CHAPTER XXVI.

FREMONT—BUSINESS PROGRESS.

Mercantile, Manufacturing, and Banking—Business Directory.

THE mercantile history proper of Fremont begins in 1817 with the arrival here of a large stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, crockery, liquors and wines, shipped from Albany, New York, to J. S. & G. G. Olmsted. This miscellaneous assortment was one of no small proportions for a country store, the invoice amounting to no less than twenty-seven thousand dollars, and the transportation on the same being four thousand four hundred dollars. Even in those days it required men with something besides heavy bones and brawn, elements of endurance, strengthened by hardships, and a spirit of enterprise to build up towns and populate the surrounding wilderness. Capital, then as now, was the principal motive power. 'I he firm also brought with them a number of carpenters to erect a store building, and several coopers to make barrels to be used in the river fisheries. Pine lumber for building material was brought here from Buffalo by water. Immediately on the arrival of men and material, the construction of a commodious frame building was commenced on tract number six, as it was called, about on the present site of I. E. Amsden's sawmill office. It was two stories in height, and presented a front of sixty feet towards the Sandusky River. Dormer windows jutted out above, and under them were projecting beams with pulley-blocks and tackle for raising goods. The lower story was divided into two departments, one used for a general salesroom and the other for a warehouse in which to store away the produce received in batter for the necessary household wares and luxuries for the pioneers and villagers. The dimensions of the structure were thirty by sixty feet. It was considered a mammoth building, and the stock of merchandise, which soon piled high. the counters and shelves, was greater than any other between Detroit and Cleveland, and Urbana and the lake. For a number of years the store was in truth a commercial emporium. The following prices, at that time demanded for goods, which, in comparison, now bring but a pittance, may be read with interest: Brown sheeting, three-fourths of a yard wide, fifty cents per yard; calico, from fifty to seventy-five cents per yard; satinet at two dollars and a half per yard. In articles of consumption there is not so much difference in the figures, for coffee sold at thirty-eight cents, tea for one dollar and one dollar and a half, and tobacco at fifty cents. Powder sold for one dollar, and lead for twenty-five cents per pound respectively. Under such circumstances, to make it pay, every shut had to count. In contrast to these prices, but still to our own advantage, whiskey, which of like quality would now cost from two to four dollars per gallon, then was easily purchased at seventy-five cents. It is curious what changes are brought about by the advance

of civilization. Refined loaf sugar was the only article of that nature imported, as the sugar maple forests well supplied the inhabitants with this staple article, and also took the place of molasses and syrups. Probably the first manufacturing

419

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done by the Indians was the converting of the sap of the maple into a portable production—sugar. They exchanged this for the storekeeper's gew-gaws. It was put . up in boxes made of birch bark, holding from thirty to fifty pounds, and the package called, in the musical language of the noble red man, a "mocock." These "mococks" formed a prime article of exportation, as well as for local consumption. Foreign brown sugar, or that made from the cane, was not sold in the village until 1828 or 1829. At this early time (1817) the rivers and woods abounded in valuable furbearing animals, and it would seem from the following figures that the occupation of a trapper and hunter might then have been followed to exceeding great advantage. Soon after opening business the Olmsted firm received in trade and shipped during one season, twenty thousand muskrat pelts, worth twenty-live cents each; eight thousand coon skins, worth fifty cents each; one hundred and fifty otter skins, worth five dollars each, and two hundred bear skins, worth five dollars each.

The first wheat shipped East from this city, then the village of Lower Sandusky, was a lot of six hundred bushels, sent forward by J. S. Olmsted in the year 183o. It was bought at the price of forty cents per bushel, and sold in Buffalo at sixty cents per bushel. The high rates of transportation consumed all the profits. In 1820 the first cargo of pork, to the amount of one hundred and fifty barrels, was shipped to Montreal by the firm of J. S. & G. G. Olmsted, where it was sold at a considerable loss. These latter statements of shipments and prices of goods will give some idea of the mercantile business at an early day in Sandusky county.

While the Olmsteds, as related, were the first merchants here, in the true sense of the term, they were not the earliest traders. Before the war of 1812, Mr. James Whittaker had traded to some extent with the Indians, bartering with them a few goods for their own peculiar use. Hugh Patterson, a Scotchman, who had been a partner in these transactions with Mr. Whittaker, soon after the date last mentioned kept a store at Muncietown, on the east side of the river and about two miles from this city. There was one other trader, by name Augustus Texler, who kept a small stock of cheap goods in the village, and managed to gain a livelihood thereby. David Gallagher, another of the early merchants, came here before the war of 1812, and was employed for a number of years as an assistant commissary at Fort Stephenson. He was afterwards connected with the Olmsteds, both as a clerk and a partner.

In 1823 Dr. L Brown was selling general merchandise in a frame building where Mrs. Tyler's block now stands. Richard Sears, a young man and accredited as having been one of the beaux of the village, was a merchant at the same date, and afterwards on the same site. In 1831, removing his stock from a frame structure on the present site of the Heffner block, he formed a copartnership with J. S. Olmsted, who in the meantime had dissolved partnership with his brother, and having left his original store house on the river bank below, was selling general merchandise on the northwest corner of Front and State streets. The firm name was Olmsted & Sears. Four years the partnership continued, dissolving on Mr. Sears engaging in business by himself. Mr. Olmsted, soon alter this dissolution, removed to the old Harrington block, and from thence, in 1840, to a building standing on a portion of the lot now occupied by the Fabing & Hime block.

John W. Tyler was another of the earlier storekeepers, and Esbon Rusted,

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between 1820 and 1825, kept a general store, with drugs, on the southeast corner of Front and State streets. Isadore Beaugrand and George Grant were his clerks. Rodolphus Dickinson, Sardis Birchard, and Esbon Husted, in 1831, began the dry goods business on the same site, under the firm name of R. Dickinson & Co. From 1841 to 1844 the firm of Cutter & Heywood sold dry goods and bought grain there. Among the other pioneer tradesmen, still well remembered by the older citizens, was Judge Knapp, who sold groceries in the old Knapp bu;lding, on the present site of White's block. In 1836 or 1837, John M. Smith commenced selling dry goods where Dryfoos Brothers & Bach now hold forth. Eddy & Wilkes succeeded him. Where the First National Bank is at present, John Bell and Merritt L. Harman kept a general store of dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc., between the years 1830 and 1840. John P. Haynes, J. K. Glen, and Austin B. Taylor were three more of the old merchants commencing here early in the thirties.

Richard Sears opened a store on the corner of Front and Croghan streets shortly after dissolving with the Olmsteds. He made a fortune trading with the Indians, and in 1827 sold out to Sardis Birchard and left for Buffalo. Mr. Birchard's long and successful business life is traced in a biography elsewhere in this volume. Like his predecessor, he had a large trade with the Indians.

The first pork was shipped from this place in 1820 by the Olmsteds, and was marketed at Montreal. It consisted of one hundred and fifty barrels. The cost here was two thousand dollars for the lot. The venture cost the firm considerable loss, but pork afterwards became an important and profitable commodity of trade. The first wheat was shipped from here in 1830, by J. S. Olmsted, and consistedof a lot of six hundred bushels. Mr. Olmsted's first venture in wheat was little more successful than the pork speculation of ten years previous. Forty cents per bushel was paid at the warehouse here and sixty cents the price received in Buffalo. Transportation was then so high that the margin of twenty cents per bushel was consumed. But the trade in pork and wheat from 1830 to 1830 was enormous. Every day the streets were filled with teams of four and six horses drawing great wagons with high wheels, making it almost impossible to pass through town. About 1840 staves were in general demand, and stave wagons with high racks crowded among the produce wagons, altogether presenting a bewildering spectacle of busy life and business activity. Those scenes will never be repeated in this country. A vast network of railroads gives to every community the means of rapid transportation, and consequently a steady market for all productions. Lower Sandusky and Milan were the main produce markets west of Cleveland. Both at the time were small villages. One is now a deserted town, the other a prosperous city, made prosperous chiefly by the good fortune of securing early railroad facilities.

