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BIOGRAPHIES
 Source
HISTORY of CITY OF TOLEDO and LUCAS COUNTY, OHIO
Illustrated
Clark Waggoner, Editor
Publ. New York & Toledo:
Munsell & Company, Publishers
1888
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J. Austin Scott |
J. AUSTIN SCOTT.
Young Ohio was situated at a point of confluence of the tides of
migration. Her early population in one current came from New
England and New York; in another, from Pennsylvania; and in a third,
from Virginia and Kentucky. The result has been a mingling of
forces and a conflict of ideas. Political parties, for
instance, have been pretty evenly matched in numbers: and as a
consequence, strong men necessarily have come forward on both sides
to contend for the mastery, in both State and National affairs.
But the effect of this stir and life, is also seen in the men who,
not seeking public place, have been content to build up the strength
and character of the various communities where they lived in the
State of their choice. The latter are no less worthy types of
much that is best in the State. Such a representative man is
the subject of this sketch. J. Austin Scott, the son of
Jere. and Amelia Wakeman Scott, was
born April 13, 1806, at Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut,
where his ancestors hail lived for three generations. Both of
his grandfathers — David Scott and Jessup
Wakeman — were active Patriots in the Revolutionary War.
His father was too young to serve; but four uncles were Patriot
Soldiers. Austin was sent to the District School at an
early age; after leaving which, he went to a School kept by a
graduate of Yale, where he acquired a good knowledge of mathematics.
Coming into young manhood, he taught the School of the District in
Winter, and worked on his lather's farm in Summer, and afterwards
taught the Village School in the Town of Ridgefield. He next
became clerk of a country store-keeper, and had pretty much the
entire charge of store. Post Office and the compounding of
prescriptions. Those several duties were too confining, and in
May of 1833, he came West on a visit to Perrysburg, where his
brother, Jessup W., had recently settled. The next year
Mr. Scott purchased the Miami of the Lake, a
newspaper then just started at Perrysburg, and the first one
published in the Maumee Valley. He soon sold one part of this
property to James H. McBride, and another part to Henry
Reed, Jr., of Maumee City. The paper was published a few
mouths by Scott, McBride & Reed, and was then
sold to Mr. McBride. In the Summer of the same
year, the First Presbyterian Church of Perrysburg was formed, of
which Mr. Scott was one of the nine original members.
The next year (1835), he shared in the perils of the " Toledo War,"
by accepting a Captain's commission from Governor Lucas.
Having been made the agent of the Miami and Higby Land Companies,
Mr. Scott removed to Miami, across the River from
Perrysburg, where the "hard times" of 1837 found him building a
Steamboat, the Chesapeake, which cost when completed, $68,000.
It was built on his farm near Fort Miami. From this enterprise
he was just able to escape without financial failure, and at once
set to work with his brother George, to clear the land for a
farm (on tract 578, Private Grants). Together they cleared 150
acres. Mr. Scott planted one-third of this with
trees—Apple, Peach, Pear, and (Quince — and soon had one of the
finest orchards in the State, and it may lie stated in this
connection, that not a year has passed since his boyhood, in which
he did not plant trees. For the next 20 years. though owning
and conducting a Warehouse business at Miami, Mr. Scott
found his delight, and finally his chief occupation, in the
cultivation of fruit. He was a member of the first Maumee City
Council, in which capacity he served for 10 years; 12 years of which
time he was the President. He was also President of the Maumee
City School Board for a number of years.
In order to give his children the advantages of good
Schools, Mr. Scott removed to Toledo in 1859 where he
had invested somewhat in real estate. Soon after he settled in
that City, he was elected a member of the Board of Education, where
he served for several terms, and with Charles W. Hill, Matthew
Shoemaker, H. J. Hayes, James Myers, E. D. Potter, J. R. Osborn
and others, aided largely in making the Public Schools the pride of
the City.
After a life of 34 years in the Maumee Valley, Mr.
Scott, on account of the ill health of his wife, removed to
Ann Arbor. Michigan, in 1868, and occupied the beautiful residence
where he has continued to live for 20 years. The same public
spirit which characterized his early and middle life, has been shown
in his advancing years. As President of the Cemetery Company,
and of the Horticultural Society in Ann Arbor, and as Director in a
Bank and a Manufacturing Company, and in other places of trust, he
has richly deserved the confidence and respect universally given
him. He continues to take the liveliest interest in Toledo and
its welfare.
Sturdy independence, sterling integrity, and special
activity in connection with the Church, characterizes the life of
Mr. Scott. For more than 40 years he has held
official positions in the different Churches with which he has been
connected ; and for nearly 30 years (in Toledo and Ann Arbor) that
of Deacon.
Mr. Scott has been twice married.
His first wife was Ann A. Crocker, of Connecticut, who died
in 1840. In 1847 he was married to Miss Sarah S. Ranney,
of East Granville, Massachusetts, who died in 1883. No
children of the first marriage survive. Of the second, Mr.
Scott's children are Austin, Professor of History in
Rutger's College, New Jersey; Evart H., a successful Fruit
Grower in Ann Arbor; and Mary H. and Ranney C.
Annie Elizabeth (a daughter of much promise) died at Toledo at
the age of 12 years.
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 711 |
J. W. Scott |
JESSUP WAKEMAN SCOTT.
Jessup Wakeman Scott was born at Ridgefield,
Connecticut, Feb. 25, 1799. His ancestors were of the old New
Haven Colony stock. So fully did he improve the advantages
supplied by the District Schools, that at the age of 16 years he
became a Teacher. Beginning at home, he continued such pursuit
in New Jersey, George and South Carolina, meeting with exceptional
success. At 18 he devoted some attention to the study of
medicine, but soon changed to the profession of law, and was
admitted to the Bars of Georgia and South Carolina in 1822.
Although devoting several years to the practice, it seems never to
have become accepted as a life-work with him. He was at one
time a Teacher in the State Female College at Columbia, South
Carolina. In consequence of the sharp issues then rising on
the Slavery question, in which Mr. Scott fully sympathized
with the North, he concluded it better to return to the North, which
he did in 1830. In the Spring of 1831, he came West and
located at Florence (then in Huron, now in Erie County), as the
agent of Jessup Wakeman, his father-in-law, who owned a large
tract of land in that vicinity, and chiefly in Wakeman Township,
Huron County. Here he commenced the publication of a monthly
periodical, entitled the Ohio and Michigan Register and
Emigrant's Guide, which was printed at Norwalk. As
indicated by its title, it was devoted to intelligence desirable
with those seeking information of the Western country. It was
in this paper that Mr. Scott first discussed his original
views upon the ultimate results of population and trade in respect
to interior Cities; and especially his belief, as subsequently more
fully presented, that the Future Great City of the World would be
found, not on the seaboard, but in the interior. As early as
1828, while yet in the South, Mr. Scott's attention was
called to the remarkable natural advantages of the vicinity of the
head of Lake Erie, as furnishing a future City of great importance;
and in July of that year, he addressed General John E. Hunt,
then Postmaster at Maumee, a letter, in which he said: "I wish
to obtain all the information in my power respecting your section of
country, with the view of making it my future residence." The
result of his investigation was such, that after remaining about one
year at Florence, he visited Maumee (1832), and made the purchase of
70 acres of land now in Toledo, and elsewhere referred to in this
volume. In 1833 he removed his family to Perrysburg, where he
resumed the practice of the law, and was chosen Prosecuting
Attorney. Still bent on literary pursuits, in December of that
year, in partnership with Henry Darling, a brother-in-law, he
started the pioneer paper of the Maumee Valley - the Miami of the
Lake, that then being the appelation of the Maumee River.
The tide of speculation soon began to rise in this religion, as
throughout the West, and Mr. Scott dealt freely in lands, and
deemed himself to be a man of wealth. In 1836, he "retired on
his fortune" to Bridgeport, Connecticut, but by the crash of 1837,
was called back to Maumee, where he remained for seven years.
