The Timing Couldn't Have Been Better!
2001 Heritage Festival A Patriotic Celebration

West Lodi Union Church, 1844 - 2002
JOUAM Orphans Home - 1910 Census
Photos of St. John's Hollow, 1979
Voices From The Past - Historic Letters & Writings
1908 - S. Washington St., Tiffin, Ohio
The Death Of Janie - From The Heidelberg Monthly, May, 1859
A Look At Tiffin, Iowa - Original Photos of an Iowa Town
Historic Photos From Tiffin & Seneca County
Seneca County People Who Have Served in the U. S. Congress
The Roster of the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Ohio Football Links - A List of High School, College & Pro Links
79 Seasons of Tiffin Calvert Football
Seneca Sprints - Past & Present Sprint Car Racers of Seneca County
My Opinions of History Related Issues of Our Time

In reality there were probably few, if any, Senecas among them, as the Senecas were an Iroquois tribe native to New York.
As a result of Lord Dunmore's War in 1774, the Mingo (a mixed tribe of Iroquois) indians of the Scioto River were scattered into several segments. One of these scattered Mingo segments, along with of other tribes, that had settled along the Sandusky River north of the Wyandot settlement of Upper Sandusky & south of Lower Sandusky. These were the Senecas of the Sandusky.

View a History of the Senecas of the Sandusky

In subsequent years the road was known as "The Old Army Road" or "Harrison Trail", and was the only road in the county until the army road built by Col. Morrison was cut through. In 1821, David Risdon laid out a new road, which roughly followed the same course as the Harrison Trail. The road built by Col. Morrison's men was later surveyed as "Morrison State Road".

Immediately upon the new fort's completion, Col. Ball and his men were rushed north toward Fort Stephenson to relieve Col. Croghan of his command, as Croghan had refused Harrison's order to abandon the besieged fort. On the way to Stephenson, Ball was attacked by indians at the place now known as "Ball's Battlefield". Not a man was lost, but 17 indians were slain at that place. Miraculously, Col. Croghan was able to defend Fort Stephenson as well. The remarkable courage and gallantry of these two men kept this critical supply route open and secure for the army's use.

Fort Ball - A Bit of it's Background & History - Photos Included

"It was four o'clock in the afternoon when the flag of the Detroit was struck. When Perry’s eye perceived, at a glance, that victory was sure, he wrote in pencil on the back of an old letter, resting it upon his navy cap, that remarkable dispatch to General Harrison whose first clause has been so often quoted:
'We have met the enemy and they are ours:
Two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop.
Yours with great respect and esteem,
 0. H. PERRY.'”

"Pressing forward with his staff, he heard, at Fort Ball (now Tiffin, Ohio), of Perry’s victory. Thrilled with joy, he sent couriers to his commanders with orders for them to hasten forward. Hope and promise every where prevailed. Energy marked every movement; and on the 16th of September, the whole army of the Northwest, excepting the troops at Fort Meigs and minor posts, were on the borders of Erie, camped on the pleasant peninsula between Sandusky Bay and the lake below the mouth of the Portage River, now Port Clinton."

View the text of The Treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie

Mr. Bowe, by all accounts, was in fact the 1st white permanent settler in Seneca County, Ohio. He settled here just after the signing of the Treaty of the Miami of Lake Erie of 1817, and built his cabin on land granted to Robert Armstrong in that treaty. There were several white or partially white people living among the indians before Bowe came, but most of them moved on with the indians when they were forced west. Among these were Elizabeth Whitaker, Robert Armstrong, William M'Collock, John Vanmeter, Isaac & Sarah Williams, Joseph Williams, Rachael (Williams) Nugent, Mrs. Walker, John H. Walker and William Spicer, as named in the treaty of 1817, and also the notorious Simon Girty. Many of these were taken prisoner by the indians, but lived with them by choice later in life, and were considered as one of them.

Bowe's tavern was in one half of his cabin, and his residence in the other. The Harrison Trail ran between the cabin and the high banks of the Sandusky River, and the tavern was a popular stage coach stop. (Today the site is believed to be right in the middle of the intersection of Frost Parkway & N. Washington streets.)  Fort Ball, a fortress in the War of 1812 was a mere stones throw from the cabin, and many of the earliest settlers used it's block houses as temporary homes until they completed their own homes.

He was a veteran of the War of 1812, and had been at Fort Ball during the war. Sergeant Erastus Bowe was also credited by "Lossing's Field Book of the War of 1812" with being the first man to break ground for Fort Stephenson at Lower Sandusky. He is quoted as saying, "Captain, I don't think there will be much fighting here, but I believe I will make a hole here."  It appears as though some of his comrades also were impressed enough with the Sandusky Valley to return after the war. Among the others were Thomas Van Nette, Silus Birchard & John Searles. Bowe was originally buried in the old city cemetery, which was where Little Hedges Park now sits. When the old cemetery was moved, he was re-interred at Greenlawn Cemetery, as were most of the others.

By and large, the indians & whites in this area co-existed peacefully with few incidents. In fact, most of the indians of the Sandusky Country were allies of the United States during the War of 1812, and they held General William Henry Harrison in very high regard..

Before long, the U.S. government, through the use of bogus treaties, lured them west so their lands could be thrown open to white settlement.

In establishing the beginnings of the town he gave lots to 3 men with the understanding that they are to build homes and move their families onto the lots. The first cabin was erected by Charles Kelley on Washington about midway between the river and the first alley south. The other two were that of a cobbler on Perry at the northwest bank of Rock Creek, and another cabin farther south of the Keller place on Washington.

In 1822 Hedges built a large frame building on Jefferson at Virgin Alley, which is presently known as Court St. It was the central gathering point of the young town. Three more cabins were added that year as well.

Tiffin saw almost no new growth in the next 6 years, despite having secured the County Seat in 1822. It was considered to be a poor man's town, and anyone of any wealth tended to locate in Fort Ball, across the river. Finally in 1828 Hedges was successful in securing the Federal Land Office, and the town finally began to grow in population and development.

Many an old settler grew extremely tired of his old war stories. He told of his experiences in indian wars, and of his raids of the white settlers in the east, even imitating the cries of the women and children as they were being attacked. He claimed to have a necklace containing the tongues of 99 white people he had killed, and he often stated his desire to get one more before he died.

When Tom died about 1821, he was likely about 100 years old. While a number of accounts of his death have been given, the most likely account seems to be that he was killed by some white hunters in the vacinity of Fort Ball, and left to lie in the woods.

Below are some quotes attributed to Chief Monocue, a Wyandot, to a Methodist Episcopal meeting about 1822.