The largest store (one for general merchandise of all descriptions,) that ever existed in Fremont, was started in 1846, by two enterprising merchants from Elyria, H. K. Kendall, and O. L. Nims. The former, the elder member of the firm, never resided here, the business being carried on by Mr. Nims, then a young man twenty-six years of age. Possessing remarkable business qualifications, an exemplary character, and a winning disposition, he soon built up a trade that extended around for a radius of fifty miles into the counties of Erie, Huron, Wyandot, Seneca, Hancock, Ottawa, Lucas and Wood. The building occupied by this

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firm was then owned by F. I. Norton. It was a frame structure of two stories in height, and faced on Front street. The salesroom covered the space now occupied by Rice's dry goods store and Strong's clothing establishment, being forty feet in width and extended back into the warehouse that was soon afterwards added. This warehouse, at right angles from the original main building, extended in the rear of the old Lesher bakery building and Betts' corner store, and opened on Croghan street. It was used for produce, wool, and pork. The largest number of clerks employed, and the largest number ever employed by a single mercantile firm in Fremont, was twenty-one. Mr. Kendall died a few years after starting in business, and Mr. Nims remained sole proprietor until 1853, when Henry Zeigler and C. B. King removed their stock of goods from Findlay, where they had been in business a short time, and entered into partnership with Nims, under the firm name of O. L. Nims & Co. In March, 1854, this store, known as "Headquarters," together with Lesher's bakery and Betts' store, was entirely destroyed by fire. Mr. Nims immediately purchased the ground on the northeast corner of Front and Croghan streets, and removing the shaky frame tenements that covered it, he erected the brick building now owned by F. S. White. In the corner storeroom the old "Headquarters" store was opened anew by Henry Zeigler, David Garvin, and Michael Zeigler, under the firm name of Zeigler, Garvin & Zeigler, in the fall of 1854. Michael Zeigler died the same autumn, and soon after C. B. King resumed a partnership interest, the style being C. B. King & Co. Several changes were made from that time on to 1866, the firm name being successively as follows: King, Zeigler & Co.; D. Garvin & Co.; Clark & Zeigler; D. Garvin & Co. Under the latter style Garvin and Zeigler continued partners until 1875. At that date David Wagner, of Ottawa, Ohio, purchased Garvin's interest, and until 1878 business was transacted under the style of Wagner & Zeigler, when the latter sold out and Wagner became sole owner. Besides those already mentioned, a number of others, at present business men of Fremont, were clerks in the old "Headquarters," that is, S. P. Meng, H. R. Shomo, Wiliam A. Rice, and Daniel Al:affer, who are mentioned under their respective business heads.

In 1847 David Betts, who had clerked for J. K. Glen for six or seven years, rented the room formerly occupied by his employer on Shomo's corner, and moving in a stock of goods, continued doing business on that site until June 7, 1849, when the building was destroyed by fire. The following month Mr. Betts purchased of Frederick Wilks, the corner lot now occupied by the Dryfoos block, and refitting the old building, made a new start that fall. The large fire of March, 1854, that destroyed the headquarters establishment and Lesher's bakery also burned out Mr. Betts. He rebuilt the same year, and, with D. W. Krebs as a partner, engaged again in business under the firm name of D. Betts & Co. In 1856 the stock was sold to Edgerton & Wilcox, who discontinued the year after, when D. Betts & Co. repurchased the whole interest. The next change was made in 1862, by Mr. Betts, who sold his interest to Krebs, Sargent & Price. Krebs & Boardman were the successors a year after.

The dry goods store of William A. & C. F. Rice was started at its present site some time in the fifties by P. C. Dean. In 1859 Dean sold out to William A. Rice. Alfred Rice, who was a partner for several years, closed out his interest in 1877.

Condit Bros. was the firm title of the

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original proprietors of the dry goods establishment of their present successors, William W. Brandt & Co. in 1867 William Brandt went into business with the first company, the Co. being added. Brandt & Condit succeeded William W. Brandt, following as sole proprietor, and continuing as such until the present copartners were admitted.

The present extensive clothing-house of Dryfoos, Bro. & Bach, consisting of Isaac and S. Dryfoos and S. Bach, was started by Isaac & M. Dryfoos, in 1852, on Front street near the corner of Garrison street. After a few years they removed to a room in Birchard block, where they continued doing business till 1873, when the block, now partly occupied by them, was purchased, and the stock transferred to the corner sales-room. M. Dry loos sold out his interest in 1880.

The merchant tailoring establishment of Philip Gottron and Charles Augustus, located on Croghan street, was started three years since. The firm name is Gottron & Augustus.

The first exclusive drug and book store, an offshoot from the general country store for dry goods, boots and shoes, drugs, hardware and jewelry, was started in a room of the old headquarters building on the present site of Lesher's grocery, in 1840, by C. G. McCulloch. In 1847 C. R. McCulloch succeeded his brother and two years after removed his stock to the site of the store room now occupied by him, where he was ever since remained in business. Stephen Buckland was a partner for a few years.

On the dissolution of the partnership of C. R. McCulloch & Stephen Buckland, the latter, in 1856, went into rival drug business in the room now occupied by him and his son, Ralph P. Buckland, jr. The firm, until 1859, was Wooster & Buckland, when Wooster retired, and Buckland's sons entered into partnership with their father.

The Thomas & Grund drug house was established by Dr. E. Dillon & Son in 1860. Lanman & Thomas purchased the business in 1868, and in 1872 Thomas, Grund & Long succeeded. On the death of the latter member of the firm some few years since, the title was changed to Thomas & Grund.

Dr. L. B. Myers entered into the drug business in this city in 1876. His son, Kelley Myers, was a partner during a portion of the time. Previous to the above date, Dr. Myers was engaged with Strausmeyer and Kelley in the grocery business on Front street.

The cigar and tobacco store of Charles Barth was started by his predecessor in the business, P. Poss, in 1856, who commenced the manufacture and sale of cigars in a small frame building, where Burley's restaurant now stands. No changes were made in the firm until 1877, when Mr. Poss removed to Chattanooga and the present proprietor took possession. The store was moved to where it now is, on the block being opened for occupancy.

Where White & Haynes' office now stands the shop of the first harness-maker for Fremont, H. R. Foster, was started. J. C. Montgomery succeeded him, and in 1845 John Kridle, became a partner. In 1847 James Kridler, the present leading harness dealer and manufacturer, purchased the interest of Montgomery, and with his brother continued in business under the firm name of J. & J. Kridler, in the old frame building covering the land now occupied by the Thompson & Cornpiny hardware store. When the frame structure was moved further south on the street they removed their business with it. Mr. McNeal was a partner for a few years. In 1859 James Kridler bought in all the interest. For five years he carried on his

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business in the low brick building formerly occupied by the First National Bank, and then moved, in the early part of September, 1831, to the postoffice building.

In 1835, when the country closely surrounding the village of Lower Sandusky was still the veritable "howling wilderness" spoken of in the Indian and early settler romances, Edward Leppelman located in an old, yellow frame building that stood on the present site of Mrs. Heffer's block on Front street, and opened out a scanty stock of clocks, jewelry and groceries. As a watch-maker he also repaired the stationary and portable timepieces of the worthy villagers and backwoodsmen. Business in the three branches increased, and in the course of a few years he removed to a one-story frame structure, standing on the site of John Horn's grocery. The next removal, was to the first frame building erected in Fremont, and occupied before the removal first as a hotel by Harrington, and imme diately preceding Leppelman's advent by J. K. Glenn. Edward Leppelman here remained in the jewelry business until he was succeeded by his son, Lewis Leppelman, the present proprietor. The old frame building was entirely destroyed by fire in February, 1857, and on a brick block being erected in its place, the business was resumed. It is now the largest jewelry house in the county; business, both wholesale and retail, being carried on, and an organ and sewing machine store connected with the main salesroom.

