History of Sandusky, (Erie County) Ohio United States of America

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Local History Notes:

The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows:

SANDUSKY, a flourishing city, port of entry, and capital of Erie co., Ohio, is delightfully situated on the southern shore of Sandusky bay, 3 miles from Lake Erie, 110 miles N. by E. from Columbus, and 210 miles N. N. E. from Cincinnati. Lat. 41° 27' N., lon. 82° 45' W. The bay is about 20 miles long and 5 or 6 miles wide, and forms a capacious and excellent harbor, into which vessels of all sizes can enter with safety in the severest storms. The average depth of water is 12 feet. In all seasons except winter the wharves are thronged with steamboats and other vessels. The ground on which the city stands rises gradually from the shore and commands a beautiful view of the bay, enlivened with the arrival and departure of vessels. The city is built on an inexhaustible bed of the finest limestone, and adorned with many elegant churches, dwellings, and warehouses constructed of this material. The greater number of the buildings are of stone or brick. The city contains churches of 6 denominations, 2 banks, 5 newspaper offices, several iron furnaces, and machine shops for the manufacture of railroad cars. Sandusky is one of the principal entrep�ts of the vast and increasing commerce of the lakes, and is steadily advancing in population and importance. It was the pioneer of the railway enterprise in Ohio, and is now the terminus of two extensive lines, intersecting one of the most beautiful and opulent farming regions of the West, viz. the Mad River and Lake Erie railroad, which connects it with Cincinnati, and the Sandusky, Mansfield, and Newark, which meets the Central railroad at Newark. The former was completed about the year 1847. The Junction or Lake Shore railroad, now in progress, will form part of a chain reaching from New York to Chicago, a distance of 1000 miles. The number of arrivals in 1851 was stated to be 1998; in 1852, 3242. The value of imports in 1851 was $16,258,201; of exports, $6,558,747--total, $22,816,948.

Imports in 1852. $40,896,085
Exports 1852 18,789,814
Total $59,685,899

Statement of the quantities of leading articles shipped at this port in the years 1850 and 1851:--

Articles. 1850. 1851.
Wheat bushels 1,552,699 1,922,069
Flour, barrels 78,902 147,951
Corn, bushels 288,742 712,121
Wool, pounds 1,669,667 1,690,557
Butter, pounds 754,588 382,340
Tobacco, pounds 316,000 549,046
Hogs, number 34,751 105,026
Lard, pounds 860,798 229,712
Furs, pounds 61,126 109,125

The shipping owned in the district, June 30th, 1852, amounted to an aggregate of 5887 7/95 tons, enrolled and licensed. The foreign arrivals for the year were 62, and the clearances for foreign ports 31. Population in 1840, about 1200; in 1850, 5087; in 1853, about 10,000.

Biographies:

James Birdseye McPherson, soldier, was born in Sandusky, Ohio, Nov. 14, 1828. He was graduated from the U.S. Military academy in 1853, and was promoted in the army to brevet 2d lieutenant in the corps of engineers July 1, 1853. He served as assistant instructor in practical engineering at the U.S. Military academy in July, 1853, and was attached to a company in the engineer corps, 1853-54. He was promoted 2d lieutenant of engineers, Dec. 18, 1854, and served as assistant in the construction and repairs of the New York harbor defences, 1854-57. He superintended the building of Fort Delaware in 1857; the construction of the defences of Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, Cal., 1857-61; was promoted first lieutenant, Dec. 13, 1858, and was in charge of the engineer operations in Boston harbor in 1861. He declined the appointment of captain in the 19th U.S. infantry tendered him on May 14, 1861, and was promoted captain in the engineer corps, Aug. 6, 1861. He was appointed lieutenant-colonel of staff and additional aide-de-camp to General Halleck, Nov. 12, 1861, and served as assistant engineer of the department of the Missouri, November, 1861, to February, 1862. He was chief engineer on the staff of General Grant during the Tennessee campaign of 1862, being engaged in the operations against Fort Henry, Feb. 2-6, 1862; the battle and capture of Fort Donelson, Feb. 14-16, 1862; the battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, and as assistant engineer in the siege of Corinth, April 15 to May 29, 1862. He was promoted colonel of staff and additional aide-de-camp, May 1, 1862, and brigadier-general of volunteers, May 15, 1862, and was military superintendent Of the railroads in the district of West Tennessee, June to October, 1862. He was on the staff of General Grant during the battle of Iuka, Miss., Sept. 19, 1862. He commanded a brigade in October, 1862, and moved from Jackson, Tenn., to Corinth, where he joined General Rosecrans on Oct. 4, 1862, just at the close of the battle. He joined in the pursuit of the enemy, leading the advance to Ripley, Miss. He was promoted major-general of the U.S. volunteers, Oct. 8, 1862, and was in command of the second division, department of the Tennessee, at Bolivar, Tenn., Oct. 16-24, 1862, and of the 2d division, 13th army corps, Oct. 24-Nov. 2, 1862. He commanded the right wing of Grant's army in the Vicksburg campaign until Jan. 18, 1863, when the army was reorganized and he was given command of the 17th army corps. He participated in the march to and the occupation of Lagrange, Miss., Nov. 4, 1862; was in command during the action at Lamar, Miss., Nov. 12, 1862, and led the advance to and the retreat from Oxford, Miss., November-December, 1862. He was engaged in organizing and massing his corps at Memphis, Tenn., January-February, 1863, and at Lake Providence, February and April, 1863. He endeavored to open a passage to the Mississippi river, via Lake Providence, in order to get in the rear of Vicksburg by the Yazoo pass, in April, 1863, but was unsuccessful. He participated in the battle of Port Gibson, April 30-May 1, 1863; was in command at the action of Raymond, Miss., May 12, 1863; attacked Johnston's army at Jackson and captured the fortifications on May 14, 1863. He commanded his corps at the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863, where it hero the brunt of the fighting, General Pemberton's army retiring in confusion to Vicksburg. His corps formed the centre of Grant's army during the assaults on Vicksburg, May 19 and 22, 1863, and attacked the Confederate works at the salient, on the Jackson road, but without success. McPherson displayed conspicuous gallantry throughout this campaign; was one of the commissioners to fix the terms of capitulation, and General Grant in a letter to the war department recommended him for promotion to the rank of brigadier-general in the regular army, which was awarded him, Aug. 1, 1863. In October, 1863, a medal of honor was presented to him by the officers of his corps for the gallant manner in which he had led them during the campaign and siege of Vicksburg. He was in command of the 17th army corps and district of Vicksburg, 1863-64, and sent out several important expeditions into Mississippi and Louisiana; was engaged in the surprise of the enemy's camp at Canton, Oct. 15, 1863, and participated in General Sherman's raid on Meridian in February, 1868, which resulted in great destruction of the enemy's resources. When Sherman succeeded Grant in command of the western armies in March, 1864, McPherson succeeded Sherman as commander of the department and army of the Tennessee, and served as such, March 26 to July 22, 1864. He reorganized and massed his army at Huntsville, Ala., in April, 1824, and led them in the Georgia campaign, May 4 to July 22, 1864. He commanded the Army of the Tennessee in the movement by Snake Creek Gap, with orders to turn the enemy's left and to destroy the railroad, while a demonstration was being made by the armies of Thomas and Schofield in Johnston's front. When McPherson approached Resaca he found it too strongly fortified to warrant an attack, so he retired to Snake Creek Gap and threatened the railroad. He was criticised for this act by General Sherman who said that although he acted strictly within his instructions, yet by not attacking Resaca he lost the opportunity of a lifetime. As a result of his action Sherman marched his entire army to Snake Creek Gap, thus compelling Johnston to abandon his stronghold at Dalton and to retreat to Resaca, where he was attacked by Sherman's entire army and was defeated, May 15, 1864. McPherson was engaged in the occupation of Kingston, May 18, 1864; the battle of Dallas, May 28, 1864; the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, June 20-July 2, 1864, where he made a gallant assault in connection with Thomas's army, but was driven back; and in the pursuit of the enemy with severe skirmishing, July 13-17, 1864. On July 17 Johnston was superseded in command of the Confederate army, then at Atlanta, by Gen. John B. Hood, and on July 22, Hood, massing his entire army, made a furious assault on Sherman's left flank, which was commanded by McPherson. While forming his command into line, McPherson rode into the enemy's line, and upon perceiving his mistake he reined up his horse, and raising his cap with a graceful salutation, turned to the right and dashed into [p.205] the woods. A volley followed him, and he fell, pierced by several bullets. His statue in bronze was erected in one of the public parks of Washington, D.C., by his comrades of the Army of the Tennessee. When told of McPherson's death, Grant exclaimed, "The country has lost one of its best soldiers, and I have lost my best friend." He died near Atlanta, Go., July 22, 1864.