But no extent of disappointment could destroy his faith that on the
Maumee River was to be the Great City of the Future, which belief
was made the basis of many articles prepared by him for the public
press. While his views failed to command general acceptance,
they gave him prominence among reflecting minds. In 1844
Mr. Scott first made Toledo his residence, and at once became
connected with the Blade, which he conducted for several
years. In 1857 he removed to Castleton, below Albany, New
York, where he remained some years, and returned to Toledo. In
1868, he prepared with much care and published a pamphlet setting
forth more fully his theory of the "Future Great City of the World,"
which, as he claimed, Toledo was to be. In October, 1872,
sensible of the near approach of the end of life, and anxious to
give effect to his deep interest in his fellow-citizens and their
posterity, Mr. Scott devised and formulated the scheme for
the endowment of an institution of learning to be known as "The
Toledo University of Arts and Trades," the character, details and
present condition of which plan are elsewhere set forth in
connection with the history of the Toledo Manual Training School.
Mr. Scott throughout was recognized as a writer of ability,
and for many years was specially conspicuous with the public press.
He was always a staunch advocate of sound morals and free thought,
and had no toleration for vice or lawlessness in any form. As
a citizen, he was a model of propriety, and in practice as well as
precept, a leader in public and private virtue. The causes of
temperance and popular education found in him an earnest champion.
Mr. Scott was married at Southport, Connecticut, in May,
1824, with Miss Susan Wakeman, who, with three sons,
accompanied him to Florence in the Spring of 1831. At the time
of Mr. Scott's death they were within four months of their
Golden Wedding. Mr. Scott survived her husband until
April, 1882, when she, too, yielded to advancing age. They had
three children - William H. and Frank J., of Toledo; and
Maurice A. Scott, of Castleton, New York.
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 650 |
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OLIVER STEVENS
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 696 |
S. W. Skinner |
SAMUEL WOLCOTT SKINNER, Physician
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 551 |
David Smith |
DAVID SMITH was born
at Kilconquhar, Scotland, in October, 1818. In 1832, when he
was 14 years of age, the family left Scotland for America.
After two narrow escapes from shipwreck, they reached Upper Canada
and settled at Pickering. When 17 years of age (1835),
David went to Buffalo, New York, where, with his brother,
James L., he was employed in the engineer's service of the
Buffalo and Niagara Railroad. In 1837, coming to Ohio, he was
one of the party who surveyed the line of the proposed Toledo and
Sandusky Railroad, which never was built. That engagement
completed, Mr. Smith went to Tecumseh, Michigan, and aided in
the location and construction of the Palmyra and Jacksonburg
Railroad (now substantially the Jackson branch of the Lake Shore and
Michigan Southern Road). Locating at Tecumseh in 1839, he
engaged in the newspaper business with his brother, James L.,
and published the Village Record until 1840, when they sold
out. Engaging in the mercantile trade with Geo. W. Ketcham,
David continued in the same there until 1850, when the goods
were removed to Toledo. The following year, in connection with
the late Hudson B. Hall, also from Tecumseh, Mr. Smith
began the manufacture and sale of lumber, their mill for several
years being located on the East Side, and subsequently removed to
the West Side of the River. In this business Mr. Smith
continued until the time of his death. The operations of the
establishment, from small beginnings, increased to large proportions
and was exceptionally prosperous. For 10 years previous to
Mr. Smith, which occurred Mar. 29, 1876, his eldest son, Wm.
H. H. Smith, was associated with him in business. The
exceptional success of the establishment was largely due to the
strict and correct habits of business, sound judgment and known
integrity, which marked its management, and to which the original
proprietors both so liberally contributed. No firm in the City
enjoyed such enviable standing in more eminent degree, than did the
firm of H. B. Hall & Co., which never deceived a customer,
nor knowingly permitted one to be deceived. The business of
the establishment, now much enlarged, is conducted by Mr. Smith's
two sons (William H. H. and Howard M.) Beginning
at the age of 17, Mr. Smith's business life covered a period
of over 40 years, and throughout was marked by a degree of energy
and integrity seldom shown. But it was not in the department
of business - honorable as that was - that he commanded in highest
degree and regard of his fellowmen. It was rather in the
domestic, the religious and the social relations which he so
honorably bore, that his true character found its fullest
development. These, far more than the lines of trade, afforded
free exercise for his inborn love for men and his high reverence for
his Creator, which from childhood so strongly controlled his life.
