of compromise, and pay the full value of all their claims, with ten per cent. interest on deferred payments. His action in this matter, as well as a similar one on the part of Mr. William H. Raymond (now in California), afford instances of commercial honor that will constitute a bright page in the business history of Toledo. Although, within the last few years, Mr. Prentice has been highly favored by fortune; and although other commercial. cities of greater present importance, offer larger and richer bounties for his enterprise ; and although, from his ample means, he could find excitement and interest intravel, and sojourn in the gay capitals of the world;—he yet prefers Toledo, his native place—his old home—sanctified. by early struggles, and rendered dear beyond all other considerations, by the presence of old friends, who were witnesses of the rugged pathway he travelled in early life. Among his late purchases is a delightful home, formerly the property of the late Truman H. Hoag, situated within 200 feet of the site of the old homestead of Major B. F. Stickney. In this delightful mansion, the best now in Toledo, Mr. Prentice will probably spend the remainder of his days. 564 - Lucas County—Gen. John J Runt. President Washington, as Major, and afterwards, from President Jefferson, as Lieut. Colonel and Colonel of the same regiment. St. Clair maintained that, if he had had this well-disciplined and gallant First Regiment in his army, at the critical moment, his disastrous surrender would not have occurred. Colonel Hunt was in command of Fort Defiance eighteen months after the battle of the Fallen Timbers. In 1796, he was ordered to the command of Fort Wayne, which post he held until 1798, when he was transferred to Detroit to succeed Colonel Hamtramck, after the death of the latter officer. In June, 1803, he was ordered with his regiment from Detroit to St. Louis. His regiment landed at Fort Industry [now Toledo], and passed a night here, on its route to St. Louis. Fifteen miles from the latter place he built the cantonment on the bank of the Missouri, where, after three years, he died. Himself and wife, Eunice, are buried there, at a place called Bellefontaine. General John E. Hunt is the oldest native citizen in the Maumee Valley—having been born within the enclosure of Fort Wayne, April 11, 1798. His earlier years were chiefly spent with a senior brother, Henry Hunt, a merchant of Detroit. He was there at the time of Hull's surrender, and a witness of that humiliating spectacle. Though only fourteen years of age, no one, whether soldier or citizen, felt more deeply the insult to our country, involved in the imbecile conduct of Hull. He was married at the house of Governor Lewis Cass, Detroit, the 29th of May, 1822, to Miss Sophia Spencer, daughter of Dr. Spencer, of Connecticut. General Hunt has several hundred manuscript pages embodying his personal reminiscences of the Northwest, which contain historical matter of much interest, and which should be, at a future time, published. From these reminiscences, the following is extracted: "Jack Brandy (a Shawanee Indian), while conveying Winchester, as his prisoner, to Proctor's camp, captured Whittmore Knaggs, the old Pottamatomie agent, and father of George and James Knaggs. Some time before the war, Knaggs had caused Jack to be flogged for some offence, and ascertaining who had taken him, supposed, as a matter of course, that he would be slain. Jack re-assured him with promises of safety. Before they arrived at the camp, they were met by a band of Pottawatomies, who, with upraised tomahawks, rushed towards Knaggs. Jack stepped between them and his prisoner—told them they must kill him before they killed Knaggs, and thus saved him from massacre. " This same Jack Brandy, a few days before the massacre of Raisin, in conversation with Harry Hunt, of Detroit, told him, that, if occasion ever offered, he would be kind to the Yankees, and bring any that might fall into his hands safely to Detroit. This promise he so far fulfilled, as to drag from the buildings at the river Raisin massacre, a large Kentuckian, named John Green, who had been wounded in the engagement. Wrapping him carefully in his blan- Lucas County—Gen. John E Hunt - 565 ket, he laid him in his carryall, and started on a trot for Detroit.