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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY OHIO
Edited by Lewis Cass Aldrich
Published 1889
HISTORY OF City of Sandusky
CHAPTER XX. Page 280
To attempt the production of an original chronological history of the City of Sandusky would be out of the question. Various historians, both local and non resident, to the number of nearly a score, have made an effort in this direction, and, insome few instances, with a fair measure of success; so that for a writer upon the ground today, there seems but very little opportunity for enlargement upon things and events of the last quarter of a century, and no room whatever for any additional revelations regarding the happenings of an earlier period. At best the modern writer can but revise, classify, and perhaps paraphrase that which has already been made patent through the labors of early historians. And, peradventure, there may be revealed some events that have been heretofore overlooked or considered unworthy a place in history, some substantial use and benefit to the present and future generations of this county.
The writer of modern times finds the most satisfaction in the fact of being able to give to the public something before unknown, or to settle conflicting opinions, or to give a new and satisfactory version of misunderstood things. Yet in the present case there seems no avenue of escape by these subterfuges, and we must look the facts squarely in the face, scan, and if possible, criticise past works, still depend upon them for truth, then sift and separate the good history from the bad, and present the former to the reader, clearly and in the most intelligent manner possible, and finally, ask the most kindly indulgence and forbearance of the reader for not having been able to provide new, startling and wonderful historic revelations. So much by way of explanation not apology.
It has not been deemed advisable for the purposes of this chapter to restate or renarrate the events of the Indian occupation of the lands now comprised within the memory of man, referring the reader to the earlier chapters of this volume for such knowledge as may be sought concerning the savages whose different tribes held jointly and in severalty the country which we now occupy.
*The point, Sandusky, first became so named from the beautiful bay on the shore of which it is situate. The bay was known to the Indians as a lake, a small lake of cold water, and from that the name “Lac Sandouske” was applied. This name, however, partakes largely of the French accent, and is believed to be of French origin The Jesuits carried on their labors through this region generally, but of them we have no reliable, ancient record; and it is quite probable that the Indians adopted, as nearly as possible, the name the French had given. The name was first mentioned, so far as we have knowledge, in 1708, at which time the Iroquois Indians destroyed a village of the Eries on “Conti Lake.”
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The territory now included within the city limits of Sandusky formed a very small portion of the historic “firelands” which was donated to the inhabitants of certain towns of Connecticut to compensate them for losses sustained at the hands of the British soldiers during the Revolution ; and that donation was made before the Indian claims to the land had been extinguished. No attempt at permanent white settlement could, of course, be made until that title was acquired. And it is a fact that the survey and partition were not performed until after the treaty by which the occupants relinquished their claim of title.
After these preliminaries had been satisfactorily settled, the whites came to the region and found on the site of the city a “lone” cabin, presided over and occupied by an Indian named “Ogontz,” and from this occupant the town, if such it might be called, received its first name.

OGONTZ PLACE.

From all authority it appears that this chieftain was the acknowledged ruler of the town, and the Indians who then occupied the locality. The cabin of Ogontz was situate at a point some ten or fifteen rods from the bay shore, between what are now known as Columbus avenue and Wayne street, about in rear of the building standing between the Moss National and the Second National Banks.
Authorities differ, however, on the subject of the location of the chief’s cabin, but from the best information obtainable, it is thought the spot indicated is about correct.
Ogontz, like all rulers of high degree, had a history; and inasmuch as he was in a manner identified with the past of this city, it will not be considered too much out of place to make some mention of his life and tragic death, as the same was sketched by one of the pioneers of 1810, and now a resident of Perkins township, from which sketch we copy almost literally:
Ogontz. “ His life and somewhat romantic death have been written with varying testimony. He was captured near the head of Lake Huron, about the middle of the last century, by some Jesuit missionaries, and taken to Quebec when he was but a small lad. He was sent to a missionary school, was baptized in the name of Ogontz, and was taught the English and French languages. He graduated with the highest honors, and was sent back as a missionary to his own people. During the latter part of the eighteenth century he came to Sandusky and settled with the Ottawa Indians, on the southern shore of the bay, then a beautiful plain, dotted over with Indian wigwams, burr oaks, and clusters of hawthorns.
“In the year 1805, John Fleming came from Canada, and settled on the east bank of the Huron River, three miles from the lake, where he established a small trading post, exchanging ammunition and other commodities for furs. Ogontz and Fleming soon became acquainted and their friendship continued until the death of the former.
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“In the summer of 1808, a number of Indians, with their chief and Ogontz, assembled at Fleming’s for a yearly sacrifice. The chief, with the others, became intoxicated and quarrelsome. The chief had been jealous of Ogontz for some time, on account of his steady and sober habits and the popularity he had gained among other Indians; and fearing he might be chosen their chief over him, soon got into a quarrel with Ogontz. A deadly conflict ensued in which Ogontz slew his antagonist.
“The next day he was arrested and tried for murder, Fleming acting as judge. He was honorably acquitted, and the same day he was chosen chief over the tribe. As Ogontz had no children of his own, he adopted the only son of the slain chief, who was but a small boy. He inherited that spirit of revenge that is generally found in the Indian character. As soon as he became a young man he watched his opportunity, and one day, while they were on a hunting excursion, near Perrysburg, he shot his adopted father, assumed the title of chief and ruled the tribe. Thus fell the learned Ogontz, one of the most noble sons of the forest that ever trod the soil of the Sandusky plains.
“Young Ogontz’s career as chief was short, for he soon became a habitual drunkard and died in the year 1822.”
