Robert A. Forsyth, first mayor, elected John E. Hunt, elected Horace Waite, elected last Monday James Wilkson, elected James Wilkson, elected James Wolcott, Senior, elected Soloman Johnson, elected Thomas Clark, 2nd, elected Morrison R. Waite, elected John C. Allen, elected Horatio Conant, elected Edward Mitchell, elected George W. Reynolds, elected Horace Thatcher, elected John A. Moore, elected Freeborn Potter, elected D. F. Cook, elected D. F. Cook, elected Smith Gilbert, elected Smith Gilbert, elected Smith Gilbert, elected Smith Gilbert, elected Tobias Rudesill, elected Theophiles L. Clark, elected Theophiles L. Clark, elected Theophiles L. Clark, elected Theophiles L. Clark, elected Theophiles L. Clark, elected Albert Alius, elected Albert Alius, elected Thomas F. Dale, elected Coleman Keeler, elected James Wolcott, Junior, elected Henry B. Lautzenheiser, elected	March 26,1838 March 25,1839 of March, 1840 March 29, 1841 March 28, 1842 March 27, 1843 March 25, 1844 March 31, 1845 March 30, 1846 March 29, 1847 March 27, 1848 March 26, 1849 March 25, 1850 March 24, 1851 March 29, 1852 April 4, 1853 April 2, 1855 April 6, 1857 April 4, 1859 April 1, 1861 April 6, 1863 April 3, 1865 April 1, 1867 April 5, 1869 April 3, 1871 April 7, 1873 April 5, 1875 April _, 1877 April _, 1879 April 4, 1881 April 2, 1883 April 6, 1885 April _, 1887 April _, 1889
THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 21
Henry B. Lautzenheiser, elected Coleman Keeler, elected A. W. Eckert, elected James Wolcott, Junior, elected John A. Smith, elected John A. Smith, elected John A. Smith, elected Albert Alius, elected H. P. McGovern, elected John A. Smith, elected John A. Smith, elected Calvin Love, elected John Pauken, elected John A. Smith, elected John A. Smith, elected Louis Pilliod, elected John A. Smith, elected John A. Smith, elected	April 6, 1891 April, 1893 April, 1895 April, 1897 April, 1899 April, 1901 November, 1903 November, 1905 November, 1907 November, 1909 November, 1911 November, 1913 November, 1915 November, 1917 November, 1919 November, 1921 November, 1923 November, 1925

BOARD OF HEALTH The first Board of Health for Maumee City was created by the Council April 15th, 1840. The board consisted of three members, one from each ward. First Ward, Dr. J. H. Vanevery; Second Ward, Dr. Dewight; Third Ward, George S. Hazard. March 31st, 1854, the Board of Health submitted the following report: "To the Honorable Mayor and Council: Gentlemen, we, the Board of Health of Maumee City, respectfully report that the year ending March 31, 1854, has been a year of general good health. We have not been visited by the pestilence that walketh, nor the destruction that wasteth at 22 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE noonday. Still twenty-eight of those weonce associated with we shall see here no more." A report of the Board of Health submitted to the Council April 1, 1855, for the year ending March 31, 1855, the number of deaths were 144. Place of nativity: United States 66, Germany 45, .Ireland 18, Scotland 1, England 4, France 3, unknown 7. Signed: Dr. H. Conant, P. C. Holt, Board of Health, by J. M. Felt, city clerk." FIRE COMPANY ORGANIZATION April 25th, 1843, the following petition was presented to the city Council, which on leave was read: "To the Honorable Mayor and Council of Maumee City. Gentlemen: Your petitioners respectfully ask your Honorable Body to organize us as a fire company under the constitution herewith submitted: Signed, Henry Reed, Jr.; H. F. Waite, Wm. Limbrick, R. A. Forsyth, Israel Champion, Samuel Harrington, Thomas Clark 2nd, W. S. Kenady, Samuel M. Young, H. A. Forsyth, E. Mathews, George L. Bacon, D. F. Cook, Morrison R. Waite. This company shall be known as the `Protection Fire Company of Maumee City.' The officers of the company shall consist of a foreman, assistant foreman, secretary, treasurer and steward." The Protection Fire Company of Maumee City met for organization Wednesday evening, May 26, 1843. On motion, C. Mathews was elected chairman and Henry Reed. Junior, secretary of the meeting. On motion of Thomas Clark 2nd the meeting proceeded to elect officers. On bal- THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 23 loting, C. Mathews was elected foreman, William Fin brink assistant foreman, H. F. Waite secretary, and H. H. Forsyth treasurer. On motion of H. F. Waite the assembly proceeded to elect members. The following members were elected: J. C. Allen, Dennison Steele, Elisha Mack, David Taylor, C. S. Ramsay, C. B. Perkins, E. S. Frost, J. Dewight, D. P. Brown, F. E. Kertland, Charles M. Richardson, Felix Callett, Henry Reed, Morrison R. Waite, T. Clark, H. F. Waite, Thomas Clark 2nd. On motion of Morrison R. Waite a committee of three was appointed to draft and report by-laws for the government of the company. Messrs. Clark, Limbrick and Bacon were appointed; by-laws were drafted, reported and adopted. The Maumee City Protection Fire Company continued in force for many years. On September 14, 1863, the Fire Company presented a petition to the city Council by William Dicks, signed by Edward Mitchell and others, asking for an appropriation of $300.00 for the purpose of assisting the members to uniform themselves, and on motion was reported to the committee on ways and means, who reported in favor of granting the prayer of the petitioners, which on motion was granted, and the clerk directed