HARRISON NOBLE - 325 township four months, and boarded at the house of Mr. Eden Lease, who was then sheriff of Seneca county. Mr. Lease very often had more writs to serve than he could well attend to alone, and employed Mr. Noble to assist him. By these services and taking his wages as school teacher, he succeeded in paying his boarding until 1849, when he was admitted to practice law. He then immediately became a. partner of his brother, Warren P., in the practice, under the firm name of W. P. and H. Noble. This firm continued in business until the 1st of May, 1874, when Harrison Noble formed a new firm with Mr. Nelson B. Lutes, in the practice of law. This association continued until the 1st of May, 1880, six years, when it was dissolved by mutual consent. In 1853 Mr. Noble was elected 'city solicitor of Tiffin, and served two terms, receiving $50 per year as his salary. In 1859 he was elected a member of the city council, and served twelve years, his term expiring about the time of the great fire, April 13th, 1872. In 1863, while the militia of. Ohio was being re-organized and regiments formed, Seneca county had two regiments. Mr. Noble was elected Colonel of the Second Regiment. In 1864, Mr. George S. Christlip was nominated by the Democratic county convention as their candidate for director of the Seneca county infirmary, and a few days before the election, his health failing him very rapidly, Mr. Christlip informed the Democratic central committee that he would not live to serve, and declined to have his name put upon the ticket. The committee, without the knowledge of Mr. Noble, had his name printed upon the tickets, in place of Mr. Christlip's. He was thereupon elected to that office, and served until 1870. It was customary with the directors of the infirmary to keep their own treasury, receive and pay out money, keeping their own accounts. Upon the urgent request of Mr. Noble, it was made a rule of the board to pay all the moneys received by the board into the treasury of the county, to be drawn out upon the order of the county auditor, after having been passed upon by the board. The rule is in vogue still, and works very well. Mr. Noble is the present mayor of Tiffin, to which office he was elected in 1879. On the 3d day of June, 1858, he was married to Mrs. Minerva, the sixth daughter of Josiah Hedges, and two sons are all the children of this union. Harry H., the oldest, is now a student at Notre Dame University, at South Bend, Indiana, and Birdie M. is attending the union schools of Tiffin. Mr. Noble has an extensive practice, and takes a lively interest in the growth, the progress and the development of the material resources of the city and county. 326 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. Soon after their marriage the young couple commenced housekeeping in their pleasant home on the corner of Jefferson and Market, where they still reside. PLANK ROADS. In this year (1849), on the 22d day of March, the general assembly of Ohio also passed an act incorporating the Lower Sandusky, Tiffin and Fort Ball plank road company. Ralph P. Buckland, John R. Peas, John L. Green, James Justice, and John Bell, of Sandusky county; Lorenzo Abbott, Calvin Clark, Benjamin Tomb, Cyrus Pool, Vincent Bell, John W. Patterson, Warren P. Noble, and Rezin W. Shawhan, of Seneca county; Chester R. Mott, Joseph McCutchen, Robert McKelley, and Andrew McElvain, of Wyandot county, and all others associated with them, by subscribing stock, were made a body corporate and politic. Another company, called the Tiffin and Osceola plank road company, was also chartered, and both roads put in operation A branch road from Fostoria to intersect the former, north of the mouth of Wolf creek; was also laid. Toll-gates were erected and tolls collected. These answered the purpose for awhile, and were very popular until they began to give way by the rotting of the plank. The tolls collected proved insufficient to keep up the necessary repairs and other expenses. Subscribers were assessed to pay a second time, a work that always has a tendency to injure the popularity of any joint stock company. Meanwhile the roads became worthless and were abandoned; toll-gates broke down, and the supervisors of common highways removed the plank by putting them on piles and burning them up. The, stockholders lost every dollar they invested; never realized anything, and thus ended another wild, impracticable, foolish experiment. For many years past, some of our citizens agitated the propriety of building pikes in Seneca county. The great inexhaustible quantity of stone in the county suitable for that purpose, the bad condition of the roads every winter and spring, together with the landed wealth and ;general enterprise of our citizens, seemed to warrant such a measure as wise and necessary. During the past winter (1879-80), meetings were held in several townships, and in Tiffin, in which the subject was discussed, and finally the county commissioners were prevailed upon to publish a notice in the Tiffin papers, calling upon the voters at the election on the first Monday in April, 188o, to vote on the subject, yes or no. If a majority of the votes cast had been in favor of pikes, the commissioners would have commenced the work under the law: The subject is still very fresh in the minds of all, and no attempt will be THE TELEGRAPH - 327 made to give the various reasons assigned by those opposed, why the measure should be defeated, and so large a portion of our people voted against pikes. Suffice it to say, that when the votes were counted, it was found that only 1,578 voted for pikes, while 5,156 votes were cast against the proposition. It is to be regretted, that an improvement so highly needed in our county, should find so few friends. Tiffin alone gave a majority in favor, some 500. All other election precincts in the county gave large majorities against the measure. In Big Spring, a township that needs good roads as badly as any other locality in the county, in a vote of 521, there was only one vote in favor of pikes. The far or the near future must solve this question. The present generation prefers to stick in the mud. THE TELEGRAPH. About 1849, the first line of telegraph was constructed through Tiffin, along the Mad River and Lake Erie (now C. S. & C.) Railroad. A joke in connection with this enterprise is almost too good to be lost. Mr. Christopher Snyder, the merchant, was a good deal of a wag, and whenever he had a chance to get a "rig" on anyone, would spare neither friend nor foe. Mr. Balthasar Ries was a German barber, and lived on East Market.. street. For many years he was in the habit of calling upon his customers at their houses, stores or shops, to shave them or cut their hair. He had a frame with two hooks to hang over the back of a chair, with a perpendicular piece that slid up and down and having a cushion on top to lay the head upon. He would carry this frame with him on his left arm, on which were also suspended a few clean towels. He was also supplied with a large tin cup, full of hot water, some soap, a brush, a few razors and a pair of scissors. Thus fitted out, he started on his beat—a traveling barber shop. Mr. Ries was a small man, very active and nervous, with black hair and black eyes, pale face, polite and cleanly in his habits, but very credulous. Anything Mr. Snyder said was as good as gospel to him. One time, while he had Snyder down in a chair in his store, with lather all over his face, Reis wanted Snyder to tell him what those high poles along the railroad on the other side of the river were for. He said he had seen men climb up on them and fasten a wire from one to another, etc. Snyder was in a hurry to get done, and was not inclined to talk much; but Reis insisted on knowing all about it, and kept on quizzing and asking questions. Finally Snyder told Reis that that was a new way to go to California. (The gold fever was then at high tide). This 328 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. remark made bad worse with Mr. Ries, and he was bound to have a full description of the thing. Finally Snyder told him that travel by steamer around Cape Horn was very expensive and dangerous, and to avoid both, this plan had been adopted; that when the work was completed clear to San Francisco an iron saddle would be placed across the wires to hold the traveler and his baggage, and when all was ready the thing would be touched off behind him, and that would send him across the country to San Francisco, where he would be received on a pile of straw, and from whence he could go to the mines when he was ready. All this seemed very reasonable to Ries, but he said we lived in a most wonderful age, when improvements were made in all departments of life; and finishing dressing Snyder's hair, he went away. He was gone about an hour, when he returned very much excited, and setting his tin cup on the counter with such violence that the water flew in all directions, and shaking his fist at Snyder, threatened that he would never again believe anything he said: that people down street had laughed at him when he told them of the new way of going to California, etc. Snyder said that Joe Rauker had told him the 'same story, and he did not know any better himself, etc.; but Ries went away in a very nervous, angry mood. Among the early pioneers in Fort Ball was also Andrew Love, who lived on the bluff on the McCutchenville road, where the river comes up close to the road. Another pioneer, on the Tiffin side, was Alexander Mason. He built and opened the "Eagle Hotel," on the corner of Washington and Perry streets. It was a two story brick building, and received a third story when Mr. R. W. Shawhan became the owner, who fitted up and enlarged the hotel, when it was christened the "Shawhan House," J. W. Patterson, proprietor. Mason kept there in 1834 and 1835; Patterson opened the Shawhan House in 185o. The hotel has retained its name ever since, under several proprietors, among whom P. P. Myers, who really built up the reputation of the house and kept it the longest, was the most popular. THE TIFFIN SCHOOLS. There were but few children among the early settlers in Tiffin, and yet to secure a site and build a school house was one of the first. public cares and enlisted the support of everybody. Application was made to Mr. Hedges for a lot to build a school house upon, and on the first day of February, 1828, Mr. Hedges executed a deed to George Don- THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN - 329 aldson, Jacob Plane, and Richard Sneath, school directors of school district number four, Clinton township, for in-lot numbered forty-two (42). It is situate on the north side of Market street, next west of the northwest corner of Market and Monroe. The deed has a whereas to it and commences in these words: "Whereas, heretofore Josiah Hedges has laid out and established a town by the name of the town of Tiffin, situate upon fractional section 19, T. 2 R. 15, and whereas a patent has been issued to said Hedges, etc. Now, therefore," etc. A little one-story brick school house was built by these directors upon this lot close by the pavement, lengthwise with the street. It had room for about 60 scholars. The door was near its south east corner. There was one window at the east end, back of the teacher's desk, and two windows in each of the other sides. Here the various denominations held their meetings until they had churches of their own. The Protestant Methodists especially occupied the school house very often on Sunday and held their quarterly meetings there when the little school house was crowded to overflowing. After the school house was finished and a new set of directors had been elected a notice was published in the Seneca Patriot for a teacher in the following form: A TEACHER WANTED. A gentleman who is well versed in arithmetic, English ,grammar and geography, and can give satisfactory reference for good moral conduct and steady habits, is wanted to teach the district school in Tiffin. It is desirable that application should be made before the first of November next, as the school will be vacant.  HENRY CRONISE}  School Directors. MILTON JENNINGS} September 28, 1832. Under this. notice Mr. Benjamin Crockett made application and was employed, and he continued to teach here for several years thereafter. The writer made his acquaintance in the winter following the fall of 1833. By my contract to learn the trade of a cabinet maker with Boss Phillips, I was entitled to four months' night school at the boss' expense. Apprentices were compelled to work every night at the bench until 9 o'clock, except on Saturday night, so that the loss of time and the payment of the teacher were to be taken in consideration. For want of a teacher of a night school, I traded my four months' night school for 30 days' day school in the fore part of the summer of 1834 and to go to Mr. Crockett. His school this summer was attended by a few flaxen-headed children and the writer was one of a few larger boys that attended. All the time Mr.. Crockett and the writer could spend together was equally divided between us. While Mr. C. would 330 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. take much pains to instruct me in English grammar and pronouncing words correctly in reading the history of the United States, he took the -other half of my time to receive instructions in mathematics and in the geography of Europe. Thus my thirty days passed away and I became a graduate of Mr. Crockett's first school in Tiffin. This constituted the sum