"You, my friends, must leave off bringing your water of death, (meaning whiskey) and selling to my people, or we never can live in peace, for wherever this comes, it brings fire and death with it; and if you will still give or sell it to indians, it will take away all their senses; and then, like a mad bear, they may turn around and kill you, or some of your squaws and children; or if you should escape, they will go home, and be very apt to kill a wife, a mother, or a child; for whenever this mad water gets into a man, it makes murder boil in his heart, and he, like the wolf, wants blood all the time"..... "I think they ought first to hang all people that make and send this poison abroad, for they do all the mischief."..... "Why, this is worse than our indians, killing one another with knife and tomahawk. If the white people would hang them all up that make it and sell it, they would soon leave it off, and then the world would have peace."

Indeed, this "fire water" tended to have a very bad effect on the indians. Another chief, Between-The-Logs, who was half Wyandot and half Seneca, once said, "A drunken indian is a very dangerous creature." He was once convinced to kill his wife while in drunken state, and was horrified at his act upon sobering.

Soon the white settlers did recognize this very real danger, and although they did not hang the sellers, as Monocue suggested, they did impose stiff penalties for selling whiskey to the indians.

By 1821, Between-The-Logs and Monocue had become very staunch Christians, and they tried unceasingly to convert more of their red brethren.

In those early days the area from Upper Sandusky to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont) was commonly referred to as "the Sandusky Country", and it's biggest attractions were the rich farm land and the land's very inexpensive cost.

There were a large number of folks who came "out west" to Seneca County, Ohio, from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. An article about this emigration pattern can be found at the following URL. In the article are listed nearly 300 names, some including approximate dates of arrival.

The Emigration from Lehigh Co., PA to Seneca Co., OH

These passages from his book illustrate the mutual respect that he shared with the Indians of the Sandusky River Valley in 1824. It also provides a wonderful insight into the Native American spirit that has rarely been illustrated so clearly. Notice that he always capitalized the word "Indian".
 

"I do not now recollect that I was ever insulted by an Indian, drunk or sober, during all the time I was with them; nor did any of them ever manifest any unkindness toward me. The heathen party did not like my religion, nor my course of establishing a Church; but still I was respected, for I treated all with kindness and hospitality. Indeed, I do not believe that there are a people on the earth, that are more capable of appreciating a friend, or a kind act done toward them or theirs, than Indians. Better neighbors, and a more honest people, I never lived among. They are peculiarly so to the stranger, or to the sick or distressed. They will divide the last mouthful, and give almost the last comfort they have, to relieve the suffering. This I have often witnessed."

"There are no people that appreciate kindness more than Indians; and the man who expects to do anything with the Indian, must do it by kindness. There is no other avenue to his heart. To force an Indian into measures, is to compel him to dissimulation. If he thinks he is not able to withstand your power, he will wait till he has the vantage-ground. Then you will feel the force of the revenge that has burned in his soul. It will burst like a volcano, when you are least aware of it. But kindness works on their feelings, and unstrings the fierce passions of the soul. Friendship will never be forgotten. "My friend," is an endearing title among savage tribes; and unless willfully and wantonly broken off, will last in the midst of the greatest dangers and trials. It is not an empty sound, as with the civilized world in general, to last as long and no longer than it can be used for personal advantage. But kindness has often disarmed the savage, and made him lay down his instruments of death, when the blow was ready to be struck."

In spite of this, the Keller family remained on this piece of land for many years.

Gen. Brish was in charge of the Agency for the Seneca Indians of the Sandusky.
The Seneca Reservation was located on the east side of the Sandusky River, in the northeast quarter of the county, and extending well into Sandusky County, as laid out in the treaty of 1817.

About 1825, 3 of the Seneca chiefs set out west to seek new homelands and new hunting grounds for their people, as indian removal was an up-and-coming topic in Congress. The 3 chiefs were Coonstick, Steel & Cracked Hoof. Coonstick & Steel were brothers, and they left brother Comstock, head chief of the tribe, and younger brother Seneca John behind. The 3 returned about 3 years later to find that Comstock was dead, and Seneca John had assumed the duties as head chief. The 3 charged that Seneca John must have killed Comstock by the use of witchcraft. John strongly denied the charge stating that he loved his brother more than his own life. Coonstick & Steel concluded that Seneca John must die, and that they should be his executioners. Seneca John replied, "I am willing to die. I ask only that you will allow me to live until tomorrow morning, that I may see the sun rise once more. I will sleep tonight on the porch of Hard Hickory's lodge, which fronts the east. There you will find me at sunrise."

They accepted his request. Coonstick & Steel passed the night in a lodge nearby. In the morning they proceeded to the hut of Hard Hickory (who himself told this story to Gen. Brish.) Just as the sun was rising, Hard Hickory heard the approaching footsteps of the brothers, and he peeked out the door to see them coming. Seneca John was still asleep on the porch wrapped in his blanket. His brothers awoke him and he rose to his feet. He removed a large handkerchief from his head, which he had wrapped around it, and his long hair fell to his shoulders. Seneca John calmly took a last look around, and observing the rising sun, told his brothers that he was ready to die.

Another warrior by the name of Shane had come with the brothers. He and Coonstick each took Seneca John by the arm and led him about 10 steps in front of the lodge. There Steel struck John a heavy blow on the back of the head, and the blood gushed from the dreadful wound. Assuming him to be dead they dragged him behind a nearby tree, where Seneca John again showed signs of life. Steel then drew his knife and slit his brother's throat from ear to ear. They buried him near Hard Hickory's lodge.

In the fall of 1831 as the Senecas were preparing for their move to the Oklahoma country, Gen. Brish saw Coonstick & Steel remove all traces of the grave of Seneca John.  John had chosen this as the site of his execution so that Hard Hickory could witness that he had "died like a man".

"Uncle Birchard settled at Fort Ball, now Tiffin, on west side of the river, in April, 1827. In 1827 (December) he moved down to Lower Sandusky, now Fremont; forty-four years ago next December. He first visited Lower Sandusky with Benjamin Powers to return a buggy belonging to Sloan of Sandusky, borrowed by my mother on her return from Vermont in 1824.  With a jug of brandy the young men, Powers and Birchard, left Delaware on a trip to Niagara Falls or somewhere else! They passed through the country of the Wyandots and Senecas, everywhere made welcome by their brandy. They reached the tavern built of logs near the river bank at Fort Ball, kept by Erastus Bowe. Here, Bowe, who was an acquaintance from Delaware, got in the Delaware people settled there and invited them to drink new whiskey. But the brandy of the young men was produced and a high time followed. The next day they started for Lower Sandusky down the river bank by Fort Seneca. A few miles on their road they met on horseback an acquaintance named Cresey-- a blacksmith. He shouted and greeted them uproariously. Soon they began on the brandy.  Cresey would bid good-bye and start on but would soon return to tell some new story or to ask a question, and of course partake again of the brandy."

ROCK RUN Church & Cemetery History

One of the first of the removal treaties in the State of Ohio was signed in Washington with the Senecas of the Sandusky on Feb. 28, 1831. The Senecas were granted land in northeast Oklahoma, compensation for their improvements and government assistance in their removal.

The last of the Ohio tribes to sign a removal treaty were the Wyandots of Upper Sandusky. That tribe was divided into 2 parties, the Christians and the pagans. The Christians were very resistant to removing from the land they loved so dearly. The Wyandot treaty was settled on March 17, 1842. The Christians then proceeded to carefully organize the graves of their fallen loved ones at the old Wyandot Mission Church in preparation for their departure. It was on July 21, 1843 that the Wyandots, the last of the indian tribes in Ohio, bade a sad farewell to their beloved Ohio home. The Wyandot's head chief expressed his feelings by exclaiming, "Farewell Ohio and her brave!" as the steamers upon the Ohio River left it's boundaries.

At the time of the Seneca's removal onto 76,000 acres of land in northeast Oklahoma in the fall of 1831, a move led by Gen. Brish, there were about 510 Senecas left. (About 400 souls according to the treaty.) By August of 1845 their number had been dwindled to 143, according to "Lang's History of Seneca County, Ohio", or to 251 according to "The United States Democratic Review" of Feb., 1844.

The Indian Wars of the Post Civil War era also thinned their number.
The white race had made up their minds that their young nation must extend from sea to sea, so the proud indian race was largely exterminated. The relative few that survived the slaughter were placed upon even smaller reservations.

See the text of the Treaty With The Senecas Of The Sandusky
See the text of the Treaty With The Wyandots Of Upper Sandusky

In establishing the church, Fr. Quin's ministry covered a very large area. As the first Catholic church in Northwest Ohio, it's area of responsibility extended from Lake Erie & the Michigan border on the north, to Springfield on the south, and from the Indiana line on the west, to Norwalk on the east. The first mass was held at the home of John Julian on May 15, before which confessions were heard in Julian's corn crib.

The first mass in the new, yet unfinished church was said on Easter Sunday in 1833. It's bricks were purchased from John Strong, who's new brick yard was not far from the church. It was approximately 30 by 40 in size. It's gable faced Madison St., and four steps led up to the main entrance. It's bell was the first church bell in Seneca County. After the 2nd St. Mary's church was built at the corner of Franklin & Miami Streets, the old church was used as a Catholic school until it burned to the ground in 1856. The present church was completed in 1907, and it still stands at the corner of South Sandusky & Clay Streets.

"The people of this county, have so long been put to inconvenience for the want of Public Buildings, that they have at length become quite clamorous on the subject.

Every stranger, also, is astonished when informed that a county like Seneca, nearly settled, and the inhabitants possessing much wealth, should be destitute of a Court House. "Where is your Court House?" is a common inquiry with them - taking it for granted there must be one somewhere.

We are happy to be able to inform the public, that we now have a new and efficient Board of Commissioners, who have expressed themselves determined to erect our Court House as soon as practicable."

One week later, the same paper published the following notes from the meeting of the Board of County Commissioners.

"At this session, preparatory arrangement were made for erecting a Court House, as soon as practicable.

Mr. John Baugher and Mr. Calvin Bradley, of this place, were delegated by the Board, to visit Elyria, Ravenna, and Mansfield, to view the court houses of each of these places, and furnish a model, to be laid before the Board at the adjourned session. A site was also procured from Josiah Hedges, Esq. in a convenient and retired situation, on which to build a Jail."

The following year, construction was begun on the county's first Court House. The work was completed in 1836.

This building had a short life, as it was destroyed by fire in 1841. Many of the County's records were saved, but some were also destroyed in this fire. After the fire, court was held at the Methodist Protestant Church on Market St. near the court house site, and other business was conducted wherever it was convenient at the time. The following July, the same John Baugher was contracted to rebuild the Court House. In completing the project he was able to save the walls of the original structure. With an addition being built onto the structure in 1866, the building was in use until the spring of 1884, when it was removed to make room for the present structure.

Prior to the building of the first court house, court was held in Josiah Hedges frame structure on Virgin Alley (now Court St.), which was the first frame building on the Tiffin side of the river. That building was purchased about 1856, by Y. H, Ryan, for $200, and was moved to mouth of Rock Creek, along the Sandusky River. After 1900, periodic discussions of preserving the building, and moving it to a site near the old city cemetery were met with inaction. These discussions ended in March of 1913 when the building was destroyed by the great flood.

View Pictures of Seneca County's 3 Court Houses

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1833 - The First Bridge In Tiffin - $2 Per Year Crossing Toll
In the fall of 1833 Josiah Hedges contracted with Reuben Williams to construct a wooden bridge at Washington St. to span the Sandusky River. It was only partially completed by the time the snows began, but is was still passable on foot. A note from John W. Bailey to Hedges, dated Feb. 10, 1834, shows that the yearly toll was $2, a high fee for the times. High waters in the fall of 1834 left large deposits of trees, wood and brush lying against it's supports, applying considerable pressure on them from the rushing torrent. Several men climbed upon the pile and began to chop away at it with their axes in order to clear the jam. While so engaged, the men saw a large piece of the Tymochtee Bridge, which had washed downstream from Wyandot County, rapidly approaching. The men frantically acted to make their escape, and had barely cleared the structure when the Tymochtee smashed into the debris laden bridge taking out the entire structure.

The following summer Hedges built another bridge, this one being of much more considerable rigidity. He continued to charge a toll, collected by a hired black man, for crossing, and this greatly annoyed the people who were forced to either pay, or not to cross at all. Finally, the people had enough of this toll business, and acted to form a committee to organize an effort to construct a free bridge at Market St.. This committee consisted of Guy Stevens, Benjamin Biggs, John Park, Dr. James Fisher, and Andrew Lugenbeel. Great rejoicing was evident when the free bridge opened in January of 1837. Realizing that his toll business was now ruined, Hedges then opened his bridge for free use.

See a copy of the bridge toll note of John W. Bailey

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1834 - The Old City Cemetery & Other History
The following is quoted from a volume of Readings Before The Dolly Todd Madison Chapter, DAR, Tiffin, Ohio. It is found under the heading of "Our Historic Sites And Buildings" by Myrtle Allbritain, 1912.

"On the 19th of August, 1834, Cholera broke out in Tiffin and was confined to the town. Sixty-three died. During the whole time that it prevailed, the wind blew from the North; as soon as the wind changed, the fatality ceased. It was supposed to have been brought to New York by Irish immigrants. The old cemetery, now Hedges Park (now located east of Calvert High School), is the last resting place of many of these victims; also of those who died during the second epidemic of the disease in 1849-1854. Some of the bodies were exhumed and buried elsewhere, but numbers of them remain under the beautiful sod and shrubbery of Hedges Park."

Legend has it that a home very near there, that of Dr. Jeremiah Chamberlain was a refuge for escaped negro slaves who traveled the Underground Railroad. A hidden outlet was supposedly located on the high bank of Rock creek. Dr. Chamberlain's home was located at the site which later became the Ursuline Convent, very near the home of U. S. Marshal Stephen M. Ogden. The Dr. was so secretive that he was never found out.

"The Dyseptic Cordial is believed to be one of the most pleasant, safe & effectual remedies now known for the following diseases, viz.: Dysepsia, Cholic, Water Brash, Sick Stomach, Chronic Diarrhea, Sick or Nervous Head Ache, Rheumatism, Gout, Female Complaints, Palsey in old Persons, or enfeabled Constitutions, Nervous Disorders generally, and old affections of the Liver attended with cold feet, loss of, or bad appetite, debility, & etc. For the purpose of regulating the bowels, if the Cordial should not have that effect, Dr. Chipman's Liver Pills, or any other mild purgative, may be taken."

The contents of this drug were not listed and are not known, but one was led to believe that it was very effective as a pain killer. Chances are though, that if it were offered today, it would require a prescription or would be altogether illegal.

Tiffin papers continued carrying adds for the latest "wonder drugs" for many years. It is not known if any of their claims contained a shred of truth

The following catchy add appeared in the Aug. 1, 1892 edition of the Tiffin Daily Tribune.

"Don't almost kill yourself by violent purgatives. Take Simmon's Liver Regulator, a mild laxitive."

 

 

These are from the June 15, 1897 edition of the Seneca Advertiser.
 

"Pills do not cure constipation. They only aggrivate. Karl's Clover Root Tea gives perfect regularity of the bowels. For sale by H. J. Mayers & Co., successors to J. F. Marquart & Co."

"'My baby had croup and was saved by Shiloh's cure,' writes Mrs. J. B. Martin of Huntsville, Ala. For sale by H. J. Mayers & Co., successors to J. F. Marquart & Co."

"Consumption can be cured by the use of Shiloh's Cure. This great cough cure is the only known remedy for that terrible disease. For sale by H. J. Mayers & Co."

 

 

This one from the June 18, 1897 edition of the Seneca Advertiser is squarely aimed at the ladies.
 

"The modern beauty thrives on good food and sunshine, with plenty of excercise in the open air. Her form glows with health and her face blooms with its beauty. If her system needs the cleansing action of laxative remedy, she uses the gentle and pleasant Syrup of Figs, made by the California Fig Syrup Company."

"The first locomotive reached Tiffin in 1841. Conrad Poppenburg was the engineer when the first passenger train ran to Tiffin; Earnest Kirian was the fireman - both still living. Paul Klauer died in Urbana of cholera. He was also a hand on the train."

Our stage - coach ride across Ohio ended at Tiffin, a small town which we reached about noon, from whence was a railroad to Sandusky City on Lake Erie. The good landlord at Tiffin, finding who were his guests, did his best to please, and also to let the entire town know that “Dickens was at his hotel” And when we left the house for the depot he had a large kind of open wagon on springs, with seats very high, on which Mr. and Mrs. Dickens were perched. I think the driver was instructed to pass through all the principal streets of the place before he reached the railroad station, for we went at a slow pace and were a long time going; and the people awaited us in groups, as if by appointment, at the street-corners and at the windows and doors of the houses; and if the inhabitants of Tiffin, Ohio, did not on that occasion see “Boz” and his wife, it certainly was not the fault of that good landlord or of his carriage-driver.

The Seneca County Academy, once located in Republic, Ohio, was incorporated in 1844. In 1845 it was agreed to build a 35 by 60 three-story building. It was in a beautiful location on the east side of Republic, sloping towards Rock Creek, on the Mad River and Lake Erie Railroad.

In 1846 it was agreed that rooms on the third floor of the academy would be rented for two dollars per quarter, except the front center room which was rented for three dollars per quarter. The building was fitted with four barrel stoves and seven small stoves for heating, and two privies and a bell weighing 100 pounds were also furnished. The front side of the building had 20 windows and one central doorway. The back had 18 windows and three doors. Both ends of the building had eight windows with one extra door to the north of the chapel. The first and second floors were used as recitation rooms, and the north end of the first floor also served as a chapel. The third floor had 14  small rooms which were used as living areas for the girls enrolled.

By 1850 the academy numbered over 100 students. It was once considered to be one of the best institutions in Northwest Ohio. It had the capacity to hold 300 students.

Listed among the a number of founders Aaron Schuyler, noted author of advanced math. The first principal was S. W. Shepard. Several former teachers went on to establish schools of higher learning in various locations throughout the United States.

In 1872 Professor Richards established the Northwestern Normal School in the academy building, which operated only a short time. Eventually the school closed, and what remained of the faculty at that time was consolidated in Ada, Ohio, with another academy to form Ohio Northern University. After having been sold several times the building was eventually demolished, and the site is now the home of St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

View a picture of the Academy Building

 About the year 1844, a young Rev. Daniel Kroh became pastor of the First Reformed Church (established in 1835), dividing his time with 15 other appointments in the area. He was a strong advocate of establishing a college and theological seminary, and he worked tirelessly to establish that collage in Tiffin. On September 26, 1850, Rev. Frederick Wahl was appointed by the Synod of the Reformed Church to act as chairman of the committee on Heidelberg College, and was ordered to come to Tiffin at once. This committee then officially chose the site of the new college, which the Synod had decided to locate in Tiffin, in large part due to Rev. Kroh's efforts. Shortly after this, Rev. Kroh was appointed as General Missionary for an area that extended from Tiffin, Ohio, to Dubuque, Iowa. He died while still in that capacity in 1897 at Saginaw, Michigan.

By 1850 a small group of 41 German Christians, originating for the most part from Pennsylvania German, Swiss and Rhine Bavarian families, banded together as a new congregation of the Reformed Church. The small group of 41 were recent emigrants to Seneca County and were anxious to form a congregation whose services and functions would all be held in the German language, a practice that had been abandoned by the First Reformed Church of that time. On December 14, 1850, Rev. Wahl met with the 41 German Christians and the organization of the Second Reformed Church was completed. A constitution was adopted on December 15, 1850. Among the 41 charter members was my Great Great Grandfather Reuben Hartzell.

