HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY OHIOBy Aldrich Lewis Cass
Published 1889
HISTORY OF City of Sandusky
CHAPTER XX. Continueing with page 320
In due course of time the city, or, as it then was, town, became sufficiently large to warrant the erection of buildings for the purpose indicated in the dedication. The first record mention of official action in this direction by the authorities of the town was made in the year 1835, and thereafter the buildings were erected by citizens of the town. They were frame structures, one story in height, with a projecting roof, and in dimensions about thirty by fifty feet. Each lot was provided with a market house, and it was not until a few years ago that they were removed. A solitary hay scale now marks the spot where for many years stood what was known as the East Market; while on the other site stands a substantial stone building, erected within the last few years and for the express purpose of a “market house ”; but a later idea seems inclined to make the building useful for an additional purpose, notwithstanding the emphatic and clear language of the dedication. The proposition to utilize this site for a city hall went before the people for determination some few years ago but it was defeated overwhelmingly.
A subsequent council, however, submitted to the people a proposition to erect a market house on the lot, and that was carried. As was provided, this was to be a one story stone building, forty by two hundred feet in size; but after the work had progressed somewhat, the council determined to add a second story, which was done at an additional cost of about four thousand dollars, the original contract price being ten thousand dollars. Only the lower floor is fitted for occupancy. The news in some manner got afloat that the upper story was to be arranged with apartments for city officials. The question then arose whether such an occupancy would not work a forfeiture of the land and building, and the matter finally reached the court, where a construction was put upon the dedication, and it was held that such a use of the building would not subject the city to a forfeiture of the land. So the matter now stands and arrangements are making for the occupation of the upper portion of the building for city officers.
The Fire Department — It was back as early as the year 1830, and at a time that the town of Sandusky had a population of less than five hundred persons, and when there were not even seventy buildings within its limits, that measures were taken to provide for security against loss by fire. At a meeting of the town council, held in the latter part of February of that year, an ordinance was adopted providing for the organization and discipline of regular fire companies, as understood at that day, whose experience and knowledge in the proper course and conduct to be pursued in case of fire, “will render their assistance highly important and useful.”
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For the proper organization of this primitive fire brigade the town was divided into two wards, to be known as numbers one and two, being separated by Columbus avenue. The mayor was authorized to and did comply with the ordinance of the council by appointing Henry H. Wilcoxsen as chief fireman; James Hollister as fire warden number one of ward number one; William Kelley as fire warden number two of ward number one;Erastus Greggas fire warden number one of ward number two; and Ezra Wells as fire warden number two of ward number two; Isaac Carling and Moors Earwell as the committee of safety of ward number one, and William Leonard and Thomas Chesnut as committee of safety of ward number two. Also Cyrus W. Marsh as captain of the fire company of ward one, and Elias Hand as captain of the fire company in ward two. Josiah W. Hollister was appointed first engineer, and Amos L. Patterson as second engineer in ward one, while John Chesnut and John Mumford were to perform the same duties respectively in ward number two.
A further provision was made that men be enlisted for each company; and that each man should provide himself with one substantial bucket, and in case of fire to appear “equipt” with his bucket. This was the original fire and bucket brigade of the town of Sandusky, and from the number of men appointed to positions of rank therein, it would seem that every man in the place was in some manner connected with the department. One bucket and one hook was afterward provided for each company, and to be paid for out of the funds of the town. From this outlay it is not surprising that Sandusky has a large bonded indebtedness.
During the latter part of the year 1834 the subject of the purchase of a more approved and suitable means of fighting fire was under discussion, but it was not until February of the following year that the desire was consummated. The council then appointed Thomas T. White and John Wheeler a select committee to make the purchase. They entered into negotiations with James Smith, of New York city, and that person offered to sell the town a hand engine of such pattern as was then in use in his city for the sum of seven hundred and fifty dollars. The finances of the town were then in a somewhat reduced condition, and voluntary subscriptions by the citizens of the town were received, and this, with the funds in the treasury, was used and the purchase made. This engine was named Ogontz, and the company that manned it was called Ogontz Fire Company No. 1.
In 1839, with the growth of the town it was thought desirable to make some further provision for this branch of municipal service; so the council, on the 7th of February, passed an ordinance providing for more efficient means of safety and security of the citizens against fire, and elected officers for Sadler, assistant engineer; and William W. Witherell, William B. Smith, Page M. Ring, A. H. Barber, Abner Root and Isaiah W. Hollister as fire wardens.
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In the year 1848 there was organized a new company which was provided by the council to contain not less than forty, nor more than sixty men, to be designated as “Buckeye Company, Number 2” and for this company was purchased the engine that was named “Buckeye.” Not long after this a hook and ladder company was organized. In 1853 Hornet Company Number 3, was formed.