to draw an order for $300.00 in favor of Captain G. W. Reynolds and Lieutenant Wm. Dicks for the purpose of uniforming the Fire Company. WATER POWER The first effort to utilize the water of the Miami and Eric canal was taken by the Council of Maumee City on February 6, 1841, for the construction of a canal on Kings- 24 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE bury Street, thirty feet in width and four feet in depth, for navigable and hydraulic. purposes. The Ford Street canal was authorized to be constructed by the Maumee City Council September 14, 1842. These canals were constructed by authority of the Maumee City Council and discriminately assessed against the abutting property. February 7, 1842, the mayor was authorized and empowered to execute in the name and under the seal of the City of Maumee such instrument of conveyance in writing as may be necessary to vest in the State of Ohio the right of using the Kingsbury Street canal and channel for hydraulic purposes, so long as the said State of Ohio shall permit the water from the Miami and Eric canal to pass into and along said Kingsbury Street canal and channel; provided that nothing herein contained shall be so constructed as to authorize any conveyance which shall prevent the free use of said Kingsbury Street canal by all persons for the purpose of navigation. PLANK ROAD COMPANY Maumee City, in 1849, organized a plank road company and subscribed $10,000.00 of the capital stock. On the 14th day of May, 1849, at an election held for the subscription of the stock resulted in 167 votes for the subscription and 10 votes against. Edward Mitchell, Robert A. Forsyth, J. Austin Scott and Freeborn Potter were appointed director., of and in said plank road company in behalf of Maumee City. In August of the same year the company awarded to Cornelius Van Fleet, Samuel Wagoner and Archilles Blaker the contract for the construction of a plank road, beginning at Knaggs Street, at the cast line of Mau- THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 25 mee City, thence along Detroit Street, Wolcott Street, Waite Avenue and Wayne Street, thence to Swanton in Lucas County. WAYNE STREET MACADAMIZED Wayne Street was improved by macadamizing in 1865, and the abutting property paid 25e per front foot. Wolcott Street was macadamized in 1866. River gravel was the material used for the improvement of the streets. The first council room and jail were erected for Maumee City in 1866 at a cost of $525.00, the same building that stands in the rear of the city hall. MONEY FOR COURT HOUSE RETURNED Upon the removal of the county seat from Maumee City to Toledo in 1852 the commissioners, under the advice of the Attorney General of Ohio, returned $9,265.00 to the citizens of Maumee City, which was distributed as follows: Dr. Oscar White, $100.00; James Wolcott, $100.00; John E. Hunt, $3,000.00; George Richardson, $100.00; J. H. Bronson, $100.00; Wm. St. Clair, $100.00; John Hall, $50.00; James W. Converse, $50.00; Samuel M. Young and Morrison R. Waite, $259.40; Thomas Clark 2nd, $552.58; Andrew Young, $100.00; A. H. Ewing's Estate, $2,000.00; D. F. Cook, $201.00; George B. Knaggs, $100.00; James H. Forsyth, $40.00; R. A. Forsyth, $500.00; Horatio Conant, $132.00; Horrace Waite, $250.00; C. E. P. Hunt, $100.00; Isaac Hull, $250.00; Samuel Wagoner, $25.00. This list is of interest as showing whom were the enterprising citizens to whom Maumee City was largely indebted for the county seat of twelve years. 26 - THE HISTORY OFMAUMEEF. RIVER BRIDGE The construction of the first bridge across the river at Maumee City was undertaken in 1838, when Samuel M. Young and Isaac Hull constructed a wooden structure, on cribs built of logs and filled with riprap stone for piers. This bridge stood one year when it was taken with high water and ice. In 1840 it was rebuilt and in 1849 it was again taken out with the high water and ice. That same year a more substantial structure was undertaken and constructed with stone piers. It was a covered bridge with two wagon tracks, closed on the north end with large double gates, and a residence for the toll collector. Early in 1877 the commissioners of Lucas and Wood Counties began negotiating with the owners for the purchase of the old wooden toll bridge, and on October 3rd of the same year it was opened to the public as a free thoroughfare. In 1880 the iron bridge was erected, and on February 6th, 1884, two spans of the iron bridge were taken aw y with the high water and ice. BAPTIST CHURCH This church was among the early organizations o` Maumee City. It was incorporated February 10th, 1838. Solomon Johnson, Jerimia Peck, Daniel F. Cook, Caleb S. Henderson and Samuel Divine being the incorporators by the name of the First Baptist Church and Society of Maumee City. The following year quite a capacious edifice was erected on lot No. 9 in the first plat of Maumee City. THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 27 CATHOLIC CHURCH The Catholic priests were among the early workers within the municipal limits of Maumee City. The Rev. Father Edmund Burk was probably the first priest to exercise Episcopal functions at Fort Miami, at the foot of the rapids of the Maumee, soon after Wayne's victory of the Indians in 1794. Father Burk worked among the early Christians and Indians as a missionary. In the spring of 1841 the Rev. Joseph McNamee began the erection of a permanent organization of a Catholic parish when he urchasedd an unfinished building 35 by 65 feet, which stood on lot No. 62 in the first plat, from the Episcopalians, and finished the building at a cost of about $1,000.00 when completed. The church was dedicated to St. Joseph in 1847. The Rev. Sabastian Saner was appointed the first resident pastor of the Maumee parish. In 1853 the church was enlarged by the Rev. PhillipPflumm. In 1888 the Rev. J. B. Mortis erected the new brick church and on June 24 the corner stone was blessed by Bishop Gilmore. The first services were held in the new edifice on Christmas day of the same year. The parsonage was erected in 1901 by the Rev. Francis J. Pfyl. The new church was dedicated on June 11th, 1892, by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. F. M. Boff. The first parish schoolwass established in 1855 by the Rev. N. Roupp. James B. Moloney was the first teacher. The new brick school building and auditorium was erected in 1913 by the Rev. Thomas Redding and was dedicated on the 18th day of January following by the Rt. Rev. Joseph Schrembs, Bishop. 28 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH This church was incorporated the 14th day of March, 1836, by the name and style of the Protestant Episcopal Church and Society of Maumee and Miami City. James Wolcott, Sr., Robert A. Forsyth, George S. Hazard, Nathan Rathbon, Amos Pratt, James H. Forsyth, T. E. Kirtland and George B. Knaggs were the incorporators. The church was erected on Wayne Street in 1841 and is still occupied. The Rev. Wm. Banks is pastor. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH The preachers of the Methodist denomination were among the earliest workers in the Maumee Valley, doing special and temporary services. Almost with the beginning of Maumee City Methodism began within its limits. Three years after Maumee City was platted in 1817, and only seven years after the siege of Fort Meigs in 1813 we find the first conference record in 1820. In that year the Maumee charge was an appointment on the Detroit circuit, Lebanon District, Ohio Conference, and was served by John P. Kent, pastor, and James B. Finley, presiding elder. It continued a part of the Detroit circuit until 1826, when it was placed within the bounds of the newly formed Monroe circuit. In 1836 the Michigan conference was organized and Maumee District was formed with John James as presiding elder and Cyrus Brooks, preacher, in charge of the Maumee and Perrysburg circuit. In 1840 the North Ohio Conference was organized and the Maumee District continued, but at this time Maumee had become a station with Jonathan E. Chaplin as pastor. THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 29 The first class at Maumee City of this Society was organized in 1.833 by the Rev. Elijah H. Pelcher, who was in charge of Monroe Circuit. The members of the class were James Jackson, wife and daughter; Mrs. Maria White, Mrs. Mary S. Hunt, Miss Sophia Hedges, Mrs. Henry S. Commager and Jacob Spangler. The first church was erected in 1837 by the Rev. L. B. Gurley, the presiding elder. The new brick building was erected in 1918 by the Rev. F. T. Champion, who was in charge of the parish. This beautiful old house of worship can boast a continuous occupancy of eighty years. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Pioneer Protestant church in mission effort at the foot of the Rapids was the Presbyterian, both with the white frontiermen and the Indians. The first movement for the preaching of the gospel of which we have any record of in this part of Ohio was that which had its origin on the 9th day of January, 1820, when the first Presbyterian Church of Maumee City was organized by a little band of worshipers gathered at the schoolhouse at Orleans of the North, near Fort Meigs. The First Presbyterian Church of Christ in the township of Waynesfield, Ohio, was constituted on the Lord's Day, January 9th, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty. "Then they that feared the Lord spoke often one to another, and the Lord harkened and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and thought upon His name." Malacki 3:16. So reads the first page of the Church record. 30 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE The history of the Church is divided into two parts, that of the original organization in 1820, and the reorganization in November, 1836. At the meeting at the schoolhouse in 1820 the Rev. Burgess presided, and the following named persons formed the charter list: Samuel Spafford, Catherine Spafford, Aurory Spafford, Olive Spafford, HoratioConant, Eunice searing, Elisha Martindale, Clara Martindale, Thomas McGrath, Eunice McGrath, Solomon Cross. Mr. Barlow and Mr. Baldwin were present but did riot feel at liberty to join. The articles of faith and covenant were drawn up by Rev. Hunter, a missionary from the General Assembly, and adopted. Samuel Cross, Samuel Spafford and Thomas McGrath were elected elders; Aurory Spafford, Horatio Conant and Elisha Martindale were chosen deacons." They were solemnly admonished by Rev. Monteith. The church was maintained as a mission in connection with the River Raisin (Monroe, Mich.) settlement, and was nerved by a young licentiate named Kent. But on February 19th, 1827, the church was received into the Presbytery of Huron. After 1828 there seems to have been a period of storm for several pages of the record book are missing. But on December 25, 1836, the church was reorganized with 27 members at a meeting of delegates and ministers held at Perrysburg, and the Rev. J. W. Alvord was pastor. There has been a long list of pastors, among them such noted men as Rev. Joseph Badger, chaplain to Gen. William Henry Harrison; Rev. Charles Richards, whose three sons entered into the ministry; Rev. P. C. Baldwin and Rev. Mark Richardson, who served this church in 1855. THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 31 The present church building was erected in 1837, and was built on ground once used for a cemetery, but most of the bodies interred there were removed to other burial places. LUTHERAN CHURCH What is known as St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church at Maumee City was the second church of this denomination in Lucas County. It was organized in 1851 and in 1852 the present building was constructed into a church by the Rev. R. Mark Schoeffel, who continued in active service as pastor until 1858 when the Rev. A. Peters was engaged to supply this pulpit. This arrangement continued one year. In 1859 the Rev. A. Kleinegees accepted the call to the pastorate and continued until October, 1864; he was succeeded by the Rev. C. F. Kaeding, who continued to be pastor until 1896, when the Rev. C. Ida became pastor. He filled the pulpit for the next fourteen years. In 1910 the Rev. F. W. Deitz took charge and has specially attached himself to the people of Maumee by the active interest taken by him in the general welfare of the community as connected with the promotion of sound morals and the maintenance of good order. BANKS The first legally organized bank in Lucas County was the Maumee City Insurance Company Bank at Maumee City. It was chartered by the Ohio Legislature in 1838 with a capital stock of $250,000.00 in shares of $100.00 each made up as follows: 1560 shares were Kentucky stock- 32 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE holders; 840 shares from Maumee City, and 100 shares from Ft. Wayne, Ind. It was organized with James H. Forsyth as president and J. T. Guthrie as cashier. Of the stock 5%, $12,500.00, was paid in, constituting the working capital of the bank. Four denominations of bills were issued, $1.00, $2.00, $3.00 and $5.00. STATE SAVINGS BANK The State Savings Bank Company of Maumee was incorporated in February, 1906, by F. A. Graham, H. E. Riggs, Edward T. Muney, G. H. Blaker and Lovell B. Rhonehouse, and was opened for business the 22nd day of July, 1908. The first officers were F. W. Bainbridge, president; G. H. Blaker, vice-president; Lovell B. Rhonehouse, secretary, treasurer and cashier. The officers in 1919 were S. J. Eckenrode, president; J. A. Heilman, .first vice-president; Frank Glann, second vice-president, and Lovell B. Rhonehouse, cashier. LUCAS COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME This home is situated within the corporated limits of the village of Maumee. The first board of trustees held its first session March 12, 1890. The board consisted of S. C. Schenck, A. E. Rood and F. B. Shoemaker. The land for the institution had been purchased previous to this and the building erected by the county commissioners. The board of trustees, having now come into control of the plant, elected as its Superintendent April 12, 1890, Mr. William Burge of Maumee, with Mrs. Burge as matron. Mr. and THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 33 Mrs. Burge remained in charge of the Home for one year and then gave place to Mr. and Mrs. Rinaldo Robbins, who remained one year. Superintendent and Mrs. Robbins then gave place to Mr. and Mrs. John K. Niesz. Mrs. Niesz died in 1897. She was succeeded as matron by her daughter, Mrs. Flora V. Stanley, who discharged the duties until April 1, 1904, when she and her father, Superintendent Niesz, retired, giving place to Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Brown, the present incumbents. The first child received into the institution was John Johnson, a colored boy, who came September 9, 1890. Several other children came directly after this from the county infirmary, where they had been awaiting the opening of the Home. BOUNTY PAID I take this opportunity for presenting the records of Maumee City in relation to the great struggle between slavery and freedom, treason and loyalty, which drenched the nation in blood for four long years. Therefore it may be fitting to improve this opportunity so far as may be appropriate in the recognition of the faithful support of the Government. On the first day of August, 1864, the citizens of Maumee City, through its representatives in the city Council, appropriated $1,000.00 for the purpose of creating a county fund to pay volunteers to the federal cause, and it was directed that a bounty of $100.00 be paid to each recruit enlisted and credited to the quota of Maumee City, on the President's call of December 19th, 1864, for three hundred thousand men. A. H. Plant and Rinaldo 34 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE Robbins were appointed as a committee to engage some person to act as agent in getting recruits. FIRST CUSTOMS HOUSE The port of entry for the district of Miami for the collection of customs was established at Maumee City in 1818, it being the first customs house opened in the Maumee Valley. The office was located on Waite Avenue (Canal Street) near the intersection of Dudley Street. The business being substantially limited to Maumee City and Perrysburg. The early settler had hope of a great future for the territory adjacent to the Maumee River; Port Miami was considered to be the coming commercial point at the western termination of Lake Erie. It was believed that the commerce and traffic must center at Miami. The speculation fever at that time induced large investments in docks and warehouses, there being seven docks and the same number of warehouses on the Maumee channel. The business of receiving and forwarding merchandise had largely increased and was concentrated at Miami. At that time all merchandise and freight of every kind and nature, for Ft. Wayne, Ind., and all the up-river country, came west by boat, and entirely by the way of the Maumee River, and chiefly to Maumee City and Perrysburg. DOCKS In 1836 W. W. Muinford began the building of a dock and the erection of a warehouse at Port Miami, situated at the foot of Hubble Street, and for several years carried on a forwarding and commission business. There was also a dock constructed and a warehouse erected at that time near THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 35 the foot of Tappin Street, and Judge James Wolcott built a dock and a large warehouse on River Tract No. 21. This dock was designated as the Upper Steamboat Landing. Judge Wolcott was for many years engaged in the forwarding and commission business, and in 1839 built the steamboat "General Harrison," a passenger boat of 250 tons burden. He also built a boat named the "James Wolcott' at this dock. The present American House was then situated on Wolcott Street near the Upper Steamboat Landing. There were also a dock built and a warehouse erected east of Williams Street; and a dock and warehouse at the foot of Dudley Street; one at the foot of Broadway; also one situated at the foot of Gibbs Street. Before and until the Miami and Erie Canal was completed into the river at Manhattan in 1845, Maumee City was the principal shipping point on the river. When the side cut from the main line of the canal was finished into the river at Maumee City in May, 1842, the river transportation business was very extensive from the Maumee port until 1845, when the canal boats passed down the main line to Toledo. The first canal boat passed through Maumee City on the 8th day of May, 1843. The name of the boat was the "Albert S. White." The first boat to pass through Maumee City from Cincinnati took place June 27, 1845. Abner L. Backus was appointed the first canal collector at Maumee City in April, 1844. The number of boats passing through Maumee City in 1848 were 3753. The first packet arrived at Maumee City June 30th, 1847. 36 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE G.A.R. Charles B. Mitchell Post No. 48 was organized June 9th, 1881, with seventeen charter members. J. E. Wilcox was chosen the first commander; Charles Rodd, S. V.; Wm. Kimmell, J. I.; Wm. Perrin, Chaplain; Samuel W. Cass, Officer of the Day; J. N. Blumburg, Quartermaster. The officers in 1918 were Horrace W. Hunt, Commander; Frank Richardson, S. V.; Andrew Shinke, J. V.; Charles Rodd, Quartermaster; A. W. Benskin, Officer of the Day; John Farner, Officer of the Guard; Albert Alius, Adjutant; Alden Spaulding, Chaplain. THE JUNCTION RAILROAD The pioneer railroad of Northwestern Ohio, the Junction Railroad Company, a project of the Maumee Valley, was organized in the year 1850. This road was a rival for the Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland, its line running from Cleveland via Elyria, Sandusky, Port Clinton, Millbury, Perrysburg, Maumee City, to Swanton, where it was designed to connect with the airline branch of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Road, and this to constitute a cut-off and a diversion of the traffic. The construction of the road was undertaken and proceeded as fast as the means of the company would permit, until 1853 when it was consolidated with its rival, and the Cleveland and Toledo Road thus formed. The main reliance of the Junction Road for the construction depended largely upon town and count- subscriptions to their stock. John E. Hunt, George W. Reynolds and John Fitch were appointed to take charge of the matter of securing subscriptions of stock. THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 37 These gentlemen being residents of Maumee City and men of influence and integrity, soon aroused in the citizens an enthusiasm far beyond the height of imagination for a rapid growth and better opportunities for its citizens, so much so that the mayor was induced to issue the following proclamation : "The qualified electors of Maumee City are hereby notified that an election will be held on Saturday, the 26th instant, to vote for or against subscription by Maumee City of $50,000.00 to the capital stock of the Junction Railroad Company. Given under my hand and seal this 15th day of April, 1851. Signed—Horace Thatcher, Mayor." The result of the election was 170 votes for the subscription and four votes against the subscription. On May 2nd the mayor was directed by the Council to make and properly execute as such mayor a negotiable bond or bonds for the said sum of $50,000.00, payable to the said Junction Rail Road Company, interest not to exceed seven per cent. George W. Reynolds was on that day appointed, and constituted the Agent of Maumee City to appear at the meeting of the stockholders of the Junction Rail Road Company at Elyria, and to east the votes upon all questions which may be taken at such meeting, to which said Maumee City as a stockholder in said company may be entitled. Rail Road Company's receipt for Maumee City's subscription received of the mayor of Maumee City by the hand of George W. Reynolds, a bond for $50,000.00 in full for one thousand shares of stock subscribed by said mayor to the capital stock of the Junction Rail Road Company. Junction Rail Road office, Elyria, June 2nd 1851. E. Dewitt. 