  Temporary arrangements were made to hold services every other Sunday at the old English Lutheran Church. This old frame structure was on the northeast corner of Madison & Jefferson Streets where the Church of the Nazarene now stands. The first service was held on January 11, 1851 with Rev. Wahl, founder, as pastor.

   By the spring of 1851 Rev. Emanuel Vogel Gerhart arrived in Tiffin to become the first president of Heidelberg College. It was during his tenure that Founders Hall was built. It still stands today, a Historic landmark.

 After the death of his wife in 1855 Rev. Wahl resigned as pastor. So the Rev Dr. E. V.. Gerhart became the church's 2nd pastor. Rev. Gerhart was obviously a very busy and dedicated man. Along with being president of the college and it's Theological Seminary, and pastor of the Second Reformed Church, he was supply pastor of St.  Jacob's Reformed Church in Adams Twp., Fireside Reformed Church in Thompson Twp. and Bascom Reformed Church in Hopewell Twp.

"We were visited with a fall of snow on Friday night and Saturday, which has afforded fine sleighing during the present week. The merry ringing of bells in our streets as we write, tell us that our citizens generally are enjoying it."

The complex remained in use as an important service to the public, until the 1980's when other government agencies and services were making provisions for the same services, and the facility was closed. The buildings still remain on the same site, and have since been used by various government and service agencies.

After leaving Tiffin Mr. Browne spent a short time in Toledo before securing a position in Cleveland with the Plain Dealer. It was after several years in that place that he went on to become the famous humorist, "Artemus Ward".

Quoted below is an interesting description of the man when he first arrived in Cleveland. It is certainly safe to assume that he maintained a similar appearance while he was in Tiffin. This article from an 1878 issue of Scribners Monthly Magazine at the time of his death also called him "the founder of the American school of humor".

"He wore a slouch hat, from beneath which protruded a mass of straight and unmanageable yellow hair. He had long limbs, and was lean and lank. His features were prominent, and set off by a nose that was decidedly Tennysonian, and was an oddity in itself. His clothes were seedy and ill-fitting. The ends of his coat-sleaves coquetted with his elbows, while his trowsers made vain endeavors to reach the tops of his shoes. His stockings lapped over and gave him a slovenly appearance. He walked with a loose, shambling gait, and a person unfamiliar with his appearance would naturally feel inclined to laugh at the spectacle. After he had been in the city (Cleveland) some time he began to pay more attention to his toilet, and at last even became foppish. When he began lecturing he became more particular than ever, and his fondness for dress and display developed into a weakness."

The May, 1859, issue of the "Heidelberg Monthly" contains interesting information about the college, it's faculty and the expenses faced by the students.

"This institution has now been in operation seven years, and respectfully solicits the continued patronage of the community.
It is easily accessible from all points, by means of the various rail roads of the state. It is near the great line of northern rail roads, leading from New York and Pennsylvania to Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Iowa.

Faculty:
Rev. M. Kieffer, D. D., President, Professor of Intellectual and Moral Phylosophy and of the evidences of Christianity.
Rev. J. H. Good, A. M., Professor of Mathematics and Mechanical phylosophy.
Rev. R. Good, A. M., Rector of the Preparatory Department and Professor of natural sciences.
Rev. E. E. Higbee, A. M., Professor of languages.
Rev. J. J. Escher, Instructor of the German language.
Miss Jane Hartsock, B. S., Principal of the Female Department."

In the August issue, Escher & Hartsock are not listed. The German language department was being temporarily attended to by Rev. J. H. Good. Additionally, Rev. Higbee was listed in the temporary charge of the Rhetoric and English literature department.

In the May issue, the tuition schedules were broken down by session and by class. In August, the schedule was simplified as follows. Boarding expenses were also addressed.

"Tuition per annum - - - - $20.00
Contingent expenses - - - $1.00
The College dues are to be paid within four weeks of the commencement of each session. Beyond the regular charges of the College, the expenses of the students will depend much on their own economy and the indulgence of parents. Good boarding can be obtained in Tiffin at from $1.75 to $2.00 per week. Students who board themselves can do so for from 40 to 50 cents per week."

The "Heidelberg Monthly" was printed by J. M. Zahm of Tiffin.

Through the course of the war Seneca men answered the call again and again. Other regiments containing Seneca men included the 49th & 123rd, as well as many others. Sadly, at the war's conclusion 1 in 5 Seneca men had either come home with disabilities, in a pine box, or did not come home at all.

Below are links to stories about some of these Seneca regiments.

The 8th OVI - Stories Of Camp Life
Letters From The 8th Ohio Published In The Tiffin Tribune
The 123rd OVI In Sheridan's Shenendoah Valley Campaign

"Immediately upon the reception (of the news) in our city a spontaneous outburst of the people was manifested. Old grey headed men paraded the streets ecstatic with joy, grasped each other by the hand, and thanked God that the country in which they had so long lived, was yet free and that their sons had the right and bravery to perpetuate it. Business was suspended, and the stores, workshops, and every department of industry poured out their patriotic throng to mingle in one general jubilee.

The bells pealed forth their melodious tones, sounding sweeter and louder than any before. The tintabulations of the breakfast bells mingles with the peals from the ponderous church bells. The military were ordered out and like the minute, men of old were arranged in stride with gleaming muskets, were in time to join in the glorious procession. Everyone everywhere was jubilant. The Major Sullivan announced that he would take for his text and practice what he preached, that famous outburst of Miles O'Reiley, "Bad luck to the man that's sober tonight." Col. Lee and parade, combing the streets regardless of the mud, to a halt in front of the Court House.

Col. Gibson was called to the stand, and made a speech in the Gibsonian style - hitting every body or general and the rebellion in particular. Speeches were made by Major Armstrong, Dr. Kagy, Hon. W. P. Noble, Col. J. C. Lee and Pro'ffs. Aughisbaugh and Kieffer. Cheer after cheer went up from the assembled multitude. The thunder of the artillery and roar of the musketry made it difficult to speak and hear, but who could or would attempt to control men in expression of their patriotic joy. The bands played the national airs. We venture to say that Tiffin never witnessed such a day as this before. The citizens of the country, aroused by the booming of the cannon hurried in to learn of the news and join in the general rejoicing.

From morning until late at night the excitement raged. In the night it manifested itself in the burning of kegs of powder on the Court House corner, bonfires and illuminations. Notwithstanding an order had been issued, that any man found sober at night should be confined in the jail in the morning, we record the fact that not a single arrest was made, but on the contrary some who had kept up during the night, and taken an eye opener or two in the morning, took refuge behind the order, declaring that they were determined not to be put in jail."
 

A History of St. Francis Orphanage

"Dave Williams was the first man, brought out on a charge of trying to "carve" Monroe Carter with a "razor" and otherwise behaving himself in an ungentlemanly manner. As the assault was not a killing affair he was let off easy and upon giving bonds for costs to the amount of $4.30 he was allowed to go.

Joseph Piero of Jackson St. came next with a charge of drunkenness attached to his name: $4.30 was set as the amount necessary to satisfy the demands of justice and he was allowed to go with the understanding that he would pay it Monday when he received his pay from the water works company.

"Poney" Crossley came next with a smile lighting up his features like a rainbow after a storm. He has become so used to this sort of thing that he considers it a mighty good joke. "How much is it this time Chudge," he asked. "I generally pay about $4.30, but if you can do up this justice business any cheaper I'd be much obliged to you." "That is our lowest limit," said his honor, "and just the amount I shall require in cash." "I'll tell you what I'll do Chudge; I've got $1.20 and a bran-new pair of pants I'll leave for security until I pay the balance," replied the prisoner. That being satisfactory he was allowed to go.

William Seibold was next brought out. His wife had him arrested for raising a rumpus at home and abusing her. The charge was disorderly conduct, to which he plead guilty. He promised to pay his fine, $4.30, when he gets his pay next week, and he was allowed to go."

"Sheriff Lease concluded to have a rat hunt Monday morning, and preparing himself with help he lifted the floor of the barn and in less than no time had a pile of rats that when counted numbered 73. He says that about a hundred got away. Before the hunt 20 bushels of corn only lasted him three days. It will last longer now."

Meshech Frost was responsible for the larger part of Tiffin's industrial boom of the late 1800's. Through his efforts Tiffin not only gained the National, but also the Grinding Wheel plant later known as Sterling Emery Wheel, Great Western Pottery which was later American Standard and the Tiffin Glass Company. Frost also subdivided the Highland addition, built many homes and ran a horse drawn street car line from the south end of Tiffin to the National.

For a number of years the National and it's major stockholders strongly controlled a very large portion of Tiffin's economy, even to the point of being able to dictate in some cases, which companies and interests would be allowed to locate in the city at all. Nevertheless, the company has also been directly responsible for a large number of very positive capital improvements in Tiffin through the generousity of the National Machinery Foundation, which was formed in 1948. In 1957 the National began sponsoring the National Machinery Citizenship Awards, which recognizes outstanding area high school students, a program that continues to the present time. The National's Quarter Century Club honors employees who have achieved 25 years of service. The first member of the club was John W. Spraggins, who started at the Cleveland location in 1878. Hundreds more followed.

In 2001 the company fell into bankrupcy, and was ultimately sold back to it's previous owners, the Andrew Kalnow family. In 2002 the National continued to steadily climb back out of it's economic hole, and is again becoming a viable concern.

View a picture of this chandelier

August left for work at the sash factory at the normal time the morning of January 10, 1887, and worked a full day before returning home. Upon returning home at dusk he found no trace of his wife and daughter. Several tubs of water were now frozen, and the house was very cold.

Mrs. Baccus, having stoked up the fire in the kitchen stove that morning, uncovered the cistern opening beside the stove and drew water from it for the morning's work. Young Blanche was playing on the floor, and before Mrs. Baccus could replace the cover over the opening the youngster fell in. Apparently in panic, Mrs. Baccus attempted to go down after her beloved young child. With the January weather being very cold, they did not last long.

At length Mr. Baccus noticed the open cistern and peered inside. There to his horror he found his wife and daughter locked in each other's arms in death's embrace. Kind neighbors came to help remove the two from the cistern and prepare them for burial.

The following morning Pennington was arrested by officer Hennessy on an unrelated charge of public drunkenness.

The Tiffin Daily News reported that "Upon the grounds are stone quarries, from which may be obtained all the stone that will be needed in the construction of the building. There are also deposits of clay suitable for making bricks, and plenty of gravel and sand.
To help along the project, the first week in April will be observed as donation week for the Orphans' Home."

The "Junior Home" did faithful service to a wide area for many years, and it's high school aged boys constituted one of the best football programs in northwest Ohio. Today many of these buildings still exist, and are operating as the Tiffin State Developmental Center, a state owned facility for the treatment of mental illness.

Local historian Trisha Valentine has written a wonderful history of the Junior Home entitled "Don't Call Us Orphans."
I highly recommend this volume as a source of further information.

See the JOUAM Orphans Home 1910 Census

"Officer Faulkner detected a man stealing bananas from the front of Levaggi's fruit store last evening and started for him. The fellow darted up the McCollum alley but was soon overhauled. At the police station he gave the name of C. W. Mills and was registered as a plain drunk, with kleptomaniacal propensities. (The police have a pocket dictionary.)

Michael Berry, Joseph Decatur, J. Heilman were registered at the station for drunkenness.

Twenty-two tramps applied for lodging at the police station last night."

"A father wrote an editor for instructions how to stop his boy from smoking cigarettes and got the following reply:
'We suggest bribery, persuasion, instruction or shutting off his allowance. Then if he remains obstinate, use raw-hide on raw-hide. Welt him until he is ready to hold up his hand and promise never again to smoke another cigarette. If that does not work, drown him. A drowned boy is better than one that smokes cigarettes.'"

The June 15 issue of the Advertiser told of several bicycle outings.

"Early Monday morning Profs. J. H. Snyder, J. W. Zeis and F. A. Power, accompanied by nearly a score of boys and girls from the public schools and all mounted on bicycles, rode to St. John's Dam, where they spent the day at fishing and picnicking. They had lunch baskets, hammocks, etc. strapped to their wheels and undoubtedly enjoyed a very pleasant outing."

This one was quoted by the Advertiser from the Fostoria Review-Dispatch of June 12.
 

"Rev. Patterson and forty-two wheeling Presbyterians passed through the city last night on their way to the fine country home of M. D. Schubert, five and a half miles east of the city (Fostoria) on the Tiffin road. The wheel people ranged in ages from nine to forty-five years, but they all kept up with the pace maker and when they reached the home of the hospitable country folk enjoyed an excellent evening, ice cream, cake and strawberries being served to them. The party did not return until eleven o'clock. The night was an ideal one for wheeling and not an accident of any kind occurred to marr the pleasure of the occasion."

Even the "wonder drug" salesmen catered to the wheelers. This add appeared in the same paper.

 

"Bicycle riders, football players and athletes generally find a sovereign remedy for the sprains and bruises and cuts to which they are constantly liable in Dr. Thomas Electric Oil."