The first regular hardware store started in Fremont was opened on the pike by George Camfield and James Mitchell in the year 1850. After several changes they removed to the store-room occupied by the present successors of the old firm. The first change in the firm was occasioned by the withdrawal of Mitchell, and Lewis Camfield taking his interest. Camfield, Brother & Company succeeded this firm, and on the successive deaths of the two senior partners, George and Lewis Camfield, the company has changed to the title of Hedrick & Bristol (Fred Hedrick and E. A. Bristol).

The corporation of Thompson & Co. hardware dealers, was formed in March, 1877, the being composed of Charles Thompson, John T. Thompson, John P. Bell, Robert Lucas, and Edward C. Gast. The original house, of which this firm has been the outgrowth, was started by Oliver Fusselman, on the east side of the river, in 1859. In 1860 Fusselman having in the mean time removed to the present location, Charles Thompson purchased the business, taking in as partners Orin England and John T. Thompson, in 1865. Charles A. Norton was a partner a few years. England and he retired in order, the latter in 1876.

Philip Dorr is the oldest of the boot and shoe merchants in Fremont. He commenced in 1841, on the east side of the river, and continued there a number of years, until he removed his stock and the tools of his trade to a store-room on the northeast corner of Front and Garrison streets. The present store is on Front street, just south of the First National Bank. His sons, Fred, Lewis, and Henry, are partners.

In 1867 H. R. Shomo, immediately after the expiration of his term as postmaster, opened a boot and shoe store and has continued in the business since that date, occupying for the last twelve years his present site.

The boot and shoe store owned and conducted by S. P. Meng, and now located on the northeast corner of Croghan and Front streets, was started in 1862, under the firm name of S. P. Meng & Co. A. Hoot was his partner until 1868. The original firm having dissolved, in

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1870 Mr. Meng again opened up a boot and shoe store under the style of Meng, Altaffer & Co. This continued for two years, when Mr. Meng bought out the entire interest.

A. Hoot, the early partner of S. P. Meng, is at this date engaged in the boot and shoe business in Buckland's new block, on Front street.

Perry Close is the oldest representative grocer of the city, having followed that business entirely since 1850, when he commenced with a stock in the room at present occupied by John Horn. Mr. Close has had no partners, with the exception of his son, Clarence Close, which partnership was dissolved a year ago. A glassware department is connected with the grocery proper.

Pork packing, as a regular business, was commenced by Andrew Morehouse, in 1846 or 1847. For a number of years he carried on the trade on the southeast corner of Front and Garrison streets. He then removed to some buildings erected on Front street, near the railroad bridge, and continued there for ten or twelve years.

In 1859 Mr. A. Gusdorf entered into the pork packing business in the warehouses where Rice & Co., and Strong are at present. Two years after he removed to the building still occupied by the firm, just north of the gas factory. The firm members are M. Gusdorf, A. Gusdorf, and S. M. Gusdorf, under the style of Gusdorf Brothers.

Jacob Bauman is extensively engaged in the same business.

ARDENT SPIRITS.

The business of whiskey distillation, commenced at a very early date in Fremont, was entirely discontinued before the year 1838, and has never since been revived. The earliest distiller was William R. Coates, who came here from New Orleans, and about the year 1820 erected a great hewn-log building on the old Glenn farm, between the spring that still wells up there and the Edgerton property. He carried on quite an extensive distilling business, keeping two sets of hands at work, one for the day, and one for the night. The whiskey was barrelled and shipped by boats to eastern markets. It was not the pure, unadulterated article; the proprietor was intent on making money, and used a good deal of water to dilute, then drugs to strengthen the weakened extract. Coates, when he came here, was considered very well off financially, and was coining money with the distillery, but he became entangled in a series of lawsuits in relation to his mill property above Ballville, which considerably embarrassed him, and he at length discontinued distilling, and left the country. Weed & Wilder afterwards occupied the vacated buildings, but after a few years the business ceased altogether, and the buildings were left to gradually rot and crumble away.

Ammi and Ezra Williams began operations in 1825, in a log building standing where Ammi Williams, jr., now resides. Nothing now remains of the structure or the apparatus of the still, the last vestige—a great, heavy, blackwalnut trough, into which the still swill was poured—having been chopped for firewood only two years since. Ammi Williams, sr., died suddenly in 1826. In the following year Ezra Williams, having completed a building at the foot of the east sidehill on the south side of State street, moved his still therein, and continued operations.

The building was a substantial, unpainted frame one, of two stories in height. It was close to the foot of the hill, and afforded a fine basement in which the high-wines and whiskey were stored. The furnace and steam tubs were also below. On the main floor was

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located the mash tubs and worm, and the second story was used as a grain floor. This structure, was afterwards torn down in 1839.

Ezra Williams was a very conscientious man. The whiskey he manufactured was absolutely pure, and although even preachers drank in those days, no cases of delirium tremens were ever known to result from even an overload of this early-day liquor. The whiskey jug had its place with more necessary articles of consumption in the cabin of the settler, and at meal time helped set off the table. The Indians were great imbibers of "fire-water," and bought it at the distillery by the pint, quart or gallon. They were generally very much excited under its influence, and Williams avoided selling to them as much as possible, this course being agreeable to the old chief, Hard Hickory, who was desirous to altogether prevent the sale to them.

The article manufactured was distilled from corn and rye—two-thirds of the former to one-third of the latter. Copper boilers were not used, but to render it better it was distilled by steam in airtight wooden tubs or casks. Joseph Edwards was the head distiller, and under his experienced management one bushel of grain produced from eleven to thirteen and one-half quarts of whiskey. From twelve to thirty-three bushels of grain was distilled per day, the distillery running generally all the year round, with from two to three men in attendance. In those days corn was worth from twenty-five to fifty cents per bushel, and rye from sixty to ninety cents. The whiskey retailed at from thirty-five to fifty cents per gallon, and from twenty-eight to forty cents per gallon by wholesale. It was of the color of purest spring water, and held a good bead for the length of a minute. Burnt sugar was the only foreign material used in its composition, and this was introduced to give it the rich, yellow color, indicative of mellow old age.

A treadmill, to do the grinding, was connected with the establishment. Williams also occupied himself with farming, and was necessarily a butcher, as he raised large numbers of hogs and kine on the refuse matter of the still.

It seems that the subject of temperance was little discussed, at least not openly, in those days, and no demonstrations of a crusade nature ever disturbed the serenity of these primitive distillers; but about 1830 a temperance society, known under the name of the Washingtonians, began to exert some influence in the county. Religious revivals were held here in ensuing years, and with this movement the temperance organization grew stronger. In 1837 Ezra Williams joined the church, and the same year, deeming that spiritual and spirituous matters (in spite of the seeming paradox), could not consistently blend together, he, in keeping with his recent profession of faith, abandoned a pursuit which was opening to him a sure road to wealth.

The manufacture of whiskey was of considerable benefit, in a commercial light, to the county. It was the chief source of revenue to the farmers. Corn was then the principal production, and the rates of transportation were so high that any undertaking to convey it to the markets of the East assured financial failure on the part of the operator. The distillery acted as a medium. The corn was sold to the distillers; the whiskey was exchanged for goods with the traders and merchants, and then easily shipped to the metropolis.

BREWING INTERESTS.

The first Fremont brewer was Sarius Young, who, in 1851, built a frame brewery on the east side of Ohio avenue, below the brow of the hill. In the fall of

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1853 Anthony Young went into partnership with him. One year later the original proprietor sold out his interest in the business to Lawrence Romer, who continued with A. Young until the spring of 1855, when the latter sold out. During 1856 and a portion of 1857, the Youngs, who still owned the building and property, rented it to Charles F. Giesin and C. Doncyson. After the withdrawal of the latter firm, Fred Iler purchased the property, who, after continuing brewing for a few years, sold it to John Paulus, who built the present brick building. For several years it has not been in operation, and at a sheriff's sale some time since, It was purchased by the Fremont Brewing Company.

In 1857, Charles Giesin purchased the old packing house below the gas works, and fitted it into a brewery. A few years after he sold the building to the Gusdorf Brothers, and in 1862 he built the brick brewery now occupied by the Fremont Brewing Company. In 1876 he sold out to Felix Stienley, William Mefort, Frank Hiem, Joseph Stuber, and Barney Casper. Mr. Casper has since died. The company is known under the style of the Fremont Brewing Company. They are making many improvements, and d0ing a considerable business.