total of my schooling in America, and it was not long after, that the school examiners of Tiffin, Joshua Seney, Oliver Cowdry and Frederick Singer, gave me certificate of qualification to teach school, when I became one of the first teachers in the two-story brick, still standing on the same lot, now occupied for a shop. The little old, one-story school house was torn away in about 1844 and the two-story brick put up a little further from the street, with four rooms. Here all the schools in Tiffin were accommodated until the young city organized under the union school system and preparations were made to build the beautiful school house on South Monroe street, now known as the high school building. Simultaneously with the organization of the city of Tiffin, the question of inaugurating the union school system under the law, agitated the minds of some of our people also. Opinions as to its propriety differed very widely. The proud position that Ohio occupies in her educational department, when she taxes her wealth to educate her youth—in other words—when she makes the owners of property pay taxes to educate the children of those who do not pay taxes for want of property—was not appreciated by all our citizens. The friends of the measure were the taxpayers, the wealthy men of the city, one of the most active of whom was Mr. R. W. Shawan, who had no child to educate and paid the largest amount of taxes of any man in the county. To his honor be it said—the success of the measure depended largely on the part he took in its favor. Remarkable as it may seem, the enemies of the proposition were the poorer classes, who generally have the most children to educate. Nineteen of these, who worked hard, electioneering for votes against the measure all day, were the heads of families averaging five children to each, and whose taxes on the duplicate added together for all purposes did not reach the sum of thirty dollars. The vote was taken in September, 1850, and a handsome majority secured in its favor. In October following, at the election for members of the school board, the following were elected, viz.: William Lang, William D. Searles, George Knupp, A. C. Baldwin, W. H. Keilholts, W. H. Gibson. THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN - 331 At the first meeting of the board, held on the first day of November, 185o, William Lang was elected president, W. H. Gibson, secretary, and A. C. Baldwin treasurer. The board then also appointed Messrs. T. H. Pittenger, R. G. Pennington and R. R. Bement as a board of examiners. Thus the new system was set on foot, and thousands of children have enjoyed the benefit of these union schools during these thirty years last past. The following is a list of the first corps of teachers employed by the board, viz.: Miss E. Augspurger—German school—she furnishing her own room, $20 per month; Mrs. Sarah Sands, also furnishing her own room, $2o per month; Miss Elizabeth Cronise and Miss C. Coffin, each $15 per month; William Fitzgeralds, $24 per month; Samuel Nolan, $22 per month; Miss Maria Andrew, $15 per month; Thomas J. Cronise, $24 per month. The small amount of the school fund was equally divided among the three terms, and for want of sufficient means to pay the teachers, a tax of from one cent to one and one-half cents a day (according to class). was assessed on each scholar in attendance for that term. This mode of taxation lasted only one year and was dropped. Rev. R. R. Bement was employed to superintend the schools during this winter only, for which the board paid him $12, on the 1st of May, 1851. On the same day the board offered Mr. S. S. Rickley, of Columbus, $400 salary as superintendent of the union schools, with the privilege of allowing him time also to teach a class in Heidelberg College. The offer was accepted, and Mr. Rickley was the first superintendent of the Tiffin union schools. In 1852 the board purchased in-lots numbers 279 and 280, in the (then) second ward, where they erected the first union school house in the city, the same year, at an expense (including $900 paid for the lots) of $6,000. This is the school house immediately west of St. Mary's church. In 1854 the board bought of Mr. Hedges the large lot upon which the present high school building now stands, and on the 28th of March, 1855, they resolved that when they should build a school house there, it should be put away from the street 125 feet. On the 11th of April, 1855, a meeting of the voters in the city was held, in compliance with notice, and a resolution was unanimously adopted to build another school house in the city, and the board were authorized to levy a tax of two mills on the dollar of all the taxable property in the city for the year 1855, 'Ind three mills for 1856, 1857, i858, and 1859, for that purpose. 332 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. On the 22d day of November, 1855, at a public meeting, the board was authorized to borrow a sum of money not to exceed the sum of $6,000, to be used in the building of the new school house, and interest not to exceed ten per cent. On the loth of June, 1856, the board passed a resolution to lay the corner-stone of the new school house with appropriate ceremonies, and to invite the Rev. L. Andrew to deliver the address. On the loth of January, 1857, another public meeting, held at the mayor's office, resolved to instruct the school board to proceed and finish the new school building, and to levy additional taxes on all the taxable property in Tiffin, for that purpose, as follows : For the year 1857, one and one-half mills additional; for the year 1858, one and one-half mills additional; for the year 1859, one and one-half mills additional; for the year 186o, three and seven-tenths mills on the dollar; for the year 1861, three and seven-tenths mills on the dollar; for the year 1862, three and six-tenths mills on the dollar; for the year 1863, three and seven-tenths mills on the dollar, and to borrow another sum of money for that purpose, not exceeding $8,000; to issue bonds, etc. In 1859 the third story was finished inside, and the first high school organized that fall. The building, with the site, cost at least $45,000. By a special vote of the citizens, January 3o, 1871, the board was authorized to build two additional school houses; one in the first ward (college hill), and one in the second ward (as now). On the 17th of February, 1871, the board contracted for both of these structures, and had them put up at an expense of $7,500 each, sites included. In 1878 the board built the large school house in the (now) third ward, in Fishbaugh's addition, at a cost, including site, of $5,800, making a total of about $72,000 invested in school houses and lots. There are at this time about 2,700 youths in Tiffin entitled to public instruction. The school fund for the year 1879 was $19,315.34. The board employs one superintendent and twenty-nine teachers, of whom the following is a list, including their respective salaries : J. W. Knott, sup't - 81,200 B. F. Myers, principal 2d dis - 800 Susie R. Platt, prin. high school - 700 Lissette Herbig, prin. Ger. “ - 600 Mrs. Mary Zartman - 475 Matte McLain - 475 Samuel McKitrick - 450 Celia Williams - 400 Hallie Leavitt. - $375 Celesta Stoner - 350 Amelia Sauer - 350 Venie Metz - 350 Lenora Mitchell - 375 Jessie Doorman - 350 Emma Merkelbach - 300 Laura Freyman - 300 THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN - 333 Minnie Holt - $400 Kate Sughro - 375 Frankie Van Pelt - 375 Cora Pew - 375 Victoria Sawyer - 375 Rosa Myers - 375 Flora Poorman - 375 Mary Hartman - $300 Warren E. Brinkerhoof - 300 Romanus R. Bour - 300 Martha Gwynn - 250 Belle Byrne - 250 Flora Barnes - 250 There are three German schools. The following named gentlemen constitute the present board of education of Tiffin, viz: President—Dr. E. B. Hubbard. Secretary—Henry Brohl. Treasurer—Warren P. Noble. Prof. C. O. Knepper, Jacob F. Bunn, William Lang. DR. E. B. HUBBARD Was born December 28, 184o, at Chester, Hamden county, Massachusetts, where his father was a prominent business man. He graduated at Hinsdale academy, Massachusetts, and prepared to enter Williams college, but his father failing in heavy western land speculations, prevented it. In 1857 he came west with his brother, Dwight, and stopped at Bellevue, Ohio, where both engaged in teaching, Dwight being appointed superintendent of the schools there. Dr. Hubbard remained here three years, and is mentioned in the history of Huron and Erie counties as having been a very successful teacher. In 1.86o he was called east to become supervisor of the state primary schools at Monson, Massachusetts, where he remained two years and pursued his medical studies in the large hospital connected with that institution; being, however, more interested in the preparation of drugs and medicines than in the medical practice, he chose that branch of the profession. On severing his connection with this, one of Massachusetts' noblest state institutions, he entered the pharmacy of Dr. Hutchins, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and applied himself to the thorough mastery of every detail of the drug business. He began business life as a junior partner in the drug store of Barrows and Hubbard, at Amherst, Massachusetts. His partner was a physician widely known, a disciple of the old school, devoting his time to his extensive practice, leaving Dr. Hubbard in the entire control of the store. With an intention of locating in Chicago, he sold out his business at Amherst, and came as far west as Bellevue, Ohio, where he stopped to visit old friends, and was persuaded to buy an interest in a drug store there. The firm was known by the name of Goodson and Hubbard. In January, 1874, he 334 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. came to Tiffin and entered into partnership with Dr. H. K. Hershiser, in .the well known corner drug store on Market and Washington. At the close of the first year he bought his partner's interest, and has remained in successful business there ever since. Ever since his locat ion here Dr. Hubbard has taken a very lively interest in every measure calculated to promote the growth and welfare of Tiffin, his adopted city, especially in her educational interests. He has been twice elected a member of the school board; first in 1877, and again in 1880, and has been president of the board since 1878. He was married to Miss. Helen M., daughter of Judge Sawyer, of Nashua, New Hampshire, on the 27th day of August, 1873, and Clara S. and Sheldon B. Hubbard help to make the household lively. C. O. KNEPPER was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, on the 20th of October, 1836, the oldest son of Jonathan and Margaret Knepper. He graduated from Heidelberg college in the class of 1862, and from the seminary in Mercersburg , Pennsylvania, in 1864. He was superintendent of the schools of Waterloo, Iowa, and of Waverly, in the same state. On the 24th day of June, 1868, he was married to S. Grace Dunnell, daughter of David Dunnell, of Massachusetts, the bride then living in Waterloo. This union was blessed with three children, one son and two daughters. In 1871 he was elected professor of the Alumni o Heidelberg and took charge of his position in 1872. In the spring of 1879 he was elected a member of the school board of Tiffin. HENRY BROHL was born in the city of Bonn, on the Rhine, on the loth day of November, 183I. He attended the academy and university at Bonn, and before he had time to graduate he left his native city and country; he. came to America and settled in Sandusky City in the spring of 1851. Mr. Brohl had also applied himself to the mercantile business while he lived in his native city, and when he removed from Sandusky City to Tiffin in 1855 he entered into copartnership with E. T. Abbott in the business of wholesale grocers. He continued in this firm until in 1857 he entered into partnership with Robert Crum in Tiffin in the sale of groceries and liquors. The business was conducted by this firm until 1865, when Mr. Brohl opened a saloon, which he has conducted successfully ever since. In 1856 Mr. Brohl was married to Miss Catharine Krautz, of Sandusky City. This union was blessed with seven children, who are all living. He was elected to the school board in 1877. THE SCHOOLS OF TIFFIN - 335 The reader who desires to see short biographical sketches of the other present living members of the school board of Tiffin, will find them in chapter 23, under the heads of Warren P. Noble, Jacob Bunn, and William Lang. CHAPTER XXI. THE BANKS OF TIFFIN-INSURANCE COMPANIES-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES. IN the spring of 1847 the question of establishing a bank in Tiffin was agitated by some of the monied men in the place, and it became apparent very soon that rival interests were growing into conflicting proportions. One wing followed the leadership of R. W. Shawhan, and the other, that of Rufus W. Reid, the leading rival merchants of Tiffin at that time. To the outside world it seemed at times that one party would succeed, and then the other, but finally Mr. Reid, who never was very scrupulous in any thing, succeeded in securing a charter. On the 12th day of July, 1847, Benjamin Tomb, William H. Gibson, Samuel Waggoner, R. G. Pennington, Alfred Johnson, R. W. Reid, Daniel Smith, William Fleet, William M. Buel, and Daniel Brown, made the proper application for the organization of an independent bank. " Pending the granting of the application, they became convinced that the amount already subscribed was insufficient," (says Stewart, but they really became alarmed at the rival element showing greater force,) so they, in conjunction with others, enlarged the capital stock to one hundred thousand dollars. On the 2d of August, of the same year, they filed their amended application, which was speedily acted upon by the board of commissioners, and a charter for an independent bank, to be located in Tiffin, with a capital stock of $ 100,000, was granted them on the 9th of the same month. Perhaps it would have been better for all parties concerned, as well as the community at large, if the other faction had succeeded. Who can tell ? The bank was organized by the election of Benjamin Tomb president, and Waggoner, Buel, Reid and Pennington, directors. Mr. Tomb resigned his position as president in 1848, and Abel Rawson was appointed in his place. Mr. Pennington was appointed cashier pro tem., and afterwards William E. Chittenden, the regular cashier. They com- THE BANKS OF TIFFIN - 337 menced business on the 13th of November, 1847. It was called the " Seneca County Bank." It flourished for a season, but the young craft carried too much Reid on board, and ran ashore. After the bank had suspended awhile, Charles L. Johnson, who was before that time a popular young merchant in Tiffin, bought the charter of the collapsed institution, kindled up its dying embers for a short season, and started afresh, in 1851. The old creditors crowded their claims without rest or mercy, and somebody obtained a judgment on cognovit in the court of common pleas of Franklin county, in Columbus, Ohio. A. P. Stone was treasurer of state. James T. Claypoole who was his particular friend, made application to be appointed receiver of the bank, assisted by some of the creditors, and finally succeeded, but at that time, as the agent of a creditor, he procured an execution on the judgment and came to Tiffin with it, where he placed the execution in the hands of sheriff Weirick, and hurried him down to the bank as quick as possible. Mr. Johnson, when he found that he had a bigger load than he, could carry, and as troubles began to thicken around him very rapidly, perpetrated the same folly that so many men are guilty of, by resorting to strong drink to drown his troubles. What a weakness ! Just at a time when a man should bring all the powers of his manhood into requisition to bear him up under mental pressure, he drowns the man in the cup and retains the debauched substitute. Weirick, the sheriff, and Mr. Claypoole hurried down to the bank before time of closing. They found Charley alone, holding on to a chair. The vault was open and a few old books scattered over the counter; everything seemed demoralized. They stated their business to Mr. Johnson, who said: " All r-r-right genl'men, c'm-n take all th'r-is." The sheriff could find nothing that Mr. Claypoole would have him make a levy upon. Mr. Claypoole said some unpleasant things, but Charley laughed and asked Claypoole whether he would take something. They gave it up, and Mr. Claypoole, somewhat out of humor and very much excited, walked up to the telegraph office and hastily sent the following dispatch to treasurer Stone, at Columbus: " Seneca county bank gone to hell ; will be there to-night. JAMES T. CLAYPOOLE." This was on the 25th of April, 1857. There were at that time some $63,000 of the Seneca county bank bills in circulation. Mr. Claypoole was appointed receiver, and proceeded to collect the bills, issuing his certificates in their stead. On the 19th of February, 1861, Claypoole reported his proceedings to the legislature, and said, amongst other things, that the bank had - 22 - 338 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. bonds deposited with the treasurer of state for the security of the holders of its notes in the sum of $ 209,648; that all said bonds had been abstracted or paid out in violation of law, and that the holders of $5 7,000 of outstanding circulation were deprived of their pro rata share of said bank. He claimed that the state held securities for this circulation, in the sum of $50,000, and asked that the same be used for the redemption of the bills. Nothing was done upon this report. War broke out and the Seneca county bank was lost sight of. The bills were hawked about the country, and sold for whatever they would fetch. In the session of the general assembly of 1864, the writer introduced a bill directing the treasurer of state to redeem the certificates so issued by the receiver, and the outstanding bills of said bank, which passed both houses and became a law on the 31st of March, 1864. The state lost nothing by the act. On the contrary, there were less bills and certificates outstanding than the securities in the hands of the treasurer of state, leaving a respectable balance in favor of the state. This balance was made up undoubtedly by bills that were lost or destroyed, and having never been presented, the state had the benefit of the loss. In 1852, Arnold and Tomb (Sylvanus Arnold and Benjamin Tomb), established a private banking house; which lasted two years, when it changed into the name of Tomb, Huss & Co. The business was conducted in this name until 1865, when the company organized as the " First National Bank of Tiffin," with Benjamin Tomb for president, and John T. Huss cashier. For eleven years this bank did an immense business, but during the last year some people, who had a chance to know, questioned its soundness, and looked upon. the institution with misgivings. Mr. Huss, the cashier, was a native of Tiffin, and a young •man of excellent business qualifications. He was highly esteemed, and enjoyed the general confidence for honor and integrity. Nobody was willing to believe him guilty of any wrong. The state election of 1875 was over, and both parties quieted down to business. It was the afternoon of the 15th of October, 1875. Several depositors from the city withdrew their deposits: The money in the bank had run down to a few thousand dollars. The clerks in the bank felt gloomy. Some of the directors consulted together as to the propriety of borrowing some money for a few days. Huss was at his house, where he had .been for several days, feeling. unwell, as he said. A gentleman from Cincinnati came that afternoon and stopped at the Shawhan house, with a view of seeing Mr. Huss the next morning about a large draft that was not just as it should have been. It was half-past four o'clock in THE BANKS OF TIFFIN - 339 the afternoon. The bank had closed, and for the last time. Mr. Huss was in bed. The family had gone into the dining-room to supper. A light shot was heard in the direction of Mr. Huss' room. A ball had passed through his heart from a revolver Mr. Huss had still in his hand. He was dead. It will benefit nobody to describe the condition of things that was. soon made manifest, and it had better not be recorded here Suffice it to say, that Warren P. Noble, Esq., was appointed receiver and paid the creditors sixty per cent on their claims. THE NATIONAL EXCHANGE BANK OF TIFFIN Was organized in 1865. The following named gentlemen were the incorporators, viz: John D. Loomis, R. W. Shawhan, A. G. Sneath, J. M. Naylor, S. B. Sneath, W. W. Naylor, H. A. Buskirk, S. M. Ogden, Abel Rawson, A. B. Hovey, J. H. Good, Levi Davis, John Swigart, J. H. Pittenger, Robert Smith, E. T. Stickney, and J. A. McFarland. The capital stock was then $ 125,000, which has been greatly augmented since.. The bank enjoys the general confidence of the community, and the only severe misfortune that befell the institution was the robbery of the bank by its former cashier, O. C. Zeller, who left the bank for Canada one night in the spring of 1878; and on the next morning the bank was. short some $50,000. The business of the bank proceeded right on as if nothing had happened, and while the community were shocked over the act, the confidence the people had placed in the institution was not shaken in the least. The present officers of the bank are: J. D. Loomis, president; J. W. Chamberlain, cashier. Mr. Loomis has been its president all the time. THE TIFFIN SAVINGS BANK Was incorporated March 3d, 1873, under an act entitled " An act to incorporate savings and loan associations," passed February 26th, 1873. John G. Gross was the president, D. D. Dildine cashier. The institution was kept up about four years, and after the death of Mr, Huss it closed its business, and a majority of the stockholders joined in the COMMERCIAL BANK, Which purchased the First National bank building, and opened for business on the 23d day of June, 1876. The bank organized under their charter of May 8th, 1876, with a capital of $100,000. It has a constant surplus of over $7,000. W. P. Noble, president; J. A. McFarland vice-president; S. B. Sneath, cashier; J. A. Blair, assistant cashier.. 340 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. THE BANK OF TIFFIN Was organized in the fall of 1858, by Evan Dorsey and A. G. Sneath. In the fall of 1859, R. W. Shawhan bought the interest of Mr. Dorsey, and the bank was continued by the same name until it merged into the organization of the National Exchange bank in 1865. The Bank of Tiffin was kept during its whole existence in the room now occupied by John Neligh as a clothing store. Mr. Shawhan was then, as now, the owner of the building: Mr. A. G. Sneath was cashier of the old Bank of Tiffin during the whole time for aboutistence, and of the National Exchange bank for about three years from the time of its organization. INSURANCE COMPANIES. The Seneca County Mutual Fire Insurance company was organized under 9tharter by the legislature of Ohio, passed March 19th, 1850. The first meeting of the incorporators was held in the sheriff’s office in Tiffin, in pursuance of notices published in the Seneca Advertiser and the Seneca Whig, when the Hon. A. Lugenbeel was appointed chairman and Hon J. W. Wilson secretary. On motion of Eden Lease, the by laws of the Stark County Mutual Insurance company were adopted for the by laws of this company. William Lang was elected president for the ensuing year, J. W. Wilson secretary, and George Knupp treasurer. The secretary was authorized to act as general agent of the company; and thus the company started on its career with a good board of directors and officers, and with one of the most favorable charters for a mutual fire insurance company ever passed by an Ohio legislature. On the 29th day of October, 1850, the first policy was issued and the last one on the 31st day of July, 186o, being number 1,502. Immediately upon the organization of the company Mr: Wilson took charge of all its business and appointed very many agents in various counties in northern Ohio, the larger number of whom had no experience in insurance matters, and whatever they lacked in knowledge they made up in impudence and avarice. They recommended all manner of risks, and would have insured powder mills if they had found any. In addition to all this, many of the applicants were worthless and irresponsible, and when assessments were made upon them, they could not be collected. The premium note was a lien upon the real estate of the insured but very often prior encumbrances swallowed up tbe whole value. The agents themselves THE BANKS OF TIFFIN - 341 gave no bonds or other security for moneys that came into their hands, and when assessments were collected but small returns were made, for want of means to pay the losses, the officers borrowed money upon their own credit, as individual citizens, from the banks in Tiffin for that purpose, with a hope of being re-embursed from future collections. The assessments were made very light to make a good showing, but were insufficient to pay losses and expenses. For several years the large r amounts of the losses were paid by money thus furnished, and when, later on, assessments were made larger, to cover back indebtedness, members complained and many surrendered their policies. In this condition of things the directors found the affairs of the company when, in the fall of 1856, Mr. Wilson died, and William Lang was appointed secretary in his stead. The company had then already run into evil report. Some of the agents were dismissed, and all brought to an account, but there was not vitality enough in the concern to recuperate. It dragged along with all its old troubles on hand, and new ones accumulating, until it was compelled to wind up. Mr. John McCauley was appointed the attorney of the company to collect the assessments and pay the liabilities. Many members had to be sued, but finally enough was collected to pay all, or nearly all, the indebtedness of the company. The mutual plan is undoubtedly the best and most equitable system of insurance, but the officers and agents must be the owners of two great and indispensable requisites, viz: business qualifications and integrity. THE FARMER' MUTUAL RELIEF INSURANCE COMPANY OF SENECA COUNTY Is not a Tiffin institution, but it holds its meetings here. ft was organized in 1858 and reorganized and incorporated April 12, 1878. It has insured farm property to the amount of $2,500,000, paid all its losses, and is out of debt, with funds on hand. The present officers are: President—R. R. Titus. Vice-President—J. W. Lawhead. Secretary—D. M. Neikirk. Treasurer—Peter Hoefling. All of whom are also Trustees, together with the following, viz.: Ed. H. Swander, Clinton, Benoni Rohrer, Hopewell, D. J. Neikirk, Venice, Levi Keller, Jr., Reed, James Lott, Liberty, Joseph Rhodes, Eden, Madison Finch, Bloom, Thomas J. Whalen, London, John Neikirk, Adams, Amos Decker, Thompson. Its operations are confined to Seneca county alone. 342 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. TIFFIN MUTUAL AID LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY Was organized on the 23d of January, 1878. President—W. P. Noble. Vice-President—John Houck. Treasurer—Ed. Jones. Secretary and General Manager—A. L. Flack. Counselor—Andrew J. Brickner. Medical Examiner—Dr. E. J. McCollum. The association has issued over one thousand policies, is in a flourishing condition and is very carefully conducted. INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. Seneca lodge No. 35 was instituted under its charter February 20th, 1845, by District Deputy Grand Master Joel Searles. of Columbus lodge No. 9, assisted by S. H. Bradley, P. G., of Morning Star lodge No. 26, Medina, Ohio. Applicants for the charter present were: H. G. W. Cronise, R. R. McMeens, James Sivils, B. D. Chapman, T. H. Sheldon, J. Oyler, who proceeded to elect the following officers, viz: N. G.—T. H. Sheldon. V. G.—B. D. Chapman. Secretary—H. G. W. Cronise. Treasurer—James Sivils. Thereupon the officers were installed, and the following named persons were initiated, viz: John E. McCormack, N. Redd, W. P: Noble, Rolla Johnson. Two hundred and eighty-nine persons have been initiated in this lodge. Its present officers are: N. G.—H. J. Weller. V. G.—P. G. Greis. P. Secretary—Sharon C. Lamberson. Treasurer—Samuel Stricker. Trustees—Levi Weirick, D. C. Tunison, Sharon C. Lamberson. Meets Monday nights. OAKLEY LODGE NUMBER 317. Date of its charter, June 10, 1857. The following were the charter members: F. Don Benham, John T. Huss, J. W. Miller, L. M. Loomis, T. H. Bagley, T. W. Ourand, B. Pennington,. E. G. Bowe, John Poorman, John E. McCormack. The first officers of the lodge were: N. G.—J. T. Huss. V. G.—J. W. Miller. Secretary—B. Pennington. Treasurer—T. H. Bagley. THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN - 343 The present officers are: N. G.—S. A. Fast. V. G.—Charles Ernst. Secretary—B. Pennington. Treasurer—S. Chamberlain. Present number of members, ninety-eight; number of dormants, seventy-eight. Messrs. E. G. Bowe, B. Pennington, and S. Chamberlain have been delegates to the grand lodge. One remarkable circumstance connected with this lodge is the fact that Mr. B. Pennington has been its secretary from the beginning now nearly twenty-three years. Meets on Saturday evening. HOBAH ENCAMPMENT NUMBER 19 Was instituted by Mark Taylor, Grand Patriarch, November 18, 1846. The charter members were: H. G. W. Cronise, George Knupp, F. Don Benham, L. M. Loomis, W. P. Noble, Richard Williams, Rolla Johnson, John G. Breslin. The first officers elected and installed the same evening were: Chief Patriarch—H. G. W. Cronise. High Priest—F. Don Benham. Senior Warden—George Knupp. Junior Warden—John G. Breslin. Scribe—Richard Williams. Treasurer—Rolla Johnson. The present officers are: Grand Rep.—Scudder Chamberlain. District Deputy, Grand Patriarch—J. W. Love. Chief Patriarch—John Ernst. High Priest—S. Chamberlain. Senior Warden—Samuel Stricker. Junior Warden—P. H. Greis. Scribe—J. W. Love. Treasurer—H. C. Spindler. First Watch—Joseph Seechrist. Second Watch—W. Cupp. Third Watch—J. W. Gordon. Fourth Watch— H. Guggenheim. O. S.:—H. J. Stolzenbach. I. S.—William Fleming. First G. of. T.—B. Zuit. Second G. of. T.—Aaron Kreader. Present number of contributing members, forty-eight. Meets Friday night. 344 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. Tiffin lodge No. 8o, was organized January 12th, 1874, when the following officers were installed by Mr. James A. Swoope, Grand Chancellor, viz: Past Chancellor—C. J. Yingling. Chancellor Commander—H. L. Steckel. Vice Chancellor—James Smith. Prelate—A. M. Campbell. Master of Exchequer—Ph. Emich. Master of Finance—Harry Lutz. Keeper of Record and Seal—C. J. Yingling. Master of Arms—John Sohn. Inner Guard—J. A. Flack. Outer Guard—J. W. Love. The lodge numbers now sixty active members, and is in a flourishing condition. The present officers are: Past Chancellor—O. P. Snyder. Chancellor Commander—E. W. Stevenson. Vice Chancellor—U. Clary. Prelate—A. M. Hart. Master of Exchequer—O. P. Frees. Master of Finance—James W. Love. Master of Arms—W. S. Wineland. Inner Guard—Ed. Fry. Outer Guard—Oscar Fraley. Meetings Tuesday night. Grand lodge Knights of Pythias meets at Dayton May 24th, 25th and 26th, 1880. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. Tiffin lodge No. 82 was chartered February 15th, 1875. Its first officers were: Dictator—Charles Martin. Vice Dictator—Fred. K. Halderman. Assistant Dictator—B. G. Atkins. Reporter—G. K. Brown. Treasurer—P. Scheib. Chaplain___________ Guide—D. Y. Chapman. Guardian ___________ Sentinel—C. C. Parks. Present officers for 1880. Dictator—J. A. Hall. Vice Dictator—P. J. Wilson THE SOCIETIES OF 'TIFFIN - 345 Assistant Dictator—Fred. Nicolai. Reporter—J. W. Chamberlain. Treasurer—C. C. Parks. Chaplain—J. W. Mendenhall. Guide—B. G. Atkins. Guardian—P. Scheib. Sentinel—Thomas Grandon. Number of members, twenty-five; number of past dictators, five, viz: J. W. Chamberlain, Charles Martin, Fred. K. Holderman, B. G. Atkins, W. H. Hall. Meets at Druid Hall first and third Monday nights in each month. ST. PATRICK'S TOTAL ABSTINENCE AND BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION Was organized February 1st, 1874, by Fr. Angelo, of the Passionist Order of Missionaries, and has eighty-four members. Its first officers were: Spiritual Director—Rev. M. Healy. President—C. J. M. Sullivan. Vice-President—Ph. B. King. Recording Secretary—J. A. Coonrod. Corresponding Secretary—J. M. Arndt. Treasurer—T. F. Walsh. Marshal—William King. The present officers are: Spiritual Director—Rev. M. Healy. President—J. A. Coonrod. Vice-President—Thomas Fitz Morris. Recording Secretary—F. F. Keller. Corresponding Secretary—C. J. M. Sullivan. Treasurer—T. F. Walsh. Marshal—John T. King. The state convention was held in Tiffin July 19, 1879, when some thirty societies were represented. The national union, including the above, numbers six hundred societies, with twenty thousand members. Meets at Riverside hall first and third Sundays in each month. F. AND A. MASONS—SANDUSKY LODGE NUMBER 77 Was organized at Tiffin October 19, 1842, with the following charter members, viz: Rufus W. Reid, Charles F. Dresbach, Uriah P. Coonrad, Joseph Walker, E. Dresbach, Robert Crum, Agreen Ingraham, Israel Bentley, Samuel Mitchell, John Baugher, Henry Kuhn, Evan Dorsey, Thadeus Wilson, Vincent Bell. TIFFIN LODGE NUMBER 320 Was organized April 5th, 1858, with the following charter members, viz: F. Don Benham, William Gallup, James Pelan, John G. Kennedy, 346 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. E. B. Searles, Robert Crum, H. G. Spindler, W. F. Noble, L A. Hall, E. W. Reeme, Leander Stern, and continued to exist as Tiffin lodge .until October 16th, 1866, when the two lodges were consolidated under the name of Tiffin lodge No. 77. The following brethren served as officers in Sandusky lodge No. 77 from the date of its charter until the present writing (April 20, 1880), as follows: W. M.: R. W. Reid, from 1842 to 1849 inclusive. Robert Crum, from 1850 to 1853 inclusive. J. E. McCormack, from 1858 to 1861 inclusive. Henry Kuhn, from 1862 to 1863 inclusive. C, C. Park, from 1864 to 1868 inclusive. A. H. Byers, from 1869 to 1871 inclusive. G. K. Brown, from 1872 to 1873 inclusive. J. P. Kuniaman, from 1874 to 1876 inclusive. J. W. Chamberlain, from 1877 to 1878 inclusive. D. Y. Chapman, from 1879 to 1880 inclusive. Secretaries: Joseph Walker, 1842. F. W. Green, from 1843 to 1847 inclusive. G. J. Keen, 1848. H. W. Owen, 1849. J. P. Pillars, 1850. T. C. Tunison, 1851. R. Williams, 1852. G. E. Seney, 1853. James Pelan, 1854.  