—The next morning, Hunt saw Jack drive up in front of the town, and with one or two friends went to see him. "‘ Well, Jack,' he enquired, have you brought us some venison, to-day ?' "'Yes, Harry Hunt,' replied the Indian, throwing the blanket off his Captive ; good Yankee venison. I told you Jack Brandy cannot lie.' "Mr. Hunt purchased the liberty of Green, took him to his house, and afterwards restored him to his friends, who, supposing he was slain, enlisted under Harrison to avenge his death. " Some time before the close of the war, Harry Hunt bought a fine horse, which was stolen soon after, by a band of Pottawatomies. On entering his store, a day or two afterwards, Hunt encountered Jack Brandy, who, observing the seriousness of his countenance, enquired as to the cause. On being informed, Jack replied: may be me get him again,' and mounted his pony, and started in pursuit. He soon struck the trail of the Pottawatomies, and came up with them two days afterwards, and camped with them, and told them he had a special mission to the Indians near Chicago, which had an important bearing upon the war. This pleased his entertainers, and they told him about the fine horse they had got. Jack, upon the plea of urgent business, bantered them for a trade, promising, if, on trial, the horse proved to be good, to pay the difference between him and his pony. At daylight, the horse, with saddle and bridle, was brought up for Jack to prove. He bestrode him, rode a short distance in the direction of Chicago, struck into the woods, and that was the last his Indian friends saw of him. The next day he rode into Detroit at top of speed, and surrendering the horse to his owner, repeated, most emphatically: "'There, Harry Hunt, I tell you once more, Jack Brandy cannot lie!' "The horse was afterwards sold to General Proctor for one hundred guineas, and on this beast this representative of the chivalry' of Great Britain made his escape at the Thames. " Ottuso, the grand nephew of Pontiac, captured Captain Baker, of the 17th Infantry, at the battle of the river Raisin. On his return to Detroit with his prisoner, accompanied by his son, Wa-se-on-oquet, he encamped the first night at Huron river. He ordered the boy to make a fire. The young man asked why the Yankee dog' could not do it? " My son,' answered Otussa, 'such language is wrong. This prisoner is a chief among his own people. We must treat him as we would wish to be treated, under like circumstances.' " Ottuso obeyed this golden rule, and took the best care of his prisoner. Baker was sent to Quebec, but exchanged in time to join Harrison's army, and take part in the battle of the Thames. "The day after the return of the army from the Thames to De- 566 - Lucas County—Gen. John E Hunt. troit, a band of Indians, with a white flag, was seen to emerge from the wilderness in the rear of the town. Harrison ordered Captain Baker to treat with them. He approached them, and recognized in their leader his old captor and friend, Ottuso. The meeting between them was highly affecting. Baker did not fail to repay, four-fold, the favors which had been bestowed upon him by the noble Indian." General Hunt first engaged in the mercantile business at Maumee City, in 1816; during the year 1817 treaties were made at the foot of the rapids. His business partner was the late ..Robert A. Forsyth. It would surprise many, if they would meet them, to discover the number of those who are now wealthy farmers, bankers, etc., who cheerfully acknowledge' that they were indebted to General Hunt for stocks of goods on credit, which gave them their first start in business life, at a time when they had no money, and could procure credit from no other quarter.. His mercantile life embraced a period altogether of twenty years. No one was more prominent than General Hunt in efforts to hasten the development of the Maumee Valley. Every scheme of importance, having this object in view, could not fail to have his powerful support.. A banking and internal improvement project, originated with him in 1833, which, at the time, evinced a correct idea of .the future commercial value of some point on the lower Maumee. This was a proposition to obtain, from the Territorial Legislature of Michigan, a charter authorizing a company to construct a railroad. from Adrian to Toledo—conferring, also, upon the company banking powers. The General enlisted in his enterprise, Mr. E. C. Winters, then a school teacher at Maumee City, but afterwards a resident of Adrian, whom he. persuaded to visit Detroit, and use his efforts to. obtain from. the Legislature. a charter. Mr. Winters was successful in his mission, and this, really, was the origin of the Erie and Kalamazoo railroad. The Kalamazoo bank also derived its authority from this charter. It was the design of General Hunt to tap this road at a bend four miles east of Sylvania, by a branch leading into Maumee City, under the conviction that the branch 'would: ultimately constitute part of the main line. In 1835, having received the -Democratic nomination, he was elected to the State Senate over Patrick G. Goode, his Whig opponent, in a District that gave, at the preceding election, a whig majority of 1,600. His majority in this contest was 180. In 1839, he was reelected by a yet larger majority. In 1849, a Democratic Convention