Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1889-05-24

For some time there has been consiper.
able discussion regarding who built the
first house in the corporation of Perrys-
burg. The little village, "Orleans of the
North" located near Fort Megs had an
existence some years before Perrysburg,
aud il is evident the confusion concerning
the first house in Perrysburg, WAS prob
ably caused by this fact. The To-
lcdo Commercial gives the following,
which is thought 10 be the correct version
Of the case:
A representative of the Commercial had
the good fortnne,on Saturday, TO meet Mrs.
Daniel Lindsay, now Of Peoria, Ill.,, but
lor about half century citizen of
Perrysbnrg. Mira. Lindsay was daughter
of Mr.. Thomes II. Mcknight, and was
borne nt Wooster, this State, in 1917. In
the year 1920 Mr.. Mcknight moved with
his family To Perrysburg. He made the
journey in the month of February, and on
reaching Lower Sandusky (now Fremont)
he took to the ice on sleds and came from
that place tU Perrysburg, or "Orleans" on
the ice.
The following summer Mr.. Mcknight
began the erection of a log houee, two
stories in height, on the lot on Front street,
Perrysburg, now occupied by the residence
of Mrs. f. Hollenbeck. There were no
streets or roads there at that time Moth
ing but dence forest. The house was
not completed until the next February,
Just one year from the date OF his arrival
on the Maumee river.
Mrs. Lindsay states that she we'll re-
members their removal from "Orleansr TO
the new house. An OF team was used and
it was necessary 10 cut their way through
the woods from the village of about a
dozen honses at the foot OF Fort MeIgs to
the cabin OF two stories. She states in
cidentS connected with that event which
leaves no room TO doubt the correctness of
her statement
She says this house, put up by her
father, was the only building, at that time,
within the corporate limits OF Perrysburg.
1t has been stated that Mr.. John Webb
erected the first building, but Mrs. S. says
lie did not come TO the Maumee river
until two years after the arrival of her
father and one year after they had moved
into their house. Mr.. Webb was Mrs.
Lindsay's uncle and as they had spent
the greater portion of their lives as near
neighhors and often talked over these early
events, she remembers them perfectly.
This, apparently, settles question
about which there has been much discus
sion at Perrysburg and on the part of
others who have been interested in the
collection OF the early history of the place.
The above facts were undoubtedly given
with The belief that they were correct, but
the JOURNAL has been informed by some
of our old citizens that there were other
houses built here long before the one mem
toned in the statement above given.
A letter in the Commercial of May %,
from Mr.. VIM. Ewing, OF Bowling Green,
also con,radic,s the above. We publish
both letters and with due respect TO both
parties, and believing they have given
what they remember TO be the facts in the
matter, the JOURNAL asks for information,
and Is willing to give space each week for
The expression Of opinions Of the old set
Tiers on this subject. The following is
the letter from Mr.. Ewing
SETTLED AT LAsT-NoT MUCH.
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio, May 2O.-To
Tho Eiitor; Mrs. Lindsay says her
father, Thos. II, Mcknight, built the fret
house in the limits of Perrysburg corpor-
alton She has forgotten the 1hos. Lem
ming house, The David Hawley and the
John Omsns houses, which were all bmilt
fr"m three TO lonr years before Thomas X.
Mcknight moved 10 Orleans. Just opposite
to our house. WIN. EWING.
p. 81 can give dates and locations for
all the old buildings in Perrysburg, and
in fact IN that country,