Thus well equipped and organized for business the city seemed well provided against a severe fire loss. To make the old hand engines available wells were dug in various parts of the city from which water was to be taken. In 1858 the officers of the department were F. C. Ford, chief engineer; Enoch Weller, first assistant; Charles Ruemmelle, second assistant. In 1859 Foster M. Follett was chief, Casper J. Parsons, first assistant and William Cook, second assistant. In 1860 Enoch Weller was chief, Casper J. Parsons, first and William Cook second assistant engineer.
But the time came when the old hand engines, like all other ancient contrivances, must give place to more modern inventions. In 1865 the council, assisted by the contributions of citizens, made a purchase of a steam engine of the Amoskeag manufacture. This is still in use in the city although it has frequently undergone repairs. Three years later a Silsby engine was purchased, and again in 1869, another of the same pattern. With this improved apparatus and the purchase of a hook and ladder truck, it became necessary to reorganize the whole department, and the council wisely concluded to make it a paid department. By their ordinance, passed May 27, 1872, it was provided that each engineer should receive sixty dollars per month, the firemen or assistant fifty dollars, each teamster fifty dollars, and each minuteman ten dollars per month. Richard C. Cuthbert was elected chief engineer.
This ordinance, with some subsequent amendments, remained in force and by it the department was governed until the ordinance as passed and amended in 1884, came into effect. This provided that the fire department “shall consist of three hose companies and one hook and ladder company. Each of said hose companies shall be composed of six men, and said hook and ladder company shall be composed of seven men. One of said men in each hose company shall be know as plugman, one as teamster and the other four as minute men. One of the men of said hook and ladder company shall be known as captain, one a teamster and the other five as minute men. The hose carts and hook and ladder trucks shall have one hose each.”The compensation provided to be paid under this ordinance was: Each plugman, forty five dollars per month; each teamster, forty five dollars per month; each minute man, ten dollars per month.
The present officers are Daniel Myers, chief engineer; John Unckrich, assistant; Christian Zimmerman, chairman of fire company. The apparatus is located as follows: Engine House No. 1, foot of Hancock street; Frank Cassady, plugman; A. Windisch, driver. Engine House No. 2, corner Market and Lawrence streets; Frank S. Erney, engineer; Thomas Aliurray, driver. Engine House No. 3, corner of Elm and Monroe streets; Adam E. Hartung, plugman; Charles Spaith, driver. Germania Hook and Ladder Company, No. 4 corner of Market and Lawrence streets; August Widemann, foreman; Daniel Sprau, driver.
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It may properly be stated in this connection that since the construction of the present system of city water works the steam engines of the fire department have become practically useless, but they are held in reserve for an emergency that may arise, in case of fire occurring out of reach from the water mains. In the thickly populated portions of the city the mains are of sufficient size and the pressure upon them so great that water can be thrown over the top of the highest buildings, thus is rendered unnecessary the pressure of the steamers at fires.
The Police Department — This department of the local government was organized almost as soon as the town was created, although under a name and style somewhat different from that which entitles this sketch. It is found that in the year 1825 Lemuel Robinson was appointed town marshal, and in him was invested the police authority of the place. But as the population of the town increased it was found necessary to enlarge this department. In the year 1854 the council adopted an ordinance in pursuance of the act of the Legislature passed May 3, 1852, and relating to incorporated villages, by which the powers and duties of the marshal were defined and further providing for the appointment of deputies of the marshal to such number as would ensure protection against law breakers.
Under this protection the city lived until the ordinance of 1870, by which the department was reorganized, and provision made for policemen and night watchmen. From 1825 until 1870 the following named persons acted as marshals of Sandusky; 1825-26, Lemuels Robinson; 1827-28, Charles F. Drake; 1829-30, Augustus Cooke; 1830-31-32—33, Elijah E. Clemons; i834to 1841 inclusive, Roswell J. Jennings; 1842, Charles E. Drake; 1843-44, George W. Smith; 1845, Alonzo Wade, Francis W. Pomeroy; 1846,; 1847—48, William Benschoter; 1849, William Spaulding; 1850—51—52, Oliver Rice; 1853, (elected) James E. Mygatt ; 1854-55, Oliver Rice; 1856, Andrew Casey; 1857~58, Enoch Weller; 1859, Patrick Herr; 1860, George Littleton; 1861-62, William R. Chapman; 1863-64, Samuel C. Wheeler; 1865, Samuel Currie; 1866, Frank L. Myers ; 1867-68-69, Thomas Aluldowrey.