As husband and father, neighbor and citizen, his keen sense of
personal obligation to others, was ever shown in a sacrifice of self
in the interest of others. The home circle always enlisted his
fondest interest. Next to that, he most highly cherished his
relations with Christian people. In all the manifold channels
for activity in Christian life, he was habitually and zealously
employed. For nearly 40 years a member of the Presbyterian
Church, and most of that period of the Presbyterian Church, and most
of that period an office-bearer - as Elder, Trustee, Trustee,
Sabbath School Superintendent, or Chorister - be permitted no
opportunity for usefulness to pass unimproved. As a member of
Building Committees of the First Congregational and Westminster
Churches of Toledo, his devotion of time and judgment was specially
useful, and the success of those Societies was largely due to such
effective service. In the contribution of material aid, he was
no more restrained in his support of religious work, than in the
bestowal of personal service. Nor was his active interest
confined to Church work; but was manifested liberally in whatever
ways promised good to his fellow men of whatever class or creed.
There was not a social, moral or civil interest of his fellows, that
failed to enlist his favorable consideration and his active aid.
As a member of the City Council and of the Board of Education, as a
Trustee of the House of Refuge, and in other positions of public
trust, his services were often sought and always appreciated.
It has been truly said of him: "He was emphatically a friend of man
- ever ready and cheerful in meeting the command to love his
neighbor as himself. Thus, he left a name more precious to his
family ad friends, than earthly wealth. He lived and died a
true Christian, and his memory will ever be fresh and grateful in
the recollection of a large circle of friends." "Such a life -
in all its substantial element, is a success, and furnishes an
example honorable to the deceased and useful to the living, present
and future." Following the death of Mr. Smith, the
Sunday School of Westminster (Presbyterian) Church - of which he was
the first Superintendent and throughout an active member - adopted a
tribute of affection and acknowledgment to his memory, in which it
was stated: "We recognize in his sound instruction, loving
watchfulness and judicious management, a prominent source of the
blessings we now enjoy; and it is a grateful privilege to bear
testimony to his untiring fidelity and to commend his high example.
Especially would we impress upon all, the great value of the careful
study of the Word of God, which, beginning with early childhood, in
his native Scotland, was never relaxed, but attended him with
increasing devotion to the last. To search the Scriptures, was
with him a life-work, and was richly repaid in the well of precious
truth ever springing up in his heart and flowing out to refresh and
gladden all around him." In 1839, Mr. Smith was married
with Miss Sarah B. Mandeville, who, with four children -
Wm. H. H. Smith, of Toledo; Mrs. Wm. A. Ewing, of
Chicago, Ill.; Miss Florence and Howard M. Smith, of
Toledo - survive him. Subsequently (Mar. 7, 1886), Mrs.
Smith was called to rejoin the one so long a partner of her
younger and more mature life. Sympathizing with and sharing in
the works of usefulness which so largely distinguished her husband's
life, Mrs. Smith, like him, ever held a prominent place in
the social and religious circles where her activities were highly
appreciated. This was eminently so, in the different fields of
Church and benevolent work, where she is specially missed.
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 605 |
Dennison B. Smith |
DENISON BILLINGS SMITH
was born at Stonington, New London County, Connecticut, Oct. 17,
1817. During that year his parents removed to Stockbridge,
Massachusetts. At the age of 13 years, the son left home for
employment in the store of his eldest brother, and Dean Richmond,
at Salina (now Syracuse), New York. Remaining there until
March, 1836, he left for the Maumee Valley, reaching Perrysburg
April 15th where he engaged as clerk with the same brother and
John Hollister, and continued as such until Jun., 1838. He
then engaged in business for himself, at Miami, or Lower Maumee.
It was a small forwarding business, to both the East and the West,
and also in furnishing supplies to contractors in the construction
of the Canal. He continued this business until 1841, when he
formed a copartnership with George S. Hazard, now of Buffalo.
The new firm added to the old business that of Wholesale trade in
iron, glass and tobacco from Pittsburg, and in grain from farmers.
In 1844, the year after the completion of the Wabash Canal, it
becoming evident that its traffic would meet that of the Lake at
Toledo, Mr. Smith moved to that place. He then
purchased one-half interest in a line of Canal Boats, which had been
sent here from the Erie Canal, by Bronson & Crocker,
of Oswego. The business of Mr. Smith then became
that of Transportation and Grain Commission, which was materially
increased in 1845 by the completion of the Miami and Erie Canal to
Cincinnati. The line of purchased Boats was added to by
purchase and construction of others, until it furnished facilities
not possessed by any otlier of that day. It was run in
connection with Steamers and Vessels to Buffalo, and with Vessels to
Oswego. The quarters first occupied in Toledo by Mr.
Smith, consisted of what for many years has been known as the
"Old Red Warehouse," yet standing on Southwest corner of Monroe and
Water Streets, built by Richard Mott, in 1840.
The next location was the "Daniels Warehouse," Southwest
corner of Jefferson and Water Streets. In the Winter of
1845-6, Charles Butler, of New York, built for Mr.
Smith at the foot of Cherry Street (Southwest side), a
warehouse of greatly increased capacity, and with facilities for
handling grain of marked improvement on anything theretofore known
in the West. The business of the Canals, as of Toledo, rapidly
increased. In 1849, the first Board of Trade was organized.
This was done in the office of an Elevator, built by General
Joseph W. and Egbert B. Brown, on the present site of King's
Elevators, at the foot of Madison Street (East side). Of this
Board Mr. Smith was chosen President, and Matthew
Brown Vice President. Since 1844—now 44 years—Mr.
Smith has been identified with the commerce of Toledo, and is
the oldest living representative of its early and later progress.
It is safe to state that of all the hundreds of his business
associations for that long period no one has in more eminent degree
commanded and retained the confidence and esteem of acquaintances,
than has he; while no one has been more enterprising or more
unstinted in the employment of time and means for the advancement of
the commercial interests of the City. In September, 1877, he
was elected Secretary of the Toledo Produce Exchange, and has since
held that position, to the full satisfaction of that body. As
Secretary of the Board, he has prepared a daily Circular or Prices
Current, which, from the first, has in high degree commanded the
attention and confidence of dealers, at home and abroad, and is now
largely accepted as authority in matters of current interest and of
financial policy. Mr. Smith united with the
Protestant Episcopal Church, at Maumee, in 1842, being confirmed in
the Court House by Bishop Mcllvaine, of the Ohio
Diocese. Coming to Toledo in 1844, he was elected as Vestryman
of Trinity Church at Easter meeting, 1845, and for most of the
succeeding 43 years, he served as Vestryman and Senior Warden.
It is safe to say, that no other member of that communion has been
more sincerely or more actively devoted to the welfare of the
Church, than has he. July 8, 1843, Mr. Smith was
married with Mary Sophia, eldest daughter of
General John E. Hunt, at Maumee, who died June 14, 1857.
Of this union six children were born, of whom four are living. The
second died in infancy, and the third (Rev. Frank
Smith, of the Protestant Episcopal Church) died in 1879, aged 30
years. His living children are - Mary G. wife of
Ralph W. Baker; Julia E.,wife of Geo. E. Welles; and
Denison B., Jr., all now of Duluth, Minnesota; and Virginia,
wife of James Robison of Wichita, Kansas. Jan. 29,
1862, Mr. Smith was married with Julia E. Hunt, sister
of his first wife.
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 472b |
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ELEAZER N. SMITH
was born at Sand Lake, Rennsselaer County, New York, June 16, 1815.
