Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1880-10-22


have mentioned this law of the west
ward movement Of our race as one Of its
peculiarities Another characteristic Of
the race is this, IL has always driven out
or DESTROYED the aboriginal or primitive
inhabitants OF the country, Of which il has
tax IN possession. with a few exceptions
in Canada and Mexico, they never have
intermarried with them or recognized them
as equals; but the original proprietors OF
| the soil have ever been compelled to aban-
don their homes and their hunting grounds
on the approach Of the naughty Caucasln.
The history of the American Indian is not
different from that Of the first occupants
Of the soil of Europe. The softening in
huences of time alone have obscured the
cruelties oil our race there, while the prox.
unity OF the wrongs committed here, place
them in stronger perspective, which
| causes us to shudder at the crimes OF which
we are the authors; we have teen and still
are the exterminators OF the primitive ra-
ces OF men but as il is not pleasant to think
Of ourselves az criminals, we shall continue
to hope these seeming crimes, will prove
TO be for some wise aud henefcent purpose.
WOOD COUNTY.
At the head of the active and intelligent
developing the resources of the county, by
engaging in traffic and forming business
connections with the rest of mankind, was
John Hollister, of Berkshire county, Mas.
sachu~etts. Mr.. HOllister came here about
the year 1918, and settled in PcrrysLurg
as agent of the American Fur Company, and
at once opened regular business with the
Indians,in furs aud petries and such other
articles rs they had 10 dispose Of lie was
also at the head of those intelligent and
far seeing men, who afterwards made Per.
rysburg the commercial center of the Mau-
mee Valley. There were associated with
| him in fur buying, his bro her, Benjamin
| F., and in the forwarding and commission
business, John w. Smith, and besides these.
I've was in intimate business relations with
all the prominent vessel aud slea boat cap
tains Of that day; as the carrying business
from the year 1882, up to aud including
1912, employed large number Of vessels
and steamboats,, between Bufflo and Per
| rysburg, and much larger number OF
teams to transport goods constantly arriving
at the latter port for Northern Indiana,
which had TO he carried for the most part
over land TO Grand Rapids, (then Gilead, }
/ whence they were to be transported in pir-
ogues and fat boats to Fort WAYNE
Captain David Wilkinson was the pioneer
and acknowledged chief Of the naviga tors
of that period. He had command success.
lively OF the Gue,risre, Eagle and Cdroine,
and of the steamboats, Commodore Perry and
| Superior. To his energy and enterprising
spirit, Perrysburg was very much indebted
for the commanding position which she so
long held, as chief commercial center of
the Maumee Valley, aud many OF her early
inhabitants received favors from him which
they cherished with grateful memOries as
long rs they lived. Captain Wilkinson
was followed by Cap'ain w. II. Wetmore,
our presnnt able and accomplished repre-
sentative in the General Assembly, who
learned the art of navigation under his
efficient training, and Who by his long aud
successful career as commander Of some Of
the finest steamers that ever sailed the
lakes, has given evidence OF superior abili-
| ly well directed by the training Of MI able
master.
OF the pioneer lawyers Of the county, the
! following rose to eminence in their profes-
sion: Thomas Powell, Isaac Stetson, w.
| V. Way, ]. Z. Sphinx and Andrew Coffin
berry, the latter, though good lawyer,
was better known aud admired for his
| genial good nature, than his ability. He
was the snthor of IA poem entitled, "The
Forest Ringers" which contains many
| good sentiments, and describes scenes and
incidents Of forest life, which rre worthy
Of preservation. lie died at Sidney, OHIO
whittier he removed many years ago, TO es
cape, as he said, the too near approach oI
civilization. When asked why he intend
ed to leave Perrysburg, he replied: "Ci>.
iz,lion has approached within sixty milCi
Of me, aud | must move further on"
At the head OF the pioneer merchants o.
Perrysburg, stood James Manning Hall
He settled here in the year 1887, and died
in 1916 He was successful in busines
and respected and beloved ~ Il man o
pure morals and unmpeachable busines
integrity. He was succeeded by his broth
er, j. Augustus Hall, who by integrity
skillful management and unremitting at
tentisn to business, accumulated, what i
those days was considered fortune ii
died in 1858.
The pioneer physicians OF Perrysbur.
were Drs, E. d. Peck and Nathaniel Du,
, tan; they were both eminent physician
and labored faithfully and consciemtiousl
in the interest OF their patients. The fol
mer was, however, the more successful
I, the latter more scientific. DR.. Peck visi
/ ed his patients to cure; Dr.. Lustan, To e,
; hanst on them the science Of medicine,
he found il in the books, which lie fDllowe
, with painful exactilmde. DIR. Peck leligh
= ed to cure by seeming disregard OF II
rules OF his profession, while DIR. Dusta
= would have been horried if patient
his survived, il he neglected the least
them. They both served their generatiC
o WE'LL and have gone to their rest fnllowt
!. by the love OF their admiring friends; bl
q their memories survive in the custody
:, faithful breasts.
: Though fear am trespassing on tim
. | cannot stop without mentioning OF
+, more OF the pioneers oil Perrysburg. Jol
y Webb, halter by trade, came To Perry
= burg, in the year 1922. His correct habi
: and excellent pemmanship, brought hi
:, early 10 the favorable notice Of the publ
and in the year 1925, lie WAS elected 10 Il
:, Office OF County Clerk and Recol dc
i These offices were then held by the san
individual; OF rather the same individu
:. discharged The duties OF both. After the
q offices were separated lie frequently he
a Them, and between the years 1925 and lS
:, he had served ia those two offices twent
seven years, and in the meantime he serv,
4 eight years in the office OF Sheriff He
" the only Sheriff Of the cuumty who h
f ever been called upon TO execute the dea
+ penalty.
N II gives me pleasure to say Tint he
n still living, and in the enjoyment of re
/ sonable health, aud Ia the full possessi,
r Of his mental faculties, though over
+ years old
PctersOn'S MaynZine.--PETERsos
s MAGAZINE il on our table for Novemb,
d ahead ofaR Others and as usual, more aud m,
e | ilnDTOrsd III ia a wander how This nm riV,