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Daniel Frohman, theatrical manager, was born at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1853; son of Henry and Barbara Frohman. He removed to New York in 1863, and attended school until 1866 when he became connected with the New York Tribune, first in its business department, and then as one of Horace Greeley's private secretaries. After five years' service in the business office of the Tribune, he was engaged by John Russell Young to publish the newly established New York Standard. Later for a year he was the advertising manager of the Daily Graphic. While employed on the latter paper his health became impaired and he was advised to travel. As a diversion he took a position as advance agent of a small theatrical troupe, and before he was able to return to journalism he was engaged by J. H. Haverly, the theatre manager, and for four or five years travelled to every considerable town in the United States as theatrical agent. When the Madison Square theatre was opened in New York in 1879 he became its business manager and remained there until 1885. Through the efforts of Mr. Frohman the play of "Hazel Kirke" from its first acting at that theatre became a very valuable property. Among other popular plays produced at the Madison Square during his connection with that theatre were: "Young Mrs. Winthrop," "Esmeralda," "The Rajah." and "May Blossom," all by American authors. During the season of 1885-86 he managed the tour of Modjeska. In 1886 he became the manager of the Lyceum theatre of New York and in the same year organized and became manager of the Lyceum stock company. In August, 1899, he assumed the management of Daly's theatre, New York city. The principal successes of the Lyceum company include: The Wife; Sweet Lavender; The Charity Ball; Lord Chumley; The Dancing Girl; Captain Lettarblair; Lady Bountiful; Squire Kate; Sheridan; The Highest Bidder; The Maister of Woodbarrow; The Idler; Americans Abroad; The Amazons; The Adventures of Lady Ursula; The Prisoner of Zenda; and The Princess and the Butterfly. Mr. Frohman also became the manager of Mr. and Mrs. Kendal in America, and of E. H. Sothern and James K. Hackett.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Albert Ross Parsons, musician, was born in Sandusky, Ohio, Nov. 16, 1847; son of Brev. Lieut.-Col. John Jehiel Preston and Sarah Volinda (Averill) Parsons; grandson of Aaron and Emily (Stow) Parsons, and of Samuel and Christabel (Kibbe) Averill, and a descendant of Joseph and Mary (Bliss) Parsons. Joseph Parsons, a native of England, immigrated to Massachusetts in 1635; became cornet, or 3d in command, in the Hampshire company of cavalry, in 1678; was partner of Pynchon in the fur trade; a founder of Springfield, in 1636, and of Northampton, Mass., in 1645, and was for fifty years the richest man in the Connecticut valley. Albert Ross Parsons began the study of the pianoforte in 1853, and in 1856 appeared in concert in Buffalo, N.Y. He removed to Indianapolis, Ind., with his parents in 1858; was a church organist there until 1863, and studied harmony and counterpoint under Frederick Louis Ritter in New York city, 1863-67. He was graduated at the Leipzig Conservatory of Music in 1870, and at the Berlin academy in 1872, and in the latter year settled in New York city where he engaged in teaching, and became prominent in musical affairs, being organist of Holy Trinity and the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian churches, 1874-95. He was married, April 23, 1874, to Alice Eva, daughter of Cornelius Henry and Deborah Schuyler (Bradt) Van Ness of New York city. He was a member of the New York Historical society, the New York Genealogical and Biographical society, the Society of the Sons of the Revolution, the Military Society of the War of 1812 in New York, and an honorary member of the Society of the Cincinnati in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations; president of the Music Teachers' National association in 1889, and a charter member, incorporator, examiner and fellow of the American College of Musicians, of which he was elected president at the World's Fair in Chicago, 1893, and annually re-elected. He was also vice-president and director of the pianoforte department of the Metropolitan College of Music, New York city; pianoforte examiner at Evelyn college, Princeton, N.J., and president of the American Society for the Promotion of Musical Art, M.T.N.A., in 1890. He translated Wagner's philosophic study entitled Beethoven (1870); edited Benham's Review (1872), and is the author of: Parsifal the Finding of Christ through Art, or Richard Wagner as a Theologian (1888); New Light from the Great Pyramid (1896), which was cordially commended by Prof. Dr. George Ebers; a Garrard-Spencer Chart (1899); Cornet Joseph Parsons, a sketch, with Parsons Genealogies (1901). His musical compositions include: The Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1878); Break, Break (1880); Crossing the Bar (1901); Humoresque-Tarantelle and The Lion and Lizard (1900), and a new national anthem My Country 'tis of Thee (1902).