38 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE Treasurer of Junction Rail Road Company. A true copy, attest Edward Mitchell, Recorder. Fifty bonds of $1,000.00 each payable in fourteen years with interest at seven per cent, made payable to the Ohio Insurance and Trust Company, New York City. March 6th, 1854, the Maumee City Council granted to the Cleveland and Toledo Rail Road Company a right of way in and along the center line of Allen Street, that said company is to maintain a depot for passengers and freight between Erie and John Streets. This road was designed to be constructed along the center line of Allen Street and across= the river. The bridge was a wooden structure fifty feet high and seven hundred and seventy-seven (777) feet long, and remained in place about twenty years, with large piers extending from the river across the lowland to Harrison Avenue. THE FIRST COUNTY BUILDINGS The court house was erected in 1840, and on June 4th, 1866, the Maumee City Council transferred by good and sufficient warranty deed lots Numbers 104, f05, 106 and 124, including the old abandoned Lucas County buildings, to the trustees of the Central Ohio Conference for a seminary. These buildings had been occupied for that purpose since September, 1861. The buildings were in use as a seminary for thirteen years, until 1874. The first county jail was constructed by the Lucas County commissioners at Maumee City in 1845, at a cost of $4,500.00. Isaac Hull was the builder. It was situated on lot No. 124 in Hunt and Beaugrand's Addition. THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 41 THE EARLIEST PERIOD OF MAUMEE CITY In common with the Northwestern territory now embraced within the State of Ohio. The Indians were the earliest occupants of this region. In 1794 there was quite an extensive Indian village where Maumee City is situated. Previous to the War of 1812 the foot of the rapids had been inhabited by a considerable population of white settlers for the purpose of establishing for themselves a home, and for carrying on business and trade. In fixing the date of the first white settler within the limits of Maumee City, it is necessary to start in the year 1680 when Count DeFronti- nac, the Governor of Canada, sent out parties for the purpose of establishing posts and stores, for occupancy and trade. Some of these parties found their way to the banks of the Maumee River and erected a stockade, and established a trading post in what is now the Third Ward of Maumee City, and substantially on the location of Fort Miami (Campbell), which was later occupied by the British in 1794. and again in 1812 and 1813. It is, therefore, probable that the earliest settlers of Ohio were in Maumee City. Previous to the War of 1812 there were many French and American families settled within a circumference of four or five mile,- of the foot of the rapids. They were engaged in agriculture, and in the extensive Indian trade that the natural advantages of the place afforded. The settlers in this vicinity, upon the breaking out of the war, suffered severely from depredations of the Indians, by the loss of their improvements and crops. Soon after the commencement of the war, these first settlers of the 40 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE Maumee territory were all driven off by the British and Indians. Their homes were burnt and their habitations destroyed, but soon after the withdrawal of the British at Fort Miami (Campbell) and peace was restored, the inhabitants began to return. Many Americans and French settled at the foot of the rapids. These settlements formed at Orleans of the North and Maumee City. Among those were J. B. Beaugrand, Mr. Lapoint and Peltier. The Americans were James Carlin and family, William and Andrew Race. three families of Ewings, Mr. Carter, David Hull, a trader and tavern-keeper, and his sister. The Indiana trade was extensive; the quantity of furs and peltries collected here by the Indian traders at Miami was very large. When the war broke out in 1812 there were sixty-seven white families residing at the foot of the rapids. THE CAPTURE OF DR. McKEEHAN On receiving information of the defeat of General Winchester and the massacre of his troops at the River Raisin (Monroe, Mich.) on January 22, 1813, General Harrison immediately issued an order directing Dr. McKeehan to hasten to the relief of the wounded and the prisoners with medicine and money. Dr. McKeehan was accompanied on the trip by a guide and a guard, and was furnished with credentials from General Harrison addressed to any British officer whom he might meet, describing his errand. The night overtaking them, they halted at the foot of the Maumee Rapids to take a few hours rest in a vacant cabin upon the north bank of the river, about fifty rods north of 42- THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE the present bridge. The cariole in which they traveled was left at the door with a flag of truce on it, but they were discovered in the night by a party of Indians, accompanied, it is said, by a British officer. The guard was killed; the Doctor and the guide were taken to Molden where the Doctor was thrown into prison by Proctor and loaded with irons. Historical records show that on the 7th day of April, 1790, General Wilkinson dispatched two messengers, Freeman and Gerard, from Port Washington to the Indians on the Maumee, but they were captured, taken for spies and were murdered near the Indian Village below the foot of the Rapids. THE FIRST MAIL The first mail to be delivered to the people at the foot of the Rapids of the Maumee took place in 1803, by way of Cleveland and along the old Indian trail. to Sandusky, Fort Miami, Riven Raisin (Monroe) to Detroit. The first officer exercising civil authority in the Maumee Valley was Amos Spafford, postmaster of the first post office established at (Miami) Maumee in 1810, His commission was signed by Gideon Granger, Postmaster General. It may be proper to mention here that from February, 1813, until May, 1815, there was a military post office at Fort Meigs, and for two years the post office at Miami was abandoned. Almon Gibbs was in charge of the post office at Miami after the war. His compensation for the year 1816, according to the official records of the Post Office THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 43 Department, amounted to $14.28. February, 1824, the office at Fort Miami was moved to the first plat of Maumee, which constituted Maumee City. In 1821 a mail route was established from Port Miami (Maumee City) up the river through Defiance to Fort Wayne, thence to St. Marys and to Piqua. The carrier, Thomas Driver, made the round journey every two weeks on horseback. Letters directed to Fort Meigs after 1815 were delivered at Miami. Vehicles for carrying the mail and passengers began to he used in 1827, Late in the year of 1830 provisions were made for a daily line of stage coaches between Buffalo and Detroit, crossing the river at the Maumee ford. The first coach passed through Maumee City ,January 2, 1831, stopping at the Maumee City post office and Tremainsville, where Detroit Avenue crosses Ten Mile Creek. Prior to 1834 the post office at Maumee City was the distributing point for mail for all the up-river territory as far as Providence. For many years one John Omen was the mail carrier, going to Providence once a week on foot. EARLY NAVIGATION OF THE MAUMEE With the close of the War of 1813, Maumee City became an important point in the commercial business of the country. From the book of the collector of this Port in 1839 we have taken the following memoranda: The first vessel that took her papers from the Customs House after this District was created was the "Black Snake" schooner, 23 tons burthen, Jacob Wilkson, master, trading regularly at this Port. Then followed the same year, 1818, the "Sally," 7 tons burthen, Wm. Prat, master. In 1819 the "Saucy Jane," 15 ton', 44 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE Jacob Wilkson, master; the "Walter," 10 tons, Amos S. Reed, master, and the "Leopard," 18 tons, John Baldwin master. In 1823 was entered the "Happy Return," John Baldwin, master, 12 tons burthen, and the "Wapoghkonette," of 12 tons burthen, Isaac Richardson, master. In 1824 the "Vermillion," 34 tons, John Baldwin, master, and the "Packet of Miami," 15 tons, Almon Reed, master. In 1825 the "Lady Washington," 40 tons, Almon Reed, master, and the "Guerrierre," 41 tons, David Wilkison, master. In 1828 the "Eagle," 49 tons, David Wilkison, master. In 1829 the “Firefly," 23 tons, Luther Harvey, master. In 1830 the 'Essex," 30 tons, Henry Brooks, master. In 1831 the "Independence," 26 26 tons, James Foster, master, and the "Mary ,Calvin," 9 tons, Wm. Austen, master. In 1834 the "Merchant," 74 tons, Amos Pratt, master. May 30, 1835, the steamboat "Commodore Perry," owned by the Perrysburg Steamboat Company, and commanded by Capt. David Wilkison, 352 burthen; the schooner "Carolina," 42 tons burthen, Wm. O. Marsh, commander. In 1836 the schooner "Gazelle," Anson Reed, master; the "Walter Joy," D. P. Dickinson, master, 123 tons; the "John Hollister," 86 tons, Justice Bailey, master, and the steamboat "Oliver Newberry'' and the "Andrew Jackson" of Detroit. The port of entry for the District of Miami remained at Maumee City until February 3rd, 1846, when it was removed to Toledo. VESSELS BUILT AT MAUMEE CITY The river front, extending from the upper steamboat landing in Wolcott's Addition to Corry Street, was for more THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 45 than ten years nearly a continuous shipbuilding yard. A list of vessels built at Maumee City and sailing from that port arc: The "Merchant," 75 tons burthen, built in 1834; the "Tippicanoe," 50 tons, built in 1836; the "Marra," 100 tons, 1836; the "Ottawa," 130 tons, 1837; the "Oregon," 170 tons, 1837; the "Chippewa," 25 tons, 1837; the "Tom Corwin," 25 tons, 1840; the "Ireland," 100 tons, 1846; the "Chesapeake," 412 tons, 1838. The steam passenger boat,. "General Harrison," 326 tons, built in 1840. The "Troy," 547 tons, 1845, and the "James Wolcott," 100 tons, 1843. HIGH WATER ON THE MAUMEE The Maumee River, the outlet of various other streams of considerable size and extent, has always been in the habit of getting on a rampage, overflowing its banks, and the destruction of property sometimes would be very great. At the breaking up of the ice several floods of note are recorded. In 1832 the flood swept away much of the town of Orleans of the North. In 1839 the high water and ice swept away the first river bridge, and in 1847 was very high, covering the Riverside Cemetery. That of 1849 on March 7, the highest water then known in the Maumee River in connection with the breaking of the ice, carried away the toll bridge and destroyed the warehouses at Miami. In 1855 the water and ice was eight feet deep on the island between Maumee City and Perrysburg. In 1884 on February 8, the high water and ice carried away two spans of the iron bridge across the river, and the ice was twelve feet high on the big island. In 1903 the Riverside Cemetery was covered with eight feet of ice and every monument save two was broken 46 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE down. The highest water that had then been known in the Maumee River without ice occurred in 1913. GAME AND FISH Throughout the earlier years of western settlement, the forest and waters of the Maumee Valley were so abundantly supplied with game and fish that the hunters roamed and killed as their need or their pleasure might suggest. This region then contained a greater variety and a greater abundance of valuable game than ever did any other section of the globe in the same latitude; foremost of which were the buffalo, the grizzly bear, the caribou, the elk and stag, the red deer, wolves, panthers, lynx, wild cats, foxes, turkeys, with an almost infinite variety of small game. The hunter became the pioneer of civilization, and the savage and the wild beast receded before him. Fish were also abundant in the Maumee River. A writer of 1813 says that the quantity of fish taken near Fort Meigs would some days be not less than 1,000 to 1,500 of an excellent kind, taken with the hook within three hundred yards of the Fort. So abundant were fish in the Maumee River in early days that great quantities were caught by spearing with pitchforks and by means of baskets. THE LAST INDIANS Ottokee and Waseon, chiefs of the last poor remnant of the once powerful Ottawas that had lingered here around their ancient hunting grounds and the graves of their kindred, and a tribe of three hundred departed on July 25, 1838, for the Osage River country west of the Mississippi on board the steamboat "Commodore Perry," by way of THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE - 47 Cleveland and the Ohio Canal. Judge Forsyth, the Indian agent, had had infinite trouble in collecting the disjointed fragments of the decayed tribe, and inducing them to undertake a journey, which was the last hook upon which to hang a hope for their preservation. LICENSE LAW In 1843 a law was in force in Ohio authorizing the levy of a speeial tax upon lawyers and physicians according to their annual income. The Maumee City lawyers who paid the special tax and the amount paid, showing the degree of their business, were as follows: Samuel M. Young, $4.00; Morrison R. Waite, $4.00; D. F. Cook, $2.00; James M. Coffinbury, $1.00; Thomas Dunlap Jr., $1.00; Nathan Rathbun, $1.00; Henry Reed Jr., $1.00; H. E. Stowel, $1.00; Jessup W. Scott, $1.00. The physicians of Maumee City were Alex Anderson, $2.00; Justus Dwight, $1.00; C. Matthews, $2.00; C. D. Ramsey, $1.00; Wm. St. Clair, $2.00; John E. Van Avery, $2.00; Oscar White, $2.00. At the second term of the Common Pleas Court of Lucas County in 1836 Samuel Searing of Maumee City was appointed inspector of fish for the county. Benjamin D. Coffin of Maumee City was granted a license to keep a tavern for $15.00 and fees; the same to John Burdo of Maumee. City for $10.00 and fees. Jonathan Wood was granted a license to keep a ferry across the Maumee River at Maumee City. In 1838 tavern licenses were granted to Gabriel 0. Renney and Wm. Kingsbury at Maumee City, and a ferry license was granted to Marmoduke Bunting at 48 - THE HISTORY OF MAUMEE Maumee City. At the third term of the court of Common Pleas held in Lucas County on the 5th day of November, 1836, the Rev. Orrin Mitchel of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Maumee City, was authorized to solemnize the marriages within the county. COUNTY CONVENTIONS On September 16, 1837, the Democrats held their county convention at Maumee City, and the Whigs held theirs on the 25th. TAVERNS In 1838 there were in operation in Maumee City seven taverns: The Franklin House, a large frame building situated on lot No. 79 at the intersection of Dudley Street and Waite Avenue, James W. Converse proprietor. This was considered a high class hostelry. The Commercial Building, the three-story brick at Wayne Street and Waite Avenue, was erected in 1836, and was occupied as the name indicates with several stores, a bank and the post office. The Jefferson House, a large two-story frame building, was situated on lot No. 12 in Hunt's Addition, and fronting on Harrison Avenue. The Washington House, a two-story frame building, situated on Waite Avenue on lot No. 81 in Hunt and Beaugrand's Addition, was erected in 1834 by A. D. Williams. In 1838 the first Maumee City Council organized and occupied the second floor in this building as a council chamber for one year.