for the Senatorial District composed of the counties of Lucas, Wood, Henry, Ottawa, and Sandusky, was called, to be held at Woodville, for the .purpose of nominating a candidate for the Convention, to frame a new Constitution for Ohio. General Hunt had no wish or desire to be a candidate. On the other hand, he had freely expressed to his friends his preference for the nomination of the late D. 0. Morton, of Toledo. Upon the assembling of the Convention at Woodville, General Hunt Lucas County—Gen. John E. Hunt -567 was made chairman. The candidates presented to the Convention, were D. 0. Morton, of Lucas; W. V. Way, of Wood, and Samuel Hollinshead, of Ottawa. An obstinate contest, continuing through several hours, between the friends of these gentlemen, failed to make a choice. The convention and the candidates became impatient, and anxious to conclude the business they were assembled to perform. In this temper, pervading all, I. K. Seaman, of Sandusky, without consultation, or prompting, took the floor, and moved that General John E. Hunt be nominated by acclamation. The chairman promptly declared the motion out of order, and that it could not be entertained--alleging, among other reasons, that the rules adopted bythe convention for its government, prescribed that the vote for candidates should be by counties, and by ballot. Mr. Seaman appeared to falter for an instant, but General Brown, of Toledo, came to his aid—seconded his motion, and insisted that it was competent for the convention to rescind or suspend its own rules ;—and that, therefore, as a Mass Convention, the chairman being temporarily deposed, he would himself put the question, "Shall General John E. Hunt be declared, by this convention, the nominee of the Democratic party, of this District, for a seat in the Constitutional Convention? Those in favor.of this motion say aye." And the shout of "aye" was unanimous—joined in by delegates and the late candidates alike —the only protestant being the President of the Convention, thus summarily deposed, and so unexpectedly, but flatteringly, nominated. The defeated aspirants severally pledged themselves to the support of the nominee—and one of them, Mr. Hollinshead, went so far, in the moment of his enthusiasm, as to say that his county of Ottawa would more than double its usual Democratic majority, and would give Hunt 150. Extravagant as this pledge then appeared, Ottawa did give the General over 200, and it occurred from the fact that an influential farmer, named Hartshorn, then a resident of Ottawa county, but regarding whose existence, or place of residence, General Hunt had no knowledge for a long period of time, hap:- pened to identify the name of General John E. Hunt as the one to whom he was indebted for having saved his life during a passage through the Black Swamp, thirty odd years previous, and he at once actively took the field, and was chiefly instrumental in producing the result in Ottawa county, above stated. The opportunity and method thus sought to discharge an old obligation, was as honorable to Mr. Hartshorn, as it was gratifying to the feelings of General Hunt. His first Senatorial District embraced nearly one-sixth the area Of the State, and the amount of local legislation demanded by this sparsely settled region, was very large, but faithfully attended to. During his service, vital measures relating to the canals, and other improvements of value to the Northwest, were before the legislature. It was on the motion of General Hunt, before the contracts for the canal construction were let, that a resolution was adopted instruct- 568 - Lucas County—Morrison R. Waite. ing the Board of Public Works to make the Wabash and Erie canal, from its intersection with the Miami Extension canal, to its junction with the Maumee bay, sixty feet in width and six feet deep,—thus greatly facilitating navigation, and securing the vuluable water power since enjoyed by Maumee City and Toledo. In 1835-37, General Hunt, as a member of the Ohio Senate, successfully exerted his influence to procure an appropriation of $1,500,000 for the extension of the Miami Canal to the Maumee Bay; and had not this appropriation been made at that session, the probabilities are that the work would have been postponed indefinitely, as the financial revulsion that occurred a year or two later, would have defeated any proposition to undertake new enterprises. The appropriation of $30,000 for the Western Reserve and Maumee road, which was the first bridge over the Black Swamp, also received his efficient aid. In 1848, General Hunt was elected Treasurer of Lucas county, and in 1850 re-elected. Before the close of his second term, he was appointed by President Pierce postmaster at Toledo, and re-appointed by President Buchanan. To all his public trusts he was ever faithful, and