THE LIVERY BUSINESS.

The first livery stable in the village was opened by David W. Gould in 1842. The primitive stables of this first proprietor were located on Water street close to the bank of the river, and at the foot of the alley between Croghan and Garrison streets. In 1847 Mr. Gould removed his horses, carriages, and provender to a frame building on the site 0f the brick building now occupied by Charles Close. Three years after he commenced carrying the mail between Toledo and Cleveland, and, using his stock for that purpose, hewas obliged to discontinue the livery business. In the old stables vacated in 1847 by William Gould, Ira Smith and Henry Sweet carried on the livery and horse-trading business for a number of years. About this time Reuben Wood kept a rival establishment on Arch street, below the old Dickinson property that faces on the pike.

The most prominent livery proprietor of Fremont is Timothy H. Bush, who came to this city in 1840. In 1855 he purchased John Pitman's entire interest in the business, at that time located on the river bank and facing on Front street, below the former Kessler House. William Bush became a partner in 1862. The death of the latter occurred six or seven years later, and Daniel Bunnell was taken in as an equal partner, under the firm name of Bush & Bunnell. Their business was carried on in the original stables until in 1875, when they removed to the brick building in the rear of the former Cooper House. These stables were built for the livery business in 1855, by Charles W. Moore, and run by him until his death, when Frank Gurney carried on the business In connection with his hotel. Charles Close purchased Bush & Bunnell's interest in 1879 and has continued there since. Mr. Bush is the only extensive horse dealer in the county, and also the only one who has made a comfortable fortune in that line.

Besides Close's the present stables are: Doncyson's, located on State street, near the bridge, and Bunnell's, in the rear of the Ball House. Dr. G. O'Harlan is the proprietor of the Fremont hack line.

MANUFACTURING.

The manufacturing interests of this city, as well as that of the county, like those of all other communities in a new and unsettled country, commenced with the erection of grist-mills and sawmills

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on the banks of the streams. 'These mills, necessary to supply food first, and then convenient shelter, were, very naturally, succeeded by the factories for the making of cloths, then by the foundries for manufacturing articles needed in an agricultural section of country, and so on, as the increase of population and variety of pursuits gave rise to different and more varied wants, or the peculiar situation and facilities for a certain branch of manufacturing induced enterprising men to engage in it.

In 1818, the same year that the Olmsteds brought on their large stock of merchandise and erected their frame store-house, Thomas L. Hawkins and Thomas E. Boswell, full of the spirit of the early pioneers, and with an eye to business, dug the race that at the present day runs the water flouring-mill, built the dam, and erected, where the mill now stands, a diminutive, well ventilated grist-mill, which in every way merited the appellation of a primitive "corn-cracker." Here came the settlers for miles around, and patiently waited from sunrise till evening twilight for the slow-running mill-stones to empty the hopper and grind out their bushel of meal. In the course 0f time Boswell sold out to Elisha W. Howland. Here, as it is told in a happy manner by the oldest inhabitants, Howland, who was a cabinet-maker and joiner, a man of good humor and made the best of all things, manufactured coffins, and often of evenings, with boon companions, played cards on these last receptacles for the dead. Some ghastly pictures might well be drawn with graphic pencil, either of artist or writer, of the rude interior of a primitive mill. A work-bench in one corner, the rafters overhead, the rough, white-coated mill-stones, all lighted up by a flickering, unsnuffed candle, and the light of this candle flaming in the faces of a group of good-naturedlooking men gathered around the bench, and dealing cards in an exciting game of "old sledge" on the white top of a pine board coffin. One could hear the roar of the mill race below—a dead, ceaseless voice, and well imagined the spiritual form of the destined inmate of the coffin, standing in silence and grave clothes in one of the cobwebbed corners of the room. Whiskey was cheap in those days, and it required but little money to brace the nerves.

Some time in 1830 Revirius Bidwell purchased the mill property, and tearing down the primitive structure, he erected a substantial frame building in its place. The property has since that date gone through various hands, and been greatly enlarged in room, and its facilities increased. Morgan & Downs succeeded Bidwell at an early date, and in 1857 Or 1858, the business was carried on by J. B. G. Downs, F. S. White, and George Canfield. Depp & Ensminger were afterwards sole proprietors, and Koons Brothers, who afterwards succeeded them, are now conducting the business. A sawmill was, during the first years of its existence, connected with the mill.

About the same year that Hawkins and Boswell commenced grinding corn in the valley by water-power, Ruel Loomis built a horse and ox grist-mill on Ohio avenue, upon the brow of the hill, on the east side of the river. This was .not the nucleus of any lasting or extensive business enterprise, and but few of the citizens of Fremont will remember the fact of a mill being in operation there, and still less recall the tread of the yoked oxen as they prepared the grain for backwoods consumption.

The first sawmill in Ballville was built in 1822, by David Moore, a wealthy land owner, who came there in 1821, and immediately made his preparations and corn-

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menced building, at the head of the race that now runs Dean's Woolen Mills, and on the space of ground now occupied by the old red tannery. While he actively employed his laborers in the mill, his wife, who came soon after his arrival, boarded them in a rough slab shanty near by.

In 1827 John Bell commenced the carding of wool, giving an opportunity for woodsmen to purchase, at a reduced price, the goods for their clothes, and enabling them to discard the skin-tight breeches and coats made of hides. He run his carding machine in a part of the water-power flouring-mill in this city. His machinery was carried away by a disastrous spring flood a few years after.

In 1831 Charles Choate, a practical carder, came to this county from Milan, Ohio, where he had learned his trade in his brother's mill. He brought with him a double carding-machine and picker, and located it in a portion of the frame grist-mill belonging to David Chambers, which stood on the river's west bank, about one-half mile above where Moore's stone mill, in Ballville, now stands. During the first year he carded a little over eight thousand pounds of wool. Business kept increasing, and in eight years he was running four double carding-machines, and carded that year forty thousand pounds of wool. At that date (1839) he closed out to a Mr. Otis. The first two years George Moore was a partner on shares with him. In the summer of 1834 Mr. Choate erected a large frame building close by the old yellow mill owned by James Moore, and occupied it for carding for one summer. About 1845 he sold out his interest in the business to P. C. Dean. In the early days Mr. Choate commanded for his business an extent of country from Bellevue to the head of the rapids on the Maumee River, and from the Peninsula to Upper Sandusky. P. C. Dean continued in the woollen-mill business until his death some few years since, when his two sons succeeded under the firm name of Dean Brothers. A year ago they dissolved partnership, Philip Dean closing out his interest to W. Dean. The mill on the present site of the one erected by Mr. Choate, was built only a few years since upon the destruction by fire of the first one.

The manufacture of pottery was commenced in 1822 by Elijah Drury, in a rude log house that reared its unpretentious front on the corner of Front and Garrison streets, on the ground now occupied by Tchumy's block. Here Drury moulded his clay and baked his crocks and jugs for ten or more years, until succeeded in due course by Robert S. Rice. Rice continued in the business until he was elected justice of the peace.

The earliest tanner was Moses Nichols, whose tannery was located by the lower road to Ballville, on the little stream that courses through the low lands adjacent to the property owned by the heirs of Jacob H. Hultz.

George S. Brainard was probably the first tinner in Fremont. He started in business here about 1837. John R. Pease bought him out in 1840. The shop in which they did business was on the site where Pease, Perrine & Co. now carry on their manufacture of carriages. After continuing here a few years Mr. Pease removed to the east side of the river, and erecting a brick block on Front street, moved in his stock. In 1848 O. A. Roberts went into partnership with Mr. Pease. In 1853 Mr. Pease sold out to Roberts & Sheldon, who continued in business together until 1869, when they sold out their interest to Charles Dillon. The brick block, on the site of the old Pease building, and now owned by Roberts & She,don, was built in 1863.