J. G. Kennedy, 1855. George H. Heming, 1856. J. M. Stevens, 1857. M. H. Church, 1858. J. D. Arndt, 1859. L. M. Loomis, from 1860 to 1863 inclusive. J. G. Gross, from 1864 to 1867 inclusive. Charles Martin, from 1868 to 1870 inclusive. J. H. Frost, 1869. B. G. Atkins, from 1871 to 1875 inclusive, and 1878. N. N. Spellman, from 1876 to 1877 inclusive. J. E. McCormack, from 1879 to 1880 inclusive. TIFFIN LODGE NUMBER - 320 W. M.: Robert Crum, from 1858 to 1860 inclusive. D. P. DeWolf, from 1861 to 1863 inclusive. A. T. Barnes, from 1864 to 1865 inclusive. F. E. Franklin, 1866. THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN - 347 Secretaries: F. D. Benham, 1858. J. G. Kennedy, 1859. E. W. Reeme, 1860. L. Adams, 1861. A. T. Barnes, 1862. C. Cronise, 1865. R. Lysle, 1864 and 1865. G. F. Hertzer, 1866. SENECA CHAPTER NUMBER 42, R. A. M Was organized February 7th, 1849, by Jacob Groff, M. E. G. H. P., with the following charter members, viz: John J. Steiner, R. W. Reid, Alexander Smith, Joseph McCutchen, Agreen Ingraham, Abner Root, Henry Kuhn, Robert Crum, Peter Vannest. High Priests: R. W. Reid, 1849. F. W. Green, 1850 and 1851. C. K. Watson, from 1852 to 1854, and from 1866 to 1869 inclusive. H. Kuhn, 1855, 1857, 1859, 1860, 1861, 1862, and 1863. Robert Crum, 1856. J. E. McCormack, 1859. G. W. Sampson, 186.5. C. C. Park, 1870, 1871, and 1872. J. W. Chamberlain, 1873, 1874, and 1875. C. D. Davis, 1876 and 1877. J. P. Kinnaman, 1878 and 1879. Charles Martin, 1880. Secretaries: J. S. Barber, 1850. H. D. Crum, 1851. H. W. Owen, 1852. T. W. Boyce, 1853 and 1854. N. R. Kuntz, 1855. H. Noble, 1856. J. E. McCormack, 1860. G. W. Sampson, 1862 and 1863. J. G. Gross, 1865, 1866, and 1867. Charles Martin, 1868, 1869, and 1870. J. H. Frost, 1871 and 1872. J. M. Stevens, 1873, 1874, and 1875. James Smith, 1876, 1877, 1878, and 1879. R. Lysle, 1880. CLINTON COUNCIL NUMBER 47, ROYAL AND SELECT MASONS, Was organized April 9th, 1867, with the following charter members, viz : C. K. Watson, C. C. Park, G. K. Brown, Charles Martin, J. F. 348 - HISTORY OF SENECA COUNTY. Marquardt, A. H. Byers, J. G. Gross, Jonathan Smith, Peter Vannest, Evan Dorsey, H. H. Souder. T. I. Masons: C. K. Watson, 1867 and 1868. C. C. Park, 1869 and 1880. A. H. Byers, 1870 and 1871. Charles Martin, from 1872 to 1879 inclusive. Recorders: G. K. Brown, from 1867 to 1872, and from 1875 to 1876 inclusive. J. M. Stevens, 1873 and 1874. J. W. Chamberlain, 1877, 1878, 1779, and 1880. DE MOLAY COMMANDERY NUMBER 9, KNIGHTS TEMPLARS, Was organized at Republic August Toth, 1848, with the following charter members, viz: Josiah Roop, John P. Worstell, H. Benton, Platt Benedict, Daniel Watersons, Daniel Brown, Hiram HuMphrey, M. V. Bogart, Edward Winthrop, H. L. Harris. It remained at Republic until February 24th, 1869, when the first meeting was held at Tiffin, where it has remained ever since. Eminent Commanders: Edward Winthrop, from 1848 to 1851. inclusive. Platt Benedict, from 1853 to 1857 inclusive. M. V. Bogart, from 1858 to 1864 inclusive. H. Bromley, from 1865 to 1870 inclusive. J. W. Chamberlain, 1871, 1872, 1876, 1877, 1878, and 1880. C. C. Park, 1873, 1874, 1875, and 1879. Recorders: H. R Benton, 1848 and 1849. E. T. Stickney, from 1850 to 1854, and from 1866 to 1867. J. S. Smith, 1855. H. Bromley, from 1856 to 1864 inclusive. D. M. Neikirk, from 1868 to 1872 inclusive. J. M. Stevens, from 1873 to 1875. R. Lysle, 1879 and 1880. All these Masonic bodies meet at Masonic hall, in the third story of Gross's block, corner Perry and Washington. Stated meetings are held as follows: Tiffin LodgeNo. 77 —First and third Tuesday evenings of each month. Seneca Chapter No. 42—First Friday of each month. Clinton Council No. 47—Second Monday evening of each month. De Molay Commandery No. 9—Fourth Wednesday evening of each month. ST. JOHN'S BENEVOLENT SOCIETY Was organized March 28th, 1868, by Michael Kirchner, John Houck THE SOCIETIES OF TIFFIN - 349 and Paul Vallmer, who called the first meeting. The first officers were: President (from 1868 to 1878)—M. Kirchner. Vice-President—A. J. Brickner. Secretary—George Spies. Treasurer—Anton Knebler. The present officers are: President—Francis Wagner. Vice-President—John Ehrenfried. Corresponding Secretary—W. Steltzer. Financial Secretary—Philbert Houck. Treasurer—Louis Ulrich. Directors—A. J. Brickner, John Ewald, Peter Bonnuth. ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS, NUMBER I. Organized June loth, 1876, with the following named gentlemen, who were the first officers, viz: County Delegate—John K. Bresnin. President—John Lyons. Vice-President—T. T. Collins. Recording Secretary—William Burke. Financial Secretary—James Blake. Treasurer—William Colthurst. Present officers: County Delegate—James Blake. President—T. T. Collins. Vice-President—James Whalen. Recording Secretary—William Burke. Financial Secretary—John Dore. Treasurer—Michael Coughlin. UNITED ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS. This is a German institution exclusively. It was organized on the 29th of April, 1859. The charter members were: Jacob Zimmer, Leopold Rose, J. C. Spindler, William Wolf, Philip Scheib, G. A. Lautermilch, Guenther Herzer, Benjamin Schimmesi These eight men met with much difficulty in getting a lodge on foot, and conquering the prejudices so common against secret benevolent societies. Soon after the organization Jacob Zimmer, one of the best members, died, and the institution decreased to but five members, and seemed to approach dissolution. But by perseverance and patient endurance, the order here increased to sixty members. Of this number some have died and others moved away, so that there are now but forty active members left. Much has been done, however, during the twenty-one years last past to dry human tears and afford relief in time of need.