The ordinance of 1870 provided for the appointment by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent of the city council, of one chief watchman, and one person from each ward to perform the duties of policeman and night watchman, each to hold office for one year. The same ordinance also provided for the like appointment of five persons from each ward as a reserved watch, subject to duty if called upon by resolution of the council.
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But this ordinance by no means abolished the office of marshal, but continued the same as established by the ordinance of 1854, and modified by that of 1871, which latter law materially abridged his powers and duties.
Under the provisions of the ordinance adopted on the 2d of February, 1880, and amended June 6, 1882, the department of police was organized as it at the present time substantially exists. By the terms of this local enactment it was provided that there shall be nominated in writing by the mayor of said city, at the first meeting of the new council in each and every year, for their approval, twelve persons as policemen and night watchmen, who shall hold such position for the term of one year, unless sooner removed for cause, etc. Also that one of the persons so nominated shall be designated as captain. A further section also provides for the compensation to be paid the captain and policemen.
The present force of police of the city consists of one marshal, a captain of police and eleven patrolmen. The council committee on police is composed of Carl Nielson, Charles Wellmus and George D. Lewin; marshal, Andrew Bowen; captain of police, John C. Langenberger.
The headquarters of this arm of the city government is at the mayor’s office on Columbus avenue, the chief executive officer of the city having magisterial power for the trial of offenders against the ordinances of the municipality. The patrolmen meet in an old and dilapidated building on Water street, that was formerly used for housing fire apparatus. Here, to, is the city lockup in which petty offenders are temporarily confined.
The City Water Works — For many years prior to the establishment of the city water works system its necessity was seriously apparent to the people, and the city council as early as the year 1853 discussed the subject of constructing both water and gas works, but for a variety of reasons no steps were taken in the matter beyond agitating the question, and the real burden of the work fell upon the people of twenty years later.
In the year 1875, by an ordinance passed the 11th of January, the question was submitted to the electors of the city for them to determine whether the water works should be established for the purpose of supplying the city with water, to increase its manufacturing facilities, to aid in the extinguishment of fires and prevent the destruction of property.
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The election was held on the 15th day of February, 1875, and at the polls it was determined by a fair majority to make the improvement contemplated. It will be observed that the question was submitted to the electors of the city, and not restricted to tax payers. Had the latter course been pursued the measure would have been defeated by a wider majority than that by which it was carried, for the proposition to bond the city to the extent of three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars, at a rate of eight per cent, annual interest, was calculated to strike terror to the hearts of the most liberal of tax-payers, therefore a majority of them voted against the measure, but it was carried by the votes of enthusiastic non-tax paying electors.
By a further ordinance passed March 8, 1875. it was provided “That water works are hereby ordered to be constructed in the city of Sandusky, the water for which shall be supplied from the Sandusky Bay, in accordance with the plans of J. D. Cooke, civil engineer, made to the council, or a modification of such plans as to reservoirs, unless a better quality of water can be procured from the lake or other source of supply at a cost not exceeding the estimate made by said J. D. Cooke in said report,” and further, that “a board of trustees is hereby established consisting of three members to be known as trustees of the water works, who shall have all the power, and perform the necessary duties prescribed by the municipal code and the amendments thereto,” etc.
At the annual city election held on the first Monday in April, 1875, there were elected trustees of the water works: James D. Lea, for the term of time years; C. C. Keech, for the term of two years, and Peter Gilcher for the term of one year. This board of trustees met and organized on the first of May following: James D. Lea being made president, and D. M. Arndt, secretary. J. D. Cooke was appointed chief, and Erwin Graves assistant engineer.
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The City s Cemeteries — The first ground within the limits of the city as now constituted, that was used for burial purposes, was located in rear of the Second National Bank, on Columbus avenue, and not far distant from the spot on which stood the cabin of Ogontz, the recognized Indian chief and ruler of the place. Tradition says, we have no record, that this was used as late as the year 1810, at which time the redoubtable John Garrison first appeared in the locality with his stock of goods for Indian trade and barter. But this place was not by any means used by the white residents after they became residents of the locality. A small lot is said to have been set apart as a burial ground near the foot of Shelby street as early as 1817. However this may have been there appears no record of its existence, and it was closed, so it is also said, in the year 1820.
The first action of the town council looking to the establishment of a burial place was taken in the year 1830, upon the presentation of a petition of citizens of the town praying that a suitable “burying ground” be selected.
For this purpose the council authorized councilmen Root and Tuttle to make a purchase of a parcel of land containing between two and three acres on the southeast corner of lot number forty nine in Portland township. This the committee did, at the cost of one hundred dollars; and here the first regular burying ground of which definite knowledge is to be had was laid out.