430 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

In 1840 F. I. Norton and Cornelius Letcher, recognizing the fact that they were in the centre of a rich farming country, that the inhabitants depended mainly for their existence upon the product of the soil, and that agricultural implements were the chief want of the community, decided to engage in the manufacture of plows, and with this end in view, entered into a co-partnership under the firm name of Norton & Letcher. Their first foundry, a small frame structure, was erected in the rear of the brick block now occupied by William A. and C. F. Rice, on Front street. Here they remained for two years, increasing their business until it was found necessary to secure more space and enlarge their buildings. To meet these requirements they purchased the property close to the river's bank and cornering on River and Garrison streets, where stands the present foundry of D. June & Co. A brick foundry and frame shop was built on this land by them in 1842, and a four-horse power engine purchased and put in place for blowing the blast. On the death of Mr. Letcher Mr. Norton became sole owner and proprietor, and continued running the business until in 1853, when he sold out to David June and Mr. Curtis. Curtis remained a member of the firm only six months, closing out his interest to D. L. June, a brother of his partner, the firm name being changed to June & June, continuing until 1856, when Lyman Gilpin bought out D. L. June. June and Gilpin remained together as partners until November 1, 1859. At that time the firm consolidated in D. June, the present proprietor, who, immediately after the dissolution, took again into partnership, with him Curtis. Seven years elapsed, when Curtis retired, and three years after the present firm, composed of David June, Robert Brayton, and O. S. French, formed a partnership under thestyle of D. June & Co. The changes in buildings and great increase in business speak well for the energy and business and financial qualifications of David June and his partners. In 1861 the old brick and frame structures of the original firm of Norton & Letcher were razed and a permanent block erected on the former's site. An addition of seventy-six feet front has since been added, and in 1 877 a boiler shop proper and erecting shop were built on the opposite side of Garrison street. When D. June and partner purchased the concern from Norton & Letcher the business yearly amounted to five thousand dollars. At the present time it amounts to one hundred thousand dollars, and from sixty to seventy-five men are constantly employed. Their work consists in the building of portable, stationary, and mill engines, the Champion engine being their principal manufacture. This latter engine was patented in 1875, 1876, and 1877. At the time of the Centennial Exposition the attention of Russian manufacturers was called to the Champion, and shortly after they visited the works in this city and examined models for the purpose of introducing it in Russia.

Francis Lake, of Milan, Ohio, came here in 1852 and commenced the manufacture of sash and blinds on the east side of the river, in a large frame building where the carriage shop of Pease, Perrine & Co. now stands. The manufacture was steadily continued for a number of years, McClellan, McGee, Nat. Haynes, N. C. West, George T. Dana, and William Haynes forming the successive firms until the business was discontinued. In 1859 J. H. McArdle and Chester E. Edgerton, under the firm name of J. H. McArdle & Co. built the brick sash factory next to the Fremont gas company's works on Front street. In 1864 Chester E. Edgerton bought out McArdle's interest and

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the same year G. G. Edgerton became a partner.

Ambrose Ochs is the oldest wagon and carriage manufacturer in Fremont. In 1847, four years after his arrival here from Germany, Mr. Ochs and B. Keefe started a wagon shop in a two-story frame building on the present site of the brick block now occupied by the former. For five years this partnership continued under the firm name of Keefe & Ochs; then Ochs bought out the business, and in 1863 started a blacksmith shop in connection with the factory. The brick building was erected in 1872.

J. P. Moore is one of the most successful carriage and wagon manufacturers in the county. From where he first started into blacksmithing, on the pike west of Fremont, he removed to the site of his present extensive works in 1851, where a small frame shop was erected and business done under the firm name of Samuel & John P. Moore. In 1854 Samuel sold out to John P. who soon after formed a partnership with his brother William. This latter firm was dissolved in 1854, the present owner remaining in charge. The brick block now used as blacksmith shop, paint shop, and salesroom, was built in 1863. The addition occupied by the wagon and carriage manufacturing departments was erected in 1869.

In 1873 the old, dilapidated frame building on the east side of the river that had been used as a sash factory, was razed and a frame structure erected in its place. In this building Ed. Pease, John Pease and Frank H. Rummell, under the firm name of Pease, Rummell & Co., cornmenced the manufacture of carriages and wagons and blacksmithing, The partnership dissolved in 1876, and Ed. Pease became the sole owner and proprietor, running the business till 1879, when G. A. Perrine and Jacob Harbrond were takenin as partners and business resumed under the title of Pease, Perrine & Co.

The Star City flouring mill was built by David June for D. L. June in 1858. Curtis & Caulfield succeeded and remained partners till 1861, when Curtis sold out his interest to John Geeseman. Koons Brothers were the next partners, Bowlus & Beery succeeding, the former selling to Quale. The present firm is VanEpps & Cox.

The elevator destroyed by fire in the summer of 1881, standing one mile south of the city, at the head of navigation on the Sandusky River, was built by I. E. Amsden in 1859. A half interest in it was owned by Dr. L. Q. Rawson and James Moore. The grain business transacted by means of the elevator was one of great profit until the years of the great Rebellion, when the production of grain became less with the years of the struggle, and dwindled down to an inconsiderable amount, in comparison to what it had formerly been. The elevator went through successive hands, and when burned belonged to the Lake Erie & Western Railroad company.

Immediately after the sale of his interest in the elevator Mr. I. E. Amsden, in 1857, went into the lumber business. His first sawmill was built near where the elevator stood, but about two years after he removed to the north end of Front street, where he is now engaged in an extensive trade. The amount of lumber produced yearly at his mill averages one million five hundred thousand feet, and besides this he purchases largely to meet the demand.

N. C. West is the other large lumber dealer in this city. He commenced business here in 1863 with George T. Dana as his partner, and doing business under the title of West & Dana. Their sawmill was located three or four miles from town; at the present, and for many years past, it

432 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

has been located a short distance west of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern depot. Mr. West purchased Mr. Dana's interest in 1876.

In 1861 F. I. Norton began the manufacture of spokes in the sash factory built by Francis Lake on the east side of the river. In 1863 he built the brick building on Arch street, between Croghan and Garrison streets (which has since been enlarged by the Trommer Extract of Malt Co.), and continued the manufacture of spokes until 1874, when he sold the building to Edward Underhill. Williard Norton, his son, was his only partner.

The first gas company formed for the manufacture of that article for this city, was organized in 1860, by a Mr. Stephenson, who remained here but two years after securing stockholders and erecting works. At the end of that time a sheriff's sale became necessary to settle up the claims of creditors, and the business and works were purchased by Morris Gusdorf; interests taken by C. Doncyson, C. O. Tillotson, Fred Fabing, and D. June. For five years the company conducted business under the firm name of Gusdorf & Co., when it was changed to the Fremont Gas Co. D. June sold out his interest ten years since.

One of the largest branches of industry in the city is the manufacture of Trommer's Extract of Malt. The company occupy for their works the large brick block and its adjoining buildings on Arch street, between Croghan' and Garrison streets. The company was originally formed in 1874, between Hon. John B. Rice, Dr. Robert H. Rice, Dr. Gustavus A. Gessner, Stephen Buckland, and Ralph P. Buckland, jr. The two latter gentlemen with-drew from the firm in 1877. The article manufactured by them is an inspissated extract of malt, with a small proportion of hops, and consists of malt sugar, dextrine,resin and bitter of hops, tanin, diastase, phosphates of lime and alkaline salts. It is considered by eminent practitioners to be a valuable agent in pulmonary consumption, dyspepsia, etc. Experiments were made for some time by Drs. J. B. Rice and Gessner, before they succeeded in making a satisfactory article. They have built up an immense trade, extending through all the United States, and into Mexico, Central America, South America, England, Japan, Sandwich Islands, West India Islands, and Canada. This has been done by extensive advertising in all medical journals, and employing physicians as agents.

The Fremont Cultivator Company was incorporated in September, 1881. The officers and stockholders are H. C. Stahl, president; Samuel Brinkerhoff, secretary; A. E. Rice, treasurer; and Henry Finefrock and J. S. Bower. Their works are located just south of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, in the valley.

The largest branch of industry in Sandusky county is the manufacture of the Hubbard mowers and self raking reapers, by the Fremont Harvester Company. Their extensive works occupy a large tract of land on State street, in the west out-skirts of the city of Fremont, and on the line of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad. The buildings are substantial brick structures and fully furnished with machinery and great engine power. One hundred and fifty men are the average number employed in the works. The business is increasing and the stock bids fair to soon being a rich paying investment. Movements were first made early in 1872, by William B. Sheldon, for the organization of an incorporated company for the manufacture and repairing of cars. An interest was soon manifested by the citizens, and on the 15th of February, 1872, articles of incorporation, signed by

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R. P. Buckland, L. Q. Rawson, F. S. White, James W. Wilson, and A. H. Miller, were granted, the company to be known under the title of the Fremont Car Co. The capital stock was placed at two hundred thousand dollars; the shares at one hundred dollars each. William B. Sheldon was elected president of the organization; F. S. White, treasurer; and J. M. Smith, secretary. The board of directors were William B. Sheldon, F. S. White, James W. Wilson, R. P. Buckland, and LaQ. Rawson. No changes have been made in the officers or board, with the exception of the resignation of F. S. White from the position of treasurer, and the election of John M. Smith to fill this vacancy. The buildings were erected soon after the incorporation, and fitted up with all necessary machinery for the manufacture of railroad cars, in accordance with the original intention of the organization; but about this time the panic of 1873 began, and with it fell off the demand for cars. The works were never put in operation for their manufacture, but in June, 1875, the name of the company was changed to its present one of the Fremont Harvester company, and the manufacture commenced of mowers and reapers.

SHIP-BUILDING ON THE SANDUSKY RIVER.

While the Sandusky River and the country along its banks bearing forests of grand oak trees were in a state of nature, few places afforded such facilities for ship-building as Lower Sandusky. In fact, ship-building began at an early day and was continued many years. But the timber in time was cleared away from the banks, and each year made ship-building less profitable by reason of the lengthened haul of the timber. Then again, the advent of the iron horse, careering along the lake shore, has seriously dwarfed the commerce on the waters of Lake Erie andits tributaries. Hence the ship-building at this, as well as all other points, has been of no magnitude for some years past, and ship-building at Fremont may probably be called one of the past industries of the place. Still, as time and change go on, it may be interesting, as in fact it is already, to know that ship-building was once carried on, and to obtain some idea of the extent to which the business was prosecuted. Hence, we place in this history such information on the subject as can now be obtained.

THE NAUTILUS.

In 1816 a small sloop was built on the west bank of the river, nearly opposite the lower end of the island, and launched about where the dock of the elevator lately burned now stands. The Nautilus was of twenty tons burden, and was built by Wilson & Disbrow. Little information can now be gathered about the vessel. No doubt, judging from her size, she was built for the bay and river trade, probably between Venice, now in Erie county, and Lower Sandusky.

We are under obligations to Charles B. Tyler, esq., son of Captain Morris Tyler, deceased, for the following additional facts relative to the building of vessels at Lower Sandusky:

Next after the Nautilus came the Horse Boat, built by Thomas L. Hawkins, which was a platform resting upon two large pirogues or canoes, with a shaft across which worked a paddlewheel on each side. Over the shaft was a circular platform with perpendicular cogs on the rim of the circle, matching into cogs on the shaft, on each side. Horses were placed on this circular platform and cogwheel, hitched to stationary posts, and by pulling moved the circle and turned the main shaft to which the paddle-wheels were attached, thus propelling the boat. This boat could, in good weather, run from

434 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

Lower Sandusky to Venice in one day and return the next. There was no covering over the platform and no hold in the boat. It was merely a floating platform propelled by horsepower. But this simple contrivance was quite useful, and performed the carrying trade up and down the river for several years.

The next vessel after the horse boat was the schooner Cincinnati, built by Captain Morris Tyler, in 1825 or r826, and was a fair-sized vessel for that period. A Mr. Jones was the master-builder, and the vessel was built and launched about where the wagon-shop of Mr. Baltas Keefer now stands, on the bank of the river, perhaps fifty or sixty rods below the bridge on the Maumee and Western Reserve road, over the river. This vessel, under the command of Captain Morris Tyler in person, was a profitable investment, and plied for a number of years between Lower Sandusky and intermediate ports. Her tonnage was equal to about five thousand bushels of wheat.

The steamboat Ohio was the next vessel built on the river. She was built by a joint stock company, and launched near the same place where the schooner Cincinnati was, in the year 1828. Captain Morris Tyler was placed in charge of this steamer, and remained in charge of her until 1833 or 1834, when she was sold to persons interested in the commerce of Toledo. She afterwards became old and unseaworthy, and was laid up as useless, and her remains were covered up when the middle-ground was filled, and are buried under the Island House in Toledo.

The schooner Wyandot was next built, and launched near the mouth of Muskailonge Creek. Captain John L. Cole, now a well-to-do farmer residing about one mile north of Fremont, was master of this vessel.

The schooner Home was the next vesselbuilt on the river. She was built by Captain Morris Tyler in the year 1843, and placed in charge of Captain Sacket. She was launched a little below where the steamer Ohio was, and near where John Pero's coal office now stands. Our fellow-citizen Charles B. Tyler remembers working on this vessel, in the building of it, at the rate of seventy-five cents per day, when quite young. The master-builder was William Redfield. The Home, after being in the carrying trade from Lower Sandusky to Buffalo and intermediate ports, and sometimes in the upper lake trade, for a period of about six years, was sold to parties residing in Sandusky City, and was chiefly engaged afterwards in trade between that port and Buffalo and Detroit, although she occasionally came back to Lower Sandusky, her native place, with freights, after she was sold. Her carrying capacity was probably about eight or ten thousand bushels of wheat.

The schooner Almina Meeker was the next vessel built on the Sandusky River. The enterprise of building this vessel was undertaken by Benjamin F. Meeker, after whose wife the vessel was named. After commencing time building of this schooner Mr. Meeker became financially embarrased, and before the vessel was finished she was transferred on the stocks to the Messrs. Moss, of Sandusky City. She was built on the river bank and near the south bank of the mouth of Muskallonge Creek, and launched there in the year 1846 Her carrying capacity was eight thousand bushels of wheat or thereabouts.

The next craft built on the Sandusky River was the Ben Flint, and received her name from her intended captain of that name, who afterwards was her captain in fact for several years. The proprietors were Nims & Tillotson, and Captain Williams was master-builder. She was built and launched near where the bridge of

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the Lake Erie & Western Railway now strikes the west bank of the river. The carrying capacity of this schooner was equal to about sixteen thousand bushels of wheat. Captain Benjamin Flint sailed her for a number of years with great regularity and financial success.

The next vessel built on the river was the schooner Dan Tindall. She was built by Captain William Totten, an experienced ship-carpenter and builder, who came from Staten Island, New York, and settled in Fremont, he choosing the place as an advantageous point for business. She was built and launched at about the same point on the river where the Ben Flint had been previously built. The Tindall was built and launched in the years 186r and 1S62. Her carrying capacity was equal to twenty thousand bushels of wheat. Her first captain was Gordon Wilson, then Captain James Hone commanded her, and Captain George M. Tyler was her master, for several years. The Tindall proved to be a vessel of superior sailing qualities and was very successful while he commanded her, clearing net by her earnings thirty-five thousand dollars in the three years the vessel was under his control

The Cornelia Amsden was modeled, built, and owned by Captain William Totten, and was another success of his skill in building and designing water craft. She was launched in 1863, from the west bank of the river, about one-fourth of a mile below the bridge of the Lake Erie & Western Railway. Her carrying capacity was one hundred and eighty-four tons. She was named after the wife of Isaac E. Amsden, then and now one of the esteemed citizens and prominent business men of Fremont. After being in the Fremont trade about two years she was sold to Messrs. Hubbard, of Sandusky City, and, thereafter, visited Fremont occasion-ally, but not regularly.

The N. C. West was built for the Fremont trade. Having been begun by Messrs. Skinner & Donaldson, who failed financially, she was transferred to Charles Foster, George T. Dana, and Charles O. Tillotson, who finished and launched her about half a mile below the Lake Erie & Western Railroad bridge on the west bank of the river. Her carrying capacity is equal to about nine thousand bushels of wheat. She was launched in 1867, and is still in the Fremont trade. The N. C. West is the last vessel built in Fremont, and should railroad building go on it may be doubted whether there will beany further ship-building at this once admirable point for that industry.

A railway leading to Sandusky City now crosses the river at a point where some of the above-mentioned vessels were built, and gives a cheap and rapid transit for freight and passengers to that city, thus establishing a competing line which has superseded transportation by the waters of the river and Sandusky Bay.

And a fact worthy of note, and which palpably illustrates the changes of time and progress of the day, is that at this very time the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway is engaged in procuring the right of way along the bank of the river, and appropriating for a railroad track the very ground on which most of the vessels above-mentioned were built.

BANKS AND BANKING.

The first banking house in Fremont was a private bank started by Sardis Birchard, esq., and Judge Lucius B. Otis, and was opened for general business on the 1st day of January, 1851. Mr. Birchard, who was at that time about fifty years of age, had for many years been one of the leading merchants of the place. He was one of the early settlers, greatly interested in the town, and always active and earnest in his efforts for its prosperity. Judge Otis,

436 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

his partner, was a lawyer about thirty-three years of age, and was about that time elected judge of the court of common pleas, which position he filled with ability. In 1856 he moved to Chicago, where he still resides, a gentleman of wealth and prominence. Starting with two such men as its founders, the banking house of Birchard & Otis commenced at once doing a prosperous business. Mr. Jacob Lesher, who is still a worthy business man of Fremont, was the first depositor.

The following letter from Judge Otis, in response to one from A. H. Miller, gives an interesting account 0f the beginning of banking business in Fremont:

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, October 3, 1881.

DEAR SIR: On the 1st day of January, 1851, Sardis Birchard, in partnership with Lucius B. Otis, established the first banking house in Fremont, under the name of Birchard & Otis. The firm continued without change, doing business in the same bank building (the first one erected in the town), until January 1, 1856, when I commenced making my arrangements for a removal to Chicago. Bit chard and Otis were equal partners. I withdrew from the firm January 1, 1856, and then Anson H. Miller, and one year later Dr. James W. Wilson, came into the bank as partners with Mr. Birchard, under the firm name of Birchard, Miller & Co. I removed to Chicago from Fremont December 9, 1856.

For twenty years previous to the starting of the first bank in Sandusky county, merchants and others doing business with banks had been compelled to send to Norwalk or Sandusky, where the nearest banks were to be found. One was established, how ever, in Tiffin about 1847. It was the custom for some one to go from Fremont, about once a week, to one of these places where banks could he found, and do up the whole banking business for all the business men of Fremont. Mr. Birchard, General Buckland, and myself frequently made these trips, purchasing New York drafts for several merchants, getting certificates of deposit, paying notes, etc., at banks. The well-known wealth of Sardis Birchard, and his high standing and character as an old merchant, gave the banking house of Birchard & Otis first-rate standing and credit from the day of its opening. It never had a, run upon it, and never failed to pay on demand, and I am rejoiced to say that such has been the standing of its successors to the present time. When the bank was first opened, January 1, 1851, Dr. Alvin Coles, now living at Ottawa, Illinois, at the advanced age of seventy-six,was employed as cashier in the bank for Birchard & Otis. He had long been a popular county officer in the courthouse, a man of sterling worth. His name and face in the bank contributed considerably to make it popular. For a few months after the business was opened, and the word "Bank" was put up over the door, it was a common occurrence for clusters of Sandusky and Ottawa county farmers to form in the street, looking at the sign and discussing the subject. Few of them had ever seen or knew anything about a bank. It was a common thing to hear some of them say: "Well, Birchard has land adjoining my farm, and I know the bank is safe. I'll deposit my money there."

Yours truly,

L. B. OTIS.

The building in which Birchard & Otis commenced banking is still standing, and is the small, one-story brick on the east side of Front street, between State and Croghan streets. Mr. F. S. White, a gentleman well known among bankers, was cashier in the banking-house of Birchard & Otis for about two years previous to the summer of 1854, at which time he resigned to establish with Mr. O. L. Nims and Mr. C. O. Tillotson, another banking-house, which for many years did a highly successful business. The position made vacant by the resignation of Mr. White was offered to Mr. Anson H. Miller, who at the time was bookkeeper for Dr. William F. Kittredge, treasurer of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad company. He accepted, and came to Fremont on the ad day of August, 1854.

At the time referred to in Judge Otis' letter, from 1851 to 1856, and for some years later, the customary rate for money was one per cent. a month, and for New York exchange one per cent. premium was charged. The paper money in those days was a queer mixture of various and uncertain values. The sorting of this money was one of the important duties of the bank clerk. The New York city, New England, and some of the Ohio bank notes, being carefully selected to he sent home, or to some broker for the purpose

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of getting in return New York exchange, that being one of the cheapest and most available ways of obtaining it.

On the first day of January, 1857, Dr. James W. Wilson became a partner in the bank of Birchard, Miller & Co., the firm name remaining unchanged. Dr. Wilson had been, since 1838, one of the leading and most successful physicians in the town, was well known in Sandusky and the adjoining counties, and his wealth and careful business habits gave to the bank still another element of strength and safety. The bank continued to prosper with Sardis Birchard, Dr. James W. Wilson, and Anson H. Miller as partners, and without further change until the year 1863, when it was merged into the First National Bank of Fremont, which succeeded the private banking-house of Birchard, Miller & Co., and was organized in 1863, with a paid up capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and with an authorized capital of two hundred thousand dollars.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

The first preliminary certificate was dated April 24, 1863, but in consequence of a change in the regulations of the department at Washington, this was afterwards cancelled, and another dated May 23, 1863, was adopted; the articles of association were dated May 23, 1863. Both the preliminary certificate and articles of association were signed by the following named persons: Sardis Birchard, James W. Wilson, Anson H. Miller, James Justice, Robert W. B. McLellan, Jane E. Phelps, LaQuinio Rawson, Martin Bruner, Robert Smith, Abraham Neff, Augustus W. Luckey.

The first stockholders' meeting was held May 27, 1863, at which James Justice was chairman and Robert W. B. McLellan secretary. At this meeting the following first board of directors was elected: Sardis Birchard, James W. Wilson, James Justice, Martin Bruner, Robert Smith, Augustus W. Luckey, Anson H. Miller.

The first directors' meeting was held on the same day, at which Sardis Birchard was elected president; James W. Wilson, vice-president, and Anson H. Miller, cashier.

The certificate of authority from the Comptroller of the Currency, at Washington, was dated June 22, 1863. The bank commenced business September 1, 1863, and soon thereafter was designated by the Government as a depository of the public money. The first report of its condition was made April 1, 1864, which shows among its resources, of loans, $121,305.29; total resources, $347,703.05; and among its liabilities, due depositers, $133,620.56; due United States as Government depository, $64,450. In its last published report, dated October 1, 1881, the bank makes the following showing under the same heads: Loans, $417,443.91; total resources, $694,112.32; due depositors, $414,216.91, which only partially shows the increase in the bank's business. At the time the bank was merged into the First National, Mr. Miller, with the help of a young clerk, did all the routine work of the bank; now six experienced men are constantly employed. The bank came near being the first one organized in the United States, being only number five on the official list.

On the 21st day of January, 1874, Mr. Birchard deceased, and the vacancy thereby caused in the presidency, was filled January 27, 1874, by the election of Dr. James W. Wilson to the place.

The bank has lost by death four directors, viz: James Justice, who died May 28, 1873; Sardis Birchard, who died January 21, 1874; Robert Smith, who died April 2, 1878; Augustus W. Luckey, who died March 20, 1881.

There have been no changes in the offi-

438 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.

cers or directors, only such as were caused by death, except in the case of Martin Bruner, who, in consequence of having disposed of his stock in the bank, had ceased to be a director several years before his death. He died September 24, 1876.

The bank never made a practice of paying interest on deposits—neither did its predecessors after the 1st of April, 1859. At that time both Birchard, Miller & Co. and the banking house of Nims, Tillotson & White, discontinued the custom, satisfied that for the future it would be an unwise one.

This bank has been fortunate not only in its officers, but also in its employes. Mr. Augustus E. Rice, one of the directors and the present assistant cashier, came into the bank in March, 1865, and was at that time a mere boy. His industry, integrity, and good habits have well entitled him to the important place he now occupies, not only in the bank, but as an influential citizen. Mr. William E. Lang, teller; John G. Nuhfer, individual bookkeeper; James W. Wilson, collection clerk; and John W. Pero, general bookkeeper, have all been in the bank for years, and are young men well qualified for the positions they hold.

The present officers of the hank are: James W. Wilson, president; Anson H. Miller, cashier; Augustus E. Rice, assistant cashier. The present directors are: James W. Wilson, LaQuinio Rawson, Rutherford B. Hayes, Anson H. Miller, Augustus E. Rice.

Until the first of January, 1877, the business of the bank was carried on in the building occupied by Birchard & Otis, previously mentioned. About the 1st of January, 1876, the bank purchased of Mr. P. Close the lot owned and occupied by him on the southwest corner of Front and Croghan streets. The two-story brick building, in which he had been doing business, was torn down and the same year the bank erected on the spot a new and elegant three-story Amherst stone front bank building into which it moved January 1, 1877, and in which it still does its business.

The bank was one of the few that continued to pay its depositors during the panic of 1873 in full on demand. The condition of the bank on the 1st of October, 1881, is shown in the following report:

RESOURCES.

Loans .......................................................$417,443 91

Over drafts ....................................................1,275 31

United States bonds ..................................150,000 00

Due from other banks ..................................41,647 15

Real estate ....................................................15,618 27

Expense account..............................................4,325 58

Checks and cash items .......................................106 42

Cash on hand .................................................59,195 68

Due from United States Treasury.....................4,500 00

Total ...........................................................$694,112 32

LIABILITIES.

Capital stock ........................................$100,000 00

Surplus fund .............................................60,000 00

Undrawn profits........................................18,384 58

Bank notes out...........................................90,000 00

Deposits...................................................414,216 91

Due other banks ........................................10,389 03

Tax account .................................................1,121 80

.........................................................................................$694,112 32

Anson H. Miller, who has been so prominently connected with this bank, and consequently with the business interests of the city, is a native of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and was born May 2, 1824. His father, John Miller, was a descendant of Nathan Doyles, who was a sufferer by the burning of New London, Connecticut, during the Revolution, and to whose heirs was granted a large tract in the Firelands near New London, in Huron county. By inheritance and purchase Mr. Miller came into possession of the whole tract. He removed with his family to Norwalk in 1825 and in 1839 settled on the farm near New London. Anson H., during the family's residence in Nor-

HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 439

walk, attended the seminary, and during the year 1845 continued his studies at Milan academy. In 1847 Mr. Miller entered the employ of Prague & Sherman, lumber dealers, at New Orleans. He was there about fourteen months, during the yellow fever epidemic, and was himself a sufferer from the disease. In 1852 he attended Commercial college at Cleveland, and soon after was employed as bookkeeper in the office of the treasurer of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad, which position he held until entering the bank in 1854. Since 1856 the burden of management has mainly been borne by the cashier. The exceptionally successful career of the bank, both as a partnership and a corporation, is the best commentary on Mr. Miller's worth as a banker. His management has always been honorable to himself and profitable to the stockholders.

BANK OF FREMONT.

The partnership of Nims, Tillotson & White was formed in 1854, and conducted a general banking business under that name for about four years. The name was then changed to Bank of Fremont, and business conducted to the entire satisfaction of its patrons until 1878, when every depositor was paid in full and a successful career closed by a dissolution of the partnership.

THE BANK OF FREMONT.

In October, 1880, a partnership under the above style began a general banking business with L. Wideman, president; C. M. Spitzer, cashier, and J. C. Wideman, assistant cashier. The business has been in charge of the two last named gentlemen. In addition to general banking an exchange and brokerage business is transacted.

FREMONT BUSINESS DIRECTORY.

Besides the long-established and moreextensive firms mentioned in the above pages, the following business houses and factories are located in Fremont:

Agricultural implements—Treat & Corl

Architect—J. C. Johnson.

Attorneys-at-law—Bartlett & Finefrock, H. P. and H. S. Buckland & Zeigler, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Everett & Fowler, Byron Dudrow, F. R. Fronizer, Finefrock & Bell, Garver Bros., J. L. Green, Lemmon, Wilson & Rice, Frank O'Farrell, Smith & Kinney, M. L. Snyder, L. E. Stetler, M. E. Tyler, E. Williams.

Baggage, express and hack line—Dr. G. O. Harlan, J. H. Stewart.

Bakers—D. Hock, H. Lesher, A. Voght.

Barbers—J. Berling, O. E. Curtis, F. E. Gerber, F. J. Rheinegger, F. Schoeffel, S. Wolf.

Billiard halls—C. P. DePuyster, George Nighswaner, W. D. Sherwood, C. Grett.

Blacksmiths—G. A. Berger, D. S. Blue, J. Cookson, John Fend, G. Greiner, William Groves, W. Hund, Peter Nolf, D. Rooney.

Bottling works—A. Hauck.

Cabinet-makers—S. Doer, Casper Smith.

Carpenters—S. E. Anderson, A. Foster, Anthony Kiser, Rich & Richards, J. B. Schraff.

Carriage-manufacturers—D. Consedine & Son, John Keefer.

Cigar manufacturers—A. Good, J. L. Rafferty, John Stober.

Clothing—Charles Strong, B. Youngman, W. Dean & Co.

Coal dealers—E. P. Underhill & Co.

Cooper shop—John A. Grant. Dentists—A. F. Price, F. T. Creager.

Druggist—G. W. Petty.

Dry goods—Hermon & Wilson, Jenkins & McElroy, John Ryan, J. Joseph.

Elevator—E. H. Underhill & Co.

Fancy goods—D. H. Altaffer, S. P. Hansom & Co., E. Sympkins, W. H. Hart

440 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY

Flour and feed—Chan. Norton.

Grain dealers—George Engler, Gusdorf Bros., D. Wagner.

Grocers—Baker & Stine, G. F. Buchman, P. Dillane, H. F. Dwelle, Ernst Bros., T. F. Heffner, Frank Bauman, D. Hock, J. Horn, Kelly & Hauck, — Lynch, A. Miller, J. C. Street, Robert Hidber, S. P. Wottring, Lawrence Dick.

Gun manufacturers—George Thompson, Harry Thompson.

Hotels—Ball House, John Ford, proprietor; Peach House, Richard Peach, proprietor; American House, J. Paulus, proprietor; Tell House, William Hocke, proprietor; Germania House, J. B. Weber, proprietor.

Ice dealer—A. Hodes.

Insurance agents—L. B. Ward; J. K. Elderkin, William B. Kridler, jr., D. F. Thomson, Z. Ross.

Jewelers—E. L. Cross & Bro., William Gasser, A. V. Hamilton.

Justices of the peace—Samuel Brinkerhoff, M. E. Tyler, F. R. Fronizer.

Lime manufacturers—Gottron Bros., A. D. & F. L. Noble, Quilter Bros.

Marble works—Gurst & Son, Purdy & Williams.

Meat markets—Henry Adler, J. Bauman & Co., S. Cohn.

Merchant tailors—N. Barendt, S. Ballau, F. Brady.

Organs and pianos—Heberling & Darst. Photographers—Charles Pascoe, H. Post, R. Groben.

Pump manufacturers—C. Baker, Barney Meyers.

Saddle and harness manufacturer—William Schroder.

Sign painter—George Dole.

Stoves and tinware—Winter Bros.

Tile works—Fremont Brick and Tile Co., William Parker.

Undertakers—E. Swartz, C. W. Tschumy.