commanded the full confidence of the people, of all parties. One of the sources of the remarkable power exercised by General Hunt over the minds of cultivated as well as rude men, existed in his excellent social qualities. Although born and reared in a wilderness country, and his business dealings being chiefly with Indians, and semi-civilized white men, he has ever illustrated, in his transactions with mankind, the fact that he was, by birth, habit and instinct, a GENTLEMAN, in the highest definition of the word, and qualified, by his manners, to adorn any position in the most cultivated diplomatic and social circles. His physical vigor is remarkable. Time makes no visible inroad upon his features; and between the produc- tions of the faithful artist who took his likeness thirty years ago, and the one who executed his work on yesterday, it would puzzle his old friends to detect the difference between the two. MORRISON R. WAITE. This gentleman was born at Lyme, Connecticut, November 29, 1816, and graduated at Yale College, in 1837. He studied law with his father, Hon. Henry M. Waite, who had been elected Judge of the Supreme Court of Errors of Connecticut, in 1833, and subsequently became Chief Justice of that Court.  The subject of this sketch removed to Maumee City, Ohio, in October, 1838, and resumed law studies in the office of Samuel M. Young, and was admitted to the Ohio bar in October, 1839. Previous to his admission, he had formed a law partnership with his preceptor, Mr. Young, which continued until the first of January, 1854. He had removed to Toledo, however, in the summer of 1850,  Lucas County—Morrison B. Waite - 569 In 1858, the existing partnership with his brother, Richard Waite, was formed. On the 21st of September, 1840, he was married to Miss Amelia C. Warner, of Lyme, Connecticut. Mr. Waite was elected as a Whig to the General Assembly of Ohio in the fall of 1849, in a legislative district then opposed to him in politics. This was the only political office ever held by him ;—law, rather than politics, having always been his chosen field. In November, 1871, he was appointed one of the counsel of the United States before the Tribunal of Arbitration, at Geneva, Switzerland, convened to adjust the claims of the United States against Great Britain, known as the Alabama claims— an appointment that reflected credit upon the administration that tendered it, unsought, and this selection was generally regarded by the bar and people of the Maumee Valley as a just recognition of the forensic and moral worth of one of their most eminent and cherished citizens. If it may be granted that any of the profession were " to the manner born," as a lawyer, it may as justly be said of Mr. Waite, as of any of his cotemporaries, that he was thus created. His early predilections for the law were perhaps inherited from his father, who was one of the most distinguished jurists of Connecticut. On the 5th of November, 1872, Mr. Waite landed at New York, on his return home from his mission. A committee, in anticipation of his arrival, had been sent forward to meet him in New York, and escort him to his home. The party reached Toledo on Saturday, November 9, and the reception ceremonies were published in the Toledo Blade, of that date, and are here copied: "This morning, under a clear, beautiful sky, our city presented an appearance similar to that of a holiday, and flags and decorations streamed from many of the buildings on Summit street. The eleven o'clock train from the east, as if to tone down the enthusiasm of the people, kept the reception waiting some twenty minutes, but the delay was not a serious one. As was anticipated, the train bore the Hon. M. R. Waite and wife, with the escorting committee appointed to meet them in New York. Mr. Waite was at once conducted to an open carriage, in which he was placed with his honor, Mayor Jones, Mr. Samuel M. Young, his former law partner in business, and Jesup W. Scott. Several other carriages were filled with the committees of escort and reception, the committee appointed by the Board of Trade, and the remainder of the party from New York. They were preceded by the Walbridge Zouaves, and Toledo Cadets, headed by Milverstedt's band, and on reaching the Boody House, the columns of military faced inward, and presented arms as Mr. Waite's carriage passed between the lines. "Mr. Waite was at once escorted to the St. Clair street balcony, of the Boody House, from which the party looked down on a vast concourse of people, who had assembled in the streets below, The 570 - Lucas County—Morrison R. Waite. assembly was then called to order by General Lee, who announced the order of exercises, and requested the quiet attention of the audience, except when they felt like shouting, when they were to shout !' "Mayor Jones then presented himself, and spoke as follows: " 'Mr. WAITS : In the name and on behalf of all the citizens of Toledo, I extend to you a cordial welcome home. "A little less than a year ago, when it was announced that you, sir, a citizen of our city, had been selected as one of three distinguished counsel to present our long disputed claim against Great Britain for arbitrament before one of the most learned and august tribunals the world had ever seen, we naturally felt a just pride in so distinguished an honor. If, sir, we were proud of the selection, with how much greater satisfaction do we hail the achievements which you and your illustrious associates have won in that great trial for the honor and glory of our country, and the cause of human peace everywhere. " 'The proceedings of that great tribunal have attracted the atten- tion of the whole civilized world, and constitute an epoch in history; and we. believe that it will exercise a potent influence for good in all coming time, in substituting reason against force, peace against war. This conflict, in which you have borne so distinguished a part, will become one of the landmarks of our Christian civilization, and we may safely leave the verdict to the impartial judgment of mankind. " Our city is justly proud of the intellectual achievements, which you, as one of her sons, have gained in that great contest, and again, in her behalf, I bid you welcome back among your old friends and neighbors. Thrice welcome home !' " As soon as the applause which greeted Mr. Waite, as he stepped forward, had subsided, he replied briefly to the Mayor's address of welcome. The following is a synopsis : " He thanked them for their kind reception. A little less than a year ago, they had bidden him God speed on the mission he had then undertaken. More than once, since that time, he had asked himself, will the friends I left, be my friends when I return ?' This demonstration convinced him that his friends were still here, and that they had by no means forgotten him. " It was not expected that he would enter into any detailed statement of the proceedings at Geneva. The Tribunal there assembled had rendered an honest judgment, which had been reached after a patient and careful examination of the facts, by men willing and anxious to do right. In time, Great Britain herself would acknowledge its justice. It was not surprising that she should now manifest impatience. She had been charged with a neglect of her international obligations, and upon the trial it had been found that the charge was true. " He believed that a great step had been taken towards the settlement of national disputes by arbitration ; a long stride towards Lucas County—Dr. Horatio Conant - 571 the era of universal peace. We might not live to see the day when there would be no more war, but he thought we might witness the time when, before resorting to the power of the sword, nations would at least attempt to settle their disputes by peaceful arbitration. Great Britain was the first to consent to be tried by such a Tribunal, upon a charge of neglect in the performance of her duties as one of the family of nations, and the United States the first to seek redress in this way for such a wrong. The world would give them each full credit for the example which they, in the midst of their power, had thus put forth for the imitation of others. "After giving expression to the satisfaction he felt in being once more with his neighbors and friends, and again thanking them for the cordial reception given him, Mr.. Waite withdrew inside the hotel, where a lengthy season of hand-shaking closed the proceedings." Mr. Waite is now in the prime of life, and of useful activity; and it may be reasonably assumed that higher honors than even those he has yet attained, await him in the line of his profession. DR. HORATIO CONANT, OF MAUMEE CITY, Was born at Mansfield, Connecticut, the 25th of November, 1785. He received the degree of A. B., in 1810, at Middlebury College, and in 1813 the degree of M. A. He was engaged two and a half years, as tutor in the College. He studied anatomy at Malone, New York, with Dr. Waterhouse. In 1815, he visited Detroit, and spent the winter with his brother, a merchant; and, in 1816, with Almon Gibbs, opened a stock of goods on the north side of the river, opposite Fort Meigs. At this period, the country on both sides of the river was known as Fort Meigs. Continuing mercantile business about one year, he commenced the practice of medicine ; and, al.. though at different periods he held several official positions, such as Judge of the Court of Common Pleas ; postmaster, collector of the port, justice of the peace for nearly half a century, and the office of county clerk after the organization of Lucas county, he made his profession his chief business. His professional visits extended up the Maumee river to Defiance, embraced all the country below ; north to the river Raisin, and east and south to the Portage river, and Blanchard's fork ; and on one occasion as high up the Maumee as Fort Wayne. In one instance, in making a horseback trip to Defiance, he swam no less than eight streams. At Defiance he left his horse and purchased a canoe, in which he floated down to his home. When he first came to Maumee City, in 1816, there was one physician in practice, a Dr. Barton, who only remained about one year. In December, 1817, he married Mrs. Eliza Forsyth, widow of Captain Forsyth. In 1828, Mrs. Conant died, and, in 1832, Dr. C. again married Mrs. Eunice Upton, who is yet his wife. The doctor now, 572 - Lucas County—Jesup W. Scott. at the age of 87 years, is probably the oldest citizen of Lucas county; and of all his professional cotemporaries, in practice in 1816-17, whether in Ohio, Indiana, or Michigan, and then known to him, not One is now living. His life has been one of remarkable activity, and although in the discharge of professional duties, in the early settlement of the country, when streams were without bridges, and the roads in bad condition, he encountered many exposures and perils, his general health is yet good. He has witnessed the transformation of the country from a rude wilderness, to a state of high cultivation, and important commercial marts grow up in places where, when he first visited them, were only the abodes of Indians, wild beasts and fowls. Former pages afford evidence that Dr. Conant was among the most public-spirited citizens, who aided in planting white settlements and civilization in this then wilderness country. As he is the oldest physician, he is also the oldest living merchant in the valley. JESUP W. SCOTT. Jesup Wakeman Scott was born on a farm in. Ridgefield, Connecticut, February 25, 1799 ;—nearly all his ancestors being of the New Haven Colony stock, and embracing the Wakemans, Smiths, Banks, Benedicks, Bradleys, Lobdells, Jesups, etc. His advantages for education were poor up to the age of 15, when he commenced teaching and study ; and, at the age of 20, he had gone through preparatory studies for entry to the junior class of Union College, Schenectady, New York. Afterwards, while teaching in Richmond Academy, Augusta, Georgia, he studied Greek and law, and, at the age of 23, was admitted to the bar of that State. In 1822, he attended Judge Gould's Litchfield school, and heard a course of law lectures. In 1823, he opened a law office at Chesterville, South Carolina, and in 1824 married his cousin, Susan Wakeman, of Southport, Connecticut. In 1825; he removed to Lexington, South Carolina, where he became a law partner of John Belton O'Neall, a distinguished advocate, and Speaker of the lower House of the Legislature of South Carolina, and afterwards; up to 1862, Chief Justice of the State. In December, 1825, Mr. Scott reported the great debate in the House of Representatives, between Judge Smith and his friends, advocating resolutions in favor of State rights, and the upholders of Calhoun, in support of national views of Constitutional powers. For a short time, Mr. Scott performed some editorial labor for the Columbia telescope, then the organ of Colonel C. Preston, and President Thomas Cooper, representing the State Rights party. But his sympathies were with Calhoun and his doctrines, and he could not serve the other party, His friends thou Lucas County—Jesup W Scott - 573 procured for him the position of Deputy Treasurer of the State, which he held for several years, keeping his law office in the State House. In 1828, O'Neall having been made Judge, and nullification clients not liking to support a northern union lawyer, Mr. Scott, with habits and disposition better fitted for study and reflection than for the performance of duties usually devolving on the practical lawyer, closed his office, and accepted an appointment as teacher in the State FemaleCollege, in Columbia; and when in the pleasant performance of the duties of this post, his mind, at intervals,.was active in the study of the natural positions for future cities, to grow up in the then almost unpeopled interior of our country. While pursuing this field of investigation, he addressed a letter, dated "Columbia, So. Ca., 10th July, 1828," now nearly half a century ago, to General John E. Hunt, then postmaster at Maumee, in which he said : "I wish to obtain all the information in my power respecting your section of country, with a view of making it my future residence." His only means of knowledge of the country, were the imperfect maps in use at that time. On this subject he became somewhat enthusiastic, believing that he foresaw, beyond others, the prospect for future great cities, in positions then nearly or quite unknown. Transportation by water, being then the only cheap way, he expected the Ohio and Mississippi valleys to dominate the great commerce of the interior, at Cincinnati and St. Louis, or Alton. The Erie and Welland canals, afterwards, opened up lake navigation, and were aided by canals in Ohio and Illinois —thus changing the current of trade from the rivers to the lakes, and demonstrating that the lake borders would achieve supremacy, instead of the river borders in city growth. Then he believed in and wrote favoring the great positions made by the extensions of lakes Erie and Michigan inland, and so commanding large territories. From the head of lake Erie, navigable canals reached to the Ohio river at Cincinnati and Evansville, embracing a distance, on both lines, of nearly seven hundred miles. From the head of Lake Michigan, a canal connected its navigation with that of the Mississippi, through the Illinois river. These channels were expected to concentrate a great part of the commerce southwestward and northwestward of the lake termini, in Toledo and Chicago; but soon it was discovered that railroads might come in successful competition with these water channels; and it was the sudden concentration of these, in Chicago, radiating thence over the fertile prairies, that sent Chicago ahead, beyond all precedent ; and a like concentration at Toledo, surrounded, on its land side, by acres, when reclaimed, more fertile, gave promise of a like marvelous growth to this city. In the light of these facts and experiences, and after maturely studying the progress of cities, the world over, and the direction and concentration of city growth towards and in a narrow climatic 574 - Lucas County—Jesup W. Scott. zone, Mr. Scott put forth the results of his studies and convictions in a pamphlet designed to prove that the greatest city of the future would grow up on our continent, in its interior; and, probably, where Toledo, or Chicago now forms its nucleus. This great result, he claimed, would come within 100 years. Mr. S. removed with his family to Perrysburg in May, 1833 ; and in December of that year, he, with Henry Darling, established, in that place, a weekly newspaper, the first in northwestern Ohio, entitled, "Miami of the Lake." It was intended to represent all that new part of the State ; but a change of proprietorship and editors occurred in 1835, and it became local in the interests of Perrysburg, and changed its name. In his first number, issued December 11, 1833, referring to the Maumee Valley, Mr. Scott said: "Of this section we shall endeavor to make our journal a faithful and impartial representative organ ;—in effecting which, it will become our duty to disabuse the public mind at the east, if our sheet shall have the fortune to circulate there, of the numberless false impressions in regard to this section, with which it is imbued. This we, shall endeavor to do, by giving, as far as we are able, a faithful picture of the country, neither brightened by the false glare of undeserved praise, nor darkened by the sombre hues of causeless reproach; of which, we regret to say, the supposed interests of rival points of trade have occasioned it to receive an unwonted share.' From 1832 to the present time, Mr. S. has, first in his own paper, the Emigrant's Guide, and, afterwards, in the Hesperian, Hunt's Merchants' Magazine, and in the Toledo Blade, of which, for several years, he was editor and proprietor, and in DeBow's Review, written extensively on the subject of the internal and exterior commerce of our country, and the prospective growth of its cities. Of the chief of these cities he early forecasted, with now-recognized accuracy, their rapid .growth and relative importance. Finally, their future so loomed up, in his imagination, that he confidently anticipated the time when, in less than a century, the greatest city of the world would be in the interior of our country. In June, 1832, Mr. Scott purchased seventy acres, in. what is now, and is likely to remain for years, the centre of Toledo. This, with other purchases, based on his faith in the growth of the city, so increased in value as to make his pecuniary condition sufficiently favorable, to allow time for investigation in his favorite department of knowledge of which the law of growth of modern cities, forecasting their future, has been the favorite. But his greediness for knowl- edge has led him into other fields, in which he. has revelled without exploring any with exhaustive thoroughness. He has now, in his 75th year, completed papers for a permanent gift of one hundred and sixty acres of land, well situated for great future value, intended to give educational advantages not offered by our public schools, and designed to enable students of both sexes to earn an independent support.