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Jay Cooke, financier, was born in Sandusky. Ohio, Aug. 10, 1821; son of the Hon. Eleutheros (1787-1864) and Martha Cooke, and a lineal descendant of Francis Cooke, who came to America on the Mayflower in 1620 and built the third house erected in Plymouth. He attended the primary schools and as a boy was employed as a clerk in the extensive stores of Hubbard & Lister in Sandusky and in 1836 became clerk in a mercantile house in St. Louis. In 1837 he returned to Sandusky, spent a few months at school and then went with his brother-in-law, William G. Moorhead, to Philadelphia, where he was employed by the Washington transportation and packet line, of which Mr. Moorhead was president. He also wrote financial reports for a daily newspaper and his search for material to make up his articles gave him an insight into newspaper, financial and mercantile methods. In 1839 he found employment as clerk in the banking house of E. W. Clark & Co. of Philadelphia, and his progress was rapid as he gained a knowledge of the different departments of the business. In 1841, eighteen months before he attained his majority, he was confidential clerk and held the power of attorney of the firm to sign all business papers. In 1842 he was admitted as a partner in the house. In 1846 and again in 1848 he assisted in negotiating the government loans required to carry on the Mexican war. He retired from the firm Jan. 1, 1858, and engaged in a brokerage and railroad construction business, 1858-61. He organized the banking house of Jay Cooke & Co. in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 1, 1861, with his brother-in-law, William G. Moorhead, as partner, and subsequently established branches in Washington, D. C., and in New York city. Early in 1861 Mr. Cooke assisted Mr. Chase in obtaining the concerted action of the leading banks and bankers of New York and Philadelphia in advancing to the government the sum of $50,000,000 to meet the early expenses of the war. A meeting of these bankers was held in Washington after this loan was granted, where they consulted with Mr. Lincoln's cabinet through Mr. Chase, then secretary of the treasury, and the chairman of the representatives of the banks protested that they had reached the limit of safety and ability of the banks in the direction of government loans, and that if the rebellion could not be put down with the funds already furnished, no more could be obtained from the banks. The war, meanwhile, had increased the government expenses from one million dollars weekly to one million dollars daily, and the secretary of the treasury found it impossible to obtain the money from the usual channels. In this emergency Jay Cooke took a hopeful view of the situation and was appointed sole fiscal agent of the government with authority to employ extraordinary methods in order to popularize the United States bonds with the smaller banks and the plain people of the country. He appealed to their patriotism rather than to their cupidity, to induce them to loan small sums to help put down the rebellion, and promising the gratitude of a nation and a reasonable interest on their investment, rather than excessive interest, as a return for their faith in the final result of the war. History has recorded the result, and the general at the head of the financial army that supplied the sinews of war and made possible the continuance of the struggle for national life till victory came, was Jay Cooke, the fiscal agent of the government. His strategy defeated the combined systematic attacks on the financial credit of the government from a hundred hostile sources. This warfare to depress the market value of United States securities was for speculative and disloyal purposes and required the purchase, by Mr. Cooke, on his personal account from time to time, of large blocks of United States securities to strengthen and maintain the market and to counteract such schemes. He was, however, equal to every emergency and won the battle. The people had faith in his purpose and methods, came to his support and aided him in fighting the enemies of the government both at home and abroad, but particularly in the New York stock exchange and gold room. The President, his cabinet and the general of the army severally personally acknowledged the debt due to Mr. Cooke in raising for the defence and maintenance of the government upwards of $2,000,000,000. He received for placing the bonds a commission of three-eighths of one percent and had to pay out of this all expenses and all sub-commissions, leaving to him little besides the prestige and satisfaction of having achieved a great success in supporting a noble cause. After the close of the civil war he established the London house of Jay Cooke, McCulloch & Co., and the four houses continued a large and successful business. They became the financial agents of the Northern Pacific railroad which was being constructed and needed millions of dollars for the purpose. He secured promises of $50,000,000 from capitalists in England, Holland, Germany and France, but when Louis Napoleon declared war against Germany the investors withdrew their offers. He then undertook to secure the money in the United States, and many millions were raised and expended. In 1873 the crash came and Jay Cooke was made a poor man. His fine residence at Ogontz, near Philadelphia, named for the Indian friend of his youth, was sold for the benefit of creditors. It was turned into a private school for young ladies some years later, after Mr. Cooke had repurchased it. Within a few years the receivers of Jay Cooke & Co. had settled the complex affairs of the firm, and during that time Jay Cooke was assisting in adding to the assets of the concern. He invested a small amount in a Utah silver mine and made nearly a million of dollars in a short time in this and other negotiations. With this he engaged in building railroads and all his ventures proved profitable. All creditors of Jay Cooke & Co. who took Mr. Cooke's advice and held on to the dividends of cash and securities declared and paid by the firm's representatives, received dollar for dollar with interest and many of them much more than this. Of his children, Jay Cooke, Jr., became a financier, and H. E. Cooke an Episcopal minister, and in 1899 was a resident of San Francisco, Cal. One of his daughters was married to C. D. Barney and the other to John M. Butler. Mr. Cooke in 1899 made his home with his daughter, Mrs. C. D. Barney, spending much of his time fishing and hunting at his Gibraltar island home on Lake Erie and at Ogontz Lodge in northern Pennsylvania. His fortune at that time was estimated to be as large as at any period of his life.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor