Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1890-09-13
WOOD COUNTY PIONEERS.
Rad weather, but "a Pheasant Occn.
sion-Pnpcr writ en- by N. N. Call
lard, of Pcrrysburg.

Green, the weather being too bad tC
admit of an out door meeting. Mrs.
VanTassell Thurstin was entitled to
the presidency, but gave way to Joel
Foote, the Oldest vice president.
The following officers were chosen
Secretary-L. Black.
Treas.--Dr. Manville.
Executive Com.--,Joel Foote, VIM.
Minton, Capt. w. II. Wetmore, Jas.
Hollington.
Com. on Obituaries-G. w. Hill, l..
Black, II. @. Strow.
On Badges-Hugh Stewart, Mrs. M.
l.. Thurstin, Capt. j. B. Newton.
The paper written by N. H. Callard
was then read by Gen. ID. w. Day, and
is as follows
/ am requested to address you on
the occasion of your annual conven-
tion, on some topic in harmony with
the objects and purposes of your organ
iZation. On reviewing the field OF his
tory, find that its treasures are already
in your possession. 1t seems to me
that my only resourse is to deal with
the results which have followed the la
bors of the pioneers, thus approaching
current events us we now find them.
In this case it may be truly affirmed,
the fathers laid the foundation their
children have raised the superstruc
ture. In presenting this result of pio-
neer life and enterprise to your consid-
Grafton, shall adopt as my theme
YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY,
covering period, in the history of
&c
"a brief comparison of the past with the
present condition of the county, [
shall endeavor to show the great adj
vance that it has made in the develop
ments of agriculture, in population and
ment, by giving u few incidents of
Wood county matters that have passed
under my own observation.
A VIEW OF THE OUTLINES OF PER-
RYSBURG IN 1858.
My first view of Wood county and
Perrysburg was taken from the canal
boat at Miami, in the month of July,
1858. was then on my way to Indi-
ana. | took passage on the boat in To-
ledo. starting from there early in the
morning.
The route between Toledo and Miami
was without interest, until we had ar
rived at Il point on the canal about 40
rods from the fort. Then II scene of
landscape and water, interspersed with
island, the art of war. and the arts of
peace, suddenly opened to view. 1t
seemed to me, that / had never wit
messed more beautiful prospect. On
the crest of the river bank was perched
the village of Perrysburg, with it's
houses, some of them partly covered by
foliage of trees.
Lower down the hill, the ill-fated hy-
draulic canal was performing its mission
of usefulness in supplying some seven
or eight industrial enterprises with
water power, Lower down the river
were the docks, at which sailing ves-
sci and canal boats were engaged in re-
ceiving and delivering freight. In the
center of the river Garden island ap-
peared like Il huge emerald encircled by
the silvery sheen reflected on the water.
On the west, the battlements OF Fort
Meigs stood out in bold relief, indicat-
ing what it had done, and also what it
could possibly do. While just Il little
east of US was seen the top of Fort Mi
ami, nearly covered with bushes, as if
ashamed of its doings.
Thus, within Il space covered by two
miles in length and one and a half
mile in breadth, there could be seen at
a glance, the beauties of nature, in as
sociation with the arts of war, and the
triumphs of peace in its commerce and
scenes of domestic life. The striking
features which appeared from that
vista were deeply impressed on my
memory. Under their influence / re-
turned from my Indiana trip and To-
Gated in Perrysburg, which has been
my home for period of 81 years.
AT that time the condition of the soil
in Wood county was widely different
from what it now is. Owing to its level
surface and large growth of timber OBJ
structing the flow of water, Il consid-
cradle portion of the county was either
wholly or partly covered with water
during a wet season. There were no
proper facilities for its drainage. In
this condition the cultivatlons of the
soil could not be done. In parts of the
county, in which the conditions were
more favorable to cultivation, the crops
were limited in their amount and value
by the large amount of stumps that
required removal.
In addition to these obstacles which
impeded cultivation, most of the road
ways between farms, and market
towns, and villages, were impracticable
to the passage of teams, unless in the
depth of winter or the drouth of sum-
mer. In speaking of this condition of
matters, Mr.. John A. Robertson, of
Perrysburg, states that he has fire.
quently skated the whole distance from
Perrysburg to Tontogany and driven
his sleigh from the same point to
Weston, when there was no snow, the
water on the surface having been
frozen, presenting a smooth surface of
ice. Both Mr.. Robertson and Judge
Edwin Tuller, of Tontogany, have
informed me that they have frequently
caught grass pike, and many of them
monsters-two feet long = on the
prairie, which then were covered by
water, but now comprise the best land
in the state.
1t will thus be seen that the
physical difficulties that stood in the
way of agricultural development were
very great. None but men with the
spirit of perseverance and industry,
possessed by IL strong faith in their
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