In the year 1849 a committee of the council consisting of F. T. Barney, John M. Brown and Foster M. Follett was appointed to again select a location for a larger and more appropriate cemetery tract; and in 1850 another committee, consisting of councilman Solomon C. Moore, was appointed for the selection and purchase of a tract of land for the purpose of a cemetery and city poor farm. The negotiations of this committe resulted in contracting for a tract in Perkins township, and one hundred and thirty-six acres in extent, with Jane S Williams, at the agreed price of four thousand, seven hundred, and one dollars and ninety cents. It was on this tract that the beautiful Oakland Cemetery was laid out. The project of erecting a poor house for the city seems to have failed, and the city sold such part of the land as was not required for the purpose of a cemetery. The portion retained comprises between fifty and sixty acres, and only a portion of it is as yet laid out.
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The Oakland Cemetery is well adapted for burial purposes, the grounds being laid out in exceedingly good taste. A large and convenient superintendent’s residence is built upon the tract. Although not within the city limits Oakland Cemetery is one of the institutions of the city, and owned by it. Its management and control is vested in a board of cemetery trustees, a body created by an ordinance of the common council of the city, and, at present, is comprised of the following persons: W. G. Hastings, John G. Strobel and Louis Duennisch.
In addition to the institutions and properties owned and controlled by the city, it also possesses a tract of land on Market street, just west of Columbus avenue. This parcel has a frontage on Market street of four rods and extends back a distance of ten rods. The land was acquired for the purpose of city buildings and offices, but as yet no move has been made looking to the erection of a building for that use.
Likewise the city exercises control over the parks, Washington and those situate on the Huron and Miami avenues, which were provided by the proprietors in their platting and laying out of the town in 1818. The immediate control, however, of these parks is vested in a board of park commissioners, which board was created by an ordinance of the common council passed August 29, 1879, and supplemented by further provisions adopted January 19, 1880.The City's Bonded Indebtedness . — These several institutions of the city, and the many local improvements made during the last eighteen years, while they h ive been a source of burden upon the taxpayers, have, nevertheless, been of the greatest benefit to the people and have given Sandusky an enviable posi- tion among the municipalities of the State. Every citizen has received a benefit from them and the taxpayers are paying for them ; but, fortunately perhaps, the area of the city is so great that the severity of taxation is much relaxed through the wide scope of assessable property.
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The County's City Property — The county’s interest in the property within the city limits is comprehended by the magnificent court house and the attractive appearing and substantial jail building, both of which were erected during the years in which the city’s greatest improvements were being made. The old court house, while it was a well built structure, and served the purposes of the county for many years, was by no means an ornament to the city from an architectural point of view, and while ornamentation appears not to have been a factor in the old building the new more than compensates for the former lack of attractiveness.
The subject relating to the erection of the several county buildings within the city of Sandusky, as the county seat, having already been fully discussed, nothing beyond a mere mention of the fact is necessary in this connection; but among the proceedings that led to the establishment not only of that seat of justice, but to the creation of a new county, which was named Erie, there appears one interesting feature not before mentioned.
As is well known, the proposition to divide Huron county and to establish Erie county met with much opposition from residents of the former, and especially from those in the vicinity of Norwalk. Of course the people of this locality were almost a unit in favoring the project, and to get, if possible, a majority of the whole people interested in the division, it became necessary for the advocates of the new county to resort to a little strategem. The people of Norwalk and vicinity became somewhat alarmed lest, should the new county be formed, their county seat would be removed to a point further south and nearer the geographical center of that county’s territory as it would exist. Such a change, of course, would be pleasing to the people in the south part of Huron, and, in order to accomplish their main purpose (having the new county set off) the strategic sons of this town sent a “missionary” to labor among the southern residents of Huron county, representing to them that a change in the location of their county seat would greatly benefit them. This in a measure succeeded, and by it the new county project found many warm supporters in the remote parts of Huron. The representative of Sandusky in this laudable effort was Colonel John N. Sloane, who went among the southern people armed with the following document proclaiming his authority:
To whom it may concern: This may certify that Colonel John N. Sloane is authorized in behalf of the citizens of this town to confer with the people in the south and west parts of the county of Huron on the proposition of attending the proposed convention at Norwalk, on the 12th instant, and to make arrangements for a full and punctual attendance. Sandusky, September 5th, 1835. (Signed) Moors Farwell, Abner Root, Oran Follett, James N. Davidson, Charles F. Drake, Ebenezer B. Sadler, M. L. Babcock, John Beatty, John Weeden, James Hollister, Zenas W. Barker, William Neil.”
Footnotes: Surnames printed in bold print. Source of Photograph, Google Images --- Later known as Providence Hospital. There are more Photographs of Buildings built in the middle 1800's in the Water and Market Street Area on Google Images