The first incident was reported by a farm hand, working for Henry Creeger of Hopewell township. While traveling on the Findlay Road (now U. S. 224) he was confronted by a wild looking man who was entirely nude. The farm hand escaped the situation by urging his horse along at a very fast pace. The second incident occured later the same day when the same wild looking man, wearing nothing but a hat, jumped out of Ogle's woods about 100 yards ahead of the wife of Rev. George Bartelbaugh, who was returning with her son from a visit with friends. She escaped by wheeling the wagon quickly around, coming home by another route.

The following Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons, a man believed to be the crazy man of Ogle's woods was seen in Tiffin. On both afternoons he was carrying a bunch of wild flowers, partially clothed. Wednesday evening the naked, wild looking man came charging out of the same woods with a large club in his hand, with which he tried to assault a man on horseback. The man on horseback fired a few shots from his revolver, causing the man to again escape into the dense brush of Ogle's woods. Later the same evening the man captured and beat a little son of Henry Creeger. The citizens had then had enough! A group of them got Smith's bloodhounds and attempted to track the man down. The result of that hunt is not known, but the Seneca Advertiser posed the question, "Is he a crazy unfortunate?"

Heidelberg played Ohio State on two other occasions on the same field. The Buckeyes won 28-0 on September 30, 1905, and 23-0 in the final matchup on November 23, 1907. In the 3 games played between the two, Ohio State owned a combined 68-0 advantage.

"COLCHESTER, ROBERTS & CO.

Writers of all kinds of literary productions.

We are at present, as in the past, supplying the busy students of the country with all kinds of Literary Productions. We still continue to furnish the highest quality of Literary Work at the very lowest rate. We are no strangers to the educational institutions of the country, and our work is becoming more and more a necessity to the student as he becomes a specialist in education, and to the man who, as the victim of circumstances, is forced to perform literary labors, for which he has neither the time nor the adaptability. Our increasing business will testify to the truth of this statement, as well as to the merits of our work. In the last twenty-two years, during which time we have been conducting this business, it has increased from a merely local institution to the limits of the English-speaking world.

Of you, who have not patronized us before, we ask nothing but a trial.

We do not ask you to speculate upon the question of our honesty: We require no money in advance.

Our prices are as follows:--

High School Orations and Essays, $3.00 to $8.00.

College Essays, Orations, and Debates, $3.00 to $15.00.

Political Speeches, $10.00 to $30.00.

Lectures, $10.00 and upward.

Sermons from 50 cents to $25.00.

Our work, with the exception of the low-priced sermons, we guarantee original.

We are, Yours confidentially,

COLCHESTER, ROBERTS & CO.,

No. 11 Court Street

Tiffin, Ohio"

 

 

"Alas, fellow scribbler, passing through this Fool's Paradise, we pity you; by the law of the jungle, -

'As high as we have mounted in delight,

In our dejection do we sink as low.'"

Every river bridge in the county was lost, with the exception of the Railroad bridge, which was weighted down with loaded coal cars. One by one they floated down the river and crashed into the next bridge downstream, weakening or taking them out like huge dominoes.

When the Klingshirn house was swept into the torrent from it's location at the foot end of Davis St., 11 lives were lost.
The following is from the March 29, 1913 edition of the Daily Advertiser, which contains much information about this terrible flood.
 

"The next known victims were those in the Klingshirn house not far from the Knecht home. Mr. Klingshirn, who is employed nights at the lime kiln in Highland addition, was unable to reach his home Tuesday morning, nor was he able to rescue any of the inmates. In this house was his entire family consisting of his wife and eight children.
With them was Miss Regina Ranker, whose home is in the southern part of the city, and Raymond Hostler. When their home was swept into the river their cries were pitiful to hear. Two of the Klingshirn children were faithful Advertiser carrier boys and their untimely deaths have brought a spirit of sadness over their companions, among whom they were very popular."

One obvious cause of the flood was the enormous amount of rain which fell in a short amount of time. Another was the fact that a number of buildings had infringed upon the river, effectively cutting it's width nearly in half in some areas. When the area around the Sandusky River was originally platted, the property lines extended into the middle of the river, and no restrictions were placed on potential infringement upon the flow of the river.

After the flood, the width of the river was reclaimed, and the present river walls were constructed at such a width as to prevent such a massive tragedy from repeating itself in the future.

In April of 1938, in the midst of the Great Depression, a proposed project was submitted to the WPA for approval that would have extended the walls as far south as Ella St. This would have included higher dikes for the protection of the low lying Mechanicsburg area, and would have employed about 50 men. The proposal was apparently rejected by the WPA, and the flooding of Mechanicsburg continues to be a recurring problem to this day.

"Sometime during the night an invading party of skunks or polecats descended upon the north end of the city and residents of that section of town arising this morning were at once made aware of that fact. From the lingering perfume in the air it is to be judged that the pussies were of a strong robust constitution and enjoying perfect health.

Earl Haines came face to face with one of the visitors while on the way to his chicken house but he did not linger long enough for he was wearing his best clothes at the time. The animal was good sized, he says, and had apparently been staying under his hen house all night. Some time later he went out again and by this time the cat had gone. All of his chickens appeared to be still a little groggy from the effects of their gassing."

1924 - Calvert Football - The First Season
Tiffin Catholic High School began in 1923. It soon became known as Calvert.
In 1924 the school fielded it's first football team under former Columbian star Aloysius A. "Wishy" Kramer.
The complete story of this season, as well as a brief history of Calvert High School, of Coach Kramer and Calvert Football can be found by following these links.

Tiffin Calvert Football 1924 -The First Season
78 Seasons of Tiffin Calvert Football

Most noteworthy were those located near the Camelback Bridge at Sandusky St. The new Gaietto Block at Sandusky and Adams featured the popular Gaietto Grocery as well as the Omlor Meat Market and Leibys Drug Store. The Gaietto's also featured Gaietto's Tire and Accessory Store, which boasted a full line of service and parts for automobiles, gasoline and oil products, as well as new bicycles, tricycles and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Nearby, at the corner of Sandusky & Miami was a Cafe, once operated by A. J. Tarleton. At the cafe you could eat your lunch and partake of your favorite spirited beverages.

At 214 Wentz St. J. Levi Wyndham operated Wyndham's Ideal Poultry Yards. Although he also sold Angora kittens from that location, his primary trade was in the sale of young chicks to Tiffin families, as many kept a few chickens behind their homes to provide the family with a steady supply of eggs. On Sunday March 30, 1930, an overheated brooder stove caused Wyndham's brooder house to catch fire, killing 300 young chickens.

The complete text of this touching story can be found by following this link:

Baby Ginter

As further evidence of the generosity of Tiffin people in these hard times, the Salvation Army distributed Christmas dinners to over 60 families. At the Tiffin Theater, a Christmas Theater Party was held for 500 children.