“His name,” continues the same writer, concerning Ogontz, “will never be forgotten by those at Sandusky. His wigwam was on the bay shore at the foot of Wayne street. His favorite retreat from the piercing sun in midsummer day was in a little cluster of hawthorns near the foot of Columbus avenue. Beneath this shade was a beautiful stone chair formed by the hand of nature. Here the chief reclined for hours, smoking his pipe or watching the breeze ruffled waters of the broad bay as they glistened in the sunlight, or gazing at the foaming and dashing waves of the lake beyond.”
Ogontz’s Place was the name by which this locality was known and designated until the efforts of Zalmon Wildman changed it to the less romantic, though more appropriate — Portland.
The first attempt at settlement by the whites, at what was known as Ogontz’s Place, was made in the year 1810, by one John Garrison and family.; He was a former resident of New York State, and came to this region inquest^; of a home. Not many, however, ventured into this locality at that time. There were loud and ominous threatenings of war. The Indian occupants were still friendly to the British, and the latter were continually urging the savages to deeds of violence against all colonists. The storm cloud of war at length broke, and until after the year 1815 had passed, settlement was dangerous.
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He brought a stock of goods to exchange for furs, and to supply the whites that then chanced to live in the country. He was the intended victim of a murderous Indian named Semo, but the designs of the latter were frustrated by the outbreak of the war, causing Garrison to return to New York State. The Indian, however, with an accomplice, murdered Michael Gibbs , a trapper, living on Pipe Creek. This occurred while a party of rangers were at Huron, for defensive purposes, and when the news reached them Semo was tracked and captured and subsequently hanged. His companion in crime was an Indian named Omeek, and he being afterward taken, killed himself.
Few of the Connecticut sufferers occupied the lands donated them. Their interests were purchased by others, who became known under the style of “Proprietors,” and it was by the extensive purchase of sufferers’ claims that Zalmon acquired title to the large body of land whereon stands a part of Sandusky.
Zalmon Wildman was born at Danbury, Conn., in the year 1774, and died December 10, 1835. With his brother, Seymour Wildman, were hatters at Danbury. From 1808 until 1835, Zalmon Wildman was postmaster at Danbury, and from 1817 to 1824 he was associate judge of the county court of Fairfield county. He first came to the fire-land in 1810, on horseback. Here he had several thousand acres of land which he acquired by purchasing sufferers' certificates. Judge Wildman was never a resident of Ohio, although he frequently visited this locality, looking after his land interests. In 1833 he subscribed $15,000 toward the construction of the Mad River Railroad, and paid it in full. Upon his death his son, Frederick S. Wildman, and his son- in-law, Nathan Starr, were appointed administrators of his estate. They also subscribed a large tract of land to the building of the railroad, taking stock or scrip of the company in payment, but never realized anything from the stock.
Mr. Wildman unquestionably saw that this locality was destined to become a city of some considerable magnitude, and with this belief strongly impressed upon him, in the year 1816 he laid out and caused to be platted the town of -PORTLAND.
Up to this time the town had been, it is generally conceded, known as Ogontz’s Place, and this belief seems to be well founded, taking the declarations of Zalmon Wildman as authority.
Mr. Wildman acquired title to a large body of land in this immediate vicinity by the purchase of sufferers’ rights. This surveyed township was but a fraction of a whole township lying north of Perkins, or rather, north of town number six in range twenty three, and between town six and the bay.
It has been generally understood that Mr. Wildman, in the year 1816, laid out and platted his lands here, or at least a part of them, and gave to the place the name of “Portland.” This may be true, and the belief is in a measure verified by referring to the map itself (on record), which is drawn under the title of Portland. The signification of this name becomes clear by simply dividing the syllables thus, "Port-land;” the first. Port, meaning a harbor, and by adding the suffix land, we have the meaning; land upon a harbor, or, more clearly, land located upon a harbor, or adjoining a harbor.
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Portland, as a town, had a very brief existence, in fact, even if it had any. One thing is sure, and that is, that the town was knoivn as Portland for some time, but whether such was its name as a truth, and whether that name was given it by Mr. Wildman, or those acting for him and under his direction, is a question susceptible of argument. Custom, prevailing opinion and tradition, all say that it was named Portland, and so named honestly. This we shall not contradict, nor shall we make an attempt to disprove it, but if we take the county records as a standard authority (and in preparing this work great dependence is placed on the records), it will be found that the name of “Sandusky City” was given the place by Zalmon Wildman, on the 17th day of August, 1816, by his dedication, which was follows:
"The within town plat is situated on the south shore of Sandusky Bay, on the ground formerly known by the name of Ogontz Place.”
“A store is now erected on the southwesterly side of lot number six, on the easterly side of Main street.”
“The foregoing town plat, by the name of "Sandusky City," I allow shall be subject to and governed by the same laws that other town plats are in this State. . Zalmon Wildman. [Seal.]
“Huron, August 17, 1816.

“Signed, sealed and acknowledged before Jabez Wright, associate judge.”
From this instrument it seems clear that, at the above date, Zalmon Wildman laid out the town of Sandusky City. The article also states that the same is situated on the "ground formerly known by the name of Ogontz Place.”
Well, Portland or Sandusky City, which ever it may have been, comprised four separate blocks of land, two large and two small, and contained in all sixty lots. The streets were; Commerce on the east. State (in the dedication called Main) in the center, and Mechanic on the west. These run north and south. Water street had an east and west direction and separated the small blocks from the larger. State street separated the larger blocks, and also the smaller.
There was but one store at that time on the tract, situated at the corner of State (or Main) and Water streets.
There seems to have been at this time, or very soon afterward, a claim interposed to the effect that Zalmon Wildman was not the rightful owner of this whole tract. And just here it may be stated, parenthetically perhaps, that conflicting claims of title to the lands of Sandusky City was the greatest obstruction or obstacle in the way of its early growth; an obstacle that was not finally removed until after the year 1840; and by that time her sister cities, Cleveland on the east, and Toledo on the west, had a decided advantage over her in point of early and substantial settlement and internal improvement. This was one, and but one, of the many causes that seriously retarded Sandusky’s growth at a time when enterprise and harmonious action were most needed for her future welfare. But to return. In explanation of this conflict of claims to title is, may be remarked, that Mr. Wildman and Isaac Mills, the latter interposing the claim, made an amicable adjustment of their existing difficulties, which, in the year 1818, resulted in the platting and laying out of the more extensive tract of land whereon, in part, now stands the city of Sandusky. And here another actor appears upon the scene, in the person of George Hoadley, the ancestor of the late Governer of the State of Ohio. As to how he acquired an interest in these lands the record does not show, but it was unquestionably a lawful and valid title, else it had not been made. The dedication made by these three men appears upon the records as follows:
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“The city of Sandusky is situated on the south shore of Sandusky Bay, about three miles from the entrance into said bay, on the portion lying between town number six in the twenty third range and the said bay.
“The above and within (referring to the map accompanying the instrument) is a true and accurate map or plat of the city of Sandusky. The streets east and west are: Water street, which is four and one half rods in width; Market street is five rods; Washington street is six rods; Adams street is five rods; Jefferson, Madison and Monroe are four rods; Wayne and Jackson are each five rods; and all the other streets running northerly and southerly, together with Poplar and Elm streets, are each four rods in width. Columbus, Huron and Miami avenues are each six rods wide. The two open spaces on Market street, marked B.B., are appropriated as and for public market grounds, and forever to remain for that purpose and for no other.
“Washington Square is hereby appropriated as and for a Public Ground, Parade and Walk, and is never to be obstructed, except that part of it included in lines marked A. A., which is hereby appropriated for public building for religious, literary. State, county and city purposes, but no jail or State’s prison is ever to be erected thereon.
“The Columbus, Miami and Huron Parks are also hereby appropriated as and for public areas as walks; as are also the three small areas or triangles on the Miami and Huron avenues, which are never to be obstructed in any way whatever.
“The city and outlets which are for sale are all numbered by progressive numbers, according to the within map or plat, and each lot, except the water lots and the lots on the Huron and Miami avenues, are five rods in front, on the street, and extend back twelve rods, except where the Market place is and the curve of Water street, together with Washington Row, do prevent ; and the water lots are all two rods in front on Water street, and extend northerly into the bay to the channel water thereof.
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“The open and public slips to the water from Water street are as follows, viz.: On the Columbus avenue, ten rods in width; on Wayne and Jackson streets, nine rods, and on all other streets eight rods in width, and so to remain forever.
“The land on which the city of Sandusky is laid is owned by Zalmon Wildman, three-quarter parts thereof, and by Isaac Mills and George Hoadley, one quarter part thereof, undivided and in common.

“Dated the 5th of June, 1818. Zalmon Wildman,

“By his attorney, ,

“George Hoadley,

“By his attorney, I. Mills,

“Isaac Mills.”
Thus was the city of Sandusky laid out and its streets, areas and public places dedicated to the common use; and thus have they, with slight alterations, remained to the present day.
Page 287

SANDUSKY SEVENTY YEARS AGO.
The old pioneers of the town of Sandusky city are all dead and gone. There were among them some who were prominent in its affairs and contributed largely toward its early building up and development. Zalmon Wildman, in his original plat of 1816, refers to a store standing on the southwesterly side of lot number six, and this is believed to have been the building erected by John Garrison, the merchant and Indian trader of 1810, and who left about the time the war of 1812-15 broke out. We have no evidence that Garrison again returned to the place. Title he had none and was but a squatter on the land. This building seems to have been the only one that stood within the limits of Wildman’s first town, which has generally been known as Portland, but which he gave the name of Sandusky City.
With the platting made by Wildman, Mills and Hoadley, settlement at once commenced; buildings were erected here and there, and the city of Sandusky appeared to be entering upon an “era of unexampled prosperity.”
These improvements, together with the names of their projectors, and the dates of their coming, may with propriety be classed under the general heading of The First of Everything Pertaining to the Town. For a great part of the information relating to the pioneer efforts in the direction of early settlement and improvement, the writer is indebted to a directory published by I. F. Macks, esq., of the Register, and compiled by G. G. Nichols, in the year 1873. Zalmon Wildman is said to have built the first frame structure in the town in the year 1817. It was located on Water street, on the ground now in part occupied by Reber’s block. It was occupied, for a time, by Moors Farwell, for mercantile purposes, but the first mayor soon discontinued business on account of great competition in trade, but Mr. Farwell afterward became a somewhat central figure in the“village affairs of the place, and was by no means consigned to permanent retirement as the later pages of this chapter will show.
To W. B. Smith is due the credit of having erected the first frame dwelling in the town, in the year 1817, but his first visit to the locality was made prior to the war of 1812. This building stood at the corner of Water and Wayne streets, on the site afterward occupied by Scott’s American Hotel. The second dwelling house stood near that just mentioned, and was built during the same year by Cyrus W. Marsh. And it was here a few years later that the owner built a front portion to the house and opened the first hotel in the town, modifications, repairs and improvements, made to keep step with the general progress of the place, is still standing, although its original name has been changed several times as well as its management. It has been known as “Porter’s Verandah Hotel,” “Raymond’s Hotel,” and lastly as “ Scott’s American” and the “New Lake House” which latter name it bears today.
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Mr. Marsh was quite a prominent personage in early times, and conducted a lively coach line as well as the hotel. He was a Connecticut Yankee and came to this place in 1817. He lived here about fifteen years and then sold out and moved to Canada, but later went to Michigan.
The second hotel in town was presided over by Colonel Root and was known as the “Portland House,” taking its name from that by which the town had been called. This was also on Water street, on the ground on which was afterward built Keech’s Block. The old Portland House also passed through other hands and was finally put to use as a publishing and book establishment. Then it was burned down. W. B. Smith seems to have been a somewhat enterprising man. In addition to his frame dwelling, he is also credited with having erected the first brick house, manufacturing his own material, and he being architect and builder. It was located in front of his frame building.
There came to reside in Sandusky, in the year 1821, Elentlieros Cooke. In the many projects looking to the benefit and advantage of the place, that were set in motion at and about this time, no person was more prominent than he. Mr. Cooke was a lawyer by profession, and as such was the pioneer in this locality (for the reader must be mindful of the fact that this was then a part of Huron county), but in his profession and out of it he was a man of decided ability and learning, a magnificent orator, a man whose mind and capacity was held by no narrow environment, whose public spiritedness was unbounded. After he became a citizen of the town there was made one grand step forward. Not alone in building up the town was Mr. Cooke prominent, but in railroad enterprises and others equally important was he actively engaged. His first work was in the erection of a dwelling on Columbus avenue, of native stone, the pioneer of its kind in the town. Old heads said there was not sufficient material to be obtained here for that purpose, but notwithstanding that the building gradually approached completion, and after it was done there appears to have been a few ( ! ) stones left, judging from the amount of them used subsequently. It may not have been known at the time to these old wiseacres that Sandusky was “founded on a rock,” but this was certainly the case.
Having devoted some attention to the “first” structures of various kinds in Sandusky town, it will be appropriate here to notice another pioneer venture that was established about the same time by an enterprising individual in the person of David Campbell. He was associated in this venture with Adonijah Champlin, and by their joint effort hoped to bring forth the Ohio Illuminator. But this paper, a proposed weekly publication, never shed its light upon the town and surrounding country. The Illuininator project was not a complete success from a business point of view. The good people of the country wanted “light.” but they wanted more than that, so on the 22d of April of the following year, there was heard the first notes of the Sandusky Clarion. But enough of this. Suffice it to say that the Clairon lived and prospered, and though changed in name and appearance, still lives, and is now recognized as the leading paper of the county. The chapter devoted to the “press” furnishes a complete history of the Ilhiminator, the Clarion and the other papers of the county as well.
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The town grew rapidly in point of population, industry and trade during the first few years, and among the many who availed themselves of the grand business opportunities that were offered, the names of a few may be recalled, as follows: Moors Farwell was in mercantile trade representing Zalmon Wildman. There was also Jennings & Darling, who came from Connecticut and opened a dry goods store in 1818, at the corner of Water street and Columbus avenue. William Townsend started in the same line of business in 1819, in a small frame building standing near the corner of Water and Lawrence streets. Mr. Townsend died of cholera in 1849. David McMurray, in the fall of 1817, built a store on the site of the Register office building, in which he started the drug business. One year later William Kelley became a partner of Mr. McMurray. There was in trade here, as early as 1819, a Hebrew named Cohn, who had a small jewelry establishment on Water street. In this same line was John N. Sloane, but the latter did not commence business until some years later.
Others of the early tradesmen in various branches of business, but whose location and time of coming cannot, in each case be definitely fixed, were Galin Atkins, 1820, boots and shoes; D. C. Henderson, 1820, baker; Wheeler & Galloway, hotel keepers and merchants (about 1821 or 1822; A.I. Porter, 1820 or 1821, tanner and currier; S. Pennewell and S. H. Stearns, both tanners; Milton and Jennings, 1819, cabinet makers; Alexander Clemons, 1820 or 1821, cabinet maker; J. C. Hurd, 1823 or 1824, hatter; Colonel A. Root, 1822 or 1823, saddler and harness maker; Sylvanus A. Cone, 1820 or 1821, butcher; Bush & Hollister, merchants; O. and L. Cook, dry goods; Bassett Bethel, tailor; D. H. Tuttle, lumber dealer; Samuel and Leicester Walker and Abner Lyman were local carpenters. George Anderson was the pioneer physician. The legal lights of the town at this time were Elentheros Cooke, Francis D. Parish and H. J. Harmon. The first two were prominent men in the city for many years, but of the last mentioned, Mr. Harmon, there appears no record or tradition.
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Having passed the “settlement” stage of its life and taken upon itself the more dignified name of town, the enterprising inhabitants began to look a little to the world outside this place and cast about for the most convenient and approved means of ingress and egress. Upon this subject we quote from the publication of W. D. Root, for the year 1855: “As early as 1821 the project of a canal across the center of the State began to be agitated. In the outset no other line than the Sandusky and Scioto route was thought of The monstrous, suicidal policy of constructing two canals across the State, to unite the same waters, was wholly an after thought — the offspring of a corrupt bargain and sale between interested sections. In the legislative session of 1821 the first law was passed authorizing a survey. During the season following Judge Geddes, an eminent engineer from New York, was employed to make the examination of several routes. Finding an abundant water supply on the Central, or Sandusky and Scioto route, he was prepared to report in favor of its location for the canal, but was prevented from doing so by a portion of the commissioners interested in other routes, and thereupon immediately resigned his position, declaring that he could not consent to retain an office while denied the exercise of what he deemed its undoubted prerogatives.
“The next year a certain Judge Bates, whose best recommendation was his suppleness in the hands of interested commissioners, was employed as chief engineer, upon whose report the two lines of canal were finally located. No single line had the power to carry the measure; it could only be done by the corrupt process of bargain and sale. Cuyahoga had first to conciliate the Muskingum ally by a sop of some two millions for the river improvement, and then buy up the Scioto Valley by encountering a second summit of ascending and descending locks, and still, not having votes enough, Cincinnati and the ‘Miamis’ had to be subsidized.”It was by this resort to corrupt methods that the plan to construct the canal by the most convenient, natural and direct route was defeated; and thus Sandusky lost what would given her at least her present population fifty years ago.
In order in some measure to compensate Sandusky for the great wrong done her in depriving her of this valuable water way communication with the country to the south, the project of a railroad to connect with the canal from Dayton to Cincinnati was suggested, but it was not until some years later that the same was consummated.
Although Sandusky was for a time defeated in every attempt to open communication with the outside world by a canal, and was long delayed in the ralroad project she, nevertheless, held open communication with the east and west by way of the lake, and reached Columbus by stage. The steamer, Walk-in-the- Water, made regular trips up and down the lake until the year 1821, when she was lost. The Superior next visited this place in 1822, making trimonthly trips between Detroit and Buffalo, touching a tSandusky both going and coming.
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The Town of Sandusky Incorporated.

From the time of its original platting in 1816, until the latter part of the year 1823, the town of Sandusky had acquired a population of something like three hundred souls, and it became a matter of necessity that some provision should be made for local government and improvement, independent of the township organization of which it had hitherto formed a part. Many things were needful, many improvements could be made and many substantial benefits derived if the inhabitants of the town could be allowed to act independently. The Legislature of the State, on the 14th of February, 1824, passed an act providing for the incorporation of the town of Sandusky, and providing for the election of officers thereof.
The limits of the town as provided by the act were as follows: Commencing at a point in Sandusky bay, eighty rods from low water mark, directly opposite the north end of McDonough street; thence running a direct line to the said north end of McDonough street, and along said street to Washington street; thence east along said Washington street to Decatur street; thence south along said Decatur street to Jefferson street; thence east along said Jefferson street to Hancock street; thence north along said Hancock street to Washington street; thence east along said Washington street to Warren street; thence north along said Warren street to the shore of Sandusky bay; thence to a point in said Sandusky bay eighty rods from low water mark, directly opposite the north end of Warren street ; thence running directly to the place of beginning, shall be, and the same is hereby erected into a town corporate, henceforth to be known and distinguished by the name of Sandusky; subject, however, to such alterations as the Legislature may from time to time think proper to make; and the remaining part of said town, as shown by the plat thereof on record, shall be, and the same is hereby vacated, excepting the streets and public grounds thereof
....On the first record book of proceedings of the authorities of the town there appears the following entry;

“Be it remembered that in pursuance of an act of the Legislature of the State of Ohio, passed February 14, 1824, entitled ‘An act to incorporate the town of Sandusky, in the county of Huron, ’the qualified electors who had been residents of the said town of Sandusky six months then immediately preceeding, convened at the school house in said town on the first Monday of May, 1824, and then and there, according to the direction of the said act, proceeded to the election of nine suitable persons, being citizens, house holders or free holders, and inhabitants of said town, to serve as mayor, recorder and; at which meeting John Weeden and Benjamin Gregg were chosen and qualified as judges, and Frederick Devoe as clerk.
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“Whereupon, after closing the polls and canvassing the votes which had been duly given by the qualified electors aforesaid, according to law, it appeared that George Anderson, Aaron C. Corbett, William Townsend, William Kelley, Cyrus W. Marsh, Alexander Clemons, Elentheros Cook, John Wheeler and M. Earwell were duly elected to serve in the capacity aforesaid; and the said judges thereupon declared and in due form certified the said persons duly elected, as will more fully appear by their certificate and return on file.”
In pursuance of the act of the common council met at the office of Elentheros Cook, in the town of Sandusky, on the 10th day of May, being within ten days from the aforesaid day of election, and then and there proceeded to elect, by ballot, from their own body, three persons to serve as mayor, recorder and treasurer, with the following result: Mayor, M. Earwell; recorder, William Townsend; treasurer, William Kelley.
Thus organized the council proceeded to elect a town marshal, Wesley Anderson being the fortunate candidate. He, however, resigned on the 12th of February following, and Daniel Newton was appointed in his stead.
The next work of the newly created board was to determine the term of office of the several members, with this result: For one year, Cyrus W. Marsh, William Townsend and John Wheeler; for two years, Elentheros Cooke, Aaron C. Corbett and M. Earwell; for three years, William Kelley, Alexander Clemons and George Anderson. On July 30 following John K. Campbell was appointed as town assessor.
About the first business transacted by these doughty old councilmen after their organization had been complete, was the passage of ordinances for local government, which were not of importance sufficient to warrant their publication in these pages. One thing, however, seems worthy of mention. They provided that the non-attendance at meetings of the council should be punishable by a fine of one dollar, and judging from the frequency with which this penalty was imposed, as shown by the proceedings, the treasury must have been in good condition, that is, if the fine was collected, which fact does not appear. There ought not to have been any trouble in securing a full attendance at meetings, for many of them, before a suitable room was provided, were held at the “house” of Abner Root, and he was noted as being one of the most genial and hospitable landlords of that day. Many a glorious meeting these worthy city fathers must have had under the treatment of “mine host” Root.
M. Earwell continued in the office of mayor for five years and was, in 1829, succeeded by George Anderson, and the latter, after two years, by J. M. Root.
Thus were passed the first years of the life of Sandusky as an incorporated town; and a smart, bustling little place it was. Water street seems to have contained the business houses of various kinds, and in this same locality was also situate a majority of its dwellings, although they were scattered over the tract generally as the owner was best able to afford. The town had a newspaper, the Clarion, a school, the building being situate at the corner of Columbus avenue and Washington row; but another was built in 1828, on the ground whereon, in later years, was erected the Episcopal Church edifice. A school was established in town as early as 1818 near the Steam Boat Hotel, but was succeeded by that on Columbus avenue.
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Nor were the people unmindful of their spiritual comfort and welfare, as a church society was organized as early as 1819, but no church home for this struggling band was provided before 1836. This was a missionary station under the charge of the Connecticut Missionary Society. Revs. John Seward and Joseph Treat conducted the services for some years. The first regular minister came in 1826, the Rev. W. M. Adams.
That the reader may have an idea as to who were the residents of this locality at or soon after the incorporation of the town, we give the names of the residents of Portland township for the year 1829. The list includes the names of those who lived in the town as well as those within the township and outside the town.
This enrollment was made in May of the year named, by the trustees of the township for the purpose of dividing the same into school districts, and to be numbered one and two, respectively. All that part of the town and township lying east of Columbus avenue and a line drawn south in continuation thereof to constitute school district number one, while the land to the west of Columbus avenue and the line above mentioned, should form district number two. The resident householders of district number one were as follows;
Thomas Galaway, Isaac Darling,William Cogswell, McGovern, Jesse Withington, John Turk, Jerome Hardenbrook, Conrad Rhodes, Charles F. Drake, David B. Smith, Thomas T. White, David Campbell, Chauncey Terry, Presley Thompson, Erastus Cooke, John Hamer, Leicester Walker, George Anderson, William Chapman, Samuel Walker, Cyrus W. Marsh, James Foreman, Richard Hill, Judah W. Ransom, James Wright, Daniel R. Ellsworth, Darwin H. Tuttle, Michael Green, Lewis C. Ellsworth, Jacob Goodrich, Marble Tatie Abner Lyman, Martin Eldis, Gurdon C. Burnham, Aaron C. Corbett, Adolphus Woodbridge, Davis Dougherty, Winslow Corbett, Thomas McGee, William Lisle, Abner Root, Hezekiah Bigford, Joseph Darling, Roswell J. Jennings, Widow Hurd\,Widow Amsden, Widow Cook, Widow Hancock, Alexander Clemons.
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The householders of district number two were as follows:
Benjamin Gregg, Kelley Smith, A. M. Porter, Francis D. Parish, Knovvlton Youngs, William Louther, Daniel Newton, Hewitt Hastings, Lucus Hoskins, Erastus S. Gregg, Augustus Cook, John Poorman, Ezra Wells, Elias Hand, William Townsend, George Lantes, Andrew Grimes, John Morgan, Benjamin Withington, Isaac Rice, John Wheeler, Elijah Belknap, Richard Martin, Henry Victor, Isaac Tupper, Amos McLouth, Russell Woodruff, Jacob Bouck, Samuel Pennewell, John Weeden, Rufus G. Carter, Widow Henderson, Widow Costello, Widow Martin, Widow Bishop, Widow Falley, Daniel Wisopp, H. H. Wilcoxen, A. M. Moore, George Dorrell, E. E. Clemons, George S. Reynolds, Joshua Fairchild, Michael Gill, Henry I. Slater, W. D. Colvin, John Kfr Sloane, Perry Darby.
Soon after the year 1830, there was an investment made in the purchase of a large tract of land in the town, which the purchasers hoped to develop and build up, but unfortunately, the control of the tract fell into the hands of a person who was, to say the very least, exceedingly careless of his own and his associates’ interests.
It was soon after the year 1830 that Major John G. Camp visited the town of Sandusky with a view of making an extensive purchase of its lands, but it seems that he was not sufficiently possessed of ready funds to obtain all that, he desired; so he at once cast about for associates in the enterprise, and succeeding in enlisting the support of Thomas Neill, who is well remembered as having lived in this locality, a part of the time in Margaretta township, and afterward in Sandusky; and who was, moreover, an honest, true, and conscientious man. Also Oran Follett, who at the time was a prominent resident and business man of Buffalo, N. Y., and Isaac A. Mills, the son of Isaac Mills, one of the original proprietors of the town as laid out in the year 1818.
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These gentlemen became the associates of Major Camp, and purchased from the owners, Wildman, Mills, and Hoadley, all that part of the surveyed fractional township that lay east of Wayne street; taking a contract therefor at a consideration less than fourteen thousand dollars. This was late in 1833, or early in the succeeding year. Major Camp and Isaac Mills lived in the town; Thomas Neill in Margaretta, and Mr. Follett in Buffalo, so that for the ready transaction of business the management of affairs was entrusted to Major Camp and Mr. Mills, the former being the leading spirit.
Matters progressed satisfactorily for some months; lots sold freely, and cash appeared to be steadily filling the joint treasury, but there also was approaching the day of reckoning, the payment on the contract of purchase at last fell due. Major Camp, unfortunately, was addicted to excesses, and in his indulgences of various kinds he had spent the proceeds of the sales, and the exchequer proved to be in a depleted condition. The condition of affairs steadily became worse, but something must be done and that very soon. This brought Oran Follett to Sandusky in May, 1834. He called upon Major Camp for an explanation and payment on the contract, but received no satisfaction whatever. Becoming disgusted with such management, he sold his interest to William J. Reece, of Philadelphia.
In the hands of the new proprietors matters were delayed for some time and until the contract had run to its conclusion. About this time Zalmon Wildman died, and in due time thereafter the proprietors came to close the matter and take back the lands; but numerous sales had been made to purchasers in good faith, and the retaking of the lands meant eviction to them. After a season of argument and negotiation, an extension for time of payment of the contract was made, and the proprietors executed a deed of their interests in the lands to Mr. Follett, in trust, to make the sale of lots, pay the purchase price, and, after accomplishing this, to turn the balance of the lands over to his former grantors.
This, in the course of time, was done. The original proprietors were paid in full, the purchasers of lots were protected, the taxes were paid, and all needful things accomplished to the entire satisfaction of all parties. And after having faithfully executed his trust, Mr. Follett deeded back to Messrs. Mills, Neill, Camp and Reece, lands fully worth twenty five thousand dollars to each of them. When all these matters had been fully and properly adjusted, it was near the year 1840. Then Erie county had been in existence for some two years.
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This action grew out of an error in the original survey of the firelands tract, by which the land in this fractional township was underestimated by something more than a thousand acres, and the difficulty arose in making or attempting to make an apportionment or annexation thereof to adjoining sections. A subsequent survey was made, upon which the directors of the fire-lands acted in making their apportionment, while the parties in possession and defendants in the suit relied, apparently, on the first survey in which the error occurred.
The case is digested as follows: “The township of Portland, containing four thousand five hundred acres, was estimated, in making the partition, to contain but 2,783 acres, and was all disposed of in three annexations, each having a portion of the base line, in the proportion that its quantity of acres bore to the whole supposed quantity of the entire tract.”
It is not proposed to go into this case further than to explain that it involved the tract whereon stands the city; and that because of the uncertainty of the result no extensive operations for development of the lands could reasonably be made. The case was finally settled and disposed of about the time that Sandusky became a city.
Notwithstanding these early misfortunes there was a steady gain in population, and from the natural attractions and advantages of the location it could not well be otherwise.
The loss of the canal, through treachery and fraud, was the first serious blow against the prospects of the town, when by every consideration its northern terminus should have been here. This was the nearest point to the navigable waters of the south part of the State, and a thoroughfare for boat travel would have not only been of inestimable value to this location, but its construction, by way of the Sandusky and Scioto route, would have been completed at a far less expense than by the route finally adopted.
This, also, was the most convenient route for the transportation of merchandise and passengers across the country to Cincinnati, and almost daily there could be seen in this little town a large number of teams awaiting the arrival of goods by boat from the east. One prominent gentleman of the city remembers having seen encamped on the public square, at one time, one hundred and fifty teams by actual count, ready to load and start upon the coming of the boat from Buffalo. This kept the little town in a constant state of activity ; it kept business in an enlivened condition, and impressed all new comers with its importance as a commercial center. So it will be seen that the early life of the town was not one of unexceptional adversity and calamity, and there came an occasional ray of sunlight between the clouds of misfortune. In 1830 the population of the town was not far from four hundred souls.
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The year 1835 was an eventful one in the annals of Sandusky, for during that year was commenced the construction of the old pioneer Mad River Railroad, connecting this point by direct and rapid transit with Dayton, and the country to the south of that place. And although it was some few years before the road was completed, an impetus was given to the town growth that made it at once an important point in the then western country. The Mad River road was projected as early as the year 1822 or 1823, and that project was the outgrowth of a bitter feeling created by the defeated canal building project from this place south. A meeting was held at the famous hostelry of Colonel Abner Root, at which attended some of the leading men of the town, and although the plan was thoroughly discussed and commented upon by the worthies present, the work of completing not only the discussion, but of carrying out the plan and constructing the road became the lot of another set of enterprising citizens. In after years this became known as the Cincinnati Sandusky and Cleveland road.
The construction of the above road, the pioneer not alone of Sandusky in its kind, but of the State of Ohio as well, was soon followed by another in 1837, the commencement of the Lake Erie Division of the Baltimore and Ohio road, and it is difficult to determine which was, in fact, first completed,, as both' were during the same year; still, the distinction of being the pioneer enterprise is generally and properly accorded the first mentioned. These railroads are elsewhere made the subjects of special chapters and need no further mention at this time.
The year 1838 witnessed an event in the life of Sandusky that was of far greater importance than any of previous or after occurrence, in the erection and civil organization of Erie county by which these lands became separated from the mother county — Huron, to which the people of this locality had formerly paid allegiance, — likewise tribute.
The framers of the act seem to have assumed beyond the possibility of a question that the city of Sandusky was the only appropriate location for the county seat of the new erection, as, in the act itself, it is declared that the county buildings shall be located there, without resort to the usual proceeding of appointment of three commissioners to view the several suggested localities of the county, hear arguments, and then decide upon the most eligible site for such buildings. This proceeding, however, was afterward resorted to and commissioners were appointed in pursuance of an act of the Legislature, by which it was proposed to change the county seat, and this act was passed on account of the neglect of the proprietors of the lands here in providing suitable buildings for court and county purposes, as they had pledged themselves to do in case Sandusky should be selected for the county seat. And had it not been for the prompt action of the citizens of the town in guaranteeing the necessary buildings to the county commissioners, Huron would have been, unquestionably, the county seat of Erie county today.