His parents were Noadiah and Susannah (Sibley) Smith
The family on both sides were from Connecticut, and were of true New
England stock. The mother was a sister of William Sibley,
whose name at a very early period was so prominently identified with
the settlement of Washington Township; and also a sister of
Joseph Sibley of Rochester, New York. The son's early
years were spent on a farm, and his educational privileges such as
were then common to farmers' sons in that section. Having
early adopted agriculture as his pursuit in life, and desiring a
more desirable field of operations than he found in the East, he
left and came West, arriving at Toledo, June 19, 1836, making his
stop in what is now Washington Township. In the fall of 1837
he returned to the East, remaining there until the spring of 1839,
when he came back to make his permanent home here. He bought
an interest in the estate of his uncle, Wm. Sibley who died
in 1836. The property consisted of 260 acres in Sections 21
and 22, of which Mr. Smith now owns 180 acres. The
improvement and cultivation of that large farm has been his
life-work; and how well that work has been done, his neighbors best
can tell. For something more than 30 years past, he has given
special attention to the dairy business - more particularly the
supply of milk in Toledo, which he has done to the great acceptance
of many customers. The business, under the firm of E. N.
Smith & Son, and the management of William N. Smith, is
yet continued. The farm of Mr. Smith is the best in the
County, and constitutes a property of which its owner may well be
proud. He has acted for several terms as a Trustee of
Washington Township, and in many other ways open to him served his
fellow citizens. At the age of 17, he made profession of the
Christian faith and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church,
which relations he has ever maintained. On coming West he
identified himself with the Church now known as the West Toledo
Methodist Episcopal Church, of which, for most of the time, he has
been an office-bearer. It is due to Mr. Smith, to say,
that throughout an active life, now more than 50 years in extent, he
has established and maintained the record of a useful and exemplary
citizen, a good neighbor, an honorable dealer and the faithful head
of a devoted family - qualites covering every relation of human
activity. Oct. 5, 1848, Mr. Smith was married with
Miss Catherine Rawson, of Bedford, Monroe County, Michigan.
They have had three children - William N. now on the farm;
Mary, at home; and Emma, wife of William W. Dixon,
of West Toledo.
Source:
Story of City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Illustrated - Clark
Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York & Toledo: Munsell & Company,
Publishers - 1888 - Page 908 |
R. W. Smith |
ROBERT W. SMITH
was born in West Charleston, Miami County, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1834.
His parents were of English and Scotch ancestry. The father
was a Cabinetmaker, specimens of his skill yet remaining in the
vicinity of his residence. His physical strength was such as
to make severe the labor requisite for the satisfactory support of
his family. The mother was a woman of intelligence and
refinement, with special talent for artistic work, many proofs of
her success in drawing now remaining. As may be inferred, the
son's educational privileges were meagre enough. His first
lessons consisted of a paddle of wood, on one side of which was the
alphabet, and on the other the "a b abs," with his mother for
teacher. Before he had got far beyond the grad thus indicated,
and without regular School privileges, he was sent to the country to
do chores for a living with a relative. His education before
his 15th year beyond that supplied on the paddle, was only such as
he was able to pick up; but he had learned to read and write.
Then feeling the absolute need of more instruction, he succeeded in
getting to a Public School, which he was permitted to enjoy for a
period of 16 days, which constituted his entire School education.
But even in such short time, he was able to snatch a few rudiments,
including an insight to primary arithmetic and McGuffy's
readers. His School-days completed, he secured employment with
a Builder, to work a year at Carpentry. During this time he
developed his genius in the construction of a piece of continuous
rail-stair from first to third floor. He soon entered upon
business on his own account, and developed talent rapidly. He
was the first builder to put up large barns with self-supporting
roofs, thus doing away with the posts, always so convenient in such
buildings. Two of these barns yet remain in Miami County, one
built for the late Colonel J. R. Woodward at Woodward Place;
and the other for Hon. Samuel Sullivan near Tadmor. In
1862, in connection with his brother William, Mr. Smith ran a
small Wood working Machine Shop and Lumber Yard at Tippecanoe.
In 1864 the brother died, other parties then taking an interest in
the business, which is yet continued. In 1866, Mr. Smith
made an important advance by the invention of what came to be known
as the "Smith Truss Bridge" (of wood), which soon had a remarkable
demand. Finding that a large field and more adequate
facilities for obtaining supplies and for shipping manufactures were
demanded, Mr. Smith in 1867 decided to remove to Toledo,
where he at once founded the Smith Bridge Company - he constituting
the entire Company. When he began business one 300-foot bridge
was considered a fair Summer's job; but in 1867 he built five
bridges; in 1868, 22; and in 1869, 75. The present joint Stock
Company was organized in 1870, whose business has reached an annual
aggregate of $500,000. Soon after the year 1870, began a
change from wood to iron, as material for the construction of
bridges, which continued, until now very few wood structures are
manufactured. With the increase in demand for bridges,
improved machinery for such purpose was required. This,
mainly, had to be invented. The principal invention of this
sort was a gaining -machine, which does the work of 15 men, and in
better manner. Another improvement made consists of a process
for making a steel eye-bar, which is very valuable. Beside
these, were a rotary saw, for making the joints of bridge-chords;
and a multiple punch, by which six pieces of iron can be punched at
one operation, one man with it doing the work of six by the old
method. One of the highest achievements of Mr. Smith in
this connection consists in the construction of turn-tables for draw
bridges, so made as to be operated with the best possible friction.
Its operation is seen in the
Cherry Street
bridge, at Toledo, the draw of which is 300 feet long, 46 feet
wide, and weighs 420 tons, and yet can be turned by one man, the
requisite pressure on the lever being only 75 pounds. It is
now operated by steam in 45 seconds of time. He has devised
iron drawbridges for Canals, so arranged that boats push them open,
they closing when the boats have passed. A pressure of three
pounds will open them. These bridges are now in general use.
When at New Orleans in 1876, Mr. Smith accidentally fell in
with the City Engineer, who had prepared a plan for a landing or
floating-dock for a ferry, and who, on learning that Mr. Smith
was a Bridge Builder, submitted to that gentleman his plan for
examination, when that gentleman his plan for examination, when its
defects were pointed out so clearly that Mr. Smith was asked
to prepare a plan, which was submitted to the Board of Control, and
adopted in lieu of that of the City Engineer, and the contract for
the construction of the work given to the Smith Bridge Company, by
which it was executed, Mr. Smith being paid $1,000 extra for
the plan. The approach is 125 feet long, the rise and fall
with the tide being 15 feet. This was placed at Canal Street.
Another like structure was built for the Jackson Street ferry, as
were other swing-bridges in that City. While Mr. Smith
has been from the first, and yet is, the main controlling and
directing power of this great work he has been for over 20 years
largely indebted for success to the support of efficient assistants.
Prominent among these is Mr. J. J. Swigart, whose financial
sagacity and energy have contributed materially to the prosperity of
the business. Mr. D. Howell, the Chief Engineer, and
his five assistants, together with Wm. S. Daly the present
Secretary, and Lewis Motter and Andrew Strochlein all
have been able and substantial aids in securing for the Company its
remarkable success and high character. While making a record
in the business world thus brilliant and successful, Mr. Smith
has been no less considerate in the high personal character he has
established, and in the pervading regard for the moral and material
well-being of his fellowmen, who have always had in him a worthy
model of upright, conscientious life. In 1856 Mr. Smith
was married with Miss Mary Ann Pearson, the daughter of a
Quaker farmer. She died in 1881, leaving three children -
Mrs. La Mont Bateman, Chas. E. Smith and Mrs. Laura Burnet
all of Toledo.
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 786 |
O. Stevens |
OLIVER STEVENS
Source: City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio -
Illustrated - Clark Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York &
Toledo: Munsell & Company, Publishers 1888 - Page 696 |
John Strayer |
JOHN STRAYER
Source:
Story of City of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio, Illustrated - Clark
Waggoner, Editor - Publ. New York & Toledo: Munsell & Company,
Publishers - 1888 - Page 848 |
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