At the County Jail, Mrs. Verne F. Deats, wife of the sheriff, arraigned for a Christmas dinner for the prisoners. The dinner included chicken and mince pie. Mr. and Mrs. Deats had just celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary 2 days prior.

At the County Infirmary, matron Mrs. C. L. Good prepared a dinner for the elderly, destitute and infirm residents that included chicken and pumpkin pie.

At the Jr. Home, Christmas Eve was marked by the annual Santa Claus Parade. Santa Claus, accompanied by "Dad" and Mrs. Kernan, visited each cottage in turn, judging each on their hand made decorations. On Christmas morning, each child awoke to find their presents arranged under the tree. A special church service for the children was held at 10:00 a. m., and a huge Christmas dinner was served at 2:30.

Although the Jr. Home has been closed for many years now, the Santa Claus Parade is still held annually, in addition to the Downtown Parade.

The bad feelings between the fans of these two great football programs continued for about 25 more years, before they could finally bring themselves to root for each other's teams. It seems to me that the biggest breakthrough came in 1980 when Calvert was in the state playoffs. Not knowing who their next opponent would be, Calvert was forced to scout more than one team at a time. Noticing this dilemma Columbian's coaching staff volunteered to scout one of the potential opponents. The team scouted by Columbian's staff was Mogadore, the defending state champions, and winners of 26 straight games. The end result was a 6-0 Calvert win on the final play of the game. Much credit was given to the brilliant scouting report presented by the Columbian coaching staff in shutting out one of the most potent offenses in Ohio. Calvert went on to win the first of it's two straight state titles that year. The cooperation between the schools received good press, and I believe that this was the turning point.

In the years following the 1980 season the relationship between the two programs became more and more cooperative. The 90's even brought joint pep rallies prior to state playoff games, and a mutual effort in renovating the stadium into one of the finest in Ohio.

Tiffin is definitely a football town. The people of Tiffin take a great deal of pride in the quality of their football teams, and the fans can become very intense in the pursuit of their loyalties. For this reason I am grateful that Calvert no longer plays Columbian, and that Tiffin University does not play Heidelberg. It is much healthier for our community if we can keep our loyalties all heading in the same direction.

In 1955 Visconti Associates purchased this farm. That same year, Tiffin City Council annexed the land into the city. On December 6, 1956, Visconti announced their intention to build a shopping center on the land, and Tiffin immediately began the work of extending utilities toward the site.

In November of 1957, Kroger became the first major tenant to announce their intention to move in, abandoning their downtown site. The new self service concept would be applied at the new location. Work on the large parking lot, and the first building, began in September 1959. By years end the S. S. Kresge Company announced that they too would abandon their downtown store in favor of the new site. Six months later work was begun on the second building, and Foodtown announced their intention to locate there. In August of 1961, Arlans announced that they would locate in the same building. In 1963, a large expansion to the west, as well as expansions to the rear of the original buildings were announced. In 1966 the Sears Roebuck Co. began construction in the northwest corner of the center, and the following year Visconti announced that they would build new storefronts in the gap between Foodtown and Sears, and Oakwood Ave. was cut through to Market St. to provide further access.
Thus the shopping center was completed, and the decline of downtown shopping had begun.

As a boy I remember walking out to Westgate with my mother every Saturday when she did her shopping. Her regular stops were always the same. At Arlans I loved to rifle through the stacks of 45 RPM records, which were priced at .25 each. At Kresge's I remember the lunch counter to the left side of the store. Andrew's Rexall Drug Store, later the Super X, always had a vacuum tube tester, and a distinctive smell to the whole store. Ozzie's Cleaners was the best place to bring all your dry cleaning. Best of all was the last stop of the day, to Islay's for one of their terrific ice cream cones. An occasional trip to Jolly's Drive In Rootbeer Stand for a take-home gallon of the best rootbeer around, in a brown glass returnable jug, was often in order as well.

Some firefighters volunteered to work inside the burning building in order to obtain relief from the bitter cold. The fire hoses had to be brought back to the station in 50 foot sections, as they were frozen solid and could not be coiled up until thawed. The tires from the trucks had to be de-iced to dislodge them from the road before the vehicles could be removed from the scene.  The firemen could not get out of their gear until they stood inside for a while, since everything on their bodies was also frozen solid.

The heavily damaged building was purchased by the Hostler Brothers. Fortunately for Tiffin, they soon installed a new roof to the building. It then remained an empty burned out shell for the next for the next 22 years.
In the late '90's it was purchased & beautifully renovated by Harrington at a cost of several million dollars.
Today Tiffin has it's landmark back, and it is being operated as a Sunrise Assisted Living facility for the retired community.

View a Picture of this scene

At the time I was 19 years old, engaged to be married and living about 7 miles south of Tiffin in a mobile home near St. John's Bridge. With the weather being threatening earlier in the week, I chose to stay at my parent's home on Wentz St. that week so I could get to work.

On that particular morning I parked my blue 1969 Pontiac Catalina on West Perry St. As I walked out of the house, there was little snow on the ground, but a strong flurry had begun to take hold. I had driven only about a block when suddenly the snow became so heavy that visibility was reduced to several feet. I slowed down drastically, and was able to stay on the road only by seeing vague reflections off of the mailboxes along Allen St. Reaching Miami St., I could see only the signpost at the corner, and absolutely nothing else. Estimating the distance from that sign to Miami St., I slowly turned right, driving straight into the ditch on the southeast corner, hopelessly stuck. This left me about 3 blocks from my parents home, so I got out and began to walk in that direction. Visibility continued to get worse, and I was barely able to stay on the road on foot. In that short walk, I was colder than I had ever been before, or since. By the time I got there, I literally had a sheet of soft ice on my face, and was thankful for having made it there safely.

It was 3 days later when I contacted Bob Somers to help me jump-start the car & help pull it out of the ditch by using his jeep. Arriving at the spot I opened the hood to find that not one part of the engine was visible, owing to the snow which had completely entombed the engine. I then called Madison Motors to get a wrecker to pull it out. To my surprise the driver of the wrecker was my seldom seen uncle Louis Kirian. He offered to keep the car inside the building so that it might thaw out for a few days, for which I was most grateful.

After the storm ended, the monumental task of digging out began. I clearly remember seeing a road grater become temporarily lodged at the intersection of Nelson & West Perry streets. In most cases the snow could not simply be plowed out of the way, as even in town it was nearly waist deep. Much of it had to be loaded into trucks, hauled away and dumped into the river, which was a very slow and tedious task.

After the roads were mostly passable, about a week later, many of us drove about in the country to see enormous snow drifts abounding, some being tree-top high and almost completely swallowing up entire buildings.

View Photos of St. John's Hollow, 1979