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The final determination of this matter in favor of the city of Sandusky was of the greatest importance to her, and from that day her future prospects became far brighter, her population rapidly increased, and that increase was steady, healthful and permanent.
With the building of its railroads, the location of the county seat, and the assurance that the people would be undisturbed in their possession of lots, notwithstanding the action still pending and undetermined, the town had acquired a population in 1840 of fifteen hundred persons.
Thus favorably conditioned the subject of a city charter began to be discussed, and as such transformations were not the work of a day, some time was required to bring about this organization, and it was not until the year 1844 that it was finally consummated. By that time the population of the town numbered some three thousand or more persons.
But before entering upon that branch of the city’s history it will be well to present to the reader the names of those who were identified with the control of its governmental affairs up to that time. The first board of city fathers comprised the following persons;
1824. — Moors Farwell, mayor; William Kelley, treasurer; William Townsend, recorder; and Cyrus W. Marsh, John Wheeler, Elenetheros Cook, Aaron C. Corbett, Alexander Clemons and George Anderson, councilmen.
1825. — Moors Farwell, mayor; Francis D. Parish, recorder; Matthew McKelvey, John Wheeler; Lemuel Robinson, marshal.
1826. — Moors Farwell, re-elected mayor; Henry H. Wilcoxson, Henry Victor; Lemuel S. Robinson, marshal.
1827. — Moors Farwell, mayor; councilmen elected, George Anderson, William Kelley, David Campbell; Charles F. Drake, marshal.
1828. — Moors Farwell, mayor; councilmen elected, John Wheeler, Elias Hand, Benjamin Gregg. Elias Hand, recorder; David Campbell, treasurer.
1829. — George Anderson, mayor; councilmen elected, Henry Victor, Elijah E. Clemens, Charles F. Drake. L. S. Beecher elected in place of Elias Hand resigned; Solomon C. Moore elected in place of William Kelley; Abner Root elected treasurer, and Augustus Cooke, marshal.
1830 — John Wheeler elected mayor; Solomon C. Moore, Elias Hand, George Anderson, councilmen; Burr Higgins, treasurer, and Augustus Cooke, marshal.
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1831 — John Turk, mayor; George R. Peck, Joseph M. Root, councilmen; D. H. Tuttle, recorder, and Elijah E. Clemons, marshal.
1832. — Joseph M. Root, mayor; Michael Gill, Thomas White, James S. Blaine, councilmen ; James Hollister, appointed recorder in place of George R. Peck, resigned.
1833 — Joseph M. Root, mayor; John Wider, Solomon C. Moore, George Anderson, councilmen elected; Thomas T. White, recorder.
1834 — John Beatty, mayor; James Hollister, Austin Allen, John Beatty elected councilmen; R. J. Jennings, marshal.
1835 — John Beatty, mayor; Zachariah Brown, Thomas T. White, William B. Smith, councilmen elected; John Wheeler, treasurer; William B. Smith, recorder; R. J. Jennings, marshal.
1836 — John Beatty, mayor; Solomon C. Moore, James Hollister, William Maraen, councilmen elected; Hollister refused to serve and William M. Hunter was appointed but found ineligible, whereupon Charles F. Drake was appointed; William Maraen was appointed recorder.
1837 — Samuel B. Caldwell, mayor; S. B. Caldwell, John Wheeler, Roderick Williston, councilmen elected.
1838 — Samuel B. Caldwell, mayor; A. H. Barber, Zachariah G. Brown, John H. Williams, councilmen elected; R. J. Jennings, marshal.
1839 — Samuel B. Caldwell, mayor; Josiah W. Hollister, Erastus S. Gregg, William Kelley, councilmen elected; F. M. Follett, recorder.
1840 — John N. Sloane, mayor; John Wheeler, John G. Camp, Daniel Dibble, councilmen elected; William Kelley, recorder.
1841 — John N. Sloane, mayor; A. H. Barber, Jno. M. Sloane, Henry P. Radcliff, councilmen elected; De Witt C. Henderson appointed to council vice William Kelley resigned. D. C. Henderson, recorder; A. H. Barber, treasurer; Roswell J. Jennings, marshal.
1842/ — John N. Sloane, mayor; Ebenezer B. Sadler, De Witt C. Henderson, Abner Root, councilmen elected; Abner Root, recorder; C. F. Drake, marshal; Roswell J. Jennings, clerk of market.
1843 — John N. Sloane, mayor; David Campbell, W. W. Witherell, John Wheeler, councilmen elected; George W. Smith, marshal and clerk of market.
1844 — Ebenezer B. Sadler, mayor; A. H. Barber, Henry P. Radcliff, R B. Hubbard, councilmen elected; W. W. Witherell, treasurer; Earl Bill appointed to council and recorder vice Abner Root resigned ; George W. Smith, marshal and clerk of the market house.
In the above record of town officials there has not been noted the name of every incumbent appointed to fill vacancies that frequently occurred. The board in every case appointed all officers except councilmen, three of whom were elected annually by the people; but still, the council had power to fill any vacancy in their body. Resignations were of frequent occurrence, and it sometimes happened that more than one member would resign in the course of a year. This it is believed will explain the presence of some names not found among those regularly elected at the annual meeting at the polls.
Footnote: Photgraph source Google Photos
Surnames printed by Bold Pint