The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-01-30

|
ern Reserve and Maumee road, had in him an
early untiring, and efficient friend; and,
throug hhis efforts in circulating petitions over
the State Throughout which he had large
business acquaintance, to influence public
opinion, and thus secure favorable legislative
action. the work was doubtless completed
many years earlier than it would otherwise
have been:
The next and most important work that
enlisted his efforts, was the enterprise Of con-
structing the Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland
Railroad; and when the scheme " as strug-
CLING for existence, against the efforts Of those
friendly to the rival route, now known as the
Northern Division, which had among its
friends the late Judge Lane,of Sandusky City,
and others of commanding influence. The |
chances were in favor of the Northern route;
but Mr.. BirehaTd, in cooperation with G. L.
Boalt, of NorWalk, commenced the enlistment |
and organization of forces in behalf of the
Southern route. public meeting-the first |
one held-of those along the contemplated |
line friendly to this route, was appointed at
Bellevue. At the time named, the "mass |
meeting" it was discovered, was composed, in
great part, Of the citizens which Mr.. Birchard
had persuaded to go along with him from
Fremont,
At one time, during the progress of the
struggle, Mr.. Boalt and Mr.. Birchard pledged
every dollar of their private fortunes, for the
purpose of raising funds to prosecute the en-
terprise; and without such pledges and extra
ordinary personal efforts, and the encounter
of such hazards, it is probable that the con-
struction of the southern line Of the Lake
Shore Road would have been postponed many
years. Mr.. Boalt was made the first Presi-
dent of the road upon the organization of the
Company; and, heartily cooperating with
him, Mr.. Birchard, through his influence with
leading capitalists in New York, was success
ful in obtaining the necessary means to push
forward the work.
He was an active and influential member
of the Whig party while it existed, and did
not abandon his interest in politics after its
demise; but was an earnest supporter Of Mr..
Lincoln and the war. He was purchaser at
the first sale of government bonds, to carry
on the war for the Union, made in Ohio in
1862.
Mr.. Birchard was hospitable, Warm-bearted
and friendly. In addition to contributions to
religious and benevolent objects, his private
charities were large. A most important ben
efaction, affecting the public interests of Fre-
mont, vas made about three years since, in
the donation of two tracts of ground, to be de-
voted to the use of the public as parks. The
Toledo Morning Commercial, in an elaborate
notice of this donation, thus described the
ground:
"The land is highly favorable in its topo-
graphy, while the location could not be more
eligible. 1t is timbered by the large trees
common to the native forest of that section,
while it lies at the very door ofpart of the city
on the hill. improvements are already sur
rounding it, and in few years it will be en-
tirely encOmpassed by the population whose
it is to be-"
In 1873 he set apart property amounting to
fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of estab-
fishing public library in Fremont. He ap-
pointed a board of trustees to take charge Of
the same, and provided for the continuance of
of this board. at that time it was estimated
that, including his previous bequests, he had
presented to the city one fifth of his entire es-
tate,
In May 1857 Mr.. B., became q member Of
the Presbyterian Church of Fremont, and re-
mained in its communion for the remainder of
his life, He contributed constantly to its in
cidentaI and benevolent funds. He also
contributed seven thousand dollars to
the new Church edifce occupied by the
congregation. In this he took especial satis-
faction. Though member Of this church he
frequently aided other congregations without
distinction of denomination.
He gave most satisfactory evidence of sim
cerity in his religious experience, and disd in
perfect composure of mind. He had talked
much with friends concerning death, and
seemed to be altogether ready.
He died about II o'clock NJ, January 2lst,
1874, aged 70 years and days. He had been
feeling as well az usual during the morning,
had walked through the house and up stairs,
and had shaved himself. About IL o'clock he
was attacked by neuralgia of the heart, and
after an hours suffering, expired.
In his death the city has lost one of her best
/ citizens, the church one of her stesdfast sup
porters, and society one of its best members.
Agreeably to announcement the funeral
services of the deceased took place in the
Presbyterian Church, ct / o'clock P. NJ, on
Saturday last. Soon after II o'clock the
audience began to assemble, and by o'clock
there was scarcely vacant seat in that large
edifce. By common consent business was al
most entirely suspended in the city from II
NJ. until P. NJ, and the attendance at the
church was general. The Mayor and Council
attended in body, and many were present
from distance to pay the last honors to a
| departed friend and lamented citiZen'
Shortly after o'closk the funeral cortege
arrived at the church and the remains of de-
ceased were conveyed to the space in front Of
| the pulpit. The casket was neatly ornamented
with flowers and beautiful cross of moss. A
miniature Hshoek of corn fully ripe" and a
chaplet of ripened oak leaves, ornamented the
preachers desk, fit emblems that in ripe old
age, full of usefulness and honors, the deceased
had passed from earth. The pail bearers were
DR.. L. @. Rawson, Hon. Homer Everett, Capt.
]. L. Cole, Col. W. e. Haynes, John M. Smith
and Platt Brush of this city, Clark Waggoner
of Toledo, and A. W. Luckey of ElmOre.
The immediate family circle of mourneTs
consisted of Ex-Gov. R. B. Hayes, and family,
of this city, Mrs. R. Dewitt (niece of de-
ceased) of EIyria; Mrs. Mitchell, daughter of
Mrs. DeWitt) of Columbus, and Miss S. J..
Grant of this city, who for some years had at
tion of a daughter.
After the mourners and pail bearers were
seated, the choir sang a very beautiful ar
rangement of Crock of Ages" composed by
Mr.. Warren, organist of St. Thomas, New
York, after which Rev. Bushnell arose and
read an impressive lesson from various pOr-
tions of the New Testament Scriptures, and
then offered up the following
PRAYER:
o Lord, Heavenly Father-thou Lord our
God-founder Of our bodies and framsr of our
spirits-we come before Thee, believing thou
art ever ready to do all for our salvation. We
thank Thee for that Jesus died on the cross
to deliver us-we, who for fear of death didst
live all our lives in bondage. We thank Thee
for the words we have Just read and verify
we know Thou art with us at all times and in
all seasons. Verify we are sinners-and verify
all